TV and Movie News
Straight out of Hollywood
The Joker’s Weirdest Henchman Was Daffy Duck (Yes, Really)
04 hours
by Screen Rant
in TV News
The world of comic books has seen some truly bizarre crossover stories, from the Ghostbusters teaming up with the Ninja Turtles, to the many run-ins between Archie and The Punisher -- and the all-time classic adventure that saw Batman partner with Elmer Fudd. But if fans are looking for the greatest crossovers starring Looney Tunes icons, nothing beats the time Daffy Duck once became the Joker's lead henchman in The Joker/Daffy #1.
The story finds the lisping duck on the phone with ACME Electronics, growing increasingly frustrated with the automated voice system, Daffy eventually becomes enraged, declaring, "Thith meanth war," and hopping a bus to ACME's headquarters, which was apparently in Gotham this whole time. Who knew? Instead of a bustling factory, however, Daffy finds he's accidentally stumbled into a meeting between the Joker and his goons. Joker is about to shoot the fowl intruder when Daffy, thinking quick on his webbed feet, proclaims that he's actually been sent by ACME Hench Agency to replace Joker's recently departed goon. Impressed by the agency's speed, Joker names Daffy his new lead henchman... and the duck wastes no time getting to work.
Never in short supply of some anger and superiority complex, Daffy whips the rest of the squad into shape, forcing them to exercise themselves to exhaustion since he "will not have any flabby henchmen on my thquad... You're reprethenting The Joker!" Daffy even goes so far as to construct a new hideout for Joker and his crew. Ironically, it's Joker that takes Daffy under his wing, asking the duck to help organize his latest scheme: attacking a carnival-themed fundraiser for Gotham's poor with his eponymous toxic gas. Somehow only now coming to the realization that Joker is a murderous lunatic, Daffy vows to foil the plot.
The Joker launches his plan, bounding into the charity event and lobbing gas grenades, meanwhile, his crew is waiting in the back of a nearby van for Daffy to let them out, though he pretends to have lost the keys. Joker is left confused - not just as to where his backup is, but also why the fundraiser's guests aren't dropping dead. Unbeknownst to him, Daffy had secretly switched out the Joker Gas with Acme Sneezing Gas, resulting in a chorus of decidedly non deadly ah-choos. Enraged, Joker goes to flee in the van, only to have the wheels literally come off of his escape, as Daffy had also removed the tires' lug nuts. Predictably, Batman shows up and apprehends the Joker, while Daffy hides, disguising himself amongst a series of carnival game prizes.
Eavesdropping on a conversation between Batman and Commissioner Gordon discussing reports that the lead henchman was a talking duck, Batman says he's not surprised: "Mallards are notoriously easy to boss around. It's why they walk in a single line. Generally weak willed. Simpleminded." Unable to control his temper, Daffy lashes out at Batman, immediately regretting his decision as he's swarmed by Gotham PD. The final panel sees both Joker and Daffy hauled off to Arkham Asylum, with Daffy pleading "Thoot me now!"
While The Joker/Daffy Duck #1 was seemingly a one-off, it's hard not to crave even more similar crossovers. Martian Manhunter and Marvin the Martian? Sylvester and Catwoman? The Tasmanian Devil versus Captain Boomerang? These stories write themselves. But, at least for now, that's all, folks!
Godzilla vs Kong Toy Reveals A New MonsterVerse Titan
05 hours
by Screen Rant
in TV News
Images of the new toys for the highly anticipated Godzilla vs Kong movie has been unveiled, revealing a brand new MonsterVerse Titan that could possibly be in the film. The two Titans were last seen in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Kong: Skull Island, respectively. The former garnered an impressive worldwide take of $386 million while the latter brought in a massive $566 million at the global box office. The two films have carefully laid the groundwork for the two Titans' inevitable showdown, building the anticipation toward their battle this fall.
The MonsterVerse began in 2014 with Gareth Edwards' Godzilla, the film that rebooted the character while firmly establishing Monarch, the organization that would tie the films in the shared universe together. Kong: Skull Island followed in its footsteps, establishing the gorilla's presence on the infamous island while laying the foundation for Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the film that would have the Titan face not one, but three other monsters, including Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah. Godzilla vs Kong is set to have the two monsters square off against one another in a show-stopping brawl for the ages while the Monarch organization investigates the origins of the Titans.
