DF Interview: Chrissy Williams examines older women sewing, baking and fighting to the death in ‘Golden Rage’

By Byron Brewer

In a world where older women who've been deemed useless to society are abandoned on an island, Golden Rage documents their golden years of making friends, baking dessert, and fighting to the death.

Created by writer Chrissy Williams (editor of DIE, The Wicked + The Divine), artist Lauren Knight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and colorist Sofie Dodgson (Bitter Root, Tank Girl), Golden Rage is a brand-new five-issue miniseries where Battle Royale meets The Golden Girls!

After that build-up, I could not wait to chat with scribe Chrissy Williams.


Byron Brewer: Chrissy, as a writer and editor myself, it always does me good to see an editor finally getting the chance to shine with Golden Rage. “Battle Royale meets Golden Girls”, eh? I don’t know why, but sounds like my late mom would sure love this! Tell readers about the inspiration and genesis of this book you are so enthusiastic (also does me good to see) about.



Chrissy Williams: So, Golden Rage looks at a group of older women who have been deemed useless to society and abandoned on an island to fight to the death, whilst making friends and dessert. The idea originally sprang from watching Mad Max: Fury Road. That scene where we meet all the badass older women in the desert, all so perfectly capable and tough? I remember feeling really moved in that moment, just to see those characters on screen at all. We are so rarely shown older women who are tough and capable, and I wanted them to be my protagonists and celebrate them as heroes.

I’ve always looked to older women as role models – Angela Lansbury is still working now at 96. 96! Anyway, the idea of older women being exiled and forced to live together sprang from that – and the two touchstones of Battle Royale and The Golden Girls came together quite naturally in my head as a result. I’m so sorry to hear about your mother – that’s rough. I’m glad to hear she would love the idea of Golden Rage. I hope my mother likes it.


Byron: Take us into the world you and artist Lauren Knight are building for this mini-series.



Chrissy Williams: Lauren and I have talked a lot about what happened on the mainland to bring the women to the island. We’ve talked about what kind of horrific fascist society would tell its children that old women are weak and useless. The worrying thing is that I don’t think that society is a distant dystopia, but only a (hopefully) slightly exaggerated version of our own reality. Golden Rage doesn’t care about that fascist society though. It is a comic explicitly focused on the women themselves and their island existence. They get to make the rules up for themselves – we see how they live, how they fight, and how they survive.



Byron: Introduce readers to some of your prime protagonists, spotlighting who they are and a bit about their natures.



Chrissy Williams: One of the first old women we meet is Rosie. She’s Italian, and incredibly physically strong. She’s terse and blunt and takes no sh*t. She’d make a great wartime consigliere. Rosie lives in an abandoned lighthouse with two other women, Lottie and Caroline. Lottie is…less strong. She frets about cats and chickens and wants to make sure everyone is dressed warmly enough. Caroline is a creative writing teacher who wishes there were more books on the island, and she makes fun of the chicken-obsessed Lottie. Then we have Jay. Jay is only in her thirties, and she’s only just been sent to the island to join all these older women. But why…?



Byron: What else can you tell us about the island? Are there more than one of these extant?



Chrissy Williams: That is an excellent question I’m hoping we’ll explore more in the future! Other islands would surely bring their own unique challenges and constraints. Imagine being trapped on an island surrounded by bears, for example. This particular island has a rugged North Atlantic vibe, but it’s good that we’re seeing it in the summer. The women have a very different fight for survival come winter…



Byron: Any other inhabitants on the island outside the “golden warriors”?



Chrissy Williams: There are lots of inhabitants on the island, and we explore a few of the various gangs. Different groups settle in different areas and have different challenges based on whether they’ve living in a lighthouse, a cave, or some other kind of structure. These women have had to build their society here for many many years, so all sorts of interesting behaviors and beliefs have developed. We look at life and death, but what else is there? Is there room for art in a survivalist society? Can you have a nice bath there? What about a tasty piece of cake?



