Jim Carrey to star in ‘Kidding’ (Photo Courtesy of Showtime)
Jim Carrey has committed to starring in Kidding, marking a return to television in a regular role for the actor/comedian. Showtime’s ordered a 10 episode first season of the half-hour comedy series which was created by Dave Holstein. Holstein wrote the pilot and will be Kidding‘s showrunner.
Carrey is reuniting with his Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry who’s attached to direct and executive produce. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind earned Gondry an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and Carrey’s co-star Kate Winslet picked up a Best Actress Oscar nomination.
Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), Jim Garavente (Bad Words), Raffi Adlan (The Green Hornet), and Michael Aguilar (I’m Dying Up Here) are also on board as executive producers.
Jim Carrey won a Golden Globe for his starring performance in 1999’s The Truman Show and then followed that up in 2000 with a Golden Globe win for his work in Man on the Moon in which he portrayed troubled actor/comedian Andy Kaufman. His additional credits include Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, Dumb and Dumberer, The Cable Guy, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Number 23.
The Plot: In Kidding, Carrey plays Jeff, aka Mr. Pickles, an icon of children’s television, a beacon of kindness and wisdom to America’s impressionable young minds and the parents who grew up with him – who also anchors a multi-million dollar branding empire. But when this beloved personality’s family – wife, two sons, sister and father – begins to implode, Jeff finds no fairy tale or fable or puppet will guide him through this crisis, which advances faster than his means to cope. The result: a kind man in a cruel world faces a slow leak of sanity as hilarious as it is heartbreaking.
Jennifer Lawrence reunites with her The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2 director Francis Lawrence for Red Sparrow. The spy thriller, based on the book by Jason Matthews, just debuted its first trailer. In addition to Lawrence, the cast includes Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Mary-Louise Parker, and Jeremy Irons.
Justin Haythe adapted the book for the screen and Peter Chernin, Steve Zaillian, Jenno Topping produced. 20th Century Fox is aiming for a March 2, 2018 theatrical release.
The Red Sparrow Plot: Dominika Egorova is many things. A devoted daughter determined to protect her mother at all costs. A prima ballerina whose ferocity has pushed her body and mind to the absolute limit. A master of seductive and manipulative combat.
When she suffers a career-ending injury, Dominika and her mother are facing a bleak and uncertain future. That is why she finds herself manipulated into becoming the newest recruit for Sparrow School, a secret intelligence service that trains exceptional young people like her to use their bodies and minds as weapons. After enduring the perverse and sadistic training process, she emerges as the most dangerous Sparrow the program has ever produced. Dominika must now reconcile the person she was with the power she now commands, with her own life and everyone she cares about at risk, including an American CIA agent who tries to convince her he is the only person she can trust.
Fox kept The Exorcist fans hanging following the season one finale of the horror series, not immediately announcing the season two pickup. Fortunately for fans of the series, The Exorcist is returning for season two on September 29, 2017 at 9pm ET/PT.
The series once again focuses on Father Tomas (Alfonso Herrera) and Father Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels), but in the second season they’ve moved away from Chicago and are now helping rid other innocent souls of demons in Montana.
In addition to Herrera and Daniels, The Exorcist season two stars John Cho as Andy Kim, Kurt Egyiawan as Father Bennett, Brianna Hildebrand as Verity, Zuleikha Robinson as Mouse, and Li Jun Li as Rose. The episode one guest cast includes Hayley Sales, Preston Vanderslice, Alex Barima, Cyrus Arnold, Hunter Dillon, Amélie Eve as Grace, Elizabeth Allen, Warren Christie, Michael Adamthwaite, Jason Burkart, Wren Roberts, and Cody Davis.
The Plot: Six months after leaving Chicago, Father Tomas continues his training to become an exorcist under the watchful eye of his partner Marcus Keane. Their travels lead them to a troubled young woman in rural Montana, where their investigation puts them in the crosshairs of her extended family. But as Tomas’ skills continue to grow, Marcus begins to worry that his apprentice is taking unnecessary risks.
The action then switches to a secluded private island off the coast of Seattle, where Andy Kim (Cho) runs a group home for at-risk foster children, whose lives are disrupted when the state sends a social worker (Li) to determine whether the foster home should be closed. Little do they know the true danger is yet to come: a malevolent presence that has set its sights upon one of the children in Andy’s care. Evil has a new home in the all-new “Janus,” season two premiere episode of The Exorcist.
Some of the best scenes from season two of Lucifer involved the unlikely pairing of Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis) and Detective Dan Espinoza (Kevin Alejandro). During our roundtable interview at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con for Lucifer season three, Kevin Alejandro promised we’ll see more of the Lucifer/Detective Douche team. He also revealed he’ll be directing an episode of the upcoming season.
Fox’s Lucifer season three is set to premiere on October 2, 2017.
So, there will be a new addition to the police force next season?
Kevin Alejandro: (Laughing) “Yeah, so he’s tall and he’s handsome and he’s great. I’m so excited.”
Will you be getting along with Tom Welling’s character?
Kevin Alejandro: “You know what? You get this strong, authoritative figure with personality that comes in that happens to be your boss…you’re going to watch Dan struggle a little bit to get his approval and his acceptance of the fact that Dan believes he’s a really great cop. But, his lieutenant may think otherwise so you get yet another guy who thinks Dan’s a douche.”
Can we expect more of the Dan and Lucifer bonding moments and buddying around?
Kevin Alejandro: “You know, because of Tom Welling’s character catching the eye of Chloe, I think there might be a little special bonding between the two there, you know? It’s like, ‘She doesn’t like either one of us. Great.’”
That relationship has been fun.
Kevin Alejandro: “Yeah, and a lot of fun to play. I’m sure there’s going to be more of that. I’m actually a 100% positive because when you see us at the beginning of the first episode of season three, we’re right back where we left off.”
Will Dan have a new love interest?
Kevin Alejandro: “I think what’s going to happen is Dan is so confused as to why Charlotte doesn’t remember the relationship that they had, that it’s also kind of intriguing to him. I think they might explore together whether or not they could have a relationship as the real Charlotte Richards.”
Isn’t she married?
Kevin Alejandro: “Yeah, I think so but then, you know, Dan’s a douche!”
What else is Dan up to this season?
Kevin Alejandro: “I think more of the same, really, of making choices that aren’t the best. They’re for the right reasons but they’re not the right choice.”
Do you think he’s going to be let in on Lucifer’s secret?
Kevin Alejandro: “Eventually. I don’t know if that would happen so soon. I mean, where would he go from there? It would rock his world, I think, because he’s such a straight-laced dude. I don’t know. That’s a good question.”
Well, he is a detective. And how could Chloe not know? She’s a good detective.
Kevin Alejandro: “Well, she’s obviously not that good of a detective. She’s in denial.”
We don’t know all that much about Dan. Are we going to learn more about his background and history?
Kevin Alejandro: “Oh yeah. Definitely. You know what’s great is we shot an additional four episodes last season that stand alone which has given… Because we’re at the point in the show that we’re shooting now, it gives us the opportunity to sort of take a character and explain their backstory. We get one with Maze, we get a little bit with Dan. So, yes, I think in the future you will start to understand why we all tick the way we do.”
Did anything about Dan’s backstory surprise you?
Kevin Alejandro: “No… (Laughing) Yes.”
Do you get to pitch ideas about Dan?
Kevin Alejandro: “Yeah, and they always say no. So, I just keep my mouth shut.”
Any chance you’re going to direct an episode?
Kevin Alejandro: “There is absolutely a very strong chance. I just finished the Warner Brothers directors program in preparation to direct an episode. I’m not sure if we know exactly which episode, but it will definitely be this season.”
Keir Gilchrist, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brigette Lundy Paine, and Michael Rapaport in Netflix’s ‘Atypical.’
Netflix just announced they’ve renewed Atypical for a second season. In addition, Netflix confirmed season two’s episode order has been upped to 10. Season one, which debuted on August 11, 2017, consisted of eight episodes.
