Monday, April 10, 2017

Nickelodeon Brings "Invader Zim" Back for Animated TV Movie

Invader Zim Returns to Nickelodeon in All-New Original TV Movie Based on Fan-Favorite Animated Series

Creator Jhonen Vasquez Serves as Executive Producer, Original Voice Cast to Reprise Their Roles

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nickelodeon officially announced the greenlight for an all-new, 90-minute Invader Zim TV movie from original creator Jhonen Vasquez, marking the network’s third animated property from its rich library of content to be reimagined for today’s audience. The 2D-animated TV movie, produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, will show the latest and greatest ridiculous attempt at world domination by the universe’s worst alien invader ever. The movie will also feature original voices from the fan-favorite television series.

    “As a network that prides itself on a 25-year history of creating groundbreaking, hilarious animation for kids, Invader Zim is one of our great loves. It’s been so exciting to see its popularity grow over the last decade through social media, consumer products and the Zim comic books”

“As a network that prides itself on a 25-year history of creating groundbreaking, hilarious animation for kids, Invader Zim is one of our great loves. It’s been so exciting to see its popularity grow over the last decade through social media, consumer products and the Zim comic books,” said Chris Viscardi, SVP, Content Development and Production, Animation, Nickelodeon. “What makes this announcement extra thrilling is the adventure that Jhonen has created for Zim, and I can promise you that it is as wonderfully absurd and strangely heartfelt as any fan of the original series could hope for, and kids seeing it for the first time will love it too.”

The Invader Zim TV movie follows the perpetually desperate and delusional Zim as he creates a new and potentially Earth-destroying plan to finally get the attention he deserves from his Irken leaders, the Almighty Tallest.

Original voice cast members reprising their roles include: Richard Horvitz as Invader Zim; Rosearik Rikki Simons as GIR, Zim’s insane robot sidekick; Andy Berman as Dib Membrane, junior paranormal investigator and Zim’s alien-obsessed human nemesis; and Melissa Fahn as Gaz Membrane, Dib’s younger, video game obsessed sister. Additional casting will be announced in the coming months.

Invader Zim debuted on Nickelodeon in 2001 and chronicled the efforts of an extraterrestrial named Zim on a mission to conquer Earth and enslave the human race.

Invader Zim joins the previously announced TV movie Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie and Rocko’s Modern Life TV special, which are both currently in production. Coming in 2017, Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie, will feature a storyline picking up from where the original series ended in 2004, resolving unanswered questions and plotlines, including Arnold finally getting answers about the whereabouts of his missing parents. The Rocko's Modern Life TV special will bring back all the show’s classic characters and offer some surprising new takes on life in O-Town.

Nickelodeon, now in its 38th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids’ basic cable network for 22 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

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VIZ Media Offers Fresh Digital Manga for April 2017

VIZ MEDIA OFFERS READERS A FRESH DIGITAL MANGA UPDATE FOR APRIL

Enjoy The Digital Launch Of BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS, YU-GI-OH! ARC-V, THE WATER DRAGON’S BRIDE, A New TOKYO GHOUL Novel And More!

VIZ Media continues to celebrate the spring reading season with a brand new digital manga update for April that features the launch of several notable new series as well as updates to scores of popular continuing titles.

This month, new series debuts include BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS, which introduces the son of the world’s most famous ninja, Naruto. Can Boruto follow in his legendary father’s footsteps?

Additional April debuts include YU-GI-OH! ARC-V, new shojo series, THE WATER DRAGON’S BRIDE, the digital exclusive debut of élDLIVE and TOKYO GHOUL: PAST, the latest novel based on the popular horror manga.

Readers are also invited to take advantage of special digital pricing on the entire library of titles from the Shonen Jump imprint. Don’t miss out on this massive digital sale, available now!

April Shonen Jump Digital Manga Promotion

·         Shonen Jump Digital Manga Sale

Kick off April with special pricing on the entire catalogue of Shonen Jump manga series. All volumes of Shonen Jump series will be on sale for only $4.99 per volume. Available through April 10th across all digital platforms.

