A new image from Star Wars reveals a showdown. How many Batsuits will there be in Batman v. Superman? Another TOS cast member talks about being in the new Star Trek. X-Men: Age of Apocalypse concludes an X-trilogy. The watchword for Age of Ultron is "more," according to Jeremy Renner. Plus more about The Flash and Arrow. Spoilers now!
Top image: Batman v. Superman
Star Wars
More from Indie Revolver. This time, it's a piece of concept art depicting a lightsaber battle in front of the Millennium Falcon. Indie Revolver says that recent reports (including the one from Roger Moore) that there was filming at a snowy, mountainous location mean we'll be seeing a new scout/snowtrooper hybrid in action. [Indie Revolver]
Star Trek
Last month, George Takei said this in an interview with Parade:
Would you ever consider participating in a future Star Trek film or TV series?
"All they have to do is ask me! I'm more than eager [laughs]. As you know, Leonard Nimoy did two of the rebooted films with J.J. Abrams, and they're preparing another one because in two years, Star Trek's going to be 50 years old…so they'll be coming out with another major feature film with a rebooted cast."
This month, he used an interview with Rumor Fix to clarify that statement:
The word seems to have gotten out that I am lobbying for a role in the next Star Trek movie. But the truth of that is that I was asked in an interview by a journalist would I want to be in the next Star Trek film? What actor would not? So I said yes. So that person interpreted that and has been saying that I am enthusiastic and lobbying vigorously to be – so I am very careful with my word choice.
[via Trek Movie]
In more Original-Series-Cast-cameo news: We went from a rumor that a Shatner cameo was in the script, to Shatner saying he hadn't been contacted, to this:
J.J. Abrams called [Shatner] directly about potentially returning, saying: "I'm calling because the director of Star Trek, the next movie, has had an idea where you might be involved, so I'm calling to find out whether you would be interested."
Shatner says he told Abrams, "It depends on what you do with the character, but I would be delighted." He went on to detail that he was sworn to secrecy on the matter but that after he was contacted the story managed to make its way online.
"So the news is out that they have an idea that they want Leonard and myself…they might want Leonard and myself in it," the actor said. "But I would love to do it. But how do you get me fifty years later into the movie? I mean how do you rationalize it. I know it's science fiction, but even I couldn't come up with an idea. So that's the news on that."
[Comic Book.com via Coming Soon]
Batman v. Superman/The Batman
The latest DC movie rumor says that Warner Bros. is planning a 2019 release date for The Batman, which is reportedly the "solo Batman" film's current title. The question that remains is whether the plan is for Affleck to direct the Bat-film himself. [Latino Review]
Movie Pilot has a rundown of the candidates for other Batsuits that might appear in the film. We already saw one in the official picture released, which seems to be different from the one on display at Comic-Con, which seems to differ from the one in the photo Zack Snyder Released of Batman and R2-D2. Movie Pilot suggests that we might also run across a heavy-duty one from Dark Knight Rises, one based on the New 52, the impressively-caped one from the Batman/Spawn one-shot, and a somewhat more unlikely Batman Beyond one. [Movie Pilot]
X-Men: Apocalypse
In an interview with Yahoo!, Simon Kinberg indicated that the latest spate of X-Men films is also a trilogy, ending with the upcoming X-Men: Apocalypse:
The thrust of 'Apocalypse' is really to complete the trilogy we began with 'First Class' — to complete the stories of young Raven, young Hank, younger Charles and Erik. And complete this trilogy of four people who began the films sort of disparate and in different worlds… [and who] we've followed through the span of decades. So that'll be the thrust. There will be familiar characters and new characters that we haven't seen…ever…but it'll be the completion of what we began in 'First Class'.
He also hinted at possible future characters:
[Psylocke] has a cool power. I know Bryan thinks she's a neat character so there's certainly a chance she'll be in an 'X-Men' movie some day. Hopefully there'll be a lot of 'X-Men' movies and there's lot of mutants we're yet to fully explore onscreen, even if they've had cameos before. Now we're making more films there's a chance to dig deeper.
And, finally, he made explicitly clear what the timeline looks like after the events of Days of Future Past:
We changed the timeline for everything that came after 'DOFP' – so 'X-Men 1', 2 and 3, even 'The Wolverine'. So Jean [Grey] was not killed in 'Last Stand', nor was Scott, and a whole lot of other things rippled.
Fantastic Four
Schmoes Know is reporting that Kate Mara's Sue Storm will be the adopted sister of Michael B. Jordan's Johnny Storm. As for the origin story:
We have also heard that instead of the group gaining their powers from a failed scientific mission in outer space like in the original comics and (awful) existing films, this time the group's origin story will be much more like their Ultimate versions.
In the film, the team will gain their powers through a lab experiment gone wrong in a way, where they create a portal to another world or dimension (its not clear) and they get their powers after the exposure to this other dimension/planet.
Unsurprisingly, they've also heard that the film will be very "character-driven," intent on setting up the relationships between the heroes and Victor von Doom. [Schmoes Know]
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Here's a wild new rumor: The unclaimed May 3rd, 2019 Marvel release date will be the second half of Avengers 3, which is being split into two movies, a la Hunger Games, Harry Potter and The Hobbit. The first half will be, as previously expected, in 2018.
It's unclear whether we're talking a single two-part movie, or the climax of Avengers 3 being concluded in a different event movie, since it sounds like the battle against Thanos will be a crossover event. Maybe the second movie is a Guardians one? [Daily Marvelite via The Escapist]
At the link, you can see more of this interview with Jeremy Renner, who promises "more" everything in the sequel:
That one can be bigger and better and more intimate. Everything that worked well in the first one is going to be exponentially better. The comedic relief, the action — it's going to be bigger. There is more time spent with all the Avengers together as a unit on and off the clock, which is actually really fun. A lot of secrets are revealed and more secrets are posed.
Eden Project
Sony's bought the script for a female-centric action movie called Eden Project. Details are few on the ground, all we really know is that it revolves around two female characters, and is intended to be the first in a trilogy. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Project Lazarus
Mateo Gil (Blackthorn) is attached to direct Project Lazarus, which is set in 2074, when a medical corporation revives a man cryogenically frozen 60 years in the past. [Variety]
The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials
Aidan Gillen, also known as Game of Thrones's Littlefinger, has been cast in the Maze Runner sequel as the main antagonist, Janson/Rat-Man. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Mission Impossible 5
Here are a few shots from the set of the film, featuring Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson. More at the link. [Coming Soon]
Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Go here for more new character photos. [Coming Soon]
Arrow
Executive producer Marc Guggenheim described the philosophy going into season three:
The best way to put it is, we're trying to take some of the lessons we learned from Season Two and trying to apply it to some of the cooler aspects of Season One.
We felt like Season Two was very successful. We do feel like it was an improvement over Season One and I think a lot of fans and a lot of critics felt the same way but there were elements of Season One that just because of the nature of the story we were telling in Season Two, we were lacking.
Such as — Season One had a really cool, over-arching mystery. You had the glyph, you had The Undertaking, you were kind of wondering what was going on. There was what we called in the scripts the Well-Dressed Man, who turned out to be Malcolm Merlyn. And we wanted to basically take the epic quality of Season Two and fuse it with the mystery of Season One.
Hopefully, we've accomplished that and it will be all the stuff you loved from Season One combined with all the stuff you loved from Season Two. That's the over-arching approach. You guys will have to tell us if we're successful.
He also gave some details about what's happening with Sara:
One of the things we're dying to do — we don't know what episode it's going to be in — we're dying to do a flashback story that basically takes Sara from the downing of the Freighter in Episode 2.23 all the way up to her time with the League of Assassins. So it would be how she met Nyssa, how she met the League of Assassins and her evolution into an assassin. That is something that's always been on our wish list.