Robia Rashid (How I Met Your Mother, Will & Grace) created the dramatic series which focuses on a teenager with autism. Rashid also writes and executive produces the series, and Seth Gordon (Baywatch, The Goldbergs) directed two season one episodes and executive produces. Dr. Michelle Dean is involved with the series to help ensure the production accurately portrays a teenager with autism spectrum disorder.
The Plot:Atypical is a coming of age story from the point-of-view of Sam (played by Keir Gilchrist), an 18-year-old on the autistic spectrum searching for love and independence. While Sam is on his funny and emotional journey of self-discovery, the rest of his family must grapple with change in their own lives while exploring the question: what does it really mean to be “normal”?
Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as Sam’s mother, Elsa, who is on a life-changing path as her son gains more independence. Michael Rapaport plays Sam’s father, Doug, who desires to better connect with and understand his son. Brigette Lundy-Paine plays Sam’s scrappy sister, Casey, and Amy Okuda plays his therapist, Julia.
The cast of TBS’ ‘People of Earth’ (Photo by Ian Watson)
TBS is happy with the ratings of The Guest Book, Wrecked, and People of Earth, confirming today each of the series have been renewed. People of Earth and Wrecked will return for third seasons, while The Guest Book has received a second season order.
The Guest Book was created by Greg Garcia and has been averaging 3.5 million viewers. The series ranks as cable’s #1 new comedy of 2017 and stars Garret Dillahunt, Carly Jibson, Kellie Martin, Charlie Robinson, Aloma Wright, Lou Wilson, Laura Bell Bundy and Eddie Steeples.
People of Earth comes from executive producers Conan O’Brien, Greg Daniels, David Jenkins, and Norm Hiscock. Jenkins created the show and Hiscock serves as showrunner on the alien invasion comedy. The cast includes Wyatt Cenac, Ana Gasteyer, Nasim Pedrad, Oscar Nunez, Michael Cassidy, Alice Wetterlund, Luka Jones, Brian Huskey, Nancy Lenehan, Tracee Chimo, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Bjorn Gustafsson, and Ken Hall.
Justin Shipley, Jordan Shipley and Jesse Hara executive produce Wrecked, a survival comedy about airline passengers who are attempting to survive after crash-landing on a remote island. Season two stars Asif Ali, Zach Cregger, Rhys Darby, Brooke Dillman, Will Greenberg, Jessica Lowe, Ally Maki and Brian Sacca.
Wrecked, The Guest Book, and People of Earth are in the top 10 list of cable comedies among adult viewers. People of Earth‘s second season is averaging 2.7 million viewers, up 22% over season one. Wrecked increased its viewers by 7% over season one, with 3.6 million viewers tuning in to watch season two.
“Since rebranding this network just two years ago, we have renewed 100% of our scripted originals, which have all generated impressive audience growth in an environment that’s seeing mostly declines,” stated Brett Weitz, executive vice president of original programming for TBS. “Our shows are connecting with fans and we’re going to keep making these genuinely funny comedies with the best creators in this business.”
Scream Queens star Keke Palmer has joined the cast of MTV’s Scream season three. The network also announced RJ Cyler (Power Rangers), Jessica Sula (Split), Giorgia Whigham (13 Reasons Why), and Giullian Yao Gioiello (The Carrie Diaries) have signed on to the horror series’ third season. They’ll be joining previously announced cast members Tyga (aka Michael Ray Stevenson) and CJ Wallace when the new season begins production next week in Atlanta.
Brett Matthews (The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural) is the season three showrunner and will executive produce with Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Yaneley Arty, Wes Craven, Tony DiSanto, Liz Gateley, Marianne Maddalena, and Cathy Konrad.
In addition to announcing the new Scream cast members, MTV released the following details on the characters each will be playing:
Keke Palmer will portray Kym, a rebel with a thousand causes, who is a bold and beautiful social activist with a big heart and zero patience for suffering fools. When Kym and her friends find themselves hunted by a killer, she works to flip the script and survive at any cost.
RJ Cyler will portray Deion. A star running back for the high school football team, Deion hopes to secure a college football scholarship that will take him far away from Atlanta, a plan that seems destined to fail when he becomes the target of a masked killer with ties to his past. Someone knows Deion’s darkest secret… and they’ll use it to destroy him.
