By Michael Pellegrini
Following its USA release at the end of last month, Cowboys & Aliens is launching on UK screens today, so it seems just the right time for a superpowered showdown.
We're going to take a look back on the year in comic book movies that was 2011.
Although the internet is already overflowing with set pictures from next year's offerings, let's not forget what helped to pave the way for all that webslinging and avenging.
Here's a recap of the good, the bad and even the ugly...
Thor
Released: May 6
Studio: Marvel/Paramount
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard
Opening Weekend (USA): $65,723,338
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
My Rating: 9/10
The Good: As the first offering this year that builds up to Marvel's team-up extravaganza The Avengers, Thor manages to hit the mark on most levels effectively, using action and humor to tell his mythic origin.
Following its USA release at the end of last month, Cowboys & Aliens is launching on UK screens today, so it seems just the right time for a superpowered showdown.
We're going to take a look back on the year in comic book movies that was 2011.
Although the internet is already overflowing with set pictures from next year's offerings, let's not forget what helped to pave the way for all that webslinging and avenging.
Here's a recap of the good, the bad and even the ugly...
Thor
Released: May 6
Studio: Marvel/Paramount
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard
Opening Weekend (USA): $65,723,338
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
My Rating: 9/10
The Good: As the first offering this year that builds up to Marvel's team-up extravaganza The Avengers, Thor manages to hit the mark on most levels effectively, using action and humor to tell his mythic origin.
- 8/18/2011
- by Michael Pellegrini
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Although Marvel has yet to test its formula for a team-up movie until The Avengers is unleashed next May, it's proceeding to explore other ensemble possibilities.
Earlier this year, it was rumoured that the comic book giant was considering making its Inhumans title into a film and now comes news of the Guardians of the Galaxy series advancing towards the screen.
The first incarnation of the supergroup appeared in print in 1969, while a revamped line-up surfaced in 2008. Comprising several aliens, each the last of their kind, the team travels back in time to save planet Earth from an invasion by an evil race called the Badoon.
Talk of a live-action film started up again last week, not long after headway appeared to be made on a Doctor Strange adaptation.
Marvel Studios founder Avi Arad had hinted at a Guardians film in 2009 and production president Kevin Feige confirmed the possibility last year.
Although Marvel has yet to test its formula for a team-up movie until The Avengers is unleashed next May, it's proceeding to explore other ensemble possibilities.
Earlier this year, it was rumoured that the comic book giant was considering making its Inhumans title into a film and now comes news of the Guardians of the Galaxy series advancing towards the screen.
The first incarnation of the supergroup appeared in print in 1969, while a revamped line-up surfaced in 2008. Comprising several aliens, each the last of their kind, the team travels back in time to save planet Earth from an invasion by an evil race called the Badoon.
Talk of a live-action film started up again last week, not long after headway appeared to be made on a Doctor Strange adaptation.
Marvel Studios founder Avi Arad had hinted at a Guardians film in 2009 and production president Kevin Feige confirmed the possibility last year.
- 8/10/2011
- by Michael Pellegrini
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Considering the run of success converting many of its big-name properties, it makes sense for Marvel to start looking beyond The Avengers.
Among the projects being lined up is Doctor Strange. Last June, Thomas Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer, the pens behind this month's Conan reboot, were hired to conjure a screenplay on the so-called Sorcerer Supreme.
According to Twitch, the script - much like Edgar Wright's Ant-Man pages - has now been submitted, thus advancing it a step further.
The long history of Doctor Stephen Strange means story should not have been an issue for the duo, as the neurosurgeon turned mystical defender has been in print since the 1960s.
Marvel is also reportedly mulling over "a short list of directors." No other names are attached at this time, though Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey has long expressed an interest: "I've been lobbying for that, I'd love to play Doctor Strange.
Considering the run of success converting many of its big-name properties, it makes sense for Marvel to start looking beyond The Avengers.
Among the projects being lined up is Doctor Strange. Last June, Thomas Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer, the pens behind this month's Conan reboot, were hired to conjure a screenplay on the so-called Sorcerer Supreme.
According to Twitch, the script - much like Edgar Wright's Ant-Man pages - has now been submitted, thus advancing it a step further.
The long history of Doctor Stephen Strange means story should not have been an issue for the duo, as the neurosurgeon turned mystical defender has been in print since the 1960s.
Marvel is also reportedly mulling over "a short list of directors." No other names are attached at this time, though Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey has long expressed an interest: "I've been lobbying for that, I'd love to play Doctor Strange.
- 8/4/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Who says it doesn't pay to advertise? Not Legendary Comics, that's for sure.
Legendary Entertainment, the production company behind 300, Watchmen and the Dark Knight, is branching out into the world of comic books. As with many of its film choices, it's not taking the safe route here either.
And their first offering, the controversial Holy Terror by comics legend Frank Miller (Sin City, 300) is already taking advantage of the company's filmmaking roots with the release of a teaser trailer, which is embedded below.
Holy Terror's advertising campaign has the classic Miller look and is rife with traditional Miller violence and bloodshed. Originally titled Holy Terror, Batman, the graphic novel has discarded the caped crusader and now stars a Dirty Harry-like hero named The Fixer who conducts a personal war on terror. The book is set for release this September, the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.
Riding the coattails of the Transformers franchise,...
Who says it doesn't pay to advertise? Not Legendary Comics, that's for sure.
Legendary Entertainment, the production company behind 300, Watchmen and the Dark Knight, is branching out into the world of comic books. As with many of its film choices, it's not taking the safe route here either.
And their first offering, the controversial Holy Terror by comics legend Frank Miller (Sin City, 300) is already taking advantage of the company's filmmaking roots with the release of a teaser trailer, which is embedded below.
Holy Terror's advertising campaign has the classic Miller look and is rife with traditional Miller violence and bloodshed. Originally titled Holy Terror, Batman, the graphic novel has discarded the caped crusader and now stars a Dirty Harry-like hero named The Fixer who conducts a personal war on terror. The book is set for release this September, the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.
Riding the coattails of the Transformers franchise,...
- 7/27/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
This review may contain spoilers.
Captain America: The First Avenger is heartfelt, action-filled fun - and might just be Marvel's best one yet.
After my first viewing, The First Avenger is a near-perfect summer movie that delivers on all its promises. Staying away from the dark, brooding style used by Christopher Nolan to create his comic-transcending Batman films, Marvel seems to have settled on a formula - while building a path to next year's Avengers - that has a more torn-from-the-pages feel. This film takes full advantage of that blueprint; seamlessly blending action, humor, romance, and the endearing quality of just sitting and reading the comics themselves.
The movie serves primarily as an origin story. Though most of Captain America transpires in the 1940s, sequences set in the modern-day function as bookends linking Cap to the pending team-up.
Avoiding the schizophrenia of other such origin tales, Christopher Markus...
This review may contain spoilers.
Captain America: The First Avenger is heartfelt, action-filled fun - and might just be Marvel's best one yet.
After my first viewing, The First Avenger is a near-perfect summer movie that delivers on all its promises. Staying away from the dark, brooding style used by Christopher Nolan to create his comic-transcending Batman films, Marvel seems to have settled on a formula - while building a path to next year's Avengers - that has a more torn-from-the-pages feel. This film takes full advantage of that blueprint; seamlessly blending action, humor, romance, and the endearing quality of just sitting and reading the comics themselves.
The movie serves primarily as an origin story. Though most of Captain America transpires in the 1940s, sequences set in the modern-day function as bookends linking Cap to the pending team-up.
Avoiding the schizophrenia of other such origin tales, Christopher Markus...
- 7/26/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Comic Book adaptations show no sign of vanishing from the screen, and now Hilary Swank wants to make an entry into this booming genre.
One problem might be the shortage of strong female characters. Even DC's Wonder Woman has struggled to make a comeback on TV.
But Radical Comics has come to the rescue.
The award-winning actress from Million Dollar Baby is to be the star, as well as a producer, for a film version of its title Shrapnel.
