NaNaNaNaNa, Batwoman! – Did You Hear? Week of October 12, 2018

Did You Hear? is a weekly examination of headlines in the entertainment industry and a take on what they could mean for the future of the industry and (often), the little geeky bubble that we occupy.

Holy Batwoman, Batman!

The CW has released the first official photo of Ruby Rose as Batwoman:

The costume appears very screen accurate per the classic Alex Ross design of the costume. Batwoman is fortunate in being a relatively new DC Comics character. She hasn’t undergone many retcons or any costumes changes – plus, she started out with a very cool costume to begin with designed by one of the all-time greats. Yes, the image is heavily, retouched, but it’s still a great rendition of the suit. Classically, Kate Kane has close shaven hair (former-military), and the long red hair she is seen with when fighting crime is – canonically – attached to the top of her cowl. Per this photo, that appears to be the case. Ironically, this fact has become the point of criticism for some fans who are not as familiar with the Batwoman comic stories. The main difference between this photo and what we are used to seeing on-panel is the inside of the cape. Per the comics it’s the same bright red as her hair and the Batsymbol, whereas this television rendition has chosen to go for a gradient.

While at first blush I don’t love this either, these costumes are designed to read on screen first and foremost, so it is my hope that when Batwoman is seen in action it will make sense.

Just to end on a down note about some of the toxicities of fandom: since the announcement of her casting Ruby Rose has left Twitter and she did not return to herald this photograph.

Coogler to Return for Black Panther 2

Variety reports that director Ryan Coogler will return to Marvel Studios to direct Black Panther 2. Chadwick Boseman is expected to reprise his role as T’Challa along with the rest of the all-star cast that destroyed the box office in 2017 with the first Black Panther film.

Coogler is currently promoting his second Rocky franchise film – Creed 2 – and with these combined fan favourite productions has made himself a demanded commodity in Hollywood. I, for one, see this as nothing but news to be excited about! This is the man who brought us Wakanda and I look forward to seeing his expansion of it.

The First Aladdin Teaser is Here!

Disney’s Aladdin Teaser Trailer – In Theaters May 24th, 2019

“Aladdin” is the exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine and the Genie who may be the key to th…

Here is the first look at Disney‘s upcoming live action adaptation of Aladdin starring Mena Massoud in the eponymous role. While it doesn’t reveal anything diehard fans of Agrabah haven’t seen before the animation looks pretty tremendous (and, yes, the dark, moody lighting definitely lends a hand to the visual effects).

Here Disney is really doing a teaser right. We are treated to some familiar sites (Cave of Wonder, Iago, Aladdin, the Lamp), that we expect to be highlighted in the movie, while nothing too extravagant is given away that could scare off potential viewers.

CBS Developing DC Comics’ Secret Six

Variety has learned that CBS is developing a series for the DC Comics’ property: Secret Six. They are a more grey-moral area version of the Suicide Squad. A team of morally ambiguous characters blackmailed into working together by a shady figurehead known only as “Mockingbird”.

Secret Six has received a pilot order and there has been no confirmation yet about which characters will appear on this incarnation of the team. Characters like Harley Quinn, Bane, Penguin, and Deadshot have at different times appeared on the team and are currently tied up in other WB properties. In the past there have been cross-franchise characters (hey, Flash!).

Rick Muirragui (Charmed, Suits), is slated to write and executive produce. Bill Lawrence and Jeff Ingold executive producing via Doozer Productions.

Riverdale Welcomes Gina Gershon & Trinity Linkins

As reported by Variety the flagship Archie Comics show ill be expanding some of its most famous families. Brooklyn Nine-Nine actress Gina Gershon will journey to the town of Riverdale as Gladys Jones (a.k.a. Jughead’s mother), along with Trinity Linkins (Christmas in the Air), as his younger sister Jellybean “JB” Jones. Both characters did make numerous appearances in the franchise’s long comic book continuity, although they are some of the more obscure characters to grace the screens of Riverdale.

Gladys is described as a businesswoman and a biker who runs a salvage yard that doubles as a Southside Serpent compound. A fellow Serpent — but an educated one, with a GED — she is able to command the attention of the others in the gang and acts as a “Fagin” to a crew of teenaged car parts thieves.

Jellybean is described as being “wise beyond her years” and is following in her mother’s footsteps as a con artist.

The two characters have been living in Toledo, Ohio, where they “run scams” to make ends meet, but they will turn up in the town of Riverdale in the Dec. 12 episode on the CW.

… which is definitely a divergence from their comic roots, but seems to be in keeping with the Jones Family history that has been established on Riverdale. I, for one, am looking forward to learning more about the Southside Serpents AND in the wake of Mayans MC’s (the Sons of Anarchy spinoff series), lukewarm reception it will be interesting if Riverdale evolves into the motorcycle gang show that everybody loves.

James Gunn: from Guardians to Suicide Squad

The Wrap has reported that former Guardians of the Galaxy & Guardians of the Galaxy 2 director James Gunn, who was very publically let go from Marvel earlier this year for derrogatory comments he posted to his Twitter account, is currently in talks with Warner Bros. about crossing the floor and picking up directing duties on the second Suicide Squad movie.

Ironically, the director of the first Suicide Squad movie – David Ayer – had a very public split from Warner Bros following numerous battles during the post-production process. It appears that this villain-led franchise will be shrouded in controversy as it moves forward.

Gunn is reported to have a “a completely new take on the property”. At this point it remains to be seen whether this will turn out to be a good thing or a bad thing. Gavin O’Connor (The Americans, Green Hornet), has written a draft on the screenplay and no further details are known about Suicide Squad 2 at this time.

More Dresden?

Earlier this week Deadline reported that Fox has optioned the rights to The Dresden Files for series development.

However …

Interestingly enough, Jim Butcher posted the following to his Twitter in response to The Dresden Files story we reported on above.

Jim Butcher on Twitter: “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet, kids. / Twitter”

Don’t believe everything you read on the internet, kids.

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