In a recent interview, Margot Robbie revealed that Birds of Prey almost featured a very different villain: Oswald Cobblepot, aka the Penguin. The actress, who famously portrayed Harley Quinn in the 2020 film, shared that the original script by Christina Hodson had Penguin as the main antagonist—until Matt Reeves stepped in with his own plans for the character. While promoting her upcoming fantasy romance A Big Bold Beautiful Journey alongside Colin Farrell—who plays the Penguin in The Batman and its HBO spinoff—Robbie casually dropped the bombshell during their joint interview with Entertainment Weekly. “The first draft that Christina [Hodson] wrote of Birds of Prey, the villain was the Penguin,” Robbie said, prompting a visibly shocked reaction from Farrell. According to Robbie, Hodson’s version of the Penguin was “amazing,” and the character was set to stalk Harley Quinn and her newly formed team throughout Gotham. Robbie even teased that she still has a copy of the original draft on her computer and offered to share it with Farrell. The reason for the switch? Matt Reeves, director of The Batman, had already earmarked the Penguin for his own gritty crime saga. “Matt Reeves said, ‘Don’t use the Penguin. I’m going to use him in my thing,’” Robbie explained. To avoid overlap between DC’s cinematic universes, the Birds of Prey team pivoted to Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor. This change gave the film a darker, more flamboyant crime-lord vibe, while preserving Penguin for Reeves’ noir vision. 

Paramount has made a dramatic pivot in its handling of the Dexter franchise, leaving fans both stunned and intrigued. After initially greenlighting two new series—Dexter: Original Sin and Dexter: Resurrection—the studio has reversed course, canceling the prequel while doubling down on the sequel. Originally announced as a deep-dive into Dexter Morgan’s formative years, Dexter: Original Sin premiered in December 2024 and wrapped its 10-episode run in February 2025. The series starred Patrick Gibson as a teenage Dexter, with Christian Slater portraying his father Harry Morgan, the architect of Dexter’s infamous code. Michael C. Hall lent his voice as narrator, tying the prequel to the original series. Despite a season 2 renewal announced in April, Paramount quietly pulled the plug on Original Sin, citing a lack of scheduled production and shifting priorities following its merger with Skydance. In contrast, Dexter: Resurrection—the sequel series starring Michael C. Hall—has become a breakout hit. Picking up after the events of Dexter: New Blood, the show sees Dexter surviving his apparent death and relocating to New York, where he reconnects with his son Harrison and crosses paths with a billionaire serial killer enthusiast played by Peter Dinklage. The series has earned rave reviews, boasting a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and drawing 4.4 million viewers in its first week. Paramount is now opening a writers’ room for a potential second season, signaling strong confidence in the show’s future—even though an official renewal hasn’t yet been announced. The decision reflects a broader strategic shift at Paramount Television Studios, now under the leadership of Matt Thunell. Following the Skydance merger, the studio is prioritizing established hits and recognizable IP, with Dexter: Resurrection leading the charge. 

James Gunn, the architect of the DC Universe, has once again stirred fan speculation—this time by teasing a “really, really, really big cameo” in the final episodes of Peacemaker Season 2. As the series continues to bridge the tonal gap between irreverent comedy and emotional depth, Gunn’s cryptic comments have fans buzzing about who might show up—and what it could mean for the future of the DCU. Season 2 of Peacemaker marks a clear shift from its DCEU roots into Gunn and Peter Safran’s newly minted DCU. The show now follows the events of Superman (2025), and features updated references to the Justice Gang instead of the Justice League. This recontextualization sets the stage for deeper integration with the broader DCU, and Gunn has confirmed that characters from Superman—including Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Maxwell Lord—already appear in the season. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn hinted at a major surprise waiting near the end of the season: “There might even be one really, really, really big cameo near the end of the show.” While he didn’t name names, the emphasis on scale and significance suggests this won’t be a throwaway gag or minor character. Given the DCU’s interconnected design, many fans suspect the cameo could be David Corenswet’s Superman himself, reinforcing Peacemaker’s relevance in the franchise’s future. This could also be an opportunity for Gunn to bring one of the Creature Commandos into live action such as David Harbour’s Frankenstein or Alay Tudyk’s Dr. Phosphorus. Gunn also mentioned the Quantum Unfolding Chamber (QUC), a piece of tech introduced in Season 1 and expanded upon in Superman. The QUC is central to Season 2’s plot, potentially opening doors—literally and figuratively—for cross-dimensional or multiversal appearances. This could allow for unexpected character returns or even alternate versions of familiar heroes. Whether it’s Superman, another Justice Gang member, or a surprise villain, Gunn’s promise of a “really big” moment suggests that Peacemaker Season 2 will end not with a whimper, but with a bang. 

James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios and the creative force behind the 2025 box office hit Superman, has confirmed that a follow-up film is already in motion—and it’s coming fast. In a series of interviews, Gunn revealed that he’s completed an extensive treatment for the next installment, which he’s calling part of the “Superman Saga”. Gunn’s treatment isn’t your average outline. He described it as a 60-page document packed with dialogue and scene breakdowns. “My treatments are incredibly intense,” he told Collider. “They’re not regular treatments. And so, now I’m just turning that into a script. We’re planning out when we’re going to shoot that. It’s going to be much sooner rather than later”. While Gunn hasn’t confirmed whether the film is a direct sequel or a new chapter altogether, he emphasized that it continues the narrative established in Superman, which starred David Corenswet as the Man of Steel. The film grossed $589 million worldwide, making it the seventh highest-grossing film of 2025. Gunn also revealed that the events of Superman will tie directly into Peacemaker Season 2, which premieres this month. “Superman leads directly into Peacemaker,” he said. “Lots of guest stars coming up, lots of characters that are showing up that we’ve already met in Superman”. This interconnected storytelling is part of Gunn’s broader vision for the DC Universe, where each project maintains its own tone and style—ranging from horror (Clayface) to cosmic adventure (Lanterns). With the treatment complete and production scheduling underway, the next Superman film could begin shooting within the year. 

Terence Stamp, the magnetic British actor whose piercing gaze and commanding presence defined a generation of cinema, has died at the age of 87. His family confirmed he passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, August 17, leaving behind a legacy that spans more than six decades of film, television, and voice work. Stamp made an unforgettable debut in 1962’s Billy Budd, earning an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of the angelic sailor. He quickly became a fixture of the 1960s cinematic revolution, starring in The Collector (1965), Far From the Madding Crowd (1967), and Teorema (1968). But it was his turn as General Zod in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980) that etched him into pop culture history. With the chilling command “Kneel before Zod,” Stamp became one of cinema’s most memorable supervillains. Stamp’s career was marked by fearless genre-hopping. He played Chancellor Valorum in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, voiced characters in Halo 3 and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and portrayed the elegant drag queen Bernadette in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, earning a BAFTA nomination. Later roles included appearances in Wall Street, The Limey, Big Eyes, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and Last Night in Soho. He even voiced Jor-El in the TV series Smallville, a poetic twist on his earlier villainous role in the Superman franchise. Born in London’s East End in 1938, Stamp grew up during the WWII bombings and found solace in cinema from an early age. He studied at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and became close friends with fellow actors Michael Caine and Peter O’Toole. Offscreen, he was known for his romantic entanglements with Julie Christie and Jean Shrimpton, and for his spiritual journey through India following heartbreak. He also authored several books, blending memoir with philosophical musings. In a statement, Stamp’s family said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come. We ask for privacy at this sad time.” 

