The first trailer for director Dito Montiel’s (Fighting) new film Empire State has been released online, but despite the impressive lead cast, the film is actually skipping a theatrical release and going direct-to-DVD.  The crime drama stars Dwayne Johnson and Liam Hemsworth and is based on the true story of a 1982 NYC armored car company robbery that was thought to be the largest cash heist in U.S. history.  Hemsworth and Michael Angarano play two childhood friends who plan to rob an armored car depository, while Johnson plays the NYPD detective out to bring them down. The trailer doesn’t look that bad and Johnson has basically been box office steroids this year having opened three films at number one and another at number two (Snitch), so I’m not sure why Empire State was denied a theatrical release.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer.  The film also stars Emma Roberts, Nikki Reed, Chris Diamantopoulos, James Ransone, Shenae Grimes, and Jerry Ferrara.  Empire State will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on September 3rd.

The CW Network has renewed station standout The Vampire Diaries, along with fan-favorites Supernatural and 90210; all three series will return for the 2012-2013 season.  The Vampire Diaries, starring Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, returns for its fourth season.  The long-running Supernatural, starring Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles and Jim Beaver will kick-off its eighth season, while Beverly Hills socialites Shenae Grimes, Tristan Wilds and AnnaLynne McCord return for the fifth season of 90210. Hit the jump to read the press release.