Wan and Raimi Teaming for THE BURDEN

The Burden

In terms of heavy hitters in the horror genre, they don’t get much bigger than James Wan and Sam Raimi. And now, the pair are working together on a new project.

Courtesy of Deadline, Wan and Raimi are teaming to produce a feature-length adaptation of Dutch short The Burden. Wan will be producing through his Atomic Monster banner, whilst Raimi will be producing through his Ghost Host Pictures company.

Directed by Nico van den Brink, the official blurb on The Burden reads:

The short centres on a young woman visiting her boyfriend’s family home. There, she learns about a sinister history with his creepy neighbour, and soon all kinds of skeletons come out of the closet.

The Burden is one of two shorts from van den Brink getting the feature-length adaptation treatment, with Atomic Monster and New Line also developing his Sweet Tooth short.

DC SUPER PETS Pushed Back to 2022

Krypto Ace

With Warner Brothers announcing an animated DC Super Pets movie this January, now comes word that the film has been slightly pushed back.

If you remember, the initial release date set for the picture was May 21st, 2021. Well now, courtesy of Deadline, we can report that DC Super Pets has been pushed back to May 22nd, 2022.

The movie itself will focus on some of the Legion of Super-Pets’ characters, such as Krypto, Ace the Bat-Hound and Streaky the Super Cat. Jared Stern and Sam Levine are on directing duties, with Patty Hicks serving as producer.

Unlike the regular DC animated movie output, DC Super Pets is getting a big-screen cinema release, with that likely down to the success of the kid-friendly Teen Titans Go! to the Movies last year.

As ever, expect more on DC Super Pets as it continues to develop.

 

JESSICA JONES’ Third Season to Premiere Next Month

Krysten Ritter Jessica Jones

While we’ve known for a little while now that Marvel’s Jessica Jones had been cancelled, fans were still waiting to find out just when we’d be seeing the show’s third and final season. Well, now we have an answer to that question.

Despite not giving an exact date, Netflix has confirmed that Season 3 of the Krysten Ritter-starrer will arrive at some point in June.

If you remember, Netflix made the call to scrap all of their Marvel series – Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and The Punisher – in a gradual process that began last year.

For many, it’s a little disappointing that Netflix has been so slack in their promotion of Jessica Jones, with the third season of the show long since finished and ready to air. And now, it appears that the on-demand streaming service is still not really all that bothered about the series in the way that they’ve not even set an exact release date.

We guess it’s at least good to know that Season 3 of Jessica Jones will debut at some point next month, but it’d just be nice to know what date.

DOCTOR WHO: THE EVIL OF THE DALEKS Coming to Vinyl

evil of the daleks doctor who

Following the very successful release of The Daleks’ Master Plan on vinyl, Demon Music Group
presents The Evil of the Daleks, a classic seven-part ‘lost’ adventure starring Patrick Troughton as
the Doctor in which the infamous Daleks lay a trap in Victorian England for their oldest enemy. The
records will be released on 12th July 2019 and are now available for pre-order. RRP £99.99.

‘The response to The Daleks’ Master Plan from fans was overwhelmingly positive with great
excitement for the brilliant new artwork and for the presentation of such a classic story on vinyl. We
are very happy to be following that initial release with another gripping Dalek adventure.’ Ben Stanley,
Head of Product & Marketing, Demon Music Group

In this classic adventure, first shown on BBC TV between May and July 1967, the Daleks are in search of the Human Factor. What’s more, they intend to use the Doctor and his TARDIS to assist them in their quest for universal domination! Featuring a climactic battle on their home world of Skaro, the story also introduces Deborah Watling as the Doctor’s new companion, Victoria.

Standard edition: 4LP x 12” Heavyweight Translucent Red Vinyl

Presented across 4 x heavyweight 180g pieces of vinyl this narrated TV soundtrack evokes another classic Doctor Who adventure in all its aural magnificence. From the eerie sonics of Ron Grainer & Delia Derbyshire’s theme tune, and the familiar ‘wheezing, groaning’ of the TARDIS, through to the sounds of alien time technology and the terrifying roar of the Dalek Emperor, the story is alive with weird and wonderful sound.

