The Egg-and-Cheese Sandwich? Following in the footsteps of last week’s Star Trek deal, the upcoming Todd Phillips comedy The Hangover has gotten Warner Bros. to commit to a sequel months before the movie’s opening date. Phillips will be back to direct and co-write; Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Bradley Cooper are signed on as well. The movie — about three guys who lose the groom but find a baby during a bachelor’s-party weekend in Vegas — has apparently tested extremely strong. Also working in The Hangover’s favor? How much we all still love Three Men and a Little Lady. [Variety]
Bale Out: Christian Bale may join the previously announced Mark Wahlberg torture flick Prisoners, although talks are at an early stage; director Bryan Singer has also expressed interest. Wahlberg will play a “Bible-reading, deer-hunting survivalist†of a small-town carpenter who captures and tortures the man he believes is responsible for kidnapping his 6-year-old daughter. The other lead is the detective heading up the official investigation, whom we assume will be played by Bale. Hollywood Reporter is mum on the rest of the details, suggesting perhaps a twist ending — which we’re cool with, as long as the kidnapper doesn’t turn out to be a tree. [HR]
Haley in Your Nightmares: The rumors were true: Jackie Earle Haley will slip on the shiv gloves and play Freddie Krueger in the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Haley was in talks for the movie, which starts shooting May 5, for a while, but scheduling issues with his upcoming television show Human Target complicated things. Coming off his celebrated turn as Rorschach in The Watchmen, he’s now locked in and fully prepared to once again be the best part of a movie almost everyone hates. [HR]
Haley in Your Nightmares: The rumors were true: Jackie Earle Haley will slip on the shiv gloves and play Freddie Krueger in the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Haley was in talks for the movie, which starts shooting May 5, for a while, but scheduling issues with his upcoming television show Human Target complicated things. Coming off his celebrated turn as Rorschach in The Watchmen, he’s now locked in and fully prepared to once again be the best part of a movie almost everyone hates. [HR]
Ensemble Set: The makers of the Joel Schumacher–directed adaptation of Nick McDonell’s 2002 novel Twelve have announced its oddball cast: Chace Crawford, Emma Roberts, Rory Culkin, Curtis “50 Cent†Jackson, Ellen Barkin, and Kiefer Sutherland are all onboard. McDonell was 17 when he published Twelve, about a young drug dealer whose cousin is murdered in East Harlem and whose best friend is arrested for the crime. No word yet on who will replace 50 in this one. [Variety]