Coming Soooooooon: September 2021

Thursday, 30 September 2021

Five Nights At Freddy's Movie Loses Director Chris Columbus

Director Chris Columbus has exited Blumhouse's film adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy's. The director is best known for big-ticket family movies like Home Alone and its sequel, Mrs. Doubtfire, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and the first two Harry Potter movies. When Columbus was attached to Five Nights at Freddy's in 2018, that film would have been his first straightforward horror movie, allowing him to draw on the impulses he indulged when he wrote the script for Gremlins back in the early '80s.

Five Nights at Freddy's is a long-gestating project that has been hitting roadblocks from the beginning. The film is an adaptation of the 2014 video game of the same name, in which the player is a security guard at a Chuck E. Cheese-esque establishment full of creepy haunted animatronics. Horror production company Blumhouse became attached to the project in 2017, but they've had trouble finding a script that pleases creator Scott Cawthon, who has rejected 9 different drafts. In the meantime, there have been 8 games released with a ninth on the way, 3 spinoff games, 3 novels and 12 anthology books written, and a Nicolas Cage film with the exact same premise called Willy's Wonderland.

Speaking with Collider, producer Jason Blum announced that even though Five Nights at Freddy's was supposed to begin filming in Spring of this year, Chris Columbus has stepped away from the project. He didn't explain why the director parted ways with Freddy's, but he reiterated his constant refrain that the script is "really tough to crack." It's "taken longer than [he] hoped to get the right story," but he states confidently that they are "a long way from giving up." Read the full quote here:

Chris Columbus is no longer attached. [Whether there’s a new director] is classified information. [The script is] really tough to crack.

We've written multiple scripts, and we've got where we're threading a needle, which is doing justice to Five Nights at Freddy's and making Scott (Cawthon) happy. The only way that we would go about it is giving Scott ... I don't want to do something that Scott doesn't like. Let me say that a different way. I don't have the right to do anything Scott doesn't like. Basically, Scott has kind of like the equivalent of “final cut” and it's taken longer than I hoped to get the right story.

We're a long way from giving up. And I'm confident eventually I will figure it out.

Some of the scripts that have been rejected by Cawthon have wild premises. As detailed in a Reddit post made by the creator in November of last year, the story ideas included "an underground factory that was designing robots for the government," "a marionette out for revenge" and one where the "Plushies take Manhattan." He eventually tried writing a screenplay himself, because he has the most familiarity with the lore, but didn't think he was any good at writing in the format. Although at the time he announced that they had reached an agreement on a final screenplay, clearly that is no longer the case.

Hopefully, it won't take long to attach a new director considering the company's access to a huge stable of talented horror filmmakers. As for the script, Five Nights at Freddy's might have quite a bit of backstory at this point because of the many games that have since been released in the series, but it might be good for Blumhouse to favor simplicity. The game ultimately has a very pared-down premise for delivering scares and doesn't need too much dressing up. Fans who have played through the entire franchise will enjoy a bunch of Easter eggs and developed mythology, but that isn't essential to delivering the powerful shocks the games are known for.

Next: Every Upcoming Video Game Movie

Source: Collider

90 Day Fiancé: Corey Reacts After Evelin Slammed Him For Cheating

Corey Rathgeber from 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way has written a heartfelt apology to Evelin Villegas after she lashed out at him for cheating on her. Corey and Evelin don't have a perfect relationship, but they were trying to work on their differences and get married. However, things took a drastic turn in the last episode of 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way. Corey told his friend Raul that he lied to Evelin about his relationship with Jenny just being a fling. The Washington native confessed that he and Jenny were in a serious relationship, and she even made him meet her parents.

After learning this shocking new piece of information, Evelin lashed out at Corey on Instagram. She taunted him by telling fans never to trust a man, even those who pretend to be Mormon, and talk about values. The Ecuadorian native called Corey a "lying coward" because he swore on his late father, Evelin, and their pets and said his relationship with Jenny wasn't serious. Evelin asked for a divorce from Corey, but he insisted that things between him and Jenny were over.

Corey apologized to Evelin and posted a bunch of loving pictures with her. He said that being in a long-distance relationship is hard, and showcasing that relationship on "national and international TV for the world to judge" is even harder. Corey believes that his relationship with Evelin is very strong because they have been through a lot. He added, "7 years is a long time. I wouldn't trade it for anything." Corey affirmed that he always loved his 28-year-old beauty Evelin and would work hard to become the best version of himself.

He apologized to Evelin for all the stress she had to endure. Corey doesn't want to blame her for slamming him on social media; he just wants her to know that he loves her. He concluded the IG post with, "I want you to know that you are the world's most beautiful girl! I love you with all my heart please never forget that." Evelin hasn't responded to Corey's apology, but many 90 Day Fiancé viewers think he doesn't need to be sorry for anything. A fan said, "Omg Corey wake up and smell the roses." Another fan commented, "The sad part is that you didn't and don't need to change."

Corey's apology sounds genuine, and it seems like he is still in love with Evelin. Considering that Evelin has also been disrespectful towards Corey and has cheated on him, she should be able to forgive him soon. Corey and Evelin don't come across as a perfect couple, but their romantic pictures and relationship history suggest that they are genuinely in love. Still, it will be interesting to see how Corey will react when his Peruvian fling Jenny joins the 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way cast in upcoming episodes.

Next: 90 Day Fiancé: Evelin Shares Whether Her Views Have Changed After Marriage

Source: Corey Rathgeber/Instagram

Next MonsterVerse Movie Can Revive KOTM's Villain Setup (That GvK Cut)

2021's Godzilla vs. Kong dropped the setup that Godzilla: King of the Monsters delivered with Jonah (Charles Dance), but here's how Godzilla 3 can revive it. In King of the Monsters’ post-credits scene, it was revealed that not only did the eco-terrorist survive the chaos caused by the Titans, but he was still a threat. Jonah grinning wickedly while purchasing the sole-remaining head of Ghidorah indicated that he’d return at some point in the future.

Jonah ultimately didn’t come back for Godzilla vs. Kong, but the Ghidorah head he recovered did play a central role in the movie’s biggest twist. Apparently, Walter Simmons (Demián Bichir) and APEX got their hands on the head offscreen and used it to control their robotic creation, Mechagodzilla. Where Jonah fit into all this and why he didn’t have Ghidorah’s head anymore wasn’t addressed at all. Godzilla vs. Kong director Adam Wingard jokingly said that Jonah was stepped on by Godzilla during the five-year time skip, whereas the novelization offered a very different explanation, which is that Jonah sold Ghidorah’s skull to Simmons.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters positioned Jonah to be a recurring human villain in the MonsterVerse, but Godzilla vs. Kong complicated his future by giving Ghidorah’s missing head to APEX. On the surface, it may seem like this took away Jonah’s relevancy, but it’s possible he could have a role that isn’t dependent on him still having possession of the head. Jonah’s Titan plan in King of the Monsters proved he had great ambitions, which is why it seems unlikely he’d give up such a valuable find for cash. He wasn't set up to return in Godzilla 3, but the movie could reveal that Jonah was willing to part with it because he already got what he wanted from it.

