First Look: ‘Locke & Key’ Season 2 Photos

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June 8, 2021

Locke & Key season 2 — HALLEA JONES as EDEN HAWKINS and GRIFFIN GLUCK as GABE in ‘LOCKE & KEY’ season 2 (Photo Credit: AMANDA MATLOVICH/NETFLIX © 2021)

Fans of the binge-worthy fantasy series Locke & Key are getting their first look at the upcoming second season with the release of the first official photos. Netflix just unveiled seven non-spoilery photos from season two ahead of its October 2021 premiere.

The season two cast includes Darby Stanchfield (Nina Locke), Connor Jessup (Tyler Locke), Emilia Jones (Kinsey Locke), Jackson Robert Scott (Bode Locke), Petrice Jones (Scot Cavendish), and Bill Heck (Rendell Locke). Thomas Mitchell Barnett (Sam Lesser), Coby Bird (Rufus Whedon), Jesse Camacho (Doug Brazelle), Asha Bromfield (Zadie Wells), Griffin Gluck (Gabe), Hallea Jones (Eden), Aaron Ashmore (Duncan Locke), Liyuo Abere (Jamie Bennett), and Brendan Hines (Josh Bennett) also star in the series adaptation of the IDW graphic novels by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez.

Carlton Cuse and Meredith Averil guide the series as showrunners. Cuse and Averill also serve as producers along with Joe Hill, Aron Eli Coleite, Lindsey Springer, and Chris Ryall. Producers also include IDW’s Lydia Antonini and Ted Adams; Take 5’s John Weber and Frank Siracusa; and Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, David Alpert, and Rick Jacobs for Circle of Confusion.

The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:

After their father is murdered under mysterious circumstances, the three Locke siblings and their mother move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse, which they discover is full of magical keys that may be connected to their father’s death. As the Locke children explore the different keys and their unique powers, a mysterious demon awakens — and will stop at nothing to steal them.

From Carlton Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel) and Meredith Averill (The Haunting of Hill House), Locke & Key is a coming-of-age mystery about love, loss, and the unshakable bonds that define family.

‘Walker’ Season 1 Episode 13 Photos: “Defend the Ranch” Preview

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 8, 2021

The CW’s Walker season one episode 13 finds Cordell defending his family from a threat from his past. Directed by Alex Pillai from a script by Seamus Kevin Fahey and Anna Fricke, episode 13 – “Defend the Ranch” – will air on June 10, 2021.

In addition to Jared Padalecki as Cordell Walker, the season one cast includes Kale Culley (Me, Myself and I) as August, Violet Brinson (Sharp Objects) as Stella, Keegan Allen (Pretty Little Liars) as Liam, Molly Hagan (Herman’s Head) as Abeline, and Mitch Pileggi (The X-Files) as Bonham. Coby Bell (The Gifted) plays Captain Larry James, Lindsey Morgan is Micki, and Jeff Pierre (Once Upon a Time) plays Trey Barnett.

“Defend the Ranch” Plot: THE WALKER FAMILY – Walker’s (Padalecki) past comes back with a vengeance and it threatens the very thing he loves the most – his family.

The Plot, Courtesy of The CW:

Walker stars Jared Padalecki as Cordell Walker, a widower and father of two with his own moral code, who returns home to Austin after being undercover for two years, only to discover there’s harder work to be done at home. He’ll attempt to reconnect with his creative and thoughtful son (Culley) and his headstrong, somewhat rebellious teenaged daughter (Brinson) and navigate clashes with his family – an ADA brother (Allen) who stepped in during Walker’s absence, his perceptive mother (Hagen) and his traditional rancher father (Pileggi).

Walker’s former colleague is now his Ranger Captain (Bell). Walker finds unexpected common ground with his new partner (one of the first women in Texas Rangers’ history) played by Lindsey Morgan, while growing increasingly suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death.

Walker Episode 13 — Jared Padalecki as Cordell Walker and Matthew Barr as Hoyt in ‘Walker’ episode 13 (Photo: Rebecca Brenneman © 2021 The CW Network, LLC)

Taraji P. Henson Joins the ‘Annie Live!’ Cast as Miss Hannigan

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 8, 2021

Taraji P Henson at the Larry Crowne Premiere — Taraji P Henson at the ‘Larry Crowne’ Premiere (Photo © Richard Chavez)

Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) has signed on to play Miss Hannigan in NBC’s Annie Live! airing Thursday, December 2, 2021. “Carol Burnett, who brought Miss Hannigan to life in the classic 1982 movie, is someone I have studied and idolized as far back as I can remember,” explained Henson. “So when the opportunity came to me to join NBC and this incredible group of producers, I jumped! Carol, I hope to do you proud!”

