Weekly Entertainment & Movie News

[FH]

A Review of the Fantastic Four Script!
Source: Superhero Hype

'SpiderRocky' pointed us to Latino Review which has a first look at the new Fantastic Four script that Tim Story will direct for Fox and Marvel. Here's a bit from the article....

And Hell No! The Thing will not be black. Mr. Story will be COMPLETELY faithful to the source material. Another thing is let’s give Tim a fair shot. Avi Arad and Tim will NOT go the comedy route with Fantastic Four as it is also being falsely reported. Just because Tim directed BARBERSHOP, people are already making assumptions. Don’t get me wrong, Fantastic Four will have some funny moments as the script has plenty of them.

Hit this link for the full review, which does contain spoilers of course.

[FH]

The 4400 Series Picked Up by USA Network
Source: Coming Soon


Variety reports that USA Network has picked up the sci-fi drama pilot The 4400 to series. The project was ordered as a pilot plus five scripts from executive producers Rene Echevarria (Dark Angel) and Maira Suro (Platinum) last year.

Picking up where most alien-abduction tales end, the hour-long series centers on the return of 4,400 missing people to Earth. The series kicks off with an apocalyptic ball of light sailing toward earth. In place of the expected catastrophic event, however, thousands of returned abductees are left with no memory of their otherworldly experiences. Each has been gone anywhere from a few months to several decades, but hasn't aged a day.

The 4400 is set for a summer premiere on USA, which will also roll out a new season of the scripted original The Dead Zone in June. "4400" is planned as a limited series, with the possibility of more episodes should the first round perform well.

Peter Coyote, Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline McKenzie starred in the pilot alongside Michael Moriarty, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Laura Allen, Kaj-Erik Eriksen and Chad Faust.

[FH]

Quentin Tarantino Talks More Kill Bill Vol. 3
Source: Coming Soon


While Kill Bill Vol. 2 doesn't hit theaters until next Friday, writer and director Quentin Tarantino has talked even more about a third film.

"Oh yeah, initially I was thinking this would be my 'Dollars' trilogy. I was going to do a new one every 10 years. But I need at least 15 years before I do this again," he tells Entertainment Weekly.

"The star will be Vernita Green's (Vivica A. Fox's) daughter, Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley)," he adds. "I've already got the whole mythology: Sofie Fatale (Julie Dreyfus) will get all of Bill's money. She'll raise Nikki, who'll take on The Bride."

"Nikki deserves her revenge every bit as much as The Bride deserved hers. I might even shoot a couple of scenes for it now so I can get the actresses while they're this age."

[FH]

Star Wars Trilogy Pre-Orders Reaching Record Levels
Source: Video Business Monday, April 12, 2004



According to Video Business, retailers are already experiencing vast consumer demand for the "Star Wars Trilogy" DVD set, with pre-orders reaching record levels amid reports of extensive extras on the DVDs. After opening pre-orders on March 30, Amazon.com last week reported that the Star Wars DVD set, which is scheduled for retail on Sept. 21, had already outsold expectations.

"Based on an undisclosed number of sales, the Star Wars DVD set is so far the most requested DVD by our customers of all time," said a spokeswoman for the online retailer. Both Amazon and Trans World Entertainment's FYE Web site have posted details on the DVD set's long list of special features, which 20th Century Fox officials declined to confirm.

The FYE Web site reports that each disc in the set will include a commentary by George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, sound designer Ben Burtt and cameraman Dennis Muren. A fourth bonus disc will include a 150-minute feature-length documentary about the making of Star Wars (directed by Kevin Burns); a 30-minute featurette about the evolution of the Star Wars characters with a still/video gallery of artwork and classic scenes from all three movies for each major character; a 20-minute featurette on the influence Star Wars has wielded on moviemaking during the past two decades; a 10-minute featurette about the creation, filming and cinematic influence of lightsabers; and a 20-minute featurette showcasing the opening of each Star Wars movie and its cultural reach.

