I felt guilty even as I wrote that headline. Guy Ritchie is a cool guy. I was pleasantly surprised at how pleasant he was to chat with a few months back. I came away really liking him. Problem was that film (”Revolver”) was kind of unwatchable and a lot of his recent stuff hasn’t really been all that great.

So as much it might sound like brilliant casting for Robert Downey Jr. to play perhaps the most famous detective in literary history, I worry. Not for Downey who will surely make something arresting and innovative out of the part but really, does it have to be helmed by Guy? Does anything on his resume give you hope he has a Sherlock tale in him? As I said, I worry.

Am I being too tough on Guy? Am I missing something here? What kind of a Holmes do you think Downey will be? And here’s a question to ponder: who should play Watson?!?

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By Jasmine Rencher

After “Batman Begins” and its upcoming sequel “The Dark Knight,” Christian Bale is no stranger to the crime fighting role. Next summer our knight in not-so-shining armor will be seeking justice again, but in a different outfit.

“I’ve been doing a movie [called] ‘Public Enemies,’” he said recently about the flick he just wrapped opposite Johnny Depp, Channing Tatum and Marion Cotillard in her first post-Oscar role. The fact-based film tells the story of notorious American gangsters John Dillinger (Depp), Pretty Boy Floyd (Tatum), and Baby Face Nelson (English actor Stephen Graham) during a crime wave in the 1930s. Bale has been cast as FBI chief Melvin Purvis, the man who brings down the three outlaws.

“I wasn’t aware of Melvin Purvis beforehand. I was aware of Dillinger,” the 34-year-old star explained of the significance behind his character. “I knew the circumstances around the era: The Dust Bowl, the crime syndicates.”

When he met with the legendary director of such films as “Heat” and “Ali,” however, Bale got a crash course. “Michael Mann is one of the most thorough researchers that I’ve ever come across,” he marveled. “So I had more than an abundance of information about it. I also travelled to the FBI headquarters and met with the family of the character I was playing.”

To further the authenticity, Mann insisted that they film on the exact sites where the real action happened whenever possible. “We shot at the actual locations where the events took place,” Bale explained. “It was uncanny on a number of occasions; we were filming on the actual dates where the gunfights happened, in the same place, at the same time!”

So when you see the film in July of 2009, you can expect a living, breathing document that could even go beyond Bryan Burrough’s book of the same name, which serves as the film’s source material. “Michael is like an incredible private investigator in the way that he approaches his moviemaking,” explained Bale. “[I’m amazed by] the nuances and the details that he’s interested in and does so well.”

“There’s some license taken,” Bale allowed. “It stays true to the events, but as with many movies, [some things are changed] in trying to condense an entire story into two hours.”

Do you think Christian Bale will cut it as a gangster hunting FBI chief, or do you prefer him fighting crime with Batman’s high-tech utility belt?

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Regardless of reviews, we'd be giddy to see The Dark Knight.

Considering the incomparable reviews the film, and Heath Ledger in particular, is enjoying, however, our enthusiasm for the Batman follow-up couldn't be higher. Here's a look at what various critics are saying:

- Daring and uncompromisingly different from previous incarnations of Batman, Nolan hasn't redefined the superhero genre as much as created an unforgettable piece of crime fiction within the context of that realm... -- ComingSoon.net

- A dark, ambitious, mature and gritty crime saga the likes of which Michael Mann or Martin Scorsese would be proud to call their own... -- Dark Horizons

- An ambitious, full-bodied crime epic of gratifying scope and moral complexity, this is seriously brainy pop entertainment that satisfies every expectation raised by its hit predecessor and then some... -- Variety

- The haunting and visionary Dark Knight soars on the wings of untamed imagination... -- Rolling Stone

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in a recent interview with OK Magazine, Sigourney Weaver said she was interested in reprising her role as Ripley in the Aliens franchise, assuming the right people were involved.

“I would definitely do another if I had a director like Ridley Scott and we had a good idea. Ridley is enthusiastic about it,” Weaver said.

Scott is yet to show any interest in the project. He next directs Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe in Body of Lies, one of the films whose trailer is set to debut prior to The Dark Knight on July 18.

Would you go see Sigourney Weaver in another Aliens movie?

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Reporting by Elena Torres

Michael Welch is a little too cute to be that geeky guy who just can’t score the girl in high school, don’t you think? At least that was my opinion when I learned he had been cast as Mike Newton in “Twilight.” Apparently, a lot of Hollywood execs feel the same way, as Welch has revealed to MTV News that he is in talks for an untitled action flick that could bring out his innermost action hunk.

“I actually just got an offer for a post-apocalyptic, samurai, futuristic western,” said the 20-year-old actor, who will become legal on the 25th (the line starts with me, ladies!). “It looks awesome. I just read the script the other day, it looks so cool!”

While little is know about the project, this much is clear: It would be one of Welch’s most high-profile film roles to date, and its post-”Twilight” release could cement him as one of Hollywood’s rising talents.

“It’s something to look for in a couple years from now,” Welch said of the movie. “We haven’t even started filming.”

But before you begin imagining Mike Newton drop-kicking baddies and running up walls a la Jackie Chan, Welch wants to clarify one thing: He won’t be playing the samurai. “I don’t know which role I’d be,” said the actor, who auditioned for two other “Twilight” roles before landing Newton. “I’d probably be maybe the samurai’s apprentice, something like that.”

If the role sounds familiar, perhaps you’ve seen Jackie Chan’s recent “Forbidden Kingdom,” in which he mentored Michael Angarano. Angarano’s girlfriend in real life? Kristen Stewart! See that? Circle of life.

Welch expects further details on the film to develop in the weeks to come. In the meantime, he can offer little more than a humble suggestion on what they could call the film. “Maybe it’ll be ‘The Untitled Mike Welch Samurai Film’,” he laughed.

Which would you rather see: Mike/Mike as a badass samurai, or a geeky apprentice?

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A new trailer for Tropic Thunder has been released online. It's a great mockumentary called "Rain of Madness" that explores what happened during the shooting of the movie within the movie...

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Reporting by Adrianna Kourafas

First, Mary Steenburgen was the compassionate stepmom of a North Pole free-spirit in “Elf.” On July 25th, she’ll once again play mother to Will Ferrell in the wild Judd Apatow comedy “Step Brothers.” These days, however, she’s been getting in sync with her new on-screen son, Justin Timberlake.

“I love him,” she said of her co-star in “The Open Road,” a recently-wrapped drama that casts JT as the son of a baseball legend (Jeff Bridges) who takes his girlfriend (Kate Mara) on a road trip to deal with his ailing mother. “I play his mommy. I went from playing Will’s mommy to Justin’s mommy. Go figure!”

Steenburgen explained that “Road” offered herself, as well as the singer/actor star of films like “Black Snake Moan” and “The Love Guru,” opportunities to dig into meaty roles unlike they’d had before.

“It’s a little more dramatic,” the veteran actress insisted. “And it’s kind of a quirky little interesting road trip-movie part of the time, between a father and son, Jeff Bridges and Justin. They’re being manipulated the whole time by me, from my hospital bed.”

Written and directed by relative newcomer Michael Meredith, the flick also co-stars Lyle Lovett and Timberlake’s old “Alpha Dog” co-star Harry Dean Stanton. The movie was largely filmed in Hammond, Louisiana, a mere 20 miles from the town that gave us his ex-girlfriend, Britney Spears. Footage was also reportedly shot during minor league games involving the farm teams for the Houston Astros.

When asked what it was like to work with the A-list star, Mary had the highest regards for the “SexyBack” singer. “I love Justin. Justin’s funny, creative, real, utterly unspoiled, and amazingly talented. I adore him.” Well Mary, so does MTV.

Do you prefer Justin in dramatic movies, or comedic ones? Or would you rather he just stick with music? Let us know your thoughts!

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Look for attendance in middle schools across the country to mysteriously drop when High School Musical 3 premieres on October 24.

