Secret PREDATOR Project Revealed As Animated Anthology KILLER OF KILLERS

predator: killer of killers animated anthology trailer releases

Just days after Predator: Badlands star Elle Fanning unveiled new details on her upcoming entry into the sci-fi franchise, the top-secret second Predator project releasing this year has been revealed as Predator: Killer of Killers, an animated anthology.

Per the logline, it is an “anthology story [that] follows three of the fiercest warriors in human history: a Viking raider guiding her young son on a bloody quest for revenge; a ninja in feudal Japan who turns against his Samurai brother in a brutal battle for succession; and a WWII pilot who takes to the sky to investigate an otherworldly threat to the Allied cause. But while all these warriors are killers in their own right, they are merely prey for their new opponent — the ultimate killer of killers.”

Dan Trachtenberg, who also directs Badlands, helms Killer of Killers with Josh Wassung of the animation company The Third Floor. The screenplay hails from Micho Robert Rutare, from a story he wrote with Trachtenberg.

On June 6th, Predator: Killer of Killers arrives on Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ everywhere else. Watch the trailer below:

Later, Predator: Badlands will release in cinemas on November 7th, 2025. Expect that trailer to drop online soon.

AFRICAN KUNG FU NAZIS II Is Going on Tour!

Following the cult success of African Kung Fu Nazis (as seen in STARBURST #488 – available here), director Sebastian Stein has come up with African Kung Fu Nazis II and it’s even crazier! This is one film every fan of exploitation cinema must see!

Here’s the official synopsis:

Seriously? Hitler is back again? And this time he is trying to become the President of Ghana? But wait…why is he acting so strangely? Could it be? Is he really a…  Robotto???

 The answers to these questions are yes, yes and yes. And this time there are two heroes to stand his way! Addo, the one-armed Kung Fu hero, is on a path of revenge for his slain brother Addae (hero of part 1). By his side is goofy foe turned friend Sek Tin, the rich son of a local Kung Fu Master and politician, Master Kwan.

After Hitler decapitates Kwan with his invincible Chi Guillotine Kung Fu style, Addo and Sek Tin join forces to stop Hitler from seizing the Presidency in Ghana and taking over the country. Together they embark on a quest to learn new Kung Fu styles, take out Hitler’s henchmen and finally face the master of evil, Adolf Robotler, at the Kumawood Reichsparteitag military parade. But they will encounter a ‘monstrous surprise’.

If those words don’t sway you to check out the film (and the first instalment), we don’t know what will!

Lucky audiences will get the chance to see African Kung Fu Nazis II on the big screen as the film goes on tour. Here’s where you can catch the movie:

May 27th – July 2nd / Nippon Connection Festival in Frankfurt, Germany (European Premiere)

July 6th / Naruby Festival (Czech Premiere)

June 8th / Genesis Cinema, London (UK Premiere)

This will be followed by a UK tour in various locations (to be confirmed)

July / full theatrical release in Japan in 30-50 locations.

Check out the amazing trailer:

Nuclear Winter Drama THREADS Gets TV Series Adaptation

still from 80s film Threads

The production company behind Netflix’s acclaimed drama series Adolescence, Warp Films, is adapting 1984’s docudrama Threads into a TV series.

Threads was a British made-for-TV film notable for being the first to depict nuclear winter on screen, showing the effects of a nuclear attack on the working-class city of Sheffield as civilisation itself starts to unravel. The original Threads was directed by Mick Jackson and written by Barry Hines.

“Renowned for its ground-breaking portrayal of a fictional apocalypse, Threads offers a harrowing depiction of life in nuclear war-era Britain, set in Sheffield,” Warp tells THR. “This adaptation will explore prescient issues through rich, character-driven storytelling. The original film’s chilling account immerses viewers in the struggles of ordinary people facing unimaginable hardship.”

