Like all of you, I’m a huge fan of Guillermo del Toro.  I think he’s one of the best directors working in the business, and watching him struggle to get a film made the past few years has been awful (he last directed 2008′s Hellboy II: The Golden Army).  However, the long wait is finally over.  On July 12th, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures will release Pacific Rim, and I couldn’t be more excited to see it.

Last year when del Toro and his team were filming in Toronto, I got to visit the set with a few other online reporters.  During a break in filming, del Toro sat down with us for an extended interview.  During a wide- ranging conversation, he talked about how the project came together, how the script changed along the way, the world of Pacific Rim, the MPAA, the monsters and the robots, the visual style, and so much more.  If you’re a fan of del Toro, you’ll love what he had to say.  Hit the jump for more.

After Emma Stone (The Amazing Spider-Man) departed Guillermo del Toro’s haunted house story Crimson Peak last month, Mia Wasikowska (Stoker) is now in talks to replace her.  Stone cited scheduling issues for her departure from the film, which also stars Jessica Chastain, Benedict Cumberbatch and Charlie Hunnam.  If Wasikowska’s own schedule works out, she would play “a young author named Edith Cushing who discovers that her charming new husband is not who he appears to be,” according to The Wrap.  Hunnam will play another lead while Cumberbatch and Chastain star as aristocratic siblings.  Crimson Peak is expected to begin production early next year.

Most of the time, if there’s some sort of tie-in prequel material, it’s just an easy cash-in from the studio.  But the upcoming Pacific Rim prequel graphic novel, Pacific Rim: Tales from Year Zero will probably be a must-buy for fans of the movie or those excited for the monsters-vs-robots picture.  Year Zero was written by Pacific Rim co-writer Travis Beacham and overseen by co-writer/director Guillermo Del Toro.  This graphic novel is straight from the filmmakers.

Last week, I got to do a phone interview with Beacham about the book.  We talked about how it related to the development of the script, providing backstories to the characters and the world, the possibility of more Pacific Rim graphic novels, how they might relate to Pacific Rim 2, and much more.  Hit the jump to check out the interview.  Pacific Rim: Tales from Year Zero will be released on June 18th.  Click here to pre-order it.  Pacific Rim opens in 3D on July 12th.

“The action in the movie is what you would have dreamt to see when you were eleven years old.”  That’s Guillermo del Toro’s sales pitch in the opening of a new featurette for Pacific Rim.  It’s important to note that Del Toro has about $200 million from Warner Bros. to make those dreams come true.  The story follows the pilots who control giant robots (called Jaegers) to fight off giant sea monsters.  This featurette takes you inside the head of the Jaeger where the pilots strap in to go into battle.  Del Toro wanted to achieve as much as possible with practical effects—he compares the resulting four-story set as both a “little amusement park simulator” and a “torture machine” for the actors.

Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day and Ron Perlman star.  Pacific Rim opens July 12.  Watch the featurette after the jump.

We’ve got 15 new images from Guillermo del Toro’s summer extravaganza Pacific Rim.  There are shots of the stars in uniform aboard their giant robotic fighting Jaegers, plus some behind-the-scenes images of del Toro himself along with cinematographer Guillermo Navarro.  There’s also some concept art for both the Jaegers and their monstrous opponents, the Kaiju.  Hit the jump to check out the images.

The film stars Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day and Ron Perlman.  Pacific Rim opens in 3D on July 12th.

Two more images have been released from Guillermo Del Toro‘s Pacific Rim, and this time the monsters are getting their due.  The story is kicked off by the emergence of monsters (known as Kaiju) who start a war that devastates humanity.  To fight back, humans build giant robots (known as Jaegers) that are controlled by two pilots.  Most of the marketing so far has focused on the robots, so I’m glad a little love is being thrown towards the monsters (even though they’re the bad guys).  They look cool, and Del Toro has explained how he has used each one to provide a different kind of aesthetic for each fight.

Hit the jump to check out the images, and how one fight will evoke Wagner and Goya.  The film stars Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, and Ron Perlman.  Pacific Rim opens in 3D on July 12th.

The techno-speak in Guillermo del Toro’s giant robot movie Pacific Rim might take a bit of getting used to, so the director has put together this new featurette that explains some of the terms.  Ever wanted to know why it takes two people to pilot a Jaeger?  Want to know what a “neural handshake” is or what “drift space” means?  Check out the new video to find out!

The new featurette, introduced by del Toro, features Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Robert Kazinsky and Max Martini.  Hit the jump to watch it.  Pacific Rim opens July 12th.

A couple of updates out of the camp of FX pilots.  Unfortunately, it looks like Oscar-winning director Ang Lee will be tapping out of production on the drama pilot Tyrant, citing exhaustion from filming and promoting Life of Pi.  The story centers on an unassuming American family drawn into the workings of a turbulent Middle East nation; Tyrant’s pilot may be shooting in Morocco.  The search for a replacement is currently underway.

For more on what Lee had to say about his departure from the project and for casting information on Guillermo del Toro’s FX pilot, The Strain, hit the jump.

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.

Saturday at the Los Angeles Times Hero Complex Festival, Guillermo del Toro was on hand to discuss his two greatest and most personal films: The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth. During the far-reaching conversation Del Toro gave updates on the currently in development Justice League Dark and the status of his HBO series Monster (based on the Japanese manga by author Naoki Urasawa).

On Justice League Dark, Del Toro revealed that his script features Constantine, The Swamp Thing, Madame Xanadu, Deadman and Zantanna as the team. He stated that there are other characters in the mix too (“everybody that doesn’t feel like a repeat”) – but any additional info would be too ‘spoilery’ for the hypothetical film.  However Del Toro is still waiting for the go-ahead from Warner Brothers (perhaps box-office returns on Man of Steel and Pacific Rim will dictate it’s fate). Per Del Toro “If they [Warners] like the [script], I’ll do it; if not…” For additional highlights from the Q&A including an update on Monster and an all new trailer for his summer tent-pole robots-vs.-monsters flick Pacific Rim, hit the jump.

Marvel makes it look easy. That’s what kept running through my head while watching Iron Man 3 Thursday night. Pumping out one solid standalone film after another with the overall goal of creating a whole that is equally, if not more, entertaining than its formidable parts can’t be that easy. And yet, Marvel makes it seem that way. In a medium outside of their native reach no less. Granted, Iron Man 3 isn’t without its flaws. But it doesn’t have to be. It succeeds on the exact level it’s meant to: in moving both the individual character and universal stories ahead in an entertaining and logical way. If “Marvel makes it looks easy” was my primary takeaway from IM3, “DC has their work cut out for them” isn’t far behind.

But enough Marvel love for one opening paragraph. In this week’s Top 5 we’ve got Iron Man 3 interviews with director Shane Black and more, a video blog review for Star Trek Into Darkness, the Pacific Rim trailer from WonderCon, Fox’s courting of Michael B. Jordan the the role of Human Torch in its upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, and the new trailer for Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx‘s White House Down. A brief recap and link to each is a “Continue Reading” click away.

If you thought the most recent banner and theatrical poster for Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim were epic-looking, hold on to your hats, folks.  Warner Bros. has unveiled a “super banner” for the film, and it gives a bird’s eye view of the massive level of size and destruction of the film’s Kaiju and Jaegers.  For those unfamiliar, the film’s story is kicked off by the emergence of monsters (known as Kaiju) who start a war that devastates humanity.  To fight back, the humans build giant robots (known as Jaegers) that are controlled by two pilots.  This “super banner” will supposedly go up in theaters across the country, and I can’t wait to get a look at it up close.

Hit the jump to take a look at the super banner in full.  The film stars Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Clifton Collins Jr., Idris Elba, and Ron Perlman.  Pacific Rim opens in 3D on July 12th.

Pacific Rim owes a great debt to Japan.  Director Guillermo del Toro‘s upcoming film draws from the country’s monster movies and manga, and in a new Japanese trailer, del Toro acknowledges these influences.  Pacific Rim doesn’t look like a homage as much as it appears to simply be the loving offspring of some of Japan’s most beloved entertainment.  There’s also some new footage lurking about in the trailer, so that’s worth checking out as well.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film stars Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Clifton Collins Jr., Idris Elba, and Ron Perlman.  Pacific Rim opens in 3D on July 12th.

Guillermo del Toro‘s Pacific Rim had a presentation at this year’s WonderCon, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.  They showed off plenty of new footage in a new trailer for the upcoming giant-monsters-vs-giant-robots flick, and now that trailer has landed online.  As Charlie Day‘s character says, it’s “2,500 tons of awesome.”  The new trailer provides a lot more info on the story, but it’s the visuals that will really blow people away.  I felt bad watching it on my computer monitor because this is a movie that clearly demands to be seen in theaters.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film also stars Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Clifton Collins Jr., Idris Elba, and Ron Perlman.  Pacific Rim opens in 3D on July 12th.

The first bit of casting news for Guillermo del Toro’s FX series project, The Strain, is finally here!  It looks like Corey Stoll (House of Cards) will lead the vampire adaptation.  The Strain centers on a team of scientists who wage war against an ancient strain of virus that confers vampirism, along with those it infects.  Del Toro and Chuck Hogan - who both wrote the original trilogy of novels – have co-written the screenplay which del Toro will direct.  Hit the jump for more.