Trailer: Drew Goddard & Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods
It’s been a long time coming (due to various legal issues, and MGM taking a nose dive), but Drew Goddard & Joss Whedon’s ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ finally has a release date (in the US anyway) – 13th April 2012. Hopefully that means we will get it over here not long after. And that also means we get a trailer!
Co-written by Drew Goddard (Buffy, Lost, Cloverfield) & Joss Whedon (Buffy, Angel, Firefly, The Avengers etc…), then directed by Drew and produced by Joss, The Cabin in the Woods takes the standard teen slasher setup of a group of hot young teens staying out in the middle of nowhere, and adds a Goddard/Whedonesque twist to it… Cast includes The West Wing’s Bradley Whitford, Dollhouse’s Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams from Grey’s Anatomy and Thor himself - Chris Hemsworth. Whedon alumni Tom Lenk and Amy Acker also apparently make an appearance.
Top 4 SciFi Shows We Want To See!
Over a chat with some fellow GeekTowners recently, we were mourning the loss (or long hiatus) of the Stargate franchise after the cruel cancellation of the actually rather good SGU, and it got us thinking… What scifi shows would we like to see – with the exception of the obligatory ‘bring back Firefly‘ obviously…
4. Star Wars – Live Action TV Show
We're waiting George!
Apart from from needing a decent title, and seemingly not having moved forward much since it was first announced a few years back, the Star Wars Live Action TV Show has been slowly bubbling along behind the scenes. Lucas says he has 50 hours written out of an initial run of 100. However, in a recent interview the big man himself has said it’s basically on hold until the technology manages to catch up with his vision of what he wants the show to be – i.e. we want it to be epic and we can’t afford to do it on a tv budget…
Really George?.. What the heck are you planning that you, the man that’s amassed a fortune selling everything from Star Wars lunchboxes to C3PO tape dispensers (yes, really), think it’s not cost effective to produce a Star Wars TV show?! Are you planning on blowing up an actual planet each episode? Genetically engineer real Ewoks maybe? I’m struggling to see how a Star Wars branded ‘anything‘ at this point won’t make you your money back, despite whatever fortune you spend on it! *Sigh* so while Lucas waits (presumably for someone to construct an actual Death Star so they can shoot it somewhere with that authentic ‘Death Stary feel’), we will get Robot Chicken’s Star Wars Sitcom which Lucas greenlit earlier this year. At least that’s something new (and I do expect it to be awesome!), but I’d still love to see the live action show move forward!
3. Mass Effect the TV Series
Mass Effect TV Show
BioWare have made a number of truly great computer games, but one of the strongest universes they’ve created was the one that Mass Effect resides in. There is a Mass Effect movie in development, but that’s no reason to not consider a TV series after that. Look at the success Stargate had (even though the the original writer seemingly hated the tv show!).
Mass Effect provides a vivid and interesting environment that could easily expand in TV. With so many varied races and characters to explore, I can’t help but think a tv show set in the Mass Effect universe would allow the story to expand far more than a film would every allow.
2. Fray the TV Series
Fray TV Show
Yes, I know we’re fanboys when it comes to Joss, but after he’s done sorting out Marvel’s men in tights, I’d really love to see him have something back on the small screen, and it’d be nice if it was something Slayer related. So how about a Fray tv series?
For those of you that don’t know about Fray, it was a series of comic book written by Joss about a new Slayer set in a hi tech future. In this timeline demons had though to have been banished from Earth, and the Watchers are a crazed cult. But when vampires (now know as lurks) start to re-appear in New York’s slums, a new Slayer is called in the form of thief Melaka Fray to battle the increasing threat… Vamps and Slayers in a futuristic scifi setting?.. What more could you want!
1. Slingers TV Show
Ever since the ‘sizzle reel‘ for Slingers popped up in 2009, we’ve been backing the show to get made! For those of you that have yet to catch the video – see above! Slingers is set set in 2263 A.D. An interplanetary war has left a section of humanity cut off from Earth by an impassible barrier. Some people are prepared to do as the military tell them, and make the best of a bad situation. Some have other plans… People such as Dominic ‘DM’ Monroe and his merry band of brothers decide to *ahem* borrow… the military’s experimental spaceship, which has the capability to ‘sling’ itself to any point in the universe. That means in theory, it is the only craft that side of the barrier has the capability of reaching Earth…
In terms of tone, it’s been described as “the action of Bullitt, the sophistication of Ocean’s 11 and the humour of M*A*S*H all wrapped in a futuristic package.” That description alone makes me want to see Slingers go into production! Things have been a bit quiet in terms of actual news on Slingers recently, other than the odd tweet from creator Mike Sizemore about “meetings in LA going well”, there’s not been much news recently. Looking at the stunning work the guys did on the the sizzle reel, I’m surprised it hasn’t been snapped up yet. Still, you know what they say… Good things come to those who wait… ;)
