Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items collected over the last few days (as I took some much needed time off over the last couple of days):

TELEVISION

Actor Dominic Monaghan (Lost) has been cast as the narrator of the original horror-thriller anthology series called The Unknown, which launches later this year on the Sony TV-owned multi-platform network Crackle. Monaghan will play a blogger who chronicles the unexplained phenomenon that occurs in each of the six half-hour episodes. (Deadline)

The Canadian police drama Flashpoint, which is a hit here in the US, will end after its upcoming fifth season. (Toronto Sun)

Actor Peter Jacobson (House) and actress Brooke Smith (Grey’s Anatomy) will guest star in the season finale of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit with actor Dean Winters (30 Rock) reprising his season 1 role. It is said the finale features the death of a high-end call girl who works for an escort service owned by Bart Ganzel (Jacobson). Brian Cassidy (Winters), a former SVU detective, now runs Ganzel’s security team. Smith will play Ganzel’s rival. The season finale is set to air on NBC on May 23. (Natalie Abrams at TV Guide)

Actress Madchen Amick (Twin Peaks and Damages) will guest on Drop Dead Diva when the popular Lifetime series. She will appear in the 7th and 8th episodes as Gina Blunt, a beautiful friend of Parker’s from law school who is considering assuming the firm’s debt as its creditor. The series is back starting on June 3. (Joyce Eng at TV Guide)

Soap star Bree Williamson (One Life to Live) has been added as a series regular to the Syfy series Haven where she will play the town’s resident shrink. Haven will be back with a 13-episode season later this year. (Blog Talk Radio via WormholeRiders.net and TV Line)

Actor Adrian Pasdar (Heroes and The Lying Game) has joined the cast of the USA Network six-episode mini-series Political Animals. He will play the president who ultimately defeats the character to be played by Sigourney Weaver in a presidential race and then appoints her to his cabinet. The mini-series will debut on Sunday, July 15 and air consecutively until August 19. (Variety)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 movies at the box office from this past weekend, courtesy of Exhibitor Relations:

1. Think Like a Man, $18 million
2. The Pirates! Band of Misfits, $11.4 million
3. The Lucky One, $11.3 million
4. The Hunger Games, $11.3 million
5. The Five-Year Engagement, $11.2 million
6. Safe, $7.7 million
7. The Raven, $7.3 million
8. Chimpanzee, $6.5 million
9. The Three Stooges, $5.4 million
10. The Cabin in the Woods, $4.5 million

Actor Kyle Gallner (Veronica Mars) has joined the cast of the supernatural love story Beautiful Creatures, which is based on the first novel in the popular book series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. The story is about teen lovers (Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert) who uncover dark secrets about their families, their history and their town. Gallner will play Larkin, the younger brother of Emmy Rossum’s character whom she casts a spell on. (Dark Horizons and Variety)

Actors Sebastian Roche (Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries and Vik Sahay (Chuck) have joined the cast of the werewolf film called Wer. The pseudo-doco follows a defense attorney (Kate Moore) looking to clear a client (Brian J. O’Connor) suspected in a grisly multiple slaying of a vacationing American family. Roché will play a French ex-military type turned detective while Sahay (Chuck) will play a member of the defense team who learns their suspected client (O’Connor) is also a werewolf. (The Playlist and Dark Horizons)

Actress Abigail Spencer (Mad Men) has joined the cast of the independent romantic drama called Kilimanjaro that will center on a man (Brian Geraghty) who is determined to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro after a recent breakup. Spencer will play a receptionist whom he develops a crush on. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Actor Pierce Brosnan will star opposite Owen Wilson in the upcoming film called The Coup that follows an American family that relocates to the region (Southeast Asia) only to become embroiled in a violent coup as rebels mercilessly attack the city. He will play a mysterious and ultimately heroic government operative. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

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

Question: Does Castle’s finale have a cliff-hanger like last year’s? I’m not sure I could handle that! — Jessica

ADAM: Creator Andrew W. Marlowe hints that Beckett will be experiencing a lot of changes in the finale, and the domino effect of said changes leads to this season’s climax. And while I’m pretty sure that no one’s life will be hanging in the balance, Castle-Beckett fans will likely still be in for a long summer. Why? Marlowe says this finale doesn’t lend itself to a large time jump between seasons. “The way we’re ending this season, people will want to know what happens in the immediate aftermath,” he teases.

Question: Got any scoop on Game of Thrones? — Harold

NATALIE: Theon Greyjoy will storm Winterfell. Unfortunately, he will prevail and a familiar face will fall victim to his quest for glory. Guesses as to whom we’re saying goodbye to now?

Question: Got any Psych spoilers? — Parker

ADAM: Juliet will go undercover to catch a serial killer who murders the women he meets on a singles website. Amongst the losers she’ll encounter during her investigation: a guy who proudly shows off photos of himself and his prized pet sea horses. Unfortunately for Shawn, all of Juliet’s suitors aren’t so dorky. We see major jealousy in his future!

Question: Are Divya and her parents going to get past their estrangement on Royal Pains? —Kathryn

ADAM: Yes, Divya and her mother will be getting really close after Divya accidentally inspires her mom to leave her father, and Mommy moves in! Naturally, they butt heads a bit, which will lead Divya to unload all her parental issues on an unsuspecting blind date. As luck would have it, though, he’s a family therapist!

Question: I’m so excited about the return of Nick on The Secret Circle! Got any scoop? —Jennifer

NATALIE: Nick isn’t the only familiar face who’ll be back. Kate Meade (Stepfanie Kramer), Diana’s grandmother, will also show up in the finale — and seeing how she reacted to Cassie’s dark magic, we should probably expect some trouble to be a-brewin’.

Question: Any chance Katherine will resurface before the finale of Vampire Diaries? —Allie

Ausiello: Not unless a certain someone is taken out first. “You will not see nor hear of Katherine until Klaus is gone for good,” says Plec. “His survival ties into her appearance, or lack thereof.” As for whether Original vamp Elijah will return this season, Plec coyly offers a “Maybe.”

Question: Any scoop on Scandal? —Lynda

Ausiello: In the wake of how last week’s episode ended, this Thursday’s is a doozy. For one, you may raise an eyebrow at how Cyrus reacts to the Amanda Tanner news — and then see him quake when someone steps forth with a blackmail attempt. You’ll also meet Grant’s vice president, played with Bible-thumping imperiousness by Kate Burton. (Yes, Meredith Grey’s mother and father even briefly share a scene.) It’s also a big episode for Guillermo Diaz, as we learn a bit more about what sort of line of work Olivia rescued Huck from.

Question: I need a Hart of Dixie scoop. —Theresa

Ausiello: Sounds like Zoe/Wade fans are going to be rather pleased with the May 14 finale. “For some viewers, that relationship has started to maybe feel like a tease,” acknowledges Wade’s portrayer, Wilson Bethel. “But I’ll say that the payoff by the end of the season is worth it.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items, few though they may be, for today:

TELEVISION

FOX picks up their low-rated, but much-beloved sci-fi series Fringe for a 13-episode fifth and final season. (Twitter)

It’s been confirmed that Big Love actress Chloe Sevigny will indeed appear in the second season of American Horror Story, playing Shelly the Nymphomaniac, a bitter rival of the new character to be played by returning cast member Jessica Lange. (The Wrap)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Watch: Elizabeth Olsen in the ‘Peace, Love & Misunderstanding’ Trailer

NOTE: Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Chace Crawford are in this movie along with Jane Fonda, Catherine Keener and Elizabeth Olson. I have NEVER been a fan of Fonda, but I’ll be there for Morgan ANY DAY!

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Rooney Mara (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) is replacing actress Carey Mulligan (An Education) in the upcoming film Brooklyn, which is an adaptation of the Colm Toibin novel of the same name. She will play a young woman torn between her family in Ireland and the American who wins her heart. The film will be a period piece set in the 1950s. (The Hollywood Reporter and First Showing)

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a terrific weekend!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Sundance Channel has brought together most of its cast for the network’s first hour-long legal drama Rectify. The series will center on Daniel Holden who, after 19 years in prison, is released from Death Row when he is exonerated for rape and murder by DNA evidence. He returns to his hometown where he has to readjust to his new life, including unfamiliar family members and surroundings. Among the cast are actress Abigail Spencer (Mad Men) and actor Clayne Crawford (The Glades and A Walk to Remember), who will play Daniel’s sister and step-brother respectively. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

The cable network ReelzChannel has picked up a 13-episode second season of the Steven Seagal crime fighting drama series True Justice. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor Sterling Sulieman (The Vampire Diaries) will pay a visit to Rosewood, PA on Pretty Little Liars, playing Maya’s (Bianca Lawson) cousin Nathan St. Germain, who transfers to Hollis College where he is on the fast track to law school. Pretty Little Liars is back with a new season on June 5 on ABC Family. (Robyn Ross at TV Guide)

Actress Jennnifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time) will make a cameo appearance in the series finale of House, which is set to air on May 21 on FOX. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

ABC Family has cancelled the gymnastic-themed drama Make It or Break It. The series’ current third season will be its last with the finale set to air on May 14. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

It is being rumored that actress Chloe Sevigny (Big Love) is in final talks to join the cast of American Horror Story. If she does sign on, she will play a character named Shelly the Nymphomaniac, who is one of the mortal enemies of Jessica Lange’s character. (Tim Stack at Entertainment Weekly)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Lifetime Movie Network has green-lighted an original movie based on the debut novel “The Eleventh Victim” from Nancy Grace. Actress Jennie Garth (90210 and What I Like About You) is set to play the lead. The telefilm (and book) centers on Hailey Dean (Garth), a highly successful Atlanta assistant DA whose fiancé is murdered. After a big courtroom triumph, securing the conviction of Clint Burrell Cruise for the murder of 11 prostitutes, Dean leaves the DA office and moves to Manhattan for a new career as a therapist. But soon Cruise is released from prison on appeal and starts stalking her and killing off her patients. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Josh Duhamel (Transformers and Las Vegas) is in negotiations to star in the film adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel “Safe Haven,” which tells the story of a young North Carolina woman who is determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships. As she begins to fall in love, she struggles with a dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her. Duhamel would play a widowed store owner and father of two. The film is expected to be released in 2013. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Actress Andrea Riseborough (W.E. and Happy-Go-Lucky) will star opposite Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood) in the upcoming horror-thriller film called Hidden that will follow a family hiding in a bomb shelter after escaping a mysterious outbreak. She will play the wife of Skarsgard’s character and mother of their child. (Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Syfy made a big announcement yesterday, regarding their development plans for potential new shows, with my bringing details on the Charlaine Harris book series about Harper Connelly that will be called Grave Sight as well as the adaptation of the Stephen King novel Eyes of the Dragon. Those two projects will be topped off by the following projects:

• Rewind, which revolves around a team of military field operatives and civilian scientists who must use untested technology to travel back in time to alter events and change the future — and avoid a devastating terrorist attack.

• The Adjustment Bureau, based on the hit movie starring Matt Damon, is about guardian angel-type agents working to keep the world according to The Plan: they create everything from plane crashes to coffee spills in order to steer people to realize their true destiny. But there is one thing the operatives and their Chairman can’t control — free will.

• High Moon, based on the novel, The Lotus Caves, by John Christopher, the project explores a world where the countries of Earth have established colonies to mine the Moon’s resources, but when a new life form is discovered, chaos erupts as various factions race to uncover its powerful secrets.

• Untitled Booster Gold Project, based on the best-selling DC Entertainment Comic, this project tells the story of a washed-up athlete from the future who travels back to the present in hopes of becoming the greatest superhero of all time; but instead of chasing criminals, his main priority is chasing fame and money. Booster Gold discovers that being a hero takes more than just a megawatt smile.

• Seeing Things, based on the comic Grey Legion, will look at what happens after a cop meets his violent demise, returning as a ghost to close his last case. But the only person who can help him is a socially awkward man who is realizing for the first time that his hallucinations may not be all in his head.

• Defender, which is about the aftermath of an intergalactic war between humans and transhumans. The starship Defender, populated by a combustible mix of former enemies, is sent on a seemingly simple goodwill mission, which turns into a fight for their lives and for the safety of the Universe at large.

• The Family, which about an alien family who, for generations, has hid amongst humans in plain sight using their advanced intellect to carve out a life for themselves as their family grew. But when the family patriarch that kept peace amongst the factions dies, a war begins to brew with some members believing the time has come to reveal themselves, and their superior power, to the inferior human race.

• Darkfall is when, without warning, modern forms of power and technology become a thing of the past, Los Angeles, and the world at large, becomes a place where magic rules and life as we know it is turned upside down.

• One Mile Straight Down is about what happens when a powerful earthquake hits California and opens up a chasm bigger than the Grand Canyon, revealing an enormous hidden ocean lying deep beneath the earth’s crust. Billionaire adventurer James Exeter works with the government to take an advanced nuclear submarine down to explore it and discovers more than he ever could have imagined.

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

Question: Is it too early to ask for Homeland scoop? — Devon

ADAM: Never! Even though Carrie was booted from the CIA by David Estes at the end of Season 1, I hear she’ll be travelling overseas on a special mission — with Estes’ approval — when the new season, which reportedly takes place six months later, begins. And speaking of Estes: One of Brody’s first assignments from Abu Nazir requires him to break into a safe in his office!

Question: Is there more than one death in The Secret Circle finale? — Billy

NATALIE: We’ll let executive producer Andrew Miller take this one. “There’s for sure one death and maybe more,” he teases. “The deaths will weigh incredibly heavily. The fate that befalls another character will weigh almost equally heavy in terms of the fans.” Ha, we got him to say deaths, plural. Stock up on tissues, people!

Question: Is Rebekah really dead on The Vampire Diaries? — Rachel

NATALIE: Not exactly. Now that Esther has the white oak dagger from Alaric’s alter ego, she’ll leave Rebekah’s body and return to her own. But Esther isn’t done with Alaric yet. In Thursday’s episode, she’ll reveal that she needs something from both Alaric and Elena to carry out her plan of eliminating her family. And what Esther wants, Esther will get.

Question: Any scoop on Drop Dead Diva? —Anadi

Ausiello: When the Lifetime series returns this June, Jane will be relaxing in Italy, and she won’t be alone! “She’s with Owen,” leading lady Brooke Elliott told us at the GLAAD Media Awards. “It’s going to be a really exciting season. It’s got a lot of, ‘I love you, you love me, but I love him.’” Does that mean there’s still a chance for Grayson, who was last seen rushing to the airport after Stacy told him it’s really Jane he wants? “Grayson starts to turn his eye toward [her],” teases Elliott. “That’s going to be fun because Jane doesn’t know it. It’s going to be a little bit of a reversal of wanting the other one. … He thinks that Jane could be Deb, but you’ll have to see what happens with that. There’s a flip-flop there.” Plus, the actress dropped this surprise on us: “There’s a proposal coming up.”

Question: Can I have a Vampire Diaries spoiler on Caroline and Klaus? —Elizabeth

Ausiello: Our gal is going to be seriously conflicted when it comes a certain Original. “Caroline doesn’t understand what draws her to Klaus [just like] any young woman who is seduced by and charmed by and intrigued by a dangerous man,” says EP Julie Plec. “There’s a lot of things that she can’t really explain about herself and her connection to him.” But there is one thing that she knows for certain. “She’s made her loyalty to Tyler and her love for Tyler very clear and will continue to have to do that.” However, that might not be enough to reassure her hybrid boyfriend, who’s “jealous and pissed off” about her new sorta-relationship with his sire. “[Tyler will] deal with that in the next episode, realizing that, ‘Hey, I sort of brought this on myself by leaving and leaving the opening for this guy to come in and move in on my girl,’” previews Plec. “Unfortunately, there’s still the question remaining: Was he able to effectively break that sire bond, or is he in for a rude awakening? You’ll definitely see that play out over the next couple [of episodes].”

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actresses Heather Graham and Carrie-Anne Moss as well as actors Kevin Dillon and Joe Mantegna will star in the independent film called Compulsion where Moss will play an embittered former child star while Graham plays her neighbor, a chef who dreams of hosting a Food Channel show. They are both fearless, only the chef fears nothing in life while her neighbor fears nothing about death. There are no details on the characters to be played by Dillon and Mantegna at this time. (Mike Fleming at Deadline)

Actress Kristin Scott Thomas and actor Tom Hollander have joined the cast of the upcoming film called The Invisible Woman, which will be directed by Ralph Fiennes. This film will be an adaptation of the Claire Tomalin biography about Nelly Ternan, a woman who had a decade-long affair with author Charles Dickens. Fiennes will also star as Dickens with Felicity Jones portraying Ternan. It is unknown at this time what roles Thomas or Hollander will play, however. (Brian Gallagher at Movie Web)

BOX OFFICE MOVIE TRAILER

Tom Hardy & Shia LaBeouf in First Trailer for Crime Drama ‘Lawless’

That’s it. Enjoy!

Read Full Post »

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Brendan Hines (Lie to Me) will guest star on the Covert Affairs in episode 3, playing Wade, a Peace Corps volunteer with an appetite for living and a good heart, who works with Auggie’s gal pal Parker (Devin Kelly). Covert Affairs is back with new episodes starting July 10. (Vlada Gelman at TV Line)

ABC Family has renewed The Lying Game for a second season. It will be back for a winter premiere. (Deadline)

Actor Ray Stevenson (Rome) will appear in a seven-episode arc on Dexter. He will play the leader of a Russian organized crime syndicate. Dexter is back starting September 30. (James Hibberd at Entertainment Weekly)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Syfy is developing the 1987 best-selling novel “Eyes of the Dragon” by Stephen King into a long-form project (be it a movie or mini-series). The book was a stand-alone novel that takes place in the fictional realm of Delain, following a teenage prince who is falsely accused of murdering his father, the king. Imprisoned in a high tower, the prince must figure out a way to escape, clear his name, and confront the devious and powerful wizard who is responsible for his father’s death. (James Hibberd at Entertainment Weekly)

Syfy has also picked up the rights to the Charlaine Harris four-book series Harper Connelly Mysteries that will be developed into a project called Grave Sight. The story follows a young woman who was struck by lightning as a teenager; but now in her 20s, she senses the location and last memories of dead people. In the TV adaptation, Connelly teams up with her protective stepbrother, Tolliver Lang, to help find a missing teenage girl, only to uncover a network of lies and murders throughout a small town in the Ozarks. (James Hibberd at Entertainment Weekly)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Jessica Chastain (The Help) is in talks to join the cast of Iron Man 3; reportedly taking on the role of a sexy scientist who will conceivably go toe-to-toe with Downey’s genius Iron Man alter ego, Tony Stark. (Deadline and E! Online)

Actress (and MMA athlete) Gina Carano (Haywire) is in negotiations to join the cast of Fast Six that already has actors Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson set to return. Carano will play a member of Johnson’s team. (Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

Actor Armie Hammer (The Social Network and Mirror Mirror) has joined the cast of the upcoming crime thriller flick called Cut Bank. He will join John Malkovich, Ben Kingsley, Michael Sheen and Teresa Palmer in a story about a former high school football star looking to escape from a small town, changing him and the town forever. (Deadline and First Showing)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Must Watch: Second Trailer for Jon Chu’s ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ Lands

That’s it. Enjoy!

Read Full Post »

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Rebecca Mader (Lost) will guest-star on an upcoming episode of White Collar, which returns to the USA Network on July 10 for its fourth season. She will play Abigail, an elusive con woman who blackmails Neal (Matt Bomer) into getting involved in her latest heist. At the same time, she is trying to woo Diana (Marsha Thomason), who is working undercover to bring Abigail to justice. (Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

Actresses Mia Kirshner (The Vampire Diaries and The L Word) and Fionnula Flanagan have joined the cast of the new Syfy series Defiance that will be sent in the near future drama. The series will be about a completely transformed planet Earth, inhabited by the survivors of a universal war. Kirshner will play Kenya, the self-assured, dauntless town madam whose unvarying devotion to the town of Defiance has inexorably woven her into many of its complicated affairs. Flanagan will play Nicky, the popular ex-mayor of the town whose intrinsic expertise from her years on the job have made her a trusted mentor to her successor, Amanda (Julie Benz). Other cast members include Graham Greene, Grant Bowler, Jaime Murray, and Tony Curran. (The Futon Critic and Deadline)

The BBC has decided not to move forward with a third season for Upstairs Downstairs. (Stuart Kemp at The Hollywood Reporter)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan will portray Elizabeth Taylor in the upcoming Lifetime biopic called Liz & Dick, which will chronicle the late film legend’s romance with actor Richard Burton. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 movies at the box office this past weekend courtesy of Exhibitor Relations and E! Online:

1. Think Like a Man, $33 million
2. The Lucky One, $22.8 million
3. The Hunger Games, $14.5 million
4. Chimpanzee, $10.2 million
5. The Three Stooges, $9.2 million
6. The Cabin in the Woods, $7.8 million
7. American Reunion, $5.2 million
8. Titanic 3D, $5 million
9. 21 Jump Street, $4.6 million
10. Mirror Mirror, $4.1 million

Actress Maiara Walsh (Desperate Housewives and Switched at Birth) has landed the leading role in the upcoming independent drama film called Grace, about a woman named Grace (Kelcie Stranahan) accused of killing another woman in an accident. The victim reaches out from beyond the grave to help unveil the truth about what happened. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Actress Toni Collette (The United States of Tara) and actor Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) have joined the cast of the upcoming film called Defiant that is based on the true story of a double honor killing in India. Patel will play Hari, a young man who is, along with his girlfriend, trying to escape vengeful parents who want to kill the lovers to stop them marrying. Collette will play Sally Lane, a journalist who in covering the story of the lovers, gets drawn into its dangers. (Dominic Patten at Deadline)

Actress Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games) will next star in the film adaptation of the best-selling novel The Glass Castle by famed gossip columnist Jeanette Walls. The movie covers Walls’ childhood, which featured a nomadic lifestyle and parents who weren’t exactly well-adjusted. (Deadline and First Showing)

BOX OFFICE MOVIE TRAILER

Watch: Charming Indie ‘A Buddy Story’ Trailer with Elizabeth Moss

That’s it. Enjoy!

Read Full Post »

