Production on Season 2 of Disney+ series The Mandalorian is underway ahead of its Fall 2020 release date, and the daughters of Giancarlo Esposito, who plays the villainous Moff Gideon, are looking out for The Child. "My four daughters watch this and obviously the world is like, 'It's the Baby Yoda show,' and I'm never jealous or have any problem with that, but I have to say, two of my daughters texted me and two of them [called] me: 'Papa, please don't hurt that baby. Don't hurt that baby.' And I said, 'I will squash that little big-eared bastard,'" Esposito told IGN (with a fittingly evil laugh), after we asked him about working with the creature the internet has affectionately dubbed "Baby Yoda" at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/03/the-mandalorian-season-1-review"] "Joke, joke, joke," he quickly added. "You know, what we can do with technology today and what a human story we can make out of Mandalorian -- this baby encompasses all of that, and we want to have that hope for our future, especially now in our world." The Mandalorian's season finale was filled with a number of big surprises, including seeing Esposito's character, Moff Gideon, cut himself out of a downed TIE Fighter with the ancient Mandalorian-made Darksaber. "I found out early on and got completely excited by that because, and I didn't realize until my dear manager Josh Kesselman mentioned to me that I'm the only person wielding this Darksaber in this particular episode... [and in] Season 1," Esposito said of the hardware, adding that it's an "exciting moment in time." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/01/18/star-wars-rebels-sabine-trains-with-the-darksaber"] "I'm almost a little bit befuddled how to hold it and carry it because it's iconic all on its own," he admitted of the Darksaber, which has a storied history in the Star Wars universe. Season 1 left us with plenty of questions about the show, especially why Esposito's Moff Gideon wants Baby Yoda in the first place. It seems Esposito does know the answer to that question, and – steering clear of spoiling anything – did offer IGN some hints. "I know ... Like any great leader or scientist -- clue, clue, clue -- with someone who is advanced in a certain way, yeah, you could want to be their best friend, or you could want to co-opt what is inside them to figure out how to make all of us a little better at humanity. So it's that power and control of a Moff leader who is trying to put the universe back together," Esposito said. "But, how does he know everything? How does he know everything that's going on? He's a very interesting character and I'm so honored to be a part of this production." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-upcoming-star-wars-movie&captions=true"] Moff Gideon addressed The Mandalorian by his real name -- Din Djarin – in the finale. So far, the two characters have only talked from afar – Gideon shouting ultimatums toward the seemingly trapped Mandalorian, Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), IG-11 (Taika Waititi) and Baby Yoda/The Child – so IGN asked if there's a possibility for flashbacks with his character and Pascal's to dig into any potential history between them. "I don't know," Esposito admitted, adding that he would like to work more with Pascal. "I am hoping for something of that nature. Wait 'til you see Season 2," he added. And while Moff Gideon doesn't seem to have altruistic reasons for seeking out Baby Yoda, Esposito himself is a softie when it comes to seeing The Child on set, revealing how deeply he was affected by simply working with the ($5 million) Baby Yoda puppet on set. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/15/the-mandalorian-theory-spoiler-is-the-key-to-clone-emperor-palpatine"] "Are you kidding me? It melts my heart, because the reality is, this little baby does things that you could never imagine and when you look at those eyes and that little body, how can you not help but fall in love?" he admitted. "Even me as Giancarlo, even me as Moff Gideon, I gotta walk away, I can't look too much at that baby because that baby will put a spell on you." To further illustrate the power of The Child, check out George Lucas lovingly cradling Baby Yoda, why Disney is slapping Etsy creators with Baby Yoda copyright claims, and check out an adorable gallery of Baby Yoda photos below. Plus, see how IGN's staff ranks The Mandalorian in our review roundup. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=an-adorable-gallery-of-baby-yoda&captions=true"]

A new animated Mortal Kombat movie is coming from Warner Bros. Animation sometime during the first half of 2020. Joel McHale and Jennifer Carpenter have already been cast as Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade respectively. According to the announcement, a new Mortal Kombat animated film called Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge is in development. The film is being directed by Ethan Spaulding (Batman: Assault n Arkham) with a script by Jeremy Adams (Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/04/22/mortal-kombat-11-review"] Alongside McHale (Community) and Carpenter (Dexter), other voice talents will include Jordan Rodrigues as Lui Kang; Patrick Seitz as Scorpion and Hanzo Hasashi; Steve Blum as Sub-Zero; Artt Butler as Shang Tsung; Darin De Paul as Quan Chi; Robin Atkin Downes as Kano; David B. Mitchell as Raiden; Ike Amadi as Jax Briggs; Kevin Michael Richardson as Goro; Grey Griffin as Kitana and Satoshi Hasashi; and Fred Tatasciore as Demon Torturer. There’s already a logo for the animated film. New Line is currently filming a new live-action Mortal Kombat film set to be released in 2021 and it’s unclear if these two films are directly related to one another. You can check out the Mortal Kombat live-action cast here. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=meet-the-cast-of-the-mortal-kombat-reboot-movie&captions=true"] Meanwhile, Mortal Kombat is thriving in the video game scene as NetherRealm Studios’ latest release, Mortal Kombat 11, was the fifth best selling game of 2019. Read IGN’s Mortal Kombat 11 review here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.

A new animated Mortal Kombat movie is coming from Warner Bros. Animation sometime during the first half of 2020. Joel McHale and Jennifer Carpenter have already been cast as Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade respectively. According to the announcement, a new Mortal Kombat animated film called Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge is in development. The film is being directed by Ethan Spaulding (Batman: Assault n Arkham) with a script by Jeremy Adams (Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/04/22/mortal-kombat-11-review"] Alongside McHale (Community) and Carpenter (Dexter), other voice talents will include Jordan Rodrigues as Lui Kang; Patrick Seitz as Scorpion and Hanzo Hasashi; Steve Blum as Sub-Zero; Artt Butler as Shang Tsung; Darin De Paul as Quan Chi; Robin Atkin Downes as Kano; David B. Mitchell as Raiden; Ike Amadi as Jax Briggs; Kevin Michael Richardson as Goro; Grey Griffin as Kitana and Satoshi Hasashi; and Fred Tatasciore as Demon Torturer. There’s already a logo for the animated film. New Line is currently filming a new live-action Mortal Kombat film set to be released in 2021 and it’s unclear if these two films are directly related to one another. You can check out the Mortal Kombat live-action cast here. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=meet-the-cast-of-the-mortal-kombat-reboot-movie&captions=true"] Meanwhile, Mortal Kombat is thriving in the video game scene as NetherRealm Studios’ latest release, Mortal Kombat 11, was the fifth best selling game of 2019. Read IGN’s Mortal Kombat 11 review here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.

Disney is reportedly developing National Treasure 3 with two of the creatives behind Bad Boys for Life, which just opened in theaters. While National Treasure 3 has been buzzed about for over a decade now -- the rumor back in 2008 was that the Gates family would go in search of Atlantis in a proposed third film and that Disney had plans for a National Treasure 4 as well -- THR reports Bad Boys for Life screenwriter Chris Bremner is penning National Treasure 3. Bremner is said to be scripting Bad Boys 4 for Sony. Bad Boys and National Treasure producer Jerry Bruckheimer is also reportedly involved with National Treasure 3. Long after he hunted national treasures, Nic Cage found himself hunting a white jaguar in Primal: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/25/primal-exclusive-trailer-debut"] THR doesn't mention whether the project is a reboot or merely a continuation of the series. They also don't say whether any of the stars of the first two films -- Nicolas Cage, Diane Krueger, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Justin Bartha, or Harvey Keitel -- will reprise their roles. It's also unclear whether Jon Turteltaub -- who directed 2004's National Treasure and 2007's National Treasure: Book of Secrets -- will return to helm National Treasure 3. IGN interviewed Turteltaub way back in 2008 where he told us "there will certainly be a third film that we desire and endeavor to make. But whether it gets made is all about the kind of things you just asked. Can we come up with an awesome story and great character development worthy of another movie? If not, we won't make it." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=female-treasure-hunters&captions=true"] Turteltaub also said at the time that the relative youth of America as a country has posed a challenge in coming up with new aspects of American mythology to explore, which might see a third film be more of a hunt for International Treasure. "It gets a bit harder each time because with each film we desperately scrounge around to find every little thing we can use," the director told us. "So there are fewer and fewer ideas left with each movie. If we have to make things a bit more international, that's probably where we'll have to go next." What do you want to see the heroes of National Treasure have to steal in the next movie? Let us know in the comments!

Disney is reportedly developing National Treasure 3 with two of the creatives behind Bad Boys for Life, which just opened in theaters. While National Treasure 3 has been buzzed about for over a decade now -- the rumor back in 2008 was that the Gates family would go in search of Atlantis in a proposed third film and that Disney had plans for a National Treasure 4 as well -- THR reports Bad Boys for Life screenwriter Chris Bremner is penning National Treasure 3. Bremner is said to be scripting Bad Boys 4 for Sony. Bad Boys and National Treasure producer Jerry Bruckheimer is also reportedly involved with National Treasure 3. Long after he hunted national treasures, Nic Cage found himself hunting a white jaguar in Primal: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/25/primal-exclusive-trailer-debut"] THR doesn't mention whether the project is a reboot or merely a continuation of the series. They also don't say whether any of the stars of the first two films -- Nicolas Cage, Diane Krueger, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Justin Bartha, or Harvey Keitel -- will reprise their roles. It's also unclear whether Jon Turteltaub -- who directed 2004's National Treasure and 2007's National Treasure: Book of Secrets -- will return to helm National Treasure 3. IGN interviewed Turteltaub way back in 2008 where he told us "there will certainly be a third film that we desire and endeavor to make. But whether it gets made is all about the kind of things you just asked. Can we come up with an awesome story and great character development worthy of another movie? If not, we won't make it." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=female-treasure-hunters&captions=true"] Turteltaub also said at the time that the relative youth of America as a country has posed a challenge in coming up with new aspects of American mythology to explore, which might see a third film be more of a hunt for International Treasure. "It gets a bit harder each time because with each film we desperately scrounge around to find every little thing we can use," the director told us. "So there are fewer and fewer ideas left with each movie. If we have to make things a bit more international, that's probably where we'll have to go next." What do you want to see the heroes of National Treasure have to steal in the next movie? Let us know in the comments!

If there was a Left 4 Dead 3, it hasn’t been in development at Valve for years, according to the company. In a statement to IGN, Valve has denied any development on a new Left 4 Dead title, such as Left 4 Dead 3, calling the rumors on such a project “misinformation.” “We’ve seen rumors to this effect for the last couple of months,” Valve said in a statement. “We did briefly explore some Left 4 Dead next gen opportunities a few years ago. But we are absolutely not working on anything L4D related now, and haven’t for years." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2008/11/19/left-4-dead-video-review-left-4-dead-video-review"] “It’s clear some people are having fun creating misinformation to spin up the community and other outlets. Unfortunately, for now a new L4D game is not something we’re working on.” The statement follows an uptick in rumors regarding Left 4Dead 3 thanks to reports from YouTube channels like Valve News Network claiming to have leaked Left 4 Dead 3 screenshots. Furthermore, An HTC representative from China published a recent talk they gave on VR that included a mention of “L4D3.” However, according to Valve, while there were some explorations into a next-gen Left 4 Dead title in the past, a new game in the zombie series is not currently in active development. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=half-life-alyx-first-screenshots-4k&captions=true" Instead, Valve is currently working on Half-Life: Alyx, the first Half-Life game in 12 years. The VR-exclusive title will take place before the events of Half-Life 2 and players will take on the role of Alyx Vance. Half-Life: Alyx is coming out on all compatible VR headsets, though it has helped sales of Valve’s Valve Index headset. Turtle Rock Studios, which developed the original Left 4 Dead while working under Valve, is once again an independent studio and is working on a spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead called Back 4 Blood. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/03/14/back-4-blood-left-4-dead-devs-announce-next-gen-zombie-shooter"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.

If there was a Left 4 Dead 3, it hasn’t been in development at Valve for years, according to the company. In a statement to IGN, Valve has denied any development on a new Left 4 Dead title, such as Left 4 Dead 3, calling the rumors on such a project “misinformation.” “We’ve seen rumors to this effect for the last couple of months,” Valve said in a statement. “We did briefly explore some Left 4 Dead next gen opportunities a few years ago. But we are absolutely not working on anything L4D related now, and haven’t for years." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2008/11/19/left-4-dead-video-review-left-4-dead-video-review"] “It’s clear some people are having fun creating misinformation to spin up the community and other outlets. Unfortunately, for now a new L4D game is not something we’re working on.” The statement follows an uptick in rumors regarding Left 4Dead 3 thanks to reports from YouTube channels like Valve News Network claiming to have leaked Left 4 Dead 3 screenshots. Furthermore, An HTC representative from China published a recent talk they gave on VR that included a mention of “L4D3.” However, according to Valve, while there were some explorations into a next-gen Left 4 Dead title in the past, a new game in the zombie series is not currently in active development. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=half-life-alyx-first-screenshots-4k&captions=true" Instead, Valve is currently working on Half-Life: Alyx, the first Half-Life game in 12 years. The VR-exclusive title will take place before the events of Half-Life 2 and players will take on the role of Alyx Vance. Half-Life: Alyx is coming out on all compatible VR headsets, though it has helped sales of Valve’s Valve Index headset. Turtle Rock Studios, which developed the original Left 4 Dead while working under Valve, is once again an independent studio and is working on a spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead called Back 4 Blood. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/03/14/back-4-blood-left-4-dead-devs-announce-next-gen-zombie-shooter"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.

Sony has hired a writer to pen a script for a fourth Bad Boys movie, with the plan for Will Smith and Martin Lawrence to return to the roles. Chris Bremner, who was brought on to rewrite the much-delayed Bad Boys for Life, will write the fourth installment, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Bremner was credited as a screenwriter on Bad Boys for Life with Peter Craig and Joe Carnahan. The report says the fourth movie isn't expected to take as long to get to theaters as the 17 years it took from Bad Boys II to Bad Boys for Life, although THR notes Bremner's schedule isn't completely free; he is currently writing a third National Treasure movie for Disney, among other projects. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/10/bad-boys-for-life-exclusive-seatbelt-clip"] Bad Boys for Life is in theaters now and absolutely demolished Dolittle at the box office. Bad Boys for Life made $6.4 million on Thursday night previews, with shows starting at 4 p.m. It's the best preview number in January history, and box office forecasts have bumped the opening weekend from $38 million to over $50 million. In our review of Bad Boys for Life, we called the movie "good" and said, "if you like the franchise you'll likely love this outrageous sequel." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=59-movies-to-geek-out-over-in-2020&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN who saw Bad Boys for Life yesterday and thought it was awesome.....wait did they say National Treasure 3???!!? HOLY CRAP!!!!

Sony has hired a writer to pen a script for a fourth Bad Boys movie, with the plan for Will Smith and Martin Lawrence to return to the roles. Chris Bremner, who was brought on to rewrite the much-delayed Bad Boys for Life, will write the fourth installment, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Bremner was credited as a screenwriter on Bad Boys for Life with Peter Craig and Joe Carnahan. The report says the fourth movie isn't expected to take as long to get to theaters as the 17 years it took from Bad Boys II to Bad Boys for Life, although THR notes Bremner's schedule isn't completely free; he is currently writing a third National Treasure movie for Disney, among other projects. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/10/bad-boys-for-life-exclusive-seatbelt-clip"] Bad Boys for Life is in theaters now and absolutely demolished Dolittle at the box office. Bad Boys for Life made $6.4 million on Thursday night previews, with shows starting at 4 p.m. It's the best preview number in January history, and box office forecasts have bumped the opening weekend from $38 million to over $50 million. In our review of Bad Boys for Life, we called the movie "good" and said, "if you like the franchise you'll likely love this outrageous sequel." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=59-movies-to-geek-out-over-in-2020&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN who saw Bad Boys for Life yesterday and thought it was awesome.....wait did they say National Treasure 3???!!? HOLY CRAP!!!!

Warning: this article contains some spoilers for recent issues of Batman! [poilib element="accentDivider"] A major showdown is brewing between Batman and the Joker, and DC Comics has given it a name - Joker War. DC's solicitation for Batman #93 gives us our first taste of what Joker War entails. Issue #93 serves as the finale to new writer James Tynion IV's first major story arc, as Batman confronts Gotham City's newest supervillain, the Designer. But even as that battle plays out, Joker is planning his latest and greatest attack on the Dark Knight. [caption id="attachment_2289123" align="aligncenter" width="2062"] Batman #93 cover by Tony Daniel. (Image Credit: DC)[/caption] Here's the full synopsis for Batman #93: Batman faces off with the Designer as “Their Dark Designs” reaches its epic climax! In the last year, Batman has lost more than he could have imagined, and now he faces a cost so dear it will change the course of his life. And there is worse on the horizon. In the midst of all the horror, he can feel the drumbeat of battle. “Joker War” is coming, and Gotham City will never be the same. Recent issues of Batman actually give us a pretty good idea of what Joker has in store for his arch-nemesis. 2012's Batman: Death of the Family revealed Joker has known Batman's secret identity for years. To date, Joker has never bothered to act on that information, as he doesn't want to spoil his carefully cultivated relationship with Batman. But as shown in Tynion and Guillem March's backup story in Batman #85, Joker has suddenly realized he can use that knowledge to strike at Batman where he least expects. [caption id="attachment_2289139" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Art by Guillem March. (Image Credit: DC)[/caption] Batman #86's backup story continues that plot thread, showing Joker systematically destroying his headquarters and killing off his henchmen as he prepares for his criminal master stroke. As far as Joker is concerned, this is going to be his final battle with Batman, and he wants to make it a good one. It's probably safe to assume Joker War will deal directly with the Clown Prince of Crime's decision to target Bruce Wayne. Will Joker leak Batman's identity to the public? Will he declare war on Wayne Enterprises? Whatever happens, it sounds like it's going to be a rough year for Batman. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-greatest-batman-graphic-novels-of-all-time&captions=true"] Batman #93 is written by James Tynion IV and drawn by Guillem March and is scheduled for release on Wednesday, April 15. We're expecting Joker War to begin as early as May's Batman #94, likely culminating in Batman #100 later this year. For other big developments in the Batman franchise, see how DC is paying tribute to a fallen hero, find out how Flashpoint's Batman survived and learn which iconic Batman: The Animated Series villain is finally making their DC Comics debut. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/17/unboxing-dc-multiverse-action-figures-from-mcfarlane-toys"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.