WCGX The Cat 96.5 FM

Chris Evans will star opposite Dwayne Johnson in the holiday film Red One for Amazon Studios. Jake Kasdan will direct the film, which will reunite him with Dwayne Johnson and Seven Bucks Productions after their collaboration on Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level.   Plot details on Red One are vague; but the movie, with a script penned by Chris Morgan, will be based on an original story from Hiram Garcia, president of production at Seven Bucks Productions.  The film is being touted as ‘an action-adventure comedy that imagines a new universe for the holiday genre.‘

Evans will next be seen in the The Gray Man for Netflix, and is voicing the role of Buzz Lightyear in Lightyear for Pixar.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

CBS legal drama ‘Bull’ will end with its sixth season.  Bull is loosely based on the work of Dr. Phil McGraw as a jury consultant; McGraw is also an executive producer of the show.  Series star Michael Weatherly tweeted the news, saying: “It’s been my privilege to play Dr. Jason Bull but after 6 seasons of incredible storylines, it’s time to pursue new creative challenges and bring his story to a close.”  Sources confirm that Weatherly’s decision to move on led to the decision to bring the series to an end.

The series has dealt with a good amount of controversy.  In 2018, CBS paid actress Eliza Dushku $9.5 million to settle a sexual harassment claim against Weatherly. Dushku alleged he made a series of inappropriate comments to her while she recurred on the show’s first season.  The actress had originally signed on to the show with the possibility of becoming a regular in season two, but her character was written out following her complaint and the settlement.  In addition, showrunner Glenn Gordon Caron was let go from the show and dropped from an overall deal at CBS Studios following an internal investigation into allegations that Caron fostered an unhealthy work environment on Bull. Actor Freddy Rodriguez also departed after an investigation.

CBS said in a statement:  “For six seasons, Bull has established itself as a ratings winner with its fresh take on the judicial process never before seen on television. We extend our thanks to the talented cast, Michael Weatherly, Geneva Carr, Yara Martinez, Jaime Lee Kirchner, Christopher Jackson, MacKenzie Meehan, the incredible creative team led by Kathryn Price and Nichole Millard, and our hard-working crew, for bringing to life these innovative stories. We also thank our loyal viewers and look forward to providing them with a final run of compelling episodes filled with the humor, intelligence and twists that have made the drama a fan favorite.”

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ star James Snyder, who held the title role in the show, was fired from the Broadway production following a complaint about his conduct.  Snyder’s co-star Diane Davis filed the complaint about his conduct on Nov. 19, leading to the production launching an independent investigation by a third party. Snyder will not return following the investigation and his contract has been terminated.

The exact nature of Snyder’s conduct is unknown.   The producers said in a statement: “We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, which is why we have robust workplace policies and procedures in place for all those involved in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  This includes struct prohibitions against harassment in any form, as well as channels through which any employee can report conduct that they believe is inappropriate. We will continue to do all we can to ensure the extremely talented team that brings this production to life feels safe, empowered and fully supported.”

Snyder has also starred in Broadway productions of Cry-Baby, If/Then and In Transit, and has appeared on television in The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, Cold Case, Rizzoli & Isles and more.

Editorial credit: 4kclips / Shutterstock.com

Hudson Madsen, the 26-year-old son of actor Michael Madsen, has died by suicide.The family confirmed Hudson’s death in a statement reading: “We are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and pain at the loss of Hudson. His memory and light will be remembered by all who knew and loved him. We ask for privacy and respect during this difficult time.”

Hudson died of a gunshot wound to the head in a suspected suicide on the island of Oahu, a spokesperson for the Honolulu Medical Examiner confirmed. Hudson lived in Hawaii with his wife Carlie, having moved to the island of Oahu in 2019. He was the oldest of Michael’s three children with wife DeAnna Madsen. The couple also shares sons Calvin and Luke. Michael is also the father of two older sons, Christian and Max, whom he shares with ex Jeannine Bisignano.

Michael Masden 64, is a long-time collaborator with film director Quentin Tarantino, who is also a personal friend. Tarantino is the godfather of both Hudson and Calvin. Masden has appeared in several of Tarantino’s films, including Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and 2.

Editorial credit: / Shutterstock.com

Chelsea Handler is set to star in a brand new comedy series at Peacock, based on her memoir, “Life Will Be the Death of Me”, which was released in 2019.

Handler will star in the half-hour show, as well as executive produce with Liz Tuccillo of Chelsea Handler Productions.  The show will ‘center on Chelsea in crisis. She goes into therapy to become a nicer and less entitled person. Mayhem and calamity ensue as she overcorrects, stumbles, regresses, and loses her marbles on her journey to self-improvement.’   Exec producers also include Annapurna Pictures’ Sue Naegle and Megan Ellison, Chelsea Handler Productions’ Molly Burke with Jackie Sosa as co-exec producer.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com