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06/11/17 @ 8:47 pm EST
 The cast of Battlestar Galactica reunited Saturday at closing night of the ATX Television Festival and while it marked the first official reunion, those behind the Syfy drama revealed they've kept in close contact since the series went off the air eight years ago. "It is profoundly different than I think what happens to a lot of casts when it's time to run away from each other," Mary McDonnell told the crowd. Battlestar was developed as a reimagining of the 1978 series of the same name and originally premiered as a miniseries on Syfy in 2003. The following year, the project returned as a full-fledged series and ran for four seasons, wrapping in 2009. Over its run, the drama quickly became a critical darling, and went onto win Peabody and Television Critics Association awards. Looking back on the original miniseries, showrunner Ronald D. Moore recalled watching every episode but said "it didn't light the fire in me," despite his love of other sci-fi projects in the '70s like Star Trek and Star Wars.When he got a call in early 2002 about potential coming onboard the reboot, Moore was hesitant after logging 10 years on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. "I wasn’t sure if I want to go back into space again," he said. However, Moore thought it over and rented the original tape from Blockbuster. "It had completely different resonance," Moore said of watching the original in a post-9/11 world. "I just sort of immediately thought if you did that show now, it was an opportunity to talk about the thing that were happening in the world." He then took the job. When asked how Battlestar would be different if it launched in present-day, Moore said the show "would take advantage of the current political situation," he said, but added, "It's hard to imagine doing it today if it was just from zero." However, McDonnell pointed out the current administration was made some of Battlestar's key themes even more relevant."We're living in a time where the powers that be are trying to create as much difference between us as their pockets books will allow. With Battlestar, we have a reminder that it could go away," McDonnell said. "We're unfortunately living on the edge at the moment of the planet. Perhaps we can stop dividing each other and seeing each other as the other." Moore and stars including McDonnell, Edward James Olmos, Katee Sackhoff, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park, James Callis and Michael Trucco reflected on their auditions, Olmos' big speech to the cast and what Moore calls "one of the stupidest things" the writers ever wrote into the show. Read on for more highlights from the show: Olmos Initially Said NoWhen he was offered the role, "I said no at the beginning. I said, 'Thank you very much but I'm working,'" he said. But his agent urged him to read the script anyway. "And then I read it, and I immediately said, 'I want to be with them. Let's do this.' The Female PresidentMary McDonnell never saw the original Battlestar. "I didn't have a television. I didn't know anything about it. I didn’t understand. It was presented to me as you have the opportunity to do the reboot or the reinventing of Battlestar Galactica. I just giggled," she said. However, when she the script, "I was attracted to these people in the first readthrough." McDonnell also found the script extremely prescient to the current times, particularly playing a female president. "We were shooting this when Hillary [Clinton] was running [for the Senate] and it became a very timely event for me," McDonnell said. "We started it not too long after September 11th so there was a strong emotional connection for me as well." A Female Starbuck?Moore said one of his first ideas was to change Starbuck from a male character to e a female. "This was a moment in time when we ere just starting to see women in combat, female combat pilots for the first time," he said. "I really didn't think it would be a thing," he said. However, it quickly drew ire from fans. "I was surprised and sort of like really? People are getting upset about this?" he said. "It seemed like the dumbest thing in the world. It was just kind of baffling." However, Moore quickly learned to embrace it. "Yell about it, get angry," he recalled thinking. "I need publicity."Sackhoff recalled being told she was "too girly" for the part. "I was told so many times that I was not right for this part. There's a piece of you that goes, 'Oh my God, I'm not right for this part.'" She subsequently had to audition six or seven times. "I cut my hair in the process. I took off my stiletos and eventually, I got the part," she recalled. When she learned about the controversy surrounding her character in a chat room at an Internet café, "I thought, f– 'em,'" she said. The Other StarbuckPark recalled it was down to her and Sackhoff for the role Starbucks. "When I was told I got Boomer, I was pissed," Park said with a laugh. "I was like, 'Who the 'eff is Boomer?'" Subsequently, it took part a while to figure out her character was a Cylon. "I just hadn't realized because I wasn't reading for that and I probably wasn't picking up on the clues," she said. A First Day KissHelfer had been acting professionally for about a year when she got the gig, and recalled the nerves she had the first day on the set, particularly when it came to shooting a steamy scene with Callis. "He was getting nervous. I was getting nervous We were both sweating," she said. "I finally said, "James, there's a basement, let's go downstairs.'"One thing led to another and "I just planted a kiss on