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

The first poster for Netflix series The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina has been released. Depicting a darker instalment than that of its predecessor, the upcoming 2018 Riverdale spin-off series has been described as in the vein of Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist.

Here we go! So exciting…..#Sabrina #Chilling pic.twitter.com/yxu66aKMEG

— RobertoAguirreSacasa (@WriterRAS) July 10, 2018

After the success of Netflix’s Riverdale, Archie Comics are planning other new live-action series and animated television shows for the future. Crossovers and origin stories are just the beginning, but it appears some of our favourite characters may be given the screen treatment in the not too distant future.

Anthony and Joe Russo are reportedly working alongside TBS to develop a Quantum And Woody television series. The brothers are no strangers to comic adaptations, helming the recent Avengers: Infinity War and next year’s untitled sequel. Quantum And Woody is a story of estrangement and demise, with two adoptive brothers reconnecting after their father’s death, soon to discover they are both imbued with powers.

Whilst we wait in anticipation for Game Of Thrones’ eighth season, this week marks history in television as shooting for the current saga has officially wrapped (forever). HBO has confirmed that filming for the prequel series will begin in October.

The Walking Dead’s official Twitter page has shared a new photo of Jeffrey Dean Morgan ahead of season nine, suggesting a change in status for his character, Negan, towards something more in line with the comics.

The beard is (mostly) gone! What do you think of @JDMorgan‘s new look? pic.twitter.com/69wURfQufV

— The Walking Dead (@TheWalkingDead) July 9, 2018

FILM

After numerous rumours, it was confirmed this week that Billy Dee Williams, aka Lando Calrissian, will be returning to Star Wars in Episode IX.

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies have released the first trailer of new CG animated feature Wonder Park. The film’s voice cast consists of Jennifer Garner, Mila Kunis, Matthew Broderick, Ken Jeong and Kenan Thompson. It’s expected to hit cinemas next year.

 

Solo screenplay writer Jonathan Kasdan has been hired to continue penning the Indy 5 script after original choice David Koepp decided to focus on writing and directing feature film You Should Have Left. This has also resulted in delaying the fifth Indiana Jones outing by another year to July 9, 2021.

[INFINITY WAR SPOILER ALERT]

Throughout Ant-Man & The Wasp promo, Kevin Feige has been tight-lipped on details of Marvel Studios’ plans post-Infinity War, but he did reveal plans are laid out to 2024 at this point. He also confirmed that the snap of Thanos’ fingers in Infinity War wiped out half of the animal population as well as other sentient beings in the universe. Whoa!

Rumours have been confirmed; a Black Widow stand alone film is imminent with Australian Cate Shortland (Lore) confirmed to direct the new feature, and Scarlett Johansson said to be reprising the starring role.

The first trailer for Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween has been released, with the film set to open in Aussie cinemas October 25.

 

GAMING

Far Cry 5 will launch its next round of DLCs next week. Taking the leap into another world, the Lost On Mars adventure will be made available on PC, PS4 and Xbox One on July 17.

 

Deep Silver has once again reassured fans that Dead Island 2 is still in development, despite numerous delays. Announced in 2014, the rocky time slate has continuously pushed back the release, but fans are asked to keep an eye on Dead Islands Twitter account for further information.

ANIME

More details have emerged on the upcoming Dragon Ball Super film, with original creator Akira Toriyama confirming in a statement that Broly will now become a canon character in the film entitled Dragon Ball Super: Broly and felt there was great potential for the character.

Popular gaming anime Sword Art Online has released its season three teaser trailer and key visual. This season teases a story arc involving a NPC with genuine emotions and the now traditional ‘unable to log out’ premise.

 

COMICS

The comic book industry mourns the loss of a visionary this week with the news that the legendary Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, has passed away at 90 years of age. The artist and writer defined the look and feel of Spidey and the Sorcerer Supreme in the ’60s, as well as co-creating the heroes’ rogues galleries, from Sandman, Green Goblin and The Lizard to Dormammu.

After leaving Marvel, Ditko joined Charleston and DC Comics. He created The Question, The Creeper, Shade, The Changing Man and Hawk & Dove for DC Comics. At Charleston, he contributed to the creation of Blue Beetle and Captain Atom, who were later acquired by DC. He returned to Marvel in the 1990s and continued to publish comics independently until his death. Since the news broke there has been an outpouring of love and admiration from the comic book and film industry alike.

We all want to leave our mark on the world – this guy crushed it.
He made so many people so happy and changed lives – most of all, mine!
Thank you Steve – your life lives on man, thank you #SteveDitko

— Tom Holland (@TomHolland1996) July 8, 2018

Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment have just announced the surprise release of a new comic book series by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman. Entitled Die!Die!Die!, the series hit stores without any press or marketing in the lead-up to release, Kirkman’s own words on the sudden drop were: “This is literally the only way I can be like Beyoncé.”

R.L. Stine, the renowned author and creator of the Goosebumps series, has signed a four-book original graphic novel deal with BOOM! Studios. The first OGN will be released through the BOOM! Studios imprint KaBOOM! in Autumn of 2019.

THIS WEEK’S PICKS

Superman #1 – With mini-series Man Of Steel wrapped up, alongside artist Ivan Reis, the era of Brian Michael Bendis’ take on Superman officially begins with this first issue of the comic legends’ take on Kal-El of Krypton.

Amazing Spider-Man #1 – Nick Spencer and Ryan Ottley launch a new ongoing series of New York’s friendly web-slinger, which sees Peter Parker taking on a galactic invasion!

X-23 #1 – Mariko Tamaki and Juan Cabal handle the story and art in this re-launch of the beloved X-23! With Wolverine back from the grave, Laura Kinney reclaims her original mantle as she protects her sister Gabby from nefarious forces!

She Could Fly #1 – Dark Horse’s imprint Berger Books brings us a tale of wonder and longing from Christopher Cantwell and Martin Morazzo. After a 15-year-old girl witnesses a woman soaring across the Chicago skyline, she becomes obsessed with knowing everything about her.

Doctor Who: Road To The Thirteenth Doctor – Tenth Doctor Special #1 – James Peaty, Jody Houser, Iolanda Zafardino, Rachael Stott and Enrica Angiolini help usher in the dawn of the Thirteenth Doctor with this first of three specials of the previous three doctors, starting with their take on David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor as he investigates an apparently abandoned ship.