FOX released the first official trailer for the new series ‘The Gifted’ at San Diego Comic-Con International Friday afternoon. The Bryan Singer directed pilot mentions the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants.
The series follows two ordinary parents who discover their children possess mutant powers. The Strucker’s are forced to go on the run from a hostile government, and the family joins up with an underground network of mutants and must fight to survive.
‘The Gifted’ stars Stephen Moyer as Reed Strucker; Amy Acker plays his wife, Caitlin Strucker; Natalie Alyn Lind and Percy Hynes White play their children, Lauren Strucker and Andy Strucker; Sean Teale plays Eclipse – Marcos Diaz; Jamie Chung plays Blink – Clarice Fong; Emma Dumont plays Polaris – Lorna Dane; Blair Redford plays Thunderbird – John Proudstar; and Coby Bell as Jace Turner.
Sidenote – Are the Strucker’s related to Baron Strucker?
Baron Strucker, a former Nazi officer, is one of the leaders of Hydra and an enemy of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers, and the interests of the United States of America and of the free world in general. He has been physically augmented to be nearly ageless. He has been seemingly killed in the past only to return to plague the world with schemes of world domination and genocide, time and time again.
Maybe FOX and Disney worked out a deal for shared rights…
The first episode of ‘The Gifted’ airs October 2 on FOX.
Todd McFarlane announced via Facebook Friday afternoon at San Diego Comic-Con International that Jason Blum and Blumhouse Productions have signed on to produce an R-Rated Spawn film.
Watch the announcement below:
“The ink is just dry, and we’ve gone from the theoretical – no more theoretical. We’re now making movies. We’re going. Blumhouse, Spawn, badass, R, it’s coming, get ready for it! We’re going into production,” said McFarlane.
McFarlane stated earlier that he will direct the film as well. He believes that the new ‘Spawn’ film can be made with $10 million, and understands that a no studio will not give him a $100 million budget.
“I wouldn’t ask to be a newbie director on a script that was going to have an $80 million budget for it. Why? Because as the CEO of my own corporations, I wouldn’t take that deal. I wouldn’t stick out $80 million and go, ‘we’re going to give it to a rookie, and he’s going to basically be in charge of it,’” said McFarlane to SYFY WIRE.
No casting or production schedule has been announced. McFarlane created Spawn for Image Comics with the first issue hitting the shelves in May 1992, selling 1.7 million copies. Michael Jai White played the title charcter “Al” Simmons in the 1997 feature film.
Fans in attendance of The Defenders panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2017 were treated to debut footage of The Punisher, and reactions were shared on Twitter. The teaser was, reportedly, dark, bruting, and showed some of Frank Castle’s origin.
“I think with Frank and with the world that he’s very much involved in, he’s a soldier, so I think there will be very much a military component of the show. It will be somewhat centered on that… I think that [the] Frank Castle that was in Daredevil is not in Punisher,” said Jon Bernthal to EW at SDCC.
First footage from #ThePunisher is everything you'd hope it would be. #SDCC
After the murder of his family, Frank Castle is both haunted and hunted. In the criminal underworld, he’ll become known as The Punisher.”
Steve Lightfoot is the showrunner, with the cast comprised of Jon Bernthal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ben Barnes, Jason R. Moore, Daniel Webber, and Deborah Ann Woll.
Are you looking forward to The Punisher? Sound off in the comments below.
Monkeys Fighting Robots Exclusive: Valerian Video Review
“About Last Night” is a movie review show, where writer EJ Moreno talks about the movie he saw last night. This week’s episode is all about new Luc Besson film, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
“In the 28th century, special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline work together to maintain order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the minister of defense, the duo embarks on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where diverse species gather to share knowledge and culture. When a dark force threatens the peaceful city, Valerian and Laureline must race against time to identify the menace that also jeopardizes the future of the universe.”
The film stars Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne. It also stars Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, Herbie Hancock, Kris Wu and Rutger Hauer in supporting roles.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets has plenty of eye-popping visuals but is weighed down by lackluster performances.
Summary
The film is set in the future and follows the adventures of agents Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne). From the first moment these two are on screen, writer/director Luc Besson tries to convince us these two have some chemistry.However, what transpires amounts to nothing more than painful banter. Valerian is a womanizer, and Laureline knows this. Both are assigned a critical recovery mission that involves Valerian sneaking into an interdimensional market place to recover what’s labeled as “government property.” This leads them to space station Alpha which houses citizens from thousands of planets and holds a deeper secret that could threaten their existence.
