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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.
TV
Stan original series Bloom, which features Aussie screen heavyweights Jacki Weaver and Bryan Brown, took out two Logie Awards this week. On the back of this success, the streaming service has announced that the show has been greenlit for a second season.
That face you make when you’ve just won a #Logie 😁 Congrats team #Bloom #TVWeekLogies #StanOriginals pic.twitter.com/kEcSobKnN5
— Stan. (@StanAustralia) June 30, 2019
In our first substantial piece of news from Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series, J.A. Bayona, director of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, has been tapped to direct the first few episodes of the epic fantasy series, which is set some 3,000 years before Frodo and his fellows set out for Mordor.
Hartley Sawyer, who plays Ralph Dibny on The Flash, has revealed via Instagram that the hit superhero series has commenced filming its sixth season this week.
After years of whispers about a potential movie adaptation, Neil Gaiman’s hit comic book series The Sandman has actually landed itself a TV series adaption via the folks at Netflix. Much like he did with the recent Good Omens adaptation on Amazon, Gaiman himself is set to help pen the screenplays, and has confirmed season one will be 11 episodes long.
The first season will be eleven episodes. That’s the start of it all. Preludes and Nocturnes and a little bit more. https://t.co/tOlfJ1kS1y
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 2, 2019
In news from another upcoming Netflix adaptation, Man of Steel’s Henry Cavill has released a collection of official photos for his upcoming turn as Geralt in The Witcher series.
Also on the Netflix front, Deadline has reported that in addition to the forthcoming Haunting of Hill House sequel series, Haunting of Bly Manor, the streaming giant is also tapping the hit show’s creators for another horror series, Midnight Mass. The show will follow “an isolated island community that experiences miraculous events – and frightening omens – after the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest”.
In our final nod to Netflix, this week – cue the fireworks, Stranger Things fans, the long-awaited third season of the hit series has finally been released, with all eight episodes available to stream now.
cue the fireworks. #StrangerThings is now streaming. pic.twitter.com/i6C3oTIJG6
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) July 4, 2019
Whovians can rejoice in the news that they may not need to wait until 2020 for their next dose of the Doctor. According to Radio Times, the BBC is looking to air a standalone special episode later this year, before season 12 is scheduled to hit.
Despite rumours of a Rowan Atkinson Blackadder series revival set in contemporary times, Baldric actor Tony Robinson has recently taken to Twitter to pour cold water over the hopes of expectant fans.
One of these rumours is probably true, the other isn’t!! https://t.co/lteNlj8ggu
— Tony Robinson (@Tony_Robinson) July 1, 2019
FILM
This October, Monster Fest will return to Melbourne’s Cinema Nova with a brand new selection of horror films, including an Australian Showcase that will feature A Bigger Jail, Blood Vessel, Outback, The Dust Walker and more.
Round one, FIGHT! Things are heating up in Outworld with the Adelaide-based production of the new Mortal Kombat reboot. Australian casting directors have recently put out a nation-wide call looking for Australian martial artists and bodybuilders of all stripes, with an additional call for extras expected go out later this month.
Just across the Tasman sea, principal photography has just started in New Zealand for the thriller adaption of Owen Marshall’s short story, Coming Home in the Dark. The film follows a school teacher who is forced to confront his past when a pair of drifters take him and his family on a nightmare road-trip.
Shooting has now officially begun on the long-anticipated Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter reunion in Bill and Ted Face the Music.
Day one. See you on the other side and remember to be excellent 🎸🎸@BillandTed3 pic.twitter.com/BHFQfsW7bd
— Alex Winter (@Winter) July 1, 2019
Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley has recently teased the final epic showdown between Rey and Kylo Ren in The Rise of Skywalker, due for release at the end of this year. Whilst speaking to the Happy Sad Confused podcast, she revealed some information about the ‘great fight’ that the two will have, and credits her growing experience as a stage fighter, combined with the use of lighter prop lightsabers, as the reason why this particular showdown will be a highlight of the new sequel trilogy.
The DCEU has had a number of shakeups recently, and one big question mark has been hanging over the head of Ezra Miller, as to whether he would return to his role as the big screen Flash. The latest news from THR is that Warner Bros. is currently courting director Andy Muschietti (It) to direct a script penned by Bumblebee screenwriter Christina Hodson, who also wrote Birds of Prey for Warner Bros./DC, and is also attached to the rumoured Batgirl project. At this stage, Ezra Miller is indeed set to return as the scarlet speedster.
Whilst production on the as yet untitled 25th James Bond film seems to have been plagued with issues, producers are keen to reassure fans, and have just released their first official pic of Daniel Craig in his final confirmed outing as the British super-spy.
007 star Daniel Craig, director Cary Fukunaga and the #Bond25 crew were out in the sunshine today shooting across a number of London locations, including Whitehall, where Daniel filmed a scene with a classic @astonmartin V8, first seen in a Bond film in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS. pic.twitter.com/rhs13nNeyW
— James Bond (@007) June 30, 2019
Director Neill Blomkamp has given an update with his progress on the Robocop legacy sequel, which will serve as a direct follow-up to the original 1987 film, disregarding all that followed it. Blomkamp has also responded to fan questions, and has assured them the classic Robocop costume design will return, rather than the sleeker tactical look that featured in the recent 2014 reboot.
1 million% original https://t.co/1bgDvgMLHd
— Neill Blomkamp (@NeillBlomkamp) June 29, 2019
Katushiro Otomo, the author of the classic Akira manga and director of the anime adaptation, is working on a new film. The official announcement will be occurring at Anime Expo. He’s also working on a new manga, his first long-running series since Akira.
GAMING
Studio MDHR, the team behind Cuphead, has announced that the DLC has been postponed until 2020. The studio says they’ve done it to avoid an unnecessary crunch.
Junichi Masuda, the producer of Pokémon Sword and Shield, responded to the red-hot rumble caused by the omission of the National Pokédex in the latest game. His statement reads:
“Thank you to all of our fans for caring so deeply about Pokémon. Recently, I shared the news that some Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon Swordand Pokémon Shield. I’ve read all your comments and appreciate your love and passion for Pokémon.
Just like all of you, we are passionate about Pokémon and each and every one of them is very important to us. After so many years of developing the Pokémon video games, this was a very difficult decision for me. I’d like to make one thing clear: even if a specific Pokémon is not available in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, that does not mean it will not appear in future games.
The world of Pokémon continues to evolve. The Galar region offers new Pokémon to encounter, Trainers to battle, and adventures to embark on. We are pouring our hearts into these games, and we hope you will look forward to joining us on this new journey.”
COMICS
In Marvel news, Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada has released a comment indicating the upcoming X-Men title, House of X, will change everything in the Marvel Universe.
I just read House of X #1 before it headed out to the printer today and it’s hands down the most revolutionary take on the world of mutants since Grant Morrison’s run. I’m still trying to process how incredible this book is and how it will change everything in the MU.
— JoeQuesada (@JoeQuesada) July 3, 2019
A brand new comic company, Bapper Books, will be debuting at SDCC. Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, Futurama and Disenchantment, is the founder of the company, and will be joined by Terry Delegeane. The pair had formerly been involved with Bongo Comics, who were best known as the publishers of Simpsons Comics. There is no news on if Bapper Books will also be releasing comics based on the much-loved TV family; however, it has been confirmed that they will be publishing content based on the Netflix series Disenchantment.
IDW Publishing will be launching a brand new series based on the Karate Kid continuation, Cobra Kai. Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues will hit comic shops later this year, and will kick off a four-part story retelling the Karate Kid tale from the perspective of Johnny Lawrence from the original 1984 film.
COLLECTABLES
To celebrate the release of the well-received Spider-Man: Far from Home, the fan-favourite line ‘Marvel Legends’ have released their first wave of figures based on the feature film. At just under six inches in height, the action figures are highly detailed and intricate. Two different Spideys and a Mysterio are now available.
Industry giant Sideshow has announced the much-anticipated release of a The Flash premium format figure by dropping their first official teaser image on Tuesday. With no immediate release date set, fans are left eagerly awaiting further news on this immaculately detailed piece.
Race to our RSVP page and be the first to hear news about the upcoming Flash Premium Format Figure announced this morning!
Follow the link to stay updated!https://t.co/WRrjy5kRzy#SideshowCollectibles #TheFlash #DCComics pic.twitter.com/MWz9hgBuDi
— SideshowCollectibles (@collectsideshow) July 1, 2019
