Chris Pratt is returning as the rogue military man James Reece for a second season of ‘The Terminal List,’ which has been confirmed to be based on author Jack Carr’s novel ‘True Believer.’ Not only that, but Taylor Kitsch is returning as his former ally Ben Edwards for a prequel.
The ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ star confirmed the renewal on social media.
“I’m excited to announce that the second season of The Terminal List is on its way, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to reprise my role as James Reece,” he said on Instagram. “This season promises to be even more intense and action-packed than the first, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it. And for those who are fans of Taylor Kitsch’s Ben Edwards, I’m happy to say that we’re also working on a spinoff series that will delve deeper into his story and follow his journey from a Navy SEAL to a CIA operative. And to make it even more exciting, I will also be appearing in this prequel series! I promise you it will be just as thrilling and engaging as The Terminal List. Stay tuned for more updates and we can’t wait for you all to join us on this journey.”
The first season of ‘The Terminal List’ was based on a 2018 action-thriller novel by Jack Carr, who has released several books in the series based on James Reece. It aired eight episodes in 2022.
Kitsch also expressed his excitement for the renewal saying in a statement, “Thank you to all the fans for believing in this show, we wouldn’t be here without your support. I’m excited to continue this wild ride that is Ben Edwards and bring to life Jack Carr’s amazing stories.”
Amazon Studios has not revealed a release date but noted that it will once again stream to Prime Video.
Very soon, Star Wars fans will be able to get their hands on the next chapter following the story of Jedi Knight Cal Kestis in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the sequel to Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, taking place within the Star Wars canon following the events of Order 66 and the fall of the Jedi Order. It’s a highly anticipated game that is going to make waves upon its release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. But are you up to date with everything Star Wars that is relevant to the story of Jedi Survivor, or have you missed out on some big Star Wars details that will become important to this new story? Fret not padawans, we have your back with all the Star Wars things you should check out before the release of the game.
While it’s easy to say you should play Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order beforehand, honestly you really should if you haven’t already, that’s not the only thing to check out prior to the new game’s release. Even if you’re not a big fan of Star Wars or have seen all of the movies and shows, you’re not going to need to in order to go into Jedi Survivor with a base knowledge of Star Wars knowledge.
Now that you have a little extra time before the release of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, here are five pieces of Star Wars media you can look into. Each one of them will give you the key backstory, lore, and details that you’ll want to know of going into the story of Jedi Survivor. Do or do not, there is no try here… So you may as well learn what you may have not already learned!
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
This might be an easy thing to bring up, but you’ll definitely want to watch the third prequel movie in the Star Wars saga. Besides the fact is a good Star Wars movie that is beloved by many, it has the plot details about the giant event within the Star Wars galaxy known as Order 66. The fall of the Galactic Republic and the fall of the Jedi are tied to this major event, which changed the status of the galaxy in a very significant way and influenced many other events within Star Wars stories. It’s quite simply one of the biggest things to know for the time that Jedi Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor take place.
While Cal Kestis was a young boy when Order 66 took place, his story in Jedi Fallen Order starts about five years after Order 66 and the ending of Revenge of the Sith. During the first game, we see a young Cal Kestis experience the shock and horror of Order 66 first-hand and how the Jedi were caught by surprise.
When Jedi Survivor begins, it will have been 10 years after Order 66, given that the sequel takes place another five years after the events of Jedi Fallen Order. So if you watch Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, you’ll see everything about the cataclysmic event that everyone refers to in nearly every Star Wars media since then.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Season 2 – Season 7)
Now with this, you have a lot of room to watch a lot or as little as you like. Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated series that tells many stories set during the era before Luke Skywalker, following his father Anakin Skywalker before his fall to the dark side of the force. All of the time between prequel movies, specifically between Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, is where this series takes place. And while you don’t need to watch either one of those films to enjoy the series, it does help if you do. But if you only want to get a sample of the series, you don’t need to watch the whole thing.
The main reason you’ll want to see a few episodes of The Clone Wars is to see what the Jedi were near the height of their power in the galaxy. Much of this won’t relate to anything about Cal Kestis, other than the fact that the Jedi Order was a very influential thing in the galaxy. Before things went bad for everyone and the dreaded Sith rose to power, the Jedi were the guardians of peace and justice in the Republic. They fought against the Separatist armies alongside the Clone Army of the Republic in many battles that we don’t see in the movies.
There are seven seasons of the show, but you can honestly pick any episode within seasons 2 through 7 and enjoy a great story. However, if you want the full effect and want to follow the many big arcs that unfold, you’ll definitely want to stick around for the whole series.
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi
Let’s talk about some more Jedi business. If you want a good look at some of the interesting stories related to the Jedi just before the events of Revenge of the Sith, then Tales of the Jedi is a quick and fun watch. This is an anthology series that tells related stories that jump back and forth between timeframes but is set mostly during the era of The Clone Wars. You not only get to see events that are relevant to the prequel films but also get to see a lot of other details that led up to the events of Order 66.
The series is very short in comparison to everything else. The episodes are around 10 – 15 minutes in length, and you can probably watch all of the shorts in one session which is shorter than a theatrical movie. But you get a lot of stories and great moments that loosely connect to the events of Jedi Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor, with enough relevance to make you see why things are so dire in the galaxy.
Star Wars: Rebels
Now if you want to see something that is a little closer to the events of Jedi Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor, but still has some of that classic Star Wars flair, then you’ll want to watch Star Wars: Rebels. Set around fourteen years after the events of Order 66, the show follows a cast of characters that are on the run from the newly risen Galactic Empire. While the heroes and villains you meet have some very strong connections to The Clone Wars, their adventures, and major events do have a rippling effect on other parts of the galaxy, including what happens to Cal Kestis.
The beauty of Star Wars: Rebels is that it fills in gaps that are in between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and the original Star Wars movie, Episode IV: A New Hope. The final season of the show almost leads directly into what happens in that original movie, with a few twists and turns that fit nicely into the canon of the franchise. You not only get to see more of the remaining Jedi after what happened with Order 66 but also get a very good idea of the state of the galaxy during the rise of the Galactic Empire at the height of its power.
You also get a lot of insight into the dreaded Inquisitors that we see in Jedi Fallen Order, with characters that are referenced but never seen in the game as well. Out of all the Star Wars media that are readily available, this is the show that has the strongest connections to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor that you’ll want to look into. And with some of the teases about Jedi Survivor’s story, there may be even more interesting connections that will set Star Wars fans into a frenzy with excitement.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
One of the more unique and interesting pieces of Star Wars media is the film Rogue One. This story is set just before the events of the very first Star Wars film, Episode IV: A New Hope, and gives some very big setup for the iconic story that unfolds. What makes this relevant to Jedi Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor is how this story takes place after the story of Cal Kestis. And while we don’t know what Cal’s fate is in the game just yet, we do know that he isn’t around during the events of the original trilogy or this movie. Whatever happens to Cal has already taken place in another part of the galaxy, and this is what happens right afterward.
If you’ve played Jedi Fallen Order then you’ll remember the appearance of a character named Saw Gerrera, a rebel fighter who is also an extremist. The first time Star Wars fans met this character was in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story when the young Jin Erso comes across him on the planet Jedha. A lot of what we know about Saw Gerrera comes from this film, which is also explored in series like The Clone Wars and briefly in Jedi Fallen Order. There’s a strong possibility that Saw Gerrera will appear again for some reason in Jedi Survivor, as he’s still fighting against the Empire with his band of rebels during the time the game takes place.
If there is one big reason why you’ll want to see Rogue One before playing Jedi Survivor, then it would be because whatever happens in the game will line up with this film. While Cal Kestis will be coming across Inquisitors and possible dark side users, his story still runs parallel to the ongoing Galactic Civil War that is taking place, leading up to the events of Episode IV: A New Hope. So watching this film, along with everything else we’ve mentioned up to now, will help fill in gaps of information about the Star Wars galaxy and allow you to see the significance of everything that happens.
If you’re able to check out all of the media we’ve mentioned, you’ll be more than ready for the release of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. We can’t wait to see what happens next with Cal Kestis and return to a galaxy far, far away with our friend BD-1. Who knows what crazy things will happen next, but we’ll be ready for it. Look for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor when it releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on April 28, 2023.
Are you going to be picking up the game on release? What do you want to see happen to Cal Kestis during the game? Post a comment down below and let us know your thoughts!
If you own one of New Wave Toys’ various 1:6 scale arcade cabinet replicas and want to add to the display potential, the company now offers to-scale stools. The die-cast metal stools are available with multiple colored seats and graphics.
Put those expensive Hot Toys figures to work … playing arcade games.
Regardless of which style you choose, each stool is $19.99.
Photo Credit: New Wave Toys
Photo Credit: New Wave Toys
Photo Credit: New Wave Toys
Photo Credit: New Wave Toys
Photo Credit: New Wave Toys
Photo Credit: New Wave Toys
Photo Credit: New Wave Toys
Photo Credit: New Wave Toys
All the stool types have the same features:
1:6 Scale Replica Arcade Accurate Stool
Limited Edition Design
Extra Heavy-Duty Solid Die-cast Metal Construction
Rubber Feet
Chrome Plated
Soft PU Padded Seat
Works with Most Sixth Scale Action Figures
If these stools aren’t to your liking, there are alternatives. Laser MEGOoffers more traditional barstools for $8 each. These are 3D printed. If you have a printer, check out sites like Thingiverse and make your own.
I own the early version of the Dragon’s Lair Replicade cabinet, and I’d pick one up if a stool were themed after the game. What’s holding me back from buying one is build quality. It may have been better to make these with a molded seat rather than using polyurethane leather.
From my experience, PU breaks down quickly. I get that New Wave Toys wanted to be as authentic as possible, but do we need to worry about how comfortable action figures are when they sit on one of these?
Claudia Gray, the ‘Star Wars’ author who gave readers a rock for a character, that she named Geode, is now being given a Haunted Mansion book. It is entitled ‘The Haunted Mansion: Storm and Shade.’ Yeah, I’m not too excited and worried for where this will go.
I will start off by saying that this article will contain opinion as well as fact. So consider that as you progress.
Gray, had written a few ‘Star Wars’ books including: ‘Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Lost Stars, ‘Bloodline,’ and ‘Leia: Princess of Alderaan’ before moving onto the ‘High Republic’ series. While working as part of ‘The High Republic’ she wrote ‘Star Wars The High Republic: Into The Dark.’ This is where she gave ‘Star Wars’ fans the character of Geode, who is basically a rock slab. It of course led to many jokes and eye rolls.
Now, Disney has put her on a Haunted Mansion book. I hope this time we aren’t getting sentient rocks. But what we are getting is a girl who has an anxiety disorder and stories about how ghosts get scared too?
Q: Without giving too much away, can you tell us about the story, specifically our protagonist, Audrey?
Audrey has just moved into the city from the suburbs, and so she’s having to adjust to a new school (with the world’s worst uniforms), new friends, and a not-quite-long-distance relationship with her boyfriend, Chase. This would be tough for anyone, but Audrey has also been dealing with terrible anxiety attacks. Therapy is helping, but guess what’s right down the street in her new neighborhood? And just when she thinks the Haunted Mansion is as terrifying as anything could ever be, Audrey realizes that even the Happy Haunts can get scared….
Oh no. The world’s worst uniforms. Actually, that could be scarier than the ghosts in the mansion. Bad drip can seriously lead to social issues for YA readers. I’ll give her that one.
Moving is also super hard so that is relatable and I’ll give her that one. But she has an anxiety disorder and so do the ghosts?
Ok.
Q: Claudia, we can’t wait for your take on the Haunted Mansion! It’s always been my favorite attraction at the parks, but what about it inspired you to write an original YA novel centered on it?
I’ve adored the Haunted Mansion since my very first trip to Walt Disney World back when I was 9 years old. But the real inspiration came when I realized that the Disneyland Haunted Mansion is canonically located in my very own city of New Orleans. This is a magical place with its own folklore (more houses haunted per capita than anywhere else in the country, I think?), and such a perfect setting for a Mansion story. Of course it would be here! It’s not hard to imagine that you might find it if you just turn the wrong corner.
Thank God it’s the Disneyland version and not the Walt Disney World one.
Q: If you had to play favorites, which of the 999 Happy Haunts do you like best?
Oh, no no no no. Do you think I would ever risk ticking off the other 998 Haunts by not picking them? Then what happens the next time I’m on the ride? My lips are sealed.
The book will go on sale on Sept. 5, 2023. You can pre-order it now on Amazon for $17.99 (affiliate link because I can’t change this but I can make money on the book to spite it.)
The more we learn about James Gunn’s plans for the DCEU, the more I’m starting to think I was too hard on Henry Cavill’s run as Superman. At least the collectibles market will keep the actor’s version of the Man of Steel alive.
If you’re looking to bring home a 1:1 scale bust of Cavill’s perfect face, then check out Queen Studios’ two versions of Cavill’s Superman: The Man of Steel (red and blue) and Justice League (black outfit). Both busts have a hidden baby Kal-El hidden behind the ‘S’ emblem or JL symbol. The tiny last Son of Krypton is kept company with an LED light.
Like the company’s other busts, Superman will feature glass eyes, and silicone skin, and his suit is made of polystone.
The busts are limited to 150 pieces for each version. They’ll be shipping out during the last quarter of 2023.
Sadly, Superman is only available in Mainland China, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This bust is not part of Queen Studios’ distribution deal with Sideshow Collectibles.
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
Photo Credit: Queen Studios
“The base on the limited edition Superman bust is inspired by Superman’s Kryptionian spacecraft. The front of the base features the Superman and Justice League logos, respectively. The logo’s are magnetically attached, when removed collectors can reveal the inside of the spacecraft with the infant Kal El inside wrapped in swaddling blankets.”
Although fans in the US can’t get this bust, you can still order the $2,500 1:3 scale Superman statue.
We managed to go a whole month without having to talk about Activision Blizzard’s various lawsuits. Today, the embattled company finally put one of its legal issues to rest with a $35M smack on the wrist.
According to a press release from the SEC, Activision Blizzard was fully aware of the issues. Still, the company “lacked controls and procedures among its separate business units to collect and analyze employee complaints of workplace misconduct.” This inaction resulted in employees’ concerns going unanswered or even documented.
In addition, from 2016 to 2021, the company also ran afoul of the government’s whistleblower rules “by requiring former employees to provide notice to the company if they received a request for information from the [SEC’s] staff.” The company failed on multiple levels during the four to five years this was going on, resulting in the agreed settlement.
The press release did not state if any $35M settlement would go towards whistleblowers or other former employees of the video game powerhouse. After reading the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Statement Regarding Offers of Settlement, it appears that the money may find its way into the hands of those harmed. However, given this is not a case of investor fraud, it’s hard to say.
One interesting thing that the SEC’s Director of the Regional Office in Denver, Jason Burt, said was that AB’s actions were “illegal.” However, no one at the company’s highest levels appears to be taking ownership or losing employment. With more lawsuits still making their way slowly through the system, maybe one of these will eventually end with some justice.
I wonder if Microsoft is reconsidering the acquisition.
