Hello again
Film cast to reprise `Scott Pilgrim' roles for Netflix
Hello again: Netflix is working on an upcoming series that will bring back both the character of Scott Pilgrim and the cast of the 2010 film “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.”
The project is an anime adaptation of Brian Lee O'Malley's hit graphic novel series about a bass player who falls for a girl but must first defeat her seven previous lovers. For those who haven't read the graphic novels, however, the stars of the 2010 live-action film have remained synonymous with their characters, especially the two leads: Michael Cera (“Arrested Development”) as Scott and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“Fargo”) as Ramona.
Good news: the entire film cast is returning to voice their characters. That includes Cera and Winstead, but also Kieran Culkin (“Succession”) as Scott's roommate, Wallace Wells; Anna Kendrick (“Pitch Perfect,” 2012) as Scott's sister, Stacey, who works with Julie Powers, played by Aubrey Plaza (“The White Lotus”); Brie Larson (“Captain Marvel,” 2019) as ex-girlfriend Envy Adams; Alison Pill (“Star Trek: Picard”) as bandmate Kim Pine; Ellen Wong (“Best Sellers,” 2021) as Scott's girlfriend, Knives Chau; and more. Even the Evil Exes — including Chris Evans (“Captain America: First Avenger,” 2011), Jason Schwartzman (“The Darjeeling Limited,” 2007) and Mae Whitman (“Arrested Development”) — will sound familiar.
“We're getting the band back together,” exclaimed coexecutive producers O'Malley and BenDavid Grabinski in a joint statement.
How did they manage to get everyone onboard? In an interview with Netflix's companion site, Tudum, Edgar Wright, who directed the film and also serves as an executive producer on the series, explained: “Luckily, the `Scott Pilgrim' cast became a closeknit family and friendships were forged for life. There — to this day — is still a group email with the entire cast on it that's been going since 2010. I was happy to be able to reach out to everyone with the news that we had finally come up with a way to continue the adventure. Seeing (and hearing) everyone come back to their roles has been a true pleasure.”
Tokyo-based studio Science SARU has been tapped to animate the series, which doesn't have a release date just yet. Electro-pop band Anamanaguchi, which composed the music featured in “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game,” will contribute to the anime's soundtrack.
Gone `Dancing': Apparently, NBC is going from “Dancing with Myself” to dancing with no one, since the show has been cancelled after one season.
Inspired by viral dance videos, the family-friendly competition series premiered last May. It was hosted by Camille Kostek (“Wipeout”) and featured “Chains” singer Nick Jonas, media personality Liza Koshy and “Hips Don't Lie” songstress Shakira as creators of the high-energy dance challenges performed by a group of dancers.
In each episode, the 12 contestants were given a short time to learn the routines and add their own flourishes before performing in front of a live audience. While the celebrity creators provided feedback and chose which performers advanced to the next challenge, the studio audience decided the winner of each elimination round, and by the end of each episode which of the final two would be awarded the $25,000 cash prize.
The show ran into a few hiccups early on, including the departure of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal as creator (O'Neal was replaced by Jonas) and, reportedly, some technical issues, too. And throughout its run, the eight-episode series posted numbers that hovered around the two million mark, which was lower than the five to six million (on average) that tuned into its lead-in, “America's Got Talent.”
According to Deadline, the decision to cancel the show was “made a few months ago,” but it was confirmed when NBC unveiled its 2023 summer lineup, and there was no mention of “Dancing with Myself.”
New `Star Trek': The “Star Trek” universe keeps expanding.
While “Star Trek: Discovery” is set to end with its fifth season in 2024, Paramount+ recently renewed “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “Star Trek: Lower Decks” ahead of their summer premieres (June 15 for “Strange New Worlds”). The streamer has also opted to order a brand-new series titled “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,” which is expected to go into production sometime in 2024.
According to the official logline, the series “will introduce us to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they will discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming * friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.”
Alex Kurtzman, who has been shaping Paramount's Star Trek universe, is credited as an executive producer and will serve as co-showrunner with Noga Landau (“Nancy Drew”).
Said David Stapf, president of CBS Studios, in a statement: “As we continue to explore more of the Star Trek universe, we're thrilled to bring `Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' to fans around the world as the next chapter in this expanding franchise. Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau's vision is a smart and thrilling take that celebrates the core principles of what Star Trek has always stood for, but through the eyes of the next generation of Starfleet's leaders.”