ANNOUNCEMENTS
(click on the links below for additional information)  

January 2010:  Legend of the Seeker
Michael is directing episodes 2.17. 

19 February 2010, 10 p.m. (U.S. premiere):  Spartacus Blood and Sand ep. 1.5, "Shadow Games"

Michael directed episode 1.5, "Shadow Games" of new American tv show Spartacus: Blood and Sand for Starz Productions. He also directed episode 1.9, "Whore" and 1.12, and the splinter unit of episode 1.13.  Spartacus is being shown on the Starz premium cable channel in the US Friday nights at 10.  See the Spartacus: Blood and Sand website for the trailer, information on cast and characters, downloads, etc.

20 February 2010 (U.S. premiere):  Legend of the Seeker, ep. 2.12, "Hunger"
Michael directed episode 2.12 "Hunger" of American tv show Legend of the Seeker. He also directed 2.2 "Baneling," which has already aired, is currently directing 2.17, and will direct one additional episode later in the season.  The show's official website has a time and channel finder for the US.  

2 March 2010:  Bitch Slap region 1 dvd release
Bitch Slap will be released on region 1 dvd from Fox Home Video; see press release.  The film had a limited theatrical release in the US beginning 8 January and is now available as Video On Demand.

Michael stars with Julia Voth, Erin Cummings, and America Olivo in the American feature film Bitch Slap which was filmed in California in March and April 2008.  It features Michael's Hercules co-star Kevin Sorbo, with cameos by Xena co-stars Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor.  It was written and produced by Eric Gruendemann and Rick Jacobson, with Jacobson directing. 

First screened at the Cannes Film Market on 16 May 2009, the film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 14 September 2009 and has since been shown at film festivals in Europe and the US.  See the film's official website and the BitchSlapMovie channel on You Tube. 

In the video below, Michael teaches "Bitch Slap 101," explaining the significance of Bitch Slap. 

19 March 2010, 10 p.m.:  Spartacus Blood and Sand ep. 1.9, "Whore"
Michael directed episode 1.9, "Whore".

22 March 2010:  Bitch Slap region 2 dvd release
Bitch Slap will be released on region 2 dvd (UK).  Details here.

20 April 2010:  Hercules: The Legendary Journeys dvd release
Universal Studios Home Entertainment will re-release season 1. Details here.

20 April 2010:  Ponsonby Probus Club
Michael will be the guest speaker.

20 August-18 September 2010:  Happy Days
Michael will direct Samuel Beckett's Happy Days for Silo Theatre, starring Robyn Malcolm and Cameron Rhodes.  At Herald Theatre.

28 October-20 November 2010: Cabaret
Michael will direct Cabaret for Auckland Theatre Company, starring Amanda Billing and Joel Tobeck.  At Spiegeltent Salon Perdu.