NEW AGE OF BRONZE GRAPHIC NOVEL CONTINUES THE TROJAN WAR

Image Comics announces Age of Bronze:Betrayal Part Two, the new book in Eric Shanower’s award-winning Age of Bronze graphic novel series. The book compiles issues 28 – 33 of the critically-acclaimed Age of Bronzecomic book series, which tells the complete story of the Trojan War. Age of Bronze: Betrayal Part Two retails for $28.99 hardcover and $18.99 paperback. Find it at your local bookstore (hardcover ISBN 978-1-60706-757-3, paperback ISBN 978-1-60706-758-0), in your local comic book store (call 1-888-COMIC-BOOK for the store nearest you), or online at www.age-of-bronze.com.

As the Greek and Trojan armies clash, the action begins immediately where the previous volume left off. It’s the first battle in a war that will last for ten long years. Achilles fights Hektor with sword and spear while from high on the walls of Troy Helen watches warriors fall dying into the dust.

Inside the city of Troy elaborate schemes of royal intrigue play out. Pandarus manipulates his niece Cressida into becoming the lover of the Trojan prince Troilus. But when the Greeks take Cressida prisoner Pandarus’s plan blows up in their faces. The players scramble for safety, but not all of them can find it.

One of the fascinating aspects of Age of Bronze: Betrayal Part Two is how graphic novelist Eric Shanower adapts earlier tellings of the Trojan War into his story. Betrayal Part Two includes Shanower’s version of a William Shakespeare play. Shanower explains, “Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida from 1602 is considered one of his problem plays. The scene when Cressida meets the Greek leaders and they take turns kissing her is powerful, but many productions make Cressida a willing participant. I couldn’t see her doing that, so I found a way to stay true to Shakespeare and true to the characters at the same time.”

Shanower’s elegant pen-and-ink drawings and deft weaving of the story bring Age of Bronze: Betrayal Part Two to brilliant life. Readers will thrill to the action and suspense in this newest book in the series that Salon.com has called “fit for the gods.”

For more information see http://www.age-of-bronze.com and https://www.imagecomics.com/comics/releases/age-of-bronze-vol.-3b-betrayal-part-two-hc.

Image Comics is a comics and graphic novels publisher formed in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Since that time, Image has gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. There are currently four partners in Image Comics (Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino), and Image is currently divided into four major houses (Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline and Image Central). Image comics and graphic novels cover nearly every genre, sub-genre and style imaginable, offering science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. Visit www.imagecomics.com.

Arcana Acquires Jack Lawrence’s “DARKHAM VALE”

from Arcana Comics:

Hello and happy Tuesday! We at Arcana wanted to share our very exciting news with all of you.

Arcana is thrilled to announce that we have acquired the rights to the critically acclaimed series DARKHAM VALE, by Jack Lawrence.

When Ryan and his recently divorced dad move into the inherited country house in the town of Darkham Vale, they get more than they bargained for. First the mansion hides its own very dark secrets; and dark secret creatures that are willing to do anything necessary to keep themselves hidden. Second, this apparently mild mannered English countryside town is anything but mild mannered. Monster, talking crows and spiders, mysterious demon-dogs and more abound in this Hell-bent town, and its up to paranormal phenomena buff, Ryan to get to the bottom of the mystery that is Darkham Vale. Great for the Harry Potter set!

Check out some of the awesome quotes Darkham Vale has received so far.

“A comic Phenomena.” Benjamin Ong Pang Kean, Newsarama.com

“Think Buffy meets Gen13.” Rich Johnson, Dynamic Forces

“I would recomment Darkham Vale to most people with a love of comics.” Onimedia.com

“Lawrence’s work on this whole series never ceases to amaze me.” Immelda Alty, BrokenFrontier.com

“Certified Cool!” Diamond Previews

“A truly wonderful masterpiece. Stunning sequential art and a story to rival that of Harry Potter.” Hill City Comics

Be sure to check out Jack’s awesome deviantART page!

