BET Networks and Marvel Animation announced that Djimon Hounsou will be the voice of the Black Panther on the animated series coming in February.

The Oscar-nominated actor Hounsou.joins a production that largely adapts the first six issues of the Reginald Hudlin-written Black Panther series, “Who is the Black Panther?”

"BET is thrilled to have Djimon Hounsou join us as the voice of The Black Panther," said Denys Cowan, Senior Vice President, Animation for BET Networks. "He is a talented, compelling actor who will be the perfect voice for such an important super-hero in the Marvel universe and such a moment in this historic environment."

"Having Djimon Hounsou voice the lead character in this new series speaks to the power of the character and the partnership between BET and Marvel Animation," adds Eric Rollman, President of Marvel Animation. "The Black Panther animated series is Marvel’s entree into prime-time animation and Djimon raises the bar for all involved as we bring the best in the animation business together to execute on that vision."

"It’s a blessing for African Americans and minorities to have a super-hero they can identify with," said Hounsou. "While the Black Panther is a powerful force for good, he is also a respected world leader who takes pride in his African heritage. He embodies the past and future of his culture, demonstrating the endless possibilities of an Africa that is truly free."

The series comes at a time when Marvel is changing Panthers, seemingly killing off T’Challa and replacing him with an unidentified woman according to a story in the Washington Post.
 

In what is becoming a new industry trend, British journalists were treated to a look at about 20 minutes of footage from JJ Abrams’ Star Trek coming May 8, 2009.

Additionally, Paramount Pictures provided Entertainment Weekly with the first good look at the revamped U.S.S. Enterprise.

In providing the image, Abrams spoke about watching Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979. "The coolest thing about it — maybe the coolest thing in the movie — was when you flew around the ship, you could see all the different panels that made up the ship," he told the magazine. "It was the first time I had ever seen that level of attention, that love of detail, given to the tangible, practical reality of the ship."

Abrams went on to say, "If you’re going to do Star Trek there are many things you cannot change. The Enterprise is a visual touchstone for so many people. So if you’re going to do the Enterprise, it better look like the Enterprise, because otherwise, what are you doing?"

Meantime, Den of Geek and Empire Magazine both provided extensive descriptions of the footage along with commentary.

“A very disarming Abrams himself was there, as was Simon Pegg, the new Scotty; both were on-form but clearly very nervous, and both addressed the gathering, Abrams at length,’ Geek wrote. “ He may be right: the viewing started with the new trailer, which will be in cinemas Friday, followed by four scenes from the movie itself, all complete with polished SFX and scoring.

“And it all looks absolutely amazing.”

Empire wrote “any reservations we may have harbored over JJ Abrams’ reimagining of the franchise have been well and truly beamed away. What we saw was a medley of action, excitement, humor and a true reverence for the franchise that should both appease fans and suck in newcomers.” (more…)

Ridley Scott is going to Boardwalk in style.  He is in talks with Universal to direct a movie based on the Parker Brothers’ classic Monopoly according to The Hollywood Reporter. Scott first announced his interest in the project on June 19, 2007.

Pamela Pettler (Corpse Bride) is already at work on a screenplay for the Hasbro-Universal collaboration. She is also writing another animated project, 9, to be produced by Bride’s director Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted).

Hasbro has several other games in development around Hollywood including Ouija Board with Platinum Dunes, Battleship, and course, Paramount has G.I. Joe coming next August.

The game was first developed in 1904 as a way to explain economics and then was revised and modified until Charles Darrow presented a finished version to Parker Brothers, which released it in 1935. It has since spawned countless variations and international editions,having been played by more than 750 million people according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
 

The anticipated Family Guy spinoff, The Cleveland Show, has been bumped from midseason to the fall.  Variety reports that Fox announced the show to generate buzz but executives clearly had their doubts if the new animated show would be ready for spring.

The delay came with a treat as the network gave the show a full 22-episode order for the 12009-2010 season.

Huffington Post editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington was announced as joining the show’s voice cast in a recurring role.

CAMELOT

Modern day interpretations of classic tales seems to be in vogue.  First, NBC retells the King David story through Michael Green’s Kings and now Showtime and the BBC announced plans to produce Camelot telling, well, you know what.

The new show comes from Michael Hirst and Morgan O’Sullivan, the duo behind the cable network’s successful series The Tudors.

Hirst will be writing the scripts and serve as executive producer, much as he has done on the series featuring King Henry VIII.  That show completed its second season in the spring and saw its rating rise 6% and the third season just wrapped production for an April debut.

Variety noted that Showtime has aggressively filled their production slate with several other originals beginning with the Diablo Cody-written show, United States of Tara which will star Toni Collette, debuting in January. Other shows range from the half-hour sitcom Nurse Jackie, starring Edie Falco, to the dark series, The End of Steve, likely to star Matthew Perry. Its L Word enters its final season in January and then star Leisha Haily is expected to be spun off into a new series.

ABC SHUFFLES

As we mentioned yesterday, ABC is placing Lost in Private Practice’s spot and there was no news as to where the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off was headed.  Now we know thanks to The Hollywood Reporter. It moves to Thursday, right behind Grey’s while Life on Mars moves to Wednesday’s at 10 p.m. to get a boost from Lost.

The network also indicated Scrubs may debut in midseason Wednesdays at 8 p.m., displacing Pushing Daisies which has yet to find an audience this season and may not go beyond its 13 episode order. If so, expect to find creator Bryan Fuller once more toiling among Heroes.

No surprise, the new timeslot for Practice now means the two related shows will crossover in time for February sweeps.

Other shows in ratings trouble include Eli Stone although Dirty Sexy Money may get a new time slot to improve its fortunes.