News Around the Net

The biggest news since I last posted is the tragic passing of Kevin Conroy at the too-young age of only 66.  (Click here to read more.)  Mr. Conroy is, for me, the definitive actor to portray Batman.  Mr. Conroy voiced Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman: The Animated Series and many subsequent animated TV show follow-ups overseen by Bruce Timm (such as the wonderful Justice League cartoon as well as Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, which is still for me my very favorite Batman film) (though The Dark Knight is very, very close to that title as well).  Mr. Conroy had just a few months ago written a beautiful piece called “Finding Batman” for a DC Pride special, that detailed some of his struggles as a gay actor working in Hollywood.  (DC has made the special available to read for free here — go read it right now!)  Kevin Conroy was a terrific actor and he was out-of-this-world great as Batman.  His voice will forever be what I hear in my head when I read Batman comics.  Click here to watch one of my very favorite sequences from the Batman and Superman animated series from the nineties.  It’s hard to conceive of a more perfect depiction of these classic characters.

Some news is starting to leak out (along with some official photos and art!) about Indiana Jones 5.  And wait!  Here’s a trailer!

I like what I’m seeing.  That’s a pretty solid trailer.  The Dial of Destiny is… well, it’s an OK title.  I’m intrigued by the notion that the film includes a flashback to a younger Indy — the handful of shots of a de-aged Harrison Ford look great in the trailer (but that doesn’t mean they will work in full-on sequences in the film).  I love Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and I’m delighted to see John Rhys-Davies back as Sallah.  That’s all good.  But is this movie actually going to be any good?  I am still emotionally traumatized by the disappointment of seeing Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull  on its opening weekend back in 2008.  (Wow, I thought Harrison Ford was way too old for the role… and that was back in 2008!!)

I loved The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, and now hot on its heels, here comes our first trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3:

I dig the new costumes.  I am happy to see Zoe Saldana’s Gamora is featured in the trailer.  (She was absent from the Holiday Special.)  Looks like the “swoll” Groot from the Holiday Special will be what we see in the film, which I don’t love, though Groot looks a little better to me in the glimpses we see here. (He looks awesome in that last shot.)  It looks like we’re going to explore Rocket’s origins, which is cool.  I’m excited by the glimpse of Adam Warlock (a character I love from the comics).  I have a feeling James Gunn is going to break our hearts with his final Guardians film.  Which of these characters will make it alive to the end credits?  (We see the gang carrying Peter’s body at one point, but that’s probably a fake-out.).

Once again, James Cameron is about to release a very expensive movie that he spent years on, and that no one is sure is going to actually make money.  Mr. Cameron has been down this road before, most notably with Titanic and the original Avatar, both of which were ginormous smash hits.  In general, I wouldn’t bet against James Cameron.  (Even as I freely admit I am skeptical anyone is all that interested in another Avatar movie.)  Click here for a lengthy and very interesting Hollywood Reporter interview with and profile of Mr. Cameron.

I’m going to have a lot to say about the magnificent first season of Andor very soon.  (Hopefully my review will be up next week.)  In the meanwhile, here’s a fascinating in-depth interview with Toby Haynes, who directed six episodes of the show.

I am super excited for the new Willow series on Disney+ and I hope it lives up to my expectations.  Everything I’ve read about it seems cool — like this tidbit, that they tracked down the three (!!!) kids who portrayed Elora Danan as a baby in the original film and brought them all back to cameo in the new series.  That is awesome.

I still find it hard to believe that Warner Brothers Discovery cancelled the mostly-finished Batgirl and animated Scoob! movies.  I feel awful for the hundreds of people who worked so hard, many for years, on those movies.  I was intrigued to read that the Scoob! team actually went on and finished their film, even though audiences likely will never see it.  Bravo to them.

Speaking of cancellations: I am bummed that Westworld will not make it to its planned fifth and final season.  I am way behind on the show, and now I wonder if I want too try to catch up knowing it’s not going to get a proper ending.  What a waste of years of effort on the part of the makers of the show (and so much money spent)!!

Click here for an interesting profile of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon.  I love them both (and I think The Big Sick was a terrific film), and it’s interesting to hear how they manage being married and also creative partners.

I have not yet read this interview with Neil Gaiman and Allan Heinberg, as I’m still in the middle of watching the first season of Netflix’s adaptation of The Sandman.  But if you’re ahead of me and want to get a hint of what’s ahead in season two, click through and enjoy!  (I am pleased that Netflix has renewed the show for season two.  I hope for many more, please, after that!  Thank you!)

It sounds like Margot Robbie’s female-led Pirates of the Caribbean sequel film is not happening.  That’s a shame, as I think Ms. Robbie is great and it sounded to me like a potentially fun idea.

I got Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Book and I devoured it. I loved it. I am sad Jerry isn’t making more of that show!  For now, we’ll have to make due with Jerry’s promotional appearances and interviews promoting that book.  Here’s a solid interview with the Hollywood Reporter.  And here’s an even more fun piece from Vanity Fair.

Here’s another interesting recent Hollywood Reporter interview: with Sylvester Stallone, looking back on his career.

I’m intrigued to see that Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Rec) has joined the cast of the WandaVision spin-off Agatha: Coven of Chaos.  I’m curious to see what that show is going to be about!

Thanks for reading!

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