Making Star Wars has received some possible details regarding a brand new planet that is set to appear in this December’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Read an excerpt of the outlet’s article below.
“The way I heard the set described, it was like Mars, a red ground, but covered with a light layer of snow, especially on the banks and rim of a hallway-sized trench. So imagine “Mars if it lightly snowed” is the mantra for this place. We heard the interiors were not unlike Starkiller Base in the sense that you can see the Death Star-style tech and architecture blending in with the rocks and natural environment. The planet is likely a First Order-controlled world and it is hard to not speculate that this is where Hux, Phasma, and Kylo Ren meet up with Supreme Leader Snoke after their failure in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The on-set ships for this world also make us lean towards this world being the secret base of the First Order, but that’s just a slightly informed guess. We also were able to pinpoint a “Snowtrooper General” on this set as well for a scene description that somewhat matches what came out of Bolivia recently.”
With no firm details on anything related to the new Star Wars film, fans are clamoring for any details they can uncover.
What are your thoughts on the description of a possible new planet in The Last Jedi? Do you think the rumor is legitimate? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi continues the story established in 2015’s The Force Awakens. The cast includes Daisey Ridley, Mark Hamill, John Boyega, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Benicio Del Toro, Oscar Isaac, Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis, and Domhnall Gleeson.
As revealed today at Newsarama, Valiant is proud to announce ETERNAL WARRIOR: AWAKENING #1 – a punishing standalone special celebrating 25 years of Valiant’s immortal soldier…and revealing a never-before-told tale of his earliest adventures at the dawn of civilization! On May 10th, take up arms alongside New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps) and acclaimed artist Renato Guedes (Bloodshot Reborn, Wolverine) as they unleash the second of four special issues honoring the most beloved Valiant tales ever with a formative chapter in the life of Gilad Anni-Padda…and celebrating the original ETERNAL WARRIOR #1 by comic legends Jim Shooter and John Dixon!
In speaking with Newsarama, writer Robert Venditti said:
I think there’s a tendency to interpret Gilad as very dark and grim, since he’s been a warrior for, well, eternity. It’s right there in the title. But I see him as an eternal optimist. He believes humanity is far more good than bad, and that the battle of good versus evil will be won one day. Otherwise, what makes him get out of bed and sacrifice so much to keep going? Really, I look at the Eternal Warrior, and beneath all the battles and bloodshed, I see an unending wellspring of hope.
On May 10th, discover the man behind the sword as the Earth’s relentless guardian begins a soul-scorching battle against eternity itself, only in ETERNAL WARRIOR: AWAKENING #1! Featuring covers by superstar artist Clayton Crain (4001 A.D., Carnage), rising star Robert Gill (Book of Death), acclaimed artist Marc Laming (Ninjak), and astonishing artist Jeffrey Veregge (Red Wolf), witness the dawn of the Valiant Universe firsthand with an essential one-shot celebrating 25 years of an indelible comic book icon – the unrelenting Eternal Warrior!
Plus: On April 12th, Valiant’s 25th anniversary celebration starts with a swashbuckling adventure as New York Times best-selling writer Fred Van Lente (Archer & Armstrong) and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord (X-O Manowar) present IMMORTAL BROTHERS: THE TALE OF THE GREEN KNIGHT #1 – a special 48-page quest into Arthurian legend with Archer & Armstrong, the Eternal Warrior, and Ivar, Timewalker! And look for two more celebratory one-shots honoring Valiant’s most memorable tales throughout 2017.
ETERNAL WARRIOR: AWAKENING #1
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by RENATO GUEDES
Cover A by CLAYTON CRAIN
Cover B by ROBERT GILL
Variant Cover by MARC LAMING
Variant Cover by JEFFREY VEREGGE
Ninjak Vs. The Valiant Universe Variant Also Available
$3.99 | 32 pgs. | T+ | ONE-SHOT | On Sale MAY 10
Valentine’s Day is here, and as expected, there are likely last minute gift givers getting chocolate, flowers, and reservations to some overly priced, small portioned affair for dinner as well. Valentine’s Day is not for everyone, and some our quite okay with that. If you’re among a certain segment of the population that this quote below is dogma or your motto or mantra, then an Alternative Valentine’s Day Starter Kit is for you.