Godzilla-Movies.com has revealed pictures of Playmates Toys figures for the upcoming film that give fans a sneak peek at a brand new Titan, one that could undoubtedly make an appearance in the movie. There are toys for both Godzilla and Kong and a third toy for a monster called Nozuki, a winged, snake-like creature that will likely cross paths with the two Titans. The line of toys also includes a Skullcrawler from Kong: Skull Island that may confirm the species' return in the film. The images are below.
Godzilla vs Kong will be helmed by Adam Wingard, director of Netflix's Death Note and the beloved thrillers You're Next and The Guest. The film is set to have members of previous MonsterVerse films returning, in addition to new characters played by Alexander Skarsgard, Brian Tyree Henry, Rebecca Hall, Jessica Henwick, Demián Bichir, Eiza González, and Lance Redding. The characters returning from previous MonsterVerse films include Kyle Chandler's Mark Russell and his daughter Madison played by Millie Bobby Brown and the Chen sisters, who are both played by Zhang Ziyi. Though no concrete answers have been given just yet, there are many possibilities as to why these characters will return.
The MonsterVerse films have been a bit of a mixed bag in regards to their overall quality. 2014's Godzilla was an engrossing and grounded reimagining of the beloved creature that took the less is more Jaws approach to showing off its titular monster. Kong: Skull Island was an excellent showcase for the gorilla's strength, power, and sheer size, but like Godzilla, suffered from flat, uninteresting human characters that took up far too much screen time. Godzilla: King of the Monsters also suffered from its predecessors' tragic flaw, but showed plenty more of the beloved character. However, the monster battles were poorly directed and, unfortunately, underwhelming. If there's one director that can help right the ship, it's Wingard, a talented visual director with a firm grasp of character and storytelling. He may be under tremendous pressure to deliver the blockbuster film fans have been clamoring for. Still, with a man of his talents behind the camera, it's safe to say there's a good chance they will leave the theater satisfied when Godzilla vs Kong stomps into theaters this fall.
Source: Godzilla-Movies.com
Colbert, Fallon, and Kimmel Host Coronavirus Benefit Airing Everywhere
06 hours
by Screen Rant
in TV News
Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel are joining forces for a benefit to aid healthcare workers fighting COVID-19 across the globe. The late-night hosts are following in the footsteps of recent televised benefits that have aired on FOX and CBS. This will be the first coronavirus benefit that brings together late-night hosts from different networks, however, and the distribution of the benefit will guarantee as many people as possible will see (and hopefully support) it.
Global fundraising efforts have turned towards aiding as many people as possible who are affected by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as those who are on the front lines battling the virus daily. Throughout the world, there have been reports about dwindling money and supplies necessary to combat the disease and flatten the curve before it takes more lives. To a much more insignificant degree, late-night television has virtually disappeared over the past month to limit possible exposure for casts, crews, and audiences. However, some hosts have been filming segments in their homes.
According to a press release, Global Citizen and the World Health Organization (WHO) are putting together One World: Together At Home, a benefit that will air on Saturday, April 18. Colbert, Fallon, and Kimmel are set to host the event, with some help from unnamed Sesame Street characters. The telecast, set to begin at 8:00 PM ET, will directly benefit the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, which is run by WHO. Stories from those closest to the disease will be featured.
Unsurprisingly, it will be a star-studded event. Lady Gaga has a major hand in it, and the likes of Elton John and Lizzo will play a role as well. Several people are slated to perform, including some who have already held live concerts from their homes in support of Global Citizen, such as John Legend and Chris Martin. Perhaps most importantly, the benefit will air on many channels, including ABC, NBC, and CBS in the United States, as well as some major international channels. It will also be streamed live virtually everywhere one can imagine, including Amazon Prime, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, Twitter, and YouTube.
Everyone is looking for ways to aid health care workers and first responders in a fight against the most significant global threat most have seen in their lifetimes. One World: Together At Home is another tool in that fight, one Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel will play an instrumental part in creating.
