4 May 2008: Serenity - Serenity Valley Map
Quantum Mechanix have unveiled their latest piece of Serenity Merchandise in their lithographs series, the Serenity Valley Map (pictured, click for larger image). This 30” x 26.5” lithograph is printed on 100-pound, satin-finish paper and contains a complete topographical rendering of the infamous valley, including many landmarks and other details of historic importance dating back to 2506, just prior to the outbreak of hostilities that would become known as the Unification War. The map can be pre-ordered now for $39.95 plus shipping at www.quantummechanix.com.
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17 April 2008: Dollhouse - More Casting News
Harry Lennix and Olivia Williams make up the remaining two regular cast members as Boyd Langton (Echo's handler and ex-cop) and Adelle DeWitt (Dollhouse manager) respectively. I'll let Joss Whedon's words which he posted on Whedonesque this very day, tell you about the two recurring cast members:
Hi campers. We're having the read-through of the script today. Why would I be nervous? YOU'RE nervous! Anyhoo, I just couldn't resist letting you know that the recurring roles have actually been cast for some time now. I'm shocked that any part of our casting process hasn't been leaked somehow. And though I'm a fan of secrets, I'll give you the last two pieces of this particular puzzle:
November (who will be recurring but does not appear in the pilot) will be played by the luminous Miracle Laurie.
Dr. Claire Saunders will be played by... yet another name I'm gonna have trouble remembering how to spell... Amy Acker.
All in all, pound for pound, soup to nuts, man vs beast, it's a pretty amazing ensemble. I'm not sure how I landed this troupe, but rest assured I'm gonna write bestest good word for talkacting to them yes! They're in good hands.
Onward... to adventure! -j.
joss | April 17, 15:49 CET
You can read the whole thread at www.whedonesque.com.
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16 April 2008: Sugarshock - In Print
Dark Horse are releasing their My Space presents Dark Horse comics, previously only available online, in a Trade Paper Back, volume 1 of which will include Joss Whedon's three part, Sugarshock. Volume One will be released on 17th September 2008 and you can pre-order this now from Things From Another World for $15.96.
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16 April 2008: Buffy - Conversations with Dead People Game
Dark Horse Deluxe have announced the release of a new Buffy based board game. "Conversations with Dead People" (board pictured - click for larger image) is due for release 28th September 2008 and can be pre-ordered now from Things From Another World for $23.99.
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3 April 2008: Dr Horrible - Promotional Poster
The Official website for Joss Whedon's new Web-Musical, Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog, doesn't have much on it yet, but it does have a shiny new poster on it's fron page (pictured - click for larger info). The website can be viewed at www.drhorrible.com. Our new mini-site for Dr. Horrible will be up soon.
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2 April 2008: Firefly - Special Edition DVD
At the recent Supanova event in Melboune, Australia, Jewel Staite told fans that she had been asked to go to LA in the spring to record a commentary for a new special edition of the Firefly DVD. No further details on this yet. You can watch a short video clip of Jewel at www.serenity2.net
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2 April 2008: Serenity - Worlds of the Alliance
Quantum Mecahnix have produced the latest in their line of excellent Serenity Merchandise. The Worlds of the Alliance poster (pictured - click for larger image) is limited to 1,000 prints. Here's what QMX said:
"Worlds of the Alliance was created by Designer Geoffrey Mandel for the classroom scene in the movie Serenity, but was never used because the final set for that scene had no walls. However, Mr. Mandel was still required to create this most authoritative and comprehensive guide to the planets of the ‘Verse yet produced, which was reviewed and approved by Joss Whedon himself.
When we first saw this fabulous piece of artwork and ‘Verse lore, we just didn’t think it was fair that Browncoats would never get a chance to see, much less own a copy. That’s why we worked out with Universal and Mr. Mandel this opportunity for you to own one of only 1,000 27?x19? lithographic art prints of the Worlds of the Alliance, hand-signed and numbered by Mr. Mandel himself, for just $39.95.”
You can pre-order a print now at www.quantummechanix.com.
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2 April 2008: Dollhouse - Casting News
Casting is underway for Dollhouse and the following roles have already been cast:
Paul Smith - Tahmoh Penkitt - Previous credits include Battlestar Galactica and Smallville
Topher Brink - Fran Kranz - previous credits include Donnie Darko
Sierra - Dichen Lachman - previous credits include Australian soap Neighbours
Victor - Enver Gjokaj - previois credits include The Unit
Check out our new Dollhouse mini site for more details on all the actors - coming soon.
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2 April 2008: Buffy - Paley Fest Buffy Reunion mp3
Superjer.com has a fan write up of the recent Paley Fest Buffy Reunion Panel including photographs and a mp3 of the full panel. Go to www.superjer.com to see, read and listen.
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29 March 2008: Dollhouse - Casting Rumours
As the production start date for Dollhouse nears, casting is underway and at the recent Palet Fest Buffy Reunion, Joss Whedon confirmed that "I've read a couple of people [from the Buffyverse], but I'm not going to say who." Joss previously stated that he didn't want to cast his alumni just because he knew that they were good but that he wouldn't rule out casting them if they turned out to be the right person for the job.
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25 March 2008: Doctor Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog - New Web Series.
It appears that Joss Whedon just cannot stop writing. During the strike he and his brothers came up with a little interweb story. After Neil Patrick Harris revealed the details in an online interview, Joss posted the story on Whedonesque. Here's what he said:
So.....
The bag is catless.
During the strike I started writing a musical intended as a limited internet series, 3 episodes of approximately 10 minutes each. Writing with me was my brother Jed, his fiancee Maurissa, and my other brother Zack. To my shock and surprise, we finished it. To my greater shock and surprise, we managed (with the help of many people I'll be praising at length soon) to drag it into preproduction (yes, just as DOLLHOUSE was given a start date two months away and all my comics were due.) And today, after a grueling week of writing everything ever while trying to be a producer, I got to start shooting. A musical.
This much I will say: It's the story of a low-rent super-villain, the hero who keeps beating him up, and the cute girl from the laundromat he's too shy to talk to. And I'm having the time of my life.
"DOCTOR HORRIBLE'S SING-ALONG BLOG"
Neil Patrick Harris.....as Dr. Horrible
Nathan Fillion..........as Captain Hammer
Felicia Day.............as PennyAnd a cast of Dozens!
Coming soon.
-j.
joss | March 16, 04:22 CET
You can read the whole thread at www.whedonesque.com.
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25 March 2008: Serenity Comics - The Making of Better Days
Dark Horse have made available the Making Of Serenity: Better Days Issue #1, you can see the script and the pages in various stages of production. Go to www.darkhorse.com.
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25 March 2008: Angel Comics - Spike: After the Fall
IDW has confirmed that there will be a four issue spin off from the successful Angel: After the Fall, season 6 comic book run. Spike: After the Fall will feature the much-loved blonde vampire and his first few months in hell and will co-star Illyria.
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22 March 2008: Dollhouse - Production Dates
Production for Dollhouse is set to start in Los Angeles on 23rd April 2008.
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14 March 2008: Dollhouse - Casting Descriptions
The casting descriptions for Dollhouse have now been released with some more detailed descriptions of the regular and recurring characters. They are as follows (minus Echo obviously):
Adelle DeWitt - 40 something, any ethnicity, beautiful, sophisticated, cold as an alp. Runs the Dollhouse with an efficiency that is both ruthless and protective. Would die before she showed anyone how lonely she is. Series Regular.
Paul Smith - 30s, any etnicity, good-looks hardened by a cynical distaste for most of humanity. Am FBI field agent, he's been chasing the urban myth of the "Dollhouse" long enough to have lost any shot at promotion. Becomes obsessed with, and twisted romantic foil for, Echo. Series Regular.
Boyd Langton - Late 40s-60, any ethnicity, gruff, about to make the descent from 'good-looking' to 'fatherly'. An ex-cop, Boyd is Echo's 'handler' - her guard/bodyguard. Hates himself for taking this job, but he'd lay down his life to protect the people he feels he's exploiting. Series Regular.
Topher Brink - 20s, any ethnicity, genius programmer who's articulate, nerdily attractive and blithely amoral. He's responsible for imprinting the dolls - and making sure they stay unaware of anything. Is fascinated by the science and kind of digging the illegality. Fun to be around, but might not be remotely trustworthy. Series Regular.
Sierra - 20s, Asian or any ethnicity - certainly not Caucasian. Strikingly beautiful. A Doll like Echo, she has every personality in the world but her own. Is not as self-aware as Echo, but is instinctively drawn to her as a friend. Series Regular.
Victor - 20s, any ethnicity, handsome and fit. A Doll, and the other closest thing to a friend Echo has. Childlike when he's inactive, and everything from Errol Flynn to (young) DeNiro when he's active. Series Regular.
November - 20s, any ethnicity, beautiful and heavy. Another Doll, a hopeful child in the house and everyone else you need her to be outside. A comforting, radiant presence, who tends to get fewer of the criminal gigs and more of the personal ones. Recurring.
Dr. Claire Saunders - 30-60, attractive, smart and a little sad. Looks after the physical well-being of the dolls. Has an acid wit that she usually reserves for Topher, who may only be kidding about being smitten with her. (Or he may not). Recurring.
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1 March 2008: Dollhouse - Main Characters Revealed
As Joss Whedon is currently working away at the pilot of Dollhouse, which is set to go into production in a few weeks, the initial characters have been revealed. I have listed them below:
Echo - Eliza Dushku's character
Adelle Hewitt - The fortyish iceberg who runs the Dollhouse where the human Etch-a-Sketches reside
Paul Ballard - The thirtysomething G-man who is slated to become an offbeat love interest for Echo
Boyd Langton - Echo's handler and father figure
Topher Brink - The technogeek who enjoys his job as a Doll programmer maybe a little too much
Sierra - The knockout Doll who is as close a friend as Echo has
Victor - The distractingly handsome Doll who is called upon to play everyone from Errol Flynn to Robert DeNiro
November - The Tracy Turnblad of the Dolls
Dr. Claire Sanders - The beautiful older woman with whom Topher is smitten
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1 March 2008: Buffy: Season 8 - Issue 16 Cover - SPOILER WARNING
Jo Chen is back on the Buffy: Season 8 team from Issue #16 and she has released a picture of the cover (pictured - click for larger image) on her website. Although I don't considered covers released by the artist as spoilers, more like trailers, I have added a spoiler warning to this one and those who wish to take a look will understand why.
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28 February 2008: Serenity - Faces of Serenity
The Faces of Serenity is another fan campaign to show Universal just how much we want that Serenity Sequel. The idea behind this one is that you take a picture of yourself surrounded by all the Serenity merchandise you have purchased and send it in to the site. They will then create various gallaries to show Universal just how much money we are spending on their product. For more details go to www.facesofserenity.com.
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25 February 2008: Buffy - PaleyFest Buffy Reunion Questions
The majority of the main cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Joss Whedon will be attending the PaleyFest Buffy Reunion on 20th March 2008. If you are lucky enough to have secured a ticket, you can now submit your questions to the moderators. Send your question to askpaleyfest@paleycenter.org no later than 5pm PST 10 March 2008. Put the show title in the subject line of your email and provide your name, city and state. For more details go to www.paleycenter.org.
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13 February 2008: Writers Strike - Back to Work
As you may have heard on the news, WGA members voted yesterday on a new deal and 92.5% voted to accept the deal and lift the strike. Writers are expected to go back to work tomorrow. For more details about the deal go to www.fans4writers.com. So now that the strike is over you'll be wanting to know when and if your favourite TV shows are coming back. TV Guide.com have the answers. For a constantly updated list, go to www.tvguide.com.
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13 February 2008: Buffy Season 8 - Online Jigsaws
Dark Horse have added some new games in the form of Buffy Season 8 Cover Jigsaws to their Buffy Pages. Try them out at www.darkhorse.com. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find games and then click on the cover you would like to try.
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12 February 2008: Buffy Season 8 - Kid's Choice Award Nomination
Buffy Season Eight, Volume One: The Long Way Home has been nominated for Best Book in the Kid's Choice Award. The awards will air live on Nicelodeon on 29th March 2008.
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11 February 2008: Serenity - Can't Stop the Serenity 2008
Can't Stop The Serenity 2008 is already underway and this year's target is to raise $150,000 with 55 cities participating. Cities have already started making plans including Dallas, who have arranged for special guest Tim Minear. Go to http://dallas.cantstoptheserenity.com/ for full details.
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11 February 2008: Writer's Strike - Joss Whedon Posts on United Hollywood
Joss Whedon recently posted on United Hollywood live about the rumours of an impending deal and the strike being over. Here's what he said:
Dear Writers,
I have good news. I have lots of good news. In fact, I have way too much good news.
The strike is almost over. A resolution is days away. Weeks. Friday. Valentine's Day. Two weeks exactly from whenever my manager/agent/lawyer told me. Yes, after talking to writers and actors all over town, I'm happy to report that the strike is going to end every single day until March. Huzzah! All of this entirely reliable information means that at last the dream of the writing community has been realized: the Oscars will be saved.
Let's step back.
The Oscars seem to be the point of focus for a lot of this speculation. That either they must be preserved, or that the studios feel they must be preserved, and therefore this terrible struggle will end. There is an argument to be made for wanting the show to go on: it showcases the artists with whom we are bonded (there's no award for Best Hiding of Net Profits), and it provides employment and revenue for thousands in the community that has been hit so hard by this action. Having said that, it's a f%$#ing awards show. It's a vanity fair. It's a blip. We're fighting (fighting, remember?) for the future of our union, our profession, our art. If that fight carries through the Holy Night when Oscar was born, that's just too bad.
And the studios? Well, the Oscars provide advertising revenue and a boost for the films that win. But the studios have shown impressive resolve in ignoring short-term losses in order to destroy us. I don't hear any knees knocking in the Ivory Towers over that night of programming. Hey, I wish I did. I wish, like a lot of people, I could hear anything from in there besides that weird clicking sound a Predator makes.
I ask you all to remember: the studios caused an industry-wide shutdown. They made a childishly amateurish show of pretending to negotiate, then retreated into their lairs (yes, they have lairs) to starve us out. They emerged just before Christmas to raise our hopes, then left in a premeditated huff. They Force Majoured with gay abandon, cutting deals and 'trimming the fat' (I've met a couple of 'the fat' on the picket lines. Nice guys.) and made every selfish, counter-intuitively destructive move in the Bully's Bible. They met with the DGA and resolved quickly, as expected.
We have been advised to tone down the anti-studio rhetoric now that a deal might be progressing. Our negotiators have the specific task of forgetting the past and dealing only with the numbers before them. Their ability to do that impresses me greatly, but I maintain that it's their job to treat the studios like business partners and it's our job to remember who they really are. The studios are inefficient, power-hungry, thieving corporate giants who have made the life of the working writer harder from decade to decade. They are run by men so out of touch with basic humanity that they would see Rome burn before they would think about the concept of rair compensation. I maintain that they have never revealed their true agenda in the causing and handling of this strike, and to expect them to now is cock-eyed optimism of the most dangerous kind.
I have heard people both in and out of the industry say, "But that's enough now, right?" I have seen the thing that I fear most: that whatever their agenda, they are beating us down. With hope. With rumors. With Time. The mindset seems to be shifting to one of relief and even unspoken gratitude for their return, instead of flaming indignation that they ever (illegally, do you recall?) left the table in the first place. It's the mindset of the victim. The lethargy of limb that strikes the fighter as he unconsciously lets himself lose. The studio strategists have worked this scenario as carefully as they have everything else. It is so crucial that we outside of the talks remember that, and let them know we do.
This is not over. Nor is it close. Until the moment is over, it can never be close. Because if we see the finish line we will flag and they are absolutely counting on us to do that. In the room, reason. On the streets, on the net, I say reason is for the 'moderates'. Remember what they've done. Remember what they're trying to take from us. FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT.
I have been mugged an embarrasing number of times, even for a New Yorker. I've been yelled ad and chased, beaten down and kicked, threatened with a gun and the only mugger who still hurts my gut is the one who made me shake his hand. Until there is a deal - the right deal, not the DGA deal - held out, let's keep our hands in our pockets or on our signs. Let's not be victims. Let's never.
In solidarity,
Joss Whedon
Go to http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/ to read and comment on the post.
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22 January 2008: Serenity - Operation Full Burn
Operation Full Burn is another fan effort to try and show Universal that we are still out there and want a Serenity sequel. All you have to do for this one is a join a forum, and maybe post a couple times. For full details go to www.universalhd.com.
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12 January 2008: Writer's Strike - Short Film Festival Contest
United Hollywood have expanded their FairDeal4Writers video contest and you can watch Marti Noxon explain the contest in a video clip at www.youtube.com.
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8 January 2008: Buffy - Slayerlit Competition
The end of the Buffy novels has finally come with the publication of the very last book, One Thing Or Your Mother. To commerate this, Slayerlit, have 3 signed copies of the book to give away in a competition. All you have to do is tell them your favourite Buffy book and why. For full details and to enter go to http://slayerlit.us/.
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2 January 2008: Serenity - Better Days Preview
Diamond Comics have a preview of the four pages of the new Serenity Comic; Better Days. You can view the black and white artwork, one page with lettering, at http://www.diamondcomics.com.
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