Sci-Fi Storm

The Hunger Games continues to impress – the [asin=B0084IG7KC]Blu-ray/DVD release[/asin] was this past weekend, and there were plenty of midnight release parties – typically something reserved for blockbuster franchises after they have proven themselves. But it seems that it was warranted – it is estimated that 3.8 million discs were sold on the weekend. Plus the digital downloads were also the highest ever for the studio.

That should give Lionsgate plenty of momentum going forward with the production of the sequel, Catching Fire, eagerly awaited by fans with a November 22nd, 2013 (Thanksgiving weekend) release date.

Ron Howard’s ambitious multi-platform project to being Stephen King’s The Dark Tower to life – originally conceived as a trilogy of movies AND two TV series – is looking for studio backing again. After Universal balked on the project a year ago, Warner Bros stepped in – but now it seems even WB has passed on it, despite getting an updated script from Akiva Goldsman and buzz about Russell Crowe interested in a lead role.

But another funding source may be in the hunt, with Media Rights Capital interested. MRC recently funded the Seth MacFarlane hit comedy Ted, and also the upcoming Elysium starring Matt Damon and Jodi Foster and directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9). So for now, the project lives on.

Producer/director Tony Scott, who directed movies such as Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, Crimson Tide and True Romance and is the brother of producer/director Ridley Scott, died yesterday afternoon after an apparent suicide from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro, CA.

Tony had apparently been working on a sequel to Top Gun, despite over 25 years having passed since the original.

When news broke early this morning, friends and colleagues took to Twitter to express their feelings. Director Ron Howard was among the first, calling it a “tragic day”. Peter Fonda called him “brilliant” and actor Rob Schneider called him “a great director”, while Stephen Fry said he was “the most charming, modest man.”

Syfy’s Face Off competition returns this Tuesday at 9/8c, and the very first challenge will have a Star Wars theme! Check out a sneak peek below…and also find out how you can win a chance to see Face Off live in Hollywood on Halloween in the “FANtastic Transformation” Challenge using the Face Off Challenge Facebook app, and then submitting your image here.

From our friends at The Thunder Child: Richard Groh is an aviation and space artist who has been producing his almost-photographic work for over forty years. His illustrations have appeared in several books and magazines. The Thunder Child interviewed him, and you can read about it here. He talks about his childhood, how he developed his craft, and shares his illustrations of Tom Corbett’s Polaris, the Luna rocketship from Rocketship X-M, and much more.

In this preview for next Monday’s Alphas, Rachel is kidnapped and the culprit may be an Alpha in a comatose state. Guest starring Connor Price (Good Luck Chuck), Noah Reid (Strange Days at Blake Holsey High), and Lauren Holly Dumb & Dumber). “Gaslight” airs this Monday at 10/9c on Syfy.
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In this preview for next Monday’s all-new Warehouse 13, Mrs. Fredricks teaches Claudia to look beyond what she sees…tune in Monday at 9/8c on Syfy to find out what she witnesses…
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Actgor and Robot Chicken creator Seth Green has joined the mini-series Delete, which is being penned by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, who wrote and produced for all three installments of the Stargate TV franchise. Delete is being directed by Steve Barron (the Merlin mini-series and the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie), produced by Brightlight Pictures and distributed by Sonar Entertainment. No outlet has been announced as of yet.

Delete is about “what happens when the web becomes dangerously self-aware with one systematic purpose: to destroy mankind. Faced with extinction, there is only one way out, to create a second artificial intelligence that’s equally alive, intelligent and dangerous.”

Cast members also include Keir Gilchrist (United States of Tara), Matt Frewer (Watchmen, Eureka, Max Headroom), Janet Kidder (Continuum), Erin Karpluk (Being Erica, Life Unexpected), Gil Bellows (Ally McBeal, Flash Forward) and Ryan Robbins (Sanctuary, Falling Skies).

Speaking of the Man in the Iron Suit, it appears that Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. injured his foot during a stunt on set. According to Disney:

While performing a stunt on the set of Iron Man 3, Robert Downey Jr. sustained an injury to his foot. There will be a short delay in production while he recuperates.

Nothing else is known at this point. This comes on the heels of actress Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory) who suffered injuries to her hand in an automobile collision in New York City yesterday. Fortunately she tweeted yesterday (with her husband typing) that she was “in pain but will keep all my fingers,” and she was back on set today.

Planning way ahead after confirming that Joss Whedon will be on board for the inevitable sequel to the mega-blockbuster The Avengers, Disney and Marvel Studios have already set a release date of May 1st, 2015, just a day short of a year from The Amazing Spider-Man sequel, which is a year-less-a-day after Iron Man 3. It seems that Marvel wants to own the beginning of May…

The Avengers comes out on [sfs=1249]Blu-ray[/sfs] and [sfs=1250]DVD[/sfs] on September 25th.