Written by David Whitaker, this was the Daleks’ final explosive TV adventure of the 1960s.

Amazon exclusive edition: 4LP x 12” Heavyweight Skaro Splatter Vinyl

Linking narration is provided by Frazer Hines (Jamie) and the cast includes Marius Goring as Theodore Maxtible, John Bailey as Edward Waterfield, Brigit Forsyth as Ruth Maxtible and Windsor Davies as Toby. The film recordings of all but one episode of this story are lost from the BBC archives.

LP1 is presented with a unique Emperor Dalek laser etched reverse.

The Exclusive and Deluxe editions are available to order from www.amazon.co.uk

More Details Emerge for STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

Skywalker

As has been the tradition since 1999, Vanity Fair has unveiled their Star Wars special – and for a project shrouded in so much secrecy, boy have they knocked it out of the park this time!

We don’t want to rob them of their thunder of course (head HERE for the article in its entirety), but amongst the many tidbits for fans to get whipped into a frenzy about are:

  • The Knights of Ren are back, and here’s the first proper look!
  • Keri Russell’s (Mandalorian-adjacent) scoundrel Zorri Bliss steps out!
  • Richard E. Grant as First Order leader General Pryde!
  • The promise of a second snow-covered Rey vs Kylo lightsaber dual!
  • A continuation of the Luke and R2 temple flashback!
  • Confirmation of how much time has elapsed since The Last Jedi!
  • What planet does Rey do that nifty Tie Silencer backflip on? (Nope, not Jakku after all!)

We could go on and on, so just head on over to the full article and get even more hyped for December. If that’s even possible!

The full article: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/05/star-wars-cover-story?verso=true

Just the photos:  https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/photos/2019/05/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-exclusive-photos

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER arrives in UK cinemas on December 19th

GAME OF THRONES Writer Joins Amazon’s LORD OF THE RINGS Show

The Lord of the Rings

With Game of Thrones having now come to a close and undoubtedly split opinion, there’s news on what project Thrones writer and producer Bryan Cogman is working on next.

Courtesy of Variety, it’s being reported that Cogman has signed on to join Amazon’s mega budget The Lord of the Rings series. At this stage, it’s believed that Cogman will be involved in the show as a consultant alongside writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay.

Previously, the plan was for Bryan Cogman to develop one of the four Game of Thrones spinoffs that are currently in the works. Unfortunately, last month saw it confirmed that the Thrones effort that Cogman was developing had been scrapped.

As for The Lord of the Rings, details on this small screen take on J.R.R. Tolkien’s wondrous adventures are being keep relatively hush-hush right now. From the early buzz we’ve heard, it seems as if the action will take place before The Fellowship of the Ring.

Expect more on Amazon’s Lord of the Rings offering as it continues to develop.

André Øvredal to Direct THE LONG WALK

The Long Walk

With an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk having been in development for a year now, New Line has finally landed a director for the project.

As first reported by Deadline, New Line has brought in Trollhunter and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’s André Øvredal to direct the effort, with James Vanderbilt having already penned a screenplay.

The Long Walk was first released back in 1979, with King writing the book under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman.

For those unfamiliar with the book, the official blurb on the novel reads:

First published in 1979, The Long Walk is set in future dystopian America ruled by an authoritarian. The country holds an annual walking contest in which 100 teens must journey, non-stop and under strict rules, until only one of them is still standing alive and receiving a prize. The story told of a 16-year old walker named Raymond Garraty and the teens, some good, some bad, some mysterious, in his orbit.

Expect more on New Line’s adaptation of The Long Walk as we get it.

THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE Set for August Premiere

With fans of the beloved Dark Crystal eagerly awaiting the arrival of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, we now have an update on when the series will premiere, plus some new images from the show.

In a new press release, it’s been confirmed that Age of Resistance will land on Netflix on August 30th. With an impressive cast assembled for the show, the ten-episode season will be set several years before the events of the 1982 movie.

