30/05/08 - Will McAvoy bag Hobbit role?

According to British newspaper the Daily Express, James McAvoy [pictured right] may be heading to Middle Earth.

A source close to the project has revealed that McAvoy is being highly touted for the role of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.

"A number of names have privately been doing the rounds, including Daniel Radcliffe and Jack Black but James is the one the film's bosses really want," the newspaper's source said. "They're expected to have talks with him soon so hopefully it could be confirmed in the not too distant future."

Director Guillermo del Toro has so far refused to comment on the news, but he did say: "I can tell you it's down to a few names that we all agree upon. For our first choice, completely magically, we all said the same name."

The Hobbit is still in the early stages of pre-production, with full production unlikely to start until sometime in 2009. The film is scheduled to be released in December 2011.

 

29/05/08 - Own a Dalek with your dialect

First there was the Cyberman voice changer helmet, then came the Dalek Sec Hybrid mask. Now Doctor Who fans should prepare to hide behind their sofas once again as the new Dalek voice changer helmets from Character hit the shelves.

Synonymous with Doctor Who, the Daleks have become a national icon and now the great British public can be a part of the Dalek phenomenon as they shout the legendary phrase "Exterminate" through their voice changer helmets, play Dalek phrases or the Exterminator sound effect using one of three activation buttons.

The Daleks are the Doctor’s ultimate enemy. Their outer shell is battle armour, while inside lurks a hideous mutant from your worst nightmares... possibly a small child!

Click here to buy this item for £39.45 (RRP: £39.99).

For more information, and to watch a video of the toy in action, visit www.character-online.com.

 

28/05/08 - Trek movie aims to honour TV series

In a recent interview with Sci-Fi Wire Zachary Quinto [pictured right], who takes over the role of Spock in J.J. Abrams' upcoming Star Trek film, revealed that the movie honours the original television series.

"It was done with real heart and real respect and a real effort to honor the origins of this franchise, while at the same time sort of re-imagining those origins," said Quinto.

Quinto, who is also known to Heroes fans for his performance as Sylar, acknowledged that his role in Heroes was directly responsible for his winning the role of Spock. "I don't think I would have gotten the movie if I hadn't already been on the show," he said. "Also, I'm sure J.J.'s and Leonard's support helped."

Quinto is not the only connection between the show and the Star Trek franchise. Heroes has also featured guest appearances by former Trek cast members George Takei and Nichelle Nichols. "I think it really started as sort of an inside joke," said Quinto. "It started in the writer's room, like the license plate on [Takei's character's] limousine was the call letters of the Enterprise, and that sort of fostered some buzz, and then with the casting choices, then that sort of continued.

Star Trek is set to be released in US cinemas on 08 May 2009.

 

27/05/08 - The Spider-Man franchise crawls on

In a recent press announcement Peter Cuneo, vice chairman of Marvel, revealed that Sony has renewed its rights to the Spider-Man series of films.

He also suggested that this means the next Spider-Man film could be released in the next two to three years: "As far as Spider-Man 4, it's really up to Sony. The most likely scenario is 2010 or 2011 but we can't speak for them. They have given us their re-up payment for that film so you know they're going to make it within a reasonable timeframe. Sony may be looking at some issues with the cast and so on, I think they have to make some decisions."

It is not known at this point whether or not any of the original cast, or director Sam Raimi, intend to return for Spider-Man 4.

 

23/05/08 - The future begins for new Terminator

The fourth movie in the Terminator franchise, Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins, has started production, according to a news report at Sci-Fi Wire. The movie stars Sam Worthington and Christian Bale (who will play an adult John Connor).

Warner Brothers also offered new details about the film, which is set in post-apocalyptic 2018.

Bale's Connor is the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators.

The future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future or rescued from the past.

As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus are forced into the heart of Skynet's operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.

The studio is hoping that this will be the first movie in a new Terminator trilogy, and it is currently slated to be released in American cinemas on 22 May 2009.

 

22/05/08 - News Flash! Flash movie in the works

Flash Gordon is to be revived for another big screen outing after Sony Pictures Entertainment emerged as the highest bidder for the rights to adapt the '30s comic strip character into a live-action film.

According to trade paper Variety, Breck Eisner (Sahara) has signed on to direct the new movie.

Flash Gordon's last big screen outing was in the 1980 film that starred Sam Jones.

In the original incarnation of Flash Gordon, the 1934 comic strip created by Alex Raymond, Flash was a handsome polo player who is kidnapped and taken to the planet Mongo. He is pitted against an evil ruler named Ming the Merciless.

 

21/05/08 - Apparently there can be more than one

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Summitt Entertainment has acquired the rights to the 1986 feature film Highlander with the intention of producing a remake.

Iron Man writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway have been appointed to write the script.

The original Highlander starred Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery and Clancy Brown as immortal beings battling among humans. All had to fight one another, until there was only one left alive. The film went on to spur several sequels and TV series, an anime movie, as well as games, books and other spin-offs.

A production schedule has yet to be announced.

