Tom Cruise has finally come out...of the cast of a major motion picture in which he was set to star. According to a report by Deadline, Cruise has dropped out of the upcoming Guy Ritchie-directed film adaptation of classic TV series, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. due to his desire to focus on the upcoming fifth entry of his signature franchise, Mission: Impossible. So, it seems that Cruise won't be cheating on MI with another spy franchise, after all.

Cruise was originally locked-in to this contemporary reboot of the 1960's spy series to star alongside up-and-coming leading man, Armie Hammer, who himself is currently set to share top billing with Johnny Depp in another TV adaptation reboot, The Lone Ranger on July 3. The original 1964-1968 series starred Robert Vaughn as American spy, "Napoleon Solo" and David McCallum as his Russian partner, "Illya Kuryakin," who work together for a super-secret espionage agency called U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command for Law and Enforcement.) Unlike S.H.I.E.L.D., they may not have the help of superhumans, but did display on television a poignant nonpartisan alliance for the forces of good during the heated days of the Cold War.

For director, Guy Ritchie, currently on a financial and critical roll with the Sherlock Holmes films, the setback comes after the project already experienced a few directorial and starring shuffles, which at one point had Steven Soderbergh at the helm and George Clooney to star. The acquisition of Tom Cruise would have ensured that he'd have one of the most bankable movie stars of all time set to kick-off this new venture. Now, he goes back to the drawing board in what will certainly be a frantic scramble to find a feasible replacement star. -- Of course, no timetable has been given for the project and it could very well be the case that the addition of Armie Hammer was a chemistry-casting and the exit of Cruise could also mean Hammer's exit, as well.

Cruise, on the other hand, has just completed All You Need is Kill, a futuristic military movie set for next summer. (Even though the title sounds like a demented Cirque du Soleil Beatles/Slayer hybrid show.) The star is also quickly moving forward with his already-confirmed return for Mission: Impossible 5, which is already enjoying the benefit of a screenplay from Drew Pearce, the writer of the white-hot Iron Man 3.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E., sans Tom Cruise, will try to find the right star and tell him "you complete me" when it hits theaters on a date to be determined.

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X-Men: Days of Future Past has added yet another team member to its mutant clown car of a cast. Director, Bryan Singer's latest film-related announcement on Twitter would be used to welcome actor, Evan Peters to the cast for his role as Pietro Maximoff, aka mutant speedster, Quicksilver. And yes, you read that correctly. Quicksilver: The same character who, with his sister, Scarlet Witch, was all but set to hop aboard the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2015 for Joss Whedon's The Avengers 2. -- SCANDALOUS!

The news is undoubtedly good for Peters, who you may have seen on American Horror Story and in a supporting role in another underrated comic book film adaptation, Kick-Ass. However, his recent fortune has been eclipsed by the controversial nature of his role; an aspect that Singer seemed to tease.

"Before he was an #Avenger, he was just a REALLY fast kid. Thrilled to say #EvanPeters is joining #XMen #DaysOfFuturePast as #Quicksilver."

Singer would eventually delete the Avengers-acknowledging tweet, replacing it with a less-provocative version, but it does seems that there's more than a bit of gamesmanship happening between Fox and Marvel Studios when it comes to the cultivation of characters from the pages of Marvel Comics to the big screen. In fact, a recent report by HitFix claims that Quicksilver's only scene in Days of Future Past is a speedster-centric sequence that Singer feels only works with the character. Conversely, Joss Whedon reportedly had (and maybe still does have) BIG plans for Quicksilver and his sister in The Avengers 2, which are apparently quite relevant to the still-developing plot. The move to bring the character into the comically-crowded Days, which we don't know was the idea of Fox or Singer himself, has unleashed a flood of fan backlash, bringing to light the flimsy legal loopholes to which each side of this issue must abide if they are to use the characters.

So, who is right or wrong in this puzzling battle over a character that...well, not too many people really cared about until the studios started fighting over him?

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Timecop, the 1994 Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle which remains his high-grossing most critically-acclaimed film is getting the reboot treatment. 

