Here's the scoop from Mike Allred's wife, Laura. The project is at least a year away from being MADE, as Robert will be working on the 'kids film' towards the end of this summer (wish I knew more). For everyone that thinks of Robert as a dusty bloody director.... After this next film Robert is going to be a totally different director than you are currently labelling him. If you've never seen BEDHEAD or his room in FOUR ROOMS, then you really haven't gotten a clue for Robert's comedic directing talents. And Robert is about to own a genre called comedic adventure that he's about to enter into. MADMAN for me sort of enters into this strange universe. Having read the book and having seen tons of Rodriguez Home Movies.... There's a side to Robert that hasn't been exposed yet. And Robert's been dying to expose it. The following was posted by Laura Allred in Talk Back yesterday, but I figured many of you probably have missed it.

You want facts? Yes, it's true. Mike has stayed with Robert in Austin where they created an outline for the script. Robert will be coming up here to Oregon where they'll work some more and so on. It's ROBERT'S film! That's the way Mike wants it. But trust me, when Mike doesn't like something HE LET'S YOU KNOW IT (but in a nice way)! This should leave comic fans VERY optimistic since Robert is optioning the rights with his own funds maintaining %100 independence. Yes, an INDY comic book movie! And while the production will be financed elsewhere, praise or blame can only rest with Robert and Mike. Now , Robert still has his "kids flick" to finish first, and from what Mike says this is more than worthy of your enthusiasm. It sounds wonderful. But while we remain hopeful that a MADMAN film will finally be made, anything can still happen. But this is certainly Mike's ultimate scenario. Also,Mike's comic output WILL NOT be suffering (I hold the whip) Not only will there be AT LEAST four more MADMAN comics this year but a new spin-off called THE ATOMICS whick is GREAT! Yes, I'm his wife so, of course, I'm biased. And ASTROESQUE may "suck" but I LOVE IT! Let's see what you can do with $8,000 and change. All my love, Laura Allred