Newstime: The Stories You Might Have Missed This Week

From film to TV, gaming to comics and everything in between, here’s what you might have missed in pop culture news this week.

TV

Star Trek: Discovery has cast Ethan Peck (10 Things I Hate About You) in the role of Spock for its second season. Star Trek: Discovery is expected to return to Netflix in early 2019.

Thanks to the Nimoy family for your open arms, warm welcome, smiling curiosity and support, for making me feel worthy, as I embrace and take into my heart the iconic half alien we know as Mr. Spock. It is an incomparable honor. ???????? #StarTrekDiscovery #LLAP pic.twitter.com/jEXG1T253Z

— Ethan Peck (@ethangpeck) August 14, 2018

As Lucifer season four edges closer, behind the scenes footage has appeared online from an upbeat cast on its first day of production.

Day one is in the can and we are back to play! #LuciferOnNetflix ✊???? https://t.co/hJBtFgImrv

— tom ellis (@tomellis17) August 14, 2018

Filming has officially wrapped on the second season of The Punisher. Jon Bernthal is set to return as Frank Castle, whilst introducing some brand new players to the Marvel universe. With the first season gaining traction from positive reviews, the follow-up season claims to be “exactly what fans want”.

Two official images from Netflix’s Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina have been released, helping fans come to terms with a darker approach to the show. The gruesome undertones are set to channel a mixture of Twin Peaks and Gossip Girl.

this magic moment. see you witches on october 26. #CAOS pic.twitter.com/Ue1L61pVSC

— Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (@sabrinanetflix) August 13, 2018

FOX is reportedly developing a sequel to The Simpsons Movie, alongside films for Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy.

FILM

Disney has released the first image of the live-action remake of Mulan, featuring Liu Yifei in the titular role wielding her sword. The film is currently in production, shooting in New Zealand, and is scheduled to hit cinemas in 2020.

Speaking of Disney remakes, Tessa Thompson, aka Valkyrie in Thor Ragnarok, is currently in talks to voice Lady in the Lady And The Tramp live-action film. All the animal characters are said to be CGI generated, running around in a live action world. Justin Theroux has been cast to voice Tramp while Thompson’s fellow MCU star Benedict Wong, aka Wong of Doctor Strange fame, is also rumoured to be voicing Bull, an English bulldog. The film will not be making its debut in cinema, however, is slated as an original title for the upcoming Disney streaming service.

In a different corner of the MCU, Spider-Man: Far From Home cameras are rolling and Remy Hii has been added the continually growing cast. His role is currently under wraps.

Idris Elba teased followers amid James Bond casting rumours this week with a post captioned with “Elba. Idris Elba”, which created hysteria in response. Elba has since said not to believe the hype that started from his meeting with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.

my name’s Elba, Idris Elba. pic.twitter.com/kEyyaVg8JX

— Idris Elba (@idriselba) August 12, 2018

GAMING

With the release of Spider-Man on PS4 in the coming weeks, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Insomniac Games have released a trailer to gear up players. Showcasing classic characters including Wilson Fisk, aka The Kingpin, and The Rhino, the game teases excellent graphics and controls while breaking boundaries for the extended Marvel Universe. Spider-Man is released exclusively on PS4 on September 7.

World of Warcraft launched it’s seventh expansion this week, Battle for Azeroth promises to escalate the conflict between the Alliance and Horde to new levels, sending players to the maritime nation of Kul Tiras and the Troll birthplace of Zandalar in the hopes of bolstering their ranks and tipping the scales in their favour. With Capital Cities lost to the escalation, this expansion has definitely put the ‘War’ back into ‘Warcraft’. Check out the opening cinematic below!

ANIME

Our favourite B-class superhero, Saitama is returning to the rescue with One Punch Man season two. The teaser trailer and poster art has made its mark this week with a premiere date set for April 2019.

Episode 1 of Sword Art Online: Alicization will have its world premiere in seven countries across the globe including Australia at Madman Anime Festival on September 15 in Melbourne. For those not attending the premiere, you will be able to see the episode in October as part of the show’s debut run on AnimeLab.

COMICS

Dark Horse Comics have announced a God Of War prequel comic book miniseries to tie-in with the next game of the PlayStation 4 series. As part of a partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment and Santa Monica Studio, the books will be written by Chris Robertson with art by Tony Parker and colouring duties handled by Dan Jackson while E.M. Gist will illustrate the covers. God of War #1 is slated for a November 14 release.

The second Millarworld series for Netflix has been announced. Mark Millar will be re-joining his Huck co-creator, artist Rafael Albuquerque on Prodigy, the newest title from Millar since Netflix acquisitioned the Image Comics imprint.

Legendary artist and writer John Byrne may return to Marvel Comics. Known for his long stint on The Fantastic Four and The Uncanny X-Men, Byrne split from Marvel 18 years ago but he has revealed at Fan Expo Boston 2018 that he’s been working on an X-Men story and Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski looks interested.

 THIS WEEK’S PICKS

Terminator: Sector War #1 – On the same day the T-800 went back in time to kill Sarah Connor, another one was dispatched to terminate rookie NYPD Officer Lucy Castro. Dark Horse brings yet another action-packed entry into the Terminator universe thanks to writer Brian Wood and artist Jeff Stokely.

Pearl #1 – Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos, the creative team behind Jessica Jones, comes to DC with this tale of tattoo artist by day Yakuza assassin by night, Pearl.

Crowded #1 – Not too far in the future, contract killers are crowd-funded and young Charlie Ellison finds herself in the cross-hairs, so she hires a bodyguard via a smart-phone app in this Image series from Christopher Sebela, Ted Brandt and Ro Stein.

eXtermination #1 – Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast and Marvel Girl, the original X-Men line-up who were yanked out of their timeline and into the future are now marked for death in this major event series from Ed Brisson and Pepe Larraz.

Batman #53 – One of the most intriguing arcs of Tom King’s run on the Caped Crusader continues in “Cold Days” Part 3 – where Bruce Wayne is the only “not guilty” verdict as part of a locked jury which sees Batman on trial for a particularly brutal “arrest” of Mr. Freeze. Meanwhile Dick Grayson is filling in for Bruce in the cowl! Art by Lee Weeks.

Lead image: Liu Yifei as Mulan