Weekly Entertainment News

[FH]

Kevin Smith Talks Clerks Sequel
Source: ComingSoon!


Writer/director Kevin Smith is answering questions about his upcoming The Passion of The Clerks, the recently announced sequel to 1994's Clerks, on his official website. The sequel picks up 10 years later and is set to begin shooting in January at Miramax. Here's a rundown of the highlights:

-This isn't gonna be a cameo-heavy affair, a'la "Strike Back." The only returning characters are Dante and Randal, and Jay and Silent Bob.

- This isn't gonna be a star-studded affair. The biggest names in the cast are gonna be Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, and Jason Mewes.

- This isn't an "I'm not even supposed to be here today... AGAIN!"-heavy, wink-wink affair. We barely refer to the first flick (though I do love Lynch's proposed tagline of "They Still Don't Like You"; considering the tone of the script, an even more appropriate tagline would be "They Like You Even Less").

- Jay and Silent Bob have about as much screen time as they had in "Clerks." This is Dante and Randal's flick all the way.

- The title makes sense. Sure, there's a bit of cheekiness in there, but it's pretty appropriate, based on the material.

- We'll still be making a "Clerks" cartoon movie, separate of this.

- We almost did this flick three years ago, instead of "Strike Back." I'm glad we didn't, because I was able to say much more now than I would've then.

- That storyline about Dante and Randal shooting a movie about working at the Quick Stop is the plot of the "Clerks" CARTOON movie. It's secure. The plot of "PotC" is something completely different.

- The flick does NOT employ the tone of the "Clerks" cartoon. It's OG "Clerks" all the way.

- The flick's in both black & white and color.

- Having not seen "South Park" since season two (unless you count the movie), I was unaware they did an episode called "The Passion of the Jew." I don't know how (or if) this info will affect our title.

Visit this link above for the full list of answers!

[FH]

Scott & Darabont Aboard Sci Fi Remakes
Source: ComingSoon!
The Sci Fi Channel has signed Ridley Scott to executive produce and supervise a four-hour remake of the 1971 thriller The Andromeda Strain and Frank Darabont to take charge of a four-hour remake of The Thing, reports Variety.

Scott and Darabont join an already bulging roster of Hollywood players working on projects for Sci Fi, including Steven Spielberg (Nine Lives), Martin Scorsese (The Twelve), Gale Anne Hurd (Red Mars), Nicolas Cage (Dresden Files) and Bryan Singer and Dean Devlin (The Triangle).

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan is writing the adaptation of "Andromeda," based on Michael Crichton's novel, and David Johnson is working on the script of The Thing, based on the short story "Who Goes There" by John W. Campbell Jr.

Darabont said Johnson should complete his adaptation by Christmas and shooting could get under way next year for an airdate on Sci Fi of either December 2005 or early spring 2006.

The Thing deals with an alien parasite, which can take over the mind and body of a human being, causing havoc on a military compound isolated at the tip of the South Pole.

The Andromeda Strain centers on a group of scientists who gather at an underground facility to destroy a virus from outer space that that has killed the inhabitants of a small town in New Mexico.

[FH]

Max Howard is Animating Igor
Source: ComingSoon!
Exodus Film has hired veteran animation executive Max Howard to executive produce its CGI-animated film Igor, reports Variety. The $20 million-$25 million film is expected to be ready for theatrical release in 2007.

Igor is intended as a franchise property for the company, which expects to develop merchandising, videogame and TV spinoffs from the feature.

Written by Chris McKenna, the comedy tells the story of a hunchbacked lab assistant who has big dreams of becoming a mad scientist and winning the first place prize at the annual Evil Science Fair.

The CGI animation will be produced via Exodus' inhouse ElectroAge team. Some 50-75 animators are expected to work on the pic, which is in the character development stage; basic animation is expected to start at the end of this year.

Howard was formerly president of Warner Bros. Feature Animation and senior VP of Disney Feature Animation. He worked on such Disney pics as Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. At WB he oversaw The Iron Giant and Space Jam

He most recently was an executive producer on Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron for DreamWorks and is producing the animated film The Spirit Bear, a tale about Canada's rare white kermode bear.

[FH]

Toy Story 3 in the Works?
Source: ComingSoon!
Moviehole visited Disneyland and talked to the folks behind the Buzz Lightyear of Star Command animated series who revealed that a third "Toy Story" movie is indeed in the works.

