Monthly Archives: October 2022
New Simpsons Clip Reveals Anime Lisa Simpson in Death Note Parody By Original Studio
The Simpsons' annual Treehouse of Horror compilation is right around the corner, and it features a Death Note parody from the studio that worked on the original anime.
A clip from the upcoming tribute has been making the rounds on Twitter, showing Lisa Simpson as the recipient of the mysterious but mighty "Death Tome." The segment is animated by DR Movie, a South Korean studio that helped out on Death Note, and features tons of Easter eggs, including anime versions of Disco Stu and twins Sherri and Terri.
The first clip from ‘The Simpsons’ parody of ‘DEATH NOTE’ has been released.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 25, 2022
It is animated by DR Movie who also worked on the original series. pic.twitter.com/mmM7IbXc6K
Three images from The Simpsons parody of Death Note have also been released, spotlighting more Springfield favorites from the animated sitcom. One frame from the Treehouse of Horror special shows Disco Stu and a potential sighting of anime Ned Flanders in the background while another image offers a first look at Homer and Marge in the same art style.
First look at Lisa, Marge, Homer and Bart in ‘The Simpsons’ parody of ‘DEATH NOTE’. pic.twitter.com/9b0AMHNG9L
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 25, 2022
Simpsons writer Carolyn Omine has promised to share more Easter Eggs from the Death Note segment on Twitter during the premiere of The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror XXXIII Halloween special on October 30. The annual series will comprise three parts in total, with two other sections offering animated takes on The Babadook and Westworld.
The Treehouse of Horror specials have been airing since 1990, and there's been plenty of notable entries over the years but none have quite matched up to the wit and brilliance of Treehouse of Horror V, which kicked off with an inspired spoof of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. That installment earned a coveted spot in IGN's Top 34 Best Simpsons Episodes.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
Joker 2 Will Remain Outside James Gunn’s DC Cinematic Universe
While it will be some time before we see how James Gunn and Peter Safran will change the future of DC Studios, it has been said that Joker: Folie à Deux will remain outside of any larger connected universe that the two new co-CEOs will be leading.
As reported by Variety, Gunn and Safran will begin work as co-CEOs of DC Studios on November 1 and will be presented with not only a future that they will be in charge of crafting, but also a bevy of projects that have already been in the works prior to the megaton announcement of their new roles.
One of those projects is Joker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to 2019's Joker that will be released in theaters on October 4, 2024, and will star Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. According to the report, this film will "exist outside of any cinematic universe that Gunn and Safran will be building out."
This shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, as Joker director Todd Phillips has previously stated that his film was not "really connected to that [DC Movie] Universe. And it was really intentionally not." He was speaking about the first film as a single movie before it was known a sequel was coming, but the decision to keep them separate appears to still stand.
It's also yet unclear if the sequel to Matt Reeves' The Batman and its wider universe that includes announced spin-offs like one starring The Penguin and one focused on Arkham Asylum will fall under Gunn and Safran or elsewhere. Speaking of the sequel, it is not likely to arrive until 2025 at the earliest as a script has yet to be turned in by the Reeves.
Besides these two projects, however, Gunn and Safran will be leading everything new coming from the studio. This also appears to include a "Chuck Roven-produced Superman sequel currently soliciting pitches from writers." This will undoubtedly be one of DC's closest-watched projects, especially after Henry Cavill confirmed he will be returning as Superman in the future.
As co-CEOs, Gunn will focus on the creative side of DC Studios and Safran will handle the business and production side. Gunn will continue to direct projects, exclusively for DC, and Safran will keep on producing. This move was just another step towards fulfilling Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav's idea of following a ten-year plan similar to what Disney and Marvel have done with Kevin Feige in the lead.
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Joker 2 Will Remain Outside James Gunn’s DC Cinematic Universe
While it will be some time before we see how James Gunn and Peter Safran will change the future of DC Studios, it has been said that Joker: Folie à Deux will remain outside of any larger connected universe that the two new co-CEOs will be leading.
As reported by Variety, Gunn and Safran will begin work as co-CEOs of DC Studios on November 1 and will be presented with not only a future that they will be in charge of crafting, but also a bevy of projects that have already been in the works prior to the megaton announcement of their new roles.
One of those projects is Joker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to 2019's Joker that will be released in theaters on October 4, 2024, and will star Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. According to the report, this film will "exist outside of any cinematic universe that Gunn and Safran will be building out."
This shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, as Joker director Todd Phillips has previously stated that his film was not "really connected to that [DC Movie] Universe. And it was really intentionally not." He was speaking about the first film as a single movie before it was known a sequel was coming, but the decision to keep them separate appears to still stand.
It's also yet unclear if the sequel to Matt Reeves' The Batman and its wider universe that includes announced spin-offs like one starring The Penguin and one focused on Arkham Asylum will fall under Gunn and Safran or elsewhere. Speaking of the sequel, it is not likely to arrive until 2025 at the earliest as a script has yet to be turned in by the Reeves.
Besides these two projects, however, Gunn and Safran will be leading everything new coming from the studio. This also appears to include a "Chuck Roven-produced Superman sequel currently soliciting pitches from writers." This will undoubtedly be one of DC's closest-watched projects, especially after Henry Cavill confirmed he will be returning as Superman in the future.
As co-CEOs, Gunn will focus on the creative side of DC Studios and Safran will handle the business and production side. Gunn will continue to direct projects, exclusively for DC, and Safran will keep on producing. This move was just another step towards fulfilling Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav's idea of following a ten-year plan similar to what Disney and Marvel have done with Kevin Feige in the lead.
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Every US PS2 Game Manual Has Now Been Preserved in 4K (and It Cost $40,000)
A game preservationist called Kirkland has done a great service to the world of video games - he has created a complete set of U.S. PS2 game manuals online in 4K that can be viewed for free at any time. Oh, and it cost $40,000 to complete.
As reported by Kotaku, Kirkland has preserved over 1,900 PS2 game manuals, variants, art books, mini-guides, and comics by uploading them to Archive.org in 4K, and in doing so has forever opened a door to a time before the digital renaissance.
These game manuals used to be part of the joy of purchasing a new game, and you'd read them to learn how to play the game, see special art and other surprises, and more. These manuals are mostly a thing of the past now and either live online or have disappeared altogether, but Kirkland has helped ensure they won't ever be forgotten.
The entire package comes in at around 17GB (230GB before compression!) and are organized alphabetically so you can jump to your favorite game with ease. For example, you can jump right into the game manual of Final Fantasy X and learn about the controls, each of the characters, the battle system, abilities, Aeons, and more. Also included are ads for merchandise, the Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within DVD, and even an ad for Final Fantasy X-2.
As for why Kirkland chose to undergo this project that took him nearly 22 years to complete, he said it's all about preserving that piece of history and that he wanted "our kids to be able to enjoy what we did."
“The goal is to raise some awareness for game preservation efforts,” Kirkland said. “So many games growing up shaped how we looked at and experienced the world. Of course as we ‘grow up,’ we move to other things but there are a lot of us who have nostalgia for these things and want our kids to be able to enjoy what we did. The whole ‘read the books your father read’ deal. And there have been great efforts to preserve games: VGHF, the Strong Museum, and grassroots efforts like MAME, redump.org, No-Intro, and Cowering’s Good Tools before that. Which I always thought, ‘This is great! We’re going to have everything preserved. But without the manuals, we’re not going to know how to play them.’”
Kirkland had to take out the staples of each manual and scan each page through the Epson DS-870 sheetfed scanner. He then used a variety of apps to clean them up before uploading them in 2K and 4K resolution.
This wasn't Kirkland's first preservation rodeo, as he had previously completed a full set of U.S. SNES manuals in 2K and is currently working on SNES manuals in 4K alongside those for Atari 2600 and Game Boy.
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Every US PS2 Game Manual Has Now Been Preserved in 4K (and It Cost $40,000)
A game preservationist called Kirkland has done a great service to the world of video games - he has created a complete set of U.S. PS2 game manuals online in 4K that can be viewed for free at any time. Oh, and it cost $40,000 to complete.
As reported by Kotaku, Kirkland has preserved over 1,900 PS2 game manuals, variants, art books, mini-guides, and comics by uploading them to Archive.org in 4K, and in doing so has forever opened a door to a time before the digital renaissance.
These game manuals used to be part of the joy of purchasing a new game, and you'd read them to learn how to play the game, see special art and other surprises, and more. These manuals are mostly a thing of the past now and either live online or have disappeared altogether, but Kirkland has helped ensure they won't ever be forgotten.
The entire package comes in at around 17GB (230GB before compression!) and are organized alphabetically so you can jump to your favorite game with ease. For example, you can jump right into the game manual of Final Fantasy X and learn about the controls, each of the characters, the battle system, abilities, Aeons, and more. Also included are ads for merchandise, the Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within DVD, and even an ad for Final Fantasy X-2.
As for why Kirkland chose to undergo this project that took him nearly 22 years to complete, he said it's all about preserving that piece of history and that he wanted "our kids to be able to enjoy what we did."
“The goal is to raise some awareness for game preservation efforts,” Kirkland said. “So many games growing up shaped how we looked at and experienced the world. Of course as we ‘grow up,’ we move to other things but there are a lot of us who have nostalgia for these things and want our kids to be able to enjoy what we did. The whole ‘read the books your father read’ deal. And there have been great efforts to preserve games: VGHF, the Strong Museum, and grassroots efforts like MAME, redump.org, No-Intro, and Cowering’s Good Tools before that. Which I always thought, ‘This is great! We’re going to have everything preserved. But without the manuals, we’re not going to know how to play them.’”
Kirkland had to take out the staples of each manual and scan each page through the Epson DS-870 sheetfed scanner. He then used a variety of apps to clean them up before uploading them in 2K and 4K resolution.
This wasn't Kirkland's first preservation rodeo, as he had previously completed a full set of U.S. SNES manuals in 2K and is currently working on SNES manuals in 4K alongside those for Atari 2600 and Game Boy.
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
James Cameron Criticizes MCU and DC Relationships: ‘They Act Like They’re in College’
Avatar: The Way of Water director James Cameron has shared that one of the biggest differences between the first Avatar and the sequel is that Zoe and Sam are parents and are changed by having kids. According to Cameron, their love is in (Tony) stark contrast with the MCU and DCEU as those heroes "act like they're in college" when it comes to relationships.
Cameron was speaking to The New York Times and was asked about this difference, and he elaborated that becoming a parent means you view the world in an entirely new way and must think much harder about your actions as you are now living for more than yourself.
"Zoe and Sam now play parents, 15 years later," Cameron said. "In the first movie, Sam’s character leaps off his flying creature and essentially changes the course of history as a result of this crazy, almost suicidal leap of faith. And Zoe’s character leaps off a limb and assumes there’s going to be some nice big leaves down there that can cushion her fall. But when you’re a parent, you don’t think that way. So for me, as a parent of five kids, I’m saying, 'What happens when those characters mature and realize that they have a responsibility outside their own survival?'"
As Cameron mentions, this story, in a sense, mirrors his own life as he took a lot of risks when he was younger that he "wouldn't take now" because he wants to be there for his kids for a very long time. However, this isn't the only reason, as he also wants to explore relationships in a way that isn't being done by other big budget films.
"When I look at these big, spectacular films — I’m looking at you, Marvel and DC — it doesn’t matter how old the characters are, they all act like they’re in college," Cameron said. "They have relationships, but they really don’t. They never hang up their spurs because of their kids. The things that really ground us and give us power, love, and a purpose? Those characters don’t experience it, and I think that’s not the way to make movies."
Cameron also believes that this focus on parenthood and children will resonate with not only the actors, but the younger audience that he hopes will come see his sequel.
"I knew as I was writing it that Sam and Zoe were new parents and that this stuff would resonate for them, but if you’re speaking to a young audience, let them feel validated that kids on another planet, 200 years from now, are going through the same crap they’re going through right now," Cameron said.
Avatar: The Way of Water will be released in theaters on December 16, 2022. For more, check out Cameron's thoughts on why 3D TVs for homes failed and why he said that Avatar haters shut up when they rewatch the first film.
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
James Cameron Criticizes MCU and DC Relationships: ‘They Act Like They’re in College’
Avatar: The Way of Water director James Cameron has shared that one of the biggest differences between the first Avatar and the sequel is that Zoe and Sam are parents and are changed by having kids. According to Cameron, their love is in (Tony) stark contrast with the MCU and DCEU as those heroes "act like they're in college" when it comes to relationships.
Cameron was speaking to The New York Times and was asked about this difference, and he elaborated that becoming a parent means you view the world in an entirely new way and must think much harder about your actions as you are now living for more than yourself.
"Zoe and Sam now play parents, 15 years later," Cameron said. "In the first movie, Sam’s character leaps off his flying creature and essentially changes the course of history as a result of this crazy, almost suicidal leap of faith. And Zoe’s character leaps off a limb and assumes there’s going to be some nice big leaves down there that can cushion her fall. But when you’re a parent, you don’t think that way. So for me, as a parent of five kids, I’m saying, 'What happens when those characters mature and realize that they have a responsibility outside their own survival?'"
As Cameron mentions, this story, in a sense, mirrors his own life as he took a lot of risks when he was younger that he "wouldn't take now" because he wants to be there for his kids for a very long time. However, this isn't the only reason, as he also wants to explore relationships in a way that isn't being done by other big budget films.
"When I look at these big, spectacular films — I’m looking at you, Marvel and DC — it doesn’t matter how old the characters are, they all act like they’re in college," Cameron said. "They have relationships, but they really don’t. They never hang up their spurs because of their kids. The things that really ground us and give us power, love, and a purpose? Those characters don’t experience it, and I think that’s not the way to make movies."
Cameron also believes that this focus on parenthood and children will resonate with not only the actors, but the younger audience that he hopes will come see his sequel.
"I knew as I was writing it that Sam and Zoe were new parents and that this stuff would resonate for them, but if you’re speaking to a young audience, let them feel validated that kids on another planet, 200 years from now, are going through the same crap they’re going through right now," Cameron said.
Avatar: The Way of Water will be released in theaters on December 16, 2022. For more, check out Cameron's thoughts on why 3D TVs for homes failed and why he said that Avatar haters shut up when they rewatch the first film.
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Microsoft is Adding Android 13 Features to Windows 11
Microsoft plans to add features from Android 13 to Windows 11 as part of its future roadmap — part of a move to add more more elements from Android overall to the operating system.
The features were listed as part of an update intended for Windows 11 developers, in which Microsoft also promised improvements to file transfer, shortcuts, picture-in-picture, and local network access by default. It follows a recent update that included enhancements for File Explore among other improvements.
Android 13 is the latest operating system publicly available to Pixel phone users. According to PC Magazine, it's an iterative update that builds upon Android 12's foundation, featuring "much more elaborate Material You design, convenient multitasking tools, and cross-compatibility with Chromebook and Google tablets" among other features.
Released earlier this month, Android 13's compatibility is currently limited to Google's Pixel series phone. The operating system should be available through other handsets later this year.
Compatibility with Android apps was among the features touted for Windows 11 when it was first revealed last year, though they weren't available at launch. They are able to run thanks to an "Intel Bridge" compiler that helps them to run on x86 systems. The addition of Android 13 features should deepen this integration even further.
Windows 11 is the latest in Microsoft's line of operating systems, bringing with it features such as Auto HDR, a new design, snap layouts, a tablet mode, and more.
Ultimately, we were cool on Windows 11, writing in our review, "Windows 11 looks fantastic, but that's where the excitement stops. There aren't any immediately apparent gaming improvements, and it's not clear exactly when we'll see them. Combine the nearly identical performance, and the fact that some features like the refreshed Microsoft Store are making their way to Windows 10 soon, and there's very little incentive to rush out and upgrade right now."
Windows 11 is available now.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
Microsoft is Adding Android 13 Features to Windows 11
Microsoft plans to add features from Android 13 to Windows 11 as part of its future roadmap — part of a move to add more more elements from Android overall to the operating system.
The features were listed as part of an update intended for Windows 11 developers, in which Microsoft also promised improvements to file transfer, shortcuts, picture-in-picture, and local network access by default. It follows a recent update that included enhancements for File Explore among other improvements.
Android 13 is the latest operating system publicly available to Pixel phone users. According to PC Magazine, it's an iterative update that builds upon Android 12's foundation, featuring "much more elaborate Material You design, convenient multitasking tools, and cross-compatibility with Chromebook and Google tablets" among other features.
Released earlier this month, Android 13's compatibility is currently limited to Google's Pixel series phone. The operating system should be available through other handsets later this year.
Compatibility with Android apps was among the features touted for Windows 11 when it was first revealed last year, though they weren't available at launch. They are able to run thanks to an "Intel Bridge" compiler that helps them to run on x86 systems. The addition of Android 13 features should deepen this integration even further.
Windows 11 is the latest in Microsoft's line of operating systems, bringing with it features such as Auto HDR, a new design, snap layouts, a tablet mode, and more.
Ultimately, we were cool on Windows 11, writing in our review, "Windows 11 looks fantastic, but that's where the excitement stops. There aren't any immediately apparent gaming improvements, and it's not clear exactly when we'll see them. Combine the nearly identical performance, and the fact that some features like the refreshed Microsoft Store are making their way to Windows 10 soon, and there's very little incentive to rush out and upgrade right now."
Windows 11 is available now.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
HBO’s Arkham Asylum Series Has a Brand-New Showrunner
HBO's series about Arkham Asylum has a brand-new showrunner, adding to its carousel of creatives as the new show set in The Batman universe tries to find its footing.
Variety reports that Antonio Campos will serve as a showrunner and executive producer on the series, as well as its new writer. This is reportedly contingent on Campos' version of the show going forward.
Campos' credits include The Staircase, which also appeared on HBO Max, as well as a stint with Netflix's The Punisher.
Arkham Aylsum's writing room has been something of a revolving door since first being announced back in 2023. Initially conceived as a story centered around the Gotham PD, it was later reimagined as a story about Batman's famous asylum. Multiple writers have come and gone since then, with Terance Winter and Joe Barton among those who have exited the project.
"The GCDP thing, that story has story has kind of evolved. We’ve actually now [moved] more into the realm of exactly what would happen in the world of Arkham as it relates coming off of our movie, and some of the characters, again in their origins [...] It’s like a horror movie or a haunted house that is Arkham," Matt Reeves said back in March.
Reeves is said to be interested in producing multiple shows focusing on Batman's rogues gallery as multiple creators contest the DC landscape. No doubt James Gunn and Peter Safran will have something to say about these shows as well as Arkham Asylum, as they are set to take over as co-CEOs of DC Studios, where they will oversee DC's film, TV, and animation projects.
Meanwhile, Colin Farrell's show featuring The Penguin is moving ahead, with Farrell recently describing how the show will open. Arkham Asylum does not yet have a release window.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.