NeNe Leakes' boycott against Bravo appears to be heating up amid reports the OG housewife was dropped by her entire team. The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum recently sent out tweets that seemingly confirm her split with her management and PR reps.
The reality star has been in an all-out war with her former network since her departure from RHOA last September. At the time she announced her exit, many fans assumed it was a decision she chose to make over failed contract negotiations. However, new claims suggest the show veteran was fired from the show and removed from the network. In recent months, NeNe has launched a boycott against Bravo and has been asking for support from fans and former co-stars. The only person who appears to be on board with her is Mariah Huq, the creator and former star of Married To Medicine. Together, the two OG cast members have been calling out alleged discrimination taking place behind the scenes. But no one has been more vocal than NeNe.
Now, it looks like her controversial campaign against the network has gotten her dropped by her management and PR teams. The former housewife took to Twitter to express her grievances against her manager Steven Grossman and attorney Darrell Miller, amid new reports that she has been dropped by them. "You can't turn on your teammate and get away with this @stevengrossman #DarrellMiller #Foxrothschild suppression, retaliation, discrimination, unequal pay, devaluation against black women is real, it's painful and it hurts," she shared in a since-deleted tweet captured by Daily Mail. "I will fight for all women rights PS: FIX IT." Her tweets came after LoveBScott shared reports that the former Bravo star had been let go by her PR and management reps.
The Swag Boutique owner sent out another tweet alluding to abuse taking place behind the scenes. "My concern is the treatment & abuse behind the scenes that you DO NOT see," she continued. "Please don't make fun of that. It's real, painful & it's happening." On Tuesday, NeNe followed up her tirade saying that she wasn't dropped by her teams. "For all of you that are asking, emailing, in boxing, blogging, reporting etc. The ONLY statement i have...My team DID NOT let me go! No further statements at this time," she tweeted. The news of NeNe's possible team switch comes as she continues to promote her boycott against the network she formally starred on.
Some fans have wondered if she still maintains relationships with her former co-stars who still appear on the show. Porsha Williams, Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore and Cynthia Bailey have been silent on the boycott.
A year after updates for Fire Emblem: Three Houses seemed finished, new cutscene footage breeds the possibility that there might be one last surprise update in the future. Most recently, Fire Emblem Heroes celebrated its 4th anniversary with a popularity contest that had Three Houses' Gatekeeper win the poll.
Fire Emblem: Three Housesis a game bloated with content that can take hundreds of hours to fully complete. Not only does it have several routes to choose from with the three starring characters in the game, but there are also hundreds of support conversations with the characters and many different ways to customize them during gameplay. The last major update for the game was a year ago with the Cindered Shadows DLC, which brought new characters and a side story separate from the main campaign.
This new footage of one of Fire Emblem: Three Houses' cutscenes leaves a mystery to be unraveled. The footage comes from a series of interviews with some of the voice actors from Fire Emblem on the Nintendo Mobile channel. The footage is of the cutscene in which the three lords reunite five years later and are about to clash with each other, but the outfits that Edelgard and Claude are wearing are of their unique classes in the game, the Emperor and Barbarossa respectively. These outfits were also featured in Fire Emblem Heroes last year as the Choose Your Legends versions of the Three Houses lords.
There are some key differences in the footage shown compared to the final product. Edelgard is shown to have different colored eyes, and her skin-tone and horn crown are more pronounced. Character outfits also can't be changed during the special animated cutscenes as opposed to the text based cutscenes in the game. However, as Lanya points out, the more pronounced features are similar to footage from the E3 2018 trailer of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, so it's possible that this is just beta footage that was used by mistake.
But all the same, it's just as likely that this could be an accidental reveal of another update to hit the game. What that update would entail is unknown, but being able to see this cutscene in these outfits could at least hint towards some type of event theater where players could watch these cutscenes in these outfits. Given that Fire Emblem Heroes' 4th anniversary and Fire Emblem: Three Houses 2nd anniversary on the way, an update with even more content to provide for the game isn't out of the question. Whether this leads to something or nothing, this Fire Emblem: Three Houses mystery is one that remains to be solved.
Last week, Razer unveiled its first-ever external dock for PC gaming — the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma. Launched alongside a new laptop stand, the latest peripheral has a variety of different ports to help users get the most out of their gaming experience, but is it worth checking out? Here's a look at all the connectivity options for Razer's latest device.
Founded in 1998, Razer is a Singaporean-American tech company that sells a variety of products, from consumer electronics to financial services to, most notably, gaming hardware. Razer offers a wide selection of different gaming peripherals, including mice, keyboards, graphics cards and even laptops. More recently, Razer unveiled Project Hazel, the company's smart face mask concept.
The new Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma offers a plethora of ways to connect devices. In total, it comes with ten different ports. There are four Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, three USB-A ports (i.e. the old-school USB cables used by more legacy devices), an RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet jack for wired internet, a 3.5mm combo audio jack for headsets, as well as an SD card reader that can read UHS-II (ultra-high-speed) memory cards. Razer's new dock comes with a 135-watt power supply, but it can also provide 90 watts of power to other devices via one of the USB-C ports. Therefore, users can charge their phones, other gaming peripherals or even a laptop as they use the dock. It's also designed with aesthetics in mind. The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma is 7.48 inches by 2.93 inches by 1.06 inches and has a matte black anodized aluminum finish with a strip of Razer Chroma RGB lighting along the bottom. This lighting can be adjusted to any of the 16.8 million colors available in Razer Synapse 3, the company's hardware configuration software. (Though, that software doesn't work with macOS.)
Razer's Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma has a bandwidth of 40Gbps. As such, it has the capability to support either dual 4K monitors at 60Hz or a single 8K display at 30Hz. This makes it an ideal solution for graphic intensive endeavors, such as high-end gaming or even video editing. Since the dock's memory card slot can read UHS-II SD cards, users can quickly transfer photos and 4K video.
Of course. the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma is clearly aimed at the premium consumer. In other words, the buyer's hardware can't be too out of date. PCs need to be running Windows 10 and have either a Thunderbolt 4 or older Thunderbolt 3 port. Apple customers need to own a Mac with an M1 Processor or a Thunderbolt 3 port, and it must be running at least macOS 11.1 Big Sur. The dock is available to pre-order now from Razer and RazerStore retail locations for $329.99.
