As the smoke cools on the Fanboys drama, the boys behind it are managing to find work elsewhere. The Hollywood Reporter writes that Ernie Cline, co-writer of the never-to-be-seen film, has just sold his comedy spec Thundercade to Lakeshore Entertainment. (And yes, that's Cline to the right. I think writers should get pictures too.)

Thundercade is the story of a video game junkie facing a midlife crisis who learns that a young punk had broken a record he set as a teen. He and his two best friends embark on a journey to reclaim his place in video game history and win the world's ultimate gaming championship, Thundercade.

Sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it? A bit like a journey of some geeks to Skywalker Ranch. But it also sounds a little like an adult version of The Wizard, which I have fond memories of. Anyway, at least Lakeshore will not actually cut out the midlife crisis bit because it strikes them as a bit sad.

Or did it? It seems it depends on who you ask. The Hollywood Reporter has a long story recounting the Fanboys supporters' attempt to picket Superhero Movie. The protest actually grabbed a few headlines, which would suggest there were numerous stormtroopers out there sticking it to the man -- claims denied by AMC theatre reps and by the Weinstein Co.

The 501st (who are now denying any official stance or organized protest) says that at least 14 members showed up at a New York AMC, but when confronted by security guards, chose to buy a ticket to see 21 instead. They also claim that 20 stormtroopers showed up at Century City, but were asked to leave the mall by security guards. AMC denies both incidents occurred, and that the only protester in Century City was a lone Darth Vader.

A source close to the film says that it was eight protesters in Century City, and that they were taken out for pizza by a producer. That's certainly confirmed by a quote from producer Matthew Perniciaro: "We've been working on this movie for many years, and if someone is going to take time out of their personal life and support our film, whatever that support might be, at the very least what we can do is say thank you and buy them a couple of slices of pizza for caring abut this project as much as we do."

I shouldn't need to go through this whole thing again, so if you have no idea what's currently going on with the film Fanboys, read this, this and this -- and then come back. A little while ago I received the craziest email from a good pal, and that email contained three other email exchanges between director Steve Brill (aka the dude who took over for Kyle Newman during reshoots) and fans of the original cut of Fanboys. A couple of notes before I post these emails:

• No matter how cruddy the director is, I do not support attacking the man's cut when you haven't even seen it yet. I've made that clear before, and I'll say it again now. However, his other films are definitely fair game.
• I've confirmed with a source "in the know" that this is indeed Steve Brill behind these emails; that, originally, he confessed to them, but then tried to say someone hacked his email account when he realized how much of a complete idiot he came off as. But note that I have not talked to Brill myself (though I'm totally willing to do so, Steve, so email me), so I'm not 100% certain this was him. More like 96.5%.
• Also, I've tried to clean up the foul language as best I can, but do keep in mind that these email exchanges aren't exactly safe for work.

That said, head after the jump to read these hysterical exchanges ...

Who's really behind the campaign to boycott all Weinstein Co. films until the original cut of Fanboys is shown in theaters? And are they the same group of people everyone thinks is behind this whole thing? I'll leave it at that. As you've probably already noticed, the whole Fanboys debacle heated up once again today when a press release announcing the Weinsteins plans to release both versions (cancer version, non-cancer version) of the film on DVD, while they "explore" theatrical options, hit the inbox of every movie blogger in the known universe.

This came on the heels of a potential boycott of the latest Weinstein Co. release, Superhero Movie, by a group of Star Wars fans who simply want to see one version -- the original version -- of their beloved Fanboys up on the big screen. Since the press release, the group has responded with plans to still go ahead and stage two large Superhero Movie protests this Friday in New York and Los Angeles. According to a Cinematical source close to the production, no one involved in the film (producers, director, etc ...) were made aware of these newest developments prior to the press release hitting the public. And apparently some folks are pissed.

They're pissed the film is being yanked around. They're pissed at the lack of progress. And they're pissed that the new director brought on (Steve Brill) knows jack about Star Wars. Seriously. Word has it the dude never even saw the original Star Wars when he was hired to re-shoot Fanboys. (But that's a rumor, it hasn't been confirmed and you didn't hear it from me ...)

In a move highly reminiscent of Fanboys idol George Lucas, the Weinsteins have announced they will be releasing two editions of the still-unreleased movie on DVD. The problem is, they still haven't announced a theatrical or DVD release date for either version.

The Hollywood Reporter has the long and torturous story. If you've been following this poor film's route, you know that the movie centers on a group of friends trying to sneak into Skywalker Ranch so that their cancer-stricken friend can see The Phantom Menace. The Weinsteins decided the entire cancer subplot should be removed, and spent $2 million on reshoots, only to have the film begin failing test screenings.

Now, fans (led, it must be said, by the 501st Stormtrooper Legion) have gone on the warpath. 30,000 e-mails have been sent to the production company, along with threats of a boycott of all Weinstein films, a picket line at Superhero Movie, and cries of "Darth Weinstein!" have forced the company's hand -- slightly. The Weinstein Co has agreed to release two versions of the film on DVD -- the original, and the reshot version, and are pondering whether to release both in the theatre.

Here's the Fanboys synopsis currently up on IMDb: "Star Wars" fans travel to Skywalker Ranch to steal an early copy of "Episode I: The Phantom Menace" for their dying friend."

Problem is, that's not the movie everyone will see when it eventually hits theaters. There's been a ton of talk surrounding the Fanboy re-cuts; how the cancer storyline was taken out, how Kyle Newman was replaced as director, and how the Weinsteins have pretty much turned Fanboys into a completely different film from what was originally intended. Yesterday, fans wrote into AICN claiming to have donated props for the film, and were upset over all these changes. So upset they were starting a campaign against The Weinstein Co., hoping to get Newman's original cut released instead of this new one.

Thanks to a well-placed, super delegate secret spy source, Cinematical was able to get the real skinny on what was going on with Fanboys. Some of this info is new, some old, but I have confirmed all of it to be true. First off, Kyle Newman definitely was replaced as director for the re-shoots by Steve Brill (Without a Paddle). The "dying of cancer" storyline was completely dumped, and, instead, the fanboys are now trying to sneak a copy of Phantom Menace simply because they're fans and want to see it. According to my source, the story is now "disjointed, nonsensical and lacking any heart."

Oh, there's more ...

Heck, if Trekkies could get their own documentary (or two), isn't it about time those Star Wars nuts out there get their turn? Eventually, we'll get to see the movie Fanboys; about a group of Star Wars fans who attempt to break into the Lucas ranch in order to sneak a copy of The Phantom Menace before anyone else. Now, Joblo tells us that some peeps are putting together a new documentary called The People vs. George Lucas -- and while, at first glance, it appears to be a doc about people who want to trash the moves Lucas has made in recent years, JB promises us that "the movie plans to address various issues surrounding the series and offer a balanced argument between supporters and those with fluctuating or fading faith in the Force ..."

The cool thing about this film, which will be directed by Alexandre O. Philippe, is that they're looking to incorporate videos from Star Wars fans. So, if you're a big Skywalker nut and have a very strong opinion on where Lucas has taken the franchise over the years, you can record yourself and send it to the filmmakers. From the official website: "The idea is to create a fan film for and partly by fans in a style paying tribute to the YouTube phenomenon." The first teaser poster for The People vs. George Lucas has also been released (see right, and view full size after the jump), and so now it'll be interesting to see what comes out first: This film or Fanboys. Nevertheless, I know you're all just dying to see JimmySkyvadar618 spew Lucas hatred in his underwear from his living room couch -- so give this film some love and help these folks get 'er done.

It looks like Heroes' Kristen Bell has found plenty to do now that the TV show has gone on an indefinite hiatus. Variety reports that Bell has signed for the romantic comedy When in Rome. The rom-com was written by Mark Steven Johnson, and he will also direct. The film is a bit of a departure for Johnson, who has stuck with ruining comic book properties for the most part. Hopefully a new genre is going to work out a little better for him than the superheroes have in the past.

Bell will star as "...a successful real estate agent in Gotham who can't find a lasting relationship. When her younger sister impulsively marries in Rome, she flies out for the wedding and, after picking up coins from a reputed "fountain of love," finds an overabundance of suitors waiting for her back home." Blech, when is Hollywood going to find a new kind of female lead other than the bitter career gal? So far Bell is the only name attached to the film, but now that there is a star, the rest should fall into place.

When in Rome is due to start shooting on location in Rome and in New York this March. Plus now that the writer's strike might be over, Bell could be returning to the small screen to get a least a few more episodes of Heroes in before the season is up. Rome will be produced by Disney, so if you are looking to see Bell in something with a little more 'edge' then at least you still have Judd Apatow's Forgetting Sarah Marshall hitting theaters on April 18th and Fanboys slated for later this year.

Welcome back to The Write Stuff! I'm thrilled that there is such a strong interest in screenwriting out there. Thank you all so much for your comments last week, both here and on my site. All of your questions and comments will be addressed in the coming weeks, so stay tuned and keep them coming!

The first interview for the column is with red-hot screenwriter Adam F. Goldberg. Adam is living the dream. He writes for both television and film, and his upcoming movie projects include Fanboys, the live-action Jetsons movie, and They Came from Upstairs. Cinematical spoke with the incredibly busy Goldberg about his scripts, his process, and Goonies: The Musical.

Cinematical: You said you were being "enslaved by a director," what are you working on? And should I call the authorities?

