[Press] Padmé Amidala Unravels a Tangled Web of Corruption in an All-New Episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS – This Friday at 9:00pm on Cartoon Network!

When Senator Onaconda Farr dies under suspicious circumstances, Padmé Amidala sets out to find the person responsible – working independently of the efforts of the bureaucratic local inspector. Following a trail of clues, she delves into a dangerous world of backstabbing, lies and corruption. The tangled web of intrigue reaches to the highest levels of the Republic political hierarchy in “Senate Murders,” an all-new episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS airing at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT Friday, March 19 on Cartoon Network.

“Many of Padmé’s episodes center around politics, for obvious reasons, and they’re sometimes a departure – to a degree – from the action-packed episodes,” says Catherine Taber, the voice of Padmé in the series. “We try to create a feeling of tension and suspense, but Dave [Filoni] and the writers always include a touch of comedy, as well. It’s an essential element of the classic detective genre that influenced ‘Senate Murders,’ but it’s also such a key ingredient of classic Star Wars. One of the nice things about The Clone Wars is that we hearken back to all of the classic elements that made Star Wars so great, including the political intrigue,” she continues.  “Diplomacy – or the lack thereof – is essential to The Clone Wars, and part of the foundation for the Star Wars Saga. Good and bad, the motivations are so important; these are the reasons people fight. I love the great battle sequences and I love watching things blow up, but it’s all so much better when we know about the quiet conflicts underneath.”

Through rarely in the series’ epic spaces battles or out on the front lines, Padmé’s behind-the-scenes role often serves to shine a light upon the character motivations, revealing the driving forces – and devious machinations – which propel the war itself. Additionally, her own investigations, ambitions and efforts tend to uncover aspects of the conflict altogether unseen by the swashbuckling, headlining heroes.

“In her own way, Padmé brings so much to the larger story. Of course, she’s the reason that Anakin eventually falls to the dark side, and she’s the mother of Luke and Leia – but what I think is really interesting is that she’s such an important foil to many of the characters. It is often through her that we see other central characters illuminated.”

[Press] STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Returns – With a Closer Look at the Malevolent Count Dooku

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS gives audiences a different look at Separatist leader Count Dooku, and also introduces a new set of villains in “Dooku Captured,” an all-new episode of the hit animated series directed by Jesse Yeh, premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Jan. 2, on Cartoon Network.

The episode finds Anakin and Obi-Wan attempting to capture Dooku, only to discover the Sith Lord has already been kidnapped by intergalactic pirates.

Yeh says the episode reveals more insight into Count Dooku’s descent from Jedi Knight to his lofty place within the ranks of those wielding the dark side of the Force.

“I have always been interested in the drama behind this particular character,” Yeh explains. “He thinks realistically, and has a solid mind. The actions he takes are always so direct and straight forward.

“I sense that deep down, Dooku holds a sort of emotional connection with the Jedi,” Yeh says. “I’ve always been interested in the drama behind him. Dooku thinks realistically, he has a solid mind, and the actions he takes are very direct and straightforward.

“In a way, he’s almost pathetic. His mind is constantly being twisted by his pride, which is what originally led him to the dark side. Because of his pride, he doesn’t realize he has turned into exactly the sort of monster that he once fought against. From his perspective, he is not doing anything different from what he did when he was still a Jedi. He’s just trying to save the universe – but this time from what he sees as a corrupt Republic. In the end, he’s become just another expendable pawn of the true evil.”

Yeh said Dooku’s position as a prisoner in “Dooku Captured” provided a dramatic and animation challenge. “Dooku is no longer in control of the situation, do we had to spend some time trying to figure out how to animate this ‘tamed’ Dooku.”

In addition to working with Dooku, Yeh said it was particularly exciting directing an episode that introduces new characters.

“The pirates have a gangster-like society. The fact that they were actually capable of capturing the legendary Dooku took me by surprise,” Yeh says. “Since the pirate chief is a new character, there were really no limitations on how to bring him to the screen. As a director, I got to determine who this new character would be – how to bring out the combative and greedy nature of this particular species, and put those characteristics onto the very surface of his performance.”

[Press] R2-D2’s inner workings revealed in Friday’s episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

Beginning this Saturday, Nov. 15, Cartoon Network will add an encore presentation of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS on Saturday mornings!? All-new episodes of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premiere at 9 p.m. Fridays.? And now, at 9:30 a.m. each Saturday, Cartoon Network will re-air the previous evening’s 30-minute episode, providing a new opportunity to experience the adventure.

R2-D2’s inner workings revealed in? Friday’s
episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

What is R2-D2 made of?? Audiences will find out, both literally and figuratively,? in? “Duel of the Droids,” an all-new episode of the hit animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, premiering at 9 p.m. ET/PT Friday, Nov. 14, on Cartoon Network.

In the episode, Anakin, Ahsoka and replacement droid R3-S6 (aka “Goldie”)? embark on a dual rescue/sabotage mission when they discover R2-D2 is being held at General Grievous’s secret enemy listening post.

Writer Kevin Campbell (“Disney’s House of Mouse,”? “Jackie Chan Adventures”) created a little extra work for the Lucasfilm Animation crew when he used the? unusually vivid word? “splayed”? to describe how R2-D2’s internal mechanisms? would be removed and exhibited across an examining table.? That gave the production team ample opportunity to delve into Artoos’s? inner workings,? as well as to have a little fun at director Rob Coleman’s expense.

“Dave (Filoni) and the designers – particularly Killian Plunkett – figured out what was actually inside Artoo,” Coleman says.? “He’s the ultimate Swiss Army knife, and we all love the myriad things that come out of him, but having to build and animate all of that is another story. Lucasfilm Animation’s Gary Scheppke got a box full of? ‘Artoo bits,’ and the modelers – basing it off the actual hardware – crammed it into the model inside the computer. There are definitely some recognizable pieces on that table from the films, as well as all the things that show up for the first time in this episode – a cutter wheel, suction cups, etc. Then they animated in a few things like a? pea shooter and a boxing glove just to get my attention. They’re funny guys.”

Campbell says he? took pride in the opportunity to add some history for Artoo and his capabilities,? showing some? aspects of the droid that audiences haven’t seen before.

“I love that we’re adding back story to the back story. We discover that when Princess Leia hides the Death Star plans inside Artoo in Episode IV, it’s not the first time he’s been entrusted with important information,” Campbell says.? “I also like that we get to play with Anakin’s emotional side. The Jedi are saying he gets too attached, that he’s willing to risk everything to get Artoo back. He’s a Jedi, and yet he assigns sentimental value to an inanimate object. I can relate to that, because that’s real loyalty.”

[Press] MARVEL ANIMATION EXPANDS SLATE WITH PRODUCTION OF ALL NEW ANIMATED SERIES– THE AVENGERS: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES

MARVEL ANIMATION EXPANDS SLATE WITH PRODUCTION OF ALL NEW ANIMATED SERIES

THE AVENGERS: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES

New York, New York – October 8th, 2008 – Further strengthening its robust animation slate, Marvel Animation, a division of Marvel Entertainment, announced today the production of an all new animated
series, THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Production on 26 half-hour episodes is already underway using the production services of Film Roman, producer of the Simpsons and King of the Hill.

The new series, expected to be available for broadcast in 2011, continues on Marvel’s already impressive television line-up which includes the all-new Wolverine and the X-Men and Iron Man: Armored
Adventures series that will both debut on Nicktoons in 2009. Marvel Animation will also debut the all-new series Marvel Super Hero Squad and The Black Panther next year.

THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is an all-new property featuring some of Marvel’s all-time favorite characters including Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Giant Man and Wasp. When the planet isthreatened by Super Villains, time traveling conquerors, alien invaders, mythical monsters and mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, when forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero
has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left…the Avengers assemble!

The Avengers are the best of the best in the Marvel Universe and the greatest heroes who take on the most unbeatable foes. These are the heroes who hold back the storm, and the fate of the world rests on their
shoulders.

“The addition of THE AVENGERS: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to our quickly expanding animation slate continues our plan to complement each of our tentpole live action features with an animated series,” said Eric
Rollman, President of Animation. “This new ensemble series tracks perfectly with our highly anticipated ‘road to the Avengers’ strategy which includes some of Marvel’s biggest and most beloved characters, and which kicks off with two Avengers’ themed feature films in summer 2011.”

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premieres back-to-back episodes Friday, Oct. 3 on Cartoon Network

The Jedi face a devastating new Separatist weapon that’s in? the hands of General Grievous in the second of two episodes that mark the season premiere of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, an all-new animated series debuting Friday, Oct. 3? on Cartoon Network.

In “Rising Malevolence,” which premieres at 9:30 p.m., an attack by an unimaginably destructive weapon aboard a mysterious warship leaves Jedi Master Plo Koon and his clone troopers struggling to survive until Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano can find them. They discover that the ship is piloted by Grievous himself.

“Rising Malevolence” follows the 9:00 p.m. debut of the episode “Ambush.” STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS will introduce new episodes at 9:00? p.m. Fridays on Cartoon Network.

Series supervising director Dave Filoni helms the episode “Rising Malevolence” from a script by Steve Melching. George Lucas is the series’ creator and serves as executive producer, and Catherine Winder is producer.

“Rising Malevolence” features several prominent series debuts, most notably those of Jedi Master Plo Koon, General Grievous and his menacing warship, the Malevolence. Also appearing for their first time in the series are Anakin Skywalker and his padawan, Ahsoka.

Plo Koon’s presence was established in Star Wars: Episodes I, II and III, but his character was seen fleetingly in those films. Nevertheless, just as the seldom-seen Boba Fett became a fan favorite after The Empire Strikes Back, Filoni grew fascinated by Plo Koon. He chose the relatively unknown Jedi Master as his first project of character development.

“I liked the design of the Plo Koon character, and I also liked that he was a Jedi Master,” Filoni says of his initial attraction. “Like so many Star Wars fans, I had always wondered what other Jedi were like – and The Clone Wars presented an opportunity to explore those characters”

Melching said he, Filoni and script supervisor Henry Gilroy worked hard to reveal Plo Koon’s character by example – and, at the same time, offer greater perspective on the ways of the Jedi. Moreover, they reveal in “Rising Malevolence” an important connection between Plo Koon and Ahsoka Tano, Anakin’s Padawan learner.

“We were able to examine both Plo Koon’s personality and Ahsoka’s background by showing their bond and the extreme loyalty of Anakin and Ahsoka to their Jedi comrades,” Melching says. “They know he’s stranded and might not be alive, but if there’s even a chance, they’re going to find him. They have to deviate from their mission to try to rescue him, but they can’t endanger their larger mandate.”

The episode offers numerous scenes of Plo Koon and a small group of clones stranded in a disabled escape pod, which Melching says offered opportunities to expand on the thoughts, sensibilities and unique attributes of each clone trooper.

“The clones are really an army of one – they’re all the same guy. But their experiences in the war are all different, and that affects their relationships with other clones and their Jedi leaders,” Melching says. “They may all seem be the same guy, but they’re developing different personalities, and we work hard to show how they think, where they come from. That helps to define each episode. After all, the clones are ultimately the key to this war.”

Trademark information for STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS images:
TM & © 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT VOICE CAST ANNOUNCED, REVISED ENHANCED CONTENT FOR DC UNIVERSE ANIMATED ORIGINAL MOVIE

Fan Favorite Kevin Conroy returns to benchmark title role for July 8, 2008 Release;

Primetime stars join cast of third DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie;

Two-Disk Special Edition & Blu-ray Disc filled with Special Features;

Price Point enchanced for Single Disc release

BURBANK, CA, (March 19, 2008) – Kevin Conroy, the benchmark by which fans compare all Batman voices, returns to the title role in Batman Gotham Knight, the third release in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie series from DC Comics, Warner Premiere, Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. Animation, it was announced today. The all-new, original movie will street July 8, 2008 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, as well as OnDemand and Pay-per-View. The film will be available for download on the same date.

Batman Gotham Knight is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman mythos, spinning out of a 40-year history in animation including the Emmy®-winning Batman: The Animated Series, widely considered a pivotal moment in American animation. A cross section of distinguished creators, award-winning producers, and acclaimed writers weave six interlocking stories that reveal Bruce Wayne’s journey to The Dark Knight, each with stylish art from some of the world’s most revered animation visionaries.

Conroy set the standard for modern day Batman voices with his performance in Batman: The Animated Series, The New Adventures of Batman and Robin and The New Batman Superman Adventures. He reprised the role as an aging Bruce Wayne playing mentor to a new Caped Crusader in Batman Beyond. Animation legend and Batman Gotham Knight producer Bruce Timm said Conroy was the obvious choice for both widespread fan approval and to provide an overriding sense of continuity within a film in which Batman appears in so many new, visual variations.

“Anytime we initiate an animated Batman project, ‘Will Kevin Conroy voice Batman?’ is the first question we hear from fans,” said Bruce Timm, Executive Producer. “To meet Kevin is to know that he’s not anything like Batman, and yet he manages to perfectly nail that indefinable element that is Batman. He’s got the voice, he’s got the acting chops, and he’s absolutely the best man for the job.”

Conroy provided a central, rallying point for a cast that perfectly meshes stars of some of today’s highest rated primetime television series with many of the most popular voiceover actors in the business. Gary Dourdan (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty) are heard in multiple segments of the six-story film as police detectives Crispus Allen and Anna Ramirez, key members of a special unit who learn to trust the Dark Knight’s motives. Parminder Nagra (ER, Bend It Like Beckham) supplies the voice of Cassandra, a mystical Indian woman who teaches Bruce Wayne to endure and manage his pain. David McCallum (Navy NCIS, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Great Escape) takes on the role of loyal servant Alfred. George Newbern (Father of the Bride) and Alanna Ubach (Legally Blonde) also join the cast.

The cast also features popular voice over artists Corey Burton, Rob Paulsen, Kevin Michael Richardson, Will Friedle, Jason Marsden, Jim Meskimen, Pat Musick, Scott Menville, Hynden Walch, Corey Padnos and Crystal Scales.

Batman Gotham Knight will be available on DVD for $19.98 SRP. There will also be a 2-disc Special Edition DVD available for $29.98 SRP which contains over 100 minutes of bonus features plus 4 bonus episodes. All the content from the 2-disc Special Edition DVD will be available on Blu-ray Disc for $34.99 SRP.

Batman Gotham Knight 2-disc Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray Disc will feature incredible extras including:

• “Batman and Me a Devotion of Destiny: The Bob Kane Story” – The comprehensive chronology of the remarkable life of the creator of Batman.

• “A Mirror for the Bat: The Evil Denizens of Gotham City” - A stimulating documentary covering Gotham City’s most nefarious of characters, combined with a look into the symbiotic relationship Batman shares with his enemies.
  
• “Batman: The Animated Series” Bonus Episodes – Bruce Timm selects his favorite episodes from Batman: The Animated Series.

• “Sneak Peek: Wonder Woman” - DC Universe animated original movie

• Audio Commentary – Featuring the filmmakers of Gotham Knight.

• Widescreen (1.78:1)

• 5.1 Dolby Digital

Batman Gotham Knight was headed by an impressive list of directors who have brought their distinctly different anime styles to the classic Batman character. The production was divided among three renowned studios – Studio 4ºC, Production I.G and Madhouse – and included the truly inimitable visions of directors Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki and Toshiyuki Kubooka. With stories written by several of the most talented writers of film, comic books, and animation, including Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence), David S. Goyer (Batman Begins), Emmy®-winner Alan Burnett (Batman: The Animated Series), Jordan Goldberg (Associate Producer, The Dark Knight), and award-winning comics writers Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello, Batman Gotham Knight presents thrilling new adventures of Batman that spotlight several of Gotham City’s most dangerous villains, including the fearsome Scarecrow, the freakish Killer Croc and the unnerving marksman known as Deadshot. Batman Gotham Knight is produced by Emma Thomas (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Michael Uslan & Benjamin Melniker (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) and Toshi Hiruma.

About Warner Premiere:

Warner Premiere is Warner Bros. Entertainment’s new direct-to-consumer production company focused on the development, production and marketing of feature-length content, as well as short form digital content for the growing home entertainment market. Warner Premiere is committed to being at the creative forefront in the evolution of quality product in the direct-to-DVD business and the digital space, creating material that exemplifies the commitment to story, production and brand equity for which Warner Bros. is known.

About Warner Home Video:

With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace.  Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

About DC Comics:

DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics’ Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.

BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.

