  A review of a renewed effort to recalculate astrophysical opacities using the
R-Matrix method is presented. The computational methods and new extensions are
described. Resulting enhancements found in test calculations under stellar
interior conditions compared to the Opacity Project could potentially lead to
the resolution of the solar abundances problem, as well as discrepancies
between recent experimental measurements at the Sandia Z-pinch inertial
confinement fusion device and theoretical opacity models. Outstanding issues
also discussed are: (i) accuracy, convergence, and completeness of atomic
calculations, (ii) improvements in the Equation-of-State of
high-temperature-density plasmas, and (iii) redistribution of resonant
oscillator strength in the bound-free continuum, and (iv) plasma broadening of
auotionizing resonances.