The original film, which was based off an anthology title, Time Cop published by Dark Horse Comics, was a favorite amongst action/sci-fi fans for its rather original concept. Van Damme played Max Walker, an agent with the TEC (Time Enforcement Agency) who tackles the forces of a corrupt politician (Ron Silver) using the quantum coaster to "Biff Tannen" some funds by safe stock market bets in the past and also to threaten his enemies with the specter of nonexistence. The film showcased Jean-Claude dispatching baddies in peak form with split-centric moves, as well as Ferris Beuller's girlfriend (Mia Sara) looking extremely arousing as the resident love-interest whose death the time-touring tin man must prevent. Sure, the 1994 film may not have been thinking too much about its own longevity when its plot only gave the invention of time travel a scant 10 year window with its "future" setting of 2004, but it is generally hailed as the deepest performance of Van Damme's (normally berated) acting career.

At the same time, Timecop, while a popular franchise in its day, spawning a 1997-1998 TV series and a 2003 straight-to-DVD sequel, has hardly been relevant in recent years, so expectations from moviegoers are probably little to none. As a result, you should probably expect this new film to carry very little resemblance to the Van Damme film, probably looking to expand on its time-bending premise far beyond the few periods visited in the 1994 film.

In keeping with the idea of this reboot effort distinguishing itself, it seems that it will also move forward sans the "Muscles from Brussels" himself. The Hollywood Reporter states that Van Damme is not involved with the project. Of course, that is certainly subject to change and a cameo of some kind would seem the proper thing to do, if anything, for the sake of legacy. While no substantive release window has been revealed, a supposed "re-imagining of the concept" is currently out for writers. Producer, Marc Shmuger has been added via Universal's Global Produce banner working alongside fellow producer Tom McNulty.

So, while Timecop certainly isn't a property brimming with a vocal fanbase rabidly demanding its immediate return under threats of civil disobedience and hunger strikes, it appears that (for some reason,) it will nevertheless be the next property to get the now-common reboot treatment.

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Star Trek Into Darkness has already exposed its secrets. However, the topic of "exposure" seems to be a controversial point when it comes to the gratuitous, instantly-Internet-famous (some have said "sexist") scene with Alice Eve's Carol Marcus rocking her space lingerie. That's why director, J.J. Abrams wanted to use his appearance on Conan last night to clear the air...by showing a deleted scene proving that there originally was plenty more skin to go around in the film, especially when it came to Benedict Cumberbatch's villainous "John Harri-Khan." -- And yes, it's an actual deleted scene from the film, NOT a parody.

The scene, depicting a bare-chested Benedict taking a moment to ensure that monstrous B.O. won't be his instrument for genocide, is what Abrams calls "the shower of evil." Yet, despite its sinister, possibly-puzzling undertones, it was made to serve as evidence that the film was, in the very least, an equal-opportunity offender in its gratuitousness. Indeed, Abrams is also quick to point out that Into Darkness also contains a skin-centric scene with Chris Pine's Captain Kirk, giving a little something back for the ladies, but does admit that the Carol Marcus peep show could have been handled in a more subtle way.

Regardless, it seems that we may have gotten our first sneak peak at what could eventually be made available on the DVD/Blu-ray extras. Sure, it's nothing exciting enough to spill your "space seed" over, but it's an interesting (and actually kind of funny) tidbit about the current box-office topper. Check out the new footage below...NOW!

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Jurassic Park IV made headlines two weeks ago when Universal Pictures announced that the long-in-the-making sequel would be delayed until a time to be determined. However, a recent comment by the 1993 original film's star may have provided a clue towards the motivation for this delay.

In a recent interview with New Zealand's Stuff.co.nz, the eccentric paleontologist who enjoys threatening children with fossilized raptor claws, Dr. Alan Grant himself, Sam Neill gave what could be a major scoop when it comes to the filibustered fourquel. When asked by his home country publication on whether or not he would be reprising his role as Dr. Grant, Neill reveals that his return is unlikely and then candidly states:

"I'm told it's a big reboot, a total re-jig."

And that's about as far as he goes. Considering the brevity of the reveal, there's always the possibility of an incorrect context or misunderstanding. In fact, the very idea is a stark contrast to previous statements made by producer, Frank Marshall reiterating the film's status as a proper sequel. However, circumstances may have changed and if the film is indeed a reboot, then it would definitely explain the ambiguous reasoning behind the delay. (Especially since announced delays usually have the new release date in hand.)

