With production now gearing up for the start of filming in early July, "Thor: Ragnarok" directorTaika Waititi is about to fully enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Waititi -- a comedian and director from New Zealand most known in the U.S. for his work on "Flight of the Conchords" and the vampire mockumentary "What We Do In The Shadows" -- might seem like an odd fit for Marvel's most epic franchise, but in a recent chat with The Verge, Waititi revealed that his partnership with Marvel is going epically well.

"It hasn't been that different," said Waititi when asked about the freedom he has on "Thor" as compared to his previous features. "So far it's been good! I've been more organized, which is saying something, for a guy like me to be organized. I'm surrounded by really intelligent, amazing people. I've got access to great minds and great resources. So I'm at a real advantage. In terms of the studio thing, these people don't act like a studio. They're cool, smart storytellers. I've been enjoying hanging out with them. And I've made commercials, so I've worked with the worst people in the world. Nothing could be more restrictive than working with people in advertising."

He also commented on just how much of his specific voice and sense of humor will be present in "Thor: Ragnarok." "Yes, it will [sound like me]. Until it doesn't," said Waititi, with a laugh. "I don't know, I can only hope. I've got to bring as much of myself as I can to this, and then see how it goes. You obviously need people overseeing the bigger picture, the next five movies or whatever. Otherwise we'd all be left to our own devices, and God knows what would happen."

Directed by Waititi, "Thor: Ragnarok" stars franchise veterans Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Idris Elba as Heimdall and Anthony Hopkins as Odin. They're joined by Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/the Hulk, Cate Blanchett as Hela, Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie and Karl Urban as Skurge.

"Thor: Ragnarok" opens November 3, 2017.

The Guardians of the Galaxy could’ve been very different if actor Joel Edgerton could’ve figured out the right tone. The actor who played the younger version of Luke Skywalker’s Uncle Owen had a chance to audition for the role of Star Lord but says he just couldn’t nail down the tone writer/director James Gunn was looking for. “Star-Lord’s a good one, actually, because I, unlike Chris [Pratt], didn’t quite sort of understand the tone of it the way he did and the way that those guys did. And I wasn’t really sure how I could be a part of that tone. And I truly think that the world is a much better place that I’m not Star-Lord, even if I had the opportunity or I did a good enough audition because it is the way it’s meant to be. And there was never a real conversation that it would have definitely been me. It was just, I had the opportunity to try and audition. I just didn’t quite understand it.” It’s well known that Gunn auditioned a lot of different actors before landing on Chris Pratt who went on to also star in two sequels and two Avengers movies. 

Sigourney Weaver is in talks to head back into space. The actress who has starred in both the Aliens and Ghostbusters franchises and even hopped into the MCU with a role in The Defenders, is now in talks to be part of the upcoming The Mandalorian & Grogu movie. The Jon Favreau directed film is slated to start shooting later this year and scheduled to be released on May 22nd, 2026 and while it’s unknown what character they are talking to Weaver about, its reported to be a key role. This will be the first Star Wars film to hit theaters since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019 which took in $1 billion worldwide.

While it may have been overshadowed by the Galactus casting news, another big name was added the same day. John Malkovich has also come aboard for a role in The Fantastic Four. This goes with the recent additions of Ralph Ineson and Paul Walter Hauser, and like with Hauser, Malkovich’s role is under wraps for now, along with the plot of the film. Marvel has previously announced the lead roles which include Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing). News broke last week that Hauser signed on for an undisclosed role and of course there was the announcement that Julia Garner was going to play Shalla-Bal, a version of Silver Surfer. WandaVision‘s Matt Shakman is directing from a script by Eric Pearson, Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer with the film slated to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. And while we don't know who Malkovich will be playing, he does have a look that would work for villains like Red Ghost or Puppet Master. He could also voice HERBIE the robot.  

Jeff Bridges is set to star as classic monster Grendel in a new live-action movie from the storied Jim Henson Company and director Robert D. Krzykowsk. Palisades Park Pictures is set to launch sales at Cannes for Grendel, which is billed as the “tale of the legendary monster at the heart of the Beowulf epic poem who steps forth to tell his side of this riveting story.” Jim Henson’s Creature Shop will handle the practical creature work and design. Dave Bautista is set to play Beowulf, with Bryan Cranston set as King Hrothgar, Sam Elliott as The Dragon, Thomasin McKenzie as Queen Wealhtheow and Aidan Turner as Unferth. T Bone Burnett will also star and provide original songs for the film. Krzykowski will direct from a screenplay he adapted from John Gardner’s novel of the same name. (via THR)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings screenwriter Dave Callaham is going from the Marvelverse to the Monsterverse.The scribe, known for his action acumen, has been tapped to pen the next installment of Legendary’s Godzilla/Kong monster movie series.The hiring comes in the wake of the box office success of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which has grossed close to $555 million worldwide. That is the biggest haul since 2017’s Kong: Skull Island, which peaked at $568 million. Empire, which is still in theaters, may also be one of the most profitable (if not the single most profitable) of the five movies in the series, as it only cost $135 million, per sources. Thus Legendary is keen to keep the monster juice flowing.Adam Wingard directed Empire and created the story with frequent collaborator Simon Barrett as well as Terry Rossio. Legendary has signaled it would like to see Wingard return to the director’s chair after a successful run that also included the 2021 entry Godzilla vs. Kong. But Wingard has no deal at this stage. (via THR)

Hiroyuki Sanada, star and producer of FX‘s limited series Shōgun, has closed a deal to return as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, Deadline reports. Securing Sanada, whose character’s journey to become shōgun and lead Japan to an era of peace was chronicled in the 10-episode adaptation of James Clavell’s novel, has been considered crucial to any plan to extend Shogun beyond its original installment.Other elements are still being worked out and deals are being finalized as part of an effort by FX to take Shogun to a second season in light of the big commercial and critical success of the limited series. The outcome of the effort would determine whether Shōgun would be considered a limited or drama series going forward, which could have major ramifications on the 2024 Emmy race, with the timing of the decision tied to the deadline for Emmy submissions.Shōgun is looking to move into the drama series category from the start if a determination about a potential second installment is made in time to adjust Emmy submissions. Not all the pieces are in place for that, sources said, but the significant deal with Sanada is a great start.

