News

Francis Ford Coppola has a date with American Film Institute next year.

The filmmaker has been selected to receive the 50th installment of the organization’s highest honor, the AFI Life Achievement Award, at a ceremony scheduled to take place at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on April 26, 2025. He will be 86 at the time. The tribute will air on TNT with encore presentations on Turner Classic Movies. All proceeds from the gala will support AFI’s education and arts initiatives.

The AFI Life Achievement Award is presented to an honoree “whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art, whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public, and whose work has stood the test of time.”

“Francis Ford Coppola is a peerless artist, one who has created seminal works in the canon of American film, and has also inspired generations of filmmakers who...

Francis Ford Coppola will receive the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award at a gala tribute in Hollywood on April 26, 2025.

Coppola’s latest film Megalopolis starring Adam Driver recently opened in North America through Lionsgate after premiering in Cannes.

The veteran filmmaker’s credits include The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, American Graffiti, The Conversation, The Outsiders, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and The Rainmaker. Coppola co-founded American Zoetrope with George Lucas.

“Francis Ford Coppola is a peerless artist – one who has created seminal works in the canon of American film, and has also inspired generations of filmmakers who now embody his artistry and his independent spirit,...

Some audiences might have first spotted Matt Damon during a notable dinner scene in Donald Petrie's hit 1988 drama "Mystic Pizza." Thereafter, Damon turned up as an extra in "Field of Dreams" and as one of the many handsome students in the 1992 boarding school thriller "School Ties," both of them with his longtime friend and collaborator Ben Affleck. Damon went on to score some considerable screen time in Edward Zwick's "Courage Under Fire" before delivering his first lead performance in 1997 in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Rainmaker." That same year, Damon and Affleck became acclaimed Academy darlings for writing and starring in Gus Van Sant's "Good Will Hunting." The pair won Oscars for their screenplay and have both been major Hollywood players since.

Damon, having gained the clout to be picky and the fame to be noticed, thereafter became attracted to projects by established directors. After having alreayd...

USA Network’s adaptation of John Grisham’s legal thriller, The Rainmaker, is adding another name to its roster: Tommie Earl Jenkins, recently seen in Netflix’s Wednesday, has joined the cast in a recurring role. Production is currently underway for the series, which should provide a healthy dose of Grisham’s signature blend of courtroom drama and conspiracy. […]

John Grisham’s ‘The Rainmaker’ Adds Tommie Earl Jenkins to USA Network Series...

Exclusive: Tommie Earl Jenkins (Wednesday) has joined the cast of the upcoming USA Network drama series The Rainmaker, based on the John Grisham novel of the same name. Production on the series is currently underway.

From showrunner and executive producer Michael Seitzman, the Lionsgate and Blumhouse series follows Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan) who, fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (John Slattery) and his law school girlfriend Sarah Plankmore (Madison Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss (Lana Parrilla) and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

In a recurring role, Jenkins will play Prince Thomas, owner of Yogi’s Bar, where Rudy works as a bartender when we meet him. Prince is a mysterious character whose motives are often as murky as his loyalties.

The previously announced cast also includes Dan Fogler as Melvin Pritcher, a...

Already watched The Lincoln Lawyer Season 3 and ready for more legal dramas? As the Netflix original series based on Michael Connelly’s book series of the same name awaits a season 4 renewal, here are movies and TV shows to watch about lawyers. Bonus: They’re all streaming right now—no renting or premium subscription required.

1. ‘Matlock’ reboot

See Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock in this CBS remake of the classic legal drama. It premiered on Sept. 22, 2024, with new episodes airing every Thursday night.

That means there are only a few episodes currently available on Peacock. Bates’ Matlock cast also includes Skye P. Marshall (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Beau Bridges, Jason Ritter, and Elemental’s Leah Lewis.

2. ‘The Rainmaker’

This list wouldn’t be complete without a John Grisham book turned movie. The Rainmaker, which is streaming on Paramount+, stars Matt Damon as a new attorney who finds himself teaming...

