Atlantis Risen

Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman the writers we love and hate behind MI:III, Transformers, and the upcoming Star Trek are at it again, this time with comic property Atlantis Rising. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the pair are adapting the 5 issue miniseries from last year into a feature film for Dreamworks (once again... they're still making new movies?!).

In the somewhat predictable, yet still cool sounding, story of Atlantis Rising, "seismic disturbances at sea force world militaries to investigate the deepest part of the world's ocean, where an underground civilization emerges to wage war with planet Earth. " Yes, very exciting. The fate of both civilizations will hang in the balance I'm sure...

Sigh... if only they'd turn Crux into a movie.

Anyhow, you can read the first four issues of the comic book for free right here in their entirety! Just check out the drop down menu in the center for links to the various pages. I wonder if that will stay online for long now that its being adapted... Oh well, have to just check it out quickly. The fifth and final book in the mini is set to be released sometime later this month.
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Spielberg's Ghost

So according to Variety Steven Spielberg has decided he is so taken by the mega hit manga / anime Ghost in the Shell that he plans to bring it to the big screen and a full fledged American audience as soon as he can. This week Dreamworks (is that still around?) acquired the rights to the comic, and Spielberg has announced he plans to bring it to life as a live action 3-D film.

While apparently some elements of the backstory of Ghost in the Shell vary depending on what context you take it, be it manga, anime movies, or tv series, the most basic throughline is that the story is a futuristic cyberpunk police thriller that follows the members of the Japanese, Special Forces police squad known as Section 9. The members of this elite squad, Ghosts, are cyborgs who specialize in fighting technology based crime.

The film is really just at the beginning stages of development. Steven Paul alongside Avi and Ari Arad have come on board as producers, and the writer of the upcoming Keanu opus Street Kings, Jamie Moss is set to adapt to books.

If you aren't familiar with Ghost in the Shell I'd really recommend you watch at least the first film. It's truly a excellent adventure, and sooooo much better than something like Aeon Flux.

I'll definitely be keeping my eye on this to see how it develops, but this could be very big.
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The Incredible poster

Check out the great poster for The Incredible Hulk. Its very Amazing Spider-Man #50, and I really like it. Still have reservations about the film, but at least the marketing has been alright. Click to enlarge, or head over the Comingsoon.net for a super big version of the poster.

The movie, of course, comes out on June 13th, '08.
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Iron Man to become movie!

Wildly Popular 'Iron Man' Trailer To Be Adapted Into Full-Length Film
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CBS this summer...

While I definitely touched on the significant highlights last week when I write that big post about the state of television, but today CBS has officially announced their programming slate for this summer. Please go read the full press release if your interested. For me there are only a few notable mentions.

Of course Big Brother is coming back. I really appreciate the fact that CBS is giving us another new season right after the current one ends. Its totally my guilty pleasure and the only show CBS is guaranteed to get me with this summer.

Of course their announced drama series have piqued my interest somewhat as well. Sure they'll both probably fail miserably but I think I'll probably give them both a shot. From the press release:

"Previously announced SWINGTOWN, from the director of "Big Love" and "Rome," premieres Thursday, June 5* (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT). The series peeks into the shag-carpeted suburban homes of the culturally transformative '70s to find couples reveling in the sexual and social revolution that introduced women's liberation and challenged conventional wisdom. During this heady era of provocative change, Susan and Bruce Miller move their family to an affluent Chicago suburb where they're confronted with personal choices, experimentation and shifting attitudes, all against the backdrop of a changing social climate defined by its unforgettable music, fashion and style."

If I can find it sometime in the future, I'll post the trailer for this show on the blog so you can have a look. I saw it last night during Big Brother, but it doesn't seem to have hit the net yet. The show is definitely intriguing. I just have doubts they'll be able to consistently pull off the awkward mix of 'social liberation without the wisdom to understand it' that characterized the 70s and was so aptly portrayed in films like the Ice Storm. Another problem with showcasing the kind of unadulterated Experience people so desperately reached for, on a weekly basis is the very real guilt associated with that time as well. The world was a different place back then, and that kind of irresponsible naivety is gone, but I think there are enough people around who lived it that it will be a tough sell for people to live through again. Unless the audience intends to take it as I do, with a voyeuristic interest. But that said, this show might make us all feel kind of slimy on a weekly basis, and thats not something I see playing too well.

The other new drama, is a Canadian show, so I'll have to check it out if only to represent my homeland... from the press release:

"FLASHPOINT, an emotional journey into the tough, risk-filled lives of a group of cops in the SRU (inspired by Toronto's Emergency Task Force), premieres Friday, July 11 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT). It's a unit that rescues hostages, busts gangs, defuses bombs, climbs the sides of buildings and talks down suicidal teens. As they race against the clock to determine what brought these people to their respective breaking points, members of this highly skilled team use their training in negotiating, profiling and getting inside the suspect's head to diffuse the situation to try to save lives. "

Man oh man, just tell me that doesn't sound like a half-assed Canadian version of 24?! I know! awesome right? exactly.

The only other show to even consider is the updated gameshow Million Dollar Password. and honestly thats only out of my deep respect for Regis Philbin. Oh, and you can apply to play right here...

As for the rest of the planned schedule, it's honestly all crap. And from my perspective that's really all she wrote on the matter. Welcome to summertime kids, try to enjoy it.
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International SR trailer

Check out this new Rain filled international Speed Racer trailer. I Just love how great this film looks. I think its gonna be huge!



Speed Racer hits screens on May 9th. That's really soon!
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New Clone Wars trailer

Check it out, while you can. The new trailer for the Clone Wars tv series. Set to debut, as we discussed, in theaters this August 15th, followed by its full run on Cartoon Network in the Fall. I am definitely looking forward to this show. Very good stuff.



