Stealing 'Thunder' The synopsis is breathless, and purple: "Fearing certain death, shamed Father O'Malley travels in the dark of night to the cliffs of Mohr under strict orders from the church: 'You must nary speak a word for 50 years.' At first, O'Malley sees the retreat as a tonic, but as the years in seclusion wear on, he finds the craggy ocean walls act as a prison, entombing his desires." Wow, why haven't we heard of this "Satan's Alley" before? And who's this "award-winning actor Kirk Lazarus"? He's Robert Downey Jr., and the website (www.satansalley.com) for the "movie" (co-starring someone who looks suspiciously like Tobey Maguire) is part of an elaborate promotion for "Tropic Thunder."

For the geekette Comic-Con is a geek guy's nirvana, sure, but there's plenty for the ladies too. After "suffering" through countless panel discussions, Awards Daily's Sasha Stone has listed her "Hunks of Comic-Con": 1) Robert Pattinson ("Twilight"); 2) Hugh Jackman ("Wolverine"); 3) James Franco ("Pineapple Express"); 4) Keanu Reeves ("The Day the Earth Stood Still"); 5) Patrick Wilson ("Watchmen"); 6) Sam Worthington ("Terminator: Salvation"); 7) Mark Wahlberg ("Max Payne"); 8) Jason Statham ("Death Race"); 9) Seth Rogen ("Pineapple Express"); 10) Brendan Fraser ("The Mummy").

The final reel New Line Cinema has asked John Waters to style a sequel to "Hairspray." ... Leonardo DiCaprio's production company is seeking pitches for a "Twilight Zone" movie. ... We haven't seen the last of Harold & Kumar: A second sequel is reportedly in the works. ... Director Francis Lawrence confirms that he's working on a prequel to Will Smith's "I Am Legend."

CYNTHIA DICKISON