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  • Richard Harmon Joins ‘The Flash’ as Captain Boomerang For Final Season

    Richard Harmon Joins ‘The Flash’ as Captain Boomerang For Final Season

    The Flash is going out with a boomerang. The ninth and final season of the hit CW series has added Richard Harmon to its cast as the villainous Captain Boomerang, a longtime rival of the Scarlet Speedster from DC’s original comic books. According to The CW’s official description, Harmon will play a new version of the baddie in a post-Crisis world. Instead of Digger Harkness, who was played by Nick E. Tarabay in earlier seasons of the show before being killed off in the fifth season of Arrow, this Boomerang will be known as Owen Mercer, after the comic character of the same name. Harmon’s villain will be portrayed as a recently released inmate of Iron Heights, with a chip on his shoulder and a twinkle in his eye that disguises a dangerous and violent threat to Central City.

    Harmon is best known for his role as John Murphy on another CW hit series, The 100. He has also appeared on Smallville, Fox’s Fringe, SyFy’s Van Helsing, AMC’s The Killing, Showcase’s Continuum, and the recently released horror movie, Margaux. In the comics, Harmon’s Mercer was the son of the first Captain Boomerang. It’s unknown if The Flash will go this route for the series, although it seems unlikely. Either way, it’s nice to see the series finding a way to include one of its hero’s greatest nemesis in his last television outing.

    Grant Gustin will reprise his role as the title character for the shortened ninth season, so expect a few dramatic moments between him and Harmon before the curtains close on Barry Allen’s story.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Rogues’ Gallery’ Optioned by Don Cheadle’s This Radicle Act

    ‘Rogues’ Gallery’ Optioned by Don Cheadle’s This Radicle Act

    War Machine actor Don Cheadle has found his next project. The always-busy actor is looking to adapt a new comic via his This Radicle Act banner. Deadline reports that Cheadle’s This Radicle Act has optioned the rights to the Image Comics title Rogues’ Gallery from Hannah Rose May, Justin Mason, and Declan Shalvey.

    Rogues’ Gallery focuses on Maisie Wade, who has just quit her role as the Red Rogue, a massively popular comic book character. Unfortunately, following her abrupt exit from Red Rogue’s hit TV series, it is unceremoniously canceled which leaves Masie trapped inside of her own home due to unhinged superfans. Dressed up in the cosplay of the Red Rogue’s arch-villains, the diehard fans seek to teach Maisie a lesson. If Maisie can manage to survive the night, she must become the hero she has grown to despise.

    The comic series, which launched in July, was created by May who will also serve as an executive producer on the project. She will produce via her Weird Neighbour Productions banner alongside Cheadle, Karyn Smith-Forge and This Radicle Act.

    The title is currently being developed for television but doesn’t appear to have a home as of yet. The first three issues are available now through Image Comics with the fourth issue set to hit stands next month.

    Source: Deadline.

  • ‘Scanners’ is Getting an HBO Series Adaptation

    ‘Scanners’ is Getting an HBO Series Adaptation

    HBO has given a series order to Scanners based on the cult classic horror movie of the same name from David Cronenberg. The news comes courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter with the outlet stating that William Bridges (Black Mirror) is set to act as writer and showrunner for the HBO series. Yann Demange, who directed the pilot for HBO’s Lovecraft Country, is on board to direct. Both Bridges and Demange will executive produce the series.

    The original film focused on a small group of people with powers ranging from psychic abilities, telepathy and telekinesis. These people were referred to as scanners. One faction of scanners, led by a power-mad man, aimed to take over the world while a private security firm recruited other scanners to try and stop him. It went on to become the first mainstream success for Cronenberg who has since gone on to build an impressive catalog throughout the years. Cronenberg will serve as an executive producer on the HBO series along with Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer of Media Res Studio and Meredith Duff and Sarah Sullivan of Wayward Films.

    This take on Scanners is being described as a “visceral thriller set in the mind-bending world of Cronenberg’s film.” It’ll follow two women who find themselves living on the fringes of modern society as they are pursued by relentless agents with unimaginable powers and thus must learn to work together to topple a vast conspiracy determined to bring them to heel.

    Outside of Black Mirror, Bridges has worked on the reboot of The Twilight Zone, Netflix’s mega-hit Stranger Things and he helped co-create the AMC series, Soulmates. While Demange has directed titles such as White Boy Rick starring Matthew McConaughey and ’71.

    Source: THR.

  • Jonathan Bailey in Talks to Join ‘Wicked’

    Jonathan Bailey in Talks to Join ‘Wicked’

    Jonathan Bailey is set to join the cast of Wicked.

