Monthly Archives: March 2021
It Takes Two Review
In It Takes Two, you fight the kind of common, red toolbox that might be sitting in your garage, or your parents' garage. It's one of the best boss battles I've ever played.
In the level leading up to this, co-op protagonists Cody and May learn to chuck nails and wield a hammer head, respectively. Cody can shoot nails into wooden surfaces; May can use the hammer to swing on those nails. Cody can nail moving platforms in place; May can hop onto those platforms, or wall jump between vertical surfaces that Cody can position via strategic nail shots. Eventually, he gets three nails to throw instead of one, leading to some excitingly frantic platforming.
The boss fight that closes this level uses those abilities in concert. Cody and May stand on a plywood platform, facing off against the toolbox. It can swing at them with bolted on plywood arms, which the duo needs to dodge. To deal any damage, Cody has to pin its long, wooden limb to a wall with his three nails, allowing May to swing over and smack its tinny body. As the fight proceeds, the toolbox shoots nails into the air which hurtle down at the plywood platform, a platform which gradually shrinks as the toolbox uses a handsaw to whittle it down to a nub with strategic cuts.
Continue Reading at GameSpotDC’s Black Adam: Pierce Brosnan Cast as Doctor Fate
The Rock has found a new adversary in 007. Pierce Brosnan has been cast as Kent Nelson, aka Doctor Fate, opposite Dwayne Johnson in the upcoming Black Adam movie, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter and confirmed by Deadline.
Brosnan is the latest key cast member to be added to the film, which will serve as the big screen debut of the Justice Society of America. Doctor Fate is a founding member of the group and possesses sorcery skills bestowed upon him by the Helmet of Fate. The character first debuted in 1940's More Fun Comics #5.
[caption id="attachment_2491223" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]
Image Credit: Getty/DC[/caption]
Johnson's anti-hero will face-off against the Justice Society of America in the movie. Other cast members already announced for the film include Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, and Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone.
Although this will mark Brosnan's first foray into the realm of comic book adaptations, the star is no stranger to blockbusters, having held the mantle of James Bond. More recently, he's starred in action films like The Foreigner and The November Man. Last year he appeared in Netflix's musical comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=black-adam-first-trailer-screenshots&captions=true"]
Black Adam will be the second New Line/DC film production after 2019's Shazam! Johnson was originally slated to appear in Shazam! as a villain, though plans were reworked to give the star his own solo film.
Jaume Collet-Serra, who directed Johnson in Disney's upcoming Jungle Cruise, is reteaming with the star to helm the film. The production is set to begin filming in April.
In our review of Shazam!, IGN gave the film an 8.8, calling it "DC's most joyful and sweet movie since the era of Christopher Reeve's Superman."
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/22/black-adam-dc-fandome-official-teaser"]
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.
Image Credit: Getty/DC[/caption]
Johnson's anti-hero will face-off against the Justice Society of America in the movie. Other cast members already announced for the film include Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, and Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone.
Although this will mark Brosnan's first foray into the realm of comic book adaptations, the star is no stranger to blockbusters, having held the mantle of James Bond. More recently, he's starred in action films like The Foreigner and The November Man. Last year he appeared in Netflix's musical comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=black-adam-first-trailer-screenshots&captions=true"]
Black Adam will be the second New Line/DC film production after 2019's Shazam! Johnson was originally slated to appear in Shazam! as a villain, though plans were reworked to give the star his own solo film.
Jaume Collet-Serra, who directed Johnson in Disney's upcoming Jungle Cruise, is reteaming with the star to helm the film. The production is set to begin filming in April.
In our review of Shazam!, IGN gave the film an 8.8, calling it "DC's most joyful and sweet movie since the era of Christopher Reeve's Superman."
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/22/black-adam-dc-fandome-official-teaser"]
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.DC’s Black Adam: Pierce Brosnan Cast as Doctor Fate
The Rock has found a new adversary in 007. Pierce Brosnan has been cast as Kent Nelson, aka Doctor Fate, opposite Dwayne Johnson in the upcoming Black Adam movie, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter and confirmed by Deadline.
Brosnan is the latest key cast member to be added to the film, which will serve as the big screen debut of the Justice Society of America. Doctor Fate is a founding member of the group and possesses sorcery skills bestowed upon him by the Helmet of Fate. The character first debuted in 1940's More Fun Comics #5.
[caption id="attachment_2491223" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image Credit: Getty/DC[/caption]
Johnson's anti-hero will face-off against the Justice Society of America in the movie. Other cast members already announced for the film include Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, and Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone.
