ALIEN 40th Anniversary Celebrations to Showcase New Talent

alien

In 1979, the world was introduced to arguably the greatest Sci-Fi Horror Film ever made with Ridley Scott’s Alien, and this year marks the 40th Anniversary of the film’s release. For four decades, the franchise has inspired and terrified multiple generations of audiences and filmmakers alike – and to celebrate this fact, Twentieth Century Fox has partnered with global creative community Tongal to offer fans the chance to create short films that take place in the world of Alien.

Fox and Tongal received over 550 pitches from avid Alien fanatics and somehow managed to whittle it down to just SIX and gave these talented people unprecedented access to everything a fan can dream of – assets, characters and much more – in order to create a new breed of experiences that will also pay homage to the original film.

The synopsis and titles of all six short films are as follows:

ALIEN: Alone – Hope, an abandoned crew member aboard the derelict chemical hauler Otranto, has spent a year trying to keep her ship and herself alive as both slowly fall apart. After discovering hidden cargo, she risks it all to power up the broken ship in search of human life.  Written and Directed by Noah Miller

 ALIEN: Containment – Four survivors find themselves stranded aboard a small escape pod in deep space. Trying to piece together the details around the outbreak that led to their ship’s destruction, they find themselves unsure to trust whether or not one of them might be infected.  Written and Directed by Chris Reading

ALIEN: Harvest – The surviving crew of a damaged deep-space harvester have minutes to reach the emergency evacuation shuttle. A motion sensor is their only navigation tool leading them to safety while a creature in the shadows terrorizes the crew. However, the greatest threat might have been hiding in plain sight all along.  Directed by Benjamin Howdeshell

ALIEN: Night Shift – When a missing space trucker is discovered hungover and disoriented, his co-worker suggests a nightcap as a remedy. Near closing time, they are reluctantly allowed inside the colony supply depot where the trucker’s condition worsens, leaving a young supply worker alone to take matters into her own hands.  Written and Directed by Aidan Breznick

ALIEN: Ore – As a hard-working miner of a planet mining colony, Lorraine longs to make a better life for her daughter and grandchildren. When her shift uncovers the death of a fellow miner under mysterious circumstances, Lorraine is forced to choose between escape or defying management orders and facing her fears to fight for the safety of her family.  Written and Directed by the Spear Sisters

ALIEN: Specimen – It’s the night shift in a colony greenhouse, and Julie, a botanist, does her best to contain suspicious soil samples that have triggered her sensitive lab dog. Despite her best efforts the lab unexpectedly goes into full shutdown and she is trapped inside. Little does she know, an alien specimen has escaped the mysterious cargo, and a game of cat and mouse ensues as the creature searches for a host. Directed by Kelsey Taylor

It’s certainly great to see a mixture of both male and female filmmakers involved with this which will definitely create some truly unique short films. The projects will be released weekly by IGN.com starting on March 29th for global audiences and – alongside all of that – Friday April 26th is Alien Day, where you can join in with other Alien fans to celebrate the legendary series by following @AlienAnthology on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube leading up to this momentous occasion.

Check out the teaser trailer below and let us know which short film you are excited for by tweeting us @STARBURST_MAG

WHAT IF? Animated Series Heading to Disney+

Marvel Spider-Man Gwen Stacy

While we already know that a slew of Marvel-driven shows are in development for the upcoming Disney+ streaming service, now comes word on a potentially brilliant animated series for the service.

Courtesy of Slash Film, it’s being reported that a What If? animated show is being worked on for Disney+. To be overseen by Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige, the series will take on an anthology format where a new story will be focussed on in each and every episode.

Beginning life in 1977, Marvel’s What If? title looked to explore alternative stories in which certain fundamentals of the Marvel Universe were shaken up. Often with Uatu the Watcher serving as a narrator for readers, examples of famous What If? tales include Spider-Man joining the Fantastic Four, Iron Man becoming a traitor, Wolverine becoming the Punisher, Thor becoming the herald of Galactus, and the likes of Gwen Stacy and Karen Page not dying.

According to this latest report, one story that definitely will be adapted for Disney+’s What If? show is Loki being the one to find Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. Similarly, it’s also being speculated that the cast of the Marvel Cinematic Universe could well lend their vocals to their animated counterparts for the series.

As ever, expect more on What If? as it continues to develop.

