CBS’ Take on THE STAND Adds Heather Graham

Heather Graham

As CBS’ upcoming take on Stephen King’s The Stand continues to yet even more new faces to its ranks, now comes word that Heather Graham has joined the series.

Via Deadline, the Boogie Nights actress has signed on to play Rita Blakemoor in the show. That character is pegged as “a wealthy woman who is ill prepared for the end of the world and attempts to escape superflu-infested New York City.”

Graham joins a huge ensemble cast that includes the likes of James Marsden, Amber Heard, Alexander Skarsgard, Greg Kinnear, Nat Wolff, and Whoopi Goldberg.

The early word on this latest adaptation of The Stand reads:

The series will bring to life King’s vision of a world decimated by plague and embroiled in an elemental struggle between good and evil. The fate of mankind rests on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail and a handful of survivors. Their worst nightmares are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the Dark Man.

The Fault in Our Stars’ Josh Boone and SEAL Team’s Ben Cavell are on writing duties for the ten-episode take on King’s 1978 novel.

The Stand, of course, was previously given the TV treatment back in 1994. Then, Mick Garris helmed a miniseries that clocked in at just over the six-hour mark in total, with names such as Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Rob Lowe, Miguel Ferrer, and Ossie Davis starring.

For those not familiar with the written world of The Stand, the loose plot centres on a decimated post-apocalyptic world in which a deadly plague has wiped out a huge chunk of the population. Two rival groups form, with the vastly differing views of the leaders of these groups putting both sides on a collision course as good battles evil.

Production on The Stand is currently underway in Vancouver, with the show to land on CBS All Access next year.

Oscar-Nommed ROGUE ONE Writer Joins CASSIAN ANDOR

Tony Gilroy

It may have been a tad quiet recently on Disney’s live-action Cassian Andor series, but now comes word that the show has recruited an Oscar-nommed filmmaker to its creative team.

Courtesy of Variety, Tony Gilroy has joined Cassian Andor in a creative capacity that will see him write the series’ pilot episode and also direct several episodes. Not only did Gilroy received Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay back in 2007 for Michael Clayton, he’s also got ties to the Star Wars universe due to having co-wrote Rogue One – as in, the film which introduced Gabriel Luna’s Cassian Andor to the world.

For Cassian Andor, Luna will be back as the title character of the series, and he’ll be joined by Alan Tudyk reprising the K-2SO role he took on in Rogue One. The show itself will obviously take place before the happenings of that 2016 film.

At this point in time, Cassian Andor has yet to be given a premiere date, although we know that the series will be housed on the Disney+ streaming service and that more concrete information is expected to be released once The Mandalorian finishes its first season.

Amazon’s LORD OF THE RINGS Series Adds Maxim Baldry

Maxim Baldry

As Amazon continues to flesh out the core cast of its hotly anticipated Lord of the Rings series, the show has moved to add Maxim Baldry to its ranks.

Via Collider, Baldy has joined Lord of the Rings in a mystery role. The actor is likely best known for the likes of Years and Years, Rome and, err, Hollyoaks, and he joins a cast that currently features Markella Kavenagh and Will Poulter. While Baldry’s role in the series is being kept under wraps right now, it’s believed to be a significant character.

Right now, details are being kept extremely secret about Lord of the Rings, with the only slight bit of detail out there being the tease of the show taking placing during the Second Age when the Rings of Power were created – as in, before The Fellowship of the Ring and the main Lord of the Rings trilogy that we’re all so familiar with.

Expect more on Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series as it continues to develop.

Neil Patrick Harris Joins THE MATRIX 4

Neil Patrick Harris

With things continuing to take shape for a fourth Matrix movie, now comes word on a new addition for the film.

Courtesy of Variety, Neil Patrick Harris has joined the movie in a hush-hush role. Harris, of course, is best known for his awards-filled turn as Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, in addition to the likes of A Series of Unfortunate Events, Gone Girl and Starship Troopers.

Harris joins a Matrix movie that sees the returns of Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, and only last week added Aquaman’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The original trilogy’s Lana Wachowski is back to direct what’s currently being titled simply The Matrix 4.

VENOM 2 to Feature Shriek

Carnage

With Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock set to go up against Woody Harrelson’s Carnage in next year’s Venom 2, now comes word on another villain who Brock will be butting heads with.

Courtesy of Deadline, Venom 2 will also feature the nefarious Shriek as a second villain for Venom to tackle. The character has yet to be cast, mind, but Shriek is now a part of the sequel’s screenplay.

For those not too familiar with Shriek, the character’s real name is Frances Barrison and she has at times been a love interest of Carnage’s. In terms of abilities, Shriek is a mutant who specialises in conjuring up sonic blasts. And, y’know, given that symbiotes are vulnerable to sonics, that could provide quite the problem for Venom.

To be directed by Andy Serkis, Venom 2 is currently pegged for an October 2020 release.

Samara Weaving Joins SNAKE EYES as Scarlett

Samara Weaving

As Paramount’s Snake Eyes continues to amass its core cast, the G.I. Joe spin-off has added Samara Weaving to its cast.

Courtesy of Deadline, the Ready or Not star has signed on to play Scarlett in the picture. That character is a longtime BFF of Snake Eyes’ and is one of the famed Joes, and she was previously played by Rachel Nichols in 2009’s G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.

Weaving joins a cast that currently includes Crazy Rich Asians’ Henry Golding as the titular Snake Eyes, Warrior’s Andrew Koji as Storm Shadow, La Casa De Papel’s Ursula Corbero as the Baroness, and The Raid’s Iko Uwais as the Hard Master.

To be directed by Robert Schwentke, Snake Eyes is currently pegged for an October 2020 release.

Zoe Kravitz is THE BATMAN’s Catwoman

Catwoman Zoe Kravitz

With Matt Reeves’ The Batman having been on the prowl for a slew of villains to go up against Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader, the movie has now found its Catwoman.

Courtesy of Deadline, Zoe Kravitz has landed the role of Selina Kyle in the film. Kravitz is no stranger to the world of superheroes, of course, for she played Angel Salvadore in X-Men: First Class and more recently voiced Mary Jane Watson in the stunning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and actually lent her vocals to The LEGO Batman Movie as, you guessed it, Catwoman.

Kravitz follows in the footsteps of Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer, Anne Hathaway, and Camren Bicondova in playing a live-action take on the Catwoman character. And yes, we’re purposely ignoring Halle Berry, because… well, just because…

While Robert Pattison and Zoe Kravitz are the only confirmed cast members for The Batman, Westworld’s Jeffrey Wright is lined up to play Jim Gordon and Jonah Hill is in advanced talks to play either Riddler or Penguin.

Due to start production in January, The Batman is currently pegged for a June 2021 release.

Three More Names Join CBS’ THE STAND

Katherine McNamara Mia Smoak Arrow

As CBS continues to amass the cast of its upcoming take on Stephen King’s The Stand, now comes word that the series has brought in three more faces.

Via Deadline, Once Upon a Time’s Eion Bailey, Arrow’s Katherine McNamara and Legion’s Hamish Linklater have joined The Stand. Bailey will be playing Teddy Weizak, McNamara is Julie Lawry, and Linklater is Dr Ellis.

The trio join a cast the includes the likes of Alexander Skarsgard, Whoopi Goldberg, James Marsden, Amber Heard, Odessa Young and Henry Zaga.

The early word on this latest adaptation of The Stand reads:

The series will bring to life King’s vision of a world decimated by plague and embroiled in an elemental struggle between good and evil. The fate of mankind rests on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail and a handful of survivors. Their worst nightmares are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the Dark Man.

The Fault in Our Stars’ Josh Boone and SEAL Team’s Ben Cavell are on writing duties for the ten-episode take on King’s 1978 novel.

The Stand, of course, was previously given the TV treatment back in 1994. Then, Mick Garris helmed a miniseries that clocked in at just over the six-hour mark in total, with names such as Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Rob Lowe, Miguel Ferrer, and Ossie Davis starring.

For those not familiar with the written world of The Stand, the loose plot centres on a decimated post-apocalyptic world in which a deadly plague has wiped out a huge chunk of the population. Two rival groups form, with the vastly differing views of the leaders of these groups putting both sides on a collision course as good battles evil.

