Wizard World Toronto Comic Con - March 26, 27, 28

"Ghostbusters" co-star Ernie Hudson will join other celebrities in Toronto @ the inaugural Wizard World Toronto Comic Con, organized by publisher Wizard Entertainment.

The Toronto event @ the Direct Energy Centre, runs March 26, 27 and 28, kicking off Wizard's 2010 Comic Con tour that includes US cities Chicago, New York and Anaheim.

Hundreds of vendors covering comic books, science fiction, horror, gaming and anime will be on hand, as well as a costume contest, autograph sessions and panel discussions.

More than 110 celebrity and comic book guests, spanning all areas of pop culture, are now scheduled to attend, including cast members from the Toronto-lensed "Saw" films, actress Magda Apanowicz (“Caprica”), actor David Richmond-Peck (“V”), actress Jewel Staite ("Firefly), actress Luciana Carro ("Battlestar Galactica"), actress Magda Apanowicz ("Bionic Woman") and actress Gena Lee Nolan ("Baywatch").

Also attending is Toronto-born actress Kate Hewlett ("Stargate Atlantis").

In addition Maple Pictures will present an exclusive panel on the UK/Toronto-lensed comic book adaptation "Kick-Ass", moderated by Wizard magazine's Mike Cotton, including trailers and sneak peek footage from the movie.

Click the images to enlarge...

Anderson Re-Launching "Buck Rogers"

"Buck Rogers", the first comic strip outer space hero, is being relaunched by director Paul W.S. Anderson from a screenplay by "Iron Man" co-writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, for Paradox Entertainment, currently rebooting "Conan."

The new film will be lensed in 3D for producers Lawrence Abramson, Jeremy Bolt and Fredrik Malmberg, with George Furla, Anderson and "Buck Rogers" estate holder Flint Dille executive producing.

"Buck has already been such a huge influence on action-adventure franchises like 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones,' so for me it is a thrilling opportunity to be allowed to return to the source and relaunch such an epic character," Anderson said."

"...Before caped heroes were leaping tall buildings, Buck Rogers was spanning the stars . . . and the centuries. A man accidentally thrust into an extraordinary future, Buck is science fiction’s first superstar and one of our culture’s most enduring icons. In its original version, Buck Rogers ran as a comic strip continuously for 38 years in over 400 newspapers. True to his adventurous reputation, Buck is also known for his star turns in radio, movie serials, and television series..."

Debuting in 1928, 'Anthony Rogers' was the hero of two novellas by author Philip Francis Nowlan, published in the pulp magazine "Amazing Stories", before appearing as a syndicated newspaper comic strip, illustrated by Dick Calkins.

"My family and I have always considered the 'Buck' legacy a sort of 'sacred trust'," rights holder Dille said.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Buck Rogers"...

Woolverton Conjuring Up Live-Action "Maleficent"

Screenwriter Linda Woolverton ("Alice In Wonderland") will next take on the villain from Disney's 1959 animated feature "Sleeping Beauty", in "Maleficent", a live-action feature focusing on the 'evil fairy queen', with actress Angelina Jolie interested in taking on the lead role.

In "Sleeping Beauty". 'Maleficent', (meaning 'evil-doer') is the self-proclaimed "Mistress of All Evil" who curses the infant 'Princess Aurora' to "prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die" before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday, after not being invited to the baby's christening.

Often viewed as the most powerful and sinister of Disney's occult villains, Maleficent is an interpretation of the 'wicked fairy godmother' from the original "Sleeping Beauty" fairy tale, appearing as a tall, slender, pale green skinned woman with a narrow face and prominent chin. She also has yellow eyes and a horned headdress, symbolic of her dark magic, clad in a black and purple robe with bat wing-like edges.

Being an evil fairy, Maleficent can perform powerful spells, carrying a staff with a glowing green orb to transmit bolts of lightning. She is also capable of shape shifting at will into numerous forms, including a floating hypnotic light resembling a 'will-o'-the-wisp' and a massive, black and purple dragon.

Her minions are a legion of goblins and troll-like creatures, while frequently accompanied by her pet raven 'Diablo'.

Maleficent also appears as a major character/antagonist in the "Kingdom Hearts" video game series and a recurring character on the TV series "House of Mouse".

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Maleficent"...

"People Of The Comic Book: The Creators Of Superheroes, Graphic Novels & Toons"

The 18th Annual Toronto Jewish Film Festival, running April 18-25 will feature the 'sidebar series', "People Of The Comic Book: The Creators Of Superheroes, Graphic Novels & Toons", based on the premise that North American Jews were the creative force behind the US comic book industry.

Comic book titles include "Superman" (Siegel and Shuster), "Captain America (Simon and Kirby), "Batman (Bob Kane), "Lil' Abner" (Al Capp), "The Spirit" (Will Eisner), "Mad Magazine" (Harvey Kurtzman, Will Elder), "Daredevil" (Gene Colan), "Green Lantern" (Gil Kane), "Sgt. Rock" (Joe Kubert), "Spider-Man, "Iron Man", "The Hulk" (Stan Lee) and a whole lot more.

