Weekly Entertainment & Movie News

[FH]

Charlize Theron to Play Bounty Hunter Jinx
Source: Coming Soon!

'Jollyjohnny' alerted us that comic book writer Brian Michael Bendis announced this weekend at the Wizard World convention in Los Angeles that Charlize Theron will star in and produce the big screen adaptation of his graphic novel Jinx.

The crime series, published by Image Comics, features a bounty hunter, two grifters, and a treasure hunt.

No word yet on when production may start or which studio is distributing. This Jinx shouldn't be confused with the James Bond spin-off of Halle Berry's character from Die Another Day.

[FH]

Murphy Reprising Donkey in Father of the Pride
Source: Coming Soon!

Variety reports that Eddie Murphy has reprised his role as the wise-cracking Donkey from the "Shrek" feature films in an upcoming episode of DreamWorks Television's CGI-animated Father of the Pride, set to debut on NBC this fall. No airdate has been set, but it's a good bet it will air during the November sweeps and perhaps just in time for the DVD release of Shrek 2.

A slew of other big names are signed up to supply guest voices, adds the trade, including Lisa Kudrow, Danny DeVito, Matt Lauer, Andy Richter and Christina Applegate. Vice President Dick Cheney, Barbra Streisand and husband James Brolin also will pop up, though actors will supply those voices.

John Goodman, Cheryl Hines, Carl Reiner and Orlando Jones head the vocal cast. The series, about a family of white lions who work as performers in the Las Vegas act of illusionists Siegfried & Roy, is one of NBC's big tentpole series as the network starts life after Friends.

Despite Roy Horn's near-fatal run-in with one of his own animals, both Siegfried and Roy remain major characters in "Pride," with actors providing their voices.

Variety says the pilot episode of "Pride" will subtly acknowledge Horn's accident, but otherwise, the duo are treated as wacky-but-kindhearted CEOs of their own unique empire -- a place where lions and other animals talk to one another but not to humans. Other characters chalk up the two men's eccentricities to the fact that they're German.

The first spot for the series is expected to air during the one-hour Friends finale on May 9. DreamWorks and NBC are also working on a major Olympics campaign.

[FH]

The Dead Take Over the Box Office
Source: Coming Soon!
The Coming Soon! Box Office Report has been updated with the studio estimates for this weekend. Be sure to stay tuned there for the final figures on Monday afternoon.

Universal's new remake of Dawn of the Dead topped the box office with an impressive $27.3 million from 2,745 theaters. The $26 million-budgeted horror film averaged $9,954 per location and is the 9th biggest opening for March ever.

Three-week champ The Passion of The Christ dropped a spot to second but still added another $19.2 million in its fourth weekend to bring its massive total to $295.3 million. Mel Gibson's $30 million film will surpass the $300 million mark this week. "The Passion" is now the biggest R-rated film in the history of box office, taking over the mark from The Matrix Reloaded which earned $281.6 million last year. The film has also climbed to the 18th spot on the all-time domestic blockbuster list and has its eye of "Pirates of the Caribbean" at #17 with $305.4 million.

Warner Bros. new thriller Taking Lives, starring Angelina Jolie, performed well in third earning $11.4 million from 2,705 theaters. The movie averaged $4,218 per location. Fourth place belonged to the same studio's Starsky & Hutch, which collected $10.7 million in its third week for a total of $67.7 million.

Johnny Depp' Secret Window rounded out the top five with $9.6 million in its second weekend. The $40 million thriller has made $33.1 million so far.

Jim Carrey's new Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind opened in just 1,353 theaters but managed to earn $8.6 million, for an average of $6,333 per site. Disney's Hidalgo also did well in its third weekend, adding $8.5 million for a total of $48.5 million.

[FH]

DeSanto & Marsden on X-Men 3 & Preacher
Source: Superhero Hype!

Comic Book Resources says X-Men series star James Marsden and producer Tom DeSanto talked about the third film and the possible big screen Preacher adaptation...

The first question, presented by Wizard's Mike Cotton, asked what was the plan for X3. "Fox is very hard at work trying to get contracts so we can all get back into the trenches," DeSanto responded, "and get the novie out in the next couple of years. Business affairs at Fox, working dilligently."