SESAME STREET and TOM AND JERRY Movies Nab Release Dates

Sesame Street Tom and Jerry

With Warner Brothers currently at work on bringing two old favourites to the big screen, now comes an update on release dates for said pictures.

First and foremost, The WB’s Sesame Street movie has been set for a January 15th, 2021 release, whilst that will be followed on April 16th, 2021 by the live-action/CGI Tom and Jerry film.

In terms of what we know so far about these silver screen efforts, Anne Hathaway is on board to star in Sesame Street. That film has Portlandia’s Jonathan Krisel on directing duties, with a script from Chris Galletta and Mike Rosolio. A musical-driven affair, of course we’ll also have the likes of Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Oscar the Grouch and Bert and Ernie along for the ride.

Over with Tom and Jerry, Fantastic Four’s Tim Story is in the director’s chair for a picture that will combine a mixture of live-action and CGI to bring this beloved cat and mouse duo back to the big screen. There’s no casting news known for the film at this stage, although we do know that the titular twosome will remain mute throughout Tom and Jerry; instead relying on physical comedy to bring in the laughs.

As ever, expect more on both Sesame Street and Tom and Jerry as they continue to develop.

Netflix Developing DRAGON’S DOGMA Animated Series

Dragon's Dogma

While currently at work on animated Devil May Cry and Resident Evil shows – not to mention having produced the brilliant Castlevania – now comes word that Netflix is tackling another famed Capcom property.

In an official announcement, it’s been revealed that the on-demand streaming service is developing a Dragon’s Dogma animated series. No further details are known at this early juncture bar the fact that Sublimation will be handling the production for Netflix.

As a game, Dragon’s Dogma began life on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 back in 2012. A role-playing hack ‘n’ slash effort, players find themselves on a mission to defeat the world-devouring Dragon. In subsequent years, that original game has been also released on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and now Nintendo Switch. Likewise, 2015 saw Dragon’s Dogma Online released on certain platforms, too.

Expect more on Netflix’s Dragon’s Dogma as we get it.

Sarah Wayne Callies to Direct FEAR THE WALKING DEAD

Sarah Wayne Callies Lori Grimes The Walking Dead

While several key players are in various stages of stepping away from The Walking Dead, one familiar face returning to AMC’s walker-centric world is Sarah Wayne Callies.

Callies across was an original member of The Walking Dead, playing Lori Grimes from the show’s very first episode right through until the character’s death in the early part of Season 3.

Courtesy of ComicBook.com, Callies has now been brought into the fold of Fear the Walking Dead. For those hoping to see Lori back in action, however, you’ll be left disappointed. You see, Callies has been signed up to direct an episode of Fear during the spinoff’s upcoming fifth season.

On directing, Callies told The ISA, “You’re still looking at story, but your job is the macro. So far, the only thing I don’t like about it is having to direct myself, and so the great joy of the Fear job is I’m not acting in it. And so I get to just focus on connecting with the actors and tracking the story and working with the departmental heads. It’s so awesome, I love it.”

After departing The Walking Dead, Callies went on to star in Colony; a show on which should would also make her directorial debut. And now, she’ll be taking up the director’s chair for an upcoming outing for Fear the Walking Dead.

Lucy Hale to Headline RIVERDALE Spinoff KATY KEENE

Katy Keene Lucy Hale

With The CW at work on Riverdale spinoff Katy Keene, the upcoming effort has found its titular star.

Courtesy of Variety, Pretty Little Liars’ Lucy Hale has signed on to take on the Katy Keene role. Hale joins a cast that already features Camille Hyde, Lucien Laviscount, Ashleigh Murray, Jonny Beauchamp and Julia Chan.

In terms of the Katy Keene character, the show’s official blurb on her has her pegged as “a bold, big-hearted and independent twenty-something New Yorker, who aspires to be a fashion designer. When she’s not working as a personal shopper at a luxury department store, she’s navigating friendship and dating in the big city.”

As for Katy Keene as a show, the early word on that reads:

Directed by Maggie Kiley, the Riverdale spinoff is a musical dramedy that follows the lives and loves of four iconic Archie Comics characters — including fashion legend-to-be Katy Keene and singer/songwriter Josie McCoy— as they chase their twentysomething dreams in New York City. The musical dramedy chronicles the origins and struggles of four aspiring artists trying to make it on Broadway, on the runway and in the recording studio.

Expect more on Katy Keene as it continues to develop.

Two More Names Join ABC’s BERMUDA TRIANGLE Series

Edwin Hodge Mallory Jansen Bermuda

With ABC’s Bermuda Triangle-driven series now at the pilot stage, the small-screen offering has added two more names to its ranks.

Courtesy of Deadline, The Purge’s Edwin Hodge and Galavant’s Mallory Jansen have been brought in as series regulars to star alongside the previously announced Mike Vogel.

Titled Triangle, the early blurb on the series reads:

The series centres on a family who become shipwrecked in the notorious Bermuda Triangle. After being shipwrecked, the family discovers that the Bermuda Triangle is not a watery grave in the middle of the ocean, but in fact a land lost in time that has trapped travellers for all of human history. The family must band together with a group of like-minded inhabitants from throughout history to survive and find a way home.

Designated Survivor’s Jon Feldman and Knightfall’s Sonny Postiglione are on writing duties and will executive produce along with Jen Gwartz.

Expect more on the intriguing Bermuda as it continues to develop.

Taika to the Future! Waititi to Helm TIME BANDITS TV Show

Taika Waititi

Apple’s TV adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s 1981 classic Time Bandits has found a director in one of today’s hottest commodities – Taika Waititi.

Co-produced by Paramount TV, Anonymous Content, and Media Rights Capital, the pilot episode of the series will be helmed and co-written by Waititi with the Kiwi also serving as Executive Producer alongside original creator Gilliam and producer Dan Halstead.

The story of Time Bandits follows 11-year old Kevin who meets six dwarfs when they mysteriously appear through a portal that is in his bedroom closet. He then joins them on their quest to jump through holes in the fabric of time to steal treasures after procuring a map from their former employer, the Supreme Being. Kevin and the gang manage to get caught up in many wacky adventures whilst meeting various historical figures.

It’s safe to say that this is Taika’s craziest project to date and we are excited to see how he brings this vintage adventure tale to a brand new audience. Waititi is most certainly one of the busiest filmmakers today as his What We Do In The Shadows TV show is set to debut later this month, his next feature JoJo Rabbit releases in the Summer, and he’s just recently directed an episode in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian. Phew!

HELLO KITTY Heading to Hollywood!

Kitty

New Line Cinema have announced that for the first time in her 45 year history, the beloved Japanese icon Hello Kitty will be making her big screen debut.

After almost five years of clambering to claim the rights to the worldwide sensation, New Line is teaming up with original creators Sanrio and Flynn Picture Co to bring Kitty and her friends to life. Although it is currently unknown if it’s live action, animated or a mixture of the two, it is known that fans will see Gudetama the Egg, Little Twin Stars and the rabbit My Melody on the silver screen.

As many will know, Hello Kitty is a major symbol of friendship and holds great values for a young impressionable audience, so producers Beau Flynn and Wendy Jacobson have gone on record to show their pleasure at being entrusted with this worldwide phenomenon:

“Hello Kitty has been one of the most beloved characters around the world for the last forty-plus years so we’re incredibly honoured that president Tsuji has entrusted us with the responsibility of bringing her story to the big screen globally for the first time ever. There has never been a better time than now to share her message with the world,” Flynn said.

Sanrio CEO and President Shintaro Tsuji also stated that he was incredibly pleased that Hello Kitty is going to be able to bring her message to the world on the grandest stage of media.

It is currently unknown as to when the film will be released, but Kitty is certainly on her way to the big leagues!

THE TWILIGHT ZONE Adds Zazie Beetz and Betty Gabriel

Another day, another couple of brilliant additions for CBS’ Jordan Peele-produced return for The Twilight Zone.

Courtesy of Deadline, Deadpool 2’s Zazie Beetz and Get Out’s Betty Gabriel have signed on to join the series; the pair pegged to appear in an early episode of the rebooted series.

There’s currently no details on just what role Beetz or Gabriel will be playing, and it remains to be seen just exactly what the premise of their episode(s) will be.

The pair of Zazie Beetz and Betty Gabriel join an impressive and ever-expanding Twilight Zone cast that includes the likes of Taissa Farmiga, Greg Kinnear, John Cho, Kumail Nanjiani, Steven Yeun, Adam Scott, Jacob Tremblay, DeWande Wise, James Frain, Ike Barinholtz and Seth Rogen.

Produced and hosted by Get Out’s Jordan Peele, The Twilight Zone will premiere with two back-to-back episodes on April 1st.