Fox has set a January 14, 2019 premiere date for season one of The Passage. The midseason series is based on the bestselling book trilogy by Justin Cronin and was adapted by Liz Heldens (Friday Night Lights).
In addition to announcing the official premiere date, Fox released a new minute and a half preview of season one.
The cast of Fox’s primetime action drama includes Saniyya Sidney (Fences, Hidden Figures) and Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Pitch). Jamie McShane (Bosch, Bloodline, Sons of Anarchy), Caroline Chikezie (The Shannara Chronicles), Emmanuelle Chriqui (Entourage, Murder in the First), Brianne Howey (The Exorcist), McKinley Belcher III (Ozark, Mercy Street), Henry Ian Cusick (The 100), and Vincent Piazza (Boardwalk Empire, Rescue Me) also star in season one.
The behind the scenes team includes Emmy Award winner and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Ridley Scott (The Martian, Gladiator) and writer/director Matt Reeves (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Cloverfield) as executive producers. Liz Heldens, David W. Zucker, Adam Kassan, and Jason Ensler also executive produce. The pilot was directed by Marcos Siega and Jason Ensler.
The Passage focuses on Project NOAH, a secret medical facility where scientists are experimenting with a dangerous virus that could lead to the cure for all disease, but also carries the potential to wipe out the human race. When a young girl, Amy Bellafonte (Sidney), is chosen to be a test subject, Federal Agent Brad Wolgast (Gosselaar) is the man who is tasked with bringing her to Project NOAH. Ultimately, however, Wolgast becomes her surrogate father, trying to protect her at any cost.
Brad and Amy’s journey will force them to confront Project NOAH’s lead scientists, Major Nichole Sykes (Chikezie) and Dr. Jonas Lear (Cusick), as well as the hardened former Navy Operative Clark Richards (Piazza), whom Brad trained. It likewise brings them face-to-face with a dangerous new race of beings confined within the walls of Project NOAH, including former scientist Tim Fanning (McShane) and death-row inmates Shauna Babcock (Howey) and Anthony Carter (Belcher). In seeking out any allies he can find, Brad also turns to his former wife, Dr. Lila Kyle (Chriqui), for help.
But as Project NOAH’s scientists hone in on a cure that could save humanity, these new beings begin to test their own powers, inching one step closer to an escape that could lead to an unimaginable apocalypse.
Katie Holmes attends VIP Lounge at the 2014 Global Citizen Festival (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok / Getty Images for Global Citizen Festival)
A sequel to the 2016 horror film The Boy is in the works and it has Katie Holmes attached to star. The Boy 2 brings back the first film’s director, William Brent Bell, as well the 2016 movie’s writer, Stacey Menear.
Filming on the STXfilms and Lakeshore Entertainment horror thriller is expected to begin on January 14, 2019. Shooting will take place in Victoria, British Columbia.
Katie Holmes is no stranger to the horror genre. Earlier in her career she starred in Disturbing Behavior and Teaching Mrs. Tingle. In 2010, Holmes took on one of the lead roles in the remake of Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, written and produced by Guillermo del Toro. Her recent credits include Logan Lucky, Ray Donovan, and playing Jacqueline Kennedy in The Kennedys as well as The Kennedys After Camelot.
“Following the success of The Boy, we are thrilled to be working on the next chapter of this chilling Brahms story with Stacey and William. We are also delighted to be continuing our relationship with STX, on this, our third partnership,” stated Lakeshore’s Gary Lucchesi.
The original The Boy starred The Walking Dead‘s Lauren Cohan and The Man in the High Castle‘s Rupert Evans. Made on a budget of $15 million-ish, the creepy horror film wound up grossing $68 million before exiting theaters.
The Boy 2 has Lakeshore’s Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, and Eric Reid on board as producers. Matt Berenson, Jim Wedaa, and Roy Lee are also attached to produce.
The Boy 2 Plot:
“Unaware of the terrifying history of Heelshire Mansion, a young family moves into the estate, where their young son soon makes an unsettling new friend, an eerily life-like doll he calls Brahms.”
The CW’s Supernatural season 14 episode two may have found Michael giving Dean back his body…or it might have been a trap for Sam and the rest of #TeamWinchester. The episode also featured Cas playing babysitter to Jack and Nick, with Jack spinning something Cas said into an impromptu visit with his mom’s parents. He doesn’t let on that he’s their grandson, but he does give the really lovely couple as much of an update as he can on their daughter without coming completely clean. He leaves them hopeful that Kelly is living her best life. (Obviously, she’s not but no need to ruin these innocent people’s lives with the truth.)
