Ahoy! New STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 3 Teaser Trailer Released

stranger

Even though The Duffer Brothers are currently busy shooting the third season of their smash-hit supernatural series, Stranger Things, fans still have a long wait ahead of them before they can return to Hawkins and catch up with their heroes. And if the release date teased at the tail end of this newly dropped teaser trailer is accurate, it’s even longer than we initially thought! It’s believed that the somewhat lukewarm reception to last year’s Season 2 prompted The Duffer Brothers to announce the show was going to skip 2018 entirely, buying them considerably more production time than previously, but this new information suggests a summer 2019 premiere, meaning a gap in the region of 20 (!) months between 2 and 3. Narratively, this unusual scheduling will actually compliment things, as it’s also widely known that 3 will skip forward in time by several years (this will also navigate the tricky issues brought on by teenage growth spurts!).

The fun new teaser provides us with little in the way of story or character details, but it does hint at a major new location for Season 3, and an appearance by a fan-favourite!

To tide us over while we wait for Season 3, Dark Horse comics have today also revealed that they will be debuting a four-issue mini-series later this year. The comic book will reportedly retell the events of Season 1, but from Will Byers’ perspective. Since the poor little dude spent the entirety of Season 1 trapped in the Upside Down, this should make for some interesting reading, and also opens it up for a possible appearance by Barb! Expect more details on the comic book series when Dark Horse unveils it at SDCC later this month.

Fans of the Stranger Things canon will also be enthused to hear that several tie-in novels are also on their way from Penguin Random House; the first book, written by acclaimed author Gwenda Bond, will act as a prequel to the series and focus on Eleven’s mother and the top secret MKUltra programme. Expect this title to arrive early 2019.

A Single Typo Ruined ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES’ AI

Aliens: Colonial Marines

Every time it’s seemingly done and buried, Aliens: Colonial Marines comes back to haunt Gearbox in whole new ways. The game has been subject to heavy criticism and a lightning rod for controversy in the five years since its release. Both Randy Pitchford’s willingness to blame his audience for having high expectations, and a final product which barely resembled the vertical slice demo, have been particular sore spots among fans. However, a whole new problem has been uncovered by modder jamesdickinson963, who has been attempting to fix Colonial Marines with his TemplarGFX’s ACM Overhaul. Apparently the game’s much derided AI was the result of typos within its basic scripting prompts.

In an update, he cited the following discovery:

“Inside your games config file (My Document\My Games\Aliens Colonial Marines\PecanGame\Config\PecanEngine.ini) is the following line of code :

ClassRemapping=PecanGame.PecanSeqAct_AttachXenoToTether -> PecanGame.PecanSeqAct_AttachPawnToTeather

Im sure you’ll notice the spelling mistake

ClassRemapping=PecanGame.PecanSeqAct_AttachXenoToTether -> PecanGame.PecanSeqAct_AttachPawnToTether”

The simple extra letter in “Teather” is much more important than you might think, as it’s responsible for the xenomorphs performing continual lemming rushes into the awaiting guns of the players.

In layman’s terms, this error prevented the xenomorphs from being able to run up the walls, hide in air vents and veer about the players as you would expect. This line of code was intended to explain to the AI what area it was in, the nearby exits and environmental elements. Without the code being able to tether the AI to the nearby zone, it would act as if you were in open terrain without any way to flank the player. It also led to xenomorphs clustering together in small areas, and doing nothing to avoid the player’s line of sight. Without it, they are capable of hiding from players, crawling up the walls and ambushing marines.

The change not only makes many levels substantially more difficult, but it also makes the motion tracker a viable tool in many levels. Prior to this, due to the xenomorphs predictability, it seemed to be an extremely superfluous tool present purely for fanservice. More importantly, it brings to light questions as to how this could not only get past Gearbox’s QA testing, but was not fixed in multiple patches over the past several years.

Post-Production Finishes on Tristan Risk’s Directorial Debut, PARLOUR TRICKS

Parlour Tricks

Here at Moonbase Alpha, one of our very favourite cats to chat to is the fascinating Tristan Risk. And so, we’re hugely excited to hear that Risk’s directorial debut has now finished post-production.

When we caught up with Little Miss Risk earlier this year ahead of Aliens Ate My Homework‘s home release, the topic of making her directing bow came up. At that time, the American Mary actress enthused, “Well it is horror-based, but it’s also a comedy. It’s a short film, and it’s going to be shot locally here in Vancouver in the beginning of March. We’re all going to come together and work on Parlour Tricks, which takes place in a Victorian parlour and has to do with a Ouija board and the summoning of some spirits and the problems that the crew have with that.” And now, Parlour Tricks is finished and ready to be unleashed on the world!

