THE ZOCALO TODAY – July 8, 2007

Not a lot going on – other than the heat across the country. I hope
that you are able to stay cool and perhaps have a chance to catch up
on some old Babylon 5 episodes.

On the Babylon 5 movie front, there continue to be new clips turning
up on the internet. Warner Bros. has been great in getting new
snippets out on various services. Use the links below to check them
out.

I have clipped out a portion of the schedule from the upcoming San
Diego Comic Con. The Babylon 5 panel will be on Friday from 6-7:00.
Details are below. I had hoped to attend this year, but will be on a
plane to Bulgaria so I'll have to depend on folks attending the
convention to keep us informed.

BABYLON 5: THE LOST TALES MOVIE CLIPS
Warner Bros. is getting the word out about THE LOST TALES. Besides
posting the latest trailer over at www.babylon5.com, they have also
posted to the WB Channels on the following UGC sites

vMix at www.vmix.com/wb
LiveVideo.com at http://www.livevideo.com/WarnerBros
YouTube at http://youtube.com/profile?user=WarnerBrosOnline

and Google Video at
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9025857401896040923
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9025857401896040923&hl=en

CS SOCIETY ARTICLE
Ranger James alerted me to the second installment of BABYLON 5: The
Lost Tales - Voices in the Dark' Production diary. This one is
SWEET!!!!! Go to http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?
story_id=4102 to see some great pictures of the ship, docking bay and
the New York City picture is awesome!

For all the information on THE LOST TALES, go to
<http://www.isnnews.net/zocalo/lost-tales.shtml> LOST TALES here at
The Zocalo Today.

THE LOST TALES is released on July 31, so if you haven't already
ordered your copy, do so now! Let's show Warner Bros. that we want
more Babylon 5!

BABYLON 5 JULY BIRTHDAYS
Jerry Doyle - July 16
J. Michael Straczynski - July 17
David Warner - July 29

DISCUSSION TOPIC:
Do you think that the advances in computer technology and the ability
to enhance movies with more and better CGI has made movies more
exciting? Or do you think that this is "eye candy" and it is still
the story that makes the difference? Or worse, does it detract from
the overall story?

Send along your opinions to sgbruckner@.... I'll post them for
other readers to share.

SAN DIEGO COMIC CON

There are tons of activities taking place at San Diego Comic Con.
I've picked out a few that may be of particular interest. The entire
program is not yet up on-line, but a sneek peek is at
<http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci07prog_peek.shtml>:

Thursday, July 26
5:00-6:30 Lost Season 4— If the Lost finale was any indication of
things to come, you will not want to miss this panel! Co-
creator/executive producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer
Carlton Cuse will discuss the exciting new season of ABC's Lost, all
leading up to the ultimate series finale. They'll spotlight bonus
features from the 3rd season DVD box set, preview the new Lost video
game, take questions from the audience and perhaps serve up more
surprises. Ballroom 20

8:30-10:30 World Premiere! Superman Doomsday—Superman is dead? Or is
he? All will be revealed at Comic-Con's world premiere of DC Comics,
Warner Bros. Home Video, and Warner Bros. Animation's Superman
Doomsday. It's the highly anticipated first DC Universe made-for-DVD
release presented by Warner Premiere and produced by Warner Bros.
Animation. Inspired by the best-selling graphic novel of all time,
Superman Doomsday is the epic tale of heroism and tragedy, sacrifice
and redemption. The film is rated PG-13 for action violence. The film
stars Adam Baldwin (Serenity, Chuck) as Superman, Anne Heche (Men in
Trees) as Lois Lane, and James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as
Lex Luthor. DC Comics' Gregory Novek will moderate the post-premiere
panel of executive producer/director/writer Bruce Timm (Justice
League Unlimited, Batman: The Animated Series); directors Brandon
Vietti (Legion of Super Heroes) and Lauren Montgomery (Legion of
Super Heroes); writer Duane Capizzi (The Batman) and, quite possibly,
members of the voice cast. And stay `til the end—there might just be
a glimpse of future DC Universe films. Ballroom 20

Friday, July 27:
1:15-2:15 Stargate Atlantis—The Stargate legacy continues to burn
bright on SCI FI with the fourth original season of Atlantis. Amanda
Tapping, one of the most beloved stars in the Stargate universe,
travels to the Pegasus galaxy to join the Atlantis cast by reprising
her role as television's favorite astrophysicist, Lt. Colonel
Samantha Carter. Taking the torch from SG-1 as television's most
thrilling adventure series, Atlantis promises to up the ante this
season by introducing a powerful new race, welcoming new cast members
and mourning the loss of some beloved friends. Featuring panelists
Amanda Tapping, (Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter); David Hewlett (Dr.
Rodney McKay); Joe Mallozzi, executive producer/writer; Nora O'Brien,
VP, original programming, SCI FI; Charlie Cohen, senior executive VP,
MGM Studios; and Robert Cooper, executive producer/writer. Moderated
by Gary Jones (Chief Master Sergeant Walter Harriman, Stargate SG-1).
Ballroom 20

6:00-7:00 Babylon 5: The Lost Tales—Created by J. Michael Straczynski
in 1993, Babylon 5 became an sf cult fan favorite and a top rated
show. Now in 2007, you are being taken to 2271 A.D. for Babylon 5:
The Lost Tales, a made-for-video movie. See footage from the movie
with a panel to follow. Panelists include writer/director/executive
producer J. Michael Straczynski, and members from the original cast
including Bruce Boxleitner (President John Sheridan), Tracy Scoggins
(Captain Elizabeth Lochley) and Peter Woodward (Galen) as well as
executive producer Douglas Netter and producer Samm Barnes. Room
6CDEF

Saturday, July 28:
12:45-2:00 Heroes: Exclusive Volume II Clip and Q&A—Heroes chronicles
the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary
abilities. Be the first to see an exclusive clip from Volume II and
learn more about the DVD, Heroes 360 and more. Moderated by co-
executive producer/comic book writer Jeph Loeb, participate in a Q&A
session with creator Tim Kring; comic book artist Tim Sale (Batman:
The Long Halloween); and the entire cast—Jack Coleman (H.R.G.); Noah
Gray-Cabey (Micah Sanders); Greg Grunberg (Matt Parkman); Ali Larter
(Niki Sanders); James Kyson Lee (Ando); Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura);
Hayden Panettiere (Claire Bennet); Adrian Pasdar (Nathan Petrelli);
Zachary Quinto (Sylar); Sendhil Ramamurthy (Mohinder Suresh); Dania
Ramirez (Maya); Milo Ventimiglia (Peter Petrelli); and more. Ballroom
20

4:45-5:45 Dark Horse Presents: Joss Whedon—With the hugely successful
release of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 for Dark Horse Comics,
Joss Whedon (Fray, Astonishing X-Men) talks about picking up where
the TV series left off, his other projects as well as future plans
and possibly even a few surprises. A sneak peek from the upcoming
Serenity—Collector's Edition DVD will be shown. Ballroom 20
6:30-7:30 Smallville Screening and Q&A - Comic-Con favorite
Smallville returns with an all-new screening and Q&A, featuring
executive producers Al Gough and Miles Millar (both from Spider-Man
2) and cast members. Special appearance by the actress chosen to play
Supergirl in the upcoming season of Smallville! Produced by
Tollin/Robbins Productions, Millar/Gough Ink and Warner Bros.
Television, Smallville airs Thursdays at 8 PM ET/PT on The CW. Room
6CDEF

Sunday, July 29:
12:00-1:00 The 4400—Get a sneak peek of upcoming scenes from The
4400, CBS Paramount Network Television's hit sci-fi series for USA
Network, during a panel discussion led by TV Guide West Coast editor
Craig Tomashoff with series stars Billy Campbell (Jordan Collier),
Chad Faust (Kyle Baldwin), Megalyn Echikunwoke (Isabelle Tyler),
Jenni Baird (Megan Doyle), and executive producer Ira Steven Behr
(Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and supervising producer Craig Sweeny
(Medium). In season four of The 4400, widespread distribution of the
drug promicin has created a dangerous new world, a world in which
special abilities are no longer the exclusive province of the 4400.
Fifty percent of those who take the shot pay the price with their
lives, while those who survive are now ostracized by a government
determined to rid the world of promicin forever. Room 6CDEF

KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW

MAGGIE EGAN:
This week's episode of STANDOFF featured the ISN Anchorwoman, Maggie
Egan. She was guest starring as Lauraine Reiker, who, along with
her "husband," played by John Billingsley from ABC's "The Nine," is
kidnapped and held hostage.

BABYLON PODCAST #72
Tim, Summer and Jeffrey muse on the imaginative creations that the
storylines in Season 3 may inspire, and Jeff is pleased to learn that
he's finally being officially credited as being "Kosh" on the show
over at http://babylon5.warnerbros.com. And we are working on having
some special guests in the upcoming weeks, so Stay Tuned!
Deep Geeking: This week, Tim and Summer talk about the Season 3
opener, "Matters of Honor", beginning with the stunning spoiler in
the opening that showed one Starfury opening fire on another, along
with Ivanova's voiceover "Our last, best hope for peace… it failed,"
the new theme and incidental music, the arrival of the White Star,
and more.

One of the biggest immediate changes for Season 3 is the arrival of
Marcus, and Babylon 5's deeper and more open involvement in the proxy
struggle between the Vorlons and the Shadows. His arrival marks the
first step in direct confrontation against the Shadows, and the start
of testing themselves for the larger battles to come.

We also have a representative of Special Intelligence, Mr. Endawi,
visiting that station to investigate the Shadow vessel in the video
footage Lt Keffer shot before his demise. His inquiries result in a
variety of responses, including Londo's fear of seeing them in a
dream, and G'Kar's description of them from a thousand years ago.
Endawi's report back to a senator at Earthdome is met with
satisfaction by Morden and a Psi Cop, given that his instructions
were "to find out what the other races know about the ship." A
secondary plan is also mentioned, which opens a whole second can of
worms for us to deal with in Season 4.

Listener Feedback: Negative results from the Mailbox Report. Check
out Jarsto's performance on SciFi Smackdown Episode 5: X-Wings vs X-
Wings, and their voicemail show should be coming up soon.
Comments on how Kosh was able to appear differently to all the
different races; Kurt weighs in the philosophical and theological
theories on why Londo can't "see" Kosh; Kurt again with a S3 blooper
on Londo's response to what he saw in the garden; Dave from PA
submits an audio montage to explain how Jarsto has invaded his brain
and won't go away (it wasnt't a Jarsto project); asks Jeffery if he
has any anecdotes from when Jerry Doyle was campaigning for office,
since Kosh is now running for President; Trampas comments on
the "Comes the Inquisitor" discussion, and other references in the
series to Jack the Ripper.

For more information on Babylon 5 podcasts, go to
www.babylonpodcast.com

NEW DVDS COMING

ASTRONAUT FARMER
Release date: July 7, 2007
For clips from the movie and more information about the film, go to
http://theastronautfarmermovie.warnerbros.com/. The DVD includes two
featurettes: How to Build a Rocket: The Making of the Astronaut
Farmer and A Conversation with NASA Astronaut David Scott.
Synopsis:

All systems are "Go" for Charles Farmer. He's faced bank foreclosure,
neighborhood naysayers and a government alarmed by his huge purchase
of high-grade fuel, but now he's ready to blast into space inside the
homemade rocket he built in his barn. Just be home in time for
dinner, Charlie. Billy Bob Thornton portrays Charlie in this charmer
about chasing dreams...and about what it means to be a family. 10,000
pounds of rocket fuel alone can't lift Charlie into the heavens. He
needs a launch/recovery crew, and he has one of the best: his wife
(Virginia Madsen) and children, dreamers all. They have liftoff. Our
spirits have uplift. Gravity cannot hold down our dreams. The
Astronaut Farmer is that kind of movie. Critic's Quotes: "Two thumbs
up." - Richard Roeper and Lisa Schwarzbaum, Guest Critic, EBERT &
ROEPER "A family film...great for all ages!" - Steve Gow, THE MOVIE
NETWORK "Brilliant, imaginative and inspirational." - Mark S. Allen,
CBS-TV

REVIEW
I loved this movie! For anyone that loves stories about those that
succeed, against overwhelming odds, this is your movie! It is a
fantastic family film -- providing not only a good story about
following your dreams, but you see a family that pulls together.
Billy Bob Thornton is awesome as Charlie Farmer. The entire cast is
marvelous. If you missed this one at the movies, it will make a
wonderful addition to your DVD library. Share it with someone who
likes good stories -- and "feel good" movies.

NEW SCIENCE FICTION PUBLICATIONS:
TV Zone #217: BABYLON 5: Babylon 5's Tracy Scoggins chats about
reprising her role as Captain Elizabeth Lochley in The Lost Years,
the latest installment of the cult Sci-Fi drama, describing her
experiences with the rest of the team and acting in a green-screen
studio; DOCTOR WHO: Ed Thomas, the production designer has been a
busy bee indeed as he discusses his work on various episodes of the
show and its spin-offs Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. These
include the climatic showdown for the end of Season Three of Who and
the next Christmas special; Justin Richards - the creative director
to the BBC Who books, and author of some of the more popular titles
answers our questions about the books' launch, their continued
development and what we can expect from the autumn titles.

Cult Times #142:STARGATE: SG-1's Michael Shanks has finally hung up
his zat gun and combats. But wait! There's more! We talk to the actor
about nine years (on and off) playing Daniel Jackson and his upcoming
projects, including the DVD SG-1 movies; ATLANTIS - Paul McGillion -
He's been hired, promoted and then killed off, but he's not bitter.
Especially as the fan outcry that resulted from his character, Dr
Beckett's, death will see him back on the show! The actor sends back
some love. SMALLVILLE - Executive producer Miles Millar takes a
candid look back over six seasons of Smallville so far and reveals
what will – and definitely won't – be happening next… THE 4400 - He's
back! And better than ever! Fresh from sailing around the world,
Billy Campbell is back on The 4400 as Jordan Collier, setting out to
keep his increasingly wayward 'children' under control. THE DEAD
ZONE: As the sixth season of the hit Supernatural series edges
closer, we tracked down John L Adams, who plays Bruce Lewis, to
discover what he brings to the relationship between Bruce and
loveable psychic Johnny Smith

STARBURST #352: HEROES: Adrian Pasdar discusses his role as Nathan
Petrelli throughout the first year of the hit Sci-Fi show, and
considers what the future may hold for our favourite band of
superheroes… TRANSFORMERS: The robots in disguise are finally
unleashed! Director Michael Bay and stars Shia LaBeouf and Tyrese
Gibson talk about the making of one of this summer's sure-fire
blockbusters; HARRY POTTER: catch up with the Harry himself, Daniel
Radcliffe, his co-stars, director and producer of the latest magical
installment, THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX. BABYLON 5: Bruce Boxleitner
discusses his fond return to the J Michael Straczynski universe in
the new straight-to-DVD stories The Lost Tales. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA:
Executive producers Ronald D Moore and David Eick hint at what's to
come, as the series enters production on its fourth and final season.

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD OF SCIENCE FICTION

SUPERMAN SEQUEL
Shooting for the sequel of SUPERMAN RETURNS will begin by next May.
The rumor is that the working title is SUPERMAN:MAN OF STEEL though
there has been no confirmation to it.

SMALLVILLE ADDITION
According to the TV Guide, Michael Cassidy(THE OC) has joined the
cast of SMALLVILLE as News Editor for the Daily Planet. He replaces
the old news editor, Carrie Fisher's character Pauline Kahn. Michael
Cassidy will be appearing in at least 6 episodes of next season and
will also be a possible love interest of Lois Lane.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
DreamWorks and Paramount's TRANSFORMERS made an estimated $22.5
million on Friday, pushing the tentpole past the $100 million mark
for a new total of $107.4 million. Pic, directed by Michael Bay, is
playing on 4,011 screens. RATATOUILLE, from Disney-Pixar, made an
estimated $9.5 million Friday from 3,940 engagements, upping the
toon's take to $90 million. 20th Century Fox's LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD
took in an estimated $5.3 million for a new cume of $72.2 million
from 3,411 screens. Playing 2,604 engagements, Warner Bros. laffer
LICENSE TO WED made an estimated $3.7 million Friday for a new total
of $11.1 million. Expanding to 703 screens, Michael Moore's docu
SICKO made an estimated $1 million Friday, upping total receipts to
$8.8 million. Lionsgate is distributing the film for the Weinstein Co.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Jim Carrey will star in a Robert
Zemeckis adaptation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, playing Scrooge, the ghost
of Christmas past, the ghost of Christmas present and the ghost of
Christmas future. The film will be produced by Walt Disney Pictures
and ImageMovers Digital, which inked a deal with Disney this year.
Zemeckis wrote the screenplay for Carrey and will direct the film,
which will be made for a 3-D stereoscopic release. Producing are
Zemeckis and his ImageMovers partners Steve Starkey and Jack Rapke.
Production will incorporate performance capture, and blend live
action and CG, building on techniques used for Zemeckis' "The Polar
Express" and upcoming "Beowulf," as well as "Monster House," which
the director executive produced. A release date for "Christmas Carol"
has not been set.

STAR TREK MOVIE
According to TrekMovie.com, producer/director J.J. Abrams talked to
Star Trek Magazine and mentioned that "James T. Kirk appears in the
movie." This marks the first time that Abrams or anyone from the
production has disclosed any plot detail about the film. "The respect
we all have for Star Trek canon - and for a brand-new audience - is
massive," Abrams added. "The script is done. We're now starting pre-
prep, and we can't wait to start shooting! Many more details to
follow!" Paramount Pictures is targeting a December 25, 2008 release
for Star Trek.

BOND 22
MI6.co.uk reports that Bond 22 director Marc Forster and writer Paul
Haggis both talked about the anticipated film at the Los Angeles Film
Festival last week. The interviews revealed that Haggis was offered
the director's chair, but he declined due to the long commitment.
They are both still very busy working on their individual projects --
Forster on The Kite Runner and Haggis on In the Valley of Elah --
before they can take on the next 007 installment. Haggis, who also
polished the Casino Royale script, said that the next film won't be
a "direct continuation" of the 21st installment. "I wouldn't describe
it as such," he said. "I think it's going to stand on its own
although it does follow right on the heels of 'Casino Royale.'" he
added that he didn't come up with the chase sequence at the beginning
of "Royale," that was director Martin Campbell, but for the new film
he does have a "couple of those [action scenes] planned." Forster
talked about why he hasn't been able to address 007 yet. "I'm just
literally mixing 'The Kite Runner' in July and then sometime in
August or September, I start [Bond]," he said. "To be honest, I
haven't put any thought because really, my mind is in 'The Kite
Runner' and scoring and finishing that up. I haven't really spent any
time with that stuff. I wish I could tell you. Maybe in a later
period." Daniel Craig will return as Bond in the film, targeted for a
November 7, 2008 release.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Keith David (Delta Farce, Crash)
will voice the villain, Dr. Facilier, in Walt Disney Pictures'
musical animated feature THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG. Walt Disney
Animation Studios will produce the fairy tale, which is set in New
Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, and will introduce Princess Tiana
(Anika Noni Rose), a young girl living in the French Quarter. THE
PRINCESS AND THE FROG is based on an original story by Disney
filmmaking duo John Musker and Ron Clements, who also will direct. A
2009 holiday release is planned.

DAYBREAKERS
Popular Australian actress Claudia Karvan has won the female lead in
the Spierig Bros' new feature, "Daybreakers". The film, starring
Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill, starts filming on the Gold
Coast on July 16. "Daybreakers", set In the year 2017, tells of a
plague that has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced
with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots
their survival; meanwhile, a researcher works with a covert band of
vamps on a way to save humankind. a researcher (Hawke) works with a
covert group of vamps to a band of humans fight back. Karvan, best
known to Aussie audiences as the star of TV hits "The Secret Life of
Us" and "Love My Way" (American audiences may have spotted her in
the "Star Wars" prequels or kiddies pic "Aquamarine"), will play the
object of Hawke's character's affection, a human, Lucy.

STARGATE SG-1: THE ARK OF TRUTH
According to GateWorld.com and 20th Century Fox, the first Stargate
direct-to-DVD movie won't arrive until the first half of 2008. MGM
originally hoped to have Stargate: THE ARK OF TRUTH out this fall.
The visual effects-heavy film is currently in post-production. THE
ARK OF TRUTH will wrap up the two-year Ori story arc, which was left
unresolved when SG-1 finished its tenth and final season. The second
direct-to-DVD movie, STARGATE: CONTINUUM, has likewise been bumped to
2008, following THE ARK OF TRUTH. Principal photography on the second
movie recently concluded in Vancouver. If the first two movies are
successful, MGM hopes to release about two SG-1 movies per
year. "There is already talk of doing some more of these SG-1
movies," actor Michael Shanks recently wrote in his TV Guide
blog, "so keep your finger's crossed." With Stargate's traditional
production schedule running from March to October, MGM may greenlight
an additional film -- or at least commission a script -- before THE
ARK OF TRUTH reaches store shelves. Stargate fans stay tuned.

THE INVASION
With THE INVASION set to hit theaters on August 17, co-star Celia
Weston said during a recent interview that the Nicole Kidman and
Daniel Craig vehicle is Hollywood's latest variation on the genre
classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The twist, the actress said,
is that the new film takes place in Washington. "The Invasion I'm
very excited to see," Weston said while promoting her new film,
Joshua. "I haven't seen it, ... but it's set in Washington, D.C., and
it has all those implications of mind and soul snatching at the
nation's capital. So it becomes really insidious with these heads of
state." Weston plays Mrs. Belicec, who hails from the Czech Republic
and is the wife of that country's ambassador, Dr. Belicec (Josef
Sommer). "It's within our embassy that we have a sort of microcosm of
what's happening in the bigger world," Weston said. "Without giving
away too much, you see, I called it the morphing of the people, or
the snatching of the people that happens within our embassy. I loved
my part in that." Weston smiled when asked if she's morphed by the
invading aliens. "I can't say," she said. "I can't say. But I do work
with Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. Daniel Craig is our dear friend,
and he brings Nicole Kidman to our home, to our embassy, for a
party." Weston confirmed that there were rewrites and that she
returned to set in January for reshoots. "It became a little
something different for [her and Sommer's] storyline, but not much
[was] lost as far as our characters go," she said. "Initially, I
think, the gathering was an anniversary party for my husband and
[me], so there was a romantic overtone to it, and in the rewrites it
became more of a state dinner with an imperious Russian diplomat
[Roger Rees] on the scene who adds to the tension of global strife. I
think that ups the ante for the film, but I liked the romance part of
it."

CLOVERFIELD
Paramount has lifted the lid on a top-secret project in the form of a
teaser trailer for a new film, CLOVERFIELD. CLOVERFIELD is being
produced by J.J. Abrams and revolves around a monster attack in New
York as told from the point of view of a small group of people. It is
being directed by Matt Reeves, who co-created "Felicity" with Abrams,
and is written by Drew Goddard, who has worked with Abrams on "Lost"
and "Alias." Paramount greenlighted the project under a veil of heavy
secrecy in February, about the same time that Abrams agreed to the
take over the directing reins of the new "Star Trek" film. The
casting process was just as mysterious. No scripts or even scene
pages were sent out; agents who were contacted were simply asked if
their client wanted to be in the movie or not. Eventually a cast,
made up mostly of relative unknowns, was put together; it includes
Michael Stahl-David ("The Black Donnellys"), Odet Jasmin, Mike Vogel
("Supercross") and Lizzy Kaplan ("The Class"). The movie, which is
believed to have a relatively modest budget of about $30 million,
began shooting in mid-June in New York. With "Transformers"
generating huge tracking numbers in the weeks before its release, the
studio decided to put footage from "Cloverfield" in a teaser in front
of "Transformers" to build buzz. After first presenting the Paramount
and Bad Robot logos -- Bad Robot being Abrams' shingle -- the trailer
opens with scenes from a surprise going-away party in a New York bar
with a view of the city. Before long, a thundering roar is heard, and
by the time guests run downstairs, pandemonium and flaming debris are
hitting the streets. After a huge explosion at the lower end of
Manhattan, what appears to be the head of the Statue of Liberty comes
hurtling up the street like a giant projectile. The trailer's footage
is shot by a hand-held camera, home-movie style, giving it a sort
of "Armageddon" meets "The Blair Witch Project" feel, though it is
not clear if the entire movie follows that style. While the trailer
does not reveal the name of the movie, it does announce a release
date of Jan. 18. Several copies of the trailer, seemingly shot in
theaters with a camcorder, were posted on YouTube by Thursday
morning. But by Thursday afternoon, some links had been taken down,
replaced by an advisory saying, "This video is no longer available
due to a copyright claim by Paramount Pictures Corp." Producing the
movie along with Abrams is Bryan Burk, who has worked on such Abrams
shows as "Lost," "Six Degrees" and "What About Brian." Guy Riedel and
Sherryl Clark are executive producing. "Cloverfield" is shooting in
New York.

FIRST ASCENT
The Hollywood Reporter writes that screenwriter-turned-comic book
publisher Andrew Cosby and Johanna Stokes have been hired to do a
rewrite on Walt Disney Pictures' FIRST ASCENT. The film is described
as a supernatural action adventure that revolves around a group of
climbers who, while attempting to ascend a mountain in Bhutan, are
attacked by an unseen beast. Jason Reed, Brigham Taylor and Casey
Wolfe are overseeing the project for Disney. Disney's Animal Kingdom
in Florida features a roller coaster ride, "Expedition Everest," that
includes an encounter with a yeti, though Disney said that "Ascent"
is a rewrite of an older project and is not related to the ride.
Cosby is the creator of the TV series "Eureka" and "Haunting." He
also wrote an adaptation of "Damn Nation" for Paramount Pictures and
MTV Films as well as "Creature Tech" for New Regency. Cosby also is a
principal in comic book publisher Boom! Studios, which has been
setting up a number of projects around town. Paramount has pre-
emptively picked up the rights to the company's upcoming comic
book "The Foundation." Boom! also has the action-thriller
comic "Talent" and the horror comic "Tag" set up at Universal; Cosby
is a co-producer on all three projects. Stokes is a comic book writer
involved in several Boom! projects, including "Eureka." "Ascent" will
be her first feature credit.

MASTERS OF SCIENCE FICTION
ABC will air a series of four original films as current as today's
headlines, but with all the wonder and imagination of the best sci-fi
literature, with the 10 p.m. Aug. 4 debut of "Masters of Science
Fiction," Starz Media's John W. Hyde and Industry Entertainment's
Keith Addis jointly announced today. Featuring stories from some of
the most creative minds in science fiction literature, talented
actors and directors and hosted by world renowned physicist Stephen
Hawking, "Masters of Science Fiction" is unlike any program on the
air, on broadcast or cable networks. It's an entertaining, crowd-
pleasing collection of movies that mix powerful ideas, cinematic
production values and peak performances. With a line-up of talent in
front of and behind the cameras that is laden with top awards, this
is indeed a collection of "masters." "Masters of Science Fiction" is
produced by Starz Media in association with Industry Entertainment.
Executive producers are John W. Hyde, Keith Addis, Andrew Deane and
Brad Mendelsohn.

A CLEAN ESCAPE is first up at 10 p.m. Aug. 4. It is based on a short
story by Nebula Award- winner John Kessel ("Another
Orphan," "Buffalo"), written for TV by Emmy nominee Sam Egan ("The
Outer Limits," "Jeremiah") and helmed by Oscar-nominated director
Mark Rydell (On Golden Pond, For the Boys). A dying Dr. Deanna Evans
(two-time Oscar nominee and double Emmy-winner Judy Davis; "Life With
Judy: Me and My Shadows," Marie Antoinette) refuses to believe that
her patient, Robert Havelmann (Emmy winner and Oscar nominee Sam
Waterston; "Law & Order," The Killing Fields), cannot remember the
last 25 years of his life. It remains unclear why she has been so
obsessed with this particular patient until the final, shocking
conclusion that may just have resonance with the current global
crisis.

THE AWAKENING - at 10 p.m. on Aug. 11. Based on a short story by
Howard Fast (Spartacus) and written and directed by Michael Petroni
(The Dangerous Life of Altar Boys), it stars Emmy nominee Terry
O'Quinn ('Lost," Stepfather) and Elisabeth Rohm ("Law & Order") in a
story set in the middle of a ferocious firefight outside of Baghdad,
where U.S. soldiers discover a mysterious body one that they can't
even identify as human. Swiftly, all over the earth, more such
creatures appear and begin to communicate. With this contact, the
world is forced to choose between peace and destruction.

JERRY WAS A MAN - 10 p.m. on Aug. 18. From a short story by seven-
time Hugo Award winner Robert A. Heinlein ("Stranger in a Strange
Land," "Starship Troopers"), written and directed by Oscar, Emmy and
Golden Globe nominee Michael Tolkin (The Player, The Rapture), it
tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Van Vogel (Golden Globe nominee
Malcolm McDowell; A Clockwork Orange, "Heroes"; and Emmy nominee Anne
Heche; "Men in Trees," John Q), a wealthy couple for whom pleasure is
their only work; mundane or dangerous chores are done by anthropoids.
Somehow, Mrs. Van Vogel's dormant compassion is awakened by an
anthropoid named Jerry. What traits would prove that Jerry is,
indeed, a man?

