Disney Developing THE ROCKETEER Animated Series

The Rocketeer

Here at Moonbase Alpha, we’re huge fans of Joe Johnston’s The Rocketeer, and so we’re massively intrigued by the news that Disney Junior is starting work on an animated Rocketeer series.

The House of Mouse has officially confirmed the show, with the current plan being for the series to premiere in 2019. The last we’d heard on anything to do with The Rocketeer was back in mid-2016, with a new movie planned at that point. Titled The Rocketeers, that effort was to focus on a fresh set of characters as a young African-American female pilot took on the Rocketeer mantle. All has been extremely quiet on that film since those first rumblings nearly two years ago, so it remains to be seen whether there are still tentative plans in place for that sequel to still happen.

Switching our attention bac to this new animated series, the early official blurb reads:

Inspired by Dave Stevens’ popular comic book series, The Rocketeer follows Kit, a young girl who receives a surprise package on her birthday revealing she’s next in line to become the Rocketeer, a legendary superhero who has the ability to fly with the help of a rocket-powered jet pack. Armed with her cool new gear and secret identity, Kit is ready to take flight and save the day with her gadget-minded best friend, Tesh, and airplane mechanic uncle, Ambrose, who join her on her epic adventures.

On this news, Disney’s Joe D’Ambrosia enthused, “We are very excited to introduce The Rocketeer to our young Disney Junior audience. The vast storytelling found in the original comic books provides the perfect opportunity to create an exciting new adventure series told from a young girl superhero perspective that the whole family can enjoy together.”

The Rocketeer character was created back in 1982 by the aforementioned Dave Stevens, with Rocketeer published by Pacific Comics. The story follows 1938 stunt pilot Cliff Secord as he comes into possession of a jetpack that allows him to head to the skies as he fights the good fight and battles the bad guys. Joe Johnston famously brought the character to live in 1991 with The Rocketeer, starring Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connolly, Alan Arkin and Timothy Dalton.

Expect more on The Rocketeer as we get it.

Another EVIL DEAD Movie is Still a Possibility

Ash vs Evil Dead

With Ashley J. Williams and those nefarious Deadites having been thrust back into the spotlight with Starz’s brilliant Ash vs. Evil Dead series, star Bruce Campbell isn’t ruling out a return to the big screen for Ash.

Of course, a fourth Evil Dead picture – Fede Alvarez’s reboot notwithstanding – has been mooted for decades now, with the last cinematic outing for Ash being 1992’s Army of Darkness. That means for 25 years or so, we’ve heard rumblings of Evil Dead 4 happening. Even after that redo, there was talk that there could be a crossover of sorts between the original franchise and Alvarez’s remake, with Ash potentially teaming up with Jane Levy’s Mia. In fact, there’s even a post-credits scene for the Evil Dead remake that sees Campbell’s Ash rock up to tease just such a happening.

Ash vs. Evil Dead has just started its third season over in the US, and it remains to be seen whether this will be the final season of the show. If Starz does indeed decide to cancel the show once Season 3 is in the books, that could well lead to a silver screen return for the franchise.

Speaking to EW, Campbell discussed what could happen should Ash vs. Evil Dead get canned. “We won’t know till the middle of March,” he explained. “We’re in the horrible television limbo right now. If they take us off the air, we can think about another movie. And if they don’t, we can just keep plugging away.”

It seems that regardless of what happens to Ash vs. Evil Dead, we’re going to keep on getting plenty more Evil Dead action in some form – and that is most certainly groovy by us.

As ever, expect more on all things Evil Dead as we get it.

SILVER SURFER Movie in Development

Silver Surfer

The Silver Surfer is one of the coolest characters in comics, right? So, when he joined Marvel’s First Family in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, many were a little disappointed with how the Sky-Rider of the Spaceways was handled. Well now, it looks as if Norrin Radd is heading back to the silver screen.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, despite the recent purchase of 20th Century Fox by Disney, Fox is still moving ahead with several Marvel movies. And another outing for the Silver Surfer appears to be one of said movies.

Very little detail is known about this picture just yet, just the encouraging news that Eisner Award winning Brian K. Vaughan is on board to pen the screenplay. The film is also being pegged as a standalone effort.

In addition to this, as previously reported, Fargo’s Noah Hawley is working on a Doctor Doom film, Brian Michael Bendis is working on a Kitty Pryde picture, James Franco is set to star in a Multiple Man movie, Drew Goddard is working on Deadpool spin-off X-Force, Channing Tatum’s Gambit is still happening despite countless delays, and then there are plans for even more X-Men-based efforts right through until 2020 and beyond.

Before all of these ‘in development’ films, up next is the return of Ryan Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth in Deadpool 2 this May. After that, X-Men: Dark Phoenix will hit the big screen in November of this year, and The New Mutants has now quietly been pushed back to February 2019 due to additional photography work.

As ever, expect more on the Silver Surfer – and all things Marvel/Fox – as we get it.

Filmmaker Tom Paton to Attend STARBURST Media City Festival

tom paton

Writer-director-editor Tom Paton will be attending the STARBURST Media City Festival with his film Redwood on Friday, March 16th.

We’re delighted to reveal that Tom will also be screening exclusive extracts from his upcoming film Black Site too. You can read more about that film in the next issue of STARBURST (available from March 15th).

Redwood gained rave reviews during its festival run last year and will be hitting DVD on March 26th.

The STARBURST Media City Festival takes place at The Landing at MediaCityUK on March 16th and 17th. We have a great line-up of films – both classics and brand new independent features and shorts – as well as special guests Andrew Lee Potts and Jörg Buttgereit. Head over to the festival website to find out more. Tickets for the festival are free, but we sold out ages ago! You can register for any returns at Eventbrite.

Could Mark Hamill Feature in GUARDIANS VOL. 3?

Mark Hamill

A long time ago in a Guardians of the Galaxy far, far away…

Could Mark Hamill be heading to the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Possibly.

With Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn asked on Twitter whether he could find a role for Hamill in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Gunn seemed more than keen to get the iconic actor on board for the final part of his Guardians trilogy. Even better, Hamill himself seems equally as keen to work something out.

This all concluded with Hamill asking Gunn to direct message him if serious, and the pair both following each other – which, of course, enables DMs aplenty to begin flowing.

Whether anything comes of this, we’ll have to wait and see. All that we know about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 so far is that the film will arrive at some point in 2020. Also, Gunn has previously said how this will be the last outing for the current incarnation of the Guardians team. While he’s not ruled out any further movies for the Guardians, he’s explained how he’ll only be returning for this third picture and that any subsequent films will likely see a change of line-up for the ragtag bunch.

Up next for Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot is joining up with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to battle Thanos in this May’s Avengers: Infinity War.

THE PURGE TV Series to Focus on a Cult

The Purge

With a Purge TV series in development as well as a fourth movie hitting screens later this year, we’ve now got some new details on said TV show.

As per Deadline, the small screen effort – seemingly just titled The Purge – will largely focus on a Purge-worshipping cult. Franchise creator James DeMonaco is overseeing the series, with the show lined up to premiere around the same time that the fourth movie hits the silver screen.

In terms of cast, War for the Planet of the Apes’ Gabriel Chavarria and Six’s Jessica Garza have been brought in to lead the charge. Chavarria is playing Miguel, a US Marine who receives a cryptic letter from his sister Penelope, played by Garza. With Penelope having pledged herself to be sacrificed as part of the annual Purge Night, Miguel returns to his home town to tackle the terrors that lie in wait on this most sinister of evenings.

Meanwhile, the latest cinematic offering – The First Purge – is booked in for a July 4th release.

Emma Stone Turns Down Cheetah Role in WONDER WOMAN 2

Cheetah Wonder Woman

With Wonder Woman 2 one of the few DCEU movies with a set release date, the sequel is now eyeing up its ‘big bad’.

As per That Hashtag Show, not only does the follow-up know which villain it wants going up against Gal Gadot’s Amazon, but the sequel has also put out the feelers towards a particular actress. With Cheetah identified as being the main villain of Wonder Woman 2, Warner Brothers has reportedly reached out to Emma Stone with an offer to play this longtime foe of Diana’s.

The report goes on to say that Oscar winner Stone – who has previous with the superhero genre for her turns as Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel – has actually turned down the offer. Undeterred, Warners is now looking at other A-list talent to take on the role.

For those not familiar with Cheetah, the first incarnation of the characters debuted back in 1943’s Wonder Woman #6. The version of the rogue who is expected to appear in Wonder Woman 2 is the Barbara Minerva one. 1987’s Wonder Woman Vol. 2 #7 was when Minerva made her bow. A British archaeologist, she is gifted the powers of a cheetah by Urzkartaga – basically, a bizarre kind of plant god. With 2011’s ill-fated New 52 refresh of the DC Comics realm, Minerva was reimagined as a contemporary of Wonder Woman’s at times. This time possessed by the Goddess of Hunt, that’s how she becomes the supervillain Cheetah. Of course, DC wasn’t happy with just one do-over, and The New 52 was scrapped in favour of DC Rebirth in 2016. In that rehashed continuity, Cheetah is again given a fresh lick of paint. A well-travelled archaeologist, her fascination with the Amazons would see her become close friends with Diana and would even help her to learn English. Urzkartaga would again come in to play, this time actually marrying Barbara – and from there, she would become Cheetah and blame Diana for this whole transformation.

