April 2010 Archives   It's Official Legend of the Seeker Cancelled By MaryD on April 29, 2010 8:38 AM News of the cancellation of LotS has been a shock to many fans. No OFFICIAL (ABC Studios) word yet or from Rob Tapert but Mike Sussman and Bridget Regan have posted about this. Mike Sussman, writer and Co-Executive Producer on Legend of the Seeker has posted the following tweet tonight: WrittenByMikeS The quest is complete. Thank you so much to our amazing cast, crew & all our fans, it's been an awesome two years. Will miss you all. about 1 hour ago via web and Bridget Regan has also sent the following tweet: BridgetRegan @Dear_B or should I say Dear Diary? Got some news that Seeker is no more. So sad to say goodbye to my NZ family but excited for what's next. about 5 hours ago via web in reply to Dear_B Legend of the Seeker will end after 2 seasons. Hail Xena - Season 1 DVD To Be Released 20 April 2010 By MaryD on April 19, 2010 7:37 AM Xena Warrior Princess Season 1 is being re-released on DVD on 20 April 2010. The following was posted in the Los Angeles Times about the release: If you’re nostalgic for warrior princesses, talk about “Xena: Warrior Princess.” Long before Lucy Lawless was going topless in Starz’ “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” she was just a warrior bent on overcoming her dark past and saving innocents to redeem herself in the campy ’90s cult TV series. Want to relive that Spartan costume? The first season is now available on DVD. (Tuesday) If you want vampires that don’t sparkle, talk about “American Vampire.” Click here to buy from Amazon.com Rob Mention in Peter Mensah Interview By MaryD on April 18, 2010 7:38 AM Peter Mensah (Doctore in Spartacus Blood and Sand) was interviewed for iF Magazine on his role on the show and the season finale (which happened yesterday - click here to read the AUSXIP Spartacus review). He was asked about Rob and this was his answer: iF: A lot of people in the Sam Raimi/Robert Tapert television production team have been working together since HERCULES and XENA. What’s it like for you coming in and working with such a tight group? MENSAH: Actually fantastic. One of the good aspects is, when you get included in a family, Rob Tapert especially has gone out of his way to make me really comfortable, it’s a nice thing to recognize that you’ve been recognized, they trust your work, because they hired me without auditioning, they just put in a call and it was a choice between this and a certain cop show, and this won hands down [laughs]. Read Full Interview Spartacus Season 1 Poll By MaryD on April 17, 2010 7:50 PM Did you enjoy Spartacus Season 1? QuestionsView Results spartacus.ausxip.com Spartacus Episode 13 Recap/Review by MaryD By MaryD on April 17, 2010 1:57 PM Spartacus Blood and Sand Episode 13 Recap / Review by MaryD Credits for this episode: Directed by Steven S. DeKnight and Jesse Warn Writing credits (in alphabetical order) Steven S. DeKnight (written by) Brent Fletcher (story editor), Aaron Helbing (staff writer), Todd Helbing (staff writer). Miranda Kwok (staff writer) Log Line Spartacus’ fury culminates in the stunning season finale Read The Review (SPOILERS) Boston Herald Reviews Kill Them All - SPOILERS! By MaryD on April 16, 2010 8:24 PM Mega Mega Spoilers in the Boston Herald newspaper for their review of "Kill Them All". Why can't reviewers just not give the game away? Since monstersandcritics just about ripped apart the episode for me and revealed mega spoilers (which I was silly enough to read even as I was trying to stay spoiler free), it's not a surprise any more. Memo to reviewers, can you at least put a SPOILER WARNING in your articles? I know it's a bit late now but just had to say it. Anyway if you want to read spoilers...this is a good article and a great write up about Lucy and the rest of the cast. Click here to read Spartacus Season 1 Review by Chicago Tribune 14 April 2010 By MaryD on April 15, 2010 7:04 PM The Chicago Tribune has a great article on the evolution of Spartacus Blood and Sand into a terrific show. CONTAINS NO SPOILERS for the season finale Chicago Tribune - 14 April 2010 As Season 1 ends, 'Spartacus' emerges as a gripping gladiator romp It's hard to say what's more impressive about the Season 1 finale of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" (9 p.m. Central Friday, Starz) -- the hour itself, which is an enormously enjoyable roller-coaster ride, or the way it artfully combines everything "Spartacus" does well. To give away even a scrap of what happens to the gladiator Spartacus (Andy Whitfield) and his wealthy owners, Batiatus (John Hannah) and Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) would be to ruin the finale's well-designed