The Insider
Malone is Catching Fire
Jena Malone has been offered the key role of Johanna Mason in The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire, THR's Heat Vision reports. Mason is a former Hunger Games winner from District 7 who aligns herself with Katniss & Peeta in their return to the arena for an all-star deathmatch.
R.I.P. Eric Sykes
Veteran British comedic actor Eric Sykes has passed away at age 89. Sykes began his career as a comedy writer in the 1940s. His TV breakthrough came in 1960 with Sykes and a... in which he co-starred with Hatti Jacques.
Marvel's Avengers Assemble at Comic Con
Marvel have announced they will be unveiling their newest animated series', Avengers Assemble & Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., at next week's Comic Con International in San Diego. Both series are set to premiere in the US in 2013.
R.I.P. Andy Griffith
Legendary actor Andy Griffith has passed away at age 86. Griffith made his film debut in Elia Kazan's 1957 epic A Face in the Crowd before he became better known for his TV roles, including The Ed Sullivan Show in the 1950s, The Andy Griffith Show in the 60s, & Matlock in the late 80s/early 90s.
Glee cast to return for Season 4
Virtually all 15 regular Glee cast members have accepted series co-creator Ryan Murphy's open invitation to return for Season 4, Deadline reports, though not everyone will be in every episode. Leading couple Lea Michele & Cory Monteith will likely be in most episodes, while Chord Overstreet is in talks to return as a regular.
HBO renews True Blood, Newsroom, Eastbound
HBO's hit vampire drama series True Blood will be coming back for a 6th season after the network renewed it this week. Also returning will be newbie drama series The Newsroom, with HBO ordering a 2nd season just over a week after the series' debut, and comedy hit Eastbound & Down which has been picked up for a 4th season.
A&E check in to Bates Motel
The A&E Network has announced that it has put in a 10-episode order for Bates Motel, a prequel series to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho from Universal Television. The series, which will look at the twisted relationship between Norman Bates & his mother, is set to premiere in 2013.
Russell joins Game of Thrones
Veteran British actor Clive Russell has joined the cast of HBO's Game of Thrones for its upcoming 3rd season, Shepherd Management reports. Russell will play Brynden "The Blackfish" Tully, Catelyn Stark's uncle who becomes a key player in Robb Stark's war effort.