The episode also revealed Nick was taken over by Lucifer following the murder of his family. Nick’s overcome with grief and anger when he learns the killer was never caught. In a blink-of-an-eye moment, Nick snaps his fingers at Cas the way Lucifer used to do. Nick might be free of Lucifer, but there’s definitely some lasting effects that we can assume will come into play in later episodes.
As for Michael, he’s apparently busy experimenting on supernatural creatures. His goal isn’t completely clear, but it appears he’s attempting to build an unstoppable army.
Up next, season 14 episode three titled “The Scar.” Directed by Robert Singer from a script by Robert Berens, episode three is set to air on October 25, 2018.
The season 14 cast includes Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester, Misha Collins as Castiel, Alexander Calvert as Jack, and Samantha Smith as Mary Winchester. Mark Pellegrino is Nick, Jim Beaver plays Bobby Singer, and Danneel Ackles is Anael.
“The Scar” Plot: KIM RHODES RETURNS AS SHERIFF JODY MILLS – Still trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Dean (Ackles), Sam (Padalecki) enlists the help of Sheriff Jody Mills (Kim Rhodes) who may unknowingly already be on the case. Castiel (Collins) continues to be a father figure to Jack (Calvert), who surprises even himself, when a life is on the line.
Melissa Roxburgh as Michaela Stone in ‘Manifest’ season 1 episode 5 (Photo by Craig Blankenhorn / NBC / Warner Brothers)
“You just can’t walk away from this,” says Michaela (Melissa Roxburgh). “Watch me,” replies Ben (Josh Dallas) as he tries to stop listening to the voice inside his head. Ben’s desperate to simply spend time with his wife and kids in season one episode five of NBC’s Manifest.
The episode begins with a flashback showing Grace (Athena Karkanis) and her in-laws on their flight home five and a half years ago. Grandpa Steve Stone (Malachy Cleary) is trying to cheer up young Olive (Jenna Kurmemaj) who isn’t happy being apart from Cal (Jack Messina). Grandma Karen (Geraldine Leer) talks to Grace, sharing her thoughts that the vacation was really a marital repair job for her and Ben.
Their flight lands uneventfully in New York, Olive wants to stay and wait for Cal. Grace nixes the idea, saying the flight won’t be in for hours. As they look at the arrival status for Ben and Cal’s flight, they see it change from “On Time” to an ominous “See Agent.”
Back to present day and Ben’s upset with Michaela for helping Bethany (Mugga) hide Thomas (Sheldon Best), a refugee and stowaway who was on board Flight 828, from the NSA. Ben tells Michaela he’s finished and not doing this anymore, referring to listening to the voices and doing what they ask.
Ben returns home and tells Grace he’ll spend the day with Cal. They decide to have a day of chance where all their choices are decided by the flip of a coin. First up it’s decided they’ll take a trip to Coney Island.
Grace receives a text from Danny (Daniel Sunjata) and blows him off.
NSA Director Vance (Daryl Edwards) is furious that John Doe (Thomas) is missing. He makes it priority number one to find him. Surveillance video reveals Bethany was at the hospital when John Doe went missing. Vance instructs his agents to arrest her.
Michaela checks in with Jared (J.R. Ramirez) about taking the fall for the stakeout that went bad. He assures her she doesn’t need to worry about it, telling her the investigation into their actions should be a piece of cake.
Meanwhile, Ben and Cal spend the day at Coney Island playing games and going on rides. As they take a break for pizza at lunch, Ben hears a voice say, “It’s all connected.” He ignores it and flips the coin to see if they should go home or stay. The coin comes up heads meaning they should head home, and Cal suggests they should take the train in keeping with the adventure.
Flashback to six months after Flight 828 disappeared and Grace is laying in bed in the middle of the day. She’s sad and Olive brings her food. She asks Olive what happened to her hand and Olive explains she cut it while trying to make her a sandwich. Grace forces herself to get out of bed, deciding it’s time to attend a support group to try and pull herself back together. After sharing for the first time in group, Grace meets Danny and is instantly drawn to him.
Jared and Michaela’s best friend Lourdes (Victoria Cartagena) pack up Michaela’s photos and belongings and deliver them to Grandma Karen. She tells them to keep them and to always remember Michaela with laughter because she would want them to be happy.
Back to present day and Michaela is so worried about Jared that she pays a visit to Lourdes. She doesn’t want Jared to cover for her anymore, and by the look on Lourdes’ face it’s obvious she didn’t know anything about it. Michaela apologizes and leaves.
Vance arrests Bethany and interrogates her. She refuses to tell him anything about Thomas or what she’s been experiencing since Flight 828 disappeared.
Next up is a flashback to two years after Flight 828 disappeared. Lourdes meets Jared at a bar to celebrate his promotion to detective. They kiss and at first Jared apologizes. Lourdes responds by asking him if he really is. He admits he’s not and she says, “Good.” That reply leads to a make-out session.
Danny arrives at Grace’s for dinner and tries to connect with Olive. While Grace is in the kitchen, Danny attempts to talk to Olive. Unfortunately, he brings up Cal and she becomes upset. She leaves the table telling him she knows Cal is lost and when she grows up, she’ll go find him.
Sheldon Best and Jack Messina (Photo by Craig Blankenhorn / NBC / Warner Brothers)
In the present day, Ben’s on the subway with Cal and again hears the voice telling him it’s all connected. Cal gets off on the wrong stop but tells Ben it’s part of their adventure. He runs and Ben’s forced to chase him down the subway tunnels, through locked gates, and into air ducts. Ben’s shocked to see Cal’s led him to the room where Thomas is waiting for Bethany.
Ben wonders how Cal knew about the place and Cal says he didn’t. Ben asks Cal if he hears voices and Cal explains that he doesn’t. Instead, he feels things sometimes. Cal becomes worried that someone’s approaching Thomas’ hiding place, but then suddenly knows whoever is knocking is a friend. It turns out the visitor is Bethany’s wife. She’s taking Bethany’s place since she was arrested and promises to take Thomas to the remote cabin where he should be safe.
Michaela visits her dad and tells him she misses her mom. Seeing Jared and Lourdes’ home made her think of what she lost out on. Grandpa Steve tells her if she still loves Jared, she should fight to get him back. “If I disappeared and came back five years later to find your mother with some guy, I would fight like hell to get her back,” says Steve, filling Michaela with a new resolve.
Another flashback takes us to three years after Flight 828 disappeared. Jared visits the Stones to tell them he’s in love with Lourdes. Karen gives him her blessing and wishes him luck. After he leaves, Steve reveals he doesn’t think it’s a good idea. “He’s still in love with Michaela,” says Steve.
Back to 2018 and Jared meets with his supervisors about the botched stake-out. He stands by his statement and his punishment is being stripped of 10 days pay. As he leaves, he sees Vance and realizes he pulled strings to bail him out. Vance orders Jared to spy on Michaela and report to him from now on.
Danny visits Grace at her home and refuses to leave until she hears him out. He confesses he thinks he can get over losing her but he can’t lose Olive. He knows Olive considers him a dad.
Michaela checks on Jared at the bar and asks how it went. He doesn’t go into things but says it was no big deal. She begins to tell him she still loves him and he cuts her off saying he needs to go home.
Once home, Jared realizes Lourdes is upset and asks what’s wrong. She admits Michaela came over and told her he was in trouble at work. Again he labels what happened no big deal. Lourdes admits what worries her is that he didn’t tell her. He explains he bailed Michaela out of a jam because he feels bad for her. “Is that all?” asks Lourdes. Jared claims it is.
A quick flashback is shown of the day Flight 828 returned. Danny leaves Grace’s house upon hearing the news. A tipsy Lourdes is reminding Jared it’s the three year anniversary of their first kiss when he informs her Michaela is back.
Present day, Olive checks on Grace and tells her she’s happy Ben is back but Danny is also her dad now.
Michaela meets up with Ben who’s working on his map of everyone on Flight 828 and how they’re all connected. He reveals Cal’s been affected by the flight too and now feels things. He admits he can’t walk away from this. “We’re all caught in the spider’s web,” says Ben.
The last scene is a flashback to onboard Flight 828. Ben and Michaela are asleep when Cal is drawn to a bright light outside their row’s window. Cal leans over and stares into it. Awed, he says, “It’s all connected.”
The official music video for Imagine Dragons‘ new song “Zero” arrived ahead of the November 9, 2018 release of their fourth studio album, Origins. “Zero” is the end credit song for the much anticipated Ralph Breaks the Internet, the sequel to Disney’s 2012 Wreck-It Ralph. While the tune’s catchy, the lyrics are pretty bleak:
“Let me show you what it’s like to always feel feel
Like I’m empty and there’s nothing really real real
I’m looking for a way out
Hello hello let me tell you what it’s like to be a zero zero
Let me show you what it’s like to never feel feel
Like I’m good enough for anything that’s real real”
Commenting on the film’s emotional themes, Imagine Dragons’ lead singer Dan Reynolds said, “They are compelling because they are real to each of us, personally. That journey of feeling like nothing and trying to realize and recognize your worth as a human is an important part of life. And given the distorted version of reality kids face online and the expectations that come with it, this struggle is real for so many people right now.”
“Zero” will also be included on Walt Disney Records’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for Ralph Breaks the Internet. The soundtrack will be released on November 16 2018 followed by the film’s release in theaters on November 21st.
Rich Moore (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph) and Phil Johnston (co-writer Wreck-It Ralph, Zootopia, writer, Cedar Rapids) directed the sequel, with Clark Spencer (Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph, Bolt, Lilo & Stitch) producing.
The Ralph Breaks the Internet Plot:
In Ralph Breaks the Internet, video-game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and best friend Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) leave the comforts of Litwak’s arcade in an attempt to save her game, Sugar Rush. Their quest takes them to the vast, uncharted world of the internet where they rely on the citizens of the internet—the Netizens—to help navigate their way.
Lending a virtual hand are Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), the head algorithm and the heart and soul of the trend-maing site “BuzzzTube,” and Shank (voice of Gal Gadot), a tough-as-nails driver from a gritty online auto-racing game called Slaughter Race, a place Vanellope wholeheartedly embraces—so much so that Ralph worries he may lose the only friend he’s ever had.
At this years’ San Diego Comic-Con, The CW’s Legends of Tomorrow teamed up Matt Ryan and Courtney Ford to discuss the show’s upcoming fourth season. Matt Ryan’s reprising his role as John Constantine, a role he originally played in the short-lived series, Constantine. He also voices the character in the animated series, Constantine: City of Demons. Constantine will be working with the Legends in season four as will Courtney Ford’s character, Nora Darhk, who’s been freed from Mallus and will be struggling to find her new place in the world.
In our roundtable interview at SDCC, Matt Ryan and Courtney Ford shed a little light on what’s in store for Constantine and Nora. They also talked about being a part of the large Legends of Tomorrow ensemble.
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow season four premieres on October 22, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT.
What’s it like to be a part of Legends of Tomorrow?
Matt Ryan: “What I love about the show is that it can go so far in the extreme in terms of comedy, but then it has an emotional core to it as well. And that kind of range in which as an actor you get to play is great.”
How does it feel to be back full-on in the Arrowverse after Constantine, both the live-action and animated series?
Matt Ryan: “It’s great, man. You know, it’s four years since the show was canceled. I’ve got to go off and do other things as an actor and satiate some of my other kind of wants and needs as an artist. And now I get to dye my hair blonde every week and run around in a trench coat. It’s great. And also, to explore the character in this dynamic among these different characters which is new from what I’ve discovered from the comic books. These are characters that are new relationships for me in terms of how to approach them, so it’s great.”
Courtney Ford: “You have to dye your hair lighter every two weeks and I have to dye it darker every two weeks.”
Matt Ryan: “You do? No way.”
Courtney Ford: “Yeah, it’s light brown.”
How will Nora change in season four since now she no longer has the demon in her?
Courtney Ford: “I know! Who is she? Nora needs to find out who she is without her father and without Mallus. She was possessed by him since the age of 13. And from 13 into her 30s, she fought him and she fought him and she fought him until finally, he said, ‘I’ll help you bring your father back,’ and she gave in to him. So, you know, I don’t think she’s ever had any of the normal experiences that we take for granted. Is she going to go out into the world and get a job? How is she going to interact with everybody? And then what part of her is going to win out – the dark or the light? I think she’s going to struggle with that and we’ll find out more.”
Legends of Tomorrow has such a large cast of regulars. Who would you like to see your character really interact with?