Be sure to check out the official Parlour Tricks press release from House of Hiss and Bad Cookie Pictures below:

We are thrilled to announce that House of Hiss, in partnership with Bad Cookie Pictures has finished post production on Parlour Tricks, a new horror-comedy short from the wacky mind of Tristan Risk. Risk, well known on the horror scene from American Mary, Frankenstein Created Bikers, Aliens Ate My Homework, Ayla, and ABC’s of Death 2.

Set in the 1920’s, Parlour Tricks follows a family who summon an unexpected guest during an unusual seance.

The film stars several well known Vancouver performers such as Gidget Gravedigger (Caravan of Creeps, Dark Entries podcast, Abracadaver Cabaret), Emma Eldritch( Abracadaver Cabaret, Dark Entries podcast, Osculum Infame), Tyler Nichols (Howard Lovecraft and the undersea kingdom, 28 Geeks Later), and Sean Covernton (Princess Blasteroid, The Basketball Game, Trick or Treat:The Halloween Party)

Also behind the camera, Cinematographer and Editor Jordan Barnes-Crouse (Extra-Ordinary Amy, Ghost Can, The Sleep of Endymion) and Producer/Production Designer Topher Graham (The Man in the Rabbit Mask, Punks Vs. Lizards, Madre De Dios) with additional support from Selena Raskin, Ben Gammound, and Burns the Dragon.

The film will feature an original score by Kris Wood (Blackberry Wood) and the poster was created by Sean Covernton. Parlour Tricks will be making its festival run this year, you can follow news and updates on the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/parlourtricksfilm or through Bad Cookie Pictures at https://www.facebook.com/BadCookiePictures.

Given Tristan’s love of horror and her utter passion for her work, to say we absolutely cannot wait to check out Parlour Tricks would be a huge understatement.

As ever, expect more on Parlour Tricks as we get it.

ZOMBIELAND 2 is Official; Booked in for October 2019 Release Date

Zombieland

We’ve heard rumblings about it for years by this point, but a sequel to 2009’s Zombieland is now official!

As per Deadline, Zombieland 2 will begin production in January ahead of an October 2019 release date. Director Ruben Fleischer is back to direct, and Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, and Jesse Eisenberg will be returning to star.

The early word on the sequel has it pegged as, “through [the] comic mayhem that stretches from the White House and through the heartland, the zombie slayers must face off against many new kinds of zombies that have evolved since the first movie, as well as some new human survivors. But most of all, they have to face the growing pains of their own snarky, makeshift family.”

Now, if only they could find a way to somehow bring back Bill Murray…

As ever, expect more on Zombieland 2 as we get it.

First Look at BUMBLEBEE’s Decepticons

Bumblebee

With the early trailers and promo work having impressed many, we’ve now been given our first look at some of the villains from this year’s Bumblebee.

Paramount Pictures has released the below image via Entertainment Weekly:

Bumblebee Decepticons

On the left? Why, that’d be the Angela Bassett-voiced cherry-red Plymouth Satellite called Shatter. Next to them? That’s the Justin Theroux-voiced blue AMC Javelin known as Dropkick. These two Decepticons will be joined in the film by a third, to-be-revealed flying bad guy.

The official word on Bumblebee reads:

On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug.

In addition to Steinfeld, the picture also has Pamela Adlon, John Cena, Stephen Schneider, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., and Kenneth Choi amongst its cast.

To be directed by Travis Knight, Bumblebee is set for a December 21st release.

Joss Whedon Developing Sci-fi Series THE NEVERS

Joss Whedon

When it comes to genre TV, few have as impressive as CV as Buffy, Firefly, and Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon. And now the Avengers Assemble director is developing a new TV series.

HBO has moved to announce a new sci-fi show called The Nevers, which Whedon will serve as writer, director, showrunner, and executive producer on.

In terms of plot details, The Nevers will be a sci-fi drama based on a gang of Victorian women who develop unusual powers and abilities. Whedon has labelled the show as “maybe the most ambitious narrative I’ve created.”

HBO’s President of Programming Casey Bloys enthused, “We have long been fans of the incredibly talented and prolific Joss Whedon and we can’t think of a better project than The Nevers with which to welcome him to the BO family. We look forward to meeting the strange, multifaceted characters, to learn their stories, see them in action and share them with our viewers.”

As ever, expect more on The Nevers as we get it.