Courtesy of Netflix, the official word on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance reads:

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance returns to the world of Thra with an all new adventure. When three Gelfling discover the horrifying secret behind the Skeksis’ power, they set out on an epic journey to ignite the fires of rebellion and save their world. Based on The Dark Crystal, Jim Henson’s groundbreaking 1982 feature film, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance tells a new epic story, set many years before the events of the movie, and realized using classic puppetry with cutting edge visual effects. The world of Thra is dying. The Crystal of Truth is at the heart of Thra, a source of untold power. But it is damaged, corrupted by the evil Skeksis, and a sickness spreads across the land. When three Gelfling uncover the horrific truth behind the power of the Skeksis, an adventure unfolds as the fires of rebellion are lit and an epic battle for the planet begins.

Produced by The Jim Henson Company with executive producers Lisa Henson, Halle Stanford and Louis Leterrier (who is also directing), the cast for Age of Resistance features names such as Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nathalie Emmanuel, Mark Hamill, Helena Bonham Carter, Natalie Dormer, Eddie Izzard, Theo James, Toby Jones, Jason Isaacs, Keegan Michael-Kay, Ralph Ineson, Mark Strong, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Simon Pegg and Alicia Vikander.

As for those new images, you can find those below:

With that August 30th date now set for The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’s premiere, hopefully that means a new trailer is just around the corner.

Killer Thrillers Head to Horror Channel in June

hc jun

A whole host of terrifying murderers, thugs, and deviants will be appearing throughout June on Horror Channel as the Killer Thriller season gets underway.

The season includes the channel premieres of Rod Lurie’s 2011 brilliant remake of Straw Dogs, starring James Marsden and Kate Bosworth; the murder motel chiller Vacancy, starring Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson; and the 2009 remake of kin killer slasher The Stepfather. The Saturday night prime time season also features psychological thriller House at the End of the Street, starring Jennifer Lawrence, and Neil LaBute’s horrifying racial drama Lakeview Terrace, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Patrick Wilson.

There are also channel premieres for mutant monster gripper Inanimate, tarring Lance Henriksen; the twisty neo-noir thriller The Disappearence Of Alice Creed starring Gemma Arterton and Eddie Marsan; and Phillippe Mora’s real-life rooted alien abduction drama Communion starring Christopher Walken.

Find out more by heading to the Horror Channel website. Tune in on Sky 317, Virgin 149, Freeview 70, Freesat 138.

Genre Fave Lin Shaye Joins PENNY DREADFUL Spinoff

Lin Shaye

As Showtime to continue to amass the cast for their Penny Dreadful spinoff, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, now comes word of a major genre favourite joining the new show.

First reported by Deadline, Lin Shaye has signed on to join the action as a character called Dottie Minter. That particular character is described as a “cunning, wry and clever” sort who is a vital operative in the ongoing battle against Third Reich espionage in LA.

The utterly charming Shaye has been in the acting game since back in the ‘70s, with her recently likely best known to horror fans for her recurring role of Elise in the Insidious franchise.

Lin Shaye joins a cast the includes the likes of Rory Kinnear, Natalie Dormer, Nathan Lane, Jessica Garza, Amy Madigan and Brent Spiner.

The official word on City of Angels reads:

A spiritual descendant of the original Penny Dreadful story set in Victorian-era London, “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” opens in 1938 Los Angeles, a time and place deeply infused with social and political tension. When a grisly murder shocks the city, Detective Tiago Vega is embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of Los Angeles: from the building of the city’s first freeways and its deep traditions of Mexican-American folklore, to the dangerous espionage actions of the Third Reich and the rise of radio evangelism. Before long, Tiago and his family are grappling with powerful forces that threaten to tear them apart.

“Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” explores an exciting mix of the supernatural and the combustible reality of the period, creating new occult myths and moral dilemmas within a genuine historical backdrop. This chapter is a bold new vision that will employ all new characters and storylines.

Penny Dreadful’s John Logan is writing and serving as showrunner on Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.