Weird Mind News Room Episode 146: December 8th - 14th

 *Music to help in a Whodunnit*

Well hello again to all of you fine people and who you want to be, my name is Sam and I like to welcome you all once again to the newest episode of Weird Mind News Room where for this week, after that strange training tape video from last week (Need to figure out where the tape came from and when I recorded that or if it was a clone working) where I will be delving into the focus of some new releases, some trailers and a selection of news stories (which consist of some round up contents) to have a discussion on, so lets not waste too much time on all of this and lets get to talking on all things media for another week.

A mystery of New Releases

Movies

Ella McCray

So on the first of the new releases for the week is one that is seen more as a bit of a feel good film, that fits in the tone for this time of year and from the creative mind behind one of the longest running television series in history, as James L.Brooks has brought us an all new film on the focus of change and power with the release of the film known as Ella McCay. The film follows the titular character who at the age of 34 becomes the governor of the state that she was born and raised in. However, Navigating relationships with her husband, father and brother may be her biggest challenge yet. Reception on this new film however is not the most well recieved as while the performances and cast are decently recieved, The film feels a little disjointed and all over the place, despite the attempts of trying to be well intentioned, but I am sure it may find its audience at some point in time and if you want to check it out for yourself then it is out now in cinemas.

Wake Up Dead Man: A knives Out Mystery

But if a feel good comedy is not for you and you are more in the realm of what I can only describe as  Moida, then thankfully you are in luck, as the fancy man with the southern Twang is back for another mystery as after a 2 week limited cinema release we have the release of the 3rd Whodunit by Rian Johnston with Wake up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. The new film will see Benoit Blanc find himself in his darkest case yet as he find himself investigating and sifting through a series of suspect when he learns of a Monsignor who turns up dead under mysterious circumstances in his Church. Reception on this 3rd film, similar to the first 2 has seen some very strong reception, with some calling this the best in the series with praise on the ensemble cast, the story, mystery, cinematography and humour and for showing that these are some of the most solid proof of whodunnits and I hope we see more of these in the future, and if you missed to check it out in cinemas, then you can now solve this mystery by checking it out on Netflix.

Fackham Hall

This next one does connect slightly  in the previous project in the aspect of the murder mystery, but more in the realm of class and high society but done in the style of being a little goofy, unserious and stupid in some form as we have a new spoof comedy for you to tickle your funny bone this festive season with the release of the new film of Fackham Hall. The film will follow a lovable pickpocket known as Eric Noone who moves into the English Manor of Fackham Hall where he will soon start a forbidden romance with Rose Davenport and also soon framed for murder, while he soon ends up in a rivalry with a man named Archibald who soon battles him for the purpose of Rose's Hand in marriage. At the same time, rivalries are spilling over in the Davenport family, led by Lord and Lady Davenport, as they also weather the epic failure of the wedding of their eldest daughter to her caddish cousin. Reception to this new comedy film seems to be well recieved with praise on its humour, spoof focus of Naked Gun or Airplane, mixed with Downton Abbey and cast and performances and while it may have some mixed opinion on which of the 2 spoof comedies of this year is the best, I am sure it will be well worth a watch and for a bit of a laugh this holiday season and if you want to check it out yourself, it is available to watch now in cinemas.

Silent Night, Deadly Night

Now as we get closer to the festive day in mind, the one thing that you may be least expecting with all of this ordeal and kinship is with death and bloodshed, but in this case it looks like we are getting something a bit more sinister and a new take on a classic festive horror as we have the release of a reboot to Silent Night Deadly Night. The story will see Billy become traumatized after witnessing the grisly murders of his parents by the hands of Santa Claus, it will soon spread a lifelong ordeal of Holiday Fear. Now every Christmas, he dons the red suit and embarks on a blood-soaked massacre to feed his twisted sense of judgement. Reception on this new reboot is surprisingly well recieved with praise on its focus, kills and overall aesthetic in bringing fresh life into this now 7 film franchise take and if you want to check it out for yourself then you can also catch this new film out now in cinemas.

