John Cena to Voice New Villain in RISE OF THE TMNT

John Cena

Finally! After wrestling fans having spent the best part of the past decade demanding that John Cena turn heel, finally Super Cena is going to be a bad guy. Kind of.

While it’s not his in-ring career we’re talking about here, Cena has signed on to voice a completely new villain in the animated Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. Said rogue is named Baron Draxum, officially described as “an alchemist warrior mutant who seeks to turn all of humanity into mutants.” The character will debut in the premiere episode of this new series and will go on to be a recurring villain in the show.

Cena is actually working with Nickelodeon on three new projects; Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, returning to host the Kids’ Choice Awards, and serving as an executive producer on the network’s new gameshow Keep it Spotless.

On this news, the 16-time World Champion enthused, “I’m thrilled to partner with Nickelodeon on three big projects that run the range of what kids love – slime-filled live events, awesomely cool animation and competition shows where kids take their shot at being the best. It’s an honour to come back a second time to host the biggest, slimiest party of the years, the Kids’ Choice Awards. Not only do I get to be a cartoon character in the new Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, but I get to be a villain, too. And to top it all off, I’m stepping behind the camera to executive produce Nick’s new competition series Keep it Spotless, which gives a whole new meaning to staying clean.”

Away from the squared circle, Cena has starred in the likes of The Marine and 12 Rounds in addition to roles in Sisters, Daddy’s Home and Trainwreck. More recently, he provided the vocals for the titular character in the last year’s animated Ferdinand, not to mention being signed on for the upcoming Transformers spinoff, Bumblebee.

The early blurb on Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reads:

Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo are four mutant turtle brothers who go on adventures where they end up tapping into mystic ninja powers they never knew existed, while learning to work together and navigate the perils of the modern age and hidden realms in order to fulfil their destiny.

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is expected to premiere in September of this year.

MR. MERCEDES Adds Two New Faces for Season 2

Jack Huston Maximiliano Hernandez Mr. Mercedes

It seems that the work of Stephen King is as popular these days as its ever been, with adaptations regularly adorning both the big and small screen. And now, the TV take on Mr. Mercedes has brought in two new additions ahead of its second season.

As per Deadline, Jack Huston and Maximiliano Hernandez have joined the series; Huston playing Dr Felix Babineau, Hernandez to play Assistant DA Antonio Montez. Huston is likely best known to genre fans for the likes of Shrooms, Boardwalk Empire, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and the Ben-Hur remake, while Hernandez will be familiar for Sicario and for playing Agent Sitwell in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

This pair join the returning Harry Treadaway, Brendan Gleeson, Jharrel Jerome, Scott Lawrence, Breeda Wool, Justine Lupe and Holland Taylor for Season 2 of Mr. Mercedes. Said second season starts production next month ahead of premiering towards the middle of 2018.

First Official Image of Tom Hardy from VENOM

Venom

It’s not much, but we’ve finally been given our first official look at Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock in the hotly-anticipated Venom.

Looking very much just like Tom Hardy being Tom Hardy, click on the below image for a larger look at Hardy’s Brock:

Tom Hardy Eddie Brock Venom

Hardy is joined in Venom by Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, Riz Ahmed and Woody Harrelson amongst others, with the film to launch Sony Pictures’ shared Spider-Verse of movies. In addition to Venom getting his time in the spotlight, this shared realm also has a Silver Sable and Black Cat team-up picture – Silver and Black – booked in, not to mention an outing for the vampiric Michael Morbius in development. Similarly, it’s believed that Sony has plans for solo films for both Kraven the Hunter and Mysterio.

Right now, of course, this Spider-Verse doesn’t actually have a Spider-Man, with Tom Holland’s Web-head and the Marvel Cinematic Universe not currently set to coexist in the same world as Hardy’s Venom and Co. There are rumours, mind, that the final film of Holland’s six-picture Spidey deal will see his Wall-crawler make his way to Sony’s Spider-Verse; a Spider-Verse which by that point will have been fleshed-out over several of the aforementioned movies.

To be directed by Zombieland’s Ruben Fleischer, Venom – which will pull inspiration from the Venom: Lethal Protector and Planet of the Symbiotes comic book arcs – is set for an October 5th release.

