(you know, Los Angeles, California)

…today marked the announcement of the new cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

According to StarWars.com, the new actors are: John Boyega (Attack the Block), Daisy Ridley (Blue Season), Adam Driver (who was previously rumored to play Nightwing), Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Domhnall Gleeson (Dredd), and Max von Sydow (Minority Report).

And then there were Se7en…

This new cast will join the original Rebel Alliance: Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Kenny Baker (R2D2) in the new film.

Director J.J. Abrams says, “We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”

Directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay from both himself and Lawrence Kasdan — with John Williams return as composer — Star Wars: Episode VII opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.

Good? Bad? Ugly? Sad? Let us know in the Facebook comments below!

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

Now, in the immortal words of the late/great Marvin Gaye, “LET’S GET IT ON!!!”
(Thought of invoking his song, Sexual Healing, but whatever!)

*This week came word that stage actor, Ray Fisher (who starred as legendary boxing champion, Muhammad Ali in the play, Fetch Clay, Make Man), will play the role of Victor “Vic” Stone, a.k.a. CYBORG in the May 6^th, 2016 Man Of Steel follow-up, Batman Vs. Superman (tentative title).

Ray Fisher (left) and his character, Victor “Vic” Stone/Cyborg (right) from an issue of DC Comics’ Justice League comic book title.

Previously the rumor mill stated that director, Zack Snyder had talked to Fruitvale Station star, Michael B. Jordan about a mysterious small role in the upcoming Warner Bros./DC Entertainment sequel that many figured could have been the role of Stone. The role is said to be small enough and not a major role in B Vs. S, but would become a more significant role as follow-up WB/DC Ent. films progress toward the inevitable Justice League live-action movie.

Seems as though the eventual Justice League film MAY very well pattern itself, in some way, after the current DC Comics/New 52 team roster featured in the current Justice League title originated by comic scribe Geoff Johns and comic artist extraordinaire, Jim Lee.

The initial comic book storyline in question featured not only Stone/Cyborg and his origin, but also his father, who was a character who held a highly ranked position at S.T.A.R. Labs (a scientific research organization in the DC Comics universe, a facility that actor Richard Schiff’s Man Of Steel character, Dr. Emil Hamilton worked at in the summer 2013 feature film).

That comic book storyline (Justice League #1-#6, New 52 continuity) was also the basis for the recent Warner Bros./DC Ent. animated home video, Justice League: War.

Aside: Fisher was also recently said to have been looked at for an undisclosed role in director J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII.

• Former Game Of Thrones co-star, Jason Momoa has been REPEATEDLY RUMORED for a role in B Vs. S, and the actor has denied the claims at every turn. Now that same rumor is bubbling-up yet again. Similar to those previous rumors, the roles of Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Lobo, and others are all being bandied about by the fan populace. Should this latest rumor pan out, I’m sure the Mother Of Dragons would be proud (Game Of Thrones reference there, for those uninitiated with the hit HBO series).

(Flip the page for more!)

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

While the company had several panels at WonderCon this past weekend, none were filled with as much GodHatesGeeks-approved coolness as IDW’s GPITKU. Padre, flanked by two judges, with a third behind him (Dredd, is that you?), keeping the lawbreakers away, sat down to be wowed by the IDW crew. Like much of #WC2014, a lot of this news was not very new at all. No real surprises here, folks, other than the Gabriel Rodriguez exclusive announcement. What made this panel cool though, was the fact that they did go into detail about many of the books. The format was loose, fun, engaging, with a spirited Q&A, and — GASP! — interactive. They also offered actual insights into what the books might be about. I know, crazy!

While they did touch on several of their licensed properties, the big focus of this panel was on what they are doing with creator driven titles.

Seems like the “Happy Place” Rick and Glen were talking about…

The panel, moderated by Dirk Wood, featured writers Brian Lynch (Angel), Mike Johnson (Star Trek), Eric Shanower (Age of Bronze), and Tom Waltz (TMNT); artist Gabriel Rodriguez (Locke & Key); Editor-In-Chief Chris Ryall; editors Scott Dunbier and Sarah Gaydos; and IDW President Greg Goldstein.

Things kicked off with the rollout of their “Summer Blockbusters”!

