MTV is reporting that rap star Ghostface Killah will have a cameo role in the upcoming comic adaptation of Iron Man. A member of the Wu-Tang Clan, the rapper goes by a variety of nicknames, including a slight variation of the Marvel hero’s secret identity, Tony Stark. Ghostface’s first solo album was even called Ironman.

“It was a good look for the kid because Robert Downey Jr. recognized me as soon as I seen him,” says Ghostface. “He was like, ‘Yo, Tony!’ … For him to recognize me, I was kinda surprised by that.”

Iron Man will be released in theaters on May 8th, 2008.

Variety is reporting that the popular manga/anime Dragonball is headed for the big screen. James Wong (Final Destination) will direct the film from his own screenplay, with Kung-Fu Hustle mastermind, Stephen Chow, on board to produce the film.

Two major roles have already been cast; Justin Chatwin (War of the Worlds, The Invisible) will play Goku, while James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel) will play Piccolo.

Filming is set to begin later this month, with 20th Century Fox eyeing an August 15th, 2008 release. Chatwin has reportedly already begun training with the stunt performance company, 87Eleven.

While NBC has not officially canceled the series, the decision has been made to put Heroes: Origins on hold, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Heroes spin-off was slated to run for six episodes, during the midseason hiatus for for regular series. Well-known filmmakers such as Kevin Smith and Eli Roth had been tapped to write and direct their own episodes.

Some cite that a potential writers’ strike may be a major factor in NBC’s decision to halt the spin-off, given the budgetary concerns. Others believe that the decline in ratings for Heroes in general could also be to blame.

MTV is reporting that Columbus Short has turned down the role of Green Lantern in the upcoming Justice League film. A former choreographer for artists such as Britney Spears, Short has been building his acting resume with roles in films such as Accepted and Stomp The Yard, as well as a recurring role on the short-lived NBC drama, Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip. Other actors being considered for the role of GL include rappers Common and TI (both appear as father and son in the upcoming Denzel Washington/Russell Crowe drama American Gangster), as well as Tyrese Gibson (Transformers, Waist Deep).

“‘Justice League’ is going to be dope, it’s going to be huge. But it’s not the movie for me.”

Short is the second actor to turn down a role in the George Miller-helmed superhero film, following Jessica Biel, who had been in talks to star as Wonder Woman.

While the search for Justice League’s Green Lantern continues, Warner Bros. has tapped TV writer/producer Greg Berlanti to direct a solo Green Lantern film, according to Variety.

Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan is teaming up with Capcom to produce the CG-animated film Biohazard: Degeneration, according to Variety. The film will be based on the popular Capcom Resident Evil games and films, starring Milla Jovovich. “Biohazard” is the name for the Resident Evil franchise in Japan. While no director is attached, it is known that the CG-animated film will feature an original story.

Two more actors have been cast in JJ Abrams’ re-imagining of the original Star Trek, according to the Hollywood Reporter. John Cho (Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle) will be playing Sulu, while Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) takes on the role of the Enterprise’s chief engineer, Scotty.

Cho and Pegg will be joining the cast that already includes Zachary Quinto (Heroes) as Spock, Zoe Saldana as Uhura, Anton Yelchin (Alpha Dog) as Chekov, and Eric Bana (Hulk, Troy) as the film’s villain, Nero. Chris Pine (Smokin’ Aces) is apparently in talks to play Captain Kirk.

Hot on the heels of the announcement that George Miller (Mad Max, Happy Feet) will be directing a Justice League of America film for Warner Bros., comes word from Variety that Jessica Biel is being considered for the role of Wonder Woman. Casting is a major factor for the project, as Warner Bros. is anxious to start filming by the beginning of next year, in hopes of beating any possible filmmaker strikes. Furthermore, both Christian Bale and Brandon Routh have said that they wouldn’t be reprising their roles as Batman and Superman, citing possible conflicts JLA would pose to their respective franchises. While the Batman Begins follow-up, The Dark Knight, is all but “in the can”, the Justice League film will more than likely affect any possible follow-up to Superman Returns. Movement on that project had already since stalled, with Returns director, Bryan Singer, moving onto other projects, including the World War II film, Valkyrie.

Warner Bros. also hopes that Justice League could re-ignite interest in a Wonder Woman solo film. Buffy creator, Joss Whedon, had been attached to write and direct a Wonder Woman film, but ultimately left the project late last year.

After leaving the title six years ago, Chuck Dixon is returning to Robin, according to Comic Book Resources. Having written for just about every Batman-related book, Dixon’s run on Robin is one of his most memorable, writing 100 issues, not counting three preceding mini-series.

“I’m on the book for the long haul,” said Dixon, suggesting that he may just stay on the book long enough to surpass his previous 100-issue mark on the book.

Chuck Dixon returns to Robin with January’s #170.

With NBC’s monster hit Heroes making its highly-anticipated return tonight, Entertainment Weekly naturally has a few pages devoted to the show, including this look at the new cast members — Monica Dawson (Dana Davis), Elle (Kirsten Bell), Takezo Kensei (David Anders), Maya Herrera (Dania Ramirez) and Alejandro Herrera (Shalim Ortiz).

With the success of Transformers, it’s no surprise that a handful of “giant robot” properties from the 80s are getting snatched up to be adapted for the big screen. Now Warner Bros. has picked up the rights to the anime series Robotech, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The studio is joining with Tobey Maguire’s production company, Maguire Entertainment, to develop the film, with the star of the Spider-Man franchise looking to play the lead.

“We are very excited to bring ‘Robotech’ to the big screen,” Maguire said. “There is a rich mythology that will be a great foundation for a sophisticated, smart and entertaining film.”