Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 117

100+ Games Will Have Compatibility and Start Up Issues on the Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 is giving fans lots of new games, including Mario Kart World, and fans cannot wait to get the console in their hands. Many Switch games will come with a version that works with Switch 2, like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. However, Nintendo’s corporate account took to social media with a long list of over 100 games that will have issues on the Switch 2. 

In time, some of these issues may end up getting a resolution. A new gaming console gets upgrades and tweaks to make it better, after all. But we will have to see what happens there.

Nintendo

When it comes to these games that will have issues on the Nintendo Switch 2, there are two categories: issues at start-up and in-game compatibility issues.

This is Furukawa. At today's Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well. Further information about…

— 任天堂株式会社（企業広報・IR） (@NintendoCoLtd) November 6, 2024

For example, the Street Fighter 30th anniversary collection will start up on the new console but will have some compatibility challenges during gameplay. And, for the Fortnite fans among us, the game won’t even start. However, unlike others on that list, there are plans for a Switch 2 version of Fortnite. 

For the complete list, check out this link to the start up list and this one for in game issues.

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Another TikTok Ban Date Looms in April

TikTok swept into the social media landscape with an enviable force. It seemed to totally capture the hearts and minds of the youngest generations among us with its addictive platform that offers you short-form video after short-form video. Even millennials are not immune to TikTok’s wiles. For some, influences and artists alike, TikTok has also been a lucrative place to grow a business and make a living. But now, the TikTok ban threatens to outlaw TikTok from the US. The ban became an active law as planned, but TikTok is not yet exactly banned from the United States, although the January 20 date has come and gone. The Supreme Court left the ban in place, and TikTok shut down in the US for a period. But that wasn’t nearly the end of the story.

What’s been happening exactly? Here’s the current State of the TikTok ban Union.

Quick Links:

Latest Update on the State of TikTok in the United States: Is TikTok Banned? What Happened to TikTok in January? What Day Will the TikTok Ban Take Effect Now? The Supreme Court’s TikTok Ban Deliberations: The Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban What Does It Mean That TikTok Is Banned? Will the App Disappear? The Current Overall State of Affairs Regarding a TikTok Shut Down TikTok/NerdistLatest Update on the State of TikTok in the United States: Is TikTok Banned?

Currently, TikTok is under a reprieve extension that lasts until April 5. But on April 5, the TikTok ban law will come back into effect and TikTok will again be banned under a law that legally would need to be enforced. However, if progress is made toward a sale, an extension could be granted.

Reportedly, Amazon has interest in purchasing the platform. But in order for the TikTok ban to be pushed off again, serious movement in a sale would need to occur.

What Happened to TikTok in January?

The Supreme Court upheld the TikTok ban, making it into a law that went into effect on January 19. Once the TikTok ban was officially going to be made legal, TikTok shut down for United States users on Saturday, January 18. Of course, it was not required to do this. However, TikTok did not stay shut down for very long and returned again on Sunday, January 19. The messaging around these shutdowns and returns felt quite suspiciously politically motivated.

On Tuesday, January 21, the new United States president had his first day in office. The president signed an executive order that allowed TikTok a 75-day extension and delays the implementation of the TikTok ban law by that amount of time. “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” TikTok said in a post on X. It noted, the president “provide[ed] the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive. It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.” TikTok affirmed it hoped to remain available long-term in the United States. Note that if progress is made toward a sale, TikTok will have a 90-day extension that is a part of the terms set in the original law.

TikTok remains unavailable on Android and iPhone app stores but can be used by existing users.

Marvel Snap and CapCut Also Went Down in the TikTok Ban Mayhem

In addition to TikTok, the popular editing app CapCut, also owned by ByteDance, and the popular mobile game Marvel Snap also shut down. CapCut has since returned online as has Marvel Snap.

It seems that a subsidiary of ByteDance published Marvel Snap, but the game had not expected to be purged in the preparation for the TikTok ban. Developer Second Dinner noted that this shutdown of Marvel Snap had come as a surprise. “Marvel Snap is back online in the U.S.,” Second Dinner chief development officer Ben Brode shared on the official Discord for the game. “But to make sure this NEVER happens again, we’re working to bring more services in-house and partner with a new publisher.”

Worried users take note that Marvel Snap’s senior community manager Griffin Bennett revealed, “Second Dinner is committed to ensuring that all players are compensated for their lost time,” including for missing “time-based content, rewards, and missions.” 

What Day Will the TikTok Ban Take Effect Now?

TikTok received a 75-day extension from the president, which means the TikTok ban law will now go into effect on April 5, 2025. If progress is made toward a sale, TikTok could have until April 19, 2025 before it is banned.

The Supreme Court’s TikTok Ban Deliberations: The Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban, Putting the Nail in TikTok’s Coffin

On January 17, the Supreme Court did not strike down the TikTok ban after days of deliberations. That means there’s nothing technical to stop the TikTok ban from becoming law, effectively making the use of TikTok illegal, although the president has now delayed the date of the law taking hold. The Supreme Court unanimously voted to uphold the law, rejecting the idea that banning TikTok infringed on the right to free speech. That means the TikTok ban law will go into effect on January 19. We discuss in more detail below, but in broad strokes, much of the government signaled that it felt the app threatened a risk to national security as long as it is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.

The Chinese embassy has criticized the ban, noting in a statement, “The U.S. has never found evidence that TikTok threatens U.S. national security, but it has used state power and abused national security reasons to unreasonably suppress it, which is not fair or just at all. The U.S. should truly respect the principles of market economy and fair competition, stop unreasonably suppressing companies from other countries, and provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for companies from all countries to invest and operate in the U.S.”

What Does It Mean if TikTok Does Get Banned? Will the App Disappear?

But what will happen if the TikTok ban law goes into effect in full force in 75 or 90 days? Will the app simply disappear from our phones? It’s not likely to work like that. TikTok’s lawyer Francisco noted during the Supreme Court delibrations, “As I understand it, we shut down. What the act says is that all of the other types of service providers can’t provide service either. So essentially what they’re going to say is that, I think, ‘we’re not going to be providing the services necessary to have you see it.’ So it’s essentially going to stop operating. I think that’s the consequence of this law.”

While no one is sure what this means in full, essentially, it seems to mean that should the TikTok ban be completely upheld as designed by the law, new users will simply be unable to download TikTok. That will be because app stores, such as the ones that will let you download the app onto an iPhone or Android, will no longer be allowed to support or offer the TikTok app. Additionally, users who have already downloaded TikTok will not be able to download updates and bug fixes for the app or be able to improve the security features of their version of TikTok. This will eventually render the use of their current version of TikTok impossible, degraded, and dangerous, creating vulnerability on users’ devices and a poor user experience.

It’s possible the government could also order American internet service providers to block the TikTok website, but it seems this is a much more complicated tactic to take.

Of course, even after the ban, ByteDance could find a new non-Chinese owner for the TikTok app, which would theoretically lift the ban, returning users access to TikTok.

The Current Overall State of Affairs Regarding a TikTok Shut Down

On January 10th, the Supreme Court heard opening arguments in the case of the TikTok ban, and on January 17, they elected to up uphold the ban law. There’s a lot of legalese involved, but in short, TikTok and ByteDance argued that the TikTok ban/shutdown is unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment rights of its 170 million users. While some Supreme Court justices acknowledged the truth of this, the opposition argument is that TikTok does not have to shut down, it simply needs to divest of its owner ByteDance. ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok is a concern to the United States government, which believes the company is using TikTok to spy on Americans for the Chinese government, as well as to spread Chinese-centric propaganda. Ultimately, the Supreme Court upheld the law and allowed the TikTok ban to take effect. But as we go into above, it’s not that simple.

RELATED ARTICLE

U.S. Signs ‘TikTok Ban’ Legislation to Force Sale, TikTok Sues Government in Response

You can still listen to the Supreme Court’s discussion about TikTok on YouTube via PBS NewsHour.

On April 24, 2024, President Biden signed the TikTok divest-or-ban bill into law, which also passed in Congress. Now, the new date for the TikTok ban to go into effect appears to be April 6, 2025. What exactly will happen to TikTok? Only time will tell.

Originally published on January 10, 2025.

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Where Are the Marvel Women in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY?

Last week, Marvel Studios broke the internet when they revealed the cast for Avengers: Doomsday in a livestream event. Over 5 ½ hours, they slowly revealed the names of actors on the backs of on-set chairs, resulting in a cast of 27 names. Yes, the internet mocked it as a stunt. But the internet also tuned in to the tune of 275 million views. A lot of those names were expected, while some had us legitimately surprised, like the classic Fox X-Men. However, one big takeaway from this reveal is that of the 27 names, only 5 of them belong to women. And we know the MCU has no shortage of great female characters. So what the heck is up? Why is Avengers: Doomsday overwhelmingly full of men?

Marvel Studios

First off, we have to admit we don’t believe this is the final cast list. Marvel Studios has hinted as much already. Many reports suggest this is just the cast list that has already been confirmed so far. When actual filming starts later in April, other actors’ names will be added, many who are currently finalizing deals. Some believe as many as twenty or more names are waiting in the wings for another big “reveal” event. And maybe many are women. But as of right now, the male-to-female imbalance is still shocking when it comes to this initial rollout.

There Were Only 5 Women in the Initial Avengers: Doomsday Cast ListMarvel Studios

Marvel Studios patted themselves on the back frequently for their now iconic Avengers: Endgame moment, when all their lady heroes lined up for a group shot. Some fans rolled their eyes at this, but others found this moment empowering. But it did remind everyone that the MCU has no shortage of amazing female heroes to pull from. With that being the case, then where the heck are they in the Doomsday announcement? It’s hard to believe it’ll just be Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Florence Pugh as Yelena, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. Five out of twenty-six? Even if there are other announcements to come, this feels like a gross imbalance.

The MCU Ladies We Were Not Shocked to See MissingMarvel Studios

Now, we do understand why some big names are missing. Nebula and Gamora? Honestly, we feel their stories concluded in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. We’re not saying Zoe Saldaña and Karen Gillian should never return, but they’ve earned a break from the big Multiversal catastrophes. The Wasp/Hope Van Dyne is now a CEO, and Evangeline Lilly has said she is taking a break from acting. So her absence makes sense too. Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff is pretty darn dead. Yes, a variant of Nat could appear in Secret Wars. But recent comments from Scarlett Johansson lead us to believe her MCU days are over. And Elizabeth Olsen as the Scarlet Witch feels like an “in case of emergency, break glass” trick you save for Secret Wars. As for the women of Eternals, it seems Marvel has decided that movie didn’t happen.

The MCU Heroines We Were Surprised Not to See in the Initial Avengers: Doomsday Cast LineupMarvel Studios

All of those names aside, it still seems egregious to leave some of the MCU’s most powerful ladies out of the cast for Doomsday. If only for story reasons. Let’s start with the biggest initial omissions: Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel. The way The Marvels ended seemed like they were going to be key in the Multiverse saga. Especially given the X-Men universe where Monica ended up. So where are any of them? She-Hulk is an obvious choice to be in the new Avengers lineup, and yet no word on Tatiana Maslany. And Valkyrie is the King of New Asgard, which is now on Earth. If a threat came to the Earth-616, she’d be at the forefront of our world’s defense. You just don’t bench Val.

These Missing X-Men Ladies Felt Like Glaring Omissions Twentieth Century Studios

And then, there’s the OG live-action X-Men cast. So far, we’ve got Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. While it’s going to be amazing to see them again, it begs the question, where are most of the X-Women? Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, and Anna Paquin seem like glaring omissions from the classic roster. It could wind up feeling like a Beatles reunion, only with John and Paul missing. If you’re going to go there, Marvel, go all the way. And that means including the ladies, besides just Mystique.

Marvel Studios

Hopefully, if we do indeed get another Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement, they’ll remember that the MCU’s “deep bench of talent,” as Robert Downey, Jr. puts it, also includes many, many women. If the next cast announcement is 20 or so ladies and 5 guys, it would only be fair. We’re not expecting that, but the women of the MCU have earned a little more respect at this point.

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THE SIMPSONS, BOB’S BURGERS, FAMILY GUY, and AMERICAN DAD! Will All Get 4 More Seasons

We all know The Simpsons will never go off the air. The cockroaches who survive the end times will enjoy a human free-planet that somehow still produces new episodes of the animated series. But that doesn’t make Fox’s latest renewal of the show any less surprising. The network has given The Simpsons a whopping four-year renewal. And that is just one of the four four-years renewals Fox handed out to its signature adult cartoons. It gave the same extension to both Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy. And it’s also bringing back American Dad! for just as long. The show is returning to Fox after 11 years.

20th TV Animation

Fox has given 20th TV Animation and its parent company Disney TV Studios an historic deal. All four animated shows will run through the 2028-29 television season, a mass block of stability. The network called the mass renewal, which we first heard about at Deadline, a “meganimation deal.” The deal was reportedly already in place late last year. That makes sense since these renewals also line up perfectly with the exclusive extension Fox signed with Disney’s Hulu last November for a whopping $1.5 billion. The streaming site now has the rights to the Fox’s shows.

20th TV Animation

Each season of each show is reportedly set to run 15 episodes, the minimum required to qualify as a full season. This deal also brings American Dad! back to its original home. The series debut at Fox in 2005 but made the switch to TBS in 2014. Its run ended there last month.

Fox Entertainment

This “meganimation” renewal will see Bob’s Burgers complete its 19th season. Family Guy will get to at least its 27th. American Dad! will finish 23. And The Simpsons record-setting reign will hit the big 4-0 thanks to this lengthy renewal.

One day, The Simpsons will finish its 400th season, even if no human is around to see it. But even then it probably won’t see too many four-year renewals along the way. The cockroaches will likely not have massive streaming deals to worry about.

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Who Is DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN’s Heather Glenn? Her Tangled Marvel Comics History, Explained

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In the first episode of Daredevil: Born Again, the series introduces viewers to a new love interest in Matt Murdock’s life, Heather Glenn. The Acolyte actress Margarita Levieva plays her. In the series, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) meets Heather on a blind coffee date, which a co-worker arranges under somewhat false pretenses. Matt soon hits it off with the therapist and best-selling author and the two become romantic. While the character may be new to the MCU, she does have a long history in Marvel Comics. Here’s the history of Heather Glenn, one of Daredevil’s many tragic love stories.

Marvel Comics

Heather Glenn first appeared in Daredevil #126, published in 1975. She was created by writer Marv Wolfman, creator of Blade and Bullseye, and artist Rob Brown. Heather grew up in a life of privilege as the daughter of Maxwell Glenn, the CEO of Glenn Industries. She first met Matt Murdock when she discovered him living at the apartment of her ex-boyfriend Frankie. Using her spare keys, she walked in and found Matt there instead. Realizing Matt was a bigger catch than Frankie, whom she referred to as “a creep,” she began flirting with him right away. She even became a secretary for the law firm of Murdock & Nelson.

Marvel Comics

A bit of a bleeding heart type, Heather helped Matt and his partner Foggy Nelson open up a legal clinic called the Storefront. The intent was that they use the Storefront to aid those Hell’s Kitchen residents in need without deep pockets. Although Matt finds Heather a bit of an annoying pest, the two soon develop feelings for each other. Heather actually replaced Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff as Matt’s love interest, after the title became renamed to Daredevil and Black Widow for a time. Heather helps Matt in his fight against disinformation in the media, which is specifically targeting urban vigilantes like Daredevil.

Marvel Comics

Their relationship took a turn when Zebediah Killgrave/Purple Man entered the picture. MCU fans will remember him as David Tennant’s villainous character from Jessica Jones. He used his persuasion powers on Heather’s father Maxwell Glenn, making him complicit in several serious crimes. Matt Murdock attempted to prove Maxwell’s innocence. However, the guilt over what he’d done under Killgrave’s control caused Glenn to take his own life in jail. Around this time, a despondent and grieving Heather discovered that Matt was Daredevil. She blamed him for her father’s death, as Daredevil originally apprehended him. She then breaks up with him. Not long after, Heather takes over her father’s company.

Marvel Comics

Once Heather takes over Glenn Industries, she becomes a target for Killgrave herself. He uses his powers, forcing Heather to put a gun to her own head, but Daredevil saves her just in time. Eventually, she realizes Matt wasn’t responsible for her father’s death, and the two rekindle a romantic relationship. However, during the 1980s renaissance for the Daredevil comics run, things took a dark turn for Heather. First, Heather’s inexperience causes her to lose control of her company, allowing criminals to take over. Daredevil dismantles the operation, but Heather’s company is severely damaged. Matt Murdock asks her to marry him and Heather says yes. However, her reluctance to just become Matt’s wife and remain a businesswoman makes her deeply unhappy. And this is where things get really screwed up.

Marvel Comics

Matt’s best friend and business partner Foggy Nelson and his ex-girlfriend Black Widow realize that this relationship is toxic for both parties. Her business is failing and Matt can’t focus on his law career or his crime-fighting. So they forge “Dear John” letters to Matt and Heather, with each breaking up with the other. (Talk about overstepping.) This causes Heather to descend into alcoholism and become a party girl. She dates many men, including Tony Stark. Heather eventually breaks down and calls Matt to come see her, hoping to reignite the romance. She tells him to rush over to her place, as it’s an emergency. Matt neglects to save a woman in a domestic violence situation, deciding to help Heather first.

Marvel Comics

When Matt finally arrives at Heather’s home, he finds her drunk, and she admits to lying about an emergency so he would rush over. Furious, he leaves. He soon discovers the woman in the domestic violence situation he ignored earlier died, and he blames Heather and refuses her calls. She takes it as his final rejection of her and hangs herself in her home. This occurs in Daredevil #220 (1985), which was written by influential Batman writer Denny O’Neil. Matt discovers her lifeless body and blames himself for her death. It is yet another tragic ending to one of Matt Murdock’s romantic relationships.

Marvel Comics/Marvel Studios Heather Glenn in the MCU in Daredevil: Born AgainMarvel Television

In Born Again, Heather Glenn is a very different character. We don’t know if she was born into a life of wealth or not yet. But she’s not the flighty woman who became involved with Matt in the comics. Her comics persona as someone who wants to help the less fortunate is, in a sense, honored by the fact that she’s a respected licensed therapist. She’s central to many plot threads in Born Again, as Matt’s love interest, the marriage counselor to the Fisks, and ultimately, the therapist for Bastian Cooper, who is revealed as the serial killer Muse in Born Again episode 6, “Art for Art’s Sake.” In that episode, Muse tries to make Glenn his final victim, but Heather manages to kill him first. So far, Heather Glenn has evaded her tragic fate from the comics.

Although Born Again marks the first appearance of Heather Glenn in live-action, she has appeared before in a way. A woman named Heather breaks up with Matt Murdock over voicemail in the 2003 Daredevil movie. We can assume that was Heather Glenn. Thankfully, Born Again is doing her character far more justice. And we’re curious to see what her future brings.

Originally published March 4, 2025.

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Guy Ritchie’s FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Trailer Features a Heartfelt Mission

Guy Ritchie wants to do what Ponce de León couldn’t. He wants to find the famed Fountain of Youth. Only, unlike de León, he’s not going to trudge through Florida’s swamps to find it. The director is sending John Krasinski and Natalie Portman on a hunt across the globe in his new film named after the mythic spring. And Apple TV+’s first trailer for Fountain of Youth reveals that this search will be full of all the action and comedy we’d expect from a Guy Ritchie film. It will also feature a whole lot of heart.

Guy Ritchie has put together one hell of a cast for Fountain of Youth. The action-comedy also seems to be clearly inspired by the Indiana Jones franchise. But with a dash of National Treasure and a sprinkle of Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon novels thrown in. Here’s the official synopsis for Fountain of Youth to go along with its trailer:

Fountain of Youth follows two estranged siblings who partner on a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth. They must use their knowledge of history to follow clues on an epic adventure that will change their lives … and possibly lead to immortality.

Apple TV

The movie also features Eiza González (who also starred in Ritchie’s last film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare), Domhnall Gleeson (Star Wars sequel trilogy), Arian Moayed (Succession), Laz Alonso (The Boys), Carmen Ejogo (The Penguin), and Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada). The script comes from James Vanderbilt (Zodiac, The Amazing Spider-Man movies, Scream 2022 and Scream VI).

What will happen when a bunch of attractive people who hardly seem to age already find the famed Fountain? Why have so many worked so hard to prevent them from doing just that? We’ll find out when Guy Ritchie sends us across the globe with Fountain of Youth at Apple TV+ on May 23, 2025.

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STAR WARS: TALES OF THE UNDERWORLD Trailer Brings Back Familiar Scoundrels

It’s become a bit of a tradition these past couple of years for Lucasfilm to drop a new series on Disney+ of Star Wars shorts on May the 4th. First came Tales of the Jedi, followed last year by Tales of the Empire. But this Star Wars Day this year, prepare for some scum and villainy in Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld. This series us several adventures in the seedy criminal side of the galaxy far, far away. The two main characters are infamous bounty hunters from The Clone Wars, Cad Bane and Asajj Ventress, the ex-Sith assassin. You can watch the trailer for Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld below:

According to Lucasfilm, the new anthology series will focus on the criminal underbelly of the Star Wars galaxy through the experiences of two iconic villains. After an appearance in season three of The Bad Batch, former assassin and bounty hunter Asajj Ventress has a new chance at life. She finds herself on the run with an unexpected new ally. Meanwhile, outlaw Cad Bane, last seen in live-action in The Book of Boba Fett, faces his past when he confronts an old friend, now a Marshal on the opposite side of the law.

Lucasfilm

We expect other famous Star Wars gangsters and rogues to pop up in this anthology series as well. A Hutt has to appear at some point, right? And maybe even Boba Fett is lurking around the underworld somewhere. Dave Filoni, the man behind The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Bad Batch, and Ahsoka, created the series and is the supervising director. Matt Michnovetz is the series writer. The talented voice cast includes Nika Futterman as Asajj Ventress and Corey Burton as Cad Bane. Also in the cast are Artt Butler, Lane Factor, AJ LoCascio, Clare Grant, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, and Eric Lopez.

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld premieres on Disney+ on May 4 and its trailer makes us excited to watch.

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Everything We Know About HIM, the Jordan Peele-Produced Football Horror Film

Whenever there’s a horror project with Jordan Peele’s involvement—whether as a director, writer, and/or producer—everyone wants to know about it. Peele is notorious for keeping films under wraps and giving us very little information about what’s coming next. We all went into Nope basically knowing nothing about the film even after its trailers! Now, Jordan Peele is producing HIM, an upcoming psychological horror film set in the world of football starring Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers.

How in the world will this film marry one of America’s biggest sports with terror? We will have to wait and see. 

Monkeypaw Productions

Here’s everything we know about HIM.

Title

Thanks to a new poster release, we know that the title of the film is simply HIM. 

HIM’s Plot 

We do have a brief and intriguing synopsis for HIM: 

HIM centers on a promising young football player (Tyriq Withers), invited to train at the isolated compound of a dynasty team’s aging QB1. The legendary quarterback (Marlon Wayans) takes his protégé on a blood-chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, power and pursuit of excellence at any cost.

It seems like Wayans’ character has some strange shenanigans happening at that compound. There’s a lot possible here. He could not be human or perhaps he’s got some experiments going that were able to enhance his playing ability. Greatness demands sacrifice could mean literal ritualistic sacrifices. We shall see. 

Behind the Scenes 

HIM was written by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie and directed by Justin Tipping, with producers including Jordan Peele, Ian Cooper, Win Rosenfeld and Jamal M. Watson under Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. Executive producers include David Kern and Monkeypaw’s Kate Oh.

HIM’s Cast 

As previously mentioned, HIM stars Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers as its two primary characters. Additional cast includes Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, Guapdad 4000, and Tierra Whack.

HIM’s Release Date 

The release date for the Jordan Peele produced horror film HIM is September 19, 2025.

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Why the SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Title Is Triggering for Marvel Fans

At long last, Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man film (and the ninth live-action Spidey film overall) has a title. But it’s not a title without controversy. The new MCU Spidey film will carry the name Spider-Man: Brand New Day. For this fourth entry, Sony and Marvel Studios are ditching the “Home” title theme of the previous trilogy. But that’s not where the name controversy lies. No, “Brand New Day” was the name of an era of comics for the wallcrawler where Marvel Comics essentially rebooted his adventures, seemingly undoing years of storylines. Or, as readers later discovered, merely amending years of stories. First, a little backstory on why comic book Peter Parker ever needed a “Brand New Day” to begin with.

“Do You Take This Wallcrawler as Your Lawfully Wedded Husband?“Marvel Comics

For the first 25 or so years of his publication existence, Marvel defined Spider-Man as being the “Hard Luck Hero.” He got his powers as a working-class kid, and he was constantly struggling to pay bills and keep his head above water. And as an average guy, even grown up, he struggled in his romantic life too. Sure, he had plenty of girlfriends over the years. But for reasons both tragic (Gwen Stacy) and non-tragic (Felicia Hardy), he couldn’t ever seem to make those relationships work long term. That is, until 1987, when, after years of flirting and dating, Peter Parker married supermodel/actress Mary Jane Watson. And that’s when the problems began.

Spider-Man and MJ’s Marriage Causes Storytelling ProblemsMarvel Comics

At first, Marvel got a lot of publicity out of marrying off their company mascot. They even staged a wedding at Shea Stadium, with Stan Lee himself officiating. But soon after, the comic book writers struggled with how to maintain the Spider-Man titles as an ongoing soap opera. Especially with a lead character happily married to a gorgeous and vivacious woman. They tried replacing Peter with a (bachelor) clone, and fans hated it. Then, they seemingly killed MJ, but fans hated that too, and she returned. This dilemma went on for two decades. Sure, Marvel could have had Peter and MJ just get a divorce. But Marvel also didn’t want Spider-Man as a bitter divorced guy either. What to do? Maybe some dark magic was called for.

The Controversial “One More Day” Story Undoes 20 Years of Peter and MJ’s MarriageMarvel Comics

In 2007, then-Marvel EIC Joe Quesada took drastic measures. During the events of the event series Civil War, under Tony Stark’s guidance, Peter Parker revealed his Spider-Man identity to the world. The consequences were immediate. Some of Peter’s enemies shot Aunt May, a direct result of his reveal. Enter the demon lord Mephisto. Marvel’s substitute for Satan made Spidey an offer: he would undo Peter’s identity reveal to the world, wiping it from everyone’s memories. In addition, any actions from that reveal vanished, like the shooting of May Parker. In exchange, Peter and Mary Jane would have to give up their marriage, as if it never happened. And both had to agree. Both Peter and MJ made that Devil’s Bargain in this story, titled “One More Day.” Longtime Spidey writer J. Michael Straczynski so hated this development, he asked Marvel to remove his name from the story. They didn’t.