2 Preview Videos of David Greenwalt’s Grimm!
NBC today posted a couple of preview videos of their new commission Grimm from Buffy/Angel scribes David Greenwalt & Jim Kouf. Due to launch in NBC’s Fall season, Grimm is a dark twist on the cop genre, where characters from Grimm’s Fairy Tales do exist.
The lead is taken by David Giuntoli (Privileged, Eli Stone) as Detective Nick Burkhardt, working homicide in Portland, Oregon. Things are going well for Nick until he started to see things he couldn’t quite explain… Following a panicked visit from his only living relative, Nick discovers he’s a descendant of an elite group of hunters known as “Grimms” who are charged with stopping the proliferation of supernatural creatures in the world! So, it’s sounding a little Buffy mixed with a little Supernatural, but overall an interesting new take on the cop show. Check out the previews below!
Worst. idea. ever. – Buffy, Rebooted… WITHOUT Joss Whedon
Buffy being remade
*sigh* we posted about this over a year ago, and I was hoping it would stay just a rumour. But unfortunately not…
The WB have announced they are ‘rebooting’ Buffy the Vampire Slayer – WITHOUT Joss Whedon.
Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven and Steve Alexander will produce the feature film alongside Doug Davison and Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment (The Ring, How to Train Your Dragon, The Departed). Whit Anderson is writing the script.
Okay… first major thing to piss me off in the official press release:
“Warner Bros. Pictures optioned the rights from creators Fran and Kaz Kuzui.”
NO. no no no NO NO. They were just the producers. Joss created the Buffy we all know and love. If fact, the one time Fran actually got to go anything ‘creative’ with the franchise was when she directed the original, and dreadful Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie (if your a Buffy fan and have never seen it, it really is fascinating to see Joss’s script mangled so appallingly.) Unfortunately, due to the deal that was made when that movie was green lit, the Kuzui’s retain the rights to resell Buffy…
Next bit from the official press release to annoy me:
“There is an active fan base eagerly awaiting this character’s return to the big screen.”
Yes and no… We’d love to see Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy on the big screen, maybe continuing some of the awesome work Joss and the Mutant Enemy alumni have been doing on the comic books. What we’re not eagerly awaiting is someone to come along, unsanctioned by the show’s creator and rape its memory!
What Joss Says
See, all the ill will now pouring out from that ‘active fan base’ could have been easily avoided if someone had at least had a conversation with Joss about it, and try and get some sort of blessing from him. As you can tell by the following statements, Joss himself is less than impressed, saying “This is a sad, sad reflection on our times, when people must feed off the carcasses of beloved stories from their youths – just because they can’t think of an original idea of their own…”
What the Cast Say
David Boreanaz's response on twitter to the news.
The ex-cast are also less than impressed with the news. Here’s a roundup of the cast comments from Twitter:
Eliza Dusku (Faith) says “Joss made the “Buffster” & w/out him… I just don’t trust the girl. Or the world.”
Juliet Landau (Drusilla) added “Buffy movie reboot without Joss. So uncool. :(“
Emma Caulfield (Anya) – “Buffy reboot? ahahahhaha..”
Amber Benson (Tara) had the rather more lighthearted “I told [Joss] that asking to play the title role would frighten the Studio Execs.”
Maurissa Tancharoen (wife of Jed Whedon, and co-writer of Dr. Horrible) – “Yet to comment on this Buffy reboot sans #Whedon because I can’t find the words. And the words I have so far are NSFW or for being a lady.”
David Boreanaz (Angel) also responded on twitter (see pic) when told by his Bones producer.
What Could Joss Whedon Do Next?
Much as we’re mourning the loss of Dollhouse, I thought it’d fun to have a look into the not to distant, and fire up some random speculation/wish list of what Joss could/should do next…
5. Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog – Part 2.
Okay, this is a little more than idle speculation, as Zack Whedon has already confirmed they are writing the continuing adventures of our favourite Emmy Award winning supervillan and his nemsis Captain Hammer. They have been waiting for a break in Dollhouse schedule to get together and nail the script and tunes. Given Dollhouse‘s perminent break in schedule, we could be seeing Dr. Horrible 2 sooner than we originally hoped.
