G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA
Brendan Fraser has confirmed that he will play a small role in Steven Sommers' upcoming G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA, reuniting with his MUMMY helmer.
"I was there for a morning," Fraser said during a recent interview promoting his latest project, INKHEART. "It was a cameo."
G.I. Joe reunites Fraser and Sommers for the third time: The duo previously collaborated on the first and second MUMMY films. Fraser said that he begged to be enlisted after Sommers' co-producer Bob Ducsay revealed that the film was going into production.

TERMINATOR SALVATION
According to MTV.com, Batman/Simpsons composer Danny Elfman will be composing music for McG's TERMINATOR SALVATION, the first installment in an envisioned prequel trilogy of films.
"I just started yesterday," Elfman said. The Oscar-nominated composer added that he hasn't made use of the classic TERMINATOR theme by composer Brad Fiedel, nor is there a mandate to incorporate the hook, but he left the door open for its appearance. MTV earlier reported that the SALVATION soundtrack will also include a track by cast member and hip-hop artist Common. The rapper plays the role of Barnes, a freedom fighter who battles Skynet alongside John Connor (Christian Bale).

PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR
Nickelodeon has greenlit 26 additional episodes of the CG animated comedy series THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR. The pick-up brings the total order to 52 new episodes of the show, which will premiere on Nickelodeon following Nickelodeon's 22nd Annual Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday, March 28 at 9:30 PM (ET/PT). The series will then move to its regular timeslot on Saturdays at 10:00 AM (ET/PT) beginning April 4.
THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR, based on the beloved penguin brothers in DreamWorks Animation's hit feature films MADAGASCAR and MADAGASCAR 2: ESCAPE TO AFRICA, tells the story of a group of penguins who believes it leads an elite strike force with top-tier commando skills from its Central Park Zoo headquarters. The series is being produced at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif.
"Our partnership with DreamWorks Animation has yielded a true gem in THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR," said Zarghami. "We're excited to be bringing these characters to our audience with the same level of excellence they have come to expect from the hit Madagascar feature films."
Nickelodeon's recent "sneak peeks" of the new series, which premiered over Thanksgiving weekend, drew an average of 14 million viewers (persons 2+, Nov. 28-30), including 7.2 million Kids 2-11. The series features the all-new adventures of Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private, four penguins who rule the roost at their Central Park Zoo home. While the brothers have their flippers full keeping their multi-species zoo neighborhood happy, at times their secret missions beckon them to venture out to New York City's busy subways and sewer systems. Just as the team thinks it has its urban acreage under control, a new neighbor moves in next door: Julien, a party animal and self-proclaimed "King of the Lemurs," with an entourage and overactive ego. Throughout the season, new animals will be introduced as well as old friends from the "Madagascar" theatrical films. THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR is executive produced by Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley, (Disney's "Kim Possible" and "Hercules, Sky High") and reprises the voices of Tom McGrath as Skipper and Andy Richter ("Late Night with Conan O' Brien") as Mort. Additional voices include Jeff Bennett (Enchanted) as Kowalski, James Patrick Stuart ("CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") as Private, John DiMaggio ("Futurama") as Rico, Nicole Sullivan ("Mad TV") as Marlene, and Danny Jacobs ("Futurama") stars as Julien, King of the Lemurs.

TOP SCIENCE FICTION NEWS STORIES:
To catch up on the latest news from around the world of science fiction, go to News Page. You'll find the highlights this week and this month here.

8:00pm on NBC
Crusoe - Hour 10 - Smoke and Mirrors
Crusoe is reunited with Susannah when she appears on the island; while searching for Friday, Crusoe and Susannah learn that someone else is alive on the island.

8:00pm on BBC America
Doctor Who - Silence in the Library
The Doctor and Donna must uncover the truth behind the Nodes and the Data Ghost to uncover the library's secret.

9:00pm on CBS
Criminal Minds - The Angel Maker
A series of murders is linked to a serial killer executed a year earlier, and the BAU team must find the link between the dead killer and the new spate of crimes.

9:00pm on BBC America
Doctor Who - Forest of the Dead
As the shadows rise, the Doctor forges an alliance with the mysterious River Song.

9:00pm on SciFi
Ginger Snaps: Unleashed(2004)
A patient at a rehabilitation center tries to prevent a young woman from transforming into a werewolf.

Meanwhile, just some other updates for folks who've been asking about one thing or another....

On the public appearance front, I'm slated to appear as Guest of Honor at the New York Comic Con in February, and I've been invited to speak at MIT on May 22nd as part of the Julie Schwartz Lecture Series.

To correct one piece of misinformation out there...I'm not involved with the Thor movie in any way. There seems to be this notion that I rewrote the previous scripts for Marvel. Totally not true.

Finally, later this month, in addition to continuing to turn in screenplay assignments, I'll be turning in the pilot script for Last Words, an hour dramatic series with a paranormal thrust, being written for TNT and Dreamworks.

(It's a new crowd at TNT these days.)

IMDB has no info on this show
No, they generally don't list every pilot that's being written...it would just get ridiculous afte a while. There can't be a staff until there's a show, but should we get the green light to go into production, yes, I'd be EP/showrunner.

KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW

While you are there, don't miss the other Babylon 5 interviews with Claudia Christian and Bill Mumy.

BABYLON 5 QUOTE STORE

While Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar), Rick (Biggs) and Tim (Choate) are no longer with us, we will not forget their wonderful personalities and talent -- as well as their significant contributions to the BABYLON 5 universe. Be sure to visit In Memory Of for more information about memorial efforts. Until we met again, in a place where no shadows fall.

BABYLON 5 BIRTHDAYS

MOONLIGHT
Release Date: January 20, 2009
Website: www.moonlightondvd.com

Synopsis:
Any private eye knows a lot about other people?s secrets. L.A. private eye Mick St. John (Alex O'Loughlin) has a secret of his own. He's a vampire, dwelling in a covert netherworld complicated by friendship with an undead finance honcho (Jason Dohring), memories of the alluring ex- wife (Shannyn Sossamon) who turned him into a vampire, and a relationship with a human (Sophia Myles) he feels drawn to protect -- and maybe to love. But no matter how tempting, Mick knows a vampire-human romance is eternally dangerous. This 16-episode, 4-disc set of the series voted the 2008 People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Drama is a sure entertainment bet for all who like their vampire stories sleek, intense and passionate.

Dark Knight
Release date: November 25, 2008
Official website: thedarkknight.com

Synopsis:
The follow-up to BATMAN BEGINS, THE DARK KNIGHT reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who reprises the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in his continuing war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves effective, but soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces Batman closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante. Heath Ledger stars as archvillain The Joker, and Aaron Eckhart plays Dent. Maggie Gyllenhaal joins the cast as Rachel Dawes. Returning from BATMAN BEGINS are Gary Oldman as Gordon, Michael Caine as Alfred and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox. Some clips from the WB
Business Deal put on hold (1:02)
http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/darkknight/exclips/dkexfc_businessdealputonhold_300.asx
Die hero live long enough become villan (1:10)
http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/darkknight/exclips/dkexfc_dieherolivelongenoughbecomevillian_300.asx

Do you know who you are stelling from (1:03)
http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/darkknight/exclips/dkexfc_doyouknowwhoyouarestealingfrom_300.asx

We're tonight's sent entertainment (1:00)
http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/darkknight/exclips/dkexfc_weretonightsentertainment_300.asx

REVIEW
If ever there was a movie made for the BIG screen, it is THE DARK KNIGHT. If you thought you had seen some fantastic visual effects in BATMAN BEGINS, just wait until you see what they do in this movie!!!! It is awesome.

I have loved Batman since I was a kid. The thought of a regular guy fighting crime is very appealing. Unlike Superman, he has no special powers, only his intelligence and wit. That usually is enough to outsmart or outwit his adversaries. The Joker (masterfully played by the late Heath Ledger) is a different kind of criminal. He wants to control everything and everyone.

There are many characters to absolutely love in this series. Gary Oldman is perfect as Lt. Gordon, but I absolutely adore Michael Caine as Alfred and Morgan Freeman as Lucas Fox. They steal every scene they are in.

There is no doubt this saga will continue. As long as there are criminals that need to be brought to justice, there needs to be a Batman somewhere out there to help the police force.

For more information on other DVDs that have just been released and reviewed, go to New DVDs

RISING STARS COMPENDIUM HARDCOVER
(W) J. Michael Straczynski, Fiona Avery (A) Brent Anderson, Keu Cha, David Finch, Karl Moline

When Rising Stars first debuted in 1999, people hailed its fresh take on the superhero mythos, grounding the fantastic in reality. The groundbreaking series by acclaimed writer J. Michael Straczynski (Amazing Spider-Man, Babylon 5, Squadron Supreme, Thor, Ultimate Power) spawned three spin-off mini-series and has influenced successful TV shows like The 4400 and Heroes.

