--The World Premiere of ALIEN ENCOUNTERS: THE MESSAGE debuts on SCIENCE Tuesday, March 13, at 10:00 PM ET/PT ALIEN ENCOUNTERS: THE ARRIVAL PREMIERES on Tuesday, March 20 at 10:00 PM ET/PT--

ALIEN ENCOUTNERS brings together renowned experts including Nick Sagan and SETI Institute’s Dr. Jill Tarter to explore how alien life might communicate with Earth. Some of the world’s leading scientists explain the scientific, cultural and psychological effects a first contact with aliens would have on humans. ALIEN ENCOUNTERS is a part of SCIENCE’s Are We Alone? initiative happening the entire month of March.

Episode Descriptions:

Part 1- The Message premieres on Tuesday, March 13 at 10 PM (ET/PT)Part 2- The Arrival premieres on Tuesday, March 20 at 10 PM (ET/PT)

In two dramatic hours, ALIEN ENCOUNTERS lays out a plausible hypothetical scenario for a first contact event. What would really happen if we got a message from space? How will humans react when we learn that a message from a distant technology or a spacecraft is on its way to Earth? Will humans learn from aliens, or become colonial subjects? Some of the world’s leading astrophysicists, astrobiologists, and sci-fi writers help unravel the scientific, cultural and psychological impact of this world-changing global event. This show is made in cooperation with The SETI Institute which was founded in 1984 and had renowned astrophysicist Carl Sagan as one of its Board of Trustee Members. Carl’s son Nick is now following in his father’s footsteps wondering, “How will we meet our galactic neighbors?”

The Paramount/Skydance release is on track to pull in about $52 million for the weekend in its 3,956 locations, according to studio estimates. The fifth installment in the series, written and directed by Chris Mcquarrie, finds Cruise facing off against a squad of special agents known as the Syndicate. Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner and Rebecca Ferguson also star.

“This is the rare sequel that leaves its franchise feeling not exhausted but surprisingly resurgent at 19 years and counting,” Variety‘s review says of the pic. Cruise has already announced plans for a sixth film.

“Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol,” the previous pic in the series, pulled in $209 million in the U.S. and $485 million internationally. The first four “Mission: Impossible” films have totaled more than $2 billion in worldwide grosses.

The “Vacation” remake pulled in $4.5 million in 3,411 locations on Friday night, bringing its cumulative gross to $10.8 million since bowing on Wednesday. The laffer is expected to make about $13 million in the three-day frameNew Line’s “Vacation,” made on a $31 million budget, bows 32 years after the original trip to Walley World. Helms plays the grown-up Rusty Griswold, who plans a trip to the theme park with his wife, played by Christina Applegate, and their children. Chris Hemsworth also stars.

Channing Tatum has closed a deal to star in Gambit, 20th Century Fox’s X-Men spin-off movie.

The move, which was widely expected, contradicts reports that appeared last week suggesting the actor would exit the project after failing to come to terms with Fox.

Sources say that Tatum and the studio did hit a sensitive spot in negotiations, but such back-and-forth is a normal part of top-level talent dealmaking. The Magic Mike star's participation hardly was in any real danger because the actor already had invested quite a bit in the superhero part. Tatum has been attached to the movie (loosely then officially) as both actor and producer for a few years and even made a surprise appearance at Fox’s X-Men panel at Comic-Con in July.

One thing that needed figuring out was the extent of Tatum’s involvement in the X-Men universe. Fox sees Tatum’s Gambit, a mutant who harnesses kinetic energy, as one of the anchor characters of the X-universe, akin to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, someone who would anchor his own movies and appear in numerous others. It’s a commitment that could theoretically last more than a decade. (Jackman has been portraying Wolverine since 2000, for instance.)

Sources say that backend compensation was also a sticking point.

Rupert Wyatt, who directed Fox’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes, will direct Gambit.

The Josh Trank reboot of Fantastic Four doesn't come out until next week, but with a sequel already set for 2017, we're already thinking about the future, as are the cast members.

At a recent press event in Atlanta, we had the chance to sit down with Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, and Michael B. Jordan who play Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, respectively, in the upcoming film from 20th Century Fox.

We asked the cast members what they wanted to see in the sequel and Bell had clearly done some thinking on the topic. "I'd like to see more of how the characters interact with each other famously from the comic," Bell started. "It would be appealing to me. This one very much is to get them to that point, to take them from people you don't know, to transition into characters you can recognize. The job of the next film is taking it further and having the characters already established, seeing them interact in the very famous kind of way. Things between me and Johnny get very antagonistic. More of a blossoming love story between Reed and Sue. More of a family dynamic. Stuff like that would be great There's a wealth of material and with a 90 minute run time of an origin story it's very difficult to fit it all in."

