THE ZOCALO, July 18, 2009

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL
A final program schedule is now posted at http://www.comic-con.org/. Check it
out. JMS indicates he will have only one autograph session:

" For those coming to the convention, be advised that at this point I only have
one -- count 'em, one -- autograph session set up, at table AA 2 at 6:00
Saturday, right after my spotlight.

I'm only going to have an hour, so I'm going to have to be really strict in
enforcing the ten-item limit to make sure that everybody in line gets a fair
chance."

Here are sessions listed at Comic-Con for JMS:

Thursday, July 23
3:30-4:30 J. Michael Straczynski: Professional Writing— Ideas are a dime a
dozen. Executing those ideas (instead of assassinating them) is what separates
pro from wannabe. But only you know what steps you need to take to get there, so
if you show up for this talk, bring questions to ask J. Michael Straczynski, who
has created a massively successful cross-platform writing career in movies,
television, comics, and print. Room 7AB

Saturday, July 25
4:45-5:45 Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski— Triple Eisner-nominated and
Comic-Con special guest J. Michael Straczynski presents a freewheeling
discussion about his work in comics (Brave and the Bold, Thor, Amazing
Spider-Man), television (Babylon 5), movies (Changeling, Ninja Assassin,
Forbidden Planet, Lensman and more) and anything else that comes to mind. Every
year JMS's talks are a focus of heated conversation, and that's just between us
and law enforcement when they show up midway through... Room 6A

ASKED & ANSWERED: PART 2
The second volume of Asked & Answered has been released. Part 2 (pages 387-778)
includes more than 800 missives grouped into the following topics:

FAN INTERACTION
FIVE YEAR ARC
How the arc was structured, what the cast and crew really knew about where the
characters and story were headed, specifically what JMS had mapped out and to
what level of detail, who had seen the entire series outline (and who hadn't),
which actor knew the most about the entire arc, why he wouldn't leak a fake 5
year arc, what would happen if anything happened to him during the series run,
why he wrote the arc so that the fans could never know for sure what was going
to happen next, how he wrote the show so fans would not be lost if they missed
an episode, what one question he intended not to answer at the end of the 5 year
arc, why he structured the show as a novel, how he balanced the characters over
the 5 year run, why Babylon 5 was a 5 year story and why he could never extend
it (even if he wanted to), what he meant by "accelerating the arc," how he
compensated for cast changes, how the long wait to sell the show to the networks
benefited the arc, specifics about how he adjusted the arc on the chance the
show was canceled after the fourth season, how he wrote the arc so that nuances
would surface for fans watching the series for a second, third or fourth time.
FUN WITH JMS
INFLUENCES - FILM, TV & MUSIC
INFLUENCES - HISTORY & LITERATURE
JMS ON JMS
JMS ON POLITICS
LAST DAYS & LEGACY OF BABYLON 5
JMS recalls how the industry reacted to Babylon 5's novel-for-television
structure, why he never considers himself an SF "superstar", the aspects of B5
that he is most proud of, what it's like to be the guy who created B5, how he
reacts to others' interpretations of the show, the lessons he learned producing
B5, his feelings on the set the last day of shooting, the truth behind the "cast
turmoil" over the ending of the show, his reaction whenever SF shows are
compared to Babylon 5 and what has to happen for there to ever be more Babylon 5
on the screen.
MERCHANDISE OF BABYLON 5
MUSIC OF BABYLON 5
ONLINE EXPERIMENT
J. Michael Straczynski's interaction with fans in the online world is showcased
in this section which focuses on the highs...and the lows of that ongoing
conversation. With messages dating back to 1991, JMS addresses why he put
himself in an Internet forum, his concerns about fans having too much
information, his motivation for his exchanges with fandom, specifically how his
online conversation with fans has been helpful to the writing process (and how
it has not), the biggest benefit to his online presence, how he "waved" to the
GEnie forums in the pilot, how he remained unaffected by what he read online,
why fans couldn't post story ideas, what he really thinks of the online
communities, his move to the moderated newsgroup, how he handles criticism,
details of one of his worst experiences online and his thoughts at the 10 year
mark of his online experiment.
PHYSICS & BABYLON 5
PLACES & PLANETS
PRODUCTION OF BABYLON 5
Harlan Ellison's involvement kicks off this package of posts along with how much
material was edited out of each episode, what JMS cut that he wishes he could
put back, how the editing process works and how it impacts what the fans see,
the varied shots used by directors to tell the story, how JMS learned not be
upset by production glitches, what he would go back and rework if he could, how
the B5 production model differs from most other shows, how he and the team
handled revisions, step-by-step what happened from script to screen, how JMS got
the most value from the budget, why there wasn't a bathroom scene in the pilot,
what he would have done if he had had $1 million more per show, how the crew
expressed their "feedback" to JMS and his policy for how opinions about the show
were to be expressed and how directors maintained his vision for the show.