In addition to Gadot obviously returning for Wonder Woman 2, the film will also features Ewen Bremner’s Charlie, Said Taghmaoiu’s Sameer, and Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor. Just how Trevor returns to action, we’ll have to wait and see. In terms of timeline, the latest news is that the sequel will take place in the 1980s and see Diana and Co. take on the Soviet Union.

At present, Wonder Woman 2 – which will again have Patty Jenkins on directing duties – is set for a November 1st, 2019 release.

Matt Reeves to Develop LIFE SENTENCE for Netflix

Matt Reeves

At present, Matt Reeves is developing The Batman as part of Warner Brothers’ DC Extended Universe. And now, we have word on another new project for Reeves.

As reported by Tracking Board, Netflix are close to agreeing a deal to adapt Matthew Baker’s Life Sentence – and the on-demand streaming service have Reeves attached to produce the film. In addition to The Batman, Reeves is also best known to genre fans for directing Cloverfield, Let Me In, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and War for the Planet of the Apes.

The official word on the Life Sentence short reads:

Life Sentence follows a criminal who decides to enrol in a futuristic program that erases his memories rather than go to jail, forcing him to reconcile his past actions and relationships.

Previously, Apple was in negotiations to adapt Life Sentence as a full TV series, but Netflix has won that race and will instead turn the short in to a full feature.

Gemma Chan Joins CAPTAIN MARVEL

Gemma Chan

With Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel getting set to make her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in May’s Avengers: Infinity War, the solo movie for Carol Danvers has moved to bring in a new addition.

As per Deadline, Captain Marvel has added Gemma Chan to its ranks. Chan is likely best known for the likes of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Transformers: The Last Knight, and she’ll be playing the role of Kree spy and geneticist, Minn-Erva.

Minn-Erva Doctor Minerva

That alien character actually also takes on the human persona of Doctor Minerva. In terms of powers and abilities, Minn-Erva is similar to Captain Marvel. For the most part, this is someone who has largely found themselves battling the two main incarnations of Captain Marvel over the years.

In terms of on the big screen, Gemma Chan’s Minn-Erva will be seen alongside Larson’s Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Jude Law as Mar-Vell, aka the original Captain Marvel, and then roles for DeWanda Wise and Ben Mendelsohn. The film will actually take place in the ‘90s, meaning that Jackson’s Fury will have two eyes.

To be directed by Mississippi Grind’s Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Captain Marvel is set for a March 2019 release. Before that, of course, Avengers: Infinity War will be heading to the big screen from May 3rd.

THE PUNISHER Brings in Three New Additions

Marvel's The Punisher

With us all eagerly anticipating the second season of Marvel’s The Punisher, the show has moved to bring in three new additions ahead of the return for Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle.

As per Marvel Entertainment, Shooter’s Josh Stewart, Supergirl’s Floriana Lima, and Scream’s Giorgia Whigham have been brought in to join Bernthal’s Punisher.

Stewart will be playing John Pilgrim, who the official description has pegged as “a man whose calm exterior belies a ruthless terror. Despite having left behind a life of violence, circumstances will force him to use his old skills and bring him into Frank Castle’s world.” Where Lima and Whigham are concerned, they’ll be playing military veteran psychotherapist Krista Dumont and the mysterious, street-smart Amy Bendix, respectively.

On these new additions, showrunner Steve Lightfoot enthused, “We are incredibly excited to have Josh, Floriana and Giorgia joining the cast of Marvel’s The Punisher and seeing them bring their talents to the next chapter in the Frank Castle story.”

Marvel Television’s Jeph Loeb added, “Josh, Floriana and Giorgia are all remarkable talents and we can’t wait for the audience to see what we have in store for them in the second season of Marvel’s The Punisher.”

In addition to joining Bernthal in The Punisher, this trio will also be joining the returning Ben Barnes as Billy Russo, Amber Rose Revah as Dinah Madani, and Jason R. Moore as Curtis Hoyle.

Expect more on Season 2 of Marvel’s The Punisher as it continues to develop.