FILM/TV NEWS: Wachowski's Take On Robin Hood, "Glee" Star Might Be New Buffy, and more

• The Wachowski brothers are interested in making a contemporary version of Robin Hood. When I heard that, I thought, "A contemporary Robin Hood is basically a thief…or Nate Ford in TNT's 'Leverage.'" Then I read they've had talks with Will Smith. Ah, so that kind of modernization.

• Taylor Lautner has signed onto the dystopian fantasy thriller Incarceron. He'll play a futuristic prisoner who finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with the warden's daughter, who is being forced into an arranged marriage in the outside world that resembles the 17th century. Together, they'll figure out how to escape both their fates. If that girl Hailee Seinfeld wasn't 14, I'd say she was perfect for this. But maybe Nina Dobrev ("Vampire Diaries") or Emma Watson would do.

• In order to reinvent himself, I'm sure, Zac Efron has signed on for his first douchebag role. In Die in a Gunfight, he'll play a fight-prone, death-obsessed socialite who tries to court his father's enemy's daughter. Sounds like a role that would've been perfect for Bradley Cooper, if he was 10 years younger.

• I just finished listening to the audiobooks for The Hunger Games last week, and after getting a gist of the main character and her two love interests, I think I might agree with the director who is reportedly against casting a well-known actress in the lead. He's aiming for an unknown. I think it might be easier to focus on the storyline if a newcomer is at the forefront. Plus, they're more likely to be free for sequels than an up-and-comer with a million projects pending. However, the love interests shouldn't be newcomers unless they're as mesmerizing and charismatic as Robert Pattinson, Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson), or Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian) from the very start. My vote's for the relatively new Thomas McDonell (above), who'll make his film debut as a rebel this April in the teen dramedy Prom.

• Chris Colfer ("Glee") wrote and intends on starring in the "John Hughes-esque coming-of-age comedy" Struck by Lightning. Who knew he even had ambitions to write?

• Another "Glee" alum, Heather Morris (Brittany, left), is supposedly the "favorite" to star in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer remake. As if a remake isn't bad enough, they hire a girl with no action background. Okay fine, technically Buffy started off as a blonde cheerleader without a clue, and Brittany screams ALL of that, but it's mighty hard to believe that Morris will ever grow to be the formidable heroine that Sarah Michelle Gellar did. I mean, if you HAVE to hire a former cheerleader, than why not Alyson Michalka ("Hellcats").

• I love True Lies and, 15 years later, the film still holds up as an awesome action movie, so I totally get why they'd want to adapt it for TV. Especially, since NBC's "Undercovers" bombed and the plans for a "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" series has been delayed ever since the film came out five years ago. But casting might be the death of the series before it even premieres. There's talk of wrestler John Cena playing the Arnold Schwarzenegger role. While technically, they have a smilar body build, that role wasn't about being a meathead. And by then Arnold knew how to act. Cena has barely mastered that, and even if he did, I don't really care. Don't ruin one of my favorite spy films by choosing a former wrestler.

TV NEWS

• The next season of "The Closer" is reported to be its last. It's hard to believe it's been 5 years, but that's one of the best female-led shows I've ever seen. I'll miss Brenda Leigh and Co.

• In AWESOME TV news, Enver Gjokaj (left), the true breakout star of "Dollhouse," has scored a USA network pilot, which means he's as good as full-time employed. USA shows never get canceled. He'll costar with Nicholas D'Agosto ("Heroes" and Fired Up!) in the drama "Eden," which will be set in an NYC hotel. I would prefer him joining "Nikita" or livening up "Covert Affairs," but I guess this will do for now.

• I must say I am truly intrigued by the news that The Counte of Monte Cristo is being modernized for television. It'll be set in present day Hamptons and the lead will be changed to a woman. Now, if you don't know the story, it's about a man whose best friend frames him for a crime, gets him locked in jail, then steals his wife and kid. Hell bent on vengeance, he escapes from the prison with the help of a fellow old inmate who knows the location of a vast treasure. Once he's out, he finds the treasure and uses it to create a new identity where he's a mysterious Count. He squeezes himself back into his enemy's life and manages to steal back his wife and son, and, if I'm not mistaken, leaves him penniless. So, if they were to recreate this story from a modern day woman's perspective, then it could be safe to assume that this woman has reinvented herself so that she can get back the man she loves. I'm sold.