Last Week’s Episode: It’s Spooky Season

Last Week's Episode

It’s finally fall! Even though it still feels like the neverending story of these trash times, at least it’s now the season of comforts like pumpkin pie, mulled cider, and warm fireplaces. Let’s hope cooler weather encourages people to continue socially distancing and get cozy in their homes. Meanwhile, don’t forget to get your flu shot! You don’t want the added risk of the seasonal flu on top of the virus we’ve been trying to keep from spreading all year.

Television

Speaking of COVID-19 precautions, The CW has had to stop production of its Vancouver-based shows again due to delays in processing test results. This includes Riverdale, Batwoman, Nancy Drew, and Charmed, as well as shows that had not yet begun filming again, namely The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl, which will be making its sixth and final season when production starts back up again. Big Sky and The Mysterious Benedict Society, two Disney+ shows that had also been filming in Canada, have also been shut down for the time being. [Variety]

In more comic TV news, John Cena’s Peacemaker from James Gunn’s upcoming The Suicide Squad is getting his own eight-part series on HBO Max. The action-comedy will explore the character’s origins and star the former wrestler, with Gunn as writer, part-director, and executive producer. [Gizmodo]

After reports of a toxicity and abusive practices were alleged this summer about her show’s workplace environment, Ellen DeGeneres is gearing up for Ellen‘s new season and has promised to address the controversies. [E! Online] has a refresher on the details.

After lobbying ViacomCBS not to go forward with a new version of The Ren & Stimpy Show—the 90s animated series created by alleged child abuser John Kricfalusi—Robyn Byrd (one of the creator’s victims) confirmed on Twitter yesterday that the reboot has been shelved.

Film

Aldis Hodge (Leverage, Underground, The Invisible Man) is in negotiations to play Hawkman in DC’s Black Adam, about the Shazam antihero played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Johnson posted on Instagram about his call to Hodge, who at first believed someone was pulling his leg:

View this post on Instagram

THIS IS HAWKMAN ? A pleasure to welcome @aldis_hodge to BLACK ADAM. HAWKMAN is a critical leading role for our movie, as he is the fiery leader of the JSA (Justice Society of America) and one of the most beloved and legendary characters in the DC UNIVERSE. I called Aldis personally as I wanted to surprise him that he got the role and it wound up being one of the greatest conversations I’ve ever had. Aldis: Hello? DJ: Hello, I’d like to speak to Aldis. Aldis: Who is this? DJ: This is Dwayne Johnson. * long pause Aldis: Whoever this is stop playing on my phone. DJ: This is Dwayne, is this Aldis? * longer pause Aldis: This shit ain’t funny, I said stop playing on my fucking phone. DJ: Aldis, this is DJ. I just called to say thank you so much for sending in your audition – it was great and I really appreciate the efforts you made. Just wanted to say thanks and best of luck in all you do. And one more thing — welcome to Black Adam. * longest pause Aldis: I’m sorry you’ll have to hold on for a one second. * he puts the phone down and walks away and all I hear is inaudible yells ? Aldis: DJAYYYY OHHHHH SHIT!!!!!! * Im laughing my ass off by now. DJ: You ok? You’re gonna crush this role! We went on to have an awesome conversation full of gratitude, love and motivation. Can’t wait to work with this very talented brother. The perfect HAWKMAN. Let’s get to work. #aldishodge #jsa #hawkman ? #blackadam⚡️

A post shared by therock (@therock) on

Disney has cast Yara Shahidi (Black-ish, Grown-ish, The Sun Is also a Star) as Tinker Bell for its live-action remake of 1953’s Peter Pan. Also attached are Jude Law as Captain Hook, as well as Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson. It’s great that they’re diversifying the casting, though the jury is still out on whether executives will also have an eye for updating the more racist aspects of the cartoon. [Deadline]

Since it’s now October, the trailer for Amazon’s The Craft: Legacy has dropped and revealed that the new movie is a sequel, not, as assumed, a reboot of the original The Craft (1996). It’s as yet unclear what the connection is between these characters and the ones from the original, though there are references to the latter in the trailer. [Pajiba]

Kamala Khan has been cast! The titular Ms. Marvel will be played by Canadian actress Iman Vellani in her first big role. She’s already a fan of the MCU, is part of the TIFF Next Wave Committee, and is a budding filmmaker herself with relatable movie opinions. The actress has talked about the connection she felt to a Pakistani American Muslim character in another film, which will likely be helpful as she starts to embody the elastic/shapeshifting superhero. [Deadline]

The magnificent Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk) is set to direct the sequel to Disney’s live action remake of The Lion King (2019). Not sure if this means he’ll be adapting The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride or if an entirely new sequel will be created—it might explore Mufasa’s past à la The Godfather: Part II (1974), according to some sources—but if anyone could turn a movie no one asked for into a success, it’s him. [Deadline]

Director Lee Isaac Chung’s Sundance breakout Minari, starring Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead, Okja, Sorry to Bother You) as a hot immigrant farmer dad in the Deep South and the young Alan Kim as his son, released its first trailer yesterday. The 1980s drama looks fantastic and is sure to pull some heartstrings when it’s released later this year. [Entertainment Weekly]

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Rebecca Y. Lee

Rebecca Y. Lee

Lapsed poet, SoCal gal pal, equal opportunity foodie. Tweets @aquariuschicken.

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