Fans of the Chrono series have clamored for a sequel for years, ever since the 2000 release of Chrono Cross posed even more questions about the Square RPG's universe. And while the March release of the Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition was just a remaster, not a new entry, it did contain a hidden snippet of new content from the original creator himself: Masato Kato.

Spoilers Ahead for the Ending of Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition! Read at your own risk if you have not finished both Chrono Cross and the packed-in text-based adventure Radical Dreamers:

The new content is small, subtle, and may not be an obvious find for most players. To access it, you need to first complete both Chrono Cross and the text-based adventure Radical Dreamers, obtaining at least one ending for both.

Once you do, you'll need to go to the main menu of the Radical Dreamers Edition (where you select which of the two games you want to play) and choose to watch the credits. Watch them through to the end, and you stumble upon the following text over a black background, without imagery, music, or animation:

That's a lot of text, sure, but what does it mean? IGN reached out to Square Enix for comment, and while the publisher declined to comment on the meaning or context behind this addition, it did confirm that it was written by the original Chrono Cross creator: Masato Kato.

The clear takeaway from this extra content seems to confirm the identity of one of the protagonists of Radical Dreamers: Magil, the mysterious magician. Though it's largely been accepted by the fan community over the years that Magil is in fact the once-antagonist and late party member of Chrono Trigger, Magus, this section of text seems to fully canonize that theory, by giving us a look at Magil's perspective of the final battle in Radical Dreamers and tying it to memories that would only have been experienced by Magus.

As a refresher, Magus is the secondary villain of a large portion of Chrono Trigger. Once the young prince of the magical kingdom of Zeal, his mother's attempt to gain power through the space parasite Lavos sends him hurtling through time into the middle ages, separating him from his sister Schala. He then makes it his mission to kill Lavos and find Schala, ultimately gathering an army in the middle ages and facing off against the protagonist Crono and his friends. When they spare his life, he joins the party and ultimately fights Lavos with them, but neither Chrono Trigger nor Chrono Cross sees him reunited with Schala despite her rescue from a Lavos offshoot at the end of Chrono Cross.

Another possible read of this text is that it's either a hint toward future Chrono content or, alternatively, a final farewell to the Chrono franchise from Kato himself. Magus' lines seem to suggest the coming of a new battle, but the final line cryptically implies that while individual moments and stories may eventually end, the memories of those moments live on as their legacy.

Whatever the true meaning is, it's incredible that Kato stepped in to create new content, however secretive, over two decades after the Chrono franchise was shelved. We loved the original Chrono Cross and recommend people take this opportunity to play the strange artifact that is Radical Dreamers now that it's more widely available. Hopefully we get a chance to see more of Kato's work in the near future.

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

Fans of the Chrono series have clamored for a sequel for years, ever since the 2000 release of Chrono Cross posed even more questions about the Square RPG's universe. And while the March release of the Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition was just a remaster, not a new entry, it did contain a hidden snippet of new content from the original creator himself: Masato Kato.

Spoilers Ahead for the Ending of Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Edition! Read at your own risk if you have not finished both Chrono Cross and the packed-in text-based adventure Radical Dreamers:

The new content is small, subtle, and may not be an obvious find for most players. To access it, you need to first complete both Chrono Cross and the text-based adventure Radical Dreamers, obtaining at least one ending for both.

Once you do, you'll need to go to the main menu of the Radical Dreamers Edition (where you select which of the two games you want to play) and choose to watch the credits. Watch them through to the end, and you stumble upon the following text over a black background, without imagery, music, or animation:

That's a lot of text, sure, but what does it mean? IGN reached out to Square Enix for comment, and while the publisher declined to comment on the meaning or context behind this addition, it did confirm that it was written by the original Chrono Cross creator: Masato Kato.

The clear takeaway from this extra content seems to confirm the identity of one of the protagonists of Radical Dreamers: Magil, the mysterious magician. Though it's largely been accepted by the fan community over the years that Magil is in fact the once-antagonist and late party member of Chrono Trigger, Magus, this section of text seems to fully canonize that theory, by giving us a look at Magil's perspective of the final battle in Radical Dreamers and tying it to memories that would only have been experienced by Magus.