Written by Nick Sagan and M. Zachary Sherman, the series follows an exiled soldier, Samantha 'Sam' Vijaya, who has sought refuge on Venus, our system's last free planet, in the year 2250. But when a war between the free rebellion on Venus and the Solar Alliance puts Sam in the middle of the conflict, she's forced to take up arms with the rebels and combat the Alliance.
Swank will...
Comic Book adaptations show no sign of vanishing from the screen, and now Hilary Swank wants to make an entry into this booming genre.
One problem might be the shortage of strong female characters. Even DC's Wonder Woman has struggled to make a comeback on TV.
But Radical Comics has come to the rescue.
The award-winning actress from Million Dollar Baby is to be the star, as well as a producer, for a film version of its title Shrapnel.
Written by Nick Sagan and M. Zachary Sherman, the series follows an exiled soldier, Samantha 'Sam' Vijaya, who has sought refuge on Venus, our system's last free planet, in the year 2250. But when a war between the free rebellion on Venus and the Solar Alliance puts Sam in the middle of the conflict, she's forced to take up arms with the rebels and combat the Alliance.
Swank will...
- 7/23/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
A Year from now will see Spider-Man swinging back into the spotlight and, after endless talk and speculation about this relaunch, we have our first look in the form of an official teaser trailer.
Though not much is revealed regarding the overall story, the tone and style of The Amazing Spider-Man appear to be evident.
The tone is much more brooding than was seen in Sam Raimi's films and the style seems more gritty and sober. While I believe we have The Dark Knight to blame for the current direction of many new adaptations, I welcome a fresh take that ventures away from the typical wisecracking Peter Parker.
Shown in the footage (embedded below) are many of the primary cast - Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Martin Sheen and Rhys Ifans to name a few - as we see Peter's jump from childhood to teenager and the...
A Year from now will see Spider-Man swinging back into the spotlight and, after endless talk and speculation about this relaunch, we have our first look in the form of an official teaser trailer.
Though not much is revealed regarding the overall story, the tone and style of The Amazing Spider-Man appear to be evident.
The tone is much more brooding than was seen in Sam Raimi's films and the style seems more gritty and sober. While I believe we have The Dark Knight to blame for the current direction of many new adaptations, I welcome a fresh take that ventures away from the typical wisecracking Peter Parker.
Shown in the footage (embedded below) are many of the primary cast - Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Martin Sheen and Rhys Ifans to name a few - as we see Peter's jump from childhood to teenager and the...
- 7/22/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Disney recently released its first trailer for John Carter and fans can get a further taste of what's in store with an upcoming four-issue comic book mini-series.
Marvel says its upcoming title John Carter: World of Mars "reveals the shocking events that transpire before the motion-picture story begins by showing fans just how John Carter, Princess Dejah Thoris and Tars Tarkas are set on the path that would bring them all together. Amidst this brutal thousand-year war, find out what decisions were made that let events escalate this far - and why."
Writing duties will fall to New York Times best-selling author Peter David (Incredible Hulk, X-Factor), while The Dark Tower artist Luke Ross will do the line work. Both Ross and David have converted existing material to comic form in the past with a great deal of success, lending a strong pedigree to this title.
Disney recently released its first trailer for John Carter and fans can get a further taste of what's in store with an upcoming four-issue comic book mini-series.
Marvel says its upcoming title John Carter: World of Mars "reveals the shocking events that transpire before the motion-picture story begins by showing fans just how John Carter, Princess Dejah Thoris and Tars Tarkas are set on the path that would bring them all together. Amidst this brutal thousand-year war, find out what decisions were made that let events escalate this far - and why."
Writing duties will fall to New York Times best-selling author Peter David (Incredible Hulk, X-Factor), while The Dark Tower artist Luke Ross will do the line work. Both Ross and David have converted existing material to comic form in the past with a great deal of success, lending a strong pedigree to this title.
- 7/21/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Recent announcements have rounded out the cast of Zack Snyder's reboot of the Superman franchise and the next addition appears to be a new writer.
David Goyer, who penned the original Superman: Man of Steel screenplay, has stepped away to work on another Legendary Pictures project - a Godzilla film due out sometime in 2013 - and Kurt Johnstad has reportedly come in to fill the void if any further reshaping is required.
This news comes via Moviehole, whose source stated: "Now that Goyer is off the Man of Steel and on to Godzilla, Snyder got Kurt Johnstad (his regular, go-to writer) to take over for rewrites."
Christopher Nolan's brother Jonathan Nolan - who worked on The Dark Knight and its upcoming sequel - is also said to have carried out some fine-tuning. Filming is set to begin this August with a release for the Man of Steel...
Recent announcements have rounded out the cast of Zack Snyder's reboot of the Superman franchise and the next addition appears to be a new writer.
David Goyer, who penned the original Superman: Man of Steel screenplay, has stepped away to work on another Legendary Pictures project - a Godzilla film due out sometime in 2013 - and Kurt Johnstad has reportedly come in to fill the void if any further reshaping is required.
This news comes via Moviehole, whose source stated: "Now that Goyer is off the Man of Steel and on to Godzilla, Snyder got Kurt Johnstad (his regular, go-to writer) to take over for rewrites."
Christopher Nolan's brother Jonathan Nolan - who worked on The Dark Knight and its upcoming sequel - is also said to have carried out some fine-tuning. Filming is set to begin this August with a release for the Man of Steel...
- 7/19/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
On its second weekend of release, Transformers: Dark of the Moon has stayed atop the box office while becoming 2011's biggest hit yet with $645million already in the bank.
With no cliché avoided and no expense spared, the third installment of director Michael Bay's chartbusting franchise is arguably his best.
It still maintains its loud, violent and often obnoxious pedigree but Dark of the Moon at least gives worthwhile time to character development and story during the opening acts. Then the proverbial dam breaks in classic Michael Bay style with an almost hour-long, edge-of-your-seat action sequence leaving warring Autobots and Decepticons in shambles along with the city of Chicago.
The central cast returns from the first two films, minus the abruptly-dismissed Megan Fox whose role as the beautiful girlfriend has been aptly filled by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Although I still find the Earth being subjugated by transforming...
On its second weekend of release, Transformers: Dark of the Moon has stayed atop the box office while becoming 2011's biggest hit yet with $645million already in the bank.
With no cliché avoided and no expense spared, the third installment of director Michael Bay's chartbusting franchise is arguably his best.
It still maintains its loud, violent and often obnoxious pedigree but Dark of the Moon at least gives worthwhile time to character development and story during the opening acts. Then the proverbial dam breaks in classic Michael Bay style with an almost hour-long, edge-of-your-seat action sequence leaving warring Autobots and Decepticons in shambles along with the city of Chicago.
The central cast returns from the first two films, minus the abruptly-dismissed Megan Fox whose role as the beautiful girlfriend has been aptly filled by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Although I still find the Earth being subjugated by transforming...
- 7/15/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Among the comic book movies coming in 2012 is the Superman revamp Man of Steel, which has just added another cast member.
Harry Lennix (pictured) - known chiefly for his roles as Commander Lock in the second and third Matrix movies and Boyd Langton in Joss Whedon's Dollhouse series - will be playing a military officer called General Swanwick, according to Variety.
While we don't know just how Lennix's character will impact the storyline, we may now have the answer to what Batman TV series icon Adam West has been doing near a UK filming location for The Dark Knight Rises.
Earlier rumors suggested the actor would make a cameo appearance in Christopher Nolan's third Batman flick, largely because he'd been seen at or near Wollaton Hall, Nottingham, which is doubling for Wayne Manor in the upcoming film.
However, West's agent apparently says the story is...
Among the comic book movies coming in 2012 is the Superman revamp Man of Steel, which has just added another cast member.
Harry Lennix (pictured) - known chiefly for his roles as Commander Lock in the second and third Matrix movies and Boyd Langton in Joss Whedon's Dollhouse series - will be playing a military officer called General Swanwick, according to Variety.
While we don't know just how Lennix's character will impact the storyline, we may now have the answer to what Batman TV series icon Adam West has been doing near a UK filming location for The Dark Knight Rises.
