Thursday, October 04, 2007
Illusion On-Demand
A new Video On Demand Channel dedicated to science fiction and fantasy, Illusion On-Demand, has launched in North America. Currently available in twenty states and is free to all digital subscribers. Illusion has announced that the Classic Doctor Who series is slated to be on the channel starting in January 2008. November sees the updated release of The Quatermass Experiment starring Mark Gatiss and David Tennant.
Movie Rumors Continue
Rumors are circulating through the media of a forthcoming Doctor Who movie. Billie Piper, rumored to be set to return as Rose for series four, is now being cited as starring alongside current Doctor David Tennant in the film. "It's all been hushed up ... but yes, it's definitely happening," a source reportedly told the Daily Star. "David and Billie were a superb combination on the small screen, so it seems only right that they appear in the film." These reports are coming out following a statement made by BBC Head of Fiction Jane Tranter,who recently told Media Guardian that she is keeping the possibility of a Doctor Who film open. Tranter is quoted as saying, "I would not rule out a film version of Doctor Who, no." There has been no announcements regarding the return of Piper or a forthcoming film released by the BBC.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Tranter on Who film and future
Media Guardian reports that Jane Tranter, BBC Head of Fiction, is keeping the possibility of a Doctor Who film open. Tranter is quoted as saying, "I would not rule out a film version of Doctor Who, no." The article also discusses the future of the television series for the next several years, as previously revealed; however, Tranter suggests that David Tennant may remain in the role for Series Five in 2010.
Ms Tranter also hinted that actor David Tennant, who plays the current Doctor, was likely to return to the role for a fifth series, even though he has agreed to play Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company next year.
His decision means that the fifth series will not be shown until 2010, two years after the fourth series airs next year, effectively creating a "gap year" filled by three Doctor Who specials starring Tennant and overseen by head writer and executive producer Russell T Davies.
Ms Tranter also refused to be drawn on speculation that Steven Moffat was being lined up as a replacement for Davies - who is believed to be on the verge of leaving the show - or that actor James Nesbitt was being lined up take over from Tennant.
"All we can say is that David is a fantastic Doctor and that he is doing Hamlet," she said.
Ms Tranter also hinted that actor David Tennant, who plays the current Doctor, was likely to return to the role for a fifth series, even though he has agreed to play Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company next year.
His decision means that the fifth series will not be shown until 2010, two years after the fourth series airs next year, effectively creating a "gap year" filled by three Doctor Who specials starring Tennant and overseen by head writer and executive producer Russell T Davies.
Ms Tranter also refused to be drawn on speculation that Steven Moffat was being lined up as a replacement for Davies - who is believed to be on the verge of leaving the show - or that actor James Nesbitt was being lined up take over from Tennant.
"All we can say is that David is a fantastic Doctor and that he is doing Hamlet," she said.
British TV writer takes on Tintin movie
Blistering barnacles! Tintin has found a writer to adapt his adventures for the big screen. British TV writer Stephen Moffat, who penned the hit series Jekyll and Coupling, is to adapt the adventures of Belgium's famous globe-trotting reporter for Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg.
In May the directors of ET and the Lord of the Rings trilogy caused a flurry of excitement among Tintin fans when they announced they were bringing three of Hergé's comic-book creations to the silver screen.
Each director will helm one movie, with the director of the third instalment to be determined. Moffat is one of Britain's leading TV writers: aside from Jekyll and Coupling, he has also written several episodes of the new Doctor Who series.
Tintin will be his first foray into the movie business. It is as yet unclear which of the 23 Hergé-penned comic books he will sink his teeth into: Spielberg and Jackson are said to have selected three adventures from the series, but it is not yet known which ones they are.
The films will be shot in 3-D, using motion capture technology, a technique by which an actor's movements are recorded and used to create an animated character. Jackson used the technique on the Lord of the Rings films to create Gollum. Spielberg has long harboured a passion to adapt Tintin to the big screen, trying for more than 25 years to get the film rights to the comic book series. He succeeded last year.
Tintin has already been adapted for the big screen. Two live-action films were made in the 60s, as well as three animated ones. In addition, two TV animated series were produced.
In May the directors of ET and the Lord of the Rings trilogy caused a flurry of excitement among Tintin fans when they announced they were bringing three of Hergé's comic-book creations to the silver screen.
Each director will helm one movie, with the director of the third instalment to be determined. Moffat is one of Britain's leading TV writers: aside from Jekyll and Coupling, he has also written several episodes of the new Doctor Who series.
Tintin will be his first foray into the movie business. It is as yet unclear which of the 23 Hergé-penned comic books he will sink his teeth into: Spielberg and Jackson are said to have selected three adventures from the series, but it is not yet known which ones they are.
