Guillermo Del Toro
Photo: Jerod Harris/ Getty Images

When we caught up with Guillermo del Toro at Comic-Con over the weekend, he was impressively tight-lipped about his new project following his departure from "The Hobbit" in May. The Mexican-born director has long had a desire to adapt H.P. Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness" for the big screen, but he declined to announce plans to direct the project at the Con.

Now Deadline.com has the news that del Toro will in fact helm "Mountains of Madness," that James Cameron has come on-board as a producer and that they'll shoot the film with 3-D cameras. Cameron's presence on the project apparently convinced Universal to give del Toro a thumbs-up, and preproduction is expected to begin in the next few weeks, with an eye on a summer 2011 shot.

Lovecraft's story follows a group of explorers who set off for Antarctica and discover alien creatures, mythical cities and a host of bizarre dangers. While del Toro wouldn't confirm his plans to direct at Comic-Con, he did go into detail about his work on the script with Matthew Robbins ("Mimic").

"We are rewriting slightly the screenplay we've had for 12 years," he told MTV News. "Matthew and I believe that a screenplay like that you have to tackle again every so often. We tackled it last about two years ago, [when] Matt and I felt like we needed to rewrite some stuff. Matt is my greatest writing partner because we keep updating anything we haven't shot, we keep saying, 'Let's do another rewrite.' So we're going to do another rewrite in the next couple months.'

"There [are] movies that have come out that have done things that are similar to some of the stuff we were trying," he further explained. "Thirteen years ago it was a big challenge, but right now what we're doing is keeping it alive."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: Guillermo del Toro

• Comic-Con 2010: MTV Celebrity Interviews
• San Diego Comic-Con 2010: Scenes From The Show

Melissa Rosenberg
Photo: MTV News

As all die-hard "Twilight" fans know, screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg is still hard at work on finalizing the scripts for the two-part "Breaking Dawn" finale, the first of which is scheduled to begin shooting in November. MTV News was lucky enough to catch up with the "Dexter" and "Twilight" screenwriter at San Diego Comic-Con, where she held court on a "Girls Gone Genre" panel. And while she still won't reveal where the two films will break, she did give us a few details about the birthing scene and the "Book of Jacob," as well as some dish on how she plans to handle all of the new characters Stephenie Meyer introduces in "Dawn."

"It's extremely challenging to introduce those new characters because you already have quite a slew of characters to service," Rosenberg admitted of Meyer's final book. "The Cullen family is large, the wolf family is large, you have three leads ... finding room for all of them is a challenge. For me, it is about pulling forward the ones that are essential and really making sure they have a presence."

Naturally, Rosenberg didn't say specifically which characters would or would not appear in the films, but simply that she hopes "all of them will be there in one shape or another."

Fans interested in checking in more frequently with Rosenberg's "Dawn" progress can check out her Facebook page, which Rosenberg told us she checks regularly to see what Twi-hards are saying and involve them in plotline discussions.

"I ask people to really weigh in with what are their favorite scenes in the books, what's important to them," Rosenberg said. "And there generally seems to be a consensus about one scene or another. It's really helpful for me and I'll interact with them sometimes."

She added that the fan interaction has helped her to squash any out-of-control Internet-generated rumors about her "Dawn" scripts. "At one point, [the fans] were upset because they had gotten the impression that I was choosing not to put the birthing scene in the script, and I was able to go online and say, 'I don't know where that idea came from, but of course the birthing scene is going to be in.' " Another Net-generated rumor, according to Rosenberg, is that she won't include the Book of Jacob in the final film. "I don't know where that idea came from, but that is not true," she confirmed. "We are going to see Jacob's perspective equally, so don't worry."

Are you concerned about how Melissa Rosenberg will handle the birthing scene or the Book of Jacob? Tell us in the comments.