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Taylor Cole (CSI: Miami and The Event) has landed a recurring role on The Glades, which will be back for its third season this June on A&E. She will play Jennifer Starke, a dynamic FDLE Bureau Chief who is sent to the South Florida station to evaluate its high success rate in hopes of recreating it state-wide; but when it becomes clear that said success is due to Det. Longworth’s unique approach to law, Starke changes her evaluation tactics, which creates an “interesting” dynamic between the two. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Sonar Entertainment and James Patterson Entertainment will produce the author’s New York Times best-selling book series Private as a 13-episode hour-long original TV series with Patterson serving as Executive Producer. The story follows former CIA agent Jack Morgan, who runs the world’s most elite investigation firm. With maximum force and maximum discretion always guaranteed, Jack’s staff of global investigators uses advanced forensic tools to make and break the cases that involve the secrets of the most influential people in the world. (The Futon Critic)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Toni Collette, who is already set to star in the films Hitchcock and The Way, Way Back is in negotiations to join Jennifer Aniston in the upcoming film called Miss You Already that would have the two women playing lifelong best friends who help each other with challenges – the outgoing one (Aniston) is battling breast cancer while the more reserved one (Collette) is preparing for her first child’s birth. She is also expected to join the cast of the upcoming film called The Long Way Down that follows four strangers on New Year’s Eve who coincidentally plan to jump to their deaths from the same rooftop. Collette would play the helpless single mom of a disabled young man. Pierce Brosnan is also in talks to play a scandal-plagued talk show host. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Actor Titus Welliver (Lost) will join Matt Damon and John Krasinski in the upcoming film called Promised Land that explores the dynamics of how a powerful natural gas company infiltrates a small rural town to tap into subterranean resources that could change its residents’ lives forever. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Actor Guy Pearce (Lockout) is in final talks to join the upcoming sequel film Iron Man 3 where he would play geneticist Aldrich Killian. The cast of the film already includes Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson as well as Ben Kingsley. The film has a release date of May 3, 2013. (Variety)

Singer Taylor Swift is circling the role of Joni Mitchell in the planned adaptation of the Sheila Weller Girls Like Us that examines the careers of singers Mitchell, Carly Simon and Carole King. Swift does not have an official offer, but has been linked to the Mitchell role for several months. (Variety)

Q&A SECTION (with Sandra Gonzalez from Entertainment Weekly)

Question: NCIS was great this week, but like you, I noted the open-endedness of the case. Are we going to see more from this case before the end of the season? — Nicole

Gonzalez: All I’ll say is that this is not the last time the Navy will feel the pressure of a direct threat before season’s end. In related news, here’s one return you can definitely count: Scott Wolf! He’ll appear in the season finale (airing May 15), reprising his role as the seriously disturbed Jonathan Cole.

Question: That little show Once Upon a Time loves toying with my emotions. A three-week hiatus? Now that’s just cruel. However, that has meant I’ve been reading up on just about anything that has to do with the show to pass the time. Bet you can’t spoil something I don’t already know. — Shannon

Gonzalez: Well, if you already know about the planned returns in the finale for Aussie Belle Emilie de Ravin, hipster sheriff Jamie Dornan and Mad man Sebastian Stan, what I can tell you is that writer Jane Espenson, who I chatted with yesterday, is more than confident that we’ll be blown away. In fact, the former Buffy the Vampire Slayer producer says that even with her long list of credits, “this finale is one of the biggest I’ve ever been a part of.” “If you’ve ever said, ‘Gee, I wish they would…’ you’ll see it,” she teases.

Question: Just got into Fairly Legal, how about some scoop on Kate and Justin. [I] love their chemistry and their back and forth! — @whyfores

Gonzalez: Wait, so you’re not pro-Ben?! I don’t know if we can talk anymore…Kidding! But I will say that an upcoming episode finds both our guys going toe-to-toe on a case involving a, um, colorful character who dresses up in costume. That’s a chemistry I think you’re really going to enjoy. But I really have to wonder how their relationship and Justin’s relationship with Kate will change after what transpires at the end of episode 8…

Question: Anything good on the Secret Circle finale? While I hate to see this show go on hiatus, I’m smelling a big cliffhanger… — Emma

Gonzalez: Then that’s a good nose you have! Because Gale Harold told me that’s exactly what’s in store. But it sounds like it has more layers than a Super Bowl dip. “It’s not a straightforward cliffhanger,” he says. “It’s loaded with confusion. It’s loaded with overlaps. Everything is getting twisted inside of itself. These people are getting drawn outside of the physical realm of reality [in terms of their magic] and at the same time, they have to deal with each other every day [as normal people]. So I think that’s going to be the nature of the finale.” Also, Emma, what, pray tell, does a cliffhanger smell like exactly? Wait, nevermind. I probably don’t want to know.

Question: Revenge finale. Go. — Amber

Gonzalez: Fight. Win. And if there’s anything worth cheering for, it’s how good this finale is. “There was a lot of oohing and ahhing in the table read,” says Nick Wechsler. “And we know that they’re doing something right with this thing, man. They hook you. And [the finale] has to hook you for another season while also wrapping some stuff up and they do both things quite nicely.” And if you think you have an idea of where it’s all headed, think again says Gabriel Mann. “I have to genuinely say that by the end I did not anticipate anything that they have now set up that is coming. So kudos and bravo to our writers and the team.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a terrific weekend!

