In Sci-Fi movie news this week we have a big update on that other big May 2009 movie, Terminator Salavation. Plus there are updates on Transformers 2, Iron Man 2, a Dr. Strange movie and more. TV news brings the first look at the new Stargate series, word on the ending of BSG, the latest on Dollhouse and more. Plus new images and videos from a couple dozen movies and series, so check it all out below.
MOVIE NEWS
McG Updates Terminator Salvation
McG wrote a new blog posting on the "Terminator: Salvation" website. Here are some highlights:
- Principal photograph has wrapped. They’re currently in post-production.
- Christian Bale and Sam Worthington have been shown early cuts and "seem pleased with where the film is headed".
- McG says the crew feels the responsibility of showcasing amazing special effects. To that end, VFX supervisor Charlie Gibson is working with ILM and Asylum every day and making revisions to the finest detail.
- They want the machines to be "dirty and heavy and perfectly realistic". That’s why they built so much practically with Stan Winston.
- On the VFX: "There’s one sequence in particular where we’re trying to achieve something that’s never been done before. I don’t want to talk about it because we haven’t been successful yet…, McG said, adding "But we’re working on it".
- On Bale and Worthington and the story: They "bring power to the rolls of John Connor and Marcus Wright. This is a story of two destinies colliding. Connor is part of a resistance comprised of the ethnicities that make up the globe. This film is so much more that just Los Angeles. It reflects the global crisis of man, all of man versus machine."
Orci kills Transformers rumors
Our old pal Roberto Orci shot down some of the rumors being spread around the internet in regards to one of next Summer’s big movies, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", including a denial that Soundwave, who turned into a tapedeck in the cartoons, is now a pick-up truck. However, he doesn’t deny that the character may be a truck of some sort, just not a pick-up. He also said that the ‘Fallen’ in the film’s title could be the name of a robot, or it could just be a reference to the defeated side in a battle. More at TFW2005. Also, Orci answers more rumors here.
Jackson Talks Fury, Iron Man 2 and The Spirit
Samuel L. Jackson ran into "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau at last week’s Scream Awards in Hollywood and the two starting talking about Nick Fury’s prospects in future Marvel films, including perhaps his own film:
"I would love that, but he’s got to be part of Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America, and then The Avengers will probably happen at some point," Jackson said in a group interview. "I [feel like I] haven’t actually played Nick Fury yet. I kind of showed up as Nick Fury. It’s interesting, because I saw Favreau last night. Script’s being done. I was hanging out with George Lucas at the Scream Awards, and he just happened to be there."
Jackson also spoke about Miller’s "The Spirit", of which he’s seen the final cut: "I’ve seen it," he said. "I loved it, and it’s got its own kind of space. A lot of people think it’s going to look like Sin City, but it’s not. It looks totally different." Frank Miller also discussed the film and what it was like directing it which you can read here.
Marvel Considering a Dr. Strange Movie
In an interview with MTV News, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed that Dr. Strange is one of many possible comic properties that the studio will explore after "The Avengers" hits theaters:
“Very much so,” Feige said. “I’d say in the next year, year and a half, as we start putting together our film slate for 2012 and 2013, I would not be shocked if we saw Dr. Strange on those lists. I love the idea of taping into the magical realm of the Marvel Universe, which is fairly significant and hasn’t yet seen life on screen. It’s something I’m very, very interested in.”
NEW IMAGES
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
My Bloody Valentine 3-D
Pandorum
Watchmen
NEW VIDEOS
Friday the 13th [HD Version–another video here]
My Bloody Valentine 3-D
Hulk vs. Thor
The Incredible Hulk
The Spirit
Twilight
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans [HD Version]
Watchmen
MOVIE BITES
- Bill Murray was one of the frontrunners to play the Caped Crusader in 1989’s "Batman", but was sidelined once Tim Burton took over the project and brought in Michael Keaton: "I would have been a fine Batman. You know, there have been a number of Batmen. I like them… I thought Mike Keaton did a great job as Batman. It’s obviously – it’s a great role." [Yahoo!]
