Here it is, your first look at the brand new poster for the upcoming sequel Iron Man 2, courtesy of Yahoo Movies. We don’t need to tell you that this movie is going to rock . . . and rock hard. Still, its nice to finally see some more “official’ stuff coming from the studio and the production.

As you can see from the poster, it features our hero, Iron Man, backed by another familiar “face,” the infamous War Machine. Which, you have to admit, looks pretty awesome.

This film will be released on May 7th so, sadly, we still have some time to wait. After seeing this, and all the rest of the stuff prior to it, I’m sure it’ll be well worth it.

As you know (unless you live in a cave and/or have no access to the Internet), the film stars Robert Downey Jr., Gweneth Paltrow, Don Chealde, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, and Jon Favreau.

Check out a much bigger version of the new poster after the jump.

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We hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday and had a chance to read some great comics during the break because the Marvel machine isn’t stopping. This week they have all-new comics for your reading pleasure and, of course, we have some preview art for you from some of the titles.

This week we’re particularly interested in the latest Iron Man titles such as Iron Man: Requiem, the latest issue of Psylocke and The Torch #4. Also, remember that comics come out on Thursday this week (at least from Marvel), so be sure and plan accordingly.

Comics On-Sale:

ANITA BLAKE, THE LAUGHING CORPSE – EXECUTIONER #2
BLACK WIDOW & THE MARVEL GIRLS #1
CAPTAIN AMERICA THEATER OF WAR: PRISONERS OF DUTY
DARK AVENGERS ANNUAL #1
DARK TOWER: THE BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL #1
DARK TOWER: THE BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL #1 PETERSON VARIANT
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #898
FALL OF THE HULKS: ALPHA
FALL OF THE HULKS: ALPHA FINCH VARIANT
HULK: WINTER GUARD
IRON MAN VS. WHIPLASH #1
IRON MAN VS. WHIPLASH #1 SHS VARIANT
IRON MAN: REQUIEM
NOVA #32
PSYLOCKE #2

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For the most part, the Internet is used for fun, games and occasionally for news. A highly trafficked source of that fun can be found at Penny Arcade. A webcomic starring creators Gabe and Tycho, Penny Arcade‘s focus lies in video game nerd humor with a clever and satirical take on the woes and missteps of the video game industry. Often filled with off-color remarks and foul language, not many would have expected this site to start what would become one of the largest gamer-based holiday charities.

Started in 2003, Child’s Play has contributed over five million dollars in video games, toys and money to children’s hospitals across the country. Last year alone, in the face of one of the worst financial situations on record, they broke their goal of over $1,000,000 in donations.

Using Amazon.com’s “Wish List” feature and Paypal, donations can be made either in the form of money or by selecting various toys, video games and dvd’s requested by various children’s hospitals around the country. Any denomination is accepted and there are participating hospitals all over the country and other parts of the world.

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Hard to believe it has been over 2 years since Family Guy aired it’s first Star Wars special, “Blue Harvest.” And now, we’re less than a month away from the highly anticipated follow-up special, “Something Something Something Dark Side.” The specials were originally set to air consecutively each year, but due to the popularity of the first, FOX decided to milk this cow for all it was worth and delay the release until now.

Last we left our heroes, Chris had destroyed the Death Star with the help of Han, thwarting Stewie’s plan to take out the rebel alliance, all while Lois and Chris grew closer together, not knowing their true relationship. Strange how this plot seems familiar.

In the next special, we of course get a direct parody of The Empire Strikes Back, with Hoth, Jon Benjamin as Yoda, and even the evil chicken as Boba Fett. Check out the full trailer after the jump. Keep your eye on the DVD shelves, as Something Something Something Dark Side is set to hit stores on December 22nd.

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With the unbridled success of this fall’s Paranormal Activity, it seemed a sure thing that director Oren Peli’s next project would be an instant pickup for the studio, and that theory has proven to be true. According to Variety, Paramount recently bought the distribution rights for Peli’s Area 51, which reportedly again utilizes Paranormal Activity’s “handicam” style of shooting. According to the trade:

“51, which completed principal photography three weeks ago, was fully financed by Incentive and the Aramid Entertainment Fund. Latter is a co-financing partner of Par’s slate on films that include the ‘Transformers’ films.

The film employs the ‘found footage’ narrative structure that Peli used in ‘Paranormal Activity’ to tell the story of three teens whose curiosity leads them to the notorious Area 51 portion of Nellis Air Force Base in the Nevada desert.”

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Most of us around The Flickcast offices are big fans of NBC (and later, ABC’s) Scrubs. We recently got the opportunity to chat with stars Donald Faison and Dave Franco about the upcoming season on December 1st, but before that, a brand new video is up, in which Faison shows us around the brand new set for season 9.

The show is taking a bit of a “New Class” turn. The main cast of characters is switching roles to teachers at a medical school, while the main focus is on a new batch of young doctors. Joining the cast this season are Kerry Bishe, Michael Mosley, and Dave Franco.

Check out Faison’s behind the scenes video after the jump. Be sure to catch the Scrubs 1-hour season premiere event on December 1st at 9PM EST on ABC.

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Syfy has ordered 13 episodes of the supernatural drama series Haven, based on the novella “The Colorado Kid,” from author Stephen King. The show, being produced by E1 Entertainment, will be an hour-long TV drama by the same creative group behind USA’s The Dead Zone series, including Lloyd Sagan, Shawn Piller and Scott Shepherd, who will act as showrunner on Haven.