Matt Ryan: “Episode 3-10, the relationship between John and Sara is really established. They’re both very similar in lots of ways. I think that that for me is the emotional crux of how John kind of comes into this world of Legends. Now, I’m getting to play and explore dynamics with all these different characters. They’re all new. They’re all something that we’re all discovering. It’s not Zatanna, it’s not Deadman, it’s not Batman, it’s not Swamp Thing – all these characters we’ve explored in all the comics. These are characters we’re finding out how to explore. That’s probably the most exciting thing for me bringing John to this universe is figuring out those dynamics and getting to play with all these guys who are like amazing actors who have so much fun and love our work.”
Do you like playing the outsider character who’s not really on the team but comes in when they need him?
Matt Ryan: “John is like, ‘I walk my path alone.’ Everyone around him dies. He would sacrifice his best friend… He does, Gary Lester, who has a demon in him. He would do whatever it takes to get the job done. And, you know, he’s a bastard.
What’s great is John’s not going to be like, ‘Oh, I’m a Legend! Let’s go!’ That’s not John Constantine. You drop John in this universe, you drop him in the Arrowverse, you drop him anywhere, he’s going to do what he does and there’s going to be conflict and there’s going to be drama. What’s interesting about him coming into Legends is how does it all pan out. How do all these dynamics work? And, what are his motives?”
Paul Wesley and James Wolk return to series television with starring roles in CBS All Access’ Tell Me a Story. Paul Wesley wrapped up his eight seasons playing Stefan Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries in March 2017. James Wolk spent three seasons fending off killer animals on CBS’s Zoo and he played Bob Benson on AMC’s award-winning drama, Mad Men. With Tell Me a Story, created by Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries, Time After Time), Wolk and Wesley found a new project they could sink their teeth into that’s vastly different from their previous television work.
Teamed up together for interviews at the New York Comic Con, James Wolk and Paul Wesley discussed the appeal of the series. They also talked about working on a show created by Williamson and how this series sets itself apart from any other series that incorporates fairy tales into the storylines.
CBS All Access will launch Tell Me a Story on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
What can viewers expect?
James Wolk: “It’s a dark psychological thriller. I think the fact we’re on CBS All Access is allowing us to play in a streaming and premium space where we’re not bound by the confines of having to round off any edges. It’s really adult. It’s really dark.”
Paul Wesley: “You mean there’s no commercial breaks.”
James Wolk: “No commercial breaks. And Kevin Williamson, our creator, has taken three fairy tales, taken the themes and the ideas from those fairy tales and set them in a modern-day Manhattan gritty setting. There’s nothing fantastical about the show. It feels very real and it feels like you’re watching everyday people go through different traumas and different obstacles. People as their watching will start to recognize this is ‘The Three Little Pigs’ story and this is ‘Red Riding Hood’, and this is the ‘Big Bad Wolf,’ and that’s our show. It’s for people to tune into a drama, a psychological drama, and then realize they’re also seeing fairy tales unfold.”
Where is it filmed?
Paul Wesley: “New York City. New York is like a character. Kevin said…what did he say? He said it’s like the fairy tale where New York City is the woods. Like for ‘Hansel & Gretel,’ ‘The Three Little Pigs,’ and ‘Little Red Riding Hood,’ New York City is the woods. It’s a character.”
Paul, a lot of fans will be following you from The Vampire Diaries. What do you think those fans will really enjoy about this show?
Paul Wesley: “Well, you know I’d like to think The Vampire Diaries premiered a decade ago and a lot of those kids grew up. They’re young adults or they’re full-on adults…maybe they’re senior citizens, I don’t know. But most of them have grown up. I think they probably will be excited by the fact it’s unfortunately nothing like Vampire Diaries, in a good way. This isn’t to put down The Vampire Diaries, but this is a slightly more mature, sophisticated, adult thematic that isn’t as soap opera-esque I suppose. I think that my fans will enjoy the fact that there’s a hint of the supernatural but it’s actually not there. It’s just like the folklore is there.”
What was it from the pitch or the very first script that drew you in and made you want to be a part of this?
James Wolk: “I mean, the first script if you read it is very…like you kind of want to know how all these storylines are going to intersect. You know, it’s like Crash in a way. That movie where you go, ‘How is this all…’”
(Paul reacts to the Crash reference.)
James Wolk: “I’m sorry if you don’t love the movie, Paul! But it’s the idea that you can’t wait to see how all these storylines are going to fit together. And so, for me, when I read the first script I was sort of floored that there could be so much life in three distinct stories. And the characters just felt really real. That got me excited about being a part of it.”
