So goes the plot of “Kick-Ass,” the high-octane movie from director Matthew Vaughn. But even though Kick-Ass (Dave’s new superhero name) has no powers, he inspires a subculture of copy cats, is hunted by assorted violent and unpleasant characters, and meets up with a pair of crazed vigilantes, including an 11-year-old sword-wielding dynamo, Hit Girl (Chloë Moretz) and her father, Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage).

“Kick-Ass” hits theaters April 16, 2010, and looks like it could be either really lame or really funny, sort of along the lines of “Napoleon Dynamite” (if I may be so bold as to draw that comparison). Here’s the teaser trailer…

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Personally, I think he’s a genius! The movie turned out to “The Green Hornet,” which hits theaters Dec. 22, 2010. Here’s Seth Rogen and Cameron Diaz filming a scene:

And here’s an excerpt from Paz’s experience:

Seth has been observing my slowly developing epiphany, chuckling. I don’t blame him. I must look like a total dumbass.

“ROLL SOUND….AND… ACTION!!”

You’ve got to be kidding. That happened way too fast – I didn’t even have a chance to move.

Somehow, the little bald guy completely missed me. And I am now in a movie.

I quickly look down at my Blackberry and frantically begin checking non-existent e-mails. I am invisible. I am invisible.

A wide-lens Panavision camera swings down 10 feet in front of my head and a movie scene unfolds. I’m watching it all like its on TV…

Seth Rogen walks purposefully past me and the blondes chatter with exaggerated gestures as a stretch Hummer pulls up in the courtyard. A valet opens the door…

“…AND CUT!!”

The scene is over. Seth ambles back to his mark. I am frozen in time.

“Dude,” he says to me on his way back. “If they don’t catch you in post, you should totally sue.”

I am Jack’s speechless larynx.

I cock my head back as if to say, “Yes. I am a moron.”

If you see ‘Green Hornet’ next summer and happen to notice an out-of-place jackass in a blue blazer with a valet ticket, let me know.

Read the full transcript of this ultra-fun experience here. Thanks, Paz, for a great story! I’ll be looking for you in the movie, and will live vicariously through you until I accidentally end up in my own Seth Rogen movie.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

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Now Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Cameron Diaz is in talks to co-star opposite Rogen in the movie. Nothing is firmed up at this point, but Diaz is one of those actresses I can see in pretty much any type of movie. I mostly think of her in romantic comedies, but she seems to jump genres fairly easily.

Michael Gondry will direct the film, based on a script by Rogen and his writing partner, Evan Goldberg. Shooting is scheduled to start soon, with a release date of July 9, 2010.

Diaz is pictured getting her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Love her cute dress!

Image: Bauer-Griffin

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"The movie is not overtly complicated,” LaBeouf says. “It wasn’t built for extreme pontification or self exploration. It’s built for fun and enjoyment and escapism. It’s the only movie that I’ve ever been a part of where you can drive down the street and literally see decals of your movies on other cars."

After the jump, watch the trailer and clip of the stars…

The sequel finds LaBeouf’s Sam Witwicky being taken prisoner by the Decepticons, but thank goodness the Autobots got his back. Look for it in IMAX and conventional theaters on June 24, 2009.

The stars talk up the movie and trailer: 

“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Trailer:

Photo Credit: Courtesy of DW Studios L.L.C./Paramount Pictures Corporation

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I’ve been a big fan of Mara’s for a while, and especially loved her role in "Shooter," opposite Mark Wahlberg. Her character in "Iron Man 2" is being kept under wraps for now (anyone heard anything?). Scarlett Johansson is playing Black Widow, and Gwyneth Paltrow is returning as Pepper Pots.

Gregg is reprising his role as Agent Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. I’m guessing he might play a major role in "The Avengers," as well. That movie is coming up in 2012.

"Iron Man 2" is scheduled for release on May 7, 2010, and it can’t get here fast enough for me. I need more of Robert Downey, Jr. as the dashing Tony Stark, and it’ll be a blast seeing Mickey Rourke as Ivan/Whiplash. I’m sure those two have plenty to talk about on set, since both have battled demons and had major comebacks in recent years.

Image Credit: Shooter, © Paramount Pictures; Source: Hollywood Reporter

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Such was the case for Channing Tatum, who says he’s seriously bummed that he didn’t get to play Gambit in the upcoming “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” due to scheduling conflicts. Instead, the part went to Taylor Kitsch, whom I’m sure will do a fantastic job in the role.

