Sci-Fi Saturday: Spidey, Supes, Bat, Ghostbusters, Fringe, BSG, Heroes, Stargate + more

| September 6, 2008 | By: Rosario T. Calabria 67 comments so far

The genre movie news this week is (again) almost all about comic book movies, with updates on the next steps in the Spider-man, Superman, Batman and Ghostrider movies (and some movement on the Ghostbusters III front). There are also new videos and images, including some new Transformers behind the scenes. Plus lots of TV news, vids and pics from Heroes, Fringe, BSG, Terminator and more.

MOVIE NEWS

Raimi and Maguire in for Spidey 4 (and maybe 5) + Venom Spin Off News
A good deal of "Spider-Man 4" news has broken over the weekend.  Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that Sony has locked up both Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire for "Spider-Man 4" (THR has confirming the news).  And while there is no deal yet for Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane), the character is in the film and according to Finke’s source Sony "would never recast her". Sony is hoping that Raimi and Maguire shoot "Spider-Man 5" back-to-back.  Also, Finke reports that Sony has no interest in a dark movie (ala "The Dark Knight") because "Spider-Man is its own thing" and unlike Batman "Peter Parker has no dark side himself," instead "Peter Parker’s struggle is about sacrifice." As reported earlier, James Vanderbilt’s script for "Spider-Man 4" (still planned for May 2011) leads directly into a fifth movie. Finke’s source also talked about villains in the film, hinting "once you find out who the villain is, you’ll know who’s playing it".  Meanwhile on the Venom spin-off front, Finke’s sources say that Sony may let Topher Grace (who played the character in "Spider-Man 3") stay in the role despite his demise in the film because the "likeable actor could be a sympathetic evildoer".

Mark Millar Talks Possible Superman Trilogy
Turns out Mark Millar wasn’t just blowing smoke when he revealed that he had a director and producer in mind for a new Superman project, and revealed that things were happening behind-the-scenes in regards to the Superman Returns sequel Man of Steel (which happened to be true).
In an interview with G4, Millar talked about his plans for a new trilogy of Superman films, which he wants to be shot back-to-back:

“A director approached me about three months ago,” Millar said. “and he said ‘look, [Bryan Singer’s] The Man Of Steel might not be happening. If that doesn’t happen, it has been spoken about the possibility of me coming in, would you like to write it?’ And I was like Yeah.”

“I’ve had this plan for like 10 years for a big three-picture Superman thing, like a big Lord of the Rings epic, starting over from scratch again with a seven-hour Superman story. And hopefully release them one year after another,” continued Millar. “If it works out, we’ll have to start shooting next summer.”

Millar also talked up his upcoming independently financed adaptation of the comic book Kick-Ass, revealing that the film will have a fairly hefty $70M budget. Watch the complete interview below.


 

Nicolas Cage Talks Ghost Rider 2 and Kick-Ass
Making the rounds promoting his latest film "Bangkok Dangerous", Nicolas Cage talked to ComingSoon.net about "Ghost Rider 2"

“Yes, actually, had a nice meeting with the studio about 3-months ago,” Cage told Coming Soon, “and we talked about going international with that character. Taking him into Europe, having him go on a motorcycle tour through Europe, and he’s connected with the church, if you can believe that. So it sort of has elements to it that are very much in the zeitgeist, with The Da Vinci Code and things like that.”

Cage also spoke to Dark Horizon about the sequel, telling the site that the plot will have Johnny Blaze “working with different religious figures.” Moving on to his recently cast role in Mathew Vaughn’s "Kick-Ass", Cage downplayed the film’s violence level, telling MTV:

“I’m not fond of gratuitous violence,” said Cage, who will play the role of a retired cop determined to take down a druglord. “…there will be some moments of action that will be violent, but there will be a sense of elegance to it. [Matthew Vaughn] doesn’t want to get gratuitous with it. At least that’s what Matthew has told me.”

Sony Moving Forward With New Ghostbusters
Sony has announced that they’re moving forward with a new "Ghostbusters" film.  Columbia Pictures has tapped "The Office" co-executive producers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky to write the script for the film that will bring back the original cast of Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson, although the focus of the movie will be on a new cast of Ghostbusters.  Ivan Reitman, director of the first two films, is also involved in the movie’s development. 

BatUpdate: Sequel casting talk + more
"The Dark Knight"broke the $500M mark last Sunday (taking just 45 days–a new record).  The film is currently sitting at $506.5M domestic ($923.5M worldwide) through Thursday, so of course all the buzz is is on more sequel casting rumors/talk.  Appearing on a radio show, Johnny Depp denied rumors that he would be playing The Riddler, although he did say it would be "a fun gig". Meanwhile Milo Ventimiglia of "Heroes" revealed that he "always thought" he’d "make a great Robin" and would be interested in playing the role in a new film. Oh, and don’t expect Eckhart to return as Two-Face/Harvey Dent (as has previously been confirmed, his character is dead): “[My character is] dead. I couldn’t even get the words out of my mouth. ‘Hey, Chris, am I–?’ ‘No. You’re dead. You’re dead,’” Eckhart told AICN. And finally, Guy Pierce tells MTV that he’d be interested in the role of The Riddler (or any role for that matter) so long as Nolan was still on board as a director.

NEW IMAGES

City of Ember

Dragonball (more at this link)

Green Lantern (concept art–more at this link)

Prince of Persia (set photos–more at this link)

Saw V

NEW VIDEOS

Max Payne

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (from Wal-Mart: Access Code AllSpark62609)

"On the set: Day 1"

"Creating Transformers"

Twilight (another teaser trailer at this link and click here for interviews with the cast)

MOVIE BITES

  • Heavy Metal publisher Kevin Eastman says that Zack Snyder, Guillermo del Toro and Gore Verbinski have all expressed interest in joining executive producer David Fincher to direct segments of the upcoming animated film. [rgbfilter.com]
  • "TMNT" writer Stephen Murphy has shot down the rumor that there would be a new live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. [Stephen Murphy]
  • Los Angeles federal judge Gary Allen Feess has set a January 6, 2009 trial date for 20th Century Fox’s lawsuit against Warner Bros. over "Watchmen".  The trial date is favorable to WB, as Fox was pushing for a date around June in hopes of delaying the movie’s release.  "Watchmen" is still scheduled to hit theaters on March 6, 2009. [Variety]
  • Asked if he’s involved in the proposed "300" prequel/sequel, star Gerald Butler answered: "No. They mentioned it, and we’ll leave it at that. It’s a very interesting idea, I have to say interest. [MoviesOnline]
  • Damon Lindelof says that although he won’t have the time to take on an adaptation of "The Dark Tower" series, which he and J.J. Abrams optioned over a year ago, until "Lost" is finished, he would like to adapt the the seven book franchise into a seven film series. [AMC]
  • Because of his commitment to other projects, including "The Hobbit" and its sequel, Guillermo del Toro has been replaced by Stephen Sommers to direct a live action adaptation of "Tarzan".  The film will be co-written by Sommers and Stuart Beattie. [Variety]
  • Writer-director Sheldon Lettich has been tapped by producer Alexander Nevsky to work on "Hercules: The Beginning". [Variety]
  • The rumors of a fight between David Fincher and Paramount over "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" have been confirmed, courtesy Kevin Eastman who gave an interview revealing the film’s length has put the studio and director at odds. [The Playlist]
  • Guillermo del Toro is going to be one busy director over the next several years as the director is now booked through 2017, and perhaps beyond.  Universal has signed Del Toro to direct four projects, including remakes of "Frankenstein", "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and "Slaughterhouse-Five". The fourth–non-remake–project is an adaption of the Dan Simmons novel "Drood".  Del Toro’s also expected to direct "Hellboy 3". [Variety]
  • 20th Century Fox has tapped relative unknown Max Makowski to direct "Voltron: Defender of the Universe". [Latino Review]
  • "G.I. Joe" executive producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura called Cobra Commander (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) "a very twisted character", telling MTV News that the key lies in his past. “As the backstory evolves, you discover why his personality [is like that].” [MTV]
  • So, there won’t be a director’s cut of "The Incredible Hulk" on DVD or Blu-ray, but i09 got their hands on a supposedly genuine script and broke down what’s missing from the film.  Check out their detailed rundown at this link.

CASTING BITES

  • Denzel Washington has been cast to star in "Book of Eli", a post-apocalyptic drama that will be directed by Allen and Albert Hughes. Washington will play a lone hero in a not-too-distant apocalyptic future who must fight across America to bring society the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption, according to Variety.
  • Zuleikha Robinson has been cast in the pivotal role of Ilana in the upcoming fifth season of "Lost".  The actress will start off as a recurring player with an option to become a regular in the sixth–and final–season.  Her character is described as a European who is intelligent but very dangerous. [Entertainment Weekly]
  • Ted Raimi, brother of "Legend of the Seeker" (two-hour premiere on November 1st) executive producer Sam Raimi, will guest star in an upcoming episode of the syndicated sci-fi/fantasy series.  Ted will appear in the show’s fourth episode, "Bounty" and play Sebastian, a mapmaker skilled in the lost art of cartogromancy, the making of enchanted maps. [SCI FI Wire]

TV NEWS

Galactica back in January + TV Film Begins Shooting Monday + more
SCI FI has debunked rumors that the second half of "Battlestar Galactica" would be delayed, calling the rumors "inaccurate" as they once again confirmed the second half of the show’s fourth and final season will return with new episodes in January 2009.  In other BSG news, shooting begins this Monday on "Battlestar Galactica: The Plan", the new TV movie written by Jane Espenson.  Unlike last year’s telefilm "Razor", "The Plan" will fill in a continuity gap using the regular cast.  The movie will feature Edward James Olmos (Bill Adama), Michael Trucco (Sam Anders), Aaron Douglas (Tyrol), Dean Stockwell (Brother Cavil), Tricia Helfer (Six), Grace Park (Boomer/Athena), Rick Worthy (Simon), Mathew Bennett (Doral) and Callum Keith Rennie (Leoben).  Maureen Ryan of The Chicago Tribune also writes: “My source says that [Saul] Tigh and a fellow Cylon, Tory Foster (Rekha Sharma), are in the film, but ‘not as much.’ As previously reported, Olmos will be directing the two-hour film.  It will air in the first quarter of 2009 on SCI FI.  Also, despite additional script orders for the prequel spin-off pilot "Caprica", a decision on picking it up to series has still not been made. In other BSG news, Olmos was interviewed in SciFiNow and tells the mag that his character "does break down, he goes to the bottom of the pit and just squirms around in there and it’s really difficult for him to carry on."  And lastly, SCI FI Channel VP Mark Stern tells The Huffington Post that the final Cylon is "delicious".

Cartoon Network Sets October Debut for The Clone Wars
Cartoon Network has announced that "Star Wars: The Clone Wars", the first weekly television series from Lucasfilm Animation, will make its film-to-TV premiere on October 3rd.  The hour-long premiere features two episodes, "Ambush" and "Rising Malevolence".  The first episode centers on Yoda, who’s on a secret mission to forge a treaty with the king of the strategic system of Toydaria when his ship is ambushed by Count Dooku and his assassin, Asajj Ventress.  The second episode will follow the characters Anakin and Ahsoka as they race to save Jedi Master Plo Kon and his clone troopers before a devastating Separatist mystery weapon gets a hold of them.  Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the movie, was released on August 15th in theaters and has thus far grossed just $31.1M domestically ($53.6M worldwide).  Check out a new video featuring director Dave Filoni discussing the animated series below and click here for some images.

TV IMAGES

Fringe (more at this link)

Heroes (check out the remaining character poster art at this link)

Knight Rider (more at this link)

Life on Mars (more at this link)

Lost (more at this link)

Stargate Atlantis (many more here, here, here, here and here)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (more at this link)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

TV VIDEOS

Eleventh Hour

Fringe (Also, check out a John Noble interview at this link)

Heroes (behind-the-scenes clip–click here to watch a BBC promo and here for a Masi Oka/Milo Ventimiglia interview in Australia and here for a new promo)

Knight Rider

Kyle XY (season three teaser)

The Mentalist (more here and here)

Stargate Atlantis (promo)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

True Blood

TV BITES

  • CNN has put up an article discussing "frak" in The Curse Word ‘Battlestar Galactica’ created.
  • A special deluxe edition soundtrack to the NBC series "Heroes" will be released on September 9th.  The soundtrack set includes more than 20 illustrations from graphic artists Tim Sale and Steven Parke and music from Bob Dylan, Brigton Port Authority, Iggy Pop, Wilco, Panic! At The Disco and composters Wendy and lisa, among others. (SpoilerTV)
  • Check out an interview with "Fringe" star Anna Torv over at SCI FI Wire and one with creator J.J. Abrams where he talks about how the show will jump the shark as quickly as possible here.  Written by "Star Trek" writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, "Fringe" debuts next Tuesday, September 9th on Fox.
  • The soundtrack to "Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog" web series is now available to purchase on iTunes.  Buy the soundtrack at this link.  The official website has also been updated with a the Lyrics/Liner Notes which you can check out here.
  • Creature creator Dan Rebert talked chatted with io9 about his latest project, the HBO vampire series "True Blood".  Read the interview at this link.
  • Santiago Cabrera, who played Isaac Mendez on NBC’s "Heroes", tells Digital Spy that he’d like to return to the show: "You know, with Heroes, there’s always the chance of going back on… You never know. They’re doing the third season now, but anything can happen on that show, so I might come back."
  • The SCI FI Channel is having its most-watched summer ever, hitting record highs in total viewers, younger viewers and women according to a press release.  "Eureka" is leading the charge with an average of 3.1 million viewers a week.  Other successful programs include "Ghost Hunters International" (2.4M viewers), "Scare Tactics" (2M viewers) and its Saturday Night Original Movies (2M viewers). [SCI FI Press Release]

MISC BITES

  • "Joker", a new 128 page hardcover graphic novel from Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, the team behind "Lex Luthor: Man of Steel" will be released this October from DC Comics, and Newsarama conducted an interview with Azzarello to discuss the novel.  Read it at this link.
  • "X-Files" creator creator Chris Carter was hospitalized this past Tuesday due to "physical exhaustion and an acute sleeping disorder".  The hospitalization is a result of Carter "working on multiple films back to back over a two year period".  He’s expected to make a full and quick recovery. [EW]
  • 20th Century Fox and The Multiverse Network have announced that they are working on a Massively Multiplayer online game based on "Buffy the Vampire Series".  There will be a 2D flash, web-based version, as well as a fully 3D world with a dedicated client. [Newsarama]
  • Greg Berlanti is developing a new Sci-Fi series for ABC called "The Return" with "The 4400’s Rene Echevarria.  The series revolves around the effect on the world–including the White House–of an alien landing. [Variety]
  • A new charity called the Siegel & Shuster Society has just recently been launched and is running an auction in an effort to save the house where Jerry Siegel created Superman back in the 1930’s.  The auction runs from September 2nd to September 30th.  Click here to bid on items or make a cash donation.
  • IDW Publishing will be releasing "The Transformers Animated: The Arrival", number one, the first in a new series of comics based on the Cartoon Network animated series.  The series’ head writer Marty Isenberg and artist Dario Brizuela are penning the comic.  Check out some artwork below. [SCI FI Wire]

SCI-FI RATINGS

Top 10 SF&F Broadcast Shows   HH Rating
1)
Ghost Whisperer (R)   		3.3
2)
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (R)		 2.0
3) Smallville (R) 1.1
4) Reaper (R) 0.8
6) Supernatural (R) 0.8

8/11/2008 to
8/17/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire

Top 10 SF&F Syndicated Shows   Rating
1) Stargate SG-1 0.8
2) The Dead Zone 0.7
3) Star Trek 0.7
4) Stargate Atlantis 0.6

8/11/2008 to
8/17/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire

Top 10 SCI FI CHANNEL Shows   Rating  
1) Eureka 1.9
2) Ghost Hunters International 1.7
3)
ECW		 1.2
4)
Stargate Atlantis		 1.2
5)
Scare Tactics		 1.1

6) Black Swarm 		1.1

7) Boogeyman    		1.0
8) Final Destination    1.0
9) Cursed    1.0
10) The Grudge    0.9

8/11/2008 to
8/17/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire

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Robin should never be allowed into a Batman movie again.

I still can’t think of a villain who can follow up the performance of Joker.

I sure hope Spidey 4 and 5 aren’t as cluttered as 3 became.

Will look forward to spending more time with the Ghostbusters, as long as the original team show up. Older, and still none-the-wiser! Couldn’t care less about any newbies in the roles, so hope it doesn’t go down that route.

Hellboy 3? Hell, yes. And look forward to the future Del Toro take on Frankenstein….

I would accept Robin in the next Batman if , and only if, he was present in his Nightwing incarnation. And even then I would expect some heavy retconning from Nolan. Maybe have Nightwing as a young and unexperienced vigilante (much like Bruce was in the first half of Batman Begins) taking on the Gotham underworld and capturing the attention of Batman.

Oh, and have him die too….kind of like Harvey.

3,

I can live with that.

Yay, new Terminator! This show was better than I expected and it’s stayed pretty good. I hope they can keep it up.

The old Ghostbusters III rumor was that it would be 100% CGI with the voices of the original cast. I guess that turned into the videogame that’s been announced. I hope the new cast is equally talented as the originals and not all perfect-looking twentysomethings like in every other crappy remake/reboot. They must get all of the original main cast in a new movie, at least cameos! There should be at least one good smile or laugh in seeing what each character is doing in their middle age.

#1…To answer ur question…KRISTEN BELL AS HARLEY QUINN and HAYDEN PANETTIERE AS CATWOMAN :)

I hate that GL concept art. I hope it never gets made. The costume just looks horrendous.

I like Robin, but he has no place in the Nolan films. Unless they make a Dark Knight Returns- style movie, which would be cool.

No, no, no, no, NO Topher Grace as Venom!
I don’t blame him completely, but he was PART of the reason why Venom got so royally screwed up in Spider-Man 3. This guy should be nowhere near a Venom spinoff; otherwise, I’ll have to just throw in the towel and realize that there will never be a good movie incarnation of my favorite Spidey villain.
Yuck.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Clay Face in the next batman movie. With CGI what it is today it might look good. That and Batman having to take on aspects of himself, psychologically, could be interesting.

KHaaaaaaaaaaaN!

Please no, Kristen Bell can’t act.

I love Robin and I want him to be in Batman. There I said it. I also don’t mind Topher Grace as Venom.

Robin can meet Batman when he’s hiding out from the cops. Maybe Robin could be a cop that wasn’t corrupted.

I think Spiderman can be saved, Ghostbusters might be good, and Batman is ready for another big villain but not Robin. And I’m also kind of excited about Dragon Ball.

Spiderman movies do nothing for me, but my wife and kids love it, so I’ll end up spending the money anyway.

Speaking of “Robin”, when is there going to be a feature film treatment for “The Ambiguously Gay Duo”?

They do it for everything else, and that always cracked me up!

I have the “Terminator” series first season on TiVo, but have not watched any of it yet. I’m doing the same with “Fringe”. I’m still catching up on “Heroes”…

I still think that wrestling on the SciFi channel is stupid.

#16—It’s stupid on any channel.

#17-Agreed

I don’t watch the Sci Fi channel anymore. I just buy the DVDs of shows they run.

Ok. the wwe on Scifi is not the best thing.I love the termanator series and i hope they can continue to stay true to the Movies. Robin would be ok for Batman but they better make it good.Can’t wait for next year and the Transformers 2. That will be Tottaly kool. The clone wars does not appeal to me. Nor did the animated movie.J.J abrams. It’s time for a Trailer for Star Trek.If you Don’t then the I.S.S enterprise will Fire a few Photon Torpedoes at your House.Long Live The Terran Empire.

Will William Shatner be in Ghostbusters III?

Robin in the new Batman movies is like jumping the shark.

Spiderman can rebound. As long as the studios hacks stay away and let Raimi do his thing.

Can’t wait for a new Superman movie. They should bring back Roth. He was good and with a good script can be better.

Hey JJ, we’re still waiting for Star Trek XI pictures and or trailer. Get going pal. I get your secrecy thing but some shots and a reveal of the Enterprise will not spoil the movie for anyone. Go ahead and keep the plot tucked away until next Summer but give us some pics already!!!

Finke’s source also talked about villains in the film, hinting “once you find out who the villain is, you’ll know who’s playing it”.

I’m guessing the next spidey villain is Lizard.

This is the 21st Century.

Batman and Robin? Not today, there are too many child-endangerment statutes. Not to mention the latent pedophilia implications in that relationship.

Kid sidekicks was a fine way to draw kids into the adventures in the 30s, 40s and 50s.

As to a Superman movie reboot? Why not? The comic series itself has been rebooted several times, what with the Denny O’Neill retooling in c1970-71 and John Byrne’s restart in1985.

21. Negotiator –
“Will William Shatner be in Ghostbusters III?”

Yes, he dies on Veridian III but not before passing the baton to a new cast of Ghostbusters who take over the movie series.

Honestly I have zero interest in Ghostbusters. I was in high school when it came out and thought it was lame then. Can’t believe they’re trotting that ‘franchise’ back out of mothballs.

For a longtime comic book fan I can’t say that any of the above projects (aside from Watchmen) picque my curiosity. A Venom spin-off? Why? Spider-Man # was the Batman and Robin of that series: too much going on, too stupid, too many characters. That scene with ‘goth-Peter’ in the jazz club was one of the most awful things I’ve ever been subjected to.

Sadly one of the most disheartening bits of news is that the current Star Trek team is looking at doing a possibly seven-picture adaptation of some Stephen King nonsense. King is the biggest hack writer of our time. I don’t know anything about this story but I bet it has the following key ingredients from his writing toolbox: i.) a troubled main character who happens to be a white writer from Maine and hates his wife, 2.) a precocious 6-year old whose name ends in “y” and is referred to as “Little ____y” (Little Timmy or Tommy or Billy or Danny), 3.) a black person with mysterious powers or insight into the supernatural who speaks and acts like he or she stepped out of the Civil War reconstruction days (possibly with a bizarre name like Mama Pentacost, may talk to mice or work in a hotel) — all black people are mysterious to King because they don’t have any in Maine, 4.) blood pouring from an inanimate object such as a sink, walls, elevators, possessed cars, etc, 5.) A religious wacko woman who spouts scripture and is a holdover from the Salem witch trial days, 6.) a person with local character, usually sitting in a rocking chair on a porch and using strange local phrases you’ve never heard before….

Sorry Supreme Court, I hate ‘im.

I don’t know who Mark Millar is but I was slightly enthused about his news of a Superman reboot. Until I read the article again. Anyone who like uses the word “like” twice in their pitch doesn’t like give me much confidence in them. Did he not have to take a speech class? How’d he get through writing classes? Is any college putting out literate sounding people anymore.

Regarding Spider-Man: as a fan for over thirty years I’ve been thrilled by it’s success. But I don’t care for Raimi’s weak kneed, sappy, teary eyed approach. If I see Toby Maguire make one more ugly face….
Enough with the crying already. Peter wasn’t that big a loser. He had fun being Spider-Man. Or I had fun watching him be it. These have not been my movies completely. And keep your mask on buddy. You’ll still earn that 17 mil.

Regarding the next Batman movie….I know he’s passed on. I know that even if he were still here he’d be too old. But the only Riddler to me is Frank Gorshin. As I’ve said many a time we wouldn’t even be speaking about the character if Gorshin hadn’t made something of him and taken him out of the back of the 10 for a dollar comic sales bin stacks.

I can see Robin in a movie. I always loved it. A great dynamic between the two. When I grew up no one was making jokes or lewd suggestions about their relationship. It never even crossed my mind. But of course we have a society that’s made such jokes about Bert and Ernie. The hell with those people too.

Izbot,
You’ve either never read Stephen King’s work or you’ve read everything he’s written. :)

25. Andy Patterson –
“Regarding the next Batman movie….I know he’s passed on. I know that even if he were still here he’d be too old. But the only Riddler to me is Frank Gorshin.”

