Andrei Arlovski, Universal Soldier: Regeneration

In the surprisingly-good sequel/reboot to the Universal Soldier franchise, action legends Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren are reunited in a stripped-down science fiction thriller that doesn’t have any of the goofy comic relief of previous installments. And you might guess that Andrei Arlovksi, the UFC fighter who has to share the screen with those two titans, would be crowded out. But you’d be wrong – Arlovski’s turn as the NGU definitely holds its own against Van Damme and Lundgren.

Randy Couture, The Expendables

Of all the UFC fighters to pass through motion picture history, Randy Couture is probably the one who’s made the biggest mark. He’s one of The Expendables, after all – and he got to come back in the sequel earlier this year. And although Couture doesn’t exactly light the screen on fire as demolitions expert Toll Road when compared to his (much more experienced) partners like Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, and company, he’s still better than Liam Hemsworth.

Quinton Jackson, The A-Team

There are few 1980s TV actors as iconic as Mr. T who played B. A. Baracus on The A-Team. So it’s telling that the producers of the big-screen remake cast UFC superstar Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the part. And Jackson gets the chance to play a different Baracus from the one on the TV show. For much of the film, B.A. is an avowed pacifist! But don’t worry, he starts beating people up in due time.

Keith Jardine, Crank: High Voltage

Jason Statham stars in the batshit-insane sequel to his cult hit Crank, and he’s not wanting for company. Some of the celebrity guest stars to make cameos in High Voltage are porn star Ron Jeremy, Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, and UFC fighter Keith Jardine. Jardine may not be the most entertaining part of the movie, but his unexpectedly innocuous walk-in as a passerby should be pretty amusing to UFC fans.

Tito Ortiz (and others), Cradle 2 the Grave

If cameo appearances from UFC fighters are your bag, then Cradle 2 the Grave probably occupies a place of pride in your DVD collection. In an extended sequence involving underground cage fighting, several UFC fighters play the cage girls – just kidding. They play the cage fighters. Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and future Expendables star Randy Couture all make appearances, as well as kickboxer Héctor Echavarría. Hooray, fighting!

Winkler will play a yet to be determined role, but you can bet that he’ll provide some kind of support for James’ character. Maybe he’ll be the principal at the school where he teaches, and while he’s terrified of Ultimate Fighting, he’s very sweet and supportive while also having a weird quirk! Allan Loeb and his brother James will write, while Frank Corachi, director of this summer’s Kevin James romp, The Zookeeeper, will be behind the camera, so you just know the film will have a light, subtle touch of a Merchant Ivory production. Here Comes The Boom will be released on July 27, 2012, just in time for your Apocalypse BBQ. (The Playlist)

Sony has tightened up their summer 2012 tentpole release schedule (it’s never too early), and here’s what they’re working with:

(Please remember all release dates subject to change as movie execs get into pissing contests)

• Men in Black 3 – 3D (May 25th) The third installment of the Tommy Lee Jones/Will Smith family-friendly sci-fi series, also starring Josh Brolin.
• I Hate You, Dad (June 22nd) Adam Sandler is Andy Samburg’s dad in this comedy. Expect lots of silly voices, hilarious rage, and maybe some ironic rapping.
• The Amazing Spider-Man – 3D (July 3rd) Andrew Garfield‘s fills the shoes Tobey Maguire vacated in what will certainly be Sony’s most touted summer release.
• Here Comes the Boom (July 27th) Kevin James is a biology teacher that does karate or some crap.
• Total Recall (August 3rd) Colin Farrell plays the protagonist (Quaid) in this remake that shifts a bit from the story of the original. This film isn’t listed as 3D, but don’t rule it out.

While not an inspired slate of offerings from Sony, summer usually exists as a breeding ground for the familiar, so in 13 months, get ready to turn off the thinking cap and get mesmerized by the explosions and the fat guy falling over. (Deadline)

No stranger to making a sissy, Kevin James is now slated to go boom. Sony and Columbia have signed James to star in the action movie Here Comes the Boom. Salma Hayek is in talks for the female lead. If she is to sign on, this will be the second time her mammeries have starred opposite James’s.

The script is written by James and The Zookeeper scribe Rock Reuben, who is also a veteran of "The King of Queens." Though the log-line is being kept under wraps, the title conjurs up an image for me of the portly star slo-mo diving away from an explosion or toward a wedding cake. Maybe both. One way or the other, a cake is totally screwed in this movie. (Variety)