I'm Watching YOU.......
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Interview on the set with Kevin Munroe and Gil Adler from Money TV.
2nd interview)
http://www.emergingcompany.com/volume13week15f.htm
They just got some new advertising from the American Diabetes Foundation on Wowio's articles and essays. Not sure if that means downloads are free as I still see a price there? Maybe they have to be a sponsor but I thought this ment free.
http://www.wowio.com/users/CategoryPage.asp?cbBrowse=30
Interesting 10k. Alot of new things in there. Have to read the details to catch it all. IMO
Not my sales. I already paid my taxes so I dont need the money. Doesnt make sense to sell with the movie in production. Waiting on new news, not just Dylan Dog related. IMO
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Filip Sablik - On The Evolution Of Top Cow Comics.
Written by Nicholas Yanes on April 8, 2009 – 3:49 pm -
One of Top Cows More establiched titles is 'Darkness'
Filip Sablik is the current Publisher of Top Cow Productions, Inc. He is a graduate of the Maryland Institute, College of Art with a BFA in Illustration. He has worked for Diamond Comic Distributors as a Customer Service representative and then moved up to the Diamond Purchasing department, where he worked for over five additional years. In 2006 Filip became VP of Marketing and Sales at Top Cow and quickly accepted the exciting opportunity to move into the publishing arena.
Don’t upset him though, he likes martial arts. So, unlike many comic book fans, he might be able to win a fight.
Nichola Yanes: Since I was in middle school reading Top Cow comics, I thought that Top Cow had some of the most original ideas being published. More recently, a few of your titles went in a new direction that made them more fun to read. As a result, I always try to convince friends to?buy some Top Cow comics and…usual fail. So, what trades do you think I should recommend to get people addicted to Top Cow?
Filip Sablik: You fail? What’s wrong with your sales pitch?
I’m just kidding of course. It’s a hurdle we’re constantly trying to get over here at the Cow. When Top Cow debuted the market was largely art driven and a higher premium was placed on art over writing. As a result if you look at the Top Artist lists these days you’ll find them filled with Top Cow alumni like the late Michael Turner, David Finch, Joe Benitez, Billy Tan, Clayton Crain, Mike Choi, and many others. Along the way the market changed and shifted towards a focus on top notch writing. At Top Cow we did our best to evolve with the market and provide the types of stories and story-telling the fans want these days while maintaining our commitment to fantastic dynamic art.
I usually recommend one of three trades to people looking to jump into Top Cow: Witchblade Volume 1 TPB, The Darkness Accursed Volume 1 TPB, or First Born TPB. Witchblade and The Darkness Accursed are both only $4.99 in comic shops and you get a great ground level 6 issues full color story to whet your appetite for Top Cow’s flagship characters. First Born was our big summer event a couple years back and involves just about everyone in the Top Cow Universe, so it’s also a great introduction. We’ve hooked a ton of new fans with these three trades. And tell your friends that heck, even if they don’t like Witchblade or The Darkness after they read it, they still spent less money on 6 issues than some comics today.
Yanes: I’m currently working on a documentary about women and comic books. I keep coming across the accusations that modern comic books are sexist. Yet, television shows that are popular with women objectify the female body more than comic books ever did (America’s Top Model, Desperate Housewives). Why do you think comic books are so unfairly criticized for the portrayal of women?
Sablik: I suspect it’s because mainstream comics are still regarded as a juvenile form of entertainment, some how less capable of handling mature topics than movies or television. Which is kind of ironic considering the best selling trades and collections are not aimed at kids at all (Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, or in our case, Wanted).
The bottom line is that comics show us idealized versions of people, both men and women, because we want our heroes to be smarter, stronger, and let’s face it better looking than we are.
Yanes: Top Cow has recently announced that its titles will not go above $2.99 and that it will being giving away free comic books. This screams to me that everyone at Top Cow has nothing but faith in their product. But these moves leave me curious about two things. One, how can Top Cow, as a corporate entity, afford this? Two, do you have any suggestions for how comic book fans can express their rage towards Marvel and DC?
Sablik: It’s true. We really do believe in our product and we happen to believe that nothing sells it better than getting a potential fan to read it and judge for themselves. It seems silly to me to raise prices and make it even more difficult for fans to enjoy your product in a time when the world is going through some pretty painful economic situations. And I’d be lying if I didn’t say part of it is counter programming what other publishers are doing. We go left when they go right. There is an element of risk involved, but we’ve been profitable at our current price point for years and we’re banking on more people trying out our books this year because of our stance as a value leader in the industry.
As far as expressing rage, I think buying Top Cow books is a pretty good way to go (laugh).
Yanes: Since the foundation of Top Cow, how do you think the ‘art style’ has changed? Moreover, due to the diversity of artists and writers at Top Cow, is it even accurate to suggest that Top Cow has a distinct style anymore?
Sablik: I think there’s an argument to be made that we never had a house style of art. Certainly the artists who have studied under Marc have started with a heavy influence from him. But I think if you actually put guys like Turner, Finch, and Benitez side by side it’s hard to argue they all draw the same. Or compare Mike Choi against Tyler Kirkham against Eric Basaldua. Certainly these days comparing Stjepan Sejic against Kenneth Rocafort against Michael Broussard is like comparing apples and oranges, right?
The only art style we gravitate towards is “great” art.
Yanes: Top Cow has been the launching pad for some of the industries most popular artists (Michael Turner, David Finch, among many) and it was the company that got J. Michael Stracznyski to return to comics. What is it about Top Cow that makes it a breeding ground for talent?
Sablik: Actually I’d like to think we’re the company that helped launch J. Michael Straczynski in comics as a creative force.
What makes us a breeding ground for talent is our founder, Marc Silvestri. Marc has an undeniable eye for talent and cultivating that talent. I confess, I saw copies of Michael Turner’s original submission pages and as a credit to Marc, I don’t think I would have looked at them and seen a guy who would one day be one of comics top artists.
With writers we tend not to break new writers, but find talented writers and give them the freedom to tell THEIR story. You see a lot of the writer in the work that writers like Straczynski, Millar, Marz, Hester, Jenkins, and Waid have done for Top Cow.
Topcows most popular title is perhaps Witchblade. Which was made into a short lived television series for TNT
Topcows most popular title is perhaps Witchblade. Which was made into a short lived television series for TNT
Yanes: The Witchblade television series was a fun show. Given the advances in special effects for television shows (Farscape, Battlestar Galactica), and that television audiences can handle and enjoy serialized shows (Lost, Heroes, and, again, Battlestar Galactica), how much longer do I have to wait for another Top Cow TV show? And with that in mind, Marvel and DC had some of the highest grossing movies of the past few years; do fans have to beg for a Darkness or Witchblade movie?
Sablik: No need to beg, we’re hard at work on all of those fronts. Both film and television, as well as video games and animation, are things that Top Cow is regularly and constantly pursuing. All of those things also take a long time to develop and set up. The Witchblade Anime that Gonzo produced and was released by FUNimation in the US took almost a decade to come to fruition. Add on to that Marc Silvestri and Matt Hawkins mantra of “we’d rather have no movie than a crappy movie” and you can see why it can take a while to bring a Witchblade or The Darkness movie to fans.
The Witchblade movie is currently in active development with Arclight Films and Platinum Studios and as soon as we have something concrete to announce for The Darkness, the fans will be the first to hear about it.
Yanes: On that note, it seems that Fathom has been in development for some time. Can you comment on its progress?
Sablik: Yup it seems like Fathom is moving along nicely and we’re very happy for our friends at Aspen. Megan Fox is a great fit for the part.
Yanes: Comic books are appearing in colleges across the country. Even, Harvard has begun to dedicate a portion of its library to comic books and other texts dealing with popular culture. Does Top Cow have plans to get their books into college classes?
Sablik: It’s not something we’re actively pursuing (only so many hours in the day), but we’d certainly be flattered if some college professor wanted to study Rising Stars or Wanted or Midnight Nation!
Yanes: The 2007 – 2008 Writers Strike is a distant memory for some, but I couldn’t help think about its issues in contrast with the comic book industry. Looking past the politics for and against unionization, can you explain to me why there isn’t a comic book union? I know a few?have tried in the past, but what is unique about the industry that makes it union proof?
Sablik: I don’t know that I can explain that to you. You’d probably have to ask a creator. There have been in the past both creator and retailer trade organizations and I’m sure there will be again in the future.
Yanes: Overall, the comic book industry is losing readership. Even factoring in the economy, sales are down from where they were a year ago, a decade, and further back. Do you think the industry – in particular, Top Cow – is doing enough to get new readers? For instance, do you think the industry should do more to appeal to children and women?
Sablik: Actually, from what I’ve seen, until the last year Comic and Graphic Novel sales have been on the rise for 5+ years. If memory serves, comic sales were up 5-10% each year and graphic novels saw double digit growth. For several years, graphic novel sales were one of the major growth areas for the book market as well. Manga in particular brought in a whole new generation of young female readers through the book market.
I think much of the decline we’ve see recently is due to a large economic downturn and the comic industry certainly seems to be weathering it better than many other areas of the economy.
Now I don’t want to sound like a Pollyanna here, we certainly have plenty of room to grow. Our audience is (in general) aging and we do need to look for the next generation of readers. As an industry I’d like to see us push variety in content more. We have it in terms of what is being published, but not necessarily what is being stocked on the shelves. We also need to continue to branch out to more mainstream retail opportunities. Comic shops are a destination store, great once you have a fan hooked, but not as effective in hooking casual readers. Continuing to look for opportunities to capture new readers is a mission I think every publisher takes seriously. Top Cow works with all of our partners in film, video games, and animation to try and include comics or advertising for comics in those ancillary products.
Yanes: As a fan of Top Cow, what are the big events that I should be looking forward to?
Sablik: There are two things you need to put on your “must read” list for 2009. The first is Berserker (http://www.topcow.com/store/product.php?productid=1433), which is a brutal new series brought to us and co-produced by DiVide Pictures which is co-owned by Heroes Milo Ventimiglia. It’s written and created by Friday Night Lights writer Rick Loverd and drawn by Jeremy Haun. The easiest way to explain it is imagine if when you got angry you gained incredible powers of strength, immunity to pain, and fierce fighting skills, but you could not control it and you could not distinguish friend from foe. It’s going to appeal massively to fans of Wanted. People will literally be torn in half. In the midst of this, two young men have to struggle with this power and curse and will be torn between allying themselves with two mysterious organizations who seek to use their newfound abilities.
The second series is Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer by Mark Waid and Kenneth Rocafort. This is our big summer event series, a 5 issue all out crossover bonanza. You’ll get some great classic crossover moments when the two teams meet, but we’re putting a Top Cow twist on it. These two teams won’t just meet, scuffle and then hug and make up at the end. There will be real blood drawn and real wounds created. The question will ultimately be who is manipulating these two teams against each other and to what purpose? This series is going to re-eastblish these two teams in the Top Cow Universe in a BIG way and you will not want to miss it.
Yanes: Finally and just for fun, if you wanted your fans to add false information to one Wikipedia entry, what entry and what information would you want added or changed?
Sablik: Well, I don’t have a Wikipedia page yet. Make it happen fans!
* To learn more about Filip Sablik, visit his blog at http://filipsablik.blogspot.com
* Witchblade: First Born can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/Witchblade-5-First-Ron-Marz/dp/1582408998
* Witchblade vol. 1 TPB for $4.99 can be bought at http://www.topcow.com/store/product.php?productid=1292
* The Darkness Accursed TPB can be purchased at: http://www.topcow.com/store/product.php?productid=1434
* For more information about Fathom, go to Aspen Comics homepage at: http://www.aspencomics.com
* For more information about Berserker go to: http://www.topcow.com/store/product.php?productid=1433
* To learn more about Top Cow and their other titles, check out their homepage: http://www.topcow.com/Site/index.html
http://scifipulse.net/?p=7185
I remember. wonder if we can find that old post. That would be "Irony" (no pun intended). Its RDJ loss I guess. Kind of expected. He was overextended. Im sure Cusack is still available. IMO
I see Brian didnt have the director on. Connection problems sounds like. Try again next week.
No really, On Brians Twitter blog, Money TV will have special guests for this week.
"This week's MoneyTV piece with Director, Kevin Munroe and Producer, Gil Adler, airing tomorrow". Could be interesting viewing with maybe new developments. IMO
LOL. Ha, You said the word "Twitter", heh heh heh. You the real man.
Irony, have you checked out Brians Twitter? Interesting comment on Money TV for this week.
IMO
EXCLUSIVE: Is Robert Downey Jr. Out Of ‘Cowboys And Aliens’?
Published by Silas Lesnick on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 2:00 pm.
Word ran last September that “Cowboys and Aliens” seemed on the verge of casting Robert Downey Jr. as its lead, but now the star revealed to MTV News that he’s not certain he’ll be off to the Wild West anytime soon.
“I don’t know,” Downey responded to MTV News when asked whether the film was still on his radar. “I don’t know what I’ve got coming up.”
He went on to suggest that a potential “Sherlock Holmes 2” might fill his calendar, but where does that leave the Platinum Studios comic adaptation?
Though the “Cowboys and Aliens” comic was published in 2006, the concept has been in a state of pitch-flux in Hollywood for over a decade. The literally-minded plot involves an alien invasion happening in the Wild West with the Earth’s only defense being a group of cowboys and members of an Apache tribe.
If Downey’s enigmatic response comes off as a disappointment, fret not; you can still read the original comic in its entirety for free online. Granted, there’s no Robert Downey Jr. in it, but with the ever-increasing Marvel Universe and the potential “Holmes” franchise, we’ll be seeing quite a bit of him in the days to come.
If Downey’s out, who would like to see take the reins? Would it be better to delay the project until he’s available? Share your thoughts below!
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/04/08/exclusive-is-robert-downey-jr-out-of-cowboys-and-aliens/
Platinum Newsletter for April.
http://www.platinumstudios.com/newsletter/09/04/
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Expanding Digital Universe
A message from Brian Altounian
PLATINUM IN THE PRESS
UP "HOGAN'S ALLEY"
An update on "Ben Hogan's Five Lessons..."
Interview with a creator
Cover Artist Tone Rodriguez is on the hot seat!
IT CAME FROM CONTENT DEVELOPMENT!
Monthly update from our very own Content Development Department
Goings on About the Studio
THE EXPANDING DIGITAL UNIVERSE
You’ve probably been reading a lot in the press lately about how businesses are finally starting to realize the power of social networking sites – from the blogosphere to MySpace to Facebook to Twitter. But here at Platinum Studios, utilizing new technology is nothing new. From its very beginnings, Platinum has been not just a follower of new tech, but a forerunner in the space. Our founder, Scott Rosenberg, was one of the first to use computers in the colorization process in comics many years ago. Back in 2006, we simultaneously launched Cowboys & Aliens online and in print to great success, disproving the “experts” who think the online experience cannibalizes print sales. Last year’s Comic Book Challenge was an all-online submission, presentation, judging and voting experience, which opened the opportunity to a much broader, international audience. And in 2008, we acquired Wowio, in order to move into the digital distribution space for copyrighted material, welcoming the oncoming avalanche of the move toward an all-digital media arena.
We have always embraced what’s cool and cutting edge, and we love having the tools that these ever-expanding digital technologies provide. Wowio has its own Facebook page, and you can follow their progress and updates on Twitter. The folks over at Drunk Duck also “Tweet” and can be followed on Twitter or on Facebook. Search for your favorite Platinum employee on any of these sites and you are bound to find us there, talking about cool happenings in Hollywood, on the set of our movie, behind the scenes in the office or just plain goofing around. Whatever the message, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the real people behind the work going on at Platinum Studios. I am a frequent Twitter and Facebook updater, too, and you can follow me or search for me on Facebook.
http://twitter.com/BrianAltounian
In other news, as we anticipated in our January newsletter, we commenced principal photography on our feature film, Dead of Night, based on the Italian comic character, Dylan Dog, at the end of February in New Orleans. After a brief hiatus during which time we fine-tuned the production elements, script and budget, we re-commenced photography on April 1st, and the production will run through May 21st. The talent involved in this includes Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Sam Huntington (Fanboys), Anita Briem (Journey to the Center of the Earth) and we just announced the addition of Taye Diggs (Private Practice).
Check out the recent press below. And, bringing it back full-circle to the digital conversation, check out regular updates on our official Dead of Night production blog.
http://deadofnightmovie.wordpress.com/
Brian Altounian
President & COO
PLATINUM IN THE PRESS
As we reported in January, Platinum Studios is now truly a STUDIO, having taken over as the production entity on the feature film Dead of Night, starring Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Sam Huntington (Fanboys), after successfully completing the close of financing.
We’ve had a lot of exciting additions to our cast and crew – this is a passionate group of individuals that loves the property and the Dylan Dog character. We anticipate that the film will be the beginning of a very successful franchise, and that the final product will more than satisfy Dylan Dog’s faithful followers and give rise to a legion of new fans.
For more info, check out the following articles:
Taye Diggs and Anita Briem joining cast of Dead of Night
The Hollywood Reporter
Dead of Night Commences Principal Photography
PR Newswire
Cowboys & Aliens has also been getting quite a lot of pickup in the press lately, thanks in part to the fact that the production team of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci has another little film about to hit the screens this spring with the latest installation of the Star Trek series . Luckily for us, the “next big project” on K&O’s plate is the Dreamworks production of Cowboys & Aliens. We are told that latest version of the script will be delivered any day now and Dreamworks hopes to go out to directors shortly thereafter. That selection process will determine the timing of the start of production and we are all hoping to see this move forward very soon. Here are links to the most recent articles:
Cowboys & Aliens in the Los Angeles Times
Cowboys & Aliens on Sci-Fi Wire
UP "HOGAN'S ALLEY"
An update on “Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons….”
As first reported in January, Platinum and partner McTee’s Champions have joined forces to bring Ben Hogan’s classic golf book, “Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf,” to life in a new, interactive animated DVD.
Our gifted production team, made up of Platinum in-house staff including Senior Story Editor Dave Collins, who is tackling the script, and VP of Creative Design, Zachary Pennington, also includes a pool of experienced outside production talent. The team has completed the comprehensive sales presentation and we are actively seeking prospective sponsors. We have selected our celebrity host and hope to finalize our relationship and schedule shortly.
In addition to zeroing in on a host, we have chosen Perspective Studios as our CGI animation partner. We will be shooting at the storied Riviera Country Club, fondly dubbed “Hogan’s Alley,” in Pacific Palisades, with additional location shooting at Hogan’s “home” course of Colonial Country Club in Dallas, Texas.
Prospective sponsors include Callaway Golf, Golf Digest, Golf Channel and American Express, to name just a few. Our target date for production is set for late spring/early summer 2009 with the hope of delivering final product by the holiday season. We’ll be making announcements as details are finalized -stay tuned!
INTERVIEW WITH A CREATOR
incursion cover artist tone rodriguez
The Platinum Studios Development Team invites you to meet one of our many talented comic artists, the incomparable Tone Rodriguez, Cover Artist of Incursion.
Where did you get your start in comics?
I would offer to do pin-ups for anybody that would run them. My first paying pin-up was for Robert Krause and his Chakan Book The Executioner (thanks, Rob!). I think he paid me $50 for the art. My first big break came in the form of Citizen Pain. Bill and Jan O'Neill at Hurricane Entertainment needed an artist, and I was looking for a date to the big dance, so after I sent a pal of mine over to let them know that I was interested in doing the book, and they soon agreed. Then I drew 13 issues of Violent Messiahs.
What are your inspirations?
Man, that's a loaded question. If I were talking about artists, then I would have to say Michael Golden (my all time favorite), George Perez, Walter Simonson, John Byrne, Neal Addams, Don Newton, Carmine Infantino, & Klaus Janson... there’s just so many to list. But if were talking about any kind of inspiration, I would have to say my family and friends... oh, and Batman and Robin.
What do you predict for the future of comics? What are you most excited about? Concerned about?
I will continue to get older (well, that’s what I'm concerned about!). I'm excited about tomorrow and what tomorrow will bring. My prediction for the future: soon the comic book industry will no longer be under the thumb of the staple companies. We will become less dependent on the use of foreign staples to hold our comic books together. I dream of a day without staples! We will start with the use of just one staple by the end of 2009, and then a full removal of all metallic binders by the year 2012 (yes, I'm full of it).
Other interests or talents the comic world has yet to discover from you?
Television and film baby, I have a face for both! I'm so kidding, but in case some of you might not know, I have done some acting. I played a Killer on Showtime’s Dexter. Season 2, episode 5, if you’re wondering- I also designed the "Dark Defender” for the same episode. And I did a scene for CBS’ NUMB3RS. I’ll also be doing some motion picture work, but it’s too early to talk about now. Oh, and I have an amazing singing voice... ha ha haaa yeah!!!
What’s been the biggest achievement for you in life, comic or non-comic related?
In my first year of working in comic books, I was nominated for the Russ Manning Award. I really wanted to win, but they gave it to some other cat. So I didn't win the award, but at least my work was recognized. I guess that’s not really an achievement. Well, next time I'm up for an award I'll win it, and that will be my biggest achievement.
Incursion on Wowio
Incursion on DrunkDuck
IT CAME FROM CONTENT DEVELOPMENT!
Monthly update from our very own Content Development Department
To paraphrase a famous movie: the first rule of content development is that you can’t really talk about content development. That’s the nature of the business when dealing with intellectual property. Hollywood is an intensely competitive marketplace that places a premium on original ideas. Our team is working with writers on pilots for 5 different television series, giving notes to production partners on 3 separate screenplays, and continuing to develop dozens of comics based on Platinum properties, we’re just not able to talk about these projects in more than general terms.
Not that I’m complaining. When your day-to-day activities include discussing zombie retirement communities, how a nation of vampires deals with religion, or what the Curie point of an alien metal is, that’s a pretty cool gig. I just wish I could brag about it with my friends and families a bit more.
I can say that like everyone else here at Platinum, our efforts outside of new projects for comics, film, and television are focused on our Dylan Dog comic-to-film adaptation, Dead of Night. There’s work for us Content Development folks even with the cameras already rolling, as questions stream in from the set like, “How does a vampire move?” or “What kind of gun does Dylan carry?”
So while I can neither confirm nor deny that we are developing a Broadway musical based on one of our best-selling comics, I can state with all certainty that Dylan carries a 10.4 caliber six-shot Bodeo Revolver Model 1889. Just don’t quote me on that.
Dan Forcey
VP Content Development
GOINGS ON ABOUT THE STUDIO
outside interests of Platinumians
Brian Altounian, Platinum’s President and COO, has resumed another promotional campaign on Money TV. He will be doing regular updates for the next twelve weeks – check out the March 26th episode now!
Brian was also recently the keynote speaker at the President’s Forum luncheon, an executive conference put on by the business networking association, The Entrepreneurship Institute.
Contact Platinum Studios:
Public Relations
Randy Greenberg
(310)807-8100
Licensing & Business Development
Brian Altounian
(310)807-8100
Wowio Sponsors & Corporate Gifting
Brian Altounian
(310)807-8100
Investor Requests
Thomas Becker
(702)478-7363
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Platinum Studios Safe Harbor Statement
Matters discussed in this newsletter contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Although expected, actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of Platinum Studios and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting Platinum Studios and its operations; its markets, products, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently, and other factors detailed in reports filed by Platinum Studios with the SEC.
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HUH???????? Not the same but if these movies keep coming out before the original movie, people may get tired of the concept or at the very least, compare this with the film. You know the comments(oh its been done, etc).I will say that with the cast and crew, Platinums version should be significantly better by a long shot. IMO only
Friday, March 27, 2009
Cowboys & Aliens, coming soon to a television screen near you
James Marsters (Spike of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame) recently finished shooting an original Sci-Fi Channel film about a rogueish cowboy who's finds himself battling an alien invasion.
At first, I wasn't sure how to feel about this. But, as it seems likely to me I won't be receiving additional money if/when a Cowboys & Aliens film is made (if ever), after some consideration I'm leaning towards not really caring. I mention it primarily to try and cut off questions along the lines of "Hey, is that movie with Spike in it based on the comic you co-wrote?"
http://andrewfoleywritesthings.blogspot.com/2009/03/cowboys-aliens-coming-soon-to.html
http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/why-is-james-marsters-an.php
Nice comeback. How about grabbing a beer while we wait. LOL
Production Update on Dead of Night Blog. Good blog on why the movie did not use the Groucho character.
Groucho has left the building…
Posted in Uncategorized with tags adapting, Bonelli, Brandon Routh, Dead of Night, development, Dylan Dog on April 4, 2009 by deadofnightmovie
So this week, we were at a stately mansion in New Orleans’ Garden District and apparently we’re enough of a deal here to warrant the local tour guides to adjust their routes to include us. (My wife took a city tour last week that devoted about 20 minutes to discussing the production and circling the set.)
We’re here at the mansion filming multiple scenes that occur here during the film with Dylan, Elizabeth (Anita Briem) and Marcus (Sam Huntington). As many have surmised already, Anita is playing Dylan’s love interest and Sam is Dylan’s sidekick, replacing the much beloved Groucho from the comics. A lot of people have complained about that replacement and I understand why. (Hey, I was pissed when they made Chas into Shia Labeouf.) It’s hard to see something you know so well and have for so many years go through drastic changes like that but here’s the reason why and it all boils down to one word: money. For those of you who might not know, in the Dylan Dog comics, Dylan’s sidekick is an actor who’s last role was playing Groucho Marx and he kind of got stuck there due to a memory loss (finally revealed in issue 228). He now lives and acts just like Groucho Marx. Now, when we started developing the movie, we immediately started researching it and found that Groucho Marx’s likeness is owned by a company who has licensed it from his estate (no need to mention their names). Such a place is likely to not care when an Italian publishing company starts using Groucho’s likeness in 1986. Heck, it probably won’t even last, right? By the time they realized it was going to last and it had become as big an international sensation as it was, the costs, in both cash and bad PR, would have been too great to make it worthwhile. Besides, it’s not like an Italian comic book character would ever make it to the American big screen, where the real Groucho is so well-known, right? So we come along, asking if we can make a movie with their character in it and they say, “Sure, it’ll just be seven figures. Several of them. Oh, and we want a piece of every image of him you use on anything, including any comics Bonelli publishes in the future.”
