In 2011, major studios experienced a new found reticence to finance huge and ambitious genre projects, no matter how sure a thing they may have seemed.  One of the most frequently-cited examples of this economic sensibility was The Dark Tower, a cinematic trilogy and two season television series adapting the novel series by Stephen King.  Universal Pictures abandoned the project last summer, though director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer seemed confident that The Dark Tower would find a new studio home.

We normally don't spend a whole lot of time on television news around these parts, this being a movie news section and all, but last night saw the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards go down here in sunny Los Angeles, and we'd be remiss if we didn't share the full list of winners.  Glee's Jane Lynch hosted the ostentatious goings-on, which saw AMC's Mad Men winning the coveted Outstanding Drama Series trophy, while Modern Family won in the Comedy Series category.  Also worth noting, Peter Dinklage won a supporting actor award for his role as a man who always pays his debts on Game of Thrones, Melissa McCarthy took home a trophy on account of Mike & Molly, and Martin Scorsese naturally got some dramatic directorial kudos for helming the Boardwalk Empire pilot.

Since Marvel Studios and Disney's already-announced release date for Thor 2 is less than two years away, it's imperative for both that the project proceeds apace.  With Kenneth Branagh declining to return as director, Marvel had to select a new helmer for the continued adventures of the Thunder God played by Chris Hemsworth.  It would seem they've found their man, as Variety reports that Brian Kirk is in talks to take over as director Thor 2, which is set to hit theaters July 26, 2013.

Jason Momoa is in the midst of a big summer.  The Hawaiian-born actor and former model is a veteran of television series like Baywatch and Stargate: Atlantis , but he just made his biggest impression as the fearsome warlord Khal Drogo on HBO's hit series Game of Thrones.  While the much-discussed first season just wrapped and Momoa won't be returning for the already-announced second season, Momoa is taking over the iconic role of Conan the Cimmerian in this August's 3D action epic Conan the Barbarian.  IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick caught up with Jason Momoa on the red carpet for the premiere of The Devil's Double at the L.A. Film Fest last night, where Momoa discussed Game of Thrones, Conan, and future adventures as the 20th Century's most famous barbarian.

Since Darren Aronofsky abruptly departed the X-Men spin-off/sequel The Wolverine back in March, his next project has been a big question mark.  He's been trying to find financing for an expensive interpretation of the Old Testament story of Noah and the Flood, but he's not sitting still while waiting for that would-be film to come together.  Instead, THR's Heat Vision reports that he'll direct the pilot episode of Hobgoblin, the HBO series from literary power-couple Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman.

The first promotional image from Game Change showed that Julianne Moore makes for a fitting Sarah Palin, and now our first look at Ed Harris in the film demonstrates his ability to channel Arizona Senator John McCain.  Both four-time Oscar nominees are playing the central figures in the HBO movie from director Jay Roach.  Palin's arguably more easily imitable figure, but Harris is the spitting image of the presidential nominee in this photo, which debuted t EW.  Check out Harris on the campaign trail right here, right about now.

With the imminent debut of their new series Game of Thrones, adapted from a series of novels by George RR Martin, HBO is betting that literary fantasy is the way of the future.  The cable network is reportedly in negotiations to acquire the novel 'American Gods', arguably the finest work from unimpeachable author Neil Gaiman.  Not only that, but Gaiman will co-write the pilot, along with one of the finest cinematographers working today.

If you're a fan of epic fantasy or good television and you've got about fifteen minutes to kill at work, then HBO has a treat for you.  Last night, the network previewed the first fourteen minutes of its upcoming fantasy series A Game of Thrones, adapted from the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series of novels by George R.R. Martin.  The video comes from Badass Digest, and introduces us to the setting of Westeros and the politics at the heart of the series.

HBO's Game Change, a chronicling of the 2008 Presidential Election, seems to be casting up along partisan lines, starting with the Republican campaign.  First, we heard that four-time Oscar nominee Julianne Moore would play Vice Presidential candidate, glasses-wearer, and grizzly mom Sarah Palin, then yesterday brought the news that Ed Harris, another four-time Oscar nominee, would play her running mate, Arizona Senator and Presidential candidate John McCain.  Now, Deadline reports that two-time Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson is set to play McCain's senior campaign strategist and adviser Steve Schmidt. 

If you didn't see the Australian series Summer Heights High when it aired on HBO in 2008, then you might not know who Chris Lilley is.  In that series, which he also wrote, comedian Lilley starred as three wholly different characters, two high school students and one abhorrent teacher.  It's a stunning and unstoppably funny eight episodes, and it ends up being surprisingly poignant.  For his follow up series, Angry Boys, Lilley will play a whopping six characters.  HBO (via Slashfilm) unveiled a brief tease for Angry Boys, and you'll do yourself a favor by watching.