What Worked
Besson has once again constructed a science fiction dreamscape rich in color and intricate detail. From the multi color palette used to visually create space station Alpha to the interdimensional market, this film is a feast for the eyes. It’s as if he took the special effects from The Fifth Element and pumped them with steroids. Fans of Science Fiction will gush about how bold and beautiful the movie looks.
How could you not love the diversity of the aliens in the film? Each life form on space station Alpha has their unique look that matches their personality.
Ethan Hawke and Rhianna each have small parts in the film and quickly stole the scenes they were in. Hawke’s portrayal of an intergalactic burlesque show owner was enjoyable. Rhianna was surprising as the shape shifting alien who plays a pivotal role in saving our favorite government agents.
What Didn’t Work
The storyline for the film meanders between this love story and a possible conspiracy deep in the heart of a government run space station. Neither is given the proper time to develop as the film unfolds. There is no suspense or intrigue in this science fiction blockbuster.
Delevingne proved once more how lifeless she could be on screen. Apparently, film executives excused her work in Suicide Squad, which brought the narrative to a screeching halt. She exudes no charisma on screen and has no chemistry with her co-star.
DeHaan performance was a cross between Keanu Reeves with a dash of Owen Wilson. Anytime his character had to go through an intense action sequence it was as if Johnny Utah himself had been cast in the film. When the narrative pivoted towards romance, he then began to sound slightly like Wilson from any number of his films. This overacting added some unexpected moments of comedy in an otherwise dull story.
Overall
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is the kind of film that will divide critics. It’s even divided the crew at Monkeys Fighting Robots. Matthew Sardo and Ej Moreno liked it, and I have my issues with it. Should people go and see this film? Well, it depends on what your endgame is when you go to the movies. If your goal is to see something that’s lacking in substance but will blow audiences away with its special effects, then certainly this film is for you. If your goal is to watch something that has more to it, then this one is definite miss.
The reaction from fans to the casting of Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor has been mixed, to say the least, with the expected debate between people for and against the move arguing raging on the net. There are voices saying that this is a great progressive move for the show and female representation in general and paint anyone against the move as a sexist regardless of their arguments. Whilst on the other side there are sexists idiots decrying the move and vowing to never watch the show again. Some reactions were pretty much like Stewie Griffin’s here.
My own view is I would have preferred a male Doctor but the decision has been made and we have to live with it. Whittaker is a talented actress and she has the right mix of comedic and dramatic experience to play the role and assuming the writing is strong she should make an excellent Doctor.
Because of the controversy around the casting decision showrunner Chris Chibnall and his writing team need to make sure they handle the regeneration carefully and give audiences great stories to win over doubters. So let’s look at some potential story issues facing the Thirteenth Doctor.
How the Doctor Reacts to Regenerating
First and foremost whenever The Doctor regenerates he/she is disorientated: The Sixth Doctor nearly strangled his companion, The Tenth Doctor fell into a coma and the Eleven and Twelve Doctors crashed the TARDIS. At the end of ‘The Doctor’s Fall,’ The Doctor was fighting the regeneration process and if it’s like how the Tenth Doctor who resisted the change, destroyed the TARDIS when he regenerated.
The obvious joke would be when The Twelve Doctor regenerates into The Thirteenth Doctor would The Doctor feeling up her new breasts and the shock that they are now a woman. However, the more subversive move would be the Doctor doesn’t care they have changed gender and more concerned that the fact he/she is still not ginger.
The Doctor’s Sexuality
In all of The Doctor’s previous iterations, he was a heterosexual male who had relationships with females of various species. The First Doctor had a granddaughter, implying that he would have had a relationship with a female Time Lord to have a child and then a grandchild. The Ten Doctor had relationships with Elizabeth and Madame de Pompadour whilst The Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors had relations with River Song.
Now by having a female Doctor, the show is at a crossroads because her regeneration raises some big questions. If Thirteenth Doctor remains attracted to women it would enrage more conservative leaning viewers but if The Doctor changes her sexuality because she has lady bits it would lead to even bigger issues. The obvious issue is why would the Doctor change sexuality just because the Time Lord changed gender.
