GREEN LANTERN CORPS “Still in the Works”

Green Lantern Corps

While there has recently been plenty of rejigs and reshuffling behind the scenes with Warner Brothers’ DC Extended Universe, it’s now been confirmed that, despite some uncertainty, Green Lantern Corps is still happening.

Speaking at the recent TCA Event (as per IGN), screenwriter David Goyer revealed that it’s still full steam ahead for the cinematic gathering of the Emerald Knights and that the movie “is still in the works” at the WB.

When pushed on when we can expect a more solid update on the picture, he then added, “I don’t know. Who knows, especially with what’s currently going on with the DC Universe? There’s obviously a whole recalibration happening with that right now.”

That ‘whole recalibration’, of course, recently saw Jon Berg moved out of his DC Films role and New Line’s Walter Hamada instead handed the gig. Berg had been working alongside the iconic Geoff Johns to oversee the DC Extended Universe, but the poor reception to last year’s Justice League was the straw that broke the camel’s back – thus resulting in Berg being removed from any and all things DC.

Goyer has been working with Contract Killers’ Justin Rhodes on the Green Lantern Corps screenplay, with the early word on the film having it pegged as a buddy cop sort of affair largely centred around fan favourite Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart.

In the aftermath of Justice League, it looks as if Warner Brothers is seriously considering a substantial shake-up to their DCEU efforts, with questions remaining over just which of their already-announced movies will ever see the light of day. Currently, the studio has a December 2018 release date for Aquaman, an April 2019 release booked in for Shazam!, and a November 2019 release set for Wonder Woman 2. Other than that, there are plans for Flashpoint, Gotham City Sirens, Suicide Squad 2, The Batman, Batgirl, Nightwing, Cyborg, Black Adam, Justice League Dark, and then rumours of films for Lobo, Deathstroke, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, the Birds of Prey, a Harley Quinn and Joker picture, and also a Man of Steel sequel. Throw in the aforementioned Green Lantern Corps and you’ve got quite the busy schedule for Warner Brothers and their DC Films division. As alluded to, whether all of these ever make it to the big screen remains to be seen.

Next Month’s SCI-FI BALL to be Even Bigger!

Sci-Fi Ball 2018

As the 24th edition of the Sci-Fi Ball edges ever closer, it’s been announced that this year’s event will be even bigger than ever!

With several new activities and zones being added for next month’s event, you can find the full details in the below press release:

The Sci-Fi Ball has had to add additional activities and zones to their 24th annual convention due to popularity, which takes place over three days from 2 – 4 February 2018 at the stunning four-star Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton to raise vital funds to help the extraordinary work of the Teenage Cancer Trust and regularly attracts over a thousand attendees each year.

The first addition are two large, bespoke and heated exhibition and dealers marquees on the grounds of the Grand Harbour Hotel, which will also house a new stage solely dedicated to a ‘Grand Sci-Fi Ball Cosplay Competition’ and offering photographs and prizes for the best dressed cos-players. The new areas will also house table-top gaming and the Victorian Steampunk Society, who return with their premier display of Steampunked Marvel superhero masks and epic tea-duelling matches.

Further opportunities for attendees to have their photographs taken on fan-built sets inspired by Doctor Who and Star Trek, a large selection of traders specialising in cult entertainment merchandise and many exhibits that will thrill even the most hardened Science Fiction fan.

This year sees new partnerships forged with the Game Over Video Game Café in Portsmouth who will be providing the opportunity for all attendees to play authentic retro arcade and all-in-one games and the Southern Lego Train Club who will be exhibiting a wide variety of their Sci-Fi Lego creations.

The not-for-profit convention brings together fans of Science Fiction and Fantasy to ensure they have a truly out of this world weekend. It offers parties, special guest panels, fan-built and actual props and sets, autograph and photography sessions with the stars, roaming Daleks, a packed exhibition and dealers room, cosplay and fancy dress competitions, a Sci-Fi pub quiz, karaoke and activities for the whole family. Special ticket holders can even enjoy a three-course black-tie dining experience including cabaret and an exclusive cocktail party with the stars of the small and silver screen and live steel-pan music from Dr. aRt.

Special guests include Terry Farrell (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Red Dwarf (US) & Becker) Gary Graham (Star Trek: Voyager, Alien Nation), Vic Mignogna (Star Trek: Continues and Anime shows RWBY and Full Metal Alchemist), Chris Doohan (Star Trek: Into Darkness, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek: Continues and son of James Doohan aka “Scotty” from Star Trek), Robert Rankin (Author of The Antipope, The Lord of the Ring Roads and many other best selling far-fetched fiction), Richard Williams (Concept Artist for Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood) with many more guests and exhibits soon to be announced.

Director of the Sci-Fi Ball, Anne Lindup comments:

“The Sci-Fi Ball has endured for 24 years because we provide memorable and intimate encounters with the stars of Science Fiction with entertainment and activities that the whole family relish. Over two decades we have built a weird and wonderful family, which has inevitably grown and we feel it’s better to grow by offering more for our attendees rather than becoming yet another comic-con or signing show.”

This February sees the Sci-Fi Ball celebrate twenty-four years of raising money for charitable causes bringing their total donations to the Teenage Cancer Trust to over £41,000. It is sponsored by The Horror Channel, Starburst Magazine – The World’s Longest Running Magazine of Cult Entertainment, Bees Marquees, Game Over Café and White Light.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.sfball.com.

Mark Hamill and Ron Perlman Join TRANSFORMERS: PRIME WARS TRILOGY

Mark Hamill Ron Perlman

Well, this is some casting news that’s sure to put a smile on the face of many a genre fan out there. Yes, as the title suggests, both Mark Hamill and Ron Perlman are joining the animated Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy.

Hasbro and Machinima have announced the news ahead of the Transformers: Titans Return finale that’s due to air tonight. Hamill will actually debut in said finale, playing the character of Megatronus, aka the Fallen. The blurb on that character reads:

One of the Thirteen Original Primes, Megatronus was exiled from Cybertron after murdering one of the other Thirteen, Solus Prime, effectively becoming the first Decepticon. In the finale episode of Transformers: Titans Return, he stays true to his past in a deadly showdown with one of the show’s beloved heroes.

As for Perlman, he’ll debut in the third and final chapter of this trilogy, voicing Optimus Primal when the series returns later in 2018. In addition to Perlman and Hamill, that third chapter will also feature the likes of Judd Nelson, Wil Wheaton, Jaime King and WWE badass Samoa Joe.

Showtime Still Developing Spielberg-Produced HALO Series

Halo

It seems like forever ago that Showtime announced plans to develop a Halo TV series, and all has been eerily quiet on the project for several years by this point. Now though, Showtime President and CEO David Nevins has reiterated that there are still plans afoot for a small-screen adaptation of the much-loved video game franchise.

Speaking at the recent TCA event (as per TV Guide), Nevins confirmed that Halo is still an active project for Showtime and that, yes, Steven Spielberg is still attached to produce the series.

Showtime’s Gary Levine added that Halo “is absolutely still in development, still moving forward and I’m encouraged by what we’ve seen so far. It’s still live-action, and it will definitely satisfy the fans of Halo and I think also satisfy the drama audiences of Showtime.”

As a video game series, Halo began life back in 2001. With the focus on enhanced super soldier Master Chief, players played through an all-out war between mankind’s last survivors and an alien armada known as the Covenant. To date, the main Halo franchise has had five outings, not to mention the plentiful spin-offs in a whole array of different mediums.

When the Halo TV series develops further, who knows – but we’ll bring you more on all of this as and when we get it. Let’s just hope it’s not another four years for a further update this time!

Ewan McGregor Discusses a Potential Obi-Wan Movie

Ewan McGregor

With regular rumblings of Obi-Wan Kenobi getting another outing as part of Disney and Lucasfim’s upcoming Star Wars slate, Ewan McGregor himself has now once more been asked on whether or not he may return to a galaxy far, far away at some point down the line.

Speaking at the Golden Globes – for which he nabbed the Best Actor in a Limited Series gong for Fargo – McGregor said (via THR), “There’s a lot of talk, and I’d be happy to play him again, but I don’t know anything more than you do. There’s a lot of it, but it’s just that. There is no plan. I love the new one. I saw it over Christmas. It was really, really beautiful”.

Of course, this isn’t anything new or ground-breaking, with the actor having previously said at several points that he’d be more than happy to return as the beloved Obi-Wan. One thing that has grabbed the attention of certain fans this time, however, is the nicely groomed beard that McGregor is currently sporting – a beard that, yes, is very Kenobi-ish, as shown in the accompanying image. In addition to that, McGregor has been hammering kenpo training with fitness favourite Tony Horton.

Given how Disney is expanding their Star Wars reach with their A Star Wars Story pictures, many have speculated that Obi-Wan Kenobi could be given his own movie. Right now, we know for sure that there are going to be at least three Star Wars Story efforts, with Rogue One and the Alden Ehrenreich-headlined Solo the first two of those. All is being kept under wraps on the third of those films, and there have been rumours that Kenobi, Yoda, or Boba Fett could be given some time in the spotlight in that third picture. In fact, the end of 2017 even saw a rumour surface claiming that an Obi-Wan effort was being planned to start filming in January 2019 ahead of a late 2020 release.

For now, we’ll just have to wait and see how things develop on the Kenobi front, but, as ever, expect more on all of this if and when it develops further.

Vin Diesel in Talks to Headline BLOODSHOT

Bloodshot Vin Diesel

With Sony Pictures planning to flesh-out a shared universe for Harbinger and Bloodshot, now comes an update on who may wind up playing the much-loved Bloodshot.

As per The Wrap, Vin Diesel is reportedly in talks to play the character. Previously, Jared Leto was believed to be the frontrunner for the gig, but now Diesel appears to be the main name in the frame. Diesel, of course, has comic book previous, having lent his vocals to Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy and its sequel.

For those not familiar with the Bloodshot character, he’s a comic book act created by Kevin Van Hook, Don Perlin and Bob Layton. A former soldier who was killed and brought back to life with a whole bunch of snazzy technological upgrades, he’s essentially the perfect soldier complete with a healing factor, the power to shapeshift, and the ability to interact with pretty much any and all piece of technology.

As alluded to, Sony picked up the cinematic rights to Valiant Entertainment’s Bloodshot and Harbinger characters, with the initial plan being to give each character two solo outings before bringing the pair together in a huge crossover event.

Dave Wilson is currently on board to direct Bloodshot, and Wilson is best known for his work at Deadpool director Tim Miller’s Blur Studios – such as directing the likes of Halo 2 and Mass Effect 2. Arrival’s Eric Heisserer is on screenwriting duties.

As ever, expect more on all things Bloodshot – and Harbinger, for that matter – as we get it.

MARVEL’S RUNAWAYS Renewed for a Second Season

Marvel's Runaways

With the season finale of Marvel’s Runaways set to air tonight on Hulu, it’s now been confirmed that the show has been given the A-OK for a second season.

Hulu revealed the news, with Marvel TV’s Jeph Loeb enthusing, “We’re thrilled about Runaways Season 2. Our partnership with Josh and Stephanie and Hulu has been as exciting as the reaction to the show from our fans – both new and old!”

Josh and Stephanie are executive producers and co-showrunners Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, with the pair themselves adding, “We’re so privileged that Marvel and Brian K. Vaughan trusted us with Runaways. We couldn’t be more excited to continue telling this story. It’s been a blast making the show with the cast and crew. We can’t wait to see where we can take the story in Season 2 and to stay on the run.”

The pair added, “The conversations with the fans have been gratifying. We hear and see you. We appreciate your passion and hearing how much the show means to you. Beware the possibility of a dinosaur on the streets of Los Angeles… and earthquakes.”

For those not familiar with Marvel’s Runaways, the synopsis for the show’s debut year reads:

Marvel’s Runaways is the story of six diverse teenagers who can barely stand each other but who must unite against a common foe – their parents!

The now-confirmed second season will be made up of thirteen episodes, although here in the UK we’re still waiting for the show to find a home. Here’s hoping that the series is picked up by one of the usual suspects sooner rather than later.

Kiernan Shipka to Headline Netflix’s SABRINA Series

Kiernan Shipka

We’ve known for a few months now that Netflix has a new Sabrina series in development. In fact, the reboot for this beloved genre character has already been given a two-season order by the on-demand streaming service. Well, now the series has finally announced who’ll be tackling its lead role.

