Alex Garland Developing New Sci-Fi Series for FX

Alex Garland

Alex Garland is one of the hottest names in the genre game these days, and the writer/director has now given an update on his next project.

Speaking to Fandango, Garland has revealed that he’s currently developing an eight-part sci-fi series for FX as part of his collaborative deal with the network. As he explained, “The next project, provided it happens, hopefully we’re gonna shoot it later this year, an eight-part television series for FX.”

Garland added, “It’s a sort of science fiction, but it’s a much more technology-based sci-fi whereas Annihilation is a more technology-based sci-fi and more fantastical form of sci-fi. This is slightly more in common with projects I’ve worked on like Ex Machina or Never Let Me Go, which are taking something about our world now – not our world in the future, but our world as it is right now – and then drawing sort of inferences and conclusions from it.”

Having written the likes of 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Never Let Me Go and Dredd, Garland finally made his feature-film directing debut with 2015’s mesmerising Ex Machina. As alluded to in his comments, imminently arriving is Annihilation, his second stint in the director’s chair.

Starring the likes of Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, Tessa Thompson and Jennifer Jason Leigh, the official word on Annihilation reads:

A group of soldiers enters an environmental disaster zone and only one soldier comes back out alive, though he is grievously injured. In an attempt to save his life, his wife Lena, a biologist, volunteers for another expedition into the zone to figure out what happened to him.

Annihilation is currently set for a February 23rd cinema release in the US, with the picture heading straight to Netflix in plenty of other international markets – and the early reviews already have it pegged as an absolute belter, with some labelling it as a masterpiece and a bona fide sci-fi classic.

Back to the aforementioned new sci-fi series, the current plan for this to-be-titled effort is for Garland to direct each of the eight episodes, with all of the episodes actually already written.

As ever, expect more on all of this as we get it.

First Look at New SABRINA’s Salem

Salem Sabrina

With Netflix’s new take on Sabrina the Teenage Witch having now begun to assemble its cast, the series has given us our first look at Salem!

Salem, of course, is the talking pet cat of the titular teenage witch, and showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa took to Twitter to give fans a first look at the moggy, seemingly confirming that we’ll be getting a very much real and alive cat alongside Sabrina.

Previously, Man Men’s Kiernan Shipka has been brought in to play Sabrina, and Paper Towns’ Jaz Sinclair will play her best pal Rosalind.

Based on Archie Comics’ The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, the new series has yet to officially be given a title at this stage, although we do know that it will be made up of hour-long episodes.

The early blurb on the to-be-titled project reads:

Tonally in the vein of Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist, this adaptation finds Sabrina wrestling to reconcile her dual nature – half-witch, half-mortal – while standing against the evil forces that threaten her, her family and the daylight world humans inhabit.

We’ll bring you more on this new Sabrina effort as it continues to develop.

CHILD’S PLAY TV Series in Development

Child's Play

Well, well, well. It was only earlier this week that Don Mancini had been talking up his ideas for the future of the Child’s Play franchise – including placing everyone’s favourite Good Guy doll in a World War II setting – and now comes word that Chucky is heading to the small screen.

Speaking to Bloody Disgusting, Mancini has revealed that he and longtime franchise producer David Kirschner are developing a Child’s Play TV series. Explaining that this was all “deliberately set up at the end of the last movie”, Mancini said, “We want to use Child’s Play in the title. We want to definitely signal that we are going dark. Darker than ever before. It’s going to be very creepy.”

Additionally, Mancini confirmed that genre fave Brad Dourif will again be back to provide the voice of Chucky. For Kirschner’s part, he spoke to the outlet and revealed that this series will not be a reboot of the much-loved franchise, instead serving as a continuation of the established canon seen on the big screen. He then added, “I don’t think there’s a relationship that lasted this long. I’m incredibly excited about the series and to explore a world in which we’ve never done before. Don has taken the franchise in a wonderfully frightening direction. He seems to outdo himself every time.”

Wanna play? You bet we do!

Expect more on all things Child’s Play as we get it.

Cast Announced for 40th Anniversary Tour of Jeff Wayne’s WAR OF THE WORLDS

war worlds

The cast of the upcoming 40th Anniversary tour of Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds has been announced.

From the press release:
Nearly 40 years on, based on HG Wells’ dark Victorian tale, Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds remains a firm favourite to millions around the world.

The show will again feature a stellar cast with Jeff Wayne returning to the podium to conduct the 9-piece Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings, while Liam Neeson retains his role in 3D holography as The Journalist.

Star of stage and screen Jason Donovan returns to the role of Parson Nathaniel alongside West End actress Carrie Hope Fletcher as Beth, his wife. Actor and theatre star Adam Garcia will debut as The Artilleryman, British singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner will perform The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist, Inglorious front man Nathan James will play The Voice of Humanity, with Anna-Marie Wayne reprising her role as Carrie, The Journalist’s Fiancée.

Jason Donovan commented;
“I am delighted to be re-joining the cast for this very special 40th Anniversary Tour. ‘The War of The Worlds’ has such enduring appeal and its fan base seems to grow and grow. With each tour, the scale, the drama and the special effects get more and more exciting, so I can’t wait to see what Jeff has planned for this spectacular celebration!

Carrie Hope Fletcher added;
“I’m absolutely delighted and honoured to be reprising my role as ‘Beth, Parson’s Nathaniel’s Wife’, alongside Jason Donovan, especially for this momentous 40th Anniversary year! Having grown up listening to the album, ‘The War of The Worlds’ holds a personal significance, and with the new ingredients, I can’t wait to see how this new production has evolved!”

Newton Faulkner said;
“I grew up listening to ‘The War of The Worlds’ and I’m playing The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist, alongside Liam Neeson and, as if that wasn’t enough, Jeff Wayne asked me really nicely. Also, it’s got giant Martian Fighting Machines in it! An actual MFM that shoots real flames out of its giant face! I’m very excited. 

Adam Garcia commented;
“I have been waiting to be a part of TWOTW live since it first began in this arena format. Finally I get to be on stage – inside the ‘The War of The Worlds’. I’m terribly excited.”

Nathan James said;
“I am beyond excited to be part of the 40th anniversary production of The War of The worlds. I can’t wait to stand on stage in these incredible venues and perform this wonderful music alongside such a hugely talented cast. I’m so thankful that Jeff has picked me to sing ‘Thunder Child’ – a song I have loved since I was a kid. I remember hearing those opening chords for the first time and to get to hear them from backstage is going to be a really surreal moment every night. This is a proper dream job.”

Anna-Marie Wayne said:
“The War of The Worlds is obviously very near and dear to my heart and I am so excited to be reprising the role of Carrie again for the 40th anniversary Tour! I can’t wait for everyone to see how the character has developed since the last tour – lots of new and exciting things!”

In 2018 TWOTW will “break through the fourth wall”.

war worlds

Built around a huge arched bridge running through the centre of the arena brings the action closer to the audience for a most captivating and immersive experience.

This production, mixed live in Surround Sound, will once again feature:

  • The iconic 3-tonne, 35-foot tall Martian Fighting Machine firing real flame Heat Rays at the audience.
  • A 100-foot wide ‘Animation Wall’ with 2 hours of cutting edge CGI.
  • A ground-breaking levitation effect.
  • The incineration of a cast member in full view of the audience.
  • Leaf drops over the audience.

…and much, much more!
Jeff Wayne said: “In June 1978 when my original double album was released. I had no idea if it would vanish as quickly as one can say… “ULLAdubULLA!”  

But here we are today, celebrating its 40th Anniversary and seeing the newly re-mastered original double album sitting on top of the UK vinyl album charts.

And later this year I believe we’ll be performing the most exciting arena tour to date, with a most exciting cast, all of us getting ready to do battle with the Martians later this year.
No one would have believed…”

To start the year off, Sony Music reissued the original 1978 double 12” vinyl album which is currently number 1 in the vinyl chart.

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Don Mancini Updates on the Future of the CHILD’S PLAY Series

Cult of Chucky

Having been reinvigorated with 2013’s Curse of Chucky, everyone’s favourite Good Guy doll returned to action in last year’s impressive Cult of Chucky. And now, creator Don Mancini has been discussing what could lie ahead for Chucky.

Speaking to Portal 13, Mancini – who wrote every outing to date for the Child’s Play series in addition to having directed the past three movies – explained, “I’ve been doing it for 30 years now, so I have files of different ideas and notions, and scenes, and set pieces, and characters, and situations. It’s a constantly evolving thing. I want to be ready. Cult isn’t, I don’t think, the last we’ll see of Chucky. But again, it’s always important to me and David [Kershner – longtime franchise producer] to find a way to reinvent it and keep it fresh. Obviously, I can’t say too much, but we’re already thinking ahead, definitely.”

Mancini then went on to add, “I do spend my nights thinking about, ‘Gosh, what would happen if Tiffany met Andy Barclay? The two disparate characters from different, far-flung parts of the franchise, what if they collide?’ I think about these things. I’m a fan as well. I guess it sounds silly or self-serving to say, ‘I’m a fan of my own franchise,’ but I am. I love it. I’m a fan of other franchises, too, and I think when you’re a fan that’s one of the things you do is you just muse on the characters and ‘what if in this situation…?’ and ‘what if they met this character?’ One of the reasons we’ve been able to go for this long is because we legitimately care about it. It’s not just a paycheque gig for us. This is our baby.”

Interestingly, the beloved Mancini then went one further and gave a little detail on one particular idea he has for Chucky’s next outing. “I would love to do a World War II era Chucky movie,” he enthused, “I think that would be awesome. You know how in Raiders of the Lost Ark they say, ‘Hitler’s obsessed with the occult’? That’s the window in. It would be legitimately interesting to see Chucky in the milieu with the iconography and the archetypes of the World War II movie. He could be great.”

As ever, expect more on the future of the Child’s Play franchise as we get it.

David S. Goyer Won’t Direct MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Remember how David S. Goyer was the most recent name in the frame to direct Sony Pictures’ long-gestating Masters of the Universe reboot? Well, it looks as if you can now rule him out of the gig.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Goyer has now decided against directing the picture. Previously, he’d been in talks to take over the director’s chair following the departures of both Jon M. Chu and McG. Goyer will still serve as writer and executive producer on the big-screen return to Eternia, though.

The main reason for Goyer’s decision to not direct the film seems to be due to scheduling issues based around Syfy’s upcoming Krypton and his planned miniseries adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy.

The early blurb on this new Masters of the Universe reads:

Masters of the Universe is based on the Mattel toy line character He-Man, which led to an animated series that ran from 1983 – 1985. Masters of the Universe follows Prince Adam, who has the ability to transform into a warrior called He-Man. As He-Man, Adam becomes the last hope for a magical land called Eternia, ravaged by technology and the evil Skeletor.

At present, Sony has Masters of the Universe pegged for a December 18th, 2019 release.

Michael Bay in Talks to Direct LOBO

Lobo

While many genre fans have been hugely excited by the regular talk of a Lobo movie finally happening, we’ve got some news that will likely temper your excitement. All we’re saying is, don’t shoot the messenger.

As per The Wrap, it’s believed that Warner Brothers are eying Michael Bay to direct the film. Yes, the one and the same Bay who’s famed for big explosions, fast cars, and overly-gratuitous shots of Megan Fox’s backside. This latest news claims that Bay has actually already met with the powers that be to discuss the Lobo project, going as far as to offer his thoughts on what direction screenwriter Jason Fuchs should go in with the film’s latest draft. The hope from The WB and DC Entertainment is that Bay will sign on the dotted line to direct the picture.