Earlier rumors suggested the actor would make a cameo appearance in Christopher Nolan's third Batman flick, largely because he'd been seen at or near Wollaton Hall, Nottingham, which is doubling for Wayne Manor in the upcoming film.
However, West's agent apparently says the story is...
- 7/10/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Fashion, hair and shopping are not normally associated with Christopher Nolan's gritty take on Gotham City's caped crusader.
But Batman's not just for geeks anymore, it would seem. Billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne may always have a lady on his arm, but none of them have created a stir like Anne Hathaway, who is playing Selina Kyle/Catwoman in next year's The Dark Knight Rises.
While deciding on nail polish and talking with Harper's Bazaar during a quick trip to the salon, Hathaway gave some insight into her gruelling training routine of exercise, stunt preparation, and even dance. "I've always thought that skinny was the goal, but with this job I also have to be strong," says Anne, who admits to working out five days a week for the role of the feline felon.
No stranger to brooding characters and shadowy worlds, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro...
Fashion, hair and shopping are not normally associated with Christopher Nolan's gritty take on Gotham City's caped crusader.
But Batman's not just for geeks anymore, it would seem. Billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne may always have a lady on his arm, but none of them have created a stir like Anne Hathaway, who is playing Selina Kyle/Catwoman in next year's The Dark Knight Rises.
While deciding on nail polish and talking with Harper's Bazaar during a quick trip to the salon, Hathaway gave some insight into her gruelling training routine of exercise, stunt preparation, and even dance. "I've always thought that skinny was the goal, but with this job I also have to be strong," says Anne, who admits to working out five days a week for the role of the feline felon.
No stranger to brooding characters and shadowy worlds, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro...
- 7/1/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Even with its second underwhelming weekend in the books, Green Lantern's soft start is apparently not deterring Warner Bros from proceeding with a sequel.
A year ago, it was reported that the writers were already mapping out a further instalment. But that looked in doubt when the film opened with $53m in the USA, a figure below the $60m minimum that Warner Bros executives needed to guarantee another film.
Sources have now told The Hollywood Reporter that the studio "still believes in the franchise, even if it is somewhat disappointed with Green Lantern's result."
The Lantern's box office has certainly been rather dim. Ticket sales plummeted by 72 per cent from the first Friday to the second Friday, and by 66 per cent when comparing the first two weekends.
And with Transformers: Dark of the Moon, about to hit theaters worldwide I fear there might not be...
Even with its second underwhelming weekend in the books, Green Lantern's soft start is apparently not deterring Warner Bros from proceeding with a sequel.
A year ago, it was reported that the writers were already mapping out a further instalment. But that looked in doubt when the film opened with $53m in the USA, a figure below the $60m minimum that Warner Bros executives needed to guarantee another film.
Sources have now told The Hollywood Reporter that the studio "still believes in the franchise, even if it is somewhat disappointed with Green Lantern's result."
The Lantern's box office has certainly been rather dim. Ticket sales plummeted by 72 per cent from the first Friday to the second Friday, and by 66 per cent when comparing the first two weekends.
And with Transformers: Dark of the Moon, about to hit theaters worldwide I fear there might not be...
- 6/28/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
After the initial week of updates and announcements, DC Comics has been keeping quiet about many of its upcoming reboot titles hitting shelves this September.
But a new image - which could be a vendor's mistake or a planned leak - may have revealed the roster of the new Justice League of America.
Toon Tumblers, which makes glassware adorned with comic heroes and villains, posted a new Comic-Con exclusive cup featuring the new League and, while the picture has seemingly been removed, it didn't take long for some to notice the expanded line-up.
Already in the image are the originally-announced core members Superman, Batman, Flash, Cyborg, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Aquaman.
But what make this picture interesting are those in the background. As revealed by the DC Women Kicking Ass blog, there are an additional eight faces in the border panels. They appear to be: Deadman,...
After the initial week of updates and announcements, DC Comics has been keeping quiet about many of its upcoming reboot titles hitting shelves this September.
But a new image - which could be a vendor's mistake or a planned leak - may have revealed the roster of the new Justice League of America.
Toon Tumblers, which makes glassware adorned with comic heroes and villains, posted a new Comic-Con exclusive cup featuring the new League and, while the picture has seemingly been removed, it didn't take long for some to notice the expanded line-up.
Already in the image are the originally-announced core members Superman, Batman, Flash, Cyborg, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Aquaman.
But what make this picture interesting are those in the background. As revealed by the DC Women Kicking Ass blog, there are an additional eight faces in the border panels. They appear to be: Deadman,...
- 6/27/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
While she may not be faster than a speeding bullet or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Julia Ormond could end up playing the mother of someone who can.
Variety reports that Ormond has been offered the role of Lara Lor-Van, the biological mother of Superman (Henry Cavill) in the Zack Snyder-directed reboot Man of Steel, due out in December 2012.
The British actress would join Russell Crowe, who has been cast as the hero's Kryptonian father Jor-El, while Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are set to portray Ma and Pa Kent, Clark's Earthly caregivers. It was earlier rumoured that Crowe's Gladiator co-star Connie Nielsen had been approached to play Lara.
Ormond's screen credits include First Knight, Legends of the Fall and The Curious Case of Benjam Button.
Moving from capes and tights to flying armor and repulsor rays, Iron Man 3 may soon...
While she may not be faster than a speeding bullet or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Julia Ormond could end up playing the mother of someone who can.
Variety reports that Ormond has been offered the role of Lara Lor-Van, the biological mother of Superman (Henry Cavill) in the Zack Snyder-directed reboot Man of Steel, due out in December 2012.
The British actress would join Russell Crowe, who has been cast as the hero's Kryptonian father Jor-El, while Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are set to portray Ma and Pa Kent, Clark's Earthly caregivers. It was earlier rumoured that Crowe's Gladiator co-star Connie Nielsen had been approached to play Lara.
Ormond's screen credits include First Knight, Legends of the Fall and The Curious Case of Benjam Button.
Moving from capes and tights to flying armor and repulsor rays, Iron Man 3 may soon...
- 6/24/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Once again the countdown begins for the largest comic and entertainment convention in the USA.
The 42nd annual San Diego Comic-Con will be held from July 21 to 24 and planning is well under way.
As more than 125,000 fanboys and fangirls prepare to descend on the city for their yearly pilgrimage, publishers and production companies are adding to the growing list of star-studded events.
Warner Bros Television Group, one of the many media outlets participating, has issued a statement to the press with its current list of stars and producers attending panels and screenings. Sixteen series are set to be represented though it should be noted that the cast and crew due to attend may change.
Returning Favorites
• The Big Bang Theory: Stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch join creators/executive producers Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, and...
Once again the countdown begins for the largest comic and entertainment convention in the USA.
The 42nd annual San Diego Comic-Con will be held from July 21 to 24 and planning is well under way.
As more than 125,000 fanboys and fangirls prepare to descend on the city for their yearly pilgrimage, publishers and production companies are adding to the growing list of star-studded events.
Warner Bros Television Group, one of the many media outlets participating, has issued a statement to the press with its current list of stars and producers attending panels and screenings. Sixteen series are set to be represented though it should be noted that the cast and crew due to attend may change.
Returning Favorites
• The Big Bang Theory: Stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch join creators/executive producers Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, and...
- 6/23/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Next month sees more robot action in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which this time features Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as the love interest.
You'll recall that Victoria's Secret lingerie model Rosie joined the cast after the abrupt exit of Megan Fox. And that controversy has reared its head again, with more insight into what happened.
Ms Fox's departure - which came after she compared Michael Bay to Hitler - is mentioned in a cast and crew interview running in GQ this July.
In excerpts from the interview, featured on the magazine's website, Bay reveals the film's executive producer Steven Spielberg had been the one behind the decision to axe Megan from the project. Bay says: "She was in a different world, on her BlackBerry. You gotta stay focused. And you know, the Hitler thing. Steven said 'Fire her right now.'"
Spielberg's response to Fox's ill-judged remarks comes as no surprise,...
