Sci-Fi Storm

SCI FI Wire has some exclusive concept art for the planned Stargate Universe spinoff, showing some set ideas for the Ancient ship called the Destiny.

We’ll probably hear a lot of rumors, but the latest is that Doctor Who could see its first black actor to play the role. Paterson Joseph, who guest starred in the first season episodes “Bad Wolf” and “The Parting of the Ways” as Roderick, and more recently appeared in Jekyll (which, by the way, was created by Steven Moffat – who takes over the production reins of Who in 2010), is the latest rumor to float around. However, he is currently involved in the revival of the mid-1970s BBC series Survivors.

NBC has picked up 9 more episodes of Knight Rider to fill out the season, getting modest ratings so far.

Despite previous reports, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles will get a full second season, with Fox exercising the option on the remaining nine episodes.

The Thunder Child writes “Suspense was the longest running mystery/crime/sf anthology series on radio. It attracted major Hollywood stars. Matinee idols like Cary Grant liked to appear on Suspense because they could be cast against type as cold-blooded killers, comedians like Bob Hope and Red Skelton enjoyed dramatic roles. Jack Benny appeared on Suspense three times. In “Plan X,” he plays a Martian who is tasked with preventing an invasion of Mars from Earth. Okay, it’s not much of a dramatic role, but you can listen to it at: http://thethunderchild.com/RadioDrama/Suspense/PlanX.html. While you listen, watch the roll call of Suspense episodes page across the screen.

Also new at The Thunder Child is our guide to SF and fantasy authors available at YouTube. They’ve given talks, appeared on panels and so on, and the copyright holders of this material (either the authors or the film producers) have put them on YouTube. See and listen to Isaac Asimov, Octavia Butler, Arthur C. Clarke, Norman Spinrad and so on. Check out Asimov first at
http://thethunderchild.com/YouTubeGuide/AsimovYouTube.html, then follow the link back to the index for more authors.”

It is scant on details, but writer/director Kevin Smith (Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back) is developing a space comedy, his first SF film, which will revolve around a father-son relationship and pay homage to other SF films. Update 10/21: Smith is downplaying the report, saying that he frequently mentions wanting to do it…

This is actually old news, but I got curious to find out the latest on what is happening with Red Dwarf since it has been so long. I did find this: although funding for the hoped-for movie as not materialized, they will be producing 4 TV episodes – two “proper” episodes, and two related programs. One will be a behind the scenes special, and the other, according to Robert Llewellyn (Kryten), “…is so exciting I’ve been asked not to say anything about that because other people will steal the idea – and it is a great idea, quite challenging for us as performers.”

Michael Ausiello appears to have broken the news first, but SCI FI Channel has officially confirmed that the final episodes of Battlestar Galactica will air over 10 weeks starting January 16th

Various images relating to the new J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie are appearing around the web. Two notable ones are attached to an interview in Entertainment Weekly (including the cover photo), along with collections of photos over at TrekMovie.com. From the looks of it, this is going to be a re-imagining (like with Battlestar Galactica), with some elements severely updated (like the bridge), and stretching if not breaking existing canon.

Emily Epstein writes “MileHiCon, the Rocky Mountain Region’s largest literary science fiction convention will be celebrating its 40th anniversary October 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center-Denver. Run entirely by volunteers, MileHiCon will feature more than 80 authors and speakers, programming on every aspect of the science fiction and fantasy genres, the largest science fiction/fantasy art show
in the region, round-the-clock gaming, 19 dealers of science fiction-, fantasy-, and horror-related materials, and a masquerade (costume contest). The convention will also feature video and anime rooms, plus a special programming track especially for children (but grownups are welcome too). The Critter Crunch, the first robotic combat competition from which all others came, will be held on Sunday, and its younger aquatic sibling, the Critter Flotilla, will be held Friday night.” Read More for more details.

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