How I Met Your Mother Cast Talks Season 9 And The Mother

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  29 August 2013.

Everyone is finally going to meet The Mother. That’s right! The ninth and final season of How I Met Your Mother will focus on the titular woman, revealed in the eighth season finale as actress Cristin Milioti.

A few details have surfaced about what is in store for HIMYM’s last hurrah. The season premiere will show The Mother meeting a major cast member, possibly Alyson Hannigan’s Lily. It will also deal with Robin and Barney’s wedding as well as Ted’s proposed intervention.

When we last saw him, Ted was on his way to stop his friends’ wedding but will he succeed? And either way how will he explain himself to his future wife? 

We may get the answer to that last question in a flash-forward, something we are promised to see a lot of this season. One proposed flash-forward includes a vision of the happily ever after between The Mother and Ted. Anyone else think this will be in the series finale?

Though her character does not yet have a name, Milioti reveals that she and Ted are a perfect match. Milioti, who confessed to never having seen the show before, instantly connected with the cast. Her chemistry with Josh Radnor (Ted) was of course paramount but so was her ability to mesh with everyone else.

“She’s the cool kid,” Jason Segal (Marshall) said. “She’s from New Jersey, she’s real laid back, she fits right in.”

In a completely un-ironic way, hearing Rador talk about Milioti sounds very much like Ted telling his kids about their mother.

"In some ways it’s what they say about meeting your wife or your husband; everything else was a struggle, like dating, and then you meet that person and it’s effortless and easy. That’s what it felt like when she joined the show.”

Grimm Adds An Angel Alum and Whedon Fave to the Mix

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  27 August 2013.

The call of the supernatural has brought Alexis Denisof back into the world of TV monsters. The Angel alum will have a recurring role as Viktor Albert Wilhelm George Beckendorf in the third season of Grimm.

After playing demon hunter and resident intellectual Wesley Wyndam-Pryce on both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, Denisof is well suited for a spot on NBC’s dark fairytale show. Though not much is known about Viktor, he is the first cousin of Eric Renard (James Frain) and is described as a cunning con man.

As Grimm fans will recall, Eric is half-brother to the always conflicted Sean Renard (Sasha Roiz). Eric’s British accent gives me hope that we will once again get to enjoy Denisof’s perfect faux accent from his Angel/Buffy days.

Denisof currently enjoys a recurring guest role as Sandy Rivers on wife Alyson Hannigan’s How I Met Your Mother. He recently starred as, in my opinion, the best Benedick to date in Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing opposite fellow Angel alum, Amy Acker.

His role on Grimm, which returns October 25th, will reunite him with Angel co-creator David Greenwalt, who co-created the NBC show as well. 

Fringe’s Joshua Jackson Joins Cast of Showtime’s New Pilot, The Affair

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  27 August 2013.

Joshua Jackson is returning to TV once again, this time as the jilted husband on The Affair.

The Fringe star completes the complicated four-sided love affair as Cole, the owner of a ranch on the eastern tip of Long Island. A hard worker, Cole is married to Allison, played by Luther’s Ruth Wilson, but their marriage is already tense due to a tragedy in their past. Their marriage will be tested even further when Allison begins, you guessed it, an affair.

Her lover is Noah, played by the always charming Dominic West. A New York schoolteacher vacationing for the summer on Long Island, Noah is a father of four and husband to Helen (Maura Tierney). The college sweethearts have been married for 17 years, which only adds to Helen’s fury and confusion over her husband’s sudden tryst, especially when Noah starts to think Allison may be his soul mate.

Showtime’s The Affair examines marriage, relationships, infidelity and families as both couples struggle to deal with the consequences of the affair between Allison and Noah.

Jackson was last seen on the Fox’s sci-fi/drama/mystery, Fringe, which concluded its fifth and final season in January.

David Tennant Opens Up About Working With Matt Smith

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  19 August 2013.

It would have been dreadful for Whovians around the world if the Tenth and Eleventh Doctor had not gotten along during the all-important and sure-to-be awesome 50^th Anniversary episode. But never fear. David Tennant says he and Matt Smith are like brothers to each other.

"I suppose you’d expect me to say we’re new best friends and I love him like a brother. But that is sort of how it was," said Tennant.

In a previous interview, Smith had expressed the same feelings, saying, “I think Ten and Eleven actually like each other. David and I do in real life as well, and our Doctors are quite collaborative.”

A perennial fan favorite, Tennant handed over the TARDIS to Smith in 2010 but has returned for the Doctor Who 50^th Anniversary special, airing in November.

Bex Taylor-Klaus Joins the Cast of Arrow as DC’s Sin

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  17 August 2013.

Arrow has added another DC character to season two. Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Killing) has been cast Sin, a young woman mentored by Black Canary. She will appear in episodes three and four when Arrow returns on October 9th.

One of the lesser-known DC characters, Sin was discovered by Black Canary while the latter was training in martial arts in an Asian village. The two developed a mother/daughter bond and when Black Canary left the village, she took Sin with her back to Metropolis. There the hero chose to leave her Birds of Prey team to raise Sin, real name Cynthia Lance. In one story arc, Green Arrow was forced to fake Sin’s death to save her from the League of Assassins.

As for Arrow’s take on the young martial arts expert, reports have confirmed that she’ll retain her bond with Black Canary. She will also have connection with Roy Harper (Colton Haynes).

Sin is the latest in the long list of DC characters joining the show, including Barry Allen aka The Flash.

Taylor-Klaus received strong critical reviews for her performance as Bullet on AMC’s The Killing. Her role on Arrow will be the 19-year-old actress’ second major screen credit.

Superheroes Are Taking Over Sky Movies: Channel To Pay Homage

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  17 August 2013.

Sky Movies wants to fill the rest of your August with superheroes. Beginning August 17th, the Sky Movies Superheroes HD pop-up channel will bring the audience animations, films and documentaries all about their favorite heroes.

Replacing Sky Movies Greats HD from August 17 – September 1, the channel includes themed days of content such as Marvel and DC days. August 18th is “Super Teams” with recent favorites X-Men: First Class and The Avengers as well as Pixar’s The Incredibles scheduled to air.

The following day, August 19th, is “Dynamic Duos,” with films such as Batman & Robin (of course), the Men in Black trilogy, and Dredd. 

To end the channel’s run are Marvel Day on August 31st and DC Day on September 1st. The Marvel movies scheduled for their namesake day include The Amazing Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and Spider-Man 2. A documentary on Marvel’s legendary Stan Lee, With Great Power: the Stan Lee Story, will also air on August 31st.

When DC gets their turn, viewers can look forward to The Dark Knight Rises, Batman Begins, and Green Lantern.

“From iconic comic book heroes including Batman, Spider-Man and He-Man to cult heroes including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Men In Black, we’ve assembled an unbeatable line-up to keep Sky Movies customers entertained this summer on Sky Movies Superheroes HD, all ready to spring in to action,” said Director of Sky Movies, Ian Lewis.

Sky Movies Superheroes HD, available on Sky TV, Sky Go and On-Demand, could be the perfect way to end your summer. Check out the trailer for the channel here.

D23 Expo 2013: Tom Hanks is a Perfect Walt Disney in 'Saving Mr. Banks'

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  12 August 2013.

Saving Mr. Banks is more than a movie about bringing Mary Poppins from the page to the screen. It is a tribute to Walt Disney and his incredible team of filmmakers.

The biographical drama follows the journey of adapting P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins books into the feature film we all know and love. Emma Thompson plays a lovely stoic and proper Mrs. Travers. She is the perfect contrast to Tom Hanks’ enthusiastic Walt Disney.

Exclusive clips shown during D23 presented a film that is both entertaining and poignant. The movie is the first time an actor as portrayed Disney in film but Hanks is more than up to the task. He brings Disney’s signature warmth and excitement to the screen with ease.

D23 Expo 2013: Reviewing New Thor and Captain America Footage

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  12 August 2013.

This could be the end for Jane Foster. Exclusive footage from Thor: The Dark World shown at the D23 Expo revealed Thor’s lady love is infected with a mystical disease that leaves even the Asgardians baffled. In addition to replaying the trailers and first looks from San Diego Comic-Con last month, Marvel unveiled new clips from both the upcoming Thor sequel and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Neither scenes are available online yet so here is what you missed.

Jane Foster’s (Natalie Portman) fate remains uncertain as a team of Asgardian healers examined her. Knowing that Earth’s doctors would be unable to help her, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) brought Jane to his home world. But his father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins), does not like having the human in Asgard so he sends guards to remove her.

Jane’s infection is not going to go lightly though and it pulses out a wave of energy that knocks the guards back. What could the infection be? Thor and Odin are as clueless and we are.

PopWrapped Goes To D23’s Star Studded Marvel Panel

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  11 August 2013.

With never-before-seen clips and a handful of cast members on hand, Marvel opened Saturday morning at D23 with a bang.

First up was Thor: The Dark World. Cast members Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, and Sir Anthony Hopkins stopped by to show footage from the upcoming sequel. In a nod to his legendary appearance in Hall H at Comic-Con last month, Hiddleston apologized for not showing up in his costume. “I’m not gonna get this crowd to kneel,” he joked. “We’re at Disneyland.”

The new clip from The Dark World showed Portman’s Jane Foster being examined by Asgardian healers. Jane apparently has a mysterious mystical infection that cannot be healed on Earth, causing Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to spirit her away to his home world. His father Odin (Hopkins) is not pleased but when he orders guards to send Jane back, her infection protects her - or, more likely, itself.

Fans Got First Taste Of Wonderland At Once Upon A Time’s D23 Panel

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  11 August 2013.

Oncers were out in force for the Once Upon a Time and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland panel at Disney's D23 Expo. Creators Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis teased their fans with new characters, an extended trailer for Wonderland, and a new clip from the season premiere of Once.

In the clip, Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) meets up with the leader of The Lost Ones, revealed to be named Felix, to discuss the Dark One’s return to Neverland. Rumple, looking as dashing as ever back in his leather fairytale attire, tells Felix to tell Pan that the master of magic is indeed there for “the boy” (presumably Henry). Felix departs but not before returning to Rumple a straw doll that causes the Dark One to break down in tears.

For all the confused fans, Horowitz and Kitsis clarified that the clip comes from the ending of the premiere. Everything will make sense when we see the entire episode live on Sunday, September 29th.

The two creators also revealed that joining the cast of fairytale and literary characters are favorites Tinkerbell and Ariel. Kitsis and Horowitz teased that The Little Mermaid’s Ursula and Eric may also make appearances, “but you never know because on the show you never know who is the real Ursula,” said Kitsis. Regina perhaps?

Disney Teases Upcoming Live Action Projects At D23

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  11 August 2013.

The next few years for Disney seem to be focused on live action and the session at D23 on Saturday proved just how much.Judging by the preview clips of everything from the Muppets sequel to Maleficent and the mysterious Tomorrowland, Disney has something in store for fans of all ages.

Disney will be taking two of their classic animated features and turning them into live action features. Maleficent (due June 2014) re-tells the Sleeping Beauty story from the perspective of its iconic villain. Played by Angelina Jolie, who looks stunning in the costume, Maleficent will transition from a heroic young woman to a cold-hearted sorceress. The storyline will of course intersect with that of Aurora (Elle Fanning) as the little princess grows, and will even feature the climatic dragon fight from Sleeping Beauty.

The second Disney classic to get the live action treatment is Cinderella, opening March 2015. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Cinderella will retain many of the elements we know and love from the story but will present them in a new and exciting way. Starring in the feature are Lily James as Cinderella, Richard Madden as the Prince, Cate Blanchett as the stepmother, and Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother.

Check Out Corey Vidal and Shay Carl’s ‘Vlogumentary’

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  9 August 2013.

Only five days after hitting the web, the Vlogumentary trailer is approaching 800,000 views. The documentary about video blogging is directed by Corey Vidal, and executive produced by Shay Carl. The two veteran vloggers released the trailer during a main stage presentation at last week’s VidCon 2013 to thunderous applause and plenty of tears.

Vlogumentary, which was previously titled I’m Vlogging Here, looks to be a poignant and honest portrayal of the impact of web video. The film explores the beginnings of many of the most popular YouTube channels as well as the art of vlogging.

Prominent YouTubers such as John and Hank Green (Vlogbrothers), Grace Helbig (Daily Grace), Toby Turner (Tobuscus) and many more are featured alongside dozens of lesser-known vloggers. Vlogumentary is set to release later this year.

Pixar’s Inside Out Ups The Funny With Latest Cast Members

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  8 August 2013.

Pixar continues to draw in the biggest names in Hollywood. The animated studio has landed Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, and more to star in their upcoming movie, Inside Out.

The film, which also stars Bill Hader, Phyllis Smith (The Office), and Lewis Black, is set to hit theaters on June 19, 2015. Inside Out places a young girl named Riley and the happenings of her mind at its core. Each of Riley’s emotions has its own voice and in addition to Joy (Poehler) and Disgust (Kaling), they are: Anger (Black), Sadness (Smith) and Fear (Hader).

Up director Pete Docter is at the helm for this Pixar outing, so audiences should be ready to bring their tissues with them to the theater.

"This film is one of the most unique films I have ever been associated with,” Pixar Chief Creative Officer, John Lasseter, said. “This is a magical, wonderful, original film."

With that line up of comedic actors, Inside Out looks set to be another funny and poignant installment from Pixar. The emotions played by each actor are perfectly cast.

Can anyone else already hear Poehler’s whoops of delight and Kaling’s disgusted scoffs?

Is This The Face Of The New Wonder Woman?

Originally published on PopWrapped.tumblr.com.  8 August 2013.

Fighting mythological creatures and demi-gods may have set actress Alexandra Daddario up perfectly for the role she wants next: Wonder Woman. 

The Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters star wants to see the Amazonian Princess on the big screen and hopes to don the heroine’s famous red and gold costume.  "Whether I’m in a Wonder Woman movie or not, I would love to be,” she said. “I would love to see Wonder Woman get made. I would love to see this strong, female action hero.”

The 27-year-old actress has the dark hair and steely gaze to play the superhero but there’s no concrete word from DC about a Wonder Woman movie or show in the mix.

 

Wonder Woman projects have been notoriously plagued with setbacks, including a failed NBC pilot in 2011. A CW version,Amazon, was slated to hit the small screen but that too was recently placed on hold.  "We have to get her right, we have to," DC Entertainment chief Diane Nelson told The Hollywood Reporter, adding that the heroine is one of DC’s priorities. “She is such an icon for both genders and all ages and for people who love the original TV show and people who read the comics now.” 

However, fans are looking forward to Wonder Woman’s debut on the big screen in the highly anticipated Justice League film. There has been no casting news for the ensemble superhero flick, so Daddario may still get her wish.  

For now she can be seen in the Percy Jackson sequel, Sea of Monsters which opened in theaters Thursday.  

Loot Crate: Reviewing the July Crate

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  6 August 2013.

I recently wrote about Loot Crate, the company that is supplying geeks and gamers with a box of swag every month. To find out first hand whether the subscription service lives up to the hype, I got the July crate to review.

Part of the fun of the crate is definitely the mystery. I was nearly giddy with excitement when opening it, like a kid on Christmas morning. The first thing I saw upon unboxing was Star Wars earbuds. Immediately I knew I was in for a good haul. Next came a Thor Pez dispenser and then a Sonic the Hedgehog air freshener, which has a pleasing floral scent to it.

As I progressed, the crate’s theme became clear. Whether to coincide with Geek Week on YouTube (August 4-11) or VidCon 2013 (August 1-3) or because popular web series Video Game High School (VGHS) began its second season on July 26th, this crate was perfectly themed around VGHS. Included was the entire first season of the show on DVD and a set of buttons portraying the different schools (e.g. Adventure and Discovery or Speed and Control).

VidCon13: Hannah Hart, Grace Helbig, and Mamrie Hart to Star in ‘Camp Takota’

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  5 August 2013.

YouTube’s favorite gal pals are making a movie. Hannah Hart (MyHarto), Grace Helbig (DailyGrace), and Mamrie Hart (You Deserve a Drink) will star in Camp Takota as announced at VidCon 2013.

Inspired in part by Mamrie Hart’s experience working at a summer camp, the plot of the film is pretty simple: Helbig is a twentysomething who finds herself returning to her old summer camp to work. There she runs into two old friends, played by Hart and Hart. Hijinks, humor, and booze are sure to ensue if the ladies’ history holds true.

The first trailer for Camp Takota released at VidCon 2013 and mainly consists of a lot of flubbed lines and laughter, much to the delight of fans. A booth at the convention let attendees sign up for camp, get a friendship bracelet and take their camp picture.

Camp Takota will be made available exclusively on pay-to-view platform, Chill.com.

VidCon13: ‘Lizzie Bennet Diaries’ Team Unveils ‘Emma’ Adaptation

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  5 August 2013.

Attention The Lizzie Bennet Diaries fans. Emma Approved is coming your way this Fall.

The team of showrunner Bernie Su, producer Hank Green, and Pemberly Digital announced their newest Jane Austen web video adaptation at VidCon 2013. Heroine Emma Woodhouse will be modernized as a confident entrepreneur who, of course, places a bit too much faith in her matchmaking prowess.

Su and Green’s first Austen outing, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, was a resounding success. Over 216,000 subscribers watched the 100 episode series. The program won two Streamys and was nominated for five more. A Kickstarter to fund the DVD raised over $462,000, nearly 800% of the $60,000 goal. The series was followed by Welcome to Sanditon, based on one of Austen’s short stories and starring some of the Lizzie Bennet characters.

There’s no word yet on any casting decisions for Emma Approved. However, with the show hitting YouTube in the Fall, fans should know soon enough who is playing the iconic Emma, Mr. Knightly, Frank Churchill and the rest of Highbury.

Peter Capaldi is the Twelfth Doctor

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  5 August 2013.

During an agonizingly drawn out live announcement Sunday, it was finally revealed that the Twelfth Doctor is Scottish actor Peter Capaldi. He will step into the TARDIS this Christmas when current Doctor, Matt Smith, exits the show.

“Being asked to play The Doctor is an amazing privilege,” Calpaldi said. “Like The Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight. I can’t wait to get started.”

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer says, “It’s an incendiary combination: one of the most talented actors of his generation is about to play the best part on television. Peter Capaldi is in the TARDIS!”

A lifelong Doctor Who fan, Capaldi appeared in the fourth season episode “The Fires of Pompeii” and had a recurring role in Torchwood: Children of Earth. He is perhaps best know for his role as Malcolm Tucker in the BBC comedy, The Thick Of It. He recently starred in World War Z and will be seen as Cardinal Richelieu in the BBC AMERICA and BBC One drama series The Musketeers, which will launch in early 2014.

The Fun Continues During the Second Day of VidCon

Originally published on PopWrapped.Tumblr.com.  4 August 2013.

Day two of the web video conference, VidCon, brought with it more amazing performances, the premiere of the Vlogumentarytrailer, long lines of anxious fans, and plenty of laughs.

ShayCarl and Corey Vidal’s documentary on vloggers and their community looks to be incredibly honest, touching and insightful. Previously called I’m Vlogging Here, the film revealed their new name, Vlogumentary and their trailer to the VidCon crowd. Afterward more than a few in the audience, me included, were misty eyed.

Attendees were also treated with another trailer, this time for the new season of the hit series, My Music. The mockumentary created by The Fine Brothers retains much of its format in the second season and stars Grace Helbig, Adam Busch, Jarrett Sleeper, Jack Douglass, and the rest of the main cast from season one.

YouTubers Gather In Droves For VidCon

Originally published on PopWrapped.Tumblr.com.  3 August 2013.

Amidst thousands of screaming fans filling the arena at the Anaheim Convention Center, John and Hank Green took the stage to kick off VidCon 2013. In the coming hours, fans would learn about a Hannah Hart movie, John’s plans to be on set for The Fault in Our Stars movie, and have the chance to meet and greet their favorite YouTubers.

The annual web video convention, founded by the Vlogbrothers, is in its fourth year and is stronger than ever. More than 10,000 attendees packed the convention center and surrounding plaza today, the first of the two community days.

Jane Austen’s Emma is Coming To YouTube

Originally published on PopWrapped.Tumblr.com.  2 August 2013.

Emma Woodhouse is coming to YouTube. In an official announcement at VidCon 2013, the team behind the Lizzie Bennet Diariesrevealed that their next vlog series would be Emma Approved.

Bernie Su, showrunner for LBD, unveiled the Emma Approved logo to ear splitting applause and cheers at the packed Lizzie Bennet Meet-Up.

As Su, producer Hank Green, and the Pemberly Digital creative team did with LBD and then Welcome to Sanditon, the Emmaseries will take Jane Austen’s classic story and update it for the web video setting. Emma will be a proud, successful entrepreneur and will of course retain her confidence in her ability to matchmake.

Su, who won a Streamy for his work on LBD, was silent on any other plot or character points but based on the resounding success of both of this team’s Austen series so far, I am prepared to trust them with Emma.

Fans of LBD and Sanditon will no doubt be pleased with the choice of story. Earlier in the LBD Meet Up at VidCon, a fan had asked what adaptation the actors would like to see and a majority of the audience replied, “EMMA!” Wish granted.

Emma Approved will launch this fall.

Jeremy Jordan Smashes His Way Onto Elementary Season Two

Originally published on PopWrapped.Tumblr.com.  2 August 2013.

The mystery of Dr. Joan Watson on CBS’s Elementary will start to unravel just a bit more in season two.

Smash’s Jeremy Jordan has been cast as the son of the patient that died in Joan’s care back when she was a surgeon and is set to appear in an October episode.

Joey Castoro (Jordan) is someone for whom the new P.I. has a distinct affection. Viewers learned last season that Joan had resigned from her post as a surgeon in part because she made a mistake that cost a patient his life and her attachment to that patient.

The attachment would appear to be Joey and when he reappears in Joan’s life with an unexpected request, she must determine how deep her affection and guilt run.

“We’re going to… explore Joan’s feelings of guilt,” executive producer Rob Doherty said in an interview with TVLine. “At what point do you tap your guilt and give yourself permission to live a life?”