How the Abandoned Star Trek: Phase II Pilot Became The Motion Picture

Series creator Gene Roddenberry was going to remake his hit show for the small screen in Star Trek: Phase II, but the studio canceled it for a movie.

Ten years after Star Trek was unceremoniously canceled by NBC, The Motion Picture hit the box office. It was a hit financially, but audiences, critics and even the cast felt the film wasn't the universe at its best. However, the hunt for a Star Trek movie was long and fraught, with the studio giving up and going back to television. Star Trek: The Motion Picture was born from the ashes of a pilot episode for the Phase II series that would've brought the Enterprise back to the small screen.

Paramount long wanted to launch its own broadcast network, which it eventually did with its failed United Paramount Network. Still, like Enterprise tried to do, the studio wanted its most profitable franchise to anchor its programming. Thus, series creator Gene Roddenberry was brought in to create Star Trek: Phase II. Other attempts to make a movie failed, like the infamous Star Trek: Planet of the Titans movie. However, the money the studio would lose starting a network compared to what could be made with a movie like Star Wars: A New Hope or Close Encounters of the Third Kind ended the show days before the pilot began filming. The story for the pilot, a script called "In Thy Image," based on a story by Alan Dean Foster, became the framework on which Star Trek: The Motion Picture was built. While fans remain divided about the movie, it was a fortunate break for Trekkies. Star Trek: Phase II was no The Next Generation, and it likely would've failed.

Star Trek: Phase II's Head Writer Was the Wrong Choice for the Show or the Movie

While Roddenberry liked the idea of a movie, he liked the idea of a TV series more. He could retain more creative control as the producer. Roddenberry believed a movie would mark the end of Star Trek. For Phase II, he took an approach like George Lucas did for the second and third movies of his original Star Wars trilogy. He would oversee the entire production, delegating writing and production tasks to others. When Paramount eventually repurposed the pilot episode as The Motion Picture, Roddenberry saw his influence reduced. Yet, it wasn't director Robert Wise he clashed most with, it was a man he hired himself.

He hired Harold Livingston, a TV writer whose series Future Cop lasted on ABC for only five episodes. He disapproved of Star Trek's "geriatric" cast and "allegorical" stories, according to The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek: The First 25 Years by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman. Livingston "never read" the Star Trek: Phase II writers guide Roddenberry created. He believed he could create a bigger audience for the characters on his own. When Foster brought his scripts, Livingston "thought [they] were terrible" and "didn't want him to write." Everyone else disagreed, choosing "In Thy Image," about an old NASA space probe that returned to Earth wreaking havoc as the story for the film.

Paramount originally thought the low-budget movie would serve as a backdoor pilot for a new series. Livingston was brought back to make Foster's "TV story" into one worthy of the big-screen budget. Instead of working with Roddenberry, whose writing skill Livingston did not respect, he seemed to care more about fighting him than finishing the job. He quit multiple times and admitted in The Fifty-Year Mission that he didn't know how to end the thing. Who actually came up with the idea for Will Decker and Ilia to "merge" with V'Ger remains a mystery, but it was the best ending they could come up with on such short notice. Paramount presold the film and would've released it unfinished to avoid breaking the contract.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Artists Used Phase II as the Movie's Foundation

Star Trek: Phase II was nearly ready to begin production on its pilot episode when Paramount canceled it for The Motion Picture. Costumes, sets and the Enterprise redesigned by Matt Jefferies were all scrapped. A veteran director, Robert Wise was able to handle Livingston's near-constant feuds with Roddenberry. The real problem for the movie was the visual effects production. An upstart visual effects company showed Wise test footage with a potato standing in for the ship because they hadn't built it, according to The Fifty-Year Mission. Multiple people interviewed for the book noted that meeting was the only time they remembered seeing Wise actually angry. Luckily, Star Wars visual effects legends John Dykstra and Douglas Trumbull stepped in and saved the picture.

With such a tight schedule to film (and no completed script), Wise picked and chose Star Trek: Phase II's elements for his film. Xon, the new Vulcan, was left behind, while Decker and Ilia became the tragic heroes of the film. The Enterprise bridge had been redesigned with practical lights and switches to last the run of a show. Wise had it redesigned again to improve the look and reduce the functionality since this was a one-off story. He also had the designers put in the seat restraints because he thought the crew flailing about the bridge was too silly for his serious film. While Star Trek: Phase II had humor like The Original Series, Livingston and Wise wanted the movie to be deadly serious.

At the end of the film, when Dr. McCoy agrees to stay on the ship, Leonard Nimoy improvised a classic Spock line. "If Doctor McCoy is to remain on board," Spock said, "then my presence here will be essential." They told him not to do it again. Luckily, Roddenberry took Phase II leftovers for The Next Generation. The new human-intrigued Vulcan became Data. The original characterization of Ilia was reworked for Counselor Deanna Troi's character. So much of the fraught production during The Motion Picture came from the writer and director discounting the work of the artists who knew Star Trek best.

Zom 100 Is the Perfect Gateway Anime For Comedy Horror Cinephiles

Comedy horror cinephiles will be surprised to discover Zom 100 is a gateway anime series they will love.

For anime fans, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is already a crowd-pleaser. Among the Summer 2023 anime season, this horror comedy is the third most popular series according to My Anime List, but even outside the anime community, this series has the potential to grab the attention of non-anime fans.

Anime isn't everyone’s cup of tea, it's a completely separate sub-culture that not everyone may understand or appreciate. Zom 100, however, has fewer anime stereotypes and more substance that takes full advantage of the comedy horror genre, which already has a huge following on its own. With similarities to two iconic comedy horror films – Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead – and its own brilliantly devised plot, there are many reasons why Zom 100 is the gateway anime for fans of comedy horror, especially movie lovers.

Zom 100's Plot, Explained

The popular anime Zom 100 is not only a story about a horrific zombie apocalypse that comes with intense action scenes, it's also surprisingly about the coming of age of its main character Akira Tendou. In the beginning of Episode 1, Akira is a hopeful 24-year-old college graduate entering the workforce for the first time. He chooses a production company that promises him a positive working environment and the best employee benefits, but this perfect office is quickly revealed to be an exploitative company. For the next few years, Akira is overworked by manipulative superiors. As a fan of zombie films, Akira looks no different from the empty walking dead he watches on screen, when he has the time to spend a few moments home that is. Longing for an end to his stress, Akira is open to anything that will keep him from work, which just so happens to be the zombie apocalypse.

While the rest of Japan runs in terror from the zombie outbreak, Akira is overwhelmed with joy, finally free from the chains of his awful job. Not wanting to go back to the daily grind, Akira's approach to the zombies is laid back and full of hilarity, but the seriousness of the situation doesn't escape his mind. The show's premise is jump started when Akira takes a serious moment to contemplate how he wants to live his life before he kicks the bucket, or in this case, is turned into a zombie. After starting a list of different things he wants to do, Akira finally begins to live his life one day at a time.

A Cleverly Laid back Approach To Zombies

Many times, the zombie genre is more about the drama of survival and the shock-factor of the horrific apocalypse. Zom 100 has some moments which touches upon this trend, but at the anime's core, it's more of a slice-of-life comedy than anything else. Certain die-hard zombie fans may be turned away from this approach, but fans of comedy and horror will find this anime to be a delight, especially fans of the films Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland.

Both the anime and these two iconic films share a comedic, yet heartfelt approach to the zombie subgenre that lands an emotional impact in the most unexpected ways. With Shaun of the Dead, the zombies were a challenge to push its protagonist to be more responsible. In Zombieland, the zombies represented the main character's social anxiety that he needed to overcome. For Zom 100, zombies are the pressure of the daily grind and overwork that prevent people from actually living their lives. It's nothing new to have zombies serve a symbolic purpose, but the story's silliness and hilarity certainly catches the audience off guard. Like the two widely successful films, this anime will make viewers laugh, but it maintains a brilliant balance between comedy and drama.

Laughs And Heartfelt Emotion Combined

Fans of Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland felt a deep emotional connection to the main characters because they were designed with sympathetic emotions and purposes for their individual actions. In both films, the main group grew into a beloved family facing zombies against all odds. This analysis can be used for Zom 100 as well. The main characters aren't only on screen to make the audience laugh. Akira and his allies have their own personal struggles that they have to balance with the constant struggle for survival and these authentic aspects of their characters make them lovable for viewers.

Despite zombies being such a niche genre, especially with the common visuals of gore, these movies and the anime are easier to watch because of the lighter, comedic elements. Viewers who normally wouldn't be into the horror genre can take a step into it through horror comedy since there are breaks from the terrifying moments that one can laugh off. This would certainly explain why Zom 100 has grown to be so popular across the anime community; it's a series that anyone can sink their teeth into.

With similar tones and genres to the classic films Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland, Zom 100 is a series that could become a gateway series for non-anime fans. Fans of series like What We Do In The Shadows, The Santa Clarita Diet, or even IZombie could also enjoy this anime because of their shared comedy horror genre. The anime makes full use of zombies as a tool to scare viewers as well as a poetic device to drive the heart and core purpose of the main character's story. Thanks to the hilarious moments in this anime, even viewers who aren't fans of horror may enjoy it, but this much is certain for comedy horror fans.

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah Becomes Adam Sandler's Highest-Rated Movie Ever

Adam Sandler's latest Netflix comedy, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, has set a new record for the actor on Rotten Tomatoes.

Adam Sandler's latest comedy, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, has resulted in a new milestone for the actor.

With the latest Netflix release, Sandler has earned his most acclaimed film according to review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. The coming-of-age comedy has achieved an impressive "Certified Fresh" status on the site, with an impressive 96% approval rating based on the verdicts of 56 critics, as of writing this article. It's a new record-high for the actor, whose Netflix releases have drawn varied scores in years past. The film has left behind the actor's previous year's acclaimed basketball drama Hustle, which held a commendable 93% rating.

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is an adaptation of Fiona Rosenbloom's novel of the same name, originally published in 2005. With 56 critics having weighed in, 52 of them lauded the film with positive reviews, forming the current approval rating what may or may not deviate in the coming days. However, the Rotten Tomatoes audience score contrasts, currently standing at only 66%, gathered from more than 250 fan ratings.

Additionally, in his vast filmography spanning three decades, Sandler's only other "Certified Fresh" films are the Hustle (93%), acclaimed black comedy Uncut Gems (91%), Noah Bombauch's The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (92%), and Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch Drunk Love (79%). While having even five "Certified Fresh" films may seem reasonable, the only other Sandler films which are not "rotten," are Happy Gilmore, Funny People, Reign Over Me, and The Wedding Singer. For comparison, the Rotten Tomatoes score of You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is even higher than the combined total of Sandler's top four highest grossing films: Grown Ups (10%), Grown Ups 2 (8%), Pixels (18%), and Click (34%).

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah Is a Sandler Family Affair

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is a genuine Sandler family affair, with Adam Sandler sharing the screen alongside his real-life wife and daughters. Sunny Sandler plays the lead role of Stacy Friedman, and her sister Sadie Sandler, portrays Stacy's older sibling Ronnie. Adam likewise plays the role of their father's, while his wife, Jackie Sandler, takes on the role of Stacy's best friend's mother. The plot centers around the tale of two young girls, Stacy and her BFF Lydia, played by Samantha Lorraine, who embark on a journey to plan their dream bat mitzvah celebrations, only for that to be disrupted by the intrusion of both middle school drama and an unexpected romantic interest, as they both try to win the same guy's attention.

Sandler has found a creative home at Netflix, having collaborated with the platform on numerous projects including the two Murder Mystery films along with Jennifer Aniston, and Hustle. Interestingly, their first collaboration, 2015's The Ridiculous 6 had a Rotten Tomatoes score of 0%, but fortunately the duo has since left it far behind with the successes of Hustle and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. Sandler's upcoming animated musical movie, Leo, is also slated to hit Netflix later this year.

Immortal Thor: Who are Marvel’s New Utgard Gods – And Where Did They Come From?

Immortal Thor just introduced two new gods older than Asgard itself, and they could change the landscape of the entire Marvel Universe.

In more than 70 years on the comic book page, Thor Odinson has gone up against some of the biggest, most powerful threats of all time. From reality hopping despots to power hungry costumed criminals, it seems as if there is no brand of villain that Thor hasn't come into conflict with. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean he has taken on everything the Marvel Universe has to offer, and if he isn't careful, the Utgard gods might just be the last he ever sees.

As an army of Frost Giants march their way across the fields of Aesir in the pages of Immortal Thor #1 (by Al Ewing, Martín Cóccolo, Matthew Wilson, and VC's Joe Sabino), the titular hero makes aa fast entrance to put a stop to their attempted invasion. While Thor is ultimately successful, he can't help but take notice of something said by the Frost Giant leader, Skrymir, who claims he took the name of Utgard-Loki. Considering Utgard is the capitol of the Frost Giant's native Jotunheim, this isn't all that surprising on the surface, but digging deeper into the past reveals another Utgard, and the sudden arrival of its own brand of gods proves just how small even the current All-Father truly is.

What is Marvel's Utgard - And Why Is It So Important?

Better known as the Land-of-True-Things, Marvel's other Utgard exists outside the Ten Realms of the primary Marvel Universe, not to mention outside all other known corners of any version of reality whatsoever. When this realm was introduced in the pages of 1985's Alpha Flight #1 (by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith), it was where Loki went to beseech the higher pantheon known as Those Who Sit Above in Shadow for their aid. Things didn't go particularly well in that regard for Loki, nor have they for anyone else who has made the trek to Utgard, save for Thor himself when he made the journey to seemingly end the lives of its ominous rulers.

Unsurprisingly, Thor wasn't necessarily successful in killing a pantheon of beings who existed outside his own perception of reality. Worse still, the lessons he could have learned during his time in Utgard have instead been relegated to an obscure victory that rarely gets mentioned even when it could very well have relevance to other ongoing events. This is precisely the case with what Thor is facing now, as he has only a surface level understanding of what exactly Utgard is at its core, let alone the kind of power wielded by the gods who have just been unleashed from its depths to challenge him on Earth.

How the Emergence of the Utgard Gods Changes Ancient Marvel History

Not long after dealing with the Frost Giants in Aesir, Thor is faced with another on Midgard that dwarfs anything he could have possibly imagined. When Thor's attempt to brush aside a storm battering New York City, he instead sends lightning crashing violently into the Statue of Liberty. Or rather, that is what it seems at first, though the truth is far more disturbing. Standing among the storm is a titan of an Elder God known as Toranos, aka the Utgard-Thor, God of the Super Storm. Whereas Those Who Sit Above in Shadows were effectively myths given life by Asgardians, Toranos is instead one of the original Elder Gods who, along with his brother Utgard-Loki, was sealed away for millennia for the best of reasons.

The history of the Elder Gods is certainly complex, but it was well mapped out up until now. Previously it was understood that Gaea, Chthon, and Atum (or Amon Ra) were the only three Elder Gods who remained after the latter culled their corrupted offspring as the Demogorge. At least, that was until the revelation that Gaea had in fact imprisoned Utgard-Thor and Utgard-Loki within that far away realm long ago rather than see them brought to their end by Atum's more monstrous form. While this worked for thousands years as a way of safeguarding the universe from two raging all powerful beings, Gaea has clearly decided for whatever reason that now is the time to release her brethren from their confinement for the express purpose of challenging her Asgardian son and, by proxy, the world he calls home.

What Utgard-Thor and Utgard-Loki Mean for the Marvel Universe

As shocking as it is that these Utgard gods exist in the first place, that Gaea has willingly unleashed them upon an unsuspecting universe for any reason is genuinely horrifying. Considering the kind of power that she and Chthon command as Elder Gods, it is hard to imagine how Thor will ever be able to stand against them on his own. That isn't to say anything of the possible motives Gaea would have for orchestrating all of this, which almost assuredly holds secrets that will further unravel the history of the Marvel Universe in ways that rock it to its very core. Worst of all, even if Thor is joined by his fellow heroes in pushing back against these new threats, there is no guarantee that any of them would prove effective, especially when they have little to no understanding of the situation at hand.

Though the Avengers and their allies have battled against Elder Gods and emerged victorious in the past, none of those battles were permanent, nor did they come without great losses on both sides of the fight. The only real success that anyone Marvel superhero has had in taking on an Elder God was the Scarlet Witch, who was forced to literally merge the Darkhold into her own physical body to bury the threat of Chthon, and even that victory has already come undone in secret. If nothing else, this all proves just how outmatched Thor is when stacked up against the Utgard gods who have him in their sights. Then again, the God of Thunder has never been one to back down from a fight, no matter how unfair it might be nor how much smaller he is than his competition.

Jake Gyllenhaal's Road House Remake Has Been Rated R

Jake Gyllenhaal's remake of the 1989 Patrick Swayze action cult classic Road House has officially been rated R by the MPAA.

The Jake Gyllenhaal-led remake of Amazon Studios' Road House will likely be as bloody and brutal as the original.

Per FilmRatings.com, the update of the 1989 cult classic that starred the late Patrick Swayze has officially been rated R "for violence throughout, pervasive language and some nudity." This rating is fitting for the bouncer action flick as it follows the original movie's hard R rating for its over-the-top violence, gratuitous nudity and love scenes between stars Swayze and Kelly Lynch. Additionally, it's director Doug Liman's first R-rated movie since American Made in 2017.

Directed by Rowdy Herrington, 1989's Road House was a production of producer Joel Silver (Lethal Weapon, The Matrix) that capitalized on Swayze's popularity following his breakout success in Dirty Dancing. Swayze played James Dalton, a New York City bouncer called in to become the head of security of the Missouri club, Double Deuce. Alongside his friend and mentor Wade Garrett (Sam Elliott), Dalton clashes with a corrupt businessman who owns the small Missouri town and wants to extort the Double Deuce. Along the way, Dalton falls in love with a local doctor (Lynch).

While the movie was largely unsuccessful at the box office, Road House found a large audience over the years through home video and cable. As one of Swayze's most beloved movies, Road House spawned a campy off-broadway musical and was parodied on an episode of Family Guy. In 2006, a straight-to-DVD sequel titled Road House 2 was released which starred Johnathon Schaech as Dalton's DEA agent son looking to avenge his father's off-screen murder.

The Road House Remake Has Been in the Works for Years

Plans for a Road House remake were announced in 2015 when UFC and WWE superstar Ronda Rousey was set to play a gender-swapped version of Dalton. The Notebook director Nick Cassavetes was attached to write and direct the remake. Development quietly stalled sometime after the news of Cassavetes and the remake went dormant until Gyllenhaal was announced to star in 2022.

The Road House remake takes the same premise as the original except for Gyllenhaal's Dalton having a background in UFC. He'll be joined by UFC champion Conor McGregor who reportedly "watched the film for the first time and, after enjoying the original, was game to meet to see how he would play a part in the new film." Silver returns to the producer role on the remake with Liman in the director's chair. "I’m thrilled to put my own spin on the beloved Road House legacy," Liman said in a statement. "And I can’t wait to show audiences what Jake and I are going to do with this iconic role."

The Original Modern Warfare 3's Most Underrated Mode Deserves a Return

Survival mode is one of the Call of Duty franchise's forgotten game modes, but it has the potential to become the series' best feature.

The upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is shaping up to be one of the best games in the franchise's history. The return of fan-favorite features like the red-dot minimap, faster movement, and the ever-popular Zombies mode are bringing the series back to the fast and frantic gunplay of prior titles. Likewise, new innovations like open-world campaign missions and cross-progression systems represent exciting advancements for the Call of Duty formula. However, the new game still seems to be missing one of 2011's Modern Warfare 3's best game modes.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was the first mainline entry to include Survival, a multiplayer horde mode where players face off against waves of armed soldiers, attack dogs, and even armored helicopters. Although it never reached the same level of fame as the immensely popular Zombies mode from the Treyarch-developed Call of Duty titles, Survival was still an incredibly fun addition to the series. That said, Modern Warfare 3's Survival left plenty of room for improvement and a new Call of Duty game could potentially elevate its simple premise into the next fan-favorite feature, if it commits to the idea.

Survival Is A Fresh Take On Call Of Duty's Horde Mode

As with other Call of Duty horde modes, Survival challenges players to stay alive against endless waves of enemies, with each wave bringing stronger and larger hordes of foes. Enemies start out with low-grade shotguns and submachine guns but quickly upgrade to stronger weaponry and body armor. However, defeating these enemies and clearing waves rewards the players with funds to buy weapons, perks, and other useful equipment, as well as experience points to rank up and unlock more items.

What sets Survival apart from Call of Duty's other horde modes is its enemies. Whereas Call of Duty's zombies overwhelm the players through their immense numbers, the armed soldiers of Survival utilize a larger range of punishing tactics. Apart from being able to attack from a distance with firearms, enemies also attempt to flush out players from hiding spots by using grenades or split up to flank the player's position. Some enemies like attack dogs or soldiers equipped with explosive vests will rush towards the player while others prepare claymores and other deadly traps around the stage. With all these threats, the constant flurry of gunfire, and the rapidly increasing number of enemies in each wave, Survival mode can be a daunting yet incredibly rewarding challenge.

Survival is also one of the few Call of Duty modes that appeals to fans of both solo and co-op experiences. While Call of Duty's horde modes usually include single-player and multiplayer options, Survival's difficulty is balanced to cater to both playstyles. Fighting alongside other players against massive hordes of enemies is always a blast, and the option to select stages with varying difficulties makes the mode perfect for both Call of Duty veterans and series newcomers. As a bonus, abilities like self-revive and support from the AI-controlled Delta Squad give solo players a fair chance to overcome the game's tougher waves.

Despite its unique challenge, Survival failed to live up to the lofty expectations set by the labyrinthian maps and imaginatively absurd story of Treyarch's Zombies mode. The original Survival mode relied heavily on reused assets, with its large selection of maps ripped from Modern Warfare 3's multiplayer mode and its enemies similarly taken from the single-player campaign. Modern Warfare 3's Survival lacked the creativity and depth of Zombies or even Call of Duty Ghost's Extinction mode. Unfortunately, this led many players to write off Survival as a shallow replacement for Zombies rather than appreciating it for its own merits.

Even with this rough start, Survival can still be developed into a much better mode. In the same way that Call of Duty: World at War's barebones Zombies mode paved the way for its convoluted yet captivating follow-ups, Modern Warfare 3's Survival could set the foundation for a vastly improved successor. This doesn't mean it needs to directly copy the Zombies formula or abandon its grounded setting. Instead, the next appearance of Survival needs to expand its gameplay with original content that plays to the mode's strengths.

A Modern Call Of Duty Game Could Improve Survival Mode

Before delving into the ways Survival could improve, it's worth noting the mode's disappointing return in 2019's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Modern Warfare removed features and abilities from the original Survival mode, including powers like self-revive, summoning Delta Squad, or even swapping perks. These were replaced by the multiplayer mode's killstreaks, some of which were practically useless in Survival matches. Enemies also lacked the variety and ruthless tactics of the original version, instead serving as cannon fodder by mindlessly charging towards players.

Furthermore, unlike Modern Warfare 3, progression in Modern Warfare's Survival mode is directly tied to the player's multiplayer rank rather than a separate leveling system. Since the experience points earned in Modern Warfare's Survival are disappointingly low, it's a bad mode for new players to start in and offers little incentive to attract high-ranked players. Modern Warfare's version of Survival can still be entertaining, but it fails to improve or evolve the mode in any meaningful way.

Survival needs to grow past the problems that plagued it in the Modern Warfare series. To accomplish this, the next incarnation of the mode needs completely original stages that are designed to fit its gameplay. The smaller multiplayer maps of previous titles created tense skirmishes and forced players to adapt to their limited space but also discouraged them from leaving the most well-protected areas. Having larger stages could create more opportunities for player choice and make room for even larger waves of enemies. Better yet, the expanded map size could also be utilized to add optional objectives and story content into Survival, which would motivate players to avoid relying on camping tactics and add some much-needed variety to its matches.

Along with new maps, Survival could also benefit from new mechanics that incentivize cooperation and place a greater emphasis on team strategy. A class system similar to the one from Ghost's Extinction mode or the specialists from Black Ops III's Multiplayer can add another element of strategy to Survival, as each class would possess unique skills and abilities that determine each player's role in combat. Alternatively, the mode can simply focus on expanding players' arsenal of weapons and equipment to create a versatile selection of combat and defensive options. Either way, it's clear that Survival could be improved in numerous ways, and hopefully the next Call of Duty that includes the mode will take full advantage of its promising concept.

Sadly, it's unlikely that Survival will return to the Call of Duty series anytime soon, both due to its lack of popularity and the upcoming Modern Warfare III's inclusion of Zombies mode. Despite this, Survival has developed into a cult hit over the years. Its fast-paced progression, difficult gameplay, and accessibility for both solo and co-op players resulted in one of the most challenging and underappreciated features in any Call of Duty game. Survival deserves another chance to fully realize its untapped potential, as it could deliver the most pulse-pounding experience the series has ever seen.

How Shonen Jump's Bleach Got Its Strange Name

It's obvious how Naruto and One Piece got their names. But what about Tite Kubo's hit manga series Bleach?

Tite Kubo's hit manga series Bleach launched in 2001 in Japan, and it soon became part of Shonen Jump's fabled "big three," along with Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto and Eiichiro Oda's One Piece. Naruto is obviously named after its eponymous character, whereas One Piece is a reference to the legendary treasure belonging to Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King. As such, Bleach has the strangest name of the Big Three, one whose meaning isn't exactly obvious, even today years after the series' ending.

Anime titles don't always make sense — that said, there's a reason why the manga is called Bleach. When Bleach's one-shot flopped, manga legend Akira Toriyama sent Tite Kubo a letter of encouragement and inspired him to go forward with publishing Bleach, complete with its odd title. The reason why Kubo insisted on the name Bleach is classic Kubo, if not also a clever take on the idea of Soul Reapers.

Updated on August 30, 2023, by Ajay Aravind: Despite faltering during its final arc, Tite Kubo's Bleach remains one of the most popular animanga series of the 21st century. With millions of volumes sold, as well as the sheer scope of the franchise, it's not surprising that Bleach is still beloved today, over twenty years after the first chapter was released. While extremely popular, fans still don't have a clear idea of what the term "Bleach" is actually referring to.

Why Is Bleach Called Bleach?

As Tite Kubo revealed in interviews, Bleach was inspired by traditional Japanese death gods, or shinigami, who wore black robes and collected souls. Instead of basing the core of Bleach on the hero, Ichigo Kurosaki, Tite Kubo put the aesthetic first — Ichigo wasn't even the first character created for the manga. It was Rukia, and her appearance was significant. Rukia was designed before anything else for Bleach and was made to look like a classic shinigami, dressed in a simple, yet distinct, black kimono and wielding a katana. Rukia came to embody the aesthetic Tite Kubo wanted, and he named the entire series after it. The first title he came up with was Black, but as he explained in an interview, he felt that it was too simple a title, as was the inversion, "White."

So, Kubo changed "White" to Bleach, referring to how he "bleached" the black clothes of the Reapers to give his new shonen manga an unexpected name. Interestingly, Rukia Kuchiki was originally supposed to be the main protagonist of Bleach, with all the characters wielding guns instead of their trademark swords, better known as Zanpakuto. This previous version of Bleach, known as "Snipe," would have been a completely different ballgame than what fans have today. Although some wonder if replacing guns with swords was the right decision, it's clear that most of the story's thematic elements — especially those that revolve around Japanese mythology and folklore — would have been lost with modern weaponry.

Bleach's Name Inspired the Soul Reapers' Enemies

The concept of "black vs. white" inspired not only the title of Bleach and the robes of Soul Reapers, but also the Soul Reapers' enemies. In this series, it's surprisingly the villains who get to be all-white. The Quincy tribe, for example, sets itself apart from the Soul Reapers with militaristic pure-white clothing. The Quincy spite their Soul Reaper rivals in a visual sense, bleaching the Soul Reapers' color scheme white to create something new and distinct. This visual theme was expanded upon with the white uniforms of the Wandenreich, the hidden Quincy empire.

The Arrancars, or unmasked Hollows, were all given white uniforms with black detailing, the clear inverse of Soul Reaper uniforms' black with white detailing. No doubt Sosuke Aizen did this on purpose, and it matches the bone-white masks that all Hollows have. In Bleach, white is the enemy of the Soul Reapers, though the title is more benign about it.

"Bleach" May Potentially Be Ichigo Kurosaki's Release Command

The anime is called Bleach for a number of possible reasons. However, the title makes a lot more sense when considering the evolution of Ichigo Kurosaki. This plucky protagonist is famous for many reasons, including his overpowered abilities and young age, but there's also the mystery surrounding his Zanpakuto, Zangetsu. Every single character with a Zanpkuto necessarily utters a release command to release the Shikai, or primary state. These commands can be as simple as Sosuke Aizen's "Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu," or as devastatingly poetic as Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai's "Reduce All Creation to Smoldering Ashes, Ryuujn Jakka."

Ichigo, on the other hand, is supposedly using his Shikai at all times, which is why he doesn't have a release command. Interestingly, he's not the only character to face this conundrum. Even Zaraki Kenpachi, the formidable Captain of the Eleventh Division, doesn't use any release commands while fighting. Fans initially believed that this was because Kenpachi is also in permanent Shikai, but this theory was debunked during the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. After battling Retsu Unohana for an unknown duration, Kenpachi emerges victorious, having killed his opponent/mentor and gained a deeper understanding of his Zanpakuto. During his subsequent fight with Gremmy Thoumeaux, Kenpachi has no choice but to enter Shikai for the first time by saying "Drink, Nozarashi."

At this point, Ichigo becomes the only character without a release command. This is where a particularly fascinating fan theory kicks in. It suggests that Ichigo could potentially release his Shikai by uttering the words "Bleach, Zangetsu." This makes a ton of sense, partly because of Ichigo's relationship with Zangetsu, a being identical to himself except devoid of color. In other words, Zangetsu is a literally "bleached" version of Ichigo.

Aquaman 2 Sets Unexpected Record With Its First Trailer

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has set a new record for the DC Extended Universe which involves its long-awaited first trailer.