Check VIZ.com each week throughout the rest of April for additional manga titles to be featured in this month’s digital sales!

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Free Chapters

Explore a wide range of acclaimed manga series currently featured in the world’s most popular manga magazine, WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP. For a limited time only, enjoy all free chapters of MY HERO ACADEMIA from volume’s 1-3 of the series! Free Chapters for a variety of popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP series are available at: VIZ.com/ShonenJump/chapters/all.

Free chapters are available now for the following series:

        ASTRA LOST IN SPACE
        BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS
        DRAGON BALL SUPER
        élDLIVE
        MY HERO ACADEMIA
        RUROUNI KENSHIN
        THE PROMISED NEVERLAND
        And more!

Digital manga updates for April include new volumes for 18 continuing VIZ Media series. Notable new releases this month include the latest volumes for 7THGARDEN (Vol. 4), ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM (Vol. 15), BLACK CLOVER (Vol. 6), THE CHILDREN NOWADAYS (Vol. 3), FOOD WARS! (Vol. 17), HAIKYU!! (Vol. 10), KUROKO’S BASKETBALL (Vol. 5) and TWIN STAR EXORCISTS (Vol. 8). New additions to ongoing shojo series include THE DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE (Vol. 8), HONEY SO SWEET (Vol. 6), SO CUTE IT HURTS!! (Vol. 12), and YONA OF THE DAWN (Vol. 5).

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. Through the innovative VIZ Manga digital platform registered users are able to use one account to view their purchased manga across more devices than ever. New series and volumes are added every Tuesday. Fans can also find these titles and more for the NOOK, Kindle Fire, and Kobo eReaders, as well as in the comiXology, iBooks and Google Play stores.

Most manga volumes are available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the VIZ Manga application starting from only $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) each. Readers can also explore free Chapter 1 previews of most series.

For more information, please visit VIZ.com.

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Friday, April 7, 2017

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 1st to 8th, 2017 - Update #20

Support Leroy on Patreon.

TELEVISION - From ScreenDaily:  John Ridley gets emotional talking about his series, "Guerilla," for the British broadcaster, Sky."

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SPORTS - From YahooSports:  LaVar Ball blames UCLA's NCAA men's basketball tournament loss on 3 slow of foot white guys.  His son, Lonzo, plays on that team.

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MOVIE - From SlashFilm:  The long talked about "The Legend of Conan" is not happening... maybe someone will consider it again in the future.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Adam McKay is developing a Dick Cheney biopic.  Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Amy Adams are in talks to appear.

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OBIT - From TMZ:  Legendary stand-up comic, Don Rickles, has died at the age of 90, Thursday, April 6, 2017.  Rickles, an "insult comic," was known as the "king of the zing."  Rickles was also an actor with numerous film and TV appearances.  R.I.P. Mr. Rickles, I'll always love your humor.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Jeremy Renner and Hannibal Buress are joining Ed Helms in the comedy, "Tag."

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Eric Roth, who wrote the screenplay for "Forrest Gump," will write director Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" reboot.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Demian Bichir will headline "The Nun," a spinoff from "The Conjuring 2."

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CELEBRITY - YahooCelebrity:  Heath Ledger documentary, "I Am Heath Ledger" says that Ledger wanted fame, but didn't want it when he got it.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Colin Farrell is considering joining Viola Davis in Steve McQueen's "Widows."

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DISNEY - From Variety:  There is a live-action remake of Walt Disney's animated classic, "Dumbo," to be directed by Tim Burton.  Michael Keaton, who has starred in three films directed by Burton, is in talks to play the villain.

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STAR TREK - From YahooNews:  Sonequa Martin-Green ("Sasha" from "The Walking Dead") will play a character on CBS's upcoming "Star Trek: Discovery."  The character has finally been revealed as "First Officer Michael Burnham."

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MOVIES - From JoBlo:  Arnold Schwarzenegger says he is not finished with "Terminator" franchise.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Steve Carell's Amazon drama, "Beautiful Boys," casts the youngest son.