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Virtuality on FOX

There's one thing you have to grant FOX. They really do take chances on new shows. Admittedly they have a truly terrible record for canceling shows too; but I don't think anyone can blame them for not at least starting on the right track, especially when it comes to science fiction. Case in point, as reported today FOX has greenlit a backdoor pilot for BattleStar Galactica helmer Ronald D Moore's newest sci fi foray Virtuality.

Producers say the sci fi show "is set aboard the Phaeton, Earth's first starship. It revolves around its crew of 12 astronauts on a 10-year journey to explore a distant solar system. To help them endure the long trip and keep their minds occupied, NASA has equipped the ship with advanced virtual-reality modules, allowing the crew members to assume adventurous identities and go to any place they want. The plan works flawlessly until a mysterious "bug" is found in the system."

Its a show about fantasy vs reality. And while you may imagine that you've seen all this in the endless stream of bad Star Trek holodeck gone wrong episodes, I think we can at least hope this show will have a more modern sensibility. And since the pilot was writter by the Battlestar Galactica guys, I'll give it some credit upfront.

Interestingly enough, NBC first apparently passed on this show, saying it was too sci fi for their network, and that's how it ended up at FOX. I sure hope that doesn't mean it will alienate all the non-sci fi viewers. I mean I love hard sci fi, but a show doesn't stand a chance on FOX unless its accessible. Frankly this sounds like it could be a lot more fantasy that sci fi.

But I'm calling it right now. If at the end of this series we realize it was ALL some virtual reality sim in a different world, and non of the characters are really real I will be furious...
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Mongol trailer

Check out this cool trailer for Mongol. The movie is set to come out stateside on June 8th, 2008.


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Bobism will come to pass

In another turn to the speculative script; The Hollywood Reporter has a story about how MGM has picked up the script to Bobism by Ben Wexler.

In what sounds like a winning combination to me at least. "In Bobism, a shy college kid learns that his blog will be the basis for a utopian society in 1,000 years. He also finds out that aliens from the future want to kill him and prevent that utopia from happening."

God. Can you only imagine what that would be like... its basically guarenteed to get like 95% of the bloggers out to the theater. Because as we all know, bloggers are notoriously self involved... Definitely a great idea.
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Battle: Los Angeles

In a funny little story by AICN, Columbia pictures has reportedly picked up the rights to a spec script called Battle: Los Angeles which sounds like it could be some real fun.

From producer Neal Moritz, of I Am Legend fame, and based on a script by Chris Bertolini, the story will follow "one Marine platoon's encounter in the battle against an alien invasion on the streets of Los Angeles"

Pretty fun, eh? I sure hope they manage to blow some shit up. :)
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Earth vs Moon

After a "mid to high six figure bidding war"Universal has reportedly pick up the rights to Earth vs Moon, a story pitched by one of the producers of Big Brother, Paul Wernick and a writer from Monsters Inc, Rhett Reese.

Earth vs Moon, besides having the peculiar title that seems to be lacking a couple of "Thes", is said to be a "sci fi epic". All other details are being kept under wraps. :(

The title alone gets it some points. And I like the fact that these are the same guys who are developing Zombieland, but I gotta say guys, you need to leek a litle bit more out there for us to get interested...
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The Disney Slate

So in a pretty much unprecedented move, Disney decided to announce every major animated film that they have in the works and intend to release under both their Disney and the Pixar brand names from now until 2012. It's a pretty staggering list, most of which we've heard bits and pieces about but this is really just a treasure trove of information. Here care of AICN is an excerpt of the press release. This is the part that specifically chronicles their upcoming movies for 2008 with explanations of plotting on each. The pictures are care of Comingsoon.net.

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2008:

WALL•E (Domestic Release Date: June 27th, 2008)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director/Screenwriter: Andrew Stanton
Producer: Jim Morris
Co-Producer: Lindsey Collins
Sound and Character Voice Designer: Ben Burtt
Composer: Thomas Newman, with an Original Song Performed by Peter Gabriel
Voice Talent: Fred Willard, Jeff Garlin, Sigourney Weaver, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy

What if mankind had to leave Earth and somebody forgot to turn off the last robot?

Academy Award®-winning writer-director Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo”) and the inventive storytellers and technical geniuses at Pixar Animation Studios transport moviegoers to a galaxy not so very far away for a new computer-animated cosmic comedy about a determined robot named WALL•E.
After hundreds of lonely years doing what he was built for, WALL•E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL•E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet’s future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, WALL•E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most incredible comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen.

Joining WALL•E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future is a hilarious cast of characters including a pet cockroach, and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.

BOLT (Domestic Release Date: November 26th, 2008, Disney Digital 3-D™)
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Directors: Chris Williams, Byron Howard
Producer: Clark Spencer
Voice Talent: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman

For super-dog Bolt (voiced by John Travolta), every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue – at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the canine star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City , he begins his biggest adventure yet – a cross-country journey through the real world. Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and with the help of two unlikely traveling companions – a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voiced by Susie Essman), and TV-obsessed hamster in a plastic ball named Rhino – Bolt discovers he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero. Miley Cyrus (“Hannah Montana”) brings her vocal talents to the role of Penny, Bolt’s human co-star on the television series.

