Author: Robert Greenberger

Sci Fi Wire is reporting that Mike Richardson, founder of Dark Horse Entertainment, that he has struck a renewed partnership with Universal Pictures to develop a slate of movies based on the company’s many comics and graphic novels, including R.I.P.D.

"Actually, we’re quite busy right now," Richardson told reporters at an event celebrating the release of Hellboy II: The Golden Army on DVD. "The most immediate is R.I.P.D. … David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers) is directing. We’re doing it over at Universal Studios. We have a great script by [Matt] Manfredi and [Phil] Hay. R.I.P.D. stands for Rest in Peace Department. It’s based on a graphic novel by Peter Lenkov. It’s about dead cops that died in the line of duty that are sent back basically to get people who don’t want to come peacefully, people who stayed behind. It’s a lot of fun. … It has a few of the elements of something like a Men in Black, except this one has real scares in it. It’s not sort of a cartoon scares. A lot of humor, but real scary stuff going on."

Dark Horse and Universal have several projects predating the new partnership including the previously announced Emily Strange, the character created by Rob Reger and a staple at Hot Topic stores.

Freaks of the Heartland, based on the graphic novel by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) has been placed with Overture and Richardson said David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express) will direct.

President-elect Barack Obama is apparently closer to our audience than any of his predecessors.  According to “The 50 Facts You Might Not Know” in the London Telegraph, the following information has emerged:

• He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics
• He has read every Harry Potter book
• His favorite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker
• He uses an Apple Mac laptop
• His favorite fictional television programs are MAS*H and The Wire

So the question is this: does he prefer Barry Windsor-Smith or John Buscmea’s depiction of the Cimmerian?

Kim “Howard” Johnson, author of the just-released memoir Monty Python’s Tunisian Holiday: My Life with Brian, will appear live at Chicago’s i.O. Theatre, 3541 N. Clark Street (phone 773-880-0199), at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, to present, for the first time ever, his 30-year-old vacation slide show as he reveals secrets behind the filming of Monty Python’s Life of Brian. The event is free and open to the public.

Monty Python’s Tunisian Holiday: My Life with Brian Live! will incorporate many of the photos presented in the new book, and many more never before seen, Johnson will discuss the filming of the comedy classic and his life, times, and strange adventures with the six members of Monty Python.

“I’ve always enjoyed subjecting small groups of friends and relatives to my slides of Yellowstone Park and the Wisconsin Dells,” says Johnson. “So you can imagine how thrilled I am to be able to subject an entire audience to every minute detail of the Stoning Scene, the fate of George Harrison’s money, and the long-censored secrets of King Otto and Mrs. Pontius Pilate.

In addition to writing five books on Monty Python, Johnson is also co-author (with Del Close and Charna Halpern) of the improvisation manual Truth in Comedy and the author of the acclaimed biography of improvisational guru Del Close, titled The Funniest One in the Room.

A limited quantity of books will be available for purchase at the event.
 

BET Networks and Marvel Animation announced that Djimon Hounsou will be the voice of the Black Panther on the animated series coming in February.

The Oscar-nominated actor Hounsou.joins a production that largely adapts the first six issues of the Reginald Hudlin-written Black Panther series, “Who is the Black Panther?”

"BET is thrilled to have Djimon Hounsou join us as the voice of The Black Panther," said Denys Cowan, Senior Vice President, Animation for BET Networks. "He is a talented, compelling actor who will be the perfect voice for such an important super-hero in the Marvel universe and such a moment in this historic environment."

"Having Djimon Hounsou voice the lead character in this new series speaks to the power of the character and the partnership between BET and Marvel Animation," adds Eric Rollman, President of Marvel Animation. "The Black Panther animated series is Marvel’s entree into prime-time animation and Djimon raises the bar for all involved as we bring the best in the animation business together to execute on that vision."

"It’s a blessing for African Americans and minorities to have a super-hero they can identify with," said Hounsou. "While the Black Panther is a powerful force for good, he is also a respected world leader who takes pride in his African heritage. He embodies the past and future of his culture, demonstrating the endless possibilities of an Africa that is truly free."

The series comes at a time when Marvel is changing Panthers, seemingly killing off T’Challa and replacing him with an unidentified woman according to a story in the Washington Post.
 

In what is becoming a new industry trend, British journalists were treated to a look at about 20 minutes of footage from JJ Abrams’ Star Trek coming May 8, 2009.

Additionally, Paramount Pictures provided Entertainment Weekly with the first good look at the revamped U.S.S. Enterprise.

In providing the image, Abrams spoke about watching Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979. "The coolest thing about it — maybe the coolest thing in the movie — was when you flew around the ship, you could see all the different panels that made up the ship," he told the magazine. "It was the first time I had ever seen that level of attention, that love of detail, given to the tangible, practical reality of the ship."

Abrams went on to say, "If you’re going to do Star Trek there are many things you cannot change. The Enterprise is a visual touchstone for so many people. So if you’re going to do the Enterprise, it better look like the Enterprise, because otherwise, what are you doing?"

Meantime, Den of Geek and Empire Magazine both provided extensive descriptions of the footage along with commentary.

“A very disarming Abrams himself was there, as was Simon Pegg, the new Scotty; both were on-form but clearly very nervous, and both addressed the gathering, Abrams at length,’ Geek wrote. “ He may be right: the viewing started with the new trailer, which will be in cinemas Friday, followed by four scenes from the movie itself, all complete with polished SFX and scoring.

“And it all looks absolutely amazing.”

Empire wrote “any reservations we may have harbored over JJ Abrams’ reimagining of the franchise have been well and truly beamed away. What we saw was a medley of action, excitement, humor and a true reverence for the franchise that should both appease fans and suck in newcomers.” (more…)

Ridley Scott is going to Boardwalk in style.  He is in talks with Universal to direct a movie based on the Parker Brothers’ classic Monopoly according to The Hollywood Reporter. Scott first announced his interest in the project on June 19, 2007.

Pamela Pettler (Corpse Bride) is already at work on a screenplay for the Hasbro-Universal collaboration. She is also writing another animated project, 9, to be produced by Bride’s director Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted).

Hasbro has several other games in development around Hollywood including Ouija Board with Platinum Dunes, Battleship, and course, Paramount has G.I. Joe coming next August.

The game was first developed in 1904 as a way to explain economics and then was revised and modified until Charles Darrow presented a finished version to Parker Brothers, which released it in 1935. It has since spawned countless variations and international editions,having been played by more than 750 million people according to the Guinness Book of World Records.