Vampire Diaries News, Get Your Fangs Into This!

Back in April, I told you that Ian Somerhalder had announced at a con that Season 8 was going to be the final season for TVD.  He said that they were going to do one more season to “do the story justice”.  Well, at SDCC, Executive Producer Julie Plec made it official.

Plec said that this season would indeed be the final season for the show, but there were other juicy tidbits that she revealed as well.  Episode titles this season will be based on popular lines from the first season of the show… including episode 8.01 entitled….

That’s right.  The first words Damon ever said in the show will be the title for the Season 8 premiere episode that will air on Friday, October 21 on The CW.  Another juicy tidbit that Plec dropped for us to eagerly gobble up was that Nina Dobrev may return to the show for this final season.  Fans are eagerly waiting to see if this turns out to be true.  Me?  I wasn’t ever really a big fan of Elena.  Wait.  Don’t throw those stones yet.  I didn’t say I hated her, just that I wasn’t that big of a fan.  I haven’t even missed her since she’s been napping in that coffin.  However, I think it would make a good ending for her to come back and live happily ever after with Damon.  Well, at least that’s #2 on my list of ways to end the show.  I still say that Jensen Ackles’ (Dean Winchester, Supernatural) preferred way to end the show would be the best way… with the Impala rolling through Mystic Falls.

Oh, and I almost forgot.  Plec also announced that this final season will only have 16 episodes.

I have to admit, I didn’t watch the show for the soap opera style romance.  I watched it for the bromance… and more specifically the Redemption of Damon Salvatore.  When the show began, the brothers were at odds.  In fact, they’d been warring for years.  But, as the show progressed we watched Stefan … and yeah… okay…. Elena slowly change Damon.  In the beginning, he was the bad boy… the sometimes villain that we loved to hate while we secretly lusted after him.  Then he became a hero… without the “hero hair”.  So,  yeah, Damon had me at “Hello, brother.”

Now, in the premiere?  I’d pay money to see Stefan find Damon (and yeah, Enzo) and say…. “Hello, brother.”  Ya know, just for poetic symmetry and all that jazz.

Robot Wars Is Back! We Review Episode 1

Robot Wars returned to the UK on Sunday night and proved to be a much more successful revival than the terrible Chris Evans’ version of Top Gear (or as I like to call it, ‘Flop Gear’). Whilst there was disappointingly no Craig Charles, the revival proved to be both a faithful and fresh take on the show about robots fighting each other.

The new presenters Dara Ó Briain and Angela Scanlon make for a brilliant presenting duo. Going in I expected I would prefer Dara Ó Briain presenting, so I was surprised to find I was actually more impressed by Angela Scanlon. Angela Scanlon has a wonderfully sweet nature when interviewing the competing teams, like a cross between Melinda Messenger and Kate Humble. I get the feeling that Angela Scanlon could easily host the show on her own; whilst Dara Ó Briain is good I’m not entirely sure this is the show for him. At times he feels as uncomfortable as Jeremy Clarkson did during the first series of Robot Wars, although he seems a bit more relaxed when talking about the teams’ work in the lab stations.

The lab station segments can however have the tendency to drag. If like me you enjoyed Channel 4’s Scrapheap Challenge then this likely wouldn’t be a problem but I imagine that many may be put off by the amount of time devoted to showing the teams working on their creations between each battle. Robot Wars would perhaps work better in a 45 minute slot than the one hour it was given.

When the robots actually fight, it is top quality entertainment. Watching these robotic machines fight each other is a lot of fun and it’s not long before you find yourself having a favourite. Mine was Carbide: a robot made from steel usually used for armour on military tanks and according to the official site a blade with sixty times more energy than a sniper bullet. I am sure Carbide is going to go down as a favourite among Robot Wars fans. Talking of the Robot Wars fanbase, they would undoubtedly have been happy to see past competitor Behemoth return to the series. Behemoth provided some good entertainment with its shovel mechanic allowing it to topple over its competitors with ease. It didn’t manage to secure a place in the final (that honour went to Carbide) but regardless it was fun to watch.

Return appearances have also been made by the house robots Sir Killalot, Matilda, Shunt and Dead Metal. The robots have of course been radically redesigned to appear more modern and current but they still retain the same basic look. All four add a lot of the fun and chaos to Robot Wars’ format, especially Sir Killalot who is a superbly barmy robot that feels like it has come straight out of a Looney Tunes cartoon. Sir Killalot has a much more humanoid look than before, and it’s a look that is undeniably better than its original appearance.

Then:

Now:

The others look much more faithful to their original designs, although Matilda now has red LED lights, Shunt is taller and Dead Metal has LEDs and larger claws.

Matilda

Shunt

Dead Metal

Robot Wars is a promising revival of the original television series, however Dara Ó Briain hasn’t quite managed to fill Craig Charles’ shoes yet and occasionally the lab scenes in-between fights can slow down the show’s pace. It is definitely worth a watch though; the robot fights provide quality entertainment and the house robots are unbelievably cool with their updated appearances.

You can catch Robot Wars every Sunday at 8pm on BBC2.

Kiersey Clemons Cast As The Female Lead In The Flash Movie

A while back we reported on the rumours that Kiersey Clemons was in talks to play a female lead in the Flash movie. She was among the contenders for the role, which included Rita Ora and Lucy Boynton. Variety has confirmed that Clemons has sealed the deal and will indeed star in the Flash as none other than Iris West. Iris West is a young journalist and a love interest for Barry Allen, who is played by Ezra Miller. Clemons will be reteaming with Dope director Rick Famuyiwa for this installment in the DC Extended Universe. 

The Flash is slated for a March 2018 release and is expected to begin production sometime this year. Ezra Miler will star as the titular character and will be joined by Clemons as Iris West. Rick Famuyiwa Will direct the epic from a script by Seth Grahame-Smith based on a story by Phil Lord and Chris Mille. Before that, Ezra Miller will appear in Justice League next year as the Flash/ Barry Allen.

Prison Break SDCC 2016 Reveals, Synopsis and Trailer

TV’s favourite brothers will be returning to our screens next year in the Prison Break limited series. That’s right, Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) will be back! I’m sure your thinking ‘but didn’t Michael die’, but we have been promised a ‘logical and believable explanation’ for why he escaped death. The official synopsis below:

“Prison Break is back and ready for its biggest escape yet. In the thrilling new event series Prison Break, original series stars Wentworth Miller (“The Loft”, “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”), Dominic Purcell (“Equilibrium”, “Legends of Tomorrow”), Sarah Wayne Callies (“The Walking Dead”, “Colony”), Amaury Nolasco (“Transformers”, “2 Fast 2 Furious”), Robert Knepper (“Hitman”, “Transporter 3”), Rockmond Dunbar (“Soul Food”, “The Mentalist”), Paul Adelstein (“Private Practice”, “Scandal”), are reunited for an all-new adventure spanning the globe and featuring the signature thrills and cliffhangers that were hallmarks of the original series when it aired on FOX from 2005-2009.

The original action drama centred on Michael Scofield, a young man determined to save his convicted brother, Lincoln Burrows, from death row by hatching an elaborate plan to escape from prison. In the all-new event series, filmed on location in Morroco, clues surface that a previously thought-to-be-dead Michael may be alive. Lincoln and Sara, Michael’s wife before he was presumed dead, reunite to engineer the series biggest escape ever, as three of Fox River State Penitentiary’s most notorious escapees, Sucre, T-Bag and C-Note are pulled back into the action.

‘Prison Break’ was an immediate critical and ratings hit when it premiered on FOX in 2005, garnering Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Television Series – Drama and Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series. The original producing teams, including series creator Paul T. Sheuring, Neil Moritz, Marty Adelstein and Dawn Olmstead, will return to executive produce the new series with Sheuring serving as showrunner/writer.”

