It's that time of year again for Disney Channel and Disney XD to hold the first official open casting call of 2012, this one in Kansas City, Missouri. Casting directors are seeking boys and girls between the ages of 10 - 18 (or who look like they are 10 - 18) and are interested in acting, dancing, or singing. The purpose of these open casting calls is to discover talented young actors to be considered for upcoming original movies and series produced for Disney Channel and Disney XD.

The next chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Thor 2" is now in pre-production and the casting director in Los Angeles is getting ready to audition talent for new co-starring and supporting roles. The bulk of filming will take place in London, England with some additional filming in Los Angeles. There will also be auditions in London for principal acting roles. Extras, photo-doubles, and stand-ins will be hired in London and various areas of the United Kingdom. Filming on "Thor 2" will begin in August, 2012.

Extras casting calls and registration is underway for the Marvel Studios superhero feature film "Iron Man 3", which will be distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. Shooting will take place in the Wilmington and Kenansville, North Carolina areas and other locations in North Carolina from May 21, 2012 through January, 2013. The film's main stars are being cast out of Los Angeles, however many smaller and day player acting roles are being cast in North Carolina. All of the extras, photo-doubles and stand-ins for the films stars will be cast in North Carolina. An open extras casting call will take place on May 10, 2012 in Kenansville, North Carolina.

Liam Hemsworth's last film before shooting commences on "Catching Fire" is now casting for lead roles. The film is titled "Paranoia" and also stars Academy Award nominated actors Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman. It is being described as a corporate espionage thriller that follows a war between rival telecom companies. Auditions are taking place in Los Angeles and New York. The extras, stand-ins, and photo doubles will be hired in the filming locations of Philadelphia and New York.

The directors (Bandito Brothers) and casting director for the major feature film "Unknown Soldier" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger are conducting a national talent search for African, African-American, or mixed ethnicity - African-American and another. They are seeking kids 6-10 tears of age, and adults 18-80, both males and females. No acting experience is necessary, but some dance, theatre or acting experience may be helpful. Those interested can attend a scheduled open casting call or submit via email. Filming on The Unknown Soldier is set to begin in June.

The hit FX Network Golden Globe Nominated horror-drama series American Horror Story has been renewed for a second season and the award winning casting team is now holding auditions in Los Angeles for new series regulars. The show's format is anthology based, whereas the story, characters, and location for each season is different. The show's guest stars and extras will be cast throughout the season, which begins shooting July, 2012. The second season of "American Horror Story" will take place in an East Coast asylum for the criminally insane, although filming will take place in Los Angeles.

Weinstein Company and Dimension Films are now in pre-production on "Scary Movie 5" after a two year wait. The casting directors have sent out casting calls for several lead roles that require dance skills as well as the ability to play comedy in a grounded dramatic style. Other roles for non-dancers of various ages are also being cast. Extras will be hired in both Los Angeles and Vancouver, where shooting will take place beginning June 15, 2012.

ABC Family is now in production on a new ballet drama series called "Bunheads", and the casting directors are auditioning actors for co-starring, guest starring, and day player roles. Extas and stand-ins are also being cast throughout the season. The show centers on a Las Vegas showgirl who impulsively marries a man named Hubble Flower and moves to his sleepy coastal town of Paradise, California after he passes away. She inherits his house, his mother Fanny Flowers along with her dance studio and students.

The third season of ABC Family's hugely popular teen drama mystery thriller television series "Pretty Little Liars" is now underway. The show's casting directors are auditioning actors for guest starring and day player roles, as well as hiring extras and stand-ins. The network has ordered 24 episodes that will shoot through October, 2012. The story is set in the fictitious town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania but shoots in Los Angeles. "Pretty Little Liars" premiered on June 8, 2010 becoming ABC Family's highest-rated series debut on record.

The USA Network medical comedy drama television series "Royal Pains" is now in production on it's fourth season, and the extras casting director is hiring New York background performers to work on the hit show. Needed are people available for shoots in Westhampton, NY on April 30, 2012 and Southampton, NY on May 10, 2012. Also needed are people with ultra high-end cars. Both union and non-union applicants will be accepted. Season four of "Royal Pains" premiers on Wednesday, June 6 at 9/8c on USA.