If you have been wanting to get your hands on the Pokémon Squishmallows I have some good news for you. The super huggable plushies are showing back up in stores and online. Just yesterday I saw a bin full of them at our local Walmart!
Pikachu and Gengar Squishmallows are available for a May pre-order date in both 10″ and 14″ sizes at GameStop.
These have been incredibly hard to get for whatever reason. But they are reappearing. The prices on these are a lot higher than standard Squishmallows, but many collectors and Pokemon fans will still feel it’s worth the cost.
Because they are showing up the prices are finally starting to come down on sites like eBay. Don’t give up hope! They were set to be released this month and might be a lot easier to come by soon.
I’m kind of interested in what characters the next wave will include?
What do you think? Are these worth the price and the hype?
Originating as a web novel in 2014, ‘By the Grace of the Gods’ is a fantasy adventure light novel series written by Roy, illustrated by Ririnra, and published by Hobby Japan since 2017. The Japanese animation studio Maho Film picked it up for an anime in 2020 and launched a second season in 2023.
Crunchyroll acquired the streaming rights for the anime and has announced that season two will be accompanied by and English dub.
“Deep in the forest, far from any human contact, there lives a child named Ryouma Takebayashi. He engages in the rather strange hobby of keeping various types of slimes as pets. Furthermore, despite his young age, he has a sturdy physique and good compatibility for magic. All of this is because, having endured much hardship in his previous life, three gods grace Ryouma with a second chance to pursue one goal: savor the wonders of life.
After three years of comfortable solitude pass by, Ryouma meets people that will change his current life forever. When he encounters and helps some soldiers tend to their wounded comrade, the group convinces him to accompany them to visit the nearby town’s ducal family. Ryouma agrees and soon embarks on a journey to explore the vast world beyond his home.”
There is a manga version of the series published by Square Enix and illustrated by Ranran that has been launched since 2017.
The 2019 remake of the dark fantasy ‘Dororo’ was developed by the Japanese animation studios MAPPA and Tezuka Productions. It aired for a single season of twenty-four episodes with Sentai Filmworks acquiring the license for a North American release. HiDive has announced that they will air the English dub version on their streaming service.
“We’re going to start 2023 with a bang. The Winter 2023 season just started, yes, but we’re going to make your January even better by giving you ALL 24 episodes of Dororo,” HiDive said in a statement. “And you’re not just getting the subbed anime; you’re getting the English dub too!”
“In Japan’s Warring States period, Lord Daigo Kagemitsu makes a pact with 12 demons, exchanging his unborn son for the prosperity of his lands. The child is born malformed and is set adrift in a river, while Kagemitsu’s lands thrive as promised. Years later, young thief Dororo encounters the mysterious “Hyakkimaru”, a boy whose arms are blades and whose visionless eyes seem able to see monsters.”
‘Dororo’ is based on a manga series created by Osamu Tezuka and was serialized by Weekly Shōnen Sunday and Bōken Ō from 1967 to 1969. It was published in North America by the Kodansha USA imprint Vertical.
The first anime based on ‘Dororo’ aired in 1969 and was produced by Mushi Production. The animation was done in black and white, running for a single season of twenty-six episodes.
Sailor Moon has been one of my favorites since I first saw it in the 1990’s. When I find cute, and sparkly, pieces that remind me of the show, I gravitate towards them. If you are unfamiliar with Girls Crew, they are a jewelry company that creates fun pieces including IP like Star Wars or Disney princesses.
The pieces I am going to share are not actually Sailor Moon pieces, hence the “Sailor Moon-esque” title, but they remind me a lot of the show. While officially part of their GC-Galaxy collection, I think Sailor Moon fans would find them exciting! I personally own two of the earring sets.
I will mention that these pieces are petite so the price is a bit high, but they do offer sales from time to time. They also give you three choices of metal colors on most pieces: silver, gold, or rose gold.
What do you think? Which piece(s) are your favorite?
