Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Heavy Metal, Movies, News.
In an interview with rgbFILTER, Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, revealed that directors Zack Snyder, Guillermo Del Toro and Gore Verbinksi have all expressed interest in joining executive producer David Fincher to direct some of the segments of the upcoming Heavy Metal animated film. The film is expected to include eight or nine segments in total.
Source: rgbFILTER.com (via /Film)
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Eureka, Ghost Hunters International, News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Scare Tactics, Sci Fi, Television.
NBC Universal has announced via press release that the SCI FI Channel has recorded its most-watched summer ever. Over the summer, the network broke records for total viewers (1 million), young adults aged 18-34 (253,000), men 18-34 (143,000) and among the women demos of 18-34 (110,000), 18-49 (278,000) and 25-54 (310,000).
Leading the way in terms of individual programming were Eureka with an average audience of 3.1 million viewers thus far, Ghost Hunters International (2.6 million), Scare Tactics (2 million) and Saturday Night Original Movies (2 million).
The full press release follows after the jump.
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Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, Movies, News, Tarzan.
Director Stephen Sommers has replaced Guillermo del Toro in directing a live action adaptation of Tarzan for Warner Bros, according to Variety. The trade further reports that Stuart Beattie will co-write the project alongwith Sommers. The studio began negotiating with Del Toro to direct the project about two years ago, but his commitment to The Hobbit and other projects has forced him off the project.
Source: Variety
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Teenage Mutant Chronicles, Television.
Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle franchise, posted the following message on the Heavy Metal forum confirming rumors about a possible live-action TMNT film:
“Yes, it is true. Although the CGI film did well enough to warrant a sequel, there has been much talk between Imagi and Warners to do a better “re-invention” (newest Hollywood buzzword) of the TMNT’s, in a live action film–like what was done with Batman. Back to basics, back to the origin and the intro of the Shredder, etc…there have been talks, trips to Northampton to talk to Mr Laird, and discussions with the original “first” TMNT film director Steve Barron to come back and do it right–but no official word yet…will keep you posted.”
TMNT‘s gross was just shy of $100M ($95.01M), drawing $54.15M domestically and $40.86M from overseas markets. It had a relatively low-end budget of $34M.
Source: ComingSoon.net
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 30 Rock, Chuck, Hulu, Knight Rider, Life, Lipstick Jungle, NBC, News, Television.
NBC has announced that they’ll be premiering five shows online on the newly formed service Hulu before their TV premiere. The five shows are Knight Rider, 30 Rock, Lipstick Jungle, Life and Chuck. The episodes will air a week prior to their broadcast premiere.
The shows will likely appear on NBC.com as well, though that hasn’t been announced yet.
Lipstick Jungle
Hulu: Wednesday, September 17th, NBC: September 24th
Knight Rider
Hulu: Wednesday, September 17th, NBC: September 24th
Life
Hulu: Monday, September 22nd, NBC: September 29th
Chuck
Hulu: Monday, September 22nd, NBC: September 29th
30 Rock
Hulu: Thursday, October 23rd, NBC: October 30th
Source: Hulu
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Superman.
Turns out Mark Millar wasn’t just blowing smoke when he revealed that he had a director and producer in mind for a new Superman project, and revealed that things were happening behind-the-scenes in regards to the Superman Returns sequel Man of Steel (which happened to be true).
In an interview with G4, Millar revealed his plans for a new trilogy of Superman films, which he wants to be shot back-to-back:
“A director approached me about three months ago,” Millar said. “and he said ‘look, [Bryan Singer’s] The Man Of Steel might not be happening. If that doesn’t happen, it has been spoken about the possibility of me coming in, would you like to write it?’ And I was like Yeah.”
“I’ve had this plan for like 10 years for a big three-picture Superman thing, like a big Lord of the Rings epic, starting over from scratch again with a seven-hour Superman story. And hopefully release them one year after another,” continued Millar. “If it works out, we’ll have to start shooting next summer.”
Millar also talked up his upcoming independently financed adaptation of the comic book Kick-Ass, revealing that the film will have a farely hefty $70M budget. Click here to watch the interview.
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Cancellations, Flight of the Conchords, HBO, News, Television.
It looks like the upcoming second season of the HBO series Flight of the Conchords will be its last. Stars Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement have revealed that they’re struggling with “a difficult second series” because they’ve “got a lot of half-songs,” Clement said. “We’ve got an album’s worth of beginnings of songs.”
McKenzie added that this season, made up of 10 new episodes, would likely be its last: “The second series seems to me like it would be a good end to the show. I feel like another 10… that will be enough.”
Source: The New Zealand Herald
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Nielsen TV Ratings, Television.
Senator Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night drew over 38 million viewers (likely more than 40M when PBS and C-Span are included), an impressive feat considering it was watched by more people than watched the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics and last year’s finale of American Idol, to name a few.
The speech drew a 24.5 rating and 38.38M viewers and a 12.2 rating among adults 18-49 on ten stations (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, BET, TV One, Univision and Telemundo).
Source: Nielsen
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in 2008/2009 Television, ABC, Better Off Ted, Castle, Cupid, News, Single with Parents, Television, The Unusuals.
ABC is adding five new series to its slate of programming for the 2008/2009. The three new dramas and two new comedies are Castle, Cupid, The Unusuals, Better Off Ted and Single with Parents.
DRAMAS
“Castle” is a comedic crime procedural about a famous mystery novelist, Nick Castle, who is bored with his own success. When a real-world copycat murderer starts staging scenes from Nick’s novels, Nick is teamed up with NYPD Detective Kate Beckett and the challenge gets his blood pumping as he steps in to help solve the crime. Nick and Beckett’s styles instantly clash and sparks begin to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance. Nick is kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother, quick-witted teenage daughter and his long-suffering ex-wife… who happens to be his editor. “Castle” stars Nathan Fillion as Castle, Stana Katic as Beckett, Molly Quinn as Alexis, Susan Sullivan as Martha, Monet Mazur as Gina and Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Capt. Montgomery. Produced by ABC Studios. Andrew Marlowe serves as executive producer/writer, along with executive producers Laurie Zaks, Armyan Bernstein and Rob Bowman.
“Cupid” is a romantic dramedy about Trevor, a larger than life character who may or may not be the Roman god of love, Cupid, sent to earth to bring couples together. As fate would have it, Trevor is under the care of famous psychologist and self-help author Dr. Claire Allen, who is also dedicated to helping lonely hearts find their soul mates. While she agrees with his cause, she questions whether he’s crazy or really is Cupid. “Cupid” stars Bobby Cannavale as Trevor, Sarah Paulson as Claire, Rick Gomez as Felix and Camille Guaty as Lita. Produced by ABC Studios. Rob Thomas serves as executive producer/writer along with executive producers Jennifer Gwartz, Danielle Stokdyk, Dan Etheridge and Bharat Nalluri.
“The Unusuals” is a unique comedic procedural set in a New York police precinct. As a cop, it helps to have a twisted sense of humor, because every moment could be your last. Just ask Casey Schraeger, who started her day as an NYPD vice detective before unexpectedly being transferred to the homicide division. She quickly realizes that, not only does everyone in her new department have a distinct sense of humor, but also their own dirty little secrets. “The Unusuals” stars Amber Tamblyn as Det. Casey Schraeger, Jeremy Renner as Det. Joe Walsh, Terry Kinney as Sgt. Harvey Brown, Kai Lennox as Det. Ed Alvarez, Harold Perrineau as Det. Leo Banks, Adam Goldberg as Det. Eric Delahoy, Monique Gabriela Curnen as Det. Allison Beaumont and Joshua Close as Henry Cole. Produced by Sony Pictures Television. Noah Hawley is executive producer/writer.
COMEDIES
“Better Off Ted” is a satirical office comedy featuring a successful but morally conscious man, Ted, who runs a research and development department at a morally questionable corporation, Veridian Technologies. No achievement is too far fetched and no invention too unorthodox for Veridian. Need a suicidal turkey? Done. Need a metal that is hard as steel but bounces and is edible? Done and done. Ted loves his seemingly perfect job; he loves his superhuman boss, Veronica, and colleagues Lem, Phil and Linda, but he’s starting to take a closer look at the company’s extremely questionable practices… especially when they try to cryogenically freeze one of Ted’s scientists for testing purposes. Starring Jay Harrington as Ted, Andrea Anders as Linda, Portia de Rossi as Veronica, Jonathan Slavin as Phil and Malcolm Barrett as Lem, “Better Off Ted” is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Victor Fresco is executive producer/writer.