Marsden commented briefly on the Garth Ennis adaptation, "Preacher." "Almost two years ago I got a phone call from my agent, offering it. I was like, 'What is Preacher?' They were very vague. So I ask some of my friends, and they're like 'They offered you Jesse Custer? Preacher? Wow!' I got a couple of the graphic novels and I was captivated, it was some of the best writing that I'd ever read. I just found it an amazing piece of literature. Right now it's in development hell. When you have an independantly financed film, it's getting harder to get them made. We're gonna try to go this summer. I kind of wanted to wait another year so I could get more wrinkles and get even more weathered. If there was ever a role that I wanted to do some method acting, this would be it. My wife read every single one of the issues in two days, she was in love with 'em."

[FH]

Orphanage Bringing Stray Toasters to Life
Source: Superhero Hype!
Variety reports that special effects/production company the Orphanage has come aboard to produce a feature adaptation of Bill Sienkiewicz's graphic novel Stray Toasters.

Company will provide extensive visual effects services for the project, to be directed by Jeff Renfroe and Marteinn Thorsson. Their pic "One Point O" was in competition at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

Penned by Sienkiewicz, Renfroe and Thorsson, story is a futuristic noir thriller about a mentally unstable detective who is investigating a series of bizarre murders of housewives and their young children. His quest takes him deep into the decaying metropolis where he begins to suspect that the killer might not be human.

[FH]

Gaiman on "Constantine" Controversy
Source: Dark Horizons


Author Neil Gaiman spoke out on his official blog recently about the talk of comic book author legend Alan Moore removing his name from the "Hellblazer" movie adaptation recently:

"Oh, it's true that Alan's rejected the money for CONSTANTINE and assigned it to his cocreators, but he's now done that for all films of his and things he's done that might one day be filmed. This was because he was deeply hurt and offended and irritated by being accused in the Larry Cohen lawsuit of having written League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as some kind of studio shill, and because Alan never does anything by halves. Up until the lawsuit his position was that he didn't care about the films people made from his work, but was happy to cash the cheques; after, he decided that he didn't even want to cash the cheques. His share of Constantine was redistributed among his co-creators, John Totleben, Steve Bissette and Rick Veitch and to Jamie Delano and John Ridgway.

As far as I know, from having spoken to him, Alan's view on Constantine itself is the same as his view on From Hell and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which is that he'll probably rent the DVD one day, you never know, hell might freeze over, -- and that the important work is the comic -- the main difference being here that the film is, from what I understand, mostly based on the Garth Ennis and Jamie Delano issues of the Hellblazer comic.

(And, for whatever remains of the record, Alan hasn't seen anything of Constantine -- no scripts, no nothing. Nor has he had any contact with DC on it except for asking Karen Berger to redistribute the money and the credit.)

I tend to feel that the filmmakers started with two strikes against them, simply by casting Keanu Reeves instead of, say, Jude Law, but everything I've heard since has been encouraging, so while I'll be sitting in the cinema with my arms folded and an "okay, convince me" attitude, I'll at least be going to see it."

[FH]

Paramount Pictures Refloats The Love Boat
Source: Coming Soon!
Variety reports that Paramount Pictures and producer David Permut (Face/Off) are looking again at taking The Love Boat to the big screen. They're aiming the project as a broadly comic reinvention of the hit TV series with the Bermuda Triangle as a destination.

The show, produced by Aaron Spelling, ran from 1977-86. Spelling and Permut began developing the project a decade ago but it sailed into rough waters in 1998 when Spelling shuttered his feature film operations to focus on TV.

Paramount set up the project with Permut in the wake of Warner/Dimension's movie version of TV series Starsky & Hutch, which has grossed a solid $67 million domestically in three weeks. Permut is currently seeking writers and planning a hip-hop version of the series' theme song, originally sung by Jack Jones.

[FH]

Posey Lands Lead in Dean Koontz's Frankenstein
Source: Coming Soon!
Parker Posey will star in the USA Network drama Frankenstein, the update of Mary Shelley's classic. The network ordered a two-hour pilot and four scripts of the project earlier this year.

Executive producers are Martin Scorsese, author Dean Koontz and Flame TV topper Tony Krantz. Marcus Nispel (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) is set to direct from a script by Koontz. Lions Gate Television is on board to produce in association with Flame TV.

Variety reports that Posey will play a female cop who unravels the myth of Frankenstein, alongside her partner, through a seemingly standard homicide investigation. The weekly series finds doctor Victor Frankenstein and his creature residing in present-day Seattle, having survived the past two centuries through the doctor's genetic tinkering.

Casting for Victor, the creature and the partner of Posey's character is still under way. Production is scheduled to begin in May in Toronto. USA will likely bow Frankenstein in the fall.

[FH]

Frank Darabont Writing Mission: Impossible 3?
Source: Coming Soon!
Ain't-It-Cool-News is reporting that Frank Darabont (The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption) is on board to write the script for Tom Cruise's third outing as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible 3. If this is correct, Darabont will take over the task from Dean Georgaris (Paycheck), who was previously announced as the one penning the film.

Darabont co-wrote the upcoming Cruise action-thriller Collateral for DreamWorks. Paramount Pictures is aiming for a May 6, 2005 release date for "M:I-3," to be directed by Joe Carnahan (Narc).

Darabont recently turned in a draft for Indiana Jones 4 to Paramount which got Steven Spielberg's approval but not from George Lucas.

[FH]

New DVD Releases 3/23

Beyond Borders (widescreen)
Beyond Borders (pan-and-scan)
Blondie
Chased by Dinosaurs
Cops: Bad Girls
Cops: Caught in the Act
Cops: Shots Fired
A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia
Fresh Horses
For Keeps
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
Gothika (widescreen)
Gothika (full-frame)
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys: Season Three
Honey (widescreen)
Honey (full-frame)
Iggy and the Stooges: Live in Detroit 2003
John Carpenter
Langrishe, Go Down
On Edge
The Osterman Weekend (2-disc set)
Ransom: Special Edition
Richard Pryor Show: Volume #1
Richard Pryor Show: Volume #2
Richard Pryor Show: Box Set
The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone
The Rundown (widescreen)
The Rundown (pan-and-scan)
Shattered Glass
The Singing Detective (2003)
Something's Gotta Give
Splash: 20th Anniversary Edition

[FH]

New Comic-Book Releases 3/24

PUBLISHER
TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS

ABOUT COMICS
Factor Vol 1 TPB, $9.95

ACTIVE IMAGES
Temptation TPB, $8.95

ACTOR
Actor Hulk Vs Prime Mail Away Comic, $5.00
Actor Tolkien Years Fellowship Litho, $10.00

AIT/PLANETLAR
Demo #5 (Of 12), $2.95

AMAZE INK (SLAVE LABOR GRAPHICS)
Love Fights Pussy With Attitude T/S XL, AR

ANARCHY STUDIOS
Vampi #7-10 Ltd Cvr Set, $27.95
Vampi Digital Complete Set, $8.95

ANGEL GATE PRESS
Zak Raven Esq Vol 1 Code Alpha MMPB, $7.95

ANTARCTIC PRESS
Dragon Arms Chaos Blade #2, $2.99
Legends From Darkwood #4 (Of 4), $2.99
Luftwaffe 1946 #18, $5.95

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
Archie Digest #206, $2.39
Archie Mysteries #34, $2.19
Sabrina Vol 2 #56, $2.19