twists and turns. Suffice to say it left a lasting impression and will no doubt remain one of my favorite TV episodes of the year. For those who dismissed the show as a sex-obsessed "300" ripoff, think again. "Spartacus" turned out to be so much more than that, especially when it kicked into high gear midway through Season 1. Over the course of 13 hours, and especially in several well-paced recent episodes, this swords-and-togas saga became downright addictive, in part due to its distinctive dialogue, which mixes Shakespearean flourishes with "Sopranos"-esque profanity. Read Full Article Rob Mention In USA Today John Hanna Article By MaryD on April 15, 2010 6:34 PM USA Today has an article about John Hannah (Batiatus on Spartacus Blood and Sand). It features a quote from Rob about casting the role: Yet Starz and series execs initially sought "the TV equivalent of Tom Cruise" to portray Batiatus, says Robert Tapert, Lawless' husband and Sparatcus' co-producer. "Oddly enough, this was the hardest character to cast," he says. "We had other actors, including big names. But they either couldn't get around the sex scenes or the volume of dialogue. We kept coming back to John." Read full article Rob Tapert Mentor By Brad Carpenter By MaryD on April 15, 2010 7:06 AM Brad Carpenter was Rob's assitant during the filming of Xena and Hercules. On the dot429 site he writes how Rob Tapert was his mentor: In part he writes: We all need mentors, whether personal or professional. My first true Producing mentor was Rob Tapert at Renaissance Pictures. Rob never hesitated to answer my questions about how the TV business worked. As Rob’s assistant, I would get to stay on the line during many of his calls so I could take note of things I’d need to follow up on. Sometimes Rob would be getting notes from the Studio about scripts or edits of episodes. It was my first exposure to an essential part of the collaborative process, the give and take between the Studio (the buyer) and the Producer (the supplier). When Rob traveled down to New Zealand to be on set for “Hercules” and “Xena,” he took me with him, and I quickly learned how television production functioned. I was amazed at how many talents were involved in turning out the final product. Happily, those years with Rob yielded many great experiences, including some lasting friendships, a bit of writing, and even an acting role. (Amphion, the peaceful warrior. Cool!) Thank you Rob Tapert for starting me on my way, and for your blessed friendship all these years. Read More Spartacus "Kill Them All" Review - MEGA SPOILERS! By MaryD on April 15, 2010 6:59 AM The Monstersandcritics site has a review of the season finale and if you SERIOUSLY don't want to be spoilt about who dies and who lives...don't go there. They have spoilt it and named names. You can also win a Spartacus t-shirt. So if you want to be spoilt for the finale..go and find out who lives and who dies. Read article 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' Takes Battle Worldwide By MaryD on April 13, 2010 7:05 AM Release Issued: April 12, 2010 1:30 PM EDT 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' Takes Battle Worldwide in Time for MIP-TV A Success in the U.S., Canada and the Netherlands, Starz' Series to Premiere in UK, Asia, Latin America and More BURBANK, Calif., April 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Proclaimed the "Champion of Capua," Spartacus is now taking on the rest of the world, with Starz Entertainment's original series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" set to debut in high-profile markets around the world. Starz Worldwide Distribution, the sales unit of the premium entertainment company, is finalizing additional markets at the 2010 MIP-TV market (Starz is based at stand RSV-25 at MIP-TV). "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," a ratings over-achiever on Starz in the U.S., the Movie Network and Movie Central in Canada and RTL5 in the Netherlands since it premiered earlier this year, the 13-episode program has just launched or is launching soon on: * Bravo TV in the UK, premiering May 25; * LAPTV's MovieCity Pack in Latin America; * OCN in South Korea, where it premiered April 9; * HBO Central Europe in 14 territories across the region; * And on Star Channel in Japan. Read More Superheroes inspired by 'The Ring' - Xena By MaryD on April 12, 2010 5:04 PM The Los Angeles Times had an article on the how superheroes portrayed in the media today have been influenced by the 19th Century composer Richard Wagner and his four-opera cycle "The Ring Of The Nibelung". Xena - In the sixth season of the TV series "Xena: Warrior Princess," viewers learn that Xena was once an evil Valkyrie who