The popular and crazy Nickelodeon animated series SpongeBob Squarepants will be getting its very own Broadway musical, and I have no doubt that it will be the hit of the town! 

They managed to pull together an impressive lineup of talent to help bring The SpongeBob Musical to life. It will include music by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Jonathan Coulton, Dirty Projectors, The Flaming Lips, John Legend, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, Panic! at the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, and T.I., with an additional song by David Bowie and additional lyrics by Coulton. 

The stage production was co-conceived by Tina Landau, who will also direct. It will also feature a book by Kyle Jarrow, and music supervision by Tom Kitt.

The play will debut on Broadway during the 2016-17 season. It will make its world premiere in Chicago, beginning performances on June 7th, 2016, at the Oriental Theatre. That will be a limited engagement which will run through July 3rd.

I’m curious to see how this turns out. I watch SpongeBob Squarepants all the time, and I’m actually excited to see it brought to life in a live-action musical.

Via: THR

Full disclosure: I'm a huge Razer fanboy! From where I'm sitting writing this article, I can spot three Razer products right in front of me. So when I say the Razer Nabu seems ultra-rad, there is a bit of a rose tint to these glasses of mine. But with that in mind, this commercial is still awesome! (Also, this isn't sponsored content...I just really like Razer.)

In order to help promote their new smart-band (that's part smart watch, part fitness band) Razer made this great commercial showing you how having all of your notifications on your wrist can make the difference between life and death in the zombie apocalypse. The commercial has a very "Dollar Shave Club meets Zombieland" feel to it, and frankly, that's a great combo. So love Razer like me, or don't, this commercial is still very fun to watch!

Last year it was announced that Bryan Cranston would be playing President Lyndon B. Johnson in HBO's adaptation of the stage play All The Way. We now have our first look at the actor in the role, and he looks completely unrecognizable. It's freaky scary! The photo comes to us courtesy of People Magazine. Cranston also played the character in the stage production, but his makeup wasn't as good as what you are seeing in the image above. 

The project is being directed by Jay Roach, and he talked to the magazine about the project:

“Physically and emotionally Bryan completely channels LBJ. We just filmed him and Lady Bird in the Oval Office, after JFK’s assassination. LBJ has arrived as the ‘accidental President.’ He’s almost overwhelmed. In spiritual support, Lady Bird touches his cheek. We melted, like we went back in time and witnessed a private, heart-wrenching moment between these two great people.”

The cast also features Anthony Mackie (Martin Luther King), Melissa Leo (Lady Bird Johnson), Bradley Whitford (Hubert Humphrey), Stephen Root (J. Edgar Hoover), Marque Richardson (Bob Moses), Aisha Hinds (Fanny Lou Hamer), Todd Weeks (Walter Jenkins), Mo McRae (Stokely Carmichael), Spencer Garrett (Walter Reuther), and Frank Langella (Senator Richard Russell).

The story starts off with LBJ taking the oath after President Kennedy is assassinated. This is the official synopsis:

1964: A pivotal year in American history—a landmark civil rights bill was passed, America began its involvement in Vietnam…and one man sat at the center of it all, determined to lift the country out of the ashes and rebuild it into The Great Society—by any means necessary. Hero. Bully. President. He played whatever part it took to win the day. It’s not personal, it’s just politics.

This is sure to be a great film worth checking out when it's released.

"You see the echo of where all is gonna go. It's like poetry, they rhyme." - George Lucas

I have a wonderful Star Wars video here for you to watch called Star Wars Poetry. It was created by whoispablo, and it offers fans a visual comparison of the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy. As you will see, there are a lot of similarities between the two. These are similarities that I've never really noticed before. It was actually really interesting to watch this, even if you aren't a fan of the prequel trilogy. I really think you'll enjoy it. Hell, it might just give you a newfound respect for the prequel films. Who would have thought that Lucas was actually trying to be a poetic artist when he made those prequel films? I guess his heart was in the right place. Check it out, and let us know what you think!

We’ve got the first episode of a concept sci-fi series that some of you might be interested in checking out called The Tempest. The episode was made for less than $2,500 in hopes of getting picked up or funded by a network. The team that put it together says they had a fun time developing it, and they offer the following synopsis:

She was the most infamous bounty hunter in the Triad solar system before drifting off of the grid without a trace. Now, ten years later, Tylee Talos has returned, and has her sights set on former Triad techie, Isaac Cross. "The Tempest" is an independently produced science fiction series created by Nick Williams, Steve Mitchell, and Brad Faye. Featuring the talents of Deanna Moore, Sean Mullaney, and James Ray, the pilot episode for the series also includes music from Zircon (zirconmusic.com) and Mark 4man as well as a special guest appearance from Tommy "Tiny" Lister (The Fifth Element, The Dark Knight).

Remember to keep in mind that this crew had limited funds to make this. Check it out and let us know if you think that this would be a decent series. 

Scott Cooper's upcoming mob film Black Mass, which stars Johnny Depp, is getting a lot of buzz. The film looks awesome, and I'm pumped up about seeing it. Cooper is now looking to get his next film project set up.

According to Variety, the director is in talks to take on a film project called American Wolf. The project is set up at Warner Bros., and Leonardo DiCaprio and his Appian Way production company are set to produce. 

The movie is based on an article by Nate Blakeslee, and the story follows a hunter in Yellowstone National Park "who accidentally kills an endangered American wolf, and the unlikely friendship that forms between him and the wildlife researcher who works with wolves in the park." The wolf was known as O-Six, and film “will chronicle the impact that O-Six had on the humans around her and the vilified hunter who remains unnamed to this day, effectively making the movie a murder mystery of sorts.”

Cooper also directed the films Out of the Furnace and Crazy Heart. He's a solid filmmaker who knows how to tell good stories. This seems like it will be a great project for him to take on.

Awe Me has released another episode of DIY Prop Shop and it takes us through the steps of building our very own M4-1 pulse rifle from James Cameron’s Aliens. The gun can be built for under $30 with the purchase of a toy gun and a few other editions. 

We build so many amazing weapons and props, we wanted to offer a show where you at home could build them yourself! Follow along with our host Dustin McLean (“Homemade Movies”) as he shows you how to build awesome props from all of your favorite movies & games, for under $50!

This week, make like Ripley and build your own Pulse Rifle from Aliens. Flame Thrower optional.

To see a higher end custom-made version of this gun that can fire real bullets, click here.

This animated comedy sketch is old, but I recently came across it and had to post it for those of you who may have missed. It’s called Comic-Con Cosplay Catastrophe, and it was created by College Humor. It centers on a Comic-Con panel for The Avengers 2, and things just get out of hand between the cosplayers in the audience and the panel moderator. Joss Whedon is on the panel as well, and yet that is him doing his own voice, which is great! 

This year's PAX was quite possibly the craziest one in my seven years of attending. Lines of people wrapped around each booth like a boa constrictor. Fitting really, as I started to feel more like prey with every wallop with attendees' massive, swag-filled tote bags. 

Suddenly, the chaos subsided and I was presented with Firewatch, by Campo Santo. The hysteria of the event was blissfully put on hold as I assumed a role as a park ranger the middle of nowhere. Everything was peaceful... or so I thought. 

Earlier this week Sesame Street released a new film parody, and this one is for Clash of the Titans. It’s called "Nosh of the Titans," and it’s a lot more entertaining that that damn 2010 Sam Worthington remake that Hollywood farted out. It even comes with the valuable lesson of focus and memory.

Furius must spoil Moo-dusa’s plans in order to make it to his father on the top of Mount Olympus Diner. Can he stay focused and use his memory to pass the test or will he be silenced by the powers of Moo-dusa?

Enjoy!

Julia Lepetit from Dorkly has a new comic strip about gaming that illustrates one of the good reasons why we’re not all pro gamers. To check out her previously released comics click on the following links: The Problems Different Types of Gamers Have and Video Game Jobs: Expectation vs. Reality - Comic Strip.

Like many of you, I’ve been having a blast playing games on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. At the same time, I don't think they have tapped into their full potential yet. I think these things are way more powerful that what we’re seeing. There are a number of new games that are coming out that will define the next gen consoles, and PlaystationAccess has released a video that points out seven of them that we can look forward to seeing.

We have a collection of photos here that shows off a Portal-themed bedroom that Geek Dad built for his teenage son. I’ve never seen a Portal game bedroom before, but this thing is spectacular, and Geek Dad did a hell of a job living up to his name. As you’ll see in the images below, his son completely flipped out for it! If I ever own a house, I would love to do something like this for my kids. It would either be a Minecraft-themed bedroom or a Five Nights at Freddy’s-themed nightmare. 

According to The Tracking Board, Paramount Pictures is developing a live-action/animated hybrid big screen adaptation of the classic 1990s Nickelodeon cartoon series. This is sure to be an explosion of nostalgia as it will be a massive crossover movie that will include characters from Rugrats, Angry Beavers, Hey Arnold!, Rocko’s Modern Life, Ren and Stimpy, and more. 

The movie will be called Nicktoons, and the film concept was pitched as “a Justice League or Avenger’s-esque team-up film.” So yes, now Nickelodeon is going to have its own cinematic universe. The movie is also said to be influenced by The Lego Movie, Space Jam, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and Wreck-It Ralph. 

According to the report, “Nicktoons is poised to follow a similar model, employing a hefty amount of self-referential humor and charm.” Paramount is currently in the process of locking down all of the film rights to these. Mary Parent is spearheading the project. She was a producer on Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, which turned out to be quite the entertaining flick. 

The film is in the very early development stages, and the studio is currently in discussions with several different screenwriters to take on the project. The report goes on to say:

"Naysayers ought not to fear, as our sources say that the creators have no intentions to bastardize or update the characters unfavorably, only to create a fun adventure reuniting audiences with the treasured cartoons in an exciting new approach, pleasing old fans and creating new ones. Though, creators have to tread lightly, as they run the risk of making another Rugrats Go Wild, which was an ill-received and poorly conceived crossover that just didn’t mesh."

I actually find this project pretty exciting. It could be really fun to see these characters up on the big screen together, especially with the inclusion of Ren and Stimpy. That alone seems like it would make this whole thing worth it. Hopefully, they bring together a great team of talent to make it happen.

Here are a couple of cool pieces of fan art created by Deviant Art user MessyPandas paying tribute to Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and David Ayer’s Suicide Squad. These were sent to me over the weekend by a GT reader, and I thought some of you might enjoy them, so here you go! 

I'm looking forward to both of these movies, but I'm a bit more excited to see how Suicide Squad turns out. These are the first two films to launch the DC Extended Universe. I don't really count Man of Steel because I know DC and WB didn't have a plan for the rest of the universe until after it was released. Which of these two movies are you most excited about?

As you know, Hugh Jackman is getting ready to hang up his claws after Wolverine 3. After that, he'll have the opportunity to join another kind of film franchise if he wants to. 

You might not remember this, but years ago Jackman was asked by the franchise producers if he wanted to take on the role of James Bond. He turned it down because it wasn't the right time for him. During an interview with the Australian television series The Program, Jackman said,

"At the time, I was just about to do X-Men 2, and I was like, 'Ah, I don’t think it's the right time.'"

Now that he's about to leave Wolverine behind him, it's a role that he'd be up for taking on if asked again. When asked if he would do it now, he said,

"I'd seriously consider it."

Daniel Craig seems to be winding down, and there's a chance that he might not come back to reprise his role after Spectre. When he does decide to move away from the character, it will be interesting to see who the producers cast as the next 007. 

I would be up for seeing Jackman as the suave and badass spy. I think he could pull it off, and he would obviously bring something new and awesome to the role. It'd be fun to see what his version of the character would be. Would you like to see Jackman as the next 007, or is there another actor you think would be better suited for the part?

"NO-A" is a beautifully animated sci-fi film project that was directed by Liam Murphy. It’s an award-winning graduation film that was developed at the Savannah College of Art and Design by a team of eight talented students.

This is a seriously impressive film, and it has a great mix of action and a powerful heartfelt story. I loved the characters and the design work for them, as well as the world that they built to bring this touching story to life. Here’s a brief synopsis:

The world is a desolate, unforgiving place in this action sci-fi with a surprising amount of heart. We follow NO-A (Noah), as he attempts to rescue Aixa, the young woman that created him. In his desperate attempt to save her, he must face an unknown enemy force and fight to keep them both alive.

This is a wonderfully executed film, and I really hope that you all take the time to watch and enjoy it.

Thanks to a set of officially licensed Halloween costumes for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we have some more details for a few of the main characters in the highly anticipated film. Those characters include Finn, Rey, Kylo Ren, and Captain Phasma, and the descriptions that come with the costumes include some spoilerish information. It also confirms the blue Lightsaber used by Finn in that brief teaser for the film is in fact Luke and Anakin Skywalker's.

You might consider some of the info below to be SPOILERS, so I’m throwing out a warning just in case. The following details come via StarWars7News. There’s a chance that maybe the retailer took some creative liberties when writing these descriptions up, but read them for yourself, and let us know what you think!

Finn:

• Sometimes, heroes come from the unlikeliest of places. The Galactic Empire has been dead for decades, but evil never really dies. With villains rising to take the Empire’s place, heroes must rise to oppose them. After becoming stranded by himself in the deserts of Jakku, and meeting up with a girl named Rey, a Stormtrooper named Finn has joined the side of the Resistance. He began his adventure as a part of the New Order, but now he’s one of the few people that can stop them. With a new look, Finn is ready for a new mission. Since trading in his Stormtrooper armor for a new set of gear, Finn’s outfit might not be flashy, but it’s all that a hero needs to succeed.

• The perfect rebel accessory. Finn, one of the newest characters in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, is a rogue Stormtrooper who teams up with Rey and the rest of the rebellion to fight against the First Order. A must for any awesome rebel fighter is, of course, an awesome weapon. Enter Finn’s Blaster. When you dress up as the Stormtrooper-turned-rebel this Halloween, make sure you don’t forget to accessorize your costume with this must-have weapon.

Rey:

• The mission to take down the First Order is underway! After invading the Starkiller Base, one member of the Resistance has split from her group and found herself in a massive room full of First Order soldiers. Completely surrounded by Stormtroopers with blasters and Knights of Ren with lightsabers, she seems to be totally outnumbered. Unfortunately for her enemies, though, they’ve made a big mistake: it’s not about the strength of the weapon, but the strength of the warrior that wields it. Begin your Star Wars adventure as a character beginning her own. Rey is one of the new heroes making her Star Wars debut in Episode VII: The Force Awakens. After growing up with a simple life on the remote desert planet Jakku, and meeting up with a former Stormtrooper named Finn, she suddenly finds herself as part of the Resistance, the organization trying to save the galaxy from the villainous First Order.

• A new rebel! One of the new characters in Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Rey fights against the First Order with fellow rebels Poe and Finn, along with beloved characters from the classic Star Wars films. She makes her home on the barren desert planet of Jakku, which looks very similar to Tattooine. Living inside a non-functioning Imperial AT-AT, Rey is a scavenger and knows how to fend for herself. Become ReyIf your rebellious little girl wants to dress up as Rey for Halloween, or the premier of the newest Star Wars movie, then this is the costume for her. While she may not need to camouflage herself in the desert to hide from Stormtroopers, Captain Phasma, or Kylo Ren, this neutral colored costume is perfect for blending in. Once she has her costume, accessorize it with the matching headpiece with mask and staff weapon.

• Watch as The Force Awakens in a new hero. It’s been 30 years since the Galactic Empire crumbled, but new threats and enemies of the galaxy have taken its place. Among the new Resistance that has arisen to combat this evil is a young girl from the lonely desert planet Jakku. Her name is Rey, and she’s one of the best chances that the galaxy has to take down the New Order.

Kylo Ren:

• There has been an awakening in the Force. One man, standing by himself in a snowy forest clearing, can feel it. The Force, and the powers of its Dark Side, are welling up within his body. He draws his lightsaber, and three red blades extend from the handle, ready for battle. From behind a shroud of black robes, beneath a shadowy mask, Kylo Ren knows that the Knights of Ren are one step closer to completing their mission. Join the ranks of the Knights of Ren. Kylo Ren and the rest of his fellow knights serve the First Order and support their ultimate goal: to take over the entire galaxy, using the same power of the Force once used by the Galactic Empire. Since the Empire’s been gone for thirty years, that power is up for grabs – but the Resistance would rather see that it’s kept out of the hands of darkness. When you dress up with Star Wars costumes on Halloween, this is just one of the stories from Episode VII: The Force Awakens that can inspire your imagination.

• An action-packed Star Wars scene begins. On a desolate battlefield, the forces of the evil Knights of Ren and the heroic Resistance have finally met. Warriors on both sides have drawn their blasters and the colored beams of their lightsabers, waiting to attack. When Kylo Ren raises his hand, covered by a long, black glove, the Knights charge into battle.

• The awakening of the Force points towards trouble. Before a climactic and action-filled Star Wars scene commences, everything stands still. The Knights of Ren and the Resistance have met each other, face-to-face. Red and blue light sabers are drawn, awaiting their wielders’ next moves. Finally, Kylo Ren’s black, gloved hand signals an attack on the Resistance forces ahead, and the battle is underway.

• The coolest lightsaber ever made. Ever since Jedi and Sith first crossed blades in the original Star Wars movie from 1977, the lightsaber has been one of the most iconic movie weapons and props in all of sci-fi. In Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, it’s all about the Resistance and the First Order, but lightsabers are still the weapon of choice. The crossguarded, broadsword lightsaber design, wielded by the villainous Kylo Ren, has made quite the impact with fans. Now, you can get that power, too. A blade as dangerous as Kylo Ren himself. It’s fitting that the most ominous looking villain of Star Wars VII had to create his own custom lightsaber. Nothing else in the galaxy was threatening enough. As a member of the Knights of Ren, Kylo Ren is associate of the First Order – the evil organization trying to take over the galaxy after the fall of the Empire. When he’s geared up with his black and silver helmet, flowing robes, and three-bladed lightsaber, he’s as imposing as any Star Wars villain ever.

• The dawn of new Star Wars fans. Vader. Maul. Fett. All of these names have been classic Star Wars villains for decades, each with equally iconic costumes. Now it’s your child’s turn to learn and grow up with new favorite characters of their own. With Episode VII: The Force Awakens comes the dawn of a new trilogy, and Kylo Ren is one of the villains in line to inherit the prowess of his predecessors.

• Gain the power that can control the galaxy. That’s the goal of Kylo and the Knights of Ren, too: to seek the galaxies-conquering powers once held by Emperor Palpatine and the Galactic Empire. The Rebel Alliance foiled that evil quest, but Kylo Ren will ensure that the Resistance does not follow suit.

• As The Force Awakens, will you choose the Dark Side? The countless galaxies in the Star Wars universe have lain dormant for decades, since the fall of the Galactic Empire. Now, in Star Wars Episode VII, the Force – the darkness, and the light – has reawakened. Heroes are scrambling to claim the powers for good, but many would rather use them for evil. The Knights of Ren are calling your name. Kylo Ren is just one of the names that belong to The Knights of Ren, an army of the dark side that craves to reclaim its lost power. Allied with the First Order, it’s their mission to take down the Resistance and anything else that stands in their way.

Captain Phasma:

• Is it a Stormtrooper? Is It a Flametrooper? No! It’s Captain Phasma! While Captain Phasma’s glistening silver and black helmet may resemble that of a Stormtrooper, Flametrooper, or even infamous intergalactic bad guy Darth Vader, she is definitely her own kind of villain. Among other things, Phasma is separated from her evil counterparts by one very distinct fact – she’s a girl!

• Are you ready to join the dark side? From behind a suit of silver armor and a reflective, mirrored mask, the captain inspects a unit of Stormtroopers before battle. The Resistance must be brought to its knees, so that the First Order may reign supreme over the galaxy. Villains like Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine have ruled in the past, but in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, the face of the Dark Side has been replaced, and her name is Captain Phasma.

• As the Force awakens, so do the powers of evil. After the Battle of Endor, the Empire fell, and the powers it held were scattered throughout the galaxy.This is the tale that is told in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, and one of the antagonists that seeks that power for herself is Captain Phasma of the First Order.

• The Force has awakened, and must be used for the power of darkness. It’s been decades since the Empire fell to the Alliance and left the galaxy without a supreme ruler. Now, in Star Wars: Episode VII, the struggle between light and dark begins again. Clad in a suit of silvery armor, eyes staring out from behind a shining mask, one warrior is prepared to bring the stars themselves to their knees for the glory of the First Order. Her name: Phasma.

Lightsaber:

• Wield the weapon from the Republic’s destroyer and its savior! Both Anakin and Luke Skywalker battled with a blue lightsaber. Star Wars Anakin/Luke Skywalker Blue Lightsaber is based on that “elegant weapon,” as Obi-Wan Kenobi called it. The blade lights up and extends to 3 feet in length, telescoping down into the handle when not in use. As a young padawan, Anakin Skywalker wielded a blue lightsaber that he crafted himself, and the weapon served him through many adventures. After he turned to the Dark Side, Anakin — now Darth Vader — fought his former master Obi-Wan and was nearly destroyed. Obi-Wan then took the blue lightsaber and saved it until the day that he could present it to Anakin’s son, uke, when the two met on Tatooine. From that moment on, Luke kept this lightsaber. It was the weapon he used in training with Obi-Wan and Yoda, when battling Jabba the Hut [sic], and later when he fought Darth Vader at Cloud City. In that struggle, Luke lost both his hand and the blue lightsaber when it tumbled away and fell into a maintenance shaft. No matter which Jedi knight you choose to be, the blue lightsaber, carried by heroes in a galaxy long ago and far away, is a weapon you can be proud to own!

Dorkly has released a funny animated video sketch that features the architect of the Death Star speaking out for the first time since Luke Skywalker blew it up. He admits that the exhaust ports on the Death Star were a huge design flaw, then proceeds to defend his design and talk about how the torpedo shot off by Luke was impossible... unless you had magic space wizard powers. He then tells everyone that maybe they should be blaming Darth Vader for not being able to shoot down the "farm boy" flying the X-Wing. This is actually a pretty amusing video that Star Wars fans might get a kick out of. Enjoy!

According to a recent interview with Deadline, director Danny Boyle says that he's planning for Trainspotting 2 to be his next movie. He says:

“All the four main actors want to come back and do it. Now it is only a matter of getting all their schedules together which is complicated by two of them doing American TV series.”

That's so awesome to hear! The four main actors who would come back include Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, and Ewen Bremner. We've been hearing about this sequel for years, and it's actually kind of exciting to see that Boyle is actually getting it all together so that he can make it happen. So this will be Boyle's next movie if the actors can work out their schedules to shoot the movie in the near future. 

John Hodge wrote the script for the sequel, which Boyle says is "terrific." The story is loosely based on Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh‘s novel Porno, and it picks up with the original surviving characters ten years down the road. 

Here's a description of the book that the sequel will be based on:

Ten years on from Trainspotting, Simon 'Sick Boy' Williamson is back in Edinburgh after a long spell in London. Having failed spectacularly as a hustler, pimp, husband, father and businessman, Sick Boy taps into an opportunity, which to him represents one last throw of the dice. However, to realise his dream of directing and producing a pornographic movie, Sick Boy must team up with old pal and fellow exile Mark Renton and a motley crew that includes the city's favourite ex-aerated-water-salesman, 'Juice' Terry Lawson.

In the world of Porno, however, nothing is straightforward, as Sick Boy and Renton find out that they have unresolved issues to address, concerning the increasingly unhinged Frank Begbie, the troubled, drug-addled Spud, but, most of all, with each other.

Are you excited that this sequel actually looks like it's going to happen?