Movies
Gunn and Smith Join VH1’s ‘Scream Queens’
Writer-director-producer James Gunn, actress Shawnee Smith and acting coach John Homa have been tapped to serve as judges on VH1’s new reality competition series “Scream Queens.” Read on for more…All three will have dual roles on the Lionsgate-produced show, which will give 10 unknown actresses a shot at winning a “major role” in a Lionsgate horror movie.
Smith also will serve as host, while Gunn will direct the contestants’ performances. Homa will serve as acting coach to the contestants in the eight-episode series, slated to debut in the fall.
Smith, whose credits include Lionsgate’s “Saw” film franchise as well as the sitcom “Becker,” is repped by manager Brian Wilkins. Gunn, whose credits include the horror films “Dawn of the Dead” and “Slither” along with the “Scooby-Doo” films, is repped by UTA and manager Peter Safran.
A crime scene leads to horror in The Cycle, the latest from director Jordan Downey ( The Head Hunter, V/H/S/Beyond), and our exclusive first look introduces lead Deborah Ann Woll (“Daredevil: Born Again“, Escape Room) as she investigates the darkly personal case.
The Cycle will debut exclusively on Shudder on October 23, 2026.
The logline reads, “When the body of a man missing for thirty-six years is discovered at the scene of a horrific crime, it’s up to his estranged daughter to unravel his dark past.“
Also starring in The Cycle is Jeffrey Donovan (“Burn Notice“, Villains).
Jordan Downey wrote the screenplay with Kevin Stewart (The Head Hunter).
“We are so excited about The Cycle; Jordan has crafted such an original story that is gonna excite audiences. For us he has the ability to be the next great genre filmmaker and we can’t wait to make the movie,” said James Harris of production company Tea Shop (Obsession, 47 Meters Down). Peter Heller also produces.
Deborah Ann Woll rose to fame as the feisty vampire Jessica Hamby in HBO’s “True Blood” before becoming a fan favorite as Karen Page in Marvel’s “Daredevil” series. While horror fans recognize her from Escape Room and its sequel, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, the versatile actress has captured gamers’ attention as Laufey, Kratos’ wife in God of War: Ragnarök. She’ll receive her solo spinoff game in the upcoming God of War: Laufey.
As for Jordan Downey, The Cycle will mark his long-awaited feature follow-up to the underseen gem, The Head Hunter, but the rising filmmaker also has sci-fi thriller Override on the way.
Stay tuned for more.