Universal Pictures has released first trailer for director Robert Schwentke’s (Red) adaptation of the Dark Horse comic R.I.P.D.  The supernatural actioner stars Ryan Reynolds as a newly deceased cop who joins a group of undead officers in the “Rest In Peace Department” to help combat a rising force of nefarious corpses.  The trailer has a very strong Men in Black vibe, as Reynolds’ “new to death” rookie is introduced to this new supernatural world by his partner, a colorful veteran R.I.P.D. member played by Jeff Bridges.  There’s a nice mix of humor and action on display in this debut trailer, and the chemistry between Bridges and Reynolds—which one imagines is the make or break aspect of the film—looks quite promising.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer and see the new images.  The film also stars Kevin Bacon, Mary Louise-Parker, Stephanie Szostak, Marissa Miller, and James Hong.  R.I.P.D. opens in 3D on July 19th in the U.S. and on August 30th in the U.K.

Lionsgate has released a new 60-second TV spot for the action film Safe starring Jason Statham.  Going only by the TV spot, I’m not really sure what the plot is.  I think Statham has to protect a little girl because she knows something.  It’s the excuse for Statham’s character to beat people up, and I’m sure eventually we’ll reach the point where Statham’s movies are titled Jason Statham Kicky Punch Fun Time.

Hit the jump to check out the TV spot.  Safe opens April 27th.

A movie I’m really excited for is director Robert Schwentke’s (Red) adaptation of the graphic novel R.I.P.D. If you’re not familiar with it, the story centers on a cop who, after being killed in the line of duty, is recruited by a team of undead police officers to work for the “Rest In Piece Department.”  They try to keep other dead folks in line.  As the film progresses, he sets out to find the man that murdered him. Ryan Reynolds is attached to play said cop, while Jeff Bridges will play Reynolds’ partner, a seasoned veteran of the “R.I.P.D.” In addition, Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker, James Hong (Blade Runner) Mike O’Malley (Glee) and Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated model Marisa Miller co-star.

While I’d heard filming was set to begin in mid-September in Boston, it appears they did a bit of filming yesterday at Fenway Park.  I know this because Collider reader Mark sent in some footage.  While it’s only a short clip, it does show Marisa Miller and James Hong in costume.  Hit the jump for more.

Casting continues to take shape for director Robert Schwentke’s (Red) adaptation of Dark Horse Comics’ R.I.P.D.. Already starring Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon, Mary Louise-Parker, and Stephanie Szostak, the supernatural pic added Victoria’s Secret model Marisa Miller earlier today and has now landed James Hong (Blade Runner) and Mike O’Malley (Glee). For those unfamiliar with the project, R.I.P.D. centers on dead cops who work for the “Rest in Peace Department” where they are responsible for taking on stubborn spirits who aren’t quite ready to crossover.

According to Heat Vision, Hong will play a character named “Grandpa Chen,” Reynolds’ avatar and the person humans see when Reynolds is on the job. As for O’Malley, Empire reports that he will take on a smaller role as the “ghostly character” Elliot. R.I.P.D. is currently scheduled to hit theaters on June 28th, 2013.

Along with the teaser trailer and poster for Puss in Boots, DreamWorks Animation has released a new trailer and poster for their summer tentpole, Kung Fu Panda 2.  The new trailer for Kung Fu Panda kind of explains the plot, but also shows there really isn’t much of it: Po and the Furious Five go on a road trip to defeat a new villain.  Granted, Po is now a Kung Fu master, but that only seems to improve the movie in terms of the visuals.  As far as the humor and the characters, expect more slapstick and fat jokes.

Hit the jump to check out the new trailer and poster.  Kung Fu Panda 2 features the voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Gary Oldman, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Victor Garber.  It opens in 3D on May 26th.

DreamWorks Animation has announced that Jean Claude Van Damme (JCVD), Michelle Yeoh (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor), and Victor Garber (Alias) are joining the voice cast of Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom.  Last week we reported that Gary Oldman has also joined the cast.  Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, and Dustin Hoffman are set to reprise their roles from the original film.  Oldman is playing Lord Shen, a villainous peacock (that should be a band name but remove the “pea”) while Yeoh is playing a mystical goat named The Soothsayer.  Van Damme will play Master Croc and Garber will play Master Thundering Rhino.

Oldman voices the character of Lord Shen (a peacock), the film’s formidable new villain while Yeoh brings to life the mystical character of The Soothsayer (a goat). Van Damme and Garber round out the cast as Master Croc and Master Thundering Rhino, respectively.  The story will center on Po (Black) trying to find other pandas and his adventures along the way.

Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom is slated to hit theaters on May 27, 2011 and will be in 3D (per DreamWorks Animation’s mandate).

Roger Ebert once said that Bugs Bunny was the person we all wanted to be, and Daffy Duck was the person we really were. What makes Jack Burton such a great character is that thinks he’s Bugs Bunny, but is actually Daffy. And that’s one of the great jokes of Big Trouble in Little China, John Carpenter’s Kung-fu opus, and one of the most purely entertaining goofs ever made. My review after the jump.