Report 11A. This is a digest of recent Sci-Fi- and genre-related news as of 14 November 2000.

News & Notes

Group News:

Oops! Again!

In all the confusion over the election mess, we forgot that this weekend was Veterans' Day. As a result, all the Post Offices were closed Saturday, and we were unable to mail out. Those of you who were expecting tapes this week, please hang on a day or two more and we will get them away as soon as possible. You will hear from us as they are mailed.

And while we are on the subject……..

We have had several rather accusatory e-mails from people who were expecting to hear from us this weekend. We are doing our best, but if that's not good enough, you are more than welcome to go elsewhere. By all means, e-mail for a progress report (which we welcome, as we do occasionally forget something), but please try to be polite.

Kindred: The Embraced

For those who have asked us for this series over the last couple of years, we have now added extended versions of all 8 existing episodes of Kindred to our library. Please note these episodes are considerably longer than those aired on TV and will probably only fit three to a tape. We will have a better idea once we edit them into masters.

TV News:

Clay Headlines Colosseum

Comedian Andrew "Dice" Clay will star in a time-travel television series, Colosseum, which Pearson Television is readying for syndication, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Clay will play a Chicago fight promoter who is transported back in time to ancient Rome, where he ends up as a talent scout for the Colosseum.

The series will be rolled out at the upcoming National Association of Television Programming Executives' annual syndication sales conference in Las Vegas Jan. 22-25, 2001, the trade paper reported. Writer-producer Sam Egan (Outer Limits) has signed on as the series' show runner. Mario Azzopardi (Stargate SG-1) is set to direct.

Talking Ape Coming To Fox

Creators of Fox's animated King of the Hill signed a deal to create a new Fox sitcom featuring a talking orangutan, Variety reported. Alan Cohen and Alan Freedland are developing the as-yet-untitled project, which will deal with a crocodile hunter who hosts a Los Angeles TV show alongside the orangutan, the trade paper reported.

Cohen and Freedland plan to use computer imagery to bring the show's ape to life. Their deal to create a pilot for the crocodile-hunter project is part of a multiyear development deal with producer 20th Century Fox Television, Variety reported.

As far as we can remember, this will be the 5th network TV show featuring a talking animal. Anyone have any new ideas?

Buffy Raises the Stakes

Producers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are expected to ask The WB to put up production money of $2 million per episode--twice the current budget--when they sit down with the network to negotiate a contract renewal in January, EW reported. If the WB refuses, as we expect them to do, the creators and Twentieth Century Fox television, which produces the show, could move the series to another network.

ABC has already expressed interest in Buffy. "To be honest, there has always been a suspicion that The WB didn't quite get it," Buffy star Anthony Stewart Head (Giles) told EW. "I don't know what the hell will happen." If Buffy does move, that throws into question the fate of its companion series Angel, which would remain on The WB.

Buffy executive producer Marti Noxon told EW that the series is exploring new territory in its fifth season, with the arrival of Buffy's sister, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg), and Buffy's quest to understand her inner slayer. "This is a whole world, and you can explore a lot of different corners of it," Noxon said. "Now we're covering the experience of being a young adult, which dictates you go deeper."

Another article in EW also announced that the Buffy Season 1 DVDs would now be delayed until late 2001. This was also expected, as the entire cast now seems to be engaged in these new contract negotiations, and these are likely to include residuals and peripherals from video and DVD releases.

New Trek Details Revealed?

Ethan Phillips (Neelix on Star Trek: Voyager) revealed details of the next Trek series to the TrekWeb fan site. Phillips said the new series would be set about 100 years before the era of the original Trek series, which would appear to confirm rumors that the show would concern the birth of the Federation, the site reported. Phillips added that the cast would consist of three men and two women.

As for Voyager's last season, Phillips said that executive producers Ken Biller, Brannon Braga and Rick Berman will write the last seven episodes, which will presumably tell the story of Voyager's return to the Alpha Quadrant.

Editor's Note: The last time any of us discussed the next Trek series with those in the know (a couple of our guys were in the focus groups that discussed the possible ideas last year), this possibility came up, and the one question they couldn't answer was how they would resolve the problem of the technology gap between this early scenario, which will now benefit from the latest sfx and design ideas, and the original Trek series, which after all, has that "cardboard box and blinking lights" look.

We also wondered if they would revert to the original genetic make-up of the Klingons. They were unable to answer us, however, as we suspect that at that stage, they hadn't even thought about it. It will be interesting to see how they resolve these problems. Perhaps we will be subjected to some more of Braga's genius and he will do what he always does - ignore it and hope the fans don't notice. Yeah! Right!

'DS9' Returns - Sort of!

Rejoice, Quark fans. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is coming back...in print. In 2001, Pocket Books is launching a series of novels that continues the DS9 saga.

"We're moving beyond the series' conclusion on television," editor Marco Palmieri recently told Cinescape contributors Gregory Norris and Laura Van Vleet. "The book picks up three months after 'What You Leave Behind' [the DS9 series finale], and because of the departures of Capt. Sisko, Chief O'Brien, Worf and Odo in the finale, we had some empty slots to fill. So we decided to create four new faces who will shake things up a bit."

According to Palmieri, each of the newcomers belongs to a different species -- one of them a race that has been seen in the Trek universe before (though not previously on DS9). Readers may learn what some of the departed characters have been up to from time to time, but in the beginning the emphasis will be on a new beginning for the crew of the remote space station. The book series opens in May with the two-part "Avatar," written by S. D. Perry.

Book Three, "Abyss," involves the nefarious Federation Secret Service, Section 31, and was penned by former DS9 executive story editor by David Weddle. (Weddle co-wrote the episode "Inquisition," which first introduced Section 31 to the Trek universe.)

Book Four, 'Demons of Air and Darkness' by Keith DeCandido, is part of the "Gateways" summer crossover series of novels. Rounding out the year is a two-book saga written by former series regular J. G. Hertzler (General Martok), which concerns the trouble Martok and Worf encounter when they return to the Klingon Empire following the end of the Dominion War.

"Our approach is that in addition to setting all the stories after 'What You Leave Behind,' we're also building into them an interior continuity where one book will lead into the next," says Palmieri, who has already planned the next two years' worth of DS9 novels. "And I want to bring a fresh perspective to the books. My goal is to utilize voices new to Star Trek. S. D. Perry's only previous Trek writing credits were two short stories in the 'Life of Dax' anthology. And one of the coolest things is that [franchise owner] Paramount is giving me a lot of creative freedom in letting the story evolve from where it left off on TV. For Deep Space Nine, the reset button has been dismantled."

X-Files Could Get 9th Season

The X-Files creator Chris Carter told fans in an official chat Nov. 6 that the show could continue into a ninth year. "I read recently that David Duchovny is not ruling out a ninth season of the show," Carter said. "Robert Patrick [Agent John Doggett] has a multi-season contract, as does Gillian Anderson. Next year could be very interesting."

Carter also said he plans further feature-film versions of The X-Files, and won't kill off Agent Fox Mulder, played by David Duchovny. "No, not if I have anything to do with it!" Carter said. "My contract runs out this year ... and I have big plans for more X-Files movies, and David Duchovny and Mulder are a part of those plans."

In the meantime, Carter did not rule out the possibility that Mulder will reappear to work again with the X-Files. "We'll try to make a virtue of the problems that arise from Scully's pregnancy. And Doggett and Mulder will undoubtedly have to work together sometime in the last half of the season," Carter said.

Buffy Reveals Spike's Origins

James Marsters, who plays the vampire Spike on The WB's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, revealed that the Nov. 14 episode and the following crossover with Angel will reveal his character's checkered past. "I think anybody who's had a metamorphosis in their life is going to be very interested in this arc--anybody who feels that they've transformed in their life, trying to become themselves," Marsters told the site.

The back-to-back episodes will flash back to Spike's origins and feature appearances by his vampire companions Drusilla (Juliet Landau) and Darla (Julie Benz) over the centuries in England, Europe and China. "It's been great to go back and fill in the backstory," Landau said. "We were in London in 1860; we were in Yorkshire in 1880; we were in a Gypsy village in 1890; and then we were in China in 1900. In the China section, we were in the Boxer Rebellion, so there were a hundred extras and oxen; it was so lush."

Editor's Note: We think that unlike previous cross-overs that were really only paid lip service to the partner series, this one will be inextricably wound together into a two-part story. Those who are taking both series need do nothing, but if you are taking either just Buffy or just Angel, please be aware that we are not prepared to break up the 4-episode blocks of either series to insert the odd episode from the other. If you do want the other episode, we are open to suggestions.

Arnold Won't Do Conan 3?

Arnold Schwarzenegger told journalists at the premiere of 6th Day that it's unlikely he'll appear in the proposed third installment of the Conan the Barbarian film series. John Milius, who directed 1982's Conan the Barbarian, will reportedly write and direct a new Conan film for Warner Brothers.

"Right now there's too many things on the table to do," Schwarzenegger told Filmforce. "From Terminator 3 to Doc Savage and a possible Total Recall No. 2 and maybe a comedy--I also want to direct again. I don't know where this [Conan] will happen."

Movie News: 

Disney Takes A Minute

The Walt Disney Co. will develop the fantasy comedy movie Minute Men, based on a pitch by writers David Diamond and David Weissman, Variety reported. Minute Men tells the story of three geeks who create a time machine that can go back only 10 minutes.

Forming a company called Minute Men, the guys try to capitalize on the invention by using it to help people solve their problems, the trade paper reported. Diamond and Weissman also wrote the script for Universal's upcoming fantasy film Family Man, starring Nicolas Cage.

Berman Talks Trek X Movie

Star Trek producer Rick Berman told the Star Trek Communicator magazine that Brent Spiner (Data) has worked with screenwriter John Logan to develop the story for the proposed 10th movie, according to a report on the TrekWeb fan site. "John is an extraordinary writer," Berman told the magazine.

Berman added, "I actually met him through Brent Spiner, and I am really looking to working with him. We have not begun working on the script yet, though John has written the story, along with myself and Brent Spiner. The premise has been accepted and approved by all the parties involved, and when all the proper contractual arrangements with our cast have been completed, John will commence writing the script."

Berman offered no plot details, but promised new developments for Spiner's character. "I think you could say that. It's not the reason Brent joined us in the story process, but there certainly is a wonderful arc for Data in this movie." He also promised the next movie will be "a bit more lighthearted and more action-oriented. In a nutshell, it's a rip-roaring adventure with a lot of humor."

It's doubtful Jonathan Frakes (Cmdr. Riker), who directed the last two Trek films, will helm the next. "Jonathan Frakes has done a terrific job on the last two movies, but I don't know what his schedule is going to be like," Berman said. "He has another project that he is involved with now--a movie he is going to be directing for Paramount and Nickelodeon. So I don't know if he is going to be available to do this, or whether we will be looking elsewhere."

Arnie Won't Do TR2!

Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would decline to appear in Total Recall 2, the proposed sequel to his 1990 hit Total Recall. Speaking on a Chicago radio show, Schwarzenegger reportedly said the script for TR2 was bad.

In a later interview for TV Guide he changed the statement slightly, stating that he couldn't do a sequel even if he liked the script. "Unless I clone myself for real, I can't do all these sequels to The Terminator and Total Recall at the same time," said Schwarzenegger, who is set to appear in Terminator 3 in the spring.

Schwarzenegger added, "You can only do one movie a year if you really want to be a part of it from beginning to end. That's what makes it fun for me. I don't want to come in and be a hired hand like some actors."

'Red Dragon' Remake

Producers Dino and Martha De Laurentis are near to closing a deal with team up with Universal Pictures to produce a remake of Thomas Harris' novel Red Dragon, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The book, which featured the first appearance of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, was previously made in 1986 by Michael Mann as Manhunter with Brian Cox in the role of Lecter.

Ted Tally (Silence of the Lambs) will write the film's script, which is expected to be finished and turned in by mid-March.

2nd 'X-Men' DVD

Bryan Singer is hoping to see a second version of The X-Men movie released on DVD, which may include additional, special shot scenes.

While talking to the New York Post (via Empire Online), Singer revealed, "20th Century Fox has committed to doing a second X-Men DVD, in which I would use a slightly longer version, including two new scenes which I’d like to shoot, a commentary track and at least a dozen out-takes...I would also include hundreds of hours of video-camera footage of the shooting of X-Men, chronicling the experience, which was inspired by Heart of Darkness, the documentary about the making of Apocalypse Now."

The first X-Men DVD, which is packed with extras, hits store shelves later this month.

