Action Figure World

If there’s one problem I’ve had with my beloved NBC hit, Heroes, it’s not that it’s lacking a stellar premise, nor is it at a loss for good actors or strong ideas. Rather, it’s that the folks behind Heroes don’t seem to have it together when it comes to keeping their plot arcs together and not crowding the show with new characters season after season. They tend to forget about their core cast and fail to flesh out the characters we know and love, instead spreading themselves thin and making it more and more difficult to care about what’s happening. Not to mention that their favourite stunt seems to be killing off (or UN-killing off) anyone giving them trouble plot-wise. There’s no doubt they’ve fallen from grace since their incredible first season, but maybe there’s hope. Or…maybe there isn’t: At MTV.com, Hayden Pannetiere indicates that we might just get more of the same:

Though season four of NBC’s “Heroes” won’t start for a few more months, Hayden Panettiere told MTV News that there’s a new mysterious group that fans can look forward to in September: The Carnival.

Panettierre, who plays the title role in July 10th’s “I Love You, Beth Cooper”, is already preparing for more adventures as super-powered cheerleader Claire Bennet.

“The next season of ‘Heroes’ has a lot of characters that are coming in,” says Panettierre, “There’s something called The Carnival… which is kind of the opposite of what The Company was. There’s a lot of new, cool characters.”

The Carnival, judging from leaked casting sheets that appeared on “Heroes” fansites will be represented literally. That means barkers, freaks and –- mostly likely -– more than a fair share of cotton candy. (spoiler warning there)

In the meantime, “Heroes” fans should be getting a healthy dose of their favorites actors on the big screen. Between Zachary Quinto in “Star Trek”, Ali Larter in “Obsessed”, Milo Ventimiglia in “Gamer” and Panettierre in “Beth Cooper,” there’s no shortage of the core cast in Hollywood’s overlapping circle. It does, however, lead one to ask when we’re going to get a decent Masi Oka vehicle blockbuster. Oh wait, we are.

What do you make of this mysterious Carnival? What direction do you want “Heroes” to go in its fourth year? Share your ideas below!

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But fortunately, Heroes fans who miss the days of Nathan’s political career, Isaac’s paintings and only one variation on Jessica can check out the original Mezco Heroes action figures over at our online store.