That Rumored WandaVision Release Date Is Wrong, Disney Confirms

The first trailer for the Disney+ show WandaVision premiered Sunday during the 72nd Emmy Awards. The video did not show a release date for the show, but speculation online suggested it might debut on October 30, the same day as The Mandalorian Season 2.

However, we have now confirmed with Disney that this is not the case. WandaVision is slated to premiere in 2020, but the date will not be October 30, a spokesperson told us.

Other reports circulating suggest that WandaVision will debut on the streaming service in December, which seems more likely.

Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda) and Paul Bettany (Vision) return to play their characters in the series, which is the first new Marvel TV show for Disney+. The show’s official description states that WandaVision will “blend of classic television and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”

Wanda and Vision are superheroes living idealized suburban lives, but, as you might have guessed, not everything is what it seems. Check out the first trailer here.

Now Playing: Disney Plus: 15 Of The Best ’90s Movies To Watch At Launch

US Government Asks About Tencent’s US Gaming Investments, Including Fortnite Studio

Chinese internet company Tencent’s video game investments are coming under scrutiny from the US government. According to Bloomberg, the Trump administration is reaching out to Tencent’s US companies to ask them to send over details on their data-security systems pertaining to Tencent.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the US has sent letters to Epic Games and Riot Games, among others, asking them to share details and information about how they handle the personal data of their American users, according to Bloomberg’s sources.

Tencent owns League of Legend studio Riot Games completely, while it has a 40 percent ownership stake in Epic Games. Tencent also owns a minority stake in the American games publisher Activision Blizzard. Looking abroad, Tencent owns Path of Exile studio Grinding Gear, while it also has smaller investments in Ubisoft, Bluehole, Yager, and PlatinumGames.

Aimen Mir, who formerly worked for the US Treasury Department, told Bloomberg, “When you’re talking about massive amounts of data, there’s probably something for the committee to look at.”

This move from the US government comes amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on the viral app TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. Just recently, ByteDance announced that Oracle and Walmart would acquire a 20% stake in the company, preventing TikTok from getting banned in the US.

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Hitman Developer’s Freedom Fighters Re-Rated By PEGI

IO Interactive’s 2003 shooter Freedom Fighters has been re-rated by PEGI, leading to speculation that we may see a re-release of some kind.

Spotted by ResetEra user dex3108, the game can be seen on the PEGI website, rated for PC only at this point. The publisher listed is the game’s developer IO Interactive instead of EA Swiss Sarl, who published the original game on PC, GameCube, PS2 and Xbox. IO Interactive went independent in 2017, retaining the rights to its Hitman IP.

Speaking to GamesIndustry after going independent, IO made clear that it had retained the rights to Freedom Fighters as well as Hitman. Last year, we also heard that IO was working on a new game that wasn’t Hitman-related. This rating suggests that a re-release or remaster of the cult classic could be around the corner.

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2003/08/15/freedom-fighters-gamecube-gameplay-2003-08-15-7″]

If you missed Freedom Fighters at the dawn of the millennium, the game was a third-person shooter with an alternate-history premise, where resistance fighters repel the Soviet Union from its occupation of New York City. The player could recruit other ‘Freedom Fighters’ to the cause and issue commands.

We scored the game an 8.4 back in 2003, saying it was “a game that gets better the more you play it”, and praising how its tactical elements slotted alongside its 3rd person combat.

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Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Mansion Put Up On Airbnb, Immediately Books Out

Will Smith might not be doing much acting during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now he’s found a new gig–he’s signed up as an Airbnb host for guests who want to stay in the iconic Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air mansion. Sadly the mansion won’t be a long-term accommodation option on the booking site, but some fans are about to have an amazing stay, as reported by TMZ.

The Airbnb collab was created as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the show that launched Will Smith’s career. While Smith doesn’t actually own the mansion, he’s teamed up with the people who do to offer a stay in a private wing of the house on Airbnb. The house was used for exterior shots for the show, while interiors were shot on studio sets.

“Ready for the freshest staycation ever?” the Airbnb listing reads. “If this place looks familiar that’s because it’s just as fly as it was when I first rolled up the driveway. I’m back. And this time, I’m handing you the keys so you’ll have my wing of the mansion all to yourself – but my sneaker collection is off limits, aight?”

The stays were offered as single nights only, for $30 a pop. All of them have now been redeemed, with no vacancies listed on the Airbnb page (though it can’t hurt to check again, right?). Due to COVID-19, no travelling was allowed for this stay–it was only opened to residents of LA County.

Airbnb will be making a one-time donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia to mark the event.

If you missed out on staying in the Fresh Prince mansion, there’s still more in store for fans of the show in 2020. Will Smith recently teased a reunion episode that was filmed earlier in September, due to air around Thanksgiving. Smith is also collaborating on Bel-Air, a series reboot of the Fresh Prince based on a YouTube video.

