Author: Trafficblast

Season 11 of The Walking Dead, which is the final season of the series, premieres on AMC on August 22 and will be available to stream on AMC+ on August 15. Leading up to the final episodes, a new trailer for the upcoming season has been released.

In the video, Eugene is unmasked by military folk, which you find out are part of the Commonwealth–a major part of the final storyline for the Walking Dead comic. Your favorite walker-slayers are being audited by the Commonwealth in order to gain entry into the city. Check out the video below.

Of course, not everyone is at one of the Commonwealth communities. A few members of the group, including Negan, Maggie, and Carol, are up against a group of masked people that feel like they come straight out of a slasher film from the ’80s. Of course, there are also still walkers on the show, since the world is filled with zombies.

The first trailer for Season 11 arrived during Comic-Con recently, which showed us our first look at the Commonwealth. Additionally, we got an update on the Walking Dead movies from Robert Kirkman. He said the movies are still moving forward, but he has to be tight-lipped about the situation. “I am as frustrated as you guys are that we have not been able to reveal everything to you and talk about it non stop,” Kirkman said.

Also during the Robert Kirkman panel, the writer explained why making Amazon’s Invincible animated series was easier than a season of Walking Dead. “You can do things where you go, ‘Okay, you know this thing in Invincible [issue] 132 will probably fall in like Season 6 or 7 so we need to make sure that we do this and this to make sure that that happens,” explained Kirkman. When AMC’s The Walking Dead first began airing, the comic was still going strong. For Invincible, the series had come to an end prior to the release of the animated series.

Update: In response to the lawsuit, Disney has released a statement obtained by Variety. “There is no merit whatsoever to this filing,” it reads. “The lawsuit is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Furthermore, the statement says the company has upheld its end of the contract, while noting the actress has already received $20 million for her role in the film, adding that “…the release of Black Widow on Disney+ with Premier Access has significantly enhanced her ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20M she has received to date.” You can read the original story below.

Black Widow isn’t done fighting yet. Scarlett Johansson, who reprised her role as Natasha Romanoff in the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film, has filed a lawsuit against Disney, alleging that the company releasing the movie on the Disney+ streaming service at the same time it did so theatrically was a breach of her contract.

The news comes from The Wall Street Journal, which reports that Johansson’s contract not only guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release for the film but that its performance on the big screen would ultimately determine the actress’s salary. Of course, Black Widow was originally scheduled to hit theaters in 2020 but was ultimately delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When a new release date was set, it was announced that the film would hit theaters and Disney+ Premier Access on July 9. According to the suit, “Disney intentionally induced Marvel’s breach of the agreement, without justification, in order to prevent Ms. Johansson from realizing the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel.”

Per the suit, Johansson’s team attempted to renegotiate her contract after the decision to debut the film on Disney+ was made, but Disney and Marvel were not responsive. However, in a copy of the lawsuit, obtained by Deadline, Marvel’s chief counsel is quoted as previously saying, “We totally understand that Scarlett’s willingness to do the film and her whole deal is based on the premise that the film would be widely theatrically released like our other pictures. We understand that should the plan change, we would need to discuss this with you and come to an understanding as the deal is based on a series of (very large) box office bonuses.” According to WSJ, the decision to not renegotiate could end up costing the actress over $50 million.

Black Widow wasn’t the only Disney film to get the Premier Access treatment, which allows audiences to watch the film at home for a limited time for a $30 fee. Before Black Widow, Mulan, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Cruella were all released with this model. Mulan was the lone film to initially only be released via Premier Access, as most theaters around the world were closed. Jungle Cruise–due on July 30–will hit theaters and Premier Access simultaneously and is currently the last announced Disney movie to be getting that treatment.

Likewise, Warner Bros. announced that its 2021 movie slate would debut on HBO Max and in theaters on the same day. When the move was announced at the end of 2020, some film creatives were not thrilled with the decision–namely Dune director Denis Villeneuve, who claimed he only learned his movie would be released on streaming through Warner Media’s public announcement.

