Tag Archives: Fictional people

Technology

Kadabra Returns To Pokémon Card Game After 18 Year Ban

Leave a comment

Image: The Pokémon Company / Kotaku / Toby Walker

The Pokémon Company will print its first new Kadabra card in over 20 years. According to a report by PokéBeach, the Pokemon Card 151 set due out in June will feature the psychic spoon-bender alongside the series other original Pokémon, something that would have previously been blocked by illusionist Uri Geller’s lawsuit accusing Kadabra of being based on his own likeness.

PokéBeach (via IGN) said it was able to confirm Kadabra’s return after viewing a leaked sell sheet for the upcoming set. While on its face it seems obvious that number 64 would be included along with the 151 other original Pokémon, Kadabra has been excluded from the card game since the early 2000s. That’s when Geller, best known for performing conjuring tricks ostensibly revolving around physic abilities, such as bending spoons, first discovered Kadabra and tried to take Nintendo to court over the Pokémon’s similarities to his act.

While the most obvious example was Kadabra’s signature bent spoon, its name in Japanese, Yungerer, also bore clear similarities. Geller reportedly took special issue with the Team Rocket Kadabra card which featured “Evil Yungerer.”

Read More: Getting Into The Pokémon Trading Card Game Is Way Easier Than You Think

“I’m very angry about this,” he told the BBC back in 2000. “I wouldn’t have given permission for an aggressive, and in one case evil character to be based on me. This is not even anything to do with the old question of if I’m a magician or a real psychic. It’s straight theft of my persona.”

G/O Media may get a commission

Up to 40% off

Samsung Smart TVs

Vivid colors and deep blacks
It’s Oscar season which means it’s time to binge all the nominations before the big day. Why not enjoy these pieces of art on a new TV from our friends at Samsung?

Geller didn’t stay angry though. Following years of failed lawsuits, pleas from fans, and even his own granddaughters, he eventually relented. In 2020 he sent a letter to Nintendo giving permission for Kadabra to continue being used. Pokémon company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara wrote back at the time to thank him. Geller even started teasing Kadabra’s possible return to the card game last year.

“Look, I want to thank the Pokémon fans who reached out to me over the last [few] years,” he told PokéBeach in a voicemail yesterday. “Including the ones from PokéBeach, who kept contacting me nonstop. So basically, it was you and my granddaughters that got me to change my mind.”

The illusionist went on:

Now we can all see Kadabra reunited with the original Pokémon in the card game this summer. I love you all. And I admit, totally open and honest. I was a fool. It was a devastating mistake for me to sue Pokémon. [Kadabra] was basically a tribute to Uri Geller. But it’s back now. Forgive me. I love you all. Much love and energy.

You are forgiven Uri Geller.

                                  

Read original article here

Entertainment

Tobey Maguire tells Marvel he’d love to be cast as Spider-man

Leave a comment

Look, everyone wants to play Spider-Man. It’s perhaps any actor’s most sought-after role behind Hamlet and The Joker. To prove yourself as a young Hollywood A-lister, you better start learning the phrase, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

One actor who would love to play Spider-Man is Tobey Maguire, an actor who has played Spider-Man four times. After playing Spider-Man throughout the 2000s, he donned the mask one more time for 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home. For those counting at home, we have now said the name “Spider-Man” five times in this article.

“When they called initially, I was like, finally!” Maguire said in an interview with, ahem, Marvel. “I got the call and was immediately open about coming to do this. Not without nerves–you know, ‘What will this look like, and what will the experience be?’ But to get to show up with beautiful, talented, creative people and play together? It’s just like, ‘Yes!’ It’s fun and exciting.”

“I love these films, and I love all of the different series. If these guys called me and said, ‘Would you show up tonight to hang out and goof around?’ or ‘Would you show up to do this movie or read a scene or do a Spider-Man thing?’ It would be a ‘yes!’ Because why wouldn’t I want to do that?”

Maguire doesn’t appear on screen much these days, outside of going pure goblin mode in Babylon. Seeing as that movie didn’t do so hot; it makes sense that he’d tell Marvel that, yes, he’d love another job, especially if he has to “read a scene” or “do a Spider-Man thing” or simply hang out in the background of scenes until the other Spider-Men are ready for a hug. Fellow Spider-Man Andrew Garfield is also open to more, so we look forward to the Marvel Cinematic Universe becoming even more unwieldy, confusing, and laden with crossovers. Excelsior!

G/O Media may get a commission

Officially-licensed socks
Sock Affairs wants you to enrobe your feet in their officially licensed socks with art from Pink Floyd and AC/DC records.

[via Variety]

Read original article here

Technology

Callisto Protocol Studio Latest Accused Of Botching Dev Credits

Leave a comment

Image: Striking Distance Studios / Krafton

Some developers on the space horror blockbuster Callisto Protocol say they were omitted from the end credits sequence despite extensive work on the game and key contributions to the finished product. The claims come amid a renewed push throughout the video game industry to fix a broken crediting system that often punishes lower-ranking employees and those who leave prior to the final release date.

In a new report by GamesIndustry.biz, former employees at Striking Distance Studios say they believe around 20 developers were left off Callisto Protocol’s long end-of-game credits roll. Many were surprised by the omission, and say the studio never formally communicated a policy of leaving developers off the credits if they left before the game shipped. A few regard it as punishment for taking a job somewhere else.

“[The credits omission] felt like an obvious F-U to those who were left out,” one source tells GamesIndustry.biz. “Somebody wanted to send a message, and the message was, ‘Next time have a bit more loyalty to us.’”

Striking Distance was formed by former Dead Space director Glen Schofield in 2019 after leaving Call of Duty studio Sledgehammer Games. Late last year as its debut game was finishing development, Schofield was criticized for a tweet that endorsed crunch culture, celebrating sacrifice and long overtime hours.

G/O Media may get a commission

$50 off preorder

Ring Car Cam

It’s a camera. For your car.
The Ring Car Cam’s dual-facing HD cameras capture activity in and around your car in HD detail.

While he later deleted the tweet and apologized, Bloomberg subsequently confirmed that at least some developers at the studio had crunched during production. Schofield told Bloomberg that some staff were “working hard for a few weeks” but that no overtime was mandatory.

Some former developers now tell GamesIndustry.biz that studio management would make promises to address crunch culture in the very same meetings where it would praise the long hours people had put in. “My issue is those of us who took part in that culture, who put in that time, and worked intensely to help craft this product, were punished with a credit omission for not going the extra mile…to stay until it shipped.”

The International Game Developers Association announced a plan last August to try and standardize how developers are credited for their work, and foster the spread of tools that can make it easier to update end credits scrolls when they are missing someone or contain other inaccuracies. “Game credits are hard, particularly in AAA,” former Naughty Dog communications manager, Scott Lowe, tweeted in reaction to today’s GamesIndustry.biz report. “But the answer is easy: credit everyone. Gating by time and subjective assessments of value/impact is messy and cruel.”

Striking Distance Studios did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



Read original article here

Entertainment

Marvel Sequel Will Be His Last

Leave a comment

Drax’s final ride comes in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Image: Marvel Studios

Ten years ago, when James Gunn cast former professional wrestler Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, some were skeptical. Sure, this dude was a charismatic wrestler, but could he act? Oh, how that has changed, now that Bautista’s breakout Marvel Studios role has propelled him into a diverse, impressive acting career. Though the character is a fan favorite, the actor reveals that he never wanted Drax to be his signature role and that he’ll officially be leaving it behind this May when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 his theaters.

“I’m so grateful for Drax. I love him,” Bautista told GQ magazine. “But there’s a relief [that it’s over]. It wasn’t all pleasant. It was hard playing that role. The makeup process was beating me down. And I just don’t know if I want Drax to be my legacy—it’s a silly performance, and I want to do more dramatic stuff.”

So, there are a few things to unpack here and we’ll start with what we know. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 writer/director James Gunn confirmed on his Instagram Stories that, yes, the upcoming film will be the final time Bautista plays Drax. Does that mean Drax will be recast (which Bautista himself said he’s cool with)? Does he die? Does he just go off and leave the Guardians? Those answers will come in a few months. But, for now, we at least know where these feelings are coming from.

