Julie Benz Gets Female Lead In Syfy Series Defiance, Pilot Rewind Casts First Actor

EXCLUSIVE: Dexter alumna Julie Benz will star opposite Grant Bowler Bowler in the Syfy series Defiance. Tony Curran (Pillars Of The Earth), Jamie Murray and Stephanie Leonidas also have been cast in the live-action drama, written/executive produced by Farscape creator Rockne S. OBannon, which was developed concurrently with an online video game. Set on a future Earth, Defiance is set in a world where humans and aliens live together on a planet ravaged by decades of war and transformed by alien terra-forming machines. It centers on Jeb Nolan (Bowler), the law-keeper in a bustling frontier boomtown that is one of the new worlds few oasis of civility and inclusion. Benz, repped by ICM and Vincent Cirrincione, will play Amanda Rosewater, the idealistic newly appointed mayor of the mining boomtown who is determined to maintain peace in the community. Leonidas will play Irisa, a beautiful warrior who is part of an alien race called the Irathients. After Nolan killed her criminal father, he adopted the girl and raised her as his clever and lethal right-hand. Curran, repped by Domain and Sanders/Arstrong/Caserta, will play Datak Tarr, a member of another elite alien race known as the Castithans who schemed his way out of his home planet before it was destroyed. Murray, repped by Sanders/Arstrong/Caserta, will play Dataks beautiful and proper wife. Scott Stewart (Legion) will direct Defiance, slated to begin production in April in Toronto. Kevin Murphy will executive produce. Benz just wrapped the indie Supremacy. Shane McRae is the first actor cast in Syfys two-hour pilot Rewind, from BermanBraun and Universal Cable Prods.Written by Justin Marks and directed by Jack Bender, Rewind revolves around a team of military field operatives and civilian scientists who must use untested technology to travel back in time to alter past events in order to change the future and avoid a devastating terrorist attack. McRae, repped by Gersh and TMT Entertainment, will play Henry Knox,ex-Special Forces who now ranks as a field operative in a special division of the Department of Homeland Security.Rewind is also set to begin production in April.

Whitney Houston's Will Revealed -- Who Was Left Out?

Holden Snyder is back, baby! Well, at least for two episodes. Former As the World Turns star Jon Hensley is heading to CBS's The Bold and the Beautiful where he will play a doctor involved in the Hope-Liam-Steffy triangle. Hensley's character doesn't have a name yet but a rep for B&B tells TV Guide Magazine that the doc will come to the rescue when... Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Jon HensleyThe Bold and the Beautiful

British Actor Theo James Can get Charge In CBS Nick Wootton-Greg Berlanti Pilot

British actor Theo James has showed up charge in CBS’ untitled Nick Wootton-Greg Berlanti drama pilot also called Golden Boy. The project, from Warner Bros TV and Berlanti Prods concentrates on Clark (James), a cop, and tales his meteoric rise from officer to detective and ultimately police commissioner. Ryan Phillippe was attracted on for your role but left soon after that, triggering a extended who audition method that brought towards the casting of James. James, which has a quantity of credits within the native Britain, is virtually unknown inside the U.S. He gained his Hollywood debut inside the recent Underworld: Awakening. James might be the most recent non-American actor to get the lead in the pilot this pilot season. RELATED: American Stars Not Fairest Famous Them In Pilot Lead Castings

Cheers & Jeers: Wanted Dead or Alive

April Fools' Day will be no joke for fans of Marvel Comics' iconic superheroes. That Sunday morning Disney XD launches a new block of animated programming, titled "Marvel Universe," which features Spider-Man, the Avengers and the various heroes and villains who fill the pages of the publisher's vast comic-book library.Kicking off the block at 11am/10c is the new series Ultimate Spider-Man, which ... Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Joe QuesadaJeph LoebAvengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes!Paul Dini

Scarlett Johansson Is Going To Be Jesse Leigh

For The Building Of PsychoAs Sacha Gervasi gears as much as bring a slice of motion picture history to existence with Alfred Hitchcock And The Building Of Psycho, he's locked lower two stars to experience probably the most legendary elements (besides Hitch themself) for that film-within-the-film: Scarlett Johansson is going to be Jesse Leigh and James D'Arcy is playing Anthony Perkins.The Building Of Psycho stories the legendary director's struggle to obtain the horror classic made at any given time once the thriller / horror genre was frowned upon and that he was made fun of for using the idea.John McLaughlin, Tom Thayer and Stephen Rebello (who authored it the film is dependant on) wrote the script and Anvil! director Gervasi already has Anthony Hopkins aboard to experience Hitchcock with Helen Mirren now confirmed as his wife, Alma Reville.Based on Variety, this might finish as a My Week With Marilyn-style honours baiter, with Johansson potentially in line for glory. But that is obtaining a little in front of things: first she needs to really come in the film.Presuming everything all comes together, the film ought to be shooting the following month.Johansson will next be observed in that quiet costume drama The Avengers, while D'Arcy includes a role (or most likely several, because of the character from the film) in Cloud Atlas.

VIDEO: Kate Upton Strips Lower for Carl's Junior.

War film Act of Valor required home the very best place only at that weekend's box office, grossing $24.7 million, based on Box Office Mojo. The film, which stars mostly real active-duty Navy Closes, edged out Tyler Perry's Good Deeds, each of which opened up a few days ago. Perry's film arrived at No. 2 by having an even $16 million. Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Dwayne JohnsonRachel McAdamsTyler PerryChanning TatumGood DeedsGoneGhost Driver: Spirit Of VengeanceSafe HouseThe VowJourney 2: The Mysterious IslandThis Means WarThe Secret Realm Of ArriettyWanderlustAct Of Valor

Skyfall: Mike Mendes first Videoblog From Group Of 23rd Mission Impossible Film

While less than as revelatory as, say, Healing For Peter Jackson’s 10-minute+ digital missives from Hobbiton, Mike Mendes here presents a 90-second videoblog in the group of Skyfall. The brand new 007 director waxes by himself Bond nostalgia and you will find a couple of glimpses of filming (Difficulties stalking inside a glass building, a baggage claim slide carousel, the roads based in london…). Oddly enough, the British veteran Mendes notes this is actually the first picture he’s ever shot in England. Video below:

11 Signs This Is Celebrity Apprentice's Funniest, Most Absurd Season Ever

Ana Ortiz has became a member of the brand new Marc Cherry pilot for ABC, TVGuide.com has confirmed. Deadline first reported this news. Pilot Season: Obtain the scoop! Devious Service personnel is definitely an adaptation of the Mexican cleaning soap four service personnel with ambitions and dreams that belongs to them who work with the wealthy and famous in Beverly Hillsides. Ortiz... Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Desperate HousewivesAna OrtizMarc CherryDania RamirezUgly BettyHungSabrina Wind

Lubezki nabs top prize at ASC Honours

In the continuation of his honours dominance in feature cinematography this year, Emmanuel Lubezki, the d.p. behind "The Tree of Existence," nabbed the most effective prize within the 26th annual American Society of Cinematographers' kudofest on Sunday evening within the Hollywood and Highland Grand Ballroom.Lubezki's photography round the Terrence Malick film has nearly taken professionals organizations' d.p. laurels up to now, like the large three: The La Film Experts Assn., the NY Film Experts Circle as well as the National Society of Film Experts.Since the ASC inaugurated its honours ceremony in 1986, the invitation-only org's individuals who win and people in the Academy have overlapped 10 occasions, including four in the last six years. Lubezki won the ASC award formerly for 2007's "Kids of Males," which is Oscar-nominated this year for "Tree of Existence."Other individuals who win incorporated Jonathan Freeman for your "21" episode of "Boardwalk Empire" ("21") for starters-hour Episodic Television Series/Pilot Martin Ruhe, who acquired top honors for PBS' "Page Eight" in television movie/miniseries too as with the inaugural Episodic Series or Pilot category, Michael Weaver mentioned the prize for Showtime's "Californication" ("Suicide Solution").Dante Spinotti recognized the Lifetime Achievement laurel from director Michael Mann, with whom he done "Warmth" and "Public Competitors," among other films. Other honorary kudos were handed to Harrison Ford (Board of Goverors award), whose reel incorporated d.p. touchstones "Apocalypse Now" and "Bladerunner" and who gave a distinctive shoutout to dolly grips Francis Kenny (President's award), who uses the Red-colored-colored Epic camera on "Justiified" and known to his acceptance to the ASC as engaging in "the school of advanced visual metaphors" William Wages (Career Achievement in TV) and Fred Godfrey (Bud Stone Award of Distinction). Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

Katherine Heigl in talks for 'Happytime Murders'

Heigl Katherine Heigl is within final discussions to star within the Jim Henson Co.'s "The Happytime Killings," which Stuart Ford's IM Global will launch to purchasers in the European Film Market in a few days.Picture, that is directed by John Henson ("A Muppets Christmas Carol") and composed by Todd Berger ("Kung Fu Panda 2") from the story he authored with Dee Austin Robertson, happens inside a world where puppets and humans live together, however the puppets are seen as second-class people.Once the puppet cast of the eighties kids Television show will get killed 1 by 1, a disgraced detective-switched-detective agency puppet assumes the situation.The film noir puppet comedy has been around development in the Henson Co. since 2008.IM Global is selling the pic through its Opus label at Berlinale in a few days. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Cynthia Nixon Clarifies Comments: "Bisexuality Is not an optionInch

Cynthia Nixon Cynthia Nixon has backtracked on her behalf account questionable sexuality remarks, proclaiming that "bisexuality is not an option.InchThe Sex as well as the City star came ire from gay rights activists the other day when she was reported in the NY Occasions piece as proclaiming that, on her behalf, being gay "can be a choice."Sex as well as the City's Cynthia Nixon: I'm gay by choice"My recent comments inside the NY Occasions were about me and my very own story to become gay," Nixon notifies The Advocate in the statement. "For me everybody has other ways we found the gay community which we can not and cannot be pigeon-holed into one cultural narrative which might be uninclusive and disempowering. However, for the extent that anybody wants to interpret my words in the strictly legal context I have to clarify:"When I don't frequently take advantage from the word, the technically precise term for my orientation is bisexual. For me bisexuality is not an option, it's correct. A Few Things I have 'chosen' is going to be in the gay relationship."After I mentioned inside the Occasions and may say again here, I really do, however, believe that many people within our community - together with probably the most of heterosexuals - cannot and do not select the gender in the persons with whom they goal to possess intimate associations because, unlike me, they are only attracted to 1 sex."Our community is not a monolith, thank heavens, any longer than America is. I anticipate and can work toward your entire day when America recognizes a lot of us as full and equal people."See the relaxation of current day newsNixon's clarification comes each week after multiple people in the lgbt community, including celebrity chef Cat Cora, belittled the actress on her behalf initial comments. "I'm gay, which i had been produced using this method,Inch Cora told the ladies in the Talk. "I really appear like it absolutely was dangerous and irresponsible of Cynthia, specifically in this atmosphere today when lots of youthful people take their lives."Nixon, 45, is engaged to her partner of eight years, Christine Marinoni, who shipped their boy Max a year ago. Right before their relationship, Nixon, who's presently sporting a bald mind for just about any Broadway role, reaches a 15-year relationship with Danny Mozes, with whom she's two children.