Actor Claire Danes was once cast in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator 3 back in 2003. However, in order to obtain the role, she had to replace another actor who already secured the part.

Why Sophia Bush was replaced by Claire Danes in ‘Terminator 3’ Claire Danes, Kristanna Loken, Arnold Schwarzenegger | Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Terminator 3 director Jonathan Mostow initially had Danes in mind to play the character Kate Brewster in the movie. But in a resurfaced interview with IGN, Mostow confided that Danes couldn’t commit to the project. This led to Mostow hosting auditions to find another actor capable of leading the film. At the time, he was pleasantly surprised by what One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush brought to the table.

“Then, I had auditions and I found this actress who I think is a gem, Sophia Bush. I think this girl is just going to be huge...

This article contains mild spoilers for "Megalopolis" and "Joker: Folie à Deux."

The film industry has just experienced what seems to me an unprecedented two week span of outrageous misfortune. If we trust the high end of their estimated budgets, Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis" and Todd Phillips' "Joker: Folie à Deux" combined to gross a mere $44 million on exorbitant budgets totaling $344 million.

On the surface, "Megalopolis" would appear to be the bigger disaster; now in its second weekend, the $136 million production has amassed only a paltry $6 million. Granted, Coppola sold his Sonoma Country wineries and borrowed against his new ownership stake in the company that absorbed them to personally finance his physically and intellectually ambitious epic. It's not my money, so I don't care to discuss the wisdom of Coppola's investment; what matters to me is that a massive, star-studded film made without the support of a firmly established...

Today marks the long-awaited arrival of “Megalopolis,” legendary director Francis Ford Coppola’s first film in 13 years. But the process of getting the experimental epic, about a dreamlike version of New York City where an architect develops the ability to stop time, has been a project over forty years in the making, after Coppola dreamed up the initial idea towards the end of production on “Apocalypse Now” in 1977. Spending years directing work-for-hire films like “Jack” and “The Rainmaker” to fund the ambitious project, a fusion of science fiction with operatic grandeur, Coppola planned to make the movie in 2001, shooting hours of test footage before production halted at least partly due to 9/11.

The day before Coppola’s 80th birthday in 2019, the director announced that the project had been reborn. But without any companies willing to spend the money to finance and distribute the epic, Coppola was forced to take it on himself,...

Chucky’s murderous days are over — at least for now. The series, based on the classic horror movie franchise, will not return for a fourth season on Syfy and USA Network. The news comes four months after Part 2 of Chucky‘s third season aired its finale on both NBCUniversal cable networks.

Series creator/executive producer Don Mancini had been looking to carry on. He revealed in April that he had pitched a fourth season, saying at the time that “it’s something I really like to do.” His enthusiasm helped spring the #RenewChucky fan campaign, which has been rallying support for Season 4.

Needless to say, today’s outcome is not what he had hoped for, but Mancini, who also created and wrote movie franchise, remained graceful in his reaction, vowing that this is not Chucky’s last spree.

“I’m heartbroken over the news that Chucky won’t be coming...

“Chucky” has been canceled after three seasons, Variety has learned.

The horror comedy series aired on both USA Network and Syfy. Season 3 aired in two parts — the first in October 2023 and the second between April and May 2024. According to sources, there had been discussions of bringing the show back for an abbreviated final season or even a wrap up film, but ultimately to no avail.

“I’m heartbroken over the news that ‘Chucky’ won’t be coming back for a fourth season, but am so grateful for the killer three years we did have,” series creator Don Mancini said in a statement. “I’d like to thank UCP/Syfy/Peacock/Eat the Cat, our awesome cast and Toronto-based crew (the best in the business), and finally, to our amazing fans, a big bloody hug. Your incredible #RenewChucky campaign really warmed Chucky’s cold heart. Chucky will return! He Always come back.

“The Rainmaker” series adaptation at USA Network has added Wade Briggs in a series regular role, Variety has learned exclusively.

Based on the John Grisham novel of the same name, the show was picked up at the basic cabler back in June. Briggs will appear alongside previously announced cast member Milo Callaghan, John Slattery, Madison Iseman, Lana Parrilla, P.J. Byrne, Robyn Cara, and Dan Fogler.

