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©1995-99, To Be Continued...
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May 12, 1999
More details on BTTF4 rumor; DVD's coming late Summer?
Magazine Editor gives further details on sequel
After a week of frantic scrambling for further details on this new rumor, and basically coming up empty-handed, I decided yesterday to contact the source of the rumor direct to see if they would reveal their source of information or give any further details. Surprisingly enough, Emma Cochrane, Editor for Total Film magazine (ironicly published by "Future Publishing"), replied within 16 hours of my email with the following response:
"This rumour comes from our script doctors; these are two people based in the UK who regularly read all the scripts doing the rounds and write reports on how they can be improved. (For instance, they've recently read 3 different versions of the next Indiana Jones sequel — one which is a prequel and one which involves aliens)"
"They have read this treatment of the script, by Ed Solomon, and the details are as appeared in the article. The script is yet to be completed, but approaches are being made to the stars for them to return. A 'Sarah Michelle Gellar' type has been mentioned for the lead, whether they get the lady herself depends on her Buffy shedule and other projects. Whether the project gets the go-ahead or not will depend upon script approval."
It's not much more to go on, but I'm now comfortable that there's some validity to the rumor — I don't see any reason why not to believe the editor of a major entertainment magazine! I do question how old the script treatment is though, as the Indiana Jones script involving aliens she mentioned is one we've know about for quite some time, as according to one of our anonymous scoopers back in 1997, it was in the Amblin vaults along with the infamous Back to the Beginning script. Hopefully, this is a new project indeed, and not old news just now reaching the U.K. Anyway, at the moment, the folks at Total Film are the only ones talking. I've put in calls and emails to representatives for Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Robert Zemeckis, and various other folks at Universal, but nobody's replied so far. If everyone's going to be hush-hush on this topic, it could very well be a good indication that something big is brewing in the BTTF saga! Stay
tuned — this is going to be a great ride!
I do warn you that rumors will continue to circulate and grow in numbers, and that you may hear them from what may seem like reputable places and sources. But please, don't believe everything you hear. We continue to get reports of BTTF4 activity from visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood who take the backlot tram tour. Obviously, USH has a tour guide or two who get their jollies by telling park visitors that the futuristic 2015 cars and DeLoreans from Back to the Future Part II (which have been on the backlot for nearly 10 years now) are actually prototypes for an upcoming BTTF sequel. Folks, these tour guides have been telling these same lame jokes for several years now. Believe me, when this sequel happens, it's going to be a top secret project, and production material will not be out in plain view to the public until the film is actually in production if it shoots on location using the same sets.
Trilogy Collection coming on DVD this Summer?
According to the DVD.com website, Universal is now planning on releasing a collection of all three Back to the Future films on DVD at the same time. The report yesterday stated that Universal would be releasing the three films separately — not as a Trilogy set — the same month that they plan to release a three-disc gift set to commemorate Alfred Hitchcock's 100th birthday. Hitchcock's birthday happens to be in the late Summer (August 13, 1999), not in the Fall — when the last report from Universal Studios Home Video stated the first film would be released — but the report didn't exactly state when the Hitchcock collection would be released either. As usual, Universal has not yet confirmed the release dates for the three BTTF DVD's, but obviously, they now realize how big of a demand there is for this collection, and are taking steps to get
them out as soon as possible. Also expected at the same time are rereleases of the first film on VHS and LaserDisc.
On a similar note, Varèse Sarabande has just announced their release schedule through mid August, and the planned Back to the Future Trilogy CD has been pushed back again, without a release date in sight. If I had to guess, I'd say that they're waiting for the DVD release as much as we are, to help boost sales. No doubt, having the Trilogy CD and DVD, VHS and LaserDisc all in stores around the same time will give each format added exposure. Plus, by waiting until late Summer or early Fall, the Star Wars hype will have died down so that other franchises can capture some of the spotlight once again.
“Spin City” throws out another BTTF reference
Did you catch the latest in a long history of BTTF references last night on Spin CIty? In a scene with guest star Jon Stewart as Mike's stock broker Parker, Mike and Carter were explaining to Parker that they needed to buy some stock in "BARKY.com". Mike was supposed to invest James' money in the internet company, but didn't because he didn't want James to lose his life savings of $8,300.00. When the stock shot up from $2.00 a share to $64.00 a share overnight, Mike told his broker he needed to make $300,000.00 to give to James, but needed him to buy the stock 2 days ago. The reference came when Carter, surprised at Mike's plan, quipped "That's your plan?! Time travel?". Mike gave no verbal response to the statement, and none was necessary. Fox's classic stare and perfect timing did all the talking as the audience applauded and cheered with laughter! With only two more new episodes left this season, it'll
be a long summer while we await the new fall season for Spin's 4th season.
Speaking of 4th seasons, the 4th may be the last season for Lea Thompson's NBC sitcom Caroline in the City, which has suffered in the ratings this year against CBS's Everybody Loves Raymond. NBC is supposed to announce their Fall schedule next Monday (May 17), but it is not known whether or not they will renew Caroline for a 5th season. You can let NBC know that you want the show to return by emailing them at caroline@nbc.com.
Zemeckis gets “Angry”
In Hollywood reports that Robert Zemeckis has signed on to produce yet another film. Angry White Men is in active development at Warner Bros. in association with Zemeckis' ImageMovers, and tells the caper of a group of corporate employees who carry out a series of train robberies against their company after being fired. Mel Gibson has been mentioned as the possible lead.
Upcoming films for BTTF alumni
Christopher Lloyd's made-for-cable film It Came From the Sky finally debuts on the Romance Classics channel this Saturday. The film costars John Ritter and Yasmine Bleeth, and was filmed over a year ago, soon after he completed My Favorite Martian in late 1997. Photos courtesy of the telefilm's official site.
The official website for Casey Siemaszko's upcoming drama, Limbo, slated for theatrical release on June 4, has released the trailer for the film. If you have the plugin for Quicktime 3.0 or above, check out the 2:30 clip at www.spe.sony.com/movies/limbo/trailermain.html.
New Huey tour dates
Here's the very latest tour schedule for Huey Lewis & The News, courtesy of Newsline II Fan Club:
| DATE(S) |
LOCATION |
VENUE |
| May 13-16 |
Las Vegas, Nevada |
Caesar's Palace — Circus Maximus Showroom |
June 18  |
Kansas City, Missouri |
Station Casino |
| June 19 |
Burlington, Iowa |
Burlington Steamboat Days |
| June 20 |
Springfield, Missouri |
Route 66 Country Music Festival |
| June 24 |
Greeley, Colorado |
Greeley Independence Stampede |
| June 26 |
Grand Junction, Colorado |
Country Jam USA |
| July 9-11 (unconfirmed) |
South Lake Tahoe, Nevada |
Caesar's Tahoe — Circus Maximus Showroom |
| July 23 |
Danbury, Connecticut |
Charles Ives Center For The Arts |
| July 27 |
Westbury, New York |
Westbury Music Fair |
| July 29 |
Warwick, Rhode Island |
Warwick Music Theater |
| July 30 |
Vienna, Virginia |
Wolf Trap |
| August 1 |
Boston, Massachusetts |
Harborlights Pavilion |
| August 5 |
Turlock, California |
Stanislaus County Fair |
| August 27-29 |
Saratoga, California |
Villa Montalvo Historic Mountain Winery |
| September 3 |
Mashantucket, Conneticut |
Foxwoods Hotel & Casino |
| September 4-5 |
Atlantic City, New Jersey |
Trump Taj Mahal |
| September 9 |
Robinsonville, Mississippi |
Horseshoe Casino |
| September 11 |
Clarkston, Michigan |
Pine Knob Music Theater |
| September 12 |
Merrillville, Indiana |
Star Plaza Theater |
| November 10-13 |
Las Vegas, Nevada |
Caesar's Palace |
| December 31 |
San Rafael, California |
Location TBA |
— Stephen Clark
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