Relativity Media continues the Comic Con largess with new pics from James McTeigue’s The Raven starring John Cusack, about the last days in the tempestuous life of the tortured writer.

The official synopsis: ”In this gritty thriller, Edgar Allen Poe (John Cusack) joins forces with a young Baltimore detective (Luke Evans) to hunt down a mad serial killer who’s using Poe’s own works as the basis in a string of brutal murders.

First Look at John Cusack in ‘The Raven’

When a mother and daughter are found brutally murdered in 19th century Baltimore, Detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) makes a startling discovery: the crime resembles a fictional murder described in gory detail in the local newspaper—part of a collection of stories penned by struggling writer and social pariah Edgar Allan Poe. But even as Poe is questioned by police, another grisly murder occurs, also inspired by a popular Poe story.

Realizing a serial killer is on the loose using Poe’s writings as the backdrop for his bloody rampage, Fields enlists the author’s help in stopping the attacks. But when it appears someone close to Poe may become the murderer’s next victim, the stakes become even higher and the inventor of the detective story calls on his own powers of deduction to try to solve the case before it’s too late.”

Director McTeigue has described the film as Poe’s poem ‘The Raven’ “crossed with Se7en“. The Raven also stars Brendan Gleeson, Alice Eve and Oliver Jackson-Cohen.

Ewan MacGregor was originally set to star as Poe with Jeremy Renner as Detective Emmett Fields, then Joaquin Phoenix replaced MacGregor, who was then replaced by Cusack.  Renner was then replaced by Luke Evans. Any of those permutations would have worked, but I really think Cusack is the perfect choice, in my humble opinion.

The Raven (which is only a working title, by the way, so it may change) will screen at San Diego’s Comic Con this week and opens in theaters in the US on 9 March 2012. Can’t wait!

Three weeks ago we brought you the first image of female MMA fighter Gina Carano in her big screen debut, Steven Soderbergh’s Haywire. Now we have two new images, featuring Carano and one of her male costars, Channing Tatum.

Haywire, an action thriller, also stars Michael Fassbender as well as Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton and Mathieu Kassovitz, although still no word on their characters.

Good News: Two Michael Fassbender Films!

The plot involves Mallory Kane (Carano), a freelance covert operative who is hired out by her handler to various global entities to perform jobs which governments can’t authorize and heads of state would rather not know about.  When an operation goes awry and Kane finds she’s been double crossed, she needs all of the skill and ability at her disposal to escape an international manhunt and at the same time protect her family and exact revenge on those that have betrayed her.

Still rumored to be headed for the Venice and/or Toronto International Film Festivals, Haywire is thought to one of Soderbergh’s last films before he “retires”. The film will be distributed by Relativity Media and my bff Ryan Kavanaugh  for a January 20, 2012 release.

Brooke Mueller Celebrities depart Il Cielo in Beverly Hills

Brooke Mueller is one of the biggest train wrecks of the year.  That poor thing cannot get her act together no matter what.  It’s actually very painful to watch.  Seeing a woman, a mother of two precious little boys fall apart at the seams constantly… well, it’s just too much.

Brooke Mueller Plans To Stay Clean

The latest bit on Brooke: she was supposed to be flying out to Mexico in order to get some hard core therapy that is illegal in the USA.  Well, in the process she lost her passport and couldn’t leave.  Sources told RadarOnline,

“Brooke made it to the gate with her doctor, who was going to accompany her, but the airline staff wouldn’t let her board the plane. Brooke is going to get an emergency passport on Wednesday, and hopes to leave for Mexico as soon as she gets the new one.”

See what I mean?  This woman can’t pull it together.  Shouldn’t her crappy assistant have her passport and all the important stuff in order for her?  I just don’t get it!

Photo: WENN

The other day, Lionsgate revealed a poster for the eagerly awaited, The Hunger Games. Much the same as the static version above, it featured a  mocking  jay pin on fire, except the flames swayed with the heat. I like this version. It let’s you decide how much bandwidth you want to use to look at the thing.

I’m not on this particular party train yet. I haven’t read the books so I’m going to need to be convinced. I will say that this film, directed by Gary Ross (Pleasantville, Sea Biscuit) from a script cowritten by himself and novelist Suzanne Collins, has managed to amass one helluva cast! Jennifer Lawrence in the coveted lead role of Katniss Everdeen (the character names are intriguing if nothing else), Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy (apparently there is much contention about this particular bit of casting. Everyone from Jon Hamm to Gerard Butler were mentioned by fans), Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Donald Sutherland as President Snow, Toby Jones as Claudius Templesmith and Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane.

Liam Hemsworth Goes AWOL

The author’s synopsis: “In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 13 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss’ young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district’s female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.“

Denise Richards and Eloise Joni

Denise Richards is sharing her new love, Eloise Joni, the 5-week-old daughter she just adopted with the whole world.  Denise is already madly in love with her third daughter.

Will Denise Richards Roast Charlie Sheen?

 ”She’s brought so much joy, and I love her to pieces,” Richards, 40, tells the new issue of Us Weekly (out Wednesday). “She is a cuddle bug. She loves being hugged and held. She’s such a beautiful little baby and little soul.”

She shared that the process wasn’t an easy one either,

 ”Some people think if a celebrity wants a baby, they get one the next day. The adoption took two years, and there were times I felt discouraged, times when I got close to adopting a baby and it fell through. But I knew the right baby would find us.”

I can’t even imagine that kind of strain and stress.  I am just so glad that it worked out for her and that she’s as strong of a woman as she is.  This speaks multitudes of the heart she has.

Congratulations!

Jennifer Aniston 'Horrible Bosses' UK premiere

Jennifer Aniston just took a big step forward in her relationship with Justin Theroux.  She introduced him to her daddy, John Aniston at Delmonico’s Steak and Lobster House in LA a couple of weeks ago and that says a whole lot about this relationship.

Jennifer Aniston Talks ‘Horrible Bosses’ Role

A witness told Life & Style,

Jen was visibly nervous as the trio met in a cozy corner booth. “Jen’s a regular here and normally very relaxed,” the onlooker explained. “This time she seemed more on edge. She was smiling a lot, but you could tell this was a special event for her.” They enjoyed a long lunch, sharing lobster bisque, Manhattan clam chowder, a crab dish and a 4-pound lobster.   “John looked very protective of Jen, and when Justin went to the restroom, he put his hand on top of hers,” reveals the eyewitness. “It was sweet.” Jen has long been estranged from her mom, Nancy, who wrote a book about their relationship — and values her father’s approval more than anything.

By the end of the meal, everyone was quite content and relaxed.  In no way in a rush to leave the scene.  So it sounds like things are getting really serious for these two.  Do we think there could be wedding bells?

Photo: WENN