Marvel fans are in a frenzy after Ryan Reynolds posted a mysterious image to Instagram that may hint at Deadpool’s involvement in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The post featured a white Avengers logo defaced with a red graffiti-style anarchy symbol—eerily reminiscent of Deadpool’s chaotic aesthetic. Reynolds offered no caption, just a side-eye emoji, leaving fans to decode the meaning for themselves. What’s Fueling the Speculation? The graffiti-tagged Avengers logo was previously seen in Deadpool & Wolverine as a flag in a dystopian alternate universe. Reynolds’ new version, however, is red and stylized differently—reportedly created by a fan and reposted by Reynolds himself. The post dropped just as filming for Avengers: Doomsday ramps up in London, and Marvel has teased that more cast announcements are coming. Reynolds was notably absent from the initial cast list, which already includes legacy X-Men actors like Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and Kelsey Grammer. Trade outlets are split. The Hollywood Reporter claims Deadpool will appear in Doomsday, though not as a full-fledged Avenger. Meanwhile, Deadline reports that Reynolds hasn’t been seen on set and isn’t scheduled to appear. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed that discussions with Reynolds are ongoing. “There absolutely have been discussions. We're in touch with Ryan a lot. So the answer is yes,” Feige said when asked about Deadpool’s future in the MCU. Given the multiverse-heavy plot of Avengers: Doomsday, a cameo or surprise appearance by Deadpool seems plausible—even if he’s not part of the main lineup. Reynolds himself has said he prefers Deadpool to be a supporting character, which aligns with the idea of a brief but memorable role. Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, with the Russo Brothers returning to direct. 

Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts—the gritty, antihero ensemble film that redefined the MCU’s tone—will officially begin streaming on Disney+ on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. After its theatrical debut in May and a digital release in July, fans can now revisit the explosive team-up from the comfort of their homes. Directed by Jake Schreier and written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, Thunderbolts follows a ragtag group of morally complex characters pulled from previous MCU entries: Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) and John Walker (Wyatt Russell). These disillusioned antiheroes are recruited by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) for a covert mission—only to discover they’ve been ensnared in a deadly trap. The film explores themes of redemption, trauma, and reluctant camaraderie as the team confronts their pasts and battles for a shot at heroism. Despite underwhelming box office numbers ($382 million worldwide on a $180 million budget), Thunderbolts was a critical success, earning an impressive 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised its emotional depth, dark humor, and fresh take on the superhero genre. Starting August 27, Thunderbolts will be available to stream on Disney+ at 12 a.m. PT / 3 a.m. ET. 

In a blockbuster move that reshapes the future of one of cinema’s most iconic spy franchises, NBCUniversal has officially acquired all rights—excluding publishing—to Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne and Treadstone book series in perpetuity. The deal, finalized after a fiercely competitive bidding war, ensures the Bourne universe will remain under the Universal umbrella, opening the door for new films, television projects, and cross-platform storytelling. Earlier this year, the Ludlum estate reclaimed the rights and initiated an auction led by WME. The process attracted seven major offers, including bids from streaming giants and rival studios. Ultimately, Universal matched the top proposal with what insiders describe as a “very large deal,” securing the franchise’s future at its longtime home. Since its cinematic debut in 2002 with The Bourne Identity, the franchise has redefined the spy genre with its gritty realism and kinetic action. Matt Damon’s portrayal of the amnesiac operative Jason Bourne, coupled with direction from Doug Liman and Paul Greengrass, set a new standard for espionage thrillers. The series has spawned five films, grossing over $1.64 billion globally, and includes a spinoff (The Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner), a short-lived TV series (Treadstone), and even a theme park attraction (The Bourne Stuntacular) at Universal Studios Orlando. With the rights secured, Universal is already laying groundwork for future installments. Producer Frank Marshall, who has been with the franchise since its inception, will continue to oversee development alongside Captivate Entertainment’s Jeffrey Weiner and Ben Smith. A new film is reportedly in development with director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) and a script by Joe Barton. While not yet greenlit, speculation is swirling about Matt Damon’s potential return to the role that made him a global star. NBCUniversal plans to leverage the Bourne IP across its vast media ecosystem, including film, television, streaming, and interactive experiences. “We’re energized to continue expanding the Bourne universe into the future with exciting new stories for global audiences,” said Peter Cramer, President of Universal Pictures. Jeffrey Weiner, executor of Ludlum’s estate, echoed the sentiment: “We are thrilled that the Bourne franchise will remain at Universal. We look forward to working with the Universal team to expand the Bourne franchise across Universal’s varied platforms”. 

After nearly two decades away from the visor, James Marsden is officially returning as Scott Summers—aka Cyclops—in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, and he’s calling the experience “a nice little homecoming” to the role that first put him on the map. In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Marsden reflected on the long journey back to the X-Men leader, joking, “I’m getting a little long in the tooth to put on the superhero costume.” He added, “I’ve spent 20 years listening to people say, ‘When are you coming back?’ I’m dead. Well, maybe not”. Cyclops was famously killed off in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), but Marvel’s multiverse antics—especially after Deadpool & Wolverine and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness—have paved the way for legacy characters to return. Marsden’s Cyclops is expected to play a key role in the battle against Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., in the Russo Brothers-directed crossover epic. Marsden won’t be alone. Avengers: Doomsday is stacking its cast with X-Men veterans, including: Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) and Channing Tatum (Gambit). Marsden first donned the ruby-quartz visor in X-Men (2000), followed by X2 (2003) and The Last Stand (2006). He briefly returned in Days of Future Past (2014), but Doomsday marks his first full-fledged return to the role in over a decade. “It was the first real event project I was ever a part of,” Marsden said. “And a very beloved character, this icon from the comics. So to step back into that role was pretty special”. Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, as part of Marvel’s Phase Six. 

This weekend at the Star Trek Las Vegas convention, VisionQuest showrunner Terry Matalas dropped major news about the upcoming Marvel miniseries, confirming the casting of two Star Trek: Picard alumni—Todd Stashwick and Orla Brady—in pivotal roles for the 2026 Disney+ series. Stashwick, known for his role as Captain Liam Shaw in Picard, will portray Paladin, a morally ambiguous mercenary from Marvel Comics. First introduced in Daredevil #150 (1978), Paladin is a skilled operative whose allegiance often hinges on the highest bidder. In VisionQuest, he’s described as an assassin tracking down White Vision—Paul Bettany’s reawakened android who gained sentience at the end of WandaVision. Matalas confirmed that Paladin will be a central antagonist, bringing a grounded, tactical threat to the otherwise AI-heavy narrative. Brady, who played Laris and Tallinn in Picard, will take over the role of F.R.I.D.A.Y., Tony Stark’s AI assistant previously voiced by Kerry Condon in the MCU films. Unlike her purely digital predecessor, Brady’s version of F.R.I.D.A.Y. is rumored to appear in humanoid form—possibly as a Life Model Decoy or holographic avatar. This recasting marks a shift in how Marvel is portraying its artificial intelligences, with several—including Emily Hampshire’s E.D.I.T.H. and T’Nia Miller’s Jocasta—expected to have physical embodiments. Matalas emphasized Brady’s emotional range and intelligence as key reasons for her casting, calling the collaboration with Marvel “wonderfully collaborative”. Paul Bettany returns as Vision, navigating a post-Wanda existence with fragmented memories and existential questions. Matalas likened Vision’s arc to Spock’s journey in Star Trek IV, suggesting a cerebral and emotional quest for identity. James Spader is also confirmed to reprise his role as Ultron, with Matalas teasing a “unique” use of the character—possibly involving a human avatar or holographic projection. The series will also feature Faran Tahir reprising Raza from Iron Man and Ruaridh Mollica in a mystery role, speculated to be Tommy Maximoff. Filming wrapped in July 2025, and VisionQuest is slated to premiere on Disney+ in 2026.