News Round Up: Hannibal, Pacific Rim and Casting Announcements!

A few big announcements have been made over the past couple of days. First up - it seems forever ago that WonderCon took place and its attendees were treated to a brand new trailer for Pacific Rim. It was vowed the trailer would not be released internationally but, due to popular demand, here it is...

A little more is explained regarding the monstrous Kaiju in this extended trailer and there are a few more glimpses of the cast including Idris Elba and Ron Perlman. Although I think it is fair to say that altogether, this is a trailer of epic proportions (or "2500 tonnes of awesome") showcasing extraordinary visual effects and action sequences that most definitely pack a punch. Anticipation has thus reached a new level -Pacific Rim will hit our screens on July 12th, 2013. 

Now for some exciting casting announcements. Ryan Murphy took to Twitter earlier to announce that Gabourey Sidibe (star of Precious) will join the likes of Kathy Bates and recurring cast members Taissa Farmiga, Frances Conroy, Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe and Evan Peters in American Horror Story: Coven. No details have been provided on characters yet, but we know filming will take place in New Orleans and the series (comprising of thirteen episodes) will hopefully land on our screens later this year. 

Jeremy Irvine and Phoebe Fox have been cast in the lead roles for The Woman in Black: Angel of Death. This sequel to last years Hammer Films production The Woman in Black will be set in World War II when Eel Marsh house is converted into a shelter for evacuated children. James Watkins is not returning to direct, however Tom Harper (probably most known for directorial credit of This is England '86) will instead take the

chair. Hopefully the sequel will retain the creepy and good old-fashioned ghost story sensibility that so wonderfully graced the first installment. 

The most disappointing bit of news this week, is that Hannibal has been pulled from an NBC affiliate channel KSL TV. This Utah Salt Lake City station has made this decision due to the shows 'graphic nature' which consequently caused several complaints from viewers. Hopefully this will not catch on causing the show to be pulled altogether because the series is a brilliant, beautiful and captivating drama. Albeit a bit ballsy for a mainstream channel such as NBC, but to that I say good! If you haven't already, go watch it and spread the word because a programme of this quality needs to remain on our screens. 

What are your thoughts on the above bits and pieces? Did you like the new trailer for Pacific Rim? Excited for the casting announcements? Do you think Hannibal is too graphic for NBC? Post a comment!