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Flow is the recipient of this year’s Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. And it is a tremendous feat, with it being Latvia’s first Oscar win and continuing the streak of animated feature victories from studios that are not from Disney nor Pixar.

Credit where credit is due for the tiny victor starring a black cat and its non-talking animal friends, it beat both the Pixar tentpole hit Inside Out 2 and the new DreamWorks darling The Wild Robot, directed by Disney veteran Chris Sanders. That was quite a feat.

But for Disney and Pixar, that moment may cause concern for the once mighty studios and its future in winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Current output from both studios is rocky at best. Their last victories are for Soul for 2021, and for Encanto for 2022. Soul stood out from the crowd on that year, with the...

It was criminal that the Best Animated Film category didn’t exist at the Oscars before 2001. Iconic films like The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Aladdin, and Mulan missed out on the golden statuette. While Beauty and the Beast became the first animated feature to be nominated for Best Picture, the absence of a dedicated Animated Feature category left a void in recognizing the artistry of animated films at the Oscars.

The creation of the award, in hindsight, inadvertently confined animated films to their own category. Following the 81st Academy Awards, cinephiles noted that no rule prevented Wall-e from being nominated for Best Picture, sparking debates on animated films’ true recognition.

At the time of the award’s introduction, Disney had cooled off, and Pixar (distributed by Disney) took the reins, dominating with creativity and innovation. Pixar has claimed 11 of the 23 Oscars for Best Animated Feature.

Today, the animated landscape is more competitive than ever.

Quick LinksBrave Was Pixar’s First Princess MoviePixar’s Brave Original Director Was Fired Mid-ProductionReese Witherspoon Was Originally Slated to Voice Merida in Brave

Pixar's Brave(2012) was a departure for Pixar in many ways and felt much more like a true Disney film than the usual Pixar fare. It featured a fairy-tale-like setting that was more in line with Disney Princess movies, past and present, and it centered on a female protagonist. The film's production was plagued by massive changes, and even a director was bumped from the coveted seat despite being the writer. Amidst all the drama, Disney also disapproved of the movie's original title, forcing Pixar once again to make a major change. It's a small wonder the movie turned out as well as it did.

And while Brave is far from a perfect film, it's a sweeping adventure and heartwarming mother-daughter story not often depicted in Disney films.

Leaving Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) out of Captain America: Brave New Worldcertainly didn’t sit well with many fans, and director Julius Onah’s reasoning for omitting the beloved MCU character could be construed as a selfish one. Onah didn't want Hulk to share the limelight with Anthony Mackie’s version of Cap because, as the filmmaker suggested in a recent interview, Banner would likely have stolen the limelight away from the titular hero. Onah said during his appearance on The Discourse podcast hosted by Mike DeAngelo:

"Well, I think at the end of the day, and I’m happy it landed where it did — this is Sam’s story. This is Sam’s first cinematic adventure as Captain America. And you want it to be about Sam leaning into his superpower to overcome the odds. So, you pull in Banner — as great as Mark Ruffalo is...

Robert Pattinson’s The Batman universe and the Dcu Batman will officially go in different directions after the latest announcement. James Gunn initially had plans to include Pattinson’s Batman in the Dcu. According to Gunn, it was director Matt Reeves’ choice to keep his film separate from the main DC universe.

Robert Pattinson as the Dark Knight in Matt Reeves’ The Batman | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

Dcu’s Batman film, Brave and the Bold, will now move forward under Andy Muschietti, who earlier directed The Flash. Interestingly, they have a writer for the story but refused to name him at this point. Gunn and Peter Safran have read what Matt Reeves has written so far for The Batman 2 and shared that they loved the story.

James Gunn refuses to name Brave and the Bold writer A still from The Brave and the Bold comics | Credits: DC Comics

In their latest press conference,...

The Academy Awards have been honoring animation since 1932 when Walt Disney began a near decade-long reign over the then-newly minted best cartoon short subject category. However, in 2001, the ceremony inaugurated the best animated feature category, beginning a now-storied tradition that has helped the medium skyrocket in popularity and prestige. Sure, some folks still sideline it as children's entertainment -- including at the ceremony itself -- but so long as based god Guillermo Del Toro proclaims it as cinema, animation will live on as such.

Thanks to the category's relative infancy, not to mention its smaller pool of competitors, the majority of the now over 100 nominees are some of the best the medium has to offer. However, not every winner is a winner, if you know what we mean. Here is our definitive ranking of every best animated feature at the Oscars, from the times the Academy got it wrong to...

