In 1984, a lot of laws about what was and wasn't allowed in children's TV programming began to loosen. Throughout the decade, more and more companies became incredibly brazen about including advertising content directly into their TV shows, transforming many shows into 30-minute commercials for toys. An '80s child would watch a show, knowing they could soon hound their parents to buy them the toy counterparts of their favorite characters. This branding became deeply insidious, and many children of the 1980s grew up with a deep and abiding nostalgia for their favorite toy ads. Artistry, character, writing, storytelling, and mythology were all distant, tertiary concerns during this era, and the bulk of animated shows from the '80s are deeply, deeply terrible as a result.
The Transformers toy line was launched in 1984 after Hasbro repurposed multiple robot molds from a Japanese toy line. The Transformers were robots who could be...
The Transformers toy line was launched in 1984 after Hasbro repurposed multiple robot molds from a Japanese toy line. The Transformers were robots who could be...
- 3/5/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"The Transformers: The Movie" exists in the shadow of "Star Wars." The young Autobot Hot Rod's ascension to Rodimus Prime parallels Luke Skywalker becoming a Jedi, Arcee's head is modeled after Leia's bun hairstyle, and the film's Orson Welles-voiced villain, Unicron, is a mechanical planet that eats other planets — it's like the Death Star, but if it were a Transformer.
"Star Wars" didn't become the media franchise of the world because of its box office haul, but largely because of merchandise sales. Toy companies made a killing on "Star Wars" action figures, among them Hasbro, owner of "Transformers." Partly thanks to "Star Wars," movies and TV shows began to be designed to include characters and vehicles that could be turned into toys. "The Transformers" and its sister show, "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero," were the epitome of this -- they were literal toy commercials disguised as cartoons,...
"Star Wars" didn't become the media franchise of the world because of its box office haul, but largely because of merchandise sales. Toy companies made a killing on "Star Wars" action figures, among them Hasbro, owner of "Transformers." Partly thanks to "Star Wars," movies and TV shows began to be designed to include characters and vehicles that could be turned into toys. "The Transformers" and its sister show, "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero," were the epitome of this -- they were literal toy commercials disguised as cartoons,...
- 2/11/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Orson Welles was just 26 when he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in "Citizen Kane." The 1941 film revolutionized the young industry. It boldly broke from the traditional linear storytelling pattern with a non-linear narrative told from several perspectives. Welles and cinematographer Gregg Toland introduced new cinematography techniques still used in modern filmmaking. Welles perfected the use of the montage, telling the complex life story of protagonist Charles Foster Kane in just under two hours. Welles broke established cinematic rules beginning with the film's opening moments.
The character Charles Foster Kane is loosely based on media magnate and yellow journalism originator William Randolph Hearst. But "Citizen Kane" might also have been a prophetic story of Orson Welles' own life. After multiple marriages, reclusive periods in his life, and struggles with weight as he aged left many to draw comparisons to his own creation, Charles Foster Kane.
The man that began his film...
The character Charles Foster Kane is loosely based on media magnate and yellow journalism originator William Randolph Hearst. But "Citizen Kane" might also have been a prophetic story of Orson Welles' own life. After multiple marriages, reclusive periods in his life, and struggles with weight as he aged left many to draw comparisons to his own creation, Charles Foster Kane.
The man that began his film...
- 2/9/2023
- by Travis Yates
- Slash Film
The original "Transformers" movie was about 20 years old before I finally got around to watching it, but it still took me by surprise. As a younger fan, high off of the 2007 movie directed by alleged pigeon killer Michael Bay, my first instinct was to dive right into the original animated series. The 1980s "Transformers" cartoon was immediately entrancing with its aesthetic, catchy theme song, and dated-yet-charming animation. After watching the series, the only natural step forward was to move on to the motion picture. A bigger movie budget meant better animation and a more ambitious story, which no doubt excited fans during its original theatrical run.
Then, the film's opening scene hits you like an Autobot truck. The cast of characters you've grown to love, such as the Autobots Ironhide, Ratchet, and Prowl, are immediately killed as Decepticons hijack their ship. Gone are the fights from the original cartoon that usually left both sides unscathed.
Then, the film's opening scene hits you like an Autobot truck. The cast of characters you've grown to love, such as the Autobots Ironhide, Ratchet, and Prowl, are immediately killed as Decepticons hijack their ship. Gone are the fights from the original cartoon that usually left both sides unscathed.
- 2/4/2023
- by Ernesto Valenzuela
- Slash Film
Venom was an unprecedented move for video-game adaptations when Dimension Films acquired rights to an unproduced game in 2003. Developers Flint Dille and John Zuur Platten said their concept for Backwater was “ready-made to become a horror film as well as a game,” and players were positioned to be “the prey of a modern-day boogieman” […]
The post ‘Venom’ (2005): ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Director’s Forgotten Slasher [Young Blood] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
The post ‘Venom’ (2005): ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Director’s Forgotten Slasher [Young Blood] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
- 6/27/2022
- by Paul Lê
- bloody-disgusting.com
“People need to understand that the court system is overtaxed and bad guys will try to steal their valuable intellectual property when they aren’t looking,” Flint Dille tells TheWrap In the fondly remembered 1970s TV series “Buck Rogers,” the astronaut of the title spends hundreds of years in cryogenic suspension before awakening in a dark future he barely understands. And, as it happens, the battle over the rights to the iconic pulp science fiction character feels like it has lasted at least that long. The character, introduced in a 1928 novel and off screen since the NBC series went off air in 1981 after two seasons, is now in the center of a heated legal battle over who has the legal right to bring Buck back to the screen. In one corner, Legendary Entertainment deep in development on a new “Buck Rogers” TV series with key talent on board, including George Clooney,...
- 5/12/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Legendary Pictures maintains it is the rightful owners of the “Buck Rogers” rights following the latest legal threat from the Nowlan Family Trust, who claims they own the rights.
Legendary was hit with a cease and desist letter on Tuesday over the planned reboot with George Clooney, which was announced last week.
“We have secured the rights we need to proceed with our project and the company will not comment any further on these baseless claims,” Legendary said via a spokesperson. “This same party has been claiming for years that they have rights which they do not have and have been trying to inhibit projects based on rights they do not legally control.”
Clooney and Grant Heslov will executive produce a new television adaptation of “Buck Rogers” for Legendary under their Smokehouse banner. “Transformers” producer Don Murphy and Susan Montford will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille,...
Legendary was hit with a cease and desist letter on Tuesday over the planned reboot with George Clooney, which was announced last week.
“We have secured the rights we need to proceed with our project and the company will not comment any further on these baseless claims,” Legendary said via a spokesperson. “This same party has been claiming for years that they have rights which they do not have and have been trying to inhibit projects based on rights they do not legally control.”
Clooney and Grant Heslov will executive produce a new television adaptation of “Buck Rogers” for Legendary under their Smokehouse banner. “Transformers” producer Don Murphy and Susan Montford will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille,...
- 2/3/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
George Clooney is heading to the 25th century.
Through his production company Smokehouse Pictures, Clooney has signed on to executive produce a new limited series for Legendary based on the classic sci-fi character Buck Rogers, Variety has confirmed. Clooney will executive produce with partner Grant Heslov. A rep for Clooney says the actor-director is only signing onto the project in a producing capacity, and will not star, contrary to other reports. Legendary had no comment.
Brian K. Vaughan will write the series. Smokehouse is joining Angry Films heads Don Murphy and Susan Montford as producers, as well as Flint Dille, the grandson of the creator of the serialized comic strip that made Buck Rogers a household name in the 1930s. The series does not currently have distribution.
Rogers first appeared as Anthony Rogers in the August 1928 issue of the seminal science fiction magazine “Amazing Stories,” in a novella titled “Armageddon 2419 A.
Through his production company Smokehouse Pictures, Clooney has signed on to executive produce a new limited series for Legendary based on the classic sci-fi character Buck Rogers, Variety has confirmed. Clooney will executive produce with partner Grant Heslov. A rep for Clooney says the actor-director is only signing onto the project in a producing capacity, and will not star, contrary to other reports. Legendary had no comment.
Brian K. Vaughan will write the series. Smokehouse is joining Angry Films heads Don Murphy and Susan Montford as producers, as well as Flint Dille, the grandson of the creator of the serialized comic strip that made Buck Rogers a household name in the 1930s. The series does not currently have distribution.
Rogers first appeared as Anthony Rogers in the August 1928 issue of the seminal science fiction magazine “Amazing Stories,” in a novella titled “Armageddon 2419 A.
- 1/29/2021
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
George Clooney, fresh from The Midnight Sky, is set to exec produce the television reboot of Buck Rogers.
Clooney and his Smokehouse co-founder Grant Heslov have joined the project, which is being written by comic book artist and Lost writer Brian K. Vaughan. Legendary is the studio.
Although no acting deals are in place, reports suggest that Clooney is being lined up to star.
The pair will exec produce with Angry Films’ Don Murphy and Susan Montford and Flint Dille, the grandson of John F. Dille, the publisher of the original Buck Rogers comic strip.
It is based on the character created by Philip Francis Nowlan in 1928, which was later turned into a television series – Buck Rogers in the 25th Century for NBC. The show ran for two seasons from 1979.
It centered around Captain William Anthony “Buck” Rogers, played by Gil Gerard, a pilot, whose spacecraft malfunctions and Rogers is...
Clooney and his Smokehouse co-founder Grant Heslov have joined the project, which is being written by comic book artist and Lost writer Brian K. Vaughan. Legendary is the studio.
Although no acting deals are in place, reports suggest that Clooney is being lined up to star.
The pair will exec produce with Angry Films’ Don Murphy and Susan Montford and Flint Dille, the grandson of John F. Dille, the publisher of the original Buck Rogers comic strip.
It is based on the character created by Philip Francis Nowlan in 1928, which was later turned into a television series – Buck Rogers in the 25th Century for NBC. The show ran for two seasons from 1979.
It centered around Captain William Anthony “Buck” Rogers, played by Gil Gerard, a pilot, whose spacecraft malfunctions and Rogers is...
- 1/29/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
George Clooney will executive produce a new television adaptation of “Buck Rogers” for Legendary, and it is Legendary’s intention for Clooney to star in the project, insiders with knowledge told TheWrap.
Grant Heslov will also executive produce the project alongside Clooney under their Smokehouse banner. “Transformers” producer Don Murphy and Susan Montford will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille, the grandson of the original Buck Rogers creator. New York Times bestselling and award-winning comic book creator, television and film writer Brian K Vaughan has been tapped to write the television adaptation.
The project is based on the characters and concepts introduced in the 1928 novella “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” novella by Philip Francis Nowlan. The story followed “Anthony Rogers,” a mining engineer from the 20th century who awakens from suspended animation after 500 years to find himself in the middle of a planetary war.
Nowlan and Chicago newspaperman John F.
Grant Heslov will also executive produce the project alongside Clooney under their Smokehouse banner. “Transformers” producer Don Murphy and Susan Montford will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille, the grandson of the original Buck Rogers creator. New York Times bestselling and award-winning comic book creator, television and film writer Brian K Vaughan has been tapped to write the television adaptation.
The project is based on the characters and concepts introduced in the 1928 novella “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” novella by Philip Francis Nowlan. The story followed “Anthony Rogers,” a mining engineer from the 20th century who awakens from suspended animation after 500 years to find himself in the middle of a planetary war.
Nowlan and Chicago newspaperman John F.
- 1/28/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
New York Times bestselling and award-winning comic book creator, television and film writer Brian K Vaughan has been tapped to write the television adaptation of “Buck Rogers” for Legendary. The deal falls under Legendary’s overall pact with Vaughan.
“Transformers” producer Don Murphy and Susan Montford will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille, the grandson of the original Buck Rogers creator.
The project is based on the “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” novella by Philip Francis Nowlan that introduced the Buck Rogers character in 1928. The story centers on a coal mine inspector who awakens from suspended animation after 500 years to find himself in the middle of a planetary war.
“Buck Rogers” has been adapted into various comic strips, a movie serial, radio and television shows. Developed by Chicago newspaperman John F. Dille in the 1930s, it immediately became one of the world’s most popular comic strips, read...
“Transformers” producer Don Murphy and Susan Montford will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille, the grandson of the original Buck Rogers creator.
The project is based on the “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” novella by Philip Francis Nowlan that introduced the Buck Rogers character in 1928. The story centers on a coal mine inspector who awakens from suspended animation after 500 years to find himself in the middle of a planetary war.
“Buck Rogers” has been adapted into various comic strips, a movie serial, radio and television shows. Developed by Chicago newspaperman John F. Dille in the 1930s, it immediately became one of the world’s most popular comic strips, read...
- 12/10/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Brian K. Vaughan, the comics author behind Y: The Last Man and Saga, has been tapped to pen Legendary’s television series adaptation of classic pulp hero Buck Rogers.
Don Murphy and Susan Montford, whose credits include Transformers and Real Steel, will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille, the grandson of the original Buck Rogers creator.
Legendary, behind the upcoming sci-fi epic Dune and movies such as Godzilla and Kong: Skull Island, is envisioning a multi-platform and multi-medium approach to the character, developing concurrently a prestige television series, a feature film and an anime series.
Rogers first appeared in a story titled Armageddon 2419 and published in a 1928 issue of ...
Don Murphy and Susan Montford, whose credits include Transformers and Real Steel, will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille, the grandson of the original Buck Rogers creator.
Legendary, behind the upcoming sci-fi epic Dune and movies such as Godzilla and Kong: Skull Island, is envisioning a multi-platform and multi-medium approach to the character, developing concurrently a prestige television series, a feature film and an anime series.
Rogers first appeared in a story titled Armageddon 2419 and published in a 1928 issue of ...
- 12/10/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Brian K. Vaughan, the comics author behind Y: The Last Man and Saga, has been tapped to pen Legendary’s television series adaptation of classic pulp hero Buck Rogers.
Don Murphy and Susan Montford, whose credits include Transformers and Real Steel, will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille, the grandson of the original Buck Rogers creator.
Legendary, behind the upcoming sci-fi epic Dune and movies such as Godzilla and Kong: Skull Island, is envisioning a multi-platform and multi-medium approach to the character, developing concurrently a prestige television series, a feature film and an anime series.
Rogers first appeared in a story titled Armageddon 2419 and published in a 1928 issue of ...
Don Murphy and Susan Montford, whose credits include Transformers and Real Steel, will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille, the grandson of the original Buck Rogers creator.
Legendary, behind the upcoming sci-fi epic Dune and movies such as Godzilla and Kong: Skull Island, is envisioning a multi-platform and multi-medium approach to the character, developing concurrently a prestige television series, a feature film and an anime series.
Rogers first appeared in a story titled Armageddon 2419 and published in a 1928 issue of ...
- 12/10/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ryan Lambie Nov 30, 2016
With a 30th anniversary Blu-ray out soon, Ryan takes a timely look back at the quirky, dark, superbly animated Transformers: The Movie...
Nb: The following contains spoilers for Transformers: The Movie. Just thought we should mention it.
See related Close To The Enemy episode 3 review Close To The Enemy episode 2 review Close To The Enemy episode 1 review
The shadow of death hung like a black curtain over Transformers: The Movie. Thanks to an edict handed down by the powers that be at Hasbro, pretty much every toy in the original Transformers 1984 line was wiped out in the course of the film's events; and by the time the noble Autobot leader Optimus Prime died at the hands of Megatron towards the end of the first act, a generation of youngsters were scarred for life.
In retrospect, Hasbro's cold business decision - to wipe out one generation of toys...
With a 30th anniversary Blu-ray out soon, Ryan takes a timely look back at the quirky, dark, superbly animated Transformers: The Movie...
Nb: The following contains spoilers for Transformers: The Movie. Just thought we should mention it.
See related Close To The Enemy episode 3 review Close To The Enemy episode 2 review Close To The Enemy episode 1 review
The shadow of death hung like a black curtain over Transformers: The Movie. Thanks to an edict handed down by the powers that be at Hasbro, pretty much every toy in the original Transformers 1984 line was wiped out in the course of the film's events; and by the time the noble Autobot leader Optimus Prime died at the hands of Megatron towards the end of the first act, a generation of youngsters were scarred for life.
In retrospect, Hasbro's cold business decision - to wipe out one generation of toys...
- 11/29/2016
- Den of Geek
Morning, Daily Deaders! In today’s Horror Highlights, fans of “The Caped Crusader” may be interested in the photos and release details for Tweeterhead’s Batman ’66 “Noir” variant maquette. Also: a bonus features Blu-ray clip and trailer from Shout! Factory’s The Transformers: The Movie Blu-ray and a look at preview pages and cover art for issue #30 of Dark Horse’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 10 comic book series.
Tweeterhead’s Batman (1966) Noir Variant Maquette Photos & Release Details: From Tweeterhead: “Announcing our first 66 Batman Variant!!
We will begin Pre-Selling our Batman ’66 “Noir” Variant next Wednesday, August 17th. We were given the chance to make these Super limited edition maquettes featuring our original Batman maquette with Black Cape, Cowl, Boots, Briefs, and Gloves.
This piece is limited to just 100 hand-numbered pieces and will retail for $199.99. This Batman Maquette does Not include the computer half of the base like the original did.
Tweeterhead’s Batman (1966) Noir Variant Maquette Photos & Release Details: From Tweeterhead: “Announcing our first 66 Batman Variant!!
