JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH Sequel on the Way

From ComingSoon.net:

"New Line is reteaming with Walden Media and ContraFilm for a sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth, reports Variety.

The sequel is based on Richard Outten's script Mysterious Travels: The Lost Map of Treasure Island, in which Prof. Trevor Anderson and his nephew embark on a journey to a mysterious island that was the subject of three classic novels (Jules Verne's 'Mysterious Island,' Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' and Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels').

Journey to the Center of the Earth, starring Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson and Anita Briem, earned $101 million domestically and another $140 million overseas this summer.

Eric Brevig, who directed 'Journey' but has not yet committed to helm 'Mysterious Travels,' is working with Outten to develop the script for the sequel."

'Bout dang time! I've been waiting on a sequel to this great 3D movie. But where's Hannah from the original movie...? And what about Jack Black's Gulliver's Travels?

7 in Running for 2008 Visual Effects Oscar

"The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that seven films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 81st Academy Awards®. The films are listed below in alphabetical order:
Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Iron Man
Journey to the Center of the Earth
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
On Thursday, January 15, all members of the Academy's Visual Effects Branch will be invited to view 15-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films. Following the screenings, the members will vote to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration.
The 81st Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2009, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide."

My choices? The Dark Knight, Iron Man and/or Journey to the Center of the Earth. However, I haven't seen Curious Case of Benjamin Button though my friends tell me it was way too long. A good friend of mine said that Mummy III sucked.
Speaking of which, it's funny that two Brendan Fraser films are nominated. He's a favorite actor of mine.