Read the entire description of this book at <http://www.cafepress.com/b5books>.
Be sure to order now and get the $10 off -- good through July 22 only.

DISCUSSION TOPIC - OLD MOVIES

Warner Bros. has opened up a wonderful movie archive -- with a ton of classics
that are totally unknown treasures to most people. Got me to thinking about old
movies in general. What are your favorite old movies -- not just from science
fiction genre, but any that really are #1 and #2 for you -- movies that you can
watch over and over again.

I grew up in an era of wonderful action flicks -- and I still love them. THEY
DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON will be on ENCORE channel, again this month. I love
Erol Flynn and while this one doesn't rank up there with ROBIN HOOD, it is one
you can sit through regardless of the length. How about you? Let's hear what
your favorites are.

Send in your comments to sgbruckner@.... I'll post your selections our
discussion page for all readers to share. I'll post some of my comments in my
blog -- see below.

KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW
CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN
Ranger Judy pointed us over to Claudia's Fan Newsletter:
http://www.claudiachristian.net.
Claudia just finished her new Showtime Series LOOK. Not sure when it will be
seen here, but Showtime has ordered 8 episodes.

NEW DVDS:

PUSHING DAISIES - COMPLETE SECOND SEASON
Official Release Date: July 21, 2009
Official website: http://www.pushingdaisiesdvd.com
Synopsis:
This forensic fairytale follows Ned, a young man with a very special gift. As a
boy, Ned discovered that he could return the dead briefly back to life with just
one touch. Now a pie maker, Ned puts his ability to good use, not only touching
dead fruit and making it ripe with everlasting flavor, but working with a
private investigator to crack murder cases by raising the dead and getting them
to name their killers. But the tale gets complicated when Ned brings his
childhood sweetheart, Chuck, back from the dead -- and keeps her alive. Chuck
becomes the third partner in Ned and Emerson's private-investigation enterprise,
encouraging them to use Ned's skills for good, not just for profit. Life would
be perfect for Ned and Chuck, except for one cruel twist: If he ever touches her
again, she'll go back to being dead, this time for good.

ER - Season 11
Release date: July 14, 2009
Product Description
An aquarium worker with a live shark latched onto him --a blind woman and her
guide companion (a miniature horse!)--a college boy with an arrow in his gut
(his fraternity brothers were aiming for the apple on his head). Gunshot
victims. Homeless children. Cardiac cases. So many patients, so little time.
Year 11 of the fast-paced series brings challenges and changes to the ER. Corday
and Chen weigh work and family. Abby finds that being a good doctor is as tough
as being a good nurse. Ray Barnett -- doctor by day, rock star by night --
arrives. Carter decides to leave. He's been there from the start, a student
turned leader who picked up where Greene left off. He set the tone, provided the
example. His impact will endure.

FRIENDS CELEBRATES 15 YEARS
Experience the best moments from this hugely popular Emmy-award winning series
with the all-new BEST OF Collections, now available only on iTunes.
Including the best hand-picked Friends episodes, these collections feature the
most memorable moments of the series, including the dramatic break-ups, the
emotional make-ups, and of course, some of most hilarious scenes that ever aired
on TV, capturing the unforgettable storylines that made Friends a smash hit.
The Complete Series is also now available for the first time on iTunes. Get the
full seasons for the full experience.

