After the hoopla and craziness surrounding the new Windows Phone 7 calmed down I was able to finagle myself the Samsung Focus and decided to put it to the test. 2 months have gone by since I set my iPhone on the gadget dreaded backup desk and tried Microsofts latest attempt at the smart phone universe. It’s hard to switch from one piece of tech to another without comparing it to what you are used to, but I hope to make the comparisons fair and show what the future for the phone should hold. I will try as I have tried for the last two months to be open minded and leave my biases behind, for those who are just digging around about differences in phones and operating systems I’d also read this

For those that haven’t read too much on WP7 the goal was to integrate everything you do into one device with just a few clicks of the button. Microsoft went about this mission by organizing your phone into hubs. The phone ships with The Market Place Hub, Xbox Live Gaming Hub, Music and Video Hub, People Hub, Pictures, and finally the Office Hub. Each of the hubs makes most of what you would like one click away.

Let’s start with my forte’ and personal favorite the gaming hub. The Xbox Live integration of the phone was a huge selling point of the device to me. Being an avid gamer, and someone who is attached to my Xbox at the hip, having something like this integrated made my shiver with delight. The thought of adding to my gamer score from a location far away from my couch brought on fits of giggling. From a gaming standpoint the WP7 OS has done what it set out to do. I love gaming on the device, and I think providing a free download of IloMilo with purchase was a great step to help show off capabilities of the phones themselves. Not to mention it’s an incredibly addicting puzzle game.

The next smart move was encouraging top iPhone and Android developers to make apps for their devices has helped push a solid amount content to the device, which is important for this phone seeing as they are in fact a few years behind their competitors. Games like Twin Blades, Assassins Creed (which seemed to be a port from the Palm version, don’t quote me on that 100% but thus far it has matched the Palm version screen by screen.), and finally Fruit Ninja (which is one of my current iPhone vices) have helped keep me plugged into the focus, whilst temptations of going back to my old roots poked at my inner geek.

Although the Xbox Live integration is solid for now, I feel more could be done to help push it along. Allowing friend requests to be sent, and processed on the phone would be a huge gain for gamers, adding more content to the market place for under 2.99 would also be a huge help to the device, and marketplace. If they were to allow lower priced content, I feel some killer titles which help drive phone gaming would begin appearing in the Market Place, I could also just be whining due to lack of Angry Birds to farm achievements with.

The Office Hub for the most part does a solid job of allowing you to create, edit, and upload Excel and Word docs. I actually wrote a few reports for work from the phone while on the go and was really impressed at the perfect connection between Office 2011 on my Mac and the file I created on my phone. Aside from correcting a few formatting errors on my part ( which were probably connected to not being able to view the entire document all at once). I had a report ready to turn in done within minutes and a copy backed up to my SkyDrive, who can complain about a free 5 gigs of online storage with automatic syncing of pictures, contacts, and documents.

I can see the automatic sync of pictures causing problems with some folk for sure. Could you imagine a corporate exec at a party with his auto sync to Facebook running snapping pictures? Just saying….. luckily my photos are usually of plumbing companies that stole the Mario logo, or a kid who looks like a video game character so I stayed nice and safe using the auto feature. The quick draw setting on the camera, (I can’t remember the technical term for it) is pretty amazing. Just holding the camera button down will bring the phone up to take a picture without any unlocking needed.

Now that i’ve ranted about gaming, photos and office I’d like to talk about the phones email integration. There are a few wins, and some things I can consider a loss, things that are definitely patchable, but still for the moment a loss. Let’s start with the positive. The Exchange Server functionality on the phone is absolutely flawless. Enter email address……done… enter password……done…. Seconds later you are connected to the server. No domain settings needed, no server settings needed, the phone automatically picks up the information it needs and configures the sync for you. From a service side, that’s incredible, I’ve helped several friends set up their work email within seconds, without knowing anything about their company, IT info, or how they run their email, the integration is that simple.

