The Moviefone Blog

Animated 'Addams Family' Project Moving Forward With Tim Burton Attached

Jason Hughes — 2010-06-28T09:45:00+00:00

While it should be recognizable to fans of the television series and 1990s film versions, the newest iteration of 'The Addams Family' won't be based on either of those. Instead, producer Chrici told Coming Soon they're looking to Charles Addams original 'New Yorker' comics for inspiration.

The look of those original comic panels should fit very well with the inclusion of Tim Burton to the project, who Meledandri said is still involved with the project. The plan: to film 'Addams' in the stop-motion animation -- the same style that Burton used to great success in 'The Nightmare Before Christmas,' 'James and the Giant Peach' and 'Corpse Bride.' While no final decisions have been made, releasing it in black and white is also in consideration.

"It's all very, very early, but we are developing with [Tim Burton directing] in mind," said Meledandri. While it should be recognizable to fans of the television series and 1990s film versions, the newest iteration of 'The Addams Family' won't be based on either of those. Instead, producer Chrici told Coming Soon they're looking to Charles Addams original 'New Yorker' comics for inspiration.

The look of those original comic panels should fit very well with the inclusion of Tim Burton to the project, who Meledandri said is still involved with the project. The plan: to film 'Addams' in the stop-motion animation -- the same style that Burton used to great success in 'The Nightmare Before Christmas,' 'James and the Giant Peach' and 'Corpse Bride.' While no final decisions have been made, releasing it in black and white is also in consideration.

"It's all very, very early, but we are developing with [Tim Burton directing] in mind," said Meledandri.

Fans of all versions of the Addams Family should find this very encouraging news, as Burton has established himself as an expert on the creepy and the kooky. Does this also mean that Helena Bonham Carter is a lock for the voice of Morticia Adams, with Johnny Depp on board for Gomez? Obviously, no casting has decisions have been made, but it's hard to imagine Burton working without his favorite actors in some capacity.

Goooaaall!! Dermot Mulroney to Direct Biopic of Soccer Star George Weah

Jason Hughes — 2010-06-25T11:25:00+00:00

Perhaps he's swept up in soccer fever, but actor Dermot Mulroney is sliding right into his next directing project: According to The Hollywood Reporter, he'll be taking a look at the life of soccer star-turned-politician George Weah. Principal photography just wrapped on Mulroney's directorial debut, 'Love Wedding Marriage,' which saw the actor in familiar romantic comedy territory. A Weah biopic would be quite a departure in tone.

"Man can't live on romantic comedies alone," Mulroney, an avid soccer fan, told the Reporter. "It was a good starter kit for me as a director. But if I'm actually going to have legs as a director, I need to do the same things as I've done as actor: one of everything." After a year of negotiations, a deal was finally reached for Weah's life story in Miami, where the former soccer star is attending college. Perhaps he's swept up in soccer fever, but actor Dermot Mulroney is sliding right into his next directing project: According to The Hollywood Reporter, he'll be taking a look at the life of soccer star-turned-politician George Weah. Principal photography just wrapped on Mulroney's directorial debut, 'Love Wedding Marriage,' which saw the actor in familiar romantic comedy territory. A Weah biopic would be quite a departure in tone.

"Man can't live on romantic comedies alone," Mulroney, an avid soccer fan, told the Reporter. "It was a good starter kit for me as a director. But if I'm actually going to have legs as a director, I need to do the same things as I've done as actor: one of everything." After a year of negotiations, a deal was finally reached for Weah's life story in Miami, where the former soccer star is attending college.

Weah's story, which Mulroney claimed to be a "doozy ... It's got politics, war, love and soccer," is an ambitious undertaking for Mulroney's sophomore effort as a director. For more than 20 years, Weah was a phenomenon in the world soccer arena. He became the only player in the history of the sport to earn the FIFA World Player of the Year, European Footballer of the Year and African Footballer of the Year in the same year (1995). Sports journalists across the globe even came together and declared Weah the African Player of the Century. Despite all his successes, Weah has never qualified to play in a World Cup.

Having grown up in the slums of Liberia, Weah never achieved a high level of formal education. He used his clout and celebrity at home to convince child soldiers to disarm and help take down a bloody dictator, Charles Taylor. His 2005 unsuccessful bid for the presidency led to great personal tragedy at the hands of his opponents, including the burning of his mansion and rapes of members of his family.

Liberia also changed its laws requiring a college degree to become president. With the next presidential election looming in 2011, it's not hard to imagine why Weah is hard at work securing his degree.

The timing couldn't be better for Mulroney, either. The results of that election will not only make for a fitting ending to the film, but will also likely shape the tone of the project.

John Lasseter Will Co-Direct 'Cars 2,' Says Report

Jason Hughes — 2010-06-24T10:30:00+00:00

Confirming the rumors that have been floating around for months, Jim Hill Media is reporting that Disney has confirmed John Lasseter as co-director for 'Cars 2.' The 3-D film, scheduled for release in June 2011, will be the first to have Lasseter at the helm since the 2006 acquisition of Pixar by Disney, when Lasseter was appointed Chief Creative Officer for both.

