Orlando Bloom at the Giffoni Film Festival 2015 in Valle Piana, Italy (Photo by Stefania D’Alessandro / Getty Images for Giffoni Film Festival)
Lord of the Rings‘ Orlando Bloom is set to star in S.M.A.R.T. Chase: Fire & Earth, an action-adventure film that will be shooting in Shanghai. The cast also includes Jing Tian (King Kong), Leo Wu (The Wonder), Cao Kefan (The Flowers of War), and Liu Enyou. Julien Seri (Night Fare) is directing from a script by Kevin Bernhardt (The Immortals). S.M.A.R.T. Chase: Fire & Earth is the first film from the newly formed production company BlissBloom Productions, a collaboration between Bliss Media and Bloom’s Viddywell Productions.
“It is an honor to be involved in an international production of this scale and showcase the stunning scenery of Shanghai and the spirit of modern China,” said Wei Han, Founder and CEO of Bliss Media. “We look forward to Orlando and Julien collaborating and bringing this potential franchise vehicle to fans around the world.”
In addition to the Lord of the Rings franchise, Bloom’s film credits include the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, The Three Musketeers, Digging for Fire, The Good Doctor, Kingdom of Heaven, and Elizabethtown. Bloom recently completed work on Unlocked, an action thriller co-starring Noomi Rapace and Michael Douglas.
The Plot:S.M.A.R.T. Chase: Fire & Earth follows Danny Stratton, a washed-up private security agent, who is given the rare opportunity to escort a valuable Chinese antique out of Shanghai, but is ambushed en route. With the safety of the women he loves in jeopardy, Danny has to work with his team of security experts, the S.M.A.R.T., to save her, as a dreadful conspiracy begins to unravel.
Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) in ‘LA LA LAND’ (Photo courtesy of Lionsgate)
The 73rd Venice International Film Festival has selected the musical La La Land starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone as the opening night film. Written and directed by Damien Chazelle (Whiplash), La La Land will have its world premiere on August 31, 2016 at the Palazzo del Cinema. This year’s festival runs August 31st through September 10th.
“La La Land is a surprising tribute to the golden age of American musicals, from An American in Paris by Vincent Minnelli to New York, New York by Martin Scorsese,” said Festival Director Alberto Barbera. “It is a film that does not merely reinvent the musical genre, it gives it a brand new start. If Whiplash was the revelation of a new filmmaker, La La Land is his definitive, albeit precocious, consecration among the great directors of Hollywood’s new firmament.”
“On behalf of the cast and crew of La La Land, I am both thrilled and honored by the festival’s invitation,” stated writer/director Chazelle. “It is deeply humbling for us to join the company of their previous opening night films, and we could not be more excited to share our movie with the audience in Venice.”
In addition to Stone and Gosling, the cast of La La Land includes J. K. Simmons, Finn Wittrock, Sandra Rosko, and John Legend. Lionsgate is planning on releasing the romantic musical in theaters on December 16th 2016.
The Plot:La La Land is a modern take on the classic Hollywood romance, which is heightened by spectacular song-and-dance numbers, as two dreamers struggle to make ends meet while they pursue their passions in a city known for destroying hopes and breaking hearts. Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a dedicated jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail piano gigs in dingy bars, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.
Grandfathered wasn’t renewed for a second season, however its star – John Stamos – will be filling his free time as a series regular on another Fox series, Scream Queens. Stamos joins the season two cast, which includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Keke Palmer, Billie Lourd, Glen Powell, and Niecy Nash.
Fox has set a September 20, 2016 premiere date for the second season of the comedy-horror series, scheduling season two to air on Tuesday nights at 9pm ET/PT.
Scream Queens was created by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story), Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan. The trio also writes and directs the series. Season one debuted as the #1 new comedy among adults. It also took the title for the #1 new show across social media.
John Stamos’ television credits include Fuller House, Necessary Roughness, ER, Jake in Progress, Thieves, Full House, and You Again.
The Plot: Season two of Scream Queens graduates from the college campus and into an all-new location, as a terrifyingly funny mystery will begin once again. Set in a hospital where some of the most fascinating and bizarre medical cases are under observation, Stamos will play DR. BROCK HOLT, the hospital’s brilliant but secretive head surgeon. Stamos previously collaborated with Murphy in guest-starring roles on the comedies Glee and The New Normal.
David Giuntoli and Flula Borg star in ‘Buddymoon.’
Gravitas Ventures released new clips from the comedy film Buddymoon starring Grimm co-stars David Giuntoli and Claire Coffee, Pitch Perfect 2‘s Flula Borg, Brian T. Finney (TURN: Washington’s Spies), and Jeanne Syquia. Giuntoli, Borg, and Alex Simmons co-wrote and executive produced the comedy which also features a real wolf. Buddymoon will be released in theaters and on demand on July 1, 2016.
The Plot: David Giuntoli stars as “David,” who has been left by his fiancé days before the wedding. “Flula”, his eccentrically upbeat best man, insists that they go on David’s honeymoon together: a backpacking trip through Oregon’s scenic mountains. The pair crosses paths with a dazed conspiracy theorist, an attractive, charming backpacker (Coffee), and a bloodthirsty predator (an actual wolf) who all partake in a trek that tests their friendship – and their lives.
Grammy nominee Hozier contributes the compelling single ‘Better Love’ to The Legend of Tarzan soundtrack, and the just-released music video features new scenes from the action adventure film. According to WaterTower Music, ‘Better Love’ marks the first song Hozier’s composed for a feature film. Discussing his involvement in The Legend of Tarzan, Hozier said, “I was excited about the opportunity and the challenge of writing for this film project. After viewing an early edit, I was struck by the theme of endurance, and endurance of love through such a hostile environment. I wanted the song to be an intimate reassurance as spoken from one lover to another—one that might be issued in hardship or doubt.”
The film’s soundtrack, including the score by Rupert Gregson-Williams, was released June 16, 2016. The Legend of Tarzan will open in theaters on July 1, 2016.
Harry Potter‘s David Yates directs the new film based on the classic stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The cast is led by Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood) in the title role and includes Samuel L. Jackson, Margot Robbie, Djimon Hounsou, Jim Broadbent and Christoph Waltz. Craig Brewer and Adam Cozad wrote the screenplay and Jerry Weintraub, David Barron, Alan Riche, and Tony Ludwig produced the film.
The Plot: It has been years since the man once known as Tarzan (Skarsgård) left the jungles of Africa behind for a gentrified life as John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, with his beloved wife, Jane (Robbie), at his side. Now, he has been invited back to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament, unaware that he is a pawn in a deadly convergence of greed and revenge, masterminded by the King of Belgium’s envoy, Leon Rom (Waltz). But those behind the murderous plot have no idea what they are about to unleash.
Fox has announced the premiere date for its fall 2016-2017 primetime lineup. New shows set to debut this fall include Lethal Weapon, The Exorcist, Pitch, and Son of Zorn. They’ll be joining a lineup that includes Lucifer season two, Scream Queens season two, Rosewood season two, Gotham season three, Empire season three, The Last Man on Earth season three, Brooklyn Nine-Nine season four, New Girl season six, Family Guy season 14, Hell’s Kitchen season 16, and The Simpsons season 28.
Gotham: On Season Three of Gotham, the origin story continues and the stakes are higher than ever, as Super-Villains more ambitious and depraved are introduced, and a realignment of alliances shakes up the fight for power in Gotham City.
Lucifer: Season Two of Lucifer promises to be a mother of a season, as LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR (Tom Ellis) is tasked with finding his family’s matriarch, while continuing to take down criminals alongside LAPD DETECTIVE CHLOE DECKER (Lauren German).
Brooklyn Nine-Nine:Brooklyn Nine-Nine returns after a season finale cliffhanger in which DETECTIVE JAKE PERALTA (Andy Samberg) and his by-the-book boss, CAPTAIN HOLT (Andre Braugher), were forced to enter the federal witness protection program.