At the moment, it does appear that the would-be fourth film's choice for director in independent filmmaker, Colin Trevorrow remains in place (for the moment anyway,) but it may be the case that the script by by Rise of the Planet of the Apes scribes, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver could be in jeopardy, potentially making way for a new screenplay adaptation of the original 1990 Jurassic Park novel by Michael Crichton. Thus, while the reasoning for the initial selection of Trevorrow could still be valid, the Safety Not Guaranteed director could very well have a vastly different task on his hands than he originally thought. He wouldn't be simply following-up, but actually rebooting one of the most lucrative film franchises of all time. It would certainly be one of Hollywood's biggest directorial trials by fire for a big-budget genre newcomer. -- Of course, that's if Universal doesn't just decide to say "screw it" and call J.J. Abrams.

Jurassic Park IV or Jurassic Park "Rebooted" is currently delayed until a date that has yet to be revealed.

[Source] [Via]

Man of Steel has dropped another massive montage of intense of action that it calls a "trailer." Clearly, Henry Cavill's Superman is destined to face even more Earth-shattering insanity at the hands of his powerful enemies than we could have fathomed. We knew he'd be busting some heads, but we never thought he'd be swimming in a sea of skulls. 

It seems that just when you think you've got a handle on the movie, it goes and releases yet another trailer that redefines your perceptions. With the sound backdrop of Michael Shannon's General Zod giving the people of Earth his insidious ultimatum, we get the explanation for the whole "You Are Not Alone" viral campaign for the film that started last month with various static-filled video snippets of Zod's threats. However, in this trailer, the dangers go far beyond the specter of vids with horrible bandwidth. Indeed, we see firsthand the potential apocalyptic implications that Zod and his escaped Kryptonian criminal cohorts like first-time-speaking Faora (Antje Traue) are bringing to our big blue pearl. -- And it's a hell of a lot worse than the White House-squatting, black ABBA jumpsuit-sporting, kneel-fetishist trio of precursors we saw in Superman II.

The film has definitely created a thematic strategy with its various trailers and TV spots with each one giving fans a different aspect of the film. Make no mistake, this one is focusing on the lengths of lunacy to which Zod will go to get his perceived vengeance against his former jailer, Jor-El (Russell Crowe) through his space-orphaned super-son. While it's doubtful that even if there was someone on Earth willing to snitch out freaking Superman, it wouldn't make much difference since the fight will clearly come straight back to him in the form of a mid-air supersonic right hook!

Man of Steel harvests Superman's tears to grow giant-sized crops at theaters on June 14. Check out the new trailer below!

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Halo is apparently set for a live-action incarnation...just not on the big screen as years of rumors and speculation seemed to indicate. Microsoft's big unveiling today of its new console, Xbox One (an event which, if we still had a staff of videogame journalists, we would have been ALL over) would come with kind of a non-gaming surprise. Directorial deity, Steven Spielberg appeared via video to reveal that he will be involved as executive producer with a live-action Halo TV series, which be available exclusively through Xbox One with the next-gen system's streaming-centric hardware.

Certainly, the Xbox One presentation came across as the debut of a fancy, elaborate, voice-operated streaming TV box that happens to play videogames, if you are so inclined. It's clear that Microsoft really, REALLY wants their hardware to be the centerpiece of your living room. Now, with the announcement of this Spielberg-headed Halo series as the apparent flagship of Xbox Live's broader, quasi-Netflix business model, their intentions have never been more clear. Additionally, the console will distinguish itself from the established streaming services by supplementing shows like the upcoming Halo with interactive content.

As for Halo's live-action possibilities, the games have certainly provided all the necessary framework for compelling serial storytelling from humanity's apocalyptic interplanetary wars with zealot alien invaders, The Covenant to the arrival of a shared enemy in the parasitic race, The Flood. The property has certainly come a long way, especially after years upon years of lallygagging which at certain points in time had names like Peter Jackson and Neill Blomkamp seemingly set to helm a potential feature film. Instead, the story of the ultimate high-jumping, Warthog-riding Spartan solider, Master Chief and his sexy hologram helper, Cortana will become the centerpiece of a series which arrives by way of a completely redefining medium. With the series in the reliable hands of Steven Spielberg, who will collaborate with the IP's ever-watchful gatekeepers over at 343 Industries, the potential buzz from this series could, ironically enough, provide THE watershed moment for the upcoming videogame hardware itself.

