Tag Archives: Ryan Kwanten

Where Does True Blood Stand on the Notorious HBO Party Scale?

True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten Spills the Beans on HBO’s Biggest Party:

Ryan Kwanten stars as Jason Stackhouse in HBO's True BloodFor fans of HBO shows, it has long been known that besides the fact they make excellent shows such as True Blood, The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire and their current juggernaut, Game of Thrones, they are also known for throwing awesome wrap parties. Recently Ryan Kwanten (who played Jason Stackhouse) spilled the beans on where theTrue Blood parties fell on the HBO party scale when it came to the wrap of their successful vampire series:

HBO is notorious for throwing the industry’s biggest parties. And our show was notorious for drinking three times the amount of any other show. So they threw a very lavish, True Blood-style wrap party for us.

And considering Ryan is an Aussie – who are considered right up their with countries such as Germany when it comes to enjoying the consumption of alcoholic beverages – then you can consider this as an endorsement of what a great wrap party it really was!

Once prompted, he let slip with more information about these riotous parties to The Age journalist, Kate Waterhouse:

[The] whole sort of entertainment bonanza. There were dances, there was DJs, there was a live band, there was more alcohol than you want to deal with, food. It was ridiculous.

Being back on home soil, Ryan revealed his love for Australia, but why he won’t be returning there to live in the near future:

Looking for the near future I have to be placed in the [United] States, just for little things that I’ve set up. It’s so hard for me when I do come back because I know that my heart belongs here. So leaving just rips my little heart out. But it just makes me want to come back more.

You can read the full interview Ryan Kwanten did with Kate Waterhouse by clicking here.

Source: The Age – Date with Kate: Ryan Kwanten

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)

VIDEO: Ryan Kwanten Has No Qualms About Nudity

Ryan Kwanten Discusses, True Blood, Nudity and What’s Next for the Aussie Actor:

Ryan Kwanten, who plays Jason Stackhouse in True BloodAussie actor, Ryan Kwanten, has headed back to Australia for a long earned rest after his seven year stint as Jason Stackhouse in HBO’s True Blood. First, however, he stopped in at Sydney’s Confidential to chat to Ant Sharwood about being a True Blood star, the obligatory nudity that goes with the territory and what is next in line for Ryan. After a little ribbing between the two, Ryan soon got down to business and had much to say about his time on the hit HBO show:

Whether it’s turning up to work and laying out the tears or taking off the clothes … I feel protected on a show like True Blood because it’s, you know, obviously written by an Academy Award-winner so I feel like I’m in good hands there. So, look, so long as the script warrants it and I feel like it warrants it, then I’ll do it.

Ryan then followed on to say he is prepared to do pretty much anything on screen.

In the video interview Ryan discusses:

  • What it’s like to talk in the key of Blinky Bill
  • Why he parked his bike in Steven Spielberg’s parking spot
  • What it was like to read each Jason Stackhouse script and how it was to play such a rambunctious character
  • Whether he will be catching up with his old friends now he has returned to Australia
  • Who keeps his ego in check

There is plenty more to glean from this video interview (clicking on the image below will take you directly to the video interview):

251114 Ryan Kwanten Sydney Confidential

Let us know your thoughts on Ryan’s interview with Sydney Confidential by commenting below!

Source: The Daily Telegraph – Ryan Kwanten has done all the blood, sweat and tears: Nude scenes all in a day’s work

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)

VIDEO: Ryan Kwanten Gets Asked the Hard Questions on Australia’s The Project

True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten Talks About Shark Attacks and Wearing the Dreaded ‘Sock’ in Nude Scenes:

jason-stackhouse-true-blood-season-2With Ryan Kwanten back home in Australia after the Season 7 finale of HBO’s True Blood, there has been a flurry of media interviews. His latest occurred on Channel Ten’s The Project, a news and current affairs show featuring Rove McManus alongside other Australian media representatives. A relaxed Kwanten (who stared as the bumbling yet hunky Jason Stackhouse throughout all seven seasons of True Blood) chatted comfortably about many confronting issues bought up by The Project, including:

