FRIDAY 25th

SUPERMAN MUSIC BOX-SET! COMING SOON!!!

Coming soon from the Film Score Monthly soundtrack label is an 8-CD box set of the music from the four Christopher Reeve Superman movies. Album producers Mike Matessino and Lukas Kendall effectively made an unusual and technically unofficial pre-release announcement when the release, originally slated for December or January, was delayed due to a change in manufacturing schedule. The box set is now expected to appear in time for Superman's traditional birthdate of February 29th and celebrates a twin anniversary year: Richard Donner's Superman: The Movie was released 30 years ago in 1978, and it was 70 years ago, in 1938, when the iconic superhero made his debut in Action Comics #1.

Specifics about the release remain intentionally sketchy, since FSM's usual practice is to announce their releases at the time orders can be placed. Both Superman Cinema and Caped Wonder were involved with the project, so we will also withhold specifics until the official announcement is made (so please don't ask us!). What is known is the price, $119.95, which in addition to the 8-CDs includes a 160-page fully-illustrated book which, as Matessino has been quoted, "takes score documentation to a whole new level." The producer has also stated that the music contained in the set will contain "many surprises, delights and revelations" for Superman and score fans, and we can tell you first hand that this is truly the case!

Thanks,

Mike, Dharmesh, and Jim Bowers.

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Okay, guys, I need to clear up a few things:

I've known about the project for two years, but FSM - like all internet music labels - don't announce a product until it's ready to ship. You know, I wish I hadn't mention that a "surprise" was coming, but I also didn't think we'd be waiting this long for it be released!

The product isn't ready to ship, the unforeseen delays has forced FSM to post significant clues (without mentioning the title) to simmer the excited speculation but not to put a lid on it. I surprised not more people picked up on the clues. If you are regular FSM message board user then you know that a certain individual posted a hint 12 months ago, and since then speculation has been rife. Then JWFAN.NET posted details about the set this week. So whoever thinks that we were holding off announcing it so we could keep up the "mystique" or have a "gee-whiz effect" are wrong. There are genuine reasons why the project couldn't be announced earlier, and it's mainly to do with manufacturing.

There will be an initial pressing of 3000 units. If it doesn't sell-out, then there won't be a re-pressing. The price, based on previous FSM boxset releases, won't necessarily drop. It's a fixed price. So get in there as soon as you are able to.

There's going to be a lot of coverage of this set as we get close to release date. Mike said "forget all you know or think you know", and he's absolutely right, even I've had to back-track on certain things. I can say, hand on heart, "this project has been done right!"

BTW, I've been evasive when some of you guys mentioned music campaigns etc, so please accept my apologies.

Have a nice weekend, folks.

WEDNESDAY 16th

JUST CHECKING IN...

Hey guys, the site was down for the best part of 5 days because there was a bug in the server’s operating system. The strange thing was, and maybe it’s a coincidence, the weather in the U.K. has turned for the worst since the server went down. We’ve had continuous rain, which has caused flooding in rural areas. Petrol prices have hit £.1.03 per litre on average (2 dollars per litre) and food prices are on the rise. Don’t tell me someone isn’t getting rich out of this! I’m thinking Vulcan satellites. I’m thinking of an African-American genius. I'm thinking Gus Gorman.

Dalip Singh - affectionately know as the maharaja of the old Punjab - is searching for the Mario Puzo Superman 1 and 2 novels, I mean screenplays. Ilya Salkind doesn’t have it, Tom Mankiewicz hasn’t read it and Warner Bros. might have it. I trust Dalip Singh will eventually find it.

It seems that the Reborn script (pages posted so far) has generated positive comments so far. I think, if they rewrote bits and pieces, it might have been something special, on par with the original. The script is much more in the realms of science fiction (cosmic adventure). It’s something that no one has seen before in live-action comic book movies. With all comic book films grounded on Earth, in terms of story, Reborn offers a fresh perspective on the genre. I do like the fact that Kal-El is able to visit his heritage, Krypton. Anyway, more pages will be added shortly.

THURSDAY 3rd

FLASHMAN NOVELIST DIES

George MacDonald Fraser has passed away at the age of 82. George wrote the famous 'Flashman' novels, and I highly recommend them - especially if you love scoundrels and rogues during colonial times. Be warned, there is an abundance of sexism and racism, but it's in keeping with the time and setting, and giving it a sense of authenticity. The immense richness of history in these books is quite remarkable and, if you didn't know better, you'd think the character was real! George, also, wrote a number of screenplays: Lester's 'Musketeers', Royal Flash (George wouldn't let anyone else write it) the James Bond picture, Octopussy, and he did some uncredited work on Superman II before the Newmans returned.

Check out the BBC link

WEDNESDAY 2nd

"STATE OF PLAY"

Hey everyone, may I wish you a Happy New Year and I hope you had a great holiday.

December 15th 2008 will mark the 30th anniversary of Superman the Movie. I don’t envisage another DVD release this year. 2006 wasn’t that long ago and I suspect that Warners will want to cash-in when Justice League hits screens or when, if ever, the new Bryan Singer Superman film appears. I would love to see WB release the film in a few theatres. Who knows what’s going to happen with Selutron’s campaign efforts, that might make a difference...

I did watch the two Donner films [Superman] back-to-back and I didn’t think the Donner Cut was that bad, just required more thought from a story point of view when they were editing it. I might talk about this later on.

I promised "A Surprise" last year, but, unfortunately, it didn’t materialise for a number of reasons, all of which were out of my hands. I tell you now, I have this great interview in front of me, one which I thought I’d eventually do but when it actually happened, I couldn’t believe it was happening. I think you’re going to love it because it’s the single most important interview since "God talked to Moses!" Hehehe. I can also tell you that it’s NOT going to be hosted on this site, and you’ll understand why when it’s printed. I don't know when it will be posted.

I do have another surprise, yes, count’em, two surprises! It’s something which you’ve been dying to read for several years. So hang on in there! It'll be posted soon.

SUPERMAN PLAYS IN SACRAMENTO, CA

Superman The Movie will be screened on the 10th January.

Click here for details.