This past week was another instance of bumping our weekly pop culture news recap to make way for a film review (for horror romance Companion). So today it’s catch-up time. Below you’ll find the stories that caught our eye from the realms of film, series, gaming and geek lifestyle.
Lifestyle
The first guest has been announced for Comic Con Cape Town 2025, and it’s a returnee: Italian comic artist Laura Braga, who last made an appearance on local shores back at FanCon 2018. Braga has worked on the likes of Witchblade, DC Bombshells, Harley Quinn, Betty and Veronica, and Star Wars: Ewoks.
Comic Con Cape Town is back to its traditional four-day format this year, and taking place at CTICC 2 from 1 to 4 May. Until the end of February, Phase 1 day passes are R210, and 4-day passes R650 through Howler. After that, Phase 2 kicks in, and prices go up.
Series
It’s a surprise, but also not a surprise. Netflix’s live-action adaptation of comic series The Sandman is ending this year with the release of Season 2. Given how long Netflix held off on greenlighting a sophomore set of episodes for the clearly very big budget show, it always seemed unlikely The Sandman would last beyond three seasons… at a push.
Variety confirmed that the two season cap was in place prior to S2 filming, although there will no doubt still be rumours that the cancellation was spurred by recent sexual assault allegations (a summary here) against The Sandman comic creator, and author, Neil Gaiman, who has been heavily involved in the show.
Since the fresh reports surfaced, with multiple women stepping forward to share their stories of abuse, various Gaiman-centred projects have been dropped or distanced from the writer. These include Dark Horse Comics’ cancellation of the ongoing Anansi Boys illustrated adaptation (with seven out of eight issues already released); the Terry Pratchett Estate fully taking over responsibility for the Good Omens graphic novel Kickstarter (and opening a window for support withdrawals and refunds); Disney pausing development on an adaptation of The Graveyard Book (though this took place back in September); and cancellation of a planned Coraline stage show.
Here’s a series end that we knew about at least. Netflix has confirmed 27 June is that date that Squid Game Season 3 (okay, really Season 2 Part 2) will arrive on the streamer, acting as a series finale. It reportedly will consist of seven episodes to cap off the story.
Still talking Netflix, this past week the streamer’s marketing has been in overdrive for its 2025 slate of series, movies and documentaries. First there was this nifty commercial; then the below sizzle reel. Wednesday, The Witcher, The Diplomat and Emily in Paris are all back this year, while making their final bows are the already-mentioned Squid Game and The Sandman, in addition to You, Stranger Things and Cobra Kai.
Film
It’s been a quiet period for movie news, although that is going to change in a week or so with the Super Bowl (go team, go sports!), on Sunday, 9 February in the US, and its all-important trailer spots for 2025 blockbusters. Already confirmed as appearing are ads for Jurassic World: Rebirth, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and How To Train Your Dragon.
Before that, though, it looks like the teaser trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps will drop online this week on Tuesday, 4 February. Or maybe it will just be a preview of the film’s Super Bowl spot. Either way, watch this space. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which brings Marvel’s First Family officially into the MCU, releases on 25 July. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach play the Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch and The Thing), if you needed a reminder.
One thing that we have lowkey been keeping an eye on is Guillermo del Toro’s next big Netflix collaboration, and one of his “dream projects”: Frankenstein. Coming to the streamer in November, this new take on Mary Shelley’s horror classic stars Oscar Isaac as Frankenstein, and Jacob Elordi (replacing Andrew Garfield) as the Creature. Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz also star.
Gaming
Out of pretty much nowhere, EA announced the shadowdrop return of the The Sims and The Sims 2 to digital storefronts to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original title in the beloved series. More info here.
As of 31 January, the games are available on PC via the EA App, Epic Game Store, and Steam, for play on Windows 10 and 11.
Nostalgic The Sims fans have a couple of purchase options:
The Sims: Legacy Collection, comprising the base game, 7 content packs (The Sims: Livin’ Large, The Sims: House Party, The Sims: Hot Date, The Sims: Vacation, The Sims: Unleashed, The Sims: Superstar, The Sims: Makin’ Magic), with The Sims 4: Throwback Fit Kit, for R360.
The Sims 2: Legacy Collection, with base game and 17 expansions (The Sims 2: University, The Sims 2: Nightlife, The Sims 2: Open for Business, The Sims 2: Pets, The Sims 2: Bon Voyage, The Sims 2: Seasons, The Sims 2: FreeTime, The Sims 2: Apartment Life, The Sims 2: Holiday Party Pack, The Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff, The Sims 2: Glamour Life Stuff, The Sims 2: Happy Holiday Stuff, The Sims 2: Celebration! Stuff, The Sims 2: H&M Fashion Stuff, The Sims 2: Teen Style Stuff, The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff and The Sims 2: Mansion & Garden Stuff), along with The Sims 4: Grunge Revival Kit, for R550.
The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle, comprising both The Sims: Legacy Collection and The Sims 2 Legacy Collection above, for R700.
Just note that these titles are simply re-releases out the EA vault, and not remasters. Also, patches are already promised after many players faced a variety of frustrating bugs and other issues over the first few days of availability.