Maria Bakalova & David Strathairn Set For Sci-Fi Dramedy ‘O Horizon’ From ‘O.G.’ Filmmaker Madeleine Sackler

So, James Gunn and Peter Safran have taken over the DC Universe with DC Studios. So far, that’s meant Henry Cavill out as Superman, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman fate is unclear (though director Patty Jenkins threequel was rejected), Jason Momoa with vague but good news about his future, and everyone else with a big fat TBD.

Roger Ebert once wrote, “just because something is not done anymore doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing,” when describing Norman Jewison’s irrepressible romantic comedy “Only You.” This same sentiment can be applied to Angus MacLachlan’s latest family dramedy, “A Little Prayer,” a welcome throwback to adult-oriented movie fare of yore like “On Golden Pond,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” or “Passion Fish.

Angus MacLachlan wrote 2005’s terrific indie Junebug, which put Amy Adams on the big-time map and earned her a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination in a heartbreaking performance. It also put MacLachlan on the map with his first screenplay, and it was an auspicious start. Since then he has added directing to his credits including Goodbye to All and Abundant Acreage Available but tonight returned to the Sundance Film Festival with his latest, A Little Prayer, shot and set in his hometown of Winston-Salem, NC.

One can only imagine the blank check that Bill Lawrence has from Apple TV+ after the massive success of his “Ted Lasso,” which he co-created and has won the company dozens of awards, putting them on the TV map. He used that cachet for this week’s likable dramedy “Shrinking,” a show that almost brazenly sets up character archetypes and then asks its cast to push through the clichés of their shallow descriptions.

My guest this week is Jason Segel. 

Emilia Jones earned a lot of attention as the star of 2021’s big Sundance winner and eventual Best Picture Oscar winner CODA, and the praise should be continuing this year as she not only stars in Cat People, but also Fairyland, which had its world premiere in Park City today.

“I love [James] Gunn and so there’s gonna be some really cool things, what they’re doing with DC and I definitely will be in more than just one,” said Jason Momoa today at the Sundance Film Festival of his DC universe future.

An excerpt from the late Anne Heche’s posthumous memoir has arrived, and boy is it telling of ’90s mindsets…

You might not think that a TV series about a therapist struggling with the death of his wife and a career listening to other people talk about their issues would be a comedy from the co-creator of “Ted Lasso.” And yet, “Shrinking” does appear to be another Bill Lawrence-produced, feel-good comedy, coming to Apple TV+ later this month. As mentioned, in the trailer for “Shrinking,” we see the series follows the story of a grieving therapist (Jason Segel), as he struggles to come to terms with his wife’s sudden passing, while also raising a young daughter and trying to balance a career.

Nothing but roses! Sarah Hyland weighed in after Chris Harrison gave her husband, Wells Adams, a shout-out on his Bachelor-themed podcast.

SPOILER ALERT: After an explosive Season Two finale of The Mosquito Coast, a decision looms imminently on whether Apple TV+ reups. It so, the third season heads right into the territory of Paul Theroux’s 1981 novel that Peter Weir turned into a cult classic movie with Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren and River Phoenix. The one where Ford’s brilliant counterculture inventor Allie Fox becomes so obsessed with imposing a vision of utopia that he nearly takes down his family. Here, the author discusses seeing his famed novel pre-quelized by Neil Cross (Luther), the improvements over his book, his nephew Justin starring, and why he’s so rooting for one more season.

EXCLUSIVE: Actor and producer Jeffrey Dean Morgan, best known for his roles on AMC’s The Walking Dead, CW’s Supernatural, and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, has signed with Anonymous Content. 

EXCLUSIVE: Adam Pally (Happy Endings) will play a major role in the sci-fi dramedy O Horizon, from O.G. filmmaker Madeleine Sackler, which wrapped production last fall. He’s set to star alongside a previously announced pair of Oscar nominees: Maria Bakalova and David Strathairn.

EXCLUSIVE: Oscar and Tony-nominated Ruth Negga has been tapped to star opposite Jake Gyllenhaal (who is in final negotiations), in Presumed Innocent, Apple TV+’s upcoming limited series from David E. Kelley, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Warner Bros. TV, where the company is based.

Showing support. Damar Hamlin‘s former Buffalo Bills teammate Harrison Phillips revealed that he’s been having dinner delivered to the medical staff treating his friend.

Gossip, rumor, melodrama, and more. DC Studios, formerly DC Films, did not have a good 2022.