Paul Wesley: “I’m not in the first episode very much at all. I’m barely in it. But, I was surprised that nobody’s ever done this for American TV. I know Once Upon a Time exists but that’s very much in the fantastical. This is very much in the real. I’m surprised no one’s ever done this. They have, obviously, this was a Spanish series or was it Argentina?”
James Wolk: “Argentina. It was an Argentinian show.”
Paul Wesley: “But it hasn’t been done in the US.”
How is working with Kevin Williamson?
Paul Wesley: “It’s interesting. I was just thinking about what Kevin wrote. He went from Scream to Dawson’s Creek to The Vampire Diaries to The Following. They’re all very different. And now he’s doing this which is Kevin’s first foray into streaming cable, I believe. Kevin has this way of writing these really fantastical stories. He’s a little bit like Spielberg. Obviously, Spielberg’s a director but Spielberg if you watch his movies there’s such a huge range but you always care so much about the characters and that’s what Kevin does. He creates these stories that are so fantastical but you really care about the characters. That’s why I think he’s as successful as he is.”
James Wolk: “I really can’t say it better than that. That’s spot-on. The characters feel so… They track, really, throughout the episodes. My character, Jordan, I get to see him over 10 episodes really dissolve because this tragedy befalls him. You can feel Kevin’s hand in it. It tracks great through the 10 episodes and it feels like someone is really going through this.
What Paul said, he knows character, he knows story. It’s such a joy working with someone who knows it so well.”
What can you tell us specifically about your character?
James Wolk: “I play Jordan. Paul and I are in the same storyline. We’re actually on opposite sides of the coin in the same story. He and I, we kind of play opposite of each other but both characters the audiences will root for and root against at certain points in the story. So, you don’t really know who’s good and you don’t really know who’s bad.
You meet my character and he’s loving life until he crosses paths with Paul’s character. Tragedy hits him and he kind of goes in a dark direction.”
Is there been much difference in working on a show that airs on a streaming platform?
Paul Wesley: “I think for me in the back of my mind I’m not worried about hitting certain beats. Or, I’m not worried about length or improv. A lot of times we really do need to be cognizant of it because there’s a commercial break, because there’s a network breathing down your throat. Not to rip on them, but that’s just reality. I just felt like I was able to just kind of let it go a little bit, just relax. It’s almost like you’re in a little improv group – at times, within reason. That was it for me. You were in Mad Men, was that similar?”
James Wolk: “This experience is unique from all of them. I feel like CBS All Access, to their credit, is very much like, ‘Go make your show.’ I feel like they’re not heavy-handed. I don’t know what’s happening behind closed doors and I’m sure that they have a good hand in the creation, but it’s not overpowering where you feel like you’re getting these notes from up above where you’re like, ‘How do I do this?’ It just feels like they’re saying, ‘Go make the show. We trust…’ probably it’s Kevin, and then Kevin hires us. But, they’re letting Kevin make his show. So, it feels like Paul said, we’re making something that just feels really organic and like we’re a part of it.”
Guillermo del Toro on the set of ‘Pinocchio’ (Photo Credit: Jason Schmidt/NETFLIX)
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is confirmed to direct his first animated feature film. Oscar winner del Toro has long wanted to create a new Pinocchio feature film, and together with Netflix, he’s finally moving forward on what’s described as his passion project.
Pinocchio continues and expands Guillermo del Toro’s collaboration with Netflix. The streaming service is also home of del Toro’s DreamWorks’ Trollhunters, the first series in the planned Dreamworks’ Tales of Arcadia trilogy. Part two, 3Below, will premiere on December 21, 2018. Part three, Wizards, is expected to launch in 2019.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker also has Guillermo del Toro Presents 10 After Midnight in the works at Netflix.
“Throughout his distinguished career, Guillermo has exhibited mastery in inspiring people through his magical worlds filled with unforgettable and magnificent characters, from the monsters in Pan’s Labyrinth to the aquatic creature in The Shape of Water. We are incredibly excited to expand our relationship with Guillermo and we know that his deeply touching vision for bringing Pinocchio to life on Netflix will be embraced by audiences the world over,” said Melissa Cobb, Vice President of Kids and Family at Netflix.