Adam F. Goldberg: Perhaps call them for my hacky writing! It's called They Came From Upstairs for Fox. It's a family movie, kinda like Gremlins -- but with aliens. The spec was written by Mark Burton and was sold for like $1.7 mil. I believe I am making about .0001212 of that. It's been a really cool project. The movie was in pre-production and the studio realized the script wasn't ready and shut it down pretty late in the game. I came aboard to get the train back on the tracks which is always high pressure and very difficult to do. I handed in 40 pages and they re-greenlit the movie and we're casting and location scouting now. I'm on draft two currently, working next to the director and bringing his vision into it.

Cinematical: Is that an awkward process at all -- being brought in to re-write a fellow writer? Do you ever run into hurt feelings or bruised egos? I guess the $1.7 million makes the pill easier to swallow.

AFG: Well, I come from the TV world, writing on sitcoms and that's very collaborative. You have to sit in the room and watch 10 other writers tear apart your script right in front of you. That bruises your ego. As for movies, more often than not a writer can only go so far and it's your job to bat clean up. It's never a great feeling to have your screenplay rewritten, but hopefully you've moved onto your next project, so it doesn't sting so much. And believe me, that $1.7 payday is like winning the lottery. I hope I can sell a spec one day. I've had little luck in that department.

The sun is shining in San Diego, the waves are crashing against the shore, seagulls are calling (do they call?), people are bustling about ... and an inordinate amount of them are wearing Star Wars t-shirts. Yes folks, Comic-Con is getting ready to step into full swing, and I'm here.

I would make a lot of geek and nerd jokes here, but I just realized after taking a picture of all of the gear I'll be lugging around every day that I have seen the geek, and the geek is me. For the rest of my week I'll be doing my best to dork out and get the skinny on all the Comic-Con news that comes out, and I'll be chasing down those 12 unanswered questions that we want the answers to.

Plus if I can catch some behind the scenes tidbits, I'll share 'em here. If Robert Downey Jr. wants to tell me how the crotch really rides up on that Iron Man costume, then you'll hear it here first. We'll also be touring the show floor, bringing you photos, videos, and interviews with a woman dressed up like Lara Croft, god willing.

I just came from getting my press badge at the San Diego Convention Center (or SDCC for people without a lot of extra time on their hands to pronounce the whole thing) and it is already mobbed. It's only preview night, where you can't see too much, and the line is stretching around the place. Stay tuned, true believers! Tonight we're attending a screening of 3D footage from Beowulf, so look for that and a whole lot more tomorrow, once things really get rolling.

I wonder where that Star Wars kid is now? Remember the dude who taped himself imitating the Darth Maul character from Star Wars Episode I? The video subsequently leaked online and the poor kid was put through hell for years; his family even went so far as to file a lawsuit against the kids who placed the footage on the net. Well, wherever he is, I bet he'd love to audition for this latest contest sponsored by The Weinstein Co. and Dailymotion. In an attempt to promote Kyle Newman's Fanboys, Dailymotion is hosting a contest in which fans can upload videos of themselves showing just how big a fanboy (or fangirl) they really are. Users will then have a chance to vote for their favorites, and once it's narrowed down to the top ten, Fanboys producers will award one lucky individual with a walk-on role in Fanboys. Yeah, I know -- I can't believe they're not done shooting that film either.

In addition to landing a role in the film, your video will also be included as a special feature on the Fanboys DVD. Not for nothing, but I'd say those are pretty cool prizes -- if only to use as bragging rights in your highly-competitive, yet tight-knit circle of Star Wars friends. "Seth has every Han Solo line of dialogue memorized -- oh yeah, well I'm in Fanboys biotch! Beat that!" I imagine you'll have to get creative, as the competition will be pretty stiff. Dailymotion already has up a slew of videos that were shot during the recent Star Wars Convention, where plenty of Princess Leias were sporting their half-nekkedness for all to see. That's not to say you guys should break out that Luke Skywalker thong you received as a gag gift at the your last Star Wars party -- but I would suggest using your imagination a bit. High production value and groovy special effects usually go a long way when it comes to getting votes, so now might be the time to cash in that favor from your friend who works at that post-production house. For more info on the contest, head on over to FanboyContest.com or Dailymotion.com for rules, guidelines, etc ... And don't forget to go see Fanboys when it hit theaters this January.

In the midst of the festivities for Star Wars Celebration IV, there has been plenty of news for fans on all things Star Wars. IESB is now hosting our first look at the poster for the film Fanboys, which is probably best summed up as a love letter to Star Wars geeks everywhere. The film, directed by Kyle Newman, focuses on a group of friends who make a pact to honor the last wishes of their friend to see The Phantom Menace at Lucas' Skywalker Ranch -- the Mecca for fanboys everywhere. The film stars Sam Huntington, Jay Baruchel (Knocked Up), and Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars). But more importantly the film managed to get Princess Leia herself, Carrie Fisher, to play a small role in the film.

IESB also has a batch of photos and a hi-res version of the one-sheet on the site. And since this is a film that speaks to the geek in all of us, the poster wastes no time in mustering up some nostalgia for the "good ole' days" with a close up of hands gripping a light saber and a classic font -- very Return of The Jedi. Newman doesn't have a long resume as a director, but his films range in subject matter from re-incarnation to a straight-to video horror called The Hollow. IESB also reports that Newman screened some 50 minutes of the film to universal approval from the audience. Fanboys is set for release in January 2008 -- which as we know is either the worst or best thing that could have happened.

You're all a bunch of intelligent and well-informed movie nerds, so try to answer this question for me: When (MOVIE X) gets bumped out of a release date and is promptly rescheduled for next January, what does that usually mean? A) The movie's really awesome and the distributor wants it to be the only good movie to hit screens during the "dump" season, B) The movie's really crappy and the distributor wants to dump it quietly when nobody will notice it, or C) The delay is because the backers are SO thrilled with the flick that they're giving the director some extra money for reshoots.

Filmmaker Kyle Newman is insisting that "C" is the correct answer, thus explaining why you won't be able to see the Star Wars-centric comedy Fanboys until the first month of 2008. (The previous release date was August 17.) The director goes a little bi-polar in an email to TheForce.net. First he's devastated ("I am devastated") and then he's excited ("I am so excited") but the bottom line is that you fanboys will have to wait a little bit longer for your self-titled comedy. For those who haven't seen the trailer yet: Fanboys is about a bunch of late-'90s movie nerds who go on a cross-country road trip in an effort to steal a pre-release print of The Phantom Menace. Could make for a clever little comedy, but I'm a little skeptical of the trailer, which makes the flick look like a painful cross between Wild Hogs and Detroit Rock City. I just don't see what sleeping-bag homophobia and forced stripping has to do with Star Wars fandom.

Though Cinematical was not mentioned (no worries, it's just more food for my therapist), I have to give props to Time Magazine for, well, giving props to all those movie blogs out there in a new piece called Boys Who Like Toys. Essentially, the article (written by Rebecca Winters Keegan) talks about how fanboys (and the websites they visit each day) have become "one of the most powerful taste-makers in Hollywood," perfectly capable of either making or breaking a movie in a matter of hours. Heck, there's even an entire film (appropriately titled Fanboys) devoted to these folks heading our way soon. Hence, the studios have noticed; recently, they've created entire divisions whose main responsibility is to remain in close contact with the online world, invite bloggers to their movie sets, hand out exclusive online-only content and, generally, try to steer buzz in the right direction.

According to Spider-Man 3 producer Avi Arad, "Hard-core fans represent a small piece of the viewing public, but they influence geek culture, journalists, Wall Street. You don't want them to trash your project." Among the sites mentioned in the article, I feel JoBlo, The Movie Blog and Cinema Blend consistently deliver honest, opinionated movie news with a ton of humor and a whole lot of fun. And hey, I'd like to think we here at Cinematical do the same thing ... except, I probably shower a lot less than John Campea. Look, let's be real: It's easy to show up online, present your audience with a bunch of flashy graphics -- combined with copy-and-paste posts from Variety and/or the Hollywood Reporter -- and call yourself a movie blog. Some folks make a very successful living doing that, and the studios (who are always afraid you'll say something bad) love them for it. But I tend to feel the moviegoing public (myself included) want more. They want honesty. They want opinion. They want to debate. Most of all, they want to have fun. And that's what going to the movies is all about. So, support your movie blogs ... you'll be glad you did!

It's been awhile since we have had any news about Patrick Read Johnson's Star Wars comedy 5-25-77. Back in 2005, Karina had a look at the teaser trailer for the coming of age story about the ultimate fan. Well, here we are almost two years later and while there has been the trailer, a website and a promised release date of May 25th of this year, there hadn't been much news from the production; prompting questions about whether the film was going to make its promised release date. Fan Cinema Today wondered the same and actually got an answer -- sort of. The site received a sneak preview of the poster for the film with the promise of "More info to come...soon."

5-25-77 is inspired by an event from Johnson's own youth; in 1976 the teen filmmaker was invited to a rough screening of Star Wars at ILM. The movie is only loosely based on Johnson and instead focuses on the teen returning to his small town to become the film's number one fan. Since it's a coming of age comedy, there will probably be plenty of touching moments and comic obstacles peppered in amongst the nostalgia. If Johnson keeps to his release date, it might put the film in competition with MGM's Fanboys, but considering what Erik thought of the Fanboys trailer, 5-25-77 should have a fighting chance.