LOS ANGELES — Robert Downey Jr. is hardly the obvious choice to play an iconic crime fighter.
After all, this is the guy who became a poster boy for Hollywood excess, serving a year in prison on drug and alcohol-related charges and checking in and out of rehab like it was the Four Seasons.

But it is exactly that past, says director Jon Favreau (Elf), that makes Downey the only choice to play playboy millionaire and recovering alcoholic Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, the comic-book superhero who hits multiplexes next year.

“We didn’t want to just go with a safe choice,” Favreau says from the set of the film, due in theaters May 2, 2008. “The best and worst moments of Robert’s life have been in the public eye. He had to find an inner balance to overcome obstacles that went far beyond his career. That’s Tony Stark. Robert brings a depth that goes beyond a comic-book character who is having trouble in high school, or can’t get the girl. Plus, he’s simply one of the best actors around.”

For his part, Downey is trying to become an iron man. At 42, he lifts weights five days a week and practices martial arts to get in shape to play the hard-bodied Stark, an arms manufacturer who uses his ultimate weapon, a jet-powered, missile-launching suit of armor, to fight evil. [ Source ]

Initial feeling? Not feeling that. I’m tired of the same ol’ actors. BTW, No more Nicholas Cage movies ever. I Ghost Rider was the straw. No more Ben Affleck. No more Colin Ferrell (sp?) Did Shaq really mess up Superman’s Steel that much to get colored people blacklisted? Has Wesley Snipes not been forgiven for ducking dem alphabet boys in the trap? Bring in some new blood. Or atleast some blood that hasn’t been tapped many times in the past few years. Do any of you have any ideas? If Hollywood doesn’t find someway to get Ghostface a cameo and a single on the soundtrack, i’ma boycott. I would hate to see this movie bastardize one of my favorite comic heroes of all-time.

I do realize how late I am with this info about Robert Downey becoming Iron Man. I remember hearing about it back in September. I just thought that it was a rumor and that Marvel will drop some new blood in it before this summer season. But your boy Terrence Howard will be Jim Rhodes in the movie. And there is little doubt that a War Machine movie will be created whenever Howard needs a jolt of stardom when his dax supply runs low.

They Just Might Hate Me After This, Sleaze

Approximately a week ago, yours truly did something that I have NEVER seen any other black blogger do. And that is offer you an easy path to some easy money. Last week, I sent a private email out to everybody who has registered a username on ZillaSays.com. The private email basically offered the registered users a way of earning some prime-choice kobe fillet mignon cut ad moolah for being chosen as my guestblogger for one week in may.

People. Never ever say that I never tried to give you anything. Although I’m not allowed to publicly announce how much I score from the Google Ads, I’ll atleast say this. Couple that with my BlogAds, I make a nice set of change. Hell, anybody who’s doing it half as good as I am is banking.

I don’t come out the pocket for this blog. In fact, I don’t come out the pocket for most things that I’ve purchased via the net. (I’m not restoring cars, but I am building another computer with high-end hardware.) And I was gonna give you a piece of that before I spent it. But guess what…nobody answered.

What happened?
Did my message end in spam?
Did you not believe me?
Are you too lazy?
Can’t read?
Can’t read or write?

No matter. S’all good. I’m not sad. I’ll just use your money to buy more schwag. Just remember, Zillz tried to give your silly self some money and you blinked.

Also…

Did anybody see “Boston Legal” last night?!
I exploded with laughter at the pinpoint coonery of William Shatner’s character as he told Jaleel White’s character that “he didn’t sound black.” And that whole side of the 1 hour plotline dedicated to Shatner’s Denny Crane’s ignit-yet-comical-yet-incisive racism was rather entertaining. It ended with Bergen’s character holding a press conference with the press that in industries which have lots of money, AND WHITIES, these are normal practices. Normal practices meaning, holdin’ down the brothas and sistas. Yes. I went there. Seemed like an obvious episode dedicated to the Imus thing-thing. S’all good.

And I heard about your man Russell Simmons wanting Hip-Hop artist to clean up their lyrics after appearing on Oprah. womp womp. That’s great and all, I guess. If you’re with it, you’re with it. I’m not. I believe hos exist and in free speech. You can’t have it both ways.

The Don Imus event was truly saddening for all of us. We should be promoting and embracing racial harmony, not racial divisiveness and hatred. If we could see with our hearts we would see the truth… One People, One Spirit, One Mind.” - Emily King

Emily King’s East Side Story drops June 12th.

Thanx Roberto. Although I shouldn’t post this because Emily didn’t answer my submitted questions. yeah I went there. Plus I’ve moved on from Imus…

Cam’ron Pops Off About Jay-Z, Nas & 50
Thanx Nick.

Elephant Man’s Lets Get Physical on June 26th.

Elephant Man is on Bad Boy now? I thought it was common knowledge, atleast by now, to stay away from Bad Boy.

Audio: Elephant Man - “Five O” feat. Wyclef

Site: Official and Myspace

Thanx Kwasi.

Eve’s Here I Am on August 7th.

You all know that Eve left (or was dropped from) Dr. Dre’s Aftermath for Geffen Records. And just like The Game, don’t expect any Dr. Dre beats for any exiles. But I doubt Eve is anywhere close as a drama queen as The Game. Here I Am is the album, coming August 7th with production from Timbaland, Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz, Cool & Dre, Pharrell and Sean Paul.
Audio: Eve - “Tambourine” (prod. by Swizz Beatz
Thanx Amina!

Nya Jade

Emerging Artist Nya Jade Launches the NYA Foundations To Support The Welfare of African Youth Orphaned By AIDS/HIV

San Francisco-based music phenom Nya Jade announces today the launch of the Nurturing Young Africa (NYA) Foundation, created to support the welfare of African children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and other circumstances.

Nya’s fundraising efforts for her foundation include a new jewelry collection designed in collaboration by Nya and the modern, sculptural jewelry design company RedStart Design.

Video: Live

Site: Official and Myspace
Thanx Brian.

Like A Boy Remix

Audio: Ciara - “Like A Boy” remix produced by TrackZillas (no relation)
Thanks RadioRaheim.