LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Hot off his stint as a counter-terrorist operative on “24,” Sean Astin is in negotiations to star in ABC’s comedy pilot “The Guys,” about five dads who become friends when their kids have a playdate at the home of one of them. Astin, famed for playing a hobbit in the “Lord of the Rings” movies, is in theaters with “Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing & Charm School.” He next appears opposite Adam Sandler in “Click,” which opens June 23. [More]

Rex Reed from observer.com writes: At the movies, there isn’t much to write home about, but compared with the violence and filth of today’s Hollywood action epics and the creeping deadliness of all the independent productions that look like they were made for $100, a sweet, unpretentious and heartfelt little movie like Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School begins to look like a wayward valentine from the dead-letter office, lost in transit and delivered late. [More]

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 29 /PRNewswire/ — Best known for playing “Sam” in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and “Lynn McGill” in “24” Sean Astin has embodied everything from loyalty and bravery to arrogance and redemption. Now, Astin tries to embody two new character traits — small and furry — as he lends his considerable talents to narrate MEERKAT MANOR, Animal Planet’s new 13-part docu-drama that’s All My Children meets Wild Kingdom. With all the love, squabbling, self-sacrifice and rivalry found in any family, a group of Meerkats struggles to survive in Africa’s Kalahari Desert. MEERKAT MANOR premieres Friday, June 9, at 8 PM. [More]

Billy’s Loons Charities is happy to announce our latest auction, of a large Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers Poster. The poster is signed by Billy Boyd, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and a rare signature of Miranda Otto! All of the proceeds from the auction will go to the Scottish Youth Theatre, www.scottishyouththeatre.org, of which Billy Boyd is a Patron and supporter, and Billys Loons Charities is a sponsor. [More]