him," Helfer said. "Genuinely it was a really good move because we were both really self-conscious," Callis said. "It’s a thing about trust and I think that was what helped us and helped us establish that relationship." Another Apollo?Trucco remember auditioning for the role of Apollo originally. "Rumor has it that I got initially, initially not very close at all," he said with a laugh. "I wrote in my journal, 'This is the greatest television show ever made.'" In season two, he came onboard for what was originally supposed to be two-episode arc. "Something incredible happened: The majority of the people f—ing hated my character and I think that fueled Ron," Trucco said. Interjected Moore: "He's coming back now." Trucco also remembered the early days of internet chat rooms, saying "People said horrible things." The Admiral's SpeechWhen shooting the miniseries that led then to the series, Callis recalled the speech Olmos gave to the entire cast in which he foreshadowed the show's success. "The show's going to go for five years. Every episode is going to be like a movie. Keep your powder dry. We're in here for the long haul. You are not to make fun of this," Callis said Olmos told the cast. "Nobody needs to take this as seriously as we do." Looking back, Callis called it a "galvanizing" moment. "At the time, you don't realize how important something like that is." Six's Big Moment in the First EpisodeHelfer's Six killed a baby in first episode, specifically by cracking its neck. "The network didn’t want it in there," Helfer said, but said she believed the moment added "depth" to her character. "To me, that was a very integral moment of showing that this other side, you're very quickly going to learn that this the other side, this the evil side, has some sort of empathy."However, because of that moment, Helfer's sister never watched the series because she had given birth shortly before. "It was just a hard thing, the crack sound," she recalled. The Evolution of 'Frak'While muttered once on the original series, it became a popular (and frequent) part of reboot. "I just said this a brilliant opportunity to say f– over and over again," Moore said. "This is just a license to kill so I'm just going to do it over and over." The Big Debates Behind the ScenesMoore remembered, "when I pitched it, I could have done anything. They really don't care. You can do whatever you want with this, was the attitude." However, that changed once the series was in full swing. ""All the big ticket items we never fought about," Moore said. "We fought about stupid things. We fought about how much blood you're going to show, how many pilots you're going to kill. … Is it too dark? Is it too depressing?"Another concern from the network was the show's serialized nature which is why many of the show's early hours are standalone episodes. "Serialized TV was really unusual and frowned upon and networks didn't like it," Moore said. "The network was terrified that people would watch them out of order." Starbuck's Death (Kind of)When asked about her favorite moment, Sackhoff recalled getting the call from Moore and David Eicks that her character was going to get killed but then brought back. "'We're going to kill you but we're going to bring you back so don't worry,'" she said. "So I went to Mexico for a couple episodes but the problem was I was lying to everyone."Moore interjected: "This is one of the stupidest things David and I did in the entire run of the show." Sackhoff eventually told Olmos, who then told the entire cast at a magazine shoot she wasn't really dead, "and I felt like such an asshole."Meanwhile, Moore recalled "We're getting calls in Los Angeles saying they're really upset. You don't understand. People are really freaking out that you're killing [her]," Moore said, particularly Olmos. "Eddy is walking around saying this is death of the show. … It just spiraled completely out of control." (Via THR) 12/06/25 @ 2:03 pm EST
Scarlett Johansson is said to be in negotiations to join the cast of the highly anticipated sequel, The Batman Part 2. While Warner Bros. has not officially revealed which character Johansson would portray, speculation is rife across social media and film forums. Many fans are hoping she will take on the role of a major antagonist or perhaps bring a new dimension to an existing character from the Batman lore. Johansson’s acclaimed work in action and drama—especially her iconic run as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—positions her as a compelling choice for a complex role in Gotham’s shadowy streets. The Batman Part 2 is currently in pre-production, with filming scheduled to commence in May of next year. The film is targeted for a theatrical release in 2026, although official dates may be subject to change. Director Matt Reeves returns to helm the sequel, ensuring continuity in the vision and tone that made the first installment a critical and box office success. Johansson’s addition is expected to boost the already stellar lineup led by Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Within hours of the announcement, social media platforms lit up with enthusiastic posts and trending hashtags. Speculation is running rampant with guesses of her role ranging from villains like Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn to love interests like Silver St. Cloud and Vickie Vale. One of the more popular suggestions is that Johansson could be playing Andrea Beaumont, a love interest and antagonist from the hit animated film Mask of the Phantasm. The casting has not been confirmed and neither the studio nor Reeves has commented since the story broke. 
12/06/25 @ 1:50 pm EST
In a dramatic shift for the entertainment industry, Netflix has announced its acquisition of Warner Bros, one of Hollywood's most iconic studios. This unprecedented deal marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of media and streaming services. Netflix, already a leader in streaming content, has been searching for ways to expand its library and production capabilities. Warner Bros, with its vast catalog of beloved films and television franchises—including the Harry Potter, DC, and Looney Tunes properties—represents a treasure trove of content and creative resources. The acquisition signals Netflix's commitment to not only dominating streaming but also to strengthening its influence in theatrical releases and television programming. Though Netflix has been against theatrical releases in the past, in a recent statement they said they planned to continue them for Warner Bros films just with a shorter release window. By purchasing Warner Bros, Netflix gains access to a library of classic and highly profitable intellectual properties. This move allows Netflix to offer exclusive streaming rights to blockbuster franchises, while also leveraging Warner Bros’ production infrastructure. The deal also positions Netflix to compete more directly with other major studios and streaming platforms, such as Disney and Amazon. Industry analysts predict that this acquisition will accelerate the consolidation trend within the entertainment sector. Other studios and streaming services may seek mergers or partnerships to remain competitive. Audiences can likely expect a surge in new content, including reboots, spin-offs, and original productions drawing from Warner Bros' legacy. For Netflix subscribers, the platform could soon become the go-to destination for both new releases and classic favorites. While some industry veterans express concern about further consolidation of media power, others see this as an opportunity for innovation and greater investment in high-quality storytelling. Only time will tell how this landmark deal reshapes Hollywood and the global entertainment landscape.  ... 11/29/25 @ 11:47 am EST
If you’re of a certain age, then you realize that Peter Hammond was not the first live-action Spider-Man to appear on television screens. That honor goes to Jim Hensen puppeteer Danny Seagren who was a regular on both Sesame Street and The Electric Company. Seagren was both a puppeteer and puppet maker and was the right hand of Ernie along with putting on the Big Bird suit on several occasions including an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. He was also the web slinger on the show that started the careers of Rita Moreno and Morgan Freeman as both shows fell under the Children’s Television Workshop. He went on to create puppets for other series like Curiosity Shop, Captain Kangaroo and Who’s Afraid of Opera. “Danny will be greatly missed by his family, friends and those throughout the community he loved living in,” his family said in his obituary. Seagren died on November 10th at the age of 81.  11/29/25 @ 11:31 am EST
Director Shawn Levy has officially hired renowned composer Thomas Newman to craft the score for his upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter film. The collaboration marks a significant moment for the celebrated sci-fi franchise, as Newman steps into a universe long defined by the iconic music of John Williams. His distinguished career includes memorable scores for films such as The Shawshank Redemption, Finding Nemo, and 1917, brings a fresh perspective to the Star Wars saga. Over the years, Newman has earned an impressive 15 Oscar nominations, a testament to his exceptional talent and enduring impact on the film industry. Levy, celebrated for his work on blockbusters like Free Guy and Deadpool and Wolverine, and the hit series Stranger Things, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. He highlighted Newman's ability to blend sweeping orchestral moments with subtle, character-driven motifs—a style well-suited to the expansive and adventurous spirit of Star Wars. While plot details remain under wraps, Levy and Newman’s collaboration promises a thrilling and emotionally resonant cinematic experience.  11/16/25 @ 12:48 pm EST
While most of the focus over at Marvel Studios is currently on the pair of upcoming Avengers films, Ryan Coogler is ready to return to Wakanda for a third Black Panther film. We’d heard of the possibility of the film originally from Denzel Washington who, while speaking of his potential retirement, mentioned the film as one of his future projects and then when Nate Moore left Marvel last year, he said he would be back producing the third Black Panther film. Now, Coogler himself said while on stage talking about his film Sinners, that Black Panther 3 would be his next movie. The series kicked off with Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, king of the African Nation of Wakanda and while he reprised the role in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, he sadly passed away shortly after. The sequel dealt with the characters death and passed the mantle on to his sister Shuri played by Letitia Wright who is expected to reprise the role in the upcoming Avenger films, but with talks of a potential soft reboot of the MCU, it’s unclear who will be wearing the mask for the third film.  11/16/25 @ 12:31 pm EST
The most recent news on the DCU has to do with Jimmy Olsen. Variety is reporting that Skyler Gisondo will reprise his role from Superman in a true-crime docuseries style show that focuses on villains in the universe starting with the Flash rogue, Gorilla Grodd. Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault are set to write and showrun with James Gunn and Peter Safran joining them as executive producers. The show is planned for HBO Max and will be a mockumentary style similar to Yacenda and Perrault’s previous series like American Vandal and Players. In the original report, Variety claimed the series would be called DC Crime, something Gunn took to social media to debunk, saying there had never been any project in production called DC Crime, he then added that his saying that doesn’t mean that the rest of the report is false. This sounds like a pretty good confirmation to me.  11/15/25 @ 12:49 pm EST
A new Star Trek film is in the works and Paramount is tapping the team of Jonathan Goldstein and John Frances Daley to write, produce and direct. This news comes shortly after David Ellison, founder of Skydance who recently purchased the studio, told investors that the next Star Trek film would not be a sequel to the Chris Pine/ Zachary Quinto lead series of films. While this hasn’t been 100% confirmed, word is that the new film will be focused on new characters and not directly tied to any previous film or television series. Goldstein and Daley have a good track record when it comes to revitalizing franchises having written Spider-Man: Homecoming for Marvel Studios and wrote and directed Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves which was very well received by fans and critics.  11/15/25 @ 12:32 pm EST
With The Fantastic Four: First Steps having moved to Disney+, the Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby lead team is now first in fans minds. But one person still thinks about the First Family of Marvel presented a decade ago and what went wrong. Miles Teller, who played Reed Richards in Josh Trank’s 2015 version of the property, still thinks about the project and how he believes the problems all came down to one person. Teller was on Sirius XM’s Radio Andy show said, “You saw the movie, right? Your eyes were working during that time? I think it’s unfortunate because so many people worked so hard on that movie. And, honestly, maybe there was one really important person who kind of f***ed it all up.” While Teller didn’t say who that was, he was referring to the person who made the final cut on the film, which was not director Trank. Teller said that he wanted a superhero film on his resume to help show him as a serious leading man, but after seeing the final cut recalled, “I remember talking to one of the studio heads, and I was like, ‘I think we’re in trouble.'” The 2015 version made $167 million worldwide compared to this year’s version which made $521 million. He stopped short of calling for a director’s cut of the film.  11/09/25 @ 2:03 pm EST
The Creeper is a unique character from DC Comics, first introduced in "Showcase #73" in 1968. Created by Steve Ditko, The Creeper’s real name is Jack Ryder, a former television talk show host and investigative journalist in Gotham City. After being attacked during an undercover operation at a costume party, Ryder is injected with a serum by Dr. Yatz and gains superhuman abilities, including enhanced strength, agility, rapid healing, and a pain tolerance bordering on the supernatural. The serum, combined with a bizarre costume, transforms him into The Creeper, a vigilante known for his wild laughter, erratic behavior, and flamboyant appearance—a shock of green hair, yellow skin, and a red mane-like cape. The Creeper remains largely untouched by mainstream media, providing an opportunity to introduce audiences to a fresh face and break away from more established archetypes. His blend of horror, humor, and psychological complexity could create a film that stands out from traditional superhero fare. The Creeper’s unsettling persona and visual style lend themselves well to a film that could blend genres—horror, black comedy, and superhero action. His maniacal laugh and unpredictable methods could inject dark humor and psychological thrills, appealing to fans of films like "Joker" and "Deadpool" while carving out a distinctive identity in the DCU. Jack Ryder’s journey from cynical journalist to bizarre vigilante offers rich storytelling potential. Exploring themes of identity, sanity, and the nature of heroism, a Creeper film could delve into Ryder’s internal struggles and the impact of his dual life, making for a character-driven narrative that resonates with audiences seeking depth and complexity. And with being set in Gotham City, The Creeper’s adventures naturally intersect with the city’s gritty underworld, providing opportunities for noir-style detective storytelling. His background in journalism and investigation can be leveraged to create suspenseful plots involving corruption, criminal conspiracies, and moral ambiguity—making him an ideal protagonist for a film that explores the darker aspects of the DC Universe. The Creeper stands as one of DC Comics’ most unconventional and intriguing characters. His untapped potential, distinctive personality, and ability to straddle multiple genres make him a perfect candidate to lead a film in the new DCU.  ... 11/09/25 @ 1:37 pm EST
Predator: Badlands is doing very well, thanks for asking. The latest film in the long-running franchise set a few high franchise marks including domestic opening with $40M, best worldwide opening with $80M and best Cinemascore with an A-. The film also sits a the top of this week’s box office beating out the 2nd place film, Regretting You, by $32.9M… though that film is in its 3rd week. Other new films opening this week, Sarah’s Oil and Nuremberg, opened in 4th and 5th with just over $4M each. Badlands is the third Predator project for director Dan Trachtenberg, the first Prey showed how he could handle the franchise but then he wanted to follow it up with an animated film, Killer of Killers and then for the first time Badlands make the Predator the protagonist. 
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