Adelaide
November 2-3, 2024
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From film to TV, gaming to comics and everything in between, here’s what you might have missed in pop culture news this week.
Amazon has teased the period for its upcoming Lord of the Rings television series. In an indirect manner, a map of Middle Earth suggests that the series will be taking place in the Second Age, the time with which the Ring of Power was formed.
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, pic.twitter.com/Btk2CRsQI2
— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime) February 18, 2019
Back on the rumour train, it is reported that Obi Wan Kenobi may be returning to the screen, though this time developed as a television series for the Disney Plus streaming service. Pushed back in 2017, audiences were saddened by the news that an Obi Wan film was not in the making, but there is hope yet!
Netflix has this week cancelled its final two series in the Marvel franchise, bidding farewell to both Jessica Jones and The Punisher. Recently finishing their second seasons, both series have joined the Netflix cull.
— The Punisher (@ThePunisher) February 18, 2019
Benedict Cumberbatch has joined the cast of Good Omens alongside Michael Sheen, David Tennant, Jon Hamm and Nick Offerman. Cumberbatch is expected to provide the voice of the show’s animated Satan. The show is expected for release sometime in May.
The projects for Neil Gaiman don’t stop there, the acclaimed writer/producer is set to both write and executive produce a reboot of the short but award winning 1987 series, The Storyteller. The series will reportedly focus on new fairy tales and legends, whilst keeping a strong focus on the original titular character and his adventures.
Though Kevin Smith has already been tapped to write a Howard the Duck series for Hulu, he’s still got a movie in the works to finish first. Smith and Jason Mewes are set to return as Jay and Silent Bob in the Jay and Silent Bob reboot movie scheduled to begin filming next week.
I first posted about #JayAndSilentBobReboot on @instagram 2/9/17. It’s been 2 years and 1 week since that post, during which time I almost died. But a week from Monday, we finally start rolling on Reboot. Never give up, Kids. Even when your heart wants to. https://t.co/D2khMMx5iR pic.twitter.com/00zHJ4LVQe
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) February 16, 2019
Speaking of dynamic duos, the original misfits Bill and Ted (Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves) have made it to their 30th anniversary and have left everyone a celebratory message via Twitter. What’s even more totally excellent is that they too are planning to return to the big screen in Bill and Ted 3: Bill and Ted Face the Music. Whoa!
— Bill & Ted 3 (@BillandTed3) February 18, 2019
Director JJ Abrams has officially wrapped production on Star Wars: Episode IX, and fans are now crossing their fingers that an official title reveal may follow sometime soon.
It feels impossible, but today wrapped photography on Episode IX. There is no adequate way to thank this truly magical crew and cast. I’m forever indebted to you all. pic.twitter.com/138AprtFuZ
— JJ Abrams (@jjabrams) February 15, 2019
Fans of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won’t have to wait long for the chance to watch at home, with the film hitting digital as early as next week, followed by a Blu-Ray release in March. The Blu-Ray is also set to feature a special Spider-Ham short.
The Bourne Ultimatum screenwriter Scott Z. Burns has reportedly been hired to take the script for the forthcoming 25th James Bond, outing a last-minute overhaul before it heads into production. Bond 25 is currently aiming for a February 2020 release.
Danny DeVito has joined Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in a new behind-the-scenes photo from the production of Jumanji 3. The third jungle outing is set to reunite the entire cast from Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
Dear audience,
Oh the fun you are going to have this CHRISTMAS when you watch our new JUMANJI.
Love you all,
DJ aka Dwanta Claus.
DeVito aka Everyone’s favorite grandpa.
Hart aka My chocolate biscuit shit son. #Rehearsals #ScriptRead #JUMANJI@sevenbucksprod
📸 @hhgarcia41 pic.twitter.com/bFUaNPKPWL— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 19, 2019
Fans of Thor and wrestling will be delighted to hear that Chris Hemsworth is reportedly geared up to portray Hulk Hogan in a new Netflix biopic directed by Tod Philips.
In anticipation of the March 8 release date of Captain Marvel, a short TV spot has been posted, and it has also been confirmed that the film will have two post-credits scenes, with allusions to the Avengers: Endgame release later in the year.
A new trailer for the Elton John biopic Rocketman dropped in the wee hours of the morning. Starring Taron Egerton, and backed by Elton’s biggest hits, this looks like it’ll be a fun one when it his on May 30th.
The PlayStation 5, which is yet to be formally announced, has begun to spark a lot of excitement about the expected features and upgraded hardware. Chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Shawn Layden, was able to confirm that the PlayStation brand will be pushing further toward multiplayer titles.
Lucasfilm has released a trailer, through the ILMxLAB established in 2015, for an immersive mixed reality experience that allows fans to raise a baby Porg in their very own living room. Project Porg has not been given an official release date, but it is sure to capture the hearts of Star Wars fans everywhere, and encapsulates the massive leaps that gaming technology has undertaken in recent years.