The official logline for the series states, “Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor (Callaghan) goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (Slattery) as well as his law school girlfriend (Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.”

Briggs will play Brad Noonan, described as “a high-powered attorney at the Tinley Britt Law Firm and enforcer to the firm’s managing partner, Leo Drummond.”

Briggs’ recent TV credits include “Foundation...

October 25 will mark 62 years since the release of the first film directed by Francis Ford Coppola: “Come on Out” (later retitled “Tonight for Sure”), a re-edited feature version of three different shorter nudie films he made while a film student at UCLA. It debuted in 1962, right in the middle of the Cuban missile crisis.

With “Megalopolis” opening, he likely has the longest feature film directorial career ever, ahead of Manoel de Oliveira (61 years), Jean-Luc Godard (58), Jerzy Skolimowsky (58), and Frederick Wiseman (56). Clint Eastwood, whose latest film “Juror #2” premieres next month, spans a mere 53 as a director.

To sustain a career that long necessitates a lot of success, which Coppola has had, led by “The Godfather.” But it has been a perilous journey, elongated (“Megalopolis” the most extreme) by his willingness to spend money to keep directing. Of note, his last studio-financed film was “The Rainmaker,” 27 years — and nearly half his career — ago.

Ginny & Georgia fans, we are inching closer to the show’s long-awaited return: Production on Season 3 has wrapped, Netflix revealed on Friday, while also announcing two new recurring cast members for the upcoming run.

Left: Ty Doran (Photo Credit: Gerson Lopes);

Right: Noah Lamanna (Photo Credit: Samantha Falco)

Ty Doran (Manifest) will play Wolfe, a laid back guy in Ginny’s poetry class who doesn’t particularly like poetry. Additionally, Noah Lamanna (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Beacon 23) will portray Tris, a super smart skateboarder who is friends with Marcus and Silver, and who peer tutors.

More from TVLineLaw...

Exclusive: Dan Fogler (The Offer) has been set as a series regular in the USA Network’s new drama series The Rainmaker, based on the John Grisham novel of the same name.

From showrunner and executive producer Michael Seitzman, the Lionsgate and Blumhouse series follows Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan) who, fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (John Slattery) and his law school girlfriend Sarah Plankmore (Madison Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss (Lana Parrilla) and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

Fogler will play Melvin Pritcher, a nurse with an explosive secret at the heart of a vast conspiracy.

The previously announced cast also includes P.J. Byrne in the role of Deck Shifflet, a no-filter, shoot-from-the-hip law school grad who failed the bar seven times. He now operates as an unsentimental “paralawyer” at J.

When it comes to Hollywood’s top names, Matt Damon definitely fits the bill. He’s been in the game for a long time, having kicked off his career at a young age. By the 1990s, he was already considered one of the rising stars, right up there with Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio. As the years went by, he gained even more recognition, starring in films that are still iconic today.

Matt Damon in Jason Bourne (Credits: Universal Pictures)

Damon dives into a range of genres, though he’s best known for his action films. Over his career, he’s been nominated for numerous awards and even won an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Despite this, there are still a few of his films that haven’t gotten the attention they deserve and could definitely use more spotlight and reviews.

1. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Still from The Talented Mr.

Francis Ford Coppola for the first time responded to the “Megalopolis” trailer snafu, calling the use of fake film critic quotes a “mistake” and an “accident.”

The auteur told Entertainment Tonight at the film’s screening in Toronto that he’s “not sure what happened” with the first trailer but did take a little responsibility.

“I’m the one who said there were bad reviews, but I don’t know,” Coppola said. “It was a mistake, an accident, I’m not sure what happened.”

The marketing ploy for the initial trailer used quotes from very real (and iconic) film critics citing Coppola’s past classic features like “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now,” but it was discovered just about all the quotes turned out to be fake, with some critics writing positively about the films in question.

The since-removed trailer positioned “Megalopolis” as another misunderstood Coppola feature that will also be...

