Venom: Let There Be Carnage Release Pushed Into September

While vaccines are rolling out and theaters are re-opening, movie studios are still figuring out where to place the pile of delayed movies they’ve stacked up over the last year or so, and are continuing to delay films despite the positive outlook. The latest film to get pushed back is Sony’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

Sony announced today that it has once again delayed Venom: Let There Be Carnage from its previous release date of June 25, instead releasing it on September 17. The Venom sequel will once again feature Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock and the voice of the Marvel alien symbiote Venom. Michelle Williams and Woody Harrelson will reprise their roles, with Harrelson stepping up from post-credits Easter egg to lead antagonist. Harrelson plays the part of Cletus Kasady, a serial killer who inherits a symbiote spawned from the original Venom symbiote, becoming Carnage. Naomie Harris is also rumored to join the cast as Shriek, a sound-based villain and ally of Carnage. Andy Serkis is directing.

Along with the delay of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Sony has also pushed back another film starring Woody Harrelson. Man From Toronto, which features Harrelson and Kevin Hart, was scheduled for September 17, but has been removed from the release calendar for the time being.

Venom released in 2018 and grossed $850 million worldwide, helping Sony launch the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters (or SPUMC, as we like to call it). The film released to largely negative reviews, with our own review pointing out inconsistent CGI, shallow characters, and sidelined female characters despite being surprisingly funny and creative.

Now Playing: Venom Movie Review & Post-Credits Scenes Explained

Evolution of the M16 in Call of Duty

The M16 assault rifle is no stranger to the Call of Duty series. In this trip down memory lane, Richie Bracamonte takes you back through COD history to see it’s appearances and variants. From its early appearances in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, to Activision’s latest entry Black Ops Cold War, the M16 has been in more than a dozen games.

Through the decades, the in-game gun has kept up with its real-life counterparts. There have been updates from the base M16 such as the A1 and A4 variants. Although it’s known for accuracy, the M16 was mostly classified as an assault rifle until Black Ops Cold War, where it falls under the Tactical Rifle class. The M16 has gone back and forth between full auto and it’s infamous 3-round-burst firing style. While it makes little difference in COD’s story modes, this detail can change the entire meta of online gameplay.

Today, the M16 stands tall as one of the most iconic guns in the Call of Duty series. It always features high accuracy, a fast fire rate and slew of attachments that help its range and precision. If you can handle its kick and line up your shots will enough, the M16 will do all the heavy lifting. If you enjoyed this evolution, leave a comment for what you’d like to see next time!

Every Pokemon Game, Reviewed

Ralph Fiennes Defends J.K. Rowling Over Trans Controversy

Actor Ralph Fiennes is the latest actor from the Harry Potter films to jump into the fire surrounding author J.K. Rowling and her stance on transgender rights. In an interview with The Telegraph, the actor came out in defense of the author whose books (and subsequent films) helped put his noseless face into the nightmares of countless children over the last two decades.

“I can’t understand the vitriol directed at her,” Fiennes said. “I can understand the heat of an argument, but I find this age of accusation and the need to condemn irrational. I find the level of hatred that people express about views that differ from theirs, and the violence of language towards others, disturbing.”

Rowling has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons since at least June of last year, when she commented on a story that referred to “people who menstruate,” a description meant to include not just people who were born and identify as women but also people who do not identify as women but still experience those functions. Amid backlash for the comments, Rowling doubled down with an essay that simultaneously acknowledged the heightened risk that trans people experience while also suggesting that enough of them could be predators that they shouldn’t be allowed into single-sex spaces for women.

Harry Potter stars including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have made statements in support of the trans community while also trying to deflect the idea that the support does not amount to a feud between the cast members and the author.

“Transgender women are women,” Radcliffe said in a statement. “Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.” Watson and Grint’s statements were similar in tone.

Meanwhile, the Harry Potter machine keeps cranking away at Warner Bros. because it’s one of the biggest properties in the world, and both a third Fantastic Beasts movie and a hotly-awaited Hogwarts-themed video game are on the way. The studios behind both have released statements distancing themselves from Rowling’s stance. WB Games stated that Rowling is not directly involved with the Hogwarts Legacy game, and that the story is not based on any new work from Rowling. Warner Bros., meanwhile, said that “the events in the last several weeks have firmed our resolve as a company to confront difficult societal issues. Warner Bros.’ position on inclusiveness is well established, and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture has never been more important to our company and to our audiences around the world.”

Super Nintendo World’s Mario Kart Ride Was First Built as an Actual Video Game

Super Nintendo World is a theme park land celebrating video games, so it’s probably not too much of a surprise that its designers recreated the entire park in VR, and created its centrepiece Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge ride as a playable, virtual attaction inside a game engine. But it is still very cool.

Speaking during a press conference about the opening of Super Nintendo World Osaka today, Universal Creative executives were asked how the new park uses technology to take theme park design into a new age.

