Sean Astin and Family at The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug Premiere

Sean Astin, his wife Christine and eldest daughter Alexandra (who portrayed Sam Gamgee's daughter, Elanor, in Return of the King) attended the world premiere of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in Los Angeles, December 2, 2013.

Elanor and Samwise Gamgee/Alexandra and Sean Astin
Comparison by Linda Iroff

“It’s an absolute triumph, no joke,” enthused Sean Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee in Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, to the filmmaker. “I saw at least nine things I’ve never seen before in movies. I mean, ever!” —Hollywood Reporter

My official review of the movie is that it is spectacular. I absolutely loved it!!!! —Sean Astin Facebook page

Here are videos and photos of Sean and his family on the red carpet prior to the screening.

Additional high-res images from Santa Switch

Here are high-res promotional images from Hallmark's "Santa Switch" premiering December 7, 8pm ET.

As the Christmas season approaches, Dan Ryebeck (Ethan Erickson) is facing unemployment, and struggling to pay for the gifts he thinks will impress his two kids. Little does he know his luck is about to turn around when the real Kris Kringle (Donovan Scott) pays him a visit from the North Pole. Deciding to take a vacation and leave Dan in charge, Kris sends his hard-working elf assistant Eddie (Sean Astin) to guide Dan as the new Santa Claus, hoping he'll learn a lesson in Christmas spirit. As the fate of the whole world's Christmas rests in his hands, can Dan focus on what his family really needs without flubbing his greatest gig yet?

Also check out this cute article about how Sean is Mashed Potato King of Christmas in his home! :-)

Open images in new window for larger versions. More high res photos here.

The Freemason premiere December 7 in Salt Lake City

The Freemason premieres Saturday December 7 at the Gateway Megaplex in Salt Lake City, UT. Tickets are available for only $6.75 for 5pm and 7:30pm MT screenings. In between, beginning at 6:30pm will be red carpet pictures and socializing with cast and crew.  Details here. (Note: Sean is not expected to be there; he is filming in Toronto.)

Here are some high res images from the movie. Open in new window for larger versions. Many thanks to producer Joseph James for providing these exclusively to us!

Calabasas Classic 10K

Sean Astin ran his hometown Calabasas Classic 10K on November 10 with a finishing time was 1:01:18.7. He's run the race several times before, most recently in 2011.

Trailer for Cabin Fever: Patient Zero (German)

The German web site scary-movies.de has posted the trailer for "Cabin Fever: Patient Zero" (dubbed in German with English subtitles) as well as the box cover artwork. According to them, the movie will be released in that country in DVD/Blu-ray/3-D Blu-ray with an over-18 rating on February 6, 2014.

A bachelor party cruise in the Caribbean encounters a medical-research island where a deadly virus, carried by an asymptomatic Sean Astin, has been unleashed. The passengers must struggle to find a way to survive before their own demons and the flesh-eating bacteria consume them all.

Comic book artist Kaare Andrews directed the film based on a screenplay by Jake Wade Wall (The Hitcher). Currie Graham, Mitch Ryan, Jillian Murray, Brando Eaton, Lydia Hearst, and Ryan Donowho also star.

No word on a US release yet.

Update: UK DVD release date is March 17.

Be sure to turn on captioning when watching the trailer!

Press Release: "The Strain" official picked up as series

FX INFECTED BY THE STRAIN

Network Orders 13 Episodes of the Drama Series Based on the Best-Selling Novels by Oscar® Nominee Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan Who Are Executive Producers and Co-Wrote The Pilot Which Was Directed by del Toro.

Emmy® Award-Winning Writer/Producer Carlton Cuse Also Serves as Executive Producer, Showrunner and Writer.

Series Stars Corey Stoll, Mia Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, Natalie Brown, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Robert Maillet, Jack Kesy, Ben Hyland and Miguel Gomez.

Production to Begin This Month in Toronto and the Series Debuts on FX in July 2014.

Los Angeles, November 19, 2013 – FX has placed a 13-episode order for the drama series The Strain from Academy Award® nominated Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, author Chuck Hogan and writer/producer Carlton Cuse, which is based on the best-selling vampire novel trilogy of the same title written by del Toro and Hogan, it was announced today by Eric Schrier and Nick Grad, the Presidents of Original Programming for FX Networks and FX Productions.

Sean Astin does Kickstarter

As part of his successful Kickstarter campaign, Sean Astin did numerous interviews and online chats, and took a few selfies to share with his backers. Here are a few fun pics and videos.

Sean did an interactive chat/interview with fans on October 29, hosted by Erica Pena Vest.

Sean Astin at Nuke the Fridge Con 2013

Sean Astin was a guest at the Nuke the Fridge Con in City of Industry, CA, November 16. This was just an autograph show, so no panels or formal photo ops. But that doesn't mean there weren't any photos!

Sean has the selfies down pretty well!