The Weekly Ketchup: James Cameron’s New Leading Man, Jackman Likes "Wolverine," "Hellboy" Has New Enemies, And More!

by Nick Hershey | October 20, 2006

In this week’s Ketchup, James Cameron finds his man for "Avatar," Hugh Jackman digs the "Wolverine" script, and Guillermo del Toro ponders some old friends as possible foes for "Hellboy."

Also, John Woo‘s "He-Man" might not, in fact, "have the power" to make it back to the bigscreen, and Rupert Grint lets slip a rumor about Chris Columbus returning to direct another "Harry Potter." Read on for details.

This Week’s Most Popular News:

Has James Cameron Found His "Avatar" Star?
The news has been confirmed in an official capacity, but according to a handful of movie sites, James Cameron has found a star for his long-awaited "Avatar." And it’s not the sort of leading man you’re probably expecting…

Hugh Jackman: "Wolverine" Prequel Script is "Fantastic"
According to producer-star Hugh Jackman, David Benioff’s script for "X-Men" spinoff "Wolverine" is good to go, and great to boot.

Hellboy vs. Dracula vs. Frankenstein vs. The Mummy??
Mad Spanish genius Guillermo del Toro recently spent some time at the New York Film Festival, because his brilliant "Pan’s Labyrinth" was playing there, and he took some time to ponder the idea of … "Hellboy" vs. some old-school Universal monsters.

John Woo’s "He-Man" Movie Goes …Nowhere
Thank the lord we have websites out there who’ll report on a specific LACK of news. This is how we know that the John Woo "He-Man" movie is stuck in neutral, and not likely to move forward anytime soon. Thrilling.

Chris Columbus Returning to Direct Another "Potter"?
There’s never a shortage of Potter-related news, is there? The latest tidbit comes from young actor Rupert Grint, who either dropped a mild surprise — or has no idea what he’s talking about. It seems that Chris Columbus might be coming back to helm his third "Harry Potter" flick.

No shredding necessary.

In Other News:

The Jim Henson Company has confirmed that "Fraggle Rock" will be made into a feature length movie.

John Milius‘ next project will be writing the script for the Korean War film "The Chosen Few."

Stephen Susco, the screenwriter of "The Grudge" franchise will make his directorial debut on the bigscreen adaptation of Tim Lebbon’s novel "White" for Rogue Pictures.

John Cusack is producing and starring with Hilary Duff, Joan Cusack and Marisa Tomei in the dark political satire "Brand Hauser: Stuff Happens".

Jeremy Piven and "Saturday Night Live" alum Molly Shannon have joined the voice cast of CG-animated comedy "Igor," with Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, and Christian Slater.

Walt Disney Pictures has acquired a comedy project from screenwriter Larry Doyle titled "Me2," with Mark Waters set to direct.

Kal Penn and director Mort Nathan will collaborate again in the comedy "Under New Management," after having just finished filming "National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj."

Capitol Films will distribute the indie thriller "Blackout." Amber Tamblyn will star with Rigoberto Castaneda directing.

Shawn Roberts has been cast as one of the leads in George Romero’s latest zombie flick "Diary of the Dead."

Julia Ormond has joined the cast of the F. Scott Fitzgerald story "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt.

Writer-director Randall Wallace will adapt Ayn Rand’s "Atlas Shrugged" for the big screen with Angelina Jolie already set to star.

Universal Pictures has picked up "Counter Clockwise," a comedy/drama written by Paul Bernbaum for Jennifer Aniston to star in and produce.

New Line has signed Barry Mendel to produce "Inkheart," an adaptation of the first in Cornelia Funke’s fantasy trilogy.

Jay Lavender and Jeremy Garelick, writers of "The Break-Up," will make their feature directing debut on "The Golden Tux," a comedy that will star Dan Fogler.

Djimon Hounsou will star in the urban drama "The Trunk," being directed by Sylvain White, and also featuring Boris Kodjoe and Thomas Kretschmann.

Sam Shepard will star in "Descending From Heaven: The Strange and Extraordinary Tale of Claude Eatherly, A-Bomb Pilot" with Sandy Smolan directing.

Sean McNamara ("Raise Your Voice") will direct the live-action feature "Bratz," based on the top-selling toy franchise.

Rachel McAdams is in talks to star in the movie version of Audrey Niffenegger’s bestseller "The Time Traveler’s Wife."

Timothy Olyphant and Mary Elizabeth Winstead have been cast in "Live Free or Die Hard," the fourth installment of the Bruce Willis "Die Hard" series.

Finally, Adam Sandler and Kevin Misher will produce the adaptation of Dan Zevin’s comic memoir "The Day I Turned Uncool: Confessions of a Reluctant Grown-Up," as a possible starring vehicle for Sandler.