Since today is St. Patrick's Day, and since it's practically a law to wear green on St. Patty's Day, we figured why not come up with a list of characters (most of which appear in movies, or have movies being made about them) who wear green and ask you which one is your favorite. This one was a fun list to create -- truth be told, I went back and forth with Monika over IM for about a half hour tossing out a number of characters. To coincide with the recently-released trailer, the first character we have to name is The Incredible Hulk. He's big, he's nasty, he kicks a whole lot of ass ... and he's green! Other green monsters? How about Frankenstein and Mrs. Frankenstein. Back to green comic book characters, we also have Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Green Goblin and Poison Ivy. Additionally, the upcoming spoof flick Superhero Movie also features a lead character called Dragonfly who -- you guessed it -- wears green. (I'm sure I'm forgetting some random green-wearing comic book characters, so feel free to chime in down below.)

Moving away from the comics, we have my favorite green character -- Kermit the Frog. He's perhaps the nicest green character there is; I mean, even when Kermit gets mad, he still sounds funny ... kinda like Jerry Seinfeld (who I've never seen wear anything green). My second favorite? C'mon ... Yoda! Moving across the spectrum, villains can also wear green -- like Leprechaun (horror version), the Wicked Witch of the West or that darn Grinch who stole Christmas. And finally, how can I leave out the lovable green Ogre ... Shrek! Green is a popular color, eh?

Since there's way too many characters for an official poll, feel free to tell us who your favorite green folks are in the comments below ... and definitely let me know who we forgot. Happy St. Patty's Day!

It seems a bit late, but New Line has finally joined the animated film business. Fortunately for them, they've avoided the attempt to set up something in-house, choosing instead to acquire something already in the works. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio has picked up Planet 51, which is being produced by Spain-based Ilion Animation Studios. Scripted by Shrek and Shrek 2 co-writer Joe Stillman, the film is about the titular planet, which is visited by an "alien" from Earth. I guess it's kinda like a reverse E.T., where NASA astronaut Chuck Baker befriends a young native of Planet 51 and must avoid capture. According to the film's IMDb page, in which it's titled Planet One, Stillman is co-directing with Jorge Blanco. However, The Hollywood Reporter lists the co-directors as Blanco, Javier Abad and Marcos Martinez, all of whom apparently worked together on a video game titled Commandos.

Planet 51 is currently in production but doesn't seem too far along. Ilion hasn't yet cast the voices, which typically come first. Considering that at first glance I thought the promo image was of Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear (yeah, my eyesight is bad), I suggest they just go ahead and get Tim Allen for the lead. And then they should cast Henry Thomas as the alien kid, because all animated films these days need to be full of referential jokes. I also have to add another suggestion to New Line and Ilion: make the film in 3D. With an expected release date of March 2009, Planet 51 is teetering on the edge of the future, as Dreamworks Animation has already declared 2009 to be the year it begins releasing all its films exclusively on 3D screens. It's first, Monsters vs. Aliens, is even set to come out that same month. Now, Planet 51 may not need to be too competitive if it can hit theaters a few weeks earlier (MvA is set for end of month), though chances are audiences will forget about a lame-old 2D release once the real attractions arrive. With a budget of $60 million, Planet 51 probably can't afford to be so easily dismissed.

Alright, all you movie hounds. We know you've spent all summer watching the endless slew of sequels, from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End to Shrek the Third, from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to The Bourne Ultimatum, from Spider-Man 3 to Rush Hour 3 -- it's been one long, hot, summer. But how well do you know your movie sequel history? Over at the Guardian, they have a nifty little quiz up with questions that will test your sequel mettle. I scored 70% on the first pass, not too bad, I guess (hey some of the questions are a little tricky, I'm not that up on my Leonard Part 6). Go check it out, then let us know how you did.

Now here's a little movie sequel pop quiz for you: Can you put the three stills of each of these series in order?



More after the jump ...

You don't have to be a rocket scientist in order to spot the pattern developing during this much-hyped summer of sequels. Following two highly-entertaining and well thought-out installments in the Spider-Man franchise, we were offered a discombobulated third part that couldn't clean up its room without making it messier. Though Spidey is certainly not a tough act to follow, our lovable green ogre was in a similar position. Both Shrek and Shrek 2 were gems; ideal family comedies. A little something for the kids, a little something for the adults, and a lot of something at the box office. But when you begin to venture into threequel territory, there's a certain amount of risk that continuously whispers in your ear -- "How do we keep this thing fresh?" it asks. After all, even a little kid -- the kind that jumps up and down, screaming "Do it again, daddy!" -- will eventually become bored and move onto something else.

