NBC’s The Good Place cast made one final trip to the San Diego Comic Con in support of the series’ upcoming fourth and final season. The panel was an emotional one for The Good Place stars Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, D’Arcy Carden, William Jackson Harper, Manny Jacinto, and Marc Evan Jackson. Equally emotional were the roundtable interviews that followed.
Sitting down for his final San Diego Comic Con for The Good Place, Manny Jacinto spoke about what he’ll take away from the experience of being a part of the award-winning comedy’s cast. Jacinto also revealed what he’ll miss most about the Emmy nominated series.
Season four is set to premiere on September 26, 2019.
How sad is it to be saying goodbye?
Manny Jacinto: “Oh my gosh, I don’t know if you all saw the panel but like I almost had to like be, ‘What is that onion smell? I’m not crying, you’re crying!’ I had to literally fight tears because it started to be real. I can’t think about it right now because I’m going to start balling a little bit. But it’s definitely coming to fruition and I’m definitely starting to feel… The more we talk about it, the more I see all these guys, in the back of my head it’s like after this I might not see them for a while. It’s a sad feeling.”
When you look back at the show, this crazy insane show, what are your feelings about what it’s been through and how it’s evolved?
Manny Jacinto: “I don’t know if I would call it the little show that could. I just remember in the beginning, in the first season, I’m just like, ‘It’s so weird!’ There’s so many like weird jokes and so many weird things that we do. All the characters are weird. Are people going to get it? And we had fun; that’s all we could really do. And to see what’s it’s become, to see the little kids that come up to us that are just like smiling ear to ear, the parents that are thankful to us because they get to watch the show with their kids and not having to worry about seeing blood and violence or like any of that R-rated stuff, it’s very special. It’s something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
Yeah, it’s an incredible experience. Hopefully, somehow we’ll get together again and make something happen. Who knows? 10 years from now – a reunion?”
What are you going to miss the most?
Manny Jacinto: “To do a metaphor on this, the whole show or the scenes are almost like a basketball game. It’s like a lot of the times I get to get the ball and do a slam dunk, a lot of times I get to say the joke. Although that is a lot of pressure, I do get a huge kick out of trying to make my castmates laugh or cry laughing. So, I think that’s the biggest thing, the fact that we just get to fool around. And I always try to break them as much as I can. That’s the biggest thing, being able to laugh with these guys.”
What’s next for you? Are you going to go into other television projects?
Manny Jacinto: “I think, yeah, as much as I love Jason and he’s always going to be in my heart, I really just want to exercise other roles. We have Top Gun coming out and we have a bunch of other projects in the works right now. Before all this it was all genre for me. This is my first comedy gig so maybe dive back into that a little bit…and then come back.”
Worlds collide as the creepy Addams Family packs up and moves to New Jersey in the upcoming animated feature film, The Addams Family. The official trailer shows the family arriving in New Jersey and, after an initial brief warm reception, butting heads with their neighbors who discover they’re monsters.
The voice cast includes Charlize Theron as Morticia Addams, Oscar Isaac as Gomez Addams, Finn Wolfhard as Pugsley Addams, and Chloe Grace Moretz as Wednesday Addams. Catherine O’Hara voices Grandma Frump, Aimee Garcia is Denise, Nick Kroll voices Uncle Fester, Martin Short is Grandpa Frump, and Snoop Dogg is IT. Bette Midler, Allison Janney, Tituss Burgess, Jenifer Lewis, and Elsie Fisher also lend their voices to the animated comedy.
Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan directed the feature which is based on characters created by Charles Addams. Vernon, Gail Berman, Alex Schwartz, and Alison O’Brien produce, with Kevin Miserocchi, Andrew Mittman, Joe Earley, Aaron L. Gilbert, and Jason Cloth executive producing.
MGM will release the animated film in theaters on October 11, 2019.
The Addams Family Plot:
“Get ready to snap your fingers! The first family of Halloween, the Addams Family, is back on the big screen in the first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, the Addams Family redefines what it means to be a good neighbor.”
Chloë Grace Moretz as the voice of Wednesday Addams (left) and Charlize Theron as the voice of Morticia Addams (right) in ‘The Addams Family’ (Photo Credit: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures)
There’s a lot to take in with he official announcement of a third installment in the American Crime Story franchise. First, it’s focusing on the Clinton presidency scandal and subsequent impeachment. Second, Monica Lewinsky is on board as a producer. And third, Sarah Paulson is confirmed to return and will play Linda Tripp.
Season one of the American Crime Story franchise debuted in February 2016 and explored the behind the scene maneuverings of the OJ Simpson murder trial. Season two followed in January 2018 and focused on the murder spree of serial killer Andrew Cunanan.
The third installment in the limited series, Impeachment: American Crime Story, will premiere on September 27, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT. Filming is expected to get underway in February 2020.
Impeachment: American Crime Story will also star Beanie Feldstein (Lady Bird) as Monica Lewinsky and Annaleigh Ashford (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story) as Paula Jones.
Sarah Burgess is writing Impeachment: ACS, based on Jeffrey Toobin’s bestselling book, A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President. Burgess will also executive produce with Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Brad Falchuk, Larry Karaszewski, Scott Alexander, Alexis Martin Woodall and Sarah Paulson. Henrietta Conrad and Jemima Khan are on board as producers.
“FX’s American Crime Story franchise has become a cultural touchstone, providing greater context for stories that deserve greater understanding like the O.J. Simpson trial and saga, and Andrew Cunanan’s tragic crime spree which concluded with the assassination of Gianni Versace,” said John Landgraf, Chairman, FX Networks and FX Productions. “This franchise re-examines some of the most complicated, polarizing stories in recent history in a way that is relevant, nuanced and entertaining.
Impeachment: American Crime Story will likewise explore the overlooked dimensions of the women who found themselves caught up in the scandal and political war that cast a long shadow over the Clinton Presidency. We are grateful to Sarah Burgess for her brilliant adaptation, as well as Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Brad Falchuk, Larry Karaszewski, Scott Alexander, Alexis Martin Woodall, Sarah Paulson and the rest of the creative team and cast.”
According to FX, Impeachment: American Crime Story “unravels the national scandal that swept up Paula Jones, Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp as principal characters in the country’s first impeachment proceedings in over a century.”
Alicia Silverstone and Mark Feuerstein star in Netflix’s ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ (Photos Courtesy of Getty Images/Netflix)
Alicia Silverstone and Mark Feuerstein are set to star in Netflix’s live-action The Baby-Sitters Club series. The upcoming series will be a single-camera comedy targeting a family audience.
Alicia Silverstone is on board to play Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer, mother of Kristy Thomas. Mark Feuerstein will play Silverstone’s love interest, Watson Brewer.
Silverstone’s credits include The Tribes of Palos Verdes, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and Suburgatory. She’ll forever be best known for playing Cher in the 1995 comedy, Clueless.
Feuerstein recently starred in 9JKL, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, and Royal Pains. His credits also include The Hustler, Nurse Jackie, and 3 lbs.
Filming is already underway in Vancouver on The Baby-Sitters Club, based on Ann M. Martin’s bestselling book series that debuted in 1986. Martin’s books have been published in 20+ territories and the series ranks as one of the most successful children’s book series in history. More than 180 million copies of the popular books have been sold.
The series is a Netflix and Walden Media production. Michael De Luca, Lucy Kitada, and Naia Cucukov executive produce. Rachel Shukert (GLOW) is the showrunner and Lucia Aniello (Broad City) is directing and executive producing. Author Ann M. Martin will be involved as a producer along with Aniello’s Paulilu Productions.
“I’m amazed that there are so many passionate fans of The Baby-Sitters Club after all these years, and I’m honored to continue to hear from readers – now grown, who have become writers, editors, teachers, librarians, filmmakers – who say that they see a reflection of themselves in the characters of Kristy and her friends. So I’m very excited about the forthcoming series on Netflix, which I hope will inspire a new generation of readers and leaders everywhere,” stated Martin in February 2019 when the series was announced.
Season one will consist of 10 episodes.
The Baby-Sitters Club Plot:
Published by Scholastic, The Baby-Sitters Club is a classic story of female friendship, entrepreneurialism, and empowerment. The Baby-Sitters Club is a contemporary original series that will follow the friendship and babysitting adventures of five best friends – Kristy Thomas, Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, Stacey McGill, and Dawn Schafer – in Stoneybrook, Connecticut.
Amazon Prime Video had a huge presence at the 2019 San Diego Comic, setting up elaborate activations and hosting panels promoting three of their shows: Carnival Row, The Boys, and The Expanse. The Expanse was picked up by Amazon after being canceled by Syfy, but Carnival Row and The Boys are new original projects.
Carnival Row season one stars Orlando Bloom, Cara Delevingne, Tamzin Merchant, and David Gyasi. Amazon offers this description of the first season:
“The series set in a Victorian fantasy world filled with mythological immigrant creatures whose exotic homelands were invaded by the empires of man. This growing population struggles to coexist with humans — forbidden to live, love, or fly with freedom. But even in darkness, hope lives, as a human detective, Rycroft Philostrate (Bloom), and a refugee faerie named Vignette Stonemoss (Delevingne) rekindle a dangerous affair despite an increasingly intolerant society. Vignette harbors a secret that endangers Philo’s world during his most important case yet: a string of gruesome murders threatening the uneasy peace of the Row.”
David Gyasi plays Agreus, a wealthy faun who bucks the social order by buying a home in a wealthy human neighborhood. Tamzin Merchant is Imogen Spurnrose, “a young woman who sees in Agreus an opportunity to turn her aristocratic family’s fading fortunes around.”
Bloom, Merchant, and Gyasi joined writers/executive producers Travis Beacham and Marc Guggenheim for a press conference at SDCC. Season one of Carnival Row will premiere on Friday, August 30, 2019. Amazon has already greenlit the series for a second season.
How does something that’s so socially relevant but set among a fantastical premise affect how you play your character?
Orlando Bloom: “First of all, the great gift and opportunity of stepping into this show was because it was so timely, and it did feel like it spoke to a lot of the issues and with relevance to what’s happening in the world today. And alongside that, because we’re in this fantastical world created – this remarkable brainchild of Travis Beacham – we are able to examine with real humanity some of the really tragic and desperate situations that are happening in the world, but with an objective and empathic view, I think. Because we’re are looking at fauns, we’re looking at the fae folk as we call them, it enables us to sort of step outside of ourselves and look at this situation and think around it.
It was so beautifully handled by both Travis and Marc in the writing, that it was a gift for all of us. And, of course, I think as actors we sort of feel a certain sense of responsibility to deliver on that. But, that’s really down to the showrunners and the writing, and that was the great good fortune we had with them.”
David Gyasi: “I have two kids and I’m of African origin, and they’re showing signs of wanting to get into this business. So, there’s the African side of me that’s like, ‘Well, you have the option of being a lawyer, doctor, or engineer.’ And then there’s the other side of me that I think when you want to get into this business the best advice I give people is go out and talk to people and listen, because that helps you to get a perspective on life and how humans work. And so, as an actor when you get an opportunity that feels like this, speaking about our world and a world that we recognize, it’s just a real gift – like Orlando said – and an honor. That’s how we approached it.”
Travis Beacham: “I think the thing that art has a chance to do is get people to look at issues and discuss those issues. I don’t know if it necessarily needs to do more than that.
I think a lot of the problems that we have as a society stem from the fact that we don’t talk about things anymore. It’s considered rude to discuss politics. As a result, we all have placed ourselves in these bubbles. And the nice thing about art is it can maybe, hopefully, jumpstart some of those conversations. And having those conversations is ultimately healthy for our society.”
Marc Guggenheim: “I think in writing this and shooting it, one of the adjectives that comes up a lot is Dickensian. And, usually that’s meant on a superficial way, like, ‘It’s Victorian. There’s a lot of characters.’ But I have always been a fan of Dickens and it got me thinking what he’s really good at. And what I tried to aspire to in the writing of this show was wrestling with the issues of the times but in a way that’s very personal, very connected to character, and tells the story of the struggles people are going through through the specific struggles of an individual character and really takes that human perspective.
That’s how we’ve always tried to write this is that storytelling in general, I think it’s an act of empathy. And in dovetailing social issues with the actual story of this, it’s just finding what is the story. What is the story of the ‘other,’ whoever that is, whether it’s by gender or by race or by place of birth.”
