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PULP CULTURE goes on hiatus
Posted Thursday, April 7, 2005, 12:10AM CDT by Franklin Harris
I regret to announce that this Web site is going on indefinite hiatus. My column has been dropped from the newspaper where I work, and, as a result, I will not be updating this site with new columns for the foreseeable future.
I would like to thank my readers, who have helped make my time writing Pulp Culture (since 1998) such a pleasure.
Thank you for your support.
Franklin Harris
Showtime assembles 'Masters of Horror'
Posted Thursday, March 31, 2005, 11:54AM CST by Franklin Harris
Showtime has picked up the 13-episode anthology series "Masters of Horror." Each hour-long episode will be directed by top horror filmmakers, including Dario Argento, John Carpenter, Larry Cohen, Roger Corman, Don Coscarelli, Joe Dante, Mick Garris, Stuart Gordon, John Landis, Tobe Hooper and George Romero. The writers on the series include comic-book scribe Steve Niles ("30 Days of Night").
Anchor Bay will release the series on DVD.
Source: Bloody Disgusting
BBC renews 'Dr. Who'; Eccleston quits
Posted Thursday, March 31, 2005, 11:44AM CST by Franklin Harris
The BBC has renewed the new "Doctor Who" series produced by Russell T. Davies for a second 13-episode season. But the second season will proceed without leading man Christopher Eccleston, who cites the series' "grueling" production schedule as the reason for his departure.
According to the BBC, Eccleston's final "Doctor Who" episode will be a Christmas special. (Note: In BBC terms, a "Christmas special" doesn't necessarily have anything to do with Christmas. It simply airs on Christmas.)
London bookies are already placing odds on Eccleston's replacement, who will be the 10th actor to play The Doctor on television (not counting spoofs). The front-runner is David Tennant, star of another Davies-produced TV series, "Casanova."
Source: BBC News
Shyamalan's next to be 'Lady in the Water'
Posted Thursday, March 24, 2005, 8:50PM CST by Franklin Harris
M. Night Shyamalan is getting set to shoot his next movie, "Lady in the Water," for Warner Bros. Filming begins in August for a scheduled release in July 2006. The story centers on a building superintendent who finds a sea nymph in his apartment building's pool.
Source: Cinescape
IDW brings 'Shaun of the Dead' comic to life
Posted Thursday, March 24, 2005, 1:54AM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: IDW Publishing and Universal Studios Consumer Products have joined forces to bring the hit zombie comedy "Shaun of the Dead" to comic fans, in the form of a miniseries chock-full of exciting extras.
The adaptation, written by IDW Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall with input by director Edgar Wright and co-writer/title actor Simon Pegg, delivers the storyline of the highly successful movie, and more! The comic version of the film will incorporate deleted and unshot material, too. Depicting all the action will be artist Zach Howard (Detective Comics), aided by Thompson Knox's vibrant colors. Each issue will also boast a painted cover by British artist Jason Brashill.
"Writing the adaptation of this movie is really a perk of the job I never quite expected," said IDW's Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall. "And even better is the the fact that the artwork for this adaptation is so phenomenal, and that Edgar and Simon have been so approving and helpful. I think the love all of us have for this project shows on every page, and I hope fans of the movie feel the same way."
"Shaun of the Dead" is a four-issue, 32-page, full-color miniseries debuting in June.
Zatanna to be 'teen magician' on big screen
Posted Wednesday, March 23, 2005, 1:37AM CST by Franklin Harris
Writer Hadley Davis ("Ice Princess") said she is working on a screenplay based on the DC Comics character Zatanna. For the film, the female magician will be recast as a teenager. According to Sci-Fi Wire, "Davis said that her script will differ in its approach to comic book-oriented material from previous Warner Brothers adaptations, such as the Batman series. 'It's more of a [comedic] and kind of tweeny, teen-[oriented],' Davis said."
Thomas Haden Church to face down Spidey
Posted Wednesday, March 23, 2005, 1:31AM CST by Franklin Harris
Oscar nominee Thomas Haden Church ("Sideways") will play Spider-Man's nemesis in "Spider-Man 3," director Sam Raimi said. The identity of Church's character is a secret for now, but the film is scheduled for release on May 4, 2007.
Source: Superhero Hype
Sony eyes 'Killraven' movie
Posted Monday, March 21, 2005, 1:50AM CST by Franklin Harris
Sony Pictures is in negotiations with Marvel Entertainment to produce a feature film based on Killraven, a swashbuckling hero who fights for freedom on a future Earth where humanity is enslaved by extraterrestrial invaders. In the 1970s Marvel comic books, the aliens were based on those in H.G. Wells' 1898 novel, "The War of the Worlds."
Source: Superhero Hype
Whedon to helm 'Wonder Woman'
Posted Thursday, March 17, 2005, 3:58AM CST by Franklin Harris
Joss Whedon, creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and writer of Marvel Comics' "Astonishing X-Men," has signed on to direct "Wonder Woman" for Warner Bros. The film is based on the DC Comics superheroine, but the part of the title character is yet to be cast.
Source: IGN FilmForce
'X-Men' sequel gets its director
Posted Monday, March 14, 2005, 10:15PM CST by Franklin Harris
Matthew Vaughn has signed to direct the third "X-Men" movie. Vaughn, who produced "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and Neil Gaiman's "A Short Film About John Bolton," directed his first feature, "Layer Cake," last year.
Source: Superhero Hype
The Power of Grayskull comes to DVD
Posted Wednesday, March 9, 2005, 3:08AM CST by Franklin Harris
BCI Eclipse will release the 1980s cartoon series "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" on DVD, beginning with a 10-episode "best of" set in July, which will be followed by a season 1 set in the fall. BCI plans to release the entire 135-episode series, plus the 65-episode "New Adventures of He-Man" series (1991-91) and the "He-Man/She-Ra Christmas Special."
Source: TV Shows on DVD
'Halloween' producer Hill dies at 54
Posted Wednesday, March 9, 2005, 1:53AM CST by Franklin Harris
Movie producer Debra Hill, who co-wrote "Halloween" with director John Carpenter, died Monday. She was 54 and had been battling cancer for about a year. Hill's credits include "The Fog," "Escape from New York" and "The Fisher King."
Source: Cinescape
Cage to star in 'Wicker Man' remake
Posted Wednesday, March 9, 2005, 1:47AM CST by Franklin Harris
Nicolas Cage has signed to star in writer/director Neil LaBute's remake of "The Wicker Man," set to begin filming in Vancouver on July 15. The original 1973 film starred Christopher Lee and Edward Woodward.
Source: Cinescape
Paramount gets 'Invincible'
Posted Wednesday, March 2, 2005, 2:26AM CST by Franklin Harris
Paramount Pictures has purchased the movie rights to Robert Kirkman's comic book "Invincible." Paramount hopes to launch a franchise based on Kirkman's teenage superhero.
Source: Superhero Hype
New 'Trek' movie in development
Posted Monday, February 28, 2005, 11:16AM CST by Franklin Harris
An 11th "Star Trek" film is in the early stages of development, and a screenwriter, Erik Jendresen ("The Hot Zone"), has been hired. Longtime "Trek" producer Rick Berman is developing the film with Jordan Kerner and Kerry McCluggage.
Source: Cinescape
'Babylon 5' movie dead for now
Posted Sunday, February 27, 2005, 11:43AM CST by Franklin Harris
"Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski writes on his Web site that his proposed "Babylon 5" spin-off movie, "The Memory of Shadows," is dead. The parties that purchased the film rights from Straczynski were unable to raise financing, and the rights have reverted back to Straczynski.
Straczynski said, "[T]he option has reverted, and to all intents and purposes, the project has dead ended. Nor do I think this particular incarnation will arise again at any point in the future, though prognostication has always been a tricky art, especially if you have to do it without the benefit of hindsight."
'Gatchaman' DVD due in June
Posted Friday, February 25, 2005, 2:05AM CST by Franklin Harris
ADV Films has announced a June 14 release date for the first DVD set of "Science Ninja Team Gatchaman," the 1970s Japanese cartoon series originally released in America as "Battle of the Planets" and again as "G-Force." ADV will release all 105 episodes (including 20 never before released in North America) uncut. The first set will include 10 episodes on two discs and one disc of extras. It will retail for $44.98.
WB plans 'Constantine' sequel
Posted Thursday, February 24, 2005, 2:40AM CST by Franklin Harris
Warner Bros. is moving ahead with sequel plans for "Constantine," which posted an opening-weekend gross of $34.6 million, the best opening ever for an R-rated movie over a holiday weekend. Starring Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz, "Constantine" is based on the DC/Vertigo Comics series "Hellblazer."
Source: Superhero Hype
20 episodes ordered for 'Galactica' season 2
Posted Thursday, February 24, 2005, 2:30AM CST by Franklin Harris
The Sci-Fi Channel has ordered 20 episodes for the second season of its revamped version of "Battlestar Galactica." The new episodes will begin airing this summer.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
Whedon to stay on 'Astonishing X-Men'
Posted Monday, February 21, 2005, 2:11AM CST by Franklin Harris
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon and artist John Cassaday will stay on Marvel Comics' "Astonishing X-Men" for a second year, Whedon confirmed Saturday.
Source: Newsarama
'Smallville,' 'Lost' stars stumble into 'The Fog'
Posted Monday, February 21, 2005, 2:01AM CST by Franklin Harris
Tom Welling ("Smallville") and Maggie Grace ("Lost") have joined the cast of director Rupert Wainwright's "The Fog," a remake of John Carpenter's 1980 film. Carpenter is producing the remake with Debra Hill and David Foster.
Source: Bloody Disgusting
Purefoy joins 'V for Vendetta'
Posted Monday, February 21, 2005, 1:50AM CST by Franklin Harris
James Purefoy has signed to star opposite Natalie Portman in "V for Vendetta," based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Purefoy will play the masked anarchist freedom fighter V.
Source: Cinescape
Straczynski asks fans to help beam up 'Star Trek'
Posted Wednesday, February 16, 2005, 10:04PM CST by Franklin Harris
"Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski is asking fans to write Paramount and request that the studio hire him and producer Bryce Zabel to reboot the "Star Trek" franchise.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
'U.N.C.L.E.' loses its main man
Posted Wednesday, February 16, 2005, 9:58PM CST by Franklin Harris
Matthew Vaughn has left the director's chair of the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." movie. A replacement has not yet been chosen.
Source: Dark Horizons
'Clerks' sequel before cameras April 8
Posted Monday, February 14, 2005, 9:23PM CST by Franklin Harris
"Clerks" writer/director Kevin Smith says that his sequel, tentatively titled "The Passion of the Clerks," will begin filming April 8. Most of the original cast will return, and an animated "Clerks" film is also in development.
Source: Dark Horizons
'Galactica' renewed for second season
Posted Friday, February 11, 2005, 2:50AM CST by Franklin Harris
The Sci-Fi Channel has renewed its new hit series "Battlestar: Galactica," reports Variety.
Source: ICv2.com
Janssen, 'Dark Phoenix' back for 'X-Men 3'
Posted Thursday, February 10, 2005, 9:00PM CST by Franklin Harris
Famke Janssen (Jean Grey) says she is returning for a third "X-Men" movie and that the "Dark Phoenix" plot from the comic books will be a major part of the film's story.
Source: Superhero Hype
UPDATED: 'Excorcist' remake rumors debunked?
Posted Thursday, February 10, 2005, 8:52PM CST by Franklin Harris
Two bad sequels and one bad prequel may not keep Warner Bros. from revisiting the "Exorcist" franchise yet again. A remake of the original film is rumored to be in the works, according to Creature Corner.
UPDATE: Fangoria casts serious doubt on the remake rumors.
'Saw 2' to hit theaters in October
Posted Thursday, February 10, 2005, 8:49PM CST by Franklin Harris
Lions Gate plans to release "Saw 2: Hacksaw," the sequel to last year's "Saw," in time for the Halloween season in October. Bloody Disgusting reports that the screenplay is almost finished.
UPDATED: 'Evil Dead 4'? Groovy! If it happens
Posted Monday, February 7, 2005, 11:00AM CST by Franklin Harris
In addition to producing a remake of his cult film "The Evil Dead," Sam Raimi plans to direct "Evil Dead 4," which will star Bruce Campbell as reluctant, wisecracking hero Ash from the original "Evil Dead." Raimi and his brother Ted have begun work on the script and will begin production later this year.
Source: Dark Horizons
UPDATE: In an interview with Sci-Fi Wire, however, Raimi seems much less sure of when or if "Evil Dead 4" might happen, saying, "I'd like to one day. I can't promise that I will, but that is something I'd really like to do, and I'd like to pursue that."
UPN cancels 'Star Trek: Enterperise'
Posted Wednesday, February 2, 2005, 5:28PM CST by Franklin Harris
UPN announced today that it is pulling the plug on "Star Trek: Enterprise," the prequel series to the original "Star Trek." The last new episode will air in May.
Source: Reuters
McFarlane to develop TV series
Posted Monday, January 31, 2005, 1:43AM CST by Franklin Harris
"Spawn" creator Todd McFarlane and movie producer Don Murphy ("League of Extraordinary Gentlemen") have teamed up to develop "Twisted Tales," a half-hour horror/fantasy/sci-fi anthology TV series. If the show reaches the airwaves, plans are for McFarlane to serve as the show's host.
Source: Cinescape
Bentley to haunt 'Ghost Rider'
Posted Friday, January 21, 2005, 9:51PM CST by Franklin Harris
Wes Bentley ("American Beauty") has signed on to play the villainous Blackheart in "Ghost Rider." He will star opposite Nicolas Cage in the Marvel Comics adaptation directed by Mark Steven Johnson ("Daredevil").
Source: Dark Horizons
Zemeckis to unleash 'Beowulf'
Posted Friday, January 21, 2005, 9:45PM CST by Franklin Harris
Robert Zemeckis ("Back to the Future") has agreed to direct "Beowulf." Based on the 6th century heroic poem about the Scandinavian warrior who fights the monster Grendel (as well as Grendel's equally monstrous mother and a dragon), the film has been in development for several years. Zemeckis will work from a script by Neil Gaiman ("Sandman") and Quentin Tarantino collaborator Roger Avary ("Pulp Fiction").
Source: Cinescape
Kolchak to stalk the night again
Posted Thursday, January 20, 2005, 8:20PM CST by Franklin Harris
ABC has ordered up a revised version of "Kolchak: The Night Stalker," the 1970s TV series starring Darren McGavin as a reporter who specializes in stories about the supernatural. "X-Files" producer Frank Spotnitz is overseeing the show's revival.
Source: Moviehole
Two more to fly with 'Superman'
Posted Sunday, January 16, 2005, 9:47PM CST by Franklin Harris
Hugh Laurie, star of the new Fox TV series "House," has signed on to play gruff newspaper editor Perry White in director Bryan Singer's new "Superman" film. Laurie will be joined by "X-Men" star James Marsden, who will play a new character named Richard White, possibly Perry's son and a rival love interest for Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), as if the Clark/Superman/Lois triangle weren't complicated enough.
Source: Cinescape
Lois and Lex join Singer's 'Superman'
Posted Monday, January 10, 2005, 10:37AM CST by Franklin Harris
Director Bryan Singer has found his Lois Lane and Lex Luthor to star opposite the new Superman, portrayed by Brandon Routh. Kevin Spacey will shave his head to become Superman's nemesis Lex Luthor, while Spacey's "Beyond the Sea" co-star Kate Bosworth will play intrepid reporter Lois Lane.
Source: Dark Horizons
Vaugier feels the 'Painkiller Jane'
Posted Thursday, January 6, 2005, 2:11AM CST by Franklin Harris
Emmanuelle Vaugier, who had a recurring role as Dr. Helen Bryce on "Smallville," has been picked for the title role in "Painkiller Jane," the Sci-Fi Channel's two-hour pilot based on the Event Comics comic-book character created by Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada.
Source: Superhero Hype!
Portman joins 'V For Vendetta'
Posted Thursday, January 6, 2005, 2:01AM CST by Franklin Harris
Natalie Portman has joined the cast of "V For Vendetta," based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore ("League of Extraordinary Gentlemen") and David Lloyd. The film, produced by Joel Silver, Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski, will be directed by James McTeigue, first assistant director on the Wachowskis' "Matrix" trilogy.
Source: Superhero Hype!
Will Eisner dies at 87
Posted Tuesday, January 4, 2005, 10:14AM CST by Franklin Harris
Comics legend Will Eisner ("The Spirit," "A Contract With God") died Monday from complications of open-heart surgery, reports Newsarama. He was 87. His final graphic novel, "The Plot" will be released later this year by W.W. Norton.
Goyer's next movie is a 'Flash'
Posted Friday, December 17, 2004, 8:24PM CST by Franklin Harris
"Blade: Trinity" writer/director David Goyer will produce, write and direct "The Flash" for Warner Bros. The film will be based on the DC Comics superhero, reports Variety.
Source: Superhero Hype!
Browder to join 'Stargate: SG-1'
Posted Thursday, December 16, 2004, 2:32AM CST by Franklin Harris
"Farscape" star Ben Browder is reported to be joining the cast of the Sci-Fi Channel's "Stargate: SG-1" for the show's ninth season.
Source: Cinescape
Warner Bros. says 'U.N.C.L.E.'
Posted Tuesday, December 14, 2004, 6:03PM CST by Franklin Harris
Warner Bros. is pushing forward with a big-screen remake of the 1960s TV spy series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." Matthew Vaughn (no relation to Robert Vaughn, who played agent Napoleon Solo in the TV series) is in negotiations to direct.
Source: ICv2.com
Is Goyer ready for Thor?
Posted Tuesday, December 14, 2004, 5:59PM CST by Franklin Harris
Marvel Studios President and CEO Avi Arad said last week that David Goyer ("Blade: Trinity," "Batman Begins") has agreed to write the screenplay for "Thor," based on the Marvel Comics character, for Sony Pictures. But Goyer said last weekend that the deal isn't done yet, but he is hoping to both write and direct the film.
Source: Dark Horizons
Fox hires writer for 'Magneto'
Posted Tuesday, December 14, 2004, 5:51PM CST by Franklin Harris
With "Wolverine" already in the works, 20th Century Fox is developing another "X-Men" spin-off. Fox has hired Sheldon Turner ("The Longest Yard") to write a screenplay for "Magneto," which will focus on the early years of the "X-Men" villain (portrayed in "X-Men" and "X2" by Ian McKellen).
Source: Cinescape
Alternate 'Exorcist: The Beginning' to theaters
Posted Friday, December 10, 2004, 2:29AM CST by Franklin Harris
Director Paul Schrader's original cut of "Exorcist: The Beginning" is in post-production for limited theatrical release in 2005, reports Moviehole.com. A re-shot version of the film by director Renny Harlin hit theaters earlier this year.
'Babylon 5' movie in pre-production
Posted Friday, December 10, 2004, 2:17AM CST by Franklin Harris
A feature film based on the acclaimed science-fiction TV series "Babylon 5" is in pre-production in the United Kingdom, reports Cinescape Online. The movie, "The Memory of Shadows," reportedly will begin filming in April from a screenplay by "Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski.
Cage and Moore to team for P.K. Dick movie
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004, 9:14PM CST by Franklin Harris
Nicholas Cage is set to star in "Next," a sci-fi thriller based on the Philip K. Dick short story "The Golden Man." Julianne Moore is in negotiations to co-star. Moore would play an FBI agent recruiting psychics to stop terrorist attacks before they happen, while Cage will play a man who can see the future. Gary Goldman ("Total Recall") is writing the screenplay.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Darkness' comic picked for movie
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004, 9:09PM CST by Franklin Harris
Dimension Films and Platinum Studios have purchased the film rights to the Top Cow Productions' comic book "The Darkness."
Source: Cinescape Online
Cassavetes to direct 'Iron Man'
Posted Tuesday, November 30, 2004, 1:07AM CST by Franklin Harris
Nick Cassavetes ("The Notebook") will direct "Iron Man," based on the Marvel Comics superhero, from a script by David Hayter. New Line Cinema is looking to release the film in 2006.
Source: IGN FilmForce
Sam Raimi to produce 'Evil Dead' remake
Posted Wednesday, November 24, 2004, 7:09PM CST by Franklin Harris
It seems that fans can forget about "Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash." Producer/director Sam Raimi has other plans for his reluctant hero, Ash, originally played by Bruce Campbell.
According to a report in Variety, Raimi and fellow "Evil Dead" producers Campbell and Robert Tapert will produce a remake of the original 1981 "Evil Dead."
Fans will recall that "Evil Dead" spawned two sequels, "Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn" and "Army of Darkness." All three films have attained cult status.
Raimi will not take the director's chair for the ramake, which is set up at Ghost House Pictures, where Raimi has already produced one popular horror-movie remake, "The Grudge."
According to various Internet rumors, Campbell will not return as Ash.
Source: Coming Soon
Cameron to helm 'Battle Angel Alita'
Posted Wednesday, November 24, 2004, 6:52PM CST by Franklin Harris
Director James Cameron ("Terminator") recently told National Public Radio that his next project will be "Battle Angel Alita," an adaptation of the manga by Yukito Kishiro.
"We're finishing up the shooting draft right now," Cameron said.
"The main character, even though it's a live action film, the main character will be done with CG animation, and the second thing that's interesting is we're going to be shooting it in 3D using the stereo imagining system that we've been developing for the documentaries."
Source: Superhero Hype!
'Matrix' duo to produce 'V for Vendetta'
Posted Saturday, November 20, 2004, 2:21AM CST by Franklin Harris
The Wachowski brothers ("The Matrix") and Joel Silver are producing a film version of Alan Moore's graphic novel "V for Vendetta." James McTeigue, the Wachowski brothers' first assistant director, is in negotiations to direct.
Source: Superhero Hype!
Paul Greengrass to helm 'Watchmen'
Posted Saturday, November 20, 2004, 2:16AM CST by Franklin Harris
Ain't It Cool News reports that Paul Greengrass ("The Bourne Supremacy") has replaced Darren Aronofsky as the director of "Watchmen," the big-screen adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' groundbreaking graphic novel.
New documentary looks at EC Comics
Posted Thursday, November 11, 2004, 5:33PM CST by Franklin Harris
The documentary "Tales from the Crypt: From Comic Books To Television," which tells the story of EC Comics and the HBO television series based on EC's classic horror titles, is now available from www.cryptdvd.com. In the early 1950s, EC comic books like "Tales from the Crypt" and "Vault of Horror" earned the publisher a cult following. The documentary chronicles the company's rise and fall, as well as the TV show that carried on its legacy.
DreamWorks picks up 'Casshern'
Posted Thursday, November 11, 2004, 10:38AM CST by Franklin Harris
DreamWorks has acquired the North American distribution rights to "Casshern," a Japanese sci-fi film that blends traditional, stop-motion and CGI animation. DreamWorks will release the film under its Go Fish banner.
Source: DreamWorks SKG Fansite
Aronofsky not watching 'Watchmen'?
Posted Tuesday, November 9, 2004, 9:18AM CST by Franklin Harris
Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream") reportedly has pulled out of directing "Watchmen," an adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' graphic novel of the same name. The reason appears to be a scheduling conflict between "Watchmen" and Aronofsky's next project, the long-delayed sci-fi film "The Fountain."
According to Ain't It Cool News, Paramount Pictures wants "Watchmen" in theaters for summer 2006, and Aronofsky could not meet that deadline. Paramount must now find someone else to helm the project.
No 'Global Frequency' for The WB
Posted Tuesday, November 9, 2004, 9:06AM CST by Franklin Harris
The WB has passed on the pilot for "Global Frequency," a proposed new series based on the comic book written by Warren Ellis. The show's producers, however, are free now to shop the pilot to other networks.
Source: Superhero Hype
'The Fog' rolls in again
Posted Tuesday, November 2, 2004, 10:50AM CST by Franklin Harris
Revolution Studios is planning a remake of John Carpenter's 1980 ghost story, "The Fog." Cooper Layne is writing the screenplay, and Carpenter is on board as one of the remake's producers. Filming is set to begin in February.
Source: Cinescape
Chabon and Wo Ping unite for 'Snow White'
Posted Tuesday, November 2, 2004, 10:44AM CST by Franklin Harris
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon will write "Snow and the Seven," a martial-arts retelling of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," for Walt Disney Pictures. Yuen Wo Ping, the fight choreographer of "The Matrix" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," will direct.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
Hannibal Lecter to bite again
Posted Tuesday, November 2, 2004, 10:38AM CST by Franklin Harris
Bantam Dell Publishing Group will publish Thomas Harris' new Hannibal Lecter novel, "Behind the Mask," in fall 2005. The novel will be a prequel to Harris' previous books. The Dino DeLaurentiis Company has already acquired the film rights.
Source: The Associated Press
'Saw' sequel to be ready for Halloween 2005
Posted Tuesday, November 2, 2004, 10:31AM CST by Franklin Harris
A sequel to Lions Gate's new horror film "Saw" is scheduled arrive in theaters for Halloween 2005. "Saw" earned $18.3 million over its opening weekend, making it the second biggest debut for a Lions Gate film.
Source: Bloody Disgusting
'The Blob' again set for remake
Posted Tuesday, November 2, 2004, 10:26AM CST by Franklin Harris
Paramount Pictures and producer Scott Rudin are gearing up to remake the 1958 horror classic "The Blob." An earlier remake, directed by Chuck Russell, hit theaters in 1988.
Source: Cinescape
New screenwriter tackles 'Indiana Jones'
Posted Wednesday, October 27, 2004, 8:39AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Jeff Nathanson has been hired to rewrite Frank Darabont's draft of the fourth "Indiana Jones" movie. Nathanson's other screenwriting credits include "Catch Me If You Can," "Rush Hour 2," "Speed 2" and "The Terminal."
Source: Cinescape
New Line conjures 'Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell'
Posted Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 6:50PM CDT by Franklin Harris
New Line Cinema has purchased the movie rights to Susanna Clarke's best-selling fantasy novel, "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell," which is currently No. 4 on the New York Times bestseller list.
Source: Coming Soon
'Robotech' sequel in the works (again)
Posted Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 6:41PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Harmony Gold, the production company that edited together three Japanese cartoon series and unleashed the result on America as "Robotech," has been trying to get a sequel off the ground since the 1980s. Now it looks like a sequel might happen. Anime Insider magazine reports that Harmony Gold plans to release "Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles" as a direct-to-DVD movie in 2005. If the movie is successful, a series of DVDs or a 26-episode TV series may follow.
Source: Toon Zone
Fox cancels 'Tru Calling'
Posted Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 11:13AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Tru Calling" stars Eliza Dushku and Shawn Reaves confirmed last weekend that Fox has canceled the series. Six episodes have been filmed for season 2, but Fox has no immediate plans to air them.
Source: Dark Horizons
'Iron Man' movie has a script
Posted Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 11:06AM CDT by Franklin Harris
New Line Cinema has signed off on David Hayter's "Iron Man" script, based on the Marvel Comics character. The studio, which hopes to start production early next year, will now search for a director and a lead actor.
Source: IGN FilmForce
Whedon won't helm 'X-Men 3'
Posted Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 10:55AM CDT by Franklin Harris
At a political fundraiser last week, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon denied reports that he will write and/or direct "X-Men 3" for 20th Century Fox. "Quite frankly, I thought about it for a long time, I looked into my heart, and I realized that Fox didn't ask me to," Whedon joked.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
Columbia Pictures holds another 'Grudge'
Posted Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 10:49AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Columbia Pictures has put a sequel to its horror film "The Grudge" on the fast track following the first film's better-than-expected opening last weekend. "The Grudge," which stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, earned $39.1 million in its opening weekend, a hefty return on its $10 million budget.
Source: Creature Corner
You will believe Brandon Routh can fly
Posted Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 10:41AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Warner Bros. announced last week that Brandon Routh, a previously all-but-unknown soap-opera actor, has won the coveted role of Superman in director Bryan Singer's upcoming revival of the DC Comics superhero franchise. According to the studio's press release, "The untitled Superman movie is expected to begin principal photography in Australia early next year for release in summer, 2006."
Source: Cinescape
Christopher Reeve dies at 52
Posted Monday, October 11, 2004, 11:53AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Christopher Reeve died Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest and falling into a coma Saturday. He was 52.
Reeve had been suffering from a severe systemic infection as a result of a pressure wound, a common complication for people who are paralyzed. Reeve was paralyzed in 1995 after being thrown from a horse during an equestrian contest.
Reeve gained iconic status by starring in four "Superman" movies in the late '70s and early '80s. Recently, he had appeared in several episodes of the TV series "Smallville."
Source: Cinescape Online
Dimension catches 'The Ghost'
Posted Thursday, October 7, 2004, 12:39AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Dimension Films has picked up the remake rights to the Korean horror film "Ryeong" ("The Ghost").
Source: Dark Horizons
Animated 'Fantastic Four' to air in 2006
Posted Thursday, October 7, 2004, 12:31AM CDT by Franklin Harris
A new cartoon series featuring Marvel Comics' "Fantastic Four" is scheduled to air in late 2006, about a year and a half after the live-action "Fantastic Four" movie hits theaters. The series, with a planned 26 episodes, will blend traditional animation with computer-generated 3D animation.
Source: Cinescape Online
Writer hired for 'Wolverine' movie
Posted Thursday, October 7, 2004, 12:27AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Hugh Jackman isn't under contract for it yet, but a spin-off movie featuring the actor's "X-Men" character is moving ahead. David Benioff ("Troy") has been hired by 20th Century Fox to write the screenplay for "Wolverine."
Source: Cinescape Online
John Woo is master of He-Man's universe
Posted Monday, October 4, 2004, 11:23AM CDT by Franklin Harris
John Woo ("Hard Boiled") will produce and direct a live-action He-Man movie based on Mattel's Masters of the Universe toys. Adam Rifkin will write the screenplay.
Source: Superhero Hype!
Fox hires 'X-Men 3' writer
Posted Monday, October 4, 2004, 11:12AM CDT by Franklin Harris
20th Century Fox has hired Simon Kinberg to write the screenplay for "X-Men 3." Kinberg is no stranger to superhero movies, having done rewrites on scripts for "Fantastic Four" and "Elektra."
Source: Cinescape Online
Janet Leigh dies at 77
Posted Monday, October 4, 2004, 11:06AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Actress Janet Leigh, who became a Hollywood and horror-movie icon with her shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film "Psycho," died Sunday. She was 77. According to news reports, Leigh had been battling vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels, for a year.
Source: Reuters
ABC to deliver 'Rosemary's Baby'
Posted Wednesday, September 29, 2004, 7:38PM CDT by Franklin Harris
ABC is developing a four-hour mini-series remake of "Rosemary's Baby," based on the novel of the same name by Ira Levin and Levin's sequel, "Son of Rosemary." Unlike Roman Polanski's 1968 film, the mini-series will follow Rosemary's child into his teenage years. ABC will broadcast the mini-series in late 2005.
Source: Cinescape
Brody to investigate death of TV's Superman
Posted Thursday, September 23, 2004, 12:20AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Adrien Brody ("The Village," "King Kong") will star in "Truth, Justice and the American Way," the biopic of television "Superman" star George Reeves. Brody will play the lead detective investigating Reeves' death in 1959.
Source: Superhero Hype!
'Scary' trio reunited for 'Superhero!'
Posted Thursday, September 23, 2004, 12:16AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The team behind "Scary Movie 3" will reunite for a spoof of superheroes. Writer Craig Mazin, director David Zucker and producer Robert Weiss are joining forces for the film titled, appropriately enough, "Superhero!" Filming is scheduled to begin in the spring.
Source: Cinescape Online
Hollywood vies for 'Strange' novel
Posted Monday, September 20, 2004, 6:36PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Susanna Clarke's 800-page novel "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell," which is getting a major push from its publisher, is now a hot commodity in Hollywood. New Line, Warner Bros., Dreamworks and Sony are all pursuing the film rights, according to Variety. Clarke is already penning a sequel, and the studios smell a potential franchise.
Set in Regency England (the early 1800s), "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" revolves around two magicians who seek to bring practical magic back to the British Isles. The two start out as teacher and pupil but become rivals as the younger of the two, Jonathan Strange, becomes more powerful.
Source: Dark Horizons
Smith demands overtime for 'Clerks'
Posted Wednesday, September 1, 2004, 4:36PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Kevin Smith is returning to the film that put him on Hollywood's map. He is developing a sequel to his debut film, "Clerks." The original film's stars, Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson will return, as will Smith's character, Silent Bob, and Silent Bob's sidekick, Jay, played by Jason Mewes. Smith hopes to begin filming in January. Reportedly, the sequel's title will be "The Passion of the Clerks."
Source: Cinescape
Animated 'Highlander' in the works
Posted Wednesday, September 1, 2004, 4:31PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Davis-Panzer Productions and Imagi International are developing an animated "Highlander" feature film for release in spring 2006. There are no details as to the film's plot and characters. A fifth live-action "Highlander" movie is also planned.
Source: Cinescape
Elmer Bernstein dies at 82
Posted Friday, August 20, 2004, 6:48AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Composer Elmer Bernstein died this week after a long illness. He was 82. Bernstein wrote more than 200 film and television scores, including those for "The Magnificent Seven," "The Ten Commandments" and John Wayne's last seven films.
Source: World Movie Magazine
New Line wants 'Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash'
Posted Tuesday, August 17, 2004, 5:58PM CDT by Franklin Harris
First it was "Freddy vs. Jason." Is "Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash" next? New Line Cinema is in negotiations with director/producer Sam Raimi for the film rights to Raimi's character Ash, who is portrayed by Bruce Campbell in the films "Evil Dead," "Evil Dead 2" and "Army of Darkness." New Line hopes to have Ash (again played by Campbell) face off against slasher-flick villains Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees.
Raimi would likely not direct the film, but he might serve as a producer.
Source: Cinescape Online
Abrams set to helm 'MI:3'
Posted Tuesday, August 17, 2004, 5:48PM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Alias" creator J.J. Abrams will direct "Mission: Impossible 3" when the film finally begins production summer 2005. Tom Cruise will star.
Source: Dark Horizons
Spielberg, Cruise drafted for 'War of the Worlds'
Posted Thursday, August 12, 2004, 12:21PM CDT by Franklin Harris
With shooting of "Mission: Impossible 3" on hold until next year, Tom Cruise has moved on to a new project. He will star in a remake of "The War of the Worlds" to be released next summer. Steve Spielberg will direct, as his untitled film about the terrorist attack on the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics has also run into delays.
"Mission: Impossible 3" ran into difficulties following the departure of director Joe Carnahan. "Alias" creator J.J. Abrams has since come on board to direct the sequel, but the delay left an opening in Cruise's schedule and a hole in Paramount's 2005 summer schedule, which "The War of the Worlds" will now fill.
Source: Cinescape Online
Fay Wray dies at 96
Posted Monday, August 9, 2004, 6:30PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Actress Fay Wray, best known as the object of King Kong's desire in the original 1933 version of "King Kong," died Sunday. She was 96.
Source: Reuters
Lions Gate's 'Cabin Fever' relapse
Posted Sunday, August 8, 2004, 11:39AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Lions Gate is moving forward with a sequel to Eli Roth's horror movie, "Cabin Fever."
Source: Moviehole
'X-Men' director gets out-Foxed
Posted Sunday, August 8, 2004, 11:31AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Fox has terminated its development deal with "X-Men" and "X2" director Bryan Singer just days after Singer signed with rival studio Warner Bros. to direct the next "Superman" movie. This places Singer's involvement with a third "X-Men" movie in doubt.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
Lord Voldemort reveals himself
Posted Thursday, August 5, 2004, 5:18AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Ralph Fiennes has signed on to play the evil Lord Voldemort in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," the fourth film based on J.K. Rowling's best-selling series of novels.
Source: Cinescape
New Agent 86 spies big-screen 'Get Smart'
Posted Wednesday, August 4, 2004, 9:31PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Steve Carell ("Anchorman," "The Daily Show") has agreed to play secret agent Maxwell Smart in a big-screen version of "Get Smart," based on the 1960s TV series starring Don Adams as the bumbling Agent 86.
Source: Cinescape
Daleks return to 'Dr. Who'
Posted Wednesday, August 4, 2004, 9:25PM CDT by Franklin Harris
The BBC and the estate of Terry Nation have reached an agreement that will allow Nation's creations, the Daleks, to appear in the new "Doctor Who" series now in production.
Source: BBC
Lucas opens animation studio
Posted Wednesday, August 4, 2004, 6:29AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Star Wars" creator George Lucas is opening an animation studio in Singapore. Lucasfilm will own 75 percent of Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, with the other 25 percent owned by a private group of Singapore investors and the government. Lucas said the studio will produce animation for movies, television and video games.
Source: Cinescape
'Nip/Tuck' star meets his Doom
Posted Tuesday, August 3, 2004, 9:06AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Nip/Tuck" star Julian McMahon will play arch-villain Dr. Doom in 20th Century Fox's "Fantastic Four" movie, based on the Marvel comic book. Filming is scheduled to begin this month in Vancouver.
Source: Coming Soon
'Sin City' to bow on April 1
Posted Saturday, July 31, 2004, 9:00AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller's big-screen version of Miller's "Sin City" graphic novels will open on April 1.
Source: Superhero Hype
'Sky Captain' director looks to 'Mars'
Posted Saturday, July 31, 2004, 8:50AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" director Kerry Conran is in negotiations to direct Paramount's adaptation of Edgar Rice Burrough's "A Princess of Mars." Conran would replace Robert Rodriguez, who was forced to abandon the project after resigning from the Directors Guild of America.
Source: Cinescape Online
Brosnan says never again to Bond
Posted Tuesday, July 27, 2004, 7:03PM CDT by Franklin Harris
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Pierce Brosnan said he would not return as James Bond, making "Die Another Day" is his final outing as the British secret agent with a license to kill.
Source: Coming Soon
'Courtney Crumrin' to make movie magic
Posted Monday, July 26, 2004, 6:02AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Ted Naifeh's Oni Press comic-book series, "Courtney Crumrin," is on its way to the big screen. Regency Enterprises and Fox 2000 Pictures have optioned the comics and plan to develop them as a film franchise.
Source: Dark Horizons
Sith get 'Revenge' in 'Episode III'
Posted Saturday, July 24, 2004, 10:08PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Lucasfilm announced at the San Diego Comic-Con International that the title of the final "Star Wars" prequel will be "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith."
Source: Cinescape Online
'King Arthur' to get R-rated DVD
Posted Friday, July 23, 2004, 5:07PM CDT by Franklin Harris
"King Arthur" director Antoine Fuqua is preparing an R-rated cut of the film to be released on DVD in conjunction with the PG-13 theatrical version. The new cut will feature bloodier action footage.
Source: The Digital Bits
Odd group gets into 'The Spirit'
Posted Friday, July 23, 2004, 9:00AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Odd Lot Entertainment has purchased the movie rights to Will Eisner's comic-book hero The Spirit and plans to produce a live-action feature based on the character.
Source: Dark Horizons
Paramount watches the 'Watchmen'
Posted Friday, July 23, 2004, 8:41AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Paramount Pictures has purchased the film rights to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' graphic novel, "Watchmen." Darren Aronofsky will direct from a screenplay by David Hayter.
Source: Coming Soon
'Death' takes Hollywood
Posted Friday, July 23, 2004, 8:37AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Neil Gaiman's graphic novel, "Death: The High Cost of Living," long in development at Warner Bros., has a new home at New Line Cinema. According to published reports, Gaiman is in negotiations to direct the film, which has been retitled "Death's Day."
Source: Bloody Disgusting
DreamWorks to roll out 'Transformers'
Posted Friday, July 23, 2004, 8:32AM CDT by Franklin Harris
DreamWorks has picked up the North American rights to "The Transformers," a live-action movie based on the Hasbro toys, which have already spawned cartoons and comic books. Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto are producing. DreamWorks hopes to have the film in theaters in 2006. Paramount will distribute the film overseas.
Source: IGN FilmForce
Jerry Goldsmith dies at 75
Posted Friday, July 23, 2004, 8:27AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Movie composer Jerry Goldsmith died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 75. Known for his film scores, which include "Planet of the Apes," "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and "Total Recall," Goldsmith won an Academy Award in 1976 for "The Omen."
Source: Newsday
'X-Men' helmer takes flight with 'Superman'
Posted Monday, July 19, 2004, 6:49AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Last week's big rumor is true. "X-Men" and "X2" director Bryan Singer will direct the next "Superman" movie for Warner Bros. The script penned by "Alias" creator J.J. Abrams has been scrapped, and "X2" screenwriters Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty will start from scratch.
Singer's participation raises doubts about his other upcoming projects, a remake of "Logan's Run" and a third "X-Men" film.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter and Empire Online
Warner Bros. backs 'Beowulf'
Posted Friday, July 16, 2004, 8:09AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Warner Bros. is developing a movie adaptation of the Old English epic poem "Beowulf." If you fell asleep during English lit. class, "Beowulf" is about a warrior who fights a monster named Grendel. He then goes on to battle Grendel's equally monstrous mother and, finally, a dragon. Matthew Sand is writing the screenplay.
Source: Cinescape Online
Romero gets green light for fourth 'Dead' film
Posted Friday, July 16, 2004, 8:02AM CDT by Franklin Harris
George Romero ("Night of the Living Dead") has obtained backing for his fourth and final zombie movie, "Land of the Dead." Romero plans to begin shooing this fall. The movie will be produced by Mark Canton, Peter Grunwald and Bernie Goldmann, with Steve Barnett serving as executive producer. It has a budget of about $20 million.
Source: Cinescape Online
Alba does vanishing act for 'Fantastic Four'
Posted Thursday, July 15, 2004, 5:43AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Dark Angel" star Jessica Alba will play the Invisible Woman/Sue Storm in the "Fantastic Four" movie. She joins Michael Chiklis (the Thing), Chris Evans (the Human Torch) and Ioan Gruffudd (Mr. Fantastic).
Source: Superhero Hype
3 of the 'Fantastic Four' found
Posted Friday, July 9, 2004, 6:47AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Three members of the "Fantastic Four" movie cast have been signed, according to Variety. 20th Century Fox has cast Michael Chiklis ("The Shield") as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Ioan Gruffudd ("King Arthur") as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic and Chris Evans ("Cellular") as Johnny Storm/the Human Torch. Also, Jessica Alba ("Dark Angel") has emerged as the frontrunner to play Susan Storm/the Invisible Woman.
Source: Coming Soon
Halle Berry storms off 'X-Men 3'
Posted Monday, July 5, 2004, 8:21AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The celebrity gossip site Handbag.com reports that Halle Berry will not return for "X-Men 3" because her character, Storm, isn't going to have enough screen time. "X-Men 3" producers are reportedly looking at Christina Milian as a replacement.
No Daleks for new 'Doctor Who'
Posted Monday, July 5, 2004, 8:15AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The Daleks will not appear in the BBC's new "Doctor Who" series following news that the BBC and the estate of Dalek creator Terry Nation failed to reach terms.
Source: BBC News
Paramount gets 'Arcane'
Posted Monday, July 5, 2004, 8:04AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Paramount Pictures has purchased the movie rights to Steve Niles' comic-book miniseries "Aleister Arcane." Dan Milano and Matthew Huffman will adapt Niles' tale of a local TV horror host who gets revenge on the townsfolk who forced his show from the air.
Source: SteveNiles.com
'Superman' studio gives McG the boot
Posted Saturday, June 26, 2004, 9:24AM CDT by Franklin Harris
After months of trying to cast a lead for the new "Superman" movie, director McG ("Charlie's Angels") has been booted from the project. That leaves "Superman" with no star, no director and a questionable script. Still, Warner Bros. hopes to begin filming next year for a 2006 release.
Source: Dark Horizons
'Speed Racer' movie gets a jump start
Posted Friday, June 25, 2004, 12:41PM CDT by Franklin Harris
After languishing in development hell, the live-action "Speed Racer" movie, based on the Japanese cartoon series, is moving forward. Actor Vince Vaughn will serve as one of the film's producers and will co-star as the mysterious Racer X, who is secretly Speed Racer's long-lost brother, Rex.
Source: Zap2It
Half of 'Fantastic Four' may be set
Posted Friday, June 25, 2004, 12:27PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Marvel Studios head Avi Arad hints that two roles for the upcoming "Fantastic Four" movie have been cast. Michael Chiklis ("The Shield") is rumored to have landed the part of The Thing, and Rachel McAdams ("The Notebook") may have snagged the role of the Invisible Girl.
Source: USA Today
'Punisher' sequel now in doubt
Posted Friday, June 25, 2004, 12:23PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Although a sequel was reportedly in the works, it is now doubtful that there will be a theatrical follow-up to "The Punisher." A source inside Lions Gate Films cites the first film’s disappointing box-office performance as the reason for shelving the project. However, a direct-to-video sequel, without star Tom Jane, may happen at some point.
Source: Moviehole
Live-action 'Dragonball Z' still lives
Posted Friday, June 25, 2004, 12:18PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Contrary to earlier reports, Fox is still developing a live-action "Dragonball Z" movie, based on Akira Toriyama's manga series. Ben Ramsey ("The Big Hit") is writing the screenplay.
Source: Superhero Hype
Frank Miller's '300' gets a director
Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 12:04PM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Dawn of the Dead" director Zach Snyder has agreed to helm "300," based on Frank Miller's graphic novel about the 300 Spartan warriors who defended the pass at Thermopylae during the Persian-Greco war in 480 BC.
Source: Superhero Hype
'28 Days Later' sequel in the works
Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 11:50AM CDT by Franklin Harris
A sequel to the sleeper-hit zombie movie "28 Days Later" is in the works. The tentative title is "28 Weeks Later." The original film's director and screenwriter, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, respectively, may assume producer roles.
Source: Dark Horizons
B5 creator pitches new 'Star Trek'
Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 11:46AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski told readers of his Internet newsgroup that he and "Dark Skies" producer Bryce Zabel were asked by Paramount to submit a proposal for a new "Star Trek" series. The two wrote a treatment that Straczynski says, "would restore the series in a big way. I actually think it could be a hell of a show. Whether that ever goes anywhere with Paramount, who knows?"
Source: Dark Horizons
CLARIFICATION: In a statement at JMSNews.com, Straczynski says that he and Zabel pitched their proposal for a new "Trek" series without prompting from Paramount. However, Paramount did approach him about joining "Enterprise" as an executive producer, a job he turned down.
Cusack to adopt 'The Martian Child'
Posted Wednesday, June 16, 2004, 8:00PM CDT by Franklin Harris
John Cusack ("High Fidelity") has agreed to star in "The Martian Child," a sci-fi film adapted from a story by David Gerrold. Nick Cassavetes ("The Notebook") will direct. Cusack will play a science fiction writer who adopts a six-year-old boy who believes himself to be a Martian.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Repairman Jack' movie gets director
Posted Wednesday, June 16, 2004, 7:49PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Douglas Aarniokoski ("Highlander: Endgame") is attached to direct "Repairman Jack" for Beacon Pictures. The supernatural adventure film is based on the character created by novelist F. Paul Wilson.
Source: Cinescape Online
Columbus sets sail with 'Sub-Mariner'
Posted Monday, June 14, 2004, 7:02AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Harry Potter" director Chris Columbus has been asked to helm the big-budget, live-action adaptation of "The Sub-Mariner." Based on the Marvel Comics character Namor the Sub-Mariner, the film is scheduled for release in 2006. David Self is writing the script.
Source: Empire Online
'Clone Wars' continues in 2005
Posted Saturday, June 12, 2004, 8:08PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Cartoon Network and Lucasfilm will produce a second hour of the animated "Star Wars: Clone Wars" series. The new cartoons will debut March 21 and will air as 12-minute installments over five consecutive nights. Animator Genndy Tartakovsky ("Samurai Jack") will again helm the project.
Cartoon Network's first series of "Clone Wars" aired originally as 20 three-minute cartoon shorts. Both series are set between the events in "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" and the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode III."
Source: Dark Horizons
'Mad Max' sequel runs out of gas
Posted Saturday, June 12, 2004, 7:59PM CDT by Franklin Harris
After three years in development, "Mad Max: Fury Road," the proposed fourth installment in the "Mad Max" series starring Mel Gibson, is dead. The $100 million project had been scheduled to go before cameras in July. Director George Miller has moved on to another project, a second sequel to the family film, "Babe." And in recent months, Gibson has expressed little interest in returning to the role that first won him worldwide attention.
Source: Melbourne Herald Sun
New Line plans third 'Final Destination'
Posted Wednesday, June 9, 2004, 3:14PM CDT by Franklin Harris
New Line Cinema has greenlit "Final Destination 3." Glen Morgan and James Wong, the team behind the first "Final Destination," will return to write, produce and direct the horror sequel, which may be filmed in 3-D.
Source: Cinescape Online
Smith has second thoughts about 'Green Hornet'
Posted Tuesday, June 8, 2004, 7:50PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Kevin Smith reportedly is getting cold feet about directing "The Green Hornet." The director of "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy" now believes he may not be the right person to direct an action movie. However, Miramax head Harvey Weinstein has convinced Smith to put off a decision about directing the film until the screenplay is complete.
"I will happily write it but I can't guarantee that I will end up directing this movie," Smith told fans Monday in the United Kingdom.
Source: Cinescape Online
Twohy plans 'Riddick' spinoff
Posted Monday, June 7, 2004, 7:23PM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Chronicles of Riddick" director/writer David Twohy is writing a two-hour movie for the Sci-Fi Channel based on the character Kyra from "Riddick" and "Pitch Black." The TV movie will serve as a pilot for a series that would follow Kyra during the period between the two theatrical movies. Twohy said it is unlikely that Alexa Davalos, who plays Kyra in "Riddick," would return to the role for television.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Underworld' sequel set for 2005
Posted Monday, June 7, 2004, 7:04PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman will return to star in "Underworld 2," which is scheduled to start filming later this year, according to the film's screenwriter, Danny McBride. He said the sequel should hit theaters next year.
Source: Cinescape Online
Two get golden ticket for 'Chocolate Factory'
Posted Monday, June 7, 2004, 5:08PM CDT by Franklin Harris
The cast for director Tim Burton's remake of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," based on Roald Dahl's novel, is taking shape. David Kelly ("Laws of Attraction") has signed on for the role of Grandpa Joe, and Freddie Highmore will play Charlie, the boy who finds a golden ticket allowing him to enter the chocolate factory of the secretive Willy Wonka.
As previously announced, Johnny Depp will play Wonka.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Dexter's Lab' creator to ignite live-action 'Astro Boy'
Posted Thursday, June 3, 2004, 12:57PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Sony Pictures has tapped Genndy Tartakovsky, creator of "Dexter's Laboratory" and "Samurai Jack," to write and direct a live-action version of "Astro Boy."
Known in Japan as "Mighty Atom," "Astro Boy" is the creation of Osamu Tezuka, Japan's revered "God of Comics."
Sony is producing the film in conjunction with Don Murphy of Angryfilms and Lisa Henson and Kristine Belson of Jim Henson Pictures.
Source: Dark Horizons
Live-action 'Dragonball Z' powered down
Posted Tuesday, June 1, 2004, 4:12PM CDT by Franklin Harris
The live-action "Dragonball Z" film, reported to have been set up for production at Fox more than two years ago, is apparently dead, according to DragonballZ.com. The Web site reports that Fox is not making the film and goes on to debunk a rumor that Industrial Light and Magic would be handling the film's special effects.
Hollywood wishes Harrison Ford 'Godspeed'
Posted Friday, May 28, 2004, 8:48AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Harrison Ford has signed to star in "Godspeed," a science fiction thriller to be produced by James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment. The film is set aboard an international space station, where a crisis arises that threatens everyone on board. The film is set to begin production this fall, but so far no director is attached.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
Dark Horse launches new book imprints
Posted Wednesday, May 26, 2004, 8:08PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Dark Horse Comics is expanding its prose publishing with two new book imprints. M Press will publish literary fiction, beginning with the World War II novel "Shanghai Diary." Meanwhile, DH Press will publish genre fiction and non-fiction, including manga novelizations and original military sci-fi. The first DH Press offerings will be "Don Bluth's The Art of the Storyboard" and "Kong: King of Skull Mountain."
Source: ICv2.com
PR: Marvel to launch prose imprint
Posted Wednesday, May 26, 2004, 7:19PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: NEW YORK - Marvel Comics, the nation's leading comic book publisher and a division of Marvel Enterprises, Inc., will enhance its successful growing front list of graphic novels with the creation of its first prose imprint - Marvel Press. Based upon characters in the Marvel Universe, the new line of fiction broadens Marvel's reach in the fast-growing graphic novel market by penetrating both traditional and new markets. Marvel has hired seven-year veteran of children's and young adult publishing, Ruwan Jayatilleke, formerly of Scholastic, to head Marvel Press and oversee its aggressive launch list with three prose novels scheduled for 2004 and a minimum of 12 for 2005.
"The primary purpose of Marvel Publishing is to create great fiction. Marvel Press is an exciting new way for us to do this, and we are enormously happy to have Ruwan on board to lead the way," said Dan Buckley, Publisher.
While prose novels are not new to Marvel Publishing (in 2003, Marvel produced Mary Jane, a critically acclaimed young adult novel focusing on Mary Jane Watson, the long time love interest of Spider-Man's Peter Parker), the creation of Marvel Press takes this initiative to the next level. Marvel Press will focus on three regular lines of prose aimed at grade school readers, young adults, and adult fans.
Gui Karyo, Marvel's President of Publishing added, "Marvel Press is an important milestone for our publishing division, as it is a new tool for expanding the world of our characters and stories, while also bringing them to new audiences."
Mary Jane II will arrive in bookstores in June, followed by a fantasy Wolverine title for adults in October, and then a middle grade Spider-Man title in November.
Pop singer to be new 'Doctor Who' companion
Posted Wednesday, May 26, 2004, 6:49AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Former pop singer Billie Piper has won the role of Rose Tyler, The Doctor's assistant in the new "Doctor Who" series set to air late this year on BBC 1. She joins the ninth Doctor, played by Christopher Eccleston, for the 13-episode revival of the classic British sci-fi series.
Source: BBC News
Marvel superheroes get animated
Posted Wednesday, May 26, 2004, 6:33AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Marvel Enterprises and Lions Gate Entertainment have entered into an agreement under which the two companies will co-produce eight animated features based on Marvel's comic-book characters. Lions Gate will release the cartoons directly to DVD beginning in late 2005.
Source: The Associated Press
NBC leaves 'Transylvania' at station
Posted Tuesday, May 25, 2004, 6:37AM CDT by Franklin Harris
NBC has decided to pass on "Transylvania," Stephen Sommers' planned TV spin-off of "Van Helsing." After expressing interest in at least six episodes of the series, NBC executives now say "Transylvania" is too expensive.
Source: Cinescape
B5's Richard Biggs dies at 43
Posted Monday, May 24, 2004, 6:33AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Richard Biggs, known to science fiction fans as Dr. Stephen Franklin on "Babylon 5," died Saturday. He was 43. The cause of his death is not yet known.
Source: Cinescape
The WB announces fall schedule
Posted Friday, May 21, 2004, 9:06AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The WB announced its fall schedule Thursday. "Smallville" returns for a fourth season, and "Global Frequency," based on Warren Ellis' comic-book series and produced by Mark Burnett ("Survivor"), is set for a mid-season debut. Missing from the line-up, however, are two revivals, "Lost in Space" and "Dark Shadows," neither of which made The WB's final cut.
Source: Dark Horizons
UPN docks 'Enterprise' on Fridays
Posted Thursday, May 20, 2004, 1:54PM CDT by Franklin Harris
UPN has renewed its "Star Trek" spin-off "Enterprise" for a fourth season but is moving the show to Friday nights at 9, 8 Central Time.
Source: USA Today
Rodriguez abandons 'Mars'
Posted Thursday, May 20, 2004, 10:57AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Robert Rodriguez ("Spy Kids") has stepped aside and will not be directing Paramount's "A Princess of Mars," reports IGN FilmForce. As of now, no director is attached to the film, which is scheduled to go before cameras next year.
PR: ADV Films gets 'Gatchaman,' 'Full Metal Panic,' 'Peacemaker'
Posted Tuesday, May 18, 2004, 7:04PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: ADV Films, the #1 producer-distributor of anime in the U.S., announced the acquisition of Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu, Peacemaker and Gatchaman for both home video release by ADV Films and broadcast on the Anime Network. The announcements were made from Anime Central on Saturday, May 15, 2004.
"These three impressive, action-filled titles are a great acquisition for us," said John Ledford, president, CEO and co-founder of ADV Films. "From the intricate animation to the adventuresome plot lines, these titles are sure to have anime fans on the edge of their seats with excitement."
About Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu
Get ready for the second thrilling installation of Full Metal Panic! Deftly combining mecha combat, martial arts, international criminal intrigue and high school politics with a dash of teen romance on the side, Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu returns to the world established in the first best-selling series. This time Sergeant Sousuke has taken a break from the military to go back to high school, but can this battle-scarred veteran put aside his soldier-like instincts and be a regular high school kid? Hysterical antics and chaos ensue as Sousuke and Ms. Chidori turn the halls of higher education into a war zone!
No release date has been announced for the Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu anime.
About Peacemaker
This action-packed film is beautifully animated by the talented team at Gonzo Digimation (Final Fantasy: Unlimited and Full Metal Panic!). Fans of Samurai X are sure to enjoy Peacemaker when they notice the heroic similarities between the two main characters.
Tetsunosuke Ichimura had always been a runt, the smallest, weakest kid in his village, but after seeing his parents murdered by a dangerous and evil assassin, Tetsunoke vows to become strong enough to avenge his parents’ deaths. Now, at only 15 years of age, he has made up his mind to join the army in order to gain that strength… but what he doesn’t know is that the army he’s chosen isn’t a normal army at all! Now a frightening choice awaits him; to achieve his revenge, will Tetsunosuke be willing to forsake his very humanity for demonic powers? The roads to vengeance and hell may be one and the same in Peacemaker.
ADV Films announces a fall 2004 release for Peacemaker.
About Gatchaman
The timeless classic that spawned the hit series’ G-Force and Battle of the Planets, Gatchaman is the action–filled story of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, five young heroes who must come together to defend Earth from the threat of Galactor, an international terrorist group fronted by a mysterious outer space being, and its army of mechanized menaces! Skilled in the art of ninjitsu, and equipped with special weapons, powers and the amazing spacecraft, the Phoenix, the Gatchaman team joins with the International Scientific Organization (ISO) to battle both deteriorating conditions across the Earth and the evil Galactor’s attempts to conquer the entire planet. The all time classic series comes to North America uncut and uncensored for the first time in Gatchaman!
No release date has been announced for the Gatchaman anime.
Revolution confirms 'Hellboy 2'
Posted Tuesday, May 18, 2004, 6:59PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Revolution Studios is moving forward with "Hellboy 2." Director/writer Guillermo del Toro is returning to oversee the sequel, which he will develop with "Hellboy" creator Mike Mignola.
Source: Superhero Hype
'Death' gets a screenplay
Posted Tuesday, May 18, 2004, 6:50PM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Sandman" author Neil Gaiman reports that the screenplay for "Death: The Time of Your Life," the movie adaptation of his graphic novel, is awaiting studio approval, which should come this weekend.
Source: Dark Horizons
Sony to throw 'Flying Daggers'
Posted Tuesday, May 18, 2004, 6:42PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Sony Pictures Classics has purchased the North American distribution rights to "House of Flying Daggers," the Hong Kong action film by director Zhang Yimou. "House" stars Zhang Ziyi ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"), Takeshi Kanishiro and Andy Lau.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Shatner returns to series television
Posted Tuesday, May 18, 2004, 6:32PM CDT by Franklin Harris
William Shatner ("Star Trek") has joined the cast of "Fleet Street," a legal drama airing this fall on ABC. "Fleet Street" stars James Spader and is a spin-off of "The Practice."
Source: Dark Horizons
'The Lion' finds its Witch
Posted Wednesday, May 12, 2004, 6:57AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Tilda Swinton ("The Deep End") will play the part of the Witch in the upcoming live-action adaptation of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."
The $100 million film, based on the first of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia books, is a production of Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media.
Source: Cinescape
'Doctor Who' nemesis reportedly dies
Posted Wednesday, May 12, 2004, 6:48AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Anthony Ainley, who played The Master on the BBC science fiction series "Doctor Who" throughout the 1980s, reportedly died recently. Details are currently unavailable.
Source: BBC
Lucasfilm planning 'Star Wars' TV series
Posted Friday, April 30, 2004, 6:41AM CDT by Franklin Harris
George Lucas is rumored to be planning a "Star Wars" TV series, which would air in 2006, a year after the release of "Star Wars: Episode III." There are no details on the proposed series as yet, nor is it certain that it will happen.
Source: Moviehole
Hayter to direct 'Black Widow'
Posted Thursday, April 29, 2004, 7:35PM CDT by Franklin Harris
"X-Men" and "X2" screenwriter David Hayter will make his directoral debut helming the adventures of another Marvel Comics character. He has signed on to direct "Black Widow" for Lions Gate Films.
Source: Killer Movies
'Elektra' cast takes shape
Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2004, 8:25PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Natassia Malthe is the latest addition to the cast of "Elektra," the "Daredevil" spin-off starring Jennifer Garner. Malthe will portray the villainous Typhoid Mary.
Meanwhile, Goran Visnjic ("ER") is in negotiations to join the cast, which also includes Terence Stamp.
Source: IGN Filmforce
Branagh, Johansson join 'M:I 3'
Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2004, 11:27AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Kenneth Branagh ("Dead Again") and Scarlett Johansson ("Lost in Translation") have joined the cast of the Tom Cruise action sequel "Mission: Impossible 3."
Source: Dark Horizons
Comics-to-film news roundup
Posted Wednesday, April 28, 2004, 11:04AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Mutant X," which takes its name from a Marvel comic book, will not return next season.
Jessica Alba has joined the cast of "Sin City," based on Frank Miller's graphic novels.
Brian Michael Bendis is writing the screenplay for the movie adaptation of his graphic novel "Jinx." Charlize Theron will star in and produce the film through her production company, Delilah Films.
Sam Jones III, who portrays Pete Ross on "Smallville," will not return to the series next season.
Screenwriter David Hayter ("X2") is rewriting the script for "Iron Man."
Darren Aronfosky is rumored to be directing "Watchmen," based on Alan Moore's graphic novel, from a script by Hayter.
Sources: Dark Horizons, Superhero Hype! and Ain't It Cool News
New Line gets 'Hawaiian Dick' rights
Posted Thursday, April 22, 2004, 8:29AM CDT by Franklin Harris
New Line Cinema has purchased the movie rights to "Hawaiian Dick," the Image Comics series by B. Clay Moore and Steven Griffin. The studio plans for Johnny Knoxville ("Jackass") to star and has hired Damian Shannon and Mark Swift to write the screenplay.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
'Van Helsing' director to produce 'Flash Gordon'
Posted Thursday, April 22, 2004, 8:23AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Stephen Sommers, director of "The Mummy" and the forthcoming "Van Helsing," has agreed to produce "Flash Gordon," based on the comic strip of the same name. Ron Shushett (co-writer of "Alien") will write the film's screenplay.
Source: Cinescape Online
Perlman says 'Hellboy 2' has green light
Posted Sunday, April 11, 2004, 12:55PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Appearing on Fox Sports Channel's "The Best Damn Sports Show Period," "Hellboy" star Ron Perlman said that "Hellboy 2" has been greenlit.
Source: Fanboy Rampage
PR: Marvel Comics launches new Icon imprint
Posted Friday, April 9, 2004, 10:08AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Marvel Comics is launching a new imprint for creator-owned comic books. The first titles announced for the new Icon imprint are Brian Michael Bendis' "Powers" and David Mack's "Kabuki," both currently published by Image Comics.
Here is Marvel's press release:
Marvel Comics announces the launch of ICON, a new publishing imprint that will produce projects utilizing properties outside of the Marvel Universe.
ICON will launch with two titles fans are already familiar with: Brian Bendis' "Powers" and David Mack's "Kabuki."
Marvel is not new to publishing licensed properties. It has had a successful history with such classic licenses as GI Joe and Transformers. However, Marvel, which works with the top talent in the comic industry, has long been considering ways to offer its creators a home not just for their Marvel projects, but for their other work. The new ICON imprint has been created with a mandate to pursue both these creator and licensed projects, while maintaining the highest level of talent and the brands that readers have come to expect from Marvel.
Dan Buckley, Publisher, said, "We had been considering this kind of imprint for a while before talking to Brian and David. But once we did, everything fell into place. Starting with Brian and David on Power's and Kabuki really sets the standard for the whole line. We are very excited about this initiative, and are thrilled that Powers and Kabuki are launching it."
Bendis offered, "We have always said that we have benefited so much from the generations of comic creators before us who worked so hard to pave the way for creator rights. We have had it so good and we are stunned that we get to help take it to the next level... Marvels first true creator-owned imprint."
Said David Mack regarding Marvel Comics' Editor-in-Chief , Publisher and President of Publishing, "Bravo to Joe, Dan and Gui for making this happen!"
'Star Wars: Episode III' release date set
Posted Wednesday, April 7, 2004, 6:46AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Lucasfilm has confirmed May 19, 2005, as the release date for the third and final "Star Wars" prequel, "Star Wars: Episode III."
Source: Cinescape Online
Tarantino plans anime 'Kill Bill' prequel
Posted Wednesday, April 7, 2004, 6:33AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Quentin Tarantino will write and produce (but not direct) an animated prequel to his two "Kill Bill" films. Production IG, the Japanese studio that produced the anime segment of "Kill Bill Vol. 1," will again handle the animation chores. The prequel will focus on Bill's past and how he became a killer.
Source: ICv2.com
'Barbershop' director to helm 'Fantastic Four'
Posted Tuesday, April 6, 2004, 9:27AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Tim Story, who directed the hit comedy "Barbershop," has been tapped to helm the live-action "Fantastic Four" movie. The film, based on the Marvel comic book, is set to start production in August.
Source: Superhero Hype
Sci-Fi Channel announces new projects
Posted Tuesday, April 6, 2004, 9:21AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The Sci-Fi Channel has released a list of upcoming series, original movies and specials for the upcoming season:
HISTORY OF THE DEVIL: From executive producer Clive Barket comes a six-hour limited series about the Devil trying to use the courts of law as a way to return back into Heaven. The series is based on Barker's play THE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL OR SCENES FROM A PRETENDED LIFE and will be adapted by Peter Filardi (writer of TNT's upcoming SALEM'S LOT mini-series).RINGWORLD: Based on Larry Niven's RINGWORLD series of novels, a four-hour mini-series is in development. In the future four explorers crash on an artificial structure in deep space, a mammoth ring that circles a distant star. Exploring this strange place, the humans discover that there is life here and secrets that could change the universe forever.
EARTHSEA: Already announced, this is an adaptation of Ursula K. LeGuin's A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA. Joining the previously announced Isabella Rossellini in the mini-series are Shawn Ashmore (X2) as Ged; Danny Glover (LETHAL WEAPON) as the wizard Ogion; and Kristin Kreuk (SMALLVILLE) as Tenar, the pupil to the High Priestess Thar (Rossellini). EARTHSEA will air in December.
SPECIES III: Continuing the storyline begun in the two earlier movies, a new and more deadly female alien (played by Sunny Mabrey) is created and set loose in a small college town. Natasha Henstridge, who played Eve in the original SPECIES, will also star in the movie.
THE MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN: When a upscale banker suffers a traumatic head injury, part of his brain is replaced with that of a street hustler. The movie will be written, directed and stars EVIL DEAD's Bruce Campbell. Shooting begins this spring.
ALIEN APOCALYPSE: Another Bruce Campbell action fest, this time with Campbell playing a deep space explorer who returns to Earth years after leaving it, only to find the planet has been invaded by an alien race and mankind reduced to slaves. Campbell and his fellow astronauts try and mobilize a rebellion.
UNTITLED JOEL SCHUMACHER/APRIL SMITH PROJECT: Described as SEX IN THE CITY meets V, this ongoing series in development follows a group of aliens that have assumed human form in order to gather intelligence for their species, to be used for an eventual invasion of the Earth. Each of the undercover aliens are investigating a specific aspect of what it means to be human, experiencing and sometimes being caught unaware by the wide range of emotions. One of the aliens, a female, falls in love with a man.
EUREKA: The newly-hired sheriff of a Pacific Northwest town discovers that the government has been relocating the world's smartest people and their families to Eureka, creating the ultimate think tank. Wacky inventions and relationships are the result in this ongoing series.
MONSTER SMASH: A reality series where actors are placed under heavy makeup to look like monsters, then they fight each other to see which "monster" wins. Stan Winston is one of the team developing the project.
STRANDED: Another reality series where two groups of contestants are dumped in a remote, harsh environment that doubles for an alien planet. Challenges will confront the contestants as they compete for a cash prize.
MOTEL MAN: This series follows a police detective that happens upon seemingly everyday objects that have strange powers, such as a comb that can stop time or a pencil that creates 1961 pennies from thin air when tapped. What are these objects, where do their powers come from, and why are there dangerous and mysterious groups willing to kill to own them?
WITCHHUNTER ROBIN: Based on a Japanese anime, this series follows a group of trained cops that seek to capture witches. One of the newest cops, Robin, is secretly a witch herself and uses her powers to track down the evildoers. Producers Roy Lee and Doug Davison (THE RING) will executive produce.
AMAZING SCREW-ON HEAD: From HELLBOY creator Mike Mignola comes an ongoing half-hour animated comedy about a U.S. government robot that screws his head on to a variety of bodies to fight bad guys. Bryan Fuller (DEAD LIKE ME) will write the pilot and Jason Netter will supervise the animation.
Source: Cinescape Online
Fox cancels 'Wonderfalls'
Posted Tuesday, April 6, 2004, 9:15AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Fox has canceled its short-lived fantasy series "Wonderfalls." Fox aired only four of the 13 episodes produced. The fate of the remaining nine episodes remains unclear at this time.
Source: Cinescape Online
Sci-Fi to air new 'Farscape' miniseries
Posted Tuesday, April 6, 2004, 9:11AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The Sci-Fi Channel will air a new "Farscape" miniseries later this year. The four-hour miniseries, "Farscape: Peacekeeper War," will pick up from the cliffhanger ending of the show's final episode.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Wonder Woman' TV series to DVD
Posted Friday, April 2, 2004, 5:49AM CST by Franklin Harris
From DVDFile.com: "On June 29th, Warner Home Video will release 'Wonder Woman: The Complete First Season', a three-disc set will containing all 13 first season episodes plus the 90-minute pilot. Newly remastered in 4:3 full screen and Dolby Digital 1.0 mono, extras will include audio commentary on the episode 'The New Original Wonder Woman' with star Lynda Carter and executive producer Douglas S. Cramer and the retrospective featurette 'Beauty, Brawns & Bulletproof Bracelets'. Retail will be $39.95."
DC Comics to reprint Ditko's 'Captain Atom'
Posted Thursday, April 1, 2004, 7:51PM CST by Franklin Harris
DC Comics will reprint Steve Ditko's "Captain Atom" stories this August in a collection titled "Action Hero Archives" Vol. 1. The stories appeared originally in "Space Adventures" Nos. 33-42 and "Captain Atom" Nos. 78-82, which Charlton Comics published between 1960 and 1966. They make up Ditko's earliest superhero work, pre-dating his co-creation of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.
The 228-page hardcover book will retail for $49.95 and is part of DC's Archive Editions collection.
Source: Newsarama
'Army of Darkness' comic book coming in July
Posted Thursday, April 1, 2004, 6:36PM CST by Franklin Harris
A comic-book sequel to the film "Army of Darkness" will arrive in stores in July. The comic, published by Devil's Due and created by Dynamite Entertainment, will pick up where the film leaves off.
The movie, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell, is the third of a trilogy of films including "The Evil Dead" and "Evil Dead 2." The comic book will be written by Andy Hartnell with interior art by Nick Bradshaw.
Source: Cinescape Online
Jack Black joins 'King Kong' remake
Posted Tuesday, March 30, 2004, 7:21PM CST by Franklin Harris
Jack Black ("School of Rock") has joined the cast of Peter Jackson's remake of "King Kong." Black will play Carl Denham, the role portrayed by Robert Armstrong in the original 1933 film and by Charles Grodin in the 1976 remake. Black joins fellow cast members Naomi Watts and Andy Serkis.
Source: Cinescape Online
PR: ADV Manga announces 37 new titles
Posted Tuesday, March 30, 2004, 7:15PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, March 30, 2004—ADV Manga today announced that it has acquired 37 new manga titles. With titles aimed at every age in many genres, this acquisition reflects ADV Manga’s commitment to a diverse publishing line with something for everyone.
The titles included are:
50 Rules for Teenagers by Ye Ri Na. A high school romance comic.
Blue Inferior by Kyoko Shitou. An ecological science fiction adventure and story of budding young romance.
Daemon Hunters by Seiuchiroh Todono. A story of a world of humans, elves and demons.
Demon Prince Yoshida-kun by Natsuki Yoshimura. A light-hearted modern-day teen comedy that follows the hilarious exploits of demons searching for "Yoshida-kun."
Desert Coral by Wataru Murayama. A fantasy epic of a boy sucked into a dangerous land of his dreams.
Dream Gold by Tatsuro Nakanishi. A fast paced mystery with a kind of lighthearted sci-fi feel.
