TV and DVD

TV News:

Among its seven new pilots, Fox has ordered superhero drama Human Target. Jon Steinberg adapted the DC comic about “Christopher Chance, a mysterious security-for-hire who assumes the identities of people in life-threatening danger, becoming the “human target” on behalf of his clients.”

Another Fox pilot, an as yet untitled project from WBTV, is about past-life investigators who “use the concept of reincarnation to solve mysteries in their clients’ previous lives in order to resolve their problems in the present.” It’s written by David Hudgins who is exec producing with Lou Pitt and M.J. Rose.

Adult Swim has removed anime Moribito-Guardian of the Spirit from its schedule for at least the next three months. Instead, the programs airing after it have been moved up and a second episode of Inuyasha added. Media Blasters’ John Sirabella says, “This is a matter between [Cartoon Network] and the producers. If they can work it out, then we will be happy to do the work so it can get the remaining episodes on TV. Otherwise, we will handle the DVD distribution.” Episode 10 was the last aired.

Sci Fi Channel will start showing anime Rave Master during its Ani-Manday block March 16, at midnight.

TV Tokyo has announced that Yūhō Hijikata (aka Garon Tsuchiya) and Tadashi Matsumori’s suspense manga Yukemuri Sniper will premiere in April as a live-action drama in the “Drama 24” timeslot. Hitoshi Ohne will write and direct the show about “an elite hitman tries to escape his bloody past and live his remaining years in peace.”

DVD Releases

The Roots of Japanese Anime: Until the End of WWII – December 1, 2008
Casablanca (Blu-ray) – December 2, 2008
Repo! The Genetic Opera – January 20
Amusement – January 20
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa – February 6
Blindness – February 10
Miracle at St. Anna – February 10
Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic – March 3
Australia – March 3
Quantum of Solace – March 24
Goldfinger (Blu-ray) – March 24
Moonraker (Blu-ray) – March 24
The World is Not Enough (Blu-ray) – March 24

“Star Trek I-VI will be released on Blu-ray in the U.S. in May in a 6-film ‘Kirk/Spock’ box set, each with remastered picture and sound.”

Twilight will have an exclusive Blu-ray release through Target and Best Buy only.