TINKER BELL (Disney DVD and Blu-ray Release Date: October 28th, 2008)
DisneyToon Studios
Director: Bradley Raymond
Producer: Jeannine Roussel

Enter the magical world of fairies and meet the enchanting creatures of Pixie Hollow, who “nurture nature” and bring about the change of the seasons. Changing the colors of the leaves, moving a sunbeam to melt snow, waking animals from their winter slumber, or giving a patch of sproutlings a sprinkle of water are all within the realm of these seasonal specialists. Tinker Bell thinks her fairy talent as a “tinker” isn’t as special or important as the other fairies’ talents. But when Tink tries to change who she is, she creates nothing but disaster! With encouragement from her friends Rosetta, Silvermist, Fawn and Iridessa, Tink learns the key to solving her problems lies in her unique tinker abilities…and discovers that when she’s true to herself, magical things can happen.

2009:

UP (Domestic Release Date: May 29th, 2009, Disney Digital 3-D™)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Pete Docter
Co-Director: Bob Peterson
Producer: Jonas Rivera
Writer: Bob Peterson
Voice Talent: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger, Jordan Nagai

From the Academy Award®-nominated team of director Pete Docter (“Monsters, Inc.”) and co-director Bob Peterson comes “Up,” a comedic adventure taking off (and lifting spirits) in summer 2009. Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life. “Up” takes audiences on a thrilling journey where the unlikely pair encounter wild terrain, unexpected villains and jungle creatures. When seeking adventure next summer – look “Up.”

TOY STORY in 3-D (Domestic Release Date: October 2nd, 2009)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: John Lasseter
Producers: Ralph Guggenheim, Bonnie Arnold
Composer: Randy Newman
Voice Talent: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger

Originally released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1995, “Toy Story” was the first feature film from Pixar Animation Studios and director John Lasseter. The film went on to receive Oscar® nominations for Best Original Score, Best Original Song, and Best Original Screenplay, and earned Lasseter a Special Achievement Award (Oscar®) “for the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film.” The 3-D version of this landmark film is being personally overseen by Lasseter with his acclaimed team of technical wizards handling all the necessary steps in the conversion process.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (Domestic Release Date: Christmas 2009)
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements
Producer: Peter Del Vecho
Composer: Randy Newman
Voice Talent: Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis, John Goodman

A musical set in the greatest city of them all, New Orleans , “The Princess and the Frog” marks Disney’s return to the timeless art form of traditional animation. The film teams Ron Clements and John Musker, creators of “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin,” with Oscar®-winning composer Randy Newman to tell the most beautiful love story ever told…with frogs, voodoo, and a singing alligator.

TINKER BELL NORTH OF NEVER LAND - working title (Disney DVD and Blu-ray Release Date: 2009)
DisneyToon Studios
Director: Klay Hall
Producer: Sean Lurie

In autumn, Tinker Bell is entrusted with crafting a great treasure that can rejuvenate the Pixie Dust Tree. But when her friend Terence offers to help, Tink's temper and stubbornness get the better of her, shattering both her creation and her friendship with Terence. To set things right again, she must embark on a journey far North of Never Land… and along the way, she will discover an even greater treasure.

2010:

TOY STORY 2 in 3-D (Domestic Release Date: February 12th, 2010)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: John Lasseter
Co-Directors: Lee Unkrich, Ash Brannon
Producers: Helene Plotkin, Karen Robert Jackson
Composer: Randy Newman
Voice Talent: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger

Originally released in 1999, “Toy Story 2” went on to become one of the most popular animated features of all time. The film picks up as Andy is heading off to Cowboy Camp and the toys are left to their own devices. When an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggin (owner of Al’s Toy Barn) kidnaps Woody, and Woody learns that he’s a highly valued collectable from a 1950s TV show called “Woody’s Roundup,” the stage is set for a daring rescue attempt by the gang from Andy’s room. The film introduced such other memorable characters from “Woody’s Roundup” as Jessie the cowgirl, Bullseye the horse, and the Prospector.

TOY STORY 3 (Domestic Release Date: June 18th, 2010, Disney Digital 3-D™)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Lee Unkrich
Producer: Darla K. Anderson
Writer: Michael Arndt
Composer: Randy Newman
Voice Talent: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Estelle Harris, John Ratzenberger, Ned Beatty

The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in “Toy Story 3.” Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings.

RAPUNZEL (Domestic Release Date: Christmas 2010, Disney Digital 3-D™)
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Directors: Glen Keane, Dean Wellins
Producer: Roy Conli

In this new telling of the classic fairy tale, “Rapunzel,” audiences will be transported to a stunning CG fantasy world complete with the iconic tower, an evil witch, a gallant hero and, of course, the mysterious girl with the long golden tresses. Expect adventure, heart, humor, and hair…lots of hair, when Rapunzel unleashes her locks in theaters for the 2010 holiday.

TINKER BELL A MIDSUMMER STORM - working title (Disney DVD and Blu-ray Release Date: 2010)
DisneyToon Studios
Director: Carolyn Gair
Producer: Margot Pipkin

After being confronted by her antagonist Vidia, an irritated Tinker Bell retaliates by taking a photograph of Vidia…without considering the consequences. Now, the two must set aside their differences and cooperate to prevent evidence of the existence of fairies from falling into human hands.

2011:

NEWT (Domestic Release Date: Summer 2011, Disney Digital 3-D™)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Gary Rydstrom
Producer: Richard Hollander
Writers: Gary Rydstrom, Leslie Caveny

What happens when the last remaining male and female blue-footed newts on the planet are forced together by science to save the species, and they can’t stand each other? That's the problem facing Newt and Brooke, heroes of ”newt,” the Pixar film by seven-time Academy Award® winner for sound Gary Rydstrom, and director of Pixar's Oscar nominated short, "Lifted." Newt and Brooke embark on a perilous, unpredictable adventure and discover that finding a mate never goes as planned, even when you only have one choice. Love, it turns out, is not a science.

