Category: Entertainment

Chantal Thuy Upped To Series Regular On BLACK LIGHTNING

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV

Fans have come to love the Thunder-Grace relationship with Thunder/Anissa Pierce played by Nafessa Williams and Grace Choi played by Chantal Thuy. Well, we will for sure be getting more of that relationship in volume in the upcoming fourth season as Chantal Thuy has been upped to a series regular on BLACK LIGHTNING that will premiere in February.

Chantal Thuy embodies the character of Grace Choi,” says BLACK LIGHTNING executive producer and showrunner Salim Akil. “I am sure our BLACK LIGHTNING fans knew, especially those who follow the Grace and Anissa relationship storyline, that having Chantal join as a series regular was only a matter of time. I am elated to finally welcome her officially to the team.”

Thuy’s character of Grace Choi is based on the BLACK LIGHTNING comic created by Tony Isabella with Trevor von Eeden, Grace Choi has been in a committed onscreen romantic relationship with Anissa Pierce (Nafessa Williams) since the first season. The fan-favorite couple has consequently been through the highs and lows that any superheroes trying to maintain a personal life go through.

Thuy recently made her Broadway debut last year in Tracy Letts’ play Linda Vista with the Second Stage Theater in New York. Alongside the Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble, she reprised the role of Minnie Tran after playing the part in the Center Theatre Group’s production in Los Angeles. She also ha previously guest starred in television series such as Madam Secretary (CBS), Pretty Little Liars (Freeform) and Matador (El Rey Network). She is represented by Joseph Le Talent Agency and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

In the third season amidst all of the chaos we saw Anissa & Grace attempt at getting married which was put on hold. Hopefully we will see the nuptials given and more Grace Choi in action.

PAINKILLER To Get His Own Spinoff Series On The CW

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV

After a major turn around in his arc in Season 2 of BLACK LIGHTNING and helping the Outsiders to stop Agent O’Dell (Bill Duke), GraveDigger (Wayne Brady) and the ASA’s occupation of Freeland, PAINKILLER played by Jordan Calloway will be getting his own spinoff series as announced by the CW on today.

The pilot will air as the seventh episode in the upcoming fourth season of BLACK LIGHTNING. BLACK LIGHTNING creator Salim Akil will serve as the shows EP, Writer and Director.

The synopsis of the series is:

Khalil Payne (Jordan Calloway) is a young man ridden with the guilt of his troubled past from his former life in Freeland City, where, as a super-enhanced killing machine known as Painkiller, he was both a member of Tobias Whale’s gang and a weapon of Agent Odell and the shadowy ASA. After attempting to bury the darker, devastatingly lethal Painkiller part of his persona, Khalil has distanced himself away from everyone he knows and loves in a new city, Akashic Valley, in order to find peace…but peace never comes easy for men with pasts like Khalil Payne and Painkiller.   As his violent, destructive history crashes his idyllic new beginning, Khalil is thrusted back into action with a new mission – bring justice where he once gave out punishment – but to do that, he will first have to deal with and harness his darker side, Painkiller.

This is very exciting news not just to see the world of BLACK LIGHTNING expanding but also for Jordan Calloway who has worked extremely hard in developing the character and getting him to connect to the audience.

You can check out the third season of BLACK LIGHTNING currently streaming on Netflix

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WANDAVISION To Drop On Disney Plus On January 15 2021

by jaywashington, posted in Comedy, Entertainment, TV

After much speculation that the upcoming MCU Disney+ show would debut on the streaming platform before the end of the year, it has now been confirmed that will not happen as WANDAVISION will arrive on January 15,2021.

WANDAVISION is a blend of classic television and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany)—two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems. The new series is directed by Matt Shakman; Jac Schaeffer is head writer.

Much is expected of this new installment into the MCU as we will see Teyonnah Parris play a grown up Monica Rambeau to whom we were introduced to as a young girl in CAPTAIN MARVEL, Kathryn Hahn as the nosy neighbor (who many believe she is actually Agatha Harkness), Randall Park who reprises his ANT-MAN & THE WASP role of Jimmy Woo, Kat Dennings bringing back her THOR: THE DARK WORLD role as Darcy Lewis and more. 

Javicia Leslie in the NEW BATWOMAN Suit Looks Amazing

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV

When we got out first look at Javicia Leslie as the new Batwoman in a screen test it was met with many mixed emotions. Well now it seems that all those emotions can shift in a more positive direction as we now have our FIRST FULL LOOK at Leslie’s Ryan Wilder as the new protector of Gotham.


The redesigned Batsuit was conceptualized by Batwoman costume designer Maya Mani and created by Ocean Drive Leather, the wig created by Janice Workman and makeup styled by Cory Roberts.

Regarding new character Ryan Wilder and Batwoman’s new look, executive producer Caroline Dries said: “Ryan’s journey starts from a place of ‘What can this Batsuit do for me?’ But it’s not long before she realizes the power of its symbol and what it can do for everyone else in Gotham City. As Ryan embraces everything that makes her special, she adjusts the suit to fit her physically and figuratively. This meant creating a new body design and new cowl that was undeniably a statement that screamed ‘powerful.’ Maya Mani sent me her drawings and I loved it. The wig was something we never perfected in season one, and Janice Workman crushed it with this new take. Javicia and I saw various prototypes of styles and red ombres, and at one point we were trading our own iPad-doodled versions. Janice translated that into what we are looking at now. When I see it, I smile. It makes me feel inspired.”

Javicia Leslie is the first Black actress to portray Batwoman in a live-action television or film production. Of the design and her collaboration with Caroline Dries and Maya Mani, she said: “I love the fact that Ryan is becoming her own Batwoman — it’s her style, her swag, and her moment! It was an honor to be able to collaborate with Caroline and Maya. I felt it was important that viewers could tell by the silhouette that Batwoman was a Black girl. With the form-fitting suit and beautiful Afro, we definitely nailed it!”

Costume Designer Maya Mani, who has created many of the suits for the “Arrowverse,” says of the redesign: “I was asked by Caroline Dries to design a Batsuit that was unique to the character of Ryan Wilder; as she is a highly skilled fighter, encapsulating her raw, athletic, and passionate nature was imperative. As Batwoman, Javicia Leslie not only brings a fresh perspective, but physical strength to the role. It was important for the new suit to define Javicia’s commanding presence while showcasing her athleticism and allowing her the freedom to express the physical nature of Batwoman, all while looking ultra-cool in the process!” 

Notable changes include:

  • A new cowl featuring natural, curly hair with red streaks, red gauntlets over the forearms, and shorter boots.
  • A redesign with new materials, featuring laser etching to create more visual depth and a stronger silhouette.

As someone who was excited for the second season to see what Javicia Leslie brings to the role this amps up the excitement ten fold.

Oscar Isaac In Talks To Transform Into MOON KNIGHT for Marvel Studios & Disney Plus

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV

After months of speculations as to who would be stepping into the main role of one of Marvel’s “unique” heroes, we know know who that will be thanks to DEADLINE.  Oscar Isaac (formerly of STAR WARS) is set to head into the  Marvel Cinematic Universe. He is in negotiations to star as MOON KNIGHT  in the Marvel and Disney+ series based on the comic book hero.

Some back story on MOON KNIGHT for those who may be unfamiliar, MOON KNIGHT aka Marc Spector, is a mercenary who has numerous alter egos — cabbie Jake Lockley and millionaire playboy Steven Grant — in order to better fight the criminal underworld. But later he was established as being a conduit for the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. Most recently, the character was a consultant who dresses in all-white and goes by the name Mr. Knight.

Marvel and Disney+ will now look to attach a director to the series. No production start date has been set. Jeremy Slater, who developed and wrote Netflix’s comic book adaptation of the UMBRELLA ACADEMY series, has been tapped to develop and lead the writing team on the series for the streamer.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is becoming more expansive with its upcoming Disney + series. WANDAVISION is set to arrive on the streamer later this year, THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER will arrive either this year or beginning of next. Then new casting announcements for having ramping up there future slate of development, Tatiana Maslany, who was recently tapped to play She-Hulk, and Iman Vellani, who was named the new Ms. Marvel. LOKI starring Tom Hiddleston and HAWKEYE which follows Kate Bishop.

GREEN LANTERN On HBO MAX Finds Its Showrunner And Writer

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV

GREEN LANTERN that is heading to HBO Max has found its writers and showrunner. The superhero show will be written by Seth Grahame-Smith, who wrote THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE and Marc Guggenheim, co-creator of ARROW and a writer on the 2011 GREEN LANTERN movie.

The drama will depict the adventures of a multitude of Lanterns, including Guy Gardner, Jessica Cruz, Simon Baz and Alan Scott — Earth’s first Green Lantern, who, true to the comics, is a gay man — and many more. The series will also include fan favorites such as Sinestro (who was played by Mark Strong in the GREEN LANTERN movie) and Kilowog (who was voiced by Michael Clarke Duncan in the GREEN LANTERN movie), and will also introduce new heroes to the ranks of the Green Lantern Corps.

Seth Grahame-Smith as at one point set to both write and direct THE FLASH film now being directed by Andy Muschietti. He will serve as writer and showrunner.

The project was first unveiled at the end of 2019 at the HBO Max WarnerMedia Day Presentation, where Greg Berlanti said that it would be “unlike anything seen on television”

Announcements as to whom will play the cast of intergalactic police officers have yet to be announced

Javicia Leslie Gives Us Our First Look At Her As Batwoman

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV
batwoman

Now that BATWOMAN has gone back into production in Vancouver for  the CW, the biggest question was what would Javicia Leslie who will be portraying Ryan Wilder look like suited up as Gotham’s newest protector. Now we have our answer thanks to Leslie herself. 

According to Javicia’s post she will have her own spin on the batsuit which is similar to the way the Kate Kane had the suit augmented for her in Season 1.

For those who need a reminder, the character of Ryan Wilder is a new character being created for the show’s sophomore season. Wilder is described as a wholly new version of Batwoman, with her own unique approach to keeping the people of Gotham safe. Described as likable, messy, a little goofy and untamed. Ryan spent years as a drug-runner, dodging the GCPD and masking her pain with bad habits. She’s the most dangerous type of fighter: highly skilled and wildly undisciplined. An out lesbian. Athletic. Raw. Passionate. Fallible. And very much not your stereotypical all-American hero.

Samuel L Jackson To Return As Nick Fury For Disney Plus Series

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, TV

After the post credit scene in SPIDER-MAN:FAR FROM HOME many wondered when would be the next time we would see Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While we can assume that it will be in the upcoming BLACK WIDOW  film we now know thanks to Variety that the former head of S.H.I.E.L.D will be appearing in a series currently in development at Disney Plus.

The project is in its early stages and details are being kept under wraps, but according to the trade Kyle Bradstreet (Mr. Robot) will write and executive produce and should the project be ordered to series, it would be Jackson’s first series regular television role.

He has recurred as Col. Fury on MARVEL’s AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D on ABC. 

Jackson had initially signed a nine film deal to appear throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe which began with IRON MAN and as of most recently the aforementioned SPIDER-MAN:FAR FROM HOME, AVENGERS ENDGAME and CAPTAIN MARVEL (where we finally found out how Fury lost his eye and was required to wear the eyepatch).

BLACK WIDOW Release Date Moved To Summer 2021

by jaywashington, posted in Entertainment, Film

Even though many theaters have begun to reopen, crowds are not swarming to pack them still due to COVID-19 and thus the box office has reflected it. With that, Disney has once again done a shuffle to its theatrical release slate and BLACK WIDOW  has been moved but fortunately a Disney plus release is not in the plans. 

The film was expected to hit theaters on Nov 6 of this year will now make its bow at the box office on May 7, 2021.  That’s a complete full year delay of BLACK WIDOW from its original pre-pandemic release date of May 1 this year. Of course this also shifts the other slate of MCU films that where set to arrive earlier. Marvel’s ETERNALS now goes from Feb. 12, 2021 to Nov. 5, 2021; and moves SHANG -CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS from May 7, 2021 to July 9, 2021 (a post Independence Day release date that Disney had already reserved for an untitled feature).

Many people had expected the possibility of moving the Scarlett Johansson starring film from its date this year but some were worried that the house of mouse may try to do with the superhero film that they did with MULAN. That being release the movie on the already paid version of the streaming app for an additional fee, which was already met with much criticism and pushback.

Even though fans have been waiting and clamoring to continue on with the next phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe we have to get through to the next phase of the real lif global pandemic that has stifled most of the world.  

THE PEACEMAKER Spin-Off Is Headed To HBO Max

by jaywashington, posted in Comedy, Entertainment, Film, TV

James Gunn’s THE SUICIDE SQUAD has yet to hit theaters but the buzz behind it and its stars are so big that spin-off TV series are already being ordered. This announcement is huge as it puts John Cena’s THE PEACEMAKER front and center with his own series coming to the HBO Max streaming service. 

THE PEACEMAKER has been giving an eight-episode straight-to-series order for its first season with THE SUICIDE SQUAD director writing all episodes and directing a number of them. The show is said to explore the origins of the DC Comics character played by Cena.

Peacemaker is scheduled to begin production in early 2021, prior to Gunn beginning work on the next GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY film. The show will be produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran with Cena serving as co-executive producer. 

This is not the first spin-off series from an upcoming DC film set to hit HBO Max. It was recently announced that a GOTHAM PD series would be coming as a spin off of THE BATMAN from director Matt Reeves. Also former DC Universe originals such as DOOM PATROL, HARLEY QUINN, TITANS and YOUNG JUSTICE have moved to the streaming platform. 

To give a bit of back story on the character of The Peacemaker, he was created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette and first appeared in the Fightin’ 5 series originally owned by Charlton Comics, is a man who believes in peace at any cost — no matter how many people he has to kill to get it. The first incarnation of Peacemaker is Christopher Smith, a pacifist diplomat and son of a Nazi death camp commandant who founded the Pax Institute who fights dictators and warlords.