Monday, September 23, 2002

AL GOUGH TALKS SMALLVILLE OPENER, SPIDER-MAN SEQUEL

Al Gough, executive producer of The WB's Smallville, told The Continuum the second-season opener will help establish the tone for the entire season.

The episode "Vortex" will kick off the second season of Smallville on Tuesday at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). Gough wrote "Vortex" with writing partner and fellow executive producer Miles Millar, and the episode picks up from last season's multiple cliffhangers.

"We were very happy with 'Vortex,'" Gough told The Continuum. "We felt that even though the tornado was over after the teaser, the story stayed interesting throughout, and we were able to set the table for Season 2. This is particularly true with the Lana/Clark dynamic and the Lex/Lionel dynamic.

"I hope what you will see this season is an even greater variety in the storytelling, and a deeper study of all of the characters and their relationships....as well as some kick-ass action, and yes....some kryptonite."

Above are nine images from "Vortex." Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

Gough also updated The Continuum on his involvement in Amazing Spider-Man, the sequel to the Spider-Man movie. He and Millar joined the project after a first draft by David Koepp, who wrote the first Spider-Man movie.

Recently, Michael Chabon has been brought aboard the sequel, which will again be directed by Sam Raimi. Chabon wrote the Pulitzer-Prize winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.

"Miles and I actually completed two drafts of Spider-Man 2. We came back on after David Koepp completed his draft in mid July," Gough said. "We had a wonderful experience working with Sam and (producers) Laura Ziskin and Avi Arad. They have now handed off our script to Michael Chabon, who is a terrific writer."

Details about the sequel remain secret, and Gough joked about spilling any story information. "Columbia, Marvel, death squads... you get the picture," he said.

Look for more on both Smallville and the Spider-Man sequel soon here in The Continuum.

X-MEN: EVOLUTION UPDATE

Titles and writing credits of two upcoming episodes of Kids' WB!'s X-Men: Evolution have been revealed to The Continuum.

The third season's fifth episode will be "Blind Alley." It has a story by Greg Johnson, Boyd Kirkland and Craig Kyle and was written by Doug Molitor.

The sixth episode will be "X-Treme Measures." It has a story by Johnson and Kirkland and was written by Jules Dennis and Johnson.

Below are three images from "Mainstream," the third episode that premieres on Saturday. Look for more details on "Mainstream" later this week here in The Continuum.

ANGEL SEASON OPENER

The WB has released story information about "Deep Down," the season premiere of Angel set to air on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Here's how the network describes the episode:

"With Angel (David Boreanaz) trapped on the ocean floor and Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) stuck on a mystical plane, Fred (Amy Acker) and Gunn (J. August Richards) are frustrated at the lack of clues regarding their friends' whereabouts, especially after the only eyewitness to Angel's disappearance is murdered. After Angel is rescued by the most unlikely person, the shocking reasons behind the mysterious disappearances become clear."

Terrence O'Hara directed the episode, which was written by Steven S. DeKnight.

FIRST LOOK: MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #1

Masters of the Universe #1 is scheduled to arrive in stores on Nov. 27 from Image Comics. The issue is written by Val Staples, art by Emiliano Santalucia and Marco Failla, covers by Santalucia, J. Scott Campbell and Earl Norem.

Here's how Image describes the issue:

"Skeletor continues his struggle in obtaining the secrets of Castle Grayskull. However, new danger looms when a sinister plot is devised by other evil forces. And it all centers around an object in the possession of the least likely candidate. Will the heroic warriors of Eternia discover the truth before the forces of evil hatch their plans?"

Masters of the Universe #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.95.

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