The films will be shot in 3-D, using motion capture technology, a technique by which an actor's movements are recorded and used to create an animated character. Jackson used the technique on the Lord of the Rings films to create Gollum. Spielberg has long harboured a passion to adapt Tintin to the big screen, trying for more than 25 years to get the film rights to the comic book series. He succeeded last year.
Tintin has already been adapted for the big screen. Two live-action films were made in the 60s, as well as three animated ones. In addition, two TV animated series were produced.
Ten top toys for Christmas
The FurReal Parrot A robotic toy parrot known as Squawkers McCaw. It will repeat any word said in its direction, copy actions and dance along to the latest chart hits.
Dancing Igglepiggle Based on a character in the children’s television programme, The Night Garden. It is a blanket-carrying teddy bear, one of a small range of toys from the series, which also includes Makka Pakka and Upsy Daisy.
Eternity II A puzzle-based board game where the aim is to arrange 256 pieces into a square. All the colours and patterns should be aligned across the whole puzzle. The player who arranges the pieces correctly first – they must have a validated maximum score of 480 matched pairs of edges – will win a $2m prize.
Dalek Voice Changer Helmet A mask which changes the wearer’s voice to make it sound just like a Dalek.
The Doctor Who Master Laser Screwdriver Similar to the Sonic screwdriver, which was launched last year, the Master Laser Screwdriver is used by the Master – the Doctor’s nemesis.
Transformers Everything from the film’s toy series is expected to fly off the shelves this Christmas, especially the Transformers Arm Blaster and figures from the movie.
Barbie Island Princess Talk and Sing Styling Head This is a perennial girls’ favourite – the Barbie styling head talks and sings as her hair is styled and primped.
Boutique Monopoly The traditional Monopoly set has been revamped especially for girls. All of the pieces, money and board will be pink and rather than buying Mayfair, players will be able to buy fashion boutiques and hair salons.
FlyTech Dragon Fly A remote-controlled dragonfly that can travel horizontally up to 100ft.
Ben 10 Omnitrix watch The alien gadget, which features in the Ben 10 series broadcast on the Cartoon Network, is set to fly off the shelves again this Christmas.
Dancing Igglepiggle Based on a character in the children’s television programme, The Night Garden. It is a blanket-carrying teddy bear, one of a small range of toys from the series, which also includes Makka Pakka and Upsy Daisy.
Eternity II A puzzle-based board game where the aim is to arrange 256 pieces into a square. All the colours and patterns should be aligned across the whole puzzle. The player who arranges the pieces correctly first – they must have a validated maximum score of 480 matched pairs of edges – will win a $2m prize.
Dalek Voice Changer Helmet A mask which changes the wearer’s voice to make it sound just like a Dalek.
The Doctor Who Master Laser Screwdriver Similar to the Sonic screwdriver, which was launched last year, the Master Laser Screwdriver is used by the Master – the Doctor’s nemesis.
Transformers Everything from the film’s toy series is expected to fly off the shelves this Christmas, especially the Transformers Arm Blaster and figures from the movie.
Barbie Island Princess Talk and Sing Styling Head This is a perennial girls’ favourite – the Barbie styling head talks and sings as her hair is styled and primped.
Boutique Monopoly The traditional Monopoly set has been revamped especially for girls. All of the pieces, money and board will be pink and rather than buying Mayfair, players will be able to buy fashion boutiques and hair salons.
FlyTech Dragon Fly A remote-controlled dragonfly that can travel horizontally up to 100ft.
Ben 10 Omnitrix watch The alien gadget, which features in the Ben 10 series broadcast on the Cartoon Network, is set to fly off the shelves again this Christmas.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
The Sarah Jane Audios
New CD stories coming soon.
BBC Audiobooks has commissioned two exclusive Sarah Jane Adventures stories for release in November.
The Glittering Storm and The Thirteenth Stone will be read by Elisabeth Sladen. This is the first time that BBC Audiobooks have commissioned new content for exclusive release on audio.
When patients at a London clinic begin to act strangely, Sarah Jane's suspicions are aroused. Luke falls prey to the clinic's sinister agenda, Maria and Clyde are pursued through London by a golden battle machine, and Sarah discovers a plot to harvest all the gold from Earth - at a terrible cost to the planet!
Listen to a clip!
The Glittering Storm is written by Steve Cole, author of many Doctor Who novels. "My first memories of Doctor Who are of poor Sarah stuck in a ventilator shaft back in 1975," said Steven, "so I jumped at the chance to write a story for Lis Sladen. She is a fantastic actor with a wonderful voice, and Sarah Jane is a marvellous character.
"With The Glittering Storm I aimed to provide a story with creepy scares - as well as humour and thrills - in the vein of the new TV series. The idea is that we on Earth are not the only people who prize gold highly... Others in space have a fascination for the stuff too, and are rather more menacing in the way that they use it..."