Director Duncan Jones Hints at Upcoming Comic Book Movie

Duncan Jones

In a recent Tweet, Moon director Duncan Jones has announced that he will be involved with an impending film adaptation of a comic book property. While he is keeping his cards close to his chest, Jones stated the following to his audience:

This was further backed by Shaun of the Dead creator Edgar Wright, who stated “I know what it is and I’m excited” in response to the announcement, but did not elaborate further.

Given Jones’ involvement with varied projects ranging from the Warcraft adaptation to Source Code, this could relate to almost any property. His filmography has displayed a devoted interest in the science fiction and fantasy genres, which means we could see any number of properties. Jones has previously displayed an interest in seeing 2000AD properties return to cinemas, specifically Sláine and Rogue Trooper.

While the Twitter account of the acclaimed Rogue Trooper fan film The Quartz Massacre has been dropping a few not-so-subtle hints, there has been no confirmation of any sort on Jones’ new project. Expect more news on this story as it develops.

First GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS Images Released

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

With the Big Guy set to roar back to the silver screen next May, we’ve now been given our first official look at the titular Big G from the upcoming Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly, Warner Brothers has released the first look at not only Godzilla, but also at Millie Bobby Brown and Vera Farmiga in the sequel. Be sure to click on the below images for a closer look at these shots.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Speaking to the outlet, director Michael Dougherty said, “The world is reacting to Godzilla in the same way we would react to any other terrifying incident, in that we are overreacting. There’s paranoia and endless speculation about whether he is the only one out there or whether we’re threatened by others like his kind.”

In addition to Stranger Things’ Brown and The Conjuring’s Farmiga, King of the Monsters will also feature The Wolf of Wall Street’s Kyle Chandler, Get Out’s Bradley Whitford, Silicon Valley’s Thomas Middleditch, Game of Thrones’ Charles Dance, Star Trek Into Darkness’ Aisha Hinds, Straight Outta Compton’s O’Shea Jackson Jr., and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragons’ Zhang Zivi, not to mention returns for Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins.

The early synopsis on the film reads:

The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species – thought to be mere myths – rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is currently set for a May 31st, 2019 release.

Danai Gurira Up for GODZILLA VS. KONG and STAR TREK 4

Danai Gurira

With the all-encompassing Godzilla vs. Kong crossover starting to assemble its cast, Danai Gurira is the latest name linked to the picture. In addition to that, the genre favourite is also being linked to the big-screen Star Trek franchise.

As per Deadline, Gurira is in early talks to join Legendary Pictures’ huge crossover effort. Gurira, of course, is best known to genre fans for kicking ass as Michonne in The Walking Dead and as Okoye in Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, not to mention an early role in Wes Craven’s My Soul to Take.

That crossover will dovetail from Kong: Skull Island and the upcoming Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and the Adam Wingard-directed event currently has Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown and The Hunt for the Wilder People’s Julian Dennison signed on. Brown will be appearing in the aforementioned King of the Monsters, with her character already confirmed for Godzilla vs. Kong.

Elsewhere, Deadline is also reporting that Gurira is in tentative discussions about a role in Star Trek 4. S.J. Clarkson is on directing duties there, and Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne have put the screenplay together. Plot-wise, the movie will centre on Chris Pine’s James T. Kirk as a time-travel incident sees him fighting the good fight alongside his father, played by the returning Chris Hemsworth. As for what role Gurira could be up for in Star Trek 4, no details are known on that at this stage. And just to clarify, Star Trek 4 is a totally different movie to the Star Trek picture that Quentin Tarantino has in early development.

Expect more on Godzilla vs. Kong and Star Trek 4 as both projects continue to develop.

Cate Shortland to Direct BLACK WIDOW

Black Widow

It was only last month that we heard how Cate Shortland was the frontrunner to direct Marvel Studios’ solo movie for Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, and now comes confirmation that the Australian has indeed landed the gig.

Cate Shortland

As per The Hollywood Reporter, the Somersault, Lore, and Berlin Syndrome helmer has beaten out competition from over seventy other directors to take the director’s chair for Black Widow. Other names reportedly in the frame were Belle‘s Amma Assante, Kings‘ Deniz Gamze, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women‘s Angela Robinson, and Novitate‘s Maggie Betts.

At present, The Hustle’s Jac Schaeffer is working away on Black Widow’s screenplay, and that’s pretty much all that we know about the picture bar the obvious fact that Johansson will indeed be back to play the titular role. One rumbling right now is that the movie will be a prequel of sorts, taking place before the events of Iron Man 2 and Avengers Assemble.

Of course, up first for Natasha is deciphering the events of Avengers: Infinity War when that film’s follow-up arrives next May.