Listing Of 84th Annual Academy Award Nominations

First Released: The month of january 24, 2012 9:44 AM EST Credit: Fox Searchlight Caption George Clooney and Shailene Woodley in Fox Searchlights The Descendants, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Complete listing of 84th Annual Academy Award nominations introduced Tuesday: 1. Best Picture: The Artist, 'The Descendants, 'Extremely Noisy & Incredibly Close, 'The Help, 'Hugo, 'Midnight in Paris, 'Moneyball, 'The Tree of Existence, 'War Equine. 2. Actor: Demian Bichir, A Much Better Existence George Clooney, The Descendants Jean Dujardin, The Artist Gary Oldman, Mess Tailor Soldier Spy Kaira Pitt, Moneyball. 3. Actress: Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs Viola Davis, The Assistance Rooney Mara, The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn. 4. Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn Jonah Hill, Moneyball Nick Nolte, Warrior Christopher Plummer, Beginners Max von Sydow, Very Noisy & Incredibly Close. 5. Supporting Actress: Berenice Bejo, The Artist Jessica Chastain, The Assistance Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids Jesse McTeer, Albert Nobbs Octavia Spencer, The Assistance. 6. Pointing: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Alexander Payne, The Descendants Martin Scorsese, Hugo Woodsy Allen, Night time in Paris Terrence Malick, The Tree of Existence. 7. Language Film: Bullhead, Belgium Footnote, Israel In Darkness, Belgium Monsieur Lazhar, Canada A Separation, Iran. 8. Modified Script: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, The Descendants John Logan, Hugo George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Love Willimon, The Ides of March Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, Moneyball Bridget OConnor and Peter Straughan, Mess Tailor Soldier Spy. 9. Original Script: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids J.C. Chandor, Margin Call Woodsy Allen, Night time in Paris Asghar Farhadi, A Separation. 10. Animated Feature Film: The Cat in Paris Chico&Rita Kung Fu Panda 2 Puss in Boots Rango. 11. Art Direction: The Artist, 'Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 2, 'Hugo, 'Midnight in Paris, 'War Equine. 12. Cinematography: The Artist, 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo, 'Hugo, 'The Tree of Existence, 'War Equine. 13. Seem Mixing: The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo, 'Hugo, 'Moneyball, 'Transformers: Dark from the Moon, 'War Equine. 14. Seem Editing: Drive, 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo, 'Hugo, 'Transformers: Dark from the Moon, 'War Equine. 15. Original Score: The Adventures of Tintin, John Williams The Artist, Ludovic Bource Hugo, Howard Shoreline Mess Tailor Soldier Spy, Alberto Iglesias War Equine, John Williams. 16. Original Song: Guy or Muppet in the Muppets, Bret McKenzie Real in Rio from Rio, Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown and Siedah Garrett. 17. Costume: Anonymous, 'The Artist, 'Hugo, 'Jane Eyre, 'W.E. 18. Documentary Feature: Hell and Again, 'If a Tree Falls: A Tale of the world Liberation Front, 'Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory, 'Pina, 'Undefeated. 19. Documentary (short subject): The Barber of Birmingham: Feet Soldier from the Civil Privileges Movement, 'God May be the Bigger Elvis, 'Incident in New Baghdad, 'Saving Face, 'The Tsunami and also the Cherry Blossom. 20. Film Editing: The Artist, 'The Descendants, 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo, 'Hugo, 'Moneyball. 21. Makeup: Albert Nobbs, 'Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 2, 'The Iron Lady. 22. Animated Video Clip: Dimanche/Sunday, 'The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, 'La Luna, 'A Morning Stroll, 'Wild Existence. 23. Live Action Video Clip: Pentecost, 'Raju, 'The Shoreline, 'Time Freak, 'Tuba Atlantic. 24. Visual Effects: Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows Part 2, 'Hugo, 'Real Steel, 'Rise from the Planet from the Apes, 'Transformers: Dark from the Moon. Copyright 2012 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Glee Discloses Rachel's Fathers!

Shaun Goldblum John Stokes Michell After much speculation, Glee has cast (and revealed the details of) Rachel's gay fathers.Law & Order alum Shaun Goldblum and Broadway star John Stokes Mitchell have arrived the roles, TVLine reviews. The duo will have Hiram and LeRoy Berry, the adoptive fathers of Rachel (Jum Michele).Will Rachel say yes? Glee's Cory Monteith dishes on Finchel's futureBoth Goldblum and Mitchell displays their singing chops on their own debut, looking for February. 14. The Valentine's episode is entitled "Heart."Both males have impressive television and theater resumes. Besides becoming an skilled jazz pianist, Goldblum has starred in Broadway's Tony-winning musical Two Gentlemen of Verona. He's also presently in IFC's Portlandia.Take a look at photos from GleeAside from his stints on Ugly Betty and Frasier, Mitchell has made an appearance on Broadway in Guy of los angeles Mancha, Ragtime, and Hug Me Kate - that he won a Tony in 2000.Exactly what do you think about the casting? Are Goldblum and Mitchell the best males to do the job?

Michael Patrick King: 2 Broke Women Isn't Racist It's "Classy-Dirty"

Michael Patrick King really wants to make something obvious: 2 Broke Women isn't a racist show. For all of the inappropriate jokes, they are just "classy-dirty," OK? The Two Broke Women creator met with reporters at CBS' winter TV previews Wednesday, throughout that they was requested to protect the show's ethnic stereotypes and off-color humor, specifically in moments including the figures with whom lower-on-their luck waitresses (Kat Dennings and Janet Behrs) work on a Brooklyn diner. "I've found it comic to consider everyone lower," King states. "I believe our show is really a large ballsy comedy, but it features a bigger heart of computer has balls. It's broad and brash and incredibly current... The large story about race on our show is the fact that a lot of are symbolized. We kind of represent what NY was once, that is presently still alive in [Brooklyn]." Han, the girls' Asian boss (Matthew Moy), Oleg, a sexually aggressive Ukrainian line prepare, (Jonathan Kite) and Earl, a laid-back Black cashier (Garrett Morris) are regular targets of jokes that concentrate on their nationalities. King defends these figures. "Should you discuss stereotypes, every character, when it is born, is really a stereotype. This show began with two stereotypes: a blonde along with a brunette. Hopefully if you possess the journey that everyone want to dress in a set, that is time, you're able to shape the figures so that they become rounded and a bit more grounded." Have more scoop in your favorite shows within our Winter TV preview The show also regularly trades in anatomy-based humor. (Someone within the writers' room really loves saying the term "vagina.") Still, King states the comedy develops from a great place. "I consider our jokes really 'classy-dirty,'" he states. "They are high low-brow. I believe they are fun and complicated and naughty and i believe everyone likes a great naughty joke." Would you like 2 Broke Girls' naughty jokes? Hit your comments ought to together with your ideas. 2 Broke Women airs Mondays at 8:30/7:30c on CBS.

MTV Movie Brawl 2012: 'The Hobbit' Versus. 'Perks To Become A Wallflower'

The MTV Movie Brawl 2012 is formally on! Following a initial play-in and wild card models, 16 films are actually selected to compete in many mind-to-mind single elimination matches inside our March Madness-style bracket. Ultimately, only one of these brilliant movies might be crowned the can't-miss movie of year, as well as the choice is entirely your choice. Which movie will win the brawl with this all? Election at MTV Movies Blog deciding known! It's a veritable retelling of David versus Goliath in this Sweet 16 match. In one corner, a film that's literally decades inside the making, the one that purports to bring moviegoers to most likely probably the most valued movie cell phone industry's ever. Inside the other corner... we've got a little of real wallflowers. With perks! Without further ado, let's join in towards the fight. (3) "The Hobbit: An Unforeseen Journey" Versus. (6) "The Perks to become a Wallflower" Request and ye shall receive! After winning its distance towards the tournament with the Wild Card round, "Perks" shown its endurance by breaking completely to the 16-film bracket. But does the Logan Lerman and Emma Watson-starring adaptation plenty of energy behind it to topple "The Hobbit," Peter Jackson's extended anticipated return to Middle-earth? Fans are actually waiting since the closing moments of "Return in the King" for your tale of Bilbo Baggins' finest adventure, which year, it finally arrives. What chance does "Perks" stand against this kind of lengthy looked forward to event? Well... this really is really the brawl with this all, folks. Surprises will definitely happen, and "The Hobbit" may likely become an unforeseen casualty. Watch our MTV Movie Brawl 2012 analysis!

