IGN.com - TV Articles

Assassin's Creed, The Witcher and Why Netflix Is the Best Place for Game Adaptations

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 20:56:07 GMT

The announcement that Netflix and Ubisoft are planning a live-action Assassin’s Creed series was welcome news for fans of the franchise, but it’s hardly surprising. Ubisoft and Netflix first announced they were working together in June 2019 on distribution of the movie adaptation of The Division, and in July 2020 they shared that they were teaming for an animated Splinter Cell show and a Beyond Good and Evil movie. Negotiations for the publisher’s bestselling franchise have probably been in the works for a while. What the news does make clear is just how much Netflix is banking on video game adaptations to give it an edge in the streaming wars. Assassin’s Creed will join a growing library of titles, including The Witcher (despite being based on the books rather than the games) and Castlevania, that allow the service to capitalize on its existing strengths and tactics to continue to grow its audience. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=live-action-versions-of-video-game-characters&captions=true"]

A Perfect Medium for Video Game Adaptations

Generally speaking, video games make notoriously bad movies. One of the main reasons for this is the burden of both appeasing hardcore fans while also introducing the property to casual viewers. Video game stories unfold over 20-100 hours and often involve complex mythologies. It can be nearly impossible to satisfactorily explain the world, the characters, and the plot and then deliver some meaningful payoff in two-to-three hours without relying on dull exposition dumps or just leaving some viewers extremely confused about what’s going on. Those very problems were present in the 2016 Assassin’s Creed film. In contrast, viewers of serialized TV shows are used to dealing with significant setup. Put in enough sex, action, jokes, and engaging characters to make a given episode entertaining and you can easily get viewers to sit through lectures on the nature of magic or the relationships between noble houses. Once you’ve gotten a few episodes in, everyone’s basically caught up and you can get into the big conflicts. Game of Thrones wildly expanded the audience for genre shows and proved that even people who weren’t prolific readers of fantasy novels were willing to keep up with their complexities. Netflix’s The Witcher was one of the first shows to attempt to fill the void left by GoT’s departure, offering the same mix of big-budget fantasy and political intrigue. The show joined a stable of more historically focused dramas that Netflix streams thanks to its aggressive efforts to collect the rights to shows made around the world (including titles like The Last Kingdom, Medici, and Barbarians). With its time-hopping, globe-trotting action and complicated lore filled with secret societies and genetic memory, an Assassin’s Creed show will likely straddle the line between those shows and the live-action manga adaptation Warrior Nun. [poilib element="quoteBox" parameters="excerpt=Video%20game%20stories%20unfold%20over%2020-100%20hours%20and%20often%20involve%20complex%20mythologies.%20It%20can%20be%20nearly%20impossible%20to%20satisfactorily%20explain%20the%20world%2C%20the%20characters%2C%20and%20the%20plot%20and%20then%20deliver%20some%20meaningful%20payoff%20in%20two%20to%20three%20hours."] Netflix isn’t entirely giving up on the prospect of making a good video game movie though. It’s also planning a live-action Dragon’s Lair adaptation and the Beyond Good and Evil movie. That’s smart business given that the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated theatrical releases while prompting rapid growth for Netflix. Plenty of people might still not feel safe going out to the movies next year, but they’ll likely be desperate for new entertainment they can watch from home.

Short Series and Endless Spinoffs

Video games also fit uniquely well with Netflix’s business model, where the streaming service is constantly releasing new titles but often cancels shows over just a few seasons. Any given game and its sequels and DLC might offer enough plot for several seasons, but gamers are already primed to accept spinoffs, prequels, and reboots. Like with a game series, streaming series face diminishing returns over time. Every sequel or season makes it more daunting for new audiences to get invested while some people who played or watched the original will lose interest. A new game or show based on the same property provides the opportunity for a fresh start without entirely abandoning dependable fans. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-assassins-creed-review&captions=true"] That’s already clearly part of Netflix’s game adaptation strategy. While the second season of The Witcher is filming now, Netflix is also working on a live-action prequel series, The Witcher: Blood Origin, and an anime movie prequel, Nightmare of the Wolf. The Castlevania anime may be used to set up a Devil May Cry series from the same series creator. Netflix is also getting a live-action show based on Final Fantasy XIV, which presumably opens the doors to any number of other shows based on the enormous RPG series. The deal between Netflix and Ubisoft includes the rights to live-action and animated Assassin’s Creed shows. Because of its numerous settings, time periods, and protagonists, the Assassin’s Creed series is especially perfect for a wide range of titles. If Netflix kicks things off with a series based on Desmond Miles and Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, it could easily move on to a show focused more on Ezio Auditore da Firenze or on Layla Hassan and Kassandra.

An Emphasis on Animation

Another challenge of adapting video games is the budgets necessary to recreate their worlds and characters. Netflix has shown it’s got the deep pockets to do The Witcher justice, but a show needs to deliver viewers for it to be willing to spend that kind of money. But Netflix is also willing to accept more modest successes with lower costs, which can be provided by animated shows. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/23/the-witcher-henry-cavill-breaks-down-geralts-fight-with-renfri"] Like video games themselves, anime in the West has grown from a relatively niche fandom to big entertainment business, and Netflix is leading the way to expand the genre’s popularity worldwide. The launch of the Castlevania anime in 2017 was part of a concerted push to ramp up its share of the market. Netflix has continued to add to its library of original video game animated shows by working with CD Projekt Red on Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Capcom on Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness. Animation gives showrunners the same freedom to ignore the rules of physics or the constraints of physical locations that video game makers have. It’s also perfect for highly stylistic games like the 1930s animation-inspired Cuphead, which will be turned into the Netflix comedy The Cuphead Show.

Properties Netflix Can Control

Netflix makes more money from original shows that it produces in-house than from those acquired from a third party, but it also loves making deals with companies to get access to an established property like it did with Disney’s street-level Marvel heroes. While the MCU shows including Daredevil and Jessica Jones were a huge boon for the network, they all ended ahead of the launch of Disney+. In retrospect, that separation was inevitable. Disney’s been making TV shows for a long time and the Netflix deal let the company continue to build an audience while learning enough about streaming from the industry leader before striking out on its own. Netflix execs probably wager they won’t face similar defections from Ubisoft or other video game companies they cut deals with because setting up a streaming service would be so far outside of their core competencies. Netflix is arguably more likely to get involved in making games, a prospect it has hinted at with interactive films and shows including Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Minecraft: Story Mode, and You vs. Wild. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-video-game-movie-in-development-almost&captions=true"] Meanwhile, the game studios have their titles in front of Netflix’s rapidly growing subscriber base, getting a share of money from those deals while also potentially building a larger audience for the actual games. The more game companies that Netflix courts, and the more successful adaptations it develops, the more likely it is that other developers will find the service more appealing than its competitors. With so many streaming services to choose from, viewers have to make choices for where they’re spending their money each month, and for video game fans it’s becoming increasingly clear that it’s difficult to avoid Netflix.

A Growing Audience

Netflix was able to capitalize on the superhero boom with its MCU shows and The Umbrella Academy, and its interest in adding a huge library of video game-inspired content shows the streaming network is working to stay ahead of the curve. The games market has been rapidly growing for decades and by every metric, from console sales to Twitch viewership, interest in gaming has exploded during the pandemic. When those players need to take a break from gaming or are looking for something to watch in the background while they grind, Netflix wants to be the service they turn to - and the streamer is making big moves to make it happen. What do you think? Is Netflix the way to go for video game adaptations? Let’s discuss in the comments!

Tiny Toon Adventures Reboot Coming to HBO Max and Cartoon Network

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 18:36:34 GMT

If the impending return of Animaniacs on Hulu isn't enough to quench your '90s cartoon nostalgia, maybe the Tiny Toons can help. The beloved animated series is also due for a comeback in the form of Tiny Toons Looniversity. Warner Bros.' press release teases "They're tiny. They're toony. They're back for a reboot-y," so Looniversity appears to be a reboot of the original Tiny Toon Adventures rather than a continuation (not that the series was ever very plot-heavy). Tiny Toon Adventures originally ran from 1990 to 1992 and chronicled the misadventures of a new generation of toon students studying under the classic Looney Tunes cast. It later became a mainstay of the Kids' WB animation block alongside Animaniacs, Batman Beyond, and other '90s favorites. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-most-memorable-kids-wb-original-shows&captions=true"] The original series was also notable for being the first collaboration between Warner Bros. Animation and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, and Spielberg will return to executive produce Looniversity. Sam Register, President of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, and Amblin Television Co-Presidents Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank are also serving as executive producers. Erin Nash (of the Throwing Shade podcast fame) is serving as showrunner, and she and Nate Cash (Adventure Time) are co-executive producing the series. “For many kids, Tiny Toons was their introduction to the world of Looney Tunes and, over time, Buster, Babs, Plucky, and all the characters grew to be just as beloved by an entirely new generation," said Register in Warners' press release. "The continuation of our great creative partnership with Amblin Television will bring these characters back for fans of all ages to enjoy.” “These smart, hilarious and cheeky characters have left an indelible impression on the childhoods of so many," said Falvey and Frank. "We’re thrilled to be able to continue our relationship with Warner Bros. Animation, HBO Max, and Cartoon Network to reimagine the Tiny Toons for new audiences, and we know that fans of the original series will be just as excited to share the show with their children as they will be to revisit a childhood favorite.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/21/animaniacs-official-trailer-2020"] Tiny Toons Looniversity has been given a straight-to-series order for two full seasons and will air on Cartoon Network and stream exclusively on HBO Max. No release date has been revealed yet, and it's unclear whether any of the original voice cast will return. The good news is that we don't have much longer to wait for Hulu's Animaniacs revival. That series is scheduled to debut on November 20. Hulu has confirmed Animaniacs will return for a second 13-episode season in 2021. The revival itself reportedly came about because of a surge of popularity for Animaniacs on Netflix, which may have also played a role in Tiny Toon Adventures being given a second lease on life. Are you excited for the return of the Tiny Toons? Let us know in the comments below. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Marvel's Moon Knight Disney+ Series Finds Its Director

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 14:03:28 GMT

Marvel's Moon Knight series on Disney+ has reportedly found its director in Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Diab. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney and Marvel Studios have tapped Diab to serve as the director on their upcoming Moon Knight series, which is set to tell the story of Marc Spector, a former soldier of fortune, whose encounter with an Egyptian god of vengeance and moon deity, Khonshu, inspires his transformation into a costumed vigilante. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/26/oscar-isaac-in-talks-for-disney-pluss-moon-knight"] Diab first came onto the scene with his directorial debut Cairo 678, which was released in December 2010, just one month before the Egyptian revolution. A few years later, he helmed Clash from a script that he wrote with his brother Khaled Diab. The film was officially selected by the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and opened the Festival's Un Certain Regard section that year. He also wrote The Island franchise films, which are among the highest-grossing Egyptian and Arabic-language films of all time. The acclaimed filmmaker joins the Moon Knight team alongside Jeremy Slater, one of the minds behind Netflix's The Umbrella Academy, who is overseeing and leading the writer's room on the series, which is said to be circling Oscar Isaac to play the titular role. If he officially boards the project, Isaac will become one of several actors who have appeared in both the MCU and Fox's X-Men cinematic universe, having previously portrayed the main antagonist in 2016's X-Men: Apocalypse. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvel-cinematic-universe-every-upcoming-movie-and-tv-show&captions=true"] Marvel first announced the Moon Knight series at D23 in August 2019. At one time, Kevin Feige indicated that Moon Knight and fellow Disney+ series' She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel would all wrap production by the end of 2020, though the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic seems to have delayed that timetable significantly, with many of the original production dates now becoming outdated. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Netflix's Blood of Zeus: Season 1 Review

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 00:43:07 GMT

This is a mostly spoiler-free review for the first season of Netflix's Blood of Zeus, though we do discuss certain elements of the story throughout. All eight episodes of Blood of Zeus are currently available to stream. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Hop on your trusty Pegasus and get ready for an epic journey with Netflix's gorgeous and thrilling new adult animated series, Blood of Zeus. Originally dubbed "Gods & Heroes" back in 2019, this epic Greek mythological tale centers on Heron (voiced by Derek Phillips), a young man whose life is changed forever after his village is attacked by demons. Heron's narrative is similar to other "hero's journey" arcs like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars or Harry Potter in, well, you know. On the surface, Heron's story appears par for the course: a young man discovers he has great powers (probably related to someone important), learns how to use said powers, and saves the day... Heard it all before, right? However, underneath all of these heroic tropes are some fascinating storylines sprinkled throughout which elevate Blood of Zeus' familiar premise into something memorable. [poilib element="poll" parameters="id=5dcf1ea9-e31d-4153-88ea-0e7b8d8652e8"] Series creators and executive producers Charley and Vlas Parlapanides (Immortals, Death Note) do a fantastic job of world-building in the first few episodes with thrilling flashbacks, which offer insightful context for what's happening with Heron in the "present day." One of the most jaw-dropping sequences happens when the village hermit (think Obi-Wan Kenobi) Elias (Jason O'Mara) recounts the tale of the Titans' defeat at the hands of the gods, and how their deaths spawned giants, who in turn spawned the demons that are terrorizing local villages. Rest assured, the backstory is less confusing than it sounds and the gorgeous animation from Austin-based Powerhouse (Castlevania) adds ample amounts of detail to the retelling. The giants look especially gnarly, as if they were pulled straight from a Godzilla film. And though it's hard to remember all of their names, each creature has a distinct look and power set, such as the giant winged beast that can devour people with its "tractor beam wings" (that's what I'm calling them). Heron's main adversary is an imposing demon named Seraphim (Elias Toufexis), who wields a deadly bident weapon that always returns to its master just like Kratos' Leviathan Axe or Thor's Hammer. Seraphim and Heron's backstories are explored in such an effective way that it's easy to feel a sense of compassion for both characters by the finale. Without going into too many details, the Parlapanides chew through a surprising amount of story in eight 30-minute episodes. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/25/top-10-best-anime-series-of-all-time"] The voice acting in Blood of Zeus is also excellent, with Veterans like O'Mara (Batman: Hush) and Jennifer Hale (Mass Effect) adding a nice bit of gravitas to their respective characters. O'Mara gets to play a couple of roles here, but his portrayal of the wisened Elias is probably the most impactful. After hearing the Irish-born actor play Batman for so many years in the DC Animated Universe, it's a welcome change to watch him portray a quieter, less aggressive character. He's basically Obi-Wan in Greece, watching and guiding Heron from a distance. And just like the famous Jedi Knight, you get a sense that Elias knows more than he's letting on (from a certain point of view). Aside from the earthly matters surrounding Heron and Seraphim, there are plenty of godly conflicts up on Mount Olympus to enjoy. Zeus and Hera's (Claudia Christian) marital situation isn't the best, due to some adultery on the part of Zeus. Hera's jealously causes a rift that leads to a war in the heavens. Admirably, the creators are able to balance both stories in a way that makes them feel connected. The only downside to this is that there are just too many characters to really develop fully, so you may see Poseidon in the distance looking badass, but he doesn't say much, or Eres kicking ass on the battlefield without much character development. Thankfully, these nitpicks don't get in the way of what is an otherwise engaging story since the primary characters all get their moments to shine. But please, more Ares, Hades, and Poseidon if Blood of Zeus gets picked up for a second season. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=netflix-spotlight-november-2020&captions=true"]

