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Science Fiction and Fantasy News
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News for: May 15, 2001 - June 18, 2001
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Spidey Budget Swells, Sony cuts SFX |
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The Master, Monday, June 18, 2001 |
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A report on Coming Attractions says the budget for the upcoming Spider Man movie has grown to $150 million. In probable response to the swelling budget, Sony has reportedly cut 240-250 planned special effects shots. |
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source: Coming Attractions |
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B5 Rangers Website Lauches |
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The Master, Monday, June 18, 2001 |
Scifi.com has unveiled the official web site for its upcoming original telefilm, and likely series, Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers.
The site contains preliminary information about the movie, message boards, a cast and crew list and the first Rangers trailer. SciFi plans to expand the site over the summer.
The Rangers website can be found at: http://www.scifi.com/b5rangers/ |
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source: Scifi.com |
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Lara Raids Box Office |
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The Master, Monday, June 18, 2001 |
As expected, Tomb Raider took the number one spot in its opening weekend, pulling in around $48 million. However, reviews of the film have been poor, so it will be interesting to see how it fares in coming weeks.
Other genre movies dominate the movie charts, with two animated movies doing well. Disney's first non-musical effort in years, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, managed to grab the number two spot, with over $20.4 million in box office. Shrek slipped to number three in its fifth week of release, adding another $12.9 million to take. The movie has already grossed over $197 million, and should pass the $200 million mark within days.
News is not so good for David Duchovny's latest effort, Evolution. The sci-fi comedy slipped to number 6 with $6.5 million for its second weekend. The movie has made a paltry $25.4 million after 10 days of release.
Rounding out the top ten is the stalwart The Mummy Returns. The juggernaut sequel managed to pull in another $2.4 million over the weekend, bringing its seven week total to $193.2 million. |
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Doherty out, McGowan in |
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The Master, Friday, June 15, 2001 |
Rose McGowan will replace Shannen Doherty on Charmed. Doherty left the series after three years amid rumored disputes with Alyssa Milano.
Amoung her roles, McGowan has previously appeared in the genre films Monkeybone, Scream, and Dean Koontz's Phantoms.
In related news, E! Online reports that Doherty may make a guest appearance on Buffy the Vampire Slayer next season. An anonymous friend of Doherty's told columnist Ted Casablanca "Sarah Michelle Gellar and Shannen are really good friends, and I know they've been talking about doing the show together, with Shannen as a recurring character."
Gellar's public relations representative, who also represents Doherty, told Casablanca, "They are good friends. And appearing on the show is always a possibility. As long as Buffy wants her, I know Shannen would do it." |
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source: Reuters |
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Jewison on the new Rollerball movie |
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The Master, Friday, June 15, 2001 |
Norman Jewison, director of the original Rollerball, told the New York Post that John McTiernan's upcoming remake glorifies violence, which he satirized in the original.
"They sent me a script to see if I was interested in directing," Jewison told the newspaper. "But I passed on it, because it was clear they were embracing the violence, which I used in the original to comment on the activities of multinational corporations."
Jewison's 1975 cult classic movie, which starred James Caan, showed us a dystopian future ruled by corporations that used the violent title game to control the masses.
The remake, starring Chris Klein, takes place in the near future, where the organizers of a violent arena sport use deaths to boost TV ratings.
Jewison told the Post, "They've invited me to a screening, but I'm not sure I even want to see it."
The new Rollerball opens Aug. 17. |
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source: Scifi.com |
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Enterprise in high definition |
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The Master, Friday, June 15, 2001 |
According to a report on Trek Today, Enterprise is being shot in the high definition television (HDTV) format.
Trek Today's Sources said that unfamiliarity with the HDTV format caused some problems during production of the pilot, but that these have since been worked out.
HDTV was introduced several years ago as the successor to analog television. HDTV broadcasts are shown in a higher resolution and are presented in the 16x9 widescreen format. For several years to come, HDTV programming will be simultaneously broacast in the analog format. This is primarily because the vast majority of the public still has analog television sets. HDTV-capable TVs have yet to experience the sharp price drops that will make the new technology widely adopted by consumers. |
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source: Trek Today |
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War of the Worlds production |
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The Master, Thursday, June 14, 2001 |
The principles of Pendragon Pictures are in negotiations with the representative of Academy award winner Sir Michael Caine, to lead the cast of the $42m WAR OF THE WORLDS, which will begin filming this fall. Pendragon Pictures has also approached representatives of Charlize Theron, and Matthew McConaughey. The international cast will be anchored with British and American talent. Pendragon is also in the process of screen testing national and international news and media personalities as well as newcomers and semi-unknowns.
