HBO’s The Last Of Us TV Adaptation Gets A New Director

The Last of Us TV show adaptation being undertaken by HBO lost its original director, Chernobyl’s Johan Renck, back in November. Now, though, the series has found someone new to helm the episodes.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kantemir Balagov has been hired to direct the series. This will be the first TV series for the Russian director, best known for the 2019 film Beanpole, which earned him some acclaim at the Cannes film festival. Balagov will work with writer and executive producer Craig Mazin, as well as creative director of the game Neil Druckmann, who will also serve as a writer on the show.

Based on what we know so far, the series looks to be set surrounding the events of the first game in the video game franchise. A description released by WarnerMedia reads, “The story takes place twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heartbreaking journey, as they both must traverse across the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.”

However, Mazin previously said the series will introduce characters and events not featured in the games. Perhaps the show will be set somewhere between The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II.

At this point, there is no release date for HBO’s The Last of Us–or even a cast announcement.

Now Playing: Why The Last Of Us’ Story Still Resonates 7 Years Later

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Ethan Hawke Lands A Role On Marvel’s Moon Knight

Marvel’s Moon Knight TV series on Disney+ is becoming a star-studded affair. Oscar Isaac and May Calamawy were recently announced for the series, and now, Ethan Hawke will join the cast, according to The Hollywood Reporter. And Hawke will be in a dubious role for the upcoming show.

The actor has landed the role as the lead villain in the series. However, the name of the character he is playing is unknown at this time. While Moon Knight’s villains range from the brainwashing Crossfire to Vietnam War vet Black Spectre, the hero’s greatest villain is Raul Bushman–the former friend of Marc Spector (the man who would become Moon Knight), who went on a killing spree after discovering some gold. While Moon Knight debuted in 1975, the Bushman character debuted in Moon Knight #1 in 1980. At the time of this writing, there’s no clear indication of who Hawke will play.

Isaac will be playing Spector/Moon Knight, a vigilante in white who suffers from multiple personalities and mental illness, and may have some sort of connection to Egyptian gods–depending on who is writing the character.

The series is coming together quickly with Mohamed Diab (Crash), Jeremy Slater (Umbrella Academy), Justin Benson (Synchronic), and Aaron Moorhead (Synchronic) announced as directors for the upcoming show. Depending on which stories these directors pull from, this could be the darkest thing to come out of the MCU yet.

And the Disney+ original series kicked off recently with WandaVision. The first two episodes debuted on January 15. In GameSpot’s WandaVision review, Chris E. Hayner said, “Marvel Studios attempted something they hadn’t tried before and wound up with a show that’s somehow a classic family sitcom that is also propelling forward the storytelling of the universe of epic films that has been unspooling for over a decade.”

Tom Cruise Reportedly Buys Robots to Enforce COVID Safety on Film Set

After he was recorded shouting at film set employees for breaking COVID-19 restrictions, Tom Cruise has reportedly purchased two robots designed to patrol the set of Mission Impossible 7 when it resumes film next week, The Sun reports.

The robots, which can reportedly administer on-the-spot COVID-19 tests, were purchased by Cruise. It’s unclear what kind of robots they are, but The Sun cites a source who describes them as “really sophisticated and rather intimidating. It’s like the Terminator only not as violent.”

“Tom is so serious about making sure the shoot isn’t shut down that he’s splashed out on these robots as he can’t be everywhere to ensure people are behaving themselves,” The Sun’s source said. “Yes, the rant that came out last month may have been a bit over the top, but he was right, and those who saw the story sympathised with him.”

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Cruise isn’t the only person employing COVID-19 testing robots in Hollywood. CBS has reportedly expressed interest in renting or purchasing lab-certified disinfection bots used in more than 500 hospitals worldwide.

The Sun’s report doesn’t clarify what kinds of robots Cruise has acquired, but judging from the source’s comment, it’s a step or two beyond a stationary machine.

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Mission Impossible 7 is planning on wrapping production in the United Kingdom this week before heading to Dubai to continue production.

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Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/totally a human for IGN.

COVID-Related Delays Didn’t Change MCU’s Phase 4 Creative Plans

It’s a strange time for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At long last, the first entry of Phase 4 has arrived, but it’s certainly not what was planned. By now, we should have seen the movies Black Widow and Eternals, along with the first season of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. However, those projects have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it’s the Disney+ original series WandaVision, the first Marvel Studios TV show, that’s kicking off this chapter of the universe.

Even with the massive release schedule changes, Marvel Studios Kevin Feige says the planned story of Phase 4 remains the same. Speaking at a press conference for WandaVision, Feige said, “Creatively, it didn’t reshuffle.” However, if necessary, it wouldn’t be out of the question. “Part of having a long-lead plan is having the ability and the ideas of how to shuffle, should the need arise,” he added.

That said, Feige was quick to note it wasn’t smooth sailing for the studio once COVID-19 shut down the entertainment industry. It was just less of a story issue than it was a production one. “I’m not saying we were prepped for a global pandemic. We were not,” he said. “But we’ve always, over the past 12-15 years of Marvel Studios, been able to shuffle around. This required no shuffling whatsoever, in terms of the creative–just in terms of production.”

