Arrow Exclusive: Farscape and Stargate SG-1's Ben Browder to Play DC Comics Character Ted Gaynor

The producers of Arrow are not being shy when it comes to bringing in characters from DC Comics, with several slated to appear in upcoming episodes – some known for their appearances in Green Arrow comics, some pulled from other DC sources.

IGN has learned that we’ll be meeting another new DC character in the show’s 11th episode, as Ted Gaynor is introduced, played by Ben Browder.

On Arrow, Gaynor is Diggle’s commanding officer from his first tour in Afghanistan, who now works as a bodyguard for Blackhawk Squad Protection Group in Starling City. As a series of armored truck robberies strike the city, Gaynor proves to be a polarizing figure between Oliver (Stephen Amell) and Diggle (David Ramsey).

Ben Browder (during his Stargate days) and the DC version of Ted Gaynor.

Ted Gaynor first appeared in DC Comics in Blackhawk #266 in 1984, while a story arc a couple of years ago in Batman Confidential involved the former member of the Blackhawk Squadron taking on Batman, Blackhawk and Lady Blackhawk. While it doesn’t look like Arrow will be involving the Blackhawk character himself (at least not yet), there is still a big nod to Gaynor’s comic book history via the inclusion of the Blackhawk Squad name.

Browder is well known to sci-fi fans for his roles on both Farscape and Stargate SG-1, and recently, he’s guest starred on series like Chuck and Doctor Who. This will be Browder’s second time playing a DC Comics character – he previously voiced Bartholomew Lash on an episode of the animated Justice League series.

Browder will be seen on Arrow as Ted Gaynor in the episode “Trust But Verify”, airing in early 2013.

Arrow airs Wednesday nights at 8pm on The CW, with a new episode, “Damaged” (featuring Deathstroke), debuting tonight.

Source : ign[dot]com

Skyfall Scribe Logan Set to Pen Two More James Bond Films

As Skyfall opens in the U.K. today, James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson have quietly hired Skyfall writer John Logan to pen not one but two 007 films.

According to Deadline, the writer pitched an original two-movie arc while Skyfall was in production, and he has already begun writing the scripts.

A successful playwright, Logan has also worked on such films as Gladiator, Hugo, The Aviator, The Last Samurai and Star Trek: Nemesis. He also wrote the screenplay for Darren Aronofsky's forthcoming biblical epic Noah, starring Russel Crowe.

Skyfall hits stateside theaters stateside on November 9.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love by following @Max_Nicholson on Twitter, or MaxNicholson on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

The Walking Dead Producers Talk Season 3 and Introducing Michonne, The Governor, the Prison and More

With The Walking Dead returning for the much-anticipated Season 3 this Sunday, I recently had the chance to sit down with executive producers Robert Kirkman and Glen Mazzara to discuss what fans can expect this year.

Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead, and Mazzara, who serves as showrunner, talked about the introduction of key comic book elements this season, how the characters are evolving and much more.

For those who are super spoiler-phobic, no big twists and turns are revealed, beyond previously and officially revealed story elements of Season 3, though some basic plot details – and one cool zombie-visual -- from the season premiere are discussed.

IGN TV: How did you decide to do the time jump? Robert, you’ve about how, if you think about it, the first two seasons were pretty compressed, time-wise. This is a pretty big leap to make just as far as how much we’ve seen these people to this point.

Robert Kirkman: I know that one of the vehicles that come from television that I really like is the gap between seasons. I really love it when shows do that. I think The Sopranos did it really well. They were off the air for 18 months, and when they came back 18 months had passed in the lives of the characters. I think that’s a really cool thing. To me, it’s always fun to come in a little late in the game and see the characters in a much different light, and then spend the first episode going, “Oh, that’s what this person is doing now,” and, “Oh, they have this opinion now,” and, “Oh, these behaviors are a little bit different.” You know, it casts the characters in a bit of a different light. It also helps you separate things from season to season, which I think is really cool.

Glen Mazzara: Yeah, and I think it was important to show the effects of Rick’s leadership on the group. They’ve come together, they’re a tight-knit group -- that’s interesting. It was kind of exciting for us to advance the story and let the audience catch up. I guarantee people are going to say, “Are we ever going to see a flashback episode of what happened during the winter?” I’m going to go on record and say, “No. You’re seeing the story we want you to see, and this is part of a new story.” So we really wanted to advance things, move things forward and let the audience catch up.

IGN: Going in, you’ve got two characters that you’re introducing, both from the comics and both with a lot of expectations and a lot of popularity. On a visual level, Michonne is obviously matching with the comics much more than the Governor. How much did you debate did you have about how much you wanted to stick to the comics with those two characters?

Mazzara: First of all, we went with the best actors, who came in and really got the roles and got the characters and we’re very, very happy with the work that David [Morrissey] and Danai [Gurira] are doing. And they’ve added so much throughout the season. The question came up about Michonne’s iconic look, with the dreads, and that was something that was important to Robert - that she match the look of the character in the comic books. So we worked on that. Originally, I wasn’t so sure. I was afraid a wig might look fake. But we had conversations and experimented with the wig until it was to everybody’s satisfaction. We went ahead with it. With the Governor, he’s a developing character, so what you see is just what you’re getting now. But that’s a character that will continue to evolve and change, and we’ll see what happens with him. But that character did change in the comic book. People tend to forget that.

IGN: Robert, I’m sure it’s been funny for you to see that there can be super fans of the comic who are more precious about things being changed than you are and want everything to stay exactly the same. How do you go about making those decisions on what’s really important to you to look or stay the same, both visually or in other ways?

Kirkman: Yeah, I think it’s very important to recognize that the television show and the comic book series are two different things. I think that there are really cool, really memorable, really important moments from the comic book series that have existed over the life of it. There are some of those that I absolutely feel need to be adapted into the show in order for it to be a Walking Dead show, and there are other things that I think can be changed and should be changed. This is an adaptation, and keeping things fresh and lively and changing things up actually makes it better. I think that those diehard fans that are saying, “Oh, it’s not exactly like the comic. I want the exact same stuff,” I think they would be bored with the show if they had gotten their wish. I think it’s very important to add new material to this and make it as exciting as possible, just because the comic book is exciting and new. That’s one of its charms.

IGN: The first two seasons have a lot about Shane versus Rick and their differing styles of leadership. Now we’re going into this new season and Shane is out of the picture, but Rick has changed himself. At the place he is now, how does his style of leadership match or not match the Governor?

Mazzara: That’s a great question. I think Rick is initially a lot more honest than the Governor. I think the Governor is playing a game and a long con. He has an ultimate agenda that’s very important to him. Rick’s face is sort of pressed right up against the glass, and he has very immediate needs of keeping this group alive, finding a safe place, preparing a safe place where his wife can have a baby so that when the baby’s born, everyone’s safe -- they’re not out on the open road and the crying baby isn’t summoning walkers -- this is what he’s thinking about, the problems at hand. The Governor’s looking down the road a little bit more.

IGN: Some fans weren’t in love with Lori last season. Can you talk a bit about Rick and Lori and what their dynamic is like this season? Can they get past all that’s happened at this point?

Mazzara: That’s something that will unfold this season, their relationship. That’s something that’s important to them. I don’t think there’s been any time while they’re out on the road where they could push in and spend time with each other and work out their problems. That’s what she’s saying when we meet her in the season premiere. So I think Rick’s job is to find a safe place for her to have the baby. Then he’s probably thinking they can deal with this problem. But, you know, it’s business first. So Rick’s using life on the road, in a way, as an excuse to avoid repairing his marriage. They’re in conflict, and I think both actors have done a great job of really making you feel like you’re watching a marriage in distress in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. This year, I really think you’ll really feel sympathetic for both characters.

Kirkman: I think one cool element of this season that we’re going to be exploring throughout is the fact that these are two people that are a married couple, who may just need to take a break. They have come at an impasse in their marriage, they have both definitely done things that the other is not very happy about, but they can’t really do the things that we would do in this world -- step back, try and figure out if we want to stay with this person and what our relationship is actually built on. These people are forced to live together in order to survive. They’re basically on top of each other at all times and not able to deal with their issues. That’s something we’ll be dealing with a lot moving forward.

Source : ign[dot]com

Wrestling Wrap Up: Punk Teams Up With Paul Heyman!

It may have been overly obvious how much the writers and producers were really stretching out the three hours on last night’s RAW, but not only did we get another wonderful leaf pile of Daniel Bryan/Kane shtick to leap into, but they managed to take the CM Punk story and...well...

Man, and just when it was starting to get boring too. Freakin’ Paul Heyman and CM Punk! Friends forever! Amazing. I adore this.

And just one week off of Punk having to fight Jerry Lawler – which is sort of bottom-barrel heat seeking. But this? This makes everything better. This makes it all go down smooth. Of course, it’s weird to pair them up so close to a title match that CM Punk seems destined to lose.  But now...perhaps...maybe not...with the losing so much? Maybe Punk can retain? I don’t want to get my hopes up. I mean, I don’t know the exact nature of Heyman and Punk’s storyline relationship yet. All I know is that this tweet (and response) makes my eyes piss tears.

It’s all happening. Back during “Pipe Bomb 3:16”, Punk said he was a “Paul Heyman guy.” And people have been wanting these two dynamos to hook up for years. But what Heyman originally said, months back when he reappeared on behalf of Brock, was true. Heyman works best when he’s speaking for a guy who needs help speaking. Punk doesn’t need a mouth (too...many...jokes…). He’s his own Heyman. That being said, I don’t care. Give me ALL THE MOUTHS! (more excerpts from my pre-written eulogy)

Snow Angels.

It seems as though, with Punk facing Cena in Boston at NOC, that the WWE was trying to get some nuclear heat on Punk right quick. So that there, in the very least, would be split crowd in Cena’s hometown. But now, after a RAW in Chicago and a team-up with Heyman? All of that Lawler beating was for naught. Punk was getting cheered last night no matter what. Even when he barfed out typical heel rhetoric like “When you disagree with me, you disrespect me.” Didn’t matter. The crowd was too intellimark. And next week’s RAW is in Canada! That’s not going to help Cena one bit! Anyway. Regardless of whether Punk still winds up losing at NOC, this is all great freakin’ news.

Well, except for the official theme song for NOC. By Kevin “Suuuuuucks” Rudolf and Fred “Still Doing Things Despite All Our Wishes That He Wouldn't” Durst. Yeah, f*** that. And not only are there horrible people behind the writing and producing of the song, it’s also an effing awful song! Like, probably the worst song I’ve ever heard. And I know that those of us who write on the internet would be absolutely nothing without the rampant abuse of hyperbole, but it was truly atrocious. And I only heard a few seconds. Imagine if I’d heard the entire magnum opus? I’ve never felt the need to describe a piece of music as gamey before. I wish I could give it a Yelp review. If that song were an ice cream flavor it would be Uncooked Pork Ripple.

Now, I do understand why Lawler wouldn’t be back doing commentary this week after last week’s match. So why the extra Punk/Lawler brawl at the beginning? That was clearly a brawl and not a sneak attack. In fact, Punk even said that the footage never showed how the fight started. I mean, it wasn’t going to get Punk any heat in Chicago, so why do it? And for the love of...it’s been weeks now, thanks to Lawler and Matthews' various stories -- of Cole doing a solo act at the announce table. I mean, it’s not really any more terrible than him doing it with someone else…but why is it happening? Why the parade of guest commentators? The funny thing is that…when Cole is by himself, and has no one else to bulls*** with, he CALLS THE MATCH! And drops his heel agenda. So – surprise surprise – there is an upside to all of it. For the entire Ziggler vs. Orton match, Cole just played it straight and boring. Which was fantastic, since it meant that I could just enjoy the match. And it was a great match. As was the Del Rio/Cena match at the end. Speaking of Del Rio, someone on Tumblr ships him and Daffney.

I don’t know what sparked this obsession, but I’ll support anyone’s ridiculous shipper fantasies. Sometimes, in this lonely dark world, it’s all we have. Speaking of good news for depressed people...

More from RAW, including Kane and Daniel Bryan's officiated hug match, on page 2...

Source : ign[dot]com

Comic-Con: Grimm Will Widen the Mythology in Season 2

At Comic-Con last week, IGN spoke with executive producers Jim Kouf, David Greenwalt, Sean Hayes, and Todd Milliner as well as actors Silas Weir Mitchell (Monroe) and Reggie Lee (Sgt. Wu) about what weird happenings we can expect to see in Portland next season as Grimm returns for Season 2 on August 13th.

They all mentioned that Season 2 would focus on digging more into the mythology of the world Nick has found himself thrown into. Weir says, “It’s broadening; it’s less about Portland.” Lee concurred, “The mythology – you can tell that it’s going to be the crux of the story.” The crimes happening in Portland will start to relate to the bigger picture. Greenwalt confirmed, ““When were able to do episode 13, the network freed us up. They wanted us to establish a real procedural element to the show for the first few episodes. Once they pulled the leashes off, we were then able to run with it and get deep and deeper into the mythology. So we’ll continue into that in the next season.”

Greenwalt continued, “It’s going to get bigger and broader and it’s going to be a worldwide conspiracy. It’s actually based in real history. We’re just going to explain the world in a different way.”

Nick’s new lifestyle is dragging others in, too. Juliette may or may not know his secret and others could be let in on it too.  Lee doesn’t know everything happening with his character his season, but he knows they’ll be exploring his history. He’s not sure if Wu will learn about Nick. He said, “In terms of finding out and being in the whole mythology aspect of things, that’s going to depend on them [the writers]. I think you have to have some people on the outside otherwise the inside doesn’t look so frightening. There’s no balance. I think who they leave on the outside and who they push to the inside is going to become a lot of what happens in season 2.”

Weir pointed out something he’d read from Kouf, “Season 1 is about Nick dealing with the fact that he is a Grimm, and season 2 is about the people in his life dealing with the fact that he’s a Grimm whether or not they know. It’s less about Nick per se and more about his circle.”

Toeing the line has to be more difficult now that his mother is playing a part, too. Kouf said, “She’s coming back and you’re going to learn a lot about her and what really happened the night his parents were killed. They’re going to work together a little bit.” He and Greenwalt also confirmed viewers will learn what happened with Nick’s father in the very first episode of season 2.

The series will continue to explore familiar fairy tales and turn them on their heads. Even though as Milliner said, “It’s a cop show at its heart,” the fantastical plays a huge part. Greenwalt said they started out with European mythology but any culture with fairy tales and legends is fair game. He called Grimms profilers of human behavior, and they could exist anywhere tales exist.

As far as which myths and such they choose, it’s mostly about what fits. Greenwalt said, “We just look for a good story and find what fairy tale that can be matched to. Then sometimes – well, we knew we wanted to do a Cinderella episode, but we did it a year after her wedding. We did the episode with the wolves and pigs, and we’re going to do something with sheep and wolves this year coming up.” They want to surprise the audience. Kouf said, “We’re trying to twist everything. We don’t want to give you what you expect.”

It’s interesting to note that the basic story hasn’t changed much from Milliner and Hayes’ initial pitch. Milliner went through it: “What if the Grimm fairy tales were happening right now and our lead was the last living descendant and the only one that could see them? That was the original pitch and that hasn’t changed, really. He wasn’t a cop all the time; he was a teacher in one iteration. So we’ve gone up and down a little bit in tone but not really too far. We stuck to our guns and said we want our guy to see fairy tales happening in front of him.”

See more interpretations of fairy tales mixed with crime solving when Season 2 of Grimm premieres on August 13 on NBC.

Source : ign[dot]com