Patricia Arquette has really been bitten by the true crime bug. The Severance actor is set to star in Murdaugh Murders, a new limited series from Michael D. Fuller and co-creator Erin Lee Carr. The series will be partially adapted from Liz Farrell and Mandy Matney's popular Murdaugh Murders Podcast,...

Exclusive: Robyn Cara (Bodkin) has been cast in a series regular role in USA Network’s The Rainmaker, based on the John Grisham novel of the same name.

From showrunner and executive producer Michael Seitzman, the Lionsgate and Bloomhouse series follows Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan) who, fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (John Slattery) and his law school girlfriend Sarah Plankmore (Madison Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss (Lana Parrilla) and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

Cara will portray Kelly Riker, a lonely young woman trapped in an abusive marriage who befriends her neighbor, Rudy. In the 1997 film The Rainmaker from director Francis Ford Coppola, Kelly was famously portrayed by Claire Danes.

The previously announced cast also includes P.J. Byrne in the role of Deck Shifflet, a no-filter, shoot-from-the-hip law school grad who failed the bar seven times.

Move over, Robert Downey Jr., there's a newly resurrected Marvel star in town. Well—it's not as exciting as an Rdj return, but it's still notable: according to The Hollywood Reporter, James Spader will reprise the role of Ultron in the upcoming Vision series for Disney+. This one's a bit of an easier get,...

So, Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis is going well. Here’s a look back at the problems, crises and controversies around the auteur’s four-decade passion project.

In an industry where things rarely seem to go smoothly, it takes quite something to earn the reputation of Apocalypse Now. 45 years on, Francis Ford Coppola’s war epic is still the go-to example of a chaotic production. Compared to 238 days in a Philippine jungle, hampered by typhoons and heart attacks, the soundstage-set Megalopolis should have been a breeze.

It has not, dear reader, been a breeze. By now, the number of setbacks, controversies and missteps lining up at Megalopolis’ Fritz Lang-inspired doors seems to be reaching near-legendary proportions – so we’ve decided to put them all in one place. We’ll update the list when someone drops the only film reel down a well, or something.

One From The Heart

The...

We’ve gotten more casting for the upcoming USA Network series The Rainmaker, so here’s what we know so far on the coming legal drama!

It’s been a while since USA Network got into scripted drama. After kicking off the big “blue sky era” of hit shows from Monk to Suits, the network scaled back in recent years. However, they’re making a big return with a direct-to-series order of a show based on John Grisham’s The Rainmaker.

Grisham is well known as the author of numerous legal thrillers, including The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, and A Time To Kill. All four of those books were turned into movies, as was his 1995 novel The Rainmaker, which became a 1997 film starring Matt Damon.

The USA Network series comes from Michael Seiztman, who will serve as showrunner with Jason Richman, co-producer and writer. The series is in...

USA Network’s The Rainmaker has added P.J. Byrne to its series regular cast alongside John Slattery, Milo Callaghan, Lana Parrilla and Madison Iseman.

From showrunner and executive producer Michael Seitzman and based on the John Grisham novel of the same name, The Rainmaker follows Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan) who, fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (John Slattery) and his law school girlfriend Sarah Plankmore (Madison Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss (Lana Parrilla) and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

Byrne will star as Deck Shifflet, a no-filter, shoot-from-the-hip law school grad who failed the bar seven times. He now operates as an unsentimental “paralawyer” at J. Lyman Stone.

In the 1997 film The Rainmaker from director Francis Ford Coppola, Deck was famously portrayed by Danny DeVito.

The Rainmaker received...

P.J. Byrne has joined “The Rainmaker” series adaptation at USA Network, Variety has learned.

The show was originally picked up at the cabler back in June and is based on the iconic John Grisham novel of the same name. He joins previously announced cast members Milo Callaghan, John Slattery, Madison Iseman, and Lana Parrilla in the series.

The official logline for the series states, “Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor (Callaghan) goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (Slattery) as well as his law school girlfriend (Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.”

Byrne will play Deck Shifflet, who is described as “a no-filter, shoot-from-the-hip law school grad who failed the bar seven times, Deck now operates as an unsentimental ‘paralawyer’ at J. Lyman Stone.”