Listen to a clip!
The Thirteenth Stone is written Justin Richards, editor of the Doctor Who novels range.
Whilst helping out on a school trip, Sarah Jane discovers the truth behind the legend of an ancient stone circle. Something is trying to escape from one of the stones – and it's chosen Luke as the way out! Can Sarah, Clyde and Maria save him?
"I had enormous fun writing The Thirteenth Stone," he said. "It's always slightly daunting writing a story that is going to be read aloud - you really have to be at your best. But knowing that Elisabeth Sladen – Sarah Jane Smith herself – was going to be reading it was a tremendous boost to the confidence as well as a huge privilege. I can't wait to hear the finished result!"
The two stories will be available on CD and for download from the 5th November at £5.99 each.
BBC Audiobooks has commissioned two exclusive Sarah Jane Adventures stories for release in November.
The Glittering Storm and The Thirteenth Stone will be read by Elisabeth Sladen. This is the first time that BBC Audiobooks have commissioned new content for exclusive release on audio.
When patients at a London clinic begin to act strangely, Sarah Jane's suspicions are aroused. Luke falls prey to the clinic's sinister agenda, Maria and Clyde are pursued through London by a golden battle machine, and Sarah discovers a plot to harvest all the gold from Earth - at a terrible cost to the planet!
Listen to a clip!
The Glittering Storm is written by Steve Cole, author of many Doctor Who novels. "My first memories of Doctor Who are of poor Sarah stuck in a ventilator shaft back in 1975," said Steven, "so I jumped at the chance to write a story for Lis Sladen. She is a fantastic actor with a wonderful voice, and Sarah Jane is a marvellous character.
"With The Glittering Storm I aimed to provide a story with creepy scares - as well as humour and thrills - in the vein of the new TV series. The idea is that we on Earth are not the only people who prize gold highly... Others in space have a fascination for the stuff too, and are rather more menacing in the way that they use it..."
Listen to a clip!
The Thirteenth Stone is written Justin Richards, editor of the Doctor Who novels range.
Whilst helping out on a school trip, Sarah Jane discovers the truth behind the legend of an ancient stone circle. Something is trying to escape from one of the stones – and it's chosen Luke as the way out! Can Sarah, Clyde and Maria save him?
"I had enormous fun writing The Thirteenth Stone," he said. "It's always slightly daunting writing a story that is going to be read aloud - you really have to be at your best. But knowing that Elisabeth Sladen – Sarah Jane Smith herself – was going to be reading it was a tremendous boost to the confidence as well as a huge privilege. I can't wait to hear the finished result!"
The two stories will be available on CD and for download from the 5th November at £5.99 each.
'Doctor Who' to battle the Sontarans again?
Classic Doctor Who monsters The Sontarans will reportedly make a comeback in the next season of the revived show - following an absence of two decades.The Sun claims that former The Young Ones star Christopher Ryan is playing one of the villains, notorious for their warmongering nature and heads that resemble a jacket potato."I'm absolutely delighted to be appearing," the actor told the tabloid. "The last time I was on Doctor Who it was 20 years ago and Colin Baker was the Time Lord."Ryan previously appeared as Lord Kiv in the 1986 adventure 'Mindwarp', playing a dying member of the amphibious alien race The Mentors, who counted the evil Sil amongst their number.The Sontarans, an all male species who survive through cloning, first appeared opposite Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor in the 1973 adventure 'The Time Warrior', which also introduced companion Sarah Jane Smith.They subsequently faced Tom Baker's fourth incarnation in 'The Sontaran Experiment' and 'The Invasion of Time', before battling both Colin Baker and Patrick Troughton's versions of the Time Lord in the 1985 story 'The Two Doctors'.
Billie Piper to make 'Doctor Who' return?
Billie Piper is on the verge of agreeing a deal with the BBC to reprise the role of Rose Tyler next year.
The News of the World claims that the former companion would return for a three episode arc for the season finale, should Piper accept the offer - reported to be £20,000.
The paper quotes a BBC insider as saying: "We are all very excited that Billie is on course to come back. We're very close to getting her to sign."
Piper left Doctor Who at the end of the second season in the episode 'Doomsday', which saw her character Rose Tyler confined to a parallel Earth with her family and boyfriend Mickey.
The News of the World claims that the former companion would return for a three episode arc for the season finale, should Piper accept the offer - reported to be £20,000.
The paper quotes a BBC insider as saying: "We are all very excited that Billie is on course to come back. We're very close to getting her to sign."
Piper left Doctor Who at the end of the second season in the episode 'Doomsday', which saw her character Rose Tyler confined to a parallel Earth with her family and boyfriend Mickey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