VIZ MEDIA DELIVERS THE NEW ANIME SERIES COPPELION TO NORTH AMERICAN AUDIENCES THE SAME DAY AFTER THE JAPANESE BROADCAST PREMIERE

20thCenturyBoys_01_Cover

Following A Catastrophic Disaster, Three Genetically Engineered Youths Travel To Save Those Forsaken By The Rest Of The World In A Special Simulcast Series Premiere On VIZ Anime, Hulu and Hulu Plus

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the very special online simulcast premiere of the new sci-fi anime action series – COPPELION – on VIZAnime.com, the company’s own website for free anime, as well as on the free, ad-supported Hulu and Hulu Plus subscription service (www.hulu.com).

The new program (presented in Japanese with English subtitles) launches in North America on Wednesday, October 2nd, the same day after its debut broadcast in Japan, with a new episode to be available to stream domestically each Wednesday.

COPPELION takes place in the not-so-distant future as a catastrophic event has turned the old capital of Japan into a wasteland, forever changing the lives of its people. Decades later, three schoolgirls set foot into the now forsaken city. They are the Coppelion, genetically engineered humans created by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces to operate under the lethal conditions of the contaminated city. Trained since birth, the girls must use all of their skills and resources to carry out their one and only mission: to rescue those left behind.

“COPPELION is one of the most anticipated anime for Fall 2013, and fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to catch the thrilling debut of this lushly animated series this week,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manger, Animation. “Ibara, Aoi and Taeko are a breed of genetically engineered beings known as the Coppelion who embark on often dangerous missions to restore hope and rescue people from the forsaken city. Plenty of action and unique characters are in store as the girls slowly uncover the Old Capital’s dark secrets!”

COPPELION is the animated adaptation of the popular manga series created by Tomonori Inoue that has been ongoing in Japan since 2008 and is currently featured in Monthly Young Magazine. The animated series is produced by GoHands, who also produced the original anime series K, seen domestically on VIZ Media’s VIZAnime and Neon Alley platforms.

To view the COPPELION trailer, please visit http://www.hulu.com/watch/539158.

For more information on COPPELION and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit www.VIZAnime.com.

Brains have never been this sexy or … tasty.

Fifty Shades of Brains officially launches

What do you get when a comic-loving librarian and a professional smartass team up to poke fun at an erotic bestseller? Fifty Shades of Brains, a smart, snide and completely sick zombie apocalypse send-up of Fifty Shades of Grey. The soft launch occurred this summer to ensure that EVERYONE had a chance to get the book for Halloween.  The first fifteen chapters can be read for free at www.fiftyshadesofbrains.com. Digital copies of the book are available via the Kindle, Nook, and the Kobo store. DRM free copies area available via Gumdrop. Print editions can be ordered from INGRAM.

About Fifty Shades of Brains: Written under the pen name BF Dealeo, Fifty Shades of Brains tells the story of Aurora Foyle, a self-conscious, oversexed Survival School student who becomes enamored with Seattle’s premiere zombie hunter, Caligula Green. Intense, intelligent and incredibly perverse, Green takes Aurora on as his apprentice – both in bed and on the zombie-filled backstreets of the city. Will our heroine find true love in the arms of the controlling, charismatic Green? Will Seattle’s socks-and-sandal-wearing zombies destroy its lovingly-tended pea patches? Will Aurora ever stop biting her lip and blushing? You’ll have to crawl between the covers to find out.

Dark, droll and delightfully depraved, Fifty Shades of Brains will amuse you, disgust you and it just might eat your face.