Well, as you might guess, we can’t really do that, especially at during the development phase when there isn’t even any money attached to the movie yet. And try going to any potential financers and ask for seven figures just to use a supporting character. So we have to plan for an alternative. Our first thought was to replace Groucho with another, more acceptable comedian and get the actual comedian to play the role. Like maybe the actor was playing Robin Williams or Roberto Benigni and we get the actual Robin Williams or Roberto Benigni to play it? Well, then we’re painting ourselves into another corner by needing to get one of those actors in the movie. And now we’ve got to be able to answer questions like “Why can’t it be Eddie Murphy? We could get Eddie Murphy for you.” or, worse, “Can we make his sidekick Robert Pattinson instead? Girls like him.”
So we made the decision to fight what battles we could win and not go looking for more that would keep us from making the film. (There have been enough about Dylan driving a bug or wearing a red shirt, believe me.) And so Marcus was born. There are plenty of nods to Groucho in the movie, hopefully in ways that make the fans know we care. Keep a lookout for the photos in Dylan’s office or when Marcus has to show up and throw him a gun from time to time.
Alright, I’m off to teach some actors how to fight. Ain’t Hollywood a weird place?
http://deadofnightmovie.wordpress.com/
Welcome hogdog. Plenty of Details avail here for your D&D.
OT: Men In Black 3’ On Way
The two Men In Black movies we have had so far are genius slices of classic cinema
. I watch them at least once a year on DVD and never get sick of the idea of a secret government agency keeping tabs on aliens that live amongst us as valuable members of society. So the idea of a third film fills me with joy.
According to Dark Horizons, Men In Black 3 was announced during the Sony Pictures presentation at the annual ShoWest convention in Las Vegas. It was mentioned alongside two sequels we already knew about - Spider-Man 4 and Ghostbusters 3. The addition of Men In Black 3 was an unsuspected addition to the company’s future line-up.
Unfortunately, due to the casual announcement of the project, no further details are yet known. This includes whether or not the company wants the stars of the first two films, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, to head up the third film or whether an all-new cast will be sought.
With the right cast choices (hopefully at least bit parts for the old guard of Smith and Jones) and the right script, Men In Black 3 could be a huge hit. The first two films grossed over $1 billion between them and a third would likely grab the old audience as well as a new generation of fans.
I cannot wait.
http://snarkerati.com/movie-news/%e2%80%98men-in-black-3%e2%80%99-on-way/
* Platinum and Sony teaming for unknown film.....hummmmm
Too funny,
Was watching Supernatural just now and the first 15 minutes of the show is an interesting scene. Dean and Sam are in a comic store, talking to the guy about books. The clerk goes over to grab the book and in the shot is the comic "the weapon" #1. Its a quick shot but you can defiantly see it. Just a quick observation. You probally can see Supernatural on Hulu in a day or so if you missed it.
Anybody? Laura Spencer? Newest cast member.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0818011/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Spencer
OT: Dylan Dog Trade paperback by Dark Horse is out. Lets see if it goes to a second edition. From the reviews, sounds like it might. IMO
http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=8544
http://www.tfaw.com/Profile/___15-672
I see IMDb has added Ted Ferguson who has signed on as a Zombie Priest and they added profiles for Digs and Briem.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2467078/
Thanks Speedy, We look forward to reading how filming is going and the exciting scandals (er intrigue) that develop during the filming processes.
Girls in little garb with automatic weapons... always a favorite.
Well, we fall in that time frame and whatever those other movies are by Dreamworks, which I think there are, a handshake or sealed deal, animation or real live movie, I think these article has a indirect reference to us since we have deals with Dreamworks. And a 2D-3D movie of C&A and Atlantis Rising cant be a bad thing either. Double the profit, then DVD it with and without glasses. Wouldnt mind seeing Atlantis Rising on IMAX. Those war scenes should be awesome. IMO
Well, animation movies, at least for now. ") IMO
'Aliens' the talk of ShoWest
Gianopulos encourages more 3-D screens
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK
DreamWorks Animation topper Jeffrey Katzenberg points out the B.O. success of his 3-D 'Monsters vs. Aliens' at ShoWest on Monday.
DreamWorks Animation/Paramount's 3-D toon "Monsters vs. Aliens" is the talk of the town at this year's ShoWest, the annual gathering of theater owners that got underway Monday.
The pic's $59.3 million opening over the weekend was referred to at almost every turn by studio execs, who are eager for theater-circuit owners to take the plunge and install more 3-D screens.
Delivering the opening keynote speech, Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chair Jim Gianopulos said the economic crisis should not be a reason for theater owners to delay the installation of more 3-D screens, given that 3-D could add $1 billion a year in box office revenues. He said times of crisis can yield advances and innovations.
"And while it won't solve all our problems, it's still the most exciting new exhibition technology since they put sprocket holes in celluloid," Gianopulos said.
As 3-D's biggest cheerleader, DreamWorks Animation topper Jeffrey Katzenberg also turned up to tout the successful opening of "Monsters" and continue his tubthumping of the format.
Beginning with "Monsters," every DreamWorks Animation pic will be shot in 3-D as well as 2-D.
Katzenberg told Daily Variety that he spoke with bankers Monday, who said the top three theater circuits -- AMC Entertainment, Cinemark and Regal -- should soon have access to a multi-million dollar line of credit to pay for the conversion. The line of credit froze last fall when the economy tumbled, but he says things should be in place by June.More than one option(Co) Daily Variety
Filmography, Year, Role
(Co) Daily Variety
"The demand is here for 3-D. More than 38% of the people who saw 'Monsters' in 2-D said they would have preferred to see it in 3-D,' " Katzenberg said.
Later in the day, Katzenberg gave the large crowd plenty of reason to get excited. "Monsters" is the first of a handful of big budget, 3-D tentpoles slated for release this year, including Pixar's "Up" this summer and Fox's "Avatar," slated to bow at Christmas. Then there are biggies like "Tintin" coming down the pike. In all, he said 45 movies are being readied for 3-D. This year, there are a total of 10 releases; next year, there are 15.
But there are far fewer 3-D screens than Hollywood had counted on. "Monsters," the widest release yet for a 3-D title, is playing in roughly 1,550 3-D locations out of a total theater count of 4,104. Katzenberg had wanted at least 2,500 3-D screens by this point.
There are several reasons for the delay. For one, theater owners wanted studios to help foot the bill for outfitting 3-D screens.
"The capital needed for this is substantial, but even in the toughest of times, money finds its way to the right ideas," Gianopulos said.
"Monsters" may have also marked a turning point in terms of the upcharge for a 3-D pic. Until now, many theaters only charged $2 more. But many moviegoers paid $3 more for "Monsters." Imax tickets for the toon are roughly $5 more.
Katzenberg has been vocal in urging regular theater owners to up the ante by $5 as well, noting that Imax theaters are selling out. (Studios can only suggest a price.)
Gianopulos focused a great deal of his address on the vibrant box office, which is enjoying record-breaking business and a surge in admissions. He said other forms of entertainment don't take away from moviegoing, and that some of the most avid moviegoers are those who also spend plenty of time on other forms of entertainment.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001901.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
*C&A and Atlanis Rising in 2D and 3D it sounds like. IMO
'Monsters' invades FX in DreamWorks deal
Network picks up TV rights to several top animated features
By Nellie Andreeva
March 31, 2009, 05:00 PM ET
"Monsters vs. Aliens"
FX has nabbed TV rights to a a slew of DreamWorks Animation movies.
The pact with DWA distributor Paramount Pictures covers all DWA movies released from 2008 through 2012, including current hit "Monsters vs. Aliens," "Kung Fu Panda," "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" and the upcoming "Shrek Goes Fourth" and the sequel to "Kung Fu Panda."
DWA's most recent film, "Monsters vs. Aliens," scored the highest-grossing opening weekend so far this year with $59.3 million in domestic box office last weekend.
While it has built its brand around edgy and racy scripted series such as "The Shield" and "Nip/Tuck," on the feature side, one of FX's strongest performers has been Twentieth Century Fox's animated comedy "Ice Age."
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i833e3d242e7686abd756cb7f503f6f2b
*So what does this mean? If the Deal includes all movies from now to 2012, I think that would also include C&A and Atlantis Rising plus whatever else is announced, Im guessing? Sounds like we can expect to see Platinums movies on FX? IMO
other
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001885.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
Whatever its going to be, its going to be an interesting ride. IMO
Orci & Kurtzman: Cowboys and Aliens won't be Wild Wild West
Writing partners Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek) told SCI FI Wire that their upcoming Cowboys and Aliens movie will mash up sci-fi and the Old West in a way that hasn't been done before.
"We're in the middle of writing that with [Lost executive producer] Damon Lindelof," Kurtzman said in an exclusive interview last week. "We're hoping to deliver that soon, but it's feeling really good, and it's really exciting because it's just fun to write a genre [mashup]."
Added Orci: "Audiences are so savvy now that you almost—I think these are the kinds of things that we look for, is things that you can't imagine well together."
Cowboys and Aliens is based on the Platinum Comics graphic novel written by Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley. Set in the mid-1800s in Arizona, it deals with the invasion by an extraterrestrial species with plans to enslave humanity, but cowboys and native Apache have other plans. Orci and Kurtzman are acting as producers and writers on the project for DreamWorks; Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg are also producing.
Following is an edited version of our interview with Orci and Kurtzman about Cowboys and Aliens. The movie is slated for a 2010 release.
Well, this seems like such a natural idea that it's surprising it hasn't been done yet.
Kurtzman: It's deceptively tricky, though. ... That's what they said about Transformers [which Orci and Kurtzman also wrote], and it was in development for almost 20 years. It's just one of those weird things where you have to find the right story, and hopefully we have.
Orci: And the right tone.
Kurtzman: Tone is the whole ballgame, yeah.
Talk about tone. How do you marry these two disparate genres like that?
Orci: By trying to be really true to both. It's odd. You want it to feel like a real western that then gets interrupted realistically by this phenomenon, as opposed to a cartoon.
Kurtzman: Yeah, ... It's not the Wild Wild West tone. You know? It's much more of a straightforward kind of serious movie that is all of a sudden interrupted with the arrival of aliens.
In a way that feels organic to the milieu you've created?
Orci: Yeah, because that's the tricky part, you know? ... Some of the words that we'd all use in everyday language to describe an alien invasion simply don't exist in 1880. And so you have to make sure that you are somehow putting yourself in their mindset, thinking about "How would you even talk about what you're looking at here?" ...
Will it be relatively true to the comics, or are you just taking the premise and creating your own thing?
Orci: Like Transformers, you have to come up with what is the live-action translation of a good concept.
I don't think it's a particularly well-known graphic novel
Kurtzman: No, it's just, it was just kind of like, what are some of these ideas? And we ended up [fabricating] a new story.
http://scifiwire.com/2009/03/orci-kurtzman-cowboys-and.php
OT: GRUNTS leads Arcana's film triple-play
COMA and RIPPED also set at Romark Films
By Rob M. Worley March 30, 2009
GRUNTS
© Mania Arcana Comics has announced that it's signed a three-picture deal deal with Romark Films to bring comics 'Grunts', 'Coma' and 'Ripped' to the big screen.
Romark appears to be a new production shingle, headed up by filmmakers Mark Jonathan Stanley and Rock Shaink.
'Grunts', created by Keith Giffen and Shannon Eric Denton, tells of an American front-line platoon in World War II that encounters a squad of German superhuman soldiers. They use their resources to stop the super-Nazis, but can't halt the Eugenics Race that carries into present day. The book was published as a series by Arcana in 2007 and collected in one volume in 2008. A new book 'Grunts: War Stories' is expected out later this year.
'Ripped', created by Jay Busbee, is the story of Adam Fitzpatrick, a college dropout with the ability to travel through time. Adam is the only one who can stop the end of mankind—but will he be able to assemble the clues planted throughout history in time?
Deatils on 'Coma' are scant. Shaink is creating the comic as an upcoming title for Arcana.
Shaink is also writing scripts for all three films. Acana's CEO Sean O'Reilly is producing.
http://www.mania.com/grunts-leads-arcanas-film-tripleplay_article_114067.html
While watching some youtube, I came across this old "the Darkness" movie video. Im pretty sure its fake, at least one, but I can see why people want to see a Darkness movie. Something to check out anyway and just for fun. If done right, this could be a really good movie. IMO
Press release for investors
Sam Huntington, Taye Diggs and Anita Briem join Hyde Park Group and Platinum Studios’ “DEAD OF NIGHT”
From: Platinum Studios (investors@platinumstudios.com)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sam Huntington, Taye Diggs and Anita Briem join Hyde Park Group and Platinum Studios’ “DEAD OF NIGHT”
Eric Norris to lead Stunt Team
Film is currently in production in New Orleans, Louisiana
LOS ANGELES, CA – March 25, 2009 – Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment Group and Platinum Studios Inc. (OTCBB: PDOS) announced that Sam Huntington, Taye Diggs and Anita Briem have joined the cast of the supernatural whodunit, “DEAD OF NIGHT”. The film, which will be a presentation of the Omnilab Media Group, is based on the best-selling Italian comic book series, ‘Dylan Dog’, created by Tiziano Sclavi and published by Italy’s Sergio Bonelli Editore. The comic book series has sold more than 56 million units worldwide and has been translated into 17 languages since its debut in 1986.
Brandon Routh, (‘Superman Returns’), stars as reluctant paranormal investigator Dylan Dog, who must save the undead hidden among us from their human predators. The film is being directed by Kevin Munroe, whose 2007 re-imagining of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ resurrected the billion dollar franchise. Munroe brings a fresh take on the supernatural whodunit by bringing a hip, modern style – think MEN IN BLACK in a supernatural world populated by vampires, zombies, werewolves and other supernatural creatures by focusing less on the transformation from human to non-human and more on the seamless interaction between and among the living and the undead. Writers Joshua Oppenheimer and Thomas Dean Donnelly (‘Sahara’ and ‘Conan The Barbarian’) have taken the world of Dylan Dog out of a European setting and given it a New Orleans flavor with its rich bayou and marshland backdrop.
Sam Huntington co-stars as Marcus, Dylan’s wise-cracking trusted assistant. Taye Diggs co-stars as Vargas, head of the Vampire family and Anita Briem co-stars as Elizabeth, another potential in the long line of Dylan conquests.
The producers have also hired Eric Norris to lead the stunt team and handle stunt choreography. Norris was most recently the stunt coordinator on “Tekken”, “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt”, “I Love You Philip Morris” and “Righteous Kill” and has performed stunts in various feature films including Ron Howard’s “Angels & Demons”, “12 Rounds”, “Rush Hour 3”, “Premonition”, “The Guardian”, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”, “Poseidon” and “”War of the Worlds”. In addition, he has been the second unit director for numerous TV series including “Prison Break” and “Walker, Texas Ranger”.
Huntington most recently appeared in TWC’s “Fanboys” and “Superman Returns” where he played Jimmy Olson, opposite Routh’s Clark Kent. Diggs currently appears weekly as Dr. Sam Bennett on ABC’s “Private Practice” and has appeared in numerous feature films including “Rent”, “Malibu’s Most Wanted” and “Chicago” as well as his feature film debut, “How Stella Got Her Grove Back” opposite Angela Bassett. Briem most recently appeared opposite Brandon Fraser in “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and has appeared on television on “The Tudors”.
Platinum Studios chairman and CEO Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, who brought the billon dollar “Men In Black” franchise to Sony, and Hyde Parks’ Amritraj are producing with Gilbert Adler (“Valkyrie”, “Superman Returns” and “Constantine”). Executive Producers are Omnilab Media’s Christopher Mapp, Matthew Street and David Whealy, Cinemarket’s Peter Graves, The Greenberg Group’s Randy Greenberg, who brought all of the parties together, Hyde Park’s Patrick Aiello, Kevin Munroe, SAF Comics’ Ervin Rustemagic, Lars Sylvest and Film Production Capital LLC’s Will French and Stephen Roberts. Platinum Studios’ Brian Altounian and Rich Marincic are co-producing along with Hyde Park’s Manu Gargi.
Hyde Park and Platinum Studios completed the financing for the picture with Omnilab Media, a vertically integrated Australia and New Zealand content, development and media service business and Hong Kong-based Standard Chartered Bank. Recently, Omnilab Media has played a key role in providing production financing, as well as securing and/or overseeing North American distribution for “The Bank Job,” “W,” and “The Messenger.”
The producers have also hired Harvey Lowry and Academy Award-winning DRAC Studios to handle make-up effects. DRAC Studios has been nominated eleven times for Best Achievement in Makeup by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, most recently won for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and won twice before for “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” and “Mrs. Doubtfire”.
Hyde Park Group recently produced “Street Fighter – The Legend of Chun Li”, based on the extremely successful video game from Capcom, with 20th Century Fox, “Traitor” with Overture Films, “Premonition” with Sony , ”Death Sentence” at Fox and the company is in post production on Thomas Jane’s directorial debut in 3D, “The Dark Country”, for Sony’s Stage 6. Company is also ratcheting up its remake of Blake Edwards’ iconic film “10”.
Platinum Studios’ film and TV division has various other properties in development at major film studios, including “Atlantis Rising” at DreamWorks with Kurtzman/Orci (“Transformers”) set to produce, “Cowboys and Aliens” also at Dreamworks with Kurtzman/Orci partnering with Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, and “Unique” at Walt Disney Pictures. Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Motion Pictures and Platinum Studios are currently co-developing feature films based on the soon-to-be-published action thriller graphic novel “Final Orbit” and Top Cow’s “Magdalena”. And the company is in development with Arclight Films and Top Cow Production Inc. on Top Cow’s “Witchblade”.
Contact:
Media Requests:
Randy Greenberg
The Greenberg Group for Platinum Studios, Inc.
310-807-8140
info@platinumstudios.com
Media Request:
Mike Dougherty
Hyde Park Entertainment
818-670-7100
Mike@hydeparkentertainment.com
Platinum Investor Requests:
Thomas Becker
Platinum Studios, Inc.
702-478-7363
investors@platinumstudios.com
About Platinum Studios, Inc.
Platinum Studios (OTCBB: PDOS) is an entertainment company that controls an international library of comic book characters from all over the world, which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media including print, film, online, mobile / wireless, gaming, and merchandising. Platinum Studios' library contains more than 5,600 characters spanning a full range of genres and styles, and also includes properties such as www.DrunkDuck.com, the industry's preeminent webcomics community. Working with leading companies in the entertainment and new media sectors, Platinum believes it is well positioned to emerge as one of the front-runners in the creation of new content across all media platforms.
Platinum Studios - Comics Fueling Media EVERYWHERE!
To learn more about the company and to sign up for our newsletter, please visit our website.
About Hyde Park Entertainment Group
Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment Group includes Hyde Park International, its foreign sales arm, Hyde Park Animation, an Indian-based animation house, and Hyde Park Asia, which produces, finances and distributes Asian feature films throughout the region. Hyde Park has produced or executive-produced over 100 films around the world including Premonition, Bringing Down the House, Raising Helen, Shopgirl, Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story and Walking Tall... Hyde Park will release “Street Fighter – The Legend of Chun Li” under Hyde Park's first look co-production deal with 20th Century Fox on February 27th and is in post production on Thomas Jane’s directorial debut in 3D, “The Dark Country” for Sony’s Stage 6. Hyde Park recently released “Traitor” with Overture Films.
