Marphlets has been abducted by aliens.  Last word was, they made her slow dance.  We hope that they will return her by next Saturday, or at least return a reasonable facsimile of her.

Until then…

Caution! This week’s Sci-fi news is suffering from MFOS. That’s right, Multiple Fandom Overload Syndrome!

Movies

Ron Perlman has been a busy boy. The man behind Hellboy’s pretty red face has had his impeccable pecs in several super roles as of late. Along with filming Hellboy II: The Golden Army, he also recently finished up The Mutant Chronicles, a comic-ish look at a post-apocalyptic society. Perlman stars in an ensemble cast featuring Thomas Jane (Punisher, Punisher: War Zone) and John Malkovich, among others. He and Jane plan to preview the flick at San Diego Comic-Con and take suggestions from fans in the audience on how to improve it. Now that’s dedication to your audience!

According to the Hobbit Movie fan site, there’s a good chance that another Hellboy II actor will be making a fandom crossover. Doug Jones played a brilliant Abe Sapian for the first Hellboy installment and is taking over the voice of Big Red’s friend this time around (David Hyde Pierce voiced the character in the first movie). Reportedly, Guillermo del Toro is eager to find a place for the talented character actor in the upcoming Hobbit movie - possibly a royal place. Doug Jones said he’d be delighted to play whatever del Toro gives him, but he has his eye on the role of Legolas’ father, Elf King Thranduil. Watch out, Doug! I sense a major case of Multiple Fandom Overload coming your way!

Television

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If you missed Earth Day, try Sci-Fi Saturday. This week science fiction does a little recycling.

Television

Uber producer Ronald D. Moore has been accused of rampant recycling in his new sci-fi series for FOX, Virtuality. The writer/producer for Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek incorporates a little of both in his back door pilot about Earth’s first starship. The story follows the journey of the twelve-man crew of the Phaeton on the way to a new planet. In order to pass the time, the crew is given virtual reality modules where they can live out any fantasy. (Holodeck, Anyone?)

Virtuality is also recycling a few good men from the sci-fi faniverse, the most intriguing of which is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. That’s a fancy-looking name that stands for “the hottie who played the title role in the sadly cancelled FOX series, New Amsterdam”. He’s on board to play the mission commander Frank Pike (Captain Pike?) The show features a character named Roger Fallon (James D’arcy), a creepy psychologist who’s been described as a cross between Gaius Baltar and Cylon Brother Cavil. Also on board is director Peter Berg of the upcoming super hero flick, Hancock.

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Today’s sci-fi news is all about making something out of something else. Not so special, you say? We shall see!

Movies

It’s raining comics! This summer seems to be one big comics-to-movies filmfest, and that means theater-going heaven, at least for me. From my first peek at Dick Tracy with the wonderful Warren Beatty, I knew this crossover genre was for me. This summer alone will bring us more comic flicks than you can shake a stick at. Iron Man is still soaring with over $300 mil earned. The new and definitely improved Hulk is smashing at a cinema near you. Not to mention the one I never saw coming - Speed Racer, for which we had a fab FanLib contest. But even more impressive than the ones we’ve already seen are the movies from the comics genre that are still coming. Here’s a run-down:

Wanted - June 27, 2008
Hancock - July 2, 2008
Hellboy II: The Golden Army - July 11, 2008
The Dark Knight - July 18, 2008
Punisher: War Zone - Sept. 12, 2008
The Watchmen - March 6, 2009
X-Men Origins: Wolverine - May 1, 2009
Sin City 2 - 2009
Spider-Man 4 - 2009

Feel free to drool - I know I am!

Games

I recently watched the video-game-to-movie flick In the Name of the King and was surprised to realize how many creators have been inspired by games. Ever since director Steve Lizberger was inspired by Playstation’s predecessors and found himself creating cult classic Tron, Hollywood has been cranking out video game movies as fast as the special effects companies could keep up. Muses help me, I did like Wing Commander, Mortal Kombat and Doom, and I am writing my own fic for Avernum 4. Somewhere in there, fan fiction writers learned to grab the juicy little inspiration bunnies before production companies picked them up, and write little adaptations of their own. Hence, FanLib’s own Assassin’s Creed, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil and Super Mario Bro’s communities. Game on, FanLibbers!

Random Fandom News

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Marphlets returns for another SCI FI Saturday.

Books

Potter Prequel: Rowling’s 800 word prequel to the HP novels earned nearly $50,000 for dyslexia and English PEN charities on the 10th of this month. The tiny note card included info about a pre-Harry James and Sirius. Lucky for us, Waterstones is now posting that card, along with the others from the auction, on their site for all to enjoy. So check it out, y’all - Potter has a prequel!

There’s a new Indiana Jones novel on the horizon. The adaptation of the fourth movie has been tackled by author James Rollins and is taken from the story and screenplay by George Lucas, Jeff Nathanson and David Koepp. You can now get an autographed edition of Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull online at the Indiana Jones Shop.

TV

In an interview with the folks at SCI-FI Wire this week, Jared Padalecki discussed the upcoming season of Supernatural. [Spoiler Alert!] The cast and crew plan to start filming soon, barring an actors strike, the man behind Sam related.

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It’s a day of the prequel! Let’s check out some of the prequel news in “unexpected” places.

Books

A Harry Potter prequel will be auctioned off June 10 by Waterstones book store. The 800 word outline by J.K. Rowling ends with the line “From the prequel I am not working on – but that was fun!” Thirteen other authors are contributing to the auction, with the proceeds going to charity. Man, do I wish I had a couple million to spend! Maybe the buyer will share their prize with the world.

Movies

Unexpected Party Wrap Up: On May 24, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro were online to answer fannish questions about the upcoming Hobbit movie from fans across the globe. Over 7000 questions were asked, and Peter and Guillermo did their best to answer each one. The two were very informative and frequently a bundle of laughs. When del Toro was asked how he and Jackson met he quipped, “We finished a tray of shrimps together and agreed that NEW LINE should keep hiring round, bearded directors with funny accents…” You can find the entire transcript of the chat online at the WETA fansite.

Gaming

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This week you couldn’t get into Sci-Fi Saturday unless you had “star” power, which means we’re discussing some of my favorite fandoms.

Sci-Fi Vacation

For eight years now, Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios Resort has been holding Star Wars Weekends each summer. While the rest of the vacationers were stuck on that darn “Small World” ride, Star Wars vacationers from around the world were meeting their favorite SW characters and learning from the Masters at the Jedi Training Academy. It’s one big force-filled party held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays June 6-29, and some of our favorite stars will be there. The celebrity host, Warwick Davis, who just gave a stellar performance as Nikkabrik in Prince Caspian, will be on hand, as well as Jake Lloyd (young Anakin) and many more. For me the trip from Washington to Florida would be worth it, just to cross sabers with Vader on training day.

Movies

Star Trek XI: (Spoilers ahead!!) Checking out Reel Movie News this week, I stumbled across some Star Trek movie spoilers that I found very interesting, including word of a future Spock arriving in the past in a Vulcan 1 time-travel ship! I say “Awesomeness!” Another item of interest was the possibility of seeing some Kirk roots - a “George Kirk” is said to be the first officer of the USS Kelvin and presumably James T’s father. *smacks on the juicy Star Trek morsels*

Television

Speaking of Star Trek, when was the last time you saw The Next Generation on TV? Well, on June 3 your answer to that question can be “yesterday!” On June 2, from 7 to 11pm, SCIFI Channel is offering a mini marathon with four of the series’ best episodes. Starting with “The Naked Now” and ending with “Skin of Evil,” the episodes seem to be a showcase of some of Trisha Yar’s and Data’s most memorable moments. June 2 is one of my last days of vacation, and I’m spending four hours of it enjoying TNG the way it was meant to be viewed. How about you?

Conventions

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Breaking news in the Sci Fi faniverse! Atlantis goodbyes and an “Unexpected” Hobbit party with Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson.