Amen.

25. Andy Patterson:
“I can see Robin in a movie.”

Both Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan have expressed that Robin will not be included as long as they continued making Bat-movies. So, you may have to wait a while.

25. Andy Patterson –
RE: The Riddler

That reminds me: WHY isn’t the Batman TV show available on DVD yet?! Does anyone know the answer to that? Is it some legal thing? Like with Season 2 of Twin Peaks? WTF???!!! I’ve been waiting for like ever! (Oops, sorry for using “like”, Andy)

Seriously, if anyone can answer this for me I’d appreciate it.

Wait, I meant the Twin Peaks pilot, not season 2.

I’d like to see the classic Robin. A light-hearted kid who cracks jokes and contrasts with Batman. We don’t need another dark, broody Robin as portrayed in Batman and Robin.

I don’t agree that no villain can follow the Joker. The Riddler as played by Jim Carey was MUCH better than I expected.

I’d like to see the Catwoman, but not sure who I’d like to play her.

The Penguin done right (If they hadn’t foisted that horrible makeup on Danny DeVito, it would have been MUCH better.), would be ok.

With today’s availability of Computer Animation, Clayface might not be a bad choice for a villain.

We’ll have to wait and see.

Milo Ventimilgia is just too old for Robin, I think.

#7 Do we really need little girls who know nothing about anything as Harley and Catwoman? They can’t even act, oh I’m sure they’re the stuff of wet dreams. But lets get some real actress in there for that.

Clayface was my favorite villain of the animated series, and I would love to see him on the big screen. However, it’s doubtful Nolan would go for such an outrageous character. The director has been leaning toward gritty realism in the past two bat flicks. So — alas — we can probably count out our favorite shapeshifter.

Sorry Odo.

Starting over from scratch with Superman is a great idea. Singer’s film was average to surprisingly bad. Way too much of an homage to the Donner films. Except for Superbaby. What a terrible idea! I don’t think Donner would have gone there. Nobody should have. And how tiresome was it to have Lex Luthor back as the bad guy? So boring.

The only scene I remember that met my expectation was the airplane scene. That was awesome.

Batman definitely doesn’t need Robin, and Bale has said there won’t be as long as he is Batman. As for the next villain, since Batman is now viewed as a murderer and overall criminal, it only makes sense to bring in Catwoman. I think they’re going to try to make the next one sexier, and it’ll give more for Bale to do. DK was, after all, Ledger’s movie. Bale just kind of waltzed through, sounding ever more in need of some Cloraseptic.

blah blah blah blah … shouldn’t we have the Star Trek trailer yet?

#34: As for the airplane scene in Superman Returns – I too was excited by it first time I saw it. However, repeat viewings on DVD have me thinking Supes looks like a genuine dufus in that scene.

All brawn and no brain (he couldn’t imagine that wing tearing off as he tried to pull the airplane back up by its tip??? ughhh…).

This was but one of the many apparent character flaws in that film.

Just hope they don’t mess it up even more now… (Lex Luthor a Kryptonian? Kryptonian offspring wars on earth? brrrrr).

Now how about some pics of the new Enterprise?!

– I don’t like the new SPIDERMAN movies…they are so stupid and silly…a non-spidey movie series… totally overrated …
When i saw BATMAN BEGINS for the first time i never understood why the designs, in generaly ..makes me to remember about an older BATMAN…not about an young BATMAN in his first days of action..so i’m asking myself why their producers are so distant from these shows past…

#32: #7 Do we really need little girls who know nothing about anything as Harley and Catwoman? They can’t even act, oh I’m sure they’re the stuff of wet dreams. But lets get some real actress in there for that.

What Shows are you watching? I have seen both of those girls in Heroes, and they seem to act beautifully to me. THey really got into the parts and made the lines reallistic. Whatever you have seen them in. Look again.

If Robin to appear in this or any run of movies, they would have to seriously “re-imagine” the character. At least two things would have to change IMO.

