Slice of SciFi News Briefs

Universal Pictures will make “The Last Call,” based on the Vasilis Lilos graphic novel of the same name. The story tells the tale of two teenage kids who, while taking a joyride, get hit by a train. Intervention by an interdimensional soul carrier, allows them to try and solve a mystery that, if successful in revealing the mystery’s secret, will allow them to return to their regular lives.

J.J. Abrams will produce a new film for Paramount centering on a home that hides a mystery and its up to the new family moving into this renovated 1920’s style house to find the clues and figure it out. When the home was renovated the architect left behind hidden passageways that concel a series of messages, games and treasures, unbeknownst to the family, who eventually unraveled a mystery that featured a poem, a book, a soundtrack and a host of historical figures, according to Variety.

Jack Black’s “Kung Fu Panda” set records as the fastest moving animated movie in Korean box office history.

India’s Reliance ADA Group is in advanced talks to invest more than $500 million in a new venture with DreamWorks Pictures’ principals Steven Spielberg and David Geffen. Move would help facilitate DreamWorks exit from Paramount Pictures at the end of the year, according to Variety Asia.

Young actor Freddie Highmore has wrapped up voice work for two more Arthur and the Minimoys film sequels, inspired by the popular children’s fantasy books of Patrice Garcia. Execs wanted to tap the thespian for the job before his voice changes too noticiably. Highmore is now 16. The two Arthur sequels are titled “Arthur and the Vengeance of the Maltazard” (2009) and “Arthur and the Two Worlds War” (2010).

Skype, the online communications leader, begins public testing today (Wed, June 18) of its latest version of software for making free and/or low-cost phone calls that hopes to make video chatting for businesses and everyday chatting more commonplace.

Many critics are already boo-hooing “Get Smart” starring Steve Carrell and Anne Hataway, saying it has little to do with the original 1960’s television series it gets its name from and doesn’t come close to capturing Buck Henry and Mel Brook’s superb comedic writing ability and timing. The one saving feature of the film is Steve Carrell who wisely opted to not try and mimic the great Don Adams’ original performance as Maxwell Smart, but gives the character that unique Carrell touch. The movie opens in theaters across the globe this Friday, June 20.

Fox Television is developing a new animated series called “The Animated Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie,” based on the funny and one-time highly popular characters created by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas during the television hey days of Second City. Moranis and Thomas have signed on to voice Bob & Doug.