Lily Collins in talks to star in 'Evil Dead' remake

When Lily Collins, daughter of pop-rocker Phil Collins, shows up in theaters this spring as Snow White in "Mirror, Mirror," she'll be up against Julia Roberts, who plays the wicked queen. But next year, Collins could find herself doing battle with something much worse.

The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the actress is in negotiations to star in the eagerly awaited remake of Sam Raimi's "The Evil Dead," which is being produced by Raimi, original star Bruce Campbell and Rob Tapert.

Campbell told Names & Faces on Thursday that he isn't in a position to reveal any "Dead" news now, but promised there will be "plenty of noise" about the film later.

The reboot, which will be directed by Fede Alvarez, is expected in theaters in April 2013.

Smith's 'Hit Somebody' update

Director Kevin Smith took to Twitter on Thursday to update his followers on his newest -- and what he said is his last -- film, "Hit Somebody." It's a hockey comedy based on a Warren Zevon song featuring lyrics by Free Press columnist Mitch Albom.

Smith, who previously revealed that he wanted "Hit Somebody" to be two movies, now says he plans to combine the two scripts he's writing into "one big movie." He hopes to start filming in June and would like the film to premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

Smith told the Free Press in March that he promised Albom the film would be shot in Michigan.

WADL to launch newscast

WADL-TV (Channel 38) is set to launch a 30-minute weeknight newscast beginning Jan. 16.

The 9 p.m. newscast will be anchored by Makenzi Henderson and feature meteorologist Eric Garlick, a Macomb County native.

WADL's "News @ 9" will include producing partners from Heritage newspapers and the Journal Register Newspaper group, which includes the Oa! kland Pr ess, Macomb Daily and Royal Oak's Daily Tribune.

For more: www.wadldetroit.com.

Briefly

The Palace of Auburn Hills will host the second date of the much-anticipated Van Halen tour. The veteran rock band, including original singer David Lee Roth, announced the itinerary in connection with a Thursday night show at Caf Wha? in New York City. The band hits the Palace on Feb. 20, with tickets on sale Jan. 14 (prices TBA). The tour will coincide with the Feb. 7 release of "A Different Kind of Truth," the group's first new studio album with Roth since "1984."

Adele's "21" was the No. 1 album for the week ending Jan. 1, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It's the 14th week "21" has held the top spot since the album's release in February. Nielsen reported that "21" was the top-selling album of the year in the U.S., with 5.8 million units sold.

Former Detroiter Jack White revealed to Mojo magazine that he and Tom Jones recorded two singles together, "Jezebel" and "Evil," which will be released as part of White's Third Man Records' Blue Series of singles. Stephen Colbert and the Insane Clown Posse have previously recorded with White at his studio in Nashville.

Attention, horror movie fans: A free screening for "Hostel: Part III" is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at the Emagine theater in Royal Oak. Created by Eli Roth and starring Sarah Habel and Kip Pardue, the third installment in the franchise was partially filmed in Detroit in August 2010. To get tickets, send an e-mail to jenny@filmingindetroit.com. Promoters want you to print "HOSTEL: PART III" in the subject line and include your first and last name. It's first come, first served. You'll receive a confirmation RSVP for two if you make the list.

(Weird) Al Yankovic will h it the Fox Theatre on May 5. Tickets ($19-$49) go on sale at 10 a.m. Jan. 14.

COMPILED BY B.J. HAMMERSTEIN, FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER. CONTACT HIM AT 313-223-4528 OR BJHAMMERSTEIN@FREEPRESS.COM.