The Office’s Amy Ryan Joins Steve Martin And Martin Short’s New Hulu Comedy

Hulu’s upcoming Steve Martin-Martin Short comedy Only Murders in the Building has added Amy Ryan (The Office, The Wire) as a co-star opposite Martin, Short, and Selena Gomez (Spring Breakers, 13 Reasons Why). The casting announcement was reported by Deadline, and the show is expected to hit the streaming service sometime this year.

Co-created and written by Martin and John Hoffman (The Larry Sanders Show, Northern Lights) and based on an idea by Martin, Only Murders in the Building is about three strangers (Martin, Short, Gomez) who live in the same NYC apartment building and also share an obsession with true crime stories–specifically, podcasts–and suddenly find themselves investigating one.

Ryan will be playing a musician who lives in the building. Another previously announced cast member, Aaron Dominguez (Shaft, Words on Bathroom Walls), will be playing Oscar, the “son of the building’s super who is returning to the swanky residence after years away.”

In early December, Martin tweeted a photo marking the start of principal photography on the series (which he says stars “the incredible Selena Gomez and the just okay Martin Short.”).

Here’s Why Xbox Controllers May Still Use AA Batteries

Microsoft’s decision to continue designing its controllers to be compatible with regular AA batteries, even into the latest generation, has been speculated on by gamers and journalists for a while now. But it looks as though we may finally know the reasoning, though it’s not as clear cut as it may appear.

According to an interview with Stealth Optional (originally caught by VGC), Duracell’s UK marketing manager Luke Anderson said that the decision is largely due to a marketing agreement between the two companies.

“There’s always been this partnership with Duracell and Xbox…it’s a constant agreement that Duracell and Microsoft have in place,” Anderson told Stealth Optional. “[The deal is] for OEM to supply the battery product for the Xbox consoles and also the controllers’ battery. So that [deal is] going to go on for a while… it’s been going on for a while and I think it needs to go for a while [more].”

Considering the fact that Xbox controllers are often used in Duracell’s own marketing, this doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch. However, the issue of battery options in controllers is somewhat more complex than just who has a marketing agreement with who.

“Former Xbox executive Albert Penello posted a Twitter thread last year discussing his experiences with and research about different battery options in controllers. According to Penello, when he did broad industry research with gamers from across the globe, there was a distinct preference for regular AA batteries over rechargeables that are native to the device. This is because AA batteries do have the advantage of low draw, so they can sit in a controller for a long time before they run out, and there are disposable and rechargeable AA packs players can buy. Of course, having a rechargeable battery built into the controller provides a lot of convenience and is generally more cost effective, though the internal batteries can decay which may require players to drop the cash for a whole new controller. So in short, there’s not really a solution that will make everyone happy.

Xbox has yet to respond for comment, but did tell MCV/Develop in a statement via Kotaku: “We intentionally offer consumers choice in their battery solutions for our standard Xbox Wireless Controllers. This includes the use of AA batteries from any brand, the Xbox Rechargeable Battery, charging solutions from our partners, or a USB-C cable, which can power the controller when plugged in to the console or PC.”

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Zack Snyder’s Zombie Heist Movie Army Of The Dead Gets First Images

Zack Snyder has two movies on the way in 2021–his reworking of the much-maligned DC film Justice League and the zombie action movie Army of the Dead. The latter will hit Netflix later this year, and the first images have now been released.

The images come via Entertainment Weekly, and show the film’s ensemble cast, who play a group of mercenaries who team up to raid a casino in post-apocalyptic Las Vegas. In one, the group stands in the opening to what could be a bank vault, while the other focuses on stars Dave Bautista and Ella Purnell. Check one image out below, and the other at EW’s site.

Army of the Dead also stars Ana de la Reguera ( Eastbound & Down), Garret Dillahunt (Fear the Walking Dead), Theo Rossi (Sons of Anarchy), and Tig Notaro (Star Trek Discovery). It’s directed and co-written by Snyder.