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After they discussed more generally how technology could let the park evolve, global executive producer Tom Geraghty added a juicy detail: “We used the technology, also, in the design process. We built the entire land in VR and the design team could look around at a place and get sightlines and figure out where to move elements.

“Mario Kart was built in a game engine, so while [senior vice president Thierry Coup] was back in the States he could actually drive Mario Kart in a game engine, and give us notes in Japan.”

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Given Universal and Nintendo want you to visit their parks sometime, I very much doubt we’ll be getting a public release of that game version anytime soon – but it turns out it has other benefits beyond just being fun for its designers.

Coup added that the game engine design means the ride can evolve over time more easily: “Because it’s in a game engine, we can keep updating, upgrading, putting new characters [in], changing themes, changing actions on the fly. So if there’s a special event, anything we want to release can be done overnight if we really wanted to. That makes it so much more flexible – it freshens up the experience. Every time you come back you could experience something new and exciting.”

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That’s primarily possible because, while Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge is a traditional track-based ride, it uses augmented reality along the way to conjure up enemies and scenery. These are presumably what could be upgraded or remixed on separate days.

Super Nintendo World opens today in Osaka, Japan, with versions of the same park coming to Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Singapore and Epic Universe in Orlando (but that last one might not open until 2025).

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Joe Skrebels is IGN’s Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

Miyamoto’s Autograph Is Hidden In Super Nintendo World At Universal Studios

Super Nintendo World has officially opened to the public at Universal Studios Japan, letting guests be fully immersed in the world of Mario, Yoshi, and other classic Nintendo characters. The featured attraction in the new theme park expansion, which is also coming to Universal’s parks in Florida and California, is a Mario Kart ride. That particular attraction also happens to house the land’s best Easter egg, an autograph from the creator of Super Mario, Shigeru Miyamoto.

While in the queue for the ride, which takes you through Bowser’s castle, you’ll encounter a massive painting of Mario’s primary antagonist. In the corner of the painting, you’ll notice it’s been signed by the Mario mastermind.

Speaking at a press event, Senior Director of Technology and Innovation for Universal Creative Tom Geraghty revealed how Miyamoto’s autograph became part of the ride.

“We’re walking Koopa’s castle in Japan, and there’s this big portrait of Bowser that he’s had installed of himself–because he has a healthy sense of self–at the end of the hall,” Geraghty remembered of showing Miyamoto the land for the first time. “And it’s not signed because it’s just a portrait or a prop or whatever. And we said, ‘Miyamoto-san, there’s no artist signature there.’ So we handed him a Sharpie and he signed it right then and there. Then we came back and clear-coated it. So you’ll find his signature on the artwork in the land which is a special moment for us.”

That’s not the only Easter egg you’ll find in Super Nintendo World. The creative team revealed that the land is loaded with them–some of which you’ll have to work to uncover. However, other nods that were revealed include Pikmin characters being hidden throughout the area and release dates for certain notable Nintendo games being etched into the pavement surrounding the entrance of the area.

Super Nintendo World is open at Universal Studios Japan now. Opening dates for the California and Florida expansions have not been revealed. However, Florida’s governor has said the state is expected to open its version in 2025.

How Universal Studios’ Super Nintendo World Interacts With Your Switch

When you visit Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, you’re immersed in the world of the Mario games–and even get to track down some very fun Easter eggs. In fact, the theme park land’s two rides are based on the Mario Kart franchise and Yoshi, Mario’s dragon sidekick. The Nintendo-based fun doesn’t end at the park, though. In fact, the wearable Power Up Band that you can purchase in the park can also be used with your Nintendo Switch at home.

Power Up Bands allow you to interact more with the land while visiting–from punching coin blocks and finding Easter eggs, to tracking your score on the Mario Kart ride and fighting Bowser Jr. in a boss battle. However, the band also acts as an Amiibo for use with your Nintendo Switch.

“Super Nintendo World Power Up Bands were designed to also be Nintendo Amiibo by default,” Senior Director of Technology and Innovation for Universal Creative Tom Geraghty said in a statement. “This allows you to use your Power Up Band beyond Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. You can use your Power Up Band just like you would use any other Amiibo.”

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What isn’t clear, exactly, is what this particular Amiibo will unlock on your Switch–or DS or Wii U if you are still using them. During a media event to celebrate Super Nintendo World’s opening, Geraghty teased, “You can put it on your Switch, and you’ll get a Princess Peach costume for the characters in your game or whatever.” We just don’t know what games, which particular costume, or if it’ll be exclusive to Super Nintendo World.

Beyond acting as an Amiibo, the Power Up Band will help keep track of the score you accrue during your visits to Super Nintendo World by syncing with an app. “The app has leaderboards,” Geraghty. And that leaderboard not only tracks your progress, but the progress of everyone else visiting. Their hope is that adding this competitive edge to Super Nintendo World will motivate users to make regular trips, lest they be bumped from the high school list.

