‘Beauty and the Beast’ Hybrid Live-Action, Animated Special Set at ABC

Joe Otterson TV ReporterBoldly going where no “Star Trek” series have gone before, the casts of the live-action “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and animated “Star Trek: Lower Decks” will meet on a crossover episode of Season 2 of “Strange New Worlds.”“Strange New Worlds” concluded its first season in early July as the best received “Trek” TV series of the 21st century, so its Comic-Con panel could’ve been effectively a victory lap for the show.The panel included Anson Mount (Capt. Christopher Pike), Ethan Peck (Lt. Spock), Paul Wesley (Lt.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterProduction on the FX revival of “Justified” was halted after two cars engaged in a rolling gun fight broke through barricades on the set.Variety has confirmed that on Wednesday night the two cars broke through the barricades while the show, titled “Justified: City Primeval,” was filming in Chicago near Douglass Park. No one in the cast or crew was injured in the incident.

H.E.R. is set to play Belle in an upcoming hybrid special celebrating the 30th anniversary of Beauty And The Beast.Alongside a screening of the 1991 film, the special will feature never-before-seen musical performances and brand new sets and costumes inspired by the Disney classic.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterKurt Russell and Wyatt Russell are the latest additions to the cast of Apple’s upcoming live-action series about Godzilla and the Titans.The father and son duo join previously announced cast members Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, Kiersey Clemons, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski in the show based on Legendary’s growing Monsterverse franchise.In the show, following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking new reality that monsters are real, the series will explore one family’s journey to uncover its buried secrets and a legacy linking them to the secret organization known as Monarch.Kurt is a legendary actor known for his roles in films like “Escape from New York” and “Escape from LA,” “The Thing,” “Big Trouble in Little China,” “Backdraft,” and Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” He has also starred in the Quentin Tarantino films “Death Proof” and “The Hateful Eight” while he had a minor role in “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.” He began his career as a child star in multiple television shows and Disney films like “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.” He is repped by UTA.Wyatt is known for his starring role in the AMC series “Lodge 49” as well as for shows like “The Good Lord Bird” and “Under the Banner of Heaven.” He is also part of the MCU like his father, having starred in the series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” He has starred in films such as “Everybody Wants Some,” “22 Jump Street,” and “Overlord.”He is repped by UTA, Narrative, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.Chris Black and Matt Fraction co-created the series with both executive producing.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAtsuko Okatsuka has lined up her first comedy special, which will air on HBO and HBO Max, Variety has learned exclusively.The special will tape this fall. The news comes just over a month after Okatsuka was named one of Variety‘s 10 Comics to Watch. She is a writer, actor, and stand up comedian currently based in Los Angeles.”I’m so excited to work with HBO on what my family calls ‘an hour of you talking funny,'” Okatsuka said.

ABC‘s upcoming special just found its Belle!

There’s a new Belle in town.

H.E.R. is now a Disney princess. The GRAMMY and Oscar-winning singer and songwriter will take on the role of Belle in ABC's forthcoming live-action/animated  special celebrating the movie's 30th anniversary, the network announced Wednesday.

Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter H.E.R has been tapped to play beloved Disney Princess Belle in ABC’s upcoming animated and live-action blended special, Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, executive produced by Jon M. Chu and directed by Hamish Hamilton.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHugh Jackman has joined the voice cast of the upcoming Hulu adult animated comedy series “Koala Man,” Variety has learned.The series — which was ordered at Hulu in March 2021 — was created by Michael Cusack, who also voices the title character. The show follows Kevin (Cusack) and his not-so-secret identity, whose only superpower is a burning passion for following rules and snuffing out petty crime in the town of Dapto. Though it may seem like any other Australian suburb, forces of evil both cosmic and man-made lie in wait to pounce on unsuspecting Daptonians.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterDean Fleischer Camp, the filmmaker behind A24’s charming indie comedy “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,” will step in for Jon M. Chu as director of Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” remake.Chu was attached to the project in 2020, but his deal was never finalized.The movie is still in early stages and has yet to officially set a screenwriter or hire any actors to portray Lilo and company.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPat McAfee is staying in business with WWE.The sports entertainment giant has announced that McAfee has signed a multi-year extension of his contract. He will continue to serve as a member of the commentary team on “SmackDown Live” alongside Michael Cole. Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.“Very few can transition from professional athletics to entertainment the way [Pat McAfee] has,” Paul “Triple H” Levesque wrote on Twitter.

An upcoming television special will celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Beauty and the Beast”, one of Disney’s most successful animated features.

ABC is dipping its toes back into live productions with Beauty and the Beast!

An upcoming television special will celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Beauty and the Beast”, one of Disney’s most successful animated features.

ABC is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Disney classic film Beauty and the Beast with a two-hour hybrid animated and live-action special. Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration airs Thursday, December 15 at 8 PM EST on ABC, and will be available the next day on Disney+.