Check out the episode stills from the “Pilot” episode of Beauty and the Beast featuring Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan.
Smallville Season 11 Comic Book Welcomes Batman — and Nightwing!
For years Smallville fans clamored for a guest appearance by Batman. And they weren’t the only ones: Producers frequently tried to get the Dark Knight (or at least his alter ego, Bruce Wayne) to swing into young Clark Kent’s world. Alas, corporate red tape kept the ultimate team-up from happening — until now.
As announced earlier this week, Batman will finally find his way to Metropolis in DC Comics’ digital series Smallville Season 11, the continuation of the late, great WB/CW show. And he won’t be coming alone. Series writer Bryan Q. Miller (who also wrote for the TV version) tells TV Guide Magazine that Batman’s partner is none other than Nightwing.
In a twist, the character behind the mask is Stephanie Brown, rather than Dick Grayson, the former Robin, who ultimately became Nightwing in the comics. Stephanie debuted in the DC Comics universe as the vigilante Spoiler. She later became Batgirl, in a series Miller wrote from 2009-11.
This new version of the Dynamic Duo comes to Metropolis to follow a lead on the man who killed Bruce’s parents. It was those murdered that spurred him into a life of caped crusading. “Batman’s been operating in a vigilante/urban legend capacity for probably a little bit longer than when Clark started being The Blur,” Miller says, referring to Clark’s pre-Superman identity on the TV series.
As to why he picked Stephanie for the sidekick slot, Miller says, “Bruce can be somewhat of an angry man. Stephanie’s personality is so can-do and unsinkable and bright, so it’s very much on purpose on Bruce’s part that he has a good cop going out on patrol with him every night.” (Miller says it will eventually be addressed as to why Stephanie is Nightwing in this comic and not Batgirl.)
Batman and Nightwing show up in early August in a digital-first chapter of the series. (Printed collections of the chapters come out monthly, with the start of this arc slated to go on sale in September.) To download chapters of the comic go to readdcentertainment.com.
“I’m thrilled by how it’s been received so far,” Miller says of Season 11′s positive feedback and strong sales. (DC says that it’s consistently one of their top 10 digital comics.) “Even with this Batman announcement there’s a heavy amount of griping about Batman’s armor [as seen in the preview image above]. But people are talking about it, which is not necessarily a bad thing. And I’m hearing from people that it’s bringing them to comic shops and the DC app, and they’re discovering all kinds of other comics. In the best way, I think it’s a good gateway drug for all of the storytelling that DC has to offer.”
Source: TV Guide
Laura Vandervoort to guest star in White Collar
Smallville alumna Laura Vandervoort (Kara/Supergirl) has landed a “super” new gig, guest-starring on a Season 4 episode of USA Network’s White Collar, TVLine has confirmed.
Word of the blonde beauty’s appearance broke when paparazzi photos surfaced of her sharing an on-the-set liplock with Matt Bomer, who plays charming con man Neal Caffrey.
A spokesperson for the USA series tells us that Vandervoort is playing a New York City socialite who stands to receive a large life insurance payout when her wealthy husband dies. The context for the aforementioned clinch, however, is best left a mystery to be resolved when Vandervoort’s episode airs a few weeks into the new run — though this does seem to position her as Neal’s second romantic entanglementsince high-tailing it out of Dodge in the Season 3 finale.
As announced this morning, White Collar launches its fourth season on Tuesday, July 10. A few days after that, Vandervoort can be seen playing a comely co-worker of Mark Wahlberg’s in the buzzy feature film comedy Ted, which opens July 13.
Smallville Season 11 Issue #3 Cover
DC has released the cover art and solicitation information for Smallville Season 11 Issue 3, check it out!
SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #3
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by PERE PEREZ
Cover by RYAN BENJAMIN and SALEEM CRAWFORD
On sale JULY 4 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
• The SEASON PREMIERE EVENT continues!
• OLIVER and CHLOE are on a hunt in the heartland…or are they the hunted?
• LOIS is caught in the crossfire as SUPERMAN confronts LEX about last issue’s disastrous climax…
• HENSHAW’s condition takes a turn for the worse!
Smallville Season 11 is almost here!
The Smallville Season 11 comic book series is almost here! The first digital release is coming tomorrow (April 13). Each “chapter” will be $0.99 and then the first three chapters will be released with a bonus “episode guide” as the first issue ($3.99) of the printed comic book which hits the stores on May 2.
The first “episode” is titled Guardian.
You can purchase the Smallville Season 11 using the apps below:
DC Comics app for iPad/iPhone
DC Comics app for Android
Or you can enjoy it on your computer at Comixology.
Our support for this project is very important because the sales of the comic books will determine the continuation of the series. So please, do NOT download them illegally.
Can’t wait for tomorrow? I’m so excited!
Smallville Season 11 Issue #2 Cover & Details
SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #2
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by PERE PEREZ
Cover by CAT STAGGS
On sale JUNE 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
- The SEASON PREMIERE EVENT continues with these digital-first stories!
- CLARK investigates the true cause of the mysterious ENERGY STORM in space!
- CHLOE and EMIL pursue an intriguing artifact!
- LEX launches a dangerous mission into orbit, with former astronaut HANK HENSHAW at the wheel.
Smallville Season 11 #1 Cover & Details
SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #1
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by PERE PEREZ
Cover by GARY FRANK
On sale MAY 2 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
- The SMALLVILLE story continues in this new ongoing series!
- Based on the hit CW show!
- Find out what happened after CLARK KENT puts on the costume.
First Look: Stephen Amell as the Green Arrow
Okay this is not Smallville news but since Green Arrow has been a big part of the show, we’d like to see how this new show will look like even without Justin Hartley.
This ain’t your brother’s Green Arrow.
The CW has released the first image of Stephen Amell (Hung) as the titular superhero from its Arrow pilot, and let’s just say he would not be mistaken for Smallville’s own Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley).
The dark and moody shot features a stoic Amell in his Green Arrow gear — designed by three-time Oscar winner Colleen Atwood — staring broodingly downward, bow clenched in fist.
“When I directed the pilot for Smallville, I knew that making Clark Kent relatable would be the key to audiences believing in him as a hero,” pilot director/executive producer David Nutter said. “Arrow is a different show — darker and harder-edged — but it’s the same core idea. We’re creating a real, believable world in which Oliver Queen can do incredible things. Colleen Atwood’s great work on the Arrow costume reflects that effort.”
Based on the DC Comics character, Arrow is a contemporary retelling of the billionaire playboy-by-day, archer-by-night crime-fighter. Katie Cassidy and The O.C. alum Willa Holland co-star. – TV Guide
What do you think of Green Arrow’s new look?
Allison Mack Joins FX’s Wilfred
The Smallville alums are heading back to TV in full force.
Allison Mack is the latest to return, landing a guest-starring role on FX’s Wilfred, TVGuide has confirmed. Mack will play Amanda, a love interest for Ryan (Elijah Wood). Here’s hoping she likes dogs!
Mack is expected to appear in multiple episodes, as first reported by Deadline, but reps for the series say the exact number has not yet been determined.
Other Smallville stars making their small-screen returns include Justin Hartley, who will star opposite Mamie Gummer in CW’s First Cut pilot, Cassidy Freeman, who’s vamping it up onVampire Diaries and will co-star in A&E’s Longmire, and Erica Durance, whose NBC drama Saving Hope will premiere June 7.
Wilfred’s second season premieres Thursday, June 28.
Smallville’s Aquaman Joins CBS Pilot
CBS’ Super Fun Night has added a former superhero to its ranks.
Alan Ritchson, who played Arthur Curry/Aquaman on the CW’s Smallville, has joined the network’s pilot from Bridesmaids’ Rebel Wilson, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Super Fun Night revolves around three nerdy female friends on their “funcomfortable” quest to have “super fun” every Friday night. Wilson will write, co-executive produce and star in the vehicle as Kimmie, one of the friends.
Ritchson will play the tanned and “hunk-a-licious” buffoon boyfriend of Kimmie’s younger sister, who is described as a skinnier, prettier version of her older sibling.
The Warner Bros. Television multicamera project counts Conan O’Brien, Jeff Ross (Conan) and David Kissinger (Eagleheart, Andy Barker, P.I.), among its executive producers.
In addition to his arc on Smallville, Ritchson’s credits include Spike’s Blue Mountain State, which was ended its three-season run in February, and episodes of 90210 and CSI: Miami. He’s repped by UTA, Michael Yanni Management and Hansen Jacobson.
NBC announces series premiere date for Saving Hope
NBC announces that Saving Hope (working title) will premiere on June 7th at 10-11pm ET. Check out the network’s show description and poster.
“Saving Hope” is a new, hour-long original drama series that stars Erica Durance (“Smallville”), Michael Shanks (“Stargate Atlantis”), Daniel Gillies (“The Vampire Diaries”), Huse Madhavji (“Combat Hospital,” “Star!” “Daily”), Julia Taylor-Ross (“Rookie Blue”) and Kristopher Turner (“Rookie Blue,” “The Listener”). The series is from acclaimed Gemini Award-winning producers Ilana Frank and David Wellington (“The Eleventh Hour,” “Would Be Kings,” “Rookie Blue”).
Cassidy Freeman on Her Vampire Diaries Debut: Sage Is Not Unlike Smallville’s Tess
Smallville fans: Meet the vampire version of Tess Mercer.
Cassidy Freeman, who portrayed the fearless illegitimate daughter of Lionel Luthor on the CW superhero drama, will make her first appearance on Thursday’s episode of The Vampire Diaries, in which she plays a ruthless and seductive vampire who was something of a mentor to a younger Damon (Ian Somerhalder). Before the “Delena” fans start to worry, know this: Sage has her eye on another vampire who’s a bit more powerful. TVGuide.com caught up with Freeman to get the scoop on her Diaries debut.
