Rueben's Ramblings

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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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Treat Williams (Everwood) will guest star on an upcoming episode of Leverage, playing Pete Rising, an ex-hockey player who now owns a professional team. After Rising sacrifices the team’s star player to get ahead, Nate and his team step in to protect the hockey team from its ruthless owner. No air date has been set for this episode, but Leverage is expected back on TNT for its 5th season later this year. (Robyn Ross at TV Guide)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

First Full Trailer For That Twisty Time-Traveling Hitman Movie Looper

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Dwayne Johnson is looking at a film adaptation of the T.P. Louise graphic novel called Lore for his next film since it has been picked up by Warner Bros. The graphic novel is described as being set in times past in a world full of mythical creatures – creatures long since banished and held at bay by the secret society of Shepherds. But when the generational line of Shepherds is broken, a reluctant hero finds her life threatened from every quarter. And the creatures are coming back! It is being presumed that Johnson’s character turns into some sort of protector of the female hero. (The Hollywood Reporter and First Showing)

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

Question: I wouldn’t argue with some Pretty Little Liars scoop. — Kim

Gonzalez: I see what you’re doing there. ‘Oh, spoils! Those old things? I suppose you can give me some. Yawn.’ Your reverse psychology won’t work on me, ma’am! Well, I guess it actually will. But only because Tyler Blackburn was kind enough to fill me in on the action we’ll be seeing in season 3. “Obviously [Caleb’s] recently been enlightened on what has been going on for the last two seasons, and I think it made him more concerned about Hannah,” he said at the Avengers premiere. “The secrets never stop and he is a little shaken by his new-found knowledge, so he is going to come into season 3 way more cautious and leary of Hannah. I think their relationship will be put to the test.” And as you might recall, there was a bit of a mixed reaction to the reveal of “A,” but Blackburn says that now that Mona’s secret is out, he only sees it getting better from here. “I think season 3 will be really good from what I have seen. I don’t think anybody’s going to be disappointed with where we are taking the show,” he says. “It’s [still] a combination of both — some comes from the books and some of it is original storylines. To keep it fresh and new, they want to do some of their [own] things. Otherwise everything would be predictable for people who read the books. But the books also have such a following that they don’t want to veer too far from them either and they want to stay true to that.”

Question: Thank you for your chat with Tim Matheson of Hart of Dixie! I love that show. I’d love any scoop! — Becca

Gonzalez: We’ve seen hints of a bridge being built between Brick (Matheson) and Zoe (Rachel Bilson), and Matheson says we’ll continue to see Brick develop a soft spot for the young doc. “I think that what I’ve discovered is that there’s a part of Brick that is beginning to feel protective of Zoe, and having paternal feelings toward her, which he tries not to deal with,” he says. “It’s an interesting development for me. I think if you’re playing a villain or an antagonist, you have to step on those feelings to do the things you’re doing. But for me, those feelings are being allowed to come out. But I do like being on obstacle for her. I hope to do many, many episodes where I can be a thorn in her side.”

Question: Castle scoop please! I’ll take anything. — Veronica

Gonzalez: Excited about Adam Baldwin’s guest spot on Monday? You should be. I’m told that we won’t be disappointed — especially my fellow Browncoats.

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a terrific weekend!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

BBC America will co-produce the new mini-series, based on the Alan Furst novel, The Spies of Warsaw and will air it as part of Dramaville, the network’s programming block that has featured such shows as Luthor, Whitechapel and The Hour. Actor David Tennant (Doctor Who) and actress Janet Montgomery (Human Target will star in the thrilling spy story set in Poland, Paris, London and Berlin in the years leading up to the Second World War. (The Futon Critic)

