Timur Bekmambetov directs 'Vampire Hunter'

What is "Wanted" director Timur Bekmambetov working on these days? A lot is the best answer, and Empire caught up with the busy director. One of his upcoming gigs is "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter."

"That one I’m prepping to direct myself. It is not a comedy at all – it is a very entertaining, epic history lesson for millions and millions of teenagers," he told Empire. I hope we will start this winter."

He also said Lincoln will keep the hat and beard, so that's good. He also carries some cool weapons. Other than that, Bekmambetov said "Wanted 2" should move forward, but not in the very near future.

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Here's why Angelina Jolie won't be in 'Wanted 2'

You may have heard it by now: Angelina Jolie will most definitely not appear in "Wanted 2." We've heard a lot about why that's the case, but in truth, she's simply not that interested in it. Okay, fair enough.

ComingSoon briefly chatted with Jolie recently, and she basically said that she's done with her killer character from "Wanted" because she sees no reason to bring her back from the dead. And she's right.

I loved Jolie and her character in the first movie, but it would just seem odd for her to return. She said, "They were (trying to bring me back) but I kind of feel like if I die in a movie, I should die actually."

So there you go. This is coming from her, and that's it. Case closed. Jolie will be back in action in "Salt," which opens July 23, 2010. It looks like a darn cool blocbuster, and I can't wait to see how it turned out.

Mark Millar says 'Wanted 2' not dead yet

As you may have heard, Angelina Jolie is not longer part of "Wanted 2," and after her departure, rumors spread that the sequel to the success hit "Wanted" would be killed off. Not so fast! Universal already kind of confirmed it's still on track, and now Mark Millar weighs in as well.

During an interview with STV, Millar said he thinks the films is still moving forward. He even said it would make more sense not to bring back Jolie's character, considering what happened to her at the end of the first film. He can't confirm it, but he says he believes it's still alive.

Angelina Jolie departure kills 'Wanted 2'?

Angelina Jolie is reportedly out of "Wanted 2," and it seems Universal is therefore killing the project for good. Vulture reports Jolie dropped out to star in another film, leaving the "Wanted" sequel without its popular star. I guess that's it for the thriller with a hot killer.

Anyway, Timur Bekmambetov was planning on directing "Wanted 2," and he spent some time coming up with a way to bring Jolie's character back to action. Rather than look for a different actress and potentially lose money, Universal decided to pull the plug on the flick.

Vulture says Jolie will now be starring in "Gravity," a space thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarón. In that film, she plays the human survivor of a space mission, trying to return to Earth. I wouldn't mind watching her and only her for most of a feature film. How about you?

Bekmambetov to bring back Jolie for 'Wanted 2'

The chance of Angelina Jolie's character Fox returning in "Wanted 2" is getting more and more likely. At the recent Comic-Con, "Wanted" director Timur Bekmambetov said he may have an idea how to bring back Jolie for the sequel, but at that stage, it all sounded more like a rumor than a fixed plan.

If you haven't seen "Wanted" but plan to watch it in the near future, I would advise you to stop reading, as a spoiler will follow. When talking to MTV recently, Bekmambetov said he now knows how he could bring Fox back from the dead. As you may remember, she took a bullet at the end of the first flick.

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Will Angelina Jolie really return in 'Wanted 2'?

At this point, that is the big question: Will Angelina Jolie return in the upcoming "Wanted 2" sequel? Considering her presence in the first film certainly helped attract audiences, there may be a chance of her reprising her character.

But how? Well, according to Timur Bekmambetov, director of "Wanted," James McAvoy, who plays the lead character, could try to "wake up" Fox, Jolie's character.

I would categorize this as a rumor of some sort at this stage, but at Comic-Con, Bekmambetov briefly said Fox would be lying in one of those wax baths. You know, those that can heal wounds and stuff.