Gore Verbinski Exits GAMBIT Talks

*Sigh* Yes, as the title suggests, the Channing Tatum-headlined Gambit picture has run in to yet another problem. As per Deadline, director Gore Verbinski has now exited discussions to helm the film.

It appears that the Rango director had to depart negotiations for Gambit due to scheduling issues caused by the seemingly never-ending delays that the Tatum-starrer has gone through. Previously, both Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ Rupert Wyatt and Edge of Tomorrow’s Doug Liman have left Gambit’s director’s chair over similar scheduling issues caused by the delays amassed by Gambit.

At one point in time, Gambit was booked in for an October 2016 release. Obviously, that date has been and gone, and the picture is currently set for February 14th, 2019. As to who could end up directing the effort right now, one name in the frame before Verbinski held talks was Frank Darabont. Whether he’s someone that 20th Century Fox revisits, we’ll have to wait and see.

Right now, the only other confirmed name bar Tatum as the titular Remy LaBeau is Lizzy Caplan, who recently came aboard to replace Lea Seydoux as Bella Donna Boudreaux; Seydoux another who had to leave the project due to the countless delays.

As ever, expect more on all things Gambit as it continues to develop.

Horror Channel FrightFest Glasgow Reveals 2018 Line-up

ghost stories

The line-up for this year’s Horror Channel FrightFest Glasgow has been announced. Now in its thirteenth year, it takes place as part of the Glasgow Film Festival from March 1st to March 3rd.

Among the films screening are world premieres, first looks, and eagerly awaiting UK debuts.

From the press release:

GHOST STORIES remains one of the scariest stage shows ever seen and on Thursday night, FrightFest kicks off with a special screening of Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s smash hit phenomenon. Starring Martin Freedman, Paul Whitehouse, as well as Nyman, this unforgettable screen adaptation terrifies in a whole new thrilling and chilling dimension.  Jeremy and Andy will be attending. This is followed by the Scottish premiere of Brian O’Malley’s supernatural romance THE LODGERS, a masterful Irish set Gothic ghost story, starring Charlotte Vega and David Bradley.

Friday’s line-up lunges into vampiric action with the UK premiere of Dragos Buliga’s THE WANDERERS: QUEST OF THE DEMON HUNTER, an inspired modern twist on Transylvanian mythology. This is followed by the world premiere of writer/director Kelly Greene’s pastiche gem ATTACK OF THE BAT MONSTERS. If you liked The Love Witch, this is your new retro-perfect jam and Kelly will be in attendance. Next up is the UK premiere of THE RAVENOUS, writer/director Robin Aubert’s surreal and wickedly humorous addition to the Living Dead canon.

The 8.45pm presentation is the UK premiere of the powerfully gripping COLD SKIN. At the vanguard of French extreme cinema, director Xavier Gens made his name with Frontiere(s) and The Divide. Now he brings us a stunning adaptation of Albert Sánchez Piñol’s acclaimed novel that’s part H.P. Lovecraft, part Joseph Conrad and Xavier will be at the festival to discuss his film. Rounding off the evening is the European premiere of PRIMAL RAGE, a creature feature that blows the lid off traditional Bigfoot mythology. Special effects guru/director Patrick Magee has created an intelligent, cunning primitive warrior being guaranteed to terrify.

Getting the Saturday programme off to a demonically hellish start is the UK premiere of Paul Urkijo’s visually breath-taking fantasy THE BLACKSMITH AND THE DEVIL a vivid Basque fairy-tale, produced by Spanish legend Alex de la Iglesia, This is followed by the European premiere of supernatural chiller PYEWACKET, a beautifully paced, dread-filled study of occult belief by writer/director Adam MacDonald. Next up is the UK premiere of FRIENDLY BEAST, Gabriela Amaral Almeida’s intense shocker, which explores the latent evil within us all.

Climb on board for a fiendishly tense slay-ride as the evening programme kicks off with the UK premiere of director Adam Marcus’ savvy seasonal shocker SECRET SANTA. Marcus will be joined onstage by some of the cast and producers. Following this is the much anticipated UK premiere of TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID, an unflinching South of the Border cautionary fable, an audacious mix of Pan’s Labyrinth and Narcos, which firmly announces director Issa López as a rising star of Mexico’s New Wave cinema.