TV Shows

Man Vs Baby

The first  of the shows in focus for this week is somewhat of a followup to a bit of a goofy comedy outcome where initially planned of fighting against a small pesky bug or insect, this one is more to deal with a small human as we have the release of the new series of Man Vs Baby. After the Chaos of Man vs Bee, Trevor Bingley has taken a quieter job as a school caretaker. Soon a lucrative Christmas penthouse gig lures him back - and when no one collects the baby Jesus from the school nativity, Trevor finds himself with an unexpected companion over the holidays. Reception on the miniseries has seen some decent critical reception and a mixed audience reception with praise on it humour and tone, though some elements of it being a follow up to that initial film is a bit of a mixed outcome overall, but if you want to check it out for yourself then you can watch it now on Netflix.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 

For the 2nd show of the week is giving a more fantastical side of things and everything is about to become crazy and chaos unleashed by the gods where it will soon be down to a young half god to sort it all out, which is quite a lot for him to manage as we have the release of the second season of the popular fantasy novel series with Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The new season will be based on the 2nd novel of the series with Sea of Monsters and be set a year after the events of the first season with Percy returning back to Camp Half-Blood, finding it out under threat by Kronos' Forces and Grover now appearing to be missing. This will see Percy go on a quest to the Sea of Monsters to find and obtain the golden fleece and save the camp. Reception on this 2nd season at the moment is very well recieved with praise on its grander scale, likable characters and performances and for being a well liked and faithful adaptation of the novels so far and if you want to check out this new adventure, you can watch the first 2 episodes now on Disney+ with a new episode releasing every Wednesday.

Tomb Raider the Legend of Lara Croft Season 2

The last of the shows in focus is seeing us return to the world of the realm of some video game adaptation and while we may return to the Wastelands next week, we are instead on a bit more of a globe trotting adventure with an iconic name and face for some more treasure hunting adventures as we have the release of the 2nd and presumed final season of Tomb Raider The legend of Lara Croft. This follow up season will see Lara come into contact with a mysterious ally to a new technological Utopia , where a brilliant philanthropist could offer her a challenge that could reshape her legacy forever, while also confronting her traumatic past while unravelling this new ancient mystery. Reception on this new season is so far well recieved with a bit more of a mixed outcome of the audience side with praise on its voice cast and animation and for connecting the prequel trilogy to the mainline titles, though some feel its a little too low stakes and could have been better, but if you want to see the journey that leads to where the series began then you can watch it now on Netflix.

Videos

The Amazing Digital Circus Episode 7

As for one final piece of a new release is one that has become a bit of a popular series on the interwebs since its debut 2 years ago and the release schedule is all over the place but hey, who can say no to another new adventure as we have the release of the latest episode of The Amazing Digital Circus. This episode entitled the beach episode will be seeing Pomni and the rest of the colourful characters have a bit of a day off from the absurd and crazy adventures of Caine and decide to spend a day at the beach instead, where I am sure nothing bad will come from this whole ordeal. Like the other episodes, this one has also been praised on its voice performances, animation, dark themes and for getting people guessing with every episode as it releases and if you want to check it out for yourself then you can watch the full 7 episodes now on Netflix or on YouTube.

Suspecting Trailers

Supergirl

Now for the trailers and the first of the trailers is seeing us having another round of the summer in film that we experienced earlier this year in the realm of the super summer as while we saw the return of the symbol of hope, we now turn our attention to the character that got a little introduction in the previous film, and is one that is a little bit more rebellious and a party animal but will step up to prove her worth when the going gets tough, as we have the first official trailer for the 2nd film in the DC universe timeline plan with Supergirl. The film will follow Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) who decides to travel across the galaxy with her dog Krypto to celebrate her 23rd birthday. Along the way, she meets the young Ruthye Marye Knoll and encounters a tragedy that will soon lead to to a "murderous quest for revenge". So I will say that I enjoyed the previous Superman film and the small tease of her character in that film, that while I was a little hesitant of her portrayal from that first instance, this seems more of a better idea of her character and I like the case of her more jokey humourous side given that she was supposed to be the one that was to watch over Clark but a journey to the Phantom zone froze her in time for a bit of aging and soon seen her cope with some ordeals like this, as there is talks this is supposed to me more of a emotional journey to even the likes of the last Guardians film, but overall I like the look and tease of some other characters and I am excited to see what comes of all of this in due time as the film will be flying into cinemas from the 26th of June.

The Drama

Now this next one is more in the focus of something a bit more of a grounded film and focus, but in this case will see a pair of actors that have appeared in superhero affair deal with something that many of us may experience and that is with the outcome of Marriage as we have the release of the trailer for the new a24 affair of The drama. The plot of this film will the ideals that days before a planned wedding, a couple's (Robert Pattinson and Zendaya) relationship is shaken when one partner discovers unsettling truths about the other. So this is quite the pairing I did not expect to see and it seems that Pattinson has been in a lot of recently married relationships as of late in these projects and in the case of this one many saying MJ left Peter for Batman but it is an interesting pairing and I am getting from the teaser a bit of a Marriage Story vibe to it all but I am sure hoping their is a bit more to it then the simple aspect of something really more twisted but I guess we will find out in due time for it all and I will be interested to see the outcome to all of this by the films release into cinemas from April 3rd next year.

Avatar The Last Airbender Season 2

As for the final trailer, the name may feel I am going against my rule on trailers of not talking on something that is just released, but you will be mistaken with this one as this is actually talking more on the kid with the elemental powers and not the blue man group (that will also be for next week), but rather it is time we continue this journey of these characters as they continue the journey to save their world as we have recieved a trailer for the 2nd season of the live action series take on Avatar The Last Airbender. This new season will see the follow on after the bittersweet victory saving the Northern Water tribe from the invading fire nation and will see Aang, Katara and Sokka regroup and set off on a mission to convince the elusive Earth King to aid in their battle against the fearsome fire lord Ozai. So I am not one that has been the biggest of fans to this series, but I have seen a bit to say that I think it is a very great and popular show and while I know the Live action film was a dud and this new series has been a bit more of a mixed bag in the first season, I can still see some sense of appeal to this and given more of a faithful take on it all. The one thing I have seen is the sudden massive growth spurt of Aang in this series where he was a lot younger looking in the first season and unless that was filmed years ago may explain the sudden aging aspect, but I am sure it may be explained but it will be interesting to see how they go about these characters and with Toph in the new season which is set to release onto Netflix sometime in 2026.

News full of Clues

Its going to be Golden: The nominees of the Golden Globes you see

So the first 2 stories in focus of the week do have something in common and that is the basis about the focus on award shows of one with nominations and one being the roundup of the show that took place and we will start with the former as it was confirmed this week with about a month out to the event as we have been given the nominations for this years Golden Globes on Monday which saw quite the array of selection across film and tv choices and while I will not be going to deep on everything that was shown off at this event I will do the usual focus of the most nominated and maybe give a focus of what is snubs or the nominees for the big awards in general but we can give an idea when we look into that, so lets delve into the awards and nominees.

So starting off in the area of the film nominees, it seems like it is a mixed array of numbered nominees for each film but in the approach of the most nominated, leading the group with a total of 9 nominations is with One Battle After Another, which includes a nominee for Best Picture in the Comedy and Musical category (Even though it feels more like a Drama film) and best director for Anderson as well for a few acting nominations across the 4 acting categories. The runner up in nominees is with Sentimental Value with a total of 8 Nominations which also includes a nominee for director and for best film in Drama. Hitting the top 3 with 7 nominations is with Sinners which includes the bet film nod for Drama, Lead performance, Director and even for Original Song of I Lied to you. Coming 4th with a total of 6 nominations is with Hamnet that is nominated in best film for Drama, lead roles and director and then rounding out the top 5 is 2 films with 5 nominations each with Del toro's Frankenstein and Wicked for good with Frankenstein getting a best film drama and director, and then wicked more in the actor and original song categories as it missed out on a best film nod in musical. In the basis of the other nominations for the best film, the only ones left from Drama was It was just an Accident and The Secret Agent, while with Musical and Comedy it was with Bugonia, Marty Supreme, Blue Moon, No Other Choice and Nouvelle Vague. For one other category of best film is in the animation field and that sees a mix of anime, indie and western films with the films nominated being Kpop Demon Hunters, Demon Slayer Infinity Castle, Elio, Zootopia 2, Arco and Little Emile or the character of Rain which is quite an interesting array of choice and see that as a tough outcome in that front. Overall in the likes of the film side it is not too bad, the only one I feel a bit conflicted on was the nominations for Avatar, given at this point the film is not out yet but it got a nod for Box office (which given the different trailer being shown and changing about it is expected) and the other for original song (which I have heard a mixed reaction to) but I am sure it will make sense by the award show.

As for the TV side, it looks like a cleaner focus for the most case with the top nominated show this year going to the White Lotus with 6 nominations which include for Tv in Drama, taking the 2nd most nominated in shows was with Adolescence which snagged 5 nominations including best limited series and supporting actor nod for Owen Cooper. In a tie for 3rd with 4 nominations was with murder mystery comedy of Only Murders in the Building and Emmy dynamite series of Severance and then in a large tie with 3 nominations came down to The Bear, The Beast in Me, Black Mirror, Hacks, Nobody wants this and The Studio all getting a mix of array of choices across the different categories . Now it did see some snubs that were discussed including the 2nd Season of Last of Us, and another personal one to me with poker Face getting overlooked with both getting 1 nomination each for performances of the leads of the show but I expect it was a strong year for television and streaming shows so I will take what I can get. Now it is hard to say of where I would decide as the winner and I could do the nominations for the globes but I will see nearer (and maybe keep it to the next story and Oscars but who knows) but I guess we will be back here in about a month to see who came out as the big winners overall.

But what do you think of all of these and which shows and films do you feel should have been nominated and what do you see winning the categories? Let me know what you think down below in the comments.

Gaming results: The Game Awards big winners, some big reveals and a mixed outcome of opinions

As for the second story that I mentioned having a similar theme to one another, this comes to us in the form that if you have read my last blog (and seen the video version that released a little later then expected (for reasons I am not getting into) but on Thursday, the 12th Annual Game Awards took place and it was quite an event to sit up and watch into the late hours up until 4am but it had to be done and in this case I will be giving my thoughts and talk on the winners and also give a few project that interested me from the event a brief discussion in a show that I am a little mixed about in some aspects but we'll get into it.

Sp we will start with the big winners but I feel overall, if you have seen any news, it was a bit of a Sweep by the French as Clair Obscur Expedition 33 was the big winner of the night, winning 9 of its 13 nominations including for Game of the year and this is where it got to a point in watching if it felt fair to do so in winning all of them. Now don't get me wrong as the game is fantastic, but I feel it was a very very strong year for games in general that I feel it needed a little bit more of an even out of the event. It was not to say most of the other game of the year nominations went away empty handed as 3 others from the category all at least won 1 nomination with Dk Bananza winning best family, Hades II winning Action game and Hollow Knight snagging the Action / Adventure Award with Kingdom come and Death Stranding unfortunately walking away with nothing (and also surprised that Kojima got no screen time much this year, wondering if that bromance has ended). Now it is a case there has been a lot of other award shows happening at the same time that has seen other games like Dispatch, Hollow Knight and Silent Hill F all winning some game of the year awards so I see it as a bit of a mixed outcome of this awards event but I feel hopefully next years show has another lineup of banger titles and a more fair balance of games to decide from. But speaking of new games there was a lot that was shown at this awards show and while I feel the announcements were not as exciting as last years unveilings, there was a solid few that I will say were promising and I will try and give some quick explanations on a few as best I can.

First I asked the question of if you remember that cryptic statue in the desert they were on about for 2 weeks, well it was finally given an answer to what it was as Larian Studio, the same developers behind Baldurs gate 3, revealed that they are making a new game in the Divinity series and the cinematic trailer was quite something and had some gnarly imagery and while no date of when it is expected has been given, it does look like they may make something special out of this all new entry in the future.

We got not one but two new announcements for the world of Star Wars with the first announcement being an all new entry in the Old republic series with Fate of the Old Republic which from the brief cinematic trailer I was thinking it was a Mass Effect game at first but the reveal was pretty cool and the game is planned to be directed by Casey Hudson which has many people excited. Now its expected this will be another few years away, but maybe we can get that Knights of the Old Republic remake out before this one drops Huh?

As for the other Star Wars announcement is going to get fast, dangerous and proving who is the best as this is Podracing as they announced Star Wars Galactic Racer that seems like a follow up to the classic entries of the series that ere beloved by fans all those years ago and seems like it may be a well worth a space race to occour with this title set for release sometime in the new year.

It was not the last time we were talking on one of the new releases for this week as we were given the announcement of not one but 2 entries in the Tomb Raider series with an all new title known as Catalyst which sees a bit of floating mountains and cities being the focus and this title set for release in 2027 and in the element of the 30th anniversary for the series, we got the confirmation of Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis which is essentially a remake of the original title with this one set for release next year, which I can say they are doing more for classic titles franchises then others for their anniversaries but I am excited to go on those new adventures soon.

There was a return of another popular studio as Remedy, the studio behind control, Alan Wake and Max Payne came out with the announcement of a sequel to control with Resonant that will see us take on some twisted and warped version of Manhattan that looks straight out of the scenes of Doctor Strange and I feel it will be a very cool and very trippy experience like some of this studios previous titles have shown and this will be well worth seeing this journey take shape sometime next year.

Then after leaking the reveal a few days in advance from the Playstation store, we got the new look at Resident Evil Requiem which confirmed that fan favourite of Leon Kennedy is set for a return to the franchise and will be the 2nd playable character across this game and while I am fine with him back and thinking at his age I am surprised he can easily still do those high kicks, I do hope some other familiar faces (I am holding out hope that Carlos will be back in some capacity and the case that Rose is supposed to be confirmed for this, possibly as Story DLC) will make an appearance but I am sure we can see by its release in late February.

We were given a new look at the long delayed title of Pragmata of the new sci-fi adventure of the spaceman and the little android girl with unique powers that has some appeal and it has been officially given a date of release with it set for April 24th next year and now also confirmed for release now on Xbox and Switch 2 as well so it will be worth trying out when it does release.

Then one of the original Co-directors of the first Last of Us of Bruce Straley with his new studio of wildflower unveiled their new project of Coven of the Chicken foot that will see you play as an old lady and go on some long journey quest with what looks to be some giant sheep creature that looks like it could have some fun, visually stunning scenery and maybe some deep emotions overall and I will be interested to play this title when it releases in the future.

We got a new look at the new title of Saros with a story trailer that gives an idea of the plot and what to expect on this new journey for the characters and for the battle against the demons that appear from the disappearance of the sun and it does look cool. It did however also come with news that the title has been delayed as well, but not by much as it was pushed from March 20th to now release on April 30th, so an extra month will not hurt too much on that aspect.

During the event we got a new look at the upcoming Lego Batman game that will see some of the inspirations across this massive title that will span the many decades of the Batman and some of the other playable characters like the Robin variations and Catwoman just to name a selection and also the case we were given an offical release date for the game with the game set for release on PlayStation, Xbox and PC on May 29th, while the Switch version is set for release on a later date

Marvel Rivals unveiled the next hero set to join the growing rosters with everyones favourite Merc with a Mouth of Deadpool confirmed for the next edition with his debut set for January 16th.

We then go an all new look at the new title of Phantom Blade 0 which looks like a really slick and stylish Ninja based title and it does look really cool, not going to lie I was very much impressed and its a case that thankfully we were given a release date that may be a little bit of time away but will be set for release on September 9th next year.

This title is more on the weird and meta side as they unveiled a new mixed genre platformer known as Bradley the badger that will see you in some mixed parody titles and making them into some odd and unique platform titles that has some appeal and I can be down for a new platforming game itself with the game set to launch sometime next year.

We got an appearance by J.J Abrams to unveil a new 4 player co-op title of 4 Loop that has a sense of a Edge of tomorrow focus where you are sent into a world destroyed by invaders and must find a way to save it before it caused the calamity and everytime you die, you are regenerated to figure out new plans for making it work which does not sound too bad and may be worth a try when it releases sometime soon.

We got a new title in the sense of being like a new Yakuza or even Sleeping Dogs with the game of Gang of Dragon that has some unique style and look and a lead in the form of Don Lee and it seems like it could be really interesting to see what will come of this title when it releases in the future.

then the developers behind Soma unveiled a spiritual successor with the new game of Ontos that is giving the player a trip deep into the subconscious and providing quite a trippy visual journey and may be well worth a look into when the game releases sometime next year.

One of the more new Indie titles is one of the most appeal is the title of the Free Shepard where we play as a Sheep herding Dog that will be exploring the vast countryside on some deep journey while also herding sheep as our job and it seems like it could be a fun little cozy adventure when the title releases in 2027

There was a really cool game shown off known as Audio Mech that will see you battle some monster or boss that uses the power of your music as both your weapon and the enemy's weapon and the concept is cool and sounds like the elements seen with the classic game of Viv Ribbon from the PS1 and I am very interested to try it with a demo available on Steam and the game releasing sometime next year.

While not given a trailer, it was confirmed during the acceptance speech for South of Midnights win that the title will be set for release onto PlayStation and Switch consoles in the spring which will give me a chance to play this award winner in due time.

So there is a selection that there could've been a focus of 4 different video game adaptations shown at this event but this was one that seemed like a very slim chance but one of the 2 new adaptions shown was the first official look at the upcoming Street Fighter movie with a look at the characters in motion alongside a cavalcade of posters for every character before they all came on stage to present an award and throw shade at the Mortal Kombat movie thats also out next year but besides that, the film looks interesting, hard to say on the tone yet as it was a brief teaser but I guess we'll have more of an idea come October next year.

As on the 2nd adaptation shown, it was given a new brief extended look at one of the scenes shown in the first Mario Galaxy Trailer which sees Mario and Luigi fighting against Bowser Jr in what I assume is Peach's Castle and it gets some appealing shots of action and nice animation and its still a case I am very excited for this follow up and I guess we will see this all come about by its release in April of Next year.

Then we are getting more appealing new co-op adventures as we got an all new look at the newest game of Out of Words of 2 kids without mouths going on a journey across a strange and colourful land full of puzzles and made all in stop motion and it looks so charming and fantastic and its a case I will be looking forward to trying this title out when it releases sometime in 2026

Then a classic IP is back for a new adventure in the future with an all new title in the MegaMan series with Dual Override which seems like a possible Mega Man 12 with stylish animation and new moves and powers that I am sure will appeal to fans young and old of the series when the game releases sometime in 2027.

Then a title that was a surprise reveal was with a 3rd game in the popular Forest series that has a focus of being trapped on a weird Alien planet of strange creatures and monsters roaming about which is a lot more different to the focus of surviving on an island of dangerous natives but it looks like it could have some appeal of a scenery setting when the title releases sometime in the future.

The last of the titles I want to give a focus on in announcements was actually the last game that was revealed at the event and its a case that its always to be seen that the last game is supposed to be the biggest and most exciting one of all, like it was last year with the Okami sequel announcement or the Intergalactic game, but it seems the last one unveiled at this event was a title known as High Guard, a new PVP shooter game with elements of powerful weapons and animal powers and will be set for release for free in late January. Now this one was seen as very disappointing to end on when they could've shown some other title from this event as a strong show ender as many are disappointed (I thought it was about to be a new reveal of Elder Scrolls 6 again after all this time) but I guess we will see how this fares by its release next month.

Now while it was not every title unveiled at the event with other like a new Ace Combat, Diablo 4 expansion and others in focus as well, it was a case that I mentioned that while not as strong reveals as the last Game Awards, I see the effort put into the project and hope for these to be good and hope as well that with the next awards show that we get a bit more of a fair balance for award focus instead of a one game sweep.

But what do you think of this years game awards, do you feel some other games should've won some awards for different categories and is there any games shown or announced at this event you are most excited for? Let me know down below and we can discuss them there.

A bundle pot of castings, releases and concerning future tech use

As for the final News story of the week, we are delving into the usual array of some media roundup Hodge Podge that will consist of discussions of release dates for some upcoming projects, confirmed and rumoured castings and some reports about some company choices or plans that are a lot to juggle at once but we will delve into them when we possibly can so lets get into it.

We start off with a focus of the casting news and we start with a sense of a confirmation and it really seems there is a lot of focus and news relating to this game series as we have a new casting addition for the new live action tv series take on Tomb Raider that is set to star Sophie Turner as Lara and has the series in development or being written by Fleabag creator of Phoebe Waller Bridge. The new casting reported earlier in the week is set to be Alien and Avatar star Sigourney Weaver in a role that is currently unknown but in some case I can see as a form of mentor for Lara, a past family member or the main antagonist of the first season or something like that but it is unknown at this point in time. Personally it is not a bad casting as she is a solid actress and I can see her fitting well in this series in some form. Now at the moment that is all we have with no set date for the series or anyone else to be joining yet, but once I hear anything else I will provide it in a later episode.

So this next one is just a rumour, but I really question if its worth it being real and just a bit pointless but according to some sources or by actor Vin Diesel, apparently world famous footballer Ronaldo is rumoured to play a role in the last of the Fast and Furious films and have written a role for him in the project. Now this is one I question if this is really a necessary role in general or just an annoyance cause honestly, why add him in the last film or at all. Plus with the case of the whole drama and ordeal that the last movie may not even happen due to them wanting to reduce budgets on the last film cause Fast X went way overbudget and the last 3 films haven't been profitable and it seems Diesel is not listening to the issues as the producer of these last few films (that and also talking on working on a sequel to Riddick, The Last Witch Hunter and making a film based on Rock'em, sock'em robots). Now I have no idea if this will even still happen but if it does happen I will provide in a later episode.

This 3rd casting story is not really much a rumour, nor confirmation, but rather it is a hopeful casting for something in the future and this comes from actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan as it seems he hopes that he can portray the character of Arthur Morgan in a adaptation of Red Dead Redemption 2 if it ever were to be a thing. Now this would not be too much of a bad casting on that role but in this case I can also see him portray another character very well and that is as the character of Dutch as he just has the look and tone fit down well to him but again nothing has been made about this being an actual show. All we can do at this point is just speculate but in all honesty I would be more then fine with this actor appearing in an adaptation of some fine art.

The last casting story is one that I would be confused in the basis of how does this work in the timeline sort of thing but maybe in the end as a sort of cameo as it was announced on Thursday or Friday that both Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence are reported to be back in the upcoming Hunger Games film of Sunrise on the Reaping. Now this will be a confusing aspect as if going on the timeline of this series, sunrise is set 24 years before the events of the original series of films and books and given the case of the series (both would not be born when this film takes place as they were around 16-17 in the first novel), so I wonder how this appearance will work, unless its like a flash forward to the end of the series or its Haymitch telling the story to their kids or something but its unclear. I am sure we will get an idea of what is expected for this film but I am sure it will be cleared up by its release next November.

