|
11/13/14 @ 2:14 am EST
Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery, writers of Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini #2,talks with Christina Blanch about The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood #2, both on sale Nov. 12 ANTHONY DEL COL & CONOR McCREERY: The trope of the financially put-upon hero making a bad choice because of money needs is a classic one, but Damnation gives it a twist in that Charlie is, or should be, solidly middle class. Yet he sees his insurance pulled away from him because of budget cuts. How much of North America’s recent economic history inspired Charlie’s plight? CHRISTINA BLANCH: This actually happened to Chris and me. We got our insurance and then to save money, they took it from us the next year. It was frustrating and so we decided to put it in the book as a main theme. The problem is that even with insurance, people still have money issues. I recently pulled a “Sideshow Bob” and stepped on a garden tool, smashing my eye. That little trip to the emergency room was crazy expensive even with my (albeit pitiful) insurance. So, with Charlie’s sick kid, those bills add up fast! DC & M: In issue #2 we see Stokes watching Charlie and Barnum negotiate. It seems like Stokes is waiting to see if Charlie is going to fall out of Barnum’s protection, but is there perhaps more to the Stokes/Barnum relationship than we’re seeing right now?  CB: Stokes and Barnum are power struggling. They both want to be the big cheese. Stokes is a huge man that can intimidate; Barnum is a ‘normal’ sized man who can intimidate in other ways. I guess we will see who is mightier in the end. Stokes isn’t going away any time soon. He’ll keep lurking around. DC & M: Damnation has an interesting chapter structure unlike most comics. What inspired that? CB: It’s modified from a web comic so we needed something to help break it up. I’m not sure if we are continuing that in the rest of the comics, but we’ll see. Every month it’s an experiment to try and figure out how we are going to convert this comic made for web viewing to print. It’s seriously a cut and paste project – we cut out the panel and paste (well, tape) them together to form the page. It’s just how I have to do things right now in this learning process. DC & M: Cervantes, Dumas … there are a lot of references to classic literature. But both of the heroes of these books are highly active characters while Charlie, at least so far, is having trouble setting his own course. Was this an intentional contrast?  CB: No. But cool. The classic literature portion is where I go to Chris and say, hey, let’s use this great prison story — what class lit goes along with it? Then he uses his brilliance to come up with a story with parallel lines. The Count of Monte Cristo was an exception to that. We knew we wanted to use that and had to come up with a “prison story” to fit that. We both just felt that Charlie and Dumas needed to be used together. DC & M: Damnation feels like a Film Noir — there are hints of infidelity, betrayals and a morally challenged hero. Is Damnationmeant to be part of the genre, and were you inspired by any particular stories within it? CB: Not really anything intentional. It just kind of turned out that way. I think the black and white adds to that too. That said, and I can’t speak for Chris, but I love Film Noir. I love characters that don’t have it all together and have questions about morals because we all do that every day. I can relate to those characters. I think it’s more inspired by Columbo. I love Columbo. I love that most of the “villains” are just people who did something they normally wouldn’t do. Charlie isn’t really a villain, he’s just someone thrown into a terrible situation. (I’m not even sure I answered the question — now I just want to go watch more Columbo.)
06/28/25 @ 2:09 pm EST
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
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
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
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
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.  06/22/25 @ 1:53 pm EST
Oscar-winner Russell Crowe has officially joined the upcoming Highlander reboot, stepping into the iconic role of Ramirez — the immortal mentor originally portrayed by Sean Connery in the 1986 cult classic. Crowe will star opposite Henry Cavill, who leads the film as Connor MacLeod, a centuries-old Scottish warrior caught in a secret war among immortals. The film is being helmed by John Wick director Chad Stahelski and is set for a theatrical release under Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists. As Crowe himself cryptically posted on social media: “Yes... it’s true... I shall be returning to the highlands... with a sword... it has been a few centuries... there can be only one”. The reboot aims to reimagine the Highlander mythology for a new generation, blending historical flashbacks with modern-day action. Stahelski has teased a sweeping narrative that spans from the 1500s Highlands to futuristic cities like New York and Hong Kong, promising a mix of martial arts, swordplay, and emotional depth. Production is slated to begin this fall in London, with a release window eyed for 2026.  06/21/25 @ 2:46 pm EST
As production nears completing for DC Studios’ upcoming HBO series Lanterns, director James Hawes is offering fans a glimpse into what’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious entries in the new DC Universe. Helming the first two episodes, Hawes describes the show as a genre-bending blend of grounded mystery and cosmic spectacle — a “buddy cop movie” with a distinctly American heart. In recent interviews, Hawes emphasized that while the series begins with a gritty, earthbound tone reminiscent of True Detective, it eventually “goes intergalactic”. “The scripts have so much wit, so much character,” he said, likening the tone to a fusion of Fargo, No Country for Old Men, and yes, True Detective — but with Green Lanterns who can fly. Set in Nebraska, the story follows veteran Lantern Hal Jordan ( Kyle Chandler) and his new recruit John Stewart ( Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a seemingly isolated murder that spirals into a much larger conspiracy. Hawes promises that the show won’t disappoint longtime fans of the Green Lantern mythos, while also inviting in a new audience by introducing the characters in a “rooted way” before launching into the cosmic unknown. The cast is stacked with talent, including Nathan Fillion reprising his role as Guy Gardner, Kelly Macdonald as a small-town sheriff, and Ulrich Thomsen as the iconic rogue Sinestro. The series is co-written by Chris Mundy ( Ozark), Damon Lindelof ( Watchmen), and Tom King, with Hawes praising the writing team for crafting a sophisticated narrative that balances humor, character, and high-stakes drama. Lanterns is slated for an early 2026 premiere on HBO and will consist of eight episodes with filming expected to wrap soon.  06/21/25 @ 2:37 pm EST
Marvel Studios has officially announced that Jake Schreier, known for his work on the film Thunderbolts, has been tapped to direct the highly anticipated X-Men reboot. Schreier's appointment comes after months of speculation and rumors. His previous work on Thunderbolts received critical acclaim, despite the film's mixed box office performance. The decision to bring Schreier on board signals Marvel's commitment to revitalizing the X-Men franchise with fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling. The X-Men have a rich history in both comics and film, and fans are eager to see how Schreier will interpret these iconic characters. The director's vision for the X-Men is expected to blend the classic elements that fans love with new and exciting twists. One of the key challenges Schreier will face is balancing the expectations of long-time X-men fans with the need to attract new audiences. The X-Men films have a dedicated fan base, and any changes to the beloved characters and storylines will be closely scrutinized. In addition to directing, Schreier will be working closely with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and screenwriter Michael Lesslie on the script. As the MCU continues to expand, the introduction of the X-Men is a significant milestone. The mutants' arrival in the MCU opens up a wealth of storytelling possibilities and potential crossovers with other Marvel characters. The release date for the X-Men reboot has not yet been announced.  06/21/25 @ 2:28 pm EST
Jon Bernthal is officially bringing Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, into the cinematic orbit of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. The upcoming film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set to hit theaters on July 31, 2026, marks a gritty new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) — and a long-awaited crossover that promises fireworks. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton ( Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), the film picks up after the reality-altering events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Doctor Strange’s spell erased Peter Parker’s identity from the world’s memory. With Peter now navigating a lonelier, more grounded existence, the arrival of The Punisher hints at a darker, street-level tone for the franchise. Bernthal’s return as Castle is a major moment for fans of Marvel’s Netflix era. After debuting in Daredevil and headlining two seasons of The Punisher, Bernthal reprised the role in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+. Now, he’s stepping into the big leagues of the MCU film slate — and he’s not coming quietly. Joining Holland and Bernthal are returning cast members Zendaya (MJ) and Jacob Batalon (Ned), though it remains to be seen how — or if — their characters will reconnect with Peter. Also joining the ensemble is Stranger Things star Sadie Sink in a mysterious new role. And here’s a fun twist of fate: Bernthal and Holland actually helped each other land their Marvel roles while filming the 2017 movie Pilgrimage. According to Bernthal, he even encouraged Holland to throw in a backflip during his Spider-Man audition — a move that may have sealed the deal. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel seems poised to blend the emotional weight of Peter Parker’s journey with the raw intensity of Frank Castle’s crusade. One thing’s for sure: the neighborhood just got a lot more dangerous.  ...
06/18/25 @ 4:18 am EST
DC Studios has officially found its Clayface. Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries has been cast as the titular character in the upcoming standalone film. The announcement was made by DC Studios co-head James Gunn, who praised Harries’ performance as “blowing us away” after what he described as a long and exhaustive search. The film, slated for release on September 11, 2026, will be directed by James Watkins and penned by horror maestro Mike Flanagan, with additional script work by Oscar-nominated writer Hossein Amini. Rather than a traditional superhero flick, Clayface is being developed as a psychological horror tale. The story centers on a struggling B-movie actor who injects himself with a mysterious substance in a desperate bid to stay relevant—only to transform into a shape-shifting creature made entirely of clay. Harries, best known for roles in Suspicion, White Lines, and The Gentlemen, beat out a competitive shortlist of British talent including Jack O’Connell and George MacKay. This marks his first major lead in a blockbuster franchise. While Clayface has traditionally been a Batman villain—first introduced as Basil Karlo in Detective Comics #40 in 1940—this film will reportedly stand apart from the Caped Crusader’s storyline. Gunn has confirmed that Clayface will not appear in The Batman Part II, despite early speculation. Production is set to begin this fall in the UK at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios. With Superman launching the new DCU this summer and Supergirl following in 2026, Clayface will be the third film in the studio’s ambitious reboot of its cinematic universe.  |