A new record for the DC Extended Universe has been set with the long-awaited trailer for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

According to the Direct, the King of the Seven Seas' return to the silver screen now has the shortest window in the DCEU between the release of the first trailer for a movie in the franchise and said movie's theatrical release date, with the former still not having been released for The Lost Kingdom. An earlier record was set by fellow 2023 DC film The Flash, which had 124 days between its first trailer being released on Feb. 12 and the movie itself hitting theaters on June 16.

Regarding the actual project itself, returning director James Wan discussed The Lost Kingdom's standalone nature, stating, "Well, Aquaman – even the first film – has always been a very standalone film. That was always our approach: that it kind of lives in its own world, and that's kind of how we've approached The Lost Kingdom as well." Wan also noted that he and his production team were taking the film "to the next level" and were "still expanding [its world]," going on to add, "this is the next level and I'm very excited to finally put out there to show them what we've been working on all these years."

The Lost Kingdom being more standalone had been previously brought up by Wan in an earlier interview, wherein he talked about how he had to change the movie for it to fit in with the new DC Universe. "The DCU has been through lots of different versions, and one of the things that was challenging about this film was keeping track of what's going on," remarked Wan. "Fortunately, the Aquaman universe is pretty far removed from the rest of the world. We're going to many different underwater kingdoms that are not necessarily related to what's happening with the other movies and characters, so we're stand-alone in that respect. So I can just tell my story on its own without being affected too much, but at the same time, I have to be mindful of what's been happening."

What Will Happen in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom?

As for the film's plot, Wan confirmed that The Lost Kingdom will have the Marine Monarch team up with his evil half-brother Orm to "stop a vengeful Black Manta from unleashing a powerful ancient evil." However, what this ancient evil is has not yet been revealed.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom arrives in theaters on Dec. 20.

Skybound Entertainment Announces Walking Dead Betrayal Early Access on Steam

Gamers can gain early access to The Walking Dead: Betrayal on Steam.

Skybound Entertainment has announced exciting news about its latest addition to the The Walking Dead Universe.

The Walking Dead: Betrayal will be available to fans sooner than expected. Players can gain early access to the game through Steam starting September 14. Developed in collaboration with Other Ocean Interactive, known for creating the critically acclaimed Project Winter, this third-person game sends players into a world of collaboration and deception, accommodating up to eight players.

Players can secure their spot in early access by purchasing the game for $19.99 USD on The Walking Dead: Betrayal Steam page, while also gaining access to The Walking Dead: Betrayal Discord channel to stay in the loop with the game's latest updates. As a thrilling bonus, those who jump on board during the early access phase will receive the Rick Grimes skin at no additional cost. For those curious to experience the game firsthand, a Steam Free Weekend has been scheduled from September 14 to 18, granting players the chance to immerse themselves in the apocalyptic world for free.

In The Walking Dead: Betrayal, players will have to survive a herd of walkers as their resources dwindle. To move ahead in the game, they must complete objectives to escape the danger. Additionally, traitors with concealed identities will also be lurking among them, causing delays in achieving their goals. The survivors will search for suspicious characters among themselves, as their alliance begins to fall apart.

With The Walking Dead: Betrayal, Skybound Entertainment continues to create groundbreaking content, adding to its already rich portfolio that includes iconic franchises like The Walking Dead and Invincible. The company has over 150 properties under its belt including the recent series Impact Winter, the recent announcement comes hot on the heels of Skybound's commitment to redefining pop culture with entertainment across various mediums, from comics and games to TV series and films.

The Walking Dead: Betrayal currently does not have a release date.

My Adventures with Superman Has a Common Theme With Superman & Lois - But With a Twist

My Adventures with Superman Season 1 has a big parallel with The CW's Superman & Lois, but there's a dangerous twist that comes into play.

Throughout My Adventures with Superman Season 1, fans have been speculating over the identity of the mysterious General hunting the Man of Steel so relentlessly. He's been working with Amanda Waller, directing Task Force X, and making it clear he hates aliens. Avid viewers did speculate he was General Sam Lane -- Lois' father from so many comics, cartoons and TV shows.

Episode 9, "Zero Day: Part Two," does confirm he's indeed Sam, who has just reason to go after Superman. Interestingly, while Sam is initially painted as a complete tyrant, the series makes a major U-turn, draping him with the energy of Sam from Superman & Lois. However, there's a darker twist added into this new story that portends massive trouble to come for Clark and the Lanes.

My Adventures with Superman Gets Sam Fired

My Adventures with Superman finds Sam chiding an imprisoned Superman. After the Suicide Squad beat Superman down, Sam is hoping he'll confess how he's part of an infiltration and invasion scheme. Superman is adamant he has no ulterior motive, but Sam shows him footage of Kryptonians attacking his base the same day Clark arrived on Earth.

The Kryptonians fired through a rift, sending robots to thin out the human army. Sam and Waller alone survived, rising up the ranks and then using the machines to create the OMAC legion. It's all about steeling up the defense for the next wave, but when Sam sees Superman crying, uncertain and broken how his people attacked, he begins to feel sympathy. Sam starts to think Superman does have humanity inside of him and that maybe he was wrong about the alien.

Pushing the motion that Superman is a hero angers Waller. She's adamant they lost too many good soldiers to go soft. It leads to her turning on Sam, going behind his back and getting him fired. to Waller, the mission comes first. She has Deathstroke and his deadly arsenal, as well as the new tools Parasite (aka Dr. Ivo) made. There's no denying Waller is planning to hunt down Superman following his escape. Waller has no compassion or empathy, which now has Sam worried about the military monsters he's unleashed.

My Adventures with Superman Creates a More Human Sam

This show of concern affirms this iteration of Sam Lane is indeed along the lines of Superman & Lois' Sam. There, the general, played by Dylan Walsh, had a special unit keeping tabs on Superman. They even stored Kryptonite weapons in case the alien ever went rogue. This secret angered Clark and Lois, who thought Sam finally learned to trust Superman. In time, Sam would shut the division down, realizing Superman was really someone who loved their planet.

Even though other Kryptonians would attack, such as Tal-Rho, they didn't have to worry about Superman. That flipped the script on the version of Sam Lane that's always depicted as an antagonist in other media. He even sacrificed his own fatherhood with Lois and Lucy at times to pursue Superman's death. However, Superman & Lois had him focusing more on being a friend to Clark, and a grandfather to Jordan and Jon. My Adventures with Superman now has this human take on Sam. He's now understanding the situation better, and no longer wants to treat Clark like an enemy anymore.

While My Adventures with Superman's version of Sam bucks convention, there is a twist to differentiate him from Walsh's. The new Sam doesn't have Lois with him to guide and advise him. In fact, he doesn't seem that much into family, which informs why Lois dropped hints she cut him off in the past. Thus, there's a chance Sam can change course or take much longer to warm to the idea that Lois and Superman are in love. He's a lot more gruff, confrontational and antagonistic, but he's also showing signs of hope that he could end up like Walsh's Sam fully: as an ally.

My Adventures with Superman's Sam Arc Endangers Clark More

​​​​​​​In Superman & Lois, Walsh's Sam still looked after Clark. The military left Sam to his own devices, so he protected his family, worked with Superman and ensured no one would threaten the alien again. Even when the Supermen of America tried to hunt Clark, Sam worked against them using his sway in the military. In My Adventures with Superman, however, Sam is out in the cold. He's not a soldier anymore, which means Waller and her team can go to the extreme. It puts Superman at a greater risk, taking away the safety net that an inside man could provide.

Once Waller's Task Force X gathers its villains -- in this case, Livewire, Heat Wave or Silver Banshee -- and figures out which of them wants to remain on board, it's easy to see tons of destruction occurring. The show already nodded to Man of Steel's collateral damage in Metropolis when Task Force X went on the warpath, which means Jimmy and Lois (who are close to Superman) will be in danger. While Sam might have been humane towards them and ensured they'd be safe, Waller won't offer that same reassurance. She has no emotive tissue in the game, which makes Waller an even more dangerous foe. She wants blood so Clark and his friends are in a bad spot against a squad that is not going to hold back.

Hopefully, this will bring Sam and Lois closer together, and have him work with Clark, so he can realize the alien is truly a hero. While this new alliance is being teased, fans are praying they survive the impending onslaught. They won't have as many resources like Walsh's Sam, so their backs are up against a wall. Ultimately, this development leaves fans optimistic Sam can talk Waller out of it after they were in the trenches for so long. Either that, or he'll have hidden aces up his sleeve to fix a mess he started with his blood vendetta from decades ago -- one that's now spiraling way out of control.

My Adventures with Superman's Season 1 finale will debut Aug. 31 on Adult Swim, with the episode available to stream the following day on Max.

D&D: How To Build The Perfect Drunken Master Monk In 5e

The Way of the Drunken Master is the most martial and skirmish-oriented monk subclass in D&D 5e, perfect for anyone who wants to be in the thick of it

The Way of the Drunken Master is one of the most straightforward and martial monk subclasses in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. It doesn't unlock esoteric new Ki abilities or other supernatural gifts. Instead, the Way of the Drunken Master emphasizes physical control and misdirection, with its monks getting mundane and effective combat abilities.

D&D 5e's Way of the Drunken Master monks are mobile and unpredictable. They're challenging to slow or bog down in combat and excel at hitting more often than a monk should be able to. Despite its relatively straightforward nature, a Way of the Drunken Master monk build can still be pushed further with the right approach.

Way Of The Drunken Master Build Summary

Perks Of A Drunken Master Monk Build

Like all monks, D&D 5e's Way of the Drunken Master is a skirmishing martial character. They're not frontline combatants, instead preferring to slip behind the enemy and strike valuable targets. The Way of the Drunken Master forgoes supernatural abilities to terrorize foes or bypass enemies in favor of sheer martial talent. It's the best D&D 5e monk subclass for players who want to brawl across the battlefield tactically.

The D&D 5e Way of the Drunken Master's Bonus Proficiencies are largely for flavor and not vital to any build. However, Drunken Technique is the cornerstone the entire subclass. Whenever a Way of the Drunken Master monk uses Flurry of Blows, their speed increases and they gain the benefits of the Disengage action. This encourages the monk to punch foes as often as possible and bypass stubborn enemies in their way. It lets a character focus on offense while being almost impossible to pin down in combat.

