First poster for 2018’s ‘Halloween’ starring Jamie Lee Curtis (Photo Courtesy of Universal Pictures)
He’s back… Universal Pictures has released the first official poster for the 2018 horror/thriller, Halloween. The first poster reveals a close-up of Michael Myers face which is definitely showing signs of age. (The serial killer’s in his 60s but apparently still going strong.)
The 2018 sequel finds Jamie Lee Curtis returning as Laurie Strode. The cast also includes Judy Greer (Ant-Man and the Wasp), Will Patton (Falling Skies), Nick Castle (The Boy Who Could Fly), Andi Matichak (Underground), and Omar J. Dorsey (Thank You For Your Service). David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express, Vice Principals) directs from a script he co-wrote with Danny McBride (Eastbound & Down) and Jeff Fradley (Vice Principals).
Halloween is a Trancas International Films, Blumhouse Productions, and Miramax production. Jason Blum, Malek Akkad (veteran producer of the Halloween film franchise), and Bill Block produced, and John Carpenter, Jamie Lee Curtis, David Gordon Green, and Danny McBride executive produced. Carpenter, writer and director of the original 1978 film, also serves as a creative consultant.
John Carpenter’s 1978 horror film was made for a budget of $325,000 and grossed $47 million over its theatrical run. It also launched one of the most successful horror franchises in movie history.
Universal Pictures has set an October 19, 2018 theatrical release date. Horror fans will definitely realize the significance of the release date. For those who need a refresher, Michael Myers was born on October 19, 1957.
The Plot: Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago. Inspired by Carpenter’s classic film, filmmakers David Gordon Green and Danny McBride crafted a story that carves a new path from the events in the landmark 1978 film.
Michael J Fox and Kiefer Sutherland in ‘Designated Survivor’ season 2 episode 18 (ABC/Ben Mark Holzberg)
“What’s going on?” asks President Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland). “A coup, sir,” answers Emily Rhodes (Italia Ricci) who’s joined the President’s staff in the Oval Office to inform Kirkman his presidency is in jeopardy in season two episode 18 of ABC’s Designated Survivor.
The episode picks up right where season two episode 17 left off with the reveal that the President’s private and confidential therapy sessions have been leaked. Aaron Shore (Adan Canto) and Agent Hannah Wells (Maggie Q) tell the senior staff they’ll be investigated because only a handful of people knew Kirkman was seeing a psychiatrist. The senior staff is forced to hand over their cell phones so Chuck Russink (Jake Epstein) can rule them out as the leak. A few are hesitant but all ultimately comply.
It soon becomes obvious that this latest problem is going to escalate as senators and other politicians refuse to do business with Kirkman as long as his mental stability is in question. Lyor Boone (Paulo Costanzo) meets with Kirkman’s psychiatrist (Timothy Busfield) to convince him to release a statement that the President is doing better now than when he first started therapy and that his words in his audio notes are being taken out of context.
Damian Rennett (Ben Lawson) meets with his former Russian handler to try to get information on Gamine – the hacker causing all the trouble for Kirkman. She gives him a lead and suggests he should do what he needs to keep himself alive. He can still be useful to the Russians with everything he has learned about America.
Kirkman’s informed that a total of seven hours of therapy sessions have been leaked. One of the tapes from the sessions suggests a special closeness between Kirkman and Andrea Frost (Kim Raver). Seth Wright (Kal Penn) handles the overly aggressive press and their questions about the President’s mental state.
Chuck finishes checking the White House senior staff phones and clears them. Chuck tells Wells he’s going to check the White House visitors during the timeline of the leaks, hoping to come up with a few suspects.
Boone discovers the cabinet is meeting with the Vice President to try to invoke the 25th Amendment deeming President Kirkman mentally unfit to hold the office of Commander in Chief. Kirkman meets with his VP and is furious she didn’t tell him. She reminds him the process is supposed to be secret and that she wants to give him a chance to prove that he’s mentally competent. There will be an impartial fact-finding mission led by legal expert Ethan West (Michael J. Fox).
Ethan arrives at the White House and introduces himself to the President and his staff. Ethan demands documentation on everything he feels is relevant, access to all the staff, and has plans to interrogate the President as well as his staff.
