Syfy Asks You To Imagine Greater
July 2, 2009 by Cynthia
With the switch rapidly approaching, the channel formerly known as Syfy has released a charming new promo video that is meant to capture the feel of the new brand.
I’ve always enjoyed SCI FI’s imaginative ads, seeing people and things transform right before your very eyes. This new promo takes it even one step further as some of the network’s stars come out to party in a truly magical castle.
The biggest difference I see between this new promo and the old ones, is the warmth and happy tone. The original ads were cool but always very sterile and simple — truly capturing the feel of modern science fiction. This new ad is full of warm colors and detailed images that are constantly changing and moving. It feels more modern fairy tale and less a trip into space and you gotta love the Escher homage with the cast of Warehouse 13.
It’s all very SteamPunk meets Alice in Wonderland and I can totally get behind that. Click here to watch the House of Imagination video at the new Syfy.com.
I think it’s more fun to spot the stars Waldo style, but if you want a list in order of appearance, it’s under the cut.
Syfy Announces Their Comic Con Schedule
June 30, 2009 by Cynthia
Making the brand change from SCI FI to Syfy, the (insert name here) channel promises a big show at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. In addition to the usual panels, they’ll be taking over the restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel, and re-branding it as Eureka’s “Cafe Diem” for the duration of the convention. This will act as their convention hub and I imagine that will mean lots of goodies and fun for everyone who stops by. (SCI FI Channel Photo: Liane Hentscher)
They have some great guests and lots of sneak peeks at many of their new TV shows.
Also note that the Sanctuary panel is listed as being at the Bayside Hilton — leading me to wonder if more of the events are going to be held off site to reduce crowding. Nice idea, but getting from there to the Warehouse 13 panel that follows is going to be a nightmare.
Here’s the full listing:
Friday, July 24
10:30 AM-11:30 AM Stargate Universe
Michael Shanks Charity Auction is Underway
June 9, 2009 by Cynthia
It’s that time of year again folks, time to reach into your wallet and bid on a cool scifi collectible in the name of charity. Stargate’s Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson) is the man behind this yearly effort and the auction always features some really amazing items, like this autographed cap (see below for the list of signers). Other auction items include:
* Michael Shanks’ signed, personal “SG-1″ scripts (with hand-written notations), plus scripts and call sheets from his appearances on the USA Network series “Burn Notice” and the Fox Network series “24″
* Stargate DVDs signed by the original movie’s stars, Kurt Russell, Mili Avatal, Erick Avari and Alexis Cruz.
* Photos, posters, DVDs and action figures signed by – among others – Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins (”Supernatural”), Jeffrey Donovan (”Burn Notice”), Jamie Bamber and Katee Sackhoff (”Battlestar Galactica”), Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett and Paul McGillion (”Stargate: Atlantis”), Sean Astin (”The Lord Of The Rings”) and Gareth David Lloyd (”Torchwood”).
* “SG-1″ team and individual photos, DVDs, and more, signed by Michael Shanks, Claudia Black, Amanda Tapping, Beau Bridges, Ben Browder and Christopher Judge, among others.
The profits from this auction will be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. The auction starts today and new items will be added daily for the next two to three weeks. You can go straight to the auction on ebay or visit Michael’s website for more detailed information.
Stargate Universe Trailer Promo
June 5, 2009 by Cynthia
According to this new trailer for Stargate Universe, this is a darker, sexier Stargate but is that something anyone ever asked for? Usually, I’m on board with dark and sexy, but I’m not ready to give up the lighthearted banter of Atlantis. Listening to Beckett and Sheppard verbally battle was the highlight of my Friday night.
The trailer also says it’s a story of hope. In my experience, that means that the majority of the story will be devoted to death and destruction. I don’t want hope, I want triumph. I want the good guys to win.
And can we talk about Lou Diamond Philips hanging in the jungle with Spencer and Heidi on the I’m a Celebrity. . Get Me Out of Here? Sorry, but his credibility as an actor is dropping faster than Sacha Baron Cohen in angel wings.
Leonard Nimoy on Fringe: First Pic
April 28, 2009 by Cynthia
I’ve been waiting for this. . . the first picture of Leonard Nimoy as William Bell on Fringe. Here’s the scoop:
Setting the stage for the dramatic and revealing first season finale are a sudden and unexpected attack on someone with close ties to Fringe Division, the return of bioterrorist David Robert Jones (guest star Jared Harris) and the inexplicable disappearance of Walter. Find out more about the mysterious events surrounding our trio when questions are answered, observations made, loyalties are tested and the elusive William Bell (guest star Nimoy) is finally introduced in the “There’s More Than One of Everything” season finale episode of Fringe.
It all happens on May 12 at 9:01. Not 9:00, mind you, but 9:01.
©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Craig Blankenhorn/FOX
Stargate Universe Gets Familiar Guest Stars
April 15, 2009 by Cynthia
Anyone familiar with the Stargate franchise knows that its an “all in the family” kind of production company. It’s very common to see, not only actors, but characters repeated across the various incarnations and it’s about to happen again. With Stargate Universe well into production, SCI FI Channel has announced a list of Stargate guest stars along with three new editions to the family.