THE DISCARDED - 10 p.m. on Aug. 25. Based on a short story by seven-
time Hugo Award winner, three-time Nebula Award winner and Science
Fiction Grand Master Laureate Harlan Ellison ("A Boy and His
Dog," "Star Trek"), written for the screen by Ellison and Oscar
nominee Josh Olson (A History of Violence) and directed by Jonathan
Frakes (Star Trek: Insurrection, Star Trek: First Contact). It stars
James Denton ("Desperate Housewives"), two-time Oscar nominee John
Hurt (V For Vendetta) and Emmy and Tony Award- winner Brian Dennehy
(Assault on Precinct 13, Cocoon) in a story of despised minorities
forever adrift in the darkness of outer space. As a last resort born
out of their loneliness and despair they are forced to make an
ominous pact with those responsible for their plight, in the hope
that they will finally be offered refuge at home on Earth.
Tying all of these individual stories together is Prof. Stephen
Hawking, the Cambridge University professor best known for his work
in cosmology and black holes, whose bestselling book "A Brief History
of Time" entertained the general public by illuminating the
complexities of astrophysics. Yet for all the hard science that has
earned him acclaim as arguably the world's most renowned and
respected thinkers, he also has a love of the fantastic. "I have
always wanted to know what is out there, to explore the universe, and
what is beyond," Hawking notes. "I read a lot of science fiction when
I was younger, [and] now I write it, in a sense." Hawking's opening
and closing narration to the "Masters of Science Fiction" films
brings scientific authority, along with a sense of wonder, to the
programs. His remarks make you think, as befits a master of science.
And the movies make you think too, even while they provide
exceptional entertainment. And it's no wonder; after all, the
storytellers are, quite simply, "The Masters of Science Fiction."

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX
A new video clip of HARRY POTTER & THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX has hit
online courtesy of Yahoo Trailers & Clips. The scene is
titled "Proper Teacher" and delves into the newly formed Dumbledore's
Army meeting for the first time in the pub to discuss things.
Hermione (Watson) sets things going and Harry (Radcliffe) explains
the difficulties of trying to teach something like surviving. To see
the new video clip, go to
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808475612/trailer. HARRY POTTER & THE
ORDER OF THE PHOENIX hits theaters everywhere next week on July 11.
Filming on HARRY POTTER & THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE will begin this fall
and is scheduled for a November 2008 release.

LARA CROFT
According to the TV Guide, Minnie Driver will be providing the voice
of Lara Croft in GameTap's new 10-part animated series premiering
July 10 at GameTap.com/TombRaider. GameTap is Turner Broadcasting's
video-game-themed broadband network. "World-famous writers and
artists are each doing their own version of Lara Croft, telling a
different story the way they see the character," Ricardo Sanchez, vp
of content for GameTap, told TV Guide. The first three-part adventure
was written and directed by "Aeon Flux" creator Peter Chung.
Subsequent episodes are being handled by a who's who of comic-book
big shots, including Warren Ellis, Gail Simone, Jim Lee and Christos
Gage. Angelina Jolie played Lara Croft in the two feature films.
Minnie Driver, currently starring in "The Riches," previously voiced
Jane in Disney's hit animated Tarzan and can be heard in The Simpsons
Movie, opening July 27.

NIGHT WATCHMAN
Fox Searchlight Pictures announced today that principal photography
began in Los Angeles on "The Night Watchman." Keanu Reeves stars as
Tom Ludlow, a veteran LAPD cop who finds life difficult to navigate
after the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the
execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop
culture he's been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him
to question the loyalties of everyone around him. Academy Award®
Winner Forest Whitaker will play Captain Jack Wander, Ludlow's mentor
and superior. The stellar cast also features Hugh Laurie, Chris
Evans, Jay Mohr, John Corbett, Cedric the Entertainer, Amaury
Nolasco, Terry Crews, Naomie Harris, Martha Higareda, Kirstin Pierce,
Common and The Game. The screenplay is based on an original script by
James Ellroy, with current revisions by David Ayer. Ayer, known for
bringing gritty realism to films such as Training Day and Harsh
Times, is directing.

DOCTOR WHO
The BBC announced that British comic actress Catherine Tate will play
the Doctor's newest companion in the BBC's upcoming fourth season of
DOCTOR WHO. Tate will reprise the role of Donna, the runaway bride
from the 2006 Christmas special. Tate will join star David Tennant
for the complete 13-week run of the new season, which is due to begin
filming in Cardiff, Wales, later this month. Freema Agyeman, who
played the Doctor's companion, Martha Jones, in the third season,
will return the middle of the coming season. The third season of
DOCTOR WHO recently ended in the United Kingdom; it begins running on
SCI FI Channel in the United States on July 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Agyeman, meanwhile, will play Martha Jones in three episodes of
spinoff show TORCHWOOD, which producers have said will expand her
character. The fourth season of DOCTOR WHO is due to debut on BBC One
in spring 2008. A Christmas special starring Tennant and Australian
pop diva Kylie Minogue will air in December in the United Kingdom.

HARRY POTTER
David Yates, director of the upcoming sequel HARRY POTTER AND THE
ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, had such a great time making the film, he
couldn't resist coming back for the next one, HARRY POTTER AND THE
HALF-BLOOD PRINCE. "I found it very difficult leaving the world,
having had such a brilliant time and also knowing that the next film
is going to be very different from this one," Yates said at a recent
press conference in London. "I'm very, very proud of this film and
what we've achieved. And the next one is very different, really, and
very different for the kids, as well. And it's almost like making
another movie, a different movie." HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE
PHOENIX is the fifth film based on the popular book series by J.K.
Rowling. Yates is the fourth director to take on the franchise and
will be the first to come back for a second film since Chris
Columbus, who directed the first two installments in the series.
David Heyman, who has produced every film, said at the press
conference that the two previous directors— Alfonso Cuarón, who
directed the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,
and Mike Newell, who directed the fourth, Harry Potter and the Goblet
of Fire—were offered the opportunity to return, but both turned it
down. "These are marathons," Heyman said. "We've been very pleased
with the directors we've had. Alfonso Cuarón was asked back to work
the fourth and Mike Newell for the fifth, but they didn't have the
stamina for them, because these are—and that's no disrespect to them—
these are really tough films to make. ... But David did have the
fortitude and the strength to carry on, and I think he's done such a
great job, and the kids felt such a connection to him. And one of the
most important things is for the kids to be challenged and to keep it
fresh. And David kept it fresh right up until the very last day of
shooting for them. And each of them whispered in my ear that they
would be grateful if David came back." Emma Watson, Hermione Granger,
said that she was thrilled to hear that Yates would be
returning. "I'm glad he's staying on for the next one," she
said. "And having seen Order of the Phoenix, it's amazing that it
stands alone, but it feels like it's unfinished business. ... He has
more to do, to say, and it doesn't feel like I've learned all that I
can from David. I still feel like there's so much more that I can
learn and get out of him. So it's still a really exciting concept,
even though we'll work with the same person again." Daniel Radcliffe,
who plays the title character, added that he'd like to see Yates stay
on for the seventh film as well. "I'm thinking of getting David Yates
into his director's chair and breaking his legs so he can never
leave," he joked. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE will begin
shooting in September for release at the end of 2008. HARRY POTTER
AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX opens July 11.

ASHES TO ASHES
According to the BBC, Keeley Hawes (MI-5) will star in ASHES TO
ASHES, the time-travel spinoff of its hit LIFE TO MARS; Hawes will
play modern-day detective inspector Alex Drake, who finds herself
transported back to 1981, where she encounters the unreformed cop
Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister).

CONVENTION CALENDAR

July 13-15, 2007
Shore Leave 29
City: Baltimore, MD
Place: Hunt Valley Marriott
Babylon 5 Guest: Claudia Christian
Other Guests: Paul McGillion (Stargate Atlantis' Dr. Carson Becket);
Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek:TOS's Lt. Uhura); Aaron Douglas
(Battlestar Galactica's Chief Galen Tyrol); Colin Cunningham
(Stargate SG-1's Major Davis); Gary Jones (Stargate SG-1's CMSgt.
Walter Harriman); Dean Haglund (X-Files & The Lone Gunmen's Richard
Langly); William Campbell (ST:TOS's Trelane and ST:TOS and ST:DS9's
Koloth); Louise Sorel (ST:TOS's Rayna Kapec; Days of Our Lives'
Vivian Alamain) and Casey Biggs (ST:DS9's Damar ).
For more information, go to http://www.shore-leave.com/

July 13-15, 2007
City: Columbus, Ohio
Place: The University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center or Hilton
Garden Inn Columbus-University Area
B5 Guest: Bill Mumy
Other Guests: Kate Mulgrew, Avery Brooks, Cirroc Loften, John
Billingsley, Tim Russ, Kate Vernon and David Reddick
For more information, go to http://www.vulkon.com/ColSF0707.shtml

July 26-29, 2007
SAN DIEGO COMIC CON
Location: San Diego, California
Probably the biggest collection of media people for science fiction
and the world of comic books ever. Babylon 5: The Lost Tales will
have a panel from 6-7:00pm that will feature J. Michael Straczynski,
Bruce Boxleitner, Tracy Scoggins, Peter Woodward, Doug Netter and
Samm Barnes.
For more information, go to
<http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci07prog_peek.shtml>

July 28-29, 2007
STEEL CITY CON
Location: Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Guests: Jeremy Bulloch – "Boba Fett" - from Star Wars. Felix
Silla "Twiki" from Buck Rogers. Doug Wangler - "Quinlan Vos" from
Star Wars. Christy Hemme and Gail Kim from SPIKE TV - Wrestling
Knockouts!
For a list of guests and more information, go to
http://www.steelcitycon.com

That's about it for now. I hope you will all have a chance to visit
the website for all the up-to-date information about Babylon 5 – and
the world of science fiction.

Have a great Sunday and Take Care.
Sandy

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