The Weekly Ketchup: Robert Downey Jr. As "Iron Man," George Lucas In The News, And More!

In this week’s Ketchup, Robert Downey Jr. finally gets cast as "Iron Man," and George Lucas discusses many things, including "Indiana Jones 4."

Also, the "Superman Returns" DVD will be affordable to everyone (in China), and the "Fantastic Four" sequel has an attractive new cast member. Read on for details.

This Week’s Most Popular News:

Robert Downey Jr. IS Iron Man
Marvel has picked Robert Downey Jr. to play billionaire-turned-metallic superhero Iron Man, AKA Tony Stark, in the John Favreau-directed comic adaptation slated for 2008.

George Lucas Donates $175m, Quits Movies, and Discusses "Indy 4"
The somewhat wealthy George Lucas recently donated $175 million to the USC School of Cinematic Arts — after which he denounced the world of filmmaking and basically said "Now TELEVISION, that’s where it’s at!" Then he dropped a few new non-hints about "Indiana Jones 4" and went home to his 12 mansions.

"Superman Returns" Fights Pirates With $2 Price Tag
In an attempt to defeat the dastardly pirates of the home video market, Warner Home Entertainment will be selling the "Superman Returns" DVD for a price comparable to black market knock-offs, at about 2 bucks a pop.

Gorgeous Model Joins "Fantastic Four 2" Cast
Fashion model turned actress Beau Garrett has been signed to play the Human Torch’s love interest in next year’s "Fantastic Four" sequel. Here’s hoping she owns a few fire extinguishers.

"You know, people also doubted Michael Keaton as Batman."

In Other News:

• Jack Black‘s new production company, Electric Dynamite, will helm the film based on a New York Times article "In College Football, Big Paydays for Humiliation," about small college football teams earning money for playing against national powerhouses.

• Franka Potente will star in "Pope Joan," a big screen version of Donna Cross’ bestselling novel about a female pope.

• Robert Altman will direct the film of a script he has written based on the 1997 documentary "Hands on a Hard Body: The Documentary," which recounted a Texas endurance contest that offered a new Nissan Hardbody truck as the prize.

• Patricia Clarkson has joined Ryan Gosling and Emily Mortimer in the cast of "Lars and the Real Girl."

• Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon will co-produce "The Game of Sunken Places," based on the children’s book by M.T. Anderson.

• Halle Berry is set to star in "Class Act," as Reno, Nevada teacher Tierney Cahill, who ran for congress in 2000 after a challenge from her students.

• Christopher Bridges (AKA Rapper Ludacris) has joined the cast of "Fred Claus" and will play an angry elf. Also in the cast are Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti and Elizabeth Banks.

• Sissy Spacek, Troy Garity, and musician Dave Matthews will star in the family drama "Lake City."

• Filming started this week on the romantic comedy "Definitely, Maybe," with Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Weisz, Derek Luke, Isla Fisher, and Abigail Breslin starring.

• David Ayer will write and direct "Mafia Cop," based on the life of Louis Eppolito, the NYPD detective who moonlighted as a mob hitman.

• Drew Barrymore‘s Flower Films will produce the film versions of Melissa de la Cruz’s "The Au Pairs" series of young-adult novels.

• Rogue Pictures will produce an untitled adult sex comedy to be written by Erik Lindsay and directed by Joe Nussbaum, the same duo behind the upcoming "American Pie: The Naked Mile."

• Joe Nussbaum will also direct Erik Lindsay’s "Cougars" for Focus Features, about a group of young men who set out to date older women.

• Sam Jones will make his directorial debut with "Boomerang," a comedy about a man who reclaims his life from his controlling parents.

• Director Alexandre Aja ("The Hills Have Eyes") will helm the English-language version of the French novel "The Gospel According to Jimmy."

• Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Martin Short, Joan Plowright, Izabella Miko, and Andrew McCarthy have reportedly joined the cast of the big-budget adaptation "The Spiderwick Chronicles."

• Finally, after the implosion of the "A Little Game" project, with Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz and director Gabriele Muccino bailing, Focus Features is trying to resurrect the film, with writer James Schamus hastily working on revising the script.

Habemus papam?