Players will soon be able to get even more Stranger Things content in co-op survival horror game Dead by Daylight, with the developers releasing a brand new update that includes a selection of new skins. The popular title has been updated with extra content regularly since launch and has had a number of crossovers with other horror franchises, such as Halloween, Left 4 Dead, and A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Outside of content packs, the most recent update for Dead by Daylight came in the form of a huge next-gen upgrade that launched during the holiday season. This enhanced version of the game includes a graphical overhaul, giving the characters and textures a visual upgrade. The title now also supports 4K resolutions and runs at a steady 60 frames per second on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The update was released for free to players who already owned the PS4 or Xbox One edition of Dead by Daylight.
Dead by Daylight is getting more Stranger Things content as part of a new update that is releasing today. Behaviour Interactive announced in a blog post on its website that it has once again teamed up with the creative team behind the hit Netflix series. The Days of Growth Collection is available to download right now and includes a selection of skins for previous Stranger Things characters that were released for the horror game. This includes outfits for Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington as well as a new look for the Demogorgon.
Dead by Daylight also recently got an accessibility update that made playing the title far easier for colorblind users. The change was made after a developer made a comment during a live stream that mentioned accessibility requests from fans as "boring." This led to criticism from advocacy groups and players who are affected by colorblindness, prompting the developer to implement some changes to give Dead by Daylight a number of new options for users to pick from.
Seeing Dead by Daylight still receiving updates after four years is encouraging for fans of the game. It suggests that there is no end in sight in terms of new content and DLC packs, meaning there could be plenty of life left in the survival horror title.
Season 8 of 90 Day Fiancé may be on hiatus this week, but Julia Trubkina is providing fans with new information on Instagram. The fiancée of Brandon Gibbs shared some information about her beau and plastic surgery, while rumors continue to swirl about the couple’s relationship status.
Brandon and Julia have faced a bumpy time together in the United States due to Brandon’s overbearing parents, Betty and Ron. The couple has made Russian Julia’s time in Dinwiddie, Virginia stressful by forcing her to abide by their strict rules and perform tough farm work. Julia presented Brandon with an ultimatum: move out of his parents’ house with her or she’s going back to Russia. Brandon halfheartedly stood up to his parents, which has led to speculation that the couple got their own apartment together. However, recent online rumors have suggested that the couple actually split and Julia is back in Russia. While they aren’t able to confirm their relationship status, Julia was able to answer some fan questions on February 9.
Julia continues to impress TLC fans thanks to her growing English skills, and the Russian beauty has been answering questions in both Russian and English on her Instagram Story. While many 90 Day Fiancé cast members have undergone plastic surgery, Julia said "no never" when it comes to plastic surgery or implants. The Russian beauty has previously shared her fear of needles and firmly stated that her looks are all-natural. She also said that she no longer dyes her hair, though she did in the past, a long time ago. Unlike co-star Yara Zaya, Julia is not a fan of cosmetics. "Honestly, I don't paint, only when it's necessary," she told a fan who inquired about her makeup and skincare preferences. "I don't know how to paint, I don't use makeup." Julia also shared a brief clip of herself stating that all of the questions about her and Brandon are exhausting, as she cannot reveal her living situation or relationship status until the season finishes airing.
Julia also shared some more information about Brandon. Whether or not the couple is still together, Julia has always spoken lovingly about the farm boy. In the past, she has referred to Brandon as extremely kind and good-hearted. In her most recent Instagram Story, she shared that her favorite thing about him is that "there is no envy and anger in him." She also shared that she is kept cozy in the United States by her "son," who happens to be a German Shepherd dog. The photo Julia shared with the gorgeous pup may be an indication that she is still living on the farm, as Brandon's parents breed German Shepherd dogs there.
The Russian beauty, who occasionally speaks Korean, shared that she never formally learned English. She wrote that she started listening to Brandon and memorized the words he spoke, which is an impressive feat. Therefore, whether or not the couple is still together, it appears that Julia has gained a lot from her time with Brandon. While some fans are rallying for her to break free from farm life, others hope the couple can work things out apart from Betty and Ron. Fans will ultimately have to stay tuned to new episodes of 90 Day Fiancé to see how their romance fares.
A new report claims that Jason Momoa has been offered the role of Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The first film, despite immense criticism during its early marketing campaign and the lackluster history of video game movie adaptation, was a huge success at the box office, pleasing fans and critics alike. Tails the two-tailed fox is confirmed for the upcoming sequel, and many have theorized that Knuckles will appear as well.
After several decades of middling Sonic the Hedgehog video games, thefranchise was majorly revitalized by the success of 2020’s live-action film. Starring Jim Carrey, James Marsden, and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, the movie incorporated just enough details from the video games to keep longtime fans happy, while also crafting a new story that appealed to a wide audience. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is set to release in 2022.
According to a report from The Illuminerdi, Jason Momoa has been offered the role of Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The site previously reported Knuckles' inclusion in the sequel, both times citing unnamed sources. Neither report has been confirmed externally. The news of Knuckles’ big-screen debut and his potential portrayal by Momoa are therefore still far from fact, but it would make sense to include another of the franchise’s oldest and most iconic characters in Sonic 2. And if Knuckles were to make an appearance, Momoa would be an excellent choice to voice the red echidna.
The inclusion of more specific Sonic characters and content from the video games would be a great move by Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The first movie had its fair share of rings, robots, and Easter eggs, but now that a broader audience has been introduced to the world of Sonic, it’s time to dive deeper into the world of the games. The series has gathered a large ensemble of characters over the course of its duration, and Knuckles certainly rises above most as one of the most popular and famous of them all.
Beyond the impending live-action sequel, Sonic is making even more moves outside of the video game space. A Netflix animated series, Sonic Prime, was recently announced, which will see the Blue Blur traveling through the multiverse on a world-saving, family-friendly adventure. There are also likely to be new game announcements made in 2021 for the franchise’s 30th anniversary, as a core installment hasn’t been released since 2017’s Sonic Forces. All of that lies between now and the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which could feature the vocal talents of Jason Momoa as Knuckles the Echidna.
