BUFFY Getting a Small-Screen Reboot

Buffy

It was only this past March that we heard rumblings of a possible Buffy reboot, and now everyone’s favourite Vampire Slayer is officially getting a fresh lick of paint.

Courtesy of Deadline, Fox 21 TV Studios is developing a new Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Midnight, Texas’ Monica Owusu-Breen has been brought in as writer, executive producer, and showrunner, and original series creator Joss Whedon will also be serving as executive producer.

The early word on this new incarnation of a huge genre fave reads, “The new version, which will be pitched to streaming and cable networks this summer, will be contemporary, building on the mythology of the original. Like our world, it will be richly diverse, and like the original, some aspects of the series could be seen as metaphors for issues facing us all today.”

No further details are known at this early stage, although it’s believed that the titular slayer will be African-American.

Expect more on this new Buffy the Vampire Slayer as it continues to develop.

Jon Schnepp 1967 – 2018

Jon Schnepp

In some utterly devastating news, John Schnepp has passed away at the age of just 51.

A huge favourite of many a genre fan, Schnepp suffered a stroke last week and sadly passed away on Thursday. Holly Payne – Jon’s long-time partner – had been updating fans on his condition via social media over the last week or so, and now she’s had to reveal the tragic news that Jon Schnepp has now passed away.

To many, Schnepp will be best known as the man behind the fantastic The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened? documentary that took at look at Tim Burton’s Nicolas Cage-starring Superman movie that ultimately never happened. In addition to that, Schnepp worked on huge genre faves such as Metalocalypse, The Venture Brothers, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, and The ABCs of Death.

But more than all of that, Jon Schnepp was first and foremost a fan. Never anything but passionate, Schnepp was famed for his love and knowledge of what he did. From the point of your writer here, I was lucky enough to grab some time with Jon and Holly during the press work for The Death of Superman Lives. That was only half an hour or so, but it was 30 minutes spent geeking out about Superman, Blade, David Hasselhoff’s Nick Fury, George Miller’s doomed Justice League Mortal, and a whole host of other topics. But in that short time, you got nothing but positive, passionate vibes and were instantly made to feel welcome and at ease. And it seems like that was the case with pretty much any and everyone who met Jon Schnepp.

For those of you who followed Jon’s work, you’ll be well aware of Collider Heroes and his spells on Collider Movie Talk. And Collider have put out their own heartfelt response to this tragic news:

Over the past, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help with Jon’s medical bills, and that page will remain open to donations.

The thoughts of all here at STARBURST go out to the family, friends, and fans of Jon Schnepp. Rest in peace, sir.

Line-Up Revealed for Season 3 of THE TOYS THAT MADE US

WWF Hulk Hogan Toys

One of the downright coolest things on Netflix right now is The Toys That Made Us. With two seasons in the bag and a third season confirmed, we’ve now got word on what beloved toys of yesteryear will be featured in said Season 3.

With the first season looking at Barbie, G.I. Joe, Masters of the Universe and Star Wars, the second showcasing Hello Kitty, LEGO, Star Trek and Transformers, the third season will be dishing up some further childhood delights that will put a smile on the face of many a genre fan.

In that third season, it’s now been revealed that the four episodes will centre on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, classic wrestling toys, and My Little Pony.

We can genuinely say that we absolutely cannot wait to see this third season of The Toys That Made Us land on Netflix – and if you’ve not checked out those previous two seasons, we’d advise you to do so at the earliest convenience.

STX Developing Genre Movie for Norman Reedus

Norman Reedus

Following his turn as Daryl Dixon in AMC’s The Walking Dead, Norman Reedus has become one of the biggest name is all things genre. And now comes word on a new vehicle for the ever-grizzled actor.

Courtesy of Deadline, STX Entertainment is developing a Reedus-centric movie through their STXfilms division. No actual details are known on this film just yet, bar that it was be a genre effort and that Reedus will produce and star in the picture that is said to be in the extremely early stages of development.

On this news, STX’s Adam Fogelson enthused, “Norman has steadily built up a devoted fan following across movies and television with memorable performances. STX is thrilled to collaborate with Norman on this new film project that we are custom-creating for him and with him and that will be sure to excite his tremendous fanbase.”

Expect more on all of this as it develops further.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Anna Diop Join Jordan Peele’s US

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Anna Diop Us

Can you think of a more impressive debut picture than Get Out? It’s certainly a tough task, and because of that Oscar-winning debut, many a genre fan are eagerly anticipating director Jordan Peele’s follow-up, Us. And now, we have some new casting news for that film.

As per Deadline, The Get Down’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (who will soon be seen as the nefarious Black Manta in James Wan’s Aquaman) and 24: Legacy’s Anna Diop (who will similarly soon be seen as Starfire in Titans) have joined the film.

Abdul-Mateen II and Diop join an impressive cast that currently consists of Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, and Tim Heidecker.

Plot-wise, all that we know about Us to date is that it will focus on two couples – one black, one white. Other than that, everything else is being kept extremely hush-hush right now.

Jordan Peele is again on writing and directing duties here, following nabbing an Oscar for his stunning debut, the aforementioned Get Out.

At present, Us is set for a March 15th, 2019 release.

Full Title of AHS’ Upcoming Crossover Season Revealed

American Horror Story: Apocalypse

With American Horror Story’s upcoming eighth season set to having Murder House and Coven collide, we’ve finally found out the title of this huge crossover season.

FX has let us know that this new season will officially be titled American Horror Story: Apocalypse. Cue ominous music, ala The Omen… or Only Fools & Horses.

American Horror Story: Apocalypse

As mentioned, this new season will bring together the genre fave’s first and third seasons, and already confirmed for the cast are Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Kathy Bates, Cheyenne Jackson, Billy Eichner, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Adina Porter, Kyle Allen, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, and none other than Joan Collins. AHS vets Taissa Farmiga and Emma Roberts have both been teased for returns, although neither’s return has been confirmed at this stage.

Expect more on American Horror Story: Apocalypse as it continues to develop.

Out Now – ISSUE 451

451 NS

STARBURST takes a trip down memory lane to revisit the dark time of the VIDEO NASTIES, when horror films were thrown in the dock and cut to ribbons plus the seminal TV show THE OUTER LIMITS comes under our spotlight.

We also preview the upcoming releases THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS and CHRISTOPHER ROBIN, two polar opposite fuzzy pictures, we’re sure you’ll agree!

Elsewhere, Marvel’s BLADE is twenty years old, which is a good enough reason to celebrate the film that arguably started the MCU’s dominance at the cinema. Another birthday is Manchester’s FAB CAFÉ, and the owner (who happens to also be our illustrious Editor) JORDAN ROYCE reveals all about the institution of geek nightlife came about.

If that’s not enough, we have exclusive interviews with poster artist extraordinaire GRAHAM HUMPHREYS, directors JOE LYNCH (MAYHEM) and ABEL FERRARA (THE ADDICTION), the crew behind ANOTHER WOLFCOP, and DAVID GILBANK takes us through his upcoming film POLTERHEIST.

In our regular features, we take a look WAKE IN FEAR, heading to HORROR CHANNEL, and Independents Day talks to AUSTIN SNELL, the director of the EXPOSURE.

Plus all your favourite COLUMNS, NEWS, REVIEWS and much MORE from the worlds of SCI-FI, HORROR and FANTASY!

Live-Action STARGIRL Series in Development for DC Universe

Stargirl

Fresh off that stunning first trailer for the streaming service’s Titans show, now comes word that a Stargirl series is in development for DC Universe.

DC Universe, of course, is the upcoming new on-demand service that will offer exclusive DC Comics-driven content. As well as the live-action Teen Titans series Titans, the currently-announced brand new content includes the live-action duo of Doom Patrol and Swamp Thing, plus animated efforts Young Justice: Outsiders and the swanky Harley Quinn. And now, Geoff Johns has announced Stargirl.

Stargirl

The longtime JSA member will take centre-stage in her own live-action show that will see her “on a mission to bring back the legacy of the Justice Society.” Johns revealed that news during a spotlight panel at the ongoing San Diego Comic Con, and he’ll be writing and producing the series through his Mad Ghost Productions banners. Greg Berlanti and Berlanti Productions will also be involved.

As a character, Courtney Whitmore was created by Johns and Lee Moder back in 1999. There, she was the second person to take on the moniker of the Star-Spangled Kid. By 2003, she would take on the mantle of Stargirl after Jack Knight gifted her with the Cosmic Staff. In terms of powers, Stargirl ticks plentiful standard superhero boxes – super strong, super quick, super agile, enhanced stamina – but it’s the swanky Cosmic Staff that makes her stand out a little, with that offering her the ability of flight, energy manipulation, and a few other nifty skills.

