Scott Says "Alien" Is Jumping Off Point For "Prometheus"

According to Twentieth Century Fox, Ridley Scott will direct "Prometheus", an original science fiction 'epic', for worldwide release March 9, 2012.

The initial draft of the script was written by Jon Spaihts ("The Darkest Hour") from Scott’s idea. Damon Lindelof ("Star Trek") and Scott are currently developing the screenplay.

"While 'Alien' was indeed the jumping off point for this project," said Scott, "out of the creative process evolved a new, grand mythology and universe in which this original story takes place. The keen fan will recognize strands of Alien’s DNA, so to speak, but the ideas tackled in this film are unique, large and provocative. I couldn’t be more pleased to have found the singular tale I’d been searching for, and finally return to this genre that’s so close to my heart."

Of the five major roles to be cast, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace ("The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo") will play the character of 'Elizabeth Shaw'.

Scott’s original 1979 "Alien" feature, was 'inspired' by the 1958 sci-fi horror movie "It! The Terror From Beyond Space".

"Alien" was scripted by Dan O'Bannon from a story by Ronald Shusett, starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto.

"Alien" was produced through Brandywine Productions and distributed by 20th Century Fox, with producers David Giler and Walter Hill making significant revisions and additions to the script.

The original 'Alien' creature was designed by Swiss surrealist artist H. R. Giger, while concept artists Ron Cobb and Chris Foss designed the human aspects of the film.

Scott's "Alien" received an Academy Award for 'Best Visual Effects', in addition to a Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation'. "Alien" was also inducted into the US National Film Registry of the Library of Congress in 2002 for historical preservation as a film which is "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

The success of Scott's film, spawned an "Alien" media franchise of novels, comic books, video games and toys, as well as three sequel and two prequel films.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek Ridley Scott's "Alien"..

"Shazam! The Golden Age of the World's Mightiest Mortal"

"Shazam! The Golden Age of the World's Mightiest Mortal", is the new, 246-page, quality hard-cover art book from New York's Abrams ComicArts by award-winning graphic designer Chip Kidd with photography by Geoff Spear, featuring over 300 full-color illustrations, showcasing comic book hero 'Captain Marvel'.

"Captain Marvel" made his debut in Fawcett Publications' "Whiz Comics" in 1940, created by writer Bill Parker and artist C.C. Beck, whose team included illustrator Jack "King" Kirby.

Captain Marvel-themed comics eventually outsold the biggest comic book competitor of the day, Detective Comics' "Superman" by 14 million copies a month.

Thanks to an aggressive marketing campaign at the time, a huge variety of merchandise was licensed to manufacturers, including secret decoders, figurines, buttons, paper rockets, tin toys, puzzles, costumes and a feature film 'serial' from Republic Pictures, noted as the very first big screen, superhero movie.

Seventy years later, an unprecedented assortment of these collectibles have been gathered together by Kidd and Spear.

"...Join Kidd, Spear, and the 'World’s Mightiest Mortal' in this first, fully authorized celebration of ephemera, artwork, and rare, one-of-a-kind toys...recapture the magic that was Shazam!..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Shazam! The Golden Age of the World's Mightiest Mortal"...

Scarlett Johansson Gets Bubbly For "Moet & Chandon"

Sneak Peek actress Scarlett Johansson in a series of photos, supporting her role as brand ambassador for the 2011 "Moet & Chandon Champagne" Ad Campaign, lensed by Brit photographer Tim Walker.

"This new campaign highlights a return to the immutable elegance and glamour that are inherent to both Moet and Scarlett," said Daniel Lalonde, Moet & Chandon's president and CEO.

Click the images to enlarge...

Gwen Stefani: The New Face Of "L'Oreal Paris"

Pop singer Gwen Stefani has been named the 'new face' of brand "L'Oreal Paris".

"I can't believe I get to be one of the 'L'Oreal Paris' girls," said Stefani.

"Gwen is a stunning artist with mesmerizing talent and we are thrilled to have her on board", said Cyril Chapuy, Global Brand President, L'Oreal Paris. "She takes beauty to another dimension, somewhere between style and art. A rock star and fashion icon, she's definitely a modern muse of her time".

Stefani has been a member of the band "No Doubt", as a composer, singer and songwriter, since her high school days.

Grammy award winning No Doubt has sold more than 30 million albums including "Tragic Kingdom", "Return of Saturn" and "Rock Steady".

"...Gwen Stefani is inspiring. Both on the musical front, with her inimitable melodies, and in the world of fashion, where she is recognized and acclaimed for her unique style, in particular through her two highly successful fashion brands, 'L.A.M.B.' and 'Harajuku Lovers'. By joining the L'Oreal Paris family today, Gwen Stefani will represent her own vision of beauty alongside other spokespersons, such as Jennifer Lopez, Milla Jovovich, Diane Keaton, Beyonce Knowles, Diane Kruger, Evangeline Lilly, Andie MacDowell, Julianna Margulies, Eva Longoria, Freida Pinto and Kerry Washington..."

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"Avengers Academy" - January 19

Marvel Comics "Avengers Academy" #8, will be available January 19, written by Christos Gage, with illustrations and cover by Mike McKone:

"...the video of 'Tigra' being beaten by 'The Hood' ends up on the internet -- but what's more dangerous: how Tigra reacts, or the mission of revenge the students embark upon? And when they seek out 'Parker Robbins', are they getting in way over their heads...or going so far down the path of evil they can never turn back? And how does it all lead to The Hood's new quest in Avengers?..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Delerium Has An "Epiphany"

The Delerium Live DVD "Epiphany" is now available from MVD Visual.

"Buffy" Writers Spooked By "Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased")

Writers Jane Espenson and Drew Z. Greenberg ("Buffy The Vampire Slayer") will write the Syfy/ITV Studios’ pilot-in-development "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)", adapting the 1960's Brit TV series for US audiences.

Executive producer is Howard Braunstein ("The Memory Keeper's Daughter").

The original detective series, created by Dennis Spooner for producer Monty Berman, starred Mike Pratt and Kenneth Cope as 'Jeff Randall' and 'Marty Hopkirk'.

In the initial episode Hopkirk was killed in the line of duty, but returned as a ghost that only Randall was able to see or hear to help his former partner fight crime from beyond the grave.

Creator Spooner, inspired by the film "Topper", had a keen interest in the paranormal and ghostly phenomena which he believed would be an inspired idea for a television series, incorporating it with the characteristic crime, drama and action of other successful UK TV fare at the time, including "The Avengers".

In the pilot episode, "My Late Lamented Friend and Partner" Marty is murdered during an investigation and returns immediately as a ghost that only Jeff (and the occasional psychic) can see, to help Jeff bring Marty's killer to justice.

But Marty stays out of his new grave for too long and is cursed to walk the Earth for 100 years.

Seeing an advantage to having a ghost hanging out at the detective agency, Marty works the graveyard shift as an invisible partner, playing a key role in helping Jeff solve criminal cases. Unfortunately Marty is able to see but not touch his widow 'Jeannie Hopkirk' who works at the agency as a secretary.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)"...

Vancouver Start For Lionsgate's "Dibbuk Box"

Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan ("Watchmen") has been cast as the lead in director Ole Bornedal's Ghost House Pictures, Lionsgate feature "Dibbuk Box", set to start in Vancouver, January 31, shooting until March 20.

Screenplay is by Juliet Snowden and Stiles White ("Knowing").

Produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, and 'inspired by true events', Morgan will play a divorced father whose young daughter purchases an ancient box at a yard sale and then starts behaving erratically, as the box contains a 'dibbuk' spirit that inhabits and eats the soul of its human host.

Click the images to enlarge...

"Smallville: Collateral" - January 28

"Collateral" is the January 28 episode of the Vancouver-lensed TV series "Smallville", written by Jordan Hawley and directed by Morgan Beggs:

"...'Clark' (Tom Welling), 'Oliver' (Justin Hartley), 'Lois' (Erica Durance) and 'Dinah' (guest star Alaina Huffman) are released by the 'VRA' after being captured at the funeral of 'Hawkman', but each of them have flashbacks of 'Chloe' (Allison Mack) holding them against their will. When Chloe returns, Dinah warns the others that Chloe may now be a traitor. Oliver dismisses her concerns but Clark is unsure if he can trust Chloe after she disappeared without an explanation..."

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"Lady Mechanika" Cranks It Up - April 20

Aspen Comics "Lady Mechanika" #3, written by Joe Benitez and colored by Peter Steigerwald, will be available April 20, 2011 :

"...the quest of 'Lady Mechanika to retrieve the 'Mechanical Girl' along with her mysterious maker takes her up to the clouds, where she must infiltrate a masquerade ball aboard the airship of 'Lord Blackpool', high in the sky. While the nefarious Blackpool showcases a new advanced weapon added to his impressive armament catalog to a captive audience, Mechanika discovers something quite unexpected, that may hold a clue to her own creation..."

