Movie updates: 'Oz,' 'Spirit,' DC, Oni

More catching up, this time on the film side of things:

* Spawn creator Todd McFarlane has teamed up with “A History of Violence” screenwriter Josh Olson to sell a darker take on the classic “Wizard of Oz” to Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow. McFarlane and Olson were quick to clarify that their project, titled simply “Oz,” would be darker along the lines of the original Frank L. Baum books and material like the "Harry Potter" series or "Lord of the Rings," rather than the somewhat extreme "Twisted Land of Oz" action figure set McFarlane produced a few years back.

* Frank Miller continues to add to the cast for “The Spirit,” with Eva Mendes signing on to play Sand Serif. Those who’ve followed the artist-turned-director’s career will know that “Spirit” creator’s version of that character was the direct inspiration for Miller’s creation of Elektra way back in the now-classic Daredevil #168. Mendes last comicbook project was Marvel’s “Ghost Rider.”

* Rumors are flying like crazy about DC movies, with spoilers coming out for Bryan Singer’s sequel to “Superman Returns,” and rumors of a start soon and possible casting for “Justice League.”

* Top Cow has launched a minisite for its popular graphic novel “Wanted,” which is set to be released as a motion picture next spring from Universal.

* Oni Press has been on a roll lately, with three projects based on its properties getting set up at studios: “Courtney Crumrin” and “The Damned” are at DreamWorks with producers Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, while “Charlie’s Angels” director McG has “Maintenance.”