THE ZOCALO TODAY – February 17, 2007

Not a lot of "new" information to share, but I didn't want another
week to pass before staying in touch with you. This week one of my
favorite shows returns to the airwaves – JERICHO. If you haven't
been keeping up with this series, you can watch a compilation of the
first episodes on-line at www.cbs.com/jericho - "Road to Jericho".

This weekend is the FarPoint convention near Baltimore. I hope the
weather hasn't kept you all away. Won't make it this year but I hope
to see you all at Shore Leave in the summer.

I've gotten writing itch again so I've started contributing articles
to www.noriega.biz. Right now, it is reviews of my favorite shows,
but we'll see where it goes. If any of you want to scratch that same
itch, send along movie or book reviews, items you'd like to share
with your fellow Babylon 5/science fiction fans. I will put them up
for everyone to read and enjoy.

JMS AT NEW YORK COMIC CON – NEXT WEEKEND

JMS- last posting on the B5 moderated newsgroup:

Folkses --
Sorry for the long absence, but I've been a) up to my tuchis in work
and b) when I switched over to a new system I went for aol open ride
which massively fubar'd my online capabilities, and I've had to log
on via explorer and it's a pain.

Anyway...I wanted to give folks a heads-up on my NYC comic con
schedule:

Friday the 23rd: signing at 5, solo spotlight at 7:30 with some video
blogs from the TLT shoot.

Saturday the 24th: 1:30 panel on world building, signings at 3.

Sunday the 25th: 3:00 is me telling people everything I know about
writing. What I'm supposed to do from 3:10 on is anybody's guess.
For more information about the convention, visit our convention
calendar below.

DISCUSSION TOPIC:

When I had just about given up on TV for "quality programming", I
found Jericho, Heroes and the Dresden Files. I guess I just love
character-based adventures and these are three I really follow
religiously. It helps that if you miss an episode you can catch up
on-line (except for Dresden Files). What new shows have you found
interesting and why?

Send in your comments to sgbruckner@.... Let's see if you have
some that I've missed or don't particularly care of the shows I
like. I'm interested in hearing from you, so do drop a line or two.

BABYLON 5 PODCAST #54
by Summer —
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Jeffrey's back from Houston, where he met with listeners John and
Satyajit, who have their own show called AstroCast, a podcast
dedicated to the Houston Astros. They treated Jeff to a round of
Buttery Nipples. He also throws out the welcome mat to other fans of
the show who would like to treat him to a drink when he's traveling
around.

Interview: Maggie Egan ("Jane", ISN Anchor)
Tim, Summer and Jeffrey engage in a delightful chat with Maggie Egan,
who was the familiar and comforting face of ISN before and after the
Clark Administration ran riot over Earth Gov.

She gives us an update on her latest projects: a creative ad spot for
CBS's "Without A Trace", and a guest spot on FOX's "Standoff". The
episode she's in is slated to air in March, so if you watch it and
you like the show, let FOX know that you'd like to see more of her!
We learn about the differences between auditioning for commercials
and auditioning for TV and film, the differences in stresses and
relationships and expectations. And the money…

She then regales us with tales of auditioning for B5, and the fun of
returning to the set time and again, with being surprised to come
back to the series after she thought she'd been blown up, and her
surprise at discovering at a convention that her character actually
had a name! Tim and Summer both relate how much her performance
resonated with how anchors should make people feel, and in making the
series feel a little more real.

Maggie also tells us about the disapperance of her domain, and how
she's been lacking a website for several years now, which leads to
all sorts of calls for tech help and offers for assistance. In the
end, Summer ended up registering MaggieEgan.net for her, and will be
putting together a new site for Maggie (right in the middle of doing
websites for a whole slew of new FarPoint Media shows).

Listener Feedback: Gary from Jacksonville muses on whether Timov was
modeled after Angela Lansbury in "Murder, She Wrote"; Gary again,
commenting on how maybe we should have picked up Talia's secret much
earlier; Jenn from Dreamwatch mentions the JMS mailing list, which is
an email digest of the posts available at JMS News, and Summer really
does want to add more B5 related links to the site here; Jarsto
comments on "Soul Mates" and the relationship progression between
Susan and Talia; Gary from Jacksonville thinks that "The Long Dark"
was merely a Dr Franklin romantic filler episode; Gary wants details
on the podcast's Season 2 pickup; Edmund geeks over hearing his own
voicemail. Tim reads emails from Roz, who's disappointed in a lack of
B5 content in a show (but we don't know which one) and the appearance
of too many insider remarks; Craig loves the show and caught up on
missed episodes in a flash.

BABYLON PODCAST #53
by Summer —
Wednesday, February 7, 2007

So, how do you like that shiny new Season 2 inspired intro?
Jeffrey's impressed by the new intro, and can't help himself when it
comes to the Vorlon jokes, and Summer pimps a product: The OhMibod, a
whole new way to plug'n'play. Use the coupon code "winginit" when you
order by Feb 14, and you'll get $10 off.

Tim and Summer try to elicit a reverent response from Jeffrey about
his impact on "The Coming of Shadows", with no luck, although he
waxes poetic about Turhan Bey.

Deep Geeking: Tim and Summer move ahead with episode analysis of "The
Coming of Shadows", winner of the 1996 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic
Presentation, beating out Apollo 13 and Twelve Monkeys
G'Kar makes a fateful decision when he learns that the Centauri
Emperor is coming to Babylon 5 to make an announcement, and intends
to exact retribution on behalf of Narn for 100 years of Centauri
oppression, but fate intervenes.

After receiving the dying Emperor's message via Dr. Franklin, G'Kar
beings to have hope that there may someday be an accord between Narn
and Centauri, completely unaware that Londo and Refa have decided to
take advantage of the Emperor's collapse to increase their own
standing at the royal court, and initiate the first strike in a new
Narn-Centauri war.

The dying Emperor receives one of his wishes, to finally see a
Vorlon, but the response to his question of Kosh seems to foretell a
coming doom, and the news he receives from Londo and Refa only
confirms his failure to being to heal the wounds plaguing his society.
Garibaldi confronts a mysterious stranger who's being secretive about
his intentions in wanting to talk to him. It's not until later after
the message is delivered that more pieces of the larger puzzle come
into play, but even then more questions are raised than answered.
"The Coming of Shadows" is available for download from iTunes.

Listener Feedback: Mike from We Are Not Cool on Jarsto's crossover
appeal; Jarsto comments on previous episode geeking; Edmund doesn't
want to delve into a FarPoint Media show of his own, but he does want
to comment on Mike's B5 timekeeping duties and how it all ties back
to Harlan Ellison; Jarsto submits a new B5 Haiku.

Go to www.babylonpodcast.com to listen to all of the previous
broadcasts or visit http://www.isnnews.net/zocalo/podcasts.shtml at
The Zocalo Today http://www.isnnews.net.

NEW COMICS COMING:
SILVER SURFER: REQUIEM #1
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, paints and cover by Esad Ribic.
The latest offering from the Marvel Knights line. Guest-starring the
Fantastic Four! For untold years Norrin Radd has surfed the galaxy,
exploring the darkness between stars, witnessing the rise and fall of
vast civilizations. Now his ride is about to come to an end. It
starts with a small spot -- a blemish that will spread until he is no
more. Until then, the Silver Surfer would undertake his final voyage -
- to the one destination that has always eluded him. His journey
starts where it began. 32 pages, $3.99, in stores on May 30.

RUNAWAYS #25
by Joss Whedon & Michael Ryan
The kids start running in a different direction — New York City —
thanks to the new creative team of Superstar Joss Whedon (Buffy the
Vampire Slayer, Astonishing X-Men) and rising star Michael Ryan (New
Excalibur, New X-Men)! There, the Runaways make surprising new
allies… and even more surprising enemies!

NEW DVDS OF INTEREST:

SUBLIME
Admitted to a hospital for a routine, minimally invasive procedure,
George Grieves (Tom Cavanagh) discovers that his circumstances are
much more serious and complicated than originally expected. The DVD
will be released on March 13.

Watch the Trailer NOW at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jQ-tC801-c

DUKES OF HAZZARD: THE BEGINNING
Meet teenagers Bo and Luke Duke, high-spirited troublemakers, new to
Hazzard County. Announcing Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning. Available
on DVD March 13th!

Watch the Trailer now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d0iwpQldpM


THE DEPARTED
Nominated for 5 Academy Awards, THE DEPARTED will be available on DVD
February 13. The DVD contains more than 2 hours of bonus features:
- 9 additional scenes with introductions by Director Martin Scorsese
- feature-length TCM career profile on Scorsese
- "The Story of the Boston Mob" - The Real-Life Gangaster behind Jack
Nicholson's character
- "Crossing Criminal Cultures" - How little Italy's crime and
violence influences Scorsese's Work
- Theatrical Trailer
For more information about this award-winning picture, go to
http://thedeparted.warnerbros.com/

ALEXANDER REVISITED: The Unrated Final Cut
All New Unrated Version of Oliver Stone's Incredible Epic Starring
Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer and More Takes the Film to
a New Level of Realism and Intensity. This new DVD will be released
on 2/27 with more than 45 minutes of never-before-seen footage. For
more information on this DVD, go to
http://alexanderthemovie.warnerbros.com/.

ALEXANDER: REVISITED takes a bolder, more in-depth look at
Alexander's (Colin Farrell) life and his relationships with his
mother, Olympias (Angelina Jolie), his father Philip (Val Kilmer),
his lifelong friend and battle commander Hephaistion (Jared Leto),
Roxane, his ambitious and beautiful Bactrian wife (Rosario Dawson),
and his trusted general and confidant Ptolemy (Anthony Hopkins). The
new film intensifies the beauty and unbelievable brutality of
Alexander's pre-Christian world of social customs and morals so
different from todays. The superb cast also boasts Christopher
Plummer, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and many more.

HUSTLE - SEASON TWO
Release date: February 13, 2007
Offical Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/hustle/
Actors: Adrian Lester, Jaime Murray, Marc Warren, Robert Glenister,
Robert Vaughn
DVD includes episode(s):
Episodes 1-3 + The Big Finish Part 1 - 1
Episodes 4-6 + The Big Finish Part 2 - 2
From the makers of SPOOKS and acclaimed writer Tony Jordan comes a
slick and stylish new drama. An action-packed blend of humour and
intrigue, following the fortunes of a gang of expert cons on the
loose in London. HUSTLE follows the fortunes of a gang of five expert
con artists let loose on the streets of London.
Synopsis: The long con specialists are facing some trying times.
Trevor, a short con artist brought into the fold on Danny's
insistence, proves to be more trouble than he's worth. Albert thinks
he's found a ripe mark in a mercenary poker player but he turns out
to be Stacie's ex-husband Jake. Could the gang end up losing much
more than money as they watch Stacie fall for him all over again?
And, as Mickey's most audacious plan yet - to steal the crown jewels -
ends in capture, handcuffs and tears... Could the family be broken
up for good?

NEW SCI FI PUBLICATIONS:

DOCTOR WHO SPECIAL #16: IN THEIR OWN WORDS VOLUME 3
For more than 27 years, Doctor Who Magazine has documented the making
of this unique television series, interviewing every major player, be
they actors, directors, producers, designers, writers... even
monsters! Now for the very first time, the best of these interviews
are gathered into a collection as the cast and crew themselves recall
their part in the legend of Doctor Who, making for a frank,
forthright, and insightful memoir. This third volume covers the end
of the 1970s and the start of the 1980s as Tom Baker left the role
and Peter Davison took over. Featuring contributions from Tom Baker,
Peter Davison, Robert Holmes, Graham Williams, John Nathan-Turner,
Lalla Ward, Mary Tamm, Louise Jameson, Sarah Sutton, Janet Fielding,
and hundreds more! (Panini Publishing Ltd) (C: 0-1-2) Magazine,
108pgs, FC..........$11.99

STARBURST #347: PRIMEVAL: Meet the cast and crew of ITV's new Sci-Fi
adventure series, in which a group of intrepid scientists take on
monsters from the Prehistoric era! Plus the secrets of the CGI
dinosaurs! LIFE ON MARS: Meet the cast and crew of the hit BBC series
starring John Simm and Philip Glenister, as it returns for a second
eagerly-awaited season! STARGATE ATLANTIS - Actor Paul McGillion
discusses the surprise and controversial fate of his popular
character Dr Carson Beckett in the hit Sci-Fi show, and sends a
message to his fans! STARGATE SG-1 -- Don S Davis, aka General
Hammond, the elder statesman of the Stargate universe, looks back as
the long-running SG-1 series ends… LOST: Actors Kristen Stewart and
Dylan McDermott talk about their haunting experience making the new
film from the Pang Brothers!

IN SCI FI NEWS THIS WEEK:
BENEATH THE SHADOWS
According to Variety, Unified Pictures is launching development of
the horror thriller BENEATH THE SHADOWS, with Jeremy Alter directing
and shooting expected to start in September in Los Angeles.

TIN MAN
SciFi has announced that Zooey Deschanel (Elf) has been cast as the
lead in TIN MAN, SCI FI Channel's upcoming six-hour miniseries that
reimagines L. Frank Baum's classic fantasy book The Wonderful Wizard
of Oz. The miniseries is slated to begin production in March in
Vancouver, Canada, and will premiere in December. Deschanel will play
DG, a young woman plucked from her humdrum life and thrust into the
Outer Zone (the O.Z.), a fantastical realm filled with wonder but
oppressed by dark magic. She joins Alan Cumming, who plays Glitch,
one of the colorful characters trapped in the O.Z. TIN MAN is a
psychedelic, often twisted and always outrageous take on the book. DG
must discover her true identity, battle evil monkey-bats and fulfill
her destiny. Her perilous journey begins on the fabled Old Road that
leads to a wizard known as the Mystic Man. Along the way, she is
joined by a strange trio: Glitch, an odd man missing half his brain;
Raw, a quietly powerful wolverine-like creature longing for inner
courage; and Cain, a heroic former policeman (known in the O.Z. as a
Tin Man, for his tin badge), who is seeking vengeance for his scarred
heart. Ultimately, DG's destiny leads her to an emotional and
terrifying showdown with the wicked sorceress Azkadellia, whose ties
to DG are closer than anyone could imagine. TIN MAN will be executive-
produced by Robert Halmi Sr. and Robert Halmi Jr. Co-writers Steven
Long Mitchell and Craig Van Sickle (The Pretender) will also serve as
executive producers. Nick Willing (Jason and the Argonauts, Alice in
Wonderland) will direct.

FOX RENEWALS
All fans of that grouchy, edgy Dr. House can breathe easy. Fox has
renewed HOUSE for a fourth season. House is notching strong ratings
in its third season, averaging 24 million viewers a week. HOUSE has
benefitted from its American Idol lead-in this season. Fox also
renewed crime drama BONES. The show has enjoyed a ratings bump in its
second season, partly because of airing before Idol and partly
because of sassy new TV ads.

100 FEET
According to writer/director Eric Red in an interview with Joblo,
Famke Janssen has signed on to star in the supernatural thriller, 100
FEET. In the film, a young woman, Marnie Watson, is granted early
release from her prison sentence for manslaughter (killing her
husband - a violent NYC cop - in self defense) on condition she wear
an electronic ankle bracelet and remain within her home, effectively
under house arrest, for the remainder of her sentence. Her late
husband's partner keeps tabs on her from a patrol car parked across
the street, hoping she'll violate probation and he can send her back
to prison. But the 100-foot radius her ankle bracelet allows isn't
the worst of her problems. Her dead husband, now a malevolent ghost,
is still in the house where he died, intent on savage revenge.
Filming is set to get underway in April.

JIHADISTS IN PARADISE
Variety reports that Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer have bought the
rights to the Mark Bowden article in the Atlantic Monthly, JIHADISTS
IN PARADISE; Bowden is also writing the screenplay. Published in the
March issue of the magazine, it details the emergence in the
Philippines of the Islamic terrorist faction Abu Sayyaf and one of
its leaders, Aldam Tilao. Tilao put his group on the map by sneaking
by boat into a diving resort and taking 20 hostages, including three
Americans, adds Variety. He and his armed thugs beheaded one of the
Americans and dragged the other two - a missionary couple - across
the jungles for a year and a half. Tilao was eventually tracked down
and killed after a long search by the CIA and Filipino military
forces. JIHADISTS IN PARADISE has no production schedule set.

THE DARK IS RISING
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Christopher Eccleston (HEROES) and
Gregory Smith have joined the cast of THE DARK IS RISING, 20th
Century Fox and Walden Media's adaptation of Susan Cooper's best-
selling fantasy books. Marc Platt and Ron Schmidt are producing the
picture, which is being helmed by David L. Cunningham. DARK tells the
story of a teenager (newcomer Alexander Ludwig) who learns that he is
the last of a group of warriors who have dedicated their lives to
fighting the forces of the dark. Traveling back and forth through
time, he hunts for clues while encountering the forces of evil and
discovers that the future of the world rests in his hands. Eccleston
(Doctor Who) is playing the movie's villain, the Rider. Smith is
playing the teen's older brother, an edgy young man with piercings
and tattoos who questions their father's authority. Also in the cast
are Amelia Warner (Aeon Flux), Emma Lockhart (Batman Begins), Gary
Entin, Edmund Entin, Jonathan Jackson and John Benjamin Hickey. Ian
McShane and Frances Conroy have already been cast. The movie is
slated to begin filming Feb. 26 in Romania.

SPACE INVADER
Variety reports that Fox Atomic has snapped up the SF comedy spec
script SPACE INVADER, with Will Arnett attached to star and produce.
Peter Principato and Paul Young, through their Principato Young
Entertainment company, will also produce. The movie, set on a space
station, was written by Mike Lisbe and Nate Reger and centers on a
love triangle. The writing team, who developed the script with
Arnett, began working on the script months before the recent arrest
of astronaut Lisa Nowak on charges that she tried to murder a woman
she believed was her rival for a space-shuttle pilot.

AREA 52
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Matthew Lillard has been tapped
to lead the ensemble cast of NBC's SF comedy pilot AREA 52. AREA 52,
from NBC Universal Television Studio, revolves around a group of
government employees in the Arizona desert who watch over an alien
from outer space. Lillard will play Col. Steven Isaac, a rising Air
Force officer who is ambitious and a little vulnerable.