PEANUTS 1960s COLLECTION
Release Date: July 7, 2009
Peanuts lovers rejoice. You now have only one DVD to buy to get all the most
popular Peanuts TV specials. The PEANUTS 1960s COLLECTION willshowcase all six
heartwarming TV specials in a two-disc set, as well as all-new enhanced content.
These specials aired between 1965 and 1969, several earning Emmy Award
nominations or wins. This is the first time all six specials are available to
consumers in one set. Two of the specials, HE'S YOUR DOG, CHARLIE BROWN and IT
WAS A SHORT SUMMER, CHARLIE BROWN make their DVD debut. All six specials have
been re-mastered for beautiful picture and sound quality. Here is a list of all
the specials included:
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Charlie Brown's All-Stars (1966)
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
You're in Love, Charlie Brown (1967)
He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown (1968)
It was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown (1969)
DVD Special Features include:
The Maestro of Menlo Park - Profiling Composer Vince Guaraldi - This short
documentary film provides a glimpse into jazz musician Vince Guaraldi's life,
and how his music was so much more than just the theme to Peanuts.

AROUND THE WORLD OF SCIENCE FICTION

WALTER CRONKITE - DEAD AT 92
On the great, if not the greatest news journalists has died. Walter Cronkite,
long time newsman and anchor for CBS, died yesterday at the age of 92. Cronkite,
recruited by Edward R. Murrow from the United Press wire service, joined CBS
News in 1950. He served as "Evening News" anchor and managing editor of CBS News
from April 16, 1962, to March 6, 1981. Beginning in 1937, his career spanned
more than six decades in radio, print and TV. He earned the accolade "the most
trusted man in America" for his earnest and stalwart style as the anchorman of
the "CBS Evening News" for nearly two decades.
Following his departure from CBS News, he served as the correspondent for CBS
Reports "Child of Apartheid," which won an Emmy and an Overseas Press Club
Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding documentary. He also produced and hosted
an eight-part Discovery Channel series "Cronkite Remembers," which traced
historical events of the 20th century. Cronkite closed each "Evening News"
newscast with the line, "And that's the way it is," followed by the date. Here
was a newsman whose vocabulary did NOT include the word "spin". His honest and
insightful views on today's news is sorely missed.

President Obama commented on his passing by saying:
"He brought us all those stories large and small which would come to define the
20th century. That's why we love Walter, because in an era before blogs and
e-mail cell phones and cable, he was the news. Walter invited us to believe in
him, and he never let us down."

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Jorja Fox is returning to CSI for five
episodes in season 10. She will reprise her character of Sara Sidle and
executive producer/ showrunner Carol Mendelsohn says, "The viewers and longtime
CSI fans will be excited to discover where life has taken Sara Sidle and what
brings her back to the CSI team in Las Vegas in our premiere episode." What
about Gil Grissom? No mention of William Peterson returning at this point. The
series returns with new episodes Sept. 24.

