Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 85

7th HEAVEN May Be the Latest ’90s Show to Get a Reboot

When you think of the WB network, you probably think of iconic ’90s/early 2000s shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson’s Creek, and Smallville. But the longest-running WB show, and their biggest ratings grabber, was the wholesome family drama 7th Heaven. The show, about a California minister and his rather large family, ran for a whopping eleven seasons. It outlasted the WB itself, and finished its run on the CW. Now, according to Deadline, the show is getting a reboot via CBS Studios, with original star Jessica Biel as a producer.

Spelling Television/CBS Studios

What remains unclear is whether or not this will be a total reboot, or some kind of legacy sequel continuation of the original 7th Heaven series. We’re going to lean toward total reboot, as the family patriarch of the show, actor Stephen Collins, admitted to several heinous crimes in recent years. We won’t get into the specifics of what they are. But if you’re curious, there’s a whole episode of Hollywood Demons covering it. So the series lead from the original show almost certainly won’t be coming back. But with Jessica Biel involved, maybe she carries on the torch? We don’t really know at this point.

7th Heaven became one of the last hits produced by television legend Aaron Spelling. From the ’70s through the ’90s, Spelling produced a metric ton of hit shows that remain iconic to this day. Among them are Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Dynasty, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, and Charmed. Much of the Spelling library is now owned by CBS Studios. They’ve looked to capitalize on the late Mr. Spelling’s iconic brand of shows for the streaming era. We’ll soon find out if 7th Heaven can find a new life in a landscape where television is so different.

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New HUNGER GAMES Movie Casts Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket

Not too long ago, on the very heels of a new Hunger Games book announcement, we also received new of a new Hunger Games movie, and this time it’s all about Haymitch Abernathy. Suzanne Collins announced that she was releasing a new Hunger Games book, Sunrise on the Reaping, that would focus on the Second Quarter Quell, the Hunger Games that were won by a young Haymitch Abernathy. And, unsurprisingly, Lionsgate followed up that announcement by announcing Sunrise on the Reaping will become our newest Hunger Games movie. Now Sunrise on the Reaping, the book, is out in the world, and we have new information about the movie, too, a new logo and a writer.

Check it all out below.

LionsgateA New Hunger Games Movie Is on the Way

Lionsgate shared, “Lionsgate will return to the world of Panem with the major motion picture adaptation of the next book in the franchise, Suzanne Collins’s highly anticipated Hunger Games novel Sunrise on the Reaping, it was announced today by Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.”

Lionsgate

Additionally, Nina Jacobson, alongside her producing partner Brad Simpson, will return to produce The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. A release notes that “Francis Lawrence is in talks to direct the film; Lawrence has helmed four previous films in the Hunger Games franchise – every film since Catching Fire.”

Most recently, screenwriter Billy Ray was named the writer for Sunrise on the Reaping. Ray co-wrote the original The Hunger Games movie and get ready for it that iconic Nicole Kidman AMC ad. Amazing.

Sunrise on the Reaping CastDisney/Lionsgate

The first two major cast members have closed deals to star in Sunrise on the Reaping. Deadline reports relative newcomer Joseph Zada will portray Haymitch in the movie. Opposite him, as Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird, will be Hocus Pocus 2‘s Whitney Peak.

After many rumors, Deadline confirms that Elle Fanning will play a younger Effie Trinket. This well-known The Hunger Games character was first played by Elizabeth Banks in the first four movies. Additionally, McKenna Grace will play Maysilee Donner, another one of the tributes from District 12.

In exciting news, Sunrise on the Reaping has cast Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee. Plutarch Heavensbee is a future Head Gamemaker in The Hunger Games and rebellion leader. The role of Plutarch Heavensbee was previously played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, and honestly, this casting is astoundingly good.

Mufasa: The Lion King‘s Kelvin Harrison Jr. has been cast as a familiar face, Beetee. Beetee is the victor of the 34th Hunger Games and the father of Ampert Latier, a tribute in the 50th Hunger Games. Beetee is a tech wizard and we feel Kelvin Harrison Jr. will play him to perfection.

