Early last October we got word that Lionsgate had secured film rights to the Chaos Walking trilogy of young-adult novels by Patrick Ness, and now today we've learned who will be writing the first installment in the series based on The Knife of Never Letting Go.

Per Deadline, Lionsgate has picked the super imaginative Charlie Kaufman for the project, and we agree he is an inspired choice. His previous adaptations of the Chuck Barris memoir Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and the Susan Orlean book The Orchid Thief (which became the Nicolas Cage/Meryl Streep-starrer Adaptation) took the subject matter into all kinds of imaginative directions not found in the pages of those books.

The Carnegie Medal winning Chaos Walking series is set in a dystopian future with humans colonizing a distant earth-like planet. When an infection called the Noise suddenly makes all thought audible, privacy vanishes, chaos ensues, and a corrupt autocrat threatens to take control of the human settlements and wage war with the indigenous alien race. Only young Todd Hewitt holds the key to stopping planet wide-destruction.

Doug Davison’s Quadrant Pictures is producing, and now that they have a writer, we expect a director and casting news to be forthcoming shortly.

Okay, talk about an embarrassment of riches... if you are lucky enough to be located near a Cinebarre location, you're in for a special treat this weekend.

Not only will you get a chance to see the new John Cusack film, The Raven, stuff your face and tie a load on doing while doing it, you'll also get to see Morella, a short based on the Edgar Allan Poe story, for no additional charge. Score!

If you're unfamiliar with Cinebarre, they may very well have the coolest damn theaters in existence. Movies, good food and plenty of grog to go around. A great place to check out a show!

Directed by Jeff Ferrell, Morella is a 10-minute Gothic horror short pulled right from the pages of Poe. Starring Dennis Kleinsmith and Lisa Coronado, the film was produced in 2008 at the Seattle Film Institute and was nominated for Best Short Film at the '08 H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival.

For those of you not lucky enough to live by a Cinebarre, we've got love for you, too. We've included Morella below in its entirety. Enjoy!

From time to time we all like being savaged by the people whom we love, but that's not this case here. In fact, this is a clear cut case of being Savaged in the most horrific of ways.

From the Press Release
Toronto-based genre sales and distribution company Raven Banner Entertainment has entered into a co-production deal with Green Dog Films and Reigning Entertainment for helmer-scribe Michael S. Ojeda’s action-horror film Savaged.

The project, financed by Raven Banner and Cart Before the Horse Productions LLC, is expected to begin lensing this week at an abandoned gold mine on the outskirts of Los Angeles with Raven Banner handling world sales.

Savaged tells the story of Zoe (starring newcomer Amanda Adrienne), a beautiful deaf woman who is abducted, brutalized, and left for dead by a murderous gang. When she is found by a local native medicine man, he tries to save her, but his efforts take a disastrous turn when she awakes possessed by a murdered Apache chief, hellbent on revenge.

Writer/director Ojeda recently directed two seasons of Spike’s “Deadliest Warrior” and his first feature, Lana’s Rain, was released theatrically in the U.S. and earned three stars from critic Roger Ebert.

"Savaged is a throwback to classic horror movies like Evil Dead, Dawn of the Dead and Frankenstein, fused with today's filmmaking sensibilities while incorporating popular elements such as a strong female lead, revenge, and even the zombie mythos with a powerful love story and, of course, edge of your seat action," says Ojeda. "The passion and belief that Raven Banner has expressed in my project is more than flattering. I'm looking forward to building a long lasting relationship with them."

Jason Gurvitz, Lezlie Wheeler, and Ojeda will produce. Michael Paszt, James Fler, and Andrew Hunt of Raven Banner and Jorden Fox, Jake Gelyana, and Levi Fox of Cart Before the Horse Productions LLC will serve as executive producers.

After debuting the first official poster for Area 407 last week, a second one has arrived, and of course we have it for you right here. The film will be available nationwide on IFC Midnight cable VOD and digital outlets and in select theaters on April 27, 2012.

Directed by Dale Fabrigar and Everette Wallin, Area 407 stars Abigail Schrader, Samantha Lester, James Lyons, Melanie Lyons, Brendan Patrick Connor, Ken Garcia, Samantha Sloyan, Everette Wallin and Jude Gerard Prest. The film was written by Robert Shepyer.

Synopsis
After taking off on a flight from New York to Los Angeles on New Year's Eve, the passengers of Flight 37A are soon sent into shock and alarm as the plane experiences severe turbulence. The relentless weather attack causes panic and terror amongst the passengers until the plane ultimately crashes in a remote government-testing reserve, AREA 407. Through footage captured by two teenage sisters, the accident and crash lead to further events that should not be viewed by the faint of heart. As they continue to film, it becomes apparent that the remaining survivors of Flight 37A may not survive the night.

More cinéma vérité-style undead mayhem is coming our way in the shape of Jordan L. Salkil's The Dead. Read on to find some footage and try and contain the infection. Like that could ever happen!

The Dead is a first-person zombie film created by Eye Open Pictures Entertainment in the fall of 2009. With a budget of only $500, these cats we were able to amass over 200 zombies for the movie, which was all shot in their hometown of Swanton, Ohio.

No cast or victims have been named in the making of this film.

Synopsis
Two groups of people (a news crew and a group of friends) document the most horrific plague this country has ever seen. Days prior to the Horizex Incident, a group of friends are celebrating one of their own's 21st birthday on October 31st, 2010. In the meantime a news report team has a lead to investigate a protesting group called P.A.S.S. in order to shut down the Horizex plant. Both groups end up finding out that there is a zombie apocalypse in their small town of Aubrey. Now the two groups must find a way to survive or end up as one of "The Dead".

Everyone and their grandmothers seem to be piling on the Mel Gibson hate-fueled bandwagon nowadays. That's okay, though, because Gibson is a tough sonovabitch, and lord knows he hasn't been this entertaining in years. Next up for the troubled actor....

According to Deadline, Mel Gibson is now in serious discussions to play a supporting role in Machete Kills, the Robert Rodriguez-directed sequel that will bring Danny Trejo back as the blade-wielding former Federale title character.

Machete Kills is a Quick Draw Production, produced by Rodriguez, Alexander Rodnyansky, Quick Draw’s Aaron Kaufman and Iliana Nikolic, Sergei Bespalov, and Rick Schwartz. A script has been written by Kyle Ward and developed by Rodriguez and Marcel Rodriguez.

The new film finds Machete (Danny Trejo) recruited by the U.S. Government for a mission which would be impossible for any mortal man. Machete must battle his way through Mexico to take down a madman cartel leader and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer who has hatched a plan to spread war across the planet with a weapon in space. Machete takes on an army in an effort to dismantle a plan for global anarchy.

Look for more soon!

We're back with the latest installment of Radio 66.6! This week features news, music, videos, tour dates and more from the likes of System of a Down, The Wonder Years, Nightwish, The Acacia Strain, Deftones, For Today, Death By Stereo, Dead and Divine and more. Don't touch that dial!

NEWS
Serj Tankian will release a new album entitled Harakiri on July 10 via Reprise Records/Serjical Strike. This is the third solo album from the System of a Down frontman. Its title is a Japanese word meaning ritual suicide.

The Acacia Strain have signed to Rise Records. The band's new album is due out in October.

Mike Heller has joined Fear Factory on drums, Heller has previously played with Malignancy and System Divide.

Glass Cloud will release their debut album, The Royal Thousand, on July 3 via Equal Vision Records. The band features former members of Of Mice & Men, Sky Eats Airplane and The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza.

Dead and Divine have broken up. Read the band's statement here.

STREAMS
Stream Death By Stereo's new album, Black Sheep of the American Dream, here. The album is out this week via Viking Funeral Records.

Listen to a new The Wonder Years song entitled "Me Vs. The Highway" here. It's from Punk Is Dead. Get A Job, their upcoming split with Stay Ahead of the Weather. The song is accompanied by a great article.

Listen to a new For Today song entitled "Immortal" here. It is the title track of the band's new album, which is due out on May 22 via Razor & Tie.

Listen to a previously unreleased solo song from late Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott entitled "Twisted" here. It was unearthed for the Dimebag tribute skateboard, which you can order here.

VIDEOS
Watch The Shins' music video for "The Rifle's Spiral" here. It looks like something Tim Burton would make.

Watch Kataklysm's music video for "Iron Will" here. The band's upcoming 2 CD/2 DVD set, The Iron Will: 20 Years Determined, will be released on July 3 via Nuclear Blast Records.

TOURS
System of a Down and Deftones will be touring together. Dates can be found here.

Dates for this year's Summer Slaughter tour with Cannibal Corpse, Between The Buried And Me and more can be found here.

The Scream It Like You Mean It 2012 Tour will feature Attack Attack, We Came As Romans, The Acacia Strain, Oceano, Impending Doom, Woe Is Me, The Chariot and more. Check out all 18 bands here. Tour dates will be announced next month.

Scion Rock Fest 2012 will take place on June 2 at Ritz Theater in Tampa, FL. The line-up includes Down, Sleep Exodus, Repulsion, Saint Vitus, Terror and more. Full details can be found here.

Nightwish's Imaginaerum World Tour will hit North America with support from Kamelot. Dates can be found here.

Be sure to check back every Monday for the latest music news!

It's been two years since last we mentioned anything regarding the Dowdle Brothers' (Quarantine) latest flick, The Coup, but it now has a star and more! Read on for the latest!

Crime Scene Pictures has set Owen Wilson to star in The Coup from Devil helmer John Erick Dowdle, who will direct from a script he co-wrote with his brother, Drew Dowdle. Crime Scene Pictures’ Adam Ripp and Rob Paris are financing and have teamed up with Steve Alexander and Drew Dowdle to produce. Rizal Risjad and Philip Elway will executive produce. Filming begins in October in Southeast Asia.

The flick will center on an American family that moves to Cambodia for work just as a rebel mob takes over and starts killing all Americans.

Said Drew Dowdle in an earlier interview with us, ”Yeah, it’s going to be a family chase movie and it will be nuts.”

Look for more on this one very soon.

The woman who's assuming the Ash-like role in the remake of The Evil Dead, Jane Levy, recently sat down to talk about her character and more. Curious? Read on for what she had to say!

"For a while, whenever I was asked what my dream role would be, my answer was always to play a killer or a psychopath," Levy tells The Marin Independent Journal. "I get to do that in this movie, although I'll be possessed while I destroy my victims. So basically, it's a perfect job..."