The assumption that you want to sync contacts,calendars, and information through google as well as Live is an absolute dream as well. Moving my contacts from mobile me was as simple as exporting them into a VCard, importing them into Gmail and syncing that with MSN bing,bang,boom. However, it also became a challenge with editing contacts. Once I edited a contact on google or msn the change was saved to the server, in an attempt to migrate everything together into one source I exported my google contacts as a csv and then uploaded them into MSN… I lost about 20% of my contacts through this method… which shouldn’t have happened.. but it did somehow.

On the loss side however, is the inability to name your inboxes, and the lack of a combined email center. For those of us running multiple emails… (MSN, 2 Gmails, a BSR email, and more). I don’t have a central combined inbox like most devices offer. Instead I have Google Mail, Google Mail 2, MSN Mail, BSR mail… etc. and that’s the actual names of the mailboxes and icons. I can’t change the name to fit my needs, so I have to remember that Google Mail 1 is one address and mail 2 is another. The lack of a centralized inbox makes times tough on an internet junkie such as myself. This is something that is patchable, but may in fact change functionality of the phone entirely. It’d be for the better but I think it’s a little deeper seated than just adding a combined inbox option.

Facebook integration is another part of the phone that is helpful, and hindering all in one shot. Seeing everyones status on the go is great when I hit the people hub. It’s a pain however if I don’t check it regularly. There are no push notifications to tell me someone has left me a message, put something on my wall commented on a post.. or anything for that matter. Even with the integration I still find myself using the Facebook app for the phone more than checking in people, and that is also lacking push notifications. The device has taken me from a Facebook aficionado to someone who gets texts from his friends asking if I saw their post.

This is a bit of an obscure thought but I have to put it in there. There is a syncing tool for Mac OSX available for the devices. This is a huge step for those of us carrying Zunes instead of iPod’s and working the rest of our live’s on mac.. I’m tired of booting into windows to sync music to my Zune and the WP7 connector released by Microsoft, actually uses your iTunes library as the backend to sync the phone. Thank God, it’s nice to see Microsoft allowing those of us torn between two worlds to utilize one package even if it isn’t their own. Next step is please release the Zune Software for OSX!! With this integration incredible apps like Remote for WP7 are now useable. Remote allows you to control your iTunes library over your wireless network from the phone. Best 1.99 I have spent on my WP7 phone to date! For those with the devices, or those that are picking one up! The app is a must have in my eyes. I think that is enough ranting from me. Time for a summary and an ending.

As a whole I feel the phone is a great entry into the smart phone marketplace. It would be considered unfair to compare it to other devices software wise seeing as they have a few years head start. But we don’t exactly live in a fair market. WP7 is a huge advance for Microsoft and for your average business man I think it’s an incredible device. That being said for the more tech savvy consumer with a tinkering fixation, I feel there are still some better options out there.

Summary of my rambling:

• Solid operating system, still missing a few key features, combined inbox for email, copy paste, custom ring/text tones. We know its coming just need it faster!
• So many Apps!! I’m stoked to say there are plenty of apps and more coming daily!
• It probably won’t beat your iPhone if you’re an enthusiast, actually I know you won’t like it more if you’re a fanboy
• Not as customizable as Android
• Great gaming
• THE BEST WINDOWS DEVICE I HAVE EVER USED — seriously this is way better than previous windows mobile.
• Zune marketplace needs more content, but the integrated functionality is great.
• I dig this phone, i’m still carrying it after 2 months, my Torch only lasted a weekend

UPDATE: Thanks to Dan for the Hi-Res Link!! From Marvel.com!

Here’s a new shot of Cap with his wings and all! I don’t know about you folks out there but I’m all over it. I think the look fits the back story perfectly. If you’ve seen the other information we’ve brought forward this far you may or may not agree. I don’t much care… I think it’s sexy.

Update #1: Click the picture for awesome high-res!