We will begin Pre-Selling our Batman ’66 “Noir” Variant next Wednesday, August 17th. We were given the chance to make these Super limited edition maquettes featuring our original Batman maquette with Black Cape, Cowl, Boots, Briefs, and Gloves.
This piece is limited to just 100 hand-numbered pieces and will retail for $199.99. This Batman Maquette does Not include the computer half of the base like the original did.
- 8/13/2016
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
This week marked the 30th anniversary of the best toy commercial ever released to theaters, Transformers: The Movie. Jabbing aside, the film does use a classic hero’s-journey story to great effect, portraying an epic battle between good and evil. Look no further than the film’s director Nelson Shin and writers Flint Dille and and Ron Friedman to see that while Hasbro’s intent may have been more capitalistic, the creative types were interested in making an authentic slam-bang, sci-fi adventure with some gravitas. Flickering Myth ran an exhaustive piece earlier this week featuring quotes from Shin, Dille, and Friedman proving this further.
According to Flickering Myth, the first draft of Transformers: The Movie from Dille was titled Transformers: The Secret Of Cybertron and featured Optimus Prime on a quest into the innerspace of the Transformer’s home planet to find the origins of the Autobots and Decepticons.
According to Flickering Myth, the first draft of Transformers: The Movie from Dille was titled Transformers: The Secret Of Cybertron and featured Optimus Prime on a quest into the innerspace of the Transformer’s home planet to find the origins of the Autobots and Decepticons.
- 8/12/2016
- by Mike Vanderbilt
- avclub.com
Ryan Lambie Aug 8, 2019
Transformers: The Movie traumatized a generation of kids with a string of startling deaths.
When parents took their kids to see Transformers: The Movie in 1986, they probably weren’t expecting quite as much death and mayhem. But in the feature-length spin-off from the hit Hasbro toy-line and accompanying TV show, the spectre of death was everywhere; one early scene alone saw the evil Decepticons hijack an Autobot space shuttle and execute all the heroes inside.
It’s worth bearing in mind, first of all, that the Transformers TV series, which had been running for two years by that point, had never killed off any of its characters - even though they often engaged in protracted brawls and laser battles. In Transformers: The Movie, a number of much-loved characters were not only shot and killed, but occasionally died in surprisingly graphic fashion.
On a personal note, I still...
Transformers: The Movie traumatized a generation of kids with a string of startling deaths.
When parents took their kids to see Transformers: The Movie in 1986, they probably weren’t expecting quite as much death and mayhem. But in the feature-length spin-off from the hit Hasbro toy-line and accompanying TV show, the spectre of death was everywhere; one early scene alone saw the evil Decepticons hijack an Autobot space shuttle and execute all the heroes inside.
It’s worth bearing in mind, first of all, that the Transformers TV series, which had been running for two years by that point, had never killed off any of its characters - even though they often engaged in protracted brawls and laser battles. In Transformers: The Movie, a number of much-loved characters were not only shot and killed, but occasionally died in surprisingly graphic fashion.
On a personal note, I still...
- 6/13/2016
- Den of Geek
Ryan Lambie Aug 8, 2019
Transformers: The Movie traumatized a generation of kids with a string of startling deaths.
When parents took their kids to see Transformers: The Movie in 1986, they probably weren’t expecting quite as much death and mayhem. But in the feature-length spin-off from the hit Hasbro toy-line and accompanying TV show, the spectre of death was everywhere; one early scene alone saw the evil Decepticons hijack an Autobot space shuttle and execute all the heroes inside.
It’s worth bearing in mind, first of all, that the Transformers TV series, which had been running for two years by that point, had never killed off any of its characters - even though they often engaged in protracted brawls and laser battles. In Transformers: The Movie, a number of much-loved characters were not only shot and killed, but occasionally died in surprisingly graphic fashion.
On a personal note, I still...
Transformers: The Movie traumatized a generation of kids with a string of startling deaths.
When parents took their kids to see Transformers: The Movie in 1986, they probably weren’t expecting quite as much death and mayhem. But in the feature-length spin-off from the hit Hasbro toy-line and accompanying TV show, the spectre of death was everywhere; one early scene alone saw the evil Decepticons hijack an Autobot space shuttle and execute all the heroes inside.
It’s worth bearing in mind, first of all, that the Transformers TV series, which had been running for two years by that point, had never killed off any of its characters - even though they often engaged in protracted brawls and laser battles. In Transformers: The Movie, a number of much-loved characters were not only shot and killed, but occasionally died in surprisingly graphic fashion.
On a personal note, I still...
- 6/13/2016
- Den of Geek
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Thirty years ago, Transformers: The Movie traumatised a generation of kids with a string of startling deaths. Ryan looks back...
Nb: The following contains spoilers for Transformers: The Movie.
When parents took their kids to see Transformers: The Movie in 1986, they probably weren’t expecting quite as much death and mayhem. But in the feature-length spin-off from the hit Hasbro toy-line and accompanying TV show, the spectre of death was everywhere; one early scene alone saw the evil Decepticons hijack an Autobot space shuttle and execute all the heroes inside.
It’s worth bearing in mind, first of all, that the Transformers TV series, which had been running for two years by that point, had never killed off any of its characters - even though they often engaged in protracted brawls and laser battles. In Transformers: The Movie, a number of much-loved characters were not only shot and killed, but occasionally died in surprisingly graphic fashion.
On a personal note, I still recall seeing the film at the age of about nine, and being slightly stunned at the sight of Prowl - he was the one who could transform into a police car - being shot in the chest, causing a gout of fire and smoke to issue from his eyes and mouth. “Wow,” I thought. “This film isn’t messing around.”
Other Transformers who met their demise in Transformers: The Movie included Brawn, Ironhide and his ambulance doppelganger Ratchet, Windcharger and Wheeljack. Even the Decepticons didn’t walk away unscathed; Megatron and two of his fellow villains were mortally wounded and magically changed into the new, more futuristic-looking Galvatron, Scourge and Cyclonus. The duplicitous Starscream, who’d planned to usurp Megatron for years, eventually got his comeuppance: he was repeatedly blasted until his body turned to ash.
It was fairly strong stuff for an animated movie at the time. But it was as nothing - nothing - compared to the shock of what happened to Optimus Prime. In the midst of a pitched battle which saw Autobots struck down left and right, Prime engaged in a brutal fight with Megatron. At first, it looked like the kind of confrontation we’d seen in the TV series a dozen times; lots of cool-sounding mottos (“One shall stand, one shall fall!”), punches and stray laser blasts. But as the fight wore on, there were odd signs that things were about to get nasty: Prime is stabbed in the abdominal area first with what appears to be a huge piece of shrapnel, and then a laser sword. But then something shocking happened: Megatron shot Prime repeatedly in the chest.
By the end of the fight, Megatron and Prime are both left in a crumpled heap on the floor. But Prime pulls through, right? Wrong. In a scene that no doubt left its mark on entire theatres full of wide-eyed kids, Prime died on an operating table, the Matrix of Leadership falling from his hands and his once vivid red paint fading to a sullen grey.
From toy maker Hasbro’s standpoint, killing off all these characters came down to simple economics: Prime, Ratchet, Prowl and their compatriots were all part of the original 1984 Generation One line, and Hasbro wanted to replace them with shiny new toys like Kup, Blurr and Rodimus Prime. What better way to do it than in the Transformers’ big, expensive debut movie?
For kids who loved Optimus Prime, however, the Transformers robot massacre was akin to, say, Walt Disney shooting Mickey Mouse to death in the middle of Fantasia. In fact, Hasbro had completely failed to predict how kids - not to mention their exhausted parents - would react to Prime’s shock death. In a brief documentary on Transformers: The Movie’s 20th anniversary DVD, story consultant Flint Dille expresses his surprise at the level of grief the event provoked.
“We didn’t know that he was an icon,” Dille says, still seemingly baffled by the response. “It was a toy show. We just thought we were killing off the old product line to replace it with new products.”
If Hasbro - and the film’s makers - thought kids would rush out of the cinema in search of the nearest toy shop, they were sorely mistaken.
“Kids were crying in the theatres,” Dille recalls. “We heard about people leaving the movie. We were getting a lot of nasty notes about it. There was some kid who locked himself in his bedroom for two weeks.”
There was, however, one person working on Transformers: The Movie who apparently tried to avert Prime’s death: screenwriter Ron Friedman. Already the writer of GI Joe and the Transformers TV episodes, he was given the task of writing the Transformers movie script. Realising that Prime was the heroic father figure in the Autobot family, he advised Hasbro against killing the character off.
“I recognised that I needed to assign family identities to characters in order to create the recognition factor that young people need," Friedman explained in a 2013 interview with Todd Matthy. “They cannot verbalise this; it’s beneath the surface. To remove Optimus Prime, to physically remove Daddy from the family, that wasn’t going to work. I told Hasbro and their lieutenants they would have to bring him back but they said no and had ‘great things planned.’ In other words they were going to create new more expensive toys.”
