STARAVIS

'Sully' star Tom Hanks took over our Twitter account to answer fan questions about his upcoming movie.


Sully star Tom Hanks took over our Twitter account to answer fan questions about his upcoming movie.

Check out the full chat at: #AskTomHanks
@Sean_P_Molloy: How does your approach change from playing a real life character compared to a fictional persona?

Tom Hanks: I do not want to alter reality when playing a real person. What happened? That's all I ask.

@JustinLitke24: Did you have to learn the controls of the Airbus A320 or talk to [Chesley] Sullenberger in order to accurately portray the flight?

Tom Hanks: Flew the simulator in San Jose. With Sully standing behind me!


@mennomonet: How has filmmaking changed from when you first started acting to now?

Tom Hanks: No playback monitors back then.

@lotty_SFX: How did this role differ from other roles that you've done?

Tom Hanks: Two words. White hair.
@A_Samir94: Do you have the original Wilson in your home :D

Tom Hanks: He floated away.
@jdwalters85: Has your career gone through stages in terms of the kind of projects you wanted to take on?

Tom Hanks: I got older, which took some part away but opened up a lot more. You can't play young when you are no longer young.

@ItsTheFilmmaker: What was it like filming on IMAX cameras and what did you think of the final glorious IMAX result?

Tom Hanks: Didn't notice the difference! We shot digital and have yet to see it. Glad it's not in 3D!

by IMDb-Editors
We're taking a look at the television series IMDb users are most eager to watch this fall. The following shows all have series premieres this season, and our rankings are based on traffic data to our IMDb series pages. — Bret Federigan

10. "Atlanta" (FX)

Donald Glover seeks to give a fresh spin on the Atlanta rap scene with this semiautobiographical comedy-drama series that highlights the many talents of the former "Community" star and "30 Rock" writer. Glover serves as executive producer and also stars as Earnest "Earn" Marks, an ambitious college dropout whose estranged cousin suddenly becomes a star. Glover is an accomplished stage performer -- as a recording artist he's known as Childish Gambino -- and on this FX series he writes and performs all his own raps, which means the show should sound as good as it looks. In recent interviews, Glover has said "Atlanta" will be "'Twin Peaks' for rappers." What that actually means, who knows? But the possibilities are certainly intriguing.

9. "Conviction" (ABC)

Hayley Atwell hasn't had much time to mourn the cancellation of her most recent series, "Agent Carter," as she's returning to ABC as the centerpiece of another drama. With "Conviction," Atwell trades in the trappings of the Marvel Universe for the rough-and-tumble legal world of New York City. She plays Hayes Morrison, the daughter of a former U.S. president and also a talented lawyer, who is coerced into a high-profile gig as head of the city's Conviction Integrity Unit. It's from that perch that the former wild child must lead a team that investigates cases of the wrongfully convicted. Eddie Cahill stars as her boss, District Attorney Conner Wallace. Also joining the cast is Shawn Ashmore, whose work in theX-Men film franchise should make him very familiar to Marvel fans.

8. "Kevin Can Wait" (CBS)

The last time Kevin James was entertaining primetime viewers was as parcel delivery man Doug Heffernan on CBS' long-running and popular "King of Queens." This time around, James plays another civil servant: a newly retired police officer named Kevin who finds the transition to a more family-centric life in Long Island a bit challenging. Accompanying James for his second family sitcom is "Childrens Hospital" veteran Erinn Hayes, who plays Kevin's wife Donna, and Leonard Earl Howze, Lenny Venito, and Gary Valentine, who as Kevin's guy squad all provide him some much needed testosterone to counterbalance the demands of having to raise three kids. "King of Queens" ran for 9 seasons and continues to enjoy success in syndication worldwide. So, no pressure there …

7. "Designated Survivor" (ABC)