She continues, "I really wanted to work on Evil Dead because of how different it is from 'Suburgatory'. I guess that's my main goal in this industry, to work on different stuff and to play a wide range of characters. That process of creating a new person is so fun for me. I love the initial makeup/hair tests before the start of a new job; I'm always campaigning for a new hair color or length, anything to look as different as possible."

"This role also intrigued me because of how much I will learn, mostly technical stuff like special effects. That's fascinating to me. I had to get my body 'casted' for this role so they can make me prosthetics. That process entailed getting your whole body covered in green goo, like the stuff they put in your mouth for a tooth casting, and then being papier-mâchéd. It was the coolest thing ever."

The Evil Dead remake is produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell. Fede Alvarez is in the director's chair, and the flick stars Jane Levy, Lou Taylor Pucci, Shiloh Fernandez, Jessica Lucas and Elizabeth Blackmore. Look for it to be released through Sony.

It's kind of funny, really. You put the word "dragon" in anything, and sooner or later you're bound to get the Syfy Channel's attention. Such is the case for this latest adaptation heading our way from the kings of the CG creatures.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Stephen King’s fantasy novel Eyes of the Dragon could at last become a movie or miniseries.

The 1987 bestseller is being developed by Syfy as a longform project, along with a scripted drama series based on the comic Grey Legion and two high-concept movie projects. The network is set to announce all the titles later today at its upfront presentation in New York City.

Michael Taylor ("Battlestar Galactica") and Jeff Vintar (I, Robot) will pen the Dragon script, with Taylor and Bill Haber as executive producers.

Book Synopsis
Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Delain, King Roland is murdered and his son and heir, Peter, is framed for the crime. Peter and his loyal friends must battle an evil wizard and Peter's usurper brother, Thomas, for the throne. Imprisoned in a tower, Peter conceives an escape plan that will take him years to execute before taking on Flagg, the powerful sorcerer who has masterminded this coup.

Ready for another night of "Twisted Comedy" on FEARnet? We have clips and photos to share of legendary horror icon Tony Todd, who guest stars on "Holliston", as well as a look at Alex House from "Todd & the Book of Pure Evil" struggling to fight the invisible pervert that is consuming him.

"Todd & the Book of Pure Evil" airs Tuesday nights at 10:00 PM on FEARnet, followed by "Holliston" at 10:30 PM.

"Todd & the Book of Pure Evil" Episode 2.07 - "See You Later, Masturbator" Synopsis (4/24/12 air date):
Jimmy is fired for peeping on students and Todd vows to clear his name, but the Gang find the real culprit difficult to identify – because he’s invisible!

About "Todd & the Book of Pure Evil":
This supernatural comedy starring Alex House, Maggie Castle, Bill Turnbull, Melanie Leishman, and Chris Leavins and featuring Jason Mewes (Mallrats, Clerks) tells the story of a small-town high school kid trying to save the world. In each episode Todd (House) and his cohorts are pitted against the dark powers of a mysterious book that grants seemingly innocuous wishes with sinister, unexpected, cataclysmic, and downright satanic side effects.

During Season 2 the Book of Pure Evil continues to feed on the needy, the desperate, the lost, and the vain. Anyone possessing the Book is unable to resist the temptation to use its power for their own teen angst-fueled desires. Our evil-fighting team will continue to protect Crowley High from the monsters the powerfully evil Book spawns, as they are the only thing standing between the Book and total world destruction.

"Holliston" Episode 1.04 - "Candyman" Synopsis (4/24/12 air date):
What could be harder than getting Candyman out of your head? Getting the actual Candyman out of your life! Legendary horror icon Tony Todd guest stars on Adam and Joe's cable access show and then takes the boys out on a wild night. When they awaken the next morning, they find that Tony has moved in with them and has no plans to leave. He begins to take a toll on their lives by throwing parties, abusing the guys, and ultimately moving in on and dating Corri.

About "Holliston"
Adam and Joe are two down on their luck guys living in the small New England town of Holliston, Massachusetts, and struggling to chase their dream of becoming horror movie filmmakers... all while dealing with life, their day jobs, and the opposite sex. With a cast that includes a cross-dressing sexually inappropriate boss, a mentally handicapped cat, and an imaginary friend/alien who lives in the closet... "Holliston" re-invents the traditional sit-com as we know it and breaks new (and sometimes bloody) ground.

In honor of The Innkeepers hitting Blu-ray and DVD today, April 24th, from Dark Sky Films, we decided that now would be a great time to dole out some limited edition and totally badass swag - some of which you won't be able to buy in stores! Read on!

That's right, kids! We're giving away three prize packages:

Grand Prize

More stills from Ben Wheatley's latest film, Sightseers, are here; and as you would imagine, they're pretty damned breathtaking, and not in the "holy shit, I'm being strangled" kind of way either.

Actors Alice Lowe and Steve Oram wrote the script with additional material from Amy Jump. StudioCanal will distribute in the UK, and Protagonist Pictures handles international sales.

Katherine Butler, Film4 Senior Commissioning Executive, called the film "hilariously twisted" while Lizzie Francke, Senior Production Executive at BFI Film Fund, added: "'Sightseers' takes us on a bizarre journey through some of Britain's most offbeat tourist destinations."