DARK TOWER
According to the Hollywood Reporter, LOST co-creator J.J. Abrams and
horrormeister Stephen King are in talks to bring King's epic DARK
TOWER book series to either the big or small screen. Abrams' Bad
Robot company has a first-look deal at Paramount for film projects
and a deal with Warner Brothers Television for TV projects; the
project is not yet set up at either company. Abrams (director of
Mission: Impossible III) is currently attached to co-write and
produce the proposed 11th Star Trek movie, but rumors are that he may
not helm the sequel. The trade paper quoted unnamed sources as
claiming that a number of entities have been chasing Tower, but that
King is looking for strong filmmaker involvement, which is where
Abrams enters the picture. It is unclear whether Abrams would take on
the project solely as a producer or whether he would direct as well.
But King hasn't been shy about admitting that he's a huge fan of
LOST; recently he participated in a roundtable for Entertainment
Weekly with Abrams and LOST executive producers Damon Lindelof and
Carlton Cuse.

DEMONS
The Hollywood Reporter indicates that Jaime Murray will co-star
opposite Ron Eldard in CBS' supernatural drama pilot DEDMONS, about
an ex-Jesuit priest/psychologist (Eldard) who performs exorcisms.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA RENEWED
To fans of the show, Sci Fi's announcement of the series' renewal
will come as no surprise. Ann additional 13 new episodes have been
ordered and production will resume this summer in Vancouver, Canada,
with an eye toward a January 2008 premiere. The decision comes after
the series' successful move to a new 10 p.m. timeslot on Sundays.
Since moving, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's audience has grown over its
third-season average by 8 percent in total viewers, by double digits
in female viewers, by 19 percent in the show's target demographic of
adults aged 18-49 and by 14 percent in adults 25-54. The Jan. 28
episode, "Taking a Break From All Your Worries," delivered 2.5
million total viewers and 1.6 million adults 18-49, the largest
audience for any episode since the season-two premiere. Mark Stern,
SCI FI's executive vice president of programming said "We're thrilled
to bring Battlestar back for another season." "This series has
delivered on every level, from the writing to the acting to the
production values. SCI FI is proud to be the home of the best show on
television." Executive producer David Eick added in a
statement, "While we never had any doubt that SCI FI would get behind
a fourth season of Battlestar, it's thrilling to finally make it
official, and for Ron (Moore) and I to continue using this great
genre to investigate the darker corners of society, politics and
humanity."

LOST BACK-STORY VIDEOS ONLINE
Disney-ABC Television Group announced that ABC.com will debut the
first installment of 60 backstory videos related to the four main
characters of its SF series LOST on Valentine's Day. The videos—
featuring the characters of Jack (Matthew Fox), Kate (Evangeline
Lilly), Sawyer (Josh Holloway) and Locke (Terry O'Quinn)—were created
to provide viewers with insight into the lives of the characters. A
new video will go live in chronological order each Wednesday through
the end of the season, combining scenes from previously aired
episodes. ABC.com also posts the current season's previously aired
episodes on its broadband video player. And as announced last week,
ABC.com has also added several new features on its LOST site,
including a new video podcast with executive producers Damon Lindelof
and Carlton Cuse and a peek at extra content from the series'
upcoming season-three DVD release later this year. Visitors to
ABC.com will also find the "Writers' Rotation," which showcases music
favored by members of the LOST production team, as well as an updated
version of Lost & Found, which highlights not-to-be-missed moments in
upcoming episodes.

SPEED RACER
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Wachowski brothers are
taking there latest film, SPEED RACER, to Studio Babelsberg in
Germany for production and filming. V for Vendetta was also produced
there. Warner Bros. production is currently in preparation for an
early May start date. The film will follow the adventures of the
young race car driver Speed in his quest for glory in his thundering
gadget-laden vehicle, Mach 5. The movie will feature other characters
from the show, including Speed's family and his mysterious archrival,
Racer X. The Wachowski brothers are writing as well as directing the
film, which will be produced by Joel Silver.

THE BROTHERS BLOOM
Variety reports that Mark Ruffalo has signed on to join the upcoming
Rian Johnson film, THE BROTHERS BLOOM. He will join Adrien Brody,
Rinko Kikuchi and Rachel Weisz in the cast. Weisz will play a
mysterious millionaire who turns the tables on a veteran team of con
men who take on one last job after the younger brother threatens to
quit the family business. Ruffalo is the older brother while Brody is
the younger. Kikuchi will play the brothers partner in crime. The
film will be Johnson's follow-up to 2005's teen film noir Brick and
is budgeted at more than $20 million. Production will begin in
February.

MEDIUM - FAMILY ACT
David Arquette, little brother to series star Patricia Arquette, will
soon be directing an episode of NBC's MEDIUM, according to the
Associated Press. In a recent interview, Patricia Arquette said, "I
was always a bossy little girl, and being David's older sister, I've
bossed him around quite a bit. Now that he'll be directing me it will
be payback time. I think it will be really interesting being directed
by David, because he knows me so well and I feel so safe with him. I
think I'll be able to go to some of my darkest places." David
Arquette recently directed his first feature film, THE TRIPPER, which
is being released in April. Miguel Sandoval, who plays District
Attorney Manuel Devalos in MEDIUM, also will direct an episode of the
show.