The show focuses on the small Maine town of Haven where people with supernatural abilities have migrated for generations because it mutes their powers, allowing them to lead normal lives — at least, until recently. When FBI agent Audrey Parker is called to Haven to solve the murder of a local ex-con, she catches the killer but uncovers a much deeper mystery about this town and its inhabitants. She also begins to understand the truth about her own past and her relationship with the town.

Even though that description sounds a bit like X-Files meets Eureka, it still could be interesting and could work pretty well as a series. So far, no word on casting for the show but as this is a recent pickup by SyFy for a planned launch early next year, casting will have to begin pretty soon. We’ll keep you posted on all the Haven developments.

This week we will be looking at the weekend box office as well as the 5-day holiday, which includes totals for Wednesday through Sunday. There were some interesting developments regarding the international box office scene as well, so this will be a jumbo sized report. New releases barely made a blip, it was the holdovers that led this weekend to the highest grossing Thanksgiving weekend ever.

The Twilight Saga:  New Moon continued to dominate on the domestic and international side. Playing on over 4,000 screens, it grossed $42.5 Million domestically. Over the five day stretch, it grossed $66 Million. No matter your thoughts on the movie, you have to admit we are witnessing a cultural phenomenon unfold in real-time.  Its domestic cumulative take for 10 days now stands at $230.7 Million.

Nipping at the heels of New Moon was The Blind Side. The movie grossed $40.1 Million for the weekend, and $57.5 Million for the five day, with that weekend total being higher than its opening weekend total of $34 Million. Wide releases rarely see an increase in ticket sales from one weekend to the next so this is unusual. This movie is getting exceptionally positive word of mouth, which is bringing more people into the theaters — a topic we discussed on the most recent edition of The Flickcast podcast.

The Blind Side drove over the $100 Million mark as well. Not too shabby for a family friendly film made for around $30 Million. I’m also starting to hear the “O” word casually mentioned regarding this film, as in Oscar. Sandra Bullock seems to be edging her way into consideration for best actress.

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To celebrate its 85 year history of films and filmmakers, MGM has teemed with Warner Bros. to make it even easier to watch many of its classics without even having to head to your local video store or get the titles via a service such as Netflix. Instead, they will begin offering 100 of their classic films online for On Demand and Digital Download.

Some of these classic titles include The Wizard of OZ, Singin’ In The Rain, Gone With The Wind, and other favorites such as Poltergeist, North By Northwest, 2001: A Space Odyssey and more. If you’ve never seen these classic films this is yet another way to get a chance to experience them.

Many of these are essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand the magic and power of movies. Plus, its a great way to get some entertainment without having to do much except click your mouse a few times. Then, just sit back, relax and enjoy some great movies.

For more, check out all the info and the official site or visit the MGM 85 store on iTunes. Finally, be sure take a look at what the pros call a “sizzle reel” highlighting this event and the films after the jump.

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Sometimes when actors leave a popular television show they go on to careers in the movies and become even more successful. George Clooney, who got his start on TV would be a good example of that. Of course, sometimes the opposite happens and they try movies and it doesn’t go so well. David Caruso, I’m talking to you. Of course, it may also be the case that they just miss their friends and colleagues from a particular show and want to come back.

We don’t really know the reason but Benjamin Bratt is heading back to Law and Order to help commemorate the show’s 20th season — and we’ve got video where he discusses it to share with you today. Bratt, who played Detective Rey Curtis on the NBC series from 1995-99, will reprise his role in an episode set for later this season. The episode will feature him reuniting with his former boss, Lt. Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson).

NBC hasn’t set an airdate for the episode yet. In the meantime, check out the interview after the jump.

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The Superman franchise continues to struggle as more details emerge from Warner Brothers.  In short, Warner Brothers still isn’t doing anything with the project. According to Warner Brothers insiders:

“The studio is still seeking the right direction. No writers are working on a Superman script. ‘We’re working on a strategy for DC,’ says one Warners exec. ‘Superman is the trickiest one to figure out.’ “

Still “seeking the right direction”? No writers? Tricky to figure out? How “tricky” can this be?  You only have several movies and hundreds of comics to draw inspiration from. Get it together Warner Brothers.

Now, there is the legal matter to deal with which is rather tricky. I can appreciate the fact WB wants these legalities with the Siegel Estate put to rest but seriously, get moving. Providing some indication that you’re actively developing a new movie could certainly help your case instead of simply squandering time.

Sadly, the only direction left for this property is the dreaded “r” word-reboot. Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns hardly met the studios expectations (but I for one liked it).  Having made $391 million worldwide it cost $232 million to make. Do the math and you can’t even compare that film to something like Christopher Nolan‘s billion dollar Batman movie, The Dark Knight.

As we’ve noted on The Flickcast before the Siegel family will reclaim the Superman rights in 2013.  That means at a minimum film production has to start by 2011 (and that’s pushing it). The clock is ticking. Time to start moving faster than a speeding bullet Warner Brothers.

Earlier this week we showed you some new promos for Chuck, which will be starting its third season in early 2010. As Turkey Day is now here we also bring you a brand new behind the scenes look at the new season to feast upon, featuring Chuck’s escapades as he dances, judo chops, and sings his way to keeping the Intersect safe.

Season 2 of Chuck ended on a huge cliffhanger, so it’s very exciting to have it renewed. However, NBC has decided to only order 19 episodes due to low ratings last year. We can only hope it won’t follow in the footsteps of Dollhouse, another small but favorite that was recently canceled.

Chuck will begin its next season on January 10 with two back to back episodes. Proceed with caution, as if you haven’t finished the last season of Chuck, this video will contain massive spoilers! You can watch it after the jump.

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