We received the report a couple of weeks ago, but couldn't confirm the existence of the "Goose Bumps" movie until this past week (see "Project Updates" below for further details on this film). Assuming that this report is true, at least it sounds as if Lloyd has been contacted by the studio with their intentions for another film, which is very encouraging and corroborates earlier reports we've heard from insiders.

However, to counteract that report comes a brief claim from "JCFRomParis" who says he met Robert Zemeckis a couple of weeks ago in France, to which the famed director refuted reports that a fourth film was planned:

I was at the Cast Away conference yesterday in Paris (Bristol Hotel). Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks were there. I asked Bob if Back to the Future Part IV is going to happen. He replied a definitive NO.

Zemeckis' answer doesn't really surprise me, nor does it concern me, as I've learned in this business that most high-profile directors won't give any tidbits regarding unannounced projects whatsoever, and will usually deny that said projects even exist.

We have been given additional details regarding development on a fourth film by a reliable source, however, our source wouldn't go on record with their information at this time, even anonymously.  Nevertheless, let me assure you that there does indeed appear to have been some movement on a fourth film with some early design work begun approximately two years ago.  The work was apparently fueled by the development of the new Ride coming in a matter of weeks (March 31) to Universal Studios Japan, but whether anything has progressed beyond that point remains a mystery.  Afterall, the studio has pumped millions upon millions into developing the Ride for three different parks, so it seems only logical to do another film just to maintain interest in the theme park attractions.  Additional films & theme park rides would no doubt have a reciprocal positive effect on each other, but the studio's intentions are still under wraps for now.

That having been said, this was about two years ago before Vivendi bought Universal from Seagram, and now rumor has it that the Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood will be replaced with the latest flavor of the month — either Spider-Man, The Mummy, X-Men or The Matrix (see MousePlanet.com's report).  My sources at Universal are refuting the report as being nothing more than internet rumor, however I do have my fears that there is some truth to this report.  Even a recent USH press release omits the BTTF Ride from the list of attractions, which seems to indicate that the attraction is no longer a top priority for the park.  We'll just have to wait this one out to see what happens, but if you're planning on attending the park anytime soon, you might want to hurry — just in case.

Sequels now on moratorium? U.K. DVD release date set?

While it's been known for ages that the first Back to the Future film has been on moratorium for over five years now, it's only been very recently that the studio has also put Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part III also on moratorium, which seems to signal at least that the DVDs may indeed be on their way in the not-too-distant future.  "Jeremy" passes along the following report:

I'm sure someone has mentioned this to you, but I thought I'd pass it along anyway. I work at Suncoast Videos, and we recently sent back all of our copies of BTTF 2 and BTTF 3. The studio has taken them both out-of-print, which, when included with some earlier info, looks very exciting indeed. The original BTTF was taken out-of-print maybe two years ago, if I'm not mistaken, and at the time we were told that a "15th Anniversary Collector's Edition Box Set" had been planned, and anytime something like that is issued, the original versions are usually taken OOP a month or two before the release of the new stuff.

So, when BTTF went OOP, we were really excited, because along with the rumors of the Box Set were rumors of the DVDs. Well, there were umpteen million problems and what have you, and the other two movies did not get taken out of print until just recently. The fact that they're gone now seems very promising to me that indeed the movies *are* going to be re-released in some sort of box set format.

We've also received some interesting information from "The Insider" regarding a possible release date in the U.K. for the DVDs.  Of course, as many times as the dates have changed, don't consider this one concrete until Universal actually makes a formal announcement:

I work in the DVD industry (my job is to gather information on forthcoming releases) and we have been told a date for BTTF on DVD here in the UK — 17/9/01. This is the first time we have been told an offical release date over here, and I can't bloody wait! It'll be available on the own, or as a trilogy boxset!  This info came to me from Universal UK, which is taking back its distrubution rights from Columbia UK in September, and it seems they want their first major release to be a big one! No catalogue number has been made for it yet, but I checked with Universal and they say its definitely happening.

More new merchandise headed our way

If you saw our report earlier this month, you already know that Corgi Classics is releasing a brand new die-cast DeLorean time machine in April, complete with a Doc Brown figurine.  We have gotten a few more details about the car, to which I imagine will delight fans and collectors. First of all, yes!  — the gull-wing doors do indeed open, giving full view to the highly detailed interior.  The lightning rod is also removeable on this approximately 5-inch long die-cast toy.  BTTF.com is taking pre-orders for this item now in our online merchandise catalog.

It also appears that Corgi isn't the only manufacturer putting out new DeLorean items, as we received word from our model distributor in Japan that Aoshima will be releasing 4 new models in April in conjunction with the new Universal Studios Japan theme park opening.  Apparently, Aoshima has discontinued manufacturing of the first four models originally issued in 1997 (#019627, #019634, #019788 & #019795), and will soon reissue them with Doc & Marty figures — #027875 (BTTF1), #027882 (BTTF3 Railroad version), #027912 (BTTF2), #027929 (BTTF3 Whitewall version).  Unfortunately, there are no photos of the figures available yet, but as always, we'll post them as soon as they're available.

Still no word on the BTTF DeLorean Sunstar Models, but their 1/18th scale stock die-cast Delorean replica is scheduled for release in June 2001 with a suggested retail price of $25.00.  The company had planned to release a BTTF DeLorean version around the same time, but since Corgi got the license to do a similar replica, Sunstar's plans may get shelved for now.

All in all, it seems that the franchise is starting to build up steam with the recent advent of new merchandise, and it makes one wonder just what lies ahead in the near future.  It should make for a very interesting trip.

DOWN WITH LOVE:  Peyton Reed has recently signed on to helm this romantic comedy about a world renowned novelist, famous for writing about feminist issues, who falls for an ultra chauvinistic reporter.

GATEWAY'S "PEOPLE RULE" COMMERCIALS:  As you may have already noticed, Michael J. Fox is appearing in three spots for the PC manufacturer which began airing on January 19.  The commercials were shot on January 12, and several more are planned.  Fox is the company's new celebrity spokesman in a technology partnering venture between Gateway and Michael's Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

KIDS WORLD:  This Christopher Lloyd starrer was slated to open in limited release on January 12, but that date came and went without the film being released.  Dale Bradley, the director of the film, tells me that "planning continues on the US Domestic release of KIDS WORLD. Due to major family movie releases (GRINCH and 102 DALMATIONS), the January release date was delayed. The distributors are currently trying to indentify a time which will be good for the target audience but not face too much competition from the major studios." In Hollywood reports that the film will now be released sometime in February.

A PACKAGE FOR ME:  Wendie Jo Sperber ("Linda McFly") stars in this short film that comically explores the fascination with shopping at home.  A middle-aged couple rekindles their relationship after the wife's (Sperber) buying spree goes to far.  Filming began in Los Angeles on November 18 and ended on December 4.