Lots of news this week in the world of sci-fi. We got the first look at the cast of "Watchmen." Details on "Dark Knight," "G.I. Joe," and "Hulk." Spy shots from "Wolverine" and "X-Files 2." Plus TV series renewals and casting news, and even some answers (gasp) from "Lost." And green eggs and ham…for reals.
MOVIE NEWS
First Look at Cast of "Watchmen" + Gerard Butler Voicing Freighter
"Watchmen" is still nearly a year away, but director Zack Snyder ("300") has posted a first look at the five main cast members in costume on his production blog. The images include Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman), Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and Ozymandias (Matthew Goode). In other "Watchmen" news, Gerard Butler ("300) told Empire Magazine that he’ll be lending his voice to "Tales of the Black Freighter", the comic-within-a-movie that is part of "Watchmen." "Watchmen" hits theaters on March 6, 2009.
Dark Kight: Eckhart Q&A, Trailer Description and Viral Campaign High Gear
[SPOILERS] Aaron Eckhart, who plays Harvey Dent in "The Dark Knight" told Wizard Universe "Harvey Dent turns into Harvey Two-Face in this movie…I have done scenes as Harvey Two-Face. It’s interesting. I won’t tell you exactly what we’re going for, but I think that I can say that it will use all of today’s technology to create this character." (CHUD has a description of the process for Eckhart’s parts). In other ‘Dark Knight’ news, /Film is reporting what may be a description of the next ‘Dent focused’ trailer. And lastly, Warner Bros. has kicked the viral campaign into high gear, with the IBelieveInHarveyDent.com website going through a major update. Harvey Dent himself is even making phone calls.
New "G.I. Joe" Details
Hasbro exec (and producer for "G.I. Joe") Brian Goldner tells MTV the the film "is all about the rise of Cobra Commander." He also described it as "the first chapter and then build from there.” Regarding the toys, Goldner said the familiar (and lower cost) 3 3/4" size are making a comeback to ensure people have the chance to get all the figures and all of the vehicles, saying it was "very true to where we were in the 1980s."
IHOP Partners With "Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!"
IHOP is partnering with 20th Century Fox to serve up "Dr. Seuss" inspired dishes to coincide with the release of "Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!. New items from IHOP include Beezlenut Splash, Who-Cakes and (of course) Green Eggs & Ham. The partnership will run from March 3rd through April 20th. ‘Horton Hears a Who!’ hits theaters on March 14th.
Hulk: William Hurt (General Ross) Interview
William Hurt (General Ross in "The Incredible Hulk) tells The Calgary Herald he does not like his character being labeled a villain: "He wants Hulk’s power but is humiliated by Hulk’s conscience: he actually sees and recognizes that it’s more developed than his own, even though he’s a patriot and a warrior for his country. He’s sacrificed enormously for that purpose, but at the expense at times of his humanity — which he occasionally recovers." A teaser for "The Incredible Hulk" will be available exclusively on the MTV networks and site on March 12th. The film hits theaters June 13th.
NEW IMAGES
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
click link for 4 photos
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (spy photos)
Iron Man (Final Posters: Domestic & Int’l)
Starship Troopers 3 (Poster…featuring Jolene Blalock)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Yoda Concept Art)
NEW VIDEOS
X-Files 2 Spy Shot (spoiler)
I Am Legend (Alternate Ending)
QUICK MOVIE BITES
- Just in time for ‘Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’, Paramount has announced a new DVD set of the "Indiana Jones" trilogy. It’ll be released on May 13th, just a little more than a week before the fourth film’s release on May 22nd. /Film
- 20th Century Fox has pushed back the "Dragonball Z" movie into 2009. Originally scheduled to release on August 15, 2008, the film will now hit theaters on April 3, 2009. ComingSoon.net
- Relativity Media’s sequel to "The Last Starfighter" has begun location scouting. Additionally, CC2K reports that work is being done on a second draft of the script and Lance Guest (maverick Gunstar pilot Alex Rogan in the original film) has verbally agreed to reprise his role in the sequel.
- Because of scheduling conflicts, Kodi Smit-McPhee who was set to play young Logan in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", has been replaced by Troye Mellet of YouTube fame. Cinematical
- Warner Bros. has announced that "Speed Racer" will get a simultaneous launch on IMAX. The film will be released on both conventional and IMAX theaters on May 9, 2008.
- Mike Newell ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") has been tapped to direct the video-game adaptation "Prince of Persia: Sands of Time". Filming will take place in Morocco. Variety
TV NEWS
Jonathan Frakes Returns to Direct TNT’s ‘Librarian 3’
After directing the second installment of the popular TNT film franchise "The Librarian", Frakes is returning to helm the upcoming third film titled "The Librarian: The Curse of the Judas Chalice". Noah Wyle, who starred in the first two films, is set to return as Flynn Carsen. Bob Newhart and Jane Curtin will also reprise their roles, with Bruce Davison ("X-Men") and Stana Katic joining the cast. SCI FI Wire
Cast and Premier Date Announced for "Fear Itself"
NBC has announced a list of directors, actors and writers for its upcoming horror anthology series "Fear Itself". Cast members for the 13-episode series, which premieres this summer (May 29), include Sci-Fi alumni Brandon Routh ("Superman Returns"), Shiri Appleby ("Roswell"), Cynthia Watros ("Lost"), Eric Roberts ("Heroes") and John Billingsley ("Star Trek: Enterprise"). SCI FI Wire
‘Terminator’ Will Likely Return for a Second Season
We were all left with a cliffhanger ending with the season finale last week, and though an official word hasn’t come down about its renewal, E! Online quotes insiders saying that the show is likely safe for another year,
Kristen Bell Returning for "Heroes" Season Three, Tamura Offers Spoiler
According to TV Guide, despite previous rumors, Kristen Bell and and the producers of "Heroes" are intent on having her return. [HEROES SPOLER] Japanese actress Eriko Tamura, who played the 16th-century love interest of Hiro told SCI FI Wire that she was supposed. to be transported to the present during the second season until the WGA strike cut the season in half. Tamura said she still expects to be in the show’s third season, which premieres on NBC this fall.
The CW Renews "Smallville" and "Supernatural"
The core of The CW’s sci-fi lineup, "Smallville", is returning for an eighth season, the network announced. Also included in the networks early pickups was "Supernatural", which will return for a fourth season. There’s still no word on the low-rated freshman series "Reaper". [SPOILER] While "Smallville" is returning TV Guide is reporting that both Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luther) and Kristen Kreuk (Lana Lang) won’t be back as regulars, but are open to limited stints on the show.
"Lost": The Cast’s Burning Questions Answered
It’s not just the fans of the show that are "Lost". TV Guide put up an article with producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof fielding questions from the cast of the hit ABC series. Here are some of the highlights:
- Cuse: "Before the end of the year, you will know who’s in the coffin."
- Cuse: "There are some growth issues when you go on or off the island. But I can’t say more about that."
- Henry Ian Cusick (Desmond): "Did Jack’s flash-forward in the third-season finale take place after the events of Sayid’s most-recent episode?" Cuse: "Yes."
preview of next week’s "Lost"
QUICK TV BITES
- The news for "New Amsterdam" is a bit up and down. The new Fox supernatural series got off to a strong start in its debut this past Tuesday night, drawing 13.7 million viewers and a 4.6 Adults 18-49 rating, but its second episode two days later fell 26% among viewers and 24% among the demo.
- "Ghost Hunters" and "Destination Truth" returned on March 5th with series-high ratings records. "Ghost Hunters’" fourth season premiered with a 1.9 household rating and 2.7 million viewers, while "Destination Truth" kicked off its second season with a record 1.4 rating and 1.7 million viewers. SCI FI Wire
SCI-FI RATINGS
| Top 10 SF&F Broadcast Shows | HH Rating/Share |
| 1) Lost | 8.1/13 |
| 2) ‘Terminator’ | 5.1/8 |
| 3) Eli Stone | 4.8/8 |
| 4) Jericho (season premiere) | 4.2/7 (7.08M) |
| 5) Ghost Whisperer (R) | 4.2/7 (6.48M) |
| 6) Lost ("Enhanced" Repeat) | 3.9/6 |
| 7) Smallville | 2.4/4 |
| 8) Supernatural | 1.8/3 |
| 9) Reaper (R) | 1.3/2 |
2/11/2008 to 2/17/2008 – Source: Nielsen Media Research
| Top 10 SF&F Syndicated Shows | Rating |
| 1) Stargate SG-1 | 1.0 |
| 2) Star Trek | 1.0 |
| 3) Dead Zone | 0.8 |
| 4) Stargate Atlantis | 0.8 |
2/11/2008 to 2/17/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire
| Top 10 SCI FI CHANNEL Shows | Rating |
| 1) Ghost Hunters International | 1.5 |
| 2) ECW | 1.4 |
| 3) Stargate Atlantis | 1.3 |
| 4) The Hive | 1.2 |
| 5) Snake King | 1.1 |
| 6) King Cobra | 1.1 |
| 7) Ghost Hunters | 1.1 |
| 8) Boa vs. Python | 1.0 |
| 9) Jericho | 1.0 |
| 10) Silent Predators | 1.0 |
2/11/2008 to 2/17/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire
Decloaking . . .
The old guy gets in there.
Love “Iron Man,’ “Wolverine,” and “StarShp Troopers.”
Recloaking.
A Prince of Persia movie?! They should just stop now…
Will someone PLEASE nuke Hollywood (after May 8th, 2009)?!
I cant wait to see watchmen, this one been delayed for so many years is finally at hand, thank god! I must say that i liked the alternate ending for I Am Legend, though i still prefer the original ending which is a better because his death gives the film its dramatic punch . Will Smith’s character Dr Neville is a tragic hero and so his ending must be tragic for the film to have balance. I look forward to both Indiana Jones and hopefully this new Hulk film will be an improvement over Ang Lee’s wretchedly bad Hulk film.
Yes Terminator does deserve a second chance, its the best show on Fox
WANT!
MORE!
HEROES!
Great information, thank you!
Man so many superhero films! WATCHMEN I hope turns out well as it is one of my favorite reads of the SH genre! I AM LEGEND I wish they had down a closer adaption of the original story.
Am really digging LOST of late. Not much more to say except wow so much fantasy/scifi material to view. Not that it is all great, but in all that stuff there are a few entertaining gems.
Mulder, Scully,
God, I missed that show as much as I miss TNG.
I cant wait for the x-files movie!
With regard to watchen……. The Leage of Extraordinary Gentlemen…. Jus saying! Iron Man looks awsome, really looking foreward to that! What about Hellboy 2 or am I the only oe wholiked tha movie?
Watchmen! Bloody keyboard
#3… thanks for the spoiler warning.. for those like me who haven’t seen it yet, knowing the ending now is sooo fulfilling…
#10 sorry
Love all things HELLBOY so I am right with you Irish Trekki…Heck one of my Hellboy drawings won me a replica of his stone hand! Oh yeah saw the top X-Files folks (that being Carter, Anderson, Duchovny, etc.) at Wondercon. What a reception they got! They actually stopped down to SF in the midst of shooting so that was very cool! Anyways some much fun genre material coming up. All we need is some Mad Max in the mix!;)
THE DARK KNIGHT is going to rule the summer!!!!!!!!!! (and Iron Man)
I was going through random pages on Wikipedia yesterday and stumbled upon Nite-Owl’s page. When I saw the live action shot my jaw dropped. Everything looks pretty nice, but I am kind of worried about Adrian and the Silk Spectre. Adrian looks to dark, I know he did some dark things, but he always portrayed himself as a people-freindly billionaire. Silk Spectre looks kind of miscast. In the comic she came off as strong and independent. This actress they got portraying her looks like a valley girl. I know the movie could never be as good as the comic, nothing could, but I still have high hopes for it!
Woot… More Movies! All look good. The Dark Knight is going to rock. Iron Man looks cool. I’m going to have to get aquainted with watchmen though. Didn’t even know it was coming out….
No, I’m NOT gonna watch that Mulder/Scully kiss scene yet….
No, I’m NOT gonna watch that Mulder/Scully kiss scene yet….
No, I’m NOT gonna watch that Mulder/Scully kiss scene yet….
The iron man film is also on my must see list. But not the x files, I have very little faith in Chris Carter at this point. The first movie X files Fight for The Future was awful, it was little more then an Xfiles episode masquerading as a big budget film.
I think having a daily Scifi News Report would be cool. One of the things I like about TrekMovie.com is the way the way the site has videos with their Trek and Scifi reports.
Watchmen looks great and I love Snyder but they haven’t gotten an Alan Moore concept right yet by a longshot.
ECW what a joke, do people actually watch that crap. But I guess it brings in revenue.
I could list the same Terminator nitpicks everyone else has but I’ll keep watching. Considering this thing has a tiny fraction of the movies’ budget per minute, it’s pretty good.
Well that ruined I Am Legend for me
I actually liked the last star fighter, I think an updated version may take people by suprise, then again maybe not. When it was originally released, the SFX were state of the art. I am old enough to have seem it in the theatre’s and it wasn’t bad, but by todays standards, its really out of date.
I may have been out of the loop, but what has Chris Carter done lately? Any updates would be appreciated.
Chris Carter is currently wrapping up X-Files 2, unless you mean the droopy eyed former Vikings Wide Reciever Chris Carter who is an NFL pre-game analyst
Marginally better ending for I Am Legend. I think, though, that Neville must die for the story to make much sense. I totally think this version had a stronger beginning than past ones, but really nowhere to go. Getting into trouble is always more interesting than getting out, at least in sci-fi.
Hey!!! If Speed Racer will be IMAXed, then Trek dang well better be!
Starship Troopers 3, now with extra bugs. I liked the first one, but I can’t imagine wanting to waste an afternoon with anything that stars Jolene Blalock… or with Jolene Blalock for that matter.
Dang, Marion sure do look purdy after all this time.
Omega Man still waaaaaaay better
Anyone heard of the possible Zoolander sequel
oh, and in the alternate ending clip… Whatsherface and the mute boy got to Manhattan by boat, because all the bridges were blown. Yet, we see them driving merrily over a bridge. Did their zombie friends help them put up a new one?
The wife & I desperately miss Journeyman, but it’s apparently a goner even though NBC has never made an official announcement. Death by 1000 papercuts, I guess.
The send Rice-a-Roni to NBC campaign was a nice touch though; maybe it fed a few homeless folks.
It’s time for Clark to become Superman on Smallville, in my laymen’s opinion. Put him in the suit and make him fly!
Will it ever happen? Have they waited too long?
Wait a minute…
“20th Century Fox has pushed back the “Dragonball Z” movie into 2009. Originally scheduled to release on August 15, 2008, the film will now hit theaters on April 3, 2009.”
By common knowledge, that must mean it sucks and they are just moving it to cover their tracks… suck out a few more bucks and just plain p*ss off the massive “Z” fanbase.
well doesn’t it?
I am so happy that they are finally doing a sequel and not a remake of The Last Starfighter. It will cool to see the gun stars fully rendered in modern CGI especaially the death Blossom weapon.
I know its not sci-fi, but has any one herad news of an Arrested Development movie? I loved that show and there is a hint of a possible movie…..
I didnt like the first X-Files movie, or the series past season 2.
The Librarian? What is “Library?”
X-Files: No interest. Never much got into the show.
Wolverine: Concerned about quality. Hopes remain high; expectations in limbo.
Iron Man: 100% stoked and ready to have my world rocked.
Dark Knight: Looking forward to it.
Hulk: Maybe. Dunno.
Horton Hears a Who: The trailers imply awfulness. I’ll have the breakfast instead.
Watchmen: Very interesting. Looks like they mean business.
Indiana Jones: Rapidly losing any hope that this will be a very good film, but still feel my excitement and enthusiasm growing exponentially. I’ll be there with love in my heart and expectations on the floor :)
Comadore Lurker, very cool.. You crack me up with your cloaking device.
The X-files 2 film is going to kick ass.
I would love to see an Arested Development film!
And the Sarah Connor Cronicles kicks ass as well!
I’m hoping for 3 more seasons of that one!
Starship Troopers 3 with Ballock I’m there. She’s gotta be the best part of that film. (I love her)…
#19 Lord Garth
-You are so right. I don’t think they even take into account he’s an anarchist. The whole point of V was that people would rather die than be slaves to the state and the movie ends quite differently than the book did and it kills the impact of the story big time. The proper end would have left people in a state of shock.
#22 Chaya
-If you think that ending ruined the movie, read the book. It will ruin the whole movie. Book is better and has an unbelievably different ending. You’ll get a better idea why he’s called legend. They should have called the movie something else, because it was NOT I am legend.
I got a sneak peak at the trailer for Hellboy 2 a week or so ago (full title: Hellboy 2: The Golden Army) and it looks great, even though it’s unfinished.
I just picked up the complete X Files box set from HMV.com for £60. Can’t wait to rewatch them before the movie!
#38
…… Damn you…… Guillmero Del Torro is king!!!!!!
#36 I do like Jolene , but am not a fan of the Starship Trooper films. Paul Verhoeven took a classic scifi novel and turned it into a joke, and a bad one .The second film was forgettable, which is what I expected from a film with a five millon dolar budget made for dvd release. Ed Neumeier of Robo cop fame penned the screen plays not only for film 1 and 2 but 3 as well. On top of that he is also the director this up coming 3rd film. I fully expect film 3 to be not worth the price of admission.
Yea I have to agree #41. Starship Troopers is crapola big time.
But I’ll pick up ST3 on dvd just to see Jolene! I just hope she dosnt get horribly killed off. If so then maybe I won’t get the dvd? Hmm.
#37 I did read the book by Richard Matheson but someone showed me that alternate ending before I could see the movie
Why is George Lucas even bothering to do a Clone wars series? didn’t they already do one? and won’t this one be little more then an unnecessary retread of the previous series.? Yeah it will have better animation but really, who cares, been there done that. The live action show that he’s doing maybe just Maybe it will be watchable, assuming that Lucas leaves the writing and producing to other people
I would like to see TNT do a series based on the Librarian movies, that could be fun to watch. No doubt if the new Indiana Jones film is a hit TNT might actually look into this possibility.
interesting….
wiil Enjoy most of these!!!!!!!!!
(I hate lost!!)
Decloaking . . .
To: #9. Irish Trekki. It’s not the bloody keyboard; it’sthe bloody interface. We must type slow for the interface to keep up. I type as slow as a Denebian Slime Devil on an Andorian polar-winter’s-night. And still I have to go back and re-edit five times before I send.
To: #36. 790. Thanks, we “Old Ones” like to know we are still cool . . . “groovy” even. I lurk daily, but blog rarely.
As a massive Robert A. Heinlein fan, I’m embarrassed to admit that “Starshp Troopers” is probably his only book I’ve never read. But, even those of you who hate the first film have to admit that it is still unique among all in Sci-Fi films( except the similar style of ‘commercials’ with “Robocop 1”). I actually like it quite a bit. I won’t touch the second film though, and I’ve never seen it.
Now I understand why all you guys get so excited over being “first.” I was giggling for about an hour. It was just pure luck.
To: # 25. CmdrR. You and I usually see more or less eye-to-eye, but I don’t understand your bashing Jolene Blalock. She makes the forest grow tall and strong.
Now, I’m about to say something that I know is going to cause mass histrionics’ among you, my fellow Trekkers & Trekkies.
If you study Jolene Blalock’s performance in detail throughout all four years of “Enterprise” — I think she out-Vulcaned Nimoy!
Heresy, I know. I’m Recloakng now to avoid all the Full Phasers and Quantum Torpedoes coming my way.
Recloaking.
#46 Commodore Lurker sorry Starship Troopers is rather sore subject with me. I did however like the CGI animated series Rougnecks which kind of brought the concept more in line with Heinlien Novel. A friend of mine told me that ther is a janpanse animae version of troopers that was done in the 80’s its not a perfect interpretaion either but my friend tells me it was good.
I do think Jolene made a great Vulcan.
Decloaking . . .
To: #47 Garovorkin.
Wow, dude thanks alot for the info, I never heard of “Roughnecks.” Where can I find it?
I’ll check back later . . . gotta go.
Recloaking.
# 48 its called Roughnecks Starship Troopers The complete Campaigns about 40 episodes. Verhoeven is listed as exe producer , im not sure how much he had to to do with the actual series. I bought it at Best buy, I think amazon might have it as well. Its a really terrific series, i wish more people knew about this one.
Jolene Blalock is H-O-T. But please, folks, if you haven’t read Starship Troopers, do yourself a favor. The movie was too much like Robocop. And that was a very bad movie. While you’re at it, read I am Legend. Books are where it all begins.
I am more and more looking forward to Iron Man. The Watchmen, not so much (unless there are many gratuitous scenes of Silk Spectre). And I absolutely can’t wait for Indy 4 and X-Files.