Dr Stone season 4 release schedule: When is Part 3 out on Crunchyroll?
Here's everything we know about season 4 of the Dr Stone anime, titled Dr Stone: Science Future!
Now in its fourth and final season, Dr Stone is back with a vengeance, with the third and final part officially kicking off! Taking place in the distant future, this sci-fi anime series began with a bizarrely original kind of apocalypse, freezing the entire human population in stasis in 2019. Thousands of years later, teen genius Senku Ishigami wakes up and decides to rebuild human civilisation in an ambitious new direction. One of the big headlines for this season is the arrival of Dr Xeno Houston Wingfield, a major villain from the original Dr Stone manga series. He's the leader of a group that Senku encounters in North America, and like Senku he prides himself in being a technological and scientific genius, providing a worthy adversary for the story's final act. Read on to learn everything we know about Dr Stone: Science Future's season 4 part 3 release schedule. Dr Stone season 4 part 3 release schedule: When are new episodes out? Dr Stone season 4 part 3 is officially upon us. The show - based on Riichiro Inagaki and Boichi’s original manga – returned on Thursday 2 April. Below is the expected release schedule for the episodes in this part. Episode 25 - 2 April 2026 Episode 26 - 9 April 2026 Episode 27 - 16 April 2026 Episode 28 - 23 April 2026 Episode 29 - 30 April 2026 Episode 30 - 7 May 2026 Episode 31 - 14 May 2026 Episode 32 - 21 May 2026 Episode 33 - 28 May 2026 Episode 34 - 4 June 2026 Episode 35 - 11 June 2026 Episode 36 - 18 June 2026 How many episodes of Dr Stone season 4 part 3 will there be? We're expecting there to be 12 episodes of Dr Stone season 4 part 3. What time are new episodes of Dr Stone season 4 released? New episodes of Dr Stone season 4 are expected to be released at the following times: 3pm BST 6am PST 9am EST This follows the Japanese broadcast time of 10:00pm JST, with Crunchyroll confirming that episodes will stream as they are released. Dr Stone season 4: Science Future trailer There's now a full trailer for the third and final part of Dr Stone: Science Future, teasing the hunt for a certain almighty mathematician (Sai Nanami) to help them in their quest to build the spaceship which will finally take them to the moon. View oEmbed on the source website Dr Stone season 4 is now streaming on Crunchyroll. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey: Release date, plot and trailer for next film
The Oppenheimer director's next film looks set to be *the* movie event of 2026.
Almost exactly a year ago – in December 2024 – it was finally revealed that Christopher Nolan's first project since his revered Oscar-winning biopic Oppenheimer would be a very different sort of epic: a blockbuster adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey. Since then, anticipation has been slowly ratcheting up. That culminated in the recent release of the first official trailer for the film, which – as you might expect – paints a picture of a monumental, grandiose tale told with all the visual panache typical of Nolan's work. Meanwhile, some cinemagoers who have been to IMAX screenings of the newly released Avatar: Fire and Ash have been treated to something even better, with a five-minute prologue of Nolan's film playing in front of the main feature. While that footage has not been made publicly available, it reportedly sees Matt Damon's Odysseus emerging from the Trojan horse before engaging in some high-octane battle scenes. Of course, the film boasts an incredibly starry ensemble cast including key roles for Damon, Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway, all of whom feature in the trailer. And as if that wasn't enough, we also know that Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel and Mia Goth are among the the other big names set for prominent parts. While we'll be eagerly awaiting further updates between now and the film's summer release, there's probably already more than enough to go on to reassure us that this looks like being another triumph for the beloved director. It certainly looks like the cast appreciated the experience, with Holland telling GQ last summer that it was "the job of a lifetime" and teasing that "the movie is going to be unlike anything we’ve ever seen." Meanwhile, Universal Pictures’ president of domestic theatrical distribution, Jim Orr, praised Nolan's "visionary take" on the story of The Odyssey during the studio's presentation at Cinemacon, noting that "this film will be a once-in-a-generation cinematic masterpiece that Homer himself would be very proud of." And if you were doubting just how epic the picture might be, Nolan told Empire in November 2025 that, staggeringly, he had "shot over two million feet of film" for the movie, claiming that he had accomplished "things that haven’t been done before." So, when can fans expect to see it? And what exactly is the film about? Read on for everything you need to know. The Odyssey release date Universal revealed in their announcement that the film is set to arrive on Friday 17th July 2026 — and it was later confirmed that the UK would be matching the US release date. That means that fans only have about half a year to wait – and IMAX tickets for the film's opening weekend have actually already been on sale (they sold out almost instantly!). View oEmbed on the source website Of course, it's no surprise that the film will arrive at the height of summer, with that time of year having long been favoured by Nolan, even when it came to the release of Tenet at the height of the pandemic. Oppenheimer also arrived in mid-July – famously on the same day as Barbie – and no film fan will need a reminder of how successful that film proved to be. Currently, the only other film set to be released on the same day as The Odyssey is Jonah Hill's comedy Cut Off, which stars Kristen Wiig, Bette Midler and Nathan Lane alongside Hill, and it's no great disservice to that film to suggest that it's unlikely there will be quite the same Barbenheimer-style double bill phenomenon this time around. The Odyssey plot The Odyssey is one of the most famous texts ever written in any language – originating as an Ancient Greek epic poem dating to the 8th century BC and attributed to Homer. Divided into 24 books, it tells the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, as he journeys home after the Trojan War. The journey itself lasts an additional 10 years, as Odysseus has to contend with plenty of perilous hurdles, while his wife Penelope and son Telemachus also have to contend with their own fair share of problems as suitors contend for Penelope's hand in marriage while Odysseus is presumed dead. It's safe to say that a lot happens in the story, so Nolan certainly won't have a shortage of material to work with, but it remains to be seen exactly how much of the poem the film will cover – and whether it will be set in Ancient Greece or perhaps adapted to a different place and time period. One thing that's for sure is that he'll be able to draw on a huge variety of previous films based on the poem – which was first adapted as a silent film by Italian director Giuseppe de Liguoro in 1911 and most recently served as the inspiration for the 2024 film The Return, which stars Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche and was based on just the second half of the text. So far, none of the adaptations have quite endured as beloved classics – we can't wait to see how this version measures up... The Odyssey cast The cast for the film looks set to be extremely star-studded – even by Nolan's own lofty standards. It's been confirmed that Matt Damon will star as Odysseus, Tom Holland as his son Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway as his wife Penelope. Meanwhile Zendaya will play Athena, the goddess of wisdom, war, and handicraft, Robert Pattinson stars as Antinous, one of Penelope's suitors, and Charlize Theron takes on the role of Circe a goddess and witch Meanwhile, there have been a slew of other casting announcements since, including both previous Nolan collaborators and those working with him for the first time, with the confirmed list consisting of (deep breath): Lupita Nyong'o, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, Bill Irwin, Samantha Morton, Jesse Garcia and Will Yun Lee. Filling out the rest of the cast are Rafi Gavron, Shiloh Fernandez, Mia Goth, Corey Hawkins, Nick E Tarabay, Jimmy Gonzales, Maurice Compte, Michael Vlamis, Iddo Goldberg, Josh Stewart, and Ryan Hurst. Meanwhile, one actor who was previously cast but eventually left the film is Shogun's Cosmo Jarvis, who pulled out due to a scheduling conflict and was replaced by Logan Marshall-Green. Given the film is telling such an epic story, there could still be more cast members to be announced in due course – if we catch wind of anyone else who will star, and when we learn the actors' roles, we'll update this page accordingly. We'll keep this page updated when it become clear which stars will be playing which roles. Is there a trailer for The Odyssey? Yes! The first official trailer for the film was released in December 2025, comprising just under two minutes of footage and giving us a close look at Matt Damon as Odysseus and Tom Holland as Telemachus while setting the scene for the epic. Check it out below: View oEmbed on the source website Previously, a teaser that had screened ahead of Jurassic World: Rebirth in cinemas leaked ahead of its official debut. The studio moved quickly to take it down, but it was online long enough to reveal a few intriguing details about the hotly anticipated film. That clip – which is not available to watch online – began with a shot of the ocean, with a voice heard saying: "Darkness. Zeus’ law smashed to pieces. A kingdom without a king since my master died. He knew it was an un-winnable war. And then, somehow, somehow he won it." It then cuts to Tom Holland as Telemachus, searching for his father Odysseus – announcing that he "has to find out what happened" to him. After he asks Jon Bernthal's character if he's seen him, he is told that he hasn't since the Trojan War, but there are rumours about his whereabouts. "Some say he’s rich. Some say he’s poor. Some say he perished. Some say he’s imprisoned," Bernthal says, before he muses: "What kind of prison could hold a man like that?” Concluding the trailer, viewers caught a glimpse of a man we can assume to be Odysseus himself, as he floats on the choppy seas on a piece of driftwood. Meanwhile, the longest look at the film so far – a 5-minute prologue – has also been shown in cinemas ahead of IMAX screenings of Avatar: Fire and Ash. We're sure we'll get a few more glimpses of new footage between now and the film's July release, so keep checking back here for all the latest updates. The Odyssey will be released in cinemas on 17th July 2026. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 2 release date speculation, latest news
There's a second Demon Slayer Infinity Castle movie on the way!
After the arrival of the first Demon Slayer Infinity Castle movie, you may be wondering when Part 2 will arrive. Released in the UK in September 2025, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle is the first instalment in a planned trilogy. These three movies will adapt the Infinity Castle arc from the original Demon Slayer manga, acting as a sequel to season 4 of the anime series. The first film was a smash hit, spending weeks at the top of the box office in Japan. But when will Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 2 come out? Here's everything we know about the future of this anime trilogy. Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 2 release date speculation Unfortunately there is no official release date for Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 2. However, reports suggest fans will have to wait until 2027 for this film to arrive. Meanwhile Part 3 is currently predicted to come out in 2029, allowing two years to complete each sequel. This kind of wait can obviously be frustrating, but fans a two-year production process will likely result in higher quality animation. With the first Infinity Castle movie now available across the world, we expect to hear an announcement soon about the future of the franchise. When that happens, we'll update this page with any news about the release date for Part 2. Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 2 voice cast We can safely assume the original Japanese and English voice actors will reprise their roles for the next movie. If that changes, we'll be sure to update this cast list! Tanjiro Kamado – Natsuki Hanae / Zach Aguilar Nezuko Kamado – Akari Kito / Abby Trott Zenitsu Agatsuma – Hiro Shimono / Aleks Le Inosuke Hashibira – Yoshitsugu Matsuoka / Bryce Papenbrook Giyu Tomioka – Takahiro Sakurai / Johnny Yong Bosch Tengen Uzui – Katsuyuki Konishi / Ray Chase Shinobu Kocho – Saori Hayami / Erika Harlacher Mitsuri Kanroji – Kana Hanazawa / Kira Buckland Is there a trailer for Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 2? No, there isn't a trailer for Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 2 yet. Unless the film's creative team has been keeping the production process under wraps for a while, we can't expect to see a full-length trailer for a while. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is screening in UK cinemas from 12th September. Stream episodes on Crunchyroll. Sign up to Crunchyroll today for as little as £4.99 or start your 7-day free trial. Check out more of our Anime coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity release schedule: When are new episodes on Netflix?
This new romance anime premiered on Netflix in September.
Airing on Netflix this year, The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity is a new twist on a classic romance formula: a love story about two strangers from very different walks of life, whose shared values help them overcome a class divide. Adapted from a manga series by Saka Mikami, this new anime explores a slow-burn relationship between two teenagers: Rintaro, a student at a school for delinquent boys, and Kaoraku, a girl who attends a highly respected private school for girls. After Kaoraku saves Rintaro from being harassed on the street, a friendship blooms between the two teens. Following the show's premiere on Netflix, you may be wondering when new episodes will arrive. Here's everything we know about the release schedule for The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity! The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity release schedule: When are new episodes out? The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity premiered on Sunday 7th September 2025 on Netflix, with episodes 1 and 2 dropping on the same day. After that, we can expect new episodes to arrive weekly. The show has already started airing in Japan, but if you're watching on Netflix in the US or UK, you can expect the release schedule to look like this: Episodes 1 and 2 - "Rintaro and Kaoruko" and "Chidori and Kikyo" - Sunday 7th September Episode 3 - "A Kind Person" - Sunday 14th September Episode 4 - "Warmth of the Heart" - Sunday 21st September Episode 5 - "Premonition of a New Beginning" - Sunday 28th September Episode 6 - "Self-Loathing" / "I love you!" - Sunday 5th October Episode 7 - "Coolest Guy Ever" - Sunday 12th October Episode 8 - "The Meaning of These Feelings" - Sunday 19th October Episode 9 - "Blond Hair and Pierced Ears" - Sunday 26th October Episode 10 - Sunday 2nd November Episode 11 - Sunday 9th November Episode 12 - Sunday 16th November Episode 13 - Sunday 23rd November The gap between the original Japanese release and the overseas Netflix release is likely because Netflix's version is available in both subtitled and dubbed formats. How many episodes will there be in The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity? The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity is expected to run for a total of 13 episodes in season 1. The show hasn't yet been renewed for season 2, but since the original manga series ran for 18 volumes, we can definitely expect the adaptation to continue if it gets good ratings. What is the plot of The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity? Netflix's plot summary for the show reads as follows: "This story unfolds in a particular town where two infamous schools are in constant dispute: Chidori High, a boys' school primarily attended by students with challenging academic records, and its neighbor, Kikyo Girls' High, known for its students hailing from wealthy and prestigious families. "One day, Rintaro Tsumugi, a second-year student at Chidori with a fierce appearance but a gentle heart, is assisting at his family's patisserie when he meets a customer named Kaoruko Waguri. Rintaro cherishes his interactions with Kaoruko, as she doesn't judge him based on his looks. However, this serene connection is abruptly shaken when Rintaro discovers that Kaoruko is actually a student at Kikyo. "This revelation sets the stage for their challenging journey, as they strive to overcome the societal barriers imposed by their schools and environment, seeking to carve out their own path." The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity is available to watch now on Netflix. Add The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Will The Water Magician return for season 2?
This charming fantasy anime series premiered in 2025.
Premiering in 2025, The Water Magician offered a new take on the ever-popular isekai genre, featuring a lead character who becomes a magician after being reincarnated into a fantasy world. Based on a series of light novels by writer Tadashi Kubō and artist Hana Amano, The Water Magician sees a young man named Ryo learn to master (you guessed it) water-related powers. Right now the show is partway through its first season on Crunchyroll, offering a relaxed and atmospheric style of fantasy storytelling. But as season 1 draws to a close, fans may be wondering about the show's future. Will The Water Magician return for season 2? Here's everything we know. Will The Water Magician return for season 2? Season 2 of The Water Magician hasn't been confirmed so far. However, this doesn't mean the show has been cancelled. It's pretty normal for renewal announcements to arrive around (or slightly after) a show's season finale, so fans shouldn't start worrying about The Water Magician's future just yet. The original Water Magician novel series is 14 volumes long and still ongoing, so if this adaptation does continue, it has plenty of material left to adapt. We'll update this article as and when we learn more about The Water Magician's potential second season! When might The Water Magician season 2 come out? If The Water Magician gets renewed for season 2, we definitely shouldn't expect it to air before summer 2026. It typically takes at least a year to complete a new season of TV. In fact, anime series often take more than a year between seasons, so the wait could be longer than that. The Water Magician is available to stream on Crunchyroll with new episodes airing weekly. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our dedicated Fantasy hub. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
My Dress-Up Darling season 2 dub release date speculation and latest news
Wakana and Marin are back – but when can we expect the English dub release?
My Dress-Up Darling season 2 is in full swing, but fans of the romantic comedy are wondering when they’ll be able to hear the dubbed version of the series. The romantic comedy, developed by studio CloverWorks and directed by Keisuke Shinohara, follows the quiet loner Wakana Gojo and Marin Kitagawa, the most popular girl in school. Despite coming from two very different worlds, they discover they aren’t all that dissimilar after all and bond over cosplay, dolls and fashion. The second season has already been well-received by fans and critics alike, and there are still plenty more episodes to come out in the following weeks. If you prefer your anime dubbed to subbed, here's everything we know so far about when an English dub will be available on Crunchyroll. My Dress-Up Darling season 2 dub release date speculation At the time of writing, it has yet to be confirmed when viewers can expect a release date for the dub of My Dress-Up Darling season 2. That being said, we do know that a dub is on the way, having been confirmed via Crunchyroll in June. Although there’s no official confirmation, we can speculate on when the dub may be released. Usually, dubbed episodes are released about two weeks behind subbed episodes, so we'd expect My Dress-Up Darling season 2’s first two episodes to drop around 19th July. Again, this is just an estimate. Please check this page regularly, as we will confirm a release date for the dub once we receive a solid confirmation. View oEmbed on the source website Which languages is My Dress-Up Darling season 2 available in? My Dress-Up Darling season 2 is subtitled in the following languages on Crunchyroll: English Spanish (Latin America) Spanish (Spain) French German Italian Portuguese Vietnamese Russian Arabic Chinese (simplified) Chinese (traditional) Thai Bahasa Indonesia Bahasa Melayu The dubbed version of My Dress-Up Darling season 2 will include English, but at the time of writing, we’re unable to speculate if it will consist of other dubbed languages. My Dress Up Darling season 2 is available to watch now on Crunchyroll. Season 1 is available to watch on Crunchyroll, Netflix and Amazon Prime. Check out more of our Anime coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Is Murder Most Puzzling returning for season 2?