The bonus disc also includes a demo of the Star Wars Battlefront Xbox game; teasers and trailers from the original and 1997 theatrical releases of each movie; TV spots from the original and 1997 theatrical releases; a behind-the-scenes preview of Star Wars: Episode III; a stills gallery of posters, artwork and photos; and a DVD-ROM link to the Star Wars website.

[FH]

Tarantino on a Kill Bill Special Edition & DVDs
Source: Coming Soon



Davis DVD reports that Quentin Tarantino has some major plans for the two "Kill Bill" films. He revealed that he plans to recut both films together for a special theatrical release later in the year.

"We did a special version [of Vol. 1] for Japan that's only been shown in Japan and Hong Kong, and I kept the rights to that," Tarantino said. "I'll put the Japanese version together [with Vol. 2] like I would if it was one complete movie, and then I'll release that throughout America and Europe in arthouse engagements."

Tarantino promises more extensive DVD plans for the film. "I'm going to do a special collector's edition of both of them once I'm finished with both of them," he said. He is also considering the possibility of releasing stand-alone supplemental discs.

[FH]

"Star Wars" DVD Details & Rumours

Source: Dark Horizons



Well the most anticipated disc release this year (pre-order sales are currently tipped to break numerous records) finally has some early details available in regards to extras. Be aware that it has been confirmed that these are tentative details and some minor changes are expected to be made to them before the worldwide release in September (expect all Regions to have the same extras):

- 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, THX Certified
- English Dolby Digital 5.1 EX; English, Spanish & French Dolby Surround
- George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren & Carrie Fisher Commentary
- Irvin Kirshner (ESB) & Lawrence Kasdan (ESB, ROTJ) Commentary
- Star Wars: The Independent Films Documentary (150 mins)
- The Evolution of Characters Featurette (30 mins)
- The Influence of Star Wars Featurette (20 mins)
- Lightsabers/Fights Featurette (10 mins)
- 1977 Vintage Star Wars Featurette (20 mins)
- Episode III Behind the Scenes Preview (10 mins)
- Star Wars Battlefront X-Box Video Game Preview
- Original & 1997 Re-Release Teasers and Trailers
- Original TV Spots & 1997 Re-Release TV Spots
- Comprehensive Posters and Artwork Gallery
- DVD-ROM: Link to StarWars.com Website

Meanwhile The Digital Bits reports that it has found seeming proof that further updates to the special editions are being done. The top image below is, supposedly an actual shot of Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine, newly inserted into "The Empire Strikes Back" in place of the original actor (bottom image). One other scene they've heard is being revamped is the CGI Jabba scene from "A New Hope". Look for the digital Jabba to be replaced by a much better looking CG version (likely based on the Episode I digital model of the character).

[FH]

New Comics 4/14

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

AC COMICS
Classic Color Glamour Pack #1, $31.95
Men Of Mystery #46, $6.95

ALTERNATIVE COMICS
Never Ending Summer GN, $11.95

AMAZE INK (SLAVE LABOR GRAPHICS)
Patty Cake & Friends Vol 2 #11, $4.95
Slave Labor Peepshow Vol 3 #4, AR

ANTARCTIC PRESS
Angels 750 #1 (Of 9), $2.99
Assassin School #0, $2.99
Assassin School Coll Ed #1 (resolicited), $12.95
Mangazine #53, $9.99

ANTIMATTER/HOFFMAN INTERNATIONAL
Darkham Vale Px Remarked #1, $49.95

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
Archie Double Digest #151, $3.59
Sonic The Hedgehog #135, $2.19
Veronica #151, $2.19

BLACK BOAR PRESS
Springheeled Jack #1 (Of 3), $4.00

BLACK LIBRARY
Inferno Magazine #41, $6.99
Warhammer Monthly #80, $3.50

BOYCHILD PRODUCTIONS
Angel Of The Woods GN, $8.99

BROADSWORD COMICS
Tarot Witch Of The Black Rose Mug, $18.99

COMICSONE.COM
Heaven Sword & Dragon Sabre GN #9, $14.95
Iron Wok Jan GN #8, $9.95
Junk Force Vol 2 TPB, $9.95
My Sassy Girl GN #3, $13.95
Storm Riders Vol 1 Tale Of No Name Novel, $7.95
Top Speed Vol 1 TPB, $14.95

