Daredevil Date Locked, Jessica Jones Tease, and Marvel’s Street-Level Reset

Kathleen Kennedy, who has led Lucasfilm for more than a decade, is expected to exit her role as president at the end of 2025, according to reports. The longtime industry executive, who helped guide the “Star Wars” franchise through a new era under Disney, plans to retire when her current contract expires. However, a source close to Kennedy has dismissed this as “pure speculation,” saying no official decision has been made.Kennedy took the helm of Lucasfilm in 2012, succeeding George Lucas after Disney acquired the company for $4 billion. Her tenure began with a surge of renewed interest in “Star Wars,” launching the sequel trilogy with 2015’s The Force Awakens. The film grossed over $2 billion worldwide and remains the highest-grossing domestic release of all time.She also oversaw the critically acclaimed Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and spearheaded the franchise’s shift to streaming with hit Disney+ series such as The Mandalorian and Andor. However, not all of Kennedy’s projects found success. The sequel trilogy suffered diminishing returns, with The Rise of Skywalker (2019) bringing in roughly half of The Force Awakens’ earnings. Meanwhile, 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story became the first Star Wars film to lose money, casting doubts over the franchise’s theatrical viability.Beyond Star Wars, Kennedy also led the revival of Indiana Jones, culminating in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). The film, meant to be Harrison Ford’s swan song as the character, struggled at the box office, losing an estimated $140 million.Since The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm has struggled to bring Star Wars back to theaters. Multiple announced projects, including films from Patty Jenkins (Rogue Squadron), Kevin Feige, and Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, were shelved. The studio’s next confirmed theatrical release, The Mandalorian & Grogu, is set for 2026, with a new trilogy reportedly in early development.Kennedy’s potential departure marks a pivotal moment for Lucasfilm. Under her leadership, the studio expanded into new formats and reached new audiences, yet the franchise’s direction remains uncertain. If she does step down, Disney will face a critical decision: who will shape the future of Star Wars and Lucasfilm beyond 2025?A Decade of Lucasfilm Under KennedyThe Future of Lucasfilm

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DC Studios co-chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran have revealed major updates for the DC Universe (DCU), including new movies, series, and strategic shifts in production. Robert Pattinson is NOT the DCU’s Batman.The Batman Part II is still in development and set to begin filming this year. A Clayface movie is confirmed! Directed by James Watkins and written by Mike Flanagan, it will be an R-rated body horror film. Live-action Teen Titans movie announced, with a script by Ana Nogueira (Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow writer). Jason Momoa looks exactly like Lobo in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, a gritty sci-fi film. Superman Season 1 will have 8 episodes and feature a unique style, distinct from Supergirl. Rick Flagg Sr. (Frank Grillo) will be the villain in Peacemaker Season 2. DC Studios' release strategy:2 live-action movies, 1 animated movie, 2 live-action series, and 2 animated series per year. Upcoming projects:The Brave and the Bold, Swamp Thing, Booster Gold, and Paradise Lost remain in development. Waller faces delays, and The Authority movie is on hold. DC Studios prioritizing strong scripts over rigid plans, with Clayface greenlit due to an exceptional script.DC fans, what are you most excited for? Let us know! 🔥 #DCU #DCComics #Batman #TeenTitans #Supergirl #Superman #ClayfaceKey Announcements:

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After a long wait, Lucasfilm has finally given us a full look at Andor Season 2, and it’s clear Cassian and the growing Rebel Alliance are gearing up for battle against the Empire.While we previously got a small glimpse of the new season, this first full trailer showcases more of Diego Luna’s return in the Rogue One prequel series. With tensions rising and the stakes higher than ever, Andor Season 2 looks set to deliver an intense, gripping finale to Cassian’s journey.

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Marvel and DC are teaming up for a new crossover in 2025, announced at ComicsPRO. The event will feature two one-shot issues: Marvel/DC published by Marvel and DC/Marvel published by DC. Details on the creative teams and storylines are still under wraps.It’s rare to see the Big Two collaborate, so this could be something special—if they bring in the right writers and artists to make it worthwhile.

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James Watkins has been confirmed as the director for Clayface, DC’s upcoming horror-inspired film, scripted by Mike Flanagan. Set for release on September 11, 2026, the movie is described as a horror-thriller-tragedy, focusing on the tragic aspects of Clayface rather than portraying him as a traditional villain.DC co-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran are producing alongside The Batman director Matt Reeves, with Chantal Nong as executive producer. With Watkins attached, casting can now begin.Watkins, known for The Woman in Black, Eden Lake, and the recent $76M hit Speak No Evil, brings strong horror credentials to the project. This move aligns with DC’s growing embrace of genre-driven storytelling, hinting at a darker, more psychological take on Batman’s world.Further details, including casting, are expected soon.

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Nickelodeon and Avatar Studios have officially announced Avatar: Seven Havens, a brand-new 2D-animated series set in the Avatar: The Last Airbender universe. The show follows a young Earthbender Avatar after Korra, navigating a world devastated by a cataclysm where she is seen as a threat rather than a savior. Alongside her long-lost twin, she must uncover their origins and save the Seven Havens, civilization’s last remaining strongholds.Series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko return, joined by executive producers Ethan Spaulding and Sehaj Sethi. The show will span 26 episodes split into two seasons and marks the first mainline TV series from Avatar Studios.Additionally, Avatar Studios is developing an animated feature film about adult Aang, set to release in theaters on January 30, 2026. As part of the franchise’s 20th anniversary, Nickelodeon also announced new books, comics, concerts, toys, and a Roblox game.With a bold new storyline, fresh characters, and an expanded Avatar universe, Seven Havens is set to be a major milestone in the beloved franchise’s legacy.Keywords: Avatar: Seven Havens, new Avatar series, Avatar Studios, Nickelodeon, Avatar: The Last Airbender, new Avatar cartoon, Avatar sequel, new Earthbender Avatar, Avatar movie, adult Aang movie, Avatar Studios expansion.

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In a surprising move, NetEase has laid off its U.S.-based development team for the highly successful game Marvel Rivals, despite the game's impressive performance and growing player base.Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play hero shooter launched in December 2024, quickly gained traction, amassing over 20 million players within its first 11 days. Despite these achievements, NetEase decided to disband the Seattle-based team responsible for aspects of the game's development. Game Director Thaddeus Sasser announced the layoffs on LinkedIn, expressing his disbelief: "This is such a weird industry. My stellar, talented team just helped deliver an incredibly successful new franchise in Marvel Rivals for NetEase Games... and were just laid off!" Level Designer Jack Burrows also confirmed the layoffs, stating, "Welp, just got laid off from my job working on Marvel Rivals with NetEase." NetEase addressed the situation, stating that the layoffs were part of a strategic restructuring to "optimize development efficiency for the game." The company emphasized that the core development team in China remains intact and committed to delivering new content for Marvel Rivals. This decision aligns with NetEase's recent trend of scaling back its U.S. operations. In November 2024, the company ceased funding for Worlds Untold, a studio founded by BioWare veteran Mac Walters, and in January 2025, it shut down Jar of Sparks, led by Halo and Destiny 2 developer Jerry Hook. The layoffs have sparked discussions within the gaming community about the volatility of the industry, especially when successful projects face unexpected team reductions. As Marvel Rivals continues to thrive, players and industry professionals alike are left questioning the rationale behind such corporate decisions.Sources: NetEase lays off Marvel Rivals' Seattle Developers Marvel Rivals player count | How many people are playing? Marvel Rivals' first-month revenue estimated at $136 million NetEase confirms Marvel Rivals layoffs, says cuts were made 'to optimize development efficiency for the game' NetEase lays off US Marvel Rivals team: 'This is such a weird industry', says game director Thaddeus Sasserradiotimes.com The game reached a peak of 644,269 concurrent players on Steam on January 10, 2025, coinciding with the launch of its first season. steamdb.info Financially, the game has been a significant success, generating an estimated $136 million in its first month, with $36 million from China alone. gameworldobserver.comgeekwire.compolygon.compcgamer.comtimesofindia.indiatimes.com

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HBO’s adaptation of the hit video game series The Last of Us is charting a defined course to its conclusion, with network executives hinting at a four-season journey. In remarks delivered at The White Lotus Season 3 premiere, HBO’s Head of Drama, Francesca Orsi, outlined a tentative roadmap for the series’ evolution.“We don’t have a complete or final plan, but I think it’s looking like four seasons. I wouldn’t want to confirm that, but it’s looking like this season and then two more seasons after this and we’re done,” Orsi stated. Her comments underscore the network’s intent to maintain a clear narrative trajectory while adapting the expansive source material.The post-apocalyptic drama, lauded for its immersive storytelling and rich character development, is set to return with Season 2 this spring, featuring a seven-episode run. Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have acknowledged from the start that the adaptation demands a careful, measured approach, particularly when it comes to translating the depth and complexity of the original video game into episodic form.Although some fans are curious whether future installments might delve into the events of The Last of Us Part II or even adapt potential narratives from subsequent games, Orsi’s remarks suggest a commitment to a unified story arc. The four-season plan appears designed to preserve the integrity of the source material, ensuring that each season contributes meaningfully to the overall narrative without overstaying its welcome.Media analysts note that this disciplined approach could enhance viewer engagement by delivering a tightly woven, complete story that respects the beloved origins of the series. As anticipation builds for the upcoming season, audiences are watching closely to see how HBO navigates the challenges of adapting such a complex narrative.For continuous updates on The Last of Us and additional insights, follow leading entertainment news outlets.

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