So, Bell wants to see the good guys interact and become a tight knit team, but what about villains? You can't have a good super hero film without a good villain and for Bell, the villain he wants to see in a Fantastic Four sequel is the Silver Surfer. "You can't get away from Silver Surfer. I know chronologically speaking that was the next villain in the previous franchise but I think Silver Surfer is cool looking," Bell said. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, was the 2007 sequel in the less-then-critically-acclaimedFantastic Four pair of films which starred Doug Jones as the titular Silver Surfer.

Jordan, who Flames On as the Human Torch throughout the upcoming film, has a different opinion and he feels pretty strongly about it. "Namor is a cool one," Jordan said, adding he is, "by far, he's the strongest mutant. You know what I'm saying? Maybe not by far, but he's the strongest mutant. It would be a pretty interesting battle, the Fantastic Four vs. Namor."

That's an unlikely showdown seeing as the rights to Namor currently reside with Universal Studios who would more likely broker a deal with Marvel that would see Namor on the big screen than Fox. Remember, The Incredible Hulk with Edward Norton is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's despite coming from Universal.

Jordan knows his stuff when it comes to comics though. He has a specific Namor storyline he wants to see and he opened up about it. "The classic one where he's running rampant and the only way he'll stop is if he gets a kiss from Sue right in front of Reed. It's awesome. I think that would make for a good movie and storyline," Jordan said.

As part of CBR's weekly Q&A column AXEL-IN-CHARGE, Marvel Comics Editor-in-ChiefAxel Alonso confirmed plans for a previously teased Brian Michael Bendis-written sister-title to the upcoming "Invincible Iron Man", as part of the All-New All-Different Marvel initiative.

"Brian and David [Marquez] are playing thelong game with 'Invincible Iron Man,'" Alonsoexplained. "When Brian pitched us, he said there was an idea for a sister-title that would spin out of the first germinating in his brain."

Alonso didn't reveal a title, artist or focus character for the sister-title during the interview, though he did hint that October's "Invincible Iron Man" #1 -- specifically its ending -- will contain plenty of clues.

"I can’t say much, but I will say this: The reveal on the last page of 'Invincible Iron Man' #1 is big enough that it might need an entire series just to deal with. Retailers -- plan accordingly!" he added.

The October debut issue of "Invincible Iron Man" has reportedly will amass more than 200,000 copies sold based on initial direct market retailer orders. The first issue, which sees Bendis continuing his collaboration with former "Ultimate Spider-Man" artist David Marquez, will find Tony Stark stepping into a new suit of armor and a new era of his life, as he tries to uncover the mystery of his parentage.

All-New, All-Different Marvel kicks off in full force this fall, and Marvel is making sure all comic book stores worldwide are armed and ready for the new flagship Marvel title as INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 explodes into comic shops on October 7th! You won’t want to miss comic superstar Brian Michael Bendis and red-hot artist David Marquez’s opening salvo in their explosive new ongoing series. And Marvel is ready to make the launch one to remember. In addition to being first in line to purchase INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1, fans will also be able to receive special items at participating retail stores, including the first piece of the exclusive BUILD YOUR OWN IRON MANpromotional item!

Launching alongside INVINICIBLE IRON MAN #1, the first piece of the BUILD YOUR OWN IRON MAN promotional item will allow fans to assemble their very own Iron Man armor. Based on artist David Marquez’s new armor design, collect all six pieces, launching alongside Invincible Iron Man and five other October Marvel titles, fold and compile your very own Iron Man standing nearly a foot tall!

To ensure these parties are a massive sales success, each retailer opting into the event will receive exclusive INVINCIBLE IRON MAN Party promotional materials. Check your Marvel Mailer for more information on how to opt-in by 8/10 to ensure your store has these items.

“Make no mistake, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN is the flagship title for the new Marvel Universe,” says David Gabriel, Marvel SVP, Sales & Marketing. “Brian and David are exploding out of Secret Warswith an exciting new beginning for the most recognizable super hero on the planet. This one is going to be BIG and we’re backing our retail partners with access to all kinds of promotional materials, exclusive variants, cake toppers and more – everything they need to entice customers to suit up with Tony Stark!”

