Movie & TV News: The Prisoner, The Taking, Resident Evil: Extinction, Deadman, Madman, Tinkerbell, Peter Pan in Scarlet, Mike Fright, Comic Previews

The Prisoner
The Hollywood Reporter says that AMC has taken over plans to air a remake of the 1968 TV series "The Prisoner." The original Patrick McGoohan series was seen on CBS in 1967-'68. The new series is supposed to adhere closely to the original and tell of a man who quits his job (we're pretty sure it's a Government position, though we are never told) and finds himself inexplicably trapped in "the Village," stripped of his identity and unable to remember how he got there. Here everyone is identified by number instead of name, and he, Number Six, doggedly tries to discover the truth about this place, why he's there and, most importantly, how he can escape. There will be a minimum of six or eight episodes and shooting starts in the spring. While the series should air in January 2008, AMC is hedging their bets by also getting the rights to the original series and showing those as part of the package.

The Taking
Variety reports that Sam Raimi has appointed William Hamm to run his Ghost House Television banner, and that the company's first scripted project will be a miniseries adaptation of Dean Koontz's novel "The Taking," but no writer has been picked to adapt. This story tells of an apocalyptic rain that promotes an otherworldly invasion. The unlikely heroes are a husband and wife, whose traumatic childhood may be key to turning back the invasion.

Resident Evil: Extinction

THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD!-- THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD!--THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD!-- THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD!-- THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD!

A press release from Sony states that the third movie in the franchise, "Resident Evil: Extinction," will be the last, despite what rumors are floating around. They call the film "the third and final installment" of Resident Evil series. Here is what they say is going to happen in this installemnt: Alice (Milla Jovovich), who is now hiding in the Nevada desert, joins forces again with Carlos Olivera (Oded Fehr) and L.J. (Mike Epps), along with other survivors to attempt to finsih off the virus that is making every human being one of the undead. Since she was captured by the Umbrella Corporation, Alice has been the subject of biogenic experimentation and has super-human strengths, senses and dexterity. Russell Mulcahy directed producer Paul W.S. Anderson's script and the film shows up in theaters on September 21, 2007.

Deadman
Slashfilm interviewed Guillermo del Toro about the story of Boston Brand. The director said: "What happened is, I've gotten an incredibly beautiful offer from Warner Bros to finance a trailer. So they said we'll finance a trailer so that you can show us what you see the movie being like. And I'm going to storyboard and script a little three minute trailer."

Madman

Variety has published a report that Dimension Films will be adapting the Michael Allred comic "Madman" as a live-action film. Madman is a guy killed in a car accident, then reanimated by an eccentric doc who names him Frank Einstein and gives him enhanced senses, psychic power and exceptional physical skills. Since he must wear a mask to cover the face that the doctor was unable to fix, the character becomes a superhero (of sorts). George Huang is directing the script he and Allred will write, while Robert Rodriguez and Elizabeth Avellan will produce.

The Tinkerbell Movie
Disney will delay release of "The Tinkerbell Movie" to 2008 or 2009 instead of 2007. Disney Consumer Products could lose some $500 million as a result of lost merchandise sales, due to the decision. On the jimhillmedia.com website, Jim Hill says that the direct-to-DVD movie was to be the vanguard of the newest franchise, Disney Fairies, and carried with it a substantial array of new toys scheduled to hit retailers in October. Hill quotes sources that say "The Tinkerbell Movie" is leaning towards too young an audience (children 4-6) and that the product line was targeting "tween" girls.

Peter Pan in Scarlet
The recent, officially sanctioned sequel to J.M. Barrie's classic children's tale "Peter Pan," has had its film and television rights picked up by Two U.K. goverment-backed firms and an independent producer. Geraldine McCaughrean's "Peter Pan In Scarlet" was sanctioned by the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity Trustees (GOSHCC), the beneficiary of Barrie's will. Charles Denton, GOSHCC executive director, said: "We have no doubt that they will help to build on the ongoing success of Geraldine McCaughrean's brilliant sequel, which will continue to raise vital funds for GOSHCC in the way J.M. Barrie had intended when he gifted the copyright to 'Peter Pan' to the hospital."

Mike Fright: Stand Up!