Sci-Fi Storm

Cinescape is running a rumor about the mood on the set of Star Trek: Enterprise (not good), but also that Paramount prez Garry Hart might consider concessions to UPN to keep its franchise alive – and that could include ousting production staff, including long-time show runner Rick Berman. I think I hear cheering…

Well, its official – there is a new Babylon 5 project written by JMS, as told by him on rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated. However, we don’t know the name (just the initials: “B5:TMoS”), or what it is (series, TV movie, feature?) Hopefully more soon when the suits give the green light.

Well, it seems confirmed that Mike Judge’s 3001, which will star Luke Wilson (Old School), is not the version of Arthur C. Clarke’s 3001 – The Final Odyssey as I hoped it wasn’t. In this one, Joe Bowers, played by Wilson, is part of a hibernation program and wakes in 3001, where people have become so dumb he is the smartest person alive. I think the humor factor would be enhanced if it was his brother Owen (Zoolander) instead…

The Hollywood Report is running a story that the casting is done for The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. As previously reported, Martin Freeman (The Office) is Arthur Dent, Mos Def (The Italian Job) is Ford Prefect, and Zooey Deschanel (Elf) as Trillian. No confirmation on Bill Nighy as Slartibartfast, or who is playing Zaphod Beeblebrox.

This is late – it was announced yesterday but my day was screwed up…Not sure if this is the first step towards UPN killing it, but starting March 10th Star Trek: Enterprise is shifting to the 9pm ET slot formerly occupied by Jake 2.0, and in its place at 8pm will air the new computer animated half-hour show Game Over, with the voices of Patrick Warburton (The Tick), Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels), E.G. Daily (Powerpuff Girls) and Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live) who live in a video game universe. At 8:30pm UPN will air sitcom The Mullets.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King swepts its categories at the Golden Globes, winning Best Film Drama, Best Directory (Peter Jackson), Best Original Score and Best Song (“Into the West” performed by Annie Lennox). Those bodes well for the Oscars, for which nominations come out tomorrow. However, it will have to fight some Oscar traditions, which generally don’t favor sequels. Update 1/27: RotK took the lead with 11 nominations, but not for Cinematography, which the first one won in 2002, or any acting categories.

tchansen writes “According to SciFiWire (DVD Recuts Daredevil), the director’s cut of Daredevil will be quite different from the theatrical release, including a rating change from PG-13 to R. Personally, I thought that it was a bit too much for a PG-13 movie so I think this could be a good thing.”

Chris Gardner writes “It looks like Galactica is a go. The suits are worried about the per episode cost but strong ratings last month seems to have convinced them for a six episode try.

Scoop reported by Cinescape.” This is an unconfirmed report at this stage.

Enterprise‘s lead out show, Jake 2.0, has been cancelled by UPN, and given previous changes and uncertainty about Enterprise, this doesn’t bode well for Captain Archer and crew. I think regardless it will make it through the season to get the target goal of 3 season of shows for syndication, but it may be the shortest Trek show since the original. Shorter, in fact. The original went 79 episodes – Enterprise is only scheduled for 76.

Haven’t pre-ordered your copy of Jeremiah Season 1 yet? The kind folks helping promote the Stargate SG-1 and Jeremiah have forwarded this printable coupon (660k jpeg) for $5 from most any brick-and-mortar retailer.