Enmusu by Takahiro Seguchi. A boy (with the help of his attractive maid) attempts to take over a massive corporation.
Fantasy Land by Lee Shi Young. A teenage girl trades her unhappy life for a thrilling and dangerous fantasy adventure.
FirstKing Adventures by Moyamu Fujino. This heartwarming fantasy was a huge hit in Japan.
Gadget by Hiroyuki Etou, super-popular creator of Japanese hit manga Mahoujin Guruguru. A comedy about UFO hunters.
Gadirok by Jung Ho Hwang. A young prince and his faithful comrade-in-arms fight to regain the throne.
Gamerz Heaven by Maki Murakami, author of the hit manga Gravitation.
Gate by Hirotaka Kisaragi. Four teenage boys become gatekeepers between our world and a magical world beyond.
Gunparade March by Hiroyuki Sanadura. Basis for the popular anime of the same name about teenage robot pilots fighting the alien invaders, the Phantom Beasts.
Jinki: Extend by Sirou Tunasima. Jinkis—giant human-piloted robots—battle for good and evil.
Kids Joker by Maki Fujita. A hard-boiled thriller with a romantic triangle thrown in.
Lineage by Shin Il Sook. Based on one of the most popular MMPOGs (online computer games) called Lineage (available in the US from NCsoft). A magical medieval fantasy that pits young Prince Deporojue against his wicked step-father.
Love Blossoms by Lee Jong Eun. A romantic comedy starring teenage triplets.
Mythical Detective Loki RAGNAROK by Sakura Kinoshita. A popular series in Japan (with considerable fan buzz in the U.S.); the Norse god Loki is a boy detective in this manga.
Pastel Green Spell by Lee Young Yuu, author of the very popular series Kill Me, Kiss Me.
Peacemaker Kurogane by Nanae Chrono. At the violent last gasp of Japan’s shogunate, a group of swordsmen called Shinsengumi protect the city of Kyoto. Their newest member is a boy named Tetsunosuke Ichimura, who is about to be drawn into a dangerous web of violence and intrigue.
Pretty by Shi Hyun Ha. Pretty is the story of a middle school girl who is interested in stars and astronomy, who meets and becomes infatuated with a biy sharing her interests. But there are complications...
Princess Tutu by Mizuo Shinonome. A magical girl story in the classic mold.
Quantum Mistake by Sohn Eun-Ho and Choi Myung-Soo. The story of what happens when a tough high school punk switches bodies with a 90-pound weakling nerd.
R2 by Maki Hakoda. A pizza delivery boy must save the world.
Ray by Akihito Yoshitomi. An underground group runs a "farm" to raise children as human commodities for selling organs.
SIU Special Investigation Unit: NY Police Story by Kye Seung Hee. A New York City police mystery and thriller.
Saint Marie by Yang Ygo-Jin. Good and evil fight it out on the grounds of an exclusive private school.
Sky Blade, Sword of the Heavens by Hyun Kang Suk and Ah Shin. Two warriors, each sharing the same destiny for greatness, meet for adventure.
Sweet & Sensitive by Park Eun Ah. One girl and two boys in a high school love triangle gone wrong.
Tactics by Sakura Kinoshita. By the same author as Mythical Detective Loki RAGNAROK, this is a humorous fantasy set in medieval Japan.
Taimashin MASHIN Taidou-hen by Hideyuki Kikuchi and Misaki Saitoh. The story of a suave demon-fighting acupuncturist and his beautiful assistant.
Tengai Retrogical by Rin Asano. Set in a bygone Japan, a comedy with fantasy elements.
The Boss by Im Jae Won. Fists fly in this tale of high school gang war.
Vaizard by Norihiro Yoshida. A boy “vaizard” (tomb protector) teams up with a female archeologist to fight evil.
Yo-u by Sanami Matoh. A title from the best-selling creator of Fake. A fantasy adventure set in a medieval Japan full of supernatural creatures. The heroine is a witch searching for her father, whose spirit has been trapped inside a sword for decades.
Your & My Secret by Ai Morinaga. A teenage boy and the girl he's in love with switch bodies, with hilarious (and excruciatingly embarrassing) results.
Adult Swim gets new shows, episodes, DVDs
Posted Saturday, March 27, 2004, 8:57AM CST by Franklin Harris
Adult Swim news:
Source: Toon Zone
'Family Guy' returns in 2005
Posted Friday, March 26, 2004, 6:43AM CST by Franklin Harris
Fox has ordered 22 new half-hour episodes of "Family Guy" for the 2005 TV season. The episodes will first air on Fox and then on Cartoon Network, which currently airs repeats of the program's first three seasons.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Spider-Man 2' release moved up to June 30
Posted Friday, March 26, 2004, 6:37AM CST by Franklin Harris
The release date for "Spider-Man 2" has been moved up two days to June 30, giving the film, in effect, a six-day opening weekend over the July 4 holiday. Also, a release date for "Spider-Man 3" has been set. Look for the third film in the superhero series on May 4, 2007.
Source: Cinescape Online
Eccleston is new Doctor Who
Posted Saturday, March 20, 2004, 9:18AM CST by Franklin Harris
Christopher Eccleston ("28 Days Later," "The Others") will become the ninth actor to portray The Doctor when the BBC's new "Doctor Who" series airs next year. Eccleston will star as the traveling Time Lord in the 13-episode "Doctor Who" revival produced and written by Russell T. Davies.
Source: BBC
Spielberg, Cruise to remake 'War of the Worlds'
Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2004, 8:49AM CST by Franklin Harris
Steven Spielberg will direct a new big-screen adaptation of H.G. Wells' science-fiction novel "The War of the Worlds" for Dreamworks and Paramount. The production will again team Spielberg with Tom Cruise, who is set to star. Shooting could begin late next year.
Source: Dark Horizons
'Wheel of Time' movie rights optioned
Posted Monday, March 15, 2004, 7:11PM CST by Franklin Harris
Red Eagle Entertainment has optioned the movie rights to Robert Jordan's 11-book "Wheel of Time" series. The company plans to produce a live-action film of the first book, "Eye of the World," with adaptations of subsequent novels to follow.
Source: Dark Horizons
'Blade: Trinity' to open in December
Posted Monday, March 15, 2004, 7:02PM CST by Franklin Harris
The theatrical release of "Blade: Trinity," the third in a series of films based on the Marvel Comics character Blade and starring Wesley Snipes, has been pushed back to December 10.
Source: Superhero Hype
'Constantine' pushed back to 2005
Posted Monday, March 15, 2004, 6:58PM CST by Franklin Harris
"Constantine," the movie adaptation of DC Comics' "Hellblazer" series, has been pushed back to next year. The release date for the film, which stars Keanu Reeves, is now February 11, 2005.
Source: Superhero Hype
'Man-Thing' still set for theatrical release
Posted Monday, March 15, 2004, 6:53PM CST by Franklin Harris
Superhero Hype reports that the live-action "Man-Thing" movie is still scheduled for a theatrical release this fall, although Lions Gate has not yet set a date. "Man-Thing" is based on the Marvel Comics character.
'Ringu' director to helm American 'Ring' sequel
Posted Monday, March 15, 2004, 6:30PM CST by Franklin Harris
Hideo Nakata, director of the Japanese horror film "Ringu," will direct "The Ring 2," the sequel to Dreamworks' "The Ring," which, of course, is the Americanized version of "Ringu." Nakata repleaces Noam Murro, who left citing "creative differences" with producers.
Source: Fangoria
Singer to helm 'Logan's Run' remake
Posted Friday, March 5, 2004, 8:03PM CST by Franklin Harris
Bryan Singer ("X2") has agreed to direct the Warner Bros. remake of "Logan's Run." Singer's version, to be produced by Joel Silver ("The Matrix"), will stay closer to the original novel in that the termination age for the characters will be 21 rather than 30 as in the 1976 MGM film starring Michael York and Jenny Agutter.
Source: Cinescape Online
Singleton to direct 'Luke Cage'
Posted Friday, March 5, 2004, 8:46AM CST by Franklin Harris
John Singleton has signed on to direct "Luke Cage" for Columbia Pictures. The film is based on the Marvel Comics character, who has appeared in his own solo series and as half of "Power Man and Iron Fist." Currently, Luke Cage is a supporting character in Marvel's "The Pulse."
Source: Superhero Hype
Universal wants Millar's 'Wanted'
Posted Friday, March 5, 2004, 8:42AM CST by Franklin Harris
Universal Studios has acquired the film rights to Mark Millar's Image Comics miniseries "Wanted."
Source: Superhero Hype
Oldman joins 'Batman Begins' as Gordon
Posted Friday, March 5, 2004, 8:40AM CST by Franklin Harris
Gary Oldman ("Bram Stoker's Dracula") has joined the cast of the new Batman movie, now officially titled "Batman Begins." He will play James Gordon.
Source: Superhero Hype
'Man-Thing' back to DVD?
Posted Friday, March 5, 2004, 8:35AM CST by Franklin Harris
Lions Gate has removed "Man-Thing," based on the Marvel Comics character, from its release schedule, which may mean that the live-action film is back on its original path straight to DVD.
Source: Superhero Hype
Disney to chronicle C.S. Lewis' 'Narnia'
Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2004, 7:05PM CST by Franklin Harris
Disney has agreed to co-finance a $100 million live-action adaptation of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," the first book of the "The Chronicles of Narnia." Filming is set to begin this summer for a winter 2005 release.
Source: Dark Horizons
Rodriguez signs on for 'Mars'
Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2004, 7:00PM CST by Franklin Harris
Robert Rodriguez ("Spy Kids") has signed on to direct "A Princess of Mars," based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' first John Carter of Mars novel, for Paramount. He is scheduled to begin work after he finishes directing "Sin City," an adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novels of the same name.
Source: Dark Horizons
Anchor Bay gets rights to Argento's 'Card Player'
Posted Tuesday, March 2, 2004, 6:55PM CST by Franklin Harris
Anchor Bay Entertainment has purchased the U.S. rights to Dario Argento's latest film, "The Card Player." Anchor Bay is considering a theatrical release for the film ahead of its DVD release.
Source: Fangoria
Charlize Theron gets in the 'Flux'
Posted Monday, March 1, 2004, 8:40AM CST by Franklin Harris
Fresh off her Oscar-winning performance in "Monster," Charlize Theron is set to star in a live-action version of "Aeon Flux," based on Peter Chung's animated sci-fi/action series for MTV. Shooting starts in July.
Source: ICv2.com
'Justice League' goes 'Unlimited'
Posted Saturday, February 28, 2004, 7:13PM CST by Franklin Harris
Cartoon Network's "Justice League" gets a makeover this fall when it returns with a new name, "Justice League Unlimited." New episodes begin in August, and viewers can expect guest stars to include Supergirl, Green Arrow, The Atom, Booster Gold, Hawk and Dove, Elongated Man, The Question, Mister Miracle, Big Barda, Captain Atom and Zatanna.
Source: Animation Insider
Rodriguez to direct Miller's 'Sin City'
Posted Saturday, February 28, 2004, 6:59PM CST by Franklin Harris
Robert Rodriguez ("Once Upon a Time in Mexico") will direct a feature film based on Frank Miller's "Sin City" graphic novels.
Source: Superhero Hype
Lions Gate gets 'Iron Fist', 'Black Widow'
Posted Saturday, February 28, 2004, 6:51PM CST by Franklin Harris
Marvel Enterprises and Lions Gate Entertainment have inked a deal for Lions Gate to produce live-action films based on Marvel's Iron Fist and Black Widow characters. The deal expands the pre-existing relationship between Marvel and Artisan Entertainment, which Lions Gate acquired in December.
Source: Superhero Hype
Watanabe cast as Ra's Al Ghul in 'Batman'
Posted Tuesday, February 24, 2004, 9:59AM CST by Franklin Harris
Ken Watanabe, Oscar-nominated for "The Last Samurai," will co-star as Ra's Al Ghul opposite Christian Bale in the next "Batman" movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Source: Superhero Hype
Image Comics management gets makeover
Posted Friday, February 20, 2004, 3:59PM CST by Franklin Harris
There has been a shake-up in the offices of Image Comics. Erik Larsen, creator of "Savage Dragon," is the company's new publisher, replacing Jim Valentino.
Valentino oversaw the Image's transition from a publisher of superhero comics to one of the industry's major publishers of independent comics. Recently, however, Image lost several member studios, including Devil's Due, publisher of the popular "G.I. Joe" series. Those losses hurt the Image's sales and exposure.
Larsen, according to reports, plans to refocus on superheroes while promising to not abandon the comics Valentino championed. Valentino remains a partner in Image, which formed in the early 1990s as a coalition of several high profile comic-book artists including Valentino, Larsen, Jim Lee, Todd MacFarlane and Rob Liefeld. Since then, Liefeld was forced out of Image while Lee left voluntarily, selling his studio, Wildstorm Productions, to DC Comics.
Source: Comic Book Resources
Neeson, Freeman join 'Batman' cast (Updated)
Posted Thursday, February 19, 2004, 7:40AM CST by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman are confirmed as having joined the cast of director Christopher Nolan's "Batman" film. Neeson and Freeman reportedly will portray Batman villain R'as al Ghul and supporting character Lucius Fox, CEO of Wayne Enterprises, respectively.
Source: Cinescape Online
UPDATE: Superhero Hype! reports that Neeson is, in fact, not portraying R'as al Ghul. Instead, he is playing a character named Henri Ducard, who is Bruce Wayne's mentor.
Buffy's creator meets the X-Men
Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2004, 6:44AM CST by Franklin Harris
Joss Whedon, creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," will write a new X-Men title for Marvel Comics. Whedon and artist John Cassaday's 12-issue run on "Astonishing X-Men" begins in May as part of a companywide revamp of X-Men titles. Meanwhile, Chris Claremont returns to write "Uncanny X-Men" with art by Alan Davis.
Source: Cinescape Online
Silent Bob nets 'The Green Hornet'
Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2004, 6:35AM CST by Franklin Harris
Kevin Smith ("Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back") will write and direct "The Green Hornet" for Miramax.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Angel' plays harp; WB cancels series
Posted Monday, February 16, 2004, 10:54AM CST by Franklin Harris
The WB has informed the producers of "Angel" that this season, the show's fifth, will be its last. Series creator Joss Whedon says the show will proceed as planned. "We always planned this season finale to be a great capper to the season and the show in general," he said.
Source: Dark Horizons
WB to air new 'Batman' cartoon series
Posted Wednesday, February 11, 2004, 2:27PM CST by Franklin Harris
Warner Bros. will produce a new "Batman" cartoon series to air on both Kids' WB and Cartoon Network. The new animated series will have no relation to "Batman: The Animated Series," which aired on Fox and The WB in the 1990s. Instead, this series will feature a Batman who is still in his early 20s and only in the third year of his costumed career. One note of interest: 1960s Batman Adam West will provide the voice of Gotham City's mayor.
Source: Toon Zone
Sci-Fi orders 13 episodes of 'Galactica'
Posted Tuesday, February 10, 2004, 9:04PM CST by Franklin Harris
It is now official: The Sci-Fi Channel has ordered 13 episodes of the new "Battlestar Galactica" series produced by Ronald D. Moore. Production begins next month in Vancouver and includes the principle cast from the 2003 mini-series.
Source: Cinescape Online
Bryan Singer to write 'Ultimate X-Men'
Posted Tuesday, February 10, 2004, 8:56PM CST by Franklin Harris
"X-Men" and "X2" director Bryan Singer, along with screenwriters Dan Harris and Mike Dougherty, will write a year of Marvel's "Ultimate X-Men" comic before turning to the third "X-Men" film. There is no word yet on when the trio will begin work on the series.
Source: Newsarama
Original 'Star Wars' trilogy on DVD in Sept.
Posted Tuesday, February 10, 2004, 8:33AM CST by Franklin Harris
The original "Star Wars" trilogy will be making its way to DVD on Sept. 21. The films will be released as a four-disc boxed set, which will include "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," as well as a disc of making-of extras. All three films will be the "special edition" versions released in 1997, as per George Lucas' insistence that these are the "definitive" versions.
Source: The Washington Post
Original 'Spider-Man' to DVD in June
Posted Sunday, February 8, 2004, 9:13PM CST by Franklin Harris
The 1967 "Spider-Man" cartoon series will hit DVD on June 29. The series will be released as a 6-disc set encompassing all 52 half-hour episodes, which aired originally on ABC.
Source: Toon Zone
Dimension to remake 'The Hills Have Eyes'
Posted Friday, February 6, 2004, 1:28PM CST by Franklin Harris
Continuing the recent string of remakes and homages to 1970s hillbilly horror flicks, Dimension Films has announced that it will remake Wes Craven's 1977 film, "The Hills Have Eyes." The studio has hired writer Gregory Levasseur and director Alexandre Aja, the team behind the French horror film "Haute Tension," to bring the new "Hills" to the screen.
Source: Cinescape Online
Rockwell is latest to 'Hitchhike'
Posted Friday, February 6, 2004, 5:36AM CST by Franklin Harris
Sam Rockwell ("Confessions of a Dangerous Mind") has joined the cast of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." He will play Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed president of the galaxy. He joins Martin Freeman, Mos Des and Zooey Deschanel in playing the principle roles in this adaptation of the Douglas Adams novel. Garth Jennings is directing. Shooting starts in April.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Indy 4' goes back to drawing board
Posted Friday, February 6, 2004, 5:29AM CST by Franklin Harris
It may be 2006 before we see "Indiana Jones 4" in theaters. Producer George Lucas has rejected Frank Darabont's script. The project now goes back to the drawing board. The earliest shooting is likely to begin, if it ever does, is 2005, when Harrison Ford will be 65 years old.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Shazam!' gets new screenwriters
Posted Tuesday, February 3, 2004, 9:54AM CST by Franklin Harris
The producers of the in-development "Shazam!" live-action movie have hired screenwriters Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow ("Cheaper By the Dozen" remake, "Garfield") to pen a new script. Reportedly, the two will do a complete rewrite of an earlier draft by William Goldman.
Source: Cinescape Online
John Woo is 'Lost in Space'
Posted Tuesday, February 3, 2004, 9:50AM CST by Franklin Harris
John Woo ("Mission: Impossible 2") will direct the pilot episode of the new "Lost in Space" TV series to air on The WB. Woo is also one of the series' producers. Shooting will begin March 2 in Vancouver.
Source: Dark Horisons
Pixar to Disney: Drop Dead! (Maybe)
Posted Friday, January 30, 2004, 9:04AM CST by Franklin Harris
Pixar Studios ("Finding Nemo," "Toy Story") and Disney have ended negotiations aimed at keeping the companies from going their separate ways in 2006, when their current distribution deal expires. While it is possible that the two could patch things up, most analysts believe it is more likely that Pixar will ink a deal with one of Disney's rivals.
The announcement comes as bad news for Disney, which has seen its recent in-house animated productions flop at the box office.
Source: SFGate.com
Live-action 'G.I. Joe' is a go
Posted Friday, January 30, 2004, 8:54AM CST by Franklin Harris
A live-action movie based on the 1980s "G.I. Joe" toys, comic books and cartoon series is in the works. The movie will be a prequel, telling the story of the rise of Cobra. Lorenzo di Bonaventura is producing, and Michael Gordon has been hired to write the script. Fans can expect characters like Snake Eyes, Duke, Storm Shadow, Destro and Cobra Commander to be part of the production.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Nemo' writer has spacesuit, will travel
Posted Friday, January 30, 2004, 8:46AM CST by Franklin Harris
Oscar-nominated "Finding Nemo" screenwriter David Reynolds will write the screenplay for "Have Spacesuit, Will Travel," based on the Robert Heinlein novel. The production is set up at Warner Bros.
Source: Dark Horisons
New 'Aqua Teen', first 'Sealab 2021' DVDs on the way
Posted Friday, January 30, 2004, 8:36AM CST by Franklin Harris
Fans of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim shows "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" and "Sealab 2021" can look forward to new DVDs this summer. Cartoon Network will release a second volume of "Aqua Teen" and the first of "Sealab 2021." No details are available as yet, but expect the discs to be in the same format as the current "Aqua Teen" Vol. 1 and "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast" Vol. 1 two-disc sets.
Source: Toon Zone
Movie picks up three 'Hitchhikers'
Posted Friday, January 30, 2004, 8:30AM CST by Franklin Harris
Three cast members have signed up to star in the feature adaptation of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," based on the Douglas Adams novel. They are hip-hop artist Mos Def as Ford Prefect, Zooey Deschanel as Trillian and "The Office" star Martin Freeman as Authur Dent. The role of Zaphod Beeblebrox is still to be cast.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
Johansson to be DePalma's 'Dahlia'
Posted Friday, January 30, 2004, 8:23AM CST by Franklin Harris
She may have been snubbed by the Oscars, but Scarlett Johansson ("Lost in Translation") is experiencing a career upswing. The young actress will star in director Brian DePalma's upcoming thriller, "The Black Dahlia," opposite Josh Hartnett and Mark Wahlberg. Shooting begins in May.
Source: Dark Horizons
DC to publish 'Space Ghost' comic book
Posted Wednesday, January 28, 2004, 8:27PM CST by Franklin Harris
Newsarama reports that DC Comics will publish a six-issue "Space Ghost" mini-series written by Joe Kelly and with art by Ariel Olivetti. The series will take a serious look at Space Ghost's origins, in contrast to the comedic approach of Cartoon Network's "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast" animated series.
Naomi Watts confirms 'King Kong' role
Posted Wednesday, January 28, 2004, 8:05PM CST by Franklin Harris
Naomi Watts ("The Ring") has confirmed that she will star in Peter Jackson's remake of "King Kong."
Source: Cinescape Online
Simmons' 'Song of Kali' heads to big screen
Posted Wednesday, January 28, 2004, 7:58PM CST by Franklin Harris
Screenwriter and former Clinton speechwriter Lucas Sussman will adapt Dan Simmons' novel "Song of Kali" as a feature film for Darren Aronofsky's Protozoa Pictures, Variety reports.
Nispel to helm 'Turn' remake
Posted Wednesday, January 28, 2004, 7:54PM CST by Franklin Harris
Marcus Nispel ("The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake) will direct a remake of the Japanese supernatural thriller "Turn," reports Variety.
'John Carter' film on fast track?
Posted Wednesday, January 28, 2004, 7:47PM CST by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons reports that Paramount wants to put the first of a proposed series of films based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars novels on the fast track. The studio is in negotiations with Robert Rodriguez ("Once Upon a Time in Mexico," "Spy Kids") to direct and is hoping to sign Josh Duhamel ("Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!") to star.
Sci-Fi orders six more hours of 'Galactica'
Posted Wednesday, January 21, 2004, 8:26PM CST by Franklin Harris
Cinescape Online reports that the Sci-Fi Channel has ordered six episodes of the new "Battlestar: Galactica" series.
USA sews up new 'Frankenstein'
Posted Wednesday, January 21, 2004, 8:13PM CST by Franklin Harris
The USA Network has ordered a two-hour pilot and scripts for four additional episodes of a "Frankenstein" TV series for its fall schedule, according to the Sci-Fi Wire. The series will be set in present-day Seattle, where Dr. Frankenstein and his creation still live, kept alive by the doctor's skills. A female police detective also will be part of the cast.
Director Martin Scorsese, horror novelist Dean Koontz and producer Tony Krantz ("24") will executive produce the series. Koontz will write the pilot script, and Marcus Nispel ("The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake) will direct.
'Iron Man' movie jets ahead
Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2004, 5:30PM CST by Franklin Harris
The film adaptation of Marvel Comics' "Iron Man" took another step forward with the second draft of the screenplay by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar ("Smallville"). Meanwhile, the search for a director who can bring the film to theaters in 2005 continues, and Tom Cruise is rumored to once again be expressing interest in the lead role of Tony Stark/Iron Man.
Source: IGN Filmforce
Minear takes up a 'Harsh Mistress'
Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2004, 5:16PM CST by Franklin Harris
Producer Tim Minear ("Angel," "Wonderfalls") has been hired to write the movie adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein's classic libertarian SF novel "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress."
"I'm going to write the script," Minear, an avowed Heinlein fan, told Sci-Fi Wire. "My take on the story is to try to stay as close to Heinlein's politics and Heinlein's vision of the future that I can, while still taking the story and trying to make it into a movie. You know, that book is not a movie. There's a lot of very interesting talk about cells and sort of the anatomy of a revolution, which is not that interesting in a movie. But there are other elements."
The WB explores 'Dark Shadows'
Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2004, 5:10PM CST by Franklin Harris
The WB has hired producer John Wells ("The West Wing," "ER") to develop a new version of the gothic TV soap opera "Dark Shadows."
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
CBS orders up 'CSI: New York'
Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2004, 5:01PM CST by Franklin Harris
CBS's "CSI" juggernaut rolls on. The network has ordered a third "CSI" series, "CSI: New York," for its fall 2004 schedule. Soon, prime time television will be nothing but reality shows, "CSI" and "Law & Order."
Source: Dark Horizons
'Charmed' returns for 7th season
Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2004, 4:59PM CST by Franklin Harris
The WB's bewitching TV series "Charmed" has been picked up for a seventh season, which will start in September.
Source: Dark Horizons
Cartoon Net. adds anime, expands Adult Swim
Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2004, 5:41AM CST by Franklin Harris
Cartoon Network's late-night programming block, Adult Swim, will expand to six nights a week beginning Saturday, April 17. Also, Cartoon Network has picked up the rights to several popular anime series: "Detective Conan," "Gundam Seed," "Witch Hunter Robin," "Wolf's Rain" and "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex."
Source: ICv2.com
David Hemmings dies at 62
Posted Thursday, December 4, 2003, 2:38PM CST by Franklin Harris
Actor David Hemmings, star of such films as "Blow Up" and Dario Argento's "Deep Red," died of a heart attack while on a film set in Romania. He was 62.
Source: ABC News
'Voltron' coming to DVD in 2004
Posted Thursday, December 4, 2003, 2:29PM CST by Franklin Harris
The anime series "Voltron: Defender of the Universe" will make its North American DVD debut in 2004 to celebrate the its 20th anniversary. Also, a new "Voltron" series, "Voltron: Interactive," is currently in production.
Source: Toon Zone
Steven Grant's 'Mortal Souls' optioned
Posted Thursday, December 4, 2003, 2:22PM CST by Franklin Harris
Steven Grant's comic book "Mortal Souls," published by Avatar Press, has been optioned as a possible feature film by Blue Cactus Pictures, reports Cinescape Online.
Michael Caine joins new 'Batman' cast
Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2003, 8:55AM CST by Franklin Harris
Michael Caine has joined the cast of Christopher Nolan's upcoming "Batman" movie, which starts filming early next year. Caine will play Bruce Wayne's butler, Alfred. Christian Bale is already signed to play Wayne/Batman. Meanwhile, Daniel Day-Lewis is rumored to be under consideration to play Batman's nemesis, Ra's Al-Ghul.
Source: Dark Horizons
'Farscape' to return as miniseries
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003, 9:40PM CST by Franklin Harris
Numerous sources are reporting that "Farscape," the recently canceled Sci-Fi Channel series, will return for a miniseries that will tie up loose plot threads left over from the show's untimely end. No other details are known at this time.
'Family Guy' may return to Fox
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003, 9:35PM CST by Franklin Harris
Executives at Fox must have noticed the brisk sales of the "Family Guy" DVD sets. The network is considering reviving the animated series for a fourth season. As many as 35 new episodes could begin airing in January 2005, marking the first time that a canceled series has been revived based on strong DVD demand and ratings in syndication.
Source: USA Today
PR: ADV to release remastered 'Robotech'
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003, 9:20PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON -- ADV Films today announced the release of Robotech Remastered: Extended Edition, a complete remastering of all three acts of Harmony Gold's classic Robotech, the series that introduced generations of Americans to the art form and cultural phenomenon that is anime. The first DVD volume, which will include the first twelve episodes on two discs with a handsome art box fitting both discs, will go on sale everywhere January 27, 2004.
Often compared to Star Trek and Star Wars, Robotech is a uniquely addictive and complex intergalactic drama drawn across generations, spinning together hard-hitting mecha action and richly developed characters over the course of three acts: The Macross Saga; Robotech Masters; and New Generation. Robotech has become a major merchandising force, with movies, graphic novels, books, and toys incorporating and elaborating on the story.
This newest release from ADV Films features a fresh, clean digital transfer of Robotech from the original film stock, returning the series to a lovely and near-pristine state without compromising the character of the original animation. New footage featuring scenes cut from the original broadcast version of Robotech has been added and also featuring new opening and closing credits and eye catches, creating a never-before-seen version of this seminal adventure series.
Additionally, the audio has been restored and remixed to create the highest-quality sound experience available. Robotech Remastered: Extended Edition ($29.98 SRP) will feature two new audio tracks: the original, classic English-language dub in glorious digital 5.1 sound and a Spanish-language digital 5.1 track. In addition to the upgraded audio, the release is also subtitled in English.
The Story:
1999: A massive alien battlecruiser crash-lands on Earth in the midst of a bloody global war. With the possibility of a more perilous threat looming, the human race puts aside their differences and collectively undertakes the arduous task of rebuilding the spacecraft, redubbed the SDF-1, to defend the Earth should its extraterrestrial masters come to reclaim it. Eventually, the alien Zentraedi invade Earth to collect the SDF-1 and the technology it contains, forcing the inexperienced crew, including hotshot pilot Rick Hunter and his war hero mentor Roy Fokker, to launch the battlecruiser into war--a war that will cross generations, stretch across the farthest reaches of the universe and turn ordinary soldiers into extraordinary heroes.
ROBOTECH REMASTERED: EXTENDED EDITION
Running Time: 300 minutes; Age Rating: 13+
Pre-Book Date: 12/30/03
Street Date: 1/27/04
Format DVD
SRP $29.98
Powerhouse to animate 'Clerks' feature
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003, 9:06PM CST by Franklin Harris
Powerhouse Animation will animate a feature film based on writer/director Kevin Smith's "Clerks."
Source: Toon Zone
Marvel movie update: Fall 2004
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003, 8:58PM CST by Franklin Harris
Marvel Studios President Avi Arad recently updated investors on the status of Marvel's various film and television projects. Here are some of the highlights as reported by ICv2.com:
1. The "Fantastic Four" feature film's release has been delayed until summer 2005.
2. Mark Steven Johnson ("Daredevil") will direct Nicholas Cage in "Ghost Rider." Shooting will start in January 2004 for a 2005 release.
3. Films based on "Iron Man" and "Elektra" are also due in 2005, with "Daredevil 2" to follow "Elektra" at some point in the future.
4. Marvel's slate of films for 2006 tentatively includes "X-Men 3," "Hulk 2," "Namor," "Captain America," "Nick Fury" and "Iron Fist."
5. Other undated Marvel films in development include "Mort the Dead Teenager," "Gargoyle," "Werewolf by Night" and "Tales of the Zombie."
6. The animated "Spider-Man" TV series last seen on MTV will move to a new channel.
WotC to publish 'G.I. Joe' card game
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003, 8:47PM CST by Franklin Harris
Wizards of the Coast will publish a collectable card game based on "G.I. Joe." The game, to debut in fall 2004, will revolve around the 1980s cartoon series and comic books, which were based on Hasbro's line of action figures and toys.
Source: ICv2.com
Sci-Fi orders 'Stargate' spin-off
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003, 8:40PM CST by Franklin Harris
According to Variety, the Sci-Fi Channel has ordered 20 hours of "Stargate: Atlantis," a spin-off of the sci-fi TV series "Stargate: SG-1."
Jonathan Brandis found dead at 27
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003, 8:31PM CST by Franklin Harris
Actor Jonathan Brandis, 27, was found dead last week of an apparent suicide. Brandis was best known for his portrayal of child prodigy Lucas Wolenczek on the sci-fi TV series "SeaQuest DSV."
Source: E! Online
'Astro City' movie rights optioned
Posted Monday, November 24, 2003, 8:24PM CST by Franklin Harris
Producer Ben Barenholtz and screenwriter Jonathan Alpers have entered into a deal with comic book writer Kurt Busiek to turn Busiek's series "Astro City" into a feature film. The three have formed a production company, Panama Leo Productions, to shop the project around Hollywood.
Source: Variety
PR: First 'Evangelion' special edition arrives Jan. 13
Posted Thursday, November 6, 2003, 7:47PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON -- ADV Films today announced a January 13, 2004 release date for Resurrection, the first of two Directors' Cut volumes of the enormously influential anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. The Directors' Cut is not just a remaster, but a revised and re-edited special edition produced under the careful supervision of creators Hideaki Anno and Gainax to include amazing new footage never before available outside of Japan. The first volume contains Evangelion episodes 21-23 in both the extended Directors' Cut versions and the original broadcast versions, allowing fans to see the creative progression of this seminal title's final moments.
In addition to the Directors' Cut episodes, ADV has obtained special DVD extras that are sure to fuel the excitement for this highly anticipated release. Resurrection will include an exclusive 25-minute interview with Richard Taylor, co-founder and head of Effects and Creatures at Weta Workshop, the multiple Academy Award-winning (for The Lord of the Rings trilogy) special effects studio currently working on the Neon Genesis Evangelion live-action feature. Also included are numerous never-before-seen production images from the theatrical release.
Neon Genesis Evangelion is the story of a reluctant young hero, called upon to pilot an immense robotic weapon in battle against alien invaders in the year 2015. As the remnants of the human race cower in subterranean cities, a deadly war is being waged on what is left of the planet. On one side are the mysterious beings known as Angels; on the other, the special agency NERV and mankind's last hope, the awe-inspiring Evangelions. Piloted by a special team of teenage warriors, these giant bio-mechanical humanoids are the only thing that can withstand the force of the Angels' defense fields long enough for the pilots to tackle the invaders themselves in hand to hand combat! With the lives of every soul on the planet at stake, these few youngsters must reach down deep inside themselves to find the strength and courage necessary to meet the Angels head on in a desperate attempt to save mankind.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Directors' Cut-Resurrection ($29.98 SRP) includes episodes 21-23 in both director's cut and original broadcast versions. In both English 2.0-languange and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with English subtitles. Includes ADV previews.
PR: 'Invader Zim' coming to DVD in Spring 2004
Posted Thursday, November 6, 2003, 7:02PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: NEW YORK CITY -- AnimeWorks is ready to rain down Zim's doom upon the heads of animation fans everywhere with its release of Jhonen Vasquez's "Invader Zim." Anime fans have been screaming for this DVD release since Zim first aired on Nickelodeon in 2001, and now it's finally here. Coming Spring 2004 will be the first of three double disc sets and a limited edition boxed set which promises to send fans' blood racing through their veins like giant radioactive rubber pants. The pants command them! "Invader Zim" currently airs on Nicktoons, Nickelodeon's digital home for animated hits.
"We at Media Blasters are thrilled to add 'Invader Zim' to our powerful line-up, and expect it to be one of our flagship titles in 2004," said John Sirabella, CEO of Media Blasters. " 'Zim' has created quite a fan buzz in the anime community and we know that it will be a huge sensation!"
The WB orders 'Global Frequency' script
Posted Wednesday, October 29, 2003, 10:51AM CST by Franklin Harris
The WB has ordered a pilot script for "Global Frequency," based on the DC comic book written by Warren Ellis.
Source: CNN
'Ghost Rider' movie pushed back to 2005?
Posted Wednesday, October 29, 2003, 10:43AM CST by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons reports the following: "[T]he long-awaited adaptation of the Marvel comic 'Ghost Rider' staring Nic Cage and Jon Voight has pushed back its start of shooting well into 2004, which means a release won't be on the cards til 2005 at the earliest."
Screenwriter hired for new 'Phantom' film
Posted Monday, October 27, 2003, 9:53AM CST by Franklin Harris
Crusader Entertainment and Hyde Park have hired Olympic gold medalist-turned-feature film scribe Mel Stewart to write the screenplay for a new version of "The Phantom," based on Lee Faulk's comic strip superhero. (A 1996 film based on the character starred Billy Zane, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kristy Swanson and Treat Williams.)
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
MGM nixes Jinx spin-off
Posted Monday, October 27, 2003, 9:46AM CST by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that MGM has scrapped plans for a spin-off film based on Halle Berry's character from "Die Another Day," Jinx.
Jim Carrey signs for 'Six Million Dollar Man'
Posted Sunday, October 26, 2003, 7:53AM CST by Franklin Harris
Rubber-faced comedian Jim Carry has signed to star in a big-screen version of the 1970s TV adventure series "The Six Million Dollar Man." As you might guess, the movie will be a "comedic" take on the material.