Byron: It’s a comic, so it begs the question: Is there any manipulative behind-the-scenes big-bad lurking? If so, can we get a clue or two other than “buy the book”? (LOL)



Chrissy Williams: Well, the biggest-bad is obviously the mainland and its underlying threat is felt throughout. I want to say the ageism and sexism in this society has been instituted by the menfolk, but I imagine that many women would have participated willingly in the denigration of older women, conditioned by the society they were raised in. Societal conditioning doesn’t make for a super-fun villain, though, so of course we focus more on the island women themselves. There is a constant fight for supplies and survival, which makes it inevitable that different factions develop, based on strength, intelligence, and other skillsets. Sometimes these different groups of women can coexist peacefully. And then sometimes a woman comes along who thinks she should get more than everyone else.



Byron: Talk about your collaboration with Lauren on Golden Rage.



Chrissy Williams: Working with Lauren has been brilliant. It’s her first full series as an artist, and my first full series as a writer, so we’ve been learning how to make it work together. Obviously I’ve brought in my previous experiences working as an editor on series like DIE and The Wicked + The Divine, but being able to make all the final creative decisions ourselves has been really exciting. There’s so much of our own personalities wrapped up in the book. Lauren has a great eye for horror, and I think some of the comic’s best moments come from seeing her dark art juxtaposed with humor in the text. I honestly can’t wait for people to see this strange little world we’ve created.



Byron: Chrissy, as a creator or as an editor, tell readers as you can about some projects ready to come out or that you are working on.



Chrissy Williams: Well, we just sent the DIE hardcover to press, which is very exciting. That’s all four series of Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans’ comic in one gorgeous volume. It’ll be out at the start of November. The Poetry Comics anthology I co-edited is out in PDF form now, from the publisher Sidekick Books. I’m also a poet, and my latest collection LOW is available in the UK and U.S. It includes a lot of poems about clowns and drag queens.

Dynamic Forces would like to thank Chrissy Williams for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions. Golden Rage #1 from Image Comics is slated to be on sale August 3rd!

For more news and up-to-date announcements, join us here at Dynamic Forces, www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/, “LIKE” us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/dynamicforcesinc, and follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/dynamicforces.

Fans are eager to see the upcoming Lanterns series on HBO and besides a still shot and a few seconds of footage, very little about the series is known at this point. We got our first comments about it from series star Kyle Chandler who will be playing one of the most well-known Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan. Chandler was being interviewed on the Today Show for his new film The RIP with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. During the interview he was asked about Lanterns and said, “I’ve never had as much fun shooting something as I did that. The people from the top to the bottom. I can’t say enough about Chris Mundy, and the producers, the DC folks. It was an excellent experience. I expect the show to be as good as the experience I had. Aaron Pierre, who I worked with, he and I had a great time.” The series is slated to be released later this year and comes from Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King. Joining Chandler and Pierre in the cast are Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner and then Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Jason Ritter, Poorna Jagannathan, and Paul Ben-Victor. There will be eight episodes and it is said to be mostly an Earth-based mystery set in the heartland of America with a True Detective vibe. 

Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. has stirred plenty of speculation across Hollywood, but one message from the streamer’s leadership has been unusually clear: the theatrical experience isn’t going anywhere. In fact, if the sale closes, Netflix says it will strengthen Warner Bros.’ traditional theatrical model rather than shrink it. Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co‑CEO, has repeatedly emphasized that Warner Bros. films will continue to enjoy a 45‑day exclusive theatrical window—a stance that directly counters fears that Netflix would rush major releases to streaming. Sarandos described Warner Bros.’ theatrical distribution as a “phenomenal” engine that generates billions in revenue, insisting Netflix has no intention of putting that at risk. This commitment marks a notable shift in tone for Netflix, which historically prioritized streaming-first strategies. But after reviewing Warner Bros.’ financials, Sarandos acknowledged that the economics of theatrical releases are stronger than Netflix had previously modeled. He framed the 45‑day window not as a compromise but as a competitive strategy: Netflix wants to “win opening weekend” and “win box office,” embracing the same metrics that drive traditional studios. Industry observers have taken notice. While some feared the acquisition would accelerate the decline of theatrical exclusivity, Netflix’s public stance suggests a more balanced future—one where streaming power and box office ambition coexist. For now, at least, moviegoers can expect Warner Bros. films to keep lighting up big screens for a full month and a half before landing on Netflix’s platform. 