    Variety reports that Bailey will join the cast of the Wicked films as Fiyero. The two films will star Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and hail from director Jon M. Chu. Stephen Schwartz who was behind the lyrics and music for the Broadway show is penning the script with Winnie Holzman.

    News that Wicked would be split into two films came in April, with Chu noting two movies allowed for the story to be told properly. “With more space, we can tell the story of ‘Wicked’ as it was meant to be told while bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys for these beloved characters.”

    Bailey is perhaps best known for his role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’s Bridgerton. He has also appeared in shows like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Broardchurch and Crashing. On the film side, Bailey has appeared in Testament of Youth, The Mercy and Best Birthday Ever.

    The movies are being produced by Marc Platt via his Universal production banner, Marc Platt Productions, and David Stone. While Universal’s senior executive vice president of production Erik Baiers and vice president of production development Lexi Barta are on board to oversee the films.

    The Wicked movies are currently slated to hit theaters on Christmas in 2024 and 2025.

    Source: Variety.

  • ‘Ms. Marvel’ Director Teases Season 2 of Disney+ Series

    ‘Ms. Marvel’ Director Teases Season 2 of Disney+ Series

    The future adventures of Kamala Khan beyond The Marvels may be happening sooner rather than later on Disney+. Following the critically successful first season of Ms. Marvel earlier this year, questions had begun to circulate if a season two would be in the works. Fans may now have a more clear answer thanks to the primary directors of the series. Adil El Arbi shared on Instagram a minute-long sizzle reel discussing the success of the first season of the show, though the main point of intrigue comes from his comment of asking “who’s ready for season 2?!”

    It shouldn’t come as any real type of surprise that Ms. Marvel would receive a second season. The format of the show served as one of Marvel Studios’ first real triumphs in capturing the spirit of a television series (as opposed to segmented films) since producing content for Disney+. As well, there has been an overwhelmingly positive response from especially younger audiences towards the Iman Vellani-led ensemble cast.

    One question that can be asked following this potential confirmation is which (if any) other Marvel Studios series will receive follow-up seasons. So far, Loki is the only other project with a confirmed season two, which is currently in production and is slated to air in the summer of 2023. Moon Knight and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law specifically appeared to be primed to have continuing stories set on Disney+. It ultimately remains to be seen when they would officially be announced, though, as with season two of Ms. Marvel itself.

    Thankfully, fans of Kamala Khan won’t have to wait as long as the potential season two for her to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Vellani is set to co-lead in The Marvels alongside Brie Larson and Teyonah Parris. That film is scheduled to release theatrically on July 28, 2023.

    Source: Instagram

  • Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer to Pen ‘Fantastic Four’ for Marvel Studios

    Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer to Pen ‘Fantastic Four’ for Marvel Studios

    Marvel Studios has found its writers for Fantastic Four. Deadline reports that Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer are set to pen the screenplay for Fantastic Four. The outlet notes that the duo have actually been involved with the project for a bit now, having signed on before director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) officially signed on for the project. Kaplan and Springer are said to be “outlining where this next series of films will fit into the Marvel Cinematic Universe” alongside Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. The writers will now work with Shakman to ensure they’ve all aligned their visions for the film before Kaplan and Springer crack the screenplay.

    Like with many writers Marvel Studios brings on board, the duo is still relatively new to Hollywood. Prior to landing Fantastic Four, they sold Disaster Wedding to Warner Bros. which has Max Barbakow on to direct. They also penned K-Pop: Lost in America, which is set to star Rebel Wilson and Charles Melton.

    The Fantastic Four reboot was first announced in 2019 with Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts originally on board to direct. Watts has since exited the project and Shakman has since signed on, with news of his hiring being announced at this year’s D23.

    Fantastic Four is set to hit theaters on Nov. 8, 2024.

    Source: Deadline.

  • Meet the Cast and Characters of Disney’s ‘Strange World’

    Meet the Cast and Characters of Disney’s ‘Strange World’

    This Thanksgiving, Walt Disney Animation Studios is rolling out its latest visual extravaganza, Strange World. Set in the fictional world of Avalonia, Strange World follows three generations of explorers, the Clade family, as they embark on a mission into a mysterious, subterranean world. Inspired by the pulp stories of the early 20th century, Strange World will take the Clades to a “hidden world…heretofore unknown to them or anybody else” and examine the relationships between fathers and sons.

