Robert Rodriguez really directing 'Deadpool'?

It is moving from a rumor to a possibility. Robert Rodriguez, the man behind "Sin City," "Shorts" and the upcoming "Machete," could end up directing 20th Century Fox's "X-Men" spinoff "Deadpool."

The rumor has been circling the Web for a while, but the L.A. Times says Rodriguez and the studio are in fact now negotiating. A deal is not in place, but it seems the talks are getting more intense. Good to hear...

Rodriguez would be a very interesting choice. "Deadpool" is a big film, and this guy has what it takes to create something wildly entertaining. Right now though, "Spy Kids 4: Armageddon" is Robert's priority.

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Oh no! New Line confirms 'New Year's Eve'

I haven't seen "Valentine's Day" yet and obviously can't comment quite yet on whether it was a failure to make this film happen, but apparently, some studio folks out there think it was the best idea ever.

To top that, New Line Cinema has announced it will develop "New Year's Eve," a "Valentine's Day" spinoff that will take place on New Year's Eve in New York City and follow a bunch of people as they... celebrate?

Anyway, details are sketchy, but Variety says Katherine Fugate ("The Prince & Me," "Army Wives") will write the script. Plus, Garry Marshall, who helmed "Valentine's Day," is also expected to return as director. Release is planned for late 2011.

"Day" follows 10 Los Angeles people whose lives intersect on Valentine's Day. Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, Bradley Cooper and Shirley MacLaine star, among others.

"Day" can obviously be considered an American version of "Love Actually," a film I adored. That said, I doubt this one will be just as romantic, charming and funny. At least it's got quite an awesome cast as well...

Zach Galifianakis to voice 'Puss in Boots'?

Zach Galifianakis is the man, mainly because you will soon hear and see him in everything. Now "The Hangover" star is even considering a voice role in the upcoming "Shrek" spinoff "Puss in Boots."

Specifically, Galifianakis is in talks to voice Humpty Dumpty in the film, which follows the adventures of the feline swordsman. The story focuses on what happens to Puss before he runs into Shrek.

Chris Miller, co-director of "Shrek The Third," is helming the DreamWorks Animation title from a script by Tom Wheeler. Antonio Banderas' and Salma Hayek's voices will be featured in the film as well.

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Daily news dose: Dan Fogler joins 'Mars Needs Moms,' Wheeler set for 'Puss in Boots'

Here's your daily dose of movie news for Jan. 31, 2009:

• Dan Fogler has officially joined Robert Zemeckis' "Mars Needs Moms!," which the director will shoot using the motion-capture technique he used in "The Polar Express," "Beowulf" and his upcoming "A Christmas Carol." As for the story, it follows a young boy who must help his mother when she is abducted by martians. (ComingSoon)

• Tom Wheeler is set to write "Puss in Boots," DreamWorks Animation's upcoming "Shrek" spinoff. Chris Miller worked on an earlier draft. Antonio Banderas voiced the feline swordsman in "Shrek 2" and "Shrek the Third." By the way, "Shrek Goes Fourth" is set for release May 21, 2010. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Jeffrey Dean Morgan has joined Hilary Swank in Antti J. Jokinen's thriller "The Resident," about a doctor (Swank) who moves into a new Brooklyn loft and quickly discovers her landlord is a stalker. Jokinen wrote the script with Robert Orr, and Erin Cressida Wilson recently completed a rewrite. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Clifton Collins Jr., Josh Lawson, Kevin Sussman, Zoe Boyle, Nat Faxon, Warren Hutchinson, Jane Seymour, Olivia Munn and Dave Foley are set to star in Broken Lizard's comedy "Freeloaders," which focuses on five dudes and a girl who live in a rock star’s mansion until he decides to sell his crib. (Variety)

Fox says a lot more 'X-Men' on the way

Gavin Hood's upcoming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is just one of many future "X-Men" films 20th Century Fox is currently developing.

According to Variety, the studio is also planning "X-Men: First Class," a potential new series of flicks with a focus on a bunch of younger mutants.

Any other details are kept under wraps for now, but the trade says the film and its possible sequels may follow some of the younger characters introduced in the previous films.

Josh Schwartz, creator of television's "The O.C.," "Gossip Girl" and "Chuck," is on board to write the script for "First Class." I guess that could mean we'll see a lot of teenage drama in the film, right?

Anyway, the last "X-Men" installment was Brett Ratner's "X-Men: The Last Stand," which grossed $234.3 million in 2006. "Wolverine" is due in theaters May 1, 2009, while Fox is also working on a spinoff based on the character Magneto.

I'm certainly all excited about "Wolverine" with Hugh Jackman returning in the lead, but I'm wondering how far Fox wil end up going with these films. It sounds like they have big plans for this franchise, but I am not sue whether people will want to go see "X-Men" movies forever.

What's your take on more "X-Men" on the big screen? Are you up to it? Sound off just below.

‘Spider-Man’ spinoff to head into development

Sony is gearing up for the development of “Venom,” a “Spider-Man” spinoff based on the villain who appeared in Spidey’s third installment last year.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony already took a look at a draft written by Jacob Estes (screenwriter of “Mean Creek”), but the studio is currently seeking new writers to pen the script.

One question that comes up at this point is the potential cast. Topher Grace played Venom in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3,” but at this stage it’s unclear whether the studio will try to bring him back.

The good thing about this is that in the third “Spider-Man” flick, Venom was essentially a parasite looking for a host. This opens up more choices when it comes to casting a lead actor.

Personally, I think Venom did not receive the development it deserved in “Spider-Man 3.” In fact, it was the first villain in the franchise I really didn’t care about a bit. With a bit of luck, the screenwriters will do the character justice this time.

Although “Venom” is a clear departure from the “Spider-Man” series, Sony is currently developing “Spider-Man 4,” which should hit theaters in 2011.

I really wouldn’t mind watching a “Venom” feature, but considering the recent awesomeness of “Iron Man” and “The Dark Knight,” the scribes now face a massive challenge. Fans now expect so much more from a superhero movie, and they have every right to do so.