This year’s global celebration of the genre ends on an adrenalin-fuelled high with the European premiere of Neil Mackay’s ultra-violent, action-packed thriller SIXTY MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT. Actor Arnold Sydney Junior and producer Frank Leraci will be in Glasgow to introduce the movie.

Alan Jones, FrightFest co-director, said today: “With our bold choices and the quality of programming, FrightFest is once again positioned to deliver at our beloved second home in Glasgow.  It’s no surprise to us that the genre has just had its biggest and most successful year. If you’ve ever attended one of our events, you’ll know exactly why. For FrightFest will always create a communal space where the pure enjoyment of the occasion is paramount and a vital shared experience. Welcome to our Pleasure Dome, FrightFest- Glasgow-style”. 

The full line-up is:

THURS MARCH 1st – GFT Screen 1

 21:00 GHOST STORIES (Special screening)

Professor Philip Goodman (Andy Nyman) is a renowned sceptic of the supernatural and clairvoyant. Given the opportunity to investigate three case histories of baffling paranormal activity, he uncovers mysteries beyond his own imagination leading to a shocking personal nightmare conclusion.

Directors Andy Nyman, Jeremy Dyson Cast Martin Freeman, Paul Whitehouse, Alex Lawther UK 2017, 1hr38m, 15+

23:20 THE LODGERS (Scottish Premiere)

Set in a rapidly changing 1920s society under the weakening grasp of British colonialism, orphaned twins Rachel (Charlotte Vega) and Edward (Bill Milner) share a strange existence in their crumbling family estate. For each night the property becomes the domain of a sinister presence enforcing three rules upon them; bed by midnight, no outsiders past the threshold, and any solo escape attempt puts the other twin in jeopardy. Now the curse is about to be tested by a troubled war veteran who is mysteriously drawn to Rachel.

Director Brian O’Malley Cast Charlotte Vega, David Bradley, Bill Milner, Eugene Simon Ireland 2017 1hr32m N/C 18+

FRI MARCH 2nd – GFT Screen 1

13:30 THE WANDERERS: QUEST OF THE DEMON HUNTER (UK Premiere)

Louis (Armand Assante) is the most famous ghost and demon hunter in the world. The hardened American has travelled with Robert, an Israeli journalist (Lior Ashkenazi) to investigate a mysterious event that happened at the infamous Zalesky Castle, an imposing edifice towering over a village drenched in bloody history. Joined by a Romanian guide and a Korean television reality show team, the duo attempt to untangle the evil secrets lurking at the dark heart of this frightened community.

Director Dragos Buliga Cast Armand Assante, Lior Ashkenazi, Branko Djuric Romania 2017, 1hr46m, N/C 18+

15:50 ATTACK OF THE BAT MONSTERS (World Premiere)

Join schlock impresario Francis Gordon as his intrepid crew attempt to shoot an impromptu monster movie in the three days left over from the film they’ve just wrapped. From the Saul Bass opening title homage to its highly authentic, comic evocation of 1950s’ grade-Z grindhouse, this was lost when it was made in 1999. But ace restorer Mark Rance (who brought Tobe Hooper’s Eggshells to FrightFest 2010) found it and has lovingly refurbished it underwriter/director Kelly Greene’s supervision.

Director Kelly Greene Cast Michael Dalmon, Maurice Ripke, Fred Ballard USA 1999 1hr 29m. N/C 15

18:30 THE RAVENOUS (Les affamés) (UK Premiere)

The zombie apocalypse has begun. But for the still-human residents of rural Quebec assistance of any governmental or community kind is zero. So lone survivors must figure things out for themselves, even if it means joining tentative forces and risking a hideous death…

Director Robin Aubert Cast Marc-André Grondin, Monia Chokri, Charlotte St-Martin Canada 2017, French with English subtitles, 1hr40m N/C 18+

20: 45 COLD SKIN (UK Premiere)

At the dawn of the First World War, a young man named Friend (David Oakes) arrives at a desolate Antarctic Circle island to take the post of weather observer and where a race of amphibious humanoids emerge from the seas every night to besiege him and his rancorous lighthouse keeper companion, Gruner (Ray Stevenson). How much horror can the human heart endure?

Director Xavier Gens Cast Ray Stevenson, David Oakes, Aura Garrido Spain/France 2017 1hr48m N/C 18+

23:15 PRIMAL RAGE (European Premiere)

Lost deep in the forest of the Pacific Northwest, Ashley (Casey Cagliardi) and her ex-convict husband Max (Andrew Joseph Montgomery) are stalked by a terrifying creature the locals call Oh-Mah. Soon they find themselves forced to face nature’s harshness, a band of unsavoury hunters and become embroiled in a strange land of Native American legend turned absolutely real in their life or death battle.

Director Patrick Magee Cast Casey Gagliardi, Andrew Joseph Montgomery, Eloy Casados USA 2017 1hr46m N/C 18+

SAT MARCH 3rd – GFT Screen 1

11:00 THE BLACKSMITH AND THE DEVIL (Errementari) (UK PREMIERE)

Ten years after Civil War in Spain 1833, orphan Usue (Uma Bracaglia) seeks to escape from her abusive guardians and constant harassment from uncaring villagers. When her beloved doll is stolen, it ends up at the property of Patxi (Kandido Uranga) a lonely and feared blacksmith who is the keeper of a terrifying secret, a horrible truth that Usue innocently reveals.

Director Paul Urkijo Alijo Cast Kandido Uranga, Eneko Sagardoy, Uma Bracaglia Spain 2017. Basque with English subtitles. 1hr38min N/C 18+

13:15 PYEWACKET (European Premiere)

Confused and enraged for being forced to move away from school friends after her father dies, Leah (Nicole Muñoz) performs a blood incantation calling on an evil entity to punish her grieving mother. Immediately regretful, too late she realises she can’t reverse the ritual curse and an unholy presence now stalks them both in their rural home.

Director Adam MacDonald Cast Nicole Muñoz, Laurie Holden, Chloe Rose Canada 2017, 1hr27m, 15+

15:15 FRIENDLY BEAST (O Animal Cordial) (UK Premiere)

It’s nearly closing time at a struggling restaurant. Staff want to go home while the boss struggles with money troubles and a desire for more power in his life. Enter two robbers, the catalyst for a violent situation, which the boss is initially able to contain and gain the upper hand. Suddenly, the already dangerous and explosive situation turn deadly; sides are taken and people turn to the most abhorrent behaviour in an instant.

Director Gabriela Amaral Almeida Cast Murilo Benício, Luciana Paes, Irandhir Santos Brazil 2017 1hr38m Portuguese with English subtitles. N/C 18+

18:30 SECRET SANTA (UK Premiere)

The Pope family’s Christmas Eve dinner goes horribly and hilariously wrong when someone puts something in the party punch causing everyone to tell the unvarnished truth at the already dysfunctional holiday reunion. When the head of the household psychopathically freaks-out, the scene is set for murderous mayhem and splatterific revenge as the deviant relatives reveal their long-buried hatreds and festering loathings.

Director Adam Marcus Cast Michelle Renee Allaire, Petra Areskoug, Scott Burkett USA 2017, 1hr29m, N/C 18+

21:05 TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID (Vuelven) (UK Premiere)

Thousands have been murdered or gone missing in the ongoing violent drug war in Mexico. The result is many orphaned children living on the streets caught in the unceasing cartel crossfire. In her third work of immense beauty, pain, fear and joy, writer/director Issa López tells the magical story of five such urchins making the best of their daily struggle to survive.

Director Issa López Cast Paola Lara, Hanssel Casillas, Rodrigo Cortes Mexico 2017, Spanish with English subtitles, 1hr23m N/C 18+

23:00 SIXTY MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT (European Premiere)

It’s New Year’s Eve 1999 and former soldier Jack Darcy (Robert Nolan) wakes to find himself mysteriously entered into a murderous new TV game show. He has sixty minutes to kill or be killed by a group of strange armed men who’ve surrounded his house. But what his would-be assassins haven’t realised is that Jack has learnt a few tricks from his military days. He has a hidden bunker full of weapons and he isn’t going down without a vicious fight!