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POLITICS - From YahooTV:  George Takei, LGBTQ activist and "Sulu" on the original "Star Trek," is not running for office.  It was a joke.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 3/31 to 4/2/2017 weekend box office is DreamWorks Animation's "The Boss Baby" with an estimated take of $49 million.

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COMICS - From THR:  Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, who had a hit run on the comic book, "Batman," beginning in 2011, are creating a DC Comics event story line for late summer, "Dark Night: Metal."  This will be "bigger than Batman."

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COMICS-FILM - From RollingStone:  Joss Whedon is directing a "Batgirl" movie.

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CULTURE - From Jacobin:  An alternative obituary of plutocrat, David Rockefeller (who recently died at the age of 101) by Erik Wallenberg

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LGBTQ - From Variety:  Best Picture Oscar winner, "Moonlight" wins top film honor at GLAAD Media Awards.

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MOVIES - From THR:  Zac Efron says that Hugh Jackman saved him from a fire on the set of the upcoming "The Greatest Showman," which is about P.T. Barnum.


Mark Hamill, Oprah, Stan Lee Among Nine New Disney Legends

Nine New Disney Legends to Be Honored During D23 EXPO 2017 in Anaheim on July 14, 2017

Oprah Winfrey, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Stan Lee, Julie Taymor, and Other Incredible Talents to be Honored at a Special 30th Anniversary Awards Ceremony Hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oprah Winfrey, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Stan Lee, Julie Taymor, and other remarkable contributors to the Disney legacy will be honored as official Disney Legends during D23 Expo 2017. Hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, the Disney Legends Award ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2017, in Hall D23 of the Anaheim Convention Center.

    “It’s a celebration of talent, a recognition of achievement, and an expression of gratitude to the men and women whose work has significantly contributed to Disney’s enduring reputation for creative excellence.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Disney Legends Awards. The first Disney Legend was Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire), who was honored in 1987.

“The Disney Legends Award is the highest honor our company can bestow on an individual, reserved for those few who have truly made an indelible mark on the history of The Walt Disney Company,” said Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger. “It’s a celebration of talent, a recognition of achievement, and an expression of gratitude to the men and women whose work has significantly contributed to Disney’s enduring reputation for creative excellence.”

The awards ceremony is just one of the dozens of spectacular events that Disney fans can enjoy during the three-day D23 Expo.

The 2017 Disney Legends Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

CARRIE FISHER became an overnight sensation in 1977 with her iconic performance as Princess Leia in Star Wars. But throughout her career, Carrie took on many roles—as an actress, author, playwright, screenwriter, and outspoken advocate for mental health awareness. For Disney, Carrie appeared in Scream 3 (2000) and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) for Dimension Films, and, in 2015, she returned to the role that made her famous, starring as General Leia Organa in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. She reprised the role for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which will be released in December.

CLYDE “GERRY” GERONIMI joined the Disney Studio in 1931. His first assignments as an animator were for several memorable Mickey Mouse, Silly Symphony, and Pluto cartoons, and he eventually contributed to more than 50 of the Studio’s shorts. Gerry made the leap to sequence director with 1943’s Victory Through Air Power, and he subsequently contributed to The Three Caballeros, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians. He also directed segments for television’s Mickey Mouse Club and contributed to episodes of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. The apex of his Disney career came when he served as supervising director for the 1959 masterpiece Sleeping Beauty.

MANUEL GONZALES was one of 33 artists selected from thousands of applicants to join Disney in 1936. In 1938, he took over penciling duties on the Sunday Mickey Mouse comic strip from Disney Legend Floyd Gottfredson. He brought Mickey Mouse to newspapers nationwide for nearly 40 years. At its peak, his Mickey-starring comic strip appeared in 120 newspapers around the world with a collective circulation of more than 20 million readers each week. Manuel was presented a “Mousecar” award by Walt Disney in 1966.

