Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the entertainment news items for this past week:

RENEWALS/CANCELLATION

Showtime has given Yellowjackets a season 4 renewal. (Variety)

Unfortunately, Amazon Prime has pulled the plug on The Wheel of Time after three seasons. (Variety)

Sesame Street has been saved by the folks over at Netflix after Warner Bros. Discovery opted to not renew its deal for new episodes. (TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

It looks like CBS Studios is in early development to reboot the once popular family drama 7th Heaven that aired on The WB for all but its last season when the network changed over to The CW. It would seem that former star Jessica Biel will be one of the executive producers. It is said that the new show will focus on a diverse family but none of the original cast members are expected to appear. As the project is still in the very early stages, deals are still being worked out and no network or streamer is attached. (Variety)

TV CASTING NEWS

Severance star Dichen Lachman has joined the cast of the live-action Netflix series Avatar: The Last Airbender for its upcoming second season. (Variety)

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE NEWS

The next Hallmark Channel movie centered around the NFL will be Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story that will air during the network’s upcoming 16th Annual Countdown to Christmas. The movie will focus on the Quinns and DeLucas, who have lived next door to each other for decades in the shadow of Highmark Stadium, the home of their beloved Buffalo Bills. With their longtime friendship rooted in being proud members of Bills Mafia, the two clans have enjoyed cherished traditions that revolve around cheering for their favorite team – especially at the holidays when they celebrate the last home game before Christmas. Pediatric doctor Morgan Quinn (Holland Roden) and the Bills’ VP of Stadium Development Gabe DeLuca (Matthew Daddario) have always been close friends, but Gabe has always held a torch for her – a fact obvious to their families (Tracy Pollan, Caroline Aaron and Steve Schirripa) and everyone else who crosses their path. When Morgan learns from her Uncle Tommy (Tony Danza) that someone anonymously helped her family get by after he was drafted more than 60 years ago – and that he continues to receive a Christmas gift each year to this day –she decides to find his benefactor and give her uncle a Christmas he’ll always remember. Aided by Bills Mafia friends of theirs, Morgan and Gabe work together to unwrap the gifter’s identity. Along the way, Gabe’s love for Morgan deepens and in turn, she begins to see him in a new light though neither is daring enough to admit their feelings. Meanwhile, Morgan’s hopes of pulling off her surprise for Uncle Tommy get sacked. That is, until Gabe takes matters into his own hands and uses his connections with the Bills to pull off the surprise of a lifetime for Morgan and both their families that will make this a Christmas they’ll never forget. Broadway alum and Hallmark star Patti Murin has also joined the cast, but details about the character for which she will play has not been announced yet. (Variety and Entertainment Now)

BOX OFFICE MOVIE CASTING NEWS

Elle Fanning has joined the ever-growing cast of next prequel movie The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, playing the younger version of Effite Trinket, who was played by Elizabeth Banks in the original movies while recent Oscar winner Kieran Culkin will play Caesar Flickerman, who was played by Stanley Tucci in the original movies. (USA Today and Variety)

Grammy nominated artist FKA Twigs is in negotiations to star in a biopic about pioneering American-born French dancer, singer and actress Josephine Baker. (Variety)

That’s it. Enjoy!