BATTLESTAR GALACTICA exec producer David Eick and writer Laeta Kalogridis have been tapped to bring THE BIONIC WOMAN back to NBC for a new generation, VARIETY reports. Eick and Kalogridis are set to exec produce the new version.
The original series, which starred Lindsay Wagner as the mechanically enhanced tennis pro turned superhero, started as a spinoff of THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN on ABC, but moved to NBC in 1977 for its third and final season.
Marvel Studios announced that Academy Award-nominee Terrence Howard (HUSTLE & FLOW) has joined the cast of IRON MAN. Howard will take on the role of Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes, Tony Stark aka Iron Man's best friend, in the project slated to launch into theaters May 2, 2008. Previously, Marvel announced that Robert Downey Jr. would be playing the title role and Jon Favreau would be directing.
Kahani World Inc. a Toronto-based independent animation company, and Virgin Comics Llc. have teamed up to co-produce SECRETS OF THE SEVEN SOUNDS, a full length animated feature, inspired by the ancient Indian myth Ramayana.
Animal Logic has adopted a Vicon MX40 system for realtime facial, hand and full-body capture. Animal Logic is already innovating with the capabilities of Vicon MX to create weekly episodes of a primetime talk show, in which a virtual host, driven by realtime performance data, interviews and is viewed by guests and the audience live in the studio.
In its first week of availability, Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID Platinum Edition DVD has become the best-animated October DVD debut ever, with sales topping four million units in North America.
The Gnomon Workshop welcomes back art director Ryan Church with the release of his new DVD INTRO TO COREL PAINTER. This title will help artists new to digital painting, who are interested in learning Church's workflow and techniques for the creation of amazing concept art for the film and game industries. Assuming no previous experience with the software, this DVD explains the Painter interface, palettes and tools.
Disneys underrated THE FOX AND THE HOUND, about the bittersweet relationship between childhood friends and natural rivals, returns to DVD on Oct. 10, 2006, in honor of the 25th anniversary (Walt Disney Home Ent., $29.99). Directed by Art Stevens, Ted Berman and Richard Rich, the film marked the last collaboration between three of the famed Nine Old Men: Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston and Wolfgang Reitherman. Includes the voice talent of Mickey Rooney, Kurt Russell, Pearl Bailey, Jack Albertson Sandy Duncan and Paul Winchell, among others.
ZDF Enterprises GmbH is bringing five properties to MIPCOM 2006, where they can be found at booths 21.02 and 23.01.
The live-action series, H2O JUST ADD WATER (2x90 or 52x26) is an adventure-drama about how to stay "normal" when you're a part-time mermaid. Three 16-year-old girls find themselves exploring the eerie, jungle covered island eventually ending up trapped in an ancient cave system under a volcano.
Wild Brains multi-award-winning director Gordon Clark led a team of studio animators in the creation of the eight new comedic commercials for the Honda Element campaign, Element and Friends, conceived by ACD/art director Chuck Blackwell and copywriter Adam Lowrey at RPA. Each spot features the Honda Element in a comedic conversation with a new friend, including a goat, hamster, lobster, mole, penguin, pigeon, rat and turtle.
Taffy Ent. has signed a co-production deal with Korean broadcaster EBS and France 5, for its new preschool series LAMIMILA, produced by MoonScoop and Characterplan.
This 65x7 series is aimed at a preschool audience, which is set for a fall 2007 delivery.
MoonScoop and Classic Media announced that they will produce and distribute a brand new CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST animated series. Indias DQ Ent. has also come on board as co-production partner and the series will be developed with TF1 in France. Production on the new 52x11 series is set to commence in February 2007. Distribution of the new series will be shared between the co-production partners.
Framestore CFC's animators have created some new characters for the new Vauxhall spots, FOLLOW THAT CAR and GET UP & GO. Created by agency DLKW, directed by Dom and Nic and produced by John Madsen for Outsider, the two :40 spots begin airing in the U.K. this week.
Martin Scorsese returns to familiar crime turf with THE DEPARTED, which blew away the competition with $26.8M for Warner Bros. in its opening weekend for the period ended Oct. 8, 2006. Thats the directors best opening yet, and he had seamless vfx help from The Basement, Lola Visual Effects and Ockhams Razor, under the supervision of Rob Legato.
