Netflix has officially revealed that its upcoming reality competition series, Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, will premiere on September 23, and one of its biggest surprises is already generating plenty of discussion. The streamer has recreated the iconic voice of Gene Wilder using artificial intelligence, allowing the legendary actor’s portrayal of Willy Wonka to guide contestants throughout the series.

According to Netflix, the AI-generated voice was created in partnership with ElevenLabs and, importantly, with the full approval of Gene Wilder’s estate. The series is inspired by both the beloved 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Roald Dahl’s classic novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Contestants who earn a coveted Golden Ticket will compete in a series of physical, mental, and moral challenges inside a recreation of Wonka’s magical factory.

Karen B. Wilder, speaking on behalf of the Gene Wilder estate, shared her support for the project:

“More than five decades after Gene brought Willy Wonka to life, people of all ages and backgrounds around the world continue to find joy, laughter and inspiration in his performance. Gene had a remarkable ability to bring humor, wonder and heart into people’s lives, and that connection has endured for generations. We are delighted that Wonka’s The Golden Ticket celebrates the warmth and imagination that he brought to the role, introducing that magic to a new generation while honoring the fans who have cherished it for decades.”

The series will also feature Rusty Goffe, who portrayed one of the original Oompa Loompas in the 1971 film, adding another nostalgic connection to the beloved classic. While the use of AI to recreate performances remains a controversial topic across Hollywood, Netflix’s collaboration with Wilder’s estate is likely to be a major talking point leading up to the show’s premiere.

Supporters who have tuned in to YourRAGE over the years have grown to love the bond he shared with his longtime friend Greg, who would appear on his streams. However, that relationship has now come to a heartbreaking end after YourRAGE revealed he’s officially cutting ties with Greg following 25 years of friendship over an alleged theft. 

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YourRAGE Opens Up About Alleged Betrayal By Friend Of 25 Years

On Tuesday, YourRAGE’s emotional video about Greg’s alleged betrayal made waves across the internet. In the video, he revealed he’s officially cutting ties with his friend after accusing him of stealing from him.

The post read, “Today I found out my best friend of 25 years has been stealing hundreds & thousands of dollars from me. After giving him a roof over his head, money in his pocket & endless jobs/opportunities, he’s betrayed me. YRG, you will never see Greg again.”

As tears rolled down his face, YourRAGE claimed Greg allegedly took “at least $50,000” from him over time. He reflected on everything he had done for Greg over the years, including being there for him when he was in jail, giving him a place to stay, putting money in his pocket, and saying he would’ve done anything for him. Also, Greg tearfully admitted that he was wrong.

Fellow Streamers Share Reactions To YourRAGE’s Post

Fellow streamers like Agent 00, JasontheWeen, CashNasty, and many more entered the chat as they reacted to YourRAGE’s emotional video.

Agent 00 shared that, unfortunately, anyone is capable of doing anything. He encouraged viewers to keep YourRAGE in their prayers, saying, “Send your prayers for Rage. That’s one of the situations that give you trust issues for a while. Hopefully he doesn’t develop that and turn into a cynical a**hole to people around him that still show him love.”

JasontheWeen also reacted in disbelief, saying he always knew Greg was a “slimey bastard.” He added, “Can’t trust nobody nowadays, chat… The only person who’s always gonna have your back is you. You can’t give everybody handouts, because you never really know someone’s true intentions.”

CashNasty also shared his thoughts, expressing shock and disappointment over the situation. He said he especially hates thieves when they steal from someone who would’ve done anything for them.

Agent reacts to YourRage ending his 25-year friendship with his best friend after he stole $100k, saying this is exactly why he has no best friends because anyone can betray you and hopes Rage doesn’t see every other person like that

“Send your prayers for Rage. That’s one of… pic.twitter.com/12JBxgxkHy

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— Clipit (@dontclipit) June 30, 2026

Social Media Reacts 

Folks gathered across social media as they reacted to the clip of YourRAGE. While many said they were heartbroken for him, others shared that this is the unfortunate reality of some friendships. Meanwhile, some felt the emotional conversation between YourRAGE and Greg should have remained private rather than being shared online.

