Sci-Fi Storm

The American Film Institute has announced the nominees for the 2001 AFI Awards, and several genre movies get the nod, including Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (including Movie of the Year), A.I., and Shrek. Even Buffy the Vampire Slayer is nominated for Drama of the Year.

First co-exec producer Robert Hewitt Wolfe left – now it’s Brent Stait, who plays the Magog Rev Bem on Andromeda. Brent’s departure, however, doesn’t seem to be political, but rather personal – seems he’s been having trouble with all the prosthetic makeup – he was allergic. As far as how they well handle the loss on-air, rather than bring a new actor on board, his “traits” would be distributed among the others. “…keep your eye on Trance,” said Seth Howard, an executive with Tribune Entertaiment, in a chat at the official web site.

Fox has sent out a press release for the upcoming X-Men sequel, and it is to be called X². Everyone should be returning – with the notable exception of Tom DeSanto in the production staff. And a few new mutants will be joining – but no mention of who…see the press release at Coming Attractions.

The SCI FI Channel has picked up all 13 episodes of the short-lived ABC show Strange World, a spokesperson told SCI FI Wire. The show aired in March 1999, but was cancelled after just three episodes aired, leaving 10 episodes unaired. SCI FI will air them next February.

The producers of the BBC’s Doctor Who radio series have announced that Anthony Michael Head, who plays Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will voice the Doctor for a series of episodes entitled Excelis. Previous Doctors Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, and Colin Baker will also appear.

A brief review of the final novel in the Passing of the Techno-Mages trilogy, Invoking Darkness, by Jeanne Cavelos. Spoiler warnings apply.

(continue reading…)

George Lucas has put a number of items from the Star Wars movies up for auction on eBay to benefit the Auction for America. Items include Darth Maul’s stunt lightsaber, a Stormtrooper helmet, Darth Vader mask, and a number of models built by ILM. Get ready to bust those credit limits…

The SCI FI Channel has put up some new information on their Babylon 5: Legend of the Rangers Website. It includes interviews with Doug Netter (Executive Producer), Jennie Hogan (Na’Feel), and Andreas Katsulas (G’Kar), a chan transcript with Dean Marshall (Malcolm Bridges), and an upcoming chat on Thursday, Dec 13th, with Warren T. Takeuchi (Kitaro Sasaki
).

I can’t believe I missed this. On November 20th, all 14 episodes of the 70s TV series Planet of the Apes was released on video. I remember this as a kid…especially the subway scene where Urko learns of the true history of the planet…and check out the review at Test Pattern. I’ve added a Miscellaneous section to the Sci-Fi TV Store for things like this.

Fox Home Entertainment has announced that the entire first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be released next month, currnetly January 15th. Thus we’ve given Buffy her own spot in the Sci-Fi TV Store.