Sci-Fi Storm

John Malkovich (Johnny English) is set to join the cast of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy as Humma Kavula, a religous cult leader. Don’t remember that name? You shouldn’t – it is a role the late Douglas Adams added strictly for the movie.

Both Universal Orlando Resorts and Universal Studios Hollywood will be getting a new thrill ride – a rollercoaster based on the successful Mummy films – this summer, and Universal is oferring a chance for you to try it out. The ride melds a high-speed rollercoaster, CGI and immersive storytelling and aims to tweak 6 different common human fears. The ride opens May 21st in Orlando and June 25th in Hollywood. Enter the contest to win a trip for two to either location.

Didn’t have time to post this yesterday – the release date for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has been set – November 18, 2005. And somehow, I missed posting this before – you can catch a 10 minute preview of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (which opens June 4th) at the conclusion of ABC’s network airing of Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone on May 9th, along with I believe some interview snippets during the breaks.

Pre-orders for the long-awaited release of the original Star Wars Trilogy are through the roof – and it isn’t out until September 21st. The set has commentary on each film from various people including Carrie Fisher and George Lucas, and an all-new documentary and making-of featurettes. You can now pre-order through us as well – Widescreen and Fullscreen.

The 2004 Hugo Awards and Retro Awards nominees have been announced. Some interesting entries – including Gollum’s acceptance speech from the 2003 MTV Movie Awards. The awards will be voted on at the 62nd Worldcon/Noreascon Four, held September 2nd-6th in Boston – at last, one I can attend!

Eric Reichert writes “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eric Reichert, Eagle One Media (info@eagleonemedia.com)

Eagle One Media to distribute Marvel and CrossGen Digital Comic Books

Macomb, MI, April 9, 2004 – Eagle One Media, a multi-media company is proud to announce it will be distributing Intec Interactive’s full line of Marvel and CrossGen Digital Comic Books to retailers and will also offer the complete line to consumers via Eagle One?s website (www.eagleonemedia.com).”. Read More for the full announcement.

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tchansen writes “According to Slashdot and LucasArts the theatrical worldwide release will be … May 19, 2005. Well, nearly world wide; Japan will get it in July, the traditional date in Japan for Star Wars releases.”

SCI FI has officially announced its upcoming programming, which includes Farscape: Peacekeeper War and Earthsea, mentioned previously, as well as Dresden Files, a two-hour back-door pilot based on the Jim Butcher novels; History of the Devil, a six-hour mini with the Devil trying to get back into heaven via the courts; Witchhunter Robin, a live action version of the Japanese anime series; Amazing Screw-On Head, a half-hour comedy based on the comic book; and Monster Smash, a monster-vs-monster “reality” show from Stan Winston. Cinescape is also reporting a four-hour mini based on Larry Niven’s Ringworld, but this seems to be missing from the official announcement, and I haven’t heard from Larry yet…

Anonymous writes: I found this tidbit at the Save Farscape site.

Farscape will be returning as a 4-hour mini-series. The mini-series is in production now, back in Sydney, Australia. Claudia Black, Ben Browder, Gigi Edgley, Anthony Simcoe, and Raelee Hill are all reported to be signed up. The mini-series was written by series creator Rockne S. O’Bannon and executive producer David Kemper, and is being directed by Brian Henson. Filming began December 15th, 2003 and is expected to run until mid-March 2004. Update 4/5: SCI FI has confirmed the miniseries, and it is to be called Farscape: Peacekeeper War

In contrast to previous statements, Richard Hatch (Apollo on the original) has confirmed he is in final negotiations to appear on a guest spot of the new Battlestar Galactica (also confirmed by Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore). The character will be a prisonor on a prison ship in a kind of Nelson Mandela role, and may be a recurring character. Hatch had previously stated that he was not interested in cameos have having mounted his own 5 year revival campaign.