Movie & TV News: The Dark Knight, Marvel Projects, TV DVD News, Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans, High Noon, Mike Fright, Comic Previews

The Dark Knight
ComicBookMovie.com is reporting here that a massive stunt in Hong Kong involving a helicopter and a C-130 had to be, at least partially, scrapped. The second shot was to take place over the harbor of Hong Kong, with Batman dropping from a plane in to the water then climbing up and into a building. Word is that they dropped the shot ecause the water couldn't pass water quality tests the producers conducted, and therefore posed a considerable health risk, with salmonella and Mycobacterium tuberculosis being present. It is well known that China and Indonesia are listed in the top four polluters in the world.

Marvel Projects
Superhero Hype has published this list that Marvel Entertainment released of its updated Marvel Studios slate of projects. Here is what the company is developing:
Feature Film Projects Being Developed by Marvel – partial list
Iron Man, Marvel - Completed principal photography; May 2, 2008 release
The Incredible Hulk, Marvel - Commenced principal photography; June 13, 2008 release
Ant-Man, Marvel - Writer and director engaged
Captain America, Marvel - Writer engaged
Thor, Marvel - Writer engaged
The Avengers, Marvel - Writer engaged
Licensed Marvel Character Feature Film Line-Up
Punisher 2, Lionsgate - Commenced principal photography, slated for 2008 release
X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Fox - Director engaged, slated for May 1, 2009 release
Marvel Character Animated TV Projects
Fantastic Four, Moonscoop SAS (France) - 26, 30-minute episodes; Running Internationally.
Spider-Man, Sony - In development; US distribution agreement with Kids' WB for Spring 2008 release.
Wolverine and the X-Men, First Serve Toonz (India) - 26, 30-minute episodes in development; Fall 2008 release.
Iron Man, Method Films (France) - 26, 30-minute episodes in development; Fall 2008 release.
Hulk, TBD - In development.
Marvel Character Animated Direct-to-DVD Projects
Next Avengers, Lionsgate - Targeted July 2008 release
Hulk Smash, Lionsgate - Targeted October 2008 release
Thor, Lionsgate - Targeted April 2009 release
TBD, Lionsgate - Targeted September 2009 release
Marvel Character Live Stage Projects
Spider-Man the Musical, Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle, Martin McCallum, Marvel Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment
In development/opening date to be determined; Julie Taymor director; music & lyrics by U2’s Bono and The Edge
Marvel Video Game Releases (Release dates controlled by Publishing partner)
Sega, Iron Man - Targeted 2008
Sega, The Incredible Hulk - Targeted 2008

TV DVD News
TVShowsOnDVD.com has posted info about "The Bronx Is Burning" (Extras) here, "Freakazoid!" (Rumors) here, "Tiny Toon Adventures" (Complete Series) here, "Family Guy" (Blue Harvest Spec. Ed.) here, "The Big Gay Sketch Show" (Exclusive Availability) here, "Tell Me You Love Me" (1st Season) here, "South Park" (Imaginationland Trilogy) here, "Popeye" (Plans for upcoming sets) here, and "Seinfeld" (Season 9 & Complete Series) here.

Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans
Really Scary reports here that Screen Gems and Lakeshore Entertainment are teaming for a third installment in the series with the prequel "Underworld 3: The Rise of the Lycans." Patrick Tatopoulos, who created the creature effects for the first films, will will direct his first feature on this one, which begins shooting in January in Auckland, New Zealand. Len Wiseman will produce the script by Danny McBride. The story is set in the Dark Ages, tracing the origins of the feud between the aristocratic vampires and their one-time werewolf slaves, the Lycans. Wiseman said: "For the first time, we will experience the Underworld universe through the eyes of the Lycans. Patrick has always played such an essential part in helping to create 'Underworld' from the start. We have a terrific working relationship and a shared vision of the world and its characters, so I feel it is both exciting and fitting that Patrick now takes the helm on 'Rise of the Lycans.'" Though many of the original cast will return Kate Beckinsale will not.

High Noon
Karen Sharp Kramer, the widow of original's producer Stanley Kramer, sold the rights to actor Christopher Mitchum, producer Mark Headley and their business partner Toni Covington to do the second remake of "High Noon," the first remake happening in 2000. The project is now shopping for a director and star, with the plan to shoot early next year with a budget of around $20m.

Mike Fright: Stand Up!