MARK HAMILL began his career in 1970, appearing in numerous television series guest-roles and several TV movies, including a recurring role on ABC’s General Hospital and starring in MTM's acclaimed The Texas Wheelers. He achieved worldwide attention as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, which included The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He returned as Luke in The Force Awakens and will appear in the upcoming The Last Jedi. His stage career includes Broadway shows and the first national tour of Amadeus directed by Sir Peter Hall. A prolific voice-over actor, he has performed in countless animated television shows, feature films, documentaries, and video games. He appears on Disney’s Miles from Tomorrowland and Milo Murphy’s Law, and has also provided the voice of The Joker in the Batman animated series, a role that recently earned him a BAFTA Award.

WAYNE JACKSON began his career as a Walt Disney Imagineer in October 1965, and in the decades that followed he would put his technical skills and know-how to great use in the development and installation of Disney attractions around the world. Originally trained in aircraft tooling, he began as a technician and machinist assigned to rebuild the shows from the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair that were slated for installation at Disneyland. Instrumental in the early development of Audio-Animatronics® technology, Wayne would go on to help bring Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion to Disneyland. He went on to work on the construction and installation of attractions and show systems at Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Disneyland Paris.

STAN LEE got a job as an office assistant at a comic publisher in 1939 called Timely Comics—forerunner of the powerhouse we all know as Marvel. Stan made his debut with a Captain America story in 1941, and by the next year, at the age of just 18, he was promoted to editor. In 1961, Stan teamed up with Jack “King” Kirby to create the Fantastic Four and ushered in a spectacular new age of comics. Stan co-created an enormous roster of Marvel characters, including Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, the X-Men, Daredevil, and Falcon. He became Marvel’s editorial director and publisher in 1972, and eventually was named chairman emeritus. His well-known cameos in Marvel films began with 1989’s telefilm The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, and since the release of X-Men in 2000 he has appeared in nearly every Marvel film project. Outside the super-hero realm, he has even popped up as a wedding guest in Disney’s The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

GARRY MARSHALL began his career in Los Angeles writing for a number of hit shows, including The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Lucy Show. But his big break came in 1970, when he produced The Odd Couple for ABC, the first of many big hits he created for the network. Beginning with Happy Days in 1974, he developed a shared universe of spinoffs including Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, and Joanie Loves Chachi. His other ABC sitcoms during these years included Angie, The New Odd Couple, and Blansky’s Beauties. Garry was also a successful movie director, with 18 films to his credit. At Disney, he made stars of two young actresses: Julia Roberts, in Pretty Woman, and Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries. He directed Bette Midler in Beaches, as well as in The Lottery, a short film that for years was a fixture of the Backstage Tour at the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park. Garry was known for his acting, as well, and he appeared in Disney’s Race to Witch Mountain, Chicken Little, and as the Devil in Hocus Pocus.

JULIE TAYMOR is a Tony®-, Emmy®-, and Grammy®-winning and Oscar®-nominated filmmaker who has changed the face of Broadway with her innovative direction. Her adaptation of The Lion King debuted in 1997, becoming the most successful stage musical of all time; 24 global productions have been seen by more than 90 million people. The show has played in more than 100 cities in 19 countries. It received 11 Tony Award nominations, earning Julie Best Director, Costume Designer, and Best Musical for the show. Her production of The Magic Flute is currently in repertory at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Her films include A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Titus, The Tempest, the Golden Globe-nominated Across the Universe, and the Oscar-winning Frida. Taymor is a recipient of the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and an inductee into the Theater Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement. She is currently directing M. Butterfly on Broadway, opening Fall 2017.

OPRAH WINFREY is a renowned award-winning producer, actress, talk show host, and philanthropist. For 25 years she was the host of the award-winning talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran for 25 seasons on hundreds of stations domestically and in more than 100 countries around the world. Oprah is also an Academy Award®-nominated actress for her role in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 hit The Color Purple. In 1998, she starred in Beloved for Disney’s Touchstone Pictures, a film that she also produced. Oprah also produced and starred in ABC’s 1989 limited series The Women of Brewster Place, and would go on to produce many films for ABC, including Tuesdays with Morrie, Before Women Had Wings, and Their Eyes Were Watching God under the “Oprah Winfrey Presents” banner. She performed as Eudora in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog in 2009 and will co-star as Mrs. Which in Disney’s 2018 film A Wrinkle in Time.

Honorees receive a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity, and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients will also participate in a handprint ceremony at the end of the event, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

Admission to the ceremony will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to D23 Expo 2017.

Including this year’s honorees, a total of 276 Disney Legends have been named. Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Julie Andrews, Beatrice Arthur, Howard Ashman, Regis Philbin, Annette Funicello, Peter Jennings, Johnny Depp, Estelle Getty, George Lucas, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Rue McClanahan, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Sir Tim Rice, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, Betty White, and Robin Williams. Beginning with the inaugural D23 Expo in 2009, thousands of Disney fans have been able to enjoy the Legends Awards ceremony live.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 are available for $81 for one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $72 for a one-day adult admission and $53 for children 3–9. Multi-day tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2017, visit D23Expo.com.


About D23 Expo 2017
D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 Expo 2017 news, visit D23expo.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold and General Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.

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"Kong: Skull Island" Swings Past $500 Million in Worldwide Box Office

“Kong: Skull Island” Stomps Past Half a Billion at the Worldwide Box Office

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures and Tencent Pictures’ global blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island” has crossed the $500 million mark at the worldwide box office, it was announced today by Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Mary Parent, Vice Chairman, Worldwide Production for Legendary.

The acclaimed action adventure—certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes—opened at the top of the domestic box office on March 10, 2017, and has grossed more than $150 million, and climbing.

Internationally, “Kong: Skull Island” was released day-and-date in 65 markets, including Vietnam, one of the movie’s primary filming locations, where it has become the highest-grossing picture of all time. Hugely successful openings followed in Japan, as well as China. Continuing to demonstrate broad appeal that transcends borders, “Kong: Skull Island” has earned more than $358.7 million in the international marketplace, for a combined worldwide total of approximately $509 million.

In China, where “Kong: Skull Island” is being distributed directly by Wanda-owned Legendary, the film is expected to become one of the top 10 English-language releases of all time.

In making the announcement, Kroll stated, “‘Kong: Skull Island’ has taken audiences and critics on a thrilling ride, resulting in strong word-of-mouth and repeat business. These tremendous results speak not only to the powerful legacy of this mythic icon but also the crowd-pleasing monster movie director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, his cast and fellow filmmakers have delivered. We congratulate them and our partners at Legendary Pictures and Tencent Pictures on reaching this benchmark.”

Added Parent, “‘Kong’ reaching this global milestone is fantastic news for the movie. We’re also thrilled to have another firmly established cornerstone in our goal of creating a Monsterverse that will bring some of the world’s most iconic creatures back to the big screen with a contemporary style that resonates with moviegoers across the globe. The film’s success to date in China also underscores Wanda and Legendary’s commitment to delivering content that will drive moviegoers across the region to the theater.”

From the producers of “Godzilla” comes “Kong: Skull Island,” a compelling, original adventure directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts (“The Kings of Summer”). The film tells the story of a diverse team of scientists, soldiers and adventurers uniting to explore a mythical, uncharted island in the Pacific, as dangerous as it is beautiful. Cut off from everything they know, the team ventures into the domain of the mighty Kong, igniting the ultimate battle between man and nature. As their mission of discovery becomes one of survival, they must fight to escape a primal Eden in which humanity does not belong.

“Kong: Skull Island” stars Tom Hiddleston (“The Avengers,” “Thor: The Dark World”), Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson (“Pulp Fiction,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), John Goodman (“Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Argo”), Oscar winner Brie Larson (“Room,” “Trainwreck”), Jing Tian (“Police Story: Lockdown”), Toby Kebbell (“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”), John Ortiz (“Steve Jobs”), Corey Hawkins (“Straight Outta Compton”), Jason Mitchell (“Straight Outta Compton”), Shea Whigham (“The Wolf of Wall Street”), Thomas Mann (“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”), with Terry Notary (“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”) and Oscar nominee John C. Reilly (“Chicago,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”).

