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THE WIZARD OF OZ May Have Invented This Common Piece of Clothing

Graphic t-shirts with images on them displaying your favorite musician, sports team, or characters have been ubiquitous since the ’50s. But would you believe the graphic t-shirt might actually have originated somewhere over the rainbow? In a video which you can watch below from Alex Rabinowitz of Pop Culture Brain (via Laughing Squid), we learned that the first documented graphic t-shirts appearing in film were in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. We see them for mere seconds on workers in the Emerald City, getting Tin Man and Scarecrow back into shape. They are green shirts that simply have the words “Oz” in white font written on them. Simple, but revolutionary.

The t-shirt itself didn’t become popular in North American society until after World War II. In the early part of the 20th century, the t-shirt existed merely as an undergarment. No one would dream of going outside the house wearing one. And if you watch movies of the Golden Age of Hollywood, you don’t see them in anything but that capacity. During World War II, soldiers started wearing them as outerwear. And that continued after the war. And by the 1950s, actors like Marlon Brando and James Dean began appearing with them in iconic films. Soon, every teenager in America would go out wearing a t-shirt, making it a symbol of youth culture. And before long, companies started selling t-shirts with printed images to teens, and later, adults.

MGM/Warner Bros.

As the video states, no one really knows if The Wizard of Oz costume designer saw a graphic t-shirt somewhere, or if he invented it expressly for the film. But most pop culture historians lean toward the latter, believing he invented the graphic t-shirt to evoke the otherworldly universe of Oz. As everyone knows, The Wizard of Oz is one of the most popular pieces of cinema ever produced. But it may be that because of it, we have this very common article of clothing that today everyone has in their closet.

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MAGIC: THE GATHERING x STAR TREK Announced for 2026

Recently, the world of Magic: The Gathering has collaborated with other big franchises like Spider-Man and Final Fantasy. And in the not-too-distant future, they’ll be heading into the Final Frontier as well. Wizards of the Coast has announced that the Star Trek galaxy is coming to Magic: The Gathering, in November, 2026. This is just in time for the franchise’s 60th anniversary. You can check out the announcement video down below, featuring the Star Trek theme song from the original series, and a sneak peek at some of the artwork we can expect to see in Magic x Star Trek.

The early artwork in the video showcases the original starship Enterprise from the classic ’60 series soaring through space. We also see William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk in command, and the crystalline entity from Star Trek: The Next Generation terrorizing a planet. There is also an image of the Klingon Chancellor Gowron ready to fire a weapon, and Captain Picard’s Enterprise-D warping into action. The Magic: The Gathering – Edge of Eternities set from this year introduced a lot of new mechanics, like Spaceships, Stationing, and Warp, which were clearly setting the stage for something like Star Trek to come into the game.

Wizards of the Coast/Paramount

Other big IP joining forces with Magic: The Gathering in 2026 include the Marvel Super Heroes in June, as well as the world of The Hobbit in August. Right now, the artwork only shows characters and ships from the original Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation. It remains to be seen how much of the rest of the franchise will also be a part of it. We should note that the Captain Kirk in the image looks just like William Shatner. This means Wizards of the Coast acquired likeness rights. We’ll have to see which other actors that applies to when Magic: The Gathering x Star Trek arrives next year.

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The Big Twist in PEACEMAKER Could Introduce Deep Cut DC Team

Although suspected by many fans since episode three of Peacemaker season two, we now have it confirmed—the alt-universe Earth Peacemaker stumbled onto via the Quantum Unfolding Chamber is one ruled by Nazis. It feels like this is the equivalent of DC Comics‘ Earth-X, one of the parallel worlds in the Multiverse where the Nazis won World War II, and modern-day America is ruled by them. We know this Earth has one group opposing these Nazis, the Sons of Liberty. But could this organization have another name, and its own group of superheroes? We have a feeling that the final two episodes of Peacemaker may introduce the DC team the Freedom Fighters into the DCU.

HBO Max

To properly explain the Freedom Fighters, we have to go back to the Golden Age of comics. During the 1940s, the popularity of the superhero genre led to an explosion of publishers. Aside from DC, there were Timely Comics (later Marvel), Fawcett (home of Shazam), Charlton Comics, and Quality Comics. Quality published several heroes like the patriotic Uncle Sam, Plastic Man, and many others. Like many publishers, it went under after the Golden Age superhero boom faded. In later decades, DC bought the publisher’s characters, just as they had with Fawcett and Charlton Comics heroes. Which brings us to the 1970s.