Instagram user @beresowavey wrote, “It be the ones closest too you 😒”

Instagram user @blackcharcoal added, “Man that boy hurt. You can feel it. Coulda just asked instead of taking smh.”

While Instagram user @nyakaiorr_ wrote, “He ain’t have to post this.”

Instagram user @originally.bre wrote, “50 bandsss??? And you ain’t notic”

Instagram user @theetrillestbih added, “yall tb “you ain notice” 😂😂😂 gng it don’t even matter g ur best friend stealing from you is something you would never expect like that’s top 5 worst things that could happen in a friendship”

While Instagram user @kaylabooks1 wrote, “Wait this not a twitch skit I swear I never know wen shit real😂😂😂😂”

Instagram user @_nostalgia3_6h 6h. Wrote, “this is a deep hurt. you’re FORCED to put your hands on them, off principle.. but the love you THOUGHT yall had be holding you back from maxing completely. you be hurt frfr. it’s not even anger. 😭”

Instagram user @p23emilio added, “Wow L Greg”

While Instagram user @tabby_loveee3 wrote, “25 years-if you do the math, they’ve known each other since they were about three, so it’s likely their parents were friends and they basically grew up together. That’s a whole different kind of hurt. so sorry rage.”

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By Jeffrey Rapaport
| Published 29 seconds ago

One reason we love Netflix is that, like any good streaming service, the platform offers a lot of options. However, the sprawling catalog can sometimes inspire decision paralysis. If you want to lock in on something worth your time, consider Project Power: the thrilling, R-rated film weaving together threads of sci-fi, action, and a dash of real-world commentary into a compelling, singular tapestry. 

Visionary directing duo Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman shot the 2020 film, sporting a unique narrative penned by Mattson Tomlin; their collaborative efforts engineered a cinematic venture that hooked audiences with its novel premise: a pill granting temporary superpowers. Moreover, the movie admirably grounds its tale in the gritty, vibrant streets of near-future New Orleans. It provides a multifaceted exploration of Power, whether supernatural or societal.

Superpowers With A Twist

Project Power begins in the not-too-distant future, when a new drug, unsubtly termed “Power,” has hit the streets. The drug offers users a tantalizing yet dangerous proposition: five minutes of pure, unadulterated superhuman abilities. We’re talking super strength, invisibility, bullet-dodging, you name it. The catch? The powers are unpredictable and unruly, varying widely from user to user and, most damningly, often accompanied by dangerous side effects (including death). 

Jumping from high-concept sci-fi futurism to the intimate, even sociological fabric of fictionalized New Orleans, Project Power’s principal characters are Art, played wonderfully by Jamie Foxx, a former soldier harboring a vendetta; Frank, the ’90s heartthrob Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a local cop bending the rules to protect the city; and Robin, played commendably by Dominique Fishback, a brainy, resourceful teen dealing drugs to care for her ailing mother. 

Different Motivation

Each character retains their burning desire to locate the source of the Power pills, wreaking havoc in their city in the process.

Art’s quest in Project Power is incredibly personal. Tracy (Kyanna Simone), his daughter, was kidnapped by the shadowy, nefarious group behind the drug. Born with natural superpowers due to Art’s exposure to experimental drugs during his deployment, Tracy’s unique genetics mean she’s a perfect guinea pig for the manufacture of the power pills. His mission constitutes a desperate rescue opp. 

Whereas Frank, on the other hand, witnesses the devastation the narcotic inflicts on his city. Though Frank employs Power to compete with the criminal underworld, he’s nonetheless, motivated by a sense of duty to halt the drug’s spread and expose those responsible for it. 

Thirdly, Robins’s involvement with Power is initially strictly business. However, her journey grows increasingly intertwined with Art and Franks, evolving her into an integral ally in their crusade. With her quick wit and street smarts, she becomes indispensable. At the same time, her personal growth is a central theme of Project Power. 