Check out everything we've got on "Breaking Dawn, Pt. 1."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

• Comic-Con 2010: MTV Celebrity Interviews
• San Diego Comic-Con 2010: Scenes From The Show

Chris Hemsworth
Photo: MTV News

Does Thor fight Loki? "Thor" and future "Avengers" star Chris Hemsworth dropped a lot of headline-worthy news on us when he stopped by MTV's Comic-Con live stream last weekend. He talked about landing the role of the God of Thunder, how he felt naked without his famous hammer and how Mike Tyson inspired his fighting style for the film.

With regard to that extensive training, one big question on fans' minds is: Will Thor and his ever-envious adopted brother Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, come to blows in the film? Hemsworth spoke to that issue, and the short answer is "yes." But the long answer includes Hemsworth's playful retelling of shooting one of Thor and Loki's pivotal action scenes.

"We did [come to blows] actually," Hemsworth told MTV News. "It's funny, we had this big rehearsal process of this one particular fight scene we were doing, and the whole time Tom has his staff and he has his Loki helmet on with the horns — he wanted to wear it in rehearsal so he knew how to move.

"Basically he's sweating and he can't hear anything, the thing is extraordinarily heavy, he had this kind of crazy look in his eye, and the whole time I'm like, 'He's going to kill me, poke my eye out,' " Hemsworth continued. "He's swinging the staff and catching me in the leg and fingers, [I'm thinking,] 'What's going on?' I kept thinking, 'He's going to hurt someone.' "

Hemsworth then revealed that with all his anxiety about getting injured by Hiddleston, when it came time to shoot the big scene, the roles were reversed.

"The day we shoot the scene, I ended up elbowing him in the nose," Hemsworth admitted sheepishly. "And [there were] rivers of blood on the set — by accident. Subconsciously, maybe it was on purpose, but consciously I didn't mean it," he swore.

Hopefully we'll hear Hiddleston's side to that story soon.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: 'Thor'

• Comic-Con 2010: MTV Celebrity Interviews
• San Diego Comic-Con 2010: Scenes From The Show

Zach Galifianakis
Photo: Dave Hogan/ Getty

Zach Galifianakis stars as the titular schmuck opposite Steve Carell in summer comedy "Dinner for Schmucks," which comes out Friday. So now's a perfect time to line up another one, right?

Deadline.com reported that DreamWorks purchased "Reply All," a Galifianakis vehicle with a yet-to-be-written script coming from Phil Johnston. [The writer also has a credit on the 2011 comedy "Cedar Rapids," which features Zach G's "The Hangover" cohort Ed Helms among its stars.

From the sound of things, "Reply All" will riff on that most dreaded faux pas, in which you accidentally send a private e-mail to a large group of unintended recipients. Galifianakis will play the hapless sender; expect hilarity to ensue as he deals with the consequences of his error. No other casting has been made public yet, but expect some familiar names, since Galifianakis tends to draw a crowd.

In addition to "Schmucks" this Friday, Galifianakis has two more comedies still to come this year. First up, in September, is "It's a Funny Kind of Story" from "Half Nelson" writer/directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. He's back again in November starring opposite Robert Downey Jr. in "Due Date," a road movie from "Hangover" director Todd Phillips that's drawn comparisons to the John Candy/Steve Martin classic, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

Of course, Galifianakis will also be re-teaming again with Phillips next year for "The Hangover 2." Also expected to return for the sequel are stars Ed Helms, Justin Bartha and Bradley Cooper; rumors also suggest that supporting stars Heather Graham and Ken Jeong will be back. ComingSoon.net reported via a source last week that the sequel will be set (and shot on location) in Thailand.

Chris Evans
Photo: Jerod Harris/ Getty Images

Ever since the big announcement that "Captain America: The First Avenger" was in motion and its star, Chris Evans, was in place, movie and comic book fans alike have been chomping at the bit for as much information about the movie as they can get their eyes and ears on.

When the soon-to-be star-spangled superhero himself stopped by our Comic-Con live stream recently, we not only learned about his costumes, his reservations about taking on the role and the relationship between Cap and Bucky, but also what tone the film will have compared with previous comic book adaptations, like Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" and Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight."