Now moving onto some release date confirmations, the first of these is with the follow up on a project that had a surprise appeal from the first season of this project, but it was announced earlier this week that the 2nd season of the series based on the character of Ted has now been confirmed, with its release set for March 5th of next year. Now it was a case I was a little mixed on the project at first when it came out but I gave it a watch and honestly it was actually very enjoyable and in all sense of things I would be totally down for another season if it was like the first in its story, heart and humour but I guess we will find out in due time. Either way I am interested to see the outcome of this new season with its release come next March.

But speaking of another project that is given an early year release, we have the 2nd date announcement and one I missed from the previous week but it looks like we will be donning the well tailored suits and the flat caps real soon again as it was announced that the new film based on the popular series of Peaky Blinders with the subtitle of The Immortal has garnered a release date with the film getting a limited cinema release from the 6th of March and then dropping properly onto Netflix from the 20th of March next year which seems like it was well worth an experience. Now in this case like I mentioned before for other big film projects from this streamer, I do hope with anything that this film will have more of a option to see it in more cinemas then the last 2 Netflix limited release windows had but either way I will be interested to see the appeal and if it will still have that charm the series always had by its release in March next year, but I guess we will see in due time.

This last story is one that is a collection of stories in the focus about studio ordeals but mainly in the basis of AI. But before we do that there is one small update on that whole WB merger, as I mentioned briefly last week in that training tape episode, I talked on Netflix winning the bidding war for WB for $82 Billion and that the mention of the largest rival of Paramount looking to counter that. Well on Monday they discussed on a hostile takeover of giving more of a larger sum of money for the shares for the company and bringing it to an eye watering $104 Billion deal. Now its not been specified on things being finalized with either as the case of Netflix if making sure it still happens for them and then the case of the reason of Paramounts offers being declined is due to WB not wanting foreign money which Paramount has garnered help and fund from Saudi Arabia and the president and still seems to be their approach and wanting control to kick out all those against the leadership of that country and give the outlets of WB a more propaganda based outcome. Now thats all that has been given as of the week but I am sure its not the end of this ordeal.

Now on the AI stuff, this is given a bit of a slap to the face for many creatives at this studio as it was reported that Disney has penned a billion dollar deal for some program that focuses on the use of AI and it really seems scummy in that nature. The reason for this is that it seems this studio is known for millions of artist that work on the animated titles and other studios owned by the house of mouse will be overlooked by these programs that are a dangerous affect on the planet and are not that functional at all. Plus this also is a bit of a slap to the face for those strikes that occoured 2 years ago where they were striking about being paid better, as well as going against AI taking over their careers and jobs when its a dangerous aspect to their livelihoods. Plus if I'm not mistaken, this was one of the big studios that were all set to go to court with some of these AI companies for blatant copyright infringements of their owned IPs so what is happening here. Now this is also the case of not the only studio that has emphasized they will be using AI, but the other studio (in this case Aardman animations) has made a focus that they will be using it very sparingly and will always be sticking with their classic values of projects being done in Claymation, which I respect. This ordeal of Disney not listening is a damn mess and I hope they can reverse course or drop it cause AI is something that will not work for film that much but I guess we will have to see what will come of it all in due time.

But what do you think of all of these stories, Who do you see Sigourney playing in the Tomb Raider series, Does Ronaldo make sense for Fast 11, Would you be down for Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Arthur Morgan or who would you cast him as in that series, How will the two leads of the original saga of Hunger Games make a return, Are you excited for a 2nd season of ted and what did you think of the films and first season, will you be watching the Peaky Blinders film in cinemas or wait till Netflix and what are your thoughts on all this studio nonsense? Let me know what you think down below.

And with all of that, this finally brings us to the end of the 146th edition of Weird Mind News Room and I do hope that you enjoyed these ramblings for another week. Let me know your thoughts on all of this down below and as always I hope you all stay being wonderful people and have a great day everyday and I will see you all in the next episode :)

Take care, keep being you, signing off

Sam H :)