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Lon Chaney Jr.’s Wolfman Howls Again Thanks To NECA

It’s hard to believe that many of the Universal Monsters have been around for over eight decades. Dracula is celebrating his 90th, and the Wolfman has reached the 80th. Maybe Universal can finally get the Dark Universe off the ground one day…
NECA is producing the Ultimate Wolf Man action figure to celebrate nearly a century of frights and special effects. Highly articulated and sporting amazingly detailed head sculpts, this thing is badass!

NECA | Universal Studios
NECA | Universal Studios
NECA | Universal Studios

For the 80th anniversary of Universal’s horror film classic, NECA is excited to reveal The Wolf Man in Ultimate action figure form!
Starring Lon Chaney Jr., 1941’s The Wolf Man is critically acclaimed for Chaney’s moving performance and the special effects. The sculpt captures the human and monster sides of this complicated character with interchangeable heads, hands, and lower legs. The figure stands in 7” scale, features the authorized likeness of Lon Chaney Jr, and also includes wolf cane, animal trap and stand accessories.

The 7″ figure will come with the following accessories:

  • 3x Alternate Heads (human, wolf, and growling)
  • 2x Pairs of Lower Legs (human and wolf)
  • 2x Pairs of Hands (human and wolf)
  • 1x Right Hand (fist)
  • Wolf Head Cane
  • Animal Trap
  • Base

The Wolfman will miss Halloween, unfortunately. The figure is due out in November of this year. Head over to Entertainment Earth to pre-order. The classic Universal monster will run you $32.99.
Lon Chaney Jr. made it easy for audiences to sympathize with his character’s plight in whatever movie he starred in. Whether it was the cursed Larry Talbot in the Wolfman or the stressed but kindly Bruno in Spider Baby, you could not help but relate to the man.

I’d really love to see NECA do an Abbott & Costello triple pack with some classic monsters. Come to think of it, I don’t think many licensed items are featuring the classic comedy duo. A few items exist, but not a lot. This would be a great time to bring their likenesses back to the public. 
What other classic monsters from Universal and other studios would you like to see made into premium figures? The Invisible Man (it would be an empty box)? Maybe do ‘past and present’ two-packs with the original monster and its newer incarnation. Of course, if it were the Mummy, I’d prefer Boris’s and the ’99 counterpart. Let us know in the comments.
[Source: NECA]

Studio Chizu Drops New Trailer For Anime Film ‘Belle’

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Japanese animator Hosoda Mamoru and his film company Studio Chizu released a new ninety-second trailer for their upcoming anime ‘Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime,’ known in international markets as ‘Belle: The Princess of Dragons and Freckles’ or simply ‘Belle.’
The official synopsis explains that the “protagonist, Suzu, is a 17-year old high school girl, who lives in the countryside of Kochi Prefecture with her father, after losing her mother at a young age. She loves singing with her mother more than anything else, but as a result of her mother’s death was no longer able to sing. It wasn’t long before she and her father grew more and more distant from each other, and Suzu closed her heart to the rest of the world. When Suzu felt that writing music was her only purpose left in life, she then discovers the massive online space known as “U,” where she takes on her persona, Belle.
Check out the new trailer:

Singer-songwriter Kaho Nakamura will voice Suzu as well as sing some of the musical numbers.
Paris-based sales company Charades is re-teaming with Studio Chizu after the success with Hosoda’s “Mirai,” which would go on to be nominated at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.
“I’ve been following closely the evolution of Mamoru Hosoda’s brilliant work over the past years. His voice keeps surprising us, film after film,” said Charades exec Yohann Comte told Variety. “We are eager to discover his new take on the topical and universal themes he masters. We are very proud to handle the sales of his most ambitious film to date.”
According to Cartoon Brew, Chizu explains, “Director Hosoda uses the digital world as a backdrop to delve into themes of modern society, basing the story on his more recent insights. Coming of age, family ties, love between parents and children, friendship that transcends species, the links between our lives.”
They add, “Of the various themes, Mamoru Hosoda’s recurring concept is “People in difficult situations bravely pushing themselves forward and striving for a better future.” In 2020, people all over the world have faced a crisis like never before, but the year is finally coming to an end. Director Hosoda will spin a tale of hope and courage that will be an inspiration for everyone around the world in 2021.”

Facebook’s VR-Based Ads Cancelled Due To Pushback?

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Ads are inescapable now. As more devices become connected to the internet in one way or another, companies are finding ways to turn that new digital space into moneymakers. If it has wifi, get ready for some sales pitch to appear somewhere.
My new TV? Yup, the menu system has ads. Paying for XBOX Live? Ads galore as soon as I log in. The same happens on the Playstation, but at a less intrusive level. I paid for a game, and suddenly I see random ads for game-related and totally unrelated merchandise, TV shows, or movies.
A bright spot is shining in this dreary world of overly familiar adverts. There is a company out there that heard the complaints of the customer base and actually listened. You know, that thing companies should do instead of getting snarky on social media.
Via PCMag, Resolution Games, the makers of a VR game called Blaston, decided to step away from implementing Facebook’s VR-based advertisements. Rather than subjecting Oculus Quest gamers to commercials in a game they paid for, and Resolution Games said, “No. Thanks anyway.”
Check out this tweet from the game’s official Twitter account:


 

I’ve not played Blaston yet. So, I cannot tell you how any in-game ads would affect the overall experience. Nevertheless, Resolution Games should be commended for listening to the customer base. They were quite vocal.
While the Facebook ads won’t be in Blaston, they may show up in one of Resolution Games’ free titles. In a follow-up tweet in the same thread, the developer made the following statement:


Facebook’s VR advertisements are still in the testing phase. If you’ve used the social media site before, you’ve seen the number of ads. Some are intrusive. Some know way too much about you. Some even advertise companies and schemes that border on illegal.
Have you played Blaston? What would you think if ads started showing up in games you paid for? Let us know in the comments.
[Source: PCMag]

Jennifer Lopez Joins Cast Of Netflix Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Atlas’

‘Second Act’ star Jennifer Lopez is joining the cast of an upcoming Netflix science thriller ‘Atlas.’ This film is part of a first-look deal that the celebrity signed with the streaming service.
According to Deadline, the “film follows Atlas, a woman fighting for humanity in a future where an AI soldier has determined the only way to end war is to end humanity. To outthink this rogue AI, Atlas must work with the one thing she fears most — another AI.”
The film is being written by Aron Eli Coleite based on an original script from Leo Sardarian with Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell from Safehouse Pictures producing.
‘San Andreas’ and ‘Rampage’ director Brad Peyton will be at the helm of the movie. He praised Lopez and the rest of the filmmakers.
Peyton said, “I’m so honored to be working with Jennifer, Elaine and the rest of the team at Nuyorican Productions along with our partners Joby and Tory at Safehouse.”
“Having the chance to direct Jennifer in the title role of this movie is a dream come true, as I know she’ll bring the incredible strength, depth and authenticity we’ve all come to admire from her work,” he continued. “Furthermore, Jeff and I are so excited to be back working with Scott, Ori and the entire team at Netflix. They have been nothing short of amazing to work with and we are blessed to have the opportunity to make another movie on the service.”
This movie is part of the deal signed by Jennifer Lopez and her production company Nuyorican Productions with Netflix Productions, announced in June 2021.
“I am excited to announce my new partnership with Netflix,” Lopez said in a statement. “I believe there is no better home for us than a forward leaning content creation company that seeks to defy conventional wisdom and directly market to the millions across the globe who no longer view art and entertainment with the kind of boundaries and limitations of the past. We at Nuyorican Productions are thrilled to find like-minded partners in Ted Sarandos, Scott Stuber, Bela Bajaria and the whole team and look forward to getting to work right away.”

Check Out Playmobil’s Huge Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise Playset!

While looking through what is new at Entertainment Earth, and then I saw it. A listing for the NCC-1701 in Playmobil form! The problem? No pictures. Off to the internet I went and found some via Preterniadotcom. Holy crap, is this thing huge!
It’s almost four feet long! Check out the pics below if the Tweet from Preternia got pulled.


Playmobil
Playmobil
Playmobil

Here’s what you’re getting for $499.99:

  • This U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 measures 42-inches long x 18-inches wide!
  • Control the lights and sounds with your smart device!
  • Opens to reveal the bridge and engineering play areas.
  • Includes Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov figures.
  • Display it on the stand or suspend it from the ceiling!
  • Where’s Captain Kirk? He’s on the bridge of this astonishing Playmobil 70548 Star Trek

U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Playset! Possibly the biggest and most deluxe Playmobil playset created up to this point, the 42-inch long x 18-inch wide starship features electronic lights and sounds you control with your smart device. It includes a display cradle and wire for ceiling suspension if that’s your preferred means of display. The ship, figures, and accessories are modeled after The Original Series, so you’ll get Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy, Ensign Chekov, Lt. Uhura, Lt. Sulu, and of course, Chief Engineer Montgomery “Scotty” Scott. That’s an awful lot of fun in one big box! 136 pieces. Ages 10 and up. The saucer section of the Enterprise opens to show a full 1966-style bridge play environment. What’s more, the body of the ship opens on the side to reveal the engineering room! Additional details, including electronics, are to be announced later, so don’t miss this sensational playset

  • Electronic lights and sounds controlled by your smart device via an exclusive app
  • Includes seven unique figures – Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov
  • Opens to reveal the bridge and engineering play areas
  • Includes a display stand and all you need to suspend it from the ceiling
  • Measures 42-inches long x 18-inches wide

The Playmobil U.S.S. Enterprise playset will be out in September. Click here to pre-order.
[Source: Entertainment Earth]

Castlevania Advance Collection Leaked Via The Australian Ratings Board?

A story popped over at GameSpot saying that a Castlevania Advance Collection may be on the way. The source? A page on the Australian government’s website. Yes. Since Australia is strict on their game, there’s a government entity that rates each title that comes into the country.
If you’re a gamer, that’s one country you’d dislike living in. The games being censored or banned just because of digital violence and boobs? Ugh.
Back on the topic at hand. The rating page showed a title called Castlevania Advance Collection. It does not list which system, how many titles, or a release date. But, at least we know that the thing is most likely real.
Here’s what appears on the page, just in case it disappears:

Australian Government
Mild sex and ever milder nudity? How does that work? Fantasy violence is at a moderate level. I haven’t played a Castlevania game on the GameBoy Advance for almost twenty years. So, I can’t tell you how accurate this rating system is.
Regardless, the big story here is we’ll be getting another Castlevania Collection!
Considering the first Anniversary Collection had eight titles in all, it would be weird for this one to be limited to just the following three:

  • Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
  • Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
  • Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

If I had to guess, Symphony of the Night and Rondo of Blood would be thrown in to make the overall release feel a bit more robust. Though most of those three games are great, I wouldn’t necessarily pick it up as is.
Check out Top Hat Gaming Man’s video where he looks at all the portable versions of Castlevania, from the GameBoy to the 3DS.

Which titles are you hoping to see in the Advance Collection? Should the N64 titles be included? Let us know in the comments.
[Source: GameSpot]

Robotech Is Getting Digitally Remastered For Upcoming Blu-Ray Release

Cult classic anime series ‘Robotech’ is getting a digital overhaul for an upcoming DVD release of all three seasons. Harmony Gold and Funimation made the announcement adding that they will be streaming all eighty-nine episodes.
“First up, we’re excited to announce that Robotech will be arriving on Blu-ray on September 28 in Dolby TrueHD for the very first time through a special, exclusive collector’s edition of the series from Funimation in the United States and Canada,” Funimation wrote on their website.
The collection will include all 85 episodes of ‘Robotech: The Series,’ four military-style patches, as well as an “exclusive dual pack of figures, including a variant of Roy Focker’s Transforming Robotech – VF-1S and Roy Fokker in Pilot Uniform.”


“Oh, and did we mention? We’ve remastered the ENTIRE series in high definition, all while retaining the series’ original aspect ratio. This release will contain the original film grain and is true to the original DVD box set release,” Funimation added. “A standard edition release for the United States and Canada is also planned for each part of Robotech, starting with Robotech: The Macross Saga on September 28, followed by The Masters on November 16 and The New Generation on December 14.”
“Next up is streaming. This fall, the entirety of ‘Robotech: The Series’ will join the expansive Funimation catalog. All of it will stream in English dubbed format—and yes, it will be the remastered version!” They added, “Oh, and as a special bonus, we’re also adding ‘Robotech II: The Sentinels’ and ‘Robotech the Shadow Chronicles’ in standard definition.”
Funimation will also release the classic Game Boy Advance game ‘Robotech: The Macross Saga’ for Nintendo Switch with an HD upgrade.
The official Robotech News website added, “Since Robotech premiered, the action-adventure sensation shaped an entire generation of anime fans. Since then, it’s grown into a global phenomenon, spawning films, toys, games, and much more. Funimation now has rights to merchandise and bolstering franchise at retail with expanded programs and will begin to roll out these products this summer, including the new Robotech game on Switch.”
“Robotech is a beloved series and an integral part of anime history,” said Mitchel Berger, Funimation Global Group’s Senior Vice President of Commerce. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to engage the original passionate fans from decades ago and also expose a whole new generation to this classic series.”
Robotech has always been a popular staple among the “mech” genre and no doubt it is preparing to ramp up its content for legacy fans and potential newcomers.

Dwayne Johnson Gives Update On ‘Black Adam’ Production

Dwayne Johnson dropped an update on the production of the DC Extended Universe film ‘Black Adam,’ where the ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ actor is playing the villain.
Sharing an image of his lunch, Johnson explained how he was keeping in shape for the roll while saying there were only a few weeks of shooting.
Doesn’t look like much, but here’s my Saturday night post leg training meal,” he wrote on Instagram. “Ground tenderloin, brown rice with broccoli & pineapple (for digestion).” He added, “With 8oz-10oz of water.”
‘The Scorpion King’ actor continued, “All my 6 meals per day are strictly measured out – including water and sodium – as we go into our final three weeks of production for the filming of BLACK ADAM.” He said, “Commit, push all chips in and do your best to trust the process…”


With three weeks left to go, DC Universe fans can see one of the most popular comic book villains come to the big screen.
As reported by D-Rezzed, Johnson has been plugging ‘Black Adam’ at every turn.
“A disruptive and unstoppable global force of a message from the man in black himself,” he wrote on Instagram. “BLACK ADAM is coming July 29, 2022. The hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change.”
He also praised the director, whom Johnson worked with on a different film.
“Cool news announcing Spanish thriller filmmaker, Jaume Collet-Serra as my director for DC’s BLACK ADAM,” Johnson said according to ScreenRant. “Jaume and I have worked together for the last two years making, DISNEY’S JUNGLE CRUISE – and I’ve been very impressed with his passion, work ethic, style, vision, tone and quality. He’s hungry to break new ground with BLACK ADAM and give the fans something very cool and special.”
“If you know the comic book mythology, then you know where his pain comes from,” Johnson wrote on social media. “His rage. His wife and children killed. His people brutally enslaved. He is not a superhero, but rather a champion. Champion of the poor and beaten down. Champion of the people. And he is the most unstoppable force in the DC UNIVERSE.”
‘Black Adam’ is slated for release on July 29, 2022.

The Universal Monsters Return With Highly Articulated Figures

Only four more months until Halloween! Why am I bringing this up? Because stores are already putting out their seasonal merchandise. If I have to be prematurely thrust into the season, so do you!
I can’t complain too much. Given last year ground the macabre celebrations to a halt, we need to make up for it this year. What better way than by getting a bunch of action figures based on classic Universal monster movies!
Huh? These things are made by Jada? Who is Jada?
I was unfamiliar with the company behind these figures. After a little digging, I found that the company produces those small metal figures you find in the collectibles aisle at Target and Walmart. The company also made the Metals Die Cast line of toys. Basically, if you wanted a Ghostbusters or Superman paperweight, they did the job.
Nevertheless, Jada is jumping into the action figure market. An articulated line of action figures was unexpected. It’s welcome, regardless. The Univeral monsters don’t get a whole lot of love. The Super7 line was OK. I got the Bela version of Dracula, but it honestly doesn’t look much like him.

Jada | Universal
Jada | Universal
Jada | Universal
Jada | Universal
These figures by Jada, on the other hand, nail a lot of that detail. I’m particularly impressed with the Creature. Stand at 6″, these will probably be the best representations of the classic black-and-white era monsters since Marvel took a stab at in back in 2007.
The Universal Studios Monsters line of action figures is due out in the 4th quarter of 2021. Each figure will be priced at $24.99 and can be pre-ordered through the Big Bad Toy Store.

Which monsters would you like to see in Series 2? Claude Rains as the invisible man with interchangeable transparent limbs? The Wolfman with flocked fur? The Mummy with real cloth bandages? Let us know in the comments.

Check Out SV Action’s Peter B. Parker Spider-Man Figure

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is possibly the greatest movie made about the web-slinger. Sure, Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 is excellent, but the CGI film does so much justice to the multiple spider-people.
And I’ll be honest; Miles Morales is kind of uninteresting. I’ve felt that way since he was introduced. Having recently played through his stand-alone PS4 game, that only reinforced my view.
The real star of Into the Spider-Verse was the stranded Peter Parker. A hero who was slightly past his prime and dealing with the consequences of putting everyone else before his own needs were the driving force behind the movie. There’s something about Pete that connects to all of us that hasn’t been recaptured by other Spider-heroes.
That’s why I will buy this upcoming action figure over at the Big Bad Toy Store.

Marvel
Marvel
Marvel
Not one to miss details, SV Action also included a paunchy gut for wayward Spider-Man. If there’s one thing I really want from my super-articulated action figures, it’s midlife depression and bloating.
Seriously, this thing looks like it delivers all that you’d want from a Spider-Man figure. Loads of accessories, webbing, a … coffee mug, unmasked variants of the two Peters, and gargoyle base for posing excellence.
The figure’s details:

  • Spider-Man: 6.29 inches (16cm)
  • Statue base: 7.08 inches (18cm)
  • Made of plastic
  • Highly poseable
  • Includes a variety of accessories
  • Pair with the SV-Action Miles Morales figure (sold separately)

Included accessories:

  • Spider-Man Additional head part
  • 2 Peter B. Parker head parts
  • Peter Parker head part
  • 6 Pairs of hands
  • Coffee cup holding hand
  • Additional abdomen piece
  • Additional crotch piece
  • Glasses
  • Newspaper
  • 4 Web effect parts
  • Statue base
  • Action base

Spidey is due out in September of this year. This figure will, given just how sweet it looks, come at a cost. He is going to run you $179.99. Only $18 is due upfront for a non-refundable deposit. That’ll give you a few months to scrounge up the rest.
Head on over to the Big Bad Toy Store now to pre-order yours!

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