Next month sees more robot action in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which this time features Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as the love interest.
You'll recall that Victoria's Secret lingerie model Rosie joined the cast after the abrupt exit of Megan Fox. And that controversy has reared its head again, with more insight into what happened.
Ms Fox's departure - which came after she compared Michael Bay to Hitler - is mentioned in a cast and crew interview running in GQ this July.
In excerpts from the interview, featured on the magazine's website, Bay reveals the film's executive producer Steven Spielberg had been the one behind the decision to axe Megan from the project. Bay says: "She was in a different world, on her BlackBerry. You gotta stay focused. And you know, the Hitler thing. Steven said 'Fire her right now.'"
Spielberg's response to Fox's ill-judged remarks comes as no surprise,...
- 6/22/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
The Frenzy over Christopher Nolan's final bat-chapter The Dark Knight Rises has seen members of the public flocking to be part of the production.
Thousands waited in line in downtown Pittsburgh to fill 3,000 spots as extras in the final days of casting on the blockbuster.
Tammy Smith, of Smith & Webster-Davis Casting, tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "During the past two weekends, more than 8,000 people flocked to the casting calls. I think there has been a very good turnout that fit the categories we were looking for."
Having the right look for a prisoner, victim, criminal, police officer or even just a sports fan is what hopefuls will need to get a shot at screentime.
Also setting off the bat-signal have been comments made by Michael Caine (pictured), who plays Alfred in the Warner Bros franchise.
He told Collider: "I started filming last week and I film next week.
The Frenzy over Christopher Nolan's final bat-chapter The Dark Knight Rises has seen members of the public flocking to be part of the production.
Thousands waited in line in downtown Pittsburgh to fill 3,000 spots as extras in the final days of casting on the blockbuster.
Tammy Smith, of Smith & Webster-Davis Casting, tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "During the past two weekends, more than 8,000 people flocked to the casting calls. I think there has been a very good turnout that fit the categories we were looking for."
Having the right look for a prisoner, victim, criminal, police officer or even just a sports fan is what hopefuls will need to get a shot at screentime.
Also setting off the bat-signal have been comments made by Michael Caine (pictured), who plays Alfred in the Warner Bros franchise.
He told Collider: "I started filming last week and I film next week.
- 6/21/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
In what was promised by Marvel to be the year of the X-Men, some recent announcements promise big changes to rock the mutants' comic book world.
Rival publisher DC may be dominating the headlines with talk of its reboot, but Marvel has some major plans of its own: namely, the summer X-Men event, Schism, where mutantkind may be facing a civil war.
Though little is yet known about the conflict that will cause the Schism, we now know some of its repercussions. In a shock posting on its news page, Marvel tells us that: "All things must come an end...even for the X-Men, and this October fans will bear witness to the end of an era as Uncanny X-Men #544 concludes the long-running series."
Will this result in a new title taking Uncanny's place? Or will we just see it return in one of the all-too-common renumbering issues?...
In what was promised by Marvel to be the year of the X-Men, some recent announcements promise big changes to rock the mutants' comic book world.
Rival publisher DC may be dominating the headlines with talk of its reboot, but Marvel has some major plans of its own: namely, the summer X-Men event, Schism, where mutantkind may be facing a civil war.
Though little is yet known about the conflict that will cause the Schism, we now know some of its repercussions. In a shock posting on its news page, Marvel tells us that: "All things must come an end...even for the X-Men, and this October fans will bear witness to the end of an era as Uncanny X-Men #544 concludes the long-running series."
Will this result in a new title taking Uncanny's place? Or will we just see it return in one of the all-too-common renumbering issues?...
- 6/12/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Comic Book publisher DC has added five more titles to the growing list being relaunched this September.
Hot on the heels of the supernatural comics we reported on yesterday, this latest batch puts the focus on DC's youth movement.
DC had this to say about its young characters: "Following the announcements of new first issues starring many [of] DC's legendary characters, we are releasing news of first issues for several of DC's teenage heroes and young superteams."
And here they are...
Legion Lost #1
"Seven heroes from the 31st century have traveled back to the present day. Their mission: Save their future from total annihilation. When the future tech they brought with them fails, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish world and an ultimate struggle to survive. Legion Lost #1 (pictured below right) will be written by Fabian Nicieza and illustrated by Pete Woods, fresh off an acclaimed run of Action Comics.
Comic Book publisher DC has added five more titles to the growing list being relaunched this September.
Hot on the heels of the supernatural comics we reported on yesterday, this latest batch puts the focus on DC's youth movement.
DC had this to say about its young characters: "Following the announcements of new first issues starring many [of] DC's legendary characters, we are releasing news of first issues for several of DC's teenage heroes and young superteams."
And here they are...
Legion Lost #1
"Seven heroes from the 31st century have traveled back to the present day. Their mission: Save their future from total annihilation. When the future tech they brought with them fails, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish world and an ultimate struggle to survive. Legion Lost #1 (pictured below right) will be written by Fabian Nicieza and illustrated by Pete Woods, fresh off an acclaimed run of Action Comics.
- 6/9/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Following the dramatic news that DC Comics was hitting the reset button, the publisher has announced details of a number of rebooted titles focusing on its supernatural characters.
We have vampires, Frankenstein, an occult version of the Justice League and many more. Full details are included below.
This unveiling is also showing the first major integration of Wildstorm and Vertigo personalities.
Swamp Thing #1
"DC Comics embraces its dark side. On the 40th anniversary of the character's creation, the New York Times bestselling writer of American Vampire, Scott Snyder, teams up with Yannick Paquette (Batman, Incorporated) to bring horror back to the DC Universe in Swamp Thing #1. For years, one man served against his will as the avatar of nature. And while he may have been freed of the monster, he's about to learn the monster will never truly let go of him."
Justice League Dark #1
"John Constantine,...
Following the dramatic news that DC Comics was hitting the reset button, the publisher has announced details of a number of rebooted titles focusing on its supernatural characters.
We have vampires, Frankenstein, an occult version of the Justice League and many more. Full details are included below.
This unveiling is also showing the first major integration of Wildstorm and Vertigo personalities.
Swamp Thing #1
"DC Comics embraces its dark side. On the 40th anniversary of the character's creation, the New York Times bestselling writer of American Vampire, Scott Snyder, teams up with Yannick Paquette (Batman, Incorporated) to bring horror back to the DC Universe in Swamp Thing #1. For years, one man served against his will as the avatar of nature. And while he may have been freed of the monster, he's about to learn the monster will never truly let go of him."
Justice League Dark #1
"John Constantine,...
- 6/9/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
This time of year brings the normal talk of the epic comic events that boast big changes for their respective publishers while only amounting to modest differences.
But DC Comics may be putting its money where its mouth is with the just-announced reboot. In a letter to retailers regarding the upcoming and long-rumored changes, the publishing giant gave us far more than anyone could have been expecting.
At first it just seemed like the same old tricks as Bob Wayne, senior VP of sales, explained: "This September, we are relaunching the entire DC Universe line of comic books with all new first issues: 52 of them to be exact."
First issues. Legacy issues. Fans have been playing the numbering game, or re-numbering game, with publishers for years. So is that really such a big deal? Or is it a surprise that a publisher will roll out titles with...
This time of year brings the normal talk of the epic comic events that boast big changes for their respective publishers while only amounting to modest differences.
But DC Comics may be putting its money where its mouth is with the just-announced reboot. In a letter to retailers regarding the upcoming and long-rumored changes, the publishing giant gave us far more than anyone could have been expecting.
At first it just seemed like the same old tricks as Bob Wayne, senior VP of sales, explained: "This September, we are relaunching the entire DC Universe line of comic books with all new first issues: 52 of them to be exact."
First issues. Legacy issues. Fans have been playing the numbering game, or re-numbering game, with publishers for years. So is that really such a big deal? Or is it a surprise that a publisher will roll out titles with...
- 6/2/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
The long talked-about film adaptation of World War Z, a 2006 novel by Max Brooks, appears to be gathering momentum.