Byrne is known for his roles in films...

Lana Parrilla fans, rejoice! The actress is set to star in a new television project, and that definitely has us excited. I personally was introduced to Parrilla thanks to her role as Regina Mills/Evil Queen on hit fantasy series Once Upon a Time. She's so talented and I've been a fan since. And like many celebs that we become fans of, we like to follow and support their careers even after that initial show has ended.

Since Once Upon a Time, the actress has starred in Paramount+'s Why Women Kill, The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix, and Jennifer Lopez movie, Atlas, which is also streaming on Netflix. And now, it's time for the next project! We'll need to tune in to new series The Rainmaker on USA Network, per Deadline. Though no release date has been shared yet, we have some information on what the series is about and who the star will play.

Well, I’d call this an upgrade.

Lana Parrilla has joined the cast of USA Network’s adaptation of John Grisham’s The Rainmaker, in a version of the role played in the 1997 film by Mickey Rourke.

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In The Rainmaker, Rudy Baylor (to beplayed by Milo Callaghan of Doctor Who‘s “Dot & Bubble” episode), fresh out of law school,...

A Mad Man is heading to court. USA Network will once again be airing original scripted dramas! The Rainmaker was ordered to series in June 2024. It comes from Michael Seitzman, Jason Richman, John Grisham, David Gernert, and Jason Blum. The first major role has been cast. Read on for everything we know about that character and more. Is The Rainmaker an adaptation? Yes! The book by John Grisham was originally published in 1995. According to its description, it “tells the story of a young man barely out of law school who finds himself taking on one of the most powerful, corrupt, and ruthless companies in America — and exposing a complex, multibillion-dollar insurance scam. In his final semester of law school Rudy Baylor is required to provide free legal advice to a group of senior citizens, and it is there that he meets his first ‘clients,’ Dot and Buddy Black. Their son,...

Exclusive: Lana Parrilla has joined the cast of the USA Network series The Rainmaker, based on the bestselling John Grisham novel of the same name.

From writer and executive producer Michael Seitzman, the Lionsgate and Blumhouse series follows Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan) who, fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (John Slattery) and his law school girlfriend Sarah Plankmore (Madison Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

In a series regular role, Parrilla will play brash, ballsy street lawyer Jocelyn “Bruiser” Stone who heads her disgraced father, J. Lyman Stone’s strip-mall law firm.

In the novel, Rudy is hired by the elder Stone, a glorified ambulance chaser nicknamed Bruiser, as an associate at his law firm. Mickey Rourke played J. Lyman...

USA Network’s adaptation of John Grisham’s bestselling novel, “The Rainmaker”, has set Milo Callaghan to star in the main role. Callaghan will take on the role of Rudy Baylor, a recent law school graduate who uncovers conspiracies and faces off against a formidable legal opponent, Leo Drummond, while also dealing with a relationship with his […]

USA Network’s Adaptation of Grisham’s The Rainmaker Casts Milo Callaghan in the lead...

Milo Callaghan may have just gotten his big break after this huge booking!

The young actor has a few projects under his belt, such as Doctor Who and The Strangers: Chapter One. For Milo though, The Rainmaker could be his big break.

Based on the book of the same name, The Rainmaker follows Rudy Baylor (Callaghan) after he graduates law school. Still new to the real world, he suddenly finds himself up against well-known defense attorney Leo F. Drummond, who will be played by John Slattery.

This isn’t the first time this story has been adapted though. In fact, Matt Damon famously played the role of Rudy Baylor in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1997 film version. Milo has some big shoes to fill to say the least, but they wouldn’t have cast him if he didn’t have the chops!

The Rainmaker has found the actor to fill Matt Damon’s shoes.

Milo Callaghan, who guest-starred on Doctor Who‘s very recent “Dot & Bubble” episode, will play the lead role in USA Network’s upcoming adaptation of the bestselling John Grisham novel, our sister site Variety reports.

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Callaghan will star as recent law school grad Rudy Baylor, who “goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond as well...

Milo Callaghan has been cast as the series lead in “The Rainmaker” at USA Network.

The show was originally picked up at the cabler back in June and is based on the iconic John Grisham novel of the same name. He joins previously announced cast members John Slattery and Madison Iseman in the series.

The official logline for the series states, “Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor (Callaghan) goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (Slattery) as well as his law school girlfriend (Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.”

Callaghan’s past credits include “FBI: International,” “Doctor Who,” and “The Spanish Princess,” as well as the feature “The Strangers: Chapter 1.” He was recently cast in the BBC Three series “Video Nasty” and the Disney+ series “Rivals.”

He is repped by Hamilton Hodell...

Exclusive: Milo Callaghan (Dune: Prophesy) has been set as a lead opposite John Slattery in USA Network’s The Rainmaker, based on the bestselling John Grisham novel of the same name.

In a series regular role, Callagan will star as Rudy Baylor. Fresh out of law school, Rudy is an inexperienced attorney with a medical malpractice case against legendary attorney Leo F. Drummond (Slattery) that exposes a shocking conspiracy.

Rudy was famously portrayed by Matt Damon in The Rainmaker, the 1997 big-screen adaptation of the novel directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

From writer and executive producer Michael Seitzman, the Lionsgate and Blumhouse series follows Rudy Baylor who, fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond and his law school girlfriend Sarah Plankmore (Madison Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

The Rainmaker...

Madison Iseman has been cast in the upcoming USA Network drama series The Rainmaker, based on the novel by John Grisham. Iseman will portray Sarah Plankmore, a recent law school graduate and the girlfriend of the show’s protagonist, Rudy Baylor. Iseman stars alongside recently cast John Slattery who is playing Leo F. Drummond. Iseman is […]

Madison Iseman Joins the Cast of USA Network’s The Rainmaker...

Madison Iseman has been cast as Sarah Plankmore in “The Rainmaker” series at USA Network.

The official logline for the series states, “Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (John Slattery) and his law school girlfriend. Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncovers two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.”

Plankmore is described as a recent law school graduate and Rudy’s girlfriend in a show that was initially picked up at the cabler in June and is based on the iconic John Grisham novel of the same name.

The role of Rudy Baylor has yet to be cast.

Iseman co-starred in “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “American Horror Stories.” On the film side, she’ll next be seen in “Witchboard.” Her previous credits include the “Jumanji” franchise, “Fear of Rain,” “Knights of the Zodiac,...

Exclusive: Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer) has joined the cast of the USA Network’s drama series The Rainmaker, based on the bestselling John Grisham novel of the same name.

From writer and executive producer Michael Seitzman, the Lionsgate and Blumhouse series follows Rudy Baylor who, fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond and his law school girlfriend. Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

In a series regular role, Iseman will play Sarah Plankmore, a recent law school graduate and Rudy’s girlfriend. The role of Rudy has yet to be cast.

The Rainmaker received a series order by the NBCUniversal cable network in June, capping a six-year journey by Seitzman to bring the book to TV. Seitzman and Jason Richman wrote the pilot script,...

John Slattery, known for his role in the critically acclaimed series Mad Men, has been cast in the upcoming USA Network drama series The Rainmaker. Slattery will portray Leo F. Drummond, a legendary courtroom lawyer and senior partner at the powerful law firm Tinley Britt. Based on the novel by John Grisham, The Rainmaker follows […]

John Slattery Joins USA Network’s The Rainmaker...

A familiar face from Mad Men has been cast in a key role in The Rainmaker TV series. John Slattery will play powerful lawyer Leo F. Drummond in the drama based on the John Grisham novel of the same name.

The Rainmaker was previously made into a feature film in 1997, starring Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, and Claire Danes. Jon Voight played Drummond in the picture.

Read More…...

USA Network is rebooting John Grisham’s The Rainmaker, and John Slattery will star!

The 61-year-old Mad Men alum will be leading the to-be-announced cast of the drama from Lionsgate Television and Blumhouse Television, THR reports.

