Father Geek here with our man in the outback,

Latauro, and another timely report from the future. Yes, its Fall down yonder and Saturday already (Friday here at Geek Headquarters in Austin), and once again ol'Father Geek will remind you that this weekly "end-of-the-work-week" column can only be as great as the info you all send to our on-site editor down there. Sooooooo, get on the stick and send

Latauro all of your scoops, rumors, set gossip, scripts, screeners, preview-press-fest passes; set visit offers, and whatever other swag may be cluttering up your office work space. He's the world's eye on the downunder screen industries... let the world in on what's up concerning your film projects (present and future)... start the advance buzz-a-buzz'n now!

Now, here's this week's edition...

Well, last week brought many of us a variety of Easter Eggs. For me, they were the robo-posters I found whilst trawling through the Season One FUTURAMA DVD. Talkbackers wanting to discuss something other than whether THE ROCK 2 was a joke or not might want to put forth ultra-cool Easter Eggs they’ve encountered on discs. Until you do, here is...

AICN-DOWNUNDER

I’m going to slip briefly into Hercules-territory and bring up a recent rumour regarding “Buffy”: namely, that Holly Vallance will take over the role for a proposed Season Eight. To give you a bit of background, Ms Vallance got her start on “Neighbours” which has proven to be the biggest Australian actor-launching pad ever. She has since segway-ed into a pop career, and the comparisons to Kylie Minogue have been played more than her singles. Remember a week or two back, our report on STREETFIGHTER 2? Holly taking over from Kylie? HV’s PR machine works on overdrive, and she’s rumoured for *everything*, including projects that will not be happening, like Buffy: Season Eight.

In the meantime, those of us in punch-drunk knuckle love with Mutant Enemy’s output continue to watch the Buffster’s last season, and studiously-yet-unsuccessfully avoid spoilers coming from the US given we’re many, many episodes behind. So, while we wait to see what it is that will devour us from beneath, let’s get into this week’s news...

NEWS

* AICN-Downunder spy Johnny Bartlett tells us that Orlando Bloom has finished up his reshoots on RETURN OF THE KING. This would probably wrap him up for the entire production (ADR not withstanding, although he won’t need to don the ears again). At the moment, Andy Serkis is in New Zealand filling in the Gollum/Smeagol gaps currently in the ROTK rough cut. During his stay, Serkis recorded a reportedly hilarious in-character acceptance speech for the MTV Movie Awards... so everyone responsible for voting, VOTE FOR SERKIS! Screw the Oscars! MTV has the REAL integrity! Also, we want to see the speech.

Speaking of LOTR, the webmasters behind http://www.the3rdtower.com would like you to check out their site. It’s looking good so far, and could develop into something very pretty.

* Australian-shot indie STAR WARS: EPISODE THREE – BLUESCREEN HARVEST will feature Peter Mayhew as Wookie Chewbacca. Chewy’s two hundred years-old in Episode IV, so this does fit. I suppose. Sigh.

* Heath Ledger will begin performing his sexy little heart on June 30 for legendary visionary Terry Gilliam. BROTHERS GRIMM, for the two or three of you out there who *don’t* know, stars Ledger and Matt Damon as the brothers, and features Robin Williams and Jonathon Pryce as villains. Plans to screen the film in Melbourne before a frame of film is shot have been met by Latauro appreciation.

* A few weeks ago we told you about a New Zealand film called TONGAN NINJA. Well, anticipation levels should be raised several notches with the launch of the official website, http://www.tommyringo.com. Latauro is definitely hanging out for an advance copy of this baby...

* The Australian Federal Government (hold for applause) will hold an inquiry into Australia’s film, visual effects and electronic games industries. It will attempt to create new policy on how we in the British prison-posing-as-country can compete in the international marketplace.

* Australian novelist Tim Winton will soon see his novel SHALLOWS adapted into a feature film by producer Don Featherstone and director Geoffrey Bennett. Featherstone and Bennett also made a documentary about Winton three years ago.

* Want to be an extra? Interested in AICN-D’s coverage of JOSH JARMAN? Still want to be an extra? Still not know where we’re going with this? If you want to be involved in this local comedy, contact the production at joshjarman2003@hotmail.com. This part of the shoot will take place between May 5 and 7 at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne.

* Australian actor John Morris passed away on April 19 of this year. Morris appeared in local soaps “Neighbours” and “Home and Away”, also appearing in features BRILLIANT LIES and GALLIPOLI. His first film was an uncredited appearance in THE WRONG BOX as Sotheby’s assistant. Condolences go out to his family and friends.

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS

ZTS – STATE OF ENTROPY has played at Planet Indie Film Festival, Toronto, and Mar Del Plata Argentina. It has won Best Film, Best Director, Jury, Indie Spirit and Best Supporting Female awards, and is creating something of a buzz. ZTS deals with Zero Tolerance, and has had many an audience walkout. Expect to hear more on this film as it gains momentum. In the meantime, check out their website at www.zerotolerancesquad.com.

CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

Australian film JAPANESE STORY (starring Toni Collette) will play in the Un Certain Regard category at this year’s festival. It is the only Australian feature film selected for the 2003 festival.

Short film GOOD LUCK JEFFREY BROWN missed out on the short film category, but has also been entered into the Melbourne, Sydney, and Toronto International Film Festivals. The film is the story of a man (Kick Gurry from GARAGE DAYS and THE THIN RED LINE) who lives in a nuclear bunker in his back garden. It is directed by Christian Debney (who worked on STAR WARS Episodes 1 and 2) and was produced by Jacqui Louez and Josh Pomeranz. Currently, Debney is drumming up word for the film across the world as he attempts to get his first feature off the ground.

AUSTRALIAN FILM, TELEVISION AND RADIO SCHOOL GRADUATING FILMS

This coming Monday and Tuesday, the Australian Centre for Moving Images (ACMII, but I can’t remember what the other ‘I’ stands for... meh, probably not important) will screen a selection of AFTRS graduating films at 7pm on each day.

AFTRS will also be holding an information seminar for prospective students on Tuesday between 3pm and 5pm at their Melbourne office: 144 Moray Street, South Melbourne.

SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL

The über-cool Nova Cinema will play host to this festival from May 14 to May 18. Included in the line-up is comedy MY MOTHER LIKES WOMEN, Oscar-nominated SON OF THE BRIDE, and THE CRIME OF FATHER AMARO with Gael Garcia Bernal. Check out http://www.spanishfilmfestival.com for more details.

BOX OFFICE

As many box office analysts have predicted (well, Harry said this, like, over a month ago), comedies are doing a number on the cash machines. A direct result of Operation Iraqi News Coverage, or simply a lack of anything better on?

Here they are...

• 1. ANGER MANAGEMENT
• 2. JOHNNY ENGLISH
• 3. SHANGHAI KNIGHTS
• 4. WHAT A GIRL WANTS
• 5. HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN TEN DAYS (previews)

RELEASED THIS WEEK

Not a lot this week, but it’ll help to cleanse the palette while we wait for X-MEN 2. Many of you may not know that X2 will have the world’s widest ever release, opening across the WORLD over a period of three days. In the meantime, we have a feature documentary about a feature, a one-shot HD film, Jennifer Aniston going both legit and dramatic, and a paint-by-numbers rom-com-a-thon.

Don’t worry, my pretties... X2 and MATRIX will soon be here...

• THE GOOD GIRL
• HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN TEN DAYS
• MAKING VENUS
• RUSSIAN ARK

NEXT WEEK...

Earth Shattering News...

- Heath Ledger voted Sexiest Tomboy Beanpole 2003

- Eric Bana reveals he has a bomb in his ribcage

- Russell Crowe has a beer and cheets on his wife

Peace out,

Latauro