Early Reviews:

“Gross, funny, and, god help me, a little bit sexy. Just what my inner surrealist was looking for. I haven’t read that other Fifty Shades book, but now I feel like I don’t have to.” — GoodReads.com

Fifty Shades hysteria + zombie apocalypse = hell yes! My grey matter sort of exploded all over the brilliance of this mashup.” —Jennifer Worick, New York Times-bestselling author of more than 25 books, including Things I Want to Punch in the Face

VIZ MEDIA DELIVERS THE NEW ANIME SERIES COPPELION TO NORTH AMERICAN AUDIENCES THE SAME DAY AFTER THE JAPANESE BROADCAST PREMIERE

Coppelion-KeyImage

Following A Catastrophic Disaster, Three Genetically Engineered Youths Travel To Save Those Forsaken By The Rest Of The World In A Special Simulcast Series Premiere On VIZ Anime, Hulu and Hulu Plus 

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the very special online simulcast premiere of the new sci-fi anime action series – COPPELION – on VIZAnime.com, the company’s own website for free anime, as well as on the free, ad-supported Hulu and Hulu Plus subscription service (www.hulu.com).

The new program (presented in Japanese with English subtitles) launches in North America on Wednesday, October 2nd, the same day after its debut broadcast in Japan, with a new episode to be available to stream domestically each Wednesday.

COPPELION takes place in the not-so-distant future as a catastrophic event has turned the old capital of Japan into a wasteland, forever changing the lives of its people. Decades later, three schoolgirls set foot into the now forsaken city. They are the Coppelion, genetically engineered humans created by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces to operate under the lethal conditions of the contaminated city. Trained since birth, the girls must use all of their skills and resources to carry out their one and only mission: to rescue those left behind.

“COPPELION is one of the most anticipated anime for Fall 2013, and fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to catch the thrilling debut of this lushly animated series this week,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manger, Animation. “Ibara, Aoi and Taeko are a breed of genetically engineered beings known as the Coppelion who embark on often dangerous missions to restore hope and rescue people from the forsaken city. Plenty of action and unique characters are in store as the girls slowly uncover the Old Capital’s dark secrets!”

COPPELION is the animated adaptation of the popular manga series created by Tomonori Inoue that has been ongoing in Japan since 2008 and is currently featured in Monthly Young Magazine. The animated series is produced by GoHands, who also produced the original anime series K, seen domestically on VIZ Media’s VIZAnime and Neon Alley platforms.

To view the COPPELION trailer, please visit http://www.hulu.com/watch/539158.

For more information on COPPELION and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit www.VIZAnime.com.

Sci-fi/fantasy anthology, Other Worlds, Debuts at Rose City Comic Con, Sept 21-22

Sci-fi/fantasy anthology, Other Worlds, Debuts at Rose City Comic Con, Sept 21-22

A Wave Blue World and Bricker-Down Productions are pleased to announce the release of their latest anthology, Other Worlds, a compilation of sci-fi, monster, and experimental comic one-shots by writer/creator Justin Zimmerman, featuring the artwork of Mike Lawrence as well as a variety of other incredible, independent talents. Hailed as “ingenious” by Giant Fire Breathing Robot and “unpretentious, simple, elegant and enjoyable” by Comics Forge, Other Worlds will premiere in print at the Rose City Comic Con on September 21st and 22nd after its digital release on ComiXology in early September. Fans can find the book at the con at Booth #728.

Artist Mike Lawrence, currently drawing an upcoming graphic novel for AMP!, headlines the book, contributing the cover and three interior stories done in a range of media from charcoal to watercolor and inked work. Mike enjoyed working on the anthology, but it was his collaboration with the book’s creator that he found particularly satisfying. “Justin is an extremely versatile writer,” says Mike. “The book has something for everyone, from robo-librarians to alien bugs, and Justin can do it all.”

Other artists who’ve contributed to the anthology include the up-and-coming talents of Grace Allison, who’s worked for both IDW and Monkey Brain, and Tym Godek, Russ Brown, Matt Grisgby and Terry Blas.

A Wave Blue World publisher, Tyler Chin-Tanner says, “While comics certainly have their fair share of recycled space battles and monsters, it’s altogether too rare to find stories that captivate our imagination and appeal to our sense of wonder like those found in Other Worlds.”

