Taking into consideration Clint’s very sad news this past 24 hours, and the fact that he’s still supposed to be getting on with the job of producing a movie (seems nobody in this business has heard of ‘personal leave’, let alone a ‘sick day’) I’ve been anointed the unofficial Moviehole manager for the next day or so – and yes kids, I may be treating to you to the Jackie Earle Haley sex video* as the day progresses, depending on my mood. Anyway, as I’m knee-deep in a rewrite, and have a twirly-mustached producer breathing down my neck to finish it, this ‘Various News Items’ idea seems like the best idea – at least until wine o’clock…. which, if my laptop battery is anything to go by, might come sooner rather than later. Wish me luck!

Conan the Barbarian

Some pics (one of which is left) of the ‘new’ Conan, played by former “Baywatch” prop Jason Momoa, have appeared online at Latino Review. Nothing ’bout Momoa’s new look screams “Conan”, but then, with Marcus Nispel directing, Nu Image producing, and ‘Rose McGowan’ as ‘Evil Witch #1’, should we really be expecting anything less than absolute trite cinema when it comes to this rather superfluous reboot? I’m about as unexcited as I was before I glanced upon the photos.

Judge Dredd

The on-again off-again on-again “Judge Dredd” reboot movie (they’re apparently going to “get it right” this time – heh, we’ll see) is back on, with “Vantage Point” director Pete Travis appointed director. The hold-up, apparently, has been the lack of interest in financing the long-in-development project – money, it seems, is something the producers have since located (those supermarket wishing-wells do have a purpose after all!). Alex Garland (“The Beach”) wrote the latest draft, so this might turn out Okay… well, better than the Sly Stallone version anyway. There’s more at Deadline.

Untitled Funny Flick

Danny McBride and Aziz Ansari, the most recent attachments to Ruben Fleischer’s upcoming “30 Minutes or Less”, have signed to star in a second – at this stage ‘untitled’ – movie. Credited with the story side of things are Ansari (“Funny People”), ”30 Rock” writer Matt Hubbard and Harris Wittels (“Parks & Recreation”). This could either be fast-tracked or, like most of the films that feature actors that regularly work with Judd Apatow, placed on a slow simmer.

Fright Night

You gotta be kidding me, right? Colin Farrell? Erm, whatever…. Deadline reports that the previously-picky Irishman will play the ‘Chris Sarandon-role’ – that of the charming vampire neighbor – in Craig Gillespie’s remake of “Fright Night”. The flick, also starring Toni Collette and Anton Yelchin, is a rare studio outing for the “In Bruges” actor. Meanwhile, Farrell is also said to be onboard the Seth Gordon-directed New Line comedy ”Horrible Bosses”.

Riddick

The official synopsis for the new “Riddick” movie (and yeah, it’s simply called “Riddick” now) has been unearthed via Shock Til You Drop. Here it is, yo! Betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, Riddick (Diesel) fights for survival against alien predators and becomes more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Soon bounty hunters from throughout the galaxy descend on Riddick only to find themselves pawns in his greater scheme for revenge. With his enemies right where he wants them, Riddick unleashes a vicious attack of vengeance before returning to his home planet of Furya to save it from destruction.

Let Me In

A couple of new pics from the Chloe ‘Kick-Ass’ Moretz-starring remake of “Let the Right One In” have emerged, thanks to Overture.

The Three Musketeers 3D

Paul W.S Anderson (“Alien vs Predator”) is directing a new “3-D” version of the swashbuckling “Three Musketeers” series – it’s one of two new “Muskeeter” movies (the one being directed by the far more dependable Doug Liman already sounds better) in the works. The cast of Anderson’s version, says Heat Vision, will include oft-rumored “Spider-Man” contender Logan Lerman (think it’s safe to say he’s no longer in the running if he’s committed to this?) as D’Artagnan with Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans and Matthew Macfadyen as Porthos, Athos and Aramis, respectively. Christopher Waltz (“Inglourious Basterds”) and Mads Mikkelson (“Casino Royale”) will play the villains, Cardinal Richelieu and Rochefort, respectively, whilst Milla Jovovich, has been cast as Milady de Winter, a former love of Athos who is described as “17th century Bond girl”.Orlando Bloom has been offered the role of The Duke of Buckingham.

The Green Lantern

The first image of Peter Sarsgaard as Dr Hector Hammond in “The Green Lantern”, has popped up online at Showbiz Spy. It ain’t much – but it least gives an indication as to what size ego Sarsgaard’s carrying these days.