Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

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

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

ABC is finalizing a deal on a 13-episode straight-to-series order for a new drama called The Black Box from writer Amy Holden Jones, who will be executive producing with Ilene Chaiken (creator of The L Word) and X-Men director Bryan Singer. The project will center on Elizabeth Black, world renowned neuroscientist who appears to have it all but is constantly haunted by her own struggle with mental illness. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actresses Teresa Palmer (Warm Bodies) and Melissa Leo (The Fighter) will star in the upcoming box office film The End of Love, a touching and genuine story examining the relationship a struggling actor and father has with his son in the wake of losing the child’s mother. (Variety and First Showing)

Actor Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises) will star in the upcoming movie The Outsider that follows the life of a former American G.I. who becomes part of the infamous Yakuza criminal organization in Japan shortly after World War II. (First Showing)

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Josh Stamberg will not be returning to Drop Dead Diva for its fifth season, but the show will have a number of female guest stars, including Natalie Hall (Pretty Little Liars) who will appear in two episodes as a character named Britney; Annie Ilonzeh (Arrow and Switched at Birth) who will play Kim’s new assistant in a recurring role; Brigid Brannagh (Army Wives) will play Molly Hagen, a woman whose deadbeat husband wins a fortune at a casino, only to hide it from her while filing for a quickie divorce; and Reika Aylesworth (Hawaii Five-0 and 24) who will play June Frazier, a brilliant graphic designer who enlists Kim legal help as she battles to protect her dead boyfriend’s legacy from his estranged parents. Drop Dead Diva is back on June 29 at 9 PM on Lifetime. (The Wrap and Kimberly Nordyke at The Hollywood Reporter)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Emmy Rossum (Shameless) and Justin Long (Live Free and Die Hard) will appear in the independent romantic comedy called Comet that will bounce back and forth over the course of an unlikely but perfectly paired couple’s six-year relationship. (Mike Fleming, Jr. at Deadline)

Actors James Franco, Jeff Bridges, Benicio Del Toro and Paul Giamatti as well as actresses , Rachel McAdams and Marion Cotillard will lend their voices to the box office animated film The Little Prince. The story centers on a pilot (Bridges) who crash-lands in the Sahara desert and comes across a little boy who says he is a prince fallen to Earth from his home on an asteroid. As the pilot repairs his plane, the little prince regales him with stories about his home and the foolish inhabitants of nearby asteroids. (Heat Vision and Dark Horizons)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Watch: Harrison Ford Versus Gary Oldman in First ‘Paranoia’ Trailer

Nokia Releases Final “Man of Steel” Trailer

INSIDE LINE (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Question: I know Gary Glasberg has mentioned we will see the events that led up to the cliffhanger with Gibbs in the NCIS finale. But will we also get to see what McGee, Tony and Ziva have been doing in their four-month absence? I’m eager to see how they adapted to life outside NCIS and without Gibbs’s rules (particularly Rule No. 12). –Cheryl

Mitovich: If I’m any good at reading between Glasberg’s lines, viewers will be made privy to at least some of that when Season 11 arrives. “The season opener is going to take us from where we left off all the way up to the point where we’re seeing Gibbs [behind a rifle],” he says, As for Tony, Ziva and McGee in particular, “There will be a portion in which they’re still resigned, and then it’ll develop from there. I don’t want to give too much away about the opener yet, but we’ll learn what happened with Tony and Ziva and McGee, I promise.”

Question: I’m curious as to your thoughts on NCIS‘ baiting of “Tiva” fans without delivering. This season, especially, saw the showrunner pushing the notion of the couple becoming a reality, yet once again it did not happen. Even worse, [the finale] found them calling each other “friends,” the same label they applied to each other in Season 9′s “A Desperate Man.” Do you as a reporter find it difficult to see these things teased, when they never come fruition? Or do you think it’s just part of the game and “business as usual”? In addition, do you feel that at some point this bait-and-switch will impact viewership? –Dee

Mitovich: A very sound question, because as you note, I have long witnessed this to-and-fro as well. Quite honestly, I think NCIS and show boss Gary Glasberg face a tremendously difficult juggling act with this (would-be) couple because it is TV’s most watched program, and like a game of Jenga, you can’t be quite sure which slight move could send things toppling. Is NCIS No. 1 because it metes out exactly 25 milligrams of romance every third episode, and never a bit more? Is there a fear that going all-in with Tiva will soap up the show too much? Look at the comments sure to populate below; if one out of three is against the coupling, does that confirm the show would risk disenfranchising some 5 million viewers? (And if you do put them together, will the outcry nonetheless continue if “not enough” intimacy is displayed, a la Castle, presenting a no-win scenario?) All I can do on my end is press for some semblance of concrete evidence behind any loaded quotes (about any topic), then trust the show will follow through to some degree.