This year at San Diego Comic Con series stars Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Sarah Wayne Callies and Robert Knepper reunited for FOX’s Action Showcase panel. Where they revealed exclusive details for the upcoming season, including a new clip. Here are some of the reveals below:

• Wentworth revealed “Michael has a fresh set of tattoos and they are central to the plot, but they don’t work the same way they did the first time round.”
• When a fan questioned that Michael was dead at the end of the last season, Sarah Wayne Callies joked “We’ve all been dead, Sweetheart.”
• Robert Knepper suggested we may see a different T-Bag, a more mature, less murderous version (but surely that won’t last).
• When asked ‘how Michael Scofield would do on The Flash or Legends of Tomorrow’ (where he plays Leonard Snart aka Captain Cold), Wentworth replied “He has always had a comic book facet, superhero facet. He can endure what the other could not… I don’t think he and Snart would get along, necessarily, because Snart does not get along (with anyone)”. Sarah Wayne Callies added “I think Sara Tancredi in the zombie apocalypse would not necessarily last too long,” referencing her role on The Walking Dead.
• Dominic Purcell took this opportunity to thank his girlfriend, co-stars and all those who supported him through the accident that occurred on set, thanking them for the time he was given to heal and recuperate. Purcell was injured when a heavy metal piece fell from the set, where he was incredibly lucky to escape with no permanent injuries. Wentworth expressed his worry after hearing about the accident, “It was very upsetting, of course. The man is my brother, in every way but blood.”

Check out the previously released trailer and SDCC clip below:

Are you excited for the Prison Break revival series as much as I am? Let us know in the comments.

 

Surtur Confirmed For Thor Ragnarok

So this weekend it has been confirmed that Surtur has is to appear in Thor: Ragnarok people lucky enough to be at SDCC sat in Hall C were also treated to a new retro looking logo for the film and a first look at the Hulk gladiator armor .

This next installment of the Thor movies looks set to be the biggest film in the Thor series yet some are saying it could even be the best Marvel film to be released yet (No pressure there then).

The film will include elements of Planet Hulk as well as including such characters as Hela, The Grand Master and Loki.

Thor: Ragnarok is set to be released on the 27th October 2017 and I cannot wait to see if this film lives up to all the hype surrounding it.

As always for all your Asgardian and Hulk smashing needs stick with @Deadpool_1984 only at skatronixxx.com

ICYMI – This Week in Skatronixxx

Hey there Skatronixxx peeps, and occasional Readers!  Welcome Back to ICYMI!  This past week at Skatronixxx all hands were on deck to cover the BIG DEAL…  San Diego Comic Con!  And our awesome writers went overtime to bring you all the news that is news at SDCC.  But we also had some big, BIG news of our own!  Read on for details! 

Arkham Asylum Rumoured To Be Setting for Ben Affleck’s “Batman” Movie

With Suicide Squad gaining massive traction and excitement, and the Justice League having an incredible showcase at SDCC this weekend, it’s no wonder that Ben Affleck‘s (Good Will Hunting, Shakespeare in Love, Argo) Batman movie is stirring up some traction.

Rumours have already begun across the internet that Affleck’s standalone movie will take place in Arkham Asylum.

Arkham Asylum is one of the most infamously known places in Gotham, housing the criminally insane residents, including villain favourites such as Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, The Scarecrow and of course, Batman’s favourite, The Joker.

Also the setting of the incredibly popular first installment of the Batman video game franchise from Rocksteady, and a large focus during the television series Gotham staring Ben KcKenzie (The O.C., Southland, Goodbye World), Arkham Asylum has always been a huge point of interest for the Batman franchise and fans, mostly because it plays host to some of the most interesting and terrifying DC villains of all time.

With the Asylum and its guests being so hugely popular, and with the release of Suicide Squad aiding to the debut of a handful of the inmates, it wouldn’t surprise fans at all if this incredibly wonderful rumour was true.

