Neflix Cancels JESSICA JONES and THE PUNISHER

Krysten Ritter Jessica Jones

Sadly, it’s not a particular surprise, but we’ve got confirmation that, yes, Netflix has cancelled both The Punisher and Jessica Jones.

Following the cancellation of Iron Fist, Luke Cage and then Daredevil, it was expected that The Punisher and Jessica Jones would be receiving similar treatment. And now, well now it’s official.

The Punisher has recently aired its impressive second season on the on-demand streaming service while Jessica Jones’ third season is due to appear on Netflix at a to-be-confirmed date later this year.

 

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Taken a few weeks back at the table read for our SERIES FINALE. I love these people to the moon and back. It has been a dream to play Jessica alongside my amazing cast and the best crew in the business for these past 5 years. I am so grateful for every second of it. We have THE BEST fans. You guys mean the world to me and I appreciate you beyond words. The final season of #JessicaJones is coming later this year and I am proud of how we complete JJ’s journey. I can’t wait for you all to see it. Stay tuned and more to come. ??? (Also my creator/ showrunner/ partner/ bff @melissa.rosenberg is totally wearing a #krystenknitter original ☺️☺️) @rachaelmaytaylor @ekadarville @carrieannemoss @netflix @marvelsjessicajones @marvel

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Following this news, Marvel Television’s Jeph Loeb decided to address fans in an open letter.

Loeb would first thank the fans, saying, “We loved every minute of it and we did it all for you – the fans – who cheered for us around the world and made all the hard work worth it. So, Thank You! On behalf of everyone at Marvel Television, we couldn’t be more proud or more grateful to our audience.”

Giving fans slight hope that we may see these five heroes again somewhere down the line, Loeb added, “Our Network partner may have decided they no longer want to continue telling the tales of these great characters… but you know Marvel better than that. As Matthew Murdock’s Dad once said, ‘The measure of a man is now how he gets knocked to the mat, it’s how he gets back up.’ To be continued…!”

When these shows first started to get canned, some were speculating that we may see these characters and series wind up continuing on Disney’s upcoming Disney+ streaming service. Similarly, there was the rumblings that there could even be a chance of seeing the characters fully integrated into the big-screen Marvel Cinematic Universe which they already loosely live in.

For now, however, the futures of Charlie Cox’s Daredevil, Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones, Mike Colter’s Luke Cage, Finn Jones’ Iron First or Jon Bernthal’s Punisher are well and truly up in the air. All five of those characters have been portrayed absolutely brilliantly, and their supporting cast and crew have also been fleshed out fantastically for the most part. As such, it would be a huge, huge shame not to revisit these incarnations of comic book favourites at some point down the line.

As ever, expect more on all of this if and when things develop any further.

Horror Channel Celebrates the Season of the Dead in March

horror march

Get ready to raise the dead in March as Horror Channel presents the Season of the Dead.

Debuting on the channel as part of the season are the heartbreaking Maggie (2015), in which Arnold Schwarzenegger looks after his infected daughter following a near-apocalyptic virus outbreak, and Burying the Ex (2014), Joe Dante’s undead ménage à trois comedy.

Also in the season are Extinction (2015), Cockneys vs. Zombies (2012), and Quarantine (2008). Elsewhere, there are UKTV Premieres for Resurrection of Evil (2016) and Leprechaun: Origins (2014). British sci-fi thriller Kill Command (2015), Road Games (2015), and Ridley Scott’s stunning fantasy Legend (1985) all appear on Horror Channel for the first time.

For more information, head over to www.horrorchannel.co.uk. You can tune in on Sky 317, Virgin 149, Freeview 70, Freesat 138.

Charlene Amoia Joins BIRDS OF PREY as Maria Bertinelli

Charlene Amoia

With its core heroes, and even some of its villains, now assembled, Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey has added another name to its ranks.

Courtesy of Deadline, the movie has brought in How I Met Your Mother’s Charlene Amoia as Maria Bertinelli, the mother of Huntress.

In Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), Mary Elizabeth Winstead is playing Helena Bertinelli, aka Huntress, and she’s a key figure of the titular team.

Where the world of DC Comics is concerned, Maria Bertinelli is actually killed alongside her mob boss husband Franco by a rival crime family. It’s this event that triggers Helena to suit up and become Huntress as she sets out on a mission of bloody revenge.

