Universal is currently exploring a SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN spinoff that would center on Chris Hemsworth, a plan that that still may include co-star Kristen Stewart and/or director Rupert Sanders, Showblitz has learned.

The studio is open to several creative directions for its potential franchise -- including the possibility of a straight sequel -- but for now will focus development resources on Hemsworth, the THOR star who appears in Universal's upcoming Formula One racing pic RUSH.

A Hemsworth-led spinoff has been in U's plans for some time: Two months before SWATH opened to a healthy $56 million in the U.S., Universal chief Ron Meyer said that while "the upcoming (SWATH) doesn’t appear to lend itself to a sequel, Universal thinks it can do more movies based on the character of the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) if it is successful."

Around the time of its release, studio brass began getting serious about a straight sequel, a notion it was considering as early as April. That idea was backburnered in the wake of widespread tabloid reports regarding Stewart and Sanders, though either could play a role in future SWATH installments.

Universal just picked up the book 90 CHURCH for Sanders to develop, while Hemsworth has THOR: THE DARK WORLD, AVENGERS 2 and (maybe) ROBOPOCALYPSE on the horizon. After dropping out of CALI, Stewart's sked is clear -- after extensive press tours for THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN -- PART 2 and ON THE ROAD.

While the odds of all three being reunited are clearly diminished, some combination of the original SWATH teaming is still very much in play. -- Josh L. Dickey

Here's the first trailer for Kathryn Bigelow's hunt-for-Osama Bin Laden pic "Zero Dark Thirty." Starring Joel Edgerton and Jessica Chastain, "Zero" has long-been embroiled in political controversey, after documents uncovered that "The Hurt Locker" duo of Bigelow and Boal were given extensive access to the top secret mission by the White House, Pentagon and CIA. Distribbed by Sony, "Zero Dark Thirty" arrives Dec. 19.

The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that Jimmy Fallon was in early talks to host the Oscars in February.

Will it happen? Possibly. The Academy has a lot of convincing to do to get ABC on board with NBC-branded talent. But judging from Fallon's Emmy-hosting stint in 2010, in which the late night MC received largely positive reviews, it seems like a no-brainer.

 Watch:

Nine years after giving us “The Matrix” trilogy, the Wachowski siblings return in mind-bending fashion with “Cloud Atlas,” a sprawling historical/science fiction tale based on the award-winning novel by David Mitchell.

Starring Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Sturgess and Hugo Weaving, “Cloud Atlas,” bowing October 26, is an examination of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future.

Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I watched a five-minute trailer for a major studio pic; then again, “Cloud Atlas” is so vast and ambitious in nature, it would be impossible for Warner Bros. to tease in 60 seconds. Having said that, I still have no clue what this movie is about (!), which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Produced by Philip Lee and Uwe Schott, “Cloud Atlas” premieres at the Toronto Film Festival.

Victims of Friday’s deadly rampage at a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" were visited by none other than Batman, himself, on Tuesday.

Christian Bale, who arrived mid-morning at the Medical Center of Aurora, posed for photos with hospital staff and shooting victims for more than two-and-a-half hours, according to the Denver Post.

A Warner Bros. representative told the newspaper that Bale was in Colorado representing himself, not the studio.

"It was good for the patients," hospital president Bill Voloch said to the paper. "We hope it was therapeutic for them, and all the staff really appreciated him coming."

Carey Rottman, one of the 58 people injured in Friday’s deadly shooting, posted two photos of himself with Bale on his Facebook page. (photo, right)

Bale’s visit follows an aggressive online campaign to get Batman to visit the devastated community. Using the hashtag #BaleOutAurora, Twitter and other social media outlets pleaded with the Oscar-winner after 71 people were shot during Friday's "Dark Knight Rises" screening.

Bale specifically asked that media not be notified of his trip.

Remember when Joaquin Phoenix 'retired' from acting? Yeah, me neither.

Today, the Weinstein Company released the first full-length trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson's religious drama "The Master" and holy cow, does Phoenix look creepy.

Set in 1952, "The Master," co-starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams, tells the story of a drifter who develops a relationship with the charismatic leader of a faith-based organization. Drama is said to be loosely based on the life of Scientology leader L. Ron Hubbard, but it's Phoenix who takes center stage here.

And while it's far too early to tell, I wouldn't be surprised to see Joaquin go head-to-head (or tux-to-tux?) with Daniel Day Lewis this awards season. Coincidentally, Lewis ("Lincoln) also happens to be PTA's last tortured actor ("There Will Be Blood") before taking home the Oscar in 2008.

Scored by Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead, "The Master" opens in limited release October 12, 2012.