Evans promised fans that "America" will be in line with both the comic and recent comic book movies. "The nature of comic book movies in general — look at ['X-Men Origins:] Wolverine,' you have swords coming out of a guy's knuckles, it's all a bit fantastical," he said. "It's about a good script, a good director, finding a way to ground it in reality, even if it is a bit dreamlike."

Evans added that consistency is key in keeping fans invested. "As long as you stay consistent, you can get the audience to commit in the beginning and go for the ride, I think they'll jump onboard and not try and burn holes in our consistency." Regarding the definitive tone of "America," Evans said there is a healthy combination of comedy and drama, and that it will have a distinctive "shine" to it.

"They did mix in some good comedy," Evans revealed. "It's not comedy on the nose, we're not cracking jokes, but they did find a way to add humor." As far as the look of the film is concerned, however, Evans referred to a conversation he had about it with director Joe Johnston.

"I definitely asked Joe, what kind of gloss are we going for here? Is this going to have the kind of 'Spider-Man,' 'Fantastic Four' shine? He said it's not going to be that glossy, not that colorful, but we're not going as dark as something like 'Batman.' "

"I think it will be a nice happy medium," Evans added. "I think the world of 'Iron Man' was done really well. It stayed grounded in reality and yet still stayed true to the fact that it's a comic book movie, so it does have to have some life to it."

Check out everything we've got on "Captain America: The First Avenger."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: 'Captain America'

Lindsay Lohan
Photo: Getty Images/ George Pimentel

Lindsay Lohan has found some ways to bide her time while serving her jail sentence at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California. And she's even found a snack that's helping her cope with her time in jail.

"She's good," her attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, told People.com after she visited Lohan in jail on Wednesday. "She's eating some Twizzlers."

With her time in jail almost over, Lohan will likely be released Sunday or Monday, only serving part of her 90-day sentence before heading off to court-appointed rehab for another 90 days. Holley said that Lohan has been using the time to explore her artistic side.

"She looks gorgeous. ... She's writing a lot. She's creating art," Holley said. "She's a beautiful, talented, creative woman, and she's going to come out and surprise you all!"

Holley's comments mirrors a report last week noting that Lohan was working on music while behind bars. "Lindsay is going to spend her time in jail writing new songs that she will record the second she gets out," a source said. "Her emotions are so raw at the moment the material will be her best ever. It will definitely get nominated for a Grammy."

A number of celebrities have come out to support Lohan since her incarceration, including "Hills" star Stephanie Pratt and rapper Foxy Brown.

"My heart goes out to Lindsay Lohan. I watched her being taken to jail and it brought back tears and memories. It wasn't all negative, I have to say that," Brown told MTV News earlier this week. "People just automatically think that prison stereotypically is the worst place. I was unlawfully sent to prison for a year, but I kind of welcomed the serenity when I was sentenced and I knew I had to deal with this."

• Lindsay Lohan: Crime And Punishment

• Lindsay Lohan Goes To Court
• The Highs And Lows Of Lindsay Lohan

• Lindsay Lohan

Jessica Simpson
Photo: Ray Tamarra/ Getty Images

Today's "American Idol" rumor about the potential replacement for Simon Cowell has reality TV veteran and pop singer Jessica Simpson possibly stepping in to replace the cantankerous British judge who split after season nine.

According to Entertainment Weekly, an unnamed source close to the "Newlyweds" star said Simpson has had several meetings with "Idol" brass about possibly joining the show for the upcoming tenth season, which kicks off in January 2011. A representative for Simpson told MTV News she had no comment on the report.

"I'm not sure whether her people approached 'Idol,' or if it was the other way around," according to the source, who noted that the "Dukes of Hazzard" star is just one of "dozens" of candidates who have reportedly been considered for the gig. Simpson joins a list that does not, however, include Elton John or Justin Timberlake, who were rumored to be in contention for the slot before their reps denied that either would be considering the spot on America's #1 show. Meetings between "Idol" producers and John and Timberlake reportedly took place several months ago and were non-starters.

