Ratings: The Voice Stays Strong, Hawaii Five-0 Tops Smash

Christine Woods Former FlashForward star Christine Woods has booked a guest role on an upcoming episode of Castle, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.Get more scoop on your favorite shows in our Winter TV previewWoods, who most recently starred on the short-lived NBC sitcom Perfect Couples, will play Leann Peach, an ambitious young reporter. Leann lands the story of a lifetime when a bomb goes off at an anti-Wall Street protest rally during her live broadcast. Will Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett (Stana Katic) be able to connect the explosion to the protesters or is something much more dangerous afoot? (You know, like World War III.)Check out our list of TV's sexiest crime fighters!Woods' other small-screen credits include roles on CSI: Miami, House, NCIS and The Closer. She recently landed the lead on NBC's comedy pilot Daddy's Girls.Castle airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC. Woods' episode, titled "47 Seconds," is slated to air in late March.

'Sparkle' to stick with Aug. release date

Jordin Sparks stars alongside Whitney Houston in Sparkle. The death of Whitney Houston came just as the pop star was planning her return to the bigscreen in Sony's musical-drama "Sparkle," dated for Aug. 17. Houston plays the mother of three sisters who, after forming a singing group, are forced to cope with the effects of fame and drugs. A re-tooling of the 1976 film, "Sparkle" features an ensemble cast including Jordin Sparks, Mike Epps and Derek Luke. Pic is directed by Salim Akil from a script by Mara Brock Akil, the pair behind the hit BET sitcom "The Game." She also recorded several numbers for the soundtrack, which features original music by R. Kelly. Sony is not expected to change its release plan for the pic. The studio would not comment on the matter beyond a statement issued Saturday: "Like all those who knew and loved her, we are shocked and saddened and the world has lost an incomparable talent. Right now our thoughts are with her daughter, her family and her friends." Houston, who last appeared in theaters with 1996's "The Preacher's Wife," served as an exec producer on "Sparkle." Currently in post-production, the film marks only the fourth theatrical credit for Houston. In addition to "Preacher's Wife," the singer toplined "Waiting to Exhale" in 1995, after making her bigscreen debut in 1992's B.O. hit "The Bodyguard," which grossed $122 million domestically. Typical of most African-American targeted fare, "Sparkle's" theatrical run likely will be targeted mainly at U.S. audiences. But according to Rentrak, the pic currently is dated to bow in some major overseas territories later this year. Sony first dated "Sparkle" for its Stateside August release in December 2011. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Emma Thompson joins 'Beautiful Creatures'

Emma Thompson, is within final discussions to become listed on the cast of Alcon's supernatural love story "Beautiful Animals." She'll join Jack O'Connell and Alice Englert because the leads and Viola Davis inside a supporting tole. Thompson will have the twin role of the suburbs religious firebrand and also the dark witch who offers her. Project's according to first novel of the series compiled by Kami Carcia and Margaret Stohl. The film is going to be launched by Warner Bros via Alcon's output deal. Alcon has film privileges to any or all three books within the series released by Little Brown Books, including ''Beautiful Darkness,'' and ''Beautiful Chaos.'' Erwin Stoff (''Water for Tigers,'' ''I Am Legend'') will produce together with Alcon co-founders and co-CEOs Broderick Manley and Andrew Kosove. The transitional phase story will begin shooting in April in New Orleans. Story is occur the South about two star-entered teenage enthusiasts -- a nearby boy, along with a mysterious new girl who uncover dark secrets regarding their families, their background and their town. Thompson will next be observed in Sony's "MIB3." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