Tipsy Sway gives two benefits that further solidify the Drunken Master monk's combat style. They can stand up from prone by spending only five feet of movement, making them even harder to pin down. More significantly, they can spend Ki to force enemy attacks that miss them to hit another adjacent enemy. Whether they flit away or stand in the middle of a mob, the D&D 5e Drunken Master monk is well-protected and difficult to overwhelm.

Drunkard's Luck lets a Way of the Drunken Master monk build spend two Ki points to negate disadvantage on one attack roll, ability check, or saving throw. This is much too expensive a cost to cancel out just any disadvantage roll. However, it's an almost unique ability that can be used to get around disadvantage on rolls that matter, such as vital saving throws or a desperate attack against a near-death enemy.

Intoxicated Frenzy bolsters a D&D 5e Way of the Drunken Master monk's best combat tactic. It adds an additional attack to Flurry of Blows, letting them strike three times as a bonus action, as long as each strike targets a different creature. The Drunken Master's other abilities ensure that this works whether they stand in the middle of a mob or move around the battlefield hitting creatures one by one.

Best Stats For A Way Of The Drunken Master Monk Build

The Way of the Drunken Master is a rare monk subclass in D&D 5e with no abilities that require saving throws. As a result, Dexterity is the uncontested most important ability score. Dexterity increases the accuracy and damage of the Drunken Master monk's many attacks, boosts their Armor Class, and aids many valuable ability checks.

Wisdom shouldn't be neglected, however. Wisdom boosts the Armor Class of all D&D 5e monks due to Unarmored Defense. In addition, it powers Stunning Strike, far and away one of the monk's best features. Way of the Drunken Master builds should still stun enemies as often as they can, encouraging as high Wisdom as possible without neglecting Dexterity.

Like all martial characters, D&D 5e Way of the Drunken Master monks want at least some Constitution. Monks are more fragile than most melee fighters due to their d8 hit die. Low Constitution makes it hazardous to spend too long up close with enemies. Even though the Way of the Drunken Master has an easier time with hit-and-run attacks, it's unlikely to avoid all retaliation entirely.

The Best Race & Background For A Way Of The Drunken Master Monk Build

Variant human or custom lineage are two of the best race options for any build in D&D 5e due to the sheer potential of a free feat. The Way of the Drunken Master monk is no exception to this. Starting with Tough or Fey Touched provides significant value from the start and saves on later Ability Score Improvements.

Satyr is another invaluable option, especially with Tasha's Cauldron of Everything's optional D&D 5e rules decoupling ability scores and race. A satyr's movement speed bonus synergizes well with the Drunken Master's maneuverability and the base monk speed bonuses. Magic Resistance makes hostile spells much easier to avoid, especially with Diamond Soul at higher levels. The only downside is redundancy in the Performance skill, but that's of little use to a D&D 5e Drunken Master monk anyway.

Aarakocra is an unconventional choice for a Way of the Drunken Master monk build in D&D 5e. It's already an immensely mobile subclass, and the added ability to fly and move in a third dimension only increases this. A monk never wears armor, so it will never interfere with the flying speed. In addition, the talons improve unarmed strike damage at low levels until the monk's Martial Arts die catches up.

Bugbear is another surprising monk choice. Surprise Attack deals additional damage on every strike that hits a creature yet to take a turn, and a Way of the Drunken Master can make more attacks than almost any character. They can attack an unwary enemy who is low down on initiative to devastating effect or spread the damage throughout a large and disorganized enemy force. The additional reach helps the build's hit-and-run style as well.

Way of the Drunken Master monks have reasonably flexible backgrounds in D&D 5e. They likely want to pick choices that give Dexterity skills, Wisdom skills, or both. Urban Bounty Hunter lets a player choose Insight and Stealth, aiding in bypassing difficult confrontations and giving the character something to do in social situations. Far Traveler gives both Survival and Perception, leaning into the Drunken Master monk's high Wisdom.

Best 5e Feats For Drunken Master Monks

Due to a lack of spellcasting and many weapons, Way of the Drunken Master monks have an unusual selection of D&D 5e feats compared to many other builds. The most obvious boon is Crusher. Moving a creature five feet with one attack per turn helps the Drunken Master's hit-and-run style, or lets them maneuver enemies into the best positions for Tipsy Sway. With the Drunken Master monk's many attacks, critical hits are more likely to occur, activating its other benefit. A Constitution bonus also helps the fragile monk.

Tough is another straightforward choice. Monks are among D&D 5e's most fragile frontline combatants, and the Way of the Drunken Master's playstyle encourages them to be in the thick of it. Two extra hit points per level makes them more durable than a fighter with the same stats and help them avoid getting in over their head.

Fey Touched is reliably good for a Way of the Drunken Master monk build in D&D 5e. Misty Step does conflict with Flurry of Blows as a bonus action but is a mobility tool that can reach places walking cannot. The free choice of first-level Divination or Enchantment spell also opens a lot of doors. Its Wisdom bonus is yet another boon.

Multiclassing A 5e Drunken Master Monk

Monks' scaling unarmed strike damage and Ki points encourage them to remain in a single-classed build. However, certain Way of the Drunken Master monk builds in D&D 5e can benefit from levels in another class for new abilities.

An unconventional Drunken Master monk build takes levels in barbarian. Rage's damage bonus applies to each of a Drunken Master monk's strikes, boosting damage significantly. This is especially true of a multiclass with the D&D 5e Path of the Beast barbarian, which can attack more than almost any build in the game. However, this build emphasizes Strength and Constitution over Dexterity and Wisdom, and trades lower Armor Class for Rage damage reduction.

Ranger is an effective choice for monks who want a touch of spellcasting. Hunter's Mark provides a d6 damage boost to all strikes, but its focus on a single target can clash with a Drunken Master's skirmishing role. Healing magic like Cure Wounds can be invaluable in a pitch. In addition, a D&D 5e Drunken Master monk build can benefit from the Dueling Fighting Style if they wield a monk weapon in one hand, or take Blind Fighting to be effective in almost any environment.

Iman Vellani Reveals Which Ms. Marvel Comic She is Most Excited For

Imani Vellani's new comic book series, Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant, is here and she is looking forward to one specific issue.

MCU actress and comic book writer, Iman Vellani, revealed which issue of her new series, Ms. Marvel: The New Mutants, she is most excited for fans to read.

In an exclusive interview with Nerds of Color, Vellani stated that the third issue of the new miniseries was her favorite. “Kamala has been dealing with a lot of things mentally after being resurrected on Krakoa, so we do spend a lot of time in Kamala’s mind and in her dreamland, and exploring how this whole process of being resurrected, having this new label has affected her psyche. Issue three kind of doesn’t exactly take place in reality, so it’s been really cool to kind of just write whatever I can imagine because the possibilities are endless when you’re dealing with outside of reality,” she explained.

MS. MARVEL: THE NEW MUTANT #3

Written by IMAN VELLANI & SABIR PIRZADA

Art by CARLOS GÓMEZ and ADAM GORHAM

Cover by SARA PICHELLI

On Sale October 25, 2023

Iman Vellani Expresses the Importance of Ms. Marvel's Journey

Vellani complimented the art in the third issue and listed it as one of the reasons she is excited for readers to see the final product. “Our artist, Adam Gorham, has just exceeded all expectations, it’s beautiful. It’s a good-looking book, so I’m very excited for that one,” said the actress.

She also told Nerds of Color why this specific issue was important. She emphasized the importance of Kamala’s inner turmoil. She said that it wouldn’t do the character justice if she and the comics’ other creators didn’t let fans witness the trauma that death can bring even though she was resurrected. “We didn’t want to jump straight into, “Okay, she has a mission. She’s fighting with the X-men now.”

Vellani further elaborated, “It’s a big deal that she’s a mutant now. We don’t want to gloss over that at all and there is a time jump from Hellfire Gala to our series, so what’s Kamala been doing in that time? What’s she been dealing with? How does a 16-year-old cope with all these insane changes in her life? Who is in her surroundings that can help her kind of cope?” She added that it was also fun “just watching her kind of acclimate to this new life that she’s been given, literally, and the new colors that she wears.”

Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #1 is now available in comic book shops and participating digital platforms from Marvel Comics.

Jurassic Park III's First Draft Didn't Forget the Series' Most Important Character

Jurassic Park III was one of the more divergent entries of the series. But even its earliest versions knew who the most important character was.

The Jurassic Park franchise has wowed audiences for decades and showed the wonder and terror that can come from tampering with genetic power. But more than anything, the characters and dinosaurs have pulled audiences in. This was best shown in the original Jurassic Park with its leads, Dr. Grant, Dr. Malcolm and Dr. Sattler, who have all returned, in some capacity, in future installments. But unlike the others, none have ever been as unlucky as Dr. Grant, who spent most of his time as a paleontologist, running from the living versions of the creatures he studied.

While it's hard to compare which movie had the more traumatizing events for Dr. Grant, Jurassic Park III had to be high on the list as it took the otherwise passive character and put him in a leadership role. This was something that was even tied into the original draft of Jurassic Park III, which went through some revisions before the finished product hit theaters. But the best part of each draft was that it never forgot Dr. Grant and why he's always been Jurassic Park's most important character.

Jurassic Park III's First Draft Wasn't Too Different From the Theatrical Cut

As explained in Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History, many broad strokes survived the early drafts of the script to principal photography. However, one idea that was altered was the death of Billy, as well as the idea to switch Eric from being stranded with Dr. Grant to being the child lost while parasailing. Ultimately, this idea proved to be a smart one because it offered more significant stakes for the Kirbys to go out of their comfort zone to save their child. Even still, the one thing that remained constant was Dr. Grant and his reason for traveling back to the islands.

