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!
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.
