It’s hard to believe that we’re almost at the end of the first month of 2021, and in all the scurrying about you may have missed some of the big news from the world’s largest film and TV franchises. If so, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a monthly wrap-up of all the news from both the big and small screens.

DC

First up, ahead of its premiere next month, the latest DC Arrowverse entry, Superman & Lois, has dropped a final trailer. In a surprising shift in tone, the trailer feels more reminiscent of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel rather than the lighter tone of Supergirl and the other CW shows from which it owes its origins.

Also on Superman & Lois, one piece of unfortunate news is that the planned 2021 crossover event between the upcoming series and season two of Batwoman has officially been shelved due to COVID-19 concerns. Batwoman showrunner Caroline Dries is disappointed that the new season two Batwoman, Ryan Wilder, won’t get to see Kent farm.

Titans season three is steaming ahead, and now they have officially cast actress Savannah Welch as Barbara Gordon. When her character is introduced in Titans, Gordon’s days as Batgirl are already behind her, and she now uses a wheelchair after a vicious attack by the Joker. Welch herself is an amputee, and has become a well-known disability advocate after losing her leg in an accident in 2016.

CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT: We are excited to announce that one of the most beloved characters from the #DCuniverse will be coming to season 3 of #DCTitans. Please welcome Savannah Welch as Barbara Gordon. pic.twitter.com/tP3qgizOne

— DC Titans on Max (@DCTitans) January 19, 2021

Our final piece of DC news, director Zack Snyder has backpedalled on previous claims that his infamous four-hour Snyder Cut of Justice League would be released as a four-episode long mini-series, and is now planning to release it as a single four-hour-long film to be devoured in a single sitting. Snyder also claims that an exact release date, currently expected for some time in March, will be announced any day now.

Marvel

Reports are that the Black Widow film may be facing more potential delays. After its original 2020 release was shifted back to May 7, 2021, it seems that the folks at Marvel Studios are hoping for the best but are preparing for the possibility that there may be further rescheduling on the horizon. Kevin Feige himself has said: “I mean, confidence is meaningless in today’s world because nobody knows anything. Hope springs eternal. A year delay, you hope would be enough… I certainly hope so. I want to be back in the theatre with people.”

Get ready to put another blockbuster on the best Christmas movie shelf next to Die Hard, the latest photos from the set of the as-yet untitled Spider-Man 3 imply that the upcoming Spidey film will be set during the festive season.

James Bond

Another film to be hit with a number of delays is Daniel Craig’s final outing as James Bond in No Time to Die. Originally pushed back to April this year, the film’s official Twitter account recently surprised and disappointed fans by announcing a new October 8 release.

NO TIME TO DIE 8 October 2021 pic.twitter.com/HZlNG5kz8t

— James Bond (@007) January 22, 2021

Star Wars

Star Wars fans went into a frenzy when The Mandalorian season two name-dropped Grand Admiral Thrawn during its Ahsoka Tano episode, and now it looks like they may already have the person in mind to play him in the live-action Ahsoka series. Reports are that actor Lars Mikkelsen, who voiced the character in Star Wars Rebels, has been signed on to reprise the role as the lead antagonist in the Ahsoka series. Lucasfilm themselves, however, are remaining characteristically tight-lipped.

Also on returning Star Wars villains, Supanova alumnus Jason Isaacs was recently questioned about the possibility of him playing a live-action version of the Grand Inquisitor in either the Obi-Wan Kenobi or Andor series, to which he replied: “I’m being a bit cagey because, you know, it could happen, I suppose.”

Mortal Kombat

First images from the latest Mortal Kombat reboot filmed in Adelaide have been released, giving a fan a good look at characters Sub-Zero, Jax, Sonya Blade, Kano, Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Joining the classic characters, is a new addition to the lore, Cole Young, a washed-up MMA fighter played by Lewis Tan. Mortal Kombat is currently looking at an April release.

Prepare for Mortal Kombat. Take a look at the first look images for #MortalKombatMovie — In theaters and streaming exclusively on @HBOMax on April 16. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/XalMeiwy5t
— Mortal Kombat Movie (@MKMovie) January 15, 2021

Lord of the Rings

Amazon has released the official synopsis for their upcoming Lord of the Rings series, confirming that it is indeed set in the Second Age of Middle-earth. The official synopsis is as follows:

Amazon Studios’ forthcoming series brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.