Q&A Hollywood
Q: What's going on with “The Winchesters”? Is it coming back?
A: Unfortunately no. “The Winchesters” was canceled last year after just a single season on the air, and with it died the whole “Supernatural” universe — for now at least.
For those not fully up to date on this incredibly lore-heavy fictional universe, “The Winchesters” was a prequel series to The CW’s longrunning fantasy-action series “Supernatural.” It told the story (or at least it started to) of John Winchester (Drake Rodger, “The In Between,” 2022) and Mary Campbell (Meg Donnelly, “American Housewife,” 2016), parents of the Winchester brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki, “Gilmore Girls”) and Dean (Jensen Ackles, “The Boys”), who were the central characters of “Supernatural.”
When “Supernatural” came to an end in 2020, it broke the hearts of its famously devoted fans. That heartache was soothed by the debut of “The Winchesters” in 2022, but now hearts are breaking all over again.
And the news only gets worse. When “The Winchesters” was in the planning stages, it was discussed as just one of a number of “Supernatural” spinoffs. But, at the Television Critics Association press tour a few weeks ago, CW Entertainment president Brad Schwartz put a verbal bullet through the head of those hopes (sorry for the graphic metaphor, but it was a pretty violent show).
“We’ve had no discussion about any kind of spinoff,” he said curtly when asked about the possibility. “But we’re really excited about the new season of ‘Walker’ with Jared.”
That was seemingly his attempt to throw a bone to fans — the Jared he refers to is Jared Padalecki, who’s now leading CW’s “Walker” (which is itself a prequel of “Walker: Texas Ranger”).
Q: What is Danny DeVito up to nowadays?
A: Keeping busy. Quietly making television history.
That’s the best way to sum up what comedy legend Danny DeVito is doing now.
He’s still starring in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” the FXX Network sitcom that’s getting ready to go into its 17th season.
At Season 15, it became the longest-running liveaction sitcom in history, and it has plans to keep extending that record: Season 17 hasn’t aired yet, but the show already has a deal for Season 18.
DeVito has been a big part of that success. He’s starred in every season but the first, and indeed his addition to the cast is what saved the show from cancelation.
It was on the brink of getting axed when network suits told the producers that if they wanted a Season 2, they had to add a big name. They approached DeVito, found out his kids were fans, and the rest is history.
But even at the age of 79, 54 years into his screen career, he still has a few different projects on the go at all times.
He just finished voicing Uncle Dan in the animated smash “Migration” (2023) and appeared as well in the family-friendly live-action Disney film “Haunted Mansion” (2023).
He also made headlines just a few weeks ago, appearing in State Farm Insurance’s Super Bowl ad opposite fellow film great Arnold Schwarzenegger (“The Terminator,” 1984). The ad served as a mini-reunion for their 1988 comedy classic “Twins.”
DeVito is also a prolific producer. He’s backing the TV adaptation of the 1997 sci-fi hit “Gattaca,” which is being set up to air on Showtime on a date yet to be determined.
Q: Is Steve Austin still acting?
A: He took a break from the acting game, but he’s set to return with a movie about a different kind of game.
He reportedly just started work on the indie feature “The Walk-Ons,” about a group of men laid off from a local factory who, with their newfound free time, join the local low-ranked college football team to help their sons have a championship season.
It was first announced back in July and is a labor of love by writer-producer-director (and former pro football player) Jim Fitzpatrick (“Soulmates,” 2023).
Austin seemed poised for screen stardom back in the early 2000s, with leading roles in action films such as “The Condemned” (2007) and “The Expendables” (2010). This seemed like a natural next step from his illustrious career in professional wrestling, where he was known by the nickname “Stone Cold.”
He’s joined in “The WalkOns” by a couple of other former wrestling stars making their returns to the screen: Chris Jericho (“MacGruber,” 2010) and Tyrus (“Stand On It,” 2020).
Given that it just started pre-production, and it’s a small-scale indie that still needs to work out distribution, there’s no word yet on a release date.