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Fanboys has a new released date and it will be February 6th, in theaters!

It’s 1998 and Star Wars fanboys across the globe eagerly await the release of Episode I. But for Eric, Linus, Hutch and Windows the term “fanboy” is more than just a title, it’s a badge of honor. Spurred by impatience and an undying loyalty to their cause, these former high school friends reunite to undertake the road trip of their fan-tasies. Traveling West across the country to visit their Mecca – George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch – the plan is to break in, steal the film and stake their claim as the first fanboys in history to watch it. But to secure their place in the fanboy hall of fame, they’ll have to contend with bizarre bikers, a crazy pimp, a deranged group of trekkies and the quiet intensity of William Shatner.

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To cancer or not to cancer? That’s the question that has prompted the Weinstein Co. to release two versions of Fanboys on DVD, and to explore the option of a theatrical release for the much-delayed film. A vocal bunch of Star Wars fan supporters, however, are threatening to boycott the studio if Fanboys isn’t released to theaters exactly (and only) the way the filmmakers intended.Fanboys was conceived as a road-trip dramedy about four friends — including one who has cancer — who break into George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch on the eve of the release of Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. (Think Stand by Me, but with Wookiees and light-sabers.)

Weinstein spokespeople have claimed that the cancer storyline confused the tone of the movie, which it envisioned as more of a straight comedy — in particular because of the recent successes of the film’s then-lesser-known cast members Kristen Bell, Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel. So they ordered reshoots that excised the cancer story entirely, and then tested both versions.

The cancer-free cut won by a slim margin, leading Weinstein to consider the dual-version release plan. Mark down another victory for freedom of expression — oh, and capitalism.

I have to admit, when I heard the pitch for this film, I thought, “Excellent.” But interestingly, I didn’t know about the cancer subplot. What do you think? Is it better to go for the straight funny, or is laughter through tears your favorite emotion, too? — Mickey O’Connor

Source: TVGuide

The Weinstein Company announced today that it plans to jointly release two versions of its highly anticipated film, “Fanboys,” on home video, with the Company exploring options for its theatrical release. In recent weeks, Star Wars fans nationwide have built a multi-tiered grassroots effort to voice their strong support for one of the earlier versions of the film, including a campaign which generated over 300,000 emails in support for the film. Based on the tremendous feedback and interest from the fans, today’s announcement will ensure both versions will be equally available within the marketplace.

Set in 1998, the film, starring Jay Baruchel (”Million Dollar Baby”), Tony Award Winner Dan Fogler (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”), Sam Huntington (”Superman Returns”), Chris Marquette (”Sugar Mountain,” “Joan of Arcadia”), and Kristen Bell (”Veronica Mars,” “Pulse”) is a heart warming comedy of a group of young, passionate Star Wars fans, drive cross-country to raid George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch, and watch “Star Wars: Episode 1- The Phantom Menace.”

“Over the last few weeks we have received a tremendous amount of input from Star Wars fans nationwide,” stated Matthew Frankel, Chief Communications Officer, The Weinstein Company. “While the later version tested very well with audiences, the grassroots support we have received for the first version simply cannot be ignored. We are very excited to launch these two films and look forward to giving the fans the opportunity to see both versions.”

“Fanboys” is a production of Trigger Street and Picture Machine. Jay Baruchel plays the role of Windows, a junk food addict who’s dedicated his 150 IQ to a worthy cause: comic books. His nickname was inspired by his titanic window-like glasses. Dan Fogler plays Hutch, a guy who is a force to be reckoned with, a hot-head overflowing with piss and vinegar. Sam Huntington plays Eric, a guy who’s all business. He’s usually in a pressed suit and glued to his huge cell phone. Chris Marquette plays Linus, a boyishly handsome, extremely charming young man. But looks can be deceiving as this dude’s a geek and proud of it! Kristen Bell plays Zoe, a sexy firecracker with a great sense of humor.

The film is directed by Kyle Newman and produced by Kevin Spacey, Dana Brunetti, Evan Astrowsky and Matthew Perniciaro. The script was written by Kyle Newman, Adam Goldberg and Ernest Cline and Kevin Mann serves as executive producer.

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INT has a short interview about Forgetting Sarah Marshall and some Kristen’s words about Fanboys and Heroes:

A lot of your films and TV shows really appeal to the “geek crowd”. Is that because you like the “geek crowd”?
I do, and I’ll tell you why. Because I believe it consists of a group of people who do what they like because they like it, and are not striving to be anything but original and do what makes them happy. And I’m so inspired by that. I’m not gonna lie and tell you I grew up as a complete comic book geek or anything, but having very recently over the last five years been very accepted and welcomed in a very loving way by this community that is now its own subculture. Stuff that happens for these conventions, I like it, because nobody’s trying to be different, they’re just doing what they wanna do and I think that’s really admirable.

Do you have plans to work on further Apatow productions? Or is this a one-time thing?
I hope not. I had a great time working with them; I hope they did me as well. I did a “Funny or Die” short for Judd last month, and we’re doing another short for the Night of Too Many Stars, that Jon Stewart hosts on Comedy Central, so I’m trying to keep that relationship alive, not only because I think they’re great people, but because I think that they work on the best projects.

Did you have much experience with improv before working on the film?
Not really. I studied music and theater, so I took improv classes and stuff, not a ton. Secretly in my dreams I would love to be in Second City or on SNL, but I just don’t know that I have the guts.

Any updates on FANBOYS and Heroes?
FANBOYS, we don’t have a release date yet, but we did do about two weeks of reshoots in December, which Judd was involved in. Which I think only makes the film even better. Heroes, we should back in about two months, I think the end of April, beginning of May. I don’t think they’ll start airing until the Fall. I don’t know what they’re gonna use as far as a storyline is involved, because I know that they had two mini-arcs that they were gonna do in the spring had the writer’s strike not happened.

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Added some new Fanboys stills to the gallery.

January 15th. The critically acclaimed, quirky PI dramedy Veronica Mars is over, but Kristen Bell’s career is far from it. The sexy TV star is taking on Hollywood — and she doesn’t need backup.

Veronica Mars, may she rest in peace. Do you have any final thoughts now that the show is gone?
I’ll miss her. I really will. It was really unexpected, I think, but I’ve always had a lot of confidence in the show from Day 1 and tried to keep an optimistic outlook. I’m sad. A character like that, a group of people like that, writers like that, they don’t come along every day. So I’m really sad to see it go.

Are you ready to move on, or are you still dealing?
I’m still looking for closure. With something that special, once you get used to it, as I did for three years, it’s not until it’s ripped away from you that you truly realize what an amazing experience it was, and then you want it back. It’s kind of like high school. Everybody has to graduate — obviously I know I can’t play Veronica forever — but there’s an inevitable sadness. In reading a bunch of stuff now and trying to figure out what my next move is, I’ve certainly been grateful for how well-written the show was, because stuff like that doesn’t come along all the time. And even in the third season, I was still very excited to read each episode as an audience member. It still made me laugh out loud. It never got old. I had a blast making it and that was my family. (more…)

Just a little note about Kristen’s upcoming movie Fanboys. According to IESB:

(…) regarding the postponed release date but from what we have been told it appears that Fanboys may not be getting to movie theaters until sometime in the Spring.

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