Steven Spielberg’s new film ‘War Horse’, which is scheduled for release August 10, 2011, will be distributed by Dreamworks Pictures. The cast has also been announed for the drama that takes place during World War I. According to Empire magazine, young actor Jeremy Irvine has landed the lead role of Albert and is joined by Emily Watson, Peter Mullan, David Thewlis, Niels Arestrup, Nicolas Bro, David Kross, Leonard Carow, Rainer Bock, Robert Emmsand and Benedict Cumberbatch. Not too many recognizable names here, but it is Spielberg and it’s a movie set during a war…so I’m in. Set in 1914, the film centers on Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose that is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey’s courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer’s son he left behind. More casting yet to come, as the film will start filming this August.

Imagine Entertainment (Ron Howard and Brian Grazer) and Radical Pictures are bringing the graphic novel, ‘Legends: The Enchanted’, to the big screen. Written and created by Nick Percival, the story is as follows – “Violently ripped from the pages of folklore come the Enchanted. Supernatural immortals living in a dark, steampunk, creature-infested world where nature, technology and foul magic are in constant conflict. When the twisted, burnt remains of the half-wooden, half-mechanical warrior, Pinocchio, are discovered, wolf hunter Red Hood and giant killer Jack realize the fragile rules of their existence have been shattered. With the help of other powerful Enchanted (the mercenary, Goldilocks and psychic exterminators, Hansel and Gretel), Jack and Red team up on an adventure to stop whatever, or whoever is destroying their powers and murdering their kind.” No studio, director, or pretty much anything else has been announced yet, but just the idea that this is going to be a motion picture is enough for now.

It was inevitable for a film that cost $40 million to make and grossed $55 during it’s opening weekend. Sony executives were already meeting with writers to have them pitch ideas of where they could take a sequel to the popular film. The originals sequel was a monster hit when it came out back in the ’80’s, and this one will probably be the same. I think they should do a reversal of the original sequel, and bring it back to America. They’ve already been to Japan, so bring the Karate Kid home and create an interesting story set here.

With the ‘A-Team’ disappointing this weekend, I was surprised to discover that another 80’s TV show is being readied for a major motion picture. ‘The Equalizer’, a CBS drama back in the day that starred the late Edward Woodward, was a modest hit for the network (although nowhere near the success of hits like ‘A-Team’). Russell Crowe has attached himself to play the lead character, this according to a story in The L.A. Times. News on this is early, so we’ll see where it goes. This could be good, because I do vaguely remember the show, and Crowe would fit the character nicely.

Other news…’The Last Airbender’ has moved its release date up one day to July 1, 2010. ‘Knight and Day’ has moved its release date up to June 23, 2010.

Also, this evening, new trailers for ‘The Smurfs’ and ‘Chronicles of Narnia 3’ will be up for viewing.