UNIT spin-off in development

According to The Mirror. new details have emerged about upcoming Doctor Who spin-offs, including one featuring Jemma Redgrave.

Show runner Russell T. Davies, who has expressed his excitement for the expanded ‘Whoniverse’ following a distribution deal with Disney+, has teased that an episode from the new series is “one of the greatest things I’ve ever made in my life.”

Redgrave is set to star in a spin-off based on the military research organisation UNIT, which she has played a part in for the past decade in various Doctor Who episodes. Davies has been vocal about his desire to expand the Doctor Who universe, with Disney+ serving as the show’s international home.

The character of Kate Stewart was originally created for the unofficial Doctor Who spin-off, Downtime made by Reeltime pictures.

Jemma Redgrave first played the character in the 2012 episode titled “The Power of Three”. She went on to reprise the role in subsequent episodes, including “The Day of the Doctor” in 2013, “Death in Heaven” in 2014, and “The Magician’s Apprentice” and “The Zygon Invasion/The Zygon Inversion” in 2015. More recently she has appeared in the UNIT range of audios by Big Finish Productions. As well as fighting alongside Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor, in Doctor Who: Flux and “The Power of The Doctor”.

It’s yet unknown if the release of a UNIT TV series, would affected the Big Finish range of audio dramas.

Although the BBC or RTD have yet to make an official announcement, there are reports from multiple reliable sources that a ‘UNIT’ series is currently in development. As soon as more information becomes available, we will provide updates.

Nicholas Cage rumoured to play Superman in The Flash

The Flash is shaping up to be one hell of a film. Not only are Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton set to reprise their roles as Batman, but it’s also been rumoured that Christian Bale, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney are set to don the cowl again, to co-star alongside Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen.

FandomWire claims not only has Chris O’Donnell been approached to reprise his role as Robin, but Nicholas Cage has also been approached to play Superman, from the cancelled Tim Burton ‘Superman Lives’.

What’s interesting, is Warner Bros has stopped calling the film series ‘The DCEU’ and the TV stuff ‘The Arrowverse’. It’s all now just part of the ‘DC Multiverse’.



With everything that’s been rumoured about this film so far, I’d say that anything is possible. I’ve always wondered just how Cage would’ve played Kal-El, we got a slight glimpse in Jon Schnepp’s excellent documentary ‘The Death of Superman Lives: What happened?’. Cage even voiced the character in ‘Teen Titans Go to the movies’.

Even if all those actors didn’t want to appear, I’m sure they could repurpose some archive/unused/test footage to tell a compelling story.

Here’s what director Andy Muschietti had to say about the multiverse:

“This movie is a bit of a hinge in the sense that it presents a story that implies a unified universe where all the cinematic iterations that we’ve seen before are valid. It’s inclusive in the sense that it is saying all that you’ve seen exists, and everything that you will see exists, in the same unified multiverse.”

 

Rakhee Thakrar rumoured to be the new companion

Ex-Eastenders actress Rakhee Thakrar is rumoured to be the front runner for the new companion in Doctor Who.

I don’t watch Eastenders, so I haven’t seen any of her work. But I have spent the day reading up about her, I have to say, I’m very impressed.
Although the rumours about her casting are yet to be confirmed, if she does take on the role, Rakhee will be the first non-white companion since Freema Agyeman in 2008. No, Danny Pink doesn’t count. He didn’t travel in the TARDIS.

Wolverine 3 to be R-rated?

Well, that didn’t take long. After not wanting to make the film, it looks like 20th Century Fox is set to embrace the publics desire for R-rated superheroes. Following the box office success of Deadpool; it seems the studio has confirmed that Hugh Jackman’s last adventure as Logan, in Wolverine 3 will follow the example set by Deadpool. Here’s a leaflet handed out at a Toy Fair, which reveals the rating they’re aiming for. 
  
It’ll be interesting to see if this actually happens, there are many superheroes that could benefit from an R-rating. Wolverine is certainly one of those. 

Supergirl/Flash crossover in development? 

Ever since Supergirl was announced, there have been rumours that she would crossover with The Flash and Arrow. 
But CBS (the network that produces Supergirl) said they weren’t interested in a crossover. Now Bleeding Cool have suggested that CBS might have reconsidered their stance and are moving forward with crossover plans. 

Supergirl was initially ordered for thirteen episodes with an option for nine more to complete a twenty-two episode first series. Bleeding cool say that if CBS orders those extra nine, the crossover could happen in one of those episodes. 

We already know that every DC TV project takes place in the same universe, regardless of Network. The recent appearance of Constantine in Arrow saw a ratings increase of 11% so CBS would be crazy to turn down the opportunity. 

Matt Smith rumoured to be leaving Doctor Who

There’s a rumour doing the rounds that an email was “accidentally” sent from BBC worldwide to employees confirming that series 8 will consist of 12 episodes (including the 2014 Christmas special) and feature a new Doctor.
The series is said to air in August 2014. Which, if true would mean Matt Smith is going at Christmas and a 15 month gap between series 7 and series 8.

A reduced episode run would make sense. The split was budgetary and hasn’t proved popular. Luther, Merlin and Being Human all had their episodes reduced in their hight of popularity.

An official announcement is being made by the BBC, at midnight.

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Steven Moffat to cast a new Captain Jack?

It’s been rumoured and I stress rumoured that during series 8 of Doctor Who, we will see a younger, recast Captain Jack. I’m extremely sceptical that Moffat would go down this route, seeing as we’ve just had the Doctor and River Song storyline.

But, With John Barrowman’s profile rising stateside a recast would certainly make sense. He has just been cast as a series regular in CW’s ‘Arrow’ so, his availability would play a huge factor in him returning as Captain Jack. Going with a younger Jack would also make it easier for the writers of Doctor Who and Torchwood, to keep track of the continuity, when/if Torchwood ever returns.

When Jack first met the 9th Doctor, he told him that he had two years of his life missing, Moffat could certainly answer that open plot thread by introducing a younger captain Jack.

But, who would be capable of playing a part played so perfectly by John Barrowman. For me, it’s an easy answer. Beau Mirchoff (pictured above). Now, Mirchoff is not a household name but he does bear an uncanny resemblance to John Barrowman. Beau is probably best known for playing the son, of Barrowman’s character in Desperate Housewives.



Dumb and Dumber 2?

There have been quiet whispers, in darkened corners about a Dumb and Dumber sequel since 1994, but nothing ever came of it. (forget the dire 2003 prequel).
But apparently, those whispers are now getting louder. The Farrelly brothers are currently doing the press rounds, for The Three Stooges. In one of those interviews, they confirmed that there will be a Dumb And Dumber 2.

Here is what Peter Farrelly said to come soon
“We’re getting set to shoot Dumb And Dumber 2 in September. It’s the first sequel we’ve ever done and we’ve got Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels back. we’ve always wanted to do a sequel and finally, Jim called up. Jeff always wanted to do it. We always wanted to do it. Jim
was busy, but he called and said, ‘we’ve got to do this thing again.’ He had just watched Dumb And Dumber and he said, ‘This is the perfect sequel. Let’s do it.”

The film starts shooting in October and is being touted for a Summer 2013 release. Welcome back, boys.