“Random Thoughts, for Valentines day, 2004. The day’s a holiday invented by greeting card companies, to make people feel like crap”
Valentine’s Day has music, film, and literature that fits the mold of love and lovers alike, but luckily for you, there is an Alternative Valentine’s Day solution too. Whether you’re having a Emo, solo V-Day, or the usual tropes simply nauseate or disgust you, then there is something to be found within this kit below.
The Alternative Valentine’s Day Films/TV Shows You’re Looking For
Alternative Valentine’s Day films, like filmography in general, comes with its own
subgenres. For Potential reciprocity for or against a former love, one should seek such movies as The Abominable Dr. Phibes and Secret Window. If you are looking for anything under the Supernatural, sci-fi, or superhero alternative takes on love stories, there is Wolf, Wristcutters: A Love Story, Bride of Frankenstein, Batman Returns, and Corpse Bride.
There is also the lonely category of Young love like the Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, but there is potentially other additions to this category.
Also among you Alternative Valentine’s Day patrons are likely the Trouble getting over getting over your past love films, that which include Tomb of Ligeia, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, and Youth in Revolt. Lastly, in the more general category of alternative film options that may include one or more of the above subgenres, but not enough of any one, there is the Alternative love stories that may or may not work out in the end, which would include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Science of Sleep, The Village, Edward Scissorhands, The Time Machine, The Butterfly Effect, The Raven, Punch Drunk Love, Star Wars Episode II, Crimson Peak, and 500 Days of Summer.
Just in case you thought this Alternative Valentine’s Day Starter Kit did not come with TV shows for you to watch, you are mistaken, my friend.
Whether entering the crypt or another dimension, there are two shows that definitely have your back for Alternative Vday. The Twilight Zone has a few, but three significant ones are Two, From Agnes with Love, and The Chaser. Then there is also the cackling Cryptkeeper that has brought horror fans some alternative love Tales From The Crypt, such as Love Come Hack Me, ‘Til Death, Collection Completed, or Loved to Death.
Alternative Valentine’s Day Music To Broken And Alternative Hearts
Just in case this surprises you, Alternative Valentine’s Day music is almost
as plentiful as regular, sappy sap Valentine’s Day music. There are obvious ones like Taking Back Sunday’s Tell all your Friends album, Brand New’s first two albums, most songs from The Smiths, and just about anything from the band Joy Division. However, singularly, Love Will Tear Us Apart is practically an anthem for this whole starter kit.
Left for Dead’s My Machine, Dead Man’s Bones’ Flowers Grow Out of My Grave, and The Phantom Chord’s Fever in my Blood are examples of a horror or dark alternative approach to it. Lest we forget, the secondary anthem of the Alternative Vday Starter Kit is Beck’s cover of I need your love like the sunshine from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It is certainly a must have.
Alternative Literary Selections For An Alternative Valentine’s Day
Alternative literature for today, if you so choose to enjoy this instead of some steamy “romance” novel or a classic love story, there are some options in this department. Edgar Allan Poe can always be counted upon for an alternative to the usual emotional, kissy kiss love stories. Those can be exemplified through Ligeia or The Oval Portrait, as far as an Anti-VDay, broken hearted story examples. Though, if you’re looking for an alternative style of love story, Edgar Allan Poe also delivers with his one and only love story entitled Eleonora.
Christine by Stephen King could certainly give you an alternative take on love for your Alternative Valentine’s Day. Even Chuck Palahniuk has Choke, for a more disturbed love story, amongst other thematic elements. However, do not forget that Chuck himself stated that Fight Club, in essence for him, was a love story. So therefore, that could fulfill your film and literature needs in a hybrid way.
Then, of course, for other alternative tales of love, you might also want to look up
Nathaniel Hawthorne. Also, for something Poe-like, there is little known Horacio Quiroga.
As aforementioned, this is merely a starter kit, and there is still more literature, film, music, and probably even art that would also support your Alternative Valentine’s Day needs. Though something quintessential as food was not a category, clearly chocolates and sweets work for regular and Alternative Valentine’s Day attendees alike.
