LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - “Family Guy’s” henpecked husband Cleveland Brown might be getting his own show.
The Fox network and the show’s producer, 20th Century Fox TV, are developing a spin-off from their hit animated series centered on Peter Griffin’s bathtub-accident-prone neighbor, sources said.
The project, tentatively titled “Cleveland,” is being written by “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane, Mike Henry — a writer/producer who voices Cleveland — and Rich Appel, an executive producer on MacFarlane’s other Fox cartoon, “American Dad.”
Cleveland, who plays off black stereotypes, is the most levelheaded among Griffin’s trio of friends. He’s also pushed around by his wife.
Once canceled by Fox, “Family Guy” triumphantly returned on the network in 2005. It is Fox’s top-rated comedy and has grown into a $1 billion franchise with red-hot DVD and merchandise sales.
Fox executives have made it a priority to find another hit animated comedy to complement their Sunday comedy lineup. They have several cartoons in the works, including an animated version of the 2003 short-lived live-action comedy “The Pitts.” In addition to “Cleveland,” Fox is also developing a spin-off of the drama series “Prison Break,” set at a female prison.
In the past 2 weeks, theres been a lot of stuff happening... the Family Guy Movie, titled Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story has been leaked to the internet in high quality a full 2 months before its direct-to-DVD release date. According to the information file published by the release group Angelic Evolution, the movie has been ripped from an “exclusive DVD premiere.” The movie follows Stewie, the family’s maniacal baby genius, who sets out on a road trip to find who he believes to be his real father. The actual DVD, with features and all will be in stores towards the end of September. By the way, if you're a Family Guy fan you won't be dissappointed.
TvshowsonDVD reports that the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Volume 1 has an October 18, 2005 street date. The first volume contains the Best 10 Episodes as chosen by the those who voted on he-man.org last summer.
Everybody knows Thomas Hayden Church is playing Chameleon in the next Spider-Man movie... what everyone might not know, is so is Topher Grace. Church plays Dmitri Smerdyakov, who goes by false name Dr. Turner at Peter's college. The Chameleon also has a brother in this film, which will set up Kraven the Hunter for a future sequel. And Harry will indeed become the Green Goblin, at the very end. Spider-Man 3 will debut in theaters May 4, 2007.
The live-action Transformers movie site has been up for a few weeks now & personally, I can only wonder which way it'll go. The movie is set to open July 4th, 2007 & is now in pre-production.
It seems that we'll be getting a new Spawn Animated series soon... as noted during the San Diego Comic-Con, Spawn:The Animation will air in 2006. Keith David will be returning to do the voice of Spawn & this will serve as a pilot/mini movie which may be shown on TV before reaching DVD next year. Todd McFarlane and Terry Fitzgerald will be executive producers on the new Spawn animated series.
The Press Release From Spawn.com
Today we are proud to release the animation trailer that was shown at San Diego Comic-Con '05 for all to see here on spawn.com. Our update this week will give the "state of the animation report" as well as fan reaction to the animation trailer at the Con and an overview of the panel discussion TME President Terry Fitzgerald led along with IDT/Film Roman.
As of press time, we are trying to choose voice actors for our characters, as we plan to record early next week. Todd has been in Canada on vacation, making this an even bigger challenge than normal. It's decision time and with 12 main characters to cast it can be quite a daunting process not being in the same room with the actors.
Based on the casting choices made this week, Todd and Terry will be in studio in early August to direct the chosen actors. We are moving right along with pre-production and it's been quite an exciting process. On top of nailing down voice talent, our counterparts at IDT/Film Roman are flushing out and polishing up the last of the story boards in preparation for sending them to Korea to be animated. We have been introduced to our directing team in Korea and they have presented us with some stunning work to highlight their talents. We are thrilled to be working with them, as their participation will eliminate many sleepless nights of wondering how it's going overseas.
Reaction to the Spawn: Animation teaser trailer, which was revealed for the first time at the 2005 San Diego Comic-Con, has been overwhelmingly positive. Eager fans who have been waiting patiently for Spawn's return to the world of animation crowded not only the 1000-seat panel discussion -- featuring the creative minds from IDT/Film Roman as well as Terry Fitzgerald and his unique hands-on insight into the project -- but also the McFarlane Companies' booth where the trailer was on display for all to see. Eyes were continually, and in many cases repeatedly (as legions of fans and curious onlookers would return time and again) cast skyward toward the large plasma screen display in order to catch a glimpse of what is to come.
Check out the trailer right here.
Also, Justice League Unlimited fans should read Jim Harey's interview with story editor Dwayne McDuffie... Warlord fans should be ecstatic!
Back from vacation... now on with the news.
Family Guy:
2005 has been a big year for Fox's once cancelled show, as it came back to primetime May 1st. That episode, the first of the series' 4th season (North by North Quahog) was nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Animated Program (for Programs Less Than an Hour") . It's competition? Samurai Jack, The Simpsons, South Park, & SpongeBob SquarePants. Also, Fox has officially announced the direct-to-DVD title "Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story Unrated". The DVD will be released on September 27, will retail for $29.98 US, or $41.98 CAN.
Justice League Unlimited:
The Joining Forces DVD will be on sale September 20th and comes with 3 episodes, with a runtime of 66 minutes. Price is just $14.97 SRP.
Tonight's episode, "Divided We Fall" airs at 9pm tonight and the episode is described as follows:
When most of the Justice League is incapacitated, the League's deadliest enemies emerge to take advantage of the chaos.
July 23rd is the US airdate for "Epilogue"
Fifty years in the future, the history of the Justice League is the key to Batman's darkest secret...and his final destiny.
As for the next season, Rob at Comics Continuum has news from the San Diego Comic-Con on the newest plot details, including the Legion of Doom!
And even more Justice League news... 2006 will see a new Justice League of America video game (the first in over 10 years on a console) for Sony's Playstation 2 & Xbox 360.
In other news... the new Transformers Movie website has been up for a couple days & the movie is set to debut sometime in 2007. The new movie will be live action with a lot of CG... Marvel recently announced at the Comic-Con that they would give Microsoft exclusive rights to create a MMORPG for the Xbox 360 based on the Marvel characters.
. Season One card set now available.
Following it's cancellation three years prior, Family Guy made its return to Fox on May 1. In honor of the miraculous resurrection, Inkworks has released a 72-card set commemorating Family Guy: Season One.
Each pack contains seven cards and retails for $3.49. Along with Episode Cards highlighting classic moments from the first season, this cool set features a number of randomly-inserted bonus cards. As any collector knows, it's the hidden gems that make a seven-card pack worthwhile. Check out the bonus sets.
Sketch Cards: Fourteen different artists created original hand-drawn sketches for this set. One per box.
Autograph Cards: Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane along with five other cast members signed cards, randomly inserted. Odds of finding Autograph Card unknown.
Griffin Family Photos: This nine-card puzzle reveals a large portrait of the Griffin Family. An additional 99 uncut puzzles are available separately for $69.95 each. 1:11 packs.
Bad Dog: Brian gains the spotlight with six die-cut foil cards showing off the incorrigible hound. 1:17 packs.
Premium Cards: In addition, three box loader "Stewie's Library of World Domination" cards come one per sealed display box and a special case loader "The Peter Principle" card comes one per shipping case.
A complete checklist of cards can be found at Inkworkcards.com.