Diane, This Is What Dale Cooper Looks Like Now

Kyle MacLachlan reprises his role as FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper in Twin Peaks, the 18-part continuation of the original series starting Sunday, May 21, at 9 p.m. on Showtime.

Okay, here’s where it gets complicated: The series debuts with a two-parter, followed by episodes three and four the following weekend. and then going to one-hour installments from then on. However, immediately following the May 21 premiere, Showtime Anytime and Showtime On Demand will offer parts three and four.

Well, I guess we shouldn’t expect just any old broadcast format from David Lynch…

Another Set of DC Tarot Cards On Deck

DC Collectibles is releasing The DC Comics Justice League Tarot Cards tomorrow.

Designed by Sara Richard, this re-imagining of the cards feature heroes and villains from across the DC Universe in all-new artwork with almost completely new symbology.

The new artwork likely means the so-called Little White Book will have directions for interpreting the non-traditional images.

I have to confess that the art style is not to my liking… I would have difficulty reading with this deck because the symbology is pretty far off from the standard Rider-Waite decks.

DC previously dabbled in the world of tarot with two sold-out editions of The Vertigo Tarot, featuring stunningly beautiful artwork by Dave McKean that made both decks highly sought-after in collectors circles among comics fans and tarot enthusiasts alike.

The DC Comics Justice League Tarot Cards carry a list price of $24.95.

First Glimpses of Benedict Cumberbatch in ‘Doctor Strange’

Come, peer with me now into the all-seeing Orb of Agamotto for a glimpse into the future of the Doctor Strange movie: star Benedict Cumberbatch filming on the set in n Kathmandu, Nepal.

These scenes would appear to be set early in the movie, when disgraced surgeon Dr. Stephen Strange is searching for a cure for the nerve damage to his hands. I have to admit, it is cool to know that production has officially begun on the adaptation of my all-time favorite comic book character — even if I do have very mixed feelings about this production.

I am happy that the movie is being made, but I have serious issues with the casting of Cumberbatch in the lead. He’s a good actor, IMHO, but there has grown up around him a bloated fandom that feels almost like a cult of personality. I really do not understand the slavering awe and worship with which Cumberbatch is treated. It’s like he’s the greatest actor of all time. And this cult of personality will definitely clash with the movie. BC will tower over the film and distract from discussion of the film on it’s own merits.

It happened with Star Trek: Into Darkness. After he was cast, all anyone wanted to talk about was, “Who is Benecict playing? “Is he Khan?” “He’s Kahn, isn’t he?” (And, despite outright lying by the studio, he indeed was playing Khan.) I just don’t want everything about Doctor Strange reduced to whether the Cumberbitches (look ’em up) like his hair in a particular scene.

It’s just not fair that my guy is likely going to be crushed under the weight of his own star. But hey, I should be grateful that Marvel and Disney are willing to pour some cash into this production — unlike the 1978 TV movie made for CBS. And, yes, Cumberbatch is an improvement on Peter Hooten.

Directed by Scott Derrickson and co-starring Tilda Swinton (Ancient One), Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor (Baron Mordo) and Michael Stuhlbarg (Nicodemus West), Doctor Strange will be released Nov. 4, 2016.

Stars Look Ahead to Next Week’s THE WALKING DEAD Premiere

Take a look at this reel, featuring various stars and behind-the-scenes crew of THE WALKING DEAD talking about their expectations for the sixth season…

THE WALKING DEAD kicks off its sixth season on AMC with a 90-minute special on Oct. 11 at 9 p.m.

Online FEAR THE WALKING DEAD Story To Debut Oct. 4

Remember that online serial about the airliner that was planned to meld with the second season of AMC’s FEAR THE WALKING DEAD? Well, it now has a name and a premiere date.

“Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462” will premiere on AMC.com on Oct. 4 with the first of 16 one-minute episodes. The short chapters will air on the cable channel during commercial breaks in THE WALKING DEAD beginning with the Oct. 11 sixth-season premiere. Each new “Flight 462” installment ill debut every Sunday before that night’s TWD.

“Flight 462” will feature several new characters aboard an airliner facing an outbreak of walkers. It is assumed the plane is headed for Los Angeles, because one of the web series’ stars will join the cast of FEAR THE WALKING DEAD for its second season.

I hope this new character turns out to be interesting and not weighed down with fake family drama; FTWD already has way too much B.S. getting in the way of telling an interesting story.