Although this will mark Brosnan's first foray into the realm of comic book adaptations, the star is no stranger to blockbusters, having held the mantle of James Bond. More recently, he's starred in action films like The Foreigner and The November Man. Last year he appeared in Netflix's musical comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=black-adam-first-trailer-screenshots&captions=true"]
Black Adam will be the second New Line/DC film production after 2019's Shazam! Johnson was originally slated to appear in Shazam! as a villain, though plans were reworked to give the star his own solo film.
Jaume Collet-Serra, who directed Johnson in Disney's upcoming Jungle Cruise, is reteaming with the star to helm the film. The production is set to begin filming in April.
In our review of Shazam!, IGN gave the film an 8.8, calling it "DC's most joyful and sweet movie since the era of Christopher Reeve's Superman."
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/22/black-adam-dc-fandome-official-teaser"]
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.
Image Credit: Getty/DC[/caption]
Johnson's anti-hero will face-off against the Justice Society of America in the movie. Other cast members already announced for the film include Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, and Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone.
Although this will mark Brosnan's first foray into the realm of comic book adaptations, the star is no stranger to blockbusters, having held the mantle of James Bond. More recently, he's starred in action films like The Foreigner and The November Man. Last year he appeared in Netflix's musical comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=black-adam-first-trailer-screenshots&captions=true"]
Black Adam will be the second New Line/DC film production after 2019's Shazam! Johnson was originally slated to appear in Shazam! as a villain, though plans were reworked to give the star his own solo film.
Jaume Collet-Serra, who directed Johnson in Disney's upcoming Jungle Cruise, is reteaming with the star to helm the film. The production is set to begin filming in April.
In our review of Shazam!, IGN gave the film an 8.8, calling it "DC's most joyful and sweet movie since the era of Christopher Reeve's Superman."
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/22/black-adam-dc-fandome-official-teaser"]
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.Why PS3, PSP, and Vita Stores Closing Would Be Such a Big Deal
On this week's episode of IGN's PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Brian Altano and Mitchell Saltzman to discuss the report that Sony may be shuttering the PS3, PS Vita, and PSP stores in the coming months. We dive into what the loss of those digital storefronts might mean for a large chunk of PlayStation history, why we hope the decision doesn't come to pass, and what Sony could do to preserve such an important era to PlayStation's history.
Then, the cast dives into the surprising announcement that Sony has acquired EVO in a new partnership. We discuss what the acquisition may mean for EVO itself and the fighting community at large, why we think Sony made the deal, and, really, why we hope it means a PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale 2 could actually happen.
Plus, we dive into some of the free games coming PlayStation players' way with the Play at Home lineup, the PSVR 2 controllers, and much more!
Watch the new episode above!
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-ps5-games&captions=true"]
Podcast Beyond! is live every Wednesday. For more on PS5, check out our PS5 console review and our PS5 wiki guide for tips on how to best use your system. And for more Beyond, be sure to watch the first episode of our Bloodborne let's play!
[poilib element="poll" parameters="id=6dd2b926-8863-4080-99b2-d08eb61f67f6"]
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Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.
Why PS3, PSP, and Vita Stores Closing Would Be Such a Big Deal
On this week's episode of IGN's PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Brian Altano and Mitchell Saltzman to discuss the report that Sony may be shuttering the PS3, PS Vita, and PSP stores in the coming months. We dive into what the loss of those digital storefronts might mean for a large chunk of PlayStation history, why we hope the decision doesn't come to pass, and what Sony could do to preserve such an important era to PlayStation's history.
Then, the cast dives into the surprising announcement that Sony has acquired EVO in a new partnership. We discuss what the acquisition may mean for EVO itself and the fighting community at large, why we think Sony made the deal, and, really, why we hope it means a PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale 2 could actually happen.
Plus, we dive into some of the free games coming PlayStation players' way with the Play at Home lineup, the PSVR 2 controllers, and much more!
Watch the new episode above!
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-ps5-games&captions=true"]
Podcast Beyond! is live every Wednesday. For more on PS5, check out our PS5 console review and our PS5 wiki guide for tips on how to best use your system. And for more Beyond, be sure to watch the first episode of our Bloodborne let's play!
[poilib element="poll" parameters="id=6dd2b926-8863-4080-99b2-d08eb61f67f6"]
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.
Everything Coming to Netflix in April 2021
To kick things off this month, Netflix is dropping its much-anticipated new fantasy series, Shadow and Bone, on April 23. Based on Leigh Bardugo's worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, "Shadow and Bone finds us in a war-torn world where a lowly soldier and orphan Alina Starkov has just unleashed an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her country free. With the monstrous threat of the Shadow Fold looming, Alina is torn from everything she knows to train as part of an elite army of magical soldiers known as Grisha. But as she struggles to hone her power, she finds that allies and enemies can be one and the same and that nothing in this lavish world is what it seems," according to the synopsis from Netflix.
For more Shadow and Bone, be sure to check out our exclusive trailer break down with the cast and creators in the video below:
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/netflixs-shadow-and-bone-teaser-trailer-cast-reaction-and-breakdown-ign-fan-fest-2021"]
On the movie front, Netflix will be home to Thunder Force on April 8. This comedy features an unlikely crime-fighting superhero duo in the form of Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer. But if you're in the mood for some space-faring adventures, Netflix has you covered with Stowaway on April 22. Featuring the acting talents of Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, and Toni Collette, this sci-fi film follows a group of astronauts on a mission to Mars where the crew is forced to make some life-altering decisions.
Watch the thrilling trailer for Stowaway in the video below:
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/24/stowaway-official-trailer"]
Check out the slideshow gallery below for highlights of Netflix's April offerings, followed by the full list (U.S. Netflix only):
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=netflix-spotlight-april-2021&captions=true"]
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April 1
- Magical Andes: Season 2 -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
- Prank Encounters: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Tersanjung the Movie -- NETFLIX FILM
- Worn Stories -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
- 2012
- Cop Out
- Friends with Benefits
- Insidious
- Legally Blonde
- Leprechaun
- The Pianist
- The Possession
- Secrets of Great British Castles: Season 1
- The Time Traveler's Wife
- Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family
- White Boy
- Yes Man
April 2
- Concrete Cowboy -- NETFLIX FILM
- Just Say Yes -- NETFLIX FILM
- Madame Claude -- NETFLIX FILM
- The Serpent -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Sky High -- NETFLIX FILM
April 3
- Escape from Planet Earth
April 4
- What Lies Below
April 5
- Coded Bias
- Family Reunion: Part 3 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
April 6
- The Last Kids on Earth: Happy Apocalypse to You -- NETFLIX FAMILY
April 7
- The Big Day: Collection 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
- Snabba Cash -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- This Is A Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
- The Wedding Coach -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
April 8
- The Way of the Househusband -- NETFLIX ANIME
April 9
- Have You Ever Seen Fireflies? -- NETFLIX FILM
- Night in Paradise -- NETFLIX FILM
- Thunder Force -- NETFLIX FILM
April 10
- The Stand-In
April 11
- Diana: The Interview that Shook the World
April 12
- New Gods: Nezha Reborn -- NETFLIX FILM
- Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn: Seasons 1-4
April 13
- The Baker and the Beauty: Season 1
- Mighty Express: Season 3 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
- My Love: Six Stories of True Love -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
April 14
- The Circle: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Law School -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- The Soul -- NETFLIX FILM
- Why Did You Kill Me? -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
April 15
- Dark City Beneath the Beat
- The Master
- Ride or Die -- NETFLIX FILM
April 16
- Arlo the Alligator Boy -- NETFLIX FAMILY
- Ajeeb Daastaans -- NETFLIX FILM
- Barbie & Chelsea The Lost Birthday
- Crimson Peak
- Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Season 4: Mexico -- NETFLIX FAMILY
- Into the Beat -- NETFLIX FILM
- Rush
- Synchronic
- Why Are You Like This -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- The Zookeeper's Wife
April 18
- Luis Miguel - The Series: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
April 19
- Miss Sloane
- PJ Masks: Season 3
April 20
- Izzy's Koala World: Season 2 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
April 21
- Zero -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
April 22
- Life in Color with David Attenborough -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
- Stowaway -- NETFLIX FILM
April 23
- Heroes: Silence and Rock & Roll
- Shadow and Bone -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Tell Me When -- NETFLIX FILM
April 27
- August: Osage County
- Battle of Los Angeles
- Fatma -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Go! Go! Cory Carson: Season 4 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
April 28
- Sexify -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Headspace Guide to Sleep -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
April 29
- Things Heard & Seen -- NETFLIX FILM
- Yasuke -- NETFLIX ANIME
April 30
- The Innocent -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- An accidental killing leads a man down a dark hole of intrigue and murder. Just as he finds love and freedom, one phone call brings back the nightmare.
