New Star Wars Blu-rays Are Coming Soon
New steelbook editions of the Star Wars films are coming to a store near you. Available for pre-order August 7, these six individual commemorative Blu-rays will feature new character-themed packaging, archival cast/crew commentary, and previously-released audio exposition from George Lucas. The steelbook editions will hit shelves November 10th.
The Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray set will also be getting a cosmetic facelift this fall. The newly-repackaged nine disc boxed collection includes the six Star Wars films in their Blu-Ray release form, plus three special feature discs including previously-released bonus material. The newest version of Star Wars: The Complete Saga will be in stores October 13th.
Bad Boys 3 and 4 Are Happening
Sony Pictures has revealed the release dates for its upcoming slate through 2017, including two new Bad Boys sequels, the first The Dark Tower movie, and the Jennifer Lawrence/Chris Pratt sci-fi tale Passengers.
According to Variety, Bad Boys 3 will hit on Feb. 17, 2017, while Bad Boys 4 is coming on July 3, 2019. It is unclear whether or not the stars of the first two films, that dynamic duo of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, will return for these sequels all these years later. (Bad Boys II was released all the way back in 2003.) We did hear this past June that The Grey's Joe Carnahan was in early talks to a quick rewrite of an earlier draft by David Guggenheim of Bad Boys 3, and also possibly direct the sequel. Michael Bay helmed the first two films.
Gotham: Season 2 Poster and Banner Tease New Villains
FOX has released the poster and banner for Gotham: Season 2, providing a new look at the show's cast, including two new additions: Theo Galavan (James Frain) and Tabitha Galavan (Jessica Lucas).
The promotional art (courtesy of THR) also features most of the returning cast members for Season 2, including Ben McKenzie, David Mazouz, and Robin Lord Taylor.
Here's a look at the poster.
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Xbox One With Two Games and Two Controllers
A 500GB Xbox One with Halo, Assassin's Creed Unity, and two controllers.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Arena Designed to Stop Boosters
During a livestream event at Gamescom today, Treyarch outlined Arena, the ranked online play feature in the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops III. Arena replaces League Play found in Black Ops II.
Players can't get demoted out of their skill tier by intentionally losing matches. According to David Vonderhaar, studio design director at Treyarch, this will prevent reverse-boosting, where players intentionally throw matches to drop to a lower skill level, where they can then dominate other players.
"We want to see the best competition in every game," Vonderhaar said. In Arena, players are ranked on wins, and only on wins.
Currently there are 20 ranks as well as a Master's Division at the top of the rank structure. Demotions come only after losing two games in a row. Quitters will lose two steps in the ranking system.
Star Wars Battlefront’s Fighter Squadron Is Beautiful Chaos
If I had to choose between an X-Wing or a TIE fighter, I think I’d have to side with the Imperials. Having piloted both in Star Wars Battlefront’s Fighter Squadron mode, I can happily report that both fly differently from one another. The X-Wing is bigger and heavier, and while it’s still nimble it’s not as agile as its rival.
The differences aren’t purely down to how they fly either, and each has their own secondary power-ups. In addition to its laser cannons, the X-Wing can fire a homing proton torpedo, which locks onto its target if you track a TIE fighter for long enough. It also has a shield boost, which you can use to regenerate your starfighter’s hull if you’ve taken a hit. The TIE fighter also has lock-on missiles, but rather than a shield it has a speed boost, which is great for getting out of trouble or fast-tracking your way over to an objective.
Joe Dirt 2: Crackle’s Most Watched Original Movie
Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser has become Crackle’s most viewed original movie ever.
The sequel to the 2001 original surpassed 2 million views since its debut on July 16, according to Deadline.
The Sony-owned streaming service claims the views for Joe Dirt 2 equate to a box office gross of over $16 million.
Joe Dirt 2 is a screwball comedy about the white-trash hero of the title, played by David Spade (who also starred in the original). Spade revealed he had written the screenplay for the sequel in a Reddit Ask Me Anything last year.
Inside the Year Anime Took Over America
Welcome back to IGN's History of Awesome - a year-long look back at all the coolest and most influential games, movies, TV shows, comic books, toys, and tech that have shaped pop culture, and shaped the lives of an entire generation. Up this week is 1988 - the year Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear debuted on the Famicon/NES, and the year Joker got a backstory in The Killing Joke.
Catch up on IGN's History of Awesome:
Jeff Garlin: 51% Chance Curb Your Enthusiasm Returns
During a panel for The Goldbergs at the TCA (Television Critics Association) press tour, actor Jeff Garlin spoke about the possibility of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm returning for another season.
Garlin says he's still in touch with Curb creator Larry David, and the two have discussed bringing the improvised comedy series back, which last aired in 2011. However, for now, those discussions are as far it's gone.
"There’s not been any 'We’re going to do it.' You know what I mean? There’s nothing like that," Garlin said. "But I certainly would love to. And he’s the best guy to do an improvised show, do the whole thing with. And it’s been such an honor to work with him. I hope he does. I’d love to."
Black Ops 3 eSports Will Have Drafts and Bans
At Gamescom, Treyarch revealed new details about how Black Ops 3 multiplayer will work for competitive eSports.
Before a competitive match, players will enter a ban and protect phase. Two players at a time -- one from each team -- will be able to protect or ban any score streaks, weapons, specialists, or abilities. The feature will, for example, allow players to ban the weapons they know their enemies are skilled with, or to ensure they won't be stripped of their own.