The program will feature panels with special guests including Harvey Pekar, author of "American Splendor" and a work-in-progress screening of the upcoming Will Elder doc, "The Mad Playboy Of Art".

This year's Festival will screen films from 18 countries, including the North American premiere of the restored 1948 doc "Nuremberg: Its Lesson For Today", commissioned by the US war department, before being pulled from distribution on the eve of its original US release.

All films will be screened @ Toronto's Bloor Cinema, the Cineplex Odeon Sheppard Center Cinema, SilverCity Richmond Hill and the Al Green Theatre...

"StreetDance 3D": Two Worlds. One Dream

"StreetDance" is the upcoming 2010 British dance film, to be released in IMAX 3D, May 21, 2010.

Written by Jane English and directed by Max Giwa/Dania Pasquini, "StreetDance" follows a group of street dancers rehearsing for the 'StreetDance Championships'.

"...When they lose their rehearsal space and are forced to team up with a group of ballet dancers, the dancers are challenged to succeed in a whole new world..."

Click the poster to enlarge and Sneak Peek "StreetDance"...

"The Twilight Saga: Eclipse": It All Begins...With A Choice

Sneak Peek a new poster supporting the Vancouver-lensed feature "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse".

Scheduled for release June 30, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" is the romantic-fantasy based on author Stephenie Meyer's "Eclipse" novel and will be the third installment of Summit Entertainment's "The Twilight Saga" film series, following 2008's "Twilight" and 2009's "New Moon".

Directed by David Slade and written by Melissa Rosenberg, "Eclipse" stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, reprising their roles as 'Bella Swan', 'Edward Cullen' and 'Jacob Black'.

Other cast includes Ashley Greene, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone and Dakota Fanning.

"Eclipse" will be the first "Twilight" film to be released in IMAX.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"...

Blast 'Ultimo' To Pieces

"...Arm those shoulder cannons and prep those repulsor blasters, Marvel fans, the enemy is in sight! You already know that you can play as both 'Iron Man' and 'War Machine' in the upcoming "Iron Man 2: The Video Game," and now--thanks to the awesome new trailer below--you can get a good sneak peek at some of the evil forces you'll blast to pieces including 'Ultimo', 'A.I.M'. and a whole lot more!..."

"Iron Man 2: The Video Game" will be available May 4, 2010 for Xbox 360, PlayStation3, PSP, Wii and Nintendo DS.

For more information, visit the official site at ironman2game.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Iron Man 2- The Video Game"...

Sneak Peek Marvel's "Iron Man 2" Variant Covers

Sneak Peek the variant covers to Marvel Comics' "Invincible Iron Man" #25 and "Black Widow" #1 featuring the film versions of "...the titular characters..."

"Invincible Iron Man" will be released April 28, in conjunction with the release of the Paramount superhero comic book adaptation "Iron Man 2."

In "Black Widow" #1, available April 14 :

"...deadly superspy 'Natasha Romanoff' is not a super hero. She's not psychic. She doesn't fly. And yet as the Black Widow, she manages to hold her own against a world of incredibly powerful enemies...and allies. But now someone has tried to kill Natasha...and almost succeeded. Injured gravely, almost beyond her ability to recover, Black Widow sets out to find her attacker...with no suspects and no leads. Who could be deadly enough to get the drop on Natasha? And what connections do they have to some of her closest super hero friends...? Plus, a backup detailing the deadly history of the Black Widow!..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Iron Man 2"...

2010 Argos Football Cheerleading Competition

Finals for the 2010 Toronto Argonauts Football Cheerleading competition, took place March 20, 2010 @ Toronto's Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts, sponsored by the Toronto Sun, with Sneak Peek's Michael Stevens in attendance to shoot all the action:

CRTC Reveals New Framework For TV Broadcasters

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) reports that a 'new framework' will give English-language private television broadcasters greater flexibility to offer high-quality programs that are of interest to Canadians.

"The new approach to licensing on the basis of ownership groups reflects the trend of media convergence," said Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., Chairman of the CRTC. "Our framework will enable the large groups to attract viewers to their different television services while encouraging the creation of original Canadian programs. In doing so, we are providing the industry with flexibility to adapt to the new reality of increased consumer choice in a digital world."

Consolidation in the industry has resulted in large groups controlling both conventional television stations and specialty services. The CRTC’s approach will take into account a group’s total revenues when setting obligations related to the objectives of the Broadcasting Act.

In 2011, the CRTC will hold licence-renewal hearings for the largest English-language private ownership groups, CTVglobemedia Inc., Canwest Television Limited Partnership and Rogers Communications Inc.

This approach will permit the CRTC to introduce new requirements to encourage and support the creation of Canadian programs, proposing that the three largest ownership groups spend at least 30 per cent of their gross revenues on Canadian programming. They will also be able to shift resources among their English-language conventional television stations and specialty services to meet this obligation.

As part of its framework, the Commission has set out a market-based solution to allow private local television stations to negotiate with cable and satellite companies. Each television station would have the option of entering into negotiations to establish a fair value for the distribution of their programs.

