Sci-Fi Storm

Both Universal Orlando Resorts and Universal Studios Hollywood will be getting a new thrill ride – a rollercoaster based on the successful Mummy films – this summer, and Universal is oferring a chance for you to try it out. The ride melds a high-speed rollercoaster, CGI and immersive storytelling and aims to tweak 6 different common human fears. The ride opens May 21st in Orlando and June 25th in Hollywood. Enter the contest to win a trip for two to either location.

Pre-orders for the long-awaited release of the original Star Wars Trilogy are through the roof – and it isn’t out until September 21st. The set has commentary on each film from various people including Carrie Fisher and George Lucas, and an all-new documentary and making-of featurettes. You can now pre-order through us as well – Widescreen and Fullscreen.

The 2004 Hugo Awards and Retro Awards nominees have been announced. Some interesting entries – including Gollum’s acceptance speech from the 2003 MTV Movie Awards. The awards will be voted on at the 62nd Worldcon/Noreascon Four, held September 2nd-6th in Boston – at last, one I can attend!

Eric Reichert writes “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Eric Reichert, Eagle One Media (info@eagleonemedia.com)

Eagle One Media to distribute Marvel and CrossGen Digital Comic Books

Macomb, MI, April 9, 2004 – Eagle One Media, a multi-media company is proud to announce it will be distributing Intec Interactive’s full line of Marvel and CrossGen Digital Comic Books to retailers and will also offer the complete line to consumers via Eagle One?s website (www.eagleonemedia.com).”. Read More for the full announcement.

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Some tidbits to tide you over – expect no updates until at least Sunday afternoon: Enterprise may get a limited renewal of 12 episodes, with an option for 24; futuristic legal drama Century City has been cancelled due to bad ratings – no surprise since it was up against American Idol, which gets more people to call in and vote than watched City; the direct-to-video sequel to Starship Troopers, Starship Troopers: Hero of the Federation, will be released on June 1st; and you can now pre-order the theatrical release of The Return of the King and the whole trilogy from our store.

Profiles in History, who has run a few of these auctions before, is running another auction of Hollywood memorabilia at eBay Live. Plenty of genre stuff, including Star Wars, Star Trek, and others, and even a few rare items from the original Lost in Space and Space: 1999!

Ian Wheeler writes “Tuesday 4th & Wednesday 5th May, 7.30pm at the Third Floor Arts Centre, Central Library, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, box office 023 9268 8070 & Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th May, 7.30pm at The Lion and the Unicorn, 42 Gaisford Street, Kentish Town, London. Tickets ?6, ?5 concessions The Battered Suitcase Theatre Company presents CRASH MORGAN AND THE CURSE OF THE LOST TOTEM
by Ian Wheeler.” Read More for additional details. Might be worth a visit if you are in England…bit of a commute for me… 🙂

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Nick Pollotta writes “GIANT CALAMARI (squid) RECIPES
by Nick Pollotta
(permission to reprint is hereby granted)

Step One: First, kill the colossal, rampaging, squid. This is accomplished by (read the Fantasy/Humor novel, “That Darn Squid God!” by Nick Pollotta and James Clay.)
“ And what follows is a humorous recipe in case you ever find youself stuck with a few tons of rather large squid carcass…

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Actor Paul Winfield, who made numerous appearances and roles in genre movies and series such as Star Trek and Babylon 5, won an Emmy for his guest appearance on Picket Fences, and was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Sounder, died Sunday of a heart attack.

tchansen writes “According to the BBC News website, the DVD release of the theatrical version of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King will be at the end of May, not in August. The extended edition, which will make the extended trilogy over eleven hours long, will still be released towards the end of the year.” Cool…I may by the theatrical edition to tide me over, but since this is from the BBC, this may apply only to Region 2….whups…just caught on the SCI FI Wire sidebar that Variety is saying the same thing, so rejoice, for the King has returned!