Barbie scored a number of big wins at the People's Choice Awards this year, taking home trophies for Movie of the Year and Comedy of the Year as well as acting trophies for its three main characters and a nod for Song of the Year (not even the one nominated for an Oscar). The film is a rarity -- a major popcorn blockbuster that has been seen as a serious awards-season contender -- although at most awards shows so far, its success has been dwarfed by Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, which fits much more comfortably into the mold of a traditional awards-season favorite.The People's Choice Awards -- which is voted on by regular people rather than groups of professionals like the TV and film Academies or even critics' associations -- tends to favor mass entertainment over traditional awards bait movies, so it's no surprise to see the year's biggest blockbuster winning some awards. In all, Barbie won Movie of the Year, Comedy Movie of the Year, Male Movie Star of the Year (for Ryan Gosling), Female Movie Star of the Year (for Margot Robbie), Movie Performance of the Year (for America Ferrera), and Collaboration Song of the Year (for "Barbie World" by Nicki Minag and Ice Spice with Aqua). (via ComicBook.com)

From the brilliant minds of writer Si Spurrier (Coda, X-Men), artist Vanesa Del Rey (Black Widow, The Creeping Below), colorist John Starr (X-Men), letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (You’ll Do Bad Things), and designer Emma Price, comes a spicy new Cajun crime miniseries set in the sweaty Southern swamps. Fargo meets Deliverance in this trippy fever-dream thriller, juxtaposing gorgeously pastel sunsets and vibrant hues of the wilderness with shadowy nightmares and dark deeds. Featuring stunning covers by Del Rey, Christian Ward, and Tula Lotay, the first of four extra-juicy issues hits shelves this July.


In The Voice Said Kill, alligator poachers prowl the mudbug mire. A park ranger, heavily pregnant, raises a hateful mug of moonshine with a criminal matriarch. And one deadly sonuvabitch, out of his mind on shrooms and retribution, loads his rifle for the Human Hunt and screams down the stars.

“I’ve waited years to make this book,” said Spurrier. “The story arrived in my brain fully formed—that never happens. This perfect, self-contained spiral of murder, moonshine and motherhood, steaming with Cajun chaos and swamp spice. What’s taken so long has been finding the right artist. In my view, the key power of the comic book medium lies in taking something outwardly familiar and infusing it with a sort of transcendent magic. In Vanesa, I’ve found the most exceptional expression of that transformative sorcery. What’s emerged is this visionary, impressionistic fever-dream, which elevates a hardboiled crime thriller into a psychedelic bayou epiphany, unlike anything I’ve ever written or read.”

“The Voice Said Kill asks the reader to step out of their comfort zone and into the darkness that lurks in the shadows of the Louisiana swamps and in the hearts of men,” added Del Rey. “I want this book to send you on a transcendental journey as if you were tripping on mushrooms in the real jungle. I can say that my own mind has been transformed, making this book possible. So please enjoy the trip, and don't forget to call your mother.”

The Voice Said Kill #1 (of 4) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 23:

Cover A by Vanesa Del Rey - Lunar Code 0525IM281

Cover B (1:25 incentive) by Christian Ward - Lunar Code 0525IM282

Cover C (1:50 incentive) by Tula Lotay - Lunar Code 0525IM283

The Voice Said Kill will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Disney+ pulled back the curtain on the next chapter of Light & Magic, the docuseries chronicling the history and groundbreaking work of Lucasfilm’s storied visual effects house, Industrial Light & Magic.

The trailer and key art for season two were unveiled during a presentation Friday at the Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, offering the legions of fans who had traveled to Japan for the event an early glimpse at the show’s deep dive into the studio’s most transformative era — the shift to digital filmmaking.

The three-part second season of the doc series went live on Disney+ as the Tokyo presentation got underway. The second season of Light & Magic is now streaming exclusively on Disney+. (via The Hollywood Reporter)

Trailer: https://youtu.be/68YdtaKRO7M

Star Wars villain Darth Maul is getting his own series.

The popular character, who first appeared in 1999’s Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, will headline Maul: Shadow Lord, a new animated series for Disney+, it was announced at Star Wars Celebration on Friday.

The series was revealed in the final minutes of a panel spotlighting the 20th anniversary of Lucasfilm Animation, with Lucasfilm CCO Dave Filoni, who rose through the ranks via the animation division, and vp, animation Athena Portillo discussing the company’s rich output. But while they were chatty about woking with George Lucas or the animation process or past hits, when it came to discussing a future project, it was show, don’t tell. They simply dropped a trailer onto an unsuspecting crowd.

And when it became clear that it was a show centered on Maul, fans were sent into a rapturous ecstasy.

The show, which will tell the story of Maul teaching an apprentice, will debut in 2026. Sam Witwer, who voiced the Maul character in previous animated series, will reprise the part. (via The Hollywood Reporter)

Ryan Gosling has the high ground. Lucasfilm confirms that the star will lead a new “Star Wars” installment, titled “Star Wars: Starfighter,” with Shawn Levy directing. The film is eyeing a fall production start and Disney has set a theatrical release date of May 28, 2027.

After numerous reports on Gosling and Levy’s attachment to a “Star Wars” project, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and chief creative officer Dave Filoni officially unveiled plans for “Starfighter” on Friday morning at the banner’s annual Star Wars Celebration event in Tokyo.

The standalone, which focuses on new characters in the “Star Wars” universe, is set roughly five years after the events of “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker,” which concluded the Skywalker saga and currently stands as the final feature chronologically on the “Star Wars” timeline. No other casting details were announced.

“Starfighter” will release just over a year after the next “Star Wars” theatrical feature, “The Mandalorian & Grogu.” That film, a theatrical expansion of the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian,” has already completed principal photography and will release to theaters on May 22, 2026. It will mark the first “Star Wars” feature since “The Rise of Skywalker” debuted in December 2019. (via Vareity)

Release video: https://twitter.com/i/status/1913040662628618670

True Believers know that Marvel’s Free Comic Book Day titles set up the biggest upcoming stories! This year is no exception with a special prelude to ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN: INCURSION, the new Ultimate Universe’s first-ever event series, in FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2025: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN/ULTIMATE UNIVERSE #1. The story comes straight from the series creative team—writers Deniz Camp (Ultimates) and Cody Ziglar (Miles Morales: Spider-Man) and artist Jonas Scharf (Ultimate Universe: One Year In)—and lays the groundwork for Spider-Man’s epic journey across the Ultimate Universe, making it a must-have for eager fans and a perfect entry point to the hit new line for newcomers! Check out a sneak peek showing Miles recovering from recent adventures and debating if he should take up the Maker’s offer to join him in an all-new universe—before he’s left with no choice!

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN: INCURSION marks the first crossover between all five of the Ultimate line’s current ongoing titles: Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate Black Panther, Ultimate X-Men, Ultimates, and Ultimate Wolverine. The highly-anticipated saga will be pivotal to the universe’s overarching narrative, teeing up the long-awaited moment that its heroes and villains alike have been preparing for—the return of the Maker!

“One of the best things about the Maker is that, despite his protestations to the contrary, he is not completely rational,” Camp said. “He’s petty, emotional, even sentimental at times. He and Miles are the only survivors of their universe, and I think that gives the Maker a soft spot for Miles, the way we all have a soft spot for someone from our home town.”

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN: INCURSION will also have lasting repercussions in the main Marvel Universe, as Miles becomes the first hero to travel between the new Ultimate Universe and the 616!

“I can’t spoil anything, but Miles and Billie’s experience in the Ultimate Universe will definitely end up affecting the 616 in big, fun ways!” Ziglar teased.

Pick up FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2025: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN/ULTIMATE UNIVERSE #1 at your participating local comic shop on May 3 and preorder ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN: INCURSION #1 today!

Oni Press has revealed a first look inside the long-awaited return of the Eisner Award-nominated world of THE SIXTH GUN this July! Years after the staggering conclusion of the original series fantasy icon Michael Moorcock calls "an epic in its own right,” the six occult weapons that touched off a clandestine war for the fate of humanity are about to be reforged in THE SIXTH GUN: BATTLE FOR THE SIX #1 (of 3) – reuniting acclaimed co-creators Cullen Bunn (Harrow County) and Brian Hurtt (The Midnite Show) on July 23rd as they introduce an all-new starting point for the supernatural American epic as told across three extra-sized ad-free prestige format issues!

In 1866, out of the ruins of the failed Confederate uprising, a race to claim six objects of unfathomable occult power began, thrusting the fate of humanity into the hands of an ordinary young woman and a hard-nosed gunslinger who, together, were our last, best hope to forestall Armageddon.

They prevailed, but at a terrible price.

But that was then—this is now. Three decades later, as the gears of a new millennium begin to grind on the cusp of the 20th century, The Six, immortal weapons of ultimate destruction are about to be REBORN once more—as they have been countless times across the eons. This time, however, a brigade of familiar fighters lies in wait to meet The Six’s nigh-limitless power head on . . . in a race against a secret cabal that wish to harness its unspeakable power to incept a new century of war, genocide, and suffering.

Only one can survive to claim victory. THE BATTLE FOR THE SIX starts now!

