Tru Calling Gets the Axe

... which does nothing to help the horrible smelly armpits. Sorry. Deodorant humour. I kill myself sometimes. Fortunately not something Tru Calling has to worry about because Fox have decided to do it instead, if MiracleHQ are to be believed. Yes, after cutting the running order to six episodes down from thirteen, they've decided to do away with it completely. There are apparently no plans to air the last six episodes either, although they may find their way onto DVD. get it free on http://howtoburnacd.info/

Lets hope they have better luck with their new offering, "Point Pleasant" (run by The Nox), and their pilot for an unnamed supernatural drama by Richard Hatem, who, IMDB helpfully informs me, wrote Under Siege 2 (wow, now I'm impressed).

If you feel the need, please witter on about this, or other topics, on our Posting Board.

Buffy/Angel Crew Update & More on Tru

An interesting piece on Aint it Cool News has some sad news for fans of Eliza Dushku's latest incarnation, Tru:

“Tru Calling” has been pushed back to 2005, and may only produce six episodes for its second season, according to [...] Tuesday morning’s Variety. Longtime “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” writer Jane Espenson had just joined the skein this year as part of her new two-year deal at Fox Television.

and also has a great roundup of the latest movements of various members of the former Mutant Enemy team, for example, our old friend Marti, popularly credited with turning our favourite supernatural drama into a turgid soap opera in the latter seasons. Oh, did I say that *outloud*?

The same network, meanwhile, just ordered 12 episodes of “Point Pleasant,” a “Twin Peaks”-ish supernatural primetime soap created by former “Buffy” showrunner Marti Noxon.

I jest of course, and we at Buffy's Domain of Delight wish Marti all the luck in the world on her latest project.

For the full round up, see the original article, and then stop by the posting board discussion to air your views. Thanks to ARareJul for the heads up.

More on X3

Fresh from the posting board (thanks Nameless):

By Dave Davis
Contributing sources: Production Weekly, Jason B.

About a month ago, Buffy the Vampire Slayer mastermind Joss Whedon publicly declared an interest in taking on the next X-Men movie now that Bryan Singer has traded mutants for a cape and a big "S". Was someone at Fox listening?

If the industry newscatcher Production Weekly is to be believed (and I'm told they're rarely wrong, if ever), ears were indeed open, and wise decisions were made. According to them, Whedon is onboard to direct X3, with the production gearing up in Vancouver next June.

Of course, there's currently no script, and to the best of my knowledge no major talent has actually signed for the movie (and we know Halle Berry has little interest in returning unless she's in the spotlight). But Whedon certainly has a handle on the characters judging by his excellent run on Marvel's Astonishing X-Men series, and we know from his remarkable television work that he can juggle multiple characters, so it probably wouldn't be too difficult for him to whip up a fine screenplay (especially considering he worked on the first film's script).

As a massive Whedon fan I know I'd be first in line to see it, but he's currently putting the finishing touches on Serenity, the feature follow-up to his space western series Firefly, so we'll see if he's got time for mutant mayhem.

Another interesting superhero note: Production Weekly also lists (as rumored) Jim Caviezel as starring in Singer's Superman movie (subtitled Unbelievable).

Only time will reveal thier prognostication skills, and if Millar or Knowles wins their bet.

Amy Acker Pregnant

Apparently Amy Acker revealed at an autograph signing on Saturday that she's up the du - er ... five and a half months pregnant with a boy. Buffy's Domain extend their congratulations to Amy and her husband James Carpinello, and wish them well. Thanks to Slayerverse for the story and Never Been Slayed's eagle eyes for posting it.

Original Story (with picture)
Posting board discussion

"Buffy Not Indecent," says FCC

The Register, home of important news and issues being raised in the IT industry (!), recently posted a news article stating that the FCC (US Federal Communications Commission) has rejected a complaint from everyone's favourite Militant Mums' Organistation, the Parents Television Council (is anyone else having MOO flashbacks here?) that an episode of Buffy was "indecent". The episode in question was "Smashed". See the following links for the original story, the register's letterbag about the article, and the posting board discussion.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/10/buffy_complaint_rejected/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/13/buffy_letters/
http://www.buffysdomain.com/cgi-bin/board/ikonboard.cgi?s=...

