Kirsten Dunst has apparently confirmed the much-mocked rumor that the two villains of Spider-man 3 are, indeed, Venom (Topher Grace) and Sandman (Thomas Haden Church).

And if the leading actress in the film is wrong about its characters, well… this project is in deep trouble.

“But I know the general story,” she insists. “There’s a lot that they’re trying to fit into this one.”

And that’s not the only super-three-quel trying to fit in a lot characters…

I’ve just returned from a relaxing weekend of writing, reading, and sipping various beverages in glorious Vancouver, B.C., where I was blessed by the generosity of a certain Hollywood producer who invited me, Anne, and our screenwriting friend Danny to visit him on the set of a little picture you could call X-3.

And of course, out of respect to the hardworking filmmakers, my lips are sealed as to things we learned along the way.

But having sat just behind Bret Ratner as he organized some stunt-oriented shots and watched them on his monitors, having casually made a casting recommendation that he took very seriously, and having watched as Magneto and Wolverine engaged in a thrilling confrontation, I can say with some confidence that there will be good reasons to line up for this third sequel.

One of those reasons, Anne would tell you, is that Hugh Jackman looks as dashing as ever in his Wolverine chops, and he did an impressive stunt while we looked on. (I didn’t take any photos on the set, but apparently someone did a few days earlier, because they show Hugh Jackman standing in the same area where we visited the set.)

The sun was going down, so they were in a hurry to finish the scene, but the professionalism of everyone on the set was impressive, and Ratner welcomed us warmly and invited us right up to the front lines, where we listened in on his conversations with his assistant director, cinematographer Dante Spinotti, and Ian McKellan.

I can’t wait to see if my casting recommendation comes to fruition. Ratner seemed very excited about the idea, and sent folks running to investigate the possibility. We’ll see.

The next day, we encountered more celebrities up close and personal–we shared a breakfast with Peter and Deanna Chattaway, and I suppose it’s worth noting that they weren’t the only Chattaways at the table. So, while there were seats for only five of us, it was breakfast for seven. You do the math.

We hung out at Calhoun’s, a wonderful coffee shop for reading and writing, and also at The Bread Garden (which has undergone a dreadful remodel, losing its cozy personality and its extraordinary fresh scones for a forbiddingly shiny decor and conventional, uninteresting pastries.) One evening, Danny and I sampled local microbrews at a forgettable but sufficient pub called Shenanigans while I penned another chapter of the Auralia’s Colors sequel, and the next afternoon the three of us sampled various ales at the Granville Island Brewery.

Shopping in some Granville Island toy shops, I should note that I discovered the most unnecessary Lord of the Rings action figure ever to hit the market… BILBO TRANSFIXED.

Can you believe that? He appears onscreen like this for less than half a second in The Fellowship of the Ring, and he earns his own action figure. Isn’t that similar to Judi Dench winning an Oscar for an exceedingly short “supporting role” in Shakespeare in Love?

Now, I’m back home, and I really should be doing my assignments: this week’s Film Forum, a review of A History of Violence for CT, and Looking Closer’s review of Serenity. So off I go. Stay tuned.

Oh, by the way, when I arrived at home, I found something wonderful in the mail… an advance copy of David C. Downing’s Into the Wardrobe: C.S. Lewis and the Narnia Chronicles. Downing has done his homework, crafting a volume that will give newcomers a revealing glimpse into Narnia’s creation, and longtime fans will find their appreciation for the Chronicles deepening as they read. You’ll see my rave review on the back of the book. I encourage you to pick up a copy. Jossey-Bass has given it a beautiful cover, and it’ll make the perfect stocking-stuffer for the fantasy fan in your family, just in time for the release of the season’s most anticipated feature film. Whether the film soars or sinks, Downing’s narrative about Lewis’s writing process is worth perusing.

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