While the movie doesn’t have a confirmed release date yet, Snyder did provide EW with a few details about what viewers can expect. “It is a full-blown, balls-to-the-wall zombie heist movie, so it’s genre-on-genre in a great way,” he said. “So you expect pure zombie mayhem, and you get that, 100 percent. But also you get these really amazing characters on a fantastic journey. It’s going to surprise people that there’s a lot of warmth and real emotion with these great characters.”

Snyder reveals that the idea for Army of the Dead came to him way back in 2004, shortly after completing his first movie, the remake of the zombie classic Dawn of the Dead. However, it spent many years trapped in development before Netflix stepped in to finance it.

In addition to the movie, there is also an animated Army of the Dead spin-off show on the way to Netflix. The series was announced in September last year and will be titled Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas. Snyder will direct two episodes.

As for Snyder’s new version of Justice League, that’s expected to hit HBO Max in the first half of 2021.

Monty Python’s Spamalot Is Becoming A Movie

The wildly popular Monty Python Broadway musical Spamalot is becoming a movie. Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights after the project was originally obtained by Fox.

According to Deadline, the movie version stalled after Disney acquired Fox, with Paramount coming in to scoop up the film for an undisclosed sum. The screenplay for the Spamalot movie was written by none other than Monty Python member Eric Idle, featuring music by Idle and John DuPrez.

Casey Nicholaw, who choreographed the Broadway show, is attached to direct the movie. Nicholaw is a huge name on Broadway, as he also choreographed The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, The Prom, and Something Rotten.

According to the report, the film is being fast-tracked, with casting underway and plans to start rolling cameras this year. Whether or not the film is being made for a streaming service or planned to release in cinemas is unclear at this stage.

Spamalot is itself an adaptation of the beloved 1975 comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The story focuses on King Arthur and involves many silly hijinks such as the Knights of Ni and the killer rabbit.

More Final Fantasy Games Still Coming To Game Pass

A slate of Final Fantasy games is still coming to Game Pass, though it may take longer than you were expecting. Though announced for the service in 2019, Microsoft has promised the remaining games will arrive “in 2021 and beyond.”

At X019, Microsoft touted ten Final Fantasy games coming to the Game Pass subscription service, but so far only four have materialized. That leaves Final Fantasy X and X-2, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, and the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy still to come. Microsoft assured those are still coming in a statement to True Achievements.

“As we announced at X019, we are excited to bring the Final Fantasy franchise to gamers with Xbox Game Pass,” a spokesperson said. “We have done so throughout 2020 and will continue to do so in 2021 and beyond. We look forward to announcing specific launch dates for more Final Fantasy titles in the future.”

So far, the Game Pass service has added Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, Final Fantasy IX, and Final Fantasy XV, along with its multiplayer component Comrades. Each of those are available to download and play now on PC or console. It’s unknown when more Final Fantasy games will hit, but the “and beyond” indicates that we may be waiting a while for the full library.

Xbox Game Pass is a service that entitles subscribers to an all-you-can-eat selection of games, with new ones added regularly. There are separate libraries for the console and PC versions of the service at $10 per month apiece, but a combined Game Pass Ultimate subscription gets you both of them, plus Xbox Live Gold and the cloud streaming functionality, for $15 per month. If you feel overwhelmed by choice, check out some of our recommendations.

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Hitman 3 VR Gameplay Shows Agents 47 Operating From A New Perspective

Hitman 3 is just a few days away from launching but developer IO Interactive has shared only a handful of snippets of the game running on PlayStation VR. That changed today, with a look at all three games in the trilogy from the perspective of Agent 47.

Available on PS4 and PS5 (albeit with the PS4 version of the game), all three entries in IO’s rebooted Hitman franchise will be playable with PSVR. The levels, objectives, and targets all remain the same, but this time you’re able to deliver your precise or ridiculous death dealing from a first-person perspective. Or just sip on an espresso and read the newspaper in Sapienza; it’s your sandbox to explore.

