This past Saturday, Ain’t It Cool News reported that the amazing Shane Black (he used to be Shane Black the Great but now he’s amazing) will be writing and possibly directing the adaptation of the pulp fiction hero “Doc Savage”.  AintItCool also noted that power producers/screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci would be producing the film.  Contrary to popular opinion, Kurtzman & Orci do not produce every upcoming genre property passing through Hollywood.  It’s an honest mistake on AICN’s part but we know the film’s real producers.  Hit the jump to find out.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen earned over $820 million at the box office and become the #1 movie of the year in North America and throughout the world. Star Trek is the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2009 and has become the highest-grossing film in the series.

The writers responsible for both of those films, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talked about their DVD releases, during a recent press day at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. The two compared their processes for each of the films, along with their approach to making existing material interesting and new for audiences. They also talked about their history with “Star Trek” and covered a lot of subjects the fans will find interesting. Here’s what they had to say:

This year’s reboot of the Star Trek franchise, under the guidance of director J.J. Abrams, proved that new eyes could make something that has already been around for 10 films, fresh and exciting again. Abrams’ sensational re-invention was hailed by critics and embraced by both long-time fans and newcomers to the Star Trek world. With an exciting cast, including the original Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy, the success of the film left fans highly anticipating its sequel.

While Abrams and writers Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman are busy trying to determine the story for the next Star Trek film, the director took time out to talk about the special features on the upcoming DVD/Blu-Ray release on November 17^th. Here’s what he had to say ……..

In August of last year, Nicole ran a story about “Criminal Minds” executive producer/showrunner Ed Bernero trying to develop a new version of “Hawaii Five-0″ for CBS. Since then, it’s been very quiet, leading most to assume the project was dead.

Not so fast, as THR is reporting that CBS has given a pilot commitment to the new show, except it’s now going to be written by feature scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (”Star Trek”, “Transformers”) and “CSI: NY” executive producer Peter Lenkov. More after the jump.

Few films have ever been as universally well received as J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek”, a terrific scifi action flick that captured the attention of long time Trekers and at the same time satisfied general audiences with its dazzling effects, charismatic leads, dynamic direction, and tell me warp didn’t kick your ass. So it comes as no surprise that sequel rumblings have started spreading throughout the interwebs. But now, we have solid talk from the filmmakers themselves about what a sequel to the successful series reboot, with director J.J. Abrams and writer Roberto Orci talking about the follow up. Perhaps the most surprising news is some of the directions discussed for the next film, which could involve an exploration of current themes of terrorism and politicized war, according to Orci, saying “We’re trying to keep it as up-to-date and as reflective of what’s going on today as possible. So that’s one thing, to make it reflect the things that we are all dealing with today“. For more from Orci and Abrams, as well as more potential story ideas, gun it to maximum warp and hit the jump.

A dashing eccentric man with swagger and charm.  A buttoned-down female agent.  Sound familiar?  Let’s face it, it’s a formula that works in science fiction television and Fringe employs it wonderfully.  But can this series fill the void left in our hearts from our long-departed X-Files?  In a word: yes.  More after the jump.

Someone at Paramount must like me. I didn’t have time to see “Star Trek” on IMAX, when it came out May 8, but now I just might. The franchise reboot is getting another run on around 100 IMAX locations this Friday. The reason for the title coming back to the big big screen is pretty simple: it broke IMAX records in May, opening with $8.5 million domestically in its first weekend and continued strong. Unfortunately, it was shelved after only two weeks due to previous commitments with Fox to release “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.” Most films get a four week theatrical run, and now that the summer season has cooled, “Star Trek” will pick up its remaining weeks. More excitement after the jump.

So this is gonna be Big, Insane Story Week, huh?  Yesterday we learn that Disney bought Marvel Studios and today we’re learning that Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau will delay “The Avengers” and a potential “Iron Man 3″ to do Alex Kurtzman Roberto Orci, and Damon Lindelof’s adaptation of Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley’s graphic novel, “Cowboys & Aliens”.  I don’t know if I can take another insane story this week so click the jump as I try to process this one.

Just a few hours ago I was doing every “Star Trek” fan a favor…I was asking screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman what they were planning on doing in the sequel to the biggest film of the year. Yes, you read that right. “Star Trek” is the biggest domestic release with over $235 million dollars at the box office!

Anyway, the reason I got to ask them some questions is not only did they write “Trek”, but they also wrote the first “Transformers” movie and co-wrote the sequel. So at todays press junket for the second “Giant F*cking Robot Movie”, I managed to land another exclusive interview with two of the busiest writers in town and we talked about everything. In fact, we covered so many subjects that I’m breaking the interview into two parts.

In today’s post I’ve got everything they said on the “Star Trek” sequel and “Cowboys and Aliens”, and in the next one, expect info on their other movies, “Fringe”, and “Transformers Revenge of the Fallen”.

But let’s get to why you’re here…”Star Trek”. And it’s all after the jump:

Just a few hours ago, Paramount/DreamWorks held two press conferences here in Los Angeles to promote “Transformers Revenge of the Fallen”. Since I’m not going to have the time to transcribe the interviews tonight, for all the people that wanted to hear what the cast and filmmakers said, I’m offering you the audio files right now.

The first press conference was Scott Farrar (ILM), Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura and screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman.

The second press conference was director Michael Bay, Megan Fox, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Kevin Dunn, and Ramon Rodriguez.

While the first one will be informative if you want to hear what went on behind the scenes at ILM and how the script came together, the second one is where it’s at. That’s because the cast was saying some very funny stuff and Michael Bay is…well…Michael Bay. You can never go wrong listening to Bay.

So if you’d like to hear them, here’s the link for the first one, and here’s the link for the second. Look for a lot more from today’s junket very soon.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Heroes” star Masi Oka has just set up “The Defenders” over at DreamWorks with “Star Trek” writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci producing, Gary Whitta (”The Book of Eli”) writing the script, and D.J. Caruso (”Eagle Eye”) potentially directing.  I’m not sure what role this leaves Oka since the story doesn’t say he’s acting in it, co-producing, co-writing, or if he’s active in any capacity other than developing the idea.

The idea: “The story centers on a group of mostly teenagers from around the world who are involved in a multiplayer video game, each unaware of who they really are behind the cover of their consoles and avatars. They are forced to come together for a real adventure, becoming inadvertent heroes in the process.”  Also, the teenagers who say they’re hot women and have a busty elf as their avatar should actually be ugly dudes.  Naw, I’m just kidding.  This is totally gonna play into a geek fantasy and some gorgeous chick is going to be a hardcore gamer*.

Honestly, it seems like a fun idea since Orci and Kurtzman want to make a film in the vein of the old Amblin movies like “The Goonies” and Oka asks the cool question of “What if you had to live up to the person you created in the virtual world?”  Cynically, I’d say you’d fail completely and be revealed for the failure that you are.  The movie will probably come to a different conclusion.

*Yes, I know there are hardcore gamers that are gorgeous women.  It’s just that the aforementioned hideous dudes are far more common.

Warner Home Video has just announced the DVD/Blu-ray info on “Fringe: The Complete First Season”. While we rarely post DVD cover art and info anymore, since this was one of my favorite shows of last season, I’m going to give it some love.

Remember that one season of “The X-Files” that was really great…that’s “Fringe” every week. While the pilot was mediocre, every subsequent episode got better and better and the show ended with a fantastic finale. All I can say is…I really recommend giving “Fringe” a chance.

So if I’ve peaked your interest, after the jump is all the info on the DVD and Blu-ray plus cover art. Take a look.

I am convinced that if hardcore Trekkies (sorry, “Trekkers”-there, your masculinity is still intact) had made the “Star Trek” reboot they wanted, it would have sucked hard.  It would have skipped re-introducing the characters, moved into heavy-handed and transparent social commentary combined with cheesy references and eye-rolling cameos.   The devoted would have loved the film and it would have killed the franchise for yet another generation.

And so I am grateful to screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci for what they’ve done with both “Transformers” and now “Star Trek”.  They took two properties with ridiculous fanbases and put the focus on fun and characters while doing their best not to alienate the faithful.  These films work in spite of psychotic audience members and they’ve delivered a product that was better than what most in the mainstream expected.

Which is why you should totally berate them with annoying questions that speak more to your bias than what’s actually in the film.  You’ll have that chance on Tuesday, May 26 from 7:30-9:30pm at the Writers Guild Theater (135 S Doheny Dr., 90211).  LA residents who choose to attend can also try to find different ways to ask what the writers have in store for the sequel, what they have planned for “Transformers”, and what they’re planning for the second season of “Fringe”. Also, be on the lookout for the one person who has a question related to their previous work on “Hercules”, “Xena”, or “Alias”.  Bonus points if they try to get Kevin Sorbo’s phone number.

Tickets are $20 for the general public, $15 for WGA members, and $10 for students.  You can click here to buy tickets or call (800) 838-3006.