Sci-Fi TV Saturday: The Walking Dead, ThunderCats, Caprica, LOST, FlashForward, Heroes + more

In Sci-Fi TV this week we have a first look at some Walking Dead zombies and news of a new ThunderCats TV show. There is also an update on the Heroes TV movie, hints at the future of Caprica, another round-up of LOST news (including DVD details) and more including the latest television ratings, casting bites and new images and video previews, including the latest from Doctor Who and True Blood.

GENRE TV NEWS

First Look: AMC’s The Walking Dead

AMC has released a batch of images giving us our first look at The Walkers in the network’s adaptation of the Robert Kirkman comic "The Walking Dead". The six-episode first season — written, produced and directed by Frank Darabont — started production this past week in Atlanta, Georgia and premieres October 2010. Check out some more images below (plus a set of animated sketches showing the deterioration into a zombie at this link).

More images: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Behind the scenes clip with Frank Darabont [AMCtv]

New ThunderCats animated series premiering next year on Cartoon Network
Warner Brothers Animation has begun production on "ThunderCats", an all-new animated series for Cartoon Network. Based on the 1980’s series of the same name, the series will premiere in 2011.

“In addition to being Warner Bros. Animation’s first anime series, ‘ThunderCats’ marks our most ambitious foray yet into fantasy,” said Register. “The realism and dynamic visual style we’ve achieved are sure to thrill viewers, and the cool weapons, vehicles and technology should help the show appeal to a diverse audience.”

Roaring to life through WBA and Studio4°C’s use of the Japanese animated artistry of anime, “ThunderCats” characters Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, Panthro, Cheetara and others will spring off the screen with realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations.

The new “ThunderCats” will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O’s ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost – takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.

WBA also released a piece of concept art, which you’ll find below (click to enlarge).

Decision on Heroes TV movie could be made soon
"Heroes" creator Tim Kring told TV Guide that he’ll meet with NBC executives this month to discuss the possibility of ending the recently canceled series with a two or four-hour TV movie. Kring adds that should the network give the go-ahead, the plot will skip ahead a year or two to see the effect of Claire’s revelation at the end of season four:

"There will be a huge cultural and social change in the world," says Kring. "Some [of our characters] will be hiding, some struggling, some basking in the glory."

Claire, who desperately wanted a normal life, will become a reluctant spokesperson for the abnormals. Sylar (Zachary Quinto) will again struggle with his dark side. And Adrian Pasdar will likely return, though not as Nathan, who died.

Despite what would enviably be a long delay between the finale — which aired last February — and the proposed movie, Kring is confident he can get the entire cast back if given a green light: "I’ve spoken with everyone. They’re all eager to participate."

Caprica Renew/Cancel update
Still no official news from Syfy about the second season chances of "Caprica" (whose second half of season one episodes will air this fall), but Airlock Alpha is reporting that renewal chances remain "strong":

"I can’t speak for everyone, or anyone in fact, but I like what I’m seeing," one source at the NBC Universal affiliate told Airlock Alpha, asking not to be identified. "This is the kind of deep, sophisticated program that gets a channel attention, just like what ‘Battlestar’ has done for us in recent years."

Also, Syfy’s senior vice president of Syfy Digital, posted on his Twitter account that a decision on whether or not the show would be renewed for a second season wouldn’t be made until the second half of the first season runs [via Caprica TV]:

Q) @nancyann68 So are you saying that the rumors #Caprica is going to be cancelled/is in trouble are false? :) A) Yes. NOT cancelled.

Q) @foxylucius Has Caprica been renewed? A) We need to run the 2nd half of Season 1 before we get to that point. First steps first ;)

Fans to stage blackout in front of ABC studios in effort to save FlashForward

Meanwhile, fans of the canceled ABC series "FlashForward" plan to gather in front of ABC Network and affiliate offices in New York, L.A., Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta on June 10 to stage a 2:17 blackout [via Variety]:

That’s right.

For two minutes and 17 seconds, fans of the show are going to pretend to be passed out in front of ABC offices.

Just like the two minute and 17 second blackouts on "FlashForward."

Check out the "Save FlashForward" website here and the Facebook page here.

LOST: TCA nominations + final DVD/Blu-ray Details + more
The Television Critics Association has announced their list of nominations for the 2010 TCA Awards and LOST has been nominated for the following three categories:

Program of the Year:

"Breaking Bad" (AMC)
"Friday Night Lights" (DirecTV/NBC)
"Glee" (Fox)
"Lost" (ABC)
"Modern Family" (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series:

"Breaking Bad" (AMC)
"Lost" (ABC)
"Mad Men" (AMC)
"Sons of Anarchy" (FX)
"The Good Wife" (CBS)

Heritage Award:

"24"
"M*A*S*H"
"Law & Order"
"Lost"
"Twin Peaks"

Moving forward, executive producer Carlton Cuse re-iterated that he and fellow executive producer Damon Lindelof won’t be doing any sort of sequel or spin-off, but Cuse acknowledges that Disney, being the owner of the franchise, may well revisit it sometime in the future [via sl-LOST]:

"Now that said, we’ve also acknowledged that we’re not the owners of Lost. It is owned by the Walt Disney company and it is an incredibly valuable franchise. Worth billions as opposed to millions of dollars. And we completely understand that the Disney company will choose to continue to make money under the Lost franchise at some future point…"

"There’s no way when you tell a story that you can tie up all the loose ends, there are many creative minds who’ll come stories to ABC and propose to take Lost, using franchise label in the future, and that’s great. The story we wanted to tell was that tv series and that ends in May."

Here are complete details for the recently announced "LOST: The Complete Collection" DVD and Blu-ray set [sl-LOST]:

• Every Episode in the Series (Seasons 1 through 6)
• Over 30hrs of Season 1-6 Bonus materials (previously released materials from Season 1-5 and the all-new Season 6 bonus material)
• A unique series of featurettes that takes viewers on very personal tours of Oahu where the series was created, with key cast and crew as they reflect.
• Exploring the global phenomenon that is Lost, bonus showcases events ranging from the series cast and crew at San Diego’s famed Comic-Con convention to international voice recordings, local events and even fan parties, all of which helped make the show into a worldwide favorite.
• A closer look at some of the props with cast, writers and producers, exploring their significance, stories and emotional ties to the characters.
• Humorous yet emotional look at every character who died on the series
• 16 hilarious Lost “Slapdowns” featurettes showcasing celebrity Lost fans who confront Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse to ask press questions about the final season, including the Muppets and cast members Nestor Carbonell, Michael Emerson, Rebecca Mader and more.

  The exciting collectible packaging also includes: a Special Edition collectible ‘Senet’ Game as seen in Season Six, a custom LOST island replica, an exclusive episode guide, a collectible Ankh, and a black light penlight.

• In other news, the "LOST" series finale shattered all previous records on BitTorrent with close to a million people downloading the episode in less than a day (with more than 100,000 people sharing a single torrent at the same time).

Predicted end vs. real end (posted 1 month before the finale aired) [YouTube via IGN]

You can watch the last 108 seconds of the finale here

Final "TV Guide: Getting Lost" video [TV Guide]

Michael Emerson on G4’s "Attack of the Show" discussing the finale and upcoming epilogue [G4]

Q&A with Jorge Garcia about the finale and epilogue [LOST Podcast with Jay & Jack / via sl-LOST and Dark UFO]

Nestor Carbonell and Henry Cusick thoughts on the finale [YouTube]

Jimmy Kimmel on the end credits [YouTube]

Evangeline Lilly on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson [YouTube]

Watch part two of the interview here

LOST – Perfect Strangers opening (Jack and Locke as Balki and Larry) [YouTube]

Rumor: ABC rebooting Alias?
With "LOST" now out of the picture, ABC is looking for another show to hold onto that departing audience and according to a report at E! Online, the network is reportedly considering a "reboot" of J.J. Abrams’ spy series "Alias":

Again, it’s only very initial talk at this point, but I’m told that the development folks over at the Alphabet network are considering doing a new version of Alias that would borrow some elements of the original series that starred Jennifer Garner (and Michael Vartan, Victor Garber and some guy named Bradley Cooper who must have slipped into oblivion since). But the series would most likely not include any sort of complex mythological throughline such as the Rambaldi prophecy (a storyline that lost some of the fans).

No deal for Ghost Whisperer at ABC; Officially dead
After CBS canceled "Ghost Whisperer", ABC expressed interest in bringing the show over to their network (ABC Studios is a co-producer). However, the network has passed on the series. Executive producers Ian Sander and Kim Moses released the following statement:

 "After five wonderful seasons and over 100 episodes, we are disappointed to announce Ghost Whisperer will not be returning for a sixth season. We’ve had an incredible experience and owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved. We continue our relationship with ABC Studios and look forward to developing many more successful projects together in the future."

PREVIEW Videos & Images

Chuck

Complete Jeffster video from the finale [YouTube]

Doctor Who

Promotional stills from episode 5×10 – "Vincent and the Doctor" [more at Den of Geek]

Season five, volume 2 DVD cover art [Blogtor Who]

Karen Gillan introduces "City of the Daleks", the first installment of "The Adventure Games" [Blogtor Who]

Interview with Karen Gillan and writer Richard Curtis about "Vincent and the Doctor" [Blogtor Who]

Promo for "Vincent and the Doctor" [YouTube]

Four clips from "Vincent and the Doctor" [Blogtor Who]

Doctor Who Confidential: Matt Smith and Karen Gillan perform the "Doctor Who" theme song [Blogtor Who]

Fringe

Season two behind the scenes images [more at Sky1]

The Next Chapter: Cast and crew discuss season two finale [YouTube]

KROQ interview with Joshua Jackson [YouTube via FringeWatch]

Check out interviews with John Noble here and here

The Gates

Promo for the series premiere [YouTube]

Watch another promo here

Sneak peek from the series premiere [YouTube]

Watch another sneak peek here

Haven

First promo [SCI FI Wire]

True Blood

Three more season three posters [MTV Hollywood Crush / SpoilerTV / SpoilerTV]

Season three trailer [THR]

Watch two more promos here and here

Lafayette recaps seasons 1 & 2 [YouTube]

Final minisode: #6 – "Jason" [YouTube]

Interview with Carrie Preston [Fancast]

Warehouse 13

Sneak peek [Syfy]

TV BITES

• Previously on TrekMovie.com: Ron Moore: Battlestar Galactica Born From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
• Previously on TrekMovie.com: Patrick Stewart Knighted [PHOTOS] + PS News Update
• The CW has announced its summer primetime schedule. On Thursday’s (beginning July 29) the network will program repeats of "The Vampire Diaries" and "Moonlight" from 8:00-10:00 p.m. while Friday’s (beginning July 30) will see a repeat block of "Smallville" and "Supernatural" from 8:00-10:00. [The CW]
• "The Vampire Diaries" writer and executive producer Julie Plec confirmed that Katherine and Elena are related, a deviation from the books: "Our position is very much that the bloodline is the Pierce bloodline. Isobel is part of that, as is Elena. Elena looks like Katherine, they’re doppelgangers. That’s the big question that will continue to be asked deep into the second season." [MTV Hollywood Crush]

• The third season finale of "True Blood" (episode 12) will be called "Evil is Going On"… [SpoilerTV]

• …Here’s an interesting tease for the third season premiere of "True Blood": "What if I told you that at least three major characters will be shot in the forehead early in the season? What if I also told you there was a catch?" [EW]

• Synopsis: "Doctor Who" – Episode 5×11 – "The Lodger". [Blogtor Who]

• Synopsis: "Doctor Who" – Episode 5×12 – "The Pandorica Opens". [Blogtor Who]

• "Smallville" star Tom Welling hints that we may see the Superman suit in season 10: "I don’t know if it’s a given [that we’ll see the suit]," he answered. "In the past we’ve been able to tease it and keep it interesting for the fans." However, Welling feels "we’d have to" see more of the suit during the 10th season. [Fancast]

• Check out an interview with "Firefly" writer Jose Molina over at io9.
• "V" executive producer Scott Rosenbaum promises that season two will speed up the storytelling and answer some key questions early on: "We’re going to learn why the Vs are here, all the mythology of what they’re doing here, how they got here … what they specifically want from us and how this upcoming battle is going to play out." [TV Guide]
• Alex Graves, who directed the pilots for Fox’s "Fringe" and NBC’s "Journeyman", will direct the pilot for the Steven Spielberg and Brannon Braga-produced prehistoric time travel drama "Terra Nova". [EW]
• New episodes of the Australian animated "Doctor Who" spin-off series "K-9" will return to Disney XD in the U.K. on Saturday, June 12 in its new 6:00 a.m. timeslot. [Doctor Who News Page]
• Titan Publishing has announced a new "Torchwood" comic for the United States. Issue one will be published on August 10 and features two stories: "The Selkie" and "Broken, Part 1". The first story is co-written by star John Barrowman and his sister Tommy Lee Edwards. [io9]
• "City of the Daleks", the first episode in the BBC downloadable game "The Adventure Games", is available to download for free on the BBC’s Doctor Who website for PC users. A Mac version will be released on June 15…
• …Check out a review of the episode over at io9.
• Syfy has picked up three new reality series: "Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen", "Paranormal Witness" and "Face Off". [TV Guide]
• "LOST" may have ended, but with "Undercovers" getting picked up NBC and Fox renewing "Fringe" for a third season, producer J.J. Abrams will continue to have two shows on the lineup next season: "People who are looking for a show that has mystery and mythology and asks interesting questions and freaks you out every week, hopefully they’ll go to ‘Fringe.’ And when they want to just have a good, fun, sexy time, they’ll go to ‘Undercovers.’". [Fancast]
• …Speaking of "Fringe", check out an interview with star Lance Reddick at Digital Spy…
• …And turning to "Undercovers", the first 18 pages of the script were leaked online. The pages have since been pulled, but you can get some details courtesy write-ups at SCI FI Wire and io9. [Il Post]

CASTING BITES

• Warner Brothers has officially confirmed that Misha Collins (Castiel) and Jim Beaver (Bobby Singer) will return for season six of The CW’s "Supernatural". [Zap2It]
• There’s a rumor that David Anders (Uncle John) will become a series regular in the second season of The CW’s "The Vampire Diaries". [tvi actors studio via SpoilerTV]
• Despite the circumstances behind his departure, John Schneider, who played Jonathan Kent through season five of "Smallville", says he would return to the series if asked. [OSCK]

SCI-FI RATINGS (Based on final national numbers unless otherwise noted) [@TravisYanan]

The second season finale of "Legend of the Seeker" ("Tears") drew 2.265 million viewers. That was up +2% from the penultimate episode of the season "Unbroken", which drew 2.23 million viewers. The show averaged 2.34 million viewers through 22 original episodes this season. [TV by the Numbers]

Preliminary numbers for episode 5×08 of "Doctor Who", "The Hungry Earth", show that the episode was watched by a season low 4.5 million viewers (4.24M on BBC One and 0.30M on BBC HD) while episode 5×09 – "Cold Blood" drew 5.7 million viewers, also according to preliminary overnight figures. [The Doctor Who News Page, (2)]

CHART (5/17/2010 to 5/23/2010)

CHART (5/24/2010 to 5/30/2010)

Follow Russ on his blog: Your Entertainment Now and on Twitter: Twitter.com/YourEntNow.