Extra bits n’ bobs from last week’s genre news!

* While I still haven’t forgiven him for THE LOVE GURU, I’d be quite interested in seeing what Mike Myers could do with an AUSTIN POWERS 4. Talks regarding the return of the once popular character are now gathering pace over at New Line. Will audiences embrace Myers’ creation almost a decade since his last appearance?

* Excited for the return of WHO? Here’s a great little promo for the first ep of season 6 part 2, LET’S KILL HITLER….

* When did the excellent Patrick Wilson (WATCHMEN) join the cast of Ridley Scott’s PROMETHEUS?! So shrouded in secrecy is this project that nobody actually knew he was in starring alongside the previously reported Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Ben Foster and Idris Elba until a few days ago. And the things been shooting for months now! I’ve said it before, but I really think Christopher Nolan really needs to take a leaf out of Scott’s book in terms of preventing info leaking. Is it starting to feel like you’ve seen too much of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES already?

* No? Fair enough. Here’s a new pic of Tom Hardy’s Bane addressing Gotham stadium.

* We’ve got bad news for those of you who were looking forward to Gore Verbinski/Johnny Depp’s big budget LONE RANGER revamp – Disney have pulled the plug citing budget concerns (a whopping $200m +). What’s even more surprising are the script details which have emerged since the project’s demise, it reportedly saw The Lone Ranger and Tonto going up against Werewolves. Now I’m not as familiar with the classic characters as I should be, but I’m going to take a stab in the dark and figure that lycanthropy didn’t feature in the original mythology? That said, I’m kinda disappointed we’ll no longer get to see such a commendably crazy idea on the big screen.

* Liked RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES? We’ve got good news – writers Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver have already mapped out a trilogy. And judging by the monstrous box office take, it won’t be long before we see them.

* As if we needed any more convincing, here’s a brand new trailer for THE WALKING DEAD season 2…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMch8m2pYMs

* Speaking of zombies, did you know there’s an animated NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD prequel movie featuring the voice talents of horror veterans Bill Moseley (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE PART 2), Danielle Harris (Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN) and Tony Todd (CANDYMAN)? Neither did we until today! No Romero involvement sadly, but it looks pretty interesting regardless…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dohQB477698

* Marvel Studios have a completed screenplay for a RUNAWAYS movie. Could this be one of their two ‘mystery movies’ already scheduled for summer 2014?

* Jean Claude Van Damme is to star in UFO, a British sci-fi flick that co-stars Richard E. Grant (WITHNAIL & I), Sean Brosnan (GENERATION KILL), Bianca Bree, and Simon Phillips (STRIPPERS VS. WEREWOLVES) as friends escaping an alien invasion. Phew! For a second there we were worried this was a reboot of the criminally unfunny 1993 Chubby Brown vehicle U.F.O.

* David Lynch has announced his debut album CRAZY CLOWN TIME will arrive in stores on November 8th. Anybody who heard his fabulous B-side I KNOW earlier this year will attest that this is exciting news indeed. Ok, not as exciting as a new movie from the dude, but still.

* Not long now until the STAR WARS THE COMPLETE SAGA makes its Blu-ray bow. Here’s a new trailer to convince you to pay for movies that you already own multiple times over…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erxZdjNG6jM

* The brilliant folks over at Adult Swim have released an animated spin-off to 2008’s exploitation spoof BLACK DYNAMITE. It’s a little on the racy side for Starburst, so we’ll just throw you a link instead. Check out the full pilot for free over at AdultSwim.com, it’s excellent!

* Aaaaand finally! Despite pressure from gay rights activists and a petition containing over 5000 signatures, SESAME STREET residents Bert and Ernie will NOT be getting married anytime soon. In a recent statement, producers at the Sesame Street Workshop had this to say on the matter “Bert and Ernie are best friends. They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics (as most Sesame Street Muppets do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation.” Fair play. But what’s really going on with Gonzo and that chicken?

Thoughts on any of the above? Share them with your fellow Starburst readers in the Comments below!