NBC's new series, Kings, made headlines when Deadwood alum Ian McShane signed on to play King Silas Benjamin. But at the show's panel and press line at Comic-Con, it was the newcomers who were heating up the scene, especially in the absence of their elder costar.The upcoming series, which is a modernized, soapy adaptation of the story of King David, features a number of newbies to look out for when it airs. Aussie actor Christopher Egan stars as David Shepherd, whose heroism draws him into Silas' court in a futuristic Manhattan. Egan's soft-spoken manner, sexy accent and looks akin to a fellow famous Aussie are sure to keep viewers (or just an editor or two) tuning in to see what he's got — and even more so when things heat up with the princess, played by the lovely Allison Miller. Recent Gossip Girl guest (and Covenant star) Sebastian Stan plays Jack Benjamin, the gorgeous and arrogant son of King Silas who is on an oh-so-realistic downward spiral. Add some high couture, edgy ...
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Deadwood's Ian McShane will play King Silas in Kings, a new series inspired by the story of King David (Aussie actor Christopher Egan) and reportedly a lock for NBC's 2008-09 slate. Sources tell the Reporter that the Peacock on Wednesday will also announce series pickups for Knight Rider, the Christian Slater spy drama My Worst Enemy and The Philanthropist, which centers on a billionaire who sets out to help others.It is hoped that NBC will also confirm the rumored DirecTV pickup of Friday Night Lights. The Wednesday upfronts reveal is the earliest in the network's history, and at least six weeks ahead of the standard May fanfare. As long as it's bringing us more series news, faster, I'm all for it. How 'bout you? — Anna Dimond
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The Hanna-Barbera adventure series Jonny Quest is being revived by Warner Bros. Pictures as a potential movie franchise.... Also per the Reporter, Joan Allen, Jason Statham, Ian McShane and Tyrese Gibson are all on board for Death Race, a remake of the Roger Corman classic. Statham will play "Frankenstein," while Allen, McShane and Gibson are the prison warden, a coach and sociopath Machine Gun Joe, respectively.... Thomas Haden Church is in final talks to play Eddie Murphy's workplace rival in NowhereLand.... Per Variety, Nicole Kidman will produce and star in a remake of Al Final del Espectro, a Colombian horror film about an agoraphobic who begins to see a ghost in her apartment.
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Animation fans will have a blast on June 19! Warner Bros. is releasing sets for The Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain on the 19th. Both shows hit "volume 3" on the same day, though this is the last time they'll be paired together; it's the final volume for Pinky. Warner also has the first season of The Powerpuff Girls, and Shout! Factory will put out the complete Batfink set, featuring 100 episodes (well, they're shorts) on four discs.Fans of classic shows can pick up Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Season 3, volume 1, Perry Mason Season 2, volume 1, or Daniel Boone Season 4 from Liberation Entertainment. Sony will release the first season of Silver Spoons, though that's not really "classic" television (are the '80s considered "classic" now? Maybe "semi-classic"?).My "Pick of the Week" goes to Picket Fences, the 1992 series from David E. Kelley. Though the set contains a single featurette ("All Roads Lead to Rome"), this is one of the most-requested titles on TVShowsOnDVD.com. Fans...
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Twentieth Century Fox's Fox Walden banner has set four films' release dates:• The Dark Is Rising (Oct. 5), about a young man who learns he is the last in a line of mythical warriors. Stars Ian McShane, Frances Conroy, Christopher Eccleston and Jonathan Jackson.• Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (Nov. 16), a family fantasy starring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman and Jason Bateman.• Nim's Island (April 25, 2008), featuring Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin.• City of Ember (Columbus Day '08), a sci-fi adventure helmed by Monster House's Gil Kenan.
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