Just days after winning a heated auction for the next feature project from Zach Cregger, New Line is quickly reteaming with the filmmaker behind last year’s surprise hit, Barbarian, for another genre project.

The Warner Bros. arm has picked up Companion, a sci-fi thriller from Drew Hancock, who wrote the script and who will also direct.

Cregger will produce the feature along with Raphael Margules and J.D. Lifshitz of BoulderLight Pictures and Vertigo’s Roy Lee. The project reunites the filmmaking team that produced, and in the case of Cregger, wrote and directed, Barbarian. And it becomes one of the first projects out of gate for BoulderLight’s freshly signed deal with New Line.

Plot details are being kept securely squared away on a screenwriting app.

And just like Cregger’s new project, Weapons, Companion is also being fast-tracked for a 2023 production start. (via THR)

Deadpool is dead—long live Deadpool! It was previously revealed that Wade Wilson will meet his end at the hands of new super villain Death Grip this October in DEADPOOL #6. Following this shocking turn of events, his daughter, Ellie Camacho, will step up as the all-new Deadpool starting in November’s DEADPOOL #7! Just revealed at the Diamond Retailer Lunch at San Diego Comic-Con, Ellie’s new role is the latest twist in what’s been writer Cody Ziglar’s roller coaster of a run. To welcome the new Merc with a Mouth, Ziglar will be joined by guest artist Andrea Di Vito and co-writer Alexis Quasarano in her Marvel Comics debut. Wade has fallen, and his daughter Ellie has taken up the mantle! Taskmaster continues her mercenary training, but what she really wants is vengeance. And to get that, she’ll need Princess’ help. Preorder DEADPOOL #7 at your local comic shop today and stay tuned in the days ahead for more San Diego Comic-Con announcements!

The universe of The Boys is expanding again. At Comic-Con on Friday, Prime Video announced that it’s ordered a prequel series called Vought Rising that will star Jensen Ackles and Aya Cash, reprising their roles from the flagship series. Ackles made an appearance onstage at Hall H in San Diego to thunderous applause, and Cash announced the series in a video. Vought Rising joins The Boys‘ college-set spinoff Gen V and the animated show The Boys Presents: Diabolical in Prime Video’s franchise. The 1950s-set series takes place in New York City and, as Ackles said at Comic-Con, will track the “humble yet diabolical” beginnings of Vought. (via THR)

Bob Hearts Abishola co-creator and star Gina Yashere has joined the cast of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy in a recurring role. Yashere will play an Academy instructor in the Paramount+ series. She joins previously announced cast Holly Hunter, Kerrice Brooks, Bella Shepard, George Hawkins, Karim Diané, Zoë Steiner and Paul Giamatti. Production is set to begin next month. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy introduces viewers to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself. (via Deadline)

Dynamite's industry-shaking partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products has brought fans explosive new tales of fabled franchises and some of the most impactful, bestselling titles in the industry. For the first time ever at a major comics convention, fans can attend a panel to hear from the luminary creators behind these acclaimed comics!

This panel will take place on Friday, July 26 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM in room 10.

Dynamite's Executive Editor Joe Rybandt leads a powerhouse panel of writers and artists from across the Warner Bros. titles including Declan Shalvey (ThunderCats), David Pepose (Space Ghost), Soo Lee (ThunderCats: Cheetara), and Joe Casey (Jonny Quest).

The Warner Bros. comics revolution has only just begun, but it started with a big bang. ThunderCats #1 by virtuoso writer Declan Shalvey (Moon Knight, Alien) and perfectly paired artist Drew Moss (Gargoyles: Dark Ages) pounced onto store shelves and readers minds as the highest selling comic launch in Dynamite's two decades of publishing. The beloved franchise that fans first got to know in the 1980s has gone through several eras and iterations, with Declan and Drew's new take appealing to all fans and newcomers.

The ThunderCats return to comics has been so fierce and warmly received by fans that writer Soo Lee (Carmilla: The First Vampire) has now begun chronicling the solo stories of breakout star Cheetara in her own series, which has only just begun to claw into the hearts of fans.

That momentum continued with the skyrocketing success of Space Ghost, a modernized yet classics-revering approach to the superhero from super-fan David Pepose (Punisher, Savage Avengers) and longtime Dynamite heavy hitter artist Jonathan Lau (Green Hornet, Vampirella).

Fan-favorite scribe Joe Casey's Jonny Quest will also be discussed, with Casey joining the panel to discuss his take on another beloved Hanna-Barbera series. The title will launch this August, shortly following the convention, and following a brilliant preview release on Free Comic Book Day in May.

