Dwayne Johnson in talks for role in 'G.I. Joe' sequel

Dwayne Johnson is reportedly in talks to appear in "G.I. Joe: Cobra Strikes," the franchise's sequel in which the former pro wrestler known as the Rock would play a machine gun-toting "big guy."

Johnson could take on the role of Roadblock, Variety reported, a brawny and imidating soldier who actually aspires to be a chef and is, as described by the G.I. Joe wiki,  one of "most amiable members of the Joe Team and a great source of camaraderie."

The franchise may undergo an overhaul, however, in the wake of a $175-million budget that seriously outweighed the box office success of its 2009 predecessor, "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," which starred Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans and Dennis Quaid. Tatum, however, should be coming back in the Paramount sequel, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The film will probably be directed by John Chu, who also helmed "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never."

As for Johnson, his role in "Fast Five" with Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Tyrese Gibson has him considering revving up for another installment, thanks to the car film's $568-million take at the worldwide box office.  

His participation in a sixth film all depends "on how much ass I could kick in that movie," he told Access Hollywood. "We set out to make a good movie and the fans are really enjoying it."

That could be possible, seeing that he won the Biggest Ass Kicker award at Spike TV's Guy's Choice Awards on Sunday for his role in "The Other Guys."

Johnson has also starred in "The Game Plan, "The Tooth Fairy," the "Get Smart" reboot, "The Scorpion King" (a prequel to "The Mummy" series) and "Be Cool" (the sequel to "Get Shorty").

He'll soon appear in "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" with Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Caine and Josh Hutcherson.

So, perhaps his stock is going up because of his reputation as a sequel saver. Do you think Johnson would make a good Roadblock? Tell us in comments.

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Photo: Dwayne Johnson during a "Fast Five" photo call in France. Credit: Jean-Paul Pelissier / Reuters

Eliza Dushku lands guest role on USA's 'White Collar'

Eliza Dushku has a new "White Collar" job –- as a guest star on the USA dramedy.

She will appear on the series, which follows con man-turned informant Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) and his FBI partner Peter Burke (Tim DeKay), as an employee of Neal's arch nemesis Matthew Keller (Ross McCall), according to the Hollywood Reporter.

SPOILER ALERT

Now for the juicy details: Dushku's character "ends up having a short fling with Neal," says the show's creator Jeff Eastin, after Neal's split with girlfriend Sara Ellis (Hilarie Burton).

So far Eliza's only committed for one episode, but Eastin says, "We did it in such a way that if it works out, we could bring her back." Season three starts Tuesday, and Dushku will appear in the ninth episode.

Since her Fox show "Dollhouse" ended in 2010, the "Buffy" alum has been tied to a CBS sports radio pilot starring Damon Wayans, has guest starred on "The Big Bang Theory" and is rumored to be signed on for "Ghost Busters III."

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Photo: Eliza Dushku. Credit: Fox

Orlando Bloom to return as Legolas in 'The Hobbit' films

Orlando Bloom is officially heading back to Middle-earth to reprise his role as hot elf Legolas in the "Hobbit" films -- the prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

The film's producer and director Peter Jackson wrote on his Facebook page Friday: "I'm thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older -- and he doesn't! I guess that's why he makes such a wonderful elf."

Recently, Bloom has been playing the role of new dad with wife and Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr.

The British actor will join Elijah Wood, Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett and Ian McKellen in the much-anticipated prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" story that  takes place 60 years before J.R.R. Tolkien's epic trilogy. British thespian Stephen Fry was added to the cast last week as Master of Laketown.

Shooting for the two 3-D films began in mid-March in New Zealand and will hit theaters in late 2012 and 2013, according to Variety.

Bloom recently read Shakespearean passages at a Los Angeles Philharmonic performance and was noticeably absent from the most recent installment of "The Pirates of the Caribbean."

But expect to see quite a bit more of him in the coming year. Bloom will star as the Duke of Buckingham in October in Paul W.S. Anderson's "The Three Musketeers," which also stars Logan Lerman, Matthew Macfadyen, Ray Stevenson, Milla Jovovich, Christoph Waltz and Juno Temple.

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Photos: Top, Orland Bloom. Credit: D Dipasupil / Getty Images. Bottom: Orlando Bloom as Legolas in "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers." Credit: Pierre Vinet / New Line Home Entertainment

Lenny Kravitz to play Cinna in 'The Hunger Games' film

Lenny Kravitz will join the cast of "The Hunger Games" as Cinna, the stylist and friend to heroine Katniss Everdeen in the big-screen adaptation of the Suzanne Collins novel.

Kravitz, who played an orderly in the Oscar-nominated film "Precious," has been cast as the designer from Panem's Capitol who is assigned to give Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) a makeover before partaking in the nationally televised ceremonies that precede the 74th annual Hunger Games -- a battle to the death between 24 boys and girls from the various North American districts.

"When I saw Lenny's work in 'Precious,' I was just knocked out," director Gary Ross said in a statement. "It was quiet and strong and understated and open-hearted; all qualities which define this character. I'm really looking forward to this ride."

Kravitz joins Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci and Wes Bentley in the film about a deadly game that fatally pits Katniss against her peers and love interest for the entertainment of the Panem -- a dystopian country that remains in the ruins of North America.

Photos: Meet the cast of 'Hunger Games'

The "Fly Away" singer made a name for himself as a rock musician over two decades, has won four consecutive Grammys and has set the record for most wins in the male rock performance category. He has also appeared in "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and "Zoolander." Kravitz is set to release his ninth studio album, "Black and White America" on Aug. 30.

His character, Cinna, is a mild-mannered first-time stylist whose own wardrobe is much less flamboyant than that of his fellow Capitol citizens. He usually wears all black with just a touch of gold eyeliner. He creates designs such as the "Girl on Fire" costume for Katniss and her fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson), which gives them a highly public profile that prompts wealthy benefactors to occasionally intervene in the games, giving them gifts to ensure their safety in the arena. 

"The stunning and unique designs Cinna creates for Katniss define her public identity, and in an all too real way, could also contribute to her very survival," according to a statement from Lionsgate.

Alex Pettyfer joins male-stripper film with Channing Tatum, Steven Soderbergh

Alex Pettyfer is about to hit the pole: The controversial young actor has signed on to play a male stripper in the upcoming Steven Soderbergh film "Magic Mike," based on the real-life experiences of Channing Tatum.

Pettyfer will play the young, scantily clad lead modeled after Tatum, who at 19 was working as a stripper.

Tatum will play a mentor to Pettyfer's character, teaching him how to work his manly magic on and off a Chippendales-esque stage. 

The "Dear John" star and former stripper pitched the film to Soderbergh, of "Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich" fame, who called the idea "sexy, funny and shocking" and said he has a vision for the movie along the lines of "Saturday Night Fever."

Tatum is currently filming a "21 Jump Street" update. Pettyfer most recently starred in "I Am Number Four," a sci-fi flick that came with advance buzz full of rumors about his temper and diva-like behavior.

Let's hope the song "You Can Leave Your Hat On" has a calming effect. 

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Upper photo: Alex Pettyfer in "I Am Number Four." Credit: DreamWorks

Lower photo: Channing Tatum. Credit: Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

'The Hunger Games': Woody Harrelson cast as Haymitch Abernathy; District 10 tributes named

Woody Harrelson will be joining Jennifer Lawrence, Stanley Tucci and Liam Hemsworth in "The Hunger Games," the film adaptation of Suzanne Collins' novel about a deadly match that pits teens against one another.

Harrelson will play Haymitch Abernathy, a former Hunger Games champion who becomes a mentor to Lawrence's Katniss Everdeen and the other "tributes" from his district competing in the nationally televised event. Tributes are boys and girls ages 12 to 18, two from each of 12 districts in the country of Panem, who are offered up to participate in the annual fight to the death.

"Haymitch is such an unforgettable character: funny cranky outrageous, sarcastic, impatient, biting but ultimately kind," director Gary Ross said in a statement. "I'm so grateful we have Woody Harrelson to play him. I can't wait for us to get to work."

Photos: Meet the cast of 'Hunger Games'

Lionsgate described Harrelson's character as strong and attractive in his youth, transformed to jaded and unfocused after competing in the deadly arena. He's also drunk most of the time; however, mentoring Everdeen and Peeta (played by Josh Hutcherson) sobers him up.

Harrelson previously starred in "Zombieland" and "No Country for Old Men." But you may recognize him from a little show called "Cheers."

District 10 tributes have also been cast: newcomer Dakota Hood and stuntman Jeremy Marinas, who has appeared as a dancer in Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never," "The Green Hornet" and "The Expendables." 

Stanley Tucci was added to the cast Monday; he'll be playing flamboyant Hunger Games host Caesar Flickerman.

Actors playing Katniss' designer Cinna, President Snow and the tributes Cato and Clove have yet to be announced, but shooting is set to begin this month with a theatrical release set for March 23, 2012.

Do you think Harrelson will make a good Haymitch? Tell us in comments.

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Photo: Woody Harrelson. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

Is Alec Baldwin dropping out of 'Rock of Ages'?

Rumors are swirling about whether Alec Baldwin is keeping his role in "Rock of Ages," the big-screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical centered around a 1980s nightclub.

Director Adam Shankman had enthusiastically confirmed that Baldwin joined his cast in March via Twitter, but the Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday, citing anonymous sources, that the "30 Rock" star will no longer appear in the New Line film written by Chris D'Arienzo.

Baldwin had been set to play nightclub owner Dennis Dupree, an ex-rocker whose Sunset Boulevard-based Bourbon Room is the story's main setting.

Will Ferrell and Steve Carell passed on the role, which makes us wonder, is it the character that's repelling these funnymen?

However, New Line denied rumors that Baldwin pulled out of the film, Deadline reported. The studio said he is expecting to resolve a personal issue in order to do the movie, which begins shooting May 23.

Whoever plays Dupree will share billing with a nearly all-star cast that includes Tom Cruise, Malin Akerman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julianne Hough, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Bryan Cranston, Mary J. Blige and Diego Boneta. The stage version featured music from Journey, Foreigner, Styx and Bon Jovi, which we’re hoping the cast will jam to on the big screen -– with or without Baldwin.

If he goes, it wouldn't be the first time Baldwin has backpedaled -- the actor insisted that his critically acclaimed NBC show would be ending in 2012 soon after he left the cast, but ate his words just a few days later, saying he hoped that "'30 Rock' goes on forever."

If he stays, we're looking forward to his REO Speedwagon duet with Brand's Lonny.

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Photo: Alec Baldwin. Credit: Ben Gabbe / Getty Images

Chris Hemsworth may play opposite Kristen Stewart in 'Snow White'

Chris Hemsworth, currently in theaters with the comic-book blockbuster "Thor," is up for the huntsman role in "Snow White and the Huntsman" starring Kristen Stewart.

The Australian actor and Universal Pictures were in talks Tuesday, and Hemsworth has officially been offered the huntsman role in the big-budget adaption of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, EW.com reported. In this version of the story, the character -- traditionally commissioned by the evil queen to hunt down and kill Snow White -- will be training the heroine to fight the evil queen herself. 

However, whether Hemsworth signs on with the film seems to be based on whether production of "The Avengers" will pose a scheduling conflict, according to MTV Movies.

Older actors including Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Hugh Jackson and Joel Edgerton had previously been in the running for the role, but that $66-million opening for "Thor" seems to have put the 27-year-old in a plum position for casting.

Charlize Theron has already signed on to play the evil queen, and British actor Sam Claflin, whom you can scope out in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" later this month, will play the prince. Rupert Sanders will direct.

But Hollywood isn't done rehashing fairy tales: Another brooding Snow White project is brewing and is slated for release around the same time as the Universal version.

The competitor stars Lily Collins ("The Blind Side") as the porcelain-faced damsel and Julia Roberts as the evil queen. "The Social Network's" Armie Hammer will play the prince and Robert Emms will play his valet. The Relativity Media film directed by Tarsem Singh recently signed Nathan Lane as the mean queen's servant.

Which Snow White duo are you rooting for -- Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth, or Lily Collins and Armie Hammer?

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Photo: Chris Hemsworth. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press

Al Pacino joins John Travolta, Lindsay Lohan in 'Gotti' cast

Academy Award winner Al Pacino will be joining John Travolta and his famiglia in the "Gotti: Three Generations" biopic, which chronicles the doings of the crime family.

He'll play Aniello "Neil" Dellacroce, the Gambino crime family underboss and associate to Travolta's John Gotti. Dellacroce was allegedly Gotti's mob mentor. 

"Al Pacino is one of the finest actors of all time, and will bring an unsurpassed level of reality and excitement to the film," executive produder Marc Fiore said. "We are very pleased to have Al join the extraordinary team that we are assembling to make this movie."

Dellacroce, the reputed second-in-command who was previously convicted for racketeering, was indicted again in 1985 for racketeering charges and allegedly supervising criminal activities of ''crews'' that engaged in loan-sharking, gambling, highjackings and homicides for nearly two decades. Later that year, before the case went to trial, he died of lung cancer at age 71.

The role isn't too much of a stretch for Pacino: The eight-time Oscar nominee has starred in a few other organized-crime films, including "The Godfather" series. He won the lead actor Oscar for his role in 1992's "Scent of a Woman" and scored top acting honors at the recent Emmys and Golden Globes for his role as Jack Kevorkian in HBO's "You Don't Know Jack."

"Gotti: Three Generations" has also signed "Rain Man" director and Academy Award winner Barry Levinson to helm the project; Nick Cassavetes dropped out last month because of a scheduling conflict.

The film also stars Lindsay Lohan, Joe Pesci and Kelly Preston. Travolta and Preston's daughter Ella Bleu will also appear in the biopic, which illuminates the relationship between mob boss Gotti, who died from cancer in 2002 while serving a life sentence in prison, and his son "Junior" Gotti as the latter tries to break away from the infamous family business. "Junior" Gotti sold the rights to his family's story in 2002 and has signed off on the project. He and other Gotti family members appeared at the "Gotti: Three Generations" news conference in April posing for photos with potential cast members.

Production should begin in New York late fall, with a theatrical release in late 2012. No word yet on who will play "Junior" Gotti.

What do you think of the Pacino casting -- are you excited to see him back in the mob game?

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Photo: Al Pacino. Credit: Dan Steinberg / Associated Press

'Gossip Girl': Taylor Momsen, Jessica Szohr out; Kaylee DeFer in

"Gossip Girl" actresses Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr -- the two bad girls from the wrong side of Manhattan -- are leaving the CW show.

Despite the show's renewal for a fifth season, Momsen, 17, who plays social climber Jenny Humphrey, and Szohr, 26, who plays film chick Vanessa Abrams, have not been signed back on as series regulars, according to Show Tracker. 

We're not really sad to see them go, thanks to  story lines that had Momsen and Szohr leaving town after being on the outs with the main characters for doing some truly loathsome scheming. We are also glad to bid adieu to their zany outfits.

Show Tracker: 'Gossip Girl' recaps

Momsen had already been demoted from series regular in 2010, and Szohr's Vanessa recently revealed that she'd be leaving the Upper East Side to study abroad. However, they could make a few guest appearances in the upcoming season.

But don't fret, "Gossip Girl" fans: Kaylee DeFer, who plays Serena Van der Woodsen's cousin Charlie, is being added as a series regular, the Wall Street Journal said. We can only imagine, having already weaseled Dan away from Serena and essentially vanquished Vanessa, that she'll be taking on the resident-villain role.

Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford will all be returning for the next season. Maybe they'll finally figure out the identity of Kristen Bell's omniscient narrator? Here's hoping.

As for Momsen, who's made it clear that her music career is her focus, she will still be jamming with her girl rock band the Pretty Reckless.

Szohr seems to be shifting her focus to movies and will be working the romantic-comedy circuit this summer. She'll hit the big screen in June with Kellan Lutz and Mandy Moore in "Love, Wedding, Marriage," and in September she'll appear in "I Don't Know How She Does It" with Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Munn, Christina Hendricks and Seth Meyers.

Not a bad upgrade, yes?

Is it too soon or about time that Momsen and Szohr take off? And what about DeFer -- is she already giving you the creeps too? Tell us in comments.

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-- Nardine Saad
Twitter.com/NardineSaad

Top left photo: Taylor Momsen. Credit: Amanda Schwab / Starpix / Associated Press

Top right photo: Jessica Szohr. Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

Bottom photo: Kaylee DeFer. Credit: Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images