HasLab takes to the sky with Cobra Rattler

Hasbro announced the G.I. Classified Series Cobra Rattler Ground Attack Jet HasLab campaign during Thursday's G.I. Joe panel at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).

Here's the official word from Cobra:

"Your antissssipation is finally over! The Cobra Airborne is readying for launch but needs your assistance to fund its crowning achievement of aviation ingenuity. M.A.R.S. Industries, in concert with HasLab, has developed a 6-inch scale G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Rattler Ground Attack Jet. In order to initiate our takeoff sequence, we are in need of 9,000 backer orders by the end of the Campaign. For each HasLab vehicle you pledge, you’ll receive a Cobra Rattler jet along with an action figure of Flight Commander Wild Weasel featuring premium deco, detailing, and articulation for poseability."

The Cobra Rattler with Wild Weasel action figure looks amazing and, as I never owned the original fan-favourite toy, I've already backed it. The folding wings and included flight stand will make it easier to display.

The only fly in the ointment is the first tier at 11,000 backers! It's a set of Cobra Airborne Squadron patches, which should have been an action figure (Destro?). More so given the HasLab campaign is £324.99 in a cost of living crisis. The Cobra H.I.S.S. HasLab was £299.99 with 4 action figures. 14,000 backers unlocks a Cobra Rattler Gunner action figure and 18,000 backers unlocks the pilot Baroness action figure.

Hopefully, Hasbro will respond to fans' (myself included) concerns on social media. How about an early bird SDCC exclusive tier?

Given the number of backers needed, the latest G.I. Joe HasLab should be fully funded this weekend.

Will you be backing the G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Rattler Ground Attack Jet HasLab on Hasbro Pulse? Are you going to wait and see if all the stretch goals are met? Let me know in the comments below.

Batman: Caped Crusader teases spooky Dark Knight

First announced in 2021, Batman: Caped Crusader was originally in development for HBO Max but was shelved in August 2022 by Warner Bros. Discovery as part of a larger cost-cutting strategy following the merger of the two media behemoths.

The hotly-anticipated animated series, executive produced by Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series), JJ Abrams (Star Wars) and Matt Reeves (The Batman), was picked up for two seasons by Prime Video in early 2023.

Prime Video has dropped an official trailer for Batman: Caped Crusader season one.



Read the official synopsis:

"Welcome to Gotham City, where the corrupt outnumber the good, criminals run rampant and law-abiding citizens live in a constant state of fear. Forged in the fire of tragedy, wealthy socialite Bruce Wayne becomes something both more and less than human—the BATMAN. His one-man crusade attracts unexpected allies within the GCPD and City Hall, but his heroic actions spawn deadly, unforeseen ramifications."

Starring Hamish Linklater as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and featuring a star-studded ensemble cast including: Christina Ricci, Jamie Chung, Diedrich Bader, Minnie Driver, Mckenna Grace, Eric Morgan Stuart, Michelle C. Bonilla, Krystal Joy Brown, John DiMaggio, Paul Scheer, Reid Scott, Tom Kenny, Jason Watkins, Gary Anthony Williams, Dan Donohue, David Krumholtz, Haley Joel Osment and Toby Stephens.

Batman: Caped Crusader premieres exclusively on Prime Video (affiliate link) on 1st August.

Are you looking forward to Batman: Caped Crusader? Let me know in the comments below.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes on Disney+

The world's fate is at stake when the stunning new entry into the Planet of the Apes franchise makes its streaming debut on Disney+.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes has thrilled audiences worldwide, becoming one of the biggest global box office successes of the year and marking the beginning of a new era for the epic Planet of the Apes franchise.

Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise with this action-adventure spectacle from 20th Century Studios. Set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, apes are living harmoniously as the dominant species — and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

Before Star Wars hit the big screen, I vividly remember watching the Planet of the Apes television series and playing with Mego action figures. My parents took me to a local county show that featured a special appearance by the characters from the series.

Later, I discovered the original movies when they were repeated on television. Composer Jerry Goldsmith's innovative soundtrack for the Planet of the Apes remains a touchstone and its influence can be heard in his later scores including Alien.

In addition, Disney+ is currently streaming all nine prior films in the Planet of the Apes franchise: Planet of the Apes (1968), Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973), Planet of the Apes (2001), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017).

