Archive for March 7th, 2016
Time After Time casts female lead with Genesis Rodriguez
by Doc on Mar.07, 2016, under Television
Genesis Rodriguez (Big Hero 6, Identity Thief) has been cast as the female lead in the upcoming Starz series pilot Time After Time. Rodriguez will play Jane Walker, the museum curator who catches H.G. Wells’ eye in modern-day New York City. Wells is being played by Freddie Stroma.
Syfy acquires Aftermath for summer run
by Doc on Mar.07, 2016, under Television
Syfy has acquired the Canadian 13-episode post-apocalyptic thriller Aftermath from Halfire Entertainment. Casting is currently underway with production expected to start in Vancouver in May for a summer premiere on Syfy in the U.S. and Space in Canada.
The show centers on couple Karen and Joshua Copeland, and their children Dana, Brianna and Matt, who must battle for survival after civilization comes to an apocalyptic end, triggered by massive storms, meteor strikes, earthquakes and plague – and the rise of supernatural creatures.
Julie Sarah Stone (The Killing) and Levi Meaden (The Killing, Olympus), and Taylor Hickson (Deadpool) play the three Copeland children.
The series was created by William Laurin (Missing) and Glenn Davis (Once a Thief), who will executive produce along with Julie Hope. Jason Stone (This is the End) is directing the first two episodes.
R2-D2’s builder and Star Trek: The Next Generation and Battlestar Galactica VFX artist have passed away
by Doc on Mar.07, 2016, under Movies, Obituaries, Television
Two industry passings were sadly reported this weekend.
Tony Dyson, who referred to himself as “R2-D2’s Dad”, passed away at the age of 68. While working at his own studio, the White Horse Toy Company, he was commissioned by George Lucas to turn Ralph McQuarrie’s sketches of a plug-shaped mechanical character into an astromech that would become the most loved droid in two galaxies.
On his web site Dyson wrote about the return of R2-D2 in Episode VII, “The love for R2 is universal; no other Star Wars character has been loved over the years the way R2-D2 has, his merchandising has rocketed over the years and his influence in the world of robotics is truly remarkable.”
Emmy-winning visual effect artist Gary Hutzel, who’s career shot starward when he helped define the look of Star Trek: The Next Generation including the infamous Borg Cube, as well as the U.S.S. Defiant design for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, passed away on Thursday at the age of 60.
Hutzel later worked in movies, including Red Planet and Spy Kids, but would return to television for Ronald D. Moore’s reboot of Battlestar Galactica, where he won two of his Emmys.