AVATAR PRESS
Alan Moores Hypothetical Lizard Preview Wrap Cvr Ed, $2.99
Alan Moores Hypothetical Lizard Preview, $1.99
Alan Moores The Courtyard Delux HC Set, $34.95
Cyberangels Preview Angelic Nude Cvr, $6.00
Hellina Vs Pandora #1 (Of 3), $3.50
Hellina Vs Pandora Amorim Adult Cvr #1 (Of 3), $6.00
Hellina Vs Pandora Brown Nude Cvr #1 (Of 3), $6.00
Hellina Vs Pandora Hilinski Cvr #1 (Of 3), $3.50
Hellina Vs Pandora Platinum Foil Incentive #1, AR
Hellina Vs Pandora Ryp Adult Cvr #1 (Of 3), $6.00
Hellina Vs Pandora Ryp Cvr #1 (Of 3), $3.50
Hellina Vs Pandora Wraparound Cvr #1 (Of 3), $3.99
Shi Crossovers Bagged Set, $15.99
Shi Poisoned Paradise Set, $11.99
Shi Sempo Bagged Set, $11.99
Stargate SG1 Pow Tealc Photo Cvr #1, AR
Warren Ellis Strange Killings Necromancer #1, $3.50
Warren Ellis Strange Killings Necromancer Platinum Foil Ince, $3.75
Warren Ellis Strange Killings Necromancer Wrap Cvr #1, $3.50
Yuggoth Cultures Necrocomicon Burrows Cthulu Sketch, $29.99

BECKETT ENTERTAINMENT
Ruule Ganglords Of Chinatown #5 (Of 5), $2.99

BONGO COMICS
Radioactive Man The Movie Adaptation (resolicited), $2.99

BON-VUE ENTERTAINMENT
Sweet Gwen & Diamond Caper GN (adult), $19.95

BROADSWORD COMICS
3 Little Kittens #1 (Of 3)(AA), $2.95
3 Little Kittens #2 (Of 3)(AA), $2.95
3 Little Kittens #3 (Of 3)(AA), $2.95
Tarot Witch Of The Black Rose #25, $2.95

CHANTING MONKS STUDIOS
Bernie Wrightson Fan Club 2004 Membership Kit, $20.00
Zacherleys Midnite Terrors, $3.95

COMIC CAVALCADE
Stargate SG1 Pow Drake Painted Cvr #1, $5.99

COMICSONE.COM
Black Leopard GN #3, $14.95
Shaolin Soccer 2 GN Set, $24.55
Storm Riders Part 2 Invading Sun Vol 3 TPB, $9.95
Weapons Of The Gods GN #8, $14.95

DARK HORSE COMICS
Conan #1 New Prtg, $2.99
Conan #2, $2.99
Crush #4, $2.99
Freaks Of The Heartland #2, $2.99
Hellboy Movie Hellboy Profile Black T/S LG, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Hellboy Profile Black T/S MED, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Hellboy Profile Black T/S XL, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Hellboy Profile Black T/S XXL, $19.99
Hellboy Movie Hellboy With Gun Black T/S LG, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Hellboy With Gun Black T/S MED, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Hellboy With Gun Black T/S XL, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Hellboy With Gun Black T/S XXL, $19.99
Hellboy Movie Kroenen Black T/S LG, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Kroenen Black T/S MED, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Kroenen Black T/S XL, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Kroenen Black T/S XXL, $19.99
Hellboy Movie Logo Black T/S LG, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Logo Black T/S MED, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Logo Black T/S XL, $17.99
Hellboy Movie Logo Black T/S XXL, $19.99
Hellboy The Corpse One Shot, AR
Lone #5, $2.99
Star Wars Republic #62, $2.99
Ultraman Tiga #6 (Of 10), $3.99

DC COMICS
Authority Harsh Realities TPB, $14.95
Batgirl #50, $3.25
Birds Of Prey #65, $2.50
Caper #6 (Of 12), $2.95
Green Arrow Straight Shooter TPB, $12.95
Harley Quinn DC Classic Animation Maquettes Btas, $89.95
Hawkman #26, $2.50
Human Target #8, $2.95
JSA The Liberty Files TPB, $19.95
Kinetic #1, $2.50
Losers #10, $2.95
Outsiders #10, $2.50
Powerpuff Girls #48, $2.25
Smax #5 (Of 5), $2.95
Teen Titans Go #5, $2.25
Vamps TPB New Printing, $19.95
Wildcats Version 3.0 #19, $2.95

DEVILS DUE PUBLISHING
GI Joe Frontline Vol 2 TPB Icebound, $12.95
GI Joe Vs The Transformers Vol 1 TPB, $15.95