Synopsis
Chris (Steve Oram) wants to show Tina (Alice Lowe) his world, and he wants to do it his way - on a journey through the British Isles in his beloved Abbey Oxford Caravan. Tina's led a sheltered life, and there are things that Chris needs her to see - the Crich Tramway Museum, the Ribblehead Viaduct, the Keswick Pencil Museum and the rolling countryside that separates these wonders in his life. But it doesn't take long for the dream to fade. Litterbugs, noisy teenagers and pre-booked caravan sites, not to mention Tina's meddling mother, soon conspire to shatter Chris' dreams and send him, and anyone who rubs him up the wrong way, over a very jagged edge...

More quick casting news has come our way for the latest film from director Kevin Greutert (Saw VI and Saw 3D) entitled Jessabelle. Read on for the latest.

According to Deadline Ana de la Reguera and Amber Stevens (pictured) have signed on to the Lionsgate horror movie, joining the previously announced Sarah Snook, Joelle Carter, and Mark Webber.

The film centers on Jessie (Snook), who returns to her father's Louisiana home after an accident robs her of the use of her legs. Once there, she must confront an enraged ghost. Little is known about Carter's role except that she will play Sarah, the mother of Snook's Jessie. Webber plays Preston, an old high school boyfriend of Snook's character who helps her uncover a mystery about her family.

The flick started production on April 2nd. Look for more soon!

The Winchesters are closing in on this season's big bad known as "Dick", and they get a little help from fan favorite guest star Felicia Day in Episode 7.20, "The Girl with the Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo". Check out this clip from the ep that was just released by The CW.

"Supernatural" Episode 7.20 "The Girl with the Dungeons and Dragons Tattoo" (4/27/12 Air Date; 9:00-10:00 PM):
FELICIA DAY (“THE GUILD,” “EUREKA”) GUEST STARS — Dick Roman (James Patrick Stuart) acquires Frank’s hard drive that contains sensitive information about the Winchesters and gives it to an unsuspecting brilliant hacker named Charlie (guest star Day), telling her she has 48 hours to crack the firewall or she is fired.

Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) are tipped off that Dick has the hard drive and race to get to Charlie before she breaks the code.

Meanwhile Bobby (Jim Beaver) tries to help the brothers, but his rage towards Dick for killing him starts to get in the way.

John MacCarthy directed the episode written by Robbie Thompson.

There's nothing quite like turning back the clock and revisiting some of your favorite classic horror on the big screen on original 35mm prints. Only a shitter wouldn't appreciate that.

You've got a great opportunity this Saturday, April 28, good people of Los Angeles, as Brian Collins of HorrorMovieADay.com will host a midnight showing of Christine at the New Beverly Theater.

For more info, check out the New Bev website or if you're already convinced you're as good as there, you can pre-order your tix (8 bucks, cheap!) at BrownPaperTickets.com. Read on for the deets.

From Brian Collins at HorrorMovieADay.com
This Saturday, April 28, check out a 35mm screening of John Carpenter's Christine (based on the Stephen King novel) at the New Beverly! Personally I think this is one of his most underrated films (2nd only to In The Mouth Of Madness, which I've already hosted!), and always enjoy seeing it on the big screen. Not only does it assemble a terrific cast of great character actors like Harry Dean Stanton and Robert Prosky, but few actresses in horror are as lovely as Alexandra Paul in this film, so believe me - you want to see that face (and her awesome period sweaters) in glorious 35mm.

As always, it goes down at 11:59 pm on Saturday night. The New Beverly is located at 7165 Beverly Blvd, 2 blocks west of La Brea, in Los Angeles (90036), and street parking is widely available. I'll be on hand to do a quick intro and give out some DVDs, and hopefully a Q&A (I am working on securing an actor, so cross your fingers!). And every ticket bought is a sign that you not only support me and my silly endeavors (not really important), but also the continued existence of superior 35mm presentations (very important) at independent theaters where the staff actually gives a shit (EXTREMELY important), unlike the chains. So come on down, enjoy a great killer car flick, and see movies the way they are meant to be seen!

Finally Sony Pictures Animation has released the domestic trailer for the animated horror comedy Hotel Transylvania, and we have it for you right here, no credit card for incidentals required. Dig it!

Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky ("Samurai Jack," "Dexter's Laboratory"), the flick stars Adam Sandler as Dracula; Selena Gomez as his daughter, Mavis; David Koechner as Quasimodo; David Spade as Griffin the invisible man; Kevin James as Frank, aka Frankenstein; Fran Drescher as his bride, Eunice; Steve Buscemi and Molly Shannon as married werewolves Wayne and Wanda; Cee Lo Green as Murray the mummy; and Andy Samberg as Jonathan, a regular guy.

Hotel Transylvania is slated for a September 21st release.

Synopsis
Welcome to the Hotel Transylvania, Dracula's (Adam Sandler) lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free from meddling from the human world. But here's a little known fact about Dracula: he is not only the Prince of Darkness; he is also a dad. Over-protective of his teenage daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez), Dracula fabricates tales of elaborate dangers to dissuade her adventurous spirit. As a haven for Mavis, he opens the Hotel Transylvania, where his daughter and some of the world's most famous monsters - Frankenstein and his bride, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more - can kick back in safety and peace. For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem - but his world could come crashing down when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis.

Let's face it. If history has proven anything, it's that Showtime's "Dexter" is only as good as its nefarious and blood-hungry villain. That being said, Mr. Dexter Morgan may have finally found his match for Season 7 of the serial killing show.

According to TVLine "Rome" and Punisher: Warzone actor Ray Stevenson is set to join the ensemble cast in a major recurring role.

The Irish thesp will play a high-ranking member of an Eastern European crime ring who arrives in Miami determined to learn who killed one of his associates.

"Dexter" will make its seventh season premiere on Sunday, September 30th, at 9:00 PM ET/PT, followed by the second season premiere of Golden Globe-winning drama series "Homeland" at 10:00 PM ET/PT.

One of the most acclaimed shows on television, "Dexter" stars Michael C. Hall, who has earned multiple Emmy nominations as well as a Golden Globe award for his role as a complicated and conflicted blood-spatter expert for the Miami police department who moonlights as a serial killer. The show has received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for best television drama series, as well as a prestigious Peabody Award in 2008, and was twice named one of AFI's Top Ten television series.

The series also stars Jennifer Carpenter, Desmond Harrington, C.S. Lee, Lauren Vélez, David Zayas, and James Remar. John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Scott Buck, Manny Coto, Tim Schlattmann, Wendy West, and Michael C. Hall are the executive producers of the series for Season Seven.

For more be sure to visit "Dexter" on Facebook, and follow "Dexter" on Twitter.

So what's next for the channel that has given us plenty of things that have gone bump in the night along with more CG monsters than anyone could possibly keep up with? Read on for details of Syfy's "upfront" presentation.

As you'd expect from a network named Syfy, several of these projects are more sci-fi than horror, but we thought we'd pass on all the news anyway:

From the Press Release:
Coming off Syfy’s most watched first quarter ever in total viewers, Adults 18-34 and key women demos, Syfy and Chiller President Dave Howe today ignited the imagination of the advertising community by unveiling the next phase of the channel’s largest original programming slate in history. This will feature Syfy’s most original primetime hours ever, a record 28 scripted and reality development projects and the 2013 premiere of the highly-anticipated Defiance, the visionary transmedia experience that will unite television and Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) gaming for the very first time.

Said Howe: “Syfy’s Upfront celebrates the power of Igniters, our influential audience who has the highly coveted ability to move brands forward faster. This audience Imagines Greater and, as a result, we will be bringing them the most groundbreaking entertainment phenomenon in 2013. Nearly four years in the making, Defiance is the first ever, weekly scripted television and Massively Multiplayer Online game, converging to create a singular, interactive and epic story. Along with this unprecedented experience, we will be unveiling our most ambitious development slate ever of relevant and contemporary original programming.”

The diverse Syfy reality slate features six new series: School Sprits, Paranormal Highway, Collection Intervention, Viral Video Showdown, Ghost Mine and, from the producers of the smash hit series Face Off, Hot Set. Unscripted development projects include a chilling “found footage” paranormal experiment; an extreme concierge company; Destination Truth’s Josh Gates transforming awesome ideas into awesome reality and the unearthly challenges of selling haunted houses.

Among the scripted development projects are adaptations of popular works by best-selling novelists such as Stephen King (Eyes of the Dragon), John Christopher (The Lotus Caves) and Charlaine Harris (Grave Sight), as well as the hit movie The Adjustment Bureau and the DC Entertainment Comic Booster Gold. Syfy further announced shows about a Fifth Column of feuding aliens and a time-traveling elite military squad.

This record expansion, including eight scripted development projects from Universal Cable Productions, builds upon the channel’s powerhouse lineup of hit series such as Warehouse 13, Being Human, Alphas, Face Off and Ghost Hunters. These programs have transformed Syfy into a top 10 cable entertainment network among Adults 25-54 for 16 consecutive years.

Said Mark Stern, President Original Content, Syfy, and Co-Head Original Content, Universal Cable Productions: “Over its 20 year history, Syfy has always pushed the boundaries of our genre and the entertainment experience. This new crop of innovative, thought-provoking, emotionally-charged programming will propel us even farther as we imagine all the greater possibilities ahead for the powerful Syfy brand.”

For the gala, star-studded Upfront event at the American Museum of Natural History, Syfy created an opportunity for guests to live like an Igniter – highly imaginative people who move brands forward as showcased in the channel’s groundbreaking study with Simmons/PSFK -- along with celebrity Igniters from the worlds of business innovation (Sir Richard Branson), music (Young the Giant, DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid) and the culinary arts (Marcus Samuelsson).

Syfy is also expanding its multi-platform growth. Syfy Ventures announced a partnership with Hasbro to develop the first online social game based on the iconic G.I. JOE franchise. G.I. Joe: Special Ops, published by Syfy Games, will debut in June on Facebook and Syfy Games.com, among other platforms worldwide.

Continuing its expansion of original video content, mobile reach to new platforms and commitment to cutting edge technology, Syfy Digital unveiled four new initiatives, from its first ever unscripted program, new apps for Windows Phone and Roku and the upcoming addition of sync-to-broadcast functionality to its successful Syfy app for iPads and Android tablets for season three of the hit series Face Off.

A global brand, Syfy is currently available in 75 countries, reaching nearly 150 million households.

NEW SCRIPTED SERIES

Defiance – 2013 – Defiance is in collaboration with Trion Worlds, with the Syfy series and Trion’s multi-platform shooter MMO poised to debut simultaneously. The series stars Grant Bowler, Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran, Jaime Murray, Fionnula Flanagan, Mia Kirshner and Oscar-nominee Graham Greene. Set in the near future, Defiance introduces a completely transformed planet Earth, inhabited by the survivors of a universal war. Forced to co-habitate, the disparate group struggles to build a new society among the devastation. The dramatic tapestry of the series and the intense action of the game will exist in a single universe where their respective narratives will inform one another and evolve together into one overall story. Defiance is directed by Scott Stewart (Legion, Priest) and written/executive produced by Rockne O’Bannon (Farscape), Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives, Caprica, Hellcats) and Michael Taylor (Battlestar Galactica). Kevin Murphy serves as showrunner. Defiance is produced by Universal Cable Productions.

NEW REALITY SERIES

School Spirits – Premieres June 2012 – School Spirits will tell true ghost stories of hauntings that have happened at schools across the country. The stories will be told in first person narratives through the testimonials of real students, teachers, parents and staff that have encountered the paranormal activity, blended with bone-chilling cinematic reenactments to further bring the haunting experiences to life. Executive producers: Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice) and Seth Jarrett & Julie Insogna Jarrett (Celebrity Ghost Stories).

Paranormal Highway – Summer 2012 – Paranormal Highway puts the pedal to the metal as Jack Osbourne and Dana Workman investigate the most frightening claims of paranormal activity along America’s remote back roads. Fueled by eyewitness interviews and evidence collected by state-of-the-art equipment, Jack and Dana will travel alone, self-documenting their harrowing road trip while coming face-to-face with paranormal legends. Production company: BASE Productions. Executive producers: John Brenkus, Mickey Stern, Ron Ziskin.

Collection Intervention – Collection Intervention follows Elyse Luray, a sharp and to-the-point collectibles expert as she helps couples who are divided over what to do with an overwhelming collection of memorabilia. Whether it’s a husband’s collection of mint-condition G.I. JOE action figures worth thousands of dollars or a girlfriend’s treasure trove of Star Wars movie posters, Elyse helps couples decide what’s worth keeping and what they can sell. For each couple, their new cash windfall will make their dream come true, whether it’s an engagement ring, a down payment for a home, or the honeymoon they never had. Production company: High Noon Entertainment. Executive producers: Pam Healey, Elizabeth Grizzle Voorhees, Jim Berger.

Hot Set – From the producers of Syfy’s hit series Face Off, Hot Set is an extreme design challenge pitting two Hollywood production designers each week in a head-to-head battle to design, build, decorate and ultimately create an original and signature movie set that transports the viewer into an immersive world. Production company: Mission Control Media. Executive producers: Michael Agbabian and Dwight Smith.

Viral Video Showdown – The greatest viral video creators on the planet go head-to-head each week in an epic battle for bragging rights and a cash prize. Two teams will have to dig deep into their bag of viral tricks to create a video that best captures that week’s theme and impresses the expert panel of viral video judges. Production company: 495 Productions. Executive producers: SallyAnn Salsano, Kevin Pereira.

Ghost Mine – In the remote woods of Oregon lays one of the richest gold mines in the United States. For the last 100 years, it has remained abandoned -- until now. Soon to be re-opened by a scraggly group of miners, these hardy souls will battle the elements to find their fortune. But with a rich history of paranormal activity surrounding the mine, they may just find something else. Production company: 51 Minds. Executive producer: Mark Cronin.

SCRIPTED DEVELOPMENT/DRAMAS

Rewind – Rewind revolves around a team of military field operatives and civilian scientists who must use untested technology to travel back in time to alter events and change the future -- and avoid a devastating terrorist attack. Shane McRae stars as Sean Knox, ex-Special Forces who ranks as a field operative in a special division of the Department of Homeland Security. The pilot also stars Jennifer Ferrin, Academy Award nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), Robbie Jones and Keon Mohajeri, and is currently in production in Toronto. Jack Bender (Lost, Alphas) is directing the pilot, written by Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li), who will also executive produce with Tom Spezialy, Gail Berman, Lloyd Braun and Gene Stein. A production of BermanBraun and Universal Cable Productions.

The Adjustment Bureau – In this drama, based on the hit movie starring Matt Damon, guardian angel-type agents work to keep the world according to The Plan. They create everything from plane crashes to coffee spills in order to steer people to realize their true destiny. But there is one thing the operatives and their Chairman can’t control -- free will. Writers: Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer (Melrose Place, Smallville). Executive producers: George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau, The Bourne Ultimatum), MRC, Slavkin and Swimmer. A production of Universal Cable Productions.

High Moon – Based on the novel, The Lotus Caves, by John Christopher, this imaginative, out-of-this-world series explores a world where the countries of Earth have established colonies to mine the Moon's resources. When a new life form is discovered, chaos erupts as various factions race to uncover its powerful secrets. Executive producer: Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies). Co-executive producer: Jim Danger Gray (Pushing Daisies). Writers: Bryan Fuller and Jim Danger Gray. Executive producer: Granat Entertainment. A production of Universal Cable Productions.

Untitled Booster Gold Project – Based on the best-selling DC Entertainment Comic, this is the story of a washed-up athlete from the future who travels back to the present in hopes of becoming the greatest superhero of all time. But instead of chasing criminals, his main priority is chasing fame and money. Booster Gold discovers that being a hero takes more than just a megawatt smile. Writer: Andrew Kreisberg (Arrow, Warehouse 13). Executive producers: Greg Berlanti (Green Lantern, Arrow) and Andrew Kreisberg. Producers: Greg Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Horizon Television. The Booster Gold comic book series is published by DC Entertainment, which will also act as an executive producer.