“Threads was, and remains, an unflinchingly honest drama that imagines the devastating effects of nuclear conflict on ordinary people,” said Warp founder and CEO Mark Herbert. “This story aligns perfectly with our ethos of telling powerful, grounded narratives that deeply connect with audiences. Reimagining this classic film as a TV drama gives us a unique opportunity to explore its modern relevance.”

“Threads is clearly a deeply impactful story and right now, it feels more relevant than ever. This adaptation will allow us to uncover fresh interpretations in light of today’s world,” added Warp CCO and executive producer Emily Feller. “We imagine highlighting how resilience and connection can offer hope even in the most challenging of times. Through this lens, an adaptation of the incredible film can re-examine its significance for then and for now — allowing us to engage with a modern audience.”

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING Trailer Flies In

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning trailer sees tom cruise dangling from airplane

Tom Cruise is back to hanging off airplanes – one-handed and upside down, as one does – in the first official trailer for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.

The feature is the eighth instalment in the long-running movie franchise, which began back in 1996 with Mission: Impossible. Cruise has remained coy as to whether this will be his final appearance as IMF agent Ethan Hunt in the action film series.

At the end of 2023’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (to which Final Reckoning was, at the time, billed as a Part Two), Ethan is trying to stop an ultra-powerful AI program called The Entity from falling into the wrong hands and sewing chaos in the world.

Christopher McQuarrie, who has helmed the franchise since 2015’s Rogue Nation, returns to direct Final Reckoning from a screenplay he co-wrote with Erik Jendresen. Also returning to the screen are Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, Shea Wigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Henry Czerny, Angela Bassett, and Pom Klementieff. Newcomers to the franchise include Hannah Waddingham, Nick Offerman, Lucy Tulugarjuk, Katy O’Brian, Tramell Tillman, and Stephen Oyoung.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning releases in cinemas from May 23rd. Watch the trailer below:

New THE SURFER Trailer Sees Nic Cage Rage

nicolas cage in the surfer trailer

The psychological thriller The Surfer, starring Nicolas Cage, has debuted a brand-new trailer. The feature hails from Vivarium and Nocebo filmmaker Lorcan Finnegan, who directs from a screenplay by Thomas Martin.

Per the synopsis, when a man (Cage) returns to his beachside hometown in Australia, many years since building a life for himself in the U.S., he is humiliated in front of his teenage son by a local gang of surfers who claim strict ownership over the secluded beach of his childhood. Wounded, he decides to remain at the beach, declaring war against those in control of the bay. As the conflict escalates, the stakes spin out of control, taking him to the edge of sanity.

Julian McMahon, Nic Cassim, Miranda Tapsell, Alexander Bertrand, Justin Rosniak, Rahel Romahn, Finn Little and Charlotte Maggi star opposite Cage. The project is from Lionsgate and Roadside Attraction.

“Lorcan’s movie is a stunning visual experience with an incredible palette, coupled with Nicolas Cage at his absolute best,” Lionsgate’s Lauren Bixby said in a recent statement. The film had its world premiere at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival, where it received a six minute ovation.

Watch The Surfer trailer below, ahead of its release in UK and Irish cinemas from 9th May.

PREDATOR: BADLANDS Star Elle Fanning Reveals New Details

predator: badlands debuts trailer at cinemacon. still from prequel film Prey

The Predator franchise continues with director Dan Trachtenberg’s (the excellent prequel Prey, and 10 Cloverfield Lane) Predator: Badlands, with The Neon Demon actress Elle Fanning starring. The actress took to the CinemaCon stage to debut the trailer. The footage has not yet been released online, but it did reveal some interesting details, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Elle Fanning will play Thia, a character who, rather than fight against the film’s Predator, will team up with the alien hunter. “Something unprecedented happens in this movie, and my character is not the one being chased,” Fanning told CinemaCon’s audience. “My character actually teams up with the Predator, and you get to see him in a whole new light.”

This follows what director Trachtenberg previously revealed of his film, saying: “The creature is front and centre, leading the charge. He’s still badass, but there’s something there that touches you emotionally, too. Creating a character you connect with, but are also super-intimidated by, has been challenging. But exciting.”

As previously reported, Predator: Badlands won’t be the only Predator film releasing this year, as 20th Century Studios boss Steve Asbell teased that there’s another unnamed feature set to release before Badlands. Details on this other film are near non-existent.

The Predator franchise kicked off with the action-horror classic in 1987. That was followed by sequels Predator 2, Predators, The Predator, and the prequel Prey, as well as the two Alien vs. Predator movies.

Predator: Badlands releases in cinemas on November 7th, 2025. Stay tuned for when the trailer releases online.

TRON: ARES Trailer Debuts Red Laser-Packed Footage

tron: ares trailer footage features red suited guards

An official trailer for the long-awaited sequel to 2010’s Tron Legacy, Tron: Ares, has dropped. It sees Jared Leto portray a highly sophisticated program, Ares, “who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.”

The original 1982 film’s star, Jeff Bridges, is heard in the trailer’s voiceover: “Ready? Because there’s no going back.” This trailer release follows Leto and Bridges introducing a teaser at CinemaCon last week.

Bridges starred in the original Tron as a video game designer who is transported inside his own creation and teams up with Tron, a security program. The 2010 sequel brought back Bridges but took on a generational approach to the story by bringing in new characters. Tron: Ares, however, will focus on the emergence of a sentient program in the human world.

The project is directed by Joachim Rønning (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) from a script by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne. The movie also stars Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan and Gillian Anderson. Leto, Sean Bailey, Jeffrey Silver, Justin Springer, Emma Ludbrook and Steven Lisberger produce, while Russell Allen executive produces. The famed rock band Nine Inch Nails is scoring the film.

The film releases in cinemas on October 10th. Check out the Tron: Ares trailer below:

2025 Hugo Awards Finalists Announced

Logo for the Seattle Worldcon 2025, where the 2025 Hugo Awards will be held.

The nominees for the 2025 Hugo Awards have been announced. The winners will be announced at Seattle Worldcon 2025.

The Hugo Awards is a major indicator of the state of science fiction, as Worldcon members tend to be the genre’s most dedicated fans. They consume a great many new works of science fiction every year and are willing to travel across the world to attend genre book conventions. For this reason, the Hugos are followed closely by fans and professionals alike. 

Note that Dune: The Musical did get enough votes to be nominated, but was judged ineligible as previews began in 2023 during its development cycle, a rule that makes things a little challenging for theatrical work looking to be nominated.

Congratulations to everyone nominated. 

The full list follows:

Best Novel

  • Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Orbit US, Tor UK)
  • The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (Avid Reader Press, Sceptre)
  • Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Tordotcom)
  • Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell (DAW)
  • A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher (Tor)
  • The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett (Del Rey, Hodderscape UK)

1078 ballots cast for 554 nominees, finalists range 90 to 157

Best Novella

  • The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo (Tordotcom)
  • The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed (Tordotcom)
  • Navigational Entanglements by Aliette de Bodard (Tordotcom)
  • The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar (Tordotcom)
  • The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler (Tordotcom)
  • What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher (Nightfire)

739 ballots cast for 209 nominees, finalists range 75 to 135

Best Novelette

  • “The Brotherhood of Montague St. Video” by Thomas Ha (Clarkesworld, May 2024)
  • “By Salt, By Sea, By Light of Stars” by Premee Mohamed (Strange Horizons, Fund Drive 2024)
  • “The Four Sisters Overlooking the Sea” by Naomi Kritzer (Asimov’s, September/October 2024)
  • “Lake of Souls” by Ann Leckie in Lake of Souls (Orbit)
  • “Loneliness Universe” by Eugenia Triantafyllou (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 58)
  • “Signs of Life” by Sarah Pinsker (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 59)

394 ballots cast for 188 nominees, finalists range 36 to 58

Best Short Story

  • “Five Views of the Planet Tartarus” by Rachael K. Jones (Lightspeed Magazine, Jan 2024 (Issue 164))
  • “Marginalia” by Mary Robinette Kowal (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 56)
  • “Stitched to Skin Like Family Is” by Nghi Vo (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 57)
  • “Three Faces of a Beheading” by Arkady Martine (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 58)
  • “We Will Teach You How to Read | We Will Teach You How to Read” by Caroline M. Yoachim (Lightspeed Magazine, May 2024 (Issue 168))
  • “Why Don’t We Just Kill the Kid in the Omelas Hole” by Isabel J. Kim (Clarkesworld, February 2024)

610 ballots cast for 673 nominees, finalists range 32 to 110

Best Series

  • Between Earth and Sky by Rebecca Roanhorse (Saga Press)
  • The Burning Kingdoms by Tasha Suri (Orbit)
  • InCryptid by Seanan McGuire (DAW)
  • Southern Reach by Jeff VanderMeer (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
  • The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson (Tor Books)
  • The Tyrant Philosophers by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Ad Astra)

621 ballots cast for 201 nominees, finalists range 57 to 90

Best Graphic Story or Comic

  • The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag (Graphix)
  • The Hunger and the Dusk: Vol. 1 written by G. Willow Wilson, art by Chris Wildgoose (IDW Publishing)
  • Monstress, Vol. 9: The Possessed written by Marjorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda (Image)
  • My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Book 2 by Emil Ferris (Fantagraphics)
  • Star Trek: Lower Decks: Warp Your Own Way written by Ryan North, art by Chris Fenoglio (IDW Publishing)
  • We Called Them Giants written by Kieron Gillen, art by Stephanie Hans, lettering by Clayton Cowles (Image)

265 ballots cast for 259 nominees, finalists range 13 to 37

Best Related Work

  • “Charting the Cliff: An Investigation into the 2023 Hugo Nomination Statistics” by Camestros Felapton and Heather Rose Jones (File 770, February 22, 2024)
  • r/Fantasy’s 2024 Bingo Reading Challenge (r/Fantasy on Reddit), presented by the r/Fantasy Bingo team: Alexandra Forrest (happy_book_bee), Lisa Richardson, Amanda E. (Lyrrael), Arka (RuinEleint), Ashley Rollins (oboist73), Christine Sandquist (eriophora), David H. (FarragutCircle), Diana Hufnagl, Pia Matei (Dianthaa), Dylan H. (RAAAImmaSunGod), Dylan Kilby (an_altar_of_plagues), Elsa (ullsi), Emma Surridge (PlantLady32), Gillian Gray (thequeensownfool), Kahlia (cubansombrero), Kevin James, Kopratic, Kristina (Cassandra_sanguine), Lauren Mulcahy (Valkhyrie), Megan, Megan Creemers (Megan_Dawn), Melissa S. (wishforagiraffe), Mike De Palatis (MikeOfThePalace), Para (improperly_paranoid), Sham, The_Real_JS, Abdellah L. (messi1045), AnnTickwittee, Chad Z. (shift_shaper), Emma Smiley (Merle), Rebecca (toughschmidt22), smartflutist661
  • “The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel” by Jenny Nicholson (YouTube)
  • Speculative Whiteness: Science Fiction and the Alt-Right by Jordan S. Carroll (University of Minnesota Press)
  • Track Changes by Abigail Nussbaum (Briardene Books)
  • “The 2023 Hugo Awards: A Report on Censorship and Exclusion” by Chris M. Barkley and Jason Sanford (Genre Grapevine and File770, February 14, 2024)

