Actors still needed with CGI - Benedict Cumberbatch creating Smaug

I don't know how this is my first time seeing this, but it's pretty awesome. I remember when CGI was new and everyone spoke about actors being obsolete one day. This shows how an actor is still very much needed. Between movies like The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and tons of video games, the actor is still helping, and arguably needed to create the character.

Mark Hamill: Unforgettable Hero and Villain

Mark Hamill's Joker is so amazing. This meme is old. The Joker dates should go up to 2016. He's going to be the Joker in the new Batman: The Killing Joke (in pre-production according to IMDB.) I made a complete list of his Joker's below.

I also can't wait to see the older, wiser Luke Skywalker. I do hope that Luke becomes like Obi Wan; The mentor and guiding force, if you will, for the new generation.

Did you know when filming the new Star Wars movie Mark Hamill was the same age as Alec Guinness was in the original? [pic below]

Time flies. I'm still that 10 year old kid sitting in the theater watching Star Wars! 


 

Mark Hamill and Alec Guinness at the same age

MARK HAMILL'S THE JOKER

Batman the Killing Joke 2016

Batgirl: A Matter of Family (Video Game) 2015 

Batman Arkham Knight 2015

DC Universe Online: The Last Laugh (Video Game) 2012

Robot Chicken 2009, 2011

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown (Video Game) 2011

Batman: Arkham City (Video Game) 2011

DC Universe Online (Video Game)  2011

Batman: Arkham Asylum (Video Game) 2009

Batman: New Times (Video short)  2005

The Complete Robin Storyboard Sequence (Video short) 2005

Justice League 2002-2006

Birds of Prey (TV Series) 2002

Static Shock (TV Series) 2002

Batman: Vengeance (video game) 2001
 
Batman Beyond Return of the Joker 2000

The New Batman Adventures (TV Series) 1997-1999

The Batman Superman Movie: World's Finest (TV Movie) 1997

The Adventures of Batman & Robin (Video Game) 1994

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm 1993

Batman the Animated series 1992-1994





Picture credits: facebook.com/Bruce.Batman.Wayne and veooz.com
 

New Xena show may happen - Lucy Lawless spoke too soon.

Update 12/14/15: NBC has not only confirmed that the show is in development after months of rumors, but a writer-producer has been hired: Javier Grillo-Marxuach, who has worked on Syfy’s Helix, NBC’s Medium and ABC’s Lost. - EW.com

After Lucy Lawless (Xena) stated that there was no reboot of her show Xena: Warrior Princess in the works, an executive from NBC says they actually would love to remake it and are looking for a writer.

NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the network is looking for a way to reboot the beloved series in which she starred as the warrior princess. 

My first thoughts were good news, bad news.

Good news: Xena! Yay! And they would love for Lawless to be involved.

Bad news: Not just a reboot but a completely different show. Note the wording below. (highlighted)

"Yes, we're in the early stages of developing a new take on Xena and we're looking for a writer. We want to do it," Greenblatt told THR on Wednesday night at NBCUniversal's Television Critics Association summer press tour party at Spago.

We live in the day and age of remakes and reboots. For all us old timers we simply have to live with that fact. However, when is it going to far? I'll admit there have been a couple of reboots I liked. For example, The Amazing Spider-man was a good movie, my only complaint was that, for me it was too soon after the 2002 Spider-man to consider a remake.  

Xena ended in 2001 so it might not be too soon, but to completely change the original concept of the show (based on my speculation from what's been stated) negates the fact that it's Xena. You might as well call it Julie.

"I don't think it's just a continuation, but we haven't gotten that far. I think it's a great character and we should try to figure out how to revive it somehow," Greenblatt said, confirming that "there is a deal with Sam and Rob Tapert to produce and it's with NBC International."

It should also be mentioned that in all these talks of a reboot, no where is Gabrielle ever mentioned. The show was more than just about a woman seeking redemption for past mis-deeds. It was how two women helped each other find their path.

One more thing, if they change Gabrielle to Gabriel I will have to hurt someone. Just sayin'.

Watch Critical Role - a live D&D game with voice actor players

I discovered another RPG show that I'm now thoroughly enjoying. It's called Critical Role and it's on the Geek & Sundry YouTube channel. The game is Dungeons & Dragons. Matt Mercer is the Game Master and the players are all voice actors. One of the actors, Laura Baily is also playing TITANSGRAVE, which I wrote about last month and is also on Geek & Sundry.

The game is played live every Thursday night on Geek & Sundry's Twitch channel, but you can also watch at a later date. I've watched the first two sessions and I'm really enjoying it so far. I was hesitant at first because the game sessions run about three hours, but I got into it and the time flew by.

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I'm not a fan of this kind of three camera set-up when watching RPG games. To quote me, 

"I find it hard to watch the online games where everyone is in a different webcam square from their home, or the ones where there is only one or two cameras. It's hard to feel a part of the game for me in those circumstances." 

However, with Critical Role it was very easy to get into the game. Maybe it's the roleplay of the actors, or the story, I'm not sure. All I can tell you is that I'm enjoying this game and highly recommend it.

If you're into RPG games and/or love Dungeons & Dragons, check it out!