A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms trailer breakdown and what to expect

Marvel has officially dropped the teaser trailer for Thunderbolts, and it's got everyone buzzing. With a stellar cast led by Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, this film promises to shake things up in the MCU. Slated to hit theaters on May 2, 2025, Thunderbolts will bring together some of Marvel’s most complex and misunderstood characters for what looks like an action-packed, irreverent team-up. The Thunderbolts teaser offers a first glimpse at the unconventional squad set to take center stage in this new MCU installment. Here’s the lowdown: Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) takes the lead as the team’s assassin with a dark past. Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) returns as the Winter Soldier, adding his brooding complexity to the mix. Red Guardian (David Harbour) brings humor and brute strength, continuing his journey from Black Widow. John Walker (Wyatt Russell), aka U.S. Agent, will bring his flawed sense of justice back to the screen. Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) returns after her last appearance in Black Widow. Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) brings her stealthy powers of intangibility to the team. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the mysterious puppeteer behind the scenes, is pulling the strings once again. Jake Schreier, known for his indie films, is directing Thunderbolts, bringing a fresh perspective to the MCU. With Kevin Feige as producer and a crew of veterans behind the scenes, including executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek, Jason Tamez, and Scarlett Johansson, this film looks poised to deliver something unique. Unlike other MCU team-ups, Thunderbolts promises a more irreverent tone, focusing on characters who aren’t exactly heroes. Yelena, Bucky, and the rest of the crew are far from your typical Avengers lineup, and that’s part of what makes this film so exciting. The Thunderbolts aren’t here to save the world—they’re here to survive, and maybe redeem themselves along the way. This ragtag group of misfits doesn’t scream “team player,” but that’s exactly what makes this team-up so intriguing. Expect plenty of humor, high-stakes action, and complex character dynamics as they navigate their own troubled pasts while working together (or trying to, at least). With Thunderbolts set to debut in theaters on May 2, 2025, we still have some time to speculate on how this film will fit into the broader MCU. Will this lead to a darker, edgier phase for Marvel? One thing’s for sure: Yelena and her crew will be delivering something completely different from the usual superhero fare. We’ll discuss this further on the next Geek Freaks podcast, so stay tuned for our in-depth breakdown! What We Know So FarAn Indie Director Takes the HelmWhy Thunderbolts Is DifferentMark Your Calendars

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Netflix Geeked Week 2024 delivered major announcements for fans, including Arcane Season 2, which drops in November with a new clip. Mia Cech was cast as Toph in Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action series, while Devil May Cry's animated series is set for an April 2025 release. Squid Game Season 2 premieres on December 26, and Black Mirror Season 7's cast was revealed, including Awkwafina and Issa Rae. Other highlights include trailers for Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, and a new Rebel Moon video game coming in 2025.

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The 76th Emmy Awards honored television's finest, with "Shogun" making history by winning a record 18 Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series, and acting awards for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. "The Bear" secured 11 wins, with Jeremy Allen White winning Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and co-stars Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Liza Colón-Zayas taking supporting actor honors, although it missed out on Best Comedy Series to "Hacks". "Baby Reindeer" also stood out, winning Best Limited or Anthology Series, with Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning receiving acting accolades. Other notable winners included Jean Smart for "Hacks" and Elizabeth Debicki for "The Crown", highlighting a night of standout performances and significant achievements in television.

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The latest trailer for Venom: The Last Dance surprised fans with the appearance of Knull, the god of darkness who created the alien symbiotes. While Knull’s introduction has Marvel fans excited, it also reignited a long-standing debate in the comic book industry: Should comic creators be compensated when their characters make the leap to the big screen? Knull’s creators, Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman, were just as surprised as the fans when the trailer dropped. Stegman, who drew Venom Vol. 4 #3, where Knull made his first official appearance, took to X (formerly Twitter) with humor but also raised eyebrows when he said, “Yes, I did co-create Knull. No, I didn’t know until today that he was gonna be in Venom: The Last Dance... Yes, I do expect to finally be able to afford that lazy river moat around my house." Cates, who wrote the comic series, also chimed in with a joke, tweeting an image that simply said “MONEY” with the caption “lol.” While their reactions were lighthearted, it raises a serious question: Should comic creators be financially rewarded when their creations are adapted into massive Hollywood blockbusters? The issue of compensating comic creators is not new, but it’s become more pressing as comic book movies dominate the global box office. While films like Avengers: Endgame rake in billions, the creators behind the characters often see little to no financial benefit from their work being adapted. Marvel’s track record on compensating creators has been mixed. Jim Starlin, who created Thanos, had a very public battle with Marvel over the use of his character in the Avengers films. Starlin eventually received a payout, but only after the issue went public. The fact that Stegman and Cates were unaware of Knull’s inclusion in the film until the trailer’s release suggests that comic creators still aren’t always in the loop when their characters make the jump from page to screen. In contrast, Marvel legend Stan Lee, who co-created many of the company’s most iconic heroes, was a notable exception. Thanks to his legendary status and executive role, he received ample recognition (and compensation) for his contributions to the Marvel Universe. Unfortunately, this level of compensation is far from the norm for most creators. At the heart of the issue is whether comic creators should receive royalties when their characters or stories are adapted into films, TV shows, or merchandise. In many cases, the contracts signed between creators and publishers like Marvel or DC give ownership of the characters to the company, leaving creators with little say or financial stake in their future adaptations. However, some argue that without the writers and artists who bring these characters to life, there would be no billion-dollar film franchises. It’s not just about money—it’s about recognition and respect for the creative minds that fuel these stories. The fact that Cates and Stegman didn’t even know about Knull’s inclusion in the new Venom film highlights how detached creators can be from the process once Hollywood gets involved. One question lingering around Venom: The Last Dance is whether Sony, the studio behind the Venom films, will handle compensation any differently from Marvel. Since Sony owns the film rights to Venom, the situation could be more complex than the typical Marvel Studios release. If Sony chooses to compensate Cates and Stegman fairly for their creation of Knull, it could set a positive precedent for other creators.

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Sony has officially announced the PlayStation 5 Pro, set to launch on November 7, 2024, for $699.99. The console features a 67% stronger GPU, advanced ray tracing, and AI-driven upscaling for sharper visuals. It will ship without a disc drive, though an optional one is sold separately. The PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD and a DualSense controller. Games optimized for the Pro, labeled "PS5 Pro Enhanced," include popular titles like Alan Wake 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. All PS5 games remain compatible with the PS5 Pro.

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James Earl Jones, the iconic actor known for his commanding voice as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, passed away on September 9, 2024, at the age of 93 in his home in Dutchess County, New York. Jones had a career spanning over seven decades, earning EGOT status for his achievements in theater, film, and television. Overcoming a severe childhood stutter, his voice became one of the most recognizable in entertainment history. Jones’ notable roles included performances in The Great White Hope, Field of Dreams, and Coming to America. While the cause of his death has not been revealed, his legacy as a trailblazer and an unforgettable performer endures​.

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Warner Bros. has asked Ian McKellen to reprise his role as Gandalf in the upcoming 2026 film The Hunt for Gollum, though his return is not yet confirmed since the script is still being written. Directed by Andy Serkis, the film aims to expand the Middle-earth universe further. This project follows other Lord of the Rings-related content, including Amazon's The Rings of Power and the animated The War of the Rohirrim, set for release in December 2024.

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The California Senate has passed AB 1836, a groundbreaking law requiring explicit consent from the estates of deceased performers before their likenesses can be used in AI-generated digital replicas. Backed by SAG-AFTRA, this legislation aims to protect the legacies of late actors and entertainers, ensuring that their digital representations are handled with respect and ethical consideration. This move highlights the importance of maintaining control over how deceased figures are portrayed in an industry increasingly influenced by AI technology.

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