That massive fire that broke out this morning on the back lot of the Universal Studios ended up destroying quite a few things - among them a huge King Kong exhibit and the courthouse square used in the Back to the Future movies was destroyed.

The blaze began around 4:45 a.m. PT (7:45 a.m. ET) Sunday. Two “prop” buildings, a chapel, and a popular ride called the “Cyclone” were among the damaged structures, according to Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Frank Reynoso.

The Universal Studios Theme Park did open at noon today, and those expecting to see the MTV Movie Awards can rest assured that the “awards” show will go on.

via CNN

The Oni Press titles Resurrection has been options by Universal Pictures to be turned into a feature film, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

“Resurrection” begins where most other alien invasion movies end, centering on a group of survivors trying to take back control of the planet after an apocalyptic invasion.

This is the third title from Oni Press that has been optioned in recent months, and points to Hollywood’s continued interest in comic titles and properties.

via Hollywood Reporter

Somehow I missed this story from Friday, but Dark Horse Comics and Universal Pictures have signed a three year production and distribution agreement.

Under the terms of the deal, Universal would have creative access to all Dark Horse characters and properties, as well as any material that Dark Horse might acquire on its own and want to develop as a motion picture. In addition, Dark Horse would have the opportunity to distribute movies through Universal.

Currently Hellboy II: The Golden Army will be released through Universal Pictures on July 11, 2008.

Mike Richardson, founder and President of Dark Horse said in a prepared statement, “We’ve worked with many studios and have had several great experiences, but we are particularly happy to be joining forces with Universal Pictures in this deal. We feel a real connection with their vision and the energy and creativity they bring to developing our properties. We are also excited by the option that we’ll have to independently produce our own material and distribute it through Universal; their flexibility in this collaboration is what we were looking for, and we’re glad we found it.”

With the exception of the Aliens, Predator, Terminator, and Star Wars titles Dark Horse publishes, which wouldn’t be included in the deal, titles like The Goon, Abe Sapien, and possibly Umbrella Academy could be on the silver screen in the future.

via Dark Horse

Looks like Tim Blake Nelson will be playing Samuel Sterns (aka The Leader) in the upcoming The Incredible Hulk movie. If Nelson’s face looks familiar, he was one of the convicts in “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?”, and appeared in Syriana.

Sterns is one of the Hulk’s major antagonists, a menial worker in a chemical research plant who is bombarded with gamma radiation. He emerges from his accident not only green-skinned but also superintelligent, with an oversized brain.

Shooting begins August 7 and the movie is expected to be in theaters June 13, 2008.

via Hollywood Reporter

James McAvoy has been signed on to star in the Universal Pictures adaptation of Top Cow’s Wanted. The story follows a put-upon young man who discovers that his long-lost father is an assassin. After his dad is murdered, the son is recruited into a covert organization of killers and trained to follow in his father’s footsteps.

via Hollywood Reporter (link)