Olivia Thirlby Joins 'Judge Dredd'

Olivia Thirlby -- best known as Ellen Page's hip-speaking bestie in Juno -- has been cast in the upcoming 3D adaptation of Judge Dredd. She stars opposite Karl Urban (Star Trek) as a telepathic rookie who shadows his character, Dredd.

Pete Travis (Vantage Point) is directing the Alex Garland (Sunshine, 28 Days Later) penned script. The film has a budget of $45 million and starts shooting later this year in South Africa. The film's producers have confirmed that Dredd will be a stand alone film, not connected at all to the Sylvester Stallone film from the '90s (thankfully! eesh!).

Barry Levinson to Direct Horror Flick 'The Bay'

Mother Earth is coming for us - through the eyes of director Barry Levinson.

The Oscar-winner, known for his direction of Rain Man and Bandits, is directing a new 'zombie eco-horror thriller' (whatever that is) called The Bay. The team behind Paranormal Activity, including director Oren Peli and producers Jason Blum and Steven Schneider, is assisting in production of the film.

Previously known as Isopod, the film tells its story of a viral outbreak in Claridge, Maryland in a nontraditional manner - through a collection of camera phone accounts, 911 calls, and other mediums. Spooky! Looks like Levinson is trying to create his film in a new and fresh way, but we can't help but wonder, Blair Witch Project anyone?Sadly, no other details plot details are known about The Bay. But, the term 'eco-horror' elicits one movie in our mind: The Happening. And boy, did that suuuck! Here's to hoping that with Levinson's steady hand and strong resume of character development, The Bay will be a success.

By Eric Sundermann

Four Cast Members Join 'Final Destination 5'

The cast for Final Destination 5, a.k.a. 5inal Destination, just added four new members: David Koechner, Nicholas D'Agosto, P.J. Byrne, and Ellen Wroe.

Koechner (The Office, Anchorman) is the biggest name on the list. He's playing a clueless executive (imagine that!), and will probably die from a stapler to the forehead while galloping around the office, screaming 'yeehawww!'

D'Agosto (Heroes) plays a guy who doesn't make a fast decision on his own life - which definitely doesn't sound like it ends well. Byrne (Dinner for Schmucks) will be an obnoxious kleptomaniac (who probably steals from death - haha! get it?); and Wroe (Huge) plays a snobby gymnast and daughter of a company executive - so yeah, she'll die pretty quick.

The four new members join Miles Fisher (that dude who looks like Christian Bale). 5inal Destination is penned by Eric Heisserer (A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010), The Thing) and produced by Craig Perry. The film starts shooting on September 13 in Vancouver.

By Eric Sundermann

'Pacific' Emmy-Winner McKenna Plans 3D World War II Flick

After not surprising anyone by winning the Emmy for Best Miniseries, The Pacific's co-executive producer and writer Bruce McKenna wants some more and according to Deadline, he'll have his chance.

Last week, McKenna pitched The Battle of Midway to Warner Bros - a 3D film telling the story of the 3-day long battle in the Pacific Ocean which is touted by history professors as the turning point in the naval war against the Japanese. The studio must have liked it, because they bought it and are fast tracking the film. McKenna is expected to turn in a script in eight weeks and the movie will cost around $200 million.

No word on casting yet, but Tom Hanks will probably be involved in some capacity (either as a producer on the project or hopefully as a star, but don't hold your breath).

This isn't the first time the Battle of Midway will be captured on film. In 1942, director John Ford won an Oscar for his documentary short film, The Battle of Midway, using real footage shot by the Navy. Then in 1976, Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, James Coburn, and Hal Halbrook starred in Midway - another take on the famous battle in the Pacific Theatre.

This one may not have real footage or Henry Fonda, but according to Warner Bros, the production will be influenced by more recent rousing war films like Saving Private Ryan or Pearl Harbor. Hopefully, more of Saving Private Ryan. Hopefully.

By Eric Sundermann

Grimm Up North Film Festival

Grimm Up North Film Festival is back for a second year – Bigger, Bloodier and more Brutal than ever.

This Halloween between the 28th and 31st October the darkness descends on Manchester, as the UK’s premier horror and sci-fi film festival returns. Last year’s inaugural festival saw 25 feature films, including 15 premieres - featuring Q&As and seminars with directors, cast and crew. Grimm Up North screened movies from Japan, Finland, Germany, Romania, Canada and Australia with many of the award-winning international films as UK premieres.

For months festival organisers have been sifting through the latest in genre cinema to bring the best horror and sci-fi to this year's festival. They've kept their ears firmly to the ground and are delighted to officially announce the first of the confirmed Grimm Up North 2010 films!

Grimm Up North can announce that Reel Zombies, Evil In the Time of Heroes (starring Billy Zane), Slice and Alien Vs Ninja will all be playing at the festival. There will be further announcements from premieres to classics, opening night galas to special guests coming soon…

Are you brave enough to sit through a screaming screening? If you have the guts, we promise you’ll be hooked. You can find out more at the official website