THE ZOCALO TODAY -February 26, 2005

WHAT'S NEW

THE MEMORY OF SHADOWS - UPDATE

From: JMS
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 01:52:00
Subject: from jms re:tmos
The rule of thumb in Hollywood is that for every thousand scripts
that get written, only a few dozen get into development, and out of
those, only one will ever get made...if that.

A little over a year ago, I was approached by a company that wanted
to make a Babylon 5 movie. They optioned the rights, and
commissioned a script. (It's worth mentioning that I, not WB, own
the rights to a B5 movie. When we were negotiating the original B5
deal -- by whose terms I will never see a dime in profit -- the one
thing they did let me have were the movie rights, figuring they'd
never be worth anything in the long run.)

Anyway...on December 27th of 2003, the script for "The Memory of
Shadows" was turned in, and the process began of trying to make the
deal work with all the various forces involved. It is, to say the
least, a very difficult process on any movie where the studio does
not directly take the financial reins. In terms of B5, Warner's
position was esssentially, "We only do big-budget movies with big
names, so you're on your own." If there were big-name movie actors
in the film, they'd get behind it; without that, things become very
problematic, especially as far as the financing was concerned. You
much have to put together a consortium of international interests
and business plans rivaled in complexity only by the Allied invasion
of Normandy Beach.

Nonetheless, every attempt was made by the people involved to get
this deal in place. This was not being done by Doug or myself, but
rather by the company/individuals who approached us and optioned the
rights. At times, it seemed we were inches away from a deal...stages
were reserved at Elstree, actors were contacted, a director was in
place, the script went through many revisions, a few key staff were
hired, again not by me...it was really a year-long roller coaster
ride.

During that time, the people involved, with every good intention,
tried very hard to pull the necessary pieces together on the deal.
The option expired in late December 2004, but I renewed it without
cost, to give those involved more time to try and make things work.
In the end, however, the deal could be put together, and it did not
look as if that was going to change at any point in the foreseeable
future. So the option has reverted, and to all intents and
purposes, the project has dead ended. Nor do I think this
particular incarnation will arise again at any point in the future,
though prognostication has always been a tricky art, especially if
you have to do it without the benefit of hindsight.

This was not the first time someone's taken a run at a B5 feature
film, and it will not be the last. Eventually it will happen,
because such things are simply inevitable. If they can do a Brady
Bunch movie, you can be sure that sooner or later, somebody's going
to do a B5 movie.

The only thing I can say without equivocation is that when that day
comes, as the rights-holder, I will make darned sure that it's done
right, because I'd rather have no B5 movie than one that doesn't
live up to what fans and I myself would want to see.

To that end...I can wait.
Anyway, just thought you should know the story.
jms

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

Science fiction is complex and can be defined in a number of ways.
What defines science fiction to you? What do you watch or read and
why?

Send in your thoughts and comments to sgbruckner@.... I will
post them on the Discussion Page for everyone to share and enjoy.
There are some good ones so far. Add yours! If you see an old topic
you want to respond to, go right ahead. We enjoy hearing from you.

KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW

JERRY DOYLE:
It looks like the JERRY DOYLE SHOW is a success! According to the
press release I received, Jerry's radio show is the fastest growing
program in (The Radio Network) TRN Enterprises and TRN¡¯s combined
history. The show was launched into weekday national syndication
just 10 months ago by TRN Enterprises and has already surpassed the
150 weekday-station mark. TRN Enterprises, CEO Mark Masters couldn¡¯t
be more pleased by Doyle¡¯s phenomenal growth, commenting, ¡®Jerry has
a style that is infectious, programmers love him, and so do the
listeners ¡® he is becoming a phenomenon¡¯. The Jerry Doyle Show is
pop culture, politics and candidly fast-paced discussion on the
issues of the day. A self-described conservative, Doyle boldly takes
talk radio beyond the predictable. ¡®I call it like I see it, ¡®says
Jerry, ¡®I don¡¯t hold back when it comes to being candid on the hot
issues.¡¯ The Jerry Doyle Show airs live Monday - Friday noon to
3p.m. Pacific, 3p.m. to 6p.m. Eastern with a re-feed 7p.m. to 10p.m.
Pacific and 10p.m. to 1a.m. Eastern. The Jerry Doyle is also
available live Saturday¡¯s 8p.m. to 11p.m. Pacific, making the show
live six days a week.