(s08)

About Warner Bros. Animation:

Warner Bros. Animation has been producing award-winning original animation since 1930, when it released its first cartoon, “Sinkin’ in the Bathtub.” Since then, Warner Bros. Animation’s characters have set the standard for innovative, quality animation. Producing for network and cable television, online, home entertainment and feature films both domestically and internationally, Warner Bros. Animation is highly respected for its creative and technical excellence, as well as maintaining the studio’s rich cartoon heritage. Warner Bros. Animation also oversees the creative use of, and production of animated programming based on classic animated characters from the Hanna-Barbera and DC Comics libraries. Warner Bros. Animation is one of the most honored animation studios in history, garnering a grand total of six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, a Humanitas Award, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).

First of final three "Legion of Super Heroes" episodes airs Saturday, March 22 on Kids’ WB!/The CW

"In Your Dreams," the first of the final three "Legion of Super Heroes" episodes slated to air on Kids’ WB! on The CW. "In Your Dreams" airs Saturday, March 22 at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT.

The episode synopsis for "In Your Dreams":

With the power to see the future in her dreams, Dream Girl warns the Legion of attacks by the criminal organization The Dark Circle aimed to take down the United Planets. However, Lightning Lad wonders if Dream Girl or her visions can be trusted. "In Your Dreams" is written by Stan Berkowitz (screenwriter of "Justice League: The New Frontier") and directed by Brandon Vietti.

The series will conclude with a two-part episode, which is scheduled to air on Kids’ WB! on consecutive Saturdays — March 29 and April 5.

 

 

WONDERCON ‘08: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN – NEWSARAMA

WONDERCON ‘08: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN

---

Peter Svensson
The world premiere of The Spectacular Spider-Man Animated Series hit Wonder-Con, and afterwards the cast and crew made themselves available for questions.
After some initial problems with the volume level, the pilot episode of The Spectacular Spider-Man, “Survival of the Fittest” was played for a crowded audience at Wonder-Con. The episode is set to air March 8th on Kids WB, as part of an hour-long block along with the second episode. The pilot introduced the sixteen-year-old Peter Parker, having spent his summer vacation being Spider-Man returning to Manhattan Midtown Magnet High School, and dealing with the Vulture as well as facing the Enforcers. As well as creating a large supporting cast, ranging from Aunt May and Gwen Stacy to Eddie Brock and J. Jonah Jameson. A plethora of other Spider-Man characters made appearances in the episode, which aired in an almost complete form. Some touching up between the panel and the airing was still to be done.
After the episode concluded, Michael Vogel, Director of animated programming at Sony Pictures took the dais and introduced the other panelists. Supervising Producer Greg Weisman (Gargyoles, Captain Atom) , Supervising Director Victor Cook, character designer Sean “Cheeks” Galloway, the voice actor for Spider-Man Josh Keaton and Eddie Brock’s voice, Ben Diskin.
When asked what their goal was with this series as opposed to previous animated Spider-Man series, supervising producer Greg Weisman (Gargoyles) explained “Our goal was to start from scratch, look at the old Stan Lee/Ditko/Romita Sr, a young Spider-Man like he was at the beginning. Not skipping ahead to college. To really play out the early days his being of Spider-Man. The theme of the show is ‘the education of Peter Parker.’ He thinks he has the world wired, we’re going to take him to school. The second mandate was to create a Spider-Man who moved fundamentally.” Victor Cook elaborated on the need to make a Spider-Man who while recognizable was still simplified enough for the requirements of television animation, and the short production times given.