As it stands, there’s no telling when fans will be able to see another MCU movie in theaters. Currently, Black Widow is scheduled for theaters on May 7, with Eternals said to hit theaters in November. Meanwhile, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will launch on Disney+ at the conclusion of WandaVision’s run.

If you’ve seen the first two episodes of WandaVision on Disney+, make sure to check out our Easter egg gallery to see all of the hidden clues Marvel Studios packed into the show. You’d also be wise to hear what Feige has to say about WandaVision’s impact on Phase 4.

Now Playing: Scarlet Witch’s Comic Book History Explained | WandaVision

Royal Rumble 2021: Match Card, How To Watch, And Start Time For The WWE PPV

The first WWE PPV of 2021 is one of the best annual events of the year. It’s almost time for the Royal Rumble, where we’ll see two bouts featuring 30 superstars all trying to throw each other over the top rope. There will for sure be a few surprises, but it’s definitely going to be a different atmosphere as there’s still a global pandemic and there won’t be an audience in attendance.

This year’s Royal Rumble is taking place on Sunday, January 31 in the Thunderdome–which still exists at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. If you want to watch the event yourself, you won’t be able to go to Tropicana Field, but you can watch it on your TV.

How to watch:

The best way to check out this year’s Royal Rumble is by watching it on the WWE Network. The streaming service costs $10 a month and will allow you to watch the Rumble live. Aside from live events, the WWE Network has huge catalog of episodes of Raw, Smackdown, NXT, WCW Nitro, and even original series.

If you’re planning on watching this year’s Royal Rumble, you may want to familiarize yourself with when the show will air. Check out the start times for various time zones around the globe below.

Start time:

  • 4 PM PT
  • 6 PM CT
  • 7 PM ET
  • 12 AM GMT (February 1)
  • 11 AM AEDT (February 1)

Keep in mind that there is usually a preshow for the event, and with larger PPVs like the Royal Rumble, WWE’s Kickoff begins two hours before the main card, so adjust accordingly.

It’s still a bit early for all the matches to come together for the card. As of this writing, there are only four confirmed bouts for this year’s Royal Rumble. Usually, most WWE PPVs have over 10 matches, but considering how long the two battle royals are, this year’s Royal Rumble should have between 8-10 matches, many of which will be for various WWE championships.

Match card:

  • Men’s Royal Rumble
  • Women’s Royal Rumble
  • Roman Reigns (c) vs. Adam Pearce (Universal Championship)
  • Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Goldberg (WWE Championship)

The most talked-about match thus far is McIntyre vs. Goldberg for various reasons. First, McIntyre tested positive for COVID recently, and while his 14-day quarantine is up before the Rumble, it’s unknown how he is doing–and symptoms for the virus change day to day for many people. Secondly, Goldberg hasn’t been seen in WWE in quite some time, and many fans are not excited about a part-time wrestler showing up out of the blue and getting to challenge for the title.

All of these matches will be on the main card for the event. There should be two matches on the Kickoff Show, but those will most likely be announced a couple days prior or the day of the event. Keep checking back for updates to the card.

Per usual, GameSpot’s Wrestle Buddies, Mat Elfring and Chris E. Hayner, will be doing live coverage of the Royal Rumble and a review of the show on the evening of January 31, so make sure to come back to GameSpot to check out the results. Then, after the show, stay tuned for a special episode of the Wrestle Buddies podcast, where Mat and Chris will break down the Royal Rumble and what they thought of it.

WandaVision: The Song Lyrics and Meaning to Each Episode’s Opening Theme

Marvel’s WandaVision is inspired by many TV classics that came before it like I Love Lucy and Bewitched. While many of those shows had an iconic opening theme that began each episode, WandaVision takes it a step farther. Each episode features a new opening theme and distinct style, and we thought we’d gather the lyrics and thoughts on what they could mean in one place.

As of this writing, only the first two episodes of WandaVision are available on Disney+. As each episode airs, we will update this article with the lyrics and possible meaning of what these intros could be trying to tell us.

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WandaVision: Episode 1 – The Newlyweds

WandaVision’s first episode’s intro sees Wanda and Vision arriving in Westview in wedding attire. It has a very classic TV feel with a theme song that could have been pulled right out of the 1950s.

As for the lyrics, they don’t reveal too much, but they do mention that Wanda and Vision are a newlywed couple who just moved to town to leave the big city behind for a much quieter life.

The full WandaVision lyrics are as follows;

Oh, A newlywed couple just moved to town

A regular husband and wife

Who left the big city to find a quiet life

WandaVision!

She’s a magical gal in a small-town locale

He’s a hubby who’s part machine

How will this duo fit in and fulfill all?

By sharing a love like you’ve never seen

WandaVision!

WandaVision: Episode 2 – Wanda and Vision are Bewitched

While the second episode’s intro may not feature any other lyrics besides “WandaVision!” the intro is PACKED with Easter Eggs and references.

