April 28, 2009

Book Signing in New York

For 'X-Files,' the truth is still out there ... but what about a third film?

SOURCE: LA Times Blog

Liver-eating contortionist Eugene Tooms wasn’t there. Neither were the Peacock Brothers. Extraterrestrials? Nope, not a one. But even without those memorable characters of any of the other paranormal beasties, shadow-government operatives or little green men from "The X-Files," fans of the spooky franchise turned out in force last week at The Grove in Los Angeles to question and cheer X-creator Chris Carter and key writer Frank Spotnitz.

The two longtime collaborators (or is that conspirators?) were joined by Matt Hurwitz, a co-author of the lavish new book “The Complete X-Files: Behind the Series, Myths and the Movies” (Insight Editions, $49.95). The event was on the third floor of Barnes & Noble and a crowd that went into triple-digits was eager to get autographs and answers, many of which were delivered by Carter with his wry, mellow-surfer baritone.

Is Walter Skinner still infected with nanotechnology? “He’s been to the doctors a number of times.”

Is the Agent Dana Scully immortal? “It’s kind of true, if you think about it. I mean, she’ll never die. She beat cancer.”

Any plans to take "Millennium" to the big screen? “That seems to be the question all the fans want answered. Nothing has been discussed.”

Carter’s favorite episode? “Beyond the Sea” and “Home” make the short list, but, he insists, he has a lot of favorites.

When is the series going to be available on Blu-ray? “There’s a technical problem ... we just have to figure out how to solve it.”

But the pervading question of the night centered on one yearning hope: A third installment of “The X-Files” as a movie franchise, which would pick up where last year's "X-Files: I Want to Believe” left off. In an interview after the book signing, Carter was elusive ... but he did give fans a reason to believe.

Noting the lackluster commercial success of the second film, Carter said the venture was hurt by its timing. The U.S. release “was foolish, opening a week after the blockbuster hit “The Dark Knight ... it was really the worst weekend to open any movie.”

The film pulled in an anemic $21 million in the U.S., which fell short of expectations for a film that cost $30 million to make. It did go on, however, to make $47 in foreign markets. “The movie did a lot of business worldwide so, I think, it’s really up to Fox to decide,” he said.

Despite the lackluster grosses, there’s no denying the impact of the television series and its characters on pop culture. It demonstrated the potential of what the sci-fi genre could achieve on the small screen. And though recent sci-fi series like "Battlestar Galactica" (a show Carter “likes”) and "X-Files"-influenced "Fringe" have picked up the torch, Carter said crime dramas have handcuffed TV’s limited programming schedules for scripted dramas.

“When you look at what’s on television right now, there’s a little bit of science fiction, but there’s mostly cop procedurals,” said the 52-year-old Carter. “People see every episode of 'Law & Order,' and all its incarnations, so I don’t know … if you do science fiction on television it’s a little bit of a gamble sometimes.”

But, hey, if that doesn’t work, there’s always the Internet, right? "X-Files" fans have proven there’s an audience out there for all the fan content they’ve created. From fan-fiction to mash-up YouTube videos, people have taken notice. Even the actors that inspired the content, Spotnitz noted.

“You know, there’s a story that David [Duchovny] told when we were doing the movie last year,” Spotnitz said, “about how Gillian had seen a YouTube compilation of all their kisses and David saw that and said it actually affected his performance in the film because it was like reminder of the power of their relationship. So it just tells you how meaningful they are. It really is part of what the 'X-Files' is now. It’s just the way the fans re-interpret it.”

And with the release of the book -- practically an encyclopedia of “The X-Files” franchise -- fans will now have more to interpret, because as one fan said, “The truth will always be out there.”

-- Yvonne Villarreal

SHE MADE THIS: Dori Carter's new book

Dori Carter's long-awaited second book, "We Are Rich," has just been published. You can check out the website for the book at http://www.doricarterbooks.com/.
Please be sure to pick up a copy!

Source: Big Light

April 16, 2009

Some Fencewalker news... sort of

In her recent interview for The Warren Report, young and very talented actress Jeannine Kaspar revealed some information about Chris Carter's new movie "Fencewalker."

Jeannine said that Chris "was so humble and generous... He is incredible and powerful to be so real... He is a very neat guy."

Jeannine said that during the wrap party Chris told her "I've found you" meaning that he was the first one to notice her talent.

According to Jeannine, she is not a lead actor of "Fencewalker." "There are couple of great leads in that film," she said and then mentioned Mehcad Brooks, Katie Cassidy, Natalie Dormer and Austin Nichols.

Recently Jeannine Kaspar won Special Jury Citation of Ashland Independent Film Festival for her lead performance in an independent movie "Paper Covers Stone."

Listen full interview HERE.

April 13, 2009

X-Files comics: #6 preview

Check out X-Files #6 comic book preview here --

http://www.dccomics.com/media/excerpts/11539_x.pdf

The X-Files #6 on Sale April 15, 2009.

