Superman is un-American? Breaking Dawn pics and more HG casting!

I don't normally report on actual comic books, but this Supes fangirl just can't resist this one. Some good news, and some (in my opinion) stupid news this week about my No. 1 Man of Steel - the landmark issue of Action Comics #900 hit stores yesterday and is all about our Big Blue Boy Scout.

On a really cool note, a dream team of writers contributed stories to the special issue, including David Goyer, writer of "Batman Begins" and the upcoming film "The Man of Steel"; Richard Donner, director of "Superman: The Movie"; Geoff Johns, DC Comics' chief creative officer and one of its most popular writers; and Damon Lindelof -- who oversaw "Lost's" six-season run. Yesterday CNN had a really fun Q&A with Lindelof that you should definitely read. It's nice to see the big guy getting some love and respect from DC Comics after the company has become so focused for so long on Batman.

Now, I haven't gotten my issue yet, but most major news outlets have reported about the issue #900 today because - are you ready for this? -- Superman renounces his U.S. Citizenship in this comic book. Time to tweak that catchphrase "truth, justice and the American way"?

Oh, for the love of all that is holy, why?

It really irks me when the comic book heads get crazy and change a major part of a character's identity like this. I mean, Superman is one of America's most recognizable icons. Always has been. Take that away, and what does that say to the rest of the world? I think it makes us laughable, personally.

Like I said, I haven't read the issue, but I really doubt there's any reason I can accept for this. Geez.

Don't worry. I still love you Superman. It's not your fault you're sometimes written badly.





Have you seen the newly released pictures from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn? I have one word. OMG! The next issue of Entertainment Weekly looks like a must-have for my collection. Oh, that cover. Those photos! Must have, like, now!



We finally have confirmation that Elizabeth Banks will play Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games! With the movie scheduled to hit theaters in 11 months (or a little less), I'm starting to wonder what the hold up on filming is. Can we please cast Haymitch already? And I'm really loving the kids they're choosing for the other Tributes so far. How many does that leave yet to be cast? Fourteen, right? What about Greasy Sae? Portia? Cinna?!? See what I mean? Better get to work, casting peeps! Of course, the latests rumors involve Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci and John C. Reilly.

Spidey's suit change, "Scream 4" bombs? and "Hunger Games" casting news

Time for me to geek out loud again, and boy, do I have some news to share this week!

First of all, I hear that Marvel comics is getting rid of Spider-man's red and blue suit and replacing it with this black and red one. Not only that, the person wearing the suit won't be Peter Parker. Um, haven't they learned anything from fan reactions in the past? Changing a superhero's costume - not a good idea. Killing a beloved staple character and trying to create a new one - REALLY not a good idea. I mean, Peter Parker?!? Dead?!? Are you nutcases out of your ever-lovin' minds?!? I know the changes won't be across the board (it's a new look and character for "Ultimate Spider-Man" only), but still...

I saw "Scream 4" this weekend and LOVED it. Well, I think we can all agree that the first 15 minutes were pretty lame and weird and - dare I say it? - overkill for a "Scream" opening sequence, but the rest of the movie was pretty darned good, considering 11 years has passed since the last installment. Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette, you guys rule! I mean, I absolutely could not figure out the ending until the reveal of this round's Ghostface, and bam! Shocked! I can't remember the last time I couldn't figure out the ending of a movie at least halfway into it. So please tell me why this movie supposedly bombed at the box office? Come on, people, go see it! How else will we get "Scream 5"?

I was fortunate enough to attend the extras casting call for "The Hunger Games" -- er, excuse me, "Artemis" (which we all know is really "The Hunger Games") -- and while I haven't landed a role in the film just yet (I know...I know...but miracles do happen), casting for this movie is picking up steam. The Tributes are being cast as I type this, with actors already confirmed for the roles of Rue, Thresh, Marvel and Glimmer! Even better, the official Facebook page for The Hunger Games Movie has created a special application that displays the Tributes as they've been cast. Check it out. It's pretty cool! Also rumored is that Elizabeth Banks is in talks to play Effie Trinket. Awesome! And Kudos to The Hob for being on top of all of the news for this movie. Now, can we please hear a casting announcement on Haymitch, please?

News of the week: Green Lantern, Superman, Captain America, plus Bella's wedding dress

First of all, Warner Brothers has done it again and announced another casting decision for the Superman film on a Sunday (guys, you're getting predictable up in here). The villain is none other than General Zod, who will be played by Oscar-nominated (uh, did I say you're getting predictable, WB?) actor Michael Shannon. Well, I'm glad casting is moving right along. It seems they're doing the same thing Richard Donner did with the original Superman film (starring Christopher Reeve) and surrounding a little-known actor in the main role with tons of better known and Oscar-nominated actors in supporting roles. I will choose to take that as a good sign...

