While it has yet to deliver the stellar ratings its two-hour pilot movie did for NBC, apparently “Knight Rider” is doing well enough to warrant a full season pick-up. Variety reports the Peacock network gave a green light for nine more episodes of the freshman drama, bringing the season order to 22 episodes.
Visitors to Universal Studios will be thrown into a battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons when a new ride based on The Transformers opens. According to Variety, the ride will take over soundstages currently used for Universal’s “Backdraft” attraction and will use 3-D HD footage with special effects, robotics and track to put riders in the middle of the war between Autobots and Decepticons. Â
The new attraction will debut in Universal’s theme parks in Singapore and California.  Singapore’s version will open in early 2011 and the ride in California is expected to open later that same year. No word yet on the price tag for the new ride, but some estimate it could easily top the $40 million spent by Universal last year for the new “Simpsons” ride.
Overture films has acquired the rights to produce a big-screen version of the Dark Horse graphic novel, “Freaks of the Heartland.” David Gordon Green has been tapped to direct, based on a screenplay by Peter Sattler and Geoff Davey according to the Hollywood Reporter.Â
“Freaks” is a 2004 six-part mini-series about the horrible secret of a rural Middle American town involves Trevor Owen’s attempts to protect his “monster” of a 6-year-old younger brother and Gristlewood Valley’s other “freaks” from their parents’ worst instincts.
A new vampire series will debut next month on FearNet. “The Dark Path Chronicles” is a music-driven vampire-themed series from music video director Mary Lambert and revolves around a young vampire just awakened from hibernation and a teenage girl who hears voices who together explore a parallel reality.Â
The series will debut November 6 on FearNet.com and FearNet’s On Demand networks.
“The vampire genre is hotter than ever,” FearNet president Diane Robina said. “There is no better way to marry the culture of vampires with cutting-edge music than by partnering with Mary Lambert for this series.”
And another week, another rumor on the possible identity of the next Doctor.
Rumors have surfaced that actor Paterson Joseph is the leading candidate to replace David Tennant in the iconic British sci-fi role. If cast, Joseph would be the first black actor in the role.
The rumor has been denied by the BBC and Joseph. SciFi Wire reports that when asked, Joseph texted the reply, “”I am on a list of God knows how many others, but flattered to be considered.”
Joseph has previously guest-starred in the revived “Doctor Who.” He featured in the season one finale, “Bad Wolf” and “The Parting of the Ways.”
The rumor began in British journalist Richard Johnston online column “Lying in the Gutters” last week.
As we do with all casting stories related to “Doctor Who” we ask that readers take these rumors with a grain of salt until we get some kind of official word from the BBC, David Tennant or anyone actually involved with the production of “Doctor Who.” At this time, there has been no confirmation of Tennant leaving the role. Rumors of Tennant’s departure have surfaced since his second season in the role.Â
