NEW TRAILERS FOR "GAME OF THRONES" 2ND SEASON & "THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY" WITH HENRY CAVILL & BRUCE WILLIS! TOM HIDDLESTON & TILDA SWINTON IN "ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE"! BRADLEY COOPER & JENNIFER LAWRENCE IN "SERENA"

I'm sure you've already seen the first trailer for THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY action flick released yesterday, but here it is at HOLLYWOOD

SPY too. Opening in cinemas this April, this thriller shot in Spain stars the irresistible Henry Cavill, Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver, follows a young Wall Street trader (Henry Cavill) whose family is kidnapped on a vacation to Spain. He's left with only hours to find them, uncover a government conspiracy and the connection between their disappearance and his father's secrets. After last year epic blockbuster IMMORTALS this is Henry Cavill's second big leading role before he appears as Superman in MAN OF STEEL next year.

HOLLYWOOD SPY HEADLINES

 Oh, damn vampires, it seems they will never stop sucking the money from the box offices: as "The Hollywood Reporter" writes, director Jim Jarmusch is preparing a vampire romance ONLY LOVERS LEFT

ALIVE which will bring an unusual love story between two vampires who have been in love for centuries. The cast is already filled with people who could fit vampire roles being very skinny and pale: amazing Tom Hiddleston, talented Tilda Swinton, John Hurt and that girl we don't like Mia Wasikowska. An unusual couple will be paired up in the movie adaptation of SERENA novel from 2008: Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence will star in this film set in 1929, which follows a newly wed couple attempting to start a timber empire. Things turn ugly when the wife learns she can't have children, thus setting out to destroy her husband's illegitimate son. Instead of Darren Aronofsky the helm will go over to Oscar winner Susanne Bier.

Have you seen the latest trailer for GAME OF THRONES second season in which Daenerys Khalesee says she is the dragon queen and

wants what is hers? The thrilling new trailer offers quite a lot of scenes from the second run of the HBO's hit show which is ready to hit the small screens this April. Beside having a lot of new faces in the cast,

last years favourites Emilia Clarke, Kit Harrington, Nikolaj Coster Waldau, Lena Headey are coming back to spice up the story.

KENNETH BRANAGH IS HOLLYWOOD SPY'S BEST ACTOR WHO'S NEVER WON AN OSCAR FOLLOWED BY EMILY BLUNT, CILLIAN MURPHY & MICHAEL FASSBENDER

The first part of HOLLYWOOD SPY'S THE BEST ACTORS WHO'VE NEVER WON AN OSCAR poll is over and Kenneth Branagh is the winner with 25% of your votes, leaving Emily Blunt (21%), Cillian Murphy (14%) and Michael Fassbender (14%) behind him.

 KENNETH BRANAGH

Abnormally talented Kenneth Branagh, without whose films we couldn't even imagine British film scene, who is a symbol of Shakespearean movie adaptations, has never received an Oscar, not for his acting, not for his amazing directing... nothing. Probably the craziest thing you've ever heard, yes? He was nominated for his legendary role and direction in

HENRY V, he was also nominated for HAMLET, but not for the direction of one of the greatest cinematic master pieces nor for his utterly perfect performance of the tragic prince but only for the adapted screenplay. He is now again nominated for his role in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN. He's never got nominated for any of his other famous adaptations of Shakespeare's plays even though huge masses of people know about them only through his amazing films: OTHELLO, AS YOU LIKE IT, LOVE'S LABOUR LOST, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - no nominations for him, and he also wasn't awarded for his rather unique films FRANKENSTEIN and THE MAGIC FLUTE. Will the Academy forget him in 2014 when he finishes what promises to be an outstanding drama THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY with Kate Winslet? The fact that he is also a producer and writer beside directing and acting, didn't make Academy be fair to him either.

EMILY BLUNT

In the world in which mediocre or in the best case average actresses such as Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Helen Hunt, Hilary Swank, Julia Roberts or Natalie Portman get Oscars, you will always find some deeply

refined silent true talent who gets pushed aside but them. Emily Blunt is an example for that: believe it or not, I personally always get shocked by the fact, but she has never even been nominated for an Oscar - not for her extremely profound, balanced and highly loveable portrayal of the British queen in YOUNG VICTORIA, not for her, now legendary, role of cold and reserved, but perfectly fair and just secretary in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA which was so successful that she stole the show with it from Anne Hathaway. Not even for her brilliant roles in SUNSHINE CLEANING or MY SUMMER OF LOVE. Not even Meryl Streep's judgement of Emily Blunt being "the best young actress she's worked with in some time, perhaps ever", has made the Academy pay more attention to her.

CILLIAN MURPHY

And again, believe it or not, one of the most talented of the young actors, Irish star Cillian Murphy has never been nominated for a

single Oscar either! For the Academy, his mindblowing roles in Ken Loach's THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY and in Neil Jordan's BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, obviously weren't good enough to get at least a nomination, even though those two films and Cillian's work in them got awards at Cannes, Golden Globes and tones of European Film Festivals. He also didn't get a nod for his equally remarkable performances in COLD MOUNTAIN, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING nor in PEACOCK (even though in the later one he proved for the second time after BREAKFAST ON PLUTO that he is the only male actor who can flawlessly play females on film and not in a comedic way).

MICHAEL FASSBENDER

Without any doubt, the biggest thespian among the generation of younger actors, Michael Fassbender has also never received any love from the cruel Academy, never! For reasons only known to them, they've

never given him a single nomination for his performances that brought him the utter admiration and total respect of critics and film experts around the world: he wasn't nominated this year for his haunting work in SHAME (he had great roles this year in JANE EYRE and A DANGEROUS METHOD too) just as he wasn't previous years even though his roles in FISH TANK and HUNGER brought him tones of other respected awards and the title of the owner of the most unique and most independent talent among the young actors. Shame on you Academy, shame on you!

 THE SECOND ROUND

Now let us move to the second round (there will be one more) of our THE BEST STAR WHO'S NEVER WON AN OSCAR poll. Another seven extremely talented thespians are waiting

for your votes, thespians who have never won an Academy award for reasons unknown: Hugh Jackman ( THE FOUNTAIN, AUSTRALIA), James McAvoy (ATONEMENT, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND), Patrick Wilson (LITTLE CHILDREN, HARD CANDY, ANGELS IN AMERICA), Eric Bana (TROY, CHOPPER, THE TIME TRAVELLER'S WIFE), Helena Bonham Carter (THE KING'S SPEECH, THE WINGS OF THE DOVE, HOWARD'S END), Julianne Moore (THE HOURS, FAR FROM HEAVEN, THE END OF THE AFFAIR) and Ed Norton (THE PAINTED VEIL, AMERICAN HISTORY X, PRIMAL FEAR).

ABC'S EXCITING AMAZON SHOW "THE RIVER" WITH BRUCE GREENWOOD & THOMAS KRETSCHMANN! TOM RILEY IS STARZ' LEAD IN "DA VINCI'S DEMONS" EPIC SHOW! EXCLUSIVE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD 2012 AWARDS FASHION REPORT!

You already know that beside the best epic show SPARTACUS and their work on MARCO POLO epic show, Starz is also preparing another great epic adventure - DA VINCI'S DEMONS. To be done in cooperation with BBC and penned by David Goyer (MAN OF STEEL), this historical fantasy,

in eight episodes, will follow the untold story of the world's greatest genius during his raucous youth in Renaissance Florence. Brash and brilliant, the twenty five-year old Leonardo da Vinci is an artist, inventor, swordsman, lover, dreamer and idealist. As a free thinker, with intellect and talents that are almost superhuman, he struggles to live within the confines of his own reality and time. He begins to not only see the future, but invent it. Now the new thing is that they've found the lead actor: it will be young British actor Tom Riley whom the Brits know from MONROE and LOST IN AUSTEN. To be shot this summer and aired next year, the show will be produced by DOCTOR WHO producers.

AMAZON MYSTERY!