In the meantime, anxious fans of the Disney franchise will be treated to that movie's trailer, beginning this Sunday night, July 13.

"We're paying homage to the fans by debuting our first look on the very network that launched the franchise, Disney President Mark Zoradi of the decision to premiere the High School Musical 3: Senior Year trailer at 7:55 p.m. Sunday.

"High School Musical is a worldwide phenomenon and as such, it is important to pursue a nearly simultaneous launch of the first look to fans everywhere, employing our online venue, Disney.com, as well as our international Disney Channels and Jetix platforms."

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It’s easy to rag on the team at Fox for their recent publicity stunt involving a giant Eddie Murphy head traveling by truck around the country, as featured on Deadline Hollywood Daily and about a zillion other Web sites and blogs. But then the fact that it was featured on about a zillion Web sites and blogs kinda proves that it was at least sort of effective, even if most people were probably laughing at rather than laughing with.

But which of the two was Murphy doing?

We got a chance to be the first to show Murphy a picture of his own giant head, and his reaction was pretty hilarious and — for those of you worried about whether he might tone down “Beverly Hills Cop IV” — pretty full of profanity as well.

Murphy is next in “Meet Dave,” the story of an alien crew who uses a Murphy spaceship to crash land on Earth. The film opens July 11.

What do you think of the head? Effective or creepy? Sound off below.

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Not surprisingly, Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno is creating havoc around the country.

The Associated Press reports that the gay character of Bruno caused a major ruckus in Arkansas last month at a pair of cage fighting matches. At a June 6 match in Texarkana dubbed "Blue Collar Brawlin'," a "wrestler" named "Straight Dave" challenged a planted audience member to a fight.

Of course, instead of a brawl, this led to a staged homoerotic scene where the two men, stripped to their underwear, grappled, groped and eventually kissed each other as the audience exploded into a bottle-throwing tizzy.

The convention center had to be cleared and the actors involved reportedly fled through a tunnel.

The untitled Bruno movie - whose full title is rumored to be Brüno: Delicious Journeys Through America for the Purpose of Making Heterosexual Males Visibly Uncomfortable in the Presence of a Gay Foreigner in a Mesh T-Shirt - is scheduled for a 2009 release.

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, Quentin Tarantino is once more going into battle with the Weinstein Co. as he prepares his new screenplay Inglorious Bastards for an October shoot.

The Kill Bill writer-director is reteaming with Harvey and Bob Weinstein for his long-planned World War II action tale about a "Dirty Dozen"-like group of soldiers behind enemy lines.

Because the production will film in Europe and is looking toward an accelerated production schedule so that it can be finished in time to submit to May's Festival de Cannes, the Weinsteins are looking to join forces with a major studio to come aboard to co-finance in exchange for foreign rights.

We'll have more information on this movie as it breaks, including casting news. Brad Pitt's name has surfaced as a possible star.

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Don't get us wrong: We'd go see The Dark Knight even if the only previews preceding it were for The Love Guru and Superhero Movie.

Still, it's encouragng to discover that when The Dark Knight premieres on July 18, viewers can look forward to a few exciting trailers before the main attraction. They're currently scheduled to include:

• Terminator Salvation (due out on May 22, 2009)
• Watchmen (March 6, 2009)
• Body of Lies (Octover 10)?

Which of these films are you most excited for?

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Rupert Grint is about to be known for a character other than Ron Weasley.

The young Harry Potter star has joined the cast of Cherrybomb, a Belfast-set teen drama about two friends whose furious competition for a beautiful but manipulative girl has tragic consequences.

According to Variety, Kimberley Nixon stars as the girl, with emerging Irish actor Robert Sheehan playing best friend and love rival to Grint's character.

Rupert Grint won't be playing Ron Weasley forever.

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Tom Hanks is a two-time Oscar winner - for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump - who is pretty much as respected as one can be in Hollywood.

Therefore, it's our pleasure to wish this star a very happy 53rd birthday!

Aside from the pair of aforementioned movies, here are a few more Hanks has starred in:

• Cast Away
• The Green Mile
• The Da Vinci Code

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