Movie critic Harry Knowles of www.aintitcool.com fame has agreed to perform a cameo in WAR OF THE WORLDS where he dies a horrible, gruesome death on screen.
Talks are progressing between Pendragon Pictures and Universal Pictures acquisitions for a worldwide distribution arrangement.
WAR OF THE WORLDS' director Timothy Hines emphasizes this adaptation will be serious and hold back nothing when it comes to the darkness of the original story. "I intend to cut the film as NC-17 and resubmit until the ratings board allows an R. This won't be from gore and violence, which goes along with the territory in WAR OF THE WORLDS, but from the sheer psychological terror that the script invokes."
Hines balks at criticisms concerning his updating of the material. "Wells wrote WAR OF THE WORLDS in the 1890's and set it in the 1890's. He didn't set it in the 1790's. He never intended it to be a period story. He meant it to be a contemporary examination of strong and powerful forces rolling over militarily defenseless cultures. We remain completely true to that spirit, and not in a cartoonish way."
As for issues of updating and technology, "The beloved fans of WAR OF THE WORLDS will just have to wait and see," says Hines. "I'm enjoying watching the world trying to figure out how we are going to handle modern Earth technology, versus Alien technology conceived in the mind of a Victorian genius. Nobody has even come close to figuring out how we will make it work. But I'm excited as to how people will react when the film opens."
On the $42 million-dollar budget, which some consider small for such an epic, producer Susan Goforth comments, "Technology is changing so rapidly, no one can speculate from the outside as to what we are doing. It's an amazing time right now. Every time you blink, something has evolved to a new level. We are taking total advantage of what's available and at the same time using older technologies in new ways, to bring the best special effects possible to the large screen."
MONSTER NEWS has an in-depth interview with WAR OF THE WORLDS director Timothy Hines in the June 2001 issue. You can sign up for MONSTER NEWS for free by going to www.themonsterclub.com.
War of the Worlds will be in theatres Spring 2003. |
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source: Pendragon Pictures |
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Saturn Awards |
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The Master, Thursday, June 14, 2001 |
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The 27th annual Saturn Awards were give out June 12 in Los Angeles. The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films presented the awards, which honor genre movies and television shows. Bruce Boxleitner (Babylon 5)hosted. X-Men was the big winner of the night, taking home six awards including best science fiction film. Spider-Man director Sam Raimi received the George Pal Memorial Award, and producer Brian Grazer (Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas) and actor Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street) received Life Career Awards. Filmmaker Dustin Lance Black took home the Dr. Donald A. Reed President's Award, renamed in honor of the Saturn Awards and academy founder, who died earlier this year. On the small screen, Buffy the Vampire Slayer won two Saturns: best network series and a supporting actor nod for James Marsters (Spike). Farscape took home the award for best syndicated or cable series. The Winners:Science Fiction Film
• X-Men Fantasy Film
• Frequency Horror Film
• Final Destination Action/Adventure/Thriller Film
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Actor
• Hugh Jackman, X-Men Actress
• Téa Leoni, Family Man Supporting Actor
• Willem Dafoe, Shadow of the Vampire Supporting Actress
• Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, X-Men Performance by a Younger Actor
• Devon Sawa, Final Destination Director
• Bryan Singer, X-Men Writing
• David Hayter, X-Men Music
• James Horner, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas Costume
• Louise Mingenbach, X-Men Makeup
• Rick Baker, Gail Ryan, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas Special Effects
• Scott E. Anderson, Craig Hayes, Scott Stokdyk, Stan Parks, Hollow Man Genre Home Video Release
• Princess Mononoke Network Television Series
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer Syndicated/Cable Television Series
• Farscape Single Television Presentation
• Fail Safe Actor on Television
• Robert Patrick, The X-Files Actress on Television
• Jessica Alba, Dark Angel Supporting Actor on Television
• James Marsters, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Supporting Actress on Television
• Jeri Ryan, Star Trek: Voyager |
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source: Scifi.com |
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Bram Stoker Awards |
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The Master, Tuesday, May 29, 2001 |
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The Horror Writer's Association presents the Bram Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement, named in honor of the author of the Dracula. Unlike many awards, the Stokers are given "for superior achievement," not for "best of the year." The 2000 Bram Stoker Awards were presented on May 26. Congratulations to the winners: Novel:
• The Traveling Vampire Show, by Richard Laymon First Novel:
• The Licking Valley Coon Hunters Club, by Brian A. Hopkins Long Fiction:
• The Man on the Ceiling, by Melanie and Steve Rasnic Tem Short Fiction:
• "Gone," by Jack Ketchum Fiction Collection:
• Magic Terror, by Peter Straub Anthology:
• The Year's Best Fantasy & Horror, 13th Annual Collection, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling Nonfiction:
• On Writing, by Stephen King Illustrated Narrative:
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (miniseries), by Alan Moore Screenplay:
• Shadow of the Vampire, by Steven Katz Work for Young Readers:
• The Power of Un, by Nancy Etchemendy Poetry Collection:
• A Student of Hell, by Tom Piccirilli Other Media:
• Chiaroscuro (web site), by Patricia Lee Macomber, Steve Eller and Sandra Kasturi Lifetime Achievement Award:
• Nigel Kneale Specialty Press Award:
• Subterranean Press, William K. Schafer |
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source: Horror Writers Association |
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Outer Limits movie deal |
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The Master, Friday, May 25, 2001 |
MGM has made a deal with Victor & Grais Productions for a movie version of The Outer Limits television series, now airing on The Sci-Fi Channel. The project will be co-produced under the Trilogy Entertainment banner.
