Month: July 2024

Prime Video/Amazon’s *other* outlandish take on superheroes, Invincible, also happens to be Robert Kirkman’s *other* currently running brainchild based upon his comics. The third season of this no-holds-barred animated series was confirmed to have already finished recording voice work back in April, and the good news is that (unlike with the second season, when we waited so long to find out what happened after the stratosphere-bound fight between Mark and his dad, Omni-Man) there won’t be a multi-year wait for the threequel season.

Is the timing of more Invincible taking a cue from the rapid-fire release schedule of AMC’s The Walking Dead spin offs? That would be too optimistic of a call to make, but since Hollywood hasn’t experienced more industry-wide delays this year, creativity has been rolling. Let’s get down to business on what to expect from more of Mark Grayson’s adventures.

Plot

Robert Kirkman, who not only authored the Invincible comics but is also the TV series creator, recently spoke with Variety on numerous issues relevant to the third season. First, however, he appeared to share some positive news with fans who weren’t thrilled about how the second season was split into two halves. In doing so, Kirkman admitted that the strategy was “necessary for the production of Season 2,” but he understands that this was “not the best” method for viewers. He made no promises about moving away from the split-season structure, “[b]ut, you live and learn so we’ll have to see how things go moving forward.”

From there, Kirkman declared that he obviously would not be giving spoilers away, but expect more good stuff from the mouth of Walton Goggins: “There’s a lot of great stuff with Cecil Stedman. We get to see a little bit of his backstory and get to know a little bit more about him as a person.” Additionally, viewers should expect Mark and Eve’s relationship to be “evolving in some really exciting way.” Also expect to hear more of J.K. Simmons, who voices Omni-Man, because “He’s gonna be in Season 3 a little more,” probably after fleeing from the Viltrumites. However, Kirkman stressed that they will not let Omni-Man take over the show because “this is the Mark Grayson-Invincible show; it’s not the Omni-Man show.”

Any other tidbits? Yes. Oliver/Kid Omni-Man (the son of Nolan and Andressa) will grow up rapidly because of his Thraxan heritage, and we can count on Mark moving onto his blue suit. Additionally, the third season also provides the perfect opportunity to showcase the Invincible War and a showdown between Mark and Conquest, although no legit source has confirmed that the show will barrel in those directions when returning. There is, however, a predicted window for release (from a star of the series) as detailed below.

Cast

The expansive cast includes Steven Yeun (Mark Grayson/Invincible), J.K. Simmons (Nolan Grayson/Omni-Man), Sandra Oh (Debbie Grayson), Gillian Jacobs (Eve Wilkins/Atom Eve), Zazie Beetz (Amber Bennett), Walton Goggins (Cecil Stedman), Zachary Quinto (Robot), Ross Marquand (The Immortal, Aquarius, Omnipotus, Kursk, Proprietor — dude is busy), Jason Mantzoukas (Rex Sloan/Rex Splode), Seth Rogen (Allen, the Alien), Kevin Michael Richardson (the Mauler Twins), Sterling K. Brown (Angstrom Levy), and Tatiana Maslany (General Telia and Queen Aquaria). Other co-stars include Daveed Diggs, Calista Flockhart, Ben Schwartz, Lea Thompson, and Scoot McNairy.

Release Date

Via Comic Book, Ross Marquand fielded “so, when?” questions while recently appearing at Galaxy Con, and although he didn’t totally spill, he suggested that Invincible would likely return in early 2025. During the course of this revelation, Marquand declared, “[W]e’re almost wrapped… I don’t want to speak because Robert would be like, ‘Don’t tell people anything because we don’t know.’ But I have a feeling it’s probably going to be early next year.”

Trailer

Since no trailer has been released yet, perhaps this video of Steven Yeun, J.K. Simmons, and Sandra Oh’s voice-work magic can stretch that itch for now.

Every single week, our TV and film experts will list the most important ten streaming selections for you to pop into your queues. We’re not strictly operating upon reviews or accrued streaming clicks (although yes, we’ve scoured the streaming site charts) but, instead, upon those selections that are really worth noticing amid the churning sea of content. There’s a lot out there, after all, and your time is valuable.

10. Inside Out (Pixar movie streaming on Disney+)

Despicable Me 4 is now distracting the Inside Out 2 audience at the box office and perhaps at home, too. Do not fear, though. Anxiety has already helped this franchise score the first billion-dollar haul of the 2024 box office. Surely, it’s only a matter of time before Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Fear, and Anger will receive an official threequel announcement, and by then, the first film will likely be in heavy rotation again at home.

