After presenting The Spirit at last month's New York Comic-Con, Lionsgate feels good enough about Frank Miller's solo directorial debut to move it from its January 16th dead zone of a release date to Christmas Day, 2008. So instead of going up against Mall Cop, starring Kevin James as a wacky security guard, and the Notorious B.I.G. biopic, The Spirit will face off against Adam Sandler's Bedtime Stories, the supposedly ultra-heartwarming Marley & Me, The Tale of Despereaux, and the aftershocks of Twilight and The Day the Earth Stood Still.

"Adult" Christmas counterprogramming has not traditionally fared too well. Last year's Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem actually did okay, but remember Black Christmas? No? What about Darkness? The move is indeed a vote of confidence, but it might up throwing the film to the wolves. The key is to position it as a prestige picture rather than a throwaway. There's been enough fanfare around the promotional materials released thus far to make that look like a possibility. If Lionsgate can put it on people's radar in advance as a Christmas Movie to See, rather than have it randomly show up to compete against the holiday heavy-hitters, it could work.

Take a look at the trailer for The Spirit here.

Not long ago, a friend of mine was auditioning for a role in Fast and the Furious 4. I never found out how that went, but we had fun running through the script pages he had; showing him how to get into character. (As if I know what I'm talking about -- heck, he probably lost the role based on what we told him to do.) Anyway, there's been lots of buzz surrounding part four, seeing as both Vin Diesel and Paul Walker are reprising their roles from the earlier films. Well, JFX Online (those folks who stake out film sets and snap photos) have posted a few photos and a video from the set of Fast and the Furious 4. We get our first look at Vin Diesel (above), as well as Paul Walker (after the jump) and a bunch of the vehicles being used in the flick (see video). Fast cars. Fast women. AND Vin Diesel. Is your mouth watering yet?

In addition to the Fast and the Furious photos, JFX Online was also stalking the set of Adam Sandler's new film Bedtime Stories, and managed to get the first pic of Sandler holding an umbrella for a scene that features ... gumballs falling from the sky? We've included that photo after the jump for you to check out; Bedtime Stories follows a dude (Sandler) who realizes that, after reading bedtime stories to his nephews, the characters suddenly come to life. It's due out this Christmas.

Most Adam Sandler fans are probably more than a little relieved that he has left some of the 'earnest' comedy behind and is now headed back to a sillier state of mind with You Don't Mess with the Zohan. But don't get too comfortable; it looks like there's more family-friendly fare on the horizon. ComingSoon.net recently got the chance to speak with Adam Shankman on the set of his latest flick, Seventeen (starring the 'dreamy' Zac Efron) to talk about his upcoming directing gig with Sandler in Bedtime Stories.

Shankman told Coming Soon that the release date of December 25th is foremost in his mind and that production is going to have to work, "Unbelievably fast, because I'm going till mid-June; it's a long schedule. Then, I have to be out in theaters December 25th. And there's a ton of CG, so I'm excited." Sure, he sounds excited, but why am I suddenly worried that this film is going to be the Jumanji of 2008?

The family comedy was written by Matt Lopez, a relative newcomer who only has a few credits to his name -- one of which is the upcoming remake of Witch Mountain. Stories stars Sandler as a guy whose life is forever changed when the stories that he tells his nephew at bedtime start to become real. Keri Russell (Waitress) also stars, although there is no description of her part. The smart money is that Russell will get the thankless role of 'love interest'. Shooting is set to begin in the next three weeks and keep your fingers crossed that Shankman can keep on schedule.

Variety is reporting that Keri Russell will follow in the footsteps of such beautiful actresses as Drew Barrymore, Winona Ryder, and Jessica Biel. In Disney's Bedtime Stories, Russell will romance Adam Sandler. She'll play "a potential love interest for Sandler's character, a harried real estate developer whose life is suddenly turned upside down when the lavish bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew become real." Adam Shankman, a director who totally underwhelmed me until Hairspray, will direct. Matt Lopez (the upcoming Witch Mountain) wrote the script.

It might not be the most challenging role Russell could tackle -- women in Sandler comedies historically don't have much to do other than laugh at the star. But I'll be thrilled if appearing in the film bumps Russell into the stardom that has bafflingly eluded her all these years. I was a big Felicity fan, I've enjoyed her in pretty much everything else, and she was just wonderful in this year's Waitress, now on DVD. Her lovely performance in Adrienne Shelly's romantic comedy just might snag her an Academy Award nomination. And here's hoping this gets Sandler comedy back on track. I'm not expecting another Happy Gilmore, but I can't sit through another Click. Get ready for your Bedtime Stories next year at Christmas.

Is it me, or did M. Night Shyamalan just get bitch-slapped? And by Mickey Mouse, no less. Variety reports that Disney has just signed Adam Sandler to star in Bedtime Stories (a.k.a. The Film M. Night Could've Helmed for Disney if He Didn't Throw a Hissy Fit, Run to Warner Bros. and Shell Out the Craptastic Lady in the Water), to be directed by Adam Shankman. The film will jump into production later this year, with Disney eying a 2008 holiday release. And, based on the pic's description, it seems someone wants to have their own Night at the Museum ... minus The Stiller. For Shankman, this will be his third film for Disney, having already proven he can helm hits (Bringing Down the House and The Pacifier) ... even though both films missed my sense of humor by a mile.

Written by Matt Lopez, Stories follows a real-estate developer (Sandler) whose life is turned upside down when the outrageous bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew suddenly become true. Based on how well Sandler's last high-concept comedy clicked at the box office -- coupled with the fact that those over-achievers at Disney want to rule the holiday season -- I imagine this sucker will be huge. Huge, I say! Pic also marks the first time Sandler has ever starred in a film for Walt Disney Pictures; back in 1998, Touchstone released The Waterboy. So, here's the big question: Can Adam Sandler handle some innocent family fun? Will he lose some of his edge when all the filthy, perverted jokes are stripped from his comedic repertoire? Thoughts?