Question: Have we seen the last of Eion Bailey (Ben) and Anne Dudek (Danielle) on Covert Affairs? I really loved the chemistry that both of them had with Piper Perabo. –Johnny

Mitovich:Most likely not. As EPs Matt Corman and Chris Ord tell the Inside Line, “Both Ben and Danielle are extremely important figures in Annie’s life. We definitely haven’t seen the last of them.”

Question: Do you know something about Castle or Scandal? This hiatus is killing me! –Martina

Mitovich: I’ll, um, play it safe and go with…. Scandal. If you suspect that, given the roller coaster events of the season finale, newly minted U.S. Attorney David Rosen has turned in his Gladiator card, you’d be right. Sharing his “personal theory” on the matter, Joshua Malina says, “Having spent the time he has with [Pope & Associates], he has newfound respect for them… and he went to school on them. Because he learned that if you really want to be effective – and that’s the sad story of his for the year – pure white hat-edness only gets you so far.” So although Rosen discovered that “getting down in the gutter and fighting dirtier” can get the job done, “I think he considers himself apart from — and possibly above” — Olivia, Abby et al. (Dem’s fighting words, right?)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Bridget Regan (Legend of the Seeker) will have a major recurring role (10-episodes) on White Collar, playing Rebecca Lowe, a beautiful rare book scholar who becomes entangled with Neal’s latest con, and then ultimately Neal himself. Yes, she is a new love interest for Neal. White Collar is expected back this October. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

A second season of the UK series Endeavour has been ordered. The first season of the drama has already aired in the UK and will be seen here in the states on PBS, starting next month. (Nancy Tartaglione at Deadline)

Season 8 of Psych will feature the following guest stars: Vinnie Jones (Elementary), Olivia d’Abo (The Wonder Years) and Kali Hawk (New Girl). Hawk will play a crafty P.I. whose case leads her straight to Shawn and Gus while D’Abo is set to play a “master infiltrator” and right-hand lady to a brutal British criminal to be played by Jones. (Megan Masters at TV Line)

Actors C. Thomas Howell (Southland) and Steve Howey (Shameless) will both guest star in Sons of Anarchy in show’s upcoming 6th season. Howell will play Frank Eagan, an ATF agent with questionable loyalties while Howey will play Hopper, a hardcore north Vegas member who crosses paths with SAMCRO. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

Actor Jerry O’Connell (Crossing Jordan) will guest star in his wife’s new TNT drama King & Maxwell, playing a character named Waskiewicz, a low-rent D.C. PI who tends to be a step behind on all his cases. It should also be noted that actor Christian Kane (Leverage) announced via his Twitter feed that he just wrapped his final day of filming on this new drama where he will appear as Rebecca Romijn’s brother. (Sandra Gonzalez at Entertainment Weekly and Twitter)

Actor Justin Chatwin will not return as a series regular to the Showtime series Shameless. (Lesley Goldberg at The Hollywood Reporter)

The Canadian channel Showcase has renewed the sci-fi series Continuum for a third season. Season 2 of the series will begin here in the States on Syfy this Friday, June 7. (Shaw Media)

Actress Allison Scagliotti (Warehouse 13) will make a guest appearance in the July 15 episode of the ABC Family drama Switched at Birth, playing Aida, a tough, cool and confident medic, who served in Afghanistan with Ty. (Twitter and TV Line)

The Borgias will end after this current third season on Showtime. (Tim Kenneally at The Wrap)

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

Question: What can you tell me about the new season of Unforgettable? — Maggie

ADAM: We know that the cast will look very different this season, but forget about (see what I did there?) Carrie getting off on the right foot with her new colleagues. For starters, Murray (Heroes’ Tawny Cypress), a highly decorated former FBI agent, doesn’t quite understand (or appreciate) Carrie’s gift, and Carrie’s by-the-book new boss Eliot (The Good Wife and The Walking Dead’s Dallas Roberts) won’t be thrilled when she proposes going undercover because of her resemblance to a suspect.

Question: Totally digging Mistresses! How will Savi deal with the fallout from sleeping with Dominic? — Nikki

NATALIE: Suffice it to say that she won’t be keen on continuing the fling. “There’s nothing that she enjoys about it,” Alyssa Milano says. “It becomes darker and darker by the episode for her.” Unfortunately, her one-night stand will have unforeseen consequences that are even worse than the possibility of her husband finding out.

Question: Please tell me Michael and Fiona will get their happy ending on Burn Notice. — Wendy

ADAM: Since Fiona has a new beau, it would be a bit premature to guarantee that she and Michael will have a happily-ever-after. But don’t fret, ‘shippers: You’ll get your fix of lovey-dovey time — and then some! — in the show’s 100th episode, which flashes-back to the couple’s first meeting in Ireland. The landmark hour will shed new light on Michael and Fiona’s roller-coaster relationship. Plus: Who doesn’t want to hear pillow talk with Irish accents?