9. In A Violent Nature (IFC Films/Shudder movie on VOD & Amazon)

If you wanted to wait to catch this horror sensation at a more convenient time (when you can puke in private, that is), then you are in luck. This film will eventually land on Shudder, but for now, the movie can be rented for those who cannot live any longer without a horror fix and have already seen A Quiet Place: Day One in theaters and found out if the cat lives or dies. FWIW, Stephen King compared the killer to a Minion, so be careful out there.

8. A Quiet Place Part II (Paramount Pictures film streaming on Hulu)

Speaking of which, John Krasinski’s original sleeper film of this franchise is there for the taking, along with the followup in which he only appears for a day-one-esque scene that occurs in small town as opposed to this prequel movie starring Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, and an adorable kitty. The sequel is certainly worth a revisit, so that Emily Blunt and Millicent Simmonds can forge out, and Milly can save everybody’s tushes out in the open, rather than simply in the basement where her family resided. Additionally, Cillian Murphy’s haunted eyes star in this movie, although his famous cheekbones are hidden by a beard. That’s a true sign of post-apocalyptic times.

7. My Lady Jane (Prime Video series streaming on Amazon)

Prepare for “a radical retelling” of Lady Jane Grey’s historical fate as addressed in the best-selling books by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. This version of the story imagines what would have happened if Lady Jane escaped her execution after she became queen of England. Let’s just say that things get dramatic, romantic, and even spicy.

6. Trigger Warning (Netflix movie)

Jessica Alba took a lengthy break from filmmaking, but she’s back and kicking even more ass than her Dark Angel days. In this movie, she portrays a special forces commando who learns that going home after her father’s death isn’t really going home. She must fend off a violent gang who is awfully interested in her digging around for answers, and although plenty of prep work surely went into the stunts and fight scenes, Alba makes the action look effortless. Don’t be surprised if you hear about a sequel soon, and it’s simply nice to see Alba starring a film that she really wanted to make.

5. Presumed Innocent (Apple TV+ series)

In contrast to Alba, Jake Gyllenhaal (or at least his character) is having anything but a good time in this story. The Roadhouse star is straddling genres this year, and here, he portrays a prosecutor who finds himself in deep trouble after his affair with a colleague led to enough lingering DNA that he ends up being a suspect for her murder. Not only that, but Jake’s Rusty was supposedly a happy family man, so there are multiple disasters to clean up in this adaptation of Scott Turow’s book of the same name. Jake also had to pretend to not be physically fit while running on a treadmill. That’s acting.

4. The Bear (FX series streaming on Hulu)

Well, the entire third season dropped at once, so of course a majority of TV lovers have either already binged like mad or plan to do so soon. This year, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have contributed a telltale score, which is appropriate when Carmy self destructs to an even greater degree than when he got trapped in the freezer. As long as Richie keeps wearing suits, though, it’s all good. We’ll surely have more discussions of this season in the coming weeks, and we’ll keep you posted on those topics right here after they happen.

3. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (Netflix film)

Eddie Murphy returns to the mean streets forty years after the first movie in this franchise. This reboot feels perhaps inevitable, but sometimes, you just want to stream a wisecracking action comedy. Those tendencies are reflected in the Netflix charts, so perhaps this is what dads are watching instead of Kevin Costner’s Horizon? This blast from the past also includes original co-stars Judge Reinhold, Bronson Pinchot, John Ashton, and Paul Reiser.

2. The Boys (Prime Video/Amazon series)

Hughie seriously needs a break at this point, and this week’s episode, where he ends up in Tek Knight’s lair, is not for the faint of heart. Elsewhere, viewers are very worried that a member of The Seven could soon die, and Firecracker has seemingly won Homelander over, although god only knows how long that will last. Sister Sage’s “vacations” remain an uncomfortably funny aspect of this season, and MM now sits at a crossroads. Two more episodes left before the wait for the fifth and final season begins.

1. House of the Dragon (HBO series streaming on Max)

This past week’s episode saw Daemon’s awkward Harrenhal arrival, which brought hallucinations and a mysterious woman whose intents remain a mystery for now. Meanwhile, Aemond showed the audience everything he’s got, and both Aegon and Cole continue to be horribly annoying with the latter’s terrible haircut being far more distracting from the story than it should be. Perhaps he got singed by “Dracarys.”

The Emmys don’t have a great track record in many categories (justice for Rhea Seehorn), but credit where credit is due, the voters get it right more often than not when it comes to Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. The last eight winners: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Big Little Lies, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Chernobyl, Watchmen, The Queen’s Gambit, The White Lotus, and most recently, Beef.

