Sci-Fi Storm

Well, everyone was hoping that the full title of the upcoming sequel to Star Trek would clue us in on who the big bad is, played by Sherlock‘s Benedict Cumberbatch – which has long-rumored-but-vehemently-denied to be Khan.

Well, Paramount has released the full name: Star Trek: Into Darkness – and I’m not sure that tells us much of anything. Sounds more like a spin-off novel or something… 🙂

Actor Jeffrey Wright, who played James Bond’s American CIA friend Felix Leiter in Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale and also appeared in Source Code, will play the role of electronics expert and repeat tribute Beetee, also nicknamed Volts, in the upcoming The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

From the release:

Santa Monica, CA, September 7, 2012- Lionsgate® and the filmmakers of THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE are pleased to announce that Jeffrey Wright has been cast in the role of Beetee in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel Catching Fire. Hailing from District 3, Beetee earns the nickname “Volts” because of his electronics expertise.

Critically acclaimed and celebrated by audiences for his performances in theater and on film and television, Wright garnered a Tony® Award in 1994 for his work in Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic “Angels in America” which he reprised in HBO’s 2003 mini-series adaptation, earning both a Golden Globe® and an Emmy®. He has played memorable roles in films as diverse as BASQUIAT, SOURCE CODE, CASINO ROYALE and QUANTUM OF SOLACE, W, SYRIANA, and CADILLAC RECORDS. Wright can next be seen with Mark Walhberg, Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Allen Hughes’ political thriller BROKEN CITY.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has sold more than 50 million books in print and digital in the U.S. alone.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be released on November 22nd, 2013.

No need to watch commercial-laden TV to catch the latest 30-second spot for DREDD 3D starring Karl Urban and Olivia Thirlby – you can watch it right here! DREDD 3D opens September 21st.
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Syfy has acquired another foreign-produced program – this time, it is British action-adventure series Sinbad, about the famous mythological sailor.

Starring newcomer Elliot Knight in the title role, the 12-part series follows Sinbad’s sea-bound journey after he is forced to flee from his home town of Basra. Surviving a violent and magical storm, Sinbad embarks on an emotional journey to embrace his destiny.

Naveen Andrews (Lost) stars as Sinbad’s nemesis, Lord Akbari. The series also features appearances by Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda, The Secret Life of Bees), Timothy Spall (Harry Potter, The King’s Speech) and Dougray Scott (Hitman, Mission Impossible: II).

On board “The Providence,” Sinbad is joined by an intriguing band of travelers including Norwegian sailor Gunnar (Elliot Cowan), the jewel-thief Rina (Marama Corlett), and aristocrat Nala (Estella Daniels). Completing the ship’s complement is the Cook (Junix Inocian) and the cerebral doctor Anwar (Dimitri Leonidas).

Sinbad joins an increasing portfolio of imports on Syfy which includes Merlin, Lost Girl and the recently acquired Continuum. Sinbad is expected to begin airing on Syfy next April.

In the next new Warehouse 13, Claudia and Jinks confront Artie about the black diamonds, and what they refer to – but Artie can’t tell them why they are stealing artifacts…watch next Monday night at 9/8c on Syfy!
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Not a lot of details yet, but reports are out this evening that Fox has picked up an unnamed pilot from J.J. Abrams, described as a “near-future action-packed buddy cop show”, in which the LAPD police are teamed up with “highly evolved human-like androids”. J.H. Wyman (Fringe) will write and executive produce with Abrams and Bryan Burk.

For some reason, my mind instantly turned to the Tekwar movies/series, which had human-like androids (derogatorily called “mechs”) working for the police. And does anyone remember Holmes and Yo-Yo?

In this Friday’s Lost Girl, Bo seems to have figured out something about Trick…watch Friday at 10/9c and find out if she is right!
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WithThe Voice taking over Mondays at NBC for the next several weeks, there are no new episodes of Grimm – until it moves back to Friday nights starting September 28th!

Here is a little preview…and also if you liked the “Monroe-mance” from the last episode, check out the recap scene afterwards:
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Thanks to NBC, you can watch the entire first episode of new show Revolution right here, two weeks before the premiere airs on September 17th! Then check out the show on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pintrest!
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Just after winning the Hugo award for his Doctor Who episode “The Doctor’s Wife”, writer Neil Gaiman let the world know that he is writing another episode! And according to io9, it is currently slated for the second half of Series 7 – but cautions that it could get bumped to a later series for budgetary reasons.

He doesn’t give any other details – could we see a sequel, with a return of Idris? Or would you want something totally different?