Pure, Genre-Blending Bliss

Fusing realism and high-concept sci-fi thematics, themselves borrowing heavily from the superhero universe, the film admirably achieves a simultaneity of genres. In this, it reminds viewers of genre-bending hits like District 9 and Bone Tomahawk. Indeed, at its heart, the movie amounts to more than impressively stylistic, action-packed set pieces, and delves into ethical and moral quandaries posed by its central conceit. 

The film questions the nature of power beyond the drug’s scope; who has it, who wants it, and at what cost? The film scores ethical points, as well, for shining a spotlight on New Orleans. More than a mere backdrop, the city functions as a living, breathing character in Project Power, enriching the film with its cultural tapestry and post-Katrina resilience. All of which offer a poignant context for the movie’s meditation on power dynamics, whether sci-fi or systemic. 

Mixed Thoughts

On the critical side, the movie received mixed reviews, ranging from positive to lukewarm, and currently sitting with a 61 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics ardently enjoyed its action sequences, impactful visuals, and performances, principally Fishback’s. That said, experts leveled some criticism at its screenplay, with some suggesting the project’s ambitious premise could have been explored more deeply.

That said, Project Power enjoyed success on Netflix; it became one of the platform’s most-streamed films upon release. Indeed, the streaming service reveals that 75 million accounts streamed the movie within a month of its release. 

Music fans, especially hip-hop aficionados, should consider the film, too, given it features a prominent supporting role by Colson Baker, otherwise known as Machine Gun Kelly, who plays a drug dealer trafficking in Power.

Ultimately, for a sci-fi thrill ride sure to impress with its unique concept and powerful performances, stream Project Power today. 

India Arie had something to say about Yung Miami‘s hit song for the summer, ‘Spend Dat,’ and she sparked an internet debate in the process. ‘The Truth’ singer replied to comments on Threads about boycotting the track, and the internet was quick to share their opinions. Now, she’s circling back to clarify what she meant and where she stands. Meanwhile, Caresha seemingly hasn’t responded.

RELATED: India Arie Reveals She Is Boycotting Spotify Following Joe Rogan’s Remarks About COVID-19 & His Repeated Use Of The N-Word

India Arie Agrees With Fan About Yung Miami’s Song ‘Spend Dat’

Yung Miami dropped ‘Spend Dat’ back in April, and the song praises scamming folks and spending money (This for all my scammers︱and my get-money b*tches). The song reached No. 25 on the Billboard Top 100 and is being celebrated as a summer jam, but not by everyone.

One Instagram user commented that the song was degrading to the culture, and India Arie seemed to agree. @mrs.mj.tedla wrote, “I’m calling for a boycott of Yung Miami’s song Spend Dat.’ I believe it’s degrading to our culture. At some point, we have to take seriously the power music has over our perception and the values it reinforces. This can’t be the song of the Summer.”

The Grammy Award winner replied to the comment, advising folks to make “wise choices.”

“I spent my entire adult life, caring way too much,” she wrote. “Because I finally learned that not everybody Cares ( with a capital C) And explaining it to them is not gonna make them care. Everything you listen to see or eat is going to influence you. So make wise choices y’all. The mass acceptance of this song itself is a CRYSTAL CLEAR sign of the bigger problem.”

In another Threads post, India added:

“I finally realized that not everybody wants to get free, and it was a VERY rude awakening. I finally realized that not EVERYBODY wants to get free. And it was a very, very, very rude awakening. smh. because the mass acceptance of this song is a crystal clear sign of this much bigger truth.”

India Clarifies Her Stance On The Song Of The Summer 

Following viral conversations about her stance, India Arie popped into her Instagram Stories to clarify that she was not advocating for a boycott.

“FOR CLARITY!! I did not say that I think anyone needs to boycott this song I said it is a sign of where we are as a culture that this song has been accepted so widely. And… THATS FACTS,” she wrote. “I THINK – people should do whatever they WANT TO DO. you do what you wanna do. I’ll do what I wanna do. And that’s that. MEANWHILE I also said, that the way we are embracing the songs says a lot about where we are as a culture, which … IS JUST FACTS.”

