Stanton on Carter

Andrew Stanton, director of last years Wall-E is working hard on the John Carter of Mars adaptation for Disney, and I am sincerely hoping he really gets the film made. Yeah it would've been cool if Favreau had been behind the helm, but I have a really good feeling about Stanton. The Pixar team and Disney now, would never have put so much faith in him if he wasn't the right man for the job. Recently he did a quick interview with SciFi Wire that you can check out here.

Since the movie has been tossed around in development hell literally since 1931 it will be nothing short of a small miracle to see it finally get made, but I know I am really looking forward to seeing what the Disney kids can pull together. Big news for me, Stanton confirmed that the film will be live action saying "...there are so many creatures and characters that half of it's going to be CG whether you want it to be [or not], just to realize some of these images that are in the book. But it will feel real. The whole thing will feel very, very believable."

Stanton is "deep into it now" on his second draft of the script, working on pre-production, working on the art direction, and starting to even talk about actors. All great news in my books. The film is slated for a release sometime in 2012 and I for one, can't wait.

I'll defintiely be keeping my eye on this one as it develops.
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Outlander poster

Space vikings!!! seriously what else is there to say, If you'll remember I posted a while ago a trailer to a film that snuck well under my radar called Outlander, starring the dashing and pious Jim Caviezel. But now we've got a sweet poster for the stranger in an even stranger land film. This is kind of like a Superman elseworlds story... or maybe like... well I dont know. But hey, a sci-fi film that plays like Pathfinder can't be all bad, right?! Besides its got jesus power behind it! Check out this new poster :)

The original poster can be seen here., but I know we all prefer floating heads :) From Latino Review: “Outlander” begins when a space craft crashes into the majestic fjords of ancient Norway and into the time of the Vikings. From the wreckage emerge two bitter enemies: a soldier from another world – Kainan (James Caviezel) – and a bloodthirsty creature known as the Moorwen. Man and monster both seeking revenge for violence committed against them. As the Moorwen ravages the Viking world, killing everything in its path, Kainan forms an unlikely alliance with the primitive but fierce warriors. Combining his advanced technology with ancient Iron Age weapons, the hero leads a desperate attempt to kill the monster - before it destroys them all." The movie comes out Jan 23rd...
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Warchmen legal nonsense settled

So a lots been going on in the geek film world, but one of the best pieces of news in a while is the word that Warner's and FOX have finally resolved their conflict over the Watchmen film.

If you'll remember it was over a rights issue. Basically FOX had the rights to the comic, Warner's the film, but it wasn't clear that Warner's could made the film without the consent of FOX. You have to wonder, since the suit wasn't even brought up publicly until after the film was well in the can if FOX knew about it all along and just wanted to wait for Warner to foot the bill then sweep in and take a cut, or if it really was just an oversight. Regardless, it looks like that's just about exactly whats happened as FOX and Warner reached a settlement deal, behind closed doors, before the judge had to make a public decision, most likely ordering Warner's to pay up anyhow. The really good part about this news: there will be no delay, no hesitations nothing to hinder or impede the release of the film now. So ultimately, we're the ones that win out. Although that said, I've no doubt some legal heads have rolled over this snafu at Warners.

From the trades though it seems the two companies are putting on an amicable face to the public. Care of Latino Review ne the trades, "Warner Bros. acknowledges that Fox acted in good faith in bringing its claims, which were asserted prior to the start of principal photography," the statement read. "Fox acknowledges that Warner Bros. acted in good faith defending against those claims."

See how nice and friendly that sounds... everyone wins, especially us. yay!
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Street Fighter movie trailer

Well, this is kind of unexpected. I mean, I knew the Street Fighter movie was coming out soon, but I definitely didn't expect the trailer to be so... normal. Is it just me or is this trailer kind of boring?!