Weisman then explained their decision to conflate the various eras of Spider-Man history, taking characters who didn’t normally meet Spider-Man in high school and postulating what they would have been like had they been around at that time, while being true to the core truths of the characters.
“Each episode is a stand alone, but it’s an ongoing story, like the comics. Spanning the thirteen episodes of the first season, the 26 episodes we have in the works.” said Victor Cook.
Sean Galloway explained his method for designing the characters for animation, that he wanted the characters to have a modern urban feel. “I want people to think ‘I’d wear something like that.’ It kept me on track.”
We then learned that the voice of Spider-Man, Josh Keaton, is a large Spider-Man fan. “My car’s license plate is THWIP. I’m getting the Spider-Man graphic put on the hood. I was a big geek in high school. So I relate to him. I was like Peter Parker, only I couldn’t stick to walls.” Keaton then explained what he felt like when working on the series. “It was really daunting, it’s such an iconic character, I didn’t want to let anyone down. [...] That’s Spider-man! I grew up reading the book, but I didn’t read as much as I liked. So when I started I picked up the Essentials, did my homework, learned everything. I hope to have translated that into the show.”
Ben Diskin followed up, explaining “Same thing for me. I grew up on the 90’s series. That’s the big Spider-man series out when I was a kid. Venom was my favorite villain. I’ve wanted to do that role since I was 12.” Leading Greg Weisman to jokingly remark, “Not that we’re saying Brock is Venom!” a running gag that continued when any fan asked about the villain.
Q: Is there a future for the series, with Kids WB being canceled?
Michael Vogel: Yes, absolutely. First 13 episodes will air on Kids WB this year. The next 13 are in production. Marvel and Sony are talking to a bunch of people about places where it will air. The CW has been considered.
Q: In the comic series, Venom becomes an anti-hero at some point. Will he do that in this series?
Michael Vogel: If he were in the series, let’s just say he’d be a big problem for Spider-Man, and to find out after that you’ll have to keep watching!
Q: What is your favorite and least favorite part of the series?
Josh Keaton: There is no worst, from the time I get the script, it’s nothing but fun. Best, is these guys and the cast I get to work with. Talented people in the cast we haven’t seen yet.
Q: How much of an influence is Ultimate Spider-Man in this?
Greg Weisman: I’ve read Ultimate Spider-Man, we saw good ideas, you saw Kenny Kong in the episode with Flash Thompson. I’m not shy about stealing from Bendis. But that was cherry picking, whether from the movies, Ultimate comics, later continuity, but the main influences are Lee, Ditko, Romita Sr. When I started work on this, I went out and bought all the Essential Spider-Man volumes, I took copious notes to find the core truths of each member of Spider-Man’s supporting cast.
Q: Do you have plans to use Man-Thing in the series?
Greg Weisman: No, only because we’re not allowed to use other characters from the Marvel Universe. We had interest in using other characters, but also want Spider-Man to stand on his own four legs. [...] It’s a lawyerly decision.
Q: Why did you change the Vulture’s color scheme?
Sean “Cheeks” Galloway: Originally we did use the green color scheme, but Marvel gave notes to not make everyone green. So we went for a more Marvel Knights approach.

