Are we still expecting Tom Cruise’s ‘Valkyrie’ next winter? Because during all United Artists’ startup problems, I might have missed another delay. In any case, Weinstein Co. just bought the rights to a similar German movie called ‘Operation Valkyrie,’ also about the failed assassination of Adolf Hitler.

There’s no question he picked up the rights because of the $100 million ‘Valkyrie,’ directed by Bryan ‘X-Men’ Singer. Since ‘Operation Valkyrie’ came out in 2004 and he could’ve picked up the rights for 4 years. In the German movie Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is played by Sebastian Koch, the same role Tom Cruise has in ‘Valkyrie.’ A funny fact is, Carice van Houten stars in ‘Valkyrie’ with Cruise, while she starred with Koch in last year’s WWII drama ‘Black Book.’ And to top it all off, Koch is also her lover in real life. The coincidence of cinema.

Famous for his work on ‘Spider-man,’ ‘X-men,’ ‘Iron Man’ and other well known characters, 85-year-old Stan Lee made a deal with Virgin Comics to create 10 new comic heroes. Sure to bring some of them to the silver screen, they will first be introduced in 10 graphic novels next year.

“Stan Lee is unquestionably one of history’s greatest storytellers,” the Virgin Comics’ creative officer told Variety. “To collaborate with him, and have him guide and nurture artists and writers through Virgin Comics, will be one of the legacies of this company.”

Some potentially good material for a couple of movies. With ‘The Dark Knight,’ ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ and ‘Iron Man’ opening this summer, together with a bunch of other big budget movies, I wonder if they’ll all be profitable.

Hollywood is desperate for some Muslim money. Getting ready to set up several theme parks, they are putting their focus on getting all their signature characters out there. “On the one hand, they hate America. On the other hand they love America to the bone,” said Michael Izady, an expert on the Middle East to the AP.

While Captain America might not be a major hit, a ‘bare-shouldered Wonder Wonder’ wouldn’t be a problem “unless we depicted her as a Muslim woman,” said Tsujihara, who’s setting up a Warner theme park in Abu Dhabi.

One of the first theme parks will be a $2.2 billion Universal Studios project, with franchises like ‘King Kong’ and ‘Jurassic Park,’ set to open in 2010. Followed by a $1 billion park by Marvel Entertainment Inc. in Abu Dhabi by 2011, making a new home for ‘Spider-Man,’ ‘Fantastic Four’ and ‘X-Men.’