Boone meets with West for lunch to tell him he has evidence of all his professional failures and shady deals. West counters with information on Boone’s shady past actions that could destroy him as well if the public knew about them. The meeting ends up being nothing more than a stalemate.
Back at the White House, Emily is worried that her request to Chuck to find the leak in the White House using any means (including illegal methods) and his subsequent discovery of the leaker will come back to ruin both her and Kirkman. Emily talks to Chuck who reveals he didn’t break the law to get the information, even though she told him to. Chuck did some old-fashioned legal digging and called in a favor to get the information to catch Moss. Emily thanks him and as he’s about to leave, Chuck informs her he’s more than just the computer guy who works in the basement. He says he can do more to help the White House.
President Kirkman gives an interview and admits to the therapy sessions, assuring the American people he’s serving their interests. Emily and Boone think the interview went okay, but it needed to be stronger. They are far from out of the woods.
Meanwhile, Chuck has narrowed down the list of suspects with Gamine, and Wells and Rennett follow his new lead to investigate an art gallery. They pose as a married couple looking for information on the person who bought a vintage art piece.
Kirkman visits Boone in his office and asks what he would suggest. Boone fears there’s no good, solid way to recover from the therapy sessions leak. He reminds the President that he was never a true politician, that he was a teacher originally. Kirkman picks up on what Boone is suggesting and asks if he’s suggesting he should walk away. Boone says yes so that his legacy of being the man who stepped in and took over the Oval Office after the Capitol bombing will remain intact.
Next, Kirkman meets with Frost and admits he wonders if he was ever the man for the job of president. She assures him he is. Kirkman confesses he’s not sure if he can handle the job of being president anymore.
At the next press briefing, Seth gets fed up and scolds the media. He claims history will judge them on how they cover and treat President Kirkman who only sought out help after losing the love of his life, his wife.
Chuck shortens the list even more and it looks as though the hacker might be Dr. Frost who was at the White House visiting on those dates. He calls Wells to let her know. As Wells is trying to make calls to alert the President, a car speeds by and shots are fired from it. Rennett gets in front of Wells and is shot multiple times.
Back at the White House, Kirkman decides to ignore his staff’s advice and attend the science fair with Frost. While admiring the students’ accomplishments, Kirkman tells Frost more will come out from his sessions about how he feels about her. However, the memory of his wife is still such a big part of his life. Frost assures Kirkman she’s honored to be his friend.
Later, Kirkman meets with his staff and thanks them for all their hard work. He believes they’re the best staff he could ever ask for. Kirkman sits down with West who warns the President that he’s not going to “pull any punches.”
The episode ends with Kirkman visiting his daughter and telling her what’s going on. She interrupts him and says she knows he’s not crazy. He asks her where she heard that and she tells him some kids at school. She told them her daddy is sad sometimes and misses her mommy but isn’t crazy. Kirkman smiles and hugs his daughter.
Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 18 Review:
Dramatic and at times forced, episode 18 titled “Kirkman Agonistes” moves the political thriller once again into the zone of political drama/soap opera with the leak of Kirkman’s therapy sessions tapes and the rushed overreaction by the cabinet to try to have him removed. What should have been perhaps the beginning of a two-part story arc is crammed into one episode.
The true surprise (although it’s not really that shocking) is the shooting and possible death of Rennett. He might be faking his death to return to working for the Russians or maybe to get out from both the Russians and Americans altogether.
With West about to try to take down the President and Kirkman and his staff getting ready to defend themselves from claims about the President’s mental state, it should be interesting to see who comes out on top.
The final trailer for Deadpool 2 pokes fun at DC Comics and references Goonies. “You’re no f**king hero. You’re just a clown dressed up as a sex toy,” says Cable (Josh Brolin). “So dark…you sure you’re not from the DC universe?” replies Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds). Later in the two and a half minute trailer, Deadpool tosses Goonies fans a cookie when he taunts Cable with, “Bring it on, One-Eyed Willie.”
The final trailer for the Deadpool sequel also provides a few clips of the new superhero team assembling as well as new clips of action scenes.
