October 7, 2024 • 21 mins
Ever wondered which DC villain duo is taking the spotlight in an upcoming movie? Get ready, because we're bringing you the latest geeky revelations straight from the multiverse. Join me, Thomas Townley, on this electrifying episode of Multiverse Tonight as we journey through the realms of DC Comics and beyond. From the joyous news of Batwheels' third season renewal to the intriguing casting of Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan in HBO's Lanterns, there's no shortage of excitement. Matthias Schoenaerts is set to wreak havoc as the villain in the new Supergirl film, while Glenn Powell gears up for Edgar Wright's remake of The Running Man. Alongside these thrilling updates, I share some personal tidbits about moving into a new home and setting up a fresh studio space.
But it's not all about new beginnings; we also pause to honor the unforgettable contributions of some legendary figures in entertainment who have recently passed. We pay homage to the indelible Dame Maggie Smith, who graced British cinema with her unparalleled talent, and remember John Amos for his iconic roles that resonated with audiences worldwide. Our tribute continues with a heartfelt nod to Kris Kristofferson, a titan in country music and film, and Ken Page, whose voice brought joy to Broadway and Hollywood alike, especially as the unforgettable Oogie Boogie. Join us as we cherish their legacies, ensuring their stories continue to inspire fans and artists for generations to come.
Thanks for listening! Come visit the podcast at https://www.multiversetonight.com/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Tonight Batwills Renewed the Sims Movie and
remember Maggie Smith.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
John Amos, chris Christopherson and voice actor
Ken Page.
All and more in this edition ofMultiverse Tonight.
Comic books, sci-fi, fantasyand more.
(00:28):
If you're looking for a roundupof geeky news, you're in the
right place.
This is Multiverse Tonight, andhere's your host, Thomas
(00:58):
Townley.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Well hello everyone, and welcome to episode 224 of
Multiverse Tonight.
I'm, of course, as ever, yourhost, thomas Townley, and you'll
notice that we did take acouple extra weeks off, and
that's because, for those of youwatching the YouTube video, I'm
in a new studio.
Yes, we've moved into our newhouse here in town.
(01:25):
It's a lovely house.
We've probably spent a couplenights in it.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
And of course, if you also know, some, back me.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
My office is nowhere near finished Still a lot of
unpacking.
You know, the hardest part ofany move is unpacking your stuff
.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
But that being said, I was able to pull together some
news for the show, so it'sgoing to be a shorter show than
usual, but you know, maybethat's for the better.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Anyway, let's get on with the DC Comics News and we
begin DC Comics News withBatwheels DC's first ever Batman
(02:23):
series for a preschool audiencethat has been renewed for a
third season at Cartoon Network.
Produced by Warner BrosAnimation, the series follows a
group of sentient, super-poweredcrime-fighting vehicles
defending Gotham City, alongsidea host of DC superheroes
Brought to life by theBat-Computer to help defend
Gotham City.
The heroic Bat-Wheels arethrust into hilarious hijinks
and jaw-dropping action whilelearning important life lessons,
(02:46):
led by Bam the Batmobile.
I would never see the Batmobilenamed.
Bam but whatever the Batwheelsmust navigate the challenges of
being a newly formed super team,as well as the growing pains
that come with just being a kid,and follows the adventures of
(03:06):
the team's journey as they go ontheir heroic adventures, as
well as demonstrate to preschoolkids the value of
self-confidence, friendship andteamwork.
The voice cast includes EthanHawke as Batman, Jacob Bertrand
as Bam the Batmobile, GinaRodriguez as Catwoman well it's
good to see she still gets workand Zola Mardina as Snow the
(03:26):
Snowcrawler, among others.
Season 2 is available on CartoonNetwork and Max.
Season 1 is also available tostream on Netflix.
Sources tell the HollywoodReporter that Bane, the super
steroid-injecting antagonist whopreviously was seen in the 2012
Chris Nolan movie the DarkKnight Rises, and Deathstroke
(03:47):
another popular arc nemesis inthe comic book company's fold
are being lassoed together for amovie.
The James Gunn and PeterSafran-led DC Studios is
developing a script from MatthewOrton, the scribe who came up
with Captain America.
Brave New World.
Hbo's DC series Lanterns hasfound its.
Hal Jordan Emmy winner KyleChandler is set to play the
(04:09):
legendary member of the GreenLantern Corps in the series.
Now, according to the HollywoodReporter, the show will be the
first series role for the FridayNight Lights star since
Showtime's 2022 drama SuperPumped Lanterns, which scored a
straight two series order inJune after years of development,
comes from Chris Mundy, damonLindelof and Eisner Award
(04:30):
winning comics writer Tom King.
The trio are co-writing andexecutive producing the series,
with Mundy serving as showrunner.
The show, which falls under theHBO banner, is casting and in
the middle of hiring directors.
