We're back with a special horror/sci-fi round-up that takes a look at key casting updates for the holiday horror film Krampus and Disney XD's Star Wars Rebels, as Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation), Toni Collette (The Way Way Back), and David Koechner (Cheap Thrills), and Stefania Owen (The Carrie Diaries) have joined the former, while Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Crazy Ones) has signed on to lend her voice to the second season of the latter.

Star Wars Rebels: Sarah Michelle Gellar will voice a recurring character on the second season of Disney XD's Star Wars Rebels. The series' first season finale aired last night. For those not familiar with the show, we have its official synopsis, as well as the press release with full details on Gellar's hiring and a tease of what's to come in the sophomore season (press release and image below via Collider):

"Star Wars Rebels continues the epic story-telling tradition that has captivated generations of Star Wars fans since 1977. Its story is set in the era between the film’s prequel trilogy and original trilogy and is in a unique position to bridge the two both aesthetically and generationally. Honoring the past while moving boldly into the future, it features fantastic icons from Star Wars while introducing a new generation to the far corners of the galaxy, one full of exotic new creatures and characters."

Press Release - "In the hours after the “Star Wars Rebels” season finale aired on Disney XD, its executive producer/supervising director Dave Filoni revealed that actress Sarah Michelle Gellar (“The Crazy Ones,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) will join the voice cast in a recurring role for season two of the animated series. Filoni discussed the casting news with advertising clients convened at Lucasfilm’s San Francisco headquarters for Disney Media Sales and Marketing’s presentations.

Filoni said, “We’re thrilled to have Sarah Michelle Gellar on board for season two. She is a true ‘Star Wars Rebels’ fan and her passion undoubtedly comes through in the voice recording sessions.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar will join the talented voice cast that includes her husband Freddie Prinze Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Steve Blum, Tiya Sircar, Taylor Gray and David Oyelowo.

The popular “Star Wars Rebels” series has reached over 49 million Total Viewers, 5.6 million Boys 6-11 and 10.9 million Kids 6-11. Its season finale revealed the identity of Fulcrum to be Ahsoka Tano. The storyline will continue into season two.

Continuing the epic tradition of the legendary Star Wars saga, “Star Wars Rebels” unfolds between the events of Star Wars Episodes III and IV and tells the story of the motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost who together face threatening new villains, encounter colorful adversaries and embark on thrilling adventures. In its second season, “Star Wars Rebels” will feature recurring appearances by fan-favorite characters including Darth Vader and Ahsoka Tano."

Krampus: According to The Hollywood Reporter, Adam Scott and Toni Collette have signed on to star in Michael Dougherty's Krampus, with The Wrap reporting that David Koechner and Stefania Owen have also joined the film's cast. The second film from Dougherty (whose feature debut was the brilliant Trick ’r Treat), Krampus follows the titular creature, a monster from Alpine folklore who snacks on misbehaving children during Christmastime.

Scott, according to THR, "will play the father, a workaholic and rather absent dad who has to step up for his family," while Collette "will play the mother, a woman who pretends everything is perfect with her family via her elaborate meals but will also have to dig deep to protect her family."

The Wrap reveals that Koechner will portray a father whose daughter, played by Owen, has been taken by the Krampus.

It's also been stated that Allison Tolman (Fargo TV series), who was originally expected to play the mother role that Collette is taking on, will instead play the sister-in-law of Collette's character. Emjay Anthony (Chef) is still set to star as the son of Scott's and Collette's characters, a boy who is hunted by the Krampus.

A Legendary film, Krampus is slated for a December 4th, 2015 release from Universal.

"Based on the ancient legend of a pagan demon who punishes the wicked, Legendary Pictures’ KRAMPUS, a twisted horror comedy set during the holidays, is written and directed by Michael Dougherty (Trick ’r Treat). Co-written by Todd Casey and Zach Shields and produced by Legendary’s Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Alex Garcia, this darkly festive tale of a yuletide ghoul will be released by Universal Pictures."

Meanwhile, Kevin Smith's Anti-Claus, another horror comedy revolving around the naughty children-consuming Krampus, is still moving forward, as well as the holiday horror anthology film, Holidays, which will include segments directed by Smith, Gary Shore, Scott Stewart, Nick McCarthy, and more. Holidays "will put a twisted spin on well-known and beloved holidays, including Christmas, Easter, Halloween, and Mother’s Day—to name a few."

Adam Scott:

Toni Collette:

David Koechner:

Stefania Owen:

Source: THR
  • Derek Anderson
    About the Author - Derek Anderson

    Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.

    When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.