Production on The Stand is currently underway in Vancouver, with the show to land on CBS All Access next year.

Michael Keaton’s Batman to be Referenced in The CW’s CRISIS

Michael Keaton Batman

As The CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths continues to become even more all-encompassing, the huge crossover event has now been confirmed to reference Michael Keaton’s Batman.

In a new image, fans will see that Keaton’s Caped Crusader it tying the knot with Selina Kyle – which is presumably the Michelle Pfeiffer incarnation of Catwoman.

Of course, Keaton’s Bruce Wayne will likely only be appearing in this newspaper clipping, but still, this is a cameo of sorts that is guaranteed to put a smile on the fans of DC fans.

Not content with merely playing out over Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman, Crisis on Infinite Earths will also feature characters from Smallville, Black Lightning, Birds of Prey, 1991’s The Flash, Batman: The Animated Series’ Kevin Conroy as an older Bruce Wayne, and even an appearance from Burt Ward, who famously played Robin opposite Adam West’s Batman.

Crisis begins this December.

Fractured Visions Film Festival Returns to Cardiff

Fractured Visions Film Festival

The Fractured Visions Film Festival is back for another weekend of chills, thrills and blood-spills, following the success of last year’s festival which saw Tilman Singer’s magnificently bizarre LUZ walking away with best film (and a UK distribution deal thanks to Sharp Teeth Films). 

This year’s event will be taking place over the weekend of October 25th – 27th at the much-loved Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff, with a line-up littered with the year’s most exciting new genre outings including:

1BR (Canada, 2019) – Welsh Premiere

After leaving behind a painful past to follow her dreams, Sarah scores the perfect Hollywood apartment. But something is not right. Unable to sleep, tormented by strange noises and threatening notes, her new life quickly starts to unravel. By the time she learns the horrifying truth, it’s too late. Caught in a waking nightmare, Sarah must find the strength to hold onto her crumbling sanity…or be trapped forever in an existential hell. Dir, David Marmor.

Artik (USA,  2019) – Welsh Premiere

A comic book obsessed serial killer’s sinister plan to train his son to be his replacement is interrupted when the young boy lures a well-meaning stranger, Holton, back to their secluded farm threatening to expose their families terrifying secret. Dir, Tom Botchii.

Finale (Denmark, 2018) – Welsh Premiere

It is quiet throughout the country. Everybody is glued to the TV watching the finals. Not a single soul is seen in the streets. On the outskirts of Denmark however, a small gas station still needs to be manned. And on this particular evening, two very different young women are on duty. Agnes, a snobbish college student, is trying to work on her thesis, while naïve Belinda is texting away trying to get the attention of her boyfriend. Unfortunately, the shift is not going to be as uneventful as they think, because no customers also means no witnesses. Dir, Søren Juul Petersen.

Ghost Killers vs Bloody Mary (Brazil, 2019) – Welsh Premiere

Four YouTubers with expertise in supernatural events are seeking recognition from the audience whilst solving the urban legend of the Bathroom Blonde Case. The spirit that haunts the schools’ bathroom in Brazil. Dir, Fabrício Bittar.

Hanna’s Homecoming (Germany, 2018) – UK Premiere

Since no one wants to befriend the daughter of a witch, Hanna is glad when she meets the city girl Eva. She seems to have found a friend but something isn’t right. Strange accidents occur and there is no explanation. What lures in the shadow of the marshlands? Dir, Esther Bialas.

Here Comes Hell (UK, 2018) – Welsh Premiere

A 1930s dinner party descends into carnage, gore and demonic possession when the evening entertainment accidentally leads to the opening of Hell. Rivalries and old friendships are put to the test as the guests battle ghosts, ghouls – and one another – before it is too late. Dir, Jack McHenry.

Impossible Crimes (Argentina, 2019)  – Welsh Premiere

Lorenzo, a seasoned police detective with a tragic past, is assigned to a series of related deaths. Something about the murders just doesn’t add up until a young nun known as a devoted servant in the community reaches out to him, claiming that she’s possessed by an evil force that is behind the killings. Lorenzo initially refuses to consider a supernatural explanation, but with logic leading nowhere and doubt creeping in, he must make the right choice between clinging to his convictions or taking a leap of faith as lives hang in the balance. Dir, Hernán Findling.