The untitled Batman reboot currently has no release date – however, if you can’t wait to see Ben Affleck’s interpretation of the Dark Knight, you can see Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. And if you want more, you wait to see him in either Suicide Squad August 5th 2016, or the Justice League movie, due for release November 2017.

Breaking SPN Casting News: Rick Springfield Joins SN12

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Gregory Pace/BEI/BEI/Shutterstock (4926917eu) Rick Springfield ‘Ricki and the Flash’ film premiere, New York, America – 03 Aug 2015

The biggest annual event in the Geek’verse is going on right now in San Diego.  I like to refer to it as Geek Summer Camp, but most people call it Comic Con.  One day, I’ll make it to Geek Summer Camp, but until then I live on first hand accounts of people lucky enough to be there in the middle of the action.  Their tweets and other social media posts make my whole week.

The Supernatural panel in Hall H today was full of juicy tidbits.  The traditional unveiling of last season’s gag reel, and other antics from the cast.  But, the biggest thing to be discussed today was Lucifer…. specifically who’ll be playing the fallen archangel this season.  The Show’s new Co-Show Runners Robert Singer and Andrew Dabb explained that Lucifer would be trying out a few vessels this season.  The first one will be played by Rock Icon and former teen idol, Rick Springfield.  Lucifer’s first vessel of the season will be that of an “aging rock star trying to make a comeback” named Vincent Vicente.

Now, don’t get me wrong…. I love Rick Springfield!  He was great in Californication, and most recently in Ricki and the Flash.  And, who could forget Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital?  Yes, I’m that old.  However, there’s just some role’s that belong to certain actors, and my Lucifer is Mark Pellegrino.

I will try to reserve judgement though, and wait to see how this goes down.  What do you think of this casting news?  Tell us in the comments below.

He-Man And The Masters of the Universe… RETURNS???

After 20 years, He-Man will return to home viewing system. How crazy is that? This show was beloved by many in the 80s and even had its own cult following,… (Just kidding… or am I?) Well, it seemed that way when everyone (including me) owned something He-Man related.

Ok, so in case some of you don’t know, (and if you don’t, I’m sorry, but your childhood was sad) He-Man was about a prince named Adam in a land called Eternia, who rocked a pink vest, purple pants, and blonde pageboy haircut. Eternia was constantly under attack by the evil Skeletor and his minions. What no one knew is that Adam had an alter ego called He-Man. He was able to transform from a pale, brightly-colored dresser into this super tan, speedo-wearing, muscle-bound dude with a much deeper voice (which, by the way, is super sexy)… he was able to achieve this transformation by a raising magical sword aloft and yelling the phrase “BY THE POWER OF GREY SKULL!!”

He would also be able to change the appearance of his cowardly green tiger, Cringer, (I had a Siamese named after him!) into a badass called Battle Cat who wore red armor on his head and an armored saddle for He-Man on his back, and his voice also changed (did I forget to mention Cringer could talk? …sorry, he could talk…) This was how He-Man got around when he needed to travel and kick some bad guy booty.

  

This wonderfully cheesy show first aired in 1983 and was cancelled in 1986 after only two seasons. It had a spin off called She-Ra, which was a story about Adam’s twin sister Adora, who lived in another dimension after being kidnapped as an infant. She too has a magic sword that she raises to transform, becoming She-Ra, yelling her own slightly different version of He-Mans’ maxim: “FOR THE HONOR OF GREY SKULL!!” She can change her horse spirit into a unicorn/pegasus (also known as an alicorn) named Swift Wind. (She-Ra’s show was equally cheesy but I loved every episode)

In my day, this creature was called a UniPeg, but now apparently it’s called an Alicorn….. Thanks My Little Pony….

 

They made a movie of He-Man in 1987, starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor. This movie failed, receiving bad ratings and reviews. (I saw this movie once, and honestly they were basing it off of a cheesy TV show of the 80s… not sure what they were expecting back then, but maybe if they remade it now, I don’t know, with today’s technology, maybe it would work? Hell, they are remaking EVERYTHING else from the 80s these days, so why not?)

