igp-scifi

V is coming back on the air. Normally, I’d rejoice for this. I’ve been a V fan since the first time it aired in
Britain, when I was just a little kid hiding behind the couch when the visitors lizard-face is revealed. However, this isn’t the V of old. In fact, V creator Kenneth Johnson will have nothing to do with this show. Instead, V has been reinvented by 4400 creator Scott Peters, and the results, from what little I’ve heard about it… sounds a little like a cross between V and The 4400. A few months ago, I reported on IGP when I first heard inklings about this new version of V. Now the Hollywood Reporter claims that V is one of two pilots ABC has picked up. By the way, for those keeping up… ABC are the ones making the awful
US version of Life on Mars. Could this get any worse? Well, luckily, Kenneth Johnson still retains motion picture rights to V and states on his website that “This does not affect Kenny’s ongoing effort to remake his original classic as a motion picture.” That’s good news at least. On a side note, I’ve worked as an extra for ABC before, would it be hypocritical of me to get excited if I got to wear a visitor uniform?

The list of nominations for the upcoming Academy Awards has been released and Dark Knight fans will be thrilled to see that Heath ledger was nominated for a best supporting actor oscar for his role as The Joker. Unless I’m mistaken, Dark Knight is nominated in eight different categories, although sadly, none but Ledger’s is the “top” awards. I was also amused to see Robert Downy Jr. nominated for his role as the white guy playing a black guy in the comedy Tropic Thunder. Not a sci-fi movie, but definitely an enjoyable movie, especially for action buffs. WALL-E seems to be doing pretty well with the oscar buzz too.

Last year it seemed like we were losing a bunch of the great sci-fi authors. Now it feels like a whole lot of iconic sci-fi actors are passing away too. Last week we lost both Patrick McGoohan and Ricardo Montalban, then yesterday the genre lost actor Bob May. May was of course well known as the actor that did the physical characterization for The Robot in Lost in Space. May was a supportive of the fan community and could be found at local conventions signing autographs. He will be missed. For more information, check out IGP’s Bob May: The Man behind the Curtain

Battlestar Galactica fans may have been quite shocked about halfway through yesterday’s episode. I know I was! For all those fans, you should go check out Scifi Wire, they have an interview with Kandyse McClure AKA Dualla which is definitely worth checking out. Also, be sure to visit youtube and check out the worst timing for a commercial clip. Suddenly, I’m not so keen on tomato soup. I should, however, add that if you have not already seen yesterday’s episode but intend on watching it, wait until you’ve seen it, to watch the clip. Just trust me on this one!

Tomorrow, Battlestar Galactica fans will be able to bid on their favourite props at Auction Network. My personal favourite? Adama’s model ship. It looks like it comes in broken pieces- unfortunately, I don’t think webmonkey Rob would be too impressed if I spent the estimated $1500-$2000 that this item will sell for. Of course, the Mark II Viper could go as low as $1000. This just makes me glad I’m not a big BSG fan. I’m still sore that I didn’t try to get any of the Buffy props that were sold on eBay when they went off the air. Anyway, you’ll also find Galactica prop furniture, costumes, patches, and concept art!

Also, if you missed the BSG mid-season premiere (shame on you!) and be sure to check out IGP’s Battlestar Galactica episode guide.

Fans of Amazing Spider-Man may be surprised and disappointed to hear that the latest issue #583, featuring future president Barack Obama has already sold out! Luckily, second and third printings are on the way. The issue features Spidey saving Obama on Inauguration Day and sharing a fist bump with the president elect. Barack Obama has stated in the past that he collected both Spider Man and Conan the Barbarian comics as a child and his website features a photo of him posed by a Superman statue.

More News: The Watchmen dispute appears to have been resolved. Check out IGP for details.

In the last two days, the genre has lost two iconic actors. On Tuesday January 13, The Prisoner actor Patrick McGoohan passed away at the age of 80, after battling a short illness. The actor is of course most well known in the sci-fi world in the role of Number Six in the mind-bendy series, The Prisoner. On Wednesday January 14 actor Ricardo Montalban also passed away, aged 88. The actor is most recognizable in the role of Khan in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and in television’s Fantasy Island. Both of these actors will be greatly missed.

For more information on Patrick McGoohan, please check out my article on IGP Patrick McGoohan: Be Seeing You.

Sorry for not posting in a while. However, for those anxiously awaiting the return of Battlestar Galactica check out IGP’s rundown of the series’ highs and lows, of which there have been many. Those who know me know that i’m not the biggest Galactica fan (stories have dragged on too long, inbetween fairly pointless filler episodes). But the writers have made some seriously gutsy moves both with character development and with the jump forward in time they did at the end of Season Two. And the fact that they’re ending the series while it’s still on top, instead of dragging it out earns them much kudos.  If you haven’t done it yet, don’t forget to get caught up on Battlestar Galactica - Season 4.0 in time for the premiere on Friday.

As already reported this morning on IGP’s news page Matt Smith is the new Doctor. Amidst rumours that actors such as Chiwetel Ejiofor and Stephen Fry were being considered for the role Smith seems to have come out of nowhere. At just 26 years old Smith is the youngest actor to ever portray the role of the Doctor (three years younger than Peter Davison who was the previous youngest actor). Smith previous roles include parts in The Ruby and the Smoke, the 2008 film In Bruges and a leading role in Party Animals.  For more information on the newest actor to play the Doctor, check out IGP’s piece Who is Matt Smith?

In less than ten hours the BBC will announce the name of the actor that will play the Eleventh Doctor. The announcement will be made on a special Doctor Who Confidential broadcast. IGP will of course have all the juicy details once they become available.

This announcement comes after months of speculation after current Doctor, David Tenant, announced that he would be leaving the show. Tenant will be stepping down following the final of four TV specials to be aired throughout 2009, the first of which is the Christmas special which I reviewed here. Who do I think the new Doctor is going to be? Honestly, I have no idea, although Survivors star Paterson Joseph has been considered the favourite for this coveted role.