presided over a reign of terror in the show's mythological universe. And in the series, Xena even takes a dip with the Rhine Maidens in a nod to Wagner's "Das Rheingold." Comic-book experts say that Brünnhilde and her fellow Valkyries have influenced the recent flourishing of on-screen female action heroes whose soft-butch exteriors hide an emotionally vulnerable core. On TV, the most recognizable offspring of Wagner's Valkyries was the title character in the cult series "Xena: Warrior Princess." In the sixth and final season, which aired in 2000-2001, viewers learned that Xena ( Lucy Lawless) was once an evil Valkyrie who presided over a reign of terror in the show's pan-mythological universe. The season featured three episodes inspired by the "Ring." In one, Xena takes a Sapphic swim with the Rhine Maidens -- a nod to the opening of "Das Rheingold," the first opera in Wagner's cycle. Rob Tapert, a co-creator of "Xena" who is now working on the series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," said the entertainment industry's attraction to ancient heroes such as Wagner's is cyclical in nature due to advances in screen wizardry. "The technology has changed and that means you can tell these stories all over again," he said from the "Spartacus" set in New Zealand. "These stories have withstood the test of time. It's really a matter of how we can do it all new for a new audience." Read The Full Article Ghost House Pictures Launches Spooky Pictures By MaryD on April 12, 2010 12:22 PM LOS ANGELES, CA October 2, 2009 – Ghost House Pictures has announced today the establishment of SPOOKY PICTURES, a production label dedicated to the financing, development, production and distribution of scary movies made for the family audience. The first project under the new label, in collaboration with friends and partners Sony Pictures and Stars Road Entertainment’s Joshua Donen, will be THE SUBSTITUTE. Scott Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) will scribe the remake of acclaimed writer/ director Ole Bornedal’s 2007 Danish language thriller of the same name, with Derrickson directing. The project is being developed in cooperation with Columbia Pictures, which has an option to co-finance and distribute the picture domestically. Columbia has a first-look to distribute this and future films from Spooky Pictures. The film will be produced by filmmakers Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, the Spider-Man franchise) and Rob Tapert (30 Days of Night, The Grudge films) through their new Spooky Pictures shingle in association with Thura Films. Russell Hollander and Nathan Kahane will executive produce alongside the makers of the Danish film Ole Bornedal and Michael Obel. Tendo Nagenda and J.R. Young will shepherd for Spooky Pictures. THE SUBSTITUTE follows a terrified 6th grade class as they race to reveal to their parents that their new substitute teacher is an evil alien being. Boardman and Derrickson previous collaborations include Exorcism of Emily Rose and THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. They are repped by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and attorney Karl Austen of Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein. Sam Raimi is represented by CAA and attorney Craig Jacobson. Ole Bornedal is repped by WME, Danny Sherman at Principal Entertainment and attorney Andrew Hurwitz at Schreck Rose Dapello Adams & Hurwitz. Michael Obel is repped by WME. For Spooky Pictures, Rob McEntegart negotiated the remake rights and Columbia deals, and Dan Freedman negotiated the Boardman/Derrickson deal. Principal Entertainment, WME and Andrew Hurwitz brokered the deal between Thura Films and Spooky Pictures. Rob Tapert Movies Update By MaryD on April 12, 2010 12:20 PM The following movies are being produced by Rob (Ghost House Pictures): Warcraft Warcraft is still in the scripting process bu it will take place about a year before the events of World of Warcraft. The storyline is "principally told from the Alliance perspective." After revealing that detail, and waiting for the Horde aligned players to finish their booing, Metzen explained "While my heart lies with the Horde and Thrall's an interesting character, from a movie making standpoint, a blockbuster movie its a little rough to try and tell it from the perspective of this green looking dude." Read More Director - Sam Raimi Executive Producer - Robert Tapert Producer - Joshua Donen Writer - Robert Rodat GHOST HOUSE PICTURES Burst 3D An isolated town endures an alien invasion that causes victims to spontaneously combust during a severe snowstorm. A young woman running from her troubles finds herself stranded at a lodge with a group of strangers. One