THE ZOCALO TODAY -- November 15, 2008

Thought I would send out a quick note to catch you up on all the great
JMS news. CHANGELING is doing well at the box office and JMS’s WORLD
WAR Z is now on the fast track with a great director. Read the story
below.

WHAT’S NEW

WORLD WAR Z - DIRECTOR NAMED
Vareity reports that Paramount has set QUANTUM OF SOLACE director Marc
Forster to helm WORLD WAR Z, based on the Max Brooks best-selling
novel about a worldwide infestation of flesh-eating zombies. BABYLON 5
creator J. Michael Straczynski is writing the screenplay, and Brad
Pitt's Plan B is producing. Brooks--the son of Mel Brooks and Anne
Bancroft--wrote a detailed tale in which a researcher for the U.N.
Postwar Commission interviews survivors from countries all over the
world, 10 years after the crisis, to gather a first-person post-mortem
on a war that obliterated every country on the map. "The genre always
fascinated me, and when they pitched it to me, it reminded me of the
paranoid conspiracy films of the '70s like All the President's Men"
Forster states.
JMS writes: I'm now finishing up the revisions per Marc's director's
notes, and with any luck, we can get this thing moving forward after
the first of the year. Given the scale of the story, Marc's a perfect
choice.

BE A SANTA - DEADLINE DECEMBER 10
Every year, Pat Tallman (Lyta Alexander on Babylon 5) tries to bring a
little holiday cheer to a few children. Her support of Penny Lane has
spanned over 10 years and she has come to us again this year for help.
With the economic crisis hitting everyone hard, it is going to be even
more difficult to help the unfortunate.
If you can help, go to http://ww.beasanta.org for more information on
how you can open your heart to someone less fortunate during the
holiday season.

ISN NEWS BLOG
I have just created ISN News Blog at http://www.isnnews.blogspot.com.
This is an experiment for me -- and I hope you’ll join me by entering
news you have to share. I’ll put in stuff that I think is interesting
for others to read about and we’ll see how it goes. Join me.

BABYLON 5 PODCAST - #137
Welcome to Show #137!
No Jeffrey this week, but Brad Bowyer jumps in to help. We chat a bit
about the announcement that JMS will be penning the script for the
remake of Forbidden Planet, and the ramifications and ripple effects
of that news.
Feedback: This week, Tim, Summer and Brad handle the Feedbackapalooza!
There’s so much feedback, we may were not able to contain it all in
one show.
Want more? Visit Deep Geeking, and if you want to contribute a geeking
essay, send a note to Summer.
Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s Second Life space is now the
penthouse suite of Third Life Books. You can find the castle at
http://slurl.com/secondlife/beraudes/203/151/49. Come see the castle
roof pool, and more!
Babylon 5 Information Gathering: If you know of a dead or abandoned B5
related website that may be in need of a new home, let Summer know!
Maybe we can mirror it here or house it on a sister site.
If you can, please Donate… moving the studio took a big hit, and Mike
needs to replenish the coffers.
If you want to catch up with previous podcasts, go to
www.babylonpodcast.com

WARNER HOME VIDEO LAUNCHES WARNERBLU.COM WITH 100 DAYS OF BLU-RAY
SWEEPSTAKES
Beginning November 13, Visitors to WarnerBlu.com Can Enter to Win a
Blu-ray Home Theater System and 100-disc Blu-ray Library
Burbank, Calif., November 13, 2008 �" To promote WarnerBlu.com, a new
web site that showcases Warner Bros. extensive catalog of movies
available on Blu-ray Disc, Warner Home Video is launching the 100 Days
of Blu-ray sweepstakes, featuring a grand prize Blu-ray home theater
system and 100-disc Blu-ray library.
Designed by Warner Bros. Advanced Digital Services, the 100 Days of
Blu-ray sweepstakes will run from November 13, 2008 through February
20, 2009 on www.wb.com. This innovative sweepstakes offers players the
chance to win multiple bonus entries in addition to their daily entry
in their quest for the grand prize. Bonus entries can be scored by
participating in a trivia game related to Warner Bros.’ featured
Blu-ray title of the day. Also, Warner Bros. will award the featured
title of the day to one lucky winner each day.
WarnerBlu.com is a one stop destination for consumers who want to
learn more about Blu-ray, browse the expansive number of Warner titles
available on Blu-ray Disc, see what titles are coming soon, look for
special offers, and make purchases to build their home library.
To see what this new site has to offer and for more information on the
100 Days of Blu-ray sweepstakes, check out http://WarnerBlu.com.

NEW DVDS

CLONE WARS
Release Date: November 11, 2008
Official website: www.starwars.com
Synopsis:
The Clone Wars takes place between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the
Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Jedi Knights
Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi continue their journey across the
galaxy amongst the Clone Wars, meeting up with familiar villains, such
as Count Dooku, General Grievous and Asajj Ventress. The Grand Army of
the Republic, led by Yoda, Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and other Jedi
Knights, must fight the New Droid Army of the Separatists.

I have had a chance to watch and review a number of new DVDs from WB.
If you are looking for hours of entertainment, consider PRIMEVAL,
ANNIE LEIBOVITZ: LIFE THROUGH A LENS, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE
EARTH, SUPERNATURAL, SMALLVILLE.

Looking for a good holiday picture, try THE POLAR EXPRESS. The
animation is just marvelous -- good story as well. The entire family
should enjoy it.

NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF SCIENCE FICTION

STAR TREK TRAILER COMING MONDAY
The new movie trailer from the J.J. Abrams STAR TREK XI movie is
scheduled to premiere in High Def on Monday. Go to www.startrekmovie.com.

PINOCCHIO
Variety reports that Guillermo del Toro's developing PINOCCHIO as a
stop-motion feature with the Jim Henson Co. as a darker version of the
original fairy tale. Project will be produced by JHC co-toppers Brian
Henson and Lisa Henson along with senior VP Jason Lust. Del Toro will
exec produce.
Del Toro's working on the screenplay with Gris Grimley, who
illustrated a 2002 version of PINOCCHIO. Grimley and Adam Parrish King
will co-direct the film. Del Toro disclosed the project in an
interview with the website bloodydisgusting.com and said that it would
take about three years to complete.
Pinocchio first appeared in the 19th Century book "The Adventures of
Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi. Walt Disney produced the first feature
version of the story with his animated "Pinocchio" in 1940.
PINOCCHIO is the latest in a long list of projects to which del Toro's
attached. Top priority is New Line and MGM's THE HOBBIT, the
two-picture project he's committed the next five years to as director
and co-writer with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. He
also has a three-year first-look deal with Universal, where he's
setting up remakes of FRANKENSTEIN, DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, and
SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE and an adaptation of DROOD and several other projects.

EARLY BOX OFFICE RETURNS
No surprises here. James Bond's QUANTUM OF SOLACE has quickly
conquered the domestic box office. Pic will gross at least $20 million
on its first day. Whether critics like the picture or not, SOLACE is
on track to nab the biggest opening weekend ever for a Bond pic.
Prevous record-holder is DIE ANOTHER DAY, which scored a first-day
take of $14 million on its way to grossing $47 million in its opening
weekend. Directed by Marc Forster, SOLACE should hit $60 million for
the weekend, if not more. SOLACEcontinues the smashing success of
CASINO ROYALE, which rebooted the Bond franchise. The new Bond, played
by Daniel Craig, is more moody and mysterious, giving a kinetic feel
to the most endearing film franchise in history. CASINO ROYALE scored
a first-day take of $14.7 million two years ago, and $40.8 million for
the weekend. Pic grossed $167 million domestically, the best ever for
a Bond installment. SOLACE is already a blockbuster overseas, having
hit the $200 million mark through Thursday.
THOR
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Marvel's THOR is the latest hero
from the comics and entertainment company to get the cartoon
treatment. Marvel Animation is developing and self-producing a 26
half-hour episode series based on its long-running comic book, with
the series targeted to launch in fall 2010, following Marvel's
live-action feature THOR, which bows in 2010. The animated series will
follow Thor, the Norse god of thunder, as he defends his mythical home
of Asgard against fantastical villains, fiendish hordes, winged
creatures and angry giants. The show will take place in various worlds
-- from mountainous landscapes to places of icy mists and fiery voids
-- and will include many of the comic's supporting cast, including
Balder the Brave, the Warriors Three and Thor's evil adopted brother,
Loki.
Marvel president of animation Eric Rollman said the series is part of
the company's plan to follow each live-action movie with an animated
series and "offer a continued awareness in the marketplace." It
already is in production on cartoon series "The Avengers: Earth's
Mightiest Heroes," which will be available for broadcast in 2011, in
time for Marvel Studios' releases of the live-action "The First
Avenger: Captain America" and "The Avengers."