THE BEAR AND THE BOW (Domestic Release Date: Christmas 2011, Disney Digital 3-D™)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Brenda Chapman
Producer: Katherine Sarafian
Voice Talent: Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson

A rugged and mythic Scotland is the setting for Pixar’s action-adventure "The Bear and the Bow.” The impetuous, tangle-haired Merida , though a daughter of royalty, would prefer to make her mark as a great archer. A clash of wills with her mother compels Merida to make a reckless choice, which unleashes unintended peril on her father’s kingdom and her mother’s life. Merida struggles with the unpredictable forces of nature, magic and a dark, ancient curse to set things right. Director Brenda Chapman (“The Prince of Egypt,” “The Lion King”) and the storytelling wizards of Pixar conjure humor, fantasy and excitement in this rich Highland tale.

TINKER BELL A WINTER STORY - working title (Disney DVD and Blu-ray Release Date: 2011)
DisneyToon Studios
Producer: Sean Lurie

The fourth, as-yet-untold story of Tinker Bell and her fairy friends will take place in winter, completing the cycle of the seasons.

2012:

CARS 2 (Domestic Release Date: Summer 2012, Disney Digital 3-D™)
Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Brad Lewis

All the world’s a racetrack as racing superstar Lightning McQueen zooms back into action, with his best friend Mater in tow, to take on the globe’s fastest and finest in this thrilling high-octane new installment of the “Cars” saga. Mater and McQueen will need their passports as they find themselves in a new world of intrigue, thrills and fast-paced comedic escapades around the globe. “Cars 2” is being directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar®-winning film “Ratatouille.”

KING OF THE ELVES (Domestic Release Date: Christmas 2012, Disney Digital 3-D™)
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Directors: Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker
Producer: Chuck Williams

Legendary storyteller Phillip K. Dick’s short story (his only experiment in the fantasy genre) becomes the basis for this fantastic and imaginative tale about an average man living in the Mississippi Delta, whose reluctant actions to help a desperate band of elves leads them to name him their new king. Joining the innocent and endangered elves as they attempt to escape from an evil and menacing troll, their unlikely new leader finds himself caught on a journey filled with unimaginable dangers and a chance to bring real meaning back to his own life.

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Wow. I mean WOW! that is seriously one meaty list of movies. I mean theres so much you could say, but really I mean, maybe its best to just let it all absorb. The ones that really catch my eye? Blot, because even though its Travolta (who usually annoys me) I have a sneaking suspicion that the story will be excellent. Up, because you just KNOW that it'll be super heartwarming. Rapunzel, Toy Story 3, Newt, The Bear and the Bow definitely, Cars 2 of course, and god. I mean oh my god seriously.?!? Pixar is adapting a Philip Dick story into a film! And its called The King of the Elves!?! this must be like topsy turvy world where the geek rule over all or something. Its just staggering how cool all of this stuff sounds.

And god... just look at that... think about how much money they are going to make with those films!!! I mean they are going to rake in boatloads of cash for these movies! boatloads! Ok, obviously I'm talking nonsensical again. I'm going to stop now, but when we start moving forward on these films I'll definitely be here to let you know. This is just really cool cool news.

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Ice Age: DotD trailer

Here is the first trailer for what is sure to be a massive hit film, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. And of course once again it stars Scrat and his beloved acorn. Check it below or in HD here.



The plan is for the new Ice Age film to come out on July 4th, 2009.
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Watchmen video journal 1

Care of WB via Coming Soon, the first a 12 planned video production blogs for the upcoming Watchmen film has hit the net, and it's great. This entry is on the 'Sets and Sensibility' of the film. Watch and learn :)



Expect the next video blog to drop online on May 6th. The Watchmen movie however isn't set to open until March 6th, 2009. oh why so long... sigh.
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North Wind on the screen

Boom Studios comic North Wind has reportedly been picked up for development to the big screen by Davis Entertainment. I've never heard of North Wind, but it sounds damn cool. According to Hollywood Reporter, "the story takes place in a futuristic Los Angeles, years after global warming has created a new ice age. Most survivors live under the ice and are ruled by a dictator who exiles some citizens to the harsh environment outdoors. His cruel actions cause one of the exiles to lead a revolution." Sounds kinda like maybe, 12 Monkeys meets The Postman, meets Zardoz.... neat.

Only 3 actual issues of the comic have come out so far (don't you love how fast Hollywood works?), and while people seems to say you can read them for free at myspace.com/comicbooks I know I haven't been able to navigate my way to them. If you can figure it out let me know in the comments. I'd like to check em out.

Anywhichway, North Wind sounds pretty cool. Hopefully it will come together just right.
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Transformers roll out again

There's been a little bit of movement on the Transformers 2 front that I just had to mention.

Firstly, pics of the cars, specifically Optimus and Barricade, have been popping up online showing the vehicles being shipped around Hollywood off to secret locations. Presumably this is to start prep,for the film, which is being pushed steadily along by the ever 'awesome' director Michael Bay.

Shooting is set to begin this June, says Shia LaBeouf in a recent interview with MTV. Of course all Shia would say explicitly regarding the sequel is that "It's got to be more badass. It has to be." Yes, I think we can all agree on that one dude.

