Joss Whedon

Superhero happenings

Lynda Carter, who shot to stardom as "Wonder Woman" in the 1970s, has made her way to the big screen recently. She had a supporting role in the unfortunate TV remake movie "The Dukes of Hazzard," and this summer, played the principal at a school for young superheroes in "Sky High," which also starred Kurt Russell. Now, her heroine alter ego is about to emerge on the big screen. Casting and shooting will begin early next year for director Joss Whedon’s "Wonder Woman." Meanwhile, "Superman Returns" is now in post-production and flies into theaters this spring, starring Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor and Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane. Look for 77-year-old actor Jack Larson, who played Jimmy Olson on the old "Adventures of Superman" series with George Reeves in a cameo role. Not to be out-done, The WB network is capitalizing on the success of its "Smallville" series and is launching a spin-off series now untitled, according to "Daily Variety," about Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman.

One shot

I still laugh at Don Knotts’ character Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show" and how he was only allowed to carry one bullet in his pocket in case of emergencies for his unloaded gun.

Knotts, 81, is enjoying the attention he’s getting from the Walt Disney Pictures computer animated hit "Chicken Little," which is doing quite well in theaters. Knotts provides the voice of Mayor Turkey Lurkey.

My buddy from Los Angeles caught up with Knotts last week, of all places, while standing in line at a local grocery store to get a flu shot. Knotts was just five people ahead of him in line.