SANCTUARY GETS SECOND SEASON
Sci Fi Channel announced that it has greenlit production on a second
season of its hit series SANCTUARY. The show, shot in the style of
"300" in front of green screens instead of on sets, will come back
with 13 new hour-long episodes in 2009.
"Sci Fi will continue to trail blaze the television landscape by
further exploring the many worlds of SANCTUARY through its unique
green screen environments,"says Mark Stern, Executive Vice President,
Original Programming for the network. "Technology and great
storytelling makes SANCTUARY a fantastic addition to Sci Fi's 2009
lineup."
On SANCTUARY, Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping) is a 157-year-old
"terrologist," one who studies monsters that she calls "abnormals."
Along with her team, she befriends creatures that have evolved from
mankind and gives them a safe haven in which to live. The premiere of
SANCTUARY on Oct. 3 brought in more than 3 million viewers, making it
the highest-rated original series premiere since "Eureka" debuted in
July 2006. The new season will begin production in Vancouver early
next year.

THE WATCHMEN
Yahoo! Movies has debuted the new trailer for Zack Snyder's WATCHMEN
movie, based on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' seminal graphic novel.
The movie opens March 6, 2009. Go to
http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com for more information.

DREAMWORKS SF PROJECTS
Variety reports that DreamWorks is putting a handful of projects on
its high-priority list, including several SF&F movies. The writers,
directors and actors the studio is talking with or already have
attached are a diverse and prominent group, ranging from Clint
Eastwood to Len Wiseman to Steve Carell to the writing team of Alex
Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. While there are many deals still to be
negotiated and many green lights yet to be handed out, the studio is
expected to move quickly as it builds its Reliance-funded and
Universal-distributed slate. Some movies could even go into production
well ahead of DreamWorks' original fall '09 target.
Among the projects:
--Cowboys and Aliens: The large-scale comic-book adaptation is now
being penned by writer-executive producers Kurtzman and Orci (Star
Trek, TV's Fringe), who took on the gig from Iron Man co-writers Mark
Fergus and Hawk Ostby. Imagine is producing, and director-producer Ron
Howard, who remains a long shot to shoot the film, is developing the
project for attached star Robert Downey Jr.
--Real Steel: A futuristic boxing movie being penned by Dante's Peak
writer Les Bohem, who created and wrote the Steven Spielberg-executive
produced SCI FI Channel miniseries TAKEN.
--The 39 Clues: The project is a potential Spielberg directing
vehicle, though it's still in script phase, with Jeff Nathanson only
recently hired to adapt the first novel, The Maze of Bones, in the
10-book Clues series.