The most exciting news though is something of a minor spoiler, but since I'm pretty sure they'll never ever get away, or would want to get away, with marketing the film without showing this off everywhere so I think its safe to say.... IESB is reporting that fan favorite Decepticons, the Constructicons are set to appear in the film. And of course that means... DEVASTATOR... Totally awesome. Also IESB has a list of about 15 other all human characters that are currently being cast for the film. I am looking forward to this film more and more each day :)

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Hyperion to the big screen

One of my favorite sc fi books Hyperion is coming to the big screen! Actually Hyperion, and the sequel novel, The Fall of Hyperion are both coming to the screen, adapted as one movie. It's one of those bittersweet moments where as a fan, I've realized that this great book that I really enjoyed is going to probably be utterly destroyed for the sake of time; but on the other hand, at least I'll finally get to see it all on the big screen.... yay/ boo! As you can see I'm very conflicted.

Written by Dan Simmons, Hyperion is a Hugo award winning novel, and soon to be movie, deals with a group of unlikely pilgrims on the planet Hyperion, which finds itself for a number of reasons at the crux of an encroaching galactic war. These pilgrims are travelling across the planet to reach the mysterious Time Tombs, which are guarded by the deadly monster known as the Shrike which is known to kill people and impale their bodies on the thorny metal tree of eternal pain. Yeah, very pleasant.

The plot is complex and rich, the characters all have layered, intricate backstories and while character and theme driven, the plot itself has some real meat to it too. This book, if I'm remembering correctly, is something around 600 pages long. And its sequel The Fall of Hyperion, while less character driven and more plot / theme centered is also a big book. How the heck these two great stories are going to fit into one movie I do not know. Is everything going to be sacrificed for the sake of the film?

According to The Hollywood Reporter story, Trevor Sands the writer who is adapting the piece won the shot by "taking a selective approach to the two novels' multiple points of view in a way that managed to coherently and unconfusingly tell the story." Is that good? or does that really mean 'ripping the heart out of the story? Sands is involved in a number of sci fi projects currently from Sony's Resurrection, to Dimension's Six Billion Dollar Man and an adaptation the sci-fi novel Startide Rising for Paramount. Of course I know basically nothing about any of those projects, and Sands' IMDB page is disturbingly empty...

We'll have to see what becomes of this as we move forward. I'm hoping for the best for now.
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Brave and the Bold

Well its official, this week at the Cartoon Network's upfronts, they announced that Batman: The Brave and the Bold will in fact be coming to air this fall. The show which will partner Batman with a new hero each week will have no direct connection to the recently canceled series The Batman. Actually I'm getting the impression that they're going to try to skew to a bit younger audience than even that show, which was a bit young by most Batman standards.

Somewhat overshadowed at the upfronts by the personal appearance of George Lucas to promote the new Clone Wars cartoon, I think people are still very interested by what DC is doing with their characters. Is this constant reinvention, and reinterpretation a good thing? Batman more than maybe anyone else, is a character that seems to have been jerked around a lot. My thought is that I have no doubt I'll enjoy this new show, I just don't understand why the new one has to mean the death of the old one?!

Check out this art for the show featuring a classic looking Bats alongside revamped versions of Green Arrow and Blue Beetle.

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Hellboy II trailer

Here is the full theatrical trailer for Hellboy II: The Golden Army, and it looks awesome.



The movie comes out in theaters on July 11th, '08.
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The Surrogates movie

So, I'm not sure why I haven't really mentioned this one before. But there is a film being made of The Surrogates. It's based on a sci fi comic book miniseries of the same name that was published by Top Shelf a few years ago and has a story that sounds like it could be kind of interesting...

The story is set in the year 2054. And in this future world people have stopped physically interacting with each other. Instead they use Surrogates (remote-controlled artificial bodies) to execute the day to day functions of life. These Surrogates are idealized versions of their user and have become the mainstay for social interaction. The protagonist of the story is a police office who, after having his surrogate destroyed, ventures out of his house and into the real world for the first time in years. Once there he begins an investigation that leads him to some very duplicitous surrogates, and the realization that someone out there is trying to destroy mankind new was of life.

hmmm. I'm sure by the end he'll probably realize how screwed up that way of life was in the first place. Sounds like it could be a good story, I guess I just don't know if I buy that people would ever decide to stop interacting with each other. I feel like technology has been around long enough that while sure it happens to an extent, the paranoid suspicion that technology has to drive us apart is simply unfounded. People are what they are, and technology only really seems to scare people who don't get involved with it.

The film has a pretty decent line up. It's being directed by Jonathan Mostow, of Terminator 3 fame ;) And stars none other than Bruce Willis, who is absolutely excellent in sci fi (see 12 monkeys) and as a cop (see everything else). The cast also includes fan favorite Ving Rhames, and has recently been rounded out by Radha Mitchell and Rosamund Pike, whose roles have not been announced, but will probably play his wife, and partner respectively.

I'll keep my eye on this one, but I'm not committing to it one way another until I start seeing more... Surrogates is set to start filming this month in Boston, for a 2009 release.
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Short Circuit: the revenge

One of the greatest 80s film franchises is coming back to life, Short Circuit, starring everyones favorite madcap robot Johnny Five is returning to the big screens. As reported by Variety the rights have been picked up by Dimension Films, and the original creators SS Wilson, and Brent Maddock have been hired on to handle the remake. The new film is planned to be similar in theme to the original but will obviously factor in advances in technology.

How come the plane in Stealth didn't want to make 3 Stooges references and fall in love? If only all of our ghosts in the machine were as entertaining as Johnny Five. My recommendation, bring both Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy back, at least for a cameo. Those two are so great.
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tv served up

Have you been trying to follow the news about up and coming tv shows? How about what's happening in the world of the upfronts? And news on the returning shows too? Well I have been trying to, and I have to say, it's pretty darn confusing. There is so much news out there on the web, that sorting through every other Britney story for that interesting morsel of tv news is hard to come by...

