RSSApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Marvel’s Netflix shows move to Disney+ in the US on March 16^th

Disney+ has confirmed that Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, The Punisher, and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will become available to stream on the service starting March 16^th.

According to Disney, when opening the service for the first time after that date, all subscribers in the U.S. will be prompted to update their Parental Controls. This includes the option to select content rating restrictions for each profile as well as to add a PIN to lock profiles. Those that choose to keep their settings the same will continue to enjoy Disney+ as they always have within a TV-14 content rating environment, with the option to make changes at any time.

John DiMaggio WILL return for Futurama revival

Good news everyone!

Three weeks after the announcement that Hulu’s Futurama revival would possibly return without the original voice of Bender, it’s now been confirmed that John DiMaggio has closed a deal to reprise the role of the foul-mouthed robot.

DiMaggio said in a statement: “So damn grateful for the love and support of fans and colleagues alike during this whole time (especially my wife, Kate), and I cannot wait to get back to work with my Futurama family. #Bendergate is officially over, so put it on the back of a shelf behind Xmas decorations, or maybe in that kitchen drawer with all of the other crap you put in there like old unusable crazy glue, or maybe even put it in a jar you save farts in. Whatever floats your boat, I don’t care, you get the picture. I’M BACK, BABY! BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS!”

Chris Hemsworth reportedly playing the villain in Furiosa prequel

While it’s been known that Chris Hemsworth would play a role in the upcoming Furiosa prequel, new reports are suggesting that he’ll portray the film’s villain.

A recent episode of the podcast Blank Check with Griffin and David featured author Kyle Buchanan, who wrote the book Blood, Sweat, & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road. During the episode they briefly discussed the progress of Furiosa, which has been experiencing major delays since it was announced in 2015. Buchanan dropped a tidbit saying that “They have Chris Hemsworth as the villain, who I heard was called Dr. Dementus.”

The news has not yet been confirmed by the production. If true, this will have Hemsworth facing off against Anya-Taylor Joy, who will play the film’s titular protagonist.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet head to Switch in late 2022

The Pokemon Company has announced two new mainline titles, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which are expected to launch sometime in late 2022. Developer Game Freak said the games would offer an “open-world adventure” for players to discover.

They also revealed the three starter Pokemon: Sprigatito, the capricious, attention-seeking grass cat Pokemon, Fuecoco, the laid-back fire croc Pokemon that does things at its own pace, and Quaxly, the earnest and tidy duckling Pokemon.

Ariana DeBose joins Sony’s Kraven the Hunter

Ariana DeBose has joined the cast of Sony’s Kraven the Hunter movie, which is set to star Aaron Taylor Johnson in the titular role. While unconfirmed, sources say that DeBose will play Calypso. Calypso is a voodoo priestess who utilizes magic potions as well as being an occasional partner and lover of Kraven.

The film is set to be released theatrically on January 13, 2023.

RSSApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Disney delays several MCU release dates

Disney has delayed five of their upcoming announced Marvel movies. Eternals and Spider-Man: No Way Home, however, are both still committed to their respective November and December release dates.

The delays begin with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which has now moved from March to May 6, 2022. That spot was previously held for Thor: Love and Thunder, which has been bumped to July 8, 2022, taking the spot of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. That sequel is now scheduled for November 11, 2022. The Marvels has shifted out of 2022 and will now release on February 17, 2023. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quatummania is the last film receiving a delay, which is now planned for July 28, 2023.

Unlike the other post-2021 MCU films, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 will maintain its originally announced release in May 2023.

Updates from DC FanDome

In addition to a new trailer for The Batman, there were several other announcements for upcoming projects from DC FanDome.

Director Patty Jenkins and Lynda Carter confirmed that a third Wonder Woman movie is currently in the works, and Carter will be in the film.

The first footage from Black Adam was shown, giving the world a look at Dwayne Johnson in the titular role.

A trailer for The Flash movie leaned heavily into teasing the return of Michael Keaton’s Batman, with the former Dark Knight providing voice over while we got a look at Supergirl and multiple versions of the Flash.

The directors of the upcoming Blue Beetle film, as well as star Xolo Mariduena, spoke about the film before debuting some concept art of Blue Beetle’s costume.

Season 3 of the Harley Quinn animated series will release on HBO Max in 2022, and a sizzle reel gave a quick early look.

Finally, both Titans and Doom Patrol have been renewed for their respective fourth seasons on HBO Max.

Y: The Last Man series cancelled after one season

Y: The Last Man showrunner Eliza Clark has announced via Twitter that the series will not be getting a second season on FX on Hulu, even before the first season has finished airing. The news is a crushing blow to fans of Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra’s original comic, many of whom waited more than 10 years for an adaptation to materialize.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, sources say that execs at FX had to make a decision on the series by Oct. 15^th, and production costs from a showrunner change, multiple recastings that led to reshoots, and delays caused by the pandemic may have led to the cancellation decision.

Despite the early cancellation, Clark remains hopeful for the future of Y: The Last Man, as she expressed their team’s commitment to finding a new home for the series as there’s much more story left to tell.

RSSApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Disney+ Day schedule revealed, including Shang-Chi streaming date

Disney is set to celebrate Disney+ Day on Friday, November 12, 2021, by releasing a ton of brand-new movies, TV series, and other presentations to the service.

Two movies that will hit the streamer on that date are Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings, as well as Disney’s Jungle Cruise.

Other content scheduled for release that day are:

• The new movie Home Sweet Home Alone, a reimagining of the popular holiday franchise
• An all-new original series of shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios called Olaf Presents, which sees the Frozen character retelling several classic Disney tales
• Disney animation shorts including Frozen Fever, Feast, Paperman, and Get a Horse!
• The animated short Ciao Alberto, featuring characters from Pixar’s Luca
• A new short from The Simpsons
• The first five episodes from Season 2 of The World According to Jeff Goldblum
• A special celebrating Star Wars’ legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett
• A special celebrating the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+ with an exciting look towards the future

Fantastic Beasts 3 reveals official title and new release date

Warner Bros. Pictures has officially changed the release date for the upcoming third installment of the Fantastic Beasts films, which has now been titled Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

Originally scheduled for a July 15, 2022 release, the sequel has now been moved up to three months earlier, and is currently slated to arrive in theaters on Friday, April 15, 2022.

With many of the cast returning from prior films, the movie is also set to introduce Mads Mikkelson as the new Grindelwald, the villainous character first portrayed by Johnny Depp.

Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell lead voice cast for Netflix series Arcane

Netflix has announced the main voice cast for the upcoming animated series adaptation of Riot Games’ League of Legends video game, titled Arcane. Leading the series are Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell, who are lending their voices to the characters of Vi and Jinx, respectively.

The announcement comes with the release of new Arcane posters featuring a look at the characters. The full trailer for the animated event is slated to debut this Saturday, September 25^th during Netflix’s Tudum event.

Arcane will be available for streaming sometime this Fall.

RSSApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Anthony Mackie cast as the lead in Sony’s Twisted Metal TV series

A Twisted Metal television show is officially in development and Anthony Mackie will serve in the lead role as well as executive produce the series.

Twisted Metal is a high-octane action comedy based on an original take by Deadpool scribes Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick about a motor-mouthed outsider offered a chance at a better life, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. With the help of a trigger-happy car thief, he’ll face savage marauders driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a deranged clown who drives an all too familiar ice cream truck.

Mackie will play John Doe, a smart-ass milkman who talks as fast as he drives. With no memory of his past, he gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make his wish of finding community come true, but only if he can survive an onslaught of savage vehicular combat.

Disney is remaking Flight of the Navigator

Disney Studios is developing a reimagining of its 1986 sci-fi film Flight of the Navigator with a female lead. The project has Bryce Dallas Howard attached to direct and produce for Disney+.

The original children’s sci-fi adventure starred Joey Cramer, Paul Reubens, and Sarah Jessica Parker, and told the story of a 12-year-old boy who gets abducted by an intelligent UFO named Max. Eight years later, he is returned to Earth at the same exact age with no memory of what happened. When NASA officials spot a connection between the boy and a recovered UFO and try to capture him, the kid attempts to unravel the intergalactic mystery while trying to reunite with his family.

Disney tried reimagining the title in 2009, but lost the rights to Lionsgate in the 2010’s. Lionsgate was unable to develop the property, which is now back at Disney.

Twins sequel Triplets add Tracy Morgan to star with Schwarzenegger and DeVito

Director Ivan Reitman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Danny DeVito are officially working on a sequel to the classic comedy Twins.

The sequel, titled Triplets, will reportedly enlist Tracy Morgan to play the third long lost sibling of both Schwarzenegger and DeVito. Rumored to be in development for the last several years, the film was initially supposed to star Eddie Murphy, but Reitman mentioned that following his recent success with Coming 2 America, he was too busy to join the film.

Reitman also shared the premise, saying that secretly, there was a third baby born, a black baby, who hasn’t been in touch with his siblings. They don’t know each other and very early in the movie they meet and it’s how they achieve a bond together after all these years. It’s really a film about family and, no matter how different we all are, we have to learn to get along.

RSSApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Manifest Season 4 ordered by Netflix

Manifest has officially been saved by Netflix. After weeks of negotiations, the streamer has closed a deal for a super-sized fourth and final season of the missing plane drama. In a nod to Manifest’s fans and Flight 828, the announcement of the Season 4 pickup was made on August 28^th, or “828 Day” at 8:28 AM pacific time.

The final season of Manifest will be comprised of 20 episodes. As is customary for series on Netflix, the season will be split into multiple parts.

The pickup by Netflix will give fans answers after the cancellation by NBC made for a premature ending, leaving unanswered questions and unresolved Season 3 finale cliffhangers for the series, which had been originally conceived by creator Jeff Rake for a six-season run. That plan will now be condensed to bring the story of the passengers of Flight 828 to a proper conclusion in four seasons. The 20-episode pickup will help toward that goal as it represents Manifest‘s largest season order.

Marvel is developing a Halloween special for Disney+

According to The Wrap, Marvel Studios is actively searching for a Latino actor to lead the cast of an as-yet untitled Halloween Special that will air on Disney+.

Individuals with knowledge say the character may be based on “Werewolf by Night,” the name used by two separate Marvel characters.

The first, Jack Russell, is a descendant of the mystically-altered offshoot of humans known as Lycanthropes, who eventually becomes capable of transforming on his own volition even without a full moon, and retaining his intellect while transformed. Among other things, that series is notable for having the first appearance of Moon Knight, a character whose own Disney+ series will stream in 2022.

The second, Jake Gomez, is a member of a Native American tribe whose family has been cursed with lycanthropy, when he comes in conflict with a nefarious pharmaceutical company exploiting members of the tribe.

It’s not clear which, if either, version of Werewolf by Night will serve as inspiration for the TV special.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will arrive in Spring 2022

A new trailer has been released for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and with it, a release window announcement of Spring 2022.

The game adapts all nine entries in the Skywalker saga, with the trailer including a bunch of nods to famous scenes from the Star Wars movies. Along with X-wing battles and lightsaber duels with the likes of Darth Vader and Darth Maul, you’ll see moments like Rey flipping over Kylo Ren’s TIE fighter. The game includes 20 unlockable planets you can travel between and more than 300 playable characters.

This is the first game in the Lego Star Wars series since 2016, when TT Games released Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It marks the first time that the studio has adapted The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Warner Bros. initially planned to release Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga in 2020, and then in Spring 2021, but TT Games needed more time to finish it.

David Ayer’s Suicide Squad script leaks, Shang-Chi Disney+ details, & Finch release date – 2021-08-16

RSSApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Script leaks from David Ayer’s Suicide Squad confirmed to be legit by director

Over the past week, a handful of snippets of what was rumored to be David Ayer’s Suicide Squad script leaked onto social media. Now, the director is confirming the validity of those leaks, the final product of which was changed and reshaped by Warner Bros., raising curiosity for what Ayer’s original cut would have looked like.

In addition to confirming that all of the pages were legitimate, he also confirmed that they were all in fact filmed before being cut from the studio version. Among the leaks were scenes in which Deadshot and Harley Quinn share a kiss, Diablo lives, the Joker has much darker scenes, and the humor is edgier, with the entire movie having a darker tone.

Ayer himself has been supportive of the release of the director’s cut of Suicide Squad, explaining that the final product was altered quite a bit to adhere to a lighter tone.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings won’t be on Disney+ Premier Access

Despite concerns about the Delta variant of COVID-19, and more states returning to pre-vaccine policies, Disney’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is still set to land exclusively in theaters, meaning that there won’t be a release on Disney+ Premier Access. The reason for this, according to Disney’s CEO, is more contractual than anything else.

Speaking during a recent earnings call to discuss Disney’s Quarter 3 earnings, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that the reason for Shang-Chi not being released on Disney+ Premier Access is because the company had settled on various distribution agreements prior to the sudden increase in COVID-19 cases over the summer. According to Chapek, though, the company will still be looking at Shang-Chi’s 45-day exclusive window in theaters as another data point in figuring out how they move forward with future releases.

On the same call, Chapek teased that there are many announcements coming our way on Disney+ Day, which will also commemorate the two-year anniversary of the platform’s launch on November 12.

Tom Hanks-led sci-fi movie Finch arrives November 5^th on Apple TV+

Apple has given a release date for the second of two Tom Hanks films it acquired during the pandemic. Finch, a futuristic tale about a reclusive inventor, his canine, and his robotic buddy, hits Apple TV+ on November 5^th.

In the film, a man, a robot and a dog form an unlikely family in a powerful and moving adventure of one man’s quest to ensure that his beloved canine companion will be cared for after he’s gone. Hanks stars as Finch, a robotics engineer and one of the few survivors of a cataclysmic solar event that has left the world a wasteland. But Finch, who has been living in an underground bunker for a decade, has built a world of his own that he shares with his dog, Goodyear. He creates a robot to watch over Goodyear when he no longer can. As the trio embarks on a perilous journey into a desolate American West, Finch strives to show his creation, who names himself Jeff, the joy and wonder of what it means to be alive. Their road trip is paved with both challenges and humor, as it’s as difficult for Finch to goad Jeff and Goodyear to get along as it is for him to manage the dangers of the new world.

Valve’s Steam Deck, Antonio Banderas joins Indy 5, & Loki gets a Season 2 – 2021-07-16

RSSApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Valve’s gaming handheld is called the Steam Deck

Valve has announced the Steam Deck, its long-rumored Switch-like handheld gaming device. It will begin shipping in December and reservations open July 16th at 1PM eastern time.

The unit comes in 3 different models for different storage tiers: 64GB for $399, 256GB for $529, and 512GB for $649. You can also expand the available storage using the high-speed microSD card slot.

The Steam Deck has a huge number of control options. There are two thumbsticks, but also two small, Steam Controller-style trackpads beneath the thumbsticks, which could give you more precision for things like first-person shooters. The front of the Steam Deck also has ABXY buttons, a D-pad, and a 7-inch 1280 x 800 touchscreen for 720p gameplay. The device also has a gyroscope for motion controls. Like the Switch, it has two shoulder triggers on each side, and there are four back buttons (two on each side) as well as built-in microphones.

As for the battery, “Steam Deck’s onboard 40 watt-hour battery provides several hours of play time for most games,” Valve says. “For lighter use cases like game streaming, smaller 2D games, or web browsing, you can expect to get the maximum battery life of approximately 7-8 hours. And if you need to pause your game, the Steam Deck offers a quick suspend / resume feature built into SteamOS that will let you put the device into sleep mode and pick up where you left off later.

Valve will also sell a dock you can use to prop up a Steam Deck and plug it into external displays like a TV. You won’t need a dock to plug it into a TV, though — Valve says that the “Deck can be plugged in to your TV, monitor, or even your old CRT if you have the right cables.” The Deck comes with fully-fledged USB-C ports that contain HDMI, Ethernet and USB data, as well as standard Bluetooth. You’ll have native Bluetooth audio, something that’s missing from the Nintendo Switch.

On the software side of things, the Steam Deck runs what Valve is calling a new version of SteamOS, that it’s optimized for the handheld’s mobile form factor. But the actual OS is based on Linux, and will use Proton as a compatibility layer to allow Windows-based games to run without requiring that developers specifically port them for the device.

Ultimately, though, the Steam Deck is still a full-fledged Linux computer, meaning that more technical users will be able to jump out to the regular Linux desktop, too. Valve notes that you’ll be able to plug in a mouse, keyboard, and monitor, and install other game stores, regular PC software, browse the web, and more.

Antonio Banderas joins the cast of Indiana Jones 5

Oscar nominee Antonio Banderas has joined the cast of Indiana Jones 5. The actor has closed a deal to star alongside Harrison Ford, who returns as the iconic archaeologist, and an all-star ensemble that includes Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Boyd Holbrook, and Shaunette Renée Wilson. For Banderas, the film marks another major franchise for the international star.

James Mangold is taking over directing reins from Steven Spielberg, who still is serving as a producer and is very much involved in various elements of the film. John Williams, who has worked on every score in the 40-year-old franchise including its iconic theme, will also return as composer.

Production is currently underway, with the film set to premiere on July 29, 2022. Plot details are still vague on what new adventure awaits Jones, as are details behind who Banderas will be playing.

Loki renewed for a second season at Disney+

Disney has revealed that the God of Mischief will return, as the Marvel Studios series Loki has been renewed for a second season on Disney+.

Loki had the streaming service’s most-watched premiere back in June when Disney+ shifted its release day for originals from Friday to Wednesday. Now, it has become the first Disney+ Marvel show to get a second season renewal.

It’s a good time to be a Marvel fan, as last week saw the release of Black Widow on Disney+ Premier Access and theaters, ending a two-year drought for Marvel movies. The action film raked in $60 million on the streaming service and over $215 million globally. Just days ago, Disney also revealed that Marvel’s animated show What If…? will debut on Disney+ on August 11th.

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe and Paul O

319 – Poopocalypse

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicTuneIniHeartRadioRSS

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
• Intro topics:
  • Metal Meal Meltdown 2019 recap
  • The Last of Us
• Geek Outs:
  • The Farewell
  • Blade of the Immortal
  • AEW Dynamite & NWA Power
  • Seasonal holidays foods
• Freak Outs:
  • Poopocalypse
  • Jim Cornette’s racist comment
  • Plastic bag ban
  • SoundCloud
  • Batwoman
• Reviews:
  • The Boys (Season 1)
  • Disney+
  • Teen Titans GO! vs. Teen Titans

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe and Paul O

315 – San Diego Comic Con and D23 Expo 2019

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicTuneIniHeartRadioRSS

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter

News/discussion:

Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been revealed

The Marvel Studios panel at San Diego Comic Con delivered in a major way with announcements for the bulk of Phase 4, including release dates and casting.

D23 Expo reveals more details about upcoming Marvel projects

Additional announcements included Eternals, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, WandaVision, Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, She-Hulk, and Black Panther 2.

CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths gets even bigger with casting announcements

Guest stars include Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, and Jon Cryer reprising their roles as Superman, Lois Lane, and Lex Luthor, LaMonica Garret as the Monitor and Anti-Monitor, Tom Cavanagh as Pariah, Brandon Routh as the Kingdom Come version of Superman, Cress Williams as Black Lightning, Burt Ward in an unspecified role, and Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne from the future.

Ewan McGregor confirmed for Obi-Wan series on Disney+

Ewan McGregor has confirmed that he will be reprising the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi for a Disney+ series centered around the iconic Jedi. While shooting is set to begin in 2020, no release date has yet been set for its premiere.

Season three of The Orville to stream exclusively on Hulu in 2020

Seth MacFarlane’s homage to Star Trek, The Orville, will make the jump from traditional television to Hulu for the show’s upcoming third season. MacFarlane explained that as the show has evolved and become more ambitious, he wouldn’t be able to deliver the third season until 2020, which was inconvenient for FOX.

DC Universe renews Young Justice and Doom Patrol

The live-action series Doom Patrol has been renewed for a second season on DC Universe, but will also simultaneously release on WarnerMedia’s forthcoming streaming service, HBO Max. Young Justice has also been renewed, with the fourth season to release exclusively on DC Universe.

Season 4 of The Expanse will premiere on December 13th

Amazon has revealed that Season 4 of The Expanse, the first since acquiring the show from Syfy, will premiere on Prime Video on December 13^th, 2019. Additionally, it was announced during the Television Critics Association summer press tour that the show has already been renewed for Season 5.

Garfield getting a new series on December 13th

Following the acquisition of Paws, Inc., the rightsholder to the beloved lasagna-eating cat, Viacom has announced that a new series surrounding the long-running comic strip character Garfield is in the works at Nickelodeon.

Originally created by Jim Davis in 1978 as a comic strip in newspapers, the orange cat has become a media phenomenon in the years since, with numerous TV series and specials being spawned featuring Lorenzo Music voicing the titular character, as well as two live-action/CGI hybrid films with Bill Murray lending his voice. While the animated series is in the works, Davis will continue to produce the syndicated comic strip.

Disney reveals Raya and the Last Dragon

Walt Disney Animation Studios has revealed their next feature film as Raya and the Last Dragon, a new story inspired by the culture of Southeast Asia and regions including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Laos. Directed by Paul Briggs & Dean Wellins and written by Crazy Rich Asians screenwriter Adele Lim, the film stars Cassie Steele as the voice of Raya with Awkwafina voicing the dragon Sisu.

In the film, a lone warrior from the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon and bring light and unity back to their world. Raya and the Last Dragon will be released in theaters on November 26, 2020.

The Aladdin cast includes: Two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith as the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes to whoever possesses his magic lamp; Mena Massoud as Aladdin, the hapless but lovable street rat who is smitten with the Sultan’s daughter; Naomi Scott as Princess Jasmine, the Sultan’s beautiful daughter who wants to have a say in how she lives her life; Marwan Kenzari as Jafar, an evil sorcerer who devises a nefarious plot to unseat the Sultan and rule Agrabah himself; Navid Negahban as the Sultan, the ruler of Agrabah who is eager to find a proper husband for his daughter, Jasmine; Nasim Pedrad as Dalia, Princess Jasmine’s hand maiden and confidante; Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders, a suitor from Skanland and potential husband for Princess Jasmine; and Numan Acar as Hakim, Jafar’s right-hand man and head of the palace guards.

Aladdin is directed by Guy Ritchie from a screenplay by John August based on the 1992 animated film Aladdin and stories from “One Thousand and One Nights.” The producer is Dan Lin with Golden Globe winner Marc Platt, Jonathan Eirich, and Kevin De La Noy serving as executive producers. Eight-time Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Oscar-winning lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice as well as two new songs written by Menken and Oscar and Tony Award-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

Some of the properties included in this acquisition are Avatar, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Deadpool, and The Simpsons.

The deal doesn’t include the Fox Broadcasting network and stations, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. Those will be spun off into a newly-listed company.

Here is the full press release:

The Walt Disney Company and Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Disney to acquire 21st Century Fox, including the Twentieth Century Fox Film and Television studios, along with cable and international TV businesses, for approximately $52.4 billion in stock (subject to adjustment). Building on Disney’s commitment to deliver the highest quality branded entertainment, the acquisition of these complementary assets would allow Disney to create more appealing content, build more direct relationships with consumers around the world and deliver a more compelling entertainment experience to consumers wherever and however they choose. Immediately prior to the acquisition, 21st Century Fox will separate the Fox Broadcasting network and stations, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FS1, FS2 and Big Ten Network into a newly listed company that will be spun off to its shareholders.

Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of 21st Century Fox will receive 0.2745 Disney shares for each 21st Century Fox share they hold (subject to adjustment for certain tax liabilities as described below). The exchange ratio was set based on a 30-day volume weighted average price of Disney stock. Disney will also assume approximately $13.7 billion of net debt of 21st Century Fox. The acquisition price implies a total equity value of approximately $52.4 billion and a total transaction value of approximately $66.1 billion (in each case based on the stated exchange ratio assuming no adjustment) for the business to be acquired by Disney, which includes consolidated assets along with a number of equity investments.

Popular Entertainment Properties to Join Disney Family

Combining with Disney are 21st Century Fox’s critically acclaimed film production businesses, including Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox 2000, which together offer diverse and compelling storytelling businesses and are the homes of Avatar, X-Men, Fantastic Four and Deadpool, as well as The Grand Budapest Hotel, Hidden Figures, Gone Girl, The Shape of Water and The Martian—and its storied television creative units, Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX Productions and Fox21, which have brought The Americans, This Is Us, Modern Family, The Simpsons and so many more hit TV series to viewers across the globe. Disney will also acquire FX Networks, National Geographic Partners, Fox Sports Regional Networks, Fox Networks Group International, Star India and Fox’s interests in Hulu, Sky plc, Tata Sky and Endemol Shine Group.

“The acquisition of this stellar collection of businesses from 21st Century Fox reflects the increasing consumer demand for a rich diversity of entertainment experiences that are more compelling, accessible and convenient than ever before,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We’re honored and grateful that Rupert Murdoch has entrusted us with the future of businesses he spent a lifetime building, and we’re excited about this extraordinary opportunity to significantly increase our portfolio of well-loved franchises and branded content to greatly enhance our growing direct-to-consumer offerings. The deal will also substantially expand our international reach, allowing us to offer world-class storytelling and innovative distribution platforms to more consumers in key markets around the world.”

“We are extremely proud of all that we have built at 21st Century Fox, and I firmly believe that this combination with Disney will unlock even more value for shareholders as the new Disney continues to set the pace in what is an exciting and dynamic industry,” said Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox. “Furthermore, I’m convinced that this combination, under Bob Iger’s leadership, will be one of the greatest companies in the world. I’m grateful and encouraged that Bob has agreed to stay on, and is committed to succeeding with a combined team that is second to none.”

At the request of both 21st Century Fox and the Disney Board of Directors, Mr. Iger has agreed to continue as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company through the end of calendar year 2021.

“When considering this strategic acquisition, it was important to the Board that Bob remain as Chairman and CEO through 2021 to provide the vision and proven leadership required to successfully complete and integrate such a massive, complex undertaking,” said Orin C. Smith, Lead Independent Director of the Disney Board. “We share the belief of our counterparts at 21st Century Fox that extending his tenure is in the best interests of our company and our shareholders, and will be critical to Disney’s ability to effectively drive long-term value from this extraordinary acquisition.”

Benefits to Consumers

The acquisition will enable Disney to accelerate its use of innovative technologies, including its BAMTECH platform, to create more ways for its storytellers to entertain and connect directly with audiences while providing more choices for how they consume content. The complementary offerings of each company enhance Disney’s development of films, television programming and related products to provide consumers with a more enjoyable and immersive entertainment experience.

Bringing on board 21st Century Fox’s entertainment content and capabilities, along with its broad international footprint and a world-class team of managers and storytellers, will allow Disney to further its efforts to provide a more compelling entertainment experience through its direct-to-consumer (DTC) offerings. This transaction will enable Disney’s recently announced Disney and ESPN-branded DTC offerings, as well as Hulu, to create more appealing and engaging experiences, delivering content, entertainment and sports to consumers around the world wherever and however they want to enjoy it.

The agreement also provides Disney with the opportunity to reunite the X-Men, Fantastic Four and Deadpool with the Marvel family under one roof and create richer, more complex worlds of inter-related characters and stories that audiences have shown they love. The addition of Avatar to its family of films also promises expanded opportunities for consumers to watch and experience storytelling within these extraordinary fantasy worlds. Already, guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort can experience the magic of Pandora—The World of Avatar, a new land inspired by the Fox film franchise that opened earlier this year. And through the incredible storytelling of National Geographic—whose mission is to explore and protect our planet and inspire new generations through education initiatives and resources—Disney will be able to offer more ways than ever before to bring kids and families the world and all that is in it.

Enhancing Disney’s Worldwide Offerings

Adding 21st Century Fox’s premier international properties enhances Disney’s position as a truly global entertainment company with authentic local production and consumer services across high-growth regions, including a richer array of local, national and global sporting events that ESPN can make available to fans around the world. The transaction boosts Disney’s international revenue mix and exposure.

Disney’s international reach would greatly expand through the addition of Sky, which serves nearly 23 million households in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy; Fox Networks International, with more than 350 channels in 170 countries; and Star India, which operates 69 channels reaching 720 million viewers a month across India and more than 100 other countries.

Prior to the close of the transaction, it is anticipated that 21st Century Fox will seek to complete its planned acquisition of the 61% of Sky it doesn’t already own. Sky is one of Europe’s most successful pay television and creative enterprises with innovative and high-quality direct-to-consumer platforms, resonant brands and a strong and respected leadership team. 21st Century Fox remains fully committed to completing the current Sky offer and anticipates that, subject to the necessary regulatory consents, the transaction will close by June 30, 2018. Assuming 21st Century Fox completes its acquisition of Sky prior to closing of the transaction, The Walt Disney Company would assume full ownership of Sky, including the assumption of its outstanding debt, upon closing.

Transaction Highlights

The acquisition is expected to yield at least $2 billion in cost savings from efficiencies realized through the combination of businesses, and to be accretive to earnings before the impact of purchase accounting for the second fiscal year after the close of the transaction.

Terms of the transaction call for Disney to issue approximately 515 million new shares to 21st Century Fox shareholders, representing approximately a 25% stake in Disney on a pro forma basis. The per share consideration is subject to adjustment for certain tax liabilities arising from the spinoff and other transactions related to the acquisition. The initial exchange ratio of 0.2745 Disney shares for each 21st Century Fox share was set based on an estimate of such tax liabilities to be covered by an $8.5 billion cash dividend to 21st Century Fox from the company to be spun off. The exchange ratio will be adjusted immediately prior to closing of the acquisition based on an updated estimate of such tax liabilities. Such adjustment could increase or decrease the exchange ratio, depending upon whether the final estimate is lower or higher, respectively, than the initial estimate. However, if the final estimate of the tax liabilities is lower than the initial estimate, the first $2 billion of that adjustment will instead be made by net reduction in the amount of the cash dividend to 21st Century Fox from the company to be spun off. The amount of such tax liabilities will depend upon several factors, including tax rates in effect at the time of closing as well as the value of the company to be spun off.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and 21st Century Fox have approved the transaction, which is subject to shareholder approval by 21st Century Fox and Disney shareholders, clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, a number of other non-United States merger and other regulatory reviews, and other customary closing conditions.

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue also includes Kingdom Hearts Back Cover, a new tale that sheds light on the mysterious foretellers, as well as new HD gameplay from Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance. The game will be available for the PlayStation 4 worldwide this December.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. Beauty and the Beast is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful, and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within.