Cartoon Network attempted to remake this series back in 2002, but I never watched these. In fact, I boycotted it altogether since it looked weird as hell to me and I wasn’t about to go there with a child hood fav (I believe at that time they also redid Transformers the cartoon show as well….. but I cant remember for sure) This series didn’t last long either. What is it about the He-Man that causes failure in the TV market?

So here it is, 2016, and they are bringing it back again… this time by the Super7 team, and has been aired at San Diego Comic Con on Wednesday 20^th. I watched the trailer (Which you can find by clicking right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zatw9jgnylo) and it looks exactly like the original episodes that aired in the 80s. The change, of course, being the voices you hear. But other wise pretty much the same. Even bad acting voiceovers.

I also came across a video of someone who took recorded the first episode at Comic-con and, well, yes I watched it. It was a little hard to hear from my phone, and it was from someone who took the video from their seat, so the screen is moving a bit but you get the idea of what the story was about. But I was surprised when I watched the show. Honestly when I saw the trailer, I thought they were just cutting and pasting voiceovers into old clips from the 80s TV show, and that when the new TV show actually aired the cartoon would look different… but no, they made the animation the same! Crazy!! I did enjoy this episode, kinda brought back memories of being little, eating cereal in front of the TV… but it kind of messed with the brain when the voices were all different. But it was still cheesy, which I loved! (Oh and SPOILERS, they used the word NINCOMPOOP!!! AAAAAHHHH the body tingles are great, my friends!!)

So where will they go with this? Are they going to continue to bring the 80s animation with a 21st century twist? Will they bring back all the great and not-so-creative characters (like Many-Faces, Faker, and Clawful?) And will it actually last longer than two seasons this time? Well, I feel that Super7 team have a lot to live up to and triumph over, considering they have 30 years of downs against them, and those of us who loved the series will be watching with a scrutinizing eye. But whatever happens, it will be fun watching these to see where it goes. ^_^

 

Here is the episode leaked from comic con!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

New Fantastic Beasts Trailer Revealed

A new trailer for Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them has been revealed at Comic Con:

The footage in the trailer definitely captures that David Yates late Harry Potter feel within the cinematography, however there are also hints through the dialogue at a lighter tone more in-keeping with the Chris Columbus – Harry Potter movies. No-Maj Jacob (Dan Fogler) looks to be a highlight of the film; I think we can all sympathise with his desire to be a wizard!

The trailer sees a number of returning magical creatures, most notably house elves and goblins. The house elves barely featured in the Harry Potter films (despite the Hogwarts house elves along with Dobby and Barty Crouch Jnr’s house elf Winky being quite prominent in the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book),so it is nice to see them star in the new film. Hopefully we will get to see plenty of the house elves this time round: perhaps Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander has his own personal house elf among his collection of magical creatures?

One of my favourite moments in the trailer is the moving painting. These paintings are nothing new in the Harry Potter universe. They have appeared numerous times in both the books and films; one painting of a fat lady was the password-protected entrance to the Gryffindor common room (excellently portrayed by Dawn French in the films). It is still a cool effect however and one of my favourite elements of the Wizarding World.

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is based on a Harry Potter spinoff book by JK Rowling, originally published in 2001. The book was intended to be one of Harry’s textbooks from Hogwarts, first mentioned in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as one of the books required for his first year of studies. It is written in-universe by Newt Scamander as documentation of the magical creatures he has encountered. The book is scheduled to be republished on the 14th March 2017 with a new foreword by JK Rowling. The film’s screenplay will also be published this November and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon for the price of £8.49 (or if you operate in Wizarding World currency, fourteen sickles and three knuts).

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them opens on the 18th November 2016, so get practising your apparating skills. You don’t want to splinch yourself. Arriving at the cinema without your head wouldn’t be much fun…