Joining Winstead and Amoia in Birds of Prey, Margot Robbie is back as Harley Quinn, Jurnee Smollett-Bell is Black Canary, Rosie Perez is Renee Montoya and young Ella Jay Basco is Cassandra Cain. On the other side of the fence, Ewan McGregor is the ‘big bad’ of the picture, playing the nefarious and sinister Black Mask. McGregor’s Roman Sionis will be joined by Chris Messina as the ever-stabby Victor Zsasz.

At this point, Birds of Prey is booked in for a February 2020 release.

New ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? TV Show in Development

With an Are You Afraid of the Dark? movie currently in development, now comes word that a new TV series is on the way for the property.

To be relaunched by Nickelodeon, this new Are You Afraid of the Dark? show is pegged as a brand-new miniseries that will centre on new members of the Midnight Society as they embark on fireside tales of terror.

No further details are known on the show just yet but expect more on this as we get it.

As for the big-screen Are You Afraid of the Dark? picture, that D.J. Caruso-helmed effort is currently booked in for an October 2019 release.

Jason Momoa in Talks for DUNE

Jason Momoa

It was only yesterday that we were again praising the ridiculous cast that Denis Villeneuve’s assembling for his upcoming take on Frank Herbert’s Dune, and now comes word on another huge name that could be joining the action.

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, Jason Momoa is now in talks to play Duncan Idaho in the picture. That character is a master swordsman closely tied to the Atriedes family that are at the centre of the story.

For Dune, Momoa would join a cast that includes Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Rebecca Ferguson as Paul’s mother Lady Jessica, Charlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Mohiam, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Stellan Skarsgard as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, and Dave Bautista as the sadistic nephew of Skarsgard’s Baron Harkonnen. Elsewhere, Oscar Isaac is currently in talks to play Duke Leto Atreide, the father of Paul, and Zendaya is in talks to play Chani, the love interest of Chalamet’s character.

Dune began life back in 1965, with Frank Herbert’s original novel tying for the 1966 Hugo Award and then winning the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel. Set in the distant future, the story centres on Paul Atreides as his family takes control of the desert planet known as Arrakis. With valuable resources key to the tale, what unravels is a plot that’s full of politics, betrayal, and man’s relationship with nature. A Kyle MacLachlan-starring, David Lynch-helmed movie followed in 1984, which went on to become a cult classic, and then Syfy developed a Dune TV series in 2000. As for written works, Herbert penned five sequels himself before Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert expanded that written world even further.

At this stage, Villeneuve’s Dune has yet to be given a release date.

Issue 458 – Out Now!

458

CAPTAIN MARVEL takes centre stage in the latest issue of STARBURST as we look back at the chequered history of the character and forward to the new film.

Elsewhere, we chat to the director and stars of HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U, heading to terrifying and delight cinemagoers in March.

With the live-action version of DUMBO hitting screens soon, we look at the other Disney properties that have been given the do-over with real people and what we can expect in the future.

We go on the set of WINIFRED MEEKS, the latest film from JASON FIGGIS, chat with VANESSA MARSHALL about voicing Gamora in the animated GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY series, and MARK L. LESTER reveals all about cult classic CLASS OF 1999.

If that’s not enough, there’s a preview of the STARBURST International Film Festival and a profile of TROMA, the studio headed by our Guest of Honour, Lloyd Kaufman.

In our regular features, Horror Obscura digs up some loved ones and Independents Day focuses on another up and coming director.

Plus all your favourite COLUMNS, NEWS, REVIEWS and much MORE from the worlds of SCI-FI, HORROR and FANTASY!

 

Tristan Risk’s Directorial Debut to Screen at STARBURST Film Fest

tristan

As preparations for the STARBURST International Film Festival kick into the final stretch, we’ve found room to add another great short into the schedule.

We’re delighted that we’ll be showing Tristan Risk’s directorial debut, Parlour Tricks. Best known for acting in the likes of the Soska Sisters’ American Mary, James Bickert’s Frankenstein Created Bikers, Jill Gevargizian’s Call Girl, and Astron-6’s The Editor, Tristan both wrote and helmed this wacky short that will go down a treat at the festival, which is taking place March 15th – 16th at Social7 at the Landing, MediaCityUK, in Salford, Manchester. You can also see Tristan in front of the camera briefly in another short we’re screening, Izzy Lee’s For a Good Time, Call…

We have a packed two days of entertainment planned – keep your eyes peeled for schedule announcements – and don’t forget, we have the head of Troma Entertainment Lloyd Kaufman appearing (no doubt with Toxie himself at some point) as well as Starcrash director Luigi Cozzi.

In the meantime, check out the trailer for a taste of the movies and shorts on offer this year…

 

Head over to www.starburstfilmfest.co.uk to find out more and book tickets now before they all go at https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Salford/The-Landing/STARBURST-International-Film-Festival/13411270/.

Nickelodeon Developing an Animated STAR TREK Show

Star Trek: The Animated Series

In addition to CBS developing two animated Star Trek series, now comes word that another animated Star Trek offering is in the works.

Initially reported by Variety, CBS and Nickelodeon are in talks over a new animated Star Trek show that would be aimed at a younger audience.

If the show does indeed come to fruition, Kevin and Dan Hageman will be writing the series. The duo have previously worked on the likes of The LEGO Movie, Trollhunters and Hotel Transylvania.

Where those other animated efforts are concerned, CBS All Access is working with Rick and Morty’s Mike McMahan to develop a comedic series called Star Trek: Lower Decks. As for the other already-confirmed animated show, Star Trek: Discovery’s Alex Kurtzman is working on that.

This is all, of course, in addition to Discovery itself and that hugely anticipated series that will see Sir Patrick Stewart return as Jean-Luc Picard.

As ever, expect more on all things Star Trek as we get it.

TERRIFIER 2 Script is Finished

Terrifier

Ready for more Art the Clown? If so, you may not have to wait too much longer to see this heinous harlequin back in action.

Having debuted in 2013’s All Hallow’s Eve, Art was given his own twisted tale in 2016 with Terrifier. Since then, horror hounds have been clamouring to see more of this sadistic sort, and now Damien Leone has revealed that he’s finished work on a script for a Terrifier sequel:

 

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If you’re upset you didn’t win the funko giveaway, maybe this will cheer you up… I have officially completed the script to TERRIFIER 2 and it is $&?!#%* INSANE ?? Unfortunately, that is the only confirmation I can give right now but rest assured we’re working hard to bring you more Terrifier as soon as possible and I’m veryyy excited for you to see where Art’s diabolical journey goes from here! He’s back. And He’s badder than ever. ??? #terrifier2 #arttheclown #allhallowseve #terrifier #writer #screenplay #writtenby #artsback #artreturns #clown #clowns #killerclown #killerclowns #scaryclown #scaryclowns #halloween #writer #slasher #epic #slasherrevolution #terrifierpart2 #thesagacontinues #screenwriting #screenwriter

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In addition to this, Art actor David H. Thornton also chimed in:

As ever, expect more on this Terrifier follow-up as it continues to develop.

Don’t Expect Harleen in GOTHAM CITY SIRENS and SUICIDE SQUAD 2

Harley Quinn

At one point in time, it looked as if Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn was going to be crammed in to any and every DC Extended Universe movie possible. But now, we have word that the Maid of Mischief won’t be appearing in two upcoming DCEU efforts.

Via Forbes, it’s been revealed that Harleen won’t be a part of either David Ayer’s Gotham City Sirens or James Gunn’s Suicide Squad sequel.

Previously, it was expected that Quinzel would be a key part of both movies in addition to appearing in Birds of Prey, having a “romance” picture with Jared Leto’s Joker, and then also possibly her own solo movie.

Speaking of that twisted romance film, this new report also confirms that that movie has now been completely scrapped; which again throws up questions regarding the future of Jared Leto as the Clown Prince of Crime.

To clarify, both Gotham City Sirens and Suicide Squad are still happening, and it’s expected that the majority of The Suicide Squad’s core cast will be returning for Gunn’s, err, Suicide Squad.

Where Gotham City Sirens is concerned, it will certainly be interesting to see which of DC’s famed females are showcased in the picture. In the comic book world, the Gotham City Sirens title was based around Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Poison Ivy, with semi-regular appearances from the likes of Zatanna, Holly Robinson and Talia al Ghul.

Directed by Cathy Yan, the current plan for Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is for the movie to be released in February 2020.