Paddington Bear Movie Poster Revealed

Be prepared to see a lovable childhood character come to live in a brand new way. The first promotional poster for David Heyman’s big-screen adaptation of Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear has been released. The poster features Paddington standing on the platform at the Paddington train station in London, from which he takes his name.

Check out the poster here, and be sure to share your thoughts below.

Heyman, who produced the massively successful Harry Potter films, as well as  I Am Legend and Yes Man, has partnered with France’s StudioCanal to produce a live-action/CGI hybrid version of the British children’s series.

Paddington began in 1958 with the series’ first entry, “A Bear Called Paddington,” about a clever bear from Peru who is found at London’s Paddington train station and adopted by humans.

Paul King (The Mighty Boosh, Bunny and the Bull) will direct the film, so viewers may be in store for a particularly quirky experience. In a report from Empire Online, King assured Paddington enthusiasts that the new film will differ from Bond’s work only in style.

“There will be a mishap in the bath,” King said. “There will be hard stares, and he will be dressed correctly in a Peruvian bush hat and blue duffle coat.”

King also said there would be an origin story involved. I twas also reported that the film will not be an adaptation of an existing story, but “will draw inspiration from the whole series” and will feature a computer generated Paddington Bear interacting with a live-action environment.

The film, from Heyday Films and Warner Bros. Pictures,  is set to be released sometime in 2014. There is no word yet on who will star in the adaptation.

ABC Released Another 666 Park Avenue TV Spot

ABC recently revealed another television spot for their newest upcoming supernatural series “666 Park Avenue.” The series is based on the novel of the same name written by Gabrielle Pierce.

The premise of the show follows what if you could make one wish come true, and what would you do to get it? At 666 Park Avenue, the dreams and desires come true for those who live there. However, the price is hefty and residents could end up paying with their soul. The premiere apartment building on the Upper East Side is owned by Gavin and Olivia and is home to dozens of residents unaware of the supernatural forces in their lives. Then, when a young mid-western couple, Jane and Henry, are hired to manager the devious building, they soon discover that evil, obsession, and manipulation all have a home.

The show stars Terry O’Quinn, Vanessa Williams, Dave Annable, Rachael Taylor, Mercedes Masohn, Robert Buckley, Helena Mattsson and Erik Palladino.

You can see the new tv spot below:

Buzz Bissinger’s “Father’s Day” Heads to the Big Screen

Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights) recently announced that he will direct a big-screen adaptation of Buzz Bissinger’s “Father’s Day.” Currently, no studio is attached to the project, but according to ComingSoon, Universal Pictures has expressed interest. The company has a first-look deal with Berg who most recently worked with Universal on the big-screen sci-fi/action film Battleship.

“Father’s Day” is a memoir by the bestselling author of “Friday Night Lights” and “Three Nights in August.”

The summary from Bissinger’s website follows.

Buzz Bissinger’s twin sons were born three and a half months premature in 1983. Gerry weighed one pound and fourteen ounces, Zachary one pound and eleven ounces. They were the youngest male twins ever to survive at that time at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, the nation’s oldest. They were a medical miracle, but there are no medical miracles without eternal scars.

They entered life three minutes–and a world–apart. Gerry, the older one, is a graduate student at Penn, preparing to become a teacher. His brother Zach has spent his life attending special schools and self-contained classrooms. He is able to work menial jobs such as stocking supplies. But he’ll never drive a car, or kiss a girl, or live by himself. He is a savant, challenged by serious intellectual deficits but also blessed with rare talents: an astonishing memory, a dazzling knack for navigation, and a reflexive honesty which can make him both socially awkward and surprisingly wise.

One summer night, Buzz and Zach hit the road to revisit all the places they have lived together during Zach’s 24 years. Zach revels in his memories, and Buzz hopes this journey into their shared past will bring them closer and reveal to him the mysterious workings of his son’s mind and heart. He also hopes it will help him to better come to grips with the radical differences in his beloved twin boys, inverted mirrors of one another when defined by the usual barometers of what we think it means to be successful.