The DCU is expanding with the casting of one of the universe’s biggest bads… Darkseid. While this seems to go against something co-studio head James Gunn has said previously about staying away from the cosmic threat, but this casting isn’t for Man of Tomorrow, but rather the upcoming Mister. Miracle animated series and you can’t really tell the story of Scott Free with mentioning his adopted daddy. Writer Tom King was on the Word Balloon podcast when he talked about the series that he is showrunning and said that they had cast Darkseid and Orion along with Mr. Miracle and Big Barda. If you’re not familiar with these characters, they are all part of the Fourth World Saga created by comic legend Jack Kirby during his short stint with DC Comics. It tells the story of two warring factions, the New Gods and the planet Apokolips and a deal that was made in an attempt for peace. The leaders of the factions, High Father and Darkseid, would exchange children… this sent Scott Free to be raised on the oppressive planet while Orion was sent to the peaceful New Genesis. Scott would become and escape artist, finding a way off of Apokolips with the female warrior, Barda, and eventually come to Earth. Exactly what part of that history the series will focus on is unclear, but we do know that Darkseid and the others will be involved. Gunn also confirmed on social media that the series will be cannon to the DCU that includes the recent Superman movie, the Peacemaker series and the animated Creature Commandos. This means that whoever is voicing these characters in the series would also play them in live action in the future and King has said that the Mister Miracle series will have big ramifications on the DCU as a whole. No word on when the series will debut, but with the casting already made, we can expect an announcement in the near future. 

Takashi Yamazaki’s follow-up to the 2023 Godzilla Minus One is set to hit North American theaters on November 6th, 2026, three days after its premier in Japan. The Academy Award winning film took in $11.4 million in the US on its opening weekend and $57 million total during its domestic box office run. Godzilla Minus Zero is the second film in the franchise from Gkids since taking Toho acquired the company in 2024. David Jesteadt, president of Gkids, said in a statement: “Gkids is proud to bring Godzilla Minus Zero to North American audiences, following the incredible global reception of Godzilla Minus One. This next chapter is sure to become another defining moment for the most colossal monster ever to dominate the screen. It is only fitting that this bold, new Godzilla event be experienced in its fullest theatrical glory, and we’re honored that Toho has entrusted us to carry this legacy forward.” 

As we get closer to the start of production on Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part 2, the cast starts to take shape with the second MCU veteran being added to the cast. We heard of Scarlet Johansson’s casting earlier in December and now multiple sources are saying Sebastian Stan has come on board as well, with the Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision report claiming that the actor who plays Bucky Barnes will now take on the role of District Attorney Harvey Dent aka Two-Face. This lines up with the rumors that Johansson would be playing Gilda Dent and that the story may be following the Long Halloween, a popular comic arch by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. While the story does focus on the Dents, many of the other characters in the story have already appeared in The Batman and The Penguin and have already been eliminated. Plus, the setting of the sequel is said to be set around a week after The Penguin series ended, just before Christmas. How ever the characters are used, if Stan is in the film, it then puts the fate of his MCU character in question as The Batman Part 2 will be filming around the same time as Avengers: Secret Wars. While the casting of both Stan and Johansson have not been made official, neither have they been denied by Reeves, James Gunn or DC Studios. 

Deadline is reporting that Mike Flanagan is working on a new adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. Flanagan said his plan is to adapt the beloved franchise into a five-season series that would then be capped off by two stand-alone movies. The acclaimed horror director recently told Empire Magazine, “We’ve got a lot of scripts done for it. It’s the first priority.” He also made it clear that he doesn’t want the 2017 Idris Elba/Matthew McConaughey film to be the final word on the property. That adaptation has a 16% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Though Flanagan and Intrepid Pictures have a deal with Amazon, the rights to the Dark Tower were specifically carved out of their arrangement and could end up with another studio, but Amazon is also a possibility. Flanagan is known for his work on films like Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep and the Life of Chuck as well as series like The Fall of the House of Ushers, The Midnight Club and Midnight Mass. He also came up with the initial story and script for the upcoming Clayface movie that was so strong that James Gunn and Peter Safran has to greenlight a body horror film starring a B-level Batman villain as the third film released in their new DCU.   