His most recent directorial work was on the original 'Cars' in 2006, where he worked alongside the late Joe Ranft. It had been widely reported that Lasseter would not be directing the sequel, and that instead 'Ratatouille' producer Brad Lewis would be stepping up to helm 'Cars 2.' Now, Lewis will be working with his boss on the project.

Confirming the rumors that have been floating around for months, Jim Hill Media is reporting that John Lasseter will co-direct the upcoming Pixar sequel 'Cars 2.' The 3-D film, scheduled for release in June 2011, will be the first to have Lasseter at the helm since the 2006 acquisition of Pixar by Disney, when Lasseter was appointed Chief Creative Officer for both.

His most recent directorial work was on the original 'Cars' in 2006, where he worked alongside the late Joe Ranft. It had been widely reported that Lasseter would not be directing the sequel, and that instead 'Ratatouille' producer Brad Lewis would be stepping up to helm 'Cars 2.' Now, Lewis will be working with his boss on the project.

'Cars 2' follows Lightning McQueen and new crew chief Mater around the world as part of the "Race of Champions." Lasseter conceived of the idea while traveling the world himself in promotion of the first film. 'Cars' is only the second Pixar film to earn a sequel, with Lasseter also involved in the first: he directed both 'Toy Story' and 'Toy Story 2,' but stepped aside for the recently released third in the series.

Roland Emmerich Considering TWO 'Independence Day' Sequels

Jason Hughes — 2009-11-13T13:00:00+00:00

With his latest special effects sensation, '2012,' set to assault our senses beginning today, Roland Emmerich is looking ahead -- by looking back.

While making the press rounds in anticipation of '2012,' Emmerich inevitably got to talking about his 1996 alien invasion blockbuster, 'Independence Day.' From the moment the film broke $100 million in a week, shattering records of the time, there has been talk of a sequel. Now, according to Hollywood Wiretap, Emmerich is considering two, count 'em, two. "We want to do a bigger arc," he said. "'Independence Day' was always like the king who leads his troops into battle against an evil force, and that stays like that." With his latest special effects sensation, '2012,' set to assault our senses beginning today, Roland Emmerich is looking ahead -- by looking back.

While making the press rounds in anticipation of '2012,' Emmerich inevitably got to talking about his 1996 alien invasion blockbuster, 'Independence Day.' From the moment the film broke $100 million in a week, shattering records of the time, there has been talk of a sequel. Now, according to Hollywood Wiretap, Emmerich is considering two, count 'em, two. "We want to do a bigger arc," he said. "'Independence Day' was always like the king who leads his troops into battle against an evil force, and that stays like that."

There's no script yet, according to Emmerich, but there is an idea, a catchy title and the promise of Will Smith's involvement. Really, what more do you need? An idea is enough to bring us the next phase in the alien-invasion saga. Technological advancements in the area of special effects are enough to ensure us that it will be beautiful, and the lack of a script ensures it will be the mindless fun for which we look for in Emmerich's blockbusters.

It was 'Independence Day' that established Emmerich as the go-to guy for epic visuals, mind-blowing imagery, and, uh, really not much else. If 'Independence Day' didn't start the summer popcorn movie craze, it certainly pushed it to the next level.

Without the massive success of 'ID4,' there would be no Michael Bay making stuff blow up in the 'Transformers' movies. But nobody makes the end of the world -- or at least the end of everything we know -- look so damned attractive as Roland Emmerich. That's why we went to see 'The Day After Tomorrow,' and that's why we're excited about '2012.' The actual character and plot will be long forgotten, but those images of devastation will be with us forever.

As for the title? We think 'ID4-Ever, Parts I and II' is so cloyingly clever, it's perfect.

Want to Own the 'Terminator' Franchise?

Jason Hughes — 2009-11-02T10:02:00+00:00

Reports are brewing that the production company behind Terminator: Salvation, Halycon, will be auctioning off rights to the Terminator franchise. These rights will include the creation of new films, television series and other media spin-offs, but will not include previously released films.

The whole thing is rather confusing, but not unprecedented. In fact, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles rights were just auctioned off for a cool $60 million. The Terminator is expected to exceed that figure. Halycon is in bankruptcy now, so I guess this is just part of selling off the assets. Halycon secured the rights for $25 million two years ago, but it would seem the profile of the property has risen since then.

Reportedly, of the studios interested, Sony (Spider-Man) is in the lead. I've always loved the concept behind the franchise, if not the execution of the latest couple of films. I say it's ready for a reboot, and with the right writers and directors on board, the future could be fraught with more peril than ever before.

How long before a fanboy puts up a petition to try and save up enough money to buy the rights and bring Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles back to TV? If Sci Fi Squad had that kind of scratch, you know we'd buy it up and make our own killer Terminator movie. It'd be low-budget as all hell, but wasn't the original low-budget? We don't need no budget to make movie magic!

Just so long as they don't accept any bids from a monotone representative from a small, relatively unknown company called Skynet.

November 18 is International Science Fiction Reshelving Day

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-29T17:32:00+00:00

It's not an epic event like the Olympics, or even on the level of Free Comic Book Day or National Novel Writing Month, but founder John R.R. Leavitt hopes that he can start a movement. He is declaring November 18th 'International Science Fiction Reshelving Day,' or ISFRD.

He's even created a website in support of his mission. The idea is pretty simple: On November 18, science fiction and fantasy fans all over the world are to head for their local bookstores and grab up all the genre books from other sections and shelve them in the science fiction section.

