There will be a sequel to the successful (and a leader in the 3D movie trend) Journey To The Center Of The Earth, but it will not see the return of the original’s star, Brendan Fraser due to issues with schedules. Instead, it will likely feature a new character played by Dwayne Johnson, as the boyfriend of the mother of Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson, possibly the only returning actor). The new film is currently titled “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” and is loosely based on the Jules Verne story by that name. Interestingly, that story was a sequel to Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, so it may make for an interesting adaptation…

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: O’Bayley Communications – 760/778-3525 Tim O’Bayley • tim@obayley.net
or Nicky Vallee • nicky@obayley.net

SMALL BUDGET PRODUCTION BUCKS BIG STUDIOS
WITH INDIE SPIRIT & OSCAR-WINNING ACTOR

PALM SPRINGS – August 24, 2010: Enemy Mind, a science fiction-style film written, produced and directed by an upstart cast and crew, is now available on DVD. The film was shot on location in the Salton Sea area of Southern California’s Imperial Valley in early 2010, and completed on a shoestring budget.

“I still can’t believe we did this with only $9,000,” marvels Xu Razer, who plays a futuristic terrorist in the film and is also credited as co-producer. “More than two-thirds of that money was spent to hire Academy Award Winning Actor Ernest Borgnine, who provides the voice for a key character in the film. I don’t know of anyone who has ever pulled off something like this on such a small budget, and we are extremely proud of the accomplishment.” Borgnine will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 17th annual SAG Awards Jan 30 2011 to be broadcast on TNT and TBS.

The action takes place in the year 3074 A.D. when a prison transport ship carrying some of the galaxy’s most dangerous criminals has crash-landed on a remote planet. Only two people survive the wreck: a terrorist accused of a bombing a spacecraft and a soldier ordered to ensure the accused prisoner stands trial for his crime. Each becomes determined to control the other in the name of conviction and faith.

“We wanted so badly to make a movie that would test the boundaries of perception and the concept of reality as it pertains to certain ideologies,” explains Razer, who also moonlights as a doorman at a Palm Springs bar. “The themes are powerful. I believe this is something that will resonate with a wide range of audiences, and we’ve already gotten tremendous feedback.”

Written and directed by Brennan Reed, Enemy Mind is now available for VOD at www.bigstar.tv and indieflix.com and on DVD at Amazon.com and at select Video Depot locations in Southern California. For more information or to schedule an interview, e-mail bnh760@aol.com or go to www.enemy-mind.com.
# # #

This post was submitted by Dan Gruenberg.

Wendy writes in: We are happy to announce that part one of the Star Wars fan film, A Light in the Darkness, has been released. This is a high quality film made with a very small budget. Please check it out at http://www.alightinthedarknessfilm.com/the-film/ and let us know what you think.

This post was submitted by Wendy.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 had a test screening in Chicago today (why wasn’t I invited?!?), and the folks at MuggleNet were there, and collecting the feedback. “I just saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. …And it was beyond excellent.” reads the first review.

Apparently there was a growing optimism among the Tolkien fans that there would be a pending announcement on August 21st – hopefully the greenlight on production of The Hobbit – based on a private event following a “refurbishment” being held at the Weta Cave. But later reports showed that the event is nothing special. But if the sets are indeed being unpacked, there is still hope.

Are you really tall (> 6′ 5″) or short (< 4′ 10″) and don’t mind prosthetic makeup? Think you can play stereotypical 1960s New Yorkers, like hippies, bikers, businessmen, etc.? Got a 1960s set of wheels in good condition? If so, there is an open casting call for the upcoming Men In Black 3 movie which will begin filming in NYC in October. The open call will be held on Monday, Aug. 16 from 10am to 4pm at Metropolitan Pavilion, 110 W 19 St (between 6th & 7th Aves) in Manhattan. Here is the full release:
(continue reading…)

The following guest article was sent in by Mark Edlitz, director/producer of Jedi Junkies:

My friends and I made a movie about extreme Star Wars fans called JEDI JUNKIES. The film is 75 minutes long and took 4 years to make. Doing a little simple math (and using an online calculator) that means that it took an average of 19.4 days for each minute of screen time. Given that glacially slow work pace people ask me, “Why did you make JEDI JUNKIES?” That’s an easy answer: It was a labor of love.
(continue reading…)

It’s been a while since there was news – now apparently Columbia Pictures would like to remake Total Recall, and are lining up Len Wiseman to direct. Kurt Wimmer (Ultraviolet) is working on the screenplay, to be produced by Neil H. Moritz (I Am Legend). Wiseman last directed a feature with 2007′s Live Free And Die Hard, along with the first two Underworld features.

For what is apparently the last Star Wars spoof that Family Guy will apparently tackle, the Return Of The Jedi spoof Family Guy: It’s A Trap! will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on December 21st, just in time for some last minute shopping – although I hope you’ll order now through those links! Fans at Comic-Con got a short preview of it, but we can expect Carrie Fisher (or at least her voice) to make a cameo, along with Michael Dorn and Patrick Stewart in their Star Trek personae, and even Rush Limbaugh as the Rancor!

Thanks to Greg for the following coverage from Comic-Con: As you already know, Comic-Con is going on and the coverage is amazing this year with live streams from every panel as well as up to the minute breaking news and insider interviews. I thought I would let you know about “The Green Hornet” coverage that is up on MakingOf.com. Two interviews were uploaded today, as well as a photo gallery. In one interview, Christoph Waltz admitted to being “acomic” before doing “The Green Hornet”. He had never been exposed to anything having to do with the whole Comic-Con culture. It will be interesting to see how well he plays the character of Chudnofsky.
(continue reading…)

This post was submitted by Greg.