Have you checked out the official website for the Green Lantern film starring Ryan Reynolds? It's still a work in progress, but you can watch the extended trailer that was shown at Wondercon 2011. Check it out. I'm psyched to see this movie, although I can't help but think it reminds me, perhaps too much, of the animated Green Lantern film that was released last year.

Captain America: The First Avenger film has also launched its official site, and you can check out the trailer for it online now, as well as download wallpaper, and iPhone app and an entire comic book. I was iffy about this movie, and while I find a shrunken Chris Evans very creepy (how did they do that?), I have to say, this movie looks better than I thought it would.

Stephenie Meyer's Official guide to all things Twilight comes out Tuesday, and EW released a sneak peak at Bella's wedding dress. What do you think?

Finally, the CW released a 15-second teaser trailer for the finale of "Smallville." It's only 15 seconds, but it gave me chills (in a good way). I think it's seeing the Superman emblem combined with John Williams' theme song combined with Tom Welling's words. Either way, it's hard to believe only one month of "Smallville" remains before the show ends, for good. I need to go stock up on Kleenex...

Hutcherson and Hemsworth cast in "Hunger Games" - please say it ain't so!

If you heard a loud, gut-wrenching “Nooooooooooooooooooooo!” today at, around, oh, 2 o’clock Eastern time, it was probably me, having just seen the headline “Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth cast in The Hunger Games.”

Seriously. If I hadn’t been at work, I might have fallen to my knees and started sobbing. Pounding my fists against my keyboard. Pulling out my hair. Throwing myself off of a building somewhere…

Let me get this out of my system, and I promise I will be OK. I will be Team Supportive from here on out when it comes to this movie. I promise. But first…

Josh Hutcherson is Peeta Mellark? Are they crazy!!!

I have to preface this by saying I love Josh Hutcherson as an actor. I always have. I adored him in “Firehouse Dog” and “Bridge to Terabithia.” He’s a young actor whose movies I would see just because I like him and think he’s cute.

But he is not what I pictured for my beloved Peeta. Not. At. All.

Oh, Peeta, who I love more than even Edward Cullen as a character. Peeta, with his golden blonde locks and manly tallness. Josh Hutcherson has short, dark brown hair and is (according to the Internet) 5’ 7”. How is that tall!?! Isn’t Jennifer Lawrence taller than that? Not to mention she’s older than Josh Hutcherson, and Peeta is supposed to be older than Katniss, right?…

Oh, my world feels so off kilter right now.

Breathe, Angie. Breathe.

As for Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, well, granted, I don’t love Gale as much as I love Peeta, but come on now. Liam Hutcherson as Gale?!? Didn’t these people see that godawful movie with Miley Cyrus, “The Last Song,” in which I discovered I know doorknobs who can act better than Liam Hemsworth? And Gale is an important character! Not to mention, Gale has black hair, dark eyes and olive skin. Liam Hemsworth — nope, not even close.

Noooooooo!

Why are you people at Lionsgate ruining my book-to-movie adaptation? I swear, in my mind, it was going to be so good…

My only hope, at this point, is that the angels will come down, the heavens will align, and Robert Downey Jr. will miraculously land the role of Haymitch. Please God, give me something?

OK.

OK.

I think I’ve got it out of my system now.

Breathe, Angie. Breathe.

I will now try to look on the bright side. I will remind myself — wisely so — that I cannot fairly judge this casting decision without having seen their auditions myself. I will also remind myself of the colossal negative feedback Robert Pattinson received when he was originally cast as Edward Cullen in “Twilight,” and that turned out OK, didn’t it?

I will push aside my thoughts that this casting has been part of a strategic formula to recruit popular, up-and-coming young actors rather than actors who are actually right for the roles. Nope, I will not let myself think that way again.

(Gritting my teeth) Congratulations, Josh and Liam. I wish you the best with these roles and look forward to seeing this, er, interesting dynamic play out on screen. I am putting my faith in you boys to do justice to these awesome characters. Please don’t let me down. Seriously, if you let me down, I will kill you.

Breathe, Angie. Breathe.

Well, at least it has been confirmed that “The Hunger Games” is filming in North Carolina (my neighbor state). Can anyone say road trip? (And that bit about killing anyone … ha ha ha, I was joking. I wouldn’t take a road trip to kill anyone. Please.)