During its opening weekend, Black Widow earned $80 million at the domestic box office–along with an additional $60 million in Premier Access sales. The following week, though, theater revenue dropped 68% to just $26 million, a rather steep drop, especially for a Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Theater owners claimed this was due, in part, to people pirating the film following its digital release–a sentiment echoed in Johansson’s lawsuit. “Millions of others who would have watched in the theatres will instead view the Picture on perfect digital pirated copies—-all made possible by Disney’s decision to release the Picture ‘day-and-date’ on Disney+,” the legal document reads. “Indeed, Black Widow was the No. 1 pirated title of the July 19 week, per the news site TorrentFreak.”

Black Widow remains in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access for those who have yet to see it. The next Marvel movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, hits theaters on September 3. Beyond that, the Hawkeye series debuts on Disney+ on November 24.

Over eight months since its release, Sony is finally rolling out a firmware update for beta PS5 users that enables internal SSD expansion using consumer NVMe M.2 SSDs. The update is currently rolling out across supported regions, and you will need to be signed up to the beta program to download it.

The tests will be important as Sony evaluates different types of SSDs from a variety of manufacturers in order to determine which might be the best options for consumers going forward. This means that there currently isn’t a list of supported SSDs, but rather several parameters Sony has laid out in order to guide you towards one that will work. This includes minimum sequential read speeds limitations, the overall size of the SSD, and whether it can effectively dissipate heat with a heatsink or not.

The specifications can be seen below:

• Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD
• Capacity: 250GB – 4TB
• Cooling structure: Using an M.2 SSD with your PS5 console requires effective heat dissipation with a cooling structure, such as a heatsink. You can attach one to your M.2 SSD yourself, either in a single-sided format, or double-sided format. There are also M.2 SSDs that have cooling structures (such as heatsinks) built in.
• Sequential read speed: 5,500MB/s or faster is recommended
• Module width: 22mm width (25mm width is not supported)
• Form Factor: M.2 type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110.
  • These numbers can be found on retail listings for M.2 SSD devices. The first two digits refer to the width, the remaining digits to the length.
• Socket type: Socket 3 (Key M)
• Total size including cooling structure:
  • In millimeters: smaller than 110mm (L) x 25mm (W) x 11.25mm (H).
  • In inches: smaller than 4.33in (L) x 0.984 in (W) x 0.442in (H).
• Length: 30mm, 42mm, 60mm, 80mm, 110mm (corresponding to the form factor type, per above).
• Width: A 22mm-wide M.2 SSD module is required.
  • The total structure (including an added cooling structure) cannot exceed 25mm (0.984in).
• Height: The total height of the M.2 SSD and its cooling structure (such as a heatsink) – whether built-in or separate – must be less than 11.25mm (0.442in).
  • The height must also be in the right place, in relation to the M.2 SSD’s circuit board:
  • The size below the board must be less than 2.45mm (0.096in).
  • The total size above the board must be less than 8mm (0.314in).
• (Note: millimeter measurements are the technical standard and are more precise than inches. We recommend double-checking that the total dimensions of M.2 SSD and heatsink products you’re considering meet the millimeter requirements before purchasing)

Sony has also included steps for how to install the SSD, which requires you to remove one of the side panels of your PS5 in order to access the SSD slot.

Some brands, such as Seagate, have already announced existing NVMe SSDs that will be compatible with the PS5. Seagate’s FireCuda M.2 drives come in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB sizes, all of which are compatible with the PS5. They are sold with and without heatsinks, so it’s not exactly clear by Seagate’s announcement which will be preferable in the PS5. The 500GB version without a heatsink starts at $140, increases to $240 for a 1TB model, and reaches $950 for the 4TB model. Adding a heatsink does increase the price of all variations.

Last year when Mark Cerny first revealed the specifications for the PS5, he stressed that Sony would be evaluating individual drives and releasing a list for consumers to make it easy to pick compatible drives for the PS5. In today’s release, Sony adds a disclaimer stating that it cannot ensure that drives that meet the above specifications will work, so it might be best to wait for the dust to settle a bit before you rush out looking for the best deal.

Sony announced this week that the PS5 has sold over 10 million units worldwide since launch, making it the fastest-selling PlayStation console to date.

Following the Los Santos Tuners update, Rockstar is keeping GTA Online‘s focus on cars. The game’s latest weekly update rewards players for being part of the LS Car Meet and participating in its races. Of course, some new vehicles have also been added to the game, including a new and improved version of the franchise’s iconic Comet.

This week’s update was revealed on the Rockstar Newswire, but you can find it detailed down below.

Rewards For Car Meet Members

Being part of the latest addition to GTA Online, the LS Car Meet, is paying off this week. Any members who compete in a Sprint race will earn themselves twice the usual cash and XP, regardless of how they place. Members who managed to win five races will also earn themselves a new vehicle, the Vulcar Warrener HKR.

Players in the club will also be rewarded with some new cosmetics this week. Anyone who visits the LS Car Meet will get an LS Customs varsity jacket and receive the Fukaru Race livery for the Vapid Dominator ASP.

Finishing the Daily Vehicle List in your Auto Shop this week will also earn players a Street Crimes Color Gangs t-shirt. For those looking to make money though, reach Car Meet Membership rank 10 for an easy $250,000. Players can also complete any Contract Finale before August 5 for an extra $200,000.

Catch A New Ride

Anyone looking to spice up their drives around Los Santos, a new version of a classic GTA vehicle has just been launched. The Comet S2 improves on the original, which debuted in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, with higher top speeds and acceleration. The Comet S2 can currently be purchased from Legendary Motorsport.

Likewise, another new car is heading to GTA Online soon: the Vapid Dominator ASP, although Rockstar hasn’t released any details on it yet.

Discounts

Here’s what players can pick up around the world of GTA Online for cheap this week.

• Coil raiden – 30% off
• Ocelot Pariah – 30% off
• Karin Everon – 40% off
• Weeny Issi sport – 40% off
• Ocelot Locust – 40% off
• Declasse Mamba – 40% off
• Vapid Clique – 40% off
• Vulcar Nebula Turbo – 40% off
• BF Club – 40% off

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

Marvel and Disney+ have been banging out some fantastic MCU TV series, and the upcoming Hawkeye series finally has a release date. The series will debut on the streaming service on Wednesday, November 24.

In addition to the release date drop, a new photo for the series has been revealed featuring Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and his protégé Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), and while Bishop is training to become a master marksman, Hawkeye looks like he’s about to go on a very long hike. Check it out below.

In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, we learn a little more about Steinfeld’s character. “[Kate is] a 22-year-old kid and she’s a big Hawkeye fan,” Renner explained. “She has a wonderfully annoying and equally charming manner about her because she’s such a fangirl of Hawkeye. The relationship grows from that, but the biggest problem for Clint is Kate Bishop and the onslaught of problems that she brings into his life.”

In addition to Renner and Steinfeld, the series will also feature Florence Pugh, and if you’ve seen Black Widow, you’ll have a pretty good idea what role in the story her character Yelena Belova will play.

And while Hawkeye is still a few months from coming out, there is already a spin-off in the works. Alaqua Cox will star as Echo in the series. In the comics, Echo is a deaf Native American hero who has the superpower to be able to copy any hero’s fighting style just by watching them–something we also saw in Black Widow. The show will be written and executive produced by Etan Cohen and Emily Cohen.

Netflix has announced that its live-action adaptation of the DC comic Sweet Tooth has been renewed for eight more episodes with a Season 2. The episodes will each run one hour.

Joining the creative behind-the-camera team for Season 2 is Oanh Ly (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), who will be an incoming co-executive producer. Ly will co-executive produce alongside the returning Jim Mickle, Linda Moran, and Team Downey’s Susan Downey, Robert Downey Jr., and Amanda Burrell.

“It’s been equally thrilling and heartwarming to experience how people around the world have been falling in love with our deer-boy,” said Mickle, who is also writer-director and showrunner, in a press release. “We couldn’t be more excited to continue our collaboration with Netflix and keep following Gus and his friends on their extraordinary journey.”

Sweet Tooth is based on the Vertigo Comics (a DC imprint) series by Jeff Lemire. Its Netflix version premiered on June 4, and a reported 60 million member households watched at least some of the series in its first four weeks. Sweet Tooth is set 10 years after the emergence of “hybrids”–children who are born part-human, part-animal, and are now feared and hunted by humans. The show focuses on a hybrid deer-boy named Gus, who befriends an adult wanderer named Jepperd, and sets off on a dangerous adventure to find out about Gus’s origins.

Note that this series, while similarly named, has nothing to do with the plans to adapt Sony’s video game Twisted Metal into a new TV series, which is rumored to have cast Will Arnett as the character Sweet Tooth.