Movies

Join the party! WETA, the FX company behind the upcoming Hobbit movie, is hosting a live chat this Saturday with the men behind the film. Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson will be on hand to chat about the film and answer questions directly from you. To be apart of An Unexpected Party, simply go to the WETA site and register. The live chat time is as follows:

Los Angeles (Pacific): Saturday 24 May 1 pm
New York (Eastern): Saturday 24 May 4 pm
London: Saturday 24 May 9 pm
Paris, Berlin, Rome: Saturday 24 May 10 pm
Sydney: Sunday 25 May 6 am
Wellington, Auckland: Sunday 25 May 8 am

Television

It’s sad, my friends, but I just read the announcement on SCIFI Wire that the lovely Amanda Tapping is leaving the cast of Atlantis to focus on a new series. She’s played Samantha Carter on both Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis for over a decade now, and for me, it’s hard to say goodbye.

(Possible spoilers ahead!) The folks behind Atlantis are experiencing a few more changes: first, Robert Picardo will be a regular cast member playing the infamous Richard Woolsey, who takes over for Col. Carter when she leaves. Firefly fans and Stargate fans alike may be delighted to know that Jewel Staite (“Kaley”/ “Dr. Keller”) is also going to be promoted from recurring guest to regular cast member. Dr. Carson Beckett (or his clone) will be back for five episodes in the upcoming season, and I, personally, can’t get enough of the gentle Scott. Jason Momoa (“Ronin”) has also said he may be leaving soon. That’s too bad for the fans. I don’t know about you, but I have quite a crush.

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This week, SciFi news is all over the place. So fasten your seat belts, Ladies and Gents!

Movies

Adam Brody (The O.C.) has expressed interest in keeping his part as The Flash in the stalled Justice League of America movie, if and when it picks back up. The George Miller project was originally going to have Ryan Reynolds as The Flash, but Brody was eventually offered the part. The movie, however, has stalled in production. Here’s hoping Brody gets his wish.

A friend recently pointed me to an almost forgotten movie coming to theaters next year. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantasy flick originally starring Heath Ledger as “Tony,” a stranger who finds himself traveling through a magical mirror to find the lost daughter of a traveling theatre owner. After the actor passed, several of Hollywood’s best stepped up to play their friend’s part. The film now stars Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell as the fantasy world versions of Ledger’s character. Ledger had finished all of the “real world” scenes before he passed. I don’t know about you, but I was pleased to see so many great actors stepping up to finish Heath’s work.

TV

Firefly fans - Hopefully you didn’t miss the SCIFI Channel’s all-day Firefly marathon yesterday. The day started at 8 am with Serenity part 1 and ended at 3 pm with Jaynestown. Yep! Eight whole episodes of the tragically cancelled Joss Whedon project that many fans consider his best. So, I hope you used your sick days, took a vacation, snuck out during your lunch break, or just set your Tivo - It was a couch potato, browncoat day!

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Sunday is Mother’s Day, so SciFi Saturday is all for the gals.

TV

Ladies, did you know that BSG could save your marriage? I didn’t either. According to the folks at MSN Entertainment News, the dual personality of the show can save us some of those “snuggle-less” nights in front of a separate TV in a separate room. We get a sexy thriller, and our fellas can enjoy an explosive space opera. So this week, give him what he really wants - a night on the couch with Battlestar and you.

Movies

Her mother would be proud. Georgie Henley is back to play Lucy in Narnia’s Prince Caspian, and she’s bringing a new level of maturity with her. The thirteen-year-old told SciFi Wire that she found it slightly easier to play the youngest Pevensie this time around. “I felt, because I’ve grown, Lucy has grown…” Looking forward to seeing the older you (and Lucy) in action, Georgie!

Random Fandom News

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This week we’re going across the pond and down under for SciFi Saturday.

TV

British actress Sophia Myles said recently in an interview with the folks at SCIFI Wire that a second season of the CBS hit Moonlight is “all but confirmed.” (Moonlight fans say “Yay!”) Myles plays the troubled love interest, Beth Turner, to Alex O’Loughlin’s troubled vampire, Mick St. John. Myles went on to say that the mostly female fan base could draw in more men by sharing in the sexy nature of the show. “So, guys, tune in, because you’re going to get lucky.” Whatdya say, boys? Watch party?

Movies

Narnia Sweepstakes! Most of you probably know about Prince Caspian coming to theaters May 16th. You may not know that until May 26th, the official movie site offers the opportunity to win a trip for two to the New Zealand set during the filming of the third Narnia flick, Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t resist a chance at such a juicy fannish experience. My entry’s in! How about yours? Read more »