Stephen King's coming-of-age drama Stand By Me is a timeless tale of four friends, just as relevant today as it was on its initial release in 1986. The film is based off a novella by King called The Body, and was directed by Rob Reiner. It was received well by fans and had largely positive reviews, with critics praising the performances of the young stars. Reiner calls it the favorite of all his projects, and King loved the adaptation. But what would a 2021 version look like?
The story of the movie is told through the point of view of Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), who, as an adult, reads in the newspaper that his childhood friend Chris (River Phoenix) has been killed. He begins to write a recollection of a childhood adventure with Chris and their friends Vern (Jerry O'Connell) and Teddy (Corey Feldman) in which they go on a quest to find the dead body of a teenager in their neighborhood who had gone missing. Some older teens led by the terrifying Ace Merrill (Kiefer Sutherland) also seek the body, wanting to claim the glory for locating the boy. Ace threatens, bullies, and belittles the younger boys, pushing them to their emotional limits. Gordie, who is mourning the death of his kind older brother Denny, finds the strength within to stand up to Ace, defending himself and his friends.
The drama touched audiences and remains a fan favorite, retaining its legacy over thirty years after its debut. Much of the magic of the film was credited to the casting, about which Wheaton said, "Rob Reiner found four young boys who basically were the characters we played." Were the film to be remade today, it would be necessary to recapture the striking chemistry and lovely acting that made Stand By Meso special.
As the film's point of view character, the role of Gordie requires a lot of sensitivity and strength. Gordie is an imaginative, reflective boy who has lost the only family member who noticed and appreciated his talent for storytelling. At the tender age of 12, Gordie feels invisible in his own home, cast aside in favor of his athletic and charming older brother whose death has rocked his family. His father is not handling grief well, acting gruffly and dismissively toward Gordie, who just wants to be seen. Gordie feels like the shadow cast by his older brother will forever get in the way of his relationship with his parents. He seeks closeness with his friends, particularly Chris, who acts as his cheerleader, telling him that his parents simply don't know him, and that one day he'll be a great writer.
Wheaton's portrayal of Gordie was powerful and poignant, and it earned him a spot on VH1's "100 Greatest Kid Stars." The boy who replaces him would have to be a skilled actor and a bankable star, and Jacob Tremblay is both. At a young age, he has already garnered praise from critics for the dramatic heavy-hitter Room, and his performance in another King story, Doctor Sleep, was so effective that he disturbed all of his adult co-stars. Tremblay has shown enormous range and star power for one so young, and his winning relatability and potent depths would bring Gordie Lachance to a new generation.
As the naïve, silly comic of the group, Vern is often picked on but is resilient enough to brush right by the taunts. He is the one who introduces the idea of the trip to the group, asking them if they want to go see a dead body. He was under the porch digging for a jar of pennies he had lost when he overheard his brother talking to a friend about spotting the dead body of Ray Brower. Vern's desire to find the body coincides with his yearning to be a town hero instead of a "town loser." He is so often dismissed and ignored that he seems keen to prove himself. At first glance, Vern may seem a little slow and merely there to be a source of comedic relief, but he just like the other boys is facing an unfamiliar and yawning future, and he is trying to reinvent himself via an act of bravado.
Stand By Me was O'Connell's very first film, and his breezy, natural skills are effortlessly presented. Similarly, Lonnie Chavis is relatively new on the scene but has already won audiences and adult co-stars over with his maturity and adaptability. A keen observer of life and the human condition, Chavis was able to dive into his roles with electric energy and a firm grasp on reality that won him a significant role on the hit show This Is Us. Chavis would be a fun, fresh face to experience on the silver screen.
Teddy is perhaps the most tortured and erratic of the group. He suffers from a frightening home life with a father who has PTSD and takes the worst of his episodes out on Teddy, including an incident wherein he held Teddy's ear to the stove until it almost burned off. Despite this, Teddy venerates his father, holding sacred the fact that he "stormed the beaches of Normandy" in World War II. Teddy is often given over to fits of rage and sorrow, attempting suicide by standing in front of a train and getting into a screaming match with the man who runs the local dump. Teddy, in a way, is a symbol of the aftereffects of war, something still very close to home at the close of the 1950s when the film takes place. The window of innocence seen in the '50s would soon give way to the turmoil of the '60s, something that these young men are about to face along with adulthood.
Feldman was already a rising star when he appeared in Stand By Me, and the film stood as a testament to his position as an up-and-comer. His turn as Teddy Duchamp was truly incredible, marking a high point in the actor's career. Another such up-and-comer is Dylan Gage, who broke the hearts of audiences with his sweet, plaintive, and effective portrayal of young gay teen Gabe on the comedy Pen15. Fans of the show were gobsmacked and undone by Gage's performance as the middle-schooler coming to grips with his sexuality, finding the earnest performance gracefully executed. Gabe was also a theater actor, playing a sort of Edward Albee-esque character onstage across lead actor Maya Erskine, showing off his comedic ability and wonderful range.
In the 1986 movie, the late River Phoenix played Chris Chambers. As the narrator, Gordie says of Chris, "He came from a bad family and everyone just knew he'd turn out bad...including Chris." Chris Chambers is the leader of the group and Gordie's best friend, but he has trouble seeing the light in himself as much as he sees it in other people. His father and brother are violent toward him, and he has become convinced that he is worthless and will never amount to anything. He struggles against the turmoil of lowered expectations, desiring to advance academically but not being permitted to due to a suspension from school and access to the economic security that his friend Gordie has. He tells Gordie that they are bound to go separate ways because Gordie, unlike the rest, will have the opportunity to go to college, and he won't want to hang with losers like them. In the end, it is revealed that Chris pushed himself to graduate high school, attend college, and become a lawyer. He bravely tries to intervene in a bar fight where he is stabbed to death.
Like Chris, Phoenix faced a difficult home life, sensitive emotionality, and a premature death. The talented young actor offered an abundance of heart and fire for one so young, and his performance in Stand By Me is one revered by fans. To replace him would be no easy task indeed, and that is why the role should be taken up by someone whose popularity and talent are pronounced. Noah Schnapp of Stranger Things has proven himself a valuable and enlightened actor whose star is beginning to shine.
Ace Merrill is not only a terrifying bully in Stephen King's Castle Rock, but a kind of symbol of childhood trauma and death. His palpable presence onscreen casts a pall over the film, acting as a dark and heavy cloud that disrupts the sunny bubble of childhood that the four young boys wish to hold on to. A notable turning point for Gordie occurs when the boy aims a gun at Ace, confronting his newfound comprehension of death and the unknowable consequences of the future all at once.
Sutherland was chilling as Merrill, his presence onscreen almost Shakespearean as he stalked through the hamlet of Castle Rock, Oregon. His smooth, detached performance is icy and effective, convincing audiences that he might pose a deadly threat to the boys. To match such a profoundly unnerving performance would take experience and poise, both of which Asa Butterfield has in spades. The young star of Hugo and Sex Education has enough clout to carry the bully off with aplomb.
The older version of Gordie is not visible through much of the film, but his voice carries the story. He is the audience's lens through which these characters are seen and the mirror of adulthood that many viewers face. At the end of the film, his words, "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?" reflect thoughts that many people have had. Richard Dreyfuss plays the role tenderly in the original, and a return of Sutherland would be a fun nod for fans of the original as well as an echo of what happens with adulthood. Sutherland and Tremblay also bear a passing resemblance, so he would fit the role nicely.
Though the role of Gordie's older brother is a mere cameo, he is a weighty presence in the film. Much of Gordie's character hangs on the approval of his older brother, and the motivation to find the dead body leads Gordie to a profound understanding of death, life's ultimate conclusion. When he gazes upon the body of Ray Brower, he not only understands the finality of existence but the phenomenon that took his brother away from him. The actor who plays Denny Lachance has to sparkle. He is handsome, charismatic, and kind, and the original cameo by John Cusack was just the ticket. Movie star Tom Holland would be well suited to such a task. Universally adored, sweet, and bankable, the star of Spider-Manis the perfect choice to play Gordie's beloved older brother in a Stand By Me reboot.
Marvel Studios' new trailer for The Falcon and the Winter Solidercould be teasing a newfound resentment in Bucky Barnes due to Captain America's choice to give the shield and mantle to Sam Wilson. Despite the strong implication that the Winter Solider approved of Steve Rogers' choice in Avengers: Endgame, some bitterness and frustration could have grown as a result of Sam Wilson's actions (or lack thereof) since that time.
In previously seen footage for Falcon and the Winter Solider, Sam Wilson notes the legacy of Captain America's shield is "complicated." Likewise, several shots in the latest trailer see Sam still in operation as Falcon, hardly using said shield that was given to him. This seems to imply heavy reluctance on Wilson's part to embrace Captain America's mantle and wield the shield. While it's an understandable perspective to have (it's a massive legacy and responsibility), Sam's reluctance could be frustrating for Bucky, especially given the evidence that the government will decide to take advantage of Rogers' legacy by creating their own Captain America with U.S Agent.
Captain America: Civil War made it clear the U.S government sees the shield as their property, as they're the ones who ordered its creation for Captain America's use in WWII. As such, it's possible they may take the shield away from Wilson to give to U.S Agent. It's doubtful the original Captain America would have approved of this action, seeing as how he solidly ended his relationship with the government after the fall of SHIELD in 2014's Captain America: The Winter Solider, as well as with his opposition to the Sokovia Accords in Civil War. However, perhaps if Sam Wilson had embraced the role faster, the government wouldn't have seen as much of an opportunity to create their own Captain America under their oversight.
This could be a source of resentment for Bucky, and would provide some added dynamics to the tension between him and Sam, going deeper than just Bucky generally finding Wilson to be aggravating. One shot in particular sees Falcon practicing with the shield, and Bucky catching it with an intensity that could signify his true feelings that perhaps he would have honored Steve's legacy better than Sam has at the onset of the series. However, it could also just be frustration due to Sam's reluctance and lack of action. Bucky could be trying to motivate Sam to step up as the series goes on, not wanting the wield the shield himself, but purely wanting Sam to live up to the mantle that Rogers always knew he could.
Either way, the rivalry between Sam and Bucky is palpable in this new trailer, and many moments are shown in some pretty hilarious ways. However, Bucky having an initial resentment or frustration towards Sam's reluctance to wield the shield would provide some interesting tension and growing pains in their relationship, at least until Sam Wilson chooses to finally embrace the mantle of Captain America as many expect him to do by the end of The Falcon and the Winter Solider series.
The CW might still bring Wonder Girl and the Black Lightning spinoff Painkiller to life as part of their DC TV slate. The Arrowverse is changing a lot in 2021 as the franchise is both adding and losing a few shows. Superman & Lois, the latest spinoff series, will premiere on February 23 as Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch become regular players in the franchise. But as the Man of Steel is getting his own show, the Arrowverse is also losing two major heroes later this season. Supergirl and Black Lightning will come to an end after their respective sixth and fourth seasons. Black Lightning season 4 premiered this week and will conclude its run in May. Even though The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow haven't started their new seasons yet, The CW has already renewed them for seasons 8 and 7 respectively.
In addition to that, Batwoman, which has a new lead with Javicia Leslie, has also been picked up for a third season. Stargirl season 2 hasn't debuted yet so it remains to be seen if a season 3 renewal happens or not. But as The CW continues with its established series, there have been a few other new DC projects in development for a few months. Greg Berlanti and Queen of the South's Dailyn Rodriguez has been working on a Wonder Girl series focusing on the new Wonder Woman Yara Flor. Black Lightning creator Salim Akil is spinning Painkiller off into his own show with a backdoor pilot that is set to air later in the fourth season.
This week, The CW granted a pilot order for Ava DuVernay's Arrowverse series Naomi, but they didn't say anything about Wonder Girl or Painkiller. However, while Wonder Girl and Painkiller didn't get a pilot order yet from The CW, it's not necessarily a bad sign. According to Deadline, both Wonder Girl and Painkiller are still in contention for potential pilot orders. Since it's still February, it's technically early in the pilot season, and networks are known for making additional pilot orders later on. In the case of Painkiller, since the backdoor pilot hasn't aired yet, it makes sense for The CW to wait on that project. Once they have seen the reception and ratings, it will help them determine if Painkiller goes forward or not. Should the show go forward, Painkiller would be a new type of Arrowverse series by focusing on an anti-hero.
The lack of a Wonder Girl pilot order is a bigger mystery, however. Initially, it was a big surprise when the show was first announced, given that Wonder Girl would focus on a DC character that had yet to debut. Yara officially joined the DC Universe through DC Future State, which makes the TV show unique since this would follow a new hero with little history in the comics. Something that indicated that a Wonder Girl show would go forward was the recent news of Yara getting her own comic series. But then again, Berlanti and Rodriguez may still be working on finalizing what their series would be which might lead to a pilot order in a few months.
It's also hard to imagine that The CW wouldn't take advantage of getting to explore the Wonder Woman mythology in the Arrowverse after all these years. While Diana Prince will likely not show up any time soon due to Gal Gadot's franchise, having someone like Yara as Wonder Girl would still bring Amazons into the franchise on a regular basis. It would also be refreshing to see a DC heroine on-screen with a very recently created legacy behind her. That would allow the creators to take Yara in directions that fans may not expect since she's so new in the comics. Hopefully, soon, The CW will give positive updates on the Wonder Girl and Painkiller shows.
The CW handed a straight-to-series order to The 4400 reboot, based on the original USA Network TV-series. Produced by CBS Paramount Network Television, the original cult sci-fi show ran for four seasons from 2004 to 2007. It starred Joel Gretsch, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Jacqueline McKenzie, and Mahershala Ali in its main cast, with several notable performers like Jeffrey Combs, Kavan Smith, and Garret Dillahunt appearing in guest roles. Originally The 4400 was presented as a miniseries consisting of five episodes. But due to an overwhelming response from fans and critics, USA Network picked the show up for additional seasons, bringing the total episode count to 44.
The 4400's fourth season concluded with an explosive cliffhanger ending. Therefore, its devoted fanbase expected the show to return for season 5 to resolve the nail-biting sequence. Unfortunately, in December 2007, citing the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike and budgetary constraints as the causes, the series' co-creator Scott Peters announced that The 4400 had been canceled. Although the show's cancellation devastated its loyal fans, they held on to the hope that The 4400's ingenious creators will figure out a way to bring back the show. In 2018, news broke that The 4400 reboot was in early development at the CW, with the show's original writer Craig Sweeny attached as executive producer.
As reported by TV Line on Thursday, The CW has given a straight-to-series order to The 4400 reboot. The reimagined show will center on a new set of 4400 neglected, unappreciated, overlooked people who vanished off the face of the Earth over the last century. But a mysterious light brings all the disappeared back unexpectedly. However, they have no memory of the time between their disappearance and return, nor have they aged a single day. The show's official synopsis adds that the government will attempt to prevent the news about these 4400 people from getting out to the public while the returnees discover they've been sent back for a purpose with a "few... upgrades."
Although CBS Television Studios is producing the reboot, the original creative team is no longer associated with the project. The new show is written by Riverdale's Ariana Jackson, who also serves as EP alongside Anna Fricke and Laura Terry. Fans and viewers loved and adored the original 4400 for its suspenseful storytelling, twisty plotlines, and natural-yet-unpredictable character development. They have always felt that the show had more to give, and it was canceled too soon because TV networks did not care about cult fanbases. Hence, it would have made more sense had The CW ordered a sequel to the original series, rather than a fresh reboot.
While fans desire a proper ending to the hair-raising cliffhanger from the season 4 finale, this new series looks like more of a fresh start. But the network may have decided to start over because the original cast and showrunners were unavailable for a sequel. A lot of time and careful consideration have gone into the reboot. Hopefully, it's something the old show's audience will enjoy.
Striking Distance Studios has partnered up with Robert Kirkman's Skybound Entertainment for its first title, The Callisto Protocol. The company has been the publisher of The Walking Dead and Invincible comic books and has dipped its toes into video games, television, and much more over the years. The company has taken a number of indie games under its wing but this may be the largest scale title to date.
The Callisto Protocol was officially revealed last year at The Game Awards as a survival horror game set in a prison on Jupiter's moon hundreds of years in the future. There's a bit of a twist, though. It's not just a standard horror game; it's set in the PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds universe, centuries after the battle royale takes place. The game has been in development for about a year and a half, so it's still somewhat early days, but there is clearly considerable momentum on the project.
Striking Distance's partnership with Skybound is one filled with excitement from Dead Space creator and Striking Distance CEO Glen Schofield. “Striking Distance Studios has one goal with The Callisto Protocol - to make one of the most terrifying games of all time,” said Schofield (via Game Informer). “Skybound Entertainment is unrivaled in the worlds of sci-fi and horror storytelling, and will be an incredible partner for Krafton and Striking Distance Studios as we bring the world of The Callisto Protocol to life in games and beyond.”
Robert Kirkman, CEO of Skybound and creator of The Walking Dead, also had lots of enthusiasm for the project. Kirkman also seemed to tease that The Callisto Protocol could even extend into other mediums beyond gaming. “The team at Striking Distance Studios are the video game industry’s best at creating blockbuster games,” said Kirkman. “Through Skybound, The Walking Dead has expanded from its original comic book to multiple television series, books, video games, merchandise, and more, and we can’t wait to explore similar possibilities for The Callisto Protocol with Skybound’s multi-platform expertise. We’re excited to be working on this IP alongside the game’s publisher, Krafton.”
Despite details of The Callisto Protocol being scarce, the idea of an alien invasion on a prison colony in the PUBG universe certainly has some potential for exploration outside of the games. Whether or not the links to PUBG are apparent in the game itself or if they're buried in side content and lore, it's certainly something that can be fleshed out in books and films if Skybound chooses to take it in that direction.
Warning! Spoilers for Future State: Justice League #2 below.
DC Comics has revealed potential recruits for the Justice League with a handful of new heroes taking the spotlight. At the end of Future State: Justice League, the future Justice League team finally caved in and decided to allow new members. On the issue's final page, the potential recruits are shown and there's a lot of recognizable faces.
The Justice League of DC's dark future is one of the most powerful superteams ever assembled. However, unlike teams of old, they have strict rules about both membership and fraternizing outside of the team. Despite Jon Kent Superman's pleas to consider adding more talent to the roster, the Justice League was shown as being opposed to expanding. However, after defeating the Hyperclan in Future State: Justice League #2, the future league decides its time to reconsider new heroes to join the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman (Yara Flor), Flash (Jess Chambers) Aquawoman (Andy Curry), and Batman (Jace Fox).
In Future State: Justice League #2 by Joshua Williamson, Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Tom Napolitano, the team takes down the imposter Hyperclan members, as the book soon flashes forward a few months. The team is shown to have changed their rules quite a bit, as Jo Mullein's Green Lantern is voted the team's leader, they all reveal their secret identities, and they actively seek out new recruits. The final page shows the group of heroes the Justice League is considering for membership.
The characters shown in the hologram are heroes who starred in different Future State titles across DC. The image shows M'Gann M'orzz's Miss Martian, Shiloh Norman's Mister Miracle, Tim Drake's Robin, Jake Jordan's Guardian, Crush from the Teen Titans, and Powerhouse - who's most recently appeared in Future State: Shazam #1. All-in-all, it's a great batch of recruits as the candidates represent some of the best heroes in the future DC Universe.
While it's great to see the future Justice League expanding their roster, it's unknown whether any of these characters will join the team in DC's dark future. With Future State ending soon and a bunch of characters being folded into the new Infinite Frontier timeline (it's still unclear how that's going to happen), it's possible we never see an expanded future Justice League team. However, most of the current team and a bunch of the new recruits will continue on in whatever comes next in the DC Universe - just maybe never as a full-blown Justice League team like this image teases, but readers can always hold on to hop the team does assemble one day.
The Hex name used in WandaVision is an Easter egg to Scarlet Witch’s original powers in Marvel Comics. In the Disney+ series, the name refers to the field of energy that surrounds the small town of Westview, New Jersey, but it's also a hint at something more going on with Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen).
It was implied in WandaVision that shortly after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Wanda came to Westview and used her abilities to create a fake world for herself. Now, she and Vision (Paul Bettany), who was mysteriously resurrected, are living together in this suburban community along with numerous other Westview residents who are seemingly under Wanda’s mind control, if that is indeed what's happening. Right outside Westview is SWORD, who is monitoring what’s going on in the town while simultaneously working on a solution to the problem. They’ve discovered that Wanda created an enormous, hexagonal forcefield that encompasses all of Westview, preventing anyone from leaving.
When talking about the the forcefield in WandaVision episode 5, Darcy (Kat Dennings) named it “The Hex”. Obviously in the show, the name relates to the shape, but in actuality, its meaning goes much deeper than that. The word is a direct reference to Scarlet Witch’s abilities, specifically the ones she used in her early Marvel Comics appearances. Before Wanda started using chaos magic and reality-warping abilities, she was known for her use of “hex bolts”, which date all the way back to her debut in 1964’s X-Men #4.
Scarlet Witch’s hex bolts and hex spheres could be used to alter probabilities and create bad luck - and because of that, Wanda could cause all sorts of wild outcomes. She could knock opponents off their feet, create gusts of wind, interfere with the powers and weapons of others, and more. The problem, though, is that her hex bolts had a tendency to be unpredictable. This served as a challenge for the Avengers, because that aspect of her abilities made them difficult to count on in battle.
It wasn’t until a few years later that Marvel evolved Scarlet Witch’s skillset by having her cross paths with Agatha Harkness. Through Harkness, Marvel sent Wanda down a path to becoming an incredibly powerful magic-user. Wanda’s powers continued to develop from there, but she still does make use of original hex bolts when the need arises. The MCU made big changes to the origin and nature of Wanda’s abilities, but did at least retain the visual appearance of her hex bolts and spheres. In WandaVision, some of the effects Scarlet Witch was able to generate from her hex bolts were adapted to the small screen, such as the way she has manipulated objects to her liking. The difference here is that she doesn’t need her hex bolts to get results.
In any case, the name of Scarlet Witch’s barrier for her fake world provides for a fun reference to her comic book counterpart. Thus far, the series has had no shortage of Easter eggs related to Wanda and the MCU, and more are expected to come, as previous trailers have confirmed her comic costume is expected to make an appearance in WandaVision eventually.
It's time for the people who purchased Pillars of Eternityon Nintendo Switch to ask for a refund, as the publisher of the port has announced that it won't receive any more updates, despite the bugs still present in the game. Pillars of Eternity is an isometric RPG in the vein of the old Baldur's Gate games, set in the unique fantasy world of Eora.
Pillars of Eternity is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, as well as the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S through backward compatibility. All of the console ports of the game were criticized for their slow load times, but the Switch version had a ton of issues relating to glitches. The Switch version of Pillars of Eternity had the portability factor, but that doesn't mean much when the game doesn't work properly or takes forever to load. Obsidian Entertainment (the developers of Pillars of Eternity) has blamed publisher deadlines in the past for bugs, as the company has earned a reputation for buggy games.
The Switch version of Pillars of Eternity received a patch last month, but that's the lot. The Switch version of Pillars of Eternity was published by Versus Evil. According to the Versus Evil Twitter page, the Switch port will no longer be receiving any updates, even though there are prominent bugs still present in the game, such as the Ranger's pet not spawning.
The reason given for the abandonment of Pillars of Eternity is that Versus Evil has gone as far as it can with the hardware available, and what is left to the team from the PC original. This announcement also doesn't seem encouraging for the upcoming Switch port of Pillars of Eternity 2, which still doesn't have a release date. If the Switch is struggling to run the original Pillars of Eternity, then it's going to have a lot of problems with the sequel, which chugs hard on the PS4.
The question of glitches in games being present at launch has been a major topic of discussion over the past few months, thanks to the Cyberpunk 2077 bugs debacle. In Pillars of Eternity's case, this is the game being abandoned almost two years after its original release. It's probably too late for people who purchased the game at launch to get their money back, but it's at least worth asking, considering how unique this situation is. Pillars of Eternityis a great game, and it's a shame that it never reached its full potential on Nintendo Switch.
Valheim stormed onto Steam Early Access on February 2 and quickly garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from PC gamers. The Viking survival game mashes up gameplay concepts from past viral hits, like Rust and Minecraft, and packages all of them in a Nordic adventure akin to Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. Even though Valheim and Ubisoft's latest open-world title share many similarities, they're different at their cores.
Both games have loose interpretations of Norse mythology, but Valheim is much more of a fantasy game than Valhalla. While they might both center around Vikings, Assassin's Creed's newest installment is more historically grounded than Valheim ever tries to be. The indie title is steeped in mythology, making it a high-fantasy game compared to Valhalla's historical fiction.
Valhalla's story is inspired by the Viking Age, where tribes of Norse folk began to expand outside of Scandinavia and into the British Isles. Ubisoft found that many of the historical accounts from the period were written from the Anglo-Saxon's point of view, which described the Vikings as savage invaders. The publisher chose to create the game from the lens of a high-ranking Viking leader so gamers can get the other side of the story. That involved a rigorous study of Scandanavian culture dating back to the Middle Ages, which did involve some aspects of mythology but nowhere near as much as Valheim.
Ubisoft's interpretation of Vikings is far from strictly historical. Valhalla includes mythical creatures, mentions Norse gods, and features an underlying plot that involves the Brotherhood of Assassins and The Templar Order from past Assassin's Creed entries. However, most of the characters and locations were created using historical accounts of the time period. The plot of Valheim is more like a tall tale that Vikings would have told each other.
All of the characters in the indie title are slain Viking warriors who have been escorted to the mysterious realm of Valheim to conquer it. Instead of being taken to Valhalla, the paradise for fallen warriors, they've awakened in a purgatory where they need to fend for themselves and slay mythical beasts, like Valheim's first boss Eikthyr. That's a far cry from the types of enemies players face in Valhalla that primarily consist of rival Viking clans or the forces of feudal Anglo-Saxon lords.
The warriors featured in Valheim are the stuff of legends, while the Vikings in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla are an interpretation of the Nordic culture during the Middle Ages. Both might still ride on longboats and carry wooden shields into battle, but they're far from the same.
After six seasons, History's Vikingsfinally came to an end in December 2020. It started off as a show about Ragnar Lothbrok, an adventurous farmer who wanted to see what lies beyond the horizon on the west. As the story progressed, many characters came and went. The Norsemen were fierce and proud people, afraid of nothing - not even death.
While some Vikings had a very dramatic character arc, filled with twists and turns, others stayed in the background and supported their leaders on their quests. Not all of them were as remarkable and interesting as Ragnar.
10 Torvi
One of the things that make no sense about Torvi is why she stuck around for so long. Her character arc didn't seem to have any direction. She just kind of went along with whatever other notable characters were doing.
She went from being with Bjorn to having a family with Ubbe. On the one hand, she was a fierce shield maiden, but then again, she had no qualms about getting baptized.
9 Hvitserk
The most forgettable of Ragnar's sons, Hvitserk, ended up as a monk after Alfred spared his life in season 6. The highlights of Hvitserk's life include him killing Lagertha and choosing Ivar over Ubbe and Bjorn, which were both really bad decisions.
Hvitserk was renamed as Athelstan, honoring the beloved monk that Ragnar captured in season 1. In reality, Hvitserk's character barely compares to the charming and intelligent Athelstan, though.
8 Ubbe
Ubbe was a peaceful man with a tame character arc. In some ways, he was the most like Ragnar: he just wanted to explore and be left to do so in peace.
He is the one who actually accomplished what his father wanted the most - he discovered a new land beyond the horizon, filled with opportunities.
7 King Harald Finehair
Harald Finehair joined the show when Ragnar was set on attacking Paris together with his brother Halfdan.
He went on to expand his territory, join Bjorn's expedition to the Meditteranean, marry Astrid and lose her, and finally met his death in season 6 when he was killed by Alfred's second-in-command, Bishop Aldulf.
6 Bjorn
Bjorn's character arc was building him up to be the next living legend, like his father. The first half of season 6 especially was all about him trying to outdo his father and unite his people. In return, his brothers turned their backs on him, killed his mother, and took his rule away.
Bjorn Ironside was Ragnar's most accomplished son. His character arc is definitely interesting because he is the only main character who started out as a 12-year-old boy and died a magnificent man in season 6. Other sons of Ragnar grew up in a heartbeat, but Bjorn's transformation from a boy into a man was much more nuanced.
5 Athelstan
Athelstan's story was one of the most interesting ones in the Vikings. Ragnar brought him home from his first raid on the British Isles ever and ended up befriending him.
Athelstan went from being a devout Christian to learning about the Norse gods, fathering a future king of Wessex and Mercia along the way. His death changed Ragnar forever and left a mark in King Ecbert's heart as well.
4 Floki
Floki the boatbuilder didn't change much when it comes to his personality, but his journey is quite a story to tell. He stood by Ragnar's side as he explored new lands, saw the Meditteranean with Bjorn, discovered Iceland, and ended up in North America. One could argue that he is one of those characters who got worse as the show progressed, but his character arc is interesting nonetheless.
It's not just his actions that count, though. He also suffered an existential crisis or two along the way, which made him into a humble and wise old man that he turned out to be by the time the series ended.
3 Ivar
Ivar the Boneless was set up to be an unforgettable character the moment he was conceived. Against all the odds, he grew up to be a man who instilled fear in people. It was impossible to ignore certain horrible things about him, such as the fact that he was clearly a psychopath. He killed his own brother and his wife, went to war with two other brothers, and planned on destroying an entire civilization, all the while believing he was an actual god.
Despite the fact that he was among the least likable characters on the show, he kept things interesting after Ragnar's death. He joined forces with Prince Oleg and brought Bjorn to his knees. His character arc was pretty amazing, aside from his anticlimactic death.
2 Lagertha
Lagertha's talents would be wasted if she spent her entire life on that tranquil farm. While Ragnar was away raiding in season 1 and she ruled in his stead, she did an awesome job. Even though Ragnar and Lagertha were perfect together, their relationship fell apart by the end of season 1 when Ragnar met Aslaug.
Vikings were initially a show about Ragnar and his rise from being a simple farmer to becoming a living legend. In the process of gaining power, he just got worse and worse. He lost his first wife Lagertha, Bjorn, and his slave turned best friend, Athelstan.
Ragnar is the one character who went through the most profound transformation. He learned about other world religions, succumbed to addiction, and destroyed everything he cared about in the process. He died a tragic, cynical man, unsure of whether Valhalla even exists or not. While the show was hurting without him, it was definitely his time to go by the time season 4 rolled in.
The upcoming Marvel series M.O.D.O.K. will be featuring a familiar villain from the X-Men franchise: Mr. Sinister. M.O.D.O.K. is a new animated installment in the world of Marvel television coming exclusively to the streaming platform Hulu, and the titular character M.O.D.O.K. will be voiced by Patton Oswalt. Though there aren’t many story details available for the series, it appears that one familiar villain will be making an appearance.
In a recent tweet, M.O.D.O.K. co-creator Jordan Blum revealed the X-Men villain Mr. Sinister will be featured in the series. Blum expressed his excitement for Mr. Sinister’s appearance in the show and directed fans towards writer Zeb Well’s portrayal of Mr. Sinister in the comic series Hellions. You can view Blum’s full tweet below.
The inclusion of Mr. Sinister is exciting for X-Men comic fans, especially since it follows Marvel's recent trend of incorporating more X-Men elements into their stories. However, some Marvel comics fans have expressed skepticism of the series, claiming that this comedy series is a waste of M.O.D.O.K.’s potential as a character. M.O.D.O.K. is expected to premiere early this year, and hopefully, when it does, the characters like Mr. Sinister and M.O.D.O.K. will be put to good use.
WandaVision tackles the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame and what lead to the Maximoff Anomaly, but it doesn't make sense that some of its characters know too much about what went down during the fight against Thanos. The MCU isn't big on secret identities, as superheroes and their alter-egos freely co-exist with the rest of the world. But that doesn't mean every single thing they do is broadcasted, which is why it's curious why the likes of Darcy Lewis and Monica Rambeau know specific details about the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
WandaVision episode 4, "We Interrupt This Program", provided additional context as to what's really happening in the show. As it turns out, Scarlet Witch has taken over the town of Westview where she's leading a blissful married life with Vision. While her life plays out inside the bubble, SWORD is watching everything play out outside thanks to Darcy's expertise. Since this reveal, it's established that it's been mere weeks since the events of Endgame and that Thanos' nefarious actions still have lingering effects, not just on the heroes who fought him but on the rest of the world as well.
As SWORD monitors what's happening in Westview, Darcy, Monica, and Jimmy Woo try to figure out what brought up this pocket reality - like how viewers of WandaVision do in the real world. These supporting characters are the audiences' perspective in the MCU, which is why they're so fun to watch. The only problem is, it doesn't make sense that they know so much about the events of Infinity War and Endgame. In episode 4, Darcy made a comment about how Vision didn't die from Thanos' snap but was instead killed by the Mad Titan himself, as seen in Infinity War. Aside from what she stated, this line also implied she knew of the specifics of Avengers' reverse-snap and how it was only used to bring back those who were affected by the Blip.
More recently, in WandaVision episode 5, "On A Very Special Day", this once again happened when Monica made a comment about how Wanda almost defeated Thanos had it not been for his back-up. Jimmy argued that Captain Marvel may have done the same if the Mad Titan didn't use the Power Stone on her. Both instances took place during Endgame's final battle at the Avengers HQ - no one else was there other than the heroes and their adversaries, as with Vision's death in Wakanda. There might even be a chance that not everyone present during the battle knew about these particular instances considering they would've been busy fighting Thanos' minions.
MCU viewers are aware of these because they played out onscreen. Unless there are some surveillance clips from Wakanda and Avengers HQ that were broadcasted, there's no way these WandaVision characters would know about these specifics. The battles in New York and Sokovia from The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron are different because they take place in a public setting. Even then, onlookers wouldn't know the smallest of details because they may not have been close enough to the action or they were busy trying to evacuate to a safer place. Given this, it's curious if Marvel Studios will have a justified reason why these players, who weren't directly involved in those incidents, know everything about them.
Tom Cruise has two huge movies on the way in 2021:Top Gun: Maverick or Mission Impossible 7— which is the more important release? Despite occasional duds like 2017’s embarrassing attempt to reboot The Mummy franchise, Tom Cruise is one of blockbuster cinema’s most reliably successful performers, and the actor has a huge year ahead of him in 2021.
Cruise’s iconic 1986 cult classic Top Gun has a long-awaited sequel on the way in the form of Top Gun: Maverick and the same calendar year will see the actor add another installment to his most successful franchise, the Mission Impossible series. But which of these two huge movies will be bigger for the actor’s career?
It’s a harder question to answer than it may initially appear, as Top Gun: Maverick and Mission Impossible 7 are both likely to impact Cruise’s career in very different ways. On the one hand, the Mission Impossible series has only grown in popularity and box office success since its original 1996 outing. It is the only franchise that Cruise can call his own since the Jack Reacher series appears to be an extended hiatus, and with so many of Cruise’s hits being one-off successes like Edge of Tomorrow, Oblivion, and even the original Top Gun, he needs to keep most reliable money-spinner going. However, Top Gun is also a big part of the actor’s artistic legacy, and without the instant recognition of a famous franchise, the movie may prove perhaps an even greater test of what Cruise’s pulling power is like now.
The odds are good that Top Gun: Maverick’s success will mean more to Cruise than Mission Impossible 7’s since the Mission Impossible series is recognized as a consistently solid action series on par with the Fast and Furious movies even without outside of his involvement. Meanwhile, despite adding some big names like Mad Men's Jon Hamm and Miles Teller to the cast, Top Gun: Maverick is more of a traditional star vehicle, with both the original movie and the belated sequel being centered around the leading man’s charisma. Only the likes of The Color of Money and Rain Man were more reliant on Cruise’s charm than Top Gun, and both of those movies are too modest and intimate to produce blockbuster sequels.
Top Gun, in comparison, is both a big-budget glossy blockbuster and a relatively straightforward character study that soars thanks to Cruise’s central performance. Without the reliable brand recognition of the Mission Impossible franchise and the support of his co-stars Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, and Vanessa Kirby, Top Gun: Maverick will fly or flop based almost entirely on the audience’s fondness for Cruise, and the more emotionally resonant military drama offers the star more of a showcase for his acting ability than the fast-paced, stunt-heavy action of the Mission Impossible series. Mission Impossible 7 may be likely to make more of a splash than Top Gun: Maverick at the box office, but the Top Gun sequel is more likely to earn Cruise recognition for his acting ability and prove his star power outside of a reliable franchise.