For example, in many bookstores, George Orwell's 1984 and the works of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne are in the Classics section. Meanwhile, the works of Michael Crichton, including Sphere and Jurassic Park are in Fiction. You'll also find Stephen King's The Dark Tower there, if the store doesn't have a Horror section. The problem is that these are all science fiction works.

It's an act of quiet protest. But, while it's not illegal per se, I don't imagine most bookstores would be too thrilled if you were traipsing through the stores with giant stacks of books and moving them to the Science Fiction section. It's also incredibly unlikely to have any sort of impact unless Leavitt can truly get a tremendous global response to his call for action.

Here's what the founder of this movement has to say about it:

Many books from our fine genre are regularly placed in the wrong section of bookstores. This not only hides the books from us, but it prevents readers of those books from discovering the rich tradition to which they belong.

On November 18th that changes. We will go to bookstores around the world and move science fiction and fantasy books from wherever they might be to their proper place in the "Science Fiction" section. We hope that this quiet act of protest will raise awareness of this problem and inspire new readers to explore our thought-provoking genre.

He goes on to explain that there are fans of science fiction books who have no idea what else is in the field, because they're finding their books in other sections of the store. And there are fans who shop in the science fiction section who aren't finding all of these amazing books because they're "too good" to be classified there. He even provides a partial list of the offending titles.

It's something I've been bothered with for years in my local bookstores, but never really thought about it much beyond that. I've thought the same thing in television about a show like Lost. It's clearly a science fiction series, and yet it is constantly classified as a drama. This is because science fiction in television, like in bookstores, is generally looked down upon by the "snobbery."

In fact, that's even why ISFRD chose November 18th as the day to do this each year. It's the birthday of author Margaret Atwood. At first, I was thinking they should go with H.G. Wells or Jules Verne's birthday considering their significance in the field, but after reading their FAQ section about Atwood's own snobbery about her science fiction books being classified science fiction, it makes sense.

So what do you think about this whole idea? Is Leavitt just crazy and should leave well enough alone, or does he have a point? Could this actually work?

Are there any books that have bothered you as to where they're classified in the bookstore, or do you not think about things like this?

Sci-Fi's Sexiest Women Found!

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-27T15:15:00+00:00

The folks over at Inside TV put together a list of the hottest chicks in science fiction, but they somehow resisted the urge to rank them. Or maybe they just couldn't decide. As I was scanning the list, I found that I couldn't really disagree with any of them, but I could probably add to it.

The list hit some of the more obvious heavy-hitters like Summer Glau (Firefly/Terminator: The Sarah Connnor Chronicles), Evangeline Lilly (Lost) and the Battlestar Galactica trifecta of Tricia Helfer, Grace Park and Katee Sackhoff. But they even found room for classic beauties like Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek) and the original green-skinned hottie, Jane Badler (V).

Check out their full list and see what you think. I think it's a little stacked in favor of successful shows, and I further argue that if Billie Piper (Doctor Who) is on this list, then Freema Agyeman needs to be as well. After all, if Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Battlestar Galactica can represent more than once, why not the good Doctor. He's got a whole list of hot companions.

Here's a few more additions I'd make. Then you should chime in with even more lovely ladies that we both missed.

Megalyn Echikunwoke was absolutely stunning as the rapidly-aged Isabelle Tyler on The 4400.
How about a double-shot of Moon Bloodgood with her roles in Day Break and Journeyman.
No love for the head of Global Dynamic, Salli Richardson-Whitfield or Jordan Hinson of Eureka?
Even if her acting started off a little wooden, Anna Torv is a beautiful women for Fringe.
If you're going to give love to a cartoon, then you have to give love to Leela (Futurama).
Teri Hatcher (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman), Kari Matchett (Invasion), Hannah Spearritt (Primeval), Sabrina Lloyd and Kari Wuhrer (Sliders).
And with all that Star Trek love, none for DS9's favorite Trill? Both incarnations were gorgeous, but I'll always hold Terry Farrell a little higher than Nicole de Boer.

Sci-Fi on the Screen: 'Astro Boy' Fails to Take Off, 'Dollhouse' DOA

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-26T18:32:00+00:00

What is "Sci-Fi on the Screen" you ask? Why it's television and movies, of course! Every Monday, we'll be looking back at the previous week to see how sci-fi is faring on TV and in theaters. This will include a look back at the ratings of science fiction shows on television, as well as a glimpse of sci-fi films at the box office.

Box Office (10/23-10/25)

This weekend, the supernatural Paranormal Activity did the incredibly unlikely, climbing up the box office rankings to secure its first week at number one ... in its fifth week of release. Paranormal's $22 million shattered the dreams of Saw VI, which opened at less than half its previous three installments, but still earned enough for second place.

That dramatic battle atop the charts may have hurt the release of Japanese science fiction icon Astro Boy. The animated adaptation opened with an anemic $7 million dollars; a fraction of its $65 million budget.

I suspect a lot of Astro Boy's troubles come from the fact that it's a decidedly Japanese property which doesn't have the recognition or history of success in the US as it does there. In Japan, Astro Boy is as recognizable as Mickey Mouse is here. I expect Japanese revenue will more than make up for the lack of US support.

