Ultradome: Darth Vader vs. Gandalf
By Carolyn Giardina

Have you ever asked yourself if Harry Potter could beat Neo in a fight?

If questions such as this have crossed your mind, then you’ll be interested to hear about “Ultradome”—a new comedic web series of shorts that address comic book/video game/fantasy/sci-fi pop culture.

“Heroes” actor Milo Ventimiglia will produce the series through his DiVide Pictures and partner Agility Studios.

Plans call for each episode to begin with two characters engaged in a pop culture debate. The characters then find themselves in the Ultradome—a packed stadium where the two engage in single combat, using weaponry, gear and skills from the pop culture touchstones referenced in the argument.

The series will therefore begin with weapons such as light sabres and swords. Ventimiglia produced and stars in the pilot episode, “Star Wars vs. Lord of the Rings,” and will direct select future episodes. He co-created the show’s format with partner Russ Cundiff and Agility executives Keith Quinn and Zev Suissa.

“My whole life has been spent engaged with friends in intellectual debate … like whether Kirk is tougher than Spock or if Middle Earth is a more difficult place to live than Tatooine. With Ultradome, we can bring these debates to the public and settle them in the most logical way possible: through armed combat,” Ventimiglia says. “We’re very excited to be working with Agility on this series and to tap into their expertise in digital programming.”

The producers expect to include cameos from sci-fi enthusiast actors, writers and directors in the series.

“Star Wars vs. Lord of the Rings,” is currently in postproduction. The pilot was written by Mike Alber and Gabriel Snyder, and directed by Nathan Matsuda.

The timing for this project appears to be ideal, as Comic-Con International — the annual event for comic book and related pop culture — is slated for July 23-26 in San Diego.

Previews may become available at the Agility Studios site under Portfolio, Ultradome.