J Michael Straczynski

Three years ago, directors Zach Snyder and Edgar Wright caught the attention of critics and audiences with their well- received zombie films. Snyder directed the stylish remake of George Romero's "Dawn of the Dead," while Britisher Wright helmed the flesh-eating living-dead spoof "Shaun of the Dead." Serendipitously, their latest efforts -- "300" (Warner, $35) and "Hot Fuzz" (Universal, $30) -- make their DVD bows today.

Feeling bullish on the eve of the release of its "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer," Fox has already put a feature spinoff into development that will star the enigmatic Surfer, with J. Michael Straczynski currently crafting the screenplay. Despite lackluster reviews, the first "Fantastic Four" raked in $329 million worldwide, apparently a result of its appeal to younger viewers.

LEGAL FILE Sean Penn in Altercation With Paparazzi: Actor-director Sean Penn allegedly used a rock to hit a paparazzi videotaping him while he walked on a rural Malibu road with his father, authorities said Monday. Penn, who turned 38 on Monday, was walking with his father, movie director Leo Penn, when he was allegedly confronted by Michael Sindell at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday. "They encountered a paparazzi with a video camera and he was filming Sean and his father," Deputy Bob Killeen said.

Producing the newly syndicated sci-fi series "Babylon 5" has practically been a sci-fi adventure in itself. "We are on the cusp of being completely revolutionized," says producer John Copeland. The elaborate special effects are created by desktop computers. The series' Hollywood-based composer conducts his European-based orchestra on an interactive video feed. And the entire show is shot in a huge warehouse in the San Fernando Valley, far from any studio's watchful eye.

At 39 and 31, Jordan Young and Randy Skretvedt are too young to have experienced firsthand the filmmakers, musicians and entertainers of the 1920s, '30s and '40s. But there's no question the two Orange County men have the right credentials to publish Past Times, the Nostalgia Entertainment Newsletter. The quarterly newsletter "celebrates" entertainment of the '20s through the '40s with articles and reviews about the music, movies and radio programs of that golden era.

Regarding "Hollywood On-Line," by Daniel Cerone (April 17): It would have been nice to have had a mention in your article, after having pioneered and implemented the total original concept of bringing the entertainment industry on-line and interactive for the general public beginning in the fall of 1982. After having been interviewed meticulously by your reporter, I felt much satisfaction that my contributions would be highlighted by your paper. After all, I like to think that being the first to introduce computer-accessible entertainment industry news and features, movie reviews, digitized photos, interactive real-time celebrity interviews, interactive trivia games, an interactive show-biz forum with access to industry executives and promotions for movies on a national basis was innovative for its time.

Eager to keep its edgy late-night block intact, Comedy Central has negotiated two-year contract extensions with its star comedians, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Stewart's new deal will keep him on the network and at the helm of the "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" at least through the middle of 2015. His previous agreement would have expired next summer. Colbert's new arrangement goes through the end of 2014. Colbert serves as executive producer, writer and host for "The Colbert Report.

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Clint Eastwood knows, and in the brooding, disturbing "Changeling," he puts that knowledge on screen and combines it with a testament to the strength of a mother's hope and love.

In Hollywood, filmmakers generally fall into one of two camps. Commercial directors such as Michael Bay appeal to the masses, while indie film specialists like Mike Leigh create more positive reviews than long lines in front of theaters. Clint Eastwood is among the few exceptions to that show business rule.