As father and son follow a pinball’s path from Philadelphia to LA, they see the best and worst of America and each other. Ultimately, their trip bestows a new and uplifting wisdom on Buzz, as he comes to realize that Zach’s worldview, as exotic as it is, has a sturdy logic of its own, a logic that deserves the greatest respect. And with the help of Zach’s twin, Gerry, Buzz learns an even more vital lesson about Zach: character transcends intellect. We come to see Zach as he truly is—patient, fearless, perceptive, kind, a sixth sense for sincerity. It takes 3,500 miles, but Buzz learns the most valuable lesson he has ever learned.

His son Zach is not a man-child as he so often thought, but the man he admires most in his life.

Jim Parsons and Rihanna Head To “Happy Smekday!”

Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jim Parsons (“Harvey on Broadway,” “The Big Bang Theory”) and pop singer Rihanna (Battleship) will star in the animated feature film Happy Smekday!.

The film is based on the critically acclaimed book The True Meaning of Smekday, by Adam Rex.

In the novel, aliens invade Earth hoping to hide from their mortal enemies. When one alien accidentally shares their whereabouts with the enemies, he is forced to go on the run with a teenage girl. The two become friends and set out to fix the mistake. Along the way, the alien protagonist learns what it really means to be human.

DreamWorks Animation plans to release the film during the fourth quarter of 2014. It will be directed by Tim Johnson (Over the Hedge, Antz). Chris Jenkins (Rio, Surf’s Up) and Suzanne Buirgy (Kung Fu Panda 2) will produce and DreamWorks Animation’s Head of Development Gregg Taylor is overseeing the project.

Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember (Get Smart) are writing the screenplay.

Bill Damaschke, DreamWorks Animation’s Chief Creative Officer, said the book is hilarious, and will provide the perfect recipe for a compelling animated feature. He also said the film will “show the world just how fun an alien invasion can be.”

Johnson said he can’t wait to introduce audiences to the unique world and characters of the story.

“When I read Adam Rex’s remarkable book, I knew it would make an amazing film,” Johnson said.

Read the official plot summary of The True Meaning of Smekday below:

“It all starts with a school essay. When twelve-year-old Gratuity (“Tip”) Tucci is assigned to write five pages on The True Meaning of Smekday for the National Time Capsule contest, she’s not sure where to begin. When her mom started telling everyone about the messages aliens were sending through a mole on the back of her neck? Maybe on Christmas Eve, when huge, bizarre spaceships descended on the Earth and the aliens – called Boov – abducted her mother? Or when the Boov declared Earth a colony, renamed it “Smekland” (in honor of glorious Captain Smek), and forced all Americans to relocate to Florida via rocketpod? In any case, Gratuity’s story is much, much bigger than the assignment. It involves her unlikely friendship with a renegade Boov mechanic named J.Lo.; a futile journey south to find Gratuity’s mother at the Happy Mouse Kingdom; a cross-country road trip in a hovercar called Slushious; and an outrageous plan to save the Earth from yet another alien invasion.”

While the entire cast has not yet been determined, the roles of Rihanna and Jim Parsons have been revealed. Rihanna will be portraying Gratuity Tucci and Parsons will play J.Lo.

New Dexter Season 7 Teaser Trailer

I’ll be the first to admit that this teaser shows almost absolutely nothing. Between a few shots of Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter standing there. followed by some flashy scenes of a knife with blood on it and the symbolic dripping of blood on the detectives shield, almost nothing is revealed about the upcoming season. But it does do one thing, it is building to a new a season that promises to be even more exciting than the last few.

Warning: Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen season 6.

When we last left Dexter, he was killing the Doomsday Killer in his signature way, but this time he got a little bit sloppy and Deb saw him commit the act. That alone would be earth shattering to the series dynamic between the two characters. However, this ending moments comes off the heels of Deb realizing she is IN LOVE with Dexter, and was on her way to tell him how she felt. It took her a whole season (and 20 odd years I suppose) to come to that realization only for moments later see him kill someone.

But don’t assume the jig is up for good ol’ Dexter. He may be able to get out of this one yet. Seeing as Deb doesn’t know this isn’t a one time thing, she may forgive him after all. She was able to get past her civic duty in season 5 when the revenge killers were out and about (which as we know was Dexter and Lumen.) Though I predict a season of conflicting emotions ahead for both characters.

So, while there isn’t much that we know about the upcoming season we can expect some new info being released with Comic Con around the corner and the new season getting closer everyday.

“Dexter” premieres on Showtime at 9:00pm ET/PT on September 30th and you can watch the new teaser trailer below:

Adaptations At Comic Con 2012 – Panel Updates

Comic-Con 2012 is right around the corner and if you are planning to attend there are some definite panels you will want to visit.

HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and “True Blood” has recently announced their panels for this year. “Game of Thrones” will be presented in the Large Hall H, a major upgrade for the series. Hall H is traditionally reserved for movies and the most popular of television series and “Game of Thrones” definitely fits the bill. The Thrones panel will take place at the San Diego fan convention on Friday, July 13.

The “True Blood” panel will be Saturday, July 14 in Ballroom 20. The ballroom where True Blood will present, seats about 4,000.

Fans will also be able to view the panel of the favorite fictional serial killer as Showtime’s “Dexter” will be a first-day panel with a Q&A session with the show’s stars, Michael C. Hall (Dexter) and Jennifer Carpenter (Deb).The panel is sure to be a hit given the events of the last season, and fans should know to get there early as it is sure to be packed early on.

According to Showtime, before the panel’s guests arrive, fans will be treated to a first-look at the new season of the animated webisode series Early Cuts: All in the Family – which is narrated by Hall. The animated webisode series will depict the events of Dexter’s often murky past that will reveal new information that will relevant to the upcoming season. It will also focus on Deb when she felt, even early on, that there was something dark about her brother.

Not surprisingly, “The Walking Dead” will be the largest Comic-Con panel of the year sure to amp up the anticipation of the upcoming 16-episode third season. Panelists include veteran actors Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun and Lauren Cohan. Season 3 newcomers Danai Gurira (Michonne) and David Morrisey (The Governor) will also join, much to the excitement of fans. In addition, executive producers Glen Mazzara, Gale Anne Hurd, Robert Kirkman and co-executive producer and special effects make-up supervisor Greg Nicotero will round out the sizable panel, which will be held in Hall H (the convention’s largest venue) at 1:25pm on Friday, July 13. The hour-long session will be moderated by Talking Dead host Chris Hardwick.

Several movie previews are set to air at the convention including The Hobbit and Iron Man 3. 

Arrow and 666 Park Avenue To Make An Appearance At Comic-Con 2012

Comic-Con 2012 is roughly a month away and Warner Bros. Entertainment has announced their creation of a set of limited-edition collectible hotel keycards, which will be used at top San Diego-area hotels during Comic-Con 2012.  This will be the fifth consecutive year of the room key program, which gives fans instant access to artwork for upcoming shows like “666 Park Avenue” and “Arrow.”

More than 40,000 branded keys will be available at 38 participating hotels.

“666 Park Avenue” will star Terry O’Quinn (Lost) and Vanessa Williams (Desperate Housewives).  The show, featuring the provocative tagline, “Anything you desire can be yours… for a price,” is being touted as a seductive drama from Alloy Entertainment.

In it, the owners of a Manhattan apartment building recruit a young couple to manage the historic site with a dark history. The series will also star Rachael Taylor (Charlie’s Angels), Dave Annable (Brothers & Sisters), Robert Buckley (One Tree Hill), Mercedes Masohn (The Finder), Helena Mattsson (Iron Man 2) and Samantha Logan (Law & Order: SVU). Matthew Miller (Chuck), David Wilcox (Fringe), Leslie Morgenstein (The Vampire Diaries), Gina Girolamo (The Secret Circle) and Alex Graves (Fringe) are the executive producers.

“666 Park Avenue” is based on the book series by Gabriella Pierce and is set to air Sundays at 10/9c on ABC this fall. The full-length pilot will be aired at Warner Bros. Television’s Preview Night screening at Comic-Con on Wednesday, July 11, and during the “666 Park Avenue” session on Friday, July 13.

