This time next week, South Africa will be one day already into Comic Con Africa 2024. You can familiarise yourself with the event’s new attractions here, along with the news that Titans and Pirates of the Caribbean star Brenton Thwaites will be joining the pop culture celebration next weekend.

That’s what is coming up, but as for pop culture news past, below you’ll find a short rundown of standout stories from the past few days.

Film

Acclaimed Parasite filmmaker Bong Joon Ho is back with offbeat science fiction comedy Mickey 17, based on the 2022 novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton. Unremarkable Mickey Barnes (Robert Pattinson) signs up to be an “expendable,” a space company employee assigned dangerous tasks, with the promise his body, and mind, will be regenerated after every inevitable death. Problems arise, though, when a new Mickey is made before the last one is out the picture. English-language Mikey 17 also stars Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo.

Mickey 17 releases in South Africa on 31 January 2025.

Your movie news tidbits this week:

  • Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, who’s made the likes of Elvis and Moulin Rouge, is bringing his distinct cinematic approach to a historical biopic centred on Joan of Arc. Casting begins next week.
  • It’s been discussed for years now, but a big screen adaptation of EA’s The Sims game is finally about to become a reality via Amazon MGM. Promising to be immersed in franchise lore, The Sims is being produced by Margot Robbie‘s production company, with Loki director Kate Herron behind the camera, and co-scripting.

Series

That’s a wrap on Netflix Geeked Week, which just ran from 16 to 19 September online and, for the first time ever, in real life. This four-day period is used by the streamer annually to stoke excitement for its biggest franchises (like Squid Game, Stranger Things and The Sandman), plus give its animated series and games some dedicated time in the spotlight.

While you can find recaps of Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 here, it’s apparent the biggest announcements were reserved for Day 4’s in-person event, hosted by upcoming Comic Con Africa guest Joe Manganiello in Atlanta, Georgia. Here’s a small portion of what we learned from the grand finale of Geeked Week 2024 (which you can watch in its entirety here):

  • Netflix is getting animated series for both Splinter Cell and Magic: The Gathering.
  • Brilliant blind Earthbender Toph has been cast for Season 2 of the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series. It’s Miya Cech.
  • Joe Manganiello and Lera Abova will be playing pivotal antagonists Mr. 0 and Miss All-Sunday in the second season of the live-action One Piece, now filming in Cape Town.
  • Arcane Season 2 is releasing in week-apart batches: Act 1 premieres November 9, Act 2 on November 16, and Act 3 on November 23.
  • And, following last month’s teaser, here’s the full trailer for next month’s animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, which follows the events of the most recent trilogy of Tomb Raider games. Hayley Atwell voices the titular character.

While fans have been focused on Geeked Week, people more interested in the prestige side of television had the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards this week to hook their attention. 2024’s ceremony took place on 16 September in Los Angeles, with the winners voted for by members of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

This year’s big winners were Shōgun, Baby Reindeer and The Bear, though the latter lost Best Comedy to Hacks.

For the record, FX/Hulu/Disney+’s Shōgun won four Emmys on the night, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Anna Sawai). Netflix’s Baby Reindeer snatched up four awards, including Outstanding Limited Series, and accolades for its two leads. Finally Disney+ and FX’s The Bear earned five Emmys, including three for its cast, namely Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Liza Colón-Zayas.

Check out all the 2024 Emmy nominees and eventual winners here.