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THE RINGS OF POWER Officially Renewed for Season 3, Promises Time Jump & New Cast

Three rings for the Elven-kings under the sky. And, for now, three seasons for Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Yes, although we all suspected that this would be the case, The Rings of Power has been officially renewed for season three, and we are so glad to hear it! (At Nerdist, we’re huge fans of the show.) We may have even learned a little something about the plot. The Rings of Power season 3 will feature a time skip that will bring us into the thick of the action. From where we left things, just after the siege of Eregion, we’ll be skipping forward in time right into the heat of a new battle. The Rings of Power season 3 will see our favorite characters in the midst of The War of the Elves and Sauron. What does that mean? And what do we know about The Rings of Power season three so far? Let’s forge ahead and see!

The Rings of Power Season 3 Has Been Renewed and Shares a Logline

The official logline for The Rings of Power season 3 is as follows, “Jumping forward several years from the events of season 2, season 3 takes place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to craft the One Ring that will give him the edge he needs to win the war and conquer all Middle-earth at last.“

It sounds like when we return to the newly renewed The Rings of Power, we’ll find ourselves deep in war and right on the cusp of something truly horrifying happening: the forging of the One Ring. As The Rings of Power‘s showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne revealed to us, Sauron doesn’t yet have the knowledge to forge his own Ring of Power when we leave him in season two.

Prime Video

They note, “Sauron needs Celebrimbor’s expertise to forge the Rings. He cannot make them alone. It would be cheating for Sauron to all of a sudden be able to make a Ring. He’s on his own journey of craftsmanship, and without Celebrimbor, now having to make a Ring is a potentially really interesting challenge for him.” And it sounds like he’ll still be on that journey when season three of The Rings of Power returns.

New The Rings of Power Season 3 Cast Include Stranger Things‘ Jamie Campbell BowerNetflix

A new season of The Rings of Power means a new cast. And two actors have officially joined The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3: Jamie Campbell Bower and Eddie Marsan. Bower will be a series regular, which certainly raises our eyebrows, and Marsan will play a recurring character. Jamie Campbell Bower has famously been in many franchises, including in Stranger Things, as villain Vecna, and as one of Twilight‘s Volturi. We can’t wait to see who he might play in The Rings of Power season three. Could he be Galadriel’s wayward husband, Celeborn?

The Rings of Power will Have a Time Skip Between Season 2 and Season 3

To avoid lulls in the action, The Rings of Power season 3 will move forward in time now that it has been renewed and have a pretty major time skip. But when you have Tolkien’s timelines and elves in play, that makes a lot of sense. In the real world, we can’t be waiting hundreds of years between events, or even just five. The Rings of Power‘s showrunners noted to us, “Season one and two almost are one roaring train. I think the aspiration would be that there might be some big gaps in time later.” And now this has come to pass.

RELATED ARTICLE

THE RINGS OF POWER Showrunners Talk Time Skips in Season 3 and Beyond, Celeborn, Celebrían, and Sauron Not Yet Knowing How to Forge the One Ring

In The Lord of the Rings‘ world The War of the Elves and Sauron was the first great war fought in the Second Age of Middle-earth between, well, the elves and Sauron. The Númenóreans, too, have quite a significant role to play in this battle as they are the elves’ main allies, preventing Sauron’s forces from decimating them. Of course, where the Númenóreans loyalties lie (primarily to themselves with Ar-Pharazôn at the helm) could complicate matters… Especially since Sauron has Rings of Power for men that he is just itching to hand out.

Where Season 3 of The Rings of Power Could Be Heading?Prime Video

With The Rings of Power safely renewed for season three and a confirmed time skip, it’s time to speculate what the season will entail. Look away if you are spoiler-phobic. Personally, we’ve always thought that Sauron would be taken to Númenór by Ar-Pharazôn at the end of season three of The Rings of Power. We know he ends up there eventually to cause the island A LOT of trouble.