4. Serenity 2
I know… This is more a wish that anything that’s likely to actually happen. But still, Joss has proved there is life in the Firefly Universe through the graphic novels. It’d just be a case of arranging it around Nathon Fillion‘s Castle duties, Adam Baldwin‘s Chuck schedule, Morena Baccarin‘s ‘V‘ filming, and the various film schedules of Gina Torres, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher and Summer Glau (and maybe even Alan Tudyk)… And then it’s just a case of finding someone to finance it… And a studio to distribute it… Okay, it’s never going to happen… Still, if i’m writing a wish list of stuff i want Joss to do, something Firefly/Serenity related HAS to be on it!
3. Fray TV Series
Fray
There’s bound to be a number of stories appear suggesting Joss and Eliza head back to the Buffyverse and make a Faith series. However, i think i’d like to see a bit more of a twist if there was going to be a new Slayer series. How about basing around the Fray comic book series.
Centuries have passed since the last Slayer was called. Demons were banished from the Earth at some point in the 21st century by an unnamed Slayer and her friends, and the Watchers’ Council has decayed into a group of crazed fanatics. The vampires (dubbed lurks) have now returned and haunt the city. To combat this threat, a new Slayer is called: a professional thief named Melaka Fray. With the Watchers’ Council ineffective, a group of “neutral” demons send the demon Urkonn to prepare Melaka for the war that is sure to come…
Don’t know about you, but i’d watch that!
2. Ripper
Ripper – Proposed TV series set in the Buffyverse starring Anthony Stewart Head as Rupert Giles in the tradition of “classic English ghost stories”.
Had enough of the US networks trampling all over your shows Joss? Come to England! Talk to the BBC. They force us pay for a tv license so you don’t have to worry about viewing figures. Plus anything Tony Head does seems to be a huge hit, you can’t lose! Sure the weather is a bit grey at times, but it’s a small price to pay for creative freedom. You’ve been talking about Ripper for years. All reports say you got really really close to making it too over the last couple of years… Why not come over and make it a reality?
1. Something New
Click here to buy your Joss Whesdon Is My Master now t-shirts
Much as i love the Buffyverse and Firefly’s ‘verse, I always look forward to new stuff from Joss and the rest of the team at Mutant Enemy. I’m sure they’ll be back with something different from the mainstream in the not to distant future, and i can’t wait.
Got any more ideas? Leave them in the comments!
GeekTown’s Top 5 Cancelled Sci-Fi/Fantasy Shows.
5. Odyssey 5 (2002).
What was it?
Odyssey 5
Odyssey 5 had a great concept. Bunch of astronauts up on a routine spaceflight watch the Earth turn into a fireball and implode! Whilst the 5 surviving crew members of the Odyssey space shuttle contemplate their impending demise, they’re rescued by a mysterious being called the Seeker. It seems Earth isn’t the only planet to have suffered this fate, but this is the first time the Seeker has managed to find survivors. He sends the crew’s consciousnesses back in time 5yrs to give them a chance to prevent the disaster.
Why was Odyssey 5 cancelled?
Actually a pretty good question… Odyssey 5 ran on Showtime, who bizarrely cancelled it after airing only 14 of it’s 20 episodes, despite the show being one the highest rated on the network (they only citing that they ‘wanted to move away from SciFi shows’ as a reason)…
4. Reaper (2007-2009).
What was it?
Reaper
Reaper was a show about dropout/slacker/Work Bench employee Sam Oliver (Bret Harrison), who finds himself being forced to become a bounty hunter for the Devil after his father promised their first born child to the Devil (Ray Wise) in return for curing his sick wife.
Sam’s job as bounty hunter requires him to retrieve souls that have escaped from Hell by capturing them in a ‘vessel’ provided by the Devil each week, usually with help from friends Sock (Tyler Labin), Ben (Rick Gonzalez), and love interest Andi (Missy Peregrym).
Why was Reaper cancelled?
Ratings more than anything although the CW network really didn’t help things by putting the second season up against American Idol. ABC Studios was in talks of keeping Reaper going through first-run syndication, however as time went on, and with an uncertain future, understandably Tyler Labin and then Bret Harrison signed deals on new shows, which pretty much left Reaper reaped.
3. Angel (1999-2004).
What was it?
Angel
Angel (a spin-off from the Joss Whedon’s brilliant Bufy the Vampire Slayer) followed the trials of a vampire private detective trying to make up for his past deeds after gypsies returned his soul. In his mission to ‘help the helpless’ he enlist the help of various associates to help do battle with demons, and evil law firm Wolfram & Heart.
Angel was much darker in tone than it’s sibling show Buffy, but still contained the trademark Whedonesque dialogue, and complex season arcing plots, mixing genres in the genius way only Joss Whedon can.
Why was Angel cancelled?
Although Angel made it to a respectable 5 seasons, it was still cut down very much in it’s prime. In fact, ironically the fact it was doing well in it’s timeslot possibly contributed to it’s demise… Angel was a fairly expensive show to produce, and because of this The WB network usually left it until very late to sign the renewal, just in case something better/cheaper came along (which it never did). The problem with this was that a lot of cast and crew had to turn down potential jobs on the hope that Angel got picked up again. Feeling this was unfair, and on the back of the great reception they’d had for season 5, a confident Joss asked The WB not to keep them waiting, and give them a yay or nay on season 6… The WB, thinking something else would come along (which of course it didn’t) said ‘okay, we’re cancelling you’… Had they waited until the last minute as usual it’s extremely likely they would have got the renewal. The WB have since stated cancelling Angel was a big mistake.
2. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009).
Click here to Win Season 2 of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles on Blu-Ray!
What was it?
Click here to enter our great Termintor:TSCC competition and win the whole of Season 2 on Blu-Ray!
In a similar way to what they’ve done with the new Star Trek movie, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles tv series took place in a slightly different timeline to the Terminator movies. The pilot episode starts in 1999 after the events of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, with Sarah (Lena Headey 
and her son John (Thomas Dekker and his reprogrammed Terminator protector Cameron (Summer Glau), on the run from Terminator Cromartie (Garret Dillahunt). In an attempt to escape, Cameron creates a temporal rift, jumping them forward in time to 2007, unfortunately, a badly damaged, but still functioning Cromartie manages to follow them. As the series continues, we start to see how the future Terminator controlling computer overlord ‘Skynet’ starts to become sentient, and sees the group team up with John’s Uncle, resistance fighter Derek Reese (Brian Austin Green).
One of the great things about Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is that they mostly avoided the easy option of having a ‘monster (or in this case Terminator) of the week’, and chose a more serialized format, keeping Cromartie as the main villain for all of the 1st season (and part of the 2nd), allowing more longer more intricate plot lines to develop. What could have been just another ‘cash in’ to the Terminator franchise became a well written, intelligent, complex and entertaining show.
Why was Terminator: TSCC cancelled?
Once again, ratings, or rather Nielsen ratings (by far the most outdated pointless way of rating a shows popularity) killed it. The useless thing about Nielsen ratings is they don’t take into account Tivo/DVR viewing. For it’s second season Terminator TSCC was moved to the dreaded ‘Friday night death slot’ to team up with Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse. The trouble is, if your running shows aimed a young audience and then airing it on a night when most of your target audience is out, don’t be surprised when the live (Nielsen rated) viewing figures suck. An episode which might only get 3 million live viewers in reality could have 10 million if you add in Sky+/Tivo/DVR figures. It really is time we found a better way to rate shows, otherwise all were going to end up getting commissioned is hours of Americas Next Top Dancing With The Stars Idol…
Click here to Win Season 2 of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles on Blu-Ray!
1. Firefly (2002).
What was it?
Firefly
Created by Joss Whedon, Firefly was set 500 years in the future, in a new solar system after humanity abandons ‘Earth That Was’. The show followed the crew of the Firefly class ship Serenity as they struggle to survive any way they can in the ‘verse. It’s often described as a ‘sci-fi/western’, but ‘sci-fi/post American Civil War’ would actually be more accurate (although not as catchy). Rather than being a Stargate style action series, Firefly ditched the idea of aliens and massive space battles in favour of focusing on the wonderful character interactions of the eclectic crew.
Firefly was one of those moments when all the star aligned and everything in a show just worked. From the pitch perfect casting, to Joss Whedon’s superb scripts, to the iconic character and costume design. I’d go as far to say it was arguably the best scifi show ever made.
Why was Firefly cancelled?
*sigh*… FOX’s incompetence more than anything… Firstly, they switched the episode order, moving the pilot episode to the middle of the season. The show was hardly advertised, and then shifted around the schedules. They pretty much did everything possible to bury the series. Thankfully, there appears to have been a complete turnaround at FOX in recent years, which has led to Joss returning to the network for Dollhouse, and FOX supporting it for a second season. Joss also got the opportunity to tie up some of the loose ends in the movie Serenity. I’d still love to see Firefly take to the big or small screen again though.