There's movement on a "Toy Story 3". The troops behind the 'Buzz Lightyear' show know a bit about it, pointing out that it'll be happening at a different camp and that it is in the planning stages (pre-production?) and definitely theatrical.

The first two films were created by Pixar which has not renewed its distribution deal with Disney. The last two films in the deal include The Incredibles and Cars.

[FH]

Lee & Hefner Team on Hef's Superbunnies
Source: SuperheroHype!
The Hollywood Reporter says that Stan Lee and Hugh Hefner are teaming on an animated pilot called Hef's Superbunnies for MTV...

A silk pajama-clad superhero fights crime with the aid of a superbuxom team of specially trained Playboy bunnies. If that logline sounds like it must be a cross between the oeuvres of Stan Lee and Hugh Hefner, that's because it is. MTV has ordered an animated pilot for "Hef's Superbunnies," a collaboration between Lee's newly launched Pow! Entertainment and Playboy's Alta Loma Entertainment division.

[FH]

Nirvana Box Primed For Holiday Success
Source: Billboard

Although a label spokesperson declined to confirm specifics, Universal Music Enterprises will release a three-CD boxed set from Nirvana in November. Limited editions of the project will include a DVD, which boasts footage of the Kurt Cobain-led band playing at a 1987 house party.

The box is expected to be one of the most in-demand items at music retail this holiday season. High hopes were fueled when portions of the DVD were screened at the recent National Association of Recording Merchandisers conference.

"From what I saw at [NARM] -- which was amazing -- I think it's going to blow everyone away," Newbury Comics music buyer Carl Mello tells Billboard. "It really will out-perform any expectations that customers may have -- even if their expectations are huge."

The boxed set was originally intended for release in Christmas 2001, to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of Nirvana's breakthrough album, "Nevermind." But surviving members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic were thwarted by lawsuits from Cobain's widow Courtney Love, who objected to their planned use of the previously unreleased track "You Know You're Right" in the set.

The artists traded vicious barbs in the press, with Grohl and Novoselic claiming Love "couldn't care less about Nirvana fans. She is using Nirvana's music as a bargaining chip to increase leverage for her personal gain, without any regard for the Nirvana legacy." For her part, Love maintained Cobain was by far the driving force in Nirvana's success, and that Grohl and Novoselic were little more than hired hands.

The dispute was eventually settled in September 2002, with the parties agreeing to earmark "You Know You're Right" for a self-titled Nirvana compilation released on Oct. 29, 2002. The album has gone on to sell 1.45 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, while the song rocketed to No. 1 on both Billboard's Modern and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts.

"We were looking forward to releasing unheard Nirvana material for our personal sense of closure," Grohl and Novoselic said before the suit was settled. "As the cycle of life moves forward, we are each living our own lives and moving on to new things. We only wanted to go on with the assurance of knowing that all of Nirvana's music is where it really belongs; in the hearts and minds of millions of people in the world.
As previously reported, Novoselic will revisit his Nirvana past in the upcoming book "Of Grunge & Government: Let's Fix this Broken Democracy!" Due later this month via RDV Books, the volume will also address Novoselic's longstanding work in political activism.


Nirvana Box Primed For Holiday Success

Margo Whitmire, L.A.; Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Although a label spokesperson declined to confirm specifics, Universal Music Enterprises will release a three-CD boxed set from Nirvana in November. Limited editions of the project will include a DVD, which boasts footage of the Kurt Cobain-led band playing at a 1987 house party.

The box is expected to be one of the most in-demand items at music retail this holiday season. High hopes were fueled when portions of the DVD were screened at the recent National Association of Recording Merchandisers conference.

"From what I saw at [NARM] -- which was amazing -- I think it's going to blow everyone away," Newbury Comics music buyer Carl Mello tells Billboard. "It really will out-perform any expectations that customers may have -- even if their expectations are huge."

The boxed set was originally intended for release in Christmas 2001, to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of Nirvana's breakthrough album, "Nevermind." But surviving members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic were thwarted by lawsuits from Cobain's widow Courtney Love, who objected to their planned use of the previously unreleased track "You Know You're Right" in the set.

The artists traded vicious barbs in the press, with Grohl and Novoselic claiming Love "couldn't care less about Nirvana fans. She is using Nirvana's music as a bargaining chip to increase leverage for her personal gain, without any regard for the Nirvana legacy." For her part, Love maintained Cobain was by far the driving force in Nirvana's success, and that Grohl and Novoselic were little more than hired hands.

The dispute was eventually settled in September 2002, with the parties agreeing to earmark "You Know You're Right" for a self-titled Nirvana compilation released on Oct. 29, 2002. The album has gone on to sell 1.45 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, while the song rocketed to No. 1 on both Billboard's Modern and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts.

"We were looking forward to releasing unheard Nirvana material for our personal sense of closure," Grohl and Novoselic said before the suit was settled. "As the cycle of life moves forward, we are each living our own lives and moving on to new things. We only wanted to go on with the assurance of knowing that all of Nirvana's music is where it really belongs; in the hearts and minds of millions of people in the world.

As previously reported, Novoselic will revisit his Nirvana past in the upcoming book "Of Grunge & Government: Let's Fix this Broken Democracy!" Due later this month via RDV Books, the volume will also address Novoselic's longstanding work in political activism.


-- Margo Whitmire, L.A.; Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

[FH]

Atari to reissue scores of old games
Source: AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Atari wants to take you back in time, and to get there, you can ride a "Centipede" or an "Asteroid," or bounce back and forth between the pixilated paddles of "Pong."


The video game company told The Associated Press on Tuesday it plans to reissue scores of its classic titles from yesteryear on a single disc that can be played on the game consoles Xbox and PlayStation 2.

"Atari Anthology" will feature 85 games and is scheduled to go on sale in November at a cost of about $20.

But it's only one of the nostalgia projects Atari will push into the market then. The second is Atari Flashback, a slightly miniaturized version of the old Atari 7800 from the mid-'80s. It will have 20 games built into it, including "Breakout," "Solaris," "Crystal Castles" and "Battlezone."

Flashback will sell for $45 and include a pair of old-school joysticks.

Atari isn't expecting its decades-old games to compete on a technical level, like "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," "Halo" and "Madden NFL 2005" that feature colorful realistic graphics, fast-moving 3-D action and the freedom to roam at will.

Instead, the company is aiming at the nostalgia market.

"It's a time machine. You go back to your childhood and you play," Atari chief executive Bruno Bonnell said.

And for gamers who weren't even born when the first PlayStation appeared?

"The kids will think this is quick, this is fast to understand, and we don't need a manual to understand it," he added. "We're going after two generations."

Even "Pong," perhaps the most primitive of the games with its simple white square bouncing across the screen, may still have some appeal.

"The more primitive the better. It shows that video games are not just about high-end graphics or sophisticated representation. It's about the game-play, the challenge to the player," Bonnell said.

The "Atari Anthology" disc will offer new twists on the games, too: "trippy mode," which renders the graphics in psychedelic colors, and "time warp" and "double speed," which can alter the pace of on-screen action.

Besides its array of classic Atari 2600 and 7800 titles, the Atari Flashback console will include one previously unreleased game: "Saboteur."

Reissuing classic games in the modern consoles has become common over the years. "Sonic the Hedgehog" and its sequels from the early 1990s turned up on Nintendo's GameCube, and the old martial-arts challenge "Street Fighter" series returned on PlayStation 2.

But those titles still look like science-fiction dreaming compared to the jumping dots and boxes of the old Atari games.

Still, there is a market for even those old games, and the Internet proves it: Countless sites offer free downloads of the programs for playing on PCs — leading to rampant bootlegging.

But Bonnell downplayed the impact bootlegging could have on sales for "Atari Anthology" and the Atari Flashback console.

"You're right to say that a lot of them are bootlegged, and the code is not the right code, and the color is not the right color. But here we're offering them ... and you don't go through collecting the games on the Internet and being scared of the viruses that are going to pollute your computer at some point."

Despite their simple appearance, the games can be very difficult, he added — especially for people who are two decades out of practice.

"They are not easy to master," Bonnell said. "Some people believe that because they are old games they will finish them very soon. But I think people will be sweating to finish."

[FH]

This week's comic-list still isn't out, so I will post it when it's completed.