ABC Drama Pilots Get Casting Directors

Three ABC drama pilots picked up casting directors this week, Back Stage confirmed."Devious Maids," from writer/executive producer Marc Cherry, will be cast by Scott Genkinger at Junie Lowry-Johnson Casting. The pilot, about the lives of four maids who work for rich families in Beverly Hills, is loosely based on the Mexican telenovela "The Disorderly Maids of the Neighborhood." The project is set to get under way in May. Genkinger seems to be the go-to casting director for TV shows that feature female-driven casts, as he also cast Cherry's "Desperate Housewives," now finishing its eighth and final season on ABC, as well as NBC's short-lived drama "The Playboy Club." He's also the casting director for A&E's "Breakout Kings."Cathy Sandrich Gelfond of Mackey/Sandrich Casting will cast "Penoza." The pilot, based on a Dutch show, follows a woman who must assume her late husband's role running a crime syndicate in order to protect her family. A mid-March shoot in planned. Sandrich Gelfond recently cast the new Starz drama "Magic City," set to premiere April 6.Finally, Veronica Collins Rooney will cast "Americana," a primetime soap set in the world of high fashion. Americana is an iconic American fashion label whose founder has attained legendary status within the industry, as both a designer and a womanizer. But recently, his brand has fallen on hard times. When the founder's niece is offered a job as a designer with the company, she sets out to save the family brand as well as make a name for herself in her own right. The pilot is scheduled to shoot in March.All three projects are from ABC Studios. By Pete Keeley February 9, 2012 Three ABC drama pilots picked up casting directors this week, Back Stage confirmed."Devious Maids," from writer/executive producer Marc Cherry, will be cast by Scott Genkinger at Junie Lowry-Johnson Casting. The pilot, about the lives of four maids who work for rich families in Beverly Hills, is loosely based on the Mexican telenovela "The Disorderly Maids of the Neighborhood." The project is set to get under way in May. Genkinger seems to be the go-to casting director for TV shows that feature female-driven casts, as he also cast Cherry's "Desperate Housewives," now finishing its eighth and final season on ABC, as well as NBC's short-lived drama "The Playboy Club." He's also the casting director for A&E's "Breakout Kings."Cathy Sandrich Gelfond of Mackey/Sandrich Casting will cast "Penoza." The pilot, based on a Dutch show, follows a woman who must assume her late husband's role running a crime syndicate in order to protect her family. A mid-March shoot in planned. Sandrich Gelfond recently cast the new Starz drama "Magic City," set to premiere April 6.Finally, Veronica Collins Rooney will cast "Americana," a primetime soap set in the world of high fashion. Americana is an iconic American fashion label whose founder has attained legendary status within the industry, as both a designer and a womanizer. But recently, his brand has fallen on hard times. When the founder's niece is offered a job as a designer with the company, she sets out to save the family brand as well as make a name for herself in her own right. The pilot is scheduled to shoot in March.All three projects are from ABC Studios.

The Voice and Glee Collide! Adam Levine's New Record Label Signs Matthew Morrison

The Voice, Glee Two stars from a few TV's finest musical series will have beautiful music together, literally. The Voice's Adam Levine has signed Glee star Matthew Morrison to his new record label, 222, in line with the Hollywood Reporter. Watch videos of Matthew Morrison Morrison's album arrives sometime in the year, with different news release announcing the introduction of 222. "Beginning my own, personal label is really a longtime goal of mine and i am thrilled being in the reason behind my career where it's finally happening," Levine mentioned in the statement. "I am excited for everyone to hear Matthew's forthcoming album. Excellent accomplishments are for sale to him using this release." Morrison, 33, released his self-titled debut album through Mercury Records last May. The album peaked at No. 24 and incorporated the hit "Summer season Rain." The record also incorporated an appliance cover song he completed round the Glee Season 2 finale - "Still Got Tonight." "Adam which i share the identical vision after we begin concentrating on my record together," Morrison mentioned. Become popular The Voice with this particular episode recaps Morrison is positioned to guest-co-host Live! with Kelly on Tuesday, Feb. 21 and may co-star inside the approaching film What you should expect When you're Expecting. Are you currently presently excited for Morrison's new Compact disk? Do you want him and Levine to collaborate around the song, a la "Moves Like Jagger?" Appear off below!

Stars Tweet Their Excitement About Court Knocking over Same-Sex Marriage Stop

Modern Family, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet Tuesday's federal court ruling throwing out California's Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot initiative that declined marriage rights to same-sex couples, introduced to have an outpouring of celebratory tweets by stars. Have a look at our roundup from the products they have to say: "Today we needed another step towards equality. #Prop8 is discovered unconstitutional again. I possibly could 't be more comfortableInch - Ellen DeGeneres "#Prop8 offered no purpose, & did not have effect, aside from to lessen the status & human dignity of gays & lesbians in CA legal court mentioned" - Jesse Tyler Ferguson "How will you not need to visit us got married" - Eric Stonestreet (along with this photo) "Are my ears hearing this correctly [sic]? If that is the situation my eyes are filling with tears of enjoyment! thanks master #Prop8IsUnconstitutional!" - Kelly Osbourne "Woohoo!! Die Prop 8 Die!!!! ninth Circuit just ruled you unconstitutional. Next factor Top Court!" - Olivia Wilde "NOH8 NOH8 NOH8 NOH8!!!!! My dogs think im nuts for your NOH8 happy dance im doing only at that timeInch - Audra McDonald "Prop 8 Verdict JUST in!!! The Ninth Circuit has ruled that California's Proposition 8 is unconstitutional!!!!!! http://perez.ly/zrVPi5 Yes!!!" - Perez Hilton "Prop 8, sashay away. http://logo design design.to/wpZBQA" - RuPaul's Drag Race

