'Arrow' Spinoff starring 'The Atom' Possibly Happening; Vixen gets Animated Series in Same Universe

All CW has to do is look at the ratings for their DC Universe series Arrow and The Flash to know that fans are in love with that world right now. But how far can it possibly extend? With a Supergirl series on the way and Gotham already on the air, is there a limit to how much time audiences will invest? The ceiling has yet to be hit so far, and now CW is apparently considering a second Arrow spinoff, one that would center on Ray Palmer aka The Atom.

The Atom debuted during the third season portrayed by ex-Superman Brandon Routh, and he instantly drew my hatred for mackin' on Felicity Smoak. She's too good for him! But at least if he gets his own show she probably won't be a big part of it. Anyway, here's what CW president Mark Pedowitz had to say about another spinoff during the Television Critics Association tour over the weekend...

Pedowiz: “You’d have to be judicious. Could there be another hour in that universe? Possibly. That’s why we’re in preliminary discussion. [The show] has to stand on its own legs.”

Arrow, Flash, and Supergirl exec-producer Greg Berlanti later followed that up by adding that "very early talks" had begun on an idea for The Atom.

In the meantime, both Arrow and The Flash have been renewed for fourth and second seasons respectively, and it also looks like the universe is growing beyond the live-action realm. The Justice League hero Vixen will be getting her own animated series on CW Seed that will be set in the same universe as Arrow and The Flash. Both characters will appear on the show, which will be exec-produced by Marc Guggenheim and debut this fall.  Check out some promo art for Vixen below. [EW]

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'Supergirl' Series gets Commitment from CBS

Nearly all of the major TV networks have grabbed their piece of the superhero series realm, with Warner Bros. and Marvel providing plenty for them to invest in. Only CBS had been reluctant to do so, but now they've gotten into the game by picking up the Supergirl series that Greg Berlanti (Arrow) and Ali Adler were confirmed to be developing a couple of weeks ago.

CBS is jumping into this one with both feet, giving Supergirl a series commitment right out of the gate. And it also looks as if the show will actually be titled Supergirl, not "Super" or "Girl" as had been kicked around previously, which is probably the right way to go. Supergirl was created in 1959 and has gone through many different incarnations, but the series will focus on the Kara Zor-El version. She is Superman's cousin and having escaped her home planet's destruction, shares the same Kryptonian powers but has been hiding them until at age 24 she decides to become a hero. Berlanti and Adler will write the scripts and produce with DC's superstar scribe Geoff Johns consulting.

No word on a start date but expect the Supergirl role to be a coveted one. Laura Vandervoort played the hottest Supergirl ever on Smallville but it's unlikely they'll be seeking her out for the role. Whoever they choose I hope they let Kara keep the skirt.[Deadline]

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So Now there's a Supergirl Series in the Works

A couple of days ago a rumor surfaced from our friends at Bleeding Cool that a Supergirl TV series was being pitched to networks, led by Green Lantern writer Michael Green. It made sense considering what Warner Bros. has been able to accomplish with Smallville and Arrow, and will attempt to do again with The Flash, Constantine, and Gotham. Now that story has been confirmed, albeit with a few changes that indicate this won't be anything like the Supergirl fans are accustomed to.

The update comes from Deadline who say Green has nothing to do with the project, with Arrow and The Flash producer Greg Berlanti developing it. He'll be working alongside Ali Adler (No Ordinary Family) who is coming aboard as writer and exec-producer. DC Comics' creative guru Geoff Johns will also be on board in an unspecified capacity, but knowing him he'll probably be a consultant who pitches in on scripts every now and then.

This will be "a brand new interpretation" of Supergirl, and I take that to mean there won't be any connection to Superman at all. This is still very early on as titles such as Super and Girl are being considered amongst others. Hopefully they don't go with either. We'll be learning more details in a couple of weeks when the show is pitched to other networks, meaning it may or may not end up on The CW. It could be that another network picks it up, like what happened when Fox landed Gotham.  I'm finding it hard to be interested in this flood of DC Comics shows for some reason. I love Arrow, but it took me awhile to warm up to it. I have zero interest in The Flash but will give it a shot, and the same goes for Gotham. Supergirl was always a derivative character (like 75% of DC's characters are) in my mind and unless there's a really unique angle on it there's little chance I'll be watching.

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Michael B. Jordan Joins 'Men Who Kill'; Chris Pine Eyes 'The Finest Hours'

* With Fantastic Four, the Rocky spinoff Creed, and John Hillcoat's Triple Nine on the way, Michael B. Jordan isn't lacking for things to do. But he's still taking time to add more to his slate, joining the upcoming CIA thriller, Men Who Kill. Nothing else is know about it at this time except TJ Fixman will write the script with Greg Berlanti (Life As We Know It) producing. [Variety]


* Last year we learned Robert Schwentke (Red , RIPD) was on board to direct Disney's The Finest Hours, based on the 1952 collision of two oil tankers near Cape Cod and the daring Coast Guard rescue that followed. But with Schwentke busy with the Divergent sequel, Insurgent, that job is now going to Craig Gillespie (Million Dollar Arm), with Chris Pine in talks to star. Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson write the script, adapted from Casey Sherman and Michael J. Tougias' book. Pine would fit this movie in before he jumps into the next Star Trek film which is still in need of a director. [THR]

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Trailer Time: One for the Money, starring Katherine Heigl

It was like a double whammy of awfulness yesterday at my local theater to see Taylor Lautner look for new ways to take his shirt off in Abduction, because immediately before it I was treated to a trailer of One for the Money, a terrible looking rom-com which should have the writers of The Bounty Hunter fuming.

Heigl stars as a Jersey-ite, laid off from her retail job and desperate for work. With exactly zero credentials, she's hired as a bounty hunter apprehending bail jumpers, and of course one of them happens to be an old flame. Sparks and presumably laughs ensue. So yeah it's basically the same plot as The Bounty Hunter, only lacking that film's star power. This one's a vehicle solely for Heigl, which also means all of the blame will fall squarely on her shoulders as well. She's a genuinely hot(as the trailer will continually emphasize for you), likable actress and I think she could do some good things when given solid material. She showed a bit more of her talent in last year's surprise hit, Life As We Know It. Unfortunately more people might have been open to seeing that if she didn't so much similar looking crap on her resume.

If there is an upside, it's that Greg Berlanti is directing, and he's the guy who brought out Heigl's good side in Life As We Know It. Regardless, this trailer is pretty shitty. Check it out below, then if you're so inclined mark your calanders for January 27th 2012...

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New poster for I Love You, Philip Morris

After what seems like an eternity and a number of roadblocks, Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor's homosexual rom-com/adventure I Love You, Phillip Morris finally snagged a release date of December 3rd, 2010. With that date rapidly approaching, a new poster for the film has been released and it's kinda cute and whimsical. I expect we'll be seeing a new trailer some time in the near future, but for now this will have to do!

PLOT
Bad Santa co-screenwriters Glenn Ficara and John Requa re-team for this fact-based black comedy starring Jim Carrey as a Texas police officer-turned-con man who makes the leap to white-collar criminal after being sent to prison and falling in love with his sensitive cellmate. Steve Russell (Carrey) is a small-town cop. Bored with his bland lifestyle, Russell turns to fraud as a means of shaking things up. Before long, Russell’s criminal antics have landed him behind bars, where he encounters the charismatic Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). Smitten, Russell devotes his entire life to being with Morris regardless of the consequences — which could well include a life sentence.

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The Flash, Green Lantern 2 scripts expected in by Christmas

It's going to be quite the colorful holiday season over at Warner Brothers, as Deadline is reporting that the scripts for both The Flash and Green Lantern 2 are expected to be turned in by Christmas. Marc Guggenheim, Marc Green, and Greg Berlanti have been working on both superhero flicks, with the possibility still out there that Berlanti could direct. Berlanti has scored a minor hit with his comedy, Life as We Know It, which debuted at #2 at the box office last weekend. As for Green Lantern, Warner Brothers is still keen on shooting the next two sequels back-to-back, but nothing will be okayed until the first script draft is greenlit. Martin Campbell(Vertical Limit)  is on board to direct the first film in that franchise.

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