20th Century Fox has one spot which'll go to one of their superhero projects (either Daredevil or X2).

First 10 Minutes of Darkness Falls Online
Reuters reports in an unusual move, the first 10 minutes of upcoming horror picture Darkness Falls will premiere on the Web this week to help promote the movie.

The footage will be posted exclusively on Yahoo! Movies(http://www.movies.yahoo. com) beginning Wednesday -- timed as darkness first hits the U.S. at about 4:48 p.m. EST. Footage will be available through Friday.

After viewing the Darkness sequence once, Netizens will be able to view the footage again with a commentary from the picture's director Jonathan Liebesman, similar to on a DVD.

The picture, from Revolution Studios and Columbia Pictures, officially bows in theaters Jan. 24.

In Darkness Falls, Kyle Walsh (Chaney Kley) returns home to confront his troubled past and save his childhood sweetheart Caitlin (Emma Caulfield) and her younger brother Michael (Lee Cormie) from an unrelenting evil that has plagued the town of Darkness Falls for more than 150 years.

"We're extremely proud of 'Darkness Falls', and can think of no better way to demonstrate that than by giving fans an advance edge-of-your-seat experience via the Internet," said Terry Curtin, Revolution's head of worldwide distribution and marketing.

Willow and Wesley Sitting In a Tree

E! it's a match made in Sunnydale as Buffy's sidekick Alyson Hannigan and former Buffy the Vampire Slayer and current Angel player Alexis Denisof are engaged. A rep for the actress confirmed Tuesday that Denisof, aka Wesley Wyndham-Pryce, popped the question over their holiday hiatus while the Scoobies were doing the vacation thing in California's wine country.

It will be the first marriage for both. The twosome met on Buffy during the 1999-2000 season, but didn't become an item right away. "Actually, I had a crush on him from the moment he showed up on set, and he was the good one who said, 'Not while we're working together...' blah blah blah, whatever," Hannigan recounted to E! Online.

"So we became friends for a couple of years, and I was dating somebody else [Marilyn Manson drummer Ginger Fish], and when that didn't work out, he was on Angel and we just started dating."

1.13.03
Disney's Pirates Headed for the Supernatural
Fango spoke with producer Jerry Bruckheimer about his plans for the upcoming supernatural pirate horror flick, Pirates of the Caribbean.

"Disney came to me and said we're going to make this movie...and gave me a script and I wasn't nuts about the script," Bruckheimer said. "I said, 'It's an interesting idea' -- there were some interesting elements in the script that were great. We brought in the two writers who wrote Shrek...They turned it into something that was more supernatural and really fascinating to me. The pirates are cursed and that really excited me.

"The pirates -- what happens is they stole this cursed treasure and unless they put the treasure back, they never die, they can't enjoy life," Bruckheimer continues. "They can't enjoy food or sex. All they want to do is plunder and get more and more and more gold. And in the moonlight, they turn into skeletons. So, you can just imagine the effects. ILM is doing the effects. [Director] Gore Verbinski, who did The Ring, is very imaginative and is working with ILM. I've never seen skeletons like this. They have actual features and pieces of flesh and their costumes still on, so it's fascinating."

For his cast, Bruckheimer recruited a number of genre veterans including House on Haunted Hill's Geoffrey Rush, The Lord of the Ring's Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp. "Geoffrey Rush is just such a great actor. He plays the bad pirate. Johnny Depp plays the good pirate who is trying to get his ship back that Geoffrey Rush stole and Orlando Bloom just wants to get his girlfriend back who is Keira Knightly."

1.10.03
House of 1000 Corpses Soundtrack Update
Bloody Disgusting reports they've gotten word about the House of 1000 Corpses soundtrack from Rob Zombie's personal assistant. It will contain five new Zombie songs, classic tracks from the Ramones, Slim Whitman, Buck Owens and Helen Kane.

Also included will be seven instrumental tracks and sound bites. Plus a booklet featuring never before seen photos from House of 1000 Corpses.

Dracula 2000 Director Signs on for Totem
Coming Soon reports (via DH) that Patrick Lussier (Dracula 2000) is set to helm Revolution Studios' psychological horror flick Totem about a killer scarecrow.

Berry & Cruz Sign On for Horror Pic
Variety reports Halle Berry and Penelope Cruz will star in the horror picture Gothika. Berry will portray a criminal psychologist who awakens to find herself a patient in the institution that employs her, with no memory of a murder she's accused of committing. As she tries to regain her memory, she becomes the pawn of a vengeful spirit. Cruz will portray a fellow mental patient.

The project is set up at producer Joel Silver's Dark Castle banner, which was last in theaters with Ghost Ship. Sebastian Gutierrez (Judas Kiss, The Big Bounce) wrote the Gothika script; no director is attached.

Cube 2 Official Site Launches
Lennie, the designer for the official Cube 2: Hypercube website, dropped us a line to let us know the site's live. Very cool and loaded with stuff, go give it a look here!

1.9.03
Stephen King for Kids?
This one's a little off-the-wall, but what the hell. Publisher's Weekly reports (via The StephenKingNews.com newsletter) that Stephen King has agreed to do an "abridged, pop-up edition" of The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. The deal was initiated by Robin Corey. Corey is the publisher for novelty and media tie-ins at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Although the pop-up edition isn't expected to be published until late in 2004 at the very earliest, Corey hopes this will be the first of many Stephen King pop-up projects.

Screamfest Call for Entries
Screamfest, the Independent Horror Film Festival in Los Angeles, announced its call for entries for 2003.  Now in it's third year, Screamfest is looking for submissions from filmmakers across the globe to fill the following categories for both film and scripts; Horror Feature, Horror Short, Horror Super Short (under 10 minutes), Horror Comedy, Documentary (haunt or horror related), Horror Animation, Horror Animation Short, Horror Animation Super Short, Student Horror Feature Film, Student Horror Short and Student Horror Super Short.  The entry fee for films is $25 - $40 depending on category.  Writers can enter their scripts for $30 for consideration or $60 for consideration and script coverage from the panel of Screamfest judges, which in the past have included literary agents and development executives.

The films are judged on all aspects including cinematography, editing, make-up and special effects.  Winners of last year's Screamfest Crystal Skull Award also left with one of the following prizes; Movie Magic Software such as Movie Magic Screenwriter and Movie Magic Budgeting & Scheduling, a Moviola camera rental package w/ Arri lights & Sennheiser boom mic package, Hollywood Creative Directories, Script Coverage from the Story Factory, LLC or a special package from the Writers' Script Network.

Screamfest 2002 also featured a Q&A with William Friedkin and a closing night guest panel on censorship with Wes Craven, John Carl Buechler, Robert Koeler (Daily Variety) and was moderated by Henry Sheehan.

Screamfest accepts all films completed after Jan. 1, 2001. The deadline for entry is July 15, 2003.The festival will be held in Los Angeles from Oct. 11 - 19, 2003.

1.8.03
Halloween 9 Cast Rumors Already Shot Down
Dark Horizons (via Moviehole) says rumors that Bianca Kajlich would be in Halloween 9 are not true. Via her official web site, Kajlick says I was in Seattle all through the holiday...lest my evil twin is now also an actress, I am not signed up for any upcoming Halloween projects.

Gary Oldman Joining Harry Potter?
According to THR, Gary Oldman is in talks to join Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Oldman would play wizard Sirius Black. Moviehole says the third installment of the studio's franchise based on author J.K. Rowling's book series will begin production Feb. 17

The Punisher Lead Cast
According to a report on FilmForce (via Moviehole), an actor has been chosen to play The Punisher - but the studio hasn't officially released a thing yet. The report says the actor who has been selected is 'not a huge star, but known, very respected, and very good for the role.'

In possible related news, Dark Horizons reports that ESPN commentators were saying Howie Long had the part -- they do a lot of jokin' on ESPN, so we don't know if that's anymore than goofing around.

Final Destination Site Live
DH reports the official site for the horror sequel Final Destination 2 is now up. Click'm.

1.7.03
Friday the 13th Special Edition DVD - Not in U.S.
DVD File reports (via Fango) Friday the 13th will get the special edition DVD treatment -- but only overseas. The new DVD will be released by Warner, and include the film's "international cut" (with slightly longer takes of some of the murder scenes), a "Return to Crystal Lake" documentary featuring new interviews with director/producer Sean Cunningham, actresses Adrienne King and Betsy Palmer and screenwriter Victor Miller, and other extras. Despite rumors that have been floating around, Paramount told the site that there are still no plans for special-edition discs of any of the Friday films in the United States.

Anaconda Getting Sequel?
Columbia Pictures' 1997 hit Anaconda may finally get a sequel. Dwight Little (Murder at 1600) is in negotiations to direct Anaconda II, which will be developed by Columbia's mid-budget label Screen Gems.

The original picture starred Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube as documentary makers terrorized in the rain forest by a giant snake. The film grossed more than $136 million worldwide.

NYC Horror Film Festival Call for Entries
New York City Horror Film Festival organizers announced the call for entries to the second annualfestival (2003). New York's original horror film festival will expand the festival to a five day event to take place Oct. 24 - 28, 2003. Once again, the festival will be held at the prestigious Tribeca Film Center in lower Manhattan with special screenings, parties, celebrity guests and free giveaways.

For a complete details and wrap-up of the 2002 festival go to: www.Moodudefilms.com

1.3.03
Horror Snowglobes from NECA!
Figures.com interviewed Ed Repka, art director for the National Entertainment Collectible Association, who talked about some awesome new stuff to spend your breadola on. What sort of stuff? Freddy, Leatherface and Misfits snowglobes, little wind-up, walking characters, and more classic horror toys.

"We are working on some of those (wind-up, walking toys) for Disney, but none of the other licenses yet. We're doing the classic (Disney) characters and some villains, although it's still up in the air which ones exactly will be produced, but I did some designs, just to feel them out a while ago. Many projects take months to come to fruition, although some get done very quickly," Repka said.

"We are going to do more (dolls) of Vincent Price. I just finished designs for Dr. Phibes (Price's character in the 1971 revenge tale The Abominable Dr. Phibes and its 1972 sequel Dr. Phibes Rises Again). That'll be very good. We have two heads, a Vincent Price head and (a disfigured) head. It'll also come with a victrola."

It's high time that toys of Price were available. His peers in the motion picture industry have been rendered as playthings over the years, but, "No one's really (released toys of) him. He's one of the icons of horror and yet there were no action figures of him. I'd love to do an 8" action figure of him, like (the "Universal Monsters" line issued by Sideshow Toy). That'd be great. We might do a Vincent Price as Dr. Phibes bobber, too. I have a design for that. But it'll depend upon sales of 'The Raven.' it always comes back to that!"

Repka also sees NECA issuing more snowglobes in years to come. For him, they're a fun medium to work with, offering a self-contained environment similar to a diorama.

"It's very interesting," he says. "Previously, I'd worked with snowglobe design, but it was usually a Santa Claus in there. Snowglobes have taken off. They're like the new hot item that everybody seems to do. We're working on a Gremlins, a Hellraiser, and a Leatherface (from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) globe. (We) already have (globes of) Freddy (Kruger from Nightmare On Elm Street) and Jason (from Friday the 13th) completed. They're both excellent sculpts by Sam Greenwell and contain bloody red flakes, not snow."

Mick Garris Interview
Just got a line from Lilja's Library that they have a brand new interview with Mick Garris. He said he hopes to have the movie version of Riding the Bullet out this year and that Desperation airs on ABC in 2004. Click here to check out the whole enchilada (along with the new slick redesign over at Lilja's.)

Producer Talks Ring Sequel Details
TV Guide Online talked with some folks behind The Ring and their plans (or lack thereof) for the sequel. First off, what will the sequel be about?

"We have to figure something out quick," admits Walter Parkes, the producer behind last fall's blockbuster thriller. "Truthfully, the most interesting story to tell on The Ring is a prequel. I would be fascinated about how that little girl came into this world, what those parents thought they were getting and what they got -- and what they got rid of!

"So," he continues, "just from a screenwriting point of view, I'd say that's the story to tell. The producer in me is worried about a prequel. Just because, has there ever been a successful prequel?"

Of course, the Japanese version of The Ring has a prequel and a sequel already.

"Since [the story is] the creation of this monster," Parkes adds, the filmmakers may go a route that's "not unlike the Godfather. Maybe you can do both: Have half the story going forward and half the story going backward, and have the two things meet.

"The first Japanese Ring was a very delicate balance of conventional horror elements and very unconventional Japanese spiritual strangeness," he says, "so we need to find a similar delicate mix on this next one for it to work. I mean, look, you can always just put out something called Ring 2 and [it would open big], but the hope is to make something that is as good or better than the first."

Besides the distorted countenances of the little girl's victims, one familiar face you may see again is that of Naomi Watts. Will the popular Ring star come back? "We have the opportunity for her to return," Parkes hedges, "and it's our intention for her to return, but it's all about the script."

MGM Confirms Jeepers Creepers 2 Release Delayed
MGM confirms what Fango had reported a bit back regarding the Jeepers Creepers 2 release. It will not be released till Labor Day next year said writer/director Victor Salva. Salva says that the move has nothing to do with the film itself and that MGM is quite happy with it, but that the "market is too flooded" to give the movie a good run earlier than that.

With potential blockbusters such as Timeline, Bulletproof Monk, X-Men 2, The Matrix Reloaded, The Core and Dreamcatcherall hitting theaters in the spring, it's not really surprising JC2 was backed up.

David Fincher Directing MI3?
Dark Horizon reports David Fincher will direct Mission Impossible 3 with Tom Cruise set to star in the third flick. A May 2004 release date is being bandied about.

Morgan Freeman in Se7en Sequel
IMDb reports (via DH) that Morgan Freeman's character William Somerset will return in a Se7en sequel. He matches wits with a psychically endowded serial killer, however Bradd Pitt will not return - his character will reportedly be mentioned, but he will not appear. He will be in a mental hospital.

12.31.02
Dave McKean's Narcolepsy Set for U.K.
Diamond Comics reports that a softcover version of Dave McKean's Narcolepsy will be released in the U.K.

This catalog, featuring new paintings and sections on photography, film, print, and comics will feature chapter introductions by Iain Sinclair, Keith Griffiths, Paul Gravett, Leo DeFreitas, and Dave McKean.

Edward Scissorhands & Castle Snow Globe
Johnny Depp's role as Edward Scissorhands is forever preserved in this Edward Scissorhands Motion Globe as a tempest swirls around Edward and inside Edward's heart.

Scheduled to ship from Diamond in April, check with your local comics store if you have a spare $109 layin' around.

Lansdale & Truman Take Zombie Western Comic to Avatar
Joe R. Lansdale and Timothy Truman have teamed up with Avatar Press for the comic series Dead Folks. The first issue is due out sometime in March. With a similar look as their Jonah Hex work, this comic is described as more mayhem, death and, of course, zombies, per page than any other book on the market. Here's the synopsis.

"Wayne is a bounty hunter, but he has the bad luck to be one in the middle of a desert filled with the undead. But he has to bring in his man if he wants to get paid, and the dead folks best get out of his way if they know what's good for 'em. But of course, being dead, they don't."

Angel Action Figure Series 2 Ready
After several delays, Moore Action Collectibles says the second action figure line for Angel is ready for release. The three figures are Wesley, Darla and Lorne. Click here to see photos at Figures.com.

New Professor Dumbledore Names?
According to E Online, British actor Michael Gambon (not Ian McKellan) will step into the shoes of the late Richard Harris for future Harry Potter films. The trade says Gambon will portray Dumbledore for the remainder of the Harry Potter films.

Director Talks Mad Max 4
In an interview with First Magazine (via DH), Director George Miller talked a bit about Mad Max 4's current status: "We're almost done on the script, and we hope to get filming early in the year. Yes Mel's back on board (in response to his payment) He's worth every cent. I mean would you watch a Mad Max film without Mel?". In terms of casting - "We've a bit of a way to go there. But Mel has an idea to put Robert Downey Jnr - who I adore by the way - in a role, and I myself would love to see some of the faces from the earlier films return be it Tina Turner, Emil Minty."

12.29.02
Extras Needed for Diary of Ellen Rimbauer
The StephenKingNews e-mail reports casting for extras is being conducted for The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer miniseries. Casting of princial players is complete but if you're in the Seattle area and are interested in being an extra, contact Atmosphere Casting of Seattle. They are particularly looking for people of African American and Asian ethnicity.

Applicants can register online at www.atmospherecasting.com, or they can send head shots and resumes to Atmosphere Casting, PMB258, 6523 California Ave. S.W., Seattle 98136. For more information, call 206-933-5593. Filming starts Jan. 8 and is scheduled to wrap on Feb. 12.

Freddy vs. Jason Report
The latest Rue Morgue magazine (which kicks serious ass by the way) reports Freddy vs. Jason closed up shooting Nov. 22 in rural Vancouver, British Columbia and got a few details from director Ronny Yu (Bride of Chucky). A few spoilers ahead.

"Jason is a very reality based character while Freddy exists in a mystical world," Yu said. "Freddy tricks Jason into helping to free his soul, using Jason's mother as a lure. When Jason finds out that he's been tricked, he's determined to destroy Freddy. It's personal; you don't mess with Jason's mother. Basically, the game is: when Jason gets into Freddy's nightmare world, Freddy can dominate, but when Freddy's in Jason's reality world, here on earth, there's no protection for him and Jason can kick his ass."

The article goes on to say the film opens a Camp Crystal Lake, where Jason rises from his underground grave, only to be confronted by the ghost of a weakened Freddy, who, while pretending to be Jason's mother, strikes a bargain with Jason.

"The metaphor we're using in this film is that modern teenagers, they're drugged out on Prozac and they don't know Freddy and Freddy can't get into their heads," Robert Englund (Freddy) said. "That's where Freddy needs Jason's help. He needs the teenagers to start having nightmares again."

Dreamcatcher Early Screening
An advanced screening of Stephen King's Dreamcatcher will take place at the New York Fangoria Weekend of Horrors Jan. 11.

Parasite Eve Movie Synop Rumors
A Dark Horizon source reports a script for the computer game Parasite Eve has been going around (seems Madonna may no longer hold the rights) with the synopsis varying greatly from the games' storyline (ala Resident Evil). PE's rumored plot is as follows:

"It is the year 2044, the high-tech city known as Datalis which is soley controlled by the company known as Pierce Technologies has been overun by mutant creatures known as CYBORGS, unveiled at a Christmas Eve Festival by the owner of Pierce Tech., Melissa Pierce. A special force unit, led by Agent Aya Brea, is Datalis' only hope, as they go up against the CYBORGS and their leader, the mysterious Mother Eve."