The first trailer for director Stephen Sommers’ adaptation of the Dean Koontz novel Odd Thomas has made its way online.  The story centers on a short-order cook who can commune with the dead, with Anton Yelchin starring as the titular character.  It’s a uniquely “small” film for Sommers following the director’s previous tentpoles like Van Helsing, The Mummy, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, but he appears to be delving in similar territory as the more supernatural aspects of Odd Thomas are grounded by a healthy dose of humor and charisma from Yelchin.  The pic looks to strike a vibe similar to Men in Black or Beetlejuice, and it’s a bit too early to tell if it succeeds or not, but Yelchin’s starring turn sure is promising.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer.  The film also stars Willem Dafoe, Addison Timlin, Nico Tortorella, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Patton Oswalt.  Odd Thomas opens in theaters later this year.

Now that Michael Bay has wrapped his trilogy of Transformers films, it looks like he’s ready to move on to other exploding pastures. Since Paramount and Hasbro want to keep the fire burning on one of their biggest moneymakers, two major decisions lay ahead: when to release the next movie and who should direct it. Bay has been able to crank out Transformers film every two years since 2007, but his infrastructure, crew, and designs have remained in place as opposed to a new director who will, to some extent, have to start from scratch so as not to simply imitate Bay. Transformers 4 could come as early as summer 2013, but I would bet a summer 2014 date is more likely.

But who will direct it? Who can fill Bay’s expensive, nonsensical shoes? It needs to be someone who can manage a big budget and even bigger special effects. It’s not enough to make stuff blow up. You need to understand how to do it properly. After the jump you can check out my suggestions for six directors who could handle Optimus Prime and Friends.

As Cannes roles on, more deals are being made, and that means there’s new casting new announce.  First up, Variety reports that Maggie Gyllenhaal will star in the supernatural thriller Voice from the Stone.  Directed by Eric Howell and based off the Italian novel, Le Voce Della Pietra, the story has Gyllenhaal playing “a nurse drawn to the aid of a young boy who is haunted by malevolent forces within the walls of an old house in the Italian countryside. As she develops a relationship with the father of the boy, she also becomes haunted by the same evil presence and must fight to save herself and the boy.”  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Don’t help haunted children.  Gyllenhaal is currently filming the drama Still I Rise with Viola Davis and she’s attached to star in Hysteria opposite Hugh Dancy, and a biopic of musician Bill Monroe.

Hit the jump for awful casting news regarding Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

Stephen Sommers’ Odd Thomas continues to round up an impressive cast despite being based on a Dean Koontz novel.  The film stars Anton Yelchin the eponymous character who is able to see and partially communicate with the dead.  In addition to rising stars Addison Timlin (Californication) and Nico Tortorella (Scream 4), Willem Dafoe is in talks to join and now Variety reports that Patton Oswalt “will play Oswald “Ozzie” P. Boone, an eccentric artist who designs sculptures, including a steel pendant that the titular clairvoyant hero wears around his neck.”  Production on Odd Thomas is slated to begin next month in New Mexico.

Oswalt will be seen in theaters later this year in Jason Reitman’s Young Adult and the comedy A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas.  He’s also recording a new CD/DVD/Showtime special on May 14th in Seattle.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of Odd Thomas.

We’ve got a couple of casting stories for you this evening. First up, Kevin Durand (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) has joined the cast of David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis. The film stars Robert Pattinson as a newlywed billionaire who loses his his entire fortune (not to mention his blushing new bride) over the course of one really bad day. Variety reports that Durand will play Pattinson’s chief security officer. The cast now includes Pattinson, Jay Baruchel, Samantha Morton, Juliette Binoche, Paul Giamatti, Mathieu Amalric and Sarah Gadon.

Next up, Scream 4 star Nico Tortorella is in talks to join Stephen Sommers’ (The Mummy) adaptation of Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas as the villain. The story centers on a short-order cook who can commune with the dead. Anton Yelchin is set to play the protagonist, with Willem Dafoe poised to play the local police chief who is in on the cook’s secret. Heat Vision reports that Tortorella would play an officer under Dafoe’s character who is secretly “a member of a Satanic cult bent on destroying the town.” Addison Timlin is poised to play Yelchin’s girlfriend. Hit the jump for a synopsis of the book.

We’ve got a couple of casting stories for you today, both involving adaptations of books. First up, Variety reports that Tobey Maguire is re-teaming with director Ang Lee for his adaptation of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi. The story centers on a boy named Pi who gets stranded for 227 days with a tiger. Maguire will play the man who interviews the adult Pi about his experience. The cast for the 3D film now includes newcomer Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan (In Treatment), Adil Hussain (Calendar Girls), and Gerard Depardieu. The film is slated for a December 14^th, 2012 release.

Additionally, Willem Dafoe is in talks to join director Stephen Sommers’ (The Mummy) adaptation of the Dean Koontz supernatural thriller Odd Thomas. The film centers on a short-order cook who can commune with the dead. Heat Vision reports that Dafoe is in talks to play a local police chief. Anton Yelchin and Addison Timlin are poised to star in the film. Shooting is set to start in New Mexico later this spring. Hit the jump for a synopsis of both Life of Pi and Odd Thomas.

Lily Collins was poised to land the female lead in the feature adaptation of Dean Koontz novel Odd Thomas.  In the days since the report, with the upcoming shoot of The Mortal Instruments to still fresh on her mind, Collins was cast as Snow White in The Brothers Grimm: Snow White. And so director Stephen Sommers (G.I. Joe) must look elsewhere for his Stormy Llewellyn.

Variety reports that Addison Timlin (Californication) has emerged from a shortlist that also includes Emma Roberts, Kat Dennings, and Portia Doubleday in addition to Collins.  Stormy is the girlfriend of the titular Thomas (Anton Yelchin), “a short-order cook with clairvoyant abilities who encounters a mysterious man with a link to dark, threatening forces.”  The story is set in a California desert town; Odd Thomas will shoot in Santa Fe, New Mexico with a May 2 start date.  Read the book synopsis after the jump.

Lily Collins (The Blind Side) is the frontrunner to play Stormy Llewellyn in a feature adaptation of the Dean Koontz novel Odd Thomas.  Variety reports that Collins has emerged from a shortlist for the role that also included Emma Roberts, Kat Dennings, Portia Doubleday, and Addison Timlin.  Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) stars as Thomas, “a short-order cook with clairvoyant abilities who encounters a mysterious man with a link to dark, threatening forces.”  The story is set in a California desert town; Odd Thomas will shoot in Santa Fe, New Mexico in May under the direction of Stephen Sommers (G.I. Joe).

Read the book synopsis after the jump.

Anton Yelchin is set to star in the adaptation of Dean Koontz’ Odd Thomas.  Directed by Stephen Sommers (The Mummy), the book centers “Odd Thomas”, a young man who is able to see and partially communicate with the dead.  Thomas can speak to the ghosts but they can’t speak to him.  There have been four Odd Thomas books since 2003 plus a graphic novel prequel.  Bloody Disgusting doesn’t specify if Sommers’ adaptation will pull from all the novels or only from the first book.

Hit the jump for a synopsis of Odd Thomas.  Yelchin will next be seen in Jodie Foster’s The Beaver and in Craig Gillespie’s 3D remake of Fright Night.

Last August, we reported that director Stephen Sommers would return to helm the sequel to the dumb-yet-enjoyable G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.  Unfortunately, 24 Frames is now reporting that Sommers, who supported the arguably poor decision to not screen the film for critics, is off the project.  That’s a shame, because I think G.I. Joe understood what it was and the whole experience felt like a kid playing with gigantic playsets and action figures, which is appropriate considering the film is based on a toyline.  I spoke with other critics who also enjoyed the movie and while the original did a solid job at the box office, it shouldn’t have hidden itself away and subjected itself to negative speculation and rumors.

I’m curious to see what tack the sequel will take with Zombieland screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick penning the script.  24 Frames reports that Paramount is currently approaching other filmmakers to direct.

Last summer’s G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra was a fun ride that knew exactly what it was aiming for and managed to hit every mark.  Much of that was thanks to director Stephen Sommers, who brought a childlike enthusiasm to the set every day.  Now, despite rumors that a rift might have formed between Paramount and the adventure-loving director, The Wrap reports that Sommers has signed on to direct the sequel to Joe — if you enjoyed the first, you will have a lot to look forward to.

For those that didn’t quite enjoy the first film as much as they hoped, join me after the break to find out why you may want to get on board this time around.

While some didn’t think much of director Stephen Sommers G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, I had a blast watching the cartoon come to life, because that’s what it was.  Nothing more, nothing less.  And the people that understood that, well, they had a blast watching all their favorite characters on the big screen.

And even though some might think the film wasn’t profitable, the fact is The Rise of Cobra made over $300 million at the worldwide box office and I’m sure it helped to sell a lot of toys.  What I’m trying to say is, this film made people money, and when that happens, you get sequels!

More after the jump…including a MAJOR UPDATE:

The original toy line hit shelves in the early 1960′s, intended to be for boys what the Barbie doll was for girls. And now, G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA has come out, based on a true toy line. It’s fascinating to see how times have changed so much that source material, toys, can inspire a movie, which itself spawns new merchandising like more toys. Is this for men what G.I. Joe is for boys? My full review is after the jump.

With “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” getting released this Friday, it’s time for my last interview and it’s with Rachel Nichols (Scarlett) and Sienna Miller (Baroness). The interview was done a few days ago at the New York City press junket and we talked about PSA’s, what they think about the posters, their fight scenes, working with director Stephen Sommers, and touring the world to help promote the movie. Take a look after the jump:

A few days ago I attended the New York City press junket for “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”. While there, I got to speak with some of the cast, director Stephen Sommers and producer Lorenzo de Bonaventura. While I’ve already spoken to Lorenzo a lot about “G.I. Joe” and “Transformers“, you can never go wrong asking a few more questions as he producers a lot of other movies.

So after the first few questions on “G.I. Joe” and “Giant Robots That Like to Punch Each Other in the Face”, I asked him about some of his upcoming projects and he told me the status on Jack Ryan, “Red”, and also why he wanted to make an “Asteroids” movie. Take a look after the jump: