This week of Sci-Fi has lot of returns and come-backs from Ferrigno, to Schwarzenegger to Tony Stark and Sarah Connor and more. Also Del Toro finally makes it official, the Lost producers start spilling some beans, Sansweet talks Star Wars TV. Plus we got pics and vids from Iron Man, Indy, Speed Racer, Spirit, Wall-E and so much more.
MOVIE NEWS
Del Toro Officially Signed for "The Hobbit", Talks "Hellboy 3"
It’s finally official. Variety is reporting that director Guillermo del Toro has been signed to helm both The Hobbit and its sequel. Del Toro will be moving to New Zealand for four years once production wraps on "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" to oversee production (alongside executive producer Peter Jackson) of the two films which will be shot back-to-back. Speaking of "Hellboy", Del Toro talked SCI FI Wire about the future of the franchise.
“If there was ever a third one, I would really make sure that we at least sign a contract that there is no more. No prequels and no sequels: nothing. If that happens, then there is a third one we have planned, and the seeds are planted in this film.
Tony Stark "Incredible Hulk" Crossover Confirmed, Lou Ferrigno Cast in Film
During the New York Comic Con panel for "The Incredible Hulk", footage was screened that confirmed the much rumored Iron Man / Incredible Hulk crossover. According to Firstshowing, the footage shows Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) talking with a drunk General ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross (William Hurt) in a bar. In other ‘Hulk’ news, Lou Ferrigno appeared on stage during the presentation and both director Louis Leterrier and Ferrigno promised that the actor will be appearing in the film as the voice of the Hulk. While they were vague about the details, it appears that this Hulk will not just grunt and groan, but as IGN explains: will be “uttering the classic “Hulk smash” kind of dialogue”. Ferrigno even sampled his Hulk voice for the audience.
I’m back!
Early "Indy 4" Review
Though his report on the film’s length didn’t exactly pan out, Jeff Wells over at Hollywood-Elsewhere has received an early, and very glowing, review of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" from someone on the team. Here are some highlights:
- “The best of the Indy sequels.”
- "Harrison Ford gives his best performance in the role, not only physically belying his age but layering in welcome poignancy. More than before, audiences will be rooting for Indy."
- "The film has the strongest supporting cast of the sequels. They all raise the bar. Ray Winstone amuses and fascinates, but the strongest impression is left by Cate Blanchett’s Agent Spalko, a characterization that achieves instant cult status."
Jon Favreu Talks "Iron Man" + Sequel News
In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, director Jon Favreu broke down some hidden surprises in "Iron Man" and revealed that he has plans for two more movies within the "Iron Man" universe. [SPOILERS] The biggest bit of news on a sequel came when Terrence Howard, who plays Jim Rhodes, hinted at things to come when he glanced at Iron Man’s outfit and said to himself, "Next time baby," which RT notes is no doubt a reference to War Machine, Rhodes’ superhero alter-ego. Speaking of hidden nods, here’s what Favreu had to say about that: "There are actually a few of those and the way we introduce S.H.I.E.L.D. is another thing where you don’t see it coming and then it’s there. There are all sorts of images and references to The Mandarin, and in the end credits in the animations there’s a little tip of the hat to War Machine. There are little things in the details that I know the fans of the books are going to see." Read the rest of the interview here. And lastly, Tony Stark himself tells Superhero Hype that the film release a day early. It will start screening in theaters nationwide starting at 8:00 p.m. on May 1, 2008.
I’ll be back too
WB Sets Release for ‘Deathly Hallows’ + Announces Potter Tour
Warner Bros. has set a November 19, 2010 release date Part I of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". Part II is scheduled to hit sometime in May of 2011. In other ‘Potter’ news, the studio has announced that launching in the spring of 2009 will be the "Harry Potter: The Exhibition" tour. According to MTV, the tour is set to hit at least ten cities worldwide and will include 10,000 square feet of "elaborate displays" dedicated to various props, artifacts and costumes from the movie series.
"Terminator 4" Casting, Arnold Open to Shooting Cameo
I think it’s safe to say that last week’s rumor about production ending on ‘Terminator 4’ was false. Moon Bloodgood is in final negotiations for the female lead in the McG-directed film. Bloodgood will play a “no-nonsense and battle-hardened member of the resistance who is carrying a lot of guilt over surviving the nuclear holocaust”. THR also reports that the name of the film is still "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins". And in other ‘Terminator’ news, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tells ContactMusic that he hasn’t ruled out an appearance in the third sequel: “I’ve never had a dialogue with anyone about it. But if they shoot the movie in California, I would [be a part of it], yes.” Production is set to begin this May 5th.
But will I be back?
NEW IMAGES
The Dark Knight
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (more here)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (more here)
The Spirit
Speed Racer (more here)
Iron Man (more here)
The Incredible Hulk
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
Lost Boys: The Tribe (dvd cover)
Jessica Rabbit Untooned (click here to watch the video)
NEW VIDEOS
WALL•E (WALL•E vs. a magnet)
Hancock
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Trailer
Watchmen (Zach Snyder video on "Watchmen" advertising contest–details here)
It’s Alive (remake)
Venture Bros. (season three trailer)
Jessica Rabbit Untooned (Process)
MOVIE BITES
- "Superman Returns" star Brandon Routh tells Collider he expects "Man of Steel" to start shooting early next year and that "there is definitely a time and place for the Justice League movie. I kinda think that now isn’t that time.”
- Wolfgang Peterson has pulled out of the adaptation to the sci-fi novel "Ender’s Game", but producers stress that they’re busy searching for a new director and mulling over casting possibilities. [io9]
- "Chronicles of Narnia" producer Mark Johnson confirmed that there are currently "no plans" at the moment to continue the franchise past ‘Voyage of the Dawn Treader’. [Firstshowing]
- Production on "Transformers 2" will begin on June 2, 2008, likely in Philadelphia. [tfw2005]
- Frank Miller is in talks to direct "Hard Boiled", an adaptation of the three-part comic he wrote in 1990. [MTV]
Casting
- Brendan Fraser confirmed in a panel at the New York Comic Con that he filmed a cameo for "G.I. Joe", claiming he gets to ride a "bitchin three wheeled motorcycle". [Newsarama]
- Sigourney Weaver will voice a role in Disney/Pixar’s upcoming animated film "WALL•E" [SCI FI Wire]
- Seth MacFarlane has replaced Thomas Kretschmann as the voice of Johann Kraus in "Hellboy II: The Golden Army". [ComingSoon]
- Ayelet Zurer and Ewan McGregor have been cast in "The Da Vinci Code" prequel, "Angels and Demons". [EW, THR]
Other
- Check out an extensive interview with David Duchovny on the upcoming "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" film over at JoBlo.
TV NEWS
"Star Wars" Live-Action Show News + New "Star Wars" Themed "Family Guy"
In addition to confirming that the show will "involve some characters we know", along with new creations, LucasFilm’s Director of Fan Relations Steve Sansweet revealed to MTV that the live-action "Star Wars" series will be "of epic scale" and reveal the "greasy, seamy underbelly of ‘Star Wars.’" Sansweet also added that the initial writers of the show have been selected and that production will probably begin sometime in 2009, with the series to "hopefully" be on the air by 2010. In other "Star Wars" TV news, Seth Green ("Family Guy", "Robot Chicken") revealed to MTV that he voiced a part for the upcoming "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" animated series. Green also revealed that "Family Guy" will be returning to the "Star Wars" universe for a re-imagining of "Empire Strikes Back", but details are scarce right now: “We recorded most of it,” said Green. “I don’t know when it’s coming out. I just act on that show [laughs].” And while we’re talking about "Star Wars", don’t forget to check out this Monday’s special two-hour "Star Wars" themed episode of "Deal or No Deal". Where else will you see Darth Vader as a banker? Carrie Fisher, Chewbacca and R2D2 also guest star. The episode starts at 8:00 p.m.
"Lost’s End is in Sight, Season Five Likely to Premiere in January 2009
Even though it sometimes seems like there’s no end in sight for ABC’s hit series "Lost", producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof told reporters in a conference call last week that they know exactly how the series will end when the show goes off the air after the sixth season finale:
"The last scene has definitely been determined. There would have to be some major shift in both our mindsets to back off that. That’s what we’ve been working towards for a couple years now, even before the end date was announced. Now that the end date is announced, we’re able to determine at what speed we’re working.
Lindelof also revealed that the fifth season of the series will likely premiere in January 2009, but that fans may get an early glimpse of the future both online and at Comic-Con International in San Diego this July:
"We’re beginning discussions about what we’re going to do between seasons, and we have the kernel of a cool idea," Cuse said. "But, yeah, we loved Find815[.com], and we hope to do a similar thing where there is an online prologue that will lead into season five and hopefully generate some excitement and interest in what that season is going to be."
Want some answers to your "Lost" theories? The duo took some time out to check over several fan theories to see if any of them were accurate. Check out what they had to say over at USA Today. And rounding out the "Lost" news, ABC launched a new online game/contest, "Lostscape", which you can check out here.
Sky One Remaking "Blake’s 7"
Sky One is planning to create a new version of the 1970’s BBC cult hit "Blake’s 7". THR reports that the UK cable network has commissioned two 60-minute scripts with the intention of creating a new sci-fi series of the show. Sky One only recently had to abandon plans to remake "The Prisoner", so let’s hope (Or not. I guess that depends on how you feel about these remake projects hey?) they have better luck with ‘Seven’.
Sarah Connor has a future
Late last weekend it was confirmed by Fox that they had indeed picked up a second season of the sci-fi drama series "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles". The network picked the show up for 13 episodes and it will premiere in the fall. Variety also reports that Fox is developing ‘potential companion series to the sci-fi hour-long’ so it looks like they have a lot of faith in the show.
We’re back too!
TV BITES
- Tricia Helfer sure is a hot commodity these days huh? After having just signed a talent deal with Fox, the "Battlestar Galactica" actress, who portrays Six on the critically acclaimed series, has signed on for a multi-episode arc on the USA Network drama "Burn Notice". [TV Guide]
- Speaking of BSG, did you happen to see the Constellation Orion in last week’s episode? Looks like they’re getting close to Earth…
- The short-lived SCI FI series "The Dresden Files" is returning to its roots. Best-selling author Jim Butcher told SCI FI Wire that his latest "Dresden Files" novel, "Small Favor", the 10th in the series, continues ongoing storylines and gets involved in a couple new ones.
- "Moonlight" executive producer Joel Silver told SCI FI Wire that he and the writers are already working on stories for the series, in hopes for a second season renewal by CBS
- SCI FI has added 13 additional episodes of "Ghost Hunters" and 7 additional episodes of "Destination Truth". Gotta stock up on the cheap reality hits! [THR]
- Allison Miller has landed the female lead role in NBC’s upcoming drama series "Kings", the networks contemporary take on the story of King David. [THR]
- "Farscape" comics are on the way. BOOM Studios! have announced a slate of comics for the SCI FI series. According to the press release, the comics will expand on the untold parts of the four-year series. (preliminary art below)
SCI-FI RATINGS
| Top 10 SF&F Broadcast Shows | HH Rating/Share |
| 1) Medium | 6.3/10 |
| 2) Ghost Whisperer | 5.8/11 |
| 3) New Amsterdam | 4.3/6 |
| 4) Eli Stone | 3.6/6 |
| 5) Lost (R) | 2.8/4 |
| 6) Smallville (R) | 1.6/3 |
| 7) Supernatural (R) | 1.3/2 |
| 8) Reaper (R) | 1.2/2 |
3/31/2008 to
4/6/2008 – Source: Nielsen Media Research
| Top 10 SF&F Syndicated Shows | Rating |
| 1) Stargate SG-1 |
0.9 |
| 1) Star Trek | 0.9 |
| 1) Dead Zone | 0.8 |
| 1) Stargate Atlantis | 0.6 |
3/31/2008 to
4/6/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire
| Top 10 SCI FI CHANNEL Shows | Rating |
| 1) Ghost Hunters | 1.6 |
| 2) Battlestar Galactica | 1.6 |
| 3) 10.5 Apocalypse, Part Two |
1.4 |
| 4) ECW |
1.3 |
| 5) 10.5 Apocalypse, Part One |
1.2 |
| 6) Destination Truth |
0.9 |
| 7) Star Trek: Enterprise | 0.8 |
| 8) Meltdown | 0.8 |
| 9) Jason and the Argonauts, Part Two | 0.7 |
| 10) Jason and the Argonauts, Part One |
0.7 |
3/31/2008 to
4/6/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire
Lotta good stuff in here, some of it I’ll actually see
OK, it’s gonna take me all weekend to digest the rest of this. And thanks for that, Anthony.
Couple of quick thoughts: 4 years! The Hobbit should be a great movie, even in two parts. It’s not as dark as LOTR, but it’s also not Disney. I’m just amazed that anyone at the height of his productivity and fame, like Del Toro, can think about committing to any project for that long. I admire him. I know Clarke found it ridiculously hard to committ to 2001 for several years, since he was used to putting out several books in the same amount of time.
Sequels? Why waste my breath. Hollywood can’t/won’t think and the bad ones just keep squeezing out.
Boo Mach 6! Boo! Stick with the Mach 5. Even the toy version of 5 looks cooler side-by-side on the shelf with 6. (What’s the point of having the coolest car on Earth, if it’s a one-seater??? I’d want Trixie near my stick shift.)
Hulk / Iron Man crossover? Same thoughts as above — AvP, Freddie v. Herman Munster, Godzilla v. Paris Hilton. It’s all just junk to squeeze the last of Daddy’s dollars from a teen’s wallet. These are the ones that won’t get rented.
I’ll finish on an up note. Blake’s 7!!! YEAH. It may take years to get here, but I’ll be watching. Even as dated as the original was by the time I saw it, it was a cool slice of space-based Sci-Fi.
don’t thank me…thank Russ (rosario) I just provide the site…he does the work
#CmdrR I loved Blake 7 I hope to god skyOne doesn’t screw it up. yeah the production values on the series were bottom of the barrel but the writing and acting on the series was top notch. Babylon 5 did a number homages to Blake 7 . The Drazi Space ships were a wonderful homage to the first liberator ship. and the Bridge on the B5 white stars was another nod to the Blake 7 series. I am willing to give the new series a chance.
Yeah I somehow I don’t think Godzilla would prevail in a battle against Paris Hilton. He like the rest of America would find her hard to swallow.
Thank, Rosario! Cool stuff!!
i mean thanks
Excellent article! Very informative.
What is “Jessica Rabbit: Untooned”? Are they making a sequel to WFRR? I love that movie.
Oh…duh…google is my friend.
I can’t wait to see the Star Wars series. Maybe by that time, there’ll be another Trek series to coexist with it. By God… could this finally mean the crossover that we’ve all dreamt of?!!?!!!!
I can see it now:
A temporal anomaly knocks the Enterprise thousands of lightyears away, bumping into Voyager in the process, flinging it the past…. a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. From there, Captain Kirk must negotiate passage back to their own with Jabba the Hutt. From there, he is aided by Anakin Skywalker with a Hyperdrive.
Who ever said that it had to be Trek VS. Wars. Why can’t they coexist with each other? There should be a crossover.
Cleaning up a typo:
flinging it *into* the past….
That’s a nice little tidbit about Orion in BSG last week. Totally missed it, but sure enough there it is. It actually means the Cylons are closer to Earth – potentially – than the humans. Interesting.
I didnt know ferrigno had any speaking parts in the hulk tv series, His (voice) being in the movie still wont make me go see it.. I just watched it in the 70’s because it was the only thing interesting to watch, much like buck rogers around the same time. Nice that arnold is going to possibly have a cameo in the new terminator film, shame though it wont be enough to make me see it, or watch the tv show. ARNOLD IS THE TERMINATOR!
the only reason i’ll see the new clone wars movie is because lucas is directly involved with it. however i dont think it will the blockbuster that lucas is anticipating….I dont want to be too down on things but sci-fi is very important to me.
Star Wars has a Director of Fan Relations?
We need one of those.
Oh, no wait. He’s named boborci. Never mind.
Good. good coverage. Interesting read.
Blakes 7?, sounds awsome Hope it dosnt go the same way the bbc attempted remake did
CmdrR:
Hulk and Iron Man crossing over is logical, as they are both in the Marvel Universe. We await Spiderman, and even lowly Movie DD, as long as he leaves the chick behind. FF, Xmen, too, are all in the same world, at least in this old mind. Marvel Team-Up!
If your character is based in a real US city, it’s Marvel and one world. If you are in Metropolis, Gotham City or Central City, it’s one world as well.
Im going to check out the Star Wars series but Im not going to be holding out much hope for that one given the fact that Lucas is going to be handling some of the writing duties.
Maybe the series will follow the life of Jar Jar Binks! Wouldn’t that be GREAT?!!!
“Mesa Jah Jah Binks! Mesa’s only duty is to annoy living hehr out of you! Okiday?”
Should we ever see that famed crossover of Trek and Wars, I pray that Jar Jar faces down the forward torpedo tubes of the Enterprise….
“Oooo. Whosa are yousa? Photon Torpedo XJ-217? Uh-oh! Dissa bombad business! Mesa in big doodoo now! Egads! Bedda dead in de core dan dead here! Ani! Ani! Help me!”
Can I get an “amen” to that?
Mesa tink a big AMEN!
Wait what??? A “companion” series for Sarah Connor??? Isn’t it just a tad early for the show to already have a spin-off???
That Jessica Rabbit Untooned thing is very cool.
> “THR also reports that the name of the film is still “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins”. ”
Gah! Horrible, horrible title.
> ” “Chronicles of Narnia” producer Mark Johnson confirmed that there are currently “no plans” at the moment to continue the franchise past ‘Voyage of the Dawn Treader’. ”
Aw. At least do “Silver Chair”.
Bilbo Baggins: (trips and falls) “Why what’s this . . . a ring.”
(horrid screams in the echoing distance) “Precious . . .”
I can’t FRACKING WAIT.
#22 Commodore Lurker I think that Del Toro will do great job directing these two films. I am glad that Peter Jackson is going to be involved in the capacity of Producer. I do wish that these film could have gotten into production a little sooner then they did, but at least we will be getting them.
Why isn’t anyone commenting upon the pure sacrilege that Robin Shou, the definitive LIU KANG from MORTAL KOMBAT has a role in its biggest ever rival, STREET FIGHTER??? :mad: I preferred MK to SF, so this is bugging me.
Good stuff, good stuff.
I’m gonna watch the Clone Wars series because I’m a die-hard Star Wars fan, but the thing that bugs me about it is Anakin’s padawan. Seriously, does Lucas even care about established continuity? That’s why I like Star Trek slightly more. Gene Roddenberry had this wonderful vision of a perfect future, Lucas just saw a way to make money.
Iron Man looks kick ass. I’m not holding my breath for the Hulk though. I hope it’s good, but Ang Lee messed the last one up so bad I’m not sure anything can get the taste out of my mouth.
24: I totally didn’t catch that! I love MK. He should be doing less Street Fighter and more MK3!
“But if they shoot the movie in California, I would, yes.”
Terminator 4: the Governator travels back in time to when Hollywood films were made in Hollywood. His mission: to terminate productions outsourced to Vancouver, Sydney, or Wellington. “Please come back!”
now, when will they bring back the excellent ‘Firefly’?
far more watchable than blakes7 and farscape, i thought…
wouldnt a cgi Ahnold S be indistinguishable from the real thing, only younger? nothing like having an android who ages… (maybe he suffers from Brett Spiner syndrome?)
the Clone Wars is going to rule. Speed Racer looks like fun… and way smarter than than any one minute of real NASCAR.
I loved blake 7. Who do you think would make a good Avon?
Blake’s 7 , hmm they will need good actors for that , me thinks . but could work.
#27 I don’t think Firefly is coming back and with Serenity’s failure at the box office there will be no movie franchise either which is to bad really. It was very good and interesting show.
Clone wars maybe, but if lucas has done the writing that may be a problem and the real questions is do we even need thsi series anyway? Did’nt they already do a Clone Wars series? This to me smack of a rehash of that series .As for Seed Racer it looks and sound dumb. In the cartoon, Speed was a one dimensional race obsessed moron, it looks like he’s the same in the movie only he has one less dimension. Hey, conventional wisdom says that in spite of my misgivings this film will probably score big at the box office because there are so many baby boomers who are nostalgic for this crappy cartoon. I would not be heartbroken if this film crashed and burned at the box office.
the Firefly dvd box set continues to sell well, and the HD DVD of Serenity sold well also, a Blu Ray Firefly release with some new material is confirmed, so it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility the Firefly universe might be revisited in the future, it doe generate money.
Yes! Venture Bros. is back!
#31 Recently I read somewhere were they were considering a dvd movie sequel to Serenity, I don’t know if anything ever came of that one. But hey if it happened, we know that it would be a good film, Joss Whedon doesn’t tend to do junk. I don’t think they will likely revive the series because the cast member have moved on to othe things but again you never know.
I’ve never said it here, but I’ve been saying since the end of the last BSG season, that Earth is the Cylon homeworld. Yes folks, we’re all Cylons.
#34 not likely, though I think Earth and not Kobol is the origin point. that to me makes the most sense but I do believe that both the coloniels and the cylons are both machines and don’t know. for the answer to that question you have to ask the final five because both them and the Cylons have them in common although in different forms. For the coloniels they are the gods and for the cylons they are the final 5. What exodused from Kobol to the 12 worlds only thought they were human. What exodused back to earth? possibly the human survivors of that first machine rebellion long ago. That is one possibility
I agree with Brandon Routh and hope he is right. In my opinion I don’t think Justice League should be done yet. Give the individual characters a chance and team them up later. What is the rush for a Justice League film?
Why not do a Wonder Woman, Flash or Green Lantern film first to re establish the characters with the non-comic reading public. As an example, alot has changed with Wonder Woman since Lynda Carter portrayed her in the 1970’s. Wonder Wonman can fly like Superman and no longer needs the invisible jet.
The more I see of Speed racer the less I want to see it.
I thought B-7 remake was called “Firefly”. :)
Seriously though, I’m a bit afraid about the result. Today’s TV writers (and especially American TV writers) just don’t seem to have enough balls. And when they do, their series gets cancelled. :-P