I recently had the chance to take a vacation to New Zealand, and while I was there, I visited Peter Jackson's Weta Workshop and took a tour of the place. It was incredible (as you might imagine), but unfortunately, they wouldn't allow me to take any photos or video inside the space. Adam Savage and his Tested team recently went to Wellington and visited as well, but it looks like they didn't have the same restrictions I did. While they apparently weren't able to give everyone a look at the main floor of the workshop (yet, anyway), they did manage to get a bunch of access to some side areas and talk to its employees about sculpting, prosthetics, model painting, and more. This may be the closest you get without flying across the world and visiting Weta yourself!

A new teaser trailer has been released for Cars 3, and it introduces us to two new race car characters. The first character is Jackson Storm, who is voiced by Armie Hammer, and the second character is Cruz Ramirez, who is voiced by Cristela Alonzo. There's also a reintroduction promo with Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) in the teaser, which is obviously before his big accident featured in the first teaser for the film.

I also included some character photos that were released by EW, and they come along with some additional information on the characters thanks to first time Pixar director Brian Fee, who says:

“McQueen is not the young hotshot anymore, the kid he was back then in Cars 1. He’s in the middle of his life, and as an athlete, that’s getting up there. You have your whole life ahead of you, yet your career is starting to show its age. He’s looking in the mirror and realizing, ‘I’m 40 years old,’ and dealing with the fact that the thing that you love more than anything else, you might not be able to do forever.”

The first new character introduced is Jackson Storm. When it comes to him, Fee exp;lains:

“Jackson was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Everything comes easy to him, and everything about him says he’s faster, so much so that we’ve designed him so that even when he’s standing next to McQueen, McQueen looks old.”

“He thinks the world is his. He’s taking over. He’s owed it. In a very broad term, I think of old football players with those little leather skull caps, and you think of football players now with all their armor, hitting so hard. It’s not the same game. What they did was not anything like what we do now. And that’s Jackson: He thinks the future of racing and the high-tech ways they train and what they can do means they’re taking the sport to a new level, and the older guys had their day, and it’s done, and they have no place in the future of racing.”

The other character is Cruz Ramirez, who is McQueen's optimistic, friendly, and fierce new coach. When talking about her, Fee says:

"Whereas others like Jackson would look at McQueen and dump him, Cruz isn’t like that at all. She’s the most optimistic person in the world and wants to do anything to help. 

The director goes on to say that Cars 3 will be the most human film in the franchise and says it "very emotional."

“Where the franchise goes from here, I have no idea what may be down the road, but I can tell you that for Lightning McQueen, as a character, I think by the end of the movie it’s safe to say that this is only the beginning for him.”

Cars 3 races into theaters on June 16th, and it will be interesting to see how this story plays out. Here's the new teaser:

The Cinefix gang is back with a new video, and this time they're counting down what they believe to be the top five end credits scenes of all time. (Not to be confused with post-credit scenes.) As usual, the team mentions a bunch of different ways for filmmakers to achieve their goals before choosing an option they feel represents that particular method, so there are a lot more movies listed here than just five.

In case anyone was wondering, my personal number one pick if I were making this list would be 22 Jump Street. Cracks me up every time.

As in reality, it's always hard to say goodbye to people and things we love. Sometimes, even more so with films that touch our hearts. Storytellers understand this struggle more than the rest of us and find meaningful ways to help us cope with departure to the worlds we encounter in cinema. These are the best closing title sequences in movie history.

Via: Sploid

Smite has a new God, Pantheon, and grand plans for their 4th season! The announcements kick off with a brand new God added to the game, the Celtic Phantom Queen The Morrigan....read more GameTyrant

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A new trailer has been released for Rings, and it features Samara giving us a brief history of her life and why she is on her journey of death. As much of a fan I am of the franchise, this trailer did nothing for me. There is nothing of interesting about it, nothing that sticks out, and nothing that sets the movie apart from anything else we've already seen. It pretty much looks like it will be a crappy remake of the original film, which is a bloody shame. 

A new chapter in the beloved RING horror franchise.  A young woman becomes worried about her boyfriend when he explores a dark subculture surrounding a mysterious videotape said to kill the watcher seven days after he has viewed it. She sacrifices herself to save her boyfriend and in doing so makes a horrifying discovery: there is a “movie within the movie” that no one has ever seen before…

Rings will be released in theater on February 3rd. Hopefully, it turns out better than it looks, but I won't be holding my breath. 

Eclectic Method is known for creating catchy and cool remixes, and this one — entitled "Autotune The Movies" — is no different. It's not something you can necessarily sing along with, but it might get stuck in your head all the same. He's also blurring the increasingly blurry line between film and television even further by including a couple of shots from TV shows in the mix (Donald Glover's Atlanta makes an appearance, along with a more easily identifiable animated series). Enjoy!

Hi-Rez announced at their expo they're bringing a new game, Smite Rivals, to PC and mobile phones. Using the champions from Smite, players will battle on an overhead view...read more on Gametyrant

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DreamWorks Animation has released a brand new trailer for Voltron: Legendary Defender season two, and it's awesome! It looks like fans are in for a thrilling new season, and I can't wait to watch it. The creative team behind this series has done such an incredible job handling the story, characters, and animation. It's one of the best animated series currently in production, and if you haven't watched the first season yet, what are you waiting for?!

Team Voltron has been scattered throughout the universe in the aftermath of a perilous battle with Zarkon, Haggar and the evil Galra Empire. Working to bring the lions back together to form Voltron again, the Paladins' plan to defeat the Galra once and for all takes them across the universe in search of new worlds and unexpected allies.

Season two stars Jeremy Shada as Lance, Bex Taylor-Klaus as Pidge, Josh Keaton as Shiro, Tyler Labine as Hunk, Steven Yeun as Keith, Kimberly Brooks as Princess Allura, and Rhys Darby as Coran. It's set to premiere on Netflix January 20, 2017.

With the recent passing of Carrie Fisher, Lucasfilm is forced into a situation where they have to figure out what they are going to do with General Organa in the Star Wars franchise. She's already completed shooting her scenes for Episode VIII, and according to THR, she would have had a much bigger role in Episode IX. That all has to be reworked now.

The report offers details on two big key scenes that involve Leia in Episode VIII and IX, but I won't post them now. I'll post those later under a Spoiler banner. Before we get to that I want to talk about what Lucasfilm's plans are. 

There's no status on the script for the film, which is being developed by Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly, but the plan is to start shooting in early 2018 for their December 2019 release date. Next week Lucasfilm will have a meeting to figure out a plan on how to proceed without Fisher. I'm sure this won't be an easy meeting for anyone as they are still mourning the actress's death. 

The report suggests that Leia "could be written out and her scenes reshot," which are options not unheard of in the Star Wars universe. Then there's the digital CGI effects option, which was used in Rogue One. If they go that route, the report says that "a reduced role could mean Leia would only appear in glimpses." 

I don't have a preference on how they handle Leia's role. I trust that Lucasfilm will end up doing what is best for Fisher, the character, and the film's story.

As for the key Leia scenes in the upcoming two films, this is what the site says:

The scenes will include "a Leia reunion with Luke Skywalker" and "a confrontation with Kylo Ren, her son who killed Han Solo The Force Awakens."

These are both huge scenes that we may or may not see play out in the next two films in the saga. It all depends on how Lucasfilm decides to proceed. What do you think Lucasfilm should do?

A new official photo from Thor: Ragnarok has been released featuring Taika Waititi directing Chris Hemsworth all decked out as Thor on the set of the film. We also have a synopsis to share with you that offers us some new information on the story. It confirms that Thor will have to battle Hulk in the gladiator games on the planet of Sakaar. Here's the synopsis:

In Marvel Studios' Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok – the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk!

I've enjoyed all of the Thor films, but I'm especially excited about this one. I think Waititi is going to take the franchise to a whole new epic level that we aren't expecting. I also absolutely love the fact that Hulk and Thor will fight each other and then team up to save Asgard! To read up on all the previously released news and info on the film click here.

Thor: Ragnarok also stars Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Loki, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins. The movie comes out on November 3rd, 2017.

Who would've thought a Disney licensed game released nearly a decade after its films release would contain gameplay mechanics that would be utilized in highly successful franchises...read more on GameTyrant

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"A true classic never goes out of style."

Cult of Chucky in the seventh installment in the Child's Play franchise, and today we have a teaser trailer for the film along with a synopsis offering us details on what this new horror story will entail. Who would have thought that this franchise would last so long?!

The film isn't supposed to start shooting until next week, so there's no footage from it in the teaser. This promo just uses footage from the previous films. Cult of Chucky is written and directed by Don Mancini, who co-wrote the original film and also wrote and directed the last two film installments including 2004’s Seed of Chucky and 2013’s Curse of Chucky. 

Brad Dourif will return to provide the voice of Chucky, and the actor’s daughter Fiona is set to reprise her role of Nica Pierce. The sequel also brings back Alex Vincent and Jennifer Tilly. Here's the synopsis:

Confined to an asylum for the criminally insane for the past four years, Nica Pierce (Fiona Dourif) is erroneously convinced that she, not Chucky, murdered her entire family. But when her psychiatrist introduces a new therapeutic “tool” to facilitate his patients’ group sessions — an all-too-familiar “Good Guy” doll with an innocently smiling face — a string of grisly deaths begins to plague the asylum, and Nica starts to wonder if maybe she isn’t crazy after all. Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent), Chucky’s now-grown-up nemesis from the original Child’s Play, races to Nica’s aid. But to save her he’ll have to get past Tiffany (Oscar®-nominee Jennifer Tilly), Chucky’s long-ago bride, who will do anything, no matter how deadly or depraved, to help her beloved devil doll. 

In a statement to EW, Glenn Ross, General Manager and Executive Vice President, Universal 1440 Entertainment said:

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly 30 years since Chucky first terrified moviegoers in Child’s Play. Since then the films have generated millions in worldwide box-office revenue. Now Chucky’s back with more scores to settle in his trademark twisted style, and you can bet he won’t stop until he gets his revenge.”

There's no word on when the film will be released, but it sounds like a film that fans can look forward to. 

Last night, ABC News aired a segment on Dateline that detailed the process of how Industrial Light & Magic created digital CGI versions of Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia and Peter Cushing's Grand Moff Tarkin. There have been a lot of conversations among fans regarding the digital versions of these actors, but I thought they pulled them off brilliantly, and I'm happy that Lucasfilm and the creative team followed through with the plan. 

The video features an interview with ILM VFX supervisor and Chief Creative Officer John Knoll. It also gives us some cool never before seen behind-the-scenes footage of the process of creating these two classic Star Wars characters. Check it out!

Damien Chazelle's La La Land is one of the best movies I saw last year, but due to its limited theatrical run, most of the country hasn't had the chance to check it out for themselves yet. That's about to change, because Lionsgate has released a new trailer for the film as it expands to a wider audience, and I also received a press release that the movie will be getting a special engagement in select IMAX theaters in the U.S. starting on January 13th. If you attend one of those IMAX screenings the first weekend it's playing and arrive early enough, you can take home a limited edition two-sided mini-poster for the film which has art and lyrics from one of the film's best songs on it.

If you don't want to wait until IMAX, though, I believe La La Land should be playing in most of the U.S. starting tomorrow, so check your local listings.

The Goldbergs is like an explosion of awesome nostalgia, which is why I love watching it so much. Most of the episodes are inspired by films, TV shows, and other pop culture greatness from the '80s.

Some of the episodes were inspired by films such as The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Dirty Dancing, The Goonies, Say Anything, A Christmas Story, Knight Rider, Misery, and Commando. It was also recently announced that there will be a Karate Kid episode, which is sure to be a blast!

IGN is now reporting that Kevin Smith is set to direct an episode of the series, and the theme will be based around Tim Burton's classic 1989 film Batman! The episode will be titled "The Dynamic Duo," and when talking about it, Smith said:

"I grew up watching the Adam West Batman and I was in a sold out movie theater for Tim Burton's Batman on opening day, June 23rd, 1989, so I can't wait to recreate those early eras of Bat-amania in the Goldbergs Universe.

"Luckily, the funny folks in front of and behind the cameras who make this hysterical show every week will be doing all the heavy lifting in our time travel experiment."

Executive producer and creator of the series Adam F. Goldberg added:

"The hardest thing about having Kevin Smith direct an episode of The Goldbergs is playing it cool and not acting like a weirdo geek super fan. I’ve waited in long lines to have him sign my Bluntman comics, I’ve collected his Clerks action figures, I’ve forced my writers to watch clips of his speaking engagements and I shoe-horned in a part for him in my screenplay for Fanboys just so I could meet the guy. I even STAYED in Hall H at Comic-Con when J.J. Abrams escorted thousands of people to a Star Wars concert."

 "This bearded hockey jersey wearing dude has been a hero of mine since I was at NYU film school. His movies have been a huge bonding point with my brother Barry and we’ve had entire conversations where we’ll quote Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. There is no better person out there to help bring our Burton’s Batman episode to life. Truly."

The episode will go into production next week, and I'm excited to see how it turns out! There's no doubt that Smith will give us something fantastically entertaining! 

Dorkly has created a funny little comic strip that provides a distinction between J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary The Lord of the Rings books and Peter Jackson's iconic movies. I think mega-fans will agree that both are great in their own ways, but these observations made me chuckle — especially the dig at the godawful Hobbit trilogy at the end.

Some new information has surfaced regarding Drew Barrymore's upcoming Netflix comedy series, Santa Clarita Diet, and it sounds great! 

Barrymore stars alongside Timothy Olyphant (Justified) in the show as Sheila and Joel Hammond, who are married realtors in the Los Angeles suburb community of Santa Clarita. The big reveal is that it's a zombie series! 

In the series premiere, we learn that Sheila goes a “dramatic change” as she dies and comes back as a flesh-eating zombie. It's explained that "while they tend to their open houses and teenage daughter, the couple must sate Sheila’s unbridled id and undead hunger, first with raw meat and, eventually, the human kind."

The show was created by Victor Fresco, who previously developed shows such as ABC’s Better Off Ted and Fox’s Andy Richter Controls the Universe. It's been years since Barrymore has done anything. In fact, it's pointed out by USA Today that she hasn’t worked since her daughters, Olive, 4, and Frankie, 2, were born.

She was drawn to this project, though, by its "darkness" and "strange parallels," and when talking about the show Fresco said:

“What if she finds herself, and we do this sort of Cro-Magnon type of evolution with her over the course of the 10 episodes. No gimmicks, no prosthetics, just an awakening.”

Barrymore adds:

“I just really enjoyed just shedding a snakeskin with her, so it became a really fun obstacle that I wasn’t even planning for but seemed so conducive and fun and healthy for my own life.”

I included the first image from the series above along with two promo posters that you can check out below. There's a lot of fun potential here to work with, especially with this concept and I hope it turns out to be entertaining! 

Mass Effect 2 is now free for a limited time on PC! To take advantage of the offer you'll need to setup an EA Origin account and download the game via that service...read more on Gametyrant

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NBC has released a fantastic and fun new promo spot for their upcoming DC comedy series Powerless. The series focuses on a group of "exceedingly average" employees of Wayne Securities Research and Development company in a world full of superheroes leaving a mess behind them every time they fight a battle.

I really like what I've seen in this first trailer, and I'm looking forward to watching the series. It stars Vanessa Hudgens, Firefly alum Alan Tudyk, Community's Danny Pudi, and A to Z's Christina Kirk. Here's the synopsis:

Emily Locke lands her dream job as Director of Research and Development for Wayne Security in Charm City, home to super heroes and villains and citizens fed up with the collateral damage of their constant fighting. Full of confidence and big ideas, Emily quickly learns that her aspirations far exceed those of her new boss and officemates, so it will be up to her to lead the team toward their full potential and the realization that you don’t need superpowers to be a hero.

Powerless is set to premiere on February 2nd on NBC. 

Archer season eight is moving to FXX, and that will be the new network home of the hilarious animated series. FXX has also released two exciting promo spots that give us a fun little tease of what is to come! I think it's awesome that this next season is set in 1947 in Los Angeles, this could very well be its wildest season yet!

Archer is an animated, half-hour comedy that revolves around the hardboiled private eye Sterling Archer and his quest to find his partner’s killer in 1947 Los Angeles. The case proves to be more difficult than expected after Archer quickly gets mixed up in a deadly game of tug of war between Los Angeles’ most powerful crime bosses. Every clue leads Archer further away from his goal and deeper into a mystery involving kidnapping, prostitution and drug addiction.

Archer was created by Adam Reed and Floyd County Productions. The cast features features H. Jon Benjamin (Sterling Archer), Aisha Tyler (Lana Kane), Jessica Walter (Malory Archer), Judy Greer (Cheryl Tunt), Chris Parnell (Cyril Figgis), Amber Nash (Pam Poovey), and Lucky Yates (Krieger)

The all new season is set to premiere this spring on FXX.