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Joes play ball

It's also been confirmed that G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra will air its first commercial at this years Superbowl. I think I'm definitely going to have to check that out now :)

From the new toy packaging:
"G.I. Joe is a highly trained, classified Special Operations Unit composed of men and woman from around the globe. Officially, these warriors don't even exist. Few know the truth - that G.I. Joe fights a secret war, as the first and last line of defence against forces that seek to plunge our world into chaos. Wherever there's trouble, G.I. Joe is there!"
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TF:ROTF Poster

Well its finally here. No, not the film, but the poster! for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. A very ominous looking, is that Megatron? Galvatron maybe? I suppose I should go out and read the sequel, and prequel comics from IDW.... ah well. Reports are that the first ROTF commercial will air during the superbowl. Sweet deal :)

Oh and from my favorite site, TFW2005, check out this great battle damaged Optimus pic.
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BSG season 1

I have to say it, and I know I wont be alone here; but Battlestar Galactica is a fracking awesome show. I don't know why I never got around to it before now. I've had the first season on dvd for some time, and watched about 4 episodes then got distracted, as you do, and never quite got back to it. But I am VERY glad I did now. Event though Erica and I actually got Netflix for Christmas this year, we've started actually finding time to watch movies and tv again. Including dvds that have been sitting around for 2 years. Maybe its just that we're finally really starting to be settled into our new home, or maybe its just appreciating the lull before the baby storm arrives in a few weeks, but it has really been very nice. Of course we've both been super busy getting ready for the baby, but I'm glad we're finding time for some other stuff too.

As for Battlestar, well I know one or two spoilers, which I wish I didn't, but I don't really know too much, and I am definitely enjoying it. I do not know who is a cylon, so please don't tell me. we're just three episodes into season two now, and its getting better and better. I think I remember some people complaining that it didn't stand up to the test going into season 3 or 4, but for now, the show definitely has not disappointed. For my money the best characters are Dr Gaius Baltar, and Helio. Hopefully they last and don't get killed off.

If for some reason like me you never saw the show, I'd definitely encourage you to check it out. I'm a pretty big sci fi nerd and this is really wonderful stuff. Lots of drama, lots of action, with robots and political intrigue, and mythology built right in. Very fun. I'm hoping that we can catch up and get ready in time for the new show in the fall. I think I read its a prequel show.

Anyhow, I just thought I'd share.
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Dragonball: Evolution trailer

I'm sorry, but to me Dragonball just looks.... stupid. I mean I guess it could be fun. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation has a special place in my heart. But its not a good sign when that's the best reference I can think of...


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a dream story

Ugh. just had to get u. Its like 6am. I should be sleeping, but ever since we moved I've been having back problems on our mattress. Its the exact same mattress that I wasn't having any issues with for the past 2 years, so its kind of annoying to say the least. I think probably the bed got flipped when we moved and so now its on a side and direction that I'm totally not good with. I think I'll need to flip it back. How stupidly complicated is that?! 

Also I was having off and on bad dreams. The thing about bad dreams with me, is that its always kind of funny. I get scared by weird stuff. Like I'm much more likely not to be scared of the real world threat. So while normal people have nightmares about a serial killer coming and attacking them, I have dreams about ghosts and monsters and space aliens.

Today I dreamed that I was trapped in a house (standard set up for a number of the bad dreams I've had, and of course classic horror movies) and I was part of a team of guys trying to stop another team of bad guys. Basically imagine 4 on 4 deathmatch in a house. I think I was flipping perspective between my team members, so I suppose a video game analogy is closest to accurate. Anyhow, I'm trapped in one of the end rooms, with a gun thankfully, and what comes in the door behind me but a white chinese dragon. I freak obviously, and am glad I've got the gun, and not the pool cue anymore. I shoot at the lead guy that I can almost see under the head of the dragon costume,  but its a dummy a trick so that the real enemy can slip in the room under one of the body sections without me seeing. BUT I'm too quick for them I realize this and start scanning the body of the dragon costume for my real enemy. And what shape do I see?? who is my enemy thats trying to kill me that I have to kill? Scar, from the lion king.

I know! scary right! I'm not talking about a cartoon lion here, I'm talking a real live lion. Like if someone took Scar and made the cartoon real.... actually I have a sneaking suspicion that everyone in the dream was a character from somewhere.... anyhow, for all intents and purposes I'm about to be attacked by a lion, so I shoot him twice in the side and start running. I go back past him and down to the other end of the hallway. This is the second story of the building and I don't want to go back downstairs because there are other bad guys waiting. Also I haven't seen anyone else from my team in a while. So I go to the end of this hallway and into a room. Scanning to make sure its safe I collect myself a bit. It doesn't sound like Scar chased me out of the room.  So now I'm wondering what am I supposed to do. I can't go downstairs, I've used all the bullets and am now back to a pool cue as a weapon and I don't know which way to go.  So I decide to head back to the room with Scar. hopefully he's dead, and when it comes down to facing a possibly dead lion, or 4 guys with guns downstairs, the lion seemed better.

