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11/07/22 @ 11:20 am EST
 DF Interview: Steve Orlando casts a spell on readers in ‘The Scarlet Witch’ By Byron BrewerThere 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. 05/02/26 @ 1:59 pm EST
James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, has addressed the strange “partial reboot” of the DCEU and why he didn’t just start completely fresh. With the new DCU starting with the animated Creature Commandos series and the new Superman movie, certain elements from the previous regime carried over like Viola Davis as Amanda Waller and there were some questions about more recent projects like Gunn’s own The Suicide Squad and Blue Beetle. And Gunn’s first DC movie also had elements from previous films including Margot Robbie as Harley Qiunn. So why not just start over? Turns out a lot of it has to do with the John Cena lead Peacemaker series on HBO Max. According to a social media post by Gunn, “Peacemaker Season 2 deals were all in place when I became head of DC. It was either break everyone's contracts and pay out all that money and take away HBO Max's biggest show at the time or find a way to make it work. I chose the latter. Mostly tho because I love the character and the show and thought he/they could be an important part of the DCU.” Now, this has left quite a mess trying to figure out what is and isn’t cannon, and Gunn realizes this. He posted, “I've been thinking about this a lot in regards to The Suicide Squad & Blue Beetle and I've been meaning to rewatch both with an eye towards that knowing what I know now almost three years into the DCU (with a couple more years of scripts being actively filmed or created). Maybe after MoT Jenn & Steve & I can get together for a special couple podcasts to discuss. What do you guys think is potentially or definitely NOT canon from TSS & BB?” He is referring to Jennifer Holland, his wife and actress who plays Harcourt and Steve Agee who plays Economos. The three of them did the post-episode podcasts for Peacemaker season two. Doing The Suicide Squad film makes sense with its ties to Peacemaker, but the reason for the Blue Beetle is that there are talks of an animated Blue Beetle series based on the 2023 film with Xolo Maridueña continuing in the role of Jaime Reyes. The fact it’s included here confirms the animated series is still happening.  ...
04/18/26 @ 12:44 pm EST
David Harbour is heading into the jungle. The actor has joined the cast of John Rambo, an upcoming origin-story film set before the events of First Blood. Harbour will portray Major (also known in earlier films as Colonel) Sam Trautman, the tough-minded commander and mentor figure long associated with the franchise. The film stars Noah Centineo as a younger John Rambo and is directed by Jalmari Helander ( Sisu) from a screenplay by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani. The project is expected to explore the experiences that forged Rambo into one of action cinema’s most enduring figures—years before he returned home to the confrontation that launched the original 1982 film. John Rambo is backed by Lionsgate and Millennium Media, with Templeton Media and AGBO also involved, and has reportedly wrapped production in Thailand. Additional cast members include Yao, Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Jefferson White, and Tayme Thapthimthong. Sylvester Stallone—who originated the role across five films—is attached as an executive producer, alongside Anthony and Joe Russo and other producers tied to the project.  04/18/26 @ 12:24 pm EST
Deadline is reporting that Game of Thrones actor Charles Dance will be joining the cast of the upcoming The Batman Part 2, which is set to start filming in the next few weeks. While this is unconfirmed by DC Studios, Dance is believed to be playing Charles Dent, the father of Harvey Dent aka Two-Face played by fellow newcome to the franchise, Sebastian Stan. There had been many reports over the last few months of other actors turning down the role of the elder Dent which is believed to have some parallels with the role Dance is best known for, Tywin Lannister. He joins a cast that also returns Robert Pattinson, Andy Serkis, Colin Farrell and that has added Scarlett Johansson in an undisclosed part. Prior to joining the Matt Reeves’ sequel, Dance appeared recently in Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein and the Peacock series Day of the Jackal. 
04/11/26 @ 11:27 am EST
FX is doubling down on one of television’s most unlikely success stories. The Emmy‑winning docuseries Welcome to Wrexham has been officially renewed for three additional seasons, ensuring the show will run through at least Season 8. The announcement comes just weeks ahead of the series’ Season 5 premiere on May 14, 2026. The series chronicles the ownership journey of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney—often credited onscreen as Rob Mac—after their 2020 takeover of Welsh football club Wrexham AFC. What began as a celebrity‑owned sports experiment has evolved into one of FX’s most successful and beloved nonfiction franchises, following the club’s extraordinary rise through the English football pyramid. FX Entertainment president Nick Grad called the renewal “nearly unheard of,” praising the creative team and the global connection audiences have formed with the club and its community. Reynolds and McElhenney echoed that sentiment in a joint statement, crediting the documentary crew and Wrexham’s rapid on‑field success for making such a long‑term commitment possible. Season 5 will continue to track Wrexham’s pursuit of promotion to the Premier League following three consecutive promotions, a feat never before achieved in English Football League history. With cameras set to keep rolling for years to come, FX has made it clear that Wrexham’s story—both on and off the pitch—is far from finished.  04/11/26 @ 11:17 am EST
As anticipation builds for DC Studios’ upcoming Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, speculation around its final unannounced role has gone into overdrive. Over the past several days, a wave of casting rumors surged online—only to be decisively debunked by director and DC Studios co‑chair James Gunn himself. The most prominent rumor centered on the alien queen Maxima, a character from DC Comics long speculated to appear in the film. An initial report from Deadline claimed that Ella Purnell, Marisa Abela, and Adria Arjona had screen‑tested for the role. Gunn fired back on Threads, calling the report “shoddy & incorrect” and stating that he had never even met two of the actresses named. He emphasized that had anyone from the outlet checked with the production, the story would have been immediately denied. Gunn further clarified that his statement was not an indirect confirmation that Maxima is in Man of Tomorrow at all. When pressed by fans, he said he was “absolutely not confirming” the character’s inclusion, while adding that the film has only one remaining role left to cast, with all major roles already announced. Shortly after Gunn posted, the Hollywood Reporter came out with its own list of finalists for the role that included Arjona, the one actress in the first report that Gunn has worked with previously, along with Eva De Dominici, Sydney Chandler, and Grace Van Patten. Another rumor floating around is that Maxima is just a cover character and that they are really casting the DCU’s new Wonder Woman. While the character’s stories are very different, the physicality of both women are similar enough and it would be a good cover if DC Studios wanted to keep the introduction of a major character quiet. Which ever it is, a decision will need to be made soon as Man of Tomorrow is slated to begin filming sometime this month down in Atlanta and is slated to be released July 9th, 2027.  ... 04/05/26 @ 4:17 pm EST
Marvel fans may finally be getting the reunion they’ve been waiting for. Mike Colter and Finn Jones were recently spotted on the New York set of Daredevil: Born Again season 3, sparking widespread excitement that The Defenders are officially back. Photos from the production show Colter and Jones alongside Krysten Ritter, who reprises her role as Jessica Jones, strongly suggesting that Luke Cage and Iron Fist are once again entering Marvel’s street-level corner. While Marvel Studios has not formally announced their return, the presence of all three actors together during filming points to a deliberate reunion rather than a coincidence. The sighting is significant because Colter and Jones last portrayed their characters during Marvel’s Netflix era, where they joined Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Ritter’s Jessica Jones in the 2017 crossover miniseries The Defenders. With Daredevil: Born Again already reestablishing that continuity on Disney+, season 3 now appears poised to fully reassemble the team for the first time in nearly a decade. Although plot details remain under wraps, the set photos alone have reignited fan enthusiasm for Marvel’s grounded, Hell’s Kitchen–based heroes. If the reunion is confirmed on screen, Daredevil: Born Again season 3 could mark a major turning point—bringing The Defenders back together and firmly reintegrating Marvel’s Netflix characters into the broader MCU.  03/28/26 @ 1:40 pm EST
Games Workshop has officially unveiled Warhammer 40,000: 11th Edition, confirming that the next evolution of its flagship tabletop wargame will launch in June 2026. The announcement was made during the AdeptiCon 2026 preview event, where a cinematic trailer, a new starter box, and early details about rules changes were revealed. The narrative focus of 11th Edition returns players to Armageddon, one of the most iconic war zones in Warhammer 40K lore. The new storyline centers on a massive conflict between the Imperium of Man and invading Ork forces, with the Blood Angels Space Marines positioned as the headline Imperial faction opposing an Ork Waaagh!. A major lore highlight is the confirmed return of Commissar Sebastian Yarrick, a long‑standing fan‑favorite character closely associated with Armageddon’s wars. His reappearance anchors the edition firmly in classic Warhammer history while advancing the ongoing narrative following recent campaign books. The launch of 11th Edition will be accompanied by a new boxed starter set titled Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon. The set includes newly revealed Space Marine and Ork miniatures, with early previews showing updated Intercessors that blend modern Primaris design with visual callbacks to older armor marks. While the full contents of the box have not yet been detailed, Games Workshop confirmed that additional starter products at different price points will follow, continuing the company’s recent approach to onboarding new players. Unlike the dramatic overhaul that accompanied 10th Edition, early information indicates that 11th Edition is designed as an iterative update rather than a full system reset. Existing 10th Edition Codex and Supplement books will remain valid at launch, meaning players will not need to immediately replace their current army rules. Confirmed design goals include streamlined core mechanics, reduced rules stacking, and a closer alignment between narrative and matched play. Games Workshop has emphasized faster gameplay, clearer interactions, and improved balance without discarding the foundations introduced in the previous edition. Although the June 2026 release window has been confirmed, many specifics—such as the full ruleset, complete model lineup, and codex roadmap—remain under wraps. Games Workshop has stated that deeper rules previews and additional reveals will be shared in the months leading up to launch.  ... 03/28/26 @ 1:16 pm EST
While attending a comics convention this weekend, Tom King offered fans a substantive update on the long‑anticipated Mister Miracle animated series, confirming that the project has moved into a significant new phase of development. King, who serves as both lead writer and showrunner on the series, revealed that the pilot episode has now been completed. According to his comments at the event, the show is no longer in early conceptual stages but is actively progressing, with King currently involved in editing the series and writing later episodes. One of the biggest takeaways from the panel was confirmation that a voice cast has already been hired. While no names were announced, King teased that fans would be extremely excited once the cast is officially revealed, suggesting that announcements are likely forthcoming. The Mister Miracle animated series is based on the acclaimed 12‑issue comic run written by King and illustrated by Mitch Gerads. During the panel, King reiterated that the show is aiming to closely reflect Gerads’ distinctive visual style, an approach that has been a priority throughout development. This commitment aligns with previous statements that the production is pushing the boundaries of animation to faithfully translate the look and tone of the original comics. King also confirmed that the series is set within the DC Universe and that he is writing all eight episodes himself. His dual role as writer and showrunner positions the project as a deeply personal adaptation of his Eisner Award–winning work, rather than a loose reinterpretation. Although no release date was announced during the convention, King’s update makes it clear that Mister Miracle is firmly in active development rather than stalled or uncertain. The completed pilot and hired voice cast mark major milestones, signaling that the project is steadily moving forward.  ... 03/21/26 @ 1:51 pm EST
With HBO and DC Studios’ upcoming series Lanterns positioning itself as a grounded, detective‑style drama, fans are paying close attention to how the show will deploy one of the Green Lantern mythos’ most iconic figures: Sinestro. Officially confirmed to appear in the series and portrayed by Ulrich Thomsen, Sinestro’s inclusion signals that Lanterns is not just telling a crime story—it is laying the foundation for the moral and ideological conflicts at the heart of the Green Lantern universe. According to DC Studios’ official character description, Sinestro is a former Green Lantern who turned rogue after abusing his power. He is described as “ruthless yet undeniably charming,” with a manipulative obsession centered on his former mentee, Hal Jordan. Jordan is being played by Kyle Chandler. This immediately suggests that Sinestro’s role in Lanterns will be personal rather than purely antagonistic. Rather than functioning as a straightforward villain to be defeated, Sinestro is more likely to appear as a philosophical counterpoint to Hal Jordan. In the comics, Sinestro believes order must be enforced through fear, not willpower or trust. Translating that worldview into a grounded HBO drama fits perfectly with the show’s True Detective-inspired tone, where moral certainty is often elusive. Lanterns centers on Hal Jordan and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as intergalactic law officers investigating a murder in the American heartland. While the crime is Earth‑based, the implications are cosmic, and Sinestro’s presence may loom over the investigation rather than dominate it outright. Given Sinestro’s history as Hal Jordan’s mentor, one plausible role is that of a symbolic embodiment of Hal’s past failures. Sinestro may serve as a reminder of what happens when a Green Lantern decides the rules no longer work—or that he alone should decide how justice is delivered. This framing would reinforce Hal’s status as a seasoned Lantern nearing the end of his career, forced to confront the ideological consequences of the Corps’ authority. Production reports confirm that Sinestro is a recurring character, not necessarily the central antagonist of every episode. That opens the door for a more subtle narrative function: Sinestro as a background manipulator. Rather than openly opposing the Lanterns, Sinestro could be: Feeding Hal Jordan information to test his judgment, quietly steering events tied to the murder investigation or Serving as a warning figure for John Stewart, illustrating what a Lantern can become when certainty replaces empathy. This approach aligns with comments from Ulrich Thomsen, who hinted on social media that his time as Sinestro may not be finished, suggesting long‑term narrative relevance beyond a single season. While Lanterns is firmly Earth‑based, it exists within DC Studios’ broader DC Universe (DCU). Sinestro’s introduction here may function less as a payoff and more as setup. In DC canon, Sinestro is to the Green Lanterns what Lex Luthor is to Superman—a recurring ideological nemesis rather than a one‑time foe. By grounding Sinestro early as a calculating, persuasive presence rather than a spectacle‑driven villain, Lanterns could be positioning him as: A future architect of larger DCU conflicts, a connective figure between cosmic and Earth‑level stories or as a moral antagonist whose philosophy spreads rather than attacks. Nothing beyond Lanterns has been officially confirmed, but Sinestro’s stature in DC lore makes his appearance here feel intentional rather than incidental. Based on what is known, Sinestro’s role in Lanterns is unlikely to hinge on spectacle. Instead, he appears poised to challenge the core identity of the Green Lantern Corps—and of Hal Jordan himself. Whether he appears as a mentor‑turned‑enemy, a manipulative observer, or a philosophical provocateur, Sinestro represents the question at the heart of the series: Is justice about enforcing order—or believing people can choose to do better? In a show built around investigation, doubt, and moral consequence, Sinestro may not be the loudest presence—but he could be the most dangerous one.  ... 03/21/26 @ 1:35 pm EST
The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Nicholas Brendon, the actor best known for his role as Xander Harris on the beloved television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Brendon passed away at the age of 54, his family confirmed, stating that he died in his sleep of natural causes. News of his passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, friends, and fans who grew up with his work and were touched by his honesty and humanity. Born in Los Angeles in 1971, Brendon rose to international fame in 1997 when he was cast as Xander Harris, the witty, loyal, and often self‑deprecating heart of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Appearing in all seven seasons of the series from 1997 to 2003, Brendon helped shape one of television’s most enduring ensemble casts. Xander, the lone member of the group without supernatural powers, became a relatable stand‑in for audiences—grounded, flawed, brave, and deeply human. Following Buffy, Brendon continued to work steadily in television and film. His credits included recurring roles on Criminal Minds and Private Practice, as well as appearances in Kitchen Confidential, Faking It, and cult films such as Psycho Beach Party and Coherence. While none matched the cultural impact of Buffy, his performances were often praised for their sincerity and emotional openness. In later years, Brendon spoke candidly about his personal struggles. He was open about living with addiction, mental health challenges, and serious medical conditions, including a congenital heart defect and complications from spinal injuries that required multiple surgeries. His willingness to discuss these issues publicly resonated with many fans, who saw in him not just a television star, but a person navigating real and painful challenges while continuing to create. Despite these difficulties, Brendon remained creatively driven. According to his family, he found renewed passion in painting and visual art in recent years, sharing his work with friends and supporters. In their statement announcing his death, they remembered him as “passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create,” and asked for privacy as they grieve and celebrate his life.  ... |