He also said that there would be a "battle for Thea's soul" this year. More at the link. [Comic Book.com]
Guggenheim also described season three as lacking the superpowers:
We're not really planning on revisiting superpowers or enhanced abilities during season three. We are really returning to the show's roots of a very grounded world where it's very realistic. We may take occasional artistic license with things, but for the most part, everything is pretty well and truly grounded in real-life things and real-life science."
I think what people will find when they watch season three is that the operatic scope of season two didn't really come from the presence of enhanced abilities or superpowers, it really came from the stories and the characters, and that stuff ain't changing.
As for Ra's al Ghul:
We definitely have been building to this character for the last two, now going on three years of the show. I think his presence on the show really raises the stakes significantly, because his reputation has had a chance to build over the course of two years. We've heard Oliver talk about this mysterious man, and all the dangers that he presents, and now we finally get to meet him.
Episode 3.08 will be called "The Brave and the Bold." [SpoilerTV]
The Flash
We're going to get the Pied Piper in the form of Hartley Rathaway, "a onetime mentee of Dr. Wells' who lost his hearing in an accident and now is out to wreak havoc with an invention of his own." [TV Line]
Here's an extended trailer:
Here are a few shots from the filming of the Arrow/Flash crossover. More a the link. [The Daily Mail]
The Walking Dead
Emily Kinney talked a little bit about Beth and Daryl's connection in the new season:
I would say last season what you saw, there's definitely a connection, and a connection that's growing. And they care about each other a lot, and so there's definitely something really special there.
Michael Cudlitz says we'll get a bit more from the history of Abraham this season:
We're going to be definitely examining his past and certain things are taken directly from the comics, as Scott has said, and certain things are paying homage to the comics. I think people who are fans of the comics and people who know nothing about it will be equally satisfied with the reveal of Abraham's past and what is driving him. We're definitely going into all of the characters, what drives them this year. It's really, really ambitious.
He also talked about the relationship between Rick and Abraham:
You did see a little bit in the trailer. Obviously they weren't agreeing in that moment to say the least. Remember, Abraham is a sergeant. He's a non-commissioned officer. He's definitely mission-oriented, but it's typically dealing with a smaller mission. He's not necessarily the guy who holds the keys to the big plan. There may or may not be tension with someone who wants to be the colonel or general because that's not what he's accustomed to doing. You give him a plan and he will absolutely execute it.
That's not to say that he can't be the colonel or the general someday. It's just saying that right now, he's not. It doesn't even come down to that. It comes down to making sure that this mission gets executed and making sure that Eugene gets to Washington. If someone else has a better plan that's viable that will work, or a better way to do it, or to approach it — he's not closed off to that. It's not "We're going to D.C. my way." It's "We're going to D.C., even though it might have to turn into my way at some point if tensions rise and people don't cooperate."
Episode 5.02 is called "Strangers" and episode 5.03 is called "Four Walls and a Roof." [SpoilerTV]
Sleepy Hollow
In SpoilerTV's review of tonight's episode, we got these teasers:
- Ichabod to be a gentleman. He wants to save his lady, Katrina. Of course, he saved Abby from Purgatory last week, so now he is moving on to Katrina. They have been separated for too long, now they are in the same world, they should be together... But, she is held by the Horseman of Death, her former lover, Ichabod former best friend and new sworn enemy. His mission will be dangerous. And someone won't forget to make him remember what happened the last time they tried to save Katrina....
- A new sheriff in town ! You might be surprised, but the character seems quite interesting, very different from Captain Irving. I don't know yet if I hate this new sheriff because I miss Irvin or because it's a pain in the ass.
- Someone from Abbie and Jenny's past to be back in their lives. And it's a surprise for both of them.
- An epic fight between Death, War and a new character. One of the witness will be in danger during this fight. It also will be the first time we see War in action… And he will be quite terrific.
- A ceremony, involving Katrina and the Horsemen. It's an ancient ritual. I wouldn't want to be in Katrina's position. For her sake, let's just hope Ichabod will come to rescue her soon enough.
- An arrest ! Someone is getting arrested, by the new sheriff.