DREAMWAVE
Devil May Cry #1, $3.95
Transformers Generation One Vol 3 #3, $2.95

DYNAMIC FORCES
DF Batman Sgn #620 (AA), $19.99
DF Lovely Ladies Of Marvel Litho, $16.99
DF New X-Men Sgn #152, $19.99
DF Ross Captain America Origin Ap Ed Litho, $129.99
DF Spectacular Spider-Man Sgn #1-5, $99.99
DF Spectacular Spider-Man Stan Lee Sgn #1, $169.99
DF Teen Titans Sgn #7, $19.99
DF Teen Titans Turner Sketch Cvr Johns Sgn #1, $19.99
DF Ultimate Fantastic Four #1 Complete Sgn Set, $99.99
DF Ultimate Spider-Man Sgn #52, $19.99
DF Wolverine 10 Inch Diamond Eye Ed Statue, $395.00
DF X-Men Children Of The Atom Litho, $19.99
DFE 4 Universe X Special Alt (AA), $6.95
DFE Darkness Prelude #1 (AA), AR
DFE Tomb Raider Sphere Of Influence #1, $6.99
DFE Tomb Raider Sphere Of Influence Chin Gold Foil #1, $10.00
DFE Tomb Raider Sphere Of Influence Gold Foil #1, $10.00
DFE Transformers Gi Joe Alt Cvr Sgn #1, $11.00

EDICIONES LA CUPULA S A
French Kiss #9 (resolicited)(adult), $9.95

GEMSTONE PUBLISHING
Overstreets Comic Price Review #7, $6.25
Uncle Scrooge #328, $6.95
Walt Disneys Comics And Stories #643, $6.95

HIGH IMPACT COMICS
Sheer Blond S/N Print, $24.95
Yellow Latex Shorts S/N Print, $24.95

IDW PUBLISHING
30 Days Of Night Poster, $6.49
Tres Fanta Even More Art Ashley Wood SC, $19.99
Wake The Dead #5 (Of 5), $3.99
Wynonna Earp Home On The Strange #3 (Of 3), $3.99

IMAGE COMICS
Bloodstream #2 (Of 4), $2.95
Common Grounds #3 (Of 6), $2.99
Darkness #28 Variant Foil Ed, AR
Distant Soil Vol 2 The Ascendant Ltd HC, $29.95
Distant Soil Vol 3 The Aria Ltd HC, $29.95
Heavens Devils #3 (Of 4), $3.50
Invincible #9, $2.95
Manic One Shot, $3.50
Patient Zero #1 (Of 4), $2.95
Phantom Jack #1, $2.95
Savage Dragon #114, $2.95
Something Wicked #3 (Of 4), $2.95
Wanted #3 (Of 6), $2.99
Wildguard Casting Call Nauck Cvr A #6 (Of 6), $2.95
Wildguard Casting Call Noto Cvr B #6 (Of 6), $2.95

MARVEL COMICS
Amazing Spider-Man Vol 6 Happy Birthday TPB, $12.99
Avengers #80, $2.25
Cable Deadpool #1 (resolicited), $2.99
Hulk Gray #6 (Of 6), $3.50
Incredible Hulk #69, $2.25
Marvel Previews #8 Apr 2004 Extras, AR
Marvel Universe Cable Bust, $45.00
Mystique #12, $2.99
Silver Surfer #7, $2.99
Spider-Man Doc Octopus Out Of Reach #5 (Of 5), $2.99
Thor Legends Vol 3 Walter Simonson Book 3 TPB, $24.99
Ultimate Fantastic Four #4, $2.25
Ultimate Spider-Man #55, $2.25
Venom #12, $2.99
Weapon X #20, $2.99
X-Statix #20, $2.99
X-Treme X-Men #44, $2.99

MVCREATIONS
Dragons Lair Singes Revenge #1 (AA), $2.95
Tales Of The Realm #4 (Of 5), $3.95

NITE OWL COMIX
Max Hamm Fairy Tale Detective Vol 2 #2 (Of 3), $4.95

OBION COMICS
Along The Canadian #1 (Of 6), $2.95

PURE IMAGINATION PUBLISHING
Sunday Comics Vol 1 CD Rom, $20.00

SADDLE TRAMP PRESS
American Amorists Association Handbook #1, $3.00

SHANDA FANTASY ARTS
Four Footed Furries #1, $4.99

SIRIUS ENTERTAINMENT
Dogwitch #10, $2.95
Dogwitch Sketchbook Special Features, $3.95
Poison Elves #76, $2.95