 

20/05/08 - To wed where no man has wed before

According to the Reuters news service George Takei [pictured left], who played Sulu in the original Star Trek series, plans to wed his longtime partner now that the California Supreme Court has overturned a state ban on gay marriage.

The 71-year-old actor, who is better known to a new generation of fans as Hiro's father in Heroes, told the Reuters news service that he plans to wed his 54-year-old business manager Brad Altman.

The two have been together for 21 years after they met at a gay men's running club in Los Angeles, where Altman trained the actor for his first marathon.

 

19/05/08 - Spielberg keen for more Indy films

Steven Spielberg has revealed that he will definitely be looking to make another Indiana Jones movie if fans enjoy the long-awaited fourth film, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Asked in a recent press conference if there would be more in the franchise, Spielberg said: "Only if you want more. That's why we made this Indiana Jones. We'll certainly have our ear to the ground to hear what happens."

But the question remains whether Ford, now 65, would continue in the role. The movie hints that Shia LaBeouf's character may take over the franchise.

The film opens in 1957 at the height of the Cold War, with our hero on the search for a solid gold skull stolen from a lost city and guarded by the living dead.

The movie is released in UK cinemas from 22 May.

 

16/05/08 - Get set for new sets on Atlantis

Sci-Fi Wire has been given a sneak peek of the sets for the next season of Stargate: Atlantis, catching a glimpse of the ships that will be appearing.

One of the ship sets seen, which was still under construction, was described as a "Traveller ship." According to the news site, this was a small set, very dark and claustrophobic. The interior bulkheads were flat black and studded with all varieties of mechanical junk and bundles of cable hung everywhere.

The site also saw a second ship set, which it claimed appeared to be a new model of Wraith Hive Ship, including a distinctly insectile throne for the Wraith Queen. It was considerably larger than the Traveller ship set and more elaborate than earlier Wraith ships.

 

15/05/08 - May the fish be with you

For the Star Wars fan that has everything, a new range of officially licensed fishing accessories are to be launched onto the market. The aim is to attract the young into taking up angling.

The first wave of products to be released will include a tackle box, a lightsaber-style fishing rod and reel combo [pictured below], a fishing backpack and a Darth Vader net.

The second wave should see Clone Wars themed accessories.

 

14/05/08 - We will Fraggle Rock you

According to a news item in trade paper Variety, Jim Henson's '80s Fraggle Rock kids TV series is to be turned into a live-action musical movie.

Like the TV show, the film will be populated by a mix of human characters and Fraggle Rock muppets. It will take the core characters Gogo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red outside of their home in Fraggle Rock, where they interact with humans who they think are aliens.

Cory Edwards (Hoodwinked!) will direct the film and write the screenplay.

 

13/05/08 - D-BOX technology to treasure

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is the latest company to employ the new D-BOX technology that allows movie and gaming fans to get even closer to the action.

The Blu-ray release of National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets on 02 June will be the first Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment title to feature D-BOX motion capture in addition to a host of other jaw-dropping features.

D-BOX creates real-life, head-to-toe motion in a special seat that’s perfectly synchronised to the action on the screen. Add to this the Blu-ray disc’s 1080p resolution picture quality - five times the sharpness of standard edition DVD - and the latest advances in audio quality and movie fans have a totally immersive movie experience.

The missing pages of a diary hold a secret so explosive it could change the course of history in National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. An irresistible blend of historical fact and fiction, the high-voltage adventure follows treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates and his search to uncover the truth behind the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Click here for your chance to win a copy of National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets on Blu-ray.

D-BOX Technology Imagine how amazing it would be to feel all the on-screen action of your favourite blockbusters, right alongside your favourite movie stars. Now you can with your own D-BOX Motion Code™ system, a technology that creates real-life motion and MFX you feel from head to toe. D-BOX Motion Code™ home gaming systems propel you deeper into the game or movie, responding in real time to all your manoeuvres at the controls and to all the action on screen. Miles beyond any home gaming systems on the market, it creates total realism and even captures the surge of up to 2 G’s of acceleration, so your interactive experience is intensified like you’re right inside the game or movie. D-BOX’s Motion Platforms let you simply retrofit your existing armchair, or adapt the furniture you’re planning to purchase, so you can bring the latest must-have technology into your home, without changing your décor or decorating plans.

 

12/05/08 - Donnie Darko back from the dead

A sequel to 2001's Donnie Darko is set to begin production later this month without any involvement of the original's writer/director Richard Kelly.

To be called S. Darko, the new film will be produced and distributed through the UK based company Velvet Octopus and will be directed by Chris Fisher (Rampage: The Hillside Strangler Murders, Nightstalker).

The story opens seven years after Donnie's death, with his little sister Samantha and a friend travelling to Los Angeles where they experience a plaque of bizarre visions.

 

09/05/08 - Will Smallville see return of the Mack?

According to TV Guide magazine Allison Mack [pictured left], who plays Chloe Sullivan in Smallville, may be about to leave the show.

If confirmed, she will be the third regular cast member to announce they won't be returning for the show's eighth season.

Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor), has already officially announced that he won't be reprising his role, and Kirstin Kreuk (Lana Lang) has also voiced her decision to leave the show.