The series is looking to shootfrom next January to June in
Atlanta.
It's described as a gritty truedetective vibe, as it focuses
(04:52):
on Jordan reluctantly mentoringa younger Lantern, john Stewart,
who you'll know as the firstAfrican-American Lantern.
The story sees the twocharacters investigating the
Earthbound mystery with largeimplications.
Sources say that DC andproducers are looking for a
young, more fresh-faced actorfor the role to play opposite an
(05:14):
older and bigger name.
Dc Studios has foundedSupergirl Supervillain in
Matthias Schonartz, who willplay antagonist Krem of the
Yellow Hills in the upcomingmovie I, tanya and Cruella.
Filmmaker Craig Gillespie isset to direct.
Playwright and screenwriterAnna Nogara have wrote the
script.
(05:34):
Production begins on the filmin late 2024, early 2025, after
DC Studios co-CEO and creativehead, james Gunn finishes
shooting Superman, which is setto be released in the summer of
2025.
House of Dragons star MillieAlcock will play the
superheroine of Krypton in astory that will be adapted from
(05:54):
the Tom King story.
Supergirl, woman of Tomorrow InKing's graphic novel Crime of
the Yellow Hills, triggersSupergirl's pursuit after
shooting her dog, kind of likethat John Wick movie.
In a press conference last yearlaying out his plans for the DC
(06:15):
Universe, gunn teased thatSupergirl will be very different
from Superman.
Quote we see the differencebetween Superman, who was sent
to Earth and raised by lovingparents from the time he was an
infant, versus Supergirl, whowas raised on the rock, a chip
off Krypton, and watchedeveryone around her die and be
killed in terrible ways for thefirst 14 years of her life and
then came to Earth when she wasa young girl.
She's much more hardcore.
(06:37):
She's not exactly the Supergirlwe're used to seeing Now.
Dc's Supergirl Woman ofTomorrow will be released on
June 26, 2025.
And with that let's go on to theGeek News.
And Geek News begins with GlennPowell, known for his roles in
(07:14):
rom-coms, tornado movies andhitman films, securing his next
big project.
He will star in Edgar Wright'sremake of the Running man, set
to be released by ParamountPictures on November 21, 2025.
Powell will take on the iconicrole originally done by Arnold
Schwarzenegger in the 1987action film based on the Stephen
(07:34):
King novel.
The story unfolds in adystopian future where a popular
TV show features criminalsattempting to evade skilled
assassins.
Paramount has also shuffled thedates for several other 2025
films.
The Naked Gun reboot starringLiam Neeson has moved from July
18th to August 1st.
The cast includes PamelaAnderson, paul Walterhauser,
(07:55):
cody Rhodes and Busta Rhymes.
Neeson will star as the son ofLeslie Nielsen's character,
frank Drebin, in the classicslapstick comedy franchise
Directed by Akiva Schaefer, withproducers Seth MacFarlane and
Erica Huggins.
Taking Naked Gun's originalspot is the animated Smurfs
musical starring Rihanna.
It's moving from February 14th2025 to July 18th.
(08:17):
The voice cast also includesNick Offerman, natasha Lyonne,
kurt Russell and John Goodman.
It's directed by Chris Millerand co-directed by Matt Landon.
Riff Trax, the entertainment andlive event company founded by a
trio of MST3K stars, has strucka distribution deal with indie
streamer Nebula.
Beginning October 5th, riffTrax will launch its weekly
(08:40):
Saturday Cinema series on Nebula, beginning with the release of
five shorts including commentary.
This week's release is aversion of Night of the Living
Dead with their classic RiffTrax style commentary.
The deal will see Riff Traxbringing its existing views as
well as new originals to theplatform.
A streamer which is majorityowned by a collective of Nebula
(09:02):
creators, spyglass Media Groupand Paramount Pictures surprised
announced this past Tuesdaythat Scream 7 will slash into
theaters on February 27, 2026,nearly three years after 2023's
Scream 6.
It's gonna be a killer.
2026, neve Campbell unquote.
(09:23):
According to Neve Campbell, whostarred as the final girl,
sidney Prescott, in the firstfive Scream movies.
As she announced the show onInstagram after sitting out of
the New York set Scream 6,campbell will be reprising her
role in the movie, directed byfranchise creator and writer
Kevin Williamson.
(09:44):
A Sims movie is in developmentat Amazon MGM Studios.
Amazon MGM Studios announced onTuesday that a feature film
based on the popular video gameseries the Sims is in
development.
Kate Heron, who directed theDisney Plus series Loki, will be
directing the movie and will bebased and also co-writing the
(10:05):
script with Brioni, redman,lucky Chap and Vertigo
Entertainment.
Along with Electronic Arts, theSims team are producing the
project.
Heron and Redman will alsoserve as executive producers.
