IRON MAN 2

You know who was most shocked about Don Cheadle being cast as Jim Rhodes? The previous one, Terrence Howard. "It was the surprise of a lifetime. There was no explanation. [The contract] just ... up and vanished. I read something in the trades implicating that it was about money or something, but apparently the contracts that we write and sign aren't worth the paper that they're printed on, sometimes. Promises aren't kept, and good faith negotiations aren't always held up." You can hear the whole interview on NPR.

One actor who will be back is Sam Jackson, or so he told IESB. Apparently, at the Scream Awards director Jon Favreau told Jackson that Nick Fury would have a much more prominent role in the second one.

UMBRELLA ACADEMY

IESB.net caught up with My Chemical Romance front man Gerard Way at the Spike TV Scream awards this who said the Dark Horse Comics series has been optioned by Universal Pictures and the Studio and Way have had their first meeting about the feature film.

SMALLVILLE

Kryptonsite has screen captures from the trailer for next week's episode, "Prey."

HEROES

E! Online reports that actor Zeljko Ivanek has been cast as "The Hunter" for the second half of this season, called "Fugitives."

GREEN HORNET

Actor Seth Rogen is quoted at Sci Fi Wire talking about getting into shape to play Britt Reid. "You need to physically believe I can run around and jump over s--t and punch people," Rogen said. "It's all just to serve the movie. Comic book or not, it's just a commitment to the movie. I mean, it just works better that I'm a guy who is in better shape."

WATCHMEN

Lots of people had a hard time trying to get into the Portland screening. But some who did, and they posted huge spoilers on the message boards at IESB ... some of which may infuriate purists ...

THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS

Not so fast, according to quotes from producer Chuck Roven and Gary Oldman at Sci Fi Wire. "We are excited about the possibility of something coming together, but we're definitely in the stage where we're just thinking about it," Roven said. "[Director] Chris [Nolan] is really the one who is thinking on it." Oldman said, "I haven't heard a thing [about a third movie]. I've heard the stuff being thrown around online, but nothing from official sources."

SURROGATES

Actress Elizabeth Banks is taking her first shot at producing the graphic novel adaptation, and she's quoted at Sci Fi Wire about it. "I don't want to be perceived as an actress with vanity projects," Banks said. "I really want to be perceived as a legitimate producer, and I think one of the best ways to do that is to not act in the movies you're producing."

THE FLASH

Producer Chuck Roven is quoted at Shock Till You Drop saying that there's "no momentum" on a project featuring the speedster.

SPIDER-MAN 4

No way, MJ? When speaking to MTV director Sam Raimi implied that actress Kirsten Dunst isn't a certainty. "I hope she'll be written into it," he said. "I couldn't imagine making one without her, and I think she's an important part of the movies." Maybe hardball negotiating isn't the way to go ...

I CAN'T WORK UNDER THESE CONDITIONS

If you have the scoop on anything related to comic book movies, TV adaptations or just want to give us a truck full of cash, no questions asked, drop us a line and let's coordinate. You can choose an alias if you'd like, or be mentioned by name -- we honor requests for anonymity. Broadcasting live from Los Angeles, this is your humble scribe Hannibal Tabu saying thanks for your time and indulgence, and The Hundred and Four just died in your arms tonight.