Director Neil Mackay Cast Robert Nolan, Arnold Sidney, Terry McDonald Canada 2017, 1hr23m, N/C 18+.

FrightFest Passes are £75 and available from noon on Mon Jan 15th, 2018.  Passes cover all films on Fri March 2nd and Sat March 3rd ONLY. Tickets for GHOST STORIES and THE LODGERS, plus individual tickets for the Fri/Sat films are on sale Mon Jan 29th from 10am. Price: £10.50. £8.50 concessions. Head over towww.frightfest.co.uk for more information.

Next AMERICAN HORROR STORY to be Future-Set; Sarah Paulson Returning

American Horror Story

With the seventh season of American Horror Story now in the books, creator Ryan Murphy has given a hint at what we can expect from the already-confirmed eighth year of this fan favourite genre show.

Speaking at the recent TCA press tour, Murphy teased, “It takes place in the future. It’s still topical, but the future, which I’ve never done. I think people will like it.”

In further details, EW has confirmed that Sarah Paulson will once again by front-and-centre for this new season, with Murphy adding, “Sarah Paulson is very excited about the dental appliances she will be wearing on the show.” Paulson, of course, is one of only two names to have appeared in every season of AHS to date; the other person being Evan Peters.

Additionally, Murphy told EW that the future-set landscape will be the near future rather than the far-off distant future. As he put it, “it’s set in the near future. It has nothing to do with anything you’ve ever seen before. It’s really chilling.”

And that was that. As always with American Horror Story, you never really know what to expect from a new season until said season finally starts to air. And even then, what you see initially is often flipped on its head as each season progresses. In early news for Season 9, however, it’s already been said that the 2019 edition of AHS will see the much-loved Murder House and Coven seasons crossover somehow.

What we do know on Season 8, though, is that American Horror Story will return to screens in the second half of 2018. As ever, we’ll bring you more on the new season as we get it.

CRITTERS TV Show in Development

Critters

Well, well, well. Who’d have thought that those pesky Crites would be making a return to action…

Yes, as the title suggests, the Critters franchise is making a comeback!

As per Variety, Verizon’s go90 has ordered a Critters TV series dubbed Critters: A New Binge from Blue Ribbon Content, the digital studio of Warner Brothers TV Group. Abominable Pictures will be producing the series with Blue Ribbon.

The early word on the show reads:

The Critters return to Earth in search of one of their kin, who was left behind years ago during an earlier mission. They land in Burbank, California, where they wreak havoc on a group of high schoolers and their families.

Zombeavers’ Jordan Rubin, Jon Kaplan and Al Kaplan will write and executive produce the series, with Rubin also directing. The original franchise’s directors Rupert Harvey and Barry Opper will be producing the show, too.

As a franchise, Critters began life back in 1986, with the series focussing on a race of flesh-eating aliens who look to satiate their huge appetites with human flesh. The practical effects work of these beasties was done by the iconic Chiodo Brothers – who would later create Killer Klowns from Outer Space. That first Critters would be followed up by 1988’s Critters 2: The Main Course, 1991’s Critters 3 and 1992’s Critters 4; the third picture featuring a young up-and-comer by the name of Leonardo DiCaprio.

Despite many labelling Critters as nothing more than a Gremlins knock-off, the script for Critters was actually written way before Gremlins was ‘a thing’, and the script was even rewritten to avoid too many similarities to the antics of Gizmo and Co.

As ever, expect more on Critters: A New Binge as it develops.

BLACK WIDOW Movie Closer Than Ever

Black Widow

For years now, there’s been plentiful rumour, speculation and demand for a solo cinematic outing for Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow. And now, it appears that a Widow picture could be closer than ever to finally happening.

As per Variety, Jac Schaeffer has tasked with writing a screenplay for just such a movie. Marvel’s Kevin Feige previously met with several screenwriters and discussions happened towards the latter part of last year. Officially, the first has yet to be greenlit and the project is still in the very early stages of development. Still, finally finding a screenwriter for Black Widow is at least something.

For Schaeffer, she’s best known for Black List favourite The Shower – a concept that already has Anne Hathaway attached to it – and for penning the upcoming female-driven remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Johansson’s Natasha Romanov debuted back in Iron Man 2, and has since gone on to become a staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having appeared in Avengers Assemble, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War. Up next for Black Widow is the huge Avengers: Infinity War; a movie that’s a literal who’s who of the MCU as Thanos finally steps out of the shadows to cause all kinds of chaos and carnage for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and any and all superhero seen to date in the MCU – not to mention Brie Larson’s debuting Captain Marvel.

Avengers: Infinity War hits the big screen this May.

An INSIDIOUS and SINISTER Crossover is Being Considered

Insidious Sinister

Well, this is certainly something that could pique the interest of horror hounds. Yes, as the title suggests, there could well be a crossover movie between the Insidious and Sinister franchises.

Both series have been produced by Jason Blum and his Blumhouse banner, and the two franchises have proven to be hugely profitable due to their relatively low cost and significantly larger returns. And now, Blum himself has discussed the possibility of bringing these two properties together.

Speaking to CinePop, Blum explained, “We almost did Insidious and Sinister… and I still feel like we might do that. So I think so. I think we’re gonna cross our worlds at some point. I don’t know how yet, but we’re gonna try.”

To give an idea of the profitability of these properties, 2012’s Sinister cost just $3 million but brought home nearly $78 million at the global box office, while its 2015’s follow-up took home $53 million from a $10 million budget. Insidious is a far more impressive franchise where profit margins are concerned, mind, with the first three films having took home just over $370 million from a combined budget of just $16.5 million. At present, Insidious: The Last Key is on release across the globe, with its current take-home sitting at $50 million from a $10 million budget.

The point being, while these films don’t necessarily take home $200 million hauls each time, the relatively low cost of making them means that follow-ups are always an appealing option given the strong percentage of profit that can be made.

Only last year, Blum was talking about how we could well get a fifth Insidious movie should The Last Key perform well. With that currently having made five times its budget despite yet to be released in certain markets (including the UK, where we get the film this Friday), chances are that the Lin Shaye-headlined The Last Key will do more than enough to justify another movie for those at Blumhouse.

Of course, how an Insidious and Sinister crossover would come to be remains to be seen, but the prospect of Shaye’s Elise – not to mention Leigh Whannell’s Specs and Angus Sampson’s Tucker – battling Bughuul is one that certainly has our attention.

As ever, expect more on all of this if and when it develops further.

SNOWPIERCER Gets a Full Series Order

Snowpiercer

Having put together quite the impressive cast for its pilot episode, Snowpiercer has now been greenlit for a full series order by TNT.

As part of this announcement, TNT’s Sarah Aubrey enthused, “I’m a personal fan of Bong Joon Ho’s epic film, and jumped at the chance to honour his original vision, yet expand upon the world and characters with a diverse, award-winning cast. Science fiction is the perfect genre to examine issues of race, class, gender and natural resources with thought-provoking and exciting storytelling. Snowpiercer will explore those relevant issues while embarking on a wild, action-filled ride.”

If you’ve not been keeping tabs on this one, the impressive cast that’s been touched upon includes Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly, Grammy winner Daveed Diggs, and other notable names such as Benjamin Haigh, Katie McGuinness, Roberto Urbina, Susan Park, Sasha Frolova, Alison Wright, Mickey Sumner, and Lena Hall.

Snowpiercer began life as a Jacques Lob and Jeam-Marc Rochette graphic novel before being turned in to a 2013 movie starring Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Song Kang-ho, John Hurt, Ed Harris, and Octavia Spencer. The futuristic tale is set seven years after the world has been turned in to a frozen wasteland, with the remaining survivors of humanity taking refuge on a perpetually moving train that circles this icy landscape. Of course, with a mixed bag of various survivors, it’s not long before familiar social themes such as class divides, social prejudice and politics come to the fore.

Where TNT’s small screen version is concerned, Sinister and Doctor Strange’s Scott Derrickson has directed the pilot and will executive produce the series, while Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ Josh Friedman is acting as writer and showrunner.