Studios woo fans at Comic-Con
Sneak peeks include Superman Returns DVD doc
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 7/22/2006
JULY 22 | SAN DIEGO—Studios sent a love letter to DVD fans at the Comic-Con International convention here this weekend.
Among the highlights on Friday were sneak peeks at the Superman Returns DVD and the sequel to Dark Crystal, as well as appearances to promote the upcoming theatrical release of New Line’s Snakes On a Plane.
But in the panel sessions, DVD was the main topic.
“One of the things you always pay attention to is, What do the fans want?” said “Sneak” session panelist and He-Man disc producer Andy Mangels. “You make sure hard-core fans are served first, and the rest will follow.”
Working with older shows such as He-Man, creating special features can be a challenge.
For example, for BCI’s Nov. 7 Dungeons & Dragons DVD, Mangels told fans he searched through three family generations, by way of a Los Angeles phone book, to track down voice actor Teddy Field for a commentary.
During “DVD Sneak Peek 2006,” DVD producer Robert Burnett confessed that Warner Home Video wasn’t aware that at Comic-Con he was screening parts of his 2½ hour documentary to be included on the Superman Returns DVD. But Burnett said Superman filmmaker Bryan Singer wanted Comic-Con fans to see the footage.
In the clip, Burnett is seen talking to star Brandon Routh during his screen test and accidentally lets it spill that Routh won the role.
“I made such an ass of myself talking to Brandon that first day,” Burnett recalled. “So [the doc’s] a little more inside than anybody has really seen before.”
During a Jim Henson company session, daughter Lisa Henson rolled out a Comic-Con exclusive: drawings and mock-ups of Power of the Dark Crystal, a CGI-puppet hybrid that is a follow-up to the 1982 theatrical. It is slated for a 2008 release.
It was also revealed that a second-season DVD set of Fraggle Rock from Hit Entertainment will street this fall.
Henson also previewed footage of two new Jim Henson puppet TV series: the Late Night Buffet With Augie and Del variety show and an edgy improv sketch series.
“We know that the fans want [Henson’s] puppets to continue,” Lisa Henson said.
Filmmaker Richard Donner was especially pleased with fans during “Warner Home Video’s Superman Through the Ages” session. Donner said he believes his version of Superman II would still be kept hidden without fan support.
Warner’s Nov. 28 Superman DVD collection will include Donner’s version of the franchise’s second installment. Donner filmed Superman and most of its sequel at the same time, but Richard Lester ended up completing the 1980 Superman II theatrical.
“You have no idea how proud I am about this fan base that I never knew existed,” Donner said. He said his cut of the film is being released “because of all your e-mails.”
Key to Donner’s version is a 15-minute scene starring Marlon Brando serving in judgment of the film’s villains. This is considered by many fans “the correct opening of Superman II,” Donner said.
Fans can be worrisome too, one panelist said.
During a 40th anniversary Star Trek discussion, Tokyopop artist Luis Reyes said he was fearful of fans as he worked on the first sanctioned Star Trek manga, Shinshei Shinshei, streeting this September. He was worried that Star Trek purists would be upset with the highly stylized interpretations of the franchise’s characters.
“I’m a fan,” Reyes said but was warned by Star Trek executives, “Those fans will kill you.”
CBS Products executive Paula Block helped keep the manga in line with fan expectations, insisting that Reyes eliminate beads of sweat drawn on Captain Kirk.
“It’s OK with Scotty, but Kirk wouldn’t have freaked out like that,” she said.
To honor the 40th milestone, a slew of Star Trek events are launching this year. Paramount Home Entertainment will bow Star Trek: The Animated Series on DVD on Nov. 21. A Christie’s auction, offering up five warehouses full of Star Trek props, costumes and other set material, is scheduled for October. Three videogames are forthcoming: Star Trek Legacy for PC and Xbox 360, Star Trek Battlestation for PlayStation 2 and Star Trek Tactical Assault for the PlayStation Portable. And a Star Trek memorabilia tour will wind through the country over the next couple of years, likely launching this year on the West Coast.
“Contrary to some people’s opinions, Star Trek isn’t dead,” Block said.
Also especially for fans, Samuel L. Jackson made his first Comic-Con appearance Friday to hype upcoming New Line Cinema theatrical Snakes On a Plane. Rapper Snoop Dogg was delayed in traffic for his session promoting film Snoop Dogg’s Hood of Horror, but talked to the audience via cell phone.
