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08/04/14 @ 8:44 pm EST
An idea that I’m surprise if no one has ever done before. The great detective Sherlock Holmes meets the escape artist Harry Houdini. The new series from Dynamite is being written by Kill Shakespeare writers Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery, and Byron Brewer sat down to talk to the pair of creators about the project.  BYRON BREWER: First, Anthony, what did it feel like to have your work, Kill Shakespeare, nominated for a Harvey Award? Pretty cool.ANTHONY DEL COL: Pretty cool? Actually, pretty freakin’ cool! It was completely unexpected as this was the first series that Conor and I had ever done. The Harveys are voted on by fellow members of the industry so it made us feel that we had been accepted by the community. CONOR MCCREERY: Weirdly enough at that Harvey Awards dinner we sat beside Nick Barrucci. I remember thinking he was a very sarcastically funny guy and that he seemed to have a great head on his shoulders for the business and that it would be great to work with him one day.And they say dreams don’t come true. BB: Can you describe the process of how you and co-writer Conor McCreery work as a team?C: It’s a fluid thing – like for H&H Anthony took it on himself to bring all these amazing ideas to our first story meeting. I didn’t even open my notebook to mention any of the thoughts I had – his were that amazing! After that we worked together on “breaking” the story and figuring out what the five issues will be. Writing-wise what we usually do is one guy is “lead” writer on an issue and the other guy story-edits and does a pass at the end. A: And then if we have any disagreements we resort to Rock-Paper-Scissors to determine whose idea sees the light of day. We both competed in the first-annual World Rock-Paper-Scissors Championships a number of years ago so we’re both good. Okay, alright, we both throw the same moves so it ends up as a stalemate… C: Anthony’s being modest – he actually was a quarterfinalist and lost to the eventual World Champion. So, given THAT skill set I have an excellent incentive to compromise when I’m being stubborn – GRIN.  BB: Have you ever written an adventure of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes before?A: I’ve always thought that Holmes was an amazing character but never had the nerve or gumption to tackle writing an adventure with him before. I’m so glad that Dynamite has given us the opportunity – he’s a blast to write for! I feel like I’m getting smarter just by trying to get in his mind. C: See, and writing Holmes just makes me feel dumb… wait… that was all the “research” I did for Holmes’ character flaw. BB: How does our master sleuth become involved with the great performer Houdini?C: Well I’d like to say that Holmes is naturally drawn to other people who display excellence and that he seeks out Houdini as a way to test out another exceptional talent. I’d LIKE to say that, but the truth is, well, Holmes is in a bit of trouble when he first meets Harry. I can’t say anything more though. I don’t want to spoil the fun. A: Writing their first interaction was incredibly delicious. Here we have two accomplished, smart and arrogant men in the same room, trying to test the other person. It really felt like scripting a boxing match but instead of punches they’re throwing verbal jabs and witticisms. And everyone else in the room just stands back and watches these two titans go at it.  BB: Can you tell us at what point in Houdini’s career this piece takes place? He was a very different man at different points during his career.A: Our story is set in 1900, which is when Houdini is starting to blow up internationally as the master of escape. It’s his first tour of London (the centre of Europe) and he’s hoping to really draw in huge crowds and become an international superstar. It’s interesting that most people think of him as American (and he pretty much believed it to be true) but he was actually born in Europe. C: We’ve also drawn heavily on a couple of other elements of Houdini’s life and sort of planted the seeds in this story. One is his love of film, and the other was his later-life obsession in “outing” spiritualists – who he felt were at best irresponsible, and at worst out and out crooks, for suggesting that there are powers beyond our understanding at work in the world.It’s that viewpoint that’s going to get HARRY in trouble in our story… BB: And the big-bad is … ?C: Oh you can’t expect we’ll tell you that! For shame, well-oiled Dynamite marketing machine! For shame! A: Conor’s right – trying to get us to reveal the big bad this early would be even harder than escaping from one of Houdini’s tricks. We really wanted to come up with a character that was smart as well as physically imposing, and we think we’ve come up with just the right fit… BB: Are you a student of magical history or a fan of the late performer?A: For myself, it’s only lately that I’ve started to become really intrigued by magic. I had the fortune to meet magician Jon Armstrong (who actually created a comic series, Smoke & Mirrors, with IDW) and see a couple of his shows and left each one shaking my head at how he did it. What’s interesting is that when we went last month I could already guess at some of their techniques because of research for Holmes vs. Houdini. C: Do we count liking Gob from Arrested Development as being a “student of magical history?” Then yes. Yes, I am. BB: What would you say about the art of Carlos Furuzono?A: Well, I was disappointed at first that my original pitch of doing the entire series in my poorly-drawn stick figures wasn’t approved… But seriously, Joe, Nick and the team at Dynamite did a great job finding and recruiting Carlos to work on this series. The early pages that I’ve seen are amazing and I think he’s a real talent ready to make it to the next level. C: I was also disappointed about the stick figures… 08/31/25 @ 1:37 pm EST
It’s a weird weekend at the box office as Weapons returns to first place on its fourth weekend with $12.4M for the four-day stretch. A re-release of the classic Jaws takes second with $9.8M while the two new releases Caught Stealing ($9.5M) and Roses ($8M) take third and fifth respectively. Also on it’s fourth weekend, Freakier Friday pulls in $8.3M for fourth place. The big summer superhero films are hanging on with the Fantastic Four making $6M for seventh place and Superman swooping up another $3.28M even though it has already been released on home consumption. Not quite breaking into the top ten is the Toxic Avengers finally getting a theatrical release and earning $2.2 million over the holiday weekend.  08/31/25 @ 1:12 pm EST
With the new season of Peacemaker underway, DC fans have been wondering about the announced series set to focus on Amanda Waller, former head of ARGUS and Taskforce X. While on-line scoopers have called the series dead, co-head of DC Studios, James Gunn says that Viola Davis lead series is still in the works. The writer/director of Superman told People, “We’re working on it, so we’ll see what happens. Some things have moved faster than others. Waller’s not been the fastest. But I can’t wait to see Viola put on their Waller pants again.” The series was originally planned to run prior to the second season of Peacemaker, but Gunn has admitted that Waller has been a difficult series to crack and that he wrote the second season of Peacemaker quickly, which is why it came out first. The most recent update had Christal Henry from Watchmen and Doom Patrol creator Jeremy Carver on board to write the series, but those announcements were made a few years back.  08/30/25 @ 1:58 pm EST
Fans eager to return to the blood-soaked arenas of Outworld will have to wait a little longer. Warner Bros. has officially delayed the release of Mortal Kombat II, moving the highly anticipated sequel from its original October 24, 2025 slot to May 15, 2026. According to studio insiders, the decision wasn’t due to production issues—the film is reportedly completed and has already screened for press. Instead, Warner Bros. is making a strategic play, aiming to capitalize on the lucrative early summer box office window. The move mirrors the success of Final Destination: Bloodlines, which opened in mid-May and raked in over $50 million. An official post from the studio teased, “The tournament demands a new time and place, worthy of its spectacle”—a fittingly dramatic justification for the shift. The sequel introduces Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, a fan-favorite character who was notably absent from the 2021 reboot. Urban has described the film as “a significant level-up,” comparing it to how The Road Warrior elevated the Mad Max franchise. The trailer, which broke records with over 106 million views in 24 hours, showcases the franchise’s signature fatalities and brutal choreography. Directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater, Mortal Kombat II promises to deliver the full tournament fans craved in the first film. This time, Earthrealm’s champions will face off against interdimensional foes in a no-holds-barred battle to stop the dark reign of Shao Kahn. The new release date places the film between The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 1) and The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22), giving it a prime spot to dominate the box office.  08/30/25 @ 1:45 pm EST
At today’s Destination D23 presentation, Marvel Studios pulled back the curtain—just slightly—on one of its most anticipated projects: Avengers: Doomsday. In a pre-recorded video message from the set in London, directors Joe and Anthony Russo addressed fans with palpable excitement, calling the film “the biggest movie they’ve ever made”. The Russo Brothers, known for helming Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, are back in action, this time tackling a multiversal crisis of unprecedented scale. Filming is underway at Pinewood Studios and other international locations, including Bahrain and Windsor Great Park. The directors were joined in the video by Paul Rudd, who playfully interrupted their message, blocking the camera and turning the update into a light-hearted moment that delighted fans. Rudd added, “We’re surrounded by jaw-dropping sets and some truly incredible talent… Bringing this story to the big screen means the world to us, and we couldn’t do it without your support”. The film is co-written by Stephen McFeely and Michael Waldron (creator of Loki), with cinematography by Newton Thomas Sigel ( Bohemian Rhapsody, X-Men: Days of Future Past) and production design by Kasra Farahani. The plot centers on the collapse of the multiverse, with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes racing to stop catastrophic incursions—collisions between realities that threaten existence itself. At the heart of the chaos is Victor Von Doom, played by none other than Robert Downey Jr., marking a dramatic shift from his iconic role as Tony Stark. Doomsday is slated for release on December 18, 2026, followed by its sequel Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027.  08/24/25 @ 1:40 pm EST
When Marvel Studios tapped Terry Matalas to helm Vision Quest, the upcoming Disney+ series centered on the synthezoid Avenger, it wasn’t just a smart hire—it was a signal. A signal that Marvel is ready to embrace deeper storytelling, character introspection, and genre-bending ambition. Matalas, best known for revitalizing Star Trek: Picard with its critically acclaimed third season, brings a unique blend of emotional intelligence, sci-fi pedigree, and serialized storytelling expertise that makes him the ideal architect for Vision’s next chapter. Vision’s arc has always been about identity. Created by Ultron, powered by the Mind Stone, and shaped by love and loss, Vision is a being caught between machine and man. After WandaVision, the original Vision was gone, and the “White Vision”—a blank-slate version with restored memories but no emotional context—was left to wander in search of purpose. This existential journey echoes the themes Matalas explored in Picard, where legacy, memory, and humanity were central. In fact, Matalas has openly stated that Vision’s arc in Vision Quest will mirror Spock’s journey in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, where the Vulcan grapples with his own resurrection and fragmented identity. It’s a bold, cerebral approach that fits Vision perfectly. Before Picard, Matalas created and ran 12 Monkeys, a time-travel series praised for its intricate plotting and emotional depth. He’s a showrunner who understands how to balance high-concept science fiction with grounded character drama. That’s exactly what Vision needs—a story that can explore artificial intelligence, memory, and morality without losing sight of the heart. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige reportedly sought Matalas out after watching Picard Season 3, calling it “incredible” and wanting to find the person responsible. That kind of endorsement speaks volumes, especially in an era where Marvel is scaling back its Disney+ output to focus on quality over quantity. Matalas isn’t just continuing Vision’s story—he’s expanding it. Vision Quest will introduce new characters like Paladin (played by Picard alum Todd Stashwick) and a reimagined F.R.I.D.A.Y. AI (played by Orla Brady). James Spader returns as Ultron, promising a “unique” role that could redefine the character’s legacy. These additions suggest a layered narrative that blends Marvel lore with fresh sci-fi ideas. And Matalas is bringing his Star Trek crew with him. The production team is reportedly full of Trek veterans, creating a shorthand that allows for ambitious storytelling and thematic depth. It’s a fusion of Marvel’s superhero ethos with the philosophical weight of classic science fiction. Marvel’s early Disney+ shows often felt like extended films. But with Vision Quest, Marvel is embracing a more traditional TV model—complete with a dedicated showrunner, longer development cycles, and serialized arcs. Matalas thrives in this format. His ability to weave long-term character development with episodic intrigue makes him the perfect fit for a series that needs to rebuild Vision from the ground up. Set to premiere in 2026, Vision Quest marks Marvel’s first new live-action series pickup in nearly two years. It’s part of Phase Six of the MCU and represents a shift toward more thoughtful, character-driven storytelling. With Matalas at the helm, Vision’s journey promises to be more than just a superhero tale—it’s a philosophical odyssey through memory, identity, and what it means to be alive. In a universe filled with gods, monsters, and multiverses, Terry Matalas is the rare showrunner who can make us care about a synthetic soul searching for meaning. And that’s exactly what Vision—and Marvel—needs right now.  ... 08/24/25 @ 1:24 pm EST
Peacemaker Season 2 has officially kicked off with a bang—and a surprise. Among the new faces in James Gunn’s irreverent DC series is David Denman, best known for his role as Roy in The Office. But this time, Denman isn’t playing a hot-headed warehouse worker—he’s suiting up as a superhero. And not just any hero: Denman plays Captain Triumph, a name that might ring a bell only for the most die-hard comic book historians. Captain Triumph first appeared in Crack Comics #27 back in 1943, created by Alfred Andriola. The original character was a pair of twin brothers—Michael and Lance Gallant—who shared a mystical bond. After Michael’s death, his spirit merged with Lance, granting him powers like flight, invisibility, and near invulnerability. The character was later absorbed into DC Comics but remained largely obscure, popping up occasionally in titles like Animal Man, Titans, and Harley Quinn. In Peacemaker Season 2, Gunn reimagines Captain Triumph entirely. Denman plays Keith Smith, Peacemaker’s long-lost brother, who was tragically killed in Season 1 due to their abusive father’s twisted games. But in the Season 2 premiere, “The Ties That Grind,” Peacemaker stumbles into an alternate reality where Keith is alive—and a superhero. Denman’s Keith is part of a crime-fighting trio with Peacemaker and their father Auggie, forming the “Top Trio” in this alternate dimension. Unlike the original Captain Triumph, Gunn’s version doesn’t involve ghostly twins or mystical birthmarks. Denman confirmed in an interview that Gunn opted for a fresh take: “I actually went to James and was like, ‘Is there any of that?’ and he goes, ‘No. This is a whole new character’”. This twist adds a poignant layer to the show’s emotional core. Peacemaker, haunted by guilt over Keith’s death, now faces a world where his brother thrives—and where their family is functional. It’s a dreamscape that forces Chris Smith to confront what he’s lost and what he might still become. Denman’s performance as Keith/Captain Triumph is already being praised for its emotional resonance. The character’s presence could reshape Peacemaker’s arc, offering a glimpse into the life he might have had—and perhaps a path toward healing.  ...
08/23/25 @ 12:54 pm EST
Paramount has made a dramatic pivot in its handling of the Dexter franchise, leaving fans both stunned and intrigued. After initially greenlighting two new series— Dexter: Original Sin and Dexter: Resurrection—the studio has reversed course, canceling the prequel while doubling down on the sequel. Originally announced as a deep-dive into Dexter Morgan’s formative years, Dexter: Original Sin premiered in December 2024 and wrapped its 10-episode run in February 2025. The series starred Patrick Gibson as a teenage Dexter, with Christian Slater portraying his father Harry Morgan, the architect of Dexter’s infamous code. Michael C. Hall lent his voice as narrator, tying the prequel to the original series. Despite a season 2 renewal announced in April, Paramount quietly pulled the plug on Original Sin, citing a lack of scheduled production and shifting priorities following its merger with Skydance. In contrast, Dexter: Resurrection—the sequel series starring Michael C. Hall—has become a breakout hit. Picking up after the events of Dexter: New Blood, the show sees Dexter surviving his apparent death and relocating to New York, where he reconnects with his son Harrison and crosses paths with a billionaire serial killer enthusiast played by Peter Dinklage. The series has earned rave reviews, boasting a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and drawing 4.4 million viewers in its first week. Paramount is now opening a writers’ room for a potential second season, signaling strong confidence in the show’s future—even though an official renewal hasn’t yet been announced. The decision reflects a broader strategic shift at Paramount Television Studios, now under the leadership of Matt Thunell. Following the Skydance merger, the studio is prioritizing established hits and recognizable IP, with Dexter: Resurrection leading the charge.  08/23/25 @ 12:48 pm EST
In a recent interview, Margot Robbie revealed that Birds of Prey almost featured a very different villain: Oswald Cobblepot, aka the Penguin. The actress, who famously portrayed Harley Quinn in the 2020 film, shared that the original script by Christina Hodson had Penguin as the main antagonist—until Matt Reeves stepped in with his own plans for the character. While promoting her upcoming fantasy romance A Big Bold Beautiful Journey alongside Colin Farrell—who plays the Penguin in The Batman and its HBO spinoff—Robbie casually dropped the bombshell during their joint interview with Entertainment Weekly. “The first draft that Christina [Hodson] wrote of Birds of Prey, the villain was the Penguin,” Robbie said, prompting a visibly shocked reaction from Farrell. According to Robbie, Hodson’s version of the Penguin was “amazing,” and the character was set to stalk Harley Quinn and her newly formed team throughout Gotham. Robbie even teased that she still has a copy of the original draft on her computer and offered to share it with Farrell. The reason for the switch? Matt Reeves, director of The Batman, had already earmarked the Penguin for his own gritty crime saga. “Matt Reeves said, ‘Don’t use the Penguin. I’m going to use him in my thing,’” Robbie explained. To avoid overlap between DC’s cinematic universes, the Birds of Prey team pivoted to Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor. This change gave the film a darker, more flamboyant crime-lord vibe, while preserving Penguin for Reeves’ noir vision.  08/23/25 @ 12:20 pm EST
James Gunn, the architect of the DC Universe, has once again stirred fan speculation—this time by teasing a “really, really, really big cameo” in the final episodes of Peacemaker Season 2. As the series continues to bridge the tonal gap between irreverent comedy and emotional depth, Gunn’s cryptic comments have fans buzzing about who might show up—and what it could mean for the future of the DCU. Season 2 of Peacemaker marks a clear shift from its DCEU roots into Gunn and Peter Safran’s newly minted DCU. The show now follows the events of Superman (2025), and features updated references to the Justice Gang instead of the Justice League. This recontextualization sets the stage for deeper integration with the broader DCU, and Gunn has confirmed that characters from Superman—including Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Maxwell Lord—already appear in the season. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn hinted at a major surprise waiting near the end of the season: “There might even be one really, really, really big cameo near the end of the show.” While he didn’t name names, the emphasis on scale and significance suggests this won’t be a throwaway gag or minor character. Given the DCU’s interconnected design, many fans suspect the cameo could be David Corenswet’s Superman himself, reinforcing Peacemaker’s relevance in the franchise’s future. This could also be an opportunity for Gunn to bring one of the Creature Commandos into live action such as David Harbour’s Frankenstein or Alay Tudyk’s Dr. Phosphorus. Gunn also mentioned the Quantum Unfolding Chamber (QUC), a piece of tech introduced in Season 1 and expanded upon in Superman. The QUC is central to Season 2’s plot, potentially opening doors—literally and figuratively—for cross-dimensional or multiversal appearances. This could allow for unexpected character returns or even alternate versions of familiar heroes. Whether it’s Superman, another Justice Gang member, or a surprise villain, Gunn’s promise of a “really big” moment suggests that Peacemaker Season 2 will end not with a whimper, but with a bang.  ... 08/17/25 @ 12:13 pm EST
James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios and the creative force behind the 2025 box office hit Superman, has confirmed that a follow-up film is already in motion—and it’s coming fast. In a series of interviews, Gunn revealed that he’s completed an extensive treatment for the next installment, which he’s calling part of the “Superman Saga”. Gunn’s treatment isn’t your average outline. He described it as a 60-page document packed with dialogue and scene breakdowns. “My treatments are incredibly intense,” he told Collider. “They’re not regular treatments. And so, now I’m just turning that into a script. We’re planning out when we’re going to shoot that. It’s going to be much sooner rather than later”. While Gunn hasn’t confirmed whether the film is a direct sequel or a new chapter altogether, he emphasized that it continues the narrative established in Superman, which starred David Corenswet as the Man of Steel. The film grossed $589 million worldwide, making it the seventh highest-grossing film of 2025. Gunn also revealed that the events of Superman will tie directly into Peacemaker Season 2, which premieres this month. “Superman leads directly into Peacemaker,” he said. “Lots of guest stars coming up, lots of characters that are showing up that we’ve already met in Superman”. This interconnected storytelling is part of Gunn’s broader vision for the DC Universe, where each project maintains its own tone and style—ranging from horror ( Clayface) to cosmic adventure ( Lanterns). With the treatment complete and production scheduling underway, the next Superman film could begin shooting within the year. 
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