Moviefone Editorial

Tag: history

  • ‘Vikings’ to End After Season 6, History Considering Follow-Up Series

    ‘Vikings’ to End After Season 6, History Considering Follow-Up Series

    Vikings
    History

    The “Vikings” conquest is coming to an end on the History Channel. The upcoming 20-episode sixth season will be the historical epic drama’s last.

    The second half of the Season 5 is airing now, with the finale set for January 30. Season 6, which has already wrapped production, would likely premiere at the end of the year.

    History, creator Michael Hirst, and producers MGM Television are in talks for a series that would continue the “Vikings” saga. Hirst would team up with film writer Jeb Stuart (“Die Hard,” “The Fugitive”).

    “Vikings,” which debuted in 2013, was History’s first scripted series and has been a reliably strong ratings performer. The show originally followed the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his  family and fellow warriors. Since it was based on actual historical events, the story was always intended to end. Fimmel himself left the show in at the end of Season 4, as Ragnar’s arc came to a conclusion.

    Should a “Vikings” sequel or spinoff come to fruition, it would join History’s other dramas, “Knightfall” and the upcoming freshman series “Project Blue Book.”

  • Mark Hamill Joins History Series ‘Knightfall’ for Season 2

    Mark Hamill Joins History Series ‘Knightfall’ for Season 2

    Lucasfilm

    Mark Hamill is trading one knighthood for another: The “Star Wars” star will return to the small screen for a role on History series “Knightfall.”

    The cable outlet announced on Monday that it was renewing the medieval drama for a second season, and bringing on a huge new star in Hamill. Film fans have known the actor for years as Luke Skywalker, one of the founding members of the “Star Wars” saga, and it seems that this new role is taking some heavy influence from the familiar Jedi master.

    “Knightfall” focuses on the Knights Templar, the mysterious military order entrusted with protecting Christian relics in the Middle Ages. Much like his role in the most recent “Star Wars” outing, “The Last Jedi,” Hamill will be playing a respected leader who’s been absent for some time, and is now imparting his wisdom on a new generation.

    Here’s the official character description, per Deadline:

    Hamill will play Talus, a battle-hardened Knight Templar veteran of the Crusades, who survived captivity for ten years in the Holy Land and is tasked with training the new initiates to the Order.

    The actor’s casting will signal “a grittier, darker ‘Knightfall’ in season two,” according to Eli Lehrer, the executive vice president of programming for History. So maybe those “Star Wars” fans who didn’t like Luke’s storyline in “The Last Jedi” will be happier with Hamill’s arc here.

    No word yet on when “Knightfall” season two will premiere.

    [via: Deadline]

  • ‘Project Blue Book’ Photos and Trailer: Littlefinger Investigates UFOs in New History Series

    ‘Project Blue Book’ Photos and Trailer: Littlefinger Investigates UFOs in New History Series

    Project Blue Book
    History

    OK, technically Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish isn’t investigating UFOs, although we’d watch the hell out of that show too.

    It’s actually the amazing Irish actor Aidan Gillen, leaving “Game of Thrones” behind to break out another American accent after “The Wire.”

    Gillen plays the lead role of Dr. J. Allen Hynek in History’s upcoming UFO series “Project Blue Book.”

    Entertainment Weekly shared the first trailer (watch it below), and one of the two first look photos:

    Project Blue Book
    History, via EW

    Syfy shared the other image, at top. Here’s how Syfy describes Gillen’s character, and the basic plot:

    “‘Game of Thrones’ alum Aidan Gillen plays the main character in the series, Dr. J. Allen Hynek. He’s an astrophysicist, family man and UFO skeptic who is appointed as the Chief Scientific Advisor to Project Blue Book.

    Hynek encounters a variety of Air Force Generals, who each have their own agenda including his partner, decorated World War II hero, Captain Michael Quinn, played by ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Michael Malarkey. Quinn’s instincts and impulsive behavior clash with Hynek’s scientific mind.”

    The 1950s-set series was inspired by the real U.S. Air Force Program. However, the truth is out there and should be known right away:

    “This is not a little green men show,” showrunner Sean Jablonski told EW. Instead, it’s “more of a government conspiracy show with a great sci-fi twist – and also a great character piece.”

    Gillen told EW he took on the role of “warm, honest” Dr. Hynek because he’s so different from GoT’s manipulative Littlefinger.

    Aidan Gillen and Michael Malarkey will join their fellow cast members and producers at San Diego Comic-Con this Saturday for a panel explaining more about the show.

    Syfy previewed the banner that will wrap around Petco Park during Comic-Con, showing Hynek and Quinn:

    Project Blue Book
    History, via Syfy

    EW had the exclusive trailer, but then History just posted it themselves:

    “Project Blue Book” was executive-produced by Robert Zemeckis and will premiere on History this winter.

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