Month: January 2021

Developer ZeniMax Online Studios and publisher Bethesda Softworks took to Twitch to reveal The Elder Scrolls Online’s year-long adventure, a series of DLC that make up the Gates of Oblivion. These expansions introduce new content for players to experience on PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One.

There will be four pieces of DLC sprinkled throughout the year. The first, Flames of Ambition, drops on March 8 for PC and Stadia, and March 16 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Meanwhile, headlining DLC the Blackwood chapter comes out just two months later: June 1 for PC and Stadia, and June 8 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The other two expansions, one unannounced dungeon pack and one unannounced story zone, launch in Q3 and Q4, respectively. Exact release dates have not been stamped.

The Flames of Ambition kicks off the Gates of Oblivion adventure. The expansion introduces two new PvE dungeons–Black Drake Villa and The Cauldron–that task players with attacking a shrine belonging to the Deadric Prince Mehrunes Dagon to find a tome before it’s destroyed. Players will be joined by some familiar faces, including newcomer Eveli Sharp-Arrow and recurring character Dremora Lyranth, and can unlock new gear and collectibles.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Wrong Turn is now available on VOD.

[poilib element=”accentDivider”]

The Wrong Turn slasher franchise — which, if you weren’t aware, runs six films deep — has been revamped with a new story, and new central antagonists, in an attempt to make a soft left turn away from its bread and butter of “inbred cannibals.” As a franchise reboot, Wrong Turn, from director Mike P. Nelson and original Wrong Turn scribe Alan McElroy, is a touch overlong and filled with muddled messaging, but it strikes a creepy, unnerving tone and lands with enough confidence to stake a solid claim in the horror landscape.

Wrong Turn isn’t excessively gory, but it is effectively gory. It’s a curious attempt at a remake/remodel since it’s not a straight reboot at all and contains none of the original movie’s characters or plot (other than young adults getting lost and slaughtered in the woods). In fact, since it deals with a wholly different set of villains, it needn’t have been slotted into the Wrong Turn oeuvre at all. But, all in all, it’s a crafty and crazed endeavor that, at times, nicely plays around with some of our current “Red vs Blue” anxieties – only to then veer off into its own maddening, and somewhat haughty, themes.

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/17/wrong-turn-official-trailer”]

Kicking things off in medias res, we see a father, Scott (a nice avenging dad role for Matthew Modine) searching for his daughter in a small Appalachia-adjacent town where the citizens are giving him the constant side-eye. Flashing back six weeks earlier, we follow his girl, Jen (Charlotte Vega), as she, her boyfriend (Adain Bradley), and friends (including The Gifted’s Emma Dumont) road trip through Virginia. It’s here that the film teases us a bit, making us think that the central conflict will arise from the locals being prejudiced pricks and Jen’s friends acting like entitled snobs. The danger, it turns out, is way more bats*** than that, though still owing itself to a Civil War-style divide (sort of).

Enter The Foundation: A nineteenth-century cult that lives in the mountains and has existed, poverty and disease-free, since the 1850s. By all accounts, a better sect to deal with than rampaging cannibals, though they have a lethally strict way of dealing with outsiders. Borrowing a few pieces from M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village, in the sense that a group of families once decided to reject the modern world and live a simple (but also brutal) life amongst the trees, Wrong Turn gets a little murky in the middle parts when it tries to show us the “good” side of The Foundation. When it tries to ask us “which are the real monsters, the people who work in the soil or those who take selfies all day?”

There are moments, as Jen and those remaining from her group come face to face with The Foundation and their leader (Bill Sage) when the city slickers are put on trial for their crimes in a manner that’s supposed to make us look back at everything as one big misunderstanding based on the kids’ own biases. And it’ll make you want to scream a bit because the hill folks, as supposedly enlightened and unencumbered as they are, are clearly the aggressors and instigators. And liars, for all their attempts at upstanding citizenry. That being said, it’s still a more interesting backdrop for a horror flick than the usual kinds of bogeymen that stalk the woods.

[ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/07/wrong-turn-exclusive-official-clip]

Thankfully, The Foundation’s more malignant and malicious side shows up in the final act, during an attempted heroic exodus from the camp, and then afterward in the fairly fun closing final moments (make sure you watch through the credits too). It’s here, within the curtain call, that Wrong Turn becomes a more satisfying journey that nicely rewards you for enduring some of the lingering elements of “torture porn” previously on display.

Though Wrong Turn could be trimmed down at parts, and thematically streamlined at times, Vega gives an excellent performance as Jen, a character forced to make some truly heinous choices, while Modine makes the most of his action-y paternal part. Bill Sage too, who’s been in a ton of things, provides a calm-yet-menacing presence as a cult leader capable of believing in ancient ways, both awesome and awful. The Foundation doesn’t seem like the types of adversaries that become full franchise foes, but they still provided a nice shot in the arm for this particular string of scary movies.

[widget path=”global/article/imagegallery” parameters=”albumSlug=the-best-horror-movies-on-netflix&captions=true”]

A TV series based on The Great Gatsby is in the works with Vikings showrunner, Michael Hirst.

Hirst is teaming up with A+E Studios and ITV Studios America to create a miniseries based on the 1925 novel of the same name from author F. Scott Fitzgerald, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Hirst will write the script and serve as an executive producer alongside Groundswell Productions’ Michael London. Blake Hazard, a great-granddaughter of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, is a trustee of the Fitzgerald estate and she will serve as a consulting producer for the show.

[widget path=”global/article/imagegallery” parameters=”albumSlug=every-character-in-vikings-valhalla&captions=true”]

“I have long dreamt of a more diverse, inclusive vision of Gatsby that better reflects the America we live in, one that might allow us all to see ourselves in Scott’s wildly romantic text,” Hazard said. “Michael brings a deep reverence for Scott’s work to the project, but also a fearlessness about bringing such an iconic story to life in an accessible and fresh way. I’m delighted to be a part of the project.”

Hirst said that it’s now, “the perfect moment to look with new eyes at this timeless story, to explore its famous and iconic characters through the modern lens of gender, race, and sexual orientation.” This miniseries will explore New York’s Black community in the 1920s, according to THR, and its musical subculture. Columbia University William B. Ransford professor of english and comparative literature and African-American studies, Farah Jasmine Griffin, will serve as a consultant.

A network for the series has not yet been tapped, but THR reports that the miniseries’ co-producers plan to shop the show around to premium cable and streaming outlets. THR’s report also states that sources say A+E studios have had the rights to the novel for decades and that this miniseries adaptation has been in the works for at least three years. The news of this series comes just a few weeks after The Great Gatsby’s copyright expired, which put the novel into public domain.

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2013/04/04/new-great-gatsby-trailer”]

While waiting for this series to come to life, check out our review of 2013’s The Great Gatsby movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and then check out this cast announcement for Netflix’s upcoming Vikings prequel, Vikings: Valhalla.

[poilib element=”accentDivider”]

Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes. 

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is the latest movie in the much-loved comedy series, and it hits theaters later this year. Unlike the commercially disappointing 2016 reboot, the movie is a direct sequel to the original ’80s films, and it combines a new cast with some familiar faces.

The original Ghostbusters was released in June 1984 to rave reviews and huge box office results. It was a masterful mix of big scares, dazzling special effects, brilliant comic performances, and a clever, laugh-out-loud script, but despite a sometimes rocky road to the screen, now as a genuine cultural phenomenon. The film was the biggest movie at the US box office in 1984, and worldwide came second to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom that year.

Inevitably, a sequel followed, as did an animated TV spin-off, video games, and comic books. But 1989’s Ghostbusters II was considered a disappointment by many fans and Aykroyd’s attempt to make a third film over the following years was met with little success. The franchise was finally rebooted in 2016 with an all-new female-led cast, but that movie’s commercial failure ensured that sequel plans were quickly dropped.

Nevertheless, the series refuses to die and hopes are high that the next movie can recapture what made the first movie so special. So here’s everything we know so far about Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

What’s the release date?

Ghostbusters: Afterlife will hit theaters on November 11, 2021. This is the movie’s fourth release date. It was originally set to arrive in July 2020, before being pushed to March 2021 and then to June this year.

Who’s the director?

The movie is directed by Jason Reitman. He’s the son of Ivan Reitman, who directed the original Ghostbusters and its sequel as well as comedy favorites such as Stripes, Twins, and Kindergarten Cop. Jason has an impressive directorial career too, having helmed acclaimed comedy dramas such as Juno, Up In the Air, and Young Adult. He’s also co-written the script with Gil Kenan (Monster House).

Who’s coming back?

A number of big names from the original movies are set to make an appearance in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. It’s not yet known how big these roles are–it’s likely some will just be brief cameos–but unlike the 2016 movie, the returning actors will be playing the characters from the ’80s films. So look out for Bill Murray as Peter Venkman, Dan Aykroyd as Ray Stanz, Ernie Hudson as Winston Zedemore, Sigourney Weaver as Dana Barrett, and Annie Potts as Janine Melnitz. Sadly Harold Ramis, who played Egon Spengler, died in 2014.

Who’s new to the cast?

Ghostbusters: Afterlife puts the focus on some younger characters. Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard and Captain Marvel’s McKenna Grace play siblings Trevor and Phoebe, while Carrie Coon (The Leftovers, Avengers: Infinity War) plays their mom Callie. Ant-Man star Paul Rudd appears as high-school teacher Mr. Grooberson, and the cast also includes Bokeem Woodbine (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Tracy Letts (Ford v. Ferrari), and JK Simmons (The Amazing Spider-Man, Justice League).