  • Whether kissing scenes involve a discussion beforehand on the use of tongue – or groping – during the scene
  • What it’s like to walk into your trailer while on set and see your costume entails nothing but a modesty sock (used during nude scenes)
  • The perils of wearing the aforementioned modesty sock while shooting underwater scenes (HINT: ALWAYS double knot!)
  • The true story behind his shark attack at the age of twelve
  • Whether there is the possibility of a Jason Stackhouse spin off series in the making

You can check out the video below to find out all the answers (clicking on the image will take you directly to The Project homepage to view the video interview). There’s a bit of a long intro (around thirty seconds worth) with this video clip, but definitely worth the wait for Ryan’s hilarious interview:

Ryan Kwanten The Project video interview

Let us know your thoughts on this interview by commenting below!

Source: The Project – Ryan Kwanten Interview

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)

Ryan Kwanten Talks About True Blood and Working for HBO

From Aussie Soaps to HBO Entertainment:

Credit: John P. Johnson/HBO Ryan Kwanten “Jason Stackhouse”, Anna Paquin “Sookie Stackhouse”

Australian actor, Ryan Kwanten is very humble when it comes to discussing just how lucky he is to score the long time role of Jason Stackhouse in HBO’s True Blood. His acting break may have come in Australia with the soap opera, Home And Away, but when it came to signing on for the unknown American vampire series, True Blood, he was not sure how the US would react:

We worked in this weird cloud … We shot the show in complete seasons before it premiered so we were not aware at first if the audience would attach themselves to it … We came out of the gate slowly, but as people started to understand the world and the characters I think we picked up speed. Each season that would pass I’d notice more and more people looking at me on the street and stopping me.

It was a chance offering that paid off for Ryan. However, he attributes HBO’s success with their long standing dedication to working from the top job down and making sure every single person was right for the role, be it the showrunner or the cast extras. it also helps that the US are more dedicated to their television shows than in Australia.

Seven years may seem like a long time in the one role for an actor but Kwanten insists it wasn’t really hard work at all:

Jason had his own storyline as part of about four or five others, so I was never working every single day of every week. When I did films in hiatus I’d work harder, True Blood was really my cruising time because it was such an ensemble cast.

Even though the cast was close during filming, it seems they have all taken flight in different directions since True Blood wrapped up. Ryan likened it to high school graduation and the assurance that they will all probably still meet up again further on down the track.

While Truebies are now consoling themselves with the fact they will have to indulge in reruns and DVDs to get their True Blood fix – that there will be no ‘meeting up down the track’ – for Ryan, he is holding off to watch the TV series again:

There’s definitely going to be a time when I sit down and watch it all at once, back to back … Not right now, because it’s all still a little close to the chest, but at some point down the line I wouldn’t mind checking it out and looking at the boy I was back then.

What do you think, was Jason Stackhouse just a boy while on True Blood? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!

Source: The New Daily – What is it like to work on a hit HBO show?

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)

VIDEO: Ryan Kwanten is Australia’s McHappy Day Ambassador

Aussie Truebies Met True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten and Raise Money For Sick Children This Weekend:

Ryan Kwanten at McHappy Day 2014 Photo Credit Bob Barker
Photo Credit: Bob Barker

For Australian fans of True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten (who played Jason Stackhouse in the HBO vampire series), it was a double treat when they visited McDonalds in the Darling Quarter restaurant in Sydney on the weekend. Not only were they doing their bit by ordering a Big Mac (for every Big Mac sold, $2 went go directly to the Ronald McDonald House charity that aids sick children and their families), but it was likely that had their burger passed to them by Ryan!

The True Blood star is this year’s Ambassador for McHappy Day and was more than happy to get his hands dirty for a good cause:

I’ll be doing anything in my power to rustle up some money. So whether it’s making some burgers, serving fries, getting on the drive through, carrying around the donation bucket, eating a big mac, I’m willing to do it all.

He also had this to say about the effect visiting the sick children had on him:

You see first hand the effect it has on the kids. It goes beyond [them], to see the mums and dads smile and to give them an ounce of hope.

