11/07/22 @ 11:20 am EST

Source: Dynamic Forces | Categories: MIsc

DF Interview: Steve Orlando casts a spell on readers in ‘The Scarlet Witch’



By Byron Brewer

There is a door that appears only to those who need it most, who have no one else in the world to turn to. On the other side of this door is the witchcraft shop. Friend or foe, human or otherwise – if your need is great and your hope is gone, there you will meet the Scarlet Witch!

Wanda Maximoff is familiar with hitting rock bottom – and now that she’s finally found peace, she’s pledged all her power to help others who are languishing at their lowest. But when a woman falls through Wanda’s door with a terrifying story of a town gone mad, the Scarlet Witch will have to muster her wits and chaos magic to deal with an insidious threat!
Writer Steve Orlando (Marauders, Midnighter) and Sara Pichelli (Ultimate Spider-Man, Spider-Men) join forces to open a groundbreaking new chapter in the Scarlet Witch’s history!
I see the name of the mag and the name of the creators, and I am on board. So I sat down with scribe Steve Orlando and here is the chaos we summoned …


Byron Brewer: Steve, doing the new Scarlet Witch solo book seems to excite you. What is special to you about this character? And, if memory serves, your very first Marvel work was tied to this longtime heroine, correct?



Steve Orlando: That’s right! Darkhold was in fact my first Marvel work, though it didn’t hit stands first – so now, it’s exciting to be able to turn the page on Wanda’s next chapter. More than exciting! It feels like fate. Wanda, to me, has always been someone who overcomes – both in the sense of overcoming her enemies, and overcoming expectations. She’s an incredibly strong woman, incredibly powerful in both the classical comics sense as well as the humanistic, emotional sense. And again, in both those senses, she defines herself, she defines her strength, she doesn’t let it be defined by others. She faces down people like Chthon, people like Doom, who only see her for her power, and on top of that only define power in regressive, simplistic, and toxic ways – they think only of being unbeatable, of holding reign. Wanda not only defeats them, but overcomes their very perspectives at their cores. She’s transformational! There has never been a struggle Wanda’s faced that Wanda hasn’t mastered in time – Wanda is operating at another level, floating over many of the petty, greedy perspectives of her adversaries. Her story is also all of ours – that of someone mastering their own demons, finding joy, finding power, finding victory every day of our lives. For Wanda, by continually mastering and redefining herself, she can master anything, she can master the cosmos itself, should she wish. And that’s a mature definition of power – not a life without struggle or challenge, that’s no real person’s reality. A life of struggle overcome, of weapons used against you turned into tools for your success, and of darkness mastered and wielded for light.



Byron: Before we get into the book proper, can you summarize for returning or new fans unfamiliar with Wanda what has taken place in the last few years of her tragic life, including her recent redemption?

Steve Orlando: I’d argue that despite Wanda’s struggles, she might not look at her life as tragic – I just don’t think she sees the world that way. But her enemies, and likely some of her peers? They definitely do. Either way, for a long time, Wanda’s life has been one of struggle – her parentage constantly in question, her powers growing and growing, her mistakes growing accordingly.

Her anchor has been chosen family – Magneto, a man who raised Wanda for a time, and as he recently said doesn’t care about blood or biology, he sees Wanda as every bit his daughter. Her brother Pietro, who can be challenging in his own right, but who knows her better than almost anyone. Her adopted sister Polaris, with whom she’s just begun to rebuild a relationship.
And for a while, Wanda struggled to find that anchor. For as long as she can remember, she’d battling attempts at possession and manipulation from the Elder God Chthon, who plagued both her and Pietro. Now, at last, Chthon has been overcome, and Wanda is his master. Their feud has finally ended on her terms, not his. As well, Wanda once depowered the vast majority of mutants, causing pain in a way that’s almost undefinable. But at last, after offering up her own life, through death, resurrection, and the creation of a method for even greater mutant resurrection, Wanda has earned mutantkind’s forgiveness, from the mouths of people like Exodus, once one of her most vocal critics.
Now, at last, the greatest sources of darkness on Wanda’s heart have been cast out. She’s ready to turn the page, and we’re here to turn it with her.


