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

A new teaser poster for the Superman prequel series Krypton promises big things for the show’s second season, as actor Emmett J. Scanlan shares another look at his character, Lobo.

New cast members have been confirmed for one of two upcoming War of the Worlds adaptions, with Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects) and Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey) joining the likes of Guillaume Gouix (The Returned), Natasha Little (Silent Witness), Daisy Edgar-Jones (Cold Feet), Adel Bencherif (The Prophet) and more on Fox’s series. It’s expected to that Gilles Coulier (Cargo) and Richard Clark (Versailles) will direct.

Despite a new film fast approaching, people seemingly can’t get enough of Chucky, as Syfy has announced a TV adaptation of the killer doll. Original scribe for the franchise, Don Mancini stated that, “the show will be a fresh take on the franchise, allowing us to explore Chucky’s character with a depth that is uniquely afforded by the [television] format”. The series will have no connection to the upcoming film, though it provides a new vision and direction for the character that has terrorised audiences for decades.

FILM

The Caped Crusader will grace cinemas again in 2021 with Warner Bros. confirming a June 25 release date for The Batman. As Deadline reports, the Matt Reeves flick will not star Ben Affleck and will instead focus on a younger Bruce Wayne.

Excited for #TheBatman in Summer 2021 and to see @MattReevesLA vision come to life. https://t.co/GNgyJroMIO

— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) January 31, 2019

The latest addition to the DCEU, Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) began filming this week. Margot Robbie teased a new look for Harley Quinn, who will be joined by Black Mask, Black Canary and Huntress. The film is set for release next year. Check out the stylish teaser below:

A new character poster and social media video teaser has been released ahead of Toy Story 4 this June. The poster and video features Bo Peep returning to the film series with her dress now a cape.

Meanwhile, Tom Hanks has bid farewell to Woody via a behind-the-scenes pic from his final recording session for the film.

Final line, final session as Woody of Toy Story 4. We rode like the wind, to infinity and beyond. Hanx pic.twitter.com/v87ZYNyzx8

— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) January 30, 2019

Black Panther took out a SAG Award this week, winning ‘Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture’, building buzz towards the film’s Oscar nominations.

Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) has completed shooting on Star Wars: Episode IX and tweeted about his emotional experience of his final day.

Today was 3PO’s last on Episode IX. He’s sad – so am I. But we’re so proud to have worked with such a lovely, talented cast & crew lead by J.J. & Kathy. I’ll miss everyone but I’m glad to know that we’ve been making something exceptional together, to share with the waiting world.

— Anthony Daniels (@ADaniels3PO) January 28, 2019

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins has revealed she has her sights set on Wonder Woman 3. “I have pretty clear plans for Wonder Woman 3,” Jenkins said. “Whether I [direct] it or not, I see how her arc should end in my incarnation of Wonder Woman. I have great passion for that.”

The Zombieland sequel’s been given a title! Revealed in an appropriate #10yearchallenge social media post, the 2019 film is officially titled Zombieland Double Tap.

#10YearChallenge? Challenge Accepted. #Zombieland2 pic.twitter.com/cA1DL1bVZQ

— Zombieland (@Zombieland) January 29, 2019

Mattel and Warner Bros. are teaming up for a live-action Hot Wheels film. As Variety reports, the feature will mark the second partnership between the two, with a Barbie film starring Margot Robbie already confirmed.

GAMING

A petition to bring Shaggy to the Mortal Kombat 11 line-up has taken the internet by storm, ignited by a meme that has recently attracted a surprising amount of attention. A Change.org petition is available online, and the possibility of bringing the character to life through DLC could be possible.

As Screen Rant reports, at a recent concert, the composer behind The Last Of Us 2, Gustavo Santaolalla, teased the game could be arriving sooner than fans initially thought.

After nearly a decade of development, the highly anticipated Kingdom Hearts III is finally here! Join Sora, Donald, and Goofy as they travel between worlds, meet old friends and new, in the search for the Seven Guardians of Light. Fans were also left emotionally compromised by the return of Utada Hikaru for the opening theme, ‘Face My Fears’, composed in collaboration with EDM producer, Skrillex.

Speaking of nostalgic trips through childhood, the Resident Evil 2 remake announced at last year’s E3 was released last week! New fans to the series (and old ones wanting to re-visit Raccoon City) can join Rookie Cop Leon S. Kennedy for the worst first day on the job, as he deals with zombies, puzzles, a ridiculously complicated Police Station, and an unraveling conspiracy involving the Umbrella Corporation.

ANIME

Whilst it is known that master anime filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has trouble retiring, now back at work on new film How Do You Live?, it turns out there’s more than one film on the slate for Studio Ghibli. Gorō Miyazaki (Tales from Earthsea, From Up on Poppy Hill) is apparently spearheading his own new project, according to longtime Hayao Miyazaki collaborator Vincent Maraval via Twitter this week.

Animelab has begun its simulcast service for Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable this week. The dub of Garo: Crimson Moon is also now available for streaming.

COMICS

DC Universe have offered double the number of their titles to its subscribers, dramatically expanding their catalogue on their new service. By the end of March, titles like Batman: Hush, Flashpoint, Action Comics (2016), Batman (2011), Gotham Central, Wonder Woman, Infinite Crisis as well as others will be available.

THIS WEEK’S PICKS

WWE Forever #1 (Boom! Studios) – Michael Kingston and Michel Mulipola bring you a brand new special of the WWE golden age featuring wrestling legends Rowdy Roddy Piper, Andre the Giant, Rick Flair and more!

Fight Club 3 #1 (Dark Horse) – Chuck Palahniuk and Cameron Stewart join forces once more to bring you the comic book sequel to the comic book sequel to the cult smash Fight Club.

Star Trek Q Conflict #1 (IDW) – James T. Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard, Kathryn Janeway and Benjamin Sisko – that’s right – all Starfleet captains join forces to thwart godlike beings threatening the galaxy! Don’t miss this all-star crossover six-issue mini-series from Scott and David Tiption and David Messina.

Age of X-Man Alpha #1 (Marvel) – A new X-Men event starts with this one-shot from Zac Thompson, Lonnie Nadler and Ramon Rosana in this spiritual successor to Age of Apocalypse which sees the X-Men living in a utopian universe created by Nate Grey.

Action Comics #1007 (DC) – Brian Michael Bendis’ teased “Leviathan” arc begins here and promises “the most dangerous secret in the DC Universe!” Art by Steve Epting.

Lead image: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn (pic via Instagram)