Not many science fiction aficionados may have Métal Hurlant Chronicles when it broadcasted on SyFy last year and its broadcast even escaped me when I scanned for new programs to enjoy. When its competing against heavy hitters like Doctor Who, Star Trek and Stargate on broadcast television, interest is only as good as the continued support that the network is willing to give.
This Franco-Belgian television science fiction anthology series is based on the story that’s been published in the comics magazine Heavy Metal and it is thankfully getting the love it deserves from Shout! Factory. They will be releasing the complete series April 14, 2015.
Only twelve episodes have been made to date and each tale is self contained. Most of the stories presented are adaptations of the stories that saw print. The big question some may ask is if this series is continuing. When there’s news about Métal Hurlant: Origins being developed for broadcast later this year, probably not. This reboot is slated to go into production early this year.
Until that happens, fans can enjoy the original series. As Métal Hurlant Chronicles moves from one tale to the next, viewers will find that the story is linked in subtle ways.
An asteroid called the Métal Hurlan is often seen passing by as each tale unfolds. Just what that means harkens to the days when comets were seen as harbingers of doom, but in what it means for this series, at least newcomers, myself included, can thrill to a series that’s brought many a sci-fi luminary into this program. Stars like Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner), Scott Adkins (Expendables 2) Michael Biehn (Aliens), Kelly Brook (Piranha 3D), David Belle (Prince of Persia), John Rhys-Davies (Raiders of the Lost Ark), Joe Flanigan (Stargate: Atlantis), James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Dominique Pinon (Alien: Resurrection), Michelle Ryan (Doctor Who) and Michael Jai White (Spawn) have appeared in this program.
Release Details:
METAL HURLANT CHRONICLES:
THE COMPLETE SERIES
Three-Disc Blu-ray Set Bonus Features:
· Featurettes
· Cast Interviews
· San Diego Comic-Con Panel
· Alternate French-Language Episodes
· Motion Comics
METAL HURLANT CHRONICLES:
THE COMPLETE SERIES
Two-Disc DVD Set Bonus Features:
· Featurettes
· Cast Interviews
Teaser Videos
Introduction
“His Wildest Dreams”
