The Morning Roundup: Raging Wolverine, Bulging Stallone, Charming Michael Cera

Written by: Mike Leader, Special to CC2K

This morning we've got news about X-men Origins: Wolverine, Stallone's next big all-star action flick, and Michael Cera's new film. Also, news and tidbits from all other corners of the pop-culture world. Diversify – it's the morning roundup!

– After moderate success with the modern installments of his Rambo and Rocky series, Sylvester Stallone is aiming to rejuvenate the action genre as a whole. And he's bringing some friends with him. The Expendables is about a bunch of mercs let loose in South America, kicking some dictator ass. Sounds like a prime 80s action flick set up. What's more, the cast is filled with muscle: Sly, Jason Statham, Jet Li and, just announced, Dolph Lundgren. Insane stuff, I tell you.

– The latest project from Michael Cera has been produced, shot and cut without anyone noticing! Paper Hearts, a pseudo-documentary about Cera and his real-life girlfriend Charlyne Yi, was directed by Nicholas Jasenovec, and will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

– Time for some Marvel big screen adaptation news, don't you think? We can only hold out so long, after all! Robert Downey Jr has had a chat with MTV about Iron Man 2 and The Avengers.

– Can't wait for more info on X-Men Origins: Wolverine? Well, the latest issue of Empire has a wealth of deets and scoops , including a cover featuring Hugh Jackman in pure adamantium mode. Also, it's been revealed that the film's trailer will premiere before showings of The Day The Earth Stood Still, out in December. Check out the cover below!

– In DVD news… The recent release of Mamma Mia in the UK has broken records . It was only released on Monday, and it has already sold at least 1.6 million copies, beating previous holder Titanic by over 500,000 units. Jeepers.

– In quirky theatre news… Erstwhile Doctor Who star David Tennant's turn in a high profile Royal Shakespeare company production of Hamlet is one of the stage highlights of the year. It was recently revealed that the skull prop, used in the play's famous 'Alas, poor Yorick' scene (Act V, Scene i), was in fact real. Concert pianist Andre Tchaikowsky, who died in 1982, bequeathed his skull to the RSC 'for use in theatrical performance'. He donated the rest of himself to science.

– Nintendo Europe has changed it's logo's colour, from peppy, nostalgic red, to dull grey.

– For those interested in the demise of the CD release, Atlantic Records are the first label to announce that they sell more tracks digitally than physically.

– Stuck for a festive or birthday gift for that comic book geek you know? Todd Klein, one of the best letterers in the business, has a new print out , called 'Comic Book Dreams', which he did in collaboration with Alex Ross. Check it out below, a limited number go on sale this Sunday (30th) for $20 plus postage.

– To finish up, we've got the trailer for upcoming stop-motion scary-tale Coraline, directed by Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach), from Neil Gaiman's novel.

– And here's the teaser trailer for next year's big Batman video game, Arkham Asylum.