Quick LinksElijah Bradley Was Originally Going to Return in Captain America: Brave New WorldSeth Rollins Was Going to Play an Unconfirmed Character in Brave New WorldRosa Salazar's Diamondback Was Cut From Captain America 4

Captain America: Brave New Worldis finally in theaters, setting up Sam Wilson's epic tenure as the Star-Spangled Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Phase 5 film closes several lingering plot threads in the MCU while opening the door to several exciting storytelling opportunities that could carry the franchise forward beyond the Multiverse Saga. The film is off to a steady start at the box office, overcoming negative reviews to hopefully become one of the McU's top earners post-Endgame. However, the film has also sparked some debate due to its many behind-the-scenes changes.

Brave New World's reshoots and behind-the-scenes issues are no secret to the average moviegoer, with many different reports detailing the many...

When it comes to The Oscars, it's fair to say that it's one of the most anticipated celebrations in the film industry. For many filmmakers, winning an Oscar is the finest achievement possible, mostly because it's tied with a lot of recognition. Thus, movies like Gone with The Wind and Parasite remain with the audience because they have such a coveted position in the film business.

However, certain critics turn their noses up at animated movies. Although these films secure awards in their own right, they're typically undervalued because they are mostly associated with children. In turn, a lot of film buffs are missing out on the best Oscar-winning films of a generation.

A Little Girl Must Complete Forced Labor to Save Her Parents Spirited Away

Chihiro and her family are excited to start again in their new home. During their journey to the house, her parents stop off at an abandoned amusement park.

Quick LinksCaptain America 4 Doesn't Kill Major CharactersCaptain America 4 Keeps Key Characters Alive For a Sequel

The following contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World, now playing in theaters.

In the pantheon of comic book movies and superhero TV shows, a major criticism fans have had is that the stakes often don't feel high. There aren't too many deaths, and although this has changed over time, some fans still take issue over fake-outs, as seen with Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury. There are also many resurrections (per Avengers: Endgame undoing the Snap), which leads to many discussions about consequences.

In a movie like Julius Onah's Captain America: Brave New World, it was expected that there would be more casualties. The trailers had the energy of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, teasing a political thriller filled with fights. When it comes to the body count,...

Captain America: Brave New World featured a covert criminal organization named Serpent Society in the opening action sequence of the film. Giancarlo Esposito plays their leader, Sidewinder, who goes head-to-head with Sam Wilson aka Captain America (Anthony Mackie) throughout the Marvel sequel. However, the villainous group was supposed to look a lot different before reshoots made them look indistinguishable from any other generic crime syndicate. Among those removed from the final version of Brave New World is WWE star Seth Rollins, who was supposed to be a lead member of the Serpent Society.

During an interview with the Phase Hero podcast (via ThatHashtagShow), Brave New World director Julius Onah was asked about the elephant in the room in regards to the Serpent Society. The filmmaker confirms that they tinkered with the group until they found a version that best matched the tone of the movie. This included adding Esposito as Sidewinder,...

It goes without saying that Bucky Barnes is one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most popular characters. Played by Sebastian Stan, Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes made his on-screen debut in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger and fans instantly fell in love with Steve Rogers' loyal, funny, and handsome (very handsome) best friend. When he returned from the dead in 2014 sequel The Winter Soldier (as the titular antagonist), he instantly became an MCU legend. There was no going back after that.

Although Bucky is widely recognized as the former Winter Soldier, the fact that his time with the franchise began in 2011's The First Avenger makes Stan one of the longest-standing actors in the Marvel Studios franchise. There are clearly no plans on that changing in the foreseeable future, as the character is set to return in this year's Thunderbolts*.

However, that's not the only 2025 story that Bucky is involved in,...

The anime medium is more popular than ever, and a major reason for this is the overwhelming number of genres and subgenres that have garnered dedication over the years. In particular, the success of ninja anime has been especially pronounced over the years, because of the overwhelming popularity of a single series, Naruto.

Naruto and its sequel series, Naruto: Shippuden, played a major role in the proliferation of anime around the world, but while they might be the best-known ninja anime, they're far from the only ones. Both before and after Naruto's debut episode aired, many other enjoyable ninja series have aired, some of which give the beloved shōnen anime a true run for it money.

Brave 10 Blends Historical Details and Heroic Actions Streaming on Crunchyroll

Like most ninja & samurai anime, Brave 10 is set during one of Japan's historical eras — in this case, the Warring States Period.

Captain America Brave New World has arrived, bringing to the MCU the first live-action portrayal of Red Hulk. The film will see the various nations of Earth battle over a brand new resource - Adamantium.

The film has also teased the rebirth of The Avengers, the former team of Earth's mightiest heroes led by the previous Captain America, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). Whilst it's expected that Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson will eventually take leadership of the team, it seems there’s one member that won’t be added to his roster- a Young Avenger left out of the final cut of the film, as revealed by Screen Rant in an interview with ex-Marvel VP Nate Moore.

Related10 Best Sebastian Stan Movies & TV Shows (That Aren’t in the MCU), Ranked

Sebastian Stan has had an eclectic career outside of the MCU, where the actor has performed in several great projects.

Critics may not have been too keen on Captain America: Brave New World, but audiences seem to be willing to give Marvel Studios' latest Multiverse Saga movie a chance... for now.

The latest box office updates are in, and the Julius Onah-directed thriller took in $40 million on Friday to give it the second-biggest debut of the four Captain America movies behind Civil War. The film is still on track for a four-day opening north of $90 million through the extended Presidents Day holiday.

A decent start, but can Brave New World continue to pack those theaters? Remember, Ant-Man and Wasp: Quantumania also opened strong before an unprecedented second-week drop-off, and that 50% on Rotten Tomatoes coupled with a B- CinemaScore - the lowest ever for an MCU movie - are sure to turn off at least a portion of prospective ticket buyers.

On the plus side, there's very little in the...

The previous Captain America feature, Civil War, released about 9 years ago. That was the last narrative where Thunderbolt Ross had a substantial role in a Marvel Cinematic Universe plot, and his Sokovia Accords are mentioned in Brave New World’s dialogue. Ross locking up Sam, Ant-Man, and Hawkeye is also discussed in the film, as well as the politician designating Captain America, Falcon, and Black Widow as fugitives – we see they are Secret Avengers in Avengers: Infinity War.

The place that superbeings are imprisoned in is called The Raft, sitting in the middle of the ocean. By the end of Brave New World, the tables turn and Ross/Red Hulk is now a prisoner at the Raft, along with the true agitator in the storyline, Samuel Sterns, a.k.a. The Leader.

Sterns hasn’t been seen since the 2008 solo Incredible Hulk movie, where Banner’s blood accidentally oozed into...

Captain America: Brave New World hopes to shield itself from the recent negativity surrounding it and flourish in its opening weekend. However, Thursday previews of the superhero blockbuster could add to the bad press as they trail its ill-fated Marvel Cinematic Universe counterpart, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Per Deadline, Brave New World earned $12 million domestically in preview screenings on Feb. 13. Though its previews are higher than a previous Captain America entry, The Winter Soldier ($10.2 million). Brave New World's returns are lower than Quantumania ($17.5 million), which went on to a $120.3 million domestic debut during its Presidents' Day weekend premiere. Brave New World is projected to fall well below what Quantumania earned during its first weekend in theaters, set to make around $80 million in its first three days and $95 million during its first four.

RelatedMarvel Movies Are in the Same Spot They Were in the 2000s - And That...

This article contains mild spoilers for "Captain America: Brave New World."

How would Captain America vote?

It's immensely frustrating how apolitical the Marvel Cinematic Universe tends to be. Too many of their films boil down to simple tales of "good vs. evil," or stories of bad parentage. Most of them also contain ideas exploring the function of blood vengeance (committed by both heroes and villains), or are, for the most part, about the positive power of teamwork. When it comes to explicitly stated political points of view, though, the MCU tends to affect an aggravating hands-off approach.

This is especially galling when one of your franchise's most popular characters is an American soldier named Captain America who wears an American flag as his uniform. One might think that he, of all people, would have a point of view about the U.S.A. The most audiences have ever seen about...

The MCU is gradually paving the way for the arrival of the X-Men, and “Captain America: Brave New World” makes one of the biggest moves in that direction.

The film introduces adamantium, the rare and nearly indestructible metal best known for being fused with Wolverine’s skeleton. While Hugh Jackman is set to return as Wolverine in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” this marks the first time adamantium appears in the main Avengers timeline, and it comes from an unexpected source.

Back in “Eternals” (2021), the film revealed that Earth was actually an egg for a Celestial named Tiamut. If the entity had fully emerged, the planet would have been destroyed. To prevent that, Sersi used her powers to freeze Tiamut mid-transformation, leaving behind a massive structure in the ocean. Since then, its remains have become a global point of interest, and “Brave New World” picks up that thread.

Governments have set...

Sara Bareilles established herself long ago as a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter with earnest, heartfelt radio hits like "Love Song" as well as soulful, uplifting power anthems like "Brave." After nearly a decade of writing and performing, she underwent a metamorphosis and expanded her scope, arriving at a point in her career where it only seems like a matter of time before Bareilles achieves the ever-prestigious Egot distinction.

There are few stories around a Marvel movie that create as much hullabaloo as the post-credits scene. You cannot fault fans for the excitement. After all, this is how the Avengers Initiative was announced and Samuel L. Jackson walked into the MCU. Nearly seventeen years later, Captain America: Brave New World continues the trend. The Brave New World post-credits scene (there is only one) frustratingly repeats the same ideas as several of the last few MCU projects. It’s a scene that refuses to break new ground and feels as if it was directly affected by the reshoots that lingered around the project.