THE WALKING DEAD’s Oct. 11 premiere will be a 90-minute episode.

 

 

New Nicolas Cage Movie Looks… Exciting?

Sure, it looks like a standard “man hunts for his kidnapped son” revenge thriller, but this Nicolas Cage vehicle appears to veer off into a different direction: What if his kid was snatched by a ghost? Then the man will have to Pay the Ghost.

 

Do supernatural entities accept PayPal?

Sarah Wayne Callies, late of THE WALKING DEAD, co-stars — no doubt in a thankless wife/girlfriend role in which she will harsh Nic’s buzz about ectoplasmic kidnappers.

Pay the Ghost opens tomorrow, Sept. 25.

AMC Officially Orders PREACHER To Series

So last week, when Seth Rogan tweeted that PREACHER promo, it turns out he did it because AMC officially picked up the series — but he forgot to explicitly mention that. Way to promote your show, Mr. Executive Producer!

Rogen is exec-producing the 10-episode series with Evan Goldberg (This Is the End), and it is expected to bow in mid-2016.

The show’s official synopsis describes it thusly:

PREACHER centers on Rev. Jesse Custer (AGENT CARTER’s Dominic Cooper), a conflicted Texas minister who merges with a spiritual force called Genesis — making him more mighty than the Almighty. Joined by his gun-toting girlfriend Tulip (AGENTS OF SHIELD‘s Ruth Negga) and the hard-drinking Irish vampire Cassidy (MISFITS‘ Joseph Gilgun), Custer begins a violent journey across the country in search of answers from a disenfranchised God. Lucy Griffiths (TRUE BOOD) also stars.
Preacher, which received a 10-episode order, is expected to debut in mid-2016.

Look! It’s the First Poster for AMC’s Upcoming PREACHER!

The very first promotional image for PREACHER, the TV series based on the subversive Vertigo comic book series, has been tweeted by executive producer Seth Rogan!

Seth accompanied the image with this caption: “Preacher is coming to AMC! @evandgoldberg @SamCatlin123! The beginning is nigh!!!”

Rogan and Evan Goldberg (This Is the End) will write and serve as executive producers, while Sam Catlin will be the show-runner.

Written by Garth Ennis and drawn by Steve Dillon, the Preacher comic book series from Vertigo (home of The Sandman) told the story of Rev. Jesse Custer, a Texas preacher who lost his faith and is possessed by the supernatural entity called “Genesis” who grants him the power of the Word of God, with which Jesse can compel anyone to do his bidding. Jesse learns that God has left heaven, so Jesse sets out to make God answer for abandoning his creation. Meanwhile, a group of angels summon the immortal Saint of Killers to stop Jesse and reclaim Genesis.

That upside-down church image makes a whole lot of sense, doesn’t it?

Why Bill Murray Finally Agreed to a ‘Ghostbusters’ Redux

Just about everyone was floored by the news that Bill Murray had agreed to appear in the so-called “all-female” Ghostbusters reboot after so many decades of refusing to associate himself with any of the long-mooted attempts at making a third film in the franchise.

Well, newsflash folks: Murray has not only agreed to make a cameo in the new flick — he has already shot his role (as a ghost debunker). So there’s no turning back now.

Vulture asked Murray why he did it, and he replied:

“I thought about it for a very long time. Like, many, many months. No, that’s not right. I was seriously thinking about this for years, really… It kept eating at me, and I really respect those girls. And then I started to feel like if I didn’t do this movie, maybe somebody would write a bad review or something, thinking there was some sort of disapproval [on my part].”

“He slimed me.”

Ex Hannibal in Line for ‘Doctor Strange’ Movie Villain?

It’s possible that TV’s former Hannibal Lecter, Mads Mikkelsen, could play the Big Bad in Marvel’s Doctor Strange opposite Benedict Cumberbatch‘s mystic hero — according to Variety, that is.

The showbiz bible says Marvel Studios is in talks with the actor, a veteran of several villainous roles, including the James Bond film Casino Royale. Mikkelsen’s exact role remains under wraps, but sources say he will be an antagonist.

In addition to Cumberbatch, the film also stars Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo, with Scott Derrickson directing.

Cumberbatch will play Stephen Strange, a former neurosurgeon who becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, the protector of Earth against magical threats. Swinton’s Ancient One is Strange’s mentor, while Ejiofor’s Mordo is a fellow student who turns on the Ancient One and Strange.

Filming begins later this year. Doctor Strange will premiere Nov. 4, 2016.