Fox Searchlight has released a clip of Natalie Portman dancing as the fierce "Black Swan" in Darren Aronofsky's ballet thriller, which opens Friday.

While it's much better to watch Portman's complete transformation in "Black Swan," this should give you an idea of why Portman's Oscar buzz is mounting.

Watch Clip:

Sony has gone online in search of for an 18+ female to play a "pivotal role" in the upcoming "Underworld" film, starring Kate Beckinsale. Tweeting the news a few minutes ago, the studio's new "Face of the Fan"  competition aims to "Turn Today's Fans Into Tomorrow's Stars."

More information here.

Irvin Kershner, director of "The Empire Strikes Back" as well as "RoboCop 2" and the James Bond film "Never Say Never Again," died on Saturday, his agent confirmed. He was 87.

"Alice in Wonderland" director Tim Burton has unveiled a Twitter script project called Cadavre Exquis, or "Exquisite Corpse," which the helmer explains "is a technique used to collectively tell a story."

The social media project, which can be read here on the "Corpse" website, asks Twitter users to build an adventure story about Stainboy, a character who appeared in Burton's book of poems "The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories" as well as a few animated shorts in 2000.

Here's the original tweet:

Stainboy, using his obvious expertise, was called in to investigate mysterious glowing goo on the gallery floor #BurtonStory

It's still unclear what will become of Stainboy's Twitter tale (doubt Johnny Depp has time for this one) but since it is Tim Burton, you can be sure nothing goes to waste.

Burton's Cadavre Exquis project runs from November 22nd thru December 6th.

Follow Stuart Oldham on Twitter. 

LOS ANGELES -- "Zombieland" director Ruben Fleischer and Sony held a friends and family screening for the helmer's upcoming feature, "30 Minutes Or Less" Tuesday night in L.A.

While the pic doesn't open until August, 2011 (and is still technically in post), Fleischer's caper comedy was received "very, very well" and could prove another late summer hit for the director and Sony, who also teamed on "Zombieland."

Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari and Nick Swardson, "30 Minutes Or Less" tells the story of a pizza delivery guy (Eisenberg) who is kidnapped by two fugitives and forced to rob a bank in 30 minutes or less.

Pic was produced by Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfeld, Monica Levinson and Jeremy Kramer.

"30 Minutes Or Less" opens wide August 12, 2011.

Follow Stuart Oldham on Twitter. 

 
 
Warner Bros. has released the first official still for "Sherlock Holmes 2," starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Noomi Rapace ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo").

Directed by Guy Ritchie, WB's "Sherlock" sequel reunites the iconic detective with his sidekick, Dr. Watson (Law), as they attempt to bring down the villainous Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). Pic is currently shooting overseas and is expected to wrap in February.

Despite a lot of recent buzz, Rapace has yet to find her next English-language project. The Swedish thesp most recently appeared in the third "Dragon Tattoo" pic and is on a long list of actresses vying for the lead in Ridley Scott's "Alien" prequel. Another possibility is Paramount's "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" although the studio has yet to greenlight the film.

"Sherlock 2," produced by Dan Lin, Joel Silver, Susan Downey and Lionel Wigram, hits theaters on Dec. 16, 2011.

Rapace is repped by UTA.

Follow Stuart Oldham on Twitter. 

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon isn't exactly thrilled with the idea of another "Buffy" movie.

After Warner Bros. announced its plans today to reboot the teenage vampire series, Whedon, who wrote the 1992 feature before going on to create and shepherd the popular TV spinoff, said he had "strong, mixed emotions" about the project.

"I always hoped that Buffy would live on even after my death. But, you know, AFTER," he said in a statement to E! online. "I don't love the idea of my creation in other hands, but I'm also well aware that many more hands than mine went into making that show what it was. And there is no legal grounds for doing anything other than sighing audibly. I can't wish people who are passionate about my little myth ill."

Whit Anderson will pen the new "Buffy" for Warner Bros. with Atlas Entertainment's Charles Roven and Steve Alexander producing along with Doug Davison and Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment.

Whedon is currently developing Marvel's superhero actioner "The Avengers" at Paramount.

Follow Stuart Oldham on Twitter. 

"Moon" director Duncan Jones returns to the bigscreen with "Source Code," Summit's sci-thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Monaghan.

Written by Ben Ripley, "Source Code" tells the story of a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown commuter. Jeffrey Wright and Vera Farmiga also star.

Produced by Vendome Pictures and the Mark Gordon Co., "Source Code" was originally set up at Universal (2007) with Topher Grace attached to star.

Pic launches Vendome Pictures' feature slate, with CEO Philippe Rousselet and co-CEO Fabrice Gianfermi planning to produce a minimum of a dozen films over the next five years.

"Source Code" hits theaters April 15, 2011.

Follow Stuart Oldham on Twitter. 

Gus Van Sant recieved the Stockholm Visionary Award on Saturday by actress Holly Hunter and actor Stellan Skarsgård. The applause filled Skandia Theatre after an inspiring Face2Face moderated by Stig Björkman. Stockholm International Film Festival is rolling along and keeps up a full speed with 430 screenings in 12 days.

 

Famous Ingmar Bergman actress Harriet Andersson recieved the Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award by Swedish actress Alexandra Rapaport on Sunday afternoon after an entertaining Face2Face moderated by actress Elin Klinga.

 

The second week of the festival includes visits by several celebrated directors such as Debra Granik ("Winter’s Bone"), Ola Simonsson & Johannes Stjärne Nilsson ("Sound of Noise"), David Michôd ("Animal Kingdom") and Julie Bertucelli ("The Tree"). Get the latest updates on www.stockholmfilmfestival.se/en and on Facebook.