First look at Josh Brolin in ‘W’
Principal photography for the film has not started yet, but Entertainment Weekly has released a big preview of Oliver Stone’s upcoming biopic “W,” which focuses on the life and political career of President George W. Bush.

The article also includes a first pic of Brolin as Bush and Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush. Thandie Newton will play Condoleezza Rice, James Cromwell will star as George H. W. Bush and Ellen Burstyn will star as his wife Barbara. The role of Dick Cheney remains to be cast, although the film is scheduled to head into production in w few weeks.

You can read the entire EW article HERE. “W” is directed by Oliver Stone, who previously helmed “World Trade Center.” The film will hit theaters later in 2009.


Eva Mendes becomes ‘Queen’
Those of you following Eva Mendes’ career will certainly have noticed she’s not necessarily an actress you see taking over lead roles. Well it’s time to rejoice, because Mendes signed on to star in Jonathan Jakubowicz’s upcoming drama “Queen of the South.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mendes will play a Mexican woman who becomes a powerful drug lord. Also starring are Josh Hartnett and Ben Kingsley. The film is based on a novel by Arturo Perez-Reverte.

Mendes was last seen in James Gray’s crime drama “We Own the Night.” She recently wrapped up filming Diane English’s upcoming comedy “The Women” and Frank Miller’s “The Spirit.”


‘500 Days’ gets a cast
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are set to star in Marc Webb’s directorial debut “500 Days of Summer,” a comedy about a woman who doesn’t believe in love. She ends up meeting a man who falls for her.

The film was written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, who also penned the script for “Pink Panther 2.” Minka Kelly and Rachel Boston also star.

Gordon-Levitt was last seen in Kimberly Pierce’s war drama “Stop-Loss” and is currently filming Stephen Sommers’ action spectacle “G.I. Joe.” Deschanel will next be seen in M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening.”


First seven minutes of ‘Speed Racer’
“Speed Racer” is opening like, right now, but if you haven’t made up your mind yet about whether to see it, you can check out the first seven minutes of the film right HERE or below. I have to admit this opening doesn’t show a whole lot, and it even includes the three minutes released online earlier this week.

Early reviews are mixed, but I’m still excited to see what the Wachowskis have done with the adaptation. “Speed Racer” stars Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox and Susan Sarandon. If you’re not feeling like watching the entire opening and would rather like to see the three-minute clip, click HERE.

Go!