Grand Theft Auto VI extended look on Netflix

Rockstar Games has announced that an extended look at Grand Theft Auto VI will first be available on Netflix later this month.

"The new iteration in the blockbuster series comes 13 years following the debut of GTA 5, the same year that Netflix was beginning its push into original programming," Netflix wrote. "This collaboration represents the next generation of storytelling and content on Netflix."

GTA VI heads to the state of Leonida, home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond, in the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series yet. With a reported budget of over a billion dollars and featuring a female protagonist (Lucia), GTA VI was originally due to be released in 2025.

“Grand Theft Auto reveals have become cultural moments in their own right," said Brandon Riegg, Netflix's VP of Nonfiction Series. "The anticipation and fandom around Grand Theft Auto 6 is unprecedented, and we’re honored that Rockstar Games has partnered with us to debut the next part of the Grand Theft Auto story with Netflix members first. It’s a reflection of what we hope Netflix is becoming: a place where the most ambitious storytelling, from any medium, can find the biggest possible audience."

The long-awaited next instalment in the GTA franchise will be released on PlayStation 5 (PS5) and XBOX Series X|S on 19th November and will be digital-only. The halcyon days of midnight launches are gone forever post-pandemic, and vertical companies will have complete control over distribution, availability and dynamic pricing.

This has sparked controversy (I'm team digital on XBOX, but prefer physical on PlayStation), and now an extended look will be paywalled on Netflix for 6 hours, which will only add to the unprecedented hype.

My octogenarian dad isn't a gamer, but he knows about GTA VI given all the mainstream media coverage of this monoculture moment in entertainment and that I've pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition for PS5.

Pre-order Grand Theft Auto VI at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to Grand Theft Auto VI? Let me know in the comments below.

Paramount strikes back with bid for Warner Bros

Paramount Skydance has reentered the chat. The studio has launched a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery in the wake of Netflix's announcement of its takeover last week.

Paramount has stated, “The Paramount offer for the entirety of WBD provides shareholders $18 billion more in cash than the Netflix consideration. WBD’s Board of Directors' recommendation of the Netflix transaction over Paramount’s offer is based on an illusory prospective valuation of Global Networks that is unsupported by the business fundamentals.” The corporation also said in their new proposal, “Paramount’s strategically and financially compelling offer to WBD shareholders provides a superior alternative to the Netflix transaction, which offers inferior and uncertain value and exposes WBD shareholders to a protracted multi-jurisdictional regulatory clearance process with an uncertain outcome, along with a complex and volatile mix of equity and cash.”

Netflix has turned Hollywood Upside Down. Cinema attendance dropped post-pandemic, and thousands of creatives are being laid off in an era dominated by streaming services and tech titans, as the cultural impact of artificial intelligence (AI) dominates discourse.

Paramount argues, “The Netflix transaction creates a clear risk of higher prices for consumers, lower pay for content creators and talent and the destruction of American and international theatrical exhibitors. Netflix has never undertaken large-scale acquisitions, resulting in increased execution risk, which WBD shareholders would have to endure.”

What are your thoughts on Paramount Skydance acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery? Will it secure the future of cinema? Let me know in the comments below.

Netflix to buy Warner Bros

Consolidation of the mainstream media industry continues with news that Netflix is to buy Warner Bros. Discovery for $72 billion.

Netflix has prevailed in a bidding war with Paramount and Comcast, offering a $5.8 billion breakup fee to secure exclusive negotiations. Warner Bros. Discovery owns franchises such as Batman, Harry Potter and Game of Thrones, as well as the streaming services HBO Max and Discovery+.

AOL infamously bought Warner Bros. before the dot-com bubble burst in the early noughties. This is a statement of intent from the streamer, but it will likely result in HBO Max being shuttered, subscription fees increasing, and less competition.

HBO Max is due to launch in March 2026 in the UK. A longstanding exclusivity deal between Warner Bros. Discovery and Sky (owned by Comcast) ends this year. Sky and NOW customers (myself included) will get HBO Max’s ad-supported tier at no extra cost when HBO Max launches.

However, will we see future seasons of House of the Dragon and The Last of Us only on Netflix? For decades, Sky has relied on imported shows to drive subscriptions, but is now looking to buy ITV to bolster its content.

What, if any, impact will this have on the future of cinema?

Cinema attendances have not returned to pre-pandemic levels as consumers favour convenience over shared in-person experiences. Personally, I haven't been to the cinema since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and, as a confessed cinephile, I'm guilty of favouring streaming services at home.

What are your thoughts on Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery? Is it good for consumers and creatives alike in an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI)? Will it spell the demise of cinema? Let me know in the comments below.

Stranger Things crashed Netflix

On Thursday, Stranger Things 5 premiered and instantly crashed Netflix for a few minutes, due to the unprecedented demand for the final series of the streamer's most beloved franchise.

Netflix acknowledged the brief outage in an email to Reuters. The company wrote: “Some members briefly experienced an issue streaming on TV devices, but service recovered for all accounts within five minutes.”

Read the official synopsis:

"The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time."

The cast of Stranger Things 5 includes: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie), Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler), Jake Connelly (Derek Turnbow), Alex Breaux (Lt. Akers), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).

Stranger Things invaded Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, turning it Upside Down.

In my teens, I had the biggest crush on Winona Ryder! No spoilers, but the first four episodes of Stranger Things 5 are amazing! I couldn’t love this series more… That said, I wish Netflix had switched to weekly episodes instead of 3 volumes during the holiday season. I understand it's a business decision, but it would keep the conversation going for longer on social media.

Are you watching Stranger Things 5? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Vecna strikes back in Stranger Things 5

On Thursday, Netflix released an official trailer for the final season of Stranger Things.

“I think what's unique about this season is that it starts a little bit in chaos because our heroes ultimately lost at the end of Season 4,” series co-creator Ross Duffer tells Tudum. “We usually set up their normal life and how they’re going about school, and then we introduce the supernatural element. But in this case, this season is sprinting from the start.”



Read the official synopsis:

"The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time."

The cast of Stranger Things 5 includes: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie), Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler), Jake Connelly (Derek Turnbow), Alex Breaux (Lt. Akers), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).

Stranger Things 5 releases with the first four episodes on 26th November, followed by three episodes on Christmas, and the finale episode on New Year’s Eve. It has not yet been confirmed whether the finale will be released in any UK cinemas.

Are you looking forward to the final season of Stranger Things on Netflix? Let me know in the comments below.

Stranger Things finale coming to cinemas

Netflix has announced that the Stranger Things series finale will be shown in select cinemas in America and Canada.

“We’re beyond excited that fans will have the chance to experience the final episode of Stranger Things in theaters — it’s something we’ve dreamed about for years, and we’re so grateful to Ted, Bela, and everyone at Netflix for making it happen,” series creators Matt and Ross Duffer tell Tudum. “Getting to see it on the big screen, with incredible sound, picture, and a room full of fans, feels like the perfect — dare we say bitchin’ — way to celebrate the end of this adventure.”

Originally, the 2-hour finale, entitled "The Right Side Up," was only going to be streamed on Netflix, but fans (myself included) took to social media to express their enthusiasm for finale fan screenings.

Read the official synopsis:

"The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time."

Stranger Things 5 releases with the first four episodes on 26th November, followed by three episodes on Christmas, and the finale episode on New Year’s Eve. It has not yet been confirmed whether the finale will be released in any UK cinemas.

Are you looking forward to the final season of Stranger Things on Netflix? Let me know in the comments below.

Live-action Dragon's Lair lives!

In 1983, I vividly remember playing Don Bluth's (An American Tail) laserdisc-based Dragon's Lair in a Felixstowe arcade and losing all my pocket money to Dirk the Daring's abortive attempts to rescue Princess Daphne from the titular dragon, Singe, and the evil wizard, Mordroc.

Bluth, a former Disney animator, skillfully leveraged full-motion video (FMV) technology during an era of 8-bit graphics. Dragon's Lair left an indelible imprint on popular culture and spawned a short-lived animated series. The coin-op was featured in Stranger Things.

Netflix announced a live-action adaptation back in 2020 starring Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool & Wolverine). Although Reynolds has purportedly stepped away from playing the role of Dirk the Daring, it is still going ahead with director James Bobin (The Muppets) at the helm.

