As someone whose only firsthand experience with the Star Trek franchise comes by virtue of J.J. Abrams‘ two Trek films, I know I’m in over my head when the topic presents itself. When you mention Trek, you’re referencing (either directly or indirectly) a rich legacy filled with peaks and valleys, genre-defining characters and moments, and an international fanbase that rivals any of pop-culture’s most enduring titles. And yet here I am, with two films under my belt (both of which I enjoyed), talking about it. Obviously, I have nothing at stake with regards to Star Trek Into Darkness. Whether you like it or dislike it is of no consequence to me. My only aim today is to extend a humble word of caution to the Trek fans who have years of equity built-up in their beloved franchise: be careful not to dismiss or begrudge it solely because it’s trying to appeal to the largest possible audience. Abrams’ Trek films aren’t above reproach, but they also aren’t void of redeeming qualities. Try to at least acknowledge some of those qualities when tearing into them or risk coming off as someone whose real issue is that a bunch of people now enjoy this thing that you once considered yourself unique for liking.

All preachiness aside, this week’s Top 5 includes several interviews from Star Trek Into Darkness, rumors surrounding Christopher Nolan being approached to direct James Bond 24, the first trailers for Marvel’s new ABC series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., a new trailer for Guillermo Del Toro‘s Pacific Rim, and new photos and a video from the set of director Jose Padilha‘s RoboCop remake. If I haven’t lost you yet, a brief recap and link to each of the above can be found after the jump.

In the past, Christopher Nolan has expressed interest in directing a James Bond film.  Last summer, Nolan, a long-time fan of the series, said he was serious about the prospect, but added “It would have to be the right situation and the right time in their cycle of things.”  Although it is absolutely not the right time in their cycle of things, Daily Mail reports that there have been informal talks about directing James Bond 24 between Nolan and Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G .Wilson.  As you may recall, Broccoli and Wilson tried to get Skyfall director Sam Mendes to return, but he passed on the gig.  In March, we learned that MGM wanted a new Bond movie within 3 years, so the clock is ticking to get someone in the director’s chair.

The assumption that Nolan would direct Bond 24 is preposterous because Nolan is at work on Interstellar.  Pre-production is underway, roles have been cast, and a November 7, 2014 release date has been set.  Unless Nolan wants to piss off everyone at Paramount and Warner Bros (the studios behind Interstellar), he’s not doing Bond 24.  If there have been any informal talks, I believe they would be for James Bond 25.  That would be the smart, pro-active move, but right now the focus should be (and will be) on who’s doing the 24th film.

Interest is running high for Warner Bros.’ upcoming Superman film Man of Steel, and understandably so.  The most recent trailer turned even the most hardened cynics (mostly with regards to director Zack Snyder) into cautious optimists, and early buzz on the film is incredibly positive.  Producer Christopher Nolan’s influence is clearly felt within the pic’s more grounded and serious take on the character, and even though Snyder is the film’s director, many have posited that Nolan had a heavy hand in making the pic.  Nolan himself has previously stated that he was responsible for shepherding the film through development but took a more hands-off approach once actual filming began, and now star Henry Cavill has spoken up to note that Man of Steel is very much Zack Snyder’s film.

Hit the jump to see what Cavill had to say, and to check out some new images from the film courtesy of a couple of Man of Steel calendars.  The film opens in 3D on June 14th. 

Director Christopher Nolan is encountering a couple of firsts with his next film Interstellar.  Not only does it mark the filmmaker’s first venture into space-set sci-fi, but this will also be Nolan’s first film without cinematographer Wally Pfister since his debut feature Following.  His close collaborator is busy with his own directorial debut, Transcendence, and will no longer be working a director of photography.  As such, many were curious as to whom Nolan would enlist to shoot Interstellar given his meticulousness when it comes to pristine visuals.  Well, now word comes that the filmmaker has tapped Hoyte Van Hoytema to act as the cinematographer on Interstellar.  Hit the jump for more.

