by Jennifer Tomooka, Jul 22 2009 // 6:45 PM
Konami announced today that a video game based on the wildly popular Adult Swim animated series Metalocalypse is currently in development for Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network. The upcoming Metalocalypse: Dethgame will immerse players into the world of Dethklok, the world’s most brutal Norwegian heavy metal band.
Created by series co-creator Brendon Small, Metalocalypse: Dethgame players will be transformed into Klokateers, loyal band roadies, and unleashed to wreck havoc on rabid mutant fans, explore Mordhaus and protect the METAL faithful. The game will include tracks from the best-selling Dethklok: The Dethalbum and feature three brand new songs from Williams Street Records’ Dethklok (available for purchase in the Fall). The gaming package is rounded out by several mini-games, making Metalocalypse: Dethgame a unique gaming experience in the downloadable game arena.
“We have gone above and beyond and found the biggest nerds in the industry to help develop and deliver what will without a doubt be the most successful downloadable cartoon death metal game in recorded history,” says Small. “I defy anyone to find another death metal cartoon that can claim the same. I think the most important thing to remember beyond the record-setting CD sales, and astounding ratings and growing rabid fans around the world, is that this game is going to be a blast to play.”
Developed by Frozen Codebase, Metalocalypse: Dethgame will hit stores this Fall. More information on Metalocalypse: Dethgame, can be found here.
Posted in: Animation · Comic-Con · News · PlayStationNetwork · Press Releases · Video Games · XBLA
Tagged: Adult Swim, Dethklok, Frozen Codebase, Konami, Metalocalypse, Metalocalypse: Dethgame, PlayStation Network, SDCC09, XBox Live
by Chris Ullrich, Jul 22 2009 // 5:45 PM
We’re on the ground and ready to rock here in San Diego for the 40th annual San Diego Comic-Con. So far, we’ve managed to find the hotel (and the hotel bar), locate our press registration info, bluff our way past the line to get our press badges early (thank you Mr. Wolfenstein) and explore the press rooms, byways and hallways of the San Diego Convention Center so we’ll know our way around even better tomorrow when the real fun begins.
We’ll be doing a lot of posting here about all the happenings during the Con. Plus, we’ll bring you lots of photos, video and all the other things we can in order to make your enjoyment of the Con that much better — even if you can’t actually be here in person. With that in mind, here’s a little gallery of photos, right after the jump, to get things started off on the right foot
Look for lots more Comic-Con 2009 coverage right here at The Flickcast.
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Posted in: Comic-Con · News · Photos
Tagged: SDCC09
by Joe Gillis, Jul 22 2009 // 5:00 PM
Producer Gale Anne Hurd, who seemingly has a love for comic book adaptations after having produced two version of The Hulk and The Punisher for the big screen, has now teamed up with Platinum Studios to bring Top Cow’s comic The Magdalena to your local multiplex. In case you’re not familiar, The Magdalena concerns a descendant of Jesus and Mary Magdalene who is a soldier for a secret order of cardinals who fight evil in its many forms.
She has the ability to see into people’s hearts and give them a chance to redeem themselves. She also wields the Spear of Destiny, a spear that pierced Jesus’ side during the crucifiction, as a weapon against the forces of darkness. Versus, Midnight Meat Train and Godzilla: Final Wars director Ryuhei Kitamura has been tapped to take on the directing chores for the film.
Holly Brix, whos past credits include The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations and the upcoming The Lost Girls, is handling the writing duties. Jenna Dewan, of the recent Step Up and the supernatural thriller Tamara, will be playing The Magdalena and Luke Goss of Hellboy II and Blade II has also been cast in the film.
No word yet on other casting, the start of filming or a release date but when there is, we’ll bring it to you.
Posted in: Comic-Con · Comics · Deals and Dealmaking · Movies · News
Tagged: Gale Anne Hurd, Hellboy II, Holly Brix, Luke Goss, Platnum Studios, Ryuhei Kitamura, SDCC09, The Magdelena
by Chris Ullrich, Jul 22 2009 // 4:09 PM

Well horror fans, the wait is over. We’ve finally gotten a glimpse of Jackie Earle Hailey as Freddy Kruger in the upcoming reboot of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Fortunately, at least from what we can see in this picture, it looks like the filmmakers of this new version are sticking pretty close to the original vision for everyone’s favorite killer who stalks their dreams.
Of course, as this picture is pretty dark, its hard to see exactly what the new Freddy really looks like, but at least the hat and sweater look exactly right for the character — not to mention the creepy mood lighting and the hand made of knives. Oddly enough, if I didn’t know this was Jackie Earle Hailey in this picture, I could almost guess that is was. Something about his posture and having just seen him in a similar hat while watching the Watchmen director’s cut makes it almost impossible not to think its him.
With any reboot or remake people are going to cry foul and decry that the original is always going to be better. Truth be told, I’m frequently one of those people, so I know how it is. Fortunately, it looks like I might have to give this movie a real chance — especially if it continues to follow this great start. The reboot of A Nightmare on Elm Street hits theaters on April 16, 2010.
Posted in: Horror · Movies · News · Photos · Warner Bros
Tagged: Freddy Kruger, Jackie Earle Hailey, Nightmare on Elm Street
by Joe Gillis, Jul 22 2009 // 3:40 PM
Its not like this should be a surprise to anyone. After all, Olivia Munn is a self-professed Star Wars nerd and often makes her fans extremely happy by dressing as their favorite Star Wars princess — complete with slave outfit. Example on the right.
So it makes perfect sense that she would want to utilize her Star Wars knowledge and also her creative abilities in a new way. And what better way then by producing and starring in some cool new Star Wars fan films? I can’t think of a better way and apparently, Olivia agrees because she just signed a deal with Atom.com to produce and star in fan films exactly like we are talking about.
Want to know more? Of course you do. Fortunately, here’s all the info from the official Atom.com press release:
ATOM.COM JOINS FORCES WITH OLIVIA MUNN TO PRODUCE
STAR WARS FAN FILMS
“Operation Olivia” Videos To Premiere With Munn’s Appearance At
Atom.com And Lucasfilm Events At Comic-Con On Friday And Saturday Nights
“Operation Olivia” Site Debuts Saturday At http://olivia.atom.com
Atom.com announced today that Olivia Munn –Attack of the Show co-host, current Playboy cover girl, and all-around geek goddess — has signed to star in and executive-produce Star Wars fan films for the digital comedy network.
Munn is joining Atom at San Diego Comic-Con International this weekend to premiere the first of the Star Wars-themed videos she is producing through “Operation Olivia: The Star Wars Challenge,” a new online destination that will launch Saturday, July 25 at http://olivia.atom.com. (Select photos from Munn’s first fan film production are already available on the site.)
Posted in: Comedy · Comic-Con · Fan Films · Filmmaking · Indie · Movies · News · Sci-Fi · Star Wars
Tagged: Atom.com, Fan Film, Lucasfilm, Olivia Munn, Operation Olivia, SDCC09, Star Wars
by Joe Gillis, Jul 22 2009 // 2:30 PM

If you’re a fan of Lost and have always dreamed of getting a piece of the show for your very own this post is for you. Profiles In History will be holding an auction for those of you who love Lost and are ready to bid on items from the show.
Before that, interested parties will be able to preview the items up for sale at this week’s Comic-Con in San Diego.
Here’s the info from the official press release:
PROFILES IN HISTORY TO OFFER A SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE “LOST” AUCTION AT THIS YEAR’S SAN DIEGO COMIC CON
Original Props, Costumes And Set Pieces From The Hit ABC Television Series “LOST” To Be On Display July 23-26, 2009
Fans of the hit television show LOST will be getting a sneak preview. No, they can’t see it on TV, but they CAN see it at Comic Con!
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Posted in: ABC · Comic-Con · Drama · News · Press Releases · Sci-Fi · TV
Tagged: Auction, J.J. Abrams, Jack, Kate, Lost, Sawyer
by Christina Warren, Jul 22 2009 // 1:00 PM
The release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has reopened discussions about what makes a good book to film adaptation. The Potter series often divides fans, and the latest chapter is no exception. I’ve heard from a number of fans of the book series who are disappointed with the current film’s adaptation, while I’ve also talked to fans who are satisfied. Brad Brevet from RopesofSilicon reflected on some of the more negative fan reactions and he asks, “how faithful should film adaptations be?”
Adapting a book into a film is not an easy process. Squeezing a 300-page novel into a 120-minute film is difficult, especially if the book has lots of exposition or other elements that are not easily cinematic. For books that are rich and deeply characterized, like the Potter books, adaptation is almost always going to mean losing some characters or the minute characterizations that many fans hold dear.
That said, making an adaptation that is too close to the original work can often be just as problematic as making an unfaithful adaptation. Brevet mentions this spring’s Watchmen as an example of a film that while remarkably true to its graphic novel counterpart, still didn’t end up endearing itself to even diehard Watchmen fans. I would argue this was because despite getting the character and plot details correct, Watchmen didn’t effectively bring enough of its own cinematic virtues to the project. In contrast, Frank Miller’s Sin City was a tremendous adaptation of various vignettes from the graphic novel series, and it managed to be both accurate and bring in its own voice.
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Posted in: Features · Movies · Novels · Scripts
Tagged: Fight Club, Gone with the Wind, Sin City, The Godfather, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Watchmen
by David Press, Jul 22 2009 // 11:30 AM
With a lot of you heading to Comic-Con, it would be good form for those of us not going to recommend some books you should be looking out for on the Con floor this week.
The biggest one of the week simply has to be Darwyn Cooke’s adaptation of Richard Stark’s novel The Hunter. I got the chance to read this a couple of weeks ago, and to say the very least if you’re expecting something along the lines of Cooke’s The Spirit run or The New Frontier you’re going to be in for a shock. This is absolutely nothing at all like those books in design, color scheme or story. But nonetheless, it is my top pick of the week.
My second recommendation is the double-sized issue of Amazing Spider-Man #600. Truth be told, Marvel is putting out a number of great books this week. I’m a sucker for all things Deadpool, for a reason I still don’t understand, I just enjoy them. The many mini-series featuring the character seems to be leveling off at the ridiculous. However, with each and every spin-off I can’t stop going back for every new issue for only one reason: they are books full of pure fun.
The other Marvel book out this week includes Immortal Weapons #1. This book focuses on the other immortal weapons introduced in Immortal Iron Fist. Written by Jason Aaron and Duane Swierczynski and an all star cast of virtually every artist I love working at Marvel, this is a must have in my book. More stuff spinning out of the Iron Fist corner is a good thing in my mind.
As always, if you didn’t like the picks we have for you this time around, check out Midtown Comics for a great selection of everything that comes out on Wednesday. And if you’re going to Comic-Con, be sure to keep it locked here for some great coverage from the Con floor.
Happy Reading!
Posted in: Comic-Con · Comics · IDW · Marvel · Recommendations
Tagged: Amazing Spider-Man, Darwyn Cooke, DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI, Immortal Weapons, jason aaron, Richard Stark
by Jennifer Tomooka, Jul 22 2009 // 10:30 AM
We’re in the home stretch for Comic-Con, but for those of you who can’t wait for the excitement to start, Variety is reporting that Danny DeVito will be revealing his latest venture, thebloodfactory.com at his panel on Friday. The website will initially feature five short horror films, although 15 are already completed and as many as 50 stories are lined up. DeVito describes the shorts as “splatter cuts” that are largely moral tales of revenge and retribution. Prepare to be shocked by what you see, as the films contain copious amounts of blood, slashed flesh and some incestuous cannibalism.
The website, which started as a creative way to pass the time between filming features and episodes of FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, is a partnership with writer John Albo and will feature the work of Tracey Walter and Carol Kane among others. Additionally, DeVito and Albo will be using the website as a testing ground for income based upon the graphic subject matter, not advertising.
“There could be a business in this,” DeVito said. “We’re doing graphic novels of each of the films, and the plan in the long run is to offer them to people in every service you can get away with, cell phones, computers, DVDs.