The animation of Dragon's Lair was so integral to the charm of the game that it seems almost sacrilege to adapt it in live-action. Whilst the adaptation won't use the choose-your-own-adventure style of the original arcade game, as was initially planned, there's still a lot to be excited about.

Are you looking forward to Dragon's Lair on Netflix? Let me know in the comments below.

Daredevil: Born Again this March

Marvel Television has dropped an official trailer for the long-awaited Daredevil: Born Again.



Read the official synopsis:

"In Marvel Television’s “Daredevil: Born Again,” Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course."

Daredevil was a fan-favourite spin-off series on Netflix and the gritty gang are back on Disney+ after being teased in Hawkeye and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Personally, I really enjoyed Daredevil when it debuted a decade ago in 2015 and was quoted in publicity for a superhero series that championed diversity. Marvel's live-action spin-off series on Netflix were all cancelled by the streamer in 2018 ahead of Disney+.

The series also stars Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, with Ayelet Zurer and Jon Bernthal. Dario Scardapane is showrunner. Episodes are directed by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Michael Cuesta, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, and David Boyd; and executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Sana Amanat, Chris Gary, Dario Scardapane, Christopher Ord & Matthew Corman, and Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead.

Daredevil: Born Again will premiere on 4th March on Disney+.

Are you looking forward to Daredevil: Born Again? What did you think of the trailer? Let me know in the comments below.

Tomb Raider this October on Netflix

More than 25 years after her debut, Lara Croft will once again don her fingerless gloves to reclaim ancient relics in the new animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, hitting Netflix on 10th October.



Following the events of the Survivor series, Lara Croft has abandoned her friends to embark on increasingly more perilous solo adventures. But she must return home when a dangerous and powerful Chinese artefact is stolen from Croft Manor by a thief with an uncanny personal connection. Her daring pursuit will take her on an adventure around the world and to the depths of forgotten tombs, where she will be forced to confront her true self and decide just what kind of hero she wants to become.

In addition to Atwell in the title role, the voice cast will also include Allen Maldonado as Zip, and Earl Baylon reprising his role as Jonah Maiava from the video game.

Are you looking forward to Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft on Netflix? Let me know in the comments below.

The Toys That Made Us is back!

The Toys That Made Us is returning to television screens after 5 years!

The cult-favourite documentary series debuted Christmas 2017 and I binged season one on Christmas Eve. For three seasons The Toys That Made Us was a love letter to fans (myself included) of He-Man, G.I. Joe, LEGO, Star Trek, Star Wars, Transformers and more on Netflix. There was also a spin-off series, The Movies That Made Us, focussing on classic films including Aliens and Jurassic Park.

During the pandemic, Nacelle produced A Toy Store Near You on Prime Video (affiliate link), which was comfort viewing during lockdown. It was a poignant reminder of how great independent stores are and the communities they forge.

“By far the most consistent comments we’ve received over the last 5 years have been some sort of inquiry about the future of The Toys That Made Us,” says Brian Volk-Weiss, Nacelle Founder and CEO. “We’re honored to be able to bring this series back to the fans that have waited so long to see it return, and we appreciate the support over the last 5 years that helped make this a reality.”

Episode topics announced at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) include:

Ghostbusters
Hot Wheels
Superhero Toys
Polly Pocket
Fast Food Toys
Pokémon
American Greetings
Nerf

No deal has been announced regarding the upcoming fourth and fifth seasons. However, Netflix has the first three seasons available.

Nacelle is also reviving several 1980s toy lines through toys and animated series, including Biker Mice from Mars (which is co-produced by Ryan Reynolds) and RoboForce (co-produced with Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions). They also produced action figures for the sci-fi series The Expanse and acquired the 80s toy brands Sectaurs and Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa.

Are you looking forward to seasons four and five of The Toys That Made Us? Let me know in the comments below.

Tomb Raider from Fleabag creator

An animated Tomb Raider series, starring Hayley Atwell (Mission Impossible), is currently in production for Netflix. Prime Video has confirmed a live-action series from Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

“If I could tell my teenage self that this was happening, I think she’d explode. Tomb Raider has been a huge part of my life and I feel incredibly privileged to be bringing it to television with such passionate collaborators. Lara means a lot to me, as she does to many, and I can’t wait to go on this adventure. Bats ‘n all," said Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Waller-Bridge is no stranger to archaeological adventures after appearing in Indiana Jones.

