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News for: September 13, 2000 - September 26, 2000
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Crow 3 heads for cable |
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The Master, Tuesday, September 26, 2000 |
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The Crow: Salvation is being shopped around to cable TV stations by Dimension Films on the heels of poor test screenings in Spokane, Washington. Earlier reports indicated Dimension might release the film straight to videotape if screenings were not positive. Looking for a cable release instead indicates that the test screenings were very poorly received indeed. |
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source: Cinescape |
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Danny Elfman to score Spiderman |
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The Master, Tuesday, September 26, 2000 |
Sam Raimi told Cinescape Online that Danny Elfman will score his upcoming Spiderman movie.
"He is [perfect for the film]. He's a great composer," Raimi said. "I really have enjoyed working with him in the past."
Danny Elfman, one time frontman for the 80's New Wave band Oingo Boingo, has scored previous Raimi films like Darkman and A Simple Plan, as well as Batman, Men in Black, and Sleepy Hollow.
In the same interview, Raimi was asked about the possiblity of another sequel in the Evil Dead series. "There doesn't seem to be a lot of desire for it," he said, then added, "maybe there is. It's possible. At some point, I would like to do it." |
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source: Cinescape |
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Evolution casting |
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The Master, Saturday, September 23, 2000 |
Cinescape reports that David Duchovny (The X-Files), Julianne Moore (Hannibal) and Orlando Jones (Bedazzled) are all in discussions to join the cast of Ivan Reitman's Evolution project. Sean William Scott (Road Trip) has reportly already been signed.
Evolution is about a meteor crashing to Earth near a small New Mexico town that releases alien organisms. The organisms quickly multiply and start to evolve threatening all life on Earth. A small group comes together, including a community college science professor (to be played by Duchovny), "his eccentric geologist buddy" (Jones), a wannabe fireman (Scott) and a government scientist (Moore), and attempts to stop the threat while also having to deal with the U.S. Army's chief scientist.
Production is slated to begin before the end of this year. |
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source: Cinescape |
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Gere to star in Mothman |
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The Master, Saturday, September 23, 2000 |
Richard Gere is committed to star in the upcoming UFO horror film The Mothman Prophecies as a reporter investigating some strange events in a small West Virginia town, according to Cinescape Online.
The film is based on John Keel's book of the same title that alleged to cover a UFO event in the late 1960s that happened in the Point Pleasant, WV area.
Mark Pellington (Arlington Road) has been signed on to direct the film with a script by Richard Hatem and Becky Johnston.
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source: Cinescape |
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Jack of all Trades canceled |
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The Master, Saturday, September 23, 2000 |
Two weeks after word came out that Cleopatra 2525 was stopping production, the other half of the so called "Action Pack" shows, Jack of all Trades, is a confirmed goner.
Bruce Campbell posted the following message to fans on his official website:
Hey you Jackheads,
Now that the ratings have been tallied and the internet rumors have flown about like so many gadflies, the official word on that short-lived, fun-filled shashbucker is:
"Hit the road Jack!"
And the refrain would then follow:
"And don't you come back no mo, no mo, no mo, no mo..."
Yes, the show is CANCELLED - as in Dead, Gone, History, bound for Nick at Nite.
Why, you ask? The answer is always the same - it's because the ratings were not good enough to offset the cost of the show (which wasn't a hell of a lot I might add) and that translates into red ink. Need I say more?
Sure, I'll miss smartypants Jack and his sassy co-hort Emilia. It was a very hard run but a very fun and creative one as well - that's all an actor can really ask for.
To all you trusty viewers who waded through the odd time-slots and found the show, my hat is off to you - I greatly appreciate all of your support (including the letter writing campaign).
I promise you that one day, I'll star in a TV show that lasts for more than one season...ha! =)
FYI, the final eight episodes (some ain't half bad) will air starting Octorber 1st and re-runs will carry through January, so set those VCRs before some new reality-based show sneaks in and be sure to check out "Bruce On The Tube" for the air dates.
