2012 - Year of the Renner

Today marks actor Jeremy Renner's 41st birthday and this guy's star is on the rise. Big time! Me and my friend and blogger extraordinaire Jennifer Cooper was just talking about him yesterday and now it's his birthday. Coincidence? I think not. People may think Renner has only just come around these past few years thanks to roles in 28 Weeks Later, The Hurt Locker, and The Town, but he's been around since the mid 90's. Getting his start in the teen comedy National Lampoon's Senior Trip back in 1995. Then he appeared in a host of TV series such as CSI and even my fave Angel. He played Jeffrey Dahmer in a 2002 movie that I have yet to see but Jenn raves about. His first major role in Hollywood would have to be as Colin Farrell's ex partner who goes bad in SWAT. Then he started getting more and more roles like in the Charlize Theron 2005 pic North Country and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford with Brad Pitt. Then came his Academy Award nominated Best Actor turn in The Hurt Locker followed up by another nomination for The Town, this time for Supporting Actor. Oh and let's not forget his role in the brief series, The Unusuals about life for some cops in the big city. I thought this was a great show but the powers that be didn't and canceled it like after only 6 episodes in 2009.

As SFC William James in The Hurt Locker (2008)

As James Coughlin in The Town (2010)

But 2011 has been very pivotal for Renner. First up was his cameo as Hawkeye in the summer's blockbuster Thor. That role will lead to this year's almost guaranteed hit, The Avengers. Where his character shares the screen with the likes of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). He just joined Tom Cruise for the recent Mission Impossible film which was a doozy of a ride. He's got the film Hansel and Gretel with Gemma Arterton due early this year. And then in August, he takes over the Bourne franchise. Not as Jason Bourne, but as new character Aaron Cross.

As William Brandt in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

With Gemma Arterton as Hansel and Gretel (2012)

As Aaron Cross in The Bourne Legacy (2012)

Add all that up and 2012 looks to be the year of the Renner. Count me very excited.

The Dream Team assembled

Who will be Wonder Woman?

It appears that a live-action Wonder Woman movie is in the works again. There is no story or actress attached yet, but Warner Bros announced it on it's production slate for next year. And Wizard magazine made a list of the top 5 actresses who should be considered for the part of our favorite Amazon. Usually Wizard is pretty accurate when it come to casting comic book movies.  Most likely this would be a series of movies so that's why their ages are listed. Because whoever gets the part, may end up playing our Amazon for several films. And whoever gets the coveted role, they certainly will have big shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of Lynda Carter. So here's my take on their choices.

GEMMA ARTERTON (26) - British actress who is currently riding a crest of successful films including Clash of the Titans, Quantum Solace, and the recent award worthy film, Tamara Drewe. Seems like a good choice and I do like her as an actress.

JESSICA BIEL (28) - No question that Ms. Biel could not handle all the action that would be required to play Wonder Woman. Having starred in Blade: Trinity and this summer's A-Team. Plus she is a capable enough actress...check her out in The Illusionist.

LAURA VANDERVOORT (26) - I thought Laura made a terrific Supergirl on the TV series, Smallville. But evidently I'm in the minority on that, judging by how many fans didn't like her. She was the only reason I watched Smallville for that year. And despite her trademark blonde hair, I can see her as a potential Wonder Woman. But that's just me.

AMANDA RIGHETTI (27) - Got to be considered the dark horse of the group. Amanda is mainly known for the TV series, The Mentalist. And while she has the looks and stature to be WW, I don't know about her as much as the others.

MISSY PEREGRYM (28) - And finally Missy, who is my pick to play Diana. She has played on series such as Smallville, Heroes, and the short lived, now cult classic series Reaper. She just seems right to me. She's got my vote.

I would be interested in what everyone else thought of the choices listed and maybe someone else who might make a great Wonder Woman.