Sci-Fi Storm

Communications Director writes in to let us know that Brent Spiner – best known for his role as Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as other roles in movies such as Independence Day and many stage productions – has been added to the guest list for the upcoming Phoenix Comicon, which takes place January 23-25, 2009. He joins Marina Sirtis and Wil Wheaton as the TNG representatives in an already extensive guest list. Read More for the press release.

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Heard this from JMS: World War Z just got a director in Marc Forster, who most recently directed Quantum of Solace). JMS is updating the script based on Marc’s notes, and Brad Pitt’s Plan B is producing.

It’s hack and slash season, and NBC has announced among other things that Christian Slater vehicle My Own Worst Enemy has been gunned down due to low ratings, not helped by the weakening lead in from Heroes. No word on how remaining episodes will be handled, especially since the last of the original order of 9 episodes is still filming. In the meantime the SCI FI series Sanctuary will enjoy a second season. The statement of “the first TV series to use live-action actors against virtual sets” is a bit troubling though. I think they may use ALL virtual sets, but I distinctly recall Babylon 5 using some virtual sets…

Popwatch has an exclusive image of the new Enterprise for the upcoming J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie. It isn’t a radical departure from the original design, but when I first saw it, the word that came immediately to mind was…”guppy”.

Everyone is afraid of getting downsized these days (including me), but in Hollywood it is usually all or nothing. Bucking that trend in a desperate bid to survive is Knight Rider, which will jettison three of the “home base” regulars – Sydney Tamiia Poitier (Carrie), Yancey Arias (Alex) and Bruce Davison (Charles Graiman) – and change the direction of the show. “We’re moving away from the terrorist-of-the-week formula and closer to the original, making it a show about a man and his car going out and helping more regular people, everymen,” according to executive producer Gary Scott Thompson. The sharks are circling though…can rescue come in time?

Marvel Studios seems to be going full bore with their Avengers franchise. After the success of Iron Man and the previously announced sequels plus The Avengers and Thor, it appears they may be looking to bootstrap another in the franchise, announcing that Joe Johnston (Jumanji, Jurassic Park III) will direct First Avenger: Captain America, set for release in 2011, although no script is in hand yet – in fact, they haven’t hired the writers yet…

This video (Read More to see it) is a brilliant tribute to the theme songs of John Williams, and the words of Star Wars. Before you think the guy in the video is the most awesomest singer on the planet, be aware the song is actually from these guys. But the video and the song are still cool…

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Lost will finally return to television, with the two-hour 5th season premiere being broadcast on Wednesday, January 21st at 9pm ET, returning to its original time slot. It will be preceded with the obligatory “Here’s everything you’ve forgotten” clip show.

In a surprise announcement, Fox has announced their midseason schedule, and it has Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is being moved to Fridays, and will lead in to Dollhouse, instead of the latter being paired with 24 on Mondays as originally planned. As if Joss Whedon’s new show didn’t have enough problems…Fridays are a notoriously low-rated night…

Forrest J. Ackerman, well known among the science fiction fandom community, is reportedly very ill, and is expected to pass away very soon – but there have been premature reports of his passing. Fans are welcome to send mail (old style) to Forrest to say goodbye (address is at the bottom of the article in the first link). Update: this site is the best place for updates.