The recording artist also responded to a fan who called out the singer’s generation bringing Salt-N-Pepa and Lil’ Kim into it, and she delivered plenty of shade.

“You’re the one person I’m gonna answer today. I’ve been speaking out about this since my first television appearance in 2001 with Bill Maher (what year were you born by the way?) A DE ROOM I never said a raunchy song shouldn’t exist I think a lot of times they exist in the wrong context But I have said that many MANY MANY TIMES. MANY way. just so you know……”

India Arie’s Comments Sparked An Internet Debate

Reactions to the recording artist’s comments were mixed as several folks agreed with the ‘Get It Together’ singer while others thought a boycott goes too far.

Music Producer Hitmaka Also Criticized ‘Spend Dat’

Music producer Hitmaka appeared on ‘The Truth After Dark‘ podcast on June 29, and he said ‘Spend Dat’ represents “ho behavior.”

RELATED: Too Far? Woman & Mom Arrested After Allegedly Stealing $7K Worth Of Louis Vuitton Purses & Posting Video To Yung Miami’s ‘Spend Dat’

HBO’s Harry Potter series may already have its new Harry, Ron, Hermione, and most of the Weasley family in place, but one major character is still very much up in the air, and that could prove to be problematic when it comes to shooting the next season. While Season 1, which adapts Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is now in the process of wrapping, the next chapter needs a new addition before things can move forward.

The show is now openly searching for a new Ginny Weasley after Gracie Cochrane exited the role following Season 1, and the latest update suggests the replacement process is still underway. A new open casting call has been launched for a child actor to play Ginny in the HBO Original adaptation. The listing confirms that applicants must be UK residents aged between 10 and 12, with submissions required to come from a parent or legal guardian through the Cast It website.

The search follows the news last month that Cochrane would not return for Season 2 due to “unforeseen circumstances.” In a statement at the time, Cochrane and her family said that stepping away from the role had been a difficult decision, while HBO said it supported the young actor and wished her the best.

Getting the right actor to play Ginny for Season 2 is imperative for HBO. While Ginny plays a small part, almost a cameo, in the first book, she becomes a key part of the story in Chamber of Secrets and, of course, ends up becoming romantically entangled with Harry towards the latter stages of J.K. Rowling’s seven books.

Who Stars in ‘Harry Potter’?

The cast includes Dominic McLaughlin (Grow) as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton (Matilda: The Musical) as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow (Conclave) as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer (Ozark) as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) as Rubeus Hagrid. Currently, nobody has been cast to play Lord Voldemort, despite speculation linking A-list names like Paul Bettany, Cillian Murphy and Robert James Collier with the role.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, with Mark Mylod executive producing and directing multiple episodes. The series will air on HBO and stream on HBO Max from Christmas Day.

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Release Date

2026 – 2026

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Showrunner

Francisca Gardiner

Directors

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Mark Mylod

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As the World Turns alum Colleen Zenk is facing DUI charges after an arrest in Florida.

Multiple outlets confirmed that Zenk, 73, was arrested in May after a two-vehicle crash. The soap star was charged with two misdemeanors: DUI causing damage to property or another person and DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher.

“The charges are being defended. Ms. Zenk has not been convicted of anything,” a rep for Zenk said in a statement to People. “The truth will be played out in court.”

According to the arrest report, which was obtained by Soap Opera Network, a witness told the authorities that they saw Zenk backing out of a handicap parking space when her vehicle struck a parked car.

Zenk allegedly continued driving before she was stopped. After exiting her car, Zenk showed signs of unsteadiness. The responding sergeant wrote in his report that he detected the odor of alcohol.

While speaking with the authorities at the scene, Zenk said she consumed “two wine cups.” She agreed to perform field sobriety exercises before showing various signs of impairment, including issues with balance and difficulty following instructions.

Deputies placed Zenk under arrest after the field sobriety exercises. Zenk ultimately provided two breath samples measuring 0.206 and 0.192 BAC.

Zenk posted bond after her arrest and entered a not guilty plea. Her next scheduled court appearance is a hearing on July 29.

The actress, who is best known for her role as Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns, was previously charged with a first-offense DUI in 2017. She was also arrested in 2010 after the authorities observed her allegedly driving erratically and crossed into an oncoming lane, which resulted in DUI-related charges and an improper lane usage charge.

Zenk appeared on As the World Turns for more than three decades from 1978 until the series ended in 2010. She marked her return to daytime TV in 2023 with a role on The Young and the Restless.

Related: Demi Moore and More Stars Who Got Their Start on Soap Operas

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Many celebrities have soap operas to thank for launching their careers. Before becoming an Oscar winner, Julianne Moore got her start on As the World Turns in 1988. She portrayed sisters Frannie Hughes and Sabrina Hughes, which scored her a Daytime Emmy in 1988. Moore eventually exited the series to kickstart her film career. Thank […]

Zenk’s character, Jordan, didn’t last long, however, and was ultimately killed off in 2025.

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“I’m sad Jordan went away so quickly,” Zenk told TV Insider at the time. “I thought that Ian [Ray Wise] and Jordan would go out like Bonnie and Clyde together.”

Zenk expressed gratitude for the ability to book her first soap role in more than 13 years after As the World Turns.

“I can still do this,” she said. “And for my age with no work, I look pretty good on camera, not too bad. For a 72-year-old woman to be given this kind of opportunity, I’d jump in again.”

Kevin Costner‘s departure from Yellowstone was one of the biggest entertainment stories going when it happened. The lead in the biggest television show on streaming at that time, Costner and series creator Taylor Sheridan reportedly went head to head over creative differences, and Sheridan won, with Costner walking away from the show. Well, that’s how it was reported, but according to Sheridan, that’s not exactly how it went down.

Speaking on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Sheridan said Costner was originally only meant to lead the series for three seasons, with the story eventually shifting focus to the next generation of the Dutton family, particularly Kayce (Luke Grimes).

“The notion of giving up a hit before it had run out of juice to squeeze is very foreign to a network,” Sheridan said. “Finally, Kevin hit a point where he said, ‘I gotta do my own thing.’ But we originally conceived it together that it was three seasons, and then the baton is handed — because we had to tread water for a bit there, and I think it was pretty evident.”

What Happened to John Dutton in ‘Yellowstone’?

Then, obviously, Yellowstone became far bigger than anyone expected, which led Paramount to extend the show beyond its initial plan and keep John Dutton at the centre for longer. John was supposed to hand over the position of power to Kayce, but given that Costner was at the heart of the golden goose, they were reluctant to move on. When Costner ultimately decided he wanted to focus on “his own thing,” the planned handover had become much messier than it might have been after three seasons.

Costner exited during the split fifth and final season, with John Dutton killed off in the first episode of the show’s final batch. The actor had previously pointed to scheduling issues and continued changes to the production as part of the reason he could not return — mainly shooting his own Western passion project, Horizon.

The rest of the main cast includes Kelly Reilly (Pride & Prejudice) as Beth Dutton, Cole Hauser (Good Will Hunting) as Rip Wheeler, Wes Bentley (American Beauty) as Jamie Dutton, Kelsey Asbille (Wind River) as Monica Dutton, and Gil Birmingham (Twilight) as Chairman Thomas Rainwater

Yellowstone is streaming now on Paramount+.

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Release Date

2018 – 2024

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Network

Paramount Network

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Directors

Stephen Kay, Taylor Sheridan, Christina Alexandra Voros, Guy Ferland, John Dahl

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John Coveny, Ian McCulloch

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 33 seconds ago

When X-Men ‘97 premiered, it came in like the proverbial wrecking ball. At that point, superhero fatigue was bad enough that many fans were worried whether Marvel (whose live-action films had become very hit-or-miss) still had the juice to create something awesome. Throw in the fact that this was a revival of an absolutely beloved ‘90s cartoon, and we were all very nervous that the writers and animators would drop the ball and ruin an iconic part of our childhood. Fortunately, we worried for nothing: X-Men ‘97 Season 1 was the best thing Marvel made in years, providing episode after episode of nostalgic perfection.

In fact, the only bad thing about X-Men ‘97 was the wait for more. After the final episode streamed back in 2024, we had to sit back and wait a couple of years for another season. It’s been a long wait, but I’m happy to report that it was well worth it. The first three episodes of X-Men ‘97 Season 2 are now streaming on Disney+, and the show picks up right where it left off, with half the team stuck in the distant past and the other half stuck in the far future. Each episode raises the bar for superhero storytelling with ambitious plots and the best character-building on modern television.

When The Past Blasts Back

The plot of X-Men ‘97 Season 2 begins with one half of the team (including Cyclops, Jean Grey, Morph, and Wolverine) tossed into a dystopian adventure in which Apocalypse reigns supreme. There, they try to help the young Nathan Summers (who grows up to become Cable), fight the forces of Apocalypse, and make their way home. Meanwhile, the other half of the team (including Professor X, Magneto, Nightcrawler, and Beast) are tossed into ancient Egypt, where Apocalypse is a rebel fighting against a tyrant. There, Magneto gives him lessons about fighting oppressors, which may lead to either a Golden Age for mutants or a cruel, never-ending Age of Apocalypse.

As you might imagine, both groups of X-Men are very resourceful, and they make allies that help them in their struggle to get (as Bishop so memorably says) “back to the ‘90s.” But they also have a little help: Forge jumps into the future to help Cyclops and Jean’s group while Bishop jumps into the past to help Professor X and Magneto’s group. The real wild card is Cable, who assembles his own X-Force team comprised of himself, Psylocke, Archangel, Sunspot, and Jubilee. They investigate Apocalypse in the present day, but they run into an unexpected enemy: X-Factor, a government-sanctioned mutant team led by Cyclops’ brother.

Redefining Future Shock

Like X-Men ‘97 Season 1, Season 2 does an excellent job of folding various comic book storylines into the animated continuity in new and exciting ways. For example, the X-Force and X-Factor teams in this show will look familiar to any fans of ‘90s X-Men comics, but they have different origins, both being formed in response to the events of the previous season. X-Factor is the government’s response to the disappearance of the X-Men, basically filling the vacuum with their own tame group of superpowered mutants. X-Force is basically a gamble, with Cable assembling a team with the mix of knowledge and skills necessary to hit Apocalypse when he least expects it. 

There are other great nods to different eras of X-Men comics, including Wolverine wearing the same awful bandana he wore in the comics after the adamantium was leached from his bones. Plenty of the young mutants introduced in Grant Morrison’s New X-Men make an appearance, including Quentin Quire and the Cuckoos. As predicted, the future scenes draw plenty of inspiration from The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix miniseries, and the past scenes draw heavily from the Rise of Apocalypse miniseries. Fortunately, everything onscreen makes sense in context, meaning you can easily follow along even if you’ve never read any of these comics.

When Beautiful Animation Meets Killer Voice Acting

The voice acting in X-Men ‘97 Season 2 remains top-notch. The returning cast does an excellent job, but it’s arguably the newcomers who shine brightest. For example, Michael Johnston (of Obsession fame) is excellent as Nathan Summers. Meanwhile, the new Big Bad has two perfect voice actors: Ross Marquand voices the creepier Apocalypse of the future, while Adetokumboh M’Cormack voices the younger version, who goes by En Sabah Nur. As for the returning cast, I was impressed with Chris Potter’s Cable, and I wouldn’t be much of a gamer if I didn’t give a shout-out to Jean Grey voice actor Jennifer Hale (you’ll always be my Commander Shepard).

In short, X-Men ‘97 Season 2 is more than a worthy follow-up to Season 1. It fires on all cylinders, pairing beautiful animation with writing that really respects these mutants and their tangled decades of lore. The voice acting is fantastic, and each episode leaves you wanting more. The first three episodes are out now on Disney+; starting next week, the streamer will release one episode at a time. That may be frustrating if you’re someone who likes to binge your favorite entertainment. Trust me, though: this newest season of X-Men ‘97 is definitely worth savoring. 

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 19 seconds ago

Okay, confession time: long before Supergirl became a critical and commercial bomb, I lauded the DCU as a worthy successor to the MCU. Marvel’s formula had gotten tired and stale, and superhero fatigue seemed like it would be the kiss of death for the House of Ideas. By comparison, Superman seemed like a fresh take on building a cinematic universe from the ground up. Directed by DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, Superman was a powerful counterpoint to everyone’s collective cynicism, proving that the world was downright hungry for colorful comic book movies built on a foundation of relentless hope for a better tomorrow. 

Gunn kept the momentum up with Peacemaker Season 2, which proved to be a smash hit. However, Supergirl (directed by Craig Gillespie, who is clearly aping Gunn’s style) has proven to be an instant misfire for the studio: it’s been deemed “rotten” on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s currently set to lose the studio a whopping $125 million. Now, as if doubling down on failure, DC is hard at work on a Deathstroke and Bane team-up movie. Instead of blazing their own successful trail, it seems like Gunn is content to rip off Sony’s failed supervillain formula, making multiple movies around Batman bad guys before making a Batman movie!

Somehow, Morbin’ Time Returned

Back in the ‘90s, Marvel was going bankrupt, and the company stayed afloat by selling the film rights to some of their most popular characters. This included selling both the X-Men and the Fantastic Four rights to 20th Century Fox; after a merger, those characters are now fair game for the MCU. But they sold Spider-Man to Sony, which has clung to those film rights for dear life. Now, when the hero appears in a Marvel Studios blockbuster like Spider-Man: Brand New Day, he can only do so after extensive negotiations and complex agreements with Sony. As for Sony, they now avoid releasing live-action Spider-Man movies of their own.

Instead, they embraced the utterly insane strategy of releasing movies focusing on Spider-Man’s villains, not. That’s how we got films dedicated to Venom, Morbius, and Kraven the Hunter. He was similarly absent from the Madame Web movie. Notably, only the Venom movies were a success, and everything else was a critical and commercial flop. The lesson there is simple: audiences don’t want Spider-Man movies that don’t have Spider-Man in them. Simple, right? Now, however, Deadline reports that periodic Peacemaker director Greg Mottola is the frontrunner to direct Deathstroke and Bane, a film teaming up two of Batman’s villains. There’s just one problem…the DCU doesn’t have a Batman for them to fight!

It’s Happening Again

Deathstroke and Bane doesn’t yet have a release date, and no contracts have been signed. So there’s a chance it will come out after Batman has been introduced to the DCU. However, it seems bad that we have heard so few definitive announcements about The Brave and the Bold, Batman’s first film in this cinematic universe. Aside from rumors, we don’t know for sure who will be playing the Caped Crusader or who will direct the movie. However, the Clayface movie has already been filmed, and it seems like Deathstroke and Bane is about to have its director announced. That leaves one question for James Gunn: what the heck are you doing?

DC Studios co-CEO Gunn is cheerfully replicating Sony’s failed formula and trying to introduce an entire rogue’s gallery of Batman villains via movies that won’t actually have Batman in them. Before this past weekend, I would have assumed that Gunn, a fan-favorite director, had some kind of vision for his cinematic universe that I just couldn’t see or understand. But he championed Supergirl’s script and moved that film’s production up, yet it became a critical and commercial bomb. That film is set to lose $125 million, and one reason for this is that Supergirl is a less familiar character. How much worse will the box office be when freakin’ Deathstroke and Bane are the headliners? 

There’s an outside chance this strategy could work. Maybe DCU fans will glom onto Bane, Clayface, and Deathstroke the way that Sony fans glommed onto Venom. But James Gunn is making an absolutely crazy roll of the dice by pairing weird, unpopular characters on the big screen. He’s doing it on the small screen, too, by greenlighting insanity like the Jimmy Olsen/Gorilla Grodd TV show. Should these projects prove successful, Gunn will be lauded as a visionary who built a winning cinematic universe, one quirk at a time. Should they bomb like Supergirl, though, his career will implode, taking all of your favorite DC film and TV projects along with it.