The spate of rumors comes on the heels of reports that former "Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe is expected to return to the show for the upcoming season and that the "So You Think You Can Dance" judge/producer might be considering major changes to the remaining judging panel to give the show a boost. An "Idol" spokesperson has offered no comments on the Lythgoe, Timberlake and John rumors and could not be reached for reaction to the Simpson news at press time.

The show's producers have not announced when they would reveal the name of Cowell's replacement, but the unnamed source told EW that "Idol" network Fox's "dream scenario" would be to make a big announcement at its event at the 2010 Television Critics Association Press Tour on Monday (August 2). Among the other names reportedly in contention for the gig are singers Chris Isaak and Harry Connick Jr.

Do you think Jessica Simpson would make a good "Idol" judge? Leave your comments below.

• Who Should Replace Simon Cowell On 'American Idol'?

• Jessica Simpson

Leonardo DiCaprio
Photo: Sean Gallup/GettyImages

As the controversy over Mel Gibson's rage-fueled rant tapes and domestic violence probe continue to unfold, the site that has leaked those shocking recordings, RadarOnline.com reported that one of the "Lethal Weapon" actor's upcoming projects has lost its leading man.

"Inception" star Leonardo DiCaprio has reportedly withdrawn from a planned movie chronicling the exploits of Viking warriors that Gibson was slated to direct. "Not a chance," said an unnamed source close to DiCaprio.

The site claimed that the latest setback to Gibson's once-blockbuster Hollywood career — he was dropped by his longtime talent agency in the wake of the tape scandal — is another signal that the actor/director may have difficulty bouncing back from his latest scandal and regain his once high-flying star status.

The Viking film would have been DiCaprio's first project with Gibson, but the unnamed source said that the meticulous actor — who has avoided a major public scandal during his nearly 20-year long career in movies — did not want to risk his reputation by being associated with Gibson.

"Leo has earned the right to pick and choose who he works with, and Mel Gibson is not one of them," the source reportedly said. A spokesperson for DiCaprio could not be reached for comment at press time. The untitled Viking movie was being co-produced by Gibson's Icon Productions and was slated to begin shooting in the fall.

DiCaprio recently spoke to MTV News about his desire to make a Viking epic with Gibson saying, "I've always wanted to do Viking Story. I'm a big history buff and I don't think there's been a really fantastic Viking film ever made. Those were some of the most barbaric people ever in history. I'd love to see Mel Gibson's version of that. Certainly with 'Apocalypto' and some of the other films he's made he's been able to transport me back in time unlike very many filmmakers have been able to ... I'd love to see what he does with that subject matter."

In addition to the embarrassment over the racist, sexist and violent language on the tapes, Gibson is being investigated for alleged domestic violence and child endangerment over claims that he struck ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva while she was holding the couple's then two-month old baby. Detectives from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department are also looking into claims that Grigorieva attempted to extort money from Gibson by threatening to release the tapes.

Gibson's spokesperson could not be reached for comment on the DiCaprio news; the spokesperson also has not denied that the breathless, rage-fueled voice on the tapes is Gibson.

The meltdown of Gibson's personal life has had a major impact on his public one as well, putting his upcoming projects into limbo. Among the movies currently in a holding pattern is the Jodie Foster-directed "The Beaver," a $20 million PG-13 dramedy in which Gibson plays a depressed CEO who can only communicate with his family through a beaver hand puppet. According to E! Online, the film just recently got a rating from the MPAA, but the studio behind it has not yet decided on a release date.

Also unknown is the fate of "How I Spent My Summer Vacation," which his still in production and features Gibson portraying a career criminal who survives in a Mexican prison thanks to the help of a young boy. Gibson is credited as the script author and producer on "Summer," which reportedly began filming in April, but has not gotten a release date yet.

Do you think Gibson's career can survive this scandal? Would you go see a new movie from Mel? Leave your comments below.

• The Evolution Of: Leonardo DiCaprio

Vinny, Pauly D and J-Woww on the "Today" show on Thursday
Photo: NBC

The cast of the "Jersey Shore" promise fans that even though they were full-blown celebrities when they went into season two, which premieres Thursday night (July 29), they haven't changed at all.

"When we come back, we're ourselves at the end of the day," JWoww told Matt Lauer on the "Today" show Thursday morning, when the cast appeared from the roof of their Seaside Heights home. It was a sentiment echoed by her counterparts, including Pauly D who added, "We're ourselves. It's not scripted."

"Usually when we're here, we're not thinking about what's going to be cut and screwed," explained Snooki, who also addressed New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's comments that the series is a "negative" for New Jersey. "Our show is about coming to the show and having a good time. You don't have to be from Jersey. The show is about getting a shore house; you come down here and you have a good time."

The cast also talked about the rumors that there were contract disputes in the weeks leading up to the second season's premiere. "We come here, and we don't think about money," Snooki said. "We come here to party. We just come here to have a good time."

Pauly D added, "A lot of that is just rumors. I'm just happy to be back."

Season two begins with the housemates relocating to Miami during the Jersey Shore's cold months. Pauly D said he loved that the Miami clubs stayed open later. "It's more exotic in Miami," Vinny added.

Season two of "Jersey Shore" premieres tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Be there!

• Countdown To Return Of 'Jersey Shore'

• 'The Hills' And 'Jersey Shore' Mash-Up
• Jersey Shore (Season 2) | Vinny
• Jersey Shore (Season 2) | Snooki
• Jersey Shore (Season 2) | Pauly D
• Jersey Shore (Season 2) | JWOWW

Nas and Damian Marley
Photo: Redferns

Bridgeport, Connecticut's Seaside Park is about to be transformed into the annual celebration of art, camping and jamming known as the Gathering of the Vibes festival. From Thursday (July 29) to Sunday, fans will be treated to the sounds of Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and Nas, Further (a.k.a. the surviving members of the Grateful Dead), Jimmy Cliff, Primus, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and many more.

"This is an event that was put together 15 years ago," event publicist Jonathan Lobdell told MTV News. "And it sort of morphed into this great big family reunion with people who come back every single year and grow these tremendous bonds that last lifetimes."

The Gathering is also literally a family affair, with a crowd that consists of kids, parents and even grandparents that get to escape for a few days. "Every year, when we get into our cars to go home, we have to get back into reality," Lobdell added.

The Gathering of the Vibes began back in 1996 when fans of the late Jerry Garcia came together to celebrate the Grateful Dead frontman's life. Since then, the event has grown in popularity, venue-hopped throughout the Northeast and remained a platform for established and up-and-coming musicians. This weekend marks its sixth return to Seaside Park.

Among the other acts scheduled to perform include the Radiators, Little Feat, New Riders of the Purple Sage and Beastie Boys DJ Mix Master Mike. The festival is anticipating 20,000 plus spectators per day to attend. MTV News spoke to a few attendees about the festivities and it's clear that the Gathering of the Vibes is definitely one anticipated event.

Though he lives just across the street, 29-year-old Tom Prokop has never officially attended the Gathering until this year. "This year will actually be my first trip inside the gates, but I have sat on my porch every year and listened to the great music," he said. "I haven't been inside yet, but have seen many people over the years at Vibes, and I would say that people should be prepared for the best 80 or so hours of their lives."

New York native Colin Cosell pointed to Nas and Damian Marley's presence as a welcome sign of the fest's increasing musical diversity.

"I admit I was surprised when I saw them on the lineup but greatly appreciate the fact that an act like theirs is performing in festival like Vibes," he told MTV News. "It definitely breaks some barriers and expands the Gathering's horizons beyond the Grateful Dead culture and feel."

Jen Waldron, 39, said her first time at the Gathering set the bar high. "It was a life-changing experience," she said. "I've never felt so much positive energy in one place in my life. This is not normally my scene either."

Are you going to go to this year's Gathering of the Vibes festival? Who are you looking forward to seeing? Share your thoughts below!

• Damian Marley
• Nas