Watch It!: R2-D2 Translated

Do you think we have too many Star Wars videos on this site? Trick question, there is no such thing.

Anyway, remember how bad the prequels were? I mean, super-ultra-mega horrible. But, at the very least, it “introduced” one of the best characters in the series: R2-D2. Unfortunately, the audience has never been given the opportunity to actually hear what the world’s greatest droid has to say, only getting his half of the conversation through C-3PO or whoever is piloting the ship he is on. Now, thanks to YouTube user mwomba, now not only do we get R2-D2 subtitles, but he absolutely trashes two of the world’s greatest cinematic mistakes: The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Enjoy them after the jump.

First Photo: The A-Team

Thus far, all of the news about the new A-Team has come in bits and pieces, each actor for Joe Carnahan’s remake coming one soldier of fortune at a time. It all started with Liam Neeson’s casting as the team leader, Col. John ‘Hannibal’ Smith. Then Bradley Cooper as pretty-boy Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck. After a long break and thousands of rumors, the role of B.A. Baracus was given to MMA fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Then, in a flurry, it closed with the casting of District 9‘s Sharlto Copley as Capt. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock as well as the addition of a villain and female lead, Patrick Wilson and Jessica Biel. Then came the van. Now, after months of casting, the new A-Team has finally been photographed together thanks to Comingsoon.net.

Michael Bay Announces Transformers 3

In a post on his official forum, director Michael Bay announced today that a story had been completed for Transformers 3 and it is going into development for a Summer 2011 release. Bay had previously said he wanted to work on smaller projects like Pain and Gain before jumping back into another Transformers sequel but something (read, studios) got him to change his tune, and shooting is likely to start on the project sometime next year.

With their back and forth in the media there has been some discussion of whether Megan Fox would return for a third film, but the director seemingly answered that as well.

Shock: Tarantino Says The Bride Will Be Back

Though in recent years his buddy Robert Rodriguez has taken the crown of promised projects never completed, Quentin Tarantino is in the hall of fame. Be it the Vega Brothers sequel, his proposed spaghetti western project, a Kill Bill anime or his ability to constantly disappoint fans with his DVD releases (it took five years to get Jackie Brown on DVD and we still  haven’t gotten Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair or a Grindhouse box set), Tarantino is the master in his field. This past year alone he has talked about a prequel to Inglourious Basterds as a mini-series a la Band of Brothers, and now he is back to the classics, bringing back the idea of another bride’s tale in Kill Bill Vol. 3.

Jamie Foxx Signs On For ‘Due Date’

Due Date just keeps sounding better and better as the days go by. We were interested when it was just Zach Galifianakis reteaming with Todd Phillips and recapturing some of that Hangover magic. We were pumped when Robert Downey Jr. and Michelle Monaghan signed up, bringing the chemistry from Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and now we’re beyond excited that Jamie Foxx has joined the cast. Since nobody saw The Soloist audiences will be treated to Foxx and Downey as long-time friends.

Blu-Ray Of The Future

Brendon Connelly over at /Film got to go to Fox’s Blu-Ray press summit and brought back a wealth of information about that studio’s plans for upgrading the technology.

Joe McCrossan, formerly part of the Panasonic team came to fox specifically to work on its Blu-Ray technology and he is bringing the goods. One of the key highlighted features was Live Lookup capability supported by IMDB. Blu-Ray players that are connected to the internet can browse the current IMDB pages of any actor in the film while the movie is playing.

I Choo-Choo-Choose You Thomas

Thomas the Tank Engine is getting his own movie according to The Hollywood Reporter. The children’s toy, known for its television and book series, is being brought to the screen by HIT Entertainment which also owns Barney and Bob the Builder.

This is one adaptation of a childhood memory that I’m not against. Unquestionably this one will just be for the kids (and the really, really nostalgic) but bringing Thomas, Mr. Conductor and the rest of Sodor island trains to the big screen and a new generation is something that I can get behind. Alec Baldwin who narrated most of the U.S. version of the show is so far not attached.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Back To Kicking Ass

Finally, The Rock has come back to action movies. After several turns in Disney kiddie movies, Dwayne Johnson is coming back to his roots and expected to star in the action film Faster. According to Variety, Johnson is in final negotiations to join the action-drama directed by George Tillman Jr. He would play an ex-convict seeking revenge for the murder of his brother when they were double-crossed. Tillman, who last directed Notorious, is stepping in for Phil Joanou (Gridiron Gang) who dropped out months ago.

Comcast Negotiating With General Electric For NBC-Universal

The Wrap reports that Comcast, the leader in cable entertainment and communications is talking with General Electric to buy NBC-Universal for almost $35 billion. This would be huge as Comcast is trying to build its presence with online and television content to compete with YouTube and Hulu (coincidentally owned in part by NBC).