Legion

Scott Stewart's supernatural thriller 'Legion', scripted by Peter Schink, concerns a group of strangers in an out-of-the-way eatery who become the first line of defense when God, believing the human race is no longer worthy of Him, decides to end their existence. This motley crew's only spiritual ally is the archangel Michael, played by Paul Bettany. Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Charles S. Dutton, and Lucas Black co-star in the Screen Gems production.

Edge of Darkness

Casino Royale's Martin Campbell returns to familiar territory with this adaptation of his own 1985 BBC miniseries - a mystery starring Mel Gibson as a detective looking into his political-activist daughter's death and uncovering layers of Governmental conspiracies in the process. William Monahan (The Departed) provides the screenplay for the GK Films production, co-starring Ray Winstone and Danny Huston.

The Lovely Bones

Humans are naturally attracted to morbid events - a fact that both the book (2002) and film (2009) versions of 'The Lovely Bones' exploit and develop.The plot is set in motion by the brutal rape, murder and dismemberment of a 14-year-old girl. Director by Peter Jackson the movie stars Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg and Saoirse Ronan in lead roles.

'Wuthering Heights' nabs Arnold

Fish Tank director Andrea Arnold has taken over the reins of the new film adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights'. Director Peter Webber left the project back in December, meaning cast Gemma Arterton and Ed Westwick officially had nobody to yell at them from behind the camera. Totalfilm

Bloom wants 'Hobbit' role

Orlando Bloom is desperate to reprise his role as an elf-prince in upcoming 'Lord of the Rings' prequel 'The Hobbit'. He's already asked Peter Jackson for a part in the new movie.

The British actor landed his breakthrough role playing Legolas in Jackson's 2001 epic 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring', and he went on to star in the two sequels. Work has now begun on a prequel, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' - the book which began the fantasy story franchise - and Bloom wants to be involved.

He admits he has already emailed director Jackson, who will write the screenplay for the film, to inquire about the casting.

The film will be released in two parts, with the first picture expected in 2012. hollywood.com

No more dark movies - Bala

Bala has taken a decision. That he would henceforth not make films depicting darker realities of life. "I have made a promise in this regard to my mentor Balu Mahendra and Ilaiyaraja," says the National Award winning director.

Known for handling forbidden subjects, the filmmaker says, "My forthcoming movies would deal with common men. The one which I am currently directing (with Vishal and Arya in the lead) would prove it." Bala makes one more assurance too. "There is an allegation that I take years to complete a film. The real reason for that is known to everyone associated with me.

However, I assure that my movies would hit the screens at regular intervals from now on."

On winning a National Award for Nan Kadavul, he says, "I dedicate this award to my mentor Balu Mahendra and his wife Akhila. I am their adopted son. I lived with them and learnt the art of cinema there."

indiaglitz.com

'Avatar' is king of the world

Science-fiction epic 'Avatar' soared to a new global box office record, taking in 1.85 billion dollars and sinking 'Titanic' to become the biggest earning film of all time, figures show.

"On Monday, January 25, 'Avatar' officially passed 'Titanic' to become the highest grossing film in history at the worldwide box office," 20th Century Fox studios said in a statement.

Remarkably, 'Avatar' director James Cameron had only himself to beat, and by Monday his groundbreaking 3-D blockbuster had taken in 16 million dollars more than his own 1997 film 'Titanic,' leaving him with the two biggest movies of all time.

"It's official: the king of the world is the king of the world again," box office analyst Jeff Bock said.

"Like the ship itself, many observers thought 'Titanic's' record box office was unsinkable. Not so. Leave it to the captain of the ship, Cameron, to sink his own vessel and resurface with a whole new world."

AFP