In addition to Ryan Reynolds and Josh Brolin, the cast includes Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, TJ Miller as Weasel, Zazie Beetz is Domino, Leslie Uggams is back as Blind Al, and Karan Soni returns as Dopinder. Deadpool 2 was directed by David Leitch (Atomic Blonde) and Stan Lee, Jonathon Komack Martin, Kelly McCormick, Rhett Reese, Ethan Smith, Aditya Sood, and Paul Wernick served as executive producers.
The original Deadpool film starring Ryan Reynolds opened in theaters on February 12, 2016 and collected more than $783 million worldwide during its theatrical run. 20th Century Fox is set to release Deadpool 2 in theaters on May 18, 2018.
The Official But Not Actually Truth Plot Description: After surviving a near fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor – finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover.
Ryan Reynolds stars in 20th Century Fox’s ‘Deadpool 2.’
E!’s The Royals season four episode six found the Royal Family airing their differences during what was supposed to have been a celebratory birthday dinner for Queen Helena. King Robert announced his engagement, Prince Liam brought Katherine as his date, and Jasper spent the dinner trying to convince his father (who was masquerading as a Duke) to leave. And, Princess Eleanor shared her secret night-time excursions to help those in need with Jasper. However, by the end of the episode, it appeared the Royal siblings were prepared to forgive and if not forget, at least move on.
Up next, season four episode seven titled “Forgive Me This My Virtue” airing on April 22, 2018 at 10pm ET/PT.
Season four consists of 10 one-hour episodes starring Elizabeth Hurley as Queen Helena, Max Brown as King Robert, Jake Maskall as Cyrus, Tom Austen as Jasper, Alexandra Park as Princess Eleanor, William Moseley as Prince Liam, and Genevieve Gaunt as Wilhelmina. Brian Robbins, Joe Davola (One Tree Hill, Smallville), and Shauna Phela are the executive producers.
The “Forgive Me This My Virtue” Plot: Eleanor enlists Jasper’s help for one of her covert missions; Helena begins a new chapter at a royal event where the press attacks Willow; Cyrus meets an unlikely ally.
The Royals Season 4 Plot: Drama about a fictional British Royal family, who inhabit a world of luxury and regal tradition, but one that also involves intrigue and unexpected twists revealing the complexities faced by royals trying to maintain high-profile relationships under scrutiny, and continuing to shine a light on the anarchy in the monarchy.
The fourth season of The Royals picks up after the charming, potentially duplicitous, Prince Robert (Brown) is crowned King of England. Prince Liam (Moseley) and his recently dethroned uncle Cyrus (Maskall) form an unlikely alliance, Queen Helena (Hurley) struggles to control her unruly brood as she figures out her role in the palace. And, after a heated on again-off again relationship, bodyguard Jasper (Austen) tries to capture Princess Eleanor’s (Park) heart one more time just as they are about to face their biggest obstacle yet.
National Geographic just announced the subject of the third season of Genius. Season one focused on Albert Einstein and season two delves into the life of Pablo Picasso. Season three will explore the author of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley.
Fox 21 Television Studios produces the series and Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment, Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane’s MWM Studios, Sam Sokolow and Jeff Cooney’s EUE/Sokolow, and Francie Calfo executive produce. Executive producer Ken Biller will return for season three as the writer and showrunner.
Season two starring Antonio Banderas as Pablo Picasso will premiere on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT. Season three is targeting a 2019 premiere in 172 countries.
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein left an indelible mark on generations of imaginations,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president, global development and production for National Geographic Global Networks. “Equally inspiring is the story of Shelley’s relentless innovation, coupled with her desire to live on her own unconventional terms despite immense societal and cultural obstacles. I can’t wait for our talented team to bring her remarkable, relevant and timely story to life for season three of GENIUS and do justice to her literary legacy.”
“Mary Shelley has inspired countless filmmakers with her tale of the wretch brought to life by science gone wrong, but very few have fully captured her insightful reflections on society in the myth she left behind,” added executive producer Ron Howard. “Few know of her struggles due to gender inequities, her additional writings, her influence on other historically significant individuals and society at large. Showcasing someone like Mary Shelley and her amazing intellect, compassion and fortitude is exactly what this series is for, and we are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership with National Geographic and Fox 21 Television Studios.”
