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News: Concept Art for Avatar, Tom Cruise confirmed to star in Action comedy Wichita, Dream Works Reveals its Slate Through 2012.

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Concept art for James Cameron’s Avatar is in and it’s further upping the anticipation factor.  The art was released by the website Market Saw.  They are a part of their forthcoming book “The Art of Avatar James Cameron’s Epic Adventure.” And what can I say they look “EPIC.”  These pictures have been confirmed by Fox as official concept art for the film.  There are no official details about what the pictures are of, except speculation that the top pic may be some kind of power suit and the second picture (below) may be of a futuristic helicopter.

The film is set to be released on December 18th from Fox and it tells the story of a wounded ex marine reluctantly sent to help exploit a foreign planet for its natural resources.  He then crosses sides to lead the battle for the indigenous people’s survival.

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tom-cruise-cameorn-445x246Variety reports that Tom Cruise’s next starring vehicle will be the action comedy Wichita alongside Cameron Diaz. The film is set to be directed by James Mangold (3:10 to Yuma, Walk the Line).  Cruse will play an undercover agent who teams up with an international spy (Diaz). So it looks to be in the vain of a Mr. & Ms. Smith / True Lies type action comedy.   This news comes as a surprise in that for some time Cruise had been eyeing a role in the Les Wiseman thriller Motorcade for some time.  But Cruise also has a slew of other potential projects lined up: David Cronenberg’s MGM drama The Matarese Circle, the Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck English language thriller for Warner Brothers, and the universal romantic comedy Loss for Words.  I must say the first two sound quite promising.

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You think they would be trying to aspire to the excellence that it Pixar but it has been more of the same uninspired films for Dream Works.  But Kung Fu Panda was a ray of hope.  The film had some real quality (despite an unoriginal plot).  Let’s hope they continue to grow creatively over the next few years with their expansive stale of films.

How to Train Your Dragon: Written and directed by Chris Sanders and Den DeBlois and produced by Bonnie Arnold.   The voice overwork includes Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera and Jonah Hill.  Tells a story about a lonesome teen who looks after in injured dragon in a mythical Viking world.  The film is slated for a March 26, 2010 release.

Shrek Forever After: Directed by Mike Mitchell, produced by Teresa Cheng and Gina Shay and exec produced by Aron Warner and Andrew Adamson.   You already know the cast.  Set to open on May 21, 2010.

Oobermind: Should at least be an interesting one with the talents of Robert Downey Jr. and Tina Fey on board.  The film is a take off of the superhero pic about a supervillan who grows bored with life after defeating his good guy nemesis Metro Man.  Opens on Nov. 5, 2010

Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom: Sequel to the 2008 hit with Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman returning to the voice cast. Film is due to hit theaters on June 3, 2011.

The Guardians: Based on a not yet published book series by William Joyce, involving beloved childhood characters: Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost, and The Sandman join forces against the villainous Boogeyman.  Slated for November 4, 2011.

Puss in Boots: a prequel of sorts for puss in boots before he teamed up with Shrek and donkey.   Antonio Banderas will reprise the role with Selma Hayek joining him as the kitty’s love interest.   It looks as though the Shrek franchise is going the X man origins route.  The set release date is march 30, 2012.

Madagascar 3: In May 2012 helmer Eric Darnell offers up a third installment in the zoo-break series.  This time the animals will be heading to Europe via traveling circus.

The Croods: A caveman farce from directors Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco.  One of a few films vying for a November 12, 2012 release date

Truckers: Adapted from Terry Pratchett’s “The Bromeliad Trilogy,” a story about miniature creatures living in a department store. Also vying for the coveted November 12, 2012 spot.

Super Secret Ghost Project: Asks what ghosts think about humans. The third film looking at Nov. 12.

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