Check out our review of the newest MCU film here.

What happens in the post-credit scene of Captain America: Brave New World? (L-r) Joaquin Torres/The Falcon (Danny Ramirez) and Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World . Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios.

Quick LinksCaptan America: Brave New World Confirms Sam Wilson's Greatest StrengthHarrison Ford Shines Among Brave New World's Supporting CastCaptain America: Brave New World Separates Itself From Steve Rogers

The following contains mild spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World, in theaters Feb. 14, 2025.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has found a fresh direction since the end of The Infinity Saga. Projects like Agatha All Along showed that creativity and individuality have taken center stage in this new era of Marvel properties, and Captain America: Brave New World confidently continues this trend. While it's far from a perfect film, it's a bold next chapter for Captain America and fans of Cap's legacy.

Anthony Mackie returns as Sam Wilson in a race against time to stop a looming threat to the country with his partner, Joaquin Torres Aka Falcon. However, Sam quickly finds there's more to the story than meets the eye,...

The Hollywood premiere of Captain America: Brave New World faced protests on Tuesday as pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered outside the event, calling for a boycott of the film. The controversy centers around the inclusion of the Israeli superhero Sabra, played by Shira Haas.

Protesters held signs with messages like “Sabra has got to go,” “Disney supports genocide,” and “Boycott Captain America.” They also chanted slogans such as “Free, free, free Palestine” and “Disney, Disney, you can’t hide.”

Pro-Palestine protestors have gathered at the #CaptainAmerica premiere in Hollywood. pic.twitter.com/8gPyYBDCnS

— Variety (@Variety) February 12, 2025

Sabra, also known as Ruth Bat-Seraph, originally appeared in The Incredible Hulk comics in the early 1980s. In those stories, she was portrayed as a Mossad agent, which has long made her a divisive figure in discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. When Marvel announced in 2022 that the character would be part of Brave New World,...

When thinking of conwoman Belle Gibson — who’s pretend cancer diagnosis was the basis of her business empire — there are plenty of anger-filled anthems that come to mind, and “Apple Cider Vinegar” scratches that itch.

From Britney Spears‘ “Toxic” and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire,” the tunes in Netflix’s new series take viewers through the distressing journey that brought Gibson to dominate the wellness industry — before depicting her fall from grace.

Whether its anthems of revenge, or carefree songs perfect for the beach, “Apple Cider Vinegar” likely has what you’re looking for.

For all the songs in “Apple Cider Vinegar,” see below.

“Toxic” – Britney Spears “Dirty Paws” – Of Monsters and Men “Suddenly I See” – KT Tunstall “Horny ’98 (Radio Edit)” – Mousse T. vs Hot’N’Juicy “Friends (Black Angus Remix)” – Sneaky Sound System “Paint The Town Red” – Doja Cat “Walk on By” – Dionne Warwick “Rap Es El Nuevo” – Roll Kid...

There's a brand new limited series on Netflix, and it's going to have you hooked. Emmy Award nominated actress Kaitlyn Dever stars in Apple Cider Vinegar, the series based on the true story of a lie told by wellness influencer Belle Gibson. When she claims she's beating her brain cancer diagnosis with nutrition and wellness rather than traditional medicine, her business booms.

Belle creates a successful app and launches a cookbook, all under the guise of having multiple cancer diagnoses that the public begins to see through. The series also centers on fellow wellness influencer Milla Blake (Alycia Debnam-Carey), whose cancer is initially managed by alternative medicine practices and ends up in competition with Belle.

Now, the events contained in the series actually happened, though like any series based on a true story, there are some creative liberties taken. However, one thing that holds true in the series is the...

Captain America: Brave New World sees a new Cap and Falcon fight for justice in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Sam Wilson took over as the eponymous super soldier. Stars Anthony Mackie and Danny Ramirez recently teased the "amazing" dynamic between their characters and how their on-screen chemistry mirrors their real-life friendship.

Speaking with GamesRadar+, Mackie and Ramirez delved into the bond between Wilson's Captain America and Ramirez's Joaquin Torres/Falcon, insisting the characters have a natural understanding and camaraderie with each other. According to Ramirez, that on-screen bond was helped by Mackie's welcoming off-screen attitude, ensuring he felt comfortable adopting the Falcon's wings. "It's easy with Anthony, honestly, he sets the tone of how to be on set," Ramirez said.

Related'Captain America Is My Oscar': Anthony Mackie Opens Up on Getting Overlooked for Acting Awards

Captain America: Brave New World leading man Anthony Mackie asserts that Cap is his Oscar.