I give props to The Hollywood Reporter for providing this handy Pilot Season 2008 blog where they just collect all of their stories connected to the topic. So far as I can tell that seems the best online at the moment. And it's funny to me that something like TV Guide, which while yes they do have a featured section on returning shows next fall, it does not seem to have anything on the new shows yet.... unless maybe I'm just missing it. I know they've been reporting on news stories as they come out. And doing a fine job. It's just with my hectic schedule I can't always keep up. And finding old stories buried in amidst their latest Marcia Cross interview it tricky.

Maybe I'm too early. Could that be the problem? The networks have only just started to ramp up, with both a very public pilot season (which no one thought would happen), and news on old favorites coming back before the official times usually set aside for such announcements. Probably all this hectic press is just to reassurance everyone that since the writers strike ended the networks intend to fervently jump back to business as usual. But I am getting a bit lost in it all.

So since I can't keep up with everything,I thought I'd mention just a few notes on the shows that have really piqued my interest since last we discussed this. For full coverage, I think The Hollywood Reporter has this game won. And maybe a bit closer to next season when we know which pilots are really going to make it to air, and which won't; we'll be able to have a more concise view of what's happening. For now separating the good news from the chaff is pretty tough.

So with all that qualification said, here's a quick look at the soon to start 2008 summer tv season... which is in my opinion, pretty weak.

ABC has announced their summer season, and I just couldn't be less interested. With another Bachelorette season, reality shows I Survived a Japanese Game Show, and Dance Machine, as well as Wipeout, which is an extreme sports blooper show, and probably their biggest play: High School Musical Summer Session. Yes its another reality series, this one designed to find kinds who just love musical theater... sigh, maybe if I'm bored I'll watch an episode, but that's about all.

NBC has fallen into much the same boat for their 'All American' summer season. They will have the Olympics which I think should be fun, but most of the rest is crap. Their good stuff included another season of American Gladiators, which is something I will watched, and a new horror anthology series called Fear Itself. The rest is just nonsense including Nashville Star, America's Got Talent, Last Comic Standing (maybe), and new reality shows The Baby Borrowers, and Celebrity Circus.

CBS never honestly has too much to offer, but this summer they've got a new season of Big Brother, following right on the heels of this current one. As Big Brother is my guilty pleasure, I'm all for this news. Also they're running two new dramas, Flashpoint, which I talked about here, and Swingtown which sounds like The Ice Strom: the series... meh, I dunno, it could be interesting i guess.

That's all for the big three this summer, but really, I mean, who cares about that?! What I want is cool NEW shows for the Fall. That's when you know the good stuff will show up...

That said, ABC has picked up a show called Captain Cook's Extraordinary Atlas which is said to be a meeting of Harry Potter and Pan's Labyrinth. "It centers on a young girl who finds a magical atlas that reveals a secret world underneath our world." I have to say I love hollow earth theory. It' so absurd, but just so cool too. I wonder if this will be for kids or adults?

CBS is working on a pilot called Eleventh Hour, which sounds like it could be pretty sweet. Based on a British mini-series from 2006 with the same name (that incidentally starred Patrick Stewart), this version will star Rufus Sewell as "a special science adviser to the government who, with his feisty female bodyguard Rachel (Marley Shelton) in tow, saves people from the worst abuses of science." Sounds kinds neat, a bit like... well I'm not sure. A bit like a lot of shows I guess, but very cool.

NBC, who as far as I can tell is the only network to actually have their official 'upfronts' had a number of new shows on display. Here is a link to the Hollywood Reporter's run down.

As for me, most of the shows are ones I've mentioned here before. The ones that struck me especially. NBC has greenlit the Office spinoff series. Details of which have not been announced, but we do know that a backdoor pilot will show up sometime during the Office's run in the fall. Also of course is that Crusoe show, which I've mentioned before. And then there's Kings. I briefly mentioned this a week or two ago, but it sounds like it really could be something special...

Just listen to this "Kings is an inspiring exploration of the timeless David vs. Goliath struggle. The show is set in a modern metropolis under siege where the fighting has gone on for too long and cost far too many lives. When David Shepherd (Christopher Egan, "Resident Evil: Extinction"), a brave young soldier, rescues the king's (Golden Globe winner Ian McShane, "Deadwood") son from enemy territory, he sets events in motion that will finally bring peace. Suddenly, David is thrust into the limelight, earning the affections of women -- including the king's daughter. When he's promoted to captain, he becomes the reluctant poster boy for hope. But for David, the line between his allies and enemies will blur as the power players in the kingdom go to great lengths to see him fall." yes? no? maybe so? I think its got potential.

Others like Merlin, are sure to be just awful...

They do have two tv movies that sounds cool. One on The Knights Templar, and the other called XIII, a sort of 24-esque thriller starring, the new voice of KITT, Val Kilmer. I'll look at the rest as more comes out about them, but NBCs new strategy to bring as much as possible to series iss a refreshing change.

Perhaps my honest to goodness most anticipated show for next Fall, Revolution, has just gained its lead actor the absolutely awesome Billy Campbell. For more on the Sci Fi channel show check out this post. According to THR " Campbell will play Tom Hart, a solder-turned-farmer who displays all the qualities of being a true leader. Also joining the cast are Rowena King as Olivia Agee, the new governor of the colony, and Steve Sandvoss, who has been tapped for the role of Tom's older son, Chris." The show itself in a nutshell is about the political and social unrest of a 22nd century human colony developing on a new planet.