Now, for the first time ever, every issue of Rising Stars, from the #0 to the last issue of the last mini-series, is collected into one comprehensive deluxe hardcover.

Collects Rising Stars #1-24, #0 issue, #1/2 issue, Prelude issue, Rising Stars: Bright, Rising Stars: Voices of the Dead and Rising Stars: Untouchable.

Full Color 1,008 pages $99.99 hardcover

THOR #10
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils and cover by Olivier Coipel.

As the Asgardians returned to this life and Thor returned to Midgard, so came the ills that have plagued the gods and man for millennia. Now for the first time since their rebirth, Thor and his fellow hero-gods are venturing forth from the Shining City to confront the growing evils that amass on their horizon...and within their walls... 32 pages, $2.99.

CIVIL WAR CHRONICLES #12
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Paul Jenkins, penciled by Ron Garney and Ramon Bachs, cover by Steve McNiven.
Experience Civil War and its major tie-ins in chronological order! In Captain America #25, find out what happens next in the life of the Sentinel of Liberty! The biggest Cap story that Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting have yet to tell, "Death of a Dream" will stun readers and send shockwaves through the entire Marvel Universe for the next year and it begins here! And in Civil War: The Confession, the team that brought you the start of Civil War with the New Avengers: Illuminati special presents a heart-wrenching finale. Two of the Marvel heroes most affected by the shocking conclusion of the war get together one last time. What is said between them will set the course of the Marvel Universe for years to come.

THE TWELVE #6
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, penciled by Chris Weston, cover by Paolo Rivera.
The Laughing Mask--behind bars! Secrets of the Black Widow--revealed! Dynamic Man kicks ass! The Blue Blade bombs out! And the truth behind the origin of underground secret agent Rockman!

MARVEL ADVENTURES THE AVENGERS #17

Marvel Adventures The Avengers #17 will arrive in stores on Oct. 17 from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by J. Michael Straczynski, with art and cover by Joe Quesada. Here's how Marvel describes the issue:
"Ok, you're a super hero. And you've got to fight a robot. But while the robot can punch and blast you with lasers, you can't touch him. That's a problem, right? That's what the Avengers are up against when they encounter The Vision!"

Marvel Adventures The Avengers #17 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

SILVERS SURFER: REQUIEM #4
Silver Surfer: Reqiuem #4 will arrive in stores on August 29 from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by J. Michael Straczynski, with art and cover by Esad Ribic. Here's how Marvel describes the issue:
"For untold years, Norrin Radd surfed the galaxy, exploring the darkness between stars, witnessing the rise and fall of vast civilizations. Now his ride comes to an end. Zenn-La, the planet of his birth, the planet he saved through his own sacrifice -- the Silver Surfer crossed the galaxy to draw his last breath here. He¹s home. What waits for him?"
Silver Surfer: Reqiuem #4 will be 32 pages and will cost $3.99.

February 13-15, 2009
FARPOINT 2009
Place: Crowne Plaza Hotel
City: Timonium, Maryland
Guests: Alan Tudyk (Serenity), Harve Bennett (Star Trek producer), Phil Weyland (actor, dialogue coach)
For more information, go to http://www.farpointcon.com/.

February 27-March 1, 2009
Megacon 2009
Place: Orange County Convention Center
For more information, go to http://www.megaconvention.com

March 27-29, 2009
Narutotrek 2009
Place: Sheraton Suites Cypress Creek
City: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Guests: Walter Koenig, Denise Crosby and more
For more information, go to http://www.narutotrek.com

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Creation Entertainment has a large number of conventions planned for the next several months. They include stars from STARGATE, ENTERPRISE, FARSCAPE, XENA, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, etc. Check out their calendar to see if one will be in your neighborhood soon. Don't miss their Videos page as well. It is full of some priceless video from a number of conventions.

JUMPCON CONVENTIONS
Sites are closed for these conventions. If you are holding tickets for any of these conventions, please get in touch with convention organizers.

Be sure to visit the referenced sites to see if there have been changes in dates/guests attending. Visit our Convention Calendar for a full listing of upcoming conventions.

The front page of the The Zocalo Today changes daily, so be sure to check the back issues to make sure that you haven't missed anything IMPORTANT! I don't want the front page getting too long so I shift information periodically into the archives. So if you aren't a regular visitor to The Zocalo Today, be sure to check out the back issues. Just use the button above!

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Take care and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sandra Bruckner (sgbruckner@aol.com)
Editor/Publisher
ISN News: The Zocalo Today
http://www.isnnews.net
Copyright - SBruckner, 1999-2008