DEAR STACY: Whatever became of plans to make a sequel to "Journey to the Center of the Earth" with Brendan Fraser? — Jon T., Chattanooga, Tenn.

DEAR JON: "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" is coming to theaters Feb. 10 in 3-D, with Josh Hutcherson returning from the first movie, but not Fraser. This time, Josh has Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as his new stepfather, and they're heading off to that title island on a search for his missing grandfather (Michael Caine). Luis Guzman plays the helicopter pilot, and Vanessa Hudgens is the pilot's daughter.

Hudgens plays a pregnant teen looking for her biological father in the upcoming "Gimme Shelter," in which she stars with — Brendan Fraser. (Have you noticed how "The Mummy" star has one of the most eclectic lists of credits around? From art-house flicks to mainstream blockbusters, to what-was-he-thinking bombs, Fraser is there.)

Ahead, Fraser's movies include the animated "Escape From Planet Earth" with Jessica Alba and Sarah Jessica Parker. He's in the forthcoming genius-kid-in-college comedy "HairBrained" with Alex Wolff. The planned adaptation of Neil LaBute's "Seconds of Pleasure," directed by Mike Figgis, has Fraser in the cast, along with Christina Hendricks, Julia Stiles, Matt Dillon and Kristin Scott Thomas. And Fraser is expected to play the title role in "William Tell 3-D."

DEAR STACY: I'd like to know if the T-Mobile girl can be seen in anything besides those commercials and wearing a different color than pink. — G.R., Cedar Rapids, Iowa

DEAR G.R.: Model Carly Foulkes, 23, was cast last summer as Retro Girl in the FX Network's pilot of Brian Michael Bendis' "Powers" comic series, about detectives who investigate cases involving subjects with superpowers. No word on when to expect it, but there are already plans for her to be prominent in the advertising, probably not wearing T-Mobile-magenta.

DEAR STACY: Is Blake Lively related to Eric Lively, who was on "The L Word"? — Teri, Richmond, Va.

DEAR TERI: Yes, the "Gossip Girl" beauty is the baby of an acting family that includes older brothers Eric and Jason and big sisters Robyn and Lori. Blake's mother, Elaine, is an acting coach, and father Ernie is an actor and director. Ernie played Blake's dad in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," and he and his children — plus Robyn's hubby, Bart Johnson — appear in the 2006 Crispin Glover horror movie, "Simon Says."

DEAR STACY: When I saw one of my favorite talents, Tracey Ullman, on the Kennedy Center Honors, I wondered what she's been up to lately. — Christopher W., Woodland Hills, Calif.

DEAR CHRISTOPHER: Ullman was among the stars in Stephen Poliakoff's new play, "My City," on London's West End this past fall, but she has nothing announced for the new year as yet. She has told me in the past that sometimes she likes to step away from the business for a while and allow herself to recharge creatively. Her "State of the Union" comedy show concluded its run in 2010.

To find out more about Stacy Jenel Smith and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.