So I head back to the room with Scar and I see him right near the door, covered by the white dragon costume still. And being the super smart guy I am, I decide to poke the body to make sure he's really dead. I mean ultimately I'd rather not go into a room with a lion just pretending to be dead to lure me in... So I reach out with the pool cue and whack the body a few times. And what do I get for my troubles, but he starts moving, he was just stunned and I woke him up. Great. I freak obviously. I mean I can't fight a lion with a pool cue, so I lock the door I'm standing at and head back to the room at the other end of the hall. Even though its an inside door to the room with the lion, it has big decorative glass panes on it, so I can see through. Unfortunately that also means Scar can too.

Peaking out from around the corner of the door frame at the end of the hall I look and see Scar standing up again in front of the door, pacing a little, and pissed. I duck away because I don't want him to see me but then I hear from downstairs the other badguys talking. They're going to head up and flush out whoevers left from my team. Not good. Either way I'm trapped. Bad guys heading up the stairs at the one end of the hall, and an angry injured lion who is specifically pissed off at me for shooting him waiting for me at the other.

Thats the point I woke up and decided that my back was hurting too much to stay lying down. Instead I got up, had a hot shower to try to help it and sat down to write this. My back feels a little better now. But its still early I' going to go play some Mario 64 I think.

Later.

A long, long time ago

I can still remember how that music used to make me smile... Its been a long time kids. I know, I know... Like forever and a day.

Looks like the last post was from the end of August where I ranted about my new job. Well A LOT of other stuff has happened to me since then but in a nutshell there was a conflagarance (is that a word?!) of three massive life events happening at the same time for me. First, the job, then my wife and I bought a new house! well not so much a house as a condo, but its a big deal. And third and most importantly Erica got pregnant! Now that's really a big deal :)

So here it is. I'm going to be a dad. I've got a sweet new home (2 bed, 2 bath in Ingleside Heights out by Lake Merced) and I'm working my butt off to try to make this new job everything I think it should be. So far, so good on all of it :)

 Anyhow, so I know its been a very very long time, but I can't say I'm really in a position where I'm ready and will promise to be able to come back o these Adventures in a Strange Land anytime super soon. I want to, maybe on a somewhat more limited basis, or perhaps I'll change the structure of the blog a bit, but I don't think I'll be able to go back to the way it was. I'm just too darn busy nowadays.  

If you like, I'm finding that I've started to have time more along the line of a Twitter blogstyle, and so I've been using my twitter account. If anyone here feels like it I'd be more than happy for you to follow me on Twitter. I'm at http://www.twitter.com/geoffchapman. I hope to see you there. 

If not though, remember I'm only an email away. And I will return... eventually.

Oh and if anyone is wondering, yes On Hold... has also been on an extended hiatus. I know we'll get back to something, whether its a continual or as common event as it once was, I can't say. But fear not. Devon and I will return to the podosphere. I hate podfading without even an explanation...

Much love all :) Until next time check out this video of the Killers featuring Lou Reed doing a sweet song called Tranquilize. 

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New Job

Where the heck has the Adventures in a Strange Land blog been of late? I think the term woefully neglected might even be applicable. Well, I've been pretty crazy busy lately and I thought now would be the perfect time to stop by and let you all in on the great news.

I got a new job!

I know I know. I don't normally talk about my job specifically here, unless its been to express my utter frustration at it. Well I'm hoping all thats over now ;) I've left behind the doldrums of being a lowly office monkey, and have truly entered a brave new employment world.

I'm doing camera work for a tv show! AWESOME I know!!! And even more, the show is really cool. Back when I was working in the film industry I got to work on a few really sweet projects like X-Men 2, and A Very Muppet Christmas, but those were only for a few months. This should be a continual rush of fun, geeky coolness as I'm going to be shooting for The Elctric Playground.

The show is a news and interview show that at its core focuses on video games, but also covers anything that appeals to the gamer culture. Meaning comics, tech, music, and just plain cool stuff. And I am their camera operator for the SF area. My colleague here Jose 'Fubar' Sanchez, is the on camera guy locally, so if you ever see the show from now on most of the stuff he's in from here in the bay area will have me behind the camera.

Its truly awesome news for me. As anyone who knows me will attest I have been struggling in a job that wasn't right for me for far too long. I think this is an amazing opportunity and I intend to make the most of it.

So I'm sorry if the blog has been, or may be in the future a bit lacking. For right now at least, I need to put my head down and focus on learning the job, and doing my best.

