Hudson Thames, known for lending his voice to the iconic Spider-Man in the upcoming Disney+ animated series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, has shared his impressions about the project. In a recent conversation with Collider, the actor expressed his initial doubts about the direction the series might take, suggesting it could be “annoying and overly political.” These concerns are common among fans and critics who fear that modern narratives might alter the essence of already established characters. However, Thames, who is excited about his role, changed his mind after viewing the content of […]
Hudson Thames, known for lending his voice to the iconic Spider-Man in the upcoming Disney+ animated series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, has shared his impressions about the project. In a recent conversation with Collider, the actor expressed his initial doubts about the direction the series might take, suggesting that it could end up being “annoying and overly political”. These concerns are common among fans and critics who fear that modern narratives might alter the essence of already established characters.
However, Thames, who is excited about his role, changed his mind after viewing the content of the series. He stated that, despite his initial concerns, he found the work to be of high quality and considered the series as “incredible”. This shift in his perspective suggests that, although concerns about the inclusion of political themes may be vague and somewhat ridiculous, the final result is entertaining and positive regardless of the viewers’ expectations.
An Approach Based on the Superhero’s First Steps
The series promises a fresh take on the beloved Marvel character, featuring a Spider-Man who not only faces his enemies but also the everyday challenges associated with adolescence. With Thames leading the cast, fans have high expectations about how this version of the web-slinging hero can resonate with contemporary audiences.
Marvel Studios has announced that it will release its first animated Spider-Man series, titled Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, scheduled to arrive on Disney Plus in 2025. This new interpretation of Peter Parker’s story will feature the young hero after being bitten by a spider from another dimension, connecting him to the Marvel multiverse. The series will be characterized by an approach that combines teenage melodrama with darker themes, while maintaining the character’s signature humor. Although the retro art has been a topic of discussion, with complaints about the lack of fluidity in the movements of […]
Marvel Studios has announced that it will release its first animated Spider-Man series, titled Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, scheduled to arrive on Disney Plus in 2025. This new interpretation of Peter Parker’s story will feature the young hero after being bitten by a spider from another dimension, which will connect him to the Marvel multiverse.
The series will be characterized by an approach that combines teenage melodrama with darker themes, while maintaining the character’s signature humor. Although the retro art has been a topic of discussion, with complaints about the lack of fluidity in the characters’ movements, the creators have expressed their appreciation for the visual style. Jeff Trammell, the show’s showrunner, defended the aesthetic by assuring that “it grows on you” while the criticism focuses on the clunky animation in some sequences.
A central element of the plot will be the relationship between Peter and Norman Osborn, who will be introduced as a mentor while followers question his true intentions. This creative twist, which differs from other adaptations, seeks to give a new breath to the narrative, allowing Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man to explore character dynamics that have become iconic, without being chained to the Marvel Cinematic Universe story.
Despite these innovations, it is anticipated that some Spider-Man purists may not be satisfied with the creative deviations from the original stories. The first episodes of the series will be available between January and February 2025, with a total of ten episodes in its first season. As the release date approaches, fans eagerly await how this new series will allow for an interactive and contemporary reimagining of the beloved Spider-Man.
The anticipated series Daredevil: Born Again, which will premiere on Disney Plus on March 4 in the U.S. and March 5 in Europe, promises to take the superhero genre to darker and deeper levels. According to Dario Scardapane, the showrunner of the series, this new production is even more grounded and less stylized than The Penguin, the spin-off of The Batman. In statements to SFX magazine, Scardapane assures that Daredevil: Born Again not only shares similarities with The Penguin but also takes storytelling to a new extreme of darkness. Darker than anything that […]
The anticipated series Daredevil: Born Again, which will premiere on Disney Plus on March 4 in the U.S. and March 5 in Europe, promises to take the superhero genre to darker and deeper levels. According to Dario Scardapane, the showrunner of the series, this new production is even more grounded and less stylized than The Penguin, the spin-off of The Batman. In statements to SFX magazine, Scardapane assures that Daredevil: Born Again not only shares similarities with The Penguin but also takes storytelling to a new extreme of darkness.
Darker than anything we have seen before on Disney+
Set five years after the Netflix series, Daredevil: Born Again follows a retired Matt Murdock (played by Charlie Cox), who is forced to resume his life as a vigilante with the return of his old enemy, Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), in New York. Scardapane emphasizes that the series is ‘darker than the original Netflix one’, which has caused excitement among fans of the genre.
The focus of the series is notably bolder, which implies a departure from Disney’s apprehension to tackle darker themes in its content. Scardapane claims that this series can go ‘further than any other Disney Plus production to date’, thus rivaling the more mature offerings of the superhero universe. According to the showrunner, the narrative and pacing are more intense, providing a unique experience compared to its predecessor.
Fans can find more details about the series in a special coverage in the upcoming issue of SFX, which will be available on January 29, and will include exclusive interviews. The wait for the return of Daredevil, with a renewed and darker approach, is almost over.
The Star Wars saga is set to take a significant turn with the announcement of a new installment directed by Shawn Levy. This movie will be developed independently, without connection to the Skywalker Saga, and will feature new characters and adventures within the vast Star Wars universe. The next lead actor of Star Wars would be far from unknown. According to exclusive information from The Hollywood Reporter, it has been indicated that Ryan Gosling, the acclaimed actor nominated for an Oscar three times, is in advanced talks to lead this ambitious project. Gosling’s involvement, known for […]
The Star Wars saga is set to take a significant turn with the announcement of a new installment directed by Shawn Levy. This film will be developed independently, without connection to the Skywalker Saga, and will feature new characters and adventures within the vast Star Wars universe.
The next lead actor of Star Wars might be far from unknown
According to exclusive information from The Hollywood Reporter, it has been indicated that Ryan Gosling, the acclaimed actor nominated for an Oscar three times, is in advanced talks to lead this ambitious project. Gosling’s participation, known for his work in films like Blade Runner and The Specialist, could considerably accelerate the start of production, scheduled for the end of this year in the United Kingdom.
Director Shawn Levy, known for his successful work in the Deadpool and Wolverine franchises, has been developing this project since 2022, alongside screenwriter Jonathan Tropper. Both will produce the film through their company 21 Laps, in collaboration with Lucasfilm and its president Kathleen Kennedy. The choice of a renowned actor like Gosling represents a shift in Star Wars’ casting strategy, which has historically favored emerging or lesser-known actors, as Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher were in their time.
Although the plot details are still kept secret, the creative direction of Levy and Tropper has generated high expectations among the franchise’s fans. This move could be part of a new strategy inspired by the success of Levy’s recent projects. While more information about this promising installment is awaited, fans can enjoy the rich legacy of Star Wars, as all the movies and series of the saga are available on Disney+.
It’s not that Disney is exactly in crisis, but when in doubt, it has decided to cut its losses with what doesn’t work. And frankly, it’s a shame. Disney+ has decided not to renew its original British series ‘Extraordinary’ and ‘Shardlake’ for new seasons. The decision comes after the conclusion of the second season of ‘Extraordinary,’ a daring superhero comedy that has captured viewers’ attention with its unique narrative and charismatic characters. Super-canceled! ‘Extraordinary,’ starring Máiréad Tyers and Sofia Oxenham, focuses on the lives of two roommates in a world full of […]
It’s not that Disney is precisely in crisis, but when in doubt, it has decided to cut what doesn’t work. And frankly, it’s a shame. Disney+ has decided not to renew its original British series ‘Extraordinary’ and ‘Shardlake’ for new seasons. The decision comes after the conclusion of the second season of ‘Extraordinary’, a daring superhero comedy that has captured the attention of viewers with its unique narrative and charismatic characters.
Super Canceled!
‘Extraordinary’, starring Máiréad Tyers and Sofia Oxenham, focuses on the lives of two roommates in a world filled with superpowers. The series has been acclaimed for its blend of comedy and chaotic situations, offering a fresh and fun take on the superhero genre. It’s not good news for fans, as its second season ended with a cliffhanger that has left the audience in a state of uncertainty and has generated considerable discontent among the show’s followers.
The cancellation of both series represents a significant change in Disney+’s content strategy, particularly in the realm of British productions. Although the platform has invested in a variety of original titles, the lack of continuity in series that have found a niche among viewers could raise questions about its approach to developing local content in the United Kingdom.
Although ‘Shardlake’ has also been canceled, its impact on the platform has not been as pronounced as that of ‘Extraordinary’, which in a very short time, and rightly so, had already created a loyal fan base. This announcement of non-renewal may contribute to a broader debate about the sustainability of series on streaming platforms, where cliffhangers and continued storytelling are increasingly common, leaving aside the traditional procedurals, but they can frustrate fans when left unresolved… Which is, sadly, becoming more common.
As you well know, the Disney subsidiary responsible for Star Wars, Lucasfilm, is about to release its second live-action Star Wars series of the year: Skeleton Crew. Set after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI, Return of the Jedi, the series follows a … Continue reading “”
As you well know, the Disney subsidiary responsible for Star Wars, Lucasfilm, is about to release its second live-action Star Wars series of the year: Skeleton Crew.
Set after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI, Return of the Jedi, the series follows a group of children seeking adventures who end up stranded in space with a ship of unknown origin and are joined on their journey back home by a mysterious and potentially unreliable adult Force user (Jude Law).
The new series comes from the minds of Christopher Ford and Jon Watts, director of Spider-Man: No Way Home, and has the potential to become the Disney+ hit that Lucasfilm has been desperately needing for the past two years.
How Skeleton Crew went from being a movie to a series
As suitable as it may seem for the studio’s Disney+ model, Skeleton Crew was originally pitched to Lucasfilm as a movie years ago, Watts recently revealed.
“I proposed it right after the first Spider-Man Homecoming movie. Initially, it was proposed to Lucasfilm as a movie, and then I had to go make two Spider-Man movies because the first one did everything right,” the filmmaker told TVLine. “Over time, [Jon] Favreau made The Mandalorian and Disney+ emerged, so it evolved, while the Spider-Man movies were being made, into a series.”
According to Watts, the unexpected evolution of Skeleton Crew gave him and Ford the opportunity to delve deeper into the story and the world of the series more than they had initially thought (or imagined). “That gave us more time to explore the galaxy and get into this world of piracy and have a little more fun with it,” explained Watts.
Skeleton Crew is not the only Star Wars television series that will start as a movie. Obi-Wan Kenobi from 2022 was also originally conceived and developed as a feature film, but the poor performance of the Han Solo movie in 2018 forced Lucasfilm to reconsider their plans at that time.
Despite the change, Obi-Wan Kenobi continued to be well-received when it aired on Disney+. Now, fans can only hope that Skeleton Crew achieves the same feat on Monday, December 2, the day of its premiere.
Disney is the new major power in the world of anime. Although only in terms of production, providing the money to make them, that doesn’t mean its importance is any less. Some of the most interesting upcoming animes have been financed and developed under its direction. That’s why it’s interesting to keep an eye on what they are developing. And it seems that, by 2025, they have some interesting things prepared. Disney wants to show that it can make anime in 2025. During the Disney APAC Content Showcase 2024 held in Singapore, they provided new information about their two upcoming animes: Bullet/Bullet and […]
Disney is the new major power in the world of anime. Even if only in terms of production, putting up the money to make them, that doesn’t mean their importance is any less. Some of the most interesting upcoming animes have been financed and developed under their direction. That’s why it’s interesting to keep an eye on what they are developing. And it seems that, by 2025, they have some interesting things planned.
Disney wants to prove it can make anime in 2025
During the Disney APAC Content Showcase 2024 held in Singapore, new information was given about their two upcoming animes: Bullet/Bullet and Twisted Wonderland. They not only provided release dates for both series but also some new details about them, leaving us eagerly anticipating.
Bullet/Bullet is the new series by Park Sung-hoo, director of Jujutsu Kaisen and The God of High School. The anime will be an action and racing series whose synopsis has not yet been revealed. What we do know is that the illustrator and mechanical designer is Hidetaka Tenjin, a legend in the field for his work on Macross, and the car action direction will be handled by Shin Misawa, director of the legendary Initial D. Promising us that if there is anything, it will be a lot of action and visual excellence.
Twisted Wonderland, on the other hand, is an adaptation of a mobile video game set in a magical academy for Disney villains. With character design and script by Yana Toboso, author of the popular manga Black Butler, it is a very popular game in Japan that now arrives in anime form. Confirming that it will have three seasons, it will be directed by Takahiro Natori, director of all iterations of Aria and the underrated Atom the Beginning.
Both series will be broadcast on Disney+, but only Bullet/Bullet will do so exclusively on the platform. Twisted-Wonderland will premiere in October 2025 and Bullet/Bullet will not be released until the summer of that same year. So, although we still have time to see the final result, it seems that Disney is going all out to be one of the major powers in the anime field as well.
Despite Akira Toriyama’s death, that doesn’t mean we won’t continue to have new works of his to enjoy, like this new anime adaptation.
The death of Akira Toriyama has been a tremendous blow for several different generations. Even more so when it has been unexpected. The father of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump was very beloved for his mythical works that, although sometimes we forget, go far beyond Dragon Ball. In addition to creating the art for legendary RPGs like Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest, he also made other, shorter mangas that demonstrate his genius. Sand Land being a good example of this.
In the last year there has been a resurgence of this particular work by Toriyama. Published from May 22nd to August 28th, 2000, contained in a single volume, it demonstrates Toriyama’s obsession and interest in original vehicles and post-apocalyptic settings. Something that has experienced a particular explosion in recent years.
Perhaps it’s because of the success of Mad Max: Fury Road, perhaps because the manga is just that good, today a new series based on this manga is premiering: Sand Land: The Series. Available on Disney+, it consists of seven episodes that tell the entirety of the manga from beginning to end. With a twist. A second season has been announced that will feature events that have never appeared in manga format and that, in principle, would be Toriyama’s last story written in his lifetime. This makes this series even more important and dramatic.
Sand Land, in terms of the plot, takes place in a world where there is barely any water left after years of endless wars and terrible natural disasters. In these circumstances, Beelzebub, son of Lucifer and prince of demons, ventures into the vast deserts to find a new water source, tired of his father monopolizing all the water sources. This will make him have to cooperate with demons, humans, and confront dinosaurs and all kinds of creatures riding on what Toriyama liked to draw the most: all kinds of vehicles.
Like a mix of Mad Max and Dragon Ball, it’s a dystopian story, full of charm and humor in the style of Toriyama. A real treat for all those in love with Dragon Ball, especially those who prefer the stories of young Goku over the more tumultuous power level stories of Dragon Ball Z.
The interesting thing about this series is that it is not made from scratch. It is an adaptation of the homonymous film made in collaboration by Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga and Anima studios, which was exclusively released in Japan on August 18th. For the series, they have added cut material from the film, developing the plots and characters much more, in order to address the entirety of the manga without leaving anything out. Making the series an even more satisfying experience.
However, that’s not all the Sand Land we’ll have in the near future. The ILCA studio, the people behind the remarkable One Piece Odyssey, will release a Sand Land video game on April 26for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.
If you’re curious, the game already has a demo available on all platforms. This has allowed us to verify what it will contain. A vast open world, full of possibilities, where the customization of our vehicles will be very important, and where we will have to learn to handle ourselves well in each of the three available. A motorcycle, very fast but not so capable in combat; a tank, robust and with great firepower but limited mobility; and a chubby mech, specialized in close combat and short distances but suffers in long-range battles.
Although the demo is somewhat limited, designed more to show us the mechanics than the game world, it promises to be a fun experience that perfectly recreates Akira Toriyama’s aesthetic. Something that, although we are already used to seeing in the video game, does not make it any less spectacular. Or less endearing, now that he is no longer with us.
That’s why, if like us you miss Toriyama, Sand Land is the perfect opportunity to connect with him in a way you may not have done before. Whether it’s by reading the manga, watching the newly released animated series, playing the upcoming video game, or all of the above, there has never been a more ideal time to immerse yourself in Toriyama’s fascinating mind. Something that, we know well, we need now more than ever.