Walt Simonson’s Ragnarok – the most anticipated book of the year for your Padre — was shown via an amazing spread. The greatest creator to ever work on and define Thor, busting out work on a creator owned version of the Norse Gods equals one hell of an amazing July in my book. It was described as “the end times”, “not your typical Thor book,” and “grim and beautifully told.” The series will be colored by Laura Martin and drooled over monthly by yours truly.

(Flip the page for more IDW!)

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

That sucks.

The great news then, my faithful Jedi ensemble, is that your trusty Monsignor has been following the incredible creative team of SWR with a keen eye. In fact, before you scroll down to witness this rebirth of Empire Awesomeness, I suggest first checking out my blog from last fall’s New York Comic-Con. Oh, still haven’t finished the sixth and final season of TCW on Netflix either? No worries. We got you covered here too.

Now that I’m done plugging for the day — ayo! — why don’t you sit back, relax and peep the clip from WonderCon just below…

Just what us Warsies have been waiting for! And, indeed the audience who came to see showrunner Dave Filoni (The Clone Wars, duh), art director Kilian Plunket (Star Wars: Empire), and voice of our new primary pilot, Hera, Vanessa Marshall (Wonder Woman from JL: The Flashpoint Paradox), was just as delighted in their response to the footage. But fans weren’t the only ones amazed by the power of Rebels.

“I could feel the force on the page,” Marshall preached in reference to when she first laid eyes on the coded, top secret script of SWR. Having worked on both Old Republic and Knights of the Old Republic, the voice actress merely tries “not to nerd out” to the animated series that reflects a more unified appearance that TCW ever had.

Hera — with help from the mind of LucasFilm Amy Christensen — is basically a cross between your typical X-Wing pilot and Han Solo, a girl hero that’s every bit into the action as the men. For his show that will depict a tighter, more particular group of people throughout (so don’t go expecting the more-than-massive world of Corucant anytime soon), Filoni was more interested in making really good female characters as opposed to really strong.

#SkypeWars

(Flip the page for more Star Wars, yo!)

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

SALEM

Salem is the first scripted show from WGN America because what we all need is more TV! We’re in an age of DVRs, streaming, and downloading so the more the merrier. And who is WGN you ask…..?

It DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOUR NETWORK IS!! (Hello, Ringside Apostles).

Created by Brannon Braga (24, Star Trek: Enterprise and Voyager) and Adam Simon (The Haunting of Connecticut), Salem sets in 17th Century Massachusetts and based on the actual witch trials that happened during this time period. Tired of the town’s hypocrisy over people being punished by authority figure, George Sibley (Michael Mulheren, Law & Order), John Alden (Shane West, fresh off Nikita) chooses to go off in fight in the French and Indian War. He promises to return in a year to his love, Mary (Janet Montgomery, Human Target), but while he’s gone — of course — she discovers she’s pregnant with his child. Thus, fearing what Sibley might do to the poor kid, Mary asks galpal Tituba (Ashley Madekwe, Revenge) to use her best spell to erase the child from existence.

Now, why does all that matter (besides setting off yet another horrific abortion debate)? Well, when the setting jumps ahead seven years later — with Alden returning to the town in complete Walking Dead style — he finds the Mary he once knew and loved is now…Mary Sibley: The most powerful woman/witch in town. Yup, damn. Most men would easily turn around, head to the next town and drink themself stupid. But of course, John stays and also learns that another person from his past, Cotton Mather (Seth Gabel, Fringe), returned to Salem to lead a good ol’ fashion Witch Hunt.

Hell.

While it’s impossible for your TV guru to not think of The Crucible as I watch Salem, there’s definitely enough here to separate itself from the rest of the broomsticks (despite the fact they literally steal one part from the film, which could be more a history commonality than anything). Salem has: Crazy demons, a possessed girl as a bloodhound, people ingesting frogs, and black oil-covered orgies (I swear!). The show suffers a little from pilot syndrome (i.e. loads of set-up), but otherwise does the trick of displaying all its supernatural insanity…

(Flip the page for our Bible score and bullet-points from the panel!)