– Richard Dean Anderson (Stargate SG1, Stargate Continuum, Stargate Atlantis) Anderson reprises his role as General O’Neil. O’Neil is the former leader of the elite military team SG-1.
– Amanda Tapping (Sanctuary, Stargate SG1, Stargate Continuum, Stargate Atlantis) Reprises her role as Samantha Carter, an astrophysicist and United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.
– Michael Shanks (Stargate SG1, Stargate Continuum, Stargate Atlantis) Reprises his role as Dr. Daniel Jackson, Stargate’s archeologist and linguist.
CSI Casts Sci Fi Faves
April 13, 2009 by Cynthia
Here’s a quick look at some of your sci fi faves who will be guest starring on the various CSI incarnations in the coming weeks.
On April 27, Moonlight’s Jordan Belfi (also of Ten Inch Hero for you Jensen Ackles fans) will guest on CSI Miami in “Dead on Arrival.” The episode also includes Adrianne Palicki, aka Jess from Supernatural.
(Pictured (L-R) David Caruso as Horatio Caine and Jordan Belfi as Neil Palmer Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2009 CBS BROADCASTING INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)
Smallville and Stargate Universe’s Alaina Huffman will co-star with Friday the 13th’s Derek Mears in a rerun of “Raging Cannibal” on CSI Miami on April 20.
Lou Diamond Phillips Fills out Stargate Universe Cast
The names have been trickling in, but it looks like the cast of Stargate Universe is signed, sealed and ready to film in Vancouver. Following in the footsteps of SG-1 and Atlantis, SGU follows a group of soldiers and scientists through a stargate and on to an ancient ship that is floating in space. More of a survival tale than the previous two incarnations, Universe is said to be “younger and edgier” – terms that don’t sit well with many loyal Stargate followers.
Here’s a look at the final cast and their characters according to the SCI FI Channel:
Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, The Full Monty) stars as Dr. Nicholas Rush, one of the most brilliant scientific minds, whose motives are not what they appear to be.
Lou Diamond Phillips (Che, La Bamba) is Colonel Telford, a proud lifelong military man, who puts his faith in the chain of command. Stubbornly confident, he’s highly regarded by his superiors. He is the chosen leader of the ill-fated expedition.
SCI FI Fills Out Universe Cast
SCI FI Channel has announced Justin Louis, David Blue, Brian J. Smith and Jamil Walker Smith will join the cast of the new original series Stargate Universe. Along with previous announced Robert Carlyle (24: Redemption), that’s a lot of testosterone.
Are there no women in the Universe? Seeing as how I prefer male-centric shows to female ones, this might not be so bad. . .I like Justin Louis. He’s one of those guys that pops up on a lot of shows I’ve watched. And David Blue is kind of cute and quirky. Brian Smith is pretty much an unknown but Jamil is listed as being on plenty of shows I watch (Bones, Supernatural) but I can’t get a handle on him.
What do you think of this line-up of what they’re calling a hipper, younger, edgier Stargate?
Justin Louis (Andromeda Strain, The Fighting Fitzgeralds) will portray Colonel Everett Young, an experienced Stargate team leader. Married, with years of tough decisions under his belt, life has taught him never to take anything for granted. He stays on top of his team so they stay alive.
David Blue (Ugly Betty, Moonlight) stars as Eli Wallace, a total slacker, who just happens to be an utter genius with anything he puts his mind to - mathematics, computers, video games. A lack of confidence has left him with an acerbic sense of humor. (Seen here with a guest at the 2009 HBO Golden Globe After-Party)
Star Trek, Stargate and Whoopi
December 15, 2008 by Cynthia
First off, how cool is this new banner for the Star Trek movie? I love it. Now image all of that and IMAX to boot!
That’s right, in addition to premiering in regular theaters worldwide on May 8, 2009, Star Trek will also open in IMAX theaters.
Says J.J. Abrams, “I’m thrilled that audiences will be able to experience this new, epic world of Star Trek – with an incredible cast and mind-blowing visual effects – on what is, obviously, the most remarkable film format in the world.”
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SCI FI Channel announced today that Scottish actor Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, The Full Monty) has been cast in the leading role of Dr. David Rush on their new series, Stargate Universe.
Says the press release, Universe will have an “edgier and younger in tone than the two previous series.” Which is certainly what I get when I look at Robert Carlyle and his body of work. . .
SGU follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship missing in the far reaches of space. As they fight to survive, Dr. Rush (Carlyle) works to unlock the mysteries of the ship and return the group home, but evidence of his ulterior motives soon arises.
Production begins in Vancouver in January for Summer 09 release.
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Lastly, according to Variety, Whoopi Goldberg will be producing and starring in a new SciFi webseries for Fearnet.com called Stream where she will play a woman facing up to her fears.