DC Comics

By the early ’70s, DC had introduced several worlds in the Multiverse. Earth-2 was where the 1940s era Justice Society lived, and Earth-3 was home to the evil Crime Syndicate. Earth-S became the home of the Shazam family, and 1973’s Justice League of America #107 introduced Earth-X. It became the home of the acquired Quality Comics heroes, purchased by DC after Quality folded in 1957. In this parallel world, Adolf Hitler and the Axis forces won a prolonged World War II. In the 1970s, the war still raged, and representing the side of the Allies were the Freedom Fighters.

DC Comics

Led by Uncle Sam, the Freedom Fighters were popular enough in their Justice League appearance that they received their own ongoing series, which lasted 15 issues. DC explained the Freedom Fighters as heroes originating on Earth-2, alongside the Justice Society heroes. They immigrated to Earth-X, to keep the fight going against the Nazis. Members included Phantom Lady, Human Bomb, the Ray, Black Condor, Firebrand, and Doll Man. Their series had them move to Earth-1, but they eventually returned to Earth-X. The original Earth-X was destroyed in the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Afterward, DC editorial folded the Freedom Fighters back into the history of the newly formed Earth-0.

DC Comics

Earth-X as a concept has resurfaced in the modern era, in series like Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters. Later, thanks to Grant Morrison’s Multiversity and other series, they returned to their Nazi fighting roots. In the newer iteration of Earth-X, we have Nazi versions of iconic heroes, with Superman and Supergirl specifically reimagined as the Nazi Overman and Overgirl. The CW Arrowverse adapted this version of Earth-X for the very memorable crossover, “Crisis on Earth-X.” But we think James Gunn might have a fondness for the original version, where the Freedom Fighters kept battling the Nazis into the modern day. Because a couple of the Freedom Fighter heroes even made it into Superman. On a mural, anyway.

DC Comics

The Hall of Justice Mural from 'SUPERMAN' has been released!

Can you name all the characters? pic.twitter.com/ssThw0rbJu

— DC Film News (@DCFilmNews) July 25, 2025

Inside the Justice Gang’s HQ, the Hall of Justice, there was a huge mural depicting 300 years of metahumans. Among those metahumans were two Quality Comics heroes who became members of the Freedom Fighters. The first is the scantily-clad vigilante Phantom Lady, and the other is speedster Max Mercury. Could we find out that those two characters, perhaps with other heroes, found themselves on Earth-X, and are still fighting the good fight? We know there’s an organization called the Sons of Liberty, but that could just be another name for the Freedom Fighters in this world. James Gunn loves obscure DC heroes, so maybe Uncle Sam and his team come to the rescue in the last few episodes of Peacemaker? We could see Gunn relishing in the imagery of Uncle Sam punching a Nazi in the jaw.

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Focus Features Announced One-Day Film Festival FocusFest

How many times can you watch The Big Lebowski before you get tired of it? According to our own studies such a number does not exist. You can never see it enough. But while we never need an excuse to hang out with the Dude again, next month cinema fans will get to do more than just watch the classic Coen Brothers film for the umpteenth time. Focus Features will let them experience it firsthand. It’s one of three films that will screen as part of the studio’s new one-day immersive film festival FocusFest.Focus Features

Focus Features has announced what it’s calling an “unforgettable celebration of bold, timeless filmmaking and the fans who make it all matter.” The first-ever FocusFest will take place at the Universal Studios lot on October 18. TikTok star Juju Green (aka @straw_hat_goofy) will serve as host of the festival. It will include three big Focus Features films. In addition to The Big Lebowski, attendees will also get to see Promising Young Woman and a special advance screening of Yorgos Lanthimos’ upcoming Bugonia starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. It arrives in theaters on October 31 but has already earned rave reviews after screening at major film festivals earlier this year.

Watching three big time movies on the Universal Studios is a pretty way to spend an afternoon. But FocusFest is more than just about seeing films. It’s also going to provide movie lovers an immersive experience. It will include “photo moments, themed food and beverage offerings, and a curation of exclusive merchandise drops inspired by the Focus library.” 

Focus Features

Tickets ($78.65 after fees) are now on sale. You can get yours here. The Big Lebowski will screen first at 1:30 p.m. Promising Young Woman will follow at 4:30. Bugonia will then have its special screening at 7:30.

If the first FocusFest is a hit we expect it to become a yearly event. And hopefully every FocusFest will start with The Big Lebowski.

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Peter Jackson Owns GAME OF THRONES’ Iron Throne

When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. Or you bring to life a really successful alternative fantasy series and you buy the Iron Throne for yourself without having to deal with the poisoning, the backstabbing, and the blood. We recently learned the fate of Game of Thrones‘ massive Iron Throne. It was sold to a mystery bidder for $1.49 million in 2024. But through a twist of fate, we learned who that bidder was. None other than The Lord of the Rings movie mastermind Peter Jackson now owns Game of Thrones‘ Iron Throne, at least the one used in all the promotional tours and marketing. We hope it sits right next to the One Ring.HBO

We learned that Peter Jackson owns Game of Thrones‘ Iron Throne when he leant it to Colossal Biosciences for a photoshoot with the newly de-extinct Dire Wolf species. Colossal Biosciences has been working to bring the extinct species back to our world, and has recently succeeded in raising to life three Dire Wolf cubs who are ultra-adorable.

The two newly born baby Dire Wolves, brought back from extinction by genetic engineering, seated on the Iron Throne. 🐺

George R.R. Martin serves as a Colossal Biosciences cultural advisor and investor, with Peter Jackson loaning his Iron Throne prop for the photoshoot. pic.twitter.com/Yax9WjCp7a

— westerosies (@westerosies) April 7, 2025

The Hollywood Reporter shares, “Jackson — who is an investor in the biotechnology company — loaned Colossal the official touring 330-pound Iron Throne prop that was used in promotions for the Game of Thrones series. Prior to today, it wasn’t known that Jackson owned it, as it sold last year in a bidding war for $1.49 million to a then-undisclosed bidder.”

Both Jackson and Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin are investors in the Dire Wolf de-extinction project and in Colossal Biosciences. That’s the kind of fantastical collaboration we like to see. Martin shares , “Many people view dire wolves as mythical creatures that only exist in a fantasy world, but in reality, they have a rich history of contributing to the American ecosystem.”

We agree that the Dire Wolf cubs SHOULD be the ones to ultimately sit on the Iron Throne (although we feel glad to know Peter Jackson owns it). It’s only right.

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Bloodstream Wants to Pay an Intern $666 To Watch Scary Movies

It’s fall and that means two things. The first is that everything now tastes like pumpkin spice. (Like, everything.) The second, far more important thing is that we spend a lot of the spooky season watching scary movies. We know we have that in common with most of you, but now you can have something in common with us. We get paid to watch horror movies at Halloween. It’s the best. And Screambox wants you to do that, too. It’s looking to hire a new intern to watch five scary movies for $666.Screambox

The streaming service Screambox says it is seeking what it calls a Thrilltern. The lucky applicant chosen for the role will have to pick five of the streamer’s scariest selections. If they watch those horror movies by October 24 they will earn a ghoulish $666 dollars. They will also nab a $50 Uber Eats gift card, as well as a free one-year subscription. Screambox will also cover your subscription cost while you take on a movie watch challenge the lucky intern will likely finish in 10 hours at most. (Last year’s dream job meant doing a 24-hour horror movie marathon, so this is a much easier task.)

Applications will remain open until 11:59 PM MT on October 7, 2025. Screambox’s “Haunted Recruiters” (a.k.a. the HR team) will then announce the lucky Thrilltern on October 9th. Everyone 18 and older can apply here. While only one person will get the paid internship, everyone who puts in for the eerie gig will win. Each applicant will get a one month subscription to Screambox for just $0.99.

Screambox

Screambox also says to keep your eyes open for another holiday-specific “dream job” coming soon. Considering what holiday season follows Halloween, you might want to hold off on watching any Christmas horror movies in October. You could end up watching a lot of them if the streamer hires a thrilltern for December.

For now we hope you all apply for this Halloween job. Getting paid to watch scary movies really is the best.

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PEACEMAKER Revealed the Truth About Its Not-so-Perfect Parallel World

This post contains spoilers for episode six of Peacemaker season two. If you want to remain blissfully ignorant about what happened until you see it, leave this tab open while you do exactly that.HBO Max

“Ignorance is Chris” proved to be an apt title for Peacemaker season two’s sixth episode. John Cena’s superhero thought he had found the perfect world with the perfect family. In that parallel dimension, him and his not-dead dad and not-dead brother are the celebrated Top Trio. Only, it turns out that alternative dimension is not the utopia he thought. A popular fan theory about that seemingly idyllic place proved true. Reverse Auggie Smith might be a loving father in that dimension, but he’s still a racist piece of shit. He’s only a hero because in this universe the Germans won World War II and conquered America. Unfortunately Peacemaker realized that horrifying fact far too late so save Adebayo from being chased down by a mob of Nazis.

HBO Max

Emilia Harcourt instantly noticed something about that parallel world Christopher Smith hadn’t (but viewers had). Only white people live there. We found out exactly why when Peacemaker noticed a small American flag on a desk in the A.R.G.U.S. office. Instead of 50 white stars it had a white Nazi swastika.

While he was noticing that, his loving, kind, typically calm, soft-spoken literal Nazi hero brother Keith was noticing Adebayo walking around their neighborhood. When he saw her, he slammed on his breaks and jumped out of his truck. Keith then started beeping his horn while screaming, “Black!” with the absurd energy of an elephant seeing a mouse.

HBO Max

It was a literal call to arms, as every white nationalist on the street knew it meant to come out of their house. The violent hateful mob of losers then started running after Adebayo as the episode ended.

Reverse Christopher Smith was a Nazi like his father, brother, and most of his countrymen. Most. The Sons of Liberty, who normal Christopher Smith thought were domestic terrorists when he stopped their attack earlier in the season, are working to bring down the Nazi government, as is Reverse Vigilante. That reverse world’s Adrian Chase is the exact same goober as the regular world’s, only instead of idolizing Reverse Peacemaker he hates him. That hatred led him to become a superhero.

HBO Max

Even in a world overrun with literal Nazis, there are still good people in that Peacemaker dimension. And it now has four more good people. For how long, though, remains the biggest question for the final two episodes of the season. Reverse Harcourt just confronted the good Emilia. Economos told Reverse Auggie that Christopher is not his real son because this Peacemaker killed his real son and replaced him. (Seriously, Economos, talk less.) And a Nazi mob is chasing Adebayo.

Like the world Christopher Smith decided to call his home, that is not ideal. No world with Nazis ever is.

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TOP GUN 3 Is Still in Development, Says Jerry Bruckheimer

Fighter pilots have a need for speed like studios have a need to make sequels to billion-dollar box office hits. Now those two needs are coming together. Pete Mitchell is getting ready to jump back into the cockpit again. A previous report says Tom Cruise is currently developing Top Gun 3, a follow-up to the smash hit Top Gun: Maverick.

According to Puck, Cruise is working with Paramount for another installment in the Top Gun franchise. This early report says Maverick co-writer Ehren Kruger is already working on a draft, and that the film would also mark the returns of Miles Teller’s Rooster and Glen Powell’s Hangman. Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison are also set to produce again.

Tom Cruise confirmed that Top Gun 3 is happening during a press interview with Australian show Today for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. And, he also suggests that there’s conversation around a Days of Thunder sequel, too. This guy keeps a job.

“Yeah, we’re thinking and talking about many different stories and what could we do and what’s possible,” said Cruise. “It took me 35 years to figure out Top Gun: Maverick, so all of these things we’re working on, we’re discussing Days of Thunder and Top Gun: Maverick. There’s numerous other films that we’re actively working on right now…”

And, as of September 2025, Top Gun 3 is still in development, according to Jerry Bruckheimer. He didn’t speak much about what stage specifically but perhaps we will get more news as 2026 gets closer.

Paramount

As for Maverick director Joe Kosinski, he’s expected to either direct or produce. If he’s not behind the camera it’s unknown who would replace him.

While exciting news for fans, it’s not exactly surprising. And not just because Top Gun: Maverick earned six Oscar nominations, including a Best Picture nod and a win for Best Sound. It’s because it took home a whopping $1.4 billion at the worldwide box office when it finally came to theaters in 2022 following a lengthy release delay because of COVID. Ticket sales like that all but guaranteed we’d get another movie in the series. One without the more than thirty year gap between films like we got with the original 1986 movie and its sequel.