As for Bautista’s relief at leaving it behind, you almost understand that too. While Drax is a big, boisterous character, matching Bautista’s physical stature, those aren’t the types of characters he’s most interested in playing. For example, in the GQ profile, he talks about just wanting to work more and more with director Denis Villeneuve, who cast Bautista in small roles in both Blade Runner 2049 and Dune (though the role is significantly expanded in this year’s Dune: Part Two). “If I could be a number one [on the callsheet] with Denis, I would do it for fucking free,” the actor said. “I think that’s how I could find out how good I could be. He brings out the best in me. He sees me in a different light, sees the performer that I want to be. That might be how I solve the puzzle.”

He’s also worked with the likes of Sam Mendes, Zack Snyder, Rian Johnson, and, later this year, M. Night Shyamalan. He’s not afraid to take a smaller role, as long as it means working with someone great. And while Gunn is certainly great, after three full films, a Holiday Special, and several other Marvel cameos, you understand how a performer like that is ready to leave it behind and try something new.

G/O Media may get a commission

What do you think happens to Drax in Guardians 3? Let us know below.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Read original article here

Entertainment

DC’s Black Adam Post-Credits Scene Leaked

Leave a comment

Screenshot: Warner Bros.

Good luck on the minefield of social media today as the post-credits scene of DC’s Black Adam has leaked, over a week before the film’s October 21 release. As Warner Bros. gets to work scrubbing posts, we imagine the Rock is gearing up to take back his thunder.

If you haven’t yet seen the clip in question already, you may not get a chance: posts have begun to be blocked with takedowns from Warner Bros that read, “This media has been disabled in response to a report by the copyright owner.” They’re on the case! (io9 has reached out to the studio for comment, and will update this post if we hear back.)

If you want to be kept in the dark about what goes down, do not read ahead and be sure to block and filter all Black Adam, DC Comics, and the Rock/Dwayne Johnson-adjacent keywords on all your devices.

And here’s your second warning: if you don’t want to be spoiled for Black Adam’s post-credit scene, don’t read ahead!

G/O Media may get a commission

Great deals happening right now
Sad that Prime Day is over? Don’t be! Best Buy is picking up the slack with a sales event of its own. From smart TVs to earbuds to laptops, there are plenty of opportunities to save.

Honestly it’s the worst-kept secret; the leaked scene just confirms what we already suspected since it was heavily hinted at by Johnson himself at this summer’s San Diego Comic-Con.

And lest we forget, the post-credits scene of DC’s League of Super-Pets featured the Rock as Cosmo meeting another dog (also voiced by the Rock) owned by Black Adam (voiced by, you guessed it, the Rock).

So truly, it’s been telegraphed that Superman would return and he does at the end of Black Adam. And yes, he’s played by Henry Cavill, confirming the DCEU’s Man of Steel is officially back. In the scene, he appears before Black Adam in a more saturated color suit invoking the hero’s classic look in red, blue, and prominent yellow. The vibe is combative as Supes comes out of a veil of smoke and tells Black Adam, “It’s been a while since anyone’s made the world this nervous,” setting up their eventual confrontation on the big screen.

We’re just wondering if it will be called BAvS: The Fight for the Hierarchy of Power. Expect a lot of debate and speculation over DC’s cinematic future once movie audiences at large check out Black Adam starting October 21.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Read original article here

Entertainment

Brie Larson unsure how much longer she’ll be Captain Marvel

Leave a comment

Brie Larson at the D23 Expo 2022.
Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney (Getty Images)

Since starring as the intergalactic superhero Captain Marvel in the MCU’s first film focused on a woman lead, Brie Larson has faced the constant ire of sexist Marvel fanboys and their twitchy Twitter fingers. Utilizing the classic online tool of misogyny, that specific group of fans has review-bombed Captain Marvel, gotten mad at her cheeky Instagram posts, and dissected her to a degree that reads as overly invested for people that hate her. That’s a lot for anyone to handle, and Larson seems to be well over the internet trolls as revealed in an interview at the D23 Expo this past weekend.

Speaking with Variety, the Room actor was asked how long she expected to play Captain Marvel.