Ben Wang of American Born Chinese and Karate Kid: Legends fame will portray District 12 Tribute Wyatt Callow. He is an excellent actor and won the role over literally thousands of other potential candidates.

Additionally, Stranger Things Maya Hawke has joined the cast as Wiress, another Hunger Games victor who has become a mentor to new tributes. Finally, Ralph Fiennes has joined Sunrise on the Reaping as the new President Snow—cementing yet another major villainous role in his repertoire.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping‘s Synopsis and Haymitch Focus

A plot synopsis for the new Hunger Games movie shares of the Sunrise on the Reaping film:

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Of course, as mentioned, this setting means we’ll get the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy in the new Hunger Games movie.

When Will the New Hunger Games Movie Sunrise on the Reaping Release?Lionsgate

The new Hunger Games movie even has a release date. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will release in theaters in North America beginning on November 20, 2026.

Originally published in 2024.

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ZOOTOPIA 2 Trailer Throws a Dance Party and Teases a Menacing New Threat

After a very long wait, the pride of Bunnyburrow is ready to get back on the job in the big city. Officer Judy Hopps will return to the beat for the ZDP when Disney’s Zootopia 2 arrives in theaters this fall. This time her partner will have his own badge now that ole sly fox Nick Wilde is a fellow officer. Only, the film’s first teaser trailer hints at a dangerous case that will see the duo trying to bring down a menacing figure.

Zootopia 2‘s first official teaser is equal parts movie promo and dance party. This fun, fast look at the film features plenty of beloved characters from the first film. It also shows that Judy and Nick will have some help. This trailer teases a new partner, the “mysterious pit viper,” Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan).

This trailer shows the trio is in a whole lot trouble, seemingly both with the law and a new criminal mastermind. Who or what is going on here? The film’s official synopsis offers some more insight. Nick’s old conman ways will be a big help for this case. From Disney:

In the film, which opens only in theaters Nov. 26, Judy and Nick find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De’Snake arrives in Zootopia and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, they must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before.

Disney

Zootopia 2 comes from the directing team of Jared Bush (co-director/co-writer Zootopia and Encanto) and Byron Howard (director Zootopia and Encanto). Bush also wrote the script. The sequel will also see Ke Fortune Feimster and Quinta Brunson join the series. Brunson will play Dr. Fuzzby, “an adorable quokka” who will help Judy and Nick “sort out a few issues in their partnership.”

Hopefully she’s also good with snakes. We’ll find out if she is when Zootopia 2 comes to theaters on November 26, 2025.

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YELLOWJACKETS Scores a Season 4 Renewal

The Wilderness continues to call us for more cannibalism. Yellowjackets season three ended with a big cliffhanger as Natalie escaped the group with that transmitter and finally got a human on the other line. That means the soccer girlies are getting much closer to being rescued from the woods, even if some of them aren’t willing to let go yet. The show gave us answers to big questions, like the Pit Girl’s identity, but there are more questions still. Thankfully, Yellowjackets will return for season four, thanks to a renewal by Showtime. 

According to Deadline, the survival series had strong ratings for its third season. While we have many feelings about Yellowjackets’ storylines and choices, the fact is that people really wanna know how this is all going to end. 

Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

“Yellowjackets has become a cultural juggernaut, with season three shattering all previous records – we are thrilled to announce its renewal for a season four on Paramount+,” Chris McCarthy, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, said in a statement. “Ashley [Lyle] and Bart [Nickerson] have masterfully crafted an utterly singular, genre-defying phenomenon— a perfect alchemy of psychological horror, survival thriller, and coming-of-age drama that continues to captivate audiences worldwide, brought to life by our extraordinarily talented and beloved cast.”

