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The ‘Matrix’ franchise is a groundbreaking sci-fi series that began with the 1999 film, known for its mind-bending story about reality, technology, and freedom. It introduced iconic imagery like “bullet time” slow-motion effects and the red pill/blue pill choice, which have become part of pop culture.

The films sparked deep conversations about philosophy, technology, and human consciousness, inspiring countless books, memes, and other movies. Its influence can still be seen in fashion, special effects, and how we think about virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

Now it seems that the franchise is getting rebooted and it appears that Will Smith will be in the main role taking on the role of Neo following Keanu Reeves’ legendary portrayal of the character.

Will Smith shared a cryptic post on his social media teasing a new Matrix project and himself in the role of Neo:

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A new spinoff for The Big Bang Theory is currently in the works at Warner Bros, and while much remains a mystery, there are still several details already revealed. As Young Sheldon proved, shows like The Big Bang Theory are essentially the perfect formula for spinoff projects, with their wide cast of characters that audiences will always want to know more about, whether that’s in the future or the past. Although it’s unclear who the protagonist of this new spinoff is going to be, there are countless options from the original show that could be great.

Young Sheldon was the first spinoff in the Big Bang Theory universe, and was a huge success both critically and commercially. The show follows a younger version of The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper as he navigates teenage life and learns to find his place in a world that’s often unwilling to accept him.

The Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady has joined the television franchise's upcoming spinoff series. Chuck Lorre, who co-created The Big Bang Theory with Prady, was already confirmed to be involved in developing the spinoff that will be released on Max instead of CBS. The Big Bang Theory spinoff's cast so far includes Kevin Sussman, Brian Posehn, and Lauren Lapkus reprising their roles as Stuart Bloom, Bert Kibbler, and Denise from the original CBS series.

Deadline has confirmed that Prady has joined the spinoff's creative team, along with writer Zak Penn, who has previously written scripts for The Avengers, Ready Player One, and Free Guy. Lorre, Prady, and Penn are co-writing the spinoff's script and will executive produce the series. The spinoff marks Lorre and Prady's first major collaboration since The Big Bang Theory, as Prady was only involved as a consulting producer on the franchise's first spinoff, Young Sheldon.

There’s been some exciting news about the new Big Bang Theory spinoff series that’s in development!

We first learned that the new television show was in development way back in April 2023 when co-creator and executive producer Chuck Lorre was revealed to be involved.

This October, it was confirmed that the series was still progressing. Three members of the original cast were confirmed to reprise their roles.

On Thursday (December 19), there was another update about the show’s creative team.

Keep reading to find out more…

According to reporting by Deadline fellow franchise co-creator Bill Prady has joined the project alongside Zak Penn. The trio will work together on the script.

Plot details are still unclear. However, Kevin Sussman, Brian Posehn and Lauren Lapkus are all confirmed to return for the project in their original roles.

One member of the cast recently revealed that they are not interested in rebooting the show…...

Exclusive: A key piece of the upcoming Big Bang Theory spinoff series for Max has come into place — its creative team. Franchise steward Chuck Lorre, co-creator of the original series and all of its offshoots, had been the only auspice announced for the series, starring Big Bang alums Kevin Sussman, Brian Posehn and Lauren Lapkus.

Lorre has teamed on the project with feature writer Zak Penn, sources tell Deadline. They have been joined by Big Bang co-creator Bill Prady. The trio are co-writing the script and are set to executive produce the series, from Big Bang studio Warner Bros. TV where Lorre is based.

Penn is an unconventional pick for the single-camera comedy as he doesn’t have sitcom experience. However, he does have a strong genre background,...

Superhero movies are some of the most quotable around; however, some lines from Marvel films have not aged well over the years. Be it in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which started in 2008 with Iron Man and has no ending in sight, or the rest of the live-action Marvel films, heroes and villains have had some quotes that continue to look worse as time passes.

These quotes do not necessarily have to come from bad films, as some of them are from a few of the McU's best movies. That said, there are various reasons that contribute to Marvel movie quotes aging poorly. Sometimes, a line worked for the time the movie was released, but it lost its meaning with the years. There are also cases where other movies in a franchise quickly made quotes feel dated, and some lines should never have been uttered in the first place, looking even worse now.

The Rock’s recent Instagram hints at a new Fast & Furious project involving top Hollywood creatives like J.J. Abrams and Zak Penn, suggesting the franchise’s expansion beyond Fast X: Part 2 with potential spin-offs. But some fans believe Dwayne Johnson could be starting up the engines on a live-action Hot Wheels movie franchise. Fast & […]

“This One Is Gonna Be Fun” – Dwayne Johnson and J.J. Abrams Might Be Starting Up the Engines for the Next Fast & Furious Franchise Written by Tito Pernalete for Fortress of Solitude...