Swedish rising star Alicia Vikander (pictured) may be set to play Segen in the Plan B Entertainment Production, reports horror site Bloody Disgusting.
Pitt, who heads up Plan B, will be headlining a roster with the likes of Mireille Enos (The Killing, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf - Broadway) and Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker, Eagle Eye) in this post-apocalyptic zombie tale.
World War Z follows Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt), a United Nations employee who travels the world in an effort to stop the spreading epidemic and save the human race.
Calling the shots will be Quantum of Solace director Marc Forster with veteran writers J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5, Superman Earth One) and Matt Carnahan (The Kingdom, State of Play) penning the script.
Early reports have cited...
The long talked-about film adaptation of World War Z, a 2006 novel by Max Brooks, appears to be gathering momentum.
Swedish rising star Alicia Vikander (pictured) may be set to play Segen in the Plan B Entertainment Production, reports horror site Bloody Disgusting.
Pitt, who heads up Plan B, will be headlining a roster with the likes of Mireille Enos (The Killing, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf - Broadway) and Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker, Eagle Eye) in this post-apocalyptic zombie tale.
World War Z follows Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt), a United Nations employee who travels the world in an effort to stop the spreading epidemic and save the human race.
Calling the shots will be Quantum of Solace director Marc Forster with veteran writers J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5, Superman Earth One) and Matt Carnahan (The Kingdom, State of Play) penning the script.
Early reports have cited...
- 5/26/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
As filming gets under way on the climax of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, three more names have been added to the epic's star-laden cast.
And it looks like the Joker is back, though not in the way you might expect.
Matthew Modine and Tom Conti (both pictured above), along with 11-year-old actress Joey King (right) are reported by Variety to have joined the production.
Modine, known for playing Pvt Joker in Stanley Kubrick's 1987 Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket, is taking on a character named Nixon. More recently, the actor was in Transporter 2.
Conti (Shirley Valentine, Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, Reuben, Reuben) and King (Ramona and Beezus, Battle: Los Angeles) have yet to see their parts revealed.
There's no reason to think any of them will be taking on a major role. Nolan has cast well-known actors as minor characters in the previous two...
As filming gets under way on the climax of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, three more names have been added to the epic's star-laden cast.
And it looks like the Joker is back, though not in the way you might expect.
Matthew Modine and Tom Conti (both pictured above), along with 11-year-old actress Joey King (right) are reported by Variety to have joined the production.
Modine, known for playing Pvt Joker in Stanley Kubrick's 1987 Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket, is taking on a character named Nixon. More recently, the actor was in Transporter 2.
Conti (Shirley Valentine, Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, Reuben, Reuben) and King (Ramona and Beezus, Battle: Los Angeles) have yet to see their parts revealed.
There's no reason to think any of them will be taking on a major role. Nolan has cast well-known actors as minor characters in the previous two...
- 5/21/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Fox Television has swung the axe over its line-up in a dramatic cull that includes two projects with comic book origins.
More superhero and comic properties than ever are seeing life as films and TV shows but in such a crowded and competitive marketplace, some fall flat and others never get off the ground.
Today, Inside TV reported that 20th Century Fox Television has scrapped its DC Comics-based series Human Target after just two seasons. This is its second failed attempt as a show, the first airing on ABC in 1992 and starring pop singer Rick Springfield as central character Christopher Chance. Declining ratings were the reason for terminating the latest incarnation as it's experienced a steady drop since premiering two years ago.
The more discouraging news is that Fox has passed on the planned autumn launch of Locke & Key, based on Joe Hill's comic (pictured) about...
Fox Television has swung the axe over its line-up in a dramatic cull that includes two projects with comic book origins.
More superhero and comic properties than ever are seeing life as films and TV shows but in such a crowded and competitive marketplace, some fall flat and others never get off the ground.
Today, Inside TV reported that 20th Century Fox Television has scrapped its DC Comics-based series Human Target after just two seasons. This is its second failed attempt as a show, the first airing on ABC in 1992 and starring pop singer Rick Springfield as central character Christopher Chance. Declining ratings were the reason for terminating the latest incarnation as it's experienced a steady drop since premiering two years ago.
The more discouraging news is that Fox has passed on the planned autumn launch of Locke & Key, based on Joe Hill's comic (pictured) about...
- 5/11/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
The summer of superheroes is now up and running with Marvel's Thor and 2012 continues the trend with a relaunch of our friendly neighborhood webslinger in The Amazing Spider-Man.
Hollywood veteran Martin Sheen steps in as uncle Ben (Parker), Peter Parker's surrogate father figure, in this retelling of Spidey's origin.
Sheen, who's best known for his performances in Apocalypse Now and TV's The West Wing, has spoken about his his character's involvement in the wall-crawler's evolution.
"I'm not in any of the scenes where he's Spider-man. He's still a little boy. He's a teenager when it starts." Sheen Tells HeyUGuys.
"I'm his uncle. And so all of our scenes are just like you and I talking now. I'm dealing with this adolescent who is having problems with changes, with hormones changing and his getting out of hand. I have to give him the marching orders and so forth.
The summer of superheroes is now up and running with Marvel's Thor and 2012 continues the trend with a relaunch of our friendly neighborhood webslinger in The Amazing Spider-Man.
Hollywood veteran Martin Sheen steps in as uncle Ben (Parker), Peter Parker's surrogate father figure, in this retelling of Spidey's origin.
Sheen, who's best known for his performances in Apocalypse Now and TV's The West Wing, has spoken about his his character's involvement in the wall-crawler's evolution.
"I'm not in any of the scenes where he's Spider-man. He's still a little boy. He's a teenager when it starts." Sheen Tells HeyUGuys.
"I'm his uncle. And so all of our scenes are just like you and I talking now. I'm dealing with this adolescent who is having problems with changes, with hormones changing and his getting out of hand. I have to give him the marching orders and so forth.
- 5/9/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Converting comic, sci-fi, and fantasy books to film is all the rage in Hollywood and we have news of two more joining the procession.
After the collapse of earlier attempts, it seems Anne McCaffrey's lengthy sci-fi series The Dragonriders of Pern will begin flying on to a screen near you in the not-too-distant future.
Copperheart Entertainment has announced that it has closed agreements with David Hayter and Benedict Carver's Dark Hero Studios, Don Murphy and Susan Montford's Angry Films and Entertainment One to adapt the first novel Dragonflight, published in 1968, into a feature film.
Hayter is to pen the screenplay; he previously worked on the scripts for X2 and Watchmen. No director is attached at this stage, but production is set to begin in early 2012.
The story is set among human colonists on the planet Pern, who must harness indigenous dragons to destroy an...
Converting comic, sci-fi, and fantasy books to film is all the rage in Hollywood and we have news of two more joining the procession.
After the collapse of earlier attempts, it seems Anne McCaffrey's lengthy sci-fi series The Dragonriders of Pern will begin flying on to a screen near you in the not-too-distant future.
Copperheart Entertainment has announced that it has closed agreements with David Hayter and Benedict Carver's Dark Hero Studios, Don Murphy and Susan Montford's Angry Films and Entertainment One to adapt the first novel Dragonflight, published in 1968, into a feature film.
Hayter is to pen the screenplay; he previously worked on the scripts for X2 and Watchmen. No director is attached at this stage, but production is set to begin in early 2012.
The story is set among human colonists on the planet Pern, who must harness indigenous dragons to destroy an...
- 4/15/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
A Tremendous amount of excitement surrounded the naming of Darren Aronofsky as the director of Fox's upcoming The Wolverine, especially after the plaudits for Black Swan.
So there was an equal amount of disappointment when he removed himself from the project just last month.
That anticipation may be returning with the recent rumors of indie up-and-comer Duncan Jones being mentioned as a possible replacement.
Jones, who is the son of David Bowie, emerged onto the scene with the 2009 thriller Moon, starring Sam Rockwell as a lone worker at a lunar mining base. It was very well-received and seen as a welcome return to the more thoughtful sci-fi of yesteryear.
His next film was the recently-released Source Code with actor Jake Gyllenhaal. It had a more traditional look while still possessing the sensibilities that made Moon such a sleeper hit. This approach, combined with the ability to make...
