
There has been a lot of news regarding the future of the Twilight Saga franchise. First, the second trailer for New Moon called Meet Jacob Black is up and you can see it here at comingsoon.net. New Moon opens on November 20.
Next, based on the overwhelming success of the SDCC panel (see a description here), it was only a matter of time before Twilight got its own convention. Apparently, these shows will feature appearances by Twilight celebrities, exclusive footage screenings, panel discussions, themed parties, musical performances, costume and trivia competitions, auctions, autographing, merchandising and photo opportunities. More then 20 stops have already been announced, including New Jersey; Chicago; Miami; Seattle; Nashville, Tenn.; San Francisco; Atlanta; Los Angeles; Arlington, Va.; Charlotte, N.C.; Minneapolis; Phoenix; Boston; Toronto; and Portland, Ore. For more information and the complete calendar, go to www.twilightconvention.com.
The first show is next week (Aug 28-30) at the Parsippany Hilton in New Jersey. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are already sold out. Guests include CATHERINE HARDWICKE (the Director); JACKSON RATHBONE (Jasper Hale); KELLAN LUTZ (Emmet Cullen, 90210’s George Evans); ASHLEY GREENE (Twilight’s Alice Cullen you you bring one her recent internet pictures to sign—she would love that); MICHAEL WELCH (Mike Newton); JUSTIN CHON (Eric Yorkie). Billy Burke and Peter Facinelli were also scheduled to appear, but unfortunately had to cancel their appearances at the convention due to filming.
And speaking of filming, Summit Entertainment announced that Twilight Eclipse, the third movie, has started filming. In addition to returning favorities: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, the film gets several new actors including Bryce Dallas Howard , Xavier Samuel, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Jack Huston, Julia Jones, BooBoo Stewart and Jodelle Ferland. This film is directed by David Slade. RTE Entertainment has more information. Eclipse will be released June 30, 2010. I'm sure at least one team Edward fan is in line already.
Look Kids, Non-Twilight News, Too:
Diamond announces Skip Week
Comic Book Resources discusses the new policy by Diamond Comic Distributors. They report:
Diamond Comic Distributors informed Direct Market retailers today via email that it would not be shipping comics in the fifth week of December. The final shipping date in December will be the 23rd, and you won’t see new comics until January 6. The holiday season typically comes with some delays – usually one or two days – but it is unusual if not unprecedented for two weeks to pass without new comics in stores
Several months ago, Diamond changed their listing policies (they limited its order threshold to above $2,500), which effectively cut out many independent comic self publishers. Diamond is the world's largest distributor of English-language comics, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise, with a network of strategically-located Distribution Centers throughout the world.
How this will affect retailers remains to be seen.
Marvel Superhero Squad may debut early
The mightiest Marvel heroes are ready to save the day with their amazing abilities and super powers. Join in the battle with the Marvel Super Hero Squad! Marvel Superhero Squad is an animated children's show based on toys and figures by Hasbro. The show premiered at Comic-Con International in San Diego last month and was only available there (cough cough youtube.com). At the SDCC, Marvel Animation announced the series would premiere with a four-episode marathon on Saturday, Sept. 19.
However, Comicscontinuum.com is reporting that Marvel's The Super Hero Squad Show will likely be hitting Cartoon Network earlier than originally anticipated. They report:
Sources now tell The Continuum that the series -- which received a warm reception at Comic-Con -- will have at least two episodes on the air before the Sept. 19 marathon
Speaking of Marvel, have you seen the Spider-Woman motion comic, which premiered today on I-tunes?
Various Super News
Supermanhomepage.com is posting an interview with John C.
McGinley, the voice of Metallo in "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies", the next DC Universe animated original movie to be distributed by Warner Home Video on September 29, 2009.
USA Today has the next Wednesday's Comics Superman installment. Read it here.
Devoted to Smallville has some behind the scenes photos of the Season 9 filming of Smallville. Supermanhomepage.com reports that the pictures were taken by JayPat from DevotedToTomWelling.com.
I Thought Journeyman Was Cancelled?
In addition to being a best selling novel and a major motion picture, the Time Traveler's Wife may be coming to television.
The Wrap is reporting that ABC and "Friends" creator Marta Kauffman are teaming up to produce a pilot, with the idea that it will eventually lead to a weekly series perhaps as early as 2010. The Wrap reports:
ABC executives believe the complex plot of the original novel will work well in series form, since Kauffman will be able to explore the romantic relationship at the core of the story over the course of several seasons.
Return to Outland
Warner Bros. will be remaking the 1981 space Sean Connery Western Outland. The new film will be be written by Chad St. John and directed by Michael Davis. For those too young to remember, Outland featured Connery as Jupiter moon Marshal who investigates mysterious deaths and must face the corporate administrators when the townspeople refuse to help (think Gary Cooper in High Noon in space.)
The new movie will have the same theme, but will take place in a city orbiting around the moon, where a cop uncovers a murderous conspiracy endangering the entire city. The hero, a week before retirement, must decide whether to accept the status quo or to stand up and fight the private army. /Film has more details.