[FH]

Aquaman to be a Goofy Movie?
Source: SuperheroHype!
Comic Book Resources has an interesting rumor about the possible Aquaman adaptation...

Allegedly, DC's lord of the seas is getting the cinematic treatment, courtesy of producers Alan and Peter Riche and writer Ben Grant. Rob's source said, "They want this Aquaman to be a goofy screwball comedy. Their thought was, 'since he's such a stupid character let's play that up.'"

Stay tuned for whether or not there is any truth to this.

[FH]

NEW COMIC-BOOK RELEASES FOR SEPTEMBER 10, 2004
Source: DiamondComics

Due to the Labor Day Holiday, Comics will hit the stores on Thursday
The following products are expected to ship to comic book
specialty stores this week. Note that this list is tentative
and subject to change. Please check with your retailer for
availability.

PREMIER PUBLISHERS

DARK HORSE

JUL040054 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #93 (MR) $2.99
JUN040022 GO GIRL VOL 1 THE TIME TEAM TP $5.95
JUN040027 GRENDEL DEVILS REIGN #4 (Of 7) (MR) $3.50
MAY040105 MIGHTY MOUSE ORNAMENT $14.99
JUN040091 PETE FOWLER COASTER SET $12.99
APR040138 ROBERT E HOWARDS VALERIA BUST $49.99
JUL040114 SHI COASTER SET $12.99
JUN040050 SPYBOY FINAL EXAM #4 (Of 4) $2.99
JUN040057 STAR WARS EMPIRE #24 $2.99

DC COMICS

JUL040686 100 BULLETS #53 (MR) $2.50
JUL040597 ACTION COMICS #819 $2.50
JUL040609 AQUAMAN #22 $2.50
JUL040576 BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #183 $2.50
JUL040590 BATMAN WAR DRUMS TP $17.95
JUL040688 BITE CLUB #6 (Of 6) (MR) $2.95
JUL040610 BLOODHOUND #3 $2.95
JUL040613 CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN #4 (Of 6) $2.95
JUL040692 FABLES #29 (MR) $2.50
JUL040617 FALLEN ANGEL #15 (MR) $2.95
JUL040675 GEN 13 ORDINARY HEROES TP (MR) $14.95
JUL040595 GOTHAM CENTRAL #23 $2.50
JUL040621 GREEN ARROW #42 $2.50
JUL040631 JLA #105 $2.25
JAN040308 JOKER DC CLASSIC ANIMATION MAQUETTE BTAS $89.95
JUL040633 JSA #65 $2.50
JUL040663 MAD MAGAZINE #446 $3.50
JUL040577 NIGHTWING #97 $2.25
JUN040416 OUTSIDERS #15 $2.50
JUL040661 SCOOBY DOO #88 $2.25
JUL040681 SMAX HC (MR) $19.95
JUL040601 SUPERMAN MAN OF STEEL VOL 3 TP $19.95
JUL040647 TEEN TITANS #15 $2.50
JUL040651 TOUCH #6 $2.50
JUL040668 WHITE LAMA VOL 1 REINCARNATION TP (MR) $17.95
JUL040653 WONDER WOMAN CHALLENGE OF GODS TP $19.95

IMAGE

DEC031310 CASEFILES SAM & TWITCH #10 (MR) $2.50
JUL041756 DEEP SLEEPER #4 (Of 4) (MR) $2.95
JUL041757 FORSAKEN #2 $2.95
JUN041415 STRYKEFORCE #5 (Of 5) $2.99
JUL041779 SWORD OF DRACULA #6 $2.95
JUN041416 TOMB RAIDER #45 $2.99
JUL041781 ULTRA #2 (Of 8) $2.95
JUN041381 VICTORY VOL 2 CVR A SANDOVAL #1 (Of 4) $2.95
JUN041382 VICTORY VOL 2 CVR B CRUZ #1 (Of 4) $2.95
MAY041442 WALKING DEAD #10 (MR) $2.95