Jonah could have acquired genetic material from Ghidorah’s skull before selling it to Simmons. As for why that would matter, it should be noted the Godzilla: King of the Monsters credits confirmed that scientists in the MonsterVerse are attempting to genetically engineer organic Titans. If Jonah puts together a team of scientists he too could go down this road. Armed with Ghidorah’s DNA, he’d have an opportunity to create a powerful weapon for his cause. Admittedly, Jonah did win in King of the Monsters, but as the situation often is with villains, he may decide what he accomplished wasn’t enough.

If Godzilla 3 follows up on what King of the Monsters was building toward with Jonah, his MonsterVerse return could bring about the introduction of another Toho villain, such as Biollante. Since the titular, plant-like monster in Godzilla vs. Biollante was born in a lab, her MonsterVerse counterpart could share a similar origin. If Godzilla 3 plans to make use of her (or a different manmade Titan), Jonah could provide the sequel with a perfect opportunity to bring this grotesque creature to life on the big screen.

More: Theory: Godzilla's Next MonsterVerse Villain After Mechagodzilla

Why Netflix's Arcane Animation Looks So Different | Screen Rant

The new trailer for Netflix's upcoming animated series Arcane has people talking about its eye-catching visuals, but what about the show makes its animation so unique? Arcane will be the first television series developed around characters from the popular online video game League of Legends, exploring the backstory of the explosively unhinged anarchist known as Jinx and her sister Vi. The show is directed by Ash Brannon, who worked on the story and animation for Pixar's Toy Story 2 and co-directed Surf's Up.

Vi and Jinx will be voiced by Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell, respectively. Steinfeld played the lead in Travis Knight's Bumblebee standalone film based on the Transformers character, in addition to Mattie Ross in 2010's True Grit and Petra Arkanian in Ender's Game. Purnell recently starred alongside Dave Bautista in Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead and has also appeared in Kick-Ass 2, Maleficent as the teenage version of the titular character, and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Other League of Legends characters confirmed for Arcane include Jayce (Kevin Alejandro), Caitlyn (Katie Leung), Silco (Jason Spisak), and Viktor (Harry Lloyd).

While League of Legends owner Riot Games is producing the new Netflix series, the beautiful animation for Arcane is actually being handled by a studio in Paris, France called Fortiche Production. The studio was created in 2009 and uses a combination of both 2D and 3D animation to create its signature mixed-media presentation. Fortiche has been closely linked with Riot Games for several years and is responsible for some of League of Legends' most visually stunning character and event trailers. including the debuts of Ekko and Arcane's main character Jinx. In creating the music video for "POP/STARS" by Riot's own virtual K-pop ensemble KD/A – a video that has been watched more than 450 million times on YouTube – the studio utilized keyframe animation done completely by hand.

Fortiche has worked closely with some heavy-hitters outside of the video game industry as well, with each project adding to its visually stunning portfolio. In addition to its work with Riot Games, the studio created the music videos for the Imagine Dragon's song "Warriors" as well as Freak Kitchen's "Freak of the Week," which both feature a similar style of animation. In 2012, Fortiche teamed up with the artistically ambitious Gorillaz to produce a music video for their song "DoYaThing" during the virtual band's collaboration with Converse. Fortiche also handled the animation for the Disney XD series Rocket & Groot, its very first TV series, based on the Marvel characters from Guardians of the Galaxy.

The 9-episode series Arcane will be distributed evenly across three weeks, with the first act coming to Netflix on November 6. League of Legends is among the most popular video games of all time, with more than 100 million active users logging on every month. An animated series based on two of the game's most popular characters, especially one with such a distinctive look, is expected to attract a lot of attention for the streaming service upon arrival and could lead to Arcane spinoffs featuring more of the game's expansive library of characters down the line.

Next: Netflix TV News & Announcements: Biggest Trailers, Images & Reveals

What If...? Episode 8 Asks 9 Big Questions About Ultron & The Watcher

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Marvel’s What If…? episode 8.

Marvel’s What If…? episode 8 pits an Infinity Stone-powered Ultron against the Watcher himself, posing some interesting questions about them, the MCU multiverse, and more. What If…? season 1 is only nine episodes long, and episode 8 teases a big finale with some fun crossovers between the previously shown MCU realities. But in order for the multiverse to survive, Ultron will need to be defeated – a task that looks to be incredibly challenging.

At the start of What If…? episode 8, the Watcher reveals a world in which Ultron successfully got in Vision’s body, leading to his defeat of the Avengers and subsequent conquest of the entire planet. Ultron is then confronted by a version of Thanos wielding the five other Infinity Stones, who he dispatches with shocking speed and brutality. With the combined power of all six Infinity Stones, Ultron erases most life in the universe, then goes a step further – discovering the presence of the Watcher himself and expanding his rampage to other realities of the multiverse. By the end of What If…? episode 8, the Watcher breaks his oath not to interfere in the affairs of others and strikes a deal with the evil Doctor Strange from What If…? episode 4.

The sheer power of Ultron with the Infinity Stones is on a whole other level from any characters previously seen in the MCU, including Thanos himself. His duel with the Watcher and the subsequent threat to existence itself also conjures some interesting theories about the true nature and balance of power of the MCU. Here are the biggest unanswered questions from Marvel’s What If…? episode 8.

After conquering Earth, Ultron makes short work of Thanos in What If…? episode 8. The Mad Titan holds five of the Infinity Stones during the confrontation, compared to Ultron’s one, but he still has no response to the AI’s attack, being quickly split in two by a blast from the Mind Stone. Given how powerful and cunning Thanos has been shown to be in the MCU – even surviving blows from Thor’s magical Asgardian weapons – his sudden death is more than a little shocking. It would seem to suggest that Ultron is simply the more powerful villain, but is that really the case, or did he simply catch Thanos unawares?

One of the best explanations of how Ultron is able to defeat Thanos so quickly is that the Mind Stone is stronger than the other Infinity Stones. The events of movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange – which feature other Stones prominently – challenge that theory significantly, but it’s hard to argue with a laser blast that cuts Thanos himself in half before he even has a chance to speak. One explanation is that the Mind Stone isn’t actually stronger, bur rather that Ultron just has better control over it as its part of his core essence. Either way, it seems that the Mind Stone is a lot more formidable than previously thought.

In What If…? episode 8, the Watcher himself says that he can see every thing that has ever happened, and everything that will ever happen. So then, how is it that Ultron’s rise to power is so shocking to him? There’s nothing about Ultron that would indicate he exists beyond the ordinary plane of existence in the MCU, and if the multiverse is truly infinite, there must be many realities in which he acquired the Infinity Stones – all of which the Watcher would have seen. The What If…? season 1 finale may offer some clarification, but right now, it’s hard not to see the Watcher’s surprise as anything other than a plot hole.

After Ultron conquers Earth and moves onto other worlds in What If…? episode 8, his drones still have to contend with two survivors – Black Widow and Hawkeye. But how did these two, of all the Avengers, make it out alive? The fact that they’re working alone implies no other MCU heroes made it past Ultron’s nuclear strike. But how could they have survived with no superpowers when the likes of Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor clearly didn’t? It’s possible they were able to take shelter in some kind of secret S.H.I.E.L.D. bunker, but why wouldn’t they then also have tried to save their friends? None of it quite adds up.

Though Hawkeye survives Ultron’s initial rampage across the Earth in What If…? episode 8, it’s not without a few scars. That is to say, Hawkeye has a robotic arm in the episode, suggesting that he was seriously wounded in the battle against Ultron. What If…? doesn’t offer any clarification on why exactly Hawkeye has a robotic arm, but it's likely that his injury happened during his reality’s version of the Battle of Sokovia.

Perhaps the biggest question left hanging by Marvel’s What If…? episode 8 is how Ultron is able to traverse the multiverse. He possesses all six stones, which grant him unimaginable power, but no more than Thanos had at the end of Infinity War. By contrast, Thanos never showed any signs of heightened dimensional awareness or the ability to transcend universes. It’s possible that Ultron acquires the power after wielding the Infinity Stones for an extended amount of time – something Thanos never did – but What If…? episode 8 doesn’t confirm that theory.

The Watcher makes multiple references to his oath of noninterference in What If…? episode 8 – something that’s clearly very important to him. In the end he breaks the oath and fights Ultron personally, and the show doesn’t elaborate on what consequences that might have for the character. It would help if the MCU revealed who exactly the Watcher swore his oath to, but it doesn’t. The Watcher of the comics, named Uatu, is just one of an entire alien species, all of whom live by a code of noninterference. That could be true in the MCU as well, but for now, the Watcher’s backstory remains a mystery.

In their duel, Ultron overpowers the Watcher pretty easily, largely because of the six Infinity Stones at his disposal. But why doesn’t the Watcher use some Infinity Stones of his own? Each reality of the MCU multiverse has a set of its own, and it should be easy for the Watcher to acquire some in the interest of stopping Ultron’s reign of terror. It makes sense why he didn’t have them on hand at the start of the fight, as he was unprepared for Ultron to find him, but now that the Watcher has a moment to catch his breath, it might be in his best interest to seek out his own set of Infinity Stones for the rematch.

With or without Infinity Stones, the Watcher will have his work cut out for him trying to defeat Ultron. He’s already made a powerful ally in What If…?’s evil Doctor Strange, and Black Widow is still working on her AI takeover plan with HYDRA’s Arnim Zola, but with so much power and such a huge army at his disposal, it will likely take more than that to bring Infinity Stone Ultron down. The promos for the end of What If…? season 1 have teased an even bigger team-up between the multiverse’s greatest heroes, and if that actually happens, it should be an exciting finale to the shows first chapter.

Next: The MCU’s Guardians Of The Multiverse Team (As We Know It)

Marvel’s What If…? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

Stranger Things Already Proved An Eleven Spinoff Won't Work

While fans wait for Stranger Things season 4 to arrive, there are already plans for spinoffs in the not-so-distant future, including one that would have Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) as the lead, but Stranger Things has already proven that an Eleven spinoff isn’t the best idea. Netflix has been home to a variety of movies and TV shows, of which many have become pop-culture sensations, as is the case of Stranger Things. Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things debuted on Netflix in 2016 and quickly became one of the platform’s most popular titles thanks to its combination of horror and sci-fi, its 1980s setting, and more.

Stranger Things took viewers to the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, where the experiments at Hawkins Lab involving human subjects and a gate to another dimension got out of control, unleashing a series of disappearances and murders. Through three seasons, viewers have visited the parallel (and obscure) dimension known as the “Upside Down” a couple of times, encountered some of the monsters that live there (like the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer), and met some human threats as well, such as Dr. Brenner (Matthew Modine) and the Russians who established an underground lab in season 3. Stranger Things is coming back with a fourth season, which will answer some of the biggest questions left by season 3, but the future of the series beyond that is unknown.

The future of Stranger Things seems to depend on how well season 4 performs, but fans are hoping at least a fifth season will happen to properly wrap up the stories of Eleven and the rest of the group. However, that might not be the real end for Stranger Things, as Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos has teased the show is a “franchise being born” and hinted at plans for spinoffs, with one led by Millie Bobby Brown. However, Stranger Things has already explored the idea of a story centered on Eleven and proved that it isn't a good one even if she’s the main character of the show.

The most divisive episode of Stranger Things to date is “The Lost Sister”, from season 2, in which Eleven traveled to Chicago to meet a girl named Kali (Linnea Berthelsen), who is a fellow Hawkins Lab test subject with the number 008. Kali, just like Eleven, has special abilities, and she can create powerful illusions in other’s minds that seem very real. The episode focuses only on Eleven and her journey, leaving the rest of the group behind at Hawkins, and its tone was very different from the rest of the series, which didn’t appeal to viewers. Although the idea of Eleven meeting other test subjects and exploring their stories too isn’t bad at all (and is needed to an extent to tell Eleven’s full story), the execution definitely was. The strength of Eleven’s storyline lies in finding and building relationships with the rest of the characters of the series – her romance with Mike, her friendship with Max, Jim Hopper becoming her father – rather than having her on her own as an all-powerful being. Those bonds are what bring balance to her story, and a spinoff focused on Eleven risks losing those key elements that make her special and likable.

Of course, the Stranger Things spinoffs are just an idea for now, as Sarandos didn’t make a proper announcement nor did he confirm anything beyond season 4, so if an Eleven spinoff is to happen, the writers have enough time to come up with the best way to approach it, and hopefully, they will learn from the mistakes made in season 2 with “The Lost Sister”.

Next: Stranger Things Season 4's New Location: The Creel House Explained

Walking Dead: Does Pope Know Daryl Is Against The Reapers?

The jig may be up for Daryl (Norman Reedus), who has been working hard to deceive Pope (Ritchie Coster) on The Walking Dead. The latest episode’s ending teased a violent conclusion to Daryl’s time with the Reapers, which has been less than pleasant thus far.

After reuniting with Leah (Lynn Collins), Daryl became determined to earn the trust of the Reapers. To do that, he even went as far as torturing one of Maggie’s friends in The Walking Dead season 11, episode 6, titled “On the Inside”. Daryl seems to be making progress with Leah but hasn’t been able to alleviate the suspicions of Carver (Alex Meraz), who remained wary of Daryl throughout the mission to find the surviving members of Maggie’s group. It looked like Daryl dodged a bullet when Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and the others narrowly escaped the house the Reapers were searching, but his ruse was threatened once again upon their return to camp, where it was learned that Frost (Glenn Stanton) supposedly talked before being killed by Pope.

Obviously, Frost telling Pope everything would mean that Daryl’s deception truly has been exposed, given that he’s aware of Daryl’s relationship with Alexandria and Maggie. That was the implication of the episode’s ending since it showed Pope speaking quietly and Carver laughing. Carver, who hates their newest member, certainly would relish any plan to kill Daryl. The look that Leah gave Daryl indicated that even though she didn’t know what Pope said, she too seemed to share that impression. If they know he’s a traitor, Daryl will of course have to act quickly before they retaliate against them.

As for why Pope wouldn’t just kill Daryl on the spot, it could be that he had good reasons for not doing so. First of all, he may not have completely trusted Frost’s words and may want to confirm what he heard first. Or, he could understand that a direct accusation against an armed Daryl would have left unnecessary casualties on the Reapers’ side. Their numbers presumably would have overwhelmed him, but Daryl most likely would have killed at least a few before going down. That’s why a better approach would be to bide their time and attack Daryl when he’s least expecting it.

Alternatively, Pope’s comment about Frost talking prior to his death could have held an entirely different meaning. While his intent clearly was to scare Daryl, it’s possible that Frost didn’t actually give up any incriminating information. Instead, it may be that Pope just suspects the truth. If so, he could have made that statement just to see if Daryl squirms or tries to flee from the Reapers’ camp. Daryl proved himself once, but Pope could still have reservations that he needs to lay to rest before trusting Daryl further. For Daryl, this would be the best-case scenario and one that would extend his stay. Otherwise, he may have to break with Leah and the Reapers much sooner than expected in The Walking Dead season 11.

More: Michonne's Walking Dead Secret Is Out Now (Who Knows It?)

Injustice Movie Images Show Aquaman, Joker, Green Arrow & Harley Quinn

Warner Bros. releases new images from the upcoming Injustice movie offering new looks at Harley Quinn, Aquaman, Green Arrow and the Justice League. The animated film serves as an adaptation to both NetherRealms' hit video game franchise Injustice: Gods Among Us and Tom Taylor's graphic novel Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year One. The movie features an overhauled ensemble cast from the games, some of whom include Justin Hartley as Superman, Anson Mount as Batman, Brian T. Delaney as Green Lantern, Edwin Hodge as Mr. Terrific and Killer Croc and Gillian Jacobs as Harley Quinn.

The story of Injustice is set on an alternate Earth in which Superman has been tricked by the Joker into killing Lois Lane and their unborn child. The Man of Steel is subsequently driven insane and plots to institute a totalitarian regime around the Earth, ultimately forcing Batman and his allies to build a resistance movement known as The Insurgency to bring Superman down. The result is an epic showdown in which the lines between heroes and villains all but disappear and the fate of the world is in the balance.

With just a few weeks remaining until the film's arrival, Warner Bros. has unveiled new images for Injustice. The photos offer better looks at Harley Quinn, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, the Joker, Batman, Wonder Woman and some members of the Justice League and their parts in the story. Check out the new photos below:

When the game first arrived in 2013, many were taken aback by just how powerful Injustice: Gods Among Us was in its story, which was co-written by NetherRealm Studios and DC Comics writers. Critics were subsequently surprised by Injustice 2's narrative, many praising it and the graphics as a step up from its predecessor upon releasing in 2017. Though the animated film may be adopting a similar animation style to that of the Mortal Kombat Legends movies — another NetherRealm property — the character designs remain close translations of its game counterparts, with Aquaman, Harley Quinn and Green Arrow all looking as though they were pulled right from the first Injustice game.

The trailers for Injustice have similarly worked in the film's favor to build anticipation for its release. The most recent trailer showed Superman's brutal murder of the Joker, a moment pulled from Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year One No. 4 that was toned down in the first game but has been adapted in R-rated fashion for the film. Only time will tell what other bloody brutalities the film has in store when Injustice arrives on 4K Ultra-HD, Blu-ray, DVD and digital platforms on October 19.

More: Every Upcoming & In-Development DC Film

How To Watch Venom Online | Screen Rant

With Venom: Let There Be Carnage arriving, now is the perfect time to revisit the first Venom movie or to check it out for the first time. The second Tom Hardy-fronted Sony movie continues directly from where the first film left off. A mid-credits teaser introduced Woody Harrelson’s antagonist for the sequel: Cletus Kasady, the host of violent psychopathic symbiote Carnage.

Venom (2018) follows Eddie Brock (Hardy), a hard-hitting investigative journalist who isn’t afraid of tackling big businesses and public figures. His quest to take on Carlton Drake, the CEO of Life Foundation, a company seeking ways to live in space, leads to the loss of his job and his fiancée. When he gets a tip, he can’t help investigating further and ends up coming into contact with the alien symbiote Venom.

Venom’s sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is directed by Andy Serkis. The movie sees the return of Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, and Reid Scott in their roles from the first film (as well as Woody Harrelson reprising his previous cameo). The movie continues to follow Eddie and Venom’s bonding in the wake of Cletus Kasady’s escape from prison while bonded to another symbiote: Carnage.

While Venom is a Marvel property, it is one of the IPs that Sony still holds the rights to and is part of their development of a larger Sony Spiderverse. This means that the movie is not available on Disney+. Venom is also not available with Netflix or Hulu subscriptions. Unfortunately, it is currently only available for rent or purchase for online viewing and can be found through Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, and other digital media platforms. Right now, there don’t seem to be any plans to add the movie to be included in any standard monthly subscription packages.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic delaying movies, many large films such as Black Widow and The Suicide Squad were made immediately available through streaming platforms like Disney+ or HBO Max. While this model sometimes came with a premium charge, it allowed audiences to view brand new blockbuster movies from the safety of their own homes. However, studios are now moving away from that system, and after the success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ theatrical release, it is unlikely that large releases will return to same-day streaming in the future.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage will only be available in theaters on its October 1 release date (a date that was changed multiple times because of the pandemic). For those not ready to see how Venom: Let There Be Carnage's box office success will pan out in theaters and without access to a drive-in, there might not be too long to wait. Studios are still looking at reducing the time between theatrical and streaming releases as a response to the pandemic, so while there is no date set for the movie to come to streaming, it might yet become available before the next Sony Spiderverse movie, Morbius, releases in January 2022.

Next: What Tom Hardy In Morbius Means For Sony's Spiderverse Future

Titans Teases A New Team Leader (After Dick Becomes Batman)

Titans season 3 could be readying Donna Troy to take over leadership duties from Dick Grayson. Across the show's 3 seasons thus far, Titans has featured different eras and incarnations of the titular superhero group, from the original lineup of Robin, Hawk, Dove, Wonder Girl and Aqualad to the current roster of Nightwing, Superboy, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and whoever happens to be following them around at the time. As the sole common thread throughout the years, Dick Grayson has consistently acted as the undisputed leader of Titans Tower, despite making a few very unpopular decisions along the way.

Though Dick's Nightwing is the only OG Titan left standing in season 3, he's about to be joined by another from that first generation - Wonder Girl. Donna died in rather unspectacular fashion during Titans season 2's finale, before eventually cheating the Reaper in season 3's "Souls," courtesy of Hawk and Tim Drake. With the stench of death still in her hair, Donna makes a bee line for Gotham City to lend a hand against Scarecrow and Red Hood in "Troubled Water." Her journey takes an unexpected detour when Lydia decides to test Wonder Girl's resurrected muscles, but more than just giving Donna a pre-match warm-up, the sparring session foreshadows a brand new leader for the Titans.

After Donna passes Lydia's trial, the Amazon elder cryptically tells her, "you were born not just to protect people Donna... but to lead them." Lydia might've meant leading in a figurative sense - advising Donna return to the Titans and mentor their younger superheroes into a new generation of world-saving vigilantes. On the other hand, Lydia's emphasis on "lead" might foreshadow Donna becoming America's next top Titan. Lydia could be assuring Donna that she's capable of more than just following Dick Grayson's Nightwing. Her entire adult life, Donna has dipped in and out of the Wonder Girl persona, only answering the call whenever Grayson came a-knocking. The untapped potential of Wonder Woman's protégé clearly isn't being fulfilled as a part-time-Titan, and it's high time someone said it.

It goes without saying that Donna won't be rocking up at Wayne Manor and demanding Nightwing shut up and take a seat. Not only are Dick and Donna good friends, but she respects him far too much to barge in and forcibly take control of the Titans. Fortunately for Donna, Dick Grayson may be heading toward a promotion of his own. Titans season 3 has repeatedly teased Nightwing making the jump to Batman. Bruce Wayne abruptly retired, telling his original sidekick to "be a better Batman" before skipping town. Barbara Gordon has compared Dick's new attitude to Bruce's on several occasions, and the hospitalized Nightwing saw a hallucination of the Batman logo in an eye chart opposite his bed. All clues are pointing to Dick Grayson following his DC comic counterpart and taking the Dark Knight's mantle in Bruce Wayne's stead.

If Gotham City does get a new Batman in Titans, Donna would be the natural choice to replace Dick Grayson as the Titans' new leader. She's a member of the original team, keeping that thread to the past, and Wonder Woman's values offer a more solid moral foundation than the harsh teachings of Batman. Unlike Robin/Nightwing, Donna has never fully committed to the superhero gig either, meaning she has plenty still to give the world as Wonder Girl. The dynamic of Titans season 4 would be fascinating with Dick operating as Batman, Tim Drake as his Robin, and Donna leading Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven and Superboy as the Titans.

More: Titans Finally Fixes Rachel's Raven Powers In Season 3

Marvel Makes Hawkeye More Powerful Than The MCU Ever Did

Warning: This article contains spoilers for What If...? episode 8.

Hawkeye gets new gadgets and abilities in Marvel's What If...?, making him much stronger than he ever was in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In What If...? episode 8, Ultron (voiced by Ross Marquand) unleashes destruction on the MCU, courtesy of the Infinity Stones. After wiping out his own universe, the villain soon realizes there are more worlds to destroy. He discovers the Watcher (Jeffrey Wright) has access to other universes and fights the character across space and time. Eventually, the Watcher has no choice but to turn to an evil version of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) for help.

What If...? episode 8 is the first story in the series to serve as a direct follow-up. In episode 7, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) grows up as an only child and becomes Party Thor. The God of Thunder throws an epic celebration on Earth, which can potentially destroy the planet. However, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) calls on his mother, Frigga (voiced by Josette Eales), and Thor's party seemingly ends peacefully. Unfortunately, before the episode concludes, Ultron steps out of a portal and threatens their world.

In addition to an ultra-powerful Ultron, What If...? episode 8 also introduces a more powerful Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Though Ultron destroys most of the universe, Natasha Romanoff (voiced by Lake Bell) and Hawkeye survive a nuclear attack on Earth and plan to take the villain down. Though the pair, who both lack superpowers, seem outmatched, Marvel makes Hawkeye much more powerful to even up the stakes. During the episode, Hawkeye fights Ultron's drones using a robotic metal arm, an invisibility cloak, and new arrows. As a result, the character is more powerful than he ever was in the MCU.

There's a drastic difference between the Hawkeye in What If...? and the live-action version. Thus far in the MCU, Hawkeye has been the odd one out of the Avengers. While most of the other heroes have specific powers or assassin training in the case of Romanoff, Hawkeye's abilities generally consist of simply shooting arrows well. He even acknowledges his limitations in Avengers: Age of Ultron. "The city is flying, we're fighting an army of robots, and I have a bow and arrow," he says. However, What If...? episode 8 changes things. He gets more powerful arrows, which can even emit forcefields; he has a device that can cloak his whereabouts; and his new mechanical arm, a la the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), makes him an enhanced human. So in terms of physical abilities, he's a much stronger asset for the Avengers.

Though the new Hawkeye is stronger than the version in the main MCU timeline, he's not necessarily better. Clint Barton's humanity is part of what makes him heroic. It's easy for a character like Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) to run into battle. After all, Hulk is nearly indestructible. Hawkeye isn't. In What If...? episode 8, Hawkeye's mortality becomes abundantly clear when he sacrifices his life to save Natasha in a direct reversal of Avengers: Endgame. Yes, the character is more powerful in What If...?, but the Hawkeye from the main timeline is equally heroic.

More: Hawkeye's Captain America Celebration Makes Bucky's Phase 4 Story Worse

Marvel's What If...? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

Do You Need To Have Seen The Sopranos To Understand Many Saints of Newark?

The strong ties between The Sopranos and its prequel raise the interesting question of whether or not The Many Saints of Newark is understandable without seeing the TV show. The Many Saints of Newark follows the highs and lows of the notorious DiMeo crime family across the 1960s and 70s as they contend with a changing political landscape hastened by the infamous, racially divisive Newark riots. The story also serves as an origin story for the great Tony Soprano in his teenage years, with many of the film's scenes told through the eyes of the burgeoning gangster.

The Many Saints of Newark releases 22 years after The Sopranos first debuted on-screen, prompting understandable nostalgia between one of HBO's crown jewels and a reimagining of classic Sopranos characters. The prequel is also laced with emotion, with the late James Gandolfini's role as Tony being reprised by his son, Michael. The initial critical response suggests Michael Gandolfini delivers a standout performance worthy of memorializing his father, as well as being a dead-ringer in terms of replicating Tony's mannerisms.

While seeing The Sopranos before Watching The Many Saints of Newark is not a prerequisite, viewers should be prepared only to understand the tertiary narrative of the film if this is the case. As an origin story, The Many Saints of Newark is littered with Sopranos series references, meaning the film's message is diluted without them. Even though parts of The Many Saints of Newark will appeal as standalone gangster fare, the movie is best enjoyed after consuming the entirety of The Sopranos beforehand.

As with any film worth its salt, The Many Saints of Newark does a qualified job setting the scene for its events. Viewers are treated to sweeping shots of 1967 Newark, as well as a beyond-the-grave monologue from James Gandolfini himself as Tony with the use of HBO's impressive archival audio. The narrative of The Many Saints of Newark is also compelling, with many scenes of mob brutality aligned with some riveting performances which are enough to convey tone and elicit a range of emotions across its 120-minute runtime.

Yet to truly peer beyond The Many Saints of Newark's exterior setting and understand the gravitas of the yarns being spun, watching The Sopranos before viewing it is an essential task. The Many Saints of Newark is set at a very deliberate moment in American history, with the 1967 riots contributing to a racial fallout in New York communities. This fallout heralds big change for the DiMeo crime family, setting in motion a series of events that culminate 30 years down the line in Tony being crowned king of this criminal empire. Not watching The Sopranos before The Many Saints of Newark completely undercuts the poignant notes in the story while also robbing the viewer of sharing in the numerous inside jokes that hark back (or forward) to Tony's time in charge. As with any prequel, The Many Saints of Newark is best enjoyed in a post-Sopranos setting, where the full gamut of its canonical setup can be appreciated.

Next: Why Many Saints of Newark Is Set In 1967: Riots True Story & History

Apico Is Minecraft's Forestry Mod Without The Frustration

Progression through invention and interaction with the world like what is seen in Minecraft has become a popular gameplay style in recent years and is now featured in Apico, an upcoming indie title. RPGs have added elements of crafting, foraging, and building as a part of open-world exploration, and simulation games have continued to add improved versions of these mechanics in both AAA and indie titles. Apico is a bee-keeping simulator game that has combined many of these mechanics with adorable pixelated graphics, for gameplay that is similar to the Forestry mod for Minecraft.

Apico's gameplay is designed to teach players the importance of conservation through interactive beekeeping mechanics. Like in Minecraft, players will find themselves in a unique world that can be interacted with using tools like axes, pickaxes, and shovels. With these tools, resources like stone and wood can be obtained, which will then be used to build everything from homes to apiaries. However, instead of automating machines using Redstone and fighting monsters in dark caves, Apico players will focus on obtaining wild bees that can be raised and bred for new species.

Apico shares many similarities with Minecraft's Forestry mod, created by SirSengir, which added beekeeping and tree breeding to Minecraft's base gameplay. Players will find a variety of wild beehives in their world that can be harvested for bees and honey. The bees can then be bred in the hives, or brought home and placed in apiaries to deposit honey in frames. Breeding bees in apiaries also allows players to cross-pollinate flowers close by, unlocking new flower species. Unlike Minecraft's Forestry mod, extracting honey is less difficult, with devices that don't require power sources to be run. Players can also take their honey and ferment it to make mead, with numerous infusion options available to create different flavors.

Gameplay in Apico is aided by a quest journal. This journal, much like the quest books for the Minecraft Forestry mod, detail how to use each device, as well as other important mechanics like bee breeding, tree tapping, and fermentation. However, Apico takes ease of access to another level with an option that would be greatly beneficial in future Minecraft gameplay updates. Players can have multiple machine interfaces open at once. This allows items like frames to be moved directly from the apiary to the uncapper, or tanks of water to the fermenter from the barrel, without having to first put it in the inventory and carry them to the next machine. Because of this, players can tend to a large number of devices at once, creating more efficient and intuitive gameplay.

Currently, Apico is planned for release early in 2022. However, the Apico demo is available on Steam and offers players a generous amount of gameplay to test out for free. This includes 9 bee species to search and breed for. The finished game intends to implement dozens of species, as well as other advanced levels of gameplay. Players will also be able to set out on the seas around their bee-keeping archipelago in search of other islands. It is possible that like Minecraft, these locations planned for the final game could possess different biomes, and bee species entirely unique to such areas.

Next: Garden Paws Is Minecraft But Also Animal Crossing

Source: Steam

Universal Studios Hollywood Will Require Proof of Vaccination Next Week

Beginning next week, Universal Studios Hollywood will require either proof of vaccination against the coronavirus or a recent negative COVID-19 test result for entry. The film studio-turned-theme park attracts millions of visitors to Los Angeles every year who come for film-themed rides and shows like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Jurassic World: The Ride. The studio re-opened on April 16, 2021 after closing its doors for over a year during the pandemic.

THR reports that Universal Studios Hollywood will begin asking visitors to present either vaccine proof or a negative COVID test performed within the standard 72-hour window. Vaccinations are considered admissible "a full 14 days after final dose was administered." The new rules apply to guests who are 12 and older. Universal will enforce the new policies beginning on October 7. In addition to the new requirements for entry, Universal Studios Hollywood is also returning to its former mask guidelines. Masks will be required both indoors and outdoors for all guests in the park regardless of vaccination status.

As of now, Universal Studios' other locations have not adopted the new guidelines. Neither Universal CityWalk in Orlando nor Disneyland in Orange County have announced vaccine requirements, and both require masks only indoors. Earlier in the pandemic, Universal Studios Hollywood was only open to California residents, but the park will remain open to all visitors.

Universal Studios Hollywood's new rules are in accordance with the recent health order given by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health in September. The mandate initially required proof of COVID-19 vaccination at indoor venues as well as events and attractions hosting over 10,000 people, including festivals like Coachella and theme parks like Universal and Six Flags. The health department lessened the requirements after receiving complaints from the theme park industry, specifically regarding a lack of staff necessary to check vaccine documents at a quick enough pace and customers who'd already bought tickets before the mandate was given.

Next: Universal's New Secret Life Of Pets Ride: What You Need To Know

Source: THR

NASA Says Ingenuity Flight Cancelled Due To Anomaly

NASA’s Mars helicopter Ingenuity canceled flight 14 due to failures in its flight control system. Originally, Ingenuity was designed to live one month and execute five demonstration test flights. Like other NASA technology, Ingenuity pushed beyond its initial limits. Today the Mars helicopter has more than doubled its original intended lifespan and number of flights.

Weeks before the canceled flight NASA had warned that flying on Mars was becoming more difficult with each passing day due to the variations of the Red Planet’s seasons. Seasonal variations on Mars are so extreme that they affect atmospheric density. Like all helicopters, Ingenuity must boost performance to overcome atmospheric changes.

Ingenuity made the autonomous decision of canceling flight 14 after detecting an “anomaly” with its main control mechanisms. The helicopter is programmed to run pre-flight tests. During the last test, it detected that two flight-control servo motors did not respond as they should. The two upper rotor swashplate servos oscillated with an amplitude of approximately 1 degree compared to their commanded position. A change in 1 degree may seem small but from the perspective of the small helicopter about to fly on Mars, it was critical enough to shut down the flight.

Three days before the canceled flight the helicopter had conducted a high-speed test required to compensate for atmospheric density changes in Mars. The test pushed Ingenuity’s rpm to the highest level ever, reaching 2,800 rpm. The high-speed test was needed to know if it was safe to fly with high rpm levels.

Servos are a critical part of Ingenuity’s anatomy. They control a swashplate mechanism that adjusts the pitch of rotor blades which in turn controls the helicopter’s position and orientation during flights. Ingenuity has six servos, three on each swashplate. “Servos are critical to stable and controlled flight,” NASA said. NASA is working on two theories to understand what went wrong and how to solve it. One theory is that the helicopter has doubled its original flight design capabilities and the stress begins to show. The second theory is that during the high-speed rpm test the servos were affected.

On Earth, the solution is an easy fix, replacing servos in drone helicopters is normal. However, Ingenuity is millions of kilometers away from Earth, which rules out running to the store for a new servo. NASA is left with two main solutions, including the possibility of disabling “abnormal” servos if they have redundant systems, or programming flight commands to adjust to the servo malfunction. All vehicles on Mars, including Ingenuity, will be on a communication blackout due to the Solar Conjunction. The team will use these two weeks to test solutions and get back Ingenuity on the game by the time communications with Mars are reestablished.

Next: Mars Habitability Takes Major Hit As Study Claims It Can't Support An Ocean

Sources: NASA

Daniel Craig Didn’t Like Billie Eilish’s No Time To Die Theme At First

Daniel Craig didn't like Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell's No Time To Die theme song at first, according to the music producer who worked on the theme. Siblings Eilish and O'Connell wrote and performed the 25th James Bond theme, "No Time To Die," alongside producer Stephen Lipson. Writing the song in three days on a tour bus, the siblings worked with Bond composer Hans Zimmer, who wrote the film's score. The song was released back in February 2020, two months before the film's initial release date.

Over 18 months later, the song will finally receive its cinematic premiere when No Time To Die hits cinemas in October. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and starring Rami Malek as the villainous Safin, No Time To Die marks Craig's final adventure as 007. Starting his tenure with 2006's Casino Royale, Craig is the longest-serving Bond, edging Moore out by three years. Craig recently spoke about the perks being Bond has afforded him, for instance using his 007-influence to secure his stormtrooper cameo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Alongside this, it also appears that Craig has influence over wider aspects of Bond's production, including the theme song.

Speaking with CinemaBlend, UK music producer Stephen Lipson, who worked with Finneas and Eilish on the theme, recalls how Craig wasn't initially sold on the song. Apparently, the actor wasn't sure the theme provided the right "emotional climax" for his 007 swan song at first. It was only after Lipson played the song for Craig in the ideal environment of his studio that he really enjoyed the piece, and the "wheels were set in motion." Read the quote below.

"I asked Finneas and Billie to give me a climactic vocal moment which Billie wasn’t too sure about, but when I heard it I knew it would deliver. Most important was getting Daniel’s approval. I finished the mix and everybody was happy but we still had to get Daniel on board. From the start, quite understandably, he wasn’t all that sure that the song delivered the right emotional climax for his final Bond outing, so satisfying him was key ... I suggested that [Craig] come to my studio as I knew that, compared to any other location, it was without doubt the best sonic environment in which to hear it.

... Listening to it as if I was Daniel, I realised that the climax needed to be enormous ... I sat Daniel in the chair between the speakers, hit play and waited for his response. When the song finished he didn’t look up but asked to hear it once more. Barbara and I had no idea how he felt until the end of his second listening, when he looked up at me and said something like, ‘That’s f*****g amazing.’ As soon as he’d approved it the wheels were set in motion and the news that Billie Eilish was doing the Bond theme song appeared everywhere."

The Bond theme became an essential part of the 007 tradition with Shirley Bassey's iconic 1964 Goldfinger theme, but it can also be a perilous journey for the musicians who take it on. Artists have recorded themes over the years only for them to be thrown out in favor of another, while others have turned down the chance to soundtrack a Bond adventure. Nancy Sinatra's classic theme for You Only Live Twice was originally offered to her father, Frank Sinatra, who turned the opportunity down. Now it appears that it's the other way around, with the cast and crew holding the power to reject the artist, as Eilish's song wasn't signed off until Craig had given the go-ahead. Until then, even with the song recorded and ready to go, the artist's involvement was kept under wraps from the public. It suggests that alongside his performance as a grittier version of the iconic British spy, Craig also had a big say in molding the entire franchise, including the theme song, in his Bond's image.

While Eilish's theme has so-far been well received, there's also the risk of some people disliking the song when it debuts to a wider audience. Alicia Keys and Jack White's "Another Way to Die" is the most recent example of a theme that drew many fan's ire. Fortunately for Eilish, this hasn't been the case with "No Time To Die," which Eilish recently said aims to pay homage to Bond music of the past. Like the theme, the film has received strong reviews, with critics praising Craig's final outing for its action, cinematography and emotion. Audiences can hear the new theme for themselves in cinemas when No Time To Die is finally released.

Next: James Bond: All The Daniel Craig Era Theme Songs Ranked

Source: CinemaBlend

Genshin Impact Leaks: Which Characters May Be Playable Soon

The Genshin Impact community is always looking forward to new playable characters. Because miHoYo only announces new characters a patch or two before they release, there are still quite a few leaked or rumored characters that don’t have a release date yet. It is possible, however, to make an educated guess about which of these leaked characters may be coming soon.

When it comes to character speculation, there are few things to keep in mind. There have been instances when characters are announced or known about but then don’t release for quite some time. For instance, Ayaka, who was a beta character but only released at the end of July, or Cyno, who was announced in the region roadmap released last year and still doesn’t have a release date. Additionally, the current characters that are being released also seem to be Inazuma characters as that is where the story of the game is currently focused. That’s not to say that Liyue or Mondstadt characters can’t also become available, but it seems like the Inazuma characters are in the spotlight, for now.

The only confirmed new playable character so far is Thoma, who should be available in Version 2.2. There are, however, some other Inazuma characters that could also become playable. Yae Miko played a rather significant role in the 2.1 Archon Quest and in the Inazuma storyline, as a whole. As the Raiden Shogun’s closest companion, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Miko were to get her own banner. Because the new characters releasing at the moment seem to be oriented around Inazuma, it is possible that Miko will be releasing in the next few updates. Gorou, a leader of the Sangonomiya Resistance, has also yet to be given a release date. Considering he has already been introduced in the storyline, it is likely that he may also be releasing soon.

And then there is Kamisato Ayato, Ayaka’s elusive brother and leader of the Kamisato Clan. Ayato has yet to make an appearance in-game, but it has been possibly leaked by former Genshin Impact leaker Sukuna that Ayato may be coming soon. There has been no official word on Ayato - his appearance isn’t even known - but he is rumored to be a Hydro claymore user. Another as-yet-unseen character that may be coming soon is Arataki Itto, who is mentioned by Sayu and Yoimiya as being the leader of the Arataki Gang. Itto is rumored to be a Geo user by Dimbreath on Twitter, whose account has sadly been deactivated.

All of the above characters are somehow connected to Inazuma and are, therefore, most likely to be coming soon with new updates. However, there are also a few Liyue characters that have been leaked recently. The most likely of these characters to be releasing soon is Yaoyao, who used to study alongside Xiangling and now works for Ganyu. Her arrival may coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival - or the Moonlight Merriment Event in Genshin Impact - which is currently underway. The 2.2 livestream this Sunday would be the perfect time to announce her. It is also possible that Yaoyao could be the first playable Dendro character added to the game. As the Dendro region, Sumeru, is the next stop for Genshin Impact’s storyline, it would make sense to start introducing the element now.

Yunjin and Shenhe are also Liyue characters that have been leaked. Yunjin will likely be releasing in the future since there is no indication that she is coming soon. Shenhe may not be playable at all, as there isn’t even official artwork for her, and it is rumored that her design was used for other characters. There are also other characters that have been in the game that have yet to be made playable - namely Baizhu and Scaramouche. As Baizhu is a Dendro character - and may have connections to the Chasm - he will probably not be made available in 2021. Scaramouche, on the other hand, is a bit of a wild card. Though he may at some point be made playable, it is possible that he will never get his own Banner. For now, however, players will just have to wait for confirmation from miHoYo to learn when new Genshin Impact characters are coming to the game next.

Next: Genshin Impact: Why More Fatui Harbingers Shouldn’t Be Playable

Robert Pattinson Has Seen Some Of The Batman & Says It's "Really Cool"

Robert Pattinson has seen some of Matt Reeves’ The Batman and thinks it’s “really cool.” The upcoming DC Extended Universe reboot of Batman will see the Twilight alum debut as the Caped Crusader in March 2022. The film will reportedly explore the early days of the Dark Knight’s career in a corrupt Gotham and his mantle as “The World’s Greatest Detective.” Rumor has it The Batman is inspired by comic book storylines like The Long Halloween.

Before Warner Bros. abandoned the Synder-Verse and re-directed the DCEU, Ben Affleck was supposed to star, direct, and write The Batman. However, the star left the project, which resulted in its overhaul into a solo film with no connections to previous franchises. Like Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne/Batman will exist in his own universe as he encounters a plethora of iconic villains including The Riddler (Paul Dano), Penguin (Colin Farrell), and Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz). The film will also feature Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon.

During a recent interview with Variety on the red carpet for the Academy Museum’s premiere party, Pattinson teased what fans can expect from The Batman at this year’s DC FanDome. In addition to saying he and Kravitz had prepared something for the event, the actor talked about his reaction to Reeve’s film. “I’ve seen some of the movie now and it’s kind of really cool,” Pattinson said. “It’s really cool.”

It’s already been reported that a new trailer for The Batman will debut at DC Fandome, which begins on October 16. Before the debut of the film’s teaser at last year’s Fandome, many were wary of Pattinson playing the eponymous character. However, the moment his Batman showed off his brutality by pummeling a criminal, most skeptics became intrigued. Realizing the shoes he has to fill, DC recently revealed a promotional clip for The Batman featuring all past versions of the character — from Michael Keaton to Ben Affleck. The Batman is said to be the start of a series aiming to rival Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy.

Despite existing in another universe and being teased as radically different, Pattinson’s Batman will be accompanied by two other Batmen in the larger DCEU. Both Affleck and Keaton are set to reprise their roles in Andy Muschietti's The Flash, which stars Ezra Miller as Barry Allen. Given the multiversal name of that film, it’s possible (but unlikely) that Pattinson’s character will crossover to other DCEU films at some point. The Batman looks to be one of DC Films’ grittiest and most grounded superhero films yet and, to quote “Patman,” it does look really cool.

More: DC FanDome 2021 News & Updates: Everything We Know

Source: Variety

Exorcist Reboot Will Be New But Connected To Original Says Jason Blum

The Exorcist reboot will feel new while still being connected to the original, says Jason Blum. William Friedkin's 1973 film, based in turn on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty, is considered one of the greatest horror films ever made. Blumhouse Productions, founded by Blum in 2000, has become known for its output in the horror genre, generating both long-running franchises and creative, standalone projects.

Blumhouse offers its directors creative freedom on the condition that they keep budgets small, and their approach has significantly impacted the state of American horror cinema in the 21st century. The hits they produce generally provide massive financial returns, with 2007's Paranormal Activity grossing $193 million worldwide against an original budget of $15,000, and the risk-taking permitted by these profits has kickstarted the careers of filmmakers like Jordan Peele and Leigh Whannell. Their growing reputation for competence has allowed them to start revisiting classic horror properties, which so far includes 2018's Halloween and 2020's The Invisible Man.

The company has since started development on a trilogy of films rebooting The Exorcist, and in an interview with CinePop, Blum expresses confidence in his approach. He says they intend to do for Friedkin's film what they did for Carpenter's Halloween, and wipe the slate of sequels clean to rediscover what is interesting and successful about the original. This is evidenced, Blum says, by having the same creative team tackle this project:

What I hope to do with The Exorcist is the same thing we did with Halloween, you know. Halloween, the first movie was great, and the second movie was okay, and the rest of them were not very good. And then we came in and kind of re-jiggered it, and people liked it, so I hope we can do the same thing with The Exorcist. Everyone thinks we're gonna fall on our face, but I think, we have the same filmmaker, the same writer, David Gordon Green and Danny McBride. And I think we'll reinvent The Exorcist so that it'll feel fresh, new, different, but, you know, related to the first movie, but also really, really scary.

Elsewhere in the interview, Blum discusses the success of Whannell's The Invisible Man, and says that he would someday like to pursue a sequel. He also confirms that control of the Dark Universe, a collection of films based on Universal's classic movie monsters, has not been turned over to him and remains with the major studio. He does say, however, that Blumhouse will make more Dark Universe movies.

It's understandable for horror fans to be nervous about an Exorcist reboot, given how the first film is revered, but Blumhouse's track record should encourage viewers to keep an open mind. David Gordon Green's Halloween developed an interesting dialogue with Carpenter's film, and while it's not considered on par with the original, it's certainly the franchise's best sequel yet. With Ellen Burstyn set to return in much the same way Jamie Lee Curtis did, this Exorcist trilogy could be another welcome surprise.

Next: How David Gordon Green's Exorcist Trilogy Departs From His Halloween Films

Source: CinePop

Spider-Man: No Way Home Fan Intro Hypes Up All 3 Multiverse Spideys

A fan-made intro for Spider-Man: No Way Home hypes up all of the different versions of the hero coming together in the multiverse. With less than three months to go before the Marvel Studios and Sony collaboration hits theaters, the anticipation for the movie is creeping up. Star Tom Holland and director Jon Watts will reunite for the third time in the blockbuster, but many fans suspect that Holland may not be the only web-slinging hero in its story.

Rumors continue to be persistent that both previous Spider-Men Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield will indeed be involved in No Way Home. Since the release of its first trailer, fans have become more convinced that this is the case, despite repeated denials (at least from Garfield). Surprisingly, the promo clip laid out the premise of the threequel fairly well, explaining how it will connect to the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home and how it transitions to becoming a multiversal story. Doctor Strange's (Benedict Cumberbatch) role in the film has also been revealed, establishing its ties to Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which will follows No Way Home in terms of MCU's currently confirmed slate.

While the first No Way Home trailer has been generous in revealing plot details about the movie, fans are still clamoring for more information, with one even taking updates into their own hands. For now, both Marvel Studios and Sony have yet to release any more official content in relation to the project. However, that hasn't stopped fans from creating their own, as proven by the YouTube channel, Spectrum Cinema. In one of the channel's recent videos, the user came up with an edit imagining what the intro of the blockbuster would look like. The clip uses the classic score from Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, as well as voiceovers from J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons) and Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal). Check out the full video below:

Click here to see the original post

At this point, Marvel Studios and Sony are staying tight-lipped about the potential for both Maguire and Garfield to show up in No Way Home. Aside from the pair, there have also been rumors that Charlie Cox, star of the Marvel TV/Netflix show Daredevil, will reprise his role as Matt Murdock. Like Garfield, the Daredevil actor has repeatedly denied claims of his involvement. Nonetheless, rumors continue to fly around, with many fans still convinced that they will appear. If anything, the trailer already hinted at previous franchise' villains popping up, like Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin and Jamie Foxx's Electro. Alfred Molina's Doc Ock was even fully unveiled in the clip, sending Spider-Man 2 fans into a tail-spin. Given these appearances, it's hard to ignore the potential for their respective wall-crawlers to feature in the movie.

Taking into consideration all the evidence supporting the idea that both Maguire and Garfield will be in No Way Home, it will be interesting to see if Marvel Studios and Sony would save their potential reveals for the movie itself, or confirm their appearance in an earlier trailer, given the persistent fan speculation. With only one trailer out thus far, audiences can expect a follow-up rolling out in the next several weeks wherein more story details for Spider-Man: No Way Home could be revealed. If fans are indeed in for some Garfield and Maguire cameos, it would be the perfect opportunity to confirm these avid theories.

More: Avengers 5 Needs To Be A True Avengers Movie (Unlike Endgame)

Source: Spectrum Cinema