Quoting an unnamed source, TV Guide reported: "Allison's camp used Michael Rosenbaum's leaving as leverage in the negotiations with [Warner Brothers]. They need Chloe now more than ever - and Allison's people know it."

As Smallville's ratings are in serious decline, it looks unlikely that the studio will be willing to meet a higher price for Mack. However, it seems that most agree that the show would be in trouble without Mack's character.

TV Guide's source said: "If Allison leaves, they've essentially got Lois and Clark left, and that show's been done before."

 

08/05/08 - Studio is quick to announce new hero

According to TV Guide magazine, Brea Grant [pictured right], who recently appeared on NBC's Friday Night Lights, is one of the first confirmed new cast members for the third season of Heroes.

Grant is to be cast in the role of Joy, a character who is "quick on her feet - and adept at getting herself into and out of trouble."

Joy's superpower will be that of super-speed.

 

07/05/08 - Tom could go on another mission

Tom Cruise could be set to star in another Mission: Impossible film, despite the fact that he fell out with the studio that holds the rights to the franchise.

Cruise and Paramount Pictures ended a 14-year working relationship in 2006. But Sumner Redstone, the chairman of Paramount's parent company Viacom, said he would not oppose Cruise being cast: "I consider Tom Cruise a great actor and a good friend, and if Paramount decides to go ahead with him, I will not object."

In 2006, Mr Redstone told the Wall Street Journal the relationship with Cruise had been ended because "his recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount".

The separation came in the wake of stories about Cruise's opinions on the use of anti-depressants, Scientology and his relationship with Katie Holmes.

 

06/05/08 - Go deeper into the Earth thanks to 3D

In a recent interview with Sci-Fi Wire, Brendan Fraser [pictured right], who stars in the upcoming film Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D, revealed that the 3D technology used to make the film is the true future of filmmaking.

"Do pay attention to this movie, because it's groundbreaking in the terms that this technology has not been given to the world yet in this format," Fraser said in the interview. "It's not the blue-eye/red-eye style that makes your eyes do calisthenics and makes people sick. It's high-def 3D, live action and feature-length."

The movie is a contemporary retelling of Jules Verne's classic sci-fi novel, and stars Fraser as a scientist in search of his missing brother. The film makes use of Real D Cinema technology and is the first wide release to open exclusively in the format in digital 3D theatres.

"Usually 3D has the perception of things just jumping out at you," Fraser said. "But the cool thing about this technology is that it's more immersive. You can have a sense of stepping through the proscenium into the environment that the actors are in. But beyond the other dimension is the depth of field, and you are in the immediate foreground, but you find yourself staring at the horizon and seeing the curvature of the Earth or wanting to know what is around a corner."

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D opens in US cinemas from 11 July.

 

02/05/08 - Lex to leave Smallville

It has been officially announced that actor Michael Rosenbaum, who plays Lex Luthor on Smallville, is to leave the show, confirming a rumour that we previously reported at the beginning of February.

The show's executive producers (Darren Swimmer, Todd Slavkin, Kelly Souders and Brian Peterson) issued a joint statement which concluded: "While Michael won't be a series regular and we won't have the pleasure of working with him on a weekly basis this fall, we like to think that we haven't seen the last of Lex Luthor. Stay tuned."

In order to replace Lex Luthor's character, Smallville will be adding on two new villains for the eighth season of the show, Doomsday and an untitled female antagonist.

Rosenbaum has also written a letter addressed to fans of the show:

Dear Smallville Fans,

Well, it's been seven wonderful years. Your support is what has made Smallville so successful, and I appreciate you all more than you know.

That being said, it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life and career. I hope that I gave you some enjoyment over the years, and that you found my portrayal of Lex Luthor to be satisfying. I am truly grateful, as Smallville fans are the best fans out there. I sincerely hope that you will continue to follow my career through my hair growth period and beyond.

I'm very excited about what the future holds, but certainly, Smallville will always be a part of me. I will definitely miss the greatest crew in the world, and the wonderful cast that has been like a family to me.

Thank you Al and Miles for creating the show. Thank you writers, producers, directors and editors. Thanks Tollin, Robbins and Davola for being there for the pilot. Thank you Peter Roth for employing me for ten years. Lisa Lewis, I miss you already. John Glover, thanks for helping me feel more comfortable touching other actors, while acting. Bizarre, but helpful.

Mostly, I want to thank Greg Beeman for directing the "Oh Sherry" video, by Steve Perry, back in the '80s.

Thanks crew. Thanks fans. Thanks Smallville.

I love you all,

Michael Rosenbaum

 

01/05/08 - Mel is back from the edge of darkness

Mel Gibson [pictured right] is to star in a big screen version of the 1985 BBC TV mini-series Edge of Darkness.

The lead role will be his first in a feature film since he headlined Signs and We Were Soldiers in 2002. He then directed 2004’s The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto in 2006.

Gibson will play a police investigator who uncovers systemic corruption while investigating the death of his activist daughter.

Shooting on the independently financed project begins in Boston in August.

The film adaptation of Edge of Darkness will be directed by Martin Campbell, who also directed the BBC original.

 

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