Star Wars 1: The Phantom Menace 3D & Journey 2: The Mysterious Island – CFQ Spotlight Podcast 3:6

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There was no shortage of curiosity when George Lucas announced that he was converting his STAR WARS features to 3D, and no little disappointment when it was revealed that the first film to undergo the process would be the almost universally reviled EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE. Nevertheless here we are at the longest of those long times ago, back in that galaxy far, far away, watching once more as Jedi knight Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his talented padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) try to rescues Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) from the clutches of the evil Trade Federation, in the process stumbling upon Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a young boy with such formidable attributes — including single-handedly building C-3PO and having just by chance been born of immaculate conception — that he might well be the Chosen One, the one destined to bring Balance to the Force. That is, if instead he doesn’t turn to the Dark Side and become… well, let’s just say the name rhymes with Marth Frader.
Our special guest, chronicrift.com‘s John Drew, joins Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons as they revisit the newly dimensionalized version of this “first” installment and discuss whether the upgrade is worth donning the special, “Collectible Keepsake” 3D glasses. Also: Larry and Steve give their capsule reviews of JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND. Plus: What’s coming in theaters and on home video.

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The Rock to Mysterious Island?

RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAINAccording to The Hollywood Reporter, Dwayne Johnson (formerly known as The Rock) will likely be filling in for Brendan Fraser in the JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH 3D sequel.
Loosely based on Journey author Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island,  the film JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, will feature Johnson as the boyfriend of Sean Anderson’s (Josh Hutcherson, reprising in role) mother, who winds up going with the young man to search for his missing grandfather.
The switch was needed, as due to other committments, Brendan Fraser will not be available to play Sean’s father, Trevor Anderson, as he did in the 2008 film. 
Brad Peyton (CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE) has been set to direct  the film for New Line Cinema.
Dwaye Johnson has not yet signed, though the article expects an announcement soon.

MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (1961)
MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (1961) Stop-Motion Crab

 The 1874 Jules Verne novel was a sequel to 20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea, featuring a more benign version of Captain Nemo.
The Mysterious Island has been adapted for films a number times previously, including a Technicolor part-talking film in 1929, a 15-chapter Columbia serial in 1951, and the well-known 1961 Ray Harryhausen stop-motion effort.