The Weekly Ketchup: New Bond Title, Golden Brad Bird, Del Toro To Direct Hobbits

In this week’s Ketchup, Bond 22 has a flashy new title, Brad Bird gets his just desserts for directing the highest rated film of 2007, and Shia LaBeouf is set to star as the last man on Earth. Also, Guillermo Del Toro is the number one choice to direct the Hobbit films, and we get a peek of Will Smith in his upcoming superhero movie.

This Week’s Top News:

Bond 22 No More: New 007 Movie Gets a Title

It’s going to take a little getting used to, what with months of referring to it simply as Bond 22 and all, but the next 007 caper has an official title.

Brad Bird Gets a Golden Tomato
It’s no secret that Ratatouille has been hailed by critics and movie-goers alike as one of the top movies of 2007. Writer/director Brad Bird, who took on the same duties for The Incredibles, tackled the familiar, yet ever-daunting task of trying to continue Pixar’s seemingly infallible Certified Fresh winning streak.

Is Shia LaBeouf The Last Man?
Those of you who had “Shia LaBeouf walking around a post-plague landscape with a monkey” on the list of things you wanted to see before you died may soon have your dreams come true.

Guillermo Del Toro in Talks to Direct Back-to-Back Hobbit Films
After the past few weeks’ spate of bad news (and weather), have we got some silver lining for you: our preciousss is in motion to return to the big screen. Now that Peter Jackson has kissed and made up with the studios, New Line and MGM are in talks with Guillermo del Toro to direct two, simultaneously shot installments of The Hobbit!

New Pictures of Will Smith as Hancock
You’ve seen the trailer — now you can get a look at Will Smith in full-on Hancock garb, thanks to a pair of new stills released by Sony.

Craig ponders his solace.

• Julianne Moore will star in the horror/thriller Shelter with Swedish duo Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein directing.
• SNL alum Kevin Nealon has joined the cast of Upstairs, the Fox adventure comedy starring Ashley Tisdale.
• Gerard Butler will star opposite Katherine Heigl in the battle of the sexes comedy The Ugly Truth, with Robert Luketic directing for Lakeshore Entertainment.
• The Weinstein Co. has acquired Woody Allen‘s Vicky Cristina Barcelona for North American distribution, with the release scheduled for later this year.
• Kevin MacDonald has signed on to direct Bobby Fischer Goes to War, a drama about the chess master’s famed match with Boris Spassky, based on the book by David Edmonds and John Eidinow.
• Michael Angarano, Sam Rockwell and Jemaine Clement will star in Jared Hess‘ next comedy Gentlemen Broncos.
• Mike Vogel, Brittany Murphy and Danny Pino will star in the indie drama Across the Hall, from first-time director Alex Merkin.
• David Bowie is in talks to join the cast of the musical Will, with Lisa Kudrow, Vanessa Hudgens and Scott Porter already onboard.
• James Gandolfini has joined Jesse L. Martin in the drama Sexual Healing, based on the last years of singer Marvin Gaye.
• Josh Hartnett will star in the martial arts action film Bunraku, with Guy Moshe planning to write and direct.
• Brett Ratner, Frank Darabont, James Mangold and Joe Johnston have met with or plan to meet with producers of The Wolfman to discuss taking over directing duties following the exit of Mark Romanek, with Bill Condon also in consideration.

Who’s your choice to take over?

Around The Site:

• Check out RT’s top gridiron movies ahead of the big game.
• Jessica Alba talks to RT about The Eye.
• RT-UK’s Joe Utichi talks with Peter O’Toole and Sam Neill on the set of Dean Spanley.
• Jason Biggs discusses chicks and Over Her Dead Body with RT.
• Don’t miss RT’s ninth annual Golden Tomato Awards!