MGM president Michael Nathanson told Variety, "The idea of an Outer Limits film is extremely exciting, and we look forward to seeing where these veteran producers take us." Producers are seeking a writer.
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source: Variety |
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Trek Gaming |
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The Master, Friday, May 25, 2001 |
Activision unveiled two new Star Trek game titles at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. Both titles are set in the Next Generation universe.
This fall, Activision will reales a space combat simulation game, "Star Trek Bridge Commander". This will be the first game to let the player assume command of a Galaxy or Sovereign-class starship. Players receive mission briefings from Capt. Picard and Cmdr. Data, and the digital 3-D models of these characters are voiced by Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner. The graphically intensive game can be controlled in two modes. The direct command mode lets the player give commands to the crew while watching the action from the bridge. In tactical mode, players take the helm directly to control the action. A multiplayer option allows other players to take command of any ship on screen.
For the holidays, Activision is releasing "Star Trek Armada II", a real-time strategy game sequel. Build bases, mine resources, and lead a fleet in battle. As of now, Stewart is the only TNG regular who'll be providing a voice; however, some recurring guest actors will lend their voices, too, including J.G. Artzler (Gen. Martok). This game ups the ante on realism by allowing players to command a fleet from a 3-D tactical view. The story is spread across three single-player campaigns played as the Federation, Klingons and Borg. Other villians--including the Cardassians, Romulans and Species 8472--will pop up when least expected. Multiplayer gameplay includes support for up to eight players over a local area network or the Internet.
Another games reported to be coming soon: "Star Trek: Borg Simulator". Although it's also set in the Next Generation universe, there are no characters from the series. Players will get to control the entire Borg Collective, including the queen and drones as they assimilate a planet. Borg Simulator is expected as an early 2002 release. |
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source: SciFi.com |
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Voyager finale ratings boom for UPN |
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The Master, Friday, May 25, 2001 |
Wednesday's two-hour series finale of Voyager won its 8-10 p.m. time block in several of Nielsen's biggest markets, including New York (11.8 rating/17 share in households) and San Francisco (10.8/17), and in the some of the most cherished advertising demographics.
Ratings for Voyager's last show were impressive. It took third place in overall viewers, but second in the key 18-49 demographic (8.81 million viewers, 4.6/13). It also won the time period for Men 18-49 (5.8/17) and Men 25-54 (5.8/16).
This gave UPN its fifth biggest night ever, and its best ratings since the show's third season premiere in September 1997 (think Jeri Ryan's 7 of 9). More importantly, UPN moved ahead of the WB in overall audience for the entire month. This bodes well for UPN's upcoming Enterprise series. Coupled with UPN's grab of Buffy the Vampire Slayer from the WB, next year could be a booming one for UPN.
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source: Hollywood Reporter/Reuters |
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Diesel and Pitch Black 2 |
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The Master, Thursday, May 24, 2001 |
Vin Diesel has starting work on the sequel to his hit Sci-Fi movie Pitch Black. "I'm training right now for Pitch Black 2," he told Zap2It. "David Hayter, the guy who wrote X-Men, is writing the sequel. It's going to be called The Chronicle of Riddick, so it should be exciting."
Diesel wouldn't confirm or deny rumors that he will be in the upcoming Terminator 3 as the villain. He next appears in the street racing action-picture The Fast and the Furious.
