Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 230

June 10, 2019: Week’s Best Comic Book Covers!

These were my favorites…

Batman #74 (variant cover art by Juan Gimenez)

Belle: Oath of Thorns #1 (variant cover art by Keith Garvey)

Black Cat #2 (cover art by J. Scott Campbell)

Catwoman #13 (variant cover art by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau)

Event Leviathan #2 (cover art by Alex Maleev)

Event Leviathan #2 (variant cover art by Jason Fabok)

Invisible Woman #1 (cover art by Adam Hughes)

Justice League Odyssey #11 (variant cover art by Philip Tan)

Miles Morales: Spider-Man #8 (cover art by Patrick O’Keefe)

Red Hood: Outlaws #32 (variant covert art by Yasmine Putri)

Star Wars #68 (variant cover art by Kaare Andrews)

Star Wars: Age Of Resistance – Captain Phasma #1 (cover art by Phil Noto)

Star Wars: Age Of Resistance – Captain Phasma #1 (variant cover art by Leonard Kirk)

Star Wars: Age Of Resistance – Captain Phasma #1 (variant cover art by Mike McKone)

Supergirl #32 (variant cover art by Kaare Andrews)

Superman #13 (variant cover art by Adam Hughes)

War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlantis #3, 2nd printing (variant cover art by Woo Dae Shim)

War of the Realms: Omega #1 (cover art by Phil Noto)

Wolverine Vs. Blade Special #1 (cover art by Dave Wilkins)

Wonder Woman #74 (variant cover art by Jenny Frison)

So, which were YOUR favorites?

July 9, 2019: With Special Guest Star Jodelle Ferland!

Well look who’s back in town shooting something…

With Special Guest Star Jodelle Ferland.

Double Dessert Day!

Social Media Influencers

The Dynamic Dining Duo.

It’s nice seeing the old crew!

 

July 8, 2019: Developments on those developments on development!

So, back in late March of last year, I posted a rundown of the multiple projects I was juggling in various stages of development, seventeen in all, dubbed Projects A through Q.    Recently, someone asked me to provide a little update – and some clarity – on those mysterious projects.

For those of you who need your memories jogged, this was the blog entry:

https://josephmallozzi.com/2018/03/26/march-26-2018-developments-on-development/

Look at them marbles fly!

Anyway, here are the updates on those original posts:

“Project A: Delivered a first draft of the pilot to the network along with a revised character breakdown for quick reference and perusal.   This one an epic character-driven SF series.  I dub thee…Comet!”

We delivered the final draft and series overview to the commissioning broadcaster back in August of last year.  And haven’t heard anything since.  I suggested we take it out elsewhere but the production company is a little slow-moving on this one.  Apparently, they recently heard back from the commissioning broadcaster that the project was, in fact, not dead as they had not officially passed.  Despite the fact they’ve been holding onto it for approximately 11 months.

Who am I to question how things work in this industry?

“Project B: Have been going back and forth on this one, an adaptation of an upcoming SF novel.  I think we’ve finally got all the kinks worked out, are all on agreement on how we’re going to move forward creatively.  Next step is a follow-up call to proceeded by…a pitch deck?  I dub thee…Mocha Madness!”

I started working on this project back in early November of 2017 after a meeting in L.A.  Everyone seemed very excited about my original take on the material, but just had a few notes.  And, following some adjustments to my original take, a few more notes after that. And then more notes.  I thought we were making great progress until a late May of 2018 email suggested they wanted to review the material one more time before deciding how best to proceed.  And THAT was the last I heard from them.

“Project C: This adaptation of an SF pulp classic appears to be on life-support owing to a lingering rights issue.  Considering pulling the plug myself, revising it by dropping all of the elements that originated with the source material, and generating an entirely new series based on my original ideas.  Kind of a shame though.  It would have made a killer show.  I dub thee…Pollo Loco.”