April 12, 2009

Katie Cassidy talks about "Fencewalker"


























In her recent interview for Collider.com, the multi-talented actress/singer/musician Katie Cassidy spoke about the upcoming top-secret Chris Carter drama Fencewalker.

Question: What can you say about Fencewalker and working with Chris Carter (The X-Files)?

Katie: Fencewalker was really great. It was actually really challenging for me to take on that role. I can’t say much about it, but I was going through a place in my life, while I was shooting that movie. I went through a difficult time, but it’s something that needed to happen, in order to get all the colors that Chris wanted out of this girl. That needed to happen to me. It was definitely an emotional experience, but nothing that I would ever take back. Chris Carter is a great director and a great writer. The script was amazing! And, I’m so happy to have been a part of something like that. It’s going to be really great. I think that will be out at the end of the year.

Question: Is it hard to keep working on projects that are so secretive?

Katie: I hate secrets! But, it’s fun. It is secret and you can’t talk about it. I’d love to sit here and tell you all about the things that I’ve gone through. It makes it a little difficult when it comes to stuff like this because I can’t really get too in-depth with any of it, as far as the storyline goes, but it makes it exciting.

Read full interview HERE.

April 11, 2009

Dedicated to Kim Manners

Ten Thirteen alunmi Vince Gilligan, John Shiban and the crew of "Breaking Bad" dedicated the fifth episode of the second season "Breakage" to the memory of their friend, Kim Manners.

April 07, 2009

Vince Gilligan re-ups at Sony TV











On the heels of the early third-season renewal for his AMC series "Breaking Bad," creator/executive producer Vince Gilligan has inked a new two-year overall deal with the show's producer, Sony Pictures TV.

Under the pact, said to be worth about $4 million, Gilligan will continue on "Bad," whose first season nabbed an Emmy for star Bryan Cranston and a Peabody.

The show, which also earned Gilligan an Emmy nomination and a WGA win, is off to a strong start in its second season. The premiere drew 1.7 million viewers, up 21% from the first-season bow.

Gilligan's negotiations with Sony TV were smooth and relatively quick, a stark contrast to the six-month, headline-making drama surrounding renewal talks between Matthew Weiner -- creator/exec producer of AMC's other awards darling, "Mad Men" -- and series producer Lionsgate TV.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Frank Spotnitz Exclusive Interview for Back to Frank Black Campaign

Source: Back to Frank Black Campaign

To fans of any of 1013's hit shows, Frank Spotnitz requires no introduction. It was Frank Spotnitz who, probably unwittingly, gave rise to the Back to Frank Black campaign. His prophetic prediction that 'the time is near' prompted the Millennium Fan Community to wear their hearts on their sleeves and exercise their voices on paper. Of all 1013's luminaries Frank Spotnitz is an extremely busy man, yet finds time to give back to the fans as much as he receives and this interview was no exception.

Read full interview HERE and don't forget to support Back to Frank Black campaign by writing a letter to FOX!

April 04, 2009

AMC renews Vince Gilligan's 'Breaking Bad'











Four episodes into the second season of "Breaking Bad," AMC has picked up Vince Gilligan's drama series for a third cycle.

Following a well-received first season that earned the series a Peabody Award and an Emmy for star Bryan Cranston, "Breaking'" second season has garnered even more critical acclaim and commercial success.

The second-season opener of the Sony TV-produced series drew 1.7 million viewers, up 21% from the first-season premiere.

Created by Gilligan, "Breaking" stars Cranston as a high-school chemistry teacher-turned-meth manufacturer after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

Co-starring on the series, exec produced by Gilligan and Mark Johnson, are Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, RJ Mitte, Dean Norris and Betsy Brandt.

Source

April 03, 2009

Glen Morgan adapting 'Anita Blake' books

Cable network IFC is adapting a popular vampire novel as its first theatrical-length movie production.

IFC is teaming with Lionsgate for a TV movie based on the "Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter" books. The telefilm could be the basis for more Blake projects if successful.

Laurell K. Hamilton's novels, at 16 books and counting, include elements familiar to fans of "True Blood" (vampires are part of regular society) and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (tough young female fights supernatural forces). The project will be adapted by Glen Morgan ("The X-Files," "Final Destination"), who also is an executive producer with Courtney Solomon ("Dungeons & Dragons").

IFC is targeting the movie to its core base of men 18-34 and plans to air it next year.

"The popularity of the network in this demographic indicates that there is a clear demand for films that delve into provocative topics, and nothing is more classically provocative than vampire lore," said Jennifer Caserta, executive vp and GM of IFC. "Anita Blake fits perfectly with our successful original programming."

In the books, Blake is a vampire hunter with a lousy dating life who also works as a police consultant investigating supernatural crimes. She attempts to come to terms with her own abilities and navigate romantic and political relationships within the vampire community.

"Laurell has created a fascinating heroine in Anita Blake, and we quickly recognized the onscreen potential for this vivid character," said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate president of TV programming and production. "We have an outstanding creative team and are excited to be moving forward with IFC, which will allow us to fully explore the complex world of Laurell's highly intriguing and erotically charged novels.

Source