While some movie-goers reeled at Prime’s death, they should at least be grateful that Transformers: The Movie was rather less violent than initially planned. One sequence in the script describes new Autobot leader Ultra Magnus being torn apart by Galvatron’s flying henchmen, the Sweeps:
Galvatron
Sweeps, quarter him!
Angle On The Sweeps - Tracking
Four rope-like rays shoot out of them and...
On Ultra Magnus
wrap around his arms and legs.
Angle On Ultra Magnus And The Sweeps
His arms and legs caught by the four ropes, he knows he's just about had it.
He struggles for one last moment, then...
Angle On The Sweeps And Ultra Magnus
Pulling their rays taut, the Sweeps fly in four separate directions, effectively drawing and quartering the Autobot leader...
On Ultra Magnus
As all of his limbs are separated from his body and scattered in the distance, he Screams In Horror.
Ouch. The sequence remained in contention long enough to reach the storyboarding stage, and the Marvel comic book adaptation of Transformers: The Movie also saw Ultra Magnus meet the same undignified end. You can see how it might have looked in the following video:
Clearly realising that drawing and quartering a toy robot’s a bit much for a family film, the scene was changed so that Ultra Magnus is simply cornered and shot to death by ruthless Decepticons.
Younger viewers may also have been mildly traumatised for another scene that was planned but ultimately never created: a battle in which a group of Autobots, hopelessly outnumbered and out-gunned, charges directly into an army of Decepticons.
“[The scene] basically wiped out the entire 84 product line in one massive ‘charge of the light brigade’” Flint Dille recalls. “So, whoever wasn't discontinued, stumbled to the end. That scene didn't make it into the finished movie. But if you think kids were locking themselves in the bedroom over Optimus Prime, basically in that scene they would've seen their entire toy collection wiped out.”
As it was, the backlash against Prime’s death was so fierce that the creators of the movie and TV series eventually had to relent and bring the character back from the dead in early 1987.
The great irony of Optimus Prime’s death - and the rest of the Transformers who were killed in the great massacre of 1986 - is that, while those deaths were a business decision, they resulted in a film that was something more than a glorified toy commercial. Transformers: The Movie wasn’t a particularly big success at the time, but it retains a cult following - and, of course, the death of the Autobot leader is still talked about today. Ron Friedman, who tried and failed to prevent Hasbro from killing the Autobots’ father figure, is even calling his memoir I Killed Optimus Prime.
After Transformers: The Movie, Optimus Prime was killed and brought back from the dead so many times in various TV shows, comic books and even Michael Bay’s live-action movies that listing them would take up an article in itself. For a generation of Transformers fans, though, it was that first death in 1986 that sticks in the mind. Prime and dozens of other robot compatriots may have died for business purposes, but their deaths provoked an emotional response that even Hasbro hadn’t predicted.
See related The strange story of Jetfire, and other Transformers toys The unrealised potential of the Transformers movies Movies Feature Ryan Lambie Transformers 13 Jun 2016 - 06:29 Transformers: The Movie Optimus Prime death movies...
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Thirty years ago, Transformers: The Movie traumatised a generation of kids with a string of startling deaths. Ryan looks back...
Nb: The following contains spoilers for Transformers: The Movie.
When parents took their kids to see Transformers: The Movie in 1986, they probably weren’t expecting quite as much death and mayhem. But in the feature-length spin-off from the hit Hasbro toy-line and accompanying TV show, the spectre of death was everywhere; one early scene alone saw the evil Decepticons hijack an Autobot space shuttle and execute all the heroes inside.
It’s worth bearing in mind, first of all, that the Transformers TV series, which had been running for two years by that point, had never killed off any of its characters - even though they often engaged in protracted brawls and laser battles. In Transformers: The Movie, a number of much-loved characters were not only shot and killed, but occasionally died in surprisingly graphic fashion.
On a personal note, I still recall seeing the film at the age of about nine, and being slightly stunned at the sight of Prowl - he was the one who could transform into a police car - being shot in the chest, causing a gout of fire and smoke to issue from his eyes and mouth. “Wow,” I thought. “This film isn’t messing around.”
Other Transformers who met their demise in Transformers: The Movie included Brawn, Ironhide and his ambulance doppelganger Ratchet, Windcharger and Wheeljack. Even the Decepticons didn’t walk away unscathed; Megatron and two of his fellow villains were mortally wounded and magically changed into the new, more futuristic-looking Galvatron, Scourge and Cyclonus. The duplicitous Starscream, who’d planned to usurp Megatron for years, eventually got his comeuppance: he was repeatedly blasted until his body turned to ash.
It was fairly strong stuff for an animated movie at the time. But it was as nothing - nothing - compared to the shock of what happened to Optimus Prime. In the midst of a pitched battle which saw Autobots struck down left and right, Prime engaged in a brutal fight with Megatron. At first, it looked like the kind of confrontation we’d seen in the TV series a dozen times; lots of cool-sounding mottos (“One shall stand, one shall fall!”), punches and stray laser blasts. But as the fight wore on, there were odd signs that things were about to get nasty: Prime is stabbed in the abdominal area first with what appears to be a huge piece of shrapnel, and then a laser sword. But then something shocking happened: Megatron shot Prime repeatedly in the chest.
By the end of the fight, Megatron and Prime are both left in a crumpled heap on the floor. But Prime pulls through, right? Wrong. In a scene that no doubt left its mark on entire theatres full of wide-eyed kids, Prime died on an operating table, the Matrix of Leadership falling from his hands and his once vivid red paint fading to a sullen grey.
From toy maker Hasbro’s standpoint, killing off all these characters came down to simple economics: Prime, Ratchet, Prowl and their compatriots were all part of the original 1984 Generation One line, and Hasbro wanted to replace them with shiny new toys like Kup, Blurr and Rodimus Prime. What better way to do it than in the Transformers’ big, expensive debut movie?
For kids who loved Optimus Prime, however, the Transformers robot massacre was akin to, say, Walt Disney shooting Mickey Mouse to death in the middle of Fantasia. In fact, Hasbro had completely failed to predict how kids - not to mention their exhausted parents - would react to Prime’s shock death. In a brief documentary on Transformers: The Movie’s 20th anniversary DVD, story consultant Flint Dille expresses his surprise at the level of grief the event provoked.
“We didn’t know that he was an icon,” Dille says, still seemingly baffled by the response. “It was a toy show. We just thought we were killing off the old product line to replace it with new products.”
If Hasbro - and the film’s makers - thought kids would rush out of the cinema in search of the nearest toy shop, they were sorely mistaken.
“Kids were crying in the theatres,” Dille recalls. “We heard about people leaving the movie. We were getting a lot of nasty notes about it. There was some kid who locked himself in his bedroom for two weeks.”
There was, however, one person working on Transformers: The Movie who apparently tried to avert Prime’s death: screenwriter Ron Friedman. Already the writer of GI Joe and the Transformers TV episodes, he was given the task of writing the Transformers movie script. Realising that Prime was the heroic father figure in the Autobot family, he advised Hasbro against killing the character off.
“I recognised that I needed to assign family identities to characters in order to create the recognition factor that young people need," Friedman explained in a 2013 interview with Todd Matthy. “They cannot verbalise this; it’s beneath the surface. To remove Optimus Prime, to physically remove Daddy from the family, that wasn’t going to work. I told Hasbro and their lieutenants they would have to bring him back but they said no and had ‘great things planned.’ In other words they were going to create new more expensive toys.”
While some movie-goers reeled at Prime’s death, they should at least be grateful that Transformers: The Movie was rather less violent than initially planned. One sequence in the script describes new Autobot leader Ultra Magnus being torn apart by Galvatron’s flying henchmen, the Sweeps:
Galvatron
Sweeps, quarter him!
Angle On The Sweeps - Tracking
Four rope-like rays shoot out of them and...
On Ultra Magnus
wrap around his arms and legs.
Angle On Ultra Magnus And The Sweeps
His arms and legs caught by the four ropes, he knows he's just about had it.
He struggles for one last moment, then...
Angle On The Sweeps And Ultra Magnus
Pulling their rays taut, the Sweeps fly in four separate directions, effectively drawing and quartering the Autobot leader...
On Ultra Magnus
As all of his limbs are separated from his body and scattered in the distance, he Screams In Horror.
Ouch. The sequence remained in contention long enough to reach the storyboarding stage, and the Marvel comic book adaptation of Transformers: The Movie also saw Ultra Magnus meet the same undignified end. You can see how it might have looked in the following video:
Clearly realising that drawing and quartering a toy robot’s a bit much for a family film, the scene was changed so that Ultra Magnus is simply cornered and shot to death by ruthless Decepticons.
Younger viewers may also have been mildly traumatised for another scene that was planned but ultimately never created: a battle in which a group of Autobots, hopelessly outnumbered and out-gunned, charges directly into an army of Decepticons.