New Girl: The sixth season of ensemble comedy New Girl continues to follow Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and the gang as they attempt to find their respective places in the world, while begrudgingly accepting the responsibilities of adulthood – from marriage to career advancement – with often hilarious results.
Scream Queens: Season Two of Scream Queens graduates from the college campus and into a hospital with a haunted past, as a new and terrifyingly funny mystery begins. Returning for Season Two are cast members Emma Roberts as Chanel Oberlin, 2016 Golden Globe Award nominee Jamie Lee Curtis as Cathy Munsch, Lea Michele as Hester Ulrich, Abigail Breslin as Chanel #5, Keke Palmer as Zayday Williams, Billie Lourd as Chanel #3, Glen Powell as Chad Radwell and Niecy Nash as Denise Hemphill. Additional cast members to be announced.
Lethal Weapon: Based on the hit movie franchise of the same name, Lethal Weapon follows iconic cop duo RIGGS (Clayne Crawford) and MURTAUGH (Damon Wayans, Sr.), as they work a crime-ridden beat in modern-day Los Angeles.
Empire:Empire is a powerful drama about a family at the center of a music dynasty. This season, Empire Entertainment founder LUCIOUS LYON (Terrence Howard) sets his sights on a new streaming service; as his ex-wife, COOKIE LYON (Taraji P. Henson) pursues a new romantic interest; and his sons, JAMAL (Jussie Smollett), HAKEEM (Bryshere “Yazz” Gray) and ANDRE (Trai Byers), struggle with fame and ambition.
Rosewood: Set against the vibrant backdrop of one of the world’s hottest cities – Miami – medical procedural Rosewood enters its second season as top private pathologist DR. BEAUMONT ROSEWOOD, JR. (Morris Chestnut) and tough-as-nails DETECTIVE ANNALISE VILLA (Jaina Lee Ortiz) solve the Miami PD’s most challenging cases.
Pitch:Pitch is the dramatic and emotional story of GINNY BAKER (Kylie Bunbury), who becomes the first woman to play Major League Baseball – under the glare of a white-hot media spotlight. From executive producer Dan Fogelman (Crazy, Stupid, Love), the inspiring series also stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Ali Larter, Mark Consuelos, and Dan Lauria.
Hell’s Kitchen: Season 16 of Hell’s Kitchen welcomes a new batch of ambitious chefs who will brave Chef Gordon Ramsay and his fiery command of the kitchen as he puts them through an intense culinary academy.
The Exorcist:The Exorcist returns as a contemporary psychological TV thriller following two very different priests tackling one family’s case of terrifying demonic possession. Directed by Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), the series stars Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Geena Davis, Alfonso Herrera, and Ben Daniels.
Fox Fall Premiere Dates
Monday, Sept. 19
8:00-9:00 PM GOTHAM (Season Three Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM LUCIFER (Season Two Premiere)
Tuesday, Sept. 20
8:00-8:30 PM BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (Season Four Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM NEW GIRL (Season Six Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM SCREAM QUEENS (Season Two Premiere)
Sunday, Sept. 25
7:30-8:00 PM BOB’S BURGERS (Season Seven Premiere)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS (Season 28 Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM SON OF ZORN (Series Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY (Season 14 Premiere)
9:30-10:00 PM THE LAST MAN ON EARTH (Season Three Premiere)
Dwayne Johnson, John David Washington, and Omar Benson Miller in ‘Ballers’ (Photo: Jeff Daly / Courtesy of HBO)
Ballers starring Dwayne Johnson returns for season two on July 17, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT. The half hour comedy series was created by Stephen Levinson who executive produces along with Johnson, Mark Wahlberg, Dany Garcia, Peter Berg, Evan Reilly, Rob Weiss, Julian Farino, and Denis Biggs. In addition to Johnson, the season two cast includes Rob Corddry, John David Washington, Omar Benson Miller, Donovan Carter, Troy Garity, Jazmyn Simon, London Brown, Arielle Kebbel, Dulé Hill, Richard Schiff, and Andy Garcia.
The Season 2 Plot: Things are getting more competitive and complicated for retired football star turned financial manager Spencer Strasmore. As the lines between professional and personal blur in his pursuit of lasting success and glory, Spencer must face demons from the past when he goes head-to-head with the biggest business manager on the scene. Meanwhile, Spencer’s closest friends and clients struggle to find their footing. A humbled Ricky explores his options as a free agent, while getting to know the father who left him behind; Charles tries to balance a new baby and his future in the game; and Vernon deals with the consequences of his life off the field.
Returning to help Spencer juggle lucrative deals and big personalities are his outrageous business partner, Joe, level-headed agent, Jason and girlfriend/sports reporter, Tracy. In a business where it’s go big or go home, Spencer and his crew are about to learn that having it all means being ready to fight for more dollars, deals and respect.
Ballers July 2016 Episodes:
Episode #11 (season 2, episode 1): “Face of the Franchise”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 17 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: July 17 (11:30 p.m., 1:30 a.m.), 18 (10:30 p.m.), 19 (3:55 a.m.), 20 (10:30 p.m.), 22 (2:40 a.m.) and 23 (11:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 18 (2:00 a.m.), 21 (midnight) and 22 (5:45 p.m.)
Convinced to appear on a talk show, Spencer (Dwayne Johnson) ends up facing off with an old adversary, which puts his company and reputation in jeopardy. A reformed Ricky (John David Washington) gets bad news in advance of his 30th birthday party. Charles (Omar Benson Miller) relishes his new status as a fan favorite, but may face changes on the field.
Written by Evan Reilly; directed by Julian Farino.
Episode #12 (season 2, episode 2): “Enter the Temple”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 24 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 24 (11:30 p.m., 2:00 a.m.), 25 (8:00 p.m.), 26 (4:15 a.m.), 27 (10:30 p.m.), 29 (3:30 a.m.) and 30 (10:15 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 25 (3:15 a.m.), 28 (midnight) and 29 (5:20 p.m.)
Spencer makes a play to poach a big client from Andre (Andy Garcia), his business rival, while struggling to find a quick fix for his physical ailments. Ricky considers where to head to next. Reggie (London Brown) fights for what he believes Vernon (Donovan Carter) owes him. Feeling underpaid and undervalued, Tracy (Arielle Kebble) takes a stand with her boss. Charles gets insights from his coach.
Written by Evan Reilly; directed by Julian Farino.
Episode #13 (season 2, episode 3): “Elidee”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 31 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 31 (11:30 p.m., 2:00 a.m.) and Aug. 1 (10:00 p.m.), 2 (2:50 a.m.), 3 (10:30 p.m.), 5 (2:40 a.m.) and 6 (11:40 p.m.)
Spencer advises a reluctant Vernon to stay quiet when the truth behind his injury threatens his career. Trying to stave off Andre’s attacks on their business, Spencer and Joe (Rob Corddry) butt heads over how best to advise a client. Charles worries whether he’s up for a challenge. A hard-to-impress Ricky takes a trip to tour a potential new home.
Written by Steve Sharlet; directed by Julian Farino.
The critically acclaimed award-winning series Orphan Black is coming to an end. BBC America announced the series has been renewed for a fifth and final season which will air in 2017. Season four’s finale airs June 16, 2016, with season five confirmed for a 10 episode season starring Tatiana Maslany.
Announcing the fifth and final season, BBC America President Sarah Barnett said, “Orphan Black is a thrilling, genre-bending ride that has captured our fans’ imaginations and hearts like no other show. Our genius team of actors, writers and producers have, time after time, taken us to a place of awe, delight and utter shock and surprise. Tatiana has been and continues to be a complete revelation, hers is one of the most remarkable performances on television, and she is joined by an extraordinary cast. We can’t wait to take our incredibly passionate audience on one final gobsmacking clone adventure.”