Platinum Studios Safe Harbor Statement
Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Although expected, actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of Platinum Studios and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting Platinum Studios and its operations; its markets, products, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently, and other factors detailed in reports filed by Platinum Studios with the SEC.
# # #
Two join horror film 'Dead of Night'
Taye Diggs, Anita Briem to co-star opposite Brandon Routh
By Jay A. Fernandez
March 26, 2009, 08:48 PM ET
Taye Diggs and Anita Briem have joined the cast of the Hyde Park-Platinum Studios horror film, "Dead of Night," currently filming in New Orleans. Stunt coordinator Eric Norris ("Righteous Kill") has also come on board to handle the stunt choreography.
The actors join Brandon Routh ("Superman Returns") and Sam Huntington ("Fanboys") in the supernatural thriller being directed by Kevin Munroe ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"). Joshua Oppenheimer and Thomas Dean Donnelly ("Sahara") penned the "Men in Black"-style vampire-werewolf-zombie film, which they adapted from the bestselling 1986 Italian comic series, "Dylan Dog."
Diggs will play Vargas, the head of a vampire family, and Briem is Elizabeth, one of Dylan Dog's (Routh's) potential romantic conquests.
Platinum's Scott Mitchell Rosenberg and Hyde Park's Ashok Amritraj are producing the $20-million indie along with Gilbert Adler ("Valkyrie"); co-financer Omnilab Media Group ("The Messenger") is presenting the film.
Diggs, repped by ICM and A Management Company, stars on ABC's "Private Practice." He has appeared in the films "Rent," "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and "Chicago."
Briem, repped by UTA and Untitled, appears on the Showtime drama "The Tudors" and co-starred in the film, "Journey to the Center to the Earth."
Norris has performed stunts in movies such as "Angels & Demons," "Rush Hour 3" and ""War of the Worlds," and he was stunt coordinator on "Tekken," "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" and "I Love You Philip Morris."
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i46b00e47f06110d83eef3b4806586155
Brian on Money TV. Good detailed interview IMO.
official confirmation on D.D characters.
http://www.emergingcompany.com/volume13week12qt.mov
OT: Megan Fox Is ‘Perfect’ For ‘Fathom’ Role, Says Exec Producer, Explains Screenwriter Choice
Published by Splash Page Team on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 1:41 pm.
By Mel Caylo
Earlier this month, news broke that “Transformers” star Megan Fox was attached to star in a live-action adaptation of the “Fathom” comic book series published by Aspen MLT. “Fathom” tells the story of a beautiful marine biologist and former Olympic swimmer named Aspen Matthews who discovers she’s a member of a race of aquatic humanoids.
In an interview with Wizard Universe, Aspen president and “Fathom” Executive Producer Frank Mastromauro explained why Megan Fox was the right choice for the role in the Fox Atomic film.
“She knows so much about ‘Fathom,’ which is spectacular,” said Mastromauro. “Growing up, she was a huge fan of the book and a huge fan of [late 'Fathom' creator] Michael [Turner]. When we met her, she was already well versed in ['Fathom'] volume one and [was] asking us questions about the book.”
“It’s just really great to have someone who is enthusiastic about the material. Not because it’s another movie they’re making, but because it’s a movie that in their heart they want to make because they love the character and they love Michael and the people who created it so much,” continued Mastromauro.
Mastromauro also said Turner met Fox before he passed away and was “100 percent for” her casting, adding that he “couldn’t have pictured someone else doing this right now. She just translates Mike’s beautiful [character] into live action perfectly.”
Writing the screenplay is Jordan Mechner, the creator of the “Prince of Persia” video game series, which itself is being developed into a film by producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Mastromauro explains they met with 10 to 12 screenwriters before deciding to go with Mechner’s take.
“Jordan’s [pitch] was honestly just head and shoulders above everyone in terms of the way he thought out the mythology and the way he thought out the story,” explained Mastromauro.
Mastromauro partners in producing “Fathom” include Fox’s current beau, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” star Brian Austin Green. According to the Aspen president, one of the first aspects of the film they’ll have to tackle is the choice of which visual effects companies to hire.
“I know it’s going to be tricky adapting the costumes…and the ships if those are used or not,” he said. “It’s going to be a fun endeavor to see how that all works out. But I’m sure [Fox Atomic is] going to pick some great creative people and FX workshops.”
While the “Fathom” movie is looking for a director, Fox no doubt has her hands full with Warner Bros.’ adaptation of the DC series “Jonah Hex,” reportedly starting production as soon as next month.
However, with all of these comics-related projects, Fox will probably have to carve some time out to attend San Diego Comic-Con in July. During SDCC last year, she stopped by the Top Cow Productions booth where the publisher told her she’d be perfect to play Sara Pezzini in the company’s in-development “Witchblade” movie. This, of course, was before the announcement of Fox’s involvement with “Fathom,” so she may be overextending her geek cred if she signs up for another comic book film.
Do you think Megan Fox is right for the role of Aspen Matthews in “Fathom”? Would she be overextending her geek cred if she also signed up for the “Witchblade” movie? What do you think? Post your thoughts below!
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/25/megan-fox-is-perfect-for-fathom-role-says-exec-producer-explains-screenwriter-choice/
If you gotta go, you gotta go. IMO
Diggs, Briem get Dead
http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=25688
Looks like more news. Its really flying out now. IMO
Excl: Briem Takes Journey to the Center of Dead of Night
24 March 2009 | From shocktillyoudrop.com | See recent shocktillyoudrop news
Word has floated our way that actress Anita Briem is set to playing Dylan Dog's love interest in Dead of Night . Dog, a private investigator drawn into the realm of the supernatural, is embodied by Brandon Routh ( Superman Returns ) who will be joined by Sam Huntington and Taye Diggs. Briem, who has appeared on The Tudors , recently starred in Journey to the Center of the Earth and wrapped the comedy Everything Will Happen Before You Die . She'll be venturing to New Orleans where Dead 's Kevin Munroe is directing for Hyde Park Entertainment Group and Platinum Studios Inc. Joshua Oppenheimer and Thomas Dean Donnelly penned the script.
http://shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=10022
See, this is why I like these mini videos. Show them to the masses.
IMO
http://www.buyzombie.com/2009/03/24/undead-news/dead-of-night/
Heres the official post that started it all.
http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=10012
Your right, they linked it to an old interview. Darn, I was hoping for some good updates. Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.
Dog