Captain America: Brave New Worldis headed to theaters next week, but that has not stopped Marvel Studios from unveiling a brand-new clip from the film that directly addresses the current state of the Avengers. Brave New World will see Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) battle President “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford), the latter of whom turns into a raging red version of the Hulk. However, Captain America and Red Hulk’s conflict is more than just a physical one, as a new scene unveiled by Marvel reveals that the U.S. President wants the newly-minted superhero to lead Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, but there’s a pretty big catch.

On Monday, Marvel released a one-minute clip from Captain America: Brave New World that features President Ross asking Captain America to rebuild the Avengers. Of course, as Sam Wilson points out, this request is very hypocritical as Ross was the person who pushed...

Quick LinksGiancarlo Esposito Has Played a Lot of VillainsHow Sidewinder Is Different From Esposito's Other RolesHow Will Sidewinder Affect the MCU?

Captain America: Brave New Worldis the next major theatrical event in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the long-running superhero franchise barrels toward the conclusion of Phase 5. The fourth Captain America film hits theaters on February 14 and will follow Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as he continues establishing a new legacy as Captain America after inheriting the role from Steve Rogers. However, he was faced with several major threats in his early tenure as the Star-Spangled Man, including the return of the villainous Leader (Tim Blake Nelson) and an antagonistic President of the United States, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (Harrison Ford), who transformed into the savage Red Hulk.

One of the many threats that Sam Wilson will face during the events of Brave New Worldis a dangerous new terrorist organization known as the Serpent Society.

Captain America Controversy (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Disney’s association with controversies is nothing new. These often stem from accusations of pandering to specific groups or using social issues as marketing tools. However, it’s not every day that one of its stars ignites a firestorm.

Yet, Anthony Mackie, who officially takes on the mantle of Captain America in MCU’s Captain America: Brave New World next month, found himself at the receiving end of reprehension. Mackie commented about the iconic superhero, which seemed to be critiquing America’s values and causing a backlash reminiscent of Rachel Zegler’s divisive remarks on Snow White. Unlike Zegler, though, Mackie was smart enough to clarify his position at the earliest.

The controversy began during an interview where Mackie was asked what Captain America represents. The actor praised the superhero, describing his qualities as “honor, dignity, and integrity” while emphasizing his trustworthiness and reliability.

Set in 1980s Pennsylvania, Brave the Dark explores the connection between Nathan, a struggling teen, and Stan, a drama teacher who becomes his unexpected support. Based on Nathaniel Deen’s personal story, the film combines emotional depth with an honest portrayal of pain and healing.

Situated in 1986 Lancaster County, the film’s understated approach highlights its focus on human relationships. Nathaniel Deen’s personal involvement adds depth to the narrative, presenting a raw perspective on challenges and growth.

The review examines Brave the Dark, exploring its emotional complexity and challenging themes. What insights emerge about personal struggles, compassionate support, and the path to healing?

The Weight of Shadows: Plot and Narrative in Brave the Dark

Nathan, a homeless teen scarred by his parents’ violent death, wanders through foster homes, his life marked by abandonment and self-destruction. After an arrest for a burglary he didn’t commit, Stan, a drama teacher wrestling with personal grief,...

The Dcu is officially set to launch later this summer with James Gunn's Superman, the highly anticipated reboot of the iconic character that is already breaking records. However, that doesn't mean upcoming DC projects will be relegated to one cinematic universe. Matt Reeves' epic crime saga, featuring The Batman, remains outside of the Dcu, despite speculation stating otherwise. And to curb any potential confusion from audiences, the co-head of DC Studios has confirmed that Elseworld spinoffs will have a distinct intro sequence.

Gunn went to Threads to answer a fan's question as to why HBO's The Penguin and the animated Harley Quinn series on Max does not include the DC Studios logo intro. While the new intro sequence can be seen in Creature Commandos, it is absent in the two aforementioned shows. The filmmaker confirms that due to both Penguin and Harley Quinn being set outside the Dcu, the...

Taylor Swift has collaborated with several songwriters, but some of her most iconic hits have come from working with Jack Antonoff. The Bleachers singer rose to prominence as a member of the indie pop band Fun. They had several hits before Antonoff branched out into writing music with pop artists like Swift and Sara Bareilles. Antonoff co-wrote Bareilles's 2013 hit song "Brave" and released his first song with Swift in the same year. "Sweeter Than Fiction" was a collaboration for the film One Chance and earned Swift her second Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song.

While Max Martin and Shellback heavily influenced Taylor Swift's transition to pop, Antonoff brought a fresh sound to the pop music industry. His use of 80s-inspired synths changed the game, earning him the Grammy for Producer of the Year three years in a row. Including bonus tracks and vault tracks from 1989 (Taylor's Version), Antonoff co-wrote...

