This week in Sci-Fi news the Transformers sequel got a name, The fourth Terminator film may have been spoiled, Raimi and Maguire are still mulling over Spidey-4, plus there is cool new images and vids from GI Joe, Dark Knight, X-Files, Twilight, Wall-E and more. For TV there is some Torchwood and Fringe and a few more bits so check it all out below.
MOVIE NEWS
Transformers 2 titled + Bay promises it wont suck
Next summer’s "Transformers" sequel will be titled "Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen". Also this week there is more casting with Matthew Marsden, Aaron Hill and Nina Dobrev being added to the sequel. Lastly, Michael Bay tells MTV that the second Transformers is not just to serve as a teaser for a third film:
"You know how those sequels they do the second one so you go see the third one? Transformers 2 is it. First one was just introducing, setting up stuff, so we can go a lot farther. Let’s just say [this] is not a lame sequel."
AICN Spoils ending of Terminator 4?
On Monday Aint It Cool ran a ‘crazy rumor‘ about the ending of the upcoming "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins", but soon after CHUD.com confirmed the rumor as a huge spoiler. However director McG later noted that "there are only three people who know the ending" on his production blog, which also has some interesting info on the film and no major spoilers. So if you don’t want to take the chance of ruining the end of the movie…don’t click the links to AICN or CHUD.
Sam Raimi excited to read Spider-Man 4 script
Sony has not yet announced who will direct the next installment in the "Spider-Man" franchise, and director Sam Raimi is keeping his options open, telling SCI FI Wire that he is waiting to read James Vanderbilt’s ("Zodiac") latest draft:
"I’m excited to read it. I’m hoping it’s as great as our discussions were about it and hoping it feels right for me, because I love Spider-Man, and I’m hoping I’m well-enough rested to, like, really embrace it and hoping that Sony wants me at that time to direct it. So if all those things come together, I would love, love to do it. But this is a lot of unknowns about the future."
Raimi also told SCI FI Wire that he would "hate to recast anybody" and that he "can’t imagine that" happening. On that front, J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson in the "Spider-Man" films) told IESB.net that when he spoke to Tobey Maguire last, the actor was still interested in returning for a fourth time and that if Raimi is involved in the film (even if just a producer), he is "pretty confident that it would be something that I want to do."
Jon Favreau talks Iron Man future, downplays ‘Demon in a Bottle’ storyline
In an extensive interview with Collider, director Jon Favreau tried to downplay rumors that implied the sequel would follow the Demon in a Bottle storyline, which involves Tony Stark battling alcoholism:
"The comic book fans might see ‘Demon in a Bottle’ as a fresh story line but I haven’t seen ‘Hancock’ yet. From what I’ve seen it seems there is a lot of imagery that seems to be shared. Him flying through billboards and things. The idea of the hero whose biggest enemy is himself, and him fighting through his demons, you want to come at the audience with something fresh. You don’t want to feel like you are echoing something that somebody else is doing."
Favreau also expressed his great interest in directing "The Avengers" movie, but understands that the release schedule ("Iron Man 2" in 2010 and ‘Avengers’ in 2011) would make it hard to accomplish. You can read the full interview with Favreau at Collider.
Fan-made cut of Attack of the Clones
Some may be familiar with "The Phantom Edit", a fan-made cut of "Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace" that many felt fixed a lot of the mistakes they had with the film. Well, it turns out someone else created a cut of "Attack of the Clones", cleverly titled "Attack of the Phantom". Check out a comparison clip below, and read over this article by friend of TrekMovie Darth Mojo to find out how you can look for the two films to download and watch.
Episode II comparison scenes from Darth Mojo on Vimeo.