“Our experience with Courteney, Carolyn and the Nat Geo team has been phenomenal, and our award-winning first season exceeded even our own high expectations,” said Bert Salke, president of Fox 21 Television Studios. “Audiences are in for a treat with our follow-up, featuring a transformative performance by Antonio Banderas as our Picasso, and a compelling story created by Ken Biller. The choice of Mary Shelley as the subject of our third season speaks to the incredible depth of the franchise. How fitting at this moment in time to pivot to one of the many female geniuses in human history, and Mary’s story is both stranger than fiction and incredibly dramatic. We can’t wait to get started.”
Details on Genius Season 3 and Mary Shelley, Courtesy of National Geographic:
“A brilliant thinker, radical intellectual and proto-feminist, Mary Shelley (1797-1851) brought to life one of the most enduring stories of the modern age while still a teenager. Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus is a cautionary tale of unchecked scientific ambition and a sophisticated meditation on social institutions, personal freedom and compassion that has captured imaginations and continues to be relevant since it was first published 200 years ago. Shelley masterfully invented the Science Fiction/Horror genre with her tale of a creature brought to life, subsequently going on to create the Post-Apocalyptic genre with her later novel, The Last Man.
An intellectual prodigy who was inspired from an early age by the writing of her unconventional mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, Shelley was determined to prove that women were the intellectual and creative equals of men. One of few women to support herself as an author during the early 18th century, Shelley wrote short stories, reviews, travelogues, and made prolific contributions to the world’s first encyclopedia, she also wrote six novels. Shelley’s inner circle included countless literary and scientific luminaries of the day including Lord Byron, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Mary and Charles Lamb, Humphry Davy and Leigh Hunt.
Shelley met the love of her life, Romantic poet, amateur scientist and still-married Percy Bysshe Shelley, at the age of 16. After losing her virginity to Shelley at her mother’s gravesite, the pair eloped and were cast out by her father, the radical intellectual William Godwin. Shelley was to endure a lifetime of tragic misfortune, watching three of her four children die, losing multiple friends and family members to suicide, and outliving her husband, who drowned at sea. In true gothic style, Shelley elected to keep her late husband’s heart after his death.
Shelley’s writing was heavily influenced by the great scientific innovation and experimentation of the early 19th century. Scientists like Luigi Galvani, Giovanni Aldini and Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of Charles, figured prominently in her life. The story of Frankenstein was inspired in part by one of the most important scientific theories of the time, Galvanism, the study of the effect of electricity on the dead bodies of animals and humans.
Mary Shelley spent the last few years of her life being looked after by her only surviving child, Percy Florence Shelley, before dying of a brain tumor at the age of 53.”
Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings in ‘The Americans’ season 6 episode 4 (Photo by Eric Liebowitz/FX)
FX’s The Americans continues its riveting final season with episode four titled “Mr. and Mrs. Teacup.” Season six episode four picks up where episode three left off, with Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Oleg Burov (Costa Ronin) meeting in the middle of the night. They walk and talk, getting to know each other and sharing their feelings about Russia and America. Oleg admits he’s come to America at this time because it’s the best chance there might ever be for Russia and America to make peace. Oleg explains Gorbachev is in trouble and that there are people trying to overthrow him. The people running The Center don’t like progress because it could spell the end of communism.
Oleg continues, explaining who’s for and who’s against Gorbachev. The people of Russia appear to want progress.
Philip is sure Elizabeth (Keri Russell) wouldn’t hurt Russia, but Oleg thinks her loyalty could be manipulated. He wants the details on her current assignments and Philip, breaking Elizabeth’s trust, says she’s been working on the Summit and trying to obtain a radiation sensor. He even spills the beans that General Lyle Rennhull was killed after Elizabeth unsuccessfully attempted to get him to hand over a sensor.
Oleg reveals he’s being followed which means they can’t be seen together again.
Philip returns home to find Elizabeth outside smoking in the dark. She comes inside and they barely speak to each other.
Later that night, Elizabeth and her team break into Altheon where the sensors are stored. (Elizabeth secured the layout of the facility and potential shortcomings in security in episode three.) The mission doesn’t go smoothly and as the alarms sound, Elizabeth is forced to shoot security guards. She barely escapes the building before police arrive to back up the on-site security.