The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe, the wardrobe; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Host: Rob Logan
Co-host: Kyla Covert

RMC #005 – Big Hero 6 w/ Kyla Covert

[download] [iTunes] [Spotify] [SoundCloud] [Google Play] [Stitcher] [TuneIn]

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe, Matt West, and Ashley Eagle

The Geek Generation – #247 – Paper Town Raider

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicTuneIniHeartRadioRSS

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
• Geek Outs:
  • Instagram layout app
  • Tomb Raider
  • Dubsmash
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm
  • Motorola Droid Turbo
  • Mark of the Ninja
  • Rocket League
• Reviews:
  • Paper Towns
• Oreo Taste Test:
  • Key Lime Pie
  • Brownie Batter
•  News/discussion:
  • Marvel’s Most Wanted TV series announced
  • NBC developing series based on regular people in the DCU
  • Friday the 13th series heading to The CW
  • Disney developing live-action The Sword in the Stone remake

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe, Matt West, and Ashley Eagle

The Geek Generation – #246 – Supervillain Crowdfunding

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicTuneIniHeartRadioRSS

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
• Geek Outs:
  • Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land announced
  • The Muppets returning to primetime
  • NXT Takeover: Brooklyn
  • Lucha Underground: Season 1
  • Mariann from Brooklyn rib
  • Patrick Stewart on The Howard Stern Show
  • Sense8 renewed for a second season
  • Constantine to appear on Arrow
  • Kingdom Hearts III announces Big Hero 6 world
  • Max Landis on The Indoor Kids
• Freak Outs:
  • Car problems
  • Car expenses
  • Internet instability
• Reviews:
  • Justice League: Gods and Monsters
• News/discussion:
  • Arrow casts Mr. Terrific and Anarky
  • Supergirl adds Peter Facinelli as Maxwell Lord
  • Gotham casts Natalie Alyn Lind as Silver St. Cloud
  • Michael Cera cast as Robin for The LEGO Batman Movie
  • Mr. Robot creator says an ending is already planned
  • Rick and Morty renewed for third season
• Game: Real or Fake
  • Aladdin prequel, Genies, in development at Disney
  • Dwayne Johnson to star in movie based on Rampage video game
  • PEZ movie in development
  • Sony Pictures developing an Emoji movie

Teaser posters were shown at Disney’s annual expo, “Disney 23”, for the long awaited sequel to the 2004 film The Incredibles. Posters were also shown teasing Toy Story 4 and Cars 3. The Toy Story 4 poster has the film listed for a ‘summer 2017’ release.

Also, a release date for Finding Dory, the sequel to Finding Nemo, has been announced for June 16, 2017.

Fans of The Incredibles movie will be happy to see the return of Brad Bird, the writer and director of the original film. Toy Story 4 apparently has a script in production centering on a love story between Woody and Bo Peep – and thus would likely take place before the events of Toy Story 3.

Photos from Comicbook.com

While fans of The Incredibles have been waiting more than a decade for a second film, many will attest that the Cars franchise has been the weaker of Pixar’s productions. As for Toy Story 4, Toy Story 3 gave much closure to the series so it will be interesting to see where this film is headed. What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Host: Rob Logan
Special Guests: G Hannelius and Lauren Jones

The Geek Generation – #232 – G Hannelius and Lauren Jones

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicTuneIniHeartRadioRSS

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
• Discussion:
  • Getting started in acting
  • Auditioning and past roles
  • Dog with a Blog
  • Make Me Nails app
  • App development process
  • Following multiple interests
  • Plans for the future
  • What they geek out about

Additional links:

• Make Me Nails

In addition to everything detailed in the trailer, the game will also feature the following additions:

Kingdom Hearts II

• A remastered soundtrack has been completely overhauled by an orchestra to provide a richer and more beautiful experience. More than 90 of the music tracks have been remastered.
• A secret movie that leads into Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
• New gummi ship missions

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

• New action and support abilities
• New deck commands and a command style — “Rhythmic Mixer”
• New items!

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded

• Cinematic cutscenes based off of your favorite battles, including — Data Sora vs. Data Riku

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX will arrive exclusively on PlayStation 3 on December 5, 2014.

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe and Damien Cranshaw

The Geek Generation – #189 – Cookies and Puppies

[download] [subscribe in iTunes]

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Oreo taste test
• Geek Outs:
  • Mario Kart 8 for $7
  • Console Wars
  • Orange is the New Black
  • Witnessing a car hit a girl on a bicycle
  • Witnessing a slip-out
  • America’s Got Talent
  • Squatty Potty
  • John Oliver rallies internet trolls to save Net Neutrality
  • Meeting Michael Jai White and LeeAnna Vamp
  • Vessyl
  • Oreo Creme-filled Chewy Chips Ahoy
• Freak Outs:
  • Mario’s increasingly annoying voice
  • Career indecision
  • Batman: Arkham Knight delayed until 2015
• Game: Smash-Up
  • Restaurants that comic book characters might own
• News/discussion:
  • Amazon introduces Prime Music
  • Vincent D’Onofrio set to play Kingpin in Daredevil series
  • Josh Trank set to direct a stand-alone Star Wars film
  • WWE “future endeavors” 11 Superstars
  • WWE 2K15 set for October 28 release
  • Scott Derrickson set to direct Doctor Strange
  • Eva Green poster for Sin City: A Dame To Kill For rejected by MPAA
  • State of Decay Lifeline DLC now available
  • Next Friday the 13th movie pushed back eight months
  • Jordan Vogt-Roberts to direct Metal Gear Solid movie
  • Live-action Beauty and the Beast movie coming from Disney
  • Halloween: The Complete Collection coming to Blu-ray September 23
  • Jupiter Ascending pushed back to 2015 release

Additional links:

• History of the Console Wars told through commercials
• Console Wars – book review

Host: Rob Logan
Co-host: Anna

The Geek Generation – #177 – Totes Maturtles

[download] [subscribe in iTunes]

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
• Anime Boston
• News / discussion:
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – first trailer
  • Facebook acquires Oculus VR for $2 billion
  • Notch cancels Minecraft for Oculus Rift
  • Sony introduces Project Morpheus
  • Full costume of The Flash revealed
  • Disney announces The Incredibles 2 and Cars 3
  • Assassin’s Creed: Unity announced
  • Marvel reveals Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver concept art
  • The Big Bang Theory renewed for three more seasons
  • Rocksteady reveals first image of the Arkham Knight
  • Amazon Prime fee increasing to $99 a year
  • Next Ghostbusters movie targeting production for 2015
  • Harry Potter spinoff “Fantastic Beasts” to become a movie trilogy
  • Peanuts movie teaser trailer released
  • Jon Chu to direct Jem and the Holograms movie
  • Sony and Panasonic announce 300GB archival disc
  • Powers series heading to PlayStation
  • Sharknado 2 premiere date announced

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe and Anna Zifcak

The Geek Generation – #170 – Imported from Japan

[download] [subscribe in iTunes]

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
• News / discussion:
  • Jesse Eisenberg cast as Lex Luthor for Superman/Batman movie
  • Man of Steel sequel pushed to 2016
  • A look at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles new character designs
  • Michael Douglas joins Ant-Man as Hank Pym
  • Ant-Man release moved up two weeks
  • Peter Parker is returning to the Marvel universe
  • Bill Cosby plans new sitcom at NBC
  • The CW is no longer developing Amazon
  • Fast & Furious 7 will retire Paul Walker’s character
  • Rupert Friend to replace Paul Walker in Agent 47
  • James Avery, star of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, dies at 68
• Game: Fake News
• More news:
  • Kevin Smith no longer retiring from film after Clerks 3
  • Ian Ziering and Tara Reid set to return for Sharknado 2: The Second One
  • The Newsroom to receive a third and final season
  • Disney is developing a live action Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers movie
  • Elizabeth Banks set to direct Pitch Perfect 2
  • J.K. Rowling regrets Ron and Hermione’s relationship
  • Sam Neill will not be returning for Jurassic World
  • HBO to launch new Mike Judge series Silicon Valley
  • The CW orders pilot for iZombie
  • Veronica Mars now available on Amazon Prime instant streaming
  • Game of Thrones season 4 to premiere April 6
  • Boardwalk Empire returns for fifth and final season this Fall
  • The Purge sequel gets a title and release date
  • Hot Tub Time Machine 2 set for Christmas 2014

In the film, when a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna (voice of Kristen Bell), a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell. Encountering mystical trolls, an amazing and comedic snowman named Olaf, Everest-like conditions and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.

