Author Archives: Sarah Sommer

About Sarah Sommer

Sarah is a journalist and an artist who lives in the city. She loves movies and television. She reads early and often. Sarah also helps out over at BSCkids.com and our other sites!

A Majority of Walking Dead Players Try To Do The Right Thing

It seems The Walking Dead video game from Telltale games is proving to be just as much a social commentary as it is a captivating video game. Players are, as a majority, trying to do the right thing.

“Not even a zombie apocalypse can stop people from being intrinsically good,” said video game publisher and developer Telltale Games.

Similar to several popular games out right now, player choices are an important aspect of Telltale’s episodic adventure game. The game, based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman, tasks players with making difficult (and morally ambiguous) decisions that affect the outcome of the story. However, according to new statistics revealed after the The Walking Dead Episode 2: Starved For Help was released, most people try to make the “right” choice even if it means endangering themselves or others.

(Warning: The rest of this article contains major spoilers for The Walking Dead) 

87 percent of players, when faced with the crossbow-weildling woman, chose to wait rather than shoot her dead. The majority (85 percent of players) then decided to chop off high-school teacher David’s leg to save him from approaching walkers, and most also chose to spare the life of demented dairy farmer Andy St. John (80 percent of players).

Telltale Games senior director of marketing Richard Iggo analyzed these statistics and said,

“Some of the stats we’ve seen coming back from player decisions have created a perception that even in dire times – and when faced with no-win situations where each decision is morally grey – the majority of people will try to do the ‘right’ thing if they can, even if there’s really no ‘right’ decision to be made,” Iggo told GamesBeat. ”It’s fascinating because even when we offer players a decision where the apparently darker option might make sense from a purely logical point of view, they’ll often try to choose the ‘higher’ ground at personal cost even if that means being put in danger or having a relationship with another character suffer because of it.”

Iggo also noted that the game’s engines track every decision players make. Statistics for the larger story-changing choices are displayed at the end of each episode, while the video trailers offer a more in-depth look into smaller, more subtle choices that help shape series protagonist Lee Everett’s personality.

“One of my favorites is where we see people stop punching Andy St. John,” Iggo said. “If you’ve seen the trailer, you’ll know that we’re almost up to 1.5 million punches on Andy. In that scene, you wail away on him until you see a wide-angle shot of the other survivors watching you including the impressionable Clementine. The camera then cuts back to a first person perspective, and you can continue to strike, but what we see is that most people stop. They realize that they’re being watched and that people are forming an opinion of them right there, and most people don’t want to be seen as a monster even in light of what the St. John family did. Most people take the higher ground, get up, walk away, and leave Andy to his fate.”

One choice, that wasn’t covered in the statistics trailer, invovles a small moment early on in Episode 2. Players must pass out four pieces of food among ten very hungry survivors. Unsurprisingly, the children — Clementine and Duck — were the most picked, followed by Mark. But it’s the fourth pick, the hard-as-nails curmudgeon Larry, that most surprised Telltale.

Iggo had a theory on why players chose they way they did.

“People chose to feed the guy that had been nothing but trouble since they met him, but I guess they felt sorry for him or his daughter Lilly. Or maybe they hoped that, by feeding him, he might tone down his aggression towards them and perhaps not reveal to the group what he knows about [Lee’s] past,” said Iggo.

However, players will never know if their kindness mattered to Larry as he meets his maker at the end of Episode 2. And if thought that was shocking, you haven’t seen anything yet.

“In terms of absolute heartbreak in the episodes we’ve seen so far, [Episode 3: Long Road Ahead] takes the crown. You’re really going to have your morals tested right from the opening scenes of the episode, and since the bulk of people who play the game seem to make decisions based on what they would actually do in the situations presented to them, this episode is going to hold up a very dark mirror for a lot of people.”

Whether player’s good actions are a result of their naturally kind hearts or they’re desire as gamer’s to get the best ending possible, it is still nice to see that during the apocalypse we may have some kind survivors at least.

Concept Art Released For Cancelled “The Sandman” Project

One of the world’s most celebrated comics of the past 25 years, Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, has been on a long and tedious journey to the silver screen. However, the project has repeatedly fallen through much to chagrin of it’s devoted fans. Gaiman had originally pitched the project to studio executives only to have it not pan out with Warner bros.

The Sandman was published by DC Comics, however, beginning with issue #47, it was placed under the imprint Vertigo. It chronicles the adventures of Dream (of the Endless), who rules over the world of dreams. It ran for 75 issues from January 1989 until March 1996. Gaiman’s contract stipulated that the series would end when he left it.

For fans who are well acquainted with the Sandman world, they will notice that the concept art released from the failed project covers virtually the entire run of the comic. Fans can also now OWN the exclusive artwork as Gaiman himself tweeted a message regarding the cancelled project and concept art:

“Some years ago, I had to pitch/explain SANDMAN to Warners. Jill thompson illustrated the pitch. That art’s for sale.”

You can see some samples of the original art below:

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Casts Another Tribute: Cashmere

Lionsgate has been having a field day releasing the names of each new tribute one by one. Today they have announced that Stephanie Leigh Schlund has been cast in the role of Cashmere, the former female victor from District 1 who is reaped along side her brother Gloss.

Cashmere and Gloss are both tributes for the 75th Hunger Games Quarter Quell, a special anniversary Games in which all the tributes are former victors. Cashmere and Gloss ( to be played by Alan Ritchson) had won their games fairly recently as Katniss remembers watching them when she was younger. Both are in their mid twenties and a part of the career pack. On Day 2 of the Third Quarter Quell, both are killed by Johanna and Katniss. Katniss shoots an arrow into Gloss’ right temple, while Johanna Mason throws an axe into Cashmere’s chest.

Stephanie Leigh Schlund is best known for appearing in several television series including “Drop Dead Diva,” and films including The Last Song. She can next be seen in the upcoming Fox series “The Following,” premiering this fall.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire picks up right after the first novel as Katniss and Peeta deal with the aftermath of returning home both as Victors. However, 6 months after returning home, they must embark on a victory tour throughout all the Districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.

The film will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel is the second of the series written by Suzanne Collins.

Lionsgate will release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on November 22, 2013.

New Walking Dead Season 3 Photo And An Update From Robert Kirkman

While fans await the premiere of season 3 of AMC’s hit series “The Walking Dead,” creator, Robert Kirkman has released a set photo as well as offered a short update for the newest season.

The series started out with a six-episode first season, which was followed by a thirteen-episode second season. And coming this fall, we’ll see the first eight episodes of what will go on to be a sixteen-episode third season. As of last week, production on the midseason finale has wrapped.

He recently tweeted,

We wrapped on the mid-season finale of @WalkingDead_AMC a few hours ago. Amazing work from all involved, this Georgia crew kicks ass!

Kirkman also shared the following photo, which gives us a look at the Woodbury welcome center.

Woodbury may seem like a welcoming safe haven for Rick and the gang, but anyone who knows whats in store for the crew, Woodbury is anything but. The band of survivors have a tough season ahead of them, between the walkers and the other’s still alive. This new season will also see the introduction of the highly anticipated character, The Governor.

The Walking Dead returns to AMC with new episodes October 14. Those looking for a way to pass the time between now and then might check out the Walking Dead Facebook game.

Ender’s Game To Be Released In IMAX

With production wrapped up earlier this summer, and the release date not set till next year, news regarding the film adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi novel Ender’s Game has been scarce. But one peice of information released this past week is that the film will indeed be released in IMAX.

Ender’s Game is set in the future (and mostly in aboard a space station)  when man is preparing for war against an alien race referred to as the Buggers. The first book in Card’s series follows Ender Wiggin, a young boy who’s recruited to join a fleet of children preparing for battle by playing strategy games and undergoing other forms of training. While Ender is smaller and younger than most of the other recruits, he soon proves to be something of a tactical genius.

The film adaptation is the first after several attempts since the novel’s release in 1985. The film, directed by Gavin Hood, stars Asa Butterfield as Ender, with Harrison Ford playing Colonal Graff, and Ben Kingsley playing Mazer Rackham.

During the production, the producer  Roberto Orci, provided fans with weekly updates on their official production blog that included glimpses of the set and actors and information regarding the project.

Releasing the film in IMAX will be a good movie on the part of Lionsgate. Given the setting of the novel, fans are excited to see the famed Battle Room ( a room where the kids train while battling in zero gravity) which has the potential to look amazing on a larger screen such as an IMAX screen.

While we wait for more information regarding the upcoming adaptation, you can always remember: The enemy’s gate is down.

Jumanji Reimagining In Production For Sony

After spinning a hit out of The Amazing Spider-Man, producer Matt Tolmach has been set by Sony Pictures to produce its reimagining of Joe Johnston’s 1995 pic Jumanji along with original producer William Teitler.

Original exec producer Ted Field will return to executive produce with his Radar Pictures exec Mike Weber.

The plt followed two kids who play an old magic boardgame and release a man (Robin Williams) as well as many dangers that can be stopped only by finishing the game. The new film will likely tweak the premise and refashion the story for present day.

Despite most remembering the film version, the story of Jumanji is actually based on a short story of the same name written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. The children’s book was released in 1981. The biggest notable difference between the plots of the short story and the film is the ending. In the movie, after everything is undone, the children’s parents are having a christmas party that is attended by the man they met playing the game (as he is no longer inside the game). While in the story, the children simply see two young boys carrying the Jumanji game preparing to start a new game for themselves.

Jumanji initially grossed $263 million worldwide, and the source material of a children’s book lends itself to the sort of visual spectacle Sony has come to expect of its tentpole franchises.

The decision to update the “Jumanji” property reflects the studio’s mandate to increase the focus on films for family audiences, as Sony has found great success with its “Smurfs” franchise and the animated pic “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” which has a sequel on the horizon.

Tolmach is also developing Oren Uziel’s Black List script “The Kitchen Sink” with director Robbie Pickering, as well as an untitled royal wedding comedy from “500 Days of Summer” scribes Michael H. Weber and Scott Neustadter.

Alan Ritchson and Bruno Gunn Cast In The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Another tribute is cast, according to Lionsgate, in the upcoming adaptation, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The latest actor to join the sequel film is Alan Ritchson who is set to play a District 1 tribute named Gloss.

Like all the tributes in the 75th Annual Hunger Games (and the third Quarter Quell), Gloss is a former victor returning to the arena along side his sister Cashmere, who has not yet been cast. Gloss and his sister are relatively new winners of the games, as Katniss remembers watching them win when she was younger.

Ritchson has already taken to twitter to express his excitment for being involved in such a high profile film. He tweeted,

 “No words can express…To have the opportunity to portray Gloss in @TheHungerGames. To be a part of this great trilogy…just…so grateful. “

Fans may recognized Ritchson from his reoccuring roles in hit television shows such as “Smallville” and “Blue Mountain State,” as well as a handful of TV guest spots and feature film credits, including Spring Break ’83 and Fired Up!

Also announced this week was the casting of Bruno Gunn as Brutus in the project. Brutus was the male tribute from District 2 and is enthusiastic to get back into the arena. He won his Hunger Games shortly after Haymitch.

Ritchson and Gunn join fellow tributes Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, Jena Malone as Johanna Mason, Amanda Plummer as Wiress, Lynn Cohen as Mags, and Meta Golding as Enobaria. Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks will also reprise their roles as Haymitch and Effie respectively.

Filming on Catching Fire is expected to begin next month in Atlanta, with the film set for release November 22, 2013.

Tim Robbins Signs Directing Deal For City of Lies

Endgame Entertainment has announced that actor Tim Robbins has a signed a deal to direct the adaptation of Arthur Phllips’ short story, “Wenceslas Square.” Robbins is best known for his work as an actors but he had previously helmed three films in the 1990’s including the critically acclaimed Dead Man Walking in 1995. Robbins also directed a few episodes of HBO’s drama series, “Treme.”

City of Lies follows two spies who unsuprisingly fall in love while on separate missions in Prague. Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, whose credits range from The Life and Death of Peter Sellers to Captain America to Michael Bay’s upcoming action movie Pain & Gain, are adapting Phillips’ story, which aired on radio’s This American Life last summer.

Phillip Noyce previously was attached to direct before dropping from the project. Endgame’s James D. Stern is producing along with Ira Glass and Alissa Shipp of This American Life. Endgame will finance the movie, with its Julie Goldstein overseeing production and Douglas E. Hansen exec producing.

Robbins is repped by UTA and 3 Arts Entertainment. Markus and McFeely are repped by UTA and attorney David Colden.

There is now word on when the project is expected to begin or a projected release date.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers Heads to City of Bones

The City of Bones adaptation, based on the novel by Cassandra Clare, has finally found it’s Valentine. And no not the red and pink kind. The main villain of the YA novel series, Valentine Morgenstern, will be played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Valentine is said to be one of the most powerful shadowhunters in the world and has a special connection with main character Clary. He also strives to make the world “pure” at any cost.

Meyers joins Lily Collins as Clary Fray, Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace Wayland, Robert Sheehan as Simon Lewis, Jemima West as Isabelle Lightwood, Kevin Durand as Emil Pangborn, Robert Maillet as Samuel Blackwell, Lena Headey as Jocelyn Fray, Jared Harris as Hodge Starkweather, and Godfrey Gao as Magnus Bane.

City of Bones follows a young teen girl, Clary Fray, who discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother, Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is expected to be released on August 23, 2013.

Meta Golding Cast As Enobaria In The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has almost finished casting all the new members with their recent announcement that Meta Golding will play Enobaria in the next adaptation.

Lionsgate announced Tuesday that the actress had been cast in the role of the brutal and heartless tribute from District 2. Golding is most known for her regular role in ABC’s Day Break along with recurring roles in CSI, Criminal Minds and House.

In the novel, Catching Fire, written by Suzanne Collins, Enobaria gained attention and notoriety  for ripping open another tribute’s throat with her teeth in the 62nd Hunger Games. She later had her teeth cosmetically altered to resemble fangs. Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) meets the vicious tribute when she is pulled into a special 75th Hunger Games, called the Quarter Quell, where she comes across Enobaria, a fellow victor.

Golding joins main cast members Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, Liam Hemsworth as Gale, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Elizabeth Banks as Effie. New cast members also include Jena Malone as Johanna Mason,Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, Amanda Plummer as Wiress, Lynn Cohen as Mags and Tony Shaloub as Beetee. The role of Finnick Odair is still unfilled according to Lionsgate.