After returning to primetime briefly for a limited run on "24: Live Another Day," Kiefer Sutherland seems finally ready to put his Jack Bauer days behind him for good. In fact, he passed on "24: Legacy" in order to do this series. But he's not straying too far from the genre of politics-driven thrillers. In "Designated Survivor," Sutherland plays Tom Kirkman, a Cabinet Secretary who is thrust into the role of U.S. President by circumstance: an attack on the country kills everyone above him in the line of succession. Along for the ride is another familiar face to TV fans, Maggie Q, late of "Stalker" and "Nikita." And in a key supporting role is Kal Penn, with whom Sutherland collaborated on "24" and who plays a White House staffer. The latter is noteworthy since Penn actually worked in the White House during the first term of the Obama administration in the office of Public Engagement.

6. "Lethal Weapon" (FOX)

If last season's "Rush Hour" serves as any guide, there's no guarantee of success for networks when deciding to bring a beloved cop buddy comedy from the big screen to the small screen. But FOX is not only willing to translate the popular Lethal Weapon franchise for primetime viewers; it's also remaking another well-known movie franchise with "The Exorcist." With "Lethal Weapon," FOX is hoping that a couple of veteran actors and familiar faces will help this film adaptation find better success than its immediate forebears. Clayne Crawford ("Rectify") and Damon Wayans ("Happy Endings") headline the series as the unlikely pairing of unhinged cop and veteran detective. Among those on hand to balance out this duo is Jordana Brewster, who plays the LAPD's psychologist.


5. "MacGyver" (CBS)

The network that rebooted "Hawaii Five-0" for a whole new generation of fans is doing the same with 1980s classic "MacGyver." Viewers, however, expecting to see something very similar to the series that starred Richard Dean Anderson as a scrappy and sciency-savvy adult Swiss Army Knife shouldn't hold their breath. This latest reincarnation serves up a 20-something Angus "Mac" MacGyver, played by X-Men veteran Lucas Till, who heads up a secret organization in the U.S. government that uses his uncanny knowledge and resourceful skills to solve problems of global importance. At work, MacGyver is joined by Jack Dalton, portrayed by former "CSI" star George Eads. And at home he tangles with his roommate Wilt Bozer, played by Justin Hires, who starred in last season's "Rush Hour."


4. "This Is Us" (NBC)

In a recent interview, star Milo Ventimiglia tried to explain the pronounced popularity of his new drama series' trailer, which has been racking up a record number of views across the internet: "In a television landscape that is populated with superheroes and high concepts and aliens and scandals, I think what 'This Is Us' is doing is simplifying life." In many respects, NBC is hoping this much anticipated dramedy will touch viewers in the same way that "Parenthood" did for both casual fans and critics alike. But in this drama, instead of unpeeling the complex layers of a clan, "This Is Us" follows the seemingly disparate lives of a group of people born on the same day whose fortunes ultimately end up converging. The cast boasts a slew of familiar faces to join Ventimiglia: Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown,Alan Thicke, and Justin Hartley among others. If the trailer is any indication, prepare yourself for some emotional viewing.


3. "Luke Cage" (Netflix)

Like "Jessica Jones" and "Daredevil" before it, "Luke Cage" is part of a wide-reaching deal by Disney and Marvel to bring to Netflix a set of live-action series that culminates in "The Defenders" miniseries. "Cage" is the third title to result from the agreement and follows the justice-seeking exploits of a character that was introduced to viewers in "Jessica Jones."Mike Colter stars as the titular hero, a former convict with unworldly strength and titanium-hard skin who rededicates his life to fighting crime in New York. Rounding out the cast areMahershala Ali as crime boss Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes and Alfre Woodard as local politician Mariah Dillard. Look for recurring appearances from Rosario Dawson, who reprises her role as Claire Temple from both "Daredevil" and "Jessica Jones." Fun fact: Every episode of the series is named after a Gang Starr song.

2. "Timeless" (NBC)

If you love classic science fiction tropes and time-traveling escapades, "Timeless" just may be the fix you need this fall. The series, which is the union of Shawn Ryan ("The Shield") and Eric Kripke ("Supernatural"), centers around Garcia Flynn (Goran Visnjic), a supervillain who steals a time machine in order to destroy present-day America by changing the course of its past. And the trio burdened with the responsibility of trying to thwart Flynn is a history professor (Abigail Spencer), a soldier (Matt Lanter), and a scientist (Malcolm Barrett). According to one network executive, the series is "Back to the Future meets 'Mission: Impossible.'" And NBC is so confident in the series that it's given it the coveted Monday night slot after "The Voice."

by IMDb-Contributing-Writers
To those who watched Marvel’s "Jessica Jones" or are fans of Marvel comics, for that matter, Luke Cage is not a new acquaintance. This fall, the superhero with unbreakable skin returns to Netflix in his own TV show, and this time he is a fugitive, trying to rebuild his life in modern day Harlem, New York City. Here are a few hints about what to expect from the action-packed series when it premieres Friday, Sept. 30, on Netflix. — Carita Rizzo




It's not too serious.

Showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker tells fans to expect a little bit of everything: humor, action, and social awareness. “I think [the show is] the opportunity to address a lot of issues but at the same time have fun,” says Coker. “The thing that I think is going to surprise people is that you’re going to come in thinking it’s serious, and it’s fun. You are going to come in thinking it’s fun, and it’s serious. We go back and forth, and there’s so much emotional depth to all of these characters. And these wonderful actors, I mean, they just they bring it so hard. I just can’t wait for the world to see it.”




Mike Colter, like his character Luka Cage, feels the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“It’s important in the landscape of television and for people, when they look at black culture, that we have positive images. I try not to think about it, because it’s an overwhelming task to think that you have to carry this thing on your shoulders.” says Colter. “We’re just trying to tell a story about a superhero who’s going through the same kind of changes that other superheroes, who are not black, go through. But because we are in small numbers, we’re kind of looked at differently. We’re just trying to tell a unique story. And I think we’ve done so. We have no agenda. But I’m proud that people do think he’s a good superhero. And I hope that the black community can feel good about him as well.”




Every villain is a hero.

“I have a hard time thinking of Cornell or ‘Cottonmouth’ as a villain,” Mahershala Ali says of his character. "I just think he is very concerned and essentially obsessed with keeping power, maintaining order, growing the family business, and dealing with the pressure of carrying on that legacy and not wanting to be the one that drops the ball. So, I think his idea of right and wrong is just different from my idea of right and wrong ... because you have to really look at how he was raised, who he comes from, and how they were brought up and what he was kind of forced into or led into."




Alfre Woodard is not reprising her role from Captain America: Civil War.

Though Alfre Woodard recently appeared in Captain America: Civil War as a grieving mother confronting Tony Stark, she won’t be the bridge between these two Marvel universes. On "Luke Cage," she plays a pivotal role as a powerful politician who considers the vigilante superhero her nemesis.

“Mariah Dillard is the cousin of Cornell Stokes,” explains Woodard. “Our grandmom, Mom Mabel, she was a successful businesswoman in Harlem, back when there were not the regular avenues to be successful for women or people of color. She built a very strong business that has been passed on to my cousin. He’s still doing business the way people of color and immigrants had to do back in the day. You operated a little bit inside the law, a little bit outside the law. I’m trying to say to Cornell, ‘The power now is in politics. Let’s do something different.’ We have a pretty good life going on … And then Luke Cage moved to Harlem.”




Detective Misty Knight isn’t down with vigilante justice.

“Scarfe and I are detectives in Harlem. And I think Misty is very comfortable operating within the system,” says Simone Missick, who plays future superhero Knight. “When Luke comes along, she can’t tell whether he is willing to be an ally in that or whether he is an opponent in that. So, that’s the main crux of their relationship. When you see them, it’s this fight because he is the reluctant hero. Scarfe is accepting of people with these abilities, and Misty is absolutely not. She’s very dead set on doing things the way that they should be done, according to the law.”



Each episode is named after a Gang Starr song.

