Sci-Fi Storm

SCI FI Wire is running an article from an interview with Robbie Stamp, the producer of the upcoming Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In it he mentions how they tried not to do everything with CGI, as is the trend with most features these days, but rather use “practical” effects. Personally I think it wouldn’t fit the theme if everything was pefectly rendered CGI.

Joel Silver, in an discussion with SCI FI Wire, mentions that the Logan’s Run remake is still on track, but was waiting for Bryan Singer to get Superman out of the way, and is now aimed at a 2007 release. Chris McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) is currently working on the script, and Silver expects the movie to be as “smart” as the book, as opposed to the previous movie version. Also in the article is talk on V for Vendetta and The Reaping.

The first full trailer for The Hitchhhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is available exclusively at Amazon.com. Get your first look at the characters and such.

Disney, which is producing the feature film version of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, is looking to hear from fans. They are running a contest where you write a 250-word-or-less essay on why you are a fan and how you live according to the fictional guide. Six winners will get their profile posted on the official web site.

Warner Independent Pictures has trailers online for The Jacket, starting Adrien Brody (The Pianist) as Gulf War veteran Jack Starks who returns home suffering from amnesia, accused of murder, and committed to an institution. A doctor (Kris Kristofferson, the Blade trilogy) uses a controversial treatment which results in Starks having visions of Jackie (Keira Knightley, King Arthur), a woman from the future who lets him know he will die in 4 days. The Jacket opens March 4th. Quicktime: 56k, 100k, 300k; Windows Media: 56k, 100k, 300k. Update: The official web site can be found here. Update 2/23: iFilm now has a “bootleg” clip available for viewing.

The official Star Wars website has put up the text of the opening scoller for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The opening word: “War!” See the rest of the crawlers as well and compare…

OK, here is something new to try. Something reminded me of a movie from when I was a kid – it had to have been produced in the 70s, but precisely when I don’t know. I remember seeing it on TV a number of times, but I have no idea what the title was. I’d like to see if anyone can remember it from my description. Read More for the description, and then post your ideas.

(continue reading…)

Couple of tidbits: David Yates (British miniseries State of Play) has been selected as director for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which will begin production next January, and Stephen Fry (the various Blackadder productions) has agreed to be the voice of the Guide in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Disney has finally taken the dust cover off Tron and announced that they have signed screenwriters Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal to pen a remake, to bring the storyline up to modern technology. The original was way ahead of its time (and helped lead me into a life of computers) and perhaps should be left as is (except for perhaps a sequel). I wonder if this will go anywhere since these two have done nothing else before except for the announced Warrior, about the female peasant Boudica who led the Britons against the Romans in the first century.

tchansen writes “According to an article on the ComingSoon! website, James Cameron is planning on bringing Battle Angel Alita to the movie theater with a new 3-D digital production process, planned for 2007. Battle Angel Alita is a Japanese manga about a cyborg with a wiped memory being restored in the bad part of town in the semi-distant future. The original manga is very well drawn and scripted; hopefully Mr. Cameron can approach the original with his adaptation.”