The Sims game series, whichbegan with SimCity in 1989, has
been a global phenomenon fordecades.
The first Sims game wasreleased in 2000 and allows
(10:28):
players to create virtual people, build their homes and direct
their goals and relationships.
The Hollywood Reporter firstreported that the movie was in
works back in May.
And, of course, we close on somesad news to start off with
Maggie Smith.
The renowned British actresshailed as one of the most
formidable of all time orformidable of all time, passed
(10:51):
away peacefully at the age of 89.
Two-time Oscar winner andfour-time Emmy recipient,
smith's legacy includesexceptional performances in
movies like the Prime of MissJean Brody and Downton Abbey,
among numerous others.
Born on December 28, 1934 inIlford, england, smith began her
acting career on stage at theOxford Playhouse School in 1952.
(11:14):
Her breakthrough performancecame in the 1965 movie
adaptation of Shakespeare'sOthello.
This role earned her an Oscarnomination.
Four years later, she won theOscar for her portrayal of an
eccentric English schoolmistressin the Prime of Miss Jean Brody
.
Smith's career flourishedthroughout the decades,
encompassing diverse roles infilm and television.
(11:35):
In the Harry Potter series, sheplayed the stern yet
compassionate Professor MinervaMcGonagall, while in Downton
Abbey she kept fit audiences asthe irresistible Violet Crawley
Dowager, countess of GreatGretham.
In addition to her actingaccolades, smith received
several prestigious honors QueenElizabeth II that bestowed upon
(11:59):
her the title of Dame in 1989,and in 2014 she became a member
of the Order of Companions ofHonor.
Despite her fame, smith wasknown for her privacy and often
avoided media attention.
She famously quipped.
Smith's sons, actors TobyStevens and Chris Larkin,
(12:28):
confirmed her peaceful passing,surrounded by family and friends
.
They expressed theirdevastation at losing their
extraordinary mother andgrandmother.
Maggie Smith's exceptionaltalent, ranging from comedy to
drama, earned her a lasting spotAmong the top British actresses
.
Her ability to capture theessence of her characters and
infuse them with her ownperformance powers Made her a
(12:48):
true legend of the screen.
Again.
Maggie Smith was 89 years old.
James Amos, renowned for hisroles in Good Times, roots and
other iconic productions, passedaway on August 21st in Los
Angeles due to natural causes,as confirmed by his
(13:09):
representative to Variety.
He was 84 years old.
Amos' son, kelly ChristopherAmos, expressed his heartfelt
sadness in a statementdescribing his father as a
kind-hearted and beloved figure.
He highlighted the impact JohnAmos had on audiences,
particularly those who regardhim as their TV father.
His legacy will continuethrough his outstanding works in
(13:32):
television and film, where hebrought joy and relatability to
countless viewers.
Born on December 27, 1939, inNewark, new Jersey, amos' acting
career took off when he landedthe role of weatherman Gordon
Gordy Howard on the Mary TylerMoore Show in 1970.
From there he showcased hiscomedic talents on CBS's Good
Times, a groundbreaking sitcomthat followed an
(13:54):
African-American two-parenthousehold.
Amos' portrayal of father JamesEvans Sr resonated deeply with
audiences, but he eventuallydeparted from the show due to
creative differences.
Amos' role as AdolpheKuntekinte in the ABC historical
miniseries Roots earned him anEmmy nomination in 1977.
The series, which depictedslavery in the United States,
(14:15):
achieved immense success,winning numerous awards and
attracting a massive viewership.
It holds the record for thethird highest rated episode of
any TV series and the secondmost watched series finale in
history.
Throughout his career, amosappeared in various television
shows, including About theAndersons, the West Wing Two and
(14:36):
a.
Half Men and the Ranch.
He also graced the big screenwith roles in films like Coming
to America and his sequel,coming to America, die Hard 2,
and the Beastmaster.
In addition, he collaboratedwith his son on the production
of the forthcoming documentarytitled America's Dad, which
chronicles his life as an actor.
Julia Buchwald, president ofBuchwald, expressed her pride in
(14:58):
representing John Amos,emphasizing his remarkable
talent and his generous spirit.
She acknowledged the impact hehad on the entertainment
industry and the hearts of thosewho knew him Beyond film.
Intelligent Amos showcased hisversatility as a writer-producer
, as star of a one-man playcalled Haley's Comet, and also
graced the Broadway stage inAugust Wilson's Gem of the Ocean
(15:18):
.
Before pursuing acting, amosexcelled as a college football
player at Colorado StateUniversity and had a brief stint
with the Kansas State Chiefsduring the NFL offseason in 1967
.
John Amos' legacy as an actor,comedian and storyteller will
continue to inspire generations.
Through his performances andcontributions, he touched the
lives of countless individuals,leaving a lasting impact on the
(15:40):
world of entertainment.
Again, john Amos was 84 yearsold.
Next up, chris Christopherson,the groundbreaking country music
singer-songwriter andsuccessful Hollywood film and TV
star, passed away peacefully athis home in Maui, hawaii, on
September 28, 2023.
(16:02):
He was 88 years old.
The cause of death was notdisclosed 2024, I should say.
The cause of death was notdisclosed.
His family issued a statementsaying, quote is with heavy
hearts that we share the news ofthe passing of our beloved
husband, father and grandfather.
We are grateful for the time wehad with him and thank you all
(16:23):
for loving him.
When you see a rainbow, knowthat he's smiling down on us.
Unquote.
Now, chris Christopherson'scareer in music began in Music
City where he spent severalyears writing songs.
His breakthrough came in the1970s with number one country
hits like For the Good TimesSunday Morning, coming Down and
Help Me Make it Through theNight.
His song Me and Bobby McGeebecame a posthumous number one
(16:51):
pop hit for Janis Joplin in 1971.
Christopherson's raw,unmannered singing and
poetically crafted songs earnedhim a loyal following.
He released four successfulalbums for Mindment Records and
won three Grammys, includingBest Country Song and a pair of
duets with Rita Coolidge, hiswife, from 1973 to 1980.
In the 1970s, christopherson'scareer expanded into acting.
(17:14):
He starred in several noblefilms, including Cisco Pike Blum
in Love, alice Doesn't Livehere Anymore and the Star is
Born.
However, his acting careerfaced challenges after his
involvement in the troubledproductions Pat Garrett and
Billy the Kid and Heaven's Gate.
Despite the setbacks,christopherson continued to act,
appearing in over 100 moviesand TV roles.
(17:36):
He received critical acclaimfor his roles in Lone Star and
the Wesley Snipes Blade moviefranchise.
Christopherson continued torecord music sporadically
throughout his career.
He released several criticallyacclaimed albums in 1990s and
2000s, including A Moment ofForever, this Old Road and
(17:57):
Closer to the Bone.
He was inducted into theCountry Music Hall of Fame in
2004 and received a LifetimeAward from the Recording Academy
in 2015.
Chris Christopherson's legacyas a country music pioneer and a
versatile actor continues toinspire generations of artists
and fans.
His contributions to music andfilm will be remembered for
(18:19):
years to come.
Again, chris Christopherson was88 years old and finally tonight
, nightmare Before Christmasstar Ken Page is dead at the age
of 70.
The Broadway staple passed awaylast Monday.
Page's death was firstannounced by Dorian Hannaway on
social media.
Millennials heard a ton of theactor growing up as he played
(18:42):
King Gator in All Dogs Go toHeaven and, of course, oogie
Boogie in the Tim Burton classicNightmare Before Christmas.
But before the VHS tape days,page worked all around Hollywood
and Broadway With theimportance of Oogie Boogie Song
to Nightmare Before Christmasfans.
New Divas Passing elicitedsympathy for all over media.
(19:04):
The film's composer, dannyElfman, posted a short message
On Twitter.
The music maker wrote, quoteI'm still stunned by last
night's terrible news.
Ken Page died suddenly.
He was the one and only OogieBoogie man.
He was simply one of the bestand most generous souls I know,
full of life and overflowingwith joy, talented and then some
(19:24):
.
Ken, my friend, you will bedeeply missed.
Page was absolutely adoredplaying Oogie Boogie.
He had such a soft spot forplaying that cherished Disney
villain that he would routinelycome back to do voice work for
the characters' otherappearances, live concerts,
video games, you name it.
Say the words.
Oogie Boogie is an unofficialcapacity and Page was down for a
(19:44):
performance.
Direct Conversations asked Pagehow he got to be Oogie Boogie
in 2014 and the answer didn'tdisappoint Quote.
At first the filmmakers werelooking for someone to just be
Oogie Boogie in 2014, and theanswer didn't disappoint Quote.
At first the filmmakers werelooking for someone to just sing
Oogie Boogie's song and theywanted something like a Cab
Calloway-esque, fatsWaller-esque kind of vocalist,
somebody who could characterizethe vocal.
So my lawyer said to DannyElfman I know the person for you
(20:07):
.
There's nobody else that fitsthat description other than Ken
Page.
He you.
There's nobody else that fitsthat description other than Ken
Page.
He's done these things and manycritters.
Ken Page, the beloved Broadwaystar and voice actor, passed
away at the age of 70 years old.
And that brings us to the endof this edition of the show.
Now please be sure to check usout on social media.
(20:29):
We're on Blue Sky and Twitter,at Multiverse Tom Threads,
facebook and Instagram atMultiverse Tonight.
