Nerd Informants

Dennis Haskins, best known to audience for his role as Mr. Belding in Saved by the Bell, has died. He was 75.

Haskins’ agent Jay Schachter confirmed the news to Deadline, saying in a statement, “It’s a tragic loss. Everyone loved Mr. Belding and those of us who got to know Dennis, loved him even more. He was a great person, and he loved, I mean absolutely LOVED his fans.”

“He always had time for them, no matter what. He was my client and dear friend for over 20 years, and I will miss him terribly. I’m heartbroken,” he continued.

No cause of death has been announced.

Haskins first played Principal Richard Belding in the Disney Channel series Good Morning, Miss Bliss, opposite Hayley Mills in 1989. After one season, the show was retooled as Saved by the Bell on NBC, where he reprised his role through its four-season run. Haskins returned as Mr. Belding for Saved by the Bell: The New Class in 1993 and played the role for seven more seasons, until the show’s finale in 2000. Haskins did not return for the Peacock 2020 Saved by the Bell revival series.

Other acting credits for Haskins included Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, The West Wing, 7th Heaven, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, How I Met Your Mother, and dozens more.

[Deadline]

John Goodman has joined the season three cast of The Last of Us.

Goodman will be joined by Ian Alexander and Laura Bailey. Goodman and Alexander will play Joey and Paco, a “friendly duo” who call themselves the “Heroes of the Highway.” Bailey is set to play Elizabeth, one of the leaders of a religious sect called the Seraphites.

Fans of the video games will recognize Alexander and Bailey as both have voiced roles in The Last of Us: Part II. Alexander voiced Lev and Bailey voiced Abby.

[THR]

Prey Director Dan Trachtenberg is teaming with Disney once again to bring to life an original idea inspired by the classic Disney tale Sleeping Beauty.

The untitled project is in early development and is said to take the story in an entirely new direction with Trachtenberg’s distinct sensibility. Trachtenberg and Rayna McClendon came up with the new story, with Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf penning the script.

This film will have no connection to Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent films.

[Deadline]

Prime Video has renewed Reacher, starring Alan Ritchson, with a Season 6 pickup just 12 days after the Season 4 finale and four months after the early Season 5 order.

Season 4 of Reacher has amassed 66 million viewers globally in its first 28 days on Prime Video.

Season 5 started production in late July in Toronto, ahead of Season 4’s August 12 premiere. It is based on Make Me, the 20th book in Lee Child’s series. It has not been determined yet which novel will serve as source material for Season 6.

[Deadline]

Lindsay Lohan and Henry Golding star in RETURN TO YOU, now in production for Netflix!

Set in 2008, a powerful but lonely attorney mistakenly receives a very emotional DVD from a dying woman addressed to her husband. Guided only by the clues on the disc, she sets out to find him.

Rob Lowe said the long-discussed “St. Elmo’s Fire” sequel is in the works.

“It is definitely in the works, for sure,” the actor said when asked about the project’s current status during a “Watch What Happens Live” appearance on Sunday. “All of us actors want to do it, and we’re supposed to get a draft of the script the first week of October.”

News of a sequel was first announced in 2024, but no additional updates have been made since.

Released in 1985, “St. Elmo’s Fire” starred Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson and others. Joel Schumacher directed and co-wrote the script with Carl Kurlander.

[Variety]

Melissa Barrera says she would return to the Scream Franchise, but only if the film’s rights were sold to a different studio.

When asked if she’d ever return for a future “Scream” film during a recent JustWatch interview, the actress responded, “not with the company that currently holds the rights.” (Spyglass is a co-producer and the current rights holder.)

“I love the franchise,” she continued. “I had an amazing time making those movies. But a lot of the hate and the difficulty that I’ve faced in the last years is because the leadership of that company made it a point to label me something that I’m not, and they never apologized, even when I was proven right.”

Barrera continued, “Even with an apology, I wouldn’t go back to work with them. So, not that I’m holding my breath. I don’t think they have that ability. But if the franchise were ever to leave those hands and go into hands that I think honor Wes Craven’s legacy more, I think yeah.”

The actress was fired from the franchise in 2023 after posting daily messages to her Instagram calling for peace, criticizing the Israeli government’s killing of Palestinian civilians.

[Variety]

First poster for the 50th anniversary of ‘ROCKY’.

Returning to theaters on November 7.

First look at the ‘ROCKY’ 50th anniversary popcorn bucket.

All Elite Wrestling is saddened to announce the passing of Benjamin Satterley, aka Pac. A native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Satterley began his wrestling career in 2004 and went on to perform for wrestling organizations all over the world, captivating fans with innovative high-flying moves and incredible in-ring ability. Pac signed with All Elite Wrestling in 2019 and held multiple AEW Championships and competed in some of the most memorable matches in AEW history. Our condolences go out to Satterley’s family, friends and fans.

[AEW]