In the first draft of Jurassic Park III, Dr. Grant had a part to play in a hearing about what country Isla Sorna and Isla Nublar would go to, as the attacks that stemmed from it were a world issue. While this aspect of the story was omitted from the finished product, the plan to have Dr. Grant agree to the trip to fund his research remained. From there, it was fairly similar to what hit theaters as Dr. Grant tried to get the other survivors to safety. But the most significant change came in the now famous alternate ending where Dr. Grant would remain on the island with the dinosaurs, likely to study and understand them from a new perspective. Even though this ending was perfect for the character, the final cut that had Dr. Grant surviving was just as crucial because it showed how far he would go to survive and save those with him.

Dr. Grant Has Always Been Jurassic Park's Most Important Character

In the original Jurassic Park, Dr. Grant was a man who put his research first and would've done anything to better understand the creatures that had long since been extinct. With the promise of his research being backed, he joined Dr. Sattler and John Hammond in Jurassic Park, where he became an unlikely father figure to Lex and Tim. It was through these children that Dr. Grant learned he could be a leader and a comforting person in the face of danger and chaos. His intelligence on dinosaurs also allowed him to combat these creatures and evade them in ways that saved those closest to him. This same intelligence and experience shined even further in Jurassic Park III.

Unlike Jurassic Park, where Dr. Grant was more a victim of technology and the dinosaurs of the island, Jurassic Park III had Dr. Grant become a victim of humans, with the Kirby family tricking him and Billy. With a false promise that the Kirbys would pay Dr. Grant to continue studying raptors, they tricked him into being their guide on Isla Sorna. What was meant to be a secret tour of the island was actually a rescue mission to find Eric Kirby. In his time on a foreign island, Dr. Grant managed to get Eric and the other survivors to safety and defend them from a pack of dangerous Velociraptors.

Jurassic World: Dominion was the culmination of two generations of characters colliding in a final battle for survival. Dr. Grant, like always, was coerced into a situation greater than himself that got him and his friends, Dr. Sattler and Dr. Malcolm, caught in a dangerous situation. As he tried to navigate the Biosyn facility he and his friends infiltrated, they encountered the deadly Giganotosaurus and Dimetrodon, which were new to the franchise but nothing compared to the bravery and quick thinking of Dr. Grant. His actions further solidified that without him, a lot fewer people would've survived against the dinosaurs.

Jurassic Park III Never Lost The Magic of the First Two Movies

Jurassic Park III was unique to all the other movies that made up the franchise because it was the most straightforward of them all. The themes of genetic power and playing God remained but took a backseat to surviving the island and its creatures. As a result, Jurassic Park III was more of an action-survival movie that had minor elements of sci-fi horror. But even though the genre focus shifted, it still maintained some important elements that made the others so beloved.

Jurassic Park III never forgot the wonder and excitement that made the previous movies so special and, most importantly, took the time to make note of the things that made it special. For example, the idea of Billy stealing the raptor eggs showed that humans should respect all forms of nature and never treat living creatures as an attraction. It also captured, through the abandoned InGen facility, that playing God and taking risks would only lead to uncontrollable chaos, which was exactly why Dr. Grant was caught in the situation he was in. Nevertheless, intelligence and cool heads always prevailed, as even back in Jurassic Park III, it was clear that Dr. Alan Grant would always be Jurassic Park's most important character.

Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon Confirms Release Date

Apple Studios announced the official premiere date for Killers of the Flower Moon, the upcoming Western crime drama from Martin Scorsese.

The latest feature-length project from Martin Scorcese, Killers of the Flower Moon, gets closer to its debut as Apple Studios announces the official premiere date for the star-studded Western crime drama.

Per Variety, Apple confirmed that Killers of the Flower Moon will hit theaters worldwide on Oct. 20 before landing a streaming debut on Apple TV+ at an undisclosed date. Initially, Killers of the Flower Moon was due for a limited cinematic release. However, Apple scrapped the idea for that release, which would have taken place on Oct. 6. The movie is co-distributed by Apple and Paramount Pictures.

Killers of the Flower Moon chronicles the real-life murders of the Osage tribe, a wealthy Native American group, committed by white settlers in 1920s Oklahoma as they sought possession of their oil fields. The mysterious circumstances of the killings triggered a major investigation led by J. Edgar Hoover and ex-Texas Ranger Tom White (Jesse Plemons). As the official synopsis reads, "The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder. Based on a true story… Killers of the Flower Moon is an epic western crime saga, where real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal."

Scorsese also acts in Killers of the Flower Moon, appearing as a radio show producer. Based on David Grann's titular non-fiction book, Killers of the Flower Moon sees Academy Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Ernest Burkhart alongside Lily Gladstone's Millie Burkhart. Acting legend Robert De Niro also features, playing William "King" Hale, who had a key role in the killings. Furthermore, The Whale star and Oscar winner Brendan Fraser plays Hale's corrupt lawyer W.S. Hamilton.

Killers of the Flower Moon Impressed With Early Screenings

Killers of the Flower Moon premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this past May to rave reviews, further attracting major award buzz given its quality and strong cast. Already, the film has a 97% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it "another artistic zenith" for Scorsese. This is the first feature-length title directed by Scorsese since 2019's The Irishman. Time will tell how well Killers of the Flower Moon does in ticket sales after taking $200 million to make, though Scorsese has slammed Hollywood's obsession with box-office numbers.

Filming for Killers of the Flower Moon took place between April and October 2021. However, additional scenes were filmed the following year to capture a traditional community dance in Osage County. The Osage Nation had consistent input in the film, with Gladstone admitting it changed Scorsese's original vision and positively affected the outcome. The film is expected to show in IMAX theaters along with its widespread cinematic release and eventual streaming debut.

Disney Follows Marvel VFX Workers in Moving to Unionize

Walt Disney Studio's VFX crews rock Disney for the second time in a month, outlining unequal treatment in the industry and demanding parity.

VFX workers rock Disney for the second time in a month, joining fellow Marvel staff in moving towards unionization.

Walt Disney Studios VFX workers are demanding fair pay for all hours worked alongside health and social care, redressing the unequal system that sees already unionized workers get better terms than they do, reports Variety. "The determination of these VFX workers is not just commendable, it’s groundbreaking. Their collective action against the status quo represents a seismic shift in this critical moment in our industry," the IATSE Union President says. "The chorus of voices demanding change is unprecedented, and demonstrates our united movement is not about any one company, but about setting a precedent of dignity, respect, and fairness for all." The vote passed by a supermajority of over 80%.

Marvel echoed this exact sentiment earlier this August, winning a vote by an outright supermajority, indicating their desire to be represented by IATSE. Lobe expressed his solidarity then too, saying, "We’re experiencing a wave of solidarity that's breaking traditional barriers in the industry, reflecting a united front. This isn't happening randomly. Entertainment workers are standing up for each other, and that's what our movement embodies. I salute these workers for this courageous step and for harnessing their collective voice." Currently in the voting stages, a result for whether Marvel will be represented by IATSE is set to be called on Sep 12.

Bob Iger Remains Positive

The Disney President's positive outlook at a recent earnings meeting called for higher quality at a lower cost, namedropping tentpoles from both Disney and Marvel. Bob Iger did add that he was "personally committed" to ending the WGA dispute but may find himself embroiled in up to four strikes, depending on how the ballots, negotiations, and current struggling talks fare. Most recently, an AMPTP presented a set of terms to the WGA regarding AI use. The press release indicates that they were willing to agree with the concerns over AI-generated work, affirming that AI would not receive writer credits and thus not detract from human pay. The proposal did not confirm whether the AI would be trained using works from human writers.

Now, Disney VFX workers will hold a ballot, typically within the next few weeks, before confirming whether they will elect to be represented by IATSE. Previously considered a summer affair, disputes continuing into the fall can be seen as an affirmation of the "wave of solidarity that's breaking traditional barriers in the industry."

Ahsoka Concept Art Reveals a New Look at Star Wars' New Republic Cruiser

Concept art created for Ahsoka showcases the overhauled Republic space cruiser which sports a more streamlined aesthetic.

Concept art created for Ahsoka showcases the New Republic's overhauled cruisers.

Posted to Instagram by artist Benjamin Last, the updated version of the classic Star Wars ships evokes similiar aesthetics to the cruiser used by the Republic during both the Original and Prequel trilogies albeit with some tweaks to the aesthetic. Sporting a more curved exterior and a pronounced bow, the New Republic cruiser has already made an appearance in Ahsoka. "New Republic Cruiser I designed for Star Wars: Ahsoka. Had a blast designing for this show with an amazing team at @lucasfilm . It was incredible seeing the level @ilmvfx took my design to for the final VFX," Last wrote.

Set during the events of the Prequel Trilogy and the Sequel Trilogy, Ahsoka follows the titular character, once again played by Rosario Dawson, as she embarks on a journey across the galaxy to discover and expose Grand Admiral Thrawn. The sinister Imperial is plotting to assume control as the heir to the Empire, continuing his story from Star Wars Rebels were he was ultimately transported to an unknown and unexplored sector. The Jedi Ezra Bridger was unwittingly taken to this mysterious new realm alongside Thrawn, a thread many fans are hoping Ahsoka will resolve.

Star Wars Stories Combine

To stand against the potential might of Thrawn, Ahsoka is forced to rally her allies, many of whom fought alongside her during the Galactic Civil War. These include Sabine Wren and Hera Syndulla, both of whom are making their live-action debuts after becomig fan-favorite characters in Rebels. Despite serving as a pseudo-sequel to the hit animated show, Ahsoka star Rosario Dawson has promised that audiences unfamiliar with the crew of The Ghost will still be able to enjoy the latest chapter in the Star Wars saga.

"With Star Wars fans, there’s folks who really just watch the films, but now and especially with The Mandalorian, more people are watching the live-action shows," Dawson said. "And then there are people who watch the animated shows. There’s even a tier beyond that with all the books and fan fiction. So there’s different levels to the Star Wars family, and it’s always been very highly considered to make sure [everyone can watch it]."

Ahsoka is now streaming on Disney+ with new episodes arriving every Wednesday.

One Piece Creator Hails Netflix Adaptation's Impeccable Cast

Eiichiro Oda commends the Netflix adaptation's flawless cast while receiving the manga's iconic 'snail phone' from Inaki Godoy.

One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda gave his blessing to Netflix's live-action rendition of his acclaimed manga just before the series' debut on Aug. 31.