As well as helping out with McHappy Day, the ex pat Aussie also had some time for interviews. You can view his interview on the Sunrise show below:

He also did a radio interview with KIISFM where he discusses a possible return to his soap opera roots. Currently there is no podcast for this interview, but keep checking back here often and we will post it as soon as possible!

However, you can still donate to McHappy Day by clicking here.

Sources: Daily Telegraph – Aussie export Ryan Kwanten of True Blood fame back home as McHappy Day ­ambassador

Sunrise – Ryan Kwanten comes home

(Photo Credit: Bob Barker)

First Still From Ryan Kwanten’s Latest Movie

From Bon Temps to the Voice of Australia’s Blinky Bill:

Ryan Kwanten will voice over Aussie Blinky BillRecently we announced that True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten (who starred as Jason Stackhouse in HBO’s vampire series) was cast as the voice of Australia’s iconic koala cartoon character, Blinky Bill. Now we have the very first movie still from this animated movie – what do you think?

The cast was also announced and it is an ensemble of some of Australia’s best film and TV stars; Toni Collette, Barry Humphries, David Wenham, Richard Roxburgh, Deborah Mailman, Barry Otto and Rufus Sewell. While British actor Rufus Sewell may look like the odd one out, it turns out his father was actually an Australian animator!

Producer Barbara Stephen (from Flying Bark Productions) had the following to say about the new Blinky Bill Movie:

The Blinky Bill Movie will introduce a whole new generation to Blinky Bill and his Australian bush friends. We are so excited that we’ve been able to attract such an impressive cast to the project.

Blinky Bill is based on the books created by New Zealand author Dorothy Ward. Australians have enjoyed the lovable koala in many forms since he was created in 1933, including cartoon strips, on television and even on postage stamps. In 1992 Blinky made it to the big screen for the very first time. This will be the second time he gets the silver screen treatment.

Let us know if you will be checking this out when it hits the movie theaters by commenting below!

Source: News.com.au – Blinky Bill movie will star Ryan Kwanten, Toni Collette, Barry Humphries, Deborah Mailman and other big names

(Photo Credit: Image supplied from News.com.au)

True Blood Finale: A Look Back on… The Cast Before True Blood

Check Out These Photo’s of the True Blood Cast From BEFORE They Were on True Blood:

For many True Blood fans, the HBO vampire series introduced them to some amazing new actors. However, these actors weren’t all fresh from acting school. Some, like Denis O’Hare (who played villain Russell Edgington) had starred in many, many TV shows and movies before they were introduced to truebies via True Blood.

So lets have a look at some of them via Mashable’s recent list:

Before Anna Paquin was a telepathic waitress called Sookie Stackhouse, she won an Oscar when she was only a child in a movie called The Piano:

Anna Paquin in the Piano

 

Stephen Moyer starred as Prouix the Architect in Quills alongside Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslet long before he took on the role Bon Temps resident vampire Bill Compton:

Stephen Moyer in Quills

Alexander Skaragard starred in many Swedish movies before starring as a male model called Meekus in Zoolander. However, his earliest role was that of Kalle Nubb in Åke och hans värld (Åke and His World). Of course, we all know him now as the 1000 year old viking vampire, Eric Northman:

Alexander Skarsgard in Ake och hans varld

Before Ryan Kwanten was a dimwitted southern deputy called Jason Stackhouse, he starred as Vinnie in a long time recurring role on Australia’s Home and Away:

Ryan Kwanten in Home and Away

Rutina Wesley may be known as Tara Thornton, the bestie of Sookie who managed to die twice in True Blood, but before that she was Raya Green in How She Move:

Rutina Wesley in How She Moves

And as for Kristin Bauer van Straten who plays vampire Pam? Well, she will forever go down in history as Jillian, the woman with man hands in Seinfeld:

Kristin Bauer van Straten in Seinfeld

You can view more images of the True Blood cast by clicking here.

