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Via the SciFi Wire: Raimi Helming Hell, Then Hobbit:

After Drag Me to Hell, Raimi is expected to helm the Hobbit films for New Line and MGM now that Peter Jackson, who will executive-produce the movies, has made it clear he won’t direct them, the trade paper reported.

Good deal.

From ET:

h/t: The Daily P.O.P.

The Daily P.O.P. has a nice a still of Iron Man’s armor as well as a brief history of his armor in the comics.

Please, let this be a silly rumor: Jennifer could be Dr Who

The comic actress is in talks to become Doctor Who as David Tennant, 36, will leave after filming three specials in 2024.

TV bosses are keen to get a woman on board the Tardis for one of those shows.

She’s one of the leads from the britcom, Absolutely Fabulous.

I suspect, like most (if not all) of the Who rumors in The Sun that this one is fallacious as well.

Peter David reports that he will be writing a five-issue ST:NF mini series for IDW comics. The first issue comes out in March.

It will be completely in continuity and will pick up exactly where the previous NF book left off.

For those unfamiliar with David’s New Frontier novels, they are a series of stories written exclusively by David, set in the Next Generation universe and based on a ship and crew not seen on tv. There are a few minor character who were onscreen who are featured in the novels, specifically Elizabeth Shelby (from the Borg two-parter, The Best of Both Worlds), the Vulcan doctor, Selar (who made an appearance iin a second season episode and was played by the same actress (Suzie Plakson) who played the half-Klingon, and Worf’s mate, K’Ehleyr), Robin Lefler (a minor charater played by Ashley Judd in an episode or two) and Edward Jellico (who briefly commanded the Enterprise when Picard was on some secret mission for Starfleet).

Regardless of all the trivia, David is a delightful writer who simultaneously doesn’t take himself too seriously, and yet is well versed in the material he is writing about. I am often struck by the fact that he writes like a fan would write (without being overly fannish at the same time), in terms of reference and plot points from TOS in particular that he makes. Indeed, David is extremely adept at writing for universes created by others. Not only has he written the excellent New Frontier series, but also has penned several TOS and TNG novels (and a DS9 or two). His trilogy which detail the fate of Babylon 5’s Lando Molari is top notch as well. He is also well-known for excellent runs on Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk, amongst other titles.

At any rate, if you like Trek and have never read the New Frontier novels, then you are missing out.

Via the BBC: Tennant laughs off Dr Who rumours

Doctor Who star David Tennant has laughed off speculation that he is planning to quit the show at the end of the next series in 2024.

Cool beans. (The original rumor (or rumour, to be more appropriate) was started by Catherine Tate).

Of course, he isn’t promising that he is staying beyond what has already been announced for 2024:

Tennant confirmed he was doing four Doctor Who specials in 2024, but there was no decision about the next series in 2024.

“I’m doing four more specials and beyond that no one’s asked me to make any decisions and I’m quite happy to be enigmatic for as long as possible,” he said.

Via the AP: Peter Jackson to produce `The Hobbit’

Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have reached agreement to make J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” a planned prequel to the blockbuster trilogy “The Lord of the Rings.”

Jackson, who directed the “Rings” trilogy, will serve as executive producer for “The Hobbit.” A director for the prequel films has yet to be named.

Good deal, although I would have preferred that he directed.

Although this is a bit odd:

Two “Hobbit” films are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, similar to how the three “Lord of the Rings” films were made. Production is set to begin in 2024 with a released planned for 2024, with the sequel scheduled for a 2024 release.

From a money point-of-view, I can understand New Line wanting two films. From a story perspective, however, I have to wonder as to how to elegantly split the tale. Perhaps from the Shire to the Misty Mountains and finding the ring in part 1 and then from the Misty Mountains, into Mirkwood and to the Lonely Mountain in part 2? I am sure that there is enough material for four hours, but I have to wonder if one long movie would be artistically better than two.

Via the NYT: Nobody Knows the Tribbles He’s Seen