We thought we’d seen the last of him, but he’s back! At this weekend’s Creation Entertainment Salute to “Supernatural” convention in Parsippany, N.J., Fredric Lehne himself affirms that he will return as the series’ original baddie, the Yellow Eyed Demon – also known as Azazel. Zap2it is still awaiting studio confirmation, but for now, we’ll take Lehne’s word for it.

Lehne says he’ll start work on Wednesday, July 14, while the cast and crew is working on the season premiere. Though he has had the most screen time as Azazel, the demon has also been portrayed by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Rob Labelle, Mitch Pileggi, and very briefly by Lindsey McKeon.

Warner Bros. has confirmed that Mitch Pileggi will also return to the show — though whether he’ll appear as Azazel or Samuel Campbell, Sam and Dean’s grandfather, we don’t know.

Read more… »

Comic Con has announced the lineup for Friday, July 23rd, and included in the list of panels on that day is “Batman: Under the Red Hood.” No official confirmation yet as to whether Jensen will be in attendance at the panel:

8:00-10:00 World Premiere: Batman: Under the Red Hood
Warner Home Video, Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Animation proudly present the World Premiere of Batman: Under the Red Hood, the eighth entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 movies.

In the film, Batman faces his ultimate challenge as the mysterious Red Hood takes Gotham City by firestorm. One part vigilante, one part criminal kingpin, Red Hood begins cleaning up Gotham with the efficiency of Batman, but without following the same ethical code. Killing is an option. And when The Joker falls in the balance between the two, hard truths are revealed and old wounds are reopened. The stellar voice cast is led by Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek), Jensen Ackles (Supernatural), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), John DiMaggio (Futurama), Jason Issacs, and Vincent Martella.

Read more… »

Though The CW consistently comes in last place in the ratings, there’s no denying that the viewers they do have are fiercely loyal and totally obsessed. But are they Emmy voters? Warner Bros. Entertainment seems to believe they are, because for the first time ever, The CW’s shows are being marketed for Emmy consideration.

In the most recent issue of Emmy Magazine, Warner Bros. launched the “OMFG FYC” campaign for its five CW-housed shows, officially submitting “The Vampire Diaries,” “Gossip Girl,” “One Tree Hill,” “Smallville” and “Supernatural” for consideration for Outstanding Drama Series.

“Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles is frequently touted by fans and critics as a possible Best Actor contender. Over the last two seasons, Ackles’ portrayal of a man who has literally spent 40 years in hell has certainly been heartbreaking and powerful at times. Unfortunately, there are also times that it’s been unreliable, occasionally due to inconsistent writing. WB appears to have high hopes for Ackles — they submitted “The End,” in which Jensen pulled double duty, playing Dean Winchester in 2009 and a wearier, tragedy-stricken Dean Winchester in 2014. The two interact throughout the episode, a feat for any actor. (They also submitted “Changing Channels,” which will certainly appeal to your average TV geek… and, thus, your average Emmy voter.)

Read more… »

The “Supernatural” cast and crew are getting a head start on Season 6. The CW confirms that Jensen Ackles and the rest of the gang have already assembled in Vancouver to begin production on the episode “Weekend at Bobby’s,” which Ackles will direct.

“Weekend at Bobby’s” is the fourth episode of the season, but will be shot first. The schedule was arranged to give Ackles time to prepare before his directorial debut. The normal shooting schedule will resume in July.

Of course, Jim Beaver will guest star as Bobby Singer in the episode. As Ackles gets a taste of life behind-the-camera, Beaver is getting a chance to see what it’s like in Jensen’s shoes. Sources confirm that the episode centers around Bobby’s character, and will also feature a guest appearance by Kim Rhodes as Sheriff Jody Mills, who helped the Winchesters and Bobby fight off zombies in the Season 5 episode “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid.”

Beaver tweeted about his unusually heavy schedule. “Having watched lots of TV stars at work, I knew being the single lead on a series is the hardest job in the acting biz. Getting a taste now.” (Source)

Mitch Pileggi is returning to Supernatural as Sam and Dean’s presumed-dead grandpa — and not for some one-off guest stint. As first teased in Ask Ausiello, the X-Files vet will appear in multiple episodes during season 6.

“I’m a longtime fan of Mitch’s work,” gushes executive producer/new showrunner Sera Gamble. “And we all thought he did an amazing job the first time around, so we’re excited he was game to [return].”

What brings Gramps back? “For one thing, he’s a Campbell — from Sam and Dean’s mom’s side of the family,” reminds Gamble, “which, unlike their dad’s, has actually been into hunting for a very long time. There’s a whole side of Sam and Dean’s history that they know nothing about. We’ll get to find out a bit about it this season.”

In other Supe news, the show is on the prowl for an actor in his late 30s to mid-40s to play the recurring role of Christian. Described as “capable, calm under pressure, and very good at his job,” Christian has a special relationship with Sam and Dean. (Source)

Ask Ausiello recently posted some upcoming season six spoilers of “Supernatural”. Read at your own risk!

Question: Any spoilers on season 6 of Supernatural? —Shira
Ausiello: I hear the show’s fourth episode back — the one directed by Jensen Ackles — will be Bobby-centric and feature a character named Marcy Ward. Described as attractive in a down-to-earth/woman-next-door way, Marcy is a capable homemaker with a crush on her neighbor.

Supernatural returns Friday, September 24th.

Batman Under The Red Hood is released next month, and below is a preview of what to expect from the direct to DVD animated features. It has an interesting voice-casting with Neil Patrick Harris as Dick Grayson/Nightwing and Supernatural, Jensen Ackles, as Red Hood.

On September 7th Warner Home Video will release the fifth season of “Supernatural”, starring Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, onto DVD and Blu-Ray, and we’ve got an early look at what to expect!

Season Synopsis
Two brothers and one fallen angel – against all the might of Satan and his army! As the Apocalypse grows closer, threatening to turn Earth into a battlefield soaked with human blood, Sam, Dean, and Castiel struggle against daunting odds. New foes arise, including the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Old friends depart, consumed by the fearsome wrath of Hell. Through it all the Winchesters are targeted by demons and angels alike, who warn that each brother has a special and terrible role to play in the coming devastation. Season Five follows Sam and Dean on their most terrifying journey yet, one that may lead them to the only ally strong enough to defeat the Devil: God.

Special Features
• Supernatural: Apocalypse Survival Guides – Bobby’s Exclusive Video Collection
• “Ghostfacers”: The Web Series
• Producer/Writer Commentary on “Episode 4 – The End”
• Unaired Scene from “Episode 9 – The Real Ghostbusters”
• Gag Reel

Read more… »