Source: IGN FilmForce
Harlin to reshoot scenes for 'Exorcist' prequel
Posted Sunday, October 26, 2003, 7:43AM CST by Franklin Harris
Director Renny Harlin ("Die Hard 2") will reshoot scenes for "The Exorcist: The Beginning." He replaces director Paul Schrader, who left the film over creative differences.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
Marvel's 'Man-Thing' to open in theaters
Posted Sunday, October 26, 2003, 7:38AM CST by Franklin Harris
Originally set for a direct-to-video release, "Man-Thing" is now scheduled to open in theaters in North America on August 27, 2004. The film, based on the Marvel comic book, is produced by Artisan Entertainment and was filmed in Australia. It stars Jack Thompson, Rawiri Paratene, Matt Le Nevez, Rachel Taylor and Steve Bastoni.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
New 'Amityville' sets up at MGM
Posted Sunday, October 26, 2003, 7:34AM CST by Franklin Harris
MGM has picked Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller to produce a remake of "The Amityville Horror," the 1979 horror film purportedly based on a real haunting.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
'Dragonball GT' to Toonami in November
Posted Tuesday, October 14, 2003, 6:42AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Dragonball GT," the final (to date) series in the seemingly endless "Dragonball" saga, will debut on Cartoon Network on Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Source: Toon Zone
Third 'Conan' may go ahead without Arnold
Posted Friday, October 10, 2003, 9:50PM CDT by Franklin Harris
The next Conan the Barbarian movie, "Conan: Crown of Iron," to be written and directed by John Milius, may go ahead with a new actor in the role formerly played by new California Governor-Elect Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Source: Coming Soon
Marvel and Simon settle 'Captain America'
Posted Friday, October 10, 2003, 9:44PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Captain America co-creator Joe Simon has settled his lawsuit against Marvel Enterprises, Inc. Although details of the settlement are unknown, the deal allows Marvel to finally exploit Captain America in a variety of ways, including film and television projects, merchandising, promotions and publishing.
Source: IGN Filmforce
'30 Days of Night' team gets ongoing series
Posted Friday, October 10, 2003, 9:29PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith, the writer and artist respectively of the popular comic book mini-series "30 Day of Night" and "Dark Days," will be producing an ongoing horror series for IDW Publishing. Niles describes "Sacred Hearts" as a soap opera involving vampires, werewolves and devils.
Source: ICv2.com
Freddy vs. Jason vs. ... Ash?
Posted Friday, October 10, 2003, 9:22PM CDT by Franklin Harris
The rumors are true. As nutty as it may seem, New Line Cinema is considering adding "Evil Dead" hero Ash (Bruce Campbell) to the mix for its "Freddy vs. Jason" sequel.
Source: Fangoria
'Mask of Zorro 2' to film next year
Posted Friday, October 10, 2003, 9:14PM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Mask of Zorro" director Martin Campbell says he will return to direct a sequel to that film in 2004. According to Campbell, "Mask" star Antonio Banderas is on board and negotiations are underway for co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones to return. Anthony Hopkins may appear in flashbacks.
Source: Dark Horizons
Clive Barker to develop TV pilot
Posted Friday, October 10, 2003, 9:05PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Clive Barker is developing a TV pilot for NBC called "Demonologist," based loosely on Gerald Daniel Brittle's book of the same name about real-life "supernatural investigators" Ed and Lorraine Warren. The pilot is scheduled to air in 2004.
Source: The Sci-Fi Wire
Fox moves forward on 'Foundation'
Posted Friday, October 10, 2003, 8:56PM CDT by Franklin Harris
20th Century Fox has hired screenwriter Jeff Vintar to adapt Isaac Asimov's novel "Foundation" for the big screen. Fox may split "Foundation" into two films.
Vintar also wrote an adaptation of Asimov's "I, Robot" starring Will Smith.
Source: Cinescape
The WB finds 'Lost in Space'
Posted Friday, October 10, 2003, 8:43PM CDT by Franklin Harris
The WB has ordered a pilot for a new series of "Lost In Space," an update of the 1960s sci-fi series. Hong Kong director John Woo will executive produce the series (if an entire series is ordered) and may direct the pilot episode. Writer Doug Petrie ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") will write the screenplay.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
UPN developing 'Teen Wolf' TV series
Posted Friday, October 3, 2003, 12:29PM CDT by Franklin Harris
UPN is developing a TV series based on "Teen Wolf," the 1985 comedy starring Michael J. Fox. Reportedly, the series would have a tone and monster-of-the-week premise similar to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Source: Dark Horizons
Ice Cube in, Diesel out of 'XXX 2'
Posted Friday, October 3, 2003, 10:58AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Vin Diesel has bowed out of the sequel to his hit spy film "XXX." Instead, rapper Ice Cube will star as a new "extreme" spy in "XXX 2." The first movie's director, Rob Cohen, also passed on the sequel, so Lee Tamahori ("Die Another Day") will be taking over the helm.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Connelly to star in American remake of 'Dark Water'
Posted Wednesday, October 1, 2003, 8:50PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Brazilian director Walter Salles will helm "Dark Water," a remake of Hideo Nakata's 2002 film. (Nakata also directed the Japanese version of "The Ring.")
Jennifer Connelly is signed to star in the movie, which tells the story of a mother and daughter who escape from a custody battle to a dilapidated apartment building, where they find themselves haunted by the ghost of a young girl.
Meanwhile, Nakata will soon make his first English-language film, MGM's "True Believers."
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
'Halloween' anime in the works
Posted Wednesday, October 1, 2003, 8:36PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Simon Tse Productions is developing an anime version of "Halloween," the 1979 film by John Carpenter.
Source: Toon Zone
Marvel may produce own movies
Posted Wednesday, October 1, 2003, 8:10PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that Marvel Enterprises may produce its own films based on Marvel Comics characters. These "in-house" movies would involve second-tier characters rather than major properties like Hulk and Spider-Man. Most of these modestly budgeted films would go direct to DVD.
Source: ICv2.com
Bellucci joins 'Brothers Grimm'
Posted Friday, September 26, 2003, 9:08AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Monica Bellucci ("The Matrix Reloaded") has joined the cast of Terry Gilliam's upcoming film, "Brothers Grimm." She will play an evil, blood-drinking sorceress opposite the film's stars, Matt Damon and Heath Ledger. The film is scheduled for release in 2004.
Source: Cinescape Online
It's official: BBC orders new 'Doctor Who'
Posted Friday, September 26, 2003, 7:03AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Doctor Who" fans rejoice. After many false alarms over 14 years, it's finally official. The BBC has hired Russell T. Davies ("Queer as Folk") to produce a new "Doctor Who" series.
Source: BBC
'Blade 3' filming begins
Posted Friday, September 26, 2003, 6:56AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Filming has begun on "Blade 3: Trinity," the third and probably final installment in the series based on the Marvel Comics character. Wesley Snipes returns as Blade, a half-vampire vampire slayer. He is joined by Parker Posey, Jessica Biel, Ryan Reynolds and Kris Kristofferson. David Goyer, who wrote the two previous installments, is writing and directing this time.
Source: ICv2.com
Two 'Underworld' sequels planned
Posted Friday, September 26, 2003, 6:49AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Thanks to a $22 million opening weekend, "Underworld," which cost only $23 million to make, will be getting at least one sequel, with a third film possibly to follow. Len Wiseman, who helmed the first film, will direct and co-write the next two, one of which may be a prequel. "Underworld" star Kate Beckinsale, who is Wiseman's fiancée, is expected to return in her role as a vampire who kills werewolves.
Source: E! Online
Watts is Jackson's choice for 'King Kong'
Posted Friday, September 26, 2003, 6:41AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Naomi Watts ("The Ring") appears to be director Peter Jackson's pick to star in a remake of "King Kong." Jackson reportedly has offered Watts the role of Ann Darrow, the character Fay Wray portrayed in the 1933 version.
Source: CNN
Hasbro wants live-action 'G.I. Joe'
Posted Friday, September 19, 2003, 8:47AM CDT by Franklin Harris
With a live-action "Transformers" film already in its early stages, toy maker Hasbro is looking toward having a live-action version of another of its properties, G.I. Joe. As Toon Zone reports, Hasbro has brought in Lorenzo di Bonaventura, former head of production at Warner Bros., to produce a movie based on Hasbro's characters.
Special edition 'Transformers: The Movie' in '04
Posted Friday, September 19, 2003, 8:42AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Toon Zone reports that Rhino Home Video will release a two-disc special edition DVD set of "Transformers: The Movie" in late 2004. The release will coincide with the animated film's 20th anniversary and will contain never-before-seen bonus footage, including "bridging material between the movie and the third season." Also, Rhino is looking into releasing the various Japanese "Transformers" TV series.
'SD Gundam' a winner for Cartoon Network
Posted Friday, September 19, 2003, 8:37AM CDT by Franklin Harris
ICv2.com reports that "SD Gundam" (called "Super-Deformed Gundam" in Japan) is a big hit for Cartoon Network. The show has helped the network post a 29 percent ratings increase over last year for the same time slot.
Salva to write and direct 'The Watch'
Posted Friday, September 19, 2003, 8:32AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Victor Salva ("Jeepers Creepers") will write and direct New Line Cinema's "The Watch," a horror film set during World War II, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
PR: ADV to release 'Destroy All Monsters', 'Mothra' and 'Spriggan' soundtracks
Posted Monday, September 15, 2003, 6:39PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON -- ADV Films today set a street date of October 28, 2003 for the release of the ADV Music titles Destroy All Monsters; Rebirth of Mothra: Original Soundtrack; Rebirth of Mothra 2: Original Soundtrack; Rebirth of Mothra 3: Original Soundtrack; and Spriggan: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. All five of these soundtracks boast high-end production, including artwork sourced directly from the respective film studios that created the titles.
Soundtracks are highly popular among film and anime fans as collectibles, and for their content-including stirring and evocative orchestral music, Japanese pop and electronica.
Destroy All Monsters
Music from the classic all-monster film, composed by Akira Ifukube.
Rebirth of Mothra: Original Soundtrack
Composed by Toshiyuki Watanabe. Additional music by Yuji Koseki and by Akiko Yano, with vocal performances by Megumi Kobayashi and Sayaka Yamaguchi.
Rebirth of Mothra 2: Original Soundtrack
Composed by Toshiyuki Watanabe. Additional music by Yuji Koseki, with vocal performances by Megumi Kobayashi and Sayaka Yamaguchi.
Rebirth of Mothra 3: Original Soundtrack
Composed by Toshiyuki Watanabe. Additional music by Yuji Koseki, with vocal performances by Megumi Kobayashi and Misato Tate.
Spriggan: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Composed by Kuniaki Haishima, with vocal performances by Säju.
DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
Pre-Book Date: 9/30/03
Street Date: 10/28/03
Format SRP
CD $14.98
REBIRTH OF MOTHRA: ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
Pre-Book Date: 9/30/03
Street Date: 10/28/03
Format SRP
CD $14.98
REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 2: ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
Pre-Book Date: 9/30/03
Street Date: 10/28/03
Format SRP
CD $14.98
REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 3: ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
Pre-Book Date: 9/30/03
Street Date: 10/28/03
Format SRP
CD $14.98
SPRIGGAN: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK
Pre-Book Date: 9/30/03
Street Date: 10/28/03
Format SRP
CD $14.98
WB orders 'The Flash' pilot
Posted Monday, September 15, 2003, 5:56PM CDT by Franklin Harris
DC Comics' superheroic speedster, The Flash, is getting a second chance at network television. The WB has ordered a series pilot based on the character. CBS aired a series based on "The Flash" for one season in the mid '80s.
The WB's version will revolve around a youthful Flash who is just learning about his powers and his heroic legacy. Also, it will avoid spandex costumes, much as The WB's Superman-based series "Smallville" does.
Source: Cinescape Online
Bale cast as Batman
Posted Thursday, September 11, 2003, 8:58PM CDT by Franklin Harris
It's official. Christian Bale ("American Psycho") will be the next Batman. Warner Bros. confirmed today Bale's casting as the Caped Crusader. Bale will star in the next "Batman" film, to be directed by Chris Nolan.
Source: Dark Horizons
'Man-Thing' movie production underway
Posted Friday, September 5, 2003, 8:20AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Another Marvel Comics movie is moving forward. Filming on "Man-Thing" is currently underway in Australia. The modestly budgeted production by Artisan Entertainment stars Matthew Le Nevez, Jack Thompson and Rachel Taylor. Filming should be complete by March, and a June 2004 release is rumored, but it isn't known if "Man-Thing" will debut in theaters or direct to video.
Source: ICv2.com
'Family Guy' movie to go direct to video
Posted Friday, September 5, 2003, 8:05AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Seth McFarlane confirmed to Cinescape Online that he is close to a deal that would revive his animated sitcom "Family Guy," which is currently enjoying a healthy afterlife on home video and on Cartoon Network. "Family Guy" would return as a direct-to-video movie.
"Timeframe, you're probably looking at a year, a year-and-a-half down the line. It will take a while to make. If we could do it within a year it would be very exciting," McFarlane said.
'South Park' heads to TV syndication
Posted Thursday, September 4, 2003, 7:57AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Comedy Central has sold the syndication rights to its popular animated series "South Park."
According to published reports, Mort Marcus, a former syndication executive at Walt Disney Co., purchased the rights to "South Park" reruns for an undisclosed sum for his distribution company, Debmar Studios. Marcus said some language will be edited to make the episodes conform to broadcast standards. Also, of the 140 episodes included in the deal, 10 or 12 cannot be sufficiently edited for broadcast TV.
Source: The Los Angeles Times
Whedon developing 'Firefly' movie
Posted Thursday, September 4, 2003, 7:40AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Joss Whedon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") is developing a movie based on his short-lived TV series "Firefly." Universal Studios wants to have the film in production in early 2004.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Cinescape
Buffy to guest star on 'Angel'?
Posted Tuesday, September 2, 2003, 8:17AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Sarah Michelle Gellar ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") reportedly is in negotiations to make a couple of guest appearances this season on The WB's "Angel."
Source: Cinescape
'XXX 2' gets the green light
Posted Tuesday, September 2, 2003, 7:55AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Revolution Studios has greenlit "XXX 2," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
New 'Thundercats' animation may be coming
Posted Tuesday, September 2, 2003, 7:45AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Electronic Gaming Monthly reports that a new "Thundercats" cartoon is in production. The latest incarnation of the '80s characters will probably be computer animated and released direct to video.
Source: ICv2.com
Schrader fired from 'Exorcist' prequel
Posted Tuesday, September 2, 2003, 7:38AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to a New York Post report that has made the rounds on numerous Web sites, director Paul Schrader has been fired from "Exorcist IV: The Beginning." Reportedly, production executives at Morgan Creek were unhappy with Schrader's gore-free film. Morgan Creek will hire a new director to shoot additional, and presumably bloodier, footage.
Source: IGN Filmforce
'Kill Bill Part 2' due in February
Posted Tuesday, September 2, 2003, 7:25AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The second half of director Quentin Tarantino's two-part martial arts epic "Kill Bill" will arrive in theaters in North America on Feb. 20, four months after the Oct. 10 release of part one.
Source: Cinescape
Charles Bronson dies at 81
Posted Tuesday, September 2, 2003, 7:18AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Hollywood tough guy Charles Bronson died Saturday of pneumonia at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was 81.
Bronson gained worldwide fame starring in films like "Once Upon a Time in the West," "The Dirty Dozen," "The Magnificent Seven" and the "Death Wish" series.
Source: Cinescape
PR: ADV Films launches anime toy line
Posted Friday, August 22, 2003, 7:23PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON — A.D. Vision, Inc. today formally announced the founding of ADV Toys, the firm's new merchandise division and the latest major initiative of the Houston-based international multimedia concern. Initially announced in a far-reaching July 4, 2003 panel discussion at Anime Expo (Anaheim, California), the division will create toys and collectible merchandise based upon the firm's extensive film, manga (graphic novel) and original content holdings.
"We are launching ADV Toys at an opportune moment," said A.D. Vision, Inc. President and CEO John Ledford. "Consumers who came to love Japanese animation, manga and other genre forms in their childhood and adolescence now have the resources to acquire and collect high-quality toys and models based on their favorite titles. And for younger age groups, we've identified extensive opportunities in age- and budget-appropriate toys and collectibles."
"As with all of this firm's divisions and major strategic initiatives, our cross-promotional capability is key to our launch of ADV Toys," continued Ledford. "We're able to reach consumers and potential consumers through ADV Films, ADV Manga, the monthly magazine Newtype USA, and via the Anime Network as well; it's an example of synergy at its best."
Depp in negotiations for Willy Wonka
Posted Wednesday, August 20, 2003, 5:13AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that Johnny Depp is in negotiations to play Willy Wonka in director Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
Kevin Smith to helm 'Fletch' sequel, sci-fi movie
Posted Thursday, August 14, 2003, 9:25AM CDT by Franklin Harris
After years of delays, Kevin Smith ("Clerks") has finally received the green light to direct "Fletch Won," the sequel to the two "Fletch" films starring Chevy Chase, reports Variety.
Also, Smith will direct "Ranger Danger and the Danger Rangers," a sci-fi/adventure film in the style of "Flash Gordon." Shooting on the Miramax production will begin in fall 2004.
Future Comics abandons monthlies for trades
Posted Friday, August 8, 2003, 6:43AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Future Comics, a small, independent publisher of superhero comics, has become the first superhero-centric publisher to abandon the monthly, 22-page format. Beginning in October, the publisher will release only graphic novels.
"In the last year, revenues from the mass market have eclipsed that of the entire direct market with a 30 percent growth projected for 2004," said Future Comics President and Editor-in-Chief Bob Layton.
Source: ICv2.com
'Hellboy' movie moves to April
Posted Friday, August 8, 2003, 6:37AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Sony Pictures has moved up the release of "Hellboy," based on the comic book of the same name, to April 2 to avoid the crowded release schedule in May.
Source: Cinescape
'Indiana Jones' DVD release pushed up
Posted Friday, August 8, 2003, 6:33AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Paramount's long-awaited DVD release of the "Indiana Jones" trilogy has been moved up to Oct. 21, according to various sources.
PR: Marvel re-ups Quesada as EIC
Posted Thursday, July 31, 2003, 5:54PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: Marvel Comics is very pleased to announce the extension of Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada's contract that will keep him guiding the Marvel Comics line as he has the last three years, in addition to two key promotions within its editorial staff, and the creation of a new office dedicated to freelance talent relations.
Quesada - the Marvel Knights (tm) founder who began his distinguished run as Editor-in-Chief in the summer of 2000 - has overseen the creative and commercial revitalization of such key Marvel franchises as Spider-Man (tm), the Hulk (tm), Daredevil (tm) and the X-Men (tm), as well as the collected editions department, which continues to be one of Marvel's fastest growing publishing initiatives.
Known for straight-talk and bold moves, Quesada's remarkable tenure has also included the creation of important new publishing initiatives, such as the flagship ULTIMATE MARVEL (tm) line and the mature readers Marvel MAX (tm) imprint, and under his stewardship Marvel has ascended to become the industry leader with 41% percent of the comic book market share.
"I'd like to thank everyone at Marvel for the vote of confidence and I also want to thank all of our creators and fans, because without them I could never have achieved what I have," said Quesada.
"I've had nothing but a blast my first three years here at Marvel but what really gets me juiced is the fact that we've only just begun this long amazing journey. There is no greater job in the world and I promise that the next few years are going to be historic! What you've seen the first three years is just kid's stuff compared to what I've got up my sleeve. It only gets better from here."
"Joe is an amazing editor and an amazing human being," said ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN (tm), ULTIMATE X-MEN (tm), DAREDEVIL and ALIAS (tm) writer Brian Michael Bendis. "It's an honor and privilege for me to work with him. We can all look forward to a very, very bright future for the entire industry with Joe at the desk he was born to sit behind."
"This is the best news possible," added AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (tm) & SUPREME POWER (tm) writer J. Michael Stracyznski. "I came to Marvel specifically to work with Joe Quesada, based on his reputation and his creative instincts, and I'm happy to see that this relationship will continue. Joe is the best in the biz, willing to take the kinds of chances that other major publishers won't. He's done an exemplary job in turning Marvel around and once again making it a place friendly to creators."
"Joe Quesada is a good man, a good friend and, obviously a great Editor-in-Chief," said Straczynski's AMAZING SPIDER-MAN partner, John Romita Jr.
Quesada will be supported by one of his first hires as Editor-in-Chief - Senior Editor Axel Alonso - who has been promoted to the position as Marvel Executive Editor. Alonso, known as a 'creator's editor' in the comics' community and for his cutting-edge style, has guided the rejuvenation of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and THE INCREDIBLE HULK, doubling their sales during his tenure and transforming both into consistent critical and commercial hits.
Alonso will be adding more key titles to his office later this year, including a major relaunch of THE PUNISHER (tm) and a bold, new creative direction for CAPTAIN AMERICA (tm).
"I'm glad to continue my relationship with Marvel," says Alonso. "Editing SPIDER-MAN and HULK has been tremendous fun, and I look forward to the challenges posed by CAP and THE PUNISHER. It's no secret how much I've wanted to edit either of these titles, and now I've got my chance."
In addition, Mike Marts has been promoted to the position of Senior Editor, where he'll continue to oversee the best-selling X-MEN franchise, which will be subject to a series of bold new creative moves in the coming year.
Also integral to the future of Marvel editorial is the establishment of a Talent Relations Office. Under the guidance of Managing Editor David Bogart and headed by editor CB Cebulski, the new office will seek to recruit new talent from all creative disciplines, manage talent to assure complimentary creative teams are matched with projects best suited for their skills, and to address freelancer concerns and issues that arise during the creative process.
"Joe Quesada has brought vision to Marvel's editorial process and has built a world class team to support him," said Marvel Enterprises, Inc. President and CEO Allen Lipson. "We fee we are very fortunate to have him and his entire staff committed to growing our business for the years to come."
Lee, Azzarello to shake up 'Superman'
Posted Monday, July 28, 2003, 7:13PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Artist Jim Lee confirms that he and writer Brian Azzarello will take over DC Comics' "Superman" in March 2004. Lee's statement comes a week after DC announced that it had signed several major comic-book writers and artists to exclusive contracts.
Also, Greg Rucka and Chuck Austen will write "Adventures of Superman" and "Action Comics," respectively, while Grant Morrison, Art Adams, Matthew Clark and Bill Willgham are attached to other Superman projects.
Source: Newsarama
Peyton Reed drops 'Fantastic Four' flick
Posted Monday, July 28, 2003, 6:58PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Director Peyton Reed has dropped out of the "Fantastic Four" movie, but Producer Avi Arad says the film is still on track for a late 2004 release.
Source: Ain't It Cool News
'Blake's 7' to return as mini-series
Posted Monday, July 28, 2003, 6:30PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Actor Paul Darrow has purchased the rights to the classic British sci-fi series "Blake's 7" and plans to make a sequel mini-series to be set 25 years after the original's cliffhanger finale, which implied the deaths of the major cast members. Only Darrow's character, Avon, is set to return.
"Blake's 7" was created by the late Terry Nation, who also created the Daleks for "Doctor Who."
Source: BBC
Straczynski to leave Showtime's 'Jeremiah'
Posted Monday, July 28, 2003, 6:17PM CDT by Franklin Harris
If Showtime's original sci-fi series "Jeremiah" is renewed for a third season, it will be without executive producer J. Michael Straczynski. Straczynski cites creative difficulties with MGM, which produces the series for Showtime. "Showtime was great, no mistake, but MGM has overall been the most heinous, difficult and intrusive studio I've ever worked for," he said. "I've worked for, and had great relations with, Viacom, Universal, Warner Brothers and a bunch more. But I will never, ever, work for the present administration at MGM."
Source: The Sci-Fi Wire
'Stargate: SG-1' confirmed for season 8
Posted Monday, July 21, 2003, 11:26PM CDT by Franklin Harris
The Sci-Fi Channel confirms that its hit series "Stargate: SG-1" will return for an eighth season, making it, after "The X-Files," the longest-running sci-fi series on American television.
DC signs Morrison, others to exclusive contracts
Posted Monday, July 21, 2003, 9:43PM CDT by Franklin Harris
At the San Diego Comic Con this past weekend, DC Comics announced that it has signed several high-profile writers and artists to exclusive contracts. DC's top catch is Grant Morrison, currently the writer of Marvel's "New X-Men" and widely credited with breathing new life into the moribund X-franchise. Because of Morrison's two-year DC deal, he will leave "New X-Men" with issue No. 154.
Greg Rucka also signed an exclusive deal with DC (it exempts his creator-owned book for Oni Press, "Queen and Country"). His three-year deal means he will leave "Wolverine" with issue No. 18 (the book is only on its third issue).
Also among those signing exclusive contracts with DC are Mark Waid ("Fantastic Four"), Jeph Loeb ("Batman") and Tim Sale ("Spider-Man: Blue").
Source: ICv2.com
DreamWorks abandons 2D animation
Posted Monday, July 21, 2003, 9:32PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Following the box-office disappointment of its animated "Sinbad," DreamWorks SKG announced that it will abandon traditional two-dimensional cell animation in favor of 3-D computer-animated films like "Shrek 2."
Source: The Tuscaloosa News
Del Rey to publish manga
Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 7:05AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Del Rey, a Random House imprint known mostly for publishing science fiction, will launch a line of manga in spring 2004, reports Newsarama. The line stems from Random House's deal with Kodansha, Japan's leading publisher of manga.
Disney calls for 'Pirates' sequel
Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 6:43AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney has begun development of a sequel to "Pirates of the Caribbean." Director Gore Verbinski, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and cast members Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are all signed to return.
Tarantino's 'Kill Bill' split into two films
Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 6:38AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Miramax confirms that Quentin Tarantino's next movie, "Kill Bill," will be released in two 90-minute parts. The first part will be in theaters Oct. 10, with the second part to be released two to six months later.
Source: Comingsoon.net
'Farscape' to return as miniseries?
Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 6:32AM CDT by Franklin Harris
IGN Filmforce reports that "Farscape" may soon return as a four-hour TV mini-series.
Hallmark to air 'Frankenstein', 'King Solomon's Mines'
Posted Monday, July 14, 2003, 2:11PM CDT by Franklin Harris
The Hallmark Channel has greenlit two four-hour mini-series, one based on Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and the other based on H. Rider Haggard's "King Solomon's Mines," reports Variety. According to the trade publication, "Frankenstein" will star Alec Newman and Julie Delpy, with Luke Goss as the monster, while "King Solomon's Mines" will feature Patrick Swayze as Allan Quatermain, currently seen as played by Sean Connery in "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
Dark Horse to publish Chabon's 'Escapist'
Posted Friday, July 11, 2003, 9:43AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon ("The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay") is overseeing an 80-page, quarterly anthology comic book for Dark Horse Comics, reports ICv2.com. "The Escapist" debuts in December and will feature original stories by Chabon and other writers.
The Escapist is the fictional comic-book hero featured in Chabon's prize-winning novel.
Funimation brings 'Detective Conan' to U.S.
Posted Monday, July 7, 2003, 9:36AM CDT by Franklin Harris
ICv2.com reports that Funimation has acquired the North American distribution rights to "Detective Conan," currently the most popular anime series in Japan.
ADV to publish manga; Tokyopop expands
Posted Monday, July 7, 2003, 9:29AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The manga explosion continued this past weekend at the Anime Expo in Anaheim, Calif. ADV Films, of the largest North American distributors of anime and the publisher of Newtype magazine, announced that it is entering the manga market in a big way.
ADV's plans call for publishing at least 18 manga graphic novel titles: "Gunslinger Girl," "To Heart," "Figure 17," "Happy Lesson," "Full Metal Panic!", "Azumanga Daioh," "Cat Girl Nuku Nuku," "Cat Shit One," "Dark Side Blues," "Demon City Hunter," "Demon City Shinjuku," "Demon Palace Babylon," "Kimera," "RahXephon BIBLE," "Seven of Seven," "Steel Angel Kurumi," "Those Who Hunt Elves" and "Najica."
Also, Tokyopop, already one of the leading publishers of Japanese comics in the United States, announced its own expansion plan. Tokyopop will launch an American manga line, starting with three titles ("@ Large," "World of Hartz" and "Shutterbox"); publish manga based on Cartoon Network's anime programming; and launch a line of vintage manga, starting with "Cyborg 009."
'Battlestar Galactica' series comes to DVD
Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2003, 9:08PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Universal will release all of the original "Battlestar Galactica" on DVD on Oct. 21, in advance of the Sci-Fi Channel's updated miniseries, which airs Dec. 7, reports Sci-Fi Wire. The 24 episodes will be spread over six discs and will include newly produced and never-before-seen bonus features. It will not include episodes of "Galactica: 1980."
Christian Slater is 'Alone In the Dark'
Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2003, 8:58PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons reports that Christian Slater has won the lead role of Edward Carnby in the video game adaptation "Alone in the Dark." Shooting starts July 14th in Vancouver.
Herzog searches for Loch Ness Monster
Posted Wednesday, July 2, 2003, 8:51PM CDT by Franklin Harris
German filmmaker Werner Herzog ("Nosferatu") is working on a documentary feature about the Loch Ness Monster, reports Scotsman.com: "Herzog, 60, intends to investigate the origins of the legend and take to the water himself to see what he might find. He has also ordered the building of the back end of a sunken boat for one sequence, and may require extras for dramatic sequences."
Disney plans 'Tron' comic book
Posted Wednesday, June 25, 2003, 8:59PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Newsarama reports that Disney and 88 MPH Studios will team up to publish a comic book based on "Tron," the 1982 Disney film starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Cindy Morgan and David Warner. The first miniseries, a follow-up to the Tron 2.0 video game, will appear this fall. A second miniseries, to be published in 2004, will be set during the time of the original movie.
'Hitchhiker' film gets new production team
Posted Thursday, June 19, 2003, 9:53AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The long-delayed feature film version of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," based on the Douglas Adams novel, has a new production team, consisting of writer-director Garth Jennings and producer Nick Goldsmith. They will work with writer Karey Kirkpatrick ("Chicken Run"), who did a polish on a script by the late Adams.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
'Blackula' star William Marshall, R.I.P.
Posted Tuesday, June 17, 2003, 8:34PM CDT by Franklin Harris
William Marshall, who portrayed the title character in "Blackula" and "Scream, Blackula, Scream!", died in a Los Angeles rest home. The 78-year-old actor had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Marshall, who also taught an acting course at the Mufandi Institute in Watts, also played the King of Cartoons on the Saturday-morning TV series "Pee Wee's Playhouse" and guest starred on an episode of the original "Star Trek."
Source: CNN
Mr. Peabody and Sherman go way back at Sony
Posted Wednesday, June 11, 2003, 7:35PM CDT by Franklin Harris
A possible live-action/CGI film version of the "Mr. Peabody and Sherman" cartoon is in development at Sony Pictures. "Mr. Peabody" aired originally as part of "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle."
Source: Cinescape
Live-action 'Transformers' in the works
Posted Wednesday, June 11, 2003, 7:27PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Producers Don Murphy ("The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen") and Tom DeSanto ("X-Men") are pitching a live-action "Transformers" feature to Hollywood studios.
Source: Cinescape
More Adult Swim to follow 'Space Ghost' to DVD
Posted Monday, June 9, 2003, 10:16AM CDT by Franklin Harris
IGN Filmforce reports that other Adult Swim cartoons will follow "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" to DVD, starting with "Aqua Teen Hunger Force." According to IGN, each Adult Swim series will be released to DVD after reaching 24 episodes. The next series to do so after "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" will be "Sealab 2021."
Hurd to produce Sci-Fi's 'Red Mars'
Posted Monday, June 9, 2003, 9:55AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Producer Gale Ann Hurd ("Hulk," "Terminator 3") will produce "Red Mars" for the Sci-Fi Channel. The six-hour miniseries is based on the first of Kim Stanley Robinson's trilogy of novels about the colonization and terraforming of the red planet. The series will debut in late 2004.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
Columbia hires 'Luke Cage' movie
Posted Saturday, June 7, 2003, 7:47AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Columbia Pictures has acquired the film rights to Luke Cage, the Marvel hero-for-hire formerly known as Power Man.
Source: ICv2.com
'Deathlok' gets a director
Posted Tuesday, June 3, 2003, 4:02PM CDT by Franklin Harris
IGN FilmForce reports that another Marvel Comics film is moving along. "Die Another Day" director Lee Tamahori is the favored choice to helm "Deathlok," based on Marvel's cyborg hero.
'Space Ghost: Coast to Coast' comes to DVD
Posted Tuesday, May 27, 2003, 8:28PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Toon Zone reports that one of Cartoon Network's longest-running programs, "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast," will bow on DVD this fall. As yet, however, Cartoon Network has released no details about the disc.
Tim Burton to make 'Charley and the Chocolate Factory'
Posted Thursday, May 22, 2003, 2:26PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons passes along a Variety report that says Tim Burton will direct a live-action version of the Roald Dahl novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" for Warner Brothers as soon as he finishes his animated project, "The Corpse Bride." Dahl's book was previously adapted for film (by Dahl himself) as "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder.
More Miyazaki anime DVDs for Christmas?
Posted Thursday, May 22, 2003, 2:19PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Ain't It Cool News reports that Disney will release at least two more Hayao Miyazaki animated films in time for the holidays. The films are "Porco Rosso" and "Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind." A heavily edited version of the latter has already been released in North America as "Warriors of the Wind." Ain't It Cool News also claims that a third, as yet unknown title is also being prepped for release late this year.
'Sixth Sense' director enters 'The Woods'
Posted Wednesday, May 21, 2003, 8:05PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan ("Signs," "The Sixth Sense") has signed a two-picture deal with Disney. His first film under the agreement will be "The Woods," a supernatural period drama set in 1897 and starring Ashton Kutcher, Joaquin Phoenix and Kirsten Dunst. The film is set for release in summer 2004.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
UPDATE 05/29/03: Cinescape reports that Dunst has dropped out of the project. Ron Howard's daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, who has acted on stage, will replace her.
PR: ADV Films to produce live-action 'Evangelion'
Posted Tuesday, May 20, 2003, 6:43PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: CANNES, FRANCE-In an announcement sure to make waves in the entertainment industry, ADV Films President and CEO John Ledford today publicly confirmed industry rumors that the firm has acquired the rights to produce, and has already begun development of, a live-action feature-film based on the Japanese animated television series "Neon Genesis Evangelion," a multi-million dollar worldwide franchise and perhaps the most influential anime title in the history of the art form. The project is a collaboration between ADV Films, Gainax and Weta Workshop, Ltd.
The Participants
ADV Films is the leading producer-distributor of Japanese animation in North America. The Japanese anime and game studio Gainax Network Systems was one of the original production studios responsible for "Neon Genesis Evangelion," and Weta Workshop, Ltd. is the New Zealand-based special effects studio that created the effects for Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
"The three main players here represent something of a 'dream-team' for a project like this one," said Ledford. "Between the quality and significance of the Gainax title, Weta's industry-leading skill in the creation of special visual effects, and our expertise in the marketing and promotion of anime and anime-related content, this project is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
The Story
"Neon Genesis Evangelion" is the story of a reluctant young hero, called upon to pilot an immense robotic weapon in battle against alien invaders. Including both a 26-episode television series and at least two animated motion pictures, "Neon Genesis Evangelion" has long been both a fan favorite and an extraordinary critical and commercial success, with the worldwide franchise producing many millions of dollars in revenue.
Timetable
The "Neon Genesis Evangelion" live-action motion picture is in the earliest stages of development. Ledford confirmed, however, that the timetable is an aggressive one, and that more information on the project is forthcoming.
Neil Gaiman's '1602' arrives in August
Posted Tuesday, May 20, 2003, 6:30PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Neil Gaiman's long-awaited project for Marvel Comics, "1602," will arrive in comic book shops in August. Late today, Marvel released, without comment, teaser art for the series:
New Line options 'Y: The Last Man'
Posted Friday, May 16, 2003, 9:18AM CDT by Franklin Harris
New Line Cinema has optioned the DC/Vertigo comic book "Y: The Last Man" with the intent of turning it into a feature film, reports Cinescape Online. The film's producers are J.C. Spink, Chris Bender, Mason Novick and David Goyer.
The comic was created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Pia Guerra.
Thomas Harris writing 'Hannibal' prequel film
Posted Thursday, May 15, 2003, 6:31AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Thomas Harris, whose novels introduced the world to Hannibal Lecter, is thought to be writing the screenplay for a film that will explore the infamous serial killer's youth.
Dino de Laurentiis, producer of "Hannibal," "Red Dragon" and "Manhunter," told reporters in Cannes that another film is in the pipeline. He said four actors will be needed to play Hannibal at the ages of 12, 16, 20 and 25.
The film's working title is "The Lecter Variation."
