BLADE RUNNER Again

As one comment read on Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood news post: "And thus, the internet breaks in two." (posted by 'Mike').

It was announced today and later confirmed on Finke's blog that Alcon Entertainment has acquired the rights and Ridley Scott is attached to produce and direct a follow up of his groundbreaking sci-fi film Blade Runner.

Every movie and sci-fi geek knows that Ridley Scott directed two of the most influential sci-fi movies of all time - Alien and Blade Runner. In the last year or so, Scott has been working on a new version of Alien with a project written by Damon Lindelof (Lost) called Prometheus. From what I understand, this will not be a reboot, but more of a prequel or what-happened-up-to type film (a lot like the new The Thing).

As the commenter said above, this just may split all geeks into two factions.  Those that love the new direction and enjoy the fun of a new version of their favorites, and the other group - the ones that feel the Hollywood studios are treading on sacred ground and should begin coming up with more original ideas rather than trying to reboot and change every known movie franchise out there.

Personally, I'm in the second camp.  I wish they would try and make the NEXT Blade Runner -esque film rather than just rehashing the same thing over and over again.  I get that there are 'only twelve stories to tell' or whatever, and I don't mind if a story is "like Blade Runner meets ..." but to make an exact copy or just updated style is a bit ridiculous.  I know it's been done well in the past, and that every 30 years or so we see a lot of copies and remakes, but for crying out loud - it has gone on to epidemic proportions!

Some other funny comments on Twitter:

"Announced: August 2017 Ridley Scott to reimagine GI Jane." @wilzmak
"Announced: June 2015, Thelma and Louise Survived" @writerspry
"Announced: Aliener" @ScreenWritten

Here is the epic trailer for the epic film Blade Runner (1982):


What do you think?  Are you sick of all these reboots and rehashes?

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The Trades

"The Trades" is a term that refers to the various film magazines/newsletters that most people within the entertainment industry subscribe to. They have all the information needed about film, television, theater and music. They are published daily and are sent to most executives and companies throughout the industry.

The two biggest trade magazines (which are also online) are:

Some other news outlets leading the film biz circuit are sites such as:

Some of the lingo that a lot of these magazines and blogs use are hard to decipher at first. It takes some getting used to, but once you start reading them every day you get a sense of what is being said. Below are some terms that I've seen used quite a bit and their appropriate meaning. If you can think of any that I've left out, please post it in the comments.

Helmer: Director
Penned: Writer(s)
Skien: Company
Prexy: President
Exec: Executive
Banner: Title of Company
Thesp: Actor
Picked Up:Purchased or Distributed

I want to talk a little bit more about Film News Briefs.

First of all, let me point out that in my post about Independent Film I neglected to mention the author of the wonderful series on the future of independent film in which I commented on. The author is Neil Turitz and he is the editor of this wonderful service called Film News Briefs.

What they do is compile all of the information from the trade magazines and turn it into a form that can be easily accessible by either email or RSS feed. What I like about this is that I have one source that delivers all of the pertinent news to me from the comfort of my Google Reader.

I suggest everyone go to their website and sign up to receive the updates. While you're there continue reading the series on the Future of Independent Film.

Seriously, check this out, it is worth it.

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