MARVEL

JUL042022 CAPTAIN AMERICA #31 $2.99
JUL041978 DISTRICT X #5 $2.99
JUL042053 ESSENTIAL SUPER VILLAIN TEAM UP TP $16.99
JUL042035 IDENTITY DISC #4 (Of 5) $2.99
JUL042013 MARVEL AGE HULK #1 $1.75
JUL041977 MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #6 $2.99
JUN041644 MARVEL MASTERWORKS FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 7 2ND ED HC $49.99
JUN041645 MARVEL MASTERWORKS FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 7 HC VAR DUST JACKET $54.99
JUL042039 POWERS #4 (MR) $2.95
JUL041976 PULSE #5 $2.99
JUL042031 SHE HULK #7 $2.99
JUL042025 SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #19 $2.25
JUL042048 THANOS VOL 5 SAMARITAN TP $14.99
JUL042036 THE PUNISHER #11 (MR) $2.99
JUL042033 THOR SON OF ASGARD #8 $2.99
JUL041986 ULTIMATE X-MEN #51 $2.25
JUL042042 ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL 9 THE TEMPEST TP $10.99
JUL042028 WARLOCK #1 $2.99
JUL042005 X-FORCE #2 $2.99
JUL042003 X-MEN THE END BOOK ONE DREAMERS AND DEMONS #3 (Of 6) $2.99

WIZARD

JUL042475 TOYFARE #87 DC COMICS IDENTITY CRISIS CVR $4.99
JUL042476 TOYFARE #87 GUNDAM TOYS CVR $4.99

COMICS

JUL042512 APOCALYPSE MEOW MANGA VOL 2 TP $9.99
JUN042220 ARCHIE AND FRIENDS #85 $2.19
JUL042786 ARMAGEDDON BOOK 1 GN (Of 11) $9.99
MAR042236 ASSASSIN SCHOOL VOL 2 #3 $3.50
JUN042197 B1N4RY #2 $3.50
JUN042122 BAD MOJO GN (MR) $12.95
JUN042899 BATTLE ANGEL ALITA VOL 5 TP 2ND ED $9.95
JUL042545 BEAR #6 $2.95
MAY042163 BEST OF THE WEST #42 $5.95
JUL042513 BOSS MANGA VOL 3 TP $9.99
JUL043018 BROTHER DESTINY #1 $2.99
JUN042583 CANDYAPPLEBLACK #3 (Of 7) (MR) $3.50
MAY042298 CHASE #1 $3.50
MAY042200 COMPLETE SUICIDE BLONDE TP (MR) $16.95
MAY042291 DARKHAM VALE DRACOU IMPERATIVE #1 $3.50
MAY042345 DAVE JOHNSON SKETCHBOOK SGN $9.99
MAY042639 DF AVENGERS FINCH SGN #500 $19.99
JUL042869 DF DEFINITIVE DREADSTAR HC $49.95
MAY042615 DFE ARMY OF DARKNESS ASHES 2 ASHES PHOTO SGN #1 $19.99
JUN042757 ECLIPSE AND VEGA SUPER SIZED SPECIAL #1 $3.50
JUL042927 FIRE PROVES IRON GROUNDED STARS GN $9.95
MAY042865 FURRLOUGH #139 $2.99
JUL042708 GOLDEN CAIN GN (A) $15.99
JUN042400 GUNDAM SEED VOL 2 GN $10.95
MAY042867 HIT THE BEACH 2004 $4.99
JUL043088 IN THE SHADOW OF NO TOWERS GN $19.95
JUL042958 JANES WORLD #15 $5.95
JUN042098 JINKI EXTEND MANGA VOL 2 TP (MR) $9.99
JUN042226 JUGHEAD #160 $2.19
JUL042698 JUNGLE FANTASY #5 DINO ATTACK NUDE CVR (MR) $6.00
JUL042699 JUNGLE FANTASY #5 LITTLE FRIENDS ED $5.99
MAY042372 JUNGLE FANTASY FAUNA CVR #5 (MR) $3.50
MAY042375 JUNGLE FANTASY FAUNA NUDE CVR #5 (MR) $6.00
MAY042373 JUNGLE FANTASY TUNDRA CVR #5 (MR) $3.50
MAY042376 JUNGLE FANTASY TUNDRA NUDE CVR #5 (MR) $6.00
MAY042374 JUNGLE FANTASY WRAPAROUND CVR #5 (MR) $3.50
JUN042914 KARE FIRST LOVE VOL 1 GN $9.95
JUL042709 KIZUNA BONDS OF LOVE BOOK 1 GN (A) $15.99
JUL043003 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #95 $3.99
JUL043005 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE ILLUSTRATED #38 $2.99
JUN042915 KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC VOL 5 GN $7.95
JUN042228 LAUGH DIGEST #196 $2.39
MAR042694 LOUIS DREAMS NEVER DIE SC W VINYL DISC $14.99
MAY042281 MANGAZINE #57 $9.99
MAY042822 MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE VOL 1 TP $12.95
MAY042825 MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE VOL 3 #6 $2.95
JUN042917 MEGAMAN NT WARRIOR VOL 3 GN $7.95
MAY042868 MILK #42 (A) $3.50
JUN042665 MOONSTONE MONSTERS DEMONS #1 $2.95
JUL042790 NADESICO BOOK FOUR TP NEW PTG $9.99
MAY042285 NINJA HIGH SCHOOL #119 $2.99
MAY043032 NIPPLE MAGICIAN VOL 1 NEUE WALKURE #3 (OF 4) (A) $3.95
JUN042439 ONLY THE RING FINGER KNOWS VOL 1 GN $12.95
JUN042923 PRINCE OF TENNIS VOL 3 GN $7.95
JUN042756 REAL LIFE THE COMPLETE YEAR ONE COLLECTION GN (RES) $24.95
JUL042712 RUULE KISS & TELL #4 (Note Price) $1.99
JUL042516 SAINT MARIE MANGA VOL 2 TP $9.99
MAY042892 SCARY GODMOTHER SPOOKACULAR STORIES TP $9.95
JUN042926 SHAMAN KING VOL 4 TP $7.95
JUN042896 SHONEN JUMP VOL 2 #10 OCT 2004 $4.99
JUL042765 STARGATE SG1 FALL OF ROME #1 GOLD FOIL ED $5.99
JUL042517 STEEL ANGEL KURUMI MANGA VOL 8 TP (MR) $9.99
JUL042504 STRANGE EMBRACE TP (O/A) (MR) $14.95
JUN042078 STRANGERS IN PARADISE VOL III #68 $2.95
JUL042518 SWEET & SENSITIVE MANGA VOL 2 TP $9.99
JUL042519 THOSE WHO HUNT ELVES MANGA VOL 7 TP $9.99
JUL042846 TRANSFORMERS WAR WITHIN VOL 2 DARK AGES TP $17.95
JUN042402 TSUBASA VOL 2 GN $10.95
JUN042758 ULTIMATE DANGER COMICS COLL TP $9.95
JUL043317 ULTIMATE MUSCLE VOL 2 GN (RES) $7.95
MAY042362 WARREN ELLIS STRANGE KILLINGS #4 NECROMANCER WRAP CVR (Of 6) $3.50
MAY042361 WARREN ELLIS STRANGE KILLINGS NECROMANCER #4 (Of 6) (MR) $3.50
JUN042698 WILDFLOWER LOST YESTERDAYS #1 SGN ED $6.00
JUN042440 WORST VOL 1 GN $12.95
JUN042931 YU GI OH VOL 6 TP $7.95