And if you've gotten some valueout of the show and would like
to pay it back, please head onover to MultiverseTonightcom
where you can find our Patreonand Ko-fi links, check out the
show notes, visit our TeePublicstore and leave some feedback If
(20:53):
this is your first timelistening.
Thank you very much and welcome.
Go ahead and hit that subscribeand share us with others.
Now.
Special thanks to Shane Eifersfor the intro music and Lobo
Loco for the outro theme music.
Thanks for watching thisedition of Multiverse Tonight.
We'll be back in two weeks withmore sci-fi and comic book news
.
Now please exit the universe inan orderly fashion.
Good night.
Multiverse Tonight is aproduction of Patrick Johnson
(21:21):
Productions, copyright 2024.
All rights reserved.
This podcast is part of the PopGoes the Culture podcast.
Tonight Batwills Renewed the Sims Movie and
remember Maggie Smith.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
John Amos, chris Christopherson and voice actor
Ken Page.
All and more in this edition ofMultiverse Tonight.
Comic books, sci-fi, fantasyand more.
(00:28):
If you're looking for a roundupof geeky news, you're in the
right place.
This is Multiverse Tonight, andhere's your host, Thomas
(00:58):
Townley.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Well hello everyone, and welcome to episode 224 of
Multiverse Tonight.
I'm, of course, as ever, yourhost, thomas Townley, and you'll
notice that we did take acouple extra weeks off, and
that's because, for those of youwatching the YouTube video, I'm
in a new studio.
Yes, we've moved into our newhouse here in town.
(01:25):
It's a lovely house.
We've probably spent a couplenights in it.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
And of course, if you also know, some, back me.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
My office is nowhere near finished Still a lot of
unpacking.
You know, the hardest part ofany move is unpacking your stuff
.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
But that being said, I was able to pull together some
news for the show, so it'sgoing to be a shorter show than
usual, but you know, maybethat's for the better.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Anyway, let's get on with the DC Comics News and we
begin DC Comics News withBatwheels DC's first ever Batman
(02:23):
series for a preschool audiencethat has been renewed for a
third season at Cartoon Network.
Produced by Warner BrosAnimation, the series follows a
group of sentient, super-poweredcrime-fighting vehicles
defending Gotham City, alongsidea host of DC superheroes
Brought to life by theBat-Computer to help defend
Gotham City.
The heroic Bat-Wheels arethrust into hilarious hijinks
and jaw-dropping action whilelearning important life lessons,
(02:46):
led by Bam the Batmobile.
I would never see the Batmobilenamed.
Bam but whatever the Batwheelsmust navigate the challenges of
being a newly formed super team,as well as the growing pains
that come with just being a kid,and follows the adventures of
(03:06):
the team's journey as they go ontheir heroic adventures, as
well as demonstrate to preschoolkids the value of
self-confidence, friendship andteamwork.
The voice cast includes EthanHawke as Batman, Jacob Bertrand
as Bam the Batmobile, GinaRodriguez as Catwoman well it's
good to see she still gets workand Zola Mardina as Snow the
(03:26):
Snowcrawler, among others.
Season 2 is available on CartoonNetwork and Max.
Season 1 is also available tostream on Netflix.
Sources tell the HollywoodReporter that Bane, the super
steroid-injecting antagonist whopreviously was seen in the 2012
Chris Nolan movie the DarkKnight Rises, and Deathstroke
(03:47):
another popular arc nemesis inthe comic book company's fold
are being lassoed together for amovie.
The James Gunn and PeterSafran-led DC Studios is
developing a script from MatthewOrton, the scribe who came up
with Captain America.
Brave New World.
Hbo's DC series Lanterns hasfound its.
Hal Jordan Emmy winner KyleChandler is set to play the
(04:09):
legendary member of the GreenLantern Corps in the series.
Now, according to the HollywoodReporter, the show will be the
first series role for the FridayNight Lights star since
Showtime's 2022 drama SuperPumped Lanterns, which scored a
straight two series order inJune after years of development,
comes from Chris Mundy, damonLindelof and Eisner Award
(04:30):
winning comics writer Tom King.
The trio are co-writing andexecutive producing the series,
with Mundy serving as showrunner.
The show, which falls under theHBO banner, is casting and in
the middle of hiring directors.
The series is looking to shootfrom next January to June in
Atlanta.
It's described as a gritty truedetective vibe, as it focuses
(04:52):
on Jordan reluctantly mentoringa younger Lantern, john Stewart,
who you'll know as the firstAfrican-American Lantern.
The story sees the twocharacters investigating the
Earthbound mystery with largeimplications.
Sources say that DC andproducers are looking for a
young, more fresh-faced actorfor the role to play opposite an
(05:14):
older and bigger name.
Dc Studios has foundedSupergirl Supervillain in
Matthias Schonartz, who willplay antagonist Krem of the
Yellow Hills in the upcomingmovie I, tanya and Cruella.
Filmmaker Craig Gillespie isset to direct.
Playwright and screenwriterAnna Nogara have wrote the
script.
(05:34):
Production begins on the filmin late 2024, early 2025, after
DC Studios co-CEO and creativehead, james Gunn finishes
shooting Superman, which is setto be released in the summer of
2025.
House of Dragons star MillieAlcock will play the
superheroine of Krypton in astory that will be adapted from
(05:54):
the Tom King story.
Supergirl, woman of Tomorrow InKing's graphic novel Crime of
the Yellow Hills, triggersSupergirl's pursuit after
shooting her dog, kind of likethat John Wick movie.
In a press conference last yearlaying out his plans for the DC
(06:15):
Universe, gunn teased thatSupergirl will be very different
from Superman.
Quote we see the differencebetween Superman, who was sent
to Earth and raised by lovingparents from the time he was an
infant, versus Supergirl, whowas raised on the rock, a chip
off Krypton, and watchedeveryone around her die and be
killed in terrible ways for thefirst 14 years of her life and
then came to Earth when she wasa young girl.
She's much more hardcore.
(06:37):
She's not exactly the Supergirlwe're used to seeing Now.
Dc's Supergirl Woman ofTomorrow will be released on
June 26, 2025.
And with that let's go on to theGeek News.
And Geek News begins with GlennPowell, known for his roles in
(07:14):
rom-coms, tornado movies andhitman films, securing his next
big project.
He will star in Edgar Wright'sremake of the Running man, set
to be released by ParamountPictures on November 21, 2025.
Powell will take on the iconicrole originally done by Arnold
Schwarzenegger in the 1987action film based on the Stephen
(07:34):
King novel.
The story unfolds in adystopian future where a popular
TV show features criminalsattempting to evade skilled
assassins.
Paramount has also shuffled thedates for several other 2025
films.
The Naked Gun reboot starringLiam Neeson has moved from July
18th to August 1st.
The cast includes PamelaAnderson, paul Walterhauser,
(07:55):
cody Rhodes and Busta Rhymes.
Neeson will star as the son ofLeslie Nielsen's character,
frank Drebin, in the classicslapstick comedy franchise
Directed by Akiva Schaefer, withproducers Seth MacFarlane and
Erica Huggins.
Taking Naked Gun's originalspot is the animated Smurfs
musical starring Rihanna.
It's moving from February 14th2025 to July 18th.
(08:17):
The voice cast also includesNick Offerman, natasha Lyonne,
kurt Russell and John Goodman.
It's directed by Chris Millerand co-directed by Matt Landon.
Riff Trax, the entertainment andlive event company founded by a
trio of MST3K stars, has strucka distribution deal with indie
streamer Nebula.
Beginning October 5th, riffTrax will launch its weekly
(08:40):
Saturday Cinema series on Nebula, beginning with the release of
five shorts including commentary.
This week's release is aversion of Night of the Living
Dead with their classic RiffTrax style commentary.
The deal will see Riff Traxbringing its existing views as
well as new originals to theplatform.
A streamer which is majorityowned by a collective of Nebula
(09:02):
creators, spyglass Media Groupand Paramount Pictures surprised
announced this past Tuesdaythat Scream 7 will slash into
theaters on February 27, 2026,nearly three years after 2023's
Scream 6.
It's gonna be a killer.
2026, neve Campbell unquote.
(09:23):
According to Neve Campbell, whostarred as the final girl,
sidney Prescott, in the firstfive Scream movies.
As she announced the show onInstagram after sitting out of
the New York set Scream 6,campbell will be reprising her
role in the movie, directed byfranchise creator and writer
Kevin Williamson.
(09:44):
A Sims movie is in developmentat Amazon MGM Studios.
Amazon MGM Studios announced onTuesday that a feature film
based on the popular video gameseries the Sims is in
development.
Kate Heron, who directed theDisney Plus series Loki, will be
directing the movie and will bebased and also co-writing the
(10:05):
script with Brioni, redman,lucky Chap and Vertigo
Entertainment.
Along with Electronic Arts, theSims team are producing the
project.
Heron and Redman will alsoserve as executive producers.
The Sims game series, whichbegan with SimCity in 1989, has
been a global phenomenon fordecades.
The first Sims game wasreleased in 2000 and allows
(10:28):
players to create virtual people, build their homes and direct
their goals and relationships.
The Hollywood Reporter firstreported that the movie was in
works back in May.
And, of course, we close on somesad news to start off with
Maggie Smith.
The renowned British actresshailed as one of the most
formidable of all time orformidable of all time, passed
(10:51):
away peacefully at the age of 89.
Two-time Oscar winner andfour-time Emmy recipient,
smith's legacy includesexceptional performances in
movies like the Prime of MissJean Brody and Downton Abbey,
among numerous others.
