Reuters - Origin stories are one way to jump-start stalled movie franchises as Christopher Nolan has brilliantly done with two "Batman" movies and J.J. Abrams has apparently managed with the upcoming "Star Trek." -- read full article
Reuters - It's time to brush up on your John Milton because the 17th century English poet's "Paradise Lost" is suddenly on Hollywood's radar. -- read full article
Reuters - Actor-turned-scribe Danny Strong will write "The Butler," Columbia's story of Eugene Allen, a black man who served as a White House butler for 34 years. -- read full article
Reuters - Fanny Ardant will be back in the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival next month. The French actress will be the recipient of a festival homage as well as an out-of-competition screening slot for her directorial debut, "Ashes and Blood." -- read full article
Reuters - Filmmaker and cinema historian Martin Scorsese will serve as honorary president of the sixth annual Cannes Classics sidebar at next month's Cannes Film Festival, organizers said Tuesday.
AP - Jackie Chan has celebrated a milestone with the announcement of his 100th movie project — a collaboration with "Rumble in the Bronx" director Stanley Tong. -- read full article
AP - An ambulance driver and a former senator have pleaded not guilty to charges that they tried to extort $25 million from actor John Travolta following the death of his teenage son in the Bahamas. -- read full article
AP - Movies generally take a long time to make, but thanks to foresight and quick work, several films at the Tribeca Film Festival constitute the first wave of what's sure to be a glut of recession-themed films.
