Zak Penn (The Incredible Hulk, X-Men: The Last Stand, X2: X-Men United) is writing the screenplay for the big screen adaptation of “The Avengers.”
“Prince Caspian” will be breaking format with its predecessor and will conduct most of its location shots outside of New Zealand. The most likely locations at this time may be the rolling green hills of Ireland and the forests of Germany. The third movie in the franchise, “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” may well be the most expensive and spectacular – taking place on the high seas with mythological sea creatures and exotic islands.
“V for Vendetta” topped the DVD sales and rental charts this past week easily surpassing all challengers.
Everyone and everything is in place for the Bond 22 film except a director. Producers hope to rectifiy that little problem very soon. The film will follow “Casino Royale,” which Sony is releasing this November 17th. Bond 22 has a proposed release date of May 2, 2008.
A new SF-comedy flick called “Moon People” is on the horizon for Columbia Pictures. It centers around a group of people who return to re-assimilate on Earth years after they were sent to colonize the moon.
Sony Pictures reached a milestone this week. It surpassed $1 Billion dollars in U.S. box office receipts for the fifth year in a role. Joining Sony is Disney Pictures which also surpassed that magical number. It’s been a good year for moviemaking so far.
Director Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins) is close to signing on to helm the big-screen adaptation of the classic TV show “The Prisoner” for Universal Pictures.
“27 Times” is a dark, supernatural Mandate Pictures thriller that follows a paranoid, overprotective young man caring for his shut-in teenage brother, who is tortured by precognitive visions of violent deaths. He profits off his brother’s terrible gift, until they are actually confronted by the brutal deaths themselves.
It was also a week of good news in scifi TV. Season Two of Doctor Who will begin on the Sci Fi Channel this fall and, thankfully in its proper order with the Christmas Invasion Special being aired in its correct sequence.
Another new SF comedy/drama premiered on ABC Family called “Three Moons Over Milford.” This is a TV series that is a quirky drama set in a picturesque, southern Vermont, small town. Shortly before the series begins, an asteroid hits the Moon, shattering it into three fragments, threatening to eventually fall to Earth and end life as we know it. Thus, the threat of an eventual Judgment Day causes many people to question their lives and live them to extremes: quitting jobs, indulging vices and basically living as if each day were the last. The show debuted on August 6th without a lot of promotion from the network. Only eight shows have been produced at this point. It stars the award winning actress Elizabeth McGovern, Sam Murphy, Teresa Celentano and Nora Dunn.
And finally in gaming news: Yes, that phenomenon of 1982 gaming technology is back and he is back big-time. PAC-MAN has returned yet again and , look-out! He’s digital for X-Box 360 gamers.