In news that broke early this morning, Reggie Fils-Aimé announced his retirement as president of Nintendo of America. Our bodies were not ready.
Nintendo fans, Reggie has a message for all of you. Please take a look. pic.twitter.com/EAhaEl5oEJ
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 21, 2019
It’s fitting however, that his successor is Doug Bowser. We wish Reggie all the best!
The Stranger Things comic book series from Dark Horse is getting a sequel! A four-issue prequel set before the events of the first season of the Netflix fan favourite will debut the precognitive Francine, a previously unseen Hawkins Lab test subject. Due in May, the mini-series will be written by Jody Houser, who wrote the first installment for Dark Horse, and will be illustrated by Edgar Salazar.
Transformers and Ghostbusters will be crossing over in a new series from IDW Publishing! The Autobots will be teaming up with Venkman, Spengler, Stantz and Zeddmore in a five-issue mini-series written by Ghostbusters creative trio Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening and Luis Antonio Delgado. Transformers/Ghostbusters is due for a June release.
Following the success of Marvel’s first podcast, Wolverine: The Long Night, Logan fans get their first listen of what to expect in Wolverine: The Lost Trail featuring Richard Armitage’s return as Wolverine on Stitcher, 23 March. The 10 episode series is written by Benjamin Percy, the scribe of the first season, and will feature Weapon X as well as Remy LeBeau, aka Gambit!
Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane are getting their own series! Writer Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man) and artist Steve Lieber (Superior Foes of Spider-Man) will be delivering an ongoing title for the Daily Planet photographer whilst writer Greg Rucka (Wonder Woman) and artist Mike Perkins (Green Lanterns) will be joining forces on a Lois Lane regular series. Both titles will be available in May, as revealed in DC’s solicitations for the month this week.
Marvel’s biggest superheroes will team up in three-issue mini-series Giant-Man, a prequel for Marvel’s upcoming event War of the Realms. Giant-Man, Goliath, Ant-Man and Atlas will take on the Frost Giants in the crossover written by Leah Williams and illustrated by Marco Castiello. Giant-Man #1 lands on comic racks in May.
DC have debuted the cover for Greg Capullo and Scott Snyder’s final Batman project. On Twitter, the publishing house posted a haunting image of the Dark Knight’s silhouette carrying a familiar looking green-haired head in a lantern. The Batman: Last Night on Earth mini-series will be released through DC’s new Black Label imprint and the first issue is expected for May 9.
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s final chapter in the Batman mythos begins here. Get your first look at the cover of BATMAN: LAST KNIGHT ON EARTH #1 of 3, written by @Ssnyder1835, art by @GregCapullo. Available May 29. #DCBlackLabel pic.twitter.com/lanbbbgb7u
— DC (@DCComics) February 18, 2019
DC have released the official synopsis for DC’s upcoming DCeased, describing “a mysterious techno-virus” which infects “600 million people”. The first issue of the series, written by Tom Taylor with art by Trevor Hairsine and Stefano Gaudiano, is slated for a May 1 release.
Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo’s Batman: Damned #3 has been delayed alongside Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Doomsday Clock #9. Originally scheduled for a January 23 release, Doomsday Clock #9 is now expected March 6 whilst Batman: Damned #3 has been pushed back for a May release.
The Dark Knight and the Heroes in a Half-Shell will team up one last time with James Tynion IV and Freddie E. The six-issue series Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III from DC Comics, IDW and Nickelodeon will hit shelves May 1 as the final instalment in the trilogy.
THIS WEEK’S PICKS
Anthem #1 (Dark Horse)– Before you pick up one of the year’s most anticipated video games from Biowares, get your hands on this prequel mini-series written by Alexander Freed and Mac Walters with art by Eduardo Francisco.
High Level #1 (Vertigo) – An apathetic smuggler must deliver a child messiah to High Level, a mythical city at the top of the world in this tale of a post-apocalyptic rebuilt society. Written by Rob Sheridan with art by Romulo Fajardo Jr and Barnaby Bagena.
Crackdown #1 (Dynamite) – The world of mech-powered future police straight from your Xbox screen comes to comic book pages with this new series from writer Jonathan David Goff and artist Ricardo Jaime.
Sharkey The Bounty Hunter #1 (Image) – In a brand new sci-fi series from legendary scribe Mark Millar and artist Simone Bianchi, blue-collar bounty hunter Sharkey and his ten-year old partner chase criminals throughout the galaxy in an ice-cream rocket-truck.
Hulkverines #1 (Marvel) – Wolverine and Hulk band together to take on Weapon H, an adamantium and gamma-ray souped up clone of Logan and Bruce Banner! Written by Greg Pak with art by Ario Andindito.