PETER WOODWARD:
CLOSING THE RING, a feature film written by Peter, and to be
directed by Lord Richard Attenborough, is now scheduled to start
official "prep"... whenever all those final little details can be
nailed into place. The film business being what it is, this is not
unusual. Current expectation is that it will begin photography about
March 2005.

NEW AUCTION FOR RICHARD BIGGS FAMILY
The Bill Mumy Official Fan Club (Lennier of Babylon 5, Will of Lost
in Space) is holding an official fan club auction, with 100% of all
proceeds going to the family of Richard Biggs (Babylon 5 Dr.) who
passed away suddenly on May 22, 2004. The Bill Mumy Official Fan
Club will be presenting a check to the Biggs family on March 19,
2005 at the Richard Biggs Memorial Show, where Mr. Bill Mumy will be
attending the show along with several Babylon 5 actors. For more
information on this event, please go to www.richardbiggs.com. If you
are unable to go to this show and want to show support the Biggs
family, please bid often on our club auctions! You may contact me
for information at mumyclub@....

To view the items up for action, go to www.ebay.com and search for
mumyclub.

NEW MOVIES

THE JACKET:
Warner Bros. has sent along some trailers for your viewing pleasure
for the upcoming film,THE JACKET. It stars Academy Award winner
Adrien Brody, Kris Kristopherson and Kiera Knightly. Opening in
theaters on March 4, you can find more information on The Jacket
page here at The Zocalo Today, or at The Jacket website.

DVD NEWS AND REVIEWS

NEW DVDS:
EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING
DEBUTS ON DVD & VHS MARCH 1, 2005
FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO
SYNOPSIS:
The place: Africa. The year: 1949. Father Merrin (Stellan SkarsgΜ),
his faith shattered by World War II, journeys to Kenya to join an
archaeological dig that has uncovered a Byzantine church
mysteriously untouched by the ravages of time. But an even greater
mystery awaits: an ancient and horrific evil is now awakened and a
soul-shattering death spree begins. Can Merrin summon the faith and
courage to defeat humanity's oldest and most powerful foe?
DVD ELEMENTS
The DVD release of Exorcist: The Beginning will include these bonus
features:
* Director Commentary with Renny Harlin
* Behind-the-scenes featurette.
* Theatrical trailer.
Check out all the information at The Exorcist
www.isnnews.net/zocalo/exorcist.shtml.

LA FEMME NIKITA:
THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON
Anxiously Awaited Second Season Available for the First Time Ever
on March 15, 2005 in an Exclusive Six-Disc Collector's DVD Set
La Femme Nikita: The Complete Second Season includes all 22 episodes
from the second season and DVD special features including:
* Audio commentaries on two episodes by executive consultant Joel
Surnow, director Jon Cassar and story editor Michael Loceff
* Deleted scenes from eight episodes (nearly 15 min.) with
director's introduction
* Gag reel
Check out all the information at La Femme Nikita
www.isnnews.net/zocalo/nikita.shtml.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED: SAVING THE WORLD
The Battles are Unleashed on DVD February 15th from Warner Home
Video
For more information on the upcoming DVD, go to Justice League
www.isnnews.net/zocalo/justice.shtml page here at The Zocalo Today.

SEA LAB 2021
The crew of the classic 1972 series Sealab 2020 has been replaced
with a gang of misfits unfit for public service. Their mission: to
investigate underwater colonization. They are doing a very bad job.
For more information on this cartoon series, go to
http://www.adultswim.com/shows/. For video clips from Warner Bros.,
go to SeaLab 2021.

We have a lot of information on new WB DVDs. Visit our NEW DVD Page
http://www.isnnews.net/zocalo/dvd.shtml for press releases and video
clips that may be of interest to you. Information includes KUNG FU,
MI-5, Carnivale, Troy, The Matrix, and more.

Also be sure to visit to the Review Page
http://www.isnnews.net/zocalo/review.shtml for a review of the DVD
sets. I'm having a ball working up reviews on DVDs. If you have
comments you'd like to share about these and other DVDs, drop them
along. Maybe we can get a good discussion going!

SCIENCE FICTION PUBLICATIONS

Cult Times #114: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: Creator and executive
producer Marc Cherry explains his plans for the show. Has Lionel
Luther turned over a new leaf? Is he becoming Mr. Nice Guy? John
Glover explains what's brought on this sudden change in outlook but
also claims that his character still has a few dark secrets?

SMALLVILLE MAGAZINE 2005 YEARBOOK
Previews Exclusive Cover Edition! It's the second Smallville
Yearbook! Another 100-page Smallville extravaganza with interviews
with the cast and crew of the fantastic show! Plus: a complete
episode guide; Alfred Gough and Miles Millar discuss the ongoing
chronicles of the young Clark Kent; and an exploration of the
history of the Kansas farm town! Available in Newsstand and Previews
Exclusive cover editions!

Starburst #331: CONSTANTINE: Keanu Reeves talks about this
adaptation of Satanic comic book Hellblazer. Stars Reeves and Djimon
Hounsou and producer Lauren Shuler Donner talk about the project in
an exclusive set visit. Also in this issue Gerry Anderson talks
about his re-imaged Captain Scarlet with CGI for a new generation
and former Battlestar Galactica Apollo Richard Hatch returns as a
new character to his old intergalactic stomping ground. He talks
about fans? reactions and why he fell in love with the new vision of
the series.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

LOST IN SPACE:
To commemorate the 40th annivesary of LOST IN SPACE, Bubblehead
Publishing, is set to release a 360-page, full-color graphic novel
collecting and completing Bill Mumy's 12-part adventure LOST IN
SPACE: VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SOUL, a story originally
published in serialized form by Innovation Publishing in 1992-93 but
left unfinished when the publisher went out of business.
Current plans call for Bubblehead to release the graphic novel in
July at San Diego's Comic-Con International, to coincide with the
40th anniversary of Lost in Space, the TV series, but advance pre-
publication sales of the book will be available on the company's
internet commerce site www.lisvoyage.com. .

Said Mumy: "I'm working with some great people on this project. I'm
so glad the original team is back to finish "Voyage to the Bottom of
the Soul" properly. For over ten years fans have been asking me how
this huge story ended, wanting me to print the unpublished second
half of the scripts alone, but I didn't want to diminish the piece
that way. Michal's artwork looks great and I'm very excited about
it. I've always been proud of this story. You don't have to be a fan
of the old television show to get into this book but those who are
will especially enjoy it. It really advances the classic arc of Lost
in Space."

NEW IN BOOK STORES

THE CREATURES OF FARSCAPE: INSIDE JIM HENSON'S CREATURE SHOP HC
by Joe Nazzaro
Featuring never-before-seen stills and exclusive contributions from
the cast and crew, The Creatures of Farscape takes readers behind-
the-scenes of this acclaimed television series, revealing the
secrets of the most advanced special effects yet created by the
world-famous Jim Henson Company. (6337/1-903111-85-4)

WAR OF THE WORLDS
Best Sellers Illustrated will launch its line of graphic novels in
May with an adaptation of the H.G. Wells science-fiction classic,
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. Vice-president Aron Kessler said, "Wells was
far ahead of his time when The War of the Worlds was first published
in book form in 1898. Not only was he a visionary, but he was also
an astute social critic whose writings are as relevant today as they
were over a century ago. For these reasons, we're able to remain
true to the original story, while completely updating it for a
modern audience."

The adaptation is written by Stephen Stern, writer/creator of the
independent comic-book, Zen Intergalactic Ninja. "The War of the
Worlds isn't just a great science-fiction novel; it's great
literature," Stern said. "As always in modernizing a classic, the
task is to remain faithful to the spirit of the source material
while re-imagining it in a contemporary context. In this instance,
I'm also shifting the locale from London and its environs to the New
York metropolitan area. In light of recent history, this attack by
the Martians takes on a chilling relevancy and poignancy." WAR OF
THE WORLDS is illustrated by veteran Star Trek comic-book artist
Arne Starr. The graphic novel will feature a cover by Frank Brunner.

