LOS ANGELES—As breaking news reports tell it, residents in the southwestern United States received a wake-up call Sunday in the form of a celestial explosion. A thunderous crash rang out across a swath of Nevada and California, startling residents and prompting panicked calls to law enforcement agencies.
Sightings were reported over a 600-mile area, from Reno and North Las Vegas to Sacramento, Bakersfield and San Francisco. Astronomers revealed later that the high-altitude sound and light show was caused by a rogue meteor entering Earth's atmosphere. And although no major damage has been been reported, fragments of space debris are believed to have made impact with the Earth—yet another real-life planetary event that eerily resembles the plot of Countdown, Brad Armstrong's upcoming end-of-the-world blockbuster for Wicked Pictures.
For fans who are anticipating the latest sci-fi epic from director Armstrong, there is still time to enter a contest to hang out in Hollywood with the cast of this upcoming blockbuster. Scheduled for a May 2012 release, Armstrong's movie follows several couples as they learn that a massive asteroid is on a collision course with Earth.
Called Vesta, it's the size of Arizona and is rocketing toward Earth at 200,000 mph with a scheduled impact date of 12/21/12. Scientists say it will create the equivalent of a 15.2 earthquake, and that life on the planet will end.
What would you do if you knew the end was near? The winning answer to this question will earn one lucky fan a chance to experience a celestial event firsthand with Brad Armstrong and Jessica Drake in person May 20, when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun to create a partial eclipse.
Fans simply need to write a short, 100-word treatment or outline for a potential Countdown sequel. Does humanity perish or survive? What of those who make it to underground bunkers in time? Fans are invited to let their imaginations run wild and submit their outlines to [email protected].
Responses have been flooding Wicked Pictures since the contest began April 16, and fans who are still working on their sci-fi masterpieces are encouraged to make haste, as the contest ends in five days (the winner will be announced in early May).
In addition to having their treatment considered for possible future production by Wicked, the winner will be brought to Los Angeles the weekend of May 20 to enjoy an afternoon at the Griffith Observatory with director Armstrong and Wicked Girl Drake. A meal at Wolfgang Puck’s Café at the End of the Universe will be followed by a live viewing of the eclipse in real time via Griffith's formidable array of coelostat and solar telescopes.
Fans may submit entries (one per person) until midnight on April 28. To learn more, visit Wicked.com and Wickedb2b.com. The safe-for-work trailer for Countdown can be viewed here.
Pictured: Sunday night's meteor streaking over Nevada.