Jessica Sula will portray Liv, the new girl at school. As a member of the cheer squad and a honor roll student, she seems to have a good head on her shoulders and an ideal life. But as she and Deion grow closer, amidst the murder and mayhem, it soon becomes clear that she has just as many secrets as everyone else.
Giorgia Whigham will portray Beth. Caustic and darkly funny, Beth is the resident Goth girl and a local tattoo artist. As an unapologetic fan of horror films, Beth is outspoken about her encyclopedic knowledge of movie murder… which is sure to come in handy with a killer on the loose.
Giullian Yao Gioiello portrays Manny who is openly gay and loyal to a fault. Usually the smartest person in the room, he’s destined to achieve great things. But his wits are put to the test when he suddenly finds himself in the crosshairs of a killer… which makes his simple goal of surviving high school and moving on with his life seem impossible.
Dylan O’Brien (left, with Shiva Negar) plays counterterrorism agent Mitch Rapp in ‘American Assassin’ (Photo: Christian Black)
CBS Films and Lionsgate’s new American Assassin video features the film’s star, Dylan O’Brien (Teen Wolf), discussing how he approached the role of Mitch Rapp. The film’s based on Vince Flynn’s book of the same name from the Mitch Rapp series, and director Michael Cuesta (Kill the Messenger) said it was important to cast an actor who seemed like a “typical American kid” but also comes across as being able to handle himself physically.
“It was really important to me to try and get the origin story of this character right. He’s fierce and feral, and filled with untapped vengeance – those things that make a perfect assassin,” explained O’Brien. He also discusses the appeal of playing Mitch Rapp in the two-minute behind the scenes video.
American Assassin will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 14, 2017 before opening wide in theaters on September 15, 2017. Stephen Schiff, Michael Finch, Edward Zwick, and Marshall Herskovitz adapted Flynn’s book for the screen. The cast also includes Michael Keaton, Taylor Kitsch, Shiva Negar and Scott Adkins.
The Plot:American Assassin follows the rise of Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien), a CIA black ops recruit under the instruction of Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton). The pair is then enlisted by CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan) to investigate a wave of apparently random attacks on both military and civilian targets. Together the three discover a pattern in the violence leading them to a joint mission with a lethal Turkish agent (Shiva Negar) to stop a mysterious operative (Taylor Kitsch) intent on starting a World War.
Vera Farmiga and Liam Neeson star in ‘The Commuter’ (Photo by Jay Maidment / Lionsgate)
Liam Neeson reunites with his Unknown, Run All Night, and Non-Stop director Jaume Collet-Serra for the action thriller, The Commuter. The first teaser trailer, photo, and poster have just arrived online, with the teaser trailer focusing on Vera Farmiga issuing a challenge to Liam Neeson while on board a commuter train. In addition to Farmiga and Neeson, The Commuter cast includes Patrick Wilson (Farmiga’s The Conjuring co-star), Sam Neill, and Elizabeth McGovern.
Lionsgate will release the film in theaters on January 12, 2018.
The Plot: In this action-packed thriller, Liam Neeson plays an insurance salesman, Michael, on his daily commute home, which quickly becomes anything but routine. After being contacted by a mysterious stranger, Michael is forced to uncover the identity of a hidden passenger on his train before the last stop. As he works against the clock to solve the puzzle, he realizes a deadly plan is unfolding and is unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy. One that carries life and death stakes, for himself and his fellow passengers.
Disney•Pixar released a new trailer for the family-friendly animated film, Coco, directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3) and Adrian Molina. The colorful animated film features the voices of Gael García Bernal, Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, Renée Victor, Ana Ofelia Murguía, Jaime Camil, Sofía Espinosa, Luis Valdez, Lombardo Boyar, Edward James Olmos, Alanna Ubach, Selene Luna, Alfonso Arau, Herbert Siguenza, Octavio Solis, Gabriel Iglesias, Cheech Marin, and Blanca Araceli.
Coco will open in theaters on November 22, 2017.
The Plot: Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