Source: Ananova
Dark Horse to reprint classic Marvel 'Conan'
Posted Wednesday, May 14, 2003, 8:44PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Dark Horse Comics will reprint the classic "Conan" comic book series originally published by Marvel Comics in the 1970s and '80s. These comics, starring the barbarian hero created by Robert E. Howard, featured stories by Roy Thomas and art by Barry Windsor-Smith. Dark Horse will release the first reprint volume (144 pages, full color) in September. Dark Horse will also launch a new, monthly "Conan" comic book in mid 2003.
Source: Conan.com
'Angel,' 'Smallville' set for WB on Wednesdays
Posted Wednesday, May 14, 2003, 5:41AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The WB is setting up a fantasy one-two punch on Wednesdays this fall. In addition to renewing "Angel," The WB is moving "Smallville" to Wednesday nights, where it will serve as a lead-in for "Angel."
Source: ICv2.com
Travolta joins 'Punisher' cast
Posted Wednesday, May 14, 2003, 5:31AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that John Travolta has joined the cast of Artisan's "Punisher" movie. Travolta will portray the bad guy, Howard Saint, opposite Thomas Jane's Frank Castle/Punisher.
"The Punisher" is based on the Marvel comic book.
Viz Comics abandons 32-page format
Posted Friday, May 9, 2003, 5:18AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Viz Comics has discontinued all of its monthly, 32-page comic books. The company joins the other major American manga publisher, Tokyopop, in publishing exclusively in the graphic-novel format. According to ICv2.com, "All the storylines will continue in graphic novel releases, but it will take a while for the graphic novel program to catch up. ... Among the major manga publishers in the U.S., only Dark Horse is still publishing monthly 32-page comics...."
'Smallville' scribe gets 'Wonder Woman' gig
Posted Thursday, May 8, 2003, 5:34AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The on-again, off-again "Wonder Woman" movie has a new screenwriter, Philip Levens, a staff writer for the "Smallville" TV series.
Source: Cinescape
Zombie gets OK for 'House of 1000 Corpses' sequel
Posted Thursday, May 8, 2003, 5:29AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Cinescape Online reports that writer/director Rob Zombie has received the go-ahead for a sequel to "House of 1,000 Corpses." Lion's Gate Entertainment plans to release the sequel in 2004. Cast members Sid Haig, Bill Mosley, Karen Black and Sherri Moon will return. So far, the first film has grossed $11 million.
Indiana Jones swings onto DVD on Nov. 4
Posted Tuesday, May 6, 2003, 5:17AM CDT by Franklin Harris
It's official. The "Indiana Jones" trilogy is coming to DVD on Nov. 4. All three movies will arrive as a four-disc set, including a bonus disc with more than four hours of extra material.
Source: Cinescape Online
First look: Thomas Jane as The Punisher
Posted Tuesday, April 29, 2003, 8:49PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Artisan Entertainment has released the first publicity still of Thomas Jane in costume for "The Punisher."
The film, based on the Marvel comic book, is scheduled for release in summer 2004.
PR: ADV Films to release 'Evangelion' director's cut
Posted Monday, April 28, 2003, 9:36PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON - ADV Films today announced formally that the firm will release the Director's Cut of the final six episodes of the enormously influential anime series "Neon Genesis Evangelion." These Director's Cut episodes include additional footage, never before released in the U.S. ADV Films expects to release the Director's Cut in two three-episode DVD volumes; each volume will include both the extended Director's Cut versions and the original versions of the episodes.
ADV Films Co-Founder and Senior Producer Matt Greenfield produced ADV Films' original release of "Neon Genesis Evangelion," and he is at the helm of the firm's Director's Cut release as well. "It's very exciting to be working on 'Evangelion' again after so many years," said Greenfield. "The release of the original series was a pivotal moment in the development of the North American anime market, and we're very eager to see how fans will react to the revisions and refinements the creators have made to their original vision.
"By including both the original and revised episodes," continued Greenfield, "we've made it possible for Eva-philes to get an inside look at the directorial decisions that went into the creation of one of anime's most brilliant and original series. If you've ever wondered what Eva's really all about, these new collections will get you closer than you've ever been before."
Release Plans: ADV Films has not yet announced release dates for "Neon Genesis Evangelion: Director's Cut" (note: this is a working title only).
Spider-Man movie in legal web (again)
Posted Tuesday, April 22, 2003, 6:47AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Spider-Man's legal problems are back. Cinescape Online reports:
Marvel is suing Sony for more than $50 million dollars in damages including fraud on Sony's part as well as the movie studio trying to downplay and distance Marvel's claims to [Spider-Man]. The company also wants its existing agreement with Sony to be rendered null and void, thereby ending the possibility of a third SPIDER-MAN movie at Sony unless a new deal can be struck. Sony has countered with its own lawsuit, saying that Marvel is smearing the facts and trying to maneouver Sony from making its fair share of revenue from the Marvel character.
Cinescape notes that the suit may make other studios reluctant to enter into movie deals with Marvel.
'Hammer of the Gods' hits Hollywood
Posted Tuesday, April 22, 2003, 6:37AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Hammer of the Gods," the comic book by Michael Oeming and Mark Wheatley, has been optioned by Regency Entertainment, which plans to turn the mythological adventure into a feature film. The movie version, however, seems to be adding a contemporary twist to the tale.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
DreamWorks options 'Master of Kung Fu'
Posted Monday, April 14, 2003, 5:34AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that DreamWorks has optioned "Shang Chi: Master of Kung Fu." The studio plans to turn the Marvel comic book into a feature film directed by "Matrix" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" fight choreographer Yuen Woo Ping.
Nick Cage signs up for 'Ghost Rider'
Posted Wednesday, April 9, 2003, 2:36PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Nicolas Cage will finally get to portray a comic-book character. According to Variety, Cage will play the title role in the long-delayed "Ghost Rider" film. Mark Steven Johnson ("Daredevil") will direct from a script by Shane Salerno.
"Ghost Rider" is based on the Marvel Comics character.
PR: U.S. Newtype mag passes 100,000 circ.
Posted Wednesday, April 9, 2003, 6:28AM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON - Newtype USA, the leading anime and manga publication in the English-speaking world, today announced that preorders for the May 2003 issue (only the seventh monthly issue since the magazine began production) have exceeded 100,000 units, an extraordinary figure for a magazine in its first year of publication. Print runs, which began at 30,000 for the sold-out Vol. One, Issue One (a hot item among collectors) have risen steadily to the current six-digit total.
"Obviously, we're very pleased," said John Ledford, President and CEO of Newtype USA, Inc. "We launched Newtype USA at an opportune moment in terms of the growing U.S. market for anime-related content, and it shows. This is an exciting milestone for us as a magazine, and as a company."
Newtype USA has won praise from readers for the breadth and depth of its coverage, the quality of its artwork and design and its unrivaled behind-the-scenes coverage of the anime and manga industries. Readers have also been pleased with the ample extra gear-such as posters, centerfolds, DVDs and more-included with each issue. In a unique touch, Newtype USA even reads from right to left, just like the Japanese original.
Dimension Films to remake 'Suspiria'
Posted Tuesday, April 8, 2003, 12:43PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Coming Soon reports that Dimension Films plans to remake "Suspiria," the 1977 horror classic directed by Italian horror master Dario Argento. Stephen Katz ("Shadow of the Vampire") will write the screenplay.
Editorial comment: What the hell? This is crazier than trying to remake "Psycho"!
Simon West to direct 'Jurassic Park 4'
Posted Monday, April 7, 2003, 1:01PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that "Con Air" director Simon West will direct "Jurassic Park 4."
Two superhero movies not based on comic books
Posted Monday, April 7, 2003, 12:49PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Two superhero movie projects are in the works, and neither of them involves an existing comic-book hero.
First, Michael Mann ("Manhunter") is directing "Tonight, He Comes" for Artisan Pictures. According to Cinescape, this film is being produced by "Batman and Robin" screenwriter Akiva Goldsman with a script by Vincent Ngo.
Second, according to Dark Horizons, "Cube" Director Vincenzo Natali is working on a film that will deconstruct the myths of superheroes, much as Alan Moore's comic book "Watchmen" did in the 1980s.
'xXx' director to helm live-action 'Kite'
Posted Monday, April 7, 2003, 12:37PM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Rob Cohen ("xXx," "The Fast and The Furious") will helm a live-action remake of the 1998 anime feature "Kite." Cohen says this version will lack the anime's explicit sexual content.
Leslie Cheung commits suicide
Posted Friday, April 4, 2003, 6:45AM CST by Franklin Harris
Hong Kong movie and pop star Leslie Cheung committed suicide earlier this week. Reports indicate that the singer and actor, best known in the United States for his roles in "A Better Tomorrow" and "The Bride with White Hair," jumped from the 24th floor of a hotel in Hong Kong's financial district. He was 46.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Bruce Campbell makes movie for Sci-Fi
Posted Friday, April 4, 2003, 6:32AM CST by Franklin Harris
Bruce Campbell ("Army of Darkness") will write, produce, direct and star in "The Man with the Screaming Brain," a TV movie for the Sci-Fi Channel. Production begins this summer in Florida.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
Thomas Jane is The Punisher
Posted Thursday, April 3, 2003, 12:59PM CST by Franklin Harris
Thomas Jane ("Dreamcatcher") officially has signed on to play the title role in "The Punisher," Marvel Comics announced today. The film, produced by Artisan Entertainment, is an adaptation of the Marvel comic book.
'Daredevil' director's next may be 'Midnight Nation'
Posted Wednesday, April 2, 2003, 8:22PM CST by Franklin Harris
Superhero Hype! reports that director Mark Steven Johnson ("Daredevil") may have another comic-book project as his next film. "Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski reportedly said that Johnson is considering directing a movie version of Straczynski's "Midnight Nation."
Sci-Fi announces 2004-2005 TV projects
Posted Tuesday, April 1, 2003, 6:28AM CST by Franklin Harris
The Sci-Fi Channel has announced new projects for the 2004-2005 TV season. The projects include new series, TV movies and miniseries:
- "Stargate: Atlantis" -- a spin-off of "Stargate: SG-1"
- "Dead Lawyers" -- a series in which dead lawyers come back to defend those they wronged in life; get your lawyer jokes ready
- "The Divide" -- a disc jockey, his dead sister and a coroner fight crime
- "Legion" -- a man sells his soul to the devil then kills demons to atone for it
- "Clive Barker's The Evil One" -- anthology series
- "Painkiller Jane" -- two-hour pilot movie based on the comic book of the same name
- "Total Eclipse" -- a college is home to strange happenings
- "Suture Girl" -- two-hour pilot based on a Todd McFarlane ("Spawn") character
- "The Thing" -- miniseries remake of a story that's already been put on film twice
- "6 Days 'Til Sunday" -- six-night miniseries about a man who knows he will be murdered in six days
- "Life on Mars" -- a "Survivor"-like reality show set inside a simulated Marian base
- "Battlestar Galactica" -- miniseries remake of the '70s TV series
Source: Cinescape
'Scooby Doo' sequel is a go
Posted Tuesday, April 1, 2003, 6:13AM CST by Franklin Harris
Production will start April 14 on "Scooby Doo 2," the sequel to last year's live-action hit. Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard and Linda Cardellini are all on board again. Warner Bros. has set a release date of March 26, 2004.
Peter Jackson to remake 'King Kong'
Posted Monday, March 31, 2003, 5:19AM CST by Franklin Harris
Director Peter Jackson's next project after "The Lord of the Rings" looks to be his long-proposed remake of "King Kong." Universal Studios has given Jackson the greenlight to remake the 1933 RKO Radio Pictures classic and hopes to release the new film in 2005.
Jackson's remake will be set during the 1930s.
Source: Cinescape
'Batman', 'Spider-Man' and other movie updates
Posted Friday, March 28, 2003, 12:23PM CST by Franklin Harris
Here is a brief roundup of recent news relating to several comic-book-based movie projects:
- BLADE III: David Goyer has turned in a script for "Blade III," and the studio executives at New Line seem pleased. The cameras could roll later this year. Source: Comics2Film
- BATMAN: According to Variety, Goyer will next write a script for the "Batman" film project currently set to be helmed by Christopher Nolan ("Memento").
- SPIDER-MAN: The release date for "The Amazing Spider-Man" has been pushed back to July 2, 2004, which should give star Toby Maguire time to recover from his back problems before shooting starts. The film was originally set to open on May 7, 2004. In response, Universal has pushed up the release date of its Hugh Jackman horror flick, "Van Helsing," to May 7. Source: Cinescape
- SUPERMAN: It's still a mess.
'Spirited Away' to open wide on Friday
Posted Tuesday, March 25, 2003, 7:55AM CST by Franklin Harris
Following its Oscar win for best animated feature, "Spirited Away" will finally open in wide release on Friday, according to a press release issued by Disney:
BURBANK, Calif., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- "Spirited Away," the 2003 Academy Award(R) winning animated feature from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, is set to open in theaters across the country on Friday March 28th, it was announced today (3/25) by Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. The film, which claimed top honors in its category at the Sunday night Oscar(R) ceremonies, was one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2002 and was selected by many leading journalists as one of their "top ten" films of last year. "Spirited Away" has previously received the Annie Award (from ASIFA-Hollywood), the Golden Bear Award (from the Berlin Film Festival), and was honored as the year's best animated film by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, and National Board of Review.
Commenting on the announcement, Cook said, "We're thrilled that the Academy has chosen to honor 'Spirited Away' for its incredible achievement in storytelling and artistry and we're proud to be associated with legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki in bringing his masterpiece to moviegoers across the country. The film is far and away the most successful film to ever play in Japan and it has always been our desire to share this film with the widest possible audience here in the U.S. With this important Oscar(R) recognition, the film will have the additional awareness and appeal needed to find a welcome reception. All of us at Disney are extremely proud to have had three of this year's nominees in the Best Animated Feature category and to have played a part in bringing the award-winning 'Spirited Away' to moviegoers.
"Spirited Away" follows the fanciful adventures of a ten-year-old girl named Chihiro, who discovers a secret world when she and her family get lost and venture through a hillside tunnel. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, Chihiro must fend for herself as she encounters strange spirits, assorted creatures and a grumpy sorceress who seeks to prevent her from returning to the human world.
New Line hires 'Shazam!' screenwriter
Posted Monday, March 24, 2003, 5:25AM CST by Franklin Harris
Cinescape reports that Oscar-winning screenwriter William Goldman win pen the script for "Shazam!" New Line is prepping the superhero feature, based on the DC Comics character Captain Marvel, for a 2004 or early 2005 release.
'Two Towers' wins SFX Oscar
Posted Sunday, March 23, 2003, 8:10PM CST by Franklin Harris
"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" beat out "Spider-Man" and "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" to win the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
'Spirited Away' wins animation Oscar
Posted Sunday, March 23, 2003, 8:01PM CST by Franklin Harris
Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" became the first anime to win an Academy Award, winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. This is only the second year for the category, which was won last year by "Shrek."
Ratner officially off 'Superman' movie
Posted Friday, March 21, 2003, 5:37AM CST by Franklin Harris
The never-ending battle to bring Superman to the big screen has claimed another casualty. Director Brett Ratner ("Red Dragon") is officially off the project. Instead, he will develop "Rush House 3."
Source: Cinescape
Nintendo to resume Pokemon card game
Posted Thursday, March 20, 2003, 6:33AM CST by Franklin Harris
Following the news that Wizards of the Coast will no longer publish the English-language version of the Pokemon trading card game, Nintendo announced that it is forming a division to keep the game alive. Nintendo's Pokemon game will pick up where the Wizards game leaves off, with a North American edition of the Ruby and Sapphire expansion set.
Source: ICv2.com
Maguire may pull out of 'Spider-Man' sequel
Posted Tuesday, March 18, 2003, 8:08AM CST by Franklin Harris
Ananova reports that Tobey Maguire may drop out of the "Spider-Man" sequel. A spokesman for Maguire said the actor was experiencing problems with his back and may not be up to performing difficult stunts. According to Variety, "The Good Girl" star Jake Gyllenhaal has been lined-up as a possible replacement.
Three seasons of 'Earth: Final Conflict' come to DVD
Posted Monday, March 17, 2003, 7:49PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, March 14, 2003-ADV Films today announced the acquisition of the home-video rights to three seasons of the acclaimed Tribune Entertainment science-fiction television series "Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict." Telling the story of a conflicted Resistance movement on an Earth where alien Taelon "Companions" are either working to improve the lot of man, or plotting to take control of the Earth for their own devices, "Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict" is a gripping drama, combining intrigue with realistic studies of human weakness and foible, determination and heroism.
After a successful five-year run in syndication, "Gene Roddenberry's Earth Final Conflict" is currently being broadcast on the SCI FI channel. "Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict" has proved an enduring fan favorite, with viewers following the series' elaborate plot twists through numerous fan sites, as well as through Tribune's extensive official site, http://www.efc.com.
ADV Films leadership is pleased at the acquisition and its potential for strong home-video sales. "Gene Roddenberry's association with a title is a proven driver for strong viewership and sales," said ADV Films President, Founder and CEO John Ledford. "We've seen this with 'Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda,' which has been a strong seller on DVD and VHS; the ongoing successful broadcast run of 'Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict' is a sign of more of the same to come."
ADV Films has not yet made public the release schedule for "Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict," but the firm has indicated that it plans a 2003 DVD release, and individual volumes will likely include extensive extras, including such exclusive content as commentary tracks from stars and staff, outtakes and bloopers and much more.
Halle Berry to star in 'Catwoman'
Posted Friday, March 14, 2003, 2:37PM CST by Franklin Harris
First it was going to be Michelle Pfeiffer, reprising her role from "Batman Returns." Then Ashley Judd was a lock. Then it was going to be Halley Berry. But then Nicole Kidman was ready to sign up. And now, finally, it looks like Berry (again) is going to star in "Catwoman," a feature film based (very) loosely on the DC Comics femme fatale. French director Pitof will helm the project.
Source: Variety
'Black Lagoon' remake gets writer
Posted Thursday, March 13, 2003, 6:50AM CST by Franklin Harris
Universal's long-in-development remake of "Creature from the Black Lagoon" has a screenwriter, Tedi Sarafian, reports Variety. Sarafian also wrote the upcoming "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines."
Marvel's 'Gargoyle' heads to big screen, sort of
Posted Thursday, March 13, 2003, 6:44AM CST by Franklin Harris
Columbia Pictures has purchased the movie rights to fourth-string Marvel Comics character The Gargoyle, but the movie Columbia plans to make seems to have little to do with Marvel's character, according to Variety. So, given the rather generic nature of gargoyles (Disney had an animated series starring some of them), it begs the question, "Why did Columbia need to pay Marvel to make a movie it could have made regardless?" I guess Marvel properties are so hot that Marvel can sell anything. For more, see Sci-Fi Wire.
No more Pokemon cards after 2003
Posted Thursday, March 13, 2003, 6:34AM CST by Franklin Harris
Wizards of the Coast will no longer produce Pokemon CCG cards after 2003, reports ICv2.com. The company failed to reach an agreement with the Japanese publisher to produce an English-language version of the "Ruby & Sapphire" expansion set. As a result, Wizards will publish three final expansion sets this year and then no more.
Wizards of the Coast will continue to support Pokemon League tournament play for a time, but that too will be phased out.
Fred Freiberger dead at age 88
Posted Tuesday, March 11, 2003, 7:18PM CST by Franklin Harris
Fred Freiberger, who produced the third season of the original "Star Trek" and the second season of "Space: 1999," died March 2 at age 88.
Source: Satellite News
Sequel to American 'Ring' moves ahead
Posted Thursday, March 6, 2003, 10:54AM CST by Franklin Harris
RingWorld reports that a sequel to "The Ring" is moving ahead at DreamWorks. But while "The Ring" is an American remake of the Japanese film "Ringu," the sequel will be an original story, not a remake of the Japanese film's sequel or prequel.
DreamWorks is shooting for an October 2004 release date. Naomi Watts is in negotiations to reprise her role from the first film, but director Gore Verbinski may not return. Steven Spielberg, Wes Craven and Sam Mendes are mentioned as possible replacements for Verbinski.
Garner confirmed for 'Elektra'
Posted Thursday, February 27, 2003, 7:04PM CST by Franklin Harris
The Associated Press confirms that "Alias" star Jennifer Garner has signed on to star in "Elektra," a spin-off of the current hit film "Daredevil."
Rob Lowe to star in new 'Salem's Lot' mini
Posted Thursday, February 27, 2003, 6:59PM CST by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rob Lowe will star in a new miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's "Salem's Lot" for TNT. It will air in 2004.
Marvel's 'Werewolf by Night' gets screenwriter
Posted Thursday, February 27, 2003, 6:55PM CST by Franklin Harris
Another third-string Marvel Comics character is headed to the big screen. According to Variety, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Robert Nelson Jacobs is writing the script for "Werewolf by Night," based on the '70s horror comic.
Rumor debunked: Pixar not teaming up with Miyazaki
Posted Thursday, February 27, 2003, 6:50PM CST by Franklin Harris
File under "Just a Rumor," but Dark Horizons reports that after Pixar parts ways with Disney -- assuming it does at the end of its current contract -- it will team up with Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away") to produce Miyazaki's first CGI, English-language feature. Frankly, I doubt Miyazaki is interested in directing a fully CGI film, and he has said he isn't really interested in non-Japanese audiences, but we'll see.
UPDATE: Dark Horizons debunked this rumor on Friday, Feb. 28, 2003. See, I told you so.
Live-action 'Thundercats', 'He-Man' in development?
Posted Thursday, February 27, 2003, 6:44PM CST by Franklin Harris
Don't pre-order tickets yet, but Dark Horizons reports that live-action film versions of "Thundercats" and "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe," both popular '80s cartoons/toys now enjoying renewed popularity, are in early stages of development. (And, in the case of "Thundercats," even "development" is too strong a word.)
Of the two, "He-Man" seems more likely to happen.
UPDATE (Feb. 28, 2003): Dark Horizons now disowns the "He-Man" half of the story, and I disown the whole thing.
'M:I 3' gets new director
Posted Thursday, February 27, 2003, 6:38PM CST by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons reports that "Mission: Impossible 3" is on its way to having a new director. Paramount is looking to have Joe Carnahan helm the third film in the series, taking the place of David Fincher, who withdrew to direct another movie.
Live-action 'Lupin III' to film this year
Posted Thursday, February 27, 2003, 6:24AM CST by Franklin Harris
A live-action film version of "Lupin III," based on the popular anime and manga series, will begin production this year, reports ICv2.com. The movie will feature a cast of Hollywood and international stars in order to capitalize on the manga's worldwide appeal.
'Buffy' sings her swan song
Posted Thursday, February 27, 2003, 6:15AM CST by Franklin Harris
It's official. The current season is the last for "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer." Sarah Michelle Gellar tells Entertainment Weekly that it's time to move on.
"This is how I want to go out -- on top, at our best," she said.
The series will end with a five-episode story arc.
Source: Cinescape Online
'Cowboy Bebop' movie screens in April
Posted Saturday, February 22, 2003, 10:10AM CST by Franklin Harris
"Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" (known in Japan as "Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door") will be released in U.S. theaters on April 4, reports Anime News Network. Details about the movie's release will be available on its official Web site.
'Star Wars' cartoon coming to Cartoon Network
Posted Friday, February 21, 2003, 1:10PM CST by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cartoon Network will produce 20 three-minute animated shorts depicting events during the Clone War era of the "Star Wars" saga. These "Clone Wars" cartoons will air in November.
"Samurai Jack" creator Genndy Tartakovsky and Lucasfilm Ltd. will produce the shorts.
Doc Ock is cast for 'Amazing Spider-Man'
Posted Thursday, February 20, 2003, 9:15AM CST by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons reports that Alfred Molina has officially been cast as Dr. Octopus in the "Spider-Man" sequel, "The Amazing Spider-Man." Also, producer Avi Arad says the film will feature only one major villain.
More classic Gundam coming to Cartoon Network
Posted Thursday, February 20, 2003, 5:42AM CST by Franklin Harris
Anime News Network reports that two Gundam series are coming to Cartoon Network.
Cartoon Network will air "Gundam F-91" and both edited and unedited versions of "Zeta Gundam," the first sequel to the original "Mobile Suit Gundam."
Neither series has a scheduled air date.
Stan Lee to produce 'Forever Man' movie
Posted Thursday, February 20, 2003, 5:35AM CST by Franklin Harris
So what if Stan Lee hasn't created a successful superhero in 30 years? Hollywood doesn't care. According to The Hollywood Reporter (via ICv2.com), Lee is producing an original superhero movie called "Forever Man" through his POW! Films company.
PR: 'X-Files' writer takes on 'The Night Stalker'
Posted Wednesday, February 19, 2003, 8:06PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: If Kolchak: The Night Stalker's creator Jeff Rice is any judge, Kolchak fans will be in for a real treat come this June. That's when DEVIL IN THE DETAILS, fifth in Moonstone's Kolchak series, has been slated to appear in comic stores, with a riveting script by former X-Files comic book scribe, Stefan Petrucha and art by Batman's Trevor Von Eeden.
In his notes on the script, Rice raved about Petrucha's work, with such superlatives as "Wonderfully Grotesque!" among many others. Rice was so pleased with the script, he felt it should be used as the template for all future Kolchak comics scripts, and at one point enthused, "This scene is? well? literature. It has genuine substance very neatly handled. Take care. This kind of thing could spread and, ohmigawd, "elevate" the comic novel a rung or two."
Scripting the X-Files paranormal progenitor puts Petrucha on familiar territory, a place he's particularly delighted to be, since he considers the original Night Stalker TV movie the best vampire film of all time.
Add to that the moody art of Trevor Von Eeden and a picture perfect cover by Doug Kaluba (pictured above) and you've got a surefire hit.
Once again, Kolchak: The Devil In the Details will be on sale this June from Moonstone Books (http://www.moonstonebooks.com). Order now, order early, order often!
'Smallville' creators get 'Iron Man' movie
Posted Friday, February 14, 2003, 5:31AM CST by Franklin Harris
Variety reports (via Cinescape) that "Smallville" creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar will script New Line Cinema's "Iron Man" feature, based on the Marvel comic. The film is tentatively slated for a 2005 release.
'Snake Plissken' anime feature due in 2005
Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2003, 6:38AM CST by Franklin Harris
Japanese animation studio Production I.G. tells Anime News Network that it is at work on an animated feature about Snake Plissken, the anti-hero protagonist of John Carpenter's "Escape from New York" and "Escape from L.A." Kurt Russell, who starred in the "Escape" films, will provide the animated Plissken's voice, and Carpenter will provide the musical score. The anime, which should be 80 to 90 minutes in length, is scheduled for release in late 2004 or early 2005. A 30-second teaser for the film will be included on the upcoming "Escape from New York" special edition DVD.
Four more Marvel movies in 2004
Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2003, 6:48AM CST by Franklin Harris
Marvel Entertainment's Avi Arad tells the Chicago Sun-Times that there are four Marvel Comics movies on tap for 2004: "The Amazing Spider-Man," "Namor: The Sub-Mariner," "The Punisher" and either "The Fantastic Four" or "Ghost Rider."
Source: Comics2Film
Lucas: No non-'special' original trilogy on DVD
Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2003, 6:39AM CST by Franklin Harris
The Digital Bits confirms what many of us already suspected: George Lucas says the original (non-"Special Edition") versions of the original "Star Wars" trilogy will not be released on DVD. Lucas repeated his statement that the Special Editions reflect his true vision of the films. So, unless you think Greedo should shoot first, you're out of luck.
'Aquaman' cartoon dead in the water
Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2003, 5:52AM CST by Franklin Harris
Comics2Film passes along an insider report claiming that the previously announced "Aquaman" cartoon series for Cartoon Network and Kids WB is now "dead in the water." An animated series starring some other DC Comics heroes, however, is in the works: "Metal Men."
The WB finds its Tarzan
Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2003, 5:48AM CST by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, The WB has cast a 22-year-old Calvin Klein model from Australia as Tarzan in a pilot that places Edgar Rice Burroughs' jungle lord in a modern setting.
New 'Battle of the Planets' coming?
Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2003, 5:27AM CST by Franklin Harris
ICv2.com has a sketchy report that a new, 52-episode "Battle of the Planets" series will air on American television this fall. Like the original, the new series, "Battle of the Planets: The New Exploits of G-Force," will combine new animation with animation culled from the 105-episode "Gatchaman" series from Japan.
Also, Toon Zone reports that the new series will feature "Gatchaman" episodes not previously dubbed into English, including the dramatic final episodes.
UPDATE: Speaking with a representative of Sandy Frank Productions, the company that produces "Battle of the Planets," Anime News Network confirmed that no new footage is being animated for the new series. Also, Sandy Frank Productions has no set number of episodes for the new series but expects 26 to be complete by September. In addition to these episodes, Sandy Frank is producing eight 90-minute features based on the same "Gatchaman" footage.
B-movie actress Lana Clarkson dead in Spector case
Posted Tuesday, February 4, 2003, 7:13PM CST by Franklin Harris
LOS ANGELES - Record producer Phil Spector, 62, was arrested Monday and charged with murder in the death of actress Lana Clarkson. Clarkson, 40, was best known for starring in several B movies, notably "Barbarian Queen," "Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back," "Deathstalker" and "The Haunting of Morella."
Cult horror actors join forces for new movie
Posted Sunday, February 2, 2003, 2:48PM CST by Franklin Harris
Creature Corner reports that scream queen Brinke Stevens and screenwriter Sean O'Bannon have formed Unholy Alliance Entertainment, a production company geared toward making modestly budgeted horror and sci-fi films. The company's first project is "Blood Of My Blood," a vampire epic pitting modern-day bloodsuckers against a group of elite vampire slayers backed by a descendant of Abraham van Helsing ("Dracula"). Tom Savini, Barbara Crampton, Debbie Rochon, David Hess and Reggie Bannister are all attached to the project, which is still seeking funding. According to the Brinke Stevens Fan Club Web site, the Sci-Fi Channel is considering "Blood of My Blood" as a Sci-Fi original movie.
Release Date-O-Rama
Posted Friday, January 31, 2003, 10:07AM CST by Franklin Harris
Here are some newly announced release dates for upcoming films, courtesy of Dark Horizons:
- Fury Road: Mad Max 4: July 23, 2004
- Freddy vs. Jason: pushed back to fall 2003
- House Of 1000 Corpses: April 11, 2003
- I, Robot: July 2, 2004
- Identity: pushed back to April 25, 2003
'Indiana Jones' on DVD by end of 2003
Posted Friday, January 31, 2003, 10:02AM CST by Franklin Harris
According to Empire magazine, Steven Spielberg says Paramount will release the "Indiana Jones Trilogy" on DVD by the end of 2003.
Ratner still on 'Superman'
Posted Friday, January 31, 2003, 9:55AM CST by Franklin Harris
Director Brett Ratner said he is still attached to Warner Brothers' "Superman" project and that rumors of the film's budget being too high are false. He told Variety that "[W]e won't have a budget for three weeks. ... The whole hiccup here has been our search for Superman." Ratner said no star wants to sign up for the three Superman films he envisions making over the next 10 years. "I'm telling one story over three movies and plan to direct all three if the first is as successful as everyone suspects," he said.
Source: Dark Horizons
CrossGen comics to be packaged with Cinescape
Posted Friday, January 31, 2003, 5:18AM CST by Franklin Harris
Cinescape Online reports that beginning in May its print counterpart, Cinescape magazine, will include a CrossGen comic book bound into each issue. The first CrossGen book to be distributed in this manner will be a special edition of "The Way of the Rat" No. 1.
No 'King Kong' DVD in 2003
Posted Thursday, January 30, 2003, 6:51PM CST by Franklin Harris
The Digital Bits reports that contrary to earlier reports, Warner Bros. will not release a 70th anniversary edition DVD of "King Kong" this year. "The studio very much wanted to make it happen this year, given that it's the film's 70th anniversary, but their greater concern is to make sure that the film is presented in the highest possible quality on DVD. Apparently, the process of fully restoring and remastering the film has been very time consuming and the studio wants to make sure it's done properly. If all goes well, look for Kong in 2004."
Cartoon Network to air 'Evangelion', other giant-robot shows
Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2003, 6:26AM CST by Franklin Harris
During the week of Feb. 24, giant robots will take over Cartoon Network's Toonami block. The cable channel will air episodes of "Neon Genesis Evangelion," "Dai-Guard," "Robotech" and "Martian Successor Nadesico" as well as the animated feature "The Iron Giant." For a full schedule, see Anime News Network.
Aronofsky up for 'Flickers'
Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2003, 5:43AM CST by Franklin Harris
Cinescape Online passes along a Variety report that Darren Aronofsky is looking to direct "Flickers," based on Theodore Roszak's 1991 novel. The story centers on a film student who becomes convinced that B movies are evidence of a plot against all life on Earth.
Ratner off 'Superman'?
Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2003, 5:38AM CST by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons has an unconfirmed report that director Brett Ratner ("Hannibal") is off Warner Brothers' upcoming "Superman" film project.
'Memento' director to helm new 'Batman'
Posted Wednesday, January 29, 2003, 5:33AM CST by Franklin Harris
According to Variety, Christopher Nolan, director of "Memento" and "Insomnia," will direct the next "Batman" movie.
'Batman' and 'Superman' movie updates
Posted Friday, January 24, 2003, 6:26AM CST by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons reports that Darren Aronofsky's "Batman: Year One" project is "gone." The current frontrunner for the next live-action Batman film is "Batman: The Frightening," which would feature the Scarecrow as Batman's nemesis, according to DC Comics editor Bob Greenberger.
Comics2Film reports, however, that Frank Miller is still working on a "Batman: Year One" script, based on his comic-book miniseries of the same name. And IGN Filmforce casts doubt on the existence of a "Frightening" script, reporting that the previously named screenwriter, Rafael Yglesias, denies any involvement with the project.
Meanwhile, J.J. Abrams' " Superman: Last Son of Krypton" is on hold while producers try to lower the film's budget and search for an actor to play Superman.
Patrick Stewart wants to film 'Transmetropolitan'
Posted Monday, January 20, 2003, 9:55AM CST by Franklin Harris
According to Cinescape magazine (via Dark Horizons), Patrick Stewart will produce and star in a feature film based on Warren Ellis' comic book "Transmetropolitan."
UPDATE: Ellis says that while he would be happy to work with Stewart on a "Transmetropolitan" movie, a movie is not in the works. "What Patrick is saying is that he still wants to make the film. He knows I'm right there with him. We see things the same way. Patrick publicly attaching himself to the project doesn't hurt. But right now, nothing's happening," Ellis said. (Again via Dark Horizons.)
Disney to release three Miyazaki films in April
Posted Thursday, January 16, 2003, 5:17AM CST by Franklin Harris
ICv2.com reports that Disney will release three highly anticipated films by Hayao Miyazaki on April 17. Arriving on DVD will be "Kiki's Delivery Service" (previously released on VHS only), "Spirited Away" (which received a limited theatrical release in 2002), and "Castle in the Sky." Preliminary specifications for these Buena Vista releases suggest that the films will be issued as two-disk sets, retailing for between $19.95 and $29.95. (Note: Anime News Network lists the release date for the discs as April 15 rather than April 17.)
Rucka and Clark's 'Felon' at USA
Posted Wednesday, January 15, 2003, 9:04PM CST by Franklin Harris
Comics2Film reports that Greg Rucka and Matthew Clark's short lived crime comic, "Felon," is in development as a series at the USA cable channel.
Joe Bob Briggs to launch DVD line
Posted Wednesday, January 15, 2003, 5:17AM CST by Franklin Harris
DVD File reports: "Fresh of the successful if seemingly odd pairing of cult film guru Joe Bob Briggs doing audio commentary for Elite Entertainment's recent Millennium Edition release of 'I Spit on Your Grave,' the two titans of horror have reached an exclusive agreement for Briggs to serve as host of, and provide commentary for, a series of the company's upcoming horror, sci-fi and cult titles."
Marvel Comics asks, 'Who is Gus Beezer?'
Posted Friday, January 10, 2003, 9:10AM CST by Franklin Harris
Marvel Comics is being hush-hush regarding several upcoming projects, promising more information later this month. But Marvel did release, without comment, this bizarre preview art today:
UPDATE: In an interview at Jazma Online, Jason Lethcoe confirmed that he is illustrating "The Marvel-ous Adventures of Gus Beezer," which will be written by Gail Simone ("Agent X").
But late Friday, Marvel released the below preview art, again without comment:
Both versions of 'The Ring' come to DVD in March
Posted Thursday, January 9, 2003, 12:38PM CST by Franklin Harris
Fangoria reports that DreamWorks will release both its 2002 remake and the original Japanese version of "The Ring" on DVD on March 4.
'Teen Titans' cartoon to debut in Aug.
Posted Thursday, January 9, 2003, 6:48AM CST by Franklin Harris
Animation Insider reports that Cartoon Network's "Teen Titans" series will debut May 30 at 7 p.m. Central.