“We are excited to deliver an epic conclusion to the tale of Sarah and her clone sisters,” stated series co-creators John Fawcett and Graeme Manson. “The past four seasons have been a phenomenal adventure and we are eternally grateful to our loyal fans who have loved the twists and thrills of our weird little show. We are thankful to our partners at Temple Street, and to BBC AMERICA and Space for their support and giving us the opportunity to end on a high.”
“When we embarked upon this journey with John and Graeme, we knew we had something special on our hands, but didn’t imagine how deeply it would resonate with audiences and the worldwide acclaim it would receive. We are truly in awe of Tatiana who, each season, pulls off the impossible and brings each clone and their unique personalities to life in an extraordinarily captivating way,” said David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, Executive Producers of Orphan Black and Co-Presidents of Boat Rocker Studios.
In addition to Maslany, the Orphan Black cast includes Jordan Gavaris, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Kristian Bruun, Skyler Wexler, Kevin Hanchard, Ari Millen, Evelyne Brochu, and Josh Vokey.
The Plot: It all started on a train platform. A troubled woman, Beth Childs (Maslany), locked eyes with an unknown identical woman, Sarah Manning (Maslany), before jumping to her death. From that day on, they’ve been inextricably linked to a clone conspiracy that has come to rule Sarah’s life. Every twist and turn around the maze of this world has led to a new enemy, a new ally, a new clone and always, new questions. How many of us are out there? Who created us? Who is trying to kill us? Why are we sick and how do we survive? The search for these answers have sent Sarah and her newly-found sisters Alison (Maslany), Cosima (Maslany) and Helena (Maslany) crashing head first into some of the most nefarious foes and life revelations they could’ve ever imagined. Neutralizing enemies and gaining answers to some of these questions however hasn’t brought them any closer to solving the most important mystery of all – their survival.
Tyler Hoechlin from ‘Teen Wolf’ at the San Diego Comic Con (Photo by Richard Chavez/Showbiz Junkies)
DC Comics confirmed Superman has been cast in The CW’s Supergirl. Supergirl season two, which makes the leap from CBS to The CW where it will be joining The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow, will feature multiple appearances by the Man of Steel. Teen Wolf‘s Tyler Hoechlin will play the iconic superhero in two episodes at the beginning of season two. The character had been referenced multiple times in season one, but his face was never shown on screen.
In addition to Teen Wolf, Hoechlin’s credits include Undrafted, Everybody Wants Some!, Road to Perdition, Solstice, and Hall Pass.
“Greg [Berlanti] and I have wanted to work with Tyler for ages, so this worked out perfectly because Tyler is Superman,” says Supergirl Executive Producer Andrew Kreisberg. “We are so thrilled and humbled to add another amazing actor to the legacy of this iconic character.”
The cast of Supergirl is led by Melissa Benoist as Kara Danvers/Supergirl. Mehcad Brooks plays James Olsen, Laura Benanti is Alura Zor-El, Calista Flockhart stars as Cat Grant, Chyler Leigh plays Alexandra “Alex” Danvers, Jeremy Jordan is Winslow “Winn” Schott, Jenna Dewan Tatum is Lucy Lane, David Harewood stars as Hank Henshaw, and Peter Facinelli is Maxwell Lord. Dean Cain and Helen Slater guest star as Kara’s adoptive Earth parents, Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers.
Liam Neeson donned a performance-capture suit to tackle the title role in Focus Features’ A Monster Calls. The film, which just unveiled a new poster, was adapted for the screen by Patrick Ness, author of the A Monster Calls novel and directed by The Impossible‘s J.A. Bayona. In addition to Neeson, the cast of the dramatic film includes Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones (currently shooting Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Toby Kebbell, and Lewis MacDougall.
The Plot: 12-year-old Conor (MacDougall), dealing with his mother’s (Jones) illness, a less-than-sympathetic grandmother (Weaver), and bullying classmates, finds a most unlikely ally when a Monster appears at his bedroom window. Ancient, wild, and relentless, the Monster guides Conor on a journey of courage, faith, and truth. Kebbell plays Conor’s father.