WORLD WAR Z
According to Fangoria, Matthew Michael Carnahan has come aboard to rewrite WORLD
WAR Z. Max Brooks, who penned the original graphic novel, revealed that
Carnahan, brother of director Joe Carnahan, is taking on the project. J. Michael
Straczynski was previously attached to write the film.
"He's one of Hollywood's hot A-list writers, so if they went after him and paid
him a mountain of gold, it definitely shows their confidence in this project,"
Brooks revealed on the site's radio program.
Carnahan has written such political thrillers as THE KINGDOM, LIONS FOR LAMBS
and this year's STATE OF PLAY.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE PLAN
Universal Studios Home Entertainment announced that it will release a Blu-ray
version of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE PLAN on Oct. 27, the same day the one-off
telefilm drops on DVD. THE PLAN is directed by and stars Edward James Olmos.
Jane Espenson wrote the screenplay. It recaps the story of the destruction of
the human Colonies from the point of view of the Cylons. The new discs will
include the uncensored 90-minute feature film. The cast also includes Michael
Trucco, Aaron Douglas, Dean Stockwell, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park, Rick Worthy,
Matthew Bennett, Callum Keith Rennie, Michael Hogan and Rekha Sharma. Extras
include:
My Scenes: Bookmark your favorite scenes from the movie.
Battlestar Galactica trivia game.
Deleted scenes .
"From Admiral to Director: Edward James Olmos and the Plan": A day in the life
with Olmos as he tackles the most ambitious Battlestar production to date.
"The Cylons of the Plan": Features interviews with the actors who play the
film's key Cylons, including Stockwell, Helfer, Park, Trucco, Worthy and
Bennett.
"The Cylon Attack": This featurette takes viewers behind the scenes for the
planning and execution of one of Battlestar Galactica: The Plan's major action
sequences.
"Behind the Plan": An in-depth look at some stunning visual effects and the role
post-production plays in bringing the world of Battlestar Galactica to life.
Filmmaker commentary.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
Variety reports that HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE exceeded the $100
million mark at the worldwide box office in its first 24 hours of release. The
sixth installment in the hit franchise took in $58.2 million domestically and
$45.9 million internationally for a total tally of $104 million, the best start
ever for the franchise.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE
According to The Hollywood Reporter's Risky Biz blog, unknown Australian actor
Xavier Samuel has landed the first new role in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, the
third film in the hit franchise. Samuels will play the role of a "newborn
vampire" named Riley who joins the plot of villain Victoria (Rachelle Lefevre)
to murder protagonist Bella (Kristen Stewart).

ARENA
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Jeff Wadlow will direct ARENA, a sci-fi
action film for Summit, about a group of modern-day soldiers transported to a
shifting landscape, where they are forced to face off against the best warriors
from different eras in gladitorial battle. New writers Toby Wagstaff and Darren
Howell wrote the screenplay, which Summit optioned in April 2008.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: 25THE ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR'S EDITION
Warner Home Video will release the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 25th
Anniversary Collector's Edition on Blu-ray and DVD on Aug. 11 in sets that will
include all four feature films.

EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS
As usual, sci-fi series and programming earned a good share of technical and
other nominations for the 61st annual Emmy Awards, which were unveiled yesterday
in Hollywood, including five nods for ABC's LOST, including best drama; and five
nods for Syfy's BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, including best direction.
ABC's canceled PUSHING DAISIES also got five nominations, including best
supporting actress (for Kristin Chenoweth as Olive Snook), and HBO's TRUE BLOOD
got three. NBC's HEROES received two nominations.
In a special note, nominations in a new category, outstanding special
class--short- format live-action entertainment programs, recognized Web videos
and went to Syfy.com's BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE FACE OF THE ENEMY and Joss
Whedon's groundbreaking DR. HORRIBLE'S SING-ALONG BLOG, among others.
Holly Hunter got a nomination for best actress for her lead role in TNT's SAVING
GRACE. Syfy's Sanctuary got one nomination, for visual effects.
For a full listing of nominations, go to
<http://scifiwire.com/2009/07/battlestar-lost-daisies-s.php#more>. The 61st
Primetime Emmy Awards airs Sept. 20 on CBS.

STAR TREK
Paramount Home Entertainment's STAR TREK will hit home video as a 1-Disc DVD, a
2-Disc DVD and 3-Disc Blu-ray on November 17 with all the usual extras as well
as a new bonus feature on the disc packaging itself, reports Video Business.
With the packaging feature dubbed "augmented reality," consumers will be able to
hold their disc packaging in front of any standard Web cam to unlock an
interactive hologram tour of the U.S.S. Enterprise. In the tour, which plays on
the computer screen, viewers will be able to tour five cabins on the movie's
Enterprise and even shoot enemies from the ship's deck.
An early version of the feature, which Paramount tried for the international
theatrical release of the film, can be accessed at the Experience the Enterprise
website.
Among the other extras on the high-end versions are plot-based deleted scenes,
such as a cut scene with a baby Spock, ears and all. Another cut includes an
abandoned story line with Nero and a look at Abrams' version of the warrior
Klingons. The Blu-ray set will include a BD Live feature that connects viewers
to live updates from space through NASA. Those who want to explore the film's
space ships more, also will be able to click on the Star Fleet Vessel Simulator
to get a 360-degree view of the Enterprise and other ships.

GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's Tricia Helfer will voice Boodikka, the most prominent
female member of the Green Lantern Corps in GREEN LANTERN: FIRST FLIGHT, the
next DC Universe animated original PG-13 movie, coming to DVD on July 28; she
previously voiced Black Cat in THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN.

JOHN CARTER OF MARS
Variety reports that Willem Dafoe will star alongside WOLVERINE co-stars Taylor
Kitsch and Lynn Collins in the adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs sci-fi
fantasy series of books, JOHN CARTER OF MARS. Here's what the trade paper said:
Dafoe will play the role of Tars Tarkas, a fierce green Martian warrior, who's
unusual among his savage race for his ability to love. Tars develops an alliance
with John Carter in the first film, which is based on A Princess of Mars. He
fights battles alongside Carter through the entire series of Edgar Rice
Burroughs books, so he will be hanging around for sequels.
Kitsch, who appeared all too briefly in X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE as the
cane-twirling Gambit, will play the title character in Mars, a damaged Civil War
vet who finds himself mysteriously transported to the Red Planet.
Collins, who played Wolverine's ill-fated Kayla Silverfox, will play the
Princess of Mars. Stanton wrote the script with Mark Andrews. John Carter of
Mars is slated for release sometime in 2012.

WAREHOUSE 13
For the second week in a row, WAREHOUSE 13 was the top original cable drama in
prime time Tuesday among adults 25-54, the network announced. The new episode,
"Resonance," beat new episodes of A&E's The Cleaner, TNT's HawthoRNe, TNT's
Saving Grace and F/X's Rescue Me.
The one-hour dramedy delivered a 2.4 household rating, 3.4 million total
viewers, 1.6 million adults 25-54 and 1.2 million adults 18-49.
In its 9 p.m. timeslot, Syfy delivered more adults 25-54 than ABC (including a
new episode of ABC's Better Off Ted).

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOON LANDING
Festivities are in full swing here in Washington to celebrate the 40th
anniversary of the lunar landing on Monday, July 20. The John F. Kennedy
Presidential Library and Museum has created a new Web site, We Choose the Moon,
which offers you a real-time recreation of Apollo 11, the mission to land the
first men on the moon, which observes its 40th anniversary.

SEPTIMUS HEAP: MAGYK
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Warner Brothers has brought in David Frankel
to develop and direct SEPTIMUS HEAP: MAGYK, based on the popular seven-volume
children's books by U.K. author Angie Sage. The story follows two babies who are
switched at birth&#65533;one a boy who discovers his birthright as the seventh
son of a seventh son and is destined to become a powerful wizard, the other a
girl who is fated to become a princess.

TRIBBLE ALERT
As part of its promotion of the upcoming Blu-ray set of season two of the
original Star Trek TV series, CBS/Paramount Home Entertainment has enlisted
famed Trek writer David Gerrold to deliver a Comic-Con invitation. Gerrold
invites fans to visit CBS/Paramount's booth at Comic-Con in San Diego next week
to pick up a limited number of souvenir "Tribbles". Gerrold, as you know, was
the writer of the original series episode "The Trouble With Tribbles" and
invented the furry fertile creatures. Gerrold also ivites fans to upload Tribble
pictures to CBS-BDLive.com. The season-two Blu-ray drops on Sept. 22.

ADJUSTMENT BUREAU
Variety reports that Emily Blunt and Matt Damon will star in ADJUSTMENT BUREAU,
based on a Philip K. Dick's short story. George Nolfi directs.
The trade broke the news writing:
Damon will play a smooth-talking congressman whose political future is thrown in
doubt by uncontrollable events and the arrival in his life of a mysterious
ballerina, played by Blunt. ...
Production begins in mid-September in Gotham.

