Supergirl star David Harewood said he spent three weeks reading up on the Martian Manhunter because he wasn’t familiar with the character before tackling him in season one. During roundtable interviews at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con, Harewood said that after learning more about the character, he feels it’s been an honor to take the role on. Harewood also discussed J’onn and Alex’s relationship and what he hopes to see incorporated from the Martian Manhunter mythology in the upcoming second season of The CW series.
Supergirl will premiere on October 10, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT.
The Martian Manhunter history was touched upon in season one. What do you want to see pulled in from his mythology in season two?
David Harewood: “Probably having his brother, Ma’alefa’ak, who kind of masquerades as J’onn in some of the comics and almost ruins the Justice League. Having a bad guy brother who was apparently responsible for the death of Mars would be a pretty awesome foe to deal with. But we have to wait and see.”
How excited were you about your big reveal in season one?
David Harewood: “Oh man, it was a great episode. What was really cool was seeing the online reaction. A couple of people posted videos of people literally jumping up and down, kids screaming and running around the floor. It’s pretty cool that people love the character that much that they were excited to see him, and it just looked awesome. He’s got a great look, the outfit looks great, and so he’s been cool to play.”
Did you know going into the season that that reveal was coming or did they hold that back?
David Harewood: “I had no idea. In fact, when I did this panel last year I had no idea what character I was playing. They only told me about a week before we started filming that I was really not Hank Henshaw, and so it was a little odd doing this last year because I just didn’t know who I played. I knew it was changing, but I didn’t know what it was changing to. I’m just happy that it was Martian Manhunter.”
How does Superman react to having you around?
David Harewood: “I have to say there’s going to be a little bit of tension. The first two scripts really kick it off, really kicks it off with Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) and Martian Manhunter. […]There’s history and that’s what great. You see a bit of backstory immediately. There’s another great reveal of how they met and why they fell out. So, it’s pretty cool. It’s something I’m excited about.”
What will the relationship be like between J’onn and Alex (played by Chyler Leigh) in season two? Is it still almost like a father/daughter type dynamic like some fans have commented on it being?
David Harewood: “I’m looking forward to more people picking up on that. But, I think what’s also going to be cool is we both explore our own individual identities a little bit more. I can’t talk too much more about that. But, it’s going to be fun to see them develop individually and not just together.”
How much is practical effects? How much is you wearing a motion capture suit?
David Harewood: “The face is motion capture and I have to physically embody the guy. Putting the suit on is awesome. There’s a little bit of a disconnect because I know that once I’ve done my performance, I then hand it over to the tech guys and they draw Martian Manhunter. So, there’s been a little bit of a disconnect. But I love the outfit. It looks so cool. In fact, when I see the stuntman wearing my outfit, it’s like seeing someone else with your wife. It’s like, ‘Get that off!’ I hate it. It’s great people are so pumped every time he arrives. It’s very exciting.”
Watch the full David Harewood interview:
(Interview by Fred Topel. Article by Rebecca Murray.)
CBS just announced they’re moving forward with Superior Donuts. The half-hour comedy stars Judd Hirsch, Jermaine Fowler, Sons of Anarchy‘s Katey Sagal, David Koechner, Maz Jobrani, Anna Baryshnikov, Darien Sills-Evans, and Rell Battle. The network’s ordered 13 episodes of the multi-camera comedy series which will air sometime during the 2016-2017 season.
Series star Jermaine Fowler executive produces along with Neil Goldman, Garrett Donovan, Mark Teitelbaum, John Montgomery, Michael Rotenberg, and Josh Lieberman. Superior Donuts is based on the play by Tracy Letts.
“This show has been very high on our radar since we first put it into development last winter,” stated CBS Entertainment President Glenn Geller. “Jermaine Fowler is a rising young star, Judd Hirsch is a comedy legend and the entire cast is full of great comedic talent. We’re very excited to expand our comedy line-up with Superior Donuts.”
The Plot: Starring Judd Hirsch and Jermaine Fowler, Superior Donuts follows the relationship between the gruff owner (Hirsch) of a small donut shop, his enterprising new young employee (Fowler) and their loyal patrons, in a quickly gentrifying Chicago neighborhood.
Lionsgate will be promoting John Wick: Chapter Two as well as Saban’s Power Rangers during the 2016 New York Comic Con. The studio just revealed its plans for the NY convention and released a new poster for the John Wick sequel starring Keanu Reeves. The Lionsgate panel will take place on October 8th and will include casts and producers from both films. New footage from both upcoming theatrical releases will also be unveiled.
NYCC Panel Details: Lionsgate presents a preview of two of 2017 most highly anticipated films, Saban’s Power Rangers and John Wick: Chapter Two – – A must see for all, this panel will provide a look at the epic action-adventure, Saban’s Power Rangers‘s followed by a Q&A with the cast and filmmakers bringing this new motion picture to the big screen. Attendees will also be shown footage from the return of everyone’s favorite hitman in John Wick: Chapter Two and will be treated to a Q&A with the all-star cast.
John Wick: Chapter 2 will open in theaters on February 10, 2017. Saban’s Power Rangers starring Dacre Montgomery as Jason the Red Ranger, RJ Cyler as Billy the Blue Ranger, Naomi Scott as Kimberly the Pink Ranger, Becky G as Trini the Yellow Ranger, and Ludi Lin as Zack the Black Ranger has a March 24, 2017 release planned.
Netflix has set the premiere date for season two of the comedy series Fuller House. In addition, Netflix released the season two poster featuring the show’s cast. Season two will premiere on December 9, 2016 starring Candace Cameron Bure as D.J. Tanner-Fuller, Jodie Sweetin as Stephanie Tanner, Andrea Barber as Kimmy Gibbler, Juan Pablo Di Pace as Fernando, Soni Nicole Bringas as Romona, Michael Campion as Jackson, Elias Harger as Max, Dashiell and Fox Messitt Twins as Baby Tommy, Scott Weinger as Steve Hale, John Brotherton as Matt Harmon, and Ashley Liao as Lola.
The Full House sequel is executive produced by Bob Boyett and Jeff Franklin.
The Fuller House Plot: In the spinoff series, Fuller House, the adventures that began in 1987 on Full House continue, with veterinarian D.J. Tanner-Fuller (Candace Cameron-Bure) recently widowed and living in San Francisco. D.J.’s younger sister/aspiring musician Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) and D.J.’s lifelong best friend/fellow single mother Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber), along with Kimmy’s feisty teenage daughter Ramona, all move in to help take care of D.J.’s three boys — the rebellious 12-year-old Jackson, neurotic 7-year-old Max and her newborn baby, Tommy Jr.
Uma Thurman (Smash, The Slap) has signed up for a guest starring role in My So Called Wife, a new scripted series from Bravo Media and Universal Cable Productions. Thurman will appear in multiple episodes of the series from executive producers Adam Brooks and Paul Adelstein. The cast is led by Inbar Lavi (Gang Related) and includes Parker Young (Suburgatory), Stephen Bishop (Being Mary Jane), and Rob Heaps (Frankenstein and the Vampyre: A Dark and Stormy Night). Filming is taking place on season one in Vancouver.
Per Bravo: “Uma will play Lenny Cohen, the ultimate fixer. When the reclusive ring-leader of a group of con artists needs to keep his employees in line, eliminate an enemy, or whip up a world class omelette, there is only one person for the job – the lethal, articulate and mysterious Lenny Cohen.”
“Uma and I have been friends for a very long time – I’m thrilled that after many tries we’ll finally get to work together,” stated executive producer Adam Brooks. “Paul Adelstein and I wrote the role of Lenny Cohen specifically for her, and we are so excited to see how Uma’s iconic and very special talents will bring to life this unique and provocative character.”
The Plot:My So Called Wife follows Maddie (Lavi), a persona shifting con-artist who is as beautiful as she is dangerous, which makes her unsuspecting victims even more tormented when they realize they have been used and robbed of everything… including their hearts. But things get complicated when her latest victims, Ezra (Heaps) and Richard (Young) try to track her down just as she eyes her next mark, Patrick (Bishop).
The 40-second teaser trailer has just been released for Smurfs: The Lost Village along with a new teaser poster. Sony Pictures went back to the drawing board for the new Smurfs film from director Kelly Asbury (Gnomeo & Juliet, Shrek 2). Unlike the other recent Smurfs movies, this 2017 release is completely animated and features the voices of Demi Lovato (Smurfette), Rainn Wilson (Gargamel), Joe Manganiello (Hefty), Jack McBrayer (Clumsy), Danny Pudi (Brainy), and Mandy Patinkin (Papa Smurf). Sony’s releasing Smurfs: The Lost Village in theaters on April 7, 2017.
The Plot: In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!
Scream Queens season two episode one kicks off with a flashback to a 1985 Halloween party at the Our Lady of Perpetual Suffering Hospital. The staff is partying it up when a pregnant patient insists they check on her husband who has COPD and can’t breathe. Annoyed, a nurse goes in search of Dr. Mike (Jerry O’Connell) who’s dressed up as a green demon, complete with horns. The doctor doesn’t want to help and only reluctantly checks in on the patient. Promising to help him, they send the pregnant wife out of the room and then Dr. Mike and the nurse, hating the inconvenience and the time away from the party, decide to knock him out.
Wheeling him outside to a glowing swamp, they chat about the ‘Green Meanie’ monster that supposedly lived there years ago. Dr. Mike really wants to rock out to Sheena Easton, so he tosses the patient into the swamp to die. He also tosses in his costume, with the mask and cape landing on the patient’s body before it sinks.
Just as a reminder: Season one also began with a flashback, a party, a pregnant woman, and a murder.
And now it’s 2016 and Dr. Cassidy Cascade (Taylor Lautner) and Dr. Brock Holt (John Stamos) walk the halls of a hospital, teaming up to take on a severe case of werewolf syndrome. (Get it? Lautner was a werewolf in Twilight and now he’s treating a werewolf in Scream Queens.) Dr. Holt strokes the patient’s arm and compliments her fur, Dr. Cascade gets all scientific, and Dr. Munsch pops in to introduce herself.
Dean Munsch isn’t really a doctor; she received Bill Cosby’s old honorary title. The she-wolf is the first and only patient at the new hospital – the C.U.R.E. (Caregivers United in Restorative Etiology) Institute Hospital – where the incurable are curable.
Cathy Munsch (Jamie Lee Curtis) does a voice-over to explain how she went from being the new face of feminism and the cover of Time magazine to running the C.U.R.E. Institute Hospital. She decided to dedicate herself to reforming health care and funded the hospital with the money she earned from her book sales.Meanwhile, the Chanels became a national sensation in prison after the Netflix documentary Entrap a Kappa Kappa: Murder on Sorority Row aired. The documentary included Denise Hemphill (Niecy Nash), now an FBI agent, revealing she has a VHS tape of Hester (Lea Michele) confessing to the murders. The Chanels were released and Dean Munsch forgot about all of them except for Zayday Williams (Keke Palmer). Zayday’s in her first year at med school when Munsch finds her and offers to pay for her schooling at the C.U.R.E. Institute.
Zayday’s teachers are the handsome duo of Dr. Holt and Dr. Cascade. Dr. Holt likes to cut people open without actually knowing what’s wrong with them, and he also likes to stare at his hands and cry. Dr. Cascade immediately tells Zayday he’s not interested in her, even though he’s female Viagra.
Zayday asks about Dr. Holt’s scar and he tells them he’s the first recipient of a complete hand transplant. He lost his hand in a Super Bowl party accident when he stuck his hand down the drain to get his Harvard ring and the garbage disposal came on. He used to be a surgical prodigy, but after the hand replacement, it was Dr. Munsch who gave him a chance when no one else would. As they’re leaving the room, Zayday discovers Dr. Cascade is cold to the touch. He says he “runs cold” and Zayday corrects him to say he feels like a block of ice. “I envy ice. At least if you give it warmth, it melts,” replies Dr. Cascade. (Is he a vampire?)
Chamberlain Jackson the candy stripper tries to cheer up the she-wolf but it doesn’t work. She wants to leave, but Zayday promises they’ll have a cure in one week.
Zayday meets with Dr. Munsch to find out why she’s the only female doctor at the hospital, and Munsch says feminism is boring. Zayday asks for more ladies at the hospital and Dr. Munsch agrees. It’s time for the Chanels to finally show their faces.
Chanel Oberlin/Chanel #1 (Emma Roberts) wakes up and greets Sadie Swenson/Chanel #3 (Billie Lourd) and Libby Putney/Chanel #5 (Abigail Breslin) with, “Good morning, idiot hookers.” The Chanels may be free but they’re pariahs and ostracized, even disowned by their families.
Despite being disliked, they went back to college and obtained (worthless) degrees in communication. They decided to give back by getting jobs, all having something to do with the medical or dental field. Chanel #1 even turned out to be really good at poking people to draw blood. Still mourning the loss of their previous lives, Dean Munsch shows up to ask them to come work at her hospital. Chanel #1 thinks that offer is insane but Dr./Dean Munsch believes they have a lot to offer.
Back at the hospital, Zayday seems a bit freaked out in the laundry room when she hears noises. To her horror/delight, it’s the Chanels.
The action moves to the locker room where Chanel #1 is complaining about disposable scrubs. Suddenly a shower curtain opens exposing Dr. Holt. Instantaneous jaw-dropping occurs as Dr. Holt rinses off, and Chanel #1 strips down to her undies while Dr. Munsch introduces them as her new med students.
After he leaves, Dr. Munsch says they’ll be following Dr. Holt and Dr. Cascade around, observing silently. She calls it ghosting and Chanel #3 tells her ghosting is leaving a party without saying goodbye. Chanel #5 goes off on a rather lengthy explanation of ghosting that has to do with a guy finding out what you look like and not texting back. Chanel #1 believes ghosting is going #2 and looking down at the paper and nothing’s there.
Zayday, the doctors, and the Chanels visit the she-wolf (Cecily Strong) and Zayday tells her they’ve figured out how to cure her. It involves drilling a hole into her skull. Dr. Holt says the procedure is invasive, but it could be her only hope.
Chanel #5 thinks the nurses in white are ghosts, but Chanel #1 explains they’re just nurses which means they’re actually their servants. And now we get our first look at Kirstie Alley as the C.U.R.E. Institute’s Head of Administration. She runs the hospital and has no idea why the Chanels are there since they are not in the least bit qualified. She isn’t going to be taking any Chanel backtalk, telling Chanel #1 she’ll eat her for lunch if she attempts to mess with her.
The Chanels are called into Dr. Munsch’s office where Zayday yells at them for humiliating the she-wolf. Chanel #1 tells her she’s exaggerating and Dr. Munsch puts them on academic probation. And then Chanel #1 gets the devastating news they’re not being paid because they are not doctors! The Chanels scream in unison.
Up in their room, Chanel #1 is pissed off she’ll never be a news anchor but then she stumbles upon the idea they can all become special medical correspondents for Fox News. They can have their own TV show like Dr. Phil or Dr. Oz, but that means they have to actually get their medical degrees. Chanel #1 thinks the path to getting back in Dr. Munsch’s good graces is to find a cure for she-wolf (aka werewolf girl) before Zayday and the other doctors do.
Taking a break from their all-nighter studying, Chanel #1 finds Dr. Holt and they discuss their hairy patient. Chanel #1 leans in while flirting and Dr. Holt’s replacement hand creeps up to her neck. He stops it before it can strangle her and also figures out at the same time that it’s all about testosterone. They barge into the operating room, stop Zayday and Dr. Cascade from performing surgery, and Dr. Holt says they have to put her on a soy-based diet to cure her werewolf condition. It’ll cause hair loss and her boobs will get bigger. Dr. Holt and Chanel #1 have saved the day and Zayday isn’t happy.
The Chanels are now ruling the hospital hallways in pink outfits and high heels. They check on werewolf girl and she’s completely hairless now and not happy about being bald. Chanel #1 suggests one more procedure: a makeover. She looks amazing and is going to take her first Tinder profile picture. Awww. Dr. Munsch is super impressed with the Chanels who now believe that through the power of the internet, anyone can be a doctor.
The episode ends with Chanel #1 heading out on a date with Dr. Holt, Chanel #3 going out with Dr. Cascade, and Chanel #5 working a 6-hour shift that includes helping the now-hairless werewolf girl take a hydro bath. Chanel #5 also needs one, and they both wind up locked in the bathtubs.
But, no worries, Chanel #5 has told the candy stripper to come get them in one hour. Instead, it’s the Green Meanie, wielding a machete and dripping fluorescent swamp water. He/she dances around outside the curtain before terrorizing the women. He slices off the werewolf lady’s head and raises the knife again. The episode ends with Chanel #5 screaming.
Scream Queens is back and episode one titled ‘Scream Again’ laid out the basics including the reasons behind the Chanels being released from prison and why they’re now studying to be doctors. The first episode didn’t make much sense, and it appears Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk have opted to leave reality behind for wild, unbelievable storylines.
Season one had its toes dipped in reality for the most part, but season two’s first episode rarely flirted with the real world. ‘Scream Again’ wasn’t nearly as wickedly funny as season one’s first episode but, hopefully, season two will right itself quickly. An easy fix is to not relegate the Chanels to less than 30 minutes of screen time. Oh, and more Kirstie Alley would help, too. She’s far more interesting than either hunky doctor at this point.
Pamela Adlon as Sam and Olivia Edward as Duke in ‘Better Things’ (Photo by Colleen Hayes / FX Networks)
Atlanta and Better Things have both generated positive reviews and they’ve both pulled in high ratings, so it’s no surprise both comedies have earned second seasons from FX. The network today confirmed Atlanta, executive produced by and starring Donald Glover, and Better Things, executive produced by and starring Pamela Adlon, will each have 10 episode second seasons. According to FX, Atlanta‘s season one premiere was the most watched basic cable comedy premiere in three years among adults. Better Things ranks number two on the most-watched basic cable comedy series premiere of the year list among women ages 18-34, with only Atlanta scoring higher premiere ratings.
“It’s really gratifying to launch two new comedies that have received overwhelming critical acclaim right out of the gate and that are emblematic of FX’s award-winning brand. It is clear to us that Atlanta and Better Things have struck a nerve with viewers, which is a credit to Donald Glover’s vision for Atlanta and Pamela Adlon’s vision for Better Things. They, along with their spectacular casts, writers and directors, have created exceptional shows that we are incredibly proud to produce,” stated Nick Grad and Eric Schrier, Presidents of Original Programming, FX Networks and FX Productions.
Details on upcoming season one episodes:
– Atlanta, Episode 4 – “The Streisand Effect” airs September 20th at 10 PM ET/PT on FX: Paper Boi is tripping about this blog stuff but it’s just Twitter bruh. It’s just entertainment. Somebody needs to get Earn some money. Skreetmoney Worldwide man. Written by Donald Glover; Directed by Hiro Murai.
In Atlanta, two cousins work through the Atlanta music scene in order to better their lives and the lives of their families. “Earn Marks” (Donald Glover) is a young manager trying to get his cousin’s career off the ground. “Alfred Miles” (Brian Tyree Henry) is a new hot rapper trying to understand the line between real life and street life. “Darius” (Lakeith Stanfield) is Alfred’s right-hand man and visionary. “Van” (Zazie Beetz) is Earn’s best friend and the mother of Earn’s daughter.
– Better Things, Episode 3 – “Brown” airs Thursday, September 22nd at 10 PM ET/PT on FX – Sam brings home a colleague for dinner. Written by Louis C.K.; directed by Nisha Ganatra.
Better Things centers on Sam Fox (Pamela Adlon), a single, working actor with no filter raising her three daughters, Max (Mikey Madison), Frankie (Hannah Alligood) and Duke (Olivia Edward) in Los Angeles. She’s mom, dad, referee and the cops. Sam also watches out for her mother, Phil (Celia Imrie), an English expatriate, who lives across the street. Sam is flawed and fierce with her love for her daughters, and her own mother, as well. Sometimes, heaping the love on when she feels guilty. Sam’s just trying to earn a living, navigate her daughters’ lives, have fun with a friend or two and also — just maybe — squeeze in some private time once in a while.
Arrow star David Ramsey said he’s absolutely ready to be involved in a four-show crossover now that Supergirl has flown over to The CW. During our roundtable interview at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con, Ramsey joked that he can envision his character John Diggle’s reaction to Supergirl, given his reaction to witnessing The Flash (played by Grant Gustin). “I’m picturing a tear as he watches her go across the horizon. Bottom lip quiver,” said Ramsey.
Season five of Arrow is set to premiere on October 5, 2016.
Diggle went away at the end of season four. How will he return and when will it happen?
David Ramsey: “It’s going to happen very soon. Obviously he’s on assignment with Special Forces overseas. Of course there’s going to be some nefarious going-ons, because it’s Arrow. He will come to admit he needs the team, but they also need him. He’s recruiting a new team – Oliver (Stephen Amell) and Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) – and so it’s going to be very difficult to replace Thea and John Diggle.
So, it’s not going to be smooth sailing over there. And when he comes back to the team, he’ll have something to say about it. I mean, he has a position, right?
Part of the reason why they left is because of Canary’s death and the guilt he feels about it. So bringing inexperienced team members to a man like John Diggle… Even as experienced as they could be, kind of replacing Thea (Willa Holland) or John would be very difficult. He’s going to have something to say about that. I haven’t read that, but knowing where the writers could go, knowing John Diggle, he will have something to say about it.”
What do you think John thinks about the vigilantes who have all been inspired by Green Arrow?
David Ramsey: “He’ll have an opinion about that. Diggle’s never been quiet when he has a strong opinion about things. He’s been really the voice of reason, for Oliver in particular. I don’t know exactly what his position will be but I don’t think he’s going to have anything nice to say about these vigilantes that are in the city or about the new team. I shouldn’t say he won’t have anything nice to say about the team, but I think he will have some criticism about the fact that they’re bringing in people from off the streets – so to speak – to risk their lives for the city.”
You mentioned John has been Oliver’s voice of reason, but last year the tables were turned and Oliver supported John. Will John still be feeling guilty in season five?
David Ramsey: “He’s still grappling with it. He’s a man of two minds, really, when we find him in Chechnya. So you find him there and he’s still divided. He hasn’t worked through this yet. I mean, he really hasn’t worked through it. There’s a great scene that we just shot that really is indicative of where his mind is. He really is divided. He has not worked through the issues yet.”
Poster for ‘The Whole Truth’ (Credit: Lionsgate Premiere)
Lionsgate Premiere just released a new trailer for a film most moviegoers have never heard of, The Whole Truth. The R-rated crime thriller’s heading to theaters in limited release and On Demand on October 21, 2016 and has Keanu Reeves as an attorney and Renee Zellweger as the mother of the accused murderer he’s defending. The cast also includes Jim Belushi (seen but not heard in the trailer), Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Gabriel Basso.
The Plot: Defense attorney Richard Ramsay (Reeves) takes on a personal case when he swears to his widowed friend, Loretta Lassiter (Zellweger), that he will keep her son Mike (Basso) out of prison. Charged with murdering his father, Mike initially confesses to the crime. But as the trial proceeds, chilling evidence about the kind of man that Boone Lassiter (Belushi) really was comes to light. While Ramsay uses the evidence to get his client acquitted, his new colleague Janelle (Mbatha-Raw) tries to dig deeper – and begins to realize that the whole truth is something she alone can uncover.