“I’m so happy to announce that we have ordered the epic, globetrotting series Tomb Raider from the incredibly gifted Emmy-award winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge and the team at Crystal Dynamics,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios. “Fans and newcomers can look forward to exhilarating adventures that honor the legacy of this iconic character.”

The recent Fallout adaptation on Prime Video is stunning. So, I'm cautiously optimistic.

Tomb Raider will stream exclusively on Prime Video (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to a Tomb Raider live-action series? Let me know in the comments below.

Jennifer Lopez lost in space in Atlas

Netflix has dropped an official teaser trailer for Atlas starring Jennifer Lopez (Out of Sight).



Read the official synopsis:

"Atlas Shepherd (Jennifer Lopez), a brilliant but misanthropic data analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, joins a mission to capture a renegade robot with whom she shares a mysterious past. But when plans go awry, her only hope of saving the future of humanity from AI is to trust it."

Atlas, the closest we've got to a live-action adaptation of Titanfall, premieres exclusively on Netflix on 24th May.

Are you looking forward to Atlas on Netflix? Let me know in the comments below.

Stranger things in Damsel

Netflix has released an official trailer for Damsel.



Read the official synopsis:

"A dutiful damsel agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt. Thrown into a cave with a fire-breathing dragon, she must rely on her wits and will to survive."

Starring Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) as the titular damsel, it evokes childhood memories of Disney's dark fantasy film Dragonslayer.

“She’s a damsel who doesn’t need to be saved,” Brown told Netflix. “She saves herself in many ways. It subverts what you expect: You’re expecting the prince to turn around and save her, and… no. Don’t wait for the prince.”

Speaking with Total Film, Oscar-nominated director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo said Brown was able to convey the emotion they needed for the movie, calling her “exceptional.” The filmmaker added, “She understood that this needed to be an extreme survival experience. And in order to make that believable, you have to convey suffering and pain.”

Damsel debuts exclusively on Netflix on 8th March.

Are you looking forward to Damsel on Netflix? Let me know in the comments below.

The Mandalorian is most streamed series of 2023

The third season of The Mandalorian on Disney+ surpassed Ahsoka, Loki, and The Witcher to become the most-watched streamed series of 2023 in the US.

1). The Mandalorian (Disney+)
2). Loki (Disney+)
3). Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
4). You (Netflix)
5). Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
6). Black Mirror (Netflix)
7). Secret Invasion (Disney+)
8). The Bear (Hulu)
9). Ahsoka (Disney+)
10). The Witcher (Netflix)

The list is dominated by Netflix and Hulu. The merger of Disney+ and Hulu will see the House of Mouse bolstering its streaming service.

Ahsoka failed to beat Din Djarin and Grogu to the pole position despite a limited theatrical release. It'll be interesting to see how successful the Star Wars spin-off series will be in 2024 on Disney+. I'm looking forward to Skeleton Crew and The Acolyte.

What was your favourite streaming series of 2023? Let me know in the comments below.

Grand Theft Auto VI's first trailer

A teaser trailer for the sixth instalment in the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) video game franchise has been released early by Rockstar Games.



Rockstar Games on Monday confirmed an unauthorised third party had accessed and downloaded details of the highly-anticipated GTA sequel.

A statement from the company said: “We recently suffered a network intrusion in which an unauthorised third party illegally accessed and downloaded confidential information from our systems, including early development footage for the next Grand Theft Auto.

“At this time, we do not anticipate any disruption to our live game services nor any long-term effect on the development of our ongoing projects.

“We are extremely disappointed to have any details of our next game shared with you all in this way. Our work on the next Grand Theft Auto game will continue as planned and we remain as committed as ever to delivering an experience to you, our players, that truly exceeds your expectations.

“We will update everyone again soon and, of course, will properly introduce you to this next game when it is ready. We want to thank everyone for their ongoing support through this situation.”

GTA VI heads to the state of Leonida, home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond in the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet.

With a reported budget of over a billion dollars and featuring a female protagonist (Lucia), GTA VI will be released on PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series S|X in 2025.

GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas will be available to Netflix subscribers (myself included) on mobile devices on 14th December.

Pre-order GTA VI at Amazon (affiliate link).

Are you looking forward to GTA VI? What did you think of the first trailer? Let me know in the comments below.

Rebel Moon fills a Star Wars-sized void

Netflix will fill a Star Wars-sized hole this holiday season with Rebel Moon from director Zack Snyder (Justice League). During Netflix's Geeked Week, the streamer dropped an official trailer for Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire.



Read the official synopsis:

"A new universe awaits on Netflix, starting December 22.

From Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, comes REBEL MOON, a 2-part movie event decades in the making.

After crash landing on a moon in the furthest reaches of the universe, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a stranger with a mysterious past, begins a new life among a peaceful settlement of farmers. But she soon becomes their only hope for survival when the tyrannical Regent Balisarius (Fra Fee) and his cruel emissary, Admiral Noble (Ed Skrein), discover the farmers have unwittingly sold their crops to the Bloodaxes (Cleopatra Coleman and Ray Fisher) — leaders of a fierce group of insurgents hunted by the Motherworld.

Tasked with finding fighters who would risk their lives to defend the people of Veldt, Kora and Gunnar (Michiel Huisman), a tenderhearted farmer naive in the realities of war, journey to different worlds in search of the Bloodaxes, and assemble a small band of warriors who share a common need for redemption along the way: Kai (Charlie Hunnam), a pilot and gun for hire; General Titus (Djimon Hounsou), a legendary commander; Nemesis (Doona Bae), a master swordswoman; Tarak (Staz Nair), a captive with a regal past; and Milius (E. Duffy), a resistance fighter. Back on Veldt, Jimmy (voiced by Anthony Hopkins), an ancient mechanized protector hiding in the wings, awakens with a new purpose. But the newly formed revolutionaries must learn to trust each other and fight as one before the armies of the Motherworld come to destroy them all."

The film stars Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Bae Doona, Ray Fisher, Charlie Hunnam, Staz Nair, E. Duffy, Cary Elwes, Corey Stoll, Jena Malone, Fra Fee, Cleopatra Coleman, Alfonso Herrera, Stuart Martin, Sky Yang, Rhian Rees, Charlotte Maggi and Anthony Hopkins as the voice of Jimmy, a robot knight.

Variety reports Snyder's space opera will get a limited theatrical release. Rebel Moon - Part 1: A Child of Fire will be playing exclusively on 70mm from 15th to 21st December at the following locations: Los Angeles (Egyptian Theatre), New York City (Paris Theater), Toronto (TIFF Bell Lightbox) and London (Prince Charles Cinema).

Rebel Moon was purportedly pitched to Lucasfilm as a Star Wars movie before Disney acquired George Lucas' company in 2012. Snyder's love of Star Wars shines through in Netflix's big-budget Battle Beyond the Stars for the streaming generation.

Rebel Moon is being built as a new intellectual property (IP) exclusively on Netflix. Part 1: A Child of Fire will premiere on 22nd December. Part 2: The Scargiver will be released on 19th April 2024

Are you looking forward to Rebel Moon? Let me know in the comments below.

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

Netflix has dropped a first look at Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft starring Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter) as the titular character.



The animated spin-off series was originally announced in 2021. It will follow the events of Square Enix's Tomb Raider video game trilogy, which starred Camilla Luddington as the archaeological heroine inspired by Indiana Jones.

Are you looking forward to Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft on Netflix? Let me know in the comments below.

Rebel Moon is Star Wars on Netflix

Netflix dropped an official teaser trailer for director Zack Snyder's (Justice League) Rebel Moon.



Read the official synopsis:

"From Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, comes REBEL MOON, an epic science-fantasy event decades in the making.

When a peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival.

Tasked with finding trained fighters who will unite with her in making an impossible stand against the Mother World, Kora assembles a small band of warriors — outsiders, insurgents, peasants and orphans of war from different worlds who share a common need for redemption and revenge.

As the shadow of an entire Realm bears down on the unlikeliest of moons, a battle over the fate of a galaxy is waged, and in the process, a new army of heroes is formed."

