T4, Smallville and Heroes

I haven't been able to keep up on all the news lately, but I have noticed some interesting tidbits pop up here and there. The biggest one to catch my eye was that Christian Bale might be attached to "Terminator 4" to play an adult John Connor. My initial reaction was Awesome! Followed by It'll never happen. Then I heard the rumor that his role would be small, which translates to me as John Connor will die early in the film, passing the torch to a son/daughter/new hero to helm the expected new franchise. Then there was Bale's ambiguous answer to Entertainment Weekly's question of whether or not he was a fan of The Terminator since he was rumored to be attached to its newest sequel: "I've never heard of it." Never heard of the movies, or never heard the rumor that he was attached? Personally, I loved the Terminator movies when I was younger and would love to see more. I love Bale, and I would love for him to play John Connor, but I don't want John to die or the film's lead to be passed to a new character. I'm still doubtful Bale will want to be attached to another franchise after Batman, but I could be wrong. Time will tell.

In "Smallville" news, I heard this fascinating spoiler on the Starkville's House of El podcast about the season's expected final episode (thanks to the writer's strike). *SPOILER ALERT* This episode will consist of a lot of flashbacks that link together quite a few familiar faces and families: mainly, the Teagues, the Swans, the Greens, and the Luthors. Rumor has it the heads of these families are all tied together because they were awaiting a "traveler from space" or Kal-El, and the flashbacks will tell us why and how. If you recall, this is the episode that was rewritten to act as a season finale in the event of the writer's strike, but there is also a real possibility it could be the show's finale if "Smallville" doesn't return for an eighth season. It would be nice to have a lot of questions answered, but this season has been so good, I'd hate to think this is all, folks.

By the way, I finally caught up on "Heroes" since I heard it had improved, and wow! What an awesome finale that was. Once again Peter saved the day, but poor Niki and Nathan. I don't doubt either of them are really dead, and I wonder why the writer's have this need to try and kill off Nathan in each finale, but hey, whatever works, I guess. I wasn't really a fan of Kristen Bell's character until she came in and saved the gang from Sylar and uttered that cute, "Did I just save the day?" line. Maybe there is hope for her yet.

Supernatural: Am I in the minority?

Since I’m behind on my TV viewing (haven’t seen the latest episodes of Heroes, Bionic Woman or Flash Gordon, and yeah, those tapes are starting to gather dust), I thought I’d post my reaction/rant about another show I love and am up-to-date on, Supernatural. I haven’t been as in touch with the show’s fan base this year as in years’ past, but thanks to some downtime at work this week, I’ve been listening to some podcasts and visiting the message boards for this show. I have to admit, I was really, really surprised by the backlash against Ruby and Bella that I found.

So, okay, my initial reaction to the announcement of these characters was, "Ye gods. Not love interests!” Sure, Eric Kripke said they weren’t love interests, but we all know they very well could be. But, here’s my big confession: I’ve really enjoyed the way Ruby and Bella have been introduced on the show — slowly and in separate storylines. I really like the twist with Ruby being a demon. I so wasn’t expecting it. It adds a whole new dynamic to the show, and I’m really enjoying trying to figure out her motive for helping Sam and Dean. I have a sneaky suspicion she might turn out to be Lucifer and totally untrustworthy, but that’s just my two cents’ worth. And I have to admit, I’m really enjoying Bella too. This girl makes me laugh — out loud. Sure, she’s completely immoral and only out for herself, but she can deliver some funny zingers and one-up the boys like no other.

Come on. Having these girls on the show has really made this season fun. And it really helps that Katie Cassidy and Lauren Cohen can act.

No offense, but seeing the backlash against them really makes me wonder about this show’s fan base. On one hand, I could have predicted it, but that was before we ever saw the ladies in action. Now that we have, I wonder if the Bella-Ruby-haters simply aren’t willing to expand their universe beyond Sam and Dean. We all hate change, and Lord knows they’re both totally hot guys, so I can understand that. But, Supernatural will always be about the Winchester brothers. They’re the show’s core. I think the writers really learned from their mistakes in season two and have created two more interesting, important characters here. Ruby obviously has a purpose relating to the overall plot of the season — how to help Sam save Dean’s soul and life — but I can also see Bella’s purpose as being more long-term. She’s teaching Sam and Dean about a whole new world they’ve never been exposed to. Dean’s incredulous response to the idea that she knew about the demons and evil in the world and was profiting from it proves that.

By the way, here’s another confession while I’m at it — in season two, I found Ash a lot more irritating than Jo. I guess I’m just out of tune with the rest of the fan base about a lot of things, not that I care much. I’m really enjoying season three, a lot. Too bad the writers’ strike is probably going to cut it short.

My "Moonlight" rant

This might seem a little off topic, but I think it falls under the fanboy category since people(including me) are so passionate about it one way or the other. ...

Now that the Fall TV season is underway, there is only one new show that stands out from the rest for me. I know a lot of people won't agree simply on principal, but I love - absolutely love - "Moonlight." Then again, I love most vampire books, shows and movies. I'm pretty non-discriminating against them because vampires have been around since I was a kid in different incarnations. Shoot, I grew up watching "Dark Shadows." I simply hate that people aren't giving "Moonlight" a chance because they are "too loyal" to "Angel" or "Buffy." What complete hogwash!

I think the "Angel" fans who are boycotting "Moonlight" are simply ignorant because they're too young to remember all of the great shows and movies "Angel" ripped off. They seem to believe "Angel" was the be-all and end-all of vampire detective shows. Ha! If you're a true fan of vampire mythology, you'll like pretty much anything vampire, whether it be "Angel," "Buffy, "30 Days of Night" or whatever. To say that "Moonlight" copies "Angel" is laughable. Why not say "Angel" copied "Forever Night," which in my opinion was a much better show in the 90s than "Angel" ever hoped to be. I loved "Forever Night," and if anything, I think "Moonlight" is much more like that show than "Angel."

Then there's "Blood Ties" on Lifetime. Another great show with a very similar premise. You could argue that "Forever Night," "Buffy" and "Angel" are rip-offs from the popular books "Blood Ties" is based on since they were written in the early 90s. Then again, I think the TV movie "Nick Night" with Rick Springfield aired in CBS in the late 80s before the "Blood Ties" books or "Forever Night" the series ever took flight. But "Dark Shadows" was around before any of them. Why not argue "Angel" and "Buffy" copied that?

Besides all of that, Mick St. John is only like Angel in passing. Sure, they're both vamps and they're both private detectives. Period. I personally like Mick a lot more than I ever liked Angel. Joss Whedon's vampires were demons, and Angel lucked out and got his soul back, making him not such a demon. He struggled with that concept throughout the series. Mick doesn't have that struggle on "Moonlight." He's a vampire and he still has his soul from what I can tell. Another difference? Angel refused to kill people no matter how bad they were. Mick has killed bad guys to protect the innocent and his secret. I kinda like that he's willing to do that. Makes me morbid, sure. But it's fun to watch. Admit it.

Now, I loved "Buffy." It revived the vampire genre in TV and movies and was an awesome show during much of its run. I never caught onto "Angel" like I did "Buffy," but I liked it when I did watch it. "Moonlight," on the other hand, is right up there with "Buffy" for me. It's completely different from "Buffy," which I appreciate because I would hold a grudge if they tried to copy that show. I think "Moonlight" has some issues - sometimes the acting isn't the best and some of the special effects are cheesy - but I love the cast and I love the stories each week. The writers of "Moonlight" really know their stuff. They take a little bit of vampire mythology from all of the greatest shows and movies and are creating their own vampire mythology in the process.

If you haven't given "Moonlight" a chance, I beg you to reconsider. Each week is better than the last, and it's constantly improving its faults. Besides, isn't it nice to have a vamp show on mainstream TV again?

X-Files, Buffy and Spider-Man 4!

Lots of cool news out today.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that “The X-Files” sequel is no longer just a rumor. Production will begin Dec. 10 with David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson and Chris Carter all on board for the sequel. Awesome! Loved this show. I’m glad they are doing a stand-alone movie and not focusing on the muddled conspiracy mythos that drug the show down in its final years. I can’t wait!

The Hollywood Reporter says Sony is planning “Spider-Man 4” apparently with or without its original cast and director. The studio has already hired a new writer, James Vanderbilt who wrote the serial-killer thriller "Zodiac." I’m always excited to see Spidey on the big screen, but I haven’t decided if a fourth installment would be a good idea. As much as I loved it, there was so much chaos in the third one, I think Sam Raimi and Sony need to step back, take a rest, and start fresh a few years down the road when Maguire and Dunst have had a chance to do other projects and are more willing to step back into their iconic roles. But, that’s just me. I have a feeling if Sony has hired a new writer, they’re already planning to pump out another film as soon as possible with a new director and cast too. Time will tell.