[Images Via Lucasfilm/Focus Pictures/Black Cat Films LTD.]
It’s generally a mistake to assume the quality of a TV series or movies from the gif sets on Tumblr. With countless images and memes of Kono Subarashii Sekai Ni Shukufuku Wo! aka Konosuba appearing since the Season One premiere and intensifying since the Season Two premiere several weeks ago, it looked to me like a cliché comedy. I assumed it was a fan-servicey, gamer-marketed mess with no story to speak of. but my curiosity got the better of me, and I started watching. In retrospect, the title should have given me a clue: tongue-in-cheek and sarcastic or not, it translates to God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World. Konosuba is about enjoying being alive and enjoying life.
The story starts with the protagonist, Kazuma, as someone who isn’t enjoying life. He’s shut himself off from the rest of the world and doesn’t really care. So the best possible thing happens to him; he dies. He had no real reason to live anymore, so he gets killed. Konosuba’s message is not subtle. Now that he’s very dead, Kazuma gets his clichéd second chance reincarnation. Approached by an immature goddess, he’s offered a new life in an extremely unpleasant sounding RPG style alternate reality to defeat the “Demon King.” His mind and memory, however, will be totally intact. He still gets to live as himself. Aqua, the goddess, tells him he can take one thing with him. He chooses to bring her with him, thinking that a goddess will be an ace in the hole for combat. His choice forces Aqua to live life as a mortal, to actually be alive. But Aqua is proven useless in combat and the pair is forced to add more people to their party. In keeping with the theme of appreciating life, they’re joined by two weirdos whose take on enjoying life has made them outcasts from society: Megumin, a Chunnibyo mage with questionable abilities and Darkness, a knight with perverse tastes. These four spend most of the series trying to stay afloat financially and accidentally advancing further into their quests.
The enjoying be alive and seizing life theme is not uncommon in anime, but Konosuba is the only one I’ve seen that’s a true comedy. Series like Durarara and Mirai Nikki have comic relief, but they are serious, often bleak shows. Konosuba isn’t serious or bleak, and it isn’t just “a comedy.” It’s really funny. Konosuba has absurd situations that are incredibly one of a kind and makes jokes at the expense of all the characters. Konosuba’s format is that of a traditional anime comedy, but it has a powerful message. That message sets it apart.
February 14th, the designated day to celebrate love around the United States and many parts of the world. Lots of people can purport to why we do this. Yes, it’s in honor of St. Valentine, but other than a name, not much else is known. And many of the traditions we practice on this day, like chocolate and flowers, were added on over the centuries. The history of Valentine’s Day is full of mystery and chaos which brings me to one of the most underrated movies to watch on this day of love — Natural Born Killers.
Did I lose you? No? Good. Hear me out. Sure, there are plenty of romantic movies to honor today. Some have already taken care of that. But I’m here to talk about an underrated 90s gem that most ignore as a violent, self-indulgent film. But Natural Born Killers is a rom-com all its own.
To refresh your memory, Natural Born Killers is a 90s action-satire from director Oliver Stone (loosely) based on a script by Quentin Tarantino. The final result is absolutely beautiful cinematic madness. Stone unleashes a storm of techniques to tell the story of Mickey and Mallory Knox, two star-crossed lovers and sociopaths. Imagine a rom-com starring The Joker and Harley Quinn. Mickey, played by Woody Harrelson and Mallory, played by Juliet Lewis are a modern day Bonnie and Clyde, killing and stealing their way across the country and into our hearts.
Turn down the over-the-top violence Stone used to enhance the satire, like an art-house Paul Verhoeven film. Remove the central concept that Mickey and Mallory are murderers. Take away the sleazy drug use and raunchy sex. Replace Harrelson and Lewis with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock. What remains is a dark rom-com with some action. Robert Downey’s sensationalist journalist fits right in. Tommy Lee Jones’ prison warden continues as the a-hole protagonist.
But don’t take any of that stuff away. Watch the movie as is. It’s satire at its finest with plenty of action for those who need it and a twisted and tragic love story for the more character-driven folk.
Like any great satire, Natural Born Killers exists equally as an action movie and comedy with a streak of social commentary running through it. Obvious observations are how the media rewards murderers or how the public craves darkness. The film is a stark reminder of why “if it bleeds, it leads” is both logical and horrific. But beneath that surface it’s even something more — a love story.
Darker themes aside, I’m selling this as a great movie for Valentine’s Day and here’s why. At its core, if you just live vicariously through the sociopathic leads characters, you’ll find two people enjoying life together to its absolute fullest. Natural Born Killers is about the love of two people. As in any great romance, the relationship is strained by careers, in this case, “serial killing,” and infidelity, but in the end, love holds them together, for better AND definitely for worse.
On a meta-level, the way Oliver Stone filmed Natural Born Killers deserves examination from cinephiles (aka those in love with movies). The wild use of animation, black and white, color, saturation, editing, lighting, serve as a giant, love-letter to film. It’s as if Stone fell in love with all the potential of film all over again. Does it all work? No. But this isn’t a review. And one thing is for sure; there’s nothing else like Natural Born Killers.
Today we celebrate love. You can do it the old fashioned way with a movie that ends with a guy or girl running to catch someone at an airport or taxi. Or you can do it the Natural Born Killers way and hang on for a visceral ride. Nothing says love like a breathtaking adventure with a little murder and mayhem in the mix.
A collection of new concept art for Marvel’s Black Panther has been let loose almost exactly a year before the film’s expected release, via Geek Tyrant. The images show off the setting of the movie in T’Challa’s (Black Panther) home of Wakanda, the futuristic African nation where he rules. Just one look at this artwork indicates that Black Panther is going to be one fantastically-designed film.
Whether you’re a diehard fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or simply a sucker for spectacular artfulness, these images will surely pique your interest in the newest addition to the MCU. Have a flick through the beautiful concept art here:
Marvel announced that the production of Black Panther, starring Chadwick Boseman in the leading role, had begun in January of this year with shooting reportedly taking place in Atlanta and South Korea. The synopsis released with that news is as follows:
Black Panther follows T’Challa who, after the events of Captain America: Civil War, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T’Challa’s mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk.
Ryan Coogler of Creed and Fruitvale Station is directing this next chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe from a screenplay he co-wrote with Joe Robert Cole (The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story). Alongside Chadwick Boseman, the movie stars Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kuluuya, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker and Andy Serkis. It is produced by Kevin Feige, with Executive Producers Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and the phenomenal Stan Lee.
Black Panther is due for release on February 16th, 2018.
Marvel Comics announced a new Spider-Man series Tuesday morning, PETER PARKER: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, an ongoing series with writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Adam Kubert.
Peter Parker is not going back to high school, but according to Marvel he’s going back-to-basics. Dan Slott’s run on Amazing Spider-Man is no place for a new fan to jump in. Especially, if they are a fan of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, which will reboot of the Spider-man cinematic universe on July 7 with ‘Homecoming.’
“With [Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man] we’re using the same Spider-Man continuity, but shifting the spotlight back to his NYC environment and supporting cast,” says series writer Chip Zdarsky speaking with Entertainment Weekly. “But even though we’re pushing to make it a more personal book, we’re still going to have big adventures with ramifications that’ll be felt in other books. If I had a true mission statement for the book it would be: ‘Have fun, have heart, have stakes.’”
About the series: He’s a webslinging, wallcrawling wonder. He’s the world’s greatest super hero. He’s the unluckiest guy on the planet. He’s Spider-Man! Following his globetrotting adventures, it’s big heroics in the Big Apple as Peter Parker returns to the city that never sleeps! Be there as he swings between giant skyscrapers, squares off against his iconic rogues gallery and still manages to be late for that date he had planned!
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man hits your local comic book store in June, you can catch a sneak preview of the series on Free Comic Book Day (May 6th) with a 10-page story from Zdarsky and Paulo Siqueira.
Do you plan on adding Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man to your pull-list? Comment below.
Lucifer is an odd man out in the world of television adaptations of comics, and not just due to his anti-hero status. While most adaptations air on either The CW or ABC, FOX heralds just two DC adaptations. According to Variety Online, the network recently renewed the show for a third season.
Lucifer Puts Down Roots in the City of Angels
‘Lucifer’ cast members (L-R) Lesley-Ann Brandy (Mazikeen), Tom Ellis (Lucifer), Lauren German (Chloe Decker) and D.B. Woodside (Amenadiel)
The show follows the path of Satan/Lucifer Morningstar from hell to Los Angeles, where he buys a club and works with the LAPD. Yes–Satan is helping catch bad guys. FOX is also the home of DC’s Gotham, a dark drama which focuses on classic Batman villains. Both shows favor realism over the fantastic, focusing on plot and character development over spectacle and name-dropping. Lucifer is currently on hiatus until May. However, its 9PM slot on Mondays has served it well. According to Variety, the program pulls almost nine million viewers each episode across all platforms. Since its premiere, numbers have held relatively steady and the show scores well with its core demographic: 18-49 year old viewers.
“Lucifer is one of those rare shows that starts strong out of the gate, and just keeps getting better and better…Tom, Lauren and the entire cast have really made these characters three-dimensional, and the production team — Jerry, Len, Jonathan, Joe and Ildy — is one of the best in the business.”–Fox Broadcasting entertainment president David Madden
Lucifer is based on characters from Vertigo/DC’s book of the same name (Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg). Cast includes Tom Ellis (Satan), Lauren German (Chloe Decker), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Mazikeen), D.B. Woodside (Amanadiel), Rachel Harris (Linda Martin), and Tricia Helfer (Charlotte). Production team includes Executive Producers Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, Ildy Modrovich and Joe Henderson. Director Len Wiseman rounds out the regular creative crew.
Ever since Star Wars: A New Hope, the role of R2-D2 has been played by Kenny Baker. That was until the universally-loved Baker sadly passed away last year, aged 81. According to a tweet by Oh So Small, Actor Jimmy Vee will succeed the role of the lovable little droid whose presence has been consistent throughout the saga, in Star Wars: Episode VIII –The Last Jedi.
Vee is no stranger to the worlds of fantasy and sci-fi epics having already appeared in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and countless episodes Doctor Who. In fact, Vee had already been working with Baker on TheForce Awakens, though all credit went to the latter. In his statement, Jimmy Vee said:
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to have worked alongside the legendary Kenny Baker. Kenny was a fantastic actor and taught me all the ‘tricks’ on how he brought R2-D2 to life which I will continue to portray in his honor. I’m so excited to be a part of the Star Wars universe and can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve been working so hard on for the last year.”
There has been no trailer yet for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but it can certainly be expected to continue the stories introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The returning cast includes Mark Hamill, the late Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christine and Andy Serkis. Joining them for the first time are Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran.
The film is written and directed by Rian Johnson, produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman with Executive Producers J.J.Abrams, Jason McGatlin and Tom Karnowski. The Last Jedi is set for release on December 15th 2017.
What is your favourite R2-D2 moment? Let us know in the comments.
Marvel’s Doctor Strange is now available for Digital Download, meaning we can get a look at all of those glorious behind-the-scenes goodies, including a sneak peak at Marvel’s upcoming phase of movies and some amazing concept art for Thor: Ragnarok.
The trailer for Thor: Ragnarok will likely drop when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 lands in theaters so, for now, this concept art will need to be enough. The artwork gives us a look at an epic battle between Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). In the artwork the Hulk is wearing gladiator armor similar to what you can see in Planet Hulk while Thor can be seen sporting the iconic helmet and wielding a sword rather than his hammer.
The third piece of concept art might be the best. We get an amazing new look at Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett as the films intergalactic villain Hela as she seemingly confronts Thor and Loki on Earth.
In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok – the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk!
Directed by Taika Waititi, Thor: Ragnarok stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor Odinson, Tom Hiddleston as Loki Laufeyson, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Cate Blanchett as Hela, Idris Elba as Heimdall, Sir Anthony Hopkins as Odin Borson, Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Karl Urban as Skurge/The Executioner, Sam Neill in an undisclosed role, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange.
