New Superman 'S' Logo For 'Man of Steel' Revealed

Via the Superman: Man of Steel Facebook Page, Warner Bros. revealed the first official look at Superman's 'S' shield for next year's Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill in the title role.

Few on the record details have been released by the studio regarding the film, which is being produced by Dark Knight mastermind Christopher Nolan and directed by Zack Snyder (Watchmen, 300), but anticipation rides high for what looks to be an edgy reboot of the iconic DC Comics superhero.

A picture of Cavill in full costume was released in August 2011, which saw the famous suit bear darker colors and jettison the red overshorts that had been a staple for the character since his inception. Though confirmation of that was only through leaked paparazzi photos from the set, which have become an inevitable part of any film production.

The film has lined up an impressive cast around Cavill, with Russell Crowe (Jor El), Kevin Costner (Jonathan Kent), Diane Lane (Martha Kent), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Laurence Fishburne (Perry White), and Michael Shannon (General Zod).

Reportedly there will be scenes taking place on Superman's alien home world Krypton as well as his Kansas adopted home of Smallville, so there will be elements of the film reflecting a new take on the familiar origin story, and most likely see what makes Clark Kent take to the sky as Superman for the first time.

Here is Warners' official synopsis of the film:

“In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time. Clark Kent/Kal-El (Cavill) is a young twentysomething journalist who feels alienated by powers beyond anyone’s imagination. Transported to Earth years ago from Krypton, an advanced alien planet, Clark struggles with the ultimate question – 'Why am I here?' Shaped by the values of his adoptive parents Martha (Lane) and Jonathan Kent (Costner), Clark soon discovers that having super abilities means making very difficult decisions. But when the world needs stability the most, it comes under attack. Will his abilities be used to maintain peace or ultimately used to divide and conquer? Clark must become the hero known as “Superman,” not only to shine as the world’s last beacon of hope but to protect the ones he loves.”

We still have a bit of a wait to see Superman fly on the big screen again, Man of Steel is set for a June 14, 2013 release.

SOURCE: Superman: Man of Steel Facebook Page

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Film Review - WRATH OF THE TITANS ★★☆☆☆

Let's start off by addressing the elephant in the room right away: Yes, there is a marked improvement in the 3-D for Wrath of the Titans over the poor conversion process that plagued 2010's Clash of the Titans. Two years ago, the reboot of the 1981 mythical swords and sandals classic quickly became the whipping boy for the growing trend of converting 2-D films to 3-D late in post production, a process that was not always met with smashing results on the big screen. Hollywood has yet to reverse the trend of adding the third dimension to nearly every tentpole in town, but more on that later.

Ten years following the defeat of the Kraken in Clash, we find Perseus (Sam Worthington), the demigod son of Zeus, living a tranquil life as a father, widower, and fisherman. Zeus, Hades, and the other Titans of Olympus are slowly losing their Godly powers as humanity's devotion to them wanes, and their ability to contain the imprisoned evil Kronos is quickly dissipating.

Perseus becomes the reluctant hero who must travel far back into the Underworld on a dangerous quest to save his fallen father from Hades and Ares, who have betrayed him in order to grant Kronos his freedom to conquer the Earth (a cheat sheet for the Greek Gods Family Tree would be useful at some points). Cue the cameos for the half man/half beast Minotaur, the two-headed Chimera, the one-eyed Cyclops, and throw in appearances from some familiar winged characters from the 1981 original. Not that this is all a bad thing, but we have seen much of the same in the first installment.

What works in Wrath is the grand scale of the FX-heavy quest, and a satisfying battle frenzied third act. Some of the action sequences are nothing to scoff at, mostly if this is your type of movie, and you know who you are. You can marvel at the high octane battles, elaborate CGI creatures, and abundance handheld camera work that will leave you unsettled into your seat.

When Wrath is pushing ahead on all cylinders, director Jonathan Liebesman delivers moments on par, in scope, and intensity as seen in his last big screen effort, the frantic but entertaining Battle: Los Angeles. Liebesman has the knack and know how for dropping the audience right smack in the thick of full blown CGI showdowns, some of which will never be fully appreciated anywhere beyond the big screen. I am a glutton for FX heavy excess, so admittedly big budget eye candy in healthy doses is rarely lost on me.

What doesn't work here in the overall scheme of the film unfortunately is a charmless hero in Perseus, who offers little beyond brooding brawn and a reluctant warrior's heart. The straightforward screenplay allows Sam Worthington so little opportunity to shine, emote any charisma, or even breath easy with light hearted moments when he is not slaying one mythical monsters after another.

The welcome whimsical characters on the journey here are the demigod Agenor, the son of Poseidon (played by Toby Kebbell), and Hephaestus (in an all too brief appearance by Bill Nighy), the weapons forger to the Titans. Beyond them, most of the characters are just all business. Though it's worth noting that it's good to see Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes playing it out big this time out after having little to do in Clash.

Going back to the 3-D. While not as distracting as the last installment's, Wrath's conversion from 2-D does not particularly add much either. To be fair, not many recent 3-D movies have justified their release in the format (Avatar and Hugo stand in a high class of 3-D all on their own).

Too often it adds a simple effect, not an overall experience. A few shots jump out at you, sure, but I wouldn't count the extra dimension as a deal breaker here. But like most 3-D films, motion blur on fast moving scenes, and an overall darker picture (the 3-D requires more light from the projector bulbs than most theater owners are willing to give to audiences), have become a standard downside with the presentation.

So while Wrath of the Titans makes a fine Friday night piece of action packed special FX-laden escapism suited for its target audience, it is also a missed opportunity to improve upon the missteps made in the previous installment that could have benefited from some extra dimension.

Wrath of the Titans opens in RealD 3D, IMAX 3D, and 2D on March 30th.

REVIEW RATING: ★★☆☆☆
Directed By: Jonathan Liebesman
Starring: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Rosamund Pike, Edgar Ramierez
Studio: Warner Bros.
Rated: PG-13

'Anchorman 2' Will Continue The Legend of Ron Burgundy

San Diego will have to continue to stay classy. News anchor icon Ron Burgundy made a surprise appearance on Conan last night, flute in hand and ready to "jam with the cats" that are Jimmy Vivino & The Basic Cable Band.

Keeping in character for the entire sketch on the late night talk show, Will Ferrell as Ron announced that there will be another story to tell regarding the legend of the newsman, as he and Paramount Pictures came to terms for getting Anchorman 2 into production:

"I want to announce this to everyone here in the Americas," he said. "To my friends, in Spain, Turkey and the U.K., including England... As of 0900 Mountain Time, Paramount Pictures and myself, Ronald Joseph Aaron Burgundy, have come to terms on a sequel for Anchorman. It is official, there will be a sequel to Anchorman."

The possibility of ever seeing a sequel to the 2004 cult hit starring Ferrell as the '70s era Action 4 newsman, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Bob Koeschner, and Fred Williard seemed like a longshot in recent years. Speaking to MTV in early 2010, director Adam McKay gave more details on the proposed sequel.

"We had an idea and we contacted Steve and Paul and Koechner and Christina and checked in with everyone and they were all game for it," McKay said at the time. "It's a tricky movie because everyone went and did really well after it, so everyone's prices went up and everyone's time got a little more valuable. But at the same time, graciously, Steve and Paul and everyone agreed to cut their price to come and do it, which you don't see very often in Hollywood -- and cut their price substantially."

Paramount ultimately officially passed on the project, as reported by McKay in April 2010 on his Twitter feed.

"So bummed. Paramount basically passed on Anchorman 2. Even after we cut our budget down. We tried."

Deadline reports that McKay will return to direct as well as co-write the script with Ferrell. Steve Carell (Brick Tamland), Paul Rudd (Brian Fantana) and David Koechner (Champ Kind) are also reportedly on board as well.

More importantly, will Burgundy's beloved Baxter be back for the sequel?

SOURCES: Team Coco, MTV, Deadline

James Cameron Wants To Be First In Line For 'Prometheus'

At the Titanic 3D premiere in London tonight, James Cameron, the only director with TWO billion dollar grossing films under his belt (Avatar and Titanic), was asked his thoughts on the upcoming Alien prequel Prometheus.

Cameron of course directed Aliens, the 1986 sequel to Ridley Scott's ground breaking sci-fi thriller, which not only took the series into an action packed new direction, but earned star Sigourney Weaver an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Ellen Ripley.

Here is what Cameron, having just returned from his historic dive into the Mariana Trench to attend the premiere, had to say to the British press about his excitement to see Scott's highly anticipated upcoming return to the Alien universe.

"I’ll be there. I’ll be first in line for Ridley’s new film. The idea of Ridley coming back and doing another Alien film is every fan’s dream. And I was a fan of the first film so much that I wanted to do the second film, just kind of as a geek fan boy really. Everybody tried to talk me out of it: ‘It’s a no win deal. Anything good you do will be attributed to Ridley. And if its bad, it will be your fault.’ I said ‘Yeah but I wanna do it.'”

You can check out the video interview below, where he also discusses the possibility of converting his other films into 3D, and what the current status is of the two planned sequels to Avatar.

Titanic 3D hits the big screen on April 4th in 3D and IMAX 3D.

SOURCE: RidleyScott2012

TRAILER TO THE TRAILER: 'Total Recall'

The Hollywood trend nowadays seems to be releasing a teaser just before a full movie trailer is set to debut. A trailer just isn't enough it seems. Neither is a teaser trailer. Now you need a trailer to the trailer.

Paramount did so for Marvel's The Avengers just before letting loose its much hyped Super Bowl spot. And most recently 20th Century Fox whet the appetites of Prometheus & Alien fans with both a clever faux TED video featuring Guy Pearce as Peter Weyland, and a teaser montage shortly before unveiling the full movie trailer at WonderCon and on the web earlier this month.

The full trailer to the reboot of the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic (and movie update of Philip K. Dick's short story) starring Colin Farrell is set to debut this Sunday, as its unmistakably announced in this teaser.

The 2012 movie update of Philip K. Dick's We Can Remember It For You Wholesale is directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard) and also stars Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, and Bryan Cranston.

Total Recall is set for release on August 3rd.

Check back here for the full trailer on Sunday!

'TMNT' - Neither Mutants Nor Teenagers In New Movie

As 'TurtleGate' rages on, the latest round in the talkbacks comes directly from Michael Bay, who now confirms that the title of the new live action / CGI film will be simply Ninja Turtles, adding fuel to the already raging recent fan fire that the iconic superhero team will be neither teenagers nor mutants in the reboot. Bay took to his own website forum, Shoot For The Edit, to not only address, but confirm the until now, rumored title adjustment.

"Paramount marketing changed the name. They made the title simple. The characters you all remember are exactly the same, and yes they still act like teenagers. Everything you remember, why you liked the characters, is in the movie. This script is being developed by two very smart writers, with one of the original creators of Ninja Turtles. They care VERY MUCH about making this film for the fans. Everyone on this team cares about the fans. Just give them a chance. Jonathan the director, is a major fan of the whole franchise. HE'S NOT GOING TO LET YOU DOWN." 

To back track a bit, Bay started the whole online backlash two weeks ago at the Nickelodeon Upfront with an off-handed reveal that the fun loving Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be in fact, of alien origin in the new movie he is producing. Needless to say, purists were not pleased.

“When you see this movie, kids are going to believe, one day, that these turtles actually do exist when we are done with this movie. These turtles are from an alien race and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely lovable.”

Since then there have been daily online updates from various people weighing in with their opinions or for damage control, whether it be actors who have voiced the Turtles in the past, or the original comic book artists who created them in the '80s, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.

The director of Ninja Turtles Jonathan Liebesman (Wrath of the Titans, Battle: Los Angeles) weighed in to Collider regarding what Bay had let slip out.

“Look, it’s so funny—if everyone was such a die-hard fan, they would know that the TCRI canisters where the ooze comes from. That is alien ooze. Now I’m not saying what Michael said is exactly what the movie is, because we’re sitting in a room now figuring everything out. So we don’t know, but we are like Michael said: we’re expanding it, and the expansion will be true to the mythology. I promise you: fans will love it.”

Fans are typically adverse to major changes in canon regarding their beloved characters. Remember the barrage of criticism Bay took for putting flames on Optimus Prime and changing Bumblebee from a Volkswagen Beetle to a Chevy Camaro? That seemed to turn out OK for everyone. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes necessary. And usually out of the hands of fans.

Co-Turtle-Creator Kevin Eastman released this to Comic Book Movie to address the fan concerns:

"Hey Guys, Sorry to have been away for so long--completely swamped with work--but it is some pretty exciting stuff. I had been invited to check out the TMNT film development by my friend Scott Mednick over the years, and a while back had a full look behind the curtain at what writers Appelbaum and Nemec, director Liebesman, and producer Bay are doing--and trust me--it IS AWESOME. I'm officially on board, and will share more as I'm allowed... thanks all!"

As George Lucas has reminded us time and time again following every change he has made to the Star Wars films, the fans do not own the characters. Ultimately it is the creators or the parties with the rights to the property who have last say regarding any changes or updates. Ultimately premature fan outrage does not always, if ever, grant what is wished for.

Ninja Turtles is set for release on December 25, 2013 from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Films.

SOURCES: Shoot For The Edit, Collider, Comic Book Movie

New Behind-The-Scenes Images From "The Avengers" Hit The Web

Courtesy of Yahoo! Movies check out the latest set of images from Marvel's "The Avengers," which offer some great new character shots in addition to a behind the scenes preview from the set with the cast and Director/Screenwriter Joss Whedon.

Marvel's "The Avengers" is to hit the big screen with its all-star superhero cast in 2-D, 3-D, and IMAX 3D on May 4th...

Official synopsis:

"Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”–the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012. In “Marvel’s The Avengers,” superheroes team up to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security."

SOURCE: Yahoo! Movies

Film Review - THE RAID: REDEMPTION ★★★★☆

The Raid: Redemption is that rare, exceptional, and simply unstoppable action film that will leave you gasping for air at every turn. Once it gets into gear, which is within mere minutes after its opening scene, prepare to have your senses beaten to a pulp in the best way possible.

The plot is pretty straightforward, a SWAT team comprised mostly of rookie cops is sent to infiltrate the high-rise lair of local crime lord Tama (Ray Sahetaphy), and end his reign of terror by bringing him to justice. It's worth nothing that Tama has an unstoppable right hand man killing machine know only as Mad Dog, and said high-rise building also happens to have thirty floors worth of apartments that house a virtual rogues gallery of thugs, killers, and drug addicts.

When at first the mission entailed breaking into the building and capture Tama, the tide is quickly turned on the newbie cops and simply surviving long enough to get out of the building becomes the new goal. Relentless tension and action ensue as our fists-a-flying hero Rama (Iko Uwais) goes from floor to floor, room to room, and thug to thug in what seems to be an endless maze of potential deathtraps. With a fallen commander and a wounded comrade, he is left only with the aid of unlikely allies and his own survival skills to hope to see the mission completed (and safely return home to his wife who is carrying his unborn child).

When nearly every tenant in the run down, grimy building is a gangster, you can be sure they possess both a deadly weapon the intent to use it with skill and agile force against the police intruding on their home turf. Guns, machettes, fists are all utilized on the confined battle field.

Iko Uwais, in addition to giving a star making performance in the film as the hero Rama, is responsible for choreographing the amazing fight sequences, which come fast, furious, and at a non-stop pace. A lesser film could easily slip into the trap of becoming a monotonous series of mindless video game fight sequence after fight sequence, but The Raid excels in its set-up and execution of the successive stages in the mission.

The frantic, yet rock solid, cinematography is matched by it's masterful martial arts choreography and solid cast. What keeps the raw action both grounded and brutal is the precision of the hand-held camerawork. The film doesn't resort to falling back on slow motion or Steadicam shooting to evoke a super cool style, and thankfully no attention is given to gratuitous gravity defying wire work or even worse, Matrix-esque bullet time effects.

Every single visceral punch and kick is felt and heard, and there must be hundreds of them. Yayan Ruhian as Mad Dog is both a relentless killer and a memorable villain. More so as an unstoppable force, and not immediately as an imposing figure since he is physically smaller than most of the adversaries he dispatches with the utmost of ease. 

Directed, written, and edited by Gareth Evans, the Indonesian film has been gaining steady word of mouth with successful runs at the Toronto, SXSW, and Sundance Film Festivals. The film also boasts an original score from Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda, who makes a winning debut here as a film composer.

You can make easy comparisons to Die Hard for its high-rise/high body count plot, or John Woo's action icon Hard Boiled, but The Raid: Redemption has more than enough going for it to proudly stand all on its own as an adrenaline charged action epic, and will easily be ranked as one of the best in its genre.   

The Raid: Redemption opens in select theaters today.

REVIEW RATING: ★★★★☆
Directed By: Gareth Evans
Starring: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Ray Sahetapy, Joe Taslim
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Rated: R

FAIRY TALE SHOWDOWN: 'Snow White & The Huntsman' Vs. 'Mirror Mirror'

In one corner: Universal Pictures' Snow White & The Huntsman, weighing in with Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Academy Award Winner Charlize Theron as The Queen, and Chris Hemsworth as The Huntsman. In the other corner stands Relativity Media's Mirror Mirror, with Lily Collins as Snow White, Academy Award Winner Julia Roberts at The Queen, and Armie Hammer as Prince Alcott.

Both films will also feature the Seven Dwarfs in their storylines and have a magical backdrop. But that may be where the similarities end. Huntsman promises a dark medieval journey, featuring a Snow White with a warrior's edge wrapped up in a suit of armor. It is likely to also carry a PG-13 rating with its heightened level of violence and scares. In contrast, Mirror Mirror will present a whimsical colorful kid friendly tale with an easy earned PG rating.

Lily Collins and the Seven Dwarfs from Mirror Mirror

The star power of the casts provides an interesting angle for selling each film. Mirror Mirror is banking predominantly on Julia Roberts' appeal with her lighthearted portrayal of the evil Queen. Leading man Armie Hammer is not yet a household name (though that may change after starring in The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp), and Lily Collins doesn't really have any proven box office clout. In contrast, Huntsman has a scary dark magic empowered evil Queen in Charlize Theron, an international star with Twilight's Kristen Stewart, and a fast growing familiar face with Chris Hemsworth from Thor and The Avengers.

Theron as The Queen in Snow White & The Huntsman

As far as the Dwarfs are concerned: Huntsman has cast Ian McShane, Nick Frost, Toby Jones, Ray Winstone, and Bob Hoskins as Snow White's allies. The actors will be digitally shortened in stature and not bear the familiar names made famous by the Disney classic. Mirror Mirror has kept it closer to the fairy tale and cast little people who are mainstream unknowns.
 
In addition, it's always interesting to observe when dueling movies emerge at nearly the same time to battle it out at the box office. Independence Day fought off Mars Attacks! in 1996. Dante's Peak took on Volcano in 1997. Armageddon had to fend off Deep Impact in 1998. Even on the small screen this year, NBC's Grimm has a fairy tale theme that competes with ABC's Once Upon A Time (which coincidentally also has a version of Snow White as one of its main characters). And in the fall you could see two competing shows based on Beauty and the Beast, with green lit pilots set for ABC and The CW.

That said, here are the trailers to each film and their official synopses:

"In the epic action-adventure Snow White and the Huntsman, Kristen Stewart (Twilight) plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen (Oscar® winner Charlize Theron) who is out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the young woman threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth, Thor) who was dispatched to kill her. Sam Claflin (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) joins the cast as the prince long enchanted by Snow White’s beauty and power."

"Snow White is a princess in exile, and the evil Queen rules her captured kingdom. Seven courageous rebel dwarfs join forces with Snow White as she fights to reclaim her birthright and win her Prince."

How this will all play out remains to be seen. Mirror Mirror hits theaters on March 30th, while Snow White & The Huntsman is set for a June 1st release.

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INTERVIEW: Todd McFarlane Reveals 'The Walking Dead' Toy Line Secrets

Deputy Grimes and Daryl Dixon from TV show Series One.

Hot on the heels of the tense season two finale of The Walking Dead, which scored record ratings for the AMC series, which built anticipation for new episodes in the fall, there are some pretty cool collectibles available now (and more on the way) to appease your zombie fix for the time being.

McFarlane Toys not only secured the rights to produce figures based on Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead series of graphic novels, but the smash hit television show as well.

Producing toys for both properties provided an interesting situation that sometimes entailed creating multiple versions of the same characters, some based on the comic book source material, and others that bare the likeness of the actors who portray them on television.

Deputy Grimes versus the zombies in comic book based line.

Talking to me at the 2012 New York City Toy Fair, McFarlane Toys founder Todd McFarlane admitted it was easier to create the toy line from the show because there are tangible human beings with with lifelike dimensions to use as references. The figures based from the comic book however, must be created solely from 2D drawings and character sketches.

The Series One figures based on the TV show are currently available including replicas of Deputy Rick Grime, Daryl Dixon, and two Zombies (a Walker and Biter). McFarlane told me the actors were usually happy to have action figures based on their likeness, as its one of the rare pieces of memorabilia that can be garner bragging rights to the younger members of their families.

Sword wielding fan favorite Michonne.

"Other than hats, t-shirts, and stuff that you can hide in drawers (even DVD's), there are very few things that celebrities can actually have of themselves. Maybe a poster that you can have out all the time, and a toy or statue is one of those things," MacFarlane said.

McFarlane recalled a memorable encounter with Norman Reedus (who plays Daryl Dixon on the TV show), at the second season premiere screening.

"The second season was coming and they did a red carpet. I was just behind him and had just received some of the toys from the factory. I was able to catch up to him and say 'Hey, I just wanted to give you one of the first toys.' His eyes got like HUGE you know because he’s got kids and he understands the concept of action figures. He was like 'Oh my God, I have my own doll! Can I get a case of these?' So he can hand them out to everybody he knows. He was pretty enthusiastic."

"I think if you do a respectable job and try to capture the actors as much as possible, I think they appreciate that," he said. 

Though in the early stages of the process involved in getting action figures made, sometimes securing time with the actors for 3-D body scanning while they are busy shooting the show isn't always an easy appointment. Todd revealed some of the behind-the-scenes secrets involved when the time consuming full body scanning process isn't an option on the set.

Deputy Grimes from the comic book based toy line.

"We have three different machines, but the two extremes are one is a little hand wand that in twenty seconds I can pass over your face (it's almost like taking a photo, except you get a wire frame). For the most part we use that on ninety plus percent of the actors. Here is the reason why: When you get the actors you usually only get them for a small time period."

"I would rather use that time to get twenty looks from them. So if I continue to make lets say, Rick Grimes, Andrew Lincoln gave me so many different looks I probably don’t have to go back and bug him for three years," he revealed.

"He gave me a lot of good looks in a short period of time. If I had put him in the full body machine, then that takes a little bit longer because now you're doing the entire body and the re-setting of the calibration of it. In the same period of time that I could just do the head and get forty good shots, I might only get seven good body shots. I'm way more concerned with getting the likeness and the acting in the face. Then what we do is ask the actors 'What is your height and weight?' We go get a body double, and then with the body double I can put them in a hundred different poses. That stand-in I have for the day."

McFarlane points out that you probably won't see many of his signature toys front and center at the most mainstream of mainstream check-out counters. And to him, that's the point. With many of the products he creates, he prides himself with making edgy pieces that aren't meant for across-the-board G-rated marketability.

"When a mom sits there and says 'That’s revolting,' I make sure I get them to understand we were never trying to make a toy, a morbid crazy creepy gross toy, that was also aimed at a mother. That toy would look different than the one aimed at a college student."

"It's always interesting when they go “I will never buy that product that you make.” The answer is: I never intended for you to buy it. You were never my demographic. I never ever thought I'd get one sale from you, 'conservative mother.' And so by you not buying it tells me I did my job right. Because I did something and you went 'Oh you know what? That’s kind of cute, I think I’ll buy that' means I didn’t make an ugly enough monster at that point."

Series Two from The Walking Dead television show will hit shelves in October of 2012 with new Zombies that fans are sure to remember.

"So far we've been taking the 'event' zombies that had a particular moment in one of the shows that people remember. Those are some of the scenes that people on blogs are talking about," McFarlane said.  So it's no surprise that the new line will include the unforgettable Well Zombie (in addition to the RV Zombie, a new figure based on Shane Walsh, and a variant of Deputy Rick Grimes).

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TRAILER: 'Dark Shadows'

The remake of the '60s supernatural soap opera directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as vampire Barnabas Collins at long last has a trailer.

To say it is unlike anything you would expect would be an understatement. There has been endless speculation on how this film would come across when the first leaked photos of Johnny Depp in costume from the set made their way online.

Now that the first live action sneak peek has been released, you can safely throw away any notions of modern angst ridden tween friendly themes and brooding characters that have made Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries so popular. Burton's Dark Shadows bears the director's distinct gothic look and has an unexpected quirky campy '70s setting (and swinging soundtrack as well).

If you are unfamiliar with this cult favorite series from decades past, here is the official synopsis of the upcoming film from Warner Bros.

In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet--or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles. Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth's ne'er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger's precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath). The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David's new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.

The all-star cast includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, and Chloe Moretz.

Dark Shadows hits theaters on May 11, 2012.

TOY FAIR 2012: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Return!

One of the most iconic super hero teams of all time, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is gearing up to make a major return to the spotlight with a new big budget movie, an animated series, and a tie-in toy line. 

According to Deadline today, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Films have set a December 25, 2013 release date for it's new live-action / CGI combo big screen adaptation to be directed by Jonathan Liebesman (Wrath of the Titans, Battle: Los Angeles).

Coming to the small screen a lot sooner will be an all new CG-animated show scheduled set to hit the airwaves on Nickelodeon in the fall. Playmates Toys unveiled a product line at the NYC Toy Fair to coincide with the series, which included various new action figures, role-play accessories, vehicles, and playsets. 

Playmates debuted the extensive character line based on the new look of the fun loving ninja turtles. When compared to the original designs, the latest figures of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael will have greater individualized appearances beyond their weapons of choice and colors of their masks. Their human crime fighting companion April O'Neill will get a updated makeover, as will their sensei Splinter, and the Turtles' evil arch enemy Shredder.

"The new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series will be funnier and “ninja-ier” than ever before, as Nickelodeon reintroduces the wildly popular band of reptile brothers to a whole new generation of fans.  The action comedy explores the camaraderie of four teenage brothers learning to rely on one another as they unravel the mystery of their existence and train to become the heroes they’re destined to be. Traveling to the surface from their sewer lair home for the first time, the Turtles experience many “firsts,” from battling evil denizens to eating their beloved pizza."

In addition the show based toys, a Classic Collection will be released taking a detailed influence from older Turtles designs. These figures will please old school fans who may have collected the original ground breaking Mirage comic book series, or enjoyed watching the the animated shows throughout the '80s and '90s.

SOURCE: Playmates Toys, Deadline

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