Source: Mashable – 11 ‘True Blood’ #TBT Photos That Definitely Don’t Suck

(Photo Credits: MiraMax, Fox Searchlight,  Filmhuset AS, Seven Network Australia, Sienna Films, Castle Rock Entertainment)

 

 

Check Out Ryan Kwaten’s Newest Movie Trailer for Northmen

True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten Set to Star as a Christian Monk:

Ryan Kwanten Northmen German movie posterRyan Kwanten (who plays Jason Stackhouse in HBO’s True Blood) is set to star in a new movie called Northmen: A Viking Saga. It is due for release in Germany on the 23rd of October 2014. As yet there is no release date for the US. But check out the newest movie poster! Isn’t it great? Ryan will star as a Christian monk called Conall.

Synopsis:

In the 9th century a group of Vikings, commanded by captain Asbjörn, is approaching Britain, aiming to plunder the rich monasteries in the north of the island. But their ship gets caught in a storm and is smashed to pieces on the rocks off the coast of Scotland, the only part of Britain without any Viking settlements. When Inghean, daughter of the Scottish King Dunchaid, by chance falls into Viking hands, they see the opportunity for demanding a large ransom. King Dunchaid immediately sets his “wolfpack” – a group of mercenaries well known for their savagery – on them. The Northmen with their hostage now have to force their way through the rough highlands, where they meet the brave and mysterious Christian monk Conall. Having the wolfpack close on their heels, a desperate race against time begins. A battle over life and death…

You can check out the trailer video below:

Will you be going to see this? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!

Sources: Northmen – Facebook page

Northmen – Movie website

YouTube – NORTHMEN – A VIKING SAGA – International Trailer

(Photo Credit: Northmen Facebook page)

True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten to Be the Voice of Blinky Bill

The Blinky Bill Movie Gets Retold:

Ryan Kwanten HBO Promo S4Aussie fans of HBO’s True Blood probably grew up with the Blinky Bill show. It was a cartoon series about a lovable koala set in the Australian outback and was based on a series of books written by New Zealand born Dorothy Wall. In 1992 Blinky Bill made it to be the big screen when Yoham Gross Film Studios turned it into a movie.

Now it seems Blinky Bill will return to the big screen for a second time. It will still be animated and will center on telling the story of Blinky Bill’s search for his missing father. True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten (who starts as Jason Stackhouse in True Blood Season 7) has been cast as the voice of Blinky Bill. The movie will be directed by Deane Taylor (Carnivale, Duck Ugly) and Simon Stone. Additionally, the screenplay will be written by Fin Edquist (House Husbands, McLeod’s Daughters) and Barbara Stephen will produce it.

There is no news yet on when this movie will be released.

For Truebie fans who live outside Australia, here’s a YouTube video of the original opening credits of the Blinky Bill TV series:

Sources: Pedestrian – A Blinky Bill Movie is in the Works

YouTube – 1993-1995 The Adventures Of Blinky Bill – OPENING THEME

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)

VIDEO: True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten Thanks the Truebies on Instagram

Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse) Thanks True Blood Fans on Instagram:

Recently we posted a whole heap of True Blood cast members thanks fans for their dedication to HBO’s long running vampire series. You can see them all by clicking here. Now Ryan Kwanten (who plays the gorgeously dim-witted Jason Stackhouse) has added his own little thank you. You can view the video by clicking on the image below. This will take you straight to HBO’s official True Blood Instagram page:

Ryan Kwanten's Instagram video

@RyanKwanten says thanks to the Truebies “for showing us that it’s okay to be a little bit different.” #TrueToTheEnd #TrueBlood #GoodbyesSuck

Source: InstagramHBO – TrueBloodHBO

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc./Instagram)

 

True Blood Season 7: Ryan Kwanten Talks About THAT Scene in Episode 2

What Happens When Alexander Skarsgard and Ryan Kwanten Suggest They Work Together:

Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse) and Alexnader Skarsgard (Alexander Skarsgard) star in HBO's True Blood Season 7 Episode 2 (entitled 'I Found You')Fans of HBO’s True Blood have heard many rumors about a certain scene that finally appeared in True Blood Season 7 Episode 2 (entitled I Found You). It entailed a certain sex dream involving Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard) and Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwanten) thanks to a vampire blood healing Eric performed on Ryan in True Blood Season 6.