    Directed by Disney vets Dan Hall and Qui Nguyen, Strange World boasts a heavy-hitting cast of stars lending their voices to the characters. Ahead of the film’s release, let’s get to know who’s who in Strange World!

    Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade

    Voiced by Jake Gyllenhaal, Searcher Clade is described by Disney as “a treasured member of the Avalonia community having discovered a revolutionary plant-based power source called pando.” While his father, Jaeger, was a legend among the people of Avalonia, Searcher chose to blaze his own trail after his father disappeared decades ago. Because he spent so much time without a father, Searcher has dedicated his life to his family, even though his son, Ethan, may have a bit more of Jaeger’s adventurous spirit in him than his father.

    Their relationship is central to the film’s plot and, according to director Dan Hall, is modeled in part on his own experiences. “I have teenage sons and an older father,” said Hall. “I understand Searcher’s point of view because that’s where I am right now in my life.” Hall continues, explaining that it was Jaeger’s absence from Searcher’s life that has driven him to become the family man he is.

    Searcher is caught between the legacy of the greatest explorer of all time and his own legacy he established almost in contrast to that of his father, who he sees as a rambling, intrepid explorer who was never home. Searcher set out to be the opposite. He’s rooted in his family.

    Dan Hall

    Dennis Quaid as Jaeger Clade

    That “rambling, intrepid explorer”, Jaeger Clade, will be voiced by Dennis Quaid, who director Qui Nguyen called “a legend” and the kind of personality that can rock a crowd.” To that end, Jaeger’s legacy as a larger-than-life explorer has made him a legend in Avalonia even though his obsession ultimately took him from his family.

    Strange World is heavily inspired by pulp fiction and according to Nguyen,“Jaeger is our pulp hero.” Nguyen went on to describe Jaeger as “one of those guys on the covers (of pulp magazines) who wear white shirts that were ripped fighting an alligator. He is an awesome character. But what if that guy was your dad? That seems way less awesome.” But what if that guy was your grandfather?

    Jaboukie Young-White as Ethan Clade

    Searcher’s devotion to his family has resulted in a strong, healthy relationship with his 16-year-old son Ethan, voiced by Jaboukie Young-White. However, as producer Roy Conli explains, as much as Ethan loves his father, he’s not quite as content living a safe life on the farm as Searcher is…or would like for Ethan to be. “He certainly embraces his father and can feel the love that Searcher has for him, but something is missing for him in the quiet farm life he’s living.” Ethan’s curiosity gets the best of him and he ends up as a surprise stowaway on the adventure to the “strange world.”
     

    Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade

    Gabrielle Union voices the “funny and fierce” Meridian Clade. As Searcher’s wife and Ethan’s mother, she serves as the anchor of the family. Meridian is an integral part of Searcher’s farming operations and becomes part of the journey to the strange world when she realizes that Ethan may have joined it, unbeknownst to Searcher.

    Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal

    The final piece of the expedition’s cast of characters is Lucy Liu’s Callisto Mal. Mal cut her teeth as an explorer as part of Jaeger’s crew, but now serves as the president of Avalonia. As the mystery of the plague affecting Searcher’s pando crops deepens, Mal makes the decision to take on the expedition to the subterranean land where the fun really begins.

    Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Strange World debuts in theaters on November 23rd, 2022.

  • ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Will Premiere in November

    ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Will Premiere in November

    As production continues, Paramount+ has announced that its Criminal Minds reboot, Criminal Minds: Evolution, will premiere in time for the holidays. The 10-episode series will debut on the streaming network on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24th, with two episodes. The remaining eight episodes will then drop weekly on Thursdays, until its mid-season finale on Thursday, Dec. 15. Following its holiday break, Criminal Minds: Evolution will return to wrap up its first season on Thursday, Jan. 12 new episodes dropping weekly through the finale on Thursday, Feb. 9. 

    In the past, Criminal Minds saw the team solve the case usually by the episode’s end. In the revival, though, the series is expected to take a more serialized approach. Per the logline, Evolution will see the team “come up against their greatest threat yet, an UnSub who has used the pandemic to build a network of other serial killers. As the world opens back up and the network goes operational, the team must hunt them down, one murder at a time.”

    Criminal Minds: Evolution hails from showrunner Erica Messer, who worked on the original hit series. Production on the revival is currently underway. The series stars the returning cast of Joe Mantegna, Kirsten Vangsness, Adam Rodriguez, A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler and Paget Brewster. Joining the cast is Zach Gilford, who will portray Elias Voit, an analyst for a cyber-security firm who has a dark side and an obsession with death. 

    Source: Deadline.

  • Disney’s ‘Strange World’ is an Exploration of the Universal Father/Son Relationship

    Disney’s ‘Strange World’ is an Exploration of the Universal Father/Son Relationship

    Walt Disney Animation Studio’s latest original adventure, Strange World, continues the long tradition of taking audiences to fantastical places to learn some of life’s real lessons. At its core, Strange World, which opens in theaters this Thanksgiving, is less about the exploration of the titular subterranean world and more about the exploration of the relationship between father and son.

    Director Don Hall has a long history with Disney Animation, having helmed films such as Raya and The Last Dragon and Big Hero 6 and written Meet the Robinsons and the recent Baymax! shorts, so he’s no stranger to the nuances of weaving life lessons into the narrative tapestry of an animated film. For Strange World, Hall dug into his own life to find the heart of the story. According to the director, the genesis of his latest film came from “just thinking about my sons and the world they’re going to inherit. How is it different from what I inherited from my dad?”

    To answer that question, Hall and co-director Qui Nguyen created a story focused on three generations of the Clade family: Jaeger, his son, Searcher, and his grandson, Ethan. A legendary explorer, Jaeger disappeared on an expedition. Rather than follow in his father’s footsteps, Searcher discovered a revolutionary power source derived from plants and lives with his family where teenage Ethan works on the family farm while questioning his future. According to Hall, Ethan’s arc in the story came from reflecting on his own experiences as a teen.

    My dad and I have a great relationship. He is a farmer and I grew up helping out. But when I was 14 years old, it all changed. Suddenly, I was planting and doing more high-level stuff that I just didn’t want to do. It wasn’t me. It all turned out fine, but I always remembered that and thought it would be interesting to explore father/son relationships and the kind of expectations we put on our kids—intentionally or unintentionally.

    Don Hall

    Nguyen, a father of two, like Hall felt the exploration of the father/son dynamic was worth taking on for Strange World saying it was a story he “needed and wanted to tell.” Nguyen explained further saying, “We could relate to Jaeger and Searcher when it comes to our kids. This is the story that I’m going through, the story that Don is going through and the story our characters are going through.”

    Producer Roy Conli, whose two decades of experience at Disney stretch from The Hunchback of Notre Dame to his more recent work on nature documentaries such as Polar Bear and Bear Witness, echoed the sentiments of Hall and Nguyen, calling the father-son dynamic “phenomenal and universal.” Like the directors, Conli cited his own experiences as an example of how the dynamic ultimately shapes all sons.

    Father-son relationships are so beautiful and so fraught simultaneously. I came from the theater. My favorite play as a kid was ‘Death of a Salesman,’ which is a classic father-son tale. My father and I had an amazing relationship. I thought he was Superman until I was 15, when I realized he wasn’t Superman. We had a good 10 years of battle that fortunately, we came through. He was an amazing guy, and that father-son relationship is really special: it’s phenomenal and universal. I think fathers push their sons; sons reject their fathers, and then eventually they all come around.

    Roy Conli

    Strange World, a Walt Disney Animation Studio’s film, will be in theaters November 23rd, 2022.

  • Director Don Hall Details the Pulpy Influences of ‘Strange World’

    Director Don Hall Details the Pulpy Influences of ‘Strange World’

    From the earliest looks at its newest animated adventure, Strange World, it was clear that Walt Disney Animation Studio was looking to capture the nostalgia of pulp fiction common to the first half of the 20th century. Characters such as Doc Savage, Ka-zar and John Carter found their way to fame through pulp magazines and the exploration of fantastical new lands. And it turns out that’s exactly the kind of story director Don Hall set out to tell in Strange World.

    I always loved big adventure stories. the specific kind of adventure story where explorers find a hidden world that was heretofore unknown to them or anybody else. And that goes back so far into late 1800s, early 1900s—Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. That was sort of the birth of the big adventure story in novel form. ‘King Kong’ is a good filmic reference that had a group of explorers find a new hidden world. I wanted to evoke that in this movie.

    Don Hall

    In Strange World, the new hidden world comes into play when Searcher Clade, the son of legendary explorer Jaeger Clade, has to undertake an expedition with nothing less than the fate of his entire planet at stake. That expedition takes him to the subterranean “strange world” and reunites him with his father, who has been missing for decades. Fans of pulp fiction, including stories from the authors whom Hall cites as influences, will know that along with the discovery of this wonderful, new land will come an all-new set of dangers and challenges that will test the mettle and the relationships of the Clade family.

    The mysteries of Strange World will unfold in theaters beginning November 23rd, 2022.