“When we decided to bring back NBC’s holiday musical tradition, we were looking for something that was critically acclaimed and universally beloved – and while that’s definitely the case with Annie, it absolutely applies to Taraji as well,” stated Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “Watching her take on this iconic role will be a thrill that has all the makings of must-watch television.”

The musical production’s titular role has yet to be cast. NBC is currently accepting auditions, with the casting taking place virtually. NBC’s looking for a young star of any ethnicity “to bring optimism, spunk, honesty and a wisdom beyond their years to the classic role.” More info’s available at https://castittalent.com/Annie_Live.

Lear deBessonet and Alex Rudzinski are attached to direct the live musical event based on the seven-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Sergio Trujillo is on board as choreographer, Paul Tazewell is confirmed as the costume designer, and Jason Sherwood is the production designer. The music will be overseen by Stephen Oremus.

Robert Greenblatt, Neil Meron, and Alex Rudzinsky are executive producing. Annie Live! is produced by Chloe Productions.

Taraji P. Henson recently starred as Cookie Lyon on six seasons of the critically acclaimed series, Empire. Her performance in that dramatic series set in the world of hip-hop earned her Critics Choice, Screen Actors Guild, and Golden Globe awards.

‘Legacies’ Season 3 Episode 14 Photos, Plot, and Trailer

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 8, 2021

The CW’s Legacies will finally return with a new episode on Thursday, June 10, 2021 after taking a three week break. Directed by America Young from a script by Penny Cox, season three episode 14 – “This Feels a Little Cult-y” – finds the trio of Hope, Josie, and Lizzie heading off to a special retreat.

The cast includes Danielle Rose Russell plays Hope Mikaelson, Jenny Boyd is Lizzie Saltzman, Kaylee Bryant is Josie Saltzman, Quincy Fouse plays Milton “MG” Greasley, and Aria Shahghasemi stars as Landon Kirby. Peyton Alex Smith is Rafael, Chris Lee is Kaleb, Leo Howard is Ethan Mac, Ben Levin is Jed, and Matthew Davis plays Alaric Saltzman.

“This Feels a Little Cult-y” Plot: WITCHAPALOOZA — In an attempt to control some of Hope’s (Russell) negative emotions, Josie (Bryant) suggests they join Lizzie (Boyd) at a wellness retreat for witches. Alaric (Davis) and Dorian (guest star Demetrius Bridges) team up after learning MG (Fouse) may be in trouble.

Series Description, Courtesy of The CW:

Set in The Salvatore Boarding School for the Young & Gifted, and within The Vampire Diaries universe, Legacies tells the ongoing story of a new generation of supernatural students as they learn what it means to be special in a society that wouldn’t understand their gifts.

In season two, Hope Mikaelson returned to a world that had forgotten she ever existed and reunited with her former Headmaster, Alaric Saltzman. Working together, Hope and Dr. Saltzman ultimately rejoined The Salvatore School to lead their Super Squad of powerful vampires, witches and werewolves, including Lizzie & Josie Saltzman, MG, Rafael, and Kaleb and even a Phoenix, her true love Landon, into battle against a dizzying horde of fantastic and deadly monsters birthed from the Malivore Pit … and their old nemesis, The Necromancer, who was determined to resurrect Malivore.

As season three begins, Hope has risked everything to pull her friends back from the brink of a monstrous prophecy that threatened to doom them all. But when a heartbreaking loss shatters her whole world, Hope Mikaelson will be forced to fight fate itself.

Legacies Season 3 Episode 14 — Jenny Boyd as Lizzie Saltzman in ‘Legacies’ season 3 episode 14 (Photo © 2021 The CW Network, LLC)

‘No Sudden Move’ New Trailer: Soderbergh Plots Another Heist Film

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 7, 2021

Warner Bros Pictures has released a new trailer for No Sudden Move which makes good use of Steven Soderbergh’s big name ensemble in just two minutes. The crime drama will be released exclusively on HBO Max on Thursday, July 1, 2021.

The talented ensemble includes Oscar nominee Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda), Oscar winner Benicio Del Toro (Traffic), David Harbour (Stranger Things), Amy Seimetz (The Comey Rule), and Brendan Fraser (Trust, Doom Patrol). Kieran Culkin (Succession), Noah Jupe (The Undoing), Julia Fox (Day by Day), Frankie Shaw (SMILF), Ray Liotta (Shades of Blue), and Bill Duke (Black Lightning) also star.

Soderbergh (Best Director Oscar winner, Traffic) reunited with writer Ed Solomon and producer Casey Silver on No Sudden Move after working with both on Mosaic, a murder mystery that aired on HBO in 2018. Julie M. Anderson serves as an executive producer.

The Plot:

Set in 1954 Detroit, No Sudden Move centers on a group of small-time criminals who are hired to steal what they think is a simple document. When their plan goes horribly wrong, their search for who hired them – and for what ultimate purpose – weaves them through all echelons of the race-torn, rapidly changing city.

‘The Boys’ Shows Off Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 7, 2021

The Boys Jensen Ackles — Jensen Ackles as “Soldier Boy” in Amazon Prime Video’s ‘The Boys’ season 3

Amazon Prime Video’s released the first look at Jensen Ackles in character as “Soldier Boy” in season three of The Boys. Ackles is going from 15 years of playing a demon hunter on The CW’s Supernatural to fan favorite Soldier Boy, a character described by costume designer Laura Jean Shannon as “the original badass.” Designer Shannon worked with concept artist Greg Hopwood to come up with just the right look for the Soldier Boy supersuit.

“Our goal was to highlight a bygone era of overt masculinity and grit,” stated Shannon. “With that pedigree we dove headfirst into baking in an all-American quality grounded in a military soldier’s practicality with a heavy dose of old-school cowboy swagger. We knew that the actor had to have Steve McQueen looks and chops with a John Wayne attitude, luckily Jensen Ackles embodies all of that.”

The Boys reunites Jensen Ackles with showrunner Eric Kripke, the creative force behind Supernatural.

“When I cast Jensen as Soldier Boy, the first thing I said was, ‘I’m most excited for you, because of the amazing process you’ll go through with LJ, our Super Suit designer.’ It took six months but the experience surpassed Jensen’s expectations,” explained Kripke. “LJ has made a work of art that tips its hat to the WWII Soldier Boy from the comics while taking it in a sleek new direction. And if you think the photos are cool, just wait till you see Jensen in action. It’s one of my very favorite suits. Also, now you can quit clogging my Twitter notifications with demands to see it.”

Ackles teased the supersuit’s reveal before it was released, tweeting, “Every dent, every scratch, every mark tells a story. A story that ends with me, winning.”

A Look Back at the Season 2 Plot, Courtesy of Amazon:

The Boys is an irreverent take on what happens when superheroes, who are as popular as celebrities, as influential as politicians and as revered as Gods, abuse their superpowers rather than use them for good. It’s the powerless against the super powerful as The Boys embark on a heroic quest to expose the truth about “The Seven,” and their formidable Vought backing.

The even more intense, more insane Season 2 finds The Boys on the run from the law, hunted by the Supes, and desperately trying to regroup and fight back against Vought. In hiding, Hughie (Jack Quaid), Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso), Frenchie (Tomer Capon) and Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) try to adjust to a new normal, with Butcher (Karl Urban) nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Starlight (Erin Moriarty) must navigate her place in The Seven as Homelander (Antony Starr) sets his sights on taking complete control. His power is threatened with the addition of Stormfront (Aya Cash), a social media-savvy new Supe, who has an agenda of her own. On top of that, the Supervillain threat takes center stage and makes waves as Vought seeks to capitalize on the nation’s paranoia.

The Supes of The Seven also include Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott), A-Train (Jessie T. Usher), The Deep (Chace Crawford) and Black Noir (Nathan Mitchell).

‘Shadow and Bone’ is Picked Up for Season 2 by Netflix

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 7, 2021

The stars of Netflix’s Shadow and Bone shared the news via video that the popular series has been renewed for a second season. A one minute video announcement featured the cast celebrating Netflix’s commitment to season two.

Season one of the fantasy series based on Leigh Bardugo’s bestselling book series was watched by 55+ million households over its first 28 days in release. According to Netflix, the second season will consist of eight one-hour episodes – just like season one.