Although it's become increasingly more difficult to stand out in an animated marketplace flooded with generic knock-offs, Shrek the Third makes a bold attempt to reignite the magic using familiar ingredients and a whole new cast of characters. That said, the series is beginning to lose its flavor; Shrek (Mike Myers) and his cohorts continue to remain sharp, witty and adorable, but that inventive shine is fading. And what remains is an enjoyable, yet predictable version of something we used to love ... when it was new, when it was fresh and when it wasn't trying as hard to send multiple messages through a few neatly-placed Hallmark-esque monologues. For parents (especially soon-to-be fathers), Shrek the Third might seem therapeutic in a way, and it's also a great film to show those kids struggling to fit in at school. As far as the rest of us go, well, Shrek himself summed it up nicely when, half-way through the film, he blurted out, "Would you like some eggs with that ham?"

After the brilliant Pixar film The Incredibles, I don't think it is necessary to make an animated superhero satire. And after the disappointing Mystery Men, I don't think it is a good idea to let Ben Stiller make another superhero satire. But DreamWorks Animation is going ahead and making a superhero satire, titled Master Mind, and it has Stiller producing the movie, as well as possibly voicing the main character. The plot of the movie focuses on a supervillain who loses his enjoyment in life after he kills his superhero rival. If it isn't enough that such a storyline has been used either directly or implied in countless comics and some straight superhero films, the satire will need to go much further. Since the superhero's name is Uberman, though, I don't expect a whole lot of brilliant ideas for smart comedy.

My other concern with the film is how it will play to children. Uberman is killed in the first few minutes of the film, which could be harmful for kids to see. And then the rest of the movie apparently deals with a depressed criminal. Sure, there have been tons of cartoons through the years that centered on the villain, and this movie will certainly have the supervillain finding redemption, but it still sounds a little heavy -- mostly because of the murderous characteristics -- for children to deal with. I mean, there weren't a whole lot of deaths in animation when I was growing up, save for Bambi's mother (not that I honestly would have cared since I was watching horror films in first grade). The movie will be directed by first-timers Cameron Hood and Kyle Jefferson, both seasoned vets of the DreamWorks Animation team, and was written by Alan Schoolcraft and Brent Simons. According to Stiller, who was making a joke on the long process of making an animated feature, it will come out in 15-20 years.

Though we haven't seen him in a live-action film since the abysmal Cat in the Hat flick, Mike Myers is gearing up to introduce a new character to the world; one that could potentially franchise out, a la Austin Powers. Variety tells us that Marco Schnabel will make his feature directorial debut on the currently untitled pic, having worked with Myers as a crew member on the first two Austin Powers pics, as well as second unit director on Austin Powers in Goldmember. Myers penned the script along with Graham Gordy, and Paramount is eyeing a 2008 release.

In the film, Myers will play the Indian Guru Pitka -- an eccentric new-age guru who's hired to come in and help a couple figure out their relationship woes. Pic was first announced almost a year ago; no word on why it took so long to get off the ground, but something tells me Myers wanted to hone the character before moving forward. In fact, he's been quietly showing up at random New York comedy clubs in character, complete with fake nose, beard and dressed in an all-white robe. In the meantime, Myers continues to pump out Shrek films, with Shrek the Third due out May 18 and Shrek 4 hitting theaters in 2010.

I was never a big fan of Myers' Austin Powers character; his shtick wore off on me halfway through the first film. However, this Indian Guru guy sounds pretty funny. Assuming they get the right couple to play off Myers (something tells me Luke Wilson might be looked at), we could be in store for a nice refreshing comedy -- especially since, these days, they all feel the same. What do you think? Does Myers still have what it takes to entertain, or should those SNL skit-type comedies remain in the past where they belong?

Way back in November, we brought you the very first look at the teaser poster for this summer's sure-to-be blockbuster Shrek the Third, and now we've got another first: the unveiling of the brand-spanking-new theatrical poster featuring more than just Shrek's ears and green crown-topped chrome dome. Double-click on the image below for a larger version.