Elsewhere on the charts, Where the Wild Things Are slipped to #3 in its second week. The film dropped a steep 55.9% to bring in $14.4 million. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs made back its $100 million budget by bringing in an additional $5.6 million in its sixth week of release. Zombieland rounds out the Top 10 in its fourth week, bringing in another $4.3 million. After a month, its total gross of $67.3 million is well over its $23.6 million budget. America still loves zombies!

Further down the charts, The Surrogates continues its quick slide to oblivion. In its fifth week, an additional $574,000 isn't enough to bring its total to half the budget. I was really hoping for better with The Surrogates as its a very smart science fiction premise, and the comic book series it was based on was top-notch. I'm hopeful that it will find new life on DVD. Meanwhile, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra slipped out of the Top 20 completely.

Television DVR Update (October 5-11)

Stargate Universe continues to impress, nabbing 3 million total viewers for its second outing, once DVR viewership is accounted for. Proving that tech-savvy young people are too busy to watch television on Friday nights, Smallville and Dollhouse saw huge increases for the week of October 5-11.

According to TV By the Numbers, more than half of the Top 10 shows that saw the greatest increase in viewers for the Adults 18-49 demo were science fiction shows. Topping the list were Smallville, Dollhouse and Fringe. FlashForward came in at #7 and #10, while Heroes held up the #9 slot. Just ahead of that was The CW's The Vampire Diaries, indicating that fans of genre television really don't want to miss their shows.

TV Ratings (October 19-25)

For the sake of argument, I'll be adding in supernatural, fantasy and horror titles as well, as these types of shows tend to attract similar audiences. Plus, when you pit the more "unreal" shows against one another, you can get a better understanding of how genre is faring than when you compare them to the likes of Grey's Anatomy and NCIS.

The week started out with Heroes (5.7 million, 3.6/5) getting beat by everything in its timeslot, save One Tree Hill (2.3 million, 1.6/2) on The CW. On Wednesday, Eastwick (4.9 million, 3.5/6) continued to underperform for ABC, bringing in fewer viewers than the horrible comedy Hank (5.8 million, 3.9/7), that opens the night. The future isn't looking rosy at all for the witches or their devilish companion.

By Thursday, FOX was reaping the ratings bonanza that was the ALCS. Game 5 meant there was no new episode of Fringe. Nevertheless, ABC's FlashForward (9.8 million, 6.2/10) was beat out only by baseball and the over-hyped "injury" episode of Survivor: Samoa, which hit a season high I don't expect it to match next week. The CW's one-two punch of The Vampire Diaries (2.3 million, 1.5/2) and Supernatural (1.9 million, 1.3/2) were in repeat mode, and the ratings reflected it.

As expected, CBS again dominated Friday nights, with Ghost Whisperer (8.5 million, 5.3/10) and Medium (8.4 million, 5.1/9) leading the way. At 8, Smallville (2.5 million, 1.6/3) still managed more viewers than FOX's Dollhouse (2.1 million, 1.3/2) did at 9. In fact, a repeat of The Vampire Diaries, along with countless cable shows including Stargate Universe, beat Dollhouse's ratings every week.

I hate to say it, because I do like the show, but it looks like Dollhouse is on its last breaths. Unless a holiday miracle makes people want to tune into the planned Dollhouse double-features come December, it might be time to start your goodbyes.

FlashForward (9.8 million, 6.2/10)
Ghost Whisperer (8.5 million, 5.3/10)
Medium (8.4 million, 5.1/9)
Heroes (5.7 million, 3.6/5)
Eastwick (4.9 million, 3.5/6)
Smallville (2.5 million, 1.6/3)
The Vampire Diaries [repeat] (2.3 million, 1.5/2)
Dollhouse (2.1 million, 1.3/2)
Supernatural [repeat] (1.9 million, 1.3/2)

[These figures are based on fast national estimates as reported by Zap2It.]

Nathan Fillion Wants to be The Greatest American Hero

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-21T15:10:00+00:00

Actors say a lot of things, and they talk about a lot of roles they'd love to tackle. But when Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle) said recently to the folks at IFC that he'd love a shot at playing Ralph Hinkley in a remake of The Greatest American Hero. The original show ran three seasons on ABC in the early '80s, when I was very young. And yet, so much of it has stayed with me through the years.

That iconic costume, the flailing arms and legs whenever Ralph was flying and his complete failure to grasp how to properly use the alien, super-powered suit he picked up in the desert. It was a wonderful blend of humor and drama and superheroics ... at least to this young mind.

That concept is definitely strong enough to support a revival, and I think Fillion is a great choice for the role of Hinkley. He's not overly muscular, he's about the right age and he already has plenty of genre credentials, which means a built-in audience.

The suit could be modernized with new capabilities, even perhaps the ability to "become armour" or a "scuba suit" as Fillion suggested. I think taking a page from the remake of Get Smart recently for the big-screen would show how this premise could be updated for modern audiences while still appealing to fans of the original.

Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series Coming to DVD

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-19T11:44:00+00:00

Originally available only via digital download in six "episodes," Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series is being collected and released on DVD. The story follows Blair Williams (Moon Bloodgood) across post-nuclear LA in search of something called Ghost. It's set two years before the events of the movie.