Tatum will be in theaters this summer in “Fighting,” “Public Enemies,” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.” But the comic-book fan says Gambit has always been near and dear to his heart.

“Man, I was dying to play [Gambit],” Tatum told MTV News. “My dad’s from Louisiana, and I think I’ve always just gravitated towards Gambit, in general. He’s just cooler than anything to me.”

Tatum nearly got the chance when he was almost cast as Gambit’s alter ego, Remy LeBeau, in Brett Ratner’s “X-Men: The Last Stand.” The character was dropped at the last minute.

When the role surfaced again for “Wolverine,” Tatum couldn’t work it out with his packed schedule. He says of Taylor Kitsch: “I’m really interested to see how the guy plays him, because I have a pretty clear version of Gambit in my head. I’m sure the guy is going to be great, though.”

Who do you think would make a better Gambit – Channing Tatum or Taylor Kitsch? Share your thoughts below.

Photo Credit: Copyright © 2009 by PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION. All Rights Reserved

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The latest comic book/movie news is "Dead of Night," based on the Italian "Dylan Dog" comic book series which began in the 1980s. The story deals with all sorts of otherworldly creatures, and Taye Diggs is in talks to play the main villain, a vampire. You can catch Diggs currently in ABC’s "Private Practice."

Shocktilyoudrop reports that Diggs will be joining the cast opposite Brandon Routh ("Superman Returns") playing Dylan Dog, with Sam Huntington as his sidekick.

Kevin Munroe, perhaps best known for directing 2007’s "TMNT," will be helming the project.

Are you excited to see these smaller comic book characters come to the big screen? What others would you like to see? Share your thoughts below!

Photo: Justin Stephens/ABC

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Here’s the scoop: Tribune Media Services has filed a lawsuit against Beatty to recover motion picture and television rights to the comic-strip character of Dick Tracy.

Tribune says Beatty wrongly claims to have exclusive motion picture and TV rights to the character. Beatty bought the rights in 1985 and went on to direct and act in the 1990 film by the same name.

All this is making me want to watch the movie again, which won three Oscars and included a star-studded cast of Dustin Hoffman, Madonna and Al Pacino. But I digress…

Tribune says that because Beatty has "made no productive use" of the rights for over a decade, they revert back to Tribune. The legal battle’s been brewing since 2006.

Gee, I wonder if the fact that Tribune is a unit of BANKRUPT newspaper publisher Tribune Co. has anything to do with it. I’m sure they’re scrambling to grab whatever millions they can. Then again, if the rights are theirs, they should have them. 

In November, Beatty filed a suit against Tribune, claiming he’d begun work on a Dick Tracy television special, which would preserve his rights to the character. Done specifically to retain rights to the character? Yeah, probably.

Photo: Newscom; Annette Bening and Warren Beatty at "Target Presents AFI Night at the Movies," held at ArcLight, Hollywood, CA, Oct. 1, 2008. 

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After playing Capt. Kirk in the upcoming "Star Trek," I imagine Chris Pine could pretty much have his pick of roles. And it looks like he might be playing yet another hero – Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, a DC Comics superhero.

According to a story on IESB yesterday, it was just a rumor. However, Latino Review says it’s the real deal.

I think he’d make a great Green Lantern. The character was created by John Broome and Gil Kane, and first appeared in Showcase #22 (Oct. 1959).

The movie is scheduled to begin filming in Australia this September. Any thoughts?

Photo credit: Industrial Light & Magic; Copyright © 2008 by PARAMOUNT PICTURES.  All Rights Reserved.

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Fox is in final negotiations to star in DC Comics’ "Jonah Hex." If all goes well, she’ll play Leila, a gun-toting romantic interest for Hex (Josh Brolin), a bounty hunter being tracked by voodoo-guy Turnbull, played by John Malkovich. He wants to raise an army of the undead.

Fox is also attached to star and develop "Fathom," another comic-based movie, this one with an underwater slant. The story follows a girl named Aspen who discovers she’s an aquatic humanoid who can control water.

And to think Megan Fox began her acting career on the TV show "Hope and Faith"! Things really started to take off after "Transformers" and her sexy cover photo for GQ last year. I think it set a record for magazine sales.

Are you a Megan Fox fan? I can’t wait for "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," but mainly because I have a thing for Shia LaBeouf.

Photo Credit: Clint Brewer / Splash News

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