Christopher Nolan shot 28 minutes of The Dark Knight with IMAX cameras.  He followed with 72 minutes of IMAX footage for The Dark Knight Rises.  We learned with the release date announcement that his next project, Interstellar, is destined for IMAX.  At CinemaCon tonight, Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Entertainment, revealed Nolan will shoot a significant portion of Interstellar with IMAX cameras.  I imagine Nolan wants to test the limits of the technology and film as much of this “heroic interstellar voyage to the furthest reaches of our scientific understanding” as possible in his ideal format.  We will see if he can push it to 100 minutes or more this time around and—fingers crossed—shoot an entire feature film in IMAX in the near future.

In addition, IMAX announced Michael Bay will shoot selected scenes in Transformers 4 in IMAX.  This is all part of Paramount’s five-picture deal with IMAX—the three remaining titles have yet to be announced.  Hit the jump for the press release with the details.

Warner Bros. has a potential goldmine with the DC Comics license, but their attempts at moving forward on superhero projects have stalled.  Films featuring The Flash and Wonder Woman are stuck in development hell, and the recent script for Justice League had to be scrapped.  So it’s all going to fall on the broad shoulders of Superman.  In a recent interview, Warner Bros. president Jeff Robinov says that Zack Snyder‘s Man of Steel is “setting the tone for what the movies are going to be like going forward. In that, it’s definitely a first step.”

Hit the jump for more including a dismissal of a recent rumor regarding Christopher Nolan and Justice League.

Last week, we reported that Matthew McConaughey was circling Christopher Nolan‘s upcoming sci-fi film, Interstellar.  Nothing is known about the film other than it’s “a heroic interstellar voyage to the furthest reaches of our scientific understanding.”  Today, the Star Tribune (via CHUD) reports that McConaughey told them, “I’m confirming.”  He wouldn’t say anything beyond that, and I’m sure all of the actors who sign on will have the super-strict NDAs that come with joining a Nolan project.

McConaughey has entered a new phase in his career where he’s taking challenging and interesting roles, and I’m excited to see what he’ll bring to the project.  The actor is currently filming the HBO anthology drama series True Detective with Woody Harrelson, and recently wrapped shooting on the AIDS drama, The Dallas Buyers Club.  He’ll next be seen in theaters turning in another great performance in Jeff Nichols‘ Mud.  Interstellar opens on November 7, 2014.  Filming is set to begin this summer.

Alright, alright, alright.  As Christopher Nolan brought his Batman trilogy to a close last summer with the release of The Dark Knight Rises, interest then turned to what Nolan would choose as his next project.  We finally learned in January that Nolan had settled on the ambitious sci-fi film Interstellar as his next directorial outing, and now it appears that he’s decided on who he wants as his lead: none other than Mr. Matthew McConaughey.  Hit the jump for more.

While this summer is loaded with huge movies like Iron Man 3, Fast and Furious 6, Pacific Rim, Star Trek Into Darkness, World War Z, White House Down, and so many others, the one at the top of my list is Zack Snyder‘s Man of Steel.  Written by Davis S. Goyer and produced by Christopher Nolan, I really believe this is the Superman film we’ve been waiting for and everything I’ve seen and learned tells me it’s going to be one hell of a ride.  In addition, I’ve spoken to a few people that have seen the film and everyone is raving.  June 14th cannot arrive soon enough.

This morning I got to speak with Goyer for his new Starz show Da Vinci’s Demons, which premieres April 12.  While I’ll have the full interview online soon, I wanted to share what he said about Man of Steel today.  Since I knew going in he wouldn’t be able to say much about the movie, I asked how he got involved with the project and his reaction to seeing the finished film.  Hit the jump for more.

I realize that it’s a little too March to be discussing my favorite holiday gifts, but I only recently had the opportunity to dive into one of mine and, as a result, I feel the need to share it’s greatness with our readers. The ESPN 30 for 30 Collector’s Set Blu-ray is an outstanding collection of sports documentaries that is rife with social commentary and almost sure to have something for sports and/or documentary fans alike. Before I get accused of paid programming, I’ll disclaim that all thirty of its films aren’t home runs (that’s right, a sports pun). Moreover, I’m fairly sure that all of the series’ entries are available to watch instantly on Netflix right now making the physical collection redundant for some. Regardless of how you partake, I encourage you to sift through the series, find a topic that interests you, and give it a shot.

All recommendations aside, this week’s Top 5 features a healthy portion of Iron Man 3 coverage (including the new trailer), Oz the Great and Powerful interviews with Sam Raimi, James Franco, Mila Kunis, and more, the first trailer for The Hangover Part III, a sizable Justice League movie rumor, and the new trailer and poster for Will Smith and Jaden Smith‘s After Earth. As you may be expecting, a brief recap and link for each of the above waits after the jump.

When last we reported on the sci-fi flick Interstellar, it was to tell you that Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight trilogy) would be re-writing brother Jonathan Nolan’s script and was circling the director’s chair.  Now, Christopher Nolan has been confirmed as a director, but his partnership with brother Jonathan isn’t the biggest team-up news.  In a rare bit of cooperation by major studios, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. will team up to co-produce; Paramount will handle domestic distribution while WB goes international.  Legendary Pictures will not be involved, despite having backed The Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception.  Few plot details are available for the film, but it’s said to “depict a heroic interstellar voyage to the furthest reaches of our scientific understanding.”  We do know, however, that Interstellar is now slated for a November 7, 2014 release in IMAX.  Hit the jump for more.

The guys over at Latino-Review have decided to spend this fine evening dropping an atomic-bomb-level rumor that will send fanboys into a tizzy.  The site is reporting three major developments when it comes to Justice League and Warner Bros. trying to figure out how they’re going to combat Disney’s one-two franchise punch of Marvel and Star Wars.  So far, Warners has been struggling with their superheroes.  They’re all out of Batman, and while there’s some very early positive buzz on Man of Steel, their highly-anticipated Justice League movie reportedly had to go back to square one early last month when Will Beale‘s script was tossed out.

But Warner Bros. isn’t giving up, and according to Latino-Review, Christopher Nolan is coming to the rescue.  And so is Zack Snyder.  And they want Christian Bale to put the cape and cowl back on.  Hit the jump for more.

For proof that 2012 was a nutty year for awards contenders, look no further than the Best Director category.  Over the past few days, we’ve been looking back how the ebbs and flows of the past 12 months have shaped the awards race in a number of categories, and one of the most dynamic shifts came with Best Director.  After the jump, we run down how the race for Oscar glory progressed over the past few months to give us the five nominees who will be vying for the gold on Oscar Sunday.  Hit the jump to read on.

First films are often a filmmaker’s worst movie, as they seem to be learning their craft as the film goes on.  That said, they can also be instructive once they have a body of work, as you can often see the seeds of their future work embedded within.  And though Christopher Nolan’s Following is one of his weakest efforts, all things considered, it’s still indicative of a talent that would emerge.  Where in 1998 Nolan’s film may have come across as a clever but small riff on Pulp Fiction and the genre of crime films Tarantino helped launch, now you can see that Nolan was pretty on top of his game from the get go, even if his first film is a minor work.  Our review of the The Criterion Collection’s Blu-ray of Following follows after the jump.

After a tongue-in-cheek tacky movie, a clever casting twist with Michael Keaton, and a slow, nipple-suited downfall further plagued by the crack of Catwoman’s whip, Christopher Nolan reinvigorated Batman.  Fantastical absurdity was replaced with practical reality and the comic edges were smoothed until a bat hero almost seemed like a real-world possibility.  Now the final installation of the trilogy has hit shelves, and you can check out a review of The Dark Knight Rises Blu-ray after the jump.