It isn't much of a "Lost" scoop, but it's something ...

First off, when did Michael Ausiello start writing for Entertainment Weekly? Secondly, have we really gone this long without a single "Lost" update?

Yep, it's been a few months since Locke ended up in that blasted mystery coffin with a new name. And then ... crickets.

But Ausiello, formerly of TV Guide, is reporting that "Lost's" fifth season starts filming in 12 days and two new characters -- "both as mysterious as they are lethal" -- will arrive on scene.

According to EW.com:

"First up is Caesar, a dangerous, physical and extremely intelligent male between the ages of 35 and 45. Although his intentions are unclear, this much is certain: He's as skillful at charming people as he is at killing them. He also has a dark past, but, c'mon, that much was a given.

The other newbie is Ilanna, a European female in her late 20s to early 30s who possesses great intelligence, but who's also dangerous as all get out. She's alluring and apparently used to getting her own way."

Casting for both roles is just now getting started. Also, Rick Kushman of McClatchy Newspapers said the official word out of Comic-Con is that one major "Lost" characters will remain unharmed even as islands disappear and Chaz Widmore and Ben Linus wage war.

"It’s safe to say Vincent will make it to the end of the show," "Lost" co-creator Damon Lindelof told the Comic-Con crowd.

Woof! I mean, whew ...

-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com