MAGAZINES

FEB042842 007 MAGAZINE #43 $16.00
JUN042725 2000 AD #1401 $3.75
JUN042726 2000 AD #1402 $3.75
JUN042729 2000 AD EXTREME ED #5 $5.99
APR043054 COMIC BOOK MARKETPLACE #114 $6.95
JUL043397 COMIC SHOP NEWS #899 PI
JUL043445 GIANT ROBOT #34 $4.95
MAY043159 INTERNATIONAL TATTOO DEC04 $5.99
MAY043166 PENTHOUSE OCT04 (A) $7.99
JUN043099 PENTHOUSE VARIATIONS OCT04 (A) $4.99
JUN043056 PLAYBOY LINGERIE SEP OCT (A) $7.99
JUN043057 PLAYBOY SPECIAL SEP OCT (A) $7.99
MAY043169 PSE2 SEP04 $3.99
JUN043059 SFX #121 $8.25
JUN043014 SPORTS COLLECTORS DIGEST #1248 $4.50
JUN043063 STAR TREK COMMUNICATOR #152 $6.95
MAY043135 STARBURST #314 $6.99
MAY043136 STARBURST SPECIAL #65 $9.99
JUN043110 TATTOO NOV04 $5.99
JUN043113 THRASHER OCT04 $3.99
JUN043020 TOY CARS AND MODELS MAGAZINE OCT 2004 #79 $5.99
JUL043429 TOY SHOP #341 $4.99
JUN043069 ULTIMATE DVD #57 $7.99
JUN043070 VIDEO WATCHDOG #111 $7.95
MAY043184 XXL OCT04 $3.95