HEREAFTER
From Variety comes reports that Clint Eastwood is in talks to direct
the supernatural thriller HEREAFTER for DreamWorks, based on a script
by Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon). DreamWorks principals Steven Spielberg
and Stacey Snider picked up the spec script. The plot details are
being kept under wraps, but it is described as in the vein of The
Sixth Sense. Kathleen Kennedy is producing.
AX FALLS ON MY OWN WORST ENEMY
After only a few weeks on the air, NBC has canceled MY OWN WORST
ENEMY, the SF-tinged spy drama that starred Christian Slater. Variety
reported that the Universal Media Studios show will stop production
after it wraps filming on its current episode, the ninth in its
original 13-episode order. There's no word yet from NBC on what will
fill its Monday 10 p.m. timeslot. In its most recent airing on Oct.
27, ENEMY averaged 5.2 million viewers for a 2.3 rating/6 share in
adults 18-49.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA MEETS GREY'S ANATOMY
After four seasons of playing President Laura Roslin on BATTLESTAR
GALACTICA, Mary McDonnell is moving on to newroles. McDonnell has a
three-episode arc on GREY'S ANATOMY that begins Thursday (today). She
plays Dr. Virginia Dixon, a cardiac surgeon who begins a stint at
Seattle Grace. The character also has Asperger's syndrome, a form of
autism that causes an inability to interact socially with others.
"This woman is really an excellent surgeon and a leader in her field,
but she has a really interesting twist to her," McDonnell says. "...
It's accompanied in her case by an inability, in a sort of normal
social sense, to perform everyday functions easily that other people
do quite easily."

KYLE XY RETURNS IN JANUARY
ABC Family announced that KYLE XY will premiere on January 12 at
9:00pm ET/PT. In KYLE XY world, Kyle (Matt Dallas) will have to
contend with the price he has to pay for his special powers. Greater
forces will push him to new levels and to sacrifice relationships with
those he holds most dear. Also, viewers will discover the fate of his
girlfriend Amanda (Kirsten Prout), who was kidnapped at prom. Season
Two of KYLE XY will be released on DVD on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

CAST ADDITIONS FOR 24 AND LOST
The Hollywood Reporter indicates that Reiko Aylesworth is in
negotiations for a major recurring role on ABC's "Lost." Amy
Price-Francis has landed a recurring role on Aylesworth's former show,
Fox's "24."
In at least four episodes of LOST, Aylesworth will play Amy, a smart
and successful professional woman with a love for the outdoors who is
looking for the right man.
In a six-episode arc on "24," Price-Francis will plays a ruthless
attorney working for Jonas Hodges (Jon Voight).

NEW KARATE KID
Variety reports that Columbia Pictures is putting together a new
version of the 1984 hit THE KARATE KID, which is being tooled as a
starring vehicle for Jaden Smith. According to the trade, the film
will be produced by Jerry Weintraub (who launched the original
franchise) and Overbrook Entertainment's James Lassiter, Will Smith
and Ken Stovitz. Will Smith, who is the 10-year-old actor's father,
co-starred alongside Jaden in his feature debut, The Pursuit of
Happyness, which Overbrook and Escape Artists produced for Columbia.
The script is being written by Chris Murphy, and the film will shoot
next year in Beijing and other cities. While the new film will be set
in that exotic locale, it will borrow elements of the original plot,
wherein a bullied youth learns to stand up for himself with the help
of an eccentric mentor.

CAPTAIN AMERICA
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III)
has signed a deal to direct FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel
Studios' take on its classic comic-book character. Marvel's Kevin
Feige is producing. No writers are on board, but the studio, which is
hearing pitches, expects to hire shortly.
Johnston first met with Marvel two years ago. When the two parties
clicked, general talks turned into Captain America-specific meetings,
with much of the project's current direction resulting from those
early conversations.
Created in 1941 by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon for Timely Comics, Captain
America is the heroic alter ego of Steve Rogers, who is rejected by
the Army for being too sickly and undergoes an experiment that takes
him to the pinnacle of human form. Paired with an indestructible
shield, he became a symbol of the war effort, in and out of comics.
The character disappeared in the 1950s but was revived during the
early era of Marvel Comics. He was reintroduced as part of the
Avengers, the absence explained by having him being in a state of
suspended animation during a war mission until found by the superteam.
Johnston is currently in post-production on THE WOLFMAN.

That’s about it for now.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Be safe,
Sandy

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