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☆ ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Review: A Space Raccoon Story
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Kyle Smith | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) Photo: MarvelIt’s been a superhero’s journey for writer-director James Gunn : He rose to great heights, was ruined, then re-emerged more powerful than ever. Five years ago Marvel Studios’ corporate parent, Disney, publicly fired Mr. Gunn as he started work on his third “Guardians of the Galaxy” movie over some inappropriate jokes he’d made years earlier on Twitter. A year later Mr. Gunn got himself uncanceled. He is now not only the sole writer and director of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. Mass production of comic-book movies has stretched thin the talents of Mr. Gunn and most of his fellow toilers on the superhero assembly line.

☆ DC Studios' future begins with Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

And, for once, the success of a Marvel film could bode well for the future of its longtime adversary. On the theatrical side, DC Studios has announced five new projects that will roll out starting in 2025 with Gunn's own "Superman: Legacy." "And I think Marvel Studios, sooner rather than later, needs to tell us what's going on with Spider-Man." He sees this as the result of predictable plotlines within the genre that are repeated across both studios' films. Marvel Studios

☆ The park with the most roller coasters in the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Impressive collections can be found in many parts of the world, but which park currently holds more roller coasters than any other? With a whopping 20 roller coasters, Six Flags Magic Mountain even rates a mention with Guinness World Records – helping the park justify its “Thrill Capital of the World” slogan. “I think there are a lot of great rides at Six Flags Magic Mountain.” he told CNN Travel recently. “But there are some other more fundamental reasons for why Six Flags Magic Mountain has so many roller coasters.”Location, prosperity and weather all played roles, he said. They’re fast, they’re twisty.”GoliathMartin Lewison said Goliath has the biggest drop of any traditional-style roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

☆ 'Guardians of the Galaxy 3' director says superhero fatigue is real and audiences are tired of 'watching things bash each other'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Grace Mayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

DC Studios' co-CEO James Gunn said in a recent interview that superhero fatigue is real. Surveys from the last year highlight a growing level of "superhero fatigue," even among Marvel fans. "I think there is such a thing as superhero fatigue," Gunn told the magazine. "It doesn't have anything to do with whether they're superhero movies or not. Of that fanbase, 31% said they were "getting a little tired of so many" superhero movies.

☆ Choose What to Dream Tonight
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Elizabeth Bernstein | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

I recently chatted with a friend about dreams. I said I long to sail in my sleep. My friend was more specific. “I want a day of fly fishing, then a 1970s-style night on the town with Farrah Fawcett,” he said. “Oh, and to fly, like Superman.”

☆ Big banks to the rescue
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Goldman Sachs' decision to charge employees for coffee might not be that outrageous after all! The largest US banks — headlined by Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo — just pledged a total of $30 billion in deposits to First Republic Bank. As detailed in a release announcing the news, the 11 banks, which also included Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, believe the move "demonstrates their overall commitment to helping banks serve their customers and communities. I can't imagine the big banks looking to pull the rug out from First Republic four months from now, but this money was a deposit, not a donation. Read more about how big banks came to the rescue of First Republic with $30 billion in deposits.

[1/2] Graffiti artist 'Maupal' known for having painted murals depicting Pope Francis as Superman poses for a photo outside his apartment near the Vatican two days before the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' election to papacy in Rome, Italy, March 11, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo MangiapaneROME, March 13 (Reuters) - For Italian street artist Maurizio Pallotta, Pope Francis, who marked his 10th anniversary as pontiff on Monday, is a superhero. Another of his murals depicts the pope as a street artist painting peace signs on a wall while a Swiss Guard is watching out for the police. Francis laughed when he saw one which depicts the pope as an agile window washer wiping away atmospheric pollution in a big city. "I am a bit too fat to be able to do stuff like that," Pallotta quoted the pope as saying.

☆ Trump, Buttigieg and the East Palestine Train Derailment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Former President Donald Trump arrives at the East Palestine Fire Department in East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 22. It’s still unclear what caused the Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, but Donald Trump and his opponents aren’t letting the tragedy go to political waste. The former President on Wednesday lambasted the Biden Administration’s response during a visit to the rural Ohio town, while Democrats spin a progressive parable of corporate greed. Enter Mr. Trump, who on Wednesday donned a superman cape and handed out bottled water while denouncing Biden officials. “They were intending to do nothing for you.”

☆ DC's slate for its new movie and TV universe is bizarre, risky, and a bit confusing — but still promising
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

DC Studios announced the first wave of movies and TV shows for the new DC universe. There are also aspects of the old DC movie universe — but it still shows promise. The slate, titled "Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters," is, to put it plainly, bizarre — and even a bit risky. If anything, it's still a bit of the old DC Extended Universe. If Gunn and Safran wanted to keep any aspects of the old DC movie universe, they picked the right ones.

Despite a rich stable of characters from Batman to Wonder Woman, the DC film and television studio has failed to match the success of Walt Disney Co's (DIS.N) Marvel hit factory. Also in 2025, DC Studios will release "Batman - Part II," a sequel starring Robert Pattison, a darker, more adult tale that is not part of Gunn's newly envisioned "DC Universe." While Marvel has become the highest-grossing film franchise in history, DC Studios has had mixed results. Four DC film projects that were completed before Gunn and Safran took over the studio will be released to theaters this year, "Shazam! Zaslav cut some costs by scrapping a third "Wonder Woman" film and a "Batgirl" movie that was headed to streaming.

☆ DC Comics fandom celebrates return of 'Swamp Thing' to big screen
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( Danielle Broadway | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

His name is Swamp Thing, and he is returning to the big screen with his own horror movie on a revamped DC Studios slate. In DC Comics, Swamp Thing interacts with several other characters' storylines, making him a common thread throughout the greater DC Universe, often helping to save it. Fans on Tuesday reveled in DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn's plans to bring the superhero back into the cinematic mix. loading“Makes sense, if they want to cover the corners of established parts of DC, Swamp Thing is a must,” The Raven's Lofttweeted. loadingJosh Parker also tweeted: "I'm honestly really glad we're getting Swamp Thing back."

☆ Trump wants to ditch his deal to post first on Truth Social and return to Twitter, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Trump wants to end an exclusivity deal with Truth Social and get back on Twitter, Rolling Stone reported. Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes denied an earlier report that Trump wants to make the switch. While Trump has just shy of 5 million followers on Truth Social, he has almost 88 million followers on Twitter. Nonetheless, according to Rolling Stone, a person close to the president said there is "no way" Nunes' statement is true. Among the ideas being floated is for a WWE-style campaign video post, or one comparing himself to Superman, according to Rolling Stone.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party, which long championed campaign finance reform, got so good at the game that it used more dark money than Republicans during the 2020 presidential campaign. He was also charged with campaign finance violations, allegedly using "straw donors" to circumvent contribution limits by giving money to allies who would then donate to politicians in their own names. There have been no campaign finance bills introduced in the new Congress, no new policies from regulators and barely even any discussion about reform. But I’m not so surprised," said Sheila Krumholz, the executive director of OpenSecrets, which tracks political donations, of Bankman-Fried’s use of the campaign finance system. "This is yet another example of how lax campaign finance rules allow someone with money to throw their weight around and build influence and maybe it is not gaining traction because it’s just one of many stories like this."

☆ 'Flash' star Ezra Miller avoids jail with plea deal for unlawful trespass in Vermont
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Actor Ezra Miller arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Justice League' at Dolby Theatre on November 13, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Ezra Miller agreed to a plea deal Friday to avoid jail time related to a May 2022 incident in which they allegedly stole alcohol from a neighbor's home in Vermont. "The Flash" actor pleaded not guilty to these charges in October, which could have carried a maximum sentence of 25 years. Under the deal, Miller agreed to plead guilty to unlawful trespass, a misdemeanor, and will serve one year probation and pay a $500 fine. As part of the agreement, Miller agreed not to consume alcohol and to continue their rehabilitation efforts centered on their mental health treatment.

☆ Incoming Democratic Congressman says he'll be sworn in on a first-edition Superman comic, underneath the US Constitution
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

An incoming Democratic lawmaker says he'll be sworn in on a first-edition Superman comic. Robert Garcia said he'd also use his citizenship certificate and a photo of his late parents, under the Constitution. Garcia is an avid comic books fan, frequently tweeting about his preference for DC over Marvel. Congressman-elect Robert Garcia, of California's 42nd District, tweeted an image of items he plans to be sworn in on. Being sworn in on a comic book would not be Garcia's only significant first.

It’s not that theatrical film exhibition was in a particularly good place before the pandemic. Yet the astounding box-office figures of 2022 tell a different story: Movie theaters didn’t become obsolete. It offered up the best of the moviegoing experience: spectacle, plus quality, plus rewatchability. But best of all, the hunger for the overly familiar was not the only story to be told this year. But if the pandemic-era absence of theatrical releases proved one thing, it’s that people love going to the movies, really love it, and not just to see Marvel movies.

☆ Netflix's 'The Witcher: Blood Origin' is a Christmas present for superfans only
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Ani Bundel | Ani Bundel Is A Cultural Critic Who Has Been Writing Regularly Since Her Work Can Also Be Found At Elite Daily | Weta'S Telly Visions | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Sadly, “The Witcher: Blood Origin,” Netflix’s new spinoff, is a disappointment. Not that the original “Witcher” wholly depended on Cavill as its titular lead. “Blood Origin” is the first live-action spinoff, a prequel deep-dive that chronicles how witchers came to be. Unfortunately, “Blood Origin” doesn’t do much with its excellent pieces. “Blood Origin” just feels like a side quest, something that’s only worthwhile for superfans.

☆ The 'Black Adam' debacle shows the limits of even superhero movies and Dwayne Johnson's star power
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Dwayne Johnson said that "Black Adam" isn't part of the new DC film universe's "first chapter." The movie didn't click with audiences, showing the limits of superhero movies and the Rock's star power. The rest of Johnson's statement read like an obituary, saying that he'll "always look back on the fan reaction to Black Adam with tremendous gratitude." Johnson's damage-control instincts kicked into high gear with "Black Adam," a passion project he spent over a decade trying to make. Black Adam isn't a well-known character, so it was always going to face an uphill battle.

☆ Dwayne Johnson says 'Black Adam 2' won't be part of new phase of DC movies at Warner Bros
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

(L-R) Hiram Garcia and Dwayne Johnson attends the "Black Adam" premiere at Cine Capitol on October 19, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. A "Black Adam" sequel won't be part of the next phase of DC movies from Warner Bros. "DC and Seven Bucks have agreed to continue exploring the most valuable ways Black Adam can be utilized in future DC multiverse chapters," Johnson wrote in a tweet. The move comes as Warner Bros. "Black Adam" was among the properties that have been disappointing for Warner Bros.

☆ Henry Cavill Is Out as Superman, DC Studios Seeks Younger Actor
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Alyssa Lukpat | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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☆ Look past the crisis the DC movie universe seems to be in right now and you'll see a plan taking shape
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Confusion has swirled in recent months around the future of the DC movie universe. But a plan is taking shape, based on what new DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn and others have confirmed. Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in "Wonder Woman 1984." The third "Wonder Woman" movie is on ice. Ben Affleck has expressed an interest in directing a DC movie.

☆ Amazon to bring fantasy game 'Warhammer 40,000' onto screens
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 16 (Reuters) - Amazon.com (AMZN.O) will bring popular fantasy game "Warhammer 40,000" to film and television screens, after the tech giant's content unit reached an agreement with Games Workshop Group (GAW.L), the British game developer said on Friday. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" novels - "The Rings of Power", which set a record debut in September for a Prime Video series. UK-based Games Workshop said Amazon will develop its intellectual property into film and television productions, adding that it will also grant merchandising rights to the U.S. company, beginning with the "Warhammer 40,000" universe. Games Workshop makes tabletop fantasy and futuristic battle games including "Warhammer 40,000", set in the 41st millennium. Reporting by Pushkala Aripaka in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi AichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Henry Cavill won't return as Superman in franchise's next movie
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Things are heating up in Metropolis, as DC Studios co-head James Gunn has announced he is writing a new feature film about Superman. In step with the new project, Gunn has also revealed that Henry Cavill will not return as the hero. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill. After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life,” Cavill wrote. On Tuesday, Jenkins tweeted a lengthy statement saying she was “was open to considering anything asked of me” in regards to a potential third project, which was scrapped.

☆ James Gunn has plans for DC
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —No, we aren’t getting the old Superman back, but James Gunn has dropped some information about what’s to come for the DC superhero. After Henry Cavill posted that he will not be returning as Superman in the DC film franchise, Gunn started a Twitter thread on Wednesday. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill,” Gunn tweeted. Gunn tweeted that he has been writing a new Superman movie “for a while,” adding “We don’t know who is directing yet.”When a follower asked about having Ben Affleck, who has starred as Batman, directing a Superman movie, Gunn didn’t rule it out. “Met with Ben yesterday precisely because he wants to direct & we want him to direct; we just have to find the right project,” Gunn tweeted.

☆ Far-right troll and Capitol rioter 'Baked Alaska' tweets that he can't believe he's 'going to jail for an nft salesman' after Trump announces digital trading card series
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The far-right personality known as "Baked Alaska" tweeted that he can't believe he's "going to jail for an nft salesman." "Baked Alaska," whose real name is Anthime Gionet, participated in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. His sentencing hearing is in January. "i can't believe i'm going to jail for an nft salesman," "Baked Alaska," whose real name is Anthime Gionet, tweeted Thursday afternoon. The charge carries a sentence of up to six months, and Gionet's sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 12.

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