Wish me luck everyone. Oh and if you like the show can be watched at http://www.elecplay.com/. It's also on tv in Canada on G4/Tech tv daily, and weekly on CityTV. The US distribution deal hasn't come together yet, so just check it online for now.

Thanks for understanding the lack of posts people, but this is worth it :)
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Is that The Spirit?!

WTF?! Is this what The Spirit is going ot be like?!??!?!



That is definitely not what I expected. This is slapstick! I thought this was a serious movie... I suppose I was just misinformed... oh sigh.

The Spirit is sure to bring us to tears one way or another on Dec 25th, 2008.
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Dead Space game and movie

Dead Space is one of the few 3rd person shooters I definitely intend to play this year. I think it just looks great. Makes me really wish I had a 360. Here's a trailer for the game.



If you like that and are up for a bit more, I really recommend you check out this gameplay footage which features a bit more of a look at the in game physics, including some very cool gravity effects.



Its really pretty awesome. I love that its so dark, and the fact that there really isn't an on screen HUD. Makes the game just that much more immersive looking.

And finally in a very cool marketing tie in, there is a series of Dead Space comics, AND a planned Dead Space animated movie. Called Dead Space: Downfall, the movie is a prequel to the game and should be released around the same time as the game this October. Check out the trailer.



If you need more than that, check out the wiki, or the official page. Looks like a sweet game though. Dead Space is set to come out October 21st, '08 for 360, PS3 and PC, with a Wii version rumored to follow later.
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Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist trailer

Oh my, its like Juno all over again. Adorable Michael Cera is now teamed up with Kat Dennings. Looks like alternative indie movies just got slightly more formulaic.... Not to say I don't still like it, but its a bit sad when everything indie becomes mainstream. Way of the world I suppose. Check out the trailer for Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist.



Yes, I know its really not at all like Juno, it just seems a bit... predictable. The movie comes out October 3rd, 2008.
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new Dragonball pic

Care of SHH and Hoycinema, check out this new promotional picture from Dragonball.

I'm still not sold on whether this will actually be a good movie or not, but at least the marketing has been entertaining. I hope to see a trailer soon. The film is slated for release April 8th, 2009.
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Fifa Street 3 ad

Check out this fantastic commercial for Fifa Street. You might want to make it full screen to see it in all its glory.



Totally fantastic, its like almost as cool as the urban ninja! I've been seeing this ad a fair bit lately, and I know people are wondering if its actually real. Let me assure you yes it is. Check out this behind the scenes making of the commercial vid.



Fifa Street 3 came out this past February to less than stellar reviews. Metacritic gave it a 63. Still, that said, great commerical.
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Watchmen pics

Care of AICN check out these wonderful new Watchmen character posters.

Also, over at Empire Online they've got a few sweet new pictures like this one to peruse.

Very nice stuff eh? This film just looks awesome :) Look for it in theaters on May 6th, 2009.
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Princess and the Frog teaser

Here it is, the long awaited ;) teaser trailer for Disney's The Princess and the Frog. Don't you just love the Randy Newman.



Is it just me, or does something about this movie just seem, horrible. The movie is slated for release on December 25th, 2009.
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Venom movie

Well it looks like Avi Arad was right. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Venom the brain eating, symbiotic, psychopath alien from Spider-Man is coming to the big screen. A script apparently has being written by Mean Creek writer / director Jacob Estes, but SONY is reportedly looking for other writers to tackle a new draft. Also interestingly the studio is apparently not sold on Topher Grace as the Eddie Brock / Venom character. I think, despite the poorly written character in Spider-Man 3, the issue definitely was not with Grace's performance, so I would hope he in fact stays in the role. I'd definitely like to see him become a bigger star.

Whatever happens though I'm sure well get more on Venom as it develops, and as suggested by LR, why not tie it into the proposed Spider-Man 4, currently slated for summer 2011? We'll see how Sony deals with this though, as I'm sure it'll be a tricky movie to bring to life.
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Hulk vs. ...

One of the next films in Marvel's direct to DVD animated line-up is Hulk vs... Apparently it's really two short films comprised of fights between Hulk vs Wolverine and Hulk vs Thor. Check out these two preview trailers.





With the relative success of The Incredible Hulk, Marvel seems well placed to take advantage and ride the mean, green, marketing wave, with both this title, and Planet Hulk slated for release next year. This film specifically should find its way to shelves in January of '09. I know I'm looking forward to it.
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