Read Full Post »

Hey All,

Here are the news items, covering yesterday and today:

TELEVISION

Actress Amy Acker (Angel) will guest star on the season finale of Person of Interest, which is slated to air on May 17. She will play an attractive psychologist who caters to the rich and powerful; but when the machine spits out her number, Reese (Jim Caviezel) must keep her safe from several clients who could potentially kill to keep their secrets safe. (Adam Bryant at TV Guide)

CONDOLENCES

Dick Clark, the perennial teenager, passed away yesterday at the age of 82. (Twitter)

Actor Jonathan Frid, the original Barnabas Collins of the TV series Dark Shadows passed away last Friday (April 13) of natural causes in Canada. (Zap2It)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Showtime has put into development The Angry Buddhist, a drama series project based on the upcoming novel of the same name by Seth Greenland. The drama, with dark comedy elements, is set in the high California desert between the trailer parks and amphetamine labs of Desert Hot Springs and the classic mid-century architecture of Palm Springs. It will center on three Duke brothers: a cop studying Buddhism, an unrepentant criminal and a wily U.S. Congressman running for his third term. As the Congressman is in for the fight of his political life against the charismatic Mary Swain, a sexy, well-financed, newcomer, none of the Dukes are prepared for the consequences when a murder occurs and threatens to derail all of their lives. The novel comes out next week. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor James Van Der Beek (Apartment 23) and 13-year-old actor Gattlin Griffith, (Changeling, and Green Lantern) have joined the cast of the upcoming box office film Labor Day that centers on a boy (Griffith) and his reclusive, depressed divorced mother Adele (Kate Winslet). Van Der Beek will play a cop. Josh Brolin will also star in the film. (The Hollywood Reporter and First Showing)

Actor Gerard Butler is in advanced negotiations to star in the action thriller called Manhunt that involves a team of FBI agents sent to the North Carolina wilderness to chase the FBI’s most wanted man, a domestic terrorist and survivalist named James Tollan. They enroll the help of a reluctant bear hunter to capture him, but the group finds themselves being hunted by Tollan, who will stop at nothing to survive and defend his territory. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Fun Trailer for ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ Directors’ Comedy ‘Ruby Sparks’

Q&A SECTION (with Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Question: I need a scoop about the NCIS finale! —Jessica

Ausiello: It’s titled “Till Death Do Us Part,” and not just because it features Palmer’s wedding. “It suggests some impending danger for the rest of the team as well,” warns showrunner Gary Glasberg. “There is an unbreakable bond between the members of our NCIS family, and it would take something earth-shattering to change that.” (Sounds like someone’s been taking Professor Hart Hanson’s night class, Introduction to Cryptic Episodic Soundbites.)

Question: Keeping my fingers firmly crossed for a Nikita renewal. Got any scoop? —Frances

Ausiello: Only that it remains very much on the bubble. In more definitive news, there’s a death in this Friday’s episode that, per a source, is both “sad and shocking.”

Question: I am going through major Vampire Diaries withdrawals! Got anything? —Amy

Ausiello: Sounds like Caroline will be busy trying to figure out a way to save her man Tyler in the May 10 season finale. “They’re still forming their master plan on trying to take down the Originals,” says Candice Accola of the show’s big finish. But given that Tyler is part of Klaus’ blood line and killing the Original hybrid would bring about Tyler’s own demise, “They have be much more strategic about it. That’s the big argument — who’s going to be sacrificed at this point? Everyone’s going to be paired up [with an Original] and we’re going to see who’s willing.” Um, sacrificed? Does that mean we can expect a heartbreaking death? “It doesn’t [necessarily] happen in the finale,” Accola replies, coyly.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actors Dan Futterman (Judging Amy) and Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives) have been cast in recurring roles on the upcoming 6-episode USA Network drama Political Animals, that will take a look at a fictional ex-first family, centering on Elaine Barrish (Sigourney Weaver), the divorced former First Lady and newly appointed Secretary of State who throws herself into the job after recovering from the dissolution of her marriage and losing the presidential nomination. She attempts to keep her family together, while simultaneously dealing with crises of the State Department and hungry DC journalist Susan Berg (Carla Gugino) bent on destroying her career. Futterman will play Alex Davies, Bureau Chief of the Washington Journal and love interest to Susan Berg. Bart will play Barry Harris, new President Garcetti’s Chief Of Staff, a weasely guy who politely despises Elaine and loves cutting her out of policy decisions. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actress Bree Turner has been promoted to series regular on Grimm when it returns for its second season next year. She plays Rosalee Calvert, the sister of the spice shop owner who was tragically murdered and whose death was investigated by Det. Burkhardt (series star David Giuntoli). (Kate Stanhope at TV Guide)

