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Viola Davis has landed a role in The Hunger Games prequel.

The Oscar-winning actress will be playing the “diabolical” Head Gamemaker Volumnia Gaul in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, based on the best-selling novel by Suzanne Collins.

“From the beginning, Viola has been our dream for Dr. Gaul because of the finely layered intelligence and emotion she brings to every role,” producer Nina Jacobson says in a statement. “A brilliant and eccentric strategist, Gaul is instrumental in shaping a young Coriolanus Snow into the man he will become. We are incredibly fortunate to have an actor with Viola’s extraordinary range and presence to play this pivotal role.”

Director Francis Lawrence adds, “Dr. Gaul is as cruel as she is creative and as fearsome as she is formidable. Snow’s savvy as a political operator develops in no small part due to his experiences with her as the games’ most commanding figure.”

The film stars Tom Blyth as an 18-year-old Cornelius Snow, years before he becomes the evil president of Panem – a role played by Donald Sutherland in the original Hunger Games films. Rachel Zegler plays tribute Lucy Gray Baird, whom Snow is tasked with mentoring.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes debuts in theaters worldwide on November 17, 2023.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Viola Davis has landed a role in The Hunger Games prequel.

The Oscar-winning actress will be playing the “diabolical” Head Gamemaker Volumnia Gaul in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, based on the best-selling novel by Suzanne Collins.

“From the beginning, Viola has been our dream for Dr. Gaul because of the finely layered intelligence and emotion she brings to every role,” producer Nina Jacobson says in a statement. “A brilliant and eccentric strategist, Gaul is instrumental in shaping a young Coriolanus Snow into the man he will become. We are incredibly fortunate to have an actor with Viola’s extraordinary range and presence to play this pivotal role.”

Director Francis Lawrence adds, “Dr. Gaul is as cruel as she is creative and as fearsome as she is formidable. Snow’s savvy as a political operator develops in no small part due to his experiences with her as the games’ most commanding figure.”

The film stars Tom Blyth as an 18-year-old Cornelius Snow, years before he becomes the evil president of Panem – a role played by Donald Sutherland in the original Hunger Games films. Rachel Zegler plays tribute Lucy Gray Baird, whom Snow is tasked with mentoring.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes debuts in theaters worldwide on November 17, 2023.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Want to know the real story of how the Lakers became the Showtime Lakers? Then the new docuseries Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers is for you.

The Hulu series, debuting Monday, details how Dr. Jerry Buss bought the team in the late ’70s and created one of the greatest dynasties in sports. NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is featured in the show, and he tells ABC Audio the secret to their success was that they “kept trying to build a family situation.”

“We never got to a point where it was develop an individual,” he explains. “It was always about all of us. And we tried to help each other.”

Abdul-Jabbar adds that this docuseries is kind of an antidote to the recent HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, which has been criticized by many former players for alleged inaccuracies.

“It’s a chance for us to tell our stories…There’s no fiction in this,” Abdul-Jabbar says.

Legacy also gets into the power struggle among Buss’s children that came after he died, which his daughter, and current Lakers president, Jeanie Buss, says was “very healing” for their family. 

Additionally, the series shows how the Lakers family, fans included, bonded after several tragedies like “Magic [Johnson] having to retire because of HIV” and “the tragedy of losing Kobe and Gigi [Bryant].”

“What’s happened is Laker Nation comes together and leans on each other,” Buss shares. “And we know there’s going to be another day…where we play basketball again. And that’s how we start to heal because we grieve together.”

Overall, though, director Antoine Fuqua hopes people are left inspired.

“It’s the American dream. I think what Dr. Buss did is incredible…coming from very humble means and making his way out here…and what he brought to not only Los Angeles, to sports entertainment. Just it’s inspiring.” 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Power Book III: Raising Kanan returns to Starz with season two on Sunday, and fans are in for one wild ride. 

After leaving fans with more than a few unanswered questions — like will Kanan get caught for shooting an officer and is that officer his real father — season two finds the Thomas family beginning to face the aftermath of their actions. MeKai Curtis, who stars in the titular role of Kanan, tells ABC Audio that his character is on the hunt for answers when he returns to the screen. 

“He’s very weary of everything around. He wants more answers to questions that he has. And he’s going to get those answers. You know, he’s very strong and determined, just like his mother,” Curtis explains, referencing Tony Award winner Patina Miller, who portrays Kanan’s mother, Raquel “Raq” Thomas, in the series.  

“A lot of the just the way that Raq has raised him, you see that come to play in second season, you know, for better or worse,” Curtis adds. “It’s actually it’s pretty fun to see how that plays out with them but that’s the sort of space that Kanan is in in the second season…trying to figure out who he is after being who he thought he wanted to be.”

Kanan’s hunt for answers is just part of what makes for a wild season ahead — a season that Curtis and Miller describe in four words: “Explosive, revealing, emotional…and complicated.”

Power Book III: Raising Kanan, which has already been renewed for season three, also stars Omar Epps, London Brown, Malcolm Mays, Joey Bada$$, Hailey Kilgore, Shanley Caswell and Antonio Ortiz.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Ahead of hosting the 2022 Emmy Awards next month, nearly 20-year Saturday Night Live veteran Kenan Thompson was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Thursday.

His former SNL co-star Leslie Jones was on hand to help unveil the walk’s 2,728th star. They were also joined by comedian and actor JB Smoove, and Josh Server, who starred with a young Kenan on the Nickelodeon show All That.

“When we were kids, Kenan had this confidence,” Server said while at the podium with Kenan and his young daughters, Georgia and Gianna. “So many of us spend years trying to find who were are, and what makes us unique and special … Kenan just had that.”

“We are brothers,” Server said, “The world is a happier, funnier place because of those rare gifts you shared with us all.”

