Oscar-Winning actress Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine, Lord of the Rings trilogy) is in talks to play a new female lead role in Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok, Variety is reporting. It was recently announced that Stephaney Folsom was working on the script for the film (see “Geek Movie News Round-Up”).

Idris Elba is being courted by Sony Pictures and media Rights Capital to portray gunslinger Roland Deschain in The Dark Tower film adaptation, according to Deadline. Reports last month listed Matthew McConaughey in talks to play The Man in Black (see “Geek Movie News Round-Up”).

Sofia Boutella, who played the deadly double-amputee Gazelle in Kingsman: The Secret Service is in talks to play the starring role in Universal’s classic monster franchise revival The Mummy, THR is reporting. Alex Kurtzman is set to direct (see “Spandex Monsters?”). The film will release on March 24, 2017 (see “Best in Shows--Q1 2017”).