Born on December 28, 1934 inIlford, england, smith began her
acting career on stage at theOxford Playhouse School in 1952.
(11:14):
Her breakthrough performancecame in the 1965 movie
adaptation of Shakespeare'sOthello.
This role earned her an Oscarnomination.
Four years later, she won theOscar for her portrayal of an
eccentric English schoolmistressin the Prime of Miss Jean Brody
.
Smith's career flourishedthroughout the decades,
encompassing diverse roles infilm and television.
(11:35):
In the Harry Potter series, sheplayed the stern yet
compassionate Professor MinervaMcGonagall, while in Downton
Abbey she kept fit audiences asthe irresistible Violet Crawley
Dowager, countess of GreatGretham.
In addition to her actingaccolades, smith received
several prestigious honors QueenElizabeth II that bestowed upon
(11:59):
her the title of Dame in 1989,and in 2014 she became a member
of the Order of Companions ofHonor.
Despite her fame, smith wasknown for her privacy and often
avoided media attention.
She famously quipped.
Smith's sons, actors TobyStevens and Chris Larkin,
(12:28):
confirmed her peaceful passing,surrounded by family and friends
.
They expressed theirdevastation at losing their
extraordinary mother andgrandmother.
Maggie Smith's exceptionaltalent, ranging from comedy to
drama, earned her a lasting spotAmong the top British actresses
.
Her ability to capture theessence of her characters and
infuse them with her ownperformance powers Made her a
(12:48):
true legend of the screen.
Again.
Maggie Smith was 89 years old.
James Amos, renowned for hisroles in Good Times, roots and
other iconic productions, passedaway on August 21st in Los
Angeles due to natural causes,as confirmed by his
(13:09):
representative to Variety.
He was 84 years old.
Amos' son, kelly ChristopherAmos, expressed his heartfelt
sadness in a statementdescribing his father as a
kind-hearted and beloved figure.
He highlighted the impact JohnAmos had on audiences,
particularly those who regardhim as their TV father.
His legacy will continuethrough his outstanding works in
(13:32):
television and film, where hebrought joy and relatability to
countless viewers.
Born on December 27, 1939, inNewark, new Jersey, amos' acting
career took off when he landedthe role of weatherman Gordon
Gordy Howard on the Mary TylerMoore Show in 1970.
From there he showcased hiscomedic talents on CBS's Good
Times, a groundbreaking sitcomthat followed an
(13:54):
African-American two-parenthousehold.
Amos' portrayal of father JamesEvans Sr resonated deeply with
audiences, but he eventuallydeparted from the show due to
creative differences.
Amos' role as AdolpheKuntekinte in the ABC historical
miniseries Roots earned him anEmmy nomination in 1977.
The series, which depictedslavery in the United States,
(14:15):
achieved immense success,winning numerous awards and
attracting a massive viewership.
It holds the record for thethird highest rated episode of
any TV series and the secondmost watched series finale in
history.
Throughout his career, amosappeared in various television
shows, including About theAndersons, the West Wing Two and
(14:36):
a.
Half Men and the Ranch.
He also graced the big screenwith roles in films like Coming
to America and his sequel,coming to America, die Hard 2,
and the Beastmaster.
In addition, he collaboratedwith his son on the production
of the forthcoming documentarytitled America's Dad, which
chronicles his life as an actor.
Julia Buchwald, president ofBuchwald, expressed her pride in
(14:58):
representing John Amos,emphasizing his remarkable
talent and his generous spirit.
She acknowledged the impact hehad on the entertainment
industry and the hearts of thosewho knew him Beyond film.
Intelligent Amos showcased hisversatility as a writer-producer
, as star of a one-man playcalled Haley's Comet, and also
graced the Broadway stage inAugust Wilson's Gem of the Ocean
(15:18):
.
Before pursuing acting, amosexcelled as a college football
player at Colorado StateUniversity and had a brief stint
with the Kansas State Chiefsduring the NFL offseason in 1967
.
John Amos' legacy as an actor,comedian and storyteller will
continue to inspire generations.
Through his performances andcontributions, he touched the
lives of countless individuals,leaving a lasting impact on the
(15:40):
world of entertainment.
Again, john Amos was 84 yearsold.
Next up, chris Christopherson,the groundbreaking country music
singer-songwriter andsuccessful Hollywood film and TV
star, passed away peacefully athis home in Maui, hawaii, on
September 28, 2023.
(16:02):
He was 88 years old.
The cause of death was notdisclosed 2024, I should say.
The cause of death was notdisclosed.
His family issued a statementsaying, quote is with heavy
hearts that we share the news ofthe passing of our beloved
husband, father and grandfather.
We are grateful for the time wehad with him and thank you all
(16:23):
for loving him.
When you see a rainbow, knowthat he's smiling down on us.
Unquote.
