J.J. Abrams has taken the task of protecting audiences from spoilers where no man (or woman!) has gone before.

Journalists were invited to a sneak peek of “Star Trek Into Darkness” footage last December. As Slashfilm’s Germain Lussier explains, Abrams introduced the footage and asked everyone to keep the details on the down-low. Now that “STID” is in theaters, the lengths Abrams et al went to keep some key details super secret — even to journalists — have become clear.

While there was plenty of speculation about the true identity of Benedict Cumberbatch, he was merely introduced as John Harrison in the footage, both in dialogue and visually. According to Lussier, who saw the footage, certain details “were 100 percent different from the sequence when it screened in December, again at CinemaCon in April and possibly other places.”

“STID” co-writer and producer Damon Lindelof had more to say about the switcheroo.

“[Producer] Bryan Burk was the one who first proposed that we use the space jump sequence as a way of getting folks excited for the movie… The challenge was obvious [because] this is AFTER the reveal. Therefore, J.J. and post production supervisor Ben Rosenblatt executed a ‘Harrison Cut’ to preserve the secret. I’d rather not get into the details of how this was accomplished, suffice to say it wasn’t easy. It was, however, worth it.”

Of course, those of us who saw the movie know his real identity — and mum’s the word.

[via SlashFilm]

Not everyone gets to have a glamorous red carpet experience in their lives, but being friends with Zach Galifianakis helps. Seems like being friends with the “Hangover” star helps in general, too. The mensch-y comic, who reprises his role as the weird friend Alan in “The Hangover III,” brought an old friend he met almost 20 years ago in a Los Angeles laundromat as his date.

Elizabeth “Mimi” Haist, 87, met Galifianakis when she was working for tips at their local laundromat. According to the NY Daily News, he stopped going to Fox Laundry after “The Hangover” – Heist quipped, “Maybe he has his own washer and dryer now.”

Two years ago, Galifianakis found out Haist was homeless and took action. He got her a one-bedroom apartment, and also pays her rent and all utilities. Apparently, even Renee Zellweger has gotten involved. (Who knew the two actors were even friends?) She bought furniture for Haist and reportedly buys her groceries.

This isn’t the first time on the red carpet for Haist. She also went as Galifianakis’ date to “The Hangover II” and “The Campaign.” As she told the Daily News, “If he’s in town, he takes me. Otherwise he lets me take a friend. I dress up nice and a friend helps me with my makeup. It’s fun, not something I’ve ever dreamed I’d experience. The limo takes me home afterwards.”

[via Time h/t Daily News]

It all starts with a nightmare.

In this brand-new trailer for “The Wolverine,” Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) is alive and well… Or is she? Our bearded buddy Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) wakes up in a cold sweat, the memories of his misdeeds fresh in his mind.

Jackman’s sporting a giant Jean Valjean-style vibe as he tries to outrun his past. “It’s not who I am anymore,” Wolverine growls. Unfortunately for him, a fearless ronin Yukio (Rila Fukushima) is hot on his trail. In a dazzling feat of swords-womanship, she busts into the dank bar where Logan is drowning his sorrows.

The past is coming back for Logan-slash-Wolverine in a real way. Will he choose to become mortal? Is it worth giving up his adamantium claws and mutant skills, or is this the best way for him to make amends for his past actions –- and his part in the death of his beloved Jean Grey?

Unfortunately, there’s a hitch. Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova) is just waiting for him to turn in his X-Men ID card.

This trailer shows off more of Viper than previous teasers, as well as a juicier chunk of the action. And, of course, Wolverine in his cigar-chomping glory.

“The Wolverine” opens July 26, 2013.

It looks like the Wolfpack managed to make it out of Vegas alive, because they took on L.A. last night (May 20).

Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and, yes, Mr. Chow, aka Ken Jeong, were all on hand to celebrate the epic conclusion of Todd Phillips’s tale of debauchery, otherwise known as “The Hangover: Part III.”

