Sci-Fi Storm

Co-executive producer of Bionic Woman, says via SCI FI Wire that the show has been canceled, although NBC has not said anything yet. Eick blamed “conditions under which we were making that show” and “I just felt that the process was so frustrating,” and in the end were unable to “bring it all together like we did with Battlestar.” Both NBC and SCIFI.com are owned by NBC Universal, so it seems pretty dead.

Kate from AtomFilms wrote us to let everyone know that AtomFilms is running the 2008 Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge: “Over here at AtomFilms we’re right in the thick of the 2008 Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge in partnership with Lucasfilm. We?d love it if you’d give the Closet Sci-Fi Geek readers a heads up that submissions are due by MAY 27 for the 2008 contest.

Star Wars fans should submit their parody, fan fiction or MASH-UP (new this year we even have a special tool for fans to create a mash-up online) by MAY 27 for consideration in this year’s Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge. Top fan movies will be selected by AtomFilms and Lucasfilm including GEORGE LUCAS as one of the judges! Awards will be announced at San Diego Comic Con on July 24th and at least one of the award-winning movies will air on SpikeTV!” The entries last year were pretty impressive – if you’ve been waiting to make your own Episode, or just have some SW-related fun, now’s your chance.

The media blitz is still in full swing. Next up is the SCI FI Channel special, Battlestar Galactica: Revealed, divided into 4 segments. Catch all 4 on our YouTube Channel (along with the previous videos), or Read More for the direct videos.

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Arthur C. Clarke, who has written more than 100 books, including the classics 2001: A Space Odyssey and Rendezvous With Rama, has passed away at the age of 90, in Sri Lanka where he has lived for many years.

While not new news, Paramount has announced that Peter Berg will direct a Dune remake, with Kevin Misher (The Scorpion King) as producer, who also worked with Berg (writer/director/producer of Friday Night Lights, but also recognizable as Dr. Billy Kronk on Chicago Hope) on The Rundown. Also mentioned as producer is Richard Rubenstein, who produced the SCI FI Channel’s miniseries versions, [sfs=158]Frank Herbert’s Dune[/sfs] and [sfs=312]Children of Dune[/sfs].

In a press release from MGM naming Mary Parent the chairperson of the Worldwide Motion Picture Group for MGM Studios, both Robocop and The Outer Limits among a focus “on its major movie franchises”. I’m not aware of The Outer Limits even being considered for a movie, how how it would be approached, but the thought is intriguing.

The guys behind It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia have scored a development deal with 20th Century Fox TV, which also includes a pickup of a pilot for an SF comedy entitled Boldly Going Nowhere. It’s called “high concept” and “not a spoof”, but there isn’t much detail yet.

Tye Bourdony (from The Lighter Side of Sci-Fi) wrote in to let us know about Star Trek: Voyager and Stargate Atlantis star Robert Picardo’s Second Annual Charity Auction, whioh takes place August 10th at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and will benefit Habitats for Humanity. Tickets are already available for the event.

Battlestar Galactica premieres its 4th (and final) season on April 4th (4 on 4/4? Numerology anyone?), but everyone is getting ready. Next Wednesday (March 19th), 10 cast members will appear on The Late Show With David Letterman (11:35pm ET, CBS) to present the Top 10 List. Cast members expected are Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park, Michael Hogan, Aaron Douglas and Lucy Lawless. In addition, you can now see three videos which I’ve placed in a new YouTube channel where I will upload all promotional videos. There is a new preview, the original teaser, and an 8-minute “What the frak…” recap. You can also Read More and see them as well.

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With all the confusion of the writer’s strike, the fates of many current and potential shows haven’t been decided yet. The Hollywood Reporter discusses some of them, along with some speculation on their fates. Included: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (should be back – Fox is pleased); Knight Rider (NBC is talking to a showrunner); Moonlight (waiting for post-strike hiatus return numbers); and Jericho, where no decision has been made yet but needs to be soon – they shot two final episodes, one if it ends for good, and one if it gets renewed…and there are only two episodes left to air.