One of The Brave and the Bold's many fan-cast Batman actors wears the Dark Knight's Dcu costume alongside Damian Wayne in a fan-made artwork. With The Brave and the Bold's release date still a long way from being confirmed, all details about its plot and cast will remain a mystery for some time. In the meantime, fans continue to propose a wide variety of candidates for the role of the Dcu's Batman, and DC Studios is setting the stage for Batman's live-action introduction with multiple cameos and the introduction of other Gotham villains and heroes.

Artist John Regan shows what Brandon Sklenar could look like as the Dcu's Batman in The Brave and the Bold. In the image, Brandon Sklenar wears a dark gray Bat-suit with black cape and cowl, a dark yellow utility belt, black trunks, and white eye lenses. Next to Sklenar's Batman stands Damian Wayne, played by Halo actor Casper Knopf,...

Following one Marvel actor's recent comments about playing the Joker, I can't imagine anyone else being so specifically perfect for the role in the DC Universe. While the focus is on the Dcu's Man of Steel with the 2025 Superman movie on the near horizon, there's still understandably a lot of interest in learning more about the franchise's version of DC's other biggest hero. Batman's live-action movie history has been some of the strongest in all of the superhero genre, and the prospect of The Brave And The Bold movie continuing this winning streak is inevitably thrilling.

Since the Joker is without a doubt Batman's most famous foe - and a figure who also has a selection of stunningly good live-action depictions - much of the hype around the Dcu's Batman also tends to lead into speculation about which actors could be the new universe's Joker, with a few names consistently...

While everyone loves a good fantasy film series or franchise, there's no question that Hollywood movies have become more and more reliant on the idea of sequels in recent years. Massive franchises like Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean dominate box offices to the point that out of the 10 highest-grossing fantasy films of all time, every single one is either part of a film series or a remake of an older movie.

That isn't to say that sequels are bad, but there is a certain power to a movie that doesn't need a sequel. Fantasy films that stand alone and tell complete stories can be far more satisfying to watch than ones that are clearly putting far more energy into establishing franchise potential than into crafting a compelling narrative. And, of course, there are fads like Disney's avalanche of 90s direct-to-video sequels, with their shoestring budgets and disappointingly outsourced animation.

The news that Andy Muschietti would direct The Brave and the Bold came shortly before The Flash raced into theaters. Was it meant as a sign of faith in the filmmaker or a way to distract from what proved to be a disastrous opening weekend?

We'll likely never know, though many fans have repeatedly questioned James Gunn's decision to bring Muschietti back into the fold. The director may fare better no longer forced to work under continuously changing Warner Bros. regimes, but whether he's the right person to tell this Batman and Robin story is up for debate.

Another quote has been translated from a recent interview Muschietti did and, well, it doesn't bode particularly well for the filmmaker still taking charge of The Brave and the Bold.

"I've had conversations with James Gunn about the story concept," he revealed, "but we haven’t talked since before Superman began filming.

Matt Reeves answered questions about The Batman - Part II while on the Red Carpet for The Golden Globes 2025, where The Penguin is nominated for several awards. The director was asked to give an update on the superhero sequel following several conflicting stories about its status, and Reeves was happy to reiterate his previous statement that the Robert Pattinson movie will be filming this year. Speaking to Deadline, he said:

"We will be shooting this year and are very excited about it. I cannot tell you anything else, but we are excited about it. We're doing something that continues where the story came from and something I hope people are really surprised by."

Ever since The Batman hit theaters in March 2022, fans have been eagerly awaiting a sequel, and while HBO's The Penguin served as a nice appetizer, The Batman - Part II still feels like a long way out.

The following contains spoilers for Creature Commandos Episode 6, "Priyatel Skelet," now streaming on Max.

After making a brief appearance earlier this season as one of the dead Justice Leaguers in Circe's vision of the future, Batman has made his proper debut in the DC Universe in the latest episode of Creature Commandos. With the episode now out, DC Studios co-ceo James Gunn has opened up about the Batman cameo and what fans can expect to see from the Dcu's Dark Knight in the future.

Gunn and Creature Commandos director Dean Lorey recently unpacked the Easter eggs and cameos in Episode 6, "Priyatel Skelet," for Rotten Tomatoes TV. The video begins with Gunn talking about Batman's inclusion in the episode and how he had to dial back how much of the hero was shown. "When they first gave it to me, we saw a lot more Batman, and I [was] saying, 'I am...

Captain America: Brave New World has officially joined the popcorn bucket war. Although it's nowhere near as Nsfw (not safe for work) as the Deadpool & Wolverine bucket, the newly unveiled Brave New World popcorn bucket is still likely to irk some members of the Marvel fandom who have an issue with Sam Wilson's newest Captain America suit.