“I don’t know,” said Larson. “Does anyone want me to do it again?” Shrugging after her answer, the interviewer tells Larson to not “be so modest” before she gives a more serious reply to his question.

“I don’t know. I really don’t have the answer to that,” continued Larson.

Those comments could easily be interpreted as Larson beholding to Marvel’s spoiler sniper in the sky, yet with the mountain of vitriol she’s faced for the role, it wouldn’t be unimaginable that Larson may not have any long-term future plans to continue the character. A few fans on Twitter seemed to view the interview in the latter interpretation, tweeting out shows of support to the actor and her role in the MCU.

G/O Media may get a commission

Magnetically Docking

Mode Electric Toothbrush

Luxury brushing
Mode is the first magnetically charging toothbrush, and rotates to dock in any outlet. The brushing experience is as luxurious as it looks—with soft, tapered bristles and a two-minute timer to be confident you reached all the crevices of your molars.

“Hopefully a long time! I love her Captain Marvel,” wrote a commentator in response to the video. Another fan added, “I, for one, would love to see more of Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. The film is a guilty pleasure of mine and I think Larson is a great fit for the role.”

Of course, we can expect to see her in the upcoming The Marvels, which has Larson teaming up with Teyonah Parris (WandaVision) and Ms. Marvel’s Iman Vellani in Nia DaCosta’s sequel to Captain Marvel. While at D23 Expo, Larson and crew revealed the first trailer of the space-focused film to the crowd in attendance, teasing us until The Marvels premieres next July.



Read original article here

Entertainment

Mark Ruffalo Defends Marvel’s Output With a Side-Eye at Star Wars

Leave a comment

Image: Marvel Studios

While on a press tour for She-Hulk, Mark Ruffalo spoke with Metro about Marvel’s use of VFX and the enormity of the output from the studio. While he had only glowing praise for the leaps and bounds that CGI has taken over the past decade or so that he’s been involved with Marvel, he had some stronger feelings about the amount of “content” that Marvel puts out.

Ruffalo said that he’s not worried about the amount of work that Marvel releases. “I understand that these things run their course and then something else comes along. But the thing Marvel has done well is that, inside the MCU, just as they do with comic books, they let a director or an actor sort of recreate each piece to their own style, their likeness.”

A bold claim, considering that even as Marvel attempts to make in-roads into other genres with its work, there’s an overriding same-y tone and need for connection that sometimes frustratingly overrides that. And considering the new allegations about how Marvel films their movies, I don’t think that this is a very strong argument at all. Visual flair is well and good, but if you’re just offering variations on a theme is it really distinct?

Next, Ruffalo continues to dig his grave deeper by poking at the other big franchise that might be able to compete with Marvel’s output–fellow Disney megafranchise Star Wars. “If you watch a Star Wars, you’re pretty much going to get the same version of Star Wars each time… You’re always, really, in that same kind of world. But with Marvel you can have a whole different feeling even within the Marvel Universe.”

The thing is that part of me agrees with him: Star Wars does reuse the same stories and tropes, and seems to have an affinity for desert planets that I cannot truly comprehend, but to compare Marvel and Star Wars and act as if either one is superior to the other on an artistic basis of originality feels like a little bit of throwing stones in glass houses at this point. You’re playing the Hulk, sir, a character that has been adapted in largely similar ways out of the comics ever since Lou Ferrigno’s television Hulk first began airing in 1977, the same year the first Star Wars film released in theaters.

I’m not here to debate the artistic merits of Marvel vs. Star Wars, but to pretend for even a second like directors get more or less control within competing billion-dollar franchises is a fool’s errand. An aside here, but as soon as we start referring to any kind of art (even blockbuster movies) as “content” I feel as if we lose something, culturally speaking. Content feels clinical, it feels transactional in a way that makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want content, I want considerate, thoughtful work. I want people to know that this is handmade stuff, that this is done by real people doing real work. There is no such thing as Marvel content, but there is art, and if we treated these massive cultural moments with respect maybe we’d be able to change the culture.

So look, regardless of your feelings about the amount of work that any individual studio puts out, the fact that any actor is being asked to defend it might be a hint that there is, perhaps, too much out there—regardless of what fictional universe it’s from.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Read original article here