-- Ian McKellen told attendees at an all-night "Lord of the Rings" screening that an actor has been selected to play Bilbo in "The Hobbit." There are no further details than that, though McKellen also mentioned that he'll be getting the script "within the next week." This falls very deeply into the rumor territory for now, though I have little doubt that a script exists or that there's a Bilbo short list. Especially since "Hobbit" director Guillermo del Toro told us as much in an interview. (TheOneRing.net)

-- The word is the "Fight Club" and "Zodiac" director David Fincher is all set to direct the Aaron Sorkin-penned "The Social Network," also known as "the Facebook movie" in some circles. As you might expect, the story follows the rise of the beast that we call Facebook and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg. Sorkin and Fincher make for odd bedfellows; I'll definitely see this one. (End of Show, via /Film) Read more...

With Comic-Con having come and gone, it's telling that what most people are still talking about isn't what was there, but what wasn't: No "Star Trek" teaser, no "Transformers 2” and of course, no Lexi Alexander, whose "Punisher: War Zone" was finally unveiled to the world but without its director there to support it.

The official word during the panel was that she was on her honeymoon. Now, whether you believe Harry Knowles at AICN, who was the first to call the story bogus or Jenna Busch over at UGO, who today wrote that it was real, the implication in both stories is crystal clear: Alexander is difficult, Marvel and Lions Gate are unhappy with her direction, and she has been removed from the project in at least some capacity. Her official blog, normally a veritable hive of activity, has nothing now but a picture of the "See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil" monkeys. Read more...

- Robert Downey Jr. in negotiations to star in "Cowboys and Aliens." Plot self-explanatory (but you can read the entire comic here) (THR & Drunk Duck)

- Director Lexi Alexander talks about exploding heads, graphic violence in anticipation of "Punisher: War Zone." (Lexi Alexander)

- "Hulk" director Louis Leterrier eyes eco-thriller "Strays" as next project. (THR)

- Finally, something the Pope and I agree on. "The DaVinci Code" an "offence against God." Sequel starring Tom Hanks prohibited from filming in any Roman church. (Times Online)

- Say cheese! Pictures of new Wallace and Gromit short surface online. (Io9)

- Nic Cage, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane, and Bill Nighy among voice cast announced for "Astro Boy." (Coming Soon)