POP List - News & Notes May 2015
May 04, 2015
It's no secret that comics have become an increasingly important fixture within the mainstream media landscape. From movies and television shows, to video games and, even, stage plays and musicals—comic adaptations and media influenced by them are cropping up everywhere! That's why POP List's News & Notes is here to help you keep up with the latest information on comic-related entertainment. Read on to learn more about announcements and information released this month!
Be sure to also check out the Release Calendar for a comprehensive listing of film, tv, and video games release dates as well as the Latest Trailers page, to get your first look at the most anticipated upcoming film and tv properties!
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Stories for the week of May 25, 2015
- Deadline reports that Warner Brothers may finally be getting the Johnny Quest live-action movie out of danger with the announcement that Robert Rodriguez will direct the film. The studio is hoping to turn the beloved Hanna-Barbera cartoon into a family-friendly action franchise. No word yet on who will play the pivotal role of the Spy Eye.
- Chris Pine may be taking a break from hurdling through space to woo a lady warrior. Variety reports, via an exclusive announcement, that the actor is currently in talks to star opposite of Gal Godot in the upcoming Wonder Woman film as the Amazon's love interest, Steve Trevor.
- Marvel has also let slip some of its own casting possibilities, with The Hollywood Reporter learning that Tilda Swinton is currently in negotiations to play the Ancient One in the upcoming Dr. Strange adaptation. The Ancient One is a powerful Tibetan mystic who mentors Dr. Strange as he discovers the way of magic.
- Tatsunoko Productions has hit the Mach 5's reboot button, as Anime News Network has confirmed with the company that a new Speed Racer series is in the works after Total Licensing magazine initally broke the news. While details are scarce, the property is being developed with a modern audience in mind, and the magazine also stated that Tatsunoko is planning a new licensing program to help reintroduce the franchise.
Stories for the week of May 18, 2015
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- Noelle Stevenson's Eisner-nominated comic Nimona will shapeshift once more—from printed book to big screen picture. In an exclusive report, The Tracking Board has announced that Vertigo Entertainment has acquired the film rights to the title. Stevenson began publishing the comic series on the web in 2012, and HarperCollins recently released a collected print edition (with additional epilogue pages) on May 12.
- Wired would like to interrupt your raid, for a moment, to show off a first look at the upcoming World of Warcraft movie (and you don't even need to roll on it). The new still (seen above) offers fans a glimpse at Ogrim, an orc played by Robert Kazinsky (and built by Industrial Light and Magic).
- Not content to let American comic publishers have all the fun, Variety reports, in an exclusive announcement, that Humanoids (Les Humanoïdes Associés) has unveiled a three-picture deal with Full House (a Paris-based film production company) at the Cannes Film Festival. The three comic titles currently up for adaptation are The Zombies That Ate The World (written by Jerry Frison and illsutrated by Guy Davis), Bouncer (written by Alexandro Jodorowsky and illsutrated by Francois Boucq), and I Am Legion (written by John Cassaday and Fabien Nury and illsutrated by Cassaday as well).
- Can't wait for Fear The Walking Dead to begin? The Hollywood Reporter interviewed showrunner Dave Erickson about what to expect when you're expecting the apocalypse.
- More comic news is emerging out of Cannes, as Variety reports that George A. Romero's Empire of the Dead comic (illustrated, in chronological order, by Alex Maleev, Dalibor Talajic, and Andrea Mutt) is being adapted for television by Demarest. Romero and Peter Grunwald will serve as both writers and executive producers of the adaptation while Sam Englebardt and William D. Johnson of Demarest will also be executive producers.
Stories for the week of May 11, 2015
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- It's showtime, Synergy! USA Today has cranked fashion, glamor, glitter, and fame up to 11 with the release of a slew of new stills from the upcoming Jem & The Holograms film. Will your hairspray be able to hold until October 23rd?
- Brad Bird is planning a Pixar family reunion as the director has revealed to Collider that his next feature will be a sequel to The Incredibles. If you need a refresher since the first film, just remember: NO CAPES.
- Congratulations to comic creator Kelly Sue DeConnick for being named one of the "100 Most Creative People In Business 2015" by Fast Company! The business magazine has honored DeConnick with the award "for reanimating a superhero" for her work on the Captain Marvel series.
- Fans of Matt Fraction, take note: clear your calendar for the night of Thursday May 21st. CBR reports that the writer announced via the latest DeConnick & Fraction that he will be appearing on NBC's Late Show with Seth Meyers on that date to talk shop and reveal something special.
- For comic readers who prefer cloak and dagger to mask and cape, Deadline Hollywood has announced that Focus Features has acquired the North American rights to The Coldest City. The graphic novel, written by Antony Johnston and illustrated by Sam Hart, takes place shortly before the fall of the Berlin wall and follows a spy who must out-maneuver the opposition to protect herself and her fellow agents after an M16 officer is killed and information he was smuggling into the West goes missing. David Leitch and Chad Stahelski are currently set to direct the adaptation with Kurt Johnstad handling the script, and Charlize Theron has been cast in the lead role.
Stories for the week of May 4, 2015
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- After revealing the Joker's new look, director David Ayer has unveiled the rest of the Suicide Squad via his official Twitter account. Ayer also posted up a closer look at Deadshot's get-up (including his signature eyepiece), while another Twitter user offered another glimpse at Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn.
- Are you sitting down for this? Good. Vanity Fair has awakened some new images from Star Wars Episode VII—including your first look at new resident ne'er-do-well Kylo Ren unmasked (seen above). The behind-the-scenes photoshoot also includes a view at some of the practical effects at work and insight into Lupita Nyong’o’s role in the film. There is a castle full of alien pirates. Need we say more?
- And Vanity Fair continues to make the wait for December even more unbearable with the reveal of Gwendoline Christie's character in the Force Awakens: First Order officer Captain Phasma.
- Marvel has unveiled a new movie poster* for the upcoming Ant-Man feature. *Hero slightly enlarged to show detail. Not actual size.
- Variety reports that tha academic adventurer Indiana Jones will be making another appearance on the big screen, as Disney has confimed a sequel is in the works after the company purchased the marketing and distribution rights to future additions to the franchise. But don't dust off your fedora just yet—the company has confirmed that a sequel is still a few years off.
- More! Star! Wars! We're not ever going to get sick of saying that, huh? The Wrap reports that we're getting just that, as another stand-alone film has been revealed to examine the origins of everyone's favorite bount hunter, Boba Fett. The film is slated for a 2018 release date and will be the second entry into the new Star Wars Anthology of films.
- Image comics continue to be hot properties, as The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Infinite Horizon, from writer Gerry Duggan and artist Phil Noto, has been picked up by Warner Brothers. Ryan Condal will write the script and serve as an executive producer while Greg Berlanti and Lawrence Grey are also set to produce.
- CBS is getting a whole lot more heroic, as Deadline Hollywood reports that the network has issued Supergirl an early series order. The pilot for the tv series was pitched last September, with production amping up quickly shortly after being announced, and has garned favorable reviews and feedback.
Click the "News & Notes Archive" button below to see past news and announcements for previous months!