Murder Most Puzzling has drawn to a close after three feature-length episodes, which saw Downton Abbey's Phyllis Logan turn unofficial detective following her arrival in the not so sleepy market town of Bakerbury. But will she be back for more? "Wouldn’t that be fun, yes!" said Logan. "As long as I’ve got plenty of warning to learn the lines! "It would be such fun because Cora is a great character and it was such a privilege to have the chance to have a go at her. It would be a shame for it to be a one-off." Charlotte Hope, who played Cora's niece Sherry, also expressed her desire to reprise her role. "I'd love to do this show for the rest of time!" she said. "It was such a laugh and I really love Sherry, she's so sweet and fun. "We definitely see her become more confident as the series progresses, you see her going from a very buttoned up, tense woman to gradually relaxing, letting her hair down and coming into herself. It was a lot of fun to play her, so I hope people like the show and we can do more." But have the commissioning Gods smiled sweetly on the show? Read on for everything we know so far about a potential Murder Most Puzzling season 2. Is Murder Most Puzzling returning for season 2? There's currently no word on the show's future, but there's certainly scope for more given how season 1 wrapped up (more on that later). And Parnell Hall's 20-strong book series, on which it's based, is brimming with potential plot points. Watch this space for updates. When could a potential Murder Most Puzzling season 2 air? With no previous release schedule to go on, it's tricky to predict when the show could return, but we wouldn't expect it to arrive until 2026 at least. Who could be in a potential Murder Most Puzzling season 2 cast? Alongside Phyllis Logan as Cora Felton and Charlotte Hope as Sherry Carter, we'd also expect to see: Alistair Brammer as Anton Grant Adam Best as the now ex-DCI Hooper Richard Croxford as Mayor Firth Nick Danan as DS Sam Brody Jack Weise as PC Danny Finley Amber Mendez-Martin as Katy Hooper Yasmin Seky as Becky Baidwan Conor Sánchez as Jimmi Potter Mukamajulé Michelo as Ellen Hooper And we'd also expect to see a raft of new guest stars. What could happen in a potential Murder Most Puzzling season 2? While season 2 has yet to be confirmed, fans will undoubtedly be hoping for more following a finale packed with unanswered questions. Cora, who everyone now knows is not the real Puzzle Lady, received the following threatening note from a mystery individual: 'You broke my heart, now I'll break yours.' Is one of her ex-husbands responsible? Or is there someone else we don't know about, perhaps an aggrieved fan, who is furious that Sherry is actually the puzzle maker and not Cora? There's also Sherry and Anton, who clearly still fancy one another, but aren't currently dating. Will that change in a potential second instalment? Plus, will Hooper get reinstated as DCI, and will karma finally have its way with the evil Mayor Firth? We'd expect all of that to be tackled if the show returns while Cora throws herself into solving a raft of new cases. When could a trailer for a potential Murder Most Puzzling season 2 arrive? If season 2 is given the thumbs up, the trailer will likely arrive in the month leading up to the premiere. Murder Most Puzzling is available to stream on 5. Add Murder Most Puzzling to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Apothecary Diaries season 2 release schedule: When are new episodes out?
Maomao returns for more historical mysteries in season 2!
The Apothecary Diaries season 2 is coming to an end in early July, with fans completely hooked as it enters its final episodes. There's even speculation that the end may come with a post-credits tease of The Apothecary Diaries season 3. If you like your mysteries with a dash of romance too, then you'll enjoy everything that The Apothecary Diaries has on offer. It's based on the Japanese light novel series by Natsu Hyūga, with the anime series set in an alternative perspective of the Tang Dynasty, China. The Apothecary Diaries follows Maomao, a young girl who gets kidnapped and is forced to begin a new life as an indentured servant at the Imperial Palace. Her apothecary training soon lands her in hot water, however, as she is forced to team up with a eunuch named Jinshi to solve mysteries around the palace. The two tackle political conspiracies, dangerous rumours, and even assassination attempts. With such a distinctive premise, it's no wonder the anime series is so popular. Read on to learn everything we know about the show's release schedule. The Apothecary Diaries season 2 release schedule New episodes of The Apothecary Diaries arrive on Fridays at 5:15pm BST on Crunchyroll, airing in subtitled format. The series will conclude on 4th July after a 24-episode run. The dubbed versions are released two weeks later. Here's the full release schedule for season 2, including all the episode titles we know so far: Episode 1 - Maomao and Maomao - 10th January 2025 Episode 2 - Caravan - 17th January 2025 Episode 3 - Corpse Fungus - 24th January 2025 Episode 4 - Mirrors 31st - January 2025 Episode 5 - Moon Fairy - 7th February 2025 Episode 6 - The Crystal Pavilion, for the Third Time - 14th February 2025 Episode 7 - The Shrine of Choosing - 21st February 2025 Episode 8 - The Empress Dowager - 28th February 2025 Episode 9 - The Late Emperor - 7th March 2025 Episode 10 - A Ghost Story - 14th March 2025 Episode 11 - The Hunt - 21st March 2025 Episode 12 - Ka Zuigetsu - 28th March 2025 Episode 13 - The Baths - 4th April 2025 Episode 14 - The Dancing Ghost - 11th April 2025 Episode 15 - Ice - 18th April 2025 Episode 16 - Festering Resentment - 25th April 2025 Episode 17 - The Fox Village - 2nd May 2025 Episode 18 - Lantern Plant - 9th May 2025 Episode 19 - Festival - 23rd May 2025 Episode 20 - The Stronghold - 30th May 2025 Episode 21 - Taibon - 6th June 2025 Episode 22 - 13th June 2025 Episode 23 - 27th June 2025 Episode 24 - 4th July 2025 We'll update this post with any new information we learn about the show's release. The Apothecary Diaries season 2 trailer You can watch the English-language trailer for The Apothecary Diaries season 2 on YouTube, teasing some of this season's most dramatic storylines for Maomao, Jinshi, and the rest of the Imperial court. View oEmbed on the source website How to watch The Apothecary Diaries season 2 Seasons 1 and 2 of The Apothecary Diaries are both available on Crunchyroll, streaming in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and CIS. Episodes are initially released in Japanese, with English subtitles. The dubbed versions air two weeks after each episode's original air date, as they require longer to re-record with a new voice cast. Crunchyroll's dubbed languages for The Apothecary Diaries are as follows: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian) and Spanish (Latin American and Castilian). The Apothecary Diaries season 2 is now streaming on Crunchyroll. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Lilo & Stitch live-action remake: Release date, cast, trailer and latest news
After several spin-off films and series, 2002 film Lilo & Stitch is getting the live-action treatment – and it looks like the movie could become a huge hit, if the first day of its advance ticket sales are anything to go by. According to Deadline, the film has earned the most first-day ticket pre-sales for a PG-rated film of the year so far on Fandango – a title that had previously been held by A Minecraft Movie. The film also bagged the second-best pre-sales during the same period for any Disney live-action film, only falling behind 2019's The Lion King. Lilo & Stitch will follow Hawaiian girl Lilo (Maia Kealoha) as she befriends a chaotic blue alien creature called Stitch (Chris Sanders) after he crash lands on Earth. Back in March, Disney unveiled a trailer for the film, and fans were quick to praise newcomer Kealoha’s casting as Lilo, as well as the look of Stitch in the movie. There was some backlash from fans over the new iterations of Agent Pleakley (Billy Magnussen) and Dr Jumba Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis), though. While the duo only ever appeared as aliens in the 2002 animated film, with a lot of the humour revolving around their poor human disguises, in the new film the pair use technology to make them appear human. Fans were also quick to note that, while Pleakley is also a drag icon in the 2002 movie, the new film appears to erase the character's love of drag entirely. Speaking with SFX Magazine, director Dean Fleischer Camp recently addressed the controversial changes to the characters, insisting the new movie would remain faithful to the original film’s tone. He said: "We're doing something a little different with Jumba and Pleakley... It's my favourite kind of story. The audience is going to find themselves falling into a trapdoor of emotion at some point." Wondering who else is set to star and when the film is expected to land? Read on for everything you need to know. Lilo & Stitch 2025 release date: When is the live-action movie coming out? The Lilo and Stitch live-action remake is set to release in cinemas on 21st May 2025 in the UK. A Disney+ release date is yet to be announced. Lilo & Stitch cast The cast list announced so far is as follows: Maia Kealoha as Lilo Chris Sanders as Stitch Sydney Agudong as Nani Billy Magnussen as Agent Pleakley Zach Galifianakis as Dr Jumba Jookiba Amy Hill as Tūtū Kaipo Dudoit as David Courtney B Vance as Cobra Bubbles Tia Carrere as Mrs Kekoa Hannah Waddingham as Grand Councilwoman Relative newcomer Maia Kealoha is set to lead the cast of the remake in the role of Lilo. Prior to landing the huge role, Kealoha only had one small role in Moana 2. Speaking about the moment she found out she had been cast, she previously said: "When I came home [and they said], 'Maia would you like to be our Lilo?' I was speechless and crying." Meanwhile, Chris Sanders is set to reprise his role as Stitch in the new live-action movie after voicing the beloved character in the 2002 animated film, while Sydney Agudong (On My Block) will play Lilo’s older sister, Nani (who was originally voiced by Tia Carrere in the 2002 movie). As detailed above, Billy Magnussen (Into the Woods) is set to play Agent Pleakley, a Plorgonarian agent of the United Galactic Federation who acts as the organisation's expert on Earth (and who was originally voiced by Kevin McDonald), while Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) is set to star in the role of Dr Jumba Jookiba, the Kweltikwan mad scientist who created Stitch. While in the original, Jumba and Pleakely were depicted as aliens, for the remake the actors will appear in human form. Other cast members include Amy Hill (UnREAL), who voiced the fruit stand owner Lynne Hasegawa in the 2002 animated film and Disney Channel series, but will return in a different role. This time Hill is set to play a new character Tūtū, the longtime neighbour of Lilo and Nani, and the grandmother of David. Meanwhile, Kaipo Dudoit (Magnum PI) will play Nani’s boyfriend, David – a character who was voiced in the animated version by Jason Scott Lee. Lee is set to appear in the film as a Luau manager. Speaking on the Kyle Meredith With… podcast, Lee previously explained: "I got a little, small [part]. They threw me some bones, and I said, 'Yeah, absolutely! In any capacity.'" He continued: "I get to see the kid that's playing my character that I voiced, David. And I'll get to see Lilo and I'll get to see Nani, the new people, the actors that are playing them. So it'll be fun." Elsewhere, Courtney B Vance is set to star as Cobra Bubbles, a former CIA agent who is Lilo’s social worker (originally voiced by Ving Rhames), while Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) has been cast in an unspecified role, although she’s rumoured to be playing the Grand Councilwoman – the alien leader who was voiced by Zoe Caldwell in the 2002 animated film. Tia Carrere (Wayne’s World), who voiced Nani in the 2022 movie, is also returning for the new film, but in a different role – and is set to play social worker Mrs Kekoa this time around. We have no other news on casting yet but will keep you posted. Behind the camera, the movie will be produced by Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, who worked on Aladdin and are also attached to the new Inspector Gadget reboot. Mike Van Waes is screenwriter on the project. Lilo & Stitch 2025 plot: What is the movie about? If you're expecting the same story but in live-action, we'd say where have you been? The live-action movies so far have made some changes to the classics. Beauty and the Beast gave us more backstory for Belle and the Beast, Dumbo was a darker take and Mulan's retelling involved new characters, no Mushu (controversially) and more martial arts. Don't get too anxious, though, as Lilo & Stitch should stay quite close to the original, with Sanders returning. The original story followed a schoolgirl and her sister in Hawaii after their parents die. Lonely little girl Lilo tries to find a friend, and comes across Stitch, a result of an alien genetic experiment. The pair become firm friends but find themselves getting into a lot of trouble along the way. The new synopsis says: "The story is about the bond formed between a lonely human girl named Lilo and a dog-like alien named Stitch, who is engineered to be a force of destruction." Sanders did raise concerns following the announcement, explaining animation allowed for Stitch to be an alien "yet still cute", whereas CGI might not allow for that. It remains to be seen! Hopefully the heartwarming story won't be tweaked too much and we'll soon hear the cries of 'Ohana!'. Is there a trailer for the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie? Yes, and you can watch it below: View oEmbed on the source website Lilo & Stitch will be released on Wednesday 21st May 2025. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Film hub for all the latest news. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
One Piece manga release schedule: When are new chapters out?
This epic manga series is still publishing new chapters on a regular basis!
Publishing more than 1,100 chapters since its debut in 1997, the One Piece manga series is a truly epic endeavour. Created by writer/artist Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is now a multimedia franchise, adapted into a beloved anime series and a live-action Netflix drama, both of which earned a fan-following of their own. One Piece is known for its ambitious, serialised story arcs, telling a fantasy adventure story about a young pirate named Monkey D Luffy. Accompanied by a ragtag crew of other pirates, he's on a quest to track down a treasure known as the One Piece – although the manga's plot structure is all about the tangents he experiences along the way. The manga's chapter count may sound intimidating, but fortunately the story is broken up into separate arcs. New chapters arrive several times per month, published in Japan via the long-running Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. That being said, it's not a strictly weekly schedule, which is why the release dates can sometimes be confusing to new readers. If you want to know more about One Piece's current release schedule (and how to read the manga online), we've got you covered! One Piece manga release schedule: When are new chapters out? In general, you can expect two or three new One Piece chapters each month. Here's the schedule for new chapters arriving in April, May, and June 2025, including break weeks for Oda and dictated by the release dates for Shōnen Jump magazine: 7th April: Chapter 1145 14th April: Break week 21st April: Chapter 1146 28th April: Chapter 1147 5th May: Chapter 1147 19th May: Chapter 1148 26th May: Break week 2nd June: Chapter 1150 9th June: Chapter 1151 16th June: Chapter 1152 23rd June: Break week 30th June: Chapter 1153 Where can I read the One Piece manga? English-language readers can find the One Piece manga online at Viz.com. Viz makes the most recent few chapters available for free, but you have to pay a subscription fee if you want to read the full series. Alternatively, older chapters can obviously be purchased in collected volumes. How many chapters will there be in One Piece's Elbaf Arc? One Piece's story arcs vary in length, and Eiichiro Oda hasn't confirmed the final chapter count for the Elbaf Arc. However fans are already speculating that it will be one of the manga's more long and complicated storylines, meaning that it could reach a chapter count in the triple figures. (One Piece's longest storyline to date, the Wano Country Arc, was an impressive 149 chapters long.) Read more: One Piece anime confirms return date after 6-month hiatus What is the plot of the One Piece manga in 2025? One Piece's Elbaf Arc is the second arc in the manga's "Final Saga", meaning that this epic tale is slowly but surely drawing to a close. The first few Elbaf Arc chapters unsurprisingly see Monkey D Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates travel to Elbaf Island. The recurring characters Blackbeard and the Red Hair Pirates are predicted to play an ongoing role. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Stacey Dooley is this week's Radio Times cover star
From cosmetics sales assistant to centre stage on the BBC - the rise of Stacey Dooley.
