Storyboard artist and filmmaker Jay Oliva spoke to Inverse about the Batman movie that was in the works about a decade ago from Ben Affleck. Oliva says he is unable to say too much about it, but said, “It was f*cking awesome. It was the best. It was amazing.” He explained that he was brought in after Affleck and Geoff Johns had done a couple drafts of the script. “I’ve worked on a lot of Batman things, and what was really cool about it was [that] it was tying together a lot of really cool Batman storylines that had never been really explored. Ben’s story was gonna cover something that had never really been covered in comics but was building off of storylines in the Batman mythos over the last 80 years and approaching it from a new kind of perspective.” He went on to say that the project “was very clever, and there were a lot of things about it that I really loved that I wish that had come to fruition.” Affleck would leave the project and it would pass into the hands of Matt Reeves who went in a different direction, casting Robert Pattinson as his new Batman.   

It sounds, more than ever, as if The Orville‘s days exploring the cosmos may be over.The Seth MacFarlane-captained space saga has been MIA since August 2022, and many signs have pointed to The Orville being spacedocked — especially given how long it took to get Season 3 launched. Hulu, though, has yet to confirm that the expensive, VFX-heavy series won’t be returning.But now, in a visit to Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside of You podcast, Adrianne Palicki said, “No, no longer doing that,” when asked about her leading role on the series. “I think there’s talk that it could possibly be something that certain people want to do…,” she continued, choosing words carefully, “but it’s a really difficult show to shoot, man.” Hulu has yet to confirm or deny the fate of the expensive, VFX-heavy series. (via TV Line)

The trailer for Furiosa has been released (below), giving Mad Max franchise fans their first sense of the long-awaited Fury Road prequel. As expected, the intense footage is nearly wall-to-wall action, explosions, and frantic driving.Director George Miller‘s next adventure in his post-apocalyptic wasteland stars Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit) as Imperator Furiosa. She stars alongside Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Nathan Jones, Angus Sampson and Quaden Bayles in supporting roles. The screenplay is by Miller and Nico Lathouris, who also helped pen Fury Road. The film’s full title was also revealed: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which gets the franchise-friendly “Mad Max” in there even though that character is not expected to appear. The official description: “As the world falls, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and into the hands of a Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. While two Tyrants war for dominance over the Citadel, Furiosa survives many trials as she plots a way back home through the Wasteland.” (via The Hollywood Reporter)

Trailer: https://youtu.be/XJMuhwVlca4

Warner Bros. Beetlejuice 2 has wrapped filming, Tim Burton has announced.This is not a shock considering the movie only had two days left of shooting once the SAG-AFTRA strike ended.While there have been many pivots on the 2024 theatrical release calendar, we’ve been informed by studio insiders all along that Beetlejuice 2 will meet the highly savored Warner Bros. post-Labor Day weekend release date which has been a fertile ground for horror movies; big pics like It and The Nun launching to the month’s highest openings. Beetlejuice 2 reunites Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara from the original cast of the 1988 movie. Joining in the mix this time around is Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci and Justin Theroux. Beetlejuice further propelled Keaton’s star power after Mr. Mom with a domestic gross of $75M. The pic repped Burton and Keaton’s first go-round together before the filmmaker championed the comedic star for the title role of Warner Bros. 1989 Batman which made $251.4M domestic, $411.5M WW at the box office. (via Deadline)

The Hideaway Entertainment has snapped up rights to Level Up, a high concept spec script from screenwriters David Matalon (Totally Killer) and Matthew Altman (Feed the Devil).A sci-fi action comedy, Level Up is about a man who wakes up bound and blindfolded in a top-secret facility deep beneath Area 51, soon discovering that he has amazing but inexplicable new abilities. His only hope to escape is the alien he’s imprisoned with… and she hates humans. But as they navigate their way out, their unconventional alliance becomes the key to saving the world from an impending global catastrophe. Jonathan Gray and Matthew Rhodes will produce on behalf of The Hideaway Entertainment, alongside Navid McIllhargey of Vandal Entertainment and Erik Olsen of Apocalyptic Entertainment. The Hideaway’s Ryan Cassells will serve as executive producer. The team is currently meeting with directors and plans to shoot next year. (via Deadline)

Today Skybound, in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro, revealed an impressive lineup of variant covers and interior pages for Daniel Warren Johnson’s TRANSFORMERS #4. The fourth issue of the smash hit series, TRANSFORMERS, will be available on shelves in comic book shops January 10, 2024. TRANSFORMERS #4 continues the Energon Universe and the all-new era of the iconic TRANSFORMERS franchise from Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb) and colorist Mike Spicer (Stillwater, Murder Falcon). When the Decepticons attack the Autobots at their weakest moment, an unlikely new hero joins the battle! With human and Transformer robots lives at stake, can Optimus Prime unlock the true power behind the Matrix of Leadership to save them both? In addition to the main cover by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer, the stacked list of variant covers for TRANSFORMERS #4 includes a wraparound cover by Jonboy Meyers (Teen Titans), a 1:10 incentive variant continuing the connecting cover series by Orlando Arocena (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), a 1:25 incentive variant by Sanford Greene (Bitter Root), and a 1:50 incentive variant by Andrea Milana (Cobra Commander) & Annalisa Leoni (Oblivion Song). The Energon Universe officially began in June 2023 with the surprise first appearance of iconic TRANSFORMERS character Jetfire in Void Rivals #1, introducing the historic new collaboration between Hasbro and Skybound, with TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE comics finding a new home with the publisher. The Energon Universe expands in December with Duke #1, a limited series from Joshua Williamson (DC’s Superman, Dark Ride), Tom Reilly (The Thing) and Jordie Bellaire (W0rldtr33). This will be followed by the launch of Cobra Commander #1 in January 2024, from Joshua Williamson, Andrea Milana and Annalisa Leoni. Fans should expect can’t-miss moments from every issue of the Energon Universe, as secrets are unveiled along the path to answering the BIG questions, including #WhereIsMegatron. TRANSFORMERS #4 (Lunar Codes Below $3.99) will be available at comic book shops and digital platforms including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

The full list of variant covers is below:

TRANSFORMERS #4 Cover A by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer (1123IM342)

TRANSFORMERS #4 Cover B by Jonboy Meyers (1123IM343)

TRANSFORMERS #4 Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive) (Connecting) by Orlando Arocena (1123IM344)

TRANSFORMERS #4 Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive) by Sanford Greene (1123IM345)

TRANSFORMERS #4 Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive) by Andrea Milana & Annalisa Leoni (1123IM346)

BOOM! Studios today revealed a first look at CODA #4, the fourth issue of the new five-issue original series from GLAAD Media Award-winning writer Simon Spurrier (Damn Them All), Entertainment Weekly’s 2019 Artist of the Year Matías Bergara (Step By Bloody Step), color assistant Patricio Delpeche, and letterer Jim Campbell, available in December 2023. As Hum ruminates on his personal connection to stories of the past and how it left him in his current state, the threads of connectedness continue to weave through the tale as he wrestles with feelings over his own body. Meanwhile, Mildew crosses paths with Hum and Serka after a harrowing rescue in the midst of a brutal battle. While things may not turn out how they hope, Serka has a new plan to set things right… CODA #4 features main and variant cover art by series artist Matías Bergara, with variants by Ariel Olivetti (Once Upon a Time at the End of the World), and Bengal (Star Wars: The High Republic). CODA is the newest release from BOOM! Studios’ eponymous imprint, home to critically acclaimed original series, including BRZRKR by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, and Ron Garney; Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera; Grim by Stephanie Phillips and Flaviano; Stuff of Nightmares by R.L. Stine and A.L. Kaplan; Damn Them All by Simon Spurrier and Charlie Adlard; Once Upon a Time at the End of the World by Jason Aaron, Alexandre Tefenkgi, Leila del Duca, and Nick Dragotta; Know Your Station by Sarah Gailey and Liana Kangas; A Vicious Circle by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo; The Neighbors by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Letizia Cadonici; Ghostlore by Cullen Bunn and Leomacs; Sirens of the City by Joanne Starer and Khary Randolph; Coda by Simon Spurrier and Matías Bergara; Rare Flavours by Ram V and Filipe Andrade, and the upcoming Underheist by David and Maria Lapham. The imprint also publishes popular licensed properties, including Dune: House Harkonnen from Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Michael Shelfer; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers by Melissa Flores and Simona Di Gianfelice; and The Expanse: Dragon Tooth by Andy Diggle and Rubine. CODA #4 will be available in comic shops December 27, 2023. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle.

Coda #4 (2023) A Main: JUL230009

Coda #4 (2023) B Variant: JUL230010

Coda #4 (2023) C 1:10 INCV: JUL230011

Coda #4 (2023) D 1:25 INCV: JUL230012

Coda #4 (2023) E Unlockable Var: JUL230013

Be sure to catch up on the series and pick up the Coda Deluxe Edition Hardcover, available wherever books are sold.

Fans are amping up for SPIDER-PUNK #1! After stealing the show in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Hobie Brown is headlining an all-new limited comic book series launching this February. Announced earlier this month, the four-issue saga will be written by current Miles Morales: Spider-Man scribe Cody Ziglar and drawn by Justin Mason, known for his recent work on Spider-Man 2099: Dark Genesis. These two rising star talents will be reunited following their last Spider-Punk series to take Hobie on a wild new tour! Just like Marvel’s other hottest launches, SPIDER-PUNK #1 will stand out on comic stands with a special FOIL VARIANT COVER. Drawn by acclaimed artist Ian Bertram, this trippy piece captures the character’s iconic look in Bertam’s distinctive style! With an ax in hand and a chaotic band of punk rockin’ heroes backing him, he quickly rose to fame as a fan-favorite! Now, Hobie Brown returns, and in a world without Norman Osborn, SPIDER-PUNK REIGNS! This ain't no victory lap though – as Hobie and team try to rebuild society, Justin Hammer and Doctor Otto Octavius have other plans... like introducing the world to new Spider-Slaying Sentinels! On writing the series, Cody told IGN, “It feels so friggin' cool to dive back into Earth-138 with Justin and explore the world of Hobie and the Spider-band even more! There's some new additions to the Spider-Punk roster, some real dope villains, and some other cool stuff I don't wanna spoil… but absolutely cannot wait for folks! And yes, there'll 100% be a Spider-Punk Playlist Vol 2!" Check out the cover now and enter Spider-Punk’s new era this February!