“[The scene] basically wiped out the entire 84 product line in one massive ‘charge of the light brigade’” Flint Dille recalls. “So, whoever wasn't discontinued, stumbled to the end. That scene didn't make it into the finished movie. But if you think kids were locking themselves in the bedroom over Optimus Prime, basically in that scene they would've seen their entire toy collection wiped out.”
As it was, the backlash against Prime’s death was so fierce that the creators of the movie and TV series eventually had to relent and bring the character back from the dead in early 1987.
The great irony of Optimus Prime’s death - and the rest of the Transformers who were killed in the great massacre of 1986 - is that, while those deaths were a business decision, they resulted in a film that was something more than a glorified toy commercial. Transformers: The Movie wasn’t a particularly big success at the time, but it retains a cult following - and, of course, the death of the Autobot leader is still talked about today. Ron Friedman, who tried and failed to prevent Hasbro from killing the Autobots’ father figure, is even calling his memoir I Killed Optimus Prime.
After Transformers: The Movie, Optimus Prime was killed and brought back from the dead so many times in various TV shows, comic books and even Michael Bay’s live-action movies that listing them would take up an article in itself. For a generation of Transformers fans, though, it was that first death in 1986 that sticks in the mind. Prime and dozens of other robot compatriots may have died for business purposes, but their deaths provoked an emotional response that even Hasbro hadn’t predicted.
See related The strange story of Jetfire, and other Transformers toys The unrealised potential of the Transformers movies Movies Feature Ryan Lambie Transformers 13 Jun 2016 - 06:29 Transformers: The Movie Optimus Prime death movies...
- 6/10/2016
- Den of Geek
Taking a step back from the sensory overload that is Universal’s Fast and the Furious franchise, Vin Diesel can next be seen in Breck Eisner’s quiet family flick The Last Witch Hunter, where he plays the titular killing machine on the hunt of all things evil. Okay, let’s not be glib; later this month, the actor will be venturing headfirst into the supernatural for the stylized actioner. Although, had the stars aligned, Diesel would have been toplining an entirely different fantasy series. That is, Dungeons & Dragons.
As followers of Diesel’s work – and social media platforms – will know, the actor harbors a personal bond with the inimitable table-top RPG, even posting a video just last week via Facebook revealing as much.
Whilst promoting The Last Witch Hunter, however, Diesel unveiled a much more concrete connection with the long-running franchise in that he was once approached to lead a new live-action adaptation.
As followers of Diesel’s work – and social media platforms – will know, the actor harbors a personal bond with the inimitable table-top RPG, even posting a video just last week via Facebook revealing as much.
Whilst promoting The Last Witch Hunter, however, Diesel unveiled a much more concrete connection with the long-running franchise in that he was once approached to lead a new live-action adaptation.
- 10/15/2015
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
One thing you might not expect to hear about Vin Diesel is that the action star is a big ol' "Dungeons & Dragons" nerd. With Warner Bros. Pictures now developing a reboot of the property, it was inevitable that someone would ask the actor about whether he would like to be involved in it.
Cinema Blend got the chance during the press junket for "The Last Witch Hunter," and Diesel explained that he considers the property along sacred territory lines and it'd have to be something major and carefully thought out for him to get involved:
"They have come to me in the past with something, and I guess I was too busy at the time. For me to do something like that, it would have to be so - I would be - they have to think really carefully, because it would have to be amazing. And the previous attempts...
Cinema Blend got the chance during the press junket for "The Last Witch Hunter," and Diesel explained that he considers the property along sacred territory lines and it'd have to be something major and carefully thought out for him to get involved:
"They have come to me in the past with something, and I guess I was too busy at the time. For me to do something like that, it would have to be so - I would be - they have to think really carefully, because it would have to be amazing. And the previous attempts...
- 10/14/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Angryfilms is reportedly set to adapt Philip Francis Nowlan's 1928 science fiction story "Armageddon 2419 A.D." which originally appeared in Amazing Stories magazine.
What's so special about this story ? The main character of Anthony Rogers went on to score a more familiar name - 'Buck Rogers'. In the story, Rogers is held in suspended animation where he survives for just short of five centuries.
He awakens on an Earth that is caught in a futuristic Civil War, with the remnants of the United States battling both futuristic Soviets and Mongolians. Newspaper syndicator John F. Dille expanded upon the character with a daily syndicated comic strip which brought him to mass audiences - ultimately spawning film and radio serials and an early 1980s TV series.
Interestingly enough, one of the screenwriters of the new project is Flint Dille, John F. Dille's grandson. The new film, which Ed Neumeier ("Robocop,...
What's so special about this story ? The main character of Anthony Rogers went on to score a more familiar name - 'Buck Rogers'. In the story, Rogers is held in suspended animation where he survives for just short of five centuries.
He awakens on an Earth that is caught in a futuristic Civil War, with the remnants of the United States battling both futuristic Soviets and Mongolians. Newspaper syndicator John F. Dille expanded upon the character with a daily syndicated comic strip which brought him to mass audiences - ultimately spawning film and radio serials and an early 1980s TV series.
Interestingly enough, one of the screenwriters of the new project is Flint Dille, John F. Dille's grandson. The new film, which Ed Neumeier ("Robocop,...
- 7/10/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) has announced the final slate of candidates for the 2013 Wgaw Officers and Board of Directors election. The Officer candidates are as follows: President* – Christopher Keyser (inc.); Vice President – Timothy J. Lea, Howard A. Rodman (inc.); Secretary-Treasurer – Dan Wilcox, Carl Gottlieb (inc.). (*The second nominee designated by the nominating committee declined the nomination.) There are 16 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats on the Wgaw’s Board of Directors as follows: Thania St. John (inc.), Andrew Goldberg, Cynthia Riddle, Ari B. Rubin, Carleton Eastlake (inc.), Nancy Miller, Jonathan Fernandez, Henry Alonso Myers, Patric M. Verrone, Billy Ray (inc.), Alfredo Barrios, Jr. (inc.), Flint Dille, Lee Aronsohn, David Maples, Karen Harris, David S. Goyer (inc.). Editors’ note: Wgaw internal rules require candidates to be announced in an order determined by lot; (inc.) denotes an incumbent candidate. The Wgaw will host its annual “Candidates Night” town-hall forum,...
- 7/24/2013
- by NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief
- Deadline Hollywood
Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) has announced the final slate of candidates for the 2013 Wgaw Officers and Board of Directors election. The Officer candidates are as follows: President* – Christopher Keyser (inc.); Vice President – Timothy J. Lea, Howard A. Rodman (inc.); Secretary-Treasurer – Dan Wilcox, Carl Gottlieb (inc.). (*The second nominee designated by the nominating committee declined the nomination.) There are 16 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats on the Wgaw’s Board of Directors as follows: Thania St. John (inc.), Andrew Goldberg, Cynthia Riddle, Ari B. Rubin, Carleton Eastlake (inc.), Nancy Miller, Jonathan Fernandez, Henry Alonso Myers, Patric M. Verrone, Billy Ray (inc.), Alfredo Barrios, Jr. (inc.), Flint Dille, Lee Aronsohn, David Maples, Karen Harris, David S. Goyer (inc.). Editors’ note: Wgaw internal rules require candidates to be announced in an order determined by lot; (inc.) denotes an incumbent candidate. The Wgaw will host its annual “Candidates Night” town-hall forum,...
- 7/24/2013
- by NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief
- Deadline TV
There’s a big surprise today in the Writers Guild West‘s 2013 initial list of election candidates: the scribe selected to run against incumbent president Christopher Keyser declined the nomination. That means, unless someone else can be convinced to run, Keyser right now is running unopposed. He was a newcomer to Wgaw leadership first elected two years ago when he defeated the polarizing Patric Verrone. Even back then, in 2011, few people stepped forward to run for the presidency: insiders told me that was because of great apathy. It seems nothing has changed even though the WGA constitution doesn’t allow for uncontested races: Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West’s Nominating Committees have announced the initial list of candidates for the 2013 Wgaw Officers and Board of Directors election. The Officer candidates are as follows: President* – Christopher Keyser (inc.); Vice President – Timothy J. Lea, Howard A. Rodman (inc.); Secretary-Treasurer – Dan Wilcox,...
- 6/21/2013
- by NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief
- Deadline Hollywood
There’s a big surprise today in the Writers Guild West‘s 2013 initial list of election candidates: the scribe selected to run against incumbent president Christopher Keyser declined the nomination. That means, unless someone else can be convinced to run, Keyser right now is running unopposed. He was a newcomer to Wgaw leadership first elected two years ago when he defeated the polarizing Patric Verrone. Even back then, in 2011, few people stepped forward to run for the presidency: insiders told me that was because of great apathy. It seems nothing has changed even though the WGA constitution doesn’t allow for uncontested races: Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West’s Nominating Committees have announced the initial list of candidates for the 2013 Wgaw Officers and Board of Directors election. The Officer candidates are as follows: President* – Christopher Keyser (inc.); Vice President – Timothy J. Lea, Howard A. Rodman (inc.); Secretary-Treasurer – Dan Wilcox,...