WINGS
Variety reports that Disney has acquired screen rights to the young adult
fantasy novel WINGS and will develop the best-selling Aprilynne Pike title as a
star vehicle for Miley Cyrus. Cyrus is to play Laurel, a 15-year-old who grows
up sheltered and home-schooled in a small town. Adjusting to a big high school
is difficult, and her suspicion that she's not like the other kids becomes a
reality when she sprouts a pair of wings and learns that she's a fairy.
Published in May, the novel is the first of a planned four-book series.
The deal continues Disney's relationship with Cyrus beyond "Hannah Montana." She
is currently shooting "The Last Song," a Julie Anne Robinson-directed adaptation
of the novel that Nicholas Sparks wrote as a vehicle for Cyrus. Sparks wrote the
script with Jeff Van Wie.

EUREKA WINS TIMESLOT
Syfy's EUREKA returned last Friday for the second half of its third season with
an audience of 2.6 million total viewers, winning its timeslot among adults aged
25-54 among basic cable networks. The new episode drew 1.1 million adults 18-49
in its new Friday 9 p.m. ET/PT timeslot. The episode also beat ABC in the 25-54
demographic; Syfy ranked second in the demographic overall in the 8-11 p.m.
prime- time period behind only its sister network USA. Eureka outpaced
competitors including TLC's What Not to Wear, Animal Planet's Whale Wars and
VH-1's The Great Debate. The midseason premiere represented a 23 percent
increase among adults 18-49 and more than 19 percent in adults 25-54 versus the
previous midseason finale on Sept. 23, 2008.

CREATION
According to Variety, Jon Amiel's Charles Darwin biopic CREATION will open the
34th Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 10. "This intimate look at Darwin puts a
human face on a man whose theory remains controversial to this day," said
Toronto fest director and CEO Piers Handling, adding that this year marks the
200th anniversary of Darwin's birth.
Produced by Jeremy Thomas, pic stars Paul Bettany as the English scientist and
author of "The Origin of Species" and Jennifer Connelly as his wife Emma. John
Collee's screenplay is adapted from "Annie's Box," penned by Darwin
great-great-grandson Randal Keynes, about the scientist's struggle with the
death of his daughter Annie and his religious views. Thomas' Recorded Picture
Co. developed the project with BBC Films and the U.K. Film Council.

I HOP
According to Variety, Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment have
firmed up a March 4, 2011, release date for I HOP, a live-action/CGI family
comedy in which Russell Brand has been set to provide the voice of the Easter
Bunny, which is to be directed by ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS' Tim Hill.

THOR CASTING NEWS
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Natalie Portman will join Kenneth Branagh,
Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth for Marvel Comics' version of the Norse god
of thunder. Branagh is the director; Hiddleston is the villain. Portman will
play Jane Foster, in the comic books a nurse working for Dr. Donald Blake, who
is secretly Thor. No word yet on the plot or how it'll tie into Marvel's other
big-screen properties, though when evil trickster-god Loki (played by
Hiddleston) is around, reality tends to shudder. Filming on THOR begins early
next year. The movie is scheduled to hit theaters May 20, 2011.

KARATE KID REMAKE
Jackie Chan has signed on to co-star opposite Jaden Smith, son of Will and Jada
Pinkett-Smith, in an upcoming remake of THE KARATE KID, according to Variety.
The action star will play the wise mentor role originated by Pat Morita in the
1984 film. In that movie, Morita's Mr. Miyagi made a young protege (Ralph
Macchio) perform a series of seemingly mundane chores that subtly taught the kid
karate.
To reflect the movie's shift to a Chinese connection (as opposed to the
original's Japanese), the movie has been retitled THE KUNG FU KID and the action
moved from California to China. Shooting began Saturday in Beijing.