Paramount Pictures

This report comes after recent news Cruise signed a non-exclusive deal with Warner Bros. That followed last month’s rumor Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount have discussed a potential merger. Will those two studios already be under one banner by the time Top Gun 3 is ready to soar? It very well might. Hollywood might need its franchise sequels, but it doesn’t exactly operate at the speed fighter pilots need.

Originally published January 12, 2024.

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Disney, Topps Rolls Out First Ever MLB Trading Cards

Our favorite Disney and Pixar characters are getting a brand new look—one wrapped in stunning collectible Chrome.

On September 24, trading card mogul Topps teams up with Disney and MLB for the first time ever to launch the Chrome Disney Card Set. Blending timeless characters with the tradition of baseball, fans can see their favorite Disney icons transform in a never-before-seen way.

Here’s a First Look at the 2025 Chrome Disney Base Cards Click To View Gallery Mickey Mouse Chrome, Topps/Disney Elsa Chrome, Topps/Disney Maui Chrome, Topps/Disney Elio Chrome, Topps/Disney Woody Chrome, Topps/Disney Simba Chrome, Topps/Disney Topps/Disney

Complete with a 200-card Chrome tech base set, the release features special inserts, hand-drawn sketch cards, and authentic actor autographs of some of Disney’s greatest talent. Some base cards will even feature the faces of iconic Disney Live Action heroes.

The standout play of the set is seeing the classic trio of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy reimagined in original MLB trading card form. In never-before-seen fashion, each popular character steps up to bat sporting a Major League uniform—transforming the Disney icons.

Click To View Gallery Topps/Disney Mickey Mouse trading card, Topps/Disney Donald Duck trading card, Topps/Disney Goofy trading card, Topps/Disney

The trio represents all 30 teams, each character repping a different division. Mickey covers the AL and NL West, Donald has the East divisions, and Goofy tackles Central. To add to the excitement, the three will rotate divisions each year, creating a fun and progressive chase for collectors. While the 2025 Chrome release spotlights home jerseys, away uniforms will be featured later this year in the Topps Chrome Update Baseball series.

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The 2025 Topps Chrome Disney Trading Card Set will be available on Topps.com, select hobby shops, and major retailers. Boxes range over three price points—Hobby Box ($420), Mega Box ($70), and Value Box ($40).

Exciting both Disney fans and baseball lovers alike, it’s safe to say Topps knocked this set out of the park. Reimagining the classic characters we all know and love, the collection spectacularly combines the magic of Disney with the nostalgic love of the sport.

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THE WITCHER Showrunner Suggests Henry Cavill Left for Superman

Television series recast actors all the time. However, when it happens to the main character? It’s surprising. But that’s what happened to Henry Cavill, who left his hit Netflix fantasy series The Witcher after season three. Liam Hemsworth will now play him as Geralt of Rivia in the upcoming fourth season. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, The Witcher showrunner Lauren Hissrich heavily hinted that part of the reason Cavill left the show was to focus on another character he was very invested in. Which one can readily guess meant the Man of Steel. Here’s what she had to say:

He had plans for other roles that he really wanted to commit himself to. And for us, you don’t want to hold someone and force them to be doing something that they don’t want to do. I think that’s why it felt like a really symbiotic decision.

Netflix/Warner Bros.

Henry Cavill formally announced that he was leaving The Witcher in October, 2022. This was almost the exact same time he officially announced his return as Superman. But not long after, James Gunn and Peter Safran became co-heads of DC Studios. And they decided to give the Last Son of Krypton a total reboot/recast. We saw the results of that decision with this summer’s Superman film. So Cavill essentially left The Witcher, a successful series guaranteed further seasons, to focus on a role he wouldn’t get to play again. Aside from a cameo in Black Adam, a truly inglorious end. We can’t help but feel bad for the guy.

Actors leaving TV shows and finding themselves replaced is old hat in Hollywood. But it rarely happens to the lead actor/character on whom the series hinges. Although, it did happen to another lead actor famous for playing Kal-El before. The 1988-1992 Superboy syndicated series had a different lead in its first season, John Haymes Newton. After he left the series, they replaced him with another actor, Gerard Christopher, for the remainder of the show’s run. Although we feel bad for Cavill losing the Superman job, he’s got a series based on Warhammer 40,000 coming soon, as well as Highlander. And who knows? Given the multiverse of it all, maybe one day he dons the red cape again.

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