wondertouch, the leading software developer of particle effects, was the tool of choice for Eden FX in its work on HELLBOY.

Warner Bros. has announced that HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE will be released in theaters Nov. 18, 2005, reported Zap2It.com. However, VFXWorld has learn from WB that the production team was not set a firm date for the film's release. Directed by Mike Newell (FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL), the fourth film in the popular series will go into production later this year. Unlike the other POTTER films that begin with Harry at his aunt and uncle Dursley's house, this film will kick off with Harry and friends attending the International Quidditch Cup.

The recently released PANIC ROOM three-disc special edition (Columbia TriStar Home Ent. $39.95) sets a whole new standard in virtual film school education on DVD. Director David Fincher reveals his obsession with details, which is a prevalent theme throughout the individual commentary tracks that accompany the slick-looking thriller on disc one. The second disc focuses on pre-production, particularly the groundbreaking previs animated storyboards utilized by previs supervisor Ron Frankel.

In its seventh week in release, Mel Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST jumped back to number one with $15.2M, thanks to the Easter holiday weekend ended April 11, 2004. So far, the biblical epic (with vfx by Keith Vanderlaan's Captive Audience) has racked up a phenomenal $353M to place eighth on the all-time list.

Imagineer Systems will be debuting monet, its new product for broadcast, film and video post-production, for the first time at NAB in Las Vegas April 19-22. monet is a start-to-finish solution for inserting images (moving and still) into moving footage, with a combination of tools that allow artists to handle everything for complex logo replacements, product packaging alterations and product placement into moving footage, whether it be DV, SD, HD or film.

Hot off its recent work on SCOOBY-DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED, San Francisco-based Giant Killer Robots (GKR) is now concentrating on two upcoming New Line features for release in 2004: BLADE: TRINITY and SON OF THE MASK.

Robert Rodriguez's recently resignation from the DGA has thrown a wrench into Paramount's development of sci-fi epic, A PRINCESS OF MARS, which was to be Rodriguez follow-up to his current project SIN CITY, reports VARIETY. Because Paramount is a DGA signatory thus required to employ only guild directors. Rodriguez resigned from the guild so he could sidestep co-directing rules on SIN CITY, which will be co-directed by the graphic novel's creator Frank Miller and guest directed by Quentin Tarantino.

VFXWorld focuses on gaming this month, with GDC behind us and E3 right around the corner. But before diving into our GDC coverage and other hot vfx topics related to gaming, Karen Raugust answers the burning question, "What's Up With Wireless?" There is a lot of potential for 3D gaming and other animated content, and Raugust examines how the foreign markets are evolving and why the U.S. continues to lag behind.

AWN and VFXWorld are giving our readers a chance to enter the NAB 2004 Festival Sweepstakes.AWN and VFXWorld are giving our readers a chance to enter the NAB 2004 Festival Sweepstakes. Here's your chance to win one of two free Broadcast & Media Conferences Package Passes at this year's NAB in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 17-22, 2004! This package, which normally costs $925, includes access six conference sessions, Super Sessions, All-Industry Keynote, Exhibits, one luncheon ticket, RTNDA@NAB Sessions and the FCC and GR Breakfasts.

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced the debut of "Van Helsing: Fortress Dracula," an all-new attraction inspired by Universal Pictures' VAN HELSING opening simultaneously with the film's nationwide debut on May 7, 2004. The attraction will transport guests to a world inhabited by Dracula, The Frankenstein Monster and The Wolf Man. The attraction will feature special effects as well as hundreds of artifacts, original props and set pieces, created for the movie.