Now it's time to move ahead and I intend to devote the bulk of my time getting ready for the release of...(drum roll)...THE BOOK...
Stay tuned...
Bruce
Rumors suggest that Cleopatra 2525 may be retooled as a one hour program, but so far the studio has only confirmed that the show is not currently in production. Variety previously reported that sufficient new episodes of Cleopatra 2525 are available for broadcast through December. As a result, it appears both shows will begin airing new episodes the first week of October and be on the air until at least the end of the year.
Campbell has also starred in long time friend, and high school classmate, Sam Raimi's Evil Dead cult horror series, and the short lived TV series The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.. Among his various guest appearances is his widely popular recurring role as Autolycus "The King of Thieves" on both Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. The book he refers to in his statement is tentatively titled Confessions of a "B" Movie Actor, which his website indicates may be available Spring 2001.
Campbell is scheduled to appear at the Vulkon Convention November 18 in Orlando, Florida.
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source: Bruce Campbell Official |
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Star Wars wraps shooting for real |
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The Master, Friday, September 22, 2000 |
After many conflicting reports, Star Wars: Episode I wrapped shooting at Elstree Studios in London on September 20, ahead of schedule.
"It was a dream shoot", Rick McCallum told the official Star Wars web site, " and to finish ahead of schedule was just icing on the cake of what has been an incredible experience for all of us. We started in Sydney with our amazing Australian crew, and traveled through three continents and five countries in a 61 day shoot, and to finish early is a real credit to the fantastic people who have been with this production from day one, as well as those who have joined us along the way. Our Australian, Italian, Spanish, Tunisian and English crews couldn't have been better." He added, "George couldn't be happier with the way the shoot has gone and is eager to get back to the Ranch to start the next part of the process. I can only extend the most heartfelt thanks to all of those who have been a part of Episode II so far." |
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source: Star Wars Official |
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Interview with Kate Mulgrew |
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The Master, Friday, September 22, 2000 |
The official Star Trek site's interview with Kate Mulgrew reveals that much of the overriding story arc planned for the concluding season of Star Trek: Voyager is about Mulgrew's Captain Janeway. Early in the season, Janeway will be forced to examine the consequences of her original decision to strand the crew in the Delta Quadrant. Several episodes will also deal specifically with the ramifications of choices Janeway has made along the way.
A November sweeps, two-part Voyager episode, "Flesh and Blood," puts Janeway back in conflict with the Hirogen whose use of the holodeck technology given to them by Janeway has gotten out of control. Later, in "Shattered," time-travel will allow Chakotay to lead a pre-stranded Janeway around her ship, experiencing different slices of the crew's story. "She'll face key moments in her past," says executive producer Ken Biller, "and a few points in the future that will take place if they can't escape the anomaly that time-shatters the ship."
Biller says Janeway's story will shift in the second half of the season. "She'll become very single-minded about getting home. She'll be forced to ask herself exactly how far she's willing to go to get home. She must face the possibility the crew really may never get home because in the second half of the season, Voyager gets in worse and worse shape. It may not be capable of getting them home"
"Janeway's is a maverick courage," Mulgrew says. "She's brave to the final moment. Without hesitation, she would sacrifice herself, go down with the ship." On Janeway's commitment to her crew, Mulgrew say "against her better judgment, she has fallen in love with all eight people dear to her."
On playing Janeway, Mulgrew says "I was aware at the beginning of not just trying to define Janeway, but trying to keep all of us working. Paramount was taking a risk with me." She adds, "I'm aware of Janeway not only being a role model but a woman full of integrity. In this TV culture, women are starving for something to share with their young girls." Mulgrew already has stage on convention appearences planned, but says "for all my talk of getting on it will be hard not to crack at the end and say good-bye." |
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source: Star Trek Official |
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Anya to be regular on Buffy |
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The Master, Friday, September 22, 2000 |
Emma Caulfield, who plays the former vengence demon Anya on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will be a regular cast member in season five.
