The new season of Justice League Unlimited is now underway, with 2 new episodes tonight. Here's how the network describes "Chaos at the Earth's Core" (Originally titled "Heart of Stone")
Supergirl, Stargirl and Green Lantern go to Skartaris, the fantastic, hidden world at the Earth's core, to help free it from the rule of a brutal dictator.
Here's how the network describes the second episode of the night, "To Another Shore" (Originally titled "Elegy")
Wonder Woman stumbles onto a plot to steal the powers hidden inside the 3000-year-old, frozen remains of the legendary hero, the Viking Prince.
Teen Titans season 5 also begins tonight, here's how the network describes "Homecoming Part 1"
When Beast Boy's former team The Doom Patrol is in trouble, the Titans must embark on a daring mission to save them. Beast Boy explains that this can only mean one thing: the Doom Patrol's greatest foes are back. The Brotherhood of Evil has returned.
In Other News:
-Kids' WB!'s new series, Loonatics Unleashed, was the No. 1 show last Saturday to help the network win the Kids 2-11 ratings. Note the difference in character design after a heavy net protest last spring that deemed the characters "too edgy" & "scary" for younger viewers.
-Superman Returns could turn out to be the most expensive movie ever made. According to News.com: "The revisioned Superman tale, filming at Sydney's Fox Studios, could well be the most expensive film of all time ... director Bryan Singer acknowledged its budget is approaching $326 million -- that would top 'Titanic's $250 million and 'Waterworld's $225 million." (please note was calculated in Australian dollars - the exchange rate from au to us is .77 to 1.00)
-Also, check out the first & only Superman historical documentary out there, "In A Single Bound" created by filmmaker Ross Marroso. Head over to supermandoc.com to download or pre-order the DVD.
-The Fantastic Four DVD is expected to hit shelves Dec. 6, a week earlier than projected. The movie will be available in VHS, DVD and UMD & special features include:
- Cast commentary
- 3 deleted scenes
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes look with the cast
- Making of the movie
- Fox Movie Channel programs on F4 casting and filming
- Two music videos and film soundtrack ad
- First look at X-Men 3
In other Fantastic Four news, Marvel Enterprises has signed a deal with France's Antefilms Productions to produce an animated TV series based the Fantastic Four comic book characters. The deal is expected to be announced at the MIPCOM international TV sales convention in Cannes. The trade says the companies would produce 26 half-hour episodes targeted for premiere in the United States and other countries in late 2006.
-SIN CITY: RECUT & EXTENDED
Sin City: Recut & Extended is due to hit stores on December 13th. Retailing for a reported $39.99, the new cut of the film will include the original theatrical release as well as the 147 minute extended cut.
Extras include:
- commentary track with director Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller
- commentary track with Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino
- commentary track featuring Austin, TX crowd reaction
- 15 Minute Film School featurette
- Movie in High-Speed Green Screen feature
- 17 un-interupted minutes of Tarantino's segment
- footage from the Sin City cast/crew party.
- 10 minute Cooking School with Robert Rodriquez.
The package will also include a copy of the first Sin City graphic novel, “The Hard Goodbye.”
The re-broadcast of the Icons episode featuring Sin City creator Frank Miller will air starting on May 5th. Check out the air dates below:
5/6/2005 2:30am ET / 11:30pm PT
5/6/2005 9am ET / 6am PT
5/6/2005 1pm ET / 10am PT
5/6/2005 9pm ET / 6pm PT
5/8/2005 12:30pm ET / 9:30am PT
You can see the write-up on the Icons episode and see if G4 thinks Sin City is in a class all its own here.
Brenda Starr Creator Passes On-
Dale Messick, whose long-running comic strip "Brenda Starr, Reporter" gave her entry into the male world of the funny pages, has died at age 98. She died after a long decline that began with a stroke in 1998, her daughter, Starr Rohrman, told The Associated Press.
Messick, whose strip debuted June 30, 1940 & ran in 250 newspapers at its peak in the 1950s, died Tuesday, said her daughter, Starr Rohrman, who had been caring for her mother in Sonoma County. Ms. Messick was born on April 11, 1906; Brenda Starr was born in June 1940. An impossibly glamorous redhead, her appearance was inspired by Rita Hayworth, her first name came from the most famous debutante of the day, Brenda Frazier, and her last name was chosen because she was the star reporter on her newspaper, The Flash.
She jettisoned her given name Dalia to further her career -- once said Brenda had "everything I didn't have." But she charmed acquaintances with spunk and style worthy of her redheaded creation. Ms. Messick retired from drawing the strip in the mid-1980's, and it was passed on to other artists, all women. She said she did not like the way later versions of Brenda Starr looked. In the 1990's, she developed a new comic character called "Granny Glamour," who appeared in a single-panel cartoon in a local senior citizens' publication (Oakmont Gardens Magazine) in California. It ended after she had a stroke in 1998 and couldn't draw any more. In 1995, Brenda Starr was one of twenty comic strips honored by a series of United States postage stamps; Messick was the only living creator. In 1997, Messick received the National Cartoonist Society's Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award. The strip is now written by Mary Schmich and drawn by June Brigman.
For more info check out CNN.com.
Superman Returns:
A rumor from Superhero Hype about the spaceship: The crash site isn't from Clark's child-hood, but in fact from his return to Earth at the beginning of the film. Also, Sir Richard Branson will make a cameo in the film, according to News.com.au. Ain't-It-Cool-News has pics of the Daily Planet delivery truck & more. I can't forget, look here (Spoilers abound) for more pics from the set.
As always, keep a lookout for updates on Bryan Singer's blog as more news comes in.
X-men 3 News:
It was already announced that X-Men 3 would be directed by Matthew Vaughn. Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry and Ian McKellan are all set for "X-Men 3" as well. Famke Janssen, as heavily rumored before, will become Dark Phoenix. No official word yet on James Marsden - who will be busy for a big chunk of the year on "Superman" - reprising his role as Cyclops, though it's understood he will be back.
Superhero Hype also reported that Sir Ian McKellan has confirmed he'll be Magneto if another sequel is made. Even though he imagines the writers will base a possible Magneto spinoff on a younger Magneto in the past, McKellan had this to say:
"If my character is in it and if he's my age. They might bring Magneto back but it may be the young Magneto. Who knows?"
X-Men 3 is scheduled to be released on May 26, 2006.
Sin City:
Dimension Films' Sin City, directed by Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller and Quentin Tarantino, dropped 51.5% in ticket sales for the graphic novel adaptation's second weekend, making $14.1 million for a total of $50.7 million and second place. The movie cost just $40 million to make.
As I've reported last month, Maxim will feature a special edition cover by none other than Frank Miller as a tribute to the Sin City movie.It will be out April 12 (May) edition and will only ship at a 20% of the press run while Sin City star Brittany Murphy will be on the cover of the other 80% of issue. You can read what Superhero Hype says here.
Check here for an update on what could ultimately become The Sub-Mariner & Silver Surfer movies.
Kevin Smith interviewed Frank Miller & Robert Rodriguez on Sin City and you can hear it here.
And don't say I didn't warn you- The Movie Spoiler has a huge Episode III spoiler (view at your own discretion!)
Tales of hustlers in the film noir comic-book adaptation 'Sin City' took top honors at the North American box office over the weekend, knocking 'Beauty Shop,' into second place. R-rated 'Sin City' pulled in enough viewers to make $28.1 million at North American theaters, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations on April 3, 2005. Rosario Dawson and Clive Owen star in the film. Perhaps the most literal translation of a comic book to film to date, Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller’s Sin City is based on the graphic novels Sin City: The Hard Goodbye, The Big Fat Kill and That Yellow Bastard.
The film’s budget was an estimated $40 million, and opened in 3,230 theaters, averaging $8,707 per screen. For Rodriguez, it was his second best opening ever, after 2003's Spy Kids 3D, which saw an opening weekend take of $33.4 million.
