Oft-enraged sci-fi legend Harlan Ellison made a guest appearance this week at LA's New Beverly Cinema and let slip that a Japanese production company is interested in the rights to his classic 60's short-story, "A Boy and His Dog".

Part of series programmed by screenwriter Josh Olson ("A History of Violence"), Ellison introduced the 1975 film version of his story and stayed for a lengthy Q and A, much of which was spent on amazingly intense ranting about films, the audience and the lackluster quality of people with beards today.

The original short story was called, simply, "A Boy and His Dog" and told the tale of a 15 year-old boy, Vic, surviving in a post-apocalypticwasteland with his only companion a dog by the name of Blood with whom he shares a telepathic link. Ellison continued the story in graphic novel form some years later under the title "Vic and Blood".

Though Ellison gave up very few details, he did indicate that the new version of the film would potentially focus on the entire story, including the graphic novel sequels.

Ellison is set to return to the New Beverly in late April, programming his own series of films and appearing in person with them. Hopefully some details will emerge between then and now and we'll have a full update as word comes in.

Meanwhile, if you're in the LA area, be sure to check out the New Beverly, home to $7 double-features every night of the week (including a special triple-feature next weekend of all three "Mad Max" films). Their schedule (including Ellison's series) is available at http://www.newbevcinema.com.