It sure took a while, but the folks at Paramount finally realized they may be able to make some money by releasing Oren Peli's acclaimed horror thriller "Paranormal Activity." Again: what took them so long?

Anyway, following popular demand, sold-out midnight screenings and huge lines of people trying to get into a show, Paramount announced it will send the film into a limited release starting Oct. 9, 2009.

Thats right, folks! You won't have to stay up and fight to get a seat. Word is the film will hit theaters in 40 markets, which is awesome, because I still haven't seen this thing. And trust me, I'm intrigued!

In the film, a young couple moves into a typical suburban house and becomes increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be somehow demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night.

Toys are taking over the big screen. Paramount Pictures is is currently gearing up to develop a big-screen adventure based on Mattel's "Max Steel" action figure.

Steel is a college student and extreme sports star who heads out to battle crime after an accident involving nanobots gives him superhuman powers.

Variety says Paramount will team up with Joe Roth for the flick. Roth, who produced "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," "Tears of the Sun" and the upcoming "Alice in Wonderland," will serve as executive producer on "Steel."

Steel also appeared on an animated TV series, which ran between 2000 and 2002. Mattel said it plans to relaunch the toy line with the production of a big-screen extravaganza.

Whatever the plans are, toys prove to be quite successful these days. Just look at what "Transformers" and its sequel have accomplished. Next up for toy fans: "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra," due in theaters Aug. 7. 2009.

Here's your dose of film news for March 6, 2009:

• Trey Hamburger's novel "Ghosts/Aliens" will be adapted to the big screen. In the book, two stoner friends embark on a mission to find ghosts and aliens. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the book may even be turned into a television series. Hamburger's novel hit shelves in November.

• Paramount Pictures has bought "Grandma vs. Grandma," a screenplay written by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, the folks who also brought you the "Harold & Kumar" flicks. The story follows two grandmothers who launch into a war for the affection of their grandchildren while the parents are away for a while. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• George Miller, director of the "Mad Max" flicks, recently told MTV that he's planning an anime "Mad Max" flick without the involvement of Mel Gibson. “I’ve always loved anime, in particular the Japanese sensibility. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do," he told MTV.

• The folks at ShockTillYouDrop have learned that Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have set April 16, 2010 as the release date for their remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street," directed by Samuel Bayer from a script by Wesley Strick. Freddy Krueger will be back for sure!

Here's your dose of quick news bits for Jan. 24, 2008...

• Shawn Levy is set to produce (and maybe direct) the big-screen adaptation of 9-year-old Alec Greven's advice guide "How to Talk to Girls." "The intention is to make a warmhearted comedy, with a tone reminiscent of 'Big,'" Levy told Variety.

• David Fincher's "Torso" project may not happen at Paramount. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the studio failed to extend the rights option, which obviously sucks big time. However: "While the studio still owns Kruger's screenplay, it is in discussions potentially to strike a new option agreement with the comic's writers, to whom the rights reverted." Let's hope this works out!

• Anchor Bay has acquired the North American and Australian distribution rights to "Spread," a David Mackenzie-directed comedy starring Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche. The actor stars as a womanizer who meets his match in a local waitress. Kutcher co-produced the project. (Variety)

• Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the domestic distribution rights to Duncan Jones' sci-fi thriller "Moon," which stars Sam Rockwell as an astronaut who exeriences a personal encounter while stranded on the moon for a three-year period. Nathan Parker wrote the script. (Variety)