Anime Is Becoming a Huge Success for Netflix

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 16:56:04 GMT

Netflix has announced that it plans to produce more anime content after noting an exceptional uptake in anime streaming on the platform. Variety reports that Netflix's investment in anime has been going well in terms of viewership, with its mainstream popularity bringing new audiences to the medium in bigger numbers than ever before. According to new statistics, over 100 million households globally watched at least one anime title on the platform between October of last year and September of this year, which is a noted increase of more than 50% on the previous year's figures. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/25/top-10-best-anime-series-of-all-time"] With anime titles appearing in top ten lists in almost 100 countries so far this year, the streaming giant has revealed its intentions to expand its anime content by recently signing new production deals with Anima & Company, Science SARU, and MAPPA from Japan, together with Studio Mir in Korea. On the back of these new partnerships, Netflix has announced five new original anime projects to join the 11 other projects that are already in various stages of development. The latest wave of anime projects includes Rilakkuma's Theme Park Adventure, a stop motion series directed by Kobayashi Masahito; Thermae Romae Novae, a new adaptation of the popular manga by Yamazaki Mari; High-Rise Invasion, a survival story based on the manga by Miura Tsuina and Takahiro Oba; Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan, a four-episode series based on a story by Hirohiko Araki; and The Way of the Househusband, a new series spun from the award-winning manga by Kousuke Oono. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-anime-series-on-netflix-right-now&captions=true"] Netflix has been investing in original anime programming since 2017, allocating significant portions of their content budget to work with high-profile studios like Production I.G in a bid to "be the most compelling and attractive home for anime fans, creators and production studios." In 2020, it has pushed this commitment further by partnering with even more influential creators to produce new shows under the Netflix Originals banner. With dozens of new shows each season and a robust back catalogue that's yet to be fully explored, anime has quickly become one of the streaming market's most popular content categories. For more on the ever-changing streaming landscape, read all about why we think anime is the next streaming frontier and what this could mean for the future of these services. Also, be sure to check out our picks for the five best new anime of 2020 so far. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Critical Role to Publish 4 Board Games Next Year

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 16:00:41 GMT

Critical Role, the company behind the beloved livestreamed D&D show, has branched out in numerous ways over the last year, and is doing so yet again with a brand new board and card game publishing brand, Darrington Press. Darrington Press, of course sharing a name with Sam Riegel's Taryon Darrington from the Vox Machina campaign, is set to launch four new games in 2021, one a quarter, with a host of game types and themes planned. Some games will be set within the world of Exandria, the home to Critical Role's campaigns, while others will stretch outside that established world. Darrington Press will be run by Ivan Van Norman, and creative advisor (and Critical Role CCO and Game Master) Matthew Mercer. Here's a breakdown of all four newly announced games:

Uk’otoa

(Q1 2021) is the first game from Darrington Press, and will cost $29.99 and be recommended for 3 - 5 players, ages 12+. Featuring estimated 30-45 minute gameplay sessions, Uk'otoa is "A battle for life and death on the high Lucidian seas! This flagship title from Darrington Press is a tactical game of semi-cooperative card play as factions of sailors vie to be the last claimed by the raging sea leviathan Uk’otoa. As the ship slowly falls into the ocean, you’ll have to run, push, and sacrifice others to win! Fans of Critical Role know Uk'otoa as the ex-patron of warlock Fjord (played by Travis Willingham). Who could say whether these tales hold any truth? Fjord isn’t telling." The game was created by Jeb Haven (Burrows, Mother Sheep, You Don't Know My Life!), with additional game design by Gabriel Hicks (Roll20, Paizo, Mythic Grove), art by Critter Hannah Friederichs, as well as Uk’otoa Sculpt by Niklas Norman (Runewars, Imperial Assault, Fallout: The Board Game) and layout by Vee Hendro (Good Society: A Jane Austen RPG, Visigoths vs Mall Goths, and Lost Roads). Speaking to IGN via email, Ivan Van Norman, the head of Darrington Press, explained that Jeb Havens' idea for the game concept actually came about long ago, and the two finally found an ideal home for it in Critical Role. "I was holding onto the game design that would become Uk’otoa for years, as I first found the game when I was going to Google Game Nights and met Jeb Havens there (fun fact: originally the sea monster was a giant squid). Jeb had been playing this game with his co-workers for a while, and I loved it so much we made a deal shortly afterwards to let me pursue the opportunity of making it a game," Van Norman said. 'Years later, when we started talking about the games in our first lineup, I brought up this concept to both Matt and our development team - and before the pitch was even out of my mouth we all collectively said ‘Uk’otoa!’ After everyone had a chance to play it, it was a done deal from there." As for why it's the first game in the linup, Van Norman said "It’s a quick-to-play, tactical card game that spotlights an amazing character in the world of Critical Role, but still serves a very relatable theme (giant sea serpent smashing boats and eating sailors) for gamers. It really does help us give people a taste of the world, while at the same time providing a fun game that Critters (and non-Critters) can play with their friends and family. "Also, who doesn't want to paint a 52mm sea serpent miniature for their games?"

Critical Role Adventures

Critical Role Adventures (Q2 2021) is the second game from Darrington Press and will put players in the shoes of Vox Machina themselves. The official description reads: "Embark on your own journey through Exandria with Critical Role Adventures! Play as the upstart adventurers Vox Machina and overcome treacherous challenges. This cooperative legacy-lite campaign game uses a unique narrative social, and combat mechanic, luring you back session after session. Within this enormous box, you'll find a host of hidden treasures and a rich storybook to guide you through thrilling combat, dynamic character growth, and tales worthy of the name Vox Machina." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/03/04/critical-role-the-legend-of-vox-machina-animated-special-trailer"] Van Norman explained that CRA is still "heavily in development" and so not too much can be said about what players can expect beyond the announcement info. But he did confirm that "the focus will be on exploring new stories, instead of just 'playing through Campaign I.'" And as for replayability, Van Norman said "As a legacy lite game, we want folks to both have a narrative rewarding playthrough, but also feel comfortable playing with a new group of friends should they want to."

Syndicult

Syndicult (Q3 2021) is "an original modern magic roleplaying game designed by Matthew Mercer in which mob families jealously guard secrets and battle it out for power on the city streets. Featuring a simple storytelling dice mechanic, Syndicult is a low magic world where all bets are off." Van Norman said Syndicult will mark the first game outside of Exandria for Darrington Press, but it is "still within the comfortable, familiar mind of Matthew Mercer."

Guardians of Matrimonia

Guardians of Matrimonia (Q4 2021) "is a cooperative card game where players have pre-built decks that are pitted against a deck of monsters (party crashers). If your deck runs out, everyone loses. But if you battle your way through the entire party crasher deck, everyone wins!" The announcement of Darrington Press is only the latest step in Critical Role's impressive expansion efforts. Last year, the team created a record-breaking Kickstarter that has now led to a Critical Role animated series coming to Amazon Prime. The team also furthered its philanthropy with a new fundraising organization, Critical Role Foundation, and announced the continuation of Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins, the comic book series based on Campaign I. And if you want to explore even more of Critical Role beyond the company's weekly shows, you can also dive into the official Dungeons and Dragons Explorer's Guide to Wildemount book. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

American Gods Season 3: Neil Gaiman Announces Premiere Date

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:12:24 GMT

Neil Gaiman has announced that American Gods Season 3 will premiere on Starz on January 10, 2021. Gaiman revealed the premiere date in an image of the Lakeside Clunker Board from Hinzelmann's shop, which fans will recognize as a visual reference to his original bestselling book. Gaiman also penned a special letter to the fans of the show, in which he addressed the newfound relevance of the forthcoming season's plot. He said that he had wanted "the characters and their journeys" to be the focus of the story, though he didn't realise that the struggles of the gods would reflect the struggles of America. [caption id="attachment_2430436" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Image credit: Starz[/caption] Read Gaiman's letter in full below: "When we embarked upon making Season Three of American Gods, we had no idea how timely it would turn out to be. We knew we wanted to return to what people loved and responded to in the book: that it was time for Shadow to go to the little town of Lakeside and try to lose himself in normality. "And at the same time, in Season Three, we wanted to focus on the characters and their journeys. To show Shadow forging a path guided by the Gods of his ancestors, becoming more himself while deciding who he is and what side he’s on — humanity’s or that of the Gods. "We knew also that we wanted to continue to root the show in the landscapes of America. To explore what 'America' means to its people and to talk about immigrants — about the very different people who came to this remarkable land and brought their gods with them. The new gods of phone and app and glitter demand our attention and our love, and the old gods want to mean something again. "America must be for all of us, and American Gods must reflect that. This season truly feels as if it does. It’s full of drama and emotion, the very real and the utterly strange, and it features some of the finest performances the show has yet seen. It brings back favorite characters, some in remarkable new ways, and we will encounter people and gods we’ve never met before. I’m proud of our brilliant cast — of Ricky and Emily, of Yetide and Ian, Bruce, Demore, Omid and all the rest — and of what the writers have done to bring the story back on track. "The struggles of the gods and the people in Season Three of American Gods are the struggles of America. We didn’t think it would prove as timely when we plotted it, nor did I think the novel would still be relevant when I wrote it over 20 years ago. But I’m glad it’s happening now, in a year when it feels as though diverse stories are being heard, and honored, and allowed to change the future." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/10/american-gods-season-3-official-trailer-nycc-2020"] Per Variety, Starz announced that the network plans to celebrate the return of American Gods next year by hosting a weekend-long marathon of the first two seasons. Season 1 will air on January 9, starting at 12 PM ET/PT, and Season 2 will air on January 10, beginning at 12:20 PM ET/PT, leading right up to the Season 3 premiere at 8 PM ET/PT. For a preview of the new season, check out the first official trailer. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Netflix and Assassin's Creed Aim to Make Multiple Projects Together

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 13:45:35 GMT

Netflix has announced that it will produce a live-action Assassin's Creed series, executive produced by Ubisoft's Jason Altman and Danielle Kreinik, which will be the first of multiple new projects. Announced on Twitter, the collaboration got a teaser logo (below). A press release explains that the live-action series will be an "epic, genre-bending live action adaptation; a search is currently underway for a showrunner."

Netflix + Assassin's Creed pic.twitter.com/yI2sItnMgi
— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020

However, this is apparently just the first project from Ubisoft and Netflix. The collaboration will "tap into the iconic video game’s trove of dynamic stories" to create lie-action, animated and animae series. That may include the Assassin's Creed anime series we previously heard was being developed by Castlevania anime producer Adi Shankar. This deal also seems to be the fruition of Ubisoft's promise to create an Assassin's Creed TV series in 2017. “For more than 10 years, millions of fans around the world have helped shape the Assassin’s Creed brand into an iconic franchise,” said Jason Altman. “We’re thrilled to create an Assassin’s Creed series with Netflix and we look forward to developing the next saga in the Assassin’s Creed universe.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-assassins-creed-review&captions=true"] Netflix's Peter Friedlander added, “We’re excited to partner with Ubisoft and bring to life the rich, multilayered storytelling that Assassin’s Creed is beloved fo. From its breathtaking historical worlds and massive global appeal as one of the best selling video game franchises of all time, we are committed to carefully crafting epic and thrilling entertainment based on this distinct IP and provide a deeper dive for fans and our members around the world to enjoy.” The new Assassin's Creed series join a growing slate of Ubisoft TV and movie projects, including a movie based on The Division starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain, a Beyond Good & Evil series helmed by Detective Pikachu director Rob Letterman, and a Splinter Cell animated series helmed by John Wick writer Derek Kolstad. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Resident Evil Netflix Series: New Images Show Leon and Claire

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 10:55:47 GMT

Netflix has shared new images of Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield from the upcoming CGI series Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness. The two new character images were unveiled in a tweet from the official Netflix NX account, which also confirmed that the animated Resident Evil series will be "set in the canon of Capcom's classic survival horror franchise." [caption id="attachment_2430311" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image credit: Netflix[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2430313" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image credit: Netflix[/caption] "When biohazards run wild, only a pair of veteran zombie slayers can get the job done," the tweet reads alongside the pair of preview images. The pictures offer fans a closer look at the Resident Evil 2 heroes who are taking the lead in the new CGI horror-action series, which is currently scheduled for a global launch exclusively on Netflix in 2021. The new series is being executive produced by Capcom's Hiroyuki Kobayashi, who has been responsible for bringing numerous titles in the Resident Evil series into existence. TMS Entertainment, which has birthed various anime series, will produce Netflix's Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, with Quebico and Kei Miyamoto, the producer of Resident Evil: Vendetta, overseeing the series' 3DCG animation. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/27/resident-evil-netflix-show-announced-ign-now"] In addition to Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, Netflix is also hard at work on a live-action series adaptation of the Resident Evil franchise, which will tell a brand new story across two timelines centered on sisters Jade and Billie Wesker. The eight-episode first season will be brought to life by Supernatural alum Andrew Dabb who will serve as executive producer and showrunner on the series. Outside of Netflix, Resident Evil is also getting the reboot treatment with a new origin story movie currently in development. This adaptation aims to recreate the "terrifying visceral experience" of the first two games in the franchise with a story that is led by Kaya Scodelario as Claire Redfield, Hannah John-Kamen as Jill Valentine, and Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield, amongst several others. With multiple Resident Evil projects in the pipeline, along with Resident Evil Village planning a 2021 release date, next year should be horrifyingly bright for fans of the beloved horror franchise. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=netflix-spotlight-november-2020&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Star Wars: Squadrons to Add Free DLC From The Mandalorian

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 03:03:37 GMT

Star Wars: Squadrons is also celebrating the launch of season 2 of The Mandalorian this week with some free DLC that includes a dashboard decoration of Baby Yoda/The Child. Announced as part of Star Wars' Mando Mondays, The Mandalorian Supply Drop will arrive on October 28 and also includes Razor Crest Gunship and Beskar Ingot Hanging Flair, IG-Series Assassin Droid Dashboard Flair, and Blurrg and Bounty Holograms. The "Mysterious Creature," as Star Wars: Squadrons calls The Child, can only be used by a New Republic starfighter, but both factions will receive one hologram, one decal, one dashboard flair, and one hanging flair, giving players a total of eight new cosmetics to unlock. This welcome move is a bit of a surprising one following EA Motive's previous statements about how, while also saying "never say never," that there are no plans for more content for Star Wars: Squadrons. However, that very well could mean we won't see any substantial, paid DLC in the future, but fans may be surprised with new, free cosmetics like these. The Mandalorian's second season will premiere on October 30 on Disney+, and you can find out when each new episode arrives with our release schedule guide. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/26/the-mandalorian-season-1-timeline-recap"] For more on Mando Mondays, check out the Limited Edition Mandalorian Xbox Controller and Hasbro's Mandalorian Retro Collection figures. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Here's When New Episodes of The Mandalorian Season 2 Come Out

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 23:46:09 GMT

The Mandalorian Season 2 is releasing the first of its eight episodes on Friday, October 30, 2020. And unlike the first season, which aired in the US and Australia first since Disney+ hadn't launched in the UK at the time, Season 2 of The Mandalorian will debut in a number of international territories simultaneously, wherever Disney+ is available.

