Movie & TV News: The Andromeda Strain, Ratatouille, The Contortionist's Handbook, Ronin, David Copperfield, Mike Fright, Comic Previews

The Andromeda Strain
After originally being developed by SCI FI Channel, Michael Crichton's first novel (filmed in 1971) "The Andromeda Strain" will be remade for television as a miniseries for A&E. Variety reports the project will be executive-produced by Tony and Ridley Scott, directed by Mikael Solomon from a script by Robert Schenkkan. Originally a four-hour film, it could run up to six hours. Production begins this summer.

Ratatouille
Disney.com has posted, on their website, this 9-minute preview the Disney/Pixar feature "Ratatouille." The film opens on June 28th nationwide.

The Contortionist's Handbook
GreeneStreet Films has picked up the rights to the novel "The Contortionist's Handbook" by Craig Clevenger. Mania gives the story lines thusly: "The suspense thriller centers on John Vincent who was born with an extra ring finger on one hand. After years of ridicule by other children, his father gives him a magic book through which he learns slight-of-hand tricks that help him conceal his disfigurement from others. That, together with a sharp mind and a knack for replicating signatures and official documents, starts John on a path of petty crime. This life of identity theft, drugs, and crime continues in a downward spiral, until he falls in love with a woman and meets his match."

Ronin
Warner Brothers has announced that they have optioned Frank
Miller's graphic novel "Ronin." In the DC Comics story a disgraced samurai from the 13th Century is reborn in New York circa 2064, he must destroy a demon. Sylvain White is set to direct.

David Copperfield
Rowan Atkinson will play Mr. Micawber in a new version the Charles Dickens novel "David Copperfield." Production starts in early 2008 for director Peter Howitt, who co-wrote the script with Douglas McFerran.

Mike Fright: Stand Up!

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Check Out: The Mike Fright Site!

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Harry Dante was what he wanted to be: a gumshoe. He had wanted to be a detective from childhood, and in the 1940's he was pretty good at it. Then things went wrong. Things started happening that shouldn't be part of a hard-boiled Kansas City private eye's days.
Part of that must have been taking that job near Roswell, New Mexico. Strange stuff, strange people, and more mysteries than most people would ever encounter. Everything Harry Dante had going for him might not be enough. Not by a long shot.

Comic Previews
Comics Continuum has posted preview pages of
Ms. Marvel #15,