[FH]

Warner Bros. Remaking Hawaii Five-O
Source: ComingSoon!
Warner Bros. has acquired remake rights to Hawaii Five-O, with Ocean's Twelve screenwriter George Nolfi set to write the script, reports Variety. George Litto, who was the agent of series creator Leonard Freeman, will produce the film.

With its lush Oahu setting, popular theme song and signature lead detective character Steve McGarrett (played by Jack Lord), Hawaii Five-O is perhaps the most remake-friendly TV series not previously under studio control, says the trade. CBS broadcast the series from 1968 to 1980.

Nolfi has begun writing and filming is expected to start next Spring in Oahu for an early Summer 2006 release. There is even a time schedule for sequels. Nolfi is reportedly sticking close to the original "Five-O" series plot.

[FH]

Richard Linklater Helming Bad News Bears
Source: ComingSoon!
Paramount has hired director Richard Linklater (School of Rock) to helm The Bad News Bears with Billy Bob Thornton starring.

The new version reteams Thornton with Bad Santa writers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. The project is a contemporary remake of Paramount's 1976 comedy, which starred Tatum O'Neal as the pitcher and Walter Matthau as the manager of a team of misfits in an ultra-competitive Little League.

Variety says the comedy is moving into 11 weeks of pre-production with filming expected to begin in late November for a 2005 release.

[FH]

Liotta Engages in Criminal Behavior
Source: ComingSoon!
NBC has given the green light to a pilot, called Criminal Behavior, that stars Ray Liotta (Narc, Identity) as a smart, driven Los Angeles detective who tracks and hunts dangerous fugitives.

Unlike standard crime dramas that begin after the crime is committed, Criminal Behavior will follow ruthless criminals before they strike and will chronicle the cop's race against the clock to stop them, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The project comes from writer Shane Salerno and producer John Davis. The show will switch back and forth between the detective's job as a tough manhunter and his emotional personal life.

[FH]

Lucas revisits his Star Wars empire for box set
Source: USAToday


Hayden Christensen was 2 years old when George Lucas released his third Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi, in 1983. Now the actor who would be Darth Vader gets a magical cameo in the DVD version.


That's the biggest of several changes found in the movies that make up the Stars Wars Trilogy, available only in a four-disc box set that arrives on DVD Sept. 21 ($70).

For more than a year, Web sites have traded rumors about what might be in store from Lucas, who added to the films for 1997's Special Edition releases in theaters and on VHS. A few fans held out hope that the DVDs might include the original versions of the films. (Related story: Filmmakers pay tribute to Lucas and the movie that started it all)

But an early look at the DVDs reveals Lucas continues to exercise creative power over his Star Wars empire, and in his mind, the original versions are no more. The latest changes in the films — the most requested DVDs since the launch of the format seven years ago — are minor and mostly cosmetic:

•Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Christensen, who plays Anakin Skywalker in Episode II: Attack of the Clones and in the upcoming Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, now appears at the end of Jedi as Anakin's spirit. He replaces Sebastian Shaw, whose face you still see when Luke Skywalker removes the iconic black Darth Vader mask. (In all three films, David Prowse wore the Vader suit, and James Earl Jones provided the voice.)

•Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. In another change for continuity's sake, the Emperor, whose face is seen in a hologram broadcast, goes uncredited, but he sounds and looks like Ian McDiarmid, who played the Emperor in Return of the Jedi and Senator Palpatine in Episodes I and II. (Clive Revill is listed as the Emperor in the Empire credits.)

•Episode IV: A New Hope. Only subtle changes here. The cantina shootout between Han Solo and the green-snouted bounty hunter Greedo is virtually identical, but now it seems their guns fire almost simultaneously. Lucas had changed the original for the 1997 rerelease because it seemed that Han had fired first. Also, Jabba the Hutt has gotten a makeover and looks more realistic in his scene with Han than when it was added in 1997.

