Joaquin Phoenix

Yep that is Edward James Olmos talking to Joaquin Phoenix (narrating) in the trailer to I'm Still Here.

Transcript of what EJO says:

That's you, drops of water. And you're on top of the mountain of success. But one day you start sliding down the mountain and you think wait a minute, "I'm a mountain top water drop, I don't belong in this valley, this river, this little dark ocean with all these drops of water." Then one day it gets hot, and you slowly evaporate into air, way up higher than any mountain top. All the way to the heavens. Then you understand that it was at your lowest that you were closest to God. Life's a journey that goes round and round and the end is closest to the beginning. So if it's change you need, relish the journey.

Uh....

I really miss this show

Sometimes I really miss these people.
Video by augustus561.

Blood and Chrome

Maureen Ryan of The Chicago Tribune exclusively reports on a new BSG spin-off project:

Those who've been hoping for a new chapter of the "Battlestar Galactica" story may get their wish.

An online series called "Blood & Chrome" is in the works, one that would follow the experiences of a young William "Husker" Adama in the first Cylon War. According to Mark Stern, Syfy's executive vice president of original programming and the co-head of original content for Universal Cable Productions, "Battlestar Galactica" and "Caprica" co-executive producer Michael Taylor will write the the script for the new venture.

"Blood & Chrome" is "about a young man's initiation into war: both the realities of war as fought by soldiers on the ground (and in Battlestars and Vipers), and the somewhat less real version portrayed in the media," according to Taylor.

Read further details about the project, and more about season 1.5 of Caprica here.

New CAPRICA Season 1.5 trailer now online

SyFy has given the new trailer exclusively to Zune's Comic-Con page, you can watch it online there by pressing the "preview" button. ETA: trailer now on youtube and Syfy's site...

Some interesting frame grabs below.

First glimpse of Meg Tilly on CAPRICA

I see that Gramma Adama is still scary (note use of meat cleaver)

Trailer promises glimpses of "new worlds"...wonder which one this is?

Comic-Con 2010: the CAPRICA panel

James Marsters and Sasha Roiz

The FemmeBot has posted youtube video of the entire panel, featuring Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, Sasha Roiz, Alessandra Torressani, and James Marsters.

Part 1 is below, the rest is over here.

For more news about Caprica at SDCC, also check out Caprica TV who are agreggating lots of news all weekend.

"I've heard this story before..." David Eick pulls out the Patron to do shots while Ron Moore explains how Caprica is similar to Dallas

"Shots, anyone?" Panel moderator Geoff Boucher decides now is the time to ask Moore about a Caprica season two. Good move!

CAPRICA season 1.5 to premiere in January 2011

So says Maureen Ryan on her twitter: "Second half of Caprica's first season will arrive January 2011 on Syfy. Trailer for that half of season to premiere at Comic-Con."

Not sure if this is exclusive or what. Strike that, it was a press release.

Bear at SDCC

Bear McCreary has detailed his schedule for San Diego Comic Con on his blog.

After the intense Music of Battlestar Galactica concerts at the House of Blues last year, I’m perfectly content just to roam the convention and take it easy this year. So, if you see a dude walking around with dark hair and a goatee, it’s either me… or maybe Ron Moore. :)

However, I will be making a few appearances, including two panels and a CD signing. So, track me down and say hi, especially if you’re a frequent blog follower.

Bear also hints that there will be a surprise announcement at SDCC of a new project he is working on.

And congratulations to Bear on his first Emmy nomination for his outstanding opening theme for Human Target.


Also, Jeremy Olsen at The Avocado Jungle recently interviewed Bear and you can listen to it here.

James Marsters coming to Comic-Con

Ms. Torresani tweeted today that Marsters will join her at the CAPRICA panel this Friday.

We have no further confirmation, but we hope it's true!

ETA: Marsters official Facebook page has confirmed:

SAN DIEGO COMICON ALERT: James will be joining Alessandra Torresani and Sasha Roiz on the "Caprica" panel scheduled for Friday, July 23rd from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. He will be signing autographs and taking photographs on Saturday and Sunday.

A Message from the Admiral

Edward James Olmos encourages us to regain our sanity and realize that we need to shift to safe, clean and renewable energy.

On a similar note, HBO recently began airing a powerful documentary called Gasland, about natural gas drilling, a process the industry calls "fracking." Unfortunately for us, the Halliburton fracking process tends to saturate ground water with cancer causing chemicals and natural gas, so that people who have water wells near fracking sites get to enjoy flammable water coming out of their household faucets. A situation that could really frak up New York City's supply of clean drinkable water. Learn more about that here.



So, let's listen to the Admiral. So say we all.

Final Comic-Con Schedule Is Out

Here is a full list of all the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and CAPRICA related events announced for San Diego Comic Con from the official event schedule. Still no sign of Ms. Sackhoff; those of you that need to know should keep an eye out. If you are going to San Diego this year, check out the terrific personal scheduling app available for SDCC for the first time. It works on smartphones, you can sign in using Twitter, FaceBook or LinkedIn, and share your panel-going plans on social networks.

ETA: now there is a rumor that James Marsters will attend the CAPRICA panel. No confirmation yet...


THURSDAY

12:00-1:00 Caprica, Battlestar, and Beyond— Hosted by actor/author Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek, Capt. Apollo, So Say We All), this panel features composer Bear McCreary (Battlestar, Eureka, Caprica), producer/writer Michael Taylor (Battlestar, Caprica, Star Trek), science consultant Kevin Grazier (Battlestar, Eureka), and special guests. Richard and the panelists will proide reviews, discussion, and Q&A of Caprica, Battlestar Galactica, and the upcoming BSG movie, including trailers. Room 6A


FRIDAY

10:15-11:15 Hawaii Five-O: Aloha, Earth! — Lost castaway found! Battlestar Cylon becomes human! Star Trek writers return from space! A supernatural force has drawn some of sci-fi's giants back to Earth­ -- and they're all gathering on a beautiful and mysterious island in the Pacific. It's Hawaii Five-0, a modern-day reimagining of one of television's most beloved and iconic classics. The epic series, one of the most anticipated new shows of the season, will explore the origins of the Five-0 team and build on an already rich mythology. Executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (Star Trek) and Peter M. Lenkov (24), director Len Wiseman (Underworld), and stars Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) and Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica) present an exclusive sneak peek at the series and an in depth discussion on how they plan to marry their genre sensibilities with a classic police procedural. Room 6BCF

11:30-12:30 Caprica— Syfy presents an exclusive glimpse into the future of humanity. Featuring Alessandra Torresani (Zoe Graystone), Sasha Roiz (Sam Adama), James Marsters, Ronald D. Moore (co-creator/executive producer), and David Eick (executive producer) and moderated by Geoff Boucher of the Los Angeles Times. Ballroom 20

2:15-3:15 The Cape: Sneak Peek and Panel Discussion— One man can make a difference...When Vince Faraday, an honest cop on a corrupt police force, is framed for murder and presumed killed, he assumes the identity of his son's favorite comic book superhero -- The Cape -- to reclaim his name, family, and his city from the ruthless ARK Corporation and the masked villain known as Chess. Join the cast and creators including David Lyons (ER), Summer Glau (Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles), Dorian Missick (Six Degrees), James Frain (True Blood), Keith David (Gamer), Vinnie Jones (X-Men: Last Stand), Martin Klebba (Pirates of the Caribbean), composer Bear McCreary (Battlestar Galactica), creator/executive producer Thomas Wheeler (Empire), and showrunner/executive producer John Wirth (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) for this sneak peek at the pilot episode and panel discussion. A limited collector edition of The Cape comic book, with a cover by superstar artist John Cassady (Astonishing X-Men), will be given away at the panel. Room 6A

3:15-4:15 Spartacus: Blood and Sand— Andy Whitfield (McLeod's Daughters) makes his Comic-Con debut, along with Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess), John Hannah (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor), and Viva Bianca (Bad Bush). Executive producer Stephen S. DeKnight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) joins the cast to discuss the upcoming prequel, titled Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, expected to air on Starz in January 2011, and the exclusive content found on the first season Blu-ray discs, available September 21. Room 6BCF

4:45-5:45 Falling Skies— They're coming. Get the very first look at Steven Spielberg's new series that envisions a world where aliens have invaded and the fate of humanity lies in the hands of a few survivors. Noah Wyle (ER, TNT's The Librarian movies) and Moon Bloodgood (Terminator Salvation) join co-executive producer and writer Mark Verheiden (Heroes, Battlestar Galactica) for a Q&A on the new series. Falling Skies premieres on TNT next summer. Room 6A


SATURDAY

3:30-5:00 Warehouse 13 and Eureka— Don't miss two of Syfy's biggest hit series in one exclusive event. Catch back-to-back Warehouse 13 and Eureka panels, featuring Warehouse 13's Eddie McClintock (Pete Lattimer), Joanne Kelly (Myka Bering), Saul Rubinek (Artie Nielsen), Allison Scagliotti (Claudia Donovan), and Jack Kenny (showrunner/executive producer) and Eureka's Colin Ferguson (Jack Carter), Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Allison Blake), Neil Grayston (Douglas Fargo), James Callis (Grant), Jaime Paglia (co-creator/executive producer/writer), and Bruce Miller (executive producer/writer). Room 6BCF

6:30-7:30 Her Universe: Shining The Spotlight on Female Fans— Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) brings together some of today's leading women who are movers and shakers in the various fields of sci-fi and fantasy. Looking at science fiction through female eyes, the panel will discuss what kinds of entertainment female sci-fi fans want to see more of, what strides have been made, what has been missing up to now, what kinds of merchandise female fans want to see, and what female fans can do to encourage more of all of this. Panelists include Jane Espenson (producer/writer, Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Melinda Snodgrass (author, The Edge series; story editor Star Trek: The Next Generation), Erika Kennair (director of development and current programming, Syfy Channel), Cat Staggs (artist, Star Wars sketch cards, Marvel card sets), Bonnie Burton (content developer, Lucas Online, official SW Blog), Katie Cook (artist, Star Wars, comics, webcomic Gronk), and Mary Franklin (senior events lead, Lucasfilm Ltd.). Q&A with audience members, too! Room 24ABC

ETA: Information on signings and some new CAPRICA merch!

Alessandra Torresani, Jane Espenson, and Bob Harris from CAPRICA are all doing signings at the Entertainment Earth booth over the weekend (schedule here). Mark Sheppard and Richard Hatch are doing signings elsewhere at SDCC booths. And...

NBC Universal will debut "Beyond Caprica - A Visitor's Pocket Guide to the Twelve Colonies" ($10) and an all-new Caprica T-shirt ($20), available for purchase at Entertainment Earth's booth. Here's your chance to own a piece of the hit Syfy channel drama set in the Battlestar Galactica universe.

CAPRICA & BSG at Nerd Prom (aka Comic-Con) 2010

Maureen Ryan has confirmed with SyFy they are bringing CAPRICA to San Diego Comic-Con this year.

Starz has announced that Lucy Lawless will attend the SPARTACUS: BLOOD & SAND panel, and there is a rumor that James Callis will be attending with the EUREKA panel (he has joined the cast for the new season, which premieres July 9, to play physicist Dr. Grant).



The HAWAII FIVE-O panel will include co-star Grace Park. Writer/producer Mark Verheiden will be there for a panel about his new series FALLEN SKIES, co-produced by HEROES' Greg Beeman and executive produced by Steven Spielberg.

If any of you hear about additional BATTLESTAR GALACTICA alumni at SDCC this year, shout it out in the comments.

For the first time ever I am going to SDCC myself, and will cover as much as I possibly can from the TV and Film worlds over at my new site The FemmeBot. Come check it out!

Gulf Oil Spill Disaster Relief Telethon

Edward James Olmos and many other celebrities will be appearing on Larry King's CNN telethon on Monday, June 21, to help raise awareness and money to restore the Gulf after the disastrous BP oil spill.

Tune in this Monday, June 21, for a special LARRY KING LIVE telethon focusing on what you can do to help the Gulf Coast.

"Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help," will be featuring three charities, so you will be able to choose which one you want to help out. The money raised will go to aid in rebuilding the Gulf Coast.

Celebrity participants include Chelsea Handler, Sting, Tim McGraw, Kathy Griffin, Alyssa Milano, Deepak Chopra, Pete Wentz, Ted Danson, Robert Redford, Harry Connick Jr., Jenny McCarthy, Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Aaron Neville, Kerry Kennedy, James Carville and Mary Matalin, Anderson Cooper, Tyson Ritter, Lenny Kravitz, Ian Somerhalder, Edward James Olmos, Philippe Cousteau and more!!

Get more info here and tune in this Monday to donate.

Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition

The Science Fiction Museum at Seattle's Experience Music Project has announced a very special exhibit coming this October:

Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum (EMP|SFM) is proud to announce its latest exhibition, Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition. Organized by EMP|SFM and in partnership with Universal Cable Productions and Syfy, Battlestar Galactica features three stunning, full-size prop spaceships, iconic costumes, new exhibition films, music and other props from the original and reimagined series. Battlestar Galactica opens to the public Oct. 23, 2010 and runs through March 4, 2012 at EMP|SFM in Seattle.

“The museum is honored to be organizing the first exhibition devoted to both series,” said Brooks Peck, Curator of Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition. “Battlestar Galactica is one of those rare science fiction shows that appeals to a wide range of people because it combines high adventure with very personal drama. It explores what it means to be human, and has a lot of fun doing so.”

Opening weekend (Oct. 22-24, 2010) will include museum member and public events with some of Battlestar Galactica’s most popular personalities.

"Over its four season run on Syfy, Battlestar Galactica became an iconic series that not only entertained, but fulfilled the promise of all great science fiction. It provoked us into examining our world and ourselves through its politically-charged, socially-relevant, religious and technological themes," said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming, Syfy, and Co-head, Original Content, Universal Cable Productions. "It is an honor for us to partner with EMP|SFM in this one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience BSG in an up-close and personal way."

The exhibition will be presented in the Milestones Gallery on EMP’s third level. Battlestar Galactica will become a traveling exhibition in 2012 after its premiere at EMP|SFM.

For any of you who were at the prop & costume auctions, and felt that thrill of being up close with actual materials from the series -- or for any of you who wished you could have been there -- this sounds like a fantastic event.

Since it is apparently a travelling exhibit, let's hope it has many other stops after Seattle!

You can read more about the details of the exhibition content here.

Olmos in the Gulf

Here's a video shot by Robert M. Young (director of many episodes of BSG) and Edward James Olmos on a trip to the heart of the oil spill in the Gulf. Edited by Stephen Cohen.

Aloha Lost

Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, the showrunners of Lost, have also been BSG fans. Michael Emerson and Jorge Garcia have also spoken about their being fans of BSG.

Many BSG fans like myself, have also been big fans of Lost. So, as Lost comes its end tonight, it's worthy to note its passing into television history...

ttheblackbox created a fitting trailer for the finale:


ABC held a contest for fan made commercials and this one was the winner:


Also this week, there has been several articles speculating about how the finale of Lost will compare to BSG's Daybreak. Most likely the same controversies will erupt. For more on the subject see io9, io9, and Jezabel. In recent interviews Darlton including in their Times Talk, have made it clear that they never intended to answer every little question, and in fact some of the fan questions have already been answered if people had been paying attention.

Also recently held at UCLA's Royce Hall was Lost Live: The Final Celebration to showcase the Lost music of Michael Giacchino and the Colburn School of Performing Arts.

The Los Angeles Times has several rehearsal clips on YouTube.

Five-0

Film School Rejects has a first look at the new Hawaii Five-O co-staring Grace Park:

Ron Moore has a new TV deal

Deadline Hollywood broke the news this week that Ron Moore has signed on with Sony to create new TV work:

Ronald D. Moore has found a new TV home. The Battlestar Galactica creator has inked a two-year overall with Sony Pictures TV to create and executive produce series projects for broadcast and cable through his production company Tall Ship Prods. Moore is coming off three consecutive overall deals at NBC Uni’s Universal Media Studios that were tied to Moore’s services on Syfy’s Battlestar Galactica... Sony is clearly making a push in genre series. The studio recently signed Smallville creators Miles Millar and Alfred Gough to an overall deal.

Galacticize your Mac

Etsy vendor CraftyGalDecals is selling this great Macbook laptop decal for a mere $8.99. And not just in black... Hard to choose though. She's got so many great designs in her shop. Hat tip to jeebs83 for finding this.

Ron Moore Speaks

Ronald D. Moore spoke to Den of Geek about Caprica and BSG, Virtuality, and other things. On the topic of "Daniel" the Number Seven Cylon from BSG the Q&A is as follows:

QUESTION:I wanna get a bit geeky here. Is there a connection between the Daniel mentioned toward the end of Galactica and Daniel Graystone?

ANSWER: No, that was a complete coincidence of name. I didn't realise how much people would glom onto that coincidence and start to read all kinds of things into it. There's really nothing there.

No new news on the potential new BSG spin off has yet to come forth.

Easter Sunday