Today, I have for you another trailer for one of the new shows which will hit small screens this midseason. It's ABC's new, super exciting

show THE RIVER which premieres February 7th revolving around Dr. Emmet Cole who's gone missing. The beloved host of The Undiscovered Country, which brought the wonder and magic of the natural world into our homes for so many years, has disappeared in the wilds of the Amazon. Gone for six months now, and thought by many to be dead, his emergency beacon went off two weeks ago. Now Dr. Cole’s wife and frequent co-host of The Undiscovered Country, Tess, has begun the search for her husband. With the help of her son, Lincoln, and crew members Tess is looking to be reunited with her husband and save the rest of his missing

crew. But the search for Dr. Cole may provide more questions than answers. Where have he and the missing crew been? What mysteries of the uncharted Amazon did they capture on film? Can this family that was torn asunder six months ago be miraculously reunited? The world holds its breath as we wait to find out just what became of Dr. Emmet Cole and his crew.

AMAZON TIDBITS

The cast of the show includes Bruce Greenwood, Paul Blackthorne, Thomas Kretschmann and Leslie Hope. It is interesting that the whole show is being advertised as if it is a real life story, it is being shoot too look like some kind of real life TV report, and even the official site is organized in that way. Very interesting marketing. The show is produced by Steven Spielberg.

SAG 2012 FASHION REPORT

So, did you watch last night's Screen Actors Guild Awards? Whom did you like at the red carpet? There weren't any stunning outfits this year, everybody went for quite bold colours. I won't mention the worst dressed, there were too many of those, but interesting ones were Sofia Vergara and Dianna Agron, the two best dressed ladies at the

Golden Globes earlier this month, who've opted for very simple and subtle pink dresses, while British beauty Emily Blunt went for long emerald gown with a very sexy deep slit. Diane Lane was refined again in midnight blue. One of the interesting and gorgeous ones was Kaley Cuoco in her mint green gown, while Lea Michele was definitely the sexiest thing that evening in her hot Versace dress and judging from the

comments around the net everyone seems to agree on that. The strange thing for me was seeing GAME OF THRONES Emilia Clarke for the first time outside the show. I was shocked to discover that the powerful dragon queen was such a plain Jane at the red carpet, couldn't even recognise her. Click on the pics to see them in bigger size!

THRILLING TRAILER FOR ASHLEY JUDD'S & SEAN BEAN'S SHOW "MISSING"! JOAQUIN PHOENIX, MARION COTILLARD & JEREMY RENNER IN A PERIOD ROMANCE!

Continuing HOLLYWOOD SPY's love series, because February comes this week and it's  the month of sweet sweet love ;), I have another romantic flick to announce with quite an interesting plot and cast. The cast of the new,

still untitled,  period romantic movie is lead by Joaquin Phoenix and Marion Cotillard alongside Jeremy Renner and its plot revolves around an innocent immigrant woman (Cotillard) who is tricked into a life of burlesque and vaudeville until a dazzling magician (Renner) tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being held in the confines of Ellis Island. The film was previously titled LOW LIFE, but is now without a name and should hit theatres sometime next year. This is Joaquin's first movie since 2008 and he also has THE MASTER coming out next year about a leader of a religious sect. Renner has HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS coming out next year, but since it was pushed from this summer to the movie dumpster month of January, it is not a good sign.

ASHLEY JUDD'S MISSING

When it comes to trailers, the one I have for you today is the first one for one of the new shows that will premiere in the middle season. It's for

MISSING, a show which premieres March 15th on ABC and has two movie stars in the lead roles - always divine Ashley Judd and Sean Bean, who plays her husband and off course, as it is always the case with Bean, dies in the first scenes of the show ('tis the reason why they beheaded him in GAME OF THRONES - so that he can appear and disappear in this one as well) :) but will return later on through flashbacks.  Story: When Becca Winstone's (Ashley Judd) son, Michael, disappears while studying abroad, there is nothing that will stop her from getting him back. Using her training as a CIA agent, she starts in Rome where Michael was last known to be and tracks clues

across Europe, seeking help from old friends and opening old wounds along the way. The kidnappers soon discover that between her special skills and a mother's love they have picked a fight with the wrong woman.

FEBRUARY 2012 ROMANTIC FILMS: CHANNING TATUM'S "THE VOW", JENNIFER ANISTON & PAUL RUDD'S "WANDERLUST" & "PERFECT SENSE" WITH EWAN MCGREGOR

Well, you know February is the month when love is in the air, when cats start their mating games and the sales of chocolates rise to heavens (I guess it's the same with condoms too), but it seems this February won't have that much romantic flicks to take your loved ones to on St. Valentines. Here are the only three:

VOW OF LOVE

Probably the biggest romantic film of the month, the one a lot of ladies have been waiting for a long time since it has a very heartbreaking

story is THE VOW with Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams. To open in cinemas February 10th, this movie will be based on the touching true story of a newlywed couple recovering from an accident that puts the wife in a coma. The problem is that she wakes up with severe memory loss and can't remember any of her life with her new husband including his love and her love for him, he is now a total stranger to her... so he has to fight to win her heart all over again. Beside Channing and Rachel as the couple, the cast also includes Jessica Lange, Sam Neil and Scott Speedman who plays Rachel's ex fiancée who is using the situation to get back in her life.

DID YOU KNOW that the director and the writer of this film, Michael Sucsy, is currently working on another romantic story - ROSALINE about Romeo's first girlfriend Rosaline, whom he dumped in order to start the tragic affair with his Juliet.  That one will star Hailee Steinfeld and Dave Franco.

WHEN LOVE WANDERS

But if instead of carrying handkerchiefs to the cinema you prefer romantic films that make you laugh, you  probably shouldn't miss

WANDERLUST which opens in theaters on February 24th. It stars Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd as George and Linda, an overextended, stressed out Manhattan couple. After George is downsized out of his job, they find themselves with only one option: to move in with George's awful brother in Atlanta. On the way there, George and Linda stumble upon Elysium, an idyllic community populated by colorful characters who embrace a different way of looking at things. Money? It can't buy happiness. Careers? Who needs them? Clothes? Only if you want them. Is Elysium the fresh start George and Linda need? Or will the change of perspective cause more problems than it solves?

DID YOU KNOW that the cast also includes Justin Theroux, Jennifer's current boyfriend, whom she met while shooting this film and with whom she is apparently pregnant if we could trust tabloids :) This is the third time for Aniston to start next to Rudd after FRIENDS and THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION. 

THE STRONGEST SENSE

The last romantic movie suggestion for you this February is a film I've mentioned a couple of times before - PERFECT SENSE in which

Ewan McGregor has a misfortune of being paired up with the ice queen Eva Green. This unusual apocalyptic romantic thriller and drama, brings the story of two strangers, Ewan as a chef and Eva as a scientist, who form a desperate romantic connection and fall in love with each other while their city is facing an apocalyptic epidemic of sensory loss in which people lose sight, smell, hearing... one by one. Will they lose love too, without their senses?

DID YOU KNOW that the film is directed by David Mackenzie who worked previously with Ewan on YOUNG ADAM, a film mostly remembered for Ewan sporting his naked willy in at least half of the scenes :) The film hits cinemas February 10th. 

DELIGHTFUL 2ND TRAILER FOR "MIRROR MIRROR" WITH LILY COLLINS & JULIA ROBERTS! SCARY TRAILER FOR THE MIDSEASON "THE WALKING DEAD" FINALE! KATE WINSLET JOINS "FRANK OR FRANCIS"

One of our three favourite Kates (beside Blanchett and Zeta Jones), Kate Winslet has just signed on for a new role: as "MovieWeb" reports she will join

Catherine Keener in FRANK OR FRANCIS, in which the story revolves around an online war that develops between a successful filmmaker (Steve Carell) and a movie blogger (Jack Black). Nicolas Cage will play an actor known for commercial successes such as Fat Dad, while Kevin Kline will play the director's brother. It is still not known whom will Kate Winslet and Catherine Keener play. The film is being written and directed by Charlie Kaufman who already worked with Kate on dreadfully boring ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND for which she received an Oscar nod.

MIRROR MIRROR HUMOUR

A super delightful second trailer for Tarsem's charming fairy tale MIRROR MIRROR has been released today, and it focuses on the lovely humour in the film. It seems that in the sea of morbidly dark projects this film will be the one for all family to enjoy and you can take

your kids to see it too. Ready to premiere March 30th, the movie follows an evil enchantress (Julia Roberts) who schemes and scrambles for control of a spirited orphan’s (Lily Collins) throne and the attention of a charming prince (Armie Hammer). When Snow White’s beauty wins the heart of the prince that she desperately pursues, the Queen banishes

her to the forest, where a ravening man-eating beast hungrily awaits. Rescued by a band of diminutive highway robbers, Snow White grows into an indomitable young woman determined to take back her realm

from the treacherous Queen. With the support of her subjects, she roars into action in an epic battle that blends spectacle, magic and contemporary humour in Singh’s signature, jaw-dropping visual style.

WALKING DEAD HORROR

Are you ready for the second part of the second season of AMC's THE WALKING DEAD zombie series? The exciting trailer has just been released, check it out bellow. The final six episodes will start airing February 12th and we shall finally find out if the heroes will leave Hershell's farm or stay there a bit longer, now that the mystery around

the missing girl has been solved. We shall also find out if  John Bernthal (sheriff's deputy) will really leave the show as the latest gossips suggest, which would mean that his character will probably be thrown to the zombies or something (not that anyone will shed tears for that evil brute with serious identity issues).  As I reported before the third season has already been ordered and it will have 16 episodes.

MINDBLOWING CLIP FOR "JOHN CARTER" EPIC! CHARACTER POSTERS FOR "WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE EXPECTING"! SPIELBERG READY FOR "GODS AND KINGS" EPIC! JAMES MCAVOY & JAMIE BELL IN "FILTH"! DESIGNER EIKO ISHIOKA HAS DIED!

Are you ready for the biggest space opera in last ten years? Disney's sf epic JOHN CARTER is ready to take us straight to Mars this March and I have a mindblowing and super dynamic new TV spot for you

today. With one of the strongest casts we've ever seen in a sf film ever since DUNE, including Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, James Purefoy, Polly Walker, Ciaran Hinds, Mark Strong, Bryan Cranstone, Willem Dafoe, Dominic West, Thomas Haden Church and Samantha Morton, the story follows a Civil War veteran who, transplanted to Mars, discovers a lush planet inhabited by 12-foot tall barbarians, warrior tribes and exotic desert beings. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter a princess who is in desperate need of a saviour. Based on the first of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Barsoom Series” books, this $250 million epic is directed by brilliant Andrew Stanton (WALL-E, FINDING NEMO, A BUG'S LIFE). Click for the extensive spotlight on the film with stunning pics.

HOLLYWOOD SPY HEADLINES

I've already announced that Steven Spielberg is preparing a Biblical epic, and according to "Deadline" it seems he is now in final talks with

Warner Brothers to helm GODS AND KINGS, which is being described as a Braveheartish version of the Moses story in which the Jewish leader will be shown as the warrior to beat all warriors. Before this, Spielberg has to finish LINCOLN and ROBOPO- CALYPSE. Another flick I've mentioned before, comedic thriller FILTH is preparing for production as well. Based on the novel by Irvine Welsh (TRAINSPOTTING), and with a rather strong cast which includes James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Jim Broadbent, Eddie Marsan and Imogen Poots, the story is centred on an Edinburgh police detective who manipulates everyone in his path to secure a promotion and win back his wife and daughter.

Prepare to see lots of pregnant ladies, 'cause funny character posters for WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE EXPECTING have just been released. Ready to premier in May, and based on the famous self-help mega bestseller on pregnancy, this is an ensemble romantic comedy made in the vein of LOVE ACTUALLY and VALENTINE'S DAY.

The film is a modern look at love through the eyes of four interconnected couples experiencing the thrills and surprises of having a baby, and ultimately coming to understand the universal truth that no matter what you plan for, life doesn't always deliver what's expected.

The stellar cast includes a bunch of amazingly gorgeous ladies and gents from Cameron Diaz and Elizabeth Banks to Brooklyn Decker, Matthew Morrison, Rodrigo Santoro, Chace Crawford, Joe Manga Hunky Niello (who's naked in the trailer, mladies) and that fur wearing evilness Jennifer Lopez. There are also Dennis Quaid and Megan Mullally.

 EIKO ISHIOKA DIED!

One of the saddest news to arrive today is that amazingly talented, shockingly creative and almost otherworldly gifted costume designer

Eiko Ishioka (73), has died this weekend in Tokyo from pancreatic cancer :( As you know, she was HOLLYWOOD SPY's favourite costume designer of all times who made some of the most brilliant,

mindblowing and absolutely legendary costumes in cinematic history from the dreamy ones in THE CELL and THE FALL, to epic ones in IMMORTALS, lovely ones in MIRROR MIRROR and the Oscar

winning ones in BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA. She mostly worked with equally amazing Tarsem Singh. I'm utterly shocked, she will be missed greatly!

1ST TRAILER FOR "THE LOFT" WITH KARL URBAN, WENTWORTH MILLER & JAMES MARSDEN! CATHERINE ZETA JONES JOINS JUDE LAW & CHANNING TATUM IN "THE SIDE EFFECTS"! EVANGELINE LILY ON HER ELVEN GUARD ROLE IN "THE HOBBIT"!

As you all know THE HOBBIT is the most anticipated film this year, if not this decade, and one of the actresses who will appear in the famous saga next to Cate Blanchett, Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Ian McKellen and Martin Freeman is Evangeline Lily who will play Elven girl Tauriel in both

AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY and THERE AND BACK AGAIN. Speaking this week to "Entertainment Weekly" she revealed that the shooting of the both films will last two years in total, with the stars coming in and out of New Zealand numerous times during that period. She also said that her character, a Mirkwood elf Tauriel, will be a dangerous warrior and the head of the Elven guard who uses a bow and arrow and two daggers as her primary weapons. She is apparently very lethal. She will appear in the first film near the end, but will have a longer part in the second film, a part which apparently became bigger after Peter Jackson was impressed with Lily's work.

HOLLYWOOD SPY HEADLINES

I've been mentioning Catherine Zeta Jones a lot these days, and I will do it again since she has just joined THE SIDE EFFECTS,the

film I've also mentioned last week, in which Blake Lively plays a woman who gets addicted to prescription drugs out of fear that her husband (Channing Tatum) will be released from prison soon. Jude Law will play the woman's new therapist, while Catherine Zeta Jones will play another doctor in the Steven Soderbergh's film. At the same time, another project I've mentioned this week has a new cast member: according to "MovieWeb" Ron Livingston has joined THE CONJURING, the supernatural thriller in which Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga will play two demonologists who investigate the case of a couple (Livingston plays the husband) who lives in a farmhouse with evil spirits and other similar creatures.

And your trailer treat for today is an exclusive clip from the upcoming thriller THE LOFT which has a cast picked straight out of my wildest dreams - three of my favourite boys - Karl Urban (who in a strange and ironic twist of fate had replaced my fourth most favourite actor Patrick Wilson, LOL), Wentworth Miller and James Marsden.

The trailer is in English, but has foreign subtitles, it's the only one released so far, but you will still enjoy it. The story of the film, shot in Belgium (since it is an English language remake of the Belgian hit film), follows five friends who share a loft for their extramarital affairs but begin to question one another after the body of an unknown woman is found in the property. The lovely ladies of the female part of the cast include Rhona Mitra (from UNDERWORLD 3), Isabel Lucas (played Goddess Athena in this winter's epic blockbuster IMMORTALS) and Rachael Taylor (from the unsuccessful CHARLIE'S ANGEL remake show).

PS Have you noticed that HOLLYWOOD SPY has crossed the 1,100,000th visitor? You know me loves you and there's nothing you can do about it :) 

SPOTLIGHT ON GAMBLING PROJECTS: HBO'S "LUCK" WITH DUSTIN HOFFMAN, "LAY THE FAVORITE" WITH BRUCE WILLIS AND CATHERINE ZETA JONES

All of you who love casino movies and films on gambling will probably enjoy the fact that a bunch of films and new TV series with that setting are coming to us in the near future. Check out some of them:

DUSTIN HAS "LUCK"

Ready to premiere January 29th at HBO is the horse racing series LUCK which will offer a behind-the-track look at the world of horse racing and gambling denizens - owners, trainers, jockeys and gamblers. The story will be spread in nine episodes, and coming from acclaimed director Michael Mann and DEADWOOD creator David Milch,  LUCK will take a provocative look at the world of horse racing - the owners, gamblers, jockeys and diverse gaming industry players.  It is interesting that the cast uses another trend in TV - having film stars as the leads in TV programmes - so the ensemble includes film stars Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte beside Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Richard Kind, Ian Hart...

"LAY THE FAVORITE"

When it comes to cinemas, one of the films which will be set in the world of casinos, betting, gambling and roulette is LAY THE FAVOURITE a dramedy centered on a thirty something woman who

becomes involved with a group of geeky fiftyish men who have found a way to work the sportsbook system in Las Vegas to their advantage. The interesting part of this film is its stellar cast which includes Bruce Willis, Catherina Zeta Jones as his wife Tulip, Vince Vaughn

(who was cast after pop star Justin Timberlake opted to leave the project), and young stars Joshua Jackson, Laura Prepon and Rebecca Hall. Another good thing is that the film is being directed by always amazing Stephen Frears (whom we love heaps - THE QUEEN, CHERI, DANGEROUS LIAISONS, MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS).

GREAT NEW PICS FROM "WRATH OF THE TITANS" EPIC! REESE WITHERSPOON & RYAN REYNOLDS IN "BIG EYES"! GOLDIE HAWN & BEN STILLER GET THEIR HBO SITCOMS!

An interesting pair has just been added to Tim Burton produced drama BIG EYES: according to "Variety", Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds will take the lead roles in this movie based on the true

story of artists Margaret Keane and Walter Keane, whose bizarre paintings featuring large eyes were popular around the world in the 1960s. The film will try to explain how Margaret Keane was the true artist behind the paintings, and how Walter Keane stole all the credit for her work. As you know, Reese has THIS MEANS WAR this spring in which Tom Hardy and Chris Pine will fight for her, and then someone will steal her and Jason Segel's SEX TAPE. Ryan is, on the other hand, playing a cop babysitting a dangerous criminal in SAFE HOUSE next to Denzel Washington and he should also appear next to Sandra Bullock in MOST WANTED as an FBI agent who, trying to escort a criminal suspect, gets ambushed and the pair are forced to go on the run together.

HOLLYWOOD SPY HEADLINES

The trend of movie actors moving to TV (Patrick Wilson, Jessica Lange, Ashley Judd, James Caviezel, Sean Bean,

Holy Hunter, Joseph Fiennes...) continues with two new examples: Goldie Hawn who will lead HBO'S new sitcom VIAGRA DIARIES, based on Darren Star's script about a woman who struggles with the prospect of being single for the first time in 35 years, when her 65-year-old husband suddenly leaves her. Meanwhile, Ben Stiller will star in another HBO comedy pilot: ALL TALK, politically, religiously, culturally, intellectually and sexually irreverent show revolving around the daily and life-altering dramas of a Jewish family in Washington, DC.

Some great new images have been released in the latest issue of Empire Magazine of the main stars from WRATH OF THE TITANS, the sequel to the successful epic which premiers this March. The story is set a decade after the heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, with Perseus (Sam Worthington), the demigod son of Zeus (Liam Neeson), is

attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity's lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades (Ralph Fiennes) and Poseidon. The

triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld. Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus' godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramirez), switch loyalties and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans'

strength grows stronger as Zeus' remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth. Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Poseidon's demigod son, Argenor (Toby Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Bill Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.

HUGH JACKMAN & RACHEL WEISZ IN MADELEINE STOWE'S "UNBOUND CAPTIVES"! JAMES MARSDEN & THOMAS JANE IN "RED MACHINE"! MARK RUFFALO, JULIA ROBERTS, MATT BOMER & ALEC BALDWIN IN "THE NORMAL HEART"!

One of the projects HOLLYWOOD SPY has announced three or four years ago might finally get into production: Madeleine Stowe, who returned to the spotlights with her Golden Globe nominated role in REVENGE show, has

been planning to direct her own film with quite a stunning cast. UNBOUND CAPTIVES will be an action epic set in the Wild West in which the story revolves around a woman (Rachel Weisz) whose husband and son are captured by Commanche warriors in 1859, and who is rescued by a frontiersman (Hugh Jackman). Robert Pattinson was set to play the son three years ago. It is interesting that Fox had first offered Madeleine $ 3 million planning to shot the film with Russell Crowe as the star and Ridley Scott as director, but she turned it down and turned down another $5 million offer for the praised script as well, because the deal didn't call for her to be anything more than just the film's writer. Rachel and Hugh already had amazing chemistry in one of the best films ever THE FOUNTAIN.

HOLLYWOOD SPY HEADLINES

After Liam Neeson and Dermot Mulroney finish fighting wolves in THE GREY later this month, some other hunks will fight some other naughty beasts according to "Variety": James Marsden, Thomas Jane and Billy Bob Thornton have signed on to star in thriller RED MACHINE sharing the spotlight with a live grizzly bear. The film

revolves around two estranged brothers (Marsden and Jane) who reconcile on a camping trip with their girlfriends. Once in the remote wilderness, however, things go horribly awry when they are attacked and relentlessly stalked by a horrifying grizzly bear called the Red Machine. Thornton will, off course, play a legendary bear expert and hunter.

One of the dramas, that has long been in the process of pre-production THE NORMAL HEART in which Mark Ruffalo will play writer and activist Ned Weeks through whose eyes we shall follow the rise of the

HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City between 1981 and 1984, has just gotten some really big names in its cast: Julia Roberts, Alec Baldwin and Matthew Bomer. Julia will play a doctor in the wheelchair who was one of the very few of her colleagues to pay attention to the disease, Bomer, who is gay in his real life too, will play Ruffalo's boyfriend, a fashion designer who has AIDS, while Baldwin will play Ruffalo's brother, a rich lawyer who has difficulties accepting his brother as a gay person. The story has been done before in a theatre play with Ellen Barkin, and the film will be produced by Brad Pitt's company.

PATRICK WILSON & VERA FARMIGA IN "THE CONJURING"! DIANE KRUGER IN "THE HOST"! FIRST PIC OF VIN DIESEL IN "RIDDICK"! NEW COMEDIES COMING TO NBC & CBS!

You know that Patrick Wilson is one of HOLLYWOOD SPY five favourite actors, so it hurts me that instead of getting amazing lead

roles, especially given his stunning talent (ANGELS IN AMERICA, HARD CANDY, LITTLE CHILDREN), he is pushed over to TV where he is currently starring in A GIFTED MAN show. This year he has a role in sf epic PROMETHEUS but a small one, and the new announced project isn't promising either: according to "Variety" he and Vera Farmiga will star in THE CONJURING, a horror tale which is based on the true story of a Rhode Island family who claimed that they lived among the dead with friendly and evil spirits residing in their farmhouse. I think Patrick's talents need a better agent, what do you think, people?

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You know I'm not excited about the movie adaptation of Stephanie

Meyer's THE HOST, since I believe the TWILIGHT author offends human brain with her rubbish writing, but we do love Andrew Niccol (IN TIME, GATTACA) who is directing it. According to "Deadline" the film which is set in the world in which aliens occupy your souls like parasites, has just signed in Diane Kruger who will join Saoirse Ronan who plays a young soldier who is taken over by a Soul dubbed The Wanderer, although the soldier puts up a fight, refusing to let go of her identity. The Wanderer becomes obsessed with the soldiers memories, and sets out to find her boyfriend and lost brother. Diane Kruger will portray The Seeker, who tracks down The Wanderer. William Hurt and Max Irons are also in the cast.

And have you seen the first picture of Vin Diesel, released this weekend, from RIDDICK? How do you like his costume? The third part of the famous sf saga has started shooting and also includes Karl Urban.

When it comes to TV news, there are two new sitcoms coming our way:

NBC is planning a pilot for an untitled comedy from the producers of GLEE in which the story would revolve around a gay couple and the woman who becomes their surrogate as they start a family. There was quite a big network bidding war for this project which will have Andrew Rannell (known for giving his voice to a tones of animated and video game characters) in the lead role. Another project is over at CBS - an untitled sitcom from THE MUPPETS writer Nick Stoller which  will follow a guy who gets his heart broken by his girlfriend and now has to work one cubicle away from her at an advertising agency. It is loosely based on one of the writers real life experiences.

And it seems that pointlessly morbid AMERICAN HORROR STORY has started a trend of haunted houses shows since ABC is making 666 PARK AVE, about a young couple that purchase a historic New York City based apartment only to find it is haunted by the supernatural. These strange occurrences begin to affect all of the renters in the building.