CPM MANGA
Comic Party Vol 1 GN Party Time, $9.99

DARK HORSE COMICS
Berserk Vol 3 TPB, $13.95
Chosen #2 (Of 3), $2.99
Hellboy Movie Figures Gacha Capsule Toy Asst, AR
Hellboy Weird Tales #8, $2.99
Star Wars Tales Art Cvr #19, $5.99
Star Wars Tales Photo Cvr #19, $5.99
Ultraman Tiga #7 (Of 10), $3.99
Whats Michael Vol 9 The Ideal Cat TPB, $8.95

DC COMICS
Action Comics #814, $2.50
Aquaman #17, $2.50
Batgirl Fists Of Fury TPB, $14.95
Bite Club #1 (Of 6), $2.95
Fables #24, $2.50
Fallen Angel #10, $2.95
Gotham Central #18, $2.50
Green Arrow #37, $2.50
Hero #15, $2.50
Horizon #15, AR
Human Target Strike Zones TPB, $9.95
Its A Bird HC, $24.95
JLA #96, $2.25
JSA #60, $2.50
Lobo Statue, $195.00
Mad Magazine #441, $3.50
Nightwing #92, $2.25
Red Tokyo Storm Warning TPB, $14.95
Scooby Doo #83, $2.25
Stormwatch Team Achilles #21, $2.95
Teen Titans #10, $2.50
Touch #1, $2.50

DEVILS DUE PUBLISHING
Dragonlance The Legend Of Huma #3, $2.95
GI Joe Frontline Vol 3 TPB History Repeating, $9.95
Hack Slash #1, $4.95

DH PUBLISHING
Hino Horror Vol 1 GN The Red Snake, $9.95
Hino Horror Vol 2 GN The Bug Boy, $9.95

DORK STORM PRESS
Ps238 #6, $2.99

DREAMWAVE
Duel Masters #4, $2.95
Transformers War Within Vol 2 #6, $2.95

DRIPPYTOWN MANFCTING CONCERN
Drippytown Comics 2003, $4.50

DYNAMIC FORCES
DF Punisher Movie Adaptation Sgn, $19.99
DF Thing Full Size 16 Inch Head Bust, $349.99

ETERNAL ENTERTAINMENT
Brian Pulido Lady Death Wild Hunt #1 S/N Ed, $15.00

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS
Cats Dont Exist GN, $12.95
Krazy & Ignatz 1931-32 Kat Alilt With Song TPB, $14.95
Mark Beachum GN Pack (adult), $18.00
Mighty Mite HC, $6.95
Prince Valiant Vol 41-43 Pack, $50.00
Prince Valiant Vol 44-46 Pack, $50.00
Prince Valiant Vol 47-49 Pack, $53.00
Raisin Pie #1 & #2 Pack, $7.00
Ron Wilber GN Pack (adult), $42.00
Sex Warrior Isane #6 (adult), $3.95

GEEK PUNK
Hero Happy Hour #5, $3.00

GIRL TWIRL COMICS
Janes World Vol 2 TPB, $15.95

GRAHAM CRACKERS COMICS
Aspen #1 Turner Signed Ed, $19.95
Witchblade Demon #1 Graham Crackers Virgin Sketch Cvr Ed, $29.95

I C ENTERTAINMENT
Hanaukyo Maid Team Vol 2 GN, $12.95
The Wanderer Vol 2 GN, $12.95

IDW PUBLISHING
CSI Demon House #2 (Of 5), $3.99
Underworld Red In Tooth And Claw #2, $3.99