Source: Global Citizen
Colbert, Fallon, and Kimmel Host Coronavirus Benefit Airing Everywhere
06 hours
by Screen Rant
in TV News
Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel are joining forces for a benefit to aid healthcare workers fighting COVID-19 across the globe. The late-night hosts are following in the footsteps of recent televised benefits that have aired on FOX and CBS. This will be the first coronavirus benefit that brings together late-night hosts from different networks, however, and the distribution of the benefit will guarantee as many people as possible will see (and hopefully support) it.
Global fundraising efforts have turned towards aiding as many people as possible who are affected by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as those who are on the front lines battling the virus daily. Throughout the world, there have been reports about dwindling money and supplies necessary to combat the disease and flatten the curve before it takes more lives. To a much more insignificant degree, late-night television has virtually disappeared over the past month to limit possible exposure for casts, crews, and audiences. However, some hosts have been filming segments in their homes.
According to a press release, Global Citizen and the World Health Organization (WHO) are putting together One World: Together At Home, a benefit that will air on Saturday, April 18. Colbert, Fallon, and Kimmel are set to host the event, with some help from unnamed Sesame Street characters. The telecast, set to begin at 8:00 PM ET, will directly benefit the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, which is run by WHO. Stories from those closest to the disease will be featured.
Unsurprisingly, it will be a star-studded event. Lady Gaga has a major hand in it, and the likes of Elton John and Lizzo will play a role as well. Several people are slated to perform, including some who have already held live concerts from their homes in support of Global Citizen, such as John Legend and Chris Martin. Perhaps most importantly, the benefit will air on many channels, including ABC, NBC, and CBS in the United States, as well as some major international channels. It will also be streamed live virtually everywhere one can imagine, including Amazon Prime, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, Twitter, and YouTube.
Everyone is looking for ways to aid health care workers and first responders in a fight against the most significant global threat most have seen in their lifetimes. One World: Together At Home is another tool in that fight, one Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel will play an instrumental part in creating.
Source: Global Citizen
Tiger King: Carole Baskin Will Not Return For Another Episode
06 hours
by Screen Rant
in TV News
Carole Baskin, one of the many interesting subjects featured in Netflix's Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness, will not appear in any future episodes of the docu-series. Premiering on the streaming service last month, Tiger King has become a sensation. The series recounts the so-very-strange-but-true story of Joe Exotic, an eccentric keeper of exotic animals who engages in a poorly thought out murder-for-hire plot to kill Baskin, animal rights activist, owner of Big Cat Rescue, and Exotic's "nemesis".
Along with exposing Exotic's bizarre life and crimes, Tiger King also digs in to Baskin's past. Namely, one episode is dedicated to the still unsolved disappearance of her first husband, Don Lewis. The episode doesn't necessarily make the case that Baskin is guilty of murder, but it certainly introduces enough suspicious evidence that in the court of public opinion, many now believe she did murder her husband and feed him to a tiger. It's insinuations like this that have Baskin upset with her portrayal in Tiger King and therefore unwilling to appear in news episodes. And new Tiger King episodes do seem to be a possibility, with another of the docus-series participants, Jeff Lowe, announcing that Netflix plan to release a brand new episode shortly.
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, a representative of Baskin's has said she has "not been approached about a new episode and would not participate if asked." According to Lowe, Netflix was only recently filming again at G.W. Zoo for the follow-up episode. Netflix, however, has yet to officially announce anything.
Even though Tiger King more or less covers the story of Exotic's failed attempt at having Baskin killed - not to mention all the other crazy plots it explores along the way - interest in the docu-series and its stars remains high. Baskin in particular has become something of an internet sensation following her appearance in Tiger King, though again, not for a reason she either appreciates or approves. There are multiple scripted projects in development that are adapting facets of Tiger King's story. Another documentary on Joe Exotic is also in the works, and it too will delve in to the murder of Don Lewis and explore Baskin's role, if any, in the strange case. More noteworthy, though, is the news that a Florida sherriff is using the popularity of Tiger King as momentum to revisit the case of Baskin's husband possible murder.
As for Exotic, he recently spoke to Netflix over the phone from jail and explained that he completely done with Carole Baskin. He's currently serving a 22-year sentence in federal prison on a murder-for-hire conviction as well as multiple counts of animal abuse. In the time since his behind-bars interview with Netflix, however, Exotic has since been moved to a medical center over concerns he was exposed to the coronavirus, COVID-19 - which in itself feels like just another weird twist in Tiger King's stranger-than-fiction story.
Source: EW