Following the success of Deadpool over at 20th Century Fox, Warners see a Lobo-driven effort as being their equivalent to the well-received big-screen outing for the Merc with a Mouth. Sure, you can certainly see the similarities; similarities that have often been drawn in the comic book realm due to both characters being fourth wall-breaking anti-heroes who love a bit of the ol’ ultra-violence.

For those unfamiliar with the Lobo character, he began life back in 1984 as a creation of Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen. An intergalactic Czarnian bounty hunter who rides through the stars on his badass motorcycle, Lobo has battled and bested some of the most powerful superheroes in DC’s roster, including Superman, Green Lantern, and the Martian Manhunter.

As ever, expect more on this long-gestating Lobo effort as it continues to develop. Hopefully, if we’re being perfectly honest, without Michael Bay taking residence in the director’s chair.

Joaquin Phoenix to Play the Joker?

Joaquin Phoenix Joker

Well, this is a potentially brilliant piece of casting if it does indeed come off. Yes, as the headline suggests, Joaquin Phoenix is being lined up to play the Joker.

As per Variety, the Her and Walk the Line star has reportedly already agreed to play the Clown Prince of Crime in the upcoming Joker movie from Martin Scorsese and Todd Phillips. Phillips – best known for The Hangover – is directing the film, with Scorsese serving as a producer for a film that’s already being pegged as an ’80s-set crime thriller similar in tone to Scorsese’s famed Taxi Driver.

This latest report claims that both Phoenix and Phillips are keen on this coming to be, but that official negotiations have yet to actually commence with Warner Brothers. Previously, Leonardo Di Caprio DiCaprio was the early frontrunner for the gig, but Phoenix is seemingly now the name in the frame.

Interestingly, Joaquin Phoenix has turned down several comic book roles over the years, turning down the role of the Hulk in Avengers Assemble, saying ‘no’ to taking the titular role in Doctor Strange, and additionally declining the Lex Luthor role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

This currently-untitled Joker-driven effort will stand separately to the current canon of the DC Extended Universe and to the opinion-splitting Jester of Genocide played by Jared Leto. Todd Phillips is currently working on the script with 8 Mile’s Scott Silver.

As ever, expect more on all of this as we get it.

Bryan Fuller Departs AMAZING STORIES Reboot

Amazing Stories

With an Amazing Stories reboot having been in development since last year, the new take on an old favourite has suffered a blow by Bryan Fuller departing the project.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Fuller has left the series over creative differences. Previously, he was on board as showrunner and executive producer, not to mention being part of an impressive writing room that also included Jane Goldman, Patton Oswalt, Emily Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani. THR goes on to add that Fuller’s departure was an amicable one, and it was due to him wanting a more Black Mirror-esque affair in comparison to Apple – who are now handling the reboot – wanting a more family-friendly series.

Initially created by Steven Spielberg and debuting back in 1985, Amazing Stories was an anthology series that was overflowing with elements of sci-fi, fantasy and horror – much like our very own fine publication. During its run, Amazing Stories saw director guest spots for huge names such as Martin Scorsese, Tobe Hooper, Joe Dante, Tom Holland, and, of course, Spielberg himself.

Expect more on this new take on Amazing Stories as it continues to develop.

Premiere Date Revealed for LEGION’s Second Season

Legion Season 2

One of the most impressive genre shows of recent years was hands-down Legion. Having debuted its first season early last year, FX has now moved to confirm when Season 2 will premiere.

In the swanky new poster – as shown opposite these very words – Legion will make its second season bow on April 3rd in the US. For UK fans, it appears that the show will make its Season 2 return to FOX on April 17th.

The early blurb on Legion’s new season reads:

With David and Oliver missing and Farouk on the loose, the team forms an unlikely alliance with their former enemy Clark and his well-funded government organisation, Division III. Meanwhile, Amahl Farouk is on a new path to attaining infinite and world-ending power.

As ever, expect more on Legion’s second year as it continues to develop.