But creator Lee Sung Jin never imagined the rapturously-received Netflix and A24 dark comedy, which followed two strangers played by Steven Yeun and Ali Wong whose lives converge following a road rage incident, as a limited series.

“I wanted it to have a conclusive feel just in case but there are a lot of ideas on my end to keep this story going,” he explained to Rolling Stone. “I have one really big general idea that I can’t really say yet, but I have three seasons mapped out in my head currently.” Will Beef bring back Yeun and Wong in season 2 (which would make it ineligible as a Limited Series)? Or will there be an entirely new cast?

Here’s everything we know about Beef season 2.

Plot

A day after winning Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series at the 2024 Emmys, Beef creator Lee Sung Jin was asked by The Hollywood Reporter about a potential second season and whether Danny and Amy, the characters played by Yeun and Wong, could return.

“For season 2, it’s hard to even imagine whether it’s the same universe until we really start to excavate and see what wants to rear its head. And then we’ll chase it, and if that includes the same universe or some fun little callback, great, but that would be ornamental to all of it. I really need to look into the abyss and see what’s staring back first,” he answered.

Lee also teased to Collider that season 2 will be “fulfilling, boundary-pushing, and truthful,” although he offered no specific details.

The closest we’ve come to an actual plot is a report from Deadline that “the storyline this time will revolve around two feuding couples.” As for the actors who might play the couples…

Cast

Beef isn’t set in an exotic location, but it’s still a coveted opportunity for an actor to star in a hit show that won a bunch of Emmys (including trophies for both leads). Along those lines, Beef is courting some big names in season 2.

Deadline originally reported that Charles Melton / Cailee Spaeny and Jake Gyllenhaal / Anne Hathaway were being eyed as the sparring couples, but with apologies to fans of Love & Other Drugs (all 12 of you), Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan are now being eyed for the Jake / Anne roles. Melton and Spaeny, who were both snubbed for Oscars for their performances in May December and Priscilla, respectively, are still expected to play the other couple.

Release Date

A 2025 premiere is likely, although not confirmed.

Trailer

Netflix hasn’t released a trailer (or anything) for season 2, so until then, please enjoy Steven Yeun’s acoustic cover of “Drive” by Incubus.

The last big name on the NBA free agent market has found a new home, as DeMar DeRozan will end up in Sacramento as part of a three-team sign-and-trade involving the Bulls and the Spurs.

According to Wojnarowski, DeRozan’s deal with the Kings will be for three years and more than $70 million.

Word broke early on Saturday that DeRozan was flying out to Sacramento to meet with the Kings, and shortly after, the Spurs traded Devonte’ Graham’s expiring contract and a second round pick back to the Charlotte Hornets to help clear about $20 million in cap space.

That happened to be just enough to take on Harrison Barnes or Kevin Huerter to facilitate the DeRozan sign-and-trade and fulfill the Bulls’ desire to not take back any money in the deal. Huerter will stay in Sacramento, with Barnes being the veteran on the way out to clear up space.

The Kings land the forward upgrade they’ve been chasing for a full year, as they’ve been tied to every single wing and power forward on the trade market since last summer. It will be interesting to see how DeRozan fits within the Kings offensive tempo, as he tends to operate at a more deliberate pace than Sacramento has, but the Kings also could use a calming influence on their halfcourt offense. He and Domantas Sabonis will have to develop a rapport for spacing, as DeRozan often operates in the mid-post area. While all of that will require some work and reps to get comfortable, the Kings will be getting a much more dynamic offensive playmaker who can create for himself, something they have lacked alongside De’Aaron Fox in recent seasons.

The Bulls continue their franchise reset, as they clearly are looking to get younger and rebuild (although, likely without bottoming out), and get themselves under the tax. San Antonio adds another veteran to their young team, as they use their cap space to upgrade their rotation in the short-term without sacrificing the long-term ability to acquire stars.

When kids are growing up, they often see their mother in one dimension—just “Mom”—without much thought for the life she lived before kids or who she is outside of that role. It’s usually not until we reach our own adulthood that we recognize, “OH, Mom is much more than just my mother,” and if we’re lucky, we then get to know her in a whole new light and celebrate all that she is.

Jake Bley is lucky to be getting to know and celebrate his mother, Nicki—but in a very different way than most people do.

Jake as a toddler and as an adult with his mom, NickiPhotos courtesy of Jake Bley

Nicki Bley was only 46 when she died after a year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in 2014. Jake, one of Nicki’s five children, was in his early 20s when she passed.

“As a young mother, our relationship was closer to a friendship than a usual mother/son relationship,” Jake tells Upworthy. “I could go to her about anything, and she was always supportive…she was one of my best friends.”

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Shortly before she died, Nicki gave each of her kids a special gift. To Jake, she handed over her collection of handwritten diaries she’d kept from the time she was 8 years old.

“When she gave each of her children our gifts she was very sick,” he says. “But she told me she gave me the diaries and other sentimental items because she knew I would value them, and I could process her thoughts throughout the years. Get to really know who she was and value that. The good and the bad.”

“It has been 10 years since she passed, and I only started really looking at the items recently,” Jake shares. “It has been too hurtful to explore them until now. That’s when I found the little red Collins from 1989, the year I was born. From there, I flicked to the day I was born and that was when I saw her entry—’only a little fellow.'”

— (@)

Jake had been born prematurely, weighing only 5.7 pounds at birth, and Nicki had jotted “Only a little fellow” as a note beneath his statistics.

“The second I saw it I thought to myself, ‘Oh my god, these were her first thoughts about me,” Jake says. “I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

As part of his healing journey, Jake decided to tattoo the phrase on his leg, in his mom’s handwriting, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of her passing.

Since this has reached so many people, I wanted to update saying that I’ve started going through the note, diaries, documents and photos my mum left me. I found this photo of her and she was so damn cool. There’s so much to read and preserve.

(Sorry I’m a yapper) pic.twitter.com/LPiXM1bG0W

— Jake (@jakebley) June 28, 2024

“I took the day off work, very nervous, and I walked into a local tattoo artist studio with no booking,” he says. “Up until then I didn’t feel like I could commit. My tattoo artist Riley was incredible. I told her the story, and she took the 1989 Red Collins diary and copied the handwriting on to a transfer for the tattoo.”

“I love meaningful tattoos,” she told him. It was Jake’s first time getting a tattoo, but he says that all of his nerves instantly vanished when he saw the final product.

“It was perfect. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and it was a happy moment. When I got back to my car I cried happy tears, because for the first time in a very long time I was letting myself feel my emotions.”

He shared a video documenting the tattoo experience on TikTok:

@jakebley

TW: GRIEF. I know shes watching over me. #Tattoo #Grief #griefjourney ❤️

Jake says his grief over his mother’s death has been complex. “It’s not until years later that I started to understand the impact of losing a parent, and the need to not only experience, but feel my emotions,” he says. “Taking the time to rediscover my mother, and getting this tattoo a decade later has been part of my healing journey.”

Jake’s story has gone viral on social media, with people offering their words of comfort and their own experiences with remembering their loved ones, which has given a whole new dimension to Nicki’s legacy.

“It has been so wonderful seeing the love pouring out from the community,” Jake tells Upworthy. “The thought that 10 years on my mother’s handwriting, love and memory not only lives on but is celebrated by so many truly fills my heart.”

Tiffany Stratton held off Lyra Valkyria, Zoey Stark, Naomi, Chelsea Green, and Iyo Sky to win the Women’s Money in the Bank briefcase at Money in the Bank in Toronto.

Everyone left the ring right at the bell as Green stood by herself and tried to reach for the briefcase. She then took a ladder from Sky and tried to climb to win the match, then picked up the ladder and tried to knock the briefcase down before Sky hit a springboard dropkick on her.

Valkyrie was stopped climbing up the ladder and had her leg stuck in the rung. Sky tried to climb over her and got German suplexed off the ladder. With two ladders set up, Naomi straddled the ladders and hit a jumping DDT on Stark.

Outside the ring, Green and Stratton set up a slew of tables. Stark, Sky, Valkyria, Green, and Stratton all went at it in the ring with two ladders set up and two ladders set up on the ropes. Everyone took turns getting slammed into the ladders before Stark made her way to the top of the ladder. Sky and Stark fought over the briefcase before Sky dropped Stark onto the ladder.

Green climbed to the top of the ladder and had the briefcase before Stratton pushed her off the ladder through two tables before snatching the briefcase.

Damian Priest pinned Drew McIntyre to defeat him and Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at Money in the Bank in Toronto.

Rollins and Priest traded shots to open the match, looking for the pedigree and the South of Heaven chokeslam, but neight could connect. As each found an opening, they looked back at the entrance ramp, distracted and continuously expecting McIntyre to make his way to the ring.

Rollins landed a suplex off the top rope and with Priest laid out, McIntyre’s music hit. McIntyre, who’d won the Money in the Bank briefcase earlier in the evening, made his way to the ring and cashed in. He took out Rollins and hit the future shock DDT. As he took out Priest and appeared poised to win the belt, CM Punk rand down and attacked McIntyre from behind.