431 ballots cast for 209 nominees, finalists range 28 to 95

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form

  • Dune: Part Two, screenplay by Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts, directed by Denis Villeneuve (Legendary Pictures / Warner Bros. Pictures)
  • Flow, screenplay by Gints Zilbalodis and Matīss Kaža, directed by Gints Zilbalodis (Dream Well Studio)
  • Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, screenplay by George Miller and Nick Lathouris, directed by George Miller (Warner Bros. Pictures)
  • I Saw the TV Glow, screenplay by Jane Schoenbrun, directed by Jane Schoenbrun (Fruit Tree / Smudge Films / A24)
  • Wicked, screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, directed by Jon M. Chu (Universal Pictures)
  • The Wild Robot, screenplay by Chris Sanders and Peter Brown, directed by Chris Sanders (DreamWorks Animation)

610 ballots cast for 217 nominees, finalists range 80 to 219

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form

  • Fallout: “The Beginning” written by Gursimran Sandhu, directed by Wayne Che Yip (Amazon Prime Video)
  • Agatha All Along: “Death’s Hand in Mine” written by Gia King & Cameron Squires, directed by Jac Schaeffer (Marvel, Disney+)
  • Doctor Who: “Dot and Bubble” written by Russell T Davies, directed by Dylan Holmes Williams (BBC, Disney+)
  • Star Trek: Lower Decks: “Fissure Quest” created by Mike McMahan and written by Lauren McGuire based on Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry, directed by Brandon Williams (CBS Eye Animation Productions for Paramount+)
  • Star Trek: Lower Decks: “The New Next Generation” created and written by Mike McMahan, based on Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry, directed by Megan Lloyd (CBS Eye Animation Productions for Paramount+)
  • Doctor Who: “73 Yards” written by Russell T Davies, directed by Dylan Holmes Williams (BBC, Disney+)

451 ballots cast for 302 nominees, finalists range 31 to 59

Best Game or Interactive Work

  • Caves of Qud, co-creators Brian Bucklew and Jason Grinblat; contributors Nick DeCapua, Corey Frang, Craig Hamilton, Autumn McDonell, Bastia Rosen, Caelyn Sandel, Samuel Wilson (Freehold Games); sound design A Shell in the Pit; publisher Kitfox Games
  • Dragon Age: The Veilguard produced by BioWare
  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom produced by Nintendo
  • Lorelei and the Laser Eyes produced by Simogo
  • Tactical Breach Wizards developed by Suspicious Developments
  • 1000xRESIST developed by sunset visitor 斜陽過客, published by Fellow Traveller

298 ballots cast for 187 nominees, finalists range 19 to 34

Best Editor Short Form

  • Scott H. Andrews
  • Jennifer Brozek
  • Neil Clarke
  • Jonathan Strahan
  • Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas
  • Sheila Williams

322 ballots cast for 165 nominees, finalists range 28 to 80

Best Editor Long Form

  • Carl Engle-Laird
  • Ali Fisher
  • Lee Harris
  • David Thomas Moore
  • Diana M. Pho
  • Stephanie Stein

162 ballots cast for 89 nominees, finalists range 15 to 40

Best Professional Artist

  • Micaela Alcaino
  • Audrey Benjaminsen
  • Rovina Cai
  • Maurizio Manzieri
  • Tran Nguyen
  • Alyssa Winans

214 ballots cast for 209 nominees, finalists range 14 to 37

Best Semiprozine

  • The Deadlands, publisher Sean Markey; editors E. Catherine Tobler, Nicasio Andres Reed, David Gilmore, Laura Blackwell, Annika Barranti Klein; proofreader Josephine Stewart; columnist Amanda Downum; art and design Cory Skerry, Christine M. Scott; social media Felicia Martínez; assistant Shana Du Bois.
  • Escape Pod, editors Mur Lafferty and Valerie Valdes, assistant editors Premee Mohamed and Kevin Wabaunsee, hosts Tina Connolly and Alasdair Stuart, producers Summer Brooks and Adam Pracht; and the entire Escape Pod team
  • FIYAH Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, publisher and executive editor DaVaun Sanders, poetry editor B. Sharise Moore, art director Christian Ivey, acquiring editors Rebecca McGee, Kerine Wint, Egbiameje Omole, Emmalia Harrington, Genine Tyson, Tonya R. Moore, sponsor coordinator Nelson Rolon
  • khōréō, produced by Zhui Ning Chang, Aleksandra Hill, Danai Christopoulou, Isabella Kestermann, Kanika Agrawal, Sachiko Ragosta, Lian Xia Rose, Jenelle DeCosta, Melissa Ren, Elaine Ho, Ambi Sun, Cyrus Chin, Nivair H. Gabriel, Jeané Ridges, Lilivette Domínguez, Isaree Thatchaichawalit, Jei D. Marcade, M. L. Krishnan, Ysabella Maglanque, Aaron Voigt, Adialyz Del Valle Berríos, Adil Mian, Akilah White, Alexandra Millatmal, Anselma Widha Prihandita, E. Broderick, K. S. Walker, Katarzyna Nowacka, Katie McIvor, Kelsea Yu, Lynn D. Jung, Madeleine Vigneron, Marie Croke, Merulai Femi, Phoebe Low, S. R. Westvik, Sanjna Bhartiya, Sara Messenger, Sophia Uy, Tina Zhu, Yuvashri Harish, Zohar Jacobs
  • Strange Horizons, by the Strange Horizons Editorial Collective
  • Uncanny Magazine, publishers and editors-in-chief: Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas; managing editor Monte Lin; poetry editor Betsy Aoki, podcast producers Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky

334 ballots cast for 94 nominees, finalists range 38 to 108

Best Fanzine

  • Ancillary Review of Books, editors Jake Casella Brookins, Zachary Gillan, Lane Gillespie, Misha Grifka Wander, Gareth A. Reeves, Bianca Skrinyár, Cynthia Zhang
  • Black Nerd Problems, editors William Evans and Omar Holmon
  • The Full Lid, written by Alasdair Stuart and edited by Marguerite Kenner
  • Galactic Journey, founder Gideon Marcus, editor Janice L. Newman, associate writers Cora Buhlert, Jessica Holmes, Kerrie Dougherty, Kris Vyas-Myall, and Natalie Devitt, and the rest of the Journey team
  • Journey Planet, edited by Allison Hartman Adams, Amanda Wakurak, Ann Gry, Jean Martin, Sara Felix, Sarah Gulde, Chuck Serface, David Ferguson, Olav Rokne, Paul Weimer, Steven H Silver, Christopher J. Garcia and James Bacon
  • Unofficial Hugo Book Club Blog, editors Olav Rokne and Amanda Wakaruk

243 ballots cast for 77 nominees, finalists range 25 to 67

Best Fancast

  • The Coode Street Podcast, presented by Jonathan Strahan and Gary K. Wolfe, producer Jonathan Strahan
  • Eight Days of Diana Wynne Jones, presented by Emily Tesh and Rebecca Fraimow
  • Hugo, Girl!, presented by Haley Zapal, Amy Salley, Lori Anderson, and Kevin Anderson
  • Hugos There, presented by Seth Heasley
  • A Meal of Thorns, presented by Jake Casella Brookins
  • Worldbuilding for Masochists, presented by Marshall Ryan Maresca, Cass Morris and Natania Barron

376 ballots cast for 197 nominees, finalists range 24 to 64

Best Fan Writer

  • Camestros Felapton
  • Abigail Nussbaum
  • Roseanna Pendlebury
  • Jason Sanford
  • Alasdair Stuart
  • Örjan Westin

329 ballots cast for 158 nominees, finalists range 27 to 62

Best Fan Artist

  • Iain J. Clark
  • Sara Felix
  • Meg Frank
  • Michelle Morrell
  • Alison Scott
  • España Sheriff