While Bloodgood reprises the role in voice, the entire film is done utilizing the same CG technology that's used in modern video games, which means it actually looks pretty damned good. And it's filled with plenty of action and classic terminator models to boot.

The DVD set will hit store shelves November 3, 2009. It features a "The Making of..." featurette and interviews with the animation developers, film producers and Bloodgood herself. So even though you won't get to enjoy her true beauty during the film, at least you know she's there waiting for you in the extras.

I thought the Blair Williams character had a lot of potential, and I would have liked to see it explored more. But I think that's because I was used to watching Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, which had the time to delve deeper into character. Salvation was about blowing stuff up. And cool special effects. At least this DVD set can offer us a reminder that under all the gloss and shine of the summer blockbuster is a pretty solid science fiction premise.

And if it does well, then maybe we can get an intelligent continuation of the Terminator mythology. confusing though it's becoming. Or maybe it's just time to reboot the concept completely. Extrapolating a Skynet from where we're at technologically right now is hardly a leap at all.

Devlin and Emmerich are Both Interested in 'Stargate' Sequels

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-15T09:45:00+00:00

Long ago, back in 1994, there was a little film starring Kurt Russell an James Spader called Stargate. It sparked a lot of people's imaginations, and even did pretty well for itself. So of course people started wondering about a big-screen sequel. But instead of a big-screen continuation, we got Stargate: SG-1 in 1997 on Showtime. The series picked up events about a year after the film, but did so without the involvement of the film's writers Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich.

To say it turned into a successful franchise would be an understatement. SG-1 lasted ten years, Stargate: Atlantis notched another five, and Stargate Universe just premiered to huge ratings for Syfy. Add to that the various telefilms that have been filmed, including a forthcoming continuation of the Atlantis saga, and you've got yourself one of the most successful sci-fi franchises of all time.

So it's interesting now that both Devlin and Emmerich are talking about a sequel to the now 15-year old Stargate movie that started it all. The idea would be for there to be two sequels, creating a big-screen Stargate trilogy. Apparently, according to Devlin, that was always the plan. They're saying that both films would take place in that year between the end of the film and the start of the series, so they wouldn't tread on any of the continuity established.

Instead, they'd expand on the mythology established in the movie itself. If that was the plan, I think I could get on board with it, though they'd obviously have to recast the leads. I don't think anyone would believe that James Spader and Kurt Russell look like they're within a year of their ages in that movie. Hell, even their TV replacements couldn't pull off that trick.

What do you think? Should Devlin an Emmerich let the expanding television series and spin-offs tell their story, or would you support them going back to the source material to expand their original saga in this way?

Syfy Offers an Extended Peek into Alice's Wonderland

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-15T09:02:00+00:00

No matter what you thought of Sci Fi Channel's Tin Man, you have to agree it was a pretty bold re-imagining of The Wizard of Oz. And it generated a lot of buzz. So it came as no surprise to me when they announced a Syfy mini-series based on Alice in Wonderland.

Alice features an impressive cast, including Caterina Scorsone (Crash) as Alice. She's joined by the likes of Kathy Bates as the Queen of Hearts and Colm Meaney as her King. Harry Dean Stanton is on board as the Caterpillar, with Matt Frewer as the White Knight, while Primeval's kooky Andrew Lee Potts is very well cast as the Mad Hatter. Even Tim Curry got in on the action as the Dodo.

I have a strange love for all things Oz and Alice, so I'm predisposed to be excited by this mini-series. But aside from that, it actually looks like it's going to be better than what Tin Man turned out to be. I didn't think the steampunk elements worked as well, nor was it effective for us to focus on the Tin Man in that mini-series.

But Alice is keeping the focus on the girl who fell down the rabbit hole, even if everything else has been dramatically updated. It looks like it's as much a departure from the source material as Tin Man was, which makes sense considering it's the same people behind it. But this time they've kept to the surreal dreamlike reality that Lewis Carroll envisioned when writing both of Alice's adventures, as seen in this extended trailer:

It kind of makes me wonder what they'll get up to next? What other classic sci-fi or fantasy sagas are there to exploit? H.G. Wells? Jules Verne maybe? What would you love to see re-imagined in such a bold way?

Blue Peter Contest to Design a Control Panel for the Tardis

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-12T09:02:00+00:00

Britain's long-time children's show Blue Peter has long had an association with the equally long-running Doctor Who franchise. But I'm not sure if they've ever had any creative control of the Doctor's adventures. But that's looking to change, as Blue Peter has put together a contest wherein their viewers are to design a new control panel for the Tardis.

The idea is to use household objects creatively in the design, and to make it look like something the Doctor would come up with. And the winner will see their design in the new season, lending credence to the rumors that the interior of the Tardis will be getting a makeover along with the Doctor himself. I think it's a great promotion, as the winning entries will also get a walk-on visit to the set.

As a show of my own ignorance of things British, I'd never heard of Blue Peter and in fact thought that maybe it was a website inspired by Dr. Manhattan from Watchmen.

Two Obscure Gene Roddenberry Telefilms Coming to DVD(-R)

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-06T09:32:00+00:00

I've never even heard of the PAX series of telefilms by Gene Roddenberry and ABC. Roddenberry was supposedly only involved in the first two films, Genesis II and Planet Earth, but ABC continued the premise with Strange New World without Roddenberry's involvement. This was the mid-'70s and I wasn't alive yet, which is why I've justified my not knowing about them.

