Thursday, August 22, 2002

X-MEN 2 PREVIEW ONLINE

The X-Men 2 preview piece shown by director Bryan Singer at Comic-Con International, went online on Wednesday.

The clip, which was shown twice a San Diego to resounding cheers, is now available to download at http://x-men-the-movie.com.

"It's quite spectacular," said Kelly Hu, who plays Yuriko Oyama and appears brandishing a weapon in the clip. "Bryan Singer is an intelligent filmmaker."

The segment, which mixes portions from the end of X-Men with new footage from X-Men 2, shows returning actors Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), Patrick Stewart (Professor Xavier), James Marsden (Cyclops), Anna Paquin (Rogue), Ian McKellan (Magneto) and Shawn Ashmore (Iceman) and newcomers Hu, Brian Cox (Stryker) and Aaron Stanford (Pyro).

Singer put together the segment for Comic-Con after just three weeks of filming, and it has none of the 600-plus visual effects the film will have. He flew to San Diego from Vancouver, British Columbia, where production is expected to continue through October.

For a complete report on the X-Men panel at San Diego, CLICK HERE.

For a complete transcription of Singer's press conference after the panel, CLICK HERE.

For an interview with Hu, including photos, CLICK HERE.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

GRACE SLICK ON WITCHBLADE

Grace Slick, singer of Jefferson Airplane, is a contributor to the season finale of TNT's Witchblade.

According to the network, Slick will be providing the voice of the Witchblade in "Ubique," which airs on Monday at 9 p.m. (ET/PT).

Here's how TNT describes the episode:

"A former blade-wielder named Lucrezia Borgia (Kate Levering) steals the Witchblade from Sara (Yancy Butler), just as a bizarre homicide wave hits the country. People across New York City are being lured to Cyberfaust's Web site by a contest, only to be brainwashed into committing murders. Struggling without the aid of her cherished gauntlet, Sara discovers clues that suggest Irons (Anthony Cistaro) may be behind the crime wave. How will Sara solve the crimes without the Witchblade?"

The episode was written by Ralph W. Hemecker and Richard C. Okie and directed by Bradford May.

Slick's contribution continues a trend of classic rockers on the show. The Who's Roger Daltrey has appeared in two episodes, and series star Yancy Butler's father, Joe Butler of the Lovin' Spoonful, was featured in the second-season opener.

DC COMICS FIRST LOOKS

For covers and four-page previews of DC Comics titles arriving in stores on Wednesday, CLICK HERE.

Titles include The Flash #186, Hellblazer #175, JLA #70, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. II #2 and Wildcats Version 3.0 #1.

IMAGE COMICS FIRST LOOKS

For covers and four-page previews of Image Comics titles arriving in stores on Wednesday, CLICK HERE.

Titles include Athena Inc. #3, CreeD: Utopiate #3 and Leave it to Chance HC Vol. I: Shaman's Rain.

X-MEN: EVOLUTION UPDATE

X-Men: Evolution will open its third season on Kids' WB! on Sept. 14 in the 11:30 a.m. (ET) period on Saturdays.

Kids' WB! announced time slots for its fall lineups on Wednesday.

The Saturday lineup includes Yu-Gi-Oh! at 8 a..m.; What's New Scooby-Doo at 8:30 a.m.; Jackie Chan Adventures at 9 a.m.; Ozzy & Drix at 9:30 a.m.; Pokemon: Master Quest at 10 a.m.; ¡Mucha Lucha! at 10:30, Yu-Gi-Oh! at 11 and X-Men: Evolution at 11:30.

The network's weekday lineup includes Scooby-Doo at 3 p.m. (Rescue Heroes: Global Response Team on Wednesdays); Jackie Chan Adventures at 3:30 p.m.; Pokemon at 4 p.m.; and Yu-Gi-Oh! at 4:30 p.m.

Static Shock, The Mummy: Secrets of the Medjai and Cubix will debut later in the season.

Prior to X-Men's season opener, Kids' WB! will rebroadcast the two-part finale of the show's second season, "Day of Reckoning," at 11 a.m. on Sept. 7.

Look for more on the third season of X-Men: Evolution soon here in The Continuum.

GREG HILDEBRANDT ON DYNAMIC FORCES SHOW

Artist Greg Hildebrandt will be a guest on Dynamic Forces' upcoming show on HSN on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

Hildebrant, who has frequently worked with his brother Tim as the Brothers Hildebrandt, will join Dynamic Forces president Nick Barrucci on the show

The Brothers Hildebrandt's credits include their fantasy novel, Urshurak, the famous poster for Star Wars and calendars for J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

Greg's art has appeared on covers for Omni and Heavy Metal. The Franklin Mint and Lenox have issued his work on collector's plates, figurines, dolls and swords. His art has been used in advertising for ABC and Dr Pepper and has been licensed for many products.

This show will feature: the Dynamic Forces Spider-Man versus the Green Goblin Lithograph signed by Greg and Tim Hildebrandt and offered at a special introductory price; the Spider-Man Giclee by the Brothers Hildebrandt; the DF Ultimate 21st Century Lucky 21 starter set; the Spider-Man Premiere Hildebrandt Acetate "Cel" Lithograph -- featuring Spider-Man and signed by Greg and Tim Hildebrandt and more.

BRIEFLY