”CSI” Creator Anthony Zuiker has launched a never-done-before experience for the iPad. It’s the highly-anticipated Digi-novel + app that lets readers literally use their senses as they read. You’ll see blood splattering, glass shattering and even get to dig deeper into each character’s background. The trailer is up at YouTube
“I Am Number Four” director D.J Caruso is the latest name linked to the long-gestating film version of Vertigo comic book series “Preacher” [/Film]
Actress Connie Stevens is directing the western “Prairie Bones“, which takes place amidst the stark beauty of the 1870’s Nebraska prairie. A young couple use music, love and sheer determination to survive an unthinkable tragedy and to settle the vast, dangerous new land they will make their home.
Tommy Dewey (”Roommates”) has landed the younger lead opposite Gary Cole in Fox’s comedy pilot ”Tagged”. [Deadline]
David Semel (“Heroes”) will direct the pilot episode of “Persons of Interest“, the new series from J.J Abrams and Jonah Nolan [Deadline]
Peter Greenaway is developing a romantic comedy called “4 Storms and 2 Babies“, about a woman who becomes pregnant after a menage a trois with two men. [Variety]
Aussie actor Robert Taylor (“The Matrix”, “Vertical Limit”) has snagged the lead role in the A&E series “Longmire”. Based on the Walt Longmire novels, the show will star Taylor as the newly widowed sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. [Deadline]
The only cast member from the original that had yet to sign, Gerard Butler, has now officially agreed to do the “How to Train Your Dragon” sequel. [Empire]
Walt Disney have released the official synopsis for Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” : “In Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences. A stop-motion animated film, “Frankenweenie” will be filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience. From creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.”
Jane Levy (“Shameless”) will star in ABC’s single-camera comedy pilot ”Suburgatory”, about a Manhattanite who relocates to the suburbs. [Deadline]
Lifetime has commissioned a new reality series featuring former sitcom queen Roseanne Barr as a farmer. “I’m coming back down to earth, and keeping it real,” Barr said. They’ve said ‘Roseanne’s nuts’ for years, and now I’m going to make that a reality – I’m all about nuts now, macadamia nuts!” [Deadline]
Saffron Burrows (“Deep Blue Sea”) has snagged the female lead in the new “Bones” spin-off “The Finder“. Burrows is playing a bar-owner, pilot and boat-driver that assists a former military policeman (Geoff Stults) on his investigations. [TV Guide]
“Ally McBeal” and “Rent” star Jesse Martin will star in Marc Cherry’s new musical pilot ”Hallelujah’. Set in the town of Hallelujah, Tenn., the ABC series will center on a town that, being torn apart by the forces of good and evil, finds a savior in a stranger that starts restoring people’s faith. [TheatreMania]
A second “Sopranos” regular has joined the cast of David Chase’s “Cogan’s Trade“. Joining former co-star James Gandolfini will be Vincent Curatola, known to “Sopranos” fans as mob boss Johnny ‘Sack’ Sacramoni. [THR]
New set photos from “Contagion“, the all-star killer-disease thriller from director Steven Soderbergh, are up at Just Jared and Laughing Squid.
Lindsay Lohan for Lois Lane in the “Superman” reboot? ””It”s true, she”s in the talking stage now”, the troubled actresses mother Dinah has confirmed [MSN]
FilmDistrict has picked up the domestic distribution rights to “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce. The film, produced by Guillermo Del Toro, will be out August 11, 2011. [ComicBookMovie]
Alexander Luthor, who last week on “Smallville” proved impenetrable to be an otherwise lethal needle, will be revealed as having both the DNA of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor. His name? Connor Kent, of course, aka Superboy. [TV Line]
Eddie Izzard has joined the cast of “Cars 2“. The comic will voice “a former oil baron who sold off his fortune, converted himself into an electric vehicle and dedicated himself to finding the renewable, clean-burning energy source of the future.” [THR]