Grave Sight – From the best-selling author of True Blood, this Charlaine Harris book series follows Harper Connelly – a young woman with a unique gift. After being struck by lightning as a teenager, Harper can sense the location and last memories of dead people. She teams up with her protective stepbrother, Tolliver Lang, to help find a missing teenage girl -- only to uncover a network of lies and murders throughout a small town in the Ozarks. Writer: Kam Miller (Law and Order: SVU). A production of Universal Cable Productions.

Seeing Things – Based on the comic Grey Legion from Platinum Studios, after a cop meets his violent demise, he returns as a ghost to close his last case. But the only person who can help him is a socially awkward man who is realizing for the first time that his hallucinations may not be all in his head. Writers: David Slack (Person of Interest, Lie To Me) and Gabrielle Stanton (Haven, The Vampire Diaries). Executive producers: David Slack, Robert Cort and Scott Mitchell Rosenberg. A production of Fox Television Studios.

Defender – In the aftermath of an intergalactic war between humans and transhumans, the starship Defender, populated by a combustible mix of former enemies, is sent on a seemingly simple goodwill mission, which turns into a fight for their lives and for the safety of the Universe at large. Executive producer/writer: Robert Hewitt Wolfe (Alphas). A production of Universal Cable Productions.

The Family – For generations, an alien family has hid amongst humans in plain sight using their advanced intellect to carve out a life for themselves as their family grew. But when the family patriarch that kept peace amongst the factions dies, a war begins to brew with some members believing the time has come to reveal themselves, and their superior power, to the inferior human race. Writer: Dan Harris (Superman Returns, X2). Executive producers: Neal Moritz (21 Jump Street, Total Recall), Mark Verheiden (Falling Skies, Battlestar Galactica). A production of Sony Pictures TV.

LONGFORM SCRIPTED DEVELOPMENT

Eyes of the Dragon – Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel. A kingdom is in turmoil as the old king dies and his successor must battle for the throne. Pitted against an evil wizard and a would-be rival, Prince Peter makes a daring escape and rallies the forces of good to fight for what is rightfully his. Writers: Michael Taylor (Defiance, Battlestar Galactica) and Jeff Vintar (I, Robot). Executive producers: Michael Taylor and Bill Haber. A production of Universal Cable Productions and Ostar Productions.

Darkfall – When, without warning, modern forms of power and technology become a thing of the past, Los Angeles, and the world at large, becomes a place where magic rules and life as we know it is turned upside down. Writers: Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris (Kung Fu Panda, Sleeper Cell). A production of The Jim Henson Company and Universal Cable Productions.

One Mile Straight Down – When a powerful earthquake hits California and opens up a chasm bigger than the Grand Canyon, it reveals an enormous hidden ocean lying deep beneath the earth’s crust. Billionaire adventurer James Exeter works with the government to take an advanced nuclear submarine down to explore it and discovers more than he ever could have imagined. Writers: Skip Woods (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Naren Shankar (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and Deran Sarafian (CSI: NY). Executive producers: Skip Woods, Naren Shankar and Deran Sarafian. A production of Universal Cable Productions.

REALITY DEVELOPMENT

The Genie – The Genie follows Steve Sims and his extreme concierge company, Blue Fish, as they make outlandish experiences and imaginative adventures come to life for their clients. Whether it’s rebuilding the chocolate river from Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory or experiencing life as a Hobbit, making the impossible possible is the job of “The Genie.” Production company: Smart Dog Media. Executive producer: Craig Plestis.

Stranded – In each episode of this frightening paranormal social experiment, a family or group of friends moves into an infamously haunted location, self-documenting their experience in total isolation. Production company: Ping Pong Productions. Executive producers: Brad Kuhlman, Casey Brummels, Josh Gates.

Awesome Foundation – In this new project starring Destination Truth’s Josh Gates, each week inventors, artists and regular people from all over the country pitch their amazing and imaginative ideas to the Awesome Foundation, a group dedicated to turning awesome ideas into awesome reality. The members grant their own money to the lucky three people with the best ideas, leading to a race to complete the projects in the given time and budget. Production company: Idiot Box Productions. Executive producer: Dan Taberski.

Exit – Based on the hit Japanese format, Exit is a nail-biting game show where two teams of contestants battle to escape three diabolical rooms. To do so, they must beat the clock while solving rapid-fire brain games and navigating booby-traps and bottomless pits. Production company: Zig Zag Productions. Executive producer: Danny Fenton.

Buyer Beware – What does someone do when they need to sell their house -- but it’s haunted? They call in a real estate professional who specializes in matching haunted properties with eager buyers. In each episode, viewers will see what it takes to sell a home -- still occupied by the spirits -- and what kind of buyers have the guts to take it off the market. Production company: Zodiak USA. Executive producers: Natalka Znak, Claire O’Donohue.

Untitled Mark Burnett Project (wt) – From acclaimed producer Mark Burnett comes a competition show where fans of science fiction/fantasy books and movies compete to create the most flavorful and inspired dishes from the foods featured in the imaginary worlds that they love. Production company: Mark Burnett Productions. Executive producer: Mark Burnett.