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source: Zap2It |
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Takei critical of new Trek |
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The Master, Thursday, May 24, 2001 |
George Takei, Sulu from the original Star Trek series, says he is leary of the upcoming Enterprise series, which will appear on UPN this fall.
It seems the people who took over don't have the feel for the show as Gene Roddenberry. Each subsequent spinoff keeps going down in the ratings. [The recent shows lack Roddenberry's] values, his sense of adventure. "Deep Space Nine" was the polar opposite of what Gene stood for: our creativity, our ability to work together with diversity. Substituted were "darker aspects."
For more, read The Atlanta Journal-Constitution article. |
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source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution |
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Blatty sues over Exocist |
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The Master, Wednesday, May 23, 2001 |
William Blatty and William Friedkin, the writing and directing team of The Exorcist, is suing Warner Brothers and its affiliates, Turner Network Television and Turner Broadcasting System. The lawsuit seeks tens of millions of dollars.
Blatty and Friedkin are claming breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty and seek imposition of trust and accounting concerning revenues gained from the original film and The Exorcist--The Version You've Never Seen, which was release last September.
Blatty and Friedkin claim Warner improperly allocated unreasonably low shares of the total license fee paid by licensees where the film is sold as part of a package, particularly in licenses to companies that are part of the AOL Time Warner corporation. In one instance, the suit alleges, Exorcist was licensed to TNT in 1997 within a package of 114 other films for only $110,000--a third of its license fee four years earlier.
Blatty wrote the original book, and won an Academy Award in 1973 for the screenplay. Blatty also co-produced the film, which received a best picture nomination as well as a best director nomination for Friedkin.
Warner spokeswoman Barbara Brogliatti said she had not yet seen the suit and added, "We never comment on matters of litigation, especially those that are ludicrous." |
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source: Hollywood Reporter |
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Earthsea on SciFi |
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The Master, Tuesday, May 22, 2001 |
Lawrence Bender and Kevin Brown (Roswell) will develop a miniseries based on the first three novels of the epic Earthsea saga by Ursula K. Le Guin for the Sci-Fi Channel.
Sci-Fi Channel president Bonnie Hammer told Variety that the Earthsea books are "pure fantasy novels that set up a phenomenal, magical world similar to the Rings trilogy of J.R.R. Tolkien and the Harry Potter novels."
Sci-Fi Channelis seeking a writer to adapt the first three Le Guin novels: The Wizard of Earthsea, Tales of Earthsea and Tombs of Atuan. The sixth novel in the series, The Other Wind, comes out this fall. |
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source: Scifi.com |
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Roswell and UPN...yep |
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The Master, Friday, May 18, 2001 |
As expected from its absence on The WB's summer schedule, Roswell was cancelled. Never fear...UPN, fresh from its Buffy the Vampire Slayer coup has stepped in and snatched up the series.
Roswell is expected to air at 9pm on Tuesdays, after Buffy. |
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Enterprise uniforms |
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The Master, Tuesday, May 15, 2001 |
Sci Fi Wire reports that some crew members on the upcoming Star Trek series, Enterprise, will wear blue jumpsuit uniforms emblazoned with a starship shoulder patch. The Voyager-like jumpsuits are solid navy with contrasting yoke and shoulder piping in colors designating status or ship's functions, and are completed with a black mock turtleneck. The left shoulder patches will feature a white-on-blue image of the titular starship, which resembles the original Enterprise A.
Sci Fi's sources also said some elements from the Voyager sets may be incorporated in the new sets, but will likely be unrecognizable.
Enterprise is expected to be on UPN's fall schedule, but a formal announcement has not yet been made. |
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source: Scifi.com |
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Chris Roberts new production company |
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The Master, Tuesday, May 15, 2001 |
Chris Roberts, video game creator and director of Wing Commander, has opened his own production company, Point of No Return. According to Variety, the company's first project will be Earthfall, an sci-fi thriller set on Mars budgeted at $40-$60 million.
Point of No Return aims to produce 12 films over five years, as well as TV series and interactive projects. |
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source: Variety |
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Charmed and Smallville may air on TNT |
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The Master, Tuesday, May 15, 2001 |
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The WB's Charmed and new teen- Superman show Smallville may air on sister channel TNT this fall. TNT is talking with The WB to share first-run episodes of both shows within seven days of their initial WB airings. TNT would show them 10 p.m., which is in prime time, but is after The WB goes off the air. |
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source: Variety |
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 I knew that would happen! |
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