No timeline has been revealed regarding when the Halo TV series will debut, but the console on which it will manifest, Xbox One, will reportedly debut "later this year." (Translation: "Holiday Shopping Line Madness.")

The Wolverine has unleashed another beserker-rage-rocking trailer. Chock full of new unmitigated violence focusing on Wolverine fighting and killing stuff, the underlying drama still manages to push through the gratuitous gall.

It seems that Wolverine has been spending his time camping in the wilderness with a big bushy beard (and possibly drinking his own pee) looking like some kind of tortured, but more handsome Grizzly Adams. Unfortunately, even there, he can't escape from constant torturous dreams about the events which occurred in this film's chronological predecessor, X-Men: The Last Stand. (Yeah, we're all still trying to get over that movie.) For Logan, these dreams focus on his late would-be love, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) who he had to "put down" like some kind of Dark Phoenix Old Yeller in the aforementioned franchise debaser of a film. Indeed, the beautiful Jean seems to be the focus of his dreams, which are wet for a different reason these days: From the blood that he shed.

The mourning and regret over that incident seems to have left our hero willing to embrace the end, in spite of his indestructible skeleton and mutant healing powers saying otherwise. (Of course, he could always just toss himself into a volcano, but whatever.) Thankfully (maybe), a man whose life he saved ages ago could have a way to undo nature's ultimate buff and let him finally rest. Of course, it's never that simple and it seems that Logan soon finds himself embroiled amongst an intricate drama involving another one of his former loves, Mariko Yashida (Tao Okamoto) involving ninjas, a weirdish sexy assassin, arranged marriages with gangsters, sultry serpentine mutant vixens, and his classic comic book nemesis, The Silver Samurai...who, for some unknown reason, is FREAKING HUGE.

The Wolverine makes the most out of eternity when it hits theaters on July 26.

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X-Men: Days of Future Past has probably given the Internet a gift with the latest sneak-peak-tweet from director, Bryan Singer. This time, we get a our first look (quite a look, actually,) at Jennifer Lawrence reprising her role as Raven Darkhölme, aka Mystique. -- And she's naked...technically.

When Lawrence played the role in 2011's X-Men: First Class, her character was a youthful, capricious shapeshifter, who made the effort to appear human and blend in with the norms; something she felt necessary to be accepted by not only humanity, but perhaps by her childhood friend, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy.) Well, by the end of that film, she embraced her inner-angst, making the not-too-subtle satirical declaration, "mutant and proud" and displayed her natural blue-scale-strewn form. Now, she's seen sans clothing, similar to the ass-kicking, acrobatic version played by Rebecca Romijn in the later-set original X-Men Trilogy.

While it's difficult to tell what role she'll have in this time-bending bonanza, Singer's tweet describes Lawrence's Mystique as "vengeful." It's a rather curious description since First Class only ended with her defection to the group of militant mutants led by Michael Fassbender's Magneto and didn't seem to leave her character in a particularly bitter place. However, as some may recall in 2006' X-Men: The Last Stand, Romijn's version of the character was certainly left with plenty to be vengeful about when it came to Ian McKellen's Magneto, who pretty much tossed her under the proverbial bus after she was accidentally "cured" of her mutantism. -- A few aspects which begs a question: Since there are no reports of Romijn returning, is Lawrence seen here playing the Mystique of 1973 OR the contemporary clothe-less counterpart? Perhaps, she's playing both?

X-Men: Days of Future Past takes the "girl on fire" and douses her flames with cooling blue body paint when it hits theaters on July 18, 2014. Check out the full photo of Jennifer Lawrence's Mystique below...which also happens to show her "below." -- Don't worry, it's work-safe, but it's an image that will probably stick around in your head for at least the rest of the day.

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It appears that the Star Wars animated universe has been brought back to life with plans to tackle an era which will be pleasing to old-school fans. The Disney-sized Lucasfilm coalition have announced that production has begun on a new animated series set to debut in fall of 2014 called Star Wars Rebels. Kicking off with a one-hour special premiere on Disney Channel, the show will then settle into its home on the regular schedule of Disney XD.

Just a few short months after new franchise owners, Disney dropped the grim news that the long-running animated staple, Star Wars: The Clone Wars would be a victim of their own equivalent of an "Order 66" mass franchise refurbishment, it seems that plans were already in the works for a new phase. While the former series explored the period inbetween Star Wars Episodes II and III, Star Wars Rebels will actually fill the rich and mostly untouched territory spanning two whole decades with the period between the end of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and the very first Star Wars film, Episode IV: A New Hope. (Although, this does not bode well for the enduring canonical place of The Force Unleashed video games, which was set within that time period.)

While fans of The Clone Wars still anxiously await the series' proper denouement via the announced "bonus material" set to drop, they should be relieved to know that the old show's supervising director, Dave Filoni will return on Rebels with a title bump to executive producer. Filoni will work alongside exec producer peers in Simon Kinberg screenwriter of X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Greg Weisman, a veteran of notable animated shows like Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man, and the acclaimed classic 90's series, Gargoyles. Additionally, Filoni will be bringing much of the creative personnel from The Clone Wars like art director, Kilian Plunkett, which should also induce a sigh of relief among fans of the late series.

Much like with the bittersweet announcement of The Clone Wars' end, the heralding of this "new hope" of a show comes with a behind-the-scenes video featuring Dave Filoni discussing the new, grand task of tackling the hunt for the last vestiges of the Jedi and the beginnings of the Rebellion against the Empire. Check it out below!

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James Bond is riding higher than ever after the unprecedented grosses and critical acclaim from last year's Skyfall. However, it seems that the next installment could see the famous MI6 agent get a director who's successfully re-envisioned a certain grizzled voice vigilante. According to UK's The Daily Mail, the one and only Christopher Nolan was approached to helm the Bond franchise's next shaken, not stirred sequel.

While the modern Bond films typically do not stick with one helmer, the success of Skyfall seemed to initially warrant the return of director, Sam Mendes. However, he was apparently forced to withdraw, due to commitments with theater productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and King Lear. -- That's where Nolan allegedly comes into the picture. While the report is far from confirmed, the claim is that Nolan, the visionary director behind The Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception has been approached by the biggies behind the Bond franchise, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G .Wilson to occupy the director's chair which still sports Mendes' proverbial ass groove. -- And that is about the extent of the details.

Despite the confidence in its own intel, the report does raise some clear obstacles which may prevent Nolan from taking a project that is, even for a director of his stature, a huge opportunity: Namely his current project, Interstellar. Indeed, Nolan is working on another mind-bending writing/directorial effort which is said to be a space thriller which will explore themes reflected in the research of famous physicist, Kip Thorne. A top-level cast in Matthew McConauhey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Michael Caine are locked in and the film, due at theaters November 2014, seems on the verge production soon enough. As a result, Nolan may not have the time to tackle a major, meticulous production like a Bond movie without the franchise experiencing another long lapse between films. Not only would MGM want to avoid squandering the momentum built by Skyfall, but current James Bond, Daniel Craig isn't getting any younger, either.

It will be interesting to see not only if this rumor has any legs, but if the scheduling could be worked out for Nolan to nab this dream gig and have it be released at a reasonable time period.

"Bond 24" could sport a Nolan-esque pulse-pounding suspenseful soundtrack to artificially amp-up even the most innocuous of scenes when it hits theaters at a date to be determined. (It's penciled in for 2016.)

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The Expendables 3 will apparently be heading to battle with its team mission coordinator. According to franchise star/screenwriter, Sylvester Stallone via Twitter, Mickey Rourke will indeed be returning for the unmitigated action-infused threequel after having sat out last year's The Expendables 2. However, Stallone still seems to be working on procuring another former box-office badass as he also revealed this morning that he's talking with Steven Seagal.