For his part, Kenan said, “From the bottom of my heart … It’s really been my pleasure. I do comedy. It’s fun, I don’t see it as work … I just wanna be a good partner in the world, a good human being.”

He also promised to high-five all the fans who lined up along the famous street.

Thompson’s star is located at 6627 Hollywood Blvd., “right next to the GOAT, Lorne Michaels,” he said of his SNL boss.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Ahead of hosting the 2022 Emmy Awards next month, nearly 20-year Saturday Night Live veteran Kenan Thompson was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Thursday.

His former SNL co-star Leslie Jones was on hand to help unveil the walk’s 2,728th star. They were also joined by comedian and actor JB Smoove, and Josh Server, who starred with a young Kenan on the Nickelodeon show All That.

“When we were kids, Kenan had this confidence,” Server said while at the podium with Kenan and his young daughters, Georgia and Gianna. “So many of us spend years trying to find who were are, and what makes us unique and special … Kenan just had that.”

“We are brothers,” Server said, “The world is a happier, funnier place because of those rare gifts you shared with us all.”

For his part, Kenan said, “From the bottom of my heart … It’s really been my pleasure. I do comedy. It’s fun, I don’t see it as work … I just wanna be a good partner in the world, a good human being.”

He also promised to high-five all the fans who lined up along the famous street.

Thompson’s star is located at 6627 Hollywood Blvd., “right next to the GOAT, Lorne Michaels,” he said of his SNL boss.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella turns 25 years old this year, and for its milestone anniversary, members of the original, star-studded cast will come together to celebrate.

On August 23, Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg, Paolo Montalban, Victor Garber, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander and Veanne Cox will convene for Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20. The one-hour program “dives into the film’s positive impact on representation in Hollywood” and features exclusive interviews, as well as BTS moments with the late Whitney Houston.

“We’re delighted that the 25^th anniversary of this landmark incarnation of ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ is being celebrated on its original network,” said Imogen Lloyd Webber, SVP at Concord Theatricals, on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s unforgettable score is truly timeless — still enchanting listeners 80 years after their partnership began and 65 years since their ‘Cinderella’ first charmed the largest audience in television history.”

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella premiered on November 2, 1997, and put a spin on the traditional story, as it introduced America’s first Black Cinderella (Brandy) and Fairy Godmother (Whitney Houston). The revolutionary musical garnered critical acclaim and seven Emmy nominations following its release. It has since gained a new set of fans after its debut on Disney+ in February 2021.

Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20 will premiere on ABC at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the original film, which hasn’t aired on broadcast television in more than two decades. The special will be available to stream on Hulu the following day.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella turns 25 years old this year, and for its milestone anniversary, members of the original, star-studded cast will come together to celebrate.

On August 23, Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg, Paolo Montalban, Victor Garber, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander and Veanne Cox will convene for Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20. The one-hour program “dives into the film’s positive impact on representation in Hollywood” and features exclusive interviews, as well as BTS moments with the late Whitney Houston.

“We’re delighted that the 25^th anniversary of this landmark incarnation of ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ is being celebrated on its original network,” said Imogen Lloyd Webber, SVP at Concord Theatricals, on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s unforgettable score is truly timeless — still enchanting listeners 80 years after their partnership began and 65 years since their ‘Cinderella’ first charmed the largest audience in television history.”

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella premiered on November 2, 1997, and put a spin on the traditional story, as it introduced America’s first Black Cinderella (Brandy) and Fairy Godmother (Whitney Houston). The revolutionary musical garnered critical acclaim and seven Emmy nominations following its release. It has since gained a new set of fans after its debut on Disney+ in February 2021.

Cinderella: The Reunion, A Special Edition of 20/20 will premiere on ABC at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the original film, which hasn’t aired on broadcast television in more than two decades. The special will be available to stream on Hulu the following day.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson has never played a superhero, but she says she’s hoping to create some with her eponymous new talk show.

In a new promo, the multitalent enthuses, “I hope my fans experience a good time.”

She adds, “I hope they discover their superpower, and I hope they feel on top of the world by the time they leave The Jennifer Hudson Show.”

“Let’s go live life, baby!” she smiles.

Producers tease, “The series will feature celebrity interviews, topical stories, community heroes, viral sensations and music.”

They add that J Hud “will use her powerful voice in a new way, bringing fun, uplifting, and empowering conversations to the forefront, shining a light on extraordinary stories, talents and passions,” calling the talk show “a destination to laugh, learn and feel inspired.”

The syndicated chat show debuts September 12.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Denise Dowse, best known for her roles in Insecure, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Grey’s Anatomy, is currently in a coma after contracting meningitis, her sister Tracey Dowse revealed over the weekend.

“I am requesting support and prayers be offered me and my sister, and my only immediate family Denise Dowse,” Tracey wrote on the actress’ Instagram. “She is currently in the hospital in a coma brought on by a virulent form of meningitis. Her doctors do not know when she will come out of the coma as it was not medically induced.”

Tracey adds that her sister “is a vibrant actor and director that should have many years ahead of her” and that “thoughts, prayers and support are greatly appreciated.”

Most notably, Dowse played Mrs. Yvonne Teasley on Beverly Hills, 90210. Her other roles included playing Judge Rebecca Damsen on CBS’ The Guardian and Dr. Rhonda Pine on HBO’s Insecure. Her numerous TV credits also include Grey’s Anatomy, The Resident, Good Trouble, The X-Files and Criminal Minds.

Dowse made her feature film directorial debut with the upcoming biopic Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story, which follows the legendary gospel singer’s contribution to the Civil Rights Movement, as well as her friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. Keith David. Corbin Bleu and Vanessa Williams are set to star.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.