Soar over dramatic landmarks of the picturesque southwest United States with SOUTHWEST MONUMENT AERIALS and SOUTHWEST SCENIC AERIALS, Artbeats newest royalty-free aerial footage collections.
The Walt Disney Co. honored legendary songwriter Sir Elton John, as well as 11 additional inductees, including the late Pixar animation story artist, Joe Ranft, with the prestigious Disney Legends Award during a ceremony at The Walt Disney Co. headquarters this afternoon (Oct. 9, 2006). Presiding over the ceremony was Disney president and ceo Robert A. Iger, and his fellow presenters included Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios; Roy E. Disney, Disney director emeritus; and Marty Sklar, evp and Walt Disney Imagineering Ambassador.
Exposure World Wide WebOct. 23, 2006 Dec. 17, 2006Deadline: Nov. 20, 3006
In an unprecedented campaign to turn the spotlight on the countrys best independent, makers of short films, SCI FI Channel, in conjunction with Sundance Channel, will be launching Exposure, an eight-week short film competition that will allow the online community of both websites to crown cinemas next master.
5th biennial Tehran International Animation Festival (TIAF) Tehran, IranFeb. 27 March 1, 2007Deadline: Nov. 30, 2006
International Interactive Emmy Awards 2007Cannes, FranceApril 18, 2007Deadline: Dec. 11, 2006
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will be presenting International Interactive Emmy Awards and a Pioneer Prize, in partnership with Reed MIDEM, for the second year in a row. The International Interactive Emmy Awards at MIPTV 2007 will take place in Cannes, France.
The three International Interactive Emmy Award categories are:
Yoram Gross-EM.TV, a leading producer of children's animated programming and family entertainment, revealed their new corporate identity Flying Bark Prods.
Following the acquisition of the remaining 50% of Yoram Gross-EM.TV by EM.Ent. GmbH at the beginning of the year, the company is now being re-branded and re-structured with the new Flying Bark identity. The primary divisions of Flying Bark Prods. include Greenpatch Prods., Forest Interactive and Trackdown.
Nickelodeon Preschool Television has announced that they have picked up a 14-episode season of the 2D-animated preschool series MAX & RUBY. In addition, a new MAX & RUBY Easter special will premiere on Nick Jr. and NOGGIN in Spring 2007 to kick off the new season.
Based on the classic childrens book series by author and illustrator Rosemary Wells, MAX & RUBY follows the adventures of two bunny siblings. The show, a co-production from Nelvana/Corus Ent. in association with Chorion Silver Lining, airs weekdays on NOGGIN at 10:30 am (ET).
Cape Town-based Strika Ent. debuted its first Flash-animated series, SUPA STRIKAS, at this years MIPCOM Jr.
The animated series is based on Strikas most popular comic, SUPA STRIKAS. The comic follows the ups and downs of an African soccer team. The comic is a huge success with 1.5 million copies distributed every month to eight African countries and South America.
Strika Animation completed 13x1 Flash animated episodes that were broadcast in South Africa and in the rest of Africa.
THQ Inc. has shipped UNFABULOUS for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance throughout North America. The first game based on a Nickelodeon live-action television series; the game follows the hectic life of main character Addie Singer and features key locations from the show. The game is rated "E" for everyone and is available for $29.99.
Results coming out of MIPCOM Jr. shows Aardmans SHAUN THE SHEEP (U.K.) topping the list of the most requested series at the event, taking place in Cannes, France. A new finisher in the Jr. race shows Ettamogah Ent. Groups AMYS GANG (Australia) in second place while BRB Internactional came in third for ANGUS AND CHERYL (Spain). In fourth place was 4Kids Ent. for its CHAOTIC (USA) and in fifth was Cake Ent. Ltd.s SKUNK FU! (U.K.).
DECODE Ent. has further expanded its presence in Latin America with a raft of sales to broadcasters in the region.
Mexican network Canal Once has snapped up PLANET SKETCH, a DECODE co-production with Aardman Animations and quirky short-form series NAUGHTY NAUGHTY PETS. In Venezuela, local distributor Amazonia has picked up the rights to FRANNYS FEET, THE SAVE-UMS! and GIRLSTUFF BOYSTUFF.
Each month, ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE focuses its attention on a particular theme.
