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He also doesn't appear in 3-D. I can't believe I stumbled across news that Spider-Man 4 might be a 3-D movie. Really, Hollywood? The gimmick works well for some movies but unless they reboot the franchise and make it something other than the first three, it should probably stay in 2-D. Moviegoers are easily sold but they aren't stupid. Most people should know by now that changing the actors and dimensions in a franchise are signs of wear-and-tear, and after Spider-Man 3 I don't think Sam Raimi and crew should be taking any more gambles. What is Spider-Man going to do in 3-D? Shoot a load of web from the screen onto the audience? See, the jokes have already begun!

The only superhero franchise that seems to be alive and successfully kicking is Iron Man. The first one was better than expected and the sequel is on a roll in production. Like all other films, though, there is some reason for doubt. Gary Oldman, who was rumored to be in the movie, is officially not in it. Go figure. I bet DC Comics heard the Dark Knight star was thinking of being in a Marvel movie and killed the idea real quick. Whoever the person is, Iron Man's casting director needs to figure out what's going on. As I said earlier in the article, it doesn't bode well for a film to swap actors in and out of roles. I'm hesitant to see Don Cheadle replace Terrence Howard, but I'll overlook it for the sake of Scarlet Johansson, my favorite new addition. In other Iron Man news, pictures of production are starting to be released. In many cases, early set photos and movie stills can be boring and unnecessary, used only as tools for promotion. While Iron Man is probably no different in its desire to publicize itself, the picture is actually pretty cool. Seeing a still of Robert Downey Jr. in his basement lab with a row of Iron Man suits behind him is a great way to remind past and future fans of the fun that is come in May 2010.

Never one to drop the ball creating unnecessary pre-release noise is Michael Bay, who can't wait to take our money for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Despite his publicized rejection to complete the next sequel in two years (he's demanding an extra year to "take some time off"), he is pushing this release in a Bay way: with half-hearted effort and high expectations for a return on investment. What we've been given in the last few weeks are tidbits on the two leading stars, Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. With Shia, we're offered MORE news about injuries he sustained during filming in an attempt for some sympathy votes. Will he get them? Not from me. First it was his broken hand, the only thing he was left with after a suspected DUI. Then, the news spread that he COULD HAVE gone blind from an prop that ALMOST hit him in the face. Huh? Why does Bay expect us to care about hypotheticals? Oh, because he wants free press for his movie? Yeah, that makes sense. To balance this news, pictures of Fox from the film were posted online. Unlike those released for "Iron Man", which clearly show Downey in his role, the pictures of Fox serve more as head shots than Transformers screen-shots. Instead of drawing an audience in with good directing and respected actors, Transformers begs that you come see its sequel because the lead actor almost hurt himself again and the lead actress is a pretty girl. Does this really work on anyone? The full trailer was recently released and it is amazing. So why fill our minds with garbage about Shia and Megan? Nobody is seeing this movie for them! Gosh, Hollywood sure loves to scratch its own back. It's like nobody told them that fanboys make up so much of the audience and pre-release awareness.

In any case, check back in a month for the latest news in the world of superheroes and the supernatural. With the summer movie season now in session, and with all the fanboy fanfare coming in the next few months, there are sure to be plenty more production updates, stills and trailers on their way. Hopefully Hollywood will stop treating their audience like they're all children and start giving us tidbits worth drooling over. Or maybe I'm completely wrong and I'm the only one bothered by the news and quality of films being released. The only way to tell would be the second weekend drop of Wolverine. If it holds well and becomes the next Iron Man, then I was wrong and my ranting it personal. If it crashes, burns and barely makes it to a $200 million finish, then, well... PAY ATTENTION HOLLYWOOD. More Dark Knight and less Ghost Rider, okay? See you all at the midnight showing of Star Trek!

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