There's been lots of movement in geek property-based movies this week and we round up those happenings here.

Just days after being cast as Batman’s father Thomas Wayne for the upcoming Joker movie, actor Alec Baldwin has dropped out. EW confirmed the actor’s statement to USA Today “I’m no longer doing that movie.” According to the EW report, Warner Bros’ Joker film would reimagine the elder Wayne as “cheesy and tanned businessman who is more in the mold of a 1980s Donald Trump” rather than the philanthropic billionaire who is tragically murdered in front of his son. The Joker will be played by Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz and Marc Maron will co-star (see “Linda Hamilton Dominates First 'Terminator 6' Pic, Super-Pets on the Big Screen, '2001' on Imax, 'Cowboy Ninja Viking' and 'Joker' Casting”).

Spawn creator Todd McFarlane announced The Walking Dead director and effects specialist Greg Nicotero has been tapped for McFarlane’s upcoming Spawn movie to create practical effects. Nicotero’s company KNB EFX will create the new Spawn design for the McFarlane/Blumhouse picture. Nicotero also worked on the 1997 Spawn movie. “I'm a long-time fan of Greg’s work and the projects his company, KNB have done throughout the years,” said McFarlane “Working with him once again, to re-invent the Spawn 'look' so it will match the supernatural theme in the movie, is going to be a fun process.”  Production on the gritty, R-rated film is set to begin this fall. Jamie Foxx will play the lead and Jeremy Renner will play Twitch (see “Joaquin Phoenix Confirmed for Joker, Official 'Shazam!' Pic, 'Goosebumps 2' Trailer, 'RoboCop Returns,' 'Spawn' Adds Jeremy Renner”).

Wyile E. Coyote is finally holding Acme Corporation to account.  Variety is reporting that Warner Bros. is currently developing Coyote Vs. Acme, an animated feature which will be written by Jon and Josh Silberman (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Bordertown). Chris McKay, who directed Lego Batman, will produce. It is unknown if the Road Runner will be called as a witness.

The Dwayne Johnson-starring Big Trouble in Little China will be a continuation of the story, not a remake of the classic John Carpenter film, Collider is reporting. Hiram Garcia, president of production at Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions, said the new film will be a continuation of the universe glimpsed in Big Trouble in Little China. Johnson will not be playing Kurt Russell’s Jack Burton. The remake was announced in 2015 (see “Dwayne Johnson in 'Big Trouble in Little China'”).

Legendary Entertainment has optioned Pamela Ribon and Cat Farris’ graphic novel My Boyfriend is a Bear released by Oni Press (see “Oni's Diverse Slate of OGNs”).  Oni Entertainment will executive produce with Ribon, and Alex Hertzberg. Farris will co-produce. Ribon is currently attached as screenwriter.