The current landscape of prestige TV series means we don't always know the difference between a limited series and an ongoing storyline, and while we know we can expect one season of storytelling from Noah Hawley's upcoming Alien program, the showrunner recently addressed how he's approaching the overall length of the story. "There's definitely a place that I'm going, which I had with [Marvel's] Legion, also. I just don't necessarily know how long it's gonna take me to get there, and on some level, I don't want to know too much," Hawley recalled."There's definitely a place that I'm going, which I had with Legion, also. I just don't necessarily know how long it's gonna take me to get there, and on some level, I don't want to know too much," Hawley told Collider. "Once you remove the play and the potential and the imagination, that's why I've stopped outlining anything. First of all, no one ever said, 'That's the best outline I ever read.' And second of all, it's just a different part of your brain, honestly. It's a different part of your brain that thinks about story that way versus the part of your brain that is writing the story. What we do is we get the writers in a room and we've got the whiteboards and we start big picture." It doesn't seem as though the project will embrace an anthology premise like Hawley's Fargo, which has allowed multiple disconnected stories to be told in that world. With the project likely to have a relatively large budget, due to its sci-fi themes, the length of the series will likely be dependent upon how popular it is and whether FX opts to pursue the costly endeavor. (via ComicBook.com)

Quiver Distribution has picked up North American rights to the action thriller Wanted Man, co-written, directed by and starring Dolph Lundgren, for release in select theaters and on VOD on January 19, 2024.Also starring Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) and Christina Villa (The Wedding in the Hamptons), the film centers on Johansen (Lundgren), an aging detective whose outdated policing methods have given the department a recent public relations problem. To save his job, he is sent to Mexico to extradite a female witness (Villa) to the murders of two DEA agents. Once there, he finds not only his old opinions challenged, but that bad guys on both sides of the border are now gunning for him and his witness. Writing the script with Lundgren was Michael Worth (Killing Cupid). Producers include Craig Baumgarten (Universal Soldier), Lundgren and Emma Krokdal, as well as Jeffrey Greenstein and Jonathan Yunger of Millennium Media. Exec producers for Millennium Media are Avi Lerner, Boaz Davidson, and Trevor Short. (via Deadline)

Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #4 hit stands today, delivering the conclusion to Kamala Khan’s first mission as a member of the X-Men! After taking down a Stark Sentinel and disrupting an Orchis operation singlehandedly, it’s safe to say Ms. Marvel has proven herself beyond a doubt to the mutant cause, and this pivotal chapter for one of Marvel Comics’ brightest stars is far from over! This March, Marvel Studios’ own Ms. Marvel Iman Vellani and Sabir Pirzada return to chronicle Ms. Marvel’s next steps into exploring her mutant identity in MS. MARVEL: MUTANT MENACE! The four-issue limited series will continue to cement Ms. Marvel’s role in the X-Men mythos while staying true to the character’s roots and celebrating what makes her such a standout hero in the Marvel Universe. Her upcoming adventure will take her back to Jersey City, where she’ll have to confront another Fall of X related threat while dealing with the fallout of being outed as a mutant. Balancing both will bring Ms. Marvel into contact with more X-Men (as well as iconic X-Men villains) and reunite her with key supporting players of her own, including a fan-favorite ex. This time around, co-writers Vellani and Pirzada will be joined by Scott Godlewski, who made his Marvel debut in the recent Alpha Flight series, while Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant artist Carlos Gómez provides the series’ covers. HATED AND FEARED! Ms. Marvel has officially come out to the world as a mutant and a member of the X-Men…and she’s about to learn just how hard things can get for mutantkind! Kamala Khan is used to being a hometown hero – there’s no way her community would turn on her just because she’s a mutant, right? …Right?? “It's been an absolute joy and privilege to get to co-write Ms. Marvel with Iman Vellani, who has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is THE voice of Ms. Marvel on the page just as much as she is on the screen,” Pirzada said. “We are excited to report that Kamala's mutant journey will continue on in MS. MARVEL: MUTANT MENACE. It will be Kamala's most dangerous ride yet.” Check out the debut issue’s cover now and stay tuned for more news about MS. MARVEL: MUTANT MENACE in the months ahead.