“I’m honored and thrilled to return to the Grishaverse and continue the stories of these endearing characters, particularly Milo,” said showrunner, writer, and executive producer Eric Heisserer (Arrival, Bird Box).

“I’ve been writing in the Grishaverse for nearly ten years now, so I’m thrilled we get to keep this adventure going, stated author and executive producer Leigh Bardugo. “There are so many places we’ve barely gotten to visit and I can’t wait to introduce our audience to more of the saints, soldiers, thugs, thieves, princes, and privateers who make this world so much fun to explore. It’s going to be real magic to see our brilliant, talented cast expand.”

Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology have spent over a month at the top of the NY Times bestseller list following the television adaptation’s debut on Netflix.

Returning season one cast members include Jessie Mei Li as Alina Starkov, Archie Renaux as Malyen Oretsev, Freddy Carter as Kaz Brekker, Amita Suman as Inej, and Kit Young as Jesper Fahey. Ben Barnes will reprise his role as General Kirigan, Danielle Galligan returns as Nina Zenik, and Calahan Skogman is back as Matthias Helvar.

In addition to Bardugo and Heisserer, Shadow and Bone is executive produced by 21 Laps Entertainment’s Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, Dan Cohen, and Josh Barry, as well as Loom Studios’ Pouya Shahbazian.

Executive producer Shawn Levy also commented on the renewal. “My 21 Laps colleagues and I are thrilled that audiences around the world can continue to explore the Grishaverse and revel in the epic, unique storytelling of Shadow and Bone,” said Levy. “The fun of our jobs as producers is the collaboration with creative partners who inspire us. Leigh Bardugo and Eric Heisserer are two such partners; together they have created a world and pantheon of characters that fans all over the globe have embraced. We can’t wait to take viewers on the wild ride that comes next…”

A Look Back at Season One:

Based on Leigh Bardugo’s worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone finds us in a war-torn world where lowly soldier and orphan Alina Starkov has just unleashed an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her country free. With the monstrous threat of the Shadow Fold looming, Alina is torn from everything she knows to train as part of an elite army of magical soldiers known as Grisha. But as she struggles to hone her power, she finds that allies and enemies can be one and the same and that nothing in this lavish world is what it seems.

There are dangerous forces at play, including a crew of charismatic criminals, and it will take more than magic to survive.

‘Rebel’ Season 1 and Series Finale: Photos, Plot, Cast and Trailer

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 7, 2021

ABC’s first and only season of Rebel will conclude with back-to-back episodes on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Episode nine, “Trial Day,” will air at 9pm ET/PT followed by episode 10, “36 Hours,” at 10pm ET/PT.

Katey Sagal stars as Erin Brockovich, John Corbett plays Grady Bello, Lex Scott Davis is Cassidy, and Tamala Jones is Lana. Andy Garcia plays Cruz, Ariela Barer is Ziggy, James Lesure is Benji, Kevin Zegers is Nate, and Sam Palladio stars as Luke.

The series finale guest stars include Matthew Glave, Daniella Garcia, Abigail Spencer, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Mary McDonnell, Nina Millin, and Adam Arkin.

“Trial Day” Plot: Rebel’s personal life becomes headline news and she begrudgingly distances herself from the Stonemore Medical trial.

“36 Hours” Plot: Rebel, Cruz, Lana and Ziggy round up an army of support to bring the Stonemore Medical case to a close on the series finale.

Season 1 Description, Courtesy of ABC:

Inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich today, Annie “Rebel” Bello is a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. She’s a funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves. When Rebel applies herself to a fight she believes in, she will win at almost any cost.

Rebel Series Finale — Jalen Thomas Brooks and John Corbett in the “36 Hours” episode (ABC/Scott Everett White)

‘A Million Little Things” Season 3 2-Part Finale Photos, Plot and Trailer

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 7, 2021

ABC’s A Million Little Things wraps up season three with the two-part finale, “Justice.” Part one airs on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT followed by part two at 10pm.

The cast of season three includes David Giuntoli as Eddie Saville, Romany Malco as Rome Howard, Allison Miller as Maggie Bloom, Christina Moses as Regina Howard, Grace Park as Katherine Saville, and James Roday Rodriguez as Gary Mendez. Stephanie Szostak is Delilah Dixon, Floriana Lima is Darcy Cooper, Tristan Byon is Theo Saville, Lizzy Greene as Sophie Dixon, and Chance Hurstfield as Danny Dixon.