Punk beat McIntyre around the ring, hitting him with a chair multiple times and wrapping a cable around his neck. As McIntyre made his way back into the ring, Punk grabbed the championship belt and hit McIntyre in the head.

Priest got to his feet and hit the South of Heaven chokeslam for the pinfall victory. After the match, Rollins made his way around ringside to yell at Punk, who stood up on the announce table and stared him down. Next up for Priest is a championship defense against Gunther at SummerSlam.

John Cena announced his WWE retirement tour after a surprise return at Money in the Bank in Toronto.

Cena was introduced by guest host Trish Stratus, who hit the ramp sporting a towel and a shirt that said the Last Time Is Now.

Cena grabbed the mic and spoke about how Money in the Bank is about opportunity and discussed his relationship with Canada over the course of his career. He then dropped the bombshell: His career in WWE is coming to an end, and while he clarified that Saturday night isn’t the end of his tenure, it’s coming in the next year.

He announced that when WWE Raw comes to Netflix, he’ll be part of that. He also announced that he’ll take part in the Elimination Chamber, Royal Rumble, and WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas for the last time in his career.

Cena’s retirement comes as no surprise when you consider the level of stardom he’s reached outside of the ring. It’s become commonplace to see him pop up almost everywhere — awards shows, movies, television shows, etc.

Cena is a 16-time World Champion in WWE and with his announced retirement, is expected to be heavily involved during WrestleMania’s arrival in Las Vegas next year. Cena previously said he expects to still be involved in some capacity with WWE in the future, but following WrestleMania next year, it seems safe to say he won’t be stepping into the ring to compete again.

Drew McIntyre fought off Andrade Idolo, Chad Gable, Jey Uso, Carmelo Hayes, and LA Knight to win the Men’s Money in the Bank briefcase in Toronto.

Early in the bout, McIntyre and Gable fought atop the ladder. Gable’s leg got caught in the ladder and Andrade landed a springboard leg drop. Andrade caught Hayes, who was attempting a springboard, and landed a Spanish Fly onto the ladder.

Gable took control and dropped Hayes with his rolling German suplex. Knight went at Gable and dragged a ladder to the corner, connecting on a neck breaker onto the side of the ladder. Hayes dragged Knight to the outside, who set up a ladder between the apron and the announce table. Hayes knocked him down back in the ring and attempted to climb the ladder before Gable stopped him.

Gable and Andrade went at it on the ladder before McIntyre took him out. McIntyre set up a ladder against the corner, then powerbombed him into it. McIntyre made his way to the top of the ladder before Uso stopped him. Knight connected on the BFT before Uso hit the big splash. Uso and Knight climbed to the top of the ladder and traded blows while reaching for the briefcase. Hayes knocked them both off the ladder, then hit a running senton over the top rope onto Gable.

Back in the ring, Hayes climbed to the top of the ladder. Andrade dragged Hayes off the ladder, then set up a ladder between the ladder standing in the ring and second rope. Hayes and Gable attempted to climb and meet Andrade at the top of the ladder as he hit a rolling powerbomb off the top of the ladder onto Hayes through a ladder. Gable and Knight fought inside the ring before Gable body to body slammed him over the top rope through another ladder.

Uso hit a spear on Gable and climbed to the top of the ladder to pull down the briefcase before McIntyre hit him with a ladder and a Claymore. McIntyre climbed to the top of the ladder and pulled down the briefcase for the win.

Azealia Banks‘ online commentary has become more popular than her past musical releases. The “Ice Princess” rapper provided her unwarranted thoughts on everyone from Beyoncé and Kanye West (Ye) to Tyler The Creator and Doechii. Detractors were hoping that after reports that Banks was evicted from her Florida home circulated online that she would take a brief hiatus from social media. But, that surely didn’t happen.

Instead, today (July 6), Banks took to Instagram to refute the paperwork floating around while encouraging others to folks to become legally literate before attempting to shame her. In a series of uploaded to her Instagram Stories, Banks detailed the legal matter with her landlord while posting documents of her own.

“It’s a lie,” she said. “I’ve always paid my rent. I’m not a gazillionaire, but surely Azealia Banks has $8,000.”

In a separate clip, Banks claimed that her landlord’s actions were seemingly an extortion attempt after they filed to manage the payments they received properly. Then Banks turned her attention to The Pop Tingz’s report. Banks rapper proceeded to post a snippet of the platform’s original upload on X (formerly Twitter), with the caption: “You girls really have to understand how to at least read a legal document.”

As of today (July 6), the case is reportedly still being reviewed by the Miami-Dade County clerk’s office.

View Azealia Banks’ posts below.