Sci-Fi Saturday: Indy, Spidey, Iron Man, Transformers, + Sarah Connor, Robin TV series + more

Another week and another new batch of comic book movie news from Iron Man, Green Lantern, Spider-man, Watchmen and more. Plus we have updates on Transformers 2 in IMAX and the latest on a possible 5th Indy movie. In TV news we have a new Robin prequel, rumors of a Terminator cancellation and updates from Sanctuary, Fringe and more. And the usual crop of images and videos.

MOVIE NEWS

Comic Movies: DC’s Green Lantern Aiming to Shoot Early Spring 2009; Marvel Locked in at Paramount and Spider-Man 4 Casting News
Producer Donald De Line revealed to FirstShowing that a new draft of "The Green Lantern" has been submitted to the studio and while nothing has been confirmed yet, they’re "gearing up to start shooting early spring".  Meanwhile over at Marvel, the studio has extended its current contract with Paramount Pictures for the studio’s next five self-financed films:"Iron Man 2" (May 7, 2010), "Thor" (July 16, 2010), "The First Avenger: Captain America" (May 6, 2011), "The Avengers" (July 15, 2011) and "Iron Man 3" (TBA). Capping this week’s comic-book movie news, when asked by MTV about whether she’d be returning for "Spider Man 4", Kirsten Dunst responded: "I’m in".  When pressed, however, the actress changed her tone a bit, saying "I’m not saying anything, I know there’s rumors…"

Transformers 2 Action Scenes Shot in IMAX + LaBeouf Injured Again
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" director Michael Bay is filming at least three action sequences from the upcoming sequel using IMAX cameras, Variety reported.  Since Christopher Nolan used the cameras to dramatic effect in "The Dark Knight", other directors have expressed their interest in filming sequences in the format, including Jon Favreau for "Iron Man 2" and DJ Caruso for "Y: The Last Man".  In other ‘Transformers 2’ news, star Shia LaBeouf has once again injured himself.  The actor required stitches above his eyebrow after he sustained a cut from a prop on the set of the film.  The actor went right back to work, and the injury isn’t expected to to be an issue.

Favreau Talks Iron Man 2 + Iron Man Blu-ray Breaks Record
During a web chat with Los Angeles Times readers, "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau gave out a few hints about the film’s sequel.  First off, Favreau told readers not to expect Mandarin to be in the movie at all, indicating that the writers were experimenting with trying different villains from the comics.  When asked his thoughts about the potential for using a female villain–such as Madam Masque–Favreau strongly hinted that he’d be interested in a female villain.  Favreau also said that the second film will deal with how Tony Stark’s celebrity is affected by his "coming out" at the end of the first movie and Favreau would like to deal with Tony’s alcoholism, but in a way where the entire story isn’t entirely based on it: "I don’t think we’ll ever do the Leaving Las Vegas version, but it will be dealt with." And finally, he mentioned that the second film will lead into the "Avengers" movie.  Meanwhile, while on the Howard Stern Show Thursday, Favreau revealed that in just its first two days of release, the Blu-ray edition of "Iron Man" has become the format’s best-selling title.  Official numbers have not yet been released.  Hear the interview here. [via FormatWarCentral]

Watchmen Running Time, New Trailer News, and Sequel Talk
Select press in Los Angeles were treated to twenty-five minutes of footage from "Watchmen".  At the screening, it was announced that the film currently has a running time of 2 hours and 43 minutes and director Zack Snyder doesn’t expect it to get much shorter.  Snyder also revealed that he would not be involved with a sequel/prequel if Warner Bros. decided to make one and that the next movie trailer will be attached to "Quantum of Solace", which hits theaters on November 14, 2008.  You can read a complete account of the screened footage over at Collider, where you can also listen to what Zack Snyder had to say at the event (Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV).  SCI FI Wire has also put up a report on the screening which you can read at this link.  "Watchmen" hits theaters on March 6, 2009.

Harrison Ford Talks Indy 5
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" star Harrison Ford talked to the LA Times blog Hero Complex about the possibility of a fifth installment in the franchise:

“Really, [another sequel] comes from the ethos, from the ether. It’s natural. It’s a way of nature, of course, success breed opportunities … also we don’t stay as closely in contact as have in the last year, that’s part of it.”

Ford adds that Lucas already has a basic plot idea, which he calls "crazy but great". "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" hits DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def on October 14th.

Tom Rothman Talks James Cameron’s Avatar, and Potential for Franchise
20th Century Fox co-chairman, Tom Rothman, spoke with IESB about the studios 2009 film "Avatar", calling it "the coolest shit I’ve ever seen".  Rothman also discussed the film’s franchise potential:

If it does well, yes, absolutely, in terms of an arena a whole new world. But for us, it isn’t any of that, it isn’t even the technology, it isn’t even the look and the world all of which is the coolest shit I’ve ever seen, it isn’t even any of that, it’s that it’s a great story. It’s just a great story. You read the story and you are gripped by every page, it’s just a great, original story with tremendously, classic emotional value.

NEW IMAGES

Angels & Demons (possible teaser poster)

NEW VIDEOS

City of Ember (more here)

Dragonball (bootleg teaser trailer)

Repo! The Genetic Opera

Saw V (another here)

MOVIE BITES

• During a Q&A session at the Creative Screenwriting event, "Eagle Eye" co-writer Travis Wright revealed that he and his writing partner John Glenn on "Eagle Eye" were in the process of writing a sequel to "Blade Runner" and that he had  already contacted the producers of the original to get the ball rolling.  For his part, Glenn sent in an e-mail to /Film saying he is no longer involved in the project. [/Film]
• Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor and film director Kenneth Branagh is in talks to direct the big screen adaptation of Marvel Comics’ "Thor".  The film will hit theaters on June 10, 2010. [Variety]
• The sequel/prequel to "300" will take place between the Battle of Thermopylae and the Battle of Plateau. [IESB]
• Steven Seagal wants to take "Under Siege 3" into Space. [MTV]
• "City of Ember" director Gil Kenan says he considers the story of the film to be the ultimate tale of light vs. darkness in a new Q&A with SCI FI Wire which you can read at this link.
• Marvel’s "Punisher: War Zone" has been given an R-Rating from the MPAA for "pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use." [CHUD]
• European residents take note.  15 minutes of "Twilight" will be screened at the Rome Film Festival in October.  In addition to the 15 minutes from the film, behind-the-scenes footage will also be screened for attendees. [Cinema Blend]
• There are rumors that pre-production on a sequel to "The Dark Knight" will kick off in Chicago in February 2009, with filming to begin summer 2009. [Batman-On-Film & BOF Update]
• Treat this as a big ‘ol rumor.  In an interview with Kevin Spacey, the UK’s The Independent reported that producers "…will be paying him big bucks to reprise his role as Lex Luthor next year" in 2011’s "Superman: The Man of Steel".  [IGN]
• According to producer Walter Parkes, a third "Men in Black" film is likely: "The challenge is getting the script right and finding a time when our busy stars are available." …. "Everyone, including Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, wants to do another." [Parade Magazine]
• After being slapped with an R-Rating from the MPAA, John Moore has won a PG-13 rating for his adaptation of "Max Payne".  Additionally, Moore say’s he’s planning a "gamer dedicated cut" of the film that’s "a little slower" and "a little more atmospheric".  "Max Payne" hits theaters on October 17th. [Shack News]
• Matt Lucas ("Shaun of the Dead") has been cast in Tim Burton’s 3D adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland" (March 5, 2010).  The actor will play both Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
• "Avatar" director James Cameron denied that he ever gave his blessing to McG’s "Terminator Salvation": "It could be a big steaming pile, or it could be brilliant," Cameron said, adding "Sam Worthington is in … Avatar and the new Terminator, and he likes the script, but I never saw it. There was no blessing involved." That contradicts McG, who in the past has indicated he got the blessing of Cameron. [National Post]
• Amir Glinik’s V4 Ferarri motorcycle concept has a very slick sci-fi look to it.  Check it out below. Very reminiscent of the bike from Tron, no? [Wired]

TV NEWS

CW developing ‘The Graysons’ – pre-Batman Robin Series
With "Smallville" nearing an end, The CW is looking to the future.  The network has given the green light to "The Graysons" from "Smallville" executive producers Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson, who’ll be teaming with McG to produce the pilot, based on Batman’s sidekick Robin.  The duo say they have an original take on the character, one which will follow the drama and adventures of Dick "DJ" Grayson and his family during his pre-Batman days.

Fringe Given Full Season Order
Thanks to impressive ratings results, Fox has given a full-season order to the new JJ Abrams/Roberto Orci/Alex Kurtzman drama "Fringe".  The back-nine order brings the first season to a full 22-episodes.  "Fringe" is the first new series of the fall season to receive a full-season order.  Through four aired episodes, the show has averaged 10.43M viewers and a 4.2 rating among the key adults 18-49 demo.  Watch a promo for next week’s episode below:

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles In Danger of Being Canceled?
Meanwhile, poor ratings are to blame for the recent rumors that have been spreading on the Internet that Fox is close to canceling the second-year series "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles".  i09 reached out to Fox for a comment and got the following response: "The rumors are all speculative and never fact checked with the network or studio." Fox has ordered only 13 episodes of the show and the rep added that production on those 13 episodes continues and Fox has not yet made a decision about whether to order the remaining nine episodes of the season. So far this season, the show has averaged 5.79M viewers and a 2.2 rating among adults 18-49 through four aired episodes. Last season, it was the fall’s highest-rated new drama and averaged a heftier 9.50M viewers and a 3.9 rating in the key demo.

SCI FI Adds Two More Reality Shows to Lineup
Last week we reported that SCI FI had green lit a new archeological documentary series entitled "RelicQuest".  Now the network has announced two new reality shows, both scheduled to begin airing this November.  Courtesy i09:

• "Cha$e" – described as a real-life video game crossed with manhunt. Contestants are armed with a backpack, iPhone, compass, and other essential items, placed in Los Angeles, and sent after a cash prize. But along the way, they are stalked by "Hunters," dark-suited professional athletes who capture the contestants and remove them from play.
• "Estate of Panic" – places contestants in a mansion where they will also hunt for cash. But instead of avoiding hunters, they’ll have to contend with the house’s challenges and make it to the Vault Room. There, they’ll be shackled to the floor and surrounded by safety-deposit boxes, one of which contains the key to their restraints. "Crossing Jordan’s" Steve Valentine has signed on to host.

That rumor about the network changing its name to reflect its increasingly non-Sci-Fi based programming (which truthfully comes up every few months), doesn’t seem too far fetched huh?

Tapping Ready For More Stargate Movies; Won’t Be In Spinoff Universe
Amanda Tapping told SCI FI Wire that despite executive-producing and starring in the SCI FI Channel series "Sanctuary"–which premiered last night and airs Friday nights at 10pm–she’ll still be doing work on the various Stargate programs.  Tapping says she just "did the final episode of ‘Atlantis’" and will reprise her role as Carter in an upcoming straight-to-DVD Atlantis movie.

"I know nothing about it," Tapping said. "I can honestly tell you that. I was asked if I could make myself available, and I said, ‘Of course I would.’ Stargate is home. I may be off at university right now getting my Ph.D. in craziness, but I will always go home for Thanksgiving dinner at Stargate."

Tapping added that rumor has it production on the third DVD Stargate movie will begin late spring/early summer of next year and that they’ll be shooting ‘SG-1’ and ‘Atlantis’ movies at the same time.  Tapping also revealed that she would not be appearing in the upcoming third Stargate TV series ‘Universe’: "I think if I were, people would go, ‘Enough with the Carter!’"

TV IMAGES

Dollhouse

Eli Stone (more here and here)

Fringe (more here and here)

Heroes (more here, here and here)

Knight Rider (more here and here)

Life on Mars (more here and here)

Lost (more here, here, here and here)

Pushing Daisies (more here and here)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (more here)

TV VIDEOS

Chuck (more here)

Dollhouse

Eleventh Hour

Fringe

Heroes (more here, here, here and here)

Knight Rider (more here)

Pushing Daisies (more here)

Smallville (more here, here and here)

Stargate Atlantis

Supernatural (more here, here and here)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

TV BITES

• Shooting on the BSG TV movie "The Plan" has wrapped, ending with a "complex outdoor location shoot" in a Vancouver suburb involving several extras and many explosions. If you’re interested in some spoilers for the upcoming final half of the fourth and final season, check out this Q&A with star Aaron Douglas (Tyrol). [13th Colony]
• The official Star Wars website has made available for download Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Asajj Ventress and Clone Trooper masks.  Download them here.  The show premiered on the Cartoon Network last night (October 3rd).
• CBS has reversed its decision to not air the original pilot of the British remake of "Eleventh Hour".  The network had originally decided to air another episode titled "Argo" as its pilot, but will now air the original $4 million pilot (a remake of the British pilot) when the show premieres on October 9th. [io9]
• "The X-Files" spin-off "The Lone Gunmen" made it onto Time.com’s list of 10 Worst Spin-Off’s of all-time. [Time.com]
• Actor Doug Hutchison declared "I’m lost!", revealing that his character, Horace Goodspeed, will be returning to ABC’s "Lost" for at least a four-episode arc.  Despite his character’s death in an earlier season, the actor recalled this conversation with his agent: "So imagine my surprise when this past season, I get a call from my agents [saying], ‘They want you again on Lost,’" Hutchison said. "I said, ‘Well, wait a minute. Are these more flashbacks?’ They said, ‘No. It’s current.’ I said, ‘I’m dead!’ And they said, ‘Yeah, well it’s Lost.’" More at the source. [SCI FI Wire]
• Dig into the details behind the summer finale of the SCI FI channel’s original series "Eureka", including how the episode’s script had to be written on the fly, at the Eureka Unscripted Blog.
• AMC is developing "Red Mars", a series based on the 1982 novel of the same name from Kim Stanley Robinson.  Jonathan Hensleigh ("Armageddon"). [THR]
• The opening title sequence of the 20th season premiere of "The Simpsons" last Sunday featured Boba Fett encasing the family in carbonite.  You can watch the sequence, and the entire episode, for free on Hulu.

MISC

First Look at Marvel’s New Hulk Comic
i09 got an early look at Marvel’s online webcomic "Incredible Hulk: The Fury".  The first issue of the comic, written by Paul Tobin and illustrated by Ronan Cliquet, debuts October 8th.  Take a look at some cells below, and be sure to click here to check out i09’s write-up on the issue.

MISC BITES

• "Watchmen" director Zack Snyder has signed a deal to develop three original games for Electronic Arts.  EA will own the intellectual properties and Snyder’s production arm Cruel & Unusual Films will have the option to produce film adaptations using the properties.
• Fans raised $100,000 to save the dilapidated Cleveland house where "Superman" writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster dreamed up the Man of Steel character more than 70 years ago. Novelist Brad Meltzer organized the auction–which included original artwork and a role on the hit NBC series "Heroes"–and said the auction raised $101,744, more than double the $50,000 goal. The extra money will be used to not just fix the outside, but also the inside. [SCI FI Wire]
• Marvel has released the cover of "The Amazing Spider-Man" #573, which features Marvel Universe presidential candidate Stephen Colbert. Check it out below. [Marvel]

SCI-FI RATINGS

9/8/2008 to
9/14/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire

9/8/2008 to
9/14/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire

9/8/2008 to
9/14/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire