Sci-Fi Storm

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Patrick Macnee, 1922-2015

by on Jun.25, 2015, under Television

Veteran British-American actor Patrick Macnee passed away earlier today at his home in Rancho Mirage, CA from natural causes. He was 93.

First and foremost he is remembered as John Steed, the James Bond-esque secret agent in The Avengers opposite the tight-suit-wearing Diana Rigg in the 60s, turning the simple Bowler hat into a weapon. But he was no stranger to genre and non-genre TV all over the map. With his distinctive voice he provided the opening narration for the original Battlestar Galactica (listen to the long form version of the narration – it still gives me chills) as well as the Cylon Emperor, and later appeared in person in a memorable guest role as Count Iblis (along with Baltar recognizing the voice of the Emperor.) No role seemed too small for him either, guesting on shows from War of the Worlds and The Love Boat to even starring in voice-only on Super Force (aside from a brief in-person appearance in the pilot). He even provided his voice to Invisible Jones in the 1998 feature film version of The Avengers.

A tip of the hat to you, sir.

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Julian McMahon joins cast of Syfy’s Hunters

by on Jun.24, 2015, under Television

Actor Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck, Fantastic Four, Childhood’s End) has just been announced to be joining the cast of Syfy’s Hunters from producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead).

Syfy gave a direct-to-series greenlight for the new series back in September, and is based on Whitley Strieber’s best seller [asin=076536848X]Alien Hunter[/asin], which follows Flynn Carroll (Nathan Phillips, Snakes on a Plane), a police detective who investigates the mysterious disappearance of his wife. In the process he attracts the attention of a secret organization, one run by shadowy figures who may not be of this world…

McMahon will play McCarthy, an unhinged junkie and Hunter cell leader with a predilection for house music and violence.

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Composer James Horner dead after plane crash

by on Jun.23, 2015, under Movies, Obituaries

Update 6/23: Horner’s representatives confirmed his death.

Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer James Horner, who scored more than 75 films including Titanic (for which he received two Oscars), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (his film debut), Braveheart, Aliens, Apollo 13 and The Amazing Spider-Man and Avatar, is believed to be the pilot who died in a single-engine plane crash in Central Florida on Monday. No one else was on board.

Officials have not confirmed the name of the pilot yet, but the 61-year-old composer is a licensed pilot and has not been heard from since the crash. Condolences from those who knew him have been coming in, however. Director Ron Howard, who worked with Horner on Apollo 13, Cocoon and several other movies, tweeted early this morning:

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Watch a live Q&A with the cast and crew of the Independence Day sequel!

by on Jun.22, 2015, under Movies

At 9pm ET/6pm PT tonight, 20th Century Fox is hosting a live streamed Q&A right from the set of Roland Emmerich’s sequel to Independence Day! See the cast answer questions about this upcoming project and tune in for an exciting reveal, with host Jake Roper of VSauce3, and participating talent include director Roland Emmerich and cast, Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox, Brent Spiner, Angelababy, Maika Monroe, Sela Ward, and Jessie Usher!
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RI ComicCon – Yes, I’ll be back

by on Jun.18, 2015, under Conventions

This is an article I should have written months ago…Rhode Island Comic Con, in Providence, RI took place in November. But various events got in my way (including a few medical issues), and just keeping caught up on the news was a challenge. But my wife mentioned who was coming to the con this year and booked us a room, I remembered – I never wrote anything! In fact, I thought I had at one point…

Luke's Landspeeder

Luke’s Landspeeder

To be honest, I’ve stayed out of the convention circuit for a long, long time. My original experiences were with the Creation conventions that came through every year back in the 80s. They’d have a few mid-level stars typically from Star Trek and Doctor Who (the best I remember was Jimmy Doohan, who came out and shook hands with everyone waiting in line in the morning, and Sarah Sutton who played Nyssa on Doctor Who, who was very gracious in signing something out of schedule for my sister due to a family emergency). Then I moved on the smaller and non-media focused cons for a while, and served on some panels – mostly revolving around Babylon 5, but then I stopped altogether. I was invited one year to moderate a panel on Babylon 5 at a major convention, but I actually couldn’t go…

Several years ago I had planned to go to San Diego ComicCon, but had to cancel. Now it just seems like it is too crazy to even think of attending. Last year we all planned a trip to New York ComicCon, and I even had my press credentials in hand, but had to cancel that as well.
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Killjoys starts Friday on Syfy – what’s it about?

by on Jun.16, 2015, under Television

Syfy’s second new SF series in a week (after Dark Matter, which debuted last week) is Killjoys, a fun high-energy action show that I think draws some comparisons to Firefly if only if it has the same elements that made Firefly a fan favorite.

