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Visual FX Veteran John Dykstra Directing His First Film 'Super Zero'
by Alex Billington
June 6, 2011
Source: Variety
You may not know his name, but you certainly know his work. John Dykstra is a 64-year-old visual effects legend who has been working in the effects industry since Silent Running in 1972 and Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977, working on Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Batman Forever, Spider-Man 1 & 2 and even X-Men: First Class. Variety is reporting that Dykstra is now set to make his directorial debut with a project called Super Zero, which is the film title for the graphic novel Tales From the Farm written by Jeff Lemire. VFX house Rhythm & Hues Studios is developing, with Steven Gilder and Alec Chorches producing.
Dykstra explained: "I've been so involved in films that are primarily based on the action sequences and over-the-top visuals that this to me was incredibly attractive just based on the depth of the characters and the evocative nature of the story." Super Zero will be live action with extensive visual effects sequences. The story follows an orphaned 10-year-old boy named Lester who lives on a farm with his uncle and wears superhero capes around all day. He befriends the local town's gas station owner, a former pro hockey player, and the pair escape into a "fantasy world of superheroes and alien invaders." Sounds like it has similarities to Scott Pilgrim vs the World or even Kick-Ass, but those comparisons are expected anyway.
I'm not familiar with the graphic novel, but from the looks of it alone, I'm intrigued. Plus, I'm curious to see what Dykstra can do directing in addition to the visual effects. I just hope he turns out a lot better than Scott Stewart, who came from the VFX world to direct Legion and Priest. The producers plan "to have a strong hard push in these next weeks [with Super Zero], either locking cast and/or getting commitments from financing and/or distributors, (then) going to the studios with a package." We will definitely keep you updated. In the meantime, take a closer look at Dykstra's filmography or pick up a copy of the graphic novel.
2 Comments
1
Visual Effect Supervisor directing for the first time. May I have a few million to throw in the bonfire?
KEG on Jun 7, 2011
2
he directed a video game as well. but it turned out to be a flop... his visual effects are top notch though...
Anonymous on Jun 16, 2011
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