Now, chris Christopherson'scareer in music began in Music
City where he spent severalyears writing songs.
His breakthrough came in the1970s with number one country
hits like For the Good TimesSunday Morning, coming Down and
Help Me Make it Through theNight.
His song Me and Bobby McGeebecame a posthumous number one
(16:51):
pop hit for Janis Joplin in 1971.
Christopherson's raw,unmannered singing and
poetically crafted songs earnedhim a loyal following.
He released four successfulalbums for Mindment Records and
won three Grammys, includingBest Country Song and a pair of
duets with Rita Coolidge, hiswife, from 1973 to 1980.
In the 1970s, christopherson'scareer expanded into acting.
(17:14):
He starred in several noblefilms, including Cisco Pike Blum
in Love, alice Doesn't Livehere Anymore and the Star is
Born.
However, his acting careerfaced challenges after his
involvement in the troubledproductions Pat Garrett and
Billy the Kid and Heaven's Gate.
Despite the setbacks,christopherson continued to act,
appearing in over 100 moviesand TV roles.
(17:36):
He received critical acclaimfor his roles in Lone Star and
the Wesley Snipes Blade moviefranchise.
Christopherson continued torecord music sporadically
throughout his career.
He released several criticallyacclaimed albums in 1990s and
2000s, including A Moment ofForever, this Old Road and
(17:57):
Closer to the Bone.
He was inducted into theCountry Music Hall of Fame in
2004 and received a LifetimeAward from the Recording Academy
in 2015.
Chris Christopherson's legacyas a country music pioneer and a
versatile actor continues toinspire generations of artists
and fans.
His contributions to music andfilm will be remembered for
(18:19):
years to come.
Again, chris Christopherson was88 years old and finally tonight
, nightmare Before Christmasstar Ken Page is dead at the age
of 70.
The Broadway staple passed awaylast Monday.
Page's death was firstannounced by Dorian Hannaway on
social media.
Millennials heard a ton of theactor growing up as he played
(18:42):
King Gator in All Dogs Go toHeaven and, of course, oogie
Boogie in the Tim Burton classicNightmare Before Christmas.
But before the VHS tape days,page worked all around Hollywood
and Broadway With theimportance of Oogie Boogie Song
to Nightmare Before Christmasfans.
New Divas Passing elicitedsympathy for all over media.
(19:04):
The film's composer, dannyElfman, posted a short message
On Twitter.
The music maker wrote, quoteI'm still stunned by last
night's terrible news.
Ken Page died suddenly.
He was the one and only OogieBoogie man.
He was simply one of the bestand most generous souls I know,
full of life and overflowingwith joy, talented and then some
(19:24):
.
Ken, my friend, you will bedeeply missed.
Page was absolutely adoredplaying Oogie Boogie.
He had such a soft spot forplaying that cherished Disney
villain that he would routinelycome back to do voice work for
the characters' otherappearances, live concerts,
video games, you name it.
Say the words.
Oogie Boogie is an unofficialcapacity and Page was down for a
(19:44):
performance.
Direct Conversations asked Pagehow he got to be Oogie Boogie
in 2014 and the answer didn'tdisappoint Quote.
At first the filmmakers werelooking for someone to just be
Oogie Boogie in 2014, and theanswer didn't disappoint Quote.
At first the filmmakers werelooking for someone to just sing
Oogie Boogie's song and theywanted something like a Cab
Calloway-esque, fatsWaller-esque kind of vocalist,
somebody who could characterizethe vocal.
So my lawyer said to DannyElfman I know the person for you
(20:07):
.
There's nobody else that fitsthat description other than Ken
Page.
He you.
There's nobody else that fitsthat description other than Ken
Page.
He's done these things and manycritters.
Ken Page, the beloved Broadwaystar and voice actor, passed
away at the age of 70 years old.
And that brings us to the endof this edition of the show.
Now please be sure to check usout on social media.
(20:29):
We're on Blue Sky and Twitter,at Multiverse Tom Threads,
facebook and Instagram atMultiverse Tonight.
And if you've gotten some valueout of the show and would like
to pay it back, please head onover to MultiverseTonightcom
where you can find our Patreonand Ko-fi links, check out the
show notes, visit our TeePublicstore and leave some feedback If
(20:53):
this is your first timelistening.
Thank you very much and welcome.
Go ahead and hit that subscribeand share us with others.
Now.
Special thanks to Shane Eifersfor the intro music and Lobo
Loco for the outro theme music.
Thanks for watching thisedition of Multiverse Tonight.
We'll be back in two weeks withmore sci-fi and comic book news
.
Now please exit the universe inan orderly fashion.
Good night.
Multiverse Tonight is aproduction of Patrick Johnson
(21:21):
Productions, copyright 2024.
All rights reserved.
This podcast is part of the PopGoes the Culture podcast.
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