FEAR AGENT
According to Risky Biz Blog, Universal is in the early stages of developing Dark
Horse's sci-fi FEAR AGENT. The project is an open-writing assignment at the
moment, but the studio could match a spec script whose rights are controlled by
Air Force One producer Jonathan Shestack and bring Shestack on to produce FEAR
AGENT. FEAR AGENT centers on a colorful, borderline alcoholic astronaut named
Heath Huston, a Texan who works as a so-called fear agent, the last of a
dwindling breed of spacemen whose mission it is to fight threats to the planet
Earth, which is partly destroyed during the course of the series.
The property emphasizes a kind of in-your-face adventure as Huston hops around
the galaxy fighting various alien species and threats. Rick Remender penned the
series, which began life in 2005 as an Image Comics property before moving to
Dark Horse the following year.

THE ROAD
Young Kodi Smit-McPhee is set to star with Viggo Mortensen as the unnamed Boy in
the upcoming film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's grim post-apocalyptic novel
THE ROAD, which opens Oct. 16.
Meanwhile, Moviehole.com reports that he's reportedly about to be cast in
another high-profile drama with otherworldly overtones:
In an interview with The Herald-Sun (in their HIT lift-out), young actor Kodi
Smit- McPhee (Romulus, My Father, the upcoming The Road) reveals that he's up
for a role in the remake of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN.
Though the deal isn't done yet, the actor' currently filming the Aussie comedy
LOVE AND MORTAR with Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski says it's looking good.
Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) will direct LET ME IN, inspired by the Swedish horror
pic about a bullied 12-year-old boy who develops a friendship with a vampire
child in Blackeberg, a suburb of Stockholm, in the early 1980s.
The English-language remake is scheduled to hit theaters next year.

VEGAS AVENGERS
Reuters reports that producer Kevin Misher ("Public Enemies") is pursuing the
action feature VEGAS AVENGERS over at Warner Bros. Pictures. AVENGERS tells the
story of a hot-shot pilot who, after taking too many risks, is forced to enter a
top-secret program that flies experimental, unmanned planes.
Much of the action takes place at Nellis Air Force base just outside Las Vegas.
Soo Hugh penned the script.

ROBIN HOOD
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Danny Huston is joining the cast of Universal
and Imagine's ROBIN HOOD, which Ridley Scott is now directing in England.
Russell Crowe plays the legendary folk hero in the latest retelling of the Robin
Hood myth written by Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris and Brian Helgeland. Imagine's
Brian Grazer is producing along with Scott and Crowe.
Huston will step into the shoes of the historical figure King Richard, who
became known as Richard the Lionheart because of his exploits in the Third
Crusade. Huston starred in X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE and has both EDGE OF
DARKNESS and CLASH OF THE TITANS coming up.

MAX STEEL
Variety reports that Paramount Pictures is teaming with Joe Roth to pick up
Mattel's MAX STEEL as another action figure it wants to play with on the big
screen. On August 7, the studio will release G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA.
The toy property revolves around a 19-year-old extreme sports junkie recruited
by a secret agency after an accident infects his body with nanobots, making him
superhuman. Mattel introduced the character in the U.S. in 1999 as an action
figure, and soon after in an animated series that ran from 2000-2002. Max Steel
is Latin America's No. 1 action figure.
But Mattel wants to use movies as a way to relaunch the toy line in the U.S. and
the rest of the world, the way the "Transformers" pics have helped generate new
heat around Hasbro's action figures.
Mattel and Roth are seeking a screenwriter and director, who will work closely
with the toymaker to develop the film's characters and storyline to match the
company's plans for the franchise.

HONG KONG PHOOEY
According to Variety, Alcon Entertainment has geared up its live-action/animated
version of HONG KONG PHOOEY with Alex Zamm on board to direct from David
Goodman's script. Alcon toppers Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove are
producing along with Brett Ratner and Jay Stern.
The project is an adaptation of the 1970s Hanna-Barbera animated TV series,
about a police station janitor who becomes a dog with mystical powers, including
the ability to do kung fu.
Alcon's financing and co-producing BOOK OF ELI, directed by Allen and Albert
Hughes. Goodman's written WHO'S KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS OF VEGAS for Warner
Bros. He continues as an exec producer on "The Family Guy."

