Newstime: The Stories You Might Have Missed This Week

From film to TV, gaming to comics and everything in between, here’s what you might have missed in pop culture news this week.

TV

Production on the Game of Thrones prequel, which is currently working under the title of Bloodmoon, is well underway, and photos from the set hint towards an early version of the Stark house sigil. This coincides with George R.R. Martin recently confirming the Stark family would appear in the new series.

Only shortly before sunset the prop boat came out of the grotto again to go back to the production’s second base in the port of Gaeta. This time the boat’s crew was in costume and the banner (which might be an early Stark one?) revealed. #Bloodmoon #Gaeta pic.twitter.com/WYRFn3aJMT

— GoTlike Locations (@GoTlikeLocation) July 15, 2019

Also in GoT news, the nominees for the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards have recently been announced, and it would seem Westeros is being well represented well this year. The show’s final season has claimed a record-breaking 32 nominations across multiple categories.

Supergirl is getting a fresh new look in season five. Star Melissa Benoist recently shared her new costume, which swaps out her previous red skirt for pants.

The Walking Dead executive producer Greg Nicotero is currently helming a TV series revival of the 1982 Creepshow anthology project, which was originally directed by zombie maestro George A. Romero, and written by none other than Stephen King himself. This new series has just released its first poster, and whilst an official release date is yet to be announced, it is expected to begin airing later this year.

Amazon keeps amping up its original content for Prime Video, and has now announced a perfect companion series to their Jack Ryan series based on Tom Clancy’s spy thrillers. According to Variety, Amazon has also secured the rights to begin adapting Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, a character which has previously been played twice on the big screen by Tom Cruise. At present, there is no indication which actor will take over the role for the new series.

Whilst Haunting of Bly Manor, the sequel series to Netflix’s Haunting of Hill House, will have an entirely different storyline from its predecessor, it looks as though a few of the original cast are set to return in new roles. Most recently Oliver Jackson-Cohen, who played the troubled Crain brother, Luke, in the first series, has recently been confirmed as returning alongside Victoria Pedretti, who played his sister Nell.

Whilst appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live to publicise his The Lion King remake, director Jon Favreau confirmed he is already working on writing the second season to the new live-action Star Wars series, The Mandalorian.

Derek Kolstad, creator of the John Wick series, has reportedly been added to the writing team on Marvel’s upcoming Falcon and Winter Soldier series aimed to be released on the Disney+ platform. Kolstad is set to join writer Malcolm Spellman, previously known for his work on the hip hop/music industry drama Empire.

FILM

It’s a good news/bad news scenario in regards to the latest announcements around Marvel’s upcoming Phase Four films. The good news is that everyone’s favourite Kiwi director Taika Waititi is confirmed to be returning to helm the God of Thunder’s next outing in Thor 4. The bad news is that, as a result, Waititi’s much hyped live-action Akira adaptation has been placed on the backburner indefinitely.

Baz Luhrmann has recently cast The Shannara Chronicles actor Austin Butler as Elvis Presley in his upcoming biopic about the King of Rock’n’Roll. Butler has beaten out other favourites for the role including Ansel Elgort and Harry Styles.

Whilst he may have missed out on playing The King, One Direction’s Harry Styles may be able to become a prince instead. The singer is reportedly in negotiations to play Prince Eric in the new live-action Little Mermaid adaptation.

Matthew Vaughn has released the first trailer for his upcoming Kingsman prequel film, The King’s Man, which is set during the events of World War I and explains the origins of the Kingsman Secret Service agency. The King’s Man is set to hit cinemas in February 2020.

Ghostbusters 2020 director Jason Reitman has released the first behind-the-scenes pic from the set of the franchise’s new film. Featuring the young cast who will serve as the film’s main characters, as well as original director (and Jason’s father) Ivan Reitman, many fans have been quick to point out the resemblance of young star McKenna Grace to the original Ghostbuster, Egon Spengler. This has sparked all manner of theories about the familial relationship these new characters will have to the legacy characters.

The Family’s All Here#GB20 pic.twitter.com/tUGnwzLP5T

— Jason Reitman (@JasonReitman) July 13, 2019

ANIMATION

‘90s kids, rejoice! Netflix has confirmed that upcoming Rocko’s Modern Life film, Static Cling, will drop in August.

*chanting* WE LOVE ROCKO! #RockosModernLifeStaticCling comes to Netflix on 8/9 📺 pic.twitter.com/ydYE3wZ9SV

— Netflix Family (@netflixfamily) July 16, 2019

Zack Snyder, along with Netflix, is creating an anime series that will be based on Norse Mythology. So far no details on the plot nor story have been released, but Snyder will act as the executive producer and his long-time creative partner, Jay Oliva, will serve as the series creator, showrunner, director and executive producer. This will continue Netflix’s expansion into animation production.

The nominations for the 45th Saturn Awards have been announced. The contenders for Best Animated Film Release are The Grinch, How to Train Your Dragon 3, The Incredibles 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Toy Story 4. The categories also include Best Film Special/Visual Effects, Best Comic-To-Motion Picture Release, Best Animated Series on Television and many more. For more information and the full list of nominations, check out their website. The Saturn Awards will take place on September 13 at the Avalon Theatre in Los Angeles.

The Adult Swim hit series FLCL: Progressive will make its DVD debut on October 1. It is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2001 original Fooly Cooly. Its official synopsis reads: “From the legendary anime studio Production I.G and Adult Swim. FLCL: Progressive tells the story of 14-year-old Hidomi, her classmate Ide, and two otherworldly beings, ‘Jinyu’ and ‘Haruha Raharu’, who are determined to unlock their hidden potential. Mixed up in this is an all-powerful force known as ‘ATOMSK’, a gorgeous Chrysler Bel Aire… and a certain Vespa Scooter.”

Cartoon Network has greenlit an animated series called The Fungies while also confirming additional seasons of Craig of the Creek and Victor and Valentino.

NEW SHOWS! NEW SEASONS! The Fungies! are coming soon to Cartoon Network, AND stay tuned for new episodes of Victor & Valentino and Craig of the Creek! pic.twitter.com/qpaYK7igVd

— Cartoon Network (@cartoonnetwork) July 15, 2019

Our hearts go out to the staff and their families from Kyoto Animation, whose office was tragically the target of arson this week. The anime studio, who’ve provided so much joy with their shows like K-On, Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star, Violet Evergarden, Chuunibyo, Free, and more, is a pillar of the industry.

Gaming

Good news for Pokémon GO fans, the newest update teases something truly massive! We haven’t seen them yet, which means they’re presumably lurking around, waiting to strike… But Team Rocket will soon be invading Pokémon GO. You can battle the Team Rocket grunts just like in the proper games, and even catch Shadow Pokémon that they’ve abandoned.

Attention, Trainers! We’re aware of the reports of a hot air balloon with an “R” logo hovering around #PokemonGOFest2019 over the past few days in Dortmund, Germany. We’re monitoring the situation and looking into it.
Reported by Twitter user: @coupleofgaming pic.twitter.com/RPa3fOqjGw

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) July 6, 2019

And in Nintendo news, Luigi’s Mansion 3 has been given a release date, and it’s Halloween Night, of all nights!

Check in to a haunted hotel getaway this Halloween when #LuigisMansion3 comes to #NintendoSwitch on October 31st!

More info: https://t.co/CdpSNk7mEa pic.twitter.com/potQRnC6iu

— Nintendo AU NZ (@NintendoAUNZ) July 18, 2019

COMICS

Artwork by Dan Mora

Fans of Spider-Man will be excited for a brand new mini-series entitled The Amazing Spider-Man: Full Circle. Marvel has brought in some of the industry’s best writers and artists to work on the new series which will debut in October. Writers include Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer, Jason Aaron, Chip Zdarsky, Al Ewing, Kelly Thompson and Gerry Duggan, and the mini-series will pop thanks to artists Valerio Schiti, Chris Bachalo, Rachael Stott, Chris Sprouse, Greg Smallwood, Cameron Stewart and Michael Allred. 

The child inside everyone is about to go wild with excitement thanks to Boom! Studios releasing a never-before-seen comic series. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be teaming up in a comic set to start in December. The series will be written by Ryan Parrott and illustrated by Simone di Meo, and will show the Power Rangers arriving in New York City to find that Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger, has joined with Turtles’ classic villain, Shredder. The Rangers are then confronted by the Turtles themselves.

In DC news, Batman fans should get pumped for a new series of The Authority from Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch. The series will follow Bruce Wayne/Batman as he looks into the victim of a disturbing murder. However, this incarnation of the Bat will be shown to obsessively immerse himself in the lives of the victims, concerned with every little detail of their deaths. The new series will debut in October.

As Den of Geek reports, legendary Deadpool co-creator Rob Liefeld will be working on a new comic series about popular G.I. Joe character Snake Eyes. IDW will publish Snake Eyes: Deadgame next year and will show the famed character on various exciting exploits. Liefeld said of the opportunity: “My parents drove me all over the county to get me G.I. Joe action figures as a kid. These were my first and most favourite toys. Working with Hasbro and all my friends at IDW has been a blast so far. I can’t wait to get this work out into the public! If you enjoyed my recent Marvel work, this will match or exceed it!”

News has also surfaced this week that legendary comic creator Alan Moore is officially retiring. A monolithic presence in the industry for over 40 years, the final issue of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will be his swan song within the medium.

COLLECTIBLES

Sideshow Collectibles are bringing back their benchmark quality and attention to detail, this year, with several new and creative figures. Though all of their products are masterfully crafted, the recently announced Joker premium format figure stands out as a must-have for any fan of the Nolanverse.  Based on Heath Ledger’s iconic jail cell clap sequence, the figure stands as both a haunting and beautiful tribute. Released in limited numbers, the set is available for pre-order next Wednesday!

Storm Collectibles has announced the upcoming release of a set of new 1/12 Street Fighter figures. The figures include Guile, Sagat, Ken and Ryu.

A new 1/18 Batman from the game Injustice 2 is also being released by Hiya Toys.

A new collection of Spider-Man mini egg attack figures are being released. They come in an option of four characters: Peter Parker Spider-Man, Miles Morales Spider-Man, Spider-Gwen and Venom.