Rourke will be reprising his role as Tool, a grizzled veteran of the mercenary game who helps the Expendables team plan their various contractual wetwork gigs in his tattoo parlor hangout. After being seemingly set for a return in last year's second Expendables film, Rourke had dropped out, likely due to scheduling conflicts. Indeed, it's been a busy few years for the actor since the momentum created from his comeback-launching performance in 2008's The Wrestler has yet to stop with the 2011-2012 period loaded with roles in several action thrillers that may have held him up. Among them, was the 2011 myth-inspired Immortals with Man of Steel star, Henry Cavil. Rourke now returns to The Expendables franchise after having reprised another one of his major roles as Marv in this fall's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.

Stallone welcomed back the star with a simple tweet.

"Mighty Mickey is back............"

However, this morning, Sly also hinted that he's in talks with the world's most famous straight-to-video action star who moonlights as a blues singer and New Orleans police officer.

"....Calling SEAGAL this morning."

The Expendables 3 will certainly be a critical litmus test to see where the recent comeback of old-school style action films now stands; especially after recent solo starring efforts by Stallone with Bullet to the Head and co-star, Arnold Schwarzenegger's The Last Stand both performed abysmally at the box-office earlier this year. With a director on board in Patrick Hughes, who Stallone calls "new blood," you can certainly expect some thematic adjustments this time around. However, fitting the franchise's earned reputation for surreal stockpiles of legendary action stars, it will be heading to theaters with not only its repertory cast of action players, but with a new array of famous names like Jackie Chan, Wesley Snipes, and apparently Carl Weathers. If Seagal ends up on board, that would be a major check for the growing list of names which this franchise has procured.

The Expendables 3 tests cinematic limits with multitudes of manhood when it hits theaters sometime in 2014.

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Pacific Rim, which will unarguably be the best film this summer to feature monolithic mechs battling large, licentious leviathan has released what's being billed as its "main trailer." It's a moniker that's definitely fitting, since it is by far the most comprehensive carnage-infused montage of robot-on-monster violence we've ever seen.

The highly-anticipated project from visionary director, Guillermo del Toro brings back the old-school charm of the Japanese-born genre of "giant robots vs. giant monster," reinventing it with stunning state-of-the-art visuals. However, with Del Toro at the helm, you can expect a deeper insight into the characters and a broader commentary on what humanity has to become in order to battle these creatures.

A portal to another dimension opens somewhere beneath the Pacific Ocean, sending colossal creatures to our world called "Kaiju" (a homage to the giant creatures of classic Japanese cinema), who wreak unmitigated destruction upon major cities worldwide. Mankind strikes back with the Jaeger Program, creating human-piloted robots immense enough to tackle those insatiable invaders in super-sized street-fights on which the balance of civilization itself rests. Now, years later, with mankind seemingly on the losing end of this war, the only hope lies with a washed-up former Jaeger pilot named Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam) and an eager, but inexperienced newcomer, Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi), who both take control of a seemingly obsolete Jaeger unit for a critical mission.

Despite the eye-popping (some would say superficial) footage of this trailer, there is apparently some deep drama hidden amongst the giant-robotic bells and whistles. Interestingly enough, this new trailer emphasizes that the Jaeger pilots not only share a neural connection in controlling the robot (which we already knew), but also share their "minds and memories." It is likely through this idea that much of the "human" drama could resonate. These sequences of subconscious sojourn could provide some of the commentary on the human condition that Del Toro has implied the film would carry as early as last year during Pacific Rim's Comic-Con panel.

Pacific Rim looks to make poignant pathos-packed commentary while hitting giant monsters in the face with flying hammerfists when it arrives at theaters on July 12. Check out the intense, action-packed new trailer below!

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The Avengers 2 may be far from fleshed out, but a recent rumor seems to imply that it could be heading to theaters without its ace archer, Hawkeye...at least the one played by Jeremy Renner.

According to a report by ComicBookMovie's "The Daily Superhero," one of their "Hollywood sources" claims that the chances of Renner returning to reprise his role as the purple-clad Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye are "the tiniest." It seems that critical comments made by Renner last year expressing disappointment over the way his Hawkeye character was handled could very well have soured his relationship with Marvel Studios or current maestro of The Avengers franchise, Joss Whedon. As Renner told Total Film back in August of 2012:

"For 90% of the movie, I'm not the character I signed on to play," says Renner, before homing in on the decision to have Hawkeye brainwashed by Loki from the get-go. "It's kind of a vacancy. [He's] not even a bad guy, because there's not really a consciousness to him."

