X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

Actor Hugh Jackman is being spotted all around, including in a posting on the Travel Marla blog, which said, "Saw Hugh Jackman running thru [sic] the woods today in full Wolverine costume. Apparently he is shooting a movie of the same name as the X-Men character. New Zealand is doubling as canada. I went on a tour of the National Park where 'Lord of the Rings' was filmed. Many films are made there. 'Wolverine' is just the latest one. So that was the highlight of the day ... We were in a van it was much like being at a theme park seeing him. He was outside the window. It was like seeing a lion at the San Diego Zoo. Although Hugh Jackman is much better looking. But I digress."

Meanwhile, in this PDF file you can find an interview with actor Christian Clark, who will join Jackman in the spin-off, as Clark "was momentarily caught off-guard when asked about 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine', and inadvertently confirms his involvement, before realising the gag order in his contract prevents him from doing so or talking about it any further."

Finally, this PDF (what's up with all the PDFs today?) notes that the production will use durable Rhino Buggies in the actual film.

SUPERHERO MOVIE

There's a new photo in USA Today from the David Zucker-produced spoof (also mirrored at Superhero Hype), also giving off some plot spoilers.

SMALLVILLE

Actor Justin Hartley was very chatty this week, also giving an interview to TV Guide in addition to yesterday's interviews with Buddy TV and IGN. What's different now? "I don't want to say that I enjoyed it more, but it was different," Hartley said. "I feel like they trusted me a little bit more. And I think I trusted myself a little more. The first season I did this, it seemed to work, and so I thought, 'OK, I must be doing something right.' That was a load off, you know? Because by the time your first episode airs, you've already shot, like, four or five of them. If you're doing something wrong, you already have one foot in the grave."

Speaking of TV Guide, the publication also reports that "Four pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot 3 to 5 additional episodes to air in April/May," pending an end to the strike happening fairly soon.

HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY

Superhero Hype has a feature about the creatures you'll see in the sequel, including Johann Kraus, the Chamberlain and Cathedral Head.

IRON MAN/INCREDIBLE HULK

Forbes Magazine talked to creator Stan Lee about his cameos in the upcoming Marvel movies. "I've already done my 'Iron Man' cameo. I think you'll get a big kick out of it when you see it. They shot 'The Hulk' I think in Toronto and other places and I wasn't able to fly there. But they said by the end of this month or the beginning of next month, they'll try to shoot a scene or so in Los Angeles so I can do a cameo, so I'm waiting expectantly."

THE DARK KNIGHT

An unsettling story at Fox News claims that method acting may have been too much for Heath Ledger. An alleged friend of Ledger's said, "He was exhausted and just kept complaining and complaining that he couldn't sleep ... He said that ever since filming 'Batman,' he was having massive sleeping issues. He became so into that role that it really messed with his head, on top of what he had to go through in terms of the paparazzi and missing [his daughter] Matilda. He just kept saying that nothing he tried helped him sleep and it was stressing him out like crazy. But I really feel like it was 'Batman' that tipped him over the edge."

WGA STRIKE WATCH: DAY NINETY-SIX

If one were to believe the trade publications and the news wires it's all over save signing a deal at this point. There's even talk that the "Justice League" movie might get going again.

However, people more sympathetic to the WGA perspective are saying "Do not, repeat, do not, believe anyone who claims that the writers strike is over yet."

There's still time for one more big gathering, and United Hollywood is doing it on Monday from 2-6PM at Third and Fairfax in Los Angeles. What's up? The site noted, "The concept of the campaign is to show writers, actors, directors, crew, staff and fans standing united to meet the challenges of the digital present. That's right, the challenges of now. Volunteers will be photographed wearing a United Hollywood t-shirt or hat, standing against a black backdrop and matched with one or two people from a different part of the community. Writers with fans. Actors with crew. Fans with directors. Directors with crew. Staff and leadership from various unions. Subject to scheduling, ALL ARE WELCOME! Each participant will get to keep the shirts and hats they wear and will, upon request, be emailed a high resolution version of the photographs in which they appear." So there you go.

THAT'S A WRAP

We can't do this without you. The rumors, the scoops, the set photos -- they're all fueled by passionate fans emailing in the goods. The ones who ask, "What do you mean your sister's dating somebody who works for Miles Millar?" The ones who know the code names of movie projects and scour city permit filings for them. The devoted, the involved. Fans, just like you. Whatever you know, we wanna know, and whether you want your name shouted to the web's rafters or kept closer than a classified report, we've got you covered like a comforter. Broadcasting live from Los Angeles, this is your humble scribe Hannibal Tabu saying thank you for your time and indulgence, and [tagline redacted until the WGA strike is resolved].