Author: DeeKayP

Catching Up with Michael Shanks

MSOL, the official website of Stargate star Michael Shanks, has closed their fan Q&A form. The site administrators are now busy collating and sorting all of the questions, and then they’ll send them to Shanks for his answers. While we’re waiting, the actor’s many international fans will get to see his recent work on television or visit with the actor himself as he makes his next personal appearances.

Desperate Escape

Fans in Canada will be treated to the television premiere of Desperate Escape, the movie in which Shanks co-stars with Elisabeth Rohm. The film will be shown on The Movie Network tomorrow, April 24, at 7 PM with a repeat on Tuesday, April 28, at 10 PM. Make sure to visit the network’s website for additional airing times.

The synopsis: “Taken to the hospital unconscious, a woman wakens with amnesia, unsure if the man who claims to be her husband is really him; desperate to discover clues to her life, she uncovers her alleged husband’s dark secret.”

Living Out Loud

Next weekend, fans in the US will get to see Shanks in the television premiere of the Hallmark Channel movie Living Out Loud. A very nice review of his performance was posted by Sci Fi Talk’s Tony Tellado, who has interviewed Shanks several times concerning his role as Dr. Daniel Jackson (as a matter of fact, there’s an upcoming audio interview on April 28 at 10 AM).

Tellado has stated that he’s a fan of the actor’s work and provided this review of his performance in the film about a wife and mother who is diagnosed with breast cancer and the impact this trauma has on her family [beware: movie details]: “Michael Shanks plays her husband, Brad who is a work-aholic who has to make difficult choices due to her illness. Michael rose to the occasion and credit him for taking this supporting role. I liked his character’s journey and how he played it out for us. Michael embodied his character with humanity and empathy, as a husband who shows shock, frustration, and stands by his wife by making a career decision. Michael made him a very real human being. Their love story is also central to this movie and the changes that they have to make.”

The movie premieres on the Hallmark Channel next Saturday, May 2, at 9 PM (Eastern), or you can catch the repeats on May 8 at 9 PM or on May 17 at 9 PM. The film’s website has more on the production, including video interviews with the stars!

During the weekend of May 9, we’ll know if Shanks has won a Canadian Leo Award in the category of Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Feature Length Drama for his work in Brad Wright’s Stargate: Continuum. Hopefully, the actor will be present at the award ceremony to personally receive his well-earned recognition! And speaking of personal appearances, if you haven’t already done so, make sure to stop by Michelle’s Vancouver Con Report to find out more about Shanks’ role in the CBS pilot The Eastmans in which he had his third paramedic role. The report also includes a Photo Gallery of Shanks and his fellow Stargate cast-mates.

And finally, according to Stargate Actor Appearances, Shanks’ next public appearance will be for all his UK fans at the London Film and Comic Con from July 18 to 19.

Peter DeLuise Answers Fans’ Questions

Peter DeLuise

Joseph Mallozzi has published the fan Q&A he hosted at his weblog with Peter DeLuise, who returned to the Stargate franchise to direct the Stargate Universe episode “Fire”.

As usual, DeLuise’s sense of humor is sprinkled throughout the Q&A as he revisits the beginning of his career with the franchise, shares his favorites, and thoughtfully considers the tough canon questions. At the conclusion, he said, “… most importantly thanks to all of you who have taken the time to write your questions and watch this show and support the Stargate ‘Organism’ that is changing and growing… because of YOU. …you rock!”

The Q&A contains no spoilers for Stargate Universe, so feel free to visit the weblog and enjoy all of its contents.

Justin Louis Stars in “Grey Gardens”

Justin Louis in Grey Gardens (HBO)
Justin Louis and Arye Gross in HBO’s Grey Gardens (image from HBO)

Stargate Universe star Justin Louis (Col. Everett Young) can currently be seen in the HBO production Grey Gardens.

The mainpage for the production at the HBO site describes the movie, “Based on the lives that inspired the Maysles Brothers’ classic documentary, this HBO Films drama tells the story of “Big Edie” Beale and her daughter “Little Edie”, who forged a unique bond while living in a ramshackle East Hampton mansion.”

Louis portrays David Maysles while Arye Gross plays his character’s brother, Albert. The cast also includes Jessica Lange, Drew Barrymore, Michael Gets, Daniel Baldwin, Ken Howard, and Jeanne Tripplehorn.

The website also has a behind-the-scenes making-of feature, a synopsis, interviews, a photo gallery, and a video preview. There’s even a fan community. The movie has several showtimes throughout this and the upcoming month, so there are plenty of times to catch Louis in a recent production. All of the HBO showtimes are provided at the movie’s website.

Louis is currently filming Universe in Vancouver and will be seen in his first Stargate role during the show’s two-hour premiere slated for October on the Syfy Channel (formerly the Sci Fi Channel) in the US, SPACE in Canada, and Sky One in the UK.

MGM: Luttrell on “Enemy at the Gate”

SGA 520 (MGM)
“Enemy at the Gate” (image from MGM)

Stargate Atlantis star Rachel Luttrell hosts a special look at the series finale “Enemy at the Gate” in a short video feature at the MGM official website.

After providing a brief synopsis accompanied by clips from the episode, Luttrell concludes, “It’s about us stopping the destruction of mankind.” The episode includes space battles and lots of action, as well as another sci-fi staple: alternate realities.

Visit MGM: Enemy at the Gate for the video featurette.

According to Stargate Actor Appearances, Luttrell’s next public appearance will be at Collectormania Milton Keynes from June 5 through 7, 2009, at the MK Dons Stadium in Milton Keynes, England.

Lou Diamond Phillips in “Carny” on Sci Fi

Carny - Sci Fi
Lou Diamond Phillips stars in Carny (image from Sci Fi)

Stargate Universe star Lou Diamond Phillips can be seen in the new Sci Fi Channel movie Carny this Saturday, April 25, at 9 PM (Eastern).

The movie was produced by Muse Entertainment and Brava Pictures for the Sci Fi Channel in the US and Super Channel in Canada (airing time for Super Channel currently not known). The Muse Entertainment website points to the official press release and an interview done by Phillips with The Ottawa Citizen during the time the film was shooting in Ottawa, Canada (to stand in the place of a small town in Nebraska, USA). The interview is available in both PDF and on-line formats.

Phillips plays the town sheriff, Atlas, who is the hero of the story: “When a blood thirsty creature known as the Jersey Devil escapes from a travelling carnival and begins to inflict terrible revenge on the citizens of a small town, it’s up to the Sheriff to track and kill the beast before it’s too late.”

What attracted Phillips to the role? “It’s a horror film, it’s a lot of fun and my kids are going to love this. They loved one of my earlier films, Bats — a 1999 film about killer bats — and I find this a bit reminiscent of that. I’ve beaten sharks, a Jersey Devil, bats — daddy is indestructible.”

Phillips is the father of four children. The youngest, Indigo, is probably a bit too young to watch the movie “live” just yet, though, because, according to the movie’s producer, Irene Litinsky (Human Trafficking, The Last Templar), “Carny will transport the audience to a time of nostalgic carnivals – the ones we all remember as young children. Our film will not just thrill them – but hopefully scare them witless.”

Phillips is currently filming episodes of Universe in Vancouver, which is due to premiere on the Syfy Channel (same as the Sci Fi Channel, just a new name) in October.

Script for Stargate Atlantis Movie Completed

Joseph Mallozzi has finished the first draft of the Stargate Atlantis movie script! His writing partner Paul Mullie completed his portion earlier this month and then handed it over to Mallozzi for his half.

Here’s what Mallozzi said in his weblog, “…I’m very happy with the story we have and with our ending in particular. Some doors are opened, some slammed shut (rather violently), while others are left ajar for future exploration…in the next big adventure provided the fans support this one. Not quite as long as I expected but, given the action sequences, it still may clock in with a robust running time.”

It’s very possible that the script will go through some changes before the filming begins, but since Mallozzi and Mullie worked from a very detailed outline, the chances are that there will be only a few revisions. Then, it’s on to prep work, with Andy Mikita slated to direct.

Now, the next part is SPOILERY, so avert your eyes if you wish to remain in blissful anticipation:

“Yes, all of the regulars and semi-regulars you’ve grown to know and love are in play – Sheppard, McKay, Teyla, Ronon, Woolsey, Keller, Zelenka, Lorne, Beckett, Chuck, Banks, and Todd – in addition to a couple of surprise guest stars. But more on them as we draw closer to the that first day of principal photography. As for when that will be…no firm date yet but I’m still banking on a fall production alongside the SG-1 movie.”

Way back when talk of the movie was first starting, Mallozzi told Solutions in an exclusive Q&A, “It’s very possible that we’ll have, at the very least, limited crossover. Given the story we’ve been spinning, it would make sense to see Carter, Daniel, and Teal’c pay Atlantis a visit.” Could these characters’ actors be the surprise guest stars?

Make sure you visit Joseph Mallozzi’s weblog regularly to get all of the details, but be aware that he mixes his Stargate tidbits (including those for Stargate Universe) in with his other interests. To get an abridged version of quotes concerning the SGA movie, visit our Atlantis Movies guide in the Stargate Wiki.

Catching Up with Robert Picardo

MGM Robert Picardo

SCI FI WIRE talked with Stargate star Robert Picardo about his pivotal role in the new television series Persons Unknown. The first season consisted of 13 episodes, and Picardo played such a pivotal role in the show that he couldn’t name his character without giving away the whole story!

Picardo explained the premise, “It’s reminiscent of the classic Patrick McGoohan series The Prisoner. It’s about these people who are strangely abducted and held against their will and are apparently being studied or manipulated. It’s a very exotic, paranoid premise for a show.”

Other actors include Alan Ruck, Chadwick Boseman, Gerald Kyd, Kate Lang Johnson and Kandyse McClure. Picardo revealed that the show is from Chris McQuarrie, who wrote The Usual Suspects, and is executive produced by Remi Aubuchon, who also wrote the Caprica pilot along with Ron Moore.

Right now, the show, which was filmed in Mexico, has been sold to countries in South America and Europe, but hasn’t been picked up by a US network yet. Picardo said that if the show gets a second season, he’ll be a recurring cast member.

In the meantime, you can catch Picardo in one of the final three episodes filmed for Pushing Daisies, which was not renewed for another season. His episode “Water and Power” is due to be shown on the UK’s ITV1 this Friday, April 24, and on ABC in the US on June 6. Check your local listings for exact times.

Also, make sure to visit MGM: Message from Picardo to watch a brief video message from the actor who appreciates the welcome he received once his Stargate character Richard Woolsey joined the regular cast for the final season of Stargate Atlantis.

According to Stargate Actor Appearances, Picardo is due to make several public appearances over the coming months, the next upcoming being FedCon XVIII from May 1-3, 2009, in Bonn, Germany.

Ask Michael Shanks Your Questions

Michael Shanks at Vancouver Con 2009 (image by Michelle)
Michael Shanks at Vancouver
Creation Con (image by Michelle)		   

MSOL, the official website of Stargate star Michael Shanks, is offering to open the floor to fan questions on Monday, April 20! Here’s the notice:

From Monday next week (US time) an online Q&A form will be posted on this website through which you’ll be able to send Michael a question or two… or three.

The form will be open for question submission for about 3 or 4 days. Once all the questions are in, they’ll be collated, sifted a little to reduce duplication, and sent off to Michael.

Once the answers are back – timing of which will depend on Michael’s schedule, of course! – they’ll be posted on the site.

(Note: While it would be nice to promise that every question will be sent and/or answered, given the volume of questions, it’s likely some will be missed.)

So get the questions ready! The Q&A form will go live early Monday morning, U.S. time.

Remember to visit MSOL on Monday to get your questions in!

Bid on Stargate-Related Items in Charity Auction

Waterkeeper Alliance Earth Day Charity Auction, running from April 14 to April 30, is offering several items for bid that might be of interest to Stargate fans:

Visit Charity Buzz for the complete list of items and auction terms.