Will we finally get answers about that symbol? Will someone finally kill Shauna so everyone can have peace? We will see when Yellowjackets returns for season four in the future, and we are glad Showtime gave us renewal news to feed us in the meantime.

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WEDNESDAY Season 2 Clip Dives Into Addams Family Lore

The supreme Addams family member is coming back to our TV screens in two snaps. Well, not quite that fast. But soon enough, Netflix’s Wednesday will return for season two and we cannot wait to hear Jenna Ortega’s snappy one-liners once again. At the end of season one, Wednesday and her friends defeat Laurel Gates. Meanwhile, Tyler is set to escape his very short time in custody. Nevermore Academy is understandably closed for the remainder of the semester as a result of all the drama. But what will happen when the school opens up once again? We don’t know yet.

A recent sneak peek clip from Wednesday season two dives into how this season will build Addams family lore in ways we haven’t seen before. It looks like Morticia will really get to expand her role this season, including a blindfolded fencing scene with Wednesday. She is and will always be Mother.

Here’s everything we know about Wednesday season two. 

Wednesday Season Two’s Plot Netflix

It’s pretty clear that Wednesday, Enid, and others will return back to Nevermore. We also know that someone is watching Wednesday and threatening to kill her, based on a text message she received while leaving Nevermore. There are still some secrets in Jericho to uncover, indeed, and we get a taste of the action in this trailer.

Netflix gave us our first footage from Wednesday season two a while back. It is only five seconds but we see Wednesday visiting Tyler Galpin a.k.a. The Hyde at Willow Hill psychiatric hospital.

You're not ready for Wednesday Season 2. #NextOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/ZDx2501wIm

— Netflix (@netflix) January 30, 2025

During the 2024 Emmys, Jenna Ortega revealed that the next season of Wednesday will pack in lots of horror, have more wonderful quotes, and that each episode will feel like its own movie. 

What I can say … [is] we’re definitely leaning into a little bit more horror,” the Scream actress teased. “It’s really, really exciting because all throughout the show, Wednesday does need a bit of an arc, she never really changes, and that’s the wonderful thing about her.”

Ortega previously stated this, saying the show will leave romance in the rearview mirror. As much as we love a good romance triangle, Wednesday is at her best when she’s investigating and verbally skewering people. 

Season two’s first episode is titled “Here We Woe Again,” which we discovered in this cute announcement video.

Here we woe again. pic.twitter.com/FPYrc5Tnaj

— Wednesday Addams (@wednesdayaddams) May 7, 2024

We probably won’t get getting another infamous dance… at least, not as far as Jenna Ortega knows. Ortega talked about Wednesday season two during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and she wasn’t aware of another big dance break; however, the show still has a ways to go for filming. Ortega did open up about her fears of returning and promised big moments this season.

“I was a little terrified just because it had been years since Wednesday, since we shot the first one. We did that like two or three years ago in Romania,” Ortega said. “So, I didn’t really know how I… I just was, I think, overthinking it.  But as soon as you put on the costumes by Colleen Atwood, you get hair and makeup done, and then you take all the expression out of your face, it’s like, ‘Oh, okay. I kind of, I know how to do this. Yeah. Yeah.'”

Behind the Scenes

Jenna Ortega will join Tim Burton and Steve Stark, and others as an executive producer. Alfred Gough and Miles Millar will continue as co-showrunners. It remains to be seen who will direct its episodes. As of May 2024, Wednesday season two filming began in Ireland in May 2024 and wrapped in December.

Wednesday Season 2 is NOW IN PRODUCTION 🖤 Please give a round of double snaps to our cast — now including Christopher Lloyd, Steve Buscemi, Thandiwe Newton, Joanna Lumley, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, and Billie Piper! pic.twitter.com/v6nX6eLPP8

— Netflix (@netflix) May 7, 2024

Jenna Ortega closes the coffin on Wednesday Season 2. Coming 2025 🖤 pic.twitter.com/QJwBh1fEts

— Netflix (@netflix) December 4, 2024

Wednesday Season Two’s Cast Vlad Cioplea/Netflix

Alongside Ortega, Emma Myers (Enid Sinclair), Joy Sunday (Bianca Barclay), Jamie McShane (Sheriff Galpin), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Morticia Addams), Luis Guzmán (Gomez Addams), Isaac Ordonez (Pugsley Addams), and Hunter Doohan (Tyler Galpin), Fred Armisen (Uncle Fester) will return. Uncle Fester is reportedly getting his own spinoff, so an episode this season could serve as a backdoor pilot for that show. Speaking of Addams family members, there are new ones this season. Joanna Lumley is portraying Grandmama Hester Frump, Morticia’s mother. And Joonas Suotamo is the family’s butler Lurch, of course.

It doesn’t seem that Christina Ricci will return as Laurel Gates but anything is possible.

20th century studios

We do know that there will be an Edward Scissorhands reunion this season. Variety reports that Anthony Michael Hall, who played Kim’s jerk boyfriend Jim, will reunite with Tim Burton in Wednesday season two. Details about his role are unknown at this time.

In recent news, Lady Gaga is joining the cast for season two in some capacity that is not fully known at this time. Ortega opened up about working with Gaga on Wednesday and what her personality is like.

“It’s the best. She’s the best, definitely one of the most talented individuals I’ve ever worked with,” Ortega said to IndieWire. “It was just a really, really special environment to be there with her and Tim [Burton], two people that I respect and have been inspired by so much….Then just finding out that she’s such a sweetheart and really kind and reserved, it’s very strange. I love that you never know what to expect from her, but you can always expect kindness and generosity.”

According to Netflix, Billie Piper (who will play a character named Capri), Evie Templeton, Owen Painter, and Noah Taylor are joining the cast in a full-time capacity. Addams Family alum Christopher Lloyd is joining as a guest star alongside Frances O’Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, and Thandiwe Newton (as Dr. Fairburn).

Deadline reports that Steve Buscemi has joined the cast as well, and “will play the new principal of Nevermore Academy.” His character’s name is Barry Dort.

Last year’s TUDUM event revealed that we will meet a new Addams family member. We had a few ideas about which Addams family member could show up in Wednesday. And now we know that Joanna Lumley will portray Grandmama in Wednesday‘s second season.

Wednesday Season Two’s Release Date

Wednesday season two has eight episodes and will release in two equal parts, with Part I coming August 6 and Part II coming September 3.

Originally published on January 16, 2024.

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After BARBIE, Mattel’s Cinematic Universe Is Ready with 16 Movies

Move over old MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), the new MCU (Mattel Cinematic Universe) has arrived, and it’s ready to launch with 15 announced movies and reportedly 45 more films waiting in the wings. How many phases is that? Bolstered by the success of the Barbie movie, Mattel is ready to turn all its toys into tales for the young and old. And while nostalgia is on their side, to a degree, it feels like the beauty of Barbie did not come simply from Barbie being a beloved and ubiquitous doll. Instead, the movie’s success stemmed from that truth mixed in with other integral components parts like heart, humanity, and a true purpose of story.

One film that is starting to take shape is Mattel’s Matchbox movie. It doesn’t have a release date yet but the Matchbox movie did add The Walking Dead‘s Danai Gurira to its cast alongside John Cena.

PBS/Mattel

Although the Mattel Cinematic Universe may gain some curiosity points for things like Wishbone for the modern age, and may actually deliver some more interesting movies, like a surrealistic take on Barney—it feels like most of these post-Barbie Mattel movies will likely not take away the correct lessons. Here are the 15 movies Mattel has in the works after Barbie.

Here are the projects Mattel has in store.

Mattel’s 15 Announced Projects—From Polly Pocket to UNO and More

Mattel’s CEO Ynon Kreiz recently spoke more about the Mattel Cinematic Universe, sharing, “What you saw around the Barbie movie was, we believe, a template, a case study, an opportunity to truly understand the value and appeal that our brands have, the cultural resonance, and, importantly, our ability to execute these projects both creatively and commercially…We hope and expect to have more. I’m not saying it will be as big or as successful as Barbie, but it will be the same approach.”

Whac-A-Mole Mattel

The game where you hit seemingly innocent moles on the head with a large mallet is coming to the big screen. Mattel and TriStar Pictures are currently developing a live-action and animation hybrid movie about Whac-A-Mole. Interesting.

BarneyPBS Kids/Universal Pictures

Of all the movies on this list, Barney feels like it will have the most legs to stand on. Produced by Daniel Kaluuya, this take on the movie won’t necessarily feature a “dark” Barney, but will likely share some of Barbie‘s more adult visions of the childhood classic. Mattel Films executive Kevin McKeon noted to The New Yorker that the movie was “surrealistic.” And offered, “It’s really a play for adults. Not that it’s R-rated, but it’ll focus on some of the trials and tribulations of being thirtysomething, growing up with Barney—just the level of disenchantment within the generation.”

Interestingly, Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz softened this description a bit recently. According to Variety, he offered, “It’s too early to be specific, but I can tell you we are taking a fresh approach that will be fun, entertaining, and culturally oriented. It will not be an odd movie.” We guess we’ll have to see what balance of strangeness is struck in the Barney movie.

Kaluuya, meanwhile, previously noted, “Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood… We’re excited to explore this compelling modern-day hero and see if his message of ‘I love you, you love me’ can stand the test of time.”

Hulu/PBS Kids

Joining Kaluuya in the project is The Bear‘s Ayo Edebiri, who is set to write the Barney movie and also in talks to star in it.

Like Barbie, Barney evokes a specific set of feelings in different generations. A Barney movie does seem like a rife place for Mattel to take the right next step in their cinematic universe.

View-MasterMattel

Remember the View-Master toy? You could look into it and see pictures and a kaleidoscope of 3D images. Well, Mattel’s latest project is a live-action View-Master film in conjunction with Sony.

“View-Master has inspired generations to embark on boundless adventures, offering a treasure trove of storytelling possibilities for this film,” said Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Films. “We’re thrilled to work with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Escape Artists’ Todd Black to bring this Mattel franchise to life. Their creative and filmmaking expertise sets the stage to introduce a modern take on this beloved toy to audiences everywhere.”

Monster High

A Monster High live-action movie is heading to screens courtesy of Mattel and Universal Pictures. Currently, Akiva Goldsman is attached as a producer. Little is known about the movie, but it will seek to bring to life Monster High’s message of celebrating “the unique sensibilities at the core of who we are as individuals.”

American Girl

Now, we don’t feel surprised Mattel wants to explore an American Girl movie as part of its cinematic universe. In fact, the American Girl brand could actually be a movie universe all on its own, considering it has many stories already ready to go. But it sounds like for now there will only be on American Doll movie. According to Variety, it will be “a family comedy” which will “help girls grow with confidence and develop character.” 

Most recently, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Paramount Pictures and Temple Hill would develop this movie. Pet Sematary: Bloodlines‘ Lindsey Anderson Beer write and produce the movie. Beer shares, “Growing up, my sister and I were American Girl girls. I had Kirsten, and she had Molly. They didn’t feel like dolls to play with, rather real people whose worlds we got to imagine ourselves in. They are historically accurate toys and accessories that feature elaborate and immersive backstories uniquely suited to bring to screen.”

Polly Pocket

If one doll can make for a successful movie, we can see how Mattel imagines another can. A Polly Pocket movie does certainly have an interesting setting. Everything is small, for one. So we guess that could make for some sort of interesting commentary, although Polly Pocket doesn’t seem to come with as strong a perspective as Barbie, as far as the brand goes. The Polly Pocket movie will star Lily Collins and come from writer/director Lena Dunham.

