I know this technically isn’t “movie” news, but it might as well be simply because Tim Burton is awesome.

Legendary director Tim Burton was honored for his film work recently at a Museum of Modern Art gala event. Several stars were in attendance, but I’d like to mainly point out the “untouchable” trio as of late, Burton (of course), Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter. These three have been cranking out some interesting work lately and I feel it will only improve with Burton’s vision of Alice in Wonderland.

Also in attendance were Danny DeVito, Patti Smith, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (looking rather creepy, I might say). According to Accidental Sexiness, the event was part of the Museum of Modern Art’s Second Annual Film Benefit with proceeds going to the museum’s Department of Film.

You can view several pictures from the event below.

The tribute to Burton at the Museum of Modern Art features artwork from his films, some early work from his student days, and never-before published pieces. The program runs through April 26, 2010.

Several factors have been affecting the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as of late, mainly surrounding the personnel changes over at Disney.

Said changes have made star Johnny Depp less enthused about returning to his role of Captain Jack Sparrow, however Disney claims we will definitely see him in at least the next sequel.

The search for a director had also been a challenge, with Rob Marshall (Chicago) heavily rumored to helm the project last summer. However, now it looks as though he is confirmed to direct.

Ain’t It Cool News reports that a tipster got the chance to speak with Marshall regarding his next project at a DGA screening of his latest film, Nine.

Marshall stated:

“‘Y’know, it’s something that I was offered and never in the world thought I would do but then I was like ‘why not?’… I’m doing ‘ Pirates of the Caribbean….”

So there we have it. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has a director, but that still doesn’t free the film from its woes. Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom are rumored to not be returning to the franchise–which could be a good thing. However, it seems like the main focus of the other films focused on the relationship between these two.

I’m not sure why they wouldn’t include Bloom and Knightley in the fourth installment, especially since it seems like it would be rather easy to twist them into the plot. If you hadn’t heard, the film is to be based on a book written by Tim Powers, entitled On Stranger Tides. As you may have guessed, the book is about the search for the Fountain of Youth and the film will undoubtedly focus on that search.

With Will left ruling the seven seas on board the Flying Dutchman, I would think they could at least include the character for a short cameo. Of course, Disney may want to cut the bloat or Bloom and Knightley could be uninterested in returning.

Anyway, regarding Marshall as the director, I find it a bit odd that Disney would choose him considering his previous films. Nine and Chicago are both musicals and I would hate to see that in a pirate movie! Nevertheless, I applaud Disney for choosing an “outside-the-box” director to steer the franchise in a new direction.

Can he do it and do it well? What do you think?

All the Disloyal Fans of the Mad Hatter where given this earlier today. After weeks of teaser posters, here is the final “banner” for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.

It is essentially an enlarged version of the magazine scan we posted a couple weeks ago. Enjoy it nonetheless.

We’ve been posting several new posters from Tim Burton’s version of Alice In Wonderland over the past couple of weeks. We started out with a magazine scan (that reportedly originated on DeviantArt) featuring a wide view of the many characters in the wonderland, including a first look at the caterpillar.

The Mad Hatter has been releasing posters that are essentially just cut up versions of the magazine scan. First was the right side with the queens, then the left side with Alice, and now a shot of Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.

Have a look at the full poster below, although it is nothing really new.

Alice In Wonderland is due in theaters on March 5, 2010 and also stars Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Crispin Glover, and Anne Hathoway.

The loyal subjects of the Mad Hatter were given a treat earlier today via Facebook. Here is the picture he let us have.

The loyal subjects of the Mad Hatter were given a treat earlier today via Facebook. Here is the picture he let us have. (It’s an updated picture that we posted earlier with more to come.)

A scan of a new article on Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland has been posted online with a few enthusiastic words from Johnny Depp (The Mad Hatter) and screenwriter Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King).

Additionally, the picture displays all principal characters for the film, including our first look at the Alan Rickman (Harry Potter Series) voiced Caterpillar.

Have a look at the article scan below.

I truly believe that this will be a remarkable film and it has a great cast. Alice in Wonderland opens in theaters on March 5, 2010 and also stars Mia Wasikowska, Anne Hathoway, Helena Bonham Carter, and Crispin Glover.

The Tourist, which is a remake of the 2005 french film by Anthony Zimmer, has sure had its fair amount of change-ups.

Initially, the film was to be directed by Bharat Nalluri and star Charlize Theron and Tom Cruise. Then Sam Worthington stepped in to fill a hole left by Tom Cruise. Additionally, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck was being looked at to replace Bharat Nalluri, who stepped away from the project a week after Cruise.

However, that’s not all! Just recently, it was reported that Angelina Jolie would be replacing Charlize Theron in the project, and now another director is being sought to replace Donnersmarck as well.

If all of that wasn’t confusing enough, Variety reports that now Worthington has left the project over “creative differences” and Johnny Depp is in talks to take on the role of the American tourist drawn into a mess by a female Interpol agent (Jolie, for now) who is searching for a criminal that was once her lover.

Reportedly, Graham King brought Depp into the project after establishing a strong relationship with him after collaborating on Rango and The Rum Diary.

With Worthington just about replaced, a new director is still needed and Variety specifically suggests Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). Although he is not officially in talks yet, he is apparently on the list with a few other directors.

Even with all these personnel swaps, The Tourist is still set to start filming in early 2010.

We will let you know more news about the flip-floppings of Hollywood as they become available.