I'm still working my way through this book, and it is painful when I need to stop and take a break.  The action is starting to pick up and I need to hide somewhere quiet (preferably a Starbuck's) and knock this book out today.

I did take a break yesterday, however, to play around on the fun interactive site that is set up to mimic Brady's basement on the official Stephen King website (the fun can be found here: http://stephenking.com/promo/mr_mercedes/the-basement/).  There are lots of fun puzzles and hidden activities to be found here, but be warned - if you haven't read the book at all, some spoilers will be revealed.  If you're a reader that wants to come at this book with complete ignorance of the plot, do not go to this site until you're at least half way through the book.

Also of interest is that the movie rights to Mr. Mercedes have already been sold (back in May before the book was even published) to Temple Hill and Media Rights Capital and director Jack Bender (Lost, Under the Dome, Sopranos) is currently attached to the movie.

It is official! Channing Tatum will play Gambit in a X-Men spinoff movie.  X-Men Producer Lauren Shuler Donner confirms [see video] that Tatum has the part, and explain her reasoning behind the casting.

"Well, you know he's a rogue, Channing. He's a rascal, just like Remy Lebeau. And he can handle the action. We all know that. And he has a really good heart..."

Variety goes into detail about how Tatum has been lobbying hard to play the part, and confirms it will be in a spinoff movie.  [source]

I personally have no stake in this game. Gambit was never a favorite of mine, and I like Channing as a comedic/action actor. I don't know if he's a fit for the character, but I've been on the fence for a lot of Fox's casting choices in the X-men franchise, and been happily proven wrong.

It wasn't too long ago, I was flipping tables when I first heard they'd cast a six foot tall, pretty boy actor from Australia to play Wolverine. Hugh Jackman proved me wrong and went on to propel the franchise to a box office monster. So, I'm interested to see how it plays out onscreen. 

If you're curious about Channing's range and upcoming projects. 22 Jump Street, costarring Jonah Hill and Ice Cube, opens Jun 13th, and Jupiter Ascending, a sci fi Wachowski Siblings film costarring Mila Kunis and Sean Bean, opens July 25th.