Besson Counting On "Section 8"

Director Luc Besson's French studio EuropaCorp is prepping the 3D sci-fi action feature "Section 8", to be co-directed by Stephen St Leger and James Mather, from a screenplay by St. Leger, Mather and Besson. Besson will produce.

St. Leger and Mather previously gained attention with their calling card short "Prey Alone".

"Section 8" is set in a prison orbiting above the earth, housing 500 of the world's most dangerous prisoners, kept in suspended animation, until they suddenly awaken.

The new film is reportedly budgeted around $30 million.

Besson wants to start late spring or early summer...

"The Three Musketeers" Makes The Cut

Author Alexandre Dumas' public domain, 17th century adventure novel "The Three Musketeers", will now get the "Classics Illustrated" treatment as producer Lionel Wigram, who initiated the reboot of Warners "Sherlock Holmes" has gone back to the well of 'modernizing' classic action-adventure novels.

Wigram has attached screenwriter Peter Straughan ("The Men Who Stare at Goats") to draft a screenplay for a fresh take on "The Three Musketeers", following 'D'Artagnan' who joins forces with three veteran musketeers to stop the villainous 'Cardinal Richelieu'.

Straughan's script will reportedly amp up the sex and violence in the story, similar to themes Wigram contributed to "Sherlock Holmes" as co-writer and producer.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Three Musketeers"...

Richard Hell & The Voidoids: "Blank Generation"- February 23, 2010

MVD Visual will release the classic rock film "Blank Generation", February 23, 2010.

"...Finally on DVD comes the classic punk rock movie from 1980 starring Richard Hell, illustrating the end of the first wave of New York City punk rock better than any documentary.

'Nada' (Carole Bouquet), a beautiful French journalist on assignment in New York, records the life and work of up and coming punk rock star, 'Billy' (Richard Hell). Soon she enters into a volatile relationship with him and must decide whether to continue with Billy or return to her lover, a fellow journalist trying to track down the elusive Andy Warhol (Andy Warhol)..."

"This is a priceless package," said Richard Hell.

"The real burnt-out New York in January and February 1978, the Voidoids live at CBGB, Ed Lachman's cinematography, Elliot Goldenthal's sound track, Carole Bouquet's face, my lithe figure, Andy Warhol to break your heart, Luc Sante demonically extracting the ugly truths from me...unique. Spring for it."

Sneak Peek "Blank Generation"...

"The Dutchess Of Mandalore" Does "Clone Wars"

Lucasfilm's "Duchess of Mandalore" is the February 12 episode of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars".

"...'Duchess Satine Kryze' tries to keep the 'Republic' from interfering in 'Mandalorian' affairs after attacks by the 'Death Watch', the splinter group advocating a return to the old warrior ways.

But when Satine herself is attacked and framed, she sets off -- against the better judgment of her 'Jedi' protectors -- to uncover the full breadth of the conspiracy and the faction's true origins.

No longer content to operate from the fringes, the mysterious Mandalorian Death Watch now sets its sights on the Duchess..."

"Satine is struggling with many fires now, and trying to keep them from merging into one large inferno that can't be put out," said actress Anna Graves, the voice of 'Satine' in The Clone Wars.

"Her neutrality in 'The Clone Wars' is such a beautiful cry for love and peace, which throughout history has upset those who idolize power and control."

Sneak Peek "The Duchess Of Mandalore"...

"Past Life" Puts Souls To Rest

"Past Life" is a new Fox TV series, created by David Hudgins (“Friday Night Lights”) based on the book “The Reincarnationist” by M.J. Rose.

Each episode finds the characters attempting to unravel the mystery involving past-lives of their clients.

'Dr. Malachi Talmadge' (Richard Schiff), an elder statesman in the field of cognitive research is the mentor of 'Kate' (Kelli Giddish) and 'Dr. Rishi Karna' (Ravi Patel), is a therapist from Calcutta who loves bad American TV and Cuban jazz.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Past Life"....

Marshall Stays On Top Of "Laverne & Shirley"

Director Gary Marshall, creator of the TV sitcoms "Happy Days" and spin-off "Laverne & Shirley has confirmed a big screen adaptation of "Laverne & Shirley" is in the works, for a potential comedy movie franchise, that could make "Sex And The City" look like chopped liver.

Marshall will cast Jessica Biel and Jennifer Garner as his new "Laverne & Shirley".

Spinning off characters previously introduced as friends of 'Fonzie' on "Happy Days", ABC's "Laverne & Shirley" TV series, produced by Paramount Television, aired 1976 -1983, starring Penny Marshall (Gary's sister) as 'Laverne De Fazio' and Cindy Williams as 'Shirley Feeney'. Set in 1959, the girls were best friends and roommates, working in a Milwaukee brewery.

At the start of each episode, Laverne and Shirley are seen skipping down the street, arm in arm, reciting a Yiddish-American 'hopscotch chant' : "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!",

leading into the series' theme song "Making Our Dreams Come True", performed by Cyndi Grecco.

Laverne De Fazio, grew up in Brooklyn and enjoys dating tough guys from the 'Purple Fiends' gang , or picking up sailors at the dock with her neighbor 'Mrs. Colchek'. Along with her poodle skirts, her trademark was the letter 'L' monogrammed on her shirts and sweaters.

Shirley Wilhelmina Feeney is perky and positive, with apple cheeks to match her personality. One of her most prized possessions is 'Boo Boo Kitty', a large stuffed cat which sits next to her bed. Her favorite song is Frank Sinatra's "High Hopes" and is a fan of the singer Fabian.

Other characters include 'Lenny Kosnowski', 'Squiggy Squigman', 'Frank De Fazio', 'The Big Ragu', 'Edna Babish DeFazio' and 'Big Rosie Greenbaum', the girls' childhood nemesis.

Ancillary merchandising included Grecco's theme song released as a chart-topping hit in 1976, Mego releasing dolls of Laverne, Shirley, Lenny and Squiggy, as well as Mattel's 'Hot Wheels' creating a 'Shotz Brewery' delivery van.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Laverne & Shirley"...

Producers Haunted By Matheson's "Earthbound"

Producers Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald ("The Burning Plain") have optioned screen rights to author Richard Matheson's 'erotic ghost' novel "Earthbound."

First published in 1982 by Playboy Press, "Earthbound" follows 'David' and 'Ellen Cooper', who decide after their 21-year marriage to leave Los Angeles for a honeymoon on Long Island. Soon after they arrive at their beach cottage, a 'strange' woman, named 'Marianna' appears to David and when Ellen is away, she secretly makes love with him.

Marianna is then revealed to be an 'earthbound spirit' and with each sexual rendezvous, pushes David into deeper levels of obsession. When the 'evil' ghost finally threatens Ellen, David quickly comes to his senses.

Screenplay will be adapted by Ronnie Christensen ("Passengers")...