Jackson on 'Rings'

The Rumors surrounding Lord of the Rings have flown thick and fast over the last year, most of them emanating from the infamous and often-wrong "One Ring" website, so we made a policy decision fairly early on to avoid speculation on this movie until it was almost ready for the screen.

One year after shooting started on the Lord of the Rings production, director Peter Jackson and 12 cast members sat down to talk with the NZ press about the production, and we thought this was a good point at which to start reporting, as we heard that principal photography for all three movies closed last week. According to the New Zealand Herald, here are some of the points addressed by Jackson:

Shooting three films at one time:

"I'm about to go insane. It's about to all break down. We just think of it as one long story. Obviously any movie you shoot, you shoot out of sequence and what we have done is have three movies shooting out of sequence completely…The concentration was on getting film one done but at the end of the day we were shooting last year scenes for two and three. It is one epic story. It has a beginning a middle and an end as a three part story...One of the greatly unique things about making three films in a row, which no one has ever done before, is it does give you a chance to tell a story in three parts, and that one day when you see it all together, it will be great the day we can sit down and watch all three films in one big hit.

"It will feel like a continuous story which will be great because normally obviously films, if they are successful they have a sequel and then they have another sequel…The sequels in themselves, they don't have a flow so this is an opportunity to tell one great story. Basically it's dictated by the subject. If you set out to make The Lord of the Rings it's impossible to do in one film and so anybody seeing the first movie is obviously aware that they are not going to see the whole story.

"The story is ultimately Frodo Baggins having to take this ring to destroy the ring and I'm sure people won't be expecting to see the ring destroyed at the end of the first film. But we have structured the movies so they do come to an end of sorts and they also have a cliff hanger aspect to them."

Adapting the books:

"It's been very very difficult. We've been writing it for two or three years and we still are writing it. It's such a complicated work and it's actually interesting because over the course of the time we've been writing, we've been revising. It's just the way we like to work, to consistently try and improve it right the way through the shoot. And we find ourselves going back closer and closer to the books.

"Way back at the beginning we thought there is quite a bit of this we are going to have to alter or change, do things to turn the book into a film but the more we got into it and the more we really started to know the books in great detail, it would be fair to say we've gone further and further back to the books again.

"So a lot of our so called clever ideas at the beginning we've long since abandoned and Tolkien hopefully has a fairly clear voice in the film.

"It's the psychological aspects of the story that are always hard to dramatize. A very small ring that contains great evil and its psychological pressure on the people that come near this ring, that is down to the performances of the actors to portray that, as a film maker I can't show evil or I can't show what this ring does in a visual way but obviously the actors can see it which they have been doing incredibly well."

Fan scrutiny:

"We've had good relationships with most people. I've had Tolkien experts actually help us on the movies. We've taken a great deal of care with the names, the languages. So we have tried to get things right.

"You know, ultimately it always has to be an interpretation. It can't be a film made by committee. Though you listen to everybody's ideas but you eventually have to go with what you feel is right. But people have been supportive. I guess people haven't seen the films and there will be time for controversy and that will be when they come out. We're trying our best."

 

Odds and Ends: Short items not worthy of an article in their own right.

EW reported that the upcoming Jurassic Park III will start with a plane crash and will focus on the search and rescue mission. The magazine site added that the finale of the movie, which was originally to be shot with green screen, will instead be filmed on location in Hawaii in January.
The Canton Co. teamed with Germany's Senator have made a preemptive purchase deal for a project called Troy written by Michael Tabb, according to Variety. The potential film will tell an epic romance story set during the Trojan War. Mark Canton will produce the potential film with J.R. Shearman. Tabb has also been working on the script for The 7th Portal, based on the Stan Lee Media online animated series, with the Canton Co.
Babylon 5 star Jerry Doyle was soundly defeated in his Republican bid to unseat Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman in California's 24th congressional district, according to news reports. Doyle polled just 30 percent (63,040) of the district's voters, while Sherman got 67 percent (142,398), according to CNN. Doyle was running for U.S. Congress in the district that represents parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. He entered the race when the GOP's previous candidate, former Doobie Brothers guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, pulled out of the race.
Pop star Britney Spears won't be making a guest appearance on The WB's hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer due to scheduling conflicts, TV Guide Online reported. "It's not happening," Buffy co-executive producer Marti Noxon told TV Guide. "It's off the plate completely."