THE ZOCALO TODAY – JULY 19, 2008

WHAT'S NEW
There has been quite a bit going on this week. I thought I'd just
wait until the weekend before sending it all along to you. Next week
should be another BIG NEWS because of the San Diego Comic-Con. JMS
will be there and we hope he'll provide us with some news of upcoming
projects. We'll have to wait and see. His schedule is below, so if
you are lucky enough to be going to the convention, be sure to drop a
note so that I can share it with your fellow readers.

UPDATE FROM JMS

Date: 7/13/2008 6:42:18 PM
From the Babylon 5 Moderated Newsgroup
Putting this on a recent thread here where it's more likely to be seen
in a quick fashion....
Several things just to update folks.

First, many thanks to all those who sent along research suggestions
and offerings to be of assistance on the project I can't talk about.
I've been swamped with deadlines and unable to reply to any of the
public notes and private emails, but as soon as I can get my head
above water, be assured that I'll be in touch with many of you.

Second, as noted in the original thread before I hijacked it, yes, the
plan at the moment is that I will be at Comic Con San Diego this year,
primarily doing my thing on Thursday and Saturday afternoons.
There is a *chance* -- mind you, it's just a slim chance but to be
honorable I must mention it -- that a work situation *may* preclude my
appearance there. Or it may not. I'll know more by the end of next
week, and for now as far as I know, everything's on target for me to
be at SDCC. If that changes, I'll be sure to let everyone know as far
in advance as possible.

One final note re: recent discussions on TMoS and more Lost Tales.
B5:TLT was commissioned at a $2 million budget to, yet one more time,
"test the waters" for B5. We did what we could with that, and that was
that. As we did with Rangers, which also suffered from not having a
lot of money because of concerns about "is there really a B5
audience?" Which is, of course, a foolish question from a studio that
has never really understood what it has in B5.

Of late, there have been more discussions from WB about doing more
DVDs, again at a low cost, or a cable thing, again with minimal
investment.

So for the last few months, I've been giving this whole subject a lot
of quiet thought. And I've come to a conclusion.

B5 as a five year story stands beautifully on its own. If anything
else is to be continued from that story, it should be something that
adds to the legacy of B5, rather than subtracts from it.

As well intentioned as Rangers and TLT were, as enticing as it was to
return to those familiar waters, in the end I think they did more to
subtract from the legacy than add to it. I don't regret having made
them, because I needed to go through that to get to the point where I
am now psychologically, but from where I sit now, I wouldn't make them
again.

So I've let everyone up here know that I'm not interested in doing any
more low-budget DVDs. I'm not interested in doing any low-budget cable
things or small computer games. The only thing I would be interested
in doing regarding Babylon 5 from this point on is a full- featured,
big-budget feature film.
It's that or nothing.

And if it's nothing, I'm totally cool with that because the original
story stands on its own just fine. I'm not lobbying for it, I'm not
asking fans to write in about it (nor should you) because such
campaigns never really have much impact...that's simply the position
I've taken up here. Lord knows I don't lack for other things to do
these days. I'm busier on more prestige projects with terrific people
and great film-makers than at any other time in my career.

At the end of the day, for me, it's not just a matter of getting more
B5. It's a matter of getting more *good* B5 that respects what came
before it and doesn't have to compromise visually or in terms of
action. The original show deserves better than that, the surviving
cast members deserve better than that, and the fans who have supported
it over the years definitely deserve better than that. A lot better.

So I've drawn that line in the sand, and I'm happy living on whichever
side of that line the universe puts me. Just thought you should know,
'cause it's your show too.
jms

FULL SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON SCHEDULE
For those of you lucky enough to go to the San Diego Comic-Con, July
23-27, there will be more than enough to occupy your time -- and I
hope that some of you will remember us back here and send in some
reports of what is going on.

Here is the schedule Comic-Con 2008 with a couple of items of
particular interest to Babylon 5 Fans:

Thursday, July 24
11:00-12:00 Professional Writing: Threat or Menace?—
Let's talk writing, creativity, and selling (and selling out), and
what the world of professional writing is like. Questions that you've
always wanted to ask? Creative blocks bugging you? Wondered what the
H*O*L*L*Y*W*O*O*D life is really like? Show up and get answers to
those questions. This no-holds-barred talk is moderated by J. Michael
Straczynski. Room 5AB

Saturday, July 26
4:45-5:45 Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski—
Yes, it's him again. Somehow—we have no idea how—he's gone from
writing comics and TV to working with Tom Cruise, Clint Eastwood, Ron
Howard, Paul Greengrass, Tom Hanks, the Wachowski Brothers, and
Angelina Jolie. His long career (he's also known for Babylon 5,
Twilight Zone, and others) stands as proof positive that there is no
such thing as a just God. What's he up to now? What's coming next?
What secrets remain yet untold? How did he achieve this (well, okay,
we know that and let's just say it has something to do with a contract
signed with Ba'al)? Come and ask the man responsible—J. Michael
Straczynski—for Thor, The Twelve, and such upcoming movies ass
Changeling, World War Z, Proving Ground, The Flickering Light, The
Grays, and Lensman. Room 6B

OTHER VOICES - VOLUME 3 JUST RELEASED

Babylon 5 Scripts: Other Voices
VOLUME 3
Price: $29.99
Discount until July 21, 2008
For more information and to order B5 Other Voices, go to
www.B5OtherVoices.com.
Volume 3 will never be offered at a discount again.

This limited edition run ends on September 30, 2008
Featuring these 6 scripts
• "The Long Dark" by Scott Frost
• "Soul Mates" by Peter David
• "There All the Honor Lies" Peter David
• "Gropos" by Larry DiTillio
• "Knives" by Larry DiTillio
• "Day of the Dead" by Neil Gaiman

All scripts include an introduction/commentary by the writers, written
exclusively for these volumes. A sample of what you'll discover in
Volume 3:

* What Scott Frost believes is less-than-perfect about Cirrus's character.
* Why Peter David wrote "Soul Mates" even though J. Michael
Straczynski said "no."
* From on-the-set: Peter David details his perspective of the
different acting styles of Bruce Boxleitner and Andreas Katsulas.
* Find out which actor wore their make-up home on Halloween to answer
the door for trick-or-treaters.
* Why all the actors were barefoot in "Soul Mates"...and why it was
specifically written that G'Kar had his boots on.
* Revealed for the first time ever -- read all about the night that
Bruce Boxleitner referred to his character as Sinclair...and Peter
David's inside theory on why he did.
* The story of the legendary Babylon 5 bear told in captivating detail
including how the bear war began, the alien race Strazyn, and how a
final retribution was thwarted.
* Peter David's one, final regret about "There All the Honor Lies."
* Find out which line of dialogue Mira Furlan "despised with the fiery
passion of a thousand suns" and why this line might be the most
important revelation of the episode it's in.
* What actor Jerry Doyle was miffed that Londo got to do that
Garibaldi had not... and how Jerry's real life past came back to the
set in "Gropos."
* Who was originally cast as Dr. Franklin's father.
* What inspired "Knives" to open with Londo and Vir discussing opera.
* The tale behind the dramatic changes in Sheridan's story line in
"Knives"...and what was written out and the scenes not shot that later
prompted writer Larry DiTillio to ask himself "what was I thinking?"
* Find out what Larry DiTillio always bought 5 pounds of for the crew
when shooting his scripts.
* Discover why Andreas Katsulas refused to go to sci-fi conventions.
* Read the version of "Day of the Dead" with a talking Zooty.
* The line of dialogue that Neil Gaiman refers to as "astoundingly
awful" which, to his relief, was edited out as well as one of his
"favorite TV moments."

Volume 3 also includes --
* A 47 page guide to the Alien Races of the League of Non-Aligned
Worlds which details as many as 21 characteristics and history
including each race's homeworld, height, weight, hair, limbs,
reproductive methods, skin colors, special powers, governments,
religions, social structure, economics technology, military power,
recreation, art forms, alliances and enemies. This 13,000 word "bible"
covers the Abbai, Brakiri, Drazi, Grome, Hurr, Hyach, Llort, Markab,
pak'ma'ra and Yolu and also includes a short Centauri/Minbari/Narn
glossary.
* A brief introduction by J. Michael Straczynski for Neil Gaiman's
"Day of the Dead"
(Note: J. Michael Straczynski's introduction to "Day of the Dead" and
Neil Gaiman's script are reprinted from the 1998 "Day of the Dead: A
Babylon 5 Script book")
Just like previous volumes, the scripts included in Volume 3 are early
drafts.

Because there are so many differences, you also get the Script/DVD
Variations inventory, which catalogues all the changes, deletions,
additions and extras that were in the script but you never actually
got to see in a handy, easy-to- reference grid.

Volume 3 has a total of 81 entries detailing these B5 Script/DVD
variations you probably never knew.

G'KAR MASK GIVEN TO MUSEUM
Ranger Amy sent along this link to make sure that all Babylon 5 fans
know that the prosthetic mask worn by Andreas Katsulas as G'Kar is now
on display at the Museum of the Moving Image. The mask is mounted on a
life mask of Andreas Katsulas. You have to read the wonderful story of
Babylon 5 fans who banned together to purchase the mask so that it
could be shared by fans and the general public. Go to
http://collection.movingimage.us/index.php?g=detail&object_id=99056&representati\
on_id=4587
to read how this piece of Babylon 5 history was preserved. The Museum
of the Moving Image is located at 35 Avenue at 36 Street, Astoria, New
York 11106. There website can be viewed at
http://www.movingimage.us/site/site.php.

**Hear Amy talk about the mask and how she and other B5 fans banded
together to preserve this piece of Babylon 5 history for fans around
the world during the latest Babylon 5 Podcast. See the section on the
podcast below.

NEW DISCUSSION TOPIC
Over the last several years, comic book themes have been BIG box
office hits. Why do you think that is? Is it because comics, or
graphic novels, make it easier to relate to a character? With the
major success of THE DARK KNIGHT and SPIDER-MAN, what comic would you
like to see next as a major film project?

Send in your ideas to sgbruckner@... and I'll post them for
everyone to enjoy.

NEW DVDS OF INTEREST

WITCHBLADE: THE COMPLETE SERIES
Release date: July 29, 2008
Official Website: www.witchbladedvd.com
Witchblade: The Complete Series Synopsis:
In this adaptation of the Top Cow comic book, Witchblade is the story
of a New York detective, Sara "Pez" Pezzini, whose search for justice
brings her into contact with the Witchblade, an ancient, intelligent,
living weapon so powerful it can battle Earth's darkest evil forces.
Week in and week out, "Pez" employs her skills as a police detective
to fight crime. She finds she must employ the Witchblade to combat a
much greater and frighteningly organized conspiracy of evil that
threatens the very soul of humanity. As Sara tries to keep the secret
of the Witchblade, do her job and have a personal life, she finds that
her most formidable adversary may be the Witchblade itself.

BATMAN BEGINS
Release Date: July 8, 2008
Batman Begins: Limited Edition Gift Set
Synopsis:
Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark
Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his
parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian
Bale)travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn
fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and
unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his
strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the
sinister forces that threaten the city.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Actors: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary
Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Rutger Hauer, Ken Watanabe,
Morgan Freeman, Mark Boone, Jr., Gus Lewis, Linus Roache, Rade Serbedzija
Blu-ray™ Hi-Def Limited Edition Gift Set extras include The Dark
Knight Prologue, a 32-Page Booklet featuring an exclusive comic
adaptation of The Dark Knight Prologue, a BATMAN BEGINS Motion Art
Lenticular, 5 Collectible Batman Begins Postcards and $7.50 "Movie
Cash" to see The Dark Knight in theaters

BIRDS OF PREY: THE COMPLETE SERIES
Release Date: July 15, 2008
Birds of Prey: The Complete Series
Synopsis:
Who will stand up to villains now that a heartbroken Dark Knight has
mysteriously vanished? Never fear, New Gothamites, a trio of champions
is ready to take wing - and Helena, the daughter of Batman and
Catwoman, is among them. She calls herself Huntress and crime is her
prey. Teenaged Dinah is the youngest of the group, learning as she
goes and gifted in clairvoyance. And overseeing the awesome
threesome's high- tech nerve center is Batgirl. Left wheelchair-bound
by The Joker, she has reinvented herself as Oracle, the team's cyber
expert. Huntress, Dinah, Oracle: They are the Birds of Prey. Fighting
together. Living together. And soaring into adventure together in 13
breathtaking live-action episodes.

BATMAN - GOTHAM KNIGHT
The Official Batman Gotham Knight website is at
<http://warnervideo.com/batmangothamknight/>.

Be sure to visit the official website at www.batmangothamknight.com to
see the new teaser for this video. It arrives in stores July 8. Go to
Batman-Gotham for an interview with writer Alan Barnett. More
information about the video can be found below in the DVD section.
BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman
mythos, spinning out of a 40-year history in animation including the
Emmy®-winning "Batman: The Animated Series," widely considered a
pivotal moment in American animation. A cross section of distinguished
creators, award winning producers, and acclaimed writers weave six
interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne's journey to The Dark
Knight, each with stylish art from some of the world's most revered
animation visionaries. BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT will arrive July 8, 2008
on DVD and Blu-Ray Disc, and will also be available On Demand via
digital cable and for download through broadband sites.