To get it working in VR, the game has been significantly changed graphically, which is evident in the footage above, but the alternative way to play should provide you with even more incentive to revisit levels from across the series. VR functionality is limited to PSVR for now, even though Hitman 3 is launching on PC too.

Just like Hitman 2, Hitman 3 will let you import any levels from previous titles into the game and have them benefit from graphical improvements that have been added. This includes better reflections, lighting, and more that will be applied to everything in the series.

Hitman 3 is launching on January 20 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS4, PS5, and PC via the Epic Games Store. The game will also be available for streaming via Google Stadia and Nintendo Switch in select regions.

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New Super Mario Lego Sets Are Available Now At Amazon

Lego Super Mario already had a massive launch last summer with the Starter Course and more than 10 expansion sets, but if you’re itching for more Mario Lego fun, a new wave of kits have arrived. Originally announced in November, the fresh lineup of Lego Super Mario products includes multiple new expansion sets and Power-Up Packs. The most interesting addition to the series is the Master Your Adventure Maker Set, a kit featuring a wide variety of pieces and obstacles to help you create bigger courses. We’ve rounded up the new Lego Super Mario products below, all of which are available to purchase at Amazon.

Master Your Adventure Maker Set

$60

The Master Your Adventure Maker Set pairs well with the Starter Course and existing expansions. This 366-piece set comes with four characters and a wide variety of obstacles to help you make even more elaborate designs.

Wiggler’s Poison Swamp Expansion Set

$40

A new expansion set featuring the iconic Super Mario enemy Wiggler, this kit is designed as a swamp. It comes with 374 pieces, including Goomba and Koopa Paratroopa.

Chain Chomp Jungle Encounter Expansion Set

$20

Chain Chomp comes to Lego Super Mario in the Jungle Encounter expansion set, a small-scale kit featuring 160 pieces. It also comes with a Bramball enemy. This set isn’t a full course; it’s meant to be paired with other kits.

Piranha Plant Puzzling Challenge Expansion Set

$30

The Piranha Plant Puzzling Challenge expansion set features 267 pieces, including a pair of Piranha Plants and Spiny. It has a rotating carousel, which is used to help Mario stomp on each of the baddies, as well as a trio of red-coin blocks.

Tanooki Power-Up Pack

$10

You can dress Lego Mario in the Tanooki Suit from Super Mario Bros. 3 with this Power-Up Pack. Mario will earn additional coins when you spin him while wearing this suit.

Penguin Power-Up Pack

$10

Mario’s Penguin Suit originated in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. With this Power-Up Pack, Mario nabs extra coins by sliding on his belly across the course.

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Fall Guys Is Getting A Big Doom Crossover Next Week

Fall Guys is getting a handful of skins as part of a crossover with Doom next week. The demonic skins will be available in the game show battle royale for a limited time starting on January 12.

Mediatonic released a special trailer featuring a level that looks like it’s straight out of Doom Eternal. It showcased several new skins, including various monsters from the Doom games. The studio was supposed to showcase one skin during a stream with Bethesda on January 5 but had to reschedule.

Mediatonic has been teasing this crossover since early December. The studio posted a silhouette of an adorable little bean dressed in Doom Guy’s armor. Fans of both games quickly identified the skin and now we’ve got a look at some of the other skins coming with the crossover.

Fall Guys has become a hub for crossovers with games, movies, and other media properties. We’ve seen skins from Sonic the Hedgehog, Godzilla, Untitled Goose Game, Gris, and a handful of other games published by Devolver Digital. It doesn’t look like the gravy train of new skins will stop anytime soon, either.

Mediatonic also introduced a special playlist that features nothing but Hex-A-Gone. If you thought the fan favorite finale was difficult before, try winning it multiple times in a row.

