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Some members of the LSH have already appeared on the Superman animated show.  Burnett told Wizard that the WB is hoping that the teen-based Legion will appeal to the right demographic.  Burnett also advised that the show is still in the early stages and the network might still pass on the show, "We're shooting for next season.  We're writing material, and we're doing some art, and we'll show the powers that be what we have, and they'll make the final decision.  It has nothing to do with the quality of the product, just with the mix of programming they want."

According to an account on Cinescape, the planned direct-to-video Batman Beyond movie will replace a previously discussed animated sequel to Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm and Batman: Sub-Zero.  This news comes from the Batman: The Animated Newsletter e-zine who interviewed Sub-Zero director Boyd Kirkland.

Kirkland told the e-zine, "The basic storyline of our recently canned animated Batman movie involved the Joker and Bane, both prisoners in Arkham, who team up to escape and seek revenge on Batman. Bruce Wayne is involved in a heavy romance before this happens, and is seriously considering retiring the cape and cowl to get married when he's attacked. Robin is seriously injured, but plays in important role in helping Batman before the story is over. The story was full of non-stop action and eye-popping visuals, as well as had a lot of heart and romance. I had one of the best studios in Japan lined up to animate it, with a bigger budget than I had for Sub-Zero. It would have been great. Needless to say, I'm extremely disappointed that it won't be made."

Kirkland also confirmed that the reason his picture will not be made is to clear the way for a Batman Beyond feature written by Paul Dini and produced by Bruce Timm.

Finally, the director reports his two other DC Comics based projects were not picked up.  These projects were animated versions of Lobo and Legion of Super-Heroes.

Rob Allstetter of Detroit News Comic Book Continuum reported on an appearance by animation producer Paul Dini (Batman Beyond) at the recent Dragon Con in Atlanta.  Dini reported on a variety of subjects of interest.

Regarding the rumored Batman Beyond feature length movie Dini is quoted as saying, "I've just finished a script for a Batman Beyond animated movie out next Christmas."   Allstetter reports that the movie will likely go direct to video.

The producer is also keeping tabs on the live-action franchise.  He told convention goers, "You will probably not see another movie until 2003."

Dini also talked about other animated fare based on DC characters.   Regarding the JLA animated show, "Everybody wants to see it and we would like to do it, but the suits at the network keep pounding it in that is the Kids' WB!  If we were to do a Justice League, all they see is a bunch of adults in suits."

Allstetter also reports that the idea of using younger concepts, like Young Justice was discussed.  Dini is quoted as saying, "They've looked at it.  They've looked at Impulse and Legion of Super-Heroes. We even did a take on Supergirl. It all depends on what their whim is at the moment."

Thanks to Michael Rhode of the Comics Research Bibliography.

Thanks to Michael Rhode of the Comics Research Bibliography.

The article also mentions that a Moebius & Dan O'Bannon's story The Long Tomorrow has also been optioned by Columbia-TriStar.  According to the article, the story originally appeared in the French magazine Metal Hurlant in 1976.  It was later translated to English and re-presented in Heavy Metal.  O'Bannon has written a pilot script and bible for what is intended to be a syndicated series.

Starwatcher has been representing Steve Rude who has been getting a lot of press here lately for his Nexus animated series.  Malvina's Theater,  who we recently mentioned for hosting the online Nexus animated short, is part of the extensive Starwatcher website.  (Incidentally, the high-quality QuickTime™ version of the Nexus short is now available for download.

While exploring the Starwatcher site, we learned of the following projects in development by various clients.

First up Jay Stephens (Land of Nod) has optioned Tutenstein, his good-natured young Frankenstein mummy, as an animated TV show.  The option was sold to PorchLight Entertainment who produced the two swell Jetcat shorts which appeared on Nickelodeon's KABLAM! last year.  Speaking of Jetcat, the site reveals that two additional shorts will appear on KABLAM! some time in the future.  The episodes are tentatively entitled Lunchtime and Me? Ow!  The first will introduce an all-new band of heroes called The Two-Fisted Five!  A preliminary sketch of the new team appears on the site, revealing each of the hilariously named team members.  Like the Nexus short, a Jetcat short can be downloaded from Malvina's Theater.

In January of this year, Columbia-TriStar purchased the television rights to The Long Tomorrow, by Moebius and Dan O'Bannon.   The comic is described as "a Chandleresque tale of a futuristic private eye and influenced the making of Bladerunner.  Columbia-TriStar intends to produce a syndicated series. Dan O'Bannon has written the pilot script and the bible.