New photos of the Brave New World popcorn bucket were revealed on the social media platform X by user @UpdatesCAP4 (a.k.a. Captain America News), confirming that the movie's popcorn bucket will be a recreation of Sam Wilson's new flight helmet. This new addition to Sam's Captain America suit, which will reportedly be used only during high-speed flight battles, has earned a mixed reception from Marvel Cinematic Universe fans. Some think it's a cool addition, while others view it as unnecessary given that Sam didn't need to wear a helmet...

In the last seven years, these three Disney princess actresses have all joined Star Wars—one as recently as December 2024. When Disney bought Star Wars, plenty of jokes were made about Princess Leia now technically being a Disney princess. Of course, as much discourse as there has been about this, Leia isn't really a Disney princess at all, because that label has its own meaning.

Since Disney's acquisition of Star Wars in 2012, however, Star Wars' movies and TV shows have cast three actresses who really did have leading roles in Disney's princess movies. The most recent addition was introduced in episode 5 of Star Wars' newest TV show, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. Although she might look and sound quite different in this new role, Skeleton Crew's brand-new bounty hunter, Pokkit, shares an actress with one of Disney's most popular princesses from 12 years ago.

Skeleton Crew's Pokkit Was Also The Voice...

2025 is right around the corner, and with it comes a brand new year of anime that'll surely fill our "totally caught up on everything" queue. Okay, saying we're caught up on our anime queue is a lie, but the part about new anime headed our way is true! Before we return to the world of Solo Leveling , The Apothecary Diaries and Toilet-bound Hanako-kun , let's look back on the anime we watched, and loved, in 2024! Related: Check Out Your Anime Year in Review with the 2024 Crunchyroll Arc Overview Favorite Anime of 2024 Favorite Anime Moments of 2024 More Honorable Mentions Crunchyroll News Favorite Anime of 2024 A Sign of Affection “ A Sign of Affection is my anime of the year because of its heartfelt storytelling, beautifully crafted characters and unique portrayal of a romantic relationship that transcends barriers. The series captured the emotional depth and authenticity of Yuki and Itsuomi's connection, showing how love...

The rumors of delays to the Dcu's Batman film The Brave and the Bold have been greatly exaggerated, says DC Studios co-head James Gunn. The Dcu is officially underway, kicked off by the soft launch of Creature Commandos, and set to continue with Superman in the summer of 2025. James Gunn announced a series of projects that would encompass DC's Chapter 1 - Gods and Monsters, including titles like Lanterns and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, both set for release in 2026. However, one title that seemingly has no new updates is Brave and the Bold, leaving many to suspect the film has been delayed.

On BlueSky, a user posted saying The Brave and the Bold had been delayed, to which James Gunn responded by saying "The Brave and the Bold has not been delayed, so I'm not sure what you are talking about." He also responded to a claim regarding the delay of The Batman - Part II,...

Warning! This post contains Spoilers for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew episode 5

I think Star Wars has just set up a really cool way to redeem Boba Fett, three years after his controversial series. As was seen in The Book of Boba Fett, the titular and legendary bounty hunter seemingly chose to leave his bounty hunter career behind in favor of becoming Tatooine's new daimyo, based out of the place that once belonged to the late Jabba the Hutt. However, Star Wars' newest show may have just set up a far better future for Fett.

As seen in Skeleton Crew episode 5, Jude Law's Jod Na Nawood encounters an old bounty hunter associate while he and the lost kids from At Attin are searching for the secret lair of pirate captain Tak Rennod that's buried below Skull Ridge Mountain Hotel & Spa on the planet Lanupa. As such, this bounty hunter made...

There was a time when Joe Manganiello's Deathstroke was being lined up for a huge role in the Dceu. Original plans called for the villain to learn Batman's secret identity in Justice League's post-credits scene (courtesy of Lex Luthor), setting the stage for him to hunt down Bruce Wayne in the pre-Robert Pattinson version of The Batman. 

That all changed when Ben Affleck decided not to direct the movie, leading to Joss Whedon's Justice League showing Slade Wilson being enlisted to the "Injustice Society" instead. Despite the change, there were later rumblings about a Deathstroke spin-off helmed by The Raid's Gareth Evans.

In September, the trades reported that DC Studios had tapped Captain America: Brave New World writer Matthew Orton to pen a Deathstroke/Bane team-up movie. Many have wondered whether it's really a Secret Six project and James Gunn has confirmed on multiple...

If you haven’t heard, I have some bad news for you: The Batman Part II is being delayed all the way to October 2027, a full year. This is heartbreaking news for me personally, and I’m sure many fans of The Batman feel the same way.

Interestingly, on the same day as The Batman Part II’s delay into 2027, Andy Muschietti gave us the first actual update on The Brave and the Bold since it was announced that he was directing it. On the California Secreta Podcast, Muschietti had the following to say:

"The Batman [The Brave and The Bold] project has been postponed a little bit so I might do another film before that."

What an odd coincidence that, on the same day The Batman Part II is delayed, Andy Muschietti essentially confirms that The Brave and the Bold has also been delayed. The latter had no official release...

The Batman Part II has been making headlines as of late due to its slow development cycle, but now the studio has revealed a major shift in its release schedule. As DC Studios co-head James Gunn alluded to recently, The Batman sequel script has yet to be completed by Matt Reeves and co. While it seems the upcoming film is still well on its way, fans will have to wait significantly longer than originally anticipated to see Robert Pattinson's Caped Crusader save Gotham in The Batman Part II.

Shortly after the Christmas holiday, Warner Bros. moved several films on its release schedule (via Deadline), most prominently including The Batman Part II. The Reeves-directed sequel was originally set to hit theaters on Oct. 2, 2026, but will now premiere a year later on Oct. 1, 2027. Deadline reports that the "VFX-heavy" film heads into production during the summer and, coincidentally enough, WB already...

The Brave and the Bold has just been hit with another disappointing update. Andy Muschietti, who is set to direct the Batman movie, has just revealed that he will likely shoot another feature before helming the DC Universe entry.

The filmmaker shared the news during an appearance on Vorterix's California Secreta. "The Batman [The Brave and The Bold] project has been postponed a little bit, so I might do another film before that," Muschietti shared. Muschietti became attached to The Brave and the Bold in June 2023, the same month that his DC Extended Universe movie, The Flash, opened in theaters to middling reviews and poor commercial reception.

Related Creature Commandos' Future at Max Revealed Weeks Ahead of Finale

Christmas has come early for the DC Universe fandom, with DC Studios and Max revealing the fate of Creature Commandos ahead of its Season 1 finale.

Andy Muschietti: "The Batman [The Brave and The...

The Batman fans are going to have to wait a little longer for the sequel to the 2022 movie. Warner Bros. has just delayed The Batman Part II by a year.

Per Deadline, the hotly-anticipated sequel to Matt Reeves' The Batman has been pushed from Oct. 2, 2026 to Oct. 1, 2027. Production is now slated to begin in late summer next year on the VFX-heavy sequel. The Batman Part II was first announced by Warner Bros. and Reeves in April 2022, following the critical and commercial success of The Batman. Reeves is currently writing the screenplay for the sequel, which will bring back Robert Pattinson as the titular Caped Crusader, with Mattson Tomlin.

Related The Batman Director Breaks Silence on the Lengthy Wait for Sequel's Script

The Batman Part II director Matt Reeves explains the 'slow' process behind his screenplay for the highly anticipated superhero sequel.

This marks The Batman Part II's second release date change.

The news that Andy Muschietti would direct The Brave and the Bold came right as The Flash raced into theaters. Was it meant as a sign of faith in the filmmaker or a distraction from what would prove to be a disastrous opening weekend?

We'll likely never know, though many fans have questioned James Gunn's decision to bring Muschietti back into the fold. The director may fare better under a new regime - and without all the reshoots he was forced to helm - but whether he's the right person to tell Batman and Robin's stories is up for debate.

However, Michael Keaton's scenes as the Caped Crusader in The Flash were arguably among the movie's best moments.

In a new interview, Muschietti was asked where things stand with The Brave and the Bold and responded, "The Batman [The Brave and The Bold] project has been postponed a little...

James Gunn's Dcu is slowly taking shape in the form of his animated series Creature Commandos and the upcoming solo film Superman, but one Caped Crusader remains relatively absent from our screens. Announced in early 2023, Andy Muschietti is set to direct The Brave and the Bold, the first official project from the rebooted DC Universe featuring Batman and, as the movie's title suggests, Robin (Damian Wayne). The highly-anticipated film, separate from Matt Reeves' The Batman franchise, has not had a meaningful development update since it was revealed. Until now, that is.

During an interview with the California Secreta podcast (via EverythingDCU), Andy Muschietti discussed his upcoming projects after having directed The Flash and It for Warner Bros. While he teased his next production could be a more personal, science fiction film he's been developing for quite some time, it seems it will be a while until fans are treated to a new Batman film.

After James Gunn and Peter Safran took over DC Studios, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav made it clear that the new DC Universe (Dcu) would have a more focused direction, saying, “There’s not going to be four Batmans.”

A month later, Gunn and Safran shared their first plans for the Dcu, which included a movie called The Brave and the Bold. This film will introduce the Dcu’s new Batman, inspired by Grant Morrison’s popular comic book series from 2006 to 2013.

Ben Affleck, who played Batman in the old Dceu, won’t be returning for this version. At the same time, Matt Reeves’s version of Batman from The Batman will continue as a separate storyline under the “DC Elseworlds” label, which is used for stories outside the main Dcu timeline.

In June 2023, Andy Muschietti, the director of The Flash, was chosen to direct The Brave and the Bold.