ABC originals roll on Wednesday

'Modern Family' drew 14.0 million viewers Wednesday on ABC.On a night when the competition mostly aired repeats, ABC's lineup of originals -- led as usual by ''Modern Family'' , dominated the ratings race. CBS did pretty good with its latest ''I Get That a Lot'' special, but auds didn't show up for Fox's ''Mobbed.'' According to preliminary national estimates from Nielsen, ABC saw all of its programs grow from their season lows in December, starting with ''The Middle'' (3.0 rating/9 share in adults 18-49, 10.0 million viewers overall) and ''Suburgatory'' (2.9/8 in 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall), which led the night's opening hour in all key categories. The net then surged at 9 p.m. with ''Modern Family'' (5.6/14 in 18-49, 14.0 million viewers overall) and then stayed comfortably on top at 9:30 p.m. with ''Happy Endings'' (3.3/8 in 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall). Capping the night, ''Revenge'' (2.5/7 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) easily beat the demo scores for repeat dramas on CBS and NBC. For the night, ABC won in all key demos as well as total viewers, rising more than 20% in all categories vs. the comparable night a year ago when it also aired all originals. CBS finished second, getting good mileage out of its ''I Get That a Lot'' special (2.3/6 in 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) and repeats of dramas ''Criminal Minds'' (2.0/5 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) and ''CSI'' (1.7/5 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall). Fox followed a repeat of ''Glee'' (0.8/2 in 18-49, 2.4 million viewers overall) with the premiere of limited-run series ''Mobbed'' (1.2/3 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall); though soft, it did grow in its second half-hour. And NBC had a quiet night with encores of ''Up All Night'' (1.0/3 in 18-49, 3.5 million viewers overall), ''Whitney'' (1.0/3 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall), ''Harry's Law'' (0.8/2 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) and ''Law and Order: SVU'' (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall). The net's new comedy pairing of ''Whitney'' and ''Are You There Chelsea'' bows next week. CW aired a pair of ''The Secret Circle'' repeats, averaging a 0.3/1 in 18-49 and about 900,000 viewers overall. ''One Tree Hill'' returns for its final season on Wednesdays beginning next week. Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: ABC, 3.3/9; CBS, 2.0/5; Univision, 1.5/4; Fox, 1.0/3; NBC, 1.0/2; CW, 0.3/1. In total viewers: ABC, 9.4 million; CBS, 8.2 million; NBC, 3.8 million; Univision, 3.5 million; Fox, 2.7 million; CW, 0.9 million. Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com

Cybill Shepherd to Star Opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt in The Client List

The Client List, Cybill Shepherd and Jennifer Love Hewitt Cybill Shepherd has signed on to star in Lifetime's drama series adaptation of The Client List, Deadline reports. In the original TV movie and upcoming series, Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Riley, a Texas housewife who's deserted by her husband and subsequently launches a massage parlor that offers sex healing in addition to therapeutic massages. Shepherd will reprise her role as Riley's mother, Lynette. Check out the rest of today's news This is Shepherd's first series regular role since starring in the '90s sitcom Cybill. The 61-year-old actress has since guest-starred on Psych, Eastwick and The L Word.