Verizon, Redbox team on video venture

Verifying gossips that started to flow in December, Verizon and Redbox stated Monday they are developing a video venture which will go face to face using the reigning king from the space, Netflix. The partnership will mix Redbox's kiosk business by having an Internet video offering from Verizon. It's scheduled to produce within the other half of the season. Company stored the majority of the particulars concerning the as-yet un named service near to the vest. Inside a release the businesses stated it might offer "instantly available on the web and mobile quite happy with access immediately to physical media through rental kiosks." Verizon will own 65% from the partnership, Coinstar the remaining. Video content is going to be shipped over both Web and also to mobile products. Customers will apparently have the ability to stream a number of that content and download other areas. The streaming video space has become progressively crowded, with Amazon . com and Hulu searching to grow. To date Netflix far outspends all its rivals on content deals and achieve. Verizon's majority stake might be advantageous in relationship studio participation. Redbox lately declined Warner Bros.' demand that the organization accept a 56-day delay prior to making new movies available. (The organization will rather buy copies from third-party marketers, growing its costs but passing on a notable edge on Netflix and Blockbuster.) Verizon includes a better relationship with galleries. The brand new partners stated together they "will offer you all the convenience, simplicity and cost of Redbox new-release DVD and Blu-ray disc rental fees combined with a brand new content-wealthy video on-demand streaming and download service from Verizon." "Considering the core elements the parties provide this venture -- our effective brands our national rental kiosk footprint our anytime, anywhere network presence and our mutual resolve for customer-focused innovation -- it's obvious that Verizon and Redbox really are a effective entertainment team," stated Bob Mudge, leader of Verizon consumer and mass business marketplaces. One of the unknowns the businesses glossed in Monday's announcement and business call was the way the service is going to be setup. It may be an exciting-you-can-eat model, like Netflix uses, or from the a la carte variety, as Amazon . com does with one for reds of their streaming business. When not just one payment for limitless film consumption, it's less apt to be a contender to displace Netflix as leading streaming service. Wedbush Investments analyst Michael Pachter notes the average Netflix streamer presently watches 31 hrs monthly of programming - several unlikely to become matched up on the per-view charge. Shares of Redbox parent Coinstar were up 1.3% in mid-daytrading at $50.29. Netflix was up 2.5% at $129.55. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'John Carter' Featurette Packed With New Footage

"John Carter" will get a completely new featurette filled towards the brim with lots of new footage for fans to pore over. Meanwhile, Marty McFly could dance his method to Broadway, Jean Dujardin got in certain difficulties for racy French advertisements and "Avatar 2" may be filming here. It's Feb 2, and you are for present day daily news round-up. New "John Carter" Featurette A brand new featurette has opened for "John Carter." The recording is loaded with lots of new footage, including some rare chances to listen to the figures speak (the prior trailers have placed the focus on effects). It's nice to determine Taylor Kitsch get introduced lower a notch through the badass princess being performed by Lynn Collins! Could "To The Near FutureInch Obtain A Broadway Show? It'll if Robert Zemeckis has anything to say of it. Deadline is confirming that he's in talks with co-author Bob Gale and original composer Alan Silvestri to ascertain if they are able to try to transfer the beloved tale towards the Broadway stage. We're worrying over the thought of seeing Marty McFly close the show having a live show of "Johnny B. Goode." France States Jean Dujardin Is Inappropriate In New Advertisements Apparently the ad campaign for that Jean Dujardin-starring French flick "The Gamers" is a little too raunchy. The Hollywood Reporter particulars the problem and describes the way the ARPP, France's authority for that professional regulating advertising, has made the decision the posters for that flick violate their rules. It's funny -- individuals advertisements would most likely fly right here! Matt Damon And John Krasinski's Movie Finally Includes A Title The film which was said to be Matt Damon's directorial debut (Gus Van Sant is helming it rather) has finally got a title! Based on a Deadline story, the flick has become known as "Guaranteed Land." And it is formally an indie, as Focus Features and Participant Media just bought it. "Avatar" Sequels To Film In Nz? James Cameron and Healing For Peter Jackson are soon likely to be neighbors. The "Avatar" director just bought a couple of,470 acres of farmland close to the Nz capital of Wellington, based on Reuters. Even though it is reported he and the family is going to be moving to Nz to "reside indefinitely," what is the news fuels gossips that he'll be shooting his approaching "Avatar" sequels for the reason that country. Inform us your ideas on present day Dailies within the comments section below or on Twitter.