Killjoys stars Aaron Ashmore (Warehouse 13) as John Jaqobis, a Level 3 Reclamation Agent who works alongside the flirty Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen, The Hour), a Level 5 who has a hidden past. They then pick up D’avin (Luke Macfarlane, Brothers & Sisters), John’s brother, who John hasn’t seen for 8 years, after John sees a “Level 5 warrant” – a kill order – for D’avin. And the fourth member of the team is Lucy – the ships computer.

The Reclamation Agents – nicknamed Killjoys, related to the slang term of “joy” for money – work for the Reclamation Apprehension Coalition (RAC). This organization runs independently from “The Company”, the mysterious corporation that essentially runs the Quad, the planetary cluster where Killjoys takes place. The Company is RAC’s biggest customer, however…

The agents carry out warrants – warrants can be given for a variety of reasons, including somebody with enough money and power simply wanting you dead. A Level 4 warrant is “dead or alive”, while a Level 5 warrant wants you dead, period. Agents don’t take sides. “The warrant is all.” But if an agent takes on a Level 5 warrant and then fails to carry it out, the warrant transfers to them until they rectify it – or are killed by another agent.

The Quad consists of a dwarf planet and 3 moons which is part of the “J Cluster”, a large planetary system. The Quad has a decidedly caste system between the inhabitants.
(continue reading…)

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Sir Christopher Lee, 1922-2015

by on Jun.11, 2015, under Obituaries

Actor Sir Christopher Lee, who has played many many roles but around these circles is perhaps best known for his portrayals of Saruman in Peter Jackson’s Middle-earth films and Count Dooku in the the Star Wars prequels, passed away on his birthday this past Sunday morning. He had just turned 93. He was in the hospital for several weeks being treated for respiratory and heart issues.

His wife Gitte, to whom he had been married for over 50 years, delayed the announcement while they informed closed family members.

Lee first became a star with the Hammer Horror films, including playing the title role in The Mummy and several memorable performances of Dracula. He was no stranger to other iconic roles, such as the title character in 5 Fu Manchu films in the 1960s, and a number of appearances as Sherlock Holmes.

In the 70s, he would take on James Bond as Scaramanga, The Man With the Golden Gun and played Rochefort in The Three Musketeers/The Four Musketeers and reprise the role in 1989’s The Return of the Musketeers. He also had a guest role in a memorable episode of Space: 1999 called “Earthbound”.

In later years he also appeared in or lent his booming voice to several Tim Burton movies, including Sleep Hollow, Alice In Wonderland, Corpse Bridge and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

He helped define generations of characters that forever will be remembered as the defining portrayals.

May Saruman find peace and travel into the West to the Undying Lands…

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See the trailer for Syfy’s The Magicians

by on Jun.10, 2015, under Television

Based upon Lev Grossman’s [asin=0525427341]best-selling books[/asin], The Magicians stars Jason Ralph (A Most Violent Year, Aquarius) as Quentin Coldwater, a brilliant grad student who enrolls in Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, a secret upstate New York university specializing in magic. He and his 20-something friends soon discover that the magical fantasy world they read about as children is all too real – and poses grave danger to humanity. Stella Maeve (Chicago P.D.), Hale Appleman (Teeth), Arjun Gupta (Nurse Jackie) and Summer Bishil (Towelhead, Lucky 7) also star in this one hour drama.

Groundswell Productions’ Michael London and Janice Williams (Milk) will executive produce. John McNamara (Aquarius) and Sera Gamble (Supernatural), writers of the pilot, will serve as executive producers. Mike Cahill (I Origins) directed the pilot. Universal Cable Productions will serve as the studio.
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Syfy, Bradley Cooper, Graham King and Todd Phillips join development of Dan Simmons’ novel Hyperion

by on Jun.10, 2015, under Television

Hyperion coverSyfy announced today it is teaming with Oscar-nominated producer Bradley Cooper (American Sniper), Oscar-winning producer Graham King (The Departed, Argo) and Todd Phillips (The Hangover, Old School) to develop Dan Simmons’ Hugo Award-winning best-selling novel [asin=0553283685]Hyperion[/asin] as an event series.

Cooper will executive produce along with King and Phillips. Itamar Moses (Boardwalk Empire) will write the screenplay and serve as co-executive producer. Universal Cable Productions will serve as the studio. Hyperion will be a production of Graham King’s GK Films and Bradley Cooper and Todd Phillips’ 22nd and Green.

Set on the eve of Armageddon with the entire galaxy at war, Hyperion is the story of seven pilgrims who set forth on a voyage to seek the answers to the unsolved riddles of their lives. Each carries a desperate hope and a terrible secret — while one may hold the fate of humanity in his hands.

“It is an absolute honor to enter into the world created by Dan Simmons that is arguably one of the greatest works of science fiction, and help realize it for television audiences,” said executive producer Cooper.