What was your reaction to the set, and do you have a favorite detail fans should watch out for?
Orlando Bloom: “I was so excited when I first walked down the Row. First of all, I’m blessed. When I was on the set of The Lord of the Rings, it was like a mind-blowing experience. The bar has been set so high. But I was overjoyed to walk down Carnival Row and see the level of detail.
When you walked into this shop of Haruspex – a witchy oracle fairy – she’s got these potions. There are these creatures in these jars. You couldn’t even imagine that. I couldn’t imagine that. And it was the thing that was so exciting about when I first read the script. I was like, ‘Wow, I don’t think I’ve seen this before.’ I love this fantasy world because I feel like you can explore and go places with it. But to see it physicalized and created…like the Tarot cards that were created with like snakeskins on the back…it was just like I geek out over stuff like that. I really geek out over detail, and the jars with creatures that you could never imagine put together and created.”
Tamzin Merchant: “There was like a fish-monkey. Very strange.”
Orlando Bloom: “Exactly.”
Tamzin Merchant: “You knew that Travis had a backstory for it, probably.
I’ve done lots of period drama, lots of corsets and bustles and all that, but I’ve never done one where I’m having a full-blown tea party with a man with horns and hooves. That to me, it felt like this fully formed playground that had come right out of Travis’ head that all of us actors got to dive right into. And this whole world that we all got to play in with its own conventions, with its own traditions, own mythology, history, and you’re kind of just coming into this story at this point where we don’t usually come into a fantasy story at this point. You usually come in a lot earlier in the timeline. But now we’re like in this post-Industrial Victorian age with all its social conventions that are quite refined and quite complex and byzantine. And the audience is also just plunged right into the middle of that. I think that’s really cool.”
David Gyasi: “I would add similar to what everyone said. For me, It’s the detail. […] They put so much into it; it’s big and it’s vast and it’s expansive. And then you could be walking down the street and see a bit of graffiti.”
What are you excited for the audience to see with your character?
Tamzin Merchant: “I’m actually really excited for people to see me being difficult. I think as myself, as most of my life, I’m quite English. I’m quite polite, generally. I loved playing Imogen because she just kind of comes out with this stuff that maybe’s not okay to say. That’s such a treat.
So, yeah, I’m excited for people to see Imogen Spurnrose being kind of awkward in her own skin and not this conventional period drama like ice queen or anything like that. I think she’s so much more than one thing. And, actually, I think that the female characters, the actresses that we have on the show are all amazing and all really complex characters and performed beautifully. That is a massive treat for me as well to be in a cast of wonderful actors and so many wonderful women. I’m really excited for people to see very complex, multifaceted female characters.”
Orlando Bloom: “I kind of wear my heart on my sleeve quite a lot. I sometimes can be guilty of over-communicating and it was really wonderful to have a character that is guarded, holds secrets. That has an immense amount of empathy for his environment which we don’t explain away, which isn’t just thrown away. And to sort of embrace that sort of masculinity that is really well-balanced with a sort of feminine quality to it in a way of openness and empathy.
It was really special to have that shadow self explored a little, like the darker sides of the shadow self of a character and why is behaving that way and then not explaining it away which was really fun.”
Donald Glover as Earnest Marks in ‘Atlanta’ season 2 (Photo by Matthias Clamer/FX)
Donald Glover’s critically acclaimed series, Atlanta, has earned an early fourth season renewal order. FX announced the show’s fourth season renewal and confirmed filming will take place on both seasons three and four beginning next spring.
Season one consisted of 10 episodes, season two was made up of 11, and seasons three and four will have eight episodes each.
Atlanta was created by Donald Glover who also stars and executive produces. Paul Simms, Dianne McGunigle, Stephen Glover, and Hiro Murai also serve as executive producers. The cast of seasons one and two included Brian Tyree Henry (If Beale Street Could Talk), Lakeith Stanfield (Sorry to Bother You), and Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2).
The popular series has earned five Emmy Awards, two AFI Awards, two Golden Globes, two Critics’ Choice Awards, and a PGA Award.