Actress Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), Jennifer Ferrin (The Cape) [among others] have been added to the two-hour pilot called Rewind over at Syfy that revolves around a team of military field operatives and civilian scientists who must use untested technology to travel back in time to alter past events in order to change the future and avoid a devastating terrorist attack. Castle-Hughes will play Priya, the team’s a-typical historian, a behavioral anthropologist who provides analytical context to the project and the missions, and whose knowledge of history extends beyond the boundaries of facts. Ferrin will play Bryce, a brilliant scientist who graduated MIT when she was 18; the smartest person in the room who is obsessive and driven and doesn’t really care what people think of her. The cast already includes Julie Benz (A Gifted Man and Dexter), Jamie Murray (Warehouse 13) and Tony Curran (Underworld 2). (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor Kenny Johnson (The Shield and Saving Grace) will guest star in an upcoming episode of The Mentatlist, playing Greg Taybeck, the high school boyfriend and ex-fiancé of Lisbon (Robin Tunney). When Greg becomes involved in one of the CBI’s cases, Lisbon is a bit rattled. Ultimately, the reunion will give Lisbon a moment to reflect on her life choices. He will appear in the episode slated to air on May 3. (Adam Bryant at TV Guide)

Actress Brooke Nevin (Breakout Kings) will guest star in the season finale of CSI, playing Meaghan, one of D.B. Russell’s (Ted Danson) four kids. Meaghan is the outdoorsy Seattle-type of woman who will be accompanied by her daughter, Kaitlyn. They are in town to visit her parents. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Dougray Scott (My Week with Marilyn) is in negotiations to play the male lead opposite Famke Janssen in Netflix’s new original series Hemlock Grove, which is based on Brian McGreevy’s upcoming goth horror novel of the same name. The story revolves around the murder of a young girl found close to the former Godfrey steel mill. The suspects in her killing include Peter (Landon Liboiron from Terra Nova), a 17-year-old Gypsy kid from the wrong side of the tracks, and Roman (Bill Skarsgard from the upcoming Anna Karenina), the arrogant Godfrey scion, whose sister Shelley is disturbingly deformed and whose mother, Olivia (Janssen), is the beautiful and controlling grand dame of Hemlock Grove. Scott will play Norman Godfrey, the older brother of Olivia’s late husband, JR, one of the founders of the Godfrey Center for Biomedical Technologies. (Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Julia Stiles and actors Jim Broadbent and Ciarán Hinds [among others] have all joined the cast of the international suspense thriller called Boy A that will star Eric Bana and Rebecca Hall as two ex-lovers who find their loyalties tested and their lives at risk when they are joined together on the defense team in a terrorism trial. (Flick Daily and Dark Horizons)

Actresses Cheryl Hines (Suburgatory), Alicia Witt (Cybill) and Sonya Walger (Lost) and actor Ashton Holmes (Revenge and Nikita) have joined the cast of the upcoming film called Pasadena, which centers on an upper-class contemporary Los Angeles family torn apart by secrets revealed over a Thanksgiving weekend. The family gradually disintegrates squabbling over who will get the patriarch’s money, only to discover he’s broke. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

It looks like Sony Pictures is set to re-imagine Sabrina the Teenage Witch. This new live-action feature version will recast Sabrina as a superhero. It will essentially be an origin story about a young girl coming to terms with her remarkable powers. (Deadline and Dark Horizons)

Actor Sharlto Copley (District 9 and The A-Team) has been offered the role of the villain in the upcoming revenge thriller Oldboy, which already includes Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Olsen as part of the cast. The story follows a man kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years for unknown reasons. Upon his perplexing release, he sets out to find out just who held him hostage and why. (Variety and First Showing)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Watch: Morgan Freeman in Rob Reiner’s ‘Magic of Belle Isle’ Trailer

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek) who is playing a version of himself on the new ABC comedy Don’t Trust the B— in Apt 23 will guest star in the May 9 episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing a former friend of a doctor who’s sabotaging him. (Robyn Ross at TV Guide)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Mark Wahlberg is in early talks to produce and star in an adaptation of the John Grisham novel The Partner, a legal thriller following a young partner in a prominent law firm who fakes his own death to steal a fortune from his company before starting a new life in Brazil. (Variety and First Showing)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Watch: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes United in New ‘Avengers’ Featurette

MUSIC VIDEO (Related to TV Show Revenge)

‘Revenge’: Watch Christina Perri’s ‘Distance’ Featuring Nick Wechsler (Exclusive Video)

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

Question: I know Castle is trying to keep Castle and Beckett apart, but why is he acting like such a brat? — Liz

ADAM: He’s just being a man, creator Andrew W. Marlowe says. “Men in general usually don’t confront their feelings,” he says of Castle’s reaction to learning that Beckett remembers Castle’s declaration of love. “He’s certainly not the type of person to go up to Beckett and say, ‘Hey, you hurt me!’ because that would be exposing himself. He’s expressing his anger with Beckett, and whether he knows it or not, he’s trying to punish her without really putting his cards on the table.” But don’t worry: Beckett will soon figure out what set Castle off, thanks to another revealing chat with her therapist.

Question: When is Esther returning to The Vampire Diaries? —Crystal

NATALIE: She’ll return in next week’s new episode still hell-bent on killing her children. Look for an intensely emotional scene between Esther and Rebekah, in which Mama Original explains why she feels her kids should no longer “live.”

Question: I’m totally obsessed with Scandal after that awesome premiere. I would love you forever for any possible scoop! —Coco

Ausiello: The Amanda Tanner case that served up a tiny twist at the end of the premiere, when Olivia deduced that the former intern was telling the truth about an affair with President Grant? Watch for that storyline to drop bombshell after bombshell in the weeks to come, building to a ginormous jaw-dropper at the close of Episode 4. On the personal front, an upcoming episode will put Stephen’s nascent engagement to the test when a vital-slash-pretty-slash-horny source on a case demands “that” in trade.

Question: You never mention Sherlock! Any scoop would make me super happy! —Hanna

Ausiello: I spent the weekend devouring all three episodes of Season 2 (which premieres stateside on May 6) and I’m still basking in the afterglow. The Steven Moffat-penned, Paul McGuigan-directed opener, titled “A Scandal in Belgravia,” is nothing short of a masterpiece. It picks up right where the Season 1 cliffhanger left off and marks the introduction of True Blood‘s Lara Pulver as Irene Adler, a dominatrix who may be hot for but is definitely bothered by the iconic sleuth. Their “relationship” takes so many twists and turns throughout the 90 minutes that you literally don’t know where they stand with each other until the jaw-dropping final scene. Their first encounter is also pretty memorable (hint: one of them is completely naked). Episodes 2 and 3 are also stellar, but the premiere is an absolute work of art. I can’t say enough good things about it. PBS and the BBC should consider giving it a limited, Oscar-qualifying run in theaters. You think I’m kidding! Is this the face of someone that’s kidding?!

Question: Are Daphne and Wilke done for good on Switched at Birth? I think they are so cute together but since Austin Butler has been cast in the CW’s Carrie Diaries pilot, I’m worried we won’t see more of Wilke. —Muriel

Ausiello: Magic 8-Ball says… ask again at the end of May when the CW announces its fall schedule. But it’s probably safe to say Wilke and Daphne’s romantic future looks ominous since The Carrie Diaries appears to be headed for a pickup. For the time being, Wilke is “off at boarding school,” creator Lizzy Weiss tells TVLine. And the ABC Family drama will “have to contend with the possibility of him staying at boarding school” should Carrie get a green light. But what happens on the off chance she stumbles in her mini-Manolos and The CW passes on the project? “Then I’m going to assume that Wilke will shape up,” says Weiss, “and perhaps his father will let him come home.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Laruen Cohan has been promoted to series regular for next season’s The Walking Dead. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

HBO has renewed Game of Thrones for a third season. (Variety)

Actress Sarah Clarke (24) will replace actress Rebecca Creskoff (Hung) as the new mentor for Annie (Piper Perabo) on Covert Affairs. Creskoff was supposed to play Lena Smith this coming season, but has now dropped out due to a scheduling conflict. Clarke will take over, playing the role of a legendary CIA operative running her own division who will become an important figure in Annie’s career. Clarke will recur throughout the season, making her debut in the first episode of the new season. (Joyce Eng at TV Guide)