Undoubtedly, Lucas and his crew have made many other smaller tweaks. But they go by so quickly most viewers won't notice.

Overall, the expected changes on the DVDs aren't as dramatic as those for the Special Editions in 1997, says Scott Chitwood, one of the co-founders of TheForce.Net, a Star Wars fan/news site. "I think a few of the changes will only make sense after Episode III," he says.

Star Wars fan Mark Madison, 37, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and a member of USA TODAY's Pop Culture Panel, is unconcerned about the changes. "What made these movies so great is the story and the relationship between the main characters."

The trilogy's major transformation comes from the restoration project that brings the look of the films into the 21st century. Using transfers made from the original films' negatives, the Burbank, Calif., digital restoration house Lowry Digital Images cleaned up the movies so they look fresh.

The box set's bonus disc includes a preview of the final Star Wars chapter, due in theaters May 19, 2005, which will bring to an end three decades that Lucas has spent on the space saga.

"In the beginning ... it appeared the story was about Luke, but if you see all six films, then you realize the story is really about Darth Vader," Lucas says in the commentary track from Return of the Jedi. Carrie Fisher also assists on the commentaries, as do other crew members. Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill are seen in several of the extras.

There's also a collection of trailers, TV commercials, posters and rare production photos. "It is a way of having a piece of the Lucasfilm archive," says Jim Ward, executive producer of the DVD collection. "But it's also a way for fans who think they know everything to become inspired, surprised and amazed all over again."

[FH]

DEF LEPPARD: Best Of CD Details Revealed
Source: Blabbermouth

More information has been released regarding the upcoming DEF LEPPARD compilation album, "Best of Def Leppard", due in October via Island/Def Jam and Universal/Mercury. Described as "an updated 'replacement' version" of the band's previous greatest-hits compilation, "Vault" (1995), the new collection will be released in North America under the title "Super Vault".

There will be differences between various releases around the world; the North American version will have a different tracklisting than the U.K./European version, and in some markets, a limited-edition double CD will be released, including a brand new DEF LEPPARD version of "Waterloo Sunset" (originally recorded by THE KINKS). While the track listing for the North American "Super Vault" CD has not been confirmed yet, the U.K./European/Japanese "Best Of" release will feature the following tracks:

01. Pour Some Sugar On Me
02. Photograph
03. Love Bites
04. Let's Get Rocked
05. Two Steps Behind
06. Animal
07. Heaven Is
08. Rocket
09. When Love & Hate Collide
10. Action
11. Long, Long Way To Go
12. Make Love Like A Man
13. Armageddon It
14. Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad
15. Rock Of Ages
16. Hysteria
17. Bringin' On The Heartbreak

The limited-edition release contains an extra CD with the following tracks:

01. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
02. Waterloo Sunset
03. Promises
04. Slang
05. Foolin'
06. Now
07. Rock Brigade
08. Women
09. Let It Go
10. Too Late For Love
11. High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night)
12. Work It Out
13. Billy's Got A Gun
14. Another Hit And Run
15. Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion)
16. Wasted
17. Die Hard The Hunter

In conjunction with the CD release, a "Best of Def Leppard" DVD will also be released on the same day, containing the following promo videos:

01. Photograph
02. Rock Of Ages
03. Foolin'
04. Bringing On The Heartbreak (version 2, feat. Phil Collen)
05. Animal
06. Women
07. Pour Some Sugar On Me (USA live version)
08. Armaggedon It
09. Hysteria
10. Love Bites
11. Rocket
12. Let's Get Rocked
13. Make Love Like A Man
14. Heaven Is
15. Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad
16. Stand Up
17. Tonite
18. I Wanna Touch U
19. Two Steps Behind
20. Miss You In A Heartbeat
21. Action
22. When Love And Hate Collide (edited version)
23. Slang
24. Work It Out
25. All I Want Is Everything
26. Promises
27. Goodbye
28. Now
29. Long, Long Way To Go
30. Bonus Video: When Love And Hate Collide (8-minute version)

"Best Of" / "Super Vault" will replace the 1995 version of "Vault", which means it is now deleted from the band's catalogue and no more copies will be produced. "Vault" has sold over 7 million copies worldwide.

More details (such as the track listing and release date of the North American version, catalogue numbers, etc.) will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. All information stated above is still subject to change.