And before you ask: No, there aren’t physical prizes for topping the leaderboards at Super Nintendo World. But having the bragging rights for having the high score at a theme park seems pretty cool.

Super Nintendo World is now open at Universal Studios Japan. Versions of the land are also in the works at Universal’s California and Florida parks.

Aliens: Fireteam – All of Our Exclusive New Info So Far

Our IGN First game for March – our “cover story”, if you will – is Aliens: Fireteam, the upcoming third-person, three-player PvE survival co-op game from Cold Iron Studios. It’s due out this Summer for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, and Xbox One. We’re showing off everything we’ve seen and played this month. Check below for everything we’ve posted so far, and keep checking back all month long!

Also, if you missed the announcement of Aliens: Fireteam, including the reveal trailer, check that out too.

25 Minutes of Aliens: Fireteam Gameplay

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Meet 6 New Xenomorph Types from Aliens: Fireteam

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IGN Unfiltered Interview With Cold Iron’s Co-Founders About Working With Disney, Their Canceled Marvel Superhero MMO, and More!

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More to come…

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Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s Executive Editor of Previews. Follow him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan, catch him on Unlocked, and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage Release Date Pushed Back

Update 3/17/2021:The Venom sequel has been delayed out of its previously confirmed June 2021 release date.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage will now be released in theaters, including 3D, IMAX, and other premium large formats, on September 17, 2021, rather than June 25 of this year.

Original story follows:

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Sony Pictures officially announced that the release of Venom 2 has been pushed to next year.

The sequel, now titled Venom: Let There Be Carnage, will now hit theaters June 25, 2021. It was originally slated to open October 2, 2020.

Check out the video below for our breakdown of the news:

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That June 25, 2021 was originally held by The Batman, which has since shifted to October 1, 2021.

Sony released this short video to announce the release date and title change:

Andy Serkis is directing the Venom sequel, which sees Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, and Woody Harrelson reprising their roles from the 2018 blockbuster as Eddie Brock, Anne Weying, and Cletus Kasady, respectively.

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Naomie Harris plays the villainous Shriek in the film.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage is the latest high-profile Hollywood film impacted due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has brought film productions worldwide to a halt and caused studios to postpone the releases of their films. Sony previously delayed the release dates for Uncharted, Morbius, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

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2018’s Venom grossed over $800 million worldwide.

For more on Venom, check out our ranking of Marvel’s most powerful symbiotes, learn how to kill Venom, and find out everything you need to know about Shriek and Carnage, the villains of Venom 2.

Destruction AllStars Season 1 Starts In April, Adds New Character, Battle Pass, And Photo Mode

Developer Lucid Games has revealed the Year 1 roadmap for Destruction AllStars, which contains three seasons of post-launch content. Along with new seasons, Lucid Games plans to add battle passes, a competitive mode, photo mode, and a brand-new playable character.

Season 1: Hotshots will begin in April, and is scheduled to continue until July. Season 2 will be July through September, and Season 3 will be September through December. Lucid Games hasn’t announced exact dates yet, but we’re willing to bet that Season 1 will begin on April 6, the day that a new Digital Deluxe Edition launches.

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The Destruction AllStars Digital Deluxe Edition contains several rewards, which are listed below:

  • 1100 Destruction Points
  • Lupita Character and Hero Vehicle Skin
  • Lupita Emote
  • Profile banner set
  • In game Avatars set
  • Digital Artbook
  • 8x Challenge Series

Season 1 will add Destruction AllStars first new character. We still don’t know who they are or what their abilities might be, but you can see the outline of the character in the image of Destruction AllStars Year 1 roadmap, which is embedded below.

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Season 1 will also add a battle pass to Destruction AllStars–it will have both a free and premium tier. Both tiers will include cosmetic rewards that are exclusive to Season 1.

The first season will bring a competitive and photo mode to Destruction AllStars as well. The competitive mode will be a whole new game type called Blitz, which will be a team-based 3v3v3v3 match. Photo mode will only be available in Destruction AllStars’ single-player modes, allowing you to pause the action at any time and snap pictures from different angles.

And speaking of single-player modes, Bluefang’s challenge series is officially live, offering more solo challenges to take on while exploring the backstory and motivations of one of Destruction AllStars’ most popular (and powerful) characters. Completing the challenge series will allow you to unlock exclusive skins for both Bluefang and his hero vehicle, Shredder.

Destruction AllStars is exclusive to PS5. The game is free to all PlayStation Plus subscribers until April 5. So if you don’t have a PS5 yet but you’re at all interested in trying Destruction AllStars, log onto your PlayStation account and grab this freebie. The game will be in your library and waiting for you until you manage to nab a PS5.

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