Oda praised the cast and VFX team in a video shared by the official One Piece Instagram account. Although his face is hidden with an illustration, his voice is transmitted through a snail phone presented as a gift by series star Inaki Godoy. "As a Hollywood production, the action and VFX are great, not to mention the performances by the cast," Oda said. "But above all, I want to call attention to how perfect the Straw Hat cast are. It's like you're watching the Straw Hats in real life, which I'd love for you to savor."

Although Oda is known to stay out of the public eye, he wasn't shy about his conditions for bringing his creation to Netflix. Emma Sullivan, one of the directors of the upcoming series, recently detailed Oda's involvement in the production, saying he asked for reshoots and changes to the script if something didn't adhere to his standards. "You want them [fans] to be happy, you know, but I think the only way we can do that is to make [Eiichiro] Oda happy. When he saw stuff that he didn't like, we redid it," Sullivan explained.

Oda Insisted on One Piece Adaptation Integrity

Sullivan also mentioned concerns of the One Piece fanbase regarding the adaptation. Despite their excitement for the long-awaited series, fans also want the show to uphold the integrity of the 1997 manga. "You know that [fans] are passionate about it, but they want the best for it," the director continued. Ultimately, the only thing that mattered was that Oda was happy with the result since he was the driving force behind the series. "He's the leader, really, and I think if Oda says he's happy with it, then the fans will be happy. But you know, we just hope we did our best," Sullivan added.

One of the things about Netflix's One Piece series Oda is most pleased with is the live-action Luffy actor Inaki Godoy. When the 20-year-old actor met the legendary manga creator at his studio in Tokyo, Japan, Oda immediately embraced him, saying he "can't imagine anyone else" playing his beloved character. He added that Godoy impressed him with his lively personality in his audition tape.

One Piece is based on Oda's ongoing manga series of the same name. Since its debut, the written works have amassed a library of 105 published volumes. The live-action adaptation is developed for Netflix by Matt Owens and Steven Maeda, with Tomorrow Studios and Shueisha, the publishers of the manga, producing.

Harley Quinn Season 4 Reinterprets Flashpoint - With a Darker Twist

Harley Quinn Season 4 puts its own spin on the Flashpoint storyline, hinting at even more chaotic repercussions to come for Harlivy and their friends.

A very divisive concept in the recent annals of DC history has been that of Flashpoint. The comic event depicted Barry Allen going back in time to save his mother from death, hoping to give her a better fate. Little did he know, his actions had a ripple effect on the entire DC timeline, and the dire consequence of that forced him to reset it.

Flashpoint is a storyline The CW show The Flash and its DCEU film counterpart starring Ezra Miller all explored. Now, Harley Quinn Season 4 now does its own take on this time-traveling concept. However, it has a much darker spin to it as Harley breaks the rules of space and time to address a personal problem of her own. In the process, it speaks to responsibility and how Harley may not be as cut out for the superhero life as she may have thought.

Harley Quinn Season 4 Jumps Harlivy to the Future

Harley steals a time-sphere in Episode 7, "The Most Culturally Impactful Film Franchise of All Time," and uses it to jump to the future. She wants to speak with the older version of Harlivy, hoping to cure her love troubles with the current Poison Ivy. Interestingly, Ivy makes the trip with her, only to find a dystopian world run by a dark Robin (Damian Wayne) and their daughter, Neytiri, betraying them. It nods to the Flashpoint storyline where Barry messing with time created a world where the Amazons fought the Atlanteans. It was also a world where rebels like Lois Lane fought fascists, and where Superman was imprisoned.

In both storylines, there is still a sympathetic edge. In Flashpoint, Barry wanted to save his mother and regain that sense of family that evaded him. Not even Iris, Wally West and the Justice League could help fill that gap. In Harley Quinn, the titular heroine is in a similar spot after the death of Nightwing. However, she moves forward, not backwards in time. Whereas Barry wanted to change his present by altering his past in Flashpoint, Harley just wants to forge a better future for herself by making better decisions in the present.

To this end, Harley wants to talk to her future self, which doesn't seem like a catastrophic decision at first. Of course, this proves not to be the case. When she and Ivy return to their timeline from 2048 after fighting their future daughter, Harley and Ivy find the present day in an apocalyptic state. It's the end of days, which they find out is linked to Lex Luthor and the Legion of Doom. It revisits the idea of ramifications, which different adaptations of Flashpoint explored in unique ways. The comics and animated movie had Barry rebuilding a new era, while The Flash movie seemed to insinuate some things were still off-kilter, like George Clooney returning as Bruce Wayne. This leaves Harlivy struggling to figure out what went wrong.

Harley Quinn Season 4 Will Unleash a New War

The war to come will test Ivy in a big way. Clearly, she'll have to turn on Lex and the Legion, which puts her in a tight spot since she has her mentees in the Natural Disasters. Plus, other villains are loving her style. Additionally, the media and public adore Ivy now, but the plant queen knows this bit of ego has to be scrubbed if she's to protect the future. The problem is, Ivy doesn't know who she can trust outside of Harley, and who'll genuinely join the mission.

As for Harley, she's in an equally bad spot. Harley has been sleepwalking and hallucinating, so her mental health is not in a good place for battle. Batgirl is similarly not in the best space either as Barbara tries to take out Joker. Overall, the Bat-family is stretched thinner than usual with Bruce and Alfred in jail, and Damian Wayne back in Talia al Ghul's custody. Even in the present, all the worst possible scenarios are unfolding, leaving Harley and Ivy short of numbers.

At least in Barry's case, he found allies, whether that'd be the Thomas Wayne Batman or -- per the live-action film -- another Barry, Michael Keaton's Dark Knight and Sashe Calle's Supergirl. One can only hope Harley Quinn's King Shark, or Jim Gordon are still around to help out. If they're alive, Harlivy can relay the news to them and formulate a plan if they're to ensure the future doesn't end up filled with ash and brimstone. It gives Harlivy a bigger purpose, echoing what Barry had to repair after operating so selfishly and carelessly in the Flashpoint adaptations.

Harley Quinn Season 4 Paints Harley As a Liability

Harley is now incensed that their world isn't normal. She messed up the date to get back to, but most importantly, by jumping back and forth, she triggered a chain of events that created the entire bleak reality. She's very much to blame for messing with time, which may further indicate that Harley is not cut from the superhero cloth. While Ivy did contribute to the problem by traveling through time herself, it's still Harley's responsibility to fix as the person who made the decision to use the time sphere in the first place.

It's the kind of liability the Caped Crusader would condemn. As sympathetic as her motivations are, Harley's interference with her future walks back her progress. More specifically, Harley should've learned by now she can't use personal tragedies to become a catalyst for disaster. It's a skill she should have acquired from being with the Bat-family. Even before that, Harley did seem to become more selfless when she was surrounded by Clayface, King Shark and Co. It seems without Harley's support system or attention from Ivy, she goes off the rails. But this time, the repercussions are dire and literally world-ending.

These circumstances have fans hoping Harley and Ivy can use the sphere, hop to the right timeline and then stop whatever Lex will unleash. Thankfully, both are on the same page now after seeing how their future turned out. Unfortunately, they still have a habit of letting their personal and professional lives get in the way when it matters most. The Scarlet Speedster quickly removed this aspect of clouded judgment in his fiasco, which is something Harlivy need to do as soon as possible to ensure their romance has a tomorrow and the world doesn't end for that matter.

Agatha: New Details on Coven of Chaos' Witchy Villains Reportedly Surfaces

A new report claims that Agatha: Coven of Chaos will see The Salem Seven looking for revenge for crimes committed centuries ago.

A new report claims Agatha: Coven of Chaos' villains will be looking to exact revenge on their mothers that were killed centuries ago.

According to scooper and insider DanielRPK, The Salem Seven, a group of witches that will supposedly go up against Agatha, "are the daughters of the witches from Evanora Harkness' coven seeking revenge for the murder of their mothers." The moment was witnessed in a flashback sequence in WandaVision wherein Evanora's trial of daughter Agatha goes horrible wrong, resulting in the deaths of every member of her coven. At the time of writing, neither Disney nor Marvel Studios has verified the report so a grain of salt is recommended.

Details on Agatha: Coven of Chaos are still scarce but the story is expected to serve as a direct sequel to WandaVision. Focusing on the titular witch, who will once again be played by Kathryn Hahn, the plot will seemingly see Agatha attempting to create her own coven in the town of Westview in an effort to reclaim her magical powers which were stolen from her by the Scarlet Witch. Aside from Hahn, the spinoff will also mark the Marvel Cinematic Universe debut of Aubrey Plaza who will be playing an unknown character that is rumored to be in a romantic relationship with Agatha.

Agath'a Delightful Coven

"Without saying anything really, I had a blast," Plaza stated. "I loved my character in that as well, and I think it's the most elevated Marvel material that's out there. So, it was cool to jump into that world with those people specifically," Plaza said when asked about her experiences on the series. Hahn has expressed similar enthusiasm for playing the role of a sinister magic-user, insisting that Coven of Chaos is a devilishly good time from start to finish. "I love her so much. I mean, she's a witch, so what could be more delicious?"

One question still on the mind of many Marvel fans is the fate of the Scarelt Witch. Elizabeth Olsen's character seemingly perished at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but some believe she may return for Coven of Chaos. "I don't know ever how to answer these questions," Olsen replied. "Except, I don't... think I'll come back."

Agatha: Coven of Chaos does not yet have a solid release date.

David Fincher's The Killer Starring Michael Fassbender Gets First Trailer

David Fincher’s new film, The Killer, marks Michael Fassbender’s first return to the big screen since 2019’s X-Men Dark Phoenix.

Throughout the 2010s, Michael Fassbender starred in everything from the X-Men franchise, a film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Assassin’s Creed, and a Steve Jobs biopic. David Fincher’s The Killer will be the actor’s first film since 2019, and the first trailer shows Fassbender in all his ruthless glory.

Fassbender last appeared on the big screen in 2019’s X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Since he last portrayed Magneto, the actor has kept busy by driving race cars, currently racing in the European Le Mans Series. Now, with the first trailer being released on Netflix's YouTube, fans can get a taste of his performance in Fincher’s latest film. Based on the French graphic novel of the same name, The Killer follows an assassin who “battles his employers, and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn’t personal.”

