Examining The Dead #23: 31 Horror Trailers For Halloween

This is a special episode of Examining The Dead devoted to the list of 31 Horror Movie trailers for Halloween. Crazy Train excluded any major hits such as Friday The 13th or Nightmare On Elm St. and focused on some of the lesser-known gems.

Continue reading Examining The Dead #23: 31 Horror Trailers For Halloween

Rise of Skywalker Trailer Analysis

Rise of Skywalker Trailer Breakdown

Seth flies solo to give a detailed rundown of the brand new final trailer for Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker. Is it really Palpatine? Is it really The Millenium Falcon? And whose throne is that anyway?

Of course, you can follow along with the trailer right here:

Examining The Dead #22

Examining The Dead Episode 22: Halloween 2019

(2:48) The Coroner’s Report

(3:35) Helstrom, the latest Marvel series, has begun filming. It is set for release sometime in 2020. Who is Helstrom and what could the series be like? With Marvel Studios taking over all TV projects, this could conceivably mean interaction with the rest of the MCU. Blade anybody?

Continue reading Examining The Dead #22

Tennant Being Eyed For Doctor Strange 2?

Did you sense a disturbance in The Force? As if millions of fanboy and fangirls squealed in glee? That could be due to the alleged dream casting for Marvel’s Phase Four.

Marvel Studios announced at San Diego Comic-Con that Benedict Cumberbatch will return for a second Doctor Strange movie, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness. Scott Derrickson will return to direct, and Elizabeth Olsen will reprise her MCU role of Scarlet Witch.

Continue reading Tennant Being Eyed For Doctor Strange 2?

Disney vs. Sony, Plus D23 News

Geekville Radio #243: Disney vs. Sony plus D23 News

A ton of news to go over in this jam-packed episode! In the first segment, Seth and Crazy Train talk about the problems between Sony and Disney over Spider-Man. The second half is devoted to Star Wars and Marvel news coming out of D23.

(3:03) Sony vs Disney and Marvel

Unless you’ve been out in deep space for the last week, you’ve probably heard of the split between Disney and Sony over Marvel’s Spider-Man in The MCU. To fully comprehend what happened, we have to take a step back and look at how we got to this point in the first place.

Attempts at making a Spider-Man feature film date back to the 1980s. But over the years, the film companies set to make the picture would go under or were bought out. This made deciding the film rights a real nightmare. Eventually, Sony got the rights in the late 90s.

Around this time, Marvel opened their own film studio. Once Marvel Studios was created, Marvel no longer needed to shop around film rights. They could control their own properties when it came to the big screen. This is one of the reasons Marvel was able to make successful films that pleased fans and critics alike.

So here are the main talking points of the Disney vs. Sony fiasco.

The previous deal between the two had expiredWhen Sony and Disney agreed to share Spider-Man, it was for a certain number of films. Sony would produce the stand-alone films, with Marvel and Disney helming Avengers and other crossover films.

Sony was happy with the previous deal – It looks like Sony would have been happy with a continuation of that agreement. They weren’t necessarily looking for a bigger or better deal.

Disney was asking for a larger cutUnder the old deal, Sony got the profits from the stand-alone Spider-Man movies, while Disney kept profits from any cross-over. The 50/50 deal proposed by Disney would see both companies sharing equally in cost and profits.

Sony has tried to control Spider-Man films beforeSam Raimi walked away from making Spider-Man films after clashing with Sony over Spider-Man 3. The reboot with Andrew Garfield also saw issues with Sony trying to guide the franchise away from how directors wanted it. If Sony and Disney do not agree to terms, it would mark the third time Sony would be guiding Spider-Man on their own.

Sony has several Spider-Man related characters – Most, if not all of the Spider-Man rogues’ gallery, are within Sony’s rights. Sony is making Venom 2, and an Into The Spider-Verse sequel seems likely. Plus, there is the Morbius film, as well as other Spidey movies that would pave the way for a Sinister Six movie.

It’s not over yet– It is very possible that Disney and Sony may mend their fences and work out a deal. It is also possible that Sony may have learned their lesson when it comes to producing a Spider-Man story. This story will likely have a few more chapters before it’s over. Spider-Man is the last remaining property that Marvel Studios has yet to regain control of when it comes to feature films.

As discussed during the show, The Geek Twins have this handy chart which shows the characters Marvel has direct control over vs. Sony and Netflix. Sucks to be Rick Jones…

Please include attribution to TheGeekTwins.com with this graphic.

Marvel Movie Rights Infographic

(36:30) D23 News

Disney held its annual D23 Expo where, as expected, future Star Wars projects were officially announced. Plus, new Marvel shows were also revealed.

(37:30) Untitled Obi-Wan Kenobi Series

Ewan McGregor confirms his return to Obi-Wan Kenob

The long-rumored Obi-Wan Kenobi series was confirmed at last, with Ewan McGregor reprising the role. No premise was given, but fans have assumed it would be about Kenobi’s time on Tatooine between the prequels and the classic trilogy. With it being set approximately 8-10 years after Revenge Of The Sith, it would be taking place at approximately the same time as Solo and Star Wars Rebels.

(39:34) The Mandalorian

The first official trailer for The Mandalorian

The highly anticipated series The Mandalorian finally got an official trailer. To say it felt like a Western would be an understatement. Ming-Na Wen, who played Agent May for all seven seasons of Agents Of SHIELD, has joined the cast.

Not only that, IG-88 saw some action almost 40 years after his debut in Empire Strikes Back. Could more bounty hunters be on the way? 4-LOM? Zuckuss? Dengar?

It’s also worth noting that Disney will be releasing one episode per week, rather than all of them at once.

(50:25) The Rise Of Skywalker

Of course, it would not be a true Star Wars event if it didn’t have footage from Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker. We covered that in detail in our last show. Seth does make two bold, albeit unoriginal, predictions about the Skywalker Saga finale.

(55:45) Marvel

Black Panther 2 will hit theaters in May of 2020, making it right in line with the end of Phase Four. For The Eternals, Kit Harrington (Game Of Thrones) has signed on to play Black Knight

Not one, not two, but THREE more Marvel series will be added to the lineup. No casting or release dates were announced.

Moon Knight: Arguably the most fitting of the three shows. We had speculated before how Moon Knight would make for a perfect addition to a Netflix or TV lineup.

Ms. Marvel: The current Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan, will do double duty between her own show and appearances in films.

She-Hulk: Possible the biggest surprise was the announcement of She-Hulk. It will be interesting to see how she is handled for a TV show. Would it be ab actress? Or a CGI created character?

While not a new series announcement, the character of John Walker (US Agent in the comics) will be introduced in Falcon & Winter Soldier.

Spidey and His Amazing Friends: Clearly aimed at children, this show will be a comedic take on the classic 80s series Spider-Man And His Amazing Friends.

Finally, unrelated to Disney or Sony, Supergirl will don a new costume for her fifth season.

Supergirl’s new costume for Season 5

As stated in the show, Crazy Train has a new Playlist called “Chicks That Rock“. You can find it on Spotify.

Geekville Radio #242: Obi-Wan Is Back!

Geekville Radio #242: Obi-Wan Is Back, Snake-Eyes Movie, Crisis On Infinite Earths

Obi-Wan Kenobi Is Back (0:00)

After literally YEARS of rumors, Star Wars fans have confirmation that Ewan McGregor will finally be reprising the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi for Disney+. Disney will likely make its official announcement at the upcoming D23 Expo.

Other rumors persist that McGregor will not only star in the yet-untitled series, but will also direct a few episodes as well.

An Obi-Wan Kenobi spin-off feature film has been rumored ever since the announcement of standalone Star Wars movies was made. However, the less than stellar performance of Solo played a factor in those projects getting put on hold.

The format change to a series could be an improvement, since a multiple episode format could lead to more in-depth adventures than a two-hour movie.

In addition to the Kenobi series, McGregor will be portraying the villain in two upcoming feature films, Doctor Sleep, and Birds Of Prey.

Snake-Eyes Movie (18:20)

Actor Henry Golding is rumored to be portraying Snake-Eyes in a spin-off film. This casting seemingly goes against the history of the popular GI Joe Character. In the franchise lore, Snake-Eyes was the lone American student in the Arashikage Clan and did not have Asian heritage.

That said, like with so many other remakes and rebrandings, the original lore is still there. It won’t get erased from existence if a retelling of Snake-Eyes happens.

Crisis On Infinite Earths Update (34:30)

The Arrowverse crossover Crisis On Infinite Earths continues to get more epic and amazing.

Airdates will be Supergirl 12/8, Batwoman 12/9, Flash 12/10. Then Arrow and Legends Of Tomorrow on 1/14. So that’s five episodes in two parts, meaning it will also double as the mid-season cliffhanger.

Here is the list of guest characters we know

Rumors persist that another Arrowverse show may be added in the 2020/2021 season. While nothing has been confirmed, there are several rumors.

  • Titans has Berlanti’s name on it but takes advantage of DC Universe’s uncensored format and has a TV-MA rating.
  • Booster Gold has been rumored for years.

Batman vs. Superman in this clip from Hush

Batman: Hush is the latest story to be adapted into the DC Animated Movie Universe. You can check out a clip below that shows Batman rumbling with a possessed Superman.

Hush was a story by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee that originally appeared in Batman #608-619. It brought a classic Batman villain to the limelight and featured one of the few in-continuity confrontations between Batman and Superman.

Like most movies in the DCAMU, it features Jason O’Mara as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Jerry O’Connell as Superman/Clarke Kent, and Rebecca Romijn as Lois Lane. Jennifer Morrison of Once Upon A Time and House joins the cast as Catwoman/Selina Kyle. It is available in stores, and on the DC Universe streaming service.

Geekville Radio #241: San Diego Comic-Con News

Geekville Radio #241: SDCC News

In our previous episode, we discussed the revelations for Marvel’s Phase Four of The MCU. Here we talk a lot of the other news coming out of The Mecca Of Geekery that is San Diego Comic-Con!

Each trailer is listed below with the appropriate timestamp in the show discussion.

(3:45) Arrowverse and Crisis On Infinite Earths

Barry Allen’s death has been teased since the very first episode of The Flash

(25:15) Marvel’s “What If…?”

  • Animated series will air on Disney+
  • Stories from The Infinity Saga will be used
  • Many of The MCU actors will supply the voices
  • The first episode will depict Peggy Carter as Captain America

(29:30) The Witcher

  • This is the project that prevented Henry Cavill from a cameo in Shazam

(33:15) Watchmen HBO Series

  • It is not another adaption of the movie or classic comic
  • It will be an original story set in the same world

(39:20) Top Gun: Maverick

  • The trailer was a surprise presentation
  • Tom Cruise’s Maverick will be the main character, not a cameo
  • It may be a biography or life story of Maverick

(43:20) Terminator: Dark Fate

  • James Cameron is involved again
  • It looks like it ignores all other movies except the first two
  • It may be right before the rise of Skynet

(47:45) Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance

  • Much of the series will utilize puppetry instead of CGI

(50:30) Jay And Silent Bob Reboot

  • A sequel to Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back
  • Looks to lampoon the constant reboots in Hollywood
  • Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Lee and a lot of the other regulars

(55:30) Star Trek: Picard

  • Unlike Discovery, this looks like it is almost universally praised
  • Depicts Picard as he was in the final TNG Episode
  • Also shows Data and Seven Of Nine

We recently got reviewed by Dave Jackson’s Podcast Rodeo Show. Thanks for the kind words!

Geekville Radio #240: Marvel Phase Four Announced

Geekville Radio #240: Marvel Phase Four Announced

A little later than expected, but Seth and Train are back to talk the Marvel Phase Four announcements from this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.

We speculated in our last episode on what Marvel might be doing for Phase Four of the Cinematic Universe. After a bunch of reveals at San Diego Comic-Con, we now have the full lineup for the next two years.

It is worth noting that only films slated for 2020 and 2021 were announced. There were no definite indications of theatrical releases for 2022. The possibilities of Black Panther 2, Captain Marvel 2, and Avengers 5 are still very strong.

For each of the announced movies or series, we’ll give our main speculation points and pair them up with what was confirmed during the Hall H presentation.

4:45 – Black Widow (May 1, 2020)

Speculation: Florence Pugh will play Yelena Belova/Crimson Widow. David Harbour will be Taskmaster. This may introduce a cloned Natasha like in the comics

Confirmed: Pugh will be Yelena Belova, David Harbour will be Alexi Shostakov aka Red Guardian, the Russian equivalent of Captain America.

New Speculation: Yelena Belova may be Taskmaster instead of Crimson Widow

15:45 – The Eternals (November 6th, 2020)

Speculation: Millie Bobby Brown and Angelina Jolie would be the same character. Thanos and Adam Warlock would be involved in some capacity.

Confirmed: Several roles were announced, none of which were Thanos or Warlock. It will take place on Earth, and Kevin Feige described it as “full-on Jack Kirby“.

New Speculation: Nobody will care that Ajak and Makkari have been gender-swapped.

30:45 – Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (February 12, 2021)

Speculation: Shang-Chi will fill the void Danny Rand/Iron Fist fills in the comics as the martial-arts expert. If this is an attempt to get a Bruce Lee vibe, it will fail to do so

Confirmed: Mandarin is the villain

Further Speculation: Since the Ten Rings were teased way back in the first Iron Man, this may take place over a period of time. There could be an explanation as to why Ben Kingsley played an imposter Mandarin.

39:50 – Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Fall, 2020)

Speculation: The show will be standalone and not directly tied to the rest of the MCU, and Baron Zemo will be the villain

Confirmed: Will not be standalone, and will be part of Phase Four. Baron Zemo is the villain and will have the mask.

42:00 – WandaVision (Spring 2021)

Speculation: Will take place before Vision’s death in Infinity War.

Confirmed: Takes place in current time, so maybe Captain America was able to revive Vision in his post-Endgame quest. Monica Rambeau is in the show, perhaps to become a new Captain Marvel or Miss Marvel.

New Speculation: Will tie in with Dr. Strange 2

45:10 – Loki (Spring 2021)

Speculation: Possible origin story or another story from the past. Loki’s escape during Endgame could play a factor.

Confirmed: Takes place after Loki’s escape in Avengers: Endgame. This will be the classic evil Loki and not the sympathetic character he became in Phase Three.

50:45 – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 7, 2021)

Speculation: Dr. Strange will be one of the focal points of the MCU on par with how Iron Man was for the first three phases.

Confirmed: Scarlet Witch will be in the film, so it may tie in with the WandaVision series.

55:10 – Thor: Love and Thunder (Nov 5th, 2021)

Speculation: Could be directly related to Guardians of the Galaxy 3 given the styles of directors James Gunn and Taiki Watiti. Plus Thor left with the Guardians to close out Endgame.

Confirmed: Natalie Portman will be reprising Jane Foster and will become Thor.

Current Speculation: Thor himself will be a supporting role, and it could still tie into Guardians 3

1:01:05 – Hawkeye (Fall 2021)

Speculation: Clint is back to adventuring now that his family is safe. We may see Kate Bishop.

Confirmed: Kate Bishop will be major part of the show

1:04:00 – Blade (Phase Five?)

Maharshala Ali was a surprise announcement as the MCU Blade. It was not stated whether this will be a feature film or a Disney+ mini-series.

1:13:00 – X-Men and Deadpool (Phase Five?)

Marvel did not outright say any immediate future of the X-Men franchise, including Deadpool. But it seems like X-Men may wait a few years and get rebranded for Phase Five.

Remembering Rutger Hauer (1944-2019)

Iconic actor Rutger Hauer passed away this week at the age of 75. His 50 year career saw him play a multitude of roles. From hero to villain, action to drama, and just about everything in between.

If you’re looking to watch some of his famous roles, we have assembled a list of them here. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, it is a good lineup of performances in several genres.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4gN0nWL6NI

Nighthawks (1981) – Arguably his breakout performance as the villainous Wulfgar opposite detectives played by Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams.

Blade Runner (1982) – The role he will likely be remembered most for, Roy Batty was the rebellious replicant hunted by Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford).

Ladyhawke (1985) – This medieval fantasy cult favorite saw Hauer play the heroic Navarre alongside then up and coming actors Matthew Broderick and Michelle Pfeiffer

The Hitcher (1986) – Another signature villain role as John Ryder, the serial killer who terrorizes C. Thomas Howell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxvzbESnoVM

Wanted Dead Or Alive (1986) – Inspired by the 1950s Western that starred Steve McQueen (yes, that Steve McQueen). Hauer plays a bounty hunter tracking down a terrorist played by Gene Simmons (yes, THAT Gene Simmons).

Escape From Sobibor (1986) – 1986 was a busy year. Not only was he a villain in The Hitcher, and a hero in Wanted Dead or Alive, but his performance as Alexander “Sasha” Pechersky in this WWII drama earned him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) – The original Kristy Swanson movie that begat the series had Rutger as the vampire leader, Lothos.

Merlin (1998) – This spin on the classic tale of King Arthur tells the story from Merlin’s point of view. Hauer portrays the tyrannical King Vortigern opposite Sam Neill’s title character.

The 10th Kingdom (2000) – A fairy tale fantasy mini-series that is set years after the time of Snow White. Hauer is the Queen’s Huntsman who follows the heroes through the magic mirror and into New York City.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4e24m-LYl4

Salem’s Lot (2004) – Hauer takes on another vampire role. This time as Kurt Barlow, one of the main antagonists in this remake of the Stephen King classic.

Sin City (2005) – The star-studded ensemble cast saw Hauer in the small but memorable role as Cardinal Rourke.

Batman Begins (2005) – The first in Christopher Nolan’s epic trilogy, Batman Begins had Rutger play Earle, the man who tried to usurp Wayne Enterprises from Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne.

Hobo With a Shotgun (2011) – Hauer reprises the title role he had in the mock trailer of the same name in Robert Rodriguez & Quentin Tarantino’s Grindhouse.

The Rite (2011) – Hauer plays the father of Colin O’Donoghue’s protagonist in this supernatural thriller that also stars Anthony Hopkins

Dracula 3D (2012) – From vampire to a vampire hunter. Hauer plays Van Helsing in Dario Argento’s take on the legendary vampire story.

In addition, Hauer was a fan-favorite to play Magneto in a then dream X-Men film. Wizard magazine published a fanboy casting in 1992, approximately eight years before an X-Men film became a reality.

To be fair, Wizard did accurately pick Patrick Stewart to play Charles Xavier in the same casting.

He also had the honor of being voted Dutch Actor Of The Century by Dutch citizens.

Fortunately for his fans, Hauer had several parts which he had already filmed for movies and shows that have yet to be released. His IMDB page shows five projects currently still set for release within the coming year.

We at Geekville Radio extend are deepest condolences to Rutger Hauer’s family and friends.