UPDATE: Contrary to earlier reports, the debut of "Teen Titans" will be in August, reports Comics2Film.
Lawless says 'Xena' movie in the works
Posted Thursday, January 9, 2003, 6:39AM CST by Franklin Harris
Lucy Lawless told a New Zealand radio station that a feature-film version of "Xena: Warrior Princess" is in the early stages of development at Universal. Dark Horizons reports that the movie will have a budget of $50-$60 million. That would put "Xena" on a par with other recent Universal adventure films like "The Scorpion King."
Sci-Fi Channel orders 'Brother Voodoo' pilot
Posted Thursday, January 9, 2003, 6:30AM CST by Franklin Harris
The Sci-Fi Channel has ordered a pilot movie based on Marvel Comics' Brother Voodoo. Last month, it was reported that Sci-Fi had purchased the television rights to Marvel's 1980s series, "Strike Force Morituri." So, this may indicate a long-term development relationship between Marvel and Sci-Fi. If so, Marvel has no shortage of second- and third-tier characters that can be adapted for television.
Source: ICv2.com
DePalma's next to be horror movie
Posted Monday, January 6, 2003, 10:27AM CST by Franklin Harris
ESplatter reports that Brian DePalma is returning to the horror genre with his next film, "Toyer," based on Gardner McKay's novel. Filming will take place in Venice.
Fincher to direct 'Mission Impossible 3'
Posted Saturday, January 4, 2003, 8:54AM CST by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons reports that David Fincher will direct "Mission Impossible 3" after Tom Cruise completes work on "The Last Samurai." A 2004 release date is planned.
PR: Japanese version of 'Robotech: The New Generation' comes to DVD in March
Posted Tuesday, December 31, 2002, 6:44PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON ? ADV Films today announced a release date of March 25, 2003 for the Genesis Climber Mospeada collection, containing all 25 episodes of the legendary series in one package. Never before released in the U.S., Genesis Climber Mospeada was the source material from which the third chapter of the ROBOTECH saga-ROBOTECH: The New Generation-was created. The ADV release of Genesis Climber Mospeada is available only in the original Japanese, with English subtitles.
While the directorial staff is led by none other than Katsuhisa Yamada (Battle of the Planets, Devil Hunter Yohko), Genesis Climber Mospeada is no slouch in the art department, either, with Yoshitaka Amano (1,001 Nights) and Shinji Aramaki (Gasaraki) among the designers.
The Story
The Earth has been invaded by the mysterious Inbit, and it's up to a handful of survivors from Mars Colony to liberate the planet. After an unsuccessful first attempt to retake the Earth, the inhabitants of Mars Base are ready to try again. Unfortunately, it's been many years since they have been to Earth and they miscalculate both the strength of the enemy and the strength of the Earth forces-with disastrous results. When the Second Liberation force is all but wiped out entering the Earth's atmosphere, the fate of the planet winds up in the hands of a single survivor, Stick Bernard. Joined by a bare handful of resistance fighters born on Earth, Stick must journey to the Inbit's headquarters at Reflex point in an attempt to discover the secrets of the Inbit and find a way to defeat them. Seven young warriors and their transforming planes and motorcycles are all that stand between the Inbit and Earth's freedom in one of the outstanding series that comprised the multi-generational favorite ROBOTECH.
Genesis Climber Mospeada (SRP $89.98) is a DVD-only release on five discs, including 25 complete episodes. In Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include character bios, clean opening and closing animations, production portfolios and ADV Previews.
GENESIS CLIMBER MOSPEADA
Running Time: 625 minutes; Age Rating: 15+
Pre-Book Date: 2/25/03
Street Date: 3/25/03
Format SRP
DVD $89.98
Universal recalls 'Back to the Future' DVDs
Posted Thursday, December 26, 2002, 6:26AM CST by Franklin Harris
Universal will repress the second and third discs of its widescreen "Back to the Future: The Complete Trilogy" DVD set to correct misframed scenes. DVD File reports:
Amid numerous consumer complaints over noticeably misframed shots in the widescreen edition of Parts II and III of the trilogy, Universal Studios Home Video announced ... that they will be repressing the discs with corrected framing, and these repressed versions will be included in all future runs of the box set.
While the shots - some of which ruin crucial jokes and visual gags - may be relatively minor to some, what to do if you've already picked up the set and want the corrected versions? A Universal spokesperson has told us that consumers unhappy with the current version (widescreen only - the full frame edition is not affected) can call the Universal Studios Home Video Consumer Hotline at (888) 703-0010 to request an exchange. While repressed versions of discs 2 and 3 (disc 1 remains unaffected) won't be available until February, Universal will provide corrected versions to those who have already purchased the set. Consumers will need to send the discs back to Universal at their own expense.
'G.I. Joe' comes to DVD on Feb. 11
Posted Thursday, December 19, 2002, 5:08PM CST by Franklin Harris
DVD Toons reports that the first two "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" animated miniseries (5 episodes each) will be released on DVD by Rhino Home Video on Feb. 11. The miniseries aired prior to the debut of the daily cartoon series.
Sci-Fi to adapt Marvel's 'Strikeforce: Morituri'
Posted Thursday, December 19, 2002, 4:55PM CST by Franklin Harris
Marvel Comics books continue to be hot properties in Hollywood, even ones that haven't been published in years. The Sci-Fi Channel is adapting "Strikeforce: Morituri" into a miniseries for air in 2003. The miniseries will be renamed "A Thousand Days," a reference to the life span of the genetically engineered super soldiers featured in the story.
DC rushes new 'Road to Perdition' graphic novels
Posted Thursday, December 19, 2002, 4:46PM CST by Franklin Harris
Newsarama reports that DC Comics is rush soliciting the first of three new graphic novels based on "Road to Perdition," the graphic novel written by Max Allan Collins and recently adapted as a motion picture starring Tom Hanks. The new graphic novels will be set during the same period as the first.
The first new graphic novel, "On the Road to Perdition Book One: Oasis," will arrive in comic-book shops on March 5 with a cover price of $7.95.
'Gamera' comes to DVD on March 18
Posted Thursday, December 19, 2002, 4:31PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON ? ADV Films today announced a street date of March 18, 2003 for the first-ever DVD release of Gamera: Guardian of the Universe. A hit in theatrical and VHS release, ADV's DVD release of Gamera: Guardian of the Universe will be available as a single disc, or as a single disc with a custom art box, designed to hold Gamera: Guardian of the Universe and the two subsequent titles in the series-Gamera 2: Attack of Legion and Gamera 3: The Revenge of Iris (both forthcoming 2003 from ADV Films).
Gamera: Guardian of the Universe was directed by Shusuke Kaneko, from a screenplay by Kazunori Ito, screenwriter of the legendary anime film Ghost in the Shell. The cast includes Ayako Fujitani, daughter of action star Steven Seagal, in her motion picture debut.
The Story:
A plan to dump radioactive waste at sea is disrupted when a mysterious atoll appears at the dumping location. That atoll proves to be something altogether different when hideous flying reptiles, the Gyaos, attack a nearby island-and the atoll rises from the sea. It is Gamera! The super turtle combats both a misguided military and the man-eating Gyaos, with help from a courageous naval officer, an intrepid ornithologist and a beautiful young psychic. Don't miss the most incredible slam-bang, knock-down monster slug-fest ever as Gamera turtle-waxes the evil Gyaos through downtown Tokyo in GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE!
Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (disc-only SRP $19.98; disc plus three-volume custom art box SRP $24.98) is a DVD-only release including English- and Japanese-language versions, with English subtitles.
GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE
Running Time: 90 minutes; Age Rating: 12+
Pre-Book Date: 2/18/03
Street Date: 3/18/03
Format SRP
DVD only $19.98
DVD plus custom art box $24.98
Anime Network to debut as Comcast video-on-demand
Posted Friday, December 13, 2002, 5:13PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON ? After an initial news release that created a veritable storm of curiosity and speculation within the fan community and the industry at large, ADV Films today announced details about the impending launch of The Anime Network(tm). The network will go on the air in a series of stepped-up phases, with Phase One a mid-December launch as part of Comcast Cable's video-on-demand (VOD) initiative in the Philadelphia area, delivering programs directly to viewers, at their request, at any time.
Comcast's VOD service-including The Anime Network(tm)-is available to approximately 1.2 million customers in the Philadelphia area. The Anime Network(tm) is the first television channel in North America dedicated to anime (Japanese animation) and anime-related content.
Leadership at The Anime Network(tm) described the decision to launch Phase One via VOD service as one of complementary strengths. "We're very excited to have completed this deal with Comcast; their VOD functionality is a perfect fit for our first step. Plus, we believe that on-demand systems are going to be a strong and enduring element of the direct-delivered home entertainment industry," said John Ledford, President and CEO of A.D. Vision, Inc., parent company of The Anime Network(tm) and ADV Films.
"For our audience, a video-on-demand-based launch is quite perfect," Ledford continued. "Anime fans are really the ultimate early-adopters-they're very tech savvy, and will be quick to appreciate the benefits of on-demand functionality."
Content
The Anime Network(tm) model is structured around four categorized content areas: Action Zone, Sci-Fi, Comedy, and Martial Arts. The mid-December launch of The Anime Network(tm) will include approximately 25 hours of available content, including both feature films and episodes from series. Titles will include "Spriggan," "Neon Genesis Evangelion," "Excel Saga," "Martian Successor Nadesico," "Gasaraki," "Noir," "Dai-Guard," "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040," "Orphen," Golden Boy," "Sorcerer Hunters," Kimera," "Ninja Resurrection," "Tekken," "Those Who Hunt Elves," "Gunsmith Cats," "Burn Up W" and "Samurai X: The Motion Picture." Viewers in the Philadelphia area wishing to confirm availability of The Anime Network in their specific areas can do so by visiting http://www.comcast.com.
The Anime Network(tm): Ongoing Plans
Leadership at The Anime Network confirms that the network will be going online with several other major national cable providers to bring The Anime Network(tm) to millions of viewers in service areas across North America. The Anime Network's web address is http://www.theanimenetwork.com.
'King Conan' lives again at Warner Bros.
Posted Friday, December 13, 2002, 12:58PM CST by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons reports that "King Conan" is moving ahead once again, as Warner Bros. and Conan Properties have reached an agreement for Warner to renew its option.
Mel Gibson signs up for fourth 'Mad Max'
Posted Tuesday, December 10, 2002, 8:19PM CST by Franklin Harris
Mel Gibson has agreed to reprise the role that made him a star, Mad Max, for a fourth film in the post-apocalyptic series, "Mad Max: Fury Road." "Mad Max" creator George Miller, who directed and co-wrote the first three films, will write and direct "Fury Road." Shooting is scheduled to begin in May.
TechTV announces anime line-up
Posted Saturday, December 7, 2002, 8:29AM CST by Franklin Harris
TechTV has officially announced its line-up of anime programming, which begins Dec. 30. According to a press release obtained by Anime News Network, the following anime movies and series are scheduled to air:
- Series: Betterman
- Series: Crest of the Stars
- Series: Dual!
- Series: Serial Experiments Lain
- Series: Silent Mobius
- Movie: Armitage III Polymatrix
- Movie: Ghost in the Shell
- Movie: Macross Plus
- Movie: Patlabor I
Schedule:
New Episodes, Mon.-Fri., 1am-1:30am ET;
Additional Airings, Fri., 11pm-1am ET and 1:30am-3am ET
Format: Half-Hour Series and Movie Specials
Premiere Date: December 30, 2002
Will Smith to star in 'I, Robot'
Posted Thursday, December 5, 2002, 6:13PM CST by Franklin Harris
According to Variety, Will Smith has committed to star in Alex Proyas' big-screen adaptation of Isaac Asmiov's "I, Robot." Filming begins in April.
'Shazam!' movie in the works at New Line
Posted Thursday, December 5, 2002, 6:09PM CST by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that New Line Cinema is in final negotiations to secure the movie rights to "Shazam!", based on the DC Comics book, which features Captain Marvel and the rest of the Marvel Family.
Cartoon Network picks up 'Trigun', more anime
Posted Tuesday, December 3, 2002, 6:57PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: Cartoon Network today announced the acquisition of three anime series that will air during Adult Swim, its highly rated late night block of animation for adults 18-34. The three series are "Lupin the Third," "Reign" and "Trigun."
Tech TV adds anime to schedule
Posted Saturday, November 30, 2002, 9:28AM CST by Franklin Harris
Anime News Network reports that TechTV is adding at least three anime series to its schedule beginning Dec. 30: "On Thanksgiving, TechTV started airing commercials for [its] new anime block, which [it is] calling 'Anime Unleashed.' The commercial features 'Serial Experiments Lain,' 'Crest of the Stars' and 'Betterman.' While the commercial says 'Coming Soon,' it was announced on 'The Screen Savers' a week ago that anime would come to TechTV as of December 30th. Thanks to Kris Granholm for this info."
'King Conan' movie dead at Warner Bros.
Posted Saturday, November 30, 2002, 7:06AM CST by Franklin Harris
IGN FilmForce reports that Conan Properties Inc., which owns Robert E. Howard's barbarian hero Conan, has declined to allow Warner Bros. and the Wachowski brothers to renew their option to produce a new "Conan" movie. This means that "King Conan," which was to star Arnold Schwarzenegger, is dead. The film, which would have been the third in a series starring Schwarzenegger, was to have been written and directed by John Milius, who was the co-writer/director of "Conan the Barbarian" (1981).
New Adult Swim schedule includes 'Lupin III', 'Futurama'
Posted Thursday, November 28, 2002, 7:29PM CST by Franklin Harris
Cartoon Network has released its revised schedule for Adult Swim, which will air Sunday-Thursday nights beginning Jan. 12:
Sundays
Weeknights
Source: Toon Zone
NBC scraps 'Lost in Space' revival
Posted Thursday, November 28, 2002, 7:07PM CST by Franklin Harris
According to Dark Horizons, NBC has cancelled plans to produce a new TV movie based on "Lost in Space" because of financial issues.
Animated 'Alien Legion' in the works
Posted Friday, November 22, 2002, 6:32AM CST by Franklin Harris
Mainframe Entertainment is producing a 26-episode, computer-animated series based on Marvel Comics' "Alien Legion," reports The Hollywood Reporter.
UPN orders 'Danger Girl' TV series
Posted Friday, November 22, 2002, 6:26AM CST by Franklin Harris
First 'Noir' anime DVD due Feb. 18
Posted Wednesday, November 20, 2002, 8:11PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON - ADV Films today announced a release date of February 18, 2003 for NOIR: Shades of Darkness, the first of six DVD volumes of the acclaimed 26-episode thriller. 
The series, which premiered in Japan in 2001, was directed by Koichi Mashimo (Dirty Pair, Dominion). Viewers praise NOIR's spectacular animation, the use of music, its exotic settings (largely in western Europe) and an enduringly complex storyline, based on a relationship between a duo of female assassins who cannot trust one another, but who need each other to survive. Critics have favorably compared NOIR to such genre-defining live-action suspense titles as "The Professional" and "La Femme Nikita."
The story:
A mysterious email; a haunting melody. Professional assassin Mireille Bouquet's world is knocked askew by an unnerving contact from a young amnesiac, Yumura Kirika, whose killing skills are as deadly as Mireille's, and whose missing memory may unlock the mystery of Mireille's life as well. With their pasts inextricably linked, Mireille conditionally admits Yumura into her confidence. In uneasy partnership, the two-as NOIR-face a conspiracy that quickly calls on all of their lethal resources. It is a journey through the darkness, searching for a truth that they know will mean their deaths.
Special Edition available!
ADV Films is releasing NOIR: Shades of Darkness in two editions: as a disc in a standard DVD case, or in a Special Edition including the disc and its case, plus an exclusive slipcover designed to hold all six volumes of the series, plus a special-edition T-shirt, available only in the Special Edition package!
Sneak Preview in Newtype USA!
The DVD insert in the January 2003 issue (Issue Three) of Newtype USA will include Episode One of NOIR!
NOIR: Shades of Darkness (SRP $29.98 disc only; $44.98 Special Edition) is a DVD release containing five complete episodes in both English- and Japanese-language versions, with English subtitles. Extras include production sketches, clean opening and closing animations, Japanese promo spots and ADV Previews.
NOIR: SHADES OF DARKNESS
Running Time: 125 minutes; Age Rating: 15+
Pre-Book Date: 1/21/03
Street Date: 2/18/03
Format SRP
DVD $29.98
Special Edition (DVD + Slipcover + T-shirt) $44.98
Manga tops sales of graphic novels in bookstores
Posted Tuesday, November 19, 2002, 5:43AM CST by Franklin Harris
From ICv2.com: "Sales figures from the book trade show manga titles dominating recent graphic novel bestseller lists. Rankings obtained by ICv2 for one recent week's sales in U.S. bookstores as compiled by a major industry reporting service showed eighteen of the top twenty graphic novel slots and all of the top ten held by manga titles, all Tokyopop. Nine of the top twenty titles (and both of the top two) were various volumes of Chobits and Love Hina, two surprisingly hot series launched by Tokyopop this year. Two Marvel titles, Marvel Encyclopedia and Ultimates V1 Super Human filled out the top twenty.
"Of the top 50 adult graphic novels, 40 were manga, 35 from Tokyopop and five from Viz. Six DCs including two incredibly long-lived titles, Watchmen and Dark Knight, and four Marvels made up the rest of the list."
WB cancels 'Birds of Prey' TV
Posted Tuesday, November 19, 2002, 5:12AM CST by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, The WB has canceled "Birds of Prey." The series, based on a DC Comics comic book, started strong but saw its audience share decline steadily.
Disney submits 'Spirited Away', others for Oscars
Posted Monday, November 11, 2002, 6:15AM CST by Franklin Harris
According to Oscar Watch, Disney has submitted three films for Oscar consideration in the Best Animated Feature Film category. The films are ?Lilo and Stitch,? ?Treasure Planet? and Hayao Miyazaki?s ?Spirited Away.? Also, DreamWorks has submitted ?Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,? and Fox has submitted ?Ice Age.?
Sci-Fi renews 'Stargate: SG-1'
Posted Monday, November 11, 2002, 5:22AM CST by Franklin Harris
Variety and ICv2.com report that the Sci-Fi Channel has renewed its highest-rated series, "Stargate: SG-1," for a seventh season (the series' second on Sci-Fi). The 22-episode season will see the return of Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson) as a regular cast member.
DC revamps 'Teen Titans' and 'The Outsiders'
Posted Sunday, November 10, 2002, 8:43PM CST by Franklin Harris
Newsarama reports that DC Comics is canceling two titles, "Titans" and "Young Justice." But from their ashes will rise two new titles featuring many of the same characters, plus some old friends and new faces.
- "Teen Titans," written by Geoff "JSA" Johns and penciled by Mike "Exiles" McKone, will feature Impulse, Wonder Girl, Robin and Superboy from "Young Justice" and Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven and Starfire from "The New Teen Titans."
- "The Outsiders," written by Judd "Green Lantern" Winick and pencilled by Tom Raney, will feature Nightwing and Arsenal from "Titans," Metamorpho from the original "Outsiders," Jade from "Infinity, Inc." and a couple of new characters, one of whom is the daughter of ex-Outsider Black Lightning.
'Midnight, Mass.' TV series in development
Posted Sunday, November 10, 2002, 8:32PM CST by Franklin Harris
Newsarama reports that producer Joel Silver is developing a TV series based on the DC/Vertigo Comics miniseries "Midnight, Mass."
Dark Horse gets 'Conan' comic rights
Posted Wednesday, November 6, 2002, 3:59PM CST by Franklin Harris
Newsarama reports that Dark Horse Comics has acquired the rights to produce comic books featuring Conan the Barbarian. Created by Robert E. Howard, Conan has appeared in comics before, notably a long-running series published by Marvel.
ADV to launch anime-only cable channel
Posted Wednesday, November 6, 2002, 3:54PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, November 6, 2002 - ADV Films today announced publicly the creation of The Anime Network(tm), the first television channel in North America dedicated to anime (Japanese animation) and anime-related content. The Anime Network(tm) targets the nation's estimated 85 million cable television subscribers, and seeks to capitalize on cable's increasing dominance in the world of at-home entertainment.
Initially announced in June, 2002 at ADV Films' 10th Anniversary party in Tokyo, and announced in the U.S. at ADV's November 2 invitation-only 10th Anniversary party in Houston, the creation of The Anime Network(tm) has the industry abuzz with excitement and speculation.
"This has been in the works for some time," said ADV Films President, Founder and CEO John Ledford. "Until now, the market and the culture haven't been ready for it. But today ever-increasing numbers of Americans are becoming familiar with anime and its distinctive aesthetic; they're curious about anime, they're hungry for it, and The Anime Network(tm) is going to deliver it right to their televisions."
Competitive Advantage
While existing cable outlets have enjoyed strong ratings with limited blocks of anime and anime-inspired animated programming, The Anime Network(tm) will make fine anime programming available to viewers 24 hours a day.
"The Anime Network(tm) is the next logical step," said Ledford. "The television outlets that currently carry anime aren't meeting the potential demand; they offer very limited selections of titles, and only during very restricted hours. The Anime Network(tm) will change all of that, and we're excited to be leading the revolution."
Content
The Anime Network(tm) model is structured around four categorized content areas: Action Zone, Sci-Fi, Comedy Incorrect, and Horror/Martial Arts. These categories are designed to include virtually the entire spectrum of quality anime, while contextualizing content for new viewers unfamiliar with specific titles.
Coming Up
Coming soon, releases detailing geographic/service provider availability of The Anime Network,(tm) along with information about whom viewers can call regarding local availability; also, a sneak preview of programming that will be available in The Anime Network(tm)'s first months.
TV's Dr. Smith dies at 87
Posted Tuesday, November 5, 2002, 7:54AM CST by Franklin Harris
From CNN: Jonathan Harris, who played Dr. Smith on the TV series "Lost in Space," died Sunday. He was 87.
Harris had been in the hospital receiving treatment for a chronic back problem when he died from a blood clot in his heart.
Witherspoon chills to 'Whiteout'
Posted Tuesday, November 5, 2002, 7:18AM CST by Franklin Harris
Variety and Comics2Film report that Universal Pictures has picked up the feature-film rights to Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber's graphic novel, "Whiteout." Reese Witherspoon, whose production company is co-producing the project, is planned to star.
Campaign to save 'Birds of Prey' begins
Posted Monday, November 4, 2002, 7:40AM CST by Franklin Harris
Comics2Film reports that fans are starting a campaign to save "Birds of Prey." The series, based on the DC comic, debuted to record ratings for its network, The WB. But viewership has declined steadily each week since. The WB has yet to announce whether it will pick up "Birds of Prey" for a full season.
CGI 'Mighty Mouse' to save the day
Posted Monday, November 4, 2002, 7:25AM CST by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that Paramount Pictures has green lit a computer-animated Mighty Mouse feature film to be produced by John Woo and Terence Chang. Woo is also producing a CGI movie starring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Newtype mag print run doubled for issue No. 2
Posted Friday, November 1, 2002, 9:56PM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, November 1, 2002-With the entire 30,000-unit print run of Newtype USA Issue One shipped to subscribers and stores, and continuing retail demand for the magazine far outstripping aggregate availability, Newtype USA is doubling the print run for Issue Two, to a total of 60,000 copies.
"We've been very pleasantly surprised with the response," said Newtype USA Executive Editor Bruce Haring. "We expected demand to grow steadily through the distribution of the first few issues, as readers realized the quality of the content we were offering. Instead, we've been having to turn away retailers who want to order more, and we've got readers networking on-line to track down the last available copies of Issue One."
National retailers carrying the magazine include Suncoast, Sam Goody, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Media Play, Waldenbooks, Fry's, Tower Records and Gordon & Gotch Canada (Chapters/Coles Books). Independent bookstores, comic stores and specialty shops across North America are also carrying the magazine. Subscriptions are available through http://www.newtype-usa.com; single issues may also be purchased through the same site. Please note that due to subscription processing time, new subscriptions will not begin for four to six weeks.
'Mandrake the Magician' goes to big screen
Posted Thursday, October 31, 2002, 8:32AM CST by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the comic-strip hero Mandrake the Magician is getting the big-screen treatment. Writers Josh Oppenheimer and Tom Donnelly will write the screenplay for the live-action film.
?Mandrake the Magician,? created by Lee Falk (?The Phantom?) appears in more than 200 newspapers.
Dreamwave to create merchandise based on ADV anime
Posted Wednesday, October 30, 2002, 7:52AM CST by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, October 29, 2002 ? ADV Films today announced an agreement with Ontario-based comic-book production company Dreamwave Productions-recently in the news in light of their contract with Hasbro to create the first new TRANSFORMERS comics since the early 90s-under which Dreamwave will produce certain licensed collectible merchandise based on ADV Films titles. The first product on the schedule is a collectible four-color lithograph poster featuring characters and art from the hit ADV title "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040."
"The greatest challenge with any licensing agreement is in ensuring that the quality of the licensed product reflects the quality of the original," said ADV Films President, CEO and Founder John Ledford. "Our agreement with Dreamwave is an excellent one because of their passion for the medium, and the exquisite quality of their work. I'm very pleased to be beginning our relationship with them."
Dreamwave President Pat Lee is equally enthusiastic. "ADV Films is one of the most-respected anime distribution houses in North America, and the chance to work with them to create outstanding merchandise and collectibles is a great opportunity."
Initial concepts for the "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040" lithograph are already in progress. When complete, the lithograph poster will be available through the ADV Films website (http://www.advfilms.com) and other channels.
Yeoh to become 'The Masked Crusader'
Posted Wednesday, October 30, 2002, 7:38AM CST by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Michelle Yeoh will begin production in January on ?The Masked Crusader.? Jingle Ma, cinematographer on Jackie Chan?s ?Rumble in the Bronx,? will direct.
'Exorcist' prequel begins pre-production
Posted Monday, October 28, 2002, 6:28AM CST by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that "Exorcist: The Beginning" has begun pre-production in Rome. The prequel to "The Exorcist" is being directed by Paul Schrader.
Richard Harris, 72, dies
Posted Monday, October 28, 2002, 6:26AM CST by Franklin Harris
Richard Harris died late last week. The 72-year-old actor, best known as King Arthur in the stage musical "Camelot" and known to a younger generation as Albus Dumbledore in the first two "Harry Potter" films, had been battling cancer.
MST3K DVD box set vol. 1 due Nov. 12
Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002, 8:48PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: Rhino Home Video debuts its first DVD boxed set of this famed cult classic. This new-to-DVD collection includes the top fan-requested episodes, Catalina Caper, The Creeping Terror, Bloodlust, and The Skydivers. The DVD set also includes all four original feature films without MST3K commentary, original trailers from three of the films and interactive packaging.
BLOODLUST
Starring: Robert Reed, Wilton Graff, and Lylyan Chauvin
The Brady Bunch's Robert Reed stars as John, who, visits an uncharted island with shipmates Pete, Betty, and Jeanie. While ashore, they're captured by Bellow and his disturbed manservant, Jondor. Betty and Jeanie decide to look for an exit but end up at a secret room where Jondor is piling human body parts next to a boiling pot. Bellow then announces open season on Johnny and Pete, and starts hunting them down like wild animals.
CATALINA CAPER
Starring: Tommy Kirk, Del Moore, Peter Duryea, and Robert Donner
A couple of happening guys take a trip to California for sun and fun and the chicks dig 'em big time. One's a real party boy and his friend Don falls for some babe named Katrina, but she's got a buffed-out boyfriend. Anyway, this rich Greek named Lacropolis is all set up to buy a stolen scroll, but those darn kids mess everything up.
CREEPING TERROR
Starring: Vic Savage, Shannon O'Neil, and William Thourlby
Local police discover a crashed UFO. Meanwhile the alien -- a cross between a giant slug and wall-to-wall carpet -- is eating couples in mid-bliss. It eats a woman hanging around and at one point jumps a convertible and nabs the driver. In the end, the frustrated deputy is seen beating on the spacecraft with the butt of his gun.
THE SKYDIVERS
Starring: Kevin Casey, Eric Tomlin, Tony Cardoza, and Marcia Knight
Our hero, Harry, owns a skydiving facility. He's messin' around with Suzie (who's totally hooked on him) but her young lover, Frankie (who used to be Harry's plane mechanic) is ticked. If that's not confusing enough, when Harry decides to dump Suzie and rekindle his romance with his wife Beth (who's contemplating a move on Harry's best bud, Joe), Suzie and Frankie devise a plan to knock off Harry. Whew!
DVDS AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 12, 2002
Released by Rhino Home Video
Selection #R2 970104
SRP $59.95, approximately 675 min.
'Young Indy' comes to DVD
Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002, 8:14PM CDT by Franklin Harris
While you wait for the Indiana Jones trilogy to come to DVD, get ready for ?The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.? DVD File reports that the entire series will be released on DVD with tons of special features. Details are to be announced.
New 'Phantom' movie is planned
Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002, 7:48PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that the Phantom, Lee Falk?s classic comic-strip hero, will appear in a new feature film to be written by Steven De Souza (?Die Hard?). This version of ?The Phantom? will be set in the present day and feature ?Matrix?-style special effects, according to the trade publication. In 1996, Billy Zane portrayed the Phantom in a movie set in the 1930s.
Marvel's 'Night Thrasher' to bow on UPN
Posted Thursday, October 24, 2002, 7:42PM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter and Comics2Film, the Marvel Comics character Night Thrasher, who appeared in "New Warriors" comics, will be getting his own live-action TV series on UPN. No airdate was reported.
Adult Swim moving to weeknights
Posted Tuesday, October 22, 2002, 7:13PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Cartoon Network is expanding its Adult Swim programming block, which currently airs on Saturday and Sunday nights. Beginning Jan. 12, Adult Swim will air from 10 p.m. until 12 a.m. CT, Sunday through Thursday. Comedy programming will air during the first hour, while action programming will air during the second hour. The change eliminates the Saturday block.
Source: Toon Zone
Hopkins confirmed as Jor-El; Ratner denies script rumors
Posted Tuesday, October 22, 2002, 6:59PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Anthony Hopkins has confirmed that he will play Superman's father, Jor-El, in director Brett Ratner's upcoming "Superman" movie. Meanwhile, Ratner has denied many of the more disturbing rumors surrounding the film's script, including that Lex Luthor would be an alien and Krypton would not be destroyed.
Source: Dark Horizons
Manga Ent. responds re: defective 'Eva' DVDs
Posted Friday, October 18, 2002, 9:40AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Manga Entertainment has issued a press release regarding the defective "End of Evangelion" DVDs reported by numerous online sources. Those who have purchased defective discs are likely not to be pleased by Manga's response:
October 14, 2002
Dear Manga customers,
Over the past 2 weeks we have received some e-mails in regard to our latest
DVD release, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION "The End of Evangelion." There have
been isolated reports of the disc not performing well on certain DVD
players. We have spent a great deal of time investigating these reported
technical issues with some of the country's leading DVD authoring,
replication and QC facilities.
As a standard procedure with all Manga DVDs, the NEON GENESIS EVANGELION
"The End of Evangelion" DVD was tested on over 50 different brand DVD
players at a leading professional DVD lab and passed all performance and
functionality tests before it was released. Through our new research we have
found that the product for sale in the marketplace meets all performance,
quality and playback standards.
If you have experienced difficulties playing your disc, we recommend the
following:
1.If you have purchased a possible problematic disc, please return it to
your store for an exchange. It is highly likely that the replacement disc
will perform correctly.
2.If this procedure does not work for you, please send us your disc
including the packaging to:
Manga Entertainment
Evangelion DVD
P.O. Box 482
Lincolnshire, Il 60069-0482
After our manufacturer tests and confirms your returned disc to be
problematic, we will send you a replacement disc (allow 2 weeks delivery.)
If your returned disc tests not to be problematic, it will be returned to
you as is.
In recognition of any confirmed problematic DVD and to cover the
inconvenience of shipping costs and delay to you, we will also send you a
courtesy advance DVD of our upcoming November release Virus, from acclaimed
anime director Masami Obari (Fatal Fury-The Motion Picture). This offer is
valid only through November 26, 2002.
We have also been receiving many e-mails in appreciation of the excellent
quality and production of the NEON GENESIS EVANGELION DVDs and we thank you
for your feedback and support.
Isolated DVD performance and functionality issues are industry wide due to
the nature of DVD technology, players and replication. Manga Entertainment
takes pride and has given every effort to bring you the highest quality DVD
productions on both of our NEON GENESIS EVANGELION DVD releases.
Thank you,
Manga Entertainment
'Roger Rabbit' comes to DVD in March
Posted Friday, October 18, 2002, 5:33AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Disney will release a 2-disc, "Vista Series" edition DVD of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" on March 25, reports Toon Zone. The set will include both the theatrical and "family friendly" edits of the film.
Marvel to tone down content of comics for 'Wal-Mart'
Posted Thursday, October 17, 2002, 9:03AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The comic books you see at Wal-Mart are not necessarily the same ones sold everywhere else.
Marvel Comics President Bill Jemas said during a conference call Wednesday that some comics the publisher is supplying to Wal-Mart are edited to tone down language and mature content. The edited books are from Marvel?s Ultimate line.
Mark Millar, writer of ?The Ultimates,? ?Ultimate X-Men? and the upcoming, four-issue ?Ultimate War? miniseries, said the editorial changes were ?not intrusive.?
The revelation comes after months of online criticism directed at the Ultimate titles, which critics say contain content inappropriate for supposedly all-ages titles.
Jemas and Millar responded to their critics by saying that the language in the Ultimate titles is toned down from what readers find in mainline Marvel and DC Comics titles.
Jemas announced other developments involving Wal-Mart. He said Marvel will provide 5 million copies of the ?Spider-Man? movie adaptation, which Wal-Mart will distribute as part of a promotional tie-in with the release of the ?Spider-Man? DVD. Also, Marvel plans to ship a ?significant quantity? of ?Ultimate Spider-Man? comics to Wal-Mart and other DVD retailers.
In other news:
- ?The Ultimates? No. 24 will be the final issue for the creative team of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch.
- Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon has expressed interest in working on a project with Marvel, but nothing is in the planning stage.
- Bill Jemas? satire, ?Marville,? will continue beyond issue No. 6, but with someone other than Jemas writing the book. One candidate is online comic-book gossip columnist Rich Johnston.
- Jemas expressed his displeasure at a column by Comics Buyers Guide columnist Heidi MacDonald, in which MacDonald mentioned widespread retailer displeasure at Marvel?s ?no overprint? policy. Jemas said Marvel formulated the policy in consultation with more than 300 major retailers.
By Franklin Harris
Spielberg to offer two versions of 'E.T.'
Posted Tuesday, October 15, 2002, 12:22PM CDT by Franklin Harris
The Associated Press is reporting that Steven Spielberg has talked Universal Pictures into including both the original version and the new "special edition" version of "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" in its $30, 2-disc DVD set due Oct. 22.
PR: 'Robotech: The New Generation' due in Jan.
Posted Monday, October 14, 2002, 7:09PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, October 14, 2002-ADV Films has set a street date of January 7, 2003 for the long-awaited DVD release of Harmony Gold's ROBOTECH: New Generation Complete Collection, assembling for the first time all four of the episode discs (26 episodes total) from the third and final act of ROBOTECH-one of the most critically acclaimed animated science fiction television series of all time. Often compared to STAR TREK and STAR WARS, ROBOTECH is a uniquely addictive, multi-generational animated serial that introduced generations of Americans to the art form and cultural phenomenon that is anime.
About ROBOTECH: New Generation
The final act of the original Robotech series begins as an advance rescue mission mounted by the "Mars Base" Division of the Robotech Expeditionary Forces is wiped out by the Invid-a powerful and mysterious alien race. Scott Bernard, one of the few survivors of the battle, leads a colorful band of freedom fighters in a campaign to seek out and destroy Reflex Point, the Invid Stronghold. Along the way, Scott and the others are forced to look inside themselves to discover hidden strength and the determination to carry on in the face of overwhelming odds. Throughout this final chapter, many of the mysteries of Protoculture are revealed, including the role the Invid play in this complex, dramatic intergalactic saga.
ROBOTECH: New Generation Complete Collection ($44.98 SRP) is a slip-covered four-disc DVD-only collection featuring all 26 episodes of the third and final act of the ROBOTECH epic. In English.
Running Time: 600 minutes; Age Rating: All Ages
Pre-Book Date: 12/10/02
Street Date: 1/7/03
Format SRP
DVD $44.98
PR: ADV Films announces 'Devil Lady'
Posted Monday, October 14, 2002, 7:00PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, October 14, 2002-ADV Films has set a street date of January 7, 2003 for the first-ever DVD release of The Devil Lady: The Awakening, the first volume of legendary director Go Nagai's classic horror series.
