The Hollywood Reporter has claimed that USC Film School grad Ericson Core, DP for films such as The Fast and the Furious and Daredevil (and director of Invincible), will be handling directing duties on the third xXx film.

The sequel, entitled XXX: The Return of Xander Cage, will bring back Vin Diesel into the fold — the second franchise he’s returned to in an effort to rebuild some faith with audiences. While originally the film was supposed to be directed by Rob Cohen, who handled the first film, some key players from the project are still in place.

Particularly, Michael Ferris and John Brancato (writers of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and Catwoman) have formed a script which has been polished by the writer of the original film, Richard Wilkes.

Vin Diesel has approved Core’s presence on the film, likely due to a good relationship on the set of The Fast and the Furious. Core has proven that he has an eye for action (and Invincible wasn’t entirely devoid of good drama), so let’s hope this makes up for the abysmal XXX: State of the Union.

No doubt one of the hardest things for a man to do is come back from a weeks vacation to over 500 emails at work. And want to read them all. While I have to do this, I thought I would get in some real work first, here at Atomic Popcorn.
Below is an update on the goings on of the Hollywood arena.

The latest revamp of the love affair in Titanic between DiCaprio and Winslet, is now called Revolutionary Road. What more would you want than to watch something you have seen before. A budding relationship in the mid 50′s between folks you know have chemistry on screen. I will pass on this one. Maybe a Netflix.

Eva Longoria, is no longer a prime time goddess? Rather she is ending up on the big screen as a comic book character? I don’t even think she has the skill for this movie. The boys over at /Film are trying to say Longoria is trying to become the next Avenger. Will this movie actually get off the ground, just because its a Marvel product?

There is no Doubt in my mind that just because you put two great actors of our time together it will make a solid movie. The trailer for Doubt is out and looks terrible. Streep and Hoffman are extremley talented in their own right, but this looks like a kid made it!

Four Christmases, staring Vince Vaughn and the ever glowing Reese Witherspoon, has a new trailer out. Enjoy it below.

One of the best films of 08, Kung Fu Panda, has a sequel already and its coming to DVD? What the heck is going on here and why didn’t Paramount call me about this! Damnit!

It seems that everyone loves a good XXX and that is what Vin Diesel is wanting to give to the fans. A new movie is in the works staring the correct person for the role. Sorry Ice Tea, err Ice Cube or whatever drink you are.