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Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Morgan Freeman is in final talks to star opposite James McAvoy in Universal Pictures’ Wanted, a sci-fi actioner that will mark the English-language debut of Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov.

Wanted is based on Mark Millar’s explosive graphic novel series, published by Top Cow. The story follows a put-upon man (McAvoy) who discovers that his long-lost father is an assassin. After his dad is murdered, the son is recruited into a covert organization of killers and trained to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Freeman will play Sloan, the lead assassin who trains McAvoy.

Source: Variety

Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) will star in the upcoming SCI FI Channel original series “Painkiller Jane,” a superhero actioner from Insight Film Studios, Starz Media and Kickstart Comic Arts Studio.

Loken will play the titular character Jane Vasko, a DEA agent recruited by a covert government org tasked with capturing genetically enhanced individuals. When she discovers that she has her own set of powers — she’s impervious to injury, but not pain — Jane begins to search for what caused her transformation and her own connection to the people she pursues.

Gil Grant (“NCIS”) is executive producing. Loken will also serve as co-executive producer. Production begins next month in Vancouver.

SCI FI Channel greenlit the series this summer, ordering 22 one-hour episodes set to debut next spring.

“Painkiller Jane” is based on the comic book created by Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada.

Source: Warner Home Video

You’ve seen them on TV and religiously watched their action-packed series, but now the Teen Titans are starring in their very own full-length original movie. Warner Home Video (WHV) will whet your appetite for your favorite animated characters when they release Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo on February 6, 2007.

Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy are back to save the world in their very first film, Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo. This time around, the Teen Titans battle a mysterious and menacing Japanese criminal known as Brushogun who has sent a high-tech ninja to attack the young heroes. The battle has only begun for the crime fighting five who pack their bags and take off for Tokyo to take on their newest menace. Yet, the City That Never Blinks might be too much for the teens and the mystery of Brushogun too difficult to solve.

The Teen Titans have wowed viewers since 2003 and the animated series has become one of the most widely known shows on television today. Rated among the top ten shows for boys 9-11 among kid cable networks, fans will be thrilled with the film version of the popular series. Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo goes international for the battle of good vs. evil.

The DVD’s extras include: “Robin’s Underworld Race Challenge” and “The Lost Episode” – A never before aired Teen Titans episode.

“‘Teen Titans’ is one of the most exciting cartoon properties ever developed and both kids and adults love the TV series,” said Dorinda Marticorena, WHV Vice President, Kids and Sports Marketing. “We are thrilled to be releasing ‘Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo,’ an incredible full-length original movie based on the successful series.”

Source: Variety

Variety reports that NBC’s Heroes (was last night the best episode yet, or what?) is rockin’ in the ratings:

NBC’s “Heroes” is looking like the fall’s hottest new show after winning its time period Monday in key demos for a third straight week and matching its strong premiere score of two weeks ago, according to preliminary affiliate-based nationals from Nielsen.

After “Deal or No Deal” delivered stronger than usual numbers to open the night for NBC (4.4/12 in 18-49, 15.2 million viewers overall), “Heroes” (5.9/14 in 18-49, 13.3 million viewers overall) beat all of its broadcast rivals and notched the highest demo rating for any rookie series in the past two weeks. Net’s momentum on the night also transferred to 10 o’clock, where “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” (3.8/9 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) was up 12% week to week.

Source: Variety

“Battlestar Galactica” executive producer David Eick is teaming with feature screenwriter Laeta Kalogridis to reinvent The Bionic Woman for NBC, says Variety.

Eick and Kalogridis will executive produce a new take on “Bionic,” a 1970s spinoff of “The Six Million Dollar Man” in which Lindsay Wagner played tennis pro-turned-superwoman Jamie Sommers. The series aired for two seasons on ABC before shifting to NBC in 1977 for its final year.

“It’s a complete reconceptualization of the title,” Eick told the trade. “We’re using the title as a starting point, and that’s all.”

NBC Universal Television Studio is producing the new take, which has been given a script commitment by the network.

Instead of focusing on terrorism and militarism, the new “Bionic” will explore the role of professional women in contemporary society and how they juggle their various roles.

“It’s using the idea of artificial technology as a metaphor for what contemporary women sometimes feel is necessary to do everything that needs to be done,” Eick said.

Source: ComingSoon.net

ComingSoon.net reports that NBC has picked up Heroes a full-season:

NBC has given a full-season order for 2006-07 to “Heroes” (Mondays, 9-10 p.m. ET) – the critically acclaimed and #1 new series this fall in adults 18-49 (tied with ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters”) — it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

Check out the full article at the link above.

Source: Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures has updated the official website for the live-action Transformers movie with a contest which you can enter for a chance to have your line of dialogue spoken by Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen).

Ten winners will have their winning line voiced and recorded by Cullen, with first place becoming a line in the movie. You can enter now here!

Opening July 4, 2007, Transformers is directed by Michael Bay and stars Cullen, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Jon Voight, Bernie Mac, Tyrese Gibson, Rachael Taylor, Amaury Nolasco, Kevin Dunn, Ronnie Sperling and Dane Cook.

This looks crazy, but I had to post it. This is a real boxing match, not a joke, or scam. When I heard there was a big guy from Russia boxing I thought, 6’5″ 275lbs. This guy is 7′ and weighs over 325lbs. Thats nuts, and he’s fighting a much, much smaller guy. Makes me think of Bob Sapp of K1 and Pride fame.

I know this isn’t nerdy, or urban, but I had to post it. Sorry.

Source: Variety

The ratings are in, and according to Variety, Heroes performed even better than was expected:

NBC drama “Heroes” opened to strong numbers on Monday, dominating its broadcast rivals and looking like the first breakout performer of the fall season. The Peacock captured the night in 18-49, with CBS on top in 25-54 and total viewers.

According to preliminary nationals from Nielsen, “Heroes” (5.9 rating/11 share in adults 18-49, 14.3 million viewers overall) topped CBS’ second-place comedy block of “Two and a Half Men” (5/12 in 18-49, 15.7 million viewers overall) and “Old Christine” (4/10, 12.6 million viewers overall) by a hefty 31% in adults 18-49 and also led in total viewers. This is the best fall premiere for an NBC drama since “Crossing Jordan” five years ago.

If it comes up a tick in nationals, “Heroes” would match ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” as the season’s highest-rated premiere for a new show in adults 18-49.

“Heroes” provided a nice lead-in for “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” (4.4/12 in 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall), which declined 16% from its premiere.

The Sopranos will be filming in a casino in Atlantic City on October 3rd and 4th. Grant Wilfley Casting is looking for upscale patrons to work as background in the episode. We are not providing transportation from NYC so you must be from the area or able to get there on your own. If you are available and fit the description please email your pic along with your height and contact info. Must be available both days. Please indicate if you are Sag or Non-Sag.

Contact: sopranosextras@gmail.com