New movies and TV: ‘Steve Jobs,’ ‘Pan’ and ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’

From new series to memorable guest stars and the film releases that will have you racing to the theatre, Hello! Canada’s weekly report on buzz-worthy movies and TV shows is your all-access guide to the big and small screen.

The iconic Steve Jobs gets the biopic treatment again, this time with Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle at the helm. Following in Ashton Kutcher's footsteps, Michael Fassbender channels the Apple genius during the time of the digital revolution. Also, the story of Peter Pan is brought to life once more in Pan, with Hugh Jackman transforming himself into famed pirate Blackbeard.

On the small screen, Lady Gaga dares you to stay at the American Horror Story: Hotel, while Adelaide Kane continues to fight for her crown as Mary, Queen of Scots in the third season of Reign. Also, loyalties are tested in the newest chapter of The Walking Dead.

Don't forget to check back on Mondays to stay up to date on must-see TV and noteworthy silver-screen news!

MOVIES

STEVE JOBS

Steve Jobs' life story is so captivating that it gets the big-screen treatment more than once. Ashton Kutcher played the iconic Apple pioneer in 2013's Jobs and now British actor Michael Fassbender is taking a turn in the tech mogul's groundbreaking shoes. Danny Boyle's offering takes audiences through major milestones in the history of Apple, including the launch of the iMac in 1998. After Christian Bale dropped out of the project, the search was on for the perfect actor to take on the important role. And even though Michael Fassbender doesn't share many visual similarities with the late computer wiz, Danny revealed to The Daily Beast that, "What I saw in Michael was, aside from him being a great actor, this obsessive dedication to his craft, which I felt made him perfect for Jobs. Even though he doesn’t look exactly like him, by the end of the film, you believe it’s him."

HUGH JACKMAN SOARS IN PAN

There doesn’t appear to be anything that Hugh Jackman can’t do. From starring in one-man musicals to owning the screen as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, the Australian actor’s talent is as indestructible as his superhero alter ego, Wolverine. Now, the 46-year-old actor is taking on the iconic role of Blackbeard in Pan - a re-envisioned adaptation of the legendary story of Peter Pan. Joining director Joe Wright (Atonement) on the project (in theatres Oct. 9) was an easy decision for Hugh, who admits that he has a lot in common with the film’s adventurous protagonist. “I'm a big kid,” he told New Zealand’s 3 News. “It's a big bonus as an actor to be a big kid. In the end that's all we're doing, dressing up and pretending to be someone else, telling stories, and I love it." Rounding out the stellar cast are Rooney Mara, Garrett Hedlund and Levi Miller.

TV

LADY GAGA CHECKS INTO AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL

Staying in a hotel might never be the same again for viewers after watching the latest installment of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story: Hotel (premiering Oct. 7, FX). The series zooms in on a six-story hotel bursting with secrets and a whole lot of horror, much of which is injected by the mother of monsters herself, Lady Gaga. The singer plays the hotel’s owner, The Countess, who reportedly drinks blood to retain her youthful glow. And when she isn’t obsessing over her vanity, she is churning up trouble with the hotel staff played by faces old and new to the AHS franchise. Plot lines are under lock and key but Lady Gaga did divulge a little information about her character to Entertainment Weekly, saying, "The Countess is extremely strong. She's been through so much. It's kind of impossible for anything to penetrate her. This show in many ways is about her survival and there is an amazing journey that touches on the mythology of viruses and in what ways these afflictions change our lives and bring us together and tear us apart."

TUNE IN

Season three of Reign will introduce Queen Elizabeth I (played by Canadian actress Rachel Skarsten). Photo: © CW/M3

Reign (season three premiere Oct. 9, M3): Mary (Adelaide Kane) and Francis’ new partnership is tested when his illness threatens his life. Audiences will also get their first look at Queen Elizabeth I’s court. Toronto native Rachel Skarsten will play the legendary English monarch.

The Flash (season two premiere Oct. 6, CTV): Last year’s hit comic book-turned-television series will serve up even more action in its sophomore season. This time around, in order to protect the people he loves, the speedy superhero wants to go it alone only to realize that it takes a village to save the world.

The Walking Dead (season six premiere Oct. 10, AMC): Zombie are still an ongoing concern for our favourite group of survivors, but their conflict turns internal when loyalties are tested and the line between right and wrong is drastically blurred.