Robert Downey Jr. is seeing his career take off thanks to Iron Man. And, according to the Chicago Sun Times, though, his next film project might be centered around an iron man of a different kind.

Rumors are circulating that the actor may sign on to play Hugh Hefner the Playboy founder’s big-screen biopic.

It’s not a done deal yet, but sources say Hefner has approved of Downey to play him in the movie, which has the apt working title of Playboy.

There’s no word on when the cameras might actually begin rolling on the movie, but it could happen as soon as next summer, depending on Downey’s Iron Man 2 filming and the finalization of the Hefner script.

Nothing is definitive yet, but it appears that movie viewers could see Spider-Man 4 in theaters within the next three years. However, director Sam Raimi and stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst have not officially signed on to the project yet.

According to IESB, Marvel’s vice chairman Peter Cuneo told the press during a conference call last week that the future of Spider-Man 4 is “up to Sony” with the most likely release date for the film being in either 2010 or 2011.

Cuneo added that Sony hopes to make Spider-Man 4 “within a reasonable timeframe” and that it “may be looking at some issues with the cast and so on, I think they have to make some decisions.”

That’s for sure. Would they really film the movie without Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst?

As talk of numerous follow-ups dominate Hollywood - from Jurassic Park 4 to S. Darko - Jack Black has confirmed he may be involved in a future sequel.

From The Cannes Film Festival, the comedian said there’s already a script written for School of Rock 2. Moreover, he’s anxious to return to the role of music teacher Dewey Finn, even though nothing is signed just yet.

“In a few weeks we have to decide if we go through with the project or not,” Black said.

Would you go see School of Rock 2?

Jay Roach is a producer/director with a pair of comedic aces up your sleeve: Austin Powers 4 and Little Fockers. Will these follow-up films be made?

“I know [Mike Myers is] thinking about it,” Roach said when asked about a new Austin Powers movie. “Which is something of a move in a direction.”

As for rumors that Gisele Bundchen might end up in the film? Roach has a message for fans: slow down.

“There isn’t a script like that or anything yet,” Roach cautioned. “But it’s something, that [is still alive]… he’s got other stuff to do too, and that one’s completely driven by Mike. If he wants to do it, I’ll definitely want to be involved. But I don’t know yet when that’s gonna happen.”

A similar theme accompanies a sequel to Meet the Fockers.

“The way we go after these is when we have a story that can make it earn itself back,” Roach told MTV. “Sequels shouldn’t always be automatic; there’s a certain amount of pressure if something works, to have it work twice. But that doesn’t always mean it will work three times.”

As for the film, which would reportedly focus on parenthood and be called Little Fockers, the director continued:

“We’re just trying to find the right story that makes it worth doing again. We always talk about ideas for it, and it would be a great group of people to get back together, for sure.”

According to Cinematical, Spider-Man fans need to listen up:

An inside movie source says James Vanderbilt (Zodiac) has turned in a working draft of Spider-Man 4 to the studio. However, according to the insider, “his story arc has encompassed two films, making Spider-Man 5 shootable at the same time. The studio saw dollar signs and is in the process of reworking his deal to snatch up the story arc.”

This sounds exciting, but would mega stars such as Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire really commit themselves to one franchise for so long a period of time? It seems unlikely.

We’ll keep you posted.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull hasn’t even hit movie theaters yet. But franchise creator George Lucas is still peering into the future.

He spoke with Roger Friedman of Fox News at the Cannes Film Festival and said:

“I haven’t even told Steven or Harrison this But I have an idea to make Shia [LeBeouf] the lead character next time and have Harrison [Ford] come back like Sean Connery did in the last movie. I can see it working out.”

Will we see these actors reunited in Indiana Jones 5?

Lucas continued:

“And it’s not like Harrison is even old. I mean, he’s 65 and he did everything in this movie. The old chemistry is there, and it’s not like he’s an old man. He’s incredibly agile; he looks even better than he did 20 years ago, if you ask me.”

As for the early, mixed reviews for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, let’s just say the director is far from worried.

“This movie is the exact same experience as the other three were. The difference is, the novelty of discovery is gone. I get worried when I hear fans say they’re expecting something different that will change their lives. This is ‘Indiana Jones’ just as you remember him.”

We’re all for Indiana Jones 4. Can’t wait to see what this crystal skull kingdom is all about.

But Jurassic Park 4?!? While we’d hoped that idea would be as extinct at the dinosaurs, Laura Dern has hinted at the strong possibility of yet another film in this franchise.

The actress, who has portrayed Dr. Ellie Sattler in the series, recently told TV Guide Magazine that the movie appears to be a go:

“It’s a while away but my understanding is it’s happening and my character is very involved. I know [director] Steven Spielberg is looking forward to [getting it together] over the next year,” Dern said

Would you go see Jurassic Park 4?

What are the latest casting news, notes and rumors making their way around Hollywood? Let’s take a look…

• Magneto will be joined by a new co-star (hint: he’s one heck of a Beast!) if news that Hank McCoy is joining X-Men prequel rings true… — Latino Review

• Tom Cruise is in negotiations for 28th Amendment, the story of a president who realizes he doesn’t actually control anything. Type casting alert! — Movie Hole

• Forget blood, might there be singing and dancing in Daniel Day-Lewis’ future? Actor in talks to join The Nine… — Variety

Marvel Studios just announced that it was bringing The First Avenger: Captain America to the big screen on May 6, 2011.

That date may be years down the line, but it’s never too soon to speculate about who could play the star-spangled Avenger. And the name currently causing debate across the Internet?

Matthew McConaughey.

Could you see him as Captain America?

For those that think the repairing of Tom Cruise’s public image is an impossible mission, they should consider the following rumor making the Internet rounds:

Cruise is set to be in another Mission: Impossible film, according to celebrity gossip maven Perez Hilton.

The actor - who is totally in love with Katie Holmes, in case you haven’t heard, is reportedly reconnecting with Viacom CEO Sumner Redstone for the film.

“Tom will make M:I 4 once Paramount greenlights the script. There will most definitely be another Mission: Impossible,” said a source.

Would you go see Mission: Impossible 4?