Denise Quiñones

MOONVES MAKING WAVES

The CW network's Smallville spin-off — dubbed Mercy Reef by some unofficial accounts — has reeled in a new leading man: Soap hunk Justin Hartley (Passions) has been tapped to replace Will Toale as A.C. Curry/Aquaman. "We have made the decision to go in a different direction with the role," a CW spokesperson says in making the announcement. Sources tell the Hollywood Reporter that CBS Corp. president and CEO Leslie Moonves was a major catalyst behind the recast. As reported yesterday, the spin-off costars Ving Rhames as McCaffery, A.C.'s mentor, as well as Denise Quiñones as Rachel Starling.