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines -- NETFLIX FAMILY
- Pet Stars -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- The Unremarkable Juanquini: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Everything Coming to Netflix in April 2021
To kick things off this month, Netflix is dropping its much-anticipated new fantasy series, Shadow and Bone, on April 23. Based on Leigh Bardugo's worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, "Shadow and Bone finds us in a war-torn world where a lowly soldier and orphan Alina Starkov has just unleashed an extraordinary power that could be the key to setting her country free. With the monstrous threat of the Shadow Fold looming, Alina is torn from everything she knows to train as part of an elite army of magical soldiers known as Grisha. But as she struggles to hone her power, she finds that allies and enemies can be one and the same and that nothing in this lavish world is what it seems," according to the synopsis from Netflix.
For more Shadow and Bone, be sure to check out our exclusive trailer break down with the cast and creators in the video below:
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/netflixs-shadow-and-bone-teaser-trailer-cast-reaction-and-breakdown-ign-fan-fest-2021"]
On the movie front, Netflix will be home to Thunder Force on April 8. This comedy features an unlikely crime-fighting superhero duo in the form of Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer. But if you're in the mood for some space-faring adventures, Netflix has you covered with Stowaway on April 22. Featuring the acting talents of Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, and Toni Collette, this sci-fi film follows a group of astronauts on a mission to Mars where the crew is forced to make some life-altering decisions.
Watch the thrilling trailer for Stowaway in the video below:
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/24/stowaway-official-trailer"]
Check out the slideshow gallery below for highlights of Netflix's April offerings, followed by the full list (U.S. Netflix only):
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=netflix-spotlight-april-2021&captions=true"]
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
April 1
- Magical Andes: Season 2 -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
- Prank Encounters: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Tersanjung the Movie -- NETFLIX FILM
- Worn Stories -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
- 2012
- Cop Out
- Friends with Benefits
- Insidious
- Legally Blonde
- Leprechaun
- The Pianist
- The Possession
- Secrets of Great British Castles: Season 1
- The Time Traveler's Wife
- Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family
- White Boy
- Yes Man
April 2
- Concrete Cowboy -- NETFLIX FILM
- Just Say Yes -- NETFLIX FILM
- Madame Claude -- NETFLIX FILM
- The Serpent -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Sky High -- NETFLIX FILM
April 3
- Escape from Planet Earth
April 4
- What Lies Below
April 5
- Coded Bias
- Family Reunion: Part 3 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
April 6
- The Last Kids on Earth: Happy Apocalypse to You -- NETFLIX FAMILY
April 7
- The Big Day: Collection 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
- Snabba Cash -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- This Is A Robbery: The World's Biggest Art Heist -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
- The Wedding Coach -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
April 8
- The Way of the Househusband -- NETFLIX ANIME
April 9
- Have You Ever Seen Fireflies? -- NETFLIX FILM
- Night in Paradise -- NETFLIX FILM
- Thunder Force -- NETFLIX FILM
April 10
- The Stand-In
April 11
- Diana: The Interview that Shook the World
April 12
- New Gods: Nezha Reborn -- NETFLIX FILM
- Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn: Seasons 1-4
April 13
- The Baker and the Beauty: Season 1
- Mighty Express: Season 3 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
- My Love: Six Stories of True Love -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
April 14
- The Circle: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Law School -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- The Soul -- NETFLIX FILM
- Why Did You Kill Me? -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
April 15
- Dark City Beneath the Beat
- The Master
- Ride or Die -- NETFLIX FILM
April 16
- Arlo the Alligator Boy -- NETFLIX FAMILY
- Ajeeb Daastaans -- NETFLIX FILM
- Barbie & Chelsea The Lost Birthday
- Crimson Peak
- Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Season 4: Mexico -- NETFLIX FAMILY
- Into the Beat -- NETFLIX FILM
- Rush
- Synchronic
- Why Are You Like This -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- The Zookeeper's Wife
April 18
- Luis Miguel - The Series: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
April 19
- Miss Sloane
- PJ Masks: Season 3
April 20
- Izzy's Koala World: Season 2 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
April 21
- Zero -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
April 22
- Life in Color with David Attenborough -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
- Stowaway -- NETFLIX FILM
April 23
- Heroes: Silence and Rock & Roll
- Shadow and Bone -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Tell Me When -- NETFLIX FILM
April 27
- August: Osage County
- Battle of Los Angeles
- Fatma -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Go! Go! Cory Carson: Season 4 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
April 28
- Sexify -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- Headspace Guide to Sleep -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
April 29
- Things Heard & Seen -- NETFLIX FILM
- Yasuke -- NETFLIX ANIME
April 30
- The Innocent -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- An accidental killing leads a man down a dark hole of intrigue and murder. Just as he finds love and freedom, one phone call brings back the nightmare.
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines -- NETFLIX FAMILY
- Pet Stars -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
- The Unremarkable Juanquini: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Doctor Who Director Joins Amazon’s Lord of the Rings Series
The Lord of the Rings TV series has recruited Doctor Who director Wayne Che Yip to direct and co-executive produce the series.
Yip recently directed episodes of the Al Pacino series Hunters and the upcoming fantasy series The Wheel of Time, which are both distributed by Amazon. For Doctor Who, Yip directed two Peter Capaldi episodes and one Jodie Whittaker episode, according to Yip's IMDb page.
“It is a true honor to be invited into the world of Tolkien by [series creators John D. Payne & Patrick McKay] and Amazon Studios," Yip said in a press release. "Every day I look forward to working with the incredible team here in New Zealand as we humbly contribute to the legacy of the greatest stories ever told."
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/19/amazons-lord-of-the-rings-the-second-age-explained"]
Amazon's Lord of the Rings series takes place thousands of years before the original Hobbit and Lord of the Rings novels in the Second Age of Middle-earth.
Little is known about the series, other than the Misty Mountains, Lindon and Númenor will be represented.
Amazon recently announced the names of 20 cast members without revealing who they are playing. Morfydd Clark is reportedly playing Galadriel, while Sauron and Elrond are rumored to be a part of the series.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=amazons-the-lord-of-the-rings-every-confirmed-actor&captions=true"]
Visit IGN's guide to everything known about Middle-earth's Second Age for more information regarding the series' time period.
The Lord of the Rings series resumed filming in September following a COVID-19 shutdown. The show is still filming in New Zealand as of March 23, according to an image of a clapboard in a tweet from the show's verified account.
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Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN.
Doctor Who Director Joins Amazon’s Lord of the Rings Series
The Lord of the Rings TV series has recruited Doctor Who director Wayne Che Yip to direct and co-executive produce the series.
Yip recently directed episodes of the Al Pacino series Hunters and the upcoming fantasy series The Wheel of Time, which are both distributed by Amazon. For Doctor Who, Yip directed two Peter Capaldi episodes and one Jodie Whittaker episode, according to Yip's IMDb page.
“It is a true honor to be invited into the world of Tolkien by [series creators John D. Payne & Patrick McKay] and Amazon Studios," Yip said in a press release. "Every day I look forward to working with the incredible team here in New Zealand as we humbly contribute to the legacy of the greatest stories ever told."
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/19/amazons-lord-of-the-rings-the-second-age-explained"]
Amazon's Lord of the Rings series takes place thousands of years before the original Hobbit and Lord of the Rings novels in the Second Age of Middle-earth.
Little is known about the series, other than the Misty Mountains, Lindon and Númenor will be represented.
Amazon recently announced the names of 20 cast members without revealing who they are playing. Morfydd Clark is reportedly playing Galadriel, while Sauron and Elrond are rumored to be a part of the series.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=amazons-the-lord-of-the-rings-every-confirmed-actor&captions=true"]
Visit IGN's guide to everything known about Middle-earth's Second Age for more information regarding the series' time period.
The Lord of the Rings series resumed filming in September following a COVID-19 shutdown. The show is still filming in New Zealand as of March 23, according to an image of a clapboard in a tweet from the show's verified account.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN.
National Treasure TV Series Reportedly Ordered for Disney Plus
A National Treasure TV series is reportedly greenlit for Disney+ after reports last year suggested the show might be in the works.
Deadline reports the streaming service has ordered 10 episodes of the show. Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of the National Treasure franchise, and original writers Marianne and Cormac Wibberley are reportedly attached to the project. Other writers from the National Treasure films are expected to join the production.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/17/national-treasure-3-in-development-at-disney"]
Reports say the show, "explores the timely issues of identity, community, historical authorship and patriotism, told from the point of view of Jess Morales," who is a new Latina lead character for the franchise, though no casting for the role has been revealed.
Nicolas Cage's Ben Gates won't be the main character in the show. Instead, the series will focus on a new cast of characters led by Morales.
Last year, Bruckheimer announced that a National Treasure television series was in development with an all-new cast, saying, "The one for Disney+ is a much younger cast. It’s the same concept but a young cast."
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The long-awaited third entry in the National Treasure film series is still in development. Last year, Bad Boys for Life screenwriter Chris Bremner was brought on to write the script. Way back in 2008, it was rumored that National Treasure 3 would focus on the Gates family's search for Atlantis.
For more on Disney+, read about how the service topped 100 million subscribers in under two years, and how Black Widow will premiere on Disney Plus this summer.
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Logan Plant is a news writer for IGN, and the Production Assistant for Nintendo Voice Chat, IGN's weekly Nintendo show. You can find him on Twitter at @LoganJPlant.