DC Super Heroes: The Filmation Adventures
Official website: http://www.DCSuperheroesfilmation.com
Release date: August 12, 2008
Synopsis:
Episodes. Disc 1. The Atom Cartoons, Invasion Of The Beetle-Men
(1967), The Plant Master (1967), The House Of Doom (1967), The Flash
Cartoons, The Chemo-Creature (1967), Take a Giant Step (1967), To
Catch a Blue Bolt (1967), Green Lantern Cartoons, Evil is as Evil Does
(1967), The Vanishing World (1967), Sirena, Empress of Evil (1967),
Disc 2. Hawkman Cartoons, Peril from Pluto (1967), A Visit To Venus
(1967), The Twenty Third Dimension (1967), Justice League Of America
Cartoons, Between Two Armies (1967), Target Earth (1967), Bad Day on
Black Mountain (1967), Teen Titans Cartoons, The Monster Machine
(1967), The Space Beast Round-Up (1967), Operation: Rescue (1967).

Be sure to visit the website – especially for the DVD offerings.
There are video clips for your enjoyment and review.

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD OF SCIENCE FICTION

STAR TREK
Entertainment Weekly (via TrekMovie.com) has put up four teaser
posters for J.J. Abrams' upcoming Star Trek movie, which will be
available at next week's Comic-Con International in San Diego and
which offer the first glimpses of Zachary Quinto's Spock, Chris Pine's
Kirk, Zoe Saldana's Uhura and Eric Bana's villainous Nero.

MIRABILIS
David James Elliott and Natassia Malthe have been cast by the SciFi
Channel in a four-hour fantasy movie entitled MIRABILIS. The film
centers on a knight, John (Elliott of Lovesick, JAG), who wanders the
land of Mirabilis, and Malthe (Elektra), another knight who is also
John's love interest. They and two other knights come together to save
Mirabilis. Sam Egan (Jeremiah) wrote the script. The movie will be
produced by Reunion Pictures, with RHI Entertainment and Industry
Entertainment attached.

WIZARD'S FIRST RULE
WIZARD'S FIRST RULE, a fantasy TV series based on Terry Goodkind's
book series, will debut in syndication on the Nov. 1 weekend,
Disney-ABC Domestic Television and ABC Studios announced. The one-hour
series, which is shot in New Zealand, comes from executive producers
Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, Joshua Donen, Ned Nalle and Kenneth Biller. It
kicks off with a two-hour premiere event. WIZARD'S FIRST RULE follows
the travels of woodsman Richard Cypher (Craig Horner), who discovers
his own magical powers. With the help of a mysterious woman, Kahlan
(Bridget Regan), and a wise old wizard named Zedd, Richard must stop a
ruthless tyrant from unleashing an ancient evil and enslaving the world.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
The news of THE DARK KNIGHT's success should not come as a surprise to
anyone. If you have been watching the trailers available on the
internet, you already know what a terrific movie this is -- with a
good story as well as amazing special effects. The Hollywood Reporter
writes that the domestic box office went into overdrive on Friday as
Warner Bros.' Batman sequel THE DARK KNIGHT stood ready to deliver the
best opening day gross ever, taking in an estimated $60 million to $63
million in ticket sales from a record 4,366 theaters.
Universal's film adaptation of musical MAMMA MIA was no wallflower,
either. The Meryl Streep-Amanda Seyfried starrer -- the ideal
counter-programming -- looked headed to gross an estimated $9 million
to $10 million from 2,976 theaters on Friday.
DARK KNIGHT, toplining Christian Bale and directed by Christopher
Nolan, could nab the highest opening ever for a non-holiday weekend if
business stays as strong as expected on Saturday and Sunday. Previous
record-holdover for both opening day and best opening for a
non-holiday weekend is SPIDER-MAN 3.
The critically acclaimed DARK KNIGHT is Nolan's follow-up to BATMAN
BEGINS, which grossed $15 million on its opening day in June 2006, and
$48.7 million for the weekend. DARK KNIGHT's transformation into the
event film of the summer confirms that Warners and Nolan have
successfully relaunched a franchise that has seen several
stops-and-starts. DARK KNIGHT's appeal is due at least in part to the
late Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. Aaron Eckhart, Maggie
Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine also star.
If Friday's surge in theater traffic continues through the weekend,
the frame could bring the best box office gross overall for a
non-holiday weekend.
DARK NIGHT's Friday haul includes an estimated $18.5 million in
midnight shows, beating the previous midnight record set by Fox's STAR
WARS, EPISODE III: THE REVENGE OF THE SITH which grossed $16.9 million
from 3,663 venues.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
The teaser for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince that is playing
in IMAX theaters with The Dark Knight has hit the web.
Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding
worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry
suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore
is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows
is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock
Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old
friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant
Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information.
Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different
adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds
himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And
Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she
hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates! And then there's
Hermione, simpering with jealously but determined not to show her
feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is
determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air,
but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again. HARRY
POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE hits theaters and IMAX November 21st.

WATCHMEN
Warner Bros. has unveiled the teaser trailer for Zack Snyder's
adaptation of WATCHMEN, starring Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley,
Matthew Goode, Billy Crudup and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
It all begins with the paranoid delusions of a half-insane hero called
Rorschach. But is Rorschach really insane or has he in fact uncovered
a plot to murder super- heroes and, even worse, millions of innocent
civilians? On the run from the law, Rorschach reunites with his former
teammates in a desperate attempt to save the world and their lives,
but what they uncover will shock them to their very core and change
the face of the planet! Following two generations of masked
superheroes from the close of World War II to the icy shadow of the
Cold War comes this groundbreaking comic story - the story of The
Watchmen.
A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, the film is set in an
alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the
fabric of everyday society, and the "Doomsday Clock" - which charts
the USA's tension with the Soviet Union - is permanently set at five
minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered,
the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets
out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present
superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion -
a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true
powers - Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy
with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the
future. Their mission is to watch over humanity...but who is watching
the Watchmen?

CONVENTION CALENDAR

July 23-27, 2008
SAN DIEGO COMICON
City: San Diego, California
Place: San Diego Convention Center
B5 Guest: J. Michael Straczynski
Guests: Tons of people from the comic book realm
For more information, go to http://www.comic-con.org/cci/.

July 25-27, 2008
JUMPCON - Pittsburgh
Place: Westin Convention Center
City: Pittsburgh, PA
B5 Guest: Marjean Holden (Crusade), Dylan Neal (Legend of the Rangers)
Guests: Adrian Paul, Elizabeth Gracen, Spike Spencer, Paul
Wingfield,JR Bourne, Vic Mignogna, Colin Baker, Steve Bacic
For more information, go to http://www.jumpcon.com/?q=Pittsburgh

July 26-27, 2008
STEEL CITY CON
Place: Monroeville, PA (near Pittsburgh)
Guests: Anthony Forrest, Star Wars, Vanessa Branch and Lauren Maher,
Pirates of the Caribbean, THE BATMOBILE - 1966 model
For more information, go to http://www.steelcitycon.com.

August 1-3, 2008
JumpCon
Place: Somerset, New Jersey
Babylon 5 Guest: Dylan Neal (Legend of the Rangers) Guests: Edward
James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, tons of people from Star Trek, Stargate
and others
For more information, go to http://www.jumpcon.com/somerset.

August 6-10, 2008
STAR TREK CONVENTION
City: Las Vegas, Nevada
Place: Las Vegas Hilton Hotel
Guests: Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy and a huge guest list of Star
Trek cast members.
For more information, go to http://www.creationent.com/cal/stlv.htm.

August 6-10, 2008
WORLDCON 2008 - DENVENTION 3
Place: Denver, Colorado
For more information, go to http://www.denvention3.org

August 8-10, 2008
JumpCon
Place: Washington, DC
B5 Guests: Jason Carter (cancelled), Bruce Boxleitner, Tracy Scoggins,
Mira Furlan, Claudia Christian, Peter Woodward, Walter Koenig, Ed
Wasser, Maggie Egan, Peter Jurasik, William Forsythe, Marjean Holden,
Joshua Cox, Mary Kay Adams, Stephen Furst, Kitty Swink
Other Guests: Tons of people from Star Trek, Stargate and others
For more information, go to http://www.jumpcon.com/washington.

August 15-17, 2008
JumpCon
Place: Cleveland, Ohio
B5 Guests: Jason Carter, Kitty Swink
Other Guests: Adrian Paul, Tim Russ, Teryl Rothery, tons of people
from Star Trek, Stargate and others
For more information, go to http://www.jumpcon.com/cleveland.

August 22-24, 2008
JumpCon
Place: Detroit, Michigan
B5 Guests: Jason Carter
Other Guests: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Adrian Paul, Teryl
Rothery, tons of people from Star Trek, Stargate and others
For more information, go to http://www.jumpcon.com/detroit.

August 22-24, 2008
STARGATE CONVENTION
City: Chicago, Illinois
Place: Wyndham O'Hare
Guests: Michael Shanks, Ben Browder, Alexis Cruz, Lexa Doig, David Kykl
For more information, go to http://www.creationent.com/cal/sgchi.htm.

** JUMPCON has defaulted on their convention in Boston this
weekend. I have left their other conventions on the calendar, but
suggest you check BEFORE buying tickets to make sure the convention
will take place.

That's about it for now. If anything comes out of the San Diego
Comic-Con, I'll send out another message next week. I'm sure there
will be something!

Take care and have a great weekend.
Sandy

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