The panel will also touch on the hit new The Powerpuff Girls title that launches right before the convention, and teases for what may be around the corner.

San Diego Comic Con is known for its big and surprising announcements, and this year another one is coming. Additionally with 2024 marking Dynamite's 20th anniversary, this is an exciting one! Fan-favorite actor Sean Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) is bringing a story like no other to fans through an upcoming original graphic novel, Shepherds!

In a near-future vision of our world with humans seemingly missing in action, Shepherds turns its spotlight to a society of canines trying to survive in their new harsh world. Readers will be brought to The Arena, a camp in an old stadium populated by domesticated dogs, a few wolves and their pups. The settlement is guarded and led by Queen Guadalupe, a melanistic wolf who is fascinated by human art and poetry and inspired by the curious human values of compassion and kindness. She wants to raise a new generation of wolfdogs, a hybrid species built to last.

Everything Guadalupe has built and strived for will soon be in jeopardy. A platoon of vicious Canidae, composed of wolves, coyotes, foxes, and jackals are making their way to The Arena to overtake it. They are soldiers fresh from fighting a war against bears and crocodiles and they have no use for the “pets”, the weaker pooches and mutts from a bygone world. As Guadalupe prepares to evacuate her pack, a wrench is thrown into the plan when a battle-worn German Shepherd they recently found reveals herself to be the former police dog called Blackberry, fabled among their society for her heroic past.

What follows is an adventure with many more heartfelt characters, exciting action, and dizzying lore that reveals mysteries spanning back to the beginning of time.

“Shepherds is a story I’ve been envisioning for years," said Sean Gunn. "It’s a timely twist on the post-apocalyptic genre, exploring human themes through the eyes of our proverbial best friends. I can’t wait to share it with an audience. Dynamite Entertainment has a history of telling unique stories in creative and daring ways, and they are the perfect partners to help bring Shepherds to readers. It’s thrilling to be working with them on this project that means so much to me, and artistically challenging in the best way.”

Shepherds comes from the mind of Sean Gunn, known for his acting across a wide range of projects. His character Kirk Gleason was an eccentric fan favorite through the run of Gilmore Girls. Moviegoers of all ages will recognize him from his role as Kraglin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, principally in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. He also played Weasel and Calendar Man in The Suicide Squad, and will be seen portraying Maxwell Lord next summer in Superman.

"Sean is not only a great actor, but a wonderful guy with a keen mind and fertile imagination," said Nick Barrucci, Dynamite CEO and Publisher. "Every time anyone sees him on screen, his presence instantly captures and puts a smile on your face. Fans have known him as an actor in a myriad of films and shows, but now they'll get to know him as a writer. When we first spoke with him in our initial meeting, his passion for this project was incredible. Sean is bringing this story to fruition and we're honored to be a part of it. We're excited to share with fans another angle of his work, and an incredible story as well."

The release avenue, timing, and further creative information about Shepherds will be revealed soon!

Sean Gunn is represented by Charles Ferraro and Jonathan Beckerman at United Talent Agency, Mitch Clem of Mitch Clem Management, and Andrew Hurwitz of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.

Nick Barrucci and Dynamite Entertainment are represented by Charles Ferraro at United Talent Agency, Ford Gilmore of Illuminati Entertainment, and Michael Lovitz of Lovitz IP Law.

Todd McFarlane has been touting the upcoming Spawn movie for years, and he admits that it’s been a challenge for the gung ho comic book creator to be patient as the process unfolds. But now one key portion of its development hell phase is ending, and a new chapter is beginning for the project, based on the Image Comics books centering on a former black-ops agent who makes a deal with a demon after being betrayed and killed. King Spawn now has a completed script, one that McFarlane and producer Jason Blum’s Blumhouse have enough confidence in to start meeting with directors for the movie. The news comes two years after they commissioned a script from rising scribe Matt Mixon, Falcon and the Winter Soldier creator Malcolm Spellman and Joker Oscar nominee Scott Silver. After finding a director, the team will then approach studio partners. It’s unclear if Jamie Foxx, who has long been attached to star, will still be involved, as the eventual director will also have their own vision for the project. McFarlane says it is expected to be a mid-budget movie (not a $200 million tentpole), but also heftier than the budgets of a typical Blumhouse movie. (via THR)

Marvel Comics’ Trick-Or-Read titles return this October, and this year, there’ll be an extra treat! The three Trick-Or-Read titles set in the Marvel Universe will contain a bonus FANTASTIC FOUR backup story written by current Fantastic Four scribe Ryan North and drawn by the legendary Alan Davis. Titled FANTASTIC FOUR: YESTERDAY, these two superstar creators revisit the Fantastic Four’s thrilling early days in a way that invites new readers and astounds longtime fans! The story will detail the team’s origin, making it a perfect entry point for readers who want to get acquainted with the characters and the FF mythos. This is also the perfect time to jump into this incredible FF story ahead of Marvel Studio’s highly anticipated Fantastic Four film, arriving in theaters next summer! TRICK-OR-READ is the popular program that gives fans a chance to grab special reprints of recent stories starring today’s hottest characters. In the same spirit as Free Comic Book Day, participating local comic shops can give these comics to customers during the Halloween season. The issues are selected to offer spellbinding trips to the Marvel Universe that anyone can enjoy. From the latest adventures of the Fantastic Four to breakout character Spider-Boy’s headlining debut—this year’s selections feature something for every reader including newcomers and young children! Check out the covers for the three Trick-Or-Read titles that will contain FANTASTIC FOUR: YESTERDAY and inquire with your local comic shop regarding availability!

This fall, Dynamite is proud to present an unprecedented graphic novel peek into the real-life thrills and tragedies of organized crime in the heart of America, and a pivotal figure and father at the center of it all. San Diego Comic-Con brings further details on the upcoming Last of the Gladiators from writer James M. LaRossa Jr. and company.

From the 1960s until the turn of the century, New York City was the focal point of organized and white-collar crime across the world. Through four fretful decades, the most fearsome mob bosses, assassins, cheating stockbrokers, money launderers and corrupt bankers and more, sought legal counsel with the famous Jimmy LaRossa, a prosecutor turned defense attorney, who was the lawyer of last resort when fighting prosecution before the all-mighty U.S. Government.

Last of the Gladiators is an adaptation of the prose memoir of the same title written by Jimmy's son. James LaRossa Jr. and his dearly departed father spent the last five years of the latter's life getting to know each other even more, sharing and recording the untold tales and history that Jimmy found himself wrapped up in through his career.

The memoir also taps into the son’s own upbringing, and journey of self-discovery navigating his identity as the son of such an outrageously successful and impactful figure. Last of the Gladiators is a family saga, in more ways than one.

“After I ‘snuck’ my father out of a New York hospital to prevent his certain death, I never imagined that the five years we spent together in Southern California would be so momentous," said writer James M. LaRossa Jr. "While I cooked him his favorite Italian meals, we shared the intimate stories of our lives, including the secrets to a generation of the most colorful criminals imaginable. After he died, I walked the beach aimlessly until the themes of Last of the Gladiators began to form. This is where the graphic novel begins.”

LaRossa comes over to the comic medium to adapt his own work, with co-writing assistance by comics mainstay Jonathan Vankin. Previously a longtime senior editor at DC Comics' acclaimed Vertigo imprint, through his editing and writing Vankin has taken on many stories of crime and family drama. They're joined by artist Giorgio Pontrelli, tasked with bringing these complicated tales to the page visually. Last but certainly not least, legendary artist Butch Guice handles the stunning cover for the book.



The book was originally announced as in development at last year's San Diego Comic-Con, and now after the collaborative efforts of all the creators and editors involved, it is ready for the hands of readers this October.

Dynamite also possesses the media rights for the property. Dynamite and Nick Barrucci are repped by their agent Charlie Ferraro of UTA and manager Ford Lyttle Gilmore of Illuminati Entertainment.

LAST OF THE GLADIATORS will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ August 2024 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in October 2024. Comic book fans are encouraged to preorder copies of the book with their local comic book retailers. It will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, ComicsPlus, and more!

IFC Films and Shudder have acquired North American rights to Azrael, a new action horror thriller from director E.L. Katz (Cheap Thrills), which stars Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Femme). Hailing from Republic Pictures, the film will release exclusively in theaters via IFC on September 27, making its debut on AMC Networks’ genre streamer later in the year. Written by Simon Barrett (You’re Next), Azrael takes place in a world in which no one speaks, watching as a mysterious, devout community hunts down a young woman named Azrael (Weaving) who has escaped their imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, she is to be sacrificed to pacify an evil which resides deep within the surrounding wilderness — but Azrael will stop at nothing to ensure her own freedom and survival. Billed as a gritty, relentless parable of sacrifice and salvation, the film world premiered at SXSW 2024 and is set to make its Canadian premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival in August. (via Deadline)