Update #2: The astute folks over at JoBlo must have had their looking glasses on because they may have found something interesting. On the high-res picture, if you look at Peter’s left wrist, there appears to be something there – an artificial web-shooter perhaps? Could Marc Webb be moving away from the organic web-shooters for his film? Honestly, I didn’t mind the organic webs Raimi introduced, but having a limited about of webbing could add a new dimension on how Spidey uses it in this film – not to mention it is just a little more accurate on to the comics. How would you guys feel if Webb moved to the more “traditional” artifical webs?

Additionally, I’m surprised by the mix of thoughts people have about the costume! Great discussions about the pros and cons! Personally, I like the look of it – but I also think this may not be a truly fair representation of the costume. It certainly looks like Peter may have just had his ass handed to him (scratch marks on his face and chest, mud/water on his waist). I’m sure at some point in the coming weeks we may get a glimpse of a “clean” costume – after all, Sony most likey released this to jump the gun before someone else leaked a picture once they start doing costumed filming very soon, so we could see some other pictures sooner than you may think! In any case, keep debating away on your own thoughts on the costume!

Original: Finally! A picture for Andrew Garfield in Spider-Man garb! New costume! New actor! GEEK SQUEE!

The costume is definitely different from Raimi’s version, but I am kind of digging it. Also, Garfield looks great as Peter Parker. What do you all think of the new costume and Garfield? Share in the comments below!

Big Shiny Robot! has a weekly column in the Salt Lake City alt-weekly IN Magazine and every week we bring it to you on the site.

If you live in the greater Salt Lake area, you can pick up a copy of IN Magazine up from one of their ubiquitous newsstands, and we would highly suggest that you do.

You can read the online version of the story here.

This week’s article is about emerging artists in the realm of comics.  We featured Scott Snyder, Eric Powell, and Ed Brubaker.  Sure they are names you’ve all heard of, but to the mainstream, they wouldn’t know these guys from a hole in the ground.  And I really do think they’re part of tomorrow’s superstars.

Click the image below to read it as it appears in print.

It’s time for the fourth episode of The Big Movie Mouth-Off podcast!

The Podcast runs about thirty minutes and we’ll try to have an episode each week to talk about all the biggest movie news and rumours. Each episode features the stars and producers of the Big Movie Mouth-Off. Jeff Vice and Jimmy Martin are obviously featured and representing Big Shiny Robot! are myself (Bryan Young) and Elias Pate, who put together the back end of the Mouth-Off.

This episode, we talked about:

• NASA’s list of absurd and most realistic science fiction movies
• Judd Apatow’s next project
• The new Ultraviolet film release standard announced at CES
• In Memoriam

Click here to get it on iTunes.  Please be sure to subscribe and review it!

Hello BSR Readers! Arse-bot here, fresh back from a three week vacation that involved lots of alcohol, video games, Netflix, Hulu, sitting on my ass, and traveling!

As I was perusing the geeks interwebs today, I ran across a rumor that there would be a trailer for X-Men: First Class attached to the beginning of The Green Hornet. Not a teaser trailer. A trailer. My first thought was to call “Bullshit”. So prior to jumping the gun and “reporting” this to you guys, I waited it out. Sure enough, it appears there won’t in fact be a trailer, but one is coming “soon” – according to FOX. Speculation is putting it another 4-6 weeks out. (source: Collider)

That said, Daily Blam is claiming they have a first-hand account of the theatrical trailer which has been broken down scene-by-scene. According to them, this is some sort of trailer FOX has been showing to small audiences. Again, I’m skeptical, but it is pretty detailed. Take it for what it is – spelling and grammar errors included – and we’ll find out if this was the real deal in the coming months.

– The trailer opens with the 20th Century Fox logo which pans up as the two spotlight beams cross and form a white “X” on the left of the screen. A white circle goes around the “X” forming the X-Men logo, as Magneto’s helmet comes up on the right.

