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 

Australian actor Joshua Orpin has joined the cast of Titans, set to portray Superboy in season two. Production is expected to begin soon.

Conner Kent is coming to @DCUTITANS. Please welcome Joshua Orpin as Superboy to the #DCUNIVERSE. https://t.co/LKTcswCsxY pic.twitter.com/YOhFsB63Yi

— DC Universe (@TheDCUniverse) February 27, 2019

It looks like a new Constantine series featuring Supa-Star Matt Ryan may be in the works. Following successful appearances in Legends of Tomorrow, it’s rumoured Warner Bros. wants to bring Ryan back to portray the role of John Constantine.

Across the pond, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has stated that the launch of Disney+ will ensure that all Marvel shows will now be more connected to the MCU. Previous shows including Agent Carter and Cloak and Dagger were becoming further and further removed from the larger cinematic universe, but that is set to change.

A Gremlins animated series is reportedly in the works, serving as a prequel to the original premise. Variety has confirmed that WarnerMedia is planning the series, though it is only in its early stages.

In an another announcement trailer covering what’s to come for fans in 2019, HBO has released more snippets of the final season of Game of Thrones.

BBC has teased upcoming fantasy series His Dark Materials, featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ruth Wilson, and James McAvoy. Based on the bestselling book series of the same name, the BBC adaptation has no confirmed release date yet, but is looking to be just as atmospheric and tense.

Netflix has confirmed The Haunting of Hill House will get a second season. Geared up for an anthology-style progression, the new season will feature a whole new cast of characters, and a whole new haunting to grace our screens.

Netflix also dropped an official trailer for The OA: Part II, scheduled for release on March 22. This second season comes more than two years after the end of season one, which ended on a major cliffhanger.

Meanwhile, Amazon Prime have dropped a trailer for the second season of The Tick, set for release on April 5.

FILM

A poster and new trailer have been unveiled for upcoming X-Men film Dark Phoenix, promising big things for June 6 when it premieres. 

Marvel Studios has taken the 91st Academy Awards by storm, not only winning their first-ever Oscar but also breaking a new record for the most Oscars won by any single superhero film. Black Panther ended up taking home the coveted award for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design and Best Original Score. This record was previously held by The Dark Knight, which won Best Sound Editing, and a posthumous Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Heath Ledger’s turn as the Joker. Sony’s animated Marvel outing Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse also took home a well-deserved win for Best Animated Film.

There’s a hero in all of us, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the incredible team behind #SpiderVerse: Winner – Best Animated Feature 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qxBq9dJlHq

— Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (@SpiderVerse) February 25, 2019

Whilst he may not be here to celebrate Marvel’s wins at the Academy Awards, comic legend Stan Lee is still held dear in everyone’s hearts. Celebrating the first day of filming Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, director Kevin Smith has given Lee a heartfelt tribute:

According to Bloomberg, Disney have just passed their last major legal hurdle in their buyout of Fox, and if all goes to plan the merger should finally be complete in early March. Whilst this will finally give the MCU access to the X-Men, Deadpool and the Fantastic Four, it will also provide Disney with a massive injection of new IP including Alien, Die Hard, Ice Age, Predator, Avatar, and Alita: Battle Angel, just to name a few.

Over to the DC Universe, Ezra Miller has not only confirmed that a solo Flash outing is still in the pipeline, but has also hinted that it will involve the possibility of the Speedsters providing the connective tissue for a diverse multiverse with multiple versions of DC’s famous characters.

[NEW] Ezra Miller talking about ‘The Flash’ film, why production has taken so long, and how the film will be like a “gift to dc/flash fans”. pic.twitter.com/4ISnIC6sR5

— Flashsolo Updates (@FlashsoloNews) February 23, 2019

Jason Momoa is reportedly set to return to the ocean, with Warner Bros. setting a release date of December 16, 2022 for Aquaman 2.

The Suicide Squad sequel has lost two of its biggest stars recently, with Will Smith bowing out as Deadshot following news that Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn would also not be appearing.

One item I forgot to add to story, sources say execs are now deciding whether they will recast the role or replace Deadshot with a different character from the DC universe to join the team in sequel

— Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) February 28, 2019

A new trailer has dropped for the upcoming Detective Pikachu film, featuring the voice of Ryan Reynolds as the iconic Pokémon. This new footage provides expectant audiences their first glimpse of a live-action Mewtwo.

GAMING

The most recent Nintendo Direct has dropped gameplay for the newest RPG titles in the Pokémon universe, Pokémon Sword and Shield. Amongst Switch gameplay depicting an open world Pokémon universe, players are seen exploring the expansive world with their giant backpacks on, as well as battling, competing in the league, and sneaking through grassy areas. Also introduced are the three new Generation 8 starter Pokémon, Scorbunny, Sobble, and Grookey.

Fortnite season eight is getting the pirate treatment, as Epic Games has teased the newest theme, expected to begin on February 24. Through cryptic messages including ‘X Marks The Spot’ and suggesting someone will ‘arrive on waves’, the theme shouldn’t come as too big a surprise.