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

At WonderCon 2014, in the bowels of room 300ab, DC Entertainment held their annual All Access panel. Moderating duties were handled by John Cunningham, DC’s VP of Marketing. More importantly, the panel guests included, seated from left to right, Jim Lee (who needs no introduction), Jim Chadwick (Editor, DC Digital), Shelly Bond (Editor, Vertigo) and Mike Cotton (Editor, DC New 52).

You can’t have a DC panel without touching on Batman, naturally, so we’re first shown an image of the Batman 75th Anniversary logo before speaking on the imminent end of Superman Unchained. Lee spoke about Lois Lane’s prominence in the series and what Scott Snyder had wanted to include in their “Ultimate Superman Story”. We were then shown the cover of Superman #32 which marks the debut of a new creative team, Geoff Johns and… wait for it… artist John Romita Jr., making his first DC Comics debut. The simple fact that Romita Jr. is drawing the book justifies a purchase alone, let alone Johns scribing the book!

Babe-Seeking Vision, indeed

Focus was then turned to Superman: Doomed, a big crossover event that is said to be unifying titles in the New 52. Though, wasn’t that the entire point of the New 52 to set up something big in the future? Teen Titans #1 goes on sale July 16th, focusing more on the teams “Celebrity status and social media” aspect, which probably means it’ll be marketed towards the younger teen/MTV audience. Lets hope not.

After touching upon the success of Batman 66 and informing the audience that the Adam West TV series would be releasing Fall 2014 on DVD and BLU-RAY (being a classic TV afficiando, this the one bit of news I’m most personally excited for), we were shown the cover to Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet written by Kevin Smith. The cover art by Alex Ross (rumored to be the man who inspired Ben Affleck’s new Batcostume, but we’ll see) looks awesome, as always. On sale June 4th.

A prequel series to the Injustice comic was also teased along with a few panels from the book. On the Vertigo side of things, Shelley Bond took the mic to push the Sandman Overture (Moody’s favorite comic from last year, if I’m remembering correctly). Also announced was a new book titled Bodies that deals with a time traveling serial killer, which easily makes this Deacon the most excited he’s been for a new book in a while. Four Chapters, each in a different time period. And, as you can see, the cover art for issue 1 by Fiona Stevenson is simply gorgeous.

Lastly, Grant Morrison’s ever illusive Multiversity is to launch August 2014.

(Flip the page for our coverage on the Green Lantern Universe!)

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

This coming week we’ve got an onslaught of #WC2014 coverage from our one and only esteemed clergy. For now, GHG would love to wish our most beloved congregation a very Happy Easter. As soon as your peanut butter chocolate egg-hunt is over, why not spend 20+minutes with us on this Holy Sunday, as we give our overall thoughts, feelings and what’s right and wrong about “Convention Season”.

We promise you won’t find a more entertaining, frantically ass-kicking cast to listen on this event!

(From left to right): Bishop Zom’s wingspan.

So join us, Guy “Padre” Copes, “Bishop” Richard Zom, “Minister” Gabe Carrasco, Derek “Divine” Vigeant, and your batshit looney host, “Monsignor” Travis Moody for an unedited, live and raw uncut Podcast PLAGUE.

If the above SoundCloud isn’t working on your mobile device, download or listen to the WonderCon 2014 Podcast through mediafire.

God bless you all.

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

*Current box-office estimates show that Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier has now made $502.2 MILLION WORLDWIDE ($167 million domestic/$335.2 global)!!!!!

The Star-Spangled Avenger’s sequel starring Chris Evans in the titular role has far surpassed it’s predecessor, Captain America: The First Avenger (which made about $370 million globally, in it’s entire theatrical run, as opposed to CA:TWS, which has hit this new number having only been at the worldwide box-office over the course of several weeks).

Figured Marvel Studios could use the appropriate piggy bank to store all their LOOT!

The show is closing-in on it’s imminent season 1 finale and has had a rather tumultuous time of it, getting it’s proper footing and satisfying fans. Over the course of recent episodes, the show seems to have finally found it’s legs and has delivered some SHOCKING stuff.

P.S………HAIL HYDRA!!!!!!!!

Agent Ward & Deathlok: B.F.F.s FOREVER!!!