Rebel Moon was purportedly pitched to Lucasfilm as a Star Wars movie before Disney acquired George Lucas' company in 2012.

Snyder's adoration of the movies of Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samurai) and love of Star Wars shines through in Netflix's big-budget Battle Beyond the Stars for the streaming generation.

Fans won't need to campaign for a director's cut.

“The director’s cut is close to an hour of extra content, so I think it’s a legitimate extended universe version. You really get to see a lot. It’s just more painted-in all the way,” Snyder said in an interview with Tudum. “The director’s [cut] is a settle-in deep dive, which I have notoriously done throughout my career. I don’t know how I got into this director’s cut thing, but what I will say about it is that, for me, the director’s cuts have always been something I had to fight for in the past and nobody wanted it. It was this bastard child that I was always trying to put together because they felt like there was a deeper version.”

He continued, “And with Netflix, we shot scenes just for the director’s cut. So in that way, it’s really a revelation because it gives that second kick at the can for big fans, like a real discovery that they would not [otherwise] get. I’m really excited about it!”

Rebel Moon is being built as a new intellectual property (IP) exclusively on Netflix. Part 1: A Child of Fire will premiere on 22nd December. Part 2: The Scargiver will be released on 19th April 2024

Are you looking forward to Rebel Moon? Let me know in the comments below.

Rebel Moon at Netflix Tudum

Director Zack Snyder (Justice League) dropped a promotional poster for Rebel Moon following a behind-the-scenes preview of his upcoming sci-fi movie during Netflix's global fan event Tudum.



Read the official synopsis from Tudum:

"From Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, comes REBEL MOON, an epic science-fantasy event decades in the making.

When a peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival. Tasked with finding trained fighters who will unite with her in making an impossible stand against the Mother World, Kora assembles a small band of warriors — outsiders, insurgents, peasants and orphans of war from different worlds who share a common need for redemption and revenge. As the shadow of an entire Realm bears down on the unlikeliest of moons, a battle over the fate of a galaxy is waged, and in the process, a new army of heroes is formed."

The film stars Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Bae Doona, Ray Fisher, Charlie Hunnam, Staz Nair, E. Duffy, Cary Elwes, Corey Stoll, Jena Malone, Fra Fee, Cleopatra Coleman, Alfonso Herrera, Stuart Martin, Sky Yang, Rhian Rees, Charlotte Maggi and Anthony Hopkins as the voice of Jimmy, a robot knight.

Rebel Moon was purportedly pitched to Lucasfilm as a Star Wars movie before Disney acquired George Lucas' company in 2012.

Snyder's adoration of the movies of Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samurai) and love of Star Wars shines through in Netflix's big-budget Battle Beyond the Stars for the streaming generation.

Rebel Moon is being built as a new intellectual property (IP) exclusively on Netflix. Rebel Moon will premiere only on Netflix on 2nd December.

Are you looking forward to Rebel Moon? Let me know in the comments below.

Stranger Things in London's West End

Stranger Things is coming to London's West End later this year.

"We are beyond excited about 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow,'" the Duffer Brothers said in a press release. "Collaborating with the brilliant Stephen Daldry has been nothing short of inspiring, and Kate Trefry has written a play that is at turns surprising, scary, and heartfelt. You will meet endearing new characters, as well as very familiar ones, on a journey into the past that sets the groundwork for the future of 'Stranger Things.' We're dying to tell you more about the story but won't — it's more fun to discover it for yourself. Can't wait to see you nerds in London!"

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Kate Trefry.

Read the official synopsis for Stranger Things: The First Shadow:

"Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach."

Coincidentally, HBO adapted The Last of Us: Left Behind, which was set in an abandoned shopping mall and evoked the nostalgic feeling that Stranger Things would become synonymous with in the summer of 2016.

Greg Lombardo, VP Live Experiences for Netflix said, “Stranger Things has captured the imagination of fans around the world and we are incredibly thrilled to expand this exciting universe with Netflix’s first live stage production. With the creative talents of Matt and Ross Duffer combined with Sonia Friedman and Stephen Daldry, theatregoers will be swept up in a truly epic event worthy of Stranger Things.”

Are you looking forward to Stranger Things: The First Shadow? Let me know in the comments below.