Stacey Dooley is a remarkable woman. In just a few years she has gone from a job selling cosmetics in an airport duty free to creating hard-hitting documentaries for the BBC, via winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2018. She doesn't often do interviews, so please take time to read what she has to say in a wide-ranging chat in this week's Radio Times. I'm sure you'll agree that, however much we all enjoyed watching her dance, there is a very serious side to her work, especially in highlighting the ordeal that women face when they report cases of rape and serious sexual assault to the police. This week's issue also contains a special envelope. It's one way you can make a donation to Comic Relief, which this year is celebrating 40 years of vital work supporting good causes at home and abroad. RT readers have been extremely generous over the years and have given well over £100,000. Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry, the co-founders of Comic Relief, asked me at the recent Radio Times Covers Party to thank you very much for all your support over the years. Please give what you can. The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here. Also in this week's Radio Times: Mash-up mayhem - Lee Mack has written a sketch for the night of Red Nose Day that melds comedy and police drama. She's taking the lead in the new ITV police drama Protection - so why isn't this the highlight of Siobhan Finnegan's career? Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela, stars of the new film Black Bag, answer 10 questions. Did you know you can now order a previous edition of Radio Times magazine with our new back issues service? Check out more of our Documentaries coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
New Pokémon Go season for March 2025: Might and Mastery release date and what to expect
March 2025 is set to be a big one for Pokémon Go fans, with the new season of Niantic's beloved mobile game set to kick off very soon indeed. Going by the name 'Might and Mastery', this new season will go on until early June, so you should have plenty of time to make the most of it. As ever, you can expect some Special Research tasks and rewards, with a new rotation of Pokémon popping up in Raids as well. So, when does it all start? And what should you expect as the new season kicks off? Keep on reading for all the key details! When is the new Pokémon Go season for March 2025? Might and Mastery release date The new Pokémon Go season will begin on Tuesday 4th March 2025, the developers have confirmed on the official website for the game. Here in the UK, the official launch time will be 10am GMT on Tuesday. In fact, wherever you are in the world, Might and Mastery will begin at 10am in your local time. The season will end on Tuesday 3rd June at 10am local time. So you have a fair bit of time to master it! What to expect from the new Pokémon Go season in March 2025 There is quite a lot to expect from Might and Mastery, the new Pokémon Go season that kicks off in March 2025. It has something of a Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield vibe. We'll list out all the key info for you below! Might and Mastery Special Research Dynamax Kubfu will be the focus of a new free Special Research path. You'll get to encounter one! The free Might and Mastery research will be available to claim from 10am on Wednesday 5th March, up until 9:59am on Tuesday 3rd June. On top of that free path, there will also be a different paid path, which will allow you to encounter Dynamax Kubfu for a second time. Max Pokémon Debuts In Max Battles, these debuts will be seen during this season: Dynamax Raikou Dynamax Entei Dynamax Suicune Gigantamax Machamp will also be seen during the season. Pokémon Debuts The following Sword and Shield critters will make their debuts in this season: Nickit Thievul And we've been told to expect more from the Galar region. Community Days The following Community Days have been confirmed for the season, with the first two featured creatures being revealed: 8th March (Fuecoco) 22nd March (Totodile) 27th April (TBC) 11th May (TBC) 24th May (TBC) Seasonal rewards There are a few new perks to enjoy: Increased friendship bonus damage dealt by Pokémon in Raids. Increased Stardust for the first catch of the day. Trainers level 31 and above will receive one guaranteed Rare Candy XL when defeating a 5-Star Raid Boss during a Raid Hour. Trainers level 31 and above will receive one guaranteed Candy XL when trading Pokémon. Pokémon to catch As ever, a new rotation of Pokémon will be available in all the usual places. We'll list them out below. Research Breakthroughs: Alolan Marowak (can be shiny) Charcadet (can be shiny) Druddigon (can be shiny) Frigibax Jangmo-o (can be shiny) Mawile (can be shiny) In the wild (in cities): Ampharos (can be shiny) Charjabug Electrike (can be shiny) Ferroseed (can be shiny) Flaaffy Pidove (can be shiny) Whismur (can be shiny) In the wild (in forests): Ariados Cottonee (can be shiny) Foongus (can be shiny) Steenee Tsareena Wurmple (can be shiny) Yanma (can be shiny) View Green Video on the source website In the wild (in mountains): Croagunk (can be shiny) Clodsire Hippopotas (can be shiny) Nincada (can be shiny) Paldean Wooper (can be shiny) Slakoth (can be shiny) Stunfisk (can be shiny) In the wild (at beaches and water): Barbaracle Carvanha (can be shiny) Marill (can be shiny) Qwilfish (can be shiny) Sealeo Spheal (can be shiny) Wailmer (can be shiny) In the wild (northern hemisphere): Bronzor (can be shiny) Chespin (can be shiny) Deerling (Spring) (can be shiny) Deino (can be shiny) Fennekin (can be shiny) Froakie (can be shiny) Hisuian Sneasel (can be shiny) In the wild (southern hemisphere): Beldum (can be shiny) Deerling (Autumn) (can be shiny) Hisuian Growlithe (can be shiny) Litten (can be shiny) Popplio (can be shiny) Rowlet (can be shiny) Sneasel (can be shiny) From 2K eggs: Aipom (can be shiny) Bonsly (can be shiny) Ducklett (can be shiny) Psyduck (can be shiny) Wynaut (can be shiny) From 5K eggs: Crabrawler (can be shiny) Komala (can be shiny) Togedemaru (can be shiny) Grookey Sobble Scorbunny Anorith (can be shiny) (Adventure Sync Reward) Lileep (can be shiny) (Adventure Sync Reward) Munchlax (can be shiny) (Adventure Sync Reward) Riolu (can be shiny) (Adventure Sync Reward) Skarmory (can be shiny) (Adventure Sync Reward) From 7K eggs: Alolan Grimer (can be shiny) Alolan Meowth (can be shiny) Galarian Corsola (can be shiny) Galarian Meowth (can be shiny) Hisuian Voltorb (can be shiny) Alolan Vulpix (can be shiny) (Route Reward) Basculin (White-Striped Form) (can be shiny) (Route Reward) Galarian Corsola (can be shiny) (Route Reward) Hisuian Sneasel (can be shiny) (Route Reward) Pawniard (can be shiny) (Route Reward) From 10K eggs: Carbink Dreepy Frigibax Charcadet (can be shiny) Jangmo-o (can be shiny) Larvesta (can be shiny) Bagon (can be shiny) (Adventure Sync Reward) Charcadet (can be shiny) (Adventure Sync Reward) Frigibax (Adventure Sync Reward) Gible (can be shiny) (Adventure Sync Reward) Jangmo-o (can be shiny) (Adventure Sync Reward) There will also be PokéStop Showcases going on, themed stickers to collect, and Go Battle League action to enjoy (look out for the Willpower Cup, the Spring Cup, and the Master Premier). We'll bring you more coverage of the season in the days and weeks ahead! In the meantime, try out our quiz below. View Riddle on the source website Read more on Pokémon: Pokémon Go Raids schedule - upcoming battles Best Pokémon gifts - the greatest merch Best Pokémon games on Switch - our ranking Best shiny Pokémon - the coolest creatures Best Dragon-type Pokémon - who's your fave? All cat Pokémon - the felines to catch Pokémon natures guide - all you need to know Pokémon type chart - strengths and weaknesses explained Legendary Pokémon - the full list Pokémon Scarlet and Violet cheats - handy hacks Pokémon Emerald cheats - what you need to know Pokémon Fire Red cheats - all codes Pokémon Go friend codes - and how to find them Pokémon games in order - where to start Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Fire Force season 3 release date, plot, latest news
This action-packed anime series will return in 2025 for its third and final season!
Amazing news for Fire Force fans – this anime series will soon return for season 3! Based on the shōnen manga by writer and artist Atsushi Ohkubo, Fire Force is an action-packed dystopian adventure story. Protagonist Shinra Kusakabe is a teen boy with pyrokinetic powers, tasked with fighting fire monsters alongside a team of other heroes. In a world plagued by spontaneous combustion and fire-powered demons, these fire fighters are crucial to human survival. It's been five years since the anime was last on our screens but now, finally, we have a release date! Read on to learn more about the third and final season of Fire Force. Fire Force season 3 release date window Crunchyroll has confirmed that season 3 will premiere on 4th April 2025. The season will be split into two parts, with fans having to wait until January 2026 to find out how the saga ends. The release date was confirmed at the IGN Fan Event, alongside a brand new trailer, which you can watch at the bottom of this page. Voice actor Kajiwara Gakuto spoke at the event, describing the new episodes as "incredible". Who will return for Fire Force season 3? The main voice cast of Fire Force are expected to return, including: Gakuto Kajiwara as Shinra Kusakabe Mao Ichimichi as Iris Yūsuke Kobayashi as Arthur Boyle Kazuya Nakai as Akitaru Obi Kenichi Suzumura as Takehisa Hinawa Yuuki Aoi as Tamaki Kotatsu How many episodes could there be in Fire Force season 3? The show's creative team haven't confirmed season 3's episode count, but the first two seasons were both 24 episodes long. We'd expect season 3 to follow suit, with each part being 12 episodes long. What is the plot of Fire Force season 3? Season 3 will conclude the Stigma Arc from the Fire Force manga, with Shinra Kusakabe and his team embarking on a new mission once that storyline wraps up. It will see Shinra and his team have to join forces to prevent a destructive group from turning the Earth into a sun and destroying all of humanity. This will be the final season of the anime adaptation, which is gradually catching up with the later storylines from the comics. Is there a trailer for Fire Force season 3? Yes! You can check out the trailer below: View oEmbed on the source website Where will I be able to watch Fire Force season 3? You can catch Fire Force on Crunchyroll. Fire Force season 3 will be released in April 2025. Check out the rest of our Sci-Fi and Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what’s on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Oshi no Ko season 3 release date speculation, plot, cast, latest news
This pop idol anime series is returning for season 3!
After two seasons in the past two years, we have great news for fans of Oshi no Ko: this pop idol anime series is definitely returning for season 3! Based on the manga by writer Aka Akasaka and artist Mengo Yokoyari, Oshi no Ko has a pretty wacky premise, involving a doctor and his patient who die and get reincarnated as the twin children of a Japanese pop star. Oshi no Ko may take place in a glamorous world, but it's also a dark drama involving assassination attempts and revenge plots, portraying the life of a pop idol as dangerous and full of conflict. Read on to learn everything we know about Oshi no Ko season 3. Oshi no Ko season 3 release date speculation Oshi No Ko season 3 will arrive sometime in 2026. Oshi no Ko's first two seasons aired in 2023 and 2024. Soon after the season 2 finale in October 2024, the show's creators confirmed that season 3 is on the way, and we now know it will arrive in 2026. While some fans may feel frustrated about waiting an extra year, this announcement means they won't have to wait in limbo about the show's future. Right now, though, there's no specific release date for season 3. Who will return for Oshi no Ko season 3? The season 3 announcement also revealed two new members of the Japanese voice cast. Mamoru Miyano will play Hikaru Kamiki, while Hina Kino will play Tsukuyomi. The season 3 cast will likely look like this: Yumi Uchiyama (young) / Kento Ito / Takeo Otsuka as Aquamarine Hoshino Tomoyo Takayanagi / Yurie Igoma as Ruby Hoshino Rie Takahashi as Ai Hoshino Megumi Han as Kana Arima Manaka Iwami as Akane Kurokawa Rumi Okubo as Mem-Cho Hina Kino as Tsukuyomi Mamoru Miyano as Hikaru Kamiki Is there a trailer for Oshi no Ko season 3? A teaser for Oshi no Ko arrived alongside the season 3 announcement in 2024. It's pretty short, but it promises plenty of drama! View oEmbed on the source website Where to watch Oshi no Ko The first two seasons of Oshi no Ko are available to stream in the UK on Netflix. Oshi no Ko is available to watch on Netflix. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Blue Lock manga release schedule: When are new chapters out?
Here's how to stay up-to-date with the hottest sports manga of 2025!
Blue Lock was already massively popular, and thanks to the recent anime adaptation, the original sports manga has attracted even more fans. Debuting in 2018, Blue Lock focuses on an ambitious plan to improve Japan's national soccer team. An eccentric coach, Jinpachi Ego, decides to create a wildly competitive new training program in order to select the nation's best striker. One of the potential candidates is teenage soccer prodigy Yoichi Isagi, who slots into the classic sports manga role of the underdog hero. As of January 2025, the manga is almost 300 chapters long, with new instalments arriving on a regular basis. Here's how to read the latest chapters. Blue Lock manga release schedule: When are new chapters out? New chapters of Blue Lock are published in Japan in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. This means that fans can read several new chapters each month. Like many other ongoing manga series, Blue Lock often releases two or three chapters on a weekly basis, and then pauses for a week so the creative team can take a break and avoid burnout. The next chapter, Chapter 290, will be published on Wednesday 28th January. After that, here's the upcoming schedule for Weekly Shōnen Magazine. This magazine publishes a new issue every week, many of which will include a new chapter of Blue Lock. (Unfortunately we can't confirm which issues will be "break" weeks for Blue Lock's creators.) February 4th February 11th February 18th February 25th March 4th March 11th March 18th March 5th April 1st April 8h April 15th April 24th April 29th Where can I read Blue Lock in English? Some popular manga series receive licensed next-day translations on English-language platforms like Viz.com, but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case for Blue Lock. The only official way to read Blue Lock in English is to purchase collected volumes from the publisher Kodansha. They release their translated titles in print and digital format, and they also have a reading app. Kodansha's publishing schedule means that English-language readers have to wait a while to catch up their Japanese counterparts, which is obviously less than ideal. The English translations of Blue Lock's collected volumes tend to arrive a few months after their original publishing date in Japan. As of January 2025, the most recent volume on Kodansha's webstore is Volume 29, whereas the Japanese edition is now up to Volume 32. Given the popularity of Blue Lock, it's definitely plausible that an English-language publisher will decide to release official English chapter translations as well. In the meantime though, Blue Lock's anime adaptation is much easier to access in English, currently streaming on Crunchyroll. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Dr Stone season 4 release date, trailer, plot, latest news
Great news for Dr Stone fans – the anime series will soon return for season 4! Titled Dr Stone Science Future, season 4 is set to stream internationally on Crunchyroll, with Senku Ishigami facing more epic challenges in the show's distant-future setting. Based on the manga series by writer Riichiro Inagaki and artist Boichi, Dr Stone opens with teen genius protagonist Senku waking up in the year 5738. For the past 3,700 years, most of the human race have been frozen in stone, and the newly awoken survivors must figure out how to rebuilt society. Unsurprisingly this new civilisation soon splits into factions, prompting conflicts as the series progresses. Season 3 concluded with Senku planning to revive more petrified humans to staff his new space programme; a characteristically ambitious move for him. Read on for everything we know so far about Dr Stone season 4! Dr Stone season 4 release date Dr Stone season 4 is scheduled to premiere on Thursday 9th January 2025, so you don't have long to wait! The next season will be split into three different cours. Which cast members will return for Dr Stone season 4? At present, the show's main voice cast are expected to return: Yûsuke Kobayashi as Senku Ishigami Manami Numakura as Kohaku Makoto Furukawa as Taiju Oki Gen Satô as Chrome Karin Takahashi as Suika How many episodes will Dr Stone season 4 consist of? The episode count for Dr Stone Science Future hasn't been confirmed yet, but it will air in three blocks. This suggests there will be at least 20 episodes, because shorter seasons don't usually require this kind of split format. What is the plot of Dr Stone season 4? Dr Stone's creators haven't released an official synopsis for season 4 yet, but we do know it will involve Senku's plan to travel to the moon. Before that however, he and his team will go to America to gather supplies. Season 3 already foreshadowed a potential conflict here, hinting that if Senku revives too many people to join his space mission, they'll probably end up dividing into yet more factions and sabotaging his plans. If previous storylines are anything to go by, that's a very plausible outcome! Is there a trailer for Dr Stone season 4? Yes! Check out the official trailer below: View oEmbed on the source website Where will I be able to watch Dr Stone season 4? You can catch Dr Stone on Crunchyroll. Dr Stone season 4 will be released on 9th January 2025. Check out the rest of our Sci-Fi and Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what’s on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Sakamoto Days anime: Release date, cast, trailer, latest news
This badass action anime series is coming soon to Netflix!
Move over John Wick – it's time for a new retired assassin to hit the screens! Adapted from the popular manga series by artist and writer Yuto Suzuki, Sakamoto Days is an upcoming anime series that will stream internationally on Netflix. Sakamoto Days follows the life of Taro Sakamoto, an out-of-shape former hitman who retired from a life of crime after falling in love and getting married. He's now a boring family man, but (surprise surprise!) his past eventually catches up with him, forcing him to defend his loved ones from other assassins on a quest for revenge. Fans can expect a balance of action and comedy, as Sakamoto battles his enemies while trying to maintain his double life as a harmless middle-aged dad. Read on to learn more about the anime adaptation of Sakamoto Days! Sakamoto Days release date Sakamoto Days will premiere in Japan on 11th January 2025. Netflix will stream the show internationally sometime later in January, but the official Netflix airdate hasn't been announced yet. All we know for now is that Netflix will air one new episode each week. Sakamoto Days cast The Japanese voice cast for Sakamoto Days includes: Tomokazu Sugita as Taro Sakamoto Nao Tôyama as Aoi Sakamoto Ayane Sakura as Lu Xiaotang Hina Kino as Hana Sakamoto Ryôta Suzuki as Heisuke Mashimo Sakamoto Days trailer You can watch Netflix's official teaser trailer here, showcasing some of Sakamoto's badass combat skills: View oEmbed on the source website Sakamoto Days latest news Produced by TMS Entertainment, the Sakamoto Days anime is directed by Masaki Watanabe (Battle Spirits: Saga Brave) and written by Taku Kishimoto (Fruits Basket, Bunny Drop). In a publicity interview with Netflix, Watanabe said, "When I first had the chance to read SAKAMOTO DAYS, I remember how electrifying the powerful action scenes were. "Keeping that feeling at the heart of production, I want to take all the components unique to the screen – movement, color, and sound – to make SAKAMOTO DAYS a dynamic and fast-paced anime, while keeping in mind the humor sprinkled throughout the original." Where can I watch Sakamoto Days? Sakamoto Days will stream exclusively on Netflix in the UK. Check out the rest of our Sci-Fi and Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what’s on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Spy x Family season 2 release schedule: When is the final episode out?
Everyone's favourite spy family is back for another fantastic season in Spy X Family season 2. Part of the reason why everyone has fallen in love with the Forger family is the mashup between the absurd comedy and humour alongside its classic, retro spy comedy feel, and it's not hard to see why. Having quickly rocketed to the top of many people's Top Animes of 2022 lists, people have been dying to know just when we can expect a season 2. Finally, season 2 of Spy x Family began on Saturday 7th October 2023, and not only do have season 2 to look forward to, but also the announced movie Spy x Family Code: White, releasing on Friday 22nd December 2023. Here's everything we know about Spy x Family season 2's release schedule. When is season 2 episode 13 of Spy x Family released? The final episode of Season 2 of Spy x Family, titled ‘Part of the Family’ was released on Crunchyroll on Saturday 23rd December 2023. Spy x Family season 2 release schedule This is the expected release schedule for Spy x Family season 2, with the episodes dropping weekly on Crunchyroll. Episode 1 - 'Follow Mama and Papa' - Saturday 7th October (out now) Episode 2 - 'Bond's Strategy to Stay Alive / Damian's Field Research Trip' - Saturday 14th October (out now) Episode 3 - 'Mission and Family / The Elegant Bondsman / The Heart of a Child/Waking Up' - Saturday 21st October (Out Now) Episode 4 - ‘The Pastry of Knowledge / The Informant's Great Romance Plan II’ - Saturday 28th October (Out Now) Episode 5 - ‘Plan to Cross the Border’ - Saturday November 4th November (Out Now) Episode 6 - ‘The Fearsome Luxury Cruise Ship’ - Saturday 11th November (Out Now) Episode 7 - 'Who Is This Mission For?' - Saturday 18th November (Out Now) Episode 8 - 'The Symphony Upon the Ship' - Saturday 25th November (Out Now) Episode 9 - 'The Hand That Connects to the Future' - Saturday 2nd December (Out Now) Episode 10 - 'Enjoy the Resort to the Fullest / Bragging About Vacation' - Saturday 9th December (Out Now) Episode 11 - 'Berlint in Love / Nightfall's Daily Life' - Saturday 16th December (Out Now) Episode 12 - 'Part of the Family' Saturday 23rd December (Out Now) How to watch Spy x Family season 2 in the UK Spy x Family season 2 is available to watch on Crunchyroll in the UK. What time are new episodes of Spy x Family released? New episodes of Spy x Family are typically released on Crunchyroll soon after the episode's release in Japan, typically late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. How many episodes will there be in Spy x Family season 2? Unlike the first season which featured 25 episodes, it's been confirmed that Spy x Family season 2 will only feature 12 episodes. View Green Video on the source website You can catch Spy x Family season 2 on Crunchyroll. Check out the rest of our Sci-Fi and Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what’s on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Little Mermaid live-action release date: Cast, trailer and latest news
Prepare to be transported "under the sea".
Disney fans, prepare to be transported "under the sea": the new live-action remake of The Little Mermaid is upon us. Popstar Halle Bailey leads the cast as the titular character, Ariel, while Jonah Hauer-King also stars as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as tentacled sea witch Ursula, and Javier Bardem as King Triton. Unlike some of Disney's live-action/CGI remakes of its animated classics, The Little Mermaid stays largely faithful to the original 1989 animation of the same name, though of course a few alterations have been made along the way. Read on for everything you need to know about The Little Mermaid, including when it's set to land in the UK. Little Mermaid release date UK The Little Mermaid arrived in cinemas on Friday 26th May 2023. Filming wrapped in Italy in summer 2021, with fans getting a first look at Ariel with her red dreadlocks in leaked pics. View oEmbed on the source website When is The Little Mermaid coming to Disney Plus? A Disney Plus release likely to follow once the movie has had its exclusive theatrical run. There's no official streaming release date as yet, but watch this space. The Little Mermaid 2023 cast Halle Bailey will star as Ariel, half of the R&B team CHLOE X HALLE. Director Rob Marshall previously said of Bailey's casting: "After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role." Responding to the reaction to her casting – which included some objections from a tiresome few – a classy Bailey said (via Variety): "I don't pay attention to the negativity. I just feel like this role was something bigger than me, and greater. It's going to be beautiful. I'm just so excited to be a part of it." Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original, said: "I think that the spirit of a character is what really matters. What you bring to the table in a character as far as their heart and their spirit is what really counts. I think the most important thing for a film is to be able to tell a story." View oEmbed on the source website Meanwhile, Melissa McCarthy will play the evil octopoid sea-witch Ursula, though the choice came under fire with many hoping for a drag queen to play the witch since that's what inspired the original animation. The seagull Scuttle will swap genders, voiced this time by Crazy Rich Asians and The Farewell star Awkwafina, and Room star Jacob Tremblay will voice Flounder. Despite early reports suggesting Harry Styles was in talks to play Prince Eric, the role has gone to Little Women and World on Fire actor Jonah Hauer-King. In an interview with The Face, Styles revealed that the project was "discussed", but that he decided to prioritise his music career. "I want to put music out and focus on that for a while," he said. "But everyone involved in it was amazing, so I think it's going to be great. I'll enjoy watching it, I'm sure." Javier Bardem will star as King Triton and Hamilton star Daveed Diggs will voice Sebastian. If you recognise his name, he's also in Pixar movie Soul. In addition, Netflix star Jessica Alexander (Get Even) will portray Vanessa, the beautiful alter-ego of Ursula the Sea Witch. Joining her are Russell Balogh (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil), Adrian Christopher (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child) and Emily Coates (Cursed). What has Jacob Tremblay said about The Little Mermaid? Flounder backlash explained When individual cast posters dropped back in April, there was some backlash over the new designs, with some fans of the original claiming they are unnecessarily realistic. The new Flounder, in particular, sparked criticism for the slimmer, more lifelike redesign. However, Little Mermaid voice actor Jacob Tremblay has defended the design change. Responding to the backlash, Tremblay, who voices the character, recently told Variety: "I was actually shown the design when I went in for my audition. Rob [Marshall, director] had shown me. I just had complete faith in Rob. “I thought it looked great because that is kind of like the puppet they had on set, and then, of course, when I went and saw the film – I watched it last night and I think it just all works so well.” He added: “They were genius [Rob and creative team] – they kind of made it work so well." View oEmbed on the source website The Little Mermaid songs: is it a musical? First things first, yes it's a musical! Lin-Minuel Miranda is working on the film with the original composer Alan Menken. Miranda revealed he had written four new songs for the remake back in February 2020. We've seen Disney is happy to make such changes with Dumbo, the darker Tim Burton remake last year as well as Mulan due out in August 2020, which won't have any music bar instrumental as it opts for a martial art movie take. Disney would never have dropped favourites like Under the Sea, Kiss the Girl, Poor Unfortunate Souls or Part of Your World, all of which were performed at the Hollywood Bowl event for the 30th anniversary concert in honour of the original film - and indeed star Halle Bailey confirmed that Part of Your World would be included in the film. "I've been a fan of The Little Mermaid since I was 5, so those new songs are very exciting to me, as well as the old," Bailey told PopSugar. "That's probably like, ding, ding, ding! My number one." The Little Mermaid trailer Yes! As detailed above, the first trailer for the remake landed in 2022 and was shown to those in attendance at Disney's D23 Expo. The official trailer for The Little Mermaid landed in March 2023, giving fans a first look at McCarthy's Ursula and Bailey's Ariel. In the trailer, the tentacled sea witch tricks Ariel (Halle Bailey) and casts a spell to deprive her of her voice, exclaiming: "Poor child, I can help you! You can't live in that world unless you become a human yourself." Later, we see Ariel emerging from the sea with her seabird friend Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina) telling her: "Something about you seems different. I can't quite figure it out." Crab sidekick Sebastian (Daveed Diggs) soon cottons on to the situation, saying: "She got legs, you idiot!" Watch below: View oEmbed on the source website The Little Mermaid plot: how will the new version differ from the original? It’s likely that the main differences will be political corrections on some of the more dated aspects of the classic film. In July 2019, Disney launched two initiatives for talent from under-represented backgrounds which includes women, people of colour and the LGBTQ+ community. The announcement of Halle Bailey is already a big step forward, as she will be the first person of colour to play a live-action Disney princess who was white in the original animation. We might also get a revamp of the character Sebastian – the Jamaican-sounding crab who sang about how great life is ‘under the sea’, which has since been criticised as racially insensitive. In addition, it's possible that Disney will introduce some LGBTQ+ characters into the film, as they did in Beauty and the Beast with a one-second shot of the villain’s sidekick, LeFou, dancing with a man in the final ballroom sequence. Meanwhile, Jack Whitehall is set to play the first major gay character in a Disney film, as the brother of Emily Blunt’s character in 2020 film Jungle Cruise. As detailed above, Disney will also delve deeper into the reasons behind Ariel’s desire to join the human world that don’t revolve around her love for Prince Eric, in line with Disney’s recent trend towards more three-dimensional female characters. View Green Video on the source website Who is directing The Little Mermaid? Rob Marshall, who’s already worked with Disney on Mary Poppins Returns, Into the Woods, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, will direct The Little Mermaid. He's the man behind Oscar-winning movie musical Chicago. Lin-Manuel Miranda Marshall, Marc Platt and John DeLuca will all produce the film, whilst Jessica Virtue and Allison Erlikhman are overseeing for the studio. Where is The Little Mermaid set? Atlantica – the make-believe city found underneath the Atlantic Ocean featured in the 1989 original – is expected to feature, but the film was always unclear about where Prince Eric’s palace was located. In Beauty and the Beast, Disney gave Belle’s French village home a real name – Villeneuve – and she visits Paris during the film, so we might expect Prince Eric’s kingdom to be given a real geographical location. If so, it's quite likely that this will be somewhere in Denmark in honour of Hans Christian Andersen, where the fantasy palace is surrounded by mountains, with cliffs onto the sea. Other contenders are Switzerland or Wales, where Chillon Castle and Tintagel Castle are found, as these real-life castles are thought to be the basis upon which Prince Eric’s castle was designed. Prince Eric may also have taken up residence on the Italian island of Sardinia, as the film is set to shoot on the Mediterranean island in summer 2021. Variety reported that the film will move from London's Pinewood Studios to the seaside village of Santa Teresa di Gallura, known for its picturesque blue waters and rocky shores. But, as they're keeping the tropical fish Flounder and the Jamaican crab Sebastian that feature in the original, it’s still possible that Disney will avoid pinning down the exact location to avoid confusion. The Little Mermaid is out now in cinemas. Check out the best movies on Disney Plus and best shows on Disney Plus, read more of our Film coverage, or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Fast & Furious 10: Release date, cast, plot and latest news on Fast X
The mega action franchise is set to bow out with a two-part finale.
After racing into cinemas this weekend, Fast X has exceeded expectations at the global box office, making $319 million globally. The 10th and penultimate entry in the franchise sees the return of Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his extended "familia" back for more vehicular chaos alongside plenty of new faces, including Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Alan Ritchson (Reacher) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman), who is playing the villainous Dante Reyes – the son of Hernan Reyes, who was portrayed by Joaquim de Almeida in Fast Five. Fast X leads up to a tense cliffhanger, paving the way for Fast & Furious 11 – or Fast X: Part 2 – the final instalment in the series which is expected to land in 2025. Diesel confirmed back in April 2021 that Fast X is going to be a two-parter, explaining: "There's so much ground to cover and so many places in so many locations that we have to visit." The star also previously promised "something special" to round off the Fast saga that will leave fans "shocked". "We’ve been working on 10 for the last year, so I have so much to share and I’m holding back," he told Metro. So, get ready to fire up your engines and hit that NOS, because the Fast & Furious franchise isn't out of gas just yet! Read on for all the essential info about Fast & Furious 10: Parts One and Two. Fast & Furious 10 release date Fast & Furious 10 landed in cinemas on 19th May 2023. After Justin Lin's decision to step down as director, doubts were cast over whether Fast X would make its release date. But, with Louis Leterrier taking over as director, the movie got back on track, although Universal confirmed the film would be delayed six weeks from its previous release date of 7th April 2023. The 10th instalment in the main series of hit films began production on Wednesday 20th April 2022. Star Vin Diesel confirmed the news on Instagram where he posted the film's logo alongside the caption "Day One". View Green Video on the source website Will there be a Fast & Furious 10? Yes, and it will be called Fast X. The good news is that not one but two more Fast movies have been confirmed. The bad news is that these will be the final entries in the main series – though the door remains open for more spin-offs and continuations in the vein of 2019's Hobbs & Shaw. "The universe is so robust and so rich with talent and rich with a story that, on one level, it's totally feasible to have spin-offs, and I think that's something that is inevitable," Vin Diesel told Total Film back in February 2020. In October 2020, Deadline reported the following that Justin Lin – the series' most prolific director having helmed five of the films including Fast 9 – would return to helm both movies, which would reportedly focus on one overarching story. However, just days after filming kicked off, Lin stepped back from the project. As detailed above, he confirmed the news in a statement on 26th April 2022, explaining that, while he'll say on as producer, he will no longer direct Fast X or the second finale film. However, fans needn’t worry: Louis Leterrier, whose previous films include Transporter 2, Unleashed, Now You See Me and Netflix show Lupin, has taken over as director of Fast X after Lin’s exit. According to Deadline, Lin's departure was amicable but the result of creative differences between Lin and studio Universal. Lin previously released a statement on his decision to step down as director, explaining: “With the support of Universal, I have made the difficult decision to step back as director of Fast X, while remaining with the project as a producer." He continued: "Over 10 years and five films, we have been able to shoot the best actors, the best stunts, and the best damn car chases. On a personal note, as the child of Asian immigrants, I am proud of helping to build the most diverse franchise in movie history. "I will forever be grateful to the amazing cast, crew and studio for their support, and for welcoming me into the FAST family.” Fast & Furious 10 cast: Who will return? While the final cast list for the movie is yet to be confirmed, fans can expect most of the "familia" to return for the next movie in the series, including: Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto Michelle Rodriguez as Letty Ortiz Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce Chris "Ludacris" Bridges as Tej Parker Jordana Brewster as Mia Toretto Nathalie Emmanuel as Ramsey Charlize Theron as Cipher John Cena as Jakob Toretto Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw Cardi B as Leysa Brie Larson as Tess Jason Momoa as Dante Reyes Rita Moreno as Dom and Mia’s Abuelita (Granny) Toretto Daniela Melchior as "a Brazilian street racer with a powerful tie to Dom's past" Diesel previously shared a first look at Michelle Rodriguez's Letty Ortiz, who is returning to the franchise in Fast X, with a set photo showing her holding a bowl of food in her hand. Diesel wrote in the caption: "Happy creative Sunday… Doing what you love is a blessing… doing it with the people you love… that’s everything." Jordana Brewster returned to the franchise in Fast 9 having skipped the previous movie, so it's no surprise that she's back again as Mia Toretto. With Mia's return, Fast 9 had to explain why Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) wasn't at her side – he was looking after his and Mia's children, as well as Dom's son, his namesake little Brian (Isaac & Immanuel Holdane) – but former director Lin has hinted that Brian might actually appear in some form in Fast 10. In an interview with CinePop, Lin said: "Obviously, Paul and his character Brian are the soul and heart of how we've moved forward. Bringing him back is something I think about every day. As we near the end of the franchise, it's a conversation I'm having. I think about this possibility every day." Paul Walker was halfway through shooting 2015's Furious 7 when he died, with a combination of CGI and body doubles being used to complete his scenes. It's possible that something similar could be attempted for Fast 10 in order for Brian to play a small role. Jordana Brewster has also suggested that Walker's daughter Meadow could make a cameo in a future Fast movie as a tribute to her late father. "I feel like she feels so comfortable with us and she feels very included in our universe," Brewster told Access. "And so to extend that onto being on screen would be very natural, I think. It would be very cool." Having been brought back from the dead in Fast 9, Sung Kang will also remain part of Dom's crew in future movies as Han Lue. Read more: How is Han alive in Fast & Furious 9? John Cena made his debut as Jakob Toretto – Dom and Mia's long-lost brother who is also a master thief and assassin (because why not?) – in Fast 9. By the end of the movie, he'd made amends with Dom after a misunderstanding involving their father's death was resolved. Though that film ended with Jakob still on the run from the authorities, Cena will reprise his character in any follow-up – no surprise, given Mia did urge him not to stay away from his family for too long. The fate of Kurt Russell's spymaster Mr. Nobody was left ambiguous in Fast 9 – if he's still alive, it's feasible he could be back in Fast 10 too. That said, we now know that Alan Ritchson will play Aimes, the new head of the Agency "who doesn’t hold the same fondness for Dom’s crew as his predecessor, Mr. Nobody" – so it's possible that Russell's character is gone for good. Fast 9 featured cameo appearances from Cardi B as Dom's old acquaintance Leysa and Vin Diesel has already confirmed that she'll be back for the next film in a bigger role, telling Entertainment Tonight: "We are very much excited to evolve her character and to expand it to the finale." Delighting fans of 2006's The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift, that film's stars Lucas Black (playing Sean Bowell), Bow Wow (Twinkie) and Jason Tobin (Earl Hu) all returned to play supporting roles in Fast 9. By the end of the film, they appeared to be an established part of Dom's crew – even attending the traditional family barbecue – so might stick around for another high-speed adventure. Interestingly, Fast 9 featured a cameo from another franchise regular, Santos (Don Omar), but his partner-in-crime Leo (Tego Calderon) was absent – it's possible then that one or both of the pair could reappear in Fast 10. Speaking of absentees, Jason Statham only appears in the Fast & Furious 9 post-credits scene as Deckard Shaw, but the new trailer hints at a larger role for him in the next movie – as well confirming another appearance from Helen Mirren as his mother "Queenie" Shaw. View oEmbed on the source website As for Shaw's sparring partner Luke Hobbs, it seems Dwayne Johnson won't be involved in Fast 10 – he sat out Fast 9 following reports of disagreements with Vin Diesel and while fans had hoped to see Hobbs back for the two-part Fast finale, Johnson recently told SlashFilm that he won't be returning. As for new characters, Diesel told Digital Spy that he'd be keen to have his The Last Witch Hunter co-star Sir Michael Caine join the franchise. Caine as the Shaw family patriarch, Queenie's ex-husband and father to Deckard and Luke? We can see it. The upcoming movie will also introduce Aquaman star Jason Momoa to the franchise, with his casting being confirmed in January 2021. Momoa recently shared new details about his vague Fast & Furious 10 villain, clarifying that his character does have scenes with franchise lead Vin Diesel along with Charlize Theron's villain. "He's amazing. He's ornery. He's misunderstood," Momoa told Entertainment Tonight. "I get to shoot with some really cool people that I have never – I get to work with Charlize Theron first up, which I'm really excited about. She's amazing. "Then I get to go to some cool places, obviously work with the whole cast – most of the cast, but yeah I'm excited working with Vin. I'm excited I'm working with Charlize." And he's not the only comic book movie star joining for the next entry, as Captain Marvel herself Brie Larson has officially signed on for the film. Vin Diesel announced the news on his Instagram in April 2022, alongside a picture of the pair together. “Clearly, there is love and laughter in this image. What you don’t see, however, is the character you will be introduced to in ‘Fast 10'," he wrote. "You have no idea how timeless and amazing she will be in our mythology. Beyond her beauty, her intellect... her Oscar, haha is this profound soul who will add something you might not have expected but yearned for. Welcome to the FAMILY Brie." Larson confirmed the news in a tweet, writing alongside the same photo: "Excited doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel about joining the Fast family thank you for welcoming me in with so much kindness and excitement, @vindiesel. can’t wait to share more (when I can)." It was later confirmed that Larson will play Tess, a rogue representative from the Agency. View oEmbed on the source website In addition, Hollywood icon Rita Moreno has joined the cast of the upcoming Fast & Furious 10 as Vin Diesel’s character’s grandmother. The actor shared the exciting news about the new Fast X casting on Instagram in a video with Moreno. Diesel, who stars as Dominic Toretto, begins the video: "It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno and the fact that she’s here, playing my grandmother, makes my soul smile. I’m so blessed." Fast X trailer The Fast X trailer released on 10th February 2023, which came shortly before Super Bowl LVII. You can watch the explosive teaser – which pits Diesel's Dom against Momoa's Dante – below: View oEmbed on the source website Fast & Furious 10 plot The synopsis reads: "In 2011’s Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn’t know was that Reyes’ son, Dante (Momoa), witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price. "Dante's plot will scatter Dom’s family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son (Leo Abelo Perry) is the ultimate target of Dante’s vengeance." With Dom's son Brian (or "Little B") established as an 8-year-old, we also know that Fast X will take place several years after the events of the previous movie, 2021's F9. Other story threads we can expect to see picked up include Dom's past history with Leysa and his troubled relationship with brother Jakob, as well as his ongoing vendetta against Cipher, the woman who murdered the mother of his child. The fate of Kurt Russell's Mr Nobody – which was left ambiguous after his plane was taken out of the air by Jakob – could also be resolved. We'd also expect some follow-up to Fast 9's post-credits scene, which saw Han confront a surprised Deckard Shaw – the man who'd until now believed he'd assassinated Han in Tokyo. Awkward... Whatever happens next, Vin Diesel has revealed that he knows exactly how the core series of Fast movies will end. "I have a scene that’s recurring [in my mind] and has been for many years now of what I've always imagined what the finale of the finale would be," he told Collider. "And Justin [Lin] and I have talked to great lengths and we worked towards that. So much of F9 is getting prepped and ready for a two-part finale of the saga. "So, could I articulate it now or would I articulate it now? I might not be able to do that, but what’s unique about this release is that we clearly had to push the release a year. And that pushed into our preproduction of this two-part Fast finale. So, every day, I’m coming to talk about Fast 9 and going home to work on Fast 10." Will Tom Holland appear in Fast X? In August 2020, We Got This Covered claimed that Spider-Man star Tom Holland was being sought for a role in the next Fast & Furious movie. This is yet to be officially confirmed, however, so file this particular story firmly under "rumour" until any more concrete news starts to emerge about Fast 10 casting. So far we have seen Brie Larson and Jason Momoa added to the cast, so anything is possible! Diesel has also told Variety he'd love to see another Marvel star, Robert Downey Jr, in the next movie. "Without telling you too much about what happens in the future, there’s a character who is the antithesis of Dom who is promoting AI and driverless cars and a philosophy that with that goes your freedom,” he said. “There is somebody that believes that’s the future, and that’s at direct odds with the Toretto mentality." Read more: How the Fast & Furious series became Hollywood’s most important franchise Fast X is out in cinemas now – find out how to rewatch all the Fast & Furious movies in order, and read our Fast & Furious 9 review. Visit our Film hub for the latest news and features, or find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – release date, cast and trailer for Marvel sequel
Marvel Studios returns to Wakanda, but sadly without the late, great Chadwick Boseman.