For more information about Other Worlds, please contact Tyler Chin-Tanner at tyler@awaveblueworld.com.

Or visit www.awaveblueworld.com, or find Other Worlds on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/awaveblueworld.

 

Krel Komix Announces the Publication of an Exciting New Title


ARGENT STARR — TALES FROM THE ARCHIVES

WISE-CRACKING ACTION-ADVENTURE IN A SCI-FI NOIR SETTING

By Altemus & Lyn T. Byrd

Our striking full color 36-page premiere issue, Commencing Countdown, is the first chapter of an ongoing series that will be available on Comixology as a digital first and on IndyPlanet.com for print-on-demand copies. Issue one will be available for sale as of mid-Sept., 2013. The digital version will sell for a special introductory price of 99¢, and the print version for $3.99.

About ARGENT STARR — Tales From the Archives

The year: 2062. “They” have a plan for Earth and they’re not going to ask if we like it or not. Only one man on the planet, technopath Argent Starr, half human, half alien, can deflect the coming threat. His team; the ravishing badass commando Mrs. Thorne, and a trouble-making, brain-enhanced talking cat. The trio are swept into an off-world adventure pitting shape-shifters, alien gamblers, interstellar mobsters and a mysterious galaxy-controlling sect, against Argent’s hyper-tech powers of magic and super science.

Chapter one follows Argent and company into the dead of night as they investigate the seemingly unconnected actions of a rogue super spy, and a couple of out-of-control aliens, all pursuing wildly different secret agendas on Earth.

The sci-fi noir scenario of Argent Starr is adult entertainment combining hard science, soft sex and satire, for the geeky and not-so-geeky masses; a mix of action-adventure with elements of fantasy and comedy, featuring sabotage, assassins, sex, drugs, high-stake casinos, and espionage. Fans of properties such as FarscapeThe Adventures of Buckaroo BonzaiFifth Element and Men In Black will enjoy this work.

Three issues are currently completed and two more are in production. The story has a finished script for a run of at least 24 issues. Current plans are for bi-monthly releases.

See our 12-page preview on the official website:

http://www.argentstarr.com/previews

Join us on Facebook.com/ArgentStarr or follow @argentstarr on Twitter.

The Creators

Altemus, life-long comics and sci-fi fan, is a New York based illustrator, graphic designer and type designer, recipient of well over a 150 national design, illustration and typographic awards. He has created artwork for broadcast networks, advertising and movie posters. He has art directed numerous magazines including Penthouse and US, and the official souvenir magazines for fantasy and sci-fi films including; Blade Runner, Back To The Future, Gremlins, Goonies, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Mad Max, the first three Batman films, and The X-Files TV show. He was a partner and COO of the late ’90?s Silicon Alley internet development corporation, Interocity. He has designed and currently markets a series of over 50 dingbat fonts sold world-wide.

Lyn T. Byrd is a native New Yorker born in Manhattan, and attended New York City’s High School of Art & Design, before being recruited by one of the ’80s first wave of synth-pop bands,Comateens. The band was also among the first in the industry to record solely with a drum machine, joining the ranks of the burgeoning electropop avant garde along with bands such as The NormalSuicide, and Kraftwerk. She is a writer, artist, designer, singer, and song writer, with over fifteen years experience in designing for the internet.

Learn more about Argent Starr’s exciting universe and motley crew of characters at our Web portal argentstarr.com.

OUTLANDER Casts Claire!

Photo: "Hard to believe lightning can strike twice, but it surely did.  The moment Caitriona Balfe came on screen, I sat up straight and said, ‘There she is!’  She and Sam Heughan absolutely lit up the screen with fireworks." – Diana Gabaldon. 

We wish there was a love button, but we’ll have to settle for LIKE.After a very lengthy search and multiple screen tests, Starz and Sony TV have found their Claire. Irish actress Caitriona Balfe (Now You See Me) has landed the lead in Outlander, a Ron Moore series based on Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling books.