Hot WheelsPeak Time Racing

J.J. Abrams is set to bring a Hot Wheels movie to life. People certainly do love Hot Wheels and car movies have seen success in the past… So we guess we’ll just have to wait and see what kind of emotion, character, and lens flare can come of a Hot Wheels movie.

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots

We somehow feel unsurprised to hear Vin Diesel will star in a movie featuring Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. We supposed there’s a real tragedy in having to constantly hit someone else for your whole existence. But we feel this might become a gritty action movie instead. Ryan Engle is set to write the script.

Magic 8 Ball

According to Variety, the Magic 8 Ball movie will “probably be a PG-13 thriller.” But, we think Mattel should go with an R-rated horror movie surrounding the Magic 8 Ball. Now that would give us truly something we could not have expected. But we can see it now. Ask a question if you dare and no do-overs to your fate.

Masters of the UniverseStarz/Netflix

A live-action He-Man adaptation has been in the works for a long time. After being canceled at Netflix, the Masters of the Universe movie found a new home on Amazon. Nicholas Galitzine is set to star as He-Man, and several other cast members have also been revealed.

Major Matt Mason

This Mattel doll is a little different from the others mentioned, Major Matt Mason is an astronaut action figure from the 1960s. He lives and works on the moon, so we guess we can see where this is going. Mattel’s Cinematic Universe will likely reach space much more quickly than even the MCU did. The movie will star Tom Hanks, and Akiva Goldsman and Michael Chabon are attached as writers.

UNO

Okay, an UNO movie really has us shaking our heads. UNO is a great card game, but we’re not really sure how it’s a movie! Marcy Kelly, however, will figure it out as the named writer.

Wishbone PBS

Does Wishbone really need a reboot? The Wishbone PBS ’90s show lives as a perfect masterpiece and we shouldn’t touch it. Not even if it means another cute and well-read Jack Russell terrier on our screens.

Matchbox

The Matchbox movie will be another car-centric piece for Mattel starring John Cena and Danai Gurira, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, and Arturo Castro are also apart of the cast. Apparently, it will be an action movie depicting the toys from 1953.

Deadline revealed that Extraction‘s Sam Hargrave would direct the movie.

Thomas & Friends

Thomas & Friends had 24 seasons and aired from 1984 to 2021—a good long life. But now Mattel will resurrect Thomas & Friends as a fantasy movie from director Marc Forster.

Christmas Balloon

Mattel will give themselves a biopic with this movie based on a true story. Per Variety, Christmas Balloon will tell the tale of “when Mattel donated toys to help make a young girl’s dream come true after she tied her Christmas list to a balloon that was found by a grieving couple who worked with the toy company to fulfill the girl’s wishes. Mattel looks to produce a family drama drawing from the story.”

Originally published on September 8, 2023.

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Mattel Is Making a Whac-A-Mole Live-Action and Animation Hybrid Movie, Apparently

The MCU is adding another movie to its franchise. No, not the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We mean the Mattel Cinematic Universe, which is bizarrely a thing after the big success of the Barbie movie. The power of Margot Robbie knows no bounds. We know that there are over a dozen films in the works, many of which we’ve detailed in this very handy post. But there’s yet another one to add. Mattel and TriStar Pictures are developing a live-action and animated hybrid movie about Whac-A-Mole. (Thank you Variety for bringing news to our attention that we truly did not see coming.)

For those who are reading this and aren’t familiar, Whac-A-Mole is a simple game. It involves a surface, whether on an arcade game or a smaller version for your desk, that has about 4-8 holes in it. The player takes a large mallet and, as little moles pop out of the hole, attempts to hit as many as possible until time runs out. The more moles ya whack, the more points ya get.

Mattel

For the Whac-A-Mole movie from Mattel, we assume that the moles are the animated part and the humans whacking at them are the live-action portion. 

RELATED ARTICLE

After BARBIE, Mattel’s Cinematic Universe Is Ready with 15 Movies

We don’t know what the storyline could be or what’s going on in Hollywood these days. But we do know that Mattel Films president Robbie Brenner is stoked about this new film.