Now that we’re in 2026, we need to keep an ear out for casting news for the two big DC Studios films shooting this year, Man of Tomorrow and The Batman Part 2. The Superman follow-up is the one going first and we already got the casting announcement for the main villain, Brainiac with the addition of German actor Lars Eidinger to the cast. There have been rumors that there was a female role being cast for a potential hero that many have assumed was going to be this universe’s Wonder Woman, and while that has not been confirmed, John Rocha of the Hot Mic podcast says his sources confirm that James Gunn is looking to cast the Amazon warrior for the film. That would make sense with the idea that DC is pushing Wonder Woman for a new film with Supergirl scribe Ann Nogueira said to be working on the script. This still falls into the rumor category, but Gunn has not debunked the story as of yet. With the film expected to begin production in the spring, more casting news is expected in the next few weeks/months, and we know that if the “scoopers” have it right, DC likes to get the news out their themselves as they did with Eidinger. So I wouldn’t trust any of the rumored castings as of now. 

James Gunn took to social media this morning to welcome Lars Eidinger to the DCU and Man of Tomorrow in the role of Brainiac. Eidinger, while not a household name, is best known for his roles in Clouds of Sils Maria and Personal Shopper but also appeared in the recent Netflix film Jay Kelly. Gunn talked about a worldwide search for the iconic Superman villain led to Eidinger rising to the top. He will join David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult and Rachel Brosnahan as the film is expected to begin shooting in the spring of 2026 for a release in July of 2027. There have been multiple attempts to use Brainiac in a Superman film, but each attempt has fallen to the wayside, and his only live-action appearance so far was in the short-lived SciFi series Krypton where he was played by Blake Ritson.    

After having begun production in August of this year, director Destin Daniel Cretton revealed that Spider-Man: Brand New Day has wrapped filming as of Friday. The film, which is set to premiere July 31st, 2026, features the return of Tom Holland as Peter Parker and is the first in the MCU franchise to not be directed by Jon Watts. Cretton wrote on Instagram, “I’m so deeply grateful for the people who walked with me through the biggest, most rewarding film I’ve ever been a part of. To our amazing cast, for breathing so much life into these beloved characters and moving us every day. To our unbelievable crew, who worked tirelessly with unmatched creativity and craftsmanship, who made me laugh so hard my stomach never stopped hurting. I love you all so much and can’t wait for the world to see your stunning work on the big screen. And of course, to @tomholland2013, for your kind, generous leadership on and off screen, for your relentless work ethic, your fearless performances, and for your friendship. That’s a wrap on Spider-Man: Brand New Day!” This is Cretton’s second MCU film after having helmed Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He has also produced the Wonder Man series set to debut on Disney+ next month. 

Scarlett Johansson is said to be in negotiations to join the cast of the highly anticipated sequel, The Batman Part 2. While Warner Bros. has not officially revealed which character Johansson would portray, speculation is rife across social media and film forums. Many fans are hoping she will take on the role of a major antagonist or perhaps bring a new dimension to an existing character from the Batman lore. Johansson’s acclaimed work in action and drama—especially her iconic run as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—positions her as a compelling choice for a complex role in Gotham’s shadowy streets. The Batman Part 2 is currently in pre-production, with filming scheduled to commence in May of next year. The film is targeted for a theatrical release in 2026, although official dates may be subject to change. Director Matt Reeves returns to helm the sequel, ensuring continuity in the vision and tone that made the first installment a critical and box office success. Johansson’s addition is expected to boost the already stellar lineup led by Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Within hours of the announcement, social media platforms lit up with enthusiastic posts and trending hashtags. Speculation is running rampant with guesses of her role ranging from villains like Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn to love interests like Silver St. Cloud and Vickie Vale. One of the more popular suggestions is that Johansson could be playing Andrea Beaumont, a love interest and antagonist from the hit animated film Mask of the Phantasm. The casting has not been confirmed and neither the studio nor Reeves has commented since the story broke.