– Patrick Stewart and Ian Mckellan voice over the opening lines about destiny and which side will you stand for as scenes of each in their previous X-Men movie roles flash until the entire screen flashes from white to black.

– A very young Xavier and Erik meet for the first time, followed by a different angle of the scene from the opening of X-Men in the concentration camp.

– Camera pans outside of an old castle-style building that greatly resembles the X-mansion. McAvoy and Fassbender are seen walking through the halls. The words “One wanted peace” flash by Xavier.

– Scene transitions to Erik yelling dramatically as metal tables in the room begin to float around him. Xavier and Mags shake hands with a tall man in a lab coat introduced as Dr. McCoy.

– The words “The other was too far gone” flash as a very pissed off Erik storms through a hallway killing guards as he passes them.

– Cut scene to what appears to be a red Nightcrawler with swords taking out a room full of people; the close up reveals Azazel’s face.

– The Hellfire Club stand next to Xavier on a bed as Emma goes into diamond form. Olver Platt and Kevin Bacon were next to Emma in black aristocratic clothes, with Emma wearing the exact same outfit from the Wolverine and the X-Men cartoon.

– Mystigue on a bed with her skin turning black; Beast is shown transforming, with his feet growing and toes webbing and fur growing.

– Havok shoots a red beam of energy — looks almost exactly like cyclops’s eye beam, but larger — from his chest (SIDE NOTE: Havok’s powers in comics have always had a blue energy, this change may be to relate his character to Cyclops).

– It then shows Beast all blue and furry (looking almost exactly like Kelsey Grammer in make-up) in the pilot seat of a crashing jet, followed by several rockets flying towards an island.

– Xavier’s face goes all CGI and his head begins to go bald as he mentally pulls a large ship that was sinking out of the water, as well as some smaller boats around it (seems to allude to Xavier have telekinesis).

– Back to Xavier (with hair) telling Erik he only wanted peace for him, and he replies there was never a chance for anyone to have that.

– Final scene: Erik picks up a black helmet, then he is shown from behind wearing a black and red suit (no cape or coat though) and the helmet. Screen cuts to black and the X-Men: First Class logo shows up (the one described above), then the release date.

X-Men: First Class is scheduled for a June 3, 2011 release.

Side-Bar: Anyone else out there just not really looking forward to this film? An overall “Meh” feeling about it?

I got a chance to talk to Katie Lucas about her writing on The Clone Wars, specifically the new Nightsisters trilogy that we’re currently in the middle of.  (You can see the latest clip from that here.) She’s written a number of episodes, but these seem to be the ones every wants to see.

And the name is no coincidence, she is indeed the daughter of the creator of Star Wars, George Lucas.

Here’s our brief chat:

Big Shiny Robot!: Though this isn’t your debut as a writer for Clone Wars, you’ve written some great episodes prior to this, but this is being hailed as a new era for an already great show, how do you feel about that?

Katie Lucas: I honestly think that this is an exciting new chapter for the series. It’s grown so much in the six years I’ve been on this show. The stories are more cohesive and filled with a depth that hasn’t been seen thus far. And the animation from here on out? Above and beyond.

BSR!: There’s obviously a lot of comparison being made between you and your father. What has he taught you as a writer?

KL: I don’t see a lot of similarities between my father and I, professionally, save for our passion for great film. He doesn’t consider himself a writer, he considers himself a director. I’m the definition of a writer, and we all know there’s always a bit of contention between writers and directors. We have different visions, but that doesn’t been we can’t collaborate. The most important thing he’s taught me as a writer, and as a person, is to always be true to my own vision, and to never compromise.

BSR!: As a writer, what’s your favorite movie and why?

KL: I don’t have just one. I love Secretary, Harold and Maude, Punch Drunk Love, and Frances, mostly because they’re about outsiders learning to embrace their inner freak, which is a subject close to my heart. The writing is heartbreaking, the direction is genius. The essence of a great film is honesty, and these films present universal truths in a unique and beautiful way. They’re life-changing.

BSR!: What made you decide to pursue writing? And how did you manage to decide to get into Clone Wars? I imagine it was something that wasn’t just handed to you.

KL: I went to college to become a poet and decided to take some film classes out of curiosity. When The Clone Wars was just getting started, my Dad suggested I try writing a screenplay for the show, just to see if I was interested in pursuing screenwriting. I wrote Jedi Crash, and the team loved it. Six years later, and I’m still here!

BSR!: What was it like seeing these episodes you wrote debuting on the big screen? What was the fan reaction like?

KL: Overall, it’s been an amazing experience. Seeing my work on the big screen with an excited audience for the first time was a real game changer. I am more determined than ever to get more of my work out there.

BSR!: This series of episodes seems to delve a lot into the Nightsisters and Count Dooku and, obviously, Savage Opress… A lot of people have been pretty vocal about how this rewrites other pieces of the expanded Star Wars universe… How do you respond to those kinds of questions? Are you even all that aware of the Star Wars universe outside of the films or the show?

KL: I am vaguely aware of the extended universe, though we try to keep as much of it out of the writer’s room as we can. We want all of our stories to be as fresh and as new as possible.

BSR!:  Do you see yourself taking on any other Star Wars to write? Books, comics? The TV show?

KL: I won’t be writing any other Star Wars material after I finish on The Clone Wars. Star Wars is my father’s life work, not mine. I have my own stories to tell.

BSR!: Lastly, I just want to thank you and your father for all the work you guys have done to entertain the world. As a kid it meant a lot to me and it means a lot to me to be able to share it with my kids. And it inspired my career path, so Star Wars really does shape people…

KL: Thank you so much and continue being inspired!

The next episode of The Clone Wars airs on Friday night on Cartoon Network.  Check local listings for a time.

And we’ll be on the look out for Katie’s non-Star Wars work and give you updates about that as we find them.  He’s a great writer and I for one am excited to see what stories she has to tell outside the Star Wars universe.

Well, it’s a little late, but the more light-hearted origin I promised a couple of weeks ago is here! I’m happy to present possibly the greatest superhero ever. He who is so super, he had all of his powers before donning his ultra-spiffy costume. He who has women swooning at his every terse word. He, who is so famous, ever animal he talks to knows his name by reputation! Who can this Mirthful Marvel be? This Fastidious Fatso? This Plump Lump? None other than Herbie Popnecker himself, The Fat Fury!

The ever vigilant Herbie stalks his prey.

As you can see, out hero is indulging in his favorite pastime. Sadly, his respite is spoiled by a shadowy figure with a sack on his back, as the shadow cuts the ropes holding up Herbie’s hammock. When his parents return, they go the police station, seeing as their belongings were taken. They find out the culprit is none other than Mr. Horrible, no relation to the doctor of the same name. It seems Mr. H has been wreaking havoc all over the place and we’re treated to a montage of his nefarious deeds. He operates according to his own whims, doing things like literally peeling the door off a bank vault, sinking a battleship my tearing it in two, and my personal favorite:

Before turning to crime, Mr. Horrible was a member of the Gashouse Gorillas.

Things got so bad, then-president Lyndon Johnson pleaded for the nation to y’know, get off their butts and be proactive. Back at the Popnecker abode, Herbie poses the same question to his rotund son. Herbie thinks to himself that it is time for him to do something, but what? He gets his inspiration while perusing his comic collection. He figures that if he were a costumed hero, he could settle Horrible’s hash but good. How the heck do you become  a costumed hero though?

The only thing they don't teach is how to make a good costume!

So of course our hero goes to get proper training, and it… doesn’t really go all that well. You see, Herbie’s preferred method of flying is more of the walking on air type. When he tries to alter his skills to conform to the superhero standard, he kind of mucks it up. No matter there are other tests to be had! Herbie manages to pick up an elephant one-handed, but not with the same aplomb as his instructor. You see, he can support the elephant’s weight, but the ground can’t support his. Other trials go just about as well, and poor Herbie, well he flunks out. He is gracious enough to attend the graduation ceremonies, though. (wotta guy!)

Meanwhile, Mr. Horrible’s horrible-ness knows no bounds. He takes on all of the hero school grads at once and takes them all out. Herbie’s dad decides it’s his turn to become a hero! Herbie can’t have that (mostly because his father is an incompetent). Herbie digs into a random box of masquerade items to find his perfect costume, and after a few missteps (fairy costume, gorilla outfit) he comes across the perfect statement of his super-ness. The Fat Fury is born!

Ladies & Gentlemen, the best superhero EVER!

Herbie then hears that Mr. Horrible is about to kidnap the Statue of Liberty! That’s not proper, She’s a lady! Galvanized, Herbie takes off… and promptly crashes. Herbie is nothing if not determined though, and he tries again. This time, he even manages the classic superhero flight pose! He arrives just in time, and he taps the giant Mr. Horrible on the ankle and says “You hadn’t oughtta.” The response is about what would be expected.

The Fat Fury, a ball of RAGE!

Well, I don’t have to tell you that now it is on, much like a video game that rhymes, but I am not legally allowed to say. Herbie stands up to Mr. Horrible and promptly gets flattened, literally. It’s a good thing that the Fat Fury is always prepared for eventualities like this!

Fortified with the hot air of JUSTICE!

That’s what makes the Fat Fury such a good hero. He will never, ever give up! This is a good thing too, as Mr. Horrible proceeds to twist him in knots. Herbie has had about enough at this point and borrows Lady Liberty’s torch and proceeds to bash Horrible over the head with it! Not giving up his upper hand, the Fat Fury pummels Horrible with a flurry of flabby fists and tosses him right into the waiting arms of the seagoing police force!

Did I forget to mention Herbie gets his powers from lollipops? 'Cause that's AWESOME.

So, the day is saved, and Herbie flies back home in time for dinner. Just as he sits to eats, the news flash about Horrible’s capture is blaring loud and clear. Herbie’s dad is positively ecstatic, and simultaneously grouses about how it’s too bad his son can’t have that kind of gumption, so we close our story with this fine snapshot of family life at the Popnecker’s.

"Quiet Dad. Still have torch in backyard."

This story originally appeared in Herbie #8, March 1965. Reprinted in Herbie Archives Vol. 2 by Dark Horse Comics.

Available in fine back issue bins everywhere!

The scene here explains quite a lot of Darth Maul’s origin (if it’s to be believed) and should send Expanded Universe nerds into fits.  Not that I know much at all of Darth Maul’s origin as told in the EU (nothing in fact) but I know a bit about Zabrak’s and Dathomir…

The last episode was great.  This one looks better.  The third might blow my mind.

Here’s Katie Lucas’ piece from the press release:

Count Dooku visits the witches of Dathomir, seeking to replace Asajj Ventress with a new, deadlier apprentice. Little does he know that his new protégée – the formidable Savage Opress – has been selected by Ventress herself, and that the Nightsisters have used their witchcraft to transform the warrior into a monstrous killer without remorse, compassion or loyalty. The second chapter of a three-part Clone Wars arc, “Monster” airs at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT Friday, January 14 on Cartoon Network.

“I’ve really fallen for Ventress, and here the audience gets to learn a lot about her history. She’s an extremely complicated character,” says Katie Lucas, writer of the three-part Nightsisters arc. “She’s a cold-hearted harpy, but she has good reason to be – and now she’s displaying a much more independent side of herself. Ventress is nobody’s pawn anymore. She finally owns herself. I grew up on Buffy and Tank Girl, so writing for strong females is second nature to me. I listened to a lot of early Hole and The Distillers albums to inspire me while writing these stories; I really wanted to tap into that visceral female rage, and Courtney Love’s snarl certainly tears that right out of you.”

While Ventress has certainly asserted herself and assumed a more powerful role than ever before, “Monster” also introduces an all-new villain into the power struggle. A warrior from the same fearsome race that spawned Episode I’s Darth Maul, Opress is bred and trained to serve – but he is destined to become more powerful than ever his masters had imagined.

“Savage is a lot like Frankenstein’s creation,” says Lucas. “He’s a monster, but you get brief glimpses of a real heart beneath the surface. He’s a complicated character – I don’t think he would have turned to the dark side without the manipulation of the witches. They use him.”

Daughter of the acclaimed Star Wars creator, Lucas acknowledges her personal connections to that “galaxy far, far away,” while still recognizing her writer’s responsibility to speak to the quintessentially Earth-bound human experience.

“If I hadn’t been raised in the Star Wars universe, I don’t think there would be any way I could write sci-fi. It doesn’t come naturally to me. I’ve had to adapt,” she says. “Part of being a screenwriter is knowing how to entertain, and the other part is staying true to your own vision. I’ve always been inspired by the truths of our world, universal and personal, here in our reality, and I try to bring as much of that as I can to The Clone Wars.”

Keira Knightley, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Biel, Kate Mara and Charlotte Riley, that’s who.

Or, as I like to call them:  Pasty, Tasty, Nasty, Who? and WHO?, respectively.

Hollywood Reporter is reporting this as confirmed, so let the speculat-a-tron be engaged!

What, dear readers, does this mean?  Who do you want, who do you not want?

Here’s what we know so far:

1. Dark Knight Rises needs two (count ’em, 2!) female leads, but the characters they will be playing have not been named.

2. One will be a love interest, the other a villain.

…. and that’s pretty much it, unless you believe the rumors about a script floating out on the net.  I’m more inclined to agree with CHUD’s Renn Brown and call a big pile of BS on those rumors. BUT….

Speculation is rampant (and fans seem hungry for) an appearance by Talia al Ghul, which would dovetail nicely into Batman Begins.

Is Talia villain or love interest, or both, and the call for two leads misdirection on the part Christopher Nolan, a deception worthy of the League of Shadows?  And if Talia is just one, is she lover or villain, and then who is the other?  Catwoman/Selena Kyle?  And so BOTH would be love interest AND villain?

IN ANY CASE, who should play whom from this list?  Let’s run them down:

My choice is Anne Hathaway.  For anything.  She could read the phone book and still be fun to watch (see also: Love and Other Drugs).

Kiera Knightley is ok in my opinion, but her fake American accent is grating (there’s a reason we all forgot The Jacket).  But considering several of the actresses are British, what does that tell us about who they might be playing?  Hmmmm?  I just hope it’s a bit more Bend It Like Beckham and Pride and Prejudice Knightley and a little less Pirates of the Caribbean.

Am I right in my dismissive attitude of Biel?  I mean, did you SEE Blade 3? (Also a Goyer film, I should note).  Can anyone really make a case for why she should be on this list, other than she’s available and curvy?

Next we have Kate Mara, who everyone is saying was most recently in Iron Man 2 but I think I blinked and missed her, and was also one of the cute hiker girls from the beginning of 127 Hours.  I vaguely remember her from Season 5 of 24 (and remember her being good, for what it’s worth!) and she’s been in lots of TV and smaller movie roles. Her sister, Rooney Mara, is starring in the adaptations of the Stieg Larson’s Girl With the Dragon Tatoo American remake.

And then Charlotte Riley.  Who?  Unless you watch the BBC, you probably haven’t seen her, and I certainly haven’t seen her, especially since she is best known for being in Wuthering Heights and I HATE THAT EFFING BOOK.  She’s got an inside track, though, as she’s engaged to Tom Hardy, who starred in Nolan’s Inception and has an unnamed role in Dark Knight Rises.

So, what do you all think? I’m a little flummoxed, but a lot excited.  Looking forward to exact casting news?  Keep it here and we’ll keep you updated.