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CLAYFACE Overcomes a Slow Start With a Fantastic Finish (Review) Nerdist’s reviewer found the first half of Clayface merely “fine.” It follows an early-2000s superhero template, spends too long explaining the science behind Matt Hagen’s transformation, and has a romantic subplot. It’s also very gruesome, with realistic body horror (face slicing, needles near the eyes) that made the reviewer look away. The second half is described as an absolute blast: once Tom Rhys Harries’ Hagen embraces his powers and goes after revenge, the film becomes creative, funny, and horrifying, with inventive shape-shifting and a long, satisfying climactic set piece. The review calls Harries’ performance star-making, and praises Naomi Ackie as Dr. Caitlyn Corr, Max Minghella as Detective John Borelli, Joshua James, Eddie Marsan, Ruby Sear, and David Dencik. It also says the CGI and makeup work, and the film stands on its own with little connection to Batman or the wider DCU. It opens October 23. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/clayface-dcu-movie-review/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neiman Marcus Selling $182,000 STAR WARS Legacy Experience Neiman Marcus’s 2026 Fantasy Gifts collection includes a $182,500 Star Wars Legacy Experience. The package covers a private visit for four to Lucasfilm and ILM headquarters in San Francisco’s Presidio. It also includes a one-of-a-kind replica Ahsoka season two lightsaber hilt signed by Dave Filoni, a consultation to design custom lightsabers, four tickets to a Star Wars world premiere and after-party, and a visit to an active Lucasfilm production. The author jokes that for that price you should get a speaking role in a Star Wars film, but notes that buyers likely won’t care about the value. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/neiman-marcus-182500-dollar-star-wars-legacy-experience/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Manganiello Reveals Deathstroke Plot for DCEU Batman Film In his memoir Bloodlines, Manganiello describes Ben Affleck’s canceled solo Batman film, which Affleck called “a superhero version of David Fincher’s The Game.” Deathstroke would have been led to believe Batman killed his son and would then “dismantle Batman’s entire life,” including killing Commissioner Gordon, kidnapping Alfred, and breaking into the Batcave. A midpoint set piece would have shown him nearly killing both Batman and Batgirl before they escape on an aboveground train, and the finale would have been a one-on-one fight through Gotham inspired by Arkham Asylum. Affleck scrapped the film after his “career low” on Justice League. The author hopes Manganiello gets another shot at the role, noting that a Bane/Deathstroke film is in development. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/joe-manganiello-reveals-deathstroke-plot-for-dceu-ben-affleck-batman-film/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Hutcherson and Mackenzie Davis Cast as Mister Miracle and Big Barda James Gunn announced that Josh Hutcherson will voice Mister Miracle (Scott Free) and Mackenzie Davis will voice Big Barda in DC Studios’ adult-oriented animated Mister Miracle series, based on Tom King and Mitch Gerad’s acclaimed 2017 miniseries. By implication they’d play the characters in live-action if the DCU gets there. The article recaps the characters’ origins in Jack Kirby’s Fourth World, with Scott Free raised as Darkseid’s ward and Barda a former Female Fury from Apokolips, and notes the casting honors the characters’ canonical difference in height. No premiere date has been announced. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/josh-hutcherson-and-mackenzie-davis-cast-as-mister-miracle-and-big-barda/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christopher Nolan’s THE PRESTIGE Gets Theatrical Re-Release Walt Disney Studios is re-releasing The Prestige for its 20th anniversary, in 70mm and in IMAX for the first time, on January 29. The film stars Hugh Jackman as showman Robert Angier, Christian Bale as illusionist Alfred Borden, and the late David Bowie as Nikola Tesla. Nolan said he’s thrilled to offer audiences the chance to see it on 70mm film and in IMAX. The article notes the film came out just after Bale’s first turn as Batman and while Jackman was well into his Wolverine run. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/christopher-nolan-the-prestige-theatrical-re-release-january-20th-anniversary/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2027 WARRIORS Broadway Musical Announces Cast Miranda and Eisa Davis’s gender-swapped musical of The Warriors (1979) has announced its cast, led by Jasmine Cephas Jones (Swan), Amber Gray (Ajax), and Casey Likes (Luther). Several members, including Gray, Jones, and Likes, were also on the 2024 concept album. The show draws on hip-hop, salsa, ska, and metal. Previews start March 9, 2027 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, with the official opening on April 8. General sales begin October 22, and the author says the idea sounds ridiculous but notes the same was said of Hamilton. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-warriors-broadway-musical-cast-2027-premiere/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SLAYGROUND Trailer: A Haunted Attraction Massacre Mystery A24’s thriller follows “Metal Mike” Graves, a scare actor who wakes up in a haunted attraction surrounded by his dead colleagues with no memory of what happened. The trailer sets up a mystery over whether he’s guilty or whether something supernatural is involved. The cast includes Cory Michael Smith, Chase Sui Wonders, Sophie Wilde, Imogen Poots, Matty Matheson, James Badge Dale, and Stephen Root. Although January is often a “dump month,” the author thinks A24 could break the trend. It opens January 29, 2027. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/slayground-a24-thriller-mystery-trailer-haunted-attraction-deaths/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taika Waititi Says His STAR WARS Movie Is ‘On Ice’ Waititi told Inverse that his Star Wars film, announced more than six years ago, is being put “on ice” while he works on something else with Lucasfilm. He said he has about four other movies he’s trying to make but added that “ice ages do come to an end.” Earlier this year he said the project, which he was no longer writing, was “still somewhat alive.” The author lists it among many announced Star Wars films that never materialized. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/taika-waititi-star-wars-movie-on-ice-delayed/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steven Soderbergh to Finish THE BATMAN – PART II for Matt Reeves Per Deadline, Soderbergh will finish principal photography on the film after Matt Reeves stepped away for an ongoing family matter. Filming had been underway since June. Warner Bros. says the two will work closely to fulfill Reeves’s vision, and Reeves will handle post-production. It’s unclear whether Soderbergh will get a co-directing credit or whether the February 18, 2028 release date will move. Nerdist argues this differs from the Snyder/Whedon Justice League situation, since Reeves keeps creative control. Robert Pattinson, Andy Serkis, Colin Farrell, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, and Brian Tyree Henry star. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/steven-soderbergh-to-finish-the-batman-part-ii-for-matt-reeves/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Marvel Comics History of VISIONQUEST’s Butcherbird Killer In VisionQuest, the Butcherbird killer targeting AI scientists is revealed to be a robot housing the mind of Jo Carrington (T’Nia Miller), a scientist who died in 2008. This is the MCU take on Jocasta, who debuted in Avengers #162 (1977), created by Jim Shooter and George Pérez. In the comics, Ultron built her as his “bride” using Janet Van Dyne’s brain patterns. She rebelled, helped the Avengers, developed feelings for Vision, and later joined the Mighty Avengers. In the MCU, Ultron (in Vision’s body) tricks her into disintegrating her last target, Katerina Wells (Mary McDonnell). The author says the MCU version looks more like a criminal than a hero so far. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/visionquest-mcu-series-butcherbird-marvel-comics-history-jocasta/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Douglas Wanted Hank Pym to Die, But Marvel Said No On the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Douglas said he would have been killed off after the second Ant-Man and the Wasp film but “they wouldn’t let me.” He had previously said he wanted a spectacular shrinking-and-exploding death in the third film. Nerdist agrees, saying Hank deserved a hero’s death like Odin’s in Thor: Ragnarok, and now he’ll probably die offscreen. The author also doesn’t expect a fourth Ant-Man film given Quantumania’s reception. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/michael-douglas-wanted-hank-pym-to-die-but-marvel-said-no/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who Is Clayface? DCU Movie Character, Comics History, Powers Explained A primer ahead of Clayface (October 23), directed by James Watkins and written by Mike Flanagan, with Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen. The film is a prequel to the Clayface of Creature Commandos, and it draws heavily on the Batman: The Animated Series version, where Hagen is an actor who is disfigured by mobsters and undergoes an experimental treatment that turns him into a shapeshifter. In the comics, Basil Karlo debuted in 1940 as a makeup-skilled actor. Hagen, a treasure hunter changed by a protoplasmic pool, followed in 1961. Eight characters in all have used the name, including Preston Payne, Sondra Fuller, and Cassius Payne. The article also covers the power set, including mimicking appearance and voice but not powers, and losing his own identity the longer he stays in another form. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/who-is-clayface-dcu-movie-character-comics-history-powers-explained/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THE MUMMY: BOOK OF THE DEAD Is Official Sequel Title The fourth Mummy film is officially titled The Mummy: Book of the Dead, with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz returning. Per THR, John Hannah (Evelyn’s brother Jonathan) is back too. It’s directed by Radio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett and written by David Coggeshall. Deadline reports it will open October 15, 2027, not May 19, 2028 as first reported. Fraser has said this is the story he always wanted to make. The article notes that the sequels were less loved than the original and that Weisz skipped the third film. (Originally published Feb 10, 2026, and updated.) Visit https://nerdist.com/article/the-mummy-4-happening-brendan-fraser-and-rachel-weisz-return-2027-release-date/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zendaya Will Star in Alex Garland Sci-Fi A24 Film Variety reports that Zendaya will star in Alex Garland’s untitled A24 sci-fi film, which is set to shoot in 2027. No title or plot details have been released. She had said she’d take a break in 2027, and the article jokes she’s “getting to the money” instead. She already has A24 ties through The Drama and Euphoria, and she’s attached to A24’s Ronnie Spector biopic. Filming could start late in 2027. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/zendaya-will-star-in-alex-garland-sci-fi-a24-film/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THE BEEKEEPER 2 Trailer Pits Jason Statham Against Other Beekeepers The first trailer shows Jason Statham’s Adam Clay fighting his own Beekeeper organization after it goes rogue and tries to take over the government. It includes a blowtorch-in-the-mouth moment. Pom Klementieff, Jeremy Irons, and Emmy Raver-Lampman (as Agent Verona Parker) also star. Timo Tjahjanto directs, and it opens in theaters January 15, 2027. The author hopes Klementieff’s character ends up allied with Clay so she can return for a third film. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/the-beekeeper-2-trailer-jason-statham/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.