A Tremendous amount of excitement surrounded the naming of Darren Aronofsky as the director of Fox's upcoming The Wolverine, especially after the plaudits for Black Swan.
So there was an equal amount of disappointment when he removed himself from the project just last month.
That anticipation may be returning with the recent rumors of indie up-and-comer Duncan Jones being mentioned as a possible replacement.
Jones, who is the son of David Bowie, emerged onto the scene with the 2009 thriller Moon, starring Sam Rockwell as a lone worker at a lunar mining base. It was very well-received and seen as a welcome return to the more thoughtful sci-fi of yesteryear.
His next film was the recently-released Source Code with actor Jake Gyllenhaal. It had a more traditional look while still possessing the sensibilities that made Moon such a sleeper hit. This approach, combined with the ability to make...
- 4/12/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
A Third Tron movie is reportedly on the way, with director Joseph Kosinski putting together the story with returning writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, according to Deadline.
Rather conveniently, the talk of a further instalment comes just as Disney unveils the DVD and Blu-ray of Tron: Legacy. (It was released on Monday in the Us, and launches on April 18 in the UK).
At a glance some of the numbers look encouraging. Tron's $399 million worldwide gross put Kosinski atop the highest earning first-time live-action directors' list, and it's been noted - in a somewhat desperate-looking scramble to claim success - that it had a bigger box office total than the Star Trek reboot, Batman Begins, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy or X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
But with a budget exceeding $165m (and rumoured in one report in The Times to be an Avatar-busting price tag of...
A Third Tron movie is reportedly on the way, with director Joseph Kosinski putting together the story with returning writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, according to Deadline.
Rather conveniently, the talk of a further instalment comes just as Disney unveils the DVD and Blu-ray of Tron: Legacy. (It was released on Monday in the Us, and launches on April 18 in the UK).
At a glance some of the numbers look encouraging. Tron's $399 million worldwide gross put Kosinski atop the highest earning first-time live-action directors' list, and it's been noted - in a somewhat desperate-looking scramble to claim success - that it had a bigger box office total than the Star Trek reboot, Batman Begins, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy or X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
But with a budget exceeding $165m (and rumoured in one report in The Times to be an Avatar-busting price tag of...
- 4/7/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
With a new trailer, new faces and a new writer, the hit sci-fi show Doctor Who made an appearance at San Francisco's WonderCon.
Like most of the Us convention circuit, WonderCon had its share of big comic book reveals, exciting new film footage and stars talking about all things fabulous in Hollywood.
Despite all of that, nothing managed to overshadow the anticipation for Sunday's Doctor Who panel. Present were director Toby Haynes (Five Days, Being Human), actor Mark Sheppard (24, Battlestar Galactica, Warehouse 13) and writer extraordinaire - and newcomer to Doctor Who - Neil Gaiman (pictured; Neverwhere, American Gods), all introduced by moderator Chris Hardwick.
The panel - which focused heavily on the two-part story that not only takes place in the Us, but was also filmed on location in the Utah desert - hit on the usual claims of the Doctor facing his biggest threat ever...
With a new trailer, new faces and a new writer, the hit sci-fi show Doctor Who made an appearance at San Francisco's WonderCon.
Like most of the Us convention circuit, WonderCon had its share of big comic book reveals, exciting new film footage and stars talking about all things fabulous in Hollywood.
Despite all of that, nothing managed to overshadow the anticipation for Sunday's Doctor Who panel. Present were director Toby Haynes (Five Days, Being Human), actor Mark Sheppard (24, Battlestar Galactica, Warehouse 13) and writer extraordinaire - and newcomer to Doctor Who - Neil Gaiman (pictured; Neverwhere, American Gods), all introduced by moderator Chris Hardwick.
The panel - which focused heavily on the two-part story that not only takes place in the Us, but was also filmed on location in the Utah desert - hit on the usual claims of the Doctor facing his biggest threat ever...
- 4/6/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Add the departure of a film's director to its primary shooting location being struck by a major natural disaster and you have a recipe for delay. Although that may not be enough to stop The Wolverine clawing back to the big screen.
Following the exit of Darren Aronofsky over family issues and the crisis in Japan with the earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear reactor leaks, the future of 20th Century Fox's project looked bleak.
But Jackman, who has already begun sculpting his body for his second solo outing as the metal-augmented mutant, is not giving up on the endeavor.
He told Entertainment Weekly: "So now we're out looking for a director, we were pretty much ready to go. The script is fantastic - the best we've ever had, which is why it attracted Darren in the first place. His personal situation precludes him from doing it now,...
Add the departure of a film's director to its primary shooting location being struck by a major natural disaster and you have a recipe for delay. Although that may not be enough to stop The Wolverine clawing back to the big screen.
Following the exit of Darren Aronofsky over family issues and the crisis in Japan with the earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear reactor leaks, the future of 20th Century Fox's project looked bleak.
But Jackman, who has already begun sculpting his body for his second solo outing as the metal-augmented mutant, is not giving up on the endeavor.
He told Entertainment Weekly: "So now we're out looking for a director, we were pretty much ready to go. The script is fantastic - the best we've ever had, which is why it attracted Darren in the first place. His personal situation precludes him from doing it now,...
- 3/30/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Hollywood's obsession with mining comic books for movie material is glaringly obvious. So is the current trend for films based on classic literature, vampires and werewolves.
So executives scored two for the price of one when they snapped up the Darkstorm Comics series I, Frankenstein.
And now, with the addition of Stuart Beattie as writer and director of the Lakeshore Entertainment project, all the bases seem to be covered.
Beattie is the screenwriter behind comic-based films such as Punisher: War Zone and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and also translated the award-winning vampire series 30 Days of Night for the big screen.
Adding to the horror feast is the story's creator and writer of the comic, Kevin Grevioux, who will serve as executive producer of the picture and who penned the original adaptation. Grevioux, who has a litany of acting and writing credits, is the co-creator of...
Hollywood's obsession with mining comic books for movie material is glaringly obvious. So is the current trend for films based on classic literature, vampires and werewolves.
So executives scored two for the price of one when they snapped up the Darkstorm Comics series I, Frankenstein.
And now, with the addition of Stuart Beattie as writer and director of the Lakeshore Entertainment project, all the bases seem to be covered.
Beattie is the screenwriter behind comic-based films such as Punisher: War Zone and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and also translated the award-winning vampire series 30 Days of Night for the big screen.
Adding to the horror feast is the story's creator and writer of the comic, Kevin Grevioux, who will serve as executive producer of the picture and who penned the original adaptation. Grevioux, who has a litany of acting and writing credits, is the co-creator of...
- 3/30/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
A Writer first known for his work with Doctor Who, penning several novels as well as writing for the BBC television series, Paul Cornell may now be more recognizable in the comic book landscape.
In addition to writing the Hugo Award-nominated run on Captain Britain & Mi: 13 for Marvel, he is currently the pen behind DC's Action Comics and Knight & Squire.
Working on both sides of the medium gives Paul a unique perspective on the translation of book into film/TV and how this may affect the source material.
Speaking to me at C2E2, Cornell (pictured) said: "I think that probably movie adaptations have influenced the medium a great deal, I'm not sure for ill, I think they reminded us that we need to be punchy and hit the plot points."
And he adds: "I regret the loss of the thought balloon; I'm trying to bring it back.
A Writer first known for his work with Doctor Who, penning several novels as well as writing for the BBC television series, Paul Cornell may now be more recognizable in the comic book landscape.
In addition to writing the Hugo Award-nominated run on Captain Britain & Mi: 13 for Marvel, he is currently the pen behind DC's Action Comics and Knight & Squire.
Working on both sides of the medium gives Paul a unique perspective on the translation of book into film/TV and how this may affect the source material.
Speaking to me at C2E2, Cornell (pictured) said: "I think that probably movie adaptations have influenced the medium a great deal, I'm not sure for ill, I think they reminded us that we need to be punchy and hit the plot points."