Ramy Youssef Shows What Happens When You Don’t Win An Emmy In 2020

While this year’s Emmy Awards were held remotely to protect the safety of those attending, the producers also decided to have a little fun with it, sending people out to deliver awards in Emmy-branded tuxedo hazmat suits. These suited helpers weren’t just sent to the winners, however–nominees who didn’t take a prize home had to watch their trophy literally walk away.

In a move that seems almost too cruel, some Emmy nominees had to watch fake Emmys being taken away from them after losing to another nominee. A video of this process was shared by Ramy Youssef, after losing in the lead actor in a comedy series category to Schitt’s Creek’s Eugene Levy.

Another video shows the cast of Insecure collected together, watching as another hazmat-suited person walks away with the award they didn’t win.

Other videos from the awards night show people in these same outfits delivering Emmys to their actual winners, including one person who was sent all the way to Canada to deliver an astounding seven trophies to the Schitt’s Creek cast and crew.

With winners scattered across the world, there wasn’t a suited staff member at every Emmy nominee’s house, however–Watchmen’s Emmy-winning writer Damon Lindelof revealed that he believed they had lost the category as he couldn’t see a hazmat-suited person anywhere near his house.

Check out the full list of winners from the 2020 Emmys here.

Tenet Is Not Making Much Money In The US

The wide release of Tenet into US cinemas has been looked to as a test case for whether cinemas can resume some level of normal business amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and in its third weekend, things aren’t looking so good. The LA Times reports that the film earned $4.7 million over the September 18-20 weekend, and while this is only a 26% drop, the film is still underperforming domestically–especially with no major releases planned for the rest of the month.

These numbers can partly be attributed to the fact that cinemas in California and New York largely remain closed–80% across California have not reopened yet–but they’re still lower than Warner Bros., and cinema chains, were likely expecting. The film has made a disappointing $36.1 million in the US so far, despite getting off to what was viewed as a strong start.

The film’s underperformance is likely the reason why Wonder Woman 1984, also from Warner Bros., has been pushed back until December.

Internationally, the picture is slightly brighter–the film has made $239 million, according to Box Office Mojo–but the $200 million film will likely not recoup its costs in theatres after marketing is factored in. Internationally, Tenet is the fifth highest grossing film of the year so far, behind Doolittle ($245.6 million).

This has created an issue for many cinema chains around the country–after reopening for Tenet, they now find themselves underperforming while also needing to pay for the costs of keeping a cinema open.

The next major cinema release for 2020 is Death on the Nile, coming October 23. Marvel’s Black Widow is scheduled for a November 6 release, but a delay is expected.

Now Playing: Tenet Stars Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki Discuss Their Mysterious Characters & Favorite Games Ever

Halo Infinite Gets A Special Edition At Best Buy With A Master Chief Statue

Microsoft’s Halo Infinite isn’t coming out until 2021, but one retailer recently updated its website with details on new special edition of the game.

In the US, Best Buy will sell a $105 USD bundle that comes with the standard edition of the game, as well as a SteelBook case and a Master Chief PVC statue. It also includes a $10 reward when you pre-order, though the store is not yet accepting orders. The page is very sparse at the moment, so we don’t know further specifics like the exact dimensions/details of the statue.

This appears to be the first Halo Infinite special edition bundle, and it’s expected that more will be announced in the lead-up to the game’s release in 2021. And if Microsoft is cooking up a special-edition Xbox Series X/S console, a safe bet is that it might be for Halo Infinite, but this is just conjecture at this stage.

In other news, Microsoft recently downplayed the impact that Halo Infinite’s delay to 2021 might have on launch sales of the Xbox Series X/S consoles. “We are not reliant on massive exclusive titles to drive console adoption,” a spokesperson said.

The Xbox Series X/S is scheduled to launch on November 10, and pre-orders will begin from September 22. The S model costs $300 USD and the X edition is going for $500 USD, and those prices are intentionally low. Xbox CFO Tim Stuart recently explained that Microsoft went with relatively low prices to help create a large install base more quickly.

Now Playing: Halo Infinite Full Presentation | Xbox Games Showcase 2020

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Top New Game Releases On Switch, PS4, Xbox One, And PC This Week — September 20-26, 2020

New Releases highlights some of the hottest games launching each week, and this one is home to the much-anticipated Mafia: Definitive Edition. That’s not the only re-release we’re getting either, thanks to RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition. The action continues with Serious Sam 4 and Going Under, plus the console release of Rebel Galaxy Outlaw.

Rebel Galaxy Outlaw — September 22

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch

Now that its Epic Games Store exclusivity is over, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is headed to PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and Steam this week. This space combat game sees pilot Juno sitting down with all sorts of aliens. Carry out jobs for them, and you’ll be able to pay for sweet new weapons and gear for your ship.

