We’ve been keeping a close watch on the upcoming apocalypse film 2012 by director Roland Emmerich — mainly because it features the world cleansing itself of humanity and beating us to a pulp in the process. It stars actors like John Cusack (there had better be a scene with him standing in the rain) and Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, and Chin Han.

Director Roland Emmerich has plenty of experience with disaster movies — having been the guy behind such faves as The Day After Tomorrow and Independence Day. And while I thought the White House getting zapped by aliens in Independence was pretty awesome, nothing compares to the sheer gratuitous insanity of watching a tumbling aircraft carrier in a tsunami wipe it out instead. Check it out below:

Note: As the trailer is getting hammered at the moment, I would recommend letting it load a bit before watching. That, or hit up Yahoo for what appears to be a faster stream.

As we’ve mentioned previously, the year 2012 is rapidly approaching — and with it, the chance that we’re all going to explode.

Actually, that’s only one of the scenarios. According to the Mayan calendar, 2012 is the moment when the world will re-boot. Some speculate that we’ll shift in thinking and enlightenment, while others have prophesied that the universe will send us an ultimate smack-down. (ie, world-wide volcanic eruptions, asteroid hit, Sarah Palin as President, etc.)

Anyways, hoping to cash in on these theories, Hollywood is getting ready to launch the disaster flick 2012 this summer. The film stars John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, and Amanda Peet. (>>View the trailer here.) As is becoming routine these days, the build-up to the film also includes some well-produced “viral” websites that provide information on everything happening as if it were really happening. There’s the IHC (Institute for Human Continuity), whose mission is to ensure the survival of the human race beyond 2012, a website for John Cusack’s character’s book Farewell Atlantis, and a blog from a crazy guy (played by Woody Harrelson) called “This Is The End“.

For a taste of Harrelson’s character, named Charlie Frost, check out the video below:

The apocalyptic movie 2012 — starring John Cusack and Woody Harrelson — has just received its first trailer. Based on this early impression, it looks a little bit like eco-disaster flick The Day After Tomorrow; which I guess makes sense since Roland Emmerich is the director behind both films.

“I play a guy who’s been talking for a long time, the whole world thinks he’s crazy,” Harrelson said earlier this year of his character. “But he’s been talking that there’s gonna be hell to pay for what’s been going on ecologically and everything.”

Other actors due to star in 2012 include Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, and Chin Han. Check it out below:

Jessica Alba is supporting the cause. Along with Revlon and In Style, she is offering supporters of Rainbow Trust a chance to win a Chloe bag she has personally signed.

Other celebrities are also joining in: Keira Knightley, Elle McPherson, Claudia Schiffer, Thandie Newton, Sharon Osbourne and Eva Green are auctioning personal handbags as well, on November 4 at a charity tea event in The Berkeley hotel ballroom.

In Style editor Trish Halpin says, “This is going to be a fun, uber glam event which will raise lots of money for an incredibly good cause. After all – what woman doesn’t want a fantastic handbag?”

Photo credit: INFPhoto

The ancient Mayans believed that the world would come to complete ruin in the year 2012. Present day Hollywood predicts this could be a box office success in Summer 2009.

It has already been announced that John Cusack will star in the Roland Emmerich film and now Woody Harrelson has revealed to MTV that he has joined the cast of the upcoming apocalyptic thriller 2012 as well.

“I play a guy who’s been talking for a long time, the whole world thinks he’s crazy,” Harrelson said of his character. “But he’s been talking that there’s gonna be hell to pay for what’s been going on ecologically and everything.”

Harrelson doesn’t know why they thought of him for the role, but for those of us who know of his outspoken activist ways, it seems a very natural fit.

Other actors due to star in 2012 include Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, Amanda Peet (fortunately the subject of vaccines isn’t in the storyline), Oliver Platt, and Chin Han.

The campaign is sponsored by Volvic and World Vision who will supply ten litres of clean, safe drinking water for every litre of Volvic Plain or Volvic Touch of Fruit purchased. Thandi recently visited Mali and witnessed the problem first hand. She said:

“My trip to Mali was a humbling experience, and one that I will never forget. Having seen first hand the vital difference, clean, safe water makes to the lives of children, women and the wider community; I hope that people in the UK will get behind the ‘1L-for-10L’ campaign and help generate the much needed supply of water, something we take for granted everyday.”

As a result of the 1L-for-10L project, wells are being dug in Ghana, Malawi, Zambia and Mali in 2008, generating over 1.7 billion litres of water in the first year alone. To find out more about this pretty incredible project, visit Drink1Give10.com. GO THANDI!!!!!!

—Actress Thandie Newton in a recent interview with USA TODAY

[Ed Note: You can also check out the letter Thandie wrote several actors and actresses urging them to dump their SUVs in favor of smaller vehicles. It was written about two years ago, but still has some great info -- and also shows off her passion for the environment. The note was sent to Jamie Oliver, Chris Martin, Michael Jackson, Mel Gibson, Charlize Theron, Madonna, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and her Mission Impossible II co-star Tom Cruise.]

The auction is going live on eBay tonight at 7pm and will help raise funds for the Lavender Trust charity- a group supporting women suffering with breast cancer. All the dresses will be sold on eBay at three-day intervals until the release of the film.

Many of the donations are well known red carpet dresses, and straight off the backs of people like Mariah Carey, Geri Halliwell, Thandie Newton, Naomi Campbell and Heidi Klum. 

Obviously, the auction comes just in time for the release of Katherine Heigl’s latest film, 27 Dresses, which will hit nationwide March 27th (insert obvious plug here). 

So if you just gotta, gotta, gotta dress like a star and want to help a super neat charity, visit the 27 Dresses Celebrity Dress Auction homepage and find out more.