by Joe Gillis, Jun 4 2009 // 1:15 PM
This could either be really cool or really lame. Either way, here’s the info about Ridley’s Scott’s new web series with, apparently, some connection to his 1982 sci-fi classic film Blade Runner. According to the New York Times:
On Thursday the film’s director, Ridley Scott, announced that a new division of his commercials company, RSA Films, was working on a video series called “Purefold.” The series of linked 5- to 10-minute shorts, aimed first at the Web and then perhaps television, will be set at a point in time before 2019, when the Harrison Ford movie takes place in a dystopian Los Angeles.
Mr. Scott, his brother Tony and his son Luke are developing the project in conjunction with the independent studio Ag8, which is run by one of the creators of “Where are the Joneses?” a British Web sitcom that solicited storyline suggestions from the audience. Similarly, “Purefold” will harvest story input from its viewers, in conjunction with the social media site FriendFeed.
But the series won’t be hewing too closely to the specific characters or situations in “Blade Runner.” Some of that material stemmed from the Philip K. Dick novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” which the “Purefold” creators do not have rights to.
“We don’t take any of the canon or copyrighted assets from the movie,” said David Bausola, founding partner of Ag8, who said he hoped the series would debut later this summer and that the first episodes would depict events about two years into the future. “It’s actually based on the same themes as ‘Blade Runner.’ It’s the search for what it means to be human and understanding the notion of empathy. We are inspired by ‘Blade Runner.’”
So, the show will have some elements of “dystopian Los Angeles” and be based on the same themes as Blade Runner. Interesting. Really, if they want to do a show about dystopian Los Angeles, they could set it in modern times and just drive around certain neighboorhodds looking for stories. There’s enough “dystopian” out there for ten web series.
Posted in: Drama · Geek · Movies · News · Sci-Fi · TV · Web
Tagged: Blade Runner, Phillip K. Dick, Ridley Scott, Tony Scott
by Chris Ullrich, May 28 2009 // 9:06 AM
With all the reboots, rumors of reboots, sequels and prequels coming out of Hollywood lately it should come as no surprise that there’s now talk and rumors of yet another one. According to Bloody Disgusting, the latest franchise getting the reboot treatment is the 1979 horror/sci-fi classic Alien. Yes, the movie that coined the cool catchphrase “In space no one can hear you scream” and showcased a young Sigourney Weaver in her underwear is reportedly going to get the reboot treatment.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending upon your opinion, it seems Ridley Scott will be involved in the reboot but will only serve as one of the producers, not the director. Taking on the directing chores is first-time feature director Carl Rinsch, who has at least supposedly cut his teeth directing commercials for Ridley and Tony Scott and their Scott Free Productions company.
In case you might not be familiar with original Alien (If not, go rent it) the story starts when the crew of a spacecraft intercepts a transmission from an unknown planet and decides to investigate. Once there they discover an alien creature that has evolved into the perfect killing machine. One by one each of the crew members are killed until only Weaver’s Ripley is left to destroy the terrifying and deadly creature. But how will she be able to do it all alone?
Seeing as this story is only in the rumor stages (Although it does make sense) we will, of course, keep you posted on any new developments. Until then, feel free to enjoy the trailer for the original Alien after the jump.
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Posted in: 20th Century Fox · Drama · Horror · Movies · News · Reboots and Remakes · Sci-Fi
Tagged: Alien, Aliens, Ridley Scott, Sigourney Weaver
by Chris Ullrich, Apr 28 2009 // 11:10 AM
We may see a prequel Alien, one of the greatest and scariest sci-fi/horror films of all time, in the near future. At least if, according to an interview with Fox’s Co-Chairman Tom Rothman over at IESB, Ridley Scott decides to do it. Rothman gave the interview, which featured some more tidbits about a potential Alien prequel and also the reboot of the Predator franchise, while on the red carpet for the Austin, TX premiere of X-Men Origins: Wolverine last night.
During the interview, Rothman was asked about an Alien prequel and said: “There’s been some talk. Ridley Scott, Ridley is right now working on Robin Hood, but I think he’s toying with the idea and that would be great for us. I mean, it’s always been a matter of, really, if you can get the originator to do it that would be the greatest thing, so I’ve got my fingers crossed, all of them.” Rothman, when asked about the announced Predator reboot, said it was going forward and that Robert Rodriguez’ film, now known as Predators, would be under the writer/director/producer/editor/steadicam operator’s total control.
Other projects mentioned during the interview included Daredevil and James Cameron’s Avatar — which will likely have footage from it from shown at the San Diego Comic-Con in July. So, a potential new Alien film under the direction of Ridley Scott. Robert Rodriguez has total control over a Predator reboot. We will see footage from Avatar at Comic-Con and Fox may end up doing another Daredevil movie. Of those things, the first and the third most interest me. The second and last? Not so much.
Posted in: Horror · Movies · News · Prequels and Sequels · Sci-Fi
Tagged: Alien, Fox, News, Ridley Scott, Wolverine, X-Men Origins