Monday, August 24, 2015

STAR WARS EPISODE IX DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED



At D23, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn announced that writer-director Colin Trevorrow will direct Star Wars: Episode IX, which is set for release in 2019. While production won’t begin for a few years, Trevorrow is heading to Lucasfilm this year to begin working with artists and his fellow Star Wars directors. “Colin is someone I’ve been interested in working with ever since I saw ‘Safety Not Guaranteed,’” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “The power of that film paired with the enormous success of ‘Jurassic World’ speaks volumes about his abilities both as a storyteller and skilled filmmaker. We are thrilled to have such an incredible talent as Colin join our family and step into the Star Wars universe.”

Trevorrow states, “This is not a job or an assignment. It is a seat at a campfire, surrounded by an extraordinary group of storytellers, filmmakers, artists and craftspeople. We’ve been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had—a mythology to call their own. We will do this by channeling something George Lucas instilled in all of us: boundless creativity, pure invention and hope.”

Star Wars: Episode IX will conclude the third trilogy of Star Wars movies that begins with Star Wars: The Force Awakens onDecember 18, 2015.


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"Arrow" Media Guests Cassidy and Blackthorne Come to Baltimore Comic-Con

The Baltimore Comic-Con returns this September 25-27, 2015. Held at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, tickets for the Baltimore Comic-Con and Harvey Awards are now available -- click here to purchase yours now! We are very pleased to announce our first media guests for 2015, Katie Cassidy and Paul Blackthorne, stars of television'sArrow, adapting the DC Entertainment character Green Arrow and his supporting cast. Katie and Paul will be in attendance Saturday and Sunday.


Katie Cassidy, one of Hollywood's most engaging young actresses, can currently be seen as the female lead in the smash hit CW series, Arrow. Based on the DC Entertainment Green Arrow comic, Cassidy plays Laurel Lance, an attorney and ex-girlfriend of Oliver Queen, who becomes Black Canary, fighting crime with Oliver (Green Arrow) and his team.  Cassidy can also be seen in the thriller titled The Scribbler, based on the 2006 Image Comics graphic novel, in which she plays the lead character 'Suki' and co-stars with Michelle Trachtenberg and Eliza Dushku. Cassidy's other film credits include: Monte Carlo, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Taken, Black Christmas, Click,The Lost, and When a Stranger Calls. No stranger to the small screen, Cassidy's other television credits include playing the female lead in CBS's 13-week murder mystery mini-series Harper's Island along with CW's Gossip Girl, Melrose Place, Supernatural, and 7th Heaven.


Off screen, Cassidy is very involved in H.E.L.P Malawi. Katie and H.E.L.P Board Members journeyed to Malawi in 2009 to visit and participate on the grounds. Katie witnessed first hand H.E.L.P's ongoing efforts. While in Malawi, Katie learned how H.E.L.P. utilizes resources in the natural environment to teach the children and the community self-sustaining skills. She helped to plant crops, make stoves out of mud and clay, and harvest the jam and peanut butter ingredients which were grown at the local school. Katie left her special mark in Malawi by creating the Katie Cassidy and Friends Garden. She also designed a necklace to raise money for the foundation that can be purchased online.



British born actor Paul Blackthorne will be returning to primetime TV this fall for a fourth season as Quentin Lance on the CW's hit series Arrow. Father to Cassidy's Laurel, Quentin Lance is a police officer who struggles with the ongoing vigilantism and his role in law enforcement in Central City. Last fall, he appeared in Dumb and Dumber To, the long-awaited sequel to Dumb and Dumber with original cast members, Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels. In 2000 Blackthorne starred as the villainous Captain Russell in the Oscar nominated film Lagaan. The Oscar campaign brought him to Los Angeles where he landed many roles in American television and film. He played manipulative reality show producer, Clark Quietly in ABC's paranormal thriller The River and has appeared opposite Ted Danson in CSI and Callie Thorne in Necessary Roughness. Blackthorne played Stephen Saunders in Season 3 of 24, and starred in NBC's Lipstick Jungleopposite Brooke Shields. He is well known for his portrayal as the inimitable Harry Dresden in the SiFy series The Dresden Files. Other credits include: ER, Deadwood,Burn Notice, and Monk along with the movies Special and A Christmas Carol directed by Robert Zemeckis.