Actress Laura Vandervoort (Smallville) will guest star in an upcoming episode of White Collar, which is back with new episodes starting on July 10 on the USA Network. She will play a New York City socialite who stands to receive a large life insurance payout when her wealthy husband dies, but little else seems to be known about her character as of yet. Actor Michael Weston (House) will also show up on the series, playing David Cook, an overconfident and elusive criminal mastermind who Peter has been trying to put away since the beginning of his FBI career. (Matt Mitovich at TV Line and Philiana Ng at The Hollywood Reporter)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Emily Blunt will join Tom Cruise in the action film All You Need is Kill, where they will both play soldiers fighting an epic battle against aliens. (Vulture)

Actor Lucas Till (X-Men: First Class) is in talks to join the espionage thriller called Paranoia for which Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman are in advanced negotiations to star. Till would portray a friend and co-worker of Liam Hemsworth’s character in the film, which is set in the world of dueling telco giants. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Actress Christine Lahti (Chicago Hope) has joined Evan Peters (American Horror Story) and Juno Temple (Year One) in the 1970’s coming-of-age film called Truck Stop. Lahti will play Peg, the relationship-scarred owner of a truck stop. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

Actor T.R. Knight (Grey’s Anatomy) has joined the cast of the Jackie Robinson biopic called 42, where he will play Harold Parrott, the Dodgers traveling secretary who has to deal with the repercussions of housing once Robinson joins the team. Chadwick Boseman (Lincoln Heights and Persons Unknown) and Harrison Ford also star. (The Hollywood Reporter and Dark Horizons)

Actress Julianne Moore is in talks to play Carrie’s mother (Chloe Moretz from Kick-Ass and Let Me In) in the latest remake of the Stephen King classic novel. (Bloody Disgusting and First Showing)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Oscar winning actress Ellen Burstyn has joined the cast of the much-buzzed-about six-hour USA Network series Political Animals that will star Sigourney Weaver as Elaine Barrish, a divorced former first lady and current secretary of state, who is struggling to keep her family together while simultaneously dealing with the crises of the State Department. Burstyn will appear as Margaret Barrish, Elaine’s mother, who is a tough Chicago broad and one-time Vegas showgirl with biting tongue and sharp wit. Other cast members include James Wolk (Lone Star and Happy Endings), Sebastian Stan (Gossip Girl) and Carla Gugino. (Lacey Rose at The Hollywood Reporter)

Two very different stories broke today regarding legendary actress Dame Maggie Smith and her continuation in the raved about BBC series Downton Abbey. One story says she has asked to leave the show after the third season (which is being filmed now for airing in the U.K. in September) and one that says the rumor is false. Time will tell which story is true. (Deadline, The Daily Mail, BBC America, The New York Times and PBS)

Actress Skyler Day (Parenthood and TeenNick’s short-lived teen series Gigantic) will appear in a recurring role on the Lifetime drama Army Wives, playing Sophie Clarke, the 16-year-old daughter of Jackie and Army Gen. Clarke (Kelli Williams and Robert John Burke). Sophie is described as a pretty and willful girl who can be flippant to the point of rudeness but knows how to turn on the charm and portray the perfect daughter. She’s close with her father and has a deep resentment toward her mother for what she believes was a childhood of neglect. (The Hollywood Reporter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

HBO is edging closer to making the Philip Kerr trilogy into a series to be called Berlin Noir. The potential series would focus on Bernie Gunther, a police detective in 1930s Germany, with the political climate and run-up to WWII and then the Cold War as the backdrop. The books from the trilogy – “March Violets”, “The Pale Criminal” and “A German Requiem” were published starting in 1989 and will include Tom Hanks as one of their executive producers. (Deadline and The Futon Critic)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 box office films for this past weekend courtesy of Exhibitor Relations and E! Online:

1. The Hunger Games, $21.5 million
2. The Three Stooges, $17.1 million
3. The Cabin in the Woods, $14.9 million
4. Titanic 3D, $11.6 million
5. American Reunion, $10.6 million
6. Mirror Mirror, $7 million
7. Wrath of the Titans, $6.9 million
8. 21 Jump Street, $6.8 million
9. Lockout, $6.3 million
10. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, $3 million

Actress Joelle Carter (Justified) has joined the cast of the upcoming horror film called Jessabelle that will be about a woman who returns to her father’s Louisiana home after an accident robs her of the use of her legs. Once there, she must confront an enraged ghost. Carter will play the woman’s mother. (Dread Central and Dark Horizons)

Actor Wentworth Miller (Prison) has sold the original thriller screenplay called The Disappointments Room to Voltage Pictures and Killer Films. The story follows a family that moves into a mysterious old house in the country that has a dark past. (Risky Biz Blog and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Must Watch: Heartwarming ‘Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog’ US Trailer

That’s it. Enjoy!

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