Sci-Fi Storm

tchansen writes “According to Ain’t It Cool News, the character of Saruman has been cut from the beginning of ‘Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’. The scouring of the Shire isn’t in this movie at all, so the only place the character was featured was at the beginning. The story, a posting of an email between Harry Knowles and Peter Jackson, is that Peter felt that the seven minutes cut was really just tying up loose ends from the previous movie and messed up the pacing of the third movie. The seven minutes cut will return in the Extended Edition DVD released later next year.” You know, I read this several days ago, and never posted it.

Dreamworks has released the trailer for Shrek 2, the sequel to the suprise hit and Oscar-winning (and non-Pixar) CGI movie. (Other formats/resolutions available via Coming Soon). Shrek 2 follows the newlywedded couple to Fiona’s home of Far, Far Away to meet her parents – who are unaware of her curse, or her husband…Shrek 2 is expected in theaters May 24th, 2004.

This has been batted around before, and I remember at one point Chris Rock being mentioned which I assume would make it a comedy, but this one is new to me. Variety is reporting that Jim Carrey is expected to be the title character for Dimension Films comedy feature version of The Six Million Dollar Man. Todd Phillips would direct and share scribe duties with Old School partner Scot Armstrong.

Dark Horizons has hit on an undying rumor that the fabled Episodes 7-9 of the Star Wars trilogy of trilogies may still happen, despite Lucas’s adamant denials that they were ever planned. Apparently, Steven Spielberg might direct, with Lucas just writing – of if Lucas won’t, Frank Darabont (The Green Mile, Indiana Jones IV) will take up the pen.

IMAX has announced that The Matrix Revolutions will open at select IMAX theaters on November 5th, and even more theaters shortly afterwards. Also, The Matrix Reloaded comes out on DVD tomorrow.

Could the Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy finally get made? We’ve seen slow progress before. But CHUD is reporting that Spyglass/Disney has finally given the green light for production. No casting info but Jay Roach (Austin Powers) is still attached.

Principle photography has been completed for the final installment in the Star Wars films – 5 days ahead of its schedule of 12 weeks. Didn’t the original movie take over a year to shoot?

Warner Brothers Pictures has finally revealed the actor expected to ressurect the Batman franchise for a fifth movie: Christian Bale (Reign of Fire). In addition, some details have also been released – the movie will in essense be a prequel to the previous movies, following hte Dark Knight’s early career, directed by Christopher Nolan (Insomnia) and based on a script by Nolan and Dave Goyer (the Blade movies).

Wes Craven’s Cursed, which halted production in June, is now being rescripted at the behest of Dimension Films, which will probably result in recasting as well. And, in a further twist, Craven announced that Oscar-winning makeup wizard Rick Baker has closed up his shop and retired, leaving the makeup work for Cursed to KNB.

Universal has acquired the rights to Firefly from Fox and is set to a feature film. Production is set to start in the first quarter of 2004, and will be creator Joss Whedon’s directorial debut.