The final trailer has been released for Disney+’s Andor and the biggest takeaway is that, even though this is a prequel, it’s going to be essential that viewers rewatch Rogue One before September 21, 2022. The trailer was released during the D23 Expo 2022, with Kathleen Kennedy confirming production is underway on the second batch of 12 episodes of the series’ planned 24-episode run.
Diego Luna reprises his role as Cassian Andor for this action-filled prequel. The cast also includes Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Forest Whitaker, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Fiona Shaw, and Faye Marsay.
Tony Gilroy created the series and serves as showrunner and executive producer. Diego Luna, Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, and Michelle Rejwan also executive produce. Directors include Toby Haynes, Susanna White, and Benjamin Caron.
The first three episodes will debut on Disney+ on September 21st.
Andor takes place five years before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The era featured in Andor is filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
Andor presents Star Wars from a different perspective, focusing on everyday people whose lives are affected by the Empire. The decisions they make have real consequences, and the stakes for them—and the galaxy—couldn’t be higher.
Disenchanted, the long-awaited, much-anticipated Enchanted sequel, dropped its first trailer during D23 Expo 2022. The first teaser trailer reveals Giselle (Amy Adams) has discovered life isn’t one big fairy tale and a happily ever after ending isn’t guaranteed. The two-minute teaser ends with a warning that nothing stays enchanted forever.
Patrick Dempsey reprises his role as Robert Philip, Idina Menzel returns as Nancy, and James Marsden’s back as Prince Edward. The sequel also stars Maya Rudolph as Malvina Monroe, Yvette Nicole Brown as Rosaleen, Jayma Mays as Ruby, and Gabriella Baldacchino as Morgan Philip.
Kevin Lima directed 2007’s Enchanted and Adam Shankman (Hairspray) is at the helm of the musical comedy’s sequel. Brigitte Hales wrote the screenplay, and Amy Adams, Barry Josephson, and Barry Sonnenfeld produced. Shankman, Jo Burn, and Sunil Perkash executive produced.
Enchanted‘s Oscar-nominated songwriting duo Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz returned to write new songs for the sequel.
Disenchanted is skipping a theatrical release and will premiere on Disney+ on November 24, 2022.
Disney+ released the following synopsis of the sequel:
“It has been 15 years since Giselle (Adams) and Robert (Dempsey) wed, but Giselle has grown disillusioned with life in the city, so they move their growing family to the sleepy suburban community of Monroeville in search of a more fairy tale life. Unfortunately, it isn’t the quick fix she had hoped for. Suburbia has a whole new set of rules and a local queen bee, Malvina Monroe (Rudolph), who makes Giselle feel more out of place than ever.
Frustrated that her happily ever after hasn’t been so easy to find, she turns to the magic of Andalasia for help, accidentally transforming the entire town into a real-life fairy tale and placing her family’s future happiness in jeopardy. Now, Giselle is in a race against time to reverse the spell and determine what happily ever after truly means to her and her family.”
The reboot of Criminal Minds for what will be its 16th season now has an official title. After taking a couple of years off, the popular drama returns with a new title – Criminal Minds: Evolution – and a new home on Paramount+.
The title announcement included details on the plot as well as the news that Zach Gilford (Midnight Mass) is joining season 16 as a recurring guest star. Per Paramount+, Gilford will play “Elias Voit, an operations analyst for a global cyber-security firm who has a dark side and obsession with death.”
Returning original cast members include Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster. The series also brought back Criminal Minds‘ Erica Messer as a writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Writer Breen Frazier, writer Christopher Barbour, director Glenn Kershaw, and Mark Gordon are also serving as executive producers.
Criminal Minds: Evolution is an ABC Signature and CBS Studios production.
The Plot: CBS’s original Criminal Minds series, which ran from 2005-2020, followed an elite team of FBI profilers who analyzed the country’s most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they struck again. And now, the BAU is back! In the all-new Criminal Minds: Evolution episodes exclusively available on Paramount+, the FBI’s elite team of criminal profilers come up against their greatest threat yet, an UnSub who has used the pandemic to build a network of other serial killers. Now, as the world opens back up, the network goes operational, and our team must hunt them down, one murder at a time.
It’s the Airbnb experience created from the stuff nightmares are made of for a young woman who discovers the short-term rental home she’s about to stay in is double-booked in the horror film Barbarian.
Tess (Georgina Campbell, Suspicion), a documentary researcher, arrives late at night at the Airbnb she rented while in Detroit on a job interview. Stuck out in the pouring rain, she discovers that the key to the house is not in the lockbox. And, much to her surprise, someone is already in the house.
Keith (Bill Skarsgard, the IT films) comes to the door half asleep and informs Tess that he booked the house and has the paperwork to prove it. He invites her in out of the rain, and she reluctantly enters to compare their reservation confirmations.
Tess and Keith quickly realize that the company they went through must have accidentally double-booked the house. Keith helpfully suggests that she stay since it’s raining and since the rental is in a run-down part of town. It might not be safe for her to go out on her own searching for a hotel.
At first, Tess is understandably hesitant, but she finally agrees to stay. Determined to be a gentleman, Keith insists she take the bedroom and he’ll crash on the couch. As Keith and Tess enjoy some wine, chat, and get to know each other a little, Tess starts to relax and enjoy the company of her new housemate.
Later that night Tess wakes to find her bedroom door open and Keith asleep on the couch in the middle of a bad dream. Creeped out and concerned, she wakes him and asks if he opened her door. He claims he didn’t and is annoyed she woke him.
The next day after a successful job interview Tess returns to the rental and finds a note from Keith saying he left to run some errands, promising he’ll see her later that night. It’s while Tess is alone in the house that she accidentally locks herself in the basement while exploring and discovers a maze of hidden rooms, corridors, and stairs. This leads to her discovering the true horrors of the house.
Written and directed by Zach Cregger, Barbarian is a dark, disturbing, and twisted film with strong performances from its cast. Cregger doesn’t introduce anything new to the genre but does use some classic horror movie-making techniques to manipulate and scare the audience, including flashlights barely lighting up dark tunnels and doorways, weird sounds coming out of the darkness, and, of course, characters doing exactly what they shouldn’t do in a horror movie.
Georgina Campbell is wonderful as Tess, a smart and headstrong young woman who finds herself in a horrific nightmare but struggles to find a way to survive. Campbell subtly displays Tess’s wariness of Keith when she first meets him and her eventual fondness for him after their late-night chat. Campbell also displays genuine fear as her character goes through what can only be described as a living nightmare.
Justin Long steals every scene he’s in as AJ, a self-absorbed actor whose legal troubles cause him to end up at the same rental house that Tess and Keith are at in a surprising yet effective subplot.
The direction, set design, and cinematography are all extremely well done and generate a real sense of dread and fear.
Creepy and unsettling, Barbarian is a highly effective horror film that’s sure to make moviegoers anxious and squirm in their seats.
GRADE: B-
Rating: R (Nudity|Language Throughout|Disturbing Material|Some Strong Violence and Gore)
The trailer for Netflix’s The Watcher limited series plays like a walk-through of a house for sale, with Jennifer Coolidge starring as the realtor who guides interested buyers through their potential new digs. The limited series is based on the true story of a family who purchased 657 Boulevard, Westfield, New Jersey and were immediately targeted with creepy letters signed by “The Watcher.”
Netflix’s campaign for the series includes an actual listing of the residence on Zillow. The listing is by Karen Calhoun (Coolidge) and features photos, a detailed description of the home, and the series’ walk-through trailer.
The limited series’ cast includes Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Mia Farrow, Margo Martindale, and Terry Kinney. Joe Mantello, Richard Kind, Noma Dumezweni, Christopher McDonald, Michael Nouri, Isabel Gravitt, Henry Hunter Hall, and Luke David Blumm also star.
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan created The Watcher and executive produce along with Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Bryan Unkeless, Eric Newman, Paris Barclay, Naomi Watts, Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost, and Scoop Wasserstein.
Poster for Netflix’s limited series ‘The Watcher’
Netflix released the following description of the series:
Dean (Cannavale) and Nora Brannock (Watts) just purchased their dream home in the idyllic suburb of Westfield, New Jersey, but after putting all of their savings into closing the deal they soon realize the neighborhood is less than welcoming. There’s a kooky older woman named Pearl (Farrow) and her brother Jasper (Kinney), who sneaks into the Brannock’s house and hides in their dumbwaiter. There’s Karen (Coolidge), the realtor and an old acquaintance of Nora’s, who makes them feel like they don’t really belong, and nosy neighbors Mitch (Kind) and Mo (Martindale), who don’t seem to understand property lines.
Their icy welcome quickly turns into a full-blown living hell when ominous letters from someone calling themself “The Watcher” start arriving, terrorizing the Brannocks to their breaking point as the neighborhood’s sinister secrets come spilling out. Based on the true story of the infamous “Watcher” house in New Jersey.
Season five of ABC’s The Rookie kicks off with Nolan dealing with serial killer Rosalind Dyer (recurring guest star Annie Wersching) once again. Directed by Tori Garrett from a script by Alexi Hawley, season five episode one – “Double Down” – will air on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT.
Nathan Fillion leads the cast as John Nolan, and during the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con’s The Rookie panel, series creator Alexi Hawley confirmed Nolan has been promoted to training officer in season five.
Eric Winter plays Tim Bradford, Melissa O’Neil is Lucy Chen, Alyssa Diaz plays Angela Lopez, and Richard T. Jones is Wade Grey. Mekia Cox is Nyla Harper, Shawn Ashmore plays Wesley Evers, Tru Valentino is Aaron Thorsen, and Jenna Dewan returns as Bailey Nune.
“Double Down” Plot: Officer John Nolan’s is once again face-to-face with serial killer Rosalind, and she wants him to know she’s not done with him yet. Meanwhile, officers Bradford and Chen work undercover with Detective Lopez and the Las Vegas Police Department to arrest leaders of a major criminal enterprise.
Eric Winter and Melissa O’Neil in ‘The Rookie’ season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Nathan Fillion in season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Melissa O’Neil and Eric Winter season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Melissa O’Neil and Eric Winter in season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Raymond Liu)K.B. Holland and Eric Winter in season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Raymond Liu)Caitlin Carver and Eric Winter in season 5 episode 1 (ABC/Raymond Liu)
ABC’s Official The Rookie Series Synopsis:
John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD, has used his life experience, determination, and sense of humor to keep up with rookies 20 years his junior. Nearing the end of his training, Nolan now faces his biggest challenge as a police officer yet when he must come to terms with the choices he has made in pursuit of the truth.
Warner Bros Pictures’ final trailer for the comic book-inspired action thriller Black Adam features more of Dwayne Johnson in action along with new footage of the Justice Society of America. The nearly three-minute trailer shows Black Adam’s powers and provides just a peek at the titular character’s backstory.
Joining The Rock for his first feature film outing as Black Adam are Aldis Hodge (City on a Hill) as Hawkman, Noah Centineo (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before) as Atom Smasher, Sarah Shahi (Sex/Life) as Adrianna, Pierce Brosnan (the Mamma Mia! franchise) as Dr. Fate, and Quintessa Swindell (Voyagers) as Cyclone. Mo Amer (Ramy), Bodhi Sabongui (A Million Little Things), and Marwan Kenzari (Murder on the Orient Express) also star.
Dwayne Johnson reunites with his Jungle Cruise director Jaume Collet-Serra for the 2022 release, with Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines, and Sohrab Noshirvani writing the screenplay. Johnson, Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia, and Dany Garcia produce, and Toby Emmerich, Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Chris Pan, Walter Hamada, Adam Schlagman, Geoff Johns, Eric McLeod, and Scott Sheldon executive produce.
Warner Bros has set an October 19, 2022 international release followed by an October 21 release in North America.
The Plot: “In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed and Black Adam has gone from man, to myth, to legend. Now released, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone.”
Woniya, Callie and Michelle in ‘Alone: Frozen’ season 1 episode 5 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
The History Channel’s Alone: Frozen season one episode five begins with four survivalists and ends with three. That means the payout will be $166,666 if the three remaining contestants survive for the full 50 days.
It seemed like not much went on in this episode until the last 15 or so minutes when the field was suddenly reduced to three, and one survivalist was left barely hanging on due to stomach issues. Amos left the adventure with 31 days remaining, meaning all three remaining survivalists are women. And, yes, I’m really excited the top three spots will be filled by fierce females!
Woniya Thibeault, Age 45, California – Season 6, Survived 73 Days
35 Days Left: Woniya reports the previous night was the coldest one yet, but she had to get up because she had a visitor. She’s certain it was a fox and decides to set up a cubby snare to catch him. She’s going to use rabbit guts for bait.
Woniya thinks she has a “deep relationship” with foxes and believes that eating what you love brings you closer to what you love. She calls it a magical and devotional act.
34 Days Left: It sounded like something tripped her snare overnight, but she couldn’t find her headlamp so she wasn’t able to check it out. Morning arrives and the snare’s been tripped, but the only thing in it is a foot from a rabbit that was used for bait. The fox must have thrashed around and gotten loose. (Update: the article originally stated that it was the fox’s foot which was my error. Woniya left rabbit guts and a foot in the trap, and it was the rabbit’s foot – not the fox’s – that remainded after the trap was triggered.)
Woniya attempts to track it but is unsuccessful.
Later, she selects a name for her house. Because they’re in Labrador, she comes up with “Storm Fortress.” And since she’s going to need a big fire, she spends the day working on building a good hearth and chimney. She’s designing a hearth that is 18” wide, and walks around collecting stones for the project.
She builds two pillars, careful not to use anything flammable. She crosses her fingers as she places the mantelpiece across the pillars and is happy to see it’s secure. It can even support her weight. Her next step is to build up the chimney and eventually open up the roof to let the smoke out.
If she makes it to 50 days, she’s going to buy land to teach on and start a skills school. She also wants to buy new carpet for her mom’s house.
32 Days Left: Woniya’s lost more weight than she hoped she would have this far into the challenge and is going to concentrate on food once she finishes building her chimney. She carefully peels back her tarp and works on rearranging her rafters to make a hole for the chimney. She uses snare wire to hold things in place as she works on building the remaining portion of her chimney with stones.
By 4:30pm she’s got it pretty much where she wants it and finishes it off by filling in holes with smaller rocks and soil. At 7pm, she lights the fire and the chimney works as it should, with smoke pouring out. Woniya believes this is game-changing and worth all the calories she used to build her new fireplace and chimney.
Callie on season 1 of ‘Alone: Frozen’ (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
Callie Russell, Age 34, Montana – Season 7, Survived 89 Days
34 Days Left: Frost covers the ground and it’s a beautiful morning. The sound of the ice breaking is amazing, and Callie sits and watches the tide come in and enjoys the view. She spots two seals playing around and notes everything’s catching fish but her.
Callie makes a trap out of paracord and loops made of willow, hoping she’ll catch a fish every day. If she does, then she can survive the 50 days.
She’s been thinking a lot about her family and misses being a part of her three younger sisters’ lives right now. However, she trusts they’ll be okay. If she can bring home a cash prize, she’ll be able to give back to her family.
Callie finishes the door for the fish trap, complete with a bait bag full of grouse guts and seal skin. She dubs the trap “Fishgetter 3300” and places it in position while it’s low tide. Callie does a little fish dance, wiggling like a fish.
31 Days Left: Callie hasn’t been getting any fish or animals and has been existing on mussels. She explains she’s been leaving the camera behind when she checks her traps because they’re always empty.
She heads to the water and her new trap is empty. She can’t believe there aren’t any fish around since this is the ocean. If she doesn’t get more protein, she won’t be able to stay.
That afternoon Callie cooks up more mussels, even though she’s tired of eating them. She’s having a tough time wanting to eat them but realizes that at this point she has to in order to survive.
3:17am – Callie reports she almost vomited in her sleeping bag. Her body is rejecting the mussels and she’s worried since that’s her only protein source. “It’s not fun being sick out here, that’s for sure,” says Callie.
30 Days Left: Callie had a rough night and feels lightheaded. She takes a rest on Seal Rock, hoping it will make her feel better. It doesn’t, and her insides are churning.
She gets up for a minute and then settles back on the sand, even though it’s cold and wet. She convinces herself to get up and walk to the river for water.
Michelle in season 1 of The History Channel’s ‘Alone: Frozen’
Michelle Finn, Age 47, Maine – Season 8, Survived 21 Days
33 Days Left: It’s 32 degrees and there’s ice on the beach when Michelle begins her day. Her first task is to check the snares she’s set up by a game trail. She knows she needs meat; she can’t just exist on clams and mussels.
It’s important that she doesn’t allow her health to deteriorate. Unlike some Alone contestants, she lives in the modern world and has a mortgage. She can’t take time off to recuperate.
One of her snares catches a large hare and she’s thankful to the land for providing food. She’s going to take this catch as a sign she can go the distance.
Back at camp, she boils a pot full of rabbit and eats the liver and heart first. Both organs are extremely high in protein.
31 Days Left: The wind’s picking up as she gathers seagrasses to make a basket for her berries. She uses a fishhook and fishing line to weave a basket, and it takes shape fairly quickly. Michelle confesses she can’t stop thinking about her husband and is feeling a mixture of gratitude and guilt about being away from home.
Amos in ‘Alone: Frozen’ season 1 (Photo Credit: The History Channel)
Amós Rodriguez, Age 41, Indiana – Season 7, Survived 58 Days
33 Days Left: Amos spent the morning picking up clams and mussels, still hopeful there’s a bear in his future. He checks his snares, but they’re all empty. He admits to being worried about the weight loss and the amount of time it will take to get back to feeling normal.
Amos recalls that when he was a kid, his mother was held as a political prisoner and tortured during the Salvadoran Civil War. He doesn’t want his daughter to ever experience the hardships that he experienced as a child.
He heads out to hunt for a bear but doesn’t spot anything. Instead, back at his shelter, he has to settle for eating mussels. Amos thinks the conditions for getting food (either fish or meat) are worse this time than in season seven. Still, he’s determined to make it 50 days so he can make a better future for his daughter.
He wakes at 8:30pm with an ember from his crackling fire on his sweater. He accidentally burnt down his shelter on season seven and doesn’t want to make that same mistake twice.
31 Days Left: Amos heads out to check his trap line and look for a bear. None of them have been tripped and he’s wondering why he’s there with no food when he could be home enjoying his family.
Amos continues his quest to bag a bear since he hasn’t eaten any meat in five days other than mussels. He hears a squirrel and takes a shot but misses. Amos confesses he’s tired of doing this every day.
He returns to his shelter without any food. He spends the day whittling a big spoon for his mom.
Amos wants to be strong enough to still hug his daughter when he leaves the competition. He doesn’t think the availability of game in this area is going to change and decides to tap out.
Amos knows people won’t understand why he’s leaving, but he believes it’s what’s best for his health.
Poster for Hulu’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 5 (Photo Courtesy of Hulu)
Hulu’s officially announced The Handmaid’s Tale has been renewed for season six. The streaming service confirmed the critically acclaimed – and, unfortunately, way too timely – drama will end with the sixth season.
Season five is set to premiere on September 14, 2022 with the release of the first two episodes. New episodes arrive on the following Wednesdays.
Elisabeth Moss returns to lead the cast as June Osborne. Season five also stars Bradley Whitford, Yvonne Strahovski, Max Minghella, O-T Fagbenle, Samira Wiley, Ann Dowd, Madeline Brewer, Amanda Brugel, and Sam Jaeger. Alexis Bledel (“Emily/Ofglen”) left the series after season four.
Hulu also confirmed The Handmaid’s Tale sequel The Testaments is still in development under series creator, executive producer, and showrunner Bruce Miller. Written by Margaret Atwood and released in 2019, The Testaments is narrated by Aunt Lydia and is set 15 years after the events in The Handmaid’s Tale.
“It has been a true honor to tell the story of Margaret Atwood’s groundbreaking novel and chillingly relevant world, and we are thrilled to bring viewers a sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale,” said Miller, commenting on the final season order. “We are grateful to Hulu and MGM for allowing us to tell this story, which unfortunately has remained as relevant as ever throughout its run, and are in awe of our incredible fans for their unwavering support, and without whom we never would have gotten to this point.”
Additional executive producers include series star Elisabeth Moss, Warren Littlefield, Daniel Wilson, Fran Sears, Eric Tuchman, Yahlin Chang, Rachel Shukert, Sheila Hockin, John Weber, Frank Siracusa, Steve Stark, and Kim Todd.
“Five years ago, almost to the day, The Handmaid’s Tale made history when it became the first show to win an Emmy for a streaming service. In the time since, it has been a privilege and pleasure to work with some of the finest creative talent in our industry on this show – a distinct and exceptional group of people who continue to produce the highest quality television that has made and continues to make significant cultural impact. Bruce, Warren, Lizzie and the entire team at MGM have been amazing partners, and we hope fans enjoy these last two seasons,” said Craig Erwich, President, ABC Entertainment, Hulu & Disney Branded Television Streaming Originals.
The season five plot, courtesy of Hulu:
In the fifth season, June faces consequences for killing Commander Waterford while struggling to redefine her identity and purpose. The widowed Serena attempts to raise her profile in Toronto as Gilead’s influence creeps into Canada. Commander Lawrence works with Nick and Aunt Lydia as he tries to reform Gilead and rise in power. June, Luke, and Moira fight Gilead from a distance as they continue their mission to save and reunite with Hannah.
Oscar nominee Carol Kane (Hester Street) will have a recurring role on season two of Paramount+’s Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The casting announcement was made on “Star Trek Day” – September 8th – and was accompanied by the release of the first clip from the much-anticipated second season.
Kane will be playing Pelia, a character described as highly educated and intelligent. “This engineer suffers no fools. Pelia solves problems calmly and brusquely, thanks to her many years of experience,” per Paramount+.
Returning cast members includes Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Number One, and Ethan Peck as Science Officer Spock. Jess Bush plays Nurse Christine Chapel, Christina Chong is La’an Noonien-Singh, Celia Rose Gooding is Cadet Nyota Uhura, Babs Olusanmokun is Dr. M’Benga, and Melissa Navia stars as Lt. Erica Ortegas.
Strange New Worlds is executive produced by Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet, Alonso Myers, Heather Kadin, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, and Aaron Baiers. Goldsman, Kurtzman, and Lumet created the series, and Kurtzman and Myers are the co-showrunners.
September 8th is celebrated each year in recognition of the premiere date of the original Star Trek series starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, and Nichelle Nichols. The pilot for Star Trek debuted on September 8, 1966.
Carol Kane joins the ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ cast for season 2 (Photo” Paramount+)
Paramount+ released the following description of the sci-fi series:
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is based on the years Captain Christopher Pike manned the helm of the U.S.S. Enterprise. The series follows Captain Pike, Science Officer Spock and Number One in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the U.S.S. Enterprise, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.