He will play Leo F. Drummond, described one of John Grisham‘s most iconic characters, and “a legendary lion of the courtroom and senior partner at Tinley Britt, the powerful firm that Rainmaker protagonist Rudy Baylor is up against,” the report adds.

Keep reading to find out more…

Here’s the official description: “Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (Slattery) as well as his law school girlfriend. Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.”

The straight-to-series order for the Rainmaker reboot is USA Network’s first non-shared scripted series since 2020.

The Rainmaker...

John Slattery will join the upcoming USA Network drama “The Rainmaker” as Leo F. Drummond, the main antagonist of the story in the original John Grisham novel and its 1997 film adaptation, NBCUniversal announced Monday.

The character is described in a release as “one of Grisham’s most iconic characters … a legendary lion of the courtroom and senior partner at Tinley Britt, the powerful firm that Rudy Baylor is up against.”

It has yet to be announced who will play the lead of Baylor, portrayed in the film version by Matt Damon. The series is described in its logline as featuring the “fresh out of law school” Baylor taking on Drummond, “as well as his law school girlfriend. Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.”

Slattery received four Best Support Actor Emmy Award nominations for his...

USA Network has found its star for their reboot of John Grisham’s The Rainmaker.

Mad Men alum John Slattery will be leading the yet-to-be-announced cast of the drama from Lionsgate Television and Blumhouse Television that counts Grisham, along with writer Michael Seitzman (Code Black, Intelligence), Jason Richman (Stumptown, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon), David Gernert and Jason Blum as executive producers. Richman and Seitzman co-wrote the pilot.

Slattery will play Leo F. Drummond, one of Grisham’s most iconic characters, a legendary lion of the courtroom and senior partner at Tinley Britt, the powerful firm that Rainmaker protagonist Rudy Baylor is up against.

The logline reads: “Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (Slettery) as well as his law school girlfriend. Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

USA Network has announced the first casting for its upcoming TV adaptation of The Rainmaker: John Slattery (Mad Men) has been tapped as a series regular in the drama based on the bestselling John Grisham novel, TVLine has learned.

In The Rainmaker, Rudy Baylor, fresh out of law school, “goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond,” as well as his law school girlfriend. Along the way, Rudy, his boss and a disheveled paralegal uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

More from TVLineTVLine Items: Gh Exit Confirmed, Neighborhood Promotion and MoreMatthew Fox to...

John Slattery has been cast in a lead role of “The Rainmaker” series at USA Network.

The show was originally picked up at the cabler back in June and is based on the iconic John Grisham novel of the same name. Slattery will portray Leo F. Drummond. The character is described as “a legendary lion of the courtroom and senior partner at Tinley Britt, the powerful firm that Rudy Baylor is up against.”

The official logline for the series states, “Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond as well as his law school girlfriend. Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.”

The role of Rudy Baylor has yet to be cast.

Slattery is best known for his role in the AMC series “Mad Men,” for which he received...

Exclusive: John Slattery has joined the cast of USA Network’s drama series The Rainmaker, based on the bestselling John Grisham novel of the same name.

In a series regular role, Slattery will portray one of Grisham’s most iconic characters, Leo F. Drummond, a legendary lion of the courtroom and senior partner at Tinley Britt, the powerful firm that Rudy Baylor is up against. Jon Voight played Leo in the Francis Ford Coppola directed film adaptation of the novel released in 1997.

From writer and executive producer Michael Seitzman, the Lionsgate and Blumhouse series follows Rudy Baylor who, fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond and his law school girlfriend. Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

The Rainmaker received a series order by the NBCUniversal cable network in June,...

Pluto TV, Paramount’s free streaming service, has revealed its July highlights. The Pluto TV July 2024 schedule includes a new Westerns category and a Yellowstone Fourth of July marathon.

You can also expect fireworks at the Big Brother house when season 26 premieres, and with Pluto TV’s dedicated 24/7 live feeds, you won’t miss a second of the drama. Fans can also relive past seasons of the competition series on a new dedicated channel.

Pluto TV is the leading free streaming television service, delivering hundreds of live, linear channels and thousands of titles on-demand to a global audience. The Emmy Award-winning service curates a diverse lineup of channels in partnership with hundreds of international media companies.