And he adds: "I regret the loss of the thought balloon; I'm trying to bring it back.
- 3/27/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Firebreather, Cartoon Network's animated film adaptation of the Image comic, hit the shelves on DVD and Blu-ray this week.
Directed by Peter Chung (Aeon Flux) and based on the book series by Phil Hester and Andy Kuhn, Firebreather promises "fierce action in the clash of two worlds where monsters roam the Earth and past secrets are exposed."
At the heart of the tale, a teenage boy named Duncan struggles to find his place as half-dragon and half-human. His mom wants him to pay more attention to his homework, while his dad - a 120ft, fire-breathing Kaiju from the depths of the Earth - wants him to follow in his monstrous footsteps.
Duncan faces trials by fire from two worlds: in one, overcoming his father's challenges to prepare for the Kaiju throne; in the other, coping with life in a new high school. Firebreather is a story...
Firebreather, Cartoon Network's animated film adaptation of the Image comic, hit the shelves on DVD and Blu-ray this week.
Directed by Peter Chung (Aeon Flux) and based on the book series by Phil Hester and Andy Kuhn, Firebreather promises "fierce action in the clash of two worlds where monsters roam the Earth and past secrets are exposed."
At the heart of the tale, a teenage boy named Duncan struggles to find his place as half-dragon and half-human. His mom wants him to pay more attention to his homework, while his dad - a 120ft, fire-breathing Kaiju from the depths of the Earth - wants him to follow in his monstrous footsteps.
Duncan faces trials by fire from two worlds: in one, overcoming his father's challenges to prepare for the Kaiju throne; in the other, coping with life in a new high school. Firebreather is a story...
- 3/24/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Comic Book giant Marvel unveiled the shape of things to come at a C2E2 panel featuring some of the company's top creators.
Joe Quesada led the session in which Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, C.B. Cebulski, Mark Waid and Jeph Loeb met fans at this weekend's Chicago's Comic and Entertainment Expo and talked about a future full of surprises.
Quesada (pictured right), the recently named chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment, introduced the panel - making sure to point out the lack of hair on Marvel top writer Brian Michael Bendis and the contrasting fullness of Fraction's hairdo.
Cebulski, senior vice president creator and content developer, started by making the first big announcement regarding the publisher's upcoming year.
"As you know we created the marketing platform called the Marvel Architects, We decided to expand it and really focus on writers and the artists who are driving...
Comic Book giant Marvel unveiled the shape of things to come at a C2E2 panel featuring some of the company's top creators.
Joe Quesada led the session in which Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, C.B. Cebulski, Mark Waid and Jeph Loeb met fans at this weekend's Chicago's Comic and Entertainment Expo and talked about a future full of surprises.
Quesada (pictured right), the recently named chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment, introduced the panel - making sure to point out the lack of hair on Marvel top writer Brian Michael Bendis and the contrasting fullness of Fraction's hairdo.
Cebulski, senior vice president creator and content developer, started by making the first big announcement regarding the publisher's upcoming year.
"As you know we created the marketing platform called the Marvel Architects, We decided to expand it and really focus on writers and the artists who are driving...
- 3/22/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Marvel's god of thunder descended from Asgard to land at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo - C2E2 - this weekend, where he whipped up a storm on the upcoming Thor and Avengers movies.
Chris Hemsworth will wield the mystical hammer Mjolnir in director Kenneth Branagh's Thor, released on April 27 in the UK and May 6 in the USA; his character will then join Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Nick Fury, Black Widow and Hawkeye in team-up movie The Avengers, out in 2012.
After an introduction by IGN's Chris Carl, who also served as moderator, Hemsworth made his way to the stage at C2E2 to address questions.
I was among the fans attending the convention to find out what he could tell us about both of these hotly-anticipated comic book adaptations. Read on below to find out what the actor had to say.
Q: Obviously, being...
Marvel's god of thunder descended from Asgard to land at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo - C2E2 - this weekend, where he whipped up a storm on the upcoming Thor and Avengers movies.
Chris Hemsworth will wield the mystical hammer Mjolnir in director Kenneth Branagh's Thor, released on April 27 in the UK and May 6 in the USA; his character will then join Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Nick Fury, Black Widow and Hawkeye in team-up movie The Avengers, out in 2012.
After an introduction by IGN's Chris Carl, who also served as moderator, Hemsworth made his way to the stage at C2E2 to address questions.
I was among the fans attending the convention to find out what he could tell us about both of these hotly-anticipated comic book adaptations. Read on below to find out what the actor had to say.
Q: Obviously, being...
- 3/21/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Want to know what's in store in this year's X-Men: First Class? Well, it will almost certainly bring us some Havok.
The character of that name - played by Lucas Till - is shown here in a new image sent to us today by 20th Century Fox. He stands in an underground chamber surrounded by fire that may well be of his own creation.
Havok - whose real name is Alex Summers and who is the brother of Cyclops - has the power to absorb naturally occurring cosmic rays and discharge the energy from his body as destructive blasts.
It's an ability he struggles to control so maybe he is practising and honing his abilities in the scene shown here, which could well depict an early version of the X-Men's classic training area known as the Danger Room.
With the film's release date (June 2 in the UK,...
Want to know what's in store in this year's X-Men: First Class? Well, it will almost certainly bring us some Havok.
The character of that name - played by Lucas Till - is shown here in a new image sent to us today by 20th Century Fox. He stands in an underground chamber surrounded by fire that may well be of his own creation.
Havok - whose real name is Alex Summers and who is the brother of Cyclops - has the power to absorb naturally occurring cosmic rays and discharge the energy from his body as destructive blasts.
It's an ability he struggles to control so maybe he is practising and honing his abilities in the scene shown here, which could well depict an early version of the X-Men's classic training area known as the Danger Room.
With the film's release date (June 2 in the UK,...
- 3/11/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Plans for a TV show based on the long-running comic Powers are finally gathering momentum, with Deadline reporting (via IGN) that Us network FX has ordered a pilot episode.
Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Michael Avon Oeming (artist) are the creators behind this hybrid of the crime noir and superhero genres, published at first by Image Comics and now by Marvel under its Icon imprint.
The title centres on detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim as they investigate cases involving superbeings (or "powers" as they're called in the book). Walker adds a personal tie as he's a former superhero himself.
FX has been trying to get the project off the ground for some time, with president John Landgraf saying: "I'm really excited about what's going on with Powers now. It's funny, it's taken a long time. It's really hard I think to adapt a graphic novel into a successful television show.
Plans for a TV show based on the long-running comic Powers are finally gathering momentum, with Deadline reporting (via IGN) that Us network FX has ordered a pilot episode.
Brian Michael Bendis (writer) and Michael Avon Oeming (artist) are the creators behind this hybrid of the crime noir and superhero genres, published at first by Image Comics and now by Marvel under its Icon imprint.
The title centres on detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim as they investigate cases involving superbeings (or "powers" as they're called in the book). Walker adds a personal tie as he's a former superhero himself.
FX has been trying to get the project off the ground for some time, with president John Landgraf saying: "I'm really excited about what's going on with Powers now. It's funny, it's taken a long time. It's really hard I think to adapt a graphic novel into a successful television show.
- 3/3/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Preacher fans may have had their prayers answered by a tweet from director D.J. Caruso.
"My deal just closed on Preacher. Going back to the dark side and pretty f*****g pumped!" was the message Caruso sent to fans via his Twitter feed this week.
Preacher, a big-screen adaptation of writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon's comic series of the same name, has been in the works for some time, with Caruso (I Am Number Four, Eagle Eye, Disturbia) now the second director attached to the film.
First up was Academy Award-winning Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) who left the production to helm the next Bond flick. And before Mendes, there were moves to turn the title into a TV series directed by Mark Steven Johnson (Daredevil, Ghost Rider) but HBO backed out because they felt it was too dark and violent.
As for scripting,...
Preacher fans may have had their prayers answered by a tweet from director D.J. Caruso.
"My deal just closed on Preacher. Going back to the dark side and pretty f*****g pumped!" was the message Caruso sent to fans via his Twitter feed this week.