Now a representative from 20th Century Fox has stated that Paquin WILL be in the movie, but also added the role is, “Essentially, a cameo.” If that’s indeed the case, then we can at least look forward to seeing a little bit of Marvel’s mutie “Mississippi Marauder” in the upcoming X-flick.

Bobby ICEMAN Drake trying for a little KISS OF DEATH-ACTION!

Seems that The Kingpin Of Crime MAY fall under that SHARED CHARACTER status that both Quicksilver & The Scarlet Witch do, given those latter characters are to be featured in both Fox’ X-Men: Days Of Future Past (Quicksilver, thus far) and in Marvel’s The Avengers: Age Of Ultron (both Quicksilver & The Scarlet Witch).

Feige also added about the characters Namor and Elektra over the shared film rights issue, “Namor I think is a little complicated, the way some of them are. Elektra I think we have. I think that was part of Daredevil, and that’s clean and simple.”

Seems as though the tangled web of Marvel movie film rights just gotten a BIT more complex.

*Seems that 20th Century Fox has tapped Hanna screenwriter, Seth Lochhead to pen a film based upon writer Nathan Edmondson and artist Tonci Zonjic’s 2011 Image Comics espionage title Who Is Jake Ellis?

The story for Who Is Jake Ellis? centers around a former C.I.A. analyst named Jon Moore, who escaped from a lab several years prior where he was the subject of experiments related to “remote viewing.” As a result of the experimentations, Moore finds he’s able to see a ghostly espionage figure by the name of Jake Ellis, who ends up providing Moore with tactical advice that leads to his becoming a successful criminal in Western Europe, all the while trying to evade those responsible for his imprisonment and experimentation.

It’s also said that Lochhead is scripting the big-screen treatment for Shadow Of Colossus, based upon the video game of the same name, as well as a film based upon the novel The Age Of Miracles by novelist Karen Thompson Walker.

An image of the Image Comics title, Who Is Jake Ellis?

“Into The Fire?” Don’t suppose we’ll hear the main theme performed by 80s hair metal band Dokken?!!!? (yes, that was an 80s music gag!)

Martin Freeman IS Don Dokken!!!

Now it’s being said that the show’s creator, Tim Kring, will do an online webseries for NBC.com by the title Heroes Reborn: Digital Series, which will act as a prequel to the coming mini-series event. The digital webseries will air first on digital platforms such as Hulu, channel websites, and video-on-demand.

Oh, one more thing: SAVE THE CHEERLEADER, SAVE THE WORLD!!!

*Arrow co-star, Colton Haynes (Roy Harper) is reportedly set to co-star on the big-screen with Dwayne THE ROCK Johnson in a new film called San Andreas, where Johnson will star as a former special operative/turned firefighter pilot in search of his daughter after a massive earthquake rocks the state of California. No word has yet been given on the role Haynes will play, but the film is also said to co-star Watchmen and Sin City actress, Carla Gugino.

*This July, DC Comics brings Bat-fans a new one-shot entitled Robin Rises: Omega, by writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Andy Kubert, which will lead into that month’s Batman & Robin #33 (yep! “& ROBIN”…the kid sidekick’s name is back in the title since the death of the last Robin, Bruce Wayne’s son, Damian).

While not confirming the return of Damian to the DC Comics universe, Tomasi is playing things rather secretive stating, “Most definitely bringing back a Robin for Batman’s 75th anniversary. Batman needs a Robin,” When talking about Batman & Robin #33, Tomasi also stated, “Story will most definitely reverberate within the DCU. Bruce and the Justice League won’t be exactly seeing eye to eye on several important issues.”

The cover to Robin Rises: Omega by Andy Kubert

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

With an early screening of the next episode (April 1), you can bet Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. panel was especially awesome. Oh yeah — much like D23, some of us were blessed to watch the full ep ahead of time. More importantly, it’s pretty damn great! I’m sorry I can’t share any of the finer details with our lovely congregation, but just know that if by any chance you’ve been undecided — or previously disappointed — with S.H.I.E.L.D., this is the episode that will win you over.

Hyd… SPOILERS!

More good news: Starting April 1st, ABC will air seven episodes in a row — including the season finale. No breaks or reruns! Producer Jeph Loeb (Batman: The Long Halloween) also mentions that following the comeback episode is Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which hits theaters just a few days later, and “an episode (of AOS that) WE wouldn’t want you to miss” right after on April 8.