Frank Grillo has been cast in Season 2 of James Gunn‘s popular DC series Peacemaker. Gunn announced the news Friday on Instagram, revealing Grillo will reprise the role of Rick Flag Sr., the character he voices in Gunn’s upcoming animated series Creature Commandos. The Suicide Squad spinoff series starring John Cena follows the escapades of Peacemaker, a role that Cena originated on Gunn’s 2021 film. Peacemaker is a vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it. The show’s cast includes Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick. Gunn teased last month that Season 2 had begun production. (via Deadline)

Top Cow Productions is pleased to share an exciting peek into the new world of Witchblade with a trailer video featuring New York Times bestselling writer Marguerite Bennett and the legendary Marc Silvestri on what's in store for readers this July from Image Comics. This new Witchblade #1 will be penned by Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and drawn by fan-favorite artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo will work closely with Silvestri (Top Cow CEO, Image Comics co-founder, and original Witchblade co-creator). Together, the team will reintroduce the this popular action-packed, crime noir series to longtime die-hard fans and new readers alike. This forthcoming Witchblade #1 will feature a reimagined origin, with contemporary takes on familiar characters, as well as fresh story arcs to hook new fans and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the '90s Image Revolution. New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini's life is forever fractured by her father's murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power? ...Or will she be consumed by it?

Witchblade #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17, at only $4.99 for 48 pages. The Final Order Cutoff deadline for comic shop retailers is Monday, June 24:

Cover A by Silvestri and Arif Prianto - Lunar Code 0524IM221

Cover B by Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto - Lunar Code 0524IM222

Cover C Blank Sketch Cover - Lunar Code 0524IM223

Cover D (1:10 copy incentive) by Dani and Brad Simpson - Lunar Code 0524IM224

Cover E (1:25 copy incentive) by Silvestri and Prianto, virgin cover - Lunar Code 0524IM225

Cover F (1:50 copy incentive) by J. Scott Campbell - Lunar Code 0524IM226

Cover G (1:100 copy incentive) by Bill Sienkiewicz - Lunar Code 0524IM227

Cover H (1:250 copy incentive) line art by Marc Silvestri, virgin cover, B&W inks - Lunar Code 0524IM228Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Ralph Ineson, the British actor whose three-decade career ranges from the Harry Potter movies to recent horror prequel The First Omen, has landed the plum part of Galactus, the antagonist in Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four. The high-profile, big-budget outing, the Fantastic Four’s first under the Marvel Cinematic Universe umbrella, has been casting up in recent weeks ahead of a planned mid-summer shoot in England. On the call sheet are Perdro Pascal as scientist Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as her hot-heated brother Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richards’ friend with body issues, Ben Grimm/The Thing. Also cast are Julia Garner as a female Silver Surfer and Paul Walter Hauser in an undisclosed role, which some have theorized could be Mole Man or the robot H.E.R.B.I.E. John Malkovich is also signed on. Matt Shakman is directing the new Fantastic Four feature, which has Marvel taking the interesting creative choice of setting the story in the 1960s, the era when the super-team was first created. Eric Pearson, Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer wrote the screenplay. Peter Cameron (WandaVision) has also done some writing on the project. (via THR)

Mr. ZIP™ is back for a whole new generation, and his latest mission for kids is a deep dive into S.T.E.A.M. subjects across a fun-filled activity book, from the United States Postal Service® (USPS), under license with Curiosity Ink Media (a division of Grom Social Enterprises, Inc.), and distributed by Dynamite Entertainment.

Children can explore science, technology, engineering, math, and even art alongside the hardworking hero of the Postal Service in this new summer release. Writer Carrie Rodell and artist Laura Catrinella have assembled 80 pages full of fun. Each page is jam-packed with mazes to solve, differences to spot, cool activities, and much more.

The book focuses on S.T.E.A.M. subjects, as educators and parents look to integrate the arts alongside traditional science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines. This innovative approach to education emphasizes critical thinking, imaginative and creative approaches to academic challenges, and real-world problems.

Mr. ZIP's Super Steam Activity Book is a top choice for 3-to-5-year-olds getting a head-start on critical skills and seeking fun!

The USPS introduced Mr. ZIP, or “Zippy” in 1963 as a fun cartoon personification to help spur widespread usage of the new ZIP Code™ system. The USPS, Curiosity, and Dynamite are excited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this classic American icon as he stars in a new series of licensed books. Young readers can also seek out Mr. ZIP's Windy Day to follow an adventure and have fun with liftable flaps throughout and can look forward to Mr. ZIP’s Day in the Countryside and Where’s MR. ZIP?, coming this fall.


MR. ZIP'S SUPER STEAM ACTIVITY BOOK will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ May 2024 Previews catalog and slated for release in July 2024.