NEW IMAGES
Angels & Demons (set photos–more here)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (concept art–more here)
Lost Boys: The Tribe (more here)
Outlander (International poster)
The Spirit
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen (set photos–more here and here)
Wall-E (Russian romance-themed posters–more here–other images here)
G.I. Joe (teaser of first 12-inch figure–source)
NEW VIDEOS
The Dark Knight
"IMAX Featurette"
"Making of the Clown Masks"
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (Japanese Trailer)
Twilight
Wall-E
Watchmen (Video Journal #3)
The X-Files: I Want to Believe [HD Version]
MOVIE BITES
- Christopher Lee said that he hopes he’ll be returning to play Saruman again in Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation of "The Hobbit". Saruman was never featured in the prequel book, but the two-film adaptation could rely on extra material not necessarily found in "The Hobbit". [Empire]
- Louis Leterrier says that Samuel Sterns (played by Tim Blake Nelson) is introduced in "The Incredible Hulk" and will eventually become The Leader, should a sequel be forthcoming. [Comics2Film]
- Read what may be a possible description of the opening sequence of "Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen" at /Film.
- After WGA arbitration with Edward Norton, Zak Penn has been given sole writing credit for "The Incredible Hulk". [IESB.net]
- M. Night Shyamalan tells BloodyDisgusting that "The Happening" was always intended to be an R-Rated film.
- DreamWorks has picked up "Roundtable", a new action comedy spec script from comic book and "LOST" scribe Brian K Vaughn. The movie revolves around “Merlin assembling a bunch of modern-day knights to battle a resurrected ancient evil, only to discover that today’s knights are all washed-up athletes, cowardly scientists or Academy Award-winning actors." [THR]
- Universal Pictures will be replacing the King Kong ride, which was lost in the recent fire, with a "new, compelling guest experience". [ComingSoon.net]
- Sony is moving forward with "The Green Hornet". The project is being headed by Seth Rogen, who is currently working on the script with Superbad co-writer Evan Goldberg. No story details have been revealed, save the basic Green Hornet angle and a director has yet to be selected. The studio has pegged the film for June 25, 2010. That would put it three week’s after Marvel’s Thor and just one week after Toy Story 3. [EW]
- Ridley Scott is returning to the Sci-Fi genre with his adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s 1932 classic "Brave New World". Leonardo DiCaprio is rumored to be the film’s lead. [/Film]
- In an article at IESB.net about Warner Bros’ upcoming 2009 slate, it’s revealed that "Supermax" has been renamed to simply "Green Arrow". The site also speculates that Peter Segal may direct "Jonny Quest" for summer 2009. Check out much more here.
- Josh Zetumer is in negotiations to write the upcoming incarnation of Frank Herbert’s "Dune" for Paramount Pictures. Peter Berg is attached to direct the film, which will be produced by Herbert’s son Brian along with Kevin J. Anderson who together have co-written several additional "Dune" novels. [THR]
- Some early good news for "He-Man" fans. Latino Review has given the script an A+ grade (A Complete Miracle, they say): "GRAYSKULL is LORD OF THE RINGS meets THE MATRIX and a little BATMAN BEGINS thrown in for good measure." Not bad. Read the script review here.
- John Moore is attached to direct a remake of the 1978 sci-fi conspiracy thriller "Capricorn One". The screenplay was written by Peter Buchman and is described as an updated re-imagining of the story about a group of astronauts on an abortive mission to Mars. [Variety]
- In an interview with G4, "The Incredible Hulk" director, Louis Leterrier says that you "might see Captain America himself" in the film. Leterrier made the comment while noting that films often have cameos and other nods to other films (such as the "Captain America" shield being visible in "Iron Man"). Watch the video interview here.
- Variety has confirmed that Lou Ferrigno is voicing the Hulk in "The Incredible Hulk".
CASTING BITES
- Alfred Molina and Ben Kingsley have been added to the cast of the big screen adaptation of "Prince of Persia: Sands of Time". [Variety]
- Danny Glover, Thandie Newton and Oliver Platt are in discussions to join Roland Emmerich’s epic disaster project "2012". The film is tentatively slated to be released on July 10, 2009. [THR]
- Warner Bros. has replaced Charlotte Gainsbourg with Bryce Dallas Howard "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins". Howard will play the character Kate, who was introduced in "Terminator 3" as Kate Brewster (played by Clarie Danes). [THR]
- Jack Black denied rumors that he’ll play Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit". [MTV]
TV NEWS
Fox SF Series Terminator and Fringe Premiere in September
Fox has announced the premiere dates of its fall series, which includes two SF series. "Fringe", the highly anticipated series from J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, debuts with a two-hour premiere on Tuesday, September 9th at 8pm before settling into it’s normal timeslot the week after at 9pm, while the second season of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" kicks off on Monday, September 8th at 8pm.
Shortened third season of Torchwood
"Torchwood" executive producer Julie Gardner told TV Guide that the third season will consist of just five episodes, confirming early rumors that the show would be suffering cutbacks. More interesting is that the five episodes will be shown over just a single week with a new episode airing every week, effectively making it a mini-series. Gardner also said that extra scripts for the third season are now being written and shooting is scheduled to begin in the middle of August. There is some good news though, as it appears that the show will move to BBC One, opening it up to a larger audience.
TV BITES
- "Blue Harvest", the Star Wars-themed episode of "Family Guy" has been submitted in the animated program category in the Emmy’s, while the show itself has been submitted to the comedy category. [Variety]
- The SF anthology series "Fear Itself" on NBC did so-so in its debut, attracting 5.3 million viewers and a 2.0 rating among adults 18-49 (fellow newcomer "Swingtown" on CBS drew a stronger 8.6M viewers and a 2.8 in the demo opposite the show).
- Tony Hale ("Arrested Development") has secured a recurring role on NBC’s sophomore series "Chuck". Hale will play Emmett, the new assistant manager of the Buy More Store where Chuck (Zachary Levi) works. [THR]
- Sanford Bookstaver ("Jericho") will direct the premiere episode of "Crash", Starz Entertainment’s first original series. Also, Sprague Grayden, who played Heather on the series, has joined the cast of "24". [TV Guide]
- Harold Perrineau told TV Guide that he wasn’t happy about his stint on "LOST". Not long after that though, the actor received a spot on the new ABC dramedy "The Unusuals".
SCI-FI RATINGS
| Top 10 SF&F Broadcast Shows | HH Rating/Share |
| 1) Lost | 6.9/12 |
| 2) Ghost Whisperer | 5.6/11 (8.44M) |
| 3) Medium | 5.5/11 (8.73M) |
| 4) Moonlight | 4.9/8 |
| 5) Smallville | 2.4/4 |
| 6) Supernatural | 1.9/3 |
| 7) Medium (R) | 1.6/3 |
| 8) Reaper | 1.4/3 |
5/12/2008 to
5/18/2008 – Source: Nielsen Media Research
| Top 10 SF&F Syndicated Shows | Rating |
| 1) Star Trek | 0.9 |
| 2) Stargate SG-1 | 0.8 |
| 3) Dead Zone | 0.7 |
| 4) Stargate Atlantis | 0.6 |
5/12/2008 to
5/18/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire
| Top 10 SCI FI CHANNEL Shows | Rating |
| 1) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade | 3.0 |
| 2) Mystery of the Crystal Skulls | 2.2 |
| 3) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | 1.9 |
| 4) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark | 1.7 |
| 5) Battlestar Galactica | 1.2 |
| 6) ECW |
1.1 |
| 7) Ghost Hunters | 1.0 |
| 8) Doctor Who | 0.9 |
| 9) Timeline | 0.8 |
| 10) Merlin, Part Two | 0.8 |
5/12/2008 to
5/18/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire
Star Trek (no bloody TNG, DS9, VOY ooooorrrr ENT) is moving up slowly but surely. 0.9 is not bad for a 42 year old piece of work. Not bad at all. Too bad it’s impossible to get useful demographics for the Remastered effort.
In Philly, the commercials are absolutely moving “up market” from the “Hey! Do you need a loan?!” and “Train for a career in cosmotology!!!”. It’s drawing big-time consumer packaged goods, some mainstream car ads, even a few financial services ads – so at least the Boomers are watching.
All bodes well.
I wish the Kate Brewster character wasn’t in T4 at all, it gives T3 a canon legitimacy it doesn’t deserve.
wow that sux for terminator 4….
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Bull (Shit)
“Now I know that the Invaders are here, and that they have taken DVD form. Somehow I must convince a disbelieving world that the entertainment has just begun”. Yes, the DVD set of the Invaders is finally here! If you do happen to purchases it, check out the episode “The Innocent”. This particular episode has an incredible cast which includes Michael Rennie (“Klaatu barada nikto”), William Simthers (Captain M.R. Merik of Star Trek fame), another Star Trek alumni Paul Carr (Lt. Lee Kelso), and a very young Dabney Coleman (minus the mustache). They all help create an exceptional first season installment of a highly entertaining show.
Torchwood without captain jack and dumbed down. I don’t think it’s going to survive. It’s to bad it was a great show.
John Barrowman will be back for Torchwood S3.
Glad Bay doesn’t think our sequel is “lame…”
I’m excited about a cool He-Man movie. The quality of the newest cartoon incarnation that came out a few years was top notch. If it’s anything like that, it’ll be remarkable.
A Jonny Quest movie could either be super cool, or super crap. If only they’d hire me as production consultant, I could guarantee the former. :-)
Here to help,
Scott B. out.
HOORAY FOR LOU FERRIGNO!
I was always hoping from the outset that they’d include Ferringo’s voice as the Hulk in the new 2008 version. He did a surprisingly decent job on the ’90s Hulk cartoon and it’s a classy move on the filmmaker’s part to have him revisit the role again. Plus, I’ve read that they’ve included a clever cameo for Bill Bixby (thankfully, no digital insertions). Can’t wait to see it!
8.
I’m sure it will be find. I look forward to seeing it. Saw the first one and it was good.
“fine” . Not “find”.
11.
Your joking right? Isn’t Bill Bixby dead? You knew that, right? How could they include him without using CGI?
Johny Quest, He Man, and Capricorn one. Awsome!! I think they should do a live action Venture Brothers as well.
#8
Bob, I really enjoyed both Transformers and MI:III. I thought they were a lot of fun and that MI:III was a pretty tight action script. If I were to make a complaint about Transformers, it would be that the battle in L.A. was a tad hard to follow on the big screen, but that wasn’t the writer’s fault. And for Mission Impossible, I for one was glad to see a return to a more spy-thriller style than the Matrix/Crouching Tiger influence of Woo’s film.
Now that I have buttered you up, any chance you could convince JJ to leak a pic of the E or the crew on the bridge? I mean, because we’re pals now and all?
#14 –
Not joking at all, and yes, of course I knew he’s dead (since 1993). I just didn’t want to spoil the specifics for anyone… it’s remarkably simple, fun and classy (if what I’ve read is correct). It’s not a cameo in the traditional sense, but a nod just the same. Why do they have to CGI him in? They could have easily featured his photograph in a newspaper or on someone’s desk. But they did one better. I’m sure the spoiler is out there if you REALLY want to know.
As always, Rosario, thanks. This is quite a feast.
The Clones redux is SO much better. Sorry, but with Hayden Christianson less is definitely more. The one thing that stands out about Ep II is his utter lack of charisma and chemistry with Sen. Shamalamadingdong.
Is there a point to ST3 or are we just supposed to enjoy watching a lesser take on the first one?
When will Torchwood make it to the US? I thought it was considered a big hit. (God, it can’t be worse than the Sarah Jane Smith Adventures. Sorry, loved Elizabeth Sladen back when, but somewhere along the line she forgot how to act. Plus, the show is aimed squarely at tweens, not 45-year olds. Saw a promo, BTW, that says Rose will be back for 3 eps of Dr. Who. It implied that she’ll join two other companions, who I hope are Martha and someone other than the horsy-faced broad.
As for 2012 — loves me a good disaster, I does. But, I talked to a bona fide astronomer and… um… nothin’s happening on Dec. 21, 2012. Sorry, Mayans. Must be rough being wrong, on top of being dead and all.
Again, thanks Rosario.
Torchwood sucks, im sorry but Captain Jack is the most overly excited character on TV, he’s just way too emotional and excitable and he’s just well, far too camp! (yes i know he’s gay, but there’s being gay and then there’s being John Barrowman) – he’s like the male version of ruby wax.
Transformers 2: The Revenge of the sith, i mean fallen, sounds cool. looking forward to it but not before Star Trek – Star Trek looking good in first place in the US’s wacky “lets give it one pilot season then axe it” Nilsen ratings system.
X-files… does anyone really want to believe anymore??
Jack Black as bilbo? no no, why not cast the original bilbo from the first three movies; Ian Holm.
Star Trek… hows that coming along??
Seasons one and two of Torchwood have already aired on BBC America.
#8. Boborci – Can’t wait for the new one, and very much looking forward to seeing the first one on blu-ray when it comes out! :)
All this good stuff on the horizon.
Can’t wait.
No updates on Watchmen? I’ve heard through the grapevine that it is truly something to behold.
No updates? Didn’t they just release Journal #3? Some guy in the prison scene is set on fire shirtless (kudos to the stuntman for that one).
And I know it’s a little off topic, but I couldn’t help but to post this. Patrick Stewart giving commands on Sesame Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl6VpmjKZAs&feature=related
That Terminator 4 spoiler sure sounds like they borrowed some plot points of the new BSG.
hmm remaking Brave New World , that will be ………interesting ?
How do make a PG 13 terminator film?
11 – wow thanks for totally ruining the suprise about bixby
theres something to be said for avoiding movie sites in the weeks before seeing a film your looking foward to
#28-
Sorry, Snake… what I read may not have been 100% accurate to begin with, so I avoided giving the “how” and “when” details… just figured it was a fun tidbit. I probably should have avoided the “who” part, too. Apologies if I ruined it for anyone.
*sniff*
Still no news about the proposed remake of “When Worlds Collide,” presumably to be directed by Stephen Sommers (according to his production house website… in 2010).
I hate wishing time away, but…
The parts of Outlander were filmed in Lark Harbour near where I grew up. Two of my sisters and several relatives went there to take some pictures.
so It wasn’t all Hayden’s fault…. it was the dialoge… He can act with his eyes. I’d love to see that… only now its 45 minutes long.
29 – yeah its hard avoiding spoilers in this day and age…even if you avoid peaking at early reviews etc…i managed to avoid looking at anything to do with Indy 4 – just the trailer..no looking at reviews etc….yet as i went in to the cinema to see it opening day there was a group of nerds by the entrance who mustve just seen it and one of them who was fat was taking loudly about the ‘big spaceship at the end’
I could of killed the SOB right there and then….he hadnt done it on purpose or anything ..he was just a classic looking nerd …i tried to imagine he was talking about some other movie that had come out but i KNEW he was on about indy…..
#33 –
Reminds me of that “Simpsons” flashback episode to 1980, where Homer is leaving a showing of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK… “I can’t believe Darth Vader is Luke’s father!!!” Cue mob scene.
I’ll be more careful next time!
well on the plus sde joelene Blaylock is inStarship Troopers 3 and we are going to get the personal battlesuits which were in Heinliens book. book, so things are looking ever so slightly up for Starship Troopers 3, Being a dvd direct film I have few if any illusions about this one. But it actually might be entertaining. By the way there are still people put there who have seen the Verhoeven movie and think its an accurate depiction of the book , it is not even close.
He-Man? Are they serious? They can’t call him He-Man. How about She-Ra? Scraping the bottom of the barrel….
You killed Orko! You bastards!
I just watched Spidey 3 last night on DVD, and I thanked TPTB that the Green Goblin storyline was over. I wish they would get rid of MJ, too. Too much screaming and falling, and attracting super-villains.
It was truly the worst of the three films by a longshot, and hopefully will wipe the slate clean for Spidey IV. It’d be great if they used IV to enter Spidey into the new Marvel film universe (Hulk, Iron Man, Shield, Cap, etc). He was in all the old “Team-Up” comics anyway.
You mean Darth Vader is Luke’s FATHER?!!
Thanks, SPB. THANKS A LOT.
Scott B. out.
;-)
I think Sam Rami and Toby Mcguire had better quite while they are ahead on this one. I agree Spiderman 3 was not as good as last two and I think that the law diminishing story lines and returns is setting in on this franchise. It should be put to rest for a while, before it starts to get stale.
38.
Yeah, and Lea is Lukes syster, Darth Vador made C3po, the force is nothing but meta-chlorines in the blood, and the Death Star will be destroyed by Ewoks.
BTW. I didn’t check for spelling of any of the names–I’m not a movie writer, no to I play one on TV.
CmdrR- “…Sen. Shamalamadingdong…” LMAO!
So many superhero films! Of course that can be good or bad.;) Although I eagerly await some HELLBOY, BATMAN and THE WATCHMEN. Sounds like Marvel has gone from creating a comics universe to now a film universe. Here is hoping for a cool CAPTAIN AMERICA film. So far they just can’t seem to do that character justice in live action! I want the to honor Jack Kirby on the big screen for once! The FF sure did not do it.
Over the last few years fan edits of films have really grown. I have not had a chance to view any, but I have heard they have improved a few of the originals. I also have seen that a STAR TREK film has been fan edited. I believe it was V. Not sure if others were done. Also to me those first 3 STAR WARS films could use some heavy editing in some sections.
Hey how about if some does the Mavel zombies, would that be cool?
The edit of Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones are by the same guy. At least the ones I watched last week are.
#6 – John Barrowman is confirmed as being in S3. It’s worth noting, too, that the reason for the mini-series approach seems to be the same reason there’s only three episodes of Doctor Who next year. Big chunks of the BBC Wales production team are moving jobs and a whole new team are coming in 2009 to replace them.
BBC shows tend to have a long pre-production schedule so it’s simply not feasible for the new team to be working on the 2010 seasons of the shows while sharing office space with a whole other team doing filming and post production work on a complete set of 2009 seasons.
I was so disappointed that FF turned out to be so bad. How can you screw up Silver Surfer and Galactus? And Reed and Sue’s wedding? One middle finger up for the fans.
Garovorkin 39: I think Spidey has some mileage in it yet. If we assume the first “trilogy” is over, and Spidey is over his uncle’s murder, and the Green Goblin thing is done, there are always new possibilities.
I guess Parker’s Physics professor, Curt Connors, is in there to become The Lizard if need be. Other classic villains are available as well: The King Pin and Electro come to mind. And if Peter really loves MJ, he’ll move her to Guam or Uzbekistan, somewhere far away from NYC.
I saw Spider-Man 3 for the first time last night. Yes, it was the worst of the series and was a real mess, not to mention retconning Uncle Ben’s death and messing with one of the iconic moments in Spider-Man history. BUT . . . I still really enjoyed it. It was a very engaging film and I felt, as I have all along, that James Franco is the best actor in the films. Given how they mess around with Harry’s character, he keeps the whole thing together admirably well.
For a Spider-Man 4, actually, I’d like to see a new creative team and cast. I’m tired of the ‘young, naive’ Peter Parker. I’d rather they moved things on a few years and cast an actor who looks less boyish than Tobey Maguire. Move to the point where Peter and MJ are married, perhaps. I grew up with the somewhat older Spidey and would like to see that character portrayed!
As for Torchwood and SJA . . . well, they’re very much part of the Russell T Davies era of Doctor Who. Steven Moffatt might have ideas of his own for spin-offs. River Song: Space Archaeologist would be a good start! ;)
Kirk. James T. (19) said:
‘X-files… does anyone really want to believe anymore??’
Well I do and it seems quite a lot of others do too! It looks to be a back-to-basics, lower-budget, Vancouver-filmed story, so there’s less box office requirement to make mega-megabucks to make a profit. Plus, it’ll be fun
Kirk. James T. (19) also said:
‘Jack Black as bilbo? no no, why not cast the original bilbo from the first three movies; Ian Holm.’
Because Bilbo is a physically demanding role in The Hobbit and who knows what will be required of the actor in the sequel? Ian Holm will be 77 in September. He would either require a stand-in for much of the films and would probably be uninsurable!
I have a question.. unless I’m missing something what’s up with Star Trek: The Experience? Inquiring minds want to know!!