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes streams on Disney+ on 2nd August.

Are you looking forward to the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes on Disney+? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro at SDCC

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding brand and partner panels at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). This year marks the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the 40th anniversary of Transformers, and the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

The Hasbro booth (#3213) design has been updated to better engage fans and create a more immersive space. The Hasbro Pulse Toy Store is back, and this year's design by Tom Whalen includes an impressive second story for live interviews.

There are four exclusives at SDCC this year. Marvel Legends Death's Head, G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Commander (Once A Man), Transformers Legacy United Voyager Class Fractured Friendship 2-Pack, and Star Wars: The Black Series Darth Maul & Sith Speeder. Limited quantities will be available to pre-order on Hasbro Pulse after the convention. While supplies last.

“We are thrilled to return to 2024 San Diego Comic-Con with an evolved booth design and even more exhilarating experiences for our fans,” said Tim Kilpin, President of Toys, Board Games, Licensing & Entertainment at Hasbro. “This year, we are particularly excited to celebrate our upcoming film, TRANSFORMERS ONE, and bring an immersive and interactive showcase that will truly spotlight the creativity and innovation behind our iconic brands. We can’t wait to reveal fan-favorite products from BEYBLADE, TRANSFORMERS, G.I JOE and more to create countless unforgettable memories alongside our dedicated fanbase.”

HASBRO BRAND AND PARTNER PANELS

Attendees are invited to learn more about Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE brands and MAGIC THE GATHERING’s Mark Rosewater and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS with premier collaboration brands, Star Wars and Marvel, through special panel experiences featuring new product reveals and major updates, along with other partner presentations.

Thursday, July 25
· PARAMOUNT PICTURES: TRANSFORMERS ONE: July 25 at 11:45AM – 12:45PM | Hall H - Paramount Animation & HASBRO Entertainment bring a panel discussion and exclusive footage presentation to fans with talent Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Keegan-Michael Key, along with the Director, Academy Award® winner Josh Cooley, and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura.

· Hasbro G.I. JOE Brand Panel: Thursday, July 25 at 5:00PM - 6:00PM | Room: 25ABC - Join the G.I. JOE development team for a LIVE launch of the new Classified Series HasLab! This behind-the-scenes look will also feature additional new product news, including never-before-heard stories, digital character renders, in-hand figure prototypes, pre-order launches, and maybe even a special guest.

Friday, July 26
· Marvel Legends Panel with Hasbro: Friday, July 26, 12:30PM - 1:30PM | Room: 5AB - The Hasbro and Marvel product experts will discuss exciting news about Hasbro’s ever-popular Marvel Legends product line! Attendees will also get a sneak peek of upcoming, never-before-seen items, followed by a Q&A for your burning Marvel Legends questions.

· Hasbro Star Wars Panel: Friday, July 26, 2:00PM - 3:00PM | Room: 7AB - Join members of the Hasbro Marketing & Design teams as they discuss the popular Hasbro Star Wars line, including the Black Series and The Vintage Collection. Attendees will get an in-depth look at Hasbro’s latest action figure offerings from throughout the saga. Word on the Holonet is there may also be a few surprises. May the Force be with you!

· Hasbro TRANSFORMERS Panel: Friday, July 26, 6:00PM - 7:00PM | Room: 25ABC - Join the Hasbro TRANSFORMERS Toy Development team as they take you behind the scenes to unveil the latest character figures from across the iconic brand. Plus, time permitting, there will also be a Q&A session filled with trivia and more!

· Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Across the Morphin Grid: Friday, July 26, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM| Room 5AB - After 8 years and over 120 issues, BOOM! Studios’ Power Rangers universe is coming to an end… but not without a few final surprises! Join Melissa Flores, writer of the climactic “Darkest Hour” event, alongside the iconic Ryan Parrott, the original Pink Ranger, Amy Jo Johnson, and the original Black Ranger, Walter Jones, for a behind-the-scenes peek at the final issues of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers… and an exclusive look ahead at what’s next. Moderated by Matt Hotson (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return).

· TRANSFORMERS & G.I. JOE The Energon Universe is HERE: Friday, July 26, 4:30PM – 5:30PM | Room 5AB - WELCOME TO THE HOTTEST COMICS IN THE WORLD! TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE, and Void Rivals from Skybound have taken over the comic book world and we’ve got the top secret reveals you can’t miss. Superstars Robert Kirkman (Void Rivals), Daniel Warren Johnson (TRANSFORMERS), Joshua Williamson (Duke, Cobra Commander), Tom Reilly (Duke), and Sean Mackiewicz (SVP/Publisher, Skybound) deliver the panel that will have everyone talking!

Saturday, July 27
· Celebrating 50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday, July 27 at 10:00AM - 11:00AM | Room: 6DE - Dungeons & Dragons is celebrating 50 years! From countless hours of adventures and storytelling, new editions and book releases, to the rising tabletop entertainment and pop culture takeover. Come listen to industry experts as they share how Dungeons & Dragons has taken its place on top of the pop culture dungeon

· Magic: The Gathering Panel, Blogatog Live: Saturday 6:30 pm -7:30 pm | Room 24ABC Magic head designer Mark Rosewater presents this one-man program in which he re-creates his daily blog, answering the audience's questions about the making of the popular trading card game and revealing new, never-before-seen cards, mechanics, and more!

Sunday, July 28
· Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern Panel: Sunday at 11:00AM | Room: 32AB Taliesin Jaffe (Critical Role) moderates a panel about the hit off-Broadway theatrical experience Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern which includes co-creators David Carpenter (producer, Puffs) and Sarah Davis Reynolds (game designer, Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern), Set/Costume/Prop Designer KC McGeorge (Dimension 20) and other special guests. The panel will discuss the creation of the show from idea to page to stage and include a Q&A session with the audience.

Hasbro’s booth at SDCC this year is #3213. The booth is next to the Star Wars pavilion, Mattel Creations, LEGO, and other SDCC hot spots.

Are you looking forward to SDCC? Which panels are you excited for? Let me know in the comments below.

Alien: Romulus final trailer

On Thursday, Twentieth Century Studios dropped a final trailer for Alien: Romulus.



Read the official synopsis:

"While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe."

The upcoming Alien franchise movie, directed by Fede Álvarez (Don't Breathe), is set between Alien and Aliens and is a hybrid of both.

The film stars Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla), David Jonsson (Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy), Archie Renaux (Shadow and Bone), Isabela Merced (The Last of Us), Spike Fearn (Aftersun), Aileen Wu. Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead) directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (Don’t Breathe 2) based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett.

Alien: Romulus is produced by Ridley Scott (Napoleon), who directed the original Alien and produced and directed the series’ entries Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, Michael Pruss (Boston Strangler), and Walter Hill (Alien), with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (Charlie’s Angels), Brent O’Connor (Bullet Train), and Tom Moran (Unstoppable) serving as executive producers.

Tickets for Alien: Romulus are on sale. AMC Theatres is offering xenomorph and facehugger popcorn buckets.

Originally intended to go straight-to-streaming on Hulu and Star on Disney+, Alien: Romulus is only in cinemas on 16th August.

Are you looking forward to Alien: Romulus? Let me know in the comments below.

Jodie Whittaker returns to Doctor Who

Jodie Whittaker is reprising the role of Doctor Who for Big Finish. This is the first time she's played the titular Time Lord since The Power of the Doctor.

Whittaker said: “I’m over the moon to be joining Big Finish for more adventures in the TARDIS. Recording the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz is a really lovely thing to revisit. One of the things Mandip and I used to love on Doctor Who was getting in, doing a new episode and meeting a brand-new cast. I just can’t wait to step back into the boots, pull on the coat and get cracking. One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be brilliant.”

Mandip Gill is back aboard the TARDIS as companion Yaz.

Gill added: “Doctor Who has been a huge part of my career and personal life and I am looking forward to seeing how I can further enrich my character through this exhilarating series. To be able to work with Jodie again is a dream come true, we have such a special friendship, I’m sure the recordings will be filled with laughter.”

Are you looking forward to listening to the Thirteenth Doctor's audio adventures from Big Finish? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who x Star Trek

Ruby Sunday's (Millie Gibson) reference to Star Trek in Space Babies wasn't a throwaway line.

Doctor Who series showrunner Russell T Davies and Star Trek franchise executive producer Alex Kurtzman will headline an Intergalactic Friendship Panel at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). An exclusive creator-to-creator conversation about the art of storytelling in alternative universes and to celebrate the power of friendship.

Doctor Who has captivated audiences since its launch by the BBC in 1963. With Ncuti Gatwa currently portraying the 15th Doctor, the series continues to break records, including being the UK’s most-viewed scripted show on Christmas Day 2023 for under-35s. Meanwhile, Star Trek, with its 60-year legacy since being introduced by Gene Roddenberry, remains a beacon of cultural diversity, scientific exploration, and boundless imagination. Today, it spans 11 TV series, 13 films, and over 900 episodes, available in more than 200 markets worldwide.

In related news. The TARDIS will be materialising at SDCC this year for a Doctor Who Hall H panel with Ncuti Gatwa, Millie Gibson and Russell T Davies, as they discuss all things season one and more.

The beloved sci-fi franchises have a storied history including the Doctor and the crew of the Enterprise battling Borg and Cybermen in IDW comic books.

Would you like to see a live-action Doctor Who and Star Trek crossover episode? Let me know in the comments below.

Alien: Romulus featurette

On Thursday, Twentieth Century Studios dropped a behind-the-scenes featurette for Alien: Romulus.



Read the official synopsis:

"While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe."

The upcoming Alien franchise movie, directed by Fede Álvarez (Don't Breathe), is set between Alien and Aliens and is a hybrid of both.

The film stars Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla), David Jonsson (Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy), Archie Renaux (Shadow and Bone), Isabela Merced (The Last of Us), Spike Fearn (Aftersun), Aileen Wu. Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead) directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (Don’t Breathe 2) based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett.

Alien: Romulus is produced by Ridley Scott (Napoleon), who directed the original Alien and produced and directed the series’ entries Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, Michael Pruss (Boston Strangler), and Walter Hill (Alien), with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (Charlie’s Angels), Brent O’Connor (Bullet Train), and Tom Moran (Unstoppable) serving as executive producers.

Originally intended to go straight-to-streaming on Hulu and Star on Disney+, Alien: Romulus is only in cinemas on 16th August.

Are you looking forward to Alien: Romulus? Let me know in the comments below.

Sunny summer on Apple TV+

Apple TV+ continues to build on its reputation for prestige television with the stylish sci-fi murder mystery series Sunny.



Read the official synopsis:

"Sunny stars Rashida Jones as Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, whose life is upended when her husband and son disappear in a mysterious plane crash. As “consolation” she’s given Sunny, one of a new class of domestic robots made by her husband’s electronics company. Though at first, Suzie resents Sunny’s attempts to fill the void in her life, gradually they develop an unexpected friendship. Together they uncover the dark truth of what really happened to Suzie’s family and become dangerously enmeshed in a world Suzie never knew existed."

Sunny is a far cry from my original Omnibot, which was a Christmas gift (circa 1986). Tomy's programmable toy robot was an attempt to capitalise on the popularity of Star Wars' R2-D2. With its built-in cassette deck, remote control and tray, Omnibot hinted at future app-enabled devices that are now commonplace and pose a security threat.

Are you watching Sunny on Apple TV+? Let me know in the comments below.

WandaVision spooky spin-off Agatha All Along

On Monday, Marvel Television dropped a teaser trailer for Agatha All Along on Disney+.



Read the official synopsis:

"In Agatha All Along, the infamous Agatha Harkness finds herself down and out of power after a suspicious goth Teen helps break her free from a distorted spell. Her interest is piqued when he begs her to take him on the legendary Witches’ Road, a magical gauntlet of trials that, if survived, rewards a witch with what they’re missing. Together, Agatha and this mysterious Teen pull together a desperate coven, and set off down, down, down The Road…"

The upcoming WandaVision live-action spin-off series, starring Kathryn Hahn as the titular witch, seemingly focuses on resurrecting Wanda Maximoff AKA Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) in time for Halloween.

Marvel Television’s Agatha All Along premieres in the UK on 19th September, with the first two episodes, exclusively on Disney+.

Are you looking forward to Agatha All Along? Let me know in the comments below.