But this is Gene freakin' Rodenberry? Mr. Star Trek himself. You'd think everything he'd ever been slightly involved with would be available in some form. Hell, I think Christopher Tolkien is working on a book of J.R.R. Tolkien's grocery lists right now, and Michael Jackson probably has twenty more albums coming out. That's how we honor visionary creators! Not by burying their masterworks.

These gems are buried no longer. Now both of Roddenberry's PAX films are being released through the Warners Archive program. That's where DVD-Rs are produced "on demand." Hey, there's a guy in my neighborhood who does the same thing and he charges way less than $19.99 ... but you didn't hear that from me.

Okay, admittedly it doesn't look like these films are of the greatest qualities. Each was intended as a back-door pilot for a series and none of them made it that far.

The basic concepts of the films are that a man is thrust from the present time into a post-apocalyptic future. He is revived from a hibernation chamber by the remnants of NASA, now a pacifist organization called PAX. The movie followed this man, Dylan Hunt, as he struggles to figure out this new era, as well as confronting various mutants and other political forces that have risen up in the wake of World War III.

Unfortunately, even though Rodenberry plotted out 20 episodes, ABC thought a TV version of Planet of the Apes would have more traction.

Roddenberry reworked the proposed pilot and wound up with a more action-packed telefilm, Planet Earth. This time PAX was a city and a new Dylan Hunt learned that he's landed in a post-apocalyptic future where women are now the dominant gender. Again, ABC passed on this project.

They're not making available the third film, Strange New World, done without Rodenberry's involvement. After he pulled out, they retooled the concept a bit and changed many of the names. None of these projects made it to series, but Rodenberry did manage to tweak some of the characters for his Andromeda series.

Don't Give Up on That Voltron Movie Yet

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-06T08:52:00+00:00

But don't get your hopes up either. The film has been in various stages of production since the first Transformers film turned into a massive hit. "People like robots that turn into cars? How about a giant robot that transforms into five robot lions? No, seriously."

Well, everything has fallen apart in the current development cycle, but the US rights holder World Events Productions is looking to start over. They're working to find a new writer to draft up a script they can shop around Hollywood. So if you've got a dusty Voltron screenplay in your night table drawer, or even one kicking around in your head, maybe you could draft the big-screen live-action Voltron.

And if Transformers has shown us anything, it doesn't take much in the way of plot to turn a giant robot film into a huge financial windfall. Hell, just make sure Princess Allura is incredibly hot and mostly naked throughout and you should be fine. I'd cast Scarlett Johansson for this, but your mileage may vary.

FOX and EA Teaming Up to Bring 'Spore' to the Big Screen

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-02T16:38:00+00:00

At first glance, it doesn't make a lot of sense to turn the popular video game Spore into a CG-animated film. But then when you think about it some more, it still doesn't make sense. There are no set storylines in Spore. It would be like making a movie from the Tamagatchi craze of the '90s. They're just alien creatures that people create and interact with in a shared universe.

Of course, for EA it's a giant commercial for the game franchise, kind of like cartoons of the '80s were commercials for action figures and toys. But if Spore can be a movie, then I say bring on the Little Big Planet movie! After 9, I think we're ready for some real sackboy action! And the console game even has a plot!

They do have the folks behind Ice Age attached to Spore, and they've done a pretty solid job of turning that into a lucrative franchise. It's just a matter of taking the basic concept and creating their own creatures and storyline within the context of the Spore reality. So basically, it's making up an entire movie from scratch, and calling it Spore.

AMC Sentences 'The Prisoner' to November Premiere

Jason Hughes — 2009-10-01T17:33:00+00:00

I'm a latecomer to The Prisoner. Primarily because I wasn't alive when it first hit the airwaves in the 1960s, but also because whenever I would catch it, I was always overwhelmingly confused. Why don't these people have names? What is this Village? Is that a giant white balloon chasing him?

When I finally got the chance to watch it in order, I was treated to one of the most innovative and thought-provoking series I'd ever seen. Now, after years in development, AMC's remake of The Prisoner finally has a release date. The six-hour mini-series will air on three nights, starting Sunday November 15th at 8pm ET.

They must be pretty confident in the quality of this remake, because they're offering an opportunity at instant comparison. You can catch The Prisoner's entire original series 17-episode run on AMCtv.com. I'd recommend you do yourself a favor and at least check it out. The Prisoner is one of those projects that anyone who considers themselves a fan of science fiction needs to experience at least once. And "experience" is a good word for it.

With the acting pedigree attached to the latest project, AMC may have nothing to worry about. That and AMC's track record for amazingly high quality dramatic productions. Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ) has been cast in the role of the prisoner, or Number Six. The man in charge of The Village is Number Two, played by Ian McKellan (The Lord of the Rings).

As much as I hate that Hollywood is so in love with remakes, I can't help but get excited about some of them. I think the saga of V fell apart tremendously the first time it was turned into a series, so I have high hopes that they've gotten it right this time. And original Prisoner creator and star Patrick McGoohan wanted his series to be no more than seven episodes, so this might be closer to that vision.

