New Images Of The Stone Monster And Costumes From 'Daimajin Kanon'

Written By: Ken Hulsey

Sources: KawaiiJoyuu / NewType The Live / Avery Guerra

Kadokawa Pictures is really pulling out all the stops for their upcoming television series, "Daimajin Kanon", which is based on the classic series of "Daimajin" films (Dai Majin, Dai Majin ikaru, Dai Majin gyakushu) produced by Daiei in the late 1960s. According to two brand-new articles in KawaiiJoyuu and NewType The Live, Kadokawa is pumping 1 billion yen into the series, which is far and above what is normally invested into a Japanese late-night fantasy television series of this type.

Kadokawa also took great care in selecting it's leading lady for the series, Rikuna Yuka, a 21-year-old college student, was selected out of about a thousand prospective actresses.

In the magazine article Yuka talked a little about her role as "Kanon" and revealed a bit of the shows plot, "In the dorama (a late-night TV drama aimed at an adult audience) Kanon is able to experience personal growth despite the cold-hearted and painful life in the city. Just like her I was able to learn a lot during the filming and think that I grew up a bit myself."

"This time the heroine will be a college student called Kanon who keeps on singing prayers that awake the giant god of war. Once again Daimajin will have to deal with a lot of bad guys."

There are always tons of 'bad guys' in these type of shows, aren't there? Just look at the "Ultraman", "Kaimen Rider", "Zone Fighter".....um...."Mirror Man"....."Ultra Q"....(Oh, you get the idea!) television series for example.

"Daimajin Kannon", as you may have already guessed, is a modern continuation of the first three films, which were set in Japan's feudalistic past.

It should be noted to those of you who have not seen the original "Daimajin" trilogy, that they are surprisingly good films, much better fair then Daiei's "Gamera" films, which were produced at about the same time.

Thant's not to say that "Gamera" movies are bad, you know I love them, but overall the Daimajin films were of a higher quality.

Along with these new articles came a whole new batch of photographs, most of which depict many of the elaborate costumes used for the show. Producer Shigenori Takatera's influences from his stint on "Kamen Rider Hibiki" can be seen in a lot of the costume designs featured here.

Of course, there are a couple good shots of the 20-meter-tall "Daimajin", actress Rikuna Yuka and the rest of the shows cast.

Now, you tell me, is that possibly the sexiest 'fish-girl' costume you've ever seen?

Check out the photos, actually scans of the magazine pages, below. If you are fluent in Japanese, you can probably learn more about "Daimajin Kanon" than from what I have written here:

See Also: The First Trailer For Kadokawa's 'Daimajin Kanon' / New Photos From Daimajin Kannon / The First Look At Daimajin Kannon

Cornwall To Stand In For The Caribbean For 'Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WENN

It looks as if the fourth film in Disney's "Pirates" series is going to be very different than the prior three. A lot of things from the other films will be missing, like actors Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly, but surprisingly, in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides", the Caribbean will be missing also.

It seems that the film makers, lead by director Rob Marshall, have chosen Cornwall, England, as their primary shooting location.

That is a far less exotic location than the first three films used. All of them were actually shot in the Caribbean and on the California coast.

One thing that will not be missing is Johnny Depp, who will once again be donning the dreads and gold teeth as Captain Jack Sparrow, reportedly alongside a new leading lady in Penelope Cruz.

Though this new "Pirates" movie will be shot off the coast of Cornwall, the film is still set to take place in sunnier climates, like its namesake local and Florida.

The plot for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" will be based on author Tim Powers 1987 novel, "On Stranger Tides". It can only be assumed that Powers main character, Jack 'Shandy' Chandagnac, will be replaced by Captain Jack Sparrow, who, if the film follows the books plot, will become a reluctant member of the infamous buccaneer Blackbeard's crew, who is on a quest for the fountain of youth.

Cornwall is just like the Caribbean......isn't it?

See Also: Pirates Of The Caribbean 4 - Blackbeard And The Fountain Of Youth / Pirates Of The Caribbean 4 Starting To Get Some Wind Behind It's Sails

The Second Season Of 'Being Human' A Huge Success For The BBC

Source: BBC (Press Release)

The gripping finale of the second series of Being Human attracted an audience of one million (4.1%) last night (Sunday 28 February) on BBC Three.

BBC Three's popular and critically-acclaimed drama about supernatural housemates has once again proved a great success for the channel, with an audience of 1.6 million tuning into the launch episode of this series – an increase of half-a-million on the launch of series one (1.1 million).

Series two has averaged 1.2 million/4.2% and 8.2% amongst 16-34s, and across the week reaches 3.3 million, 8.4% amongst 16-34s.

It has also received 1.7 million requests on BBC iPlayer across the series, with all eight episodes still available to watch for the next seven days.

Being Human's website – bbc.co.uk/beinghuman – is BBC Three's best performing site ever and has built a dedicated fan-base through regularly updated posts from cast and crew throughout the show's two series.

BBC Three is now the most-watched digital channel for the hours it broadcasts and, since its relaunch, it has grown young audiences by 30%.

Being Human is produced by Touchpaper Television, written by Toby Whithouse and stars Russell Tovey, Aidan Turner, Lenora Crichlow and Sinead Keenan.

It has been commissioned for a third series for 2011 by Danny Cohen, Controller, BBC Three, and Ben Stephenson, Controller, Drama Commissioning, where the housemates will relocate to Wales.

See Also: Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow And Aidan Turner Return For The 3rd Season Of Being Human / Lenora Crichlow Talks About Being A Ghost And Being Human / Can A Werewolf, Vampire And Ghost Share A London Flat?