I am – Hercules!!
Tahmoh Penikett, who plays Karl Agathon on “Battlestar Galactica” and Paul Ballard on “Dollhouse,” now has another reason to make the trip to ComicCon in July. He’s just been cast as war correspondent Matt Ellman opposite “Smallville” supergirl Laura Vandervoort in SciFi’s “Riverworld,” based on Phillip Jose Farmer’s tale of the planet all Earth people go to after they die. SciFi’s 2009 “Riverworld” miniseries is not to be confused with SciFi’s 2003 “Riverworld” TV-movie, which did not depict the Ellman character. Right now the 2009 “Riverworld” is just a miniseries and would not conflict with Penikett continuing with a second season of “Dollhouse” should Fox order one – but “Riverworld” could turn into a regular series should it garner a sufficient audience.

In other SciFi casting news, longtime “General Hospital” star Ryan Carnes will take over the titular role (played on the big screen by Billy Zane) in the channel’s “The Phantom” miniseries. “The Phantom,” too, could make the leap to regular series if it does well enough. The Hollywood Reporter’s James Hibberd has all the details here.

SHIPPING NOW!! Herc Says This Prequel To Abrams’ Movie Rocks!!

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