Grant Bowler and Julie Benz in ‘Defiance’ season 2 (Photo by: Ben Mark Holzberg/Syfy)
The cast and crew are back at work on Syfy’s Defiance, with filming underway on the third season’s 13 new episodes. Season three will premiere this summer with Grant Bowler back as Nolan and Julie Benz returning as Amanda Rosewater. Returning cast members also include Stephanie Leonidas as Irisa Nolan, Tony Curran as Datak Tarr, Jaime Murray as Stahma Tarr, Graham Greene as Rafe McCawley, and Jesse Rath as Alak Tarr.
New to the world of Defiance for the upcoming season are Lee Tergesen, Nichole Galicia, and Conrad Coates.
Michael Nankin is directing episode one of season three and Kevin Murphy is returning as executive producer/showrunner. Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin are also back as executive producers.
The Plot and Character Descriptions (Courtesy of Syfy):
Following the events of the season two cliffhanger finale, season three of Defiance opens on the eve of an impending military siege upon the town, which has fallen on hard times following the collapse of its lucrative mines. Their fate uncertain, the townspeople face further threat with the surprise arrival of the mysterious and nearly extinct Omec, an alien race of warriors marked by the decades of subjugation they imposed upon the galaxy in the years preceding the Pale Wars.
Lee Tergesen will portray General Rahm Tak, a ruthless, arrogant leader in the Votanis Collective who sees Defiance, now free of Earth Republic oversight, as a symbolic target in his unrelenting pursuit of power. A Castithan, Rahm is a well-read, brilliant strategist who imposes his army upon the town with decisive force.
Conrad Coates plays T’evgin, the leader of the Omec who reluctantly carries the burden of his species’ survival on his shoulders.
Nichole Galicia is Kindzi, the fierce, beautiful, and tough daughter of the Omec leader T’evgin; she is his second in command and a skilled fighter unafraid of danger.
Bella Thorne (Shake It Up), Israel Broussard, Daniela Bobadilla, and Ross Butler just started work on the Lifetime movie Perfect High directed by Vanessa Parise (Kiss the Bride). Anne-Marie Hess wrote the script and Lifetime’s aiming for a summer premiere of the dramatic film currently shooting in Victoria, BC.
Tina Pehme and Kim C. Roberts from Sepia Films and Sheri Singer of Just Singer Entertainment are producing Perfect High.
The Plot:
Inspired by the shocking rise in heroin addiction among suburban teenagers, Perfect High stars Bella Thorne as Amanda, a star high school dancer who starts using prescription painkillers after being sidelined by a knee injury. Feeling neglected and isolated, Amanda is adopted by an ultra cool group of friends, including Carson (Broussard), Riley (Bobadilla) and Nate (Butler). She quickly becomes part of their inner circle, which means sharing her pills, having regular “pharm” parties, and falling in love for the first time.
As their drug use inevitably spirals into addiction, Amanda and her friends resort to lying, stealing and worse to fund their habit. Their lives are forever altered when a classmate begins selling them heroin disguised as a cheaper painkiller from Mexico.
Myriad Pictures chief Kirk D’Amico says Milla Jovovich is in negotiations to star in In The Lost Lands based on three short stories by Game of Thrones‘ George R.R. Martin. The fantasy adventure also has Justin Chatwin on board and filming is expected to begin in late 2015 in Germany.
D’Amico is executive producing, and Steve Hoban, Oliver Luer, and Nico Bruinsma are producing. German director Constantin Werner is attached to direct and is adapting Martin’s stories for the screen.
“We are very excited to have Milla join this unique project from the creator of Game Of Thrones,” said D’Amico. “We think that Milla’s character is destined to become an iconic cinematic figure. We are also excited to bring this epic fantasy project to audiences on a wide release basis around the world.”
Per Variety, here are the basics on the upcoming fantasy film:
“In one thread, the desperate queen of a city built into a towering mountain hires a sorceress — played by Jovovich — to travel into the ghostly wasteland called the Lost Lands to obtain the gift of shape-shifting into a werewolf.
Another thread involves a warrior girl who must fight a dragon that serves as the gatekeeper of seven worlds to reunite with her lost lover. The futuristic tale ‘Bitterblooms’ centers on a young barbarian girl who is spellbound by a lonely witch in a spacecraft.”
Hot on the heels of the news David Tennant and Rachael Taylor joined the cast of Netflix’s Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones comes word that Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix franchise) has also signed up for the series. Marvel and Netflix announced Moss will be playing a “no-nonsense woman who could prove a powerful ally to Jessica…if Jessica doesn’t completely alienate her first.”
As of today, A.K.A Jessica Jones‘ cast list includes Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones, David Tennant as Kilgrave, Mike Colter as Luke Cage, Rachael Taylor as Patricia “Trish” Walker, and Moss.
The 13 episode series will debut this year following the release of Marvel’s Daredevil only on Netflix. The series has Melissa Rosenberg (Dexter) on board as executive producer and showrunner.
“Throughout her career, Carrie-Anne has embodied a wide range of characters in a compelling and relatable way and I have no doubt she will bring that talent to A.K.A. Jessica Jones,” said Rosenberg, announcing Moss’ casting.
“Carrie-Anne has proven her ability to play complex characters with deep and layered inner lives,” said Jeph Loeb, Executive Producer/Marvel’s Head of Television. “Her interaction with Jessica Jones will be one of the many highlights of the series.”
The Plot:
After a tragic ending to her short-lived super hero stint, Jessica Jones is rebuilding her personal life and career as a detective who gets pulled into cases involving people with extraordinary abilities in New York City.
You don’t have to be a New England Patriots/Tom Brady/Bill Belichick fan to enjoy listening to a new a cappella version of Queen’s “We Are The Champions.” Jimmy Fallon recruited a few of his famous singer friends to deliver a “We Are The Champions” music video in honor of the 2015 Super Bowl.
Fallon and The Roots lead the a cappella version, with Carrie Underwood, Sam Smith, Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton, Usher, Meghan Trainor, One Direction, and Christina Aguilera all lending their voices to the Queen anthem.
Director Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) has started shooting Ben-Hur set up at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Paramount Pictures and heading to theaters on February 26, 2016. The new Ben-Hur stars Jack Huston as Judah Ben-Hur, Morgan Freeman as Ilderim, Toby Kebbell as Messala, and Nazanin Boniadi as Esther.
The cast also includes Rodrigo Santoro as Jesus Christ, Sofia Black D’Elia as Tirzah, Ayelet Zurer as Naomi, Moises Arias as Gestas, and Pilou Asbæk as Pontius Pilate.
Keith Clarke and John Ridley adapted Lew Wallace’s Ben-Hur: A Tale of The Christ for the screen and will serve as executive producers with Roma Downey and Jason Brown. Sean Daniel, Mark Burnett, Joni Levin, and Duncan Henderson are producing.
According to MGM and Paramount, Ben-Hur will shoot in Rome and Matera, Italy. “You could not have imagined a more perfect location to shoot this epic than Italy. We can’t wait to get started,” said Bekmambetov.
The original Ben-Hur film starring Charlton Heston and directed by William Wyler was released in 1959 and won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor.
The Plot:
The film returns to the heart of Lew Wallace’s epic novel focusing on the nature of faith. The story follows a falsely accused nobleman who survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend who betrayed him. Both must come to choose between retribution or forgiveness.
Writer/director Joe Swanberg’s Digging for Fire has found a North American distributor following its premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. The Orchard has picked up the film but hasn’t yet set a theatrical release date.
Swanberg’s Digging for Fire was co-written by Jake Johnson (New Girl) and stars Johnson, Rosemarie DeWitt, Orlando Bloom, Brie Larson, Sam Rockwell, Anna Kendrick and Mike Birbiglia. Sam Elliot, Judith Light, Ron Livingston, Melanie Lynskey, Jenny Slate, Tim Simons, and Jane Adams also are featured in Swanberg’s new dramatic film.
“I came to Sundance to find the company that loved my film the most, and would do the smartest and most aggressive job releasing it,” said Swanberg. “I have found that company in The Orchard and can’t wait to start this new relationship.”
Digging for Fire centers around “the discovery of a bone and a gun which sends a husband and wife – each full of doubts about their future and anxiety about the present – on separate adventures over the course of a weekend.”
“After admiring Joe’s films for a long time, it’s a dream for us to have the opportunity to work with him,” commented The Orchard’s SVP of Film & TV, Paul Davidson. “We think audiences will flock to Digging for Fire for its engaging and comedic look at adult relationships and we’re excited to work with Joe, Jake and Alicia to make that a reality.”
While millions tuned in to see the New England Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks following a decision by the Seahawks’ coach to call for a passing play instead of going into Beast Mode – a play call that resulted in an interception and opened the door for a Patriots win – American Sniper was busy setting another record in theaters. American Sniper added biggest box office take on a Super Bowl weekend to its list of accomplishments, ringing up $31.85 million and moving ahead of Hannah Montana‘s $31.1 million Super Bowl record.
American Sniper‘s domestic box office total is now $248 million and it’s currently number six on the list of 2014’s biggest box office earners.
Directed by Clint Eastwood, American Sniper stars Bradley Cooper as the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history, Chris Kyle. Sienna Miller co-stars as Chris’ wife, Taya. The cast also includes Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kyle Gallner, and Luke Grimes.
The Plot:
U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname “Legend.” However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world.
Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the SEAL creed to “leave no man behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya Renae Kyle (Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.
Budweiser captured the top spot for the second year in a row, with visitors to Hulu’s Toyota AdZone choosing “Lost Dog” as the overall best ad that aired during Super Bowl XLIX as well as the best ad featuring an animal. Super Bowl viewers also voted Fiat’s “Pill” ad (featuring a lost Viagra pill) as the funniest ad to air during the big game and Esurance’s “Sorta Pharmacy” with Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston as the best celebrity cameo. And Furious 7 snagged the top spot in the movie trailer category while Coca-Cola’s “MakeItHappy” was selected as the ad that moved audiences the most.
The ASIFA-Hollywood announced the winners of the 2015 Annie Awards, which recognized the best in animated productions released in 2014, and DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon 2 took home top honors in the Best Animated Feature category. The Annie Awards were held on January 31, 2015 and 36 awards were handed out in categories including Animated Short Subject, Animated Video Game, and Best Student Film.
“Our industry waits all year for this event and it never disappoints,” said ASIFA-Hollywood Executive Director, Frank Gladstone. “This was a terrific night with something for everyone. It was fun to take a look back at our history, celebrate and honor what we have accomplished over the past year, and even look forward a little to what is in store for 2015 and beyond.”
42nd Annual Annie Awards Winners
Best Animated Feature How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Best Animated Special Production Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey – Voyager Pictures LLC
Best Animated Short Subject Feast – Walt Disney Animation Studios
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial Flight of the Stories – Aardman Animations
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children Tumble Leaf – Amazon Studios and Bix Pix Entertainment
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Children’s Audience Gravity Falls – Disney Television Animation
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production The Simpsons – Gracie Films in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Best Animated Video Game Valiant Hearts: The Great War – Ubisoft Montpellier
Best Student Film My Big Brother – Jason Rayner
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in an Animated Production
Michael Kaschalk, Peter DeMund, David Hutchins, Henrik Falt, John Kosnik – Big Hero 6 – Walt Disney Animation Studios
Outstanding Achievement, Animated Effects in a Live Action Production
Steve Avoujageli, Atsushi Ikarashi, Pawel Grochola, Paul Waggoner, Viktor Lundqvist – Edge of Tomorrow – Warner Bros./Village Roadshow Pictures
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Justin Nichols – Wander Over Yonder – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Feature Production
Fabio Lignini – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Live Action Production
Daniel Barrett, Paul Story, Eteuati Tema, Alessandro Bonora, Dejan Momcilovic – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – Chernin Entertainment/Ingenious Media/TSG Entertainment
Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in a Video Game
Mike Mennillo – Assassin’s Creed Unity – Ubisoft Montreal
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Benjamin Balistreri – Wander Over Yonder – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
Paul Sullivan, Sandra Equihua, Jorge R. Gutierrez – The Book of Life – Reel FX Animation Studios/Twentieth Century Fox
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Aaron Springer – Disney Mickey Mouse – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Directing in an Animated Feature Production
Dean DeBlois – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Christopher Willis – Disney Mickey Mouse – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production
John Powell, Jónsi – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Narina Sokolova – Mickey Shorts – Disney
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
Paul Lasaine, Tom McClure & August Hall – The Boxtrolls – Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Joaquim Dos Santos – Legend of Korra – Nickelodeon
Outstanding Achievement, Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
Truong “Tron” Son Mai – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Bill Farmer as the voices of Goofy and Grandma – Disney Mickey Mouse – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
Sir Ben Kingsley as the voice of Archibald Snatcher – The Boxtrolls – Focus Features/Laika
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Darrick Bachman – Disney Mickey Mouse – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated Feature Production
Phil Lord & Christopher Miller – The LEGO Movie – Warner Bros. Pictures
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production
Illya Owens – Disney Mickey Mouse – Disney Television Animation
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
John K. Carr – How to Train Your Dragon 2 – DreamWorks Animation SKG
