"Sucker Punch": You Will Be Unprepared

Sneak Peek the second trailer supporting director Zack Snyder's Vancouver-lensed fantasy feature "Sucker Punch".

Snyder co-wrote the "Sucker Punch" screenplay with Steve Sibuya, referring to the film as"...Alice in Wonderland with machine guns", following the adventures of a girl confined to a mental institution by her 'evil' stepfather during the 1950's.

Before she is about to be lobotomized, she attempts an escape from the asylum with her inmate friends.

"In the end, it's about this girl's survival," said co-producer Deborah Snyder, "and what she needs to do to be able to cope."

"...Set in the 1950's, 'Sucker Punch' tells the story of 'Baby Doll' (Browning), who is trying to hide from the pain caused by her evil stepfather and lobotomy. She ends up in a mental institution in Brattleboro, Vermont, and while there she starts to imagine an alternate reality. She plans to escape from that imaginary world but to do that she needs to steal five objects before she is captured by an unknown adversary.

"She has 5 days to escape before being lobotomized. In order to cope with the situation, she enters the hyper-real world of her imagination, and the lines between reality and dream begin to blur. She is joined with friends who are inmates from the institution. Lessons learned in the said fantasy world could help the girls escape their real-world fate..."

"Sucker Punch", started shooting in Vancouver, September 10 2009, wrapping January 22, 2010, using the same production crew as "Watchmen". The film is currently in post and will be released March 2011.

"Sucker Punch" cast includes Emily Browning as 'Baby Doll', Carla Gugino as 'Mrs. Schulz', Abbie Cornish as 'Sweet Pea', Vanessa Hudgens as 'Blondie' and Jamie Chung as 'Amber'.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Sucker Punch"...

"Young Justice" Prevails - November 26

Debuting November 26, "Young Justice" is Warners new animated TV series created by Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti for the Cartoon Network, adapting the DC comic book universe, with a focus on teen superheroes.

The series follows members of the covert operation team 'Young Justice', who live on the 'multi-verse' world of 'Earth-16', and become 'high-powered, high-wattage celebrities' tracked closely by the public.

"...Being a teenager is difficult enough; but what if you're not just a normal teenager? The teenagers that make up the 'Young Justice League' are teenage superheros seeing if they have what it takes to use their powers for good, while surviving adolescence..."

The YJ team consists of 'Atlantean' leader 'Aqualad', aka 'Kaldur’ahm', 'Wally West' aka 'Kid Flash', 'Robin' aka 'Dick Grayson', 'Artemis', the team archer, a new incarnation of 'Superboy' as a 'metahuman clone' aka 'Conner Kent' and 'Miss Martian', niece of the 'Martian Manhunter'.

"Young Justice" will also include an array of characters from DC Comics as supporting cast, which will continue to expand throughout each season in the context of the main characters' lives. As of episode 16, season 1, there are 135 characters from DC Universe in the show. Both 'Batman' and 'Red Tornado' will be the most frequent recurring characters, with the Caped Crusader acting as a 'general' to the team, in the assignment of their missions.

Aside from Batman, other "Justice League Of America", adult superheroes appearing on the show as mentors to the teenage team, include 'Superman', 'Aquaman', 'Flash', 'Martian 'Manhunter' and 'Green Arrow'. 'Black Canary' and 'Captain Marvel' will also play important roles in the development of the team. Super-villains will include 'Queen Bee', 'Captain Cold', 'Icicle' and 'Mr. Freeze'.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Young Justice"...

"Dredd" Is The Law For Lionsgate

Stuart Ford's IM Global has partnered with Lionsgate for the North American distribution of director Pete Travis' upcoming $45 million, 3D comic book adaptation "Dredd", based on the 2000 AD Publishing character created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra. "Dredd" starts production November 12 in Cape Town, South Africa, starring Karl Urban as 'Judge Joseph Dredd' and Olivia Thirlby as 'Cassandra Anderson' for producers DNA Films, from a screenplay by Alex Garland. IM Global gained pre-sales of "Dredd" at TIFF in September with more than $30 million in foreign commitments. IM Global and parent company Reliance Big Entertainment sold the feature to Alliance for Canada, Universum for Germany, Aurum for Spain, Icon for Australia, Alliance for Canada, CP Media for Russia, eOne for Benelux, IDC for Latin America and Svensk for Scandinavia.

“The main thing about 'Dredd' is that it’s a fantastic comic," said producer Andrew Macdonald.

"Our idea is to make a very hard, R-rated, gritty, realistic movie of 'Dredd' in 'Megacity', so we’ve got to get the tone right. He’s going to hit people and it’s going to feel real."

"Alex Garland’s script is faithful to the original concept that made 'Judge Dredd' a favourite bad-ass hero," said "Judge Dredd" co-creator Wagner.

DNA has also signed Michael Murphy ("District 9") as a South African co-producer, along with Jason and Chris Kingsley, owners of Rebellion/2000 AD.

"The incredible writers and artists of 2000 AD were formative influences on me," said screenwriter Garland.

"This adaptation of 'Judge Dredd' will have an emphasis on adrenaline and realism, but with all the scale and spectacle of 'Mega-City One'. We think Pete’s propulsive, edgy style is a perfect match for the project."

Inspired by Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry", Dredd is a law enforcement officer in a violent city of the future where uniformed Judges combine powers of police, judge, jury and executioner. Dredd and his fellow Judges are empowered to arrest, sentence and execute criminals on the spot.

With 'bionic' eyes implanted after a time-traveling mission to the 'City Of The Damned', Dredd uses a 'lawgiver' pistol, while riding a cannon-mounted, artificial intelligence 'lawmaster' chopper. 'Joseph Dredd' and his brother 'Rico' were cloned from the DNA of 'Chief Judge Fargo', the first chief judge. Their growth was artificially accelerated, emerging in 2066 with all the appropriate knowledge for their age, electronically implanted in their brains by computer during gestation. The name 'Dredd' was chosen by genetic scientist 'Morton Judd', to "instill fear in the population." In 2070 the Dredds saw action for the first time during the 'Atomic Wars', when as cadets, they were temporarily fast-tracked through the 'Academy Of Law', assigned the rank of full judge and sent to restore order, after the US Justice Department deposed 'President Booth'. Joseph excelled as a judge, rapidly gaining promotion to the rank of senior judge, saving the world from being destroyed during the 'Fourth World War'.

Click the images to enlarge…

What's The Story "Morning Glory"- November 13

"Morning Glory" is a new comedy feature, produced by J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk, directed by Roger Michell, starring Canadian Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Patrick Wilson and Jeff Goldblum.

"...Aspiring news producer 'Becky Fuller' (McAdams) tries to save a failing morning show by getting control of its feuding, but wise anchors (Ford and Keaton)..."

The Bad Robot, Paramount Pictures release will open November 13, 2010.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Morning Glory"...

"Conan: The Frazetta Cover Series" - Nov 3

Dark Horse Comics continues its Frank Frazetta Cover Series, with issue #6, available November 3, featuring the Frazetta painting "The Indomitable", plus an expansion on "Conan" author Robert E. Howard's "Hand of Nergal" story fragment, with writer Timothy Truman and artists Tomás Giorello (pencils) and José Villarrubia (colors) contributing to the exploration of Howard's 'Hyborian' world.

"...With zombies, a demonic army, an unearthly behemoth, a sorcerer, and a young witch on his hands, Conan is tasked not only with saving a beautiful princess--but saving his entire world from the evil god 'Nergal'..."

Click the image to enlarge...

Stake Out "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"

Sneak Peek illustrator Jo Chen's Dark Horse Comics', "Season 8" cover to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" #38: "Last Gleaming" part 3, written by Joss Whedon and Scott Allie, with interior art by Georges Jeanty, available November 3.

"...While 'Super Buffy' is fighting side by side with 'Spike' in 'Sunnydale', 'Angel' is on the other side of the world fighting demons of his own. As 'Twilight' he was given a clear mission in regard to 'Buffy'--help her reach the next plane, together create a new world and ultimately end all suffering. But Buffy doesn't play by the rules, and this 'higher plane' and a lifetime of happiness with Angel wasn't gonna' cut it--not if she had to sacrifice her family to keep it. And now Angel has to answer for his failings as Twilight--willingly or not... Back in Sunnydale everyone is fighting for their lives against a horde of demons, and someone close to Buffy joins forces with a villain from the past to strive for a common goal--protect 'the seed'..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"......

"Deep Gold": Trust No One

"Deep Gold" is a new action feature, directed by Michael J.G. Gleissner, lensed in Cebu, Philippines for producers Bigfoot Entertainment:

Isabelle Huppert: "Copacabana"

Sneak Peek "Copacabana", the upcoming French comedy feature directed by Marc Fitoussi, starring Isabelle Huppert as 'Babou'.

Cast also includes Aure Atika as 'Lydie', Lolita Chammah as 'Esméralda', Jurgen Delnaet as 'Bart', Chantal Banlier as 'Irène', Magali Woch as 'Sophie', Nelly Antignac as 'Amandine', Guillaume Gouix as 'Kurt', Joachim Lombard as 'Justin' and Noémie Lvovsky as 'Suzanne'.

"...'Babou' (Huppert) is boldly unconventional and cheerful. Never having cared about social conventions before, she is suddenly faced with the realization that her own daughter is ashamed of her and therefore refuses to invite her to her wedding. Hurt in her pride, Babou tries to regain her daughter's respect by starting anew. She accepts the challenge of selling time-sharing-flats at the Belgian seaside during the off-season, in a desperate attempt to prove her real worth and her motherly love to her daughter..."

The film was released in France July 2010 with a North American release TBA. Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Copacabana"...

Disney Distribution Going Holistic

The Walt Disney Studios reports on changes to its distribution organization that will "better reflect the global marketplace and consumer trends". With the changes, Janice Marinelli, Lori MacPherson and Jason Brenek will be assuming expanded roles.

"As we continue to respond to changing consumer behavior, we have re-aligned our distribution organization to be more integrated, global and holistic," said Bob Chapek, President of Distribution, The Walt Disney Studios, "taking into account the entire lifecycle of our films around the world."

In the company's restructuring, Marinelli will lead a new North American In-Home Sales organization for Media Networks and Studio content, reporting to Chapek and Ben Pyne, President, Global Distribution, Disney Media Networks...

Sneak Peek "The Secret Of The Unicorn"

Sneak Peek the cover to UK Magazine "Empire", showcasing your first look @ director Steven Spielberg's stop-motion feature "The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn".

The 3D comics adaptation is produced by Peter Jackson, featuring the voices/capture performances of Jamie Bell ('Tintin') , Daniel Craig ('Red Rackham'), Andy Serkis ('Captain Haddock'), Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Gad Elmaleh, Toby Jones, Mackenzie Crook, Carey Elwes and Daniel Mays.

"The first part of the film, which is the most mysterious part, certainly owes much to not only film noir but the whole German Brechtian theatre," said Spielberg. "Some of our night scenes and our action scenes are very contrasty. But at the same time the movie is a hell of an adventure."

First reported by Sneak Peek.Ca in a scoop November 2006, Spielberg's long-gestating plan to adapt the "Tintin" adventures, specifically "The Secret Of The Unicorn", finally started production January 2009, as the first of a planned series of 3D motion capture films based on the globe-trotting reporter character created by Belgian author/artist Georges Remi, aka 'Herge'.

"Unicorn" is also produced by Spielberg, with Kathleen Kennedy and Jackson.

Jackson will direct "Red Rackham's Treasure".

Jackson's Wellington, New Zealand Weta Digital effects house developed the performance-capture technology used in Spielberg's "Unicorn".

Nick Rodwell, Stephane Sperry and Ken Kamins are executive producers of "Unicorn", from a screenplay by Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish.

Paramount will release the films domestically, all English-speaking territories and Asia, excluding India. Sony Pictures Releasing International will distribute the film in continental Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, India and the rest of the world.

"The Adventures of Tintin", a series of 24 comic illustrated books, has sold over 200 million copies, translating into 70 languages.

Click the images to enlarge...

Korea Plugs Into "TRON: Legacy"

Sneak Peek new Korean posters supporting the upcoming Vancouver-lensed, Disney Digital 3D feature "TRON: Legacy".

"TRON: Legacy", opens December 17, 2010.

"...'Kevin Flynn' is now in charge of 'Encom', the world's largest video game company. Kevin, a break-through game developer, has built the 'Grid', a digital world filled with 'living' programs.

"This new virtual world is about to develop a life of its own and, in order to control it, Flynn's going to need to help of an old friend...named 'Tron'..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "TRON" Legacy"...