Question: Got any scoop on Falling Skies? — Alex

NATALIE: There’s a chance that the 2nd Mass could strike a fierce blow against the Espheni when they find a particularly high-value target, but taking it out could also leave the whole state uninhabitable. But Tom and Anne will have more important things to deal with as their baby arrives — and he/she is not exactly what they planned for.

Question: I’m so excited that Switched at Birth is returning. Any scoop? — Sarah

NATALIE: Hold on for some major change! First up, Regina, Bay and Angelo will all be living under the same roof. But don’t expect a rekindling just yet. “That’s such a complex relationship and he paid for my rehab, so there’s a budding relationship, but he’s focused on [finding Lana],” Constance Marie tells me. One thing to look forward to? “All you Dancing with the Stars fans, Gilles [Marini] is going to be dancing in an episode!” Vanessa Marano adds.

Question: Enough about Castle and Beckett’s engagement! Will the new season of Castle be good to Lanie-Esposito fans? — Jessica

ADAM: All signs point to yes. “We’re going to see more ‘Esplanie’ because the Twitter fans have gone ballistic,” Tamala Jones says with a laugh. “[Creator Andrew W. Marlowe has found] a very intelligent way to execute what the fans want to see with what he already has in store.” Bonus: Jones says that, not unlike the spotlight episodes given to Ryan and Esposito last season, Marlowe is cooking up a Lanie story that will explore her history.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) has landed a recurring role on Suits, appearing in the season premiere that is set to air on July 16. She will appear as Ava Hessington, a British entrepreneur who runs a successful international oil company. Faced with a lawsuit that may cost her the family business, she puts her trust in Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) to fight the charges against her. (James Hibberd at Entertainment Weekly)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Justin Theroux has been cast in HBO pilot from Damon Lindelof called The Leftovers, which is based on a novel of the same name written by Tom Perrotta. The pilot centers on life after the Rapture happens and the people who didn’t make the cut, being left behind in a suburban community. Theroux will play Kevin Garvey, a chief of police and father of two who is trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy in this new world. (AJ Marechal at Variety)

WGN America has ordered its first original scripted series, a drama entitled Salem from Brannon Braga (24, Star Trek: TNG, Terra Nova) and Adam Simon (The Haunting in Connecticut). The drama has received a straight to series order of 13 episodes. The series is set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts, exploring what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials. (Lacey Rose at The Hollywood Reporter)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor David Meunier (Justified and Revolution) will appear in the box office flick The Equalizer alongside Denzel Washington, Melissa Leo and Chloe Moretz. He will play Slavi, a brutal and sleazy Russian pimp involved with Teri, the young prostitute to be played by Moretz. The film is the box office adaptation of the 1980’s TV series about Robert McCall, an ex-covert agent who hires himself out to those in need. (Jen Yamato at Deadline)

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

Question: I am so excited for the new seasons of Suits and Covert Affairs, and was hoping for any spoilers on Mike/Rachel, Mike/Harvey or Annie/Auggie. –Tiffany

Ausiello: I choose Column A! Mike and Rachel’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner-esque sit-down with her parents, which Meghan Markle first told us about, will come with all the requisite awkwardness and grilling one might expect. But just how uncomfortable is it? I’m hearing that race and dead parents are brought up! Thankfully, Rachel’s mom is there to play peacekeeper — and to ask her daughter if she loves Mike. (Two guesses on Rachel’s answer?) Bonus Suits Scoop: The show is on the prowl for an actress to play mom to Gina Torres’ Jessica. Mrs. Pearson is beautiful, strong and powerful, but much warmer and much more accessible than Jessica. (We will come to learn that Jess gets her chilliness from her father.)

Question: I usually can’t stand cheaters, but I love Switched at Birth‘s Bay and Emmett so much. Any hope on the horizon? —Dakota

Ausiello: Unfortunately, Emmett is giving Bay her space in Monday’s premiere, an episode that also finds Daphne and Bay shaking up their living situations (the result of which may give viewers a little taste of what’s to come in the “What If?” hour later this season).

Question: I’m desperate for anything you have on Pretty Little Liars. —Estee

Ausiello: It looks like Emily is taking her swimming career to the next level. In next season’s ninth episode, aptly titled “Into the Deep,” the wannabe Missy Franklin crosses paths with a prolific swimming coach who’s famous for sending his students to the Olympics. He’s also famous for being something of a drill sergeant, so let’s hope Emily doesn’t get in over her head.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Starz has given a series order to Outlander, the drama project based on the Diana Gabaldon best-selling series of books from series developer Ron Moore (the man behind Battlestar Galactica). The project will follow Claire, a married WWII combat nurse, who mistakenly steps back in time to the year 1743 where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world of adventure that sends her on the run and threatens her life. When Claire is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, it ignites a passionate affair that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Announced this weekend actor Matt Smith is leaving Doctor Who after four years playing the legendary character. He will appear in the much-anticipated 50th anniversary episode set for November and will leave in the annual Christmas episode which will feature the regeneration of the doctor into whoever will play the 12th doctor. No casting announcement has been made on who will take over the iconic role. (Jethro Nededog at The Wrap)

Actress Marisa Ramirez has been promoted to series regular on Blue Bloods. (Liz Raftery at TV Guide and The Hollywood Reporter)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Dominic West (The Wire and The Hour) will play the lead role in the Showtime drama pilot The Affair that is an intense and intimate exploration of two marriages and an affair that disrupts them — with all of the complex consequences that result. West will play Noah, a good husband, devoted father of four, and New York City high school teacher whose settled, comfortable world is about to implode when he meets a woman he thinks is his soul mate. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 box office films from this past weekend according to Box Office Mojo:

1. Fast & Furious 6 – $34.5 million
2. Now You See Me – $28.1 million
3. After Earth – $27 million
4. Star Trek Into Darkness – $16.4 million
5. Epic – $16.4 million
6. The Hangover Part III – $15.9 million
7. Iron Man 3 – $8 million
8. The Great Gatsby – $6.3 million
9. Mud – $1.2 million
10. The Croods – $615,000

Actress Karen Gillan (Doctor Who) and actor Benicio Del Toro have both joined the cast of the upcoming box office film Guardians of Galaxy. Gillan is believed to be playing the female villain while the role that Del Toro will play is being kept under wraps. The cast of the film includes (among others) Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace, and Glenn Close. (The Hollywood Reporter, Mike Fleming, Jr. at Deadline and Dark Horizons)

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Roush at TV Guide)

Question: After finishing Saturday’s season finale of Orphan Black, many thoughts come to mind, but the most obvious is that if Tatiana Maslany doesn’t walk away with the Emmy for best actress — or is it five nominations in the best supporting actress category? — then the people who vote just aren’t watching TV. Every character she plays has such varied distinction from hair, voice, even walks, and other minor mannerisms and played them all with a determination like it was her only character. It might have been easy to phone one or two in and at times you could forget it all one person. Matt, I know you enjoy the show, but I was curious: Did you ever at any time find yourself picking a favorite? I think mine came to be Alison, because while they all have a dark side, the one who seemed to be the most sunshine and light was probably the darkest of all with a heavy dose of comedy thrown in. Can the show sustain excellence in Season 2? — Jeffrey

Matt Roush: It really was a tour de force performance(s) in service of a terrific and twisty story, and I see no reason to think the fun won’t continue next spring in Season 2. As for a favorite among the clones: You make a good case for the ever-surprising Alison, and for me the most purely enjoyable episode was the one where she was center stage, torturing her husband who she believed to be her Monitor — turns out she was right! — while haplessly trying to host a party for her suburban neighborhood. But I’m most struck by Maslany’s range when she’s being Sarah pretending to be Beth, then shifting gears into tigress mom protector or action heroine or whatever else the script demands. Maslany is a true find, but will she make it onto the Emmy radar? Let’s hope so. Maybe her nomination for the Critics Choice Television Awards — chosen by people who actually do watch a lot of TV, unlike (ironically) much of the TV Academy membership — will wake the voters up. I’m not counting on it, but wouldn’t it be a lovely surprise? (Also hoping first-timers Vera Farmiga of Bates Motel and Keri Russell of The Americans can somehow make the cut. What a tremendous category that would be.)

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

NBC has given a second season to their new thriller series Hannibal. (The Wrap)

Actress Ashley Davenport is leaving the ABC soap opera Revenge. It is believed to be for “storyline reasons” that she will no longer be part of the cast. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

NEW SHOW TRAILER

Star-Crossed (The CW) Trailer

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actress Agnes Bruckner, who plays Anna Nicole Smith in the upcoming Lifetime biopic about the former Playboy model, has joined the cast of the A&E drama pilot Occult where she will star opposite Josh Lucas and Lynn Collins. This pilot centers on Dolan (Lucas), an FBI agent who returns from administrative leave after going off the deep end while investigating his wife’s disappearance. Eager to be back on the job, he is paired with Noa Blair (Collins), an agent with her own complicated backstory who specializes in the occult. Together, they will solve cases for the newly formed occult crimes task force. Bruckner will play Lucy, an attractive, edgy young soul caught up in the occult. Presumed dead after being shot in the heart, she rises from the autopsy table, possessed and hell-bent on joining her fellow cultists. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actress Leven Rambin (The Hunger Games) will appear in two upcoming independent films. The first is Seven Minutes about a young athlete (Luke Mitchell) whose serious injury leads him to break bad. The second is called Walter, which will tell the story of a guy (Andrew J. West) who believes he’s the son of God and thinks he is destined to decide the fate of everyone he encounters. Rambin plays a love interest to the male leads in both films. (The Deadline Team)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Watch: Hugh Jackman & Jake Gyllenhaal in First ‘Prisoners’ Trailer

INSIDE LINE AND Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Revolution | The Season 1 finale has yet to air, and already NBC’s freshman hit is busy recruiting reinforcements for the battles yet to come. Season 2 casting calls have gone out for the possibly series regular role of Gene, a folksy, 60something doctor from a small Texas town, as well as the recurring characters of Cynthia (a religious single mom), Annabeth (a femme fatale who runs an entertainment “mecca” of sorts), Titus (a slightly psychotic professor) and a handsome sheriff in his 30s. As for Monday’s season-ender itself, Elizabeth Mitchell assures us, “Forces collide…. Forces most definitely collide!”

Question: Got any NCIS scoops, particularly on McGee? –Marla

Mitovich: As revealed in the season finale, Tim’s got himself a new honey. And though show boss Gary Glasberg has yet to decide what “type” the mysterious Delilah is, viewers will eventually get to lay eyes on her. “I’m hoping to pick [that storyline] up and explain more — and hopefully, at some point, we’ll get to meet Delilah, as well,” Glasberg says.

Question: Is it just me, or do you think Hook has feelings for Emma on Once Upon a Time? Any scoop on them would be awesome! –Kelley B

Mitovich: You know my stance on the whole Emma thing: What guy wouldn’t? But where Hook is concerned, seeing as he’s now on a journey with two eligible bachelorettes, the Jolly Roger might transform into the Love Boat. “It’s probably about time he sort of found another love in his life,” Colin O’Donoghue shared with me at season’s end. “But if it was a toss-up between [traveling companions] Regina or Emma, I’m not sure exactly who he’d go for.” Given that Emma is currently reeling from the loss of Neal, “Maybe he’ll have fun with Regina, while he’s waiting for Emma,” the pirate’s portrayer ventures. “Who knows!”

Question: I love the dynamic between Rizzoli & Isles‘ Jane and Casey. Can you please give us some info on what’s going to happen to them? –Tracie

Mitovich: The June 25 season premiere has a scene (or several) to make you smile… followed by one that will furrow your brow, as it does Jane’s, when Casey reveals an itinerary that will take him out of town, and then some. “Trying to work out whatever it is [they have] — Jane’s not really ready to settle down, and he kind of is — is incredibly difficult to do while he’s back in Afghanistan,” notes Angie Harmon. As for the season a whole, the actress enthuses, “We’ve gone back a bit towards the pilot, as far as going more dramatic. The playful banter is still there, but the cases are a lot more serious — which I’m excited about.”

Question: I’ve seen a few promos for Major Crimes but none have shown Rusty. Is he still around? –Estee

Mitovich: Though the character was the target of some backlash during Season 1 — perhaps a scapegoat for TV’s trend at the time to inundate us with petulant teens — Rusty is back for Season 2. In fact, his fate looms large in the premiere, as Deputy D.A. Emma Rios (played by new series regular/My Name Is Earl alum Nadine Velazquez) vigorously preps the lad for his sure-to-be-difficult/dicey testimony in the Stroh case — and Ms. Rios’ demeanor is not improved a lick when she learns with whom her No. 1 witness has been living!

That’s it. Enjoy!

PS: Have a terrific weekend!!

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Hey All,

Here are the few news items for today:

ONLINE SERIES NEWS

Actor Sam Page (Mad Men) and actress Molly Parker (Deadwood) have joined the cast of the Netflix online series House of Cards, but details on the characters for which they will play are being kept under wraps. (Michael Ausiello at TV Line)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Legendary actress Glenn Close is reportedly going to play a leadership role in the upcoming box office film Guardians Of The Galaxy. The cast already includes Chris Pratt (Parks & Recreation), Zoe Saldana (Star Trek) and Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) [among others]. (Mike Fleming, Jr. at Deadline)

Actor Cheyenne Jackson (Glee) has joined the cast of the upcoming box office film Love Is Strange that already includes among its cast actors Michael Gambon and Alfred Molina. The film focuses on the characters played by Gambon and Molina, who play Ben and Jorge, a couple who after 38 years together finally marry at City Hall in Manhattan. Trouble begins when they return from their honeymoon, though, as Jorge gets fired and the couple is forced to temporarily separate. (The Deadline Team)

That’s it. Enjoy!

Read Full Post »

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actress Barbara Niven (One Life to Live and The Bold and the Beautiful) has joined the cast of the upcoming Hallmark Channel first-ever scripted series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove. She joins Andie MacDowell (Jane By Design), Dylan Neal (Blood Ties) and Bruce Boxleitner (Scarecrow & Mrs. King) in the series that will focus on Judge Olivia Lockhart (MacDowell) whose Cedar Cove Municipal Court is the professional milieu and social microcosm of issues the judge will face in her own day-to-day life with family and friends. Niven will play Peggy Beldon, the wife of Bob Beldon (to be played by Boxleitner). (The Futon Critic)

Eight of the best words put together in one sentence: Neil Patrick Harris to return as Emmy host. (Twitter)

NOTE: This fact alone might be the only reason I watch the awards show, which I have not watched in YEARS!!

Actor Warren Kole (The Following and Common Law) will have a recurring role on White Collar when it returns for its 5th season later this year. He will play Agent David Seigel, Neal’s overly ambitious new FBI handler who takes over for the now-jailed Peter. In addition, actor Richard Thomas (The Americans and The Waltons) will guest in an upcoming episode of the season, playing the patriarch of a wealthy family. (HuffPost TV and TV Line)

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Actor Noah Taylor (Game of Thrones) will star opposite actor Logan Marshall-Green in the Cinemax drama pilot Quarry that is based on the series of novels by Max Allan Collins. The pilot is set in the 1970s, centering on a Marine sniper (Marshall-Green) who, upon his return home from Vietnam in 1973, finds himself shunned by those he loves and demonized by the public. Taylor will play Buddy, a hitman who helps Quarry learn the ropes. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Hot Trailer: ‘Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters’

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

Question: Only two episodes of Game of Thrones left this season! Give me some scoop or I’m going to weep manly tears into my ale! — Jorge

NATALIE: Get ready to make love and war with a new colorful yet charismatic warrior, as the producers are looking to cast Oberyn in Season 4. This highly skilled and cultured man with a vendetta will run afoul of at least one of the Lannisters, while cultivating another to his side. But will his bloodlust overshadow his lust for a string of diverse lovers? Let’s just hope he doesn’t peak too soon!

Question: What’s Jane’s history with the new guy on Rizzoli & Isles? — Rebecca

ADAM: You won’t have to wait very long to find out. All will be explained via flashback in the new season’s second episode, when Lt. Det. Rafael Martinez (Amaury Nolasco), the new head of the Boston PD drug unit, arrives. The case-of-the-week involves the drowning of Martinez’s confidential informant. The ordeal brings back painful memories of a case Jane was involved in nearly a decade earlier. Let’s just say she clearly understands what Martinez is going through.

Question: How does Wonderland fit into the world of Once Upon a Time? — Betty

NATALIE: Let us take a look back to what executive producer Edward Kitsis told reporters before the show was picked up to series: “Wonderland takes place post-curse, so the pilot actually starts when magic comes and the Wraith happens.” Note the Wraith, because that’s very important to where the spin-off actually picks up, with fans seeing a different character’s point of view that won’t make you angry. Also look for the spin-off to feature other lands in a mash-up style similar to Once that may make you question who a past character really was.

Question: How is Agent Coulson alive in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? — Matt

NATALIE: Gregg promises the reveal will be realistic and won’t undermine the integrity of The Avengers. In my very humble comic-book-nerd opinion, I would put money on Coulson being a Life Model Decoy.

Question: What’s next on White Collar after Peter’s arrest? — Maria

ADAM: Surprisingly, It doesn’t take long for Peter to get back into the FBI’s good graces, and once he does, he looks into starting a new joint task force with the NYPD for large-scale busts. In the meantime, Peter and Neal will fall into their old routine quickly. In fact, before you know it, Neal will be posing as a butler for an affluent family Elizabeth knew way back when so that he can investigate the rebellious eldest son. Call me crazy, but I’m not so sure that Neal will be very good at taking orders.

Question: Do you know if Thea or Roy will become Speedy on Arrow? — Zach

NATALIE: Even though DC Comics fans have always suspected that Roy would go on to become Oliver’s sidekick Speedy, the Season 1 finale seemed to indicate that he might skip over that and go on to become Red Arrow or Arsenal. (He is always wearing that red hoodie!) “One of the fun elements is what I call the comic book destinies for each of the characters and seeing how much they’ll follow those destinies and how much they’ll deviate,” executive producer Marc Guggenheim says of Roy’s future. “As we’ve probably shown a couple times in Season 1, we like to be unpredictable.”

Question: I’m going through serious Suits withdrawal. Please say you have a scoop! —Emily

Ausiello: I have a scoop! The July 16 premiere finds Mike and Rachel trying to “navigate a relationship,” reveals Meghan Markle. “There is an episode that is sort of like Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, where Mike comes to the Zane household, which will be pretty great to shoot.” Rachel, meanwhile, is still coming to terms with Mike’s big Harvard bombshell. “It’s a lot to take in,” Markle acknowledges. “And also, you have to think, Donna knew about it, so that really challenges Rachel and Donna’s friendship, that she wouldn’t reveal that to her. This season is a lot of Rachel trying to determine who has been truthful with her and if she can forgive them.”

Question: Longtime reader and fan. Is it too early to ask for some Sons Of Anarchy scoop? I will take anything you got. —Rachel

Ausiello: Here’s what I got: Beauty and the Beast head-turner Bridget Regan has signed on to appear in a relatively minor multi-episode arc, sources confirm to me exclusively. There are zero details on her character, but Kurt Sutter previously told us Season 6 would delve deeper into the escort world so I’m thinking maybe possibly she’s playing what my Aunt Joan still refers to as a streetwalker?

Question: I’m curious about NCIS‘ four-month time jump in the finale — will the show flash back to those intervening months when it returns this fall? —Jacob

Ausiello: Not sure if we’ll get actual flashbacks, but exec producer Gary Glasberg promises that “everything that happened that led up to Gibbs looking through that rifle will be explained,” adding, “All the pieces will fit together.”

Question: With so many Vampire Diaries peeps migrating to the Originals spin-off, what kind of new characters can we expect to populate the show next season? —Warren

Ausiello: Prepare for a rush of college kids! “We’re definitely going to be entering an entire new world at Whitmore College, so we’ll get to meet new friends and new enemies,” reveals exec producer Julie Plec. “There’ll be a lot of new people entering our universe that we’ll get to know well — and then also maybe some new romantic interests for some of our characters.”

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Hey All,

Here are the news items for today and yesterday:

TELEVISION

Actor Matthew Rhys (The Americans and Brothers & Sisters) will star as Mr. Darcy in the three-part mini-series Death Comes To Pemberley for the BBC (in the UK). He will be joined by Anna Maxwell Martin (Becoming Jane) as Elizabeth and Matthew Goode (Chasing Liberty) as Wickham. The story is based on the book by writer P.D. James and is set six years into Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage as they prepare for the annual ball at their magnificent Pemberley home. When Elizabeth’s wayward sister Lydia arrives, she brings a shocking halt to the proceedings. A murder investigation unfolds and a web of secrets and deceit threatens all that the Darcys hold dear. (Nancy Tartaglione at Deadline)

Actor Ian Anthony Dale (The Event) has joined the cast of the TNT drama pilot Murder In The First as a series regular. The project is a murder mystery, centering on San Fransisco PD homicide detectives Terry Seagrave (Taye Diggs) and Hildy Mulligan (Kathleen Robertson), as they take on a case that seems more like a maze. Dale will play Lieutenant Jim Koto, a no-nonsense homicide police lieutenant with movie star good looks who is Hildy and Terry’s superior. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actor Aaron Hill (Greek) has landed a recurring role on the new, upcoming ABC Family drama Twisted that is centered around a charismatic 16-year-old (Avan Jogia) with a troubled past who becomes the prime suspect when a fellow student is found dead in her home. Hill will play Eddie, the kind of guy that you would bring home to meet your parents who is also a brave and fearless cop. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Rob Lowe, Ginnifer Goodwin and Michelle Trachtenberg will star in the upcoming two-hour National Geographic Channel event movie Killing Kennedy with Lowe playing JFK, Goodwin playing Jackie Kennedy and Trachtenberg playing Marina Oswald. An official airdate has yet to be set. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

Actress and Oscar winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter and Treme) will alongside Matt Dillon in the M. Night Shyamalan event series called Wayward Pines which is being eyed for a 2014 debut. The event series is based on the Blake Crouch novel Pines that centers on Secret Service agent Ethan Burke (Dillon) who arrives in the bucolic town of Wayward Pines, ID, on a mission to find two missing federal agents. But instead of answers, Ethan’s investigation only turns up more questions. Leo will play Pam, the intense, unpredictable nurse who first takes care of Ethan when he wakes up in the Wayward Pines hospital. But it soon seems Pam may be more interested in harming than healing. Nurse Pam and Ethan grow into deadly rivals, and her role in the town of Wayward Pines proves much deeper than it first appears. (Nellie Andreeva at Deadline)

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Here are the top 10 box office movies for this past weekend courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1. Fast & Furious 6 – $98.5 million
2. The Hangover Part III – $42.4 million
3. Star Trek Into Darkness – $38 million
4. Epic – $34.2 million
5. Iron Man 3 – $19.4 million
6. The Great Gatsby – $13.7 million
7. Mud – $2 million
8. 42 – $1.2 million
9. The Crood – $1.2 million
10. Oblivion – $815,000

BOX OFFICE TRAILER

Watch: Full Theatrical Trailer for Disney’s ‘Cars’ Spin-Off ‘Planes’

That’s it. Enjoy!

Read Full Post »

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

BOX OFFICE NEWS

Actor Evan Peters (American Horror Story) has been cast as Quicksilver (the son of Magneto) in the upcoming box office film X-Men: Days Of Future Past. (The Deadline Team)

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Question: I’m down on my knees here begging you for any and all info you might be in possession of on Psych! I’ll bake cookies, or send you a pineapple. Just please give me something! –Melinda

Mitovich: If you’ve longed to hear Arnie Becker let loose with a tune, the USA series’ musical episode — a two-parter set to unspool on one night in November or December – will not fill the bill. “I must tell you the truth, I don’t sing — and that’s probably why I only speak three words” in the much anticipated outing, Corbin Bernsen tells me. The pipes boasted by the rest of the cast, however, are “extraordinary,” Henry’s portrayer raves. “It sounds like Broadway stuff — the sort of stuff that I can’t do.”

Question: Got any Castle or Suits scoop to help me through finals? –Christina

Mitovich: Suits up! At the USA Network upfront event, I asked Gabriel Macht what sets the stage for the new season’s flashback episode, which dives 10 years into the past. “The DA played by Gary Cole in the first season is brought back, so we’re going to see the origin episode of why Harvey left the DA’s office,” he shared. And what surprised him most about this latest bit of time travel? “It was interesting to find out where Harvey gets the value of not sleeping with the people he works with.” On a related note, Macht says the issue of where “Scottie” (played by Abigail Spencer) lands – New York or London – “is explained in the premiere, [airing July 16], so she’s back for that episode.”

Question: I really hope to see more “Esplanie” on Castle next season. Anything you can tease so far? – Marine

Mitovich: Know who else hopes to see more Esposito/Lanie scenes? Andrew W. Marlowe, that’s who. Acknowledging that things are “complicated” between the detective and the M.E., (“I think that Lanie isn’t sure about wanting to commit “), the series’ creator says, “There is much more going on in that relationship than we have had time to show. There’s some great storytelling that we’ve talked about, but to give it the real breadth we want to, we need a bit more time. So we’re going to have some hallmarks next season on that front.” So I in turn ask fans: What hallmarks would you like to see?

Question: Can you tell us more about what’s coming in the second season of Beauty and the Beast? –Sakran

Mitovich: Presumably in addition to Catherine’s biological father, “We’ve got some new people joining us [for Season 2], which is going to amp things up,” Jay Ryan says. “Fresh blood!” As for the show’s sophomore run as a whole, Vincent’s portrayer has these expectations: “I think we’ve found our footing, as far as what the tone of the show is — and we can only grow bigger and better from there.”

Question: Does Hart of Dixie’s Scott Porter think George and Zoe will finally be more explored in Season 3? And what would be his dream storyline for George Tucker? –Stephanie

Mitovich: What if I told you that his dream storyline does not involve Zoe…? Porter told me his No. 1 Season 3 wish is that “George is single, for most of the year. That we get to see him more fleshed out and go on some solo adventures as opposed to always being tethered to a relationship.” The actor noted that in Season 2, George “was single for one episode, and then had a revolving door of women coming through his life, and I want to see George outside of that.” As such, this storyline in which George shutters his law practice for a bit to indulge his musical leanings has a good ring to it. “There’s a part of George that is a little bit more wild — and he needs to start letting that side out.”

Question: On NCIS: Los Angeles, will we ever meet Kensi’s ex-fiancé Jack? –Lauren

Mitovich: No sooner did I utter your question to show boss Shane Brennan did he respond, “Yes.” But was that a yes as in sometime soon-ish…? “I answered you pretty quickly,” Brennan smiled, “so perhaps it’s something we are already thinking about.” As for what Jack might be like, Brennan isn’t locked into a type just yet, though he did venture: “Kensi likes Deeks, so maybe he’s a Deeks lookalike, another ‘shaggy dog’?”

Question: Does Neal/Bae come back in Once Upon a Time Season 3, or is he really dead?? –Jessica

Mitovich: Judging by the fact actor Michael Raymond-James has been made a full-time cast member, he sure seems to be alive. (Unless he has another identity, that of Casper the Friendly Ghost.)

Question: Covert Affairs is back filming and @ChrisGorham is tweeting cryptic teases. Any info on the upcoming season? –Janice

Mitovich: Kari Matchett shared a taste of the tempestuous times ahead for the USA drama’s resident marrieds. In addition to the budding Annie/Auggie romance, she said, “There are some really interesting personal things going on [in Season 4] that inform the professional life in a bigger way for Joan and Arthur. I can say there is a very serious breaking point that comes up. I can’t tell you what the outcome is, but there is a very, very serious breaking point.” (Could Matchett’s real-life pregnancy play into this relationship drama? “Viewers will have to tune in and see,” I am told.)

That’s it. Enjoy!

Have a terrific long, holiday weekend! I’ll be back with news on Tuesday!

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