Vogt-Roberts directed “Kong: Skull Island” from a screenplay by Dan Gilroy and Max Borenstein and Derek Connolly, story by John Gatins. Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni and Alex Garcia produced the film, with Eric McLeod and Edward Cheng serving as executive producers.

The creative behind-the-scenes team included director of photography Larry Fong (“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”), production designer Stefan Dechant (supervising art director “True Grit,” “Avatar”), Oscar-nominated editor Richard Pearson (“United 93,” “The Bourne Supremacy”) costume designer Mary Vogt (the “Men in Black” films) and composer Henry Jackman (“Captain America: Civil War”). The team also included Oscar-winning makeup supervisor Bill Corso (“Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) and supervising stunt coordinator George Cottle (“Interstellar,” “The Dark Knight Rises”). Kong was brought to life by Industrial Light & Magic, with two-time Oscar winner Stephen Rosenbaum (“Avatar,” “Forrest Gump”) serving as senior visual effects supervisor, and Oscar-nominee Jeff White (“The Avengers”) as visual effects supervisor.

Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures and Tencent Pictures present a Legendary Pictures Production, a Jordan Vogt-Roberts Film, “Kong: Skull Island.” The film is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. It has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for brief strong language.

kongskullislandmovie.com

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Thursday, April 6, 2017

VIZ Media Announces New Manga at Anime Boston 2017

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW MANGA ACQUISITIONS AT 2017 ANIME BOSTON CONVENTION

DEATH NOTE All-In-One Edition Debuts This Fall; NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND Among Three New Shonen Jump Manga Titles To Receive Digital And Print Releases

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing detailed the acquisition of several notable new Shonen Jump manga properties this past weekend during its official panel event at Anime Boston 2017.

One of the most successful manga of all time will receive premium collectible  treatment in the DEATH NOTE All-in-One Edition, debuting Fall 2017. The monstrously large edition collects the complete 12-volume series in one massive book, and includes an epilogue chapter never before seen in English.

Two titles currently serialized on the Shonen Jump site will receive a digital-first full volume debut followed by a print release. Fans can look forward to NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE’S SHARINGAN LEGEND, an action-packed comedic spin-off focusing on one of the most-loved characters from the best-selling manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto. The science fiction survival epic ASTRA LOST IN SPACE will also receive a digital-first and print volume release. Continuing chapters of both series are available for FREE on VIZ.com/ShonenJump/chapters/all!

In addition, the fan-favorite and chilling suspense drama THE PROMISED NEVERLAND will make the leap from the pages of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP digital magazine to a full manga volume release! The first volume will debut first digitally in October, followed by a print debut in December.

Additional information on each of these titles will be announced in the near future.

New Fall & Winter 2017 VIZ Media Publishing Acquisitions

DEATH NOTE (All-in-One Edition)
Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • Debuts Fall 2017
This hefty omnibus combines all 2,400 pages of the megahit thriller into a single massive tome, presented in a beautiful silver slipcase. A perfect collectible conversation piece and a must-have for DEATH NOTE fans. Also contains an epilogue chapter never before seen in English!

NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND • Rated ‘T’ for Teens
Volume 1 Digital First Debut July 2017, Print Debut September 2017 
Uchiha Sasuke, the brooding loner who will do anything to avenge his clan and kill his older brother… Yes, this is that story, but with a hilarious twist! In NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE’S SHARINGAN LEGEND, the characters and story have been flipped on their heads, all for the sake of comedy! With his Taka teammates Suigetsu, Karin and Jugo, Sasuke travels the land and gets into all kinds of wacky adventures. This is a side of Sasuke you’ve never seen before. One bit of advice: do not mock the Uchiha!

ASTRA LOST IN SPACE • Rated ‘T’ for Teens
Volume 1 Digital First Debut October 2017, Print Debut December 2017
In the year 2063 interstellar space travel has become the norm. Eight students from Caird High School and one child set out on a routine planet camp excursion. While there, the students are mysteriously transported 5,000 light-years away to the middle of nowhere! Will they ever make it back to Earth?!

THE PROMISED NEVERLAND • Rated ‘T’ for Teens
Volume 1 Digital First Debut October 2017, Print Debut December 2017
In this masterful suspense story, life at Grace Field House has been good for Emma and her fellow orphans. While the daily studying and exams they have to take are tough, their loving caretaker provides them with delicious foods and plenty of play time. But perhaps not everything is as it seems…

For additional information on manga and anime titles available from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.

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Wednesday, April 5, 2017

VIZ Media Announces New Book Titles at Anime Boston 2017

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NEW MANGA, NOVEL AND ART BOOK ACQUISITIIONS AT 2017 ANIME BOSTON

Five New Titles Scheduled To Launch This Fall And Winter Include TOKYO GHOUL ILLUSTRATIONS: ZAKKI, SHIVER: JUNJI ITO SELECTED STORIES And More

San Francisco, CA - VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing announced plans to expand its manga publishing catalog with an array of notable new title acquisitions during its official panel event held this past weekend at Anime Boston 2017.

The new series set for launch this Fall and Winter include the post-apocalyptic fantasy adventure CHILDREN OF THE WHALES as well as an in-depth exploration of the artwork from Sui Ishida’s TOKYO GHOUL in TOKYO GHOUL ILLUSTRATIONS: ZAKKI. The new shojo series SP BABY, from the creator of HAPPY MARRIAGE?!, and a captivating anthology of horror manga in SHIVER: JUNJI ITO SELECTED STORIES were also announced at Anime Boston. The battle-filled novel JUNI TAISEN: ZODIAC WARRIORS will be the first of the newly announced titles to debut this Fall.

Additional information on each of these titles will be announced in the near future.

New Fall & Winter VIZ Media Publishing Acquisitions

JUNI TAISEN: ZODIAC WARRIORS (Novel)
Debuts October 2017
Rampage. Weep. Kill. Every 12 years, the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac take the form of warriors and engage in the ultimate battle royal. They face one another in battles to the death, using all the powers of their star signs, and the sole survivor is granted the ultimate prize – a wish. Any wish. Don’t miss this highly anticipated hardcover release!

CHILDREN OF THE WHALES, Vol. 1
Rated ‘T’ for Teens • Debuts November 2017
A gripping post-apocalyptic fantasy adventure by creator Abi Umeda. In an endless sea of sand drifts the Mud Whale, a floating island city of clay and magic. In its chambers a small community clings to survival, most dying young from the very powers that sustain them.

TOKYO GHOUL ILLUSTRATIONS: ZAKKI
Debuts November 2017
TOKYO GHOUL ILLUSTRATIONS: ZAKKI features artwork and behind-the-scenes notes, commentary and ruminations from TOKYO GHOUL creator Sui Ishida. Discover the creative process that brought the hit manga and anime to life, in gloriously ghoulish full color. 

SP BABY, Vol. 1
Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • Debuts November 2017
In this new josei manga series, Tamaki Hasegawa misses an interview for a much-needed job in order to stop an assault on a man running for his life! The man, Kagetora Sugo, is the prime minister’s nephew. He then asks Tamaki to become his bodyguard.

SHIVER: JUNJI ITO SELECTED STORIES 
Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens • Debuts December 2017
A stunning must-read release from the master of horror manga. This volume includes nine of Junji Ito’s best short stories, as selected by the author himself and presented with accompanying notes and commentary. An arm peppered with tiny holes dangles from a sick girl’s window… After an idol hangs herself, balloons bearing faces appear in the sky, some even featuring your own face… An amateur film crew hires an extremely individualistic fashion model and faces a real bloody ending… An offering of nine fresh nightmares for the delectation of horror fans.

For additional information on titles available from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.

Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.

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