SQP
Conan Collector Pin #2 Conan #241 Cvr Art, $9.95
Conan Collector Pin #3 Conan #242 Cvr Art, $9.95

SSSCOMICS.COM
Sss Comics Presents Eclipse And Vega #3, $2.95

TOHAN CORPORATION
Animage Feb 2004, $11.99
Animedia Feb 2004, $8.99
Bug Bug Cg Feb 2004 (adult), $14.99
Comic Aun Feb 2004 (adult), $10.99
Comic Potpourri Club Feb 2004 (adult), $6.99
Dengeki Gs Mag Feb 2004, $12.99
Dengeki Hobby Mar 2004, $15.99
Figure King Encyclopedia #73, $18.99
Hobby Japan Mar 2004, $12.99
Hyper Hobby Feb 2004, $13.00
Lemon Club Feb 2004 (adult), $7.99
Megami Mag Feb 2004, $14.99
Model Graphix Mar 2004, $15.99
Newtype The Live Mar 2004, $14.99
Pa Pi Po Feb 2004 (adult), $8.99
Penguin Club Sanzoku Feb 2004 (adult), $6.99
Quanto Mag Feb 2004, $9.99

TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING
Captain Victory Graphite Ed, $5.95

VAMPEROTICA
Vamperotica Voluptous Vamps #1 CD Rom Ed, AR

VIZ
Animerica Extra Apr 2004 Vol 7 #4, $4.99
Bastard Vol 3 TPB 2nd Ed, $9.95
Big O Vol 6 TPB, $9.95
Gundam The Origin #10, $7.95
Inu Yasha Vol 10 TPB 2nd Ed, $8.95
Inu Yasha Vol 17 TPB, $8.95
Inu Yasha Vol 9 TPB 2nd Ed, $8.95
Marionette Generation Vol 5 TPB, $12.95

magazines
Animation Magazine Apr 2004, $5.95
Beckett Football Card Monthly #169, $4.99
Beckett Vintage Sports Collectibles #156, $4.99
Cinefex #97, $9.50
Comic Book Artist Vol 2 #3 (resolicited), $7.50
Comic Shop News #875, AR
Comic Shop News Spring Preview, AR
Comics Buyers Guide #1585, $3.99
Dragon #318, $5.99
Fly Rc May04, $4.99
Game Trade Magazine #50, $1.99
High Adventure #75, $7.95
Hit Parader Apr04, $5.99
Maxim Apr04, $4.99
Maxim Presents Blender Apr04, $3.99
Newtype Eng Ver Apr 2004, $9.95
Non Sport Update Vol 15 #2, $4.50
Previews Vol XIV #4, AR
Pse2 Apr 04, $3.99
Relix Apr May 04, $4.99
Sketch Magazine #23, $5.95
Starlog #322, $7.99
Tips And Tricks Apr04, $4.99
Toy Shop #329, $4.99
Tuff Stuff May 2004, $5.99

books
GI Joe Glow In The Dark Sticker Book, $6.99
GI Joe Valor Vs Venom Ultimate Sticker Book, $6.99
Graphicswallah TPB, $35.00
HTDM Macromedia Flash Tech, $22.99
Ides Of Mad TPB, $9.99
JLA Aquamans Guide To The Oceans Young Readers HC, $12.99
JLA Wonder Womans Book Of Myths Young Readers HC, $12.99
Peter Jackson From Prince Of Splatter To Lord Of Rings HC, $24.95
Pulp Fictioneers TPB, $20.00
Scooby Doo The Essential Guide HC, $12.99
Scooby Doo The Ultimate Sticker Book, $6.99
Spooky Scooby Doo Glow In The Dark Sticker Book, $6.99

[FH]

"Hellboy" Special Engagement Screening
************************************************** *********

On Friday night, March 26th, Hellboy will be screening for one show only
in New York and Los Angeles. In Manhattan, the show will be at 7:30 PM
at the Lowes E-Walk. In Los Angeles, the screening begins at 7:30 PM at
Universal Citywalk.

In LA, come early and meet Guillermo del Toro, director of Hellboy, and Mike Mignola, creator of the acclaimed comic. In New York, Ron Perlman and Selma Blair, stars of Hellboy, will be greeting guests.

Visit Fandango to purchase tickets while they last.
http://news.sonypictures.com/Key=4597.DXq.C.LfRypy

[FH]

Batman Begins & Superman Scripts Scoop!
Source: Superhero Hype!
Reliable Superhero Hype! scooper 'Enigma' has now had a chance to take a peek at the latest drafts of both scripts for Warner Bros.' Batman Begins and Superman. He described to us some of the highlights of each - with an emphasis on the Batman film - which we're going to run through for you while keeping the spoilers to a very minimum.

Cutting right to it, David Goyer's Batman Begins script gets a big thumbs up, the J.J. Abrams' Superman script doesn't really. Both of the films will be changing the origins of the character, but the Batman origin will be more in line with what was written in the comics before. It is very conscience of staying true to the Batman character.

With Superman, it apparently gets too formulaic trying to connect things. For example, the Smallville story keeps you intriqued, but the new Supes film's story does not. With Batman you want to go deeper into his journey to see what's next.

Our source says that Goyer makes it feel like a Batman movie at all times through locations, etc. Even scenes where Batman is not present, it still feels like a Batman film. It also has a lot of "Batman: Year One" in it (in a positive way), which probably explains why the studio didn't go for a separate "Year One" film.

'Enigma' adds that all the characters are excellent in Batman Begins. There's 3 villains (Ra's Al Ghul, Scarecrow, mob boss Falcone) in the movie, but it never feels cluttered. We're told that the Batmobile scene is simply amazing and that it's hard to believe they won't be using CGI for it, considering what all the vehicle does.

The source also says that Batman appears in the movie about as much time as the Hulk did in last summer's adaptation, though the time he'll be on-screen will be "awesome".

Some favorite scenes and more details? Turn back now if you're trying to avoid big spoilers!...

The Batman vs. Scarecrow confrontation is supposed to be spectacular. And the best scene in Superman, where he rescues Lois Lane from a plane crash, will probably be stunning.

Also Ra's Al Ghul, played by Ken Watanabe, doesn't speak a word of English in the script. He instead has a translator who does that for him. And the Batmobile in the film will be referred to as the "Tumbler," it is designed by Wayne Enterprises for the military.

[FH]

Will Smith & Nick Move Forward on The Mark
Source: Coming Soon!
Nickelodeon Movies and Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment are moving forward on sci-fi actioner The Mark a long-in-development project, with Smith starring. Mark will launch first as a feature and then as an animated TV series on Spike TV.

Variety says the project was first set up in 1998 by Overbrook and Centropolis at Universal with a script from Rob Lifield. The producers have tapped the writing team of Gregg Chabot and Kevin Peterka (Reign of Fire) to adapt "The Mark."

Smith will star as an everyman who discovers a strange mark has transferred to his body from the corpse of a Confederate soldier. Although the mark grants him special powers, he also struggles with the impulse to use it for evil purposes.

[FH]

Johansson, Baldwin & Tambor Voicing SpongeBob
Source: Coming Soon!
Nickelodeon Movies has signed up Scarlett Johansson, Alec Baldwin and Jeffrey Tambor for voice work in Paramount's animated The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, opening on November 19.

Directed by Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the series, the story centers on the irrepressible SpongeBob's efforts to retrieve King Neptune's stolen crown. The film was written by Hillenburg, Derek Drymon, Tim Hill, Kent Osborne, Aaron Springer and Paul Tibbitt.

Nickelodeon also announced it has lined up an estimated $150 million in promo support from Mitsubishi, Burger King, the Cayman Islands, Holiday Inn and candy company Perfetti Can Melle USA. Kellogg began running spots in January; tie-ins include SpongeBob-themed Pop Tarts and breakfast cereal along with SpongeBob-imprinted Eggo waffles.