The Nintendo Switch has been sort of a dumping ground for shovelware and decade’s old Lucasarts games over the past few years. However, it’s not all bad because many older Star Wars games are far superior to what we’ve seen EA crap out since the company took over the license.
However, sometimes Nintendo really should be a bit more selective when it comes to what it ports over to the Switch.
We spotted this news over at GameSpot that Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will be forcing its way onto the Switch on April 20th. The big disappointment is that the Wii’s version of the 2008 Lucasarts title is coming to the Nintendo Switch. Originally The Force Unleashed was launched on PC, XBOX 360, PS3, and the underpowered Wii.
The Force Unleashed on the Wii was noticeably different from the other versions. The Wii required controller waggling rather than QTEs being just the push of a button. TFE also had severely downgraded graphics. The trailer above shows that the waggle controls are still there, but hopefully, they can be turned off. Then again, why buy this version when the XBOX 360 one is backwards compatible with the XBOX One and XBOX Series X?
Although Nintendo states that the Switch will receive an enhanced rendition of the game, the trailer shows something that still looks subpar compared to even the XBOX 360 game. Unfortunately, it is a situation that was probably inescapable since it would be too costly to port over the PC version of a 14-year-old game.
The Force Unleashed and its sequel were fun non-canon projects, exploring the possibilities of a galaxy where the Force was much more powerful. All the Force powers were amplified to provide a larger-than-life experience, and for the most part, it was enjoyable.
The DLC packs for the first game let you fight Obi-Wan, Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie throughout the Original Trilogy. Unfortunately, the game was not perfect and suffered from an annoying camera and some sloppy platforming sections.
[Source: GameSpot]
Wii’s ‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed’ Blasts Onto The Nintendo Switch
Mezco Goes Retro With This Creepy Pennywise Plush Doll
Kiss me, fat boy!
Mezco has created a new Pennywise doll based on the 1990 TV mini-series adaptation of Stephen King’s monstrous book IT.
The retro doll is priced at $94. He stands at 18″ tall, but he does not have an armature inside. Yes, he’s exactly like all those other plush dolls out there. He’s just floppy. If you try to stand him up, he’ll probably just crumble under the weight of that enormous melon of his.
Pennywise is set to slither out of the sewers and into your homes around the third quarter of 2022. Click here to pre-order yours.
Pennywise wants to creep you company! The perfect cuddle buddy or movie watching companion, this Roto Plush will be right by your side…watching you sleep…haunting your nightmares…
Sporting a maniacal grin, Pennywise is 18” tall, features sculpted parts on a floppy plush body, and wears his signature clown suit from the classic made-for-TV miniseries, IT.
There’s nothing to be afraid of. We all float down here!
The iconic killer clown was played by Tim Curry and has become the staple look for the character for years, even though the book describes Pennywise differently. Regardless, the face of this version of the interdimensional devourer of children is what we all think of when the character is mentioned.
The level of detail on the 18″ tall doll is impressive. Skin pores, yellow teeth, and somewhat bloodshot eyes from all that makeup! I hope there’s another version coming out with the Dead Light eyes. Or one that talks. Or one that swears and spits out very inappropriate slurs, just like in the book. Yeah, people forget about how awful the book was regarding race.
What do you think of Pennywise here? Should Mezco make a retro doll in the visage of the newer IT movies? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
[Source: Mezco]
Sci-Fi Anime ‘Edens Zero’ Renewed For Second Season
‘Edens Zero’ is a science fiction manga written and illustrated by the creator of ‘Fairy Tail’ Hiro Mashima. Published through Kodansha, the series was picked up by the Japanese animation studio J.C.Staff for an anime adaption which was streamed to North American audiences on Netflix. The first season consisted of twenty-five episodes, following the main character Shiki as he and his shipmates search for “Mother,” a space spirit.
Fans of the show are in for some excitement, as Tokyo Otaku Mode News reports that the anime has been confirmed for a second season. While there is no release date as of the writing of this article, the team behind the show released a promotional poster along with the announcement.
Edens Zero season 2 announced! pic.twitter.com/ZMHSGev5vY
— Jukt Micronics (@JuktMicronicsX) February 11, 2022
You can watch the trailer for the show below:
MyAnimeList describes the synopsis as follows,
“All his life, Shiki has been surrounded by machines. At Granbell Kingdom, a long-abandoned amusement park, he is the only one of his kind around. That is, until Rebecca Bluegarden and her feline companion Happy arrive, unaware that they are Granbell’s first visitors in one hundred years. Their goal is to make fun videos for their B-Cube channel, but what they find instead is a friend in the socially awkward Shiki.
When Granbell becomes too dangerous for the three of them, they set off on an adventure through the Sakura Cosmos. They hope to make more interesting videos and even find the elusive goddess Mother, while Shiki wants to make more friends, spurred on by the words of his late grandfather. Of course, the journey will not be easy, as no one has seen Mother before, but Shiki is determined to reach his goal and explore the boundless reaches of space together with his new friends.”
‘Edens Zero’ has also been adapted as an RPG video game through Konami.
Crunchyroll Original ‘Onyx Equinox’ Gets DVD Release
Fans of the Crunchyroll Original adult fantasy animated series ‘Onyx Equinox’ got some good news when it was announced that all twelve episodes would get a home video release on DVD and Blu-ray. The production company Sentai Filmworks picked up the rights to release it on February 22, 2022, as the ‘Onyx Equinox Complete Collection.’
The series was created by animator Sofia Alexander, who also voice acts for several characters. She has done work for ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ reboot, ‘Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters,’ ‘Infinity Train,’ and ‘High Guardian Spice.’ It explores humans interacting with deities from the Aztec, Maya, and Zapotec myth, setting it in a fantasy-world version of Mesoamerica.
‘Onyx Equinox’ was originally slated to be a weekly release on the Crunchyroll app but was released in its entirety on the streaming service when fans expressed their desire to watch it, making it available on December 26, 2020.
The voice cast includes Olivia Brown, Alejandro Vargas-Lugo, Carolina Ravassa, Patrick Pedrazza, Juan Arturo Maldonado, Kimberly Woods, and Arin Hanson.
You can watch the trailer below:
Wikipedia describes the plot synopsis as follows,
“The Mexican god of the underworld, Mictlantecuhtli, has begun stealing blood sacrifices from the other gods, culminating in a Zapotec city being leveled. To these ends, Quetzalcoatl decides to close the gates to the underworld, but can’t due to said gates being made of obsidian, which is toxic against the gods. So instead he makes a bet with Tezcatlipoca: he will find a human, “the lowest of the low”, and crown him his champion so he will close the gates before the equinox, when Tezcatlipoca will kill off humanity. Tezcatlipoca agrees to the bet, but sends his champion Yaotl along as an emissary so Quetzalcoatl doesn’t cheat.
Quetzalcoatl chooses Izel, a slave who lost his sister to blood sacrifice.”
Sofia Alexander won Animation Magazine’s “New Voice of the Year” award in December 2020 for her work on ‘Onyx Equinox.’
First Trailer Released for New Movie Starring Gina Carano
After Disney/LucasFilm fired Gina Carano in early February 2021, Carano was offered another job opportunity almost right away (two days later) with The Daily Wire, in partnership with production company Bonfire Legend. Last night, a teaser was finally released for a first look at Gina Carano’s first movie as a producer.
Releasing in summer 2022, the movie Terror on the Prairie follows a pioneering family in a newly built farm, which is being attacked, and they must fight against the gang of outlaws that are terrorizing them.
Here is the trailer:
Starring alongside Gina Carano is Samaire Strong, Nick Searcy, Heath Freeman, Matthias Hues, Jeremy Gauna, Donald Cerrone, Travis Mills, Scott McCauley, and Thomas White Eagle. The movie is directed by Michael Polish.
The Daily Wire just released their second feature film Shut In on February 10th, after releasing their first film Run, Hide, Fight (2020), both of which you can watch on their website.
Run, Hide, Fight trailer:
Shut In trailer:
Interestingly, Gina Carano is already working on at least two other movies. One is an action-thriller and the other is more political.
On the same day of releasing the trailer for the new Gina Carano move, along with premiering the movie Shut In, The Daily Wire also released another new movie set to come out on March 10th. In partnership with four different production companies, The Hyperions R rated movie stars Cary Elwes as Professor Ruckus Mandulbaum who invented the Titan badge in 1960 – a device that enables humans to have a particular super power. He took in three down-on-their-luck youths, creating an unusual family of superheroes and they quickly rose to fame and prestige. Over time, however, the commercial family fractured and the Professor replaced the team with a new set of super hero teens. Cut to 1979 when two of the original superheroes are all grown up and wanting their Titan badges back, even if it means robbing the Professor’s museum and taking a few hostages accidentally.
Watch the trailer here:
What do you think of all these movies coming out without Hollywood being involved? Are you interested in seeing any of them?
The Dark Knight Goes Chibi With ‘Batman’s Mystery Casebook’
Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and a host of his rogue’s gallery are getting a “chibi” makeover for the upcoming DC Comics kids’ graphic novel ‘Batman’s Mystery Casebook.’ The comic book is written by psychologist and television producer Sholly Fisch with illustrations from Christopher Uminga. Similar to ‘Blue’s Clues,’ the reader follows Batman and company to solve riddles, investigate mysteries, and learn about the history of Gotham City.
“Batman is a great detective, but he rarely works alone,” DC Universe explains. “His sidekicks Robin and Batgirl, his butler Alfred, and the police of Gotham City all play a role in helping him keep his city safe. In DC’s upcoming ‘Batman’s Mystery Casebook’ graphic novel by Sholly Fisch and Christopher Uminga, you can help keep Gotham City safe, too! Look for clues! Analyze evidence! Solve riddles! Learn Gotham City history!”
On the cover, we see a host of Batman villains including Joker, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, Catwoman, The Penguin, Harley Quinn, and Clayface among a few others.
The story is “a Middle Grade book for readers ages 8-12.” They also released a “first look” of the cover.
DC Comics Batman's Mystery Casebook pic.twitter.com/BWJorIwz85
— Jukt Micronics (@JuktMicronicsX) February 10, 2022
“How good are your detective skills? Did you know that no two fingerprints are the same? Help the Batman as he goes on his adventures and see if you can spot the answers to these mysteries before he logs them into his casebook. Then, like Robin and Batgirl, try one of his crime-fighting techniques to help solve a mystery. You could study shoe prints to determine who tracked mud all through the kitchen, or take fingerprints to find the cookie-eating culprit,” they continue.
The Batmobile will also be a feature in the story as one revealed panel shows a high-speed chase between Batman and his enemy Two-Face. Robin also assists with the mystery, helping the Dark Knight keep an eye out for the bad guys.
‘Batman’s Mystery Casebook’ is slated to be released on August 30, 2022.
Roku Channel Nabs Sci-Fi TV Series ‘The Pact’
‘The Pact’ was a Katara Studios original science fiction series that originally ran on ION TV and Lifetime from 2019 to 2020. Following its cancelation, Katara and its distributor OMG began shopping it around to other networks where it was picked up for a second season by the Roku Channel.
“The Roku Channel has picked up sci-fi adventure series “The Pact” from Qatar-based Katara Studios and Taipei- and Los Angeles-based Organic Media Group,” Variety reports. “The Roku Channel is the home of free and premium entertainment on the Roku hardware and software platform. The six-part show will be exclusively available on The Roku Channel in the U.S., U.K. and Canada from March 26, 2022, and release to the rest of the world in July.”
Roku seems to be copying the strategy of Hulu and Netflix of picking up canceled shows that have a fanbase and renewing them to be continued on their streaming service.
‘The Pact’ is created by Bobby Barbacioru and written by Gareth Brookes and Ahmed Al Baker, who also served as co-director with Barbacioru.
The show’s tagline is “We Were Warned” featured prominently on the promotional poster:
We Were Warned. Stay tuned… #thepact #katarastudios #katarastudiosoriginalseries #originalserise #film #postproduction @KataraStudios pic.twitter.com/P9aQd8ofY6
— Katara Studios (@KataraStudios) June 23, 2019
Katara Studios describes the plot synopsis as follows,
“A terrible revelation sets humankind on a path to self-destruction. A terrifying journey into the unknown for a group of people bound together by hope alone. A Post-Apocalyptic tale that’s set in a world blasted by a mysterious MIASMA – an invisible and ethereal mist that has decimated the world’s population. The story follows SOL, FREYA, their son ADAM among other survivors on a mission to find the cause of the MIASMA and stop it.”
The series stars Rick Ravanello as Sol, Natassia Malthe as Freya, Steve Mouzakis as Adam, Robert Knepper as Jay, Eyad Hourani as Ramiz, Becca Buckalew as Stella, Louis Mandylor as Rooster, and Ada Dumitru as Gash.
John Wick TV Prequel ‘The Continental’ Full Cast Revealed
‘The Continental’ is a prequel spin-off of the John Wick film franchise produced for Starz by Lionsgate Television. The series will explore the titular hotel and how it houses some of the world’s deadliest assassins. If you are looking for Keanu Reeves to shadow the halls, that may happen in cameo form, but is doubtful since the show is set in the 1970s and will involve real-world events such as the rise of the Mafia.
Instead, ‘The Patriot’ actor Mel Gibson was revealed to be one of the stars of the three-part television event back in October 2021 as Deadline reported at the time, playing the hitman Cormac. But he will not be the only celebrity on board.
Colin Woodell is set to play hotel manager Winston Scott, who is played by Ian McShane in the film trilogy, Slash Film reports. Jeremy Greene will take over the role of Uncle Charlie, originally played by David Patrick Kelley. Ayomide Adegun will portray a young Charon, taking over from Lance Reddick.
They are joined by Adam Shapiro, Jeremy Bobb, Mark Musahi, Marina Mazepa, Hubert Point-Du Jour, Jessica Allain, and Katie McGrath as the Adjuctator.
The plot synopsis is described as follows,
“A prequel spinoff, Continental is set 40 years before the events of the Wick series and focuses on a young man named Winston. He will one day grow up to be the character played by Ian McShane in the Wick movies but in the prequel’s story is a young man starting as a hitman hotelier who, along with others, create a haven for unsavory types, all set against a backdrop of 1970s New York.”
Chris Collins will serve as executive writer and showrunner for the television event. The show will be produced by David Leitch, Keanu Reeves, and Chad Stahelski who will also direct the pilot.
‘Catwoman: Hunted’ Voice Cast Discuss The Anime Inspired Film
Warner Media is expanding their animation adaptions of DC Comics with the upcoming film ‘Catwoman: Hunted.’ The movie will follow Selina Kyle on an international adventure that will have encounters with villains like Black Mask, Ra’s al Ghul, and Nosferatu as well as heroes like Batwoman.
The filmmakers have been showcasing several aspects of the film, specifically the animation style which is meant to resemble the animation of a classic anime. Catwoman voice actress Elizabeth Gillies expressed her enthusiasm for the movie and her love for the animation in an interview with DC Universe.
“I loved it,” she explained. “It was funny because I didn’t realize it was going to be anime style until pretty late in the game. I was doing my final round of ADR and I was like ‘Oh my god, this is so cool. I had no idea.’ And once I saw the final product, I was so intrigued by the jazz score. The combination of that and the anime style was so unique. I was really into it.”
“It was so much fun,” Gillies continued. “It was a big part of me wanting to do this movie. I love that they decided to explore their relationship, and how in-depth it gets with their dynamic. It’s fun to see Catwoman toying with her sexuality and enjoying the banter with Batwoman. Even though she’s trying to manipulate Batwoman, and throw her off her game, she also likes her. There’s something about her that intrigues Selina, so she wants to keep playing with her and poking her.”
Batwoman voice actress Stephanie Beatriz agreed, “I think it’s a dynamic that we’ve seen over and over in a lot of film and TV.”
She added, “This push-pull, slightly flirty, antagonistic, thrilling relationship. They kind of push each other’s buttons, but they also make each other laugh a little bit. There is a lot of mutual respect going on there, but there is also some toying with one another. It was really fun to play.”
Zehra Fazal, the voice of Nosferatu, also praised the direction of the movie.
“When I first saw her design during the pickup sessions, I freaked out,” she revealed. “One, because of the Greg Weisman and Gargoyles connection, and two, I was working with voice director Jamie Thomason, who voice directed Gargoyles. So, I had a nerd-out with Jamie while we were working on it. I’m so ridiculously lucky to be collaborating with people I was a fan of as a child.”
This is not the first DC animated movie to be inspired by anime as the film anthology ‘Batman: Gotham Knight’ featured segments illustrated by various anime artists.
You can see for yourself as ‘Catwoman: Hunted’ is currently available on DVD and digital platforms.
Film Director Oliver Stone Revisits JFK With New Documentary Series
‘Wall Street’ director Oliver Stone cannot seem to get the fate of former President John F. Kennedy (JFK) out of his mind. After releasing the 1991 movie ‘JFK’ about the fallout from the investigation into the young president’s assassination, he also produced the 2021 documentary ‘JFK Revisited: Through The Looking Glass.’ He is now going to explore the topic further with the four-part documentary series ‘JFK: Destiny Betrayed,’ released through Shout! Factory, Altitude Film Entertainment, and Ixtlan.
Shout Factory said on their website they “will release JFK: DESTINY BETRAYED, Oscar®-winning writer and director Oliver Stone’s four-part deep dive into the ultimate American true crime murder mystery. Thirty years after his renowned film JFK, Stone takes viewers on a thought-provoking and eye-opening journey through recently declassified evidence in the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Subjects covered in the series include the early formation of President Kennedy’s foreign policy overview and his anti-colonial convictions, which put him in opposition to the Eisenhower administration, the CIA, and the Pentagon.”
They add, “The four-part series JFK: DESTINY BETRAYED is directed by Oliver Stone, written by James DiEugenio, produced by Rob Wilson for Ixtlan, and executive produced by Andrea Scarso, Amit Pandya, Peter Touche, Fernando Sulichin, and Angela Ceccio.”
You can watch this clip from the series:
They describe the pilot as follows,
“Oliver Stone introduces this first chapter, giving background on the Assassination Records Review Board, created by an act of Congress following the controversy of his 1991 film, JFK. Going back to November 22, 1963, this episode explores the aftermath of President Kennedy’s assassination, and the early suspicions of his brother Robert Kennedy that more than one assassin was involved. Contrary to popular belief, the Warren Commission, the official government investigation into Kennedy’s murder, was not unanimous in their beliefs that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin.”
The documentary series will debut on March 8, 2022, on digital platforms, but will also have a short theatrical run.
