Sci-Fi Storm

New Zealand actor Kevin Smith, who played the war god Ares on Xena: Warrior Princess, died from a fall back on Feb. 6th according to the New Zealand Herald newspaper. Apparently the day after he finished filming Warriors of Virtue II in Beijing, he was at a training camp for a new Bruce Willis movie, Men of War, when he fell from as high as six stories. He later died from his injuries, with his wife and parents by his side. He also leaves behind three children.

Smith recently finished work on the SCI FI original film and potential pilot Riverworld, to be aired later this year.

Apparently Michael Shanks’ departure is causing an uproar (WARNING – minor spoiler for season finale in article), especially among the female viewers, who were apparently attracted to the soft-spoken archaeologist, Dr. Daniel Jackson. apparently the season finale has already aired in Britain on Jan. 30th, and fears are that the female audience, which SCI FI president Bonnie Hammer praised in talking about the transfer of the show from Showtime, will abandon it.

Looks like Matt Groening’s Futurama will have its last adventure. Fox announced that they have no plans to order any more episodes, at least not right now. Apparently the production schedule for it is such that Fox needs to make an early committment, which they are unable/unwilling to do at this time. However, 20 episodes are done or in production that will carry it through the 2002-2003 season. And of course, there are the requisite efforts to get Fox to change their minds…

Looks like a feature film version of the Six Million Dollar Man has moved into preproduction Miramax/Universal, and Richard Anderson is under contract to reprise his role as Oscar Goldman. Lee Majors may appear, but they are looking for a new face, but they are not ready to look for one yet. No idea if they’ll keep the original name – after all, with inflation and government budgets the way they are, I expect “Billion” to be part of it.

Mirimax will pass on making Ender’s Game; Cinescape Online is reporting that producer Frank Marshall is eager to get Indy 4 under way; and as everyone knows by now, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring has topped all comers with 13 Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture and Best Director. A.I, Shrek, Monsters Inc., Harry Potter, and Kate & Leopold also got nods.

Dean Stockwell, who played Al on Quantum Leap, will rejoin fellow leaper Scott Bakula on Scott’s new series, Enterprise. He’ll play an alien named Grat in the episode “Detained”, set to air in April. Apparently he was on the set when his older brother and actor Gus Stockwell passed away. Gus had guest appearances in a number of TV series, including Quantum Leap.

Apparently rumors were getting out of control, so the SCI FI Channel saw fit to tell everyone that they did not ask for any cast changes. As previously reported Corin Nemec will join the cast as Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson) will depart when the show moves to the channel this summer. Given how Shanks had been talking last year, I have no doubt he was leaving the show of his own volition.

Could Joanie Laurer, formerly Chyna of the World Wrestling Federation, be the next Terminator? Apparently Arnold thinks its a good idea. In an excerpt of interview in Latino Review, he says he’s a big fan and they are hoping she will come in for an interview for the role of a female Terminator. I certainly can see her in the part.

Update 2/21: The casting has been made, and Kristanna Loken, who appeared in Mortal Combat: Conquest as well as stints in Pensacola: Wings of Gold and Unhappily Ever After has been cast in the role of the T-X.

Meg Wyllie, who played the head Talosian known as “The Keeper” in the Star Trek pilot “The Cage”, passed away on January 1st. Her acting career went back to 1957 with numerous TV guest appearances.

Zap2It has a humorous story about the United Federation of Planets Bobsled Team at the Winter Olympics. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William Riker, Lt. Commander Data and Lt. Commander Worf will compete as a last minute entry – at least, so the actors say in a press release from Paramount. “We live to luge,” proclaimed Stewart. Funny that they say the Captain will sit in the lead position, although Brent Spiner was chosen for his “navigational skills”. Where do they think the driver sits? And Frakes is for “ballast”. Sounds right… :^)