When Elisabeth Rappe brought us the teaser poster for Punisher: War Zone a couple of weeks back, she correctly supposed that the teaser trailer might be attached to this weekend's Marvel property, The Incredible Hulk.

IGN Movies has the exclusive trailer, and it's all bangs and booms as vengeance-minded Frank Castle - played by Ray Stevenson of 'Rome', in place of Thomas Jane - wreaks more havoc on the criminal and corrupt.

I can't speak for fans of the comic, but I'm really not sure how many of them wanted to see a sequel to the 2004 actioner (which, mind you, barely broke even at the box office), and how many will actually turn out for one sorely lacking in Jane, not to mention the article 'The'. And whether or not it's better left swept under the rug, it's always hard to ignore various signs of a troubled production.

Good, bad, loud or in between, Punisher: War Zone is scheduled to open on December 5. Maybe it's looking to rake in all the fanboy bucks that Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem and Hitman managed around last year's holiday season...

Lately it seems that everyone loves a bloodsucker. Variety reports that David Goyer has signed to direct the adaptation of the graphic novel, Baltimore, or The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire. Phew, that title certainly is a mouthful. Baltimore was written by Hellboy creator, Mike Mignola (and finally after what seemed like an eternity to Hellboy fans; we are getting our sequel, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, this summer) and Christopher Golden. It looked like Goyer was going to take a break from comic books for a while when he was attached to The Invisible Man this summer, but it seems he just can't stay away.

The story centers on one Lord Henry Baltimore, turned into a vampire on the battlefields of Europe during WWII. The curse eventually causes the death of his loved ones and he assembles a team to hunt down and destroy evil. Both Golden and Mignola will be on hand to write the script for the big-screen version. This will be the third adaptation deal for Golden, according to Variety, who has some previous experience in scripting the undead after writing dialogue for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds video game back in 2003.

Regency Pictures brokered the deal for the adaptation as part of their new strategy to make films that will appeal "to a young male demographic" -- is there any other kind lately? Some of Regency's other titles this year will be the Virgin Comics title Virulents, directed by John Moore, and an action thriller titled The Darkest Hour. Goyer is set to start work on Magneto as soon as budgets and locations have been finalized (if you can't wait for 2008 though, there are always the spoilers that Chris reported on earlier this month). So, I'm guessing that production on Baltimore will probably be a long time coming.

OK, so this wouldn't be the first time that fans of Megan Fox were duped into thinking the Transformers babe had landed her next high-profile role. I mean, we all saw how that Half to Death deal turned out. Creature Corner is reporting that sources are confirming Fox was "incredibly interested" in the lead for the big-screen version of the graphic novel Hack/Slash. The comic was originally published back in 2004 for Devil's Due Productions and centered on a 'slasher' hunter named Cassie on a mission to rid the world of evil with her trusty partner Vlad. The casting rumor has been around for a while now, but it seems talk of Fox's involvement with the film just won't die (and even though I have never read the comic, just from the few stills I've seen so far, I have to say that Fox is a dead ringer for the lead). Since news of Fox's involvement has hit the official MySpace page for the comic, I wouldn't be surprised if we get some kind of answer from the production in the near future.

Hack/Slash was picked up by Rogue Pictures back in December. Here we are almost one year later, and there hasn't been a peep out of the production until now. When word of the project first emerged, director Todd Lincoln told Movieweb the film was going to have "a sprinkling of humor to balance the scares, but this will be a lean, vicious, blood-soaked, Hard-R fright fest. The goal is to create the ultimate slasher film." Fox has already proven that she can hold her own with giant f**king robots, and the promise of her in some of those outfits is probably enough to pack theaters night after night -- at least with adolescent boys. Until we hear something official, though, you guys will just have to rely on your imagination.

Well, we might be getting a big screen version of DC Comic's Justice League sooner than we thought. Robert Sanchez at IESB reports that sources at Warner Bros. confirm that "execs behind the Justice League of America want it to be in production as early as February/March 2008 to be ready for a summer of 2009 release." Last June, Erik reported that a completed script for the film had been turned in by Kiernan and Michele Mulroney. IESB's sources now say Warner was so happy with the result, the studio decided to set an early start date for the film.

