Sci-Fi Storm

Several major studios announced 2008 dates for their projects. Here is a look at the SF&F features being prepared: The mysterious Cloverfield from J.J. Abrams, January 18th, Paramount; The Spiderwick Chronicles, February 15th, Paramount; Roland Emmerich’s 10,000BC, March 7th, WB; Jon Favreau’s Iron Man, May 2nd, Paramount; Wachowski Brothers Speed Racer, May 9th, WB; Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, May 22nd, Paramount; The Incredible Hulk, June 13th, Universal; Get Smart with Steve Carell, June 20th, WB; The Dark Knight, July 18th, WB; The remake of Death Race by John Carpenter, September 26th, Universal; Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, November 21st, WB; and J.J. Abram’s rendition of Star Trek, December 25th, Paramount.

Peter Berg (The Kingdom) has has confirmed rumors that he is set to direct a new version of Frank Herbert’s Dune. He mentions the David Lynch version, but says that “that interpretation has left the door wide open for a remake.” Interestingly the Sci-Fi Channel miniseries isn’t mentioned at all.

Apparently Orcrist has been buried. Pater Jackson and New Line have agreed to work together on The Hobbit, the prequel to The Lord Of The Rings, with Jackson assuming the role of executive producer. No director has been named yet. MGM will also be involved, splitting the production “50/50”, since they hold distribution rights. I’ll also note that the article says “prequel films“, with two planned films, and production scheduled to begin in 2009 with releases in 2010 and 2011. Update 12/20: Director Sam Raimi, who previously said he was in talks to direct The Hobbit (contingent on Jackson’s OK, who at the time was in a dispute with New Line), is expected to do so after his next project, Drag Me to Hell.

It’s been a long time coming, and we’ve been reporting on it for years, but Morgan Freeman says that Rendezvous With Rama closer than ever to going in to production. More formal production is hoped to start next year, although Freeman says they are still working on the script.

Actor Paul McGillion (Stargate: Atlantis) may have lost out on the role of Scotty, but apparently he still got a role in the upcoming Star Trek movie. It’s apparently a small role, which the producers found for him after being impressed with his audition.

David Twohy, who wrote and directed Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick), believes more Riddick could happen, according to a post on his web site. It would likely be an independent film, and thus be on a much smaller budget – but since Pitch Black was filmed for only $22 million, it’s possible.

Veteran actor Ben Cross (Dark Shadows) has been selected to play Spock’s father Sarek (originally played by Mark Lenard), and will be opposite Winona Rider as Spock’s mother Amanda Grayson (originally played by Jane Wyatt. Anyone else need to be cast? Yeoman Rand? Lieutenant Riley? I think I’ve mentioned Lieutenant Leslie before. Will they figure out how to include some of the Klingons like Kang and Kor? And will that be with or without ridges?

Andre Braugher (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer), who plays a military man in the upcoming updated Andromeda Strain, discussed how the movie has been updated with SCI FI Wire. Obviously the setting has been updated to the present day, but he calls the book “anticlimactic”, and that the new version is a “retelling of the story, with the same premise, but an entirely different retelling.” I’m a bit concerned about the comment, “There are elements of that film Sphere [which was also based on a Crichton book], … in terms of the involvement of another power in the creation of the virus.” Did there need to be some nefarious higher power involved?

William Shatner, having embraced his most famous role in recent years, wonders who he isn’t in the upcoming Star Trek movie. “I couldn’t believe it. I’m not in the movie at all. Leonard, God bless his heart, is in, but not me,” Shatner said. “I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office. It didn’t seem to be a wise business decision.” I think his ego might be talking a bit, but I personally am still surprised he doesn’t at least have a cameo.

Trek casting news seems to be the dominant theme lately. And it appears that Kirk has finally been chosen, at least unofficially. Director Joe Carnahan, who is working on White Jazz with George Clooney, has said in his blog that Chris Pine, who was up for a part in that movie, has chosen to “boldly go where no man
has gone before” – and we know he was also in discussions for the role of the young James Kirk in Trek XI.