"The current dispute between conventional broadcasters and distributors threatens the overall integrity of the broadcasting system," said von Finckenstein.

"Broadcasters and distributors have a symbiotic relationship. The time has come for them to put their differences aside and work together to ensure the continuation of conventional television, which Canadians clearly value."

During its proceeding, the CRTC received conflicting legal opinions as to whether it has the authority to implement a negotiation regime. Given that this issue is vital to the future of conventional television, the Commission has initiated a reference to the Federal Court of Appeal seeking clarification on its jurisdiction under the Broadcasting Act. The CRTC has asked the Court to consider its request on an expedited basis.

The Commission also launched a proceeding to ensure an orderly transition to digital television for consumers. Local television stations in major markets, as well as provincial and territorial capital cities, must complete the switchover by August 31, 2011.

The Commission will allow video-on-demand services to insert commercial advertising in programs acquired from Canadian English- and French-language broadcasters. This will provide the broadcasting system, and conventional broadcasters in particular, with an important new source of revenues. However, the CRTC will keep its current policy restricting the sale of advertising in the local availabilities of programs broadcast by foreign pay and specialty services. This time, usually two minutes per hour, will continue to be used primarily for the promotion of Canadian programs.

In addition, the 'Local Programming Improvement Fund' will be maintained in its current form. As a result, cable and satellite companies will continue to contribute 1.5 per cent of their gross broadcasting revenues to support local television programming in markets with a population of less than one million. The CRTC will conduct a comprehensive review of the Fund during the 2011–2012 broadcast year...

Warners Interactive Plugs Into Montreal Studio

Burbank-based Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment reports it will open a development studio in Montreal, to develop video games and produce digital/cinema animation.

According to Martin Tremblay, Warner Interactive's president, Quebec is a 'perfect fit' for the company.

"Quebec's tax credits and other incentives made Montreal the right location for our studio at this time," said Tremblay, former president of Ubisoft. "Montreal, with its wealth of talent and highly affordable operating costs, is a wonderful place to continue to expand our growth in gaming."

Quebec has agreed to invest $7.5-million, as a non-refundable contribution from the province's investment arm to help launch the studio.

Games based on DC Comics superhero characters, including "Superman" and "Batman" will be the main focus of games development, with Martin Carrier overseeing the establishment of the studio.

"We have done a lot of work to position Quebec as an essential place to invest that is competitive, and possesses an exceptional and highly qualified workforce," said Quebce Premier Jean Charest.

"Warner Bros. has acknowledged this and we are very excited to welcome them..."

Sony Sails With 3D "Popeye"

Avi Arad, producer of the live-action "Spider-Man" movies is now on board Sony Pictures Animation's developing 3D "Popeye" feature film, to be rendered in CG by Sony Pictures ImageWorks.

Arad confirmed that the new film will highlight themes of friendship, love, greed and life, focusing on human strengths and human frailties.

"Popeye has become one of the most enduring and iconic cartoon characters of all time and indelibly linked to the evolution of animation," said Hannah Minghella, president of production, Sony Pictures Animation.

'Popeye the Sailor' was created by Elzie Crisler (E.C.) Segar, debuting in the daily King Features comic strip 'Thimble Theatre', January 17, 1929. Thimble Theatre was carried on after Segar's death in 1938 by several writers and artists, most notably Segar's assistant Bud Sagendorf.

Retitled "Popeye", the comic strip continues to appear in first-run installments in a Sunday edition, written/illustrated by Hy Eisman, with daily strip reprints of Sagendorf's original stories.

In 1933, Max and Dave Fleischer's Fleischer Studios adapted the Thimble Theatre characters into a series of "Popeye the Sailor" theatrical cartoon shorts for Paramount Pictures. The Fleischers and Paramount's Famous Studios, continued production through 1957.

Since then, Popeye has appeared in comic books, television cartoons, arcade/video games, advertisements and peripheral products.

January 1, 2009, 70 years after the death of his creator, the Popeye character became public domain in most countries (but remains under copyright in the US.)

Born in a typhoon off Santa Monica, California, Popeye is a 34-year old, mumbling, squinty-eyed, pipe-smoking sailor with muscular forearms sporting two anchor tattoos.

Continuing characters include his father 'Poopdeck Pappy', who does not share his son's moral righteousness, sweetheart 'Olive Oyl', 'Swee'Pea', an infant left on his doorstep, look-alike nephews 'Peepeye', 'Pupeye', 'Pipeye' and 'Poopeye', hamburger craving 'J. Wellington Wimpy', the magical, orchid-eating pet 'Eugene The Jeep', the villain 'Sea Hag' and 'Alice The Goon'.

From early 1932 onward, Popeye was depicted as eating spinach to become stronger, either squeezing a spinach can until the top opens, or sucking the spinach through his pipe, infusing him with extraordinary strength and making him invulnerable.

"While each generation has discovered him in different incarnations, the fans have continued to embrace him through the years, coming back time and again to that quintessential collection of character traits that has made Popeye beloved around the world," said "Rocky" Shepard III, president of King Features Syndicate.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Popeye"...