Said Dave Howe, President, Syfy & Chiller: “As Syfy continues to forge important partnerships with award-winning talent on and off screen, this powerhouse team led by Bradley Cooper, Graham King and Todd Phillips brings an extraordinary track record in producing entertainment of the highest creative ambition. Epitomizing the gold standard of science fiction story-telling, Hyperion tackles smart and provocative themes that help define Syfy’s development vision.”

Hyperion is a science fiction masterpiece. Dan Simmons’ universe is unique and darkly compelling, and the creative team assembled here is simply as good as it gets,” said Jeff Wachtel, President & Chief Content Officer, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment.

Cooper is represented by CAA. Moses is represented by UTA, and Phillips is represented by CAA and attorney Warren Dern at Sloane, Offer, Weber, & Dern.

Hyperion is the latest high profile scripted project to be announced by Syfy; others include the recently-announced series pickup of The Magicians, based on Lev Grossman’s best-selling books; the 10-part series The Expanse, airing December 2015 and starring Thomas Jane; Arthur C. Clarke’s epic mini-series Childhood’s End, also set to premiere this December; Aldous Huxley’s classic novel Brave New World with Amblin Television; Gale Anne Hurd’s 13-episode thriller Hunters; David Goyer’s Superman prequel, Krypton; and Incorporated, a futuristic espionage drama from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

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ReBoot: The Guardian Code gets green light – we get details

by on Jun.09, 2015, under Television

Alphanumeric! Canada-based Corus Entertainment has given a green light for Mainframe Entertainment – the television division of Rainmaker Entertainment that was developing a revival of ReBoot – to produce 26 half-hour episodes of ReBoot: The Guardian Code, the revival of the favorite CGI-animated series that ran from 1994-2001.

ReBoot was the first fully CGI animated TV series, long before it became the norm. It also used the computer jargon of the time and in-jokes that would entertain adults as well as kids. It followed Bob, a Guardian from “The Net”, who came to Mainframe to help protect it, especially during the “games”, which were started by the User. If a User won the game, an entire sector of the system – including binomes and sprites caught in the game – would be nullified.

In Mainframe he’s helped by local sprites Dot Matrix, her young brother Enzo, and Phong, the COMMAND.COM of Mainframe. And he’s often thwarted by Megabyte and his twin sister Hexadecimal, a pair of computer virii who want to take over Mainframe, and escape into the Net to infect other systems.

“We are thrilled to receive the greenlight from Corus Entertainment to move forward with the production of Reboot: The Guardian Code,” commented Michael Hefferon, President and Chief Creative Officer, Rainmaker Entertainment. “Technology is ever-changing and Reboot: The Guardian Code will utilize the very technology inherent in the concept of the show—and prevalent in kids’ everyday lives—to drive a new type of relationship across multiple platforms. Reboot: The Guardian Code and associated brand extensions will deliver mass appeal with a technology focus, empowering kids with the tools and confidence to chart their own course in a world that is increasingly dependent on and powered by technological knowledge.”

The series is quite dated – mostly in its terminology, and the names would likely be lost on people now. When it was produced, dot matrix printers still existed, and public awareness of the World Wide Web was only beginning (and “The Web” was a BAD place…) Now social media and gaming has taken over the real world. As such, the new show is going to get a lot of upgrades, and will in fact be a hybrid live-action and CGI series, as four teens enter the computer realm to save their own world. In addition, the show will be “multi-platform”, usually meaning there will be online/game tie-ins as well. From the press release:

Transcending age groups with appeal to kids, tweens and teens, ReBoot: the Guardian Code is an adventure-comedy series about four teens (Austin, Parker, Grey and Tamra) who discover that they’re next-gen Guardians with a mission to save the world, by defending it in cyberspace. The Internet revolutionized the world, but it also left it vulnerable to attack. With the help of VERA, the last surviving cyberbeing from the original Guardian Program, our heroes stream into cyberspace where they use their awesome code-based powers to battle viruses that have been unleashed by a ruthless hacker. Known only as the Sourcerer, he seeks to rule the world by controlling cyberspace. Original fans of the show will be happy to hear that Megabyte will be back and he’s getting a major upgrade. ReBoot will showcase leading edge technologies and bring coding into the mainstream for kids.

When Austin, Parker, Grey and Tamra are not trying to stop viruses from overloading a nuclear power station, or remotely opening a dam to flood a city, or playing Criss Cross Crash Hour with a city’s transportation grid, our heroes are being typical teens: arguing with their parents over curfews; dealing with crushes; or trying to avoid getting suspended for skipping class when they’re really on a cyber mission to save the world!

But what does this mean for our old friends? They don’t say, but we do hear that they will be involved, but perhaps only in minor or cameo roles. But the show will be linked to the original/

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