Deadfinder – When the morgue drawer closes on a Jane or John Doe, rarely is it reopened. Deadfinder follows a group of mediums as they search through the vaults of cold cases using their paranormal skills to bring the mysteries of the murdered back to life. Production company: NorthSouth. Executive producers: Charlie DeBevoise, Mark Hickman.

Ghost Town, USA – Settled in 1677, Mount Holly, New Jersey, is a town teeming with reports of paranormal activity. And for the residents of this town, that’s just the way they like it. Ghost Town, USA follows the colorful characters and real drama that plays out among the town’s living residents, from renovating a haunted house to organizing the annual Witches Ball. Production company: Cream Productions. Executive producers: David Brady, Christopher Rowley.

The Wrights – Joe and Chris Wright are relatives of the famous Wright Brothers, but instead of building airplanes, this father-and-son-duo build paranormal contraptions to communicate with the dead. Each week the show follows the Wrights as they use their inventing ability to gain answers from the “other side.” Production company: Jarrett Creative Group. Executive producers: Julie Insogna Jarrett, Seth Jarrett.

Chris Cox Project – Young and charming, Chris Cox is the mind reader who can’t read minds. Cox has the mind-manipulating abilities of Derren Brown, the mischief of Ferris Bueller and the comic eccentricity of Mr. Bean all wrapped in a style uniquely his own. In everyday situations and locations – at a coffee shop, the post office, or just walking down the street – Chris amazes and confounds real people. Production company: Mission Control Media. Executive producers: Dwight Smith, Michael Agbabian, Erich Recker.

Divas of Dress Up – This program follows the six hottest cos-play stars as they push the boundaries of creativity and costuming in this docu-series that takes viewers inside the amazingly creative world of cos-play competition. Each week, the top women competitors transform themselves into fictional characters with visually arresting costumes, pushing the boundary between fantasy and reality. Production company: Skip Films. Executive producers: Skip Chaisson, Brian Gallagher.

Fan Girl/Fan Boy Project – From the producer of Jersey Shore comes a docu-series that celebrates the incredibly unique, often misunderstood and infinitely fascinating fan girl and fan boy cultures. Production company: 495 Productions. Executive producer: SallyAnn Salsano.

Limitless – Limitless is a cutting-edge series that recounts firsthand, true-life tales of ordinary men and women who discovered hidden powers – that they never knew existed – when faced with extreme life and death circumstances. Every story will explore the often unexplainable potential of the human body and psyche, leaving viewers to wonder what hidden abilities humans might possess. Production company: Karga 7. Executive producers: Kelly McPherson, Miriam Leffert, Sarah Wetherbee, Emre Sahin.

Superhumans – Superhumans uncovers the secrets of unbelievable stunts, record-breaking abilities and exceptional feats of human power and skill by putting real people through physical on-location challenges and a series of tests in a high-tech lab to answer the question: “How did they do that?” Production company: BASE Productions. Executive producers: John Brenkus, Mickey Stern.

Toy Traveler – Shane Turgeon, the Indiana Jones of toy collectors, travels to remote corners of the world to find the rarest and most valuable toys and collectibles. Whether it’s in an old toy warehouse in a remote Guatemalan town or a small swap meet in the Ukraine, Shane will go to all lengths to find the most unique and collectible toys. Production company: Jarrett Creative Group. Executive producers: Seth Jarrett, Julie Insogna Jarrett.

Master Control – Master Control is a weekly competition that pits user-generated videos against each other in a battle for viewer popularity. Each week, self-submitted videos must entertain the host, celebrity panel and the entire viewing audience, who are all simultaneously rating the video and anointing a winner. Production company: The Gurin Co. Executive producers: Phil Gurin, Kevin Pereira.

Stranger than Fiction – Stranger than Fiction is the only viral video clip show where comedians compete for laughs while commenting on and arguing over the strangest clips from the web. Good jokes earn points, while lame jokes lose them. At the end of the show, one comedian is crowned the irreverent victor. Production company: BASE Productions. Executive producers: John Brenkus, Mickey Stern.

Look for more soon!

There's no doubt about it; Adam Green and Joe Lynch's show for FEARnet, "Holliston", is kicking ass and taking names. Speaking of names, a new one will be joining the shenanigans next week who'll be very familiar to "Robot Chicken" and "Buffy" fans.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Seth Green will return to his horror roots next month when he guest stars on FEARnet's original series "Holliston". Green is set to play Gustavo, a makeup effects artist with a multiple personality disorder, in the May 1st episode of the show.

In the fifth episode of the recently renewed comedy, Laura (Laura Ortiz) inadvertently posts a revealing photo of herself on Twitter while Joe (Joe Lynch) convinces Adam (Adam Green) to hire Green's Gustavo to handle the makeup for their horror trailer.

About "Holliston"
Adam and Joe are two down on their luck guys living in the small New England town of Holliston, Massachusetts, and struggling to chase their dream of becoming horror movie filmmakers... all while dealing with life, their day jobs, and the opposite sex. With a cast that includes a cross-dressing sexually inappropriate boss, a mentally handicapped cat, and an imaginary friend/alien who lives in the closet... "Holliston" re-invents the traditional sit-com as we know it and breaks new (and sometimes bloody) ground.