Every member of the pack looked ready for action, including the ladies of the group, Heather Graham and Jamie Chung. Graham wore a low-cut, emerald green gown, and Chung rocked a low-cut, black and lacy number. As for the men, Helms and Galifianakis kept it classic in suit jackets and ties, while Cooper took a little fashion risk and opted for a burnt orange-colored suit. On anyone else we would hate it, but Phil can do no wrong.

“Part III” brings the Wolfpack back to Las Vegas, but this time around there is no wedding, and no bachelor party — so they shouldn’t get into that much trouble, right? Don’t bet on it.

Check out the photos below. “The Hangover: Part III” stumbles into theaters Thursday, May 23.

The idea to make a movie based on insanely-popular game “Angry Birds” was first introduced years ago, but the project had yet to gain any forward momentum. Now (fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how eager you are to see those birds fly in 3-D), it looks like the film will come to fruition after all, with sources telling The Wrap that veteran screenwriter Jon Vitti has been hired to pen a script.

Vitti, an Emmy-winning writer and producer on shows such as “The Simpsons,” “King of the Hill,” and “The Office,” is no stranger to turning existing stories into successful big screen features, having contributed his writing and consulting talents to films such as “The Simpsons Movie,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” and the first two “Ice Age” movies.

But he may face an uphill battle with “Angry Birds,” which has no real plot and whose outcome is based purely on gamers’ performance. And turning video games into movies has always been a dicey prospect in Hollywood, both in terms of quality and finances; for every successful “Tomb Raider” or “Resident Evil,” there’s a “Doom” or “Super Mario Brothers” waiting in the wings.

Vitti will have the help of Catherine Winder, former Lucasfilm Animation and Fox Animation executive, who’ll serve as producer on the project alongside “Despicable Me”’s John Cohen.

“I’m very excited that Jon and Catherine have joined us, bringing with them their vast expertise,” said Mikael Hed, CEO of ‘Angry Birds’ maker Rovio Entertainment, which is backing the film financially. “I’m confident we are building the right team to deliver an amazing movie experience to our fans.”

The movie, to be released by Sony, is set to hit theaters sometime in July 2016. We’ll hold on to our slingshots until then.

[via TheWrap]

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” director Bryan Singer has been tweeting up a storm (and tweeting about Storm) ever since he took the helm of the latest installment of the “X-Men” franchise, and on Monday he gave fans yet another taste of what they can expect from the film, revealing the first glimpse of Jennifer Lawrence re-applying her Mystique makeup.

The striking image shows Lawrence decked out in head-to-toe blue body paint, revealing every last curve of the Academy Award-winning actress’s body. Her yellow eyes and red hair pop against her bright skin, and she’s seen standing in front of a green screen backdrop.

This is Lawrence’s second time appearing as the shape-shifting mutant (who Singer described as “vengeful’), having first stripped down in 2011′s “X-Men: First Class.” “Days of Future Past” promises to meld that world with the one seen in the first three “X-Men” films, purportedly featuring a time-traveling Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page), who warns the mutants of the past about a catastrophic future.

Stars Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Anna Paquin, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender, among many others, are all slated to reprise their roles. “X-Men: Days of Future Past” hits theaters July 18, 2014.

[via Twitter h/t CinemaBlend]

First look: #JenniferLawrence as a vengeful #Mystique. #XMen #DaysOfFuturePast twitter.com/BryanSinger/st…

— Bryan Singer (@BryanSinger) May 20, 2013

Amanda Seyfried and her “Epic” co-stars walked a green carpet for the animated film’s premiere on Saturday.

Fake grass and assorted shrubbery lined the star-studded path Seyfriend, Colin Farrell, and Jason Sudeikis’s path at the event, and one of their co-stars, comedian Judah Friedlander, took a moment to relax and lie in the grass, much to the delight of photographers.

“Epic” tells the classic story of the ongoing battle between the forces of good, who keep the natural world alive, and the forces of evil, who wish to destroy it. When a teenage girl (Amanda Seyfried) finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she teams up with an elite band of warriors and a crew of comical, larger-than-life figures, to save their world…and ours. The Leafmen characters featured in “Epic” are inspired by William Joyce’s book “The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs,” which introduced the Samurai-like warriors.