The third installment in the lucrative CGI franchise finds King Harold (John Cleese) on his deathbed and Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) poised to ascend the throne of Far Far Away. But as you may have gathered from Shrek's expression in the above poster, ruling a kingdom isn't exactly in our ogre hero's wheelhouse -- so Shrek, Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) set out on a quest to find the rightful heir to the throne: a rebellious teen named Artie, aka the once and future King Arthur, aka Diaz's erstwhile boyfriend Justin Timberlake. As Shrek, Donkey and Puss labor to bring 'Sexyback' to the kingdom, Fiona must defend Far Far Away from another coup attempt by the metrosexual Prince Charming (Rupert Everett). Shrek the Third barrels into theaters May 18.

Watch the trailer | Get more about the movie | See photos

Believe it or not, there was a time when Pixar was all alone atop the current animation craze. Once Toy Story hit, it seemed Disney's hand-drawn stuff was pushed aside and replaced by a new look and a new generation of kids who wanted a bit more out of their big-screen cartoons. Once Shrek came along and proved that other studios (in this case, Dreamworks) could share a piece of the pie, that opened up the door for every other major studio to start up their own animation wing. Now, we're bombarded with a host of animated films each year, and it almost feels as if Pixar's reign has come to an end.

This summer, there's a pretty good chance Shrek the Third will take in more money at the box office than Ratatouille. While it won't be a major surprise (Shrek already has a massive built-in audience, while Pixar's product is brand new), it's still a clear indication that the playing field has leveled off a bit. Nothing against Pixar (I've always loved their films), but I miss those days when the new Pixar flick was all anyone could talk about. Now, with so many animated films to choose from, it's becoming harder to pick their product out of a photo line-up. Granted, the Pixar buzz still remains, albeit a little more watered-down than it used to be -- and their films will continue to finish right up towards the top when it comes time to tally up the box office figures for the year. But for how long?

So, I ask you: Has Pixar's reign come to an end? Is there anything they can do to keep things fresh and somehow separate themselves from the rest of the pack?

After a bad year at the box office, which resulted in a major financial blow, DreamWorks Animation is anxiously awaiting the release of Shrek the Third. The sequel will be out in a month and it is sure to put the studio back in the black, though I have to point out how appropriate the movie would have been in the new 3-D format. Aside from 3-D being so hot right now, it would have been great for the film to be released as Shrek 3-D (when I was a kid it seemed all franchises went to part three just for that gimmick.) Now the studio must wait and put out the planned fourth installment of the green ogre as Shrek 4, in 3-D. And we can be sure it will actually be in the format because as of 2009 all of DreamWorks Animation's features will be in 3-D.

If a 3-D Shrek title sounds familiar, you may remember the short film shown at Universal Studios and then released on DVD a few years back (even before Shrek 2 came out.) The IMDb actually labels the thing as Shrek 4-D, but I'm pretty sure the video is titled Shrek 3-D. Of course, it was made before the current Real D 3-D technology was being utilized (it still used the red and blue glasses.) Actually, if you follow all the trends closely, you may even remember that the first Shrek was supposed to be shown on IMAX in digital 3-D (again, the old kind.)

Whether you are a fan of the Shrek franchise or not, you can't deny that the fairy tale satires are some of the more successful animated films in recent history (I've always enjoyed a good fairy tale subversion, so I've been a fan of the series in spite of their flaws). That success might have sealed the deal for Shrek writer Joe Stillman's latest script. Variety reports that Handmade Films International and Madrid's Ilion Animation Studios are on board to finance Stillman's Planet One, a CGI sci-fi comedy.

The film is the story of an alien world whose idyllic 50's-style civilization (right down to interstellar drive-ins and malt shops) is thrown into upheaval with the arrival of a human astronaut who crash-lands on their planet. Directed by Jorge Blanco (lead artist for the Commandos video game series), the production is set to start this May and they are already eying the family-friendly release dates of either Christmas 2008 or Easter 2009. Also on board to produce is former Nickelodeon head of TV and film production Albie Hecht and already there are plans for a video game and a promotion for mobile phone networks as tie-ins for the film. Shrek The Third opens this May, so until they see the box office receipts; Handmade is going to have to go on faith that Stillman's script is worth Planet One's $50 million price tag.