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Daily news dose: Christine Jeffs to helm 'Tonight;' Bond 23 gets screenwriters

Here's your dose of film news for June 15, 2009:

• Christine Jeffs, who most recently directed "Sunshine Cleaning," is set to helm Castle Rock's upcoming "Wonderful Tonight." J. Mills Goodloe wrote the script, which centers on a bachelor and a woman whose lives change when she gets pegnant after a one-night stand. (Variety)

• Peter Morgan (pictured), whose credits include "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," will join regular Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade for the script of Bond 23. Purvis and Wade also worked on the scripts for "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace." No word yet on when the latest Bond will hit theaters, but my guess is November 2011. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Skyler Samuels is the latest to join Brendan Fraser in Roger Kumble's upcoming family film "Furry Vengeance," a comedy about a developer who's forced to battle local wildlife while building a new housing subdivision in the Oregon wilderness. Samuels previously appeared on "Wizards of Waverly Place." (THR)

• RIA Novosti recently talked to Timur Bekmabetov, and the director told the news Web site that work on "Wanted 2" will begin shortly, with prep kicking off this summer and shooting tentatively set for this fall or winter. Oh, and apparently, Angelina Jolie's character will return for the sequel as well. Huh? (via ComingSoon)

Daily news dose: 'Pooh' writer to pen 'Wanted 2;' Lionsgate won't do 'Bloody Valentine' sequel

Here's your dose of film news for April 20, 2009:

• Screenwriter Evan Spiliotopoulos, whose credits include "Pooh's Heffalump Movie," is set to write "Wanted 2" from a story by Chris Morgan. Considering most characters died in the first film, it will be tough to put together an intriguing story, which will focus on main character Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy). Timur Bekmambetov may return to direct the sequel. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• According to the guys at ShockTillYouDrop, Lionsgate is not interested in developing a sequel to Patrick Lussier's recent box office success "My Bloody Valentine 3-D." This is quite surprising, considering the film grossed $51 million domestically. In the end, not moving forward with a sequel may actually be the best decision.

• Toby Kebbell, who starred as the hilarious Johnny Quid in "RocknRolla," has joined the cast of Jon Turteltaub's upcoming adventure "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice," which is currently shooting. The film centers on an apprentice (Jay Baruchel) who is supposed to take care of a magic workshop when a sorcerer (Nicolas Cage) gives it to him. (Variety)

• Sofia Coppola's next film is titled "Somewhere," and it will star Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning, according to Variety. The movie follows an actor who lives an extravagant lifestyle at the Chateau Marmont until he gets an unexpected visit from his 11-year-old daughter. Coppola also directed the wonderful "Lost in Translation."

Chris Morgan confirms he’s writing ‘Wanted 2’

Rumors about a sequel to Timur Bekmambetov’s “Wanted” popped up months ago, but now we have some confirmation about where the project is currently heading.

In talking to MTV, screenwriter Chris Morgan said he’s gearing up to write the script for “Wanted 2.”

“Yes, I will be writing it,” Morgan said. “I’m actually leaving this conversation with you to go to a meeting with the director, Timur [Bekmambetov], and we’re talking about the story.”

Not much else is known about the follow-up at this point, except that Mark Millar, co-creator of the “Wanted” comic book series, will probably be involved with the project.

In September, Millar said in an interview that he would provide Universal with a basic idea for a story.

Considering most character died in the first film, it will be tough to put together an intriguing story, which will focus on main character Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy).

“That is the challenge here,” Morgan told MTV, “but the point is to continue the journey that Wes started in the first film.

So yeah, that’s pretty much where they are at now with the sequel. As soon as new information becomes available, we’ll let you know.

Mark Millar spills ‘Wanted 2’ details

Mark Millar, co-creator of the “Wanted” comic book series, recently talked to Newsarama about the sequel to Timur Bekmambetov’s summer action hit. The first film pulled $133.7 million domestically.

“What I will be doing is providing them with a very small amount of stuff for a story, and that will be used as a basic story that they can build from,” Millar said about his involvement in the follow-up to “Wanted.”

Click here to read what else he had to say about it.