I was excited to see that “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” creator Joss Whedon has a new project that will star Eliza Dushku (Faith, “Buffy”). I worry because it will be on Fox, a network famous for canceling awesome sci-fi shows (“Dark Angel,” “Tru Calling,” “Firefly”) on a whim. The premise of this new show sounds kinda cool too. Read more about it here.

Variety is reporting that NBC has shelved plans for “Heroes: Origins,” a spinoff series of the hit show, and the possibility of a writers' strike contributed to the decision. Quite frankly, I’m glad. Until they fix the original series, there’s no need for another nail in the coffin.

Another JLA casting rumor shot down, another casting rumor started, and “Supernatural” convention news

Just as I expected, Rupert Evans has not been signed to play Superman in the “Justice League” film. Evans’ reps were contacted and denied that he had even auditioned for the part. Ever since Dark Horizons announced a few years ago that Jensen Ackles (“Supernatural”) had been tapped to play The Flash in a live action film and then that he was also playing Leon in Resident Evil 3 and 4 — neither of which were remotely true — I’ve taken their casting scoops with a grain of salt. Occasionally, they’re dead on, but not often enough to be trusted.

In other JLA casting news, Moviehole is reporting that “The Grudge 2” Aussie actress Teresa Palmer has landed the role of Wonder Woman in George Miller's anticipated Justice League adaptation at Warner Bros. According to the site, Palmer just nudged out competition by Minka Kelly and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Weeell, I looked her up on IMDB.com and just had to shake my head at what I found. First of all, she’s blonde. OK, so she can dye her hair. No biggie. Then I looked at her height. 5’5”. Seriously?! Grrr. OK, so the fact that I’m 6’1” makes me a little sensitive on this height subject. It’s also one reason why I loved Wonder Woman as a kid. But, surely you need to be TALL to play the Amazonian Princess, and I don’t mean tall for a woman. I mean, 6 feet, minimum. Good grief, people. What do I have to do to get on with the casting of this film?

Moving on…
Another “Supernatural” convention has been announced for early April 2008 in Orlando, Florida. Jared Padalecki is the only Winchester who has been confirmed to attend. Since Orlando isn’t that far from me, I’m so there. For more information, check out this site: http://www.eyeconfla.com

More JLA film news, Black Canary on “Smallville” and more

More casting rumors are running rampant on the Web. Dark Horizons is reporting that British actor Rupert Evans (the FBI agent in “Hellboy”) has been offered the role of Superman in the JLA movie. I’d still prefer Brandon Routh or Tom Welling, but I suppose Evans is an OK choice. I haven’t seen him in enough roles to judge his acting, but based on his picture, he’s got passable good looks, though he’s a little pasty-looking, imo. In any case, until official word comes down, I’m filing this one strictly under RUMOR.

Also, it was just announced the Black Canary will make an appearance on “Smallville” when Oliver Queen aka the Green Arrow returns in the 11th episode. This is kinda cool since Black Canary and Green Arrow have been a couple in the comics forever, and I know their wedding (which I’m not sure if it’s actually happened yet or not) has been played up pretty big in the comics this year. The last time Black Canary was on the small screen, I believe, was in the WB’s short-lived “Birds of Prey” series when a very young Dinah (played by Rachel Skarsten) was taken in by Batwoman and the Huntress (Ashley Scott) to make up a trio of female crimefighters. It will be nice to see Oliver’s attention taken away from Lois and onto a new love interest for a change. I hated that storyline last year.

Finally, “Spider-Man 3” comes out on DVD Tuesday, and the marketing blitz has begun. You can now find Spidey in promotions for pizza, cereal, and more on TV.

Superman in trouble?

More potentially bad news has leaked about the "Superman Returns" sequel. Variety and Dark Horizons is reporting that Superman Returns" scribes Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris have opted not to come back and pen a sequel to the 2006 summer pic that would have reunited them with helmer Bryan Singer. The three also worked together on "X2: X-Men United."

As a result, WB is now taking pitches for Supe's next outing from other scribes -- just as the studio is trying to figure out which actor will don the character's tights in "Justice League."

Well, crap. As if the troubled "Man of Steel" didn't have enough problems. I personally hope the writers they get build on the concepts from "Superman Returns" rather than just ignoring it as if it never happened, which is the rumor. I mean, we all hated Jason and the fact that Lois and Superman had a kid, but that aside, the movie wasn't awful. Brandon Routh had better come back as Superman, that's all I'm saying.

He'd better!