Nagai, an elder statesman in the world of anime and manga, is the renowned creator of such anime touchstones as Getter Robo, Mazinger Z and Grandizer, and the Devilman series, from which The Devil Lady sprung. The Devil Lady was adapted by Toshihiro Hirano (director of Vampire Princess Miyu) and writer Chiako Konaka.
The Story:
Jun has always been different from everyone else-the life of a fashion model is unlike anything else in the world. But she has no idea how different she is...until a mysterious stalker throws her head-first into a brutal confrontation with the supernatural! From Go Nagai, the master of animated horror, comes a harrowing odyssey through the twisted maze that is Jun's new life. By day a beautiful, shy fashion plate. By night a terrifying vision of demonic power. It's full-tilt gothic horror as Jun, as the Devil Lady, does battle with a demonic army threatening to destroy mankind!
The Devil Lady: The Awakening ($29.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release., including the first five episodes of the series. DVD extras include original cover art, clean credit animation, the original Japanese trailer for the series, and ADV Previews.
Running Time: 125 minutes; Age Rating: 17+
Pre-Book Date: 12/10/02
Street Date: 1/7/03
Format SRP
DVD $29.98
'Extraordinary Gentlemen' writer, director re-team for 'Akira'
Posted Monday, October 14, 2002, 4:47PM CDT by Franklin Harris
The writer (James Robinson) and director (Stephen Norrington) of the movie version of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" will reunite to write and direct a live-action version of "Akira," based on the Japanese manga and anime, reports Variety (via ICv2.com). Jon Peters will produce.
DC's 'Starman' is coming to ABC television
Posted Monday, October 14, 2002, 4:40PM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter (via Comics2Film), ABC has ordered a pilot script for a TV series based on DC Comics' "Starman." The series, based on the version of Starman created by James Robinson, would be produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions, which produces "Smallville" and "Birds of Prey."
Keanu Reeves to star in 'Constantine'?
Posted Monday, October 14, 2002, 4:27PM CDT by Franklin Harris
I have avoided reporting this in the hope that it isn't true, but sources like The Hollywood Reporter keep claiming Keanu Reeves is up to star in "Constantine," the feature film based on DC Comics' series "Hellblazer." If true, this is, like, the worst casting news ever, dude!
Nicolas Cage sells comics for $1.6 million
Posted Monday, October 14, 2002, 4:23PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Actor and comic-book geek Nicolas Cage sold his comic-book collection at auction for $1.6 million. Among the books sold were a copy of "Action Comics" No. 1 (the first appearance of Superman), "Detective Comics" No. 38 (the first Robin) and "All-Star Comics" No. 3 (the first Justice Society of America).
Devil?s Due to publish 'Voltron' comics
Posted Wednesday, October 9, 2002, 8:32PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Devil's Due Studios tells Newsarama that it has obtained the license to publish comic books based on the '80s anime series "Voltron."
"We'll start out with 'Go-Lion,' and I'd like to tackle Vehicle Voltron down the line," Devil's Due head Josh Blaylock said. "Rest assured it will retain what made the old stories still loved by fans 18 years later."
Devil's Due already publishes comics based on "G.I. Joe" and "Micronauts."
Aquaman cartoon in development for 2004
Posted Wednesday, October 9, 2002, 5:27AM CDT by Franklin Harris
An animated series based on the DC Comics character Aquaman is in development for the 2004-2005 TV season, reports Toon Zone. The cartoon will feature a younger version of the character, who is just learning to use his powers.
Marvel and Universal ink movie deals
Posted Friday, October 4, 2002, 6:29AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Marvel Comics and Universal Studios have reached agreements to produce feature films based on Namor, The Sub-Mariner and Prime. David Self ("Road to Perdition") is scripting "The Sub-Mariner," while Don Calame and Chris Conroy are scripting "Prime."
Source: Comics2Film
Gaiman vs. McFarlane Round 1 goes to Gaiman
Posted Thursday, October 3, 2002, 8:56PM CDT by Franklin Harris
From ICv2.com:
After over a day of deliberations, at around 4:15 Thursday the jury came back with a verdict in Phase I of Gaiman vs. McFarlane, awarding a complete victory to writer Neil Gaiman in his court battle with toy and comic magnate Todd McFarlane. The jury held that:
1.Gaiman has a copyright interest in Medieval Spawn, Cagliostro, and Angela, the three characters he created in his script for Spawn #9.
2.A reasonable person would not have deduced from the copyright notices in the books that McFarlane was claiming copyright ownership in the characters and the scripts (meaning that the statue of limitations had not expired on the copyright claims).
3.There was a contract in 1992 (when McFarlane promised that he would treat Gaiman "better than the big guys").
4.McFarlane breached the 1992 contract.
5.There was a contract in 1997 (this was the rights swap of Gaiman's interests in Medieval Spawn and Cagliostro for McFarlane's interest in Miracleman, plus setting royalty percentages for all uses of Angela and allowing "one-off" projects using the characters).
6.Image's failure to identify Gaiman as a writer on some of the books in question caused damage.
7.Image had no right to use Gaiman's name and biography without his permission on its recent reprint of the Angela series in trade paperback format.
In other words, the jury ruled for Gaiman on all counts. For more, see ICv2.com.
PR: 'Hello Kitty' DVD arrives Nov. 26
Posted Thursday, October 3, 2002, 8:11PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, October 3, 2002-ADV Films today announced a street date of November 26, 2002 for Hello Kitty's Paradise: Pretty Kitty, the first of four volumes of the animated children's series Hello Kitty's Paradise. The title is available on VHS, and on child-friendly plug-and-play DVD.
Hello Kitty's Paradise is another successful part of the Sanrio Company's wildly popular Hello Kitty(r) franchise, built around the adorable, instantly recognizable kitten character. The title centers around the adventures of legendary Sanrio character Hello Kitty(r), her best friend Mimmy(tm) and their friends from school. Hello Kitty's Paradise is a joyful take on childhood adventures, with a healthy smattering of educational content about such important skills as sharing, having good table manners, writing letters and being polite.
Episodes in Volume 1:
Episode 1
"A Blooming Good Morning"
Mama gives Kitty morning glory seeds to plant so she has an incentive to wake up early in the morning.
"A Storybook Adventure"
Kitty and Mimmy use their imagination to have an adventure inside Mimmy's book.
Episode 2
"Kitty's Clean Cuisine"
Kitty learns important table manners such as washing your hands before you eat and pacing yourself when you eat, especially when you feel hungry.
"A Day Out With Dad"
Papa takes the girls on a walk downtown where they visit various stores and find out what they sell.
Episode 3
"Underground Kitty"
Kitty and Mimmy go underground to visit their friend Moley who tells them about living underground.
"Watch the Birdie"
Kitty and Mimmy nurse a sick bird back to health.
Episode 4
"Minding Manners"
Kitty learns the right way to use her fork and how to be polite at the dinner table.
"Streetwise"
Mama takes Kitty and Mimmy downtown. On the way, she teaches the girls important lessons on staying alert and safe.
Hello Kitty's Paradise: Pretty Kitty (DVD $14.98 SRP; VHS $9.98 SRP) contains four episodes, two segments each, of the beloved children's series. In English. VHS and DVD versions include ADV Previews, and feature loads of Fun & Games throughout, including such diversions as "Nutty Numbers" and "Animals! Animals! The DVD edition also includes a free poster insert.
Running Time: 90 minutes; Age Rating: All
Pre-Book Date: 10/29/02
Street Date: 11/26/02
Format SRP
DVD $14.98
VHS $9.98
'Lady Death' gets new life at CrossGen
Posted Thursday, October 3, 2002, 8:54AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Last week, Newsarama broke a story about CrossGen Comics' having purchased the rights to "Lady Death" prior to Chaos! Comics filing for bankruptcy. Now comes news that CrossGen will publish new "Lady Death" comics under its Code 6 imprint. Brian Pulido, Lady Death creator and Chaos! founder, will write the new monthly series on a freelance basis. Ivan Reis will pencil the series.
Hopkins confirmed as Jor-El
Posted Tuesday, October 1, 2002, 12:50PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Various online sources are reporting that Sir Anthony Hopkins has agreed to portray Jor-El in director Brett Ratner's upcoming "Superman" film. Hopkins confirmed the story on Howard Stren's radio program.
PR: New 'Farscape' season 2 DVD announced
Posted Tuesday, October 1, 2002, 12:01PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, October 1, 2002 - ADV Films has set a street date of December 3, 2002 for the release of Farscape: Season Two Volume 2.4, the fourth of five home video releases collecting the second season of Jim Henson Television and Hallmark Entertainment's award-winning series. TV Guide hailed the series as "The Best Sci-Fi on TV," and USA Today called Farscape "TV's Best Space Series."
SCI FI's controversial decision to cancel Farscape after wrapping production on its fourth season has left the series' large and devoted fan base in an uproar. That fan base, nurtured by airings in countries around the world-including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Sweden, France and Australia-has also made Farscape a successful merchandising franchise, with popular action figures, video games, comic books, novels, apparel and other items currently being manufactured by top licensees.
ADV Films' DVD and VHS releases of first season episodes stood on Billboard's Top 10 sales charts for over four months. Farscape: Season Two Volume 2.4 will be released on DVD and VHS in two-disc or two-cassette sets, for fans hungry to add the series to their collections.
Farscape: Season Two Volume 2.4 episodes:
"Beware of Dog"
A hostile beast on Moya attacks and poisons D'Argo. The crew must hunt down and capture the beast alive if Zhaan is to find the anti-venom and save D'Argo's life.
"Won't Get Fooled Again"
Crichton relives the launch of Farscape One, but instead of entering a wormhole, he blacks out and wakes up in a hospital bed on Earth. To his surprise, Aeryn appears as his doctor and Zhaan shows up as his psychiatrist! Crichton knows someone must be manipulating his mind. But who?
"The Locket"
When her Transport Pod returns from investigating a strange mist, Aeryn emerges as an old woman. She insists she has aged 160 cycles since leaving Moya - she's had a husband, even a granddaughter. When Crichton follows Aeryn back to her planet, he also becomes trapped in time and unable to return to Moya.
"The Ugly Truth"
Crais invites Moya's crew onboard Talyn to discuss disarming the young gunship - replacing his weapons with a non-lethal, Plokavian "Dampening Net." But as the Plokavian ship approaches, Talyn surprises everyone by destroying it. Crais and Talyn starburst away as angry Plokavians capture Moya's crew to execute the guilty party.
Farscape: Season Two Volume 2.4 ($39.98 SRP DVD, $19.98 SRP VHS) contains 2 discs or two tapes with 2 episodes each. Languages: English 5.1 & English 2.0. DVD-only extras include: Alien Encounters; Alien Races Part 1; Conceptual Drawings; Farscape Dictionary: Terms of the Uncharted Territories; Character Backstory: Ka D'Argo; Actor Biography: Anthony Simcoe; Deleted Scenes; Commentary for "Won't Get fooled Again;" and ADV Previews.
FARSCAPE: SEASON TWO VOLUME 2.4
Running Time: 210 minutes (DVD), 200 minutes (VHS)
Pre-Book Date: 11/5/02
Street Date: 12/3/02
Format SRP
DVD $39.98
VHS $19.98
PR: Newtype USA mag goes to press
Posted Monday, September 30, 2002, 7:05PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, September 30, 2002-The first issue (November 2002) of Newtype USA, the world's premiere English-language anime and manga magazine, has been completed and sent to print. The issue streets officially on October 15.
Newtype USA published a preview issue in July. Limited to fewer than 30,000 copies, the preview issue was distributed selectively at anime and comic conventions in the late summer, and received extensive positive feedback. That preview issue was, as promised, only a taste of what was to come; insiders are reporting that the first regular issue is a stunner.
"The magazine is beautiful; it's filled with incisive writing, and with incredible art from some of Japan's top illustrators," said Newtype USA Managing Editor Leigh Williams. "This is content that the English-language anime and manga fan community can't get anywhere else. We're thrilled finally to be able to bring this to them."
The November issue includes more than 200 large-format, full-color pages, along with postcards, a DVD insert and much more.
'Teen Titans' confirmed on Cartoon Network
Posted Monday, September 30, 2002, 12:01PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Following up on the success of its "Justice League" cartoon, Cartoon Network has announced that it will air a "Teen Titans" cartoon, too, reports Newsarama. "Teen Titans" will debut in 2003, according to the report: "The team will be made of the Titans of the Wolfman-Perez era with a few modifications, and include Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy (using his original Doom Patrol-era name which was changed to Changling in the Wolfman-Perez run and later changed back), Starfire and Raven.
"Kid Flash and any young character related to the Wonder Woman mythos apparently will not be memebers of the team, at least at its beginning."
'Constantine' movie gets new director
Posted Monday, September 30, 2002, 8:50AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Dark Worlds reports that music-video director Francis Lawrence will direct "Constantine," the long-troubled movie adaptation of DC Comics' "Hellblazer" series.
MTV's 'Spider-Man' cartoon casts rockers as villains
Posted Monday, September 30, 2002, 8:44AM CDT by Franklin Harris
It what seems to be an appropriate bit of casting, musicians Flea (The Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Rob Zombie will provide the voices of Electro and the Lizard, respectively, for MTV's upcoming "Amazing Spider-Man" cartoon series.
Source: Dark Horizons
Chabon writing 'Spider-Man' sequel script
Posted Monday, September 30, 2002, 8:38AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon ("The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay") is penning the script for "The Amazing Spider-Man," director Sam Raimi's follow-up to this year's blockbuster hit, "Spider-Man."
'Captain Harlock' movie in the works?
Posted Monday, September 30, 2002, 8:35AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons posted this tantalizing tidbit this morning: "Captain Harlock: Olivier Dahan will direct the French feature according to Coyote Magazine."
UPDATE: Thomas Maksymowicz of Coyote Magazine e-mailed to confirm that the movie will be a live-action adaptation of the Japanese anime series, ?Space Pirate Captain Harlock? by Leiji Matsumoto.
PR: ADV shops anime properties at licensing fair
Posted Friday, September 20, 2002, 5:36PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, September 20, 2002-ADV Films, the leading distributor of anime and genre live action programming in the English-speaking world, today announced a partial list of the global licensing opportunities the firm will have available at MIPCOM 2002, the annual international licensing fair to be held in Cannes, France October 7th through 11th, 2002. Aimed primarily at the international television market, MIPCOM features representatives of the TV broadcasting, TV production & distribution industries, DVD and video producers and distributors, Internet and new media companies, advertising firms, licensing and merchandising firms and myriad collateral service providers.
ADV Films, to be located at MIPCOM Booth 11.01, has scores of titles available to be licensed for broadcast and distribution in markets across the globe. Apart from these television and home video rights, ADV Films is also offering merchandising, game and other rights for licensing.
"We're offering titles in numerous genres, in numerous formats, with availability in Europe, Africa, Australasia, Central and South America and more," said ADV Films President, CEO and Founder John Ledford. "The quality and distinction of our titles is unmatched in the industry, and we have extensive ancillary opportunities available as well."
"The strength of our available properties this year is really unprecedented," said Griffin Vance of ADV's licensing division. "MIPCOM is the ideal one-stop setting for meeting potential licensees and for discussing the exciting opportunities each of our properties has to offer."
Complete Properties
Television, Home Video, Merchandising and Game rights are available for these and other ADV titles:
· "Lady Death" The Movie Animation 1 x 72 minutes
· "Kaleido Star" Anime 26 episodes x approx. 25 minutes
· "The Super Milk Show" Animation 13 eps x approx. 25 minutes + 14 eps x 5 minutes
· "SIN" The Movie Animation 1 x approximately 50 minutes
· "Rahxephon" Anime 26 episodes x approx. 25 minutes
· "Noir" Anime 26 episodes x 25 minutes
· "Neon Genesis Evangelion" Anime 26 episodes x 30 minutes
· "Bubblegum Crisis-Tokyo 2040" Anime 26 episodes x 30 minutes
Properties In Active Production
Co-Production, Investment and Pre-Sale Opportunities are available for:
· "Honor Harrington" Live action TV series 22 episodes x 50 minutes.
· "Mutineer's Moon" High-quality animated TV series of 26 episodes x approx. 25 minutes.
· "Farscape: The Animated Series" Anime 26 episodes x approx. 25 minutes.
· "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2041" Anime 26 episodes x approx. 25 minutes.
For Licensing and all other Inquiries:
Please contact:
Griffin Vance, Tel. +1.713.341.7142; Fax +1.713.341.7192
Heather Swan, Tel. +1.713.341.7159; Fax. +1.713.341.7199
Email licensing@advfilms.com
PR: ADV picks up rights to 'Hello Kitty'
Posted Friday, September 20, 2002, 5:30PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, September 20, 2002-ADV Films today announced the acquisition of rights to distribute the series "Hello Kitty's Paradise" on VHS and DVD. Detailing the adventures of legendary Sanrio character Hello Kitty, her best friend Mimi and their friends from school, the series is a joyful take on childhood adventures, with a healthy smattering of educational content about such important skills as sharing, having good table manners, writing letters and being polite.
"Hello Kitty's Paradise" is another successful part of the Sanrio Company's wildly popular Hello Kitty(r) franchise, built around the adorable, instantly recognizable kitten character. Episodes of "Hello Kitty's Paradise" include "A Blooming Good Morning," "Kitty's Clean Cuisine," "Streetwise," "A Day Out with Dad," "Minding Manners" and more.
" 'Hello Kitty's Paradise' is a standout example of the type of spirited, high-quality content that is synonymous with Sanrio's Hello Kitty(r) brand," said ADV President, CEO and Founder John Ledford. "We're very pleased to be able to bring 'Hello Kitty's Paradise' to the home video market, and expect that this title will create many thousands of new Hello Kitty(r) fans."
"Hello Kitty's Paradise" is in 16 half-hour episodes. ADV Films plans to release the title concurrently on VHS and DVD. The DVDs will be in child-friendly plug-and-play format-no menu navigation necessary. Release will be in sequential multi-episode volumes.
"Hello Kitty's Paradise" will be available through ADV's website and other on-line outlets, and in the children's section of major retailers coast-to-coast. ADV further hopes to make the title available in Sanrio boutique stores across the country.
No release date has been specified at this time, but ADV is targeting a Q4 2002 release.
PR: New 'Sakura Wars' comes to DVD on Nov. 26
Posted Friday, September 20, 2002, 5:26PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, September 19, 2002-ADV Films has set a street date of November 26, 2002 for the DVD release of Sakura Wars Vol 2: Wedding Bells, the second volume of the continuing original video animation (OVA), containing three complete episodes and starring the indomitable girls of the Imperial Flower Combat Troupe. Set in the 1920s, and in the wake of the Imperial Flower Combat Troupe's successful defense of the Earth against demonic invaders, the Sakura Wars OVA tells the story of the team's adjustment to a different kind of test-the pressures of stardom, as they go on tour as a musical comedy troupe. Naturally, there's still lots of action and excitement.
Captain Ohgami is leaving the Imperial Flower Combat Troupe, and it's clear he may not be the only one who's saying farewell. But whom is Sakura marrying? And why does it seem she herself is against the wedding? Can the Imperial Troupe rescue her before it's too late? Does she even want to be rescued?
For Sakura, returning home is a demanding journey. Can she reconcile herself to the death of her father, whose destiny compelled him to give his life in the Demon Wars? And what about her own destiny? Will she carry on the Shinguji legacy? Find out in the awesome conclusion of Sakura Wars!
Sakura Wars: Wedding Bells ($24.98 SRP) is a DVD-only release including three complete episodes, with both English- and Japanese-language versions and English subtitles. DVD extras include clean opening animation; production sketches; character bios; original Japanese artwork; original Japanese promos; a special printed poster with Japanese staff interviews on reverse side; and ADV Previews.
Running Time: 90 minutes; Age Rating: 7+
Pre-Book Date: 10/29/02
Street Date: 11/26/02
Format SRP
DVD $24.98
PR: 'Excel Saga' Vol. 3 DVD hits on Nov. 5
Posted Friday, September 20, 2002, 5:24PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, September 19, 2002 - ADV Films has set a street date of November 5, 2002 for Excel Saga: When Excels Strike (Out), the third volume of the popular and outrageously bizarre anime satire.
The one-of-a-kind Excel Saga is best described as the ultimate parody of anime. From the opening credits-a hilarious spoof of Japanese pop videos-to the ending song, featuring Menchi the dog singing/barking a plaintive ballad while a human interpreter translates for viewers, nothing is sacred in the world of Excel Saga.
Excel Excel, secret agent and agent of disaster, and her trustworthy (though decidedly unhealthy) fellow agent Hyatt are back, and once again they're out to conquer the city of F for the glory of the secret ideological agency of ACROSS! Whether they're up against murderous monkeys, possessed detectives, or the unusually inflamed, you can bet they'll give it their all or die trying. In fact, you can usually bet on the latter. The most deranged duo to ever dangle their derrières in the naked face of death return in the excruciatingly hilarious third volume of EXCEL SAGA!
Excel Saga: When Excels Strike (Out) ($29.98 SRP) collects four complete episodes of the highly popular comedy series in English, as well as the Japanese-language version with English subtitles. DVD extras include A.D. Vid-notes(tm) (a great Pop-Up Video-style feature that gives behind-the-scenes info and explains some of the cultural references the series presents), an interview with Director Shinichi Watanabe, production sketches, the "Find the Mint" game, Menchi recipes and ADV Previews.
Running Time: 100 Minutes; Age Rating: 17+
Pre-Book Date: 10/8/02
Street Date: 11/5/02
Format SRP
DVD $29.98
PR: Marvel, Vivendi sign online game agreement
Posted Friday, September 20, 2002, 5:20PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: NEW YORK (September 19, 2002) - Vivendi Universal Publishing (VU Publishing) and Marvel Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:MVL) announced today a 10-year worldwide licensing agreement which grants VU Publishing's Games division (VU Games) the right to develop and publish online massively multi-player (OLMMP) games based on Marvel's universe of more than 4,700 superheroes. The first OLMMP title under the new agreement is targeted for release in 2005. The announcement was made jointly by VU Games Chairman and CEO Ken Cron and Marvel COO Bill Jemas.
The comprehensive deal provides VU Games with access to the entire library of Marvel characters, as well as its worldwide fan base - a large percentage of which comprise the same demographic as the core gaming audience. Additionally, VU Games has obtained the rights to release titles in multiple languages across all existing and future platforms enabling OLMMP game play, including PCs and console-based systems.
OLMMP games, which allow thousands of players to interact online simultaneously, represent a key area of growth for the multi-billion dollar video game industry. Marvel and VU Games will share in revenues generated by subscription fees, product sales and in-game advertising.
"We believe there are only a few franchises existing today that are compelling enough to be a leader in the massively multi-player games market and Marvel's universe of superheroes is clearly one of them," said Ken Cron, Chairman and CEO of Vivendi Universal Games. "Marvel's enduring characters and fantasy-based storylines appeal to millions of fans worldwide. Its audience spans several generations and includes legions of consumers devoted to its comic books, TV shows and blockbuster movies. The combination of Marvel's strong character franchises with VU Games' global development and marketing capabilities is good news for both companies and great news for gamers," continued Cron.
"Marvel wanted to make an aggressive move to establish a strong presence in the burgeoning online gaming arena, and this relationship with VU Games puts us right on the ground floor," Marvel COO Bill Jemas said. "Marvel is perfectly suited to massively multi-player gaming as we are a 'universe' unto ourselves. Our fans like to live and breathe their favorite characters and this gives them the opportunity to do that 24 hours a day if they like. Our superheroes have been extremely successful in the video game world as evidenced by the best-selling status of our Spider-Man, X-Men and Blade franchises. By every measure, this is by far the largest and best electronic game deal in the history of Marvel."
This online project marks the latest partnership between Marvel and VU Games, which is also developing next generation video games inspired by The Hulk feature film.
'Superman' beats 'Batman vs Superman'
Posted Monday, September 16, 2002, 5:49AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to The New York Times, the new "Superman" film scripted by J.J. Abrams ("Alias") is on the fast track, with Warner Bros. hoping the film will lead to a trilogy. The Times also says that Warner Bros. will name Brett Ratner ("Red Dragon") as the film's director this week. If so, Ratner would replace previously named director McG ("Charlie's Angels"). Meanwhile, the "Batman vs. Superman" film has fallen into Development Hell. As previously reported, Wolfgang Petersen, who was set to direct "Batman vs. Superman," has moved on to another project.
'Apes' actress Kim Hunter dies at 79
Posted Wednesday, September 11, 2002, 8:35PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Oscar-winning actress Kim Hunter, who portrayed the compassionate ape scientist Zira in three "Planet of the Apes" films in the late '60s and early '70s, died Wednesday of a heart attack. She was 79.
'Futurama' to Cartoon Network in Jan.
Posted Wednesday, September 11, 2002, 8:26PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Matt Groening's animated series "Futurama" will have a new home starting in January, as it becomes part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block on Sunday nights. Cartoon Network will air the 72 existing episodes under a 5-year, $10-million, non-exclusive deal, reports Toon Zone.
'Dragon's Lair' animated movie goes forward
Posted Monday, September 9, 2002, 9:30AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Animation director Don Bluth says that production is moving forward on an animated "Dragon's Lair" feature film, based on the 1980s video game and Saturday-morning cartoon series. Bluth says he hopes the movie will be ready for a Thanksgiving/Christmas 2004 release, but it doesn't yet have a distributor. He added that "Dragon's Lair" will be traditional animation, not computer animation.
Source: Dark Horizons
'House of Usher' adaptation gets distributor
Posted Monday, September 9, 2002, 9:23AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Descendant, Descendant," a modern-day retelling of Poe's "Fall of the House of Usher," will be distributed worldwide by Mainline Releasing. The film stars Katherine Heigl ("Roswell"), Jeremy London and Nick Stabile.
Source: Crashdown
Portman not filming new 'Jedi' footage
Posted Sunday, September 8, 2002, 9:52AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Star Wars" producer Rick McCallum has debunked the rumor that Natalie Portman filmed scenes to be inserted into the eventual DVD release of "Return of the Jedi."
"What planet are you from? No. There would be no reason to do that," McCallum told the official "Star Wars" Web site.
Sci-Fi Channel cancels 'Farscape'; fans protest
Posted Sunday, September 8, 2002, 9:08AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Inexplicably, The Sci-Fi Channel has decided to cancel its highest-rated and most critically acclaimed original series, "Farscape." During an online chat, executive producers David Kemper and Richard Manning and series star Ben Browder confirmed that Sci-Fi has declined to exercise its option for a fifth season. Fans have launched an online campaign to save "Farscape."
'Witchblade' TV series gets the ax
Posted Wednesday, September 4, 2002, 5:32AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to Variety, TNT has canceled "Witchblade," based on the Top Cow comic book of the same name and starring Yancy Butler as a police detective who wields a mystical weapon.
'Lady Death' anime still on track
Posted Tuesday, August 27, 2002, 5:23AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Despite the demise of Chaos! Comics, the flagship Chaos! character is still getting her movie. ICv2.com reports that ADV Films' animated "Lady Death" movie is going forward. ADV hopes the 72-minute film, now being animated in Korea, will be ready for direct-to-DVD release for Halloween 2003.
Nickelodeon to air new 'Speed Racer'
Posted Saturday, August 17, 2002, 8:33AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The 1997, Japanese-produced remake of "Speed Racer" will air on Nickelodeon begining August 25, reports Toon Zone. This is not the same series as the American-produced "Speed Racer," which aired in 1993.
Chaos Comics to close shop, sell assets
Posted Saturday, August 17, 2002, 8:24AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Chaos Comics, which has published the adventures of Lady Death, Evil Ernie and other characters for almost a decade, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy Friday, according to Newsarama. Chaos Publisher Brian Pulido said the company will not reorganize. "Chapter 11 is what Marvel [Comics] did ? it's bankruptcy protection for reorganization," Pulido told Newsarama. "What we're doing is Chapter 7, which is bankruptcy for liquidation ? it's selling all assets. We're done. That's that."
Pulido did not say how the sale of Chaos assets, including characters, might affect the animated "Lady Death" film in production at ADV Films.
'Femme Fatale' set for November 17
Posted Tuesday, August 13, 2002, 12:35PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Brian De Palma's latest film, "Femme Fatale," starring Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Antonio Banderas, finally has a release date. Warner Bros. plans to open the movie in North America on November 17.
'Batman vs. Superman' will wait on 'Troy'
Posted Tuesday, August 13, 2002, 12:30PM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Batman vs. Superman" won't go before the cameras early next year as previously planned. That is because its director, Wolfgang Petersen, is directing "Troy," a film adaptation of Homer's "Iliad," first. "Troy" is set for release in 2004. Petersen, however, will continue pre-production work on "Batman vs. Superman" in the meantime.
Wildstorm to produce new 'Robotech' comic
Posted Thursday, August 1, 2002, 6:50PM CDT by Franklin Harris
'Escape from New York' goes anime
Posted Thursday, August 1, 2002, 8:13AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Just in case you missed it buried in yesterday's press release about the upcoming comic book based on Snake Plissken, the main character in the film "Escape From New York," director John Carpenter's one-eyed anti-hero will also star in an anime-style sequel to the "Escape" films. Kurt Russel will provide the voice for the character he played in "Escape From New York" and "Escape From L.A."
'Clones' attack Nov. 11 on DVD
Posted Thursday, August 1, 2002, 5:32AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The special edition DVD of "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" arrives on Nov. 11 with a retail price of $29.98. DVD File.com has the full specs for the 2-disc set, which will be available in separate widescreen and pan-and-scan versions.
PR: Carpenter's Snake Plissken comes to comics
Posted Wednesday, July 31, 2002, 6:25AM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: STUDIO CITY, CA -- July 28, 2002 -- Hurricane Entertainment has partnered with the legendary talents of Director John Carpenter, Producer Debra Hill and Actor Kurt Russell to produce a new comic book series based on the continuing adventures of their infamous anti-hero SNAKE PLISSKEN. Plissken is the lead character of the 1981 classic science fiction film ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK.
The series, entitled JOHN CARPENTER'S SNAKE PLISSKEN CHRONICLES, will premiere in the Spring of 2003. Tone Rodriguez, penciller on the breakout comic VIOLENT MESSIAHS, from Image Comics, will draw the series in his trademark hyper-realistic, gritty style. When asked about what he thought of Tone's sketches Carpenter responded "They?re great. We?ve got a great artist here. I grew up with comic books, going way back, and I was always interested in the art. So I?m very delighted, very delighted."
Hurricane Partner William O'Neill will write "Snake". William is best known as the co-creator of the hit series VIOLENT MESSIAHS and the fan favorite CHASSIS, a recent Wizard Magazine treasure chest pick. Jan Utstein-O'Neill, CEO of Hurricane, which produces the aforementioned comics, adds, "We are very excited at the potential of this project and the chance to work with such esteemed talent as John, Debra and Kurt. It's not often that you get the opportunity to take such a well known and an iconic figure as Snake and explore new adventures along with his Creators."
The comic series, which begins "Early the next day..." continues the first story of Snake Plissken a once respected, highly decorated "Defender of the American Dream" who encountered a nightmare, the likes of which no one could ever image, or experience. What emerged is a man who is not a loner, but one who realizes that we are all, in fact, alone?and he is completely comfortable in this knowledge. Snake is a cool, dark and dangerous escape "Artist" - who always gets the last laugh, because he ultimately knows that the joke is on himself.
This comic book is only one part of a much larger launch that will be revealed in the coming months. The deal was brokered and packaged by Kevin Cleary and Josh Morris of ACME Talent and Literary in Los Angeles. According to Debra Hill "Our goal is to brand SNAKE PLISSKEN like other movie or comic book icons such as Spider-Man, Batman and Superman starting with the new Comic from Hurricane. In addition to the comic, 2003 and 2004 will see a release of novels, a Japanese Anime feature and a video game. A new DVD collection of ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK will be coming out next spring from MGM. It will feature missing footage, lots of new commentary and interviews from the original "Escapees" as well as some surprises that will make Snake fans very happy."
The first step in this launch is a "Sneak Preview" book. This book, filled with Tone's gripping art and an exclusive interview with John Carpenter, will be available for the first time at the San Diego Comic Con. The San Diego Comic Con will be held at the San Diego Convention Center, August 1-4th and is the largest comic book related event in North America. Debra Hill, who's Writing and Producing credits also include the HALLOWEEN films, THE FOG and THE FISHER KING will be signing copies, along with Tone and William, on Friday, August 2nd at the Hurricane booth, # 1235c, come by the booth to check for exact times.
Gaiman announces 'Coraline' movie
Posted Wednesday, July 24, 2002, 5:24AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Neil Gaiman announced on his Web site that a live-action movie based on his new children's book, "Coraline," is in the works: "The official press release about the Coraline movie should be going out in the next day or so, telling the world that Henry 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Selick will be directing it (and wrote the script), for Bill Mechanic's Pandemonium films, to be distributed by Disney, and starring Michelle Pfeiffer as the mother and the other mother, and that it will start shooting in early 2003 for a late 2003 release."
Leo McKern dies at 82
Posted Tuesday, July 23, 2002, 9:37AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Actor Leo McKern, who appeared in "The Omen" and was one of the many No. 2s on "The Prisoner," has died at the age of 82, according to a report at Dark Horizons.
'Dead Zone' gets second season
Posted Tuesday, July 23, 2002, 5:36AM CDT by Franklin Harris
USA Network's surprise hit series "Dead Zone," based on the Stephen King novel, has been renewed for a second season, according to Variety.
Mia Sara joins 'Birds of Prey' TV
Posted Sunday, July 21, 2002, 8:43AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Mia Sara ("Legend," "Timecop") has joined the cast of the WB's new series, "Birds of Prey." She is replacing Sherilyn Fenn in the role of Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn. (Fenn dropped out after the show's producers decided to expand her character's role.) "Birds of Prey" is based on the DC Comics book of the same name.
Source: Toon Zone
Frakes to direct live-action 'Thunderbirds'
Posted Friday, July 19, 2002, 12:12PM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to Variety, Jonathan Frakes (Cmdr. Riker on "Star Trek: The Next Generation") will direct a live-action version of "Thunderbirds," based on Gerry Anderson's "supermarionation" TV series. Production on the Universal Studios film should begin early next year.
DreamWorks picks up 'Millennium Actress'
Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2002, 6:30AM CDT by Franklin Harris
DreamWorks has purchased the worldwide (except Asia) distribution rights to the anime film "Millennium Actress," directed by Satoshi Kon ("Perfect Blue"), according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Ang Lee will direct 'Crouching Tiger' prequel
Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2002, 6:22AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to the China Post, Ang Lee will direct a prequel to his acclaimed film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" next year, after his work on "The Hulk" is complete. Lee plans for Jet Li to take over the role of Li Mubai, played by Chow Yun Fat in the first film.
Raimi to produce another comic-book film
Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2002, 6:13AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Sam Raimi ("Spider-Man") will produce, but not direct, "30 Days Of Night," based on the three-issue comic-book miniseries of the same name. The movie is about a small town near the Arctic Circle that falls under attack by vampires. This is a really bad thing for the town, as nights that far north are a month long, hence the title.
Source: ICv2.com
'Alien vs. Predator' movie has writer/director
Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2002, 6:06AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that another long-in-development movie is finally going forward. Paul Anderson ("Resident Evil") will write and direct "Alien vs. Predator" for 20th Century Fox.
'Spider-Man' comes home Nov. 1
Posted Monday, July 15, 2002, 6:31AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The two-disc "Spider-Man" DVD hits stores on Nov. 1. The extras will include: costume and make-up tests with Tobey Maguire, interviews with director Sam Raimi, Stan Lee and "an extensive history of Marvel's superhero character."
Source: Cinescape
USA plans new 'Night Gallery'
Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002, 5:44AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The USA Network is reviving the Rod Serling television series "Night Gallery." The stories for the anthology series will include both new material and remakes of stories from the original "Night Gallery."
Source: The Sci-Fi Wire
Sci-Fi Channel developing new 'Quantum Leap,' 'Tremors'
Posted Thursday, July 11, 2002, 5:38AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The Sci-Fi channel is developing a two-hour TV movie based on "Quantum Leap." If successful, the movie could lead to a new "Quantum Leap" TV series.
Also, Sci-Fi is developing a TV series based on the "Tremors" movie series.
Source: The Sci-Fi Wire
'Batman vs. Superman' gets a director and a go
Posted Tuesday, July 9, 2002, 6:38AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Wolfgang Petersen has officially signed to direct "Batman vs. Superman," a live-action feature pitting the world's two best-known superheroes against each other. Warner Bros. has greenlit the movie and plans to release it in 2004.
Meanwhile, Darren Aronofsky?s "Batman: Year One" and McG's "Superman" project continue to move forward slowly.
Sources: Variety and Cinescape
'Transformers' movie on the way?