Adding: "To take away who that character is and just have him be this robot, essentially, and have him be this minion for evil that Loki uses... I was limited, you know what I mean? I was a terminator in a way. Fun stunts. But is there any sort of emotional content or thought process? No."

Now, nearly a year after those comments were made, we do have a timeline for Marvel Studio's "Phase Two" of films, which just kicked off with Iron Man 3, continuing with Thor: The Dark World on November 8, Captain America: The Winter Soldier on April 4, 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy on August 1, 2014, and culminating with The Avengers 2 on May 1, 2015. However, by the time we get to that grand stage where Hawkeye could once again shine, the field of potential team members will likely be rotated with the introduction of new S.H.I.E.L.D. members in the lead-up films. In fact, next year's Captain America sequel will introduce new primary characters like Emily VanCamp's "Sharon Carter/Agent 13" and Anthony Mackie's "Sam Wilson/The Falcon." Plus, with the addition of signature Avengers members, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver looking solid for The Avengers 2, there may not be enough elbow room for Hawkeye to maneuver his bow.

All of these things, coupled with an apparently unhappy cast member with plenty of other cinematic options do not add up to good chances of a return. In fact, the report speculates that there's a greater chance that Hawkeye could be recast and possibly integrated into the television offshoot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which premieres this fall on ABC. The recasting of a major character like this would hardly be unprecedented, just ask Terrence Howard, who lost his role as James Rhodes/War Machine to Don Cheadle after some behind-the-scenes drama. Of course, the even bigger, greener example would be the exit of Edward Norton as the MCU's version of Bruce Banner/The Hulk, making way for Mark Ruffalo's reinvention of the character in The Avengers last year. (And in a post-credits cameo in Iron Man 3...for what that scene was worth, anyway.)

At this point, we're dealing with nothing but rumors, but it is true that Renner's Hawkeye, who had a promising debut in 2011's Thor, was kind of disappointing in The Avengers. However, it's difficult to imagine that the creative minds would let some comments by the actor be the sole reason to 86 a major character from the biggest North American box-office opening weekend performer of all-time. It may be the case that it all depends on the feasibility of keeping Hawkeye in the lineup of the mega-team super-sequel without the detrimental crowding. At the moment, that fate rests in the hands of Joss Whedon, who is currently hammering out the script.

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Riddick, the long-awaited third entry in the film series started with Pitch Black has released its debut trailer showing that Vin Diesel's titular titan has not lost a single eye-shining step.

Certainly, as far as trailers go, this one could hardly be classified as a "teaser." In fact, if there was ever a movie trailer that contradicted the old adage "less is more," then this one just might fit the bill. Coming to the web via Machinima, this sin-slaying spot clocking in at 2:31 pretty much lays the groundwork for not just the plot, but seemingly everything that happens in the film...in their likely chronological order. Indeed, this is one transparent trailer that has one goal in mind: Showing you the unadulterated, unapologetic, ass-kicking action that you've come to expect from the Riddick series. -- And, yeah, it delivers.

With Riddick stuck on yet another alien planet with unforgivable elements while being chased by bloodthirsty bounty hunters, one might think that it's business as usual. Well, as the extremely-exposé-friendly footage reveals, the real threat of this film isn't coming from the hubris-heavy headhunters, but from the planet's asinine indigenous creatures who really don't give two craps about who's right or wrong in this space drama. Thusly, Diesel's Riddick must now join forces with the group, who just minutes earlier were looking to put his severed head in a box for bounty when they are overrun by the not-so-friendly fauna. Amongst the group are Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sackhoff and former WWE wrestler and future Guardians of the Galaxy Drax, Dave Bautista.

Fans may notice this film being smaller in scale than the over-the-top grandiosity displayed in the last film, 2004's The Chronicles of Riddick. Well, that tends to happen when a franchise's previous entry gets a packed $105 million budget and barely makes enough to pay it back. This time, the franchise's regular director, David Twohy, working off a significantly reduced budget of $38 million, has crafted a more insular and suspenseful film, which certainly hearkens back to 2000's original unlikely franchise kickoff with Pitch Black.

Riddick goes hillbilly handfishin' in the sand for dragons when it hits theaters on September 6. Check out the debut trailer below!

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