Newstime: The Stories You Might Have Missed This Week

Written by Sarah Minazzo, Chris Daniel & Kieron Byatt

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

Rosario Dawson has said she might not reprise her role as Claire Temple in the Marvel universe after her appearance on the second season of Luke Cage later this month, citing a busy work schedule and desire to spend more time with family.

Fans of The Walking Dead also got a shock during the week, when it was confirmed via Collider that Rick Grimes himself, aka Andrew Lincoln, would be departing the show after the upcoming ninth season.

In some more positive news, Amazon has officially picked up The Expanse for a fourth season, after Syfy announced it wouldn’t be renewing the show.

According to multiple sources, Jessica Jones season three will begin filming soon. Krysten Ritter, who plays the title character, spoke out at Comicpalooza in Houston, stating that she is currently under an intense exercise regime in preparation.

FILM

Jamie Foxx has been announced to star in Todd McFarlane’s Spawn, playing the comic series’ original character, Al Simmons.

Disney released first look set pictures of Maleficent 2 this week with Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning returning to the roles of Maleficent and Princess Aurora, respectively. A full cast and synopsis were also released in conjunction with the photos.

#Maleficent2, starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, and Michelle Pfeiffer, is now in production. pic.twitter.com/lQqMT7xPTQ

— Disney (@Disney) May 29, 2018

Lucasfilm has revealed the next non-Saga Star Wars film will be centred on famed bounty hunter Boba Fett, with director James Mangold at the helm.

Westworld actor James Marsden will star in the upcoming live-action/animation hybrid Sonic The Hedgehog movie, set for release next year via Paramount.

Music finds a way, as Hollywood legend-turned-jazz pianist Jeff Goldblum announced he’ll be releasing his debut album in the near future.

Set for release in August, the new Christopher Robin trailer dropped this week, revealing its general story and tone as well as unveiling the look of the 100 Acre Woods’ residents.

GAMING

Mega Man 11 has been given a release date ahead of E3 2018. One of the longest-running franchises of Capcom will make a long-awaited return on October 3.

The next Fallout instalment has been announced, with Bethesda Game Studios unveiling a teaser trailer for Fallout: 76 via Twitter this week.

“When the fighting has stopped, and the fallout has settled…”

“#Fallout76 – the newest game from Bethesda Game Studios. See more at the #BE3 Showcase – June 10th @ 6:30pm PT pic.twitter.com/wKeIq66tzR

— Fallout (@Fallout) May 30, 2018

Two new Pokémon games were announced this week! Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! editions were unveiled for a November Release.

Return to the Kanto region and experience a classic Pokémon journey in a whole new way with Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! on the Nintendo Switch! Coming November 16, 2018: http://bit.ly/2ISUMVX #PokemonLetsGo

— Pokémon (@Pokemon) May 30, 2018

COMICS

Marvel comics have announced Star Wars: Beckett #1, based on Woody Harrelson’s character from Solo: A Star Wars Story. The one-shot written by Gerry Duggan with art by Will Sliney, Edgar Salazar and Marc Laming, will serve as a prequel of sorts for Han Solo’s mentor.

Despite his big-screen counterpart making his debut in Deadpool 2 a few weeks ago, Marvel has cancelled Cable’s ongoing series. The title was not included in Marvel’s August solicitations, but the good news is that co-writer Zac Thompson along with Lonnie Nadler, will be writing August’s Edge Of Spider-Geddon #2.

THIS WEEK’S PICKS

Man Of Steel #1 – The comic book upset of the decade sees Brian Michael Bendis depart Marvel and announce his arrival at DC with a revamp of Superman in Man Of Steel #1. This limited series drawn by Ivan Reis will set-up Bendis’s ongoing run with Supes, in a juicy story first teased back during the landmark Action Comics #1000, which sees Kal-El revisit the destruction of his home planet and while confronting the new sinister villain Rogol Zaar.

The Amazing Spider-Man #800 – This whopping 80-page landmark issue celebrates writer Dan Slott’s ten-year tenure with and departure from Amazing Spider-Man. Artists Stuart Immonen, Humberto Ramos, Giuseppe Camuncoli & Jim Cheung join Slott for his farewell in an epic stand down with the Norman Osborn/Carnage hybrid: Red Goblin.

The Last Siege #1 – You can always rely on Image to deliver intriguing and unique premises to your comic stands, and this first issue of Spaghetti Western meet fantasy The Last Siege written by Landry Q Walker with art from Justin Greenwood is no exception.

Doomsday Clock #5 – The wait between each issue of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Watchmen sequel is long but it’s finally here! When the series was first teased there was the implication that there was something colossal involving Superman and Dr. Manhattan on the way, and if it doesn’t happen this issue… we’ll… just… ha-have to wait… til #6…

Star Wars: Lando Double Or Nothing #1 – Whether you loved or hated Solo: A Star Wars Story you will admit that Donald Glover nailed his turn as Lando Calrissian. This prequel penned by Rodney Barnes and illustrated by Paolo Villanelli serves as a direct prequel to where we meet Lando in the film.

Pic: Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead.