Gale, Lloyd headed Back to the Future again!
Hill Valley — Nearly twenty years after it all first began, Doc Brown is back in his lab hard at work on his latest experiment.
In what is certain to be regarded by fans of the trilogy as a highly unexpected but most welcomed move, Bob Gale has recently been tapped to direct Christopher Lloyd in live-action segments for a brand-new slot machine game based on the Back to the Future trilogy. Shot on High Definition video just two weeks ago, the game returns Lloyd to the fan-favorite role of "Doc Brown", whom he last portrayed twelve years ago during the second season of CBS's Back to the Future animated series.
The yet-untitled game is being designed and manufactured by International Game Technology, an industry leader of slot machine design which is based in Reno, Nevada.
Utilizing the company's advanced video platform, the game will be IGT's flagship machine of their new product line, which is to be unveiled at the game industry's annual trade show this October. However, the machines are not expected to show up in local casinos until mid-to-late 2005.
Bob Gale, who pulls double-duty on the game serving both as the writer and the director, provides interesting but minimal details on the game at this point in time. "The game features bonus modes with all new footage of Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown, unveiling his newest experiment — the Flux Interocitor, which converts time into money," states Gale.
BTTF.com first learned of the initial plans for the game last August, but details were sketchy and all players were understandably mum on providing any confirmation on the project's existence. While the previously established Back to the Future storyline certainly lends itself to several gambling scenarios, such as Biff's Pleasure Paradise and Marty's original intentions for the sports almanac, it seems clear that this game will not rely very much on previously established facts in the BTTF universe by creating its own storyline. After all, IGT is known for its successful development of slots based on familiar television & film properties and taking them to all new levels.
Joe Kaminkow, IGT’s vice president of game design, says several factors are at work. “We are, first of all, in the entertainment business, and we see slot machine games as the mini-movies showing at your casino multiplex,” says Kaminkow. “Playing slots is not just about wagering. Players also want to have fun, be amused by the bonus rounds and, yes, they hope to win.”
Familiarity is another reason IGT has developed games drawn from popular culture. “We’ve found that players identify with many of these themes,” Kaminkow says. “They like the show or the performer and transfer some of this affection to the game."
Gale adds, "Although the player's odds on this machine will be no better than on any other, we think the entertainment value will be much higher."
BTTF.com understands that several cast members from the series may have also been approached to provide new voice-overs for the game as well, but no further details have been confirmed to us at this time. Stay tuned...
Tom Wilson to play in the “Shade”
Pasadena, Calif. — No stranger to the stage, actor/comedian Tom Wilson returns to his roots this summer in The Pasadena Playhouse's production of 110 in the Shade, beginning on June 18 and running through July 25.
Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Wilson began acting in high school and community theatre, working his way up to summer stock Shakesperean roles in Joseph Papp's New York City Shakespeare Festival. It was during a production of "Richard III" that he started performing improvisation and stand-up comedy with other actors in the cast.
Wilson will appear as "Noah" in the production that Variety calls "...an entertaining, very touching and undeniably moving show..." And yes, Tom will be singing for the production. "God help us all," jokes the endearing comedian.
110 in the Shade is Richard Nash's lyrical adaptation of his gentle comedy The Rainmaker. With a soaring score by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones, it has become a standard of the American musical theatre. The Rainmaker began its life as a television play in 1952. Just over a year later a stage version appeared on Broadway where it ran for 125 performances. In 1956 a film version starring Katherine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster was produced. Legendary producer David Merrick optioned the musical rights for the play and asked Nash to do the adaptation himself and then hiring Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt to write their first Broadway score.
The heat is on! In the middle of a heat wave in the 1930's, when everyone is longing for rain, or a breeze, Lizzie meets a dashing Rainmaker and her life is forever changed. Based on the famous play and movie The Rainmaker, 110 In The Shade is a deeply moving musical with a sweeping and passionate score created by the team that gave us The Fantasticks and I Do, I Do. One of the most beautiful and memorable musicals ever written, this sometimes overlooked gem is a tale of faith
and the miracles of life and love.
Tickets are available by phone at 626-356-PLAY (7529); in person at the Pasadena Playhouse box office (located at 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101); or online. Visit the company's website at www.pasadenaplayhouse.org for further details.
Zemeckis, Gale tapped for DVD commentary
Universal City, Calif. — Universal Studios Home Video has tapped writer/director Robert Zemeckis and writer/associate producer Bob Gale to record commentary for their feature film debut, I Wanna Hold Your Hand — the lone remaining film from Zemeckis' directorial catalog of features not currently available on DVD.
The 1978 film was executive produced by Steven Spielberg, and co-starred Wendie Jo Sperber and Marc McClure — two of the many ticket-less teens trying to see The Beatles' first U.S. appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
Bob Gale informs BTTF.com that there's "no street date yet, but we've done the transfer (it's beautiful)," and that he and Bob Z are scheduled to record their commentary later this month. No further details are available at this time.
— Stephen Clark
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