I agree with MB that things seem right on track now for the DS film. Of course, things could still fall through, but I think an April start date is about as specific as we could hope for. I'm also not too surprised we haven't heard any casting news yet (other than Johnny for Barn, of course!) but I imagine that after the New Year, tidbits about the cast will start to trickle through.
I'm a little divided on the theory of Anne Hathaway as Vicky Winters; overall, I really like Anne, but I actually personally thought she was the weakest link in Alice In Wonderland. Not that I thought that Alice was one of Burton's stronger films, anyway, but I found Anne's performance to be distracting and off the mark. If she is indeed cast in DS, I will just hope for the best!
As to what Johnny could possibly do with his time between now and April, that is a question that we fans are certainly asking ourselves right now
Some known/possible activities:
Tourist premieres and promotion (Dec.)
Rango premieres and promotion (Feb.)
Kathryn Bigelow film- I'm not sure if that's definitely ruled out, now, or not
Snow White (this is still just a rumor, but I haven't heard it debunked yet)
Keith Richards documentary that Johnny is directing- I'd like to see him use this time to get this done!
21 Jump Street film cameo- Johnny kinda sorta seemed amenable to doing this
maybe just spending some time with Vanessa and the kids?
So there are some possibilities but we'll see if any of them come to pass. As long as DS stays on track!
Cathy