MADE FOR TV MOVIE NEWS

Actor Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace), actress Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under and Brothers & Sisters) and actor Callan McAullife (I Am Number Four and Flipped) are set to star in the upcoming tele[movie called Underground that will be about the early life of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Griffiths will play Assange’s mother, LaPaglia is a policeman investigating the young hacker. (Inside Film and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Leven Rambin (The Hunger Games) has landed a leading role in the upcoming sequel film Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Sea of Monsters. She will star as Clarisse, daughter of Ares, the God of War opposite Logan Lerman. (Variety)

Actor Tom Hanks and actress Emma Thompson are in talks to star in the upcoming film called Saving Mr. Banks that will be based on the true story of how Walt Disney spent 14 years courting Australian author P.L. Travers for the film rights to the character, played by Julie Andrews in the 1964 classic Mary Poppins. Hanks would play Walt Disney, while Thompson would portray Travers, who was ultimately unhappy with the film, especially the animated sequences. (Variety)

Legendary actor Sir Ben Kingsley is in final negotiations to play the villain in Iron Man 3, which is slated to hit theaters in the summer of 2013. Sources say that he will NOT be playing Iron Man’s signature comic book villain Mandarin, a wealthy Chinese scientist and martial arts expert. It is unclear exactly what villain Kingsley will be playing. (Variety and First Showing)

Actress Paula Patton got some (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) is in talks to star alongside Denzel along with Mark Wahlberg in an adaptation of 2 Guns, the graphic novel written by Steven Grant. The story follows the story of a DEA agent and an undercover Naval Intelligence officer who are unwittingly investigating each other and steal mob money for the good guys. The duo realizes later that the mob actually got them to steal $50 million from the CIA. It is not clear what roles each A-star will have, though. (Deadline and First Showing)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Not a lot of news to share today, but still a few things that folks will find interesting (I hope):

TELEVISION

ReelzChannel has acquired the Canadian spy thriller action series XIII that is about a guy (Stuart Townsend, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) named XIII for the Roman numeral tattooed on his neck, a former secret operative, who has been stripped of his memory. Hunted by a dark anti-government organization, XIII searches for clues that will uncover the secret that makes him so valuable—and so potentially dangerous. Jones (Aisha Tyler, Ghost Whisperer) is a government agent and XIII’s most loyal ally. XIII will premiere in June. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

FOX has issued early renewals to Glee, New Girl and Raising Hope. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

CONDOLENCES

Mike Wallace, founding correspondent on 60 Minutes, passed away on Sunday. He was 93 years old. (Twitter)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 box office movies for this past weekend from E! Online and Box Office Mojo:

1. The Hunger Games, $33.5 million
2. American Reunion, $21.5 million
3. Titanic 3D, $17.4 million
4. Wrath of the Titans, $15 million
5. Mirror Mirror, $11 million
6. 21 Jump Street, $10.2 million
7. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, $5 million
8. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, $975,000
9. John Carter, $800,000
10. Safe House, $581,000

Actor Ron Livingston (Game Change) will star opposite Michelle Monaghan in the independent relationship drama called Fort Bliss that will center on a female soldier transferred home after a long tour in Afghanistan who struggles to learn how to rebuild her relationship with her 5-year-old son. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Easter Sunday was filled with a mixture of reairs and new episodes for the major network dramas. Here is how each of the Sunday night drams fared in the overall ratings:

8 PM Shows:
Harry’s Law (NBC) [NEW] – 7.6 million
Once Upon a Time (ABC) [Reair] – 3.8 million

9 PM Shows:
The Good Wife (CBS) [Reair – Delayed] – 7.9 million (average)
GCB (ABC) [NEW] – 5.3 million

10 PM Show:
CSI: Miami (CBS) [NEW – Delayed] – 7.5 million (average)
GCB (ABC) [NEW] – 5.2 million

What did you watch last night? Please share.

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Krista Allen (What About Brian) has joined the cast of the Canadian soap The LA Complex, which was picked up by the CW. In a major recurring role, she will play Jennifer Blake, an A-list movie star. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Nicole Kidman has entered talks to play Grace Kelly in the upcoming film called Grace of Monaco, which covers a six month time-span in 1962 when French leader Charles De Gaulle and Monaco’s Prince Rainier III were arguing over Monaco’s standing as a tax haven. The then 33-year-old Kelly, who had given up her acting career to become Rainier’s wife by this point, politically maneuvered her way behind-the-scenes to save Monaco. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

Imprint Entertainment has optioned the film rights to the autobiography “Foxy, My Life in Three Acts” by iconic African American female sex symbol and action Pam Grier. (Dark Horizons)

Glee and American Horror Story co-creator Brad Falchuk has been hired to rewrite the 1987 screenplay of Dirty Dancing for a potential reboot for Lionsgate. (Variety and Dark Horizons)

TV SCOOP (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Revenge: This ABC sudser resumes its run on April 18, but I’m rather curious to see the May 9 episode that takes place entirely in flashback. Visiting the circa-2002 characters, you’ll see differences in personality, yes – “There’s an edge to [Amanda],” fresh out of juvie, says Emily VanCamp, while Madeleine Stowe teases a “more playful, more fun” Victoria. But admit it, it’s the cosmetic throwbacks you’ll be talking about. “Nolan is pulling out his best ‘Sal’s Boutique’ — aka Salvation Army duds, as we did in the ’90s,” says Gabrielle Mann. “I like to tease it as the Starsky & Hutch episode, because you’re going to think you’re in the ’70s, but you’re really in the ’90s by way of 2012 by way of 2002…. It’s Revenge‘s greatest hits… a Revenge lover’s smorgasbord.”

Castle: If you’ve been following Ask Ausiello you know that Michael Dorn will soon be resurfacing as Beckett’s therapist, whom we last saw in November. So what’s the hot topic at Beckett’s next shrink session, airing April 16? “The catalyst,” series boss Andrew W. Marlowe told me, “is Beckett coming to grips with Castle’s behavior” in the wake of him discovering — unbeknownst to her — that his partner lied about remembering her shooting. “It’s also,” Marlowe continued, “about her coming to grips with what she wants, and what she’s ready for.”

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

Question: I was just wondering if the people over at Once Upon a Time know how much of a hit Jefferson/Mad Hatter was? We already know that Sebastian Stan will be back for two more episodes this season… I was wondering if there was any chance he could be made into a series regular or at least a recurring character that appears very often. I know he just signed on to the USA Network’s Political Animals. Would that ruin his chances on Once Upon a Time? — Leia

Gonzalez: Oh, trust me, they’re aware of how fans were madly in love with this character. And it sounds like they’re willing to do anything necessary to get him back. Again, I said, anything. “We love Sebastian just as much as the fans and have plans to see much more of him down the line,” the pair told me. “And if we have to employ dark magic to make the scheduling work, that’s a price we’re happy to pay.”

Question: This wait until Nikita is pretty painful. Anything new to report? — Keith

Gonzalez: You want to talk pain? Then let’s talk about what happens in the show’s first episode back, when Nikita is captured and tortured by someone she knows well. This girl is used to pain, but lord in heaven this was tough to watch. Yes, I just LIH’d you. In case you aren’t from the south, this is what we say when we’re dead serious. Oh! And speaking of dead, someone we know won’t make it to the end of the intense hour.

Question: I’d love some Nick and Juliette scoop for Grimm! — Tracy

Gonzalez: Well, if you saw the promo for this week’s episode, you know there’s a re-appearance from the ring Nick bought in the pilot, and I can tell you this: it’s definitely put to use. But while there is a proposal, you’ll have to tune in to see how it all works out. What I can say is that Nick and Juliet’s relationship will NOT be the same in the episodes ahead.

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a terrific weekend! And, Happy Easter to those who celebrate.

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