THE BEAVER
Variety reports that Mel Gibson will star in THE BEAVER for director Jodie
Foster. Kyle Killen wrote the script about a depressed man (Gibson) who finds
solace in wearing a beaver hand-puppet. On top of directing, Foster will play
the role of the man's wife. Foster boarded the project and brought it to Gibson,
with whom she co-starred in 1994's MAVERICK. Producers are pushing for a
September start date in New York.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA CLIPS
Over at MovieWeb.com you will find a number of new video clips from Universal
Studios Home Entertainment's two highly- anticipated DVD / Blu-ray sets:
Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.5 and Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series,
which will both be available on stores shelves nationwide on July 28. The page
includes 14 new clips which include deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes clips and
so much more. Use this link to get started:
http://www.movieweb.com/video/VIs9ewvBxmbAvx.

RYAN REYNOLDS IS GREEN LANTERN
Just yesterday, The Hollywood Reporter indicated that three actors were vying
for the coveted title role in The Green Lantern -- last night it reports that
one has prevailed: Ryan Reynolds. Warner Brothers has selected their Hal Jordan.
The film is being directed by Martin Campbell and produced by Donald De Line and
Greg Berlanti. Here's what the trade paper reported Friday night:
Reynolds and his camp entered negotiations for the part Friday, after the studio
held two rounds of screen tests, along with actors Bradley Cooper and Jared
Leto. Justin Timberlake also did a screen test. The studio had holding options
on the actors, but, except for Reynolds, those expired Monday. Reynolds' option
would have expired end of day Friday.
If the deal is completed, Reynolds will be the only actor to have played
characters in both Marvel and DC films: He recently appeared as Deadpool in
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, and the character is in development for a spinoff
movie. Fans of the BLADE franchise also recall Reynolds role as Hannibal King.
Reynolds was also attached at one time to a Flash movie from writer/director
David Goyer, but nothing ever came of that.

LITTLE BEE
According to Variety, Nicole Kidman is teaming up with BBC Films on her next new
project; Kidman has signed on to produce and star in LITTLE BEE.
The film will be an adaptation of the Chris Cleave novel and Shawn Slovo is
writing the adaptation. The story centers on a chance encounter when a teenage
Nigerian orphan named Little Bee ends up meeting a well-off British couple who
end up wandering past their vacation resort. No production schedule was given
for the film.

THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX
JoBlo has just revealed the first image of THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX, which is set
for release on November 13. The Fantastic Mr. Fox is directed by Wes Anderson
and stars George Clooney, Kate Blanchett, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Meryl
Streep. The film hits theaters nationwide on November 13.

NEW MENTALIST CAST MEMBER
The Hollywood Reporter indicates that Terry Kinney has been cast in a recurring
role on CBS' THE MENTALIST. The actor is set to be in seven episodes of the
Warner Bros. TV-produced series' second season. He will play Agent Sam Bosco, a
normal looking police officer with a hidden amount of shrewdness. Bosco will run
the California Bureau of Investigation's Serial Crimes Unit. He is brought in to
help solve the case of the Red John serial killer. His victims include the wife
and daughter of CBI's Patrick Jane (Simon Baker). Bosco's by-the-book approach
is something Jane finds hard to work with.
Further complicating things is the fact that Bosco was Teresa Lisbon's (Robin
Tunney) boss at one point. Apparently, something from the past hangs over their
current relationship.
Kinney recently co-starred on ABC's well-received but short-lived dramedy THE
UNUSUALS

I guess that brings you up to date on what's going on in the world of Babylon 5
and science fiction. There is much, much more listed out at the website
(http://www.isnnews.net) – didn't want to crash everyone's mailbox with more
news! Be sure to check out the site often and drop comments you have either to
me at sgbruckner@... or via the blog off the website at
http://isnnews.blogspot.com.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Be safe,
Sandy

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