Other projects are developing as well.  French comic book creators Didier Cromwell and Eric Gratien are in negotiations on Anita Bomba for animated television.  Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy are in negotiations for a live action film version of their The Light and Darkness War.

Check out the Starwatcher website for more information on comic, movie and other projects by their extensive list of clients.

While we had him on the phone we quizzed our source about a variety of other movies based on Dark Horse comics.

One we hadn't heard about is Lords of Misrule.  This outstanding comic book, by Dan Abnett, John Tomlinson and Steve White with art by Peter Snejbjerg, featured a mix of urban legends and bizarre supernatural horrors.  The movie is set up at Universal and hopefully production will get going some time next year.  A screenplay is in the works by Ted Kennenbaum who recently worked on Fantastic Voyage.  Our source tells us a major talent is eager to play the lead role of Jack in this movie.

Likewise a movie adaptation of Frank Miller and Geoff Darrow's Hard Boiled is heating up.  This is also due to a big name taking an interest in the movie.   Previous reports indicated that Nicolas Cage was interested in the movie.   When we asked our source if Cage was the big name he only replied, "Maybe, maybe not."

The Big Guy and Rusty The Boy Robot cartoon is shaping up nicely.  It should debut on Fox Kids in September of this year.   August will be Big Guy month on the network, promoting the show's launch.  Toy and sponsorship deals are also in place.

An adaptation of Ghost is still in the works.  DHE hopes to have it set up at a studio in a month or so.

Hellboy is looking strong (see article below).

And, of course, Mystery Men will hit the theaters this August.

Anthony Gentile of Abrams-Gentile said that the show will be very ambitious.   According to the article, there are plans to use computer-generated animation and also live action scenes.  Marvel will be re-launching the comic, which will not be directly tied into the show.  New action figures are also in the works.

The show will debut this fall with a five-part mini-series.  That will be followed with an ongoing series in the first quarter of 1999.  It will include computer generated animation and live-action scenes.  Allstetter quotes Anthony Gentile of AGE as saying "It's very ambitious."

The series will be accompanied by a new Marvel comic as well as new action figures.  The full article gives detailed descriptions of the various characters and concepts that will appear in the show.

Gentile said the the five half-hour episodes may air as a special presentation event (a la Invasion America) or it may air as separate nightly episodes for a week.  The producers are now said to be looking toward Fall of 1999 for the debut of the regular episodes.  According to the article, reaction to the series has been good, clearing 87 percent of the country for syndication.  Apparently it is also possible that Fox and Saban might get involved and bring the show to the Fox network.

The article also reports that Abrams/Gentile will roll out new "technology-based" toys from the series in early 2000.

Loeb met with Taylor and purchased the rights other than publishing for the property.  The he, along with his writing partner Matthew Weisman and director Lewis Chesler (The Hitchhiker) filmed a made-for-TV movie.  The movie starred Famke Jansen (Goldeneye) and aired on Fox in 1994.  Unfortunately, it was pitted against the academy awards and was a ratings washout.  Fox did ask Loeb and company to work up a series pilot but even that was delayed due to administrative changes at the network.

The movie was released theatrically in Europe where it became hugely popular.  By Loeb's recollection it was second at the box office only to True Lies.  Based on this success Loeb has been able to put together a production deal where series work will be done in Europe (a la the Highlander series).  Loeb hopes to complete 26 episodes later this year and, while these episodes air in Europe, work out a syndication or network deal for the US.  Loeb is quoted in Brady's column as saying, "What's great about it is that we have more than enough money out of Europe in order to make a really great looking show.  So it will have high production values along with great looking women and men, and great fun."   Jansen is unavailable to reprise the title role, so Loeb and Weisman are embroiled in the arduous task of interviewing 3000 models for the part.

Thanks to C2F reader Mike Rhode for sending this in.

Commenting on the how well his strip might translate, Orner said, "The romantic comedy usually involves the pratfalls of romance more than the soaring successes, so I think [Ethan Green] lends itself very well."

In the casting department Orner is quoted with, "In my mind Ethan has always been nerdy but cute … a little bit goofy but not unattractive … I’m thinking, maybe Robert Downey Jr."

Thanks to Michael Rhode of the Comics Research Bibliography.

Only one issue of Coven 13 was published before the company lost vice president Mark Williams to cancer.  Rather than continue the concept as a comic, No Mercy was persuaded to pursue it as a film instead.  Witch concepts seem to be popular these days and the filmmakers intend to capitalize on that with  Coven 13.