What kind of person is Sage?
Cassidy Freeman: Sage has been a vampire for a very long time, so she has the ability to suss out what the best parts of being a vampire are. She’s a live-in-the-moment and live-life-to-the-fullest kind of woman, so she’s enjoying being a vampire as much as one can enjoy being undead. She’s willing to take people like Damon under her wing and teach them the ways of being a pretty badass vampire. She’s like a snake, so she definitely has a seductive way about her.
How is she different from Tess Mercer?
Freeman: Other than being hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years old? [Laughs] They actually have a lot of similarities in that they’re both strong women. They both have a really genuine core to them and they are always out for their own motives, which is really interesting. Sage is definitely looser than Tess. She’s more [of a] take-your-hat-off, undo-the-tie, take-your-shoes-off kind of girl. She’s much more willing to be free than Tess was. Tess was very buttoned-up, very professional, and hid her emotions.
How does Sage change Damon in both the past and the present?
Freeman: In the past, she affects him a lot. He [was] pretty unsure of himself as a vampire, and doing things maybe not as gracefully as he could. Her role in the past is really to show Damon the way of being the vampire that maybe he was always destined to be. She’s definitely a mentor to him. In the present, they’re more like peers because he’s lived the life he’s lived over the last however many years and she’s come back to suss things out in the present day and see if she can get what she wants.
Is there a possibility for them to hook up?
Freeman: They definitely have sexual tension. There’s not some long-lost burning love between them. Damon has sexual tension with everything! [Laughs] I also think that Sage is a similar character. By no means is she celibate, but at the same time, her focus is Finn (Caspar Zafer).
Will she try to rekindle things with Finn?
Freeman: When someone is your true love from long ago, you always want to see if that’s still there. I don’t think she necessarily has that kind of patience, but she definitely has hope. She comes back in present day primarily to look for him.
How will Rebekah (Claire Holt) feel about Sage coming to town?
Freeman: They didn’t get along in the past and they are snippy with each other. When you want something, you will go to whoever will help you. They’re definitely doing the whole circling each other routine. They do end up interacting in the present in maybe more than one way.
How does Sage interact with the rest of the Originals?
Freeman: Kind of like your first high school boyfriend or girlfriend does with your family. They all know who she is, and they didn’t think very highly of her back in the day. They think very highly of themselves, and they don’t think Sage is as high as they are.
Watch this week’s Vampire Diaries Bite for more from Freeman and Holt at TV Guide.
Justin Hartley joins CW Medical Drama Pilot First Cut
It’s no Arrow, but it’ll do.
Smallville alum Justin Hartley has landed the lead in The CW’s medical drama pilot First Cut.
As first reported by Deadline, the former Passions hunk joins the Grey’s-esque project — which centers on the life of a yet-to-be-cast young female doctor — as Will, a handsome (duh), golden boy surgical intern who all the guys want to be and all the girls want to be with.
Though Smallville fans clamored for Hartley to reprise his role of Green Arrow in Arrow, the netlet’s pilot which promises a modern take on the DC Comics character, the role ultimately went to Hung‘s Stephen Amell.
Jennie Snyder (90210/Lipstick Jungle) will pen and executive-produce the First Cut pilot.
Hartley, meanwhile, will turn up on CW charmer Hart of Dixie this spring as a new love interest for Rachel Bilson’s Zoe Hart.
Thoughts on Hartley’s new gig? Would you still prefer he carry on his Green Arrow duties? Hit the comments! - TV Line
NBC Picks Up Erica Durance Medical Drama for Summer
NBC has picked up the Canadian medical drama Saving Hope in what will be Erica Durance’s first series role since Smallville.
Saving Hope, from Rookie Blue producers Ilana Frank and David Wellington, follows surgeon Alex Reid (Durance) whose personal and professional life is turned upside down when her fiancé Charlie — who is also the chief of surgery at her hospital — ends up in a coma. Just as Alex and new surgeon Joel (Vampire Diaries‘ Daniel Gillies) rush to save his life, Charlie roams the halls of the hospital unsure of whether he’s now a ghost or just a figment of his imagination. Meanwhile, his fiancée and the other doctors continue to try to revive him, as well as treat their other patients throughout the series. Stargate Atlantis‘ Michael Shanks (Carter Hall/Hawkman in Smallville) will also star as Charlie.
NBC will air all the 13-episode first season sometime this summer.
Durance, who played Lois Lane on the superhero CW series for six years, most recently guest-starred on another NBC drama, Harry’s Law.
Are you excited to see Durance back on the small screen? – TV Guide
Kristin Kreuk lands leading role in CW’s Beauty and the Beast
The CW has found its Beauty in Smallville‘s Kristin Kreuk.
Kreuk will play the lead role in the network’s pilot Beauty and the Beast, TVGuide.com has confirmed. The adaptation, loosely based on the 1980s CBS series of the same name, will feature a love story with a procedural twist.
This role will mark Kreuk’s first starring role since she left Smallville at the end of Season 7.
