Writer/exec producer/director Frank Darabont has dropped the writing staff to his hit series THE WALKING DEAD, reports Deadline.com.

Warner Bros. and Atlas Entertainment are rebooting BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER sans creator Joss Whedon, reports Variety.

Veteran animation and television writer Mike Scully has been named the recipient of the Writers Guild of America, West Animation Writers Caucus’ 13th annual Animation Writing Award, recognizing his prolific career and outstanding contributions to the craft of film and television animation writing, as well as his efforts to organize animation writers on behalf of the Writers Guild.

Steven Soderbergh is in negotiations to direct Warner Bros.' feature adaptation of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., according to The Hollywood Reporter.

24 Frames reports that Jeff Nathanson (CATCH ME IF YOU CAN) has been hired to rewrite MEN IN BLACK 3, which starts production tomorrow in New York.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), DC Entertainment and Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions Ltd (WLP) announced today that BATMAN LIVE – a unique action-packed live show - will tour arenas for the first time ever across the UK and Europe, beginning in summer 2011 and arriving in North America by summer 2012.

Starz is teaming with Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert to create a live-action remake of the anime NOIR, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Philip Noyce is in talks to direct Relativity Media's sci-fi drama TIMELESS, reports Deadline.com.

Variety reports that Jon Favreau will head the development of THE MAGIC KINGDOM.

Tim Herlihy, who has penned such Adam Sandler comedies as BILLY MADISON and THE WEDDING SINGER, will adapt the web short PIXELS for Sandler's Happy Madison and Columbia Pictures, reports Heat Vision.

Working Title has put into development a new MERLIN project, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

While not directly based on the Disneyland attraction the Tiki Room, Disney is in talks with Ahmet Zappa and Michael Wilson (MONSTER WITNESS RELOCATION PROGRAM) to acquire their spec script TIKI, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

J Blakeson (THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED) is in talks to direct Warner Bros.' HELL AND GONE, written by Jonah Nolan, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Steve Pink (HOT TUB TIME MACHINE) has signed on to helm THE TOXIC AVENGER remake, reports Deadline.com.

Seth Grahame-Smith has been tapped to pen the newest draft of Tim Burton's DARK SHADOWS adaptation, reports Deadline.com.

ZOMBIELAND producer Gavin Polone is set to make his directing debut on PSYCHO KILLER, reports Variety.

Silver Pictures is in talks with Dennis Iliadis (THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT) to take the helm of THE DEMONOLOGISTS, reports 24 Frames.

Warner Bros. has bought a pitch from Kevin and Dan Hageman (LEGO movie) that delves into the inner mayhem of the ACME warehouse made infamous in Looney Tunes cartoons, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

AVATAR writer Laeta Kalogridis will rewrite the script for the James Cameron-produced remake of FANTASTIC VOYAGE, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Warner Bros and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way have tapped Jason Rothenberg (THE SPARROW) to write a new TWILIGHT ZONE feature, reports Deadline.com.