“Single with Parents” is a comedy about Lou, a woman in her mid-30s who is determined to have her own life despite her crazy blended family getting in the way. She’s thrilled that her divorced parents are leading exciting lives really she is except both of them rely on her way too much. Dad needs her as a surrogate parent and Mom counts on her 24/7 as a shrink and confidante. Lou has resolved to finally find a fulfilling life for herself. The series stars Alyssa Milano as Lou, Annie Potts as Elizabeth, Beau Bridges as Joe, Amanda Detmer as Sasha, Meagen Fay as Nancy and Eric Winter as Charlie. Based on her own experiences, “Single with Parents” is executive-produced and written by Kristin Newman. Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Matthew Carlson are also executive producers. The show is produced by FTP Productions in association with ABC Studios.
The full press release from ABC follows after the jump.
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Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Voltron.
Earlier this month it was reported that Relativity media had picked up Voltron from 20th Century Fox and would develop the film with a “more moderate budget, utilizing the type of cost-effective technlogy employed in films including 300”. It was also reported that a director would be revealed shortly thereafter and now we have a name. Latino Review is reporting that the director will be Max Makowski.
Source: Latino Review
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Chuck, NBC, News, Television.
NBC has announced that they’ve given a back-nine, full-season, order for the second season of Chuck. NBC says that they were pleased with the first six episodes of the series (which they’ve seen), and wanted to keep the momentum going. Season two of Chuck premieres on September 29th.
The network also announced a pickup of America’s Got Talent.
Source: Variety
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Box Office, Movies, News, The Dark Knight.
In an article from The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. revealed that the studio is waiting on director Christopher Nolanto come up with a “story and a plan”:
“There are a lot of us who emotionally would love to do it,” producer Charles Roven says. “But it’s really Chris’ call. Chris is the kind of filmmaker who just doesn’t think about the next movie before he has completely finished the movie he is working on.”
For now, Nolan is taking a well-earned vacation.
Says Roven, “When he comes back, we will see how he feels.”
Meanwhile, The Dark Knight drew a third place $8.62M (up one spot from the week prior) and now stands at $502.29M domestically. It’s only the second movie in the history of North American box office to reach $500M and the fastest to ever do it (45 days–Titanic hit $500M in 91 days). The movie’s expected to add another $2.41M on Monday ($504.7M).
In terms of overseas grosses, the movie has taken in $417M overseas, pushing its worldwide cume to $921.7M.
With only an estimated 18.3% drop from last weekend and the film performing better than expected during the weekdays, my estimate has been revised upward to between $518-527M.
Source: THR
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Dragonball, Movies, News.
ComingSoon.net is reporting that 20th Century Fox will be debuting the first trailer for Dragonball on October 17th. The trailer will be attached with the studio’s video game adaptation Max Payne.
Synopsis
James Wong adapts the rich mythos of the Dragonball series that grew from a manga into various popular animated series with this 20th Century Fox production starring Justin Chatwin. The plot revolves around Goku (Chatwin), Earth’s greatest champion, who must defend the planet against an invading race of alien warriors hell-bent on dominating the universe. Wong directs from his own script, with Kung Fu Hustle’s Stephen Chow producing. Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s James Marsters co-stars as the film’s villain, Piccolo, with Jamie Chung playing Chi Chi and Emmy Rossum portraying Bulma. Hong Kong legend Chow Yun-Fat rounds out the cast as Master Roshi, Goku’s mentor in the film.
Dragonball hits theaters on April 10, 2009.
Source: ComingSoon.net
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, The Chronicles of Riddick.
Speaking with MTV, Vin Diesel revealed that screenwriter David Twowy is writing the scripts for not one, but two sequels for The Chronicles of Riddick. Dielsel is confident that the movie(s) will go into production:
“David Twowy right now is writing the scripts. The only question is whether we take a page from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ guys and try to shoot the two chapters at the same time. There are two more in mind,” he said of Riddick, the Furyan warrior first introduced in the 2000 film “Pitch Black.” “‘The Chronicles of Riddick’ was presented as a three part trilogy that would answer ‘Pitch Black’ in the same way that ‘Lord of the Rings’ answered ‘The Hobbit.’”