We've already heard talk that George Miller (Mad Max) will be signed to direct, but, the big question still remains: With new installments of Batman and Superman on the way, will WB be able to create a crossover with Christian Bale and Brandon Routh reprising their respective roles? Routh seemed more enthusiastic about the idea than Bale, but if WB is in a rush to get Justice League off the ground, the studio will have to start making some decisions. Casting Routh or Bale could cause serious delays with either a potential third Batman film or the next Superman film, The Man of Steel -- which are two pretty big franchises for WB to gamble with. On the other hand, Justice League could launch a franchise all its own. Plus, the film offers the chance for tie-ins with upcoming big screen versions of Wonder Woman and The Flash. So far nothing is official, so stay tuned for JLA updates as they come our way.

Now that's what I'm talking about! I believe this one photo single-handedly illustrates and combines every male fantasy into one: Hot girl ... on a red sports car ... holding two powerful weapons. The "American Dream" has officially come true! Personally, I love Angelina Jolie when she takes on a badass role -- and, quite frankly, I wish she would slip them in there more often. The Tomb Raider flicks -- eh? -- but she was fantastic in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and judging from these newly-released photos over on JustJared, her latest film don't look so bad either.

What you're looking at is a photo from Jolie's newest flick, Wanted. Based on a comic book miniseries (written by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones), Wanted tells the story of a "mama's boy" (James McAvoy) who learns that his recently-assassinated father was part of an elite group of assassins. Following dad's death, the boy is recruited by the same organization and trained (by Morgan Freeman who, in case you did not know, never stops acting) to follow in his father's footsteps. Jolie plays a jewel thief named The Fox. Director Timur Bekmambetov will make his English-language debut off a script penned by at least four different people (including Michael Brandt). Wanted is currently set to speed into theaters on March 28, 2008.

Although the paparazzi are some of the most hated people in the movie business, you have to admit -- they do come in handy sometimes. Flynet is hosting some surreptitiously taken video and photos of Angelina Jolie on set during the recent filming of the comic book adaptation, Wanted. They even scored some footage of Jolie shooting a driving sequence for the film. So it seems that those test-drives back in April were a rehearsal for the real thing, since it does appear to be Jolie behind the wheel. And as we all know, Jolie has never been adverse to a little stunt work. There is also some of your more run-of-the-mill celebrity footage of Jolie walking to and from trailers, but I think we have all had our fill of tabloid shots of the actress -- Jolie included.

Wanted is based on the graphic novel by Mark Millar and J.G Jones, and the story centers on a young man who learns his recently deceased father was a founding member of an ultra-elite group of international assassins. The film is being directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Night/Day Watch), who will also be making his English-language debut before he starts filming his next Russian feature, Twilight Watch. Joining Jolie are James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland) and Morgan Freeman -- not to mention the cavalcade of casting announcements over the last few months, adding hip-hop artist, Common and Terrance Stamp to the cast. It appears that everything is on track for production since this was when Jolie had been expected to start filming in Chicago. Wanted is set for release on March 28th, 2008.

[via A Socialite's Life]

With ComicCon right around the corner, we're about to be bombarded with news of upcoming wheeling and dealing for all things comic book, and it looks like Roger Avary might be getting started a little early this year. ShockTillYouDrop has reported that Avary, who is scheduled to make a ComicCon appearance on the 26th, is hoping to breathe a little life into his plans for a big-screen version of the comic book The Nocturnals. Avary also made the announcement that he is off the Silent Hill sequel saying, "If Christophe's not gonna do it, I'm not...". (Avary wrote the first Silent Hill, while Christophe Gans directed.) So while that might be good news for some, it definitely opens up some free time in Avary's schedule. While speaking with Shock, Avary seemed enthusiastic about The Nocturnals project noting, "I'd love to see that made. I actually gave the comics to [Beowulf producer] Jeff Rapke and was like, 'Check this out, this is the s**t!'". Expletives aside, I have to admit the comic sounds like it definitely has some box office potential.

Created by Dan Brereton, The Nocturnals ran from 1994-1995 as part of a six-part miniseries for Malibu Comics. The story focused on a fictional California town overrun by a supernatural phenomena, with leader Doc Horror and his gang battling your usual assortment of supernatural baddies. Some of the main characters include a gun-slinging scarecrow, a Komodo Dragon-boy and a bad-ass tadpole called Starfish. So if nothing else you have to give Brereton credit for originality. Avary has wrapped up work on Robert Zemeckis' Beowulf, and he'll next be moving on to a big-screen version of the video game Driver. So even if Avary manages to put a deal in place for Nocturnals, it could still be some time before a feature film makes its way to theaters.

