History has a scored a few big ratings hits this season, and though its first scripted drama Vikings has not even finished its inaugural run, the cable network has already renewed it for a 10-episode second season.  According to the network, Vikings has been the #1 new cable series in 2013 in terms of viewership, even in its competitive Sunday night slot, averaging around five million viewers.  I reviewed the series as it first aired and found it compelling, especially in the weeks before another gritty period drama, Game of Thrones, returned — although Vikings certainly has its own merits.  Hit the jump for more.

On Saturday three of the main stars dropped by WonderCon to discuss History Channel’s new hit show, Vikings. The show follows the exploits of Ragnar Lothbrok, a Viking warrior who invests in a new and faster boat that will be able to take him across the open ocean to find new land and treasure.  I was able to sit down with Travis Fimmel, who plays Ragnar, at a roundtable interview to talk about what is to come for the second part of the season. Fimmel told us about what is was like to shoot the battle scenes in all kinds of weather, what’s in story for his character’s future, and a lot more.  Hit the jump for what he had to say.  Vikings airs on the History Channel Sundays at 10pm.

The History original drama series Vikings follows the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), an actual historical figure who was the greatest hero of his age.  Telling the gripping sagas of Ragnar’s band of Viking brothers and his family, he rose to become a fearless warrior and King of the Viking tribes, and legend has it that he was a direct descendent of Odin, the god of war and warriors.

During this recent interview to promote the March 3^rd premiere, actor Travis Fimmel talked about what drew him to this project, how he got an understanding of what Viking men were truly like back then, the most surprising things he learned about the Vikings, how the look for the character was developed, doing the fight scenes, his favorite moments while shooting, and what it was like to get to play such a legendary character.  Check out what he had to say after the jump. 

We’re happy to debut a batch of exclusive new images from the upcoming action-comedy The Baytown Outlaws today.  Written and directed by Barry Battles, the film follows three ruthless brothers who fall into helping a damsel in distress (Eva Longoria) by rescuing her godson (Thomas Brodie Sangster) from her nefarious ex-husband, Rob (Billy Bob Thornton).  It looks like a pretty wild pic, and these images highlight the cast of characters that also includes Quentin Tarantino staple Zoe Bell (Death Proof).  Here’s the trailer.

Hit the jump to check out the new images.  The film also stars Clayne Crawford, Michael Rapaport, Daniel Cudmore, Travis Fimmel, Serinda Swan, Andre Braugher and Paul Wesley.  The Baytown Outlaws is currently available VOD and hits theaters on January 11th.

HISTORY has announced their cast for the scripted series, Vikings. Hoping to bank on the success of HBO’s Game of Thrones, writer Michael Hirst (The Tudors) created the series based on real life figures of Scandanavian history.  The story follows the family saga and rise to power of Ragnar Lothbrok, a great hero who pushed the limits of exploration and rose to become King of the Viking tribes.  Gabriel Byrne and George Blagden are joined by Travis Fimmel, Jessalyn Gilsig, Gustaf Skarsgard, Clive Standen and Katheryn Winnick. Hit the jump for the full press release.

The first trailer has jumped online for Billy Bob Thornton-starrer, The Baytown Disco.  A self-professed “Southern-fried whip-ass extravaganza,” The Baytown Disco features a trio of ruthless outlaw brothers who fall into helping a damsel in distress (Eva Longoria).  She hires them to help return her godson (Thomas Brodie Sangster), who has been kidnapped by her nefarious ex-husband, Rob (Thornton).  While I wasn’t exactly sold on the synopsis and images alone, the new trailer hits all the right banjo strings (and the femme fatales certainly do not hurt).  Directed by Barry Battles, The Baytown Disco also stars Clayne Crawford, Michael Rapaport, Daniel Cudmore, Travis Fimmel, Andre Braugher and Paul Wesley. Hit the jump for the trailer and official synopsis, and to watch the original short that inspired the feature-length film.

Daniel Cudmore (Twilight: New Moon), Travis Fimmel (TV’s The Beast), and Andre Braugher (TV’s Men of a Certain Age) have joined Billy Bob Thornton and Eva Longoria in the Southern comedy The Baytown Disco. Directed by Barry Battles, the film follows three brothers who, as usual, get more than they bargained for when they agree to help a woman get her son back from his abusive father. Serinda Swan, Clayne Crawford, Thomas Sangster and Meagan Good also star.

THR reports that Cudmore, Fimmel and Crawford will star as the trio of brothers. The script, by Battles and Griffin Hood, made the 2009 Black List. The Baytown Disco is set to start filming on May 2^nd in Louisiana.