“What more can be said about Atlanta than the critical acclaim and accolades that Donald, Paul, Dianne, Stephen and Hiro have earned for two exceptional seasons of what is clearly one of the best shows on television,” stated Eric Schrier, President, FX Entertainment. “This group of collaborators and cast have created one of the most original, innovative stories of this generation and we are proud to be their partners.”
A Look Back at Season 2:
“The second season, Atlanta Robbin’ Season, was hailed as the best show on television. In Atlanta Robbin’ Season, two cousins work through the Atlanta music scene in order to better their lives and the lives of their families. “Earn Marks” (Glover) is a young manager trying to get his cousin’s career off the ground. “Alfred Miles” (Henry) is a new hot rapper trying to understand the line between real life and street life. “Darius” (Stanfield) is Alfred’s right-hand man and visionary. “Van” (Beetz) is Earn’s best friend and the mother of Earn’s daughter.”
Derek Peth and Caelynn Miller-Keyes in ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ (ABC/John Fleenor)
ABC’s confirmed The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise have earned new season renewal orders. The news should come as no shock to fans of The Bachelor franchise as the addictive reality dating shows have continued to be ratings winners for the network.
The just-announced renewals for The Bachelorette season 16 and Bachelor in Paradise season seven come as Bachelor in Paradise just launched its sixth season. The current season airs on Mondays at 8pm ET/PT.
Season five of Bachelor in Paradise ranked first in adult viewers among last summer’s Monday night shows. ABC says the Tuesday night airings also held the top spot among women viewers ages 18 to 34.
The Bachelorette season 15 concluded on July 30th with a shocking finale (no spoilers here for those who haven’t watched the final episode). According to ABC, the season 15 finale showed a 17% increase in adult viewers over season 14’s finale. And the season 15 finale was the show’s highest-ratings earner in two years.
The Bachelor was previously renewed for season 24 and will return in 2020. Season 23 with Colton Underwood was the top Monday primetime program among women 18 to 49 and adults 18 to 34.
Chris Harrison will return to host both The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise in 2020. Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton, Nicole Woods, Tim Warner, Louis Caric, and Peter Geist executive produce both shows. In addition, Bennett Graebner and Peter Gust serve as executive producers on The Bachelorette.
Bachelor in Paradise Description:
“Breakout fan favorites from The Bachelor franchise are back and ready for a second (or third) chance at finding love. They may have left their respective seasons brokenhearted, but now they have the opportunity to travel to a romantic paradise in hopes of turning a potential summer fling into the real thing.”
The Bachelorette Season 15 Description:
“Hannah Brown caught the eye of Colton Underwood early on during the 23rd season of The Bachelor, showing him, and all of America, what Alabama Hannah is made of – a fun country girl who is unapologetically herself. After being sent home unexpectedly, Hannah took the time to reflect on her breakup, gaining a powerful understanding of her desire to be deeply and fiercely loved. Now, with a newfound sense of self and a little southern charm, she is more ready than ever to find her true love on the milestone 15th season of The Bachelorette.”
Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy) and Adrian Pasdar (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) guest star in ABC’s Grand Hotel season one episode nine, “Groom Service.” Episode nine was directed by Elodie Keene from a script by Desta Tedros Reff and will air on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT.
The cast of season one includes Oscar nominee Demián Bichir (Best Actor, A Better Life) as Santiago Mendoza, ALMA award winner Roselyn Sánchez (Outstanding Actress in a Drama Television Series, Without a Trace) as Gigi Mendoza, Denyse Tontz (The Fosters) as Alicia Mendoza, and Bryan Craig (Valor) as Javi Mendoza. Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Mayor) is Mrs. P, Lincoln Younes (Home and Away) is Danny, Shalim Ortiz (Magic City) is Mateo, and Anne Winters (13 Reasons Why) plays Ingrid.
Chris Warren (The Fosters) plays Jason, Feliz Ramirez is Carolina, and Justina Adorno (Seven Seconds) is Yoli in the show’s first season.
Grand Hotel is written and executive produced by Brian Tanen. Eva Longoria, Ben Spector, Bob Daily, Ramón Campos, Teresa Fernández-Valdés, and director Bill D’Elia also executive produce.
The “Groom Service” Plot – Danny struggles to keep his relationship with Alicia from her family. Gigi discovers the secrets that Santiago has been keeping from her, while Felix continues to try and make his way back into Gigi’s life.