Meanwhile, Philip gets back into the spy game again, wearing his Jim Baxter disguise and visiting Kimberly Breland (Julia Garner). She’s been away at college and although she’s busy, she makes time for Jim. She’s excited to be heading off to Greece for a vacation with her roommates and seems happy with her life. She’s worried about Philip not being in a relationship and suggests he needs to seize the day.
At home, Paige (Holly Taylor) and Elizabeth discuss what happened at Altheon. Elizabeth wasn’t able to obtain the sensor before being chased from the building. Paige reveals she went out with friends from college and one of the guys who seems to like her interns for Charles Bennett, a Florida congressman.
Philip’s arrival causes Paige to clam up, but Elizabeth urges her to finish her story. Paige reveals Bennett is on the Armed Services committee and Philip interrupts again. He says, “Right back into it. Is this how it is?” Paige tries to tell her dad everything is okay, still under the impression General Rennhull killed himself and Elizabeth tried to stop him. Philip tries to make her see the truth and then asks Elizabeth why the General killed himself.
Paige threatens to leave if her parents keep fighting. Philip gives up and leaves the room, while Elizabeth assures Paige that Philip loves them both. “This work can get to be too much for people, even the best ones,” explains Elizabeth. She then tells Paige she’s really proud of her but doesn’t want Paige to go after the intern. She’s not ready to do that kind of work, plus Elizabeth doesn’t want her mixing her personal life with work. Elizabeth reminds her she’s targeting a State Department job and must be protected.
Minutes later in their bedroom, Elizabeth tells Philip he was out of line. He’s mad Paige’s life was in danger and Elizabeth assures him it won’t happen again. He turns over his latest tape from the Breland house and says it’ll be the last one before Christmas because Kimberly’s going to Greece. Elizabeth’s upset about that because they have to know what’s being discussed before the Summit.
Oleg calls his dad, Igor Pavlovich, at the Ministry of Transportation in Moscow to catch up on the family and pass on what he’s learned in America. He wants to know if they’ve seen his wife and child, and it’s confirmed Oleg’s mom visits them every day. Sasha’s a healthy eater and doing fine. Oleg passes on a coded message, disguising it as news about a new algorithm with arrivals and departures.
Elizabeth hands over the Breland tape to Claudia (Margo Martindale), informing her that it contains the revelation that the CIA believes a top general might resign because Gorbachev didn’t consult him about the negotiations containing a short-range missile deal. More importantly, the tape mentions “our guy inside” and that that person can’t get away right now. Elizabeth and Claudia don’t know who they’re referring to or whether that person is in America or Russia.
As they’re talking, Claudia lets Elizabeth know that a discussion Stan Beeman had with his wife about a Russian couple might be about a courier who defected with his wife and child. Claudia wants more info and wants Elizabeth to deal with the courier who apparently used to be a national hockey team player. His defection and subsequent publicity tour would look bad for Russia.
Philip’s at work when Henry (Keidrich Sellati) calls and fills him in on school and the hockey team. Henry thinks he might be made captain next year, but Philip breaks the news that financially things aren’t going well. It’s possible Philip won’t be able to pay for tuition next year because of a big loan he took out and a lack of business. Henry is devastated and quickly gets off the phone.
Elizabeth meets with an associate and passes on a photo of Stan and the info that they’re looking for a man who probably just moved into a safe house.
Philip and Stan (Noah Emmerich) meet for drinks and to catch up on their families. Philip wonders if Stan ever worries about money, but Stan doesn’t have those sorts of problems.
Igor Pavlovich passes on the information he’s learned from his son. Igor confesses Oleg’s wife and mother are worried and miss him terribly. Unfortunately, he’s told Oleg isn’t coming home quite yet.
Philip finally has the talk with Elizabeth about their finances. They’re in bed when he admits they’re in debt because he moved too fast. Elizabeth suggests he cut back, but Philip doesn’t think that would fix it. He’s trying to figure it out, but he can’t. Philip also admits he told Henry they can’t pay his tuition for his senior year. Elizabeth doesn’t have much to contribute to the conversation other than to say Henry is Philip’s department.
Philip asks about Paige and Elizabeth assures him she’s fine. He then asks Elizabeth about herself and they kiss. She admits she’s tired all the time, turning her back and rolling away from him in bed.