All qualifying retailers who opt in will receive the following as part of the INVINCIBLE IRON MAN launch:

Mass media promotion around the launch of Invincible Iron Man and the associated parties

But that’s not all! Retailers who qualify will also be eligible to order the INVINICIBLE IRON MAN #1 Deadpool Party Variant. Everyone loves Tony’s new armor – even the Merc With a Mouth! From rising star Yasmine Putri, fans won’t want to miss this exciting variant only available at the upcoming launch parties. Strap in and suit up! Prepare for the marquee comic launch of the fall as Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez armor up and bring you a new Iron Man for a new Marvel Universe. Don’t miss the blockbuster INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 – on-sale October 7th !

Their legend echoes through history. Ancient warriors and wielders of the legendary Ebony Blade. Champions of their own destiny. But what do you do when it’s your destiny…to be damned? Find out this November as the creative team of Frank Tieri (Wolverine) and Luca Pizzari (Red Skull) bring you BLACK KNIGHT #1 – a brand-new ongoing series launching as part of All-New, All-Different Marvel!

Forged by ancient magic, long has the Ebony Blade granted its user the powers of the Black Knight, passed down through the centuries. But all power comes with a price, as each and every Black Knight has met an untimely end – a victim of the blade’s curse. Will Dane Whitman’s fate be the same? The long-time Avenger’s addiction to the blade grows stronger and stronger every day. Will he succumb to its power and suffer the same end?

A lost man himself, Dane now finds himself in Weirdworld, the place where all lost things go. What are the circumstances that brought him to this strange place, so far from the world he called home? And what could he possibly have done that would cause the Uncanny Avengers to mobilize against him, a man they called friend?

See the Marvel Universe from a whole new angle this November as Tieri and Pizzari take Dane Whitman to the depths of Weirdworld and beyond in BLACK KNIGHT #1!

On Thursday, Stardust tweeted, "It's just a matter of hours before I utter FIVE words that will SPICE up the summer." Later during a WWE SmackDown match Stardust spiced things up by taunting his opponent with: "You have failed this city!"

Hey, that's the catchphrase Stephen Amell's Arrow/Oliver Queen uses on his superhero television series! The thievery did not go unnoticed by Amell, who quickly responded with his own tweet: "That sonofab*tch stole my line." He added, "You know the saying imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? I disagree."

The CW’s “Arrow” has cast “Falling Skies” alum Ryan Robbins in a recurring role for season four,Variety has learned exclusively.

Robbins will play Conklin, a sadistic and ruthless member of Shadowspire who will be an adversary for Oliver (Stephen Amell) in the flashback sequences. The show’s flashback arc will also see the titular hero take on Jimmy Akingbola’s Baron Reiter (aka Baron Blitzkrieg in DC Comics Canon), who is the leader of Shadowspire.

Robbins will make his first appearance in episode three of season four. The actor is one of several new additions for the superhero show’s fourth year; he’ll join Echo Kellum as Curtis Holt (aka the heroic Mr. Terrific), Neal McDonough as villain Damien Darhk and “Star Trek: Voyager” favorite Jeri Ryan as Jessica Danforth, a friend of the Queen family with political ambitions.

Another beloved manga is about to find a new life on the silver screen, as sources confirm that Lionsgate is moving forward with an adaptation of the mega-popular NARUTO, with emerging helmer Michael Gracey in line to direct. The studio recently closed the rights to the Japanese series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, which follows Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who dreams of one day becoming the Hokage, the village ninja who serves as protector and leader, considered strongest of them all. Prolific producer Avi Arad, a self-described fan of the series, will produce via his shingle Arad Productions, while Erik Feig, Geoff Shaveitz, andKelly O’Malley will oversee for the studio.

With over 200 million copies in print, Naruto has become the third highest-selling manga in history, generating an avid fan-base worldwide. Though it originally started out as a manga, the property has since been adapted into an unbelievably popular anime series, which has aired on the likes of Cartoon Network, Hulu, and Disney XD in the U.S. The series spawned ten feature films, with an eleventh, Boruto: Naruto the Movie, set for release next month.

Though he initially began in visual effects/animation, Gracey has now moved to feature directing, with a slew of high-profile projects in his wheelhouse. He’s currently at work on a new adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witchesfor Warner Bros., with Alfonso Cuarón and Guillermo Del Toro producing. Gracey is also directing the Jim Henson biopic Muppet Man, Focus Features’ Elton John biopic Rocketman, and 20th Century Fox’s P.T. Barnum musicalThe Greatest Showman on Earth.

The development of the project doesn’t come entirely as a surprise, as popular manga series have proved tempting fodder in Hollywood. The Guest director Adam Wingard is currently working on the long-gestating Death Note adaptation for Warner Bros., while Scarlett Johansson’s Ghost in The Shell, which Arad is also producing, is moving forward at Paramount with Rupert Sanders directing.