Vince McMahon’s XFL Will Return in 2020
In news many saw coming (after he sold $100 million worth of WWE stock last month and founded Alpha Entertainment), WWE CEO Vince McMahon announced this afternoon the return of the XFL in 2020.
For those who don't remember, or weren't aware, the XFL was a short-lived "Extreme" American football league, between 2001 and 2002, created by Vince McMahon.
This new incarnation, however, will not feature any crossovers with WWE talent. It will remain a separate entity comprised, conservatively at first, of 8 teams, 40-man rosters, and a 10-game season. McMahon promised "shorter, faster-paced, family-friendly games" that represented "professional football re-iminagined."
Daredevil: Joanne Whalley Cast as Matt Murdock’s Mother
Joanne Whalley (Wolf Hall) has been cast in Season 3 of Netflix and Marvel's Daredevil, reportedly as Matt Murdock's mother, Sister Maggie.
As reported by Deadline, Maggie was first mentioned in the final moments of The Defenders' season finale. While not confirmed, Whalley's casting and The Defenders' conclusion seem to indicate Daredevil: Season 3 will take inspiration from the comic's Born Again story arc.
Whalley in Wolf Hall (image via BBC)
Black Panther Tracking for $100+ Million Opening Weekend
Marvel's Black Panther is out next month, and just a couple of weeks ago, the film set a new Fandango record as the top-selling MCU film in the first 24 hours of ticket pre-sales. Now, it's currently on track for an opening weekend in the vicinity of $100 million to $120 million.
The Hollywood Reporter states the figures are based on early pre-release surveys for President's Day weekend when the film releases.
Mission: Impossible 6 Title, First Photo Revealed
Tom Cruise has shared the first photo for the sixth Mission: Impossible movie, titled Mission: Impossible - Fallout.
The photo, via Instagram, features Cruise (Ethan Hunt) pulling off a stunt in the movie in which the actor is hanging off the side of a helicopter. The film follows Ethan Hunt, his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames), and returning allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan), racing against time when a mission goes wrong.
"We’ve upped the ante for the sixth #MissionImpossible," Cruise wrote on Instagram. "I can’t wait for you guys to see more."
AJ Styles, Nia Jax, and More – Our WWE Royal Rumble Predictions
WWE's Royal Rumble pay-per-view is right around the corner - on Sunday, January 28th - and so before the event becomes one for the record books I thought we'd could all run through the card together, like a loving family, and speculate as to who's going to win.
There are rumors in the wind and rustling in the bushes that make this Rumble even more of a grab bag than usual, but at least the betting odds haven't mysteriously shot up for Randy Orton, right? Remember last year? Yeah, that was less than ideal. Let's hope his RKOs stay outta "outta nowhere."
Yup, after careful consideration and hours of internet probing...
Pillars of Eternity 2 Release Date Announced
Pillars of Eternity 2 has been in development for a couple of years now, but it now officially has a release only a few months away, along with the announcement of several special editions you can preorder now.
Obsidian announced Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire will be released on April 3.
"Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is our first sequel here at Obsidian and we’ve created something incredible," Obsidian Entertainment CEO Feargus Urquhart said.
The Stick of Truth Gets Standalone PS4, XB1 Launch in Feb
South Park: The Stick of Truth will soon be available as a standalone purchase for the first time on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Ubisoft announced.
The game, previously included as a bonus for those who preordered last year's The Fractured But Whole, will cost $30 USD and launch on February 13. The Stick of Truth was released back in 2014 for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.
Be sure to read IGN's review of The Stick of Truth, which we think is "the South Park video game we've always wanted." Also check out our wiki guide for the game, as well as our thoughts on The Fractured But Whole, which we also quite enjoyed.
Escape From Tarkov May Be the Most Hardcore Survival Shooter Yet
I’m a serial hoarder anytime I play a game that lets me manage my inventory. In The Elder Scrolls I tend to pick up every fork, plate, and cup I can get my hands on to later decorate my house with perfectly placed cheese wedges. Part of the reason I do this is because no matter what happens I’ll always have my stuff. If I die I can just reload the save and I can keep looting forever. That’s not the case in Escape From Tarkov, an ultra-hardcore, realistic, first-person survival shooter from Russia-based Battle State Games.
The premise is that you’re a highly-skilled mercenary with the sole mission of escaping the city of Tarkov, which is at the center of a relentless and violent civil warfare. Supply chains are cut, there are no communications in or out, and you’ll be lucky to get your hands on a reliable map, let alone the typical GPS-laden offerings you find in most other shooters.
Batman Gets a New Costume for 2018
Warning: this article contains minor spoilers for Doomsday Clock #3!
Superman isn't the only DC hero getting a new costume in 2018. Batman's look is also being overhauled this year, with the Dark Knight returning to a slightly more traditional Batsuit.
For reference, this is Batman's current costume, one that was designed by artist Greg Capullo and made its debut in 2016's Batman Vol. 2 #50:
Art by Greg Capullo. (DC Comics)
Jurassic World to Become Live Arena Show
Jurassic World is getting a live arena show with "life-sized dinosaurs."
Feld Entertainment Inc. will be producing the show, simply titled Jurassic World Live, and it goes on tour in Fall 2019. It will feature dinosaurs (like the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Velociraptor "Blue" from Jurassic World) measuring up to 40-feet tall, physical stunts, and special effects. Fans will also be transported onto Isla Nublar via projection mapping.
"Feld Entertainment is best-in-class at creating spectacular live experiences, and this show is able to meet the high expectations of fans worldwide who are craving more interaction with Jurassic World dinosaurs," Vince Klaseus President of Universal Brand Development, said.