Stan drives to work and he’s being tailed by Elizabeth’s team.
Miriam Shor as Erica in ‘The Americans’ season 6 episode 4 (Photo by Eric Liebowitz/FX)
Elizabeth’s back on nurse duty and her patient, Erica (Miriam Shor), reveals that when she found out she was sick, her first thoughts were that her drawings would live on. Her work would remain when she was gone. But now she thinks she should have spent the time with her husband, Glenn, instead of drawing.
As Elizabeth’s working on drawing a vase (per Erica’s instructions), she listens as Glenn tells Erica a bunch of his co-workers/friends are getting together with a Russian to watch the World Series. Erica wants Glenn to go, but he’s reluctant. Elizabeth volunteers to take Erica to the party, saying she’d monitor her meds and make sure everything’s okay. Glenn agrees to the plan and finally so does Erica.
Stan meets with Agent Dennis Aderholt (Brandon J Dirden) and learns they’re still tailing Oleg. Also, Dennis reveals that “Mr. and Mrs. Teacup” – Sofia and Gennadi – are causing problems and both are demanding to see Stan. Stan’s done playing babysitter, but Dennis really needs him to do this.
Philip goes over the numbers at work again before heading off for more Country line dancing with his employees.
Paige goes out with some of her friends from college, including the guy who’s interning with the Florida congressman. Meanwhile, Elizabeth smuggles a jacket out of Erica and Glenn’s place and has a recording device inserted in the lining.
Paige ends up sleeping with the intern and while he’s still in bed, she spots his government ID hanging nearby.
The following day, Elizabeth joins Erica and Glenn for their outing with friends to watch the World Series. Glenn’s very attentive at the party but Elizabeth assures him they’re fine. After he returns to his friends, Erica admits she shouldn’t have come.
Elizabeth watches as Glenn speaks one-on-one with the Russian at the party. However, Glenn’s called away from the Russian because Erica doesn’t feel well and vomits. It’s obvious she needs to return home immediately.
Later, Elizabeth listens to the tape of the conversation from the party. It’s only a discussion about Erica’s illness that’s interrupted by Erica becoming ill and needing to leave.
While Philip works on the books and eats, he has a flashback to being a child who existed on crumbs of food handed out in an alley.
When The CW’s The 100 kicks off its fifth season it will be with a huge time jump that affects every character differently. The six year leap forward in time will mean new alliances have been formed and personalities have changed and evolved as the characters continue to mature and adapt. Sitting down to chat about The 100 season five during the 2018 WonderCon in Anaheim, Bob Morley explained what Bellamy’s been up to since the finale of season four. He also talked about missing both Octavia and Clarke while in space on the Ark.
The Season 5 Plot: Over the last four seasons The 100 have fought to survive against unimaginable odds, only to see the world end for a second time. Season five begins six years later, with our heroes still separated: Bellamy’s team in space, Clarke on the ground, and hundreds trapped in the bunker below. But when a massive prison ship descends upon the last survivable place on earth, The 100 must come together to reclaim their home.
As two armies converge on one valley, alliances will shift, friends will become foes, and the march to war threatens to destroy all that’s left of the human race. Can our heroes break the cycle, or is humanity doomed to repeat the past? In this epic battle for survival, one thing is certain: there are no good guys.
The 100 season five will premiere on April 24, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT.
Bob Morley The 100 Season 5 Interview:
Richard Harmon said that Bellamy and Murphy’s relationship in season five is not what fans might expect. Can you elaborate on that?
Bob Morley: “I actually kind of blank out on where they left it in season four, but where we pick it up in season five I feel their relationship is like older brother and younger brother. You know, that kind of thing that’s going on. I mean, I know that my older brother was the best at everything and I was like the younger brother who was always kind of clawing my way to be better than him. So, there’s a bit of that dynamic I think. But, I don’t know what Richard’s getting at, really…”
Do you have a backstory for Bellamy’s six years in space?
Bob Morley: (Laughing) “He was a janitor, so I imagine he cleans the Ark quite a lot. But there’s also in the six years I feel like he and Raven kind of took it on themselves to create a chore list for everyone, just because idle hands and all that kind of stuff. Everyone would lose their minds. I think in a way he tries to create a routine and a regiment. And whether everyone else follows that, we’ll have to wait and see. He’s definitely taken on the head and the heart concept from Clarke and tried to approach it with a much more level-headed and a rational sensibility over those six years.”