It's been a rocky (no pun intended) couple of years for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. First, Black Adam bombed, derailing his hopes to take charge of the Dceu alongside Seven Bucks Productions. He later returned to WWE but faced the wrath of fans when he tried to take Cody Rhodes' place in the WrestleMania main event.

The trades have also questioned whether Johnson is still a box office draw, with at least one making some wild claims about his alleged habit of peeing in water bottles on set.

Now, though, WWE's "Final Boss" has taken to social media to tease a mysterious project he's working on alongside Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker director J.J. Abrams and The Incredible Hulk writer Zak Penn.

"Years in the making - we finally broke bread, we drank, we laughed, got a lil' drunk (maybe that was just me) we talked life stuff, love stuff,...

Dwayne Johnson drops a tease about a mysterious new collaboration with filmmaker J.J. Abrams. After getting his start in the WWE, Johnson is now one of the most recognizable movie stars on the planet, appearing in recent movies like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), Red Notice (2021), Black Adam (2022), and various installments in the Fast & Furious franchise. Abrams, similarly, is a major figure in the world of entertainment, having directed two Star Wars sequels and co-created Lost.

Johnson now shares a new post on Instagram, revealing a recent dinner he had with Abrams. The actor teases that a new collaboration is on the horizon, which he says has been "years in the making." The actor doesn't reveal what the project is called or whether it's a movie, TV show, or something else entirely, but he does tease that it's "from the mind of Zak Penn," an American screenwriter. He concludes...

High school sitcoms have always been a mixed bag, largely because the issues kids are dealing with at that age beg for a more nuanced take than the half-hour format can provide. Godawful shows like "Saved by the Bell," "Head of the Class" and "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" are the low standard a high school sitcom has to clear nowadays, so we need to count our blessings when something as wonderful as Mike O'Brien's "A.P. Bio" and the currently airing Brian Jordan Alvarez's "English Teacher" arrives.

Before those two sitcoms, the bar was set reasonably high by Gabe Kaplan's "Welcome Back, Kotter." Based in part on Kaplan's sitcom act, the comedian stars as Gabe Kotter, a former underachiever who returns to his old Bensonhurst Brooklyn neighborhood to teach at the high school that used to seem like a prison to him. He's now in charge of a new batch of knuckleheads,...

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On one hand, you could say Joss Whedon had about as auspicious a Marvel Studios debut as possible when he wrote and directed "The Avengers." The blockbuster superhero team-up was really the first of its kind, bringing together disparate elements of a shared timeline and cementing the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the juggernaut blockbuster franchise we know it as today. It also made $1.5 billion, which helps. On the other hand, you could also argue that Whedon's foray into the MCU started in about as inauspicious a way as possible.

That's because Whedon's first MCU project cost an old friend millions. The director came to "The Avengers" after Zak Penn had already written a script. But Whedon decided to disregard the existing screenplay almost entirely, rewriting it from scratch and, in the process, establishing his comedic sensibility — previously on full display...

Since its inception in 2008, the MCU has given its fans several unforgettable moments that have left a lasting impact. From watching the Avengers assemble for the first time in 2012 to 2018’s blip after Thanos’ snap and more, some iconic moments have gone down in cinema history. However, one what-if scenario has continued to fuel fan speculation about the grand scheme.

Edward Norton in and as The Incredible Hulk | Credits: Universal Pictures

Recently, Marvel fans have questioned how things would have turned out if Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk had never replaced Edward Norton’s. Just how different would Hulk’s fight against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame have been?

What if Edward Norton’s Hulk took on Thanos?

In 2008, the world got its first and last look at Edward Norton’s Hulk in the film, The Incredible Hulk. While the character stayed the same, a lot was different.

The sci-fi thriller Beacon 23 and historical drama The Winter King have both been cancelled at MGM+, though the two shows may still be rescued. Both shows premiered in the latter half of 2023, with The Winter King positioning itself as a retelling of Arthurian legends. As for Beacon 23, which starred Game of Thrones alum Lena Headey and Homecoming star Stephan James, it is based on the novels of the same name by Hugh Howey. The latter followed two characters who have to learn to trust each other after they're seemingly trapped at the end of the known universe.

TVLine confirms that Beacon 23 and The Winter King have both been axed at MGM+. In the case of Beacon 23, the thriller's run is ending after two seasons and 16 episodes. The Winter King, meanwhile, had already been cancelled by co-producer ITV and will not be picked up by MGM+. Still,...

Beacon 23 has been cancelled after two seasons by MGM+ while the freshman series The Winter King will not return to the Amazon streamer after it was axed by Itvx in the U.K., Deadline has confirmed.

Beacon 23, based on the best-selling book by Hugh Howey, is a sci-fi psychological thriller starring Lena Headey and Stephan James as Aster Calyx and Halan Kai Nelson, respectively, two people brought together by fate at the end of the known universe. Aster, a government agent, and Halan, an ex-military man, find themselves trapped together inside one of many Beacons that serve as a lighthouse for intergalactic travelers.

Every Beacon is run by one highly trained human and a specialized Artificial Intelligence. Aster mysteriously finds her way to the lonely Beacon-keeper Halan, and a tense battle of wills unfolds. Halan begins to question whether Aster is friend or foe, as her ability to...

Marvel has gained great popularity since their first avengers film (‘The Avengers’), winning loyal fans all over the world by establishing seamlessly integrating characters, plot lines, and events across MCU movies and TV shows. They found a clever way to keep their audience engaged and it has worked. Perhaps the only downside is that the timeline for all the plot lines and events can get a bit lost between each film or show released. So, here is a full guide to the Marvel universe and how to watch every 34 films in order. 1) ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011) ‘Captain America: The First Avender’ stars Chris Evans as Captain America (Steve Rogers) and it deals with themes such as teamwork, standing up for what you believe in, loyalty and friendship. Length: 124 minutes Release date: July 22, 2011 Cast: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Tommy Lee Jones Cinematography: Shelly Johnson | Editor: Robert Dalva, Jeffrey Ford...

The X-Men are dead. Well, the first set of movie X-Men, anyway.

After decades of thrilling readers with soapy, intricate stories in the pages of Marvel Comics, the X-Men finally made it to the big screen with 2000’s X-Men. Despite its clear limitations, including unconvincing CGI and black leather instead of comics’ accurate costumes, X-Men set off a long and profitable franchise, one that stretches over 13 movies and 20 years. That run (kind of) came to an end after Disney purchased 20th Century Fox in 2019. While the Mouse was obligated to release a handful of more mutant movies from the Fox, it was obviously the end of an era.

Even so, letting go of the past has proved difficult, even for Disney’s Marvel Studios, which is bringing back two of Fox’s most popular castings—Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine—for at least one more ride.

Indeed, isn’t it astonishing how the shifting nature of Tinseltwion, sometimes, has the power to both launch and sink careers, frequently relying on the schemes of powerful personalities colliding behind the camera? Having said that, egos can clash & friendships can be tested in the entertainment industry. And, in the case of old friends, Joss Whedon and Zak Penn, their working relationship during the production of The Avengers was no exception.

Zak Penn, having valiantly written narratives for cinematic titans (Incident at Loch Ness & The Incredible Hulk), once found himself wrestling with Joss Whedon’s insatiable ego. Unknowingly, this clash resulted in a stark moment of humiliation during the making of the 2012 flick, an event that would live on in Hollywood lore.

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man in The Avengers | Marvel Studios

Whedon surprised many when he announced he would direct The Avengers, but he rejected Penn’s initial screenplay,...

You probably know that Loki (Tom Hiddleston) was the big bad of 2012's "The Avengers" and his role there is why he's still the defining villain of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not even Thanos can say he got his own TV series like Loki did! It's not just the God of Mischief being in the right place at the right time, though.

"Avengers" writer/director Joss Whedon overhauled Loki, turning the meek sad boy from 2011's "Thor" into a wickedly charismatic megalomaniac. Hiddleston took that change and ran with it, proving he can wield an evil grin as effectively as he can puppy dog eyes along the way. Every subsequent Loki appearance has been trying to meld the two characterizations; Loki's an evil bastard, but he does love his mum and big brother Thor (even if he loves himself a bit more).

Loki (really Hiddleston) holds the screen all on his own in "The Avengers.

Matrix 5 has a chance to learn from past failures and bring Michael B. Jordan into the franchise. The potential story directions for Matrix 5 could revive and honor the original films. Drew Goddard's unique take on the Matrix world suggests a fresh approach for the upcoming film.

The Matrix 5 seems to have the perfect opportunity to pay off the franchise's 7-year-old missed Michael B. Jordan casting opportunity. Serving as the fifth installment in the main Matrix movie series, The Matrix 5 has surprisingly been greenlit even though 2021's The Matrix Resurrections performed poorly at the box office and even received underwhelming reviews from viewers and critics. However, despite the recent installment's failures, it is hard not to be excited about Matrix 5 because of the overarching franchise's enduring appeal and its timeless sci-fi concepts and philosophies.

What makes Matrix 5 even more exciting is that it has the opportunity...

Warning: Spoilers for Beacon 23 season 2!

Beacon 23 intensifies in season 2 after Aster's tragic death, with new characters entering the scene and Halan's central story arc taking over. Glen Mazzara details the challenges of expanding Beacon 23's isolated universe in season 2 while maintaining mystery and engagement. Character arcs like Harmony, Dev, and Iris are explored in depth, adding layers of complexity and tension to the sci-fi series.

MGM+'s epic sci-fi show Beacon 23 is halfway through season 2, but the mysterious plot has plenty of steam left. Based on Hugh Howeys short stories, the series followed Aster Calyx (Game of Thrones' Lena Headey) and Halan Kai Nelson (Homecoming's Stephan James) as they travel through outer space on a lonely lighthouse. After overcoming their initial suspicions of each other, the two characters grew close until tragedy struck.

Things have changed drastically following Aster's death in Beacon 23's season 1 finale,...

Marvel's female villains make a lasting impact despite being fewer in number compared to male counterparts. Female villains like Lady Deathstrike, Viper, and Proxima Midnight stand out for their formidable abilities and unique character designs. Marvel's portrayal of sympathetic villains like Ghost and Dar-Benn adds depth to the MCU, showcasing complex motives and intriguing storylines.

Marvel Movie villains are almost as important as their heroic enemies, with some of the best being female characters. The modern age of Marvel movies is replete with iconic villains from Marvel Comics, though the first female arch-villain would not debut until 2017. That villain in particular would prove why it should never have taken so long for female villains to take center stage, though there are thankfully plenty of stand-out examples of secondary villains in the preceding years.

Marvel has a pretty good track record when it comes to portraying its female rogues' gallery, even...

Canadian actor-brothers Shamier Anderson (John Wick 4) and Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk) had their stars unveiled on Scarborough’s Walk of Fame. The men were raised in the marginalized Toronto community by a single mother who emigrated to Canada from Jamaica.

“It’s really humbling and flattering to receive something like this in my hometown, at a mall where I grew up, where I shopped, it’s pretty cool,” Anderson told The Hollywood Reporter.

The local Walk of Fame honor for the fast-rising Hollywood stars is more than an exercise in collective positive thinking for an inner-city neighborhood that earlier brought to the world celebrities like Mike Myers, Jim Carrey and The Weeknd.

The brothers are at work via their Bay Mills Studios production banner — named after the community housing project they grew up in Scarborough — on a landmark TV drama set in the inner-city community that is their home away from Hollywood.

Beacon 23 is a sci-fi psychological thriller series created by Zak Penn. The MGM+ series has finally returned for its second season, filmed simultaneously with its first season. Based on a short story series of the same name by Hugh Lowey, the sci-fi series is set in the 23rd century and it tells us the story of two strangers stranded together at the end of the known universe at a lighthouse in space.

Season 2 picks up the story right where the first ended and we see Halan trying to figure out Aster’s fate and handle a military attack. Glen Mazzara and Joy Blake take the helm as co-showrunners for Season 2 replacing Zak Penn. So, if you loved the first season of Beacon 23 and are excited about what’s coming, we are here to keep you informed.

Beacon 23 Season 2 – Episode Guide (When Will The New Episodes Air?) Credit...

Somewhere, as "Euphoria" struggles to reassemble its cast of former no-names-turned-movie-stars for season 3, the team behind "Bones" is wistfully inquiring, "First time?" Hart Hanson's nearly-unstoppable procedural dramedy not only transformed Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz into household names over its 12 seasons, but it also took many of its supporting players to the next level. The only downside was, this meant it was sometimes necessary for the show's creatives to kill off a fan-favorite member of the Jeffersonian's staff once the actors behind them had filled up their workload with outside projects.

Most infamously, "Bones" took Booth's honorary little brother Lance Sweets out back behind the shed after John Francis Daley's directing career made it impossible for him to continue playing the cherished FBI psychologist on a regular basis. It wasn't fun for anyone (least of all Daley), although he was far from the only cast member whose character got Old Yeller-ed.

Screen Rant has a clip from the premiere of Beacon 23 season 2. The clip teases a confrontation between Aleph, Harmony, and Halan. Showrunner Glen Mazzara promises to expand on Beacon 23's world in season 2, exploring AI and other beacon keepers.

The MGM+ sci-fi series Beacon 23 returns for a second season, and Screen Rant has a clip from the premiere episode. The series is based on a short story series of the same name by Hugh Howey, the author whose other work was adapted into the hit Apple TV+ Silo. The show was created by Zak Penn, who wrote the screenplays for Free Guy and Ready Player One, and was behind the stories of X2 and The Avengers.

Screen Rant presents a clip from the Beacon 23 season 2 premiere. The clip features Halan (Stephan James), Harmony (Natasha Mumba), and Aleph (Eric Lange), with a furious Aleph confronting Harmony and...

Exclusive: Apple’s Invasion is rounding out its Season 3 cast with Ashton Sanders and Eric Lange who will tackle major recurring roles.

As Deadline revealed this week, Erika Alexander will appear as a series regular in the Simon Kinberg and David Weil-created series. In addition to Alexander, the ensemble also includes Golshifteh Farahani, Shioli Kutsuna, Shamier Anderson, India Brown, Billy Barratt, Azhy Robertson, Tara Moayedi, Enver Gjokaj and Shane Zaza.

Invasion follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. Details regarding the Season 3 storyline and who Sanders and Lange will play are under wraps. The first and second seasons are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.

Produced for Apple TV+ by Boat Rocker, the series is created by Kinberg and Weil, who serve as executive producers alongside Audrey Chon, David Witz, Alik Sakharov, Andrew Baldwin, Dan Dietz and Katie O’Connell Marsh.

Saying that James Marsden rose to fame as Cyclops (Scott Summers) after he starred in Fox’s 2000 flick adaptation of the mutant team, X-Men, won’t be wrong. Playing the mutant Scott Summers, who shoots intense energy beams from his eyes, Marsden made his X-Men team debut alongside Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey, and Halle Berry’s Storm.

Despite being a prominent character in Marvel Comics, Cyclops’ role in the X-Men films was nevertheless greatly diminished. And he seemed so unimportant that the third installment of the series, X-Men: The Last Stand, could have done without him.

James Marsden as Cyclops

Let us discover more about the film first.

Behind-the-Scenes: Hugh Jackman’s X-Men: The Last Stand

Director Brett Ratner took over X-Men: The Last Stand after Bryan Singer left the series to work on Warner Bros.’ Superman Returns, as per the report from Variety.

Steven Spielberg will put his quarters up for the Ready Player One sequel, but not in the way some fans would hope. The legendary filmmaker recently confirmed he’ll serve as a producer on Ready Player Two but has no plans to direct the anticipated sequel. Speaking with Showbiz 411, Spielberg said the project is in its “discovery phase,” and the team is “trying to figure out what’s next” for the high-concept sci-fi sequel.

It’s easy to see why Warner Bros. Discovery would want a follow-up to Spielberg’s 2018 fantasy-action film. In addition to pressing Start on $579,055,653 at the box office, the effects-driven cinematic roller coaster featured countless characters from WB’s IP library. Among the film’s many cameos, Batman, Freddy Krueger, King Kong, The Iron Giant, the twins from The Shining, Beetlejuice, and more join the extensive cast.

Related Movie Poll: What Is Your Favorite Steven Spielberg Film?...

The Academy Awards have been given out, but aside from a list of winners, the ceremony also provided us with a series of new information about some upcoming projects. In a short discussion with Steven Spielberg, Roger Friedman received an official confirmation that Ready Player Two, the sequel to Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated 2018 hit film Ready Player One, is in the works, but that he won’t be directing it.

This is an exciting update that confirms what the author of both books, Austin-based writer Ernest Cline, said earlier this year. When asked about the sequel movie, which would be based on Cline’s 2020 sequel novel, he said the following:

“It’s in the early stages right now, especially since Hollywood is in limbo right now. But I can tell from the experience of making the first movie that everybody had a lot of fun.”

Source: Inverse

The first movie was...

Ryan Reynolds will undoubtedly make some big bucks at theaters with his upcoming MCU film, Deadpool & Wolverine. Reynolds returns to his role of the wisecracking mercenary with regenerative mutation, who is now dropped into the very sane world of the MCU. However, the former DC star has made a new MCU record that even Robert Downey Jr. failed to achieve during his time at the MCU.

Huge Jackman and Ryan Reynolds in the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer

Ryan Reynolds will be taking on triple duty in the film as an actor, writer, and producer. While actors like Paul Rudd have also served as writers in their MCU movies, this is the first time an MCU lead actor works in a triple role.

Ryan Reynolds Will Set A Rare MCU Record With Deadpool & Wolverine Ryan Reynolds will take on the additional duties of writer and producer in Deadpool & Wolverine...

The Academy has announced the five winners of the 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting who each win a $35,000 prize and mentorship from an Academy member throughout their fellowship year.

The recipients will also be featured at the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Awards and Live Read on April 25 at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater (pictured), where an ensemble of actors will read selected scenes from the 2023 winning scripts.

The 2023 winners appear below listed alphabetically:

Brent Delaney, Brownie Mary

At the height of the AIDS crisis, Mary Jane Rathbun illegally distributes cannabis-infused brownies to heal thousands of gay men in...

Dceu’s fifteenth and final movie Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom starring Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, and more is the sequel to 2018’s Aquaman. Directed by James Wan, Aquaman 2 follows the story of Momoa’s Arthur Curry a.k.a. Aquaman working with his half-brother Orm played by Wilson to prevent Black Manta from killing his family.

