23 years of this site still chugging along...
Warehouse 13 preview: “Fractures”
by Doc on Aug.22, 2012, under Television
In next Monday’s episode of Warehouse 13 hen a thrift shop worker discovers a dressing mirror in the back room that happens to be an artifact, she accidentally releases the psychopath that the Warehouse agents had trapped inside…tune in Monday at 9/8c to see what happens! Lindsay Wagner returns to guest star again as Dr. Calder too!
(continue reading…)
Sam Clafin finally confirmed as Finnick for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
by Doc on Aug.22, 2012, under Movies
The biggest question mark regarding casting for the upcoming sequel to The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, was who was going to play the role of Finnick Odair, the former Games winner from District 4 who is a big part of the last two books in the trilogy. Sam Clafin (Snow White and the Hunstman, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) was reportedly the choice for the role last month but had a conflict. Now Lionsgate confirms that Clafin is signed for the role.
From the press release:
Santa Monica, CA, August 22, 2012- Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE are pleased to announce that Sam Claflin has been cast in the role of Finnick in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel Catching Fire. Charasmatic and clever, Finnick was a District 4 Hunger Games victor when he was fourteen.
After breaking out in his role as the romantic lead in last year’s PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, Claflin starred in the box office smash SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN playing Prince William alongside Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth. He recently finished filming THE QUIET ONES opposite Jarred Harris, and MARY & MARTHA, in which he co-stars with Hilary Swank.
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has sold more than 50 million books in print and digital in the U.S. alone.
Lionsgate will release THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE on November 22, 2013.
It’s official – Doctor Who on September 1st in UK AND US
by Doc on Aug.22, 2012, under Television
Just as it was looking like the debut of the seventh series of Doctor Who wouldn’t be seen until at least the weekend of September 8th, the BBC has finally confirmed that “Asylum of the Daleks” will debut on Saturday, September 1st on BBC One. And as an added bonus, a series of 5 mini-webisodes will start online on August 27th called “Pond Life”, and as the name implies it will get u caught up with the Ponds since the end of the last series. Look for it on the official site.
Still no word, however, from BBC America as to when it will air. The hope is that they will keep in sync with same-day broadcast, but currently they show a Series 6 marathon followed by the two-hour “The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe” at 8pm ET. No reason that couldn’t change, however… 🙂
UPDATE: BBC America DID confirm a short time ago that they will indeed air it the same day, at 9:00 ET! And SPACE just tweeted the same day and time in Canada…
Syfy takes on Blake’s 7 remake
by Doc on Aug.21, 2012, under Television
If you’ve followed me these 12 years, there are two series I’ve really wanted to see remade – Space: 1999, which is in the works with Jace Hall (and my main requirement there is they keep the production design of the base, Eagles, etc.), and Blake’s 7, which was recently being shopped to U.S. networks by Georgiaville Television.
Now Syfy has stepped up and will develop the remake with a script-to-series commitment (if they like the script, it will get a 13-episode green light). Joe Pokaski (CSI, Heroes) is writing the script, and Martin Campbell (Casino Royale, Green Lantern) will direct.
I can’t wait to grill the Syfy executives on this one…
The Hunger Games still on fire – almost 4M discs sold
by Doc on Aug.21, 2012, under Movies, Video/DVD
The Hunger Games continues to impress – the [asin=B0084IG7KC]Blu-ray/DVD release[/asin] was this past weekend, and there were plenty of midnight release parties – typically something reserved for blockbuster franchises after they have proven themselves. But it seems that it was warranted – it is estimated that 3.8 million discs were sold on the weekend. Plus the digital downloads were also the highest ever for the studio.
That should give Lionsgate plenty of momentum going forward with the production of the sequel, Catching Fire, eagerly awaited by fans with a November 22nd, 2013 (Thanksgiving weekend) release date.
The Dark Tower project searching for funding again
by Doc on Aug.21, 2012, under Movies
Ron Howard’s ambitious multi-platform project to being Stephen King’s The Dark Tower to life – originally conceived as a trilogy of movies AND two TV series – is looking for studio backing again. After Universal balked on the project a year ago, Warner Bros stepped in – but now it seems even WB has passed on it, despite getting an updated script from Akiva Goldsman and buzz about Russell Crowe interested in a lead role.
But another funding source may be in the hunt, with Media Rights Capital interested. MRC recently funded the Seth MacFarlane hit comedy Ted, and also the upcoming Elysium starring Matt Damon and Jodi Foster and directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9). So for now, the project lives on.
Producer/director Tony Scott has died
by Doc on Aug.20, 2012, under Movies, Obituaries
Producer/director Tony Scott, who directed movies such as Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, Crimson Tide and True Romance and is the brother of producer/director Ridley Scott, died yesterday afternoon after an apparent suicide from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro, CA.
Tony had apparently been working on a sequel to Top Gun, despite over 25 years having passed since the original.
When news broke early this morning, friends and colleagues took to Twitter to express their feelings. Director Ron Howard was among the first, calling it a “tragic day”. Peter Fonda called him “brilliant” and actor Rob Schneider called him “a great director”, while Stephen Fry said he was “the most charming, modest man.”
Face Off returns Tuesday with a Star Wars challenge, plus fan challenge
by Doc on Aug.19, 2012, under Television
Syfy’s Face Off competition returns this Tuesday at 9/8c, and the very first challenge will have a Star Wars theme! Check out a sneak peek below…and also find out how you can win a chance to see Face Off live in Hollywood on Halloween in the “FANtastic Transformation” Challenge using the Face Off Challenge Facebook app, and then submitting your image here.
An interview with artist Richard Groh
by Doc on Aug.19, 2012, under General News
From our friends at The Thunder Child: Richard Groh is an aviation and space artist who has been producing his almost-photographic work for over forty years. His illustrations have appeared in several books and magazines. The Thunder Child interviewed him, and you can read about it here. He talks about his childhood, how he developed his craft, and shares his illustrations of Tom Corbett’s Polaris, the Luna rocketship from Rocketship X-M, and much more.
Alphas preview: “Gaslight”
by Doc on Aug.18, 2012, under Television
In this preview for next Monday’s Alphas, Rachel is kidnapped and the culprit may be an Alpha in a comatose state. Guest starring Connor Price (Good Luck Chuck), Noah Reid (Strange Days at Blake Holsey High), and Lauren Holly Dumb & Dumber). “Gaslight” airs this Monday at 10/9c on Syfy.
(continue reading…)