Nixed pilots, fired voice actors, casting, and new seasons and shows dominate the latest geek TV news.
ABC has nixed its pilot order for a woman-led Marvel superhero series from Wonder Woman writer Allan Heinberg and Marvel TV’s Jeph Loeb reports Deadline. Details on which women superheroes would headline the untitled show were kept under wraps. ABC has been looking to expand its Marvel footprint beyond Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., which was recently renewed for Season 7, but this marks the second time in recent history the network has backed out of a woman-led Marvel series. ABC ordered a pilot for Marvel’s Most Wanted, a Mockingbird-centered spinoff from Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., but declined to pick up the series (see “Mid-May Geek TV Round-Up: 'Supergirl' & 'Riverdale' to the CW”). It remains to be seen whether the most recent series will be redeveloped elsewhere.
Freeform has put the second season premiere of Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger on the calendar. The series will return with a two-hour season debut on April 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The first season debuted to strong reviews (see “Marvel’s ‘Cloak and Dagger’ Debut Set”), with an 88% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. In season 1, Olivia Holt’s Tandy Bowen and Aubrey Joseph’s Tyrone Johnson discovered and learned how to use their powers as a mysterious force puts New Orleans at risk. Season 2 will focus on gang violence and human trafficking as the pair fight an unfeeling vigilante and uncover an evil preying on women in the city (via Deadline). Nickelodeon and Netflix are joining forces on a pair of original animated features, including one starring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The film, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is reportedly not directly involved with the TV series (see “Nickelodeon Unveils Rebooted TMNT”), according to Deadline. IDW publishes comics and gams based on the property (see “Shredder Goes to Hell”). Nickelodeon and Netflix are also working on a live-action series for Avatar: The Last Airbender (see “Live-Action 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Happening”).Voice actor Vic Mignogna has been removed from Rooster Teeth’s RWBY animated series after allegations of misconduct. “Effective today, Vic Mignogna is no longer a part of the cast of RWBY and Rooster Teeth is ending all associations with Mignogna,” Rooster Teeth said in a statement to Anime News Network. “This will not affect the creative content of RWBY.” Female attendees at several conventions, many of them under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged incidents, reported non-consensual hugging and kissing by the actor. Other allegations against Mignogna include homophobia and rude behavior to fellow voice actors and convention staff, with reports that he has been blacklisted from some conventions. Mignogna voiced Qrow Branwen on the immensely popular animated webseries. A replacement has not yet been named.
The CW’s new Katy Keene pilot is moving apace with the announcement that Josie McCoy will be played by Ashleigh Murray, who held the role in Riverdale. The now 20-something singer-songwriter will leave her small town to try to make it in the big city (via Deadline). The spinoff of Riverdale was announced just over a week ago (see “Katy Keene and Nancy Drew on the CW”), with a director named in short order (see “'Katy Keene' Gets Director”).
DC Universe’s Stargirl has added a couple more actors to the roster. Meg DeLacy (The Fosters) will play Cindy Burman, daughter of the Dragon King, Blue Valley High’s most popular (and terrifying) student, and future villain Shiv. Jake Austin Walker (Fear the Walking Dead) has been cast in an unidentified role. Stargirl stars Brec Bassinger, Luke Wilson, Joel McHale, Henry Thomas, Lou Ferrigno Jr., and Brian Stapf (see “Luke Wilson in 'Stargirl”). It will air on the over-the-top service sometime in 2019.