Skydance Productions is actively pursuing the rights to “Star Blazers, the American redubbed version of 70s anime series that was first called “Space Battleship Yamato.” Actually, for an anime title, that name isn’t so crazy. I feel like it should have been called “Space Battleship Victory Romance Schoolgirl Turbo Adventures.”

Skydance, run by son-of-a-bazillionaire David Ellison (his dad runs Oracle, one of the most boring computer companies ever), was behind the endlessly awesome True Grit. If the deal goes through, he’ll hire screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), producer Josh C. Kline and Deputy Captain Derek Wildstar, a hotheaded kid who will eventually become a wise leader. The original series is a “space opera” that centers around a starship crew and their kooky adventures. Actually, it’s already been made into a live action movie, but the Japanese did it, so that does not count.

David Ellison and his sister Megan have shown good taste in movie financing by backing True Grit. I wonder if David’s space gambit will pay off. (Deadline)

_{Smack dab in the middle of the Danger Zone.}

27-year-old billionaire financier David Ellison loves two things most in this world: counting money and flying. He helped finance and starred in the film Flyboys, and now he wants to head down the highway to the Danger Zone with Top Gun 2. Vulture reports that Paramount is pitching the sequel to Tony Scott, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tom Cruise knowing full well that Ellison will pick up a huge chunk of the tab.

The studio has also talked with Christopher McQuarrie about writing the script. McQuarrie and Cruise are BFFs after working together on Valkyrie. The original Maverick has agreed to a small part in the film, "provided it’s not too ‘obvious’ a part." Looks like flying jets is out. Damn, that would have been a really cool way to see Maverick. Maybe he can just repair the new pilot’s motorcycle and offer sage advice. No word yet if Val Kilmer, the Ice Man himself, will be involved in the project. If he wants a not too obvious part he could try out for the tarmac.