- 6/21/2013
- by NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief
- Deadline TV
Starship Troopers: Invasion
Stars: Leraldo Anzaldua, Luci Christian, Melissa Davis, Justin Doran, David Matranga, Emily Neves, David Wald | Written by Flint Dille | Directed by Shinji Aramaki
The distant Federation outpost Fort Casey comes under attack by bugs and fast attack ship Alesia is assigned to help the Starship John A. Warden stationed in Fort Casey evacuate along with the survivors and bring military intelligence safely back to Earth. Carl Jenkins, now ministry of Paranormal Warfare, takes the starship on a clandestine mission before its rendezvous with the Alesia and goes missing in the nebula. Now, the battle-hardened troopers are charged with a rescue mission that may lead to a much more sinister consequence than they ever could have imagined…
The latest movie in the long-running Starship Troopers franchise, Starship Troopers: Invasion is the series’ first CG-animated movie, and follows the success of the CGI television series, Roughnecks. Created by Sola Digital Arts,...
Stars: Leraldo Anzaldua, Luci Christian, Melissa Davis, Justin Doran, David Matranga, Emily Neves, David Wald | Written by Flint Dille | Directed by Shinji Aramaki
The distant Federation outpost Fort Casey comes under attack by bugs and fast attack ship Alesia is assigned to help the Starship John A. Warden stationed in Fort Casey evacuate along with the survivors and bring military intelligence safely back to Earth. Carl Jenkins, now ministry of Paranormal Warfare, takes the starship on a clandestine mission before its rendezvous with the Alesia and goes missing in the nebula. Now, the battle-hardened troopers are charged with a rescue mission that may lead to a much more sinister consequence than they ever could have imagined…
The latest movie in the long-running Starship Troopers franchise, Starship Troopers: Invasion is the series’ first CG-animated movie, and follows the success of the CGI television series, Roughnecks. Created by Sola Digital Arts,...
- 8/29/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
The Troopers are back in action in the all-new CGI-animated adventure Starship Troopers: Invasion, landing on Blu-ray. and DVD with UltraViolet. August 28th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. With the latest in CGI technology, the next chapter in the beloved sci-fi franchise finds fan favorites Johnny Rico, Captain Ibanez and Carl Jenkins on a perilous mission to rescue survivors of a Federation outpost under attack by the bugs. Series star Casper Van Dien returns as executive producer alongside Ed Neumeier, screenwriter of the original smash hit Starship Troopers. Shinji Aramaki, acclaimed Japanese director of the animated hits Appleseed, Appleseed Ex- Machina and Halo Legends, brings his unique visual style to this action-packed, visually stunning sequel that utilizes the latest, state-of-the-art CGI technology to render the ultimate battle between mankind and alien bugs.
The Starship Troopers: Invasion Blu-ray. and DVD come armed with hours of explosive bonus features, including filmmakers commentary,...
The Starship Troopers: Invasion Blu-ray. and DVD come armed with hours of explosive bonus features, including filmmakers commentary,...
- 8/28/2012
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Another day, another Comic-Con schedule! Are you ready to plan out our Saturday at this years convention!? Once again there's a ton of great panels going on including Iron Man 3, Pacific Rim, Man of Steel, The Hobbit, Marvel TV, Django Unchained, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and more!
Saturday has shaped up to be a hell of a great day for those of you attending Comic-Con. I've put *** next to all of the panels that we want to attend, but like every year, I'm sure we'll be covering a lot more stuff.
We'll be wearing our GeekTyrant shirts, so if you see us walking around San Diego and the convention center, please stop and and say hi! We'd love to meet our readers. We will also be holding our annual meet-up on Wednesday night before the crazy geek storm.
Check out the schedule below and let us know what panels you'll be attending,...
Saturday has shaped up to be a hell of a great day for those of you attending Comic-Con. I've put *** next to all of the panels that we want to attend, but like every year, I'm sure we'll be covering a lot more stuff.
We'll be wearing our GeekTyrant shirts, so if you see us walking around San Diego and the convention center, please stop and and say hi! We'd love to meet our readers. We will also be holding our annual meet-up on Wednesday night before the crazy geek storm.
Check out the schedule below and let us know what panels you'll be attending,...
- 6/30/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Comic-Con 2012 is so close we can taste it! The epically badass geek convention is set to invade San Diego from July 11th to July 15th, and we can't wait to get over there and get crazy!
Comic-Con International has released the full schedules for Wednesday July 11th and Thursday July 12th, and there's a ton of stuff going on! It's going to kick off with a great first couple of days that will give you plenty of stuff to do! Wednesday looks like it's going to be an awesome day of pilot screens and Thursday has got stuff like Twilight... (fart) and Disney will be holding their big panel, along with a ton of other great stuff to check out!
I've gone through the schedule and put a *** next to all the event's we hope to be able to cover. If there's anything on the list you would like information on please let us know,...
Comic-Con International has released the full schedules for Wednesday July 11th and Thursday July 12th, and there's a ton of stuff going on! It's going to kick off with a great first couple of days that will give you plenty of stuff to do! Wednesday looks like it's going to be an awesome day of pilot screens and Thursday has got stuff like Twilight... (fart) and Disney will be holding their big panel, along with a ton of other great stuff to check out!
I've gone through the schedule and put a *** next to all the event's we hope to be able to cover. If there's anything on the list you would like information on please let us know,...
- 6/28/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Veteran comics writer Roger Slifer is fighting for his life after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in Santa Monica, CA. it’s being reported on Twitter and elsewhere. Best known as the co-creator of Lobo, Slifer, 57, has worked as an editor and writer in the comics, animation and video game industries. According to reports, Slifer was struck by a white sedan at Fifth Street and Colorado Avenue early Saturday morning and taken to Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition with a serious brain injury. Friend Flint Dille has been updating the situation: Okay, here’s what I know. We had originally thought of keeping this quiet, because Roger is a fairly private guy, but as word is out and time might be of the essence if we’re going to find the hit-and-run driver, I’ll post what I know. Roger is in Ronald Reagan...
- 6/26/2012
- by Heidi MacDonald
- Comicmix.com
Reports are coming in that Roger Slifer, the co-creator of DC Comics’ popular Lobo character, appears to have become the victim of a hit-and-run incident that occurred early Saturday morning in Santa Monica. Together with artist Keith Giffen, Roger Slifer helped to create the classic anti-hero Lobo, a popular fixture in the DC universe who was first introduced in Omega Man #3 in 1983.
Screenwriter Flint Dille has been making updates on the current situation which you can read below and we encourage all readers to help spread the news as the driver’s whereabouts are still unknown at this time.
Update #1 –
Okay, here’s what I know. We had originally thought of keeping this quiet, because Roger is a fairly private guy, but as word is out and time might be of the essence if we’re going to find the hit-and-run driver, I’ll post what I know.
Roger is...
Screenwriter Flint Dille has been making updates on the current situation which you can read below and we encourage all readers to help spread the news as the driver’s whereabouts are still unknown at this time.
Update #1 –
Okay, here’s what I know. We had originally thought of keeping this quiet, because Roger is a fairly private guy, but as word is out and time might be of the essence if we’re going to find the hit-and-run driver, I’ll post what I know.
Roger is...
- 6/26/2012
- by GeekRest
- GeekRest
While we wait for the inevitable Starship Troopers reboot, Sony is prepping the release of Starship Troopers: Invasion, an animated feature film from the studio's Stage 6 division and director Shinji Aramaki.
The preview actually offers a lot more footage than what was shown during a previously released WonderCon teaser. You want bug-killin' action. Well, you got it.
The story centers around 2 teams of Roughnecks: the Alpha 1 team embarking on a mission to rescue Fort Casey and the K-12 team already stationed at Fort Casey. The two war-depleted squads must band together with a common objective, but personalities and ambition ensure a bumpy ride.
On writing duties is Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay's Flint Dille. Look for the Starship Troopers: Invasion on DVD this summer.
Read more...
The preview actually offers a lot more footage than what was shown during a previously released WonderCon teaser. You want bug-killin' action. Well, you got it.
The story centers around 2 teams of Roughnecks: the Alpha 1 team embarking on a mission to rescue Fort Casey and the K-12 team already stationed at Fort Casey. The two war-depleted squads must band together with a common objective, but personalities and ambition ensure a bumpy ride.
On writing duties is Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay's Flint Dille. Look for the Starship Troopers: Invasion on DVD this summer.
Read more...