Anchors aweigh! Downtime for Season 8 begins now. ⚓

Dive into the Patch Notes to learn the ropes of what’s on the horizon! https://t.co/1fslbzsKWC pic.twitter.com/s4CxJrVHOW

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) February 28, 2019

ANIME

Big news for One Piece fans, as a new trailer has dropped for the 20th anniversary film, One Piece: Stampede. Like other canon One Piece films (Strong World, Z, Gold), the story and character designs are being handled by the man himself, original creator Eiichiro Oda. The trailer shows off some new characters, including a former Gol D. Roger crew member, and new locations for the movie.

In other anniversary news, the 40th anniversary of Gundam brings with it a new show, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, which will retell the story of the first TV series from 1979. The Origin was originally set to be a six-part film series, however it is now being adapted into a thirteen-part TV show.

More English voice actors have been announced for the reboot of fan-favourite series Fruits Basket, including Supa-Star alumnus Elizabeth Maxwell as Arisa “Uo” Uotani, and Jād Saxton as Saki “Hana” Hanajima. They join a predominantly returning cast, including Laura Bailey, Chris Sabat, John Burgmeier, Justin Cook, Mikaela Krantz, and more.

One more exciting announcement today!

Tohru’s “family” isn’t complete with her dear best friends. Please welcome to the English cast ✨Elizabeth Maxwell as Arisa “Uo-chan” Uotani and Jād Saxton as Saxton “Hana-chan” Hanajima!✨#furuba @jadbsaxton @AboutElizabethM pic.twitter.com/HDjXuOZIkw

— Fruits Basket (@fruitsbasket_en) February 26, 2019

COMICS

The popular Spider-Man/Deadpool team-up series is set to conclude with issue #50. After a strong run of two years the duo’s title will finish in May.

Spider-Man anti-hero Black Cat is getting her own series. Following cat burglar Felicia Hardy, the ongoing title will be written by Jed MacKay and pencilled by Travel Foreman. Marvel released the cover by J. Scott Campbell to herald the announcement.

Legendary X-Men writer Chris Claremont will return to one of his most beloved arcs for Marvel’s anthology series Marvel Comics Presents. The issue will see Claremont revisit “The Cross-Time Caper” storyline, exploring a key moment in the arc for Nightcrawler. Marvel Comics Presents #5 will be available in May.

IDW has announced Stan Sakai’s beloved series Usagi Yojimbo, the samurai rabbit, is receiving a brand new series as well as full-colour collections of past stories. The new series, due for a June release, will be written and pencilled by Stan Saki with Tom Luth handling colouring duties. The cover for issue #1 of the new series, pencilled and coloured by Sakai, has been unveiled to celebrate the news.

Anticipation for Detective Comics #1000 builds as new variant covers by Patrick Gleason and Jim Lee hit the internet. Lee unveiled pencils for two of four variants, on top of his main double cover for the landmark issue, featuring Batman duelling with fan favourite villains Joker and Harley Quinn. Gleason’s cover boasts a Bat-family affair featuring Batman standing alongside all the primary canon’s robins: Nightwing, Red Hood, Tim Drake and Damian Wayne.

THIS WEEK’S PICKS

Captain Marvel Braver & Mightier #1 (Marvel) – It’s now just less than a week until the twenty-first Marvel Cinematic Universe film hits the silver screen, so what better way to celebrate than with a one-shot of Marvel’s mightiest Avenger! Written by Jody Houser with art by Simone Buonfantino, this special issue sees the Kree/Human warrior and Air Force Pilot juggling her double life as her duties stop her from celebrating her own holiday, Carol Danvers Day!

Sideways #13 (DC) – The latest of the unfortunately long list of DC’s New Age of Heroes titles to be cancelled, the last issue of dimension-hopping masked hero Derek James solves some mysteries and poses some new ones in the last issue of the short-lived series. Maybe he’ll return soon though? In the meantime, see how the script’s writer, DC Head Honcho, Dan Didio and artist Kenneth Rocafort send off the hero!

Punks Not Dead London Calling #1 (IDW) – Fergie Ferguson and his BF Sid, the ghost of a dead punk rocker, are wrongly accused of a murder and are being hunted by paranormal investigation agency the Department of Extra-Usual Affairs. If that’s not enough to deal with, there’s also magpie monsters and a psychopathic serial killer on their tail! The critically acclaimed Punks Not Dead returns for a second season in this five-issue series written by David Barnett and illustrated by Martin Simmonds.

Rick & Morty #47 (Oni Press) – Summer’s favourite show gets cancelled but worry not, because it’s time for a special comic book exclusive episode of Interdimensional Cable! Nothing could possibly go wrong… Written by Kyle Starks and Tini Howard with art by Sarah Stern and Marc Ellerby.

Forgotten Queen #1 (Valiant Entertainment) – Legends whisper that as the brutal generals of the Mongolian Empire rode from Siberia to Carpathia leaving a trail of blood and destruction in the dust, walking amongst them was an ancient evil witch who walked with them… and now she has returned! Written by Tini Howard with art by Amilcar Pinna.