More Rebel Galaxy Outlaw Coverage:

Serious Sam 4 — September 24

Available on: PC, Stadia

Serious Sam 4
Serious Sam 4

Despite the numbering in the name, this is actually a prequel to the Serious Sam series, with Sam defending earth from alien invaders. You’ll be facing tons of enemies on screen at once, from giant tentacled monsters to headless screaming men. You can take them down with a variety of weapons, from the classic cannon to a new auto shotgun.

More Serious Sam Coverage:

Going Under — September 24

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch

Going Under
Going Under

Going Under is startup culture plus dungeon crawling. Yes, really–you’re an unpaid intern sent into the sprawling dungeon beneath your company to battle bad guys and bosses. Expect to come across a bunch of modern-day tech tropes, like dating apps and cryptocurrencies as you explore.

More Going Under Coverage:

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition — September 24

Available on: PC, Switch

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition

If you’re unfamiliar with the RollerCoaster Tycoon series, it lets you design your own theme park, letting you get your hands on everything from concession prices to ride design. Of course, you can ride all the sick coasters and other attractions too. Complete Edition includes the original 2004 game and its two expansions, which add waterpark and safari options.

More RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition Coverage:

Mafia: Definitive Edition — September 25

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC

Mafia: Definitive Edition

Mafia: Definitive Edition isn’t just a remaster–the game has been totally remade from the ground up. It also has new story content, so those of you who played the original back in the day are still in for some surprises. Definitive Edition can also be experienced in 4K if you’ve got the hardware for it.

More Mafia: Definitive Edition Coverage:

Next week, New Releases will start covering the biggest games coming in October. The new month start off with a triple threat of Super Mario Bros. 35, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, and Star Wars: Squadrons.

Now Playing: Top New Games Out On Switch, PS4, Xbox One, And PC This Week — September 20-26, 2020

Elf 2: James Caan Explains Why It Didn’t Happen

The beloved Christmas comedy Elf was a gigantic success at the box office and it remains a hit around the holidays. But a sequel was never made. Actor James Caan, who starred in the film as the father of Will Ferrell’s Buddy the elf has now explained why that may be.

Caan said on Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan (via TooFab) that plans were in place for a sequel, but it fell apart due in part to a reported clash between Ferrell and director Jon Favreau.

“We were gonna do it. And I thought, ‘Oh my god, I finally got a franchise movie, I can make some money,'” Caan explained. “The director and Will didn’t get along very well. Will wanted to do it … and he didn’t want that director, and he had it in his contract. It was one of those things. It’s too bad.”

Caan also elaborated about how he became attached to the movie in the first place. He is better known for his more serious roles in The Godfather and Misery, and he was initially skeptical when Ferrell called him about joining Elf. He bluntly said to Ferrell, “I am not doing a picture called Elf.”

However, Caan came around after the producers agreed to change the name on his scripts to Elk instead of Elf. In the end, Caan said it was great fun working on Elf, and with Ferrell in particular.

Favreau, who would go on to direct Iron Man and kick off the MCU in 2008, was not originally attached to direct Elf, and he didn’t like the sound of it from the start. For the film’s 10th anniversary in 2013, Favreau told Rolling Stone that he “wasn’t particularly interested” in the movie after reading the script, which was “much darker” than what was eventually shot.

After he re-wrote the script, Elf became a PG movie where it was previously envisioned as a PG-13 film. “He was a darker character in the script I had read originally. The character became a bit more innocent, and the world became more of a pastiche of the Rankin/Bass films. The studio [New Line] read it and agreed to make it, and that’s when I was brought on to direct,” Favreau said.

Elf was Ferrell’s first solo movie after leaving Saturday Night Live. The movie also starred Zooey Deschanel, Edward Asner, Peter Dinklage, Bob Newhart, and Mary Steenburgen.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Brings In Master Chief To Help Throw The First Pitch At Mariners Game

Baseball season in the US has resumed amid COVID-19 restrictions with a few changes, one of which is the new virtual first pitch–a filmed segment in which a guest or celebrity makes the traditional first pitch without actually attending the game. The Seattle Mariners got Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, to make the first pitch for a game–and he brought some guests along.

In the video below, Nadella, who is pitching to former Mariners player Dave Valle, calls in Halo’s Master Chief and several other Spartans to…hand him the ball.

Master Chief does not make a throw himself, which seems like a bit of a wasted opportunity, and the music is all wrong, but it’s good to see the costumes getting used, at least.

It’s possible that the Chief is too busy getting ready for Halo Infinite, which has been delayed into 2021, to practice his pitching. Poor throwing skills would explain why so many of our plasma grenade throws in The Master Chief Collection go amiss, at least.

The Seattle Mariners has a long history with video game companies. Between 1992 and 2016, Nintendo of America was the majority shareholder of the team, meaning that Nintendo effectively owned it. The company would eventually sell most of its shares, but has maintained 10% ownership.

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