For those in the United States, DC Universe will debut later this year for a yearly membership cost of $74.99 or $7.99 per month. There’s yet to be any sort of launch date confirmed for those outside of the US, though – which is making our excitement and impatience increase in equal measure here at Moonbase Alpha!

Expect more on Stargirl and DC Universe as we get it.

Robert Kirkman Discusses Andrew Lincoln’s WALKING DEAD Exit

The Walking Dead Rick Grimes

One of the biggest shocks of the past few months was the news that Andrew Lincoln was to leave The Walking Dead, and now creator Robert Kirkman has addressed the topic.

Speaking at San Diego Comic Con (courtesy of Bloody-Disgusting), Kirkman confirmed that Lincoln is indeed leaving the show, explaining, “This is somebody that I’ve known for almost a decade, somebody that I love. He’s been sweating in Georgia away from his family for so long. He wants to do something special on the way out. We’ve got something amazing planned. Anybody who loves Rick Grimes, loves the world of The Walking Dead, you’re gonna want to see what we do.”

On how the departure of mainstay Lincoln will affect the show, Kirkman added, “It does make the differences between the comic and the show a little bit more pronounced.”

From what we’ve heard, it appears as if Andrew Lincoln will appear in just six episodes of the impending ninth season of this genre juggernaut. Similarly, Lauren Cohan will be departing the series alongside Lincoln. How Lincoln’s Rick and Cohan’s Maggie are written out of the action remains to be seen, but it sounds as if we can expect something major to play out. After all, these are two of the very biggest characters in The Walking Dead, with Rick the focus of the show from the get-go, while Maggie has been a key figure since popping up in Season 2.

As ever, expect more on all things The Walking Dead as we get it – and be sure to check back over the weekend for the hotly-anticipated full trailer for Season 9!

Zazie Beetz in Talks to Join Joaquin Phoenix in JOKER

Zazie Beetz

Right now, Zazie Beetz is one of the hottest names in Hollywood. Having wowed so many with her turns in Atlanta, the hugely talented actress saw her stock rise even further as she stole the show as Domino in Deadpool 2. And now, it looks as if she could be getting set to tackle another comic book-driven picture.

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, the Emmy-nommed Beetz is in talks to join Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Phillips’ Joker. The only early details known on the role she’s up for are that the character is “a single mother who catches the interest of the man who will become the Clown Prince of Crime.”

The early blurb on the effort reads:

Under the director of Todd Phillips (The Hangover franchise), the new film centres around the iconic arch nemesis and is a standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Phillips’ exploration of a man disregarded by society is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale.

Phillips has put the screenplay together along with The Fighter’s Scott Silver, and Martin Scorsese is involved in a producing capacity.

Joker is being developed away from the DC Extended Universe banner in which we have seen Jared Leto parading as the Clown Prince of Crime. Instead, Joker will be the first of a new banner of movie, believed to be labelled DC Black or DC Dark. Those pictures will exist away from the DCEU and tell more adult-orientated, darker tales.

Speaking of Leto, he is still very much the DCEU’s Joker, and that incarnation of the Jester of Genocide has several upcoming appearances scheduled. That Joker will similarly be getting his own solo film at some point, not to mention a twisted romance picture with Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, and a role in Gavin O’Connor’s Suicide Squad sequel. This, of course, coming off the back of Leto recently landing himself the titular role in Sony Pictures’ Spider-Verse effort, Morbius the Living Vampire.

Joaquin Phoenix? As the Joker? Yes, yes please. But still, we can’t help but get the idea that this reeks of desperation following the awful reaction to the DCEU as a whole. So how do you manage to fight your way out of this proverbial paper bag without losing face? Why, you simply give yourself a way to tell tales with some of DC Comics’ greatest characters away from the confines of the already-panned DCEU. And let’s just hope that they don’t go the “antihero” route with good ol’ Mr J, or that it’s deemed a good idea to fully flesh out his backstory. Y’know, what with the mystery and uncertainty behind his backstory being part of the demented charm of this most notorious of pop culture characters.

Expect more on Joker as it continues to develop. As of yesterday, the film has been booked in for an October 4th, 2019 release.