after another, they inexplicably begin to burst into pieces. Shock quickly descends into paranoia as nobody knows who to trust. And as the mystery unravels, the survivors realize that what's causing this unstoppable phenomenon is bigger and more disturbing than anyone could have ever imagined. Release Date: No Release Date Available Director: Neil Marshall Writer: Gary Dauberman Studio: Ghost House Pictures Anguish Anguish, which centers on two girls who discover their lives begin to mirror the plot of a scary film they recently watched, will be penned by Jack Wade Wall (When a Stranger Calls, Hitcher). There's no director for the remake of the 1987 original yet, but we do know Anguish's production team will also include members from Vertigo Entertainment, the same guys previously involved with The Strangers. Release Date: No Release Date Available Director: Writer: Jack Wade Wall Studio: Ghost House Pictures   The Dorm (aka Room 205) Wanting a fresh start, Katrine moves into a university dormitory but quickly learns the myth about a ghost of a former resident who was killed. The myth soon becomes a terrifying reality. Release Date: No Release Date Available Director: Martin Barnewitz Writer: Stephen Susco Studio: Ghost House Pictures   Monkey's Paw "Paw" concerns a father who brings home an artifact rumored to make any wish come true, but misfortune begins to befall the family with every desire granted. Release Date: No Release Date Available Director: Writer: Dave Kajganich and Tom McAlister Studio: Ghost House Pictures   Incident at Sans Asylum The film follows aspiring musicians working as cooks for the criminally insane who find themselves locked in the asylum when a major thunderstorm hits. Release Date: No Release Date Available Director: Daniel Calparsoro Writer: S. Craig Zahler Studio: Ghost House Pictures and Vertigo Entertainment Untitled Fede Alvarez project Ghost House Pictures has made a deal with Uruguayan commercials director Fede Alvarez to direct his pitch for an alien invasion film. Release Date: No Release Date Available Director: Fede Alvarez Writer: Fede Alvarez Studio: Ghost House Pictures Spartacus The Mini-Series? By MaryD on April 12, 2010 7:40 AM Could we have a Spartacus Mini-Series in the works while we are waiting for Season 2? It seems there is a rumour floating about that this is true. Interesting. Barbara Davies sent in the following information from the NY Magazine site that has the following rumour: PostVulture Exclusive: Starz Developing a Spartacus: Blood and Sand Prequel Vulture has learned that Starz is developing a six-episode miniseries prequel to its freshman hit, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, in order to keep the series' momentum after its star, Andy Whitfield, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma a month ago and production on a second season was indefinitely postponed. The series (the finale of which airs next week) has been Starz's first original-series hit, averaging a million episodes each week; the network green-lighted season 2 a month before it even premiered, but now, with Whitfield in treatment, Starz finds itself with empty sets, actors, producers, and writers very expensively standing by. A prequel (Gladiator Babies, perhaps?) would keep the sets and creative staff productive, while holding on to the original show's fans. Network execs are now in Cannes at the annual MIP TV international programming marketplace, looking at other options, but this spin-off is looking like a tempting bet to fill their January hole. More as this story develops. Source Spartacus Episode 13 Video Promo & Episode Stills - SPOILERS! By MaryD on April 10, 2010 5:52 PM We are going to see the final episode of Spartacus next week - Number 13. It's called Kill Them All - That doesn't give away any spoilers now does it? <g> Click here to view the episode promo with some spoilers according to the promo.   Things are not looking good for the House of Batiatus...they are a looking very deadly. Click here to view the episode stills Spartacus Episode 12 Recap / Review by MaryD By MaryD on April 10, 2010 2:15 PM Spartacus Blood and Sand Episode Recap / Review Season 1 Episode 12 Revelations by MaryD Lucretia and Batiatus await the arrival of Glaber with the intentions to receive his patronage, while Spartacus focuses his attention on his plan for revenge. Friday, 4/9 at 10pm et/pt on Starz. Read Full Recap / Review New Photo of Rob in Lucy Lawless Blog By MaryD on April 3, 2010 6:48 PM There's a new photo of Rob relaxing in bed with the Tapert cat who made the journey from the US to NZ. Check out Lucy's new blog about the new additions to the Tapert household. click here to read blog Read More Archives