IMAGE COMICS
Age Of Bronze #19, $3.50
Black Forest GN, $9.95
Common Grounds #4 (Of 6), $2.99
Darkness Vol 2 #9, $2.99
Dodges Bullets GN, $9.95
Invincible #10, $2.95
Invincible Vol 2 Eight Is Enough TPB, $12.95
Madgalena Vol 2 Metal Cvr Sgn #1, $19.99
Noble Causes Vol 2 Family Secrets TPB, $12.95
Reaper One Shot, $6.95
Witchblade #74, AR

KENZER & COMPANY
Knights Of The Dinner Table Illustrated #33, $2.99

MARVEL COMICS
Captain America #25, $2.99
Emma Frost #10, $2.99
Incredible Hulk #70, $2.25
Inhumans #12, $2.99
Iron Fist #2, $2.99
Iron Man #79, $2.99
Marvel 1602 #8 (Of 8), $3.99
Marvel Age Fantastic Four #1, $2.25
Marvel Age Runaways Vol 1 Pride And Joy Digest TPB, $7.99
Marvel Age Sentinel Vol 1 Salvage Digest TPB, $7.99
Marvel Age Spider-Girl Vol 1 Digest TPB, $7.99
Marvel Age Spider-Man Vol 1 Digest TPB, $5.99
Marvel Knights 4 #4, $2.99
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #1, $2.99
Marvel Select Classic Green Goblin Action Figure, $18.99
Marvel Universe Morbius Bust, $45.00
New Mutants #11, $2.99
She Hulk #2, $2.99
Spectacular Spider-Man #13, $2.25
Thor Son Of Asgard #3 (Of 6), $2.99
Ultimate X-Men #44, $2.25
Weapon X #21, $2.99
X-Men Unlimited #2, $2.99
X-Statix #21, $2.99
X-Treme X-Men #45, $2.99

MIRAGE STUDIOS
Tales Of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2, $2.95
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #15, $2.95

MOONSTONE
Kolchak Tales Of Night Stalker #3, $3.50

MVCREATIONS
Masters Of The Universe Icons Of Evil TPB, $18.95
Masters Of The Universe Vol 3 #1, $2.95
Rob Zombie Spook Show Intl #2 Curr Prtg, $2.95

NBM
Shadow & Light Vol 5 (adult), $11.95

OPPOSITE NUMBER
Wonderverse Nexus #2 (Of 4), $2.95

RADIO COMIX
Milk #39 (adult), $3.50

REBELLION
2000 AD #1381, $3.75
2000 AD #1382, $3.75

SIRIUS ENTERTAINMENT
Ballads & Sagas Ltd Ed Portfolio (AA), AR

SLIP OF THE TONGUE
Artx #3 (adult), $6.50
Artx #4 (adult), $6.50
Artx #5 (adult), $6.50

TITAN
Judge Dredd Apocalypse War SC, $24.95
Judge Dredd Emerald Isle GN, $14.95
Judge Dredd Innocents Abroad GN, $14.95
Judge Dredd Muzak Killer GN, $14.95
Transformers GN Dark Designs, $19.95
Transformers GN Dinobot Hunt, $19.95
Transformers GN Primal Scream, $19.99

TOHAN CORPORATION
Animage Mar 2004, $11.99
Animedia Mar 2004, $8.99
Battle Royale Manga #11, $10.99
Bug Bug Cg Mar 2004 (adult), $14.99
Comic Potpourri Club Mar 2004 (adult), $6.99
Comicworks CD Rom, $120.00
Days Of Moonlight HC, $57.99
Dengeki Gs Mag Mar 2004, $12.99
Dengeki Hobby Apr 2004, $15.99
Dengeki Layers #2, $26.99
Eiken Manga #13 (adult), $7.99
Figure King Encyclopedia #74, $18.99
Figure Maniacs Special #10, $26.99
Gal Pack Manga #1 (adult), $10.99
Genso Suikoden Card Game Gd Bk, $48.99
Gothic & Lolita Bible #8, $25.99
Gothic & Lolita Bible #9, $25.99
Guin Saga Illus SC, $67.99
Gundam Seed & Astray Modeling Manual #1, $23.99
Gundam Seed & Astray Modeling Manual #2, $28.99
Gundam Seed Models #1, $27.99
Gundam Seed Models #2, $27.99
Happy Lesson Manga #2, $11.99
Hobby Japan Apr 2004, $12.99
How To Draw Manga Tatsunoko Heroes Japan Ed, $26.99
Hyper Hobby Mar 2004, $13.00
Lemon Club Mar 2004 (adult), $7.99
Masamune Shirow Galhound Poster Bk (adult), $13.99
Masamune Shirow Hellhound Poster Bk (adult), $13.99
Masamune Shirow Wild Wet West Poster Bk (adult), $13.99
Megami Mag Mar 2004, $14.99
Model Graphix Apr 2004, $15.99
Newtype Mar 2004, $10.99
One Piece Color Walk 2 SC, $23.99
Ouse Kohime Illus SC, $48.99
Pa Pi Po Mar 2004 (adult), $8.99
Penguin Club Sanzoku Mar 2004 (adult), $6.99
Quanto Mag Mar 2004, $9.99
Raspberry Vol 14, $17.99
Replicant Vol 14, $23.99
Sakura Wars Manga #2, $10.99
Secret Picture Book Of Popotan & Rockchan SC, $42.99
Takuya Inoue Illus Chichi No E Plus (adult), $36.99
Trigun Maximum Manga #9, $9.99
Uchusen Mag Mar 2004, $18.99
Welcome Manga #1 (adult), $10.99

TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS
Typewriter Anthology, $10.00

VANGUARD PRODUCTIONS
Neal Adams Monsters SC, $12.95

VIPER COMICS
Dead At 17 Blood Of Saints #1 (Of 4), $2.95

VIZ
Ceres Celestial Legend Vol 7 TPB, $9.95
Ranma 1/2 TPB Vol 9 2nd Ed, $9.95
Ranma 1/2 Vol 26 TPB, $9.95

WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT
Toyfare Cartoon Network Adult Swim Cvr #82, $4.99
Toyfare Fantastic Four Marvel Legends Cvr #82, $4.99

magazines
Alias Magazine #4, $6.99
Alias Magazine Px #4, $6.99
Beckett Baseball Card Monthly #230, $4.99
Beckett Pokemon And Anime Collector #57, $5.99
Club International Jun04 (adult), $8.99
Comic Shop News #878, AR
Comics Buyers Guide #1588, $3.99
Cult Times #103, $6.99
Dark Side #108, $6.50
Dr Who Special Edition Magazine #7, $11.99
Dragon #319, $5.99
Dreamwatch #116, $5.99
Fhm Magazine May04, $4.99
G-8 And His Battle Aces #12, $9.95
Guitar Player May04, $5.99
Hit Parader Spring 2004 Special, $5.99
Hustler Barely Legal Jn04445 (adult), $7.99
Maxim Sp Stuff For Men May04, $4.99
Perfect 10 Summer 2004 (adult), $7.99
Premiere May 04, $3.99
Scarlet Street #50, $7.95
Sfx #116, $8.25
The Source Apr04, $3.99
Tomarts Action Figure Digest Apr 04 #121, $5.95
TV Zone #174, $6.99
Wrapped In Plastic #69, $4.95
Write Now #7, $5.95
Xpose Special #25, $9.99

books
Artists Complete Guide To Drawing The Head TPB, $24.95
Big Book O Beer TPB, $19.95
Deleter Beginner Tone Set A, $9.99
Deleter Beginner Tone Set B, $9.99
Deleter Beginner Tone Set C, $9.99
Justice League Supermans Guide To The Universe HC, $12.99
Morning Wood TPB, $39.95
Party After You Left HC, $17.95
Warhammer 40000 What Price Victory MMPB, $6.99
Warhammer Konrad MMPB, $6.99
Xtreme Art Draw Manga Villains TPB, $6.95

[FH]

New DVD's 4/13

46664: The Event (2-disc set)

Alien Dead

Alien Factor 2: The Alien Rampage

Babylon 5: Season Five (6-disc set)

Booty Call: The Bootiest Edition

Bowanga Bowanga/Wild Women of Wongo/Virgin Sacrifice

Casa de los Babys

Devil's Knight

Dopamine

Eating Raoul

Fast Lane To Malibu/Fast Lane to Vegas

Highlander: The Series: Season Four

Is There Sex After Death?

Kill Bill: Vol. 1

Recipe for Disaster (2003)

Scalps: Special Edition

Scream Queen Hot Tub Party: Special Edition

Sexy Space Box Set: Special Edition

She's Out of Control

Tokyo Godfathers

The Velocity of Gary

Willie Nelson: Live at Billy Bob's Texas

[FH]

Splitsville for Stamos and Romijn
Source: E!



Another seemingly happy Hollywood couple bites the dust.

John Stamos and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos have split after five and a half years of marriage--an eternity in Tinseltown time--their publicist has confirmed.



"The split is amicable, and they have asked that the media please respect their privacy regarding this situation during this difficult time," said a statement from rep Lewis Kay.

According to a source quoted in Star magazine, Stamos allegedly wanted a full house while his supermodel missus wasn't ready to start having kids.

The 10-10-220 pitchman met Romijn (pronounced "romaine," like the lettuce) in 1994 while the former was working the runway at a Victoria's Secret fashion show in New York.

The winsome twosome spent their first date at Disneyland, where, according to a Romijn interview in Jane magazine, they first consummated their relationship. "Now we go every year for a week. It's bizarre," she said.

They wed four years later on Sept. 19, 1998, in a ceremony featuring his (Bob Saget and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) and her (Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks) pals.

It was a first marriage for each.

Stamos, who once subbed as a drummer for the Beach Boys, got his first big break as Blackie Parrish on ABC's General Hospital in the early '80s before finding fame on the family sitcom Full House followed by a critically acclaimed role in Broadway's 1995 production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!

Cut to a 2001 failed series called Thieves, costarring Melissa George, and the thesp was suddenly eclipsed by his model turned actress wife--save for a brief stint back on Broadway in Cabaret and Nine.

Romijn rose above her Sports Illustrated's swimsuit-issue status with her role as Mystique in the first two installments of the X-Men franchise.

Now, she has several movies in the pipeline, including next weekend's release The Punisher, opposite John Travolta and Thomas Jane; Godsend, costarring Robert De Niro and Greg Kinnear, slated for an Apr. 30 release; and the third X-Men installment due in 2006.

However, a TV comeback and a dating life could be in the works for suddenly single Stamos, at least onscreen. He's been cast in a new ABC sitcom pilot, produced by Brad Grey, as a New York publicist whose first date with a woman spans the entire first season.

[FH]

Paul Walker a Frontrunner for Fantastic Four?
Source: Coming Soon

Yet another casting rumor has been posted by Latino Review. Their source, who last week said that Michael Chicklis (The Shield) is up for The Thing and that Tim Robbins (Mystic River) is up for Dr. Doom, now tells them that Paul Walker (2 Fast 2 Furious) is in consideration for Johnny Storm.

This is in addition to the news from Cinescape that Christina Millian is in consideration for Susan Storm, and the Superhero Hype! rumor that Ralf Moeller has a role as well.

Based on the Marvel comics, the "Fantastic Four" consists of Reed Richards, Sue Richards, Benjamin Grimm and Johnny Storm. They rocketed into space in an experimental starship, the first humans to attempt interstellar travel. But a freak encounter with cosmic rays changed their lives forever, granting each unique powers. Now, they continue to challenge the unknown as the greatest team of superhuman adventures ever assembled.

[FH]

Britney Spears Reality Series Coming?
Source: Coming Soon


Representatives for pop princess Britney Spears are shopping a reality series featuring backstage footage of her life on tour, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Being pitched with the pun-style title OnTourage, the series would follow the lives of Spears and her fellow dancers on the upcoming European leg of the Onyx Hotel Tour, her steamy concert series. OnTourage is being described as a cross between MTV's The Real World and 1991's Madonna: Truth or Dare.