Guillermo del Toro is co-writing the script with Patrick McHale (Over The Garden Wall, Adventure Time). Mark Gustafson (Fantastic Mr. Fox) is co-directing with del Toro. Pinocchio will be a Guillermo del Toro, The Jim Henson Company (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance), and ShadowMachine (Bojack Horseman, The Shivering Truth) production, with ShadowMachine housing the stop-motion animation production.
The animated film’s producers include Lisa Henson, Alex Bulkley, Corey Campodonico, Gary Ungar, and del Toro.
“No art form has influenced my life and my work more than animation and no single character in history has had as deep of a personal connection to me as Pinocchio,” stated del Toro. “In our story, Pinocchio is an innocent soul with an uncaring father who gets lost in a world he cannot comprehend. He embarks on an extraordinary journey that leaves him with a deep understanding of his father and the real world. I’ve wanted to make this movie for as long as I can remember. After the incredible experience we have had on Trollhunters, I am grateful that the talented team at Netflix is giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to introduce audiences everywhere to my version of this strange puppet-turned-real-boy.”
Production is expected to get underway later this year.
Orion Pictures has released the official full trailer for The Prodigy, a creepy possessed kid horror thriller directed by Nicholas McCarthy (The Pact, At Devil’s Door). The two minute trailer begins with a young Miles being hypnotized and ends with whatever’s inside of Miles making its presence known to Miles’ terrified mom.
The cast is led by Emmy nominee Taylor Schilling (Orange is the New Black) and It‘s Jackson Robert Scott. The cast also includes Peter Mooney (Burden of Truth, Rookie Blue) and Colm Feore (The Umbrella Academy, House of Cards).
Jeff Buhler (The Midnight Meat Train) wrote the script and The Exorcism of Emily Rose‘s Tripp Vinson produced the 2019 horror film. Buhler also wrote the 2019 adaptation of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary starring Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, and John Lithgow and directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer.
Orion Pictures is set to release The Prodigy in theaters nationwide on February 8, 2019.
The Prodigy Plot:
“In her much-anticipated foray into the horror-thriller genre, Taylor Schilling stars in The Prodigy as Sarah, a mother whose young son Miles’ disturbing behavior signals that an evil, possibly supernatural force has overtaken him. Fearing for her family’s safety, Sarah must grapple with her maternal instinct to love and protect Miles in favor of investigating what – or who – is causing his dark turn. She is forced to look for answers in the past, taking the audience on a wild ride; one where the line between perception and reality remains blurry.”
The CW’s Riverdale continues season three with episode three set to air October 24, 2018. But before we look ahead at episode three, let’s take a brief look back at season three episode two.
Archie’s in juvenile hall and he’s got a roommate named Mad Dog who passes on his jailhouse wisdom, warning Archie to watch out for his new sneakers. Which, of course, the Serpents proceed to steal. Archie’s got major problems with the Serpents, even though he’s sort of an honorary one.
So, what does Archie do about all this tension in juvenile hall? He gives his fellow inmates a pep talk and suggests they engage in a friendly game of football. And to top it off, Veronica and the River Vixens show up and perform a cheer to the tune of “Jailhouse Rock” right outside the fence. Speaking of Veronica, her dad is definitely not into his daughter visiting Archie while he’s locked up.
Elsewhere, Jughead and Betty begin their new investigation into the creepy and mysterious Gargoyle King. Plus, Betty’s beginning to realize her mom and sister have joined a bizarre cult.
Up next, season three episode three directed by Jeff Hunt from a script by Aaron Allen.
The cast of season three includes KJ Apa as Archie Andrews, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, and Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones. Madelaine Petsch is Cheryl Blossom, Marisol Nichols is Hermione Lodge, Mӓdchen Amick is Alice Cooper, and Luke Perry is Fred Andrews. The third season also stars Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy, Casey Cott as Kevin Keller, Mark Consuelos as Hiram Lodge, Skeet Ulrich as FP Jones, Charles Melton as Reggie Mantle, and Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz.
The “Chapter Thirty-Eight: As Above, So Below” Plot: OPENING NIGHT — When a series of suspicious roadblocks threaten to delay the opening of the speakeasy, Veronica (Mendes) enlists the help of Cheryl (Petsch), Toni (Morgan), Reggie (Melton), Kevin (Cott) and Josie (Murray) to ensure opening night goes off without a hitch. Elsewhere, Betty (Reinhart) and Jughead (Sprouse) follow different leads to learn more about the strange incidents going on in the town. Finally, some unwanted attention forces Archie (Apa) to make a difficult decision about his future.
