Going into the Easter long weekend, these are the news headlines, announcements and reveals that made it into this shorter recap stretch. First up, though, mention must go to the passing of comedian and voice over artist Gilbert Gottfried at the age of 67, after a long illness. If you don’t know Gottfried’s name, you should recognise his voice, as he vocalised such animated characters as Iago the parrot in Aladdin, and Superman villain Mister Mxyzptlk.
Film
Nimona lives! Last year ND (formerly Noelle) Stevenson fans were upset when an animated film adaptation of the cartoonist’s award-winning web comic was cancelled. Despite being a reported 75% finished at Blue Sky Studios – makers of Ice Age, Rio, and Spies in Disguise – the film was canned when Disney purchased 20th Century Fox and shut Fox subsidiary Blue Sky in April 2021.
Well, it turns out that Annapurna and Netflix picked up the project, with DNEG Feature Animation taking over production. Set in a tech-meets-fantasy kingdom, Nimona is a LGBTQA+ friendly tale of a feisty shape shifter who joins forces with oddly ethical villain Ballister Blackheart to destroy the kingdom’s over-controlling authorities. Nimona features the voices of Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, and Eugene Lee Yang, and is set for release (finally) in 2023. More here.
In terms of casting news, the biggest surprise of the week is that Captain Marvel star Brie Larson has signed up for the still untitled tenth film in the Fast & Furious franchise. She’s joining fellow new addition Jason Momoa. Larson’s character is unknown at this point, but F10 is out May 19, 2023.
Also, hey, Will Ferrell will be in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie alongside Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrara, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu and more. Barbie is out next year.
Meanwhile, Zack Snyder’s sci-fi passion project, Rebel Moon, continues to expand its cast. Joining the likes of Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Doona Bae and Ray Fisher now are Cary Elwes, Corey Stoll, Haunting of Hill House’s Michiel Huisman and Sense8 star Alfonso Herrera.
Snyder’s answer to Star Wars – about a peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy that is threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruler – will be a two-part epic set for release on Netflix in 2024.
Television
Season 4 of Stranger Things finally has a release date, and an intense full-length trailer. We knew the 9-episode season of Netflix’s 80’s set horror sci-fi show was going to release in two volumes in the North American summer. Now we know the exact details. Volume 1 will drop on Netflix on May 27, 2022, and Vol. 2 two six weeks later on July 1, 2022.
The penultimate season of Stranger Things promises to dive into the mythology of dark mirror universe The Upside Down, and features extra-length episodes (none are under 60 minutes) to cram in all the action.
Gaming
PS5 exclusive Returnal was the big winner at the 2022 BAFTA Games Awards, which held its ceremony last weekend. Housemarque’s sci-fi time loop shooter took home four awards, including the biggie: Best Game. Also scoring multiple wins were Unpacking, It Takes Two and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Check out all the nominees and winners here.