186 ballots cast for 120 nominees, finalists range 16 to 37

Best Poem

  • Calypso by Oliver K. Langmead (Titan)
  • “Ever Noir” by Mari Ness (Haven Spec Magazine, Issue 16, July 2024)
  • “there are no taxis for the dead” by Angela Liu (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 58)
  • “A War of Words” by Marie Brennan (Strange Horizons, September 2024)
  • “We Drink Lava” by Ai Jiang (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 56)
  • “Your Visiting Dragon” by Devan Barlow (Strange Horizons, Fund Drive 2024)

219 ballots cast for 266 nominees, finalists range 11 to 26

Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book

  • The Feast Makers by H.A. Clarke (Erewhon)
  • Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao (Tundra Books)
  • The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko (Amulet)
  • Moonstorm by Yoon Ha Lee (Delacorte Press)
  • Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger (Levine Querido)
  • So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

268 ballots cast for 175 nominees, finalists range 18 to 52

Astounding Award for Best New Writer (sponsored by Dell Magazines)

  • Moniquill Blackgoose (2nd year of eligibility)
  • Bethany Jacobs (2nd year of eligibility)
  • Hannah Kaner (2nd year of eligibility)
  • Angela Liu (2nd year of eligibility)
  • Jared Pechaček (1st year of eligibility)
  • Tia Tashiro (2nd year of eligibility)

341 ballots cast for 168 nominees, finalists range 28 to 96

Seattle Worldcon 2025 will be held at Seattle, USA in August 2025. More information can be found here.

M3GAN 2.0 Gets Even Campier In New Trailer

m3gan 2.0 official trailer

Hold onto your vaginas, “smoking hot warrior princess” M3GAN 2.0 is back and campier than ever in the new trailer from Blumhouse and Atomic Monster.

Two years after M3GAN, a marvel of artificial intelligence, went rogue and embarked on a murderous rampage, its creator, Gemma, has become a high-profile author and advocate for government oversight of AI. Meanwhile, Gemma’s niece Cady, now a 14-year-old teenager, is rebelling against Gemma’s overprotective rules.

Unbeknownst to them, the underlying tech for M3GAN has been stolen and used by a defence contractor to create a military-grade weapon known as Amelia, the ultimate infiltration spy. However, as Amelia’s self-awareness increases, she becomes less interested in taking orders from humans.

As Amelia begins going after those who created her, Gemma realises the only option to save herself and Cady is to resurrect M3GAN (with upgrades) and help her to take Amelia down.

Director Gerard Johnstone and writer Akela Cooper return for the follow-up to their 2023 film, alongside producers James Wan and Jason Blum. Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, Amie Donald, and Jenna Davis return to star, alongside newcomers Ivanna Sakhno, Aristotle Athari, Timm Sharp, and Jemaine Clement.

M3GAN 2.0 releases in cinemas from June 27th. Watch the trailer below:

Disney Hits Pause On TANGLED Live-Action Feature

still from disney animated film tangled

Rapunzel is pulling her hair back into her tower, with news that Disney’s live-action reimagining of the 2010 animated film Tangled has been put on pause. The project had been in active development, with The Greatest Showman filmmaker Michael Gracey on board to direct from a script by Do Revenge and Thor: Love and Thunder’s Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.

The project pause comes in the wake of an underwhelming performance by Disney’s latest live-action adaptation, the Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot-starring Snow White.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, who broke the news, studio insiders remain uncertain whether Tangled will move forward down the road or undergo a complete creative rethink.

Disney’s strategy of repurposing its old titles by adapting them into live-action has been their go-to since the early 2010s. Some features — Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King — did better than others — Dumbo, Pete’s Dragon. Recently, though, Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa: The Lion King had a slow start and The Little Mermaid struggled at the box office, with Snow White performing even worse.

Lilo & Stitch, a remake of the 2002 animated film that will land in cinemas from May 23rd, looks to break from the recent pattern and perform well upon release. After that, the live-action Moana will sail in on July 10th, 2026.

One can only assume that whether Tangled gets back on production course will depend on how the aforementioned titles perform in the next 15 months.