Episodes 17 and 18 guest stars include Paul Rodriguez as Javier Mendez, Terry Chen as Alan, Andrew Leeds as Peter, Adam Swain as Tyrell, and Brian Scolaro as Brian. Kari Matchett is Georgia Gregory, Michael Weston is Christopher Gregory, Adam Greydon Reid is Kyle, Donald Sales is Dusti, and Emrik Dante Lopez plays Milo.

“justice: part 1”/“justice: part 2” Plot: Sophie seeks justice for her trauma, and Maggie forces Gary to take a hard look at himself and his relationships. Meanwhile, Eddie goes to extreme measures to fight for his family, and Rome and Regina make big changes for their future on the two-hour season finale.

The Season 3 Plot, Courtesy of ABC:

Friendship isn’t a big thing. It’s a million little things. Our gang ended last season with many challenges in front of them. In season three, we’ll see our group of friends once again lean on each other in ways that are both moving and aspirational—something we could all use right now.

A Million Little Things Season 3 Episode 18 — David Giuntoli and Tristan Byon in ‘A Million Little Things’ season 3 episode 18 (ABC/Jack Rowand)

‘Spirit Untamed’ Movie Review

By

Kevin Finnerty

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June 5, 2021

The family-friendly animated film Spirit Untamed is the unnecessary and fairly simple spinoff of the 2002 animated adventure, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron – a theatrical release that didn’t really have anyone asking for a sequel.

The film focuses on Lucky Prescott (voiced by Isabela Merced) who, after being less than well-behaved while living with her grandfather, is sent off to stay with her estranged father, Jim Prescott (voiced by Jake Gyllenhaal), in a sleepy little Western town. Traveling by train, Lucky spots the wild stallion, Spirit, and his horse family racing beside the tracks. She immediately becomes obsessed with the stallion.

After an uncomfortable meet and greet with her father and her first look at her bedroom, Lucky goes exploring around town and quickly becomes friends with Pru Granger (voiced by Marsai Martin), who helps her dad take care of the town’s horses and livestock, as well as cowgirl Abigail Stone (voiced by Mckenna Grace). To Lucky’s dismay, she discovers wranglers have captured Spirit in order to tame him before they sell him. Lucky learns from Pru and Abigail how to interact with Spirit to get him to trust her, and then “accidentally” releases him from his imprisonment.

Spirit’s freedom won’t last long, however, because the ruthless wrangler gathers some friends and sets out to recapture Spirit and his herd. Lucky, Pru, and Abigail team up and sneak off on an extremely dangerous adventure across deadly terrain to get to Spirit first. Their goal: to keep Spirit and his family free.

Uninspired and lacking originality, Spirit Untamed is a tedious, unfunny, and flat spinoff of a film that received only moderate praise when it hit theaters in 2002. The voice talent does a solid job of bringing the characters to life but the problem is that none of the characters are interesting.

In fact, the main character – Lucky – is not only uninspiring but also downright annoying. She’s a horrible role model for the young girls who are the film’s target audience. Lucky constantly breaks rules, puts herself and her friends in mortal danger, and yells and storms off when she doesn’t get her way. It’s almost as though the screenwriters and filmmakers are encouraging young girls to ignore, disregard, and disobey their parents if they ‘feel’ they’re in the right.

The animation is solid but nothing impressive or new. The musical score is forgettable and the adult characters are one-dimensional at best.

Spirit Untamed is dull, juvenile, and completely forgettable.

GRADE: C-

MPAA Rating: PG

Running Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

Release Date: June 4, 2021

ShowbizJunkies

First Look: ‘Locke & Key’ Season 2 Photos

‘Walker’ Season 1 Episode 13 Photos: “Defend the Ranch” Preview

Taraji P. Henson Joins the ‘Annie Live!’ Cast as Miss Hannigan

‘Legacies’ Season 3 Episode 14 Photos, Plot, and Trailer

‘No Sudden Move’ New Trailer: Soderbergh Plots Another Heist Film

‘The Boys’ Shows Off Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy

‘Shadow and Bone’ is Picked Up for Season 2 by Netflix

‘Rebel’ Season 1 and Series Finale: Photos, Plot, Cast and Trailer

‘A Million Little Things” Season 3 2-Part Finale Photos, Plot and Trailer

‘Spirit Untamed’ Movie Review

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