Pluto TV offers various genres, languages, and categories featuring movies, television series, sports, news, lifestyle, kids, and much more. The service can be easily accessed and streamed across mobile, web, and connected TV devices.

Paramount has announced the lineup of movies, TV shows, and live sports coming to the Paramount+ streaming service in July. The Paramount Plus July 2024 schedule includes season two of Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, the music documentary Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken, the espionage docuseries Mafia Spies, a 24/7 stream of Big Brother, and more.

It’s been 25 years since SpongeBob SquarePants first made a splash, and we all got swept away in his underwater hijinks. In July, brand-new adventures are in store for the seafaring superstar and the residents of Bikini Bottom when Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years returns for a second season.

Paramount+ is marking SpongeBob SquarePants’ silver anniversary in style with several unique activations. Audiences can customize their profiles with over 15 new SpongeBob avatars, explore the refreshed SpongeBob Universe collection along with special carousels curated for the franchise’s most beloved characters, and check out the SpongeBob takeover on the Paramount+ app.

Rest easy, Resident Alien fans. The show has officially been renewed for a fourth season!

It was a close call at NBCU about the show's future, so this is excellent news.

The big difference is that the show will no longer air on Syfy but on the sister NBCU site, USA Network.

We all wish USA's Blue Sky programming were still going today.

They've been out of scripted originals for a couple of years, but with the announcement of The Rainmaker last month, they're back in business.

Related: Resident Alien Season 3 Episode 8 Review: Homecoming

Deadline reported earlier this year that the Resident Alien renewal was questionable, and they're breaking the news about it today, just as they expected by jumping networks.

At the time, they also said there would be a significant budget reduction, so when we return, things may not be the same in Patience, Colorado.

USA was...

It’s official: Resident Alien has been renewed for a fourth season at a new NBCUniversal home, USA Network, moving from cable sibling Syfy.

As Deadline reported exclusively last month, the quirky sci-fi comedy-drama was not likely to continue on Syfy, with a move to USA as its most viable option to get a fourth season with a significant budget reduction. The transfer gives USA a second new scripted series, joining the recently picked up legal drama The Rainmaker as the once-thriving original scripted brand is returning to the arena with a slate influenced by the network’s glorious “Blue Sky” era that spanned most of the 2000s and early 2010s.

With the relocation to USA, NBCU is looking to expose Resident Alien to a broader audience, a crossover potential the series’ successful run on Netflix hinted at. Season 1 made it to the global streamer’s Top 10 of English-language series...

Resident Alien is on the move.

The dark sci-fi comedy starring Alan Tudyk has been renewed for a fourth season, and is shifting homes from Syfy to USA Network.

The idea is to expose the show to a broader audience, as USA Network tends to have a bit more reach than Syfy. Resident Alien has also recently gotten an awareness boost from Netflix picking up its first two seasons earlier this year.

Resident Alien stars Tudyk as crash-landed alien named Harry who tries to blend in with humans in a small Colorado town while hiding his secret mission to destroy humanity. The most recent, third season averaged 3.3 million total viewers across all platforms.

The move comes on the heels of USA reentering the scripted originals space by picking up a straight-to-series order for a reboot of the John Grisham legal drama The Rainmaker, from producers Lionsgate TV and Blumhouse TV.

From his early days as an actor, Matt Damon has proven his versatility in every role he plays. Good Will Hunting, Courage Under Fire, and The Rainmaker showed his range as a dramatic performer. Damon diversified his filmography and started venturing into action films with the first Jason Bourne film in 2002.

Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity | Universal Pictures

The first three films of the franchise were released in quick succession till 2007. Damon did not return as Bourne for almost a decade and it seems it was a deliberate decision made by him and the franchise director. Both of them wanted to see how the world would change in that time and reflect that on their return in 2016.

Matt Damon Infused Real-World Changes With His 2016 Return As Jason Bourne Matt Damon took a big break from the Bourne franchise after The Bourne Ultimatum | Universal Pictures

Matt Damon...