But Sauron’s captivity doesn’t actually occur at the end of the War of the Elves and Sauron. The War of the Elves and Sauron actually ends with Sauron’s defeat and retreat into Mordor to recover. After that come a series of battles that then culminate in Sauron’s surrender to the forces of Númenór and Ar-Pharazôn. Arguably, this could be termed a willing surrender (for chaos purposes), but Tolkien doesn’t go into too much nuance here. That will be left up to the Prime Video’s The Rings of Power. In Tolkien’s lore, Sauron had already forged the One Ring by this time. It’ll be interesting to see if The Rings of Power season 3 knits the lore together to bring events a little closer.

More About The Rings of Power‘s Season 3: Renewal, Directors, and MorePrime Video

A release from Prime Video confirms that The Rings of Power has indeed been renewed for season three. It further shares that three directors will helm the upcoming season. The release notes of the directors, “two returning and one new, Charlotte Brändström, Sanaa Hamri, and Stefan Schwartz will be a part of this season.” We’re so excited to see Brändström, who directed The Rings of Power season two’s most epic battle episodes, back in the driver’s seat. And, of course, we are thrilled to see Sanaa Hamri return. Stefan Schwartz also has an impressive resume, including The Boys (Prime Video), The Walking Dead (AMC), Luther (BBC), and The Americans (FX) and we’re sure he’ll do amazing work.

RELATED ARTICLE

THE RINGS OF POWER’s Charlotte Brändström Talks Galadriel Being in Love with Halbrand and the Final Episode

Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, shares, “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and we’re thrilled that a third season is underway. The creative team has an extraordinary vision of what’s to come with stories that have left us enchanted and enthralled. We look forward to continuing this epic journey, for our global customers, delving even deeper into the legendary tales that shaped Middle-earth.”

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Zendaya Will Star in SHREK 5 as Shrek’s Daughter

Last year, Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri hinted that Shrek 5 could be coming our way with its original voice actors reprising their roles. Now, we know that Shrek 5 is officially happening, with Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, and Cameron Diaz returning as Donkey, Shrek, and Fiona, respectively. And there’s even a release date for Shrek 5, which was originally July 1, 2026 but is now pushed back to December 23, 2026. The film is in its early stages of development and, as Murphy previously said, a Donkey spinoff will happen sometime soon. But its latest news is some of the most exciting yet, Zendaya will be coming aboard Shrek 5.

Zendaya Joins Shrek 5 as Shrek’s Daughter

Shrek already has a star-studded cast, but a new Shrek movie means a new star for a new generation of viewers. And it doesn’t get any shinier than Zendaya, who is officially joining Shrek 5. Zendaya will play Shrek’s daughter in the movie. We still don’t know what Shrek 5 is about, but it looks like Shrek being a girl dad will definitely feature in the mix.

DreamworksShrek 5’s Teaser Trailer

Dreamworks Animation released a short announcement teaser (with the original date) to get fans excited about the upcoming sequel. We love the use of Smash Mouth’s “All Star,” which was prominently featured in the original Shrek film in 2001.

Not too Far, Far Away… @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. pic.twitter.com/3j6ctXpPGu

— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) July 9, 2024

The beloved animated franchise released its last film way back in 2010. For many years, fans thought it was the end of the story. But there’s apparently more jokes to be told in the fairy-tale land of Duloc.

What Is the Release Date for Shrek 5?Dreamworks Animation

Again, this film will hit theaters just in time for Christmas on December 23, 2026, which is not too far, far way.

Originally published July 9, 2024.

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LANTERNS First-Look Image Reveals Hal Jordan’s DCU Green Lantern Ring, Celebrates Production Start

James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU is officially off and running. We have movies and TV shows to look forward for the foreseeable future, and some of them are already in the works. Creature Commandos is already streaming on Max. Superman will hit cinemas in July while Peacemaker season two will premiere in August. The next series we have to look forward to doesn’t have a release date as of yet. However, it’s the project we’re maybe the most excited for at the moment. That is, of course, Lanterns, at last a full scale prestige drama series focusing on the oft-overlooked intergalactic police force.

Taking to social media, James Gunn revealed a first-look image from Lanterns. And in it, we get our first look at Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern Ring. Additionally, we see Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart together for the first time.

John P. Johnson/HBO

Gunn notes in his post, “Excited that #Lanterns is now in production. DC Studios’ new show for HBO and Max, from creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, & Tom King, starring Kyle Chandler & Aaron Pierre, is something really special.”