Preacher, a big-screen adaptation of writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon's comic series of the same name, has been in the works for some time, with Caruso (I Am Number Four, Eagle Eye, Disturbia) now the second director attached to the film.
First up was Academy Award-winning Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) who left the production to helm the next Bond flick. And before Mendes, there were moves to turn the title into a TV series directed by Mark Steven Johnson (Daredevil, Ghost Rider) but HBO backed out because they felt it was too dark and violent.
As for scripting,...
- 2/23/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
All eyes are on Marvel as it heads towards the May 2012 release of its superhero gathering The Avengers.
Director Joss Whedon faces the challenge of juggling a whole host of characters on screen - something which has had mixed results in other franchises, as seen with the competing trio of villains in Spider-Man 3, the multiple characters introduced in Iron Man 2 and the large cast of the X-Men films.
Last year, Whedon was confident he could concoct the perfect superhero team-up, giving the Melbourne Writers' Festival his thoughts about comic book adaptations: "There's been a couple of hits but most of them I think haven't - and I also feel that we went from the really terrible Hollywood executive's idea of what a comic book movie should be, to a very short moment when we started getting it right, and then went directly to post-modern.
"Directly to Watchmen,...
All eyes are on Marvel as it heads towards the May 2012 release of its superhero gathering The Avengers.
Director Joss Whedon faces the challenge of juggling a whole host of characters on screen - something which has had mixed results in other franchises, as seen with the competing trio of villains in Spider-Man 3, the multiple characters introduced in Iron Man 2 and the large cast of the X-Men films.
Last year, Whedon was confident he could concoct the perfect superhero team-up, giving the Melbourne Writers' Festival his thoughts about comic book adaptations: "There's been a couple of hits but most of them I think haven't - and I also feel that we went from the really terrible Hollywood executive's idea of what a comic book movie should be, to a very short moment when we started getting it right, and then went directly to post-modern.
"Directly to Watchmen,...
- 1/30/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Review by Michael Pellegrini
Batman 706
Writer & Artist: Tony Daniel
Tony Daniel, who again took over as both writer and artist on Batman issue 704, finally seems to have given this Dark Knight his own voice.
It's been some time now since Dick Grayson (Batman's first ward, the original Robin) took on the duties of The Batman, but so far Daniel had failed to distinguish him from his predecessor. Along with the cape and cowl, the former Nightwing seemed to have inherited Bruce Wayne's tone, attitude, and demeanor.
Issue 706 sees some changes that put Grayson more in his comfort zone. Damian Wayne (the current Robin) is finally added, allowing for the banter that defines the dynamic duo and for Grayson to show some of his classic humor.
The good and bad of this issue, and Daniel's entire run, stem from the same source: The writer/artist has added a new cast of...
Batman 706
Writer & Artist: Tony Daniel
Tony Daniel, who again took over as both writer and artist on Batman issue 704, finally seems to have given this Dark Knight his own voice.
It's been some time now since Dick Grayson (Batman's first ward, the original Robin) took on the duties of The Batman, but so far Daniel had failed to distinguish him from his predecessor. Along with the cape and cowl, the former Nightwing seemed to have inherited Bruce Wayne's tone, attitude, and demeanor.
Issue 706 sees some changes that put Grayson more in his comfort zone. Damian Wayne (the current Robin) is finally added, allowing for the banter that defines the dynamic duo and for Grayson to show some of his classic humor.
The good and bad of this issue, and Daniel's entire run, stem from the same source: The writer/artist has added a new cast of...
- 1/27/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Now that the new Wonder Woman series has found a home at NBC, the network seems to have lassoed a director for the pilot.
McG's name hit the net today as TVLine's Michael Ausiello reported that he has "emerged as the odds-on favorite to direct the pilot for NBC's much-hyped Wonder Woman remake."
Intriguingly, there have been no confirmed talks between the director and network bosses, yet he's still considered the frontrunner.
McG's credits for television include Chuck, Nikita, Supernatural, and Human Target (which was also a comic-based show). While his experience in direction lies primarily in feature films, he did direct the pilots for both Chuck and the short-lived Fastlane.
He's an easy fit with his production company based with Warner Bros but, more than that, he also has experience making women kicking ass. After an earlier career with music videos, he broke into...
Now that the new Wonder Woman series has found a home at NBC, the network seems to have lassoed a director for the pilot.
McG's name hit the net today as TVLine's Michael Ausiello reported that he has "emerged as the odds-on favorite to direct the pilot for NBC's much-hyped Wonder Woman remake."
Intriguingly, there have been no confirmed talks between the director and network bosses, yet he's still considered the frontrunner.
McG's credits for television include Chuck, Nikita, Supernatural, and Human Target (which was also a comic-based show). While his experience in direction lies primarily in feature films, he did direct the pilots for both Chuck and the short-lived Fastlane.
He's an easy fit with his production company based with Warner Bros but, more than that, he also has experience making women kicking ass. After an earlier career with music videos, he broke into...
- 1/26/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Even though it was met with less-than-glowing reviews, the 2007 comic book adaptation Ghost Rider brought in $237million at the global box office and then a further $103million in DVD sales in the Us alone, according to figures on The Numbers film data site.
Not a staggering total by normal blockbuster standards but by no means a flop either.
It more than recouped its $120million budget and blazed enough of a trail to beat the similarly hell-themed comic adaptations Constantine and Hellboy and persuade Sony to greenlight a follow-up.
The studio had to move fast to avoid losing the rights back to Marvel and we're all expecting this next film - now in production in Romania, with Nicolas Cage back behind the handlebars - to improve on the forgettable first effort.
Cage has now indicated that Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance will be unrelated to the earlier release,...
Even though it was met with less-than-glowing reviews, the 2007 comic book adaptation Ghost Rider brought in $237million at the global box office and then a further $103million in DVD sales in the Us alone, according to figures on The Numbers film data site.
Not a staggering total by normal blockbuster standards but by no means a flop either.
It more than recouped its $120million budget and blazed enough of a trail to beat the similarly hell-themed comic adaptations Constantine and Hellboy and persuade Sony to greenlight a follow-up.
The studio had to move fast to avoid losing the rights back to Marvel and we're all expecting this next film - now in production in Romania, with Nicolas Cage back behind the handlebars - to improve on the forgettable first effort.
Cage has now indicated that Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance will be unrelated to the earlier release,...
- 12/6/2010
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
By Michael Pellegrini
Wolverine Mini-Series (hardcover collection)
Includes Wolverine issues 1-4 (Writer: Chris Claremont, Art: Frank Miller) and Uncanny X-Men issues 172-173 (Writer: Chris Claremont, Art: Paul Smith)
"I'm the best there is at what I do. But what I do best isn't very nice."
With those famous words, so begins the story of the Wolverine in this classic 1982 mini-series.
Regarded as a milestone in the mutant's mythos, it was written by legendary X-writer Chris Claremont and penciled by Frank Miller (300, Sin City).
Now we know it's the basis for the next movie - to be directed by Darren Aronofsky and entitled The Wolverine - it seems an ideal time to revisit the story that made so many of us fall in love with the character.
Whether the film follows the book panel for panel isn't clear, but we know the screenplay is closely based on the story so I...
Wolverine Mini-Series (hardcover collection)
Includes Wolverine issues 1-4 (Writer: Chris Claremont, Art: Frank Miller) and Uncanny X-Men issues 172-173 (Writer: Chris Claremont, Art: Paul Smith)
"I'm the best there is at what I do. But what I do best isn't very nice."
With those famous words, so begins the story of the Wolverine in this classic 1982 mini-series.
Regarded as a milestone in the mutant's mythos, it was written by legendary X-writer Chris Claremont and penciled by Frank Miller (300, Sin City).
Now we know it's the basis for the next movie - to be directed by Darren Aronofsky and entitled The Wolverine - it seems an ideal time to revisit the story that made so many of us fall in love with the character.
Whether the film follows the book panel for panel isn't clear, but we know the screenplay is closely based on the story so I...
- 11/29/2010
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
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