What’s the story?

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a sequel to the first two movies. The trailer revealed that the film shifts the action from New York to rural Oklahoma, where Trevor and Phoebe are forced to move to an old farm with their mom. They’re the grandkids of one of the original team, and while it hasn’t been officially confirmed, it’s rumored that it’s Spengler. Inevitably, there’s something weird going on in the town–strange underground rumblings, as if something is trying to burst out of the earth. With the help of Ghostbuster-obsessed Mr. Grooberson, the kids find their grandpa’s old Ghostbusting equipment and set about fighting whatever spooky things are afoot.

Is there a trailer?

The first Ghostbusters: Afterlife trailer was released in December 2019. It set up the basic plot and introduced the new characters, but didn’t reveal much in the way of spooky action. The movie was delayed soon after, so a second trailer is yet to be released. However, a new image was recently revealed by Empire, which shows the young stars in familiar Ghostbuster outfits.

Will there be more movies?

Ghostbusters is one of the most beloved pop culture franchises of all time, even though many fans might argue that there’s actually only one good movie. So it’s highly unlikely this will be the final slice of Ghostbusting action. Back in 2017, Ivan Reitman stated he was developing a new animated series, and Afterlife is likely to get a sequel if it’s a success.

Civilization VI‘s fifth DLC, The Vietnam and Kublai Khan Pack, will be releasing on January 28. To get fans hyped up, 2K has released new information on Kublai Khan, an alternate leader for Mongolia and China.

Let’s get familiar with the man of the hour, shall we? Khan was ruler of the Mongolian Empire and founded the Yuan Dynasty in China, serving as Emperor. He ruled from 1260-1294 AD, creating an empire that ran from the Korean Peninsula to the edges of modern-day Baghdad. With a resume like that, he seems like a perfect fit for the Civilization series.

Now, onto gameplay. Khan will be available as an alternate leader for Mongolia and China in Civilization VI, and will feature the “Gerege” ability, which provides one extra economic policy slot in any government. It also grants a random Eureka and Inspiration when establishing a trading post in another civilization’s city for the first time. As leader of China, Khan’s science boosts are more powerful than other leaders’, and his extra policy slot empowers different economic strategies. As the leader of Mongolia, he is able to leverage trade routes to bolster his military might. If you’re looking to play as a civilization with strong economic and military prowess, Kublai Khan might be your guy.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Godzilla vs. King Kong is making moves as the release date is pushed back a week. The upcoming movie will now arrive on March 31.

Recently, the blockbuster movie was going to arrive to HBO Max on March 26–moved up from a May 2021 release date. However, now the movie is being pushed back a week according to Variety. While the movie is set to hit theaters and HBO Max simultaneously on March 31, international markets where the streaming service isn’t available will see the film hit theaters on March 26, one week prior to the US release.

In addition to this announcement, James Wan’s upcoming horror film Malignant has been put back onto the release calendar, arriving now on September 10. This news comes in the middle of many other films seeing their release dates being rescheduled. No Time to Die, A Quiet Place II, Morbius, Uncharted, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and The King’s Man have all been pushed back. You can keep track of all the new movie release news with our guide to delayed movies.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Skydance Media is said to be looking to relaunch the Spy Kids franchise with both Spyglass Media Group and original creator Robert Rodriguez.

As reported by Deadline, Rodriguez will return to write and direct the next film, which is said to “revolve around the activities of a multicultural family.”

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2011/08/02/spy-kids-blu-ray-feature-sharks”]

Spyglass is the current owner of the IP and Skydance hopes to add Spy Kids to its list of upcoming films to “diversify its slate.” Skydance will be the lead studio and will oversee development and production, while Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce.

The first Spy Kids film was released in 2001 and saw many sequels and and a TV series in the following years. The first film earned $112 million at the domestic box office and the following three sequels brought in $550 million at the worldwide box office.

Rodriguez has previously been known for his adult action films like Desperado and From Dusk Till Dawn, but this project was something he wanted to do for his kids. Spy Kids’ whole premise is that two children – Carmen and Juni – have to rescue their parents who were spies that were captured.

[widget path=”global/article/imagegallery” parameters=”albumSlug=2021-movies-preview&captions=true”]

Rodriguez recently directed the sixth episode of The Mandalorian’s second season – The Tragedy. In our review, we said, “confidently directed with a spectacular eye for action by Robert Rodriguez, “The Tragedy” sets up a high-stakes endgame for Season 2 that we can’t wait to see unfold.”

[poilib element=”accentDivider”]

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.