“Arrow” will star Stephen Amell (Private Practice), Colin Donnell (Pan Am), Katie Cassidy (Supernatural), David Ramsey (Dexter), Willa Holland (The O.C.), with Susanna Thompson (Dragonfly) and Paul Blackthorne (The River). It is an action series reinvents the DC Comics hero.

After being stranded on a remote island for five years, billionaire Oliver Queen returns home with a mysterious agenda and a lethal set of new skills to use against crime. Greg Berlanti (Green Lantern), Marc Guggenheim (Green Lantern), Andrew Kreisberg (Fringe) and David Nutter (Smallville) will executive produce.

From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, Arrow will air Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW this fall. The full-length pilot will air at Warner Bros. Television’s Preview Night screening at Comic-Con on Wednesday, July 11, and during the Arrow session on Friday, July 13.

The Walking Dead’s Michonne Gets Her Own Action Figure

Fans of the comic book series know that Michonne is probably one of the most badass characters in the series and most of us can’t wait to see her in the AMC television series. Until then, we have a new action figure of the character that has been released. The action figure comes as a part of the exclusive swag that series creator Robert Kirkman will make available at his booth during Comic Con next month.

The figure comes from McFarlane Toys and is a limited edition collectible called Bloody Michonne.

The six inch figure will be selling for $25 and is fully accessorized along with 22 points of articulation. The packaging will feature new art by Charlie Adlard. It also comes with a bloody version of Michonne’s katana sword along with various implements such as her hammer, pliers, and power drill.

Michonne is played by Danai Gurira in the television series and will be a series regular beginning in the 3rd season which premieres in October.

Lionsgate May Consider Rebooting Twilight Franchise; New Trailer Revealed

With the last installment of the mega-popular film franchise just around the corner, Lionsgate may be looking for ways to keep the series going. Lionsgate has been looking into rebooting the Twilight Saga franchise, which has already grossed $2 billion with the fifth and final installment set for release Nov. 16.

Lionsgate owns the studio Summit Entertainment, which made the popular films. ComingSoon has reported that Lionsgate is considering restarting the franchise “down the road,” so it may not happen anytime soon, if it happens at all. But according to Bloody-Disgusting, “they’re already discussing it internally. It will happen. It is still undecided exactly what the future of the franchise will be, though. It could be a direct remake… but then again it could also be a spinoff or maybe even a one-off sequel.”

Lionsgate Co-Chairman Rob Friedman had different news for Deadline, telling them.

“We are not remaking Twilight. We will happily support Stephenie Meyer if she decides to proceed in any way. But this will be the last one unless that should change.”

A brand new trailer has also been released for the upcoming fifth film, entitled Twilight: Breaking Dawn Pt 2, which you can see below:

Noah Oppenheim Signs On To 1984 Adaptation

Noah Oppenheim has been tapped to adapt George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. Oppenheim will join producers Bryan Grazer of Imagine, and Julie and Rick Yorn in bringing Orwell’s vision of political unrest and totalitarian terror to the big screen.

The book, published in 1949, has become a staple of American literature, inspiring countless classroom discussions, pop culture references and direct adaptations.

This isn’t the first time Orwell’s novel has been adapted for film. In 1984, Michael Radford took his crack at capturing Winston Smith’s mental battle with Big Brother, and before that Michael Anderson took a stab at it in 1956.

View the official summary of Orwell’s classic text below:

“Written in 1948, 1984 was George Orwell’s chilling prophecy about the future. And while 1984 has come and gone, Orwell’s narrative is timelier than ever. 1984 presents a startling and haunting vision of the world, so powerful that it is completely convincing from start to finish. No one can deny the power of this novel, its hold on the imaginations of multiple generations of readers, or the resiliency of its admonitions—a legacy that seems only to grow with the passage of time.”

For those wishing to delve fully into the Nineteen Eighty-Four atmosphere before seeing the upcoming film, here is the trailer for the 1984 film version.

And, courtesy of YouTube, here is the 1956 film in its entirety: