News Briefs

Quantum Leap stars Reunite for Enterprise

Dean Stockwell looks set to reunite with his old friend Scott Bakula in a forthcoming episode of Enterprise. The episode to be titled “Detained”, will continue the Suliban storyline started in the pilot episode “Broken Bow”. Approximate US air date, May this year.

A Congenial Wonder Woman?

Apparently the US rumour mill is spinning again that Miss Congeniality star Sandra Bullock is to star in the planned “Wonder Woman” feature film. No final confirmation on this, but wouldn’t it be fabulous if it was true?

Farscape goes from Strength to Strength

The Sci-fi channel in the US has quite derservingly committed to at least a fifth season of Farscape. But now there are murmurings of a Feature film. Creator Rockne S. O’Bannon’s has two main concerns about such a project though...where to fit it in the series hectic filming schedule, and how to fit it into series continuity.

Oh well, even if the film doesn’t come off, at least we can look forward to at least two more series of the lovely Ben Browder blazing across our screens in Leather. Now if only Channel 9 would actually let us see it, and in a decent time slot! Can but dream I s’pose.

Blakes 7 on the Big Screen?

Paul Darrow (Avon) is involved in a project to bring a Blakes TV Film to our screens. He is working closely with the Terry Nation Estate and this should ensure that the film remains true to Terry Nations original concept.

Apparently this project is ready to go ahead. The stage that has been reached, is making a 'deal' with one of the number interested investors and deciding which TV distribution company would best serve the production. Simon Moorhead has joined the production team and Brian Lighthill is now a consultant.

Lets all hope it will not be much longer before Blakes 7 reaches our screens again!

Remakes: pleasant nostalgia -
or an easy fix?

Wonder Woman certainly isn’t the only remake of a classic series in the works by any means. The latest shows from our youth to be mooted for remakes include Battlestar Galactica, Logan’s Run, Time Tunnel, and Lost in Space. The last two could be fun, especially LIS. How about a geriatric Dr Smith mincing around after a 50 year old Will. Classic!! And who would be suitable replacements for James Darren and Robert Colbert of the Time Tunnel? My vote...Freddie Prinze Junior as Doug, and Kerr Smith (Jack, Dawsons Creek) as Tony...he has a James Darrenish look about him methinks, but cuter.

Although these remakes may be a fun look back at the past, aren’t they rather indicating that the pool of creative talent in Hollywood has dried up? Or are the networks just not brave enough to take a chance with something new and original?

Vulcan in the Twilight Zone?

Dr. David Whitehouse has reported in the BBC News on June 24, 2002 that two US astronomers, Dan Durda and Alan Stern, have been looking for a suspected belt of asteroids, the Vulcanoids, between Mercury and the Sun. They are thought to range in size from one to 25 kilometres. Finding them would change our understanding of the inner Solar System.

Significant Mentions

The Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet mentions the recent passing away of some significant people who have contributed to science and acience fiction:

STEPHEN JAY GOULD: one of the world's best known paleontologists and science writers.

GEORGE ALEC EFFINGER: Hugo, Nebula and Sturgeon Award winning SF author.

DAMON KNIGHT: SF writer, editor and critic, founder of the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA).

It is also reported that FORREST ACKERMAN (long-time SF fan and author) and JAMES DOOHAN ("Scotty" in "Star Trek") are both recovering from recent illnesses.

For further information and news, we suggest you check out http://www.scifivideo.com.au or
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_2063000/2063200.stm or
Australian SF Bullsheet at http://members.optushome.com.au/aussff/bullsheet.html