Check out the “Epic” premiere photos below. The movie hits theaters May 24.

Moviefone’s New Release of the Week
“Side Effects”
What’s it about? Side effects may occur in this psychological thriller about a new prescription drug gone awry starring Rooney Mara and Jude Law.
Why we’re IN: This film manages to bring sexy and scary into balance, and the cast is a winning combination.

Moviefone’s Blu-ray of the Week
“My Neighbor Totoro”
What’s it about? A classic animated film about two Japanese girls who meet a furry forest sprite, created by acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki and featuring voice performances by young Dakota Fanning and her little sister Elle Fanning.
Why we’re IN: “Totoro” is a beloved classic, and we’re glad to see it being brought to life once again in Blu-ray.

New on DVD & Blu-ray
“The Last Stand”
What’s it about? Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Los Angeles cop-turned-border town sherriff in this shoot-‘em-up, action-packed movie. Johnny Knoxville provides the yucks.
In or Out: IN.

Watch an Exclusive Blu-ray Clip from “The Last Stand”

“Parker”
What’s it about? Jason Statham is Parker, a professional thief who justifies his line of work with an ethical code, who goes on a revenge spree with a little help from an unlikely partner (played by Jennifer Lopez) after his accomplices stab him in the back. Unfortunately, the acting falls flat.
In or Out: OUT.

“Love Sick Love”
What’s it about? Man meets woman. Man dates woman. Woman kidnaps man and tortures him in an isolated house with her disturbed family – creepy kids included. “Love Sick Love” reaches for both laughs and cringes, but ends up just confusing.
In or Out: OUT.

“Struck By Lightning”
What’s it about? A coming-of-age story with a healthy dose of cynicism, high school senior and aspiring writer Carson Phillips (Chris Colfer) blackmails his fellow students into helping him launch a literary magazine, with some help and comedic relief from Rebel Wilson.
In or Out: IN.

“Stand Up Guys”
What’s it about? When a former mobster gets out of jail after serving twenty-eight years for refusing to rat out his associates, he and his former mobster pals (played by Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Alan Arkin) try to make up for lost time in amusing ways. For all of these actors’ chops and potential, the material just doesn’t hold up.
In or Out: OUT.

New to Blu-ray
“National Lampoon’s Vacation” 30th Anniversary Edition

Watch an Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Look at the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” Blu-ray

“Howl’s Moving Castle”
“Captain America” (1990) Collector’s Edition
“The Public Enemy” (1931)
“White Heat” (1949)

Why were Paul Walker and Vin Diesel chased by helicopters in real life?

In the latest episode of Unscripted, the “Fast & Furious 6″ stars talk about their wild night at a real-life illegal street race, what “Fast” characters are the most badass, and how many more films are left in the action franchise’s future.

In the latest adrenaline-pumping “Fast” installment, Agent Hobbs (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) enlists Dom (Diesel) and his team to bring a rival gang, led by Owen Shaw (Luke Evans), to justice in exchange for a clean criminal record. Not a bad deal.

Watch Diesel and Walker go Unscripted above. “Fast & Furious 6″ speeds into theaters May 24.

The Channel 4 news team is back and classier than ever in the newest teaser trailer for “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”

Likening the gang to Jesus and Jay-Z, a voiceover assures us that just as those great men returned, so will Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), and Champ Kind (David Koechner).

“And when they do,” the narrator promises, “one thing is for sure: their hair will be perfect.”

And by the beard of Zeus, their follicles are indeed perfect. Short and sweet, the clip gives us a quick glimpse of our heroes, who look and sound the same — and as self-delusional — as they did in 2004, the last time they graced the big screen.

There’s no sign of anchorwoman Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) or any of the other stars appearing in the flick (including Harrison Ford, Kristen Wiig, Nicole Kidman, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler), but we’re still pumped to see the old gang back together again. “Anchorman 2” drops December 20.