Science Fiction (and Fantasy) on Television

On this page we only comment on a few of the SF&F news snippets we hear. For more news, check out the individual TV or Movie pages or the sites on our SF News Links page.

Monday 29th September 2003

The new Lord of the Rings: Return of the King trailer is now available at the official site.

Sunday 28th September 2003

Who will be Bond after Brosnan does his next and last film? Well, the Daily Record have published an article that says it will be Clive Owen. Back in June I reported that he wasn't interested, but I did say this news came from a pal and that it was printed in a crappy newspaper. But the Daily Record says that when Owen himself is asked, he is positive about it. I would like to believe this, but I have to say that I am not convinced. Most of this report is pure hearsay. Owen has been my favourite for the next Bond for the last few years, so I was disappointed at the earlier rumour that he didn't want it, but not surprised. Pierce Brosnan still has to make Bond 21 next year for release in 2005 and Bond 22 probably won't be filmed until 2006, so with Clive's career getting hotter with major films like King Arthur and Closer, I would not be surprised if he turned Bond down. (p.s. The potential spinoff Jinx movie with Halle Berry is unlikely to even be filmed next year, let alone released then, although it is still an open project.)

Friday 26th September 2003

Matrix Revolutions trailers now up on the official site!

Friday 26th September 2003

I didn't want to comment on the rumours before, but today it has at last been officially announced - Doctor Who is finally returning to television! In the UK, the series has regularly been voted as top Cult TV series ever and the one most would like to have back. And considering its success around the world, it has been a long time coming, but never more deserved. The new series will probably not air until 2005, but having waited since its cancellation in 1989 (not counting the flawed TV movie), we can give them time to film it, I think! The first show was way back in 1963 with William Hartnell as The Doctor but the particular talent of "regeneration" that Time Lords have has allowed a series of seven more actors to logically follow on the TV role since. Which begs the question of who will be the next Who? Read the BBC story. And another.

Thursday 25th September 2003

If you're a fan of Jack Black and particularly of Tenacious D, then you'll definitely want to read the CHUD interview. And even if you're not, you might just want to read it anyway. Jack's new movie, School of Rock looks like it will be pulling in the punters for a while, but the Tenacious D movie that is now being made looks like a potential future cult classic. And Meatloaf as Jack's Dad? Sounds great to me!

Wednesday 24th September 2003

The sequel to Underworld is happening. Critics aren't overly excited about the first film, but it has done sufficiently well already to justify to the studio going ahead with a second. Director Len Wiseman is already known to have had the sequel and prequel in mind when making the "middle" movie. The star, Kate Beckinsale, has been trying to keep her private life fairly quiet, but fact is she dumped her previous man and is engaged to Mr Wiseman. So you can guarantee she's going to be in the next one and see why Len is keen to make it. I haven't seen the film yet, so will withhold judgement, but I suspect it is one of those that will do extremely well in DVD sales whatever critics have said about it.

Wednesday 24th September 2003

Dark Horizons has picked up a report of Ridley Scott talking about his next epic to the San Bernadino Sun. With no Tripoli happening, he wants to make Crusades. "It's a movie I've been thinking about for 20 years. It's going to take place in the middle of the Crusades, around 1130, 1136, and feature Saladin, a Muslim, who was the wisest of all the knights, a trustworthy man of his word. He kept the peace around Jerusalem, which was held by Baldwin, a Christian who believed that any religion should be able to come to the city and pray. The two men had a connection of respect. I don't want the movie to be about knights in armor and chaps charging around with red crosses and waving swords and hacking off heads. It really should be a fundamental discussion between the two religions and not only that, but the actual misrepresentation of the Holy Roman Empire by the Catholic church, which was in those times seriously corrupt. When they got down there, the people the church regarded as infidels had a faith that was as strong, if not stronger than the fundamental rules of Christianity." And after that will come Gladiator 2 which will be about the son Lucius (and not much about gladiators).

Monday 22nd September 2003

The Resident Evil: Apocalypse trailer on the official site is presented as a cosmetics commercial for a skin regeneration product. Contains the warning, "Always consult a doctor before starting treatment. Some side effects may occur..." and a shot of Milla in Raccoon City surrounded by death and destruction.

Thursday 18th September 2003

Variety reports that CBS and WB are developing a Practical Magic series with Sandra Bullock and Denise Di Novi (producers of the film and exec producers for this series). Bullock starred in the film with Nicole Kidman as two sisters coming to terms with their powers of "magic". Based on the Alice Hoffman novel. The pilot will be written by Becky Hartman-Edwards (who is another Exec Director).

Friday 12th September 2003

Do you like Pirates of the Caribbean? If you do, you'll surely be pleased to hear that Jerry Bruckheimer is already setting up the sequel and even has Johnny Depp "lined up".

Thursday 11th September 2003

According to the official Star Trek site, they're adding the words "Star Trek" before "Enterprise" on the current show. Pardon? Am I stupid or something? (Don't answer that!) Here I've been calling it Star Trek: Enterprise and using the ST:ENT abbreviation for the past two years and only now find out it wasn't called Star Trek before. One question: Why wasn't it called Star Trek? Honestly, I don't really think anyone else noticed either... or if they did, they didn't care.

Tuesday 9th September 2003

Lucy Lawless (Xena) is joining new series Tarzan. She will play his aunt, publishing magnate Kathleen Clayton. So, if Tarzan (Travis Fimmel) starts misbehaving, he'd better watch out! Attached to the deal is development of a series for Lucy for late next year. (I know there will be fans of Travis in a loincloth, but please be patient - I promise I'll get some pics of him sometime. For the moment, please excuse me while I lust after Lucy.)

Thursday 4th September 2003

If you were (are?) a fan of Firefly (and there are many), then you'll be happy to know the Firefly movie is a definite go. To be written and directed by Joss Whedon (the first time he has directed a feature film). He hopes as many of the regular cast as possible will be able to do it, plus a few new characters. I still find it hard to get over the concept of vast regions of settled space being modeled after the "Wild West" - a fantasy based on a short period of one Earth country's history. I can believe in spaceships with FTL drives, aliens with tentacles, time travel and the invisble man, but not the Wild West in space...

Wednesday 3rd September 2003

Sarah Michelle Gellar is no longer Buffy ... or is she? Do not be surprised to see Buffy appearing in a couple of episodes of Angel next season.

Archive Index

Archive Index

Odyssey 5, Firefly, Star Trek, X-Files, Babylon 5, Crusade, Dr Who, Andromeda, Lexx, Dark Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, The Invisible Man, Stargate SG-1, Blake's 7, Farscape, The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, The Lone Gunmen, The Avengers, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Red Dwarf, Roswell, Total Recall 2070, Hercules, Xena: Warrior Princess, Earth: Final Conflict, Charmed, Alien Nation, Futurama, Outer Limits and so many more. Essential information, background, links, etc. on all Science Fiction and Fantasy shows are here!