Yup, that's right. "Delayed." Yesterday, I told you about a little interview which featured Michael Madsen claiming that Sin City 2 might not be moving forward as planned due to the box office failures of Grindhouse. While we're not entirely sure that Grindhouse played a part in this whole ordeal, Frank Miller told Rotten Tomatoes that the film has been officially delayed as both men gear up to take on separate projects before re-visiting the Sin City universe. Miller says, "Sin City 2 is still likely to happen, just not right away. The script is written and Robert [Rodriguez] and I are raring to go, but it looks like I'm going to be doing The Spirit first and Robert's going to be doing Barbarella first." Maybe it's just me, but "likely to happen" isn't the greatest confidence booster in the world. Was Miller holding a Magic 8-Ball when he was asked that question? "All signs point to This Sucks!"

Seeing as both films still need to cast, to shoot and to promote, I can't imagine Sin City 2 happening for at least six to eight months, at least. But with Miller looking to break in as a solo feature director, who knows if he'll even be interested in co-directing again with Rodriguez. Not to mention the Weinstein boys are probably going to take a long hard look at the franchise in the meantime and decide whether or not it's worth the money. Also in the article, Miller said that he was so stoked after watching U2 3D in Cannes that "plans to do my own 3D film are forming in my head." Does that mean The Spirit will be in 3D? Probably not, but I wouldn't be surprised if he moves in that direction once Sin City 2 inevitably sinks to the bottom of development hell. Tis' a real shame. At least we have Miller's next graphic novel to look forward to -- Batman vs. Al Qaeda. Seriously. That's what it's called. Perhaps Uwe Boll can adapt? Whaddya think?

With Grindhouse all wrapped up and set to debut a week from this Friday, Robert Rodriguez can finally move onto his next film: a sequel to the highly-successful Sin City. Frank Miller has already completed the script, which will based off the story A Dame to Kill For, and the entire crew is currently gearing up to begin production sometime this summer (we think). While there's still no word regarding Angelina Jolie's involvement as, well, the dame to kill for, Rodriguez is now dropping a few other big names into the mix -- Johnny Depp and Antonio Banderas. According to the director, Depp (who starred in Rodriguez's Once Upon a Time in Mexico) wanted to play Jackie Boy (Benicio del Toro) in the original Sin City, but was too busy shooting The Libertine at the time. Needless to say, Rodriguez wants him to play a bigger role in the Sin City franchise -- but that role won't show up until Sin City 3.

Yes, Sin City 3. Rodriguez told MTV that the third film will revolve around the Sin City story Hell and Back, focusing on a main character named Wallace (to be played by Depp?) who is drugged repeatedly and, subsequently, wanders through the film hallucinating. (So, it's kind of like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ... but in black and white.) While no deal is in place yet, Rodriguez feels confident that Depp will take the role. As far as Banderas goes, there was no word whether he would fit into part 2, part 3 or both; the actor really wants to take on a role, any role -- going so far as to say he'd play the hunchback. Seeing as Rodriguez and Miller are apparently planning two Sin City sequels at the same time, one wonders whether they will be shot back-to-back. According to IMDb, both films are currently scheduled to be released in 2008, though I imagine the latter would roll over into 2009 in order to establish a little bit of breathing room between the two. Thoughts?

Yes, it's big, explosive rumor day here on Cinematical -- we've already told you about some McConaughey P.I. coolness, and now Cinema Blend is reporting (via some anonymous inside source) that Rachel Weisz is replacing Angelina Jolie as the "Dame to Kill For" in Sin City 2. Granted, Jolie was never officially attached to the role, but based on what we've heard from cast members and the like, she was very interested in hopping onboard the highly-anticipated sequel to Robert Rodriguez's Sin City -- which, of course, was based off Frank Miller's graphic novels.

For those not aware, Sin City 2 will follow the storylines of A Dame to Kill For with Weisz (or Jolie) playing, well, the kind of dame a man would kill for. But here's my question: Is Weisz a better fit than Jolie for a role like this? Hardcore fans of the graphic novels could probably answer that best -- the way I see it, Jolie was perfect for the part. However, Weisz -- um -- she's cute and all, but I wouldn't kill for her ... that's for sure. It's important to stress that this is just a rumor right now -- production isn't set to begin until 2008 (supposedly) -- and so please don't write off the entire film based on what you've read here. Heck, perhaps you'd rather see Weisz take over since Jolie is just too damn Hollywood-ized right now -- gossip, gossip, Brad Pitt, gossip, gossip -- it's kind of hard to take her seriously anymore. Hey, but you be the judge.

A quick hit on the rumor mill for the sequel to fanboy gold flick Sin City. According to what seem to be entirely unsubstantiated rumors floating around, Robert Rodriguez has been in contact with a lady he hopes could be A Dame To Kill For. The rumored hopeful target? None other than the geek film regular Tomb Raider herself, Angelina Jolie.

Okay...I know Angelina Jolie is reasonably popular in some circles of the geek world. And you know that I don't agree with those circles, and tend to be a bit derisive towards her geek star status. However, I'm going to surprise some of you regular readers by suggesting that this might not be a terrible casting. Yeah, I never thought I'd see the day when I'd support her either.  Now don't get me wrong - I still think there are serveral people out there I'd rather see in the role - but somehow in my mind Jolie actually makes a pretty good fit for the dark film noir style of the Sin City world. Thoughts?