“I liken binge-watching to what used to happen back in the day when a record would come out," says showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker. "For example, if Prince released 'Lovesexy' or 'Sign o’ the Times,' I would shut everything down and listen to the entire record. The only time that we do that nowadays is with these shows. So, the music gives this undercurrent rhythm, and it gives us a pulse for every single episode.”




Expect crossovers not distractions.

“We have seen some characters that have appeared and crossed over,” says Jeph Loeb. “Most notably, Rosario Dawson, who continues the character of Claire Temple. We’ve always been big fans of providing Easter eggs for our fans, but we never want to be known as an Easter egg farm. It has to work within the story. You can’t just all of a sudden do: Luke Cage gets into a cab as Foggy Nelson and Matt Murdock are getting out of the cab. You actually get to see our characters interact with each other.”




There is a lot more Marvel in store on Netflix.

“The plan changes all the time,” says Jeph Loeb. “But the next show up will be 'Iron Fist' and then after that 'The Defenders.' We know that we are going to do another season of 'Jessica Jones,' and we’re going to do another season of 'Daredevil.' It’s certainly our hope that 'Luke Cage' gets to continue to tell stories. I would think everybody on this panel would be certainly happy to come back and have some more fun.”

by IMDb-Contributing-Writers
IMDb got a sneak peek into HBO's new sci-fi series, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, and Jeffrey Wright. The TV show was inspired by Michael Crichton’s 1973 film of the same name. — Carita Rizzo




In the future exists a western-themed amusement park where visitors can explore every desire with impunity and without consequence. It’s a world where lifelike robots and humans interact without obvious differentiation, begging the question: When there is no obvious distinction between man and machine and when there are no limitations to acting out your fantasies, what is humanity?

That is what the new HBO show "Westworld" sets out to explore. "'Westworld' is an examination of human nature," explains executive producer Lisa Joy. “[It’s] the best parts of human nature: paternal love, romantic love, the finding of one’s self. But also the basest part of human nature. And that includes violence."




It’s not science fiction. It's science fact.

If artificial intelligence was hypothetical in the '70s, it is no longer the case in 2016. With Silicon Valley currently hard at work at developing artificial intelligence, the creators of "Westworld" use the series to explore AI as a reflection of its creator. "There is the possibility of human error. As with any child, you do your best to rear them, but they can sometimes take on their own course. Their code can develop in ways that we did not anticipate," says Joy. “So, our examination of intelligence in "Westworld" accounts for a plurality in different ways in which AI could develop."




How does a 40-year-old movie get resurrected?

Spouses Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy were approached by J.J. Abrams to produce "Westworld" together. "J.J. actually sat down with Michael Crichton two decades ago. Crichton wanted to talk to him about remaking the original film, and J.J. couldn’t crack it at that point. And in fact, neither could the rest of the town," says Jonathan Nolan. "Fast forward two decades later. It occurs to J.J. that it’s not a movie: It’s a series. And a key aspect of that is this idea that you take the narrative and you invert it, and you make it about the hosts. It felt like an opportunity to play with all the questions that we were most excited about. This is a show that has so many fascinating things that we love to dive into. So, we couldn’t possibly turn it down."




The futuristic world where nothing appears human is the ultimate exploration of humanity.

“The show is questioning: Where does life begin? Is a human dictated by biological impulses and neuron synapsing and the double helixes of DNA entwined within our bodies? Or an artificial being that’s coded with zeros and ones, but that is coded in such a way that this AI believes in its reality, feels the things it feels and feels them and as truly as we feel our own feelings?” remarks Lisa Joy. “It’s the constant examination about that line. Where does consciousness begin and end? And what are the differences between an AI and organic human?”

by IMDb-Contributing-Writers
"The Blindspot" was the breakout hit of the 2015-16 television season. The story of Jane Doe, an amnesiac with tattoos all over her body that were clues about crimes that needed to be solved. Not content to rest upon its laurels, the show will shake things up in Season 2 with new characters and storylines. Here's what we learned at the show's panel at the Television Critics' Association press tour. — Sara Bibel




Jane's Real Name is Revealed in the Season Premiere

Jane Doe spent the entire first season as a literal Jane Doe. In the wake of the explosive Season 1 finale, the show will deliver some concrete answers about its protagonist's identity, starting with her name. Executive Producer Martin Gero revealed, "Not only are you going to find out Jane's first name in the first episode, you're going to find out what Orion is, who Shepherd is, what's the plan of this organization, and who Jane really is outside of her name."




