Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is the second of five all new adventures in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

The film features an ensemble cast led by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp. The cast also includes, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, and Poppy Corby-Tuech.

“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is directed by David Yates, from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling.

The film is produced by David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram. Slated for release on November 16, 2018, the film will be distributed worldwide in 2D and 3D in select theatres and IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug. Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), home to premier global media brands that create compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form content, apps, games, consumer products, social media experiences, and other entertainment content for audiences in more than 180 countries. Connect with Paramount Pictures Online:

Official Site: http://www.paramount.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paramount Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ParamountPics Twitter: https://twitter.com/paramountpics YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Paramount

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – July 21, 2018 – Yesterday at Comic-Con International, “Star Trek” fans were provided a sneak peek at the highly anticipated season two premiere episode of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY during the series’ Hall H panel with cast and executive producers. The second season is slated to return to CBS All Access in early 2019.

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY co-creator and executive producer Alex Kurtzman, who directed the season two premiere, also announced at today’s panel the plan for STAR TREK: SHORT TREKS. The four SHORT TREKS episodes will roll out monthly beginning this fall, and will be stand-alone stories, each running approximately 10-15 minutes. Each short will be an opportunity for deeper storytelling and exploration of key characters and themes which fit into STAR TREK: DISCOVERY and the expanding “Star Trek” universe.

Rainn Wilson will return to play Harry Mudd in a short he will also direct, and Aldis Hodge will star in another as Craft, a man who finds himself the only human on board a deserted ship. Additional episodes include a deep dive into Saru’s (Doug Jones) backstory as the first Kelpien to join Starfleet, and Tilly’s (Mary Wiseman) journey aboard the U.S.S. Discovery and her friendship with an unlikely partner.

“There is no shortage of compelling stories to tell in the ‘Star Trek’ universe that inspire, entertain, and either challenge our preconceived ideas or affirm long held beliefs, and we are excited to broaden the universe already with SHORT TREKS,” said Kurtzman. “Each episode will deliver closed-ended stories while revealing clues about what’s to come on in future STAR TREK: DISCOVERY episodes. They’ll also introduce audiences to new characters who may inhabit the larger world of ‘Star Trek.’”

The STAR TREK: DISCOVERY panel, moderated by season two guest star Tig Notaro (Chief Engineer Reno), featured a conversation with cast members, including Sonequa Martin-Green (Commander Michael Burnham), Doug Jones (Commander Saru), Shazad Latif (Lt. Ash Tyler), Mary Wiseman (Ensign Sylvia Tilly), Anthony Rapp (Lt. Commander Paul Stamets), Wilson Cruz (Dr. Hugh Culber), Mary Chieffo (L’Rell) and Anson Mount (Captain Christopher Pike). They were joined by executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Heather Kadin.

Also at San Diego Comic-Con, the new Sonic Screwdriver Fan Collectible was revealed for the U.S. – a replica of what the Thirteenth Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker, will use in the new series of Doctor Who.

Designer Arwel Wyn Jones talked through the new Sonic, “It’s a privilege to have been asked to redesign the iconic Sonic Screwdriver for the Thirteenth Doctor and a new generation of audiences.  I can’t wait for people to see how the Doctor acquires it.”

Produced by Seven20, the new, electronic 7.4” Thirteenth Doctor Sonic Screwdriver Fan Collectible is an authentic replica of the Doctor’s device. It features two buttons that when pressed activate glowing patterns of red and orange interior lights, two different authentic Thirteenth Doctor Sonic Screwdriver sounds, and a beautiful rotating crystal that glows.

A limited quantity of Sonic Screwdriver Collectibles will be available to purchase at the BBC Shop at BBC AMERICA’s booth #4129 for fans attending San Diego Comic-Con.  The product will also be available for pre-order starting on Wednesday, July 25^th   using the following links:

Link:  https://shop.bbc.com/doctor-who-thirteenth-doctor-s-sonic-screwdriver-21535.html

Link:  http://hottopic.me/doctorwho

Raph, Leo, Donnie and Mikey emerge from the sewers and tap into undiscovered ninja powers in Nickelodeon’s reimagined, 2D-animated series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, debuting Monday, Sept. 17. The action-comedy series follows the band of brothers as they discover new powers and encounter a mystical world they never knew existed beneath the streets of New York City. In the months following, the series will premiere globally across Nickelodeon’s channels and branded blocks in 170+ countries and territories.

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows the Turtles on all-new adventures as they master new powers, encounter absurd mutants and battle bizarre villains, each with their own motivations. Ranging from mystics, mutants and madmen, new creatures and villains emerge to take on Raph, Leo, Donnie and Mikey in battles across New York City.  From the tallest skyscraper to the dankest sewer drain, the brothers learn to work together and navigate the perils of New York City and the hidden realms below in order to fulfill their destiny to become a team of heroes.

The line-up of guest stars voicing these new mutants and bizarre villains includes: Lena Headey (Game of  Thrones) as Big Mama, a gigantic spider mutant; John Michael Higgins (Pitch Perfect) as Warren Stone, a former news anchor turned mutant earthworm; Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Albearto, a singing, birthday-loving rampaging robot; Sam Richardson and Tim Simons (Veep) as Muninn and Huginn, gargoyles who are never far from their master, Baron Draxum; John Rotten Lydon (Public Image Ltd ‘PiL’ and Sex Pistols) as Meat Sweats, a power-hungry mutant pig; Rhys Darby (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) as Hypno-Potamus, a mutant magician/hippo; and Jorge Gutierrez (El Tigre) as Ghostbear, a human pro-wrestler champion with a taste for cheating.

In addition, Rob Paulsen (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Maurice LaMarche (Animaniacs) reunite behind the mic as Foot Lieutenant, the de-facto leader of the Foot Clan, and Foot Brute, the Foot Lieutenant’s right hand man.

The series stars the voice talent of Omar Miller (Ballers) as Raph, a jagged-shelled snapping turtle; Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation) as Leo, a red-eared slider turtle; Josh Brener (Silicon Valley) as Donnie, a soft-shell turtle; Brandon Mychal Smith (You’re The Worst) as Mikey, a box turtle; Kat Graham (The Vampire Diaries) as April O’Neil, a street savvy native New Yorker; Eric Bauza (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as Splinter, father figure and sensei to the Turtles; and WWE Superstar John Cena as the villainous, Baron Draxum.

In the half-hour launch episode, “Mystic Mayhem,” the Turtles discover for the first time that they’re not the weirdest things in New York.

Fans can watch a sneak peek of “Mystic Mayhem” on Friday, July 20, at 9:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. Additional episodes will be available on the Nick App, Nick.com, and Nick On Demand.

The new 26-episode series is co-executive produced by Andy Suriano (character designer, Samurai Jack) and Ant Ward (supervising producer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) at Nickelodeon in Burbank. Veteran animation industry voice actor Rob Paulsen is voice directing the series.

Viewers can visit the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles page on Nick.com  and Facebook for more information and follow @TMNT everywhere else for Turtle Power updates.

FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS –  Earth’s mightiest Saiyan Goku is set to return to U.S. and Canadian theaters with today’s announcement that Funimation® Films has acquired the theatrical rights to the new Dragon Ball Super movie, entitled “Dragon Ball Super: Broly This is the twentieth film in the Dragon Ball franchise and is based on the story, screenplay and character designs of original creator Akira Toriyama. As part of its distribution agreement with producer Toei Animation and the film’s international distributor Twentieth Century Fox, Funimation also secured the home entertainment, video on demand and broadcast rights to the film. This latest agreement builds on the 22-year long partnership between Toei Animation and Funimation, which has contributed to the global success and pop culture status of the Dragon Ball franchise.  “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” is anticipated to release in January 2019. The theatrical dates for the film’s run will be announced later.

As part of the theatrical marketing plan for “Dragon Ball Super: Broly,” Funimation has joined as a sponsor of the Dragon Ball North America Tour 2018.  The tour, which was announced by Bandai Collectibles earlier this year, will encompass a total of seven cities in the U.S. and Canada and will launch this July at San Diego Comic-Con with a special panel on July 19th that features key contributors to the film as well as celebrity fans.

“We are excited to be partnering with Toei Animation and Twentieth Century Fox on the theatrical release of ‘Dragon Ball Super: Broly,’” said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and President of Funimation. “The Dragon Ball North America Tour is really just the beginning. We have some big surprises in store for Dragon Ball fans of all ages. With the success of the last two Dragon Ball movies and the tremendous popularity of ‘Dragon Ball Super,’ we know that this theatrical event will deliver all the excitement that Dragon Ball fans have come to expect.”

“Dragon Ball Super: Broly” follows the events of the hit anime series “Dragon Ball Super,” the first new Dragon Ball storyline from original creator Akira Toriyama in more than 18 years. Since premiering in summer 2015, “Dragon Ball Super” has propelled the popularity of the franchise globally – with both lifelong fans and a new generation of children and teens. The last Dragon Ball film, “Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’” (2015), was a box office hit – grossing $8M in North America to become the first independent film to make the Top 10 list of highest grossing anime films domestically.

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/funimation and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/funimation and on Instagram atinstagram.com/funimation.

Aquaman
Release Date: December 21st, 2018.
Director: James Wan

This movie is finished, and will be released with connections to the other films. WB sees no point in cancelling it this close to release and it may be a deciding factor in the future of the DCEU.

Shazam!
Release Date: April 5th, 2019
Director: David Sandberg

Another film that is safe. It’s already filmed and early marketing has begun. Shazam’s (Or, DC’s Captain Marvel’s) first film will be released next year, with hopefully a more comedic tone to it.

Wonder Woman 1984
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
Director: Patty Jenkins

Even without a release date, this movie is safely in the “Coming out” zone. We’ve already seen set photos from the film and there are rumors that there will be some footage at San Diego Comic Con this year. Wonder Woman is also the DCEU’s first (and possibly only) hit film with critics and fans.

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Flashpoint
Release Date: 2020
Directors: N/A

This film currently has no director right now, but I think that this film’s direction will be dependant on if Aquaman and Shazam are successful. Otherwise, this could be the reboot point for DC.

Here’s where it gets fun. We are going to take a look at the announced films from DC and see if they are still going to happen.

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The Batman
Release Date: 2019
Director: Matt Reeves

This one is possibly going to happen, but without Ben Affleck’s involvement. Reeves has been speaking about the film going back to Batman’s early days, which would leave the door open for a new actor to step into the cowl.

Will it be made? Yes, but probably not with Ben Affleck.

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Batgirl
Release Date: TBD
Director: TBD

This was supposed to be Joss Whedon’s DC film, but in February, he left the project. No actor or new director has been announced for the film, but the writer for Bumblebee has been brought on to help write the film.

Will it be made? 50/50, leaning on probably not.

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Birds of Prey
Release Date: TBD
Director: TBD

We haven’t heard much about this, except that it would probably be an R-Rated movie and will not include Catwoman. This is one of the movies that is going to rely on if the next few DC Movies are successful.

Will it be made? In my opinion, No.

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Nightwing
Release Date: TBD
Director: TBD

This hurts to say, but there is no info about this. No cast, no director, no idea if it will happen. This could just be that the film is too far off to know anything, but the announcement of the film with no information doesn’t bode well.

Will it be made? Nope. Not right now.

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Deathstroke
Release Date: TBD
Director: TBD

As of April 2018, the film is still in pre-production, and I’m not 100% sure this won’t happen. We won’t get any information until we hear anything about a Justice League sequel.

Will it happen? Maybe, but not until after Justice League 2, whenever that happens.

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New Gods
Release Date: TBD
Director: Ava DuVernay

Hey, a director attached to one of these. A Wrinkle in Time director Ava DuVernay is in charge of bringing Jack Kirby’s “New Gods” to the big screen. All we know is that it is supposed to be made before Justice League 2.

Will it happen? Yeah, I think so. New Gods is so far off from the main DC Continuity, and if it bombs, it won’t be a big loss for WB.

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Cyborg
Release Date: TBD
Director: TBD

We haven’t heard anything about this film since 2016, I don’t think we will until it is relaunched as a Titans film.

Will it happen? No, at least not as a solo film in the DCEU.

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Gotham City Sirens
Release Date: TBD
Director: TBD

I think that this film will either replace or be cancelled with Birds of Prey. One of them is going to happen, and the most recent we have heard about was with Birds of Prey.

Will it happen? No, probably cancelled to make way for Birds of Prey.

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Suicide Squad 2
Release Date: 2019?
Director: Gavin O’Connor

I put this with the other “Probably not happening” movies, because I’m very unsure if this film will actually happen. We have heard very little from this film.

Will it happen? Maybe, but not in 2019. Maybe 2020/2021

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Harley Quinn Solo Film
Release Date: TBD
Director: TBD

Why? Do we need this film? Is it going to happen? I have no idea, but if everything on this list is made, this would be the 4th film with Harley Quinn in the focus. It seems a bit of overkill.

Will it happen? No idea, possibly not.

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Jared Leto Joker Solo Film
Release Date: TBD
Director: TBD

See above.

Will it happen? No idea, but this was announced less than a month ago, so we will see.

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Green Lantern Corps
Release Date: 2020
Director: TBD

I’m confident that this may happen, for the same reasons that New Gods could happen. The property is so disconnected from the other DC Universe that we could see the film be DC’s answer to Guardians of the Galaxy.

Will it happen? 50/50 Shot, but I’d say it might. Not in 2020 though.

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Lobo
Release Date: TBD
Director: Michael Bay

Okay… This is pretty weird, but we have been hearing a lot about this movie, so everyone should keep their ear to the ground.

Will it happen? Maybe.

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Untitled Joker Origin Film
Release Date: TBD
Director: Todd Phillips

DC is trying to do alternate universe films, and this would be the first one, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker set in the 1980’s. It could be cool, and I’m confident that this one may happen.

So, as you can see, Warner Bros. has been announcing so many movies for the future. This isn’t even including films that haven’t officially been announced, like Man of Steel 2 and Justice League 2. Compared to Marvel, most of these films don’t seem like they are going to happen. With Marvel, the only film that they have ever announced and not made was The Inhumans, which eventually became a failed TV Series. All of these films show that DC needs to get its act together and create an actual slate of movies that they are committed to making, rather than announcing movie after movie with no concrete plan for them.

Jonathan Lancaster, Comics, Movies, and Cartoon Specialist
YouTube: Robin0928  |  Twitter: @Robin0928review