Netflix is continuing its expansion into gaming by opening a new development studio in Southern California.

According to TechCrunch, Netflix’s VP of gaming, Mike Verdu, said this new studio will include former Blizzard vice president and Overwatch boss Chako Sonny at the helm.

“He could have done anything, but he chose to come here,” said Verdu. “You don’t get people like that coming to your organization to build the next big thing in gaming unless there’s a sense that we’re really in it for the long haul and in it for the right reasons.”

The online streaming giant is looking to increase its foothold in gaming, and might even look to create its own cloud gaming service.

“It’s a value add,” said Verdu. “We’re not asking you to subscribe as a console replacement. It’s a completely different business model. The hope is over time that it just becomes this very natural way to play games wherever you are.”

Of course, Netflix wouldn’t be the first to try streaming video games. Google Stadia attempted just that, allowing users access to a library of video games without a PC or games console, using just the Stadia device and service. Unfortunately, it struggled to survive, and with dwindling numbers, Google announced it will shutter Google Stadia by January 2023.

But Netflix doesn’t believe Stadia itself failed, just its business model. “Stadia was a technical success,” said Verdu. “It was fun to play games on Stadia. It had some issues with the business model, sure.” Although Google Stadia used a dedicated controller, Verdu wouldn’t confirm whether or not this would be the case for Netflix’s own cloud gaming service.

While Netflix has been experimenting with gaming for some time, it seems that less than one percent of Netflix subscribers actually play their games.

There are currently 35 games available to download via Netflix, with another 55 currently on their way, including those based on original IPs such as Stranger Things, as well as licensed games, such as Spongebob Squarepants. What game Netflix’s new studio will produce first remains to be seen.

Want to read more about Netflix? Check out how Netflix aims to create the best gaming service in the industry and find out more about Netflix’s other new games studio in Finland.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

You’ve heard the rumors – Sacha Baron Cohen has been tipped for a role in Ironheart.

According to Deadline, the British actor could be boarding the upcoming Marvel project as a long-awaited villain – none other than Mephisto.

“A source close to the production confirmed to Deadline that there has been talk on the set about Cohen being part of Ironheart, likely playing Mephisto,” they confirmed.

Mephisto first appeared in the comic books in Silver Surfer #3 in 1968 and has been long-awaited by comic books fans eager to see him on the big screen.

One of Marvel’s more supernatural villains, Mephisto seems like an odd fit for Ironheart. After all, he more traditionally tussles with the likes of Ghost Rider, Doctor Strange, and Scarlet Witch, and was a major player in creating Wanda’s children, Tommy and Billy. At least, in the comic books.

Ironheart stars Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, a genius inventor, and creator of an advanced, Iron Man-like suit of armor. The cast also includes Anthony Ramos, Manny Montana, Shakira Barrera, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Shea Couleé, and Zoe Terakes.

Of course, Ironheart is only the beginning.

Much like other Marvel characters, Mephisto is expected to appear in numerous projects – not just Ironheart. One possible candidate is the upcoming WandaVision spin-off, Agatha: Coven of Chaos, after Mephisto’s presence was teased in the recent Disney+ show.

Rumors of Cohen’s MCU role first began to spread on social media several days ago, with notable comic book movie accounts discussing his possible casting as Mephisto.

Cohen is perhaps most famous for Borat – the fictional Kazakhstan journalist who Cohen has brought to the bring scene to critical acclaim in both Borat and Borat 2.

He also recently starred in The Trial of the Chicago 7 and is set to star in the upcoming Apple+ series, Disclaimer.

Want to read more about Ironheart? Check out the entire cast of Ironheart (so far) and find out whether Ironheart will be the MCU’s new Iron Man.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

You’ve heard the rumors – Sacha Baron Cohen has been tipped for a role in Ironheart.

According to Deadline, the British actor could be boarding the upcoming Marvel project as a long-awaited villain – none other than Mephisto.

“A source close to the production confirmed to Deadline that there has been talk on the set about Cohen being part of Ironheart, likely playing Mephisto,” they confirmed.

Mephisto first appeared in the comic books in Silver Surfer #3 in 1968 and has been long-awaited by comic books fans eager to see him on the big screen.

One of Marvel’s more supernatural villains, Mephisto seems like an odd fit for Ironheart. After all, he more traditionally tussles with the likes of Ghost Rider, Doctor Strange, and Scarlet Witch, and was a major player in creating Wanda’s children, Tommy and Billy. At least, in the comic books.

Ironheart stars Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, a genius inventor, and creator of an advanced, Iron Man-like suit of armor. The cast also includes Anthony Ramos, Manny Montana, Shakira Barrera, Alden Ehrenreich, Regan Aliyah, Shea Couleé, and Zoe Terakes.

Of course, Ironheart is only the beginning.

Much like other Marvel characters, Mephisto is expected to appear in numerous projects – not just Ironheart. One possible candidate is the upcoming WandaVision spin-off, Agatha: Coven of Chaos, after Mephisto’s presence was teased in the recent Disney+ show.

Rumors of Cohen’s MCU role first began to spread on social media several days ago, with notable comic book movie accounts discussing his possible casting as Mephisto.

Cohen is perhaps most famous for Borat – the fictional Kazakhstan journalist who Cohen has brought to the bring scene to critical acclaim in both Borat and Borat 2.

He also recently starred in The Trial of the Chicago 7 and is set to star in the upcoming Apple+ series, Disclaimer.

Want to read more about Ironheart? Check out the entire cast of Ironheart (so far) and find out whether Ironheart will be the MCU’s new Iron Man.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Marilee Heyer helped design Princess Leia’s iconic bikini in Return of the Jedi… but she’s still fighting for recognition 40 years later.

During an interview with SFGate, the artist and illustrator explained her struggle for recognition after being left out of numerous books and exhibits about the legendary costume.

“I would like to be remembered if this is my legacy,” she explained. “If this is what I’m most noted for, I want to make sure I’m getting credited when I’m no longer around. I view my artwork like my children. You have to be able to send them out and give them the tools they need to fight.”

Heyer was hired back in 1981 as an illustrator – essentially bringing Princess Leia design concepts to life during Return of the Jedi’s early production.

It was a three-week freelance job that earned her a place in the galaxy far, far away. “My first meeting, [director Richard Marquand] asked me to get him a cup of coffee,” she revealed. “I was the only woman in the room.”

Nevertheless, her work was crucially important: “There wasn’t any other work that showed her as a pretty woman,” she explained.

Heyer’s designs came at a crucial point in development when Leia was shifting into a new era.

“At the time, the focus was moving the Leia character into a different moment in her life,” Heyer said. “It was going beyond the cinnamon buns or the white robes. She needed a forest look as an infantry person, the woodsy look at the end with her hair down and crimped, and — you know — the slave girl in bondage.”

Although many of her Princess Leia designs failed to make the film’s final cut, her work has since been chronicled in production books and exhibits, often without crediting her. One major example of this is The Art of Return of the Jedi – a book published by Ballantine Books containing much of the film’s production design.

There, on the pages, were Heyer’s designs… attributed to someone else – hairstylist Paul LeBlanc.

“[Paul] was incredible to work with, and I think his career speaks for itself,” she said. “But he didn’t have the ability to sketch out what he needed to, to convince George. That’s, I guess, where I came in.”

LeBlanc originally provided Heyer with rudimentary sketches to show how the hairstyle should inform Princess Leia’s overall look. However, it was her sketches that convinced George Lucas to rethink Leia’s design.

Despite this, she often goes uncredited, despite her work appearing in numerous books as well as an exhibit at the Smithsonian.

And that book she appeared in? Lucasfilm did apologize for the oversight.

“I just wanted to say how badly I feel that I gave the wrong credit to Ballantine for your illustrations, especially since they are the prettiest illustrations that have been done of her,” said Lucasfilm archivist Kathy Wippert in a letter to Heyer. “I really thought I had everyone credited and credited correctly. Please accept my apology. It was totally my fault. It should be taken care of in the next pictures. Thanks, Kathy.”

The 1997 reprint of the book properly attributes Heyer and her work.

More recently, Heyer saw her original Princess Leia designs show up in comic book form, on a variant cover for Star Wars Age of Republic Princess Leia # 1.

Although she knows there’s no money involved, Heyer last year hired an attorney in an attempt to force Disney to attribute her work properly. “There were no royalties,” she revealed. “I know that for sure.”

All she wants is proper attribution – for her legacy to continue for years to come.

Want to read more about Star Wars? Check out how Andor teases a major Star Wars villain as well as Christian Bale’s stormtrooper aspirations.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Marilee Heyer helped design Princess Leia’s iconic bikini in Return of the Jedi… but she’s still fighting for recognition 40 years later.

During an interview with SFGate, the artist and illustrator explained her struggle for recognition after being left out of numerous books and exhibits about the legendary costume.

“I would like to be remembered if this is my legacy,” she explained. “If this is what I’m most noted for, I want to make sure I’m getting credited when I’m no longer around. I view my artwork like my children. You have to be able to send them out and give them the tools they need to fight.”

Heyer was hired back in 1981 as an illustrator – essentially bringing Princess Leia design concepts to life during Return of the Jedi’s early production.

It was a three-week freelance job that earned her a place in the galaxy far, far away. “My first meeting, [director Richard Marquand] asked me to get him a cup of coffee,” she revealed. “I was the only woman in the room.”

Nevertheless, her work was crucially important: “There wasn’t any other work that showed her as a pretty woman,” she explained.

Heyer’s designs came at a crucial point in development when Leia was shifting into a new era.

“At the time, the focus was moving the Leia character into a different moment in her life,” Heyer said. “It was going beyond the cinnamon buns or the white robes. She needed a forest look as an infantry person, the woodsy look at the end with her hair down and crimped, and — you know — the slave girl in bondage.”

Although many of her Princess Leia designs failed to make the film’s final cut, her work has since been chronicled in production books and exhibits, often without crediting her. One major example of this is The Art of Return of the Jedi – a book published by Ballantine Books containing much of the film’s production design.

There, on the pages, were Heyer’s designs… attributed to someone else – hairstylist Paul LeBlanc.

“[Paul] was incredible to work with, and I think his career speaks for itself,” she said. “But he didn’t have the ability to sketch out what he needed to, to convince George. That’s, I guess, where I came in.”

LeBlanc originally provided Heyer with rudimentary sketches to show how the hairstyle should inform Princess Leia’s overall look. However, it was her sketches that convinced George Lucas to rethink Leia’s design.

Despite this, she often goes uncredited, despite her work appearing in numerous books as well as an exhibit at the Smithsonian.

And that book she appeared in? Lucasfilm did apologize for the oversight.

“I just wanted to say how badly I feel that I gave the wrong credit to Ballantine for your illustrations, especially since they are the prettiest illustrations that have been done of her,” said Lucasfilm archivist Kathy Wippert in a letter to Heyer. “I really thought I had everyone credited and credited correctly. Please accept my apology. It was totally my fault. It should be taken care of in the next pictures. Thanks, Kathy.”

The 1997 reprint of the book properly attributes Heyer and her work.

More recently, Heyer saw her original Princess Leia designs show up in comic book form, on a variant cover for Star Wars Age of Republic Princess Leia # 1.

Although she knows there’s no money involved, Heyer last year hired an attorney in an attempt to force Disney to attribute her work properly. “There were no royalties,” she revealed. “I know that for sure.”

All she wants is proper attribution – for her legacy to continue for years to come.

Want to read more about Star Wars? Check out how Andor teases a major Star Wars villain as well as Christian Bale’s stormtrooper aspirations.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

From Jack Nicholson to Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix, plenty of actors have taken up the role of Joker in DC's various Batman films. Now, Barry Keoghan — who appeared as the Clown Prince of Crime in Matt Reeves' The Batman — has shared why it's difficult to play the character.

“It's very intimidating [playing the Joker]," Keoghan told Collider. "Heath Ledger was the best for me. So you have a lot of people to draw from and that. But again, you bring your version to it. That's what I do with any character I play, is no one has seen my version of it."

But while Keoghan names the bar he is compared against, he also relished the challenge of the role. "And again, going back to it, I don't want to be like so-and-so, and follow that method and that method. I want to do me. I want to bring my version, because I feel that is new in a way, and unique, that when you bring your version no one has seen it. And that may make people relate to it. So it was intimidating, but I was excited for it.”

It makes sense that Keoghan pointed to Ledger's iconic version of Joker, as The Dark Knight still marks the character's peak for many Batman fans. The actor was famous for his commitment to the role, and his performance eventually earned a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Ledger's Joker won IGN's Batman villain face-off earlier this year, proving the performance's staying power nearly a decade-and-a-half later.

While Keoghan hasn't been invited back for The Batman 2 just yet, the actor said he'll jump at the opportunity if he gets the call. And, The Batman director Matt Reeves has considered doing a project in the "Arkham space" featuring Keoghan.

Keoghan briefly appeared in The Batman, showing up at the end after The Riddler is locked up in Arkham Asylum. The Riddler meets Keoghan's Joker, who is in a neighboring cell. There is also a deleted scene featuring Joker, in which Batman goes to his nemesis for assistance in the Riddler investigation.

For more, check out Keoghan's audition for The Riddler that's been on the internet for years. Or, check out every DC movie and series affected by the Warner Bros, Discovery merger.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

From Jack Nicholson to Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix, plenty of actors have taken up the role of Joker in DC's various Batman films. Now, Barry Keoghan — who appeared as the Clown Prince of Crime in Matt Reeves' The Batman — has shared why it's difficult to play the character.

“It's very intimidating [playing the Joker]," Keoghan told Collider. "Heath Ledger was the best for me. So you have a lot of people to draw from and that. But again, you bring your version to it. That's what I do with any character I play, is no one has seen my version of it."

But while Keoghan names the bar he is compared against, he also relished the challenge of the role. "And again, going back to it, I don't want to be like so-and-so, and follow that method and that method. I want to do me. I want to bring my version, because I feel that is new in a way, and unique, that when you bring your version no one has seen it. And that may make people relate to it. So it was intimidating, but I was excited for it.”

It makes sense that Keoghan pointed to Ledger's iconic version of Joker, as The Dark Knight still marks the character's peak for many Batman fans. The actor was famous for his commitment to the role, and his performance eventually earned a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Ledger's Joker won IGN's Batman villain face-off earlier this year, proving the performance's staying power nearly a decade-and-a-half later.

While Keoghan hasn't been invited back for The Batman 2 just yet, the actor said he'll jump at the opportunity if he gets the call. And, The Batman director Matt Reeves has considered doing a project in the "Arkham space" featuring Keoghan.

Keoghan briefly appeared in The Batman, showing up at the end after The Riddler is locked up in Arkham Asylum. The Riddler meets Keoghan's Joker, who is in a neighboring cell. There is also a deleted scene featuring Joker, in which Batman goes to his nemesis for assistance in the Riddler investigation.

For more, check out Keoghan's audition for The Riddler that's been on the internet for years. Or, check out every DC movie and series affected by the Warner Bros, Discovery merger.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

If you needed another reason to feel very, very old right now, 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi. But the upside to that milestone is that Star Wars fans can expect all sorts of new toys and merch celebrating the final chapter in the Original Trilogy next year. That includes a new batch of Hasbro figures that faithfully recreate Kenner's vintage toys.

IGN can exclusively reveal the latest series of Star Wars retro Collection figures. All six figures - Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine, Han Solo (Endor), Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard), Princess Leia (Boushh) and the Imperial Biker Scout - are based on the original Kenner molds and come packaged in vintage-inspired cardbacks.

Check out the slideshow gallery below for a closer look at all six return of the Jedi figures:

As with the original figures, each of these Retro figures measures 3.75 inches tall and features limited articulation. Each figure is priced at $11.99, and all six are slated for release in Summer 2023. Preorders will go live on Hasbro Pulse and various other sites beginning on Wednesday, October 19.

These figures are part of the larger "Bring Home the Galaxy" event, with Lucasfilm revealing new collectibles and toys for the next nine weeks leading up to the holidays. You can see other big reveals at the official Star Wars site.

This isn't the first time Hasbro has recreated the classic Kenner Star Wars figures. Earlier this year they released a boxset featuring six figures from the original Star Wars, and the company has even applied the vintage aesthetic to modern Star Wars projects like The Mandalorian.

IGN also recently got a first look at Hasbro's Indiana Jones: the Adventures Series line, which features the first new Indy figures since 2008.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Warner Bros. Games has announced Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, a mobile RPG featuring a cinematic story set to arrive in 2023.

Onslaught will feature a vast roster of Mortal Kombat characters that players can collect and unleash against enemies in real-time group battles.

It's being made by NetherRealm Studios, the developer behind Mortal Kombat 10 and 11 and both Injustice games, and will only appear on mobile. Promising the first cinematic story experience on the platform, players will fight to stop a dark and dangerous threat from wreaking havoc across the realms.

"We are pushing the boundaries of Mortal Kombat to allow players to experience the franchise in new ways, while still staying true to its core visceral nature," said chief creative office of NetherRealm Studios Ed Boon.

"With Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, we reimagined Mortal Kombat into a strategic team-based collection RPG with fast-paced, group melee combat that both new and existing fans can enjoy."

President of Warner Bros. Games David Haddad reiterated the goal to tap into new markets and reach new audiences. "Mortal Kombat is a legendary franchise and pop culture phenomenon, and it continues to engage players and advance the fighting genre across multiple platforms," he said.

"Onslaught is a testament to why Mortal Kombat has been a top gaming franchise for over 30 years, as the NetherRealm team continues to innovate and bring new gameplay to fans.”

A new website was also launched, though it so far only features a newsletter sign-up page for those eager to hear more about Onslaught.

It's unclear when we'll hear or see more about the game. In our 9/10 review of NetherRealm's latest, IGN said: "Mortal Kombat 11 is the best game in the 27-year-old series thanks to deep, methodical new mechanics and fun story."

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

It's no surprise that Bethesda is hiding a ton of easter eggs around Starfield's 1,000 planets, and one of them appears to be a reference to its landmark RPG The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

As reported by PCGamesN, an infamous NPC from Oblivion called the Adoring Fan might just be making a return in Starfield. A video released by the developer last week shows the character creation menu and its Traits system, one of which is called "Hero Worshipped".

It reads: "You've earned the attention of an annoying 'Adoring Fan' who will show up randomly and jabber at you incessantly. On the plus side, he'll give you gifts."

To fans of Bethesda's previous games, this sounds very similar to the yellow-haired Adoring Fan from Oblivion, who would follow the player constantly after they become Grand Champion of the Cyrodiil Arena.

The Adoring Fan provided no bonus in combat as he refused to fight, and would instead yap in the player's ear for the rest of their game. Even when killed, he'd simply respawn three days later.

Based on the brief Starfield description (which subject to change, given the game is still months from being released), the Adoring Fan won't be a permanent thorn in the side as he only seems to show up occasionally.

We'll find out for sure when Starfield launches in 2023, of course, though the game currently lacks an exact release date. We know Bethesda isn't shy when it comes to including easter eggs, as fans already think they've spotted real-life NASA projects and what appears to be our own solar system.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.