Marvel’s “Brand New Day” Gives Peter Parker a Fresh Start Marvel Comics

The resulting fallout of “One More Day” was “Brand New Day.” Peter’s new status quo is a back-to-basics approach that seemingly erased years of adventures. Aunt May was alive and well, uninjured. Peter’s BFF, Harry Osborn, who had died years earlier, was also somehow alive again. Peter was a struggling bachelor again, never having married MJ. Fans were not happy, wondering what parts of Spider-Man’s long history they’d invested in even counted anymore. Especially as MJ was crucial to (at that point) twenty years of stories. Many of the “Brand New Day” stories, mostly written by Dan Slott, were actually quite good. But the continuity erasure kept a lot of fans from enjoying them. And the term “Brand New Day” became triggering for fans.

Marvel Comics

Since 2008, a lot of “Brand New Day”‘s seemingly jarring continuity changes have been amended. Peter and MJ never married, but did remain a cohabiting couple for years. So all those Peter and MJ stories from the late ’80s/early ’90s and 2000s happened. It’s just that MJ and Peter experienced them without having ever married. They merely broke up, instead of getting divorced. And Harry Osborn’s “death” years earlier? That was just a fake-out from Mysterio. But even with all these amendments to what at first seemed like a more sweeping continuity change, Marvel’s edict remains. Peter Parker must remain single, at least the mainline 616 Peter. The Peter Parker in the current Ultimate Spider-Man series remains middle-aged and married to MJ.

The MCU Already Adapted “One More Day,” Very LooselySony Pictures/Marvel

MCU Peter Parker adapted “One More Day,” at least in part, but without undoing a marriage, and without Mephisto. In the MCU, Peter’s identity was revealed to the world, and the fallout led to Aunt May’s death. And magic was used to undo the world’s memories of Peter Parker. But Doctor Strange took it even further than Mephisto. While Mephisto undid Peter and MJ’s nuptials, Strange made it so everyone forgot Peter ever even existed. That, of course, included his MJ, played by Zendaya. So while these teenagers didn’t have a marriage to undo, MJ doesn’t even remember ever dating Peter. MCU Peter somehow got it worse. He didn’t even get a returned-to-life Aunt May to show for it.

Marvel Studios

We expect the MCU Brand New Day to be just as loosely based on the original comics as the MCU adaptation of “One More Day” was. While we know the world doesn’t remember Peter Parker at the end of No Way Home, it does know Spider-Man exists. Heck, Wilson Fisk even mentions him indirectly in Daredevil: Born Again. Peter will likely have a new supporting cast, and be a “down on his luck” guy again, without an MJ (or Ned) in his life. We’d guess that’s where the similarities end. We’d be genuinely shocked if it went any further than that. Frankly, the MCU Spider-Man only appeared in six movies over five years. It’s not like he had decades of adventures to undo. Regardless, fans shouldn’t fret too much. No Way Home is one of the most loved movies in the MCU canon, and it’s based on a hated comics story. Spider-Man: Brand New Day may wind up the exact same way.

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POKÉMON LEGENDS Z-A Includes Rare Pokémon

Pokémon Legends Z-A will include a set of Pokémon that have not appeared in games in over a decade. These Pokémon were absent from Generations VII, VIII, and IX. The last time these Pokémon were in a game was for Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, which is Generation VI. So which ones are they? The elemental monkeys Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour.

The Pokémon Company

Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour are catchable for the first time ever on the Nintendo Switch and probably the Nintendo Switch 2. In previous games, players could only obtain them by uploading them. The three Pokémon orignally debuted in Pokémon Black and White. They were also present in a few subsequent games like Black and White 2, X and Y, and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Barring Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour there are a few other Pokémon that fall into this category.

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Pansage is a grass type Pokémon with a leaf on its head. The leaves are known to relieve stress according to its Pokédex entry. Pansear is a fire type and known to be intelligent. It lives in volcanoes and the fire hire can heat up to 600 degrees farenhiet. Panpour is a water type whose tuft on its head is filled with nutrient-rich water. It can use its tail to water plants. All three monkeys have an affinity towards helping others.

Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour are all confirmed to appear Pokemon Legends: Z-A. There is little information on where players can catch them and how difficult it will be. Pokemon Legends: Z-A is launching in late 2025.

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