Sci-Fi Storm

Danny Masterson (Men at Work, That ‘70s Show) and Kris Lemche (Joan of Arcadia, Ghost Whisperer) join the cast of Syfy’s popular series Haven as guest stars in the episode airing Friday, November 22 at 10PM (ET/PT).

In the cross-over episode, titled “A Shot in the Dark,” Haven’s season-long social media storyline makes the jump to the small screen when the Darkside Seekers, a duo of paranormal investigators who star in their own low-budget TV reality show, pay the town of Haven a visit to investigate reports of a murder victim missing a heart. The Darkside Seekers are on a mission to expose Haven’s secrets after hearing numerous tales about the Troubles and the strange, hushed up occurrences that have been plaguing the town for years.

Masterson portrays “Anderson Harris,” one half of the Darkside Seekers team. He’s the man behind the camera – more comfortable tinkering with the equipment than with the idea of seeing a ghost. Anderson may be skeptical about the paranormal, but nothing stops him from keeping the cameras rolling if there’s even a remote chance of capturing evidence of the supernatural on tape.

Lemche plays “Seth Byrne,” the host of the Darkside Seekers TV show. Seth is a true believer who has dedicated his life to the search for absolute proof of the supernatural. Feisty, funny and fearless, he refuses to let anyone – no matter how intimidating or official – stand in the way of the truth he seeks to reveal.

Well, we now know ONE thing about Star Wars: Episode VII at least…when we’ll see it.

Disney has set December 18th, 2015 is a the release date for J.J. Abrams-directed film, widely expected to have the original stars of the first three movies, albeit aged as they are now, but the full title, plot, etc. are completely unknown.

“We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture,” said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Shooting is scheduled to begin spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios.

Disney and Netflix issued a joint statement today about a plan to bring several series and a miniseries to Netflix based on Marvel characters, including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron First and Luke Cage, over the course of several years, culminating in The Defenders, a “mini-series event that reimagines a dream team of self-sacrificing, heroic characters.”

“This deal is unparalleled in its scope and size, and reinforces our commitment to deliver Marvel’s brand, content and characters across all platforms of storytelling. Netflix offers an incredible platform for the kind of rich storytelling that is Marvel’s specialty,” said Alan Fine, President of Marvel Entertainment. “This serialized epic expands the narrative possibilities of on-demand television and gives fans the flexibility to immerse themselves how and when they want in what’s sure to be a thrilling and engaging adventure.”

“Marvel’s movies, such as ‘Iron Man’ and Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’, are huge favorites on our service around the world. Like Disney, Marvel is a known and loved brand that travels,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “With ‘House of Cards’ and our other original series, we have pioneered new approaches to storytelling and to global distribution and we’re thrilled to be working with Disney and Marvel to take our brand of television to new levels with a creative project of this magnitude.”

This new original TV deal follows last year’s landmark movie distribution deal through which, beginning with 2016 theatrically released feature films, Netflix will be the exclusive U.S. subscription television service for first-run, live-action and animated movies from the Walt Disney Studios, including titles from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Disneynature and Lucasfilm. Netflix members can currently enjoy a wide range of Disney, ABC TV and Disney Channel films and shows across the 41 countries where Netflix operates.

Tomorrow is Friday, which means a new Haven! In this week’s episode, Audrey discovers that the mysterious thugs from the barn have followed Lexie to Haven and are holding William as a hostage. She and William must uncover their sinister plan! Watch the return of Colin Ferguson in “William”, Friday at 10/9c on Syfy!

And don’t forget to check out the other goodies below – the latest Inside Haven, the cast talks about the 40 pound helmets from last week’s episode, and a pop-up-style look at all the Stephen King references…
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At last…a Helix trailer that shows the actual show! The teasers previously shown were developed before the show actually went into production – so no, the sets are not just white walls…
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The Syfy pilot 12 Monkeys has its first two lead cast members: Aaron Stanford and Amanda Schull.

In addition, Natalie Chaidez (In Plain Sight, V, Heroes) will be Executive Producer/Showrunner and Jeffrey Reiner (Helix, Friday Night Lights, Caprica) will direct the pilot and also serve as Executive Producer.

The 60-minute pilot is being produced by Universal Cable Productions and Atlas Entertainment, producer of the original Bruce Willis-Brad Pitt theatrical directed by Terry Gilliam and released by Universal Pictures. Production is slated to begin in December in Detroit.

Based on the classic hit film, 12 Monkeys follows the journey of a time traveler from the post-apocalyptic future who appears in present day on a mission to locate and eradicate the source of a deadly plague that will eventually decimate the human race.

Aaron Stanford (Nikita, X-Men: The Last Stand, X2) will play “Cole,” a desperate and haunted man from the near future, who travels to the present day to stop a deadly plague from being released on the world.

Amanda Schull (Suits, Pretty Little Liars, Center Stage) will play “Cassandra Railly,” a brilliant doctor who is forced to choose between her idyllic life or joining Cole’s mission to uncover the dangerous conspiracy.

Terry Matalas & Travis Fickett (Terra Nova, Nikita) wrote the pilot script and are Co-Executive Producers. Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven (American Hustle, Man of Steel, The Dark Knight Trilogy) and Richard Suckle (American Hustle, The International), will Executive Produce. Roven produced the original film.

We learned today that Mark Stern, who has been in charge of original development at Syfy for the last 11 years and most recently was President, Original Content, Syfy and Co-Head, Original Content, Universal Cable Productions, is leaving the network. He isn’t vanishing completely, as he will be taking over as executive producer on an upcoming unnamed Syfy TV series. We’ve met Mark many times and wish him all the best.

From the press release:

NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment today elevated two of its senior programming executives to new roles. Bill McGoldrick was named Executive Vice President, Original Content, Syfy, and Jackie de Crinis was named Executive Vice President, Original Programming, USA Network. Effective immediately, McGoldrick will report to Syfy President Dave Howe and de Crinis will report to USA President Chris McCumber.
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is out on [sfs=1373]Blu-ray 3D[/sfs], [sfs=1374]Blu-ray[/sfs] and [sfs=1375]DVD[/sfs] this Tuesday, November 5th…I’ve reviewed the theatrical edition already, so what’s so cool about this version? In a word: extras. In a few more words – over nine hours of additional material, not including the feature-length commentary by Peter Jackson and Phillipa Boyens.

First, a quick synopsis:

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first in Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated trilogy adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome Dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the Wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of 13 Dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild, through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins, Orcs and deadly Wargs, as well as a mysterious and sinister figure known only as the Necromancer.
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On Friday’s Haven, the pressure’s on when a deadly deep sea trouble threatens to crush the entire town—and everything Lexie and Nathan think they know about the Troubles. See the preview below, then tune in at 10/9c for “Crush”…and don’t forget the other extra videos below, including pop-up Stephen King references!
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