As revealed by Netflix, Kiernan Shipka has been cast as the titular Sabrina Spellman for this new take on the beloved Archie Comics character. Shipka is likely best known for the likes of Mad Men and Feud: Bette and Joan; the latter in which she played the teenage daughter of Susan Sarandon’s Bette Davis.

The early character description for this incarnation of Sabrina has her listed as: “An empowered young woman, half-human, half-witch, Sabrina is just beginning her dark education as a sorceress, even as she tries to maintain a normal life as a sophomore at Baxter High. Intelligent, compassionate and brave to the point of recklessness, Sabrina is all that stands between us and the foces of darkness that threaten our world.”

Executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has already talked about this being “a darker, more macabre version of Sabrina” – not to mention early tonal comparisons to Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist – and it’s a show that’s certainly on the radar of many a genre fan as we look forward to what new shows 2018 will be dishing up.

As ever, expect more on Sabrina as it continues to develop.

New ELM STREET Documentary to Focus on Fans

fredheads

Fans of Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street can now get involved with a new crowdfunding campaign to produce the ultimate documentary about the franchise’s fans.

From the press release:

Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street is a global cultural phenomenon that has given eternal life to its legacy and its villain, Freddy Krueger. FredHeads is a documentary that shines a spotlight on the fervent fans within the Elm Street community.

FredHeads’ central theme analyzes how being a fan can change your life. The filmmakers have been travelling the country to speak with enthusiasts of all types: passionate fanatics, lifelong aficionados, cosplayers, creators, artists, filmmakers, kids, and more.

The documentary also features insight from the stars and creatives of the Elm Street franchise, exploring the enduring legacy, cultural impact, and fan community. Interview subjects include Lisa Wilcox, Robert Kurtzman, Tuesday Night, Miko Hughes, Danny Hassel, Andras Jones, Toy Newkirk, Kelly Jo Minter, Ricky Dean Logan, and Mick Strawn, among others.

Venn Pictures and Northgate Pictures have launched an Indiegogo in order to complete production on the ambitious project: http://bit.ly/FredHeads

The crowdfunding campaign allows fans to pre-order a limited edition DVD of the documentary, ensuring that they will be among the first to see FredHeads. T-shirts, pins, posters, soundtracks, and sunglasses are among the available merchandise. One-of-a-kind perks from Elm Street alumni are also up for grabs, including prop replicas signed by Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund.

FredHeads is directed by Paige Troxell, who credits A Nightmare on Elm Street with saving her life. “In my darkest times, I have turned to Elm Street. It is a survival story, it is my best friend, it is my comfort, and it is my home,” gushes Troxell. “I knew that there were others out there who saw this film for more than just the typical slasher. It is my goal to bring to life each and every story; to show the world that this community stands together, that we are a support team for each other.”

Watch the FredHeads teaser trailer here:

The FredHeads team loves to hear from fellow fans, so be sure to visit http://facebook.com/FredHeadsDoc to find out how you can submit your story.

Darlanne Fluegel 1953 – 2018

DARLANNE FLUEGEL

Darlanne Fluegel, the beautiful Nanelia from Roger Corman’s Battle Beyond the Stars and the femme fatal from the neo-noir To Live and Die In L.A. has passed away at her home in Orlando, Florida at the age of 64.

Born November 25th, 1953 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania acting and modelling were not her first choices growing up, but due to the untimely passing of her father when Miss Fluegel was 16 she turned to modelling not to be a burden on her mother.

Having a successful career with the Ford and Zoli modelling agencies, she felt she was washed up at the age of 25 and decided to try acting.

Miss Fluegel’s first role was in the John Carpenter-scripted film The Eyes of Laura Mars. Other featured roles that she starred in were in Once Upon A Time in America as Robert DeNiro’s ill-fated girlfriend, Tough Guys with Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster, and Running Scared,

Television credits included Crime Story, Wiseguy, Hunter and the pilot to the MacGyver series.

Moving to Florida in 2002, Miss Fluegel continued to have a successful career as an acting teacher at the University of Central Florida.

STARBURST send our good thoughts out to her family and friends.