At long, long last, the digital release date for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is upon us. The sequel bagged five nominations for the 95th Academy Awards, including Costume Design, Visual Effects, Best Song, and Makeup and Hairstyling, so now is the time to watch it on Disney Plus if you missed the film during its theatrical run. Wakanda Forever pays emotional tribute to T'Challa actor Chadwick Boseman following his tragic passing in 2020, while also telling a new story that sees the likes of Shuri (Letitia Wright), Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), Okoye (Danai Gurira), M'Baku (Winston Duke) and Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) take on underwater monarch Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta. Read on to learn more essential details on the much-anticipated blockbuster. Black Panther 2 release date Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was released in cinemas on 11th November 2022. The sequel is now available to watch on Disney Plus following its theatrical run. The film was previously scheduled for release in May 2022 before being pushed back to July 2022 until it was pushed back once again. Filming on the sequel began on June 29, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia. Black Panther 2 cast The following cast members are in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Letitia Wright as Shuri Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia Danai Gurira as Okoye Winston Duke as M'Baku Dominique Thorne as Ironheart/Riri Williams Michaela Coel as Aneka Tenoch Huerta as Namor Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda Mabel Cadena as Namora Alex Livinalli as Attuma Isaach de Bankolé as Wakandan River Tribe elder Dorothy Steel as Wakandan Merchant Tribe elder Danny Sapani as Wakandan Border Tribe elder Boseman is obviously a huge loss from the cast of the sequel but has not been replaced, nor is he featured through use of archive footage or CGI. "So much of the comics and that first movie is the world of Wakanda," producer Kevin Feige previously told Deadline. "Wakanda is a place to further explore with characters and different subcultures. This was always and initially the primary focus of the next story. "We’re not going to have a CG Chadwick and we’re not recasting T’Challa. Ryan Coogler is working very hard right now on the script with all the respect and love and genius that he has, which gives us great solace, so it was always about furthering the mythology and the inspiration of Wakanda." Lupita Nyong'o returns as T'Challa's love interest and War Dog spy Nakia, while The Walking Dead legend Danai Guriria is back the leader of the Dora Milaje, Okoye. Elsewhere, Martin Freeman reprises his role from the first film as CIA operative Everett K Ross, as Winston Duke returns as the strong Jabari tribe leader M'Baku. Finally, T'Challa's family also feature in the form of Angela Bassett as his mother Ramonda and Letitia Wright as his genius younger sister, Shuri. Elsewhere, I May Destroy You star-writer Michaela Coel joined the cast as Aneka, who in Marvel Comics is a member of the Dora Milaje. Finally, Dominique Thorne is due to appear as the whip-smart Riri Williams AKA Ironheart. The actress was previously confirmed to be taking on the role for her own Ironheart series on Disney Plus. In the trailer, Williams can be seen crafting armour and also sharing a warm greeting with Shuri. Narcos: Mexico star Tenoch Huerta plays Marvel Comics character Namor, the Sub-Mariner, with the film touching on the character's Mayan connections. Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli appear in the film as Namor's Atlantean allies, Namora and Attuma, respectively. Finally, one star who will not be reprising his role from the first film is Daniel Kaluuya, who will not be back as W'Kabi despite initial reports. Jacqueline Coley of Rotten Tomatoes first tweeted that scheduling issues and prior commitment to Get Out director Jordan Peele's new film Nope prevented Kaluuya from returning despite being asked to return. W'Kabi was the best friend of T'Challa and lover of Okoye, who betrayed his friend to aid Killmonger in his coup d'etat of Wakanda. Black Panther Wakanda Forever plot Marvel has confirmed a big time jump will take place for Black Panther: Wakanda forever as part of the fallout from T'Challa's passing. "Ramonda realizes that it's been a year since T'Challa's passing and Shuri's still not healing — she's not taking steps to move forward in a healthy way," said director and co-writer Coogler in film production notes released to the media. "They take a retreat — stepping away from the city, from the technology — to sit with no distractions and perform what is essentially a grief ritual. That's when Namor shows up." The official synopsis for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever reads: "In Marvel Studios' Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M'Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death. "As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. "Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livanalli." It's standard practice for Marvel Studios to keep story details about their upcoming Marvel movies tightly under wraps, but that hasn't stopped rampant fan speculation about this much-anticipated blockbuster. It's confirmed that T'Challa will not appear in the story after a decision was taken not to recast the role, with the plot instead focusing on some of the other characters. This could mean that, as in the comics, Letitia Wright's Shuri could take on her brother's royal mantle, or it could be another character that takes on the role of Wakanda's defender. Wright previously told PORTER that she took time to come to terms with Boseman's death and that the idea of reprising her role is "strange". She said: "We're just still mourning Chad, so it's not something I even want to think about. The thought of doing it [Black Panther] without him is kinda strange. "We're just grieving at the moment, so it's trying to find the light in the midst of it." In fact, this is something producers are grappling with too. "I think we’re going to see the movie in two lenses, pure entertainment but also cathartic," producer Nate Moore told ComicBook's Phase Zero podcast. He added: "I think this movie has different sort of pressure on it, obviously, with the loss of Chadwick, which was unexpected and unprecedented in a way narratively, to figure out how to deal with". Talking about how the film marks another milestone for representation, Nyong'o recently told RadioTimes.com: "I think that the world of Wakanda was uniquely poised to allow for this. "Because in the first film, we establish a Wakanda where women have equity with men, where women have agency and they very much influenced the direction of the plot, and we surrounded T’Challa… and so in the loss of T’Challa, it’s only natural and organic that the women would be the ones most affected and then they'd be the ones that we would follow [in the story]." She continued: "I love that because it's organic, it's not anything that's forced or put upon, it's very much in the DNA. And what Wakanda shows us is a version of the world where women holding and having power is not remarkable, it's normal. "And that's the thing to aspire to, to a moment when it's not special that a woman is in charge, that a woman is playing an important pivotal role in society or in a story. I think that's a very healthy thing to envision." Who is the new Black Panther? As detailed above, the trailers appear to show a woman donning the Black Panther suit. While it’s not clear who exactly this is, the logical characters are Shuri (Letitia Wright), Okoye (Danai Gurira) or Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o). With nothing confirmed as yet, fans will have to wait and see! Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailers Marvel has released two trailers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The latest arrived on 3rd October 2022, giving us a further glimpse into Wakanda without T'Challa and just how dangerous the threat of Namor and the forces of Atlantis are. It also offers a peek at the new Black Panther, which fans believe to be Shuri due to the design of the mask matching her face paint. Watch below: View oEmbed on the source website The trailer also shows a glimpse of a scene that was revealed at a D23 panel recently, in which Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda arrives at the UN only to be quizzed about vibranium – the special metal unique to Wakanda – and how it can be used as a weapon for mass destruction. Flashing back to the Queen, she calls the UN liars, saying: "You perform civility here but we know what you whisper in your halls of leadership and in your military facilities. The King is dead. The Black Panther is gone. They have lost the protector.” The footage then shows the Dora Milaje fighting soldiers at the lab, before defeating them and bringing them to the UN. The first teaser trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was released during Marvel Studios' epic panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2022. Watch below: View oEmbed on the source website The trailer is set to Bob Marley and the Wailers' No Woman, No Cry, performed here by Tems, before then being mashed up with Kendrick Lamar's Alright. Both trailers also give fans a look at Tenoch Huerta as Namor and Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, AKA Ironheart. Another trailer gave fans a glimpse of the soundtrack – which features the lead single Lift Me Up by Rihanna and was released in full on 4th November 2022. "Honestly, I think it was Chad," Coogler previously told PA news agency on the red carpet regarding Rihanna working on the soundtrack, "A lot of improbable things needed to happen for it to come through and Rihanna was very clear that she did that for him." View oEmbed on the source website If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide. Know a Marvel fan? Don't miss our round-up of Marvel gifts. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Downton Abbey A New Era: Release date, trailers and latest news
Beloved period drama Downton Abbey makes its return for a second cinematic outing
There has been a longer wait than expected, but it is almost time to return to the Crawley family and their employees. Downton Abbey: A New Era is finally on its way to cinemas and the trailers have teased plot details for the sequel. The trailer sees the Downton estate being taken over by actors and crew members as the Crawleys escape to the South of France, to a villa that was left to Lady Violet by a mysterious man. Universal previously hinted at the release of the new trailer with a dazzling poster giving fans a look at the movie’s enormous cast. Alongside returning faces including the Crawley sisters, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), there will be a slate of new additions to the cast including Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West (The Pursuit of Love). Read on for everything you need to know about the second Downton Abbey: A New Era. Downton Abbey: A New Era release date Downton Abbey: A New Era will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 29th April 2022. The sequel comes almost three years following the release of the first Downton Abbey film which came out in cinemas back in 2019. The original series ran on television for six seasons from 2010 to 2015 on ITV in the UK. The film distributors had originally scheduled the new sequel film to premiere in time for Christmas 2021, but the movie's release date was pushed to the following year after delays in production due to the pandemic. Hugh Bonneville, who plays Robert Crawley the Earl of Grantham in the series, previously confirmed a Downton Abbey sequel was in the works long before production started. Who stars in Downton Abbey: A New Era? The following stars are confirmed for the Downton Abbey: A New Era cast. Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham Samantha Bond as Lady Rosamund Painswick Laura Carmichael as Edith Pelham, Marchioness of Hexham Jim Carter as Charles Carson Brendan Coyle as John Bates Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot Kevin Doyle as Joseph Molesley Michael Fox as Andy Parker Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates Matthew Goode as Henry Talbot Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow Harry Hadden-Paton as Herbert "Bertie" Pelham, Marquess of Hexham Allen Leech as Tom Branson Phyllis Logan as Elsie Carson Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham Sophie McShera as Daisy Parker Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Branson Lesley Nicol as Beryl Patmore Douglas Reith as Lord Merton Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham Imelda Staunton as Lady Maud Bagshaw Penelope Wilton as Isobel Grey, Lady Merton Nathalie Baye as Madame Montmirail Hugh Dancy as Jack Barber Laura Haddock as Myrna Dalgleish Dominic West as Guy Dexter Jonathan Zaccaï as Marquis de Montmirail <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2022/04/4178_D009_01379_RC-b309ded.jpg" width="4500" height="3000" alt="(l-r.) Samantha Bond stars as Lady Rosamund, Douglas Reith as Lord Merton, Harry Hadden-Paton as Lord Hexham, Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Hexham, Hugh Bonneville as Lord Grantham, Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Grantham, Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Talbot, Penelope Wilton as Lady Merton, Robert James Collier as Thomas Barrow and Michael Fox as Andy in DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era, a Focus Features release." title="DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era" /> There are five new additions to the cast, including French acting legend Nathalie Baye, Hannibal star Hugh Dancy, White Lines actress Laura Haddock, The Wire legend Dominic West and Belgian actor Jonathan Zaccaï. Meanwhile, Matthew Goode does not reprise his role as Lady Mary's husband Henry Talbot in the film despite appearing in the previous outing. When asked by Extra if he would make a cameo in Downton Abbey: A New Era when attending a premiere for his series The Offer, Matthew Goode answered: "No, I was making this." Downton Abbey: A New Era trailers A full trailer for Downton Abbey: A New Era was released by the distributor Focus Features and Universal Pictures in November. Catch the full teaser trailer below, View oEmbed on the source website The footage gave our first look at the plot of the film which sees the Dowager Countess reveal that her "mysterious past" with a man before she married the Earl's father has left her in the ownership of a villa in the south of France. The trailer shows off numerous new cast members and our old favourites as we also see them head off to France for their holidays. The clip ends with the Dowager Countess bidding the other members of the Crawley family a good night. A second trailer has now also been released, giving fans a further look at the upcoming sequel. View oEmbed on the source website The trailer sees the Downton estate plunged into chaos as actors and crew members, including the likes of Laura Haddock and Hugh Dancy's characters, arrive and begin filming a movie. It's not long before the Crawleys escape to the South of France to a villa that was left to Lady Violet by the mysterious man. But will they be able to solve the mystery of the Dowager Countess’s mysterious inheritance, or will they get distracted by the sun and sea? The trailer also hints at the movie's newer lead characters getting to know the house’s staff and clashing with Lady Mary (Dockery). Exciting stuff. Downton Abbey: A New Era plot <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2022/04/4178_D051_00437_RC-6ab1115.jpg" width="4500" height="3000" alt="melda Staunton stars as Lady Bagshaw, Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Branson, Allen Leech as Tom Branson, Hugh Bonneville as Robert Grantham, Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Grantham, Harry Hadden-Paton as Bertie Pelham, Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, Nathalie Baye as Mme Montmirail and Jonathan Zaccäi as M Montmirail in DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era, a Focus Features release." title="DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era" /> Following the wedding of Tom Branson to Lucy Smith, the Crawley family get a surprise when they learn that Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham has inherited a luxury villa on the South of France. As the Crawleys attempt to get to the bottom of the Dowager's mysterious past, a few of them head down to the French Riviera for answers. Meanwhile, back at Downton, Lady Mary agrees to let a film crew set up production at the house in exchange for a handsome sum of money. This means a host of glamorous individuals soon find themselves living among the servants and Crawleys of that beloved house. Imelda Staunton, who was cast as the third iteration of Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix's The Crown, said that RadioTimes.com that the first film "was a very nice job to do," before adding: "It's a woman with a nice arc, and a backstory that wasn't just a woman in a tiara and a long dress." "I've worked with Maggie [Smith, who plays Lady Violet Crawley] before and I've worked with Penelope Wilton [Isobel Crawley] before so you know, we know each other well," she said. Take a look at the rest of our Drama coverage, or check out what's on with our TV guide. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
The Batman: Release date, run time, trailers and latest news
Robert Pattinson stars as billionaire-turned-vigilante Bruce Wayne.