- 5/29/2012
- shocktillyoudrop.com
The Japanese trailer for Shinji Aramaki's CG animated film Starship Troopers: Invasion has been posted via Movie walker. Based on Robert Heinlein's sci-fi novel which been loosely adapted into a film franchise (and even an anime series), the general story tells a futuristic military waging an interstellar war against a hostile species of large insects known as the Arachnids or "Bugs". In this version, the film is set ten years after Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers while ignoring the rest of the sequels as canon. Some of the production designs will feature the new starships, power suits and the robotic Marauder with the distinct "mecha" aesthetic that you come to expect in Japanese anime. The script is written by Flint Dille (Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from...
- 5/25/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Two days ago, we reported on an intense bidding war between all the major studios for Agent 13, a sci-fi project from writer T.S. Nowlin that has both director Rupert Wyatt and Charlize Theron attached. Well, it looks like the mysterious movie has found its home; Variety reports that Universal has won the bidding war and will be making a deal with Wme to formally acquire the project. In addition to starring, Theron will also be producing Agent 13.
Considering it’s in early development, plot details are scarce — but if we go by what Variety is saying, it is, indeed, based on a comic book/novel series from writers Flint Dille and David Marconi that lasted from 1986-1988, one which mixes science fiction with the setting of the 1930′s, giving it a pulpy dime novel feel. (In addition to two graphic novels, Agent 13 also spawned three “regular” novels.) With the title character being male,...
Considering it’s in early development, plot details are scarce — but if we go by what Variety is saying, it is, indeed, based on a comic book/novel series from writers Flint Dille and David Marconi that lasted from 1986-1988, one which mixes science fiction with the setting of the 1930′s, giving it a pulpy dime novel feel. (In addition to two graphic novels, Agent 13 also spawned three “regular” novels.) With the title character being male,...
- 4/21/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Universal is finalizing a deal to pick up Agent 13, a sci-fi project that sees Charlize Theron attached to star and Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt attached to direct. T.S. Nowlin is the writer behind the pitch, which is based on a little known comic book from 1988. It was created by G.I. Joe and Transformers cartoon writer Flint Dille and David Marconi, who went on to pen the Will Smith thriller Enemy of the State as well as Live Free or Die Hard. The comic had post-modern pulp overtones, replete
read more...
read more...
- 4/21/2012
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Welcome back to our weekly look at the new podcasts available at our “partners in podcast crime” the GeekCast Radio Network. As usual here’s our weekly look at the podcasts from Gcrn, This Week in Geek and the latest toy review videos from Baltmatrix, with descriptions and links to each and every podcast for your audio/visual pleasure!
Interviews – Dan Gilvezan
Look up in the sky, look at that speeding on the roads, it’s Dan Gilvezan! The man that lent his voice to Spider-Man, and Transformers Generation 1 Bumblebee. However Mr. Gilvezan is more then meets the eye! So join PecanCtTerry and TFG1Mike to find out how much more in this awesome TFG1 Podcast interview!
Gcr – Special Episode – Con Girl Goes To WonderCon 2012
I bet you are wondering Wtf is Con Girl? Well it is Gcrn’s newest segment for GeekCast Radio. MiraiBaby is attending a multitude of conventions this year,...
Interviews – Dan Gilvezan
Look up in the sky, look at that speeding on the roads, it’s Dan Gilvezan! The man that lent his voice to Spider-Man, and Transformers Generation 1 Bumblebee. However Mr. Gilvezan is more then meets the eye! So join PecanCtTerry and TFG1Mike to find out how much more in this awesome TFG1 Podcast interview!
Gcr – Special Episode – Con Girl Goes To WonderCon 2012
I bet you are wondering Wtf is Con Girl? Well it is Gcrn’s newest segment for GeekCast Radio. MiraiBaby is attending a multitude of conventions this year,...
- 3/27/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Here is the first teaser trailer for Starship Troopers: Invasion, the new CG animated movie directed by Shinji Aramaki. The video from IGN (via FirstShowing) gives us a quick peek of this animated sequel.
Here is a synopsis:
The story centers around two teams of Roughnecks: the Alpha 1 team embarking on a mission to rescue the distant outpost Fort Casey and the K-12 team already stationed at Fort Casey. The two war-depleted squads must band together with a common objective, but personalities and ambition ensure a bumpy ride.
Aramaki is known for directing Appleseed & Appleseed: Ex Machina, as well as a Halo Legends segment previously. Flint Dille (Dragonstrike) penned the script based on Robert A. Heinlein's novel. Invasion is considered to be more of a sequel to the original 1997 Starship Troopers. No official release date has been announced, but it will likely head straight-to-dvd.
Whatch the teaser trailer...
Here is a synopsis:
The story centers around two teams of Roughnecks: the Alpha 1 team embarking on a mission to rescue the distant outpost Fort Casey and the K-12 team already stationed at Fort Casey. The two war-depleted squads must band together with a common objective, but personalities and ambition ensure a bumpy ride.
Aramaki is known for directing Appleseed & Appleseed: Ex Machina, as well as a Halo Legends segment previously. Flint Dille (Dragonstrike) penned the script based on Robert A. Heinlein's novel. Invasion is considered to be more of a sequel to the original 1997 Starship Troopers. No official release date has been announced, but it will likely head straight-to-dvd.
Whatch the teaser trailer...
- 3/19/2012
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
During this past weekend at Wondercon 2012, Sony has premiere the first teaser trailer for the CG animated film Starship Troopers: Invasion and now its available online via IGN. It basically plays like a suit-up scene that shows off the cool hi-tech equipment. The visuals looks amazing. Note the narration is taken directly from the first paragraph of the original novel by writer Robert A. Heinlein. Director Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed: Ex Machina) brings his great sense for production designs and action direction into the fourth film installment of the military sci-fi franchise. The script is written by Flint Dille (Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay) and produced by Joseph Chou (Halo Legends).A distant Federation outpost Fort Casey comes under attack by bugs. The team...
- 3/18/2012
- Screen Anarchy
When I read Robert A. Heinlein's Starship Troopers as a kid I wanted to suit up for the cause to fight the killer bugs from outer space. When I saw Paul Verhoeven's film in college I was in love with the style and happy with it's adaptation. Unfortunately since then they have had two horrible sequels that went direct to DVD. The CGI animated series called Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles only lasted one season. It looks as though fans of the story have something new to look forward to in the form of an anime.
Sony Pictures owns the rights to the property and are set to release Starship Troopers Invasion in 2012 from acclaimed director of Appleseed Shinji Aramaki. The poster above is by Hidetaka Tenjin.
Here is the synopsis:
In Starship Troopers: Invasion, a distant Federation outpost protected by the Starship John A. Warden comes under attack...
Sony Pictures owns the rights to the property and are set to release Starship Troopers Invasion in 2012 from acclaimed director of Appleseed Shinji Aramaki. The poster above is by Hidetaka Tenjin.
Here is the synopsis:
In Starship Troopers: Invasion, a distant Federation outpost protected by the Starship John A. Warden comes under attack...
- 10/15/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
A new Starship Troopers movie will be released next year, would you like to know more? Unfortunately, the answer to that question might be "No" considering the huge drop in quality the franchise has suffered since its first theatrical showing. Based on a masterful 1959 novel by Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers is about an idealistic future where the human's main adversaries are big alien bugs. The franchise kicked off with a bang in 1997 when the novel was turned into a cult classic film by Paul Verhoeven. From there, though, two terrible direct to DVD sequels followed in addition to a better - but not great - CGI animated series called Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles that lasted one season. Sony Pictures, which holds the rights to the property, is hoping animation is the way to go with the franchise as they've officially announced Starship Troopers Invasion, an anime from the acclaimed director of Appleseed Shinji Aramaki,...
- 10/14/2011
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
Make no mistake about it: If what you're looking for are computer generated images of ultrastylish ultraviolence then Shinji Aramaki is your man. While opinions vary as to the quality of the scripts for Aramaki's pair of CGI rendered adaptations of Masamune Shirow's Appleseed manga the general consensus is that the films look pretty damn great.Clearly the execs at Sony Pictures agree as they have just hired Aramaki to direct a new animated installment in the Starship Troopers franchise titled Starship Troopers: Invasion. Flint Dille - writer of the Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay video game - is handling the script with Halo Legends producer Joseph Chou producing.This is pretty clearly intended as a Dtv release but the material lends itself well...
- 10/13/2011
- Screen Anarchy
A fourth installment to the Starship Troopers franchise is on the way. It is being produced by Joseph Chou (Appleseed Ex Machina) and Edward Neumeier, writer of all previous Starship Troopers films and Robocop as well as St star Casper Van Dien. The screenplay was written by Flint Dille who wrote Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay video game and much of the G.I. Joe TV series.