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Hank Medley And Sparkles Have "Charismagic"

Sneak Peek Aspen Comics "Charismagic" #2, written by Vince Hernandez with art by Khary Randolph, available April 20, 2011:

"...Las Vegas magician 'Hank Medley', along with his cat Sparkles, find themselves more alone than they could have possibly ever imagined. And even under these cataclysmic circumstances, Las Vegas is no less sinful, as the world of magic begins to erupt around Hank -- with terrifyingly fatal results. Plus, 'Sudana', realizing she's too late to stop the return of 'Samsun' into our realm, instead finds herself on a hurried mission to contact the only being who may be powerful enough to force Samsun back into the 'Void Realm'..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Sneak Peek Andrew Garfield As "Spider-Man"

Sneak Peek your first look @ actor Andrew Garfield ("The Social Network") as "Spider-Man".

"Spider-Man" is the fourth entry in Sony's "Spider-Man" film franchise, rebooted with director Marc Webb and a new cast which also includes Emma Stone as 'Gwen Stacy' and Rhys Ifans as the 'Lizard'.

The reboot's intention is to have 'Peter Parker' developing his abilities in high school.

"Spider-Man" started shooting December 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, noted as the first 'Hollywood' production to be filmed with the RED Epic camera, in 3D at 5K resolution.

The 90-day film shoot includes two weeks in New York City, while the bulk of filming will occur in and around Los Angeles, including such locations as the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood, Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Mid-Wilshire, and various locations around South Pasadena, San Pedro, and Woodland Hills.

"Spider-Man" is scheduled to be released July 3, 2012.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Lizard"...

"Fighter" Russell Targets "2 Guns"

According to reports, David O. Russell ("The Fighter") is in early talks to rewrite and direct "2 Guns", a new Universal Pictures feature adapting creator Steven Grant's Boom! Studios graphic novel.

Actor Vince Vaughn is attached to the project.

To be produced by Marc Platt and Andrew Cosby, premise follows a DEA agent and undercover naval intelligence officer who unwittingly investigate each other:

"...'Trench' has targeted a local bank to rob, and asked 'Steadman' in on the job. Trench figures it's a great way to score -- considering it's a cover for criminal money. They'll be thieves ripping off thieves. But what Steadman doesn't know is that Trench is a DEA agent. And what Trench doesn't know is that Steadman's a Naval Intelligence officer. They're both cops! And neither one knows that they're not robbing the underworld, they've been set up to steal $50 million from the CIA!..."

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Vancouver Film Production Update

"ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS 3: CHIPWRECKED 3" (Feature) - Jan 10/11 - Mar 15/11

"APOLLO 18" (Feature)-

Dec 20/10 - Jan 14/11

"DIBBUK BOX" (Feature) -

Jan 31/11 - Mar 20/11

"REPLICAS" (Feature) -

Nov 29/10 - Dec 18/10

"THE GREY" (Feature) -

Jan 10/11 - Mar 03/11

"ALCATRAZ" (TV Pilot) -

Jan 21/11 - Feb 09/11

"CHAOS" ~ SEASON 1 (TV Series) -

Dec 03/10 - Apr 27/11

"ENDGAME" ~ SEASON 1 (TV Series) -

Aug 31/10 - Feb 10/11

"FRINGE" ~ SEASON 3 (TV Series) -

Jul 08/10 - Apr 01/11

"HELLCATS" ~ SEASON 1 (TV Series) -

Jul 14/10 - Mar 17/11

"HUMAN TARGET" ~ SEASON 2 (TV Series) -

Aug 03/10 - Jan 14/11

"SMALLVILLE" ~ SEASON 10 (TV Series) -

Jul 12/10 - Apr 20/11

"SUPERNATURAL" ~ SEASON 6 (TV Series) -

Jun 30/10 - Mar 31/11

"THE KILLING" ~ SEASON 1 (TV Series) -

Nov 30/10 - Apr 07/11

Toronto Film Production Update

"BREAKOUT KINGS" Season 1

TV Series

Sept. 20 – Jan. 31/11

"KING"

TV Series

Nov. 3 – Feb. 15/11

"ROOKIE BLUE" Season 2

TV Series

Sept. 1 – Jan. 24/11

"DEBRA"

TV Series

Jan. 12 – Feb. 25/11

"NIKITA" Season 1

TV Series

July 19/10 – Apr. 6/11

"THE LISTENER" Season 2

TV Series

Sept. 20 – Feb. 23/11

"REALLY ME!" Season 1

TV Series

Jan. 17 – Mar. 11/11

"XIII" – Season 1

TV Series

Sept. 13 – Feb. 20/11