NEWS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2016

SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

In this fresh S12 promo, the Winchester’s resurrected mother (Samantha Smith) drifts back into the family business and embarks with her sons on a fearful hunting trip. Also, check out "Jessie's Girl" '80s pop star Rick Springfield in a sinister new role as the physical incarnation of a rock 'n roll Lucifer.

SYFY NEW SERIES ORDERS
Syfy is ramping up its development slate, and has ordered pilots for three new series — including one based on the film The Machine, and an adaptation of a Grant Morrison graphic novel.

Variety reports the network has placed pilot orders for The Machine, Happy! and The Haunted. The shows range from supernatural horror to straight-up sci-fi and mega-quirky. As far as development slate additions, an interesting mix to throw onto the drawing board.

Here's the full breakdown on all three:

The Machine: This one is based on the 2013 film that starred Arrow alum Caity Lotz and Toby Stephens, and is set in a world transformed by the emergence of artificial intelligence. The series will follow six characters as their stories weave around the conflict between man and technology. The series will keep much of the film’s creative team intact, with original director Caradog James signed on to produce, along with original producer John Giwa-Amu.

Happy!: This series is based on the Grant Morrison (Batman) and Darick Robertson graphic novel of the same name. The series follows an intoxicated and corrupt ex-cop who becomes a hit man. He stumbles into a world of souls, sex, murder and betrayal — but everything changes when he meets an imaginary blue horse who is “relentlessly positive.” It sounds crazy-weird, and the comic is a trip, but could be a lot of fun as a series. Morrison is attached.

The Haunted: This one sounds like a straight-up horror-drama project, and comes from the co-writer of Syfy’s The Magicians pilot, Noga Landau. The series follows four siblings who reunite in the wake of their parent’s deaths. While grappling with inner demons, they quickly realize they might have to fight some real ones, too. Author James Frey (A Million Little Pieces) is also attached to produce.

All three of these projects are currently ordered to pilot, though that obviously doesn't mean all three will make it to the screen (though it stands to reason at least one might).

AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.
Marvel Entertainment and ABC have released the first clip from the Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD Season 4 premiere, which makes the episode’s title of “The Ghost” take on a double meaning!

In light of the Sokovia Accords, and with Hydra obliterated, S.H.I.E.L.D. has been legitimized again and no longer needs to operate in the shadows. Since the world presumes that Coulson is dead, the organization needed a new Director to be the face of the organization. Coulson finds himself back in the role as an agent and teamed with Mack, and together they are tasked with tracking down and confirming the presence of Enhanced people, aka Inhumans. They have been trying to track down and capture Daisy, aka Quake, who has gone rogue in an attempt to atone for sins from the past. But with the world believing that Daisy is a dangerous outlaw who has taken down banks and bridges, the new Director has no qualms about taking her down for good. Agent May is tasked with training specialist strike teams, and Fitz and Simmons have taken a big step forward in their relationship. But with Simmons’ new promotion as Special Advisor to the Director in Science and Technology, Fitz, as well as her former team members, finds it hard to confide in or trust her since she’s now the Director’s confidant.

Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD stars Clark Gregg as Director Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Brett Dalton as Grant Ward, Chloe Bennet as Agent Daisy Johnson, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz, Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons, Nick Blood as Agent Lance Hunter, Adrianne Palicki as Agent Bobbi Morse, Henry Simmons as Agent Alphonso “Mack” MacKenzie and Luke Mitchell as Lincoln Campbell. Gabriel Luna also joins hte cast for the fourth season as Robbie Reyes aka the spirit of vengeance, Ghost Rider.

Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD returns Tuesday, September 20 in its new timeslot, 10:00 PM ET on ABC.

THE ZOCALO TODAY