Blackthorne's directorial debut ,This American Journey, was released last fall. This documentary film follows Blackthorne and Australian photographer Mister Basquali as they travel across America interviewing everyday Americans about how they feel about their country and their hopes for its future. Along the way, stereotypes are shattered and wisdom found in the most unexpected places. Blackthorne spends his free time traveling the world, and is an accomplished photographer. His first exhibition, 'Fish Heads and Other Things', took place in London and raised money for Greenpeace. This was followed by 'Bollywood Backpack' which raised money for the Gujarat Indian earthquake victims. His most recent collection, 'Delhi to Manhattan', was presented at Tibet House, New York and chronicles his journey through India, trekking in the Himalayan Tibetan communities and his meeting with the Dalai Lama in Dharmsala as part of 'The Missing Peace' project. Proceeds from this exhibition, which can be viewed at www.paulblackthorne.com, went to the Tibetan children's villages in India. Blackthorne was born in Shropshire, England in 1969. His acting career began at age 12 year when he joined the illustrious National Youth Music Theater at the Edinburgh festival. Blackthorne studied the Spiritual Psychology of Acting in London from 1996-1998 with acclaimed teacher John Osborne-Hughes.

Autograph, Picture, and Media Guest VIP Tickets can be purchased at http://baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets.


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Twitter: ProfessorWhite
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Friday, August 21, 2015

“Mad World” Makes a Comeback in the “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition” Launch Trailer


The upcoming release of “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition” just wouldn't be complete without the return of “Mad World.” So today, Xbox has released the official launch trailer for “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition,” featuring the “Mad World” trailer for the original “Gears of War” reimagined with all new in-game footage – showcasing the first “Gears” at its very best.


The original “Mad World” trailer kicked off the franchise with what is one of the most iconic and recognized trailers in gaming. Paying tribute to the original, the video opens with CG footage from the first “Gears” and then transitions into in-game footage from “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition,” which has been completely remastered in 1080p and modernized with 60fps multiplayer. “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition” launches Aug. 25 and is available for digital pre-order and pre-download now. For more information, stay tuned to Xbox Wire and GearsofWar.com.


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D23 EXPO 2015: PS4 Star Wars Bundle, Disney Infinity, and Kingdom Hearts Announcements


During a presentation at the D23 Expo 2015, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media revealed new details about some of the biggest products in the interactive entertainment industry including Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, Playmation and KINGDOM HEARTS III, plus two new limited edition Star Wars™ PlayStation®4 hardware bundles. “We have the most exciting slate of upcoming game titles in our history, and we’re also focused on new platforms and technologies that enable us to develop experiences we would never have dreamed possible just a few years ago,” said Jimmy Pitaro, co-chairman of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media and president of Disney Interactive.

Highlights from presentation include:
  • On November 17, fans will be able to purchase two very special limited-edition Darth Vader-inspired PlayStation®4 Star Wars bundles: Star Wars: Battlefront and Disney Infinity 3.0: Star Wars. The bundles include a fully customized PS4™ featuring an image of Darth Vader, a controller inspired by Darth Vader’s suit and more. For full information for the Limited-Edition PlayStation®4 Hardware Bundles visit http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/08/16/star-wars-ps4-bundles.
  • John Boyega and Daisy Ridley, co-stars of Star Wars™ The Force Awakens, surprised guests on stage and gave away their character figures, Finn and Rey, for the upcoming Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Play Set based on the film. Photos can be found here http://smu.gs/1JacMiq
    • Other character reveals also included Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia, Spot from Disney•Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur and a limited edition set of Light FX Star Wars™ character figures that light up when placed onto the Disney Infinity Base. Exciting new Disney Infinity integrations with Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line® were also unveiled.
    • For full information about Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition reveals visit http://bit.ly/1Le7F4B
  • Coming this Fall, Playmation Marvel’s Avengers Gamma Gear – inspired by the 7-foot Hulk – lets you smash into battle using motion-sensing technology putting you in the Avengers action. Slip your hands into the Gamma Gear and use the motion-based controls to smash your way through missions and stomp through battlegrounds with different Hulk moves like Ground Slam, Thunder Clap, and other combos. 
  • Square Enix and Disney Interactive revealed that Baymax and other beloved characters ofWalt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning film Big Hero 6 will make their debut in the ever-expanding narrative of KINGDOM HEARTS III. For full information about the Big Hero 6 world in KINGDOM HEARTS III visit http://bit.ly/1Kq0aEP

  • Disney Interactive announced Disney Magic Kingdoms, a new mobile game being created with Gameloft that lets players build the Disney theme park of their dreams by recreating and placing iconic attractions such as Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, California Screamin’ and many more in a fun animated landscape. For full information about Disney Magic Kingdoms visit http://bit.ly/1hgFvwo.

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Twitter: ProfessorWhite
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James Roday's GRAVY | Opening Day (Oct. 2)



It’s Halloween night. A trio of costumed misfits with very special dietary requirements seizes a Mexican cantina and forces the staff to engage in a late night of gluttony. The only caveat is what’s on the menu…and who will survive ‘til morning! This deliriously demented horror-comedy is a true feast for genre fans. Stuffed with an outstanding ensemble cast and perfectly seasoned with laughs and scares, you’ll be sure to ask for seconds on Gravy.

GRAVY is the feature film directorial debut of JAMES RODAY (Psych) and written by Roday and Todd Harthan (Psych, Dominion) starring an an all-star ensemble cast that includes: MICHAEL WESTON (State of Play, Garden State), JIMMI SIMPSON (House of Cards, White House Down), SUTTON FOSTER (Younger, Bunheads), LILY COLE (Snow White and the Huntsman), MOLLY EPHRAIM (Last Man Standing), PAUL RODRIGUEZ (Ali),GABRIEL LUNA (True Detective, Wicked City), LOTHAIRE BLUTEAU (Vikings, The Tudor), ETHAN SANDLER (The Bourne Supremacy, Crossing Jordan), DULE HILL (Ballers, Psych), with GABOUREY SIDIBE (Empire ,Precious) and SARAH SILVERMAN (Wreck-It Ralph).

GRAVY opens in select cities on October 2nd (including NY & LA) and on-demand October 6th. For more information about the movie, please visit www.GravyMovie.com

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Thursday, August 20, 2015

Press Play Invites Gamers to Help Choose and Develop its Next Game


Microsoft announced that Press Play, the development studio behind “Kalimba” and “Max: The Curse of Brotherhood” will be opening up the studio and the development process for its next game. For this new transparent development initiative, Press Play will be giving the gaming community a chance to provide feedback and work together on creating the studio’s next game. Full details are on the Press Play website, but gamers have between now and Sept. 1 to review the three game concepts, register for the program and vote for which title should be Press Play’s next game.

The three game concepts under consideration are:

Project: Dwarka
  • Team up with a group of friends and become a band of legendary dwarven treasure hunters, exploring a procedurally generated underworld filled with gold and monstrosities. As dwarves, you are experts in underground survival and have the tools to overcome any obstacle in your way – be they bottomless pits, insurmountable walls, collapsed mines, flooded tunnels…or deadly monsters. Get the gold! Get out! Leave no dwarf behind!

Project: Karoo
  • A physics based multiplayer construction game set in an open world. Imagine a game where you got to play as an inventor who had the ability to construct any kind of vehicle. A game where you could travel far and wide in your inventions and bring back new parts and valuable items. Imagine the inventions were all subject to the laws of physics; if they collided with objects or the ground, they would split into a thousand pieces. Imagine a game world where new places were regularly discovered and ready to be explored. Imagine your friends could be there too.

Project: Knoxville
  • A 3rd person multiplayer action-survival game in which players must both work together and against each other. It is framed as a sadistic game show somewhat similar to the ones seen in The Hunger Games and The Running Man. But here’s the thing: All of the contestants can survive if they work together and don’t let greed or personal gain get the best of them. With this game we aim to go further than anyone else, when it comes to dynamic relationships and spectator interaction.


Beyond this initial feedback, the community will get the chance to engage with Press Play throughout development. Some of the things that Press Play is planning as part of this process include sharing early builds of the game and having community members join meetings and project reviews via Skype. And of course, that’s in addition to regular forum activity, lots of video, and frequent blog updates. For further information, visit the Press Play site or Xbox Wire. More news to be share after the tally of the votes.


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Twitter: ProfessorWhite
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