The trade says that Spears would narrate and even wield a digital camera to chronicle her adventures with her dancers, bodyguards and managers from the tour bus to the stage.

The six-week shoot would produce six episodes, budgeted at over $1 million each, that Spears' team would hope to have on the air as early as the summer. The front-running network will have to act fast as Spears' European tour kicks-off in London on April 27.

[FH]

Devlin's The Triangle & Talk to Me Moving Ahead
Source: Coming Soon

Independence Day and Godzilla producer Dean Devlin is moving ahead on two new projects at USA Network and the Sci Fi Channel.

USA is in the early stages of development on Talk to Me, a series about the professional and personal lives of the New York Police Department's hostage-negotiation unit. Attached to write the script are Jan Skrentny and Neal Tabachnick, who collaborated on the 2001 film Driven.

Together with "X-Men" series director Bryan Singer, Devlin is working on the Sci Fi Channel mini-series The Triangle. The eight-hour project will take on the myth of the Bermuda Triangle. No airdate has been set. Rockne O'Bannon, the creator of Sci Fi's Farscape, will write the script.

[FH]

Kelly Hu Cast in The WB's Dark Shadows
Source: Coming Soon

The WB has added X2: X-Men United star Kelly Hu to the network's Dark Shadows pilot. Hu will play Dr. Julia Hoffman, a physician who soon discovers that Barnabas Collins is a vampire.

The remake of the classic '60s Goth soap also stars Martin Donovan, Matt Czuchry, Alexander Gould, Blair Brown, Marley Shelton, Ivana Milicevic, Alec Newman and Jessica Chastain.

The original series aired on ABC from 1966-71 and focused on the wealthy and mysterious Collins family of Collinsport, Maine. It spawned two feature films.

Hu's other credits include The Scorpion King, as well as TV series Martial Law and Nash Bridges.

[FH]

del Toro Planning Two Hellboy DVD Editions
Source: Superhero Hype
Hellboy writer and director Guillermo del Toro tells Video Store Magazine that he is planning two separate DVD editions for the film.

"The first edition is going to be a double disc hopefully, and the second edition is going to be a long cut of the movie, 20 minutes added, and you add a third disc to it," del Toro said. "I think you have the chance of the more casual fan just buying the first one, and the guy who really is hardcore going for the second one."

The extra scenes will develop subplots with one of the villains, Rasputin (Karel Roden), and a love triangle with Hellboy (Ron Perlman), Liz Sherman (Selma Blair) and Agent Myers (Rupert Evans). In the film, there is only one scene where Sherman and Myers seem to be developing a romantic relationship that makes Hellboy jealous.

"There is a little subplot that was taken from the movie that involved Rasputin's eyes," del Toro said. "That adds a layer of strangeness and beauty to him. There are more scenes between Selma and Rupert, and there's a little bit more of being able to follow those subplots. I feel that they couldn't be in the movie because the theatrical cut has to be a cut that moves to a pace that any casual fan or nonfan can enjoy, and the DVD is hardcore."

[FH]

McG's "Superman" Takes Flight?
Source: Dark Horizons



Main Item #3 for this essentially slower than a Merchant Ivory film news day has emerged over at SupermanV who've landed a pretty interesting scoop.

According to them, the long-attached Director McG gave a big 'make or break' Superman presentation to the WB execs last week. The presentation -- thought to include conceptual art, storyboards and set designs -- got a positive reaction from the suits.

The site expects McG reinforced his choice of Henry Cavill for the lead, whilst recent buzz about "Smallville" star Tom Welling getting the job is not true. His agent had apparently been pursuing the role, but the tall buff actor apparently doesn't want the part, and WB and McG want to cast their own Superman, not use someone else's. "Smallville" has its own continuity which won't be related to any future "Superman" film.