Also in the news, courtesy of Deadline, is Drake Doremus, whom we can only assume spends his days slaying dragons, taming unicorns, unearthing pirate treasures, making exotic women (and men) swoon, and exploring fantastic new worlds. Such is the power of his uniquely evocative name. Apparently he doesn't do any of those things, however, as he is actually an acclaimed film director. 

Too bad.

With his Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence-starring "Like Crazy" creating a stir at Sundance this year, anticipation for Drake's next project is high. Even more so now that he has cast Guy Pearce (pictured), Amy Ryan, and Felicity Jones in the film. Unfortunately, details remain scarce as to the plot of the as-yet untitled picture. Could it be an autobiographical tale, elucidating a rapturous public as to how his clearly prophetic parents gave him such a spectacular name? And could Drake one day be up for the Imogen Poots Award? Only time will tell.

I’ve been following Kate Winslet’s unconventional career ever since she burst onto the scene as the charismatic Juliet Hulme in Peter Jackson’s 1994 film, “Heavenly Creatures.” Now the Academy Award-winning actress is starring in Steven Soderbergh’s global thriller, “Contagion,” about a deadly virus that threatens to annihilate the population. 

A team of international doctors become the unlikely heroes in this race-against-the-clo​ck story filmed in a variety of international locales and penned by Scott Z. Burns (“The Bourne Ultimatum” and “The Informant!”). Kate is joined by a massive dose of star power including Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, and Bryan Cranston. The subject matter of this tense drama may cause panic in the streets, or at least prevent Howie Mandel from ever leaving his house again. Personally, I’d infect myself with the virus if I could get treated by Winslet’s Dr. Erin Mears.

“Contagion” will open across the country on September 9th. While Tea Party activists may blame the film’s worldwide health crisis on Obamacare, Soderbergh’s film is expected to have a highly infectious appeal.

American auteur Terrence Malick returned to the big leagues with this year’s “The Tree of Life,” his long-gestating project that starred Brad Pitt and newcomer Jessica Chastain. The film won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, but its offbeat mix of family drama and origin of the universe material didn’t translate to mainstream appeal (the film has made less than 10.5 million dollars in domestic box office, and it’s yet to get a wide release). Malick is infamous for taking his time in getting projects to screen – despite an enviable resume (including “Badlands” and “Days of Heaven”), the director has only released five films since 1973. But it looks as if “Tree of Life” has spurned the director on, as his next project has just seen its UK releasing rights picked up.

Screen Daily (by way of The Playlist) reports that UK company Optimum Releasing has picked up the rights for the film, but considering the trouble that “Tree of Life” had in getting a set release date (the film was pushed back repeatedly over a period of nearly two years), it’s fair to take this news with a major grain of salt. Optimum has, however, put the film down as part of its 2012 release slate, so maybe this project will end up having a much easier time of it (let’s not hold our breath, though). And even putting the film down for release next year only applies to the UK – who knows when the U.S. will see the finished work.

Little is known about the project – we’ve got one photographic glimpse at it (featured here) and an impressive cast listing (including Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Rachel Weisz, Olga Kurylenko, Javier Bardem, Barry Pepper, and Chastain), but beyond that, even the title is hazy (it’s been reported as “The Burial” on occasion).  The Playlist got their hands on some extended details for the film back in December (check out their in-depth post on that HERE), but it can loosely be described as a complicated romantic drama that chronicles Affleck’s character, Neil, and the various heartaches and missteps that occur in his adult life. There’s also a heavy emphasis played on Bardem’s character, a priest who sort of oversees and advises those entangled in the various romances that pepper the film. But, considering Malick’s highly experimental work in “Tree of Life,” don’t expect the finished product here to be any way simple or linear.

Did you see “The Tree of Life”? What did you think? Are you looking forward to Malick’s next?

The acclaimed superhero, responsible for saving our planet from imminent doom, collapsed following a golf game at a Los Angeles Country Club and was found, dead, on a locker room couch. 

Whoa, don’t worry…I’m not talking about Chris Evans, the 30-year-old star of the new Marvel Comics extravaganza opening today. No, I’m referring to the original Captain America, Dick Purcell, who stared in a series of Captain America films made in 1944 by Republic Studios. It was one of Republic’s most successful serials but sadly, Captain America himself didn’t live to see it. Just a few weeks after filming completed, on April 10, 1944, the actor dropped dead at the tony golf club in Pacific Palisades (site of the film “Pat and Mike” starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy).

Though he had already appeared in over 70 films, Purcell’s biggest success was achieved posthumously. If only he could have been around to see his fortunes turn. Purcell’s final few years were difficult. He divorced his wife, a glamorous former Ziegfeld girl named Ethelind Terry, after only three months. In the divorce papers, Purcell wrote, “It is no longer possible to live with her without seriously jeopardizing my health and well-being.” Now there’s a story we need to hear more about!

As for this first filmed version of Captain America, it was an oddity. While the superhero looked very much like his Marvel Comics counterpart, complete with the big “A” on his cap and the star and stripes on his chest, Republic veered quite a bit from the comic book’s storyline. Captain America’s alterego, Steve Rogers, was replaced in the serial by District Attorney Grant Gardner, fighting the evil machinations of the films’ main villain. Known as “The Scarab,” Captain America’s nemesis was actually museum curator Dr. Cyrus Maldor (played by Lionel Atwill). Maldor’s plans for world domination involved a series of lethal weapons he invented including one called the “Dynamic Vibrator.” Oy, what “Saturday Night Live” could do with that (oh wait, they already have!). Captain America’s lady love was played by beautiful Lorna Gray, an actress whose other claim to fame was appearing in many of the Three Stooges’ classic shorts. Gray is still with us today at the age of 93—too bad she wasn’t given a cameo in the new “Captain America” film as Noel Neill, the original Lois Lane, had in some of the later “Superman” films.

How do you think the original “Captain America” compares with the film opening today? Take a look!