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Universal Pictures has acquired "Criminal Macabre", the Dark Horse Entertainment comic book mini-series created by Steve Niles. Dark Horse's Mike Richardson will produce with Neal Moritz and his Original Film banner. Kyle Ward is set to write the script.

The newest deal on the horizon is a live action adaptation of the terrifying Electronic Arts vidgame "Deadspace", which is fast coming together as a scifi-horror film property that will be developed by D.J. Caruso, director of "Eagle Eye" and “Disturbia”. EA will produce the film with Temple Hill partners Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey.

In its biggest development deal to date, AMC has acquired the rights to Robert Kirkman's popular comic book "The Walking Dead" for a potential series. Frank Darabont is on board to write, direct and exec produce the project, with Gale Anne Hurd of Valhalla Pictures and David Alpert of Circle of Confusion also executive producing.

This year's 17th issue of Shueisha's You magazine has revealed that a live-action television drama series of Satoru Makimura's Real Clothes fashion manga has been green-lit for an October premiere. Last September, the model and actress Karina played Kinue in a live-action television drama special. More details about the new drama series version will be announced in future issue of You magazine.

"Star Trek" writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman penned the screenplay for "Cowboys and Aliens", and recently told Sci Fi Wire that after months of deliberations and drafts, the script is finally turned in. "We're just literally waiting to hear if they hate it or what", Orci said regarding feedback on the script. "We're waiting to hear from the principals. We try not to turn it in until we think it's ready. Obviously, there are always things you can improve". Even prospective star Robert Downey Jr. will have a chance to read the story, despite previously expressing uncertainty about his involvement in the film.

Paramount's vice chairman, Rob Moore, confirmed that a sequel will soon go into development. The film's lead actors are contractually obligated to return for another film, though director Stephen Sommers is not.

Actor Edward James Olmos said of his future plans that he will be joining Michel Gondry's "The Green Hornet". "I'm on my way to do 'The Green Hornet' - Olmos told - It'll be a lot of fun with Seth [Rogen], Nicolas Cage and Cameron Diaz". No mention on the size of the role or what character. "The Green Hornet" will allso star Taiwanese actor Jay Chou, who was just announced as Stephen Chow's replacement as sidekick Kato.

According to several studio executives, none other than Steven Spielberg is in negotiations with Microsoft to develop and produce a movie based on the script of Stuart Beattie entitled Halo: The Fall of Reach. "Spielberg is blown away by writer Stuart Beattie's take on the game. This coupled with the fact that his Dreamworks umbrella is looking for a big tent pole to help launch their newly independant studio with distribution over at Walt Disney Pictures after losing Transformers to Paramount in the separation, it's the perfect combination".

Joe Gazzam has been tapped to write the screenplay centering on the character that was immortalized by Jane Fonda in the 1968 original. Robert Luketic is attached to direct the sci-fi action-adventure, with original producer Dino De Laurentiis on board to produce the update along with his wife, Martha De Laurentiis. The new take on the iconic character will not be campy, though it will keep the sexuality; there will be seductions, but the focus will be on the adventure. The project is not set up at any studio, though De Laurentiis duo plans on shopping it when the script is in shape. Lorenzo De Maio is overseeing.

The New DARNA TV Series US Broadcast debuts on August 12, 2009 Wednesday on GMA Pinoy TV. Darna will air weeknights, each episode is approximately one half an hour long and will have two encore presentations each day, and on Saturdays there will be a mini-marathon of all the episodes that aired during the week (5 episodes). Unlike the 2005 tv series that introduced mostly brand new villains and focused on her untold history from the Planet Marte, the new series will introduce her classic golden/silver age villains in their "Modern Age" versions: Valentina (the "goddess of Serpents"), Roma (the half human/half demon), Babaeng Linta (the leech woman), Babaeng Tuod (a monstrous wood elemental), Babaeng Lawin (the hawk-woman).

The 36-year-old actor/musician Shinji Takeda will play the title role in the live-action film adaptation of Hiroshi Muto Kyo kara Hitman crime action manga. Kenji Yokoi is directing the film for release this fall. Takeda (Cromartie High - The Movie's Mechazawa) plays an ordinary salaryman who is forced to replace a legendary hitman. As a saxophone player, Takeda is also composing, arranging, and performing the film's theme song, "The Hitman".

Mandeville Films and Top Cow Prods. are developing a feature version of Top Cow's comicbook "Alibi", with Mandeville toppers David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman producing. Deal's aimed at replicating the success of "Wanted". Top Cow CEO and founder Marc Silvestri will exec produce the feature project along with Mandeville president Matt Hawkins and VP David Manpearl.