The highly awaited movie upon its release received a negative response from the audience and critics but praised the chemistry between Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson. However, the critics also did not forget to mention that the movie was not impacted by the omission of Amber Heard’s scenes. Despite receiving a negative response from the audience, Aquaman 2 holds a record for Jason Momoa that only five actors have had the honor to hold till now.

Suggested“You can’t see that”: Jason Momoa Will Not Let His Kids Watch...

Quick Links Beacon 23 Season 2 Latest News Beacon 23 Season 2 Release Date Beacon 23 Season 2 Cast Beacon 23 Season 2 Story Beacon 23 Season 2 Trailer Beacon 23 Season 2: Further News & Info Beacon 23 Season 2: Further News & Info MGM+ has officially renewed Beacon 23 for a second season despite mixed reviews from critics. The fate of the core cast members for season 2 is unclear, but Lena Headey and Stephan James are expected to return. Season 2 of Beacon 23 has a lot to work with, including Aster's survival, the mystery of the artifact, and the relationship between Aster and Halan.

MGM+ has officially green-lit Beacon 23 for a second season, and there are already plenty of exciting updates about the upcoming episodes. Based on the eponymous short story series by Hugh Howey, the science fiction show is set on a remote lighthouse at the edge of space, and tells of the tense and...

Spielberg's sci-fi film hits Netflix's top 10 chart, 6 years on. Close Encounters, E.T., Jurassic Park - Spielberg's sci-fi legacy continues to shape pop culture. While fans wait eagerly for a sequel, Spielberg's dystopian thriller remains a streaming favorite.

Steven Spielberg's sci-fi movie lands on Netflix's top 10 chart as the wait for a sequel continues after 6 years. His 1977 classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind was a culture-changing event, as was his 1982 hit E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Spielberg returned to sci-fi for 1993's Jurassic Park, launching the era of CGI blockbusters, then went dark for the trio of A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Minority Report and War of the Worlds. In 2018, Spielberg unleashed a dystopian sci-fi thriller full of pop culture Easter eggs, and six years later there is still no official word on a sequel.

As the wait continues for that Ready Player One sequel to happen, the...

"The Avengers" writer/director Joss Whedon may be long banished from the Marvel Cinematic Universe now, but his influence remains seeped into the whole enterprise. The screwball, genre-aware dialogue Whedon writes is now the McU's house style — if not a hindrance. Other writers have been aping it to diminishing returns ever since.

The behind-the-scenes book "MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios" by Gavin Edwards, Dave Gonzales, and Joanna Robinson details how Marvel Studios first hired Whedon. His gain was another writer's loss; Zak Penn had already written a script for "The Avengers," but Whedon threw his version out and started from scratch. "There was a script. There just wasn't a script I was going to film a word of," Whedon said. This move is an early harbinger of how Whedon would make his style into Marvel's own.

As "MCU" notes, this wasn't the first time this had happened to Penn.

It's been more than a decade since "The Avengers" debuted, and my, how things have changed. The first big Marvel team-up was nothing short of a cinematic hinge event, cementing the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Hollywood juggernaut we know it as today. Well, the Hollywood juggernaut we've known it as so far.

At this moment, we have too much of the MCU and it's getting ridiculous. So inundated with Marvel "content" are we that even "Secret Invasion," a show starring Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury — a show that should have been a historic moment in franchise history — failed to wow both critics and audiences.

But back in 2012, Jackson and his character were anything but struggling. Witnessing Fury finally assemble the various heroes we'd met in prior Marvel outings was an exhilarating moment, and heralded the true beginning of the company's Hollywood dominance. Directed by Joss Whedon, "The Avengers...

Although she may not remember, Gwyneth Paltrow appeared as Pepper Potts in Joss Whedon's 2012 film "The Avengers," a massive blockbuster that teamed up characters from five previous superhero movies into an ultra-powerful freelance military force. It was the third time Paltrow was in the film series, having appeared in "Iron Man" and "Iron Man 2" previously. In Jon Favreau's first "Iron Man," Pepper Potts and the title hero, played by Robert Downey, Jr., had a tempestuous professional relationship. Pepper capably and resentfully served as Tony Stark's personal assistant and as the chief wrangler of all his businesses. He, meanwhile, felt free to be an a-hole "genius maverick" who loved giving interviews in between bouts of drinking and hooking up.

Over the course of the "Iron Man" movies, Pepper and Iron Man grew closer and closer, revealing personal details about themselves and admitting a long-held attraction. It also...

Apple TV+ renewed Silo for a second season, but a production delay may mean fans have to wait until late 2024 or early 2025. While waiting, fans can watch Beacon 23 on MGM+, a sci-fi show with a similar premise to Silo, which is already renewed for a second season. Beacon 23 season 2 will be released in April 2024, months before Silo season 2 likely premieres.

