First Look at Mickey Rourke in Iron Man 2

Today, Paramount Pictures revealed the first picture of Mickey Rourke in costume as Ivan Vanko, or Whiplash, in Iron Man 2. The shot appears to be an early version of the suit, similar to the original suit Tony Stark built at the beginning of the first film. I'm guessing we'll see a more advanced version of Whiplash later in the film. An article in USA today cleared up a few questions about the suit, revealing that it consists of a pair of whips powered by the chest and the technology is "definitely related" to that developed by Tony Stark.
More on Iron Man 2 as it becomes available.

"Nerveracker" and "The Jetsons" next for Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez's next project, Nerveracker, is reportedly in preproduction. The film is the first of two futuristic projects for Rodriguez-the second being a live action adaptation of The Jetsons. According to it's press release, "Nerveracker is set in the year 2085 and centers on the character Joe Tezca, part of an elite unit who is sent in to stop a crime wave amongst a perfect futuristic society. In the process, he discovers that “Nerverackers” are on a rampage for control of the city. Tezca consequently sets forth on a mission to reveal the cover up by the ruling class and stop the “Nerverackers” before time runs out. Nerveracker is set for an April 16, 2010 release".

Both this press release and MTV recently confirmed that Rodriguez is working on a live action adaptation of The Jetsons, and that they are currently working on a script. It will be interesting to see if similarities run rampant between two futuristic, metropolis based films from Rodriguez.

I wonder what this means for the long anticipated Sin City 2?

Danny Boyle Set To Make "Maximum City"

Danny Boyle has once again teamed up with Slumdog scribe Simon Beaufoy to adapt Suketu Mehta's novel "Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found". The novel is a nonfiction work that Boyle used as a major source while researching for Slumdog Millionaire. Being a nonfiction work, Boyle notes that it will be difficult to find a story within the text. Mehta has granted Boyle creative license with the characters and situations in the novel, so it will definitely be interesting to see what Boyle and Beaufoy come up with.
We'll have more news on Maximum City when it's available!

Transformers 2 Will Be Slightly Longer in IMAX

Michael Bay updated his personal blog tonight, letting readers know that Transformers:Revenge Of The Fallen is yet to be finished even though it is set to premiere tonight in Tokyo. Bay stated that the film is "almost complete" and that he has "never seen such a level of dedication from every crew member in a movie before".

Bay also urged readers to view the film in IMAX, as it is the first movie to feature a 4k rendered character shot on full IMAX 70mm film. Bay says that you will in fact see shots of Optimus Prime where he is perfectly to scale on the 50 foot screen. He also added that the IMAX cut will be slightly longer with "more robot fighting".

I don't know about you, but Bay has me pretty convinced to make sure I catch this one on IMAX. Tickets are already on sale, and based on The Dark Knight's sales in IMAX, I'd make sure you pick up your tickets very soon.

Transformers:Revenge Of The Fallen opens in theaters and IMAX on June 24th.
You can read Bay's full blog entry here.

Shia stands up for Bay

In a recent interview in Wizard Magazine, Shia LaBeouf stood up for Transformers director Michael Bay. LaBeouf states "The movie is his best film. He's getting better as he goes. He is attempting to do different things. He sticks with the same formula, it's proven. He's not the only one to do that. The most important thing a director can do is establish a style. Michael Bay has a definite style."

Michael Bay is often criticized for his over the top, in your face form of film making, trading artistic integrity for huge explosions and attractive women. However, I firmly believe this type of film making, when done right, is a legitimate and much needed style. Most of middle America goes to the cinema to escape, and when times are hard, Bay's style of escapist blockbuster filmmaking ends up being the most appreciated and sought after entertainment.

LaBeouf goes on, "I don't know of anybody that shoots action like Michael Bay. Nobody shoots women like Michael Bay. He is shameless about it. And the world wants that. Middle America wants the shameless, exploitive, escapism film. That's what they want. They want big, bad, sexy and fast." Clearly, the world wants Megan Fox and giant robots. I'm glad those making the film understand that.

Will Smith's Karate Kid Remake

Will Smith is producing a reimagining of the classic The Karate Kid starring his son, Jaden Smith, in the title role of Dre. Jackie Chan is reported to play the Mr. Miyagi character of Mr. Han, while Oscar nominated actress Taraji P. Henson has been cast as Dre's mother. It's unclear yet whether the film will share a name with the 80's classic, but the addition of an Oscar nominated actress certainly gives the film a bit of credibility. Harold Zwart ("Agent Cody Banks") is set to direct the film.

Box Office Breakdown

It was another big weekend at the box office for Disney/Pixar's Up, as it once again soared into first place with an estimated $45 million for the weekend. The Hangover passed out in second, bringing in an estimated $44 million. The expensive remake of the cult 1974 television show Land of the Lost failed to take off this weekend, landing third with a measly $23 million in comparison to it's $100 million cost. Cameo friendly Night at the Museum 2 appeared in fourth. The blockbuster Star Trek remained in the top 5, while Sam Raimi's return to horror hit Drag Me to Hell took sixth. My Big Fat Greeking Wedding knockoff My Life in Ruins opened in seventh.