Does he carry the guilt of leaving her behind? How does that weigh on him?
Bob Morley: “He kind of touches on that at the end of season four. He’s like, ‘If we don’t survive up here, then she’s died in vain.’ I think by insuring everyone is staying alive and doing their jobs and is doing their best to enhance their chances of getting back down to the ground, that’s the way that he can kind of, I guess, absolve himself in a way. But you’re never really going to forgive yourself totally. I imagine that the rest of them, they’ll probably all sit down and have therapy sessions because he wasn’t the only one who left her behind. You know Raven – she likes to keep a tight schedule.”
How’s Bellamy doing without Octavia?
Bob Morley: “I think that’s the one that’s really killing him. That’s the one that he’s really thinking about. I get asked about Clarke quite a lot but the way that I thought about it and played it was that Bellamy thought Clarke was dead, so Octavia is really the one that he’s concerned about and holding out hope for. That’s the real driving force for him is Octavia, his family down on Earth. I think that whenever he’s looking out the window, that’s the one he’s thinking of.”
Do you get any sort of a restart on Bellamy with the six year time jump?
Bob Morley: “Season five is interesting because, you know, we only had six months off as actors and then the writing room have come in and put in a six year time jump. They’ve had all the chance to have all that backstory for Bellamy and start it up. And so, coming into this season five, Bellamy was very much who he was. Some of the sticky situations where he might be aggressive or irrational, the way that he approaches them now were kind of odd for me because I’ve always played him as always being very unpredictable. So, that was just a little bit tricky for me to get my head around and play him as a rational human being. That took some time. But as the story progresses throughout season five, I think the writing team have done a great job in terms of building an arc for him this season. Hopefully I do them justice.”
What will fans be most surprised about regarding this new Bellamy?
Bob Morley: (Laughing) “Probably his facial hair. I think it will be similar to what I just said about him – his ability to read a situation and not necessarily act immediately. I definitely struggled with that for a bit. And also, there’s huge shifts in character dynamics with each other. The new space crew, they mean a tremendous amount to Bellamy – almost verging on the point of a new family for him. There are alliances that are drawn over that six years that we haven’t necessarily seen but have definitely grown within him. That will definitely be quite a surprise to the audience.”
Will there be growing pains as he adjusts to getting back with his old friends?
Bob Morley: “Oh, I imagine so. And as you’ve seen in the trailer, Clarke with Madi – that’s definitely changed her perspective on things. I think that a lot of the delinquents, the 100, that went down had never really had to look after somebody else whereas Bellamy was always like that. I think that’s what made it hard for everyone else to understand why he cared about his sister so much. He had to raise her from a child, whereas now Clarke is doing that with Madi. So, I think there’s probably an understanding that comes from her but also in a way she’s that mother hen that will do anything to protect her chick.”
Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles to host the 2018 Tony Awards (Photos Courtesy of CBS)
Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles will be adding award show hosts to their list of Tony Award accomplishments. CBS confirmed Tony nominees Bareilles and Groban will be taking the stage to co-host the 72nd Annual Tony Awards. This year’s show will take place at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 10th and will be broadcast live on the East Coast beginning at 8pm. (The West Coast airing will be tape-delayed.)
The 2018 Tony Awards will mark the first time as host for both Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban. Bareilles earned a Tony Award nomination in the Best Score category in 2016 for Waitress. Groban was nominated in the Best Actor in a Musical category for his role in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
Nominations for this year’s awards will be revealed on Tuesday, May 1st on CBS This Morning. Leslie Odom, Jr and Katharine McPhee have the honor of revealing the 2018 nominees.
“The theater has completely transformed my life in every way possible. I have never felt more embraced and encouraged by a professional community, and I am so grateful for that,” stated Sara Bareilles. “I feel incredibly lucky to get to spend an evening celebrating and applauding this outstanding collective of artists, friends, collaborators, and creatives. It is my great honor to join my friend Josh Groban in hosting the Tonys this year, and use the opportunity to simply say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to this wonderful community…in high heels, with jokes.”