Well, fans were not let down with this scene tonight!

And, according to Ryan Kwanten, the idea was, mostly, his and Alexander Skarsgard’s:

There was word on the street that a scene was coming, and to be honest, Alex and I had been — not necessarily begging to work together — but we’d been pondering the thought, “What if we were ever put in a scene where it was just the two of us? What would happen?” And this is what our illustrious writers came up with.

While it took a while to set this scene up, the filming of it only took a couple of hours. And most of that time was spent laughing. The scene has been described as ‘elegant’, Ryan was not expecting the scene to turn out that way at all – but he’s happy it did.

But why is Jason all of a sudden dreaming of Eric Northman? After all, it’s been a while since they shared blood – more than six months in fact! Kwanten had this explanation:

Well, obviously, Jason has had these dreams before, with other vampires whose blood he’s had. I mean, Eric’s gotten himself into some trouble, and I think Jason sensed that.

It all makes sense now. What were your thoughts on this scene? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: TVLine – True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten on Jason and [Spoiler]’s Shocking Sex Scene

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)

 

VIDEO: Ryan Kwanten Gives Us The Rugged Rundown on True Blood Season 7

True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten Has a Drink With The Wrap:

Ryan-Kwanten-stars-as-Jason-Stackhouse-and-Chris-Bauer-stars-as-Andy-Bellefleur-in-HBOs-True-Blood-Season-7Fans of HBO’s True Blood often wonder just how much work goes into maintaining a body like Joe Manganiello’s, Alexander Skarsgard’s and Ryan Kwanten’s. Considering how much naked time many of these men have on True Blood, maintaining a ripped physique is obviously important.

This question was also on The Wrap’s mind when they interviewed Ryan Kwanten recently for their Drinking With The Stars segment. For Ryan (who plays the dimwitted but delicious Jason Stackhouse), his exercise regime appears to be a little more obtainable than one might think:

Being an Aussie, I’m much more of an outdoors kind of guy. So any time I can kind of get outside, running, hiking, swimming, all that kind of stuff. So, yeah, I kind of avoid the gym.

So there you have it Truebies, all we need to do is get outdoors and get exercising!

As well as his workout regime, Ryan was quick to point out just how much HBO’s True Blood has changed his life. And even though the recipe for the television series seemed a good one all those years ago, he was still nervous that fans might not be receptive to True Blood.

You can find out what he thinks of the rest of his cast members by watching the full video interview Ryan Kwanten did with The Wrap below:

Source: The Wrap/YouTube – ‘True Blood’s’ Ryan Kwanten on Pushing ‘Barriers’ and ‘Rugged’ Aussie Workouts

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)

True Blood Stars to Attend Season 7 Premiere in LA!

Trubie Fans Can Check Out Some of True Blood’s Hottest Stars:

One Last Bite True Blood Season 7 promo posterIf you are a fan of HBO’s True Blood and you want to check out some of the stars of the show for the very last premiere screening event, then LA is the place to be on June 17th 2014! You will be able to view Anna Paquin (Sookie Stackhouse), Stephen Moyer (Bill Compton), Alexander Skarsgård (Eric Northman), Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte) and Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse) as they strut their stuff outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre before they head inside to preview Episode 1 (entitled Jesus Gonna Be Here) of True Blood Season 7.

Let us know if you are lucky enough to attend this event by commenting below!

Source: FrontiersLA.com – In Person This Week: Where to Catch the Stars of ‘True Blood’ and Hillary Clinton

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)

Want to See True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten in the Flesh?

The Queen Latifah Show is Offering FREE Tickets:

Ryan Kwanten stars as Jason Stackhouse in HBO's True Blood Season 6But you have to hurry for this exciting chance to not only be apart of the amazing Queen Latifah Show but to check out Aussie hunk, Ryan Kwanten (who stars as the ever adorable, but usually clueless – and shirtless – Jason Stackhouse in HBO’s True Blood)! If you are in the Los Angeles area around May 1st 2014, then head on over to the following website to request your audience tickets. Tickets are completely free but will, obviously, be limited to studio size, so don’t think twice or you will miss out:

Click here for FREE tickets to The Queen Latifah Show

This offer is for Truebie fans over the age of 18  and everyone must present a valid state/government issued ID or passport (with a visible date-of-birth) in order to attend the show. Please be aware that cell phones and other recording devices are not permitted into the studio.

The following promo will also be on offer during this episode:

We have a special promotion at this episode of Queen Latifah! Want to get off the WaitList to see The Voice LIVE?  Well, we’re giving away 10 pairs of PRIORITY tickets to The Voice LIVE SHOWS.  Simply request tickets to this taping of Queen Latifah with the promo code #VoiceQueen and you’ll be eligible to participate.  Attend the show, and stay to the end when we’ll notify 10 lucky fans that they (and a guest) will also be going to see The Voice LIVE!

This episode of The Queen Latifah show will air at 2.30pm on Thursday May 1st 2014.

Let us know if you score tickets to this fantastic show by commenting below and we will keep an eye out for you in the audience!

Source: 1iota.com – The Queen Latifah Show

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)

New Photograph of True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten in Northmen – A Viking Saga

Northmen – A Viking Saga Due for Release in 2014:

Northmen - A Viking Saga promo posterRyan Kwanten is probably best known as Sookie’s (Anna Paquin) hot but (mostly) clueless brother, Jason Stackhouse in HBO’s True Blood. As for Vikings, the hottest one we know goes to Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard) – but that just may be about to change!

Kwanten is starring as Conall in Northmen – A Viking Saga, due for release in 2014. While technically not a Viking, Conall is actually a Christian monk who likes his sword as much as his Viking counterparts. You can read the synopsis below:

A gang of Viking marauders under the command of their young leader, Asbjörn, bear down on the coast of Britain, intent on pillaging Lindisfarne of its gold. But, caught in a vicious storm, their longboat is dashed to pieces on the rocks off Scotland. Trapped deep within enemy territory, the shipwrecked mens’ only chance of survival is to reach the safety of the Viking stronghold Danelag.

With only the enigmatic Conall, a monk who preaches with his sword to help them, they cut a bloody swath through anyone who gets in their way. But the journey becomes a race for their lives when the King of Scotland sends his most feared mercenaries, the Wolf Pack, after them. Traversing an unfamiliar and hostile land, they are pursued relentlessly. However the hunters become the hunted when the Vikings, eager for battle, set deadly traps and mercilessly decimate their pursuers one by one…

Wow! This sounds good. While the movie is still filming, the principle photography has just been completed. You can check out the first official promo still below.

Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse in HBO's True Blood) stars as Conall in Northmen - A Viking Saga
Photo Credit: Joe Alblas

If you want to keep up to date on the production of this movie then you need to bookmark the website or head on over to Facebook and like their page.

Sources: Northmen – Official Website

Entertainment Focus – Principal photography wraps on Northmen

(Photo Credit: Joe Alblas)

True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten Talks About His Shark Attack

Tune in to The Getaway on the Esquire Network to Find Out More:

True Blood's Ryan Kwanten and Anna PaquinLuck for fans of HBO’s True Blood, Ran Kwanten escaped without harm when he had a run in with a shark when he was a child, otherwise we would never have had the chance to see him bring the role of Jason Stackhouse to life.

But this is no laughing matter, considering many people do not live to talk about their tale, or end up seriously maimed when encountering a shark. Kwanten talks to The Getaway on the Esquire Network about how this chance run in his home country of Australia, led him to train for Surf Life Saving:

I started competing in Surf Life Saving at the ripe old age of 5 back in Australia, which happens to be where the sport was invented in 1907.

Ryan Kwanten will explore Los Angeles in his episode, not only discussing his passion for Surf Life Saving, but taking in all the other sights, sounds and gastronomical delights from this amazing place. The Getaway airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Esquire Network. You can view a sneak peek of this episode below:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Source: NBC News – ‘True Blood’ star talks shark attack and surfing on ‘The Getaway’

(Photo Credit: HBO Inc.)