The Batman has opened to critical acclaim and box office takings of $248.5 million worldwide, with Robert Pattinson leading as the latest Caped Crusader in Matt Reeves' superhero movie. Supporting cast members include Paul Dano in the iconic role of the Riddler, Colin Farrell as the Penguin, and Jeffrey Wright as Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon. Discussing his take on the role, Pattinson recently told GQ: “The first shot is so jarring from any other Batman movie that it’s just kind of a totally different pace. It was what Matt was saying from the first meeting I had with him: ‘I want to do a ’70s noir detective story, like The Conversation.’ And I kind of assumed that meant the mood board or something, the look of it. "But from the first shot, it’s, 'Oh, this actually is a detective story'. And I feel like an idiot, because I didn’t even know that Batman was ‘the world’s greatest detective’; I hadn’t heard that in my life before – but it really plays. Just ’cause there’s a lot of stuff where he’s in amongst the cops. "Normally, when you see Batman he arrives and beats people up. But he’s having conversations, and there are emotional scenes between them, which I don’t think have been in any of the other movies.” Warner Bros has already released a trailer for the film which really shows off the Bruce/Selina relationship. “We’ve seen a lot of great stories about Bruce Wayne witnessing his parents’ murder and then trying to find a way to cope with that by perfecting himself into Batman,” Reeves told Empire Magazine. “But I wanted to do a story where he’s already been through the origins and does not yet really know exactly how to be Batman. It is a Year Two story. And I wanted you to connect to him. Not only as Bruce but as Batman.” If that wasn't enough, we have a whole host of villains to face Batman in the new adventure in the form of The Riddler, The Penguin and more. Warner Bros clearly has very high hopes for The Batman, which is expected to be one of the biggest films of 2022, as it has recently started work on its second HBO Max series set to spin out of the blockbuster. Two spin-offs are on the way, one based on the Gotham City Police Department and one on Colin Farrell's iteration of The Penguin. As we wait for more details on the film, read on for everything we know about 2022's The Batman so far. The Batman release date The Batman was released in UK cinemas on Friday 4th March 2022. Previously, it had been pencilled in for a release in June 2021, before moving to a Halloween-themed October date, and then jumping another five months to its current spot in the calendar. The project first got underway on 27th January 2020, but The Batman filming was halted as the pandemic spiralled into a global crisis that March, with three-quarters of the movie still left to film (via Deadline). Fortunately, work was able to resume in September 2020, after then-Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden MP announced that major productions would be able to film in England as long as they operate in a tightly controlled "bubble". Just days later, the movie went on hiatus once again after star Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID-19, but fortunately he recovered from the illness and returned to work after his isolation period. In March 2021, more than a year after cameras started rolling, director Matt Reeves announced a wrap on The Batman's principal photography, meaning there's every hope it will be able to make its current release date next year. Four months later, Pattinson, Farrell and Reeves reunited for reshoots that took place over multiple weeks in the cities of Glasgow and York, according to The Daily Record. Reshoots are very common for major blockbuster movies and not necessarily a cause for concern, so fans have no reason to worry about the quality of the reboot at this stage. Read More: How to watch The Batman – can you stream it? The Batman trailers Fans of the Caped Crusader were treated to multiple looks at the upcoming film. The teaser trailer was first released as part of the virtual DC FanDome event on 22nd August. Following this, the end of DC FanDome on 16th October saw a full trailer released for the film which showed off the ensemble cast. View oEmbed on the source website Meanwhile, an international trailer for the film has also made its way online, offering a further look at the upcoming film from Matt Reeves. The trailer also showed a further look at Paul Dano in the role of The Riddler. Another trailer, delving into the relationship between Batman and Catwoman, was released on 27th December 2021. View oEmbed on the source website The Batman runtime The Batman runs for two hours and 55 minutes. This makes the film the longest of any solo Batman movie, and just behind Marvel's Avengers: Endgame (three hours and one minute), according to The Hollywood Reporter. Well, you can't say you will be low on Batman content! The previous longest Batman film was Christopher Nolan's film The Dark Knight Rises (2012) which ran for two hours and 45 minutes. Read more: Where was The Batman filmed? The Batman Rotten Tomatoes score The Batman has a rating of 85% on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, which means that a majority of the proportion of reviews regarded the film to be 'Fresh'. The critics' consensus reads: "A grim, gritty, and gripping super-noir, The Batman ranks among the Dark Knight's bleakest -- and most thrillingly ambitious -- live-action outings." Robert Pattinson has been described as a "revelation" by Slant Magazine, and delivering "the best live-action Batman since Michael Keaton", according to Insider. The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney called the film a "soulful nocturne of corruption and chaos, and as much as I longed for a few more glimmers of humour, at no point during the hefty three-hour run time did my attention wander." Paul Dano, Zoe Kravitz and Colin Farrell have also received praise for their performances as the Riddler, Catwoman and the Penguin respectively. Be sure to read our own RadioTimes.com review below. Read More: The Batman review: A terrific mood piece, an underwhelming mystery When is The Batman set? The film is set during the second year of the Caped Crusader's existence, with Bruce Wayne in the midst of his crime-fighting days and finding his feet as a vigilante – so don't worry, it's not another origin story. Director Matt Reeves confirmed the timeframe at 2020's DC FanDome, during a discussion of the distinctive Batsuit, which we got a close-up look at in the officially released camera test. "It's very practical, the idea is that [Batman] made it himself," Reeves said at DC FanDome in August 2020. "It needs to look like he can move, but it's still evolving. He's in Year Two of being Batman." "It's early and Batman's still a vigilante," the directed continued. "[Gotham's people] wonder, 'That guy sounds a little dangerous.' He's not yet the symbol of hope. He's still a growing legend. People wonder whether he exists. It's one of the things he will confront in the story." The Batman cast The cast of The Batman is listed below. Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman/Selina Kyle Paul Dano as The Riddler/Edward Nashton Jeffery Wright as Lieutenant James Gordon John Turturro as Carmine Falcone Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson Barry Keoghan as Unseen Arkham Prisoner with Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth and Colin Farrell as The Penguin/Oswald "Oz" Cobblepot Jayme Lawson as Bella Reál Alex Ferns as Commissioner Pete Savage Rupert Penry-Jones as Mayor Don Mitchell Gil Perez-Abraham as Martinez Charlie Carver and Max Carver as The Twins Con O’Neill as Mackenzie Bock Robert Pattinson leads the cast of the hotly anticipated movie as billionaire socialite Bruce Wayne, who has a secret side-hustle when night falls, becoming the brutal crime-fighting vigilante known as Batman. Variety broke the news back in May 2019, revealing that Pattinson had faced stiff competition from the likes of X-Men star Nicholas Hoult, but ultimately secured the gig off the back of indie film buzz from Good Time and The Lighthouse. This latest incarnation of the Batman will have his work cut out for him from the beginning, with Matt Reeves' movie set to feature several key figures from his iconic rogues gallery. Meanwhile, Big Little Lies star Zoe Kravitz plays Catwoman aka Selina Kyle, a cat burglar who has been a friend, foe and even lover to Batman at various points in the comic books. This isn't her first run-in with the character as she had previously been considered for 2012's The Dark Knight Rises (losing out to Anne Hathaway), while she also lends her voice to Catwoman in The Lego Movie and its spin-off The Lego Batman Movie. We got our first look at Kravitz in action in the debut teaser trailer for The Batman, where she sports an early lo-fi version of the character's trademark look. Paul Dano stars as classic antagonist The Riddler/Edward Nashton, who acts as the main villain of the story as a serial killer leaving riddles for detectives - including Batman - to solve. It sounds like it really took a toll, as Dano told Entertainment Weekly: "There's a sequence with Peter Sarsgaard's character. That was intense. There were some nights around that I probably didn't sleep as well as I would've wanted to just because it was a little hard to come down from this character." Read more: The Batman's Andy Serkis: ‘I was Alfred by day, and made Venom by night’ Fresh off his physical transformation for BBC Two's The North Water, Colin Farrell is near-unrecognisable once again as he portrays crime boss Oswald Cobblepot – better known as The Penguin. In a recent interview on the Happy, Sad, Confused Podcast, Farrell revealed that he has a relatively minor role in the film, although we wouldn't be surprised if he ends up returning for the inevitable sequel. "I'm only in it for five or six scenes, so I can't wait to see the film because it won't be ruined by my presence," he said. "Really, it's a freebie for me. I'll get a little bit uncomfortable for the f**king nine minutes I have, and then the rest of it, I cannot wait to see how [Matt Reeves, director] brought this world to life." Fans were shocked to learn that Farrell was the star hidden underneath prosthetics in the moody teaser, but the considerable make-up does bring his appearance closer in-line with how the character is depicted in the comic books. Farrell is set to reprise the role in a spin-off series centring on the character. Read more: The Batman ending explained Another recurring villain in the DC universe has also been confirmed for The Batman, with The Plot Against America's John Turturro set to play mob boss Carmine Falcone. But don't worry, Bruce Wayne will have some friends too. Fresh off his recent voice role in Marvel's What If...?, where he played cosmic witness to the multiverse The Watcher, Jeffrey Wright has returned to Earth to play Gotham City's Commissioner Gordon. The character, who has recently been portrayed by Gary Oldman, JK Simmons and Ben McKenzie, is a close ally to Batman, as well as the eventual father of Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl (who is not expected to appear in this chapter). Discussing the project, Wright told The Hollywood Reporter: "It was gothic. It was sleuthful, if that’s a word. It was mysterious, and it was tricky. It was tricky because of the conditions that we were working in. "It was isolating for those of us who were away from home, out of the country, over in London. I experienced more quarantines than I would wish on anyone, going back and forth over the last six months. So it was a pretty dogged one to try to pull off." Another essential figure in the Bat-family is Bruce Wayne's faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth, with this latest incarnation of the character skewing younger than what we've seen previously, with Venom 2 director Andy Serkis taking the role. The Batman marks a reunion for Serkis and Reeves, who previously collaborated on the critically-acclaimed Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and its 2017 sequel, where he played motion-capture character Caesar. Rounding out the supporting cast are Peter Sarsgaard (Dopesick) as Gotham's District Attorney Gil Colson, Alex Ferns (Chernobyl, EastEnders) as Commissioner Pete Savage, and newcomer Jayme Lawson as mayoral candidate Bella Reál. In March 2020, The A.V. Club broke the news that twins Max and Charlie Carver, known for appearing together in MTV's Teen Wolf series, had also joined the cast in undisclosed roles. They play henchmen of The Penguin. Later that year, Eternals star Barry Keoghan was announced as Jim Gordon's GCPD colleague Stanley Merkel in the official video description for the first trailer. However, fans theorised that Keoghan would actually be portraying The Joker. Viewers will have see the film and find out for sure. The Batman premiere The Batman premiered in New York City on 1st March 2022. The Batman also enjoyed a screening event in Paris, France on Tuesday 22nd February 2022. Among those who attended the event were director Matt Reeves and stars Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz. View oEmbed on the source website Pattinson and Kravitz looked suitably chic against the dark Paris skies for the event - how apt! Meanwhile, Pattinson has also been out and about for press junkets in London and was spotted in all-black - keeping on brand for the Caped Crusader. The stars later turned out for a special screening at the BFI IMAX in Waterloo, London on Wednesday 23rd February 2022. Robert Pattinson was in attendance, along with Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Andy Serkis and Jeffery Wright. Once again the cast looked suitably glamorous for the event. What is The Batman about? The movie is directed by Matt Reeves, best known for his work on Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and its sequel, and will see Batman go up against a serial killer known only as The Riddler. Speaking about the film's plot at DC FanDome 2020, Reeves said: "The whole idea is that this is all an experiment in the movie. The idea that we’re in Year two, it’s the Gotham experiment; it’s a criminal, logical experiment, trying to figure out what he can do to finally change this place. And in our story, as he’s in that mode, that’s where you meet him and you see that he’s charting what he’s doing and he doesn’t seem to have any effect on what he wants to happen.” Reeves also seemed to hint that the film would delve far more into the history of Gotham's corruption - and how that might connect back to Batman's origins after all, but in a new and unexpected way. He continued: “And that is when the murders start to happen, and then the murders begin to describe sort of the history of Gotham in a way that only reinforces what he knows about Gotham, but it opens up a whole new world of corruption that goes much farther. But as that story starts to come out, without being an origin tale for him, it ends up being something that touches on his origins. "So you start to describe this epic history of corruption in Gotham that you start to understand, ‘Well, where did my family sit in that?’ And in that sense... is a way to take a story, a point-of-view story, a mystery," added Reeves. "It’s got, of course, action, and all that kind of stuff, but at the end of it, it’s incredibly personal for him even though it’s in the story where he’s trying to understand and unravel this mystery.” Robert Pattinson has also teased details about the movie, promising fans that it will be "radically different" to the numerous Batman movies that have come before it. "For some reason, Batman has always stood out as one of the major characters of the 20th century, and so many people connect with it on such a deep level for so many different reasons," said at CinemaCon 2021. "From the first conversation I had with Matt about it, I just knew that there was something radically different [here]." The Batman HBO Max spin-offs Warner Bros is investing heavily in their new Batman film franchise, with two spin-off streaming shows reportedly on the way to HBO Max. The first to be announced was a prequel series focusing on the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD), which would presumably be a more grounded and gritty interpretation than what we saw in FOX's Gotham. "The Gotham PD series will go into the corruption of the Gotham Police Department," Matt Reeves said at the DC FanDome in August 2020. "It goes back to Batman Year One... we'll see these characters from a perspective we've never seen before." Initially, Boardwalk Empire's Terence Winter was to act as showrunner on the series, but he quit the job in late 2020 over creative differences (via The Hollywood Reporter). Two months later, Giri/Haji creator Joe Barton was announced as his replacement, assuring a fan on Twitter that his show is going to be "very different" to Bruno Heller's Gotham, which ended its five-season run in 2019. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Jeffrey Wright teased the possibility of his Jim Gordon putting in an appearance. “Well, yeah, there's been a little talk about that,” Wright teased when asked if he was set to appear in the show. “I do think that the film is going to leave fans longing for more. So if there's an opportunity to explore more of this specific Gotham in a granular way through a show like that, it'd be very exciting.” In September 2021, a separate The Batman spin-off series was revealed to be in development for HBO Max, which hopes to focus on Colin Farrell's Oswald Cobblepot (who will go on to be known as The Penguin). Variety said that the project is in "very early stages" of development, with Farrell yet to sign a deal to reprise his role, but Agents of SHIELD writer and producer Lauren LeFranc were attached to pen the script. It is understood that The Batman director Matt Reeves will executive produce both shows, which should help keep his growing corner of the DC Universe tonally consistent. It was then confirmed in December by Variety that Colin Farrell had signed on for the upcoming series. It also reports that Matt Reeves and the film’s producer Dylan Clark will executive produce the show. Will there be a sequel to The Batman? While not officially confirmed, that is the plan. The Batman is intended as the first part of a new trilogy of Batman films from director Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne. The Batman is a standalone story but there are plans to continue with this iteration of the character. This new trilogy will be at the centre of a fresh shared universe in which the spin-off series on HBO Max will also feature. Pattinson and Reeves have already discussed their intentions for the trilogy. Speaking to Empire, Pattinson noted: "I’ve made a kind of map for where Bruce’s psychology would grow over two more movies. I would love to do it." Meanwhile, Pattinson also shared which Batman villains he would like to see tackled next in the series. "I’d love to do something like Court of Owls," the actor told Den of Geek, a story about a hidden secret society ruling Gotham. He added: "There are elements of The Batman which are kind of horror and I think it really feels quite new for Batman." Pattinson also highlighted the data-obsessed killer Calendar Man as a potential villain. Finally, director Matt Reeves made clear when speaking to press including Collider that he wanted to do explore a more "grounded" take on Mr Freeze. He explained: "In my view, I just feel drawn to finding the grounded version of everything. So to me it would be a challenge in an interesting way to try and figure out how that could happen, even the idea of something like Mr Freeze, that is such a great story, right? "I think there's actually a grounded version of that story, which could be really powerful and could be really great." We'll have to wait and see! What other Batman films have there been? The Dark Knight is one of the most-depicted superheroes in cinema, with various iterations of the character played by different actors cropping up over the last few decades. Read More: How to watch the Batman movies in order Excluding 1940s serials, the first time Batman turned up on the screen was in a spin-off from the popular 1960s TV series starring Adam West, with Batman: The Movie released in 1966 and remaining a cult classic to this day. Following this the character was adapted by Tim Burton for 1989's Batman and 1992's Batman Returns, where he was played by Michael Keaton opposite foes like Jack Nicholson's Joker, Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman and Danny DeVito's Penguin. After Burton and Keaton departed (though Burton remained as producer) Joel Schumacher took over for the Val Kilmer-starring Batman Forever (1995) and its sequel Batman and Robin (1997), which starred George Clooney after Kilmer had scheduling conflicts. Following the poor critical and commercial response to the film (which is still remembered as one of the worst-ever superhero movies) Batman didn't return to screens again until Christopher Nolan's reboot origin story Batman Begins, which starred Christian Bale and sparked two critically-acclaimed sequels – 2008's The Dark Knight and 2012's The Dark Knight Rises. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Following that trilogy the character was rebooted again for Warner Bros' connected DC universe, with Ben Affleck cast for 2016 crossover movie Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. Affleck's Batman also appeared in villain-based spin-off Suicide Squad (also in 2016) and 2017 team-up movie Justice League, the poor performance of which ended up inspiring Affleck to pass the baton to Pattinson. That said, he did shoot some brief new material for 2021 re-edit Zack Snyder's Justice League and is due to appear in a small farewell role in 2022's The Flash, starring Ezra Miller. For a lighter version of the caped crusader, check out 2017's The Lego Batman movie, which saw Will Arnett reprise his role as Lego Batman from The Lego Movie for a critically-acclaimed, fourth wall-breaking riff on the DC Comics franchise. Is there a post-credits scene for The Batman? Well, it's not quite a full scene but there is a slight tease connected to The Riddler. Read More: The Batman ending explained: How does Robert Pattinson film end? Read More: Meet the cast of The Batman: Full list of DC Comics characters Read More: How to watch Batman movies in order and where to stream Read More: The Batman producer reveals there are “inevitably” ideas for sequels Read more: The Batman soundtrack - full list of music in DC Comics film The Batman is in cinemas now. Check out more of our Sci-Fi and Fantasy coverage, or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
Horizon Forbidden West release date, UK launch time & latest news
The Horizon Forbidden West release date is very close now, and the first reviews are in.
