Two and a Half Men Killing Off Sheen

There were already rumors that Charlie Sheen's Two and a Half Men character would be killed off, and now Deadline confirms it. Production begins on the ninth season next week, and the website reports that the two-part season premiere will feature the funeral for Sheen's character, Charlie Harper, which will be attended by nearly all of Harper's ex-girlfriends. Harper's Malibu beach house, where the three main characters have lived, will be put up for sale—and that's where new star Ashton Kutcher comes in.

The season premiere will reportedly feature Hollywood celebrities as potential buyers for the house (some of them from executive producer Chuck Lorre's other TV shows), including Kutcher; whether he will play himself or a character remains to be seen. Warner Bros. is attempting as much secrecy as possible: The premiere will be taped in front of a live audience, though some scenes might be filmed separately, press will be banned, and both the cast and audience members will sign non-disclosure agreements. (More Two and a Half Men stories.)