This week saw the return of CHUCK on NBC, and things are off to a great start. We’ve already seen actors like Vinnie Jones and Armand Assante in the first few episodes, but that may just be the beginning of the incredible guest stars CHUCK has become known for. Sadly however, co-creator Chris Fedak confirmed with Ausiello Files that first and second season series regular Julia Ling will not be returning in the role of Anna Wu. He does hope to bring her back in the six additional episodes NBC added on to Season 3. Fedak was quoted as saying “We were faced with the problem of either expanding the story we’re telling or taking the story and telling it more slowly. And what we essentially decided to do was tell more story. So we’re looking at the six episodes that have been added on as CHUCK Season 3.2.”
Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence) is back in charge of the Buy More… thank God. General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) is already getting more screen time this season, plus her character has indicated that the mission has changed, and now Agent Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski) and Agent John Casey (Adam Baldwin) must keep Chuck from losing control of his new abilities, rather than worry so much about protecting him. The January 18th episode will feature guest stars Angie Harmon and SUPERMAN RETURNS star Brandon Routh, who goes up against Chuck in a multi-episode arc. It’s Chuck versus the Man of Steel! But that’s not all, or should I say the “Superman” connection doesn’t stop there. SMALLVILLE star Kristin Kreuk appears on the January 25th episode, along with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and original BEVERLY HILLS 90210 star Josie Davis. Kreuk and Routh will appear in several episodes this season. Other guest stars will include TERMINATOR 2‘s Robert Patrick, THE DREW CAREY SHOW star (and voice of Batman in BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD) Diedrich Bader, RENO 911! star Cedric Yarbrough, and new BATTLESTAR GALACTICA star Mark Sheppard.
Zachary Levi is already displaying a more comfortable demeanor with his action scenes, which is great, since many complained his butt-kicking moments in the Season 2 finale seemed pretty wooden and forced. CHUCK is already my favorite TV series currently, and this new season looks to be incredibly satisfying… at least so far. If you haven’t already done so, check out my interviews with Zach Levi and the gorgeous Sarah Lancaster, which were done at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con.
Here’s Zachary Levi on the Intersect 2.0, video games, and the fandom of CHUCK.
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And here’s Sarah Lancaster, who plays Chuck’s sister Ellie… and yes, she is incredibly beautiful.
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And here’s a preview of the January 18th episode – “Awesome Danger”
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