Sin City easily beat the weekend’s #2 film, Beauty Shop, which brought in $13.5 million. Currently, the film is the third best April-opening film ever, behind Anger Management and The Scorpion King. Last April, Hellboy, also based on a Dark Horse Comics published property opened with $23.2 million.
The movie has received largely positive reviews, both from critics who know of its roots, as well as those who encountered Miller’s city without pity for the first time on the screen. Unrelentingly violent, the film has also attracted critics for its portrayal of several murders and acts of revenge, with some of the more bizarre commentators wagging a finger at audiences for making it the #1 movie the weekend during which the Pope died.
In perhaps a pre-emptive move against possible complaints about the violence, many theater chains checked IDs of all patrons seeing the movie, making sure that no one under 17 was admitted, unaccompanied by a parent or guardian. Some individuals reported being carded when they purchased the tickets, and again at the door to the theater where the film was being shown.
Mark Bagley still on Ultimate Spider-Man
from Ugo.com
Fan-favorite Spider-Man artist Mark Bagley has extended his exclusive contract with Marvel Comics, re-confirming his ties with the company he's called home since the beginning of his comic book career.
"I'm enjoying my working situation more every day I'm with Marvel," said the penciller. "I'm working with a terrific creative team and have wonderful support from both editorial and the big guys upstairs. A commitment from Marvel is a hell of a compliment. I've had an incredibly stable and fulfilling career with Marvel, and I'm as happy with the company now as I've ever been. And I think the contract means they are just as happy with me."
Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley is more than delighted with Bagley's work and his long-time association with the company. "I'm blown away by the length of Mark's tenure on Spidey's books. He's outdistanced both Steve Ditko and John Romita, Sr. in that respect and he's at least equaled them in putting a definitive and unique stamp on the character."
"We know a good thing when we see it, and we want Mark to know we love him and appreciate the incredible time and energy he puts into the Marvel characters," said Joe Quesada, Marvel Editor-in-Chief. "We're proud he got his start right here...he's our Marvel Boy!"
Bagley is well known for having gotten his professional artistic start by winning the famed Marvel Try-Out Contest. From there he distinguished himself on such titles as Amazing Spider-Man, New Warriors, Thunderbolts, The Pulse, and currently is wowing the fannish masses on the immensely popular Ultimate Spider-Man book. He's also been teamed with a bevy of top writers, including Brian Michael Bendis, Kurt Busiek, and Fabian Nicieza.
The artist is quick to recognize the warm and favorable reaction he's gotten from Marvel readers and the creative talent he's worked alongside since the beginning. "I'm pretty proud of my Thunderbolts work. It was gratifying the way the fans embraced the series. I look at my Ultimate Spider-Man work as a blessing. It is so great to work with such a talented bunch of guys, and the fact that fans so enjoy the book is really a tribute to the team."
Bagley's immediate future brings him to the drawing board, producing the kind of pages his fans like best. "I'm trying to make Ultimate Spidey my main focus for the time being. We're doing six fewer issues this year, and I'm really going to try and bring all I can to the book."
The New Batgirl?No, thats not a typo.
The Caped Crusader will be joined by Batgirl when Season 2 of The Batman begins in the fall. (The first year is still airing on WB Saturdays at 10:30 am/ET, with repeats on Cartoon Network on Saturdays at 8:30 pm/ET beginning April 2.)
As in previous TV and comic-book incarnations, this Dark Knight Damsel is Police Commissioner Gordon's daughter, Barbara. But in a new twist, she's just a teenager who turns to fighting crime with cape and cowl after her father puts the kibosh on her plans to become a police detective.
Batgirl's fighting style will be heavily influenced by her background as an Olympic gymnastics hopeful. "She has this nice, explosive little-kid dynamic," says producer and art director Jeff Matsuda.
At first, Batman doesn't approve of a youngster getting in the middle of Gotham City's depraved underworld. "But he also knows he can't stop her," Matsuda says. "Later on, we'll probably have that moment where he accepts her, but in the beginning, it's more of a stay-out-of-my-way deal."
Matsuda based the Batgirl character's design on the '60s live-action Batman series, especially the striking purple hue made famous by Yvonne Craig. He also cops to being influenced by "the cartoons I grew up on," including Battle of the Planets and Thundercats. Kids' WB! unveiled its 2005-2006 lineup on Wednesday, including the return of The Batman for a second season that will include Batgirl.
The Batman will air this fall on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. and will also air weekdays at 4:30 p.m.
Here's how the network describes the new season:
"In this captivating second season, The Batman will face a little competition to protect the citizens of Gotham from a teenaged girl -- Batgirl. She has just flown into town to do her part in keeping the streets safe from the most dangerous and occasionally hysterical super villains out there. Is there enough room in Gotham for two Caped Crusaders?"
Marvel Movie Magic
X-men 3 has been confirmed to release on May 26, 2006 & they're looking for extras. Why not be one? And on the Spider-Man front, Thomas Hayden Church will take on the role of Sandman, not Venom as it was previously speculated. Also, here's an important excerpt from the interview in the New York Daily News:
But at 30, Sevigny is mellow about it all. After a decade as the poster child for edgy movies, the party girl from Darien, Conn., has let it be known she wants to go mainstream.
Way mainstream.
"I'd love to be in 'Spider-Man 3!'" Sevigny says. "There's a villain in it who's a blond, buxom girl, and I'm trying to get it!
"That [may] surprise people, since actors are always thought of as their last film or who they were. I think I'll always be drawn to films more difficult to watch, but I don't want to be a snobby cinephile."
Now who does that sound like? The planned release date is May 4, 2007.
Best Buy, Free Movies & Sin CityStarting March 27, electronics chain Best Buy will give out free DVDs promoting April 1 theatrical release Sin City, from Dimension.
Consumers will be able to get the teaser DVDs--which contain a trailer, behind-the-scenes interviews and scenes from the film--with the purchase of any CD, DVD or videogame. Also included are promos for Dimension movies currently on DVD and $50 worth of Best Buy coupons toward purchases of those titles. The giveaway will be featured prominently in the March 27 circular.
The chain first tried this type of theatrical cross-promotion with last March's Hellboy, giving out more than 300,000 teaser DVDs in the few weeks before the movie's premiere. On Sin City, the giveaway window is only a week long, so Best Buy will give out about 150,000 discs this time, according to Rob Cummins, business team leader for movies.
"We identified properties like Hellboy and now Sin City quite a ways out, and our goal is to give our customers something that … will put them in the know amongst their peer group about what's cool and exciting," Cummins said. This sort of theatrical marketing rewards customers for coming into the store regularly and builds loyalty, he added.
There's an upside for the studios involved as well.
"The theatrical division sees it as a grassroots opportunity to promote their movie beyond just what they'll do on TV, and home video sees it as a chance to probably sell some catalog," Cummins said.
Maxim has revealed the alternate Sin City cover for its May issue, which features exclusive art by Sin Citycreator Frank Miller.
The issue features exclusive posters of Goldie, Dallas and Nancy from Miller’s creation, as well as a feature on Sin City star Brittany Murphy.
Check out the poster on Newsarama, and the interview on CBR.
Hey everyone, I know it's been a while now since I last posted so my posting on here will become weekly until the beginning of April. Sin City, due April 1st, rather than adapting one single storyline, the film will incorporate storylines from three of Frank Miller’s graphic novels including: Sin City, That Yellow Bastard and The Big Fat Kill.
“This is the first time a graphic novel will be treated with absolute respect in how it is brought to the life. My pitch to Frank was that I didn’t want to adapt Sin City, but rather translate it to the screen. I also wanted him involved in every aspect of the production, including sharing in the directing. If you look at his books, you see that in a way they are already the best written, shot, and directed ‘movies’ never seen in a theater,” said Robert Rodriguez in a release from Dimension.
The cast includes Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Britney Murphy, Josh Hartnett, Mickey Rourke & Elijah Wood.
Also, remember that March is the 10 year anniversary of the Age of Apocalypse... Marvel will ship a one shot detailing the event and more. More on this next week though.