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
- 10/12/2011
- QuietEarth.us
Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger is to return to print courtesy of Hermes Press. The publisher has acquired the rights to Flint Dille and David Marconi's classic 1988 graphic novel, and plans to reissue it next year. Agent 13 is a pulp adventure created by Dille and Marconi in the 1980s. The series spawned two graphic novels, three prose novels, multiple radio shows and a role-playing game. "Consider us the advance guard in bringing this lost cult figure back, with 2012′s re-release of Agent 13: The Midnight Avenger," read a statement from Hermes. "Believe me, he's soon going to start popping up (more)...
- 8/2/2011
- by By Mark Langshaw
- Digital Spy
"Buck Rogers", the first comic strip outer space hero, is being relaunched by director Paul W.S. Anderson from a screenplay by "Iron Man" co-writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, for Paradox Entertainment, currently rebooting "Conan."
The new film will be lensed in 3D for producers Lawrence Abramson, Jeremy Bolt and Fredrik Malmberg, with George Furla, Anderson and "Buck Rogers" estate holder Flint Dille executive producing.
"Buck has already been such a huge influence on action-adventure franchises like 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones,' so for me it is a thrilling opportunity to be allowed to return to the source and relaunch such an epic character," Anderson said.
"...Before caped heroes were leaping tall buildings, Buck Rogers was spanning the stars . . . and the centuries. A man accidentally thrust into an extraordinary future, Buck is science fiction’s first superstar and one of our culture’s most enduring icons.
In its original version,...
The new film will be lensed in 3D for producers Lawrence Abramson, Jeremy Bolt and Fredrik Malmberg, with George Furla, Anderson and "Buck Rogers" estate holder Flint Dille executive producing.
"Buck has already been such a huge influence on action-adventure franchises like 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones,' so for me it is a thrilling opportunity to be allowed to return to the source and relaunch such an epic character," Anderson said.
"...Before caped heroes were leaping tall buildings, Buck Rogers was spanning the stars . . . and the centuries. A man accidentally thrust into an extraordinary future, Buck is science fiction’s first superstar and one of our culture’s most enduring icons.
In its original version,...
- 9/28/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
A new webisode series from the creator of Star Trek: New Voyages plans on injecting new life into a golden age outer space hero: Buck Rogers Begins.
Production has begun on a new live-action Buck Rogers series that will start off telling the origins of the character before his adventures in the post-apocalyptic world of the 25th century. While the action will take place in the early portion of the 20th century, the show's producers are striving to keep their bar raised high, giving the show a "retro-modern" look and feel with high production values and effects, solid acting and a modern day, serious approach to its stories. "We've got our Buck and some other key characters and are in talks with actors who have serious science fiction credentials to join the show," said executive producer James Cawley, the man who created the hit web-based Star Trek: New Voyages series.
Production has begun on a new live-action Buck Rogers series that will start off telling the origins of the character before his adventures in the post-apocalyptic world of the 25th century. While the action will take place in the early portion of the 20th century, the show's producers are striving to keep their bar raised high, giving the show a "retro-modern" look and feel with high production values and effects, solid acting and a modern day, serious approach to its stories. "We've got our Buck and some other key characters and are in talks with actors who have serious science fiction credentials to join the show," said executive producer James Cawley, the man who created the hit web-based Star Trek: New Voyages series.
- 3/31/2010
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
“Buck Rogers” is making a warming a spot for himself in new media with this upcoming webseries from Cawley Entertainment Company and Retro Film Studios. The webseries, entitled “Buck Rogers In The 25th Century”, launches from the “Generation One” Buck Rogers franchise.
Cawley Entertainment Company and Retro Film Studios have secured the rights with the Dille Family Trust for the project. The franchise owner, Flint Dille will be involved with the project in an Executive Producer capacity.
Here are excerpts from press releases describing the webseries below:
Buck Rogers has seen various incarnations of the character on television, movies, radio and in books. This will be the first live action series of Buck Rogers in nearly 30 years and the first web based series of the characters.
Executive Producer James Cawley will be bringing Buck back to his beginnings telling the story from the perspective of a 22 year old Buck Rogers...
Cawley Entertainment Company and Retro Film Studios have secured the rights with the Dille Family Trust for the project. The franchise owner, Flint Dille will be involved with the project in an Executive Producer capacity.
Here are excerpts from press releases describing the webseries below:
Buck Rogers has seen various incarnations of the character on television, movies, radio and in books. This will be the first live action series of Buck Rogers in nearly 30 years and the first web based series of the characters.
Executive Producer James Cawley will be bringing Buck back to his beginnings telling the story from the perspective of a 22 year old Buck Rogers...
- 3/28/2010
- by Lillian 'zenbitch' Standefer
- ScifiMafia
One of the original space heroes is heading back to the big screen.
According to Variety, Paul W.S. Anderson ("Resident Evil") is attached to direct a new "Buck Rogers" movie with a script by "Iron Man" co-writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway.
Paradox Entertainment — the production company behind the upcoming "Conan" reboot — is producing the film in partnership with Incognito Entertainment and Randall Emmett/George Furla Productions. Anderson and Furla are also attached as executive producers along with Flint Dille, a long time animation writer, producer and grandson of John F. Dille, who was one of the creators of the "Buck Rogers" comic strip.
The story also notes that "Buck Rogers" may be released in 3D to capitalize on the currently rising trend.
Created in 1929, Buck Rogers was a fighter pilot who was accidentally thrust into the 25th century, a world of aliens, rocketships and rayguns. His adventures paved the...
According to Variety, Paul W.S. Anderson ("Resident Evil") is attached to direct a new "Buck Rogers" movie with a script by "Iron Man" co-writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway.
Paradox Entertainment — the production company behind the upcoming "Conan" reboot — is producing the film in partnership with Incognito Entertainment and Randall Emmett/George Furla Productions. Anderson and Furla are also attached as executive producers along with Flint Dille, a long time animation writer, producer and grandson of John F. Dille, who was one of the creators of the "Buck Rogers" comic strip.
The story also notes that "Buck Rogers" may be released in 3D to capitalize on the currently rising trend.
Created in 1929, Buck Rogers was a fighter pilot who was accidentally thrust into the 25th century, a world of aliens, rocketships and rayguns. His adventures paved the...
- 3/25/2010
- by Blair Marnell
- MTV Splash Page
"Buck Rogers", the first comic strip outer space hero, is being relaunched by director Paul W.S. Anderson from a screenplay by "Iron Man" co-writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, for Paradox Entertainment, currently rebooting "Conan."
The new film will be lensed in 3D for producers Lawrence Abramson, Jeremy Bolt and Fredrik Malmberg, with George Furla, Anderson and "Buck Rogers" estate holder Flint Dille executive producing.
"Buck has already been such a huge influence on action-adventure franchises like 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones,' so for me it is a thrilling opportunity to be allowed to return to the source and relaunch such an epic character," Anderson said."
"...Before caped heroes were leaping tall buildings, Buck Rogers was spanning the stars . . . and the centuries. A man accidentally thrust into an extraordinary future, Buck is science fiction’s first superstar and one of our culture’s most enduring icons. In its original version,...
The new film will be lensed in 3D for producers Lawrence Abramson, Jeremy Bolt and Fredrik Malmberg, with George Furla, Anderson and "Buck Rogers" estate holder Flint Dille executive producing.
"Buck has already been such a huge influence on action-adventure franchises like 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones,' so for me it is a thrilling opportunity to be allowed to return to the source and relaunch such an epic character," Anderson said."
"...Before caped heroes were leaping tall buildings, Buck Rogers was spanning the stars . . . and the centuries. A man accidentally thrust into an extraordinary future, Buck is science fiction’s first superstar and one of our culture’s most enduring icons. In its original version,...
- 3/25/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Lionsgate has nabbed director Jose Padilha and writer Braulio Mantovani to develop a live action adaptation of “Agent in Place,” an upcoming video game from Union Entertainment. Variety describes the project as “a character-driven action thriller” based on the until-now-unannounced game from Flint Dille, who has previous game writing credits on “Dead to Rights” and Starbreeze Entertainment’s excellent “The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay,” itself a spin-off from David Twohy’s “Riddick” films.
Union Entertainment, the company that previously brought comic book publisher Top Cow Productions’ “The Darkness” to Starbreeze for an Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 game, is working with Dille on “Agent.” Mantovani will produce a script based on Dille’s concept while Padilha finishes up with his current commitment to “The Sigma Protocol,” an adaptation of the same-titled Robert Ludlum novel. Padilha and Mantovani also previously worked together on “The Elite Squad,” an action/thriller set in Brazil.
Union Entertainment, the company that previously brought comic book publisher Top Cow Productions’ “The Darkness” to Starbreeze for an Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 game, is working with Dille on “Agent.” Mantovani will produce a script based on Dille’s concept while Padilha finishes up with his current commitment to “The Sigma Protocol,” an adaptation of the same-titled Robert Ludlum novel. Padilha and Mantovani also previously worked together on “The Elite Squad,” an action/thriller set in Brazil.
- 6/4/2009
- by Adam Rosenberg
- MTV Movies Blog
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