Series Details:
Charismatic Santiago Mendoza owns the hotel, while his glamorous second wife, Gigi, and their adult children enjoy the spoils of success. The hotel’s loyal staff round out a contemporary fresh take on an upstairs/downstairs story. Wealthy and beautiful guests bask in luxury, but scandals, escalating debt and explosive secrets hide beneath the picture-perfect exterior.
Demian Bichir and Shalim Ortiz in ‘Grand Hotel’ season 1 episode 9 (ABC/Richard Cartwright)Shalim Ortiz in season 1 episode 9 (ABC/Richard Cartwright)Shalim Ortiz in season 1 episode 9 (ABC/Richard Cartwright)Shalim Ortiz in season 1 episode 9 (ABC/Richard Cartwright)
Disney’s just released a striking new poster for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, the 2019 sequel to Maleficent. The gorgeous poster’s basically black and white, with sparks of color leaping out. Angelina Jolie’s ruby red lips draw your focus as do the blue flowers in Elle Fanning’s hair.
The sequel stars Oscar winner Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted) reprising her role as Maleficent and Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora. The cast also includes Michelle Pfeiffer (Ant-Man and the Wasp) as Queen Ingrith, Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Sam Riley (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) as Diaval, Harris Dickinson (Trust) as Prince Phillip, Ed Skrein (Kill Your Friends), Imelda Staunton (the Harry Potter films) as Knotgrass, Juno Temple (Dirty John) as Thistlewit, and Lesley Manville (Harlots) as Flittle.
Joachim Rønning (Kon-Tiki, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) directed from a screenplay by Linda Woolverton, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, and Noah Harpster (story by Woolverton). Joe Roth, Angelina Jolie, and Duncan Henderson produced, with Matt Smith, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Michael Vieira executive producing.
The behind the scenes team includes director of photography Henry Braham, editors Laura Jennings and Craig Wood, production designer Patrick Tatopoulos, and costume designer Ellen Mirojnick.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is set to hit theaters nationwide on October 18, 2019.
The Plot:
“The years have been kind to Maleficent and Aurora. Their relationship, born of heartbreak, revenge and ultimately love, has flourished. Yet the hatred between man and the fairies still exists. Aurora’s impending marriage to Prince Phillip is cause for celebration in the kingdom of Ulstead and the neighboring Moors, as the wedding serves to unite the two worlds.
When an unexpected encounter introduces a powerful new alliance, Maleficent and Aurora are pulled apart to opposing sides in a Great War, testing their loyalties and causing them to question whether they can truly be family.”
Disney and ABC will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the classic animated film, The Little Mermaid, with a special live musical event. The Wonderful World of Disney presents The Little Mermaid Live! will feature live musical performances by Moana star Auli’i Cravalho as Ariel. Grammy Award winner Queen Latifah will play Ursula and Grammy Award winner Shaggy has signed on to tackle the role of Sebastian the crab.
The live musical will be performed in front of a studio audience. Hamish Hamilton will direct and executive produce. Additional executive producers include Katy Mullan, David Jammy, Raj Kapoor, and Ian Stewart. Richard Kraft, producer and director of the Hollywood Bowl productions of Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, is also executive producing.
The Little Mermaid Live! will air on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 on ABC at 8pm ET/PT (tape delayed on the West Coast). Expect additional cast members to be announced closer to the November air date.
The live musical production comes hot on the tail of the casting announcements for a live-action The Little Mermaid film. Disney’s live-action version will star Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, and Awkwafina as Scuttle.
The Little Mermaid Live! Details, Courtesy of ABC:
“This special tribute to the original animated classic and its timeless music will take viewers on a magical adventure under the sea as live musical performances by a star-studded cast will be interwoven into the broadcast of the original feature film. This never-before-seen hybrid format will feature beautifully intricate sets and costumes, with music from the original animated film and the Tony Award-winning Broadway stage version, originally composed by eight-time Oscar-winning composer, Alan Menken. Howard Ashman’s iconic film lyrics will also be showcased, while lyricist for the Broadway adaptation, Glenn Slater, will contribute to the star-studded spectacular.”
