Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Alex Russell (Carrie and Chronicle) has landed a starring role in the AMC drama pilot Galyntine that is set in a post-apocalyptic future without technology where a band of survivors is forced to adapt to isolation and the challenges of their new world. Russell will play Roman, an orphan who was unofficially adopted by his best friend Aethys’ family, and he hopes to marry Aethys’ sister Essyn to make his membership in the family official. A very public victory appears to cement his status as a future leader of the colony, but a twist of fate (and a deeply wounding betrayal) set him on a different, more dangerous path. (The Deadline Team)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Melissa Benoist (Glee) has joined the cast of the upcoming box office adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel The Longest Ride that will star Britt Robertson (Under the Dome) and Scott Eastwood (son of Clint Eastwood) as a young couple whose romance parallels the intertwined love story of a local elderly man and his lady love. Benoist will play Marcia, the well-intentioned roommate of Sophia (Robertson). The cast also includes veteran Alan Alda and Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire). (Jen Yamato at Deadline)

Actress Rooney Mara (Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) will star in the box office adaptation of the memoir “A House in the Sky” by Amanda Linhout and Sara Corbett, that tells the story of Linhout, specifically her abduction in 2008 in Mogadishu, Somalia by a rebel terrorist group. (Jordan Zakarin at The Wrap)

Actor Ben Kingsley will provide his voice to the Disney live-action The Jungle Book, playing Bagheera, the black panther companion to human Mowgli. The film is set to come out on October 9, 2015. (The Deadline Team)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Q&A SECTION (with Natalie Abrams at TV Guide and Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Question: I really liked The Last Ship. What’s coming up next? — Sean

Natalie: Did you catch lab rat Quincy’s mysterious phone call at the end of the pilot? You’ll very soon find out who was on the other line (hint: they also have a very big boat) and why he appears to be betraying Dr. Scott. Fortunately, before that big showdown, Capt. Chandler & Co. will stop off at Guantanamo Bay, where they pick up some new faces who prove to be valuable assets. The bad news: Gitmo is also crawling with some Al Qaeda prisoners who want to make the Nathan James crew go boom.

Question: What’s the state of Abbie and Ichabod’s relationship when Sleepy Hollow returns? — Gina

Natalie: It’s probably not in the best place. After all, Abbie probably won’t be too happy about being left behind in Purgatory, even if it was for the greater good. “There’s a real question of trust,” executive producer Len Wiseman tells me. “If it’s ever broken once, can you ever get it back again?” Their relationship will continue to be tested next season when they face a very difficult choice. Let’s just say it’s not easy being a Witness!

Question: Irzu was making Irissa do and see some bad things in the Defiance premiere. Should I be worried about her? — Chantelle

Natalie: It turns out Irzu might not be as bad as we think. Or, at least, that’s what she wants Irissa to believe when the duo is involved in a near-fatal stand-off in Episode 3. When Irissa refuses to continue killing for Irzu, the mystical being proves just how powerful she is, while also providing Irissa insight into exactly who she is.

Question: I’m so glad Falling Skies is back. What can you tease? — Marcus

Natalie: The Espheni will set their sights on discovering the identity of the mysterious Ghost who has been helping those trapped in the internment camp. But when the Espheni threat grows, Tom will take the ultimate risk by going to their ship in search of a way to destroy the fences once and for all. But will he actually be able to help everyone escape?

Question: I can’t believe Evan and Paige are in therapy on Royal Pains! Should I be worried about any upcoming bumps in the road for them? —Jeanine

Natalie: Actually, Jeanine, you should actually turn your concern to Hank, who will spend some time on the couch himself this summer when a new woman enters his life and throws our favorite doctor for a serious loop. Maybe the Lawson brothers can get a 2-for-1 discount?

Question: I love seeing Scott Michael Foster back on ABC Family on Chasing Life! Will any other Greek alums pop up? — Sherry

Natalie: Yep! Now that April’s BFF Beth quit her job at the coffeehouse, she will go to work for Nora Kirkpatrick in the second half of the season. Fortunately for Beth, Kirkpatrick’s character isn’t as much of a hard-ass this time around. Although executive producer Patrick Sean Smith wouldn’t say too much about Beth’s new gig, he did hint that it has something to do with design. “[Beth] has a very special, distinct style,” he says.

Question: Any news on whether Caity Lotz will return to Arrow in Season 3? —Mena

Ausiello: As Colton Haynes (who plays Roy) reminds, Sara “gave up her jacket” to sis Laurel before rejoining Nyssa and the League of Assassins in the season finale. But hey, that’s nothing a trip to Wilson Leather Goods can’t fix, right? “I think we’ll definitely see Sara back,” Haynes ventures. “I’m not sure how soon, but obviously, when she does, we might see different facets of her.”

Question: Every season of Covert Affairs, Auggie has found himself in handcuffs at least once. Any hints as to what kind of trouble he’ll get into this season? —Rhiannon

Ausiello: Female trouble — sans handcuffs (I think). In next Tuesday’s episode, Felicity‘s Amy Jo Johnson makes her debut as Hayley, an investigator with the National Counter-Terrorism Center who takes a shine to Auggie. But first and foremost, “Hayley comes into the show in a spy story-related capacity,” previews executive producer Chris Ord. “So [that] will collide and make their relationship something more than just romantic.”

Question: Any scoops on Falling Skies Season 4? –Ganon

Ausiello: This Sunday, Tom takes a very important meeting, Dr. Kadar resurfaces (whether Lourdes likes it or not!), the nature of the “black hornet” ET is revealed and a pair of someones will share a first kiss.

Question: Any scoop you can give us on Season 5 of Rizzoli & Isles would be brilliant — like, will Chris Vance be back at any point as Casey? –Michelle

Ausiello: “It’s all about scheduling,” Vance aka Rizzoli’s baby daddy told us recently, just before heading off to Morocco, the Czech Republic and other far-off locales to resume filming Transporter: The Series (which bows on TNT this fall). “I’m shooting way across the world, but we’re trying to resolve it. There’s no reason there shouldn’t be [an encore].”

Question: Please tell me we will see Patrick J. Adams on Orphan Black again? —Em

Ausiello: No word on Adams’ Jesse, but EP Graeme Manson is hoping to bring back another popular character — clone romancer Cal (played by Game of Thrones and Nashville actor Michiel Huisman). The one (rather significant) obstacle? Notes Manson with a laugh: “[He’s] one busy actor.”

Question: Anything about The Fosters? —Karyn

Ausiello: Look for Callie to forge an “instant connection” with her surprise half-sister Sophia, previews the actress’ portrayer, Maia Mitchell, adding, “As an older sister, she absolutely wants to protect this girl — she can see that she is going through some tough stuff and maybe is a little lonely. She’s really trying to find a balance between staying true to her family and the Fosters, [and] also looking after this girl, who is obviously needing her right now. It’s a balancing act.”

That’s it. Enjoy!