The Gael Garcia Bernalabsurd sequel/reboot to “Zorro” is picking up steam. Variety is reporting that Gael Garcia Bernal (right) (“Motorcycle Diaries”) has been cast as the titular character in “Zorro Reborn.” Ricardo de Montreuil (the less than stellar short film “Raven”) is close to being signed on as the director, and I couldn’t be less thrilled. Not only is the main actor NOT Antonio Banderas, and doesn’t come close to having his charm, but the director doesn’t seem like he would be capable of carrying a film like this. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where Zorro is hell bent on getting revenge against an evil tyrant and his gang of mercenaries (doesn’t sounds like Zorro to me). “The Book of Eli” did something similar already so I think it’s a bit to soon for another one of these movies, especially if they are trying to pass it off as “Zorro.” Before you know it the Mexican hero will be fighting dinosaurs in space and traveling through time. Give me a break.

“Chronicle 2” is already getting under way. Fox has hired “Chronicle” scribe Max Landis to pen the sequel, and possible plot points are being tossed around. If you saw the film you know that some people didn’t make it, some people turned evil, and some people went to Tibet. Well, Deadline has learned that Fox wants to make this a direct sequel, which would imply certain characters that we thought we were done with might be making a re-appearance. As us comic book geeks know anyone who dies is not actually dead. When it comes to the fantasy genre anything and everything is possible, and chances are we will find out that part of their power gives them Wolverine’s ability to instantly heal any and all wounds. I am actually looking forward more to the sequel than I was the original. Hopefully they go with a more stationary form of cinematography, unless they can somehow justify the kids running around with cameras again. “Chronicle” director Josh Trank has not committed yet to the project, but my guess is within the next few months he will sign on that dotted line for a fat payday.

Director Nimrod Antal (“Armored”) has been hired by an unlikely group. Legendary rock band Metallica has tapped Nimrod (awesome name?) to direct their 3D feature film. I have no idea why a movie about a band needs to be in 3D, but I guess the saying now-a-days is “Why isn’t it in 3D?” According to CinemaBlend, the project will be a blend of narrative and concert footage, and will star James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo. I have no idea why the band feels they need to make their own bio-pic/documentary, but I guess since Scorsese did one for the Rolling Stones they must have felt like it was their turn. Metallica is one of the founding four of thrash metal along with Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax, and has sold over 100 million albums in their career. With a rock band like this I’m sure the story will write itself.

Gore obsessed Alexandre Aja (“Piranha 3D”) has set his sights on a comic book adaptation. Deadline is reporting that Aja will direct an adaptation of the Image Comics title “Undying Love.” The story is set in modern day Hong Kong and centers on an ex-soldier who strikes up a relationship with a Chinese girl who turns out to be a vampire. The protagonist learns that the only way he can be with his love is to defeat her vampire creator, who just so happens to be one of the most powerful creatures in history (hmmm…Dracula?) and is surrounded by an army of monsters. I am excited to see a vampire movie that doesn’t have glittery whiney teenagers and weird vampire fetuses. Aja will be right at home in a violent, gritty, gorey, horror genre, and he can deliver some intense action when the time calls for it. This is a movie that NEEDS to be made. The world needs to be reminded that vampires are meant to be feared, not laughed at.

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