It has been confirmed that Brad Pitt will be starring in an adaptation of Max Brooks’ zombie novel World War Z.  As E! Online reports, Max Brooks made the confirmation at Comic-Con in San Diego.

Though the details are slim at the moment, some key roles have been filled.  Brad’s company, Plan B Entertainment, has also secured the rights for the production and any sequels that might follow this picture and Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace) is slated to direct.

If you haven’t read the book, the publisher’s website has a short synopsis:  “The end was near.  Zombies were taking over.  They were infiltrating ever corner the world.  No neutral ground existed, no nation was secure, and we were in serious danger of becoming extinct – overrun by hordes of the living dead.”

They’re hoping for a 2012 release, so maybe this is what was meant by predicting the end of the world!

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After much speculation of who the next Spider-Man will be, the billion-dollar franchise finally has a new lead.  Andrew Garfield has been cast in the role of Peter Parker, and the studios are very confident that this guy has got what it takes.

Amy Pascal, co-chairmen of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Matt Tolmach, President of Columbia Pictures, commented, “You need someone who can magically transform himself from Peter Parker into Spider-Man,” continuing, “we have found that actor in Andrew Garfield. From the first time we saw him in the upcoming film The Social Network, to his glorious screen test, which floored all of us, we knew that we had found our new Peter Parker.”

Though he’s a relatively new actor on the scene, his credits speak for themselves.  The young actor has had roles in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and Lions For Lambs, and his most significant part hasn’t even hit the theatres yet.  Garfield stars in David Fincher’s new much anticipated movie about Facebook titled The Social Network opposite Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake.

As the young actor has already worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, it should be taken as a true testament that Garfield has some real talent.  He’s starred alongside names like Heath Ledger, Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, and worked with greatly respected directors such as Spike Jonze.

The director of the new Spider-Man movie, Marc Webb, had nothing but good things to say about Garfield, commenting “Though his name may be new to many, those who know this young actor’s work understand his extraordinary talents. He has a rare combination of intelligence, wit, and humanity. Mark my words, you will love Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.”

The next instalment of the Spider-Man series is scheduled to begin production in early December and will hit theatres in 3D on July 3, 2011.

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Has TV really hit a brick wall with ideas? Have we really seen every possible concept that the only thing left is a redneck reality series?

TMZ reports that the creators of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” are developing their next concept called “Party Down South.” Doron Ofir Casting are looking for “12 lucky guys and gals who are keepin’ it country and want to party their asses off.”

Apparently there will be a casting RV traveling through the cultural centres of America. You know, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennesse, Kentucky and West Virginia.

At least with this series, when women get hit by guys, it won’t be unexpected.

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George Lucas’ upcoming WWII drama has enlisted two more actors.

Oscar nominee Terrence Howard and Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. will star in “Red Tails,” based on the story of the first unit of African-American fighter pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

The ensemble drama has long been in the works for Lucas, who is producing the film through his Lucasfilm studio.

“I’ve been wanting to do ‘Red Tails’ for 20 years, and we’ve finally got the means to showcase the skill of the Tuskegee pilots,” Lucas said in a press release on Monday. “We’re working on techniques which will give us the first true look at the aerial dogfighting of the era.”

The cast also includes Bryan Cranston (AMC’s “Breaking Bad”), Tristan Wilds (The CW’s “90210″) and Nate Parker (“The Secret Life of Bees”), as well as musicians Cliff “Method Man” Smith and Ne-Yo.

The movie will be directed by Anthony Hemingway, who has worked on such TV series as “The Wire,” “CSI: New York” and “The Closer.” He will helm the project from a script by “Three Kings” writer John Ridley.

Filming is expected to begin in Europe this spring, though a release date has not yet been announced.

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Adam Sandler and his former “Saturday Night Live” co-stars Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade are planning a comedy flick alongside “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” actor Kevin James.

The film will follow five high school buddies who reunite on a July 4 holiday weekend after 30 years. Sandler co-wrote the comedy that will be directed by “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan” director Dennis Dugan according to Variety.

In other news, rapper Snopp Dogg has sealed a deal with MTV to host a variety show called “Dogg After Dark.” The show will feature celebrity interviews, performances by artists and sketch comedy. “Dogg After Dark” will air for seven Tuesdays consecutively starting February 14, according to E! Online.

Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and Oscar nominee Josh Brolin are set to join an ensemble cast for Woody Allen’s next movie. The film written by Allen will start filming this summer in London.

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Tom Cruise has taken another blow to his career and ego as he has reportedly lost a role – to Angelina Jolie.

According to Variety, Cruise was attached to the title role of “Edwin A. Salt,” a CIA drama. But when studio execs found out that Jolie had taken a liking to the script, they re-wrote it for her.

With the deal close to being signed, Jolie will likely play the CIA agent accused of spying for Russia, forcing her to elude her own company and prove her innocence. Of course, the film and character will be re-named.

Cruise, on the other hand, will next appear briefly in “Tropic Thunder.”

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While Hayden Christensen is celebrating his box office success this weekend, Eminem may be just a tad jealous.

The lead role in the hit “Jumper” almost went to the rap superstar, writer/director Doug Liman revealed to MTV News. 20th Century Fox studio execs pulled for Eminem as he was more well-known.

“‘If I’ve proven anything to myself, it’s that I can tailor a role to an actor,” Liman explained. “[I could] develop the role with [someone like Eminem] and make it extremely specific to them. So as long as the person has acting chops, I’m open to talking to almost anybody for almost any role.”

But it was Canadian cutie Christensen that Liman demanded to work with. “At some point, I just put my foot down and said, ‘I love Hayden.’”

With the film pulling in $27.2 million in North America this past weekend, it appears that Liman’s faith in Christensen’s star power was right.

For fans who can’t get enough Hayden, he graces the cover of Details magazine this month.

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Amidst rumours that “The Hills” is fake, producers are holding onto their last shred of dignity by refusing to let Paris Hilton appear on the show.

Crew members of the show were reportedly overheard discussing Hilton’s attempts to land a role, saying that the producers felt it would be “pushing the limits” of believability.

It’s not really that much of a stretch, though. Nicole Ritchie, Paris’ re-instated BFF, has been seen out on the town with “Hills” stars Lauren Conrad and Audrina Partridge.

The producers may have their noses raised over Hilton, but they are apparently not above casting people in key roles of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt’s upcoming wedding.

Roxy Olin, daughter of “Brothers and Sisters” actor Ken Olin, is in final talks to be Montag’s maid of honour.

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