Sci-Fi Storm

Producer Russell T. Davies says they are already planning the 4th series – with a just a drive to Manchester, 9 episodes were already planned. In addition, the actor who will play William Shakespeare has been announced: Dean Lennox Kelly, recently of British shows Sorted and Shameless.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the airing of “The Man Trap”, the first aired episode of the original Star Trek. It aired right after Daniel Boone on NBC. Ironically, Star Trek is now owned by CBS. I’m not aware of anything planned for tonight…please post if you do. There is more info about the re-rendering of the original special effects – notably the opening – for the 40th anniversary syndication edition on SCI FI Wire, which should begin airing on local stations on Sept. 16th.

Again, for a limited time, you can download the Season 3 trailer (5MB, WMV) for Battlestar Galactica. Be kind – please only download once and save, send it to friends, etc. Update: Link removed.

This is a suprise: As part of a restructuring at MGM Worldwide Television Distribution Group, it was mentioned that the group would handle distribution of 4 sequel films – including Species 4 and War Games 2. The followup to the 1983 hacker’s dream War Games will start shooting in November, and deal with what happens when they try and dismantle the WOPR. Time for everyone to dig out their IMSAI computers and hook them up…

Anonymous Coward writes “This is a great interview with James Callis and talks about season 3 of Battlestar without giving too much away:

http://www.ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=1659“

From the Whedonesque blog: The SCI FI Channel will run 11 episodes Firefly series on September 18th starting at 8am. I wonder if anyone keeps records of the “most watched cancelled show in history”…

Jam! Movies is running an article that Leonard Nimoy has been contacted about the upcoming Star Trek 11 production, and that he and Shatner may have some sort of involvement. Nothing has been said on what that involvement is, but Nimoy speculates that it may be done as some sort of flashback between the characters.

The NBC series Surface only lasted 15 episodes, but it seemed to be well-liked (it received the plurality of votes in our unscientific poll [Doc: Polls are no longer available on the site]), but suffered the same fate of its contemporaries (and most network SF) and was cancelled. Out now is the Surface: The Complete Series DVD set, which brings all 15 episodes and a few extras to the masses.

(continue reading…)

SCI FI Wire has provided some cast updates for the upcoming The Lost Room, along with a couple more details, including that it is a six-hour miniseries (which I’m sure is open-ended for a series run). It stars Peter Krause (Six Feet Under) as a homicide detective that discovers the key to the room. Also appearing are Julianna Margulies (er), Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives) and Elle Fanning (Charlotte’s Web). New cast announcements are Kevin Pollack (The Santa Clause 3) as a wealthy businessman after the key; Margaret Cho (Face Off), who will sell information on the objects for the right price; Dennis Christopher (Circuitry Man), as the county coroner; and Ewan Bremner (Trainspotting) as a petty thief.

TheOneRing.net is reporting a rumor from an insider that The Hobbit is on the production calendar at New Line Cinema, presumably for the formal start of production. Hopefully we’ll hear more about this soon.