Byron: Well said!… Give us your take on Wanda’s character today. Who is the Scarlet Witch?



Steve Orlando: The Scarlet Witch is a woman of power, great and small, overt and covert, subtle and cosmic – but at the same time, she’s someone who know what it’s like to hit rock bottom. So now, harnessing her might like never before, free from enemies of the past, she is using that power to do all she can to ensure that no one ever has to be alone at rock bottom like she once was. Now, Wanda has dedicated herself to being the person she needed for so long, and didn’t have – a guardian angel, someone who understands, and someone who’ll defend others, with no conditions, no matter the cost. Compassion and empathy and more radical than ever as concepts, and they’re ones Wanda wields just as masterfully as she wields the stuff of reality.



Byron: What is this new witchcraft shop behind a mystic door Wanda is trying to establish? Certainly a long way from “No more mutants,” eh?



Steve Orlando: It is, indeed! But Emporium, Wanda’s shop in the Hudson Valley, is part of her rededication to the mission we have been discussing. For folks struggling with problems less capes and cosmic, there is Emporium. Because though those problems may not threaten the whole world, they threaten somebody’s world, and they’re still vitally important. Emporium is where Wanda helps her local community, breaks bread, and centers herself, dolling out idiosyncratic, enchanted goods of her own design. But at the snap of her fingers, the Scarlet Witch can switch from helping with the little things, to battling evils on a cosmic scale – on Earth, in the Dreamscape, even in Sub-Atomica, there’s nowhere the Scarlet Witch won’t go, and nothing she won’t do, to ensure no one has to struggle like she did in the past. Emporium’s just the start of it.



Byron: Can you offer any more information, without spoilers, about the woman who comes to Wanda with a tale of a town gone mad? Can you introduce any other important characters we will be meeting during this story?



Steve Orlando: The first person we see come through the Last Door is struggling with something all too familiar to Wanda – she’s sure of what she sees happening around her, but everyone in her life tells her she’s wrong, that she’s mad, that it’s all in her head. There’s something strange going on in her sleepy Italian town, a callous, corrupt, Marvel villain has come to town and taken control with but a few sweaty, corrupting words. But the cruel hand gripping her town is nothing compared to Wanda – who’s going to rock that village to deliver justice to her new friend.

As for other characters? There’s someone helping Wanda mind the shop these days, someone nobody saw come into town. Rumor is she came through the Last Door herself. And what’s that gust? Is that the wind? Or Wanda’s brother. Issue One has the answers to all this and more.



Byron: Talk about the pulse-pounding pencils of Pichelli… Sara Pichelli.


Steve Orlando: Sara is, pardon the pun, magic. This is the Scarlet Witch, hero to so many both inside the Marvel Universe itself and outside the pages of its comics. We all know what Wanda’s been through, what she’s overcome – she’s an inspiration, and her new series had to explore that in new ways at every turn. It’s one of the most challenging books I’ve been part of – every issue is a twist, a surprise!

And Sara? Sara overcomes – she makes each page, each moment, her own. She brings light and energy to every action scene, every explosive sorcerous moment. But she also brings a startling, moving humanity to each interaction, whether it’s Wanda and her chosen family, her shop keeper, whoever comes through the Last Door, or the everyday people of Wanda’s Hudson Valley home.
Sara is, simply put, a master. The worlds she’s brought to life in these pages are incredible – born of great work from a visual artist that redefines great on the regular. Sara is a wonderful teammate on this wild ride, and Wanda’s new chapter of life could not be what it is without her.


Byron: Steve, tell readers what you can about some of your other projects.



Steve Orlando: There are plenty! Marauders is getting bigger and bigger by the month, and everything that started in our Annual and Issue One is coming to a head! X-Men Green continues to be a blast to be part of, and there’s more coming on Marvel Unlimited. Our collection for Spider-Man 2099: Exodus is also hot on the stands, and if you missed out on that, you better get back to the future ASAP! An honor to celebrate 2099’s 30th Anniversary, and christen Earth-2099 in the process.



Dynamic Forces would like to thank Steve Orlando for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions. The Scarlet Witch #1 from Marvel Comics is slated to be on sale January 4th, 2023!



For more news and up-to-date announcements, join us here at Dynamic Forces, www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/, “LIKE” us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/dynamicforcesinc, and follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/dynamicforces.

07/05/25 @ 1:54 pm EST

Source: Variety | Categories: MIsc

In a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, Ryan Coogler’s breakout horror film Sinners—a 2025 box office juggernaut—owes part of its haunting aesthetic to a Marvel movie that never made it to set. The film’s eerie, period-perfect costumes were originally designed for Marvel Studios’ long-delayed Blade reboot, which remains in production limbo. According to Sinners producer Sev Ohanian, the film’s costume designer, Oscar-winner Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther), had been working on Blade when the project was shelved indefinitely. That version of Blade, starring Mahershala Ali, was once envisioned as a 1920s-set vampire thriller—eerily similar in tone and era to Sinners. When Sinners was greenlit on a tight schedule, Carter had a warehouse full of unused, period-appropriate costumes. Marvel, in a rare behind-the-scenes collaboration, allowed Coogler’s team to purchase the wardrobe “at price”. While the main cast including Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and others wore custom-designed costumes tailored specifically for their characters, many of the extras in Sinners were dressed in the repurposed Blade costumes, giving the film a rich, textured authenticity without the usual prep time. First announced in 2019, Marvel’s Blade reboot has faced repeated delays due to creative changes, director exits, and industry strikes. The film was removed from Disney’s release calendar in 2024 and remains without a confirmed production date. Despite the setbacks, Mahershala Ali has expressed continued interest in the role, recently telling reporters, “Call Marvel. I’m ready”. 

07/05/25 @ 1:29 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: MIsc

Nearly 50 years after One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest became a cinematic landmark, a new television spinoff is in the works—this time told through the eyes of the character who saw everything but said very little: Chief Bromden. Producer Paul Zaentz, nephew of the original film’s producer Saul Zaentz, revealed on the CK Café podcast that he has signed an agreement with the widow of author Ken Kesey to develop a TV series based on the 1962 novel. The first season will be told entirely from the perspective of Chief Bromden, the towering half-Native American patient who pretended to be deaf and mute in the original story. Zaentz explained that the series will begin within the psychiatric hospital, as in the original, but will then follow Chief’s journey after his dramatic escape—territory the original film never explored. While Milos Forman’s 1975 film adaptation won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Jack Nicholson, it famously diverged from Kesey’s novel by shifting the narrative focus from Chief Bromden to Randle McMurphy. Kesey was openly critical of this change. The upcoming series aims to restore the novel’s original point of view and delve deeper into the Chief’s inner world. Chief Bromden’s character—played by Will Sampson in the film—was a symbol of silent resistance and eventual emancipation. The new series promises to explore his backstory, his psychological trauma, and his life beyond the institution. It’s a chance to reframe the narrative around Indigenous identity, mental health, and the long shadow of institutionalization. 

07/05/25 @ 1:20 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: MIsc

Julian McMahon, the charismatic Australian actor known for his iconic roles in Nip/Tuck, Charmed, and the Fantastic Four films, has passed away at the age of 56 following a private battle with cancer. His wife, Kelly McMahon, confirmed that he died peacefully on July 2, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida. Born in Sydney on July 27, 1968, McMahon was the son of former Australian Prime Minister William McMahon. He began his career as a model before transitioning to acting in Australian soaps like The Power, The Passion and Home and Away. His move to Hollywood led to breakout roles in Profiler and Charmed, where he played the complex and seductive demon Cole Turner. But it was his portrayal of Dr. Christian Troy in FX’s Nip/Tuck that cemented his status as a television icon. The role earned him a Golden Globe nomination and showcased his ability to balance charm, darkness, and vulnerability. He later brought gravitas to the role of Victor Von Doom in the Fantastic Four films, becoming one of Marvel’s earliest cinematic villains. McMahon’s career spanned decades and genres. He starred in FBI: Most Wanted as Jess LaCroix, appeared in Hulu’s Runaways, and most recently played the Australian Prime Minister in Netflix’s The Residence—a poignant nod to his real-life heritage. McMahon is survived by his wife Kelly and his daughter Madison, whom he shared with ex-wife Brooke Burns. In her statement, Kelly described him as a man who “loved life… and whose deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible”. 

07/01/25 @ 3:12 pm EST

Source: Bleeding Cool | Categories: MIsc

Jim Shooter was a towering figure in the comic book industry—both literally and professionally. He began his career at just 14 years old, writing for DC Comics, where he made a splash with stories for the Legion of Super-Heroes. His early creations included characters like Karate Kid, Ferro Lad, and Princess Projectra, as well as the villain group Fatal Five. Here’s a snapshot of his legacy: <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->DC Comics: Started as a teenage writer, contributing to Adventure Comics and Action Comics. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Marvel Comics: Rose to become Editor-in-Chief from 1978 to 1987. Under his leadership: <!--[if !supportLists]-->o    <!--[endif]-->Oversaw iconic runs like Uncanny X-Men by Claremont & Byrne, Daredevil by Frank Miller, and Thor by Walt Simonson. <!--[if !supportLists]-->o    <!--[endif]-->Introduced creator royalties and launched the Epic imprint for creator-owned work. <!--[if !supportLists]-->o    <!--[endif]-->Created the first major crossover event: Secret Wars. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Valiant Comics: Co-founded the publisher in the early '90s, bringing characters like Solar: Man of the Atom and Harbinger to life. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Also founded Defiant Comics and Broadway Comics, though both were short-lived. Shooter was known for his strict editorial style, which helped Marvel stay on schedule but also led to clashes with many creators. Despite the friction, his tenure is credited with revitalizing Marvel during a critical period. Jim Shooter passed away on June 30, 2025, at the age of 73. His influence on comics—both in storytelling and industry practices—remains profound. 

07/01/25 @ 2:50 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: MIsc

In the ever-watchful world of fandom sleuthing, even a simple Instagram follow can ignite a firestorm of speculation. That’s exactly what happened when filmmaker and DC Studios co-head James Gunn followed actress Adria Arjona on Instagram—a move that fans quickly interpreted as a hint she might be cast as the next Wonder Woman. But Gunn was quick to clarify: “I followed Adria on Instagram, but everybody came out, ‘He just followed her, that means she’s Wonder Woman!’” he said in a recent interview with Extra. “She’d be a great Wonder Woman, by the way. But she was in a movie that I made seven years ago. We’ve been friends and have known each other since that time. I followed her then, I didn’t just follow her.” The film Gunn referred to is The Belko Experiment (2016), which he produced and in which Arjona appeared. Their professional relationship and friendship date back to that project, making the social media follow less of a casting clue and more of a long-standing connection. Still, Gunn’s comment that Arjona “would be a great Wonder Woman” has only fueled fan enthusiasm. With a new Wonder Woman film currently in development and the DC Universe undergoing a major reboot, speculation remains high—even if Gunn insists fans shouldn’t read too much into his Instagram activity. 

06/28/25 @ 2:09 pm EST

Source: Variety | Categories: MIsc

In a move that blends personal branding with practical necessity, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star and co-creator Rob McElhenney has officially filed to change his name to Rob Mac. The decision, confirmed by McElhenney himself, marks a significant shift for the actor, writer, and entrepreneur whose surname has long been a source of confusion—and comedy. McElhenney, whose last name has famously stumped fans and media alike (despite Ryan Reynolds’ musical pronunciation tutorial), cited global business expansion as the primary reason. As his company, More Better Industries, continues to invest internationally—including ventures in Colombia and Mexico—he found that “McElhenney” was often mispronounced or misunderstood. “As our business and our storytelling is expanding into other regions of the world and other languages in which my name is even harder to pronounce, I’m just going by Rob Mac,” he told Variety. Interestingly, the name “Mac” isn’t just a simplification—it’s also a nod to his iconic Always Sunny character, known simply as Mac. It’s a full-circle moment that blends his personal identity with his pop culture persona. The name change is already being reflected in FX press materials for both It’s Always Sunny and Welcome to Wrexham, the Emmy-winning docuseries chronicling McElhenney and Reynolds’ ownership of Wrexham AFC. 

06/28/25 @ 1:59 pm EST

Source: Variety | Categories: MIsc

ABC has officially pulled the plug on Doctor Odyssey, the high-concept medical drama from prolific creator Ryan Murphy, after just one season. The show, which followed a team of doctors navigating emergencies aboard a luxury cruise ship, will not return for a second voyage. Premiering in fall 2024, Doctor Odyssey starred Joshua Jackson as Dr. Max Bankman, alongside Phillipa Soo, Sean Teale, and Don Johnson. The series blended medical drama with high-seas spectacle, drawing comparisons to The Love Boat with a modern, campy twist. Its trailer broke records with 77.8 million views in 48 hours, and the premiere drew 13.6 million cross-platform viewers. Despite the flashy debut and a loyal cult following, the show struggled to maintain momentum. Ratings dipped over the season, and its linear performance lagged behind other ABC dramas. While ABC has yet to issue a formal cancellation statement, the cast contracts are expiring on Monday with no sign of renewal and the sets are being dismantled. And while the ship has sailed on ABC, Ryan Murphy retains creative control and could potentially revive the series elsewhere, such as Hulu, where it performed well on streaming platforms. 

06/27/25 @ 2:45 pm EST

Source: Twitter | Categories: MIsc

Is The Batman Part II script finally done? It appears so. Writer/Director Matt Reeves just posted to social media a blurry picture of himself and co-writer Mattson Tomlin that shows the title page for a script with the logo from The Batman and appears to have the title "The Batman: Part II". Co-head of DC Studios James Gunn said recently that he was expecting to get the script soon but denied that the deadline had already passed. If the script is complete and ready to move forward, it is still in plenty of time to make the current release date of October 2027. This should be good news to fans of the director and franchise and also to actor Robert Pattinson who had commented recently that he was worrying he was going to age out of the role if it took too much longer.  

06/26/25 @ 3:35 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: MIsc

Prime Video’s hit action-thriller Reacher is shaking things up for its fourth season, and one of the most notable changes is the addition of Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette to the cast. The Barry actor steps into the role of Jacob Merrick, a small-town policeman, in a recasting that follows the departure of Jay Baruchel due to personal reasons. Rodriguez-Marquette’s casting came together at lightning speed—he was reportedly selected the same day the role breakdown was released and flown to set within days. His character, Merrick, is said to play a significant role in the upcoming season, which adapts Lee Child’s 13th Jack Reacher novel, Gone Tomorrow. The story kicks off with a tense encounter on a train that spirals into a deadly conspiracy involving powerful enemies. Season 4 also welcomes a host of new faces, including Sydelle Noel, Agnez Mo, Anggun, Kevin Corrigan, Kevin Weisman, Marc Blucas, and Kathleen Robertson. Alan Ritchson returns as the titular Jack Reacher, with Maria Sten reprising her role as Frances Neagley. Rodriguez-Marquette brings a diverse résumé to the series, with recent appearances in Barry, Mozart in the Jungle, and indie films like Grind and Fear, Inc.. 

06/26/25 @ 3:28 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: MIsc

In a move that’s sending ripples through both Hollywood and Her Majesty’s Secret Service, acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has officially been named the director of the next James Bond movie. This marks the first 007 installment under Amazon MGM Studios’ creative leadership, following their acquisition of the franchise’s rights in 2022. Villeneuve, the visionary behind Dune, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049, brings a reputation for cerebral storytelling and breathtaking visuals. His appointment signals a bold new chapter for the Bond saga—one that may blend the franchise’s signature espionage thrills with a deeper, more atmospheric tone. “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,” Villeneuve said in a statement. “I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come”. The film will be produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman, with Villeneuve also serving as executive producer alongside Tanya Lapointe. While no release date has been announced, production is expected to begin after Villeneuve completes work on Dune: Part Three, slated for release in late 2026. As for who will don the tuxedo next, speculation continues to swirl. Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains a frontrunner, but no official casting has been confirmed.