New Season, New Theme

The revelations about Jane will be the springboard for the main arc of Season 2. "It is a spoiler if I say what the theme is," said Gero, who declined to reveal details. "But I think it will -- we want to really reward the people that stuck with us all last season."




Archie Panjabi Joins the Cast

Archie Panjabi, best known for playing Kalinda on "The Good Wife," joins the Season 2 cast as the head of a clandestine division of the NSA that has been following Jane's case from afar. The show's producers used a similar tactic in their quest to hire Panjabi. "Martin and I are huge fans of "The Good Wife," and so I don't root against any other show in development," said executive producer Sarah Schecter. "But weekly, I'd be like, 'Martin, I don't know. I don't know. Archie might be free.' So, for us, it's like winning the lottery to have Archie on the show."

Panjabi described her character: "She is tough. She is tenacious. She is wild. She's unpredictable." That sounds a lot like Kalinda. Panjabi acknowledged, "I do wear a pair of knee-high boots."




Michelle Hurd and Luke Mitchell Will Play Recurring Roles

Panjabi is not the only newcomer to the cast. As revealed during the "Blindspot" panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Michelle Hurd will play and Luke Mitchell will play operatives from Jane's past. Mitchell's character, Roman, was referenced during Season 1.




The Supporting Characters Will Have More to Do

Season 1 was focused on the Jane-Kurt dynamic. In Season 2, the rest of the team will have the opportunity to shine. "We have a character like Patterson (Ashley Johnson) that really popped, I think, last year for us, and so she was able to carry an enormous amount of screen time on her own," said Gero. "Now, as we move into the second season, just giving more screen time to Patterson, to Reade (Rob Brown) and Zapata (Audrey Esparza), allows the show to just feel a little fuller, a little more like a kitchen-sink drama.




Rich Dotcom Will Return

Hacker/art thief Rich Dotcom made a big impression when he appeared in two Season 1 episodes. The character will be back in Season 2. "He's coming back episode 7 and possibly more," reveals Gero. "Ennis Esmer, who plays him, is a comic genius. It was so fun to watch the Internet explode every time Rich Dotcom was up. I had a very elderly woman on the street come up to me the other day... and she's, like, 'We need more Rich Dotcom.' And I was, like, 'I promise... We are going to get you more.'"




Less Guns, More Fun

This season the show will move to Thursday at 8 p.m. The earlier timeslot will force the show to get a little more family friendly. "We're not going to shoot anyone in the head anymore," acknowledges Gero.

The show was moving in a lighter direction already. "One of the things we have found toward the end of the first season, something we're really leaning into, is the sense of fun and a little bit more lightness so the show isn't all doom and gloom," said Gero, who made it clear the timeslot shift was not influencing the storylines. "There are those moments of humor and those lighter character moments that I think did really well."




Pay Attention to the Episode Titles

Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed that the Season 1 episode titles were anagrams. "The first 10 were just kind of a fun, hidden message like "Drink more Ovaltine but a little cooler," said Gero. Then, the writers got more ambitious. "The second half [of the season] was an actual... secret message that, if you decode it, there was a hidden phone number hidden into the show that, if you called that number, it would take you to a Twitter account. That Twitter account had these puzzles that we did all summer, that had these really great prizes for fans."

Season 2 will also reward careful viewing. "We are going to do something cool with the titles." Though he declined to share any details, he revealed that he is working with the show's puzzle consultant on the project.