It follows the story of Claire Randall (Balfe), a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

“Hard to believe lightning can strike twice, but it surely did,” Gabaldon said. “The moment Caitriona Balfe came on screen, I sat up straight and said, ‘There she is!’ She and Sam Heughan absolutely lit up the screen with fireworks.”

Added Moore, “The casting of Claire Randall was a long and difficult one because the role is so crucial to the success of our show. Outlander is told from Claire’s point of view and we experience the entire story through her eyes, so it was vital that we find exactly the right actor to play her. Caitriona wasn’t on anyone’s radar, she wasn’t on any list, but when we saw her audition tape, we immediately knew she was someone special. Then, after we had her read with Sam, we knew we’d found our Claire.

OUTLANDER Casts Murtagh

outlander-duncan-lacroix.jpg

Duncan Lacroix (Murtagh) is a native of Welling in Kent, South East Greater London. His notable screen credits include HBO’s “Game of Thrones” Season 2, “VIKINGS” and Sky Television’s Series ‘Primeval.’ Lacroix is also passionate about theater acting. His credits include Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and “Macbeth.”

 

OUTLANDER Casts Dougal and Colum MacKenzie

From OUTLANDER:

New addition to the “Outlander” Clan today.

We are pleased to announce that Scotsman Graham McTavish will join the cast of Outlander as Dougal MacKenzie, the War Chieftain of Clan MacKenzie, secret supporter of the rebel cause against the British, and uncle to Jamie Fraser.

 

Photo: New addition to the “Outlander” Clan today. We are pleased to announce that Scotsman Graham McTavish will join the cast of Outlander as Dougal MacKenzie, the War Chieftain of Clan MacKenzie, secret supporter of the rebel cause against the British, and uncle to Jamie Fraser.

 

Graham McTavish (Dougal MacKenzie) is a familiar face in the film and television world, starring in titles such as “Rambo,” “24,” and “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” He has also appeared on stage in multiple leading roles in prestigious UK theaters and has performed voices for animated films like “Dante’s Inferno,” “Wolverine and the X-Men,” and “The Avengers”.

More news: Colum MacKenzie has also been cast. Scottish native Gary Lewis will tackle the role of the MacKenzie Laird, clan leader, and maternal uncle of Jamie Fraser.

 

Photo: More news: Colum MacKenzie has also been cast. Scottish native Gary Lewis will tackle the role of the MacKenzie Laird, clan leader, and maternal uncle of Jamie Fraser.

Gary Lewis (Colum MacKenzie) is no stranger to show business either. He is known for high profile roles in “Billy Elliot” and “Gangs of New York.” His most recent work includes “Libertador,” “The Strange Case of Wilhelm Reich,” and the acclaimed BBC One drama “Case Histories.”

OUTLANDER Casts Frank and “Black Jack” Randall

From STARZ:

Photo: Meet Tobias Menzies (Frank/”Black Jack” Randall):

Menzies is best recognized for his roles in “Rome” and Casino Royale. He was seen most recently as Edmure Tully in HBO’s “Game of Thrones”. He is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Join us in welcoming him with a LIKE.

You asked for casting news. We have just that:

Tobias Menzies will take on the dual roles of Frank Randall and Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall in the anticipated new Outlander series. Frank Randall is Claire’s 20th century husband and a professional historian with a deep interest in the 18th century and his own genealogy. Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall is Frank’s ancestor from the 18th century. A Captain in the English Army posted in Scotland during a time when rebellion was rife.

SHARE the news with your friends! #CantWaitForOutlander

Meet Tobias Menzies (Frank/”Black Jack” Randall):

Menzies is best recognized for his roles in “Rome” and Casino Royale. He was seen most recently as Edmure Tully in HBO’s “Game of Thrones”. He is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

OUTLANDER Gets Its Jamie Fraser

From Diana Gabaldon:

Photo: IT’S OFFICIAL!

SAM HEUGHAN CAST AS JAMIE FRASER IN STARZ & SONY PICTURES TV’S “OUTLANDER”

New Original Series Based on Diana Gabaldon’s International Best-Selling Novels 

From “Battlestar Galactica” Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore

Beverly Hills, Calif., July 9, 2013 – Starz in association with Sony Pictures Television has announced today that Sam Heughan will play the role of Jamie Fraser in the original series “Outlander,” adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books, which will premiere on STARZ in 2014. The chivalrous young Scottish warrior, Jamie Fraser, has been adored worldwide by fans of the seven-book series that has sold more than 20 million copies and has graced the New York Times best-sellers list six times.

Diana Gabaldon said, “Oh. My. God. That man is a Scot to the bone and Jamie Fraser to the heart. Having seen Sam Heughan not just act, but be Jamie, I feel immensely grateful to the production team for their painstaking attention to the soul of the story and characters."

"From the very beginning, I knew the part of Jamie Fraser would be difficult to cast,” said Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore.  “I had no one in mind for the part.  I knew that someone would just come into the audition and be Jamie Fraser.  And that's what Sam did." 

In “Outlander,” Jamie Fraser strikes up a passionate affair with Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. Armed with sheer grit and enduring strength, he is a strapping young Scottish clan lord with a complicated past and a disarming sense of humor.  He is intelligent, principled, and, by 18th century standards, educated and worldly, with a tenderness and compassion that stands out in contrast to his contemporaries. A natural leader of men, he has no political ambitions or desire for battlefield glories. Instead, he wishes to remove the price on his head and return to his family’s ancestral farm.   

Sam Heughan is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he was a 2003 nominee for the Laurence Olivier Award for Most Promising Performance for his work in the program. Last year, he originated the role of Batman in the DC/Warner Brothers and Waterlane production of "Batman Live," an international tour which opened at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles and went on to tour in South America and throughout Europe.  In 2010, he was nominated for a British Soap Award for “Villain of the Year” for his role as Scott Neilson in the BBC soap opera "Doctors." He has also had roles in a range of television series including, "River City," "Island at War," "The Wild West," "Midsomer Murders," and, most recently, "Any Human Heart" as Lieutenant McStay. His TV movie credits include, "Breaking the Mould" for BBC Television, "A Very British Sex Scandal" for Channel 4 and "First Light" for BBC2. He was nominated for a "Grace award" for his performance as Prince Ashton, the son of Sir Roger Moore, in “A Princess for Christmas” for Hallmark Channel. His film credits include the short film Small Moments, and the feature films Alexander the Great from Macedonia and Emulsion. He will also be seen in the upcoming film Heart of Lightness. On stage, Heughan has performed at a variety of theatres in such productions as “King John,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Vortex,” “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and more. At the Royal Scottish Academy, Heughan starred in productions including “Crime & Punishment,” “The Seagull,” and “Prometheus Bound.” He is repped by United Talent Agency in the US and United Agents in the UK.

The series adaptation for “Outlander” will be written by Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”). Ronald D. Moore and Jim Kohlberg are executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television. 

The series will begin filming in Scotland this fall. 

About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies.  As of March 31, 2013, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 56.7 million subscribers, including 21.6 million at STARZ, and 35.1 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S.  STARZ® and ENCORE®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX®, air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television.  Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties.  Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.

About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com), a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, is one of the television industry’s leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, around the world and for a multitude of platforms.  In addition to one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) boasts a current program slate that includes top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT has 18 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 15 countries outside the U.S. and also maintains offices in 32 countries. SPT’s worldwide television networks portfolio includes 124 channel feeds available in 159 countries, reaching more than 800 million households worldwide.  SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE’s premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns production company Embassy Row and is a part owner of cable channel Game Show Network (GSN), 3D channel 3net, premier horror/thriller website and VOD service FEARnet and national U.S media sales company ITN Networks, Inc.  SPT advertiser sales is one of the premier national advertising sales companies and handles the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as in U.S. digital businesses including FEARnet, DrOz.com and PlayStation.  
###

“Outlander” Online 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/outlandertvseries.starz
Twitter: @Outlander_Starz - join the conversation with #Outlander and #STARZ 

Contacts:

Theano Apostolou			Robyn Harney				Shannon Buck
Starz					Sony Pictures Television			Starz	
(424) 204-4052				(310) 244-3202				(424) 204-4173
theano@starz.com			robyn.harney@spe.sony.com  		shannon.buck@starz.com

IT’S OFFICIAL!

SAM HEUGHAN CAST AS JAMIE FRASER IN STARZ & SONY PICTURES TV’S “OUTLANDER”

New Original Series Based on Diana Gabaldon’s International Best-Selling Novels

From “Battlestar Galactica” Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore

Beverly Hills, Calif., July 9, 2013 – Starz in association with Sony Pictures Television has announced today that Sam Heughan will play the role of Jamie Fraser in the original series “Outlander,” adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international best-selling books, which will premiere on STARZ in 2014. The chivalrous young Scottish warrior, Jamie Fraser, has been adored worldwide by fans of the seven-book series that has sold more than 20 million copies and has graced the New York Times best-sellers list six times.

Diana Gabaldon said, “Oh. My. God. That man is a Scot to the bone and Jamie Fraser to the heart. Having seen Sam Heughan not just act, but be Jamie, I feel immensely grateful to the production team for their painstaking attention to the soul of the story and c

haracters.”

“From the very beginning, I knew the part of Jamie Fraser would be difficult to cast,” said Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore. “I had no one in mind for the part. I knew that someone would just come into the audition and be Jamie Fraser. And that’s what Sam did.”

In “Outlander,” Jamie Fraser strikes up a passionate affair with Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. Armed with sheer grit and enduring strength, he is a strapping young Scottish clan lord with a complicated past and a disarming sense of humor. He is intelligent, principled, and, by 18th century standards, educated and worldly, with a tenderness and compassion that stands out in contrast to his contemporaries. A natural leader of men, he has no political ambitions or desire for battlefield glories. Instead, he wishes to remove the price on his head and return to his family’s ancestral farm.

Sam Heughan is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he was a 2003 nominee for the Laurence Olivier Award for Most Promising Performance for his work in the program. Last year, he originated the role of Batman in the DC/Warner Brothers and Waterlane production of “Batman Live,” an international tour which opened at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles and went on to tour in South America and throughout Europe. In 2010, he was nominated for a British Soap Award for “Villain of the Year” for his role as Scott Neilson in the BBC soap opera “Doctors.” He has also had roles in a range of television series including, “River City,” “Island at War,” “The Wild West,” “Midsomer Murders,” and, most recently, “Any Human Heart” as Lieutenant McStay. His TV movie credits include, “Breaking the Mould” for BBC Television, “A Very British Sex Scandal” for Channel 4 and “First Light” for BBC2. He was nominated for a “Grace award” for his performance as Prince Ashton, the son of Sir Roger Moore, in “A Princess for Christmas” for Hallmark Channel. His film credits include the short film Small Moments, and the feature films Alexander the Great from Macedonia and Emulsion. He will also be seen in the upcoming film Heart of Lightness. On stage, Heughan has performed at a variety of theatres in such productions as “King John,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Vortex,” “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and more. At the Royal Scottish Academy, Heughan starred in productions including “Crime & Punishment,” “The Seagull,” and “Prometheus Bound.” He is repped by United Talent Agency in the US and United Agents in the UK.

The series adaptation for “Outlander” will be written by Ronald D. Moore (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”). Ronald D. Moore and Jim Kohlberg are executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining & Supply Company and Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television.

The series will begin filming in Scotland this fall.

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