New shower of shooting stars set to light up 2009

Next "It" Movie Actor: Chris Pine

Best known for batting his eyelashes in teen flicks like The Princess Diaries 2, Chris Pine is set to blast into superstardom at warp speed in 2009, thanks to his role as a young James T. Kirk in J.J. Abrams' highly anticipated reboot of the Star Trek film franchise.

Next "It" Movie Actress: Rhona Mitra

Rhona Mitra is best known for supporting roles on television shows like Boston Legal but she's making the jump to the big screen in January's Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. Mitra is replacing Kate Beckinsale as the vampire franchise's female lead, but don't worry, fanboys; judging from stills which show her decked out in tight PVC outfits, she'll more than fit the bill.

Next "It" TV Actor: Luke Grimes

Brothers & Sisters went from a delightfully quirky family drama in Season 1 to an increasingly ridiculous disappointment in Season 2 (Rebecca and Justin find out they're not really siblings and five minutes later they're making out?) If anyone can pull the series out of its nosedive, it's Luke Grimes, who has been added to the cast as the long-lost illegitimate child of late Walker patriarch William. (Not that we haven't already been through that entire storyline before the writers decided to pull the Rebecca fake-out on us.) We're counting on the actor to save the show from its recent spiral of suck.

Next "It" TV Actress: Aimee Teegarden

You'd know Aimee Teegarden if you watched Friday Night Lights, the best scripted television show of the year. But, judging by the ratings, you didn't. So keep an eye out for the 19-year-old actress in her new role on 90210, (which, inexplicably, actually pulls in a decent audience). Teegarden is set to play Rhonda, a West Beverly High student who crosses path with Ethan. Or, you could just tune into Friday Night Lights when it returns to NBC for its third season on Jan. 16.

Next "It" Singer: Hayley Williams

The feisty, red-headed teen frontwoman wowed audiences at this year's MTV Video Music Awards, where Paramore was nominated for Best Rock Video -- Group. In 2008, their album Riot! was certified platinum and the band managed to land not one, but two songs on the Twilight soundtrack. Paramore is hard at work on a new album, due out in 2009.

Next "It" Tween: Miranda Cosgrove

Move over, Miley! Miranda Cosgrove is shaping up to be the next double-threat in the tween world. After starring in the Drake & Josh movies and winning fans with her lead role on the hit Nickelodeon show iCarly, the 15-year-old actress is now ready to take on the music biz. Cosgrove will release her debut album in 2009.

Next "It" Couple: John Krasinski and Emily Blunt

We love John Krasinski in The Office. We love Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada. So imagine our delight when romance rumours about the two recently surfaced. Krasinski was previously linked to his Office co-star Rashida Jones, while Blunt recently split from longtime boyfriend Michael Bublé. Photos of the pair enjoying a movie date last week made us feel all gooey inside.

-- Dose.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 27, 2008 C8