Good news for fans of the long-running legacy of Dick Wolf, the mad who has brought us countess episodes of crime drama, mostly through various Law & Order series. NBC has given a fourteenth season order to Law & Order: SVU, which means we’ll get plenty more crime drama with big name guest stars (easily the best part of the series) committing violent crimes across the board. In addition, for those who may not be fans of justice in the form of Law & Order, there’s a new series coming from Wolf which you can read more about after the jump.

The trailer for Xavier Gens’ indie horror flick The Divide has gone online.  The plot centers on a handful of apartment residents who witness a nuclear attack outside their window and take shelter in the building’s basement.  However, they soon have to contend with human threats both external and internal.  Bill found the film effectively dark but a little too draining and limited by its budget.  Outside of Bill’s review, I heard somewhat negative reactions to the film, but the trailer makes it look pretty good (aside from the single-tear shot at the beginning).  The movie also looks like it will be a nice reminder that Michael Biehn should not be kept in confined spaces.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer.  The film stars Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Biehn, Rosanna Arquette, Courtney B. Vance, and Lauren German.  The Divide opens January 13, 2012.

What hasn’t been explored in the post-apocalyptic genre before? Ponder that before you jump into another film in that genre and you will realize how hard writers and directors have to work to just make something memorable. Luckily for The Divide, making a memorable experience is something they have achieved. The question is, will you want to remember your experience? That’s exactly what I thought over after leaving the basement of a bar where the screening too place last Friday in San Diego. Hit the jump for my full review.

As we reported earlier today, the fourth Mission: Impossible will be a reboot of sorts for the series.  While the film won’t be team-based, that doesn’t mean there’s no room for a young female operative.  Deadline reports that actresses Lauren German (Happy Town), Paula Patton (Precious), and Kristin Kreuk (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li) have all tested for the part.  Tom Cruise will star alongside Jeremy Renner.  Ving Rhames is set to return and Simon Pegg is in talks to reprise his role as Benji Dunn.  Paramount also reportedly met with Swedish actress Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), but it’s unknown whether it was for the role of the female operative or a different part.  The new Mission: Impossible film comes out December 16, 2011.

Hit the jump for casting news regarding John Cusack in The Raven and Ari Graynor in The Sitter.

If you’re wondering why there’s been so much casting news lately (I’m sure it’s plaguing your every thought), it’s because of all the deal-making going on at the Cannes Film Festival.  So here are three more deals: Stanley Tucci and Carla Gugino have joined Kevin Spacey and Zachary Quinto in Margin Call; Lauren German, Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Biehn and Rosanna Arquette have signed up for The Divide; and Pierce Brosnan, Billy Bob Thornton, Maria Bello, and Giovanni Ribisi are on board for St. Vincent.  Hit the jump for details on all three films.

Actor Thomas Jane, of TV’s “Hung” and “Punisher” fame, stars in and makes his directorial debut with the stylistic horror thriller “Dark Country”, which arrives on DVD this October 6 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The film tells the suspenseful, twisted tale of newlyweds who make the regrettable decision of rescuing a sinister car crash survivor known only as “Bloody Face.” The movie’s unique visual flourishes belie the fact that it’s the work of a first time director, while its strong performances, notably from the sexy Lauren German (“Hostel: Part II”), serve as yet another reminder that an actor has no better friend behind the camera than the actor/director.

Hit the jump to read about journeyman actor Jane talking about his new journey into directing, the surprising big name star he called up for advice on directing yourself, and working with fanboy favorite and friend Ron Perlman.