This issue is similar to what happened involving Nightcrawler’s parentage in the X-Men comics. The original idea was Mystique was going to father Nightcrawler when she was in a male form but Marvel stopped that storyline because of its controversial nature at the time. The Doctor Who producersneed to tread very carefully about how they handle this issue.
The only other option would be to ignore The Doctor sexuality and give her no romantic interests during Whitaker’s run race on the show.
Historical Reactions to The Doctor
The previous incantations of The Doctor have been white males and because of this had no major issues adapting to various historical periods. Now that Jodie Whittaker is in the role it raises an interesting story dynamic because until recently women were seen as inferior and their rights were suppressed and even now some gender stereotypes still exist.
Until recently Doctor Who sugar-coated more controversial aspects of history like the treatment of women and ethnic minorities. But that changed in the episode ‘Thin Ice’ where Bill was discriminated against because of race and resulted in a rare violent outburst from The Doctor. The show should now be willing a more warts-and-all approach to history.
The era with the Thirteenth Doctor could follow the example of the recent Wonder Woman were on Themyscira Diana was a powerful and respected figure and when she went to London had no qualms standing up to senior politicians and commanders. The Doctor could do the same where she could interrupt a meeting and face sexist comments like ‘what does this woman think she’s doing’, so responses with a clever put down.
The writers could have fun with a story about the historical Amazons and The Doctor gleefully enjoying an encounter with these warrior women.
Future Companions
The companion is often as a sought after role as The Doctor and has often been a woman. The main companions in the modern series have all been women: Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, Donna Noble, Amy Pond, Clara Oswald and Bill Potts. Now that The Doctor is set to be a female there are calls from some fans for the next companion to be male and it would reverse the traditional dynamic of the show – there are even rumors that Kris Marshall is in line for the role. However during the Tenth Doctor’s era both Rose and Martha fell in love with The Doctor and if a male companion falls for the Thirteenth Doctor it could lead to some awkward questions.
However, even during William Hartnell’s time as The Doctor, the famous sci-fi character has had male companions on his adventures and the modern era saw Captain Jack Harkness, Mickey Smith, Rory Williams (the Doctor’s Father-in-Law) and Nardole as travel with The Doctor.
The companion role needs to be shaken up: it can’t keep being attractive women from modern England (Amy was a Scot living in England). The Classic Era of the show saw The Doctor have from companions from other planets and the modern show should be more adventurous: have the Doctor partnered with an alien or a character from a different time period.
If the showrunners want to avoid more gender questions regarding the companion then they could make The Doctor’s companions an ensemble, have a male and a female companion traveling with The Thirteenth Doctor.
Future Regenerations
Jodie Whittaker is going to play the role of The Doctor for at least one season and if she follows the same path as David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi then she’ll possibly have three seasons as The Doctor: so we are unlikely to see the Fourteenth Doctor anytime soon. In theory casting a woman as The Doctor means that the role is open to all actors regardless of gender, age, class or ethnicity in the future – the risk is now that the glass ceiling has been broken it would be rebuilt to make The Doctor a female only role in the future and any attempt to have cast male actors as The Doctor in the future might get label as sexist and regressive. This cannot be allowed to happen, the whole point of Time Lords is they can change their appearance and any future casting should be done on merit and the needs of the story, not to please an agenda.
In what has to be the funniest turn of events in comics in the modern era, DC Comics is producing a Fantastic Four book – well, sort of.
Announced at DC’s Dark Nights: Metalpanel at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, Jeff Lemire (Old Man Logan, Black Hammer) is returning to DC Comics to pen a new book with artist Ivan Reis, The Terrifics. The teamwill consist of Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, Phantom Girl, and Plastic Man. For those keeping count, that’s a scientist, a matter-shifting woman, a goofball, and a rock monster. Seems mighty familiar.
A photo from SDCC of the mysterious team we now know as The Terrifics
For those calling coincidence, Lemire said during the panel that his goal was capture the feeling of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four book.
The team was first hinted at on Friday during SDCC when all four characters were spotted wearing the same uniform on a DC Dark Matter banner. It was clear who Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, and Plastic Man were, though Phantom Girl’s identity was not known until today.
The character designs were done by Evan “Doc” Shaner, who shared them on his twitter.
Plastic Man’s return to DC proper was first hinted during Dark Days: The Forge. Though he did not speak, he appeared as a large egg, wearing his famous costume.
Check out character bios below, and let us know what you think of The Terrifics on Facebook, Twitter, or the comments below!
A brilliant inventor, Michael Holt is considered to be one of the smartest men on the planet. He has no powers, but instead uses his intellect and T-spheres to help the world however he can. Through most of the last 5 years, he has been stranded on the parallel Earth-2.
3. Phantom Girl
It’s not clear who will be taking the moniker of Phantom Girl. In the past it belonged to Tinya Wazzo, a native of the planet Bgztl who belongs to the Legion of Super-Heroes, a group of superheroes from the 31st Century. She can become intangible, allowing her to phase through objects. Phantom Girl has been absent from DC Comics for the past 5 or so years.
2. Plastic Man
Patrick “Eel” O’Brian was a burglar who eventually developed elasticity powers that allowed him to stretch, shape shift, and have superhuman regeneration and malleability. He turned from his life of crime and joined the JLA. He has been mostly absent from DC Comics for the last 5 years.
1. Metamorpho
Rex Mason was an adventurer who gained the ability to transmutate into any element. He is a founding member of The Outsiders, a group of super-powered individuals who do not fit with the mainstream world of heroes. He has been largely absent from DC Comics for the past several years.
It is with a heavy heart we must report the long-standing relationship between Archie Comics and Sonic the Hedgehog has come to an end. Fans are distraught over this news of the cancellation of such a long-standing series. The publisher had the title for 24 years and more than 250 (including specials and mini-series) and after such a long time some things become expected. During the time under Archie’s run Sonic had many Adventures including teaming up with Mega Man, becoming roboticized, and even crossing over into the real world. During all the strife and complications which came over the years from the ensuing Sonic games not all of them good fans always had the comic to look too.
Seeing this series come to an end is heartbreaking to say the least. The series took elements from the Sonic the Hedgehog Saturday Morning cartoon (such as Princess Sally and the residents of Knothole village) and combined it with the different aspects of the video games as they were introduced. It will be hard not to think about the good times the series had such as Robo sonic vs Mecha Knuckles, The Freedom Fighters facing off with the Chaotix and the extensive family history given to Knuckles. These were good times and sadly Sonic’s run came to an end.
Luckily, Sonic won’t be gone from comics for very long. Recently announced at the San Diego Comic-Con, IDW publishing will be releasing Sonic The Hedgehog comics in 2018. Considering the record of franchise based comics, fans of the blue blur will have nothing to worry about as the series begins anew under this new publisher.
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What do you think of this news? Are you sad to see Sonic leave Archie? Happy to see him head to IDW? Leave a comment below and let us know.
And more great DC Metal news comings pouring out of SDCC!
The team behind 2017’s hottest event, DARK NIGHTS: METAL, Scott Snyder, and Greg Capullo, were joined by DARK MATTER contributors Jim Lee, Phillip Tan, James Tynion IV and Robert Venditti in this revealing hour of comics!
Moderator and DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan Dio said:
What excites me most about our blockbuster event METAL is that it takes full advantage of the talent and vision of the creative teams working at DC right now. DARK DAYS leads to DARK NIGHTS, and DARK NIGHTS leads to DARK MATTER. Everyone on stage here today, as well as the teams back at home working on their books, is bringing the power and energy expected from superhero storytelling to the pages of these new titles.
Characters and stories from each of the DARK MATTER books will be plotted throughout METAL.
Writer Scott Snyder described the story as:
If [Frank] Frazetta and Jack Kirby had a baby to a heavy metal soundtrack, METAL is that event. Battle armor, dinosaurs, robots. It’s really meant to be a celebration of comics and is a thank you to you the fans, honestly. We’re going all out.
During the panel, DiDio revealed that, in addition to the titles announced earlier this year at C2E2, DC would be publishing additional titles under the upcoming DARK MATTER banner. New artwork for BRIMSTONE and THE TERRIFICS was shown, in addition to key artwork for THE SILENCER, SIDEWAYS, IMMORTAL MEN, DAMAGE, and NEW CHALLENGERS.
While artwork for THE TERRIFICS was on screen, DiDio pulled a surprise guest, writer Jeff Lemire, on stage to join the panelists. Lemire will make his return to DC with the title in 2018.
You can check out some DARK MATTER artwork below! What do you guy think? It’s definitely an exciting time to be reading DC Comics right now! Comment and discuss below!
Stay tuned to Monkeys Fighting Robots for all your SDCC news!