- Mind games ! One of the Horseman will try to play on Katrina's jealousy. She notices, as everyone else, that Ichabod and Abby are very close and that they share a special connection. Will it work or has Katrina enough trust in her husband ? Also, being a witch, she can use this obvious move from the Horseman to her advantage.
- Moloch is taking a step back. He has to figure out his new plan to reign on Earth. It doesn't mean our witnesses are safe. Jeremy, the Horseman of War is still a big and present threat.
- More of Franklin.... In a way. Because, The Kindred is actually one of Benjamin Franklin's creature ; a very powerful creature that is supposed to help our two witnesses in their quest against the Horsemen. But, nothing goes as planned, especially with Benjamin Franklin.
A Girl Called Fearless
Universal Cable Productions has bought Catherine Linka's debut novel A Girl Called Fearless and its forthcoming sequel, A Girl Undone, to develop into a series. Here's a short synopsis of the book:
Linka's A Girl Called Fearless is set in an alternate future America where a synthetic beef hormone has wiped out millions of women and turned teenage girls into a valuable commodity to be "protected & contracted." When she is "contracted" into marriage as a political pawn, Avie Reveare flees to Canada but is torn between her love and her freedom.
[Deadline]
Colony
Josh Holloway has been cast as the lead in Colony and director Juan José Campanella (The Secret In Their Eyes) has been chosen to helm the pilot. The USA show, produced by Carlton Cuse, takes places in a Los Angeles under a mysterious "foreign" occupation. Holloway will play Will Bowman, "a former FBI agent who — to protect his family — is forced to collaborate with the occupational government to bring down the growing resistance movement inside the Los Angeles colony." [Deadline]
Galavant
Rutger Hauer will recur on the musical fairytale comedy series as Kingsley, "King Richard's older, bigger and more badass brother who will threaten his little brother's rule." [Deadline]
iZombie
Here's an extended synopsis for the pilot:
"PILOT"
iZOMBIE is a new one-hour drama co-created and executive produced by Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright (Veronica Mars), along with executive producers Danielle Stokdyk and Dan Etheridge (also of Veronica Mars). Rose McIver (Masters of Sex, Once Upon a Time) stars as Olivia "Liv" Moore, a 25-year-old medical resident on the fast track to a perfect life ... until she's turned into a zombie.
Now stuck somewhere between half-alive and undead, Liv loses all traces of her former drive and ambition. She breaks off her engagement with charming soulmate Major, fearful of infecting him with her condition. She withdraws from her best friend and partner in overachievement, Peyton. And, perhaps most worrisome to her caring but overbearing mom, Eva, Liv transfers her medical residency to the city morgue in order to reluctantly access the only real form of sustenance left available to her — and the only thing that allows her to maintain her humanity — human brains.
But there are side effects to Liv's new diet: With each brain Liv consumes, she experiences "visions" — flashes of the corpse's memories — including, in some cases, clues as to how they were killed. Her boss, the brilliant but eccentric conspiracy theorist Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti, encourages her to embrace this gift and to work with an eager, unproven homicide detective, Clive Babineaux, to help solve these murders. In doing so, Liv finds a measure of peace, and a new sense of purpose in what her "life" has now become.
iZOMBIE is based upon characters created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, published by DC Entertainment's Vertigo imprint.
U.S. Broadcast Premiere: TBA
Resurrection
Head here for cast photos from season 2. [K Site TV]
Constantine
Here's a description of the pilot:
"NON EST ASYLUM"
John Constantine is a man waging war against the forces of darkness — from both within himself and the outside world. An irreverent, working-class con man and occult expert, he's an experienced exorcist and demonologist with an extensive list of supernatural contacts, with their own paranormal talents and abilities. Following the aftermath of a tragic incident, Constantine has voluntarily checked himself into an asylum and sworn off investigating matters of the supernatural. But when a cryptic message calls him out to reluctantly resume his old life, he finds himself saving the life of a young woman, Liv, whom he's never met — but is connected to in a very important way. For Liv is something of a human compass for dark forces — able to locate and see the supernatural world that the rest of us cannot. With these forces gathering power in the world, Constantine and Liv ally themselves with Manny, a rogue warrior angel, and Chas, Constantine's giant childhood protector — the only friend who's managed to stay alive. Based upon characters published by DC Entertainment and executive produced by Daniel Cerone (The Mentalist) and David S. Goyer (Man of Steel, The Dark Knight films), CONSTANTINE reflects the lore of the fan-favorite comic, combining noirish storytelling with the evolving mythology of John Constantine, a morally challenged character who doesn't come down on the side of either good or evil ... but ultimately might be the only thing defending us against the dark forces from beyond.
U.S. Broadcast Premiere: 24-Oct-2014
Doctor Who
Here's a synopsis for episode 8.08, "Mummy on the Orient Express":
The Doctor and Clara are on the most beautiful train in history speeding among the stars of the future. But a deadly creature is stalking the passengers. Once you see the horrifying Mummy you only have 66 seconds to live. No exceptions, no reprieve. As the Doctor races against the clock Clara sees him at his deadliest and most ruthless. Will he work out how to defeat the Mummy? Start the clock!
Written by Jamie Mathieson. Directed by Paul Wilmshurst. Guest starring Frank Skinner, Foxes, and David Bamber.
Here are a promo and a sneak peek for episode 8.07, "Kill the Moon." [via SpoilerTV]
Agents of SHIELD
Here's a synopsis for episode 2.04, "Face My Enemy":
"Face My Enemy" - While on a mission to learn more about the secrets of the mysterious writing, Coulson finds himself attacked by the only person he can trust: Agent Melinda May. Meanwhile the rest of the team is trapped in an explosive situation, and it's up to Fitz to save them—but is he up to it? "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Tuesday, October 14, (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." stars Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Brett Dalton as Grant Ward, Chloe Bennet as Skye, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz, Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons and Nick Blood as Lance Hunter.
Guest starring are Henry Simmons as "Mack," Adrian Pasdar as Talbot, Simon Kassianides as Bakshi, Maya Stojan as Agent 33, Diego Serrano as Gabriel Soto, Lance Irwin as Guard, Isaac Montgomery as Guard #2, Alyce Tawil as Woman, Roberto Medina as Bishop, and Christian Barillas as Priest.
"Face My Enemy" was written by Drew Greenberg and directed by Kevin Tancharoen.
Z Nation
Here's a promo for the fourth episode. [via SpoilerTV]
Scorpion
Here's the press release for episode four:
TO FIX A LOS ANGELES NUCLEAR REACTOR THAT'S ON THE VERGE OF A CATACLYSMIC MELTDOWN, WALTER AND THE TEAM MUST RELUCTANTLY ENLIST THE HELP OF A TROUBLED FORMER MEMBER, ON "SCORPION," MONDAY, OCT. 13
"Plutonium Is Forever" – To fix a Los Angeles nuclear reactor that's on the verge of a cataclysmic meltdown, Walter and the team must reluctantly enlist the help of a troubled former member, on SCORPION, Monday, Oct. 13 (9:00-9:59 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network.
CHEAT TWEET: Cabe faces death when a reactor's about to blow. C @RobertPatrickT2 in all his glory! 10/13 9pm @ScorpionCBS
REGULAR CAST:
Elyes Gabel (Walter O'Brien)
Robert Patrick (Agent Cabe Gallo)
Katharine McPhee (Paige Dineen)
Eddie Kaye Thomas (Toby Curtis)
Jadyn Wong (Happy Quinn)
Ari Stidham (Sylvester Dodd)
RECURRING CAST:
Riley B. Smith (Ralph)
GUEST CAST:
Joshua Leonard (Mark Collins)
Mykelti Williamson (General Walker)
Julia Kelly (Beach Girl)
Jonathan S. Grady (TAC Team Leader)
WRITTEN BY: Paul Grellong
DIRECTED BY: Jeff Thomas
Additional reporting by Charlie Jane Anders and Abhimanyu Das