Movie & TV News: Inamorata, Animated Trek, Trickling Trek XI, The Prince, Coming Through Slaughter, Matinee at the Bijou, Mike Fright, Comic Previews

Inamorata
Variety reports that Initial Entertainment Group has picked up the film rights to Joseph Gangemi's "Inamorata," for Johnny Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil. The story happens in Philadelphia in the 1920s, and tells about a Harvard grad student who falls in love with a beautiful psychic whom he is attempting to discredit as a fraud. Infinitum made a point that Depp isn't attached to star in the project. Of course any project set up at an actor's production company is considered a possible starring vehicle. Negotiations are ongoing with Peter Medak to direct the adaptation by the author.

Animated Trek

TrekMovie.com reports that CBS has been pitched a new animated Star Trek that would take the form of short Webcasts (like Cartoon
Networks' Clone Wars series) but the network hasn't responded as of yet.

Trickling Trek XI
There has been little in the way of real news about "Star Trek XI,' not to say that the net isn't rife with rumors. In a Variety article J.J. Abrams did say that the film is "on track to be released in 2008." The most persistant rumors say the story will take place at the Academy and will feature a Cadet Kirk.

The Prince
Dave Kalstein's screenplay "The Prince," (just picked up by Intrepid Pictures) is said to be a "Modern-day 'Count of Monte Cristo'" about a prep school student falsely convicted of a Columbine type attack. After getting out of prison the protagonist seeks revenge on his old friends, from the vantage point of a new identity. He first uses their fears and ambitions, and then kills or exposes their secrets. The Hollywood Reporter says that plans call for a finalized production deal by mid-2007.

Coming Through Slaughter
Paul Maslansky plans to produce a film of Michael Ondaatje's book "Coming Through Slaughter," about jazz legend Buddy Bolden. Ben Ross will adapt the screenplay (with Mark Bailey) and direct. Ondaatje's book tells the life story of Bolden, beginning in early 1900s New Orleans. The legendary cornettist was a formative influence on jazz greats like Louis Armstrong.

Matinee at the Bijou
PBS is bringing back "Matinee at the Bijou" with a new 12-episode season in 2007. The series hoes to "faithfully replicate the pre-1960 movie matinee experience." With cartoons, serial episodes, newsreels, live action shorts and features, the only thing missing will be the uniformed Ushers telling you not to make out in the balcony. The animated shorts will include remastered, in high-definition, cartoons featuring the likes of Betty Boop, Tom & Jerry, and the Fleischer Superman cartoons. Official weblog for the show is at matineebijou.blogspot.com, and Debbie Reynolds will be hosting. The blog plans to contain scheduling and sponsor updates and preview videos.

Mike Fright: Stand Up!