“I am humbled and ecstatic to be co-hosting the Tony Awards this year with such a brilliant artist and wonderful friend, Sara Bareilles. The dedication and inspiration surrounding live theater gave me my life path as a young kid, and the warmth and support of the Broadway community has been the highlight of my career,” said Josh Groban. “So to be at the helm of a night celebrating the best of that theater with a person I just laugh way too much with, is beyond words. But I will have words on Tony night! The best words! I look forward to flailing about in front of my peers. It will be with all the love and respect in the world for the room we’re lucky enough to be in.”
The 72nd Annual Tony Awards will be executive produced by Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss. Weiss is also returning as director for the 19th consecutive year.
“Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban electrified and inspired audiences last year when they brought their incredible talents to Broadway,” added Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment. “These two have great chemistry together, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store as hosts for this year’s Tony Awards.”
“Sara and Josh have been taking the music industry by storm for years. Then just last year, they both made their Broadway debuts, bringing audiences to their feet, night after night. And now, we can’t wait to see what they will do, together, on Sunday, June 10, when they take the stage at Radio City Music Hall to host the Tony Awards,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing.
In the final trailer for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Jeff Goldblum’s character, Ian Malcolm, warns, “These creatures were here before us and if we’re not careful, they’re gonna be here after.” The final trailer also shows many more scenes with the dinosaurs and reveals new details about the plot of the second in the series of new Jurassic World films.
Universal Pictures is set to open Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in theaters on June 22, 2018.
Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard return to lead the cast of the much-anticipated action-adventure. Jeff Goldblum and BD Wong also reprise their roles, joining newcomers James Cromwell, Ted Levine, Justice Smith, Geraldine Chaplin, Daniella Pineda, Toby Jones, Rafe Spall, and Isabella Sermon in the epic adventure.
Steven Spielberg and Colin Trevorrow executive produce, with Jurassic World director Trevorrow co-writing with Derek Connolly. The Impossible‘s J.A. Bayona directed and Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, and Belén Atienza served as producers.
The Plot: It’s been four years since theme park and luxury resort Jurassic World was destroyed by dinosaurs out of containment. Isla Nublar now sits abandoned by humans while the surviving dinosaurs fend for themselves in the jungles.
When the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event. Owen is driven to find Blue, his lead raptor who’s still missing in the wild, and Claire has grown a respect for these creatures she now makes her mission. Arriving on the unstable island as lava begins raining down, their expedition uncovers a conspiracy that could return our entire planet to a perilous order not seen since prehistoric times.
With all of the wonder, adventure and thrills synonymous with one of the most popular and successful series in cinema history, this all-new motion-picture event sees the return of favorite characters and dinosaurs—along with new breeds more awe-inspiring and terrifying than ever before. Welcome to Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Emma Stone and Jonah Hill star in ‘Maniac’ (Photo by Michele K. Short / Netflix)
One of Netflix’s most anticipated new series, Maniac, has just unveiled the first official photos. The first batch of photos from the series shows scenes featuring Superbad co-stars Emma Stone and Jonah Hill as well as Justin Theroux (The Girl on the Train) and Sally Field (Hello, My Name is Doris). The cast also includes Julia Garner (The Americans, Ozark) and Jemima Kirke (Girls, The Little Hours).
Maniac is based on the 2014 Norwegian series and will consist of 10 episodes. Cary Fukunaga (True Detective, Beasts of No Nation) directs all 10 episodes and the series is written by novelist Patrick Somerville. (Somerville also wrote episodes of The Leftovers.) Paramount TV and Anonymous Content produce the new Netflix series.
Netflix hasn’t set a premiere date for Maniac, however it’s expected to premiere later this year.
The Plot:Maniac is the story of two strangers who find themselves caught up in a mind-bending pharmaceutical trial gone awry.
Jonah Hill and Emma Stone in ‘Maniac’ (Photo by Michele K. Short / Netflix)The cast of Netflix’s ‘Maniac’ (Photo by Michele K. Short)Jonah Hill and Emma Stone star in ‘Maniac’ (Photo by Michele K. Short)Justin Theroux in a scene from ‘Maniac’ (Photo by Michele K. Short / Netflix)Sally Field in a scene from ‘Maniac’ (Photo by Michele K. Short / Netflix)