INSIDE SCI-FI:

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE:
Fans of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE to the streets in Los Angeles, New
York and other cities Friday in an effort to urge Paramount to give
the show a fifth season. About 300 people marched at the entrance of
Paramount Studios in Hollywood, Calif., to protest UPN's decision to
cancel the low-rated show at the end of the current fourth season.
Candice McCallie, a spokesperson for the fan group Trek United,
indicated similar protests were scheduled to take place in New York,
Tel Aviv and London. "Manny Coto [Enterprise's executive producer]
and some of the writers and crew people came out and talked to us
and to show their support," she said in an interview. "The studio
has not said anything to us at this point. I would assume they're
thinking about whether to cancel the show or not. I would hope that
these protests would not go unnoticed." Recently Trek United made
headlines when it was reported that three anonymous donors had
offered $3 million to help jump-start the organization's attempt to
raise $36 million to pay for a fifth season of Enterprise. "That
donation is in negotiation, but it is not set in stone," McCallie
said. "A group of people has contacted us about donating $3 million
to our cause, but they wish to remain anonymous. What I can tell you
is that these are some of the same people who invested in the
commercial space-flight industry." Fans have raised $49.720 toward
their goal and also paid for a full-page advertisement in the Los
Angeles Times on Feb. 15. McCallie said that the protests and fund-
raising are the fans' attempts to get Paramount "to wake up and fund
the fifth season themselves, because they know the franchise makes
plenty of money for them. We're offering to pay for everything, and
they would still keep all the rights. I realize we could give them
the money, and they could still say no, but I think they would be
fools if they did." Enterprise airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT; the
series finale will air in May.

STAR TREK XI:
According to Variety, Erik Jendresen (Band of Brothers) has been
hired to write the screenplay for Star Trek XI, the next installment
in the most successful franchise in entertainment history. Rick
Berman has been working on development of the film with Jordan
Kerner (Inspector Gadget) and Kerry McCluggage (Miami Vice
television series) even though reports out of the studio had the
project being shelved in January. Rumored to center around the
Romulan war, which took place prior to the original series, the film
currently doesn't even have a tentative release date on Paramount's
schedule.

REVELATIONS: A premiere date has been announced for REVELATIONS. The
six-hour mini-series about a scientist's (Bill Pullman) and a nun's
(Natascha McElhone) efforts to stop an apocalyptic confrontation
between good and evil, will debut Wednesday, April 13. It will close
out the 2004-05 season in The West Wing's timeslot.

UPCOMING SCI FI MOVIES:
There are some familar faces in upcoming movies on the SciFi
Network:

ALIEN SIEGE Tonight at 9:00pm ET
A dying alien race holds Earth hostage in exchange for millions of
human lives. A lottery chooses who will be sacrificed ? but not all
of the chosen are content to accept their fate. Brad Johnson (SCI FI
Pictures' Riverworld), newcomer Erin Ross and Carl Weathers (the
Rocky films, Predator) star.

MANSQUITO March 12 at 9pm ET
A scientist trying to find a cure for the West Nile Virus
accidentally transforms herself and a junkie into mutant mosquito
creatures. Musetta Vander (Project: Metalbeast, Mortal Kombat:
Annihilation) and Corin Nemec (Jonas Quinn on Stargate SG-1) star.

ALIEN APOCALYPSE March 26, 9pm ET
Dr. Ivan Hood (Bruce Campbell) and his team of astronauts return
from their latest mission, only to find that Earth has been
conquered and enslaved by aliens. Now Hood and fellow-scientist
Kelly (Renee O'Connor, Gabrielle on Xena: Warrior Princess) must
free humanity from its alien masters.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA:
Did you miss the first episode of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA? Sci-Fi
Channel is giving you an opportunity to watch it at your
convenience ... absolutely free. All you need is an Internet
connection. Sci-Fi Channel is offering the episode "33" -- which
started the first season -- uncut and commercial free in streaming
video from the channel's Web site. Also included are four deleted
scenes from the episode. "33" aired in mid-January, and originally
was aired back-to-back with the episode "Water." It's the first
episode following the four-hour "Battlestar Galactica" miniseries,
which aired in December 2003 to record ratings. To watch the
episode, a site visitor needs to have Real Player installed on their
computer. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA airs Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on Sci-Fi
Channel.