John P. Johnson/HBO

This is everything we know so far about Lanterns.

Title

The title of the series is simply Lanterns. The green is implied, I guess.

DC StudiosLanterns Plot

In his initial video announcing the DC Studios slate, James Gunn described the show John Stewart and Hal Jordan investigating a “terrifying mystery” that has huge ties to the entire franchise. He likened the “Earthbound” story to True Detective.

Later descriptions include a fuller look at the plot. “Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”

Behind the Scenes

Ozark showrunner and True Detective: Night Country producer Chris Mundy will serve as Lanterns‘ showrunner. Mundy along with comic writer Tom King (Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow) and Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen) have written the series pilot and bible.

James Gunn and Peter Safran said of the announcement: “We’re thrilled to bring this seminal DC title to HBO with Chris, Damon and Tom at the helm. John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with Superman.”

“When we first started the DCU, the first couple of weeks of heading this out, we got together with a group of writers, and Tom King was one of those writers, and we were in this room, and we came up with sort of this concept for Lanterns. It’s a much more it’s a very grounded series, a very real series, which is a strange thing to say about a Green Lanterns show. But it’s going to be something like nobody’s ever seen before.”

James Hawes, director of series like Doctor Who, Penny Dreadful, and Black Mirror, will direct the the first two episodes of Lanterns. He, along with the writers above, will serve as executive producers.

Filming is expected to take place from January to June 2025.

Lanterns‘ CastNBC/DC Comics

The series will focus on the veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan working a case with rookie GL John Stewart. In order to play these roles, DC would need some heavy hitters. And heavy hitters they got! Kyle Chandler (Bloodline, Friday Night Lights) has been cast as Hal Jordan.

To play the role of John Stewart, DC cast Aaron Pierre. Pierre had a big 2025 with both the Netflix thriller Rebel Ridge and as the titular voice in Disney’s not-live-action live action film Mufasa.

“Aaron Pierre is somebody who I’ve wanted to work together with for a long time,” said James Gunn during an NYCC panel. “People don’t know, but he was almost cast as Adam Warlock. He’s an amazing actor, and I just really admired him from the beginning of his career. Seeing him read with Kyle was one of those miraculous moments. I don’t care what they’re saying, I just love what they’re saying together.”

Max PR/Warner Bros Animation

Boardwalk Empire‘s Kelly Macdonald also joins Lanterns as “Sheriff Kerry, a no-nonsense woman deeply devoted to her family and close-knit town. Her resilience, shaped by a complex past that’s hardened her resolve, anchors her when the community’s secrets begin to surface.” According to Deadline, Kelly Macdonald’s character may also “be a potential love interest for Chandler’s Hal Jordan.” Very interesting.

Lanterns‘ Release Date

As of yet, Lanterns has no official release date. However, James Gunn gave us a hint as to when it will likely drop. He intends for the series come out around the same time as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which currently looks to bow in June 2026.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

Originally published on December 30, 2024.

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Celebrate MOANA 2’s Arrival on Digital and Streaming with Incredible Screaming HeiHei Toy and More!

If you missed going back down to the water while Moana 2 was in theaters, fear not. The incredible Disney sequel is now available to watch at home. Yes, you don’t have to go on a perilous oceanic quest to view the gorgeous film. (Although you can if you want to, it could add to the experience.) Instead, you can now officially rent or buy Moana 2 on all digital platforms. And more ways to watch Moana 2 are coming every day. On March 12, Moana will sail onto streaming, finally arriving on Disney+. And on March 18, Moana 2 will release on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD. Can we get a Chee Hoo?

If this news makes you want to get up and dance, you’re in extra luck because Moana 2‘s at-home releases come with a full-length sing-along version of the movie. Yes, you heard right, Moana 2 is officially ready to support your need to belt out every tune. (What can we say except, you’re welcome!) But if you’re throwing a karaoke party, we think you’re going to need some favors and snacks. But, hey, it turns out Moana and Maui have thought of everything already. To celebrate Moana 2‘s digital, streaming, and physical releases, the film shared an amazing mailer with Nerdist. And it’s filled with goodies that any Moana 2 fan will want to have as head off on the voyage all over again.

Nerdist Fill Your World with Moana 2 Toys, Snacks, and Sounds

A full-length sing-along version of Moana 2. We still can’t get over our excitement about that. In our Moana 2 mailer from Disney and Disney animation, we received an adorable Moana 2-themed mini karaoke machine. While you can’t get one exactly like it, you can snag the Moana 2 Bluetooth Sing-Along Boombox, so you, too, can sing along with Moana 2 in extra style.

Nerdist

But, there is good news. What you can bring home is probably the best toy we’ve ever seen. And that’s Squeeze & Scream Heihei. No one wants to sing alone, after all. And Heihei is READY to sing along with you. He makes the most amazing noises and is just as adorable and kooky as his on-screen form. I could not stop laughing and squeezing Squeeze & Scream Heihei. He is a delight. And honestly, I think every household should have one. You can check out some of his musical stylings below. (Sound on!)

Absolutely in love with Squeeze & Scream Heihei, thank you @Disney @DisneyAnimation pic.twitter.com/QDknGAxXvo

— Rotem Rusak (@Moondancer1626) February 27, 2025

Of course, you might want the woman of the hour herself, Moana, to accompany you on your viewing adventures. In that case, check out Mattel’s Moana 2 Fashion Doll. We love to see a strong, kind-hearted, and fierce heroine receive the love and honor they deserve. This Moana 2 Fashion Doll captures Moana’s spirit perfectly. We also love seeing the intricate details on Moana’s dress in person. They really are very carefully done. Whoever you are, she’ll be the perfect friend to rewatch Moana 2 with at home on digital, streaming, or physical media.

Nerdist

But, of course, no party is complete without snacks. And what goes better than viewing Moana 2 on your favorite platform than tropical gummies? These sour Passion Fruit gummy stars from Better Sour will let you experience the world of Moana through taste, as well as sight and sound. It’s a pretty essential snack for your viewing experience. And, yes, we can confirm. A delicious one. Incredibly, Better Sour’s gummies are not at all sweet. They say, better sour and they mean it. Instead, the snacks are VERY tangy and capture the real taste of passion fruit. These gummy stars are definitely a refreshing treat in the afternoon.

NerdistWhere Can You Watch Moana 2?

Okay! Now, you have speakers, a screaming rooster, and delectable snacks. All you need is Moana 2 and its sing-along version. But where can you watch Moana 2 again? Currently, Moana 2 is available to buy or rent on digital across all VOD platforms. Moana 2 will soon be available on streaming when it arrives on Disney+ on March 12. And if physical media is your passion, Moana 2 will also be released on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on March 18.

Nerdist

Now, the only thing the adventure is missing is you…and maybe a demigod or two.

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Nic Cage Is Raging and Vengeful in THE SURFER Trailer

Nic Cage has once again shocked me with the most ridiculous yet intriguing concept for a film. The Surfer is a psychological thriller about, you guessed it, surfing. The film was an official selection for both the Cannes Film Festival and South by Southwest. So even though The Surfer seems a little unserious from the trailer below it is actually anything but.

Here’s a quick synopsis before you get into the clip:

In the psychological thriller directed by Lorcan Finnegan, a man returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son. But his desire to hit the waves is thwarted by a group of locals whose mantra is “don’t live here, don’t surf here.” Humiliated and angry, the man is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising in concert with the punishing heat of the summer and pushes him to his breaking point.

The Surfer trailer is anxiety inducing, to say the least. It has fitting summer vibes for its release in May. It’s safe to say this film does not have the same humor elements as one of my favorite Cage films, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. However, like most Nic Cage, films it has a little touch of weirdness that the film doesn’t shy away from. I am getting a cross between Midsommar and Teen Beach Movie.

Roadside Attractions

Cage has been on a wave of interesting films lately. He seems to really just be picking what he finds the most fun and interesting. In my opinion, Nic Cage does best when he picks roles that allow him to be as quirky as possible. Case in point, when he played Professor Paul Matthews in Dream Scenario.

Starring alongside Cage is Julian McMahon, Nic Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, Alexander Bertrand, and Justin Rosniak. The film is directed by Lorcan Finnegan, an Irish filmmaker most known for the film Vivarium, a surrealist sci-fi horror. Catch The Surfer in theaters May 2, and maybe if you live near the coast you can also catch some waves.

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The COMPLETE Mission: Impossible Timeline

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to join Nerdist’s own Adam Murray as he burns his way through the entire Mission: Impossible timeline. Complete with explosions, rubber masks, death defying stunts, and more musical references than you’d expect.

Special thanks to:
Patrick Willems
Light The Fuse
Drew Taylor
and Isaac Ruth

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Image: Paramount

#NerdistNews #missionimpossible #timeline

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Michelle Trachtenberg Has Died, Former BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and GOSSIP GIRL Star Was 39

We’re extremely sad to report the untimely death of actress Michelle Trachtenberg at the age of 39. A whole generation of fans know Trachtenberg as the lead character in the film Harriet the Spy and for playing Dawn Summers in the last three seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She also featured on the CW series Gossip Girl, and early 2000s films like Euro Trip and Black Christmas. Michelle Trachtenberg’s death was first reported by the New York Post, then confirmed via Deadline. No cause of death is known, but apparently, Trachtenberg was discovered by her mother at her New York City apartment in the morning hours of February 26.

Twentieth Century Television/Max

Trachtenberg began her career as a child actor, appearing in commercials, and then featuring in the daytime soap opera All My Children. She later became an even bigger name in children’s television. This was mainly thanks to roles in Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete and the Discovery series Truth or Scare. She landed the lead role of Harriet the Spy in 1996 when she was only ten years old. In 2000, Michelle Trachtenberg joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the show’s fifth season, as Buffy’s mysterious kid sister Dawn. She remained until the series finale in 2003.

Post-Buffy, Michelle Trachtenberg continued to be a regular face on film and television. She appeared regularly on Gossip Girl starting in 2008, starring in over 28 episodes of that series. She later appeared in two episodes of the 2022 reboot. Trachtenberg has also shown up on various TV shows over the years, such as Sleepy Hollow, Law & Order, NCIS: Los Angeles, and many others. With news of the upcoming reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, many fans expected Michelle Trachtenberg to return as well. Sadly, that will now not be the case. Our sincere condolences go out to her friends and family.

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THE BOYS Adds Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins to Its Cast for a Full SUPERNATURAL Reunion

There’s been speculation about whether The Boys will turn into a full Supernatural reunion before it ends. With Jensen Ackles and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Soldier Boy and (the very dead) Joe Kessler already on board, fans were hoping that the show’s final season would bring Jared Padalecki on board. We already knew that Eric Kripke wanted Padalecki in The Boys and that the actor was ready to be in it. Now, The Boys social media accounts revealed that Jared Padalecki AND Misha Collins are cast in season five. 

We all remember Collins as Supernatural’s Castiel! Their roles in this series are being kept a secret for now but a press release confirms that they will indeed share scenes with Ackles’ Soldier Boy. They have work to do, indeed.

We don’t have a release date for this season but it is expected to arrive in 2026. This makes sense considering Gen V‘s sophomore season is supposed to be coming this year.

RELATED ARTICLE

Jared Padalecki Says He’s Ready for a Role in THE BOYS Season 5

We cannot wait to see how Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins make their guest appearances in The Boys season five alongside the main cast. It is possible that they could even be playing parodied versions of their Supernatural characters. That would be a hoot. 

Maarten de Boer/Brian Bowen Smith-The CW

Either way, this is exciting news that we all love to hear.

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Warner Bros. Discovery Cancels WONDER WOMAN Video Game, Closes 3 Games Studios

It has been a tough stretch for the video game industry, and the news seems to be getting worse all the time. After many cuts, layoffs, and studio closures that were announced this year and last, Warner Bros. Discovery is now putting its hat in the ring as well. The company revealed it would be shutting down three of its gaming studios and revealed that its Wonder Woman video game, announced back in 2021, is officially canceled. Among the three video game studios that Warner Bros. is closing down is developer Monolith Productions, which has been active for 31 years. Among other games, Monolith is known for having developed Middle-earth: Shadow of War. The studio behind MultiVersus has also been shuttered in this closure.

At some point, Warner Bros. Discovery intended to make its video games in-house, but this latest restructuring points to a different path.

Monolith Productions/Warner Bros. Games

Alongside the cancellation of its Wonder Woman game, Warner Bros. Discovery has closed down Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego. Monolith was developing the Wonder Woman game before Warner Bros. Discovery canceled it. Meanwhile, Player First Games was the team behind the MultiVersus game, which unfortunately did not perform to expectations. Warner Bros. Games San Diego was reportedly working on “an exciting new AAA, free-to-play, cross-platform game.”

In a statement about the closure of its games studios and overall restructuring efforts, Warner Bros. Discovery noted:

We have had to make some very difficult decisions to structure our development studios and investments around building the best games possible with our key franchises -– Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC and Game of Thrones. After careful consideration, we are closing three of our development studios – Monolith Productions, Player First Games and Warner Bros. Games San Diego. This is a strategic change in direction and not a reflection of these teams or the talent that consists within them.

The development of Monolith’s Wonder Woman videogame will not move forward. Our hope was to give players and fans the highest quality experience possible for the iconic character, and unfortunately this is no longer possible within our strategic priorities. This is another tough decision, as we recognize Monolith’s storied history of delivering epic fan experiences through amazing games. We greatly admire the passion of the three teams and thank every employee for their contributions. As difficult as today is, we remain focused on and excited about getting back to producing high-quality games for our passionate fans and developed by our world class studios and getting our Games business back to profitability and growth in 2025 and beyond.

Warner Bros./Player First Games

While strategy and admiration are great, seeing more and more video game studios closing their doors feels like a loss, especially when one has existed for over three decades. In an email from JB Perrette, which we saw via Polygon, the CEO and president of global streaming and games for Warner Bros. Discovery, Perrette states that Warner Bros. Games had a “disappointing 2024,” and adds, “We need to and will do better for our fans first and foremost, and also because regaining that credibility is critical to us securing even more investment in Games in the years to come. Getting our swagger back happens one high quality game release at a time, and our financial credibility gets rebuilt one fiscal quarter at a time — delivering what we said we would deliver, and no big negative surprises.”

Perrette does note Warner Bros. Discovery will “repurpose our talent where possible” and we hope that’s true.

DC/Rocksteady

All of this comes after David Haddad, who led the Warner Bros. Games division for 12 years, exited his role in January. Various reports point to the failure of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League to truly perform and the lackluster reception of the MultiVersus relaunch as key components of this restructuring. Hopefully, the refocusing of Warner Bros. Games will, in time, help create new opportunities for those in the video games world.

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THE PUNISHER Disney+ Special Will See Jon Bernthal Return to MCU After DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN

Frank Castle will arrive in the MCU proper on Daredevil: Born Again. Now we know he’s planning to stick around once he does. Jon Bernthal is co-writing his own Marvel special for The Punisher.

The Netflix era of Marvel shows ended with season two of The Punisher in 2019. Now, the character is ready to reunite with his fellow New York City vigilante on Daredevil: Born Again. We don’t yet know exactly what Frank Castle will do on the show (though we have some hints), but we know he’s going to make it out of the season alive. Jon Bernthal is penning the script for a Punisher special that will air on Disney+ (news we first heard at Entertainment Weekly). He’s co-writing the script with Reinaldo Marcus Green, director of We Own This City. Bernthal starred on the 2022 HBO miniseries as Sgt. Wayne Jenkins.

Marvel Studios/Netflix

The head of Marvel Television Brad Winderbaum told EW the idea for the Marvel special came during the making of Daredevil: Born Again. On that upcoming series Winderbaum says Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock turns to Castle “because he needs something done that he’s unwilling to do.” And, like “a bull in a china shop,” the Punisher “drives right to the heart of the matter.”

That’s an interesting tidbit for Daredevil: Born Again. As for The Punisher Marvel special, Winderbaum says, “It’s like a shotgun blast of a story, but also has all the pathos and emotion that you want out of a Frank Castle story.”

Marvel Studios/Netflix

Winderbaum recently said Marvel Studios is considering bringing back the rest of the Netflix era Defenders. This news makes that seem even more likely. It also indicates Disney hasn’t given up on doing MCU specials on its streaming service. Both Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special earned high marks from critics and fans.

From what we know of Jon Bernthal’s vigilante, we’d bet his special will kill, too.

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