New series… New century! Celebrate 15 years of one of the most pivotal series in the history of creator-owned comics as Bunn and Hurtt return to unleash Hell on Earth on July 23rd in THE SIXTH GUN: BATTLE FOR THE SIX #1 (of 3) – featuring staggering cover art by Brian Hurtt, Valeria Burzo (Soul Taker), and Christopher Mitten (The Autumn Kingdom), and more!

Plus: Begin the journey that leads to THE BATTLE FOR THE SIX on June 4th in THE SIXTH GUN: ROAD TO THE SIX #0 – a one-shot prelude featuring three all-new short stories spotlighting key cast members from THE SIXTH GUN in the years between the series' epic conclusion with issue #50 … and laying the groundwork for the lead-laden firefight that lies ahead across summer 2025 in BATTLE FOR THE SIX!

DreamWorks' 2012 animated film Rise of the Guardians follows the Guardians – including Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and the Sandman – as they recruit Jack Frost to help them battle the sinister Pitch Black, who threatens to plunge the world into darkness by destroying children's dreams. It features a voice cast that includes Chris Pine as Jack Frost and Hugh Jackman as the Easter Bunny, in addition to Alec Baldwin, Jude Law and Isla Fisher.

Now, 13 years after its release, the animated movie has become a global hit on Netflix!

Rise of the Guardians ranks third on Netflix's Global Top 10 movies this week with 5.4 million views and 9 million hours viewed. It ranks below The Life List, Alpha, and above Meet the Khumalos, The Croods, Bloodshot, One of Them Days, Despicable Me 4, Lucy, and PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.

Rise of the Guardians received mixed reviews from critics at the time of its release for its stunning animation and lively pace, but flat storytelling. Though it made over $300 million at the box office, it was considered a disappointment due to its $145 million budget, reportedly losing the studio around $87 million after factoring in marketing and distribution expenses.

While Rise of the Guardians seemed to be mostly forgotten, it has likely become popular on Netflix due to the upcoming Easter holiday on April 20, suggesting that it has some enduring appeal as a holiday classic. Everything old is (sometimes) new again. (via Screen Rant)

Terrifier franchise backer Cineverse has announced the start of production for its reimagining of cult Santa slasher movie Silent Night, Deadly Night in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The production has unveiled a first image (above) of Rohan Campbell (The Hardy Boys, Halloween Ends) in the role of protagonist Billy Chapman, who goes on a killing spree dressed in a Santa suit.

He is joined in the cast by Ruby Modine as Pamela, a colleague on whom Chapman develops an unrequited crush, as well as newly announced casting additions Mark Acheson, David Lawrence Brown, and David Tomlinson.

The movie, which is being sold outside of North America by Studiocanal’s new genre label Sixth Dimension, is scheduled to release in the U.S. in time for Christmas 2025 on December 12.

Silent Night, Deadly Night tells the story of a child who is traumatized after seeing his parents killed by a man dressed as Santa Claus. Years later, he dons a Santa suit himself and gets bloody revenge. The movie spawned multiple sequels over the years and a loose remake in 2012. (via Deadline)

Mikey Madison won’t journey into a galaxy far far away for her first project after picking up the best actress Oscar.

Variety is reporting that Madison was offered a role in the new and untitled “Star Wars” movie directed by “Deadpool & Wolverine” filmmaker Shawn Levy, but conversations have since ended with the “Anora” star passing on the part.

As previously reported, screenwriter Jonathan Tropper (“This Is Where I Leave You,” “The Adam Project”) has been writing the screenplay for the film, which will star Ryan Gosling. Levy has been developing the project since late 2022 and is also producing for his 21 Laps company, along with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.

The movie is said to be a standalone project that isn’t connected with the Skywalker Saga, which concluded with 2019’s “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” All other plot details are encased in carbonite for the foreseeable future.

Daredevil: Born Again stars Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio are celebrate the premiere of the Season 1 finale by sharing a Season 2 set video.

In the video, which was shared on the official Daredevil X (formerly Twitter) account, the two actors thank Marvel fans for watching and supporting Born Again throughout its first season.

Cox recaps the major events on the show audiences experienced, referencing Foggy’s death, White Tiger’s trial, Muse’s killing spree, the reemergence of Bullseye, and Wilson Fisk’s rise to power.

D’Onofrio, promising there’s even more to come in Season 2, pans the camera to reveal the location of Fogwell’s Gym will return.

“That’s just the beginning,” D’Onofrio teased after Cox listed the major twists of Season 1. “We have a lot more coming in the second season from Hell’s Kitchen.”

Daredevil: Born Again Episode 9 is streaming now on Disney+. (via ComicBook.com)

Season 2 set video: https://twitter.com/i/status/1912567434839818263