Writers' Strike implications; Tim Kring apology

I have been getting an inbox full of questions regarding the writers' strike, so here is what we currently know about its impact on the world of Heroes:

- HEROES: ORIGINS -
We announced earlier that the writers' strike claimed one of it's first victims before it even began -- stopping the production of Heroes: Origins. Fortunately, they are being careful to call it "indefinitely postponed" (as mentioned in our announcement). When addressing the situation on The Post Show last week, Tim Kring confirmed that it is NOT permanently off the table.

- ALTERNATE CHAPTER 11 -
As many of you know, Chapter 11, set to air on Dec. 3rd, is being redone so that it can act as a potential season finale, should they run out of written material. According to an article in TVGuide, "Originally, the episode was only supposed to serve as the conclusion of the current "Generations" arc. Should an 11th-hour agreement be reached and a strike averted (fingers crossed!), the alt ending would likely be scrapped." As we now know, the strike was not averted, but perhaps it can be ended in time to keep the season intact?

Tim Kring has also apologized to fans for the shortcomings of season two, in a recent article for Entertainment Weekly, but promises a turnaround for the series. Tim also describes the alternate Chapter 11 as a way to give the series "a clean slate" for Volume 3. [Thank you, Fil, for sending this in.]

- GRAPHIC NOVELS -
We don't know for certain what will happen with the graphic novels but Jason Badower, one of the artists, has given us a bit of info in his blog:

"I was recently contacted, by my editor, Frank about doing a HEROES story. The script by Chuck (0.07%) Kim came through. It's called "The Ten Brides of Takezo Kensei" and it's a ripper of a story.

Unfortunately, due to the strike, Chuck asked that the script be pulled. Apparently he also had a specific artist friend of his in mind to draw it. That's a huge shame as I would have knocked this one out of the park. This one is so up my alley it's not funny. So when you do see it, you can try to imagine if I'd drawn/painted it.

But to answer your question, this script is set after the events of episode 11 (it specifically says so). So they've pulled the web comic episode that's set after the week of episode 11. I have no idea if the stories before it have been pulled. But now you know that is your thin red line as far as the HEROES graphic novels go."

- HEROES: EVOLUTIONS -
The impact of the strike on Heroes: Evolutions is, of course, of the utmost interest to us here at Heroes-Clues. Unfortunately, it is one of the biggest unknowns. Online content appears to be an important point of contention in the negotiations (the writers are looking for their fair cut in this growing medium), so things could definitely change. I will continue to update you as I hunt for info.


For now, let's all keep our fingers crossed that this strike ends soon.

Heroes: Origins "indefinitely postponed"

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm sure that this is something that the Heroes fanbase would like to know:

Looks like the production of the six-episode Heroes spin-off "Heroes: Origins", previously scheduled to air in April, has been "indefinitely halted." It is speculated that this is being done in anticipation of an industry-wide writers' strike. Unfortunately, this is often a subtle way to say "canceled," but we will continue to hope for the best.

See this article for further details.


Thanks, Erolle, for bringing this to our attention.

Heroes Season 2 premier day!!

The Monday that we've been waiting for has finally arrived! Heroes Season Two will start tonight, but there are also plenty of other things to check out today:

• Stay tuned for details about our first of several weekly contests here at Heroes-Clues. Prize packages will include goodies from NBC, Entertainment Weekly, autographed items from the Heroes World Tour, and more.


• Today the Hey! Nielsen network is opening their beta version to the public -- and is kicking it off with a "TV Blog" contest, in which they have selected us to participate (see Friday's post). Click on the link above to show your support!!


• Today we will be attending Gameloft’s press event for Heroes: The Mobile Game, and will report the details. In case you are in the NYC area, they will also be allowing the first 50 fans into the event (5pm - 8pm) at the Nokia store on East 57th Street and 5th Ave.


• The final chapter of the "Sword Saint" video series is scheduled to air today at the Yamagato Fellowship website, under the section "Videos/Events".


• A live blog will be posted by Tim Kring and Jack Coleman via the NBC Heroes site after the season premiere at 10pm (ET). For now, you can leave your questions about the new season, the characters (new and old) or just general questions about the show at the most recent post.


• Also tonight, and each night this week (Monday-Friday, Sept. 24-28), Nissan will be giving away a 2008 collector's edition Nissan Rogue SL signed by "Heroes" creator Tim Kring. From NBC:

  Starting in the 8 p.m. hour, NBC will air a custom snipe alerting viewers of their chance to win the car as it "drives" across the screen. During the 9 p.m. hour, viewers will watch for a pod buster promo spot which introduces a trivia question about the show they are watching — "Heroes" (Monday), "The Biggest Loser" (Tuesday), "Bionic Woman" (Wednesday), "The Office" (Thursday) and "Las Vegas" (Friday). Viewers will be instructed to go online to www.nbc.com/nissan to answer the question and enter for a chance to win the car.

  Best of luck to everyone!

So, check out all of the Season Two premier day goodies! As always, if you spot something that hasn't been posted, drop us line.

[EDITED to add more info at 3:12pm]

Kicking off Heroes Season 2 with a bang!!

As you know, season two of Heroes starts next Monday. Here at Heroes [360] Clues, we have some very exiting things on the agenda:

• CONTESTS:
  Via one of our favorite friends of the site, NBC has been cool enough to send along some fun swag. We plan to give it all away via some new contests, along with an exclusive, one-of-a-kind autographed item from the Heroes World Tour! Stay tuned for details...


• CHOSEN BY NIELSEN:
  We are honored to have been directly selected by the Nielsen Company (the company that does the TV ratings) as one of the very first blogs to participate in a new online network. Currently we are the only Heroes blog to have received this special invitation. Right now they are in a closed Beta (not accessible to the public), but soon you will be able to vote for Heroes-Clues from among the best TV-related blogs on the web. We'll be counting on you!!


• NEW CONTRIBUTORS:
  We will soon be on the hunt for a couple of new contributors here at the site. There will be a more specific/official posting on the way, but feel free to drop us a line if you already know that you would like to join our staff.


• NEW, well, NEWS:
  We are thrilled to announce that we also be bringing you some exclusive info from press events that we have been invited to.

Also on Monday:

• Look out for the final chapter of the "Sword Saint" video series at the Yamagato Fellowship website, under the section "Videos/Events". See this post for the scheduling and descriptions of the chapters.


• HEROES SEASON TWO BEGINS! Yes, I already mentioned this at the start of the post, but it's worth mentioning again, don't you think? The official schedule, from Greg Beeman, Director/Producer:

  We will come back on September 24 – run 11 episodes in a row, take only 4 weeks off, run 7 in a row, take only 3 weeks off and then finish the season with a final run of 6 episodes.
  
  And, on top of all that, when HEROES ends, Tim is going to give the fans 6 episodes of a new original series HEROES ORIGINS.

  Visit his blog, "Beeming Beeman," for further details.


• Tim Kring will be posting via a live blog via the NBC Heroes site during the night of the season two premier.


• Speaking of the NBC site, go check out the new layout and features! The new site went live today, including the new section "Evolutions". New additions are on their way.

Keep your eyes peeled for all of this new stuff -- most of it will launch at the start of the new season, next Monday.

Video Clips - 360, Heroes at Comic-Con '07

Check out the new video clips over NBC site -- one about the Heroes 360, and six from the Heroes panel at this weekend's San Diego Comic-Con:

Heroes 360 - Comic-Con '07 Trailer: This season, YOU were part of the adventure.

Heroes at Comic-Con '07:

• Part One: Catch the Heroes cast and creators at Comic-Con 2007!


• Part Two: Greg Grunberg has a present for one of his fans at Comic-Con 2007.


• Part Three: Surprise guest Kevin Smith with the Heroes team at Comic-Con 2007.


• Part Four: The Heroes cast gets candid about their contributions to their roles.


• Part Five: The fans get to know our Heroes at Comic-Con 2007!


• Part Six: There is only one Sylar!

Heroes Origins

Kudos to Harmonni & Ghost22 for sending along some info about a spinoff series that's on its way. "Heroes Origins" According to press releases, the spinoff will introduce a new character each week, and viewers will select which one stays for the following season. The two series will have 30 new episodes combined.