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| Paul Walker |
A: Production on “Fast and Furious 7” had been shut down for some time after Paul’s death, with 60 percent of the movie having been shot. It wasn’t clear what they would do. Would they cancel the movie? Use CGI for some of his remaining scenes? Cut him out all together? Just before Christmas, Universal released this official statement about “FF7,” along with a release date: “Continuing the global exploits in the franchise built on speed, Vin Diesel and Paul Walker lead the returning cast of ‘Fast and Furious 7,’ which will be released by Universal Pictures on April 10, 2015. James Wan directs this chapter of the hugely successful series, and Neal H. Moritz and Vin Diesel return as producers.” It has also been verified that they won’t kill off Paul’s character in this installment of the series. So, Paul will be in the movie, and you can bet millions of people can’t wait to see him in his final role.
Q: Can you tell me if or when “The Americans” will return for another season? — Ginnie F., via email
A: FX recently announced that the spy drama — which centers on the Cold War era of the ’80s, and stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys — will return for 13 episodes beginning Feb. 26. I can’t wait!
Q: A few months back, you mentioned that a “Veronica Mars” movie is in the making. Can you tell me when it’ll be released? — Stacy W., via email
A: “Veronica Mars” hits theaters on March 14, and it stars Kristen Bell, Krysten Ritter, Gaby Hoffman, Justin Long, James Franco, Ken Marino, and many more. There’s even a cameo by Kristen’s real-life husband, Dax Shepard. In more “Veronica” news, if your cable provider offers the Pivot channel, you can see reruns Monday through Friday from 10 p.m. to midnight of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” followed by “Veronica Mars.”
Q: I haven’t seen Kevin Costner in anything in a while. Can you tell me what I can see him in next? — Gina R., Allentown, Pa.
A: In what critics are calling the “Field of Dreams” for football fans, Kevin’s latest project is called “Draft Day,” which comes to theaters April 11. Kevin stars as Sonny Weaver Jr., the general manager for the Cleveland Browns. Sonny’s career is on the line as he has to bring the Browns out of a serious slump by picking the best players at NFL drafts. The film also stars Jennifer Garner, Tom Welling, Frank Langella, Sam Elliott, Rosanna Arquette and Ellen Burstyn.
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| James DuMont, of Dallas Buyers Club |
A: The actor you are thinking of is character actor James DuMont, who’s been on tons of TV shows like “American Horror Story,” “Treme,” “Nashville,” and “Bonnie and Clyde,” and on the big screen in “The Butler,” “Ocean’s Thirteen,” “War of the Worlds,” and “Along Came Polly,” to name only a few. James was thrilled to be in “Dallas Buyers Club,” which centers on Ron Woodroof (played by Matthew McConaughey), who works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease. James plays the estranged father of Jared Leto’s character, Rayon, who’s transgender and HIV positive.
When I spoke with James recently, he told me about working with Jared: “It’s a really powerful scene we share. Jared does powerful work in this; as soon as we finished our scene, I tweeted that Jared would get an Oscar nomination for this role. And he seems to be the front-runner at this point. I’ve worked with Oscar winners, and I can see and identify Oscar-caliber work. I get tweets and emails from all over the world where people tell me that our scene is so powerful, poignant and heartbreaking. It’s nice to have a little breakout scene like this after doing so many projects. It’s tough for a character actor.”
Check back later this week for my full interview with this talented actor.
Q: Over this past summer, I got involved with a series called “Mistresses.” Can you tell me if it is going to return, or was it just something they put on for the summer? — Liz R., via email
A: ABC has renewed “Mistresses” for a 13-episode second season, which is scheduled to air in summer 2014. The show, which is based on the British series of the same name, stars Alyssa Milano, Rochelle Aytes, Jes Macallan and Yunjin Kim. The show centers on the lives of four female friends, and their involvement in an array of illicit and complex relationships.
Q: I really enjoy “The Glades,” but I think I read someplace that it is being canceled. I truly hope this is not so. Can you please find out its status? — Diane, via email
A: The A and E network decided this past fall to cancel “The Glades” after four seasons. The police procedural broke records for the network when it debuted, but slowly and steadily lost more than one-third of its viewers throughout the series, so the network canceled it.
Q: Can you tell me if and when “Cedar Cove” will return for another season? — Richard O., Summerfield, Fla.
A: The Hallmark Channel has renewed the phenomenally successful series, which is based on the book series of the same name by Debbie Macomber, for a second season. The show’s first season made Hallmark Channel the No. 1 cable channel for Saturday nights during the 8 to 9 time slot. With internationally renowned actress Andie MacDowell leading the cast — which includes Dylan Neal, Teryl Rothery, Bruce Boxleitner, Barbara Niven and Brennan Elliott — season two of “Cedar Cover” promises more of the same drama, romance and fun. There is no word on the premiere date yet, but I’d start looking for it this summer. And of course, I’ll let you know as soon as I know exactly when it will return.
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| (courtesy Fox) |
A: I did report on this about six months ago, but since this is such a hot subject — I get tons of letters from readers asking me the same question — I’ll write about it again, with some new information to pass along. Fox is indeed airing a new version of “24,” which is called “24: Live Another Day.” This go ’round, it will be a 12-part series but will still cover the requisite 24 hours. Kiefer will return, as will Mary Lynn Rajskub, William Devane and Kim Raver.
Kiefer recently told the press that the series will take place in London, stating: “‘24’ has always had such a global sensibility, but to be able to tell this intense ‘24’-style story with the beauty of Europe’s history and architecture as the backdrop is going to be fascinating.” Fox’s entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly teased reporters that the show’s pickup intrigued many industry stars. “A lot of who’s who in Hollywood wanted to participate in this,” he revealed. Be on the lookout for “24: Live Another Day” on Fox this May.
Q: Please tell me that Animal Planet will be airing another “Puppy Bowl” this Super Bowl Sunday! — Tina W., Portland, Maine
A: The most anticipated — and cutest — sporting event of the season is about to get even bigger when “Puppy Bowl” returns to Animal Planet on Feb. 2 (first airing is from 3 to 5 p.m. ET/PT) for it’s 10th-anniversary edition. Starting at 3, the show will repeat all day, with new content every hour. With each airing, fans vote in real time for which puppy will take home the coveted title of MVP (Most Valuable Puppy), there will be a Kitty Half-Time Show, penguin cheerleaders, and viewers can participate in the Fantasy Puppy League (go to animalplanet.com/puppybowl to draft your team). This is definitely a can’t-miss event!
Readers: I told you I’d let you know when I had an exact date for the season-two premiere of “Vikings,” and I’m a woman of my word. “Vikings” returns to the History channel on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. So don’t forget to tune in!
