Why Jean Claude Van Damme Decided to Make a Comedy Series
Jean Claude Van Johnson premieres Friday on Amazon's Prime Video service, delivering a welcome kick to its original programming lineup. The six-episode series follows a fictionalized version of Jean Claude Van Damme (played by Van Damme, of course) as he struggles to maintain a sense of purpose and relevance within his line of work. The big twist here places the down-on-his-luck actor smack-dab in a world of espionage and intrigue, revealing Van Damme is really Van Johnson — a deep cover spy working for the American government.
Jean Claude Van Damme is well known throughout the world as a big-screen action star. But with Jean Claude Van Johnson, the martial artist makes the risky jump to the world of television entertainment. During a time of movie-to-TV reboots, where action hits like Lethal Weapon and Taken have struggled to find audiences on the small-screen, Jean Claude Van Johnson is an outlier. Instead of rebooting a movie, the Van Damme series offers a reboot of the man himself — picking apart action cliches and Hollywood tropes, along the way.
Monster Hunter World Open PS4 Beta Dates Announced
Capcom has announced the dates for Monster Hunter World's open beta on PlayStation 4.
As revealed on the official Monster Hunter Twitter account, the beta will run from December 22 at 9am PT/12pm ET/5pm UK (December 23 at 4am AET) to December 26 at 9am PT/12pm ET/5pm UK (December 27 at 4am AET), with preloads beginning on December 18.
The open beta will be available for all PS4 players, regardless if you have a PlayStation Plus subscription.
The forthcoming open beta follows the PS Plus beta, which began on December 9 and ended on December 12. Those who played the first beta won't need to download anything, as you'll be able to use the same beta client again if you still have it.
Live-Action DC’s Titans First Look: Hawk and Dove
DC Comics and WB have unveiled a new look at two more characters from the lineup of its upcoming live-action Titans series.
Check out the photo below to see Hawk and Dove, played respectively by Alan Ritchson and Minka Kelly
Alan Ritchson and Minka Kelly as Hawk and Dove
DC previously revealed a first-look at Robin as he'll appear in Titans, though some fans have been divided over Robin's appearance in the show.
6 Exclusive Images From The Art of The Last Jedi
We have an exclusive sneak peek for you from The Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a new behind-the-scenes book by Phil Szostak (author of The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens) from Abrams Books and Lucasfilm.
Szostak has worked with the Star Wars art departments for nearly a decade. He explores the filmmakers' visions and illuminates their creative process. The book features concept art, costume sketches, storyboards, and blueprints, and provides a deep dive into the development of the worlds, characters, and creatures – both old and new – of The Last Jedi. The book also features exclusive interviews with the filmmakers.
These six exclusive images below feature Rey, Finn, Rose, Supreme Leader Snoke, BB-8, and Luke Skywalker. Check 'em out!
Red Dead Redemption 2 Gun Unlockable in GTA Online
Red Dead Redemption 2's double-action revolver can now be discovered in GTA Online.
According to Rockstar, the first clue to the revolver's location will be sent via an in-game email. Those who go on to discover the weapon and complete the subsequent Headshot Challenge in Freemode will earn $250,000 of in-game money and unlock it for use in Red Dead Redemption 2.
GTA Online's golden double-action revolver.
Last Jedi Has 2nd Biggest Preview in NA Box Office History
Disney has announced Star Wars: The Last Jedi earned $45 million in Thursday night screenings, making for the second-biggest preview in the history of the North American box office.
As reported by Deadline, director Rian Johnson's Star Wars film is expected to make between $95 million and $100 million on opening day, including its Thursday preview earnings. If analysts' estimates prove true, The Last Jedi will also have the second-biggest opening day of all time, trailing The Force Awakens $119.1 million debut.
According to Disney, The Last Jedi's $45 million preview total is 55 percent ahead of Rogue One's $29 million figure and The Force Awakens' $57 million record high.
PUBG Free With Xbox One X Purchase for Limited Time
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds has hit one million players on Xbox One, Microsoft announced today. To commemorate the milestone, a free copy of PUBG will be included with every Xbox One X purchase from December 17–31.
Following its Xbox One release on December 12, PUBG hit the million-player mark within its first 48 hours of availability, according to Microsoft. The company notes the promotion will only be offered in "select regions," though no specific territories are mentioned.
Microsoft added PUBG, which was released as part of the Xbox Game Preview program, will "continue to receive enhancements, new content updates including the new desert map, 'Miramar,' optimizations and more" in the coming weeks and months.
The Last Jedi Porg Invasion Now on PC and Mobile
The tiny, adorable porgs from Star Wars: The Last Jedi are now available on your smartphones and PCs in a new, free game called Star Wars: The Last Jedi Porg Invasion, which is currently available
Additionally, a Star Wars Holiday Deals special is now live on the Disney store with savings on games, apps, add-ons, and more.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Porg Invasion will be available to play on Facebook Messenger's gaming platform, built directly into the app. The object of the game is preventing a porg invasion of the Millennium Falcon as you fight along side Chewbacca and BB-8 to stem the rising porg tide.
Why Far Cry 5 Could Be the Best Far Cry Yet
After nearly a decade of dropping players into exotic yet ferociously hostile locales like Indonesia, the Himalayas and most recently, prehistoric times - Far Cry 5 aims to bring players somewhere a little closer to home. Although Hope County is entirely fictitious, it’s a gorgeous slice of Big Sky country, and the backdrop of the rocky mountains and luscious tree lines of the American Northwest makes it the perfect setting for the next Far Cry game.
IGN UK Podcast #413: Matthew Vaughn & Mixing Cocktails
On this week's show we're joined by Kingsman: The Golden Circle director Matthew Vaughn to talk about the movie ahead of its DVD and Blu-ray release. He has lots to say about the action-packed sequel and his ambitious, unorthodox plans for a third movie and some other projects he has in the works.
We also tackle GTA Online's epic Doomsday Heist expansion and Red Strings Club, a game in which you become a mixologist with a motive.
So what are you waiting for? Download now...
IGN UK Podcast #413: Matthew Vaughn and Mixing Cocktails
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