Fassbender made his feature film debut in 300, which was directed by Zack Snyder and starred Gerard Butler as Leonidas. He went on to appear in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, 2011’s Jane Eyre, and the David Cronenberg-directed A Dangerous Method (alongside Keira Knightley and Viggo Mortensen). He’s also appeared in shows like HBO’s Band of Brothers and the autobiographical documentary series Michael Fassbender: Road to Le Mans.

The Killer is not only Fassbender’s return. It is also the director’s first feature-length project since Mank. The 2020 film showed Hollywood in the 1930s, as Herman J. Mankiewicz rushed to finish Citizen Kane. The film received 10 Academy Award Nominations, including Best Picture. Since Mank, Fincher has continued to produce the animated anthology series Love Death + Robots, even directing one episode (“Bad Travelling”). The series was also recognized with several award nominations, and several episodes have won Emmy Awards. However, Fincher’s career isn’t just defined by his awards and nominations —although it’s certainly gilded with them— as he has been behind classic films like Se7en and Fight Club.

David Fincher Returns With The Killer

Fincher's return to feature-length films has been much anticipated, and The Killer is primed to be a must-watch.The film features a (no pun intended) killer cast. Aside from Fassbender, Tilda Swinton (Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, The French Dispatch), Charles Parnell (Spiderhead, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1), Arliss Howard (Full Metal Jacket), and Sophie Charlotte (Passport to Freedom) will also star.

Fassbender will also appear in Next Goal Wins, directed by Taika Waititi – who has directed the last two Thor films (Ragnarok and Love and Thunder), and stars in Our Flag Means Death as Blackbeard. The film will follow Dutch coach Thomas Rongen as he tries to coach the American Samoa soccer team to victory.

The Killer is set to release on September 3rd.

Arrow's Main Villains, Ranked From Worst to Best

The CW's Arrow pitted Oliver Queen against a number of dangerous villains. Let's rank them to find out who is the Green Arrow's greatest threat.

Throughout its eight seasons, Arrow pitted Oliver Queen against several high-profile foes pulled from the pages of DC Comics. While all of these villains posed a serious threat to Team Arrow, it's obvious that some of them didn't live up to the high bar set by the comic book source material. Meanwhile, others far outshone their original counterparts and helped to redefine how comic fans relate to these sinister characters.

Then again, expecting TV show characters to surpass their comic book counterparts usually turns out to be an exercise in futility. Both versions are supposed to be different — having a character replicate their personality and backstory in the source material isn't necessarily the best narrative option. Whatever the case, all eight Arrow villains can be ranked from worst to best, based on their respective depictions in the Arrowverse's debut series.

Updated on August 29, 2023, by Ajay Aravind: The Arrowverse franchise includes six individual TV programs, each of which is crosslinked with the others through a complex narrative tapestry. Although all series have currently reached their conclusions — or been canceled — there are upcoming shows that might still link back to the Arrowverse. In any case, The Arrow contains some of the most iconic TV villains in recent years, in addition to some truly forgettable ones. As such, we've updated this list with more relevant information.

Ricardo Diaz/The Dragon

Ricardo Diaz, also known as the Dragon, first appears in Arrow Season 6 as a drug dealer looking to take over Starling City's underworld. As things progress, he is revealed to actually be a brilliant mastermind who has orchestrated almost everything bad that happens to Team Arrow over the course of the season. Diaz survives to menace Starling City into Season 7, only to be killed off by the season's real main villain. While Diaz's ability to manipulate events from behind the scenes sets him up as an incredibly dangerous foe, he ultimately proves to be a pretty disappointing character when he steps out of the shadows. Kirk Acevedo's performance is solid, but Diaz is never really given enough to do to prove himself as a city-threatening force.

Emiko Queen

In Arrow Season 7, Emiko Queen is first introduced as an imposter Green Arrow, with Oliver taking her under his wing after learning that she is actually his sister. Unfortunately, as the season progresses, Emiko is revealed to actually be the ruthless leader of the Ninth Circle, with a plan to ruin the legacy of the Queen family once and for all. While Emiko's arc starts off strong, things start to feel pretty rushed and a bit sloppy towards the end of the season. Further, her last-minute reconciliation with Oliver shortly before her death feels like a case of "too little, too late." Emiko could have been great if only the show hadn't gotten in her way.

Mobius/The Anti-Monitor

While the Anti-Monitor is the primary threat of the Arrowverse's multiverse-spanning "Crisis on Infinite Earths" event, he also serves as the main antagonist of Arrow Season 8. He ends up destroying the multiverse in "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three," but the Paragons regroup and retaliate against him, allowing Oliver (who has become the Spectre) to recreate the multiverse. The Anti-Monitor's immense power places him as one of the Arrowverse's most powerful villains, but he ultimately ends up feeling somewhat underdeveloped in the TV series. He never even physically crosses paths with Green Arrow until the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" is well underway.

Damien Darhk

Damien Darhk makes a big entrance in Arrow Season 4, complementing his larger-than-life personality with some incredibly powerful magical abilities. While Neal McDonough's performance as the H.I.V.E. leader was met with widespread praise, the character ultimately ends up dragging the season down with his over-the-top plan to nuke the entire world. His final fight with Oliver Queen in the streets of Starling City is seen by most fans as a particularly underwhelming moment. Luckily, Damien ends up becoming a recurring character on Legends of Tomorrow — a show that is much better suited to his exaggerated brand of villainy.

Ra's al Ghul

After being mentioned several times throughout Arrow's first two seasons, Ra's al Ghul makes his presence known in a big way in Season 3. Following the death of Sara Lance, the Demon's Head challenges Oliver Queen to a swordfight atop a snowy mountain, brutally beating the archer and kicking him off the summit. Despite this, Oliver manages to survive and goes undercover within the League of Assassins in order to take down Ra's once and for all. Matt Nable's take on Ra's highlights the cold, calculating nature that fans have come to expect from the iconic villain. The Arrowverse's Ra's is unquestionably one of the most dangerous men alive.

Malcolm Merlyn/Dark Archer

Malcolm Merlyn was the Arrowverse's first major villain, having begun menacing Oliver Queen all the way back in Arrow Season 1. Since then, he has frequently jumped back and forth between the sides of good and evil, even taking over the title of Ra's al Ghul for a while. Part of what makes Malcolm so compelling to watch is his unpredictability, but this is also one of the most frustrating parts of his character, as it makes him feel rather inconsistent in later seasons. Luckily, John Barrowman's incredibly charismatic performance makes Malcolm a must-watch character even at his most detestable, and his Arrowverse legacy carries on even after his death in Arrow's Season 5 finale.

Adrian Chase/Prometheus

Arrow's version of Prometheus is probably the main antagonist most divorced from their comic book counterpart. However, in this case, it completely works in the show's favor. Season 5 introduces Starling City's new district attorney, Adrian Chase, who initially appears to be on Oliver's side in the hunt for the city's mysterious new serial killer, Prometheus. However, the two are eventually revealed to be one and the same, with Chase having enacted a prolonged and methodical scheme to destroy both the Green Arrow and Oliver Queen. The season finale ends with Prometheus blowing up Lian Yu with all of Oliver's closest friends and allies on it. This devastating move cements Chase as one of Arrow's most dangerous villains.

Slade Wilson/Deathstroke

Slade Wilson is not just the best Arrow villain, but he's also one of the show's best characters overall. His journey through Seasons 1 and 2 is one of the series' most tragic storylines, culminating in a brutal war between him and Oliver. Their past as brothers-in-arms on Lian Yu makes their present-day confrontations feel deeply personal, helping demonstrate just how far Slade has fallen. Slade also takes the title of the show's most vicious physical combatant, thanks to his years of training and his use of the Mirakuru drug. Years after being defeated in Season 2's finale, Slade returns in Seasons 5 and 6, this time as an ally. Full of regret for the things he did under the influence of Mirakuru, Deathstroke manages to redeem himself by consistently proving his loyalty to the Emerald Archer, with the two even going on adventures again just like old times.

"We're All Disgusting Perverts": Barry Keoghan vs Jacob Elordi Teased In Saltburn Images

Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi's complex relationship is teased in new images from Saltburn, the second feature from director Emerald Fennell.

Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan roles are teased in new images for Saltburn. The sophomore feature from British director Emerald Fennell, Saltburn is a comedy-thriller about the relationship between an Oxford student Oliver (Barry Keoghan) and his aristocratic classmate Felix (Jacob Elordi) who invites him into his oddball estate one summer. Starting Keoghan and Elordi alongside Carey Mulligan, Rosamund Pike, and Richard E. Grant, Saltburn is expected for release on November 24.

The images include leading duo Oliver and Felix at Flex’s lavish estate, alongside well-dressed co-stars like Pike, who sports a cocktail in one hand and a befuddled expression across her face. In another Saltburn image, Oliver arrives at the Saltburn estate in a wide shot that reveals the volume of Felix’s estate. Fennell is quoted in the same article as saying "The thing is, we're all disgusting perverts, aren't we" in reference to the tone of the upcoming movie.

These New Looks Make Saltburn Even More Promising

Even before the release of these new images, Saltburn could be thought to be the perfect creative combination on paper. With her debut feature Promising Young Woman, Fennell established herself as a new voice with a penchant for the eerie and darkly comedic. Adding the alluring new talent Keoghan into the mix made Saltburn more appealing, for the emergent actor has recently proven his scene-stealing abilities in films like The Banshees of Inisherin and Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Killing of a Sacred Deer.

With their pristine costumes and captivating close-ups, these new Saltburn images add more exciting fuel to the already-thrilling fire. Keoghan’s Oliver looks pensive in the kaleidoscopic mirror shot, hinting perhaps at some point question of identity as he looks beyond. On the other hand, Elordi’s Felix smirks in a dusk-set shot as sunset falls.

Felix and Oliver, in these images, already seem like such ripe characters for conflict in Saltburn. Both Elordi and Keoghan have experienced playing both the devious and the incessant, and playing young men who make questionable decisions in their social circles. These dynamics can be heightened as they co-star in Saltburn, which seems sure to be a thrilling and unique ride.