What the...it's the weekend?! Awesome. Here's what happened this week in the world of geek gossip and nerd news.
Grab The Squad
Check out the latest trailer for DC's THE Suicide Squad that lands in theaters and streaming on HBO Max on August 6th. It was also confirmed by Director James Gunn that this film does take place in the DCEU.
Suit Up!
We now have a clear look at Zachari Levi's new suit in Shazam! Fury of the Gods along with the rest of the Shazam Family of Heroes. Improvement or did you like the suits from the last movie? These are a little darker and the lightning bolt emblem on their chests doesn't illuminate (at least not here). Another noticeable difference is Mary. First off, in superhero form, she's still not wearing pants like Darla's suit. Oh...and it's a different actress! Michelle Borth, who portrayed the adult Mary in the last film has been replaced with Grace Fulton...who is already Mary. Okay, follow me here.
Mary Bloomfield, played by Grace Fulton, is pulling the double duty role of both civilian AND superhero Mary. The reason? A few theories. Maybe Michelle Borth was not available? Maybe Grace Fulton asked for a bigger role? Maybe it's part of the story? Time will tell when Shazam! Fury of the Gods arrives in 2023.
You Get A Prequel...And You Get A Prequel!
Looks like this won't be the end for the original Avengers. With Black Widow arriving on Disney+ in a few weeks, Marvel is toying with the idea to create prequels or series that bring back characters from the first few phases of the MCU. With Black Widow being the first film and the Loki series on Disney+ taking place directly after the events of the first Avengers movie, it seems there is no reason to NOT have these characters return. Better keep that Disney+ subscription.....
Beast of a Movie
Another Transformers movie is on the way. Okay, I know, the franchise has been...not the best. It will get better. HEAR ME OUT!
The next movie in the Transformers Universe of Films (not the official name, I just made it up...but cool, right?) is set for June of 2022 and will be titled Transformers: Rise of the Beasts which is a nod to the next phase of the mythology of the franchise...the Maximals and Predacons of the Beast Wars! Confirmed for the film are fan favorites Optimus Primal, Airazor, and Rhinox of the Maximal side, a various assortment of Predicons characters (if they don't bring in Waspinator I will protest) along with a new enemy called the Terrorcons!
The movie will be set in Brooklyn and have a new cast of human companions. Both Optimus Prime and BumbleBee will be returning with new looks and Peter Cullen will be voicing the big boss of Optimus yet again. Excited? Don't know what the hell Beast Wars was all about? I have a podcast episode about it! Listen to that here.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts arrives in theaters June 24, 2022.
Ten Golden Rings
During one of those sporting events, Marvel dropped a brand new trailer for Shang-Chi. This movie is going to be filled with easter eggs. First off, the flag of the 10-rings was in the first Iron Man (hence the title of this film) and a look at The Abomination (from Hulk). Is Shang-Chi's father going to become The Mandarin? We'll find out on September 3rd when Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings arrives in theaters!
As always, check out the latest episode of the Geek Freak of the Week Podcast. Listen to it anywhere you get your podcasts on whatever device you listen to them on. Seriously, it's getting wordy to type the iHeart stuff every single week....
Until next week. I'm Maz and that's the Geek Freak of the Week!