When Do The Mandalorian Season 2 Episodes Come Out?

Disney+ is releasing new episodes of The Mandalorian Season 2 weekly, which is a trend the streamer has followed since Disney+ launched back in 2019, instead of opting for Netflix's binge model of releasing a whole season at once. Last year, The Mandalorian's episode rollout was a bit wonky due to the theatrical release of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, but The Mandalorian's Season 2 release schedule will stick to Friday debuts for all eight episodes. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/26/the-mandalorian-season-1-timeline-recap"] So far, Disney+ is keeping the episode descriptions for The Mandalorian's second season vague by offering the same synopsis for the first four chapters: "The Mandalorian and the Child continue their journey, facing enemies and rallying allies as they make their way through a dangerous galaxy in the tumultuous era after the collapse of the Galactic Empire..."

The Mandalorian Season 2 Episode Release Schedule

Here is the full Mandalorian Season 2 release schedule for all eight episodes:

Episode 1: Friday, October 30
Episode 2: Friday, November 6
Episode 3: Friday, November 13
Episode 4: Friday, November 20
Episode 5: Friday, November 27
Episode 6: Friday, December 4
Episode 7: Friday, December 11
Episode 8: Friday, December 18

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-actor-and-character-in-the-mandalorian&captions=true"] For more on Mando and The Child, check out all the clues pointing to Sabine Wren joining the series along with the rumored Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett, and Bo-Katan Kryze find out who's writing each episode of Season 2, and take a look at all of the latest images from The Mandalorian Season 2. [poilib element="accentDivider"] David Griffin still watches DuckTales in his pajamas with a cereal bowl in hand. He's also the TV Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.

Netflix's Barbarians Season 1 Review

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 20:30:28 GMT

All six episodes of Barbarians Season 1 can be streamed on Netflix... [poilib element="accentDivider"] German TV series Barbarians, presented in (a less-than-ideal) English dub, is ready to stream on Netflix. Now, if you're looking for a more interestingly-presented Roman invasion story then you'll do better with Epix's insane import Britannia. But if you're in the mood for a straight-forward slice of humdrum histrionics then Barbarians, which is about the build to the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in ancient Germania, might suffice in a pinch. [poilib element="poll" parameters="id=a1364224-2843-4a1c-82df-ebda4bd40fdf"] The Romans have conquered Germanic lands occupied by an assortment of splintered, bickering tribes, and the famous Teutoburg Forest tussle involved many of these warring townships banding together to take out Roman legions. It's a classic underdog, rise-from-the-ashes war story that feels ready-made for a series all about sticking it to history's cruel and arrogant arch-nemesis, the Roman Empire. Many "famous figures" make up the roster here, from Gaetano Aronica's General Varus to Jeanne Goursaud's Thusnelda to Laurence Rupp's Arminius. Barbarians looks decent enough, production-wise, for a series that more or less takes place between a village, a camp, and the trees between the two, though it never rises up above a modest roar from a story standpoint. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=barbarians-gallery&captions=true"] The most interesting element in Barbarians is Rupp's Arminius. The viewer enters the tale after the Romans have already been in control of the surrounding area for years. Arminius, long ago, as the child of a local tribal chief, Segestes of the Cherusci, was given away by Segestes to Varus in order to "keep the peace" - much like you've maybe seen on this season of Fargo. Varus takes Segestes' sons as hostages for the good of the land and raises them as his own. So here's Arminius, now a grown man, who doesn't quite belong in either world, having to decide what to do when the Romans begin squeezing the Germanic people for all they're worth and essentially starving them. Complicating Arminius' crisis of conscience even further is his childhood friendship with Cherusci maiden Thusnelda and local rogue Folkwin Wolfspeer (David Schütter). The dynamic between these three, even as Folkwin is a made-up character for the show, gives Barbarians its best and most emotional material. Because while Arminius exists as the only one left behind (or taken away, to be specific) he also might be the only solution to everyone's dire needs. So resentment, jealousy, confused allegiances, and hard sacrifices all come into play when these three are the central part of the saga. When they're not at the heart of the story, however, and when Barbarians chooses to be about other things, it all-too-easily slips into mediocrity. The show can quickly get overrun by a rogues' gallery of tropes and tediums that make it rather indistinguishable from most other sword-and-sandal costume dramas: from conniving side characters, supernatural teases, and overbearing speeches. Nothing is altogether new here. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/02/new-to-netflix-for-october-2020"] Barbarians delivers a few cliches decently, but the rest of them just sort of hover in a fog. On top of this, the narrative shifts quite a bit over the course of this first season to the point where you're never quite sure, from one episode to the next, what the focal point is. Eventually, Arminius rises up through the ranks to become, more or less, the central figure, though it's at the expense of a more interesting story sometimes. Granted, this could also be because the story follows an actual particular course of history and you can't exactly abandon that just because other themes are working better.

These Mandalorian Figures Are Straight Out of 1977

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 19:45:14 GMT

Hasbro has gone all-out for its latest Mando Monday event, revealing a massive lineup of new toys that includes a new Retro Collection wave and the very first unmasked Din Djarin figures. You can get a closer look at all of these upcoming releases in the slideshow gallery below: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=star-wars-hasbro-reveals-the-mandalorian-retro-collection-figures&captions=true"] The new Star Wars Retro Collection wave is easily the most interesting and unusual announcement. Whereas past Retro Collection waves were basically recreations of the original Kenner Star Wars figures, this wave shows us what might have been if The Mandalorian were getting toys way back in 1977. Weirdly enough, this wave includes multiple characters who have yet to get a Hasbro figure in any other form, including Greef Karga and Kuiil. Also worth noting is that we're seeing the first figures based on the final episodes from Season 1. Both the 6-inch Black Series and the 3.75-inch Vintage Collection lines are getting new Mando figures with alternate, unmasked Din Djarin heads. Hasbro also revealed a Black Series Scoutrooper set that includes both a speeder bike and a kidnapped Baby Yoda and Vintage Collection versions of Moff Gideon (Darksaber included) and The Armorer. Hasbro also released new images of their current Haslab crowdfunded Razor Crest set, which keeps gaining new accessories as new stretch goals are met. We're not surprised to see Hasbro dropping so many big announcements this week. The October 30 premiere date of The Mandalorian: Season 2 is nearly upon us, after all. Season 2 will reportedly introduce several familiar Star Wars characters, including Temuera Morrison reprising his role as Boba Fett and Katee Sackhoff making her live-action debut as Bo-Katan Kryze. Even Ahsoka Tano is reportedly appearing in Season 2, with Rosario Dawson taking over that iconic role in live-action form. Here's a full breakdown of Ahsoka's story leading up to The Mandalorian. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/26/the-mandalorian-season-1-timeline-recap"] In other Star Wars collectible news, Hot Toys recently revealed a Clone Wars-inspired Ahsoka Tano figure, while Microsoft is selling a limited edition Mandalorian Xbox controller. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Batwoman Reveals New Suit for Javicia Leslie's Ryan Wilder

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 19:04:53 GMT

The CW has revealed the first look at Javicia Leslie's Ryan Wilder Batwoman in her very own bat suit. Javicia Leslie was cast as the new Batwoman back in July after previous Batwoman actress Ruby Rose left the series. We then got our first look at Leslie's Batwoman in September, who is playing a new character by the name of Ryan Wilder, but that only offered a glimpse of the character's mask and red hair. The CW has now revealed two new images that show off Ryan Wilder's very own Batwoman suit. You can check those out below. According to The CW, Ryan Wilder will first don Kate Kane's old Batsuit in the beginning of Season 2, but "as Ryan grows into her newfound role as Batwoman, she redesigns her suit." This redesign will be revealed in full in the third episode of Season 2. "Ryan's journey starts from a place of 'What can this Batsuit do for me?' But it's not long before she realizes the power of its symbol and what it can do for everyone else in Gotham City," said executive producer Caroline Dries. "As Ryan embraces everything that makes her special, she adjusts the suit to fit her physically and figuratively. This meant creating a new body design and new cowl that was undeniably a statement that screamed 'powerful.'" Dries said the red wig was something the crew never perfected in Season One of Batwoman, but that wig creator Janice Workman crushed it this time around. She said when she sees the wig now, "it makes (her) feel inspired." Javicia Leslie said it was an honor to collaborate with Dries and costume designer Maya Mani when creating the suit. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/09/24/batwoman-explained-how-the-batman-love-interest-became-a-lgbtq-icon"] "I love the fact that Ryan is becoming her own Batwoman — it's her style, her swag, and her moment," Leslie said. "It was an honor to be able to collaborate with Caroline and Maya. I felt it was important that viewers could tell by the silhouette that Batwoman was a Black girl. With the form-fitting suit and beautiful Afro, we definitely nailed it." Leslie will don this new suit when Season Two of Batwoman premieres next January. While waiting for the next season, be sure to check out DC Comics' introduction to the character and then read about how Kate Kane won't be killed off in the second season. Catch up on why Kate Kane actress, Ruby Rose, decided to quit Batwoman after that. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.

Titans Reveals First Look at Curran Walters' Red Hood in Season 3

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:24:54 GMT

A major Batman character is undergoing a dark transformation in the upcoming third season of Titans, and now fans have been given their first look at Curran Walters' Red Hood. The official Titans Twitter account posted a pair of Red Hood images showing off the new costume designed by Laura Jean Shannon. As HBO Max's press release notes, this is the first time the Red Hood costume has appeared in any live-action production. Like many costumes in the series, Red Hood's look seems to draw most of its inspiration from both the contemporary Batman comics and the more tactical, armored approach of the Arkham video game series. Along with these new images, HBO Max revealed the first two seasons of Titans will debut on the service on November 1. We previously learned Titans is migrating to HBO Max along with the rest of DC Universe's original series, with DC Universe itself being relaunched as a comics-focused service in January 2021. Walters made his debut as second Robin Jason Todd in Titans: Season 1 before going on to play a bigger role in Season 2 as Dick Grayson's protégé. Unfortunately, after returning to Gotham City at the end of Season 2, it seems the character is doomed to follow the same dark path he has in so many other incarnations of the Batman franchise. Assuming the series follows the comics and various other projects like Batman: Under the Red Hood or Batman: Arkham Knight, we'll probably learn Jason was left for dead by the Joker and returned as a hardened, Batman-hating vigilante. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=when-batman-gets-old-a-fresh-look-at-old-bruce-waynes&captions=true"] Red Hood is just one of several Batman characters being added to Titans: Season 3. The series will also introduce Barbara Gordon and Scarecrow. Barbara will be depicted as Gotham's new police commissioner rather than Batgirl, while Dr. Jonathan Crane will be portrayed as a Hannibal Lecter-esque villain who consults with the GCPD on difficult cases. Titans: Season 3 began production earlier in October 2020, so we're not expecting the series to return on HBO Max until some point in 2021. But if you want a taste of the different ways Jason's story could play out in Season 3, check out IGN's review of Batman: Death in the Family, an interactive animated movie that allows the viewer to determine Jason's fate. Or learn more about Gotham Knights, a new video game that focuses on Red Hood and other members of the Batman family after Bruce Wayne's death. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/13/dc-showcase-batman-death-in-the-family-review"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Moon Knight Explained: Who Is the Marvel Character Oscar Isaac Might Play?

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:25:06 GMT

Oscar Isaac is in talks to star as Moon Knight in the upcoming Disney+ series, which will be just one of several iconic heroes confirmed to be getting a streaming series set in the MCU. A Moon Knight series may just fill that Daredevil-shaped hole in our lives! But who is Moon Knight, and why is he so often referred to as "Marvel's Batman"? Read on to find out everything you need to know about Marc Spector and his special brand of super-powered insanity.

Moon Knight: The Basics

When mercenary Marc Spector was attacked and left for dead in the Egyptian desert, he was given a second chance at life by the god Khonshu. In exchange for his life, Spector became the avatar of Khonshu and the protector of "those who travel by night." Spector returned to New York and devoted his considerable fortune to becoming a costumed crime-fighter and defending the innocents of the city. There's just one problem - few people believe Marc Spector was actually visited by an Egyptian moon god. Spector also suffers from dissociative identity disorder, periodically lapsing into other personalities like streetwise cab driver Jake Lockley and millionaire playboy Steven Grant. Even he is sometimes forced to question whether he's truly having visions of Khonshu or simply sliding into insanity.

Moon Knight's Powers and Abilities

The main reason comic fans like to compare Moon Knight to Batman is that both are men who devote their wealth and training to beating up criminals by night. Marc Spector is both rich and well-versed in various forms of armed and unarmed combat. As his occasional nemesis Taskmaster has pointed out, Moon Knight is a reckless brawler with little regard for defense. To mitigate that problem, many of his suits are constructed from near-unbreakable metals like adamantium or carbonadium. Moon Knight has a full arsenal of moon-themed weapons and gadgets, including throwing darts, staves and even a custom-built "Mooncopter." He also has silver-coated weaponry he used when hired to hunt down misunderstood hero Jack Russell (aka - Werewolf by Night). Spector has also been shown to have a degree of superhuman strength, though that strength ebbs and flows with both the phases of the moon and his connection to Khonshu. It's also been speculated that his strength isn't actually supernatural in origin, but a bizarre form of self-hypnosis that fools Spector's body into performing otherwise impossible feats (picture James McAvoy's character from the movie Split).

Moon Knight: Origin and Background

Created by Doug Moench and Don Perlin, Moon Knight actually debuted as a villain in 1975's Werewolf by Night #32, where he was hired by a sinister organization called The Committee to hunt down Jack Russell. But after discovering The Committee's true intentions, Moon Knight turned against them and helped Russell escape. Moon Knight quickly began appearing in other titles like Marvel Spotlight and Spectacular Spider-Man, before becoming the star of a recurring backup feature in Hulk! Magazine.

Early on, Moon Knight was often dismissed as a Batman clone, and it wasn't until he gained his own monthly series in 1980 that he truly began to carve a unique niche in the Marvel Universe. That series established his full origin story and connection to Khonshu, along with setting up Moon Knight's supporting cast (including trusty pilot Jean-Paul "Frenchie" DuChamp and recurring love interest Marlene Alraune). Moon Knight also gained a rogues gallery of his own during this period, including his arch-nemesis Bushman, the villain responsible for leaving Spector to die in the desert... though as a later story established, Moon Knight paid him back in kind by carving Bushman's face off. Much like his powers, Moon Knight's popularity level and status quo have varied at times. His solo series has been canceled and revived on numerous occasions, and he's also served on teams like the West Coast Avengers and the Secret Avengers. Following a period of relative obscurity in the '90s and early '00s, Marvel reinvigorated the character by piggybacking on major storylines like Civil War and bringing in crime novelists like Charlie Huston and Gregg Hurwitz to revamp Moon Knight's world. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvel-phase-4-official-lineup&captions=true"] Recent Moon Knight stories have often worked to significantly reinvent the character. For instance, the 2011 Moon Knight series casts Marc Spector as an aspiring Hollywood producer trying to make a TV show about his own life. That series also eliminates his traditional split personalities, replacing Jake Lockley and Steven Grant with imaginary versions of Spider-Man, Wolverine and Captain America. The 2014 Moon Knight series has proven especially influential, drawing equally from the horror genre and martial arts movies like The Raid: Redemption. In that series, Spector masquerades as both Moon Knight and "Mr. Knight," a white tuxedo-clad detective who consults for the NYPD. Don't be surprised if this comic in particular influences the tone and direction of the Disney+ series.

Moon Knight: Oscar Isaac and Beyond the Comics

Moon Knight has made several appearances in Marvel's animated TV projects, including a Christmas-themed episode of Ultimate Spider-Man (voiced by Diedrich Bader) and multiple episodes of Avengers Assemble (voiced by Gideon Emery). He's also appeared as a playable character in a number of Marvel-branded video games, including Marvel Ultimate Alliance, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and Marvel Future Fight. Marvel has made several attempts to bring Moon Knight to live-action television over the years. The character is actually mentioned in the first episode of Spike TV's Blade series, with the intent of having Moon Knight appear in a future episode. Unfortunately, Blade's cancellation cut those plans short. Marvel and No Equal Entertainment announced plans for a separate Moon Knight series in 2006, but that show never materialized. Rumors also surfaced in 2015 that Netflix was considering a Moon Knight series as part of its growing Marvel lineup. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/24/all-new-star-wars-marvel-shows-revealed-at-d23-ign-now"] Instead, Moon Knight will make his live-action debut thanks to the upcoming Disney+ series. Variety reported in October, 2020, that Oscar Isaac was in talks to play the character, but little else has been revealed about the show so far. Still, it will clearly be set in the MCU, leaving the door open for potential film appearances as well. In addition to Moon Knight, Disney also has a She-Hulk series and a Ms. Marvel series in the works, both of whom are also characters, like Moon Knight, who have yet to appear in the big-screen MCU. [widget path="ign/modules/recirc" parameters="title=Explained!&type=articles%2Cvideos&tags=explained-recirc&count=6&columnCount=6&theme=article"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Moon Knight: Oscar Isaac In Talks to Star in Disney Plus Series

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:14:51 GMT

The MCU may have found its Moon Knight. Variety reports Oscar Isaac is in talks to star in the upcoming Disney+ series. [caption id="attachment_2429898" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Is Isaac making the jump from Star Wars to Marvel?[/caption] If the deal is completed, this would make Isaac one of several actors who have appeared in both Fox's X-Men cinematic universe and the MCU. Isaac previously played the titular villain in 2016's X-Men: Apocalypse. He also has previous Disney franchise experience playing Poe Dameron in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Marvel first announced the Moon Knight series at D23 in August 2019. In November 2019 we learned The Umbrella Academy's Jeremy Slater will serve as showrunner on the Marvel adaptation. Marvel's Kevin Feige previously indicated Moon Knight and fellow Disney+ series She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel would all wrap production by the end of 2020, though the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have delayed that timetable. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvel-cinematic-universe-every-upcoming-movie-and-tv-show&captions=true"] Moon Knight is often described as Marvel's answer to Batman. But while he's a wealthy playboy who uses his resources to fight crime, Marc Spector is unique in that he struggles with dissociative identity disorder and his dysfunctional connection to the Egyptian god Khonshu. We're expecting both of those elements to play a big role in the series, with Isaac's character struggling to maintain his grip on sanity and serve Khonshu's bidding by protecting "those who travel by night." You can check out IGN's Moon Knight Explained feature for more on this dark but quirky Marvel hero. And for more on Disney's slate of upcoming MCU series, find out which actress has been cast as Kamala Khan and who's playing the lead role in She-Hulk. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/25/marvel-studios-disney-panel-reveal-highlights-d23-2019"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Video Game Characters Brought to Life Onscreen, from Lara Croft to Nathan Drake

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 16:00:39 GMT

Must Watch Horror Anime

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 16:00:38 GMT

It’s that time of the season where its 100% socially acceptable to scare ourselves stupid with zombies, vampires, or mask-wearing homicidal maniacs.

And while live-action movies and shows are rife with gory goodness, we’ve got some bloody bangers that I’m sure you anime fans out there will enjoy.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/25/must-watch-horror-anime"]

Watch the video above, click through the gallery below or scroll down for the full list!

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=must-watch-horror-anime&captions=true"]

Perfect Blue (Rent: Amazon, Youtube, Google Play, Vudu)

Satoshi Kon’s 1997 anime film Perfect Blue isn’t inherently considered a horror movie in the general sense, but more of a physiological thriller. Perfect Blue tells the story of a young J-Pop star who decides to leave her music career to become an actress. After a traumatic experience in one of her first acting roles, she slips into a state of psychosis where she’s unable to distinguish between the real world and fantasy. This is partially where the horror of the anime lies, along with depictions of gore and graphic violence. At one point, a man gets stabbed in the nards, and for us there’s nothing more horrific than seeing that, let alone experiencing it.

Satoshi Kon is no stranger to psychological thrillers; we’ve seen him explore this genre in his other works Paprika and Paranoia Agent. But there’s something so terrifying seeing the main character, Mima, begin to lose her identity and her state of mind, even as the body count stacks up (including that of her harmless fish). With the amount of blood and gore thrown around, coupled with a brilliantly crafted story, Perfect Blue is definitely an anime that’ll stay with you for years to come.

Another (Crunchyroll, VRV)

Another is an intriguing horror anime that will keep you glued to your screen. Protagonist Sakakibara Kouchi is a new transfer student to an infamous school known for a mysterious death. Kouchi finds that his classmates are acting a bit suspicious when it comes to that event from years ago, but finds comfort in a quiet girl with an eye patch. P.A. Works does an amazing job detailing the nuances in facial expressions and body language to create tension. The story is gripping and each episode will have you clicking next to see the events unfold.

Ghost Stories (Crunchyroll, VRV)

Ghost Stories is one of the rare anime shows we would recommend you watch the dub over the sub, for the simple fact that it’s funny as hell. When ADV Films acquired the North American license for this one, it decided to hire a comedy writer (shout out to Steven Foster) and completely flipped the script … literally. With the comedy elements aside, Ghost Stories tells just that: ghost stories. It’s the tale of a young girl named Satsuki Miyanoshita who moves to her deceased mother’s hometown with her family, where she and a ragtag group of kids discover an abandoned school that appears to be haunted.

Turns out these ghosts aren’t just haunting that abandoned school but the entire town. Fortunately for Satsuki and her new friends, her mother was the one responsible for sealing away these ghosts, and she left Satsuki a book that details how to exorcise these spooky creatures and rid them of the paranormal activity that’s befallen the town.

So if you’re wanting to get into the spooky mood with something a little bit different, Ghost Stories should be on your list. It’s like Scooby-Doo, if Scooby-Doo was laden with over the top adult-oriented humor.

Higurashi: When They Cry (VRV, HIDIVE)

If you haven’t heard of 2006’s Higurashi: When They Cry, now is a better time than ever to get into this classic horror anime series with the new 2020 series now available. Higurashi follows Maebara Keiichi, the new kid in town, who lives a somewhat peaceful life until he begins to learn about several murders that have happened over the past few years. Keiichi struggles to find the truth as he falls into an array of paranoia filled events. Definitely check this out before the 2020 series because the new anime may be a continuation and not a remake. Just a fair warning, as we’re just getting into the new fall season.

Gleipnir (Funimation)

Gleipnir is a strange yet unique one - it’s about a boy who can transform into a killer monster that looks like a character from Five Nights at Freddy’s. This one’s more of a body horror anime, although don’t expect to see bones snapping and skin ripping during transformation sequences; all the usual grotesqueries are replaced with cotton and fuzziness. Just think of the main character here as Twisted Foxy from FNaF’s anime counterpart. And much like the horrific, jump-scaring animatronics from FNaF, the main character is a killing machine. It’s a modern-day Wolfman story, only this wolfman is cute and holsters a pistol on his side.

Parasyte -the maxim- (Crunchyroll, VRV, Netflix, HIDIVE)

Parasyte the maxim is not only a great horror anime but one that all anime fans could enjoy. Parasyte follows protagonist Shinichi Izumi who is infected by an alien parasite. Instead of being overtaken by the parasite, he learns to have a symbiotic relationship with the alien which in turn puts a target on his back. This new addition to his body throws his life into chaos, and affects those around him. Under all the numerous body horror elements in Parasyte lies an amazing story full of emotions. The action isn’t too bad either for shonen fans. Parasyte -the maxim- is definitely a must watch!

Wicked City (DVD, Blu-ray)

This one is a bit of a throwback to when some of us weren’t even alive yet, but a time we personally like to consider the golden age of anime. 1987’s Wicked City is about demonic creatures who keep trying to infiltrate the human world through a parallel dimension and the Black Guard, a special police force implemented to keep them in check. Starting off as a series of horror novels written by Hideyuki Kikuchi, the anime borrows from several genres, including body horror, science fiction and hentai. Yes, hentai.

In fact, the majority of the scariest parts involve graphic sexual acts and body transformations. The visuals in the anime were quite stunning for its time. If you’re a fan of Ninja Scroll or Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, the director of those anime films, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, made his directorial debut in Wicked City, so it’s nice to see where the legendary anime director started. Just be warned that there’s tons of nudity in the movie, so probably hide the kids.

Elfen Lied (VRV, HIDIVE, Amazon Prime)

Just from the manga cover alone for Elfen Lied, you wouldn’t know that this is a horror anime with sci-fi elements. The first few minutes of the Elfen Lied anime is literally a bloody massacre! Elfen Lied follows Lucy, a mutant with a killer instinct and special powers, who manages to escape her imprisonment. She was injured during her escape, giving her a split personality. Two cousins, Kouta and Yuka, take the helpless escapee in, not knowing how dangerous she really is. Elfen Lied is a roller coaster of emotions as Lucy becomes more involved in the carefree lives of Kouta and Yuka.

Devilman The Birth (DVD, Blu-ray)

1987’s Devilman: The Birth is the first OVA in the Devilman series, which starts with Ryo and Akira discovering the existence of demons and the fight for survival on Earth. The film manages to pack a lot of gore in its 50+min runtime, with demonic transformations, amazingly animated body horror, and decapitations aplenty - and that’s just the nightclub scene. The Birth OVA spawned two sequels. The Demon Bird and Amon: The Apocalypse of Devilman, before fans were blessed with Netflix’s modern take on the franchise with Devilman Crybaby. While the animation looks dated compared to Crybaby, Devilman: The Birth is worth checking out if you’re in the mood for some serious demonic gore.

Tokyo Ghoul (Funimation, Hulu)

Tokyo Ghoul is another horror anime that all anime fans could enjoy. Tokyo Ghoul follows protagonist Ken Kaneki, who lives in a world where both humans and fleshing eating ghouls exist. Through a casual attraction came a near-death experience that forces Kaneki into a life of being part ghoul. On top of the action-packed story are some of the goriest horror scenes in anime. Studio Pierrot does an amazing job showcasing the balance between Kaneki’s ghoul side and his humanity with captivating animations. Whether you’re into horror or shonen anime, there’s a lot to love with Tokyo Ghoul.

We barely scratched the surface of horror anime here. There’s plenty more, like Hellsing, Shiki, and the Junji Ito Collection. What are some of your anime horror picks? Sound off in the comments down below. And let us know what you think of ours. And for more horribly horrific content, click that video! [poilib element="accentDivider"] Akeem Lawanson is a video host and producer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter at @geekheavy. Mike Mamon is a Syndication & Digital Specialist at IGN, devil fruit user, and world-renown JoJo poser. Let's chat anime on Twitter.

Ewan McGregor Wore the Obi-Wan Kenobi Costume on The Mandalorian Set

Sat, 24 Oct 2020 21:33:05 GMT

While Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi may not make a cameo on The Mandalorian, he did surprise some of those on set by walking through it in his full Kenobi outfit. As reported by GamesRadar, McGregor was on the Happy Sad Confused podcast and began discussing his upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ series, and host Josh Horowitz asked him if he was excited to jump back into the character he began playing with Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/11/obi-wan-kenobi-the-greatest-jedi-of-all-time"] "Yes. I really am very excited about it. It’s been a long time coming," McGregor said. "I am excited about the fact that it’s a series as opposed to a movie, it gives us more space, and mainly I am excited about it because of The Mandalorian series which I just thought was really good, and we’re going to adopt some of that technology that they utilized in that filming and I’m working with Deborah Chow who directed some of Mandalorian. I’m really excited about working with her, I think she’s really good. We did a couple of tests. When we were going to make a film earlier we did some testing and it was great working with her.” McGregor was then asked if he fully got into character while doing the screen tests with Chow, to which he revealed that he did and that he surely surprised some crew members of The Manadalorian who were helping with the tests along the way. "We did it properly. It was a funny moment walking on set because it was a lot of The Mandalorian crew and I walked on – for me it was a big moment. I walked into the dressing room and there were my beige cloaks and my belts and boots and it was like – 'oh my god'." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-upcoming-star-wars-movie&captions=true"] It still hasn't been announced as to when the Obi-Wan Kenobi series will arrive on Disney+, but we do know that Deborah Chow will be directing and Joby Harold will be writing the limited series following the show reportedly going on hold after Lucasfilm president and Obi-Wan producer Kathleen Kennedy was reportedly not happy with the current scripts. McGregor downplayed the news, saying that the show being on hold will not impact the unannounced release date and that "I’ve read about eighty, ninety percent of what they’ve written so far, and it’s really, really good. Instead of shooting this August, they just want to start shooting in January, that's all. Nothing more dramatic than that." McGregor also explained that, for now, this series will be a "standalone season" and will begin shooting in Spring 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/10/what-could-the-disney-obi-wan-kenobi-series-be-about"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.