The Horizon Forbidden West countdown is over! The Horizon Forbidden West release date is out now and the Horizon Forbidden West UK launch time has been and gone. Ashly Burch reprises the role of Aloy in this hotly-awaited sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, and fans have been waiting for years to see how her story will develop in Horizon Forbidden West. Before the end of this week, we'll be experiencing the next chapter of her action-packed story in the far-flung future. Latest Deals And so, before you jump in to Horizon Forbidden West for the first time, we've got all the essential details to get you started right here. Check it all out below! Horizon Forbidden West release date The Horizon Forbidden West release date is 18th February 2022, the developers have confirmed. That's the day when you'll be able to play Horizon Forbidden West for the first time, whether you're based in the UK, USA or somewhere totally different. Horizon Forbidden West UK release time When does Horizon Forbidden West come out? Wherever you are in the world, Horizon Forbidden West will launch at midnight local time on the morning of 18th February. So that's 12am BST for players in the UK – you should be able to jump in now, then! Read more on Horizon Forbidden West: Horizon Forbidden West review - our full verdict Horizon Forbidden West PS5 upgrade - get the cheapest version Horizon Forbidden West trophy list - full trophies guide Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck LEGO - when does the set come out? Horizon Forbidden West map Horizon Forbidden West hours - how long it takes to beat Will Horizon Forbidden West be on PC? Horizon Forbidden West skill tree Horizon Forbidden West romance - why Aloy doesn't have a love interest Horizon Forbidden West armour Horizon Call of the Mountain VR game - latest news Horizon Forbidden West review round-up The first Horizon Forbidden West reviews are in, and we've pulled together some of the most mouthwatering ones for you right here! Kimberly Wallace from Game Informer gave the game 9.25, offering this tantalising summary: "Horizon Forbidden West reaches a new high bar for Guerrilla Games. It does more than surpass its predecessor; it takes Horizon’s fiction to captivating places and builds a rich world that rewards you for the effort you put into it." Sam Loveridge at GamesRadar described Horizon Forbidden West as "nothing short of phenomenal", adding that it "iterates on the original in every way" with its "rich, compelling world" and "even more robot dinosaurs". Honestly, what more could you want? At Tom's Guide, Tony Polanco said, "Horizon Forbidden West is an exceptionally crafted sequel, delivering a thrilling open-world experience that fans of the original game will love." Although he did note that the new game "doesn't distinguish itself from its predecessor" in his opinion. The main gist of this first set of Horizon Forbidden West reviews has been overwhelmingly positive, though, so here's hoping that the fans at home receive the game in a similar way come Friday. The Horizon Forbidden West Metacritic score is currently sitting at 89/100, if you were wondering, with that score being based on 100 critic reviews. Can I pre-order Horizon Forbidden West? Horizon Forbidden West pre-orders have ended, seeing as the game is out now, but of course you can still buy it! Amazon lists the Horizon Forbidden West price like so: £51.95 for the PS4 version £69.99 for the PS5 version £79.99 for the PS5 Special Edition (includes steelbook, mini art book and digital soundtrack) Or you can head over to Very where you can buy either version of the game. When does the Horizon Forbidden West Official Strategy Guide come out? Clocking in at a whopping 656 pages, the hardback Horizon Forbidden West Official Strategy Guide book is looking like a very tempting purchase at £31.05 on Amazon. The book has a release date of 31st March, though, so you'll have to wait a little while to pick it up after the game itself launches. Horizon Forbidden West gameplay footage Want to see Horizon Forbidden West gameplay in action? Well, you're in luck. Just shy of 20 minutes of full gameplay footage was shown during a Sony State of Play live stream, with this extended trailer giving us our best look yet at the game. Take a look for yourself below and you'll surely feel your eyes watering. View oEmbed on the source website What consoles and platforms will Horizon Forbidden West be available on? The original Horizon Zero Dawn game launched exclusively on PS4, but a PC version did come along later, so it's only sensible to wonder whether Horizon Forbidden West will release in the same way. The recent launch of the PS5 is also something that changes the situation, so keep on reading for the full lowdown on where this game will be available. Is Horizon Forbidden West a PS5 exclusive or will it be on PS4? Horizon Zero Dawn 2 will be available on both PS5 and PS4, as Sony confirmed in a blog post last year. Although Horizon Forbidden West will certainly have better graphics and loading times if you play on PS5, it's nice to know that PS4 users won't be missing out this time. That's good news for anyone that has been struggling to buy a new console due to PS5 stock issues. Horizon Forbidden West PC release: will it be on PC? Sony has not yet announced a PC release date for Horizon Forbidden West, which shouldn't come as a massive surprise. After all, the original Horizon Zero Dawn game was a PlayStation console exclusive for over three years: it launched on PS4 in early 2017, and it eventually came to PC in summer 2020. If Horizon Forbidden West does come to PC, we wouldn't expect that to happen for quite a while. What is the Horizon Forbidden West story about? Horizon Zero Dawn is set in a post-apocalyptic world where giant robot creatures have taken over the Earth and the surviving humans have been reduced to a tribal-like society. Sadly very little is known about the sequel, but the first game's ending provides us with some (spoiler-ridden) clues. Hades, a rogue AI hell-bent on human destruction, is found to have survived the climactic showdown at the end of the game, and interestingly has been captured by supposed ally Sylens. This nicely sets up the villains for the sequel, who will likely be much more nuanced considering the friendship the player has with Sylens. The official synopsis does tell us a little more and while it does not give a huge amount away, it does tell us that there is more trouble afoot that we will need to try and sort out: "Horizon Forbidden West continues the story of Aloy, a young huntress of the Nora tribe sent on a quest to a mysterious frontier spanning Utah to the Pacific coast to find the source of a mysterious plague that kills all it infects. ... one that will change Aloy forever." List of all the machines in Horizon Forbidden West Oh, and the sequel will be sure to have more varieties of machine animals - which we're very much on board for. Since the game has not been released yet, we don't have a full list of machines at the moment, but we do know a few of them: you'll be going up against Bristlebacks, Clawstriders, Chargers, Shellsnappers, Snapmaws, Sunwings and Tremortusks in the game. Is there a trailer for Horizon Forbidden West? Only time will tell if this becomes one of the best PS5 games, but for now, we'll just have to enjoy looking at the Horizon Forbidden West marketing materials. Take a look at the latest story-based Horizon Forbidden West trailer below and get yourself hyped for the game's release date. View oEmbed on the source website Why is Aloy's face different? How old is Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West? One question that popped up on social media following that gameplay reveal was 'why does Aloy's face look different?' and the answer to that has not been officially revealed yet. But there are a couple of theories floating around. The role of Aloy is still being played by Mythic Quest star Ashly Burch, so there's no actor-related reason why the character would look different. Perhaps the graphics-based upgrade supplied by the PS5 has altered the way in which Aloy is constructed in the game, with higher levels of fidelity and more dynamic lighting making her look different. Or maybe the changes here were made for story reasons. After all, Horizon Forbidden West is believed to take place six months after Horizon Zero Dawn, so Aloy would have aged a little bit between the two games. She was in her late-teens in the first game, but Aloy could be closer to her early 20s now. However old she is, though, we're looking forward to playing as Aloy again when this sequel finally comes out! Looking even further into the future, Sony's PSVR 2 virtual reality headset will eventually play host to another Horizon game, Horizon Call of the Mountain, which is also very exciting. More on that as we hear it. Follow Radio Times Gaming on Twitter for all the latest insights. Or if you're looking for something to watch, see our TV Guide. Visit our video game release schedule for all upcoming games on consoles. Swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
The King's Man release date, cast, trailer and news for Kingsman prequel
Taron Egerton and Colin Firth will NOT play a part in the spin-off – but Matthew Vaughn has assembled a stellar cast led by Ralph Fiennes.
It's time for a whole new Kingsman outing. The two Kingsman movie released in 2014 and 2017 respectively proved extremely popular with critics - but the next film in the franchise is taking rather a different approach. The King's Man is a prequel to the Kingsman franchise, telling the origin story of the intelligence agency with a new cast - meaning stars Colin Firth and Taron Egerton will not be returning for this instalment. There's plenty of star power elsewhere, however, with a killer cast that includes Harris Dickinson, Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton and Djimon Hounsou. With the film one of many to have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, there have been a few changes to the release date - read on for everything you need to know about Kingsman prequel The King's Man. The King's Man UK release date The King's Man is released in UK cinemas on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. The film was originally scheduled for release on November 8, 2019, before being pushed back to 15 November that year, then February 14, 2020, and then to September 18, 2020. However, the Covid-19 pandemic saw the film delayed once again, first to February 12, 2021, then to March 12, 2021, then August 20, 2021. Finally, the film was scheduled for a release in December 2021 - two years after its initial release date. It is expected to arrive on digital platforms 45 days after its theatrical release. Who is in the cast of The King's Man? There are a host of big names in the prequel to Kingsman but do not expect the likes of Taron Egerton and Colin Firth to appear here. Ralph Fiennes plays the role of Orlando Oxford and is joined by Gemma Arterton in the role of servant-turned-spy Polly. Harris Dickinson takes on the role of Orlando's protege Conrad Oxford, who serves as the co-lead of the film. Meanwhile, Rhys Ifans will appear as the infamous Russian monk Grigori Rasputin, with Tom Hollander playing the roles of related European royalty in the form of King George V of England, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Elsewhere, Matthew Goode plays Morton opposite Daniel Brühl as Erik Jan Hanussen, Djimon Hounsou as Shola, Charles Dance as Herbert Kitchener, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Archie Reid, and Aaron Vodovoz as Felix Yuzupov - Rasputin's historical killer. Other cast members to appear to include Todd Boyce as Mr Alfred DuPont, Branka Katic as Tsarina Alix of Russia, Valerie Pachner as iconic spy Mata Hari, Olivier Richters as H.M.S.G. (Hugh Machine Shark Guard), Stanley Tucci as the United States Ambassador, and Alison Steadman as Rita. The King's Man trailers There are now multiple trailers for The King's Man, which is unsurprising considering the multiple delays that the film has faced. View oEmbed on the source website The footage shown demonstrates the action-packed nature of the film, the various historical figures and that key comedic but thrilling tone to the Kingsman franchise. You can find the most recent tailer above. What is The King's Man about? The film's official synopsis is rather ambiguous: "As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man must race against time to stop them. Discover the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency in The King's Man." The trailers reveal a few more bits of information. View oEmbed on the source website Set in WWI, the first footage throws up some major historical figures – like Tsar Nicholas II, Rasputin and Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It also gives us plenty of footage of Conrad's induction into the Kingsman intelligence agency, via the guidance of Fiennes' gentlemanly character and assisted by Gemma Arterton's servant-turned-spy. We spotted a glimpse of some familiar locations, too, from the Kingsman mansion, where new recruits are trained, to the organisation's Savile Row front, with a selection of modern attire...... and wartime regalia. If that's got you interested for more, you can read our The King's Man review. Will there be any more Kingsman films? Oh, yes. Kingman 3 will see Firth and Egerton reprise their roles for what is being billed as the conclusion to the Eggsy/Harry relationship. That instalment is yet to get a release date. There are also reports of a spin-off film to Kingsman: The Golden Circle which introduced an international network of Kingsman agents. With a working title of Statesman, it is rumoured to see Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges and Halle Berry reprise their roles. In November 2018, Vaughn also announced details of an eight-hour Kingsman TV series, although details of that project are yet to be fully revealed. If you want to give watching the whole franchise a go, here's how to watch the Kingsman films in order. Read more: The King's Man end credits scene explained If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV guide.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife – release date, cast, trailer and returning cast members
Everything you need to know about the sequel's delayed release date, cast and which original Ghostbusters are due to star.
A new generation is about to answer the call as Ghostbusters: Afterlife is now playing in cinemas, seeing the descendants of Egon Spengler take on an epic paranormal event in the sleepy town of Summerville, Oklahoma. Director Jason Reitman, son of the original film's helmer Ivan, has enlisted the talents of rising stars Mckenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard for this soft reboot, while Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon appear as the adult leads. Coon plays a single mother who is forced to move across the country when she and her kids are evicted from their previous home, but something good might well come out of the trouble. An advance clip from the movie, available below, alludes to a blossoming romance between Callie Spengler (Coon) and Summerville school teacher Gary Grooberson (Rudd), with the two sharing an awkward exchange at the late Egon's dilapidated farmhouse. View oEmbed on the source website For Ghostbusters purists, of which there are many, Reitman has also reunited the surviving members of the original cast, with Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and Sigourney Weaver all confirmed to be appearing. Read on for everything you need to know about Ghostbusters: Afterlife, including release date, cast, trailer and connections to the original films. Ghostbusters: Afterlife release date Time to answer the call! Ghostbusters: Afterlife is out now in the UK, with Sony Pictures releasing the film exclusively to cinemas on Thursday 18th November 2021. The film had originally been intended for release all the way back in July 2020, but was delayed three times as the film industry grappled with international lockdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It's not yet known when the film will be available to watch online via on-demand services, but several recent blockbusters have followed a shorter theatrical window of approximately 45 days, so Afterlife could follow suit – watch this space. Ghostbusters: Afterlife cast The Ghostbusters: Afterlife cast is led by two Hollywood rising stars: Captain Marvel's McKenna Grace, aged 15, as science-obsessed Phoebe and Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, 18, as her on-screen brother, Trevor. The adult lead role goes to Carrie Coon, known for recent roles in Fargo, The Sinner and Avengers: Infinity War, who will play the kids' mother, Callie Spengler. The family are the descendants of one of the original Ghostbusters characters, Egon Spengler, who was played by the late Harold Ramis in the first two films. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a family affair both in front of and behind the camera, as director Jason Reitman is the son of Ivan Reitman, who helmed the first two films. Acknowledging this special connection, Jason shared a photo of himself, his father and his three main stars to Twitter as filming got underway in July 2019, with the caption: "The Family's All Here". View oEmbed on the source website Comedy star Paul Rudd (Ant-Man and the Wasp) will also star in the film as high school teacher Mr Grooberson, who will presumably be responsible for keeping Phoebe and Trevor out of trouble. In another continuity nod, it has been confirmed that Mr Grooberson witnessed the events of the first film as a child in New York, where a giant Marshmallow Man rampaged across the city (an incident referred to as the “Manhattan Crossrip"). Rudd's involvement was confirmed by the Ghostbusters official Twitter account, which shared a video of the actor in front of the iconic firehouse featured in the franchise. "When I heard they were going to call me, well, as you can imagine, I nearly slimed myself," he says. "I can’t wait to join the cast this fall for Ghostbusters. In fact, I’m sliming myself right now." View oEmbed on the source website Producer Ivan Reitman told ET Online about Rudd's role: "He's a seismologist who's come to this small town because they've been having mysterious earthquakes. He's also teaching summer school there and he's extraordinarily funny." The supporting cast includes another Fargo alum, Bokeem Woodbine, as Sheriff Domingo, while Celeste O'Connor (Freaky) plays his daughter, Lucky. Oliver Cooper (Red Oaks) and Tracy Letts (The Woman in the Window) will also appear. Which original Ghostbusters stars will appear? Long-time Ghostbusters fans were thrilled to hear that the reboot will include roles for the original cast of the franchise, although it's not yet clear how prominent they will be. Sigourney Weaver was first to confirm her return as Dana Barrett back in 2019, letting slip that Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson were also reprising their roles after telling Parade: "It’s going to be crazy working with the guys again." Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd will be reprising their roles as Winston Zeddemore and Ray Stantz respectively, while Bill Murray and Annie Potts will also be returning. In November 2019, Aykroyd confirmed that the original cast had shot all their scenes for the film (via The Greg Hill Show), describing his experience working on the project as "really exciting". Later, he told Parade: “It was completely unanticipated. But Jason took our reputation and the value of Ghostbusters to a completely new level. It’s a story that works on the page and works on the screen just beautifully. I think this is going to be big, and if I’m wrong, then I’m going to throw away 35 years of experience in the comedy business.” Harold Ramis, who played Dr Egon Spengler, passed away in 2014, but his beloved role will remain a big part of Afterlife, as the film introduces the character's daughter and grandchildren. Ghostbusters: Afterlife plot The new film follows single mother-of-two Callie, who inherits a property in Oklahoma from the father she never knew (who turns out to be one of the original Ghostbusters crew). Mckenna Grace plays her science-obsessed daughter Phoebe, while Finn Wolfhard plays her petrolhead son, who will find themselves facing off against frightening ghouls when a supernatural phenomena begins to shake the town of Summerville. "As the family arrives at an old farm, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters," director Jason Reitman, son of original Ghostbusters director Ivan, told Vanity Fair. "Trevor and Phoebe are about to find out who their grandfather was and whether they’re ready to pick up the proton pack themselves." Trevor will discover the retro ambulance-turned-ghostbuster-car, while Phoebe will "find a device that reads psychokinetic energy," an instantly recognisable tool of the trade from the original film. The only question is whether Trevor and Phoebe will decide to go into the family business. Read more: Ghostbusters: Afterlife is ghoulish in all the wrong ways Will there be a sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife? Ghostbusters Afterlife end credits scenes explained Will there be a sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife? It looks like Afterlife isn't intended to be the boiler-suit boys' last outing, as the film's director Jason Reitman hinted in June that he has plans for a fourth film in the franchise. "I can't tell you anything, but we are working on another instalment," he said, speaking on Josh Gad's Reunited Apart YouTube series. Original Ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd, who plays Dr Ray Stantz in the franchise, echoed this sentiment, telling Entertainment Weekly that Afterlife "feeds into the possibility of more follow-ups with this group and with others who want to join". Why does Ghostbusters: Afterlife ignore the Ghostbusters reboot? Ghostbusters: Afterlife will not acknowledge the 2016 reboot from director Paul Feig, instead returning to the continuity of the first two films, both released in the 1980s. This move is most likely a response to the financial performance of the reboot, which featured a team comprised of Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Melissa McCarthy. Feig himself admitted to Vulture that the film would need a sturdy box office gross of $500 million to be considered profitable, but ended up making less than half of that worldwide. As a result, The Hollywood Reporter estimated that the film would make a $70 million loss for its financiers, eradicating any hopes for a sequel from its defenders. Nevertheless, star Leslie Jones condemned the decision to scrap the reboot's continuity entirely, describing the move from Sony Pictures as "insulting" on Twitter. In January 2019, the star tweeted: "So insulting. Like f**k us. We didn't count. It’s like something trump would do. (Trump voice) 'Gonna redo ghostbusteeeeers, better with men, will be huge. Those women ain’t ghostbusteeeeers' ugh so annoying. Such a d**k move. And I don’t give f**k I’m saying something!!" Who is directing Ghostbusters: Afterlife? Jason Reitman, the son of the franchise’s original director Ivan Reitman, will helm the movie – and it seems that Reitman senior was rather emotional when seeing the final cut of the film. “My father hasn’t been leaving the house much because of COVID, but he took a test, put on a mask and drove down to the Sony lot to watch the movie with the studio,” he told Empire back in January 2021. “And after, he cried, and he said, ‘I’m so proud to be your father.’ And it was one of the great moments of my life.” That the film has got Ivan’s rubber stamp will no doubt come as good news to Ghostbusters fans – and even better news is that it looks like this is by no means the end of the road for the franchise. “I want to see Ghostbusters movies from all of my favourite directors, and we hope that this movie sets the table for that,” Reitman recently explained at New York Comic-Con. Reitman, whose previous films include Juno and Up In The Air, has co-written the Ghostbusters sequel with Gil Kenan, while his father Ivan is attached as a producer. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 Ghostbusters: Afterlife trailer On November 8th 2021, Ghostbusters: Afterlife unveiled a final trailer ahead of the film’s release this month. Fans will be thrilled to hear that the clip features the original cast members Murray, Aykroyd and Hudson as the famous ghost-busting trio, even if they do remain almost entirely off-screen. The rest of the trailer focuses on the new cast, including Marvel star Paul Rudd, and a bunch of ghosts and monsters, including the Terror Dogs from the original Ghostbusters. Watch below. View oEmbed on the source website In April 2021, Sony Pictures released an additional clip unleashing a new supernatural menace on the world – a miniature version of the Stay-Puft marshmallow man from the first film. Watch below. View oEmbed on the source website Alongside trailers, there have been a number of promotional videos for Ghostbusters: Afterlife including an interview in which which director Reitman and his father discuss returning to the franchise. Ghostbusters: Afterlife will be released in UK cinemas on Thursday 18th November. Visit our Movies hub for more news and features, or find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide.