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New Streaming Service Announced With A Unique Hook

A new streaming service for film and TV content has been announced, but this one is not like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or HBO Max. The new service is called Struum, and it aims to offer an avenue for people to stream shows and movies from various other streaming services without having to buy a subscription to each of them individually.

The service comes from industry veterans at Walt Disney Co. and Discovery Inc. Co-founder Paul Pastor told The Wall Street Journal that Struum would help shine a light on smaller-scale streaming services that have great content but people aren’t necessarily aware of.

Struum said it has already reached deals with almost three-dozen services–spanning more than 20,000 movies, shorts, and TV shows–but the company declined to mention any by name.

Here’s how it will work: subscribers get an allotment of credits each month that can be spent to watch TV shows and movies. The full pricing model is not available, but the company told WSJ that one tier might cost $10/month for 100 credits, and this would let you watch one program per day. The number of credits it costs to watch a show or a movie is still being decided, and it will ultimately come down to a number of factors. A portion of subscription revenue from Struum will be given to the partnered streaming services.

One of the early investors in Struum is former Disney boss Michael Eisner through his Tornante Co. investment firm. “When I heard about this idea of an aggregation platform that would pick up smaller streaming services that don’t have brand awareness particularly like Netflix does have, I thought this was a great idea,” Eisner told WSJ.

Platforms like Apple TV, Amazon, and Roku already offer aggregation of streaming content, but you need to subscribe to each individual service–say, Netflix, Amazon, HBO Max, Hulu, etc–to actually watch the content. Struum promises a more streamlined approach where you can watch content from any provider without needing a subscription. Struum will also allow users to fully subscribe to the various providers it supports, and in that situation, Struum would get a portion of the subscription revenue.

There is no word yet on when Struum will release publicly or if it will be exclusive to the US.

Monster Hunter Rise Switch Demo Releasing Later Today

Capcom shared a wealth of new details on Monster Hunter Rise during today’s Digital Event, including some information on the game’s upcoming demo. The publisher had previously teased that the demo would be released sometime this month, and it confirmed during the stream that the demo will go live on the Switch eShop later today, January 7.

The demo will give fans their first taste of Rise’s two big new gameplay mechanics: the Palamute and the Wirebug. The former is a new type of canine companion that players can ride on and fight alongside during a hunt, while the latter functions like a grappling hook and lets players swing around the environment.

In terms of content, the demo will feature four missions: two training exercises that introduce you to the Wirebug and the new Wyvern Riding mechanic, and two proper hunts. The “beginner” hunt tasks you with slaying a Great Izuchi, one of the new monsters being introduced in Rise, while the “intermediate” hunt has you battling the returning Mizutsune.

Both hunts are playable either solo or online with other players, and you’ll be able to sample all 14 weapon types in the game. However, the demo will only be available until February 1, so you’ll have a limited time to play it. You’ll also need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play the demo online with others.

In addition to detailing the demo, Capcom shared a new trailer for Monster Hunter Rise during today’s Digital Event. The video introduced us to a new locale, the Frost Islands, as well as a variety of monsters that will be appearing in the game, including the new Goss Harag and several returning fan-favorites like the Tigrex, Khezu, Barioth, and the aforementioned Mizutsune. The demo also gave us our first look at Wyvern Riding, a mechanic that lets you temporarily ride and take control of a monster.

Monster Hunter Rise launches for Nintendo Switch on March 26. In addition to the standard edition of the game, Capcom will also release Deluxe and Collector’s editions, which come with some additional bonus items. You can learn more in our Monster Hunter Rise preorder guide. Three new Monster Hunter Amiibo figures are also launching alongside the game on March 26.

Rise is the first of two new Monster Hunter games coming to Switch this year. The second, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, is slated to arrive sometime this summer and is a follow-up to the series’ 3DS RPG spin-off. Capcom has teased that there will be some connectivity between Rise and Wings of Ruin.

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