Sci-Fi Storm

Gateworld is reporting that composer Joel Goldsmith, oldest son of the late legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith, passed away yesterday at the age of 54.

Goldsmith composed the music for all three Stargate series (for which he was nominated three times for an Emmy) as well as many other series and episodes as well as TV movies and films. He also collaborated with his father (well known for his work on the Star Trek franchise since Star Trek: The Motion Picture) on Star Trek: First Contact.

Check out the latest video on The Avengers, which includes director Joss Whedon’s commentary about the scuffle between team members Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth). The Avengers has already opened in 39 international markets and is breaking records, so far taking in $181.5 million in just 5 days. It opens in the U.S. this Friday.

NBC has already given an early renewal order for 22 more episodes of hit series Grimm – now it seems that it wants to bring it back earlier than the customary September debut, instead bringing it back in August to fill the gap after the network’s Olympics coverage, taking advantage of the huge opportunity for promotion of its shows and they wouldn’t want to lose the momentum by having several weeks pass, while NBC should be coming off of a ratings high and has been looking to get out of the ratings basement overall. New comedy series Go On starring Friends alum Matthew Perry also is being eyed for an early start.

Expect Grimm to get right back into production soon…word is the writers are already at work.

The BBC has announced the start of production on Russell T. Davies’ new series for CBBC, Wizards Vs Aliens, at BBC’s Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff and on location around the area.

Wizards Vs Aliens brings magic and sci-fi together to tell an epic tale. Aliens are intent of devouring all the magic on Earth – one 16-year-old boy stands in their way.

Tom Clarke is a seemingly ordinary boy who loves football. He lives with his dad Michael and grandmother Ursula in an ordinary house in an ordinary street – but there’s something different about Tom. He has an astonishing secret – his family are Wizards! When the alien Nekross arrive on Earth hungry for magic, there’s big, big trouble in store for all wizardkind.

With the help of his friend and science super-brain Benny, Tom must stop them – but will these two unlikely heroes succeed, or will the Nekross devour all the magic on Earth with disastrous results for the whole planet?

Starring newcomers Scott Haran as Tom Clarke and Percelle Ascott as Benny Sherwood, the series also features Annette Badland (Doctor Who, The Sparticles Mystery) Michael Higgs (Eastenders) Jefferson Hall (Doctors, Emma) and Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones). Don Gilet (Eastenders, Doctor Who) and Nina Sosanya (Teachers, Love Actually) make guest appearances as Benny’s parents.

Wizards Vs Aliens (12 x 30 minutes), produced by BBC Cymru Wales in association with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), will be broadcast on CBBC in Autumn 2012. The executive producers are Russell T Davies, Bethan Jones and Gina Cronk for the BBC, and Bob Higgins and Sander Schwartz for FME. The producer is Brian Minchin and co-producer Phil Ford.

No word on outlets in North America at this time, but if The Sarah Jane Adventures is an indication, if it even gets a North American outlet, it will likely lag behind the UK airing significantly.

Fringe fans can finally breathe again. It will be back for one final season of 13 episodes.

Fox Broadcasting’s President of Entertainment Kevin Reilly announced today, “Fringe is a remarkably creative series that has set the bar as one of television’s most imaginative dramas. Bringing it back for a final 13 allows us to provide the climactic conclusion that its passionate and loyal fans deserve. The amazing work the producers, writers and the incredibly talented cast and crew have delivered the last four seasons has literally been out of this world. Although the end is bittersweet, it’s going to be a very exciting final chapter.”

J.J. Abrams, who is the executive producer and co-creator, said: “We are thrilled and beyond grateful that Fox – and our fans – have made the impossible possible: Fringe will continue into a fifth season that will allow the series to conclude in a wild and thrilling way. All of us at Bad Robot are forever indebted to our viewers and the amazingly supportive Fox network for allowing the adventures of Fringe Division to not only continue, but to resolve in a way that perfectly fits the show.”

Here are some preview videos for tomorrow night’s all-new episode of Grimm: In addition to dealing with the Reapers, Nick stresses about explaining Monroe to Juliette as he explores the tools from Aunt Marie’s trailer. Tune in to NBC tomorrow night at 9/8c
(continue reading…)

Syfy announced today that Defiance, it’s most ambitious “transmedia” project so far – a scripted series that crosses over with a massively-multiplayer online game – began production in Toronto, Ontario.

DefianceTM, the revolutionary transmedia event launching in Spring 2013, has commenced production on the series pilot in Toronto, ON. An unprecedented partnership between Syfy and Trion Worlds, Defiance is the first-ever convergence of television and Massive Multiplayer Online gaming, featuring an interconnected world and storylines that will co-exist on both platforms.
(continue reading…)

…or is it a shot from an upcoming episode? Well, we’re not sure it is either, but a Doctor Who fan, @HolyFrell, tweeted a pic to showrunner Steven Moffat showing the Beatles in a jam session, and there is a familar looking person in the foreground…

(click to embiggen)

Has the 11th Doctor already crossed paths with the Beatles? Well…probably not. But it does look an awful lot like Matt Smith there…

Moffat replied that “Clearly we’re going to make that episode!!”

Syfy, in advance of their upfront presentation tonight in NYC, unveiled a list of both unscripted and scripted programming that is currently in development – their largest development slate ever. Here are all the details I have:
(continue reading…)

After yesterday’s episode of twists and sadness, the Eureka storyline continues with an all-new episode on Monday, with a surprise: In search to locate his missing friends, Carter makes nice with an unlikely ally. But in this clip, Zane starts to see through the illusion. Tune in next Monday at 9/8c to see what happens…
(continue reading…)