Here’s your first, albeit poor, look at Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in “Iron Man 2” from the cover of EW as shown on TV by Entertainment Tonight, got that? The fact she and Mickey Rourke are appearing together with Stark himself leads us to believe the two share more than just Russian ancestry. Looks like a cross between Mary Jane and Sienna Miller in “G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra.” [ScarlettFan] Update: EW now has a cleaner version of cover and an new still of Johansson.
Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” has began began production in London with cast members Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page – who we predicted were two of few currently shooting with Nolan – joined by Michael Caine. Filming took place at University College London though was reportedly substituting for Bibliotheque of the Ecole de Architecture in France among others. [NolanFans]
“The King Of Kong” director Seth Gordon is in talks to direct “King Dork,” a high school dramedy based on Frank Portman’s young-adult novel. The film will center on teenage misfit Tom Henderson, a student who is tormented by all sorts of cliques and seeks refuge in music. [THR]
“I’m playing a character named Blondie and it’s set in a brothel in the 1950s, so there’s not a whole lot of clothes,” said Vanessa Hudgens of Zack Snyder’s “Sucker Punch.”It’ll be gun training, stunts, fighting and all that craziness. I can’t wait. I’m so excited. I’ve wanted to do an action film for a while. I think this is my time to really step it up and get to grow up.” Many mistook this for her revealing she’ll be going naked, but alas it’s just more evidence of a horrible film. [ONTD]
Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Brüno” has been tamed in the U.K. for audiences under 18 years of age, and banned entirely in the Ukraine. Expect a significant drop-off at the U.S. box-office this weekend, wethinks. [Reuters]
“Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince” easily amassed the biggest midnight gross of all-time hitting the $22.2 million mark from its 3,003 runs at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The film triumphs over the $18 million earned in midnight runs by “The Dark Knight” and the $17 million earned by “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.” The L.A. Times are saying the film might best the recent all-time domestic record for Wednesday ticket sales of $62 million set last month by “Transformers 2.” [Variety]
Willem Dafoe has joined Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins in Andrew Stanton’s “John Carter of Mars.” The Disney’s adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs book series centers on a Civil War soldier transported to the red planet where warring races vie for control. Dafoe will play Tars Tarkas, a leader of the Thark race while Kitsch and Collins respectively play the titular Carter and love interest Dejah Thoris. [THR]
Scott Speedman, Bruce Greenwood and Macha Grenon have joined the cast of indie drama “Barney’s Version” which already stars Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman and Minnie Driver. The film centers on the reckless life of Giamatti’s title character which is highlighted by three marriages, two children and status as a “person of interest” in the mysterious disappearance of his bosom buddy, portrayed by Speedman. Greenwood’s character is Barney’s rival in love. [Variety]
The latest “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World” video blog provides an in depth look at meta-band The Clash At Demonhead and shows the extensive detail the film takes to replicating a real live gig with extras aplenty and every type of merch possible. [SPVTW]