This evening during EA Play 2020, Motive Studios and Lucasfilm revealed gameplay of Star Wars: Squadrons. The upcoming space combat game was announced prior to the show but EA had only shown screenshots and a cinematic trailer. Tonight, we got six minutes of space dogfighting action alongside actual gameplay details.

Star Wars: Squadrons is the “definitive” Star Wars experience, offering a single-player story alongside a robust multiplayer mode while giving players the option to experience it all in VR. The single-player story alternates between two combat pilots and flying for both the Empire as Case Kassandora and the New Republic as Rao Highmoon. EA didn’t get too much into story details, but promised a diverse cast of characters fighting by your side as you shape the balance of power in the galaxy. 

In multiplayer, there will be a variety of ships to choose from. Fighter class ships, which include the Tie Fighter and X-Wing, are  “the most flexible and versatile.” The fast and maneuverable Interceptors are ideal for hunting opponent star fighters. Support ships aid ally ships and disrupt enemy fighters. Bombers are the “heavy hitters” capable of dealing massive damage to flagships. Players can also customize their ships with over 50 components that alter how ships fly, fight, and survive. Cosmetic options include paint jobs, pilots, and cockpit knick knacks.

Star Wars: Squadrons will feature multiple modes. Dogfights are 5 vs. 5 team-based battles that resemble a standard multiplayer FPS deathmatch, but in space. The game’s signature mode is Fleet Battles, multi-stage conflicts playable solo or multiplayer against other players or AI. As a squadron, players will strategize and fight through a series of individual staged missions, each with a different goal to advance. These were the only two modes details, but it’s possible EA could add more post-launch.

It sounds like Star Wars: Squadrons will only offer a first-person point of view, putting players directly inside the cockpit. The instrumentation inside will serve as the HUD, providing all of the necessary information and critical feedback for power management, targeting, shielding and other gameplay details. With a goal to create an immersive space-combat experience, Star Wars: Squadrons will be playable in virtual reality.

The second Death Star is gone, but starfighter pilots unite on both sides of the Galactic Civil War as it rages on in STAR WARS™: Squadrons. Fight alongside your squadron to tip the scales in monumental fleet battles and compete in intense 5 vs. 5 dogfights. Get into the cockpit and triumph as a team by completing tactical objectives across known and never-before-seen battlefields, including the gas giant of Yavin Prime and the shattered moon of Galitan.

Star Wars: Squadrons will take flight on October 2, 2020. It will be available PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Origin PC, Steam, Epic Games Store and Virtual Reality (VR) on PlayStation 4 and PC with cross-play support.

Powered by WPeMatico

Tuesday saw the release of the eighth film in SONY’s Sniper franchise, Sniper: Assassin’s End. Starring Chad Michael Collins and Tom Berenger, the newest movie is directed by Kaare Andrews (Cabin Fever: Patient Zero).

If Kaare’s name is familiar among the comic book community, it is because, for the past two decades, the director has also been making contributions to Marvel comics. His works include popular characters such as The Incredible Hulk, Iron Fist, Wolverine, X-Men, and the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

In support of his newest film, Sniper: Assassin’s End, we at ComicBookMovie had an excellent opportunity to speak with the director one-on-one. You can read everything the director had to say about his new movie here.

While speaking with him, we also asked Kaare about his work for Marvel comics, which earned him the 2005 Shuster Award for Outstanding Artist – marking him as the first to win the award. Check out what he had to say!

Joe: I’d like to ask you a little bit about your comic book work. Do you think your experience in that industry has any influence on your skills as a director?

Kaare Andrews: I’m sure it has. I can’t identify what they are, but I always get asked that. I regularly see comments that I have a very film-ic approach to storytelling in comic books, and I still hear in my directing work that people see the comic book aesthetic in the filmmaking.

So I’m sure it’s there, but I try not to think about it too much because I don’t want to over-analyze what I do, but it’s a very copasetic art form. I tell people that it’s like when you’re a firefighter and a policeman, they aren’t the same jobs, but there’s a lot of overlap.

Joe: You’ve written for Spider-Man, X-Men, Iron Fist, and more. Can you share anything about your experience working for Marvel?

Kaare Andrews: Yeah, I’ve worked for Marvel for two decades. And I’m in a weird spot where I direct movies and television and write and draw comic books.

What I find interesting is that when I was a fan of comic books, there was a cost, as a social stigma. And even when I was trying to do that professionally, it came with a price.

When I started drawing comic books, Marvel was in bankruptcy protection, and the industry was almost collapsing. And editors were telling me not to waste my time and to work on something else. What that did was it created a creator-base of people who love the genre and were willing to do it despite the social cost.

And it’s funny because at the time action films were the most significant genre, and in today’s world we flip the script. If you ask any actor what they want to do next, everyone says comic book projects. And it’s weird.

One of the most devalued genres in cinema today is action. You still have films like John Wick and Netflix’s Extraction, but these were films made by people not trying to acquire social status, these are films made by people who loved the genre and were in the position to make them.

And I think that is the advantage of action films in today’s market – these are films you get into because you love the genre. As an artist, you have to have a cost in your art to make sure you are doing it for reasons that are true and not just for social status.

Joe: Which of the comic book characters that you’ve lent your creative fingerprint to do you think speaks to you the most?

Kaare Andrews: It’s always been Spider-Man. When I broke into comic books, I was about Spider-Man’s age and height, and I’ve always liked his style. He’s a bit of a loner and trying to do the right thing. Probably not doing an excellent job on it, but he’s trying.

And anytime you work on a character like Iron Fist or Hulk, you kind of learn to love them. I guess it’s like dating someone where those deep dives you take into the characters always unravel new things to appreciate.

Joe: I understand you were the first recipient of the Shuster Award for Outstanding Artist, which you earned for your work on Spider-Man: Doctor Octopus. What was it like to lead a list of outstanding talents such as Pia Guerra (Y: The Last Man), Fiona Staples (Saga), and Stuart Immonen (Ultimate Spider-Man?)

Kaare Andrews: It’s always a fun and exciting honor to get an award, but I also distrust awards in general. People say that it’s still the person who needs the award that receives the award. And when I got it, I was younger in my career, and someone else probably should have gotten it who was further along in their career.

You know awards are crazy because what do they mean? They’re careful to get, but the process to get them is something you always have to be wary of.

What do you guys make of these comments from Kaare Andrews? Check out the trailer below and make sure to share your thoughts in the regular place.

Special Ops sniper Brandon Beckett (Chad Michael Collins, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare) is set up as the primary suspect for the murder of a foreign dignitary on the eve of signing a high-profile trade agreement with the United States. Narrowly escaping death, Beckett realizes that there may be a dark operative working within the government, and partners with the only person whom he can trust: his father, legendary sniper Sgt. Thomas Beckett (Golden Globe®-winner Tom Berenger).

Both Becketts are on the run from the CIA, Russian mercenaries and Lady Death, a Yakuza-trained assassin (Japanese actress and singer Sayaka Akimoto in her Hollywood film debut) with sniper skills that rival both legendary sharpshooters.

Powered by WPeMatico

Press Release

New York, NY — June 18, 2020 — EMPYRE, the legendary epic that will shatter the Marvel Universe, will at last land in comic shops this July. Don’t miss your latest look at the cataclysmic conflict in this brand new trailer for this epic event, featuring some never-before-seen artwork! 

After millennia of war, Emperor Hulkling has united the Kree and Skrull empires into one powerful Alliance – and only the Avengers and Fantastic Four stand in their path as their armada bears down upon the Earth.

“The Kree/Skrull war is one of the deepest cuts in the Marvel cosmos. And whether you’re new to the Marvel Universe or have been a fan since the very beginning, EMPYRE will touch on a part of this conflict you care about,” teases co-writer Dan Slott.

“The two star-spanning empires have kept each other in check for generations, keeping each other from getting too strong, so both of them aligning together after all this time is probably bad news,” co-writer Al Ewing continues. “Some of the twists and turns we’ve got waiting for readers will be genuinely shocking.”

What does it take to build an Empyre? Be sure to read EMPYRE #1, on sale July 15th in comic shops and on the Marvel Comics App, to find out! 
 

Powered by WPeMatico

With the three stars behind Warner Bros.’ Tenet , John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, and Elizabeth Debicki, covering the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, the trade has shared seven new photos from the highly anticipated Christopher Nolan-directed blockbuster.

While the cover story is light on major revelations, EW does exclusively reveal that Washington’s character in the film will be an operative known only as “Protagonist,” which is certainly an intriguing tease and essentially lines up with a lot of the marketing we’ve seen thus far.

Initially slated for a July 17th release, the film was recently moved to July 31st to allow more time for theaters to reopen, but with the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing, it remains to be seen whether the Nolan epic will even be able to make its new date as the studio is already said to be eyeing a potential second move.

The cast is headlined by John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman; Ballers), who is joined by Robert Pattinson (The Batman; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Elizabeth Debicki (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), Dimple Kapadia (Dil Chahta Hai; Dil Aashna Hai), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Avengers: Age of Ultron; Kick-Ass), Clémence Poésy (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; In Bruges), Himesh Patel (Yesterday; Avenue 5), Michael Caine (The Dark Knight; The Prestige), and Kenneth Branagh (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Murder on the Orient Express).

John David Washington is the new Protagonist in Christopher Nolan’s original sci-fi action spectacle “Tenet.”