-The backstory. The “son-of-circus-performers” plot device worked well back when circuses were numerous but those days are gone. You need a contemporary reason for Grayson to have the initial athleticism and acrobatic training (an orphan street kid into parkour maybe?)
-The point of intervention. Instead of becoming Wayne’s ward immediately, the Grayson character should have time for his rage to fester. Intervention should come at the point of realizing his revenge. Batman/Wayne therefore becomes Ras Agol in a way.

29

From what I understand it all hinges on William Dozier’s daughter who found a copy of her late father’s contract stating his heirs are entitled this or that in the event the series is put out. And from what I’ve heard it’s something as little as a million dollars and the studio won’t cough it up. Real shame.

Hardly anyone is around to do commentary on such a release. Burgess Meredith and Ceasar Romero are gone now. And sadly Frank Gorshin is too. Adam West, Burt Ward, Yvonne Craig and the various ‘Catwomen’ are about the only ones around still. The powers that be missed the 40th anniversary release date. There are some real idiots up there because I know a lot of people would buy it. As time goes by, I think they’ve missed their opportunity. There’s a time to strike and I think that audience is moving on. Having kids and grand kids and living life.

I have a bootleg copy I bought at a Trek convention. Bad transfer and the TVLand logo at the bottom of the screen through out.

Please, fire Sam Raimi. In my humble, personal opinion, he is an overrated, untalented director.

While I love this column, Anthony, have you ever thought of using “spoiler code”? Some forums and sites use this. It makes the text the same color as the background so it must be highlighted to be read.

This will likely become a bigger issue with Star Trek as we near closer and closer…and it would suck to have it blown by an unexpected block of text.

I bring it up because I go to great lengths to avoid LOST spoilers/casting info and just flowed right into one above.

#34, #36,

Starting from scratch with Supes will be great if Millar gets to write the screenplay. I loved what he did with the first two volumes of Marvel’s Ultimates series and I am starting to dig what he is up to with the Fantastic Four. Singer’s version was almost TOO reverent. Every shot of Superman was composed to create an “iconic” image of a god on Earth. It was just too heavy-handed to me. I’d really dig it if they went the route of Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman. That, to me, is both mythic and fun without being too sappy.

Now, for my money, the airplane rescue was the best part of the movie. It didn’t look to me like he didn’t realize the wing was going to shear off. I thought he anticipated/encouraged it. When I saw that happen, I instantly recalled a sequence from an old Superman story where he intentionally ripped the wings off a crashing jet liner to keep it from going into a flat spin. I thought they were doing yet another “homage” to something in the comic book. I’ll have to watch it again.

As for Luthor, his presence didn’t bother me. Great villain. Great actor playing him. It was his annoying, third-time’s-the-charm, obsession with Real Estate that drove me nuts.

#40

That’s interesting. I always thought it was just the case of DC/Warners owning the characters and situations versus Fox owning the 60’s show.

Much like the current situation with Watchmen, the two can’t agree on the split of profits.

I think George Lucas missed a golden opportunity with his animated series. Instead of rehashing the clone wars after already having the mini animated series on the cartoon network and the beginning and end of the war in the live action movies, why not explore areas of the Star Wars universe only seen in the books and comics?

The story could have gone back to the “Knights of the Old Republic” or given the fans what they have been asking for and picked up after “Return of the Jedi” and given Mark Hamil some more voice work.

Also, please no Robin unless he is a young adult, not a little kid in a bright red outfit. Or shake it up an make Robin a woman or skip right to batgirl.

35. Sci-Fi Bri –
“blah blah blah blah … shouldn’t we have the Star Trek trailer yet?”

Dude that is getting old. I’m gonna continue to call you out on it each time you say it.

I have waited so long for a new Ghostbusters film. I am awaiting that almost as much as Star Trek.

I was hoping that these Spidey IV things would die on the vine. The first movie was incredible, the second one was really good, but by the time the thrid one was 1/4over it was obvious that the franchise and everyone involved in it was beyond exhausted.

41.
I had heard there was a legal reason for the DVD tie-up, but that it had to do with rights to the music used in the series. I heard this about 2-3 years ago, so that could have been resolved but then it was sort of second-hand information, so I cannot swear to its’ veracity.