DVD Details Released for Animated ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’

ComicNews.info has a ton of information on the new animated Green Lantern: First Flight movie coming this summer to a home theater near you…

The fabric of intergalactic justice is threatened – until Hal Jordan arrives for his initial mission – in the animated Green Lantern: First Flight, the fifth entry in the popular DVD series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies. A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the illuminated hero’s first-ever full-length animated film is set for release by Warner Home Video on July 28, 2009. Green Lantern: First Flight will be available as a special edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-Ray™ Hi-Def for $29.98 (SRP) and $34.99 (SRP), respectively, as well as single disc DVD for $19.98 (SRP). Order due date for all versions is June 23, 2009.

Acclaimed actor Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) fills the lead voice of Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern. Meloni is joined by fellow Emmy Award nominee Victor Garber (Milk, Titanic) as the villainous Sinestro, Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) as the voice of Boodikka, and Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs) as Kilowog.

Produced by animation legend Bruce Timm, Green Lantern: First Flight is helmed by heralded director Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Superman Doomsday) and scripted by four-time Emmy Award-winning writer Alan Burnett (The Batman).

Green Lantern: First Flight finds Hal Jordan recruited to join the Green Lantern Corps and placed under the supervision of respected senior Lantern Sinestro. The earthling soon discovers his mentor is actually the central figure in a secret conspiracy that threatens the philosophies, traditions and hierarchy of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Hal must quickly hone his newfound powers and combat the treasonous Lanterns within the ranks to maintain order in the universe.

Green Lantern: First Flight - 2 Disc Special Edition versions will include incredible bonus features such as: Read more

Marvel Comics’ New Policy on Open Submissions

Due to an unprecedented number of unsolicited art and writing submissions, Marvel has altered its open submissions policy effective immediately. Marvel has remained the only major publisher to continue accepting open submissions, however that practice has been halted as we review our strategies for accepting future submissions.

Marvel has a proven track record of attracting new and emerging talent and does not plan on ending those efforts in any way.

“If you look at our track record over the last 18 months, I think you’ll find the names of more new writers and artists in Marvel books than ever before. Maybe more than at any other major comic book publisher, as a matter of fact,” says Marvel Talent Liaison C.B. Cebulski. “We pride ourselves on finding new voices and artistic styles to help us shape the Marvel Universe in original and exciting ways. And while the hunt for new artistic resources to help us ever expand the Marvel mythos will continue, we’ll just be going about it in different ways. We’ve examined all our past practices concerning talent recruitment and it quickly became clear that more ‘reactive’ methods such as open submissions were the least effective ways to open the Marvel door for up-and-comers. So instead we’ll be continuing with the more ‘proactive’ methods of artist and writer discovery that we’ve found so successful of late, including some soon-to-be-announced new outlets.”

While the open submissions policy has ceased, Marvel will continue its active recruitment of artists through its Talent Management department. Artists are also encouraged to bring portfolios for review to the major conventions at which Marvel will have a presence this year.

Talent Coordinator for Marvel, Chris Allo adds, “In regards to finding new artists, we in the Talent Management department will still continue to look at online websites such as Deviant Art, Comic Art Community, as well as comic art blogs, and other related sites. Online comics are rapidly becoming a source for scouting as well. And, of course, we will still go to the comic book stores on Wednesdays and see what new artists are out there working for other companies and on independent books.”

With the successful discovery and publishing of writers in the fields of comics as well as TV, film and literature, Marvel will continue to search out new voices in all published fields, as we have for the past number of years.

As new media and means of publishing comics on the web as well as small and independent press, we encourage all new creators to continue honing their craft by using all of the tools available during this time. Marvel will be announcing a new submissions policy in the near future.

Dwayne Johnson Talks About His Stunts In ‘Witch Mountain’

Dwayne Johnson, who stars in the upcoming Disney fantasy film Race to Witch Mountain, told reporters that he did his taxi-driver character’s stunt work and cab driving himself. "I actually did all of the stunt work, which was great for me," Johnson said. "I had a lot of fun—it reminded me just how fun and cool movies are."

Johnson, who reunites with director Andy Fickman after last year’s The Game Plan, said that the film was a learning process for both of them. "I had never shot action sequences like that," Johnson confessed. "Scott Rogers, who was the action coordinator for the Bourne movies, came on board, and he did these really great action sequences, and much to Andy Fickman’s chagrin, I was able to do all of the car stunts. Second unit shot them, that’s how he didn’t know that I was in the car. He would have said no, but I would not have listened, like I normally don’t when he gives me direction."

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R.I.P. Philip Jose Farmer 1918-2009

My first exposure to Philip Jose Farmer was his ‘World Of Tiers’ series, followed by ‘Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life’, and I’ve enjoyed reading his works ever since. To me, his work is very easy to read and I can click with his characters right away. I’m glad he chose to become an author otherwise the world would have missed a great talent.

From his official website:
Philip José Farmer passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning.

He will be missed greatly by his wife Bette, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and countless fans around the world.

January 26, 1918 - February 25, 2009. R.I.P.

We love you Phil.

Fox Orders Two More Seasons Of ‘The Simpsons’

Fox has ordered two more seasons of the Simpsons, which will bring the show to 22 years and 493 episodes.

The show is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, which ties Gunsmoke for the most seasons for a scripted primetime series.

Source: icv2.com

Drew Barrymore in Talks to Direct The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse

When it was revealed that Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke would not be returning to helm The Twilight Saga’s New Moon, people were up in arms that Summit Entertainment was going to replace her with a male director (which came to pass). The theory is that the Twilight series is a great opportunity for female directors since the source material is targeted towards women. Also, replacing the highest grossing female director in history after the series became a success seems like a really bad political move.

Now Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Drew Barrymore is one of “a select group of directors” in talks to helm the third film in the series, The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse. I’m not sure what to think of this considering we still haven’t seen Barrymore’s directorial debut Whip It!, but the actress turned director has made some interesting (Donnie Darko) and scary (Duplex) choices with her production company Flower Films. I do like the idea of Summit giving some women filmmakers a chance, because Hollywood’s director’s club is a sausage-fest. Too bad it has to be a project that will most likely be critically slammed.

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Confirmed: Star Trek The Experience To Re-Open In May 2009

SCI FI Wire confirmed today that a contract has been signed with CBS/Paramount to reopen the Star Trek The Experience exhibit in Las Vegas on May 8 —starting with at least a new restaurant and retail shop—to coincide with the opening of J.J. Abram’s Star Trek movie.

“It is a bit premature to talk about it, but I can confirm that a contract has been signed,” Liz Kalodner, executive vice president and general manager of CBS consumer products in New York, told SCI FI Wire exclusively. “I do not have any further comment.”

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Will Hulu Be Able To Survive?

We’ve pointed out in the past that you don’t compete against piracy by being lame, and you have to give Hulu at least some kudus for doing its best early on not to be lame (despite plenty of expectations to the contrary). However, every time we’ve mentioned Hulu around here, we’ve noticed an awful lot of pissed off comments from users, who complain about too many advertisements or the ridiculous location restrictions (or music restrictions) that Hulu has to put on content at the request of content owners. And, now, with the removal of Hulu content from Boxee, some are beginning to question whether or not Hulu is driving people back to unauthorized options for TV content.

The real question, however, may be whether or not it was ever possible for Hulu to really succeed. This isn’t to knock the team at Hulu, who have actually gone beyond most expectations in delivering what they could, with a definite focus on usability and making the service as reasonable and useful as possible. But, with so many competing interests tugging them in every direction, it’s nearly impossible for the company to actually satisfy the content providers and viewers at the same time. We’ve seen it over and over again — with content providers having totally unrealistic expectations of what sort of limitations need to be placed on their content — not realizing that whether they like it or not, there are other options out there.

Hulu did a pretty good job “competing” with those free options, but as content providers get more and more assertive with their demands for limitations, it seems likely that the company is going to find it more and more difficult to compete against better, more engaging and less annoying (if illegal) competing sites. You don’t compete against free by being lame. Hulu seems to recognize that — but Hulu’s content providers still haven’t gotten the message.

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Star Trek ‘Family Guy’ To Air Next Month

In March, a new Family Guy episode will air on FOX featuring a Star Trek: The Next Generation story.

As reported by SF Universe, Star Trek: The Next Generation actors will be voicing their characters in the forthcoming Not All Dogs Go to Heaven episode of Family Guy, including Patrick Stewart, LeVar Burton, Gates McFadden, Michael Dorn, Wil Wheaton, Denise Crosby, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes.

In Not All Dogs Go to Heaven, the Griffin family heads to the annual Quahog Star Trek convention, but Stewie gets angry when he is unable to ask his favorite Next Generation cast members any questions. He plans and builds a transporter and beams the entire cast to his bedroom so that they can spend a fun-filled day together in Quahog.

Not All Dogs Go To Heaven will air on Sunday, March 29, at 9:00 P.M. on FOX.

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Punch-Out!! Coming To The Wii on May 18

Nintendo just announced a May 18 release date for Punch-Out!!, giving Little Mac plenty of time to find a pair of diminutive gloves just his size before he waggles back into the ring this Summer.

The game is among the more hotly-anticipated efforts in Nintendo’s coming lineup, promising a return to form as everyone’s favorite underdog throws down against the likes of Soda Popinski and King Hippo.

According to sources, both are downing crates of Jolt and cheeseburgers on their road to get back into fighting shape.

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