Series creator Joss Whedon told TV Guide "making someone a regular is not something that we take lightly. Somebody can do really well, but it's a question of, 'How do they fit into the group dynamic? What need do they fill?' It's a delicate thing."
Whedon said that Caulfield fills the void left when Charisma Carpenter's Cordelia moved to the spinoff series Angel. "She speaks her mind rather bluntly and feels a little bit on the outs with people, so it makes perfect sense," he said. "Emma's extremely funny. You don't usually get that much funny in a girl that pretty."
When asked if the 1,120 year-old patron saint of scorned women will get her powers back, Whedon replied, "there's always a chance: This is Buffy!" He hints that issues from her dark past may resurface. "Her relationship with Xander is something that we really want to explore, and we also think she has such a fascinating history." |
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source: TV Guide |
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Outer Limits is back |
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The Master, Thursday, September 21, 2000 |
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It's official: the Sci-Fi Channel has struck a deal for another season of The Outer Limits. The Sci-Fi Channel ordered 22 new episodes, and production will resume soon. The new season of the series will begin airing in early 2001 on The Sci-Fi Channel, and will be syndicated beginning in September 2001. The Sci-Fi Channel has also acquired the 49 original Outer Limits episodes. Scifi.com also reports that The Sci-Fi Channel will create at least three self-contained episodes that act as back-door pilots for potential new TV series. |
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source: Scifi.com |
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Clive Barker gets Bloody |
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The Master, Thursday, September 21, 2000 |
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Clive Barker will produce a new horror movie, Bloody Mary, for Touchstone. The story is based on a folklore creature called Bloody Mary, a being who is said to dwell in the Everglades and only journeys out to steal children. The film focuses on a young man who must do community service in a homeless shelter where he befriends children that are plagued by nightmares about the evil creature. Fans shouldn't expect the gore fest for which Barker is known. "This is not going to be a Hellraiser or a Candyman," Barker said. "As a 48-year-old man, I just don't make those kinds of pictures anymore. That sort of in-your-face gore is a young man's game." |
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source: Cinescape |
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Darren Aronofsky to direct new Batman |
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The Master, Thursday, September 21, 2000 |
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Darren Aronofsky will direct an adaptation of Batman: Year One by writer/artist Frank Miller. Batman: Year One tells the story of Bruce Wayne's first year as Batman, as well as Lieutenant James Gordon's first encounters with Batman and a different approach to Catwoman. Relaunching the series will allow the Joker, Penquin, and other popular villans that were already used in the previous films to be recycled. Warner Brothers currently has another Batman movie in the works called Batman Beyond. It remains to be seen which will be released first. |
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source: Variety |
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Riverworld coming to TV |
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The Master, Thursday, September 21, 2000 |
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Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld series is being turned into a one hour TV series by directory Alex Proyas (The Crow, Dark City. Proyas will direct the pilot and some fo the episodes. Riverworld is set on a planet where a godlike race has resurrected the whole of humanity along the banks of a multi-million-mile river. The series is one of Farmer's best known works and has won the Hugo award. It is hugely popular with sci-fi fans. Proyas reportedly told The Hollywood Reporter that the project was presented to him as a feature film. "But I really thought that the episodic nature of the books was more suited to television, and television is a medium I have long wanted to explore," he said. He added that elements of all the books in the series will be blended into the television episodes. The central element of the series will be the adventures that the team encounters while on "an epic voyage up the river," Proyas said. "This will be the core of our series." Alliance Atlantis Entertainment will develop the series, which will be filmed in Australia, with Farmer. |
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source: Scifi.com |
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Dungeons and Drageons release date |
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The Master, Wednesday, September 20, 2000 |
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It still in post-production, but DNDMovie.com reports that the much anticipated Dungeons and Dragons movie will hit theatres on December 8. According to the site, the full theatrical trailer will be available on the Internet soon, and in theatres by October. |
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source: DNDMovie.com |
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Vampires Sequel |
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The Master, Wednesday, September 20, 2000 |
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Screen Gems is developing a sequel to John Carpenter's Vampires. Tommy Lee Wallace (Halloween 3) will write and direct John Carpenter Presents Vampires: Los Muertos, which will be produced by Carpenter and his partner, Sandy King. "We originally wanted to continue the original story into the next day," King told Variety. The first film featured James Woods and Daniel Baldwin, but King says, "the studio wanted to go with a younger cast and a more modest budget." Tim Guinee (the priest from the first movie) will be the only original cast member to return for the sequel. King is currently producing Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars. |
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source: Variety |
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Scott Edelman takes helm of Science Fiction Weekly |
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The Master, Tuesday, September 19, 2000 |
Scifi.com has announced that Scott Edelman, former editor of the Sci-Fi Channel's "Sci-Fi Magazine", will take over as editor in chief of "Science Fiction Weekly", Scifi.com's e-zine, on October 9th.
Edelman is a four-time Hugo Award finalist for best editor. Edelman also worked as the editor of both "Sci-Fi Flix" and "Sci-Fi Universe", as editor-in-residence at the Clarion Science Fiction Workshop, as guest editor at the Odyssey Writers Workshop and as Toastmaster for the 2000 Nebula Award ceremony. Edelman's stories have appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, Amazing Stories and The Twilight Zone. |
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source: Scifi.com |
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Episode II shooting not done after all |
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The Master, Tuesday, September 19, 2000 |
Recent reports that photography had wrapped on Star Wars Ep. II appear to have been mistaken. Spokeswoman Jeanne Cole told Sci-Fi Wire. "It's just a rumor...we haven't wrapped."
Scifi.com further reports that production has moved to Elstree Studios near London, and that location shooting in Italy, Spain and Tunisia is complete.
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source: Scifi.com |
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Blatty and Blair Chat on WB Online |
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The Master, Monday, September 18, 2000 |
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Gene Roddenbury's Starship |
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The Master, Monday, September 18, 2000 |
Hot on the heels of Andromeda, yet another Gene Roddenbury inspired project is in the works. Cinescape reports that Stan Lee Media, Inc. has announced a partnership with the estate of Gene Roddenberry to develop Starship "into a global, multimedia entertainment franchise."
Starship will initially launch online as a "rich media community with innovative interactive storytelling, themed games, creativity and community tools and e-commerce and participation by a global fan base in the development of the franchise."
An animated feature film will be developed to be executive produced by Lee, John Semper Jr. and Majel Barrett
Roddenberry. The intention is to expand to broadband, television, merchandising, and other licensing activities within the next eighteen months.
Japanese visualist, director and writer Leiji
Matsumoto (Gundam, Yamato) will supervise the artistic direction and create environments and spacecrafts for the project. |
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source: Cinescape Online |
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Cleopatra 2525 Stops Production |
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The Master, Thursday, September 14, 2000 |
Production on Cleopatra 2525, has been put on hiatus by Studios USA Domestic Television. The syndicated television series, one half of the Back2Back Action hour that includes Jack of all Trades, will cease production on Septemeber 21, according to Variety.
The studio did not clarify the reason for the halt, saying only that it was considering different forms the show may take in the future. The new season for the two shows starts October 2, and Variety reports that enough new episodes of Cleopatra 2525 have been produced to broadcast through December in the United States.
There have been recent Internet rumors that the show may be extended to a full hour. Although the production halt does not confirm those rumors, it seems clear that the studio is not happy with the current incarnation of the show and extending it to an hour might be under consideration. Jack of all Trades' production schedule has not changed. |
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source: Variety |
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Shelagh Fraser Passes Away |
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The Master, Wednesday, September 13, 2000 |
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Shelagh Fraser, known to millions as Aunt Beru in the original Star Wars, passed away after a prolonged illness. The 77 year old Fraser appeared in more than a dozen films including Hope and Glory, Staircase, and A Touch of Love, as well as various TV shows. Over the years, she had made friends with Star Wars fans through frequent appearances at conventions. |
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source: Star Wars Official |
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 I knew that would happen! |
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