Dielsel continues to be interested in returning to the franchise:
“Everyone knows I love the Riddick character and I’m always working on it,” Diesel said. “It just takes five years to make another one because David Twohy and I are so precious about it.”
Source: MTV
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in ABC, Dancing with the Stars, News, Television.
ABC has announced the cast of 13 new stars that will be a part of the seventh season of Dancing With The Stars. The three-night premiere event takes place on Monday, September 22nd, with the first results show scheduled for Wednesday, September 24th. Here’s the list of dancers this season:
- LANCE BASS – Lance Bass has sold over 50 million records as a member of the phenomenally successful pop group *NSYNC. He also executive produced and starred in a number of film and television projects. In 2002 he successfully trained to be a cosmonaut at Russia’s Star City and was certified by both the Russian Space Program and NASA for a mission aboard a Soyuz capsule. Lance has also released his memoir, Out of Sync, for Simon Spotlight Entertainment. The 2006 U.S. Youth Latin Champ and 2007 World Swing Dance Champ Lacey Schwimmer teams up with Lance to make her series debut.
- TONI BRAXTON – The winner of six Grammy Awards, Toni Braxton is a Billboard chart-topping singer and actress, selling over forty million records worldwide. Her U.S. number-one hit Un-Break My Heart is the second biggest single by a female artist in history. She has also appeared in two Disney Broadway shows: Beauty and the Beast and Aida. Dancing with the Stars marks her return to the spotlight after a six-month health hiatus. She teams up with season one champion, Alec Mazo, who returns for his fourth season.
- BROOKE BURKE – A host, actress, entrepreneur and celebrity mom, Brooke Burke has truly done it all. She has graced numerous magazine covers, has her own top-selling swimsuit calendars, and is regularly ranked in men’s magazines as one of the sexiest women in the world. Recognized worldwide as host of the hit travel series Wild On!, Brooke has since hosted several high profile network series, including Rock Star: INXS and Rock Star: Supernova. On the acting front, she has guest-starred on such television series as Las Vegas, Less Than Perfect, Eve, It’s All Relative, The Bernie Mac Show, Monk, Rock Me Baby and That’s Life. Brooke is a mother of four and recently launched her own babystore BabooshBaby.com, a site where she shares her secrets (and some products she used) to get back in shape after giving birth. Brooke teams with Derek Hough who returns for his third season.
- ROCCO DISPIRITO – The James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef and author Rocco DiSpirito combines his world-class cooking with a passion for empowering home cooks. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Rocco opened the 3-star Union Pacific in New York City in 1997. In 2003 he launched Rocco’s for the reality series, The Restaurant. Rocco will next appear on the A&E series, Rocco Gets Real, beginning in October, along with its companion cookbook, Rocco Gets Real: Cook at Home Every Day. He teams with Karina Smirnoff who returns for her fifth season. Karina teamed with R&B singer, Mario, last season.
- MAURICE GREENE – The winner of two gold medals, in the 100m sprint and the 4x100m relay at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, track star Maurice Greene was dubbed the “World’s Fastest Man” during his career. In addition to being the former world record holder in the 100m sprint, and winning multiple world championships, he also won silver and bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. He is the current Indoor World Record holder in the 60m at 6.39 seconds. He teams up with two-time champion, Cheryl Burke. Cheryl returns for her sixth season.
- KIM KARDASHIAN – Actress, model and reality television star, Kim Kardashian shot to stardom after the first airing of her hit E! reality series, Keeping up with the Kardashians. The series follows the exploits of Kim, her siblings, her mother Kris, and her stepfather, Olympic Gold Medalist Bruce Jenner. Kardashian recently completed her first feature film, Disaster Movie and will also be seen on The N’s series Beyond the Break. She teams up with defending champ, Mark Ballas, who returns for his third season.
- CLORIS LEACHMAN – Actress Cloris Leachman’s storied career has been recognized with nine Emmys, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award. She has the distinction of being the only woman to win eight Primetime Emmy Awards and one Daytime Emmy. Leachman has starred in a wide range of theater, television and motion picture projects, creating such indelible characters as Phyllis in the TV series Phyllis and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Nurse Diesel in High Anxiety, and Ruth Popper in The Last Picture Show (for which she won an Oscar and a BAFTA). In 2008 she has already completed three new films; The Women, American Cowslip and New York I Love You. She is in the process of writing her memoir and is currently touring the U.S. with her one-woman show CLORIS! Cloris teams with World Latin Champion and Mark’s father, Corky Ballas, who makes his series debut.
- CODY LINLEY – Cody Linley will be the youngest contestant ever to compete on Dancing with the Stars. He is best known for his role as Jake Ryan on the wildly popular Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, a role in which he was nominated for a Young Artist Award. He also helped the show garner an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Children’s Programming. Cody’s film credits include My Dog Skip, HOOT, Miss Congeniality, and Cheaper By the Dozen. He teams with two-time Dancing with the Stars champ, Julianne Hough who returns for her fourth season.
- SUSAN LUCCI – As the most famous face in daytime television history, Lucci has held audiences spellbound for years as the sexy, sassy, beautiful woman you love to hate, Erica Kane on All My Children. In May 1999, all of America stood and cheered when Susan Lucci won the Emmy Award for Best Actress. While competing on the show, she will continue her work on All My Children, and celebrate her 10,000th episode this November. In addition to her performances on Broadway and in cabarets across the country, Susan is an entrepreneur, having launched successful cosmetic, fashion, and jewelry lines on HSN. She teams with Tony Dovolani who returns for his sixth season.
- MISTY MAY-TREANOR – Beach Volleyball champion Misty May-Treanor and partner Kerri Walsh captured their second Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and became the first team ever to repeat as back-to-back champs. The victory also marked their 108th straight match win. Misty and Kerri were distinguished as AVP Team of the Year for four consecutive years (2003 through 2006). Misty was also named Most Valuable Player in 2005 and 2006, Best Offensive Player in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and Best Defensive Player in 2006. She now joins a new teammate, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who returns for his fifth season.
- TED MCGINLEY – Actor Ted McGinley’s extensive television credits include Married&with Children, Hope & Faith, Happy Days, recurring roles on the critically-acclaimed series The West Wing, Sports Night, Charlie Lawrence, Dynasty, and The Love Boat. He has also starred in such films as Pearl Harbor, Daybreak, Dick, Major League: Back to the Minors, Wayne’s World 2, and the cult hit Revenge of the Nerds. Newcomer Inna Brayer will be paired with Ted. Inna is the current US Amateur 10 Dance Champion.
- JEFFREY ROSS – Comedian Jeffrey Ross a.k.a. the “Roastmaster General,” has delivered numerous show stopping performances at celebrity roasts honoring the likes of William Shatner, Hugh Hefner, Donald Trump, Pamela Anderson, Bob Saget and Emmitt Smith, inspiring New York Magazine to crown him The Meanest Man in Comedy. As a comic, Jeff has appeared on several late night and morning shows Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The View. Jeff’s other TV credits include Weeds and C.S.I. He has also appeared in such films as the Farrelley Brothers’ Stuck on You, and the critical sensation, The Aristocrats. Jeff continues to tour regularly. He teams with Edyta Sliwinska, who is the only pro to compete in all seven seasons of Dancing with the Stars.
- WARREN SAPP – Recently retired defensive tackle and Superbowl Champion Warren Sapp played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year career. His 96.5 career sacks are the second-highest career total sacks for a defensive tackle in the NFL. Warren was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, played in seven consecutive Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003. This Fall, Warren will co-host Showtime’s Inside the NFL and will be a studio analyst and game commentator for the NFL Network. He is teamed with Kym Johnson who returns for her fifth season.
The full press release follows after the jump.
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Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in American Idol, Casting, Fox, News, Television.
Fox has announced that grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi has joined American Idol has a fourth judge, sitting alongside Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson on the upcoming eighth season of the show that peremieres on Fox in January 2009.
“We are turning the heat up on ‘Idol’ this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges’ table,” said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”
The full press release follows after the jump.
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Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, The Wolfman.
AICN is reporting that Danny Elfman will be scoring Universal Pictures remake of The Wolfman. Elfman’s latest film work includes 2007’s Meet the Robinson’s, Spider-Man 3 and The Simpsons Movie.
Synopsis
Universal Studios resurrects the classic lycanthrope with this tale of an American who experiences an unsettling transformation after returning to his ancestral home in Victorian-era Great Britain and being attacked by a rampaging werewolf. His brother having recently vanished without a trace, haunted nobleman Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) returns to his family estate to investigate. What he discovers upon reuniting with his estranged father (Anthony Hopkins), however, is a destiny far darker than his blackest nightmares. As a young boy, the untimely death of his mother caused Talbot to grow up before his time. Though Talbot would attempt to bury his pain in the past by leaving the quiet Victorian hamlet of Blackmoor behind, the past returns with a vengeance when his brother’s fiancée, Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt), convinces him to return home and aid the search for his missing brother. But something monstrous has been stalking the residents of Blackmoor from the nighttime shadows, something not quite human. Not even recently arrived Scotland Yard inspector Aberline (Hugo Weaving) can dream up a rational explanation for the gruesome spell that has been cast over Blackmoor, yet rumors of an ancient curse persist to this very day. According to legend, the afflicted will experience a horrific transformation by the light of the full moon, their animal rage becoming far too powerful for their human bodies to contain. Now, the woman Talbot loves is in mortal danger, and in order to protect her he must venture into the moonlit woods and destroy the beast before it destroys her. But this isn’t your typical hunt, because before the beast can be slain, a simple man will uncover a primal side of himself that he never knew existed. Screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker pens a film directed by Joe Johnston and featuring creature effects by special-effects makeup legend Rick Baker.
The Wolfman hits theaters on April 3, 2009.
Source: Ain’t It Cool News
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Star Trek, Television.
Kevin Smith has been getting some pretty sweet exclusives recently. First he got a chance to check out The Dark Knight before anyone else, calling it “an epic film”, “the ‘Godfather II’ of comic book movies” and “close to a masterpiece” then he got the opportunity to watch an advanced screening of Zack Snyder’s Watchmen calling it “fucking astounding” now he’s is hinting that he’s seen J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek. The writer-director was a guest recently on KROQ’s Kevin and Bean show and this exchange took place:
Host: So thumbs up on The Watchmen, what else you got?
Smith: I saw a movie last night that I cannot talk about.
Host: Was it good?
Smith: It was phenomenal.
Host: Any stars, any break out stars, and do they trek?
Smith: The stars absolutely trek in this film. It is fantastic. Anybody who was worried doesn’t need to be worried–about this film I cannot talk about…It was in very capable hands. The director did a phenomenal job–the director and his crew. Top notch cast and the guy that plays the lead is an instant star. That dude is going to be so famous. He is so wonderful. He picked up a role that I would say is pretty challenging for someone to step into the shoes of, because it is a role that has been played before many times by the same guy.
Host: How do you out Shatner, Shatner?
Smith: I don’t know what you are talking about.
Host: I was just saying that as an expression.
Smith: Yes, absolutely, in a world of expressions, I would agree with that…I am so not good with this game, you are going to bury me man.
Host: We had you on before The Dark Knight and I remember asking you if you could direct a movie like Dark Knight and you said ‘hell no’ it was so far out of your sphere…but I bring that up to preface this. Let’s say a franchise like Star Trek, not that you have seen the movie or we are talking about the movie, but we are talking about it for example. That is something that is so dangerous to attempt. Is that the kind of project you would like to do? Would you like to be the guy who gets to do a movie like that?
Smith: I would not like to be the guy. In the case of something like Star Trek, it would take a really insanely talented filmmaker–storyteller. Like in the case of Star Trek, JJ Abrams. So leave it to the people who are best equipped for it. I am just the guy who should be watching those movies.
Click here to download and listen to the entire August 22nd episode of the Kevin and Bean show.
Source: TrekMovie
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in News, Sci Fi, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate Universe, Television.
Cheer up Stargate fans, the long-running franchise, which began with a film in 1994, then became a TV series (Stargate SG-1: 1997-2007) and another series (Stargate Atlantis: 2004-2009 ) is getting a new spin off. MGM and SCI FI have announced that a go-ahead has been given on Stargate Universe. The new show will kick off with a two-hour movie in 2009, followed by a regular weekly run in the summer. Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, co-creators of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, will serve as executive producers and writers on the new series. The news comes just a day after the confirmation that Stargate Atlantis would not be renewed for a sixth-seasonorder. The two-hour movie that was also confirmed yesterday will still go forward.
