Phew. Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox have settled their lawsuit over the hotly anticipated movie adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' legendary graphic novel "Watchmen." Fox will reportedly get a payout from WB, but, and this is key, the March 6 release date won't be affected. That's good. However, the movie's still directed by Zack Snyder, helmer of the execrable, plotless "300." That's bad. And yet … the trailers appear to hew quite closely to the look of the original, enough so that even skeptical fans will certainly head into theaters to see for themselves. But wait. Has there ever been a good adaptation of a Moore opus? (Short answer: no. Sorry, "From Hell" and "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" *shudder*.) And the rumors that the ending of "Watchmen" has been changed don't inspire confidence.

(MTVNews)

In even better graphic novel news, Steven Spielberg's animated "Tintin" movie starts production in a couple of weeks. Spielberg and "Lord of the Rings" genius Peter Jackson are swapping producing and directing duties on the first and second movies about the young reporter and his curmudgeonly, alcoholic sailor pal, Captain Haddock--Spielberg will reportedly be directing the first, with Jackson producing, and Jackson will direct the sequel while Spielberg produces. The story of the first will combine two of the classic comic books, "The Secret of the Unicorn" and "Red Rackham's Treasure." Andy Serkis, who "played" Gollum in the "LotR" movies, will again be sporting that oh-so-fashionable motion-capture suit, with Simon Pegg ("Shaun of the Dead") reportedly also co-starring. No word yet on who will be portraying fluffy white terrier Snowy.

(ComingSoon)

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• Don Cheadle Must've Thought He Signed On for a 'Hotel Rwanda' Sequel. Instead he's opening today in kiddie flick "Hotel for Dogs" -- joined at the theaters by "My Bloody Valentine 3D," an in-your-face horror experience; "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," in which Kevin James manuevers a Segway in the suburbs; and "Notorious," the B.I.G. biopic. Also going wide after limited runs are Daniel Craig's "Defiance," a Holocaust film, and romantic comedy "Last Chance Harvey," co-starring Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman.  A big slate for a January weekend -- even a long weekend -- as the month is usually very quiet for film. [Variety]
  

• One Step Closer to Seeing Amy Poehler in Khaki Uniform?  NBC announced late yesterday that they'll renew "The Office," "30 Rock," and a struggling "Heroes" -- duh -- but they also revealed an April 9 premiere date for the as-yet-untitled Poehler project, originally slated as an "Office" spinoff before apparently becoming an un-spinoff.  The plot revolves around Poehler as an awkwardly overbearing parks/recreational services employee.  Can't.  Wait. [Hollywood Reporter]

• Casey Affleck Asks Joaquin Phoenix If He Can Film Him.  The younger Affleck will train a lens on Phoenix ("Gladiator," "Walk the Line") for an upcoming documentary about Phoenix's career -- in music.  Phoenix, whose first album will be produced by Diddy, has recently said that he may not return to acting so that he can focus on his rap.  We're envisioning Ross, holding the two-octave keyboard -- only a lot better. [Hollywood Reporter]