Red Notice: Netflix release date, cast, plot and latest news
Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot and Deadpool's Ryan Reynolds star in the action thriller.
Netflix has released a fair few big-budget films in its time – but new release Red Notice is the most expensive of the lot so far. Featuring an all-star cast led by Dwayne Johnson, Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds and Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot, the globe-trotting action thriller sees a conman and an FBI profiler team up to prevent the theft of a deeply valuable artifact. Filming was only halfway finished when production was paused for six months last year due to the pandemic, but shooting eventually wrapped on the starry crime caper earlier this year. Now, following a brief cinematic release, the film arrives on the streaming platform this week – you can check out our Red Notice review to see what we thought of the film if you're unsure whether to give it a watch. Read on for all the details on Netflix's Red Notice, including confirmed release date, cast, plot, that new trailer and the latest news. Red Notice release date CONFIRMED: Red Notice will be available to stream worldwide on Netflix from Friday 12th November, as confirmed by Dwayne Johnson on Twitter. Before that, the film had a short theatrical run in select cinemas from Friday 5th November. View oEmbed on the source website The film has been in the works for some time, starting life at Universal Pictures before moving over to Netflix in July 2019, with its three principal stars securing $20 million paydays in the transition (via Variety). Filming commenced in January 2020 but was paused in March despite having 60 days left to shoot as Hiram Garcia, President of Production at Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions, explained to Deadline. “Around that time, I will never forget we were at the halfway point of Red Notice and we were literally going to Italy the following week as cases started to pick up, and probably 72 hours later we had to pull the plug and pause production,” Garcia said. Garcia credited the crew including Johnson and director Rawson Marshall Thurber for helping to figure out how to resume production safely and giving up personal time to remain in a bubble. “We basically did our own version of the bubble in Atlanta, similar to what the NBA did in Orlando," Garcia added. "We had a ton of hurdles to overcome like converting all these global shoots into stage work and the logistics of turning this into a bubble, which involved figuring out hotels and the set layout but at a hybrid level to what we were doing. "Even small things, like people just sacrificing their daily lives over those 60 days." Red Notice cast Netflix has had no trouble attracting huge stars in recent years but Red Notice boasts a particularly strong line-up. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson will play the lead role of FBI profiler Rusty, who is forced to team up with a prolific art thief played by Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman 1984) and a legendary conman portrayed by Ryan Reynolds (The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard). The supporting cast is yet to be announced in full, but Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy) and Chris Diamantopoulos (Arrested Development) have reportedly bagged roles. Red Notice plot The film follows an FBI profiler who ends up involved in a dangerous heist when he is handed a warrant to capture two notorious international criminals –which leads to him forming some unexpected alliances. The official synopsis reads: "When an Interpol-issued Red Notice — the highest level warrant to hunt and capture the world’s most wanted— goes out, the FBI’s top profiler John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson) is on the case. His global pursuit finds him smack dab in the middle of a daring heist where he’s forced to partner with the world’s greatest art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds) in order to catch the world’s most wanted art thief, “The Bishop” (Gal Gadot). The high-flying adventure that ensues takes the trio around the world, across the dance floor, trapped in a secluded prison, into the jungle and, worst of all for them, constantly into each other’s company." For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 Netflix's Head of Film Scott Stuber previously described it as a "globe-trotting action-adventure film". If you want more details, you can read our Red Notice review. Red Notice trailer Netflix released the first teaser for the new film in September – and it packed a lot into its two-minute running time, teasing at all sorts of glamour, humour, and impressive action stunts as well as briefly showing Johnson and Reynolds in what looks to be a bull rodeo. View oEmbed on the source website And then in October we got another, longer trailer that shows off even more of what to expect when the film lands in November. View oEmbed on the source website Red Notice will be available to stream on Netflix from Friday 12th November. Check out more of our Movies coverage, read our guide to the best movies on Netflix or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.
Far Cry 6 release date: Preload, early access and unlock time
We've had a longer wait than we thought we would for Far Cry 6 but that wait is nearly over, as we'll be playing the game in a matter of days. Far Cry 6 will transport us to the tropical, frozen-in-time, island of Yara, which is under a tyrannical rule. As you would expect, your job as main character Dani is to fight against the island's oppressive ruler and seize back control of your homeland. You will play as Dani Rojas, whose gender can be chosen by the player. You may recognise that name from Ted Lasso, but this isn't a crossover, as curious as we'd be to see how that might pan out. For all you need to know about Far Cry 6, including when you can play it and what changes are coming from the previous games in the series, read on. When is the Far Cry 6 release date? The Far Cry 6 release date is right around the corner, 7th October 2021 – right in the middle of the big gaming season this year. The game was previously slated for a February launch, but it was hit by a big delay – more on that below. What time does Far Cry 6 unlock to play? There will be no twiddling your thumbs and waiting on the release day as we will only be one minute into it when Far Cry 6 unlocks. That's 00:01 on Friday across every region. Why was Far Cry 6 delayed? The answer is the same one given for the majority of things that have been delayed over the last 18 months: the COVID-19 pandemic was the main reason behind the Far Cry 6 delay. Game developers spent a lot of time working from home and social distancing, and this has led to things not being finished in time to make that original release date. Can I pre-order Far Cry 6? Far Cry 6 pre-orders are available right now! Amazon and Game are just two of the places you can head to in order to make sure you get a copy of the game on release day. Is there Far Cry 6 early access? Nope! Quite a lot of the time you can play games early with things like pre-ordering or buying ultimate editions but not so with Far Cry 6. Everyone will be able to play the game at the exact same time for this one. What platforms can I get Far Cry 6 on? Far Cry 6 will be available on next-generation consoles, the PS5 and Xbox Series X, as well as the PS4 and Xbox One, with a PC and Stadia release also confirmed. What is the Far Cry 6 story? As per the official synopsis: "Far Cry 6 takes place on the fictional Caribbean island of Yara, which is inspired by Cuba and described as 'the largest Far Cry playground to date' and 'a tropical paradise that is frozen in time'. It is ruled by 'El Presidente' Antón Castillo, a fascist dictator with full control over the island. Castillo is guiding his son Diego, who is unsure of his own future, to follow in his footsteps. "The player takes the role of a local Yaran named Dani Rojas, a guerrilla soldier fighting for freedom who attempts to restore their nation back to its former glory." Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian star Giancarlo Esposito is playing El Presidente, rounding out a cast that also includes industry legend Troy Baker. Far Cry 6 gameplay View oEmbed on the source website Fans of the Far Cry franchise know what the game is all about by now, but the four-minute video above can show you exactly what to expect from this latest installment. On the surface, it looks like this first-person shooter game is going with the old adage of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', by keeping what fans know and love from previous games. So, makeshift weapons and vehicles will still be around, you will be joining a resistance and using your skills to invade enemy camps and take out anyone that stands in your way. The protagonist of the game, Dani, is also customisable and you can choose whether they are female or male as you begin the game. Can you preload Far Cry 6? Yes, you can. Preloads have been available for a while now so you can start the installation right now so there will be no hanging about on Friday. Is there a trailer for Far Cry 6? There most certainly is a trailer for Far Cry 6 and it is quite the thing to behold. Resembling an HBO show opening credits rather than a game trailer, this cinematic trailer is, quite simply, stunning. View oEmbed on the source website What do you get with the Far Cry 6 Ultimate Edition? The biggest perk with the Far Cry 6 Ultimate Edition is that you get the season pass. This means that the upcoming DLC starring villains from Far Cry's past will be yours as soon as they are released. You will also get the Ultimate Pack which includes The Jungle Expedition Pack, The Croc Hunter Pack and The Vice Pack. Follow Radio Times Gaming on Twitter for all the latest insights. Or if you're looking for something to watch, see our TV Guide. Visit our video game release schedule for all upcoming games on consoles. Swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news.
Venom 2: Release date, cast, trailer and latest news for Let There Be Carnage
Tom Hardy’s anti-hero is pitted against Woody Harrelson's Cletus Kasady in this much-anticipated sequel.
Odd couple Eddie and Venom are back for another round of banterous bickering, symbiote skirmishes and off-screen head biting in Venom: Let There Be Carnage. The superhero sequel was one of the many films delayed by the pandemic, but has finally settled on an October release date in the UK and even received a rare move forward in the US. The film will finally see the live-action debut of notorious supervillain Carnage, who will be played by Woody Harrelson – minus the dodgy wig – after being memorably introduced in the first film's post-credits scene. While Venom: Let There Be Carnage is one of many upcoming Marvel movies, it is not connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe – for now – but rumours of a crossover are reaching fever pitch. Tom Holland has not been seen in the marketing for Venom despite hints from a Sony executive that there are plans for a crossover – and the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home may well let him jump cinematic universes in the future. For now though, here is all there is to know about Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Venom 2 release date Like a slippery symbiote, the release date of Venom 2 has undergone many changes but has finally settled on a host – the sequel is due in US cinemas on 1st October 2021. However, UK fans might have to wait a little longer – currently, it's still set for a 15th October release date here, probably to avoid a clash with new Bond movie No Time to Die. Overall this is the fifth release date for the Tom Hardy sequel, which was initially set to open almost exactly a year earlier on 2nd October 2020 before being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “What we won’t do is make the mistake of putting a very, very expensive $200 million movie out in the market unless we’re sure that theatres are open and operating at significant capacity," Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman Tony Vinciquerra previously said. "You’ll see a lot of strange things happen over the next six months in how films are released, how they’re scheduled, how they’re marketed, but once we get back to normal, we will have learned a lot I think and found ways to do things that are somewhat different and hopefully better." View oEmbed on the source website There are tongues, teeth and tentacles galore in the below posters, the first of which is a callback to the poster for the original Venom, which melded half of Venom's face with half of Hardy's. View oEmbed on the source website Venom: Let There Be Carnage started filming on 18th November 2019 at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in Watford, England, and concluded before the global shutdown of film production in Spring 2020. Will Venom 2 be available to stream online? Unlike Disney or Warner Bros, Sony doesn't have an in-house streaming service to do a split streaming/cinema release, instead relying on a full cinema release only. However, like most films, Venom: Let There Be Carnage will eventually come to streaming, though this will be at least several months after its release in cinemas. Given that Sony and Netflix signed a big deal in April 2021, Netflix is the most likely candidate to become the Venom sequel's eventual streaming home. There may be a bit of a wait though – it can take anything from a few months to two years for cinema releases to reach the streaming service. However, as the Netflix-Sony deal was US-only, it is still possible that Venom: Let There Be Carnage will end up on a different streaming service here in the UK – and the superhero sequel will of course be available to buy and rent on the likes of Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Venom 2 trailer On 10th May 2021, a first full-length trailer was released – and it wasn't short on action, suggesting the same blend of humour and horror that made the first film a hit with fans while giving a first look at characters played by Naomie Harris and Stephen Graham. It looks like the battle between Venom and Carnage is going to be one for the ages – check out the trailer below... View oEmbed on the source website And in August, Sony released another trailer – with Carnage this time in the thick of the action. Check it out below. View oEmbed on the source website Venom 2 cast We couldn't have a Venom sequel without the return of Tom Hardy, who will of course be reprising his role as Eddie Brock, the journalist who shares a human body with the symbiote known as Venom. "I can say that Tom Hardy will be back, magnificently playing that character as no one else can,” producer Amy Pascal said. "When you think of Venom [the character], you'll never be able to think of anyone but Tom Hardy sitting in that bathtub of lobsters. And once you saw Tom Hardy do this character, that's all you needed to know." Michelle Williams is also reprising her role of Anne Weying and has told Yahoo! that she'd like to spend more time as She-Venom in the sequel. Woody Harrelson, who had a memorable cameo as serial killer Cletus Kasady in Venom’s post-credits scene, will also be back for the sequel (minus the dodgy wig). In the comics, Kasady ends up bonding with another symbiote (Venom’s offspring), to become the supervillain Carnage, a character so heinous that foes Spider-Man and Venom have actually banded together to take him down in several stories. The sequel's cinematographer Robert Richardson confirmed Harrelson's involvement in an interview with Collider: "You have a remarkable central character with Venom, but now you’ve got Woody Harrelson, who’s going to obviously make his own little entrance here." Continuing the high caliber of acting talent in these movies, James Bond star Naomie Harris has also bagged a role in the Venom sequel, playing sound-powered villain Shriek, who often acts as a deadly sidekick to Carnage. Line of Duty and The Irishman's Stephen Graham will play Detective Mulligan, widely believed to be Marvel character Patrick Mulligan. In the comics, Mulligan becomes a host for Toxin, a powerful symbiote spawned by Carnage – prompting rumours Toxin will appear in this film in a third act twist, or be set up as the villain of Venom 3. Rumours also suggest that classic Spider-Man villain Kraven could appear in the film as well, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson confirmed to play the character in a future solo movie. We can also expect to see more from Reid Scott (Late Night) as Anne's new boyfriend Dan, a doctor with the patience and understanding of a saint who helps Eddie following his initial transformation. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Venom 2 director With the first film’s director Ruben Fleischer busy making the Zombieland sequel, actor-turned-director Andy Serkis was drafted in as his replacement, reportedly beating Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ Rupert Wyatt and Bumblebee’s Travis Knight to the top job. “It’s happening,” Serkis wrote on Twitter. “The Symbiote has found a host in me and I’m ready for the ride... Can’t wait!” View oEmbed on the source website Notably, Serkis has a lot of experience with motion capture and/or animation techniques, suggesting that the sequel may be showing