As a refresher, Magus is the secondary villain of a large portion of Chrono Trigger. Once the young prince of the magical kingdom of Zeal, his mother's attempt to gain power through the space parasite Lavos sends him hurtling through time into the middle ages, separating him from his sister Schala. He then makes it his mission to kill Lavos and find Schala, ultimately gathering an army in the middle ages and facing off against the protagonist Crono and his friends. When they spare his life, he joins the party and ultimately fights Lavos with them, but neither Chrono Trigger nor Chrono Cross sees him reunited with Schala despite her rescue from a Lavos offshoot at the end of Chrono Cross.

Another possible read of this text is that it's either a hint toward future Chrono content or, alternatively, a final farewell to the Chrono franchise from Kato himself. Magus' lines seem to suggest the coming of a new battle, but the final line cryptically implies that while individual moments and stories may eventually end, the memories of those moments live on as their legacy.

Whatever the true meaning is, it's incredible that Kato stepped in to create new content, however secretive, over two decades after the Chrono franchise was shelved. We loved the original Chrono Cross and recommend people take this opportunity to play the strange artifact that is Radical Dreamers now that it's more widely available. Hopefully we get a chance to see more of Kato's work in the near future.

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

While it may seem that Disney films are ubiquitous, there's one major market where they're missed more often than not: China. And on today's Disney earnings call, CEO Bob Chapek told shareholders that while the situation may be complicated, he's confident that Disney's doing just fine without China, thank you very much.

On the call, one analyst pointed out that Disney has historically struggled to get its films released in China, an issue that has impacted films such as Shang-Chi and Marvel's Eternals in recent years. Each rejection has occurred for different reasons, but all of them stem from the same problem of China's government censors being incredibly strict about what content they'll permit for a box office release, as well as limiting the total number of international films they admit each year. Films have been rejected, for instance, due to casting actors who have spoken critically about the Chinese government.

As Chapek points out, both Encanto and Death on the Nile were recently released in China, and he confirmed that Disney will continue to submit films for release there. But, he adds, a given movie's success is hardly riding on the market. After all, Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness did not get a release in China, and according to Chapek, its box office earnings just crossed $500 million in less than a week.

"We're pretty confident that even without China, if it were to be that we continue to have difficulties in getting titles in there, that it doesn't really preclude our success given the relatively lower take rate that we get on the box office in China than we do across rest of the world," he said.

Chapek's figure for Dr. Strange is a jump above the previously-announced $450 million box office total from three days ago in an international release that excludes China, Russia, and Ukraine. Its US debut alone reached $185 million, ahead of Shang-Chi's $75 million and Eternals' $71 million. You can read our review of the film here.

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

While it may seem that Disney films are ubiquitous, there's one major market where they're missed more often than not: China. And on today's Disney earnings call, CEO Bob Chapek told shareholders that while the situation may be complicated, he's confident that Disney's doing just fine without China, thank you very much.

On the call, one analyst pointed out that Disney has historically struggled to get its films released in China, an issue that has impacted films such as Shang-Chi and Marvel's Eternals in recent years. Each rejection has occurred for different reasons, but all of them stem from the same problem of China's government censors being incredibly strict about what content they'll permit for a box office release, as well as limiting the total number of international films they admit each year. Films have been rejected, for instance, due to casting actors who have spoken critically about the Chinese government.

As Chapek points out, both Encanto and Death on the Nile were recently released in China, and he confirmed that Disney will continue to submit films for release there. But, he adds, a given movie's success is hardly riding on the market. After all, Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness did not get a release in China, and according to Chapek, its box office earnings just crossed $500 million in less than a week.

"We're pretty confident that even without China, if it were to be that we continue to have difficulties in getting titles in there, that it doesn't really preclude our success given the relatively lower take rate that we get on the box office in China than we do across rest of the world," he said.

Chapek's figure for Dr. Strange is a jump above the previously-announced $450 million box office total from three days ago in an international release that excludes China, Russia, and Ukraine. Its US debut alone reached $185 million, ahead of Shang-Chi's $75 million and Eternals' $71 million. You can read our review of the film here.

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

After 8 years in the MCU as the Scarlet Witch, it looks as though Elizabeth Olsen has had enough.

During an interview with the New York Times, the 33-year-old Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star opened up about losing out on roles due to her Marvel commitments.

“It took me away from the physical ability to do certain jobs that I thought were more aligned with the things I enjoyed as an audience member,” she revealed. “And this is me being the most honest.”

Olsen made her Marvel debut in a post-credit scene in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. She then went on to join the MCU proper in Avengers: Age of Ultron as Wanda Maximoff – one of Baron Strucker’s super-powered test subjects.

She would go on to star in many more Marvel movies… but even by 2015, the frustrations were beginning to grow. One of the major films Olsen lost out on was Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster, which went on to win the jury prize at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

She previously said that losing The Lobster was a “heartbreak”

“I was in a contract [for Marvel] I could not get out of,” she explained. “So that didn’t work out.”

Now, Olsen explains that the experience left her feeling left out. “I started to feel frustrated,” she explained. “I had this job security but I was losing these pieces that I felt were more part of my being. And the further I got away from that, the less I became considered for it.”

Although Olsen appears in the recent Doctor Strange sequel, it’s unknown whether she will return. But Olsen admits that she would be tempted.

“I think I would,” she confirmed. “But it really needs to be a good story. I think these films are best when it’s not about creating content, but about having a very strong point of view — not because you need to have a three-picture plan.”

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, alongside Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch. They’re joined by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, and Xochitl Gomez.

Sam Raimi directed the movie from a script by Michael Waldron, based on characters created by comic book legends, Steve Ditko, and Stan Lee.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

After 8 years in the MCU as the Scarlet Witch, it looks as though Elizabeth Olsen has had enough.

During an interview with the New York Times, the 33-year-old Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star opened up about losing out on roles due to her Marvel commitments.

“It took me away from the physical ability to do certain jobs that I thought were more aligned with the things I enjoyed as an audience member,” she revealed. “And this is me being the most honest.”

Olsen made her Marvel debut in a post-credit scene in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. She then went on to join the MCU proper in Avengers: Age of Ultron as Wanda Maximoff – one of Baron Strucker’s super-powered test subjects.

She would go on to star in many more Marvel movies… but even by 2015, the frustrations were beginning to grow. One of the major films Olsen lost out on was Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster, which went on to win the jury prize at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

She previously said that losing The Lobster was a “heartbreak”

“I was in a contract [for Marvel] I could not get out of,” she explained. “So that didn’t work out.”

Now, Olsen explains that the experience left her feeling left out. “I started to feel frustrated,” she explained. “I had this job security but I was losing these pieces that I felt were more part of my being. And the further I got away from that, the less I became considered for it.”

Although Olsen appears in the recent Doctor Strange sequel, it’s unknown whether she will return. But Olsen admits that she would be tempted.

“I think I would,” she confirmed. “But it really needs to be a good story. I think these films are best when it’s not about creating content, but about having a very strong point of view — not because you need to have a three-picture plan.”

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, alongside Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch. They’re joined by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, and Xochitl Gomez.

Sam Raimi directed the movie from a script by Michael Waldron, based on characters created by comic book legends, Steve Ditko, and Stan Lee.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

South Park makes its official return this June 1st with a special event titled ‘The Streaming Wars’. The aptly-labeld title is a parody of Paramount’s foray into the streaming wars against apps such as Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Hulu, AppleTV, and Peacock.

In a statement made earlier today, Paramount Plus revealed South Park’s The Streaming Wars will debut first in the US, and then will release internationally, everywhere that the Paramount streaming application is available.

The description for South Park: The Streaming Wars sees "Eric Cartman locking horns against his mother in a battle of wills, all while an epic conflict unfolds that threatens South Park’s existence."

A fourth “South Park” exclusive event will be released this summer, though the exact date is to be determined. The show’s previous 2021 exclusives, South Park: Post COVID and South Park: Post COVID: The Return of COVID are both available on Paramount+.

In August of last year, series creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker signed an exclusive deal with MTV Entertainment Studios to renew the show on Comedy Central until 2027, which would mark the show’s 30th season.

Meanwhile, South Park celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, making the show cable’s longest-running scripted series and TV’s second-longest animated series behind only The Simpsons.

All seasons of South Park will exclusively move to Paramount+ on international markets later this year. Meanwhile, South Park's next game has a very interesting choice for developer.

Christian Angeles is a freelance writer for IGN.

South Park makes its official return this June 1st with a special event titled ‘The Streaming Wars’. The aptly-labeld title is a parody of Paramount’s foray into the streaming wars against apps such as Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Hulu, AppleTV, and Peacock.

In a statement made earlier today, Paramount Plus revealed South Park’s The Streaming Wars will debut first in the US, and then will release internationally, everywhere that the Paramount streaming application is available.

The description for South Park: The Streaming Wars sees "Eric Cartman locking horns against his mother in a battle of wills, all while an epic conflict unfolds that threatens South Park’s existence."

A fourth “South Park” exclusive event will be released this summer, though the exact date is to be determined. The show’s previous 2021 exclusives, South Park: Post COVID and South Park: Post COVID: The Return of COVID are both available on Paramount+.

In August of last year, series creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker signed an exclusive deal with MTV Entertainment Studios to renew the show on Comedy Central until 2027, which would mark the show’s 30th season.

Meanwhile, South Park celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, making the show cable’s longest-running scripted series and TV’s second-longest animated series behind only The Simpsons.

All seasons of South Park will exclusively move to Paramount+ on international markets later this year. Meanwhile, South Park's next game has a very interesting choice for developer.

Christian Angeles is a freelance writer for IGN.

The Toxic Avenger has just been rated R for gore and graphic nudity.

Peter Dinklage stars in the upcoming remake of the ‘80s comedy classic, which sees an unassuming janitor transformed into a grotesque superhero after falling into a vat of toxic waste.

Known for its gruesome violence and camp B-movie style, The Toxic Avenger seems to be inspiring the remake to push the boundaries of decency, too.

The R-rating means that The Toxic Avenger joins the likes of fellow adult comic book movies such as Deadpool, Logan, and The Suicide Squad.

Obviously, this rating will be a hit with the fans. After all, the original ‘80s superhero comedy found a cult following due to its over-the-top violence and low-budget charm. And if the official synopsis is anything to go by, The Toxic Avenger is back with a vengeance.

“Based on the 1984 cult classic of the same name,” reads the synopsis. “Set in a fantasy world following Winston, a stereotypical weakling who works as a janitor at Garb-X health club and is diagnosed with a terminal illness that can only be cured by an expensive treatment that his greedy, power hungry employer refuses to pay for. After deciding to take matters into his own hands and rob his company, Winston falls into a pit of toxic waste and is transformed into a deformed monster that sets out to do good and get back at all the people who have wronged him.”

Jacob Tremblay recently joined the project as Winston’s son, with the legendary Kevin Bacon also on board as the film’s villain.

Details of the film’s plot are currently quite scarce, so it’s unknown how Kevin Bacon’s villain fits in. However, Dinklage won’t be suiting up as the original Toxic Avenger, Melvin Ferd Junko III, instead starring as his own new character, Winston.

The Toxic Avenger stars Peter Dinklage as Winston alongside Elijah Wood, Julia Davis, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon, and Jacob Tremblay. Macon Blair will write and direct the remake based on characters by Lloyd Kaufman.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

The Toxic Avenger has just been rated R for gore and graphic nudity.

Peter Dinklage stars in the upcoming remake of the ‘80s comedy classic, which sees an unassuming janitor transformed into a grotesque superhero after falling into a vat of toxic waste.

Known for its gruesome violence and camp B-movie style, The Toxic Avenger seems to be inspiring the remake to push the boundaries of decency, too.

The R-rating means that The Toxic Avenger joins the likes of fellow adult comic book movies such as Deadpool, Logan, and The Suicide Squad.

Obviously, this rating will be a hit with the fans. After all, the original ‘80s superhero comedy found a cult following due to its over-the-top violence and low-budget charm. And if the official synopsis is anything to go by, The Toxic Avenger is back with a vengeance.

“Based on the 1984 cult classic of the same name,” reads the synopsis. “Set in a fantasy world following Winston, a stereotypical weakling who works as a janitor at Garb-X health club and is diagnosed with a terminal illness that can only be cured by an expensive treatment that his greedy, power hungry employer refuses to pay for. After deciding to take matters into his own hands and rob his company, Winston falls into a pit of toxic waste and is transformed into a deformed monster that sets out to do good and get back at all the people who have wronged him.”

Jacob Tremblay recently joined the project as Winston’s son, with the legendary Kevin Bacon also on board as the film’s villain.

Details of the film’s plot are currently quite scarce, so it’s unknown how Kevin Bacon’s villain fits in. However, Dinklage won’t be suiting up as the original Toxic Avenger, Melvin Ferd Junko III, instead starring as his own new character, Winston.

The Toxic Avenger stars Peter Dinklage as Winston alongside Elijah Wood, Julia Davis, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon, and Jacob Tremblay. Macon Blair will write and direct the remake based on characters by Lloyd Kaufman.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.