In the film, when a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna (voice of Kristen Bell), a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell. Encountering mystical trolls, an amazing and comedic snowman named Olaf, Everest-like conditions and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe and Anna Zifcak

The Geek Generation – #129 – Joey Bag of Donuts

[download] [subscribe in iTunes]

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
• G.I. Joe: Retaliation review
• Geek Outs:
  • The Hangover Part III trailer
  • Saints Row: The Third demo
  • The Undertaker vs. CM Punk at WrestleMania 29
  • Tom Baker Doctor Who socks
  • Warmer weather approaching
  • 1989 Batmobile at Rhode Island Comic Con
  • Pizza Hut’s Crazy Cheesy Crust Pizza
• Freak Outs:
  • WrestleMania 29
  • Scream 4
  • Too much sympathy
  • Facebook Home
  • Complaining about children on Facebook
  • Skittles flavor change
  • Ordering items with stupid names at restaurants
  • Disney shuts down LucasArts
• News/discussion:
  • Batman: Arkham Origins announced for release this year
  • R.I.P. Roger Ebert
  • Finding Nemo sequel is Finding Dory
  • Jimmy Fallon officially announced to take over The Tonight Show
  • Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D. is now Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
  • Arrested Development returns on May 2
  • Will Arnett joins Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • Yvonne Strahovski returning for 8th season of Dexter
  • Jane Got a Gun controversy
  • World War Z’s Max Brooks unleashes The Extinction Parade

Additional links:

• Rob on The Reel Conversation: The Mantle of the Geek
• Adblock Plus for Firefox

The statement from LucasArts reads:

“After evaluating our position in the games market, we’ve decided to shift LucasArts from an internal development to a licensing model, minimizing the company’s risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality Star Wars games. As a result of this change, we’ve had layoffs across the organization. We are incredibly appreciative and proud of the talented teams who have been developing our new titles.”

Development on planned projects such as the action title Star Wars 1313 has been “halted.”

Founded in 1982, LucasArts has a rich history in the video game industry thanks to both Star Wars and its incredible adventure games for the PC, including The Secret of Monkey Island, Maniac Mansion and Grim Fandango.

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe, Anna Zifcak

The Geek Generation – #121 – #LesserFilms

[download] [subscribe in iTunes]

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
  • Call 508-316-9787 and leave a voicemail
• Geek Outs:
  • Hanging out with Gary Cherone
  • The Darkness concert
  • The Walking Dead returns
  • Domino’s pizza online ordering
  • Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
  • Crumbs bakery opens in Boston
  • Beauty and The Geek Australia: Season 4
  • The Death of “Superman Lives”: What Happened?
• Freak Outs:
  • A Good Day to Die Hard
  • Assassin’s Creed III
  • Dell monitor death
  • Grumpy cat
  • Disappointment in other people
• Obscure Movie Reviews with SuperFan Chris Tong
  • Wasting Away
• News/discussion:
  • Disney confirms stand-alone Star Wars films
  • Doctor Who to reunite all past doctors
  • Third Batman: Arkham game is coming this year
  • Next Assassin’s Creed will feature new hero and time period
  • Arrow renewed for a second season
  • Chris Pratt to play Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Activision gears up for more Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games
  • How I Met Your Mother suits up for final season
  • Fox is rebooting Hitman movie franchise

Lucasfilm Chief Kathleen Kennedy had been courting Abrams for the job, who initially denied any desire to be a part of the project, saying:

“Look, Star Wars is one of my favorite movies of all time. I frankly feel that – I almost feel that, in a weird way, the opportunity for whomever it is to direct that movie, it comes with the burden of being that kind of iconic movie and series. I was never a big Star Trek fan growing up, so for me, working on Star Trek didn’t have any of that, you know, almost fatal sacrilege, and so, I am looking forward more then anyone to the next iterations of Star Wars, but I believe I will be going as a paying moviegoer!”

If this report is true, that puts Abrams behind the two biggest franchises in science fiction history, having also directed the reboot of Star Trek and its upcoming sequel Star Trek Into Darkness.

Do you believe this report is true? If it is, how do you feel about Abrams taking the reins on Star Wars?

Warning: Contains some movie spoilers

Sonic Says

Sonic makes numerous cameos in the movie, mainly appearing with other characters in the background of Game Central Station. He has one spoken line of dialogue when appearing on a display monitor, issuing a friendly reminder that if a person dies outside his or her own game they will be gone forever. This lesson seems reminiscent of the morals and life lessons given in the ending segments of the cartoon Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. 

The Konami Code

In the latter half of the movie, Ralph learns the truth behind why Vanellope von Schweetz, AKA “The Glitch”, really is a glitch. In a flashback confession from Sour Bill (King Candy’s henchman) Ralph learns that King Candy gained access to the game’s programming and turned Vanellope into a glitch by disrupting her code, thereby locking up everyone’s former memory of her. While opening up the realm into the game’s code, King Candy is shown using a large NES controller to enter the button combination shown above. This sequence of button pressing is the well known cheat code known as the Konami Code which is useable in games like Contra and Castlevania.

The Kill Screen

Now here is a reference that you would have only seen if you had waited in the theater after the ending, the epilogue, and the entire roll of credits (and risked getting dirty looks from the clean up crew). One thing about classic arcade machines is that they had no end to them; they just keep going. Or did they? Many games, due to hardware limitations, would have a bug that would keep the game from progressing any further after ridiculously high levels. In particular Pac-man has a kill screen that appears when level 256 is reached that corrupts part of the screen. 

If you had waited after the credits were done, the Disney castle logo appears but the screen suddenly gets corrupted and half of it becomes a Pac-Man kill screen, but with the sprites of Wreck-it Ralph thrown in.

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe, Mikey Arsenault

The Geek Generation – #115 – Holiday Rage

[download] [subscribe in iTunes]

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
  • Call 508-316-9787 and leave a voicemail
• Geek Outs:
  • Oblivion
  • Jack Reacher
  • Getting laid off
  • Pacific Rim
  • The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
  • The Walking Dead renewed
  • One more match
  • Custom texting sounds
  • Rob won a Mr. Skin Ted contest
  • Street Fighter X Mega Man
  • The Binding of Isaac
• Freak Outs:
  • Road rage
  • Holiday attitudes
  • TV shows ending without resolution
  • Weird car window symbols
  • Freaking out over new Instagram Terms of Service
• Obscure Movie Reviews with SuperFan Chris Tong
  • Cat Run
• Listener Mailbag
• News/discussion:
  • Disney completes Lucasfilm acquisition
  • Skyfall becomes Sony’s highest grossing movie ever
  • Hugh Jackman confirmed for X-Men: Days of Future Past
  • Damon Lindelof not involved with Prometheus sequel
  • Ricky Gervais to play the lead in The Muppets sequel
  • Ben Affleck says he was never involved with Justice League movie
  • Fantastic Four reboot gets a release date
  • Kristen Stewart returning for Snow White and the Huntsman sequel
• Game: Top 3
  • Top 3 Hollywood “man-crushes”

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe, Mikey Arsenault

The Geek Generation – #108 – RI Comic Con 2012 – part 2

[download] [subscribe in iTunes]

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • E-mail it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com
  • Tweet it to @GeekGeneration on Twitter
  • Call 508-316-9787 and leave a voicemail
• Cosplay interviews:
  • Liana (Silk Spectre), Nicole (Lady Punisher), and Spencer (Predator)
  • Austin (Iron Man) and Kat (Poison Ivy)
  • Raymond (Blade)
• Listener Mailbag
• News/discussions:
  • Disney acquires Lucasfilm; sets Star Wars: Episode 7 for 2015
  • G4 cancels X-Play and Attack of the Show
  • Fringe series finale will be a two-hour event
  • Justice League looking at 2015 release
  • New Peanuts movie in 2015
  • Grand Theft Auto 5 set for Spring 2013
  • Captain America: The Winter Soldier gets familiar cast
  • Ant-Man gets a release date
  • Taken 3 in the works
  • Bob’s Burgers gets picked up for Season Four
  • Arrow, Revolution, Vegas, and Elementary all get full season pickups

He then posted two versions of a video piece that he had pitched to Fox:

This is major news as at San Diego Comic-Con weeks ago, Whedon had said he wasn’t sure about doing another Avengers movie. Obviously things changed quickly. As many speculated with The Avengers becoming the big hit it did (#3 movie of all time), it was imperative to bring Whedon back. The only question was whether or not he would want to do another. Well, our collective fanboy/girl brains can relax. He is coming back! The Avengers 2 doesn’t have an official release date as of yet, but it’s widely assumed that it’ll hit theaters sometime during the summer of 2015.

Marvel Studios has since released the following official statement:

Joss Whedon has signed an exclusive deal with Marvel Studios for film and television through the end of June 2015. As part of that deal, Whedon will write and direct Marvel’s The Avengers 2 as well as help develop a new live action series for Marvel Television at ABC. He will also contribute creatively to the next phase of Marvel’s cinematic universe.

A deal has been reached with The Muppets director James Bobin and original co-writer Nicholas Stoller to pen a sequel to the successful 2011 film.

Unfortunately, it’s also being reported that Jason Segel, who both co-wrote and starred in the movie, is much too wrapped up in other projects to be involved in the writing process of the next film. Segel’s currently working on several other projects, including CBS’s How I Met Your Mother, as well as devoting time to promote Five Year Engagement and Judd Apatow’s This Is Forty. There’s currently no word as to whether or not Segel will return to the sequel for an on-screen role.

“Typical,” he muttered under a soft chuckle, “a girl whose heroes are Disney princesses…”. As his sentence faded into a fresh sip of beer I found myself aggressively denying his accusation. How could he possibly think a Girl Among Geeks could find any real inspiration from a Disney character?

Our actual heroes? Well… they pack a bit more punch.

As I explained to my bud, it’s not that I don’t appreciate a good Disney movie. In fact, as a child of the late 80s/early 90s I grew up during the heyday of the Disney musical. I knew every word to every song, and in my more tender years I would dance and sing around my house pretending I was a beautiful princess.

However, over the years I have come to see that while Ariel and Belle may be strong protagonists, they are by no means formidable role models for young girls.

At this point in the conversation my friend and I ordered another round and began to go back and forth naming Disney princesses that, while generally headstrong and each possessing unique character traits, all eventually made decisions that in real life would be the foundation for a typical Lifetime movie.

Ariel is willing to undergo life altering permanent physical changes and agrees to give up her family and voice (aka her greatest talent and joy) to go after a man she’s never even spoken to. Jasmine is treated as a commodity by her father, is easily duped by the men around her, and has no true power besides her sexuality to impact any change on those who control her future. And Belle, the very princess I was dying to see in 3D, is a victim of Stockholm syndrome who falls for her emotionally and physically abusive captor.

I’ll spare you the remainder of the list that continued to grow. Essentially we discussed that every Disney princess is an example of how Hollywood and society in general has valiantly attempted to teach girls two things. First, that they can and should vibrantly be their own person, and second, that they will never be complete without the approval of their neighbors and a man, the latter of which must be won over at any cost so that he can swoop in and save them from their lives, making it so they never again have to be the strong individuals that made them unique in the first place.

It’s fairly depressing when you sit down and think about it. Especially when one realizes that many young girls view these beautifully drawn characters in fantastic far off places living heightened lives, and naturally want to be them. They may not be the heroes that we want our young girls looking up to, but unfortunately they are the heroes that we give them first access to, and sadly for many they seem to be ones that stick.

Eventually my friend and I let the conversation move on. We finished our drinks and went our separate ways. As I drove home, though, I found my mind wandering back to the princess portion of the night and my wheels started turning. Yes, I was one of the girls that started out worshiping Disney princesses, but at some point I ditched those role models and grew into new heroes. But who were my Girl Among Geek heroes? And what does that say about myself and my comrades?

The fact is that most every individual needs role models to look up to. Naturally we all have family members, friends, and historical figures that can fill these roles, but many of us also look to fictional characters as examples of the people we long to be but don’t necessarily see in our day-to-day. In general, this goes double for the geekier members of society that tend to spend their younger years standing on the fringes. We grew up saturating ourselves with pop culture references, so it only stands to reason that the characters that we most identify with come from TV, film, and comics.

For Girls Among Geeks, finding strong female characters is of vital importance. If we don’t want our lives to be exercises in changing who we are to appease those around us we need to find examples of women who refuse to compromise their character to be our beacons. Our heroines need to be intelligent, quick-witted, physically capable, enigmatic individuals who can stand up to the most daunting of opponents and not bat an eye. In short, they need to be truly badass.

This is where characters like Sarah Connor from the Terminator series come in. She’s a rough and tumble woman who is literally taking on other worldly creations in order to protect her child. She is physically impressive despite her size, and she regularly shows that she can outwit her competitors in a brilliant illustration of how one can utilize all of her strengths to defeat the toughest of foes.

Which leads me to the iconic Star Wars heroine Princess Leia. Like Sarah Connor she is a fighter, and both women refuse to compromise their missions for anyone or any reason. Over the course of three movies she proves a warrior, a military strategist, and overall an amazing leader. However, we do get to see her softer side when she mourns the loss of her home planet and gradually falls for Han Solo, which has proven to many young girls that one doesn’t have to ignore their emotions in order to be a true badass.

Not that Girls Among Geeks need those pesky emotions at all. Catwoman aka Selina Kyle requires neither an excess of feelings or morals to be one of my role models. True, she breaks the law on a very regular basis with little to no concern for the effect it will have on others. She is undoubtedly a villain. Despite that, though, she is a beautifully complex woman that is rarely found in the male-oriented comic world. When one removes her illegal activities from her character traits, she still stands as a fit, intelligent, crafty individual whose feminine wiles are developed enough to capture a piece of Batman’s heart, even if she will never do anything more than toy with it.

And then there’s Buffy. The iconic Vampire Slayer may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I can tell you that for myself and many of my friends Joss Whedon’s most iconic character is a perfect example of how a strong young woman can grow out of a literally hellacious childhood. Over the course of seven seasons we see Buffy juggle the same growing pains that many young girls will experience (i.e. dealing with relationship woes, friendship drama, and the difficulty of fitting in) with the responsibility of being chosen to defend her town, and more than once the world itself, from utter destruction. She combines all the common traits that the previous women did with a tenderness that is highly identifiable for young women, making her resilient strength all the easier to identify with and therefore seem more reachable for those that look up to her.

These vividly-drawn dynamic women are my fictional heroes. Unlike the Disney princesses that possess individuality but are willing to compromise it for the approval of others, my role models are definitively who they are at all times. In the face of adversity they neither shrink away nor bend their character. Growing up as a Girl Among Geeks I needed role models that aren’t afraid to be their true selves regardless of the circumstances to help me to feel more comfortable being the same. I’m truly grateful for how they have shaped me.

So, my fellow Girls Among Geeks, who are your fictional heroes? And how have they helped to shape who you have become?

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin, surly Lord Macintosh and cantankerous Lord Dingwall. Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late

Host: Rob Logan
Co-hosts: Mike Volpe, Anna Zifcak

The Geek Generation – #055 – October 10, 2011 News

[download] [subscribe in iTunes]

Show notes:

• Got feedback??
  • Send it to podcast@thegeekgeneration.com OR @GeekGeneration on Twitter OR call 508-316-9787
• Blu-ray and Video Game releases
• News:
  • R.I.P. Steve Jobs
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation finally coming to Blu-ray
  • Netflix and DreamWorks Animation announce exclusive deal
  • Netflix will exclusively stream The Walking Dead
  • Amazon announces streaming deal with 20th Century Fox
  • Justice League: Doom announced, voice cast revealed
  • One more season for Arrested Development?
  • Xbox LIVE is coming to Windows 8
  • Mortal Kombat: Legacy inspires New Line to reboot the film franchise
  • WB’s ‘Aim High’ is the first-ever “social series”
  • Lionsgate acquires the movie rights to Dead Island
  • Van Damme and Chuck Norris confirmed for The Expendables 2
  • Nightwing to be playable in Batman: Arkham City DLC
  • Qore covers Arkham City, reveals new villain
  • ‘Beware the Batman’ is coming to Cartoon Network in 2013
  • Disney and Pixar to re-release four more films in 3D
  • WWE ’12 adds Create-An-Arena mode
  • Kurt Russell replacing Kevin Costner in Django Unchained
  • Wanted 2 moving forward
  • Writers hired for Zorro reboot
  • Universal Soldier is being developed as a TV series
  • Mister Ed being adapted for the big screen

Coming to theaters on November 23, the film stars Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, Alan Arkin, Jack Black, Billy Crystal, Zach Galifianakis, Kathy Griffin, Ricky Gervais and Emily Blunt.

Set in the mystical Scottish Highlands, Brave stars Kelly Macdonald as Merida, the princess of a kingdom ruled by King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson). An unruly daughter and an accomplished archer, Merida one day defies a sacred custom of the land and inadvertently brings turmoil to the kingdom. In an attempt to set things right, Merida seeks out an eccentric old Wise Woman (Julie Walters) and is granted an ill-fated wish. Also figuring into Merida’s quest — and serving as comic relief — are the kingdom’s three lords: the enormous Lord MacGuffin (Kevin McKidd), the surly Lord Macintosh (Craig Ferguson), and the disagreeable Lord Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane).

Brave is scheduled for release on June 22, 2012.

Additionally, here’s a high-res image of the film’s main character Merida:

When talking about Hanks’ granddaughter, the BBC reporter asked if there would be a Toy Story 4 for her to enjoy. Hanks replied:

I think there will be yeah. Yeah, yeah. They’re working on it now. There you go.

You can watch the full interview including the Toy Story 4 question near the end here.

Trust me… keep watching…

HEAD FAKE!!

Directed by James Bobin with a script by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, The Muppets has a November 23rd release date and stars Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper and many, many more.

The focus of the story is Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Segel) and Mary (Adams), Together, they discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate.

So far, TRON: Legacy has been taking quite the beating among critics. I’m glad to say that I don’t share their ultra-negative views, and I think I know why that attitude has surfaced among so many. The original TRON that was released way back in 1982 is a cult classic, was a ground-breaking film at the time, and holds a special place in many Sci-Fi geeks’ hearts. Any time you’re going to take on something that beloved and innovative, it’s impossible to avoid comparison. So, let’s compare…

Since I was born in 1981 and the original TRON came out in 1982, you can imagine that it’s been awhile since I’ve watched the original. Honestly, I really only remembered bits and pieces, so before seeing Legacy, I started off my day by watching the classic. I don’t know what the big deal is. At the time, the visuals were like nothing that had been seen before on film, so I get that. But honestly, the visuals don’t hold up, so that whole nostalgia and innovation was lost on me. The plot as a whole is fairly mediocre when you really think about it. A wronged employee gets sucked inside a computer and battles an army of villains led by a Master Control Program in order to set the wrong things right and potentially save the technological world. Hmmmm… so it’s another “stop the bad guy from achieving world domination” story.

TRON: Legacy is along the same lines as the original. Clu, a program created by Kevin Flynn to help rebuild and optimize the world left behind after the MCP was destroyed, goes too far and starts building an army to take over the technological world before expanding his reach to our world. This time, Kevin’s son Sam is sucked into the grid where he reunites with his father to battle Clu’s forces and try to escape the digital realm.

While not necessarily innovative in terms of the visuals and 3D effects we’ve seen in recent years, TRON: Legacy is still a masterpiece of special effects. The look of the attire and environment have been updated for the better, making this new version of the grid appear much less barren and lifeless than the original. Fanboys may argue that things were altered too much from the original, but considering how much computer technology has changed in the past 20 years, it’s only logical that the digital realm would evolve far beyond what it once was in that same time-frame.

There are lots of nods to the classic TRON in Legacy, including cleverly-placed items that get a quick full shot or single lines of dialogue that echo the original. I personally thought that enough attention was given to classic references to satisfy the hardcore TRON fanboy, but not being one myself, I suppose I could be wrong. The one point that they glossed over and should have been more accurate with is the laser effect transitioning Sam from the real world to the digital world. It’s an effect that’s still referenced in pop culture today, and taking it away was a poor choice, as fans of the original were certainly expecting it.

As far as performances go, there weren’t any done poorly. The clear stand-out here was Jeff Bridges, who has certainly evolved as an actor over the years since the original TRON. Two of the major characters in the film, Kevin Flynn and Clu, are both portrayed by Bridges with an excellent dichotomy. To separate them even further, the digital effect of portraying Clu as a younger version of Bridges was fantastically executed and much less distracting than I had originally thought it might be. Garrett Hedlund is a worthy son to the iconic Flynn, and Olivia Wilde is charming in the role of Kevin’s surrogate daughter Quorra.

Bottom Line: TRON: Legacy is a well-choreographed action movie that showcases impressive visuals and technology. I don’t know what more people were expecting.

[xrr rating=7/10]

Host: Rob Logan
Co-host: Todd Tieuli

019 – Never Been Wronger

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicTuneIniHeartRadioRSS

Show notes:

• Poll question:
  • What is the greatest piece of Sci-Fi tech??
  • Send answer to: podcast@thegeekgeneration.com OR @GeekGeneration on Twitter
• Geek Outs & Freak Outs:
  • Harry Potter / Terriers / Young Justice
  • The Other Guys / Twitlonger / Tron: Legacy
• Top 3:
  • Top 3 pieces of fake technology.
• News:
  • R.I.P. Leslie Nielsen
  • Tangled will end Disney’s fairy tale journey
  • Mark Wahlberg to play Nathan Drake
  • Netflix launches streaming-only plan in US
  • Denis Leary cast in Spider-Man
  • First Look at Karl Urban as Judge Dredd
  • Warner Bros. plans Wizard of Oz remake
• Rental Recommendations

According to a lengthy article in the Los Angeles Times, Disney’s newest movie, Tangled, will mark the end of an era for the company. Since the debut of Snow White in 1937, Disney Animation has had a long history of retelling classic fairy tales in what has come to be known as a “Disney-style”. Tangled, a retelling of the tale of Rapunzel, will be “the last fairy tale produced by Disney’s animation group for the foreseeable future.”

“Films and genres do run a course,” said Pixar Animation Studios chief Ed Catmull, who along with director John Lasseter oversees Disney Animation. “They may come back later because someone has a fresh take on it … but we don’t have any other musicals or fairy tales lined up.” Catmull and Lasseter stopped production on The Snow Queen and Jack and the Beanstalk, two fairy tale movies that had been in development.

Feeling that fairy tales are limiting their target audience, Disney is looking to branch out to stories that have more widespread appeal. Examples of Disney movies that have already accomplished this are Toy Story and Pirates of the Caribbean. The acquisition of Marvel Entertainment also brings in a new crop of characters and stories to tell.

“If you say to somebody, ‘You should be doing fairy tales,’ it’s like saying, ‘Don’t be risky,'” Catmull said. “We’re saying, ‘Tell us what’s driving you.'”

Apparently Tangled was completely retooled with this attitude in mind as well, as the focus of the movie was moved from the princess Rapunzel to that of the fast-talking bandit Flynn Rider. This was done in hopes to appeal to boys as well as girls.

What do you think of this decision by Disney??

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in Cars 2 when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors.

The sequel is directed by John Lasseter and co-directed by Brad Lewis.

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors.