More recent sci-fi updates

Well, my last sci-fi news post was a bit late, but all this news is at least recent-ish.

First off, two bits of Battlestar Galactica related stories:

The Sci-Fi channel has apparently officially given the green light to BSG spin-off “Caprica” with a 2010 kickoff.

The series, which will focus on the the Earthlike planet of Caprica as two rival families deal with, among other topical issues, the broader implications of their society’s emerging artificial intelligence technology sector, is scheduled to debut in 2010.

“Caprica” will star Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales, Paula Malcomson and Polly Walker and will be set 50 years prior to “Battlestar”’s attack on human civilization by the Cylons.

As to the parent BSG series, its final set of episodes kicks off on Friday, January 16th. According to James Callis, the actor who plays Baltar, the final episode of the series will blow your socks off.

“I don’t think anything could prepare you guys for what happens at the end. We weren’t prepared,” he said.

“It’s quite — do we use the phrase ’space opera’? There is something operatic about the ending of the show, only in the sense that it’s like a full orchestra. Imagine very single person in the cast represents an instrument, and you’ve heard their theme or fugue.”

“And then all the instruments play together. Everybody involved in this thing together — it’s like the ‘1812 Overture.’ Not only have you got all of the violins and the flutes, you’ve also got the flipping cannons they brought off Napoleon’s ship, blowing off the roof. It’s going off with a bang, this thing.”

“Honestly you can’t be disappointed,” he said. “I think if Adolf Hitler were back, he’d be crying in his handkerchief.”

All I can say is… I hope it’s as good as he says.

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In Smallville news, it sounds like Tom Welling may call it quits after this season. Personally, I think that’s a good move. I like the show, but it’s lost some of its magic over the last season. At this point it’s getting hard to keep believing in this pre-Superman. They’re at the point where he’s got to man-up and suit up, and that’s not in the cards, so it’s better to pull out while it’s still slightly acceptable. Apparently a potential conflict with the big screen series could even prevent him from putting on the suit in the series finale, as many hope will happen.

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Speaking of movies…

George Lucas is going to put out yet another release of the Star Wars films, this time in 3D. In an interview with ComingSoon.net, he stated he would be doing the 3D versions, but they’re trying to come up with a cheaper way of pulling it off. Sadly, I’ll probably buy it.

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Then there’s this weird news about a new Tarzan movie:

The next Tarzan movie will find the Lord of the Jungle ditching his traditional loincloth for a pair of khakis.

Entertainment Weekly reports that director Sommers and screenwriter Stuart Beattie are ditching the boy-raised-by-apes origin story for a 1930’s-set romp with a hefty helping of romance. Apparently they want to make it more like “Pirate of the Caribbean” with attractive, buff actors flying swinging through the jungle.

Which brings up the question–is Tarzan in khakis really Tarzan?

Um… no ‘boy-raised-by-apes’? Isn’t that the same thing as saying Superman is actually from Queens? Forget the whole Krypton thing? If you want a jungle adventure, that’s fine, make a jungle adventure. No need to call it Tarzan if it ain’t, though.

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I so hope they pull off this next one well… “Green Lantern” is apparently almost through the scripting stage and is now just getting some final polish before production. This is one that could be so cool if they pull it off, but so, so terrible if they screw it up. Plus they’re already hinting that there might be a super-cameo in the film…

[Screenwriter Marc] Guggenheim said, “The fanboy in me would love that. Robert Downey, Jr. in ‘The Hulk’ was awesome. I love that stuff in general, and I think the fans would enjoy it. Brandon Routh or even Tom Welling [in ‘Green Lantern’] would be awesome. And anything is possible. The beauty part of being the writer, though, is that I don’t actually have to make that judgment call.”

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And finally… a remake of a movie where a wrestler who wears sunglasses can see the aliens among us and must “chew bubblegum and kick ass … and I’m all out of bubblegum.” That’s right, They Live, is in line for a remake. This is a John Carpenter classic. You can’t quite take it seriously, but it isn’t quite foolish either. Fun stuff. I can’t wait to see what they do with it.

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