One Must Fall (USA, 2019) – UK Premiere

A crime scene clean-up crew is on a job that turns deadly when they discover that the killer never left the scene of the crime. Dir, Antonio Pantoja.

Puppet Killer (Canada, 2019) – UK Premiere

While celebrating Christmas at a cabin in the woods, a group of high school students are stalked by a psychotic killer obsessed with horror movie icons. Dir, Lisa Ovies.

Tumbbad (India, 2018)

In the rural village of Tumbbad, a decaying castle hides an immeasurable ancestral fortune guarded by something ancient, sinister, and monstrous. Vinayak thinks he can control it, but how long will it be until his own greed destroys everything he’s built? Dir, Rahi Anil Barve & Adesh Prasad.

The Fractured Visions organisers will be announcing further additions to the festival in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more exciting news soon – plus the event has also selected 12 short films, all of which are stunning examples of the incredible work that the future of genre are currently producing. These include:

Atomic Ed (France , 2018)

Ed, an introverted and passionate DIY man, is, despite himself, the favorite victim of Mark, the neighborhood motorcycle gang leader. His only friend, Gus, tries in vain to push him to rebel and conquer the heart of the beautiful Julia. The day when the body of one of the members of Mark’s band is found horribly mutilated, the events rush, the gang lash out on Ed. Ed has no choice but to take responsibility and an improvised weapon to become the one he has always dreamed of being. Dir, Nicolas Hugo.

Click Bait (Mexico, 2018)

When Pablo, a teenager, clicks on the wrong link he is caught in a cruel online game. He will have to pass a series of tests in order to save the life of a girls’ father. Dir, Carlos Meléndez.

Condamned (Spain, 2018)

Jack, a weak old man, lives in seclusion in a dark and gloomy underground chapel. Haunted by the ghosts of his past, he’ll try to escape to the outside world, but a terrible secret will come out to prevent his departure. Jack will have to fight with all his strength in order to escape not only from that wretched place but also from himself. Dir, Octavi Espuga.

Creaker (Norway, 2018)

A girl wakes up at night when her bedroom door creaks open. Dir, Vidar T. Aune.

Dead Teenager Séance (Brazil, 2018)

A group of dead teenagers spending their after-lives in Limbo decides to wreak vengeance upon their killer by summoning him to the world of the dead. Dir, Dante Vescio.

The Den (Spain, 2018)

Mario is driving under the rain. It’s dark in a lonely road. Suddenly he has to stop. In the middle of the way there’s a woman. She is disoriented and covered in blood. She doesn’t remember where she’s been or what had happened to her. Mario needs to look for assistance. They stop at the first place they can find: A quiet bar called La Guarida / The Den. People in the bar kindly will help them out. Until the truth starts to surface… By then the bar won’t look like a safe place anymore. Dir, Iago de Soto.

Dual Cell (Spain ,2019)

Two students get into the Dual Cell, a cursed video game that turns the rented apartment where they live into a prison. Dir, Ignacio Malagón.

Feed Me Death (USA, 2019)

During a brutal home invasion, Casey is almost killed, but a mysterious entity appears and offers to keep her alive – but at what price? Dir, Matt Devino

Night Crawl (USA, 2019)

Two inmates tunnel through the walls of a hellish prison, only to find something more terrifying than death row. Dir, Gregory Shultz.

The Nocnitsa (UK, 2019)

Mia is haunted by her terrifying encounter of Sleep Paralysis. Dir, Andy Taylor.

Oscar’s Bell (UK, 2018)

Duncan (Paul Bullion, Peaky Blinders) and his dog Oscar have gone on their weekly camping trip into the wilderness together. However, when Duncan looks out into the woods, something else looks back. Dir, Chris Cronin.

The Third Hand (UK, 2018)

Tonight feels like any other in the mundane life of this office worker. He watches the same show, eats the same food and just waits for it to end. But tonight is different. A blackout deep in the night awakens a mysterious room. Inside could be the secret to his wildest dreams, or worst nightmares. Dir, Yoni Weisberg.