WELLINGTON, New Zealand – “Lord of the Rings” director Sir Peter Jackson is in stable condition in the intensive care unit of Wellington Hospital after surgery for a perforated ulcer.

Publicist Melissa Booth said today that Jackson was “doing well” but would be in the hospital for at least a few more days.

She said doctors expect Jackson to make a full recovery.

Jackson was admitted to Wellington Hospital last Wednesday after complaining of acute stomach pains.

His illness has delayed the start of filming of “The Hobbit,” the two-part prequel to his Academy Award-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy.

British actor Cavill cast as new film Superman 

NEW YORK – British actor Henry Cavill is going up, up and away.

Cavill will star as Superman (and, obviously, Clark Kent) in the next installment of the movie franchise. Warner Bros. Pictures announced the casting Sunday.

The film is to be directed by “300” director Zack Snyder, who said in a statement Cavill is “the perfect choice to don the cape and ‘S’ shield.”

No title has been announced for the film, which is intended to reboot the franchise after its latest incarnation fizzled.

The 2006 movie “Superman Returns” was directed by Bryan Singer and starred Brandon Routh as the Man of Steel.

Cavill is relatively unknown. He had been considered for the blockbuster roles of Batman, James Bond and even the previous version of Superman. He co-starred on Showtime’s “The Tudors.”

Warner Bros. is targeting December 2012 for release.

Life imitates art on SNL

NEW YORK – Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and his “The Social Network” doppelganger Jesse Eisenberg made friends on “Saturday Night Live.”

Zuckerberg joined host Eisenberg for the opening monologue of the show. The two said they had never met, despite Eisenberg playing Zuckerberg in the widely hailed, Oscar-nominated film.

 

Copy the Story Link