CHARMED:
Julian McMahon (F/X's NIP/TUCK and Dr. Doom in upcoming FANTASTIC
FOUR movie) will reprise the role of Cole in an upcoming episode of
CHARMED. "I loved working on the show," McMahon said in an interview
at WonderCon in San Francisco last weekend. "And I love playing that
character. And the show and the show runners and that character
really kind of gave me a lot as far as an actor is concerned. And I
feel like where I'm at now is really attributed to what they allowed
me to do on CHARMED. ... And so for me going [back] is a no-
brainer." McMahon portrays Cole Turner, the half-human/half-demon ex-
husband of Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano). Though Cole died in an
earlier episode, according to a report on TheCharmedOnes.com, his
spirit will meet Piper's (Holly Marie Combs) in the cosmic space
between life and death, where he will help reunite her with Leo
(Brian Krause). "It's their 150th episode," he said. "I was killed
in the 100th, and I come back in the 150th. I'll go back for the
200th if they have one. And if I was asked. But, you know, it was
just ... a great character to play. It was great fun going back and
[filling] those shoes again. It really was." The 150th episode, "The
Seven Year Witch," is slated to air in April. Charmed airs Sundays
at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

CSI:
CBS has hired Quentin Tarantino to direct the season finale of "CSI:
Crime Scene Investigation." The episode will air on May 19th. The
story centers on a plot that finds one of the key members of the CSI
team, led by Gil Grissom, in serious jeopardy. The script will be
written by Carol Mendelsohn, Anthony Zuiker and Naren Shankar.
Mendelsohn said. "Quentin came in a couple of weeks ago. We had a
story meeting with the writers. He had a great idea, and it was so
much fun to have him in the room. ... We are positively giddy."

WONDER WOMAN:
With yesterday's news that Joss Whedon is being wooed to work on
WONDER WOMAN, other rumors are starting to spin around. Yesterday,
the New York Post gossip section had a new rumor:
"WONDER Woman" finally got the green light. A movie version of the
comic-book character has been buzzed about for a year, and now spies
say Warner Bros. has finally told producer Joel Silver to go ahead
with the project. Silver is said to already be in negotiations
with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" writer Joss Whedon to pen the script
and is looking at Kim Basinger and Jessica Biehl for the title
role. "Kim would be used if Wonder Woman is older, Jessica is if
she's younger," the insider added.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

March 11-13, 2005
Grand Slam XIII - The Sci-Fi Summit
City: PASADENA, CA
Place: Pasadena Center, 300 E. Green St.
New Addition: NICK STAHL from HBO's CARNIVALE! and TERMINATOR 3
Guests: MARK HAMILL, JOLENE BLALOCK, WILLIAM SHATNER, JAMES DARREN,
MICHAEL SHANKS, CHRISTOPHER JUDGE, NATHAN FILLION, ROBERT WALKER, JR
(in his first convention appearance) and scores more
For more information, visit the Creation Entertainment website at
http://www.creationent.com/cal/stgs.htm

March 19, 2005
Richard Biggs Memorial Show
Place: Beverly Garland Hotel, 4222 Vineland Ave., N. Hollywood, CA
91602
Guests: Matthew Ashford (Days of Our Lives); Bruce Boxleitner
(Babylon 5, TRON); Ricardo Antonio Chavira (Desperate Housewives);
Jerry Doyle (Babylon 5); Mira Furlan (Babylon 5, Lost); Melissa
Gilbert (Babylon 5, Little House on the Prairie), Lisa Howard (Earth
Final Conflict, Highlander), Michael T. Weiss (The Pretender);
Afternoon Only: Andreas Katsulas (Babylon 5, Star Trek)
For more information, visit the website at
http://www.richardbiggs.com.

NEXT TWO WEEKS:
I am getting ready for a trip to Vienna, Austria where I will teach
some classes. I will be away from the website for a bit. But I will
still be in touch via e-mail. Thanks for supporting The Zocalo
Today.

Take care.
Sandy

Sandra Bruckner
Editor/Publisher
ISN News: The Zocalo Today
http://www.isnnews.net