Cinescape Poll Victory for Joss

Joss Whedon was recently named favourite to direct the new X Men movie, in a poll by Cinescape, since Bryan Singer has parted from the franchise to helm Superman. He beat off tough competition from the likes of Ridley Scott and James Cameron. The poll has already been noticed, too, with IGN's Filmforce highlighting the results. Here's hoping this comes to the attention of some of the movers and shakers in Hollywood. Thanks to Slaygal for the info, full articles follow:

(For discussion of this topic, visit the posting board)

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CINESCAPE Poll Results

POLL RESULTS: Who you think should direct X-MEN 3

It's someone who's already got experience with the mutants...
For the past two weeks CINESCAPE has ran a poll asking our readers which one director from a list of eight candidates should be picked by 20th Century Fox to take over the reigns of the X-MEN movie franchise. With Bryan Singer out of the big chair to try and bring the Man of Steel to the silver screen again, Fox needs someone who can elevate the franchise to the next level. Someone who has the vision to show us a Dark Phoenix movie that won't be easily forgotten, or what 30-foot tall Sentinels look like in real life.

And you spoke up. Over 4,000 votes were received and a clear winner emerged from the short list of professionals. In ascending order your list of the best canidates to direct X-MEN 3 were:

2% -- Rob Bowman (ELEKTRA)

5% -- David Goyer (BLADE: TRINITY)

7% -- Alex Proyas (I, ROBOT)

9% -- The Wachowski brothers (The MATRIX trilogy)

10% -- Ridley Scott (GLADIATOR)

14% -- James Cameron (TITANIC)

15% -- Guillermo del Toro (HELLBOY)

And the winner with 35% of the popular vote was Joss Whedon (SERENITY, creator of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER). Whedon's got the experience: not only did he perform an uncredited rewrite on the first X-MEN movie, he's also currently writing the monthly ASTONISHING X-MEN comic book series for Marvel Comics. While the fans may have spoken, the Joss-man may not have the time to come save the day for Professor X and his pals since he's knee-deep in filming SERENITY and then has to get it through post-production in time to make the film's April 22, 2005 opening date. Still, there's nothing preventing Fox from hanging on for a few months and maybe cough up enough greenbacks to interest Whedon, right?

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X-Men 3 Fallout
Singer & Fox's divorce now official.

August 06, 2004 - The Hollywood Reporter and Variety report that director Bryan Singer and 20th Century Fox have officially parted company. The X-Men director recently agreed to helm Superman for rival Warner Brothers, despite his production company Bad Hat Harry having a two-year deal with Fox.

Although Fox and Singer had been in talks about him returning to direct X-Men 3, the deal was never sealed. It should be noted that X-Men 3 was not part of Singer's overall deal with Fox.

Singer is now based on the WB lot where, in addition to Superman, he's also developing a remake of Logan's Run. Although THR said Singer hadn't yet signed an overall deal with Warners, Variety contradicts this. The trade claims the "Warner deal is not an expensive one, because Singer only develops projects he plans on shooting and is not the sort of producer who develops numerous projects or demands a hefty discretionary fund."

Variety adds that, for now, "who will direct X3 for Fox remains unclear, as does its potential start date. Insiders say Singer would be happy to be involved with the pic even if only as a producer, but the ball is in Fox's court."

For what it's worth, a recent fan poll at Cinescape Online named Joss Whedon the favorite to replace Singer as director of the next Marvel mutant movie. X-Men 3 was slated for a May 3, 2006 release.

Joss Whedon Speaks at Wizard World Chicago

Mentioned original plan for Buffy finale...

Thanks to Kyle for the info...

Buffy Animated Series and Aly's Hair!

This is why our postnig board members are the best. A big thanks to Lisa and Dani for the info!

Jeph Loeb talked exclusively to SFX about the Buffy Animated Series...

"Mere months after the cancellation of angel and the assumption that the buffy franchise was well and truley dead comes the news that the long-mooted Buffy animated series may finally happen.

The show was all set to go two years ago when fox pulled the plug on the proposed series. According to Loeb, scripts had been written, characters had been designed and actors had cleared their schedules when fox decided to bail on the project. Now, though, with no buffy on our screens, Fox has decided to ressurect the animated show.

Loeb confirms they've already had Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head and Nicholas Brendon in the studio recording their voice parts, however, he's reluctant to confirm how many other Buffy actors will be joining the new show. Sarah Mic helle Gellar has turned down the offer to return, with buffy now being played by actress Giselle Loren, who has already voiced the vampire slayer in two video games.

The series will be set when buffy and the Scooby gang are still at high school, though Loeb maintains that the series wont be intended for a younger audience.

"We never set out to aim for a younger audience, but we didnt want the cartoons to have sex either," he laughs. "Its still true to the humour, horror and wit of Buffy, and yet, its something all its own. Since its set in the first year - Joss calls it Episode 7.5 because Buffy has now met Angel, but doesnt know about his 'angelus' side - Joss felt that the metaphors fro teen angst were never stronger or more clearly felt then in the early high school years."

Also, it seems that Aly has gotten a new haircut. Take a look here.

Gorgeous as always.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!