April 2015 Archives   30 April 2015 Carrying a Xena Torch - Danielle Cormack Herald Sun 28 April 2015 Here's a great article in the Aussie Herald Sun newspaper about Danielle Cormack as the spectacular Queen Bea Smith on Wentworth (the US can see this show on Netflix)     30 April 2015 MaryD Fiction Newsletter for April 2015 Released The MaryD Fiction newsletter for April has been released! Sign up to subscribe to Mary D Brooks Fiction Newsletter- Sign up for content you won't find on the official main site or on facebook/twitter, giveaways, news about upcoming novels and related topics not covered online. Read chapters from the upcoming Book 6 of the Intertwined Souls Series "Brave Hearts Dare" and more! Click here to subscribe     24 April 2015 Interview with Rob on set of Ash Vs Evil Dead 23 April 2015 Rob was interviewed on the set of Ash vs Evil Dead. Here's a snippet of the article - please follow the link to read the full interview on Blastr.com Will this series live in the same universe as Army of Darkness and Evil Dead? Rob Tapert: The answer to that question is it doesn't really exist in the exact same universe. It's a slightly altered universe. It takes place somewhere in an alternate universe after Evil Dead 2. That might seem like a confusing answer, but that's the -- I don't want to spoil too much for the audience, but that's the truest answer I can give you ... We would be seeing similar locations, meaning it lives in a modern-day world with Ash battling evil in this era, the modern day. Ash went through that experience [of Army of Darkness], but we're not really referencing it in terms of we're not referencing specifics from that but he certainly has that in his memory. Are we going to see updated designs of Deadites? Rob Tapert: We certainly will play to what we once did with Deadites, even through the remake, but we're trying to expand the universe so the storytelling over the first 10 episodes ... we will encounter Deadites which are very different than other forces of evil out there. And then we will take the audience -- we'll expose the audience to new entities that were not yet presented in the Evil Dead universe, so that the audience is surprised. How is Ash still sane? Why is he not just a total basket case at this point in his life? Rob Tapert: Yes, he's no finer or nobler or saner of a character than when we last saw him. In fact, if anything, I think he's digressed. He's certainly aged quite a bit. And his courage hasn't been whipped up to a frenzy, let's put it that way. He's kind of sunk into some of his lowest -- all of our lowest instincts, and that's where we find him. And it's from that low point that I think our hero will have to be born. That's the start of our show. I'm curious about sort of the writers' room and the scripts as they come together, how involved are each of you in breaking the stories and writing? And how many scripts have you actually gotten through so far? Rob Tapert: I'm going to speak on everyone's behalf. So, Sam and his brother, Ivan, have been involved of the room every spare second until Sam got down here to start prepping. And the head writer has been down here the past couple of weeks, Craig DiGregorio, and we continue to talk through each of the episodes. We're exactly where we should be with the start of shooting. We've got, like, six scripts and some outlines in hand, so we're all very much involved in the creative process. We've gotten some hints about what the story's about, but I'm wondering if it's going to be one big story? Rob Tapert: You know, it is a serialized storytelling, since it's on premium cable, so there's an overarching plot. But each episode is still a self-contained story. The characters, themselves, are on a bigger journey, and therefore those who turn in every week will be rewarded, but the casual viewer can come in and out and kind of get what's going on. It's not as dense as other storytellings. Can you talk about the new characters that are going to be populating in this world with Ash? Rob Tapert: Ash, in this incarnation, has a team that forms around him. Pablo Simon Bolivar (Ray Santiago), is a young immigrant who wants to be part of the American fabric and forget his roots, and through his encounters with Ash and the Evil Dead, rediscovers what really is important to him. Another character in this is Dana DeLorenzo, who plays the character of Kelly. She is, I'm going to say, Pablo's love interest. She, at first, doesn't believe in Ash and wants nothing to do with him, but eventually becomes part of the team as they go about realizing that there is something greater at play in a series of Evil Dead-like attacks. They are joined by Jill Marie Jones, who plays the part of Amanda Fisher, a Michigan State Police detective who sees something that she doesn't believe, and it causes her great problems in her profession. And she is on the trail to hunt down Ash because she believes that he is responsible for this series of bodies. Eventually, she teams up with Ruby, played by Lucy Lawless, who is -- she knows something about the Evil Dead and she also is on the hunt for Ash. And so kind of that is the core team over the first season. And there's many other side characters who come and go, but that's the core team for the first season. You're all busy with so many different projects, so is this the kind of show that if Bruce left the show, and if each of you kind of decided to step back a little bit in your duties, could you see this show continuing on and perhaps the torch being passed to someone else creatively and on camera? Rob Tapert: And I'll second that. Bruce has made some -- without giving any spoilers -- supreme sacrifices in order to bring back the character of Ash, and we are very appreciative of those sacrifices that he's made. It would be a joyless process that the mantle would be passed to anybody else. And I just don't see that as a possible outcome in this.     24 April 2015 Press Release: Starz Brings "Ash Vs Evil Dead" To Life Production Begins + First Photo from Set Starz Brings "Ash Vs Evil Dead" To Life - Production Begins On First Tv Adapation Of Cult Franchise From Original Filmmakers Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert And Bruce Campbell Starz Releases First Look Photos From Set Beverly Hills, Calif., April 23, 2015 – The STARZ Original series “Ash vs Evil Dead” began production this month in New Zealand on the 10-episode first season of the half-hour series executive produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell, the original filmmakers of the franchise, and Craig DiGregorio who will serve as executive producer and showrunner. “Ash vs Evil Dead” is the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror film franchise The Evil Dead and is set to premiere on STARZ in fall 2015. Campbell will be reprising his role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons –personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its “Evil” grip. The cast is led by Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) in the role of Ash Williams, Lucy Lawless (“Salem,” “Spartacus”) as Ruby a mysterious figure who believes Ash is the cause of the Evil outbreaks, Ray Santiago (“Touch,” Meet the Fockers) as Pablo Simon Bolivar, an idealistic immigrant who becomes Ash’s loyal sidekick, Dana DeLorenzo (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas) as Kelly Maxwell, a moody wild child trying to outrun her past and Jill Marie Jones (“Sleepy Hollow”) as Amanda Fisher, a disgraced Michigan State Trooper set to find our anti-hero Ash and prove his responsibility in the grisly murder of her partner. Raimi is directing the first episode of “Ash vs Evil Dead” that he wrote with Ivan Raimi (Darkman, Army of Darkness, Drag Me to Hell), Craig DiGregorio (“Workaholics,” “Chuck”) and Tom Spezialy (“Chuck,” “Reaper,” “Desperate Housewives”). Raimi will also serve as executive producer, with Rob Tapert (Evil Dead, “Spartacus,” Xena: Warrior Princess”) and Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) along with Craig DiGregorio (“Workaholics,” “Chuck”) who will serve as executive producer/showrunner. Ivan Raimi will co-executive produce and Aaron Lam (“Spartacus”) and Chloe Smith (“Spartacus”) will serve as producers. Follow “Ash vs Evil Dead” Online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashvsevildead Twitter: @AshvsEvilDead Join the conversation with: #AshvsEvilDead About Starz Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com. Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. As of December 31, 2014, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 57.3 million subscribers, including 23.3 million at STARZ, and 34.0 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S. STARZ® and ENCORE®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX®, air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television. Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties. Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.     17 April 2015 Ash Vs Evil Dead Season 1 Begins Filming In Auckland The New Zealand media site stuff.co.nz has a great article about the start of filming of Ash Vs Evil Dead in Auckland: Three hundred mostly local crew are working on the 10-part series at a repurposed warehouse in Penrose and at multiple locations around the city. Screen Auckland manager Michael Brook said Ash vs Evil Dead was major boost for the local industry. "It's the kind of production that can really make a difference in terms of... providing good employment," he said. "We're really pleased because it's another production involving Rob Tapert. He's done an incredible job in bringing an amazing amount of work to Auckland over the last 15 to 20 years," Brook said. Read the full article     12 April 2015 Season 1 Episode 10: Hooves and Harlots Scan + Episode Review Here's an awesome photo of Xena and Gabrielle from the Season 1 episode "Hooves & Harlots" plus follow the links to the other multimedia related to this episode. Season 1 Episode 10: Hooves and Harlots Credits | Review | Screengrabs | Episode Stills Hooves and HarlotsXena (Lucy Lawless) must discover who murdered the Amazon princess Terreis (Rebekah Mercer) to avert a war between the Amazons and the Centaurs. Scribes and Scrolls: Written by Steven L Sears. Directed by Jace Alexander. Edited by Jim Prior. Passing Parade: Danielle Cormack (Ephiny), David Aston (Tyldus) , Alison Bruce (Melosa), Mark Ferguson (Krykus), Rebekah Mercer (Terreis), Colin Moy (Phantes), Chris Bailey (Celano), Antony Starr (Mesas), John Watson (Arben), Aurora Philips (Magdelus), Tanya Dignan (Eponin), Andrew Kovacevich (Tor). Disclaimer: No Males, Centaurs or Amazons were harmed during the production of this motion picture. Story So Far: Gabrielle becomes an Amazon princess. Xena tries to stop a war between the Amazons and Centaurs. Rewind For: Ephiny displaying an intimate knowledge of equine droppings. That girl really needs a hobby. No, a different hobby. The two Amazons carrying the sacrificial sword in a large metal bucket slung between two wooden poles. Swords in buckets…..just doesn’t seem very warrior-like, does it? The wooden poles, however, were definitely overkill. Some tough warlord – the first thing Krykus does after worming his way out of the collapsed tent is to adjust his hair! A comical moment as Xena fends off an ‘annoying’ Gabrielle who thinks because she’s been an Amazon for a whole five minutes, is now qualified to give Xena hand-to-hand combat advice. Xena was having none of it, her shove reminding the Gabster that a Warrior Princess still outranks a wet behind the ears Amazon Princess every time. When the Amazons throw down their weapons before the Centaurs, Gabrielle tosses hers and Xena’s down in the most girly way imaginable. She may need the Amazon advanced weapons class, methinks.   Quotable Quotes: "Just before noon tomorrow, my army attacks." Why is it always ‘noon’? Did they even have ‘noon’ in ancient Greece? Ancient anywhere? "She’s annoying. How have you put up with her?" Tough as boots Ephiny, isn’t quite ready to respect the new Amazon Princess. Whilst Gabrielle rebutted with, ‘she puts up with me just fine", the Warrior Princess remained strangely mute. "Now I see why you ride the horse." Just in case you didn’t get it the first dozen sarcastic times – Ephiny thinks the bard is a moron and she can’t believe the ‘cool’ Xena is hanging around with the class nerd. So there. Best Comebacks: Xena: "Something about me you find interesting?" Ephiny: "Yes." Xena: "Wanna tell me?" Ephiny: "No." Xena: "Then stop staring at me before I take your eyes out." Ephiny: "Come! NOW." Gabrielle: "I’m sorry, you must have mistaken me for a pet."   MORE IMAGES - CLICK HERE     11 April 2015 Xena Wins Again! There was a fierce battle and Xena won AGAIN! Xena defends her #MarchMayhem title after a fierce battle with #Hannibal in the finals http://t.co/DkMwobKfqX pic.twitter.com/PxJLPJLMGX — HitFix (@HitFix) April 8, 2015     4 April 2015 Lucy Lawless Longs For a Xena Reboot From Wall Street Journal 03 April 2015 Lucy is interviewed by The Wall Street Journal and the topic of a Xena Resurrection was asked once again: It’s been nearly 15 years since Lucy Lawless hung up the leather armor of her most character, Xena: Warrior Princess. Now she’s playing a much different kind of noble: the Countess Palatine Ingrid von Marburg, an ancient witch in the WGN America series “Salem.” We talked to her by phone from Shreveport, La., where “Salem” is shooting and, in her downtime, she’s been able to pursue one of her hobbies: watching real trials in public court. Is that why so many people connected with Xena? That was about marginalization. That character is so strongly identified by African-American women in particular, who see themselves in that character. Also gays and lesbians really took that character to heart. There’s an inner strength message that they turned into an impulse for change in their lives. You get this question in every interview, I’m sure, but with all these reboots and Kickstarter campaigns happening for old TV shows, why hasn’t “Xena” gotten the same treatment? I can’t explain it. For a long time there was ownership issues, but it’s a great franchise and it’s completely underutilized and they should reboot it. She’s a good hero because she’s a flawed one, and that’s something we could all be inside. Read More of the Article Read more about the struggle for a Xena Resurrection More about Lucy's role as Xena Warrior Princess     4 April 2015 Lucy Tweets about 2015 AUSXIP Starship Auction Lucy has tweeted about the AUSXIP Starship Auction which has (tentatively) raised $25,537 (NZD) between 21 to 27 March 2015.   Congrats!! @captainstarship will be so grateful! @ausxip raised NZD $25,537 (tentative total) in the @ausxip @captainstarship auction.” — Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) April 4, 2015     Read More Archives