Guardians of the Galaxy is getting Rookered.

Michael Rooker is joining the cast of Marvel Studios' Phase 2 non-sequel, which will be the most distinctly sci-fi of all its films so far.

Opening in theaters on December 7th is the new romantic comedy Playing for Keeps, which was directed by Gabriele Muccino (The Pursuit of Happiness). The film stars Gerard Butler (Machine Gun Preacher), Jessica Biel (Total Recall), Uma Thurman (Kill Bill: Vol. 1), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Rock of Ages), Judy Greer (The Descendants), Dennis Quaid (What to Expect When You're Expecting), and introducing young actor Noah Lomax (TV's The Walking Dead).   

IAR's Managing Editor Jami Philbrick recently had a chance to sit down with Noah Lomax in the IAR Studios to talk about his work on Playing for Keeps. The talented young actor discussed his new film, similarities he has with his character, rehearsing scenes with the director, working with Gerard Butler and Jessica Biel, not knowing who they were before shooting, and learning to play soccer for the film. 

AMC is a cable network unafraid to put it all out there with material other wouldn't even approach.  It currently has three hugely popular flagship series; one is set in the 1960's and centers on philandering ad-man with identity issues, another follows a chemistry teacher-turned-meth-cook-turned-malicious-bastard, and the latest is a comic book adaptation set in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.  The second season premiere of The Walking Dead, based on the Image comic by Robert Kirkman, was the highest rated basic cable drama of all time, with 7.2 million viewers tuning in.  Only two episodes into the second season but established as AMC's most popular show, the network has officially renewed the zombie epic for a third season, which will presumably premiere just in time for Halloween in 2012.

When Image Comics began publishing a series authored by Robert Kirkman that followed the story of a group of uninfected trying to survive after the zombie apocalypse, it was less a matter of "if" it would be adapted to another medium but rather "when" and in "what" format.  While many of the novels written in the zombie genre seem to lend themselves to the movie format (such as the upcoming World War Z), the scope and visuals of The Walking Dead clearly would have been better served in the television format.

Luckily, AMC did not disappoint.  Their first 6 episode season of the television adaptation perfectly captured the tone of the Kirkman comics.  A huge reason for that was bringing Kirkman into the production not only as an Executive Producer, but also as a writer.  The high production value and impeccable makeup effects (actors playing zombies had to attend "Zombie School" in order to accurately move and walk like zombies) only served to push the envelope for the zombie genre.

After becoming a hugely-discussed home for transcendent televised drama series with Mad Men and Breaking Bad, cable network AMC surprised a whole lot of people The Walking Dead, a large-scale apocalyptic zombie tale based on the comic book by Robert Kirkman.  Despite initial trepidation from many potential viewers, the series premiere dropped last Halloween to huge ratings and widespread acclaim.  Directed by showrunner and The Shawshank Redemption helmer Frank Darabont, the premiere boasted the polish and sophistication of any feature film, and the bonus features included on the impending Blu-ray and DVD release of the first season provide insight into the production. 

A behind-the-scenes clip entitled 'We Are the Walking Dead' has made its way online, and it shows Darabont appraising an under-construction Abrams tank interior, as well as KNB Effects mastermind and consulting producer Greg Nicotero showing off the tremendous varieties of corpses.  There's even a look at "zombie school."

This weekend marks the annual San Diego fest known as Comic-Con, or as nerds call it: “Christmas.” Each year, Comic-Con has grown in popularity, and has become a hub for all things not only comic book based, but Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action, and much more in the land of entertainment. If you’re going to fight the crowds in San Diego,you’re going to need at least a couple things: a dorky costume, and our list of what to watch for!

On any given week during the year, Friday is a unique day, with the work-week done and the fertile possibilities of two free, sociable days spread out before the beleaguered workers of the world.  Such it is with San Diego Comic-Con, as well.  The single biggest and most potent gathering of nerdlingers on this island Earth is all anticipatory excitement on Friday, with attendees feeling very much like children on Halloween, dumping pillowcases full of sugary, fun-size sweets on the floor.  Of course, all that candy will eventually lead to stomach aches and diabetes, but in that moment, all that matters is the promise of sweetness to come.  IAR will, of course, be covering Comic-Con International, but the sheer abundance of bite-sized events and panels at the Con assures that no one organization can cover it all, so we're providing a rundown of the Friday panels that might just be of interest to you, our dear reader. 

On Monday, we learned that British actress Lucy Punch will play Detective Deena Pilgrim in the FX pilot Powers, which will adapt the comic book series written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming.  Since Pilgrim is one of two leads – partners in a homicide division tasked with investigating deaths involving "powers" or relatively common people with superpowers – the natural question became just who would play her male counterpart, Detective Christian Walker.  That question has been answered: Deadline reports that Jason Patric is taking up his first regular series role as Walker.

While comic book adaptations have been inescapably prevalent at multiplexes everywhere for the last decade, they haven't had the same cachet on television.  With The Walking Dead proving successful for AMC, though, televised comic book takes could very well get their chance to shine.  FX is currently prepping a pilot of Powers, the superheroic riff on police procedurals from writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Avon Oeming.  According to Deadline, British actress Lucy Punch has signed on to play female lead Detective Deena Pilgrim.

With Fast Five proving that big money hcan still be wrought from a franchise five films in, is it any surprise that Final Destination 5 is on the way later this summer?  Similarly, no surprises await in the first trailer for the fifth franchise horror flick, which appears to stick pretty squarely to the pattern established four movies ago, with the minor wrinkle of victims-in waiting targeting each other.  The only real surprise is that Warner Bros has yet to change the title to Final Five.  Check out the trailer right here.