I'm also intrigued because the original series was very much a response to the social fears and climates of the time, and we're in a very different world both politically and culturally. We're far more afraid of random terrorism than an organized Communist attack, and we're much more in tune with technology. In fact, the technological changes utilized in the new Prisoner will be as fascinating now as the ones we saw in the '60s were then.

Here's the 9-minute preview they cobbled together for the San Diego Comic-Con to whet your appetite for the mini-series:

Syfy's Riverworld Trailer is Here

Jason Hughes — 2009-09-30T13:00:00+00:00

Don't worry, I'm not here to reveal the 2003 trailer for the Sci Fi Channel Riverworld back-door pilot. That's old news, been there done that. Syfy, however, is heading back to Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld saga for their latest mini-series project, scheduled to air in 2010. It stars Tahmoh Penikett (BSG, Dollhoues), Laura Vandervoort (Smallville) and Mark Deklin (Life on Mars) among others, and promises a much more impressive look into Farmer's world of the dead series.

The premise certainly holds water for a longer exploration in series form. A world based around one massive river, holding not only the entire population of the current world, but apparently all (or most of) the soul that have passed on before us. So there's what happened right now to cause such a massive chunk of humanity to concurrently appear on Riverworld, how they all appear now to be in perfect health and the same age, what Riverworld is, and what we can learn from the billions of people who were already there.

I think the trailer looks awesome. Syfy has done well with original series of late, so I wouldn't mind seeing this come back as a regular series. Penikett is a little busy with Dollhouse, but he could easily be replaced. Or, if Dollhouse fails completely he'll be ready to come back anyway.

Should Cronenberg Even Remake 'The Fly'?

Jason Hughes — 2009-09-29T12:22:00+00:00

Why is Hollywood so obsessed with remakes? Now you've got David Cronenberg looking to remake his own remake of The Fly. I get that the special effects technology has advanced and that you can make it look so much cooler, but the 1986 Jeff Goldblum film has become a modern classic. It doesn't need to be remade.

Every time we get reports of another remake, that's one less original film being made. And original doesn't even mean Cronenberg needs to make up a whole new story. Think of all the awesome science fiction, horror and fantasy stories that have been written that nobody's made a movie out of them. Why do you think we had to wait so long for a complete live-action The Lord of the Rings?

How about we finally tackle the Foundation or Ringworld series? I'd love to see Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars saga explored in a feature film, or even some of the lighter fare of Piers Anthony (you know The Apprentice Adept series would make for some fun action sci-fi!). Sci-fi readers have been waiting decades for the film-making technology to reach a point where we could see some of our favorite works on-screen.

Cronenberg is the kind of director who would enjoy the challenge, and might even make good movies, too. We just need Hollywood to get over this bizarre fetish their on lately of remaking their own properties, and have them look beyond and into the thousands of classic science fiction books just sitting there ... waiting.

I don't need yet another remake of Dune and Battlestar Galactica, right now. I want William Gibson's Neuromancer and Niven & Pournelle's Lucifer's Hammer. What sci-fi classics have you been waiting to see as movies?

'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe' Lands at Columbia

Jason Hughes — 2009-09-24T15:41:00+00:00

After Warner Bros. abandoned the in-development He-Man and the Masters of the Universe film, everyone was waiting for where it might wind up. It looks like Columbia Pictures has picked it up, where the entire project will be rebuilt from scratch.

Ever since 2007, when this was first picked up as a live-action feature film, I've been trying to imagine what kind of movie we'd be looking at. Will the subject matter be taken pretty seriously, like they tried to do with the last live-action disaster, or will there be a tongue-in-cheek element to it. You have to admit, the subject matter is pretty ridiculous.

It would be interesting if they expanded on the concept. It's made quite clear that Eternia is a planet in the cartoon, and yet it always came down to the castle, He-Man's magic sword and Skeletor's inept henchmen. What did we expect -- after all, it was based on a toy line. But there's more that could be done with that concept, if they stretched their imaginations.

Maybe the story takes place in the vast future, and Eternia is a lost settlement of human travelers from Earth. Skeletor and his henchmen are either the results of genetic mutation or experimentation. Or is it better to leave well enough alone? I think some story grander and more ambitious than Skeletor trying to take Castle Grayskull to steal He-Man's powers is necessary here.

Stephen King Returning to Epic, Post-Apocalyptic Form with 'Under the Dome'

Jason Hughes — 2009-09-22T14:02:00+00:00

As a long-time Stephen King enthusiast, I've enjoyed most of his books, but it's his massive otherworldly tomes that grab my attention the most. It and The Stand are lauded as landmarks in horror, but I may have enjoyed the sinister science fiction elements of The Tommyknockers even more. He handles his technology and aliens from a completely different perspective than most science fiction writers.

Rather than revel in the wonder of it all, it's just the backdrop to the real human stories within. King's latest epic, Under the Dome, looks to again explore how regular people respond to the extraordinary. The premise is simple enough: an enormous invisible dome suddenly encases the town of Chester's Mill, Maine. What follows is how the community responds to it.

The publisher's newly launched site for Under the Dome indicates that "time is running out" for the 2,000 or so townsfolk inside the dome. But they don't specify if that means the dome is airtight, or that it's just step one in a more elaborate attack. Just so long as there are no naked identical girls running around trying to bang all the guys, because the Luna Brothers already did that in their comic, Girls.

There's also an excerpt from the novel, which covers the dome's violent arrival. I'm kind of glad we're not getting much more than that. When I first fell in love with King as a young reader, I generally didn't know anything about any of his books until I started reading them, and it's the twists and turns that make them special -- especially in his massive novels, like this one's promised to be.

The publishers are doing a slow reveal of the digitally-rendered cover art, so what I've got up there is just the first part. They're hoping to build buzz and excitement by revealing it in four stages. Are you excited? The book itself drops November 10, 2009.

Of Course the Japanese Already Have Dollhouses

Jason Hughes — 2009-09-21T14:59:00+00:00

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the news that Japan already has a service in place eerily similar to the premise behind FOX's Dollhouse. They're always ahead of us when it comes to technology.

Okay, it's not exactly like the Dollhouses, in that its agents aren't computer programmed with new identities. But they are highly trained to take on any guise you could need convincingly. Examples of roles they've already taken on: an uncle at a sporting event, snapping photos and engaging in small talk. How about a best man at a wedding giving a moving speech about a couple he only knows from a file?

The whole concept is a little creepy, but there are ten facilities now in Japan, with one housing 30 ~~dolls~~ agents. Imagine being able to have your "mother" go to that parent-teacher conference, rather than your real mom. If it works in Japan, you can just imagine someone will try to bring it here, either legally, or, since probably won't be allowed, underground ... like a Dollhouse.

Would you engage their services, and if so for what?

Should Spielberg, Lucas and Ford Be Allowed to Make 'Indiana Jones 5'?

Jason Hughes — 2009-09-17T15:32:00+00:00

Apparently the boys are hammering out the details for a fifth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise. Harrison Ford says that if the script is good he'll come back. But does that mean anything? He put on the fedora for Indiana Jones and the Space Invaders and that took the franchise in a direction it didn't need to go.

What's next? Indiana Jones and the Flying Saucer of Anal Probing? Indy and Mutt are abducted by aliens and brought on board their spaceship filled with ... snakes! The Jones boys must escape the clutches of the aliens by swinging from Indy's whip into an escape pod and make their way back to Earth with the alien's plans for planetary destruction so they can give them to Randy Quaid, who'll fly his plane right into the aliens' ship and blow 'em all up while Will Smith sheds a tear.

Damn, and I thought they couldn't top the fourth one. If Indiana Jones is going to come back, he needs to return to his mystical roots and leave the aliens for someone else to play with. ET II: Extra-Terrestrial Boogaloo maybe. What would you do in the new movie?

Tim Burton Promises Disney-Friendly 'Alice in Wonderland,' But Should He?

Jason Hughes — 2009-09-15T15:02:00+00:00

Tim Burton is making the rounds trying to put to rest the fears of the mindless rabble. You can call them the pitchfork mob. "They" are concerned that by having Tim Burton involved in the Disney update of Alice in Wonderland, we're sure to see dark and disturbing images that will give us all nightmares.

Burton says, "It's a Disney movie! Look, these things are what they are." He knows who the audience is for a Disney movie and he's not looking to upset the apple cart. He also says, "All children's literature is somewhat politically incorrect. We're not doing anything in it that's more than what's already in Alice In Wonderland."

The thing is, though, that Disney has traditionally sanitized anything politically incorrect out of their adaptations. What do you think? I'd love to see a more sinister interpretation of the events in Alice in Wonderland. Certainly Alice was overwhelmed and terrified by much of the nonsense around her. Or should he keep it squeaky clean for the mouse?

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Jeffrey Dean Morgan Inches Near 'Red Dawn', Wants to Be Lobo

Jason Hughes — 2009-09-15T14:02:00+00:00

Jeffrey Dean Morgan has made a name for himself among genre fans the past few years, playing John Winchester on Supernatural, as well as the Comedian in Watchmen). Hell, he even played a ghost in the otherwise straight-laced Grey's Anatomy. Now, Morgan's close to nabbing a starring role in MGM/UA's upcoming remake of the classic Red Dawn.

The original, starring the late Patrick Swayze, established the PG-13 rating with its extensive violence, but it was its story of a world on the brink of World War III that reached out to Cold War frightened fans of the mid-'80s. With the threat of Soviet nuclear annihilation gone, the remake instead looks at a coalition of Russian and Chinese forces.

The war is on American soil, and the invading forces are winning. The story focuses on a group of teens who vow to fight back. Morgan would take the role of the U.S. Special Forces team leader (originated by Powers Booth) who drops in to help the kids fight back.

Not content to get on that high profile project, Morgan is also negotiating hard to take the title role of Lobo, in Guy Ritchie's forthcoming adaptation of the DC Comics property. Lobo is an alien bounty hunter who killed not only his own family, but destroyed his entire planet on a lark. He has a moral code, but he's the baddest bastich who ever rode the spaceways on his flying motorcycle. It's over-the-top with great dark humor, but Morgan proved he could do that, and be huge, with his Watchmen take on The Comedian.

Personally, I can't get enough of Jeffrey Dean Morgan in these kinds of roles. He clearly loves doing them, and he's talented as hell. Nothing can kill a great sci-fi concept faster than crappy acting. At least with Morgan on board, you don't have to worry as much about that.