Well, we should probably just get used to sorting through the latest casting rumors for Zack Snyder's big-screen version of The Watchmen. Latino Review, who've scooped big news in the past to various success, has reported that Malin Akerman is set to play Laurie Juspeczyk (aka Silk Spectre) in the film. The last actress rumored to be up for the role was Kate Winslet, but if Latino Review's source can be trusted, it looks like Akerman has scored the part. Akerman is probably most familiar to fans of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, as the wife of "Freakshow". But lately Akerman has been landing some high profile roles in the upcoming remake of The Heartbreak Kid from the Farrelly brothers, and Nicole Kidman's The Invasion.

Last month, Warner Bros. had released a brief synopsis of the film, and while most of the original story seemed to remain intact, it looks like there will be a few minor changes on the way. As fans of The Watchmen graphic novel well know, the story is set in an alternate version of America; one that's on the verge of nuclear war with The Soviet Union. Superheroes are now outcasts, and when one of their own is murdered, a greater conspiracy is revealed. There have been rumblings that Jason Patric was also being considered for the role of Dr. Manhattan, but the latest buzz has Billy Crudup as the frontrunner for the part (that has yet to be confirmed). According to the source at Latino Review, WB will be making some casting announcements at this week's San Diego ComicCon. There is bound to be plenty of Watchmen talk at the convention, so stay tuned to Cinematical's upcoming coverage for any news that comes our way.

UPDATE: Latino Review also confirms that Jackie Earle Haley has officially been cast as Walter Kovacs (aka Rorschach). Look for formal announcements to come during this week's ComicCon.

Since I am hardly an expert on the matter, it's no surprise that I had never heard of the latest comic book to earn the big-screen treatment. Variety reports that rights to the indie-comic The Living Corpse have been secured by Shoreline Entertainment. The series, created by Ken Haeser and Buz Hasson, centers on a zombie who suffers from flashbacks of his former life while staying busy making sure that his fellow "living challenged" friends stay dead and buried.

Haeser provides the illustrations, while Hasson writes the story, but there is no word on whether either of them will be involved with the feature film version. Already slated to write and direct the live-action film is Justin Ritter, who's only other credit is the horror flick KatieBird *Certifiable Crazy Person, about a serial killer who discovers she is part of a long standing family tradition. The film was released back in 2005, but, Ritter has mostly worked in television since.

Recently, Shoreline was behind the Douglas Copeland adaptation Everything's Gone Green, but they also have some experience with the horror genre. Their last, The Signal has been garnering some buzz since its premiere at Sundance back in January. The film was picked up by Magnolia and is set for release this September -- and after reading Scott's review, I'm already hooked. Considering Corpse's indie beginnings, the film version is probably not going to be a big budget affair either. But, the amount of undead the story requires will probably account for a pretty hefty special F/X budget. When you consider the sheer volume of comic book movies on the way, Shoreline is going to have to make sure that Corpse doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Maybe it's just me, but there's certainly something a little bit off about this newly-released Iron Man cast photo. I don't know, it's just not what I was expecting -- the picture itself (featured to the right -- click for a larger version) seems to have this whole Sci-Fi Network vibe that just doesn't jive with me. As if EW was previewing a new television series, and not one of next summer's blockbuster movies. Nevertheless, this is the first image that features all of the primary cast members -- in character -- and reminds us that, while it's just another comic book adaptation, this isn't just another comic book cast.

We have Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark (aka Iron Man), Gwyneth "I'm back everyone!" Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane (aka Iron Monger)and Terrence "I'm what Cuba Gooding Jr. could've been" Howard as Jim Rhodes. Directed by Jon Favreau (who I never in a million years thought would be helming this kind of film back when he was chugging beers in PCU), Iron Man follows, what EW calls "a playboy billionaire weapons manufacturer who becomes a born-again do-gooder in high-tech duds after a brush with death forces him to reevaluate his life." I think that's a fancy way of saying -- dude creates a funky suit and decides to kick a whole lot of ass with it. This photo comes hot on the heels of a major rumor circulating that suggests Samuel L. Jackson is filming a top secret role in Iron Man as fellow comic book character (and Stark acquaintance) Nick Fury. No official word on that yet (but ComicCon is only a month away), so stay tuned. Iron Man hits theaters on May 9, 2008.