Q and A: Week of July 18

Q: I keep reading about there being a remake of “Red Dawn” in the works (with no release date in sight), and I wondered how stars of the original 1984 version felt about this? I have my doubts they’ll be able to pull it off — the original is such a cult classic. — Brandi R., Erie, Pa.

A: I spoke with Lea Thompson, who played Erica in the original movie, and she also is a little iffy about the remake.

“I have my doubts, clearly,” she said, “because they haven’t released it yet although it’s supposedly been done for ages. I’ll be really interested to see it. One of the really amazing things about the original ‘Red Dawn’ is that there were no special effects in terms of computer-generated effects. Everything that happened really happened, which makes it more of a visceral nightmare. Sometimes some things left to the imagination are actually more haunting.”

You can catch Lea starting July 30 in Hallmark Movie Channel’s “The Cabin,” where she plays a single mom who brings her kids to Scotland for fun and games, and for her, a little unexpected romance. She also stars in ABC Family’s “Switched at Birth,” and is featured in December’s Oscar contender “J. Edgar,” which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Josh Lucas, Judi Dench and Naomi Watts.

Q: I can’t believe Chris Meloni left “Law and Order: SVU”! Who will they get to replace him? — Anna F., Fresno, Calif.

A: “Cold Case” alum Danny Pino is set to fill Detective Stabler’s absence. As “SVU” enters its 13th season, Mariska Hargitay has opted for a reduced role, having signed on for only the first 13 episodes of the new season. So, to help fill that void, actress Kelli Giddish (“Chase” and “Past Life”) has been cast as a new detective as well.

Q: I love "Thw Twilight Saga" and wondered, are there are plans to bring Stephenie Meyers’ sci-fi novel, “The Host,” to the big screen? — Selena F., via e-mail

A: Open Road films announced that the big-screen adaptation of Stephenie’s apocalyptic book will be released March 29, 2013. The movie stars Saoirse Ronan (“The Lovely Bones” and “Atonement”) as Melanie Stryder, and it is scheduled to begin shooting this February in Louisiana and New Mexico.

Q: Who is going to be the new boss on “The Office”? — Janie P., via e-mail

A: James Spader is all set to pick up where Steve Carell left off. This got me to thinking: Who would be a perfect foil to play James’ wife? None other than Beth Littleford. I asked Beth what she thought of the idea, and she is on board, stating: “I’d love to play his wife. I’ve had a thing for James Spader for 25-plus years. Blame ‘Tuff Turf’ (and also Steff, the sexy, arrogant yuppie from “Pretty in Pink”). Then again, I’d happily play Dwight Schrute’s wife, Stanley Hudson’s wife or Phyllis Vance’s life partner.”

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Stephenie Meyer to Release Eclipse-Related Novella

(From the Associated Press)

Attention Twilight fans: Stephenie Meyer has a new book coming out.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will release The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner on June 5.

The novella is told from the viewpoint of Bree, a newborn vampire featured in Eclipse. That's one of the books in Meyer's best-selling teen-vampire saga.

Meyer says in a statement Tuesday the novella had originally been planned for The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide. But she says it became too long to fit into the guide.

The publisher says one dollar for each book sold in the U.S. from the first printing of 1.5 million copies will be donated to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. It supports disaster relief efforts such as those in Haiti and Chile.

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Celebrity Q&A, March 2

Q: I heard that Kate Winslet (pictured left) is going to star in a television show. Is that true? I can’t imagine her leaving the big screen behind to be a TV star! – Delilah M., via e-mail

A: Oscar-winning British actress Kate Winslet is indeed coming to a television set near you, but the move is definitely not permanent. Kate has signed on to star in the HBO miniseries “Mildred Pierce,” which begins shooting in April. But she is not leaving the big screen behind. She has one as-yet-untitled movie in the can (co-starring the likes of Gerard Butler, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman and Emma Stone) and another feature film in the works called “Contagion,” which stars Matt Damon, Jude Law and Marion Cotillard.

Q: What’s Kirstie Alley been up to lately? I’ve always been a fan of hers, but haven’t seen her in a while. — Kathy D. in Maryland

A: Aside from her occasional Twitter battles with Joy Behar, Kirstie has been keeping a pretty low profile as of late. However, all of that will change when her new A&E reality series, “Big Life,” premieres on Sunday, March 21. “Big Life” follows Kirstie as she tries to shed the 75 pounds she has put on (and lost, and put back on) in recent years, as well as raise her two teenage children, produce a feature film and care for eight ringtail lemurs (yes, I said lemurs).

Q: I am a big fan of “The Twilight Saga,” and I really need to know if “Breaking Dawn” is going to be one movie or split into two. I don’t see how all that’s in the book could ever fit into one movie. — Livy T., West Palm Beach, Fla.

A: It would be next to impossible to make “Breaking Dawn” as a single movie without losing a LOT in the translation. Author Stephenie Meyer is of the same belief, and she pretty much has the final say when it comes to the movies. Many sources within Summit Entertainment are confirming (although not officially yet) that “Breaking Dawn” will follow in the footsteps of the Harry Potter series and be broken up into two movies. This should make everyone happy: Fans of the book series won’t feel as if the conclusion is being rushed; fans of the movie series will get to see more Rob Pattinson; and the folks behind the scenes will get more cash in their pockets.

Q: I was shocked by the sudden death of actress Brittany Murphy. Before she passed, was she working on or had she completed any movies that we fans will get to see her in, one last time? — Heather G., via e-mail

A: Before her death in December, Brittany, 32, had completed work on a movie called “Abandon,” which co-stars Dean Cain and Mimi Rogers. Anchor Bay Entertainment plans to release the thriller this summer.

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