The goal with the new show is to involve more space-based action than was shown on the two prior series:
“We’ve had great success with ‘Enterprise’ repeats on Monday night, and there’s clearly an appetite for space opera as ‘Battlestar’ goes away,” Sci Fi president Dave Howe said. “There’s an opportunity to keep the space opera as part of our programming strategy.”
“This is an opportunity to reinvent this franchise and make it relevant to a new generation,” Howe said. “We really don’t want to be more of the same. It’s going to build clearly off the existing franchise but with a cast that gives it a younger vibe.”
Said co-creators Wright and Cooper: “In ‘Universe,’ we plan to keep those elements that have made the franchise a success, such as adventure and humor, while breaking new ground in the relationships between mostly young and desperate explorers, thrust together and far from home. Above all, we believe the Stargate itself remains an enduring icon with infinite potential as a jumping-off point for telling stories.”
Here’s a complete description of the new series (and click after the jump for the full press release):
After unlocking the mystery of the Stargate’s ninth chevron, a team of explorers travels to an unmanned starship called the Destiny, launched by The Ancients at the height of their civilization as a grand experiment set in motion, but never completed.
What starts as a simple reconnaissance turns into a never ending mission, as the Stargate Universe crew discovers the ship is unable to return to Earth, and they must now fend for themselves aboard the Destiny.
The crew will travel to the far reaches of the universe, connecting with each of the previously launched Stargates, thus fulfilling the Destiny’s original mission. Challenges will arise though as the ship comes into range of Stargates placed centuries ahead of the Destiny and the crew is unable to control the ship’s navigational schedule. If someone is left behind, there is no way to go back for them, adding to the drama of encountering new races, enemies and adventures.
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Batman, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Movies, News, Superman, Wonder Woman.
Just a few days after it was reported that Warner Bros. was debating behind-the-scenes about how they should proceed with the planned Superman Returns sequel Superman: Man of Steel, the Wall Street Journal has an article up with Jeff Robinov, Warner Bros. Pictures Group President, in which he tells the paper that the studio is indeed looking to reintroduce Superman:
Warner Bros. also put on hold plans for another movie starring multiple superheroes — known as “Batman vs. Superman” — after the $215 million “Superman Returns,” which had disappointing box-office returns, didn’t please executives. “‘Superman’ didn’t quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to,” says Mr. Robinov. “It didn’t position the character the way he needed to be positioned.” “Had ‘Superman’ worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009,” he adds. “But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all.”
Now I’ve never had a problem with Superman Returns, but I understand Warner’s feelings here. Then again, this article is a little confusing as I had not realized that Batman vs. Superman was as much a possibility as is led on here. Here are a few more highlights from the article, including the studio’s future plans with their various DC properties:
“By 2011, Mr. Robinov plans for DC Comics to supply the material for up to two of the six to eight tent-pole films he hopes Warner Bros. will have in the pipeline by then,” the article states.
The studio is set to announce its plans for future DC movies in the next month. For now, though, it is focused on releasing four comic-book films in the next three years, including a third Batman film, a new film reintroducing Superman, and two movies focusing on other DC Comics characters. Movies featuring Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman are all in active development.
With “Batman vs. Superman” and “Justice League” stalled, Warner Bros. has quietly adopted Marvel’s model of releasing a single film for each character, and then using those movies and their sequels to build up to a multicharacter film. “Along those lines, we have been developing every DC character that we own,” Mr. Robinov says.
Robinov also noted that he wants the next batch of superhero movies to take a darker more brooding tone, similar to the studio’s recent box office success The Dark Knight. That includes the Superman franchise.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Movies, News, Quantum of Solace.
Sony/Columbia Pictures have announced that the latest James Bond adventure Quantum of Solace will be releasing in North America on November 7, 2008, a week earlier than originally schduled:
“We believe Nov. 14 is a great date that allows us to play straight through Thanksgiving and right into Christmas,” said Jeff Blake, chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution for Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group.
The film will have its worldwide debut on October 29th in London, England.
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