Posted Tuesday, July 9, 2002, 6:28AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Hasbro has confirmed that an undisclosed party has purchased the feature-film rights to "The Transformers." But the toy company did not say if the film would be animation or live-action.
Source: Coming Attractions
Farrell joins 'S.W.A.T.' cast
Posted Tuesday, July 9, 2002, 6:21AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Colin Farrell has signed to star opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the movie version of "S.W.A.T.," based on the '70s TV series.
New 'Swamp Thing' movie in works
Posted Tuesday, July 9, 2002, 5:46AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Len Wein, who created Swamp Thing for DC Comics, is working on a script for a third "Swamp Thing" movie. Unlike the two previous films, however, this one will remain faithful to tone of the comics. (Unfortunately, the project is at Joel Silver's Silver Pictures, and Silver has demonstrated a talent for ruining comic-book properties.)
Source: Comics2Film
Head not up for 'Doctor Who'
Posted Wednesday, July 3, 2002, 9:55AM CDT by Franklin Harris
What did I tell you about "Doctor Who" revival stories? Well, the latest story, that Anthony Head ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") would play the Doctor in a BBC revival of the beloved sci-fi series, turned out to be just another ill-founded rumor.
Source: Dark Horizons
PR: ADV Films to publish Newtype mag in U.S.
Posted Tuesday, July 2, 2002, 6:40PM CDT by Franklin Harris
PRESS RELEASE: HOUSTON, July 2, 2002 ? A.D. Vision, Inc. (?ADV?), the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation in North America, is proud to announce the signing of a long term agreement with top Japanese publisher and multimedia company Kadokawa Shoten, LTD. to localize, publish and distribute an English language version of Japan's premiere anime magazine, Newtype, on an exclusive basis throughout America and the English speaking world.
Newtype USA will make its anticipated debut with a special collector?s edition ?Convention Teaser? at July?s Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California and the San Diego Comic-Con International in August. The first newsstand edition of Newtype USA will go on sale this fall, and will be available through subscription and at specialty stores across the nation.
?We?re absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Newtype to America,? ADV President and CEO John Ledford said. ?It?s a tremendous magazine, and something we?ve needed here for a long time. American fans have been clamoring for years to get a magazine that offered a comprehensive look at the world of anime, up close and in depth. What better way to give them what they want than by bringing over Japan?s authority on the subject? This is going to rock the anime industry to its very foundation.?
Newtype has a monthly circulation of over 300,000 in Japan. ADV?s marketing push for the magazine will reach potential subscribers through the upcoming Newtype website (www.newtype-usa.com), through ADV?s massive customer database and through subscription cards inserted into the company?s DVD titles. ADV forecasts over 1,000,000 new readers within the first two years of publishing.
With its comprehensive coverage and stylistic portrayal of the anime industry, the Newtype brand appeals both to the established fan base and to new initiates to the genre, and has played a tremendous part in the success of many top anime properties over its publishing history. Exposure from Newtype?s regular manga reprints, a tradition that will be carried on in Newtype USA, has also turned many manga titles into successful entertainment franchises.
Newtype USA will be unlike any other anime magazine available today, in that it will be published in the Japanese right-to-left format, instead of the traditional English-language left-to-right format.
?We thought we could really enhance the reading experience by having Newtype USA mirror its counterpart?s format,? Ledford said. ?I think it will be a really unique, fun thing that the fans will enjoy.?
The Convention Teaser features a cover story on Japan?s hottest television anime series, ?RahXephon,? spotlights on popular new American anime imports, feature stories on Japanese culture, behind the scenes interviews with creative talent, the English language premiere of the Full Metal Panic manga, and much more.
'Freddy vs. Jason' to film this year
Posted Tuesday, July 2, 2002, 1:05PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Cinescape confirms reports that the long-awaited (long-dreaded?) horror team-up "Freddy vs. Jason" will go before the cameras later this year.
Head to star in new 'Doctor Who' series?
Posted Tuesday, July 2, 2002, 10:07AM CDT by Franklin Harris
PeopleNews reports that Anthony Head ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") is the frontrunner for the role of the time-travelling Time Lord in a new "Doctor Who" series to air on the BBC next year.
Standard disclaimer: All "Doctor Who" news is to be treated as rumor until you see the finished product on television.
'G.I. Joe' to air on Cartoon Network late night
Posted Wednesday, June 26, 2002, 12:50PM CDT by Franklin Harris
QKTheatre is reporting that Cartoon Network will air 30 episodes of the 1980s "G.I. Joe" at midnight Central Time for six weeks starting July 1. If this trial run is successful, then Cartoon Network will pick up additional "G.I. Joe" episodes.
'Blade' television series in the works
Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2002, 4:23PM CDT by Franklin Harris
David S. Goyer, writer of the two "Blade" films and their upcoming sequel, says he is preparing a "Blade" TV series pitch. The series would air after the third, and presumably final, "Blade" movie hits theaters.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
Cox really is in 'X-Men 2' ... maybe
Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2002, 6:49AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Now Coming Attractions says Brian Cox ("Manhunter") will be in the "X-Men" sequel after all.
'Spider-Man' DVD due No. 12?
Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2002, 6:41AM CDT by Franklin Harris
DVD File reports that "Spider-Man" may hit DVD on Nov. 12 as a 2-disc, special-edition set.
'Episode II' DVD due on Nov. 26
Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2002, 6:35AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to TheForce.net, some retailers, including Suncoast and Sam Goody, are taking pre-orders for the "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" 2-disc DVD, which reportedly has a street date of Nov. 26.
Image to publish 'He-Man' comics
Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2002, 6:27AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Cinescape reports that MV Creations, a studio affiliated with Image Comics, has obtained the exclusive license to publish "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" comic books. The first issue will be published in November.
Chan to go 'Around the World in 80 Days'
Posted Friday, June 21, 2002, 6:26AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that Jackie Chan will star in a new film adaptation of Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days." Frank Coraci will direct.
Wingfield to play 'X2' bad guy
Posted Thursday, June 20, 2002, 5:42PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Peter Wingfield (Methos on the "Highlander" TV series) will play an evil henchman in the "X-Men" sequel, according to Wingfield's official fan club Web site.
'Buffy' may return for 8th season
Posted Thursday, June 20, 2002, 5:29PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Despite reports that "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" will end after its upcoming seventh season, executive producer Marti Noxon says an eighth year is likely, even though Sarah Michelle Gellar's contract will be up. "It would be very hard to continue the show without her, but they might try," Noxon told The Sci-Fi Wire.
'Scooby' sequel in the pipe
Posted Wednesday, June 19, 2002, 9:29PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that a sequel to the live-action "Scooby-Doo" movie is already in the works.
Connery back for 'Indy 4'
Posted Wednesday, June 19, 2002, 9:27PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Steven Spielberg confirms that Sean Connery will return as Indiana Jones' dad in the fourth "Indiana Jones" movie.
Source: IGN FilmForce
'Texas Chainsaw' gets stars, director
Posted Wednesday, June 19, 2002, 9:14PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that producer Michael Bay's remake of 1975's "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" will star Jessica Biel ("7th Heaven") and Eric Balfour ("24"). Marcus Nispel will direct from a script by Scott Kosar.
Brian Cox not in 'X-Men' sequel?
Posted Wednesday, June 19, 2002, 8:58PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Coming Attractions reports that Brian Cox will not appear in the "X-Men" sequel, "X2," after all.
Aquaman returns from dead, gets solo title
Posted Wednesday, June 19, 2002, 8:53AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Aquaman is not only returning from the dead (no surprise there), he is also getting yet another chance at his own comic book. The new "Aquaman" series will debut in December, with Rick Veitch ("Greyshirt") writing and Yvel Guichet and Mark Propst providing the art.
Source: Newsarama
Brian Cox joins 'X-Men 2' cast
Posted Wednesday, June 19, 2002, 6:37AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Brian Cox ("Manhunter") has joined the cast of the "X-Men" sequel, "X2," as Stryker, "a villainous ex-Army commander who holds the key to Wolverine's past."
Source: Comics2Film
Peta Wilson joins 'Extraordinary Gentlemen'
Posted Wednesday, June 19, 2002, 6:32AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that Peta Wilson has joined the cast of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" as Mina Harker, replacing Monica Bellucci, who had to drop out of the production because her current project is behind schedule. Wilson is best known for starring in the cable-TV version of "La Femme Nikita."
'Underdog' to fly to movie theaters
Posted Friday, June 14, 2002, 1:12PM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to Variety, Spyglass Entertainment has purchased the movie rights to "Underdog" and plans to feature the classic cartoon character in a live-action/CGI film. IGN FilmForce has more on this unlikely revival.
Stuart Moore parts ways with Marvel
Posted Friday, June 14, 2002, 1:04PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Editor Stuart Moore, who heads up Marvel Comics' Marvel Knights imprint and is one of the driving forces behind the MAX mature-readers line, is leaving Marvel Comics, according to numerous sources, including Cinescape.
Will Smith passes on ID4 sequel
Posted Friday, June 14, 2002, 1:01PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Plans for a sequel to the film "Independence Day" are moving forward, but Will Smith, one of the original's three lead actors, says count him out, according to Cinescape Online.
'Naked Killer' sequel in the works
Posted Friday, June 14, 2002, 12:57PM CDT by Franklin Harris
MonkeyPeaches reports that director Wong Jing will begin shooting later this month on "Naked Weapon," a semi-sequel to the Hong Kong action classic "Naked Killer." According to the story, "This 'sequel' will continue what made the original a cult film -- combination of lesbianism and classic Hong Kong actions."
Hugh Jackman up for 'Van Helsing'
Posted Friday, June 14, 2002, 12:53PM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hugh Jackman ("X-Men") is in negotiations to play Bram Stoker's vampire hunter, Abraham Van Helsing, in a movie for director Stephen Sommers ("The Mummy"). "Van Helsing" would pit the title character against Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster and the Wolf Man. (It looks like Sommers is going the "monstery rally" route with his next film.)
'Extraordinary Gentlemen' cast shakeup
Posted Thursday, June 13, 2002, 9:55AM CDT by Franklin Harris
IGN FilmForce reports that Italian actress Monica Bellucci has dropped out of the cast of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." Also, Richard Roxburgh is not playing Campion Bond as previously reported, but the film's villain, The Fantom (who doesn't appear in Alan Moore's LoEG comic books). The roles of Campion Bond and Mina Harker remain uncast. However, a Captain Nemo has been chosen. Indian actor to Naseeruddin Shah ("Monsoon Wedding") will play the Jules Verne character.
'Babylon 5' season 1 to DVD this year
Posted Thursday, June 13, 2002, 5:34AM CDT by Franklin Harris
ICv2.com reports that the first season of "Babylon 5" will come to DVD later this year. Series creator J. Michael Straczynski will provide commentaries for up to three episodes.
'X-Men 2''s Kitty Pryde is cast
Posted Tuesday, June 11, 2002, 9:09PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Seventeen-year-old actress Katie Stuart has been cast as Kitty Pryde in the "X-Men" sequel, "X2."
Butler back on the set of 'Witchblade'
Posted Tuesday, June 11, 2002, 9:05PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that Yancy Butler is out of alcohol rehab and back on the set on TNT's "Witchblade."
Fraser to star in live-action 'Looney Tunes' film
Posted Tuesday, June 11, 2002, 12:03PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that Brendan Fraser will star in "Looney Tunes: Back in Action," a live-action/animation combo feature co-starring Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang. It will begin production July 29 for a November 2003 release.
New 'He-Man' cartoon debuts Aug. 16
Posted Tuesday, June 11, 2002, 6:40AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The new "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" cartoon series will debut on Cartoon Network on Aug. 16, according to Toon Zone. It will debut with a 90-minute special, to air at 3 p.m. CT.
Starting Aug. 23, the 26-episode series will air each Friday as part of the Toonami block. It will air every weekday beginning in November.
Viz to publish American version of 'Shonen Jump'
Posted Tuesday, June 11, 2002, 6:23AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Viz Comics will publish an American version of Japan's most popular manga anthology magazine, Shonen Jump, according to reports in the New York Post and Newsarama.
Shonen Jump sells 3.4 million copies each week in Japan. Viz will publish its version monthly beginning in November. The magazine will run 250 pages and retail for $4.95. Viz plans to debut the magazine at 100,000 copies a month and hopes to reach a circulation of 1 million within three years.
The U.S. magazine will reprint "Dragonball Z" and "Yu-Gi-Oh" stories. Other included titles will be from the Japanese version's library.
Bruckheimer to produce 'Micronauts' movie
Posted Tuesday, June 11, 2002, 5:34AM CDT by Franklin Harris
ICv2.com reports that Jerry Bruckheimer will produce a live-action film based on the Micronauts toy line.
'Antz' writer to pen live-action 'Samurai Jack'
Posted Monday, June 10, 2002, 10:03AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Todd Alcott ("Antz") will write the script for New Line Cinema's live-action feature version of "Samurai Jack," based on Cartoon Network's animated TV series. Previous reports had been that series creator Genndy Tartakovsky would pen the screenplay.
New 'Transformers' debuts Aug. 30
Posted Saturday, June 8, 2002, 9:31AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The new "Transformers" cartoon series, "Transformers: Armada," will debut Aug. 30 on Cartoon Network. The 52-episode series will air Fridays at 5:30 p.m. CT. It will air each weekday beginning in November.
Source: Toon Zone
Frankenheimer out as 'Exorcist' prequel director
Posted Thursday, June 6, 2002, 3:51PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Due to pending back surgery, John Frankenheimer is out as the director of the "Exorcist" prequel film. A new director has yet to be named.
Source: IGN FilmForce
Wonder Twin powers, activate???
Posted Thursday, June 6, 2002, 3:15PM CDT by Franklin Harris
I hope you're sitting down for this one: Warner Bros. has obtained the movie rights to -- get this -- The Wonder Twins.
Yes, you read that right: The Wonder Twins. Zan and Jayna and their pet space monkey, Gleek.
Every DC Comics property is in Development Hell, so instead Warner Bros. promises (threatens?) to give us a pair of "Superfriends" sidekicks in their very own live-action movie. The twins are creations of Hanna Barbara, inserted into the "Superfriends" cartoon alongside such DC mainstays as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, to add some youth appeal and humor to the show.
But it could be worse. It could be Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter and Cinescape Online
Both new and old 'Outer Limits' come to DVD in Sept.
Posted Thursday, June 6, 2002, 10:16AM CDT by Franklin Harris
MGM will begin releasing "The Outer Limits" on DVD in September, reports ICv2.com. First, there will be two collections of episodes from the new "Outer Limits," both organized by theme: "The Outer Limits: Sex and Science Fiction" and "The Outer Limits: Time Travel and Infinity," each containing six episodes. Then there will be a four-disc set containing the first season of the original "Outer Limits," including episodes like "The Man Who Was Never Born" and "The Bellero Shield." The set will retail for $79.96, and the two theme discs will retail for $14.95 each.
Lopez to star in superhero comedy
Posted Tuesday, June 4, 2002, 6:24PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Jennifer Lopez will star in the superhero comedy "Shrink" for Columbia Pictures, according to Variety. She will play an ex-superheroine turned psychotherapist whose patients are all other superheroes. The movie is reportedly based on an idea by comic-book artist Rob Liefeld.
John Woo to revive 'Ninja Turtles'
Posted Tuesday, June 4, 2002, 6:16PM CDT by Franklin Harris
John Woo is reviving the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie franchise, this time using CGI turtles instead of guys in turtle suits. Woo will produce the proposed new film and a television series based on it.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
'Rising Stars' screenwriters hired
Posted Tuesday, June 4, 2002, 6:12PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Anthony and Joe Russo have been hired to adapt J. Michael Straczynski's comic-book series "Rising Stars" as a feature film.
Source: Comics2Film
Kelly Hu joins 'X-Men 2' cast
Posted Tuesday, June 4, 2002, 6:16AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Kelly Hu ("The Scorpion King") has joined the cast of the "X-Men" sequel, "X2." She will play the right-hand woman of the main villain, Striker, who is yet to be cast.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter and Cinescape Online
'Clash of the Titans' remake at Warner Bros.
Posted Tuesday, June 4, 2002, 6:12AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Warner Bros. has hired John Glenn and Travis Wright ("Red World") to script a remake of the 1981 mythological adventure film "Clash of the Titans."
Source: Variety and Cinescape Online
John Singleton to direct 'Sinbad'
Posted Friday, May 31, 2002, 5:51AM CDT by Franklin Harris
From Variety: John Singleton has signed to direct a new "Sinbad" movie, working from a script by "Terminator 3" writer Tedi Sarafian. Singleton is also directing the sequel to "The Fast and the Furious."
Darabont to pen 'Indy 4' script
Posted Friday, May 31, 2002, 5:46AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Frank Darabont ("The Green Mile") will write the script for the fourth "Indiana Jones" movie, Variety reports. Paramount is looking to release the film on July 4, 2005.
Alan Cumming to be Nightcrawler in 'X-Men 2'
Posted Thursday, May 30, 2002, 6:34AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Forget that story from The Hollywood Reporter saying that Ethan Embry ("That Thing You Do") has been cast as Nightcrawler in the upcoming "X-Men" sequel, "X2." Variety has a new story saying that Alan Cumming ("Spy Kids") will play the part of the fuzzy, teleporting mutant.
'Aliens vs. Predator' gets greenlight from Fox
Posted Wednesday, May 29, 2002, 5:46AM CDT by Franklin Harris
IGN FilmForce reports that Fox has greenlighted "Aliens vs. Predator." No director is attached to the film yet, but Paul Anderson ("Resident Evil") seems to be a leading contender.
Natalie Portman in 'Return of the Jedi' special, special edition?
Posted Tuesday, May 28, 2002, 7:21PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons relays a report from MTV that Natalie Portman will film new scenes to be inserted into a special, special edition of "Return of the Jedi."
Fourth 'Indiana Jones' to film in 2004?
Posted Tuesday, May 28, 2002, 5:33AM CDT by Franklin Harris
From MTV: George Lucas says that the fourth "Indiana Jones" movie may start filming in 2004.
Columbus passes on third 'Harry Potter'
Posted Tuesday, May 28, 2002, 5:26AM CDT by Franklin Harris
From Variety: Chris Columbus, who directed "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and is at work on its sequel, has passed on the third Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban."
Pioneer gets U.S. rights to 'Lupin III' TV
Posted Monday, May 27, 2002, 9:20PM CDT by Franklin Harris
From Japan Today: Pioneer Entertainment U.S.A. has aquired the rights to the 228-episode "Lupin the Third" anime series, based on the popular manga character created by Monkey Punch.
DreamWorks to turn Japanese video game into horror flick
Posted Monday, May 27, 2002, 10:04AM CDT by Franklin Harris
DreamWorks has purchased the rights to turn the Japanese video game Fatal Frame into a big-screen horror movie, according to Variety.
Monica Bellucci up for 'Extraordinary Gentlemen'
Posted Wednesday, May 22, 2002, 4:09PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety confirms earlier reports that Italian actress Monica Bellucci is close to signing on as Mina Harker in "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." (My readers may recall that Bellucci is my favorite to play Wonder Woman, should the long-in-development film based on the DC Comics character ever get out of Development Hell.)
Bellucci has become a hot property in Hollywood ever since her appearance in the sleeper-hit Italian film "Malena" (2000). She is a new favorite of genre filmmakers, with roles in "The Brotherhood of the Wolf," the "Matrix" sequels and the new Bruce Willis action film "Man of War."
New 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' in the works
Posted Wednesday, May 22, 2002, 2:32PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that a new company, Curzon House of Horrors, will start production this summer of a new version of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." The film is the first in a planned series of classic remakes, to include "The Fall of the House of Usher," "Dr. Faustus" and "Crime and Punishment."
'Witchblade' production halts; star in rehab
Posted Wednesday, May 22, 2002, 2:27PM CDT by Franklin Harris
TNT has temporarily halted production of its series "Witchblade," as star Yancy Butler has checked herself into an alcohol rehabilitation center, reports Cinescape Online. However, six new episodes are complete, and the series' second season will debut June 16 as scheduled.
Wolfgang Petersen to direct 'Ender's Game'
Posted Wednesday, May 22, 2002, 11:54AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Wolfgang Petersen ("The Perfect Storm") will direct "Ender's Game," the feature film based on Orson Scott Card's science-fiction novel, reports IGN FilmForce.
'Ghost Rider' rises from the dead at Sony
Posted Wednesday, May 22, 2002, 11:41AM CDT by Franklin Harris
After a stint in development hell at Dimension Films, "Ghost Rider" is back from the dead at Sony, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Columbia Pictures is negotiating to acquire the movie rights to Marvel Entertainment's comic-book character and has Shane Salerno ("Shaft") in mind to rewrite the existing script. Neither director Steve Norrington nor star Nicolas Cage is still attached to the project, although Columbia hopes to lure Cage back.
Roxburgh joins 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'
Posted Tuesday, May 21, 2002, 11:43AM CDT by Franklin Harris
IGN FilmForce reports that Richard Roxburgh has been cast as Campion Bond in the big-screen adaptation of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," based on Alan Moore's comic book of the same name. Roxburgh should be familiar to genre fans because of his supporting roles in "Moulin Rouge," "Mission: Impossible 2" and the upcoming martial-arts flick, "The Touch," starring Michelle Yeoh.
Miramax sends 'Zu Warriors,' Jackie Chan straight to video
Posted Monday, May 20, 2002, 11:54AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Miramax is shelving plans to release two recent Hong Kong movies in North American theaters. Instead, "Zu Warriors" (a.k.a. "The Legend of Zu") and the new Jackie Chan film, "The Accidental Spy," will go directly to home video and DVD, reports the Monkey Peaches Web site. Fans of these films were already disappointed about changes and edits Miramax reportedly made to both movies.
A trailer for "Zu Warriors" is included as an extra on the new DVD release of "The Others."
Disney revives 'The Greatest American Hero'
Posted Monday, May 20, 2002, 11:47AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to Daily Variety, Disney is looking to revive the '80s ABC TV series "The Greatest American Hero" as a feature film. Paul Hernandez is writing the screenplay.
Fox cancels 'Dark Angel,' picks up 'Firefly'
Posted Thursday, May 16, 2002, 12:19PM CDT by Franklin Harris
From USA Today: James Cameron's sci-fi drama, "Dark Angel," joins the long list of casualties at Fox, a list that includes "The X-Files," "Titus," "Ally McBeal," "That '80s Show" and "Greg the Bunny."
Fox, however, has picked up "Firefly," a sci-fi series from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator Joss Whedon, for its fall schedule. "Firefly" is described as a "futuristic drama about space travelers that plays more like an old-fashioned Western."
Fox is putting "Firefly" in the "Dark Angel" slot, Fridays at 7 p.m. CT, according to Sci-Fi Wire and Variety.
Marvel predicts 2002 profit
Posted Thursday, May 16, 2002, 6:32AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Thanks in part to "Spider-Man"'s huge box-office take, Marvel Enterprises is predicting a profit of $2 million to $4 million for 2002.
Source: ICv2.com
'60s 'Batman' reunion in production
Posted Thursday, May 16, 2002, 5:54AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to Variety, CBS has expressed interest in a "Batman" reunion special, which will bring together Adam West, Burt Ward and other surviving cast and crew from the campy, 1960s TV series.
ABC renews 'Alias,' picks up 'Dinotopia'
Posted Thursday, May 16, 2002, 5:48AM CDT by Franklin Harris
From Variety: ABC has renewed "Alias," one of the network's few hits during the past season, and picked up "Dinotopia" as an ongoing series.
Casting begins for 'I, Robot' movie
Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2002, 9:08PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons reports that director Alex Proyas ("Dark City") has started casting his film adaptation of Isaac Asimov's book "I, Robot."
'Attack of the Clones' to hit DVD by fall
Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2002, 11:00AM CDT by Franklin Harris
George Lucas said that "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" will be available on DVD this fall, according to the Associated Press.
Del Toro will not direct 'Blade 3'
Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2002, 6:18AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Blade 2" director Guillermo Del Toro will be unable to direct "Blade 3" because of a scheduling conflict with his "Hellboy" project, according to Sci-Fi Wire.
Lucy Liu to revive 'Charlie Chan'
Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2002, 6:15AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lucy Liu ("Charlie's Angels") is reviving the Charlie Chan franchise. She plans to play the Chinese detective's granddaughter in a new film to be produced by John Woo.
Brad Pitt as Captain America?
Posted Tuesday, May 14, 2002, 10:32AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Don't run screaming for the hills yet, but Brad Pitt says he wants to be a part of any "Captain America" movie, according to a report posted at Dark Horizons.
Frank Oz to remake 'The Stepford Wives'
Posted Tuesday, May 14, 2002, 10:30AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Dark Horizons reports that Frank Oz is set to direct a remake of "The Stepford Wives" for Paramount. This time, however, the movie will be a "black comedy."
'Flash' movie report debunked
Posted Tuesday, May 14, 2002, 10:27AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Comics 2 Film has debunked an earlier report that Warner Bros. was putting "The Flash" into development and looking at Vin Diesel to star. As they say: Never mind.
'Extraordinary Gentlemen' cast shapes up
Posted Monday, May 13, 2002, 10:51AM CDT by Franklin Harris
IGN Filmforce brings us up to speed on the casting of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," the film based on Alan Moore's comic-book miniseries. The cast so far: Sean Connery (Allan Quartermain), Stuart Townsend (Dorian Gray), Shane West (Tom Sawyer) and Jason Flemyng (Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde). Major roles yet to be cast are Mina Murray Harker, the Invisible Man and Capt. Nemo.
Kingsley may join Bradbury's 'Sound of Thunder'
Posted Monday, May 13, 2002, 8:17AM CDT by Franklin Harris
From The Hollywood Reporter: Ben Kingsley ("Sexy Beast") is close to joining the cast of "The Sound of Thunder," the movie based on Ray Bradbury's time-travel tale about a big-game hunter seeking to bag a dinosaur. Peter Hyams is directing, and Catherine McCormack and Edward Burns have already signed on to star.
NBC plans miniseries based on Rice's witches
Posted Monday, May 13, 2002, 8:12AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to Entertainment Weekly, NBC is planning a 12-hour miniseries based on Anne Rice's Mayfair witch books: "The Witching House," "Lasher" and "Taltos." It will air sometime during the 2003-04 season.
'Star Trek II' special edition DVD due in August
Posted Monday, May 13, 2002, 8:04AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Cinescape reports that the special edition DVD of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" is set for an August 6 release. The special edition will be a 2-disc set featuring an expanded cut of the film, new and old interviews with the cast and crew, trailers, an audio commentary by director Nicholas Meyer and a text commentary by Trek encyclopedia co-author Michael Okuda.
No DVD of original 'Star Wars' trilogy until 2005
Posted Monday, May 13, 2002, 7:56AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to the Toronto Sun, it will be 2005 before fans get DVD editions of the original "Star Wars" trilogy.
'Spider-Man 2' bad guys revealed?
Posted Friday, May 10, 2002, 4:59PM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to Empire Online, "Spider-Man" star Kirsten Dunst let slip the identities of the villains in "Spider-Man 2": Doctor Octopus and the Lizard.
'Thundercats' comic book coming from Wildstorm
Posted Friday, May 10, 2002, 4:41PM CDT by Franklin Harris
Another bit of '80s nostalgia is making its return. The Wildstorm imprint of DC Comics has picked up the rights to "Thundercats." Newsarama reports that a five-issue miniseries based on the popular cartoon (now in reruns on Cartoon Network) will debut in August.
Issue No. 0, which will serve as a primer for those new to the Thundercats, is scheduled for an Aug. 7 release. Issue No. 1 will hit stands two weeks later.
'The Flash' in development at WB
Posted Friday, May 10, 2002, 12:13PM CDT by Franklin Harris
No doubt the folks at DC Comics are feeling a bit of envy over Marvel Comics' newfound boxoffice success. And the fact that most of DC's movie projects are in some level of Development Hell probably isn't helping. But 4Filmmakers.com is reporting that "The Flash" is going into development at Warner Bros. with Vin Diesel (!) in mind as the title character.
Sony sets up CGI-animation unit
Posted Friday, May 10, 2002, 11:00AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Sony Pictures is starting a division to produce computer-animated cartoons, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Jackson to star in 'S.W.A.T.' movie
Posted Friday, May 10, 2002, 10:58AM CDT by Franklin Harris
From The Hollywood Reporter: Samuel L. Jackson has agreed to star in the big-screen version of "S.W.A.T.," based on the '70s TV series. Production will start later this year.
'Dragnet' returns; ABC orders 13 episodes
Posted Friday, May 10, 2002, 9:50AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Producer Dick Wolf ("Law & Order") is bringing back the old Jack Web TV series "Dragnet." ABC has ordered 13 episodes for a January launch, Variety reports.
Tom Cruise to remake 'War of the Worlds'
Posted Friday, May 10, 2002, 9:13AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety reports that Tom Cruise will produce a remake of "The War of the Worlds" for Paramount. Production is to begin in 2003 for a 2004 release. Cruise may or may not star in the film.
'Miami Vice' coming to the big screen
Posted Thursday, May 9, 2002, 11:45AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Miami Vice" creator Michael Mann is producing and writing a big-screen version of his '80s TV series for Universal, Variety reports. Mann may also direct. The movie will be an update of the original series rather than a continuation; so, it's probably a good bet that TV series stars Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas will not return as Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs.
'Buffy' to end after next year?
Posted Thursday, May 9, 2002, 6:28AM CDT by Franklin Harris
From Ain't It Cool News: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" ends for good after season seven, according to last Thursday’s edition of The Courier-Mail (Australia). The report is based on remakes from "Buffy" cast member Nicholas Brendon. Given the direction of the series this season, it doesn't seem unlikely that the next season will wrap things up.
Marcus Nispel to direct 'Texas Chainsaw' remake
Posted Wednesday, May 8, 2002, 10:20AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Another remake we could do without: Variety reports that music-video director Marcus Nispel will direct a remake of Tobe Hooper's "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" for New Line Cinema. Shooting begins in July.
Voices for MTV's 'Spider-man' cartoon announced
Posted Wednesday, May 8, 2002, 6:25AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Entertainment Weekly reports that Neil Patrick Harris ("Doogie Howser") will privide the voice for Peter Parker/Spider-Man in MTV's upcoming, CGI-animated "Spider-Man" series. Singer Lisa Loeb will give voice to Mary Jane Watson. As previously announced, "Ultimate Spider-Man" writer Brian Michael Bendis will be scripting the series.
No new 'Harry Potter' book until 2003
Posted Wednesday, May 8, 2002, 6:19AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The New York Times is reporting that the fifth "Harry Potter" novel won't reach stores until the middle of 2003.
David Fincher to direct 'M:I 3'
Posted Wednesday, May 8, 2002, 6:16AM CDT by Franklin Harris
David Fincher ("Panic Room") has signed to direct "Mission: Impossible 3," the next installment in the Tom Cruise spy franchise, Variety reported Tuesday.
'Spider-Man 2' coming in 2004
Posted Tuesday, May 7, 2002, 6:26AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Mark your calendar: Newsarama reports that "Spider-Man 2" is scheduled to open on May 7, 2004.
MGM discontinues uncut 'Swamp-Thing' DVD
Posted Tuesday, May 7, 2002, 6:20AM CDT by Franklin Harris
If you don't already own Wes Craven's "Swamp Thing" movie on DVD, you may be too late. DVD File reports that MGM has discontinued the disc, and some Blockbusters have removed it from their shelves. Why, you ask? It seems MGM used the extended, international version of the film on the DVD while forgetting to change the DVD's PG rating.
DVD File describes the additional footage: The first addition occurs in the infamous Adrienne Barbeau "let me take a bath in the swamp" scene. In the previous video versions, you can only see a side shot of her breast, but on the DVD there are numerous generous extra seconds of full-on breast shots. Then, later in the film, right before the Bruno's big comeuppance, there is extra footage of two dancing gypsy women taking off their clothes at the beginning of the party scene.
There is no confirmation from MGM on if the DVD will be reissued with either the proper rating or the American version of the movie (hopefully the former).
Also, The Dallas Morning News reported on the mother who got the DVDs yanked from Blockbuster stores.
'Spider-Man' breaks all box-office records!
Posted Sunday, May 5, 2002, 6:58AM CDT by Franklin Harris
"Spider-Man" is on its way to a $105 million opening weekend, Box Office Mojo reported this morning. That will blow away the previous weekend record of $90 million, set by "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." "Spider-Man's" opening-day total of $41.4 million has already topped "Harry Potter's" opening-day record of $32.3 million and single-day record of $33.5 million.
UPDATE: The opening-weekend take for "Spider-Man" is now about $114 million.
The politics of 'Star Wars: Episode II'
Posted Friday, May 3, 2002, 9:30AM CDT by Franklin Harris
A friend of mine, economist Mark Thornton, has written a column on the political message of George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones." For more, click and read "Star Wars and Our Wars."
'Powers' movie in development at Columbia
Posted Thursday, May 2, 2002, 8:55AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Columbia Pictures has snagged the film rights to the Image comic-book series "Powers," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Written by Brian Michael Bendis ("Ultimate Spider-Man," "Daredevil"), "Powers" the comic follows the adventures of two homicide detectives in a world overflowing with superheroes. Columbia has hired Frank Oz to direct the movie, which will revolve around the murders of members of a Justice League-like superteam.
'Transformers,' Steve Ditko get mainstream notice
Posted Tuesday, April 30, 2002, 6:24AM CDT by Franklin Harris
CNN has published an online story about the rebirth of interest in "The Transformers." You can read the full story here.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times published a story Monday about Steve Ditko, the reclusive co-creator of "Spider-Man."
Diesel passes on 'The Fast and the Furious 2'
Posted Monday, April 29, 2002, 7:43PM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to Variety, Vin Diesel has decided he will not return for "The Fast and the Furious 2," which will proceed without either him or director Rob Cohen. Paul Walker, however, is returning to star in the sequel, which starts shooting in October.
'Sub-Mariner' gets screenwriter
Posted Friday, April 26, 2002, 9:22AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to the Hollywood Reporter, screenwriter David Self has signed a seven-figure deal with Universal Studios to write and executive produce a live-action feature film based on Marvel Comics' undersea hero Namor, the Sub-Mariner. The Reporter quotes Self saying, "This is not going to be like any comic book movie you've ever seen. It will not be a men-in-tights movie. We're going for a hard sci-fi feel."
Artisan to film 'The Punisher'
Posted Wednesday, April 24, 2002, 10:42AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Artisan Entertainment is pushing ahead with a film adaptation of "The Punisher," based on the Marvel Comics character, according to Variety. Jonathan Hensleigh will direct the film, which will ignore the previous "Punisher" film starring Dolph Lundgren.
Goyer writing script for 'Blade 3'
Posted Wednesday, April 24, 2002, 10:36AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to Variety, New Line Cinema has hired David Goyer to write "Blade 3." Goyer is also the screenwriter for the first two "Blade" movies.
'Pitch Black 2' to start filming later this year
Posted Wednesday, April 24, 2002, 10:33AM CDT by Franklin Harris
According to Variety, the sequel to the sleeper-hit sci-fi/horror movie "Pitch Black" will begin filming later this year.
Indy 4 to start filming in 2004?
Posted Wednesday, April 24, 2002, 10:31AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Variety columnist Michael Fleming reports that George Lucas, Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg are trying to get Tom Stoppard to write the screenplay for the fourth film in the "Indiana Jones" series, and they want to start shooting in 2004, after Lucas completes filming on "Star Wars: Episode III."
Star Wars: Special, SPECIAL Edition???
Posted Wednesday, April 24, 2002, 10:28AM CDT by Franklin Harris
The rumors appear to be true. It looks like George Lucas is going to alter once again his original "Star Wars" trilogy as soon as he finishes work on the prequel saga. Composer John Williams spilled the beans to a Dutch magazine, saying that he will be inserting the Imperial March theme into the score of "Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope." This "special, special" edition will probably go directly to DVD rather than to theaters.
Source: Cinescape Online
Kevin Smith, Stracsynski sign exclusive Marvel deals
Posted Monday, April 22, 2002, 9:13AM CDT by Franklin Harris
Newsarama is reporting that Kevin Smith ("Clerks") and J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5") have each signed exclusive, two-year deals with Marvel Comics. The deals will not impact Stracsynski's announced projects for Top Cow and Wildstorm but will at least delay Smith's proposed revival of "The Brave and the Bold" for DC Comics. Smith will take over writing chores on Straczynski's "Amazing Spider-Man," while Straczynski moves to a new, ongoing Spider-Man title called simply "Spider-Man." Paul Jenkins remains as writer on "Peter Parker, Spider-Man," as far as anyone outside Marvel knows at this time.
Del Toro's 'Hellboy' movie gets green light
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