While the whole style is very reminiscent of the classic TV show Bewitched, this opening number features possible references to classic Marvel characters like Agatha Harkness and Grim Reaper. There may even be a nod to the Infinity Stones in there as well.

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For more on WandaVision, be sure to check out our explainer on the show and the comics that could inspire it, our reviews of the first two episodes, and when each episode of WandaVision airs on Disney+.

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Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon Is One Of Many PC Games Getting A Big Discount In Humble’s Winter Sale

We thought winter sales were over for PC games, but it looks like Humble isn’t quite ready to say goodbye to the season of savings. The PC game retailer has kicked off the latest Humble Winter Sale, discounting hundreds of PC games up to 90% from now until January 28. The sale includes deals on various publisher catalogs, including the likes of Rockstar, 2K, and Sega.

Sega has a number of great discounts that you’ll want to take advantage of if you’re an RPG fan. Last year’s excellent Yakuza: Like A Dragon is only $45. It was one of GameSpot’s best games of 2020 and is well worth your time and money. Additionally, beloved JRPG Persona 4 Golden has been cut to $16.

Two other great deals come from Rockstar. Red Dead Redemption 2 is only $40.19, and its PC port is easily the best version of Rockstar’s western epic. In addition to its excellent single-player story, it also features a robust multiplayer mode where you can posse up with your friends and take on missions together. If modern-day crime is more your speed, Grand Theft Auto V is also only $17.59 during the winter sale.

Other notable deals include Metro Exodus for $16, Metro Redux bundle for $7.49, and Mafia Trilogy–which includes the recent Mafia remake–for $39.59. The Humble Winter Sale has a ton of other deals that you’ll want to check out, so be sure to head over there to see what’s available. We’ve collected the best offers below.

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

Fighting Game Community Establishes Code Of Conduct Following Allegations And Controversies

After the wave of sexual harassment allegations that swept through the fighting game community last summer, the FGC has established a new code of conduct to create a more inclusive community for all current and prospective members.

The FGC doesn’t have a governing document binding the disparate tournaments together. This new code of conduct, signed by video game attorney and prominent FGC member David “UltraDavid” Graham, is the first to attempt to meet that standard. And the community is encouraging all tournament goers and organizers to adopt the newly written code of conduct.

The guidelines are straightforward, with most violations focused on consent between individuals. Anyone who engages in abusive behavior–such as physical, verbal, emotional, suggested (i.e. making threats or using demeaning language), and the like–will be disciplined, likely in the form of temporary of permanent bans from online and in-person tournaments.

The guidelines will be enforced by a new group within the FGC, the CoC Team, and applies to all aspects of tournament organization. This includes fighting game tournaments themselves, as well as tangentially connected aspects like chatrooms, web platforms, and broadcasts.

In a Twitter thread detailing the process and rationale for the FGC’s newly minted code of conduct, Graham said that last summer’s revelations proved the old system was not working.

“Because our old piecemeal system put too much pressure on individual [tournament organizers] to make community-wide decisions and incentivized a dog-piling type of enforcement that nobody enjoyed,” Graham wrote. “Having more (but not exclusively) uniform rules/enforcement can avoid these problems.”

Other signatories accompanying Graham in supporting the FGC’s code of conduct include Super Smash Bros. player Stefan “Shogun17” Pfister, moderators Joe “Super” Munday and Sean “Jester” Stoner, commentator Jamaal “Ryyudo” Graves, and over 30 other members.

In other FGC news, Capcom has announced that Capcom Cup is transitioning online this year as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic rages around the world, particularly in the US.

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Galaxy Quest 2: Tim Allen Gives An Update On The Script

1999’s sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest, which is a spoof of Star Trek and sci-fi tropes in general, is a cult classic and fans want to see a sequel. Actor Tim Allen, who starred in the movie as ship captain Peter Quincy Taggart, has now provided an update on how it’s coming along.

Speaking to EW, Allen said the writers came up with a “fabulous” script, but it will need to be changed following the death of Alan Rickman, who played the Spock-like Dr. Lazarus. The story for the sequel was all about Lazarus and Taggart, so the idea will need to be rebooted.

“[The script] had a hiccup because the wonderful Alan Rickman passed. So it all got very sad and dark because [the script] was all about [Lazarus] and Taggart. It was all about their story. It doesn’t mean they can’t reboot the idea, and the underlying story was hysterical and fun.”

Allen said he talks about Galaxy Quest 2 “all the time” and is hopeful it can be made someday.

“There is constantly a little flicker of a butane torch that we could reboot it with. Without giving too much away, a member of Alan’s Galaxy Quest family could step in and the idea would still work,” he said.

Galaxy Quest follows the story of the cast of a TV show who come to meet real aliens who unknowingly think the show is real. It gets wacky and weird. The movie also stars Sam Rockwell, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, and Daryl Mitchell.

A Galaxy’s Quest TV show was in the works at Amazon Studios, but plans for the show were scrapped after Rickman’s passing.