Apple TV+ renewed Silo for a second season, but it might be a while before it releases, so fans should check out another science fiction series that serves as the perfect replacement for the Rebecca Ferguson-led drama. Season 1 of the dystopian show premiered in May 2023 and received positive reviews from critics, resulting in Apple TV+ ordering a second season. The cast and crew began filming in late June (around the time of the season 1 finale) but had to pause production due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. They...

The article contains spoilers for Beacon 23 season 1.

Beacon 23 season 2 will interestingly explore A.I. and different cultures. The show will continue to delve into themes of trauma, isolation, and connection. Viewers will learn more about the world of Beacon 23 and its beacon keepers.

Beacon 23 showrunner Glenn Mazzara reveals season 2 plans, teasing that the sci-fi drama will further explore A.I. and other cultures. Debuting on MGM+ in November and based on the book shorts of the same name by Silo author Hugh Howey, the eight-episode season 1 follows two people as their fates become entangled after they find themselves together at the end of the known universe. Aster (Game of Thrones alum Lena Headey) mysteriously meets the lonely beacon keeper Halan (played by Homecoming's Stephan James) in the darkest corners of space. A battle of wills follows in Beacon 23's mysterious world, with James' character questioning...

MGM+ has officially confirmed season two of the sci-fi thriller Beacon 23 will air on the streaming service. The series was originally set up with Spectrum Originals and AMC Networks, and a second season had already been ordered prior to season one’s premiere on MGM+ on November 12, 2023.

Seasons one and two were filmed back-to-back, but Spectrum Originals shut down in 2022 before season one aired. MGM+ snatched up the series, and their announcement confirms fans of the show based on Hugh Howey’s bestseller will return to the world of Beacon 23 in April 2024.

Zak Penn (Ready Player One) created the series and serves as an executive producer. Glen Mazzara (Damien) and Joy Blake (The Passage) are co-showrunners on the eight-episode second season and executive produce.

“Beacon 23‘s season two ups the game: more action, more mysteries, more twists, and exciting new characters,” said Glen Mazzara. “It’s a thrill ride.

MGM+ has renewed sci-fi mystery thriller series Beacon 23 for a second season. The eight-episode season 2 will premiere on the streaming service in April. The news is not a surprise. The series already had been renewed by Spectrum and AMC, where it originally had been greenlit, and MGM+ is now formally committing to air it.

Starring Stephan James and Lena Headey in Season 1, Beacon 23, based on the best-selling book by Hugh Howey, is created and executive produced by Zak Penn.

Set in the farthest reaches of the Milky Way, Season 1 followed Aster (Headey), a government agent, and Halan (James), a stoic ex-military man, whose fates became entangled after they found themselves trapped together inside one of many Beacons that served as a lighthouse for intergalactic travelers. In Season Two, Beacon 23 is now little more than a prison with Aleph onboard, and The Artifact provides more questions than answers.

MGM+ is returning to Beacon 23.

The premium cable network formerly known as Epix has officially picked up a second season of the sci-fi drama series starring Stephan James and Lena Headey.

The news comes as MGM+ just wrapped the first season of the drama from creator Zak Penn and aired a teaser for the second season of Beacon 23 (watch it below). Season two of the series, which was originally developed for Spectrum Originals and was poised to have a second window on AMC before the former bailed on originals, was already completed as filming on both cycles of the show was done back-to-back.

“The creative team behind Beacon 23 has masterfully brought Hugh Howey’s best-selling book to life, and we’re excited for fans to continue this journey into Beacon 23’s universe of suspense, emotion and unforeseen twists,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+.

Glen Mazzara...

"The Incredible Hulk" was an early stumbling block for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Released in June 2008, a mere month after "Iron Man," lightning did not strike twice for Marvel Studios' burgeoning movie enterprise; "Incredible Hulk" got a shrug from critics and underperformed at the box office.

Even so, Marvel Studios steamrolled ahead. Star Edward Norton didn't return for any future MCU films and Bruce Banner was recast with Mark Ruffalo for "The Avengers." The behind-the-scenes book "MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios" by Dave Gonzales, Gavin Edwards, and Joanna Robinson features a chapter about "The Incredible Hulk" and its gamma radiation-flavored fallout. The book ultimately puts the production's unpleasant memories on the shoulders of Edward Norton, suggesting his actor-as-auteur approach solidified Marvel's top-down filmmaking tactics.

An unnamed "Marvel performer" tells the authors, "We have a no-a**hole policy on our movies," and the book traces this policy back to Norton's behavior.

Beacon 23 features a remarkable cast of actors headlined by Lena Headey, Stephan James, and Natasha Mumba. 

Created by Zak Penn, Beacon 23 is a new psychological thriller from MGM+ that tackles the story of two individuals named Aster (Lena Headey) and Halan (Stephan James) who are trapped together at the end of the known universe. 

Beacon 23 made its premiere on MGM+ on November 12.

Read full article on The Direct.

German-born laywer acquired hundreds of film and TV projects as pre-buys from US producers.

International media consultant and producer Thomas Augsberger has passed away suddenly at his home in the Hollywood Hills. He was 60 years old.

The German-born lawyer was founder of Eden Rock Media, a film and television production company and media consulting business.

Augsberger advised a number of high-profile media clients over the years, most prominently Germany’s Leonine Studios. Before Leonine, Augsberger spent 23 years as an advisor to Dr. Herbert Kloiber’s Tele Muenchen Group as Tmg’s exclusive North American representative in the US.

Augsberger’s...

Thomas Augsberger, the producer, international film consultant, former Lionsgate board member and founder of Eden Rock Media, has died. He was 60.

Augsberger died suddenly on Monday, November 27, at his home in the Hollywood Hills, members of his family told The Hollywood Reporter.

The German-born and trained attorney was best known as the longtime consultant and North American representative for Herbert Kloiber‘s German mini-major Tele Muenchen Group (Tmg). After Leonine acquired Tmg in 2019, Augsberger continued to advise the company on film projects and acquisitions.

Over more than two decades, Augsberger acquired hundreds of film and TV projects for the German market from producers, sales agents and studios, making him one of the most important figures on the independent scene. He helped secure prebuys of Marvel’s Iron Man, Summit Entertainment’s Twilight and Lionsgate’s John Wick and Hunger Games franchises, including the recent prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,...

International media consultant and producer Thomas Augsberger died suddenly on Tuesday at his home in the Hollywood Hills, his publicist informed Variety. He was 60.

The German-born and trained attorney was founder of film and television production company and media consulting business Eden Rock Media. Augsberger’s high profile media clients included Germany’s Leonine Studios. Prior to Leonine, Augsberger served for more than two decades as an advisor to the Tele Muenchen Group (Tmg) as their exclusive North American representative in the U.S. During this time he oversaw Tmg investments in the U.S., including a preferred equity investment in Lionsgate Entertainment in 1999 and the acquisition of the Mutual Film Library in 2006.

Over his 26-year consulting career, Augsberger acquired hundreds of projects as pre-buys including Marvel’s Iron Man franchise, Voltage’s Oscar winner “The Hurt Locker,” Paramount’s “Shutter Island,” Summit’s Twilight franchise, Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise,...

Deadline has learned that Thomas Augsberger, Eden Rock Media founder, producer and international media consultant died suddenly today at his Hollywood Hills home. He was 60 years old.

The German-born and trained attorney advised a number of high-profile media clients over the years, most prominently Germany’s Leonine Studios. Prior to Leonine, Augsberger served 23 years as an advisor to Dr. Herbert Kloiber‘s Tele Muenchen Group as Tmg’s exclusive North American representative in the US.

In 2002, he founded Eden Rock Media, a film and television production company and media consulting business.

Augsberger was widely respected for his deep experience in the production and acquisition of feature films, television series, and content libraries; investments in US distributors and production companies; the co-financing, co-production, and distribution of film, television, and digital projects; and the negotiation of German output deals with studios for theatrical, home entertainment, and television. Over the course of his 26-year consulting career,...

MGM+ has launched a new sci-fi show called Beacon 23, based on a series of short stories by Hugh Howey. It is set in a lighthouse in outer space and explores two characters' struggle for survival and trust. The show stars Lena Headey and Stephan James, who play government agent Aster and ex-military operative Halan, respectively. Their tense dynamic is further complicated by the introduction of Aster's supervisor and former lover. Glen Mazzara, the EP and co-showrunner, discussed the unique and fresh aspects of Beacon 23, praising Lena Headey's performance and the immersive production design that creates a physically grounded and terrifying environment.

MGM+ takes on the science fiction genre with its new show Beacon 23, which is based on a series of short stories by Hugh Howey. Fans of sci-fi may recognize that author's name, as another set of his novels was transformed into the hit Apple TV+ show...

Beacon 23 is a new sci-fi show on MGM+ set in the far corners of the Milky Way with Lena Headey and Stephan James as trapped characters. The series features a highly-trained Artificial Intelligence on board, adding to the tension and uncertainty for the characters. The show combines science fiction and psychological thriller elements, with Headey's mysterious role as Aster adding depth to the complex story.

Screen Rant is pleased to present an exclusive clip from episode 3 of Beacon 23, the newest sci-fi show on MGM+. Based on a series of short stories by Hugh Howey (who also wrote novels Silo is based on), the series is set on the far corners of the Milky Way and features Game of Thrones star Lena Headey as a government agent named Aster and Homecoming's Stephan James as an ex-military operative named Halan. The two are trapped inside a "Beacon," which is...