“Whac-A-Mole is more than a game — it’s a laugh-out-loud battle of reflexes that has brought joy and a little chaos to families for five decades,” said Brenner. “We’re beyond excited to team up with TriStar Pictures to turn the iconic experience into a wild, action-packed ride for the big screen.”

So yeah, there’s your weird news for the day. Have a good one!

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ANDOR Season 2 Nearly Had a Princess Leia Cameo

The final season of Andor tied things in very closely to the events of Rogue One. However, one pivotal character from that film, and one of the most iconic Star Wars characters of all time, was absent. Not only absent, but not even mentioned. We’re talking about Princess Leia Organa, who was active in the Rebellion during the events of Andor’s final episodes. Her father, Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan (Benjamin Bratt), was a key figure in the final season. It turns out, a Leia cameo nearly happened. But Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy ultimately decided not to shoot it.

Lucasfilm

In an interview with ScreenRant, Gilroy said his initial idea was to make the Leia cameo happen during the episode “What a Festive Evening.” Bail Organa runs into Mon Mothma at the Investiture party, and Leia would have been with her father. During this time, about three years before A New Hope, Mon Mothma would have encouraged Leia to pursue a political career. Which of course, we know she does. By the time we meet Leia in A New Hope, she’s the junior senator from Alderaan. Here’s what Gilroy had to say about the proposed cameo:

There were some nutrients for a scene between her and Mothma that if she was going there at 16 and Mothma had gone to the Senate when she was 16. There was some basic cool things for a scene, but it never got past that, and it never went to the casting stage, or it never got more real than that. I remember talking to Kathy [Kennedy] about it and talking to Pablo [Hidalgo] about it, but it never got traction, and then it became a distraction.

Of course, Leia’s inclusion as a teenage senator would have required another recasting for the character. The actress who played her in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Vivien Lyra Blair, was still only 11 at the time of filming for Andor season two. Casting someone closer to Carrie Fisher’s age in A New Hope for just a cameo scene would have been distracting. Still, given Leia’s importance to the saga, and to Bail Organa himself, a mention might have been nice. But maybe that’s all something that needs to play out in a potential Princess Leia prequel series. Because you just know Lucasfilm is going to make that at some point.

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Who Is Ultraman from James Gunn’s SUPERMAN? His Bizarre DC Comics History, Explained

James Gunn’s Superman will feature plenty of other DC characters, from Metamorpho to Green Lantern Guy Gardner. But one somewhat obscure DC character is set to appear, and we even see him in the most recent trailer: Ultraman. No, not the Japanese superhero. DC Comics’ Ultraman is a villain. And although the version we see in the Superman trailer looks different, he does boast Ultraman’s “U” emblem on his chest. Recent toy images have confirmed that this character is indeed Ultraman. But can it be the same one from the comics? Actually, in the comics, there have been three different villains by that name.

DC Studios/DC ComicsDC Comics’ First Ultraman, an Evil Superman from Earth-3

The first DC Comics Ultraman was a member of the Crime Syndicate of Earth-3, first appearing in 1964’s Justice League of America #29. This was early during the emergence of DC’s Multiverse, just a few years after DC introduced the concept of Earth-2 as the home of the World War II era Justice Society. Earth-3 was home to evil counterparts to the Justice League, led by a villainous Superman named Ultraman. This caped despot was the polar opposite of Superman, although he had all of Superman’s powers, but used them to commit criminal acts.

DC Comics

All we knew about this Ultraman was that he came to Earth from a Krypton that didn’t explode, and unlike Superman, he gains more power from Kryptonite instead of it slowly killing him. Why there’s even Kryptonite when Krypton didn’t explode, we’re not sure. He worked with his cohorts, the Crime Syndicate, to invade Earth-1 with the help of Lex Luthor. Ultraman and the Syndicate continued to plague the heroes of Earth-1 for decades, before finding a conscience and stepping up as heroes when Earth-3 was under threat during Crisis on Infinite Earths. Ultraman died in the Crisis, as a hero, trying to save his world.

The Second Ultraman, from the Anti-Matter Earth

In the post-Crisis DC Universe, writer Grant Morrison reimagined Ultraman and the Crime Syndicate as citizens of the Anti-Matter Universe. Morrison and artist Frank Quitely introduced this Ultraman in the graphic novel JLA: Earth-2. There, everything is the opposite of the main DC Earth, or “Earth-0”. This Ultraman was a regular Earth human named Clark Kent, an astronaut who gained powers in space when encountering aliens who rewired his DNA using Kryptonite. They then returned him to Earth with Kryptonian-like powers and a desire to conquer the world.

In 2013, DC introduced yet another Ultraman, this time from a new version of Earth-3.

Ultraman from the Reimagined Earth-3DC Comics

In the most recent DC Comics, Ultraman was once again the Kryptonian doppelgänger of Superman. Instead of Kal-El, son of Jor-El, he was Kal-Il, son of Jor-Il, sent by his father to conquer Earth, not save it. He forced the human Kents to provide him cover as their adopted son, Clark. But he was unrepentantly evil. By the age of 7, he killed his adoptive parents. Like previous iterations of Ultraman, he gained more power from Kryptonite exposure, and also led the Crime Syndicate. He seemingly died in battle with the son of Superman, Jonathan Kent.

Is Ultraman from James Gunn’s Superman Really Bizarro?DC Comics

So will this Ultraman from James Gunn’s Superman be a Multiversal variant? We don’t know for sure, but we have a strong feeling he won’t be. If we were to guess, he’ll be a mix of two Superman doppelgängers: Ultraman and Bizarro. In the comics, Bizarro was a clone of Kal-El’s that came out wrong. His DNA degraded to the point where he became a simple-minded creature with pasty white skin. We think Ultraman will be a clone of Superman, wearing a mask to protect his true identity from Kal-El. He will be Luthor’s chief weapon against Superman. But we don’t think he’ll hail from the Multiverse. And we wouldn’t be shocked if before the movie ends, he becomes Bizarro. Especially as Bizarro is a major Superman villain who has yet to appear in a movie. If he appears, that would make for a cool final twist.

Superman arrives in theaters on July 11.

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James Gunn Confirms the DCU’s Timeline Is in Release Order… For Now

Although Creature Commandos came first, it’s James Gunn’s Superman that really kicks off the new DCU properly. It will be followed by Peacemaker season 2, then Supergirl in 2026, as well as Clayface. But will all of these projects actually be in chronological order? After all, the third MCU film, Captain America: The First Avenger, took place before Iron Man and Iron Man 2. So far, however, it seems Gunn has confirmed that the DCU timeline will be a (mostly) linear one. Each new film/series takes place after the one that preceded it. No shenanigans. Via IGN, here’s what we learned Gunn said when someone on social media asked him about the DCU timeline:

As of now it’s basically as the movies and shows come out – although of course some of these feature flashbacks – Creature Commandos, Superman, Peacemaker, Lanterns, Supergirl.

Warner Bros.

If anything, this kind of confirms that Lanterns will arrive on HBO Max before Supergirl arrives in theaters in June 2026. Having said that, in his response, Gunn used the phrase “As of now.” This means that when they get to future projects, like the Wonder Woman prequel series Paradise Lost, we may have DCU entries that take place long before anything set in the present day. If the Booster Gold series ever gets off the ground, that one may potentially take place in the future.

But for now, any potential “DCU Timeline” we see on HBO Max in 2027 or so will simply be the announced projects in their chronological release order. And this is a good thing, in our opinion. Sometimes things like Star Wars, which has movies and TV series set all over the timeline, are confusing to general audiences. There’s nothing wrong with everything simply set in the order we see them. This is something James Gunn definitely seems to understand.

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