MARVEL FILM SLATE
Avi Arad, former Marvel Comics chief, now a film producer, said that
his plate is full with upcoming Marvel film adaptations through 2010,
starting with IRON MAN and the sequel THE INCREDIBLE HULK. That's in
addition to the upcoming sequel for THE PUNISHER, a possible fourth
SPIDER-MAN film and a second GHOST RIDER; the first one opens Feb.
16. "We have IRON MAN starting in March, and THE INCREDIBLE HULK is
starting in June, and across town somewhere happening right now is a
meeting about PUNISHER 2," Arad said. "And we will see what happens
to GHOST RIDER [2], but I would like to get that going." Coming in
2007 are SPIDER-MAN 3 and FANTASTIC FOUR: THE RISE OF THE SILVER
SURFER. Further out are proposed movies based on CAPTAIN AMERICA,
BRATZ: THE MOVIE and ANT-MAN. Arad also confirmed that WOLVERINE and
MAGNETO are coming as spinoffs of the X-Men movies. As for a fourth X-
Men ensemble film? "That's a question for Fox," he said. Films that
seem less likely to be developed? Arad had nothing to say
specifically about a THOR movie, which is also supposedly in the
works. But Nicolas Cage, who stars in GHOST RIDER, said that he is
looking forward to Arad's proposed SUB-MARINER film.

BIONIC WOMAN
Variety reports that NBC has chosen British actress Michelle Ryan for
the lead role of Jamie Sommers in its upcoming BIONIC WOMAN. The
network reported considered better-known stars, but ultimately went
with someone who'll be a newcomer to most American viewers. Ryan is
known in the United Kingdom for having spent five years on the long-
running BBC serial EastEnders.

NEW AMSTERDAM
According to Variety, Zuleikha Robinson (Rome) and Alexis Gilmore
have joined the cast of the Fox supernatural drama pilot NEW
AMSTERDAM. Regency TV is producing.

THE DARK IS RISING
Variety reports that DEADWOOD's Ian McShane is starring in THE DARK
IS RISING, a fantasy film for 20th Century Fox and Walden Media.
David Cunningham will direct, and Marc Platt will produce. Frances
Conroy (Shopgirl) and Alexander Ludwig also star. Production begins
this month in Romania. Based on a volume in the five-book series by
Susan Cooper, THE DARK IS RISING focuses on a youth, Will Stanton
(Ludwig), who discovers at age 11 that he's the last of a group of
immortals—the Old Ones— dedicated to fighting a growing presence of
dark forces. He comes to the realization he's charged with saving the
world. McShane will play Merriman Lyon, one of the Old Ones who
serves as Stanton's mentor and shield. John Hodge (Trainspotting) is
adapting the project for the big screen.

HANDSOME DEVIL
The Hollywood Reporter indicates that MTV Films has acquired Jacob
Forman's spec supernatural thriller HANDSOME DEVIL, described as THE
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE in a Manhattan prep school, for Kevin Misher to
produce; Paramount Pictures will distribute the film.

AFTERWORLD
Sony Pictures Television International has signed a landmark
agreement to exclusively acquire all international television,
Internet, digital sell-through, gaming and mobile rights to
AFTERWORLD, a futuristic animated episodic drama. The multilayered
deal marks SPTI's first acquisition of a project for exploitation
across all of these platforms. For the first time, it involves SPTI's
distribution, international networks and digital businesses working
in tandem on one project. As part of the agreement, SPTI will acquire
130 two-minute episodes to be distributed across TV, Web and mobile
outlets, creating a "tailor-made brand" for today's multiplatform
consumer. The episodes will be made available as two-minute episodes
as well as 13 half-hour episodes for traditional broadcasters.
AFTERWORLD is about life on Earth after an inexplicable global event
renders technology useless and 99% of the population missing. The
story follows the adventures of Russell Shoemaker, who wakes up in
New York after this event and is compelled to walk to Seattle in the
faint hope that his wife and child have survived. He pieces together
the complex mystery behind the global event while encountering
survivors rebuilding society in strange, surprising ways.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
Variety reported that PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST took
six awards at the Visual Effects Society Awards on Feb. 11, including
the two top awards, outstanding visual effects in a visual-effects-
driven picture and single visual effect of the year.

PAN'S LABYRINTH
According to Variety, PAN'S LABYRINTH took home three prizes at the
Orange British Academy Film Awards in London on Feb. 11, held for the
first time at London's Royal Opera House. Guillermo del Toro's
fantasy film PAN'S LABYRINTH won the trophy for best film not in the
English-language as well as makeup and costume design. CHILDREN OF
MEN landed two BAFTA awards from its three nominations, for
production design and cinematography. CASINO ROYALE came into the
evening with nine nominations and high hopes, but went home only with
the award for sound design. The latest Bond girl, French actress Eva
Green, collected the Orange Rising Star award for emerging talent,
which is decided by public vote. Other genre winners were PIRATES OF
THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST (special visual effects) and HAPPY
FEET, in BAFTA's new animated feature category.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA GAME
Sierra Online is creating a video game inspired by SCI FI Channel's
original series BATTLESTAR GALACTICA for Xbox Live Arcade and the PC,
to be released in the fall. To gear up for the game, fans will be
able to download Gamer Pics and Themepacks from the show on Xbox Live
Marketplace. Developed by Australian-based Auran Games, BATTLESTAR
GALACTICA will feature both single-player and multiplayer modes and
will allow the player to take part in intense space battles as a
pilot for either the humans or Cylon forces. Legendary ships from the
television show will be featured, as well as missions based on
favorite episodes.

STAR WARS 30TH ANNIVERSARY
A story in the Associated Press indicated that while reporting
earnings for this year, Hasbro stated that they expect to release a
new DVD for the 30th anniversary of the STAR WARS films. Also
reported was an update on the status of both Star Wars TV shows.
Looking ahead, Verrecchia said he expected STAR WARS to continue to
be a strong performer with Lucas planning a video release for this
year's 30th anniversary, a STAR WARS animated TV show next year and a
live-action Star Wars TV show in 2009.
"He and his studio have a lot going on over the next several years to
support the franchise," Verrecchia said.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
In a recent interview with Newsweek, Oscar-winning art director
Stuart Craig, who has designed all five "Harry Potter" movies,
mentioned that work has begun on HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD
PRINCE:

Craig is now designing sets for the sixth film, "Harry Potter and the
Half-Blood Prince," including the astronomy tower where a beloved
character will plummet to his death. "It has to be impressive and
beautiful and poignant," Craig says. "So I'm looking forward to doing
that." He's also anxious to get his hands on J. K. Rowling's seventh,
and final, book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows," due in stores July 21, one week after "Phoenix" hits
screens. "I can't wait," he says. "We need to know which sets to
retain for the last film."

The fifth film, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, opens July
13. Warner Bros. is eyeing a November 21, 2008 release for "Half-
Blood Prince."

UNIVERSAL SLATE FOR 2008
Universal Pictures has announced release dates for some of the
studio's biggest films in 2008. The studio will release graphic novel
adaptation WANTED, starring James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman, on March
28, 2008. The movie is currently in that spot by itself.
Universal has moved THE INCREDIBLE HULK away from Disney/Pixar's
WALL• E and up two weeks to June 13, 2008. There is also no
competition on that date yet.
On July 11, 2008, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are expected to
return for THE MUMMY 3. It is currently scheduled up against Ben
Stiller comedy TROPIC THUNDER, which DreamWorks also just moved into
that spot.
A week later, on July 18, the studio has put MAMMA MIA!, the big
screen version of the musical to star Meryl Streep. It will face
Warner Bros. Pictures' THE DARK KNIGHT.
Sequel HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY has been targeted for August 1,
2008 with no competition yet.
Then, on November 14, 2008, Universal is looking to release THE
WOLFMAN, starring Benicio Del Toro.
Other high profile release date updates for 2008 include: Vin Diesel
sci-fi thriller, BABYLON A.D., coming February 29; the Fourth
Installment of the INDIANA JONES ADVENTUES, booked for May 22; and
Mike Myers' THE LOVE GURU, aiming for a June 20 release.
PULP FICTION
Here's something for you to to listen -- and watch. One of our fellow
readers created a slide show of the covers of Amazing Stories and put
it up on YouTube. Follow this link to see a bit of science fiction
history flash before you,
http://www.coasttocoastam.com/gen/page1868.html. Thanks Mac for
sending the link.

TOY STORY 3
According to Variety, TOY STORY 3 is coming in 2009, but John
Lasseter won't be the director. In an unusually candid presentation,
Lasseter and Disney Animation president Ed Catmull provided extensive
details on their upcoming slate at Disney's investor conference on
Feb. 8. In addition to confirming for the first time that a third TOY
STORY is in the works, most likely for a 2009 release, Lasseter said
Lee Unkrich will helm it. Unkrich co-directed Toy Story 2, Monsters,
Inc. and Finding Nemo, but has never before been sole helmer on a
Pixar film. Lasseter directed the first two Toy Story movies, but is
presumably too busy in his new post as chief creative officer of
Disney Animation to work on individual films. Michael Arndt, the
Oscar-nominated writer of Little Miss Sunshine, is penning the
script. Lasseter also revealed a behind-the-scenes shift at Walt
Disney Feature Animation, which is separate from Pixar but also under
the control of Lasseter and Catmull, by announcing that Chris
Williams, a veteran Disney story artist, is now directing the 2008
release AMERICAN DOG. DOG was developed and previously under the
control of Lilo & Stitch helmer Chris Sanders, who recently left
Disney.

THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE
Variety reports that Nicolas Cage (Ghost Rider) and Todd Garner will
produce THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, a live-action feature for Walt
Disney Pictures. Variety says the film is a possible starring vehicle
for Cage. Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal (Flicka, Eragon) wrote
the script, which takes its inspiration from the poem by Goethe in
which an old sorcerer leaves his workshop, in the hands of his
apprentice, who's not yet fully trained in magic. The apprentice gets
a broomstick to do his chores for him but things get out of control
when the broom takes over. The tale was the basis for the sequence in
Disney's animated classic FANTASIA.

TINKER BELL
Walt Disney Pictures' all new CG-animated feature TINKER BELL will
arrive worldwide in Fall 2008 from Disney's Buena Vista Worldwide
Home Entertainment. The annoucement came yesterday from Bob Chapek,
president of BVWHE. TINKER BELL, produced by DisneyToon Studios, will
be the first time audiences hear Tinker Bell speak, as the movie
brings to life the amazing world of Disney Fairies, The Walt Disney
Company's newest franchise, in all-new CG-animation with Brittany
Murphy as the voice of the spunky and sassy fairy. In the tradition
of its many animated classics, Disney will bring to life an
enchanting tale of Pixie Hollow and Tink's new fairy friends voiced
by some of Hollywood's most talented actors. "'Tinker Bell'
represents an incredible franchise opportunity in the home
entertainment category," said Chapek. "Audiences will get to know
Tinker Bell like never before, and will fall in love with her all
over again."

TOP SCIENCE FICTION NEWS STORIES:
Catch up on the latest news from this week -- and last month, go to
http://www.isnnews.net/zocalo/news.shtml.You'll find the everything
from our front page -- but over a longer period of time.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 9~11, 2007
SF Ball 13
Place: Bournemouth, England
Babylon 5 Guest: Mira Furlan
For more information, go to http://www.sfball.com/

February 16-18, 2006
Farpoint
City: Baltimore, MD
Place: Hunt Valley Marriott
Guests: Summer Galu (Firefly), Alice Krige (Stare Trek)
For more information, go to their website at
http://www.bcpl.net/~wilsonr/

February 23-25, 2007
New York Comic Con
Place: The Jacob Javits Center
Show Hours:
Friday, February 23: 4-9:00pm (public hours); Saturday, Feb. 24 -
10am-8:00pm;
Sunday, Feb. 25 10am -5:00pm
Guests of Honor Include: J. Michael Straczynski, Wes Craven, Paul
Dini, Stephen King, Stan Lee, George Perez, Mark Silvestri, Jeff
Smith, Brian Vaughan
For more information, go to www.newyorkcomiccon.com

February 23-25, 2007
FANGORIA'S WEEKEND OF HORRORS
Place: Wyndham Chicago O'Hare
Babylon 5 Guests: Jeffrey Combs; Ken Foree
Other Guests: Jared Padalecki, Doug Bradley
For more information, go to www.creationent.com

March 24-25, 2007
STEEL CITY CON (a.k.a. PITTSBURGH TOY SHOW)
Celebrity Guest: Robert Picardo – "Holographic Doctor" Star Trek
Voyager Series!
For a list of guests and more information, go to www.steelcitycon.com

April 13-15, 2007
Creation's Grand Slam
Place: Burbank CA
Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel
Babylon 5 Guest: Walter Koenig
Other Guests: HAYDEN PANETTIERE, Heroes; KATEE SACKHOFF, Battlestar
Galactica; GEORGE TAKEI - Star Trek, Heroes; COLM MEANEY - STAR TREK:
The Next Generation and STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE; JUSTIN HARTLEY -
Smallville; ADRIAN PAUL - Highlander; MARC ALAIMO - Deep Space Nine;
NANA VISITOR - DS9; JAMIE BAMBER - Battlestar: Galactica; ROBERT
DUNCAN McNEILL - Star Trek: Voyager; CONNOR TRINNEER - Enterprise;
JESSICA STEEN - Stargate SG-1; MATT FREWER - Eureka; COLIN FERGUSON -
Eureka.
For more information, go to www.creationent.com

Well, I think that just about brings you up to date. I hope that you
all have a wonderful weekend and for those of us in the U.S., I hope
your President's Day holiday is an enjoyable one.
Take care.
Sandy

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