“We might make feature films out of some of the material. We’ll grow this and figure out where it’s going, but right now, we’re just having a good time.”
Posted in: Comic-Con · Horror · News · Web
Tagged: Danny DeVito, SDCC09, thebloodfactory.com
by John Carle, Jul 22 2009 // 9:30 AM
This week, Gazillion Entertainment announced that David Brevik would be placed as studio director at Gargantuan, the studio house developing the Marvel massive multiplayer online game. After originally being scrapped by Cryptic Studios in favor of Champions Online, Gazillion entertainment had been filling its ranks up under the weather by recruiting members of Apple, Blizzard, Pixar and Microsoft Game Studios to create their team.
Now with the addition of David Brevik who has been credited as leader programmer, project lead and design lead of both Diablo games, gamers should feel confident in the studio’s ability to deliver on the multiplayer experience required for a quality MMO. But can the Marvel Universe MMOG survive in a landscape already dominated by the behemoth World of Warcraft. Other properties like the Age of Conan, Lord of the Rings and Warhammer have taken shots at unseating Warcraft but have thus been unsuccessful.
Even other strong properties outside of the medievil time frame have fallen short like the ill-fated Star Wars Galaxies and the Matrix Online. What may be Marvel’s biggest threats though come from the blossoming superhero MMOG genre that has been popping up over recent years, the pinnacle being City of Heroes/City of Villains which came in to legal trouble with Marvel and DC for such robust character creation tools that many players were able to create incredible likenesses of their favorite proprietary heroes.
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Posted in: Comics · DC · Marvel · Video Games
Tagged: Champions Online, City Of Heroes / City of Villains, Cryptic, David Brevik, DC Universe Online, Diablo, Gargantuan, Gazillion, Marvel MMO, MMOs
by Chris Ullrich, Jul 22 2009 // 8:30 AM
We’ve been following this game here at The Flickcast and have been able to bring you several cool items to help peak your interest in Activision’s upcoming Wolfenstein game. Among the previous bits of info there’s been a trailer for the game and part one and two of an awesome prequel motion graphic novel for the game.
This time around, we’ve got a new video to share with you that will give you further information on how the game is being put together and some more clues on the look of it and a bit more info on the story and characters. It also shows you just how much work actually goes into making a game as complicated as this and how much the people involved really enjoy their work.
Wolfenstein 3D is available now on XBox Live and PSN. The new, improved Wolfenstein game is coming later this year for all next gen consoles. Meantime, check out this very cool video after the jump. And, because the video is for an “M’ rated game and contains some blood and gore, by clicking through you certify you are 18 years of age or older.
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Posted in: Action · Activision · Games · News · Video · Video Games
Tagged: Nazis, PSN, Wolfenstein, XBox, Xbox 360, XBox Live
by Joe Gillis, Jul 22 2009 // 7:00 AM
Last time on on The Flickcast, your favorite trio discussed topics include Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern, Natalie Portman in Thor, AMC’s reboot of the classic The Prisoner TV series, the potential Smallville Superman movie and much much more!
This week, Chris and Matt go it alone and jump into full Comic-Con preview mode to discuss all the great things coming up at the Con like the Twilight Zone movie, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, the Tron reboot, Willem Dafoe in John Carter of Mars, Torchwood: Children of Earth and how fun it is to say the word “Hufflepuff” while doing a British accent.
Chris and Matt also made some picks this week including Matt’s pick of Justice League: New Frontier and Chris’ pick of the novel A Princess of Mars, the first book in Edgar Rice Burroughs John Carter of Mars series.
As always, if you have comments, questions, critiques or offers of sponsorship, feel free to hit us up in the comments, on Twitter and at Facebook, MySpace or via email. Thanks for listening.
Posted in: Comic-Con · Comics · Movies · News · Podcasts · TV
Tagged: Alice in Wonderland, Episode 17, Harry Potter, Hufflepuff, Tars Tarkas, Tim Burton, Torchwood, Tron, Willem Dafoe