Pirates of the Caribbean actress and frequent period drama star Keira Knightley is set to star in Conception, a dystopian sci-fi thriller that imagines a world in which the British government has taken control over parenting. The project hails from writer-director Camille Griffin, best known for her feature debut Silent Night – not to be mistaken for the John Woo action thriller – in which Knightley also starred.
The official synopsis reads: “Conception is a sci-fi thriller set in the not-too-distant future of Britain, where the government has taken authoritarian rule over parenting. The film follows Rita (Knightley), a loyal civil servant and believer in the unforgiving system she upholds, until unexpected events endanger her own parental status, rendering her victim to the same laws she so readily inflicted on others.”
Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler are producing for Maven Screen Media, with the production company writing: “We are in awe of Camille’s vivid imagination and creative talent. She has a unique ability to express big, complex ideas in every day, relatable events. We are thrilled to reassemble the Silent Night team and work with Keira again.”
No further casting has yet been announced, nor has a release window been confirmed, so stay tuned for updates!
Disney+ and the BBC have announced premiere dates and released a brand-new trailer for the three upcoming Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials.
The first, The Star Beast, will premiere November 25th, followed by Wild Blue Yonder on December 2nd, and The Giggle on December 9th. The specials will reunite David Tennant with companion Donna Temple-Noble (Catherine Tate) – though this is Tennant’s debut as the Fourteenth Doctor – as they come to face their most terrifying villain yet: the Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris in his series debut. The specials will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and Ireland, while premiering on Disney+ everywhere else.
The specials’ cast also includes newcomers Yasmin Finney as Rose Temple-Noble, Miriam Margolyes as the voice of the Meep and Ruth Madeley as Shirley Anne Bingham, as well as returning characters Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble, Karl Collins as Shaun Temple, and Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.
Ncuti Gatwa will portray the Fifteenth Doctor, following the specials. All three episodes are written by returning showrunner Russell T. Davies and directed by Rachel Talalay, Tom Kingsley, and Chanya Button, respectively.
Watch the new trailer for the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials below:
The stage is set, the cosplay costumes are primed, and the countdown is on for the ultimate fan culture extravaganza! MCM Comic-Con is soaring back into London this Friday, October 27th, to Sunday 29th! STARBURST brings you an exclusive sneak peek into what promises to be an action-packed weekend!
From favourite movie franchises to cherished video games, comics, anime, and beyond, comic cons celebrate all things fandom and provide the perfect opportunity for nerds everywhere to get together and share in some pop-culture fun. MCM Comic-Con London 2023 is no exception!
This year, the London ExCeL will once again be transformed into a treasure trove for fans of all ages with guest panels, exclusive screenings, and family-friendly activities that will keep everyone entertained.
Brought to you by the creative minds at The Movie Comic Media (MCM) Expo Group, this three-day extravaganza promises to be an unparalleled celebration of everything that makes fan culture great. Whether you’re a comic book connoisseur, a gaming guru, or a cosplaying extraordinaire, MCM Comic Con has something for all.
Here are our top 5 things to do at this year’s London Comic-Con:
Meet your Favourite Celebrities!
Like all good comic cons, MCM London is playing host to an array of celebrity guests and giving you the chance to meet celebrities from all your favourite fandoms! The guest list is already buzzing with stars from across the spectrum, including Andrew Scott (Sherlock), Ashley Johnson (The Last of Us) and Jackson Rathbone (Twilight Saga).
Unlike at many other comic cons, at MCM London, there’s also the opportunity to meet the artists behind some of your cherished fandoms, such as Sway Art (Miles Morales: Spider-Man) and Alison Sampson (Hellboy), as well as many of the writers behind the worlds you love – the entire gang behind Horrible Histories and Ghosts will be in attendance, as well as the likes of Cassandra Clare (Shadowhunter Chronicles) and Claire Legrand (A Crown of Ivy). So keep an eye on that guest list, and don’t miss out on the chance to meet your idols!
Shop for Merch!
Let’s be honest: comic cons are all about the shopping! At MCM London, you’ll discover a wealth of stalls filled with trinkets from all your favourite franchises, it’s a real treasure trove of merchandise that will have collectors drooling! It’s easy to get swept away at Comic Cons with all the meet and greets and workshops, but whatever you get up to, make sure you leave plenty of time just to have a browse!
Attend a Panel Discussion!
If you’re in need of a bit of a break from shopping till you drop (let’s face it, comic cons can be tiring!), then why not take the opportunity to attend one of the many panel shows taking place over the weekend and dive into an engaging discussion that unveils the secrets of your beloved universes or even the art of creating one of your own!
There are all sorts of exciting-sounding Panel discussions to choose from this year, including: ‘How to Fanfiction 101’, ‘60 Years in the Tardis, a Doctor Who Community extravaganza’, ‘The Witcher 3 cast spills the tea’, and ‘BBC’s Ghosts’ – what a line-up!”
Take Part in a Cosplay Masquerade!
As we all know, the creativity and dedication of fans knows no bounds- particularly when it comes to costumes. We see some mind-blowing cosplay at comic cons, and what better way to allow fans to get creative and pull out all the stops than a cosplay competition?! Don’t forget to strut your stuff in your own jaw-dropping get-up because the cosplay fun at MCM Comic Con is going to be EPIC!
There are all sorts of ways to get involved, from ‘everyone welcome’ showcases for cosplay beginners to cosplay masquerades for the more intermediate level cosplayers amongst you and even the World Cosplay Summit – Team UK Qualifier for the best of the best! The judging panel alone this year has not one but three Cosplay World Champions! Clood & Tsupo (WCS Champions 2023), Exelia, Nerds Gone Mild Cosplay (Crown Champion 2023), and Shadowbright Cosplay will be hard at work picking out the competition winners. So, even if you’re not one for dressing up yourself, make sure to head on down to the Cosplay Central area, and you’re your support.
Attend a Workshop or Activity!
When MCM say they’ve got something for everyone- they mean it! From face-paint and crafts to entertain the kids to board game competitions, there’s plenty to get involved in, so where better than to try out a new activity? From the ‘Origami Drop-In Workshop’ to a Manga drawing workshop and the appropriately named ‘Let’s Make Friendship Bracelets and Beaded Lizards!’ workshop, make sure to take some time out from the action to get creative and learn a new skill.
So there you have it – This year’s MCM Comic-Con London certainly looks like it’s gearing up to be a party of epic proportions!
Whether you’re a die-hard superhero enthusiast, a Trekkie with a passion for exploration, a gamer on a quest for glory, or just someone who loves to revel in the magic of pop culture, MCM Comic-Con London has it all.
A comic con is more than just an event; it’s a journey into the heart of pop culture, so grab your lightsabers, adjust your capes, and prepare for a wild weekend! STARBURST magazine will be there to capture every moment of this fabulous celebration.
Don’t miss out! Head to the MCM Comic Con website now to get your tickets and join the ultimate pop-culture celebration!
Karen Gillan (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3), Chiwetel Ejiofor (The Man Who Fell To Earth), and Jacob Tremblay (Luca, The Little Mermaid) have been announced to star in The Life of Chuck, Mike Flanagan’s next venture into the world of Stephen King. Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars) were previously announced to lead the cast, with the former playing the titular Chuck.
“Based on the short story from King’s 2020 anthology If It Bleeds, The Life of Chuck is three separate stories linked to tell the biography of Charles Krantz in reverse, beginning with his death from a brain tumour at 39 and ending with his childhood in a supposedly haunted house,” reads the logline. Tonally, the film is said to draw from Stand By Me, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Green Mile. As well as directing the project, Flanagan writes the script and produces.
Flanagan has previously adapted a number of King’s tales, including Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining. The American filmmaker has become a leading name in the genre sphere, having directed The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, and The Fall of the House of Usher.
After an overwhelmingly positive response on the film festival circuit last year, Dark Star Pictures have released an official trailer for their cannibal horror Do Not Disturb.
In writer-director John Ainslie’s (The Resident (aka The Sublet, Queen of Spades) indie, psychedelic horror, Chloe (Kimberly Laferriere) and Jack (Rogan Christopher) travel to Miami for their honeymoon. They decide that a peyote experience will strengthen their marriage. However, they’ve been given a powerful strand that awakens a desire to eat human flesh.
Confronting their toxic relationship, their room becomes a den of love, lust and resentment as Chloe realizes that the way to escape this troubled marriage to is to literally consume Jack.
Do Not Disturb will receive a short run in cinemas from November 17th, before releasing on digital from November 21st. Watch the trailer below:
Nothing screams Christmas quite like the end of the world, does it? Netflix have released the first official trailer for its apocalypse thriller Leave the World Behind, which will land on the streamer on December 8th.
Sam Esmail, best known as the creator of prestige series Mr. Robot, produces, writes, and directs the upcoming film in which Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali star. Kevin Bacon and Myha’la round out the ensemble. The film is an adaptation of the 2020 novel of the same name, by Rumaan Alam. And, fun fact? The film is produced by Barack and Michelle Obama.
In this end-of-the-world flick, Amanda (Roberts) and her husband Clay (Hawke) rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids, Archie (Charlie Evans) and Rose (Farrah Mackenzie). Their vacation is soon upended when two strangers – G.H. (Ali) and his daughter Ruth (Myha’la) – arrive in the night, bearing news of a mysterious cyberattack and seeking refuge in the house they claim is theirs. The two families reckon with a looming disaster that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world.
Leave the World Behind releases in cinemas on November 22nd, before streaming on Netflix from December 8th. Check out the trailer below:
Writer/director Airell Anthony Hayles’ new shocker, Werewolf Santa is heading to digital platforms in the UK following its world premiere at this year’s Pigeon Shrine FrightFest.
Werewolf Santa promises to give the holiday season some bite as the jolly old fat man in red becomes a lycanthrope! Check out the trailer below…
Synopsis:
Angsty teenager Lucy (Katherine Rodden) hosts a failing YouTube show dedicated to finding evidence of natural monsters. But, as she travels home to spend Christmas in Hastings with her bickering, divorced parents Carol (Emily Booth) and Charlie (Mark Arnold); her luck is about to change…
On Christmas Eve, she witnesses Santa being bitten by a werewolf before turning into a lycanthrope himself. As Werewolf Santa starts wreaking bloody havoc in Hastings, Lucy, her friend Dustin (Charlie Preston) and her family set off on a madcap adventure to save their town from the bloodthirsty beast. Armed with a rusty ice skate, a camera and a vague understanding of how werewolves operate, can Lucy save her town from becoming season’s eatings?
Appearing in the film are Katherine Rodden, Mark Arnold (from the original 1985 Teen Wolf), UK horror royalty Emily Booth, and a voice cameo from Shudder’s Drive-In aficionado Joe Bob Briggs.
Director Airell Hayles says of the project, “I love Christmas horror movies, and to work with this cast on such a crazy story really is another nightmare come true after our first three feature films also received a FrightFest screening.”
Werewolf Santa gets its world premiere at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest on August 25th.
The winners of the 2023 Hugo Awards, Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book, and Astounding Award for Best New Writer have been announced during a formal ceremony at Chengdu Worldcon, the 81st World Science Fiction Convention on October 21st, 2023 in Chengdu, China.
The Hugo Awards have been running since 1953 and are tied into the annual Worldcon events. As the name suggests, Worldcon is a huge book event that travels around the world (including much of North America). Regular attendees (known as members) tend to be affluent, broadly read, and widely travelled.
Best Novel Nettle & Bone, T. Kingfisher (Tor; Titan UK)
The legendary Deck of Many Things has returned to the game of Dungeons & Dragons, this time with a touch of Fifth Edition glamour and polish. This potentially game-ending magical deck of cards has been part of D&D since 1975 and has existed in some form in every edition. 2023’s release will contain more cards more story hooks and be a full supplement for the game, rather than a simple entry in the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
The Deck of Many Things gimmick is that it offers incredible boons or curses, all at the luck of the draw, making it the stuff of legend for players and Dungeon Masters alike. This single item is much storied and even almost ended the world-famous Critical Role Campaign One: Vox Machina adventure.
The Deck of Many Things set will include The Book of Many Things, a 192-page ‘toy box’ style supplement filled with story hooks, characters, legends and the like surrounding this cursed deck of cards, including ideas such as ‘the prime deck’ and those who trawl the multiverse looking to end the threat these near-god-like cards represent. There are also new backgrounds: one for heroes who have had their lives ruined by the cards and one for whom the cards have transformed their lives for the better.
We will also get an origin of sorts for the deck, as well as the introduction of some new core characters to push stories forward.
It also has a ‘tarot card format’ deck of cards. This set expands the deck from its original 22 cards to 66, but the new 44 cards promise to keep the same harsh flavour as the original cards but also generate. Lead designer Jason Tondro has described the new set as ‘chaotic as you want it to be’,
which sounds like a lot of fun to us. Games designer Makenzie De Armas told the press that the cards had been designed in such a way that they would work for “all kinds of different gameplay”, meaning that DMs can still scare the pants off the players without having to totally derail their beloved campaign.
The set will also include guidance on how to use these cards to generate spontaneous stories in a technique described as ‘The Adventure Spread’. This isn’t a new trick. Decks of cards have been used to spin tall tales for centuries, and many older Dungeon Masters have fond memories of Everway, a ’90s-era ‘Oracle’ style deck of cards used to create fantasy TTRPGs.
Up until now, The Deck of Many Things has been a little too short to pull this stunt with, but the new deck at 66 cards promises to allow uninspired DM’s to create stories on the fly, all with a D&D twist. The set will contain a small guidance booklet for those who need a rapid reference to what each card means.
A digital set will also be available, and there’s even a Dice of Many Things option coming to DnDBeyond. The supplement will be released on November 14th, 2023.
Wattpad Webtoon Studios is tackling an adaptation of Hawk, its popular sci-fi webnovel by Mike Booth, and has tapped Christopher Yost – a Marvel Comics writer who moved to screenwriting with Thor: Ragnarok and The Mandalorian – to pen the planned animated series.
Booth’s webnovel, which was first released on Wattpad, the global writing and reading community, follows the adventures of space bounty hunter Kas Balera. When a disaster of epic proportions rocks the entire solar system, Balera must rally a stolen federal robot, a child genius and her trusty ship, the Calista, in order to save the galaxy from destruction.
“Mike Booth’s Hawk is everything I love in sci-fi — it’s action, adventure, mystery and intrigue, mind-blowing new worlds, aliens and tech, all wrapped around great characters, a found family and a future that’s worth fighting for,” said Yost in a statement. Beyond the aforementioned Star Wars and MCU titles, Yost has also worked on television projects including Star Wars: Rebels, Cowboy Bebop, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to animate and bring the intergalactic story of ‘Hawk’ to life with Christopher because of his incredible genre and comics expertise,” said Madden, head of global entertainment for Wattpad Webtoon Studios. “He perfectly understands the galaxy-spanning world that author Mike Booth has created and sees the amazing opportunities for unique storytelling, memorable characters, and longevity that we have for this title.”