WONDERCON ‘08: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN – NEWSARAMA

WONDERCON ‘08: THE LUCASFILM PANEL – NEWSARAMA

WONDERCON ‘08: THE LUCASFILM PANEL

---

by Peter Svensson
The premiere of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars theatrical trailer was the endcap to Lucasfilm’s first panel of the convention season. Head of Fan Relations for Lucasfilms, Steve Sansweet, introduced the company’s newest plans and upcoming releases. After first reminding fans that they’ve been proven wrong about there not being any new Star Wars films twice before, he affirmed the theatrical release of a Star Wars animated feature, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Set between Episodes II and III, the feature and upcoming weekly TV series will flesh out the period previously explored by the traditionally animated cartoon shorts.
A short video about the history of organized Star Wars fandom at conventions followed. The clip started with San Diego Comic Con in 1977 and continued through the series of Star Wars: Celebration conventions that have become an annual event for fans, ending with the announcement of Star Wars: Celebration Japan. The convention will occur on July 19th through 21st in a convention center outside of Tokyo. More information will be announced on the Star Wars website. http://www.starwars.com
The upcoming video game, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was the next topic of conversation, as game producer Brett Rector entered the stage. After the trailer for the game was played, Rector explained the basic plot. The Force Unleashed casts the player as Darth Vader’s apprentice in the time period between Episodes III and IV, charged with exterminating the Jedi and not leaving any witnesses. He also confirmed that the player really does get to use the force to pull a Star Destroyer out of the sky, as portrayed in the trailer. Responding to comments from Sansweet about the extreme depiction of force powers in the game as opposed to the films, he explained that the Clone Wars cartoon by Genndy Tartakovsky was his main inspiration. “It’s not breaking continuity, but a new way of looking at force powers.” said Rector.
George Lucas was involved to some extent with the creation of the videogame, giving guidelines for what they needed to include such as comedy and a love interest. According to Rector, the game is at the Alpha stage, having been completed and free of all major bugs. It’s set for release summer 2008. The game was delayed due to the need to create new technologies for the new generation videogame systems that the game will be released for. The Wii version will use the Wii Remote for the lightsaber, and the Nunchuck accessory for the other Force powers.
Familiar faces from the films and the expanded universe are set to appear. Confirming rumors stated in the recent Vanity Fair article, Rector explained that players will be able to play Darth Vader in the first level of the game. Vader is said to play like people would expect, not running but walking briskly. Gameplay footage from the XBOX 360 version was shown, which had the player kill a large number of stormtroopers, then face a Jedi Master on the planet Raxus Prime.
On April 29th, the fourth and final volume of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles comes out on DVD. A short trailer was played, after which it was announced that there would be ten DVDs with seven full length episodes and thirty hours of bonus documentaries.
Indiana Jones returns to movie theaters on May 22 with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The film’s trailer was shown, followed by a trailer for Lego Indiana Jones: The Video Game.
A short video from Robot Chicken creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich was next, interspersing clips from their recent Star Wars themed special on Adult Swim with their answering questions from fans and apologizing for not attending the con. After explaining that they named the show from a Chinese take-out menu as the reasoning for why they chose Robot Chicken instead of Droid Chicken, and commenting on how George Lucas smells good, they said that they probably will include a new Star Wars parody of some sort in their upcoming fourth season.
Then, a short video about the upcoming Star Wars: Clone Wars animated film and series, set to air on Cartoon Network and TNT as a weekly series after a premiere movie shows in theaters August 15th, aired, featuring supervising director Dave Filoni, who explained that fans have been interested in the Clone Wars since their first mention in Star Wars back in 1977. The series is set to further explore the character of Anakin Skywalker, his relationship with mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi, and introduce new character Ashoka Tano, Anakin’s padawan apprentice. The young girl Jedi Knight will be introduced in the animated feature.
Producer of the upcoming Star Wars animated feature film and TV series Catherine Winder with Dave Filoni then took the stage, flanked by stormtroopers. Claiming the union cost was exorbitant, the stormtroopers were then ordered to leave by Sansweet. They discussed the series as being what George Lucas wanted to do now that he wasn’t constricted by the need to complete the six film series. Each thirty minute episode will tell a complete story, that will over time form a larger story arc. While the panelists couldn’t discuss the plot for the film, they did talk about the production’s desire to be faithful the original designs for the 1977 film, as well as the work of every designer who followed. George Lucas, who was originally planning to not be very involved with the production meets with the team every week, approving or disapproving of their work as he sees fit. “George will say, ‘Guys, what are you doing? That’s not Star Wars!’ or ‘That’s Star Wars.” said Filoni.
The panel ended with the trailer for the upcoming Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie.

WONDERCON ‘08: THE LUCASFILM PANEL – NEWSARAMA

Review of Justice League: The New Frontier DVD

My review copy of The New Frontier was waiting for me in the mail when I got home on Friday, and the Wife and I watched it as soon as we got the dogs fed and settled down for the evening.

Overall, I liked the movie. It left me with a big smile on my face. My Wife liked it too (a self proclaimed hater of cartoons, even though she usually likes watching superhero stuff me when I watch it ) and even said it was “pretty good”. We had a lot of fun figuring out who was doing the voice on all the characters.

From a “big fan of the book” perspective, I was a little disappointed. I knew that they had to leave a lot of stuff out, but I think they took some of the best stuff from the beginning of the book out and the movie kind of suffered. If there was any movie that DC was going to do where they went longer than 75 minutes, this is the one. Just like the review on Blog@Newsarama said:

The New Frontier, book and movie, answers in the resounding affirmative. If you liked the book, and won’t miss the non-super folk, this movie is a no-brainer. If you’ve never read the book, the DVD is a great introduction.

Ultimately, JL:NF is at least worth a look. It’s not the Peter Jackson version, but it was never going to be.

If you have never read the book, I highly recommend you do. For me, it replaced Kingdom Come as my favorite story. I love this story so much; I have all of the original series, both of the trades, AND the Absolute Edition.

I also really liked the JLA documentary. I have never been a big historian of the “behind the scenes” stuff on how comics were made over the years, so this was a lot of fun to watch. I even watched the audio commentary with Cooke this morning, which I usually never do, and enjoyed that as well.

Even though I got the one-disc edition for free, I think I am still going to buy the two-disc edition just for the extra stuff on the second DVD. I really enjoy those documentaries on comics. The one on Superman: Doomsday was even better than the movie in my opinion.

In a nutshell, if you are, or used to be a big fan of comic books, this DVD is worth a look.

Next Page »