Joss Whedon's Dollhouse, for FOX, has also had a lot of activity and buzz around it. Since it's being covered on all sides by the fanboys you can read up on it from it's already extensive wikipedia page. Or as a reminder you can just read my post on it here. Basically though it revolves around a group of secret agents, aka Dolls, who are imprinted with different personalities for different special assignments. After each assignment their minds are wiped clean. They have no memories of their previous lives, until Echo (star Eliza Dushku) begins to try to find out who she once was.

One of my favorite shows from this season, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles has still not as of yet been given the greenlight on season 2. But word is they producers have begun hiring directors for a full season slated in the fall. Fingers crossed.

News is coming in just crazily every day now. Sorting and compiling it; now that's the hard part. Yet I still love it. There's just so much fun in maybe discovering your new favorite show. More on everything as it develops :)
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New Spirit poster

As seen on Comingsoon.net here are some really cool new posters for The Spirit, designed for outdoor use. Its one of those 3 posters that form one larger image, and I think it looks great. Click to enlarge to a decent size.

Pretty cool. I really like what I'm seeing from this film. But since I've never read the comic I can honestly only get so excited. I'm sure coming from Frank Millar as his follow up to Sin City it will be something to behold. Also of note is the new website on the poster www.mycityscreams.com, which technically isn't online yet and will only take you to the main Spirit webpage. Still, you know more is going to be coming on this film soon.

As a reminder from the official site.

"Adapted from the legendary comic book series created by Will Eisner, The Spirit is a classic action-adventure-romance written for the screen and directed by genre-twister Frank Miller (creator of "300" and "Sin City"). It is the story of a former rookie cop who returns mysteriously from the dead as the Spirit (Gabriel Macht) to fight crime from the shadows of Central City. His arch-enemy, the Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) has a different mission: he's going to wipe out Spirit's beloved city as he pursues his own version of immortality. The Spirit tracks this cold-hearted killer from Central City's rundown warehouses, to the damp catacombs, to the windswept waterfront... all the while facing a bevy of beautiful women who either want to seduce, love or kill our masked crusader. Surrounding him at every turn are Ellen Dolan (Sarah Paulson), the whip-smart girl-next-door; Silken Floss (Scarlett Johansson), a punk secretary and frigid vixen; Plaster of Paris (Paz Vega), a murderous French nightclub dancer; Lorelei (Jaime King), a phantom siren; and Morgenstern (Stana Katic), a sexy young cop. Then of course, there's Sand Saref (Eva Mendes), the jewel thief with dangerous curves. She's the love of his life turned bad. Will he save her or will she kill him? In the vein of Batman Begins and Sin City, The Spirit takes us on a sinister, gut-wrenching ride with a hero who is born, murdered and born again."

The film comes out Jan 16th, 2009.
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Awesome Joe casting news

Latino Review has some awesome casting rumor / news about a few smaller featured roles in the G.I. Joe movie.

The first may just be a cameo, but I love it. Brendan Fraser has been cast as Gung Ho. The, admittedly super gay looking, Joe was actually a tough as nails marine who was really featured a lot in the early episodes of the cartoon, before he was overshadowed by the flashier Joes like Quick Kick. Its good casting though, even though word has it the role is only that of a cameo seen in a training sequence at The Pit. Maybe we'll get more of him in the sequels.

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The other casting news is honestly great. Although so far its just an offered role, not yet accepted. Reportedly Dwayne The Rock Johnson has been offered the role of Hector Delgato aka one of the most kickass Joes out there, Shipwreck. Will fans appreciate a classic Joe, fan favorite, and Latino character offered to the Samoan, Rock? I can't speak for everyone, but this fan is just fine with it. I love the Rock, and think he would make a great Shipwreck. Here's hoping he accepts the offer. Cause really, how can you make a G.I. Joe movie without Shipwreck?!

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And the hits just keep on rolling. G.I. Joe is set to come to theaters on Aug 7th, 2009.
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Put this in your pipe and smoke it

The funny poster for Pineapple Express, just landed exclusively online over at JoBlo. As I saw done by CS, I'll just give you the top part, click the pic to see the full dealio. It' s pretty cool.

I love the expression on James Franco's face. :) Just to remind yourself, why don't you go watch that hilarious NSFW trailer. it's well worth your time. Cool beans. The movie comes out August 8th, '08.
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McConaughy as Magnum

As has been reported all over the place now, Matthew McConaughey has reportedly been offered the role of Thomas Magnum, in the upcoming Magnum P.I. film.

I for one, am still on the fence on this. I mean McConaughey is obviously a great looking guy, and I kind of think he has the same kind of charisma that Tom Selleck had, but Magnum?! I mean can he rock the 'stache like Selleck? And then the further question... could anyone really? here's a pic I found of McConaughey with some growth, not exactly the same as a true 'stache though. Magnum exists in one of those perfect right place right time moments, for me and I think a lot of other people. The show really wasn't that great, but damn it was cool at the time. And unlike something like MacGyver it holds up alright to the test of time. Definitely dated now, but Magnum is still and always will be The Man.

The film is being directed by Dodgeball helmer Rawson Thurber, and is reportedly finished the script stage now, and Universal is hot to have the film in theaters by summer 2009. McConaughey is reportedly looking over the script trying to decide, makes me wonder how much of a scoop news on this offered role really was, and how much was just the studio trying to get fan pressure on him to take the part. Either way, I think he might really be the only man who could do Selleck and the role justice.

Taken with a grain of salt, it's also been reported that secondary roles are going out for with Steve Zahn as Rick, Tyrese Gibson as T.C., and William H. Macy as Higgins, I'm sure we'll all know, as soon as the lead role is finally decided. My final thought on the matter: yeah, McConaughey should probably do it. If he plays it right, it can only be a win for him. And he could potentially do a great job with it. We'll have to wait and see what happens next.
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Wargames: The Dead Code

Coming soon direct to dvd. sigh... it's Wargames: The Dead Code.



Why, oh why do they do this? I can roll with something cheesy good like Lost Boys 2, but this? This looks like a bad Sci Fi channel movie. sigh... If you need more /Film has an article on some of the more gory details. As sad as it is, I'll probably see it too... what on earth is wrong with me?!
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Beattie on Halo

Latino Review had a great story this week about white hit screenwriter Stuart Beattie, who is fresh off G.I. Joe, and how he has written, in his spare time mind you, a spec script for Halo. Yes Halo. His script, which as a spec script, no one actually asked him to write, is full entitled Halo: Fall of Reach. It's based on one of those Halo expanded universe books, and sounds like it just might work!

Wow, what an out of the blue development for Halo. I mean, Since proposed director Neill Blomkamp left the film and everything fell apart with the financing last fall, its just been one long holding pattern for the Halo film. And with the rumor that its been Microsoft behind the lack of development, this could be exactly what's needed. A cheaper, smarter Halo film.

According to Latino Review the film "is a character-driven story about a soldier named John who was kidnapped or "conscripted" by the UNSC when he was just six years old, and then brutally trained to become an elite Spartan warrior known as Master Chief 117. The script then takes us through the horrific first contact with the Covenant hordes on the doomed colony world of Harvest, and then climaxes with the spectacular fall of the UNSC forward base on Reach, during which every other Spartan is slaughtered. The script also gives detailed outlines for the second movie, Halo: Rise of the Flood, which takes place entirely on the Halo ringworld, and the third and final movie, Halo: Battle for Earth, which roughly follows the events of Halo 3.

Sounds great! And I don't even play the Halo games. The article goes on to say "For Halo fans, it's like the prequel that provides all the answers to questions they've thought about for years. For non Halo fans, it's an exciting action movie that provides a clear, concise introduction to a world five hundred years in the future with relatable characters and a terrifying alien menace."

very nice. I sure hope this can get made. It sounds like Beattie wrote it with the intent of writing something a bit cheaper to make than the last version of the film. That's fine by me too, I mean if its as great as it sounds like it could be then we can just spend a ton on the second and third ones...

Definitely looking to see if Microsoft takes this opportunity. Beattie has a great track record over the past few years. And the guy has just dumped what could amount to a ton of money in your hands. Don't fuck this up again Microsoft. The fans deserve this film.
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Team Up presents: Stan and Disney

Stan Lee, comic creating god, and once ruler of all geekdom, has teamed up with Disney to bring three projects he has developed from his POW! Entertainment to life in cinematic glory. Although Stan has had mixed reviews on creations in the past few years I think we all know he's still got something in him. And I give all the props in the world to a guy like him who still has the balls to put new ideas out there, and dare to succeed or fail with the rest of em. Regardless of what you may think of Who Wants to be a Superhero, Stan is, and always will be a great man. And smaller projects like The Condor and Mosaic seem to have been received pretty well, even if they don't get as much press.

So what has Stan got up his sleeves for us? More Stripperella you cry?! I know, I know... if only. Actually Stan is bringing us three different types of stories. The first is "Nick Ratchet" a private detective story. the second is an action adventure story called "Blaze", and the third one is "Tigress" which is about what else, but a woman who gets power like that of a tiger... ummm isn't that already a hero? Well, it looks like its actually Tigra. But close enough right?

Unfortunately The Hollywood Reporter article doesn't have any other details on the projects. They actually sound to me like they could be designed for television as well. But hey, who am I to second guess Disney. We'll see what they do with these projects in the months to come. They really could be great, probably not, but who knows...
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Larklight to screens

So the man who wrote and directed the film Elizabeth the Golden Age, Shekhar Kapur, is looking to bring his next film, Larklight, a period sci fi film to life. The movie according to The Hollywood Reporter will be set in a Victorian era alternate reality, kind of League of Extraordinary Gentelmen-ey, but Larklight will follow much more traditional pulp space opera lines. This world sees mankind beginning to explore space at the time of Isaac Newton, and specifically "revolves around a brother and sister who team with a band of renegade space pirates to save the world from destruction at the hands of a madman."

Well, I'd say that's very interesting. I do like a good space pirate story. For a minute there I had my hopes up for something along the lines of the excellent Wings of Honneamise, but this still sounds cool. And I like the director. I think he took some crap for Elizabeth: TGA, but if you ask me, that film could never have been as good as the first Elizabeth, which he also made, but it was still pretty solid. The costumes, score, and actors, especially Blanchett and Clive Owen as Walter Raleigh, were all top notch; just as my wife put it 'it's just not as interesting a time in her life'. Exactly, plotting is everything.

Larklight could be really neat, and period sci fi is something you definitely don't see everyday. Anything new is always interesting to me. Besides, with a reported budget of $200 million, at the very least you know we're going to get some great CG, and a big star.

Steven Knight who wrote Eastern Promises is adapting the story from a book by Philip Reeve. Have to keep an eye out for more on this as it comes to light.

Oh and as a sidenote, the article also mentions that Kapur is working on a script called Paani, which means 'water' in Hindi, and it's "a futuristic film set in Mumbai centering on the scarcity of water." hmmmm. okay. Solarbabies goes Bollywood maybe?
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Zelda trailer

Well here it is folks, debuted exclusively on IGN the very awesome trailer for the live action Legend of Zelda movie. I have to say, it looks great! Check it out...



And if you really really want to know. I've also heard a great rumor about the film, but be warned. This definitely a spoiler. Highlight the text to see if you dare.

HAHAHAHA - April Fools - good work IGN. That is awesome.
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