This one was an adaptation of a classic sci-fi book series first published in 1960.  I didn’t really get much farther than my initial take on how I would transform the source material into a television series – before I received an email (mid April of 2018) informing me the rights were bogged down.  And that was the last I heard of that project.  However, I’m waiting for the dust to settle and considering circling back and optioning the rights myself.  We’ll see.

“Project D: That slow-moving horror novel to screen adaptation is picking up steam. Options are being finalized and the deal-making has begun!  I dub thee…El Capitan!”

Little Heaven by Nick Cutter.  Now that I’ve completed production on Utopia Falls, the author and I can resume work on the series overview.

“Project E: Well, damn.  The proposed screen adaptation of this heavyweight SF author’s work is dead – at least so far as my involvement is concerned.  Sadly, they were unable to reach a deal on the option.  RIP H2-Blue.”

No updates on this one past this original post.  All I can say is that it was a novel written by one of my favorite sci-fi authors – and would have been a very ambitious production on a television budget.  But, then again, that’s what I do.

“Project F: Another book to screen adaptation, this one for an upcoming SF novel – also D.O.A.  RIP Black Knight.”

Another terrific sci-fi author and I look forward to reading this book when it is finally released (as we were working off the author’s notes).  Disappointed we didn’t get far with this one as the producers were distracted by other projects and quickly lost interest.

“Project G: Given the radio silence on this small screen to big screen adaptation of that horror/SF film, I’m calling it D.O.A. as well.  RIP Olympia.”

The production company was looking to adapt their big screen movie to a television setting.  I watched the movie and it was, to be honest, a mediocre execution of a terrific concept.  I came up with what I believed would be a great execution of the original concept – but, alas, the creators didn’t bite.

“Project H (aka Masked): This one has gone quiet as well and, while I’m disappointed, I’m not surprised.  It’s a combination of two elements broadcasters appear to be actively avoiding right now: superheroes and anthologies.  I dub thee…Marbly McMarbleface.”

Masked was an anthology of superhero-themed short fiction, edited by Lou Anders, and featuring contributions from the likes of Marjorie M. Liu, Gail Simone, Mike Carey – and yours truly.  Gizmodo headlined their review of the book thusly: “This book could teach Hollywood to do superheroes right”.  So the rights were optioned but a prospective series found surprisingly little traction for two reasons, I was told.  First – it was an anthology series and anthology series don’t do well.  (Please ignore Black Mirror, I guess).  Second – the superhero market was oversaturated.  (Although that apparently isn’t stopping them from making many more superhero-themed shows).  My guess it was really partly the former, and the fact that it was an original world rather than a big established IP.

“Project I: An original horror concept I pitched as a series that I’m reconsidering pitching as a movie instead.  My prospective new writing partner patiently awaits. I dub thee…Wisp of Darkness.”

Things got so busy with all those other projects that I simply shelved this one – but with things now winding down on several other fronts, I’m thinking of putting together a pitch and shopping it this summer.

“Project J: Big(ger) budget co-pro SF series in the vein of BSG.  Lots of excitement about this one a couple of months ago when the company execs and co-creators came into town, but things have been quiet since.  Have been told it’s still in play – but who knows?  I dub thee…Summer Sky.”

After the original attached showrunner (known in the industry for dialing in drunk to most of his production conference calls) bowed out, I was offered this ambitious sci-fi project.  They had a script and bible and interest from several broadcasters and then…nothing.

“Project K: One of the projects I was most excited about earlier this year was this proposed adaptation of a foreign format.  Ended up watching the entire first season of the original and then pitching my carefully crafted take.  Decision on this one coming in April.  Hopefully.  I dub thee…Snake’s Tub.”

Man, this one was frustrating.  I genuinely loved this foreign series and came up with a pitch for an adaptation that was unique yet paid respect to the original.  I didn’t hear back for months and, after following up, was told that my take paid a little to much respect to the original for their liking.  So I went back at them with another take that they  seemed to like and wanted to discuss internally.  That was almost five months ago.

“Project L: I pitched my take for the live action adaptation of this anime series early this year as well.  I got the sense my vision for the prospective show would be considerably more action-driven, less topical, than what they’re gunning for, but we’ll see.  I dub thee…Quicksilver.”

Much along the same lines, they felt my take was too similar to the source material – which I frankly think is kind of a crazy bump since the whole point of adapting something is to bring to life what made the original so special.  And I’m sure its fans would agree.  It’s the reason why so many North American live-action adaptations of anime have failed = not enough respect for the source material.

“Project M: Earlier this month, I pitched my take for the adaptation of THIS game I’d certainly heard of but never played.  This one feels like a long shot given but, boy, it would be a helluva fun show.  I dub thee…Tarantula.”

StarCraft.  Immersed myself in the game and researched hours of recorded game play.  Came up with a fun take for a prospective t.v. series – but, alas, it didn’t fly.   Too bad.  Would’ve been a blast.

“Project N: A potential adaptation of this clever comic book series is still in its early stages as I attempt to hammer out a take we can all agree on.  I dub thee…Glassy.”

Crosswind.  We have a series overview and now have to discuss next steps.

“Project O: Meanwhile, I’m preparing to pitch my take on this dark, and darkly humorous, horror series sometime next week.  I practiced my pitch on Akemi who covered her face and informed me: “I can’t watch you show.  Too scary!”  If this one goes, it will go fast.  I dub thee…Reflektor.”

This one still stings.  I was told the show had a “blinking green light”.  They were looking for a showrunner.  I was asked to pitch the broadcaster – which I did.  It was only later that I learned I was one of several showrunners in contention. They elected to go with someone else – which is fine, although it would have been nice to have been made aware of the scenario from the get-go.  Still, given everything I’ve heard about the ensuing production, I may have dodged a bullet on that one.

“Project P: Another horror series, this one an original concept (not my own).  No humor, but the horror narrative and the small town setting really makes this one an appealing prospect.  I dub thee…Deep Ocean.”

To the best of my knowledge, this one is still in play.  The prod co. created a sizzle reel to accompany our pitch, so now that I’m free…

“Project Q: Considering going the comic book route with two genre shows too big to be contained on the small screen.  The first is character-driven, near-future, Earth-based SF while the second is a rip-roarin’ ship-based far-future adventure series in the vein of Dark Matter.  Love the idea of writing an ongoing SF comic book series, unhindered by budget and the whims of programming executives.  And I already have a potential artist in mind.  I dub thee…the Flash.”

Pitched both to a publisher and they really responded to the second.  Very much in the preliminary stages.  As for the first idea, I’m thinking of just pitching it as a t.v. series.  Will look to secure a Canadian broadcaster first, then take it wide.

To the aforementioned, let’s add –

Project R: TimEscape.  Will be having a call about the second draft of the pilot on Tuesday.

Project S: A BIG comic book adaptation.  Polishing up this latest revision with my partner on this one, then looking forward to pitching it sometime in August (?).

Project T: This one is different.  For me.  Partnered up with a Canadian icon on this humorous procedural.  We’re finalizing the pitch and then taking it out.  In August (?).

In this business, you have to have so many balls in the air with the hope that one – just one – lands…

 

 

July 7, 2019: Suji Sunday!

Practicing for Tongue Out Tuesday…

Savor it!

Yo, Derpy!

Lulu wants more pawpsicle…

Kinda squishy…

The secret wink!

July 6, 2019: In that Stargate: Atlantis frame of mind!

It’s time for another round of “Name that Episode”…

VFX – Animations “Rising I and II”.  Our story continues…

The hive ship pods reveal

Hive ship swarm

Teyla and Ford on the run

Puddle jumper takes flight

Battle ready!

Hey!  Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to leave a comment for MGM in the yesterday’s comments section.  I’ll be forwarding all of your Stargate-related words of support, concern, and requests for a new series when I hit SDCC in a couple of weeks.

July 5, 2019: It’s time to get this Stargate train back on track!

The first time I attended SDCC was back in July 2007.  We were in full Stargate mode, celebrating SG-1‘s 10th season, and Atlantis‘s 3rd.

Well, 12 years later, I’ll be making my return…

“and MORE!”  

Stay tuned for further details in the days ahead.

From the Comic-Con press release: “Look back at the five years of adventures the intrepid Atlantis team encountered through the gate. View exclusive clips and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, and hear surprise panelists tell you their personal anecdotes from the set!”

I’ve been advised of a few of the surprises in store, and I think those in attendance will be in for a treat.

HOWEVER – so the rest of you not attending don’t miss out, I’m going to try to arrange for the panel to be live-streamed.

Before any of you ask: No, there will not be an announcement being made about a new series.  As far as I know (from what Brad Wright told us at the last con he attended), they’re still in the early discussions.

That being said, you know how I feel about the project of a new Stargate series  = click the link: Stargate – The Next Step.

But I’d like to know how YOU feel.

More importantly, I want MGM to know how YOU feel.

For at least three days this July, representatives from MGM will be stuck with me. And what better way to while away the time than to let them know Stargate fans are still out there, eager for more adventures.  YOU are the hardcore fanbase that will help launch a successful revival (notice I didn’t say reboot) and you need to let them know you’re still out there IMPATIENTLY WAITING to support a new series.  One that offers a fresh jumping on point for newcomers to the franchise, but pays respect to what has come before and honors the established fandom!

So, please, hammer the comments section of today’s entry with your thoughts, concerns, words of support, favorite moments and characters, maybe even a question I could try to sneak into the panel proceedings.

Leave MGM a message.  And I’ll deliver it for you!

July 4, 2019: Super Secret Projects Revealed!

Finally.

Over the course of the past few months, I’ve been making vague references to a total of SEVEN different projects I’m currently work on, all in varying stages of development.  There’s that comic book adaptation and that horror novel adaptation and my (formerly) Untitled Awesome Project and that small-town horror and that BIG comic project and that other original comic book series and the near-future sci-fi.

Well, today, I can actually start referring to the first three by name as they were mentioned in a recent article for Playback magazine authored by the amazing Kelly Townsend, a piece that profiles former Dark Matter/Lost Girl Producer Vanessa Piazza’s upcoming development slate.  Among the projects are no less than THREE with yours truly…

That comic book adaptation…

Crosswind by Gail Simone and Cat Staggs

A slick and ruthless Chicago hitman. A smart but downtrodden Seattle housewife. When an inexplicable event strikes these two random strangers, their bodies, souls, and lives are switched—to potentially deadly effect.

As a longtime fan of Gail Simone, I was positively thrilled to be presented with the opportunity to collaborate with her on this, one of my very favorite of her originals.  It’s a terrific high-concept, character-driven series that offers not only suspense, action, and humor, but a provocative and thought-provoking narrative.

You can get the book here: Crosswind at Comixology

That horror novel adaptation…

Little Heaven by Nick Cutter

A trio of mismatched mercenaries—Micah Shughrue, Minerva Atwater, and Ebenzer Elkins, colloquially known as “the Englishman”—is hired by young Ellen Bellhaven for a deceptively simple task: check in on her nephew, who may have been taken against his will to a remote New Mexico backwoods settlement called Little Heaven, where a clandestine religious cult holds sway. But shortly after they arrive, things begin to turn ominous. There are stirrings in the woods and over the treetops—and above all else, the brooding shape of a monolith known as the Black Rock casts its terrible pall. Paranoia and distrust soon grip the settlement. Escape routes are gradually cut off as events spiral toward madness. Hell—or the closest thing to it—invades Little Heaven. All present here are now forced to take a stand and fight back, but whatever has cast its dark eye on Little Heaven is marshaling its power—and it wants them all…

Five years ago, I picked up a novel called The Troop because I liked the cover blurb.  I started reading and was immediately drawn in.  The writing was exceptional.  So exceptional, in fact, that I was confused.  This random horror novel I’d picked up, written by an author I’d never even heard of, had no business being this good.  I’m talking Top 10 horror novels of all time good.  So I went ahead, did a little research, and discovered Nick Cutter is actually a pseudonym for award-winning Canadian author Craig Davidson.

I read and loved his (Cutter’s) next book, The Deep, and the one after that, Little Heaven.  The latter, I thought, would make a great series along the lines of The Haunting of Hill House or Castle Rock.  So I reached out to Craig and, over a beer or two, gauged his interest in collaborating on an adaptation.  Approximately one year later, here we are.

You can get the book here: Little Heaven at Amazon

And finally, my (formerly) Untitled Awesome Project that actually now HAS a title…

Yes!  In the spirit of the time travel-themed episodes I have written (SG-1‘s Window of Opportunity and Moebius Part 1, SGA‘s The Last Man, and Dark Matter‘s All the Time in the World and Isn’t That A Paradox?) comes this series which, a lot like Stargate and Dark Matter (and, quite frankly, Star Trek, Farscape, and Guardians of the Galaxy) is – at it’s heart – all about camaraderie, friendship, and family.  And, also, VERY colorful characters.

It’s Guardians of the Galaxy meets Dr. Who by way of Back To The Future .

And an insane amount of sci-fi fun.

So, there you have it.

I’ll hopefully have more details on these, and the other projects I’ve been working on, in the coming months.

Discuss!

July 3, 2019: Week’s Best Comic Book Covers!

First of all, I’d just like to say hello (again) to all the Stargate fans out there.  You’ve been far too quiet for far too long.  Let’s see what we can do about that.

Secondly, these were my favorite comic book covers of the week…

Aero #1 (variant cover art by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau)

Aero #1 (variant cover art by John Tyler Christopher)

Banja X #2 (cover art by Fabio Alves)

Batgirl #36 (variant cover art by Joshua Middleton)

DCeased #3 (variant cover art by Franscesco Mattina)

Deathstroke #45 (variant cover art by David Finch)

Green Lantern #9 (cover art by Liam Sharp)

Green Lantern #9 (variant cover art by Frazer Irving)

Justice League #27 (variant cover art by Arthur Adams)

Lois Lane #1 (variant cover art by Jenny Frisson)

Ms. Marvel Annual #1 (variant cover art by John Tyler Christopher)

Over the Garden Wall: Hollow Town (cover art by Miguel Mercado)

Red Sonja #6 (variant cover art by Christan Ward)

The Dreaming (cover art by Nathan Fairbairn, Yanick Paquette)

So, which were your favorites?

July 2, 2019: Hey! What happened to all the Stargate fans?

Are you all taking the summer off?

Okay, one more time.  Name the episode…

VFX Animations – Stargate: Atlantis: “Rising I and II”

Puddle Jumper Surprise

Puddle Jumper is a go!  First shot

Puddle Jumper is a go!  Second shot

Puddle Jumper exits the space gate.

Hive ship reveal.

If I don’t hear from you after this one, I’m sending the police by your homes for a welfare check.

July 1, 2019: Hallucinatory Wraith Feeding!

Came across this little gem on one of my old hard-drives – what appears to be footage from an extended hallucinatory wraith feeding sequence.  It’s actually surprisingly disquieting.  Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to name the episode.

I celebrated Canada Day by completing my latest (and last?) revision on that big comic book pitch.  I’ll give it a once-over tomorrow with a set of fresh eyes, then send it off for the final stamp of approval.  Or further discussion prior to further discussion prior to further discussion before final approval.

Also this week, I’m hoping to get some feedback on the second draft of the pilot for my Untitled Awesome Project.

And, of course, I’m looking forward to four days on location shooting Utopia Falls.  Fortunately, only the final three days are outdoors.  Unfortunately, those are the only days this week in which rain is in the forecast.

Finally, about a week out from wrap, I’m looking ahead to my next big move – and have decided a little house cleaning may be in order…