- Daniel Craig reportedly turned down an offer made by Marvel to star as the lead in the studio’s big screen adaptation of "Thor". [IESB]
- Seth Green will be directing a big screen adaptation of his comic book series "Freshmen", which he co-created with Hugh Sterbakov. Green says they’re "writing the feature, and we’re going to make it when it’s ready" and are currently looking for a studio to finance it. [Moviehole]
- Seth Rogen doesn’t like the idea of a third Ghostbusters film: “It’s hard to imagine that would be good, isn’t it?” asks Rogen. “It sounds like a terrible idea when you first hear it. At first hearing it sounds like the worst idea ever. I dunno. Maybe. I mean, that would have to be one mutherfucking good script.” Rogen also talked about slimming down for his role in "The Green Hornet", the much-delayed Star Wars-themed comedy "Fanboys" and more. Read it all here.
- Paul W.S. Anderson told the Sunday Sun that he’ll "probably write ‘Resident Evil 4’" after he’s done writing an adaptation of "Long Good Friday". [Horror-Movies]
- There has been "no momentum" on Charles Roven’s adaptation of "The Flash". [Shock Till You Drop]
- The computer-animated film "Resident Evil: Degeneration" from Sony Pictures has been dated to hit DVD, Blu-ray and PSP on December 30, 2008. [SCI FI Wire]
- Terrence Howard says he was surprised to find out that he wasn’t recast in "Iron Man 2": "It was the surprise of a lifetime [finding out that Cheadle has taken over the role]. There was no explanation. I read something in the trades that implicated it was about money or something but apparently the contracts that we write and sign aren’t worth the paper that they’re printed on. And promises aren’t kept." [NPR]
- Guillermo Del Toro says he’s open to shooting "The Hobbit" in 3D and IMAX. [MTV]
- "The Incredible Hulk" producer Gale Anne Hurd echoed sentiments that Hulk might be the villain in the "Avengers" movie. [MTV]
- If there’s a "Jurassic Park IV", Jeff Goldblum is open to returning to the franchise. [MTV]
- While the reaction to the test screening of "Watchmen" has been very good, some fans are upset over how the ending to the Zack Snyder film differs from the one in the graphic novel. Read about it here and here. Kevin Smith also confirms that the ending is changed from the book, saying it makes it more about the characters but insists it works just as well as the original. [Collider]
- Seth Rogen says that because the character isn’t all that well known among non-fans, an origin story for "The Green Hornet" is necessary. Watch the interview below.
CASTING BITES
- Crispin Glover has signed on to play the Knave of Hearts in Tim Burton’s adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland". [THR]
- David Gordon Green has signed on to direct "Freaks of the Heartland". The film is an adaptation based on an Steve Niles’ six-part comic book miniseries. [THR]
- Dominic Monaghan ("Lost") has been cast as Tyler Martin in the NBC series "Chuck". Monaghan’s character is a a rock star whom Chuck has to help protect. [Doc Arzt]
- Paramount is in talks with Chris Columbus to direct its long-delayed film "Ripley’s Belive It or Not!". The original China-based storyline will be scrapped in favor of a new concept pitched by Columbus. Paramount hopes to have the film on track for 2011. [Variety]
TV NEWS
Stargate Universe Concept Art
SCI FI Wire has gotten their hands on the first concept art from the upcoming "Stargate" spinoff series "Stargate Universe", revealing the new look and feel of the series. The images highlight the ship that will be the focus of the show:
NBC Orders Full Season of Knight Rider
I guess NBC was pleased with the extra four scripts they ordered because they’ve gone ahead and picked up "Knight Rider" for a full season. The network has ordered another nine episodes of the Wednesday-night drama, bringing its season to a full 22 episodes. It’s the first freshman fall NBC series to be ordered to a full season, joining CBS’s "The Mentalist", Fox’s "Fringe" and the CW’s "90210".
Olmos on BSG ending
"Battlestar Galactica" finishes off its final season in 2009. Show star Edward James Olmos of tells EW the ending of the show is "like a great book. You love reading it and you want to find out what happens in the story, but you also are so sad it is ending. That’s how I feel about Battlestar. It has been a great experience for me. I don’t want it to end, but I think the ending is so strong that I am happy to have fans see it. People are going to get their minds blown."
Acker Says Dollhouse Production Issues Overblown
Amy Acker, co-star of Joss Whedon’s upcoming Fox series "Dollhouse", told SCI FI Wire that all the publicity surrounding the recent production shut down was blown out of proportion:
"You know, we did take a little break," Acker said in an interview earlier this month. "And I feel like it’s coming back, and everyone is just excited to be there. The first show that came back was a Steve DeKnight show; he was directing it, and it’s just really, really great. I think we just kind of had that time, because it doesn’t air until January."
"Instead of rushing to make episodes, they thought, ‘Well, we’ve already made four, and they’re all going to be done before the first one airs,’" Acker said. "So we have the luxury to take the time and make them the way they want them."
TV IMAGES
Heroes (more here)
Life on Mars (more here)
Smallville (more here)
Stargate Atlantis (more here)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (more here)
TV VIDEOS
Chuck
Lost
Smallville
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
TV BITES
-
Smallville co-creator Alfred Gough says that the writers and producers wanted to feature Batman and Wonder Woman in the CW series but were refused permission. [The Geek Files]
-
"Lost" writer Brian K. Vaughn, who has already co-written one episode–out of the first seven–says that the show’s next season "is definitely going to be the strangest thing that’s ever been on network television. Ever." Meanwhile, Terry O’Quinn (Locke) says fans will be "suitably frustrated and amazed" by season five, and that Locke fans in particular will be "stunned". [Collider and Doc Arzt]
-
The second half of "Heroes" season three will be called ‘Fugitives’, and according to co-star Greg Grunburg, who calls the second half huge and epic, we will see the heroes "working together and on the run because there’s this looming power that wants us gone." [IESB]
-
The SCI FI Channel has given a green light to a pilot for "Ghost Hunters: College Edition" (working title), a spinoff of its hit series "Ghost Hunters" and "Ghost Hunters International". [SCI FI Wire]
-
This year’s "Children In Need" charity night on November 14th will definitely feature some "Doctor Who"-themed scenes. [Planet Gallifrey]
MISC NEWS
Transformers Ride Opening at Universal Studios
Universal Studios of Hollywood and Singapore will be launching a theme park attraction based on Michael Bay’s "Transformers". The attraction is expected to debut in 2010 in Singapore before debuting in early 2011 in Hollywood. According to Variety, the ride will use 3-D HD footage with special effects, robotics and track to place humans in the middle of a war between the friendly Autobots and evil Decepticons, who can turn into cars, trucks, planes and other vehicles.
MISC IMAGES
Batman ("Joker" Graphic Novel)
Battlestar Galactica (DIY BSG-themed PC–details here)
Iron Man (original concept art–details here)
Xena vs. Army of Darkness: What, Again? (more here)
MISC BITES
-
BioWare and LucasArts have officially announced "Star Wars: The Old Republic", a massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in the Star Wars universe: "You can play as the good guy in the bad place trying to do good things or the bad guy in the good place trying to do bad things," says BioWare. [GameSpot]
-
Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor in "Star Wars") suffered an apparent mild heart attack while on stage in London. He refused to go to the hospital until after the performance, and is said to be fine. [TimesOnline]
-
The official Star Wars website has put up an excerpt from James Luceno’s novel "Millennium Falcon". [StarWars.com]
-
"The Dark Knight" was the big winner at this year’s Scream Awards (which aired Tuesday night on SpikeTV), coming away with 12 wins. Check out the rest of the winners at this link.
-
Remember that fan-made Batmobile we wrote about a few weeks back? Well it’s nearly complete. Click here to get an update on its progress.
-
Boom! Studios have announced that they will be putting out a comic based on the SCI FI series "Eureka" this December. The series is co-written by show co-creator Andrew Cosby. Check out a video they’ve made–which features a familiar face–explaining the series below.
Sci-Fi-themed Pumpkins [many more via io9]
Cylon
The Death Star
Predator
Spock
SCI-FI RATINGS
|
Top 10 SF&F Broadcast Shows |
HH Rating |
|
1) |
9.8 |
|
2) Fringe |
6.1 (9.91M) |
|
3) Ghost Whisperer |
6.1 (9.45M) |
|
4) Heroes |
5.7 |
|
5) Knight Rider |
4.7 |
| 6) Chuck |
4.1 |
| 7) Pushing Daisies | 4.0 |
| 8) Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles | 3.4 |
| 9) Smallville | 2.5 |
|
10) Supernatural |
2.4 |
9/29/2008 to
10/5/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire
|
Top 10 SF&F Syndicated Shows |
HH Rating |
|
1) Lost |
1.1 |
|
2) Star Trek |
0.9 |
|
3) Stargate Atlantis |
0.6 |
|
4) The Dead Zone |
0.5 |
9/29/2008 to
10/5/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire
|
Top 10 SCI FI CHANNEL Shows |
HH Rating |
|
1) Sanctuary |
2.2 |
|
2) Ghost Whisperer |
2.0 |
|
3) |
1.8 |
|
4) |
1.2 |
|
5) |
1.2 |
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
1.1 |
|
8) 10.5 Apocalypse, Part Two |
1.1 |
|
9) 10.5 Apocalypse, Part One |
1.0 |
|
10) Atomic Twister |
0.9 |
9/29/2008 to
10/5/2008 – Source: Nielsen Galaxy Report via SCI FI Wire
The predator pumpkin…..WOW!
I love Summer Glau.
You can’t see it that well in the YouTube version, but like 19 seconds into the new Watchmen trailer you can see lower Manhattan. How did that get by the censors?
Thanks for the M@#$%^F*&$#@% language warning for the Movie Bites portion of this post. Families beware.
Wow, that is a bit surprising about Terrence Howard. I mean, even while enjoying Iron Man I thought he felt a bit wrong as Rhodey, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the performance (I enjoyed everyone’s work in Iron Man). By the end of the movie, I was like “okay, that’s not the Jim Rhodes I grew up reading about, but it’s another character I can like just as much.” Shame to see him get the boot just as I was getting myself ready to see more of him in the role :(
All those pumpkins are awesome, but the Predator…dang! Somebody did a beautiful job.
I don’t understand why they felt the need to replace Terrence Howard….
‘Terminator: Salvation’ has got to be the movie I’m most looking forward to next year (after Trek, of course!), even despite McG. I’m so glad that ‘The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ got its full season, and it better get renewed!
Bill Murray as Batman????
You’ve got to be kiddin’ me….
Watchmen looks better and better.
Why not Bill Murray as Batman? What would you have said to Jack Nicholson as The Joker before you saw him?
Who is that girl in the Atlantis picture between Woolsey and Ronin?
The photo at the top looks like Whoopi Goldberg? What’s up with that? I see nothing about her (or Guinan…or The View) here. Can anyone explain?
Those pumpkins are just too cool! And I’m very excited about the new Underworld movie. Didn’t even know they were making another one! And since when “Ghost Whisperer” is a SciFi Channel show? They may broadcast it but it belongs to CBS… *is confused*
#9 – Whoopi makes an appearance on Life on Mars. Although, with the immense amount of amazing news that gets churned out, I guess she was easy to miss. Great job, Rosario!
I share his worry about Ghostbusters 3, but the fact that Bill Murray has turned G3 down so many times, and has absolutely zero financial or artistic need to do it, yet wants to boosts my hopes. Much like Nimoy agreeing to appear in the new Trek.
I hope they don’t make that Friday the 13th reboot as bad as Rob Zombie’s recent Halloween disaster. “Oooh, I’ll add depth to the backstory by making the Meyers white trash.” Yeah Rob, that really worked. As it does in every one of your movies.
Bill Murray fianlly said yes to GB3 because of the divorce he is going through. His wife is taking him to the cleaners and he ill need the money. But if there is a good story to it, i wouldn’t be opposed to it at all. Just recently watched the first GB on DVD… I forgot how funny and good it was. Would be nice if they can recapture that again.
Oh a different subject… saw Jason X on tv the other night. OMG was that ever bad! LoL. The new Friday the 13th can’t be any worse than that!
#13
Whether the wife takes him to the cleaners or not, I’m pretty confident that BIll Murray won’t be hurting for money any time soon. That aside, he also hated Ghostbusters 2, so this must have been better than that. Plus, besides the Garfield movies, he’s been quite picky about the work he takes. So there’s reason for hope.
y’know, if Venkman in GB3 is anything like Steve Zissou in ‘The Life Aquatic’, then I think it could work out pretty well… if the characters are similar, like having Venkman question where his life is going and whether or not he wants to keep being (or return to being) a ghostbuster or if he wants to put it to rest once and for all…which would tie in well if they want to introduce a newer younger set of ghostbusters…
haha, maybe Ray gets eaten by a ghost shark and Venkman goes on a quest in the ectomarine to avenge his death xD
“Seth Rogen doesn’t like the idea of a third Ghostbusters film: “It’s hard to imagine that would be good, isn’t it?” asks Rogen. “It sounds like a terrible idea when you first hear it. At first hearing it sounds like the worst idea ever.'”
I totally agree. I still think it’s a terrible idea.
“If there’s a “Jurassic Park IV”, Jeff Goldblum is open to returning to the franchise.”
This idea sounds about as good as Ghostbusters 3. *Maybe* I’d consider watching it if it didn’t have that treacley score by John Williams (truly one of his worst). No, I probably wouldn’t.
“The SCI FI Channel has given a green light to a pilot for “Ghost Hunters: College Edition” (working title), a spinoff of its hit series “Ghost Hunters” and “Ghost Hunters International”.”
More pointless trash from the channel that continues to stray far, far away from it’s intended purpose. Wrestling, hidden camera scares and reality game shows. Utter drek.
Dr. Strange movie is, however, something I’d welcome. And I still can’t wait for Watchmen!
Does anyone besides me see the irony of Seth Rogen — who is starring as the Green Hornet — saying he thinks a third Ghostbusters movie is a bad idea?
Scott B. out.
First thing that crossed my mind, Scott, though I have high hopes and low expectations for both.
Bill Murray played Superman (and Clark Kent) in a SNL sketch when Margot Kidder hosted the show back in ’79. He actually looked the part!
Is there something wrong with the boards tonight? I can’t imagine anything I’ve said is worse than Seth Rogen’s family friendly quotes on his Green Hornet project. That’s twice I’ve tried to say my two cents.
Odd.
(Bill Murray singing) “Hey there, it’s the Caped Crusader, oh yeaaahhh!”
“I’m the Dark Knight! Better run and hide, you bad guuuuyss!”
#2 – “I love Summer Glau.”
ME TOO!!
There must be a filter here at work. Well let me say what I was trying to say earlier. And let me see if I can figure out what the offensive words were. I’ll say it another way.
Regarding the Dr. Strange movie. I sure hope it’s better than the horrible CBS movie of the late 70’s. He looked like a cross between Harry Reams and Ron Jeremy and evidently was a practicioner of the boring arts rather than the mystical arts. Because it was God-awful boring.
Regarding Daniel Craig as Thor…I think that would have been cool.
#16 – So you’re thinking “Girls Gone Ghost Hunters” isn’t going to fly, hunh? Yeah, I’d have to concur.
Although I suppose it would be a good lead in for the “Stargate: 90210” show the stargate folks are putting together to replace the outstanding Stargate and so-so Atlantis series.
Guess I’m getting old :(
On the brighter side, the older I get the more relevant “Space Cowboys” is, so I got that going for me :)
I believe Craig said he didn’t want to be connected to two major franchises (Bond and Thor). Simmilar approach shared by Christian Bale in regards to Batman and Bond (yes, some people want to see him as OO7)…
#26
Except Bale when ahead and did it by signing up as John Connor in the new Terminator. Personally, I think Craig was smart to avoid that.
I agree with #16 IZBOT, I thought Sci-Fi channel was supposed to be about Sci-Fi??? I guess they will change the name to Reality Channel and Sci-Fi will be sent to late nights on Spike TV.
What is the point of Ghost Hunters College when A&E does it better with Paranormal State.
I wish someone with half a brain would take over Sci-Fi, it is such a wasted opportunity. I would do what they did in the past and repeat old classics like The Six Million Dollar Man and Lost in Space and a mix of old original shows like Farscape and show new programming like Stargate, Sanctuary, and Galactica on during primetime. While I’m at it, instead of making those B movies for Saturday night, how about some TV movies of Trek or other old Sci-Fi shows.
Scare Tactics should be on the Chiller channel and WWE should be on Spike.
28
….”I would do what they did in the past and repeat old classics like The Six Million Dollar Man and Lost in Space ….”
I like that plan. Also…there could be a kind of kitsch retro hour where you could dig up some of those old “in search of the Yeti(Loch Ness, UfO..whatever)”, type of shows that Leonard Nimoy and Rod Serling were narrating in the 70’s. They are fun just for that reason.
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?