Armed with only one word—Tenet—and fighting for the survival of the entire world, the Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.

Not time travel. Inversion.

The international cast of “Tenet” also includes Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Clémence Poésy, with Michael Caine and Kenneth Branagh.

Nolan wrote and directed the film, utilizing a mixture of IMAX® and 70mm film to bring the story to the screen. “Tenet” is produced by Emma Thomas and Nolan. Thomas Hayslip served as executive producer.

Nolan’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Hoyte van Hoytema, production designer Nathan Crowley, editor Jennifer Lame, costume designer Jeffrey Kurland, visual effects supervisor Andrew Jackson, and special effects supervisor Scott Fisher. The score is composed by Ludwig Göransson.

“Tenet” was filmed on location across seven countries.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Syncopy Production, a Film by Christopher Nolan, “Tenet.” Warner Bros. Pictures is distributing “Tenet” worldwide and has slated the film for a July 17, 2020 release.

Powered by WPeMatico

2020 has been a very busy and successful year for Marvel and Serial Box. Since the two began their joint effort of releasing audio-books based on the characters and stories from Marvel comics, there have already been three franchise launches.

Things kicked off with Thor: Metal Gods, which we initially reported on earlier this year. Marvel quickly followed that up with their second 2020 Serial Box outing, Black Widow: Bad Blood, which we shared multiple reports on, including our interview with narrator Sarah Natochenny, better known as the voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokemon over the past fifteen years.

The third and most recent release has been Jessica Jones: Playing With Fire. We had the amazing opportunity to speak with a few of the writers who contributed to the series, and last week we shared our chat with Elsa Sjunneson, the creative that was brought on to authenticate the character of Daredevil.

Now, we turn our attention to Lauren Beukes, another writer responsible for Jessica Jones: Playing With Fire. We chatted with her about the character and learned a bit about story as well. Check out what she had to say for yourself below!

Joe: As an author who is well known for writing best-selling novels, how did you initially become involved with Marvel’s audio-comic project, Marvel’s Jessica Jones: Playing With Fire?

Lauren Beukes: I was approached by one of the editors and it sounded hella fun. I love collaborating on projects, whether that’s comics, like our Vertigo original horror, Survivors’ Club, co-created and co-written with my best friend, Dale Halvorsen and artist Ryan Kelly, or animation, running the writers room on the Adventures of Pax Afrika, for example with writers Sarah Lotz and Sam Wilson. Other people’s brains are amazing and when you combine forces with the right team, you make the story richer, more inventive, more surprising.

Joe: Were you familiar with the character of Jessica Jones before becoming involved with this project or did you have to do lengthy research and look to your peers for assistance?

Lauren Beukes: I’d read the original Bendis comics back in the day and I’m a fan of the TV show. We did have some super comic nerds in our writers’ room which helped a lot and of course our Serial Box and Marvel editors who could deep dive on backstory or lesser-known characters for us.

Joe: I understand that this series is connected with the comics version of Jessica rather than the Netflix adaptation. Does Jessica get a visit from her infamous enemy Kilgrave (The Purple Man)?

Lauren Beukes: It’s certainly in her background trauma, which plays a major role in what happens here. But I can’t say more without revealing spoilers.

Joe: In your own words can you share a bit about the story of Marvel’s Jessica Jones: Playing With Fire?

Lauren Beukes: All of us have had traumatic experiences of varying degrees of our own and appreciate the importance of therapy, so we wanted to have Jess seeking out meaningful help, trying to be better. On her therapist’s advice to be kinder to herself, she takes on what looks like an easy case of a missing 20-year-old boy with minor superpowers of his own, working in entertainment at the Hellfire Club, but of course, it’s more than it seems and Jess being Jess, she can’t let it go.

Joe: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Lauren Beukes: I have a new novel out 28 July, Afterland, set in a post-pandemic world where 99% of the male population have died and Cole is on the run with her 12-year-old son, Miles, from all the people who want to treat him as a valuable commodity.

What do you guys think? Leave your two cents in the comments, and be sure to check out the preview for Marvel’s Jessica Jones: Playing With Fire below!

Marvel’s Jessica Jones: Playing with Fire is a 16-episode story you can read OR listen to on your phone and on the web.

In the series launching on Serial Box, Jessica Jones has made an art of ignoring her particular brand of super-powered trauma. But these days, she’s giving the whole “self-care” thing a try. Seeing a therapist, finding healthier coping mechanisms (read: no business-hours drinking), working toward not wanting to punch things all the time. Maybe even taking the occasional case that won’t eat her alive.

A simple missing persons case seems like just the ticket. But when a boy’s body turns up in what looks like a cut-and-dried OD, Jessica can’t let it go and dives headlong into an obsessive search for answers.

Powered by WPeMatico