Our moderator this evening, Felicia Day (Geek & Sundry), pounced on the tease. “So is there a tie-in with the movie that directly affects the show?” After the series referenced instances of the S.H.I.E.L.D. program in The Avengers and Thor sequel, Loeb slyly says that “it would certainly not surprise anyone if things that happen in (The Winter Soldier) affect the show you’re talking about.” You clever Marvel people. Always prepared!

Marvel also addressed earlier in the panel that although the show’s future is uncertain (at press time, ABC has yet to pick up next season), they are ready. Producer Jeffrey Bell (Alias) claims the producers knew “where they wanted to go with this season and they know where Season 2 and Season 3 are going to end. And we know which character will still be alive. This is, in fact, a Joss Whedon joint.”

The man who leads the team, Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg), has been going through rough times lately, especially in his discovery of how he came back from the dead. How will this affect him going forward? “The real dilemma has been Coulson starting to feel physically the way a lot of trauma survivors do…he doesn’t feel the same.” Well that and the fact that they basically wiped your memory and made you think you were on a beach in Tahiti! ”How can you work for an organization that traffics in secrets and not have secrets kept from you?” Looks like Coulson has figured it out and is far from happy with the big bosses.

Ming-Na Wen’s character…

(Cont. on next page!)

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

Wh– would I play Human Torch?

First and perhaps foremost, will fans witness a return of Andy Brooks (John Cho) next season? “One of the great things about Sleepy Hollow is you can be dead but that doesn’t mean you’re gone,” Goffman danced. Alrighty. A typical answer, but at least Goffman continued with some good character news. “We have some supernatural characters and some real ones coming. With Captain Irving (Orlando Jones) incarcerated we have to figure out who’s going to be in charge of the law and order of Sleepy Hollow.”

“There are a lot of amazing foot soldiers coming,” adds Orci. Also confirmed is that John Noble will return as Henry Parish/Second Horseman War! Thank Moloch, because I can’t imagine the season without him. Wiseman caps off this news with a far bigger, more riveting question of conflict. “As evil as he is, it’s still their son. At the end of it, can you kill your own son?”

Now that Katrina (Katia Winter) seems to be back in the present world, how is this going to affect the relationship between Lt. Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie) and Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison)? “We love that (Abbie and Ichabod) is this relationship built on distrust at first and then eventually trust. It’s really a friendship,” says Kadin. “I think people see what they want to see and what they want to become from the two of them, adds Beharie. “I had never heard of ‘shipping.’”

And we’re just as shocked “Ichabod” knew of search engines. “I had to Google [the term]. It’s a good thing, apparently!” Oh, Tom. Now how can you blame the crowd for seeing and wanting something with charm like that? And, more importantly, will Ichabod ever get himself some modern attire? “Absolutely not. It’s part of his character. His character is the type that will not change or conform,” door-slammed Goffman about our politely arrogant hero.

An audience question then brings up whether we’ll ever receive any more detailed back stories about any other characters. “Every person on here has a rich back story that we’re going to get to see. That’s absolutely in store for Season 2,” Goff replies. Now while that’s great and all — just to be clear — I can do without anymore scenes of Abbie and Corbin (Clancy Brown) eating pie. “There is so much hope in this show to get past the apocalypse and that’s what they’re fighting for. They’ll battle it all season long.”

…And this was HOURS after playing Forza, you see…

Look, kids. The Divine one has to admit that when the idea of this show came out, I was hesitant to embrace it; but now I’m definitely glad that Sleepy Hollow is neither very “sleepy” or “hollow” and it indeed has some fun storytelling with an extensive and rich mythology. But were the creators completely confident when they started too?

“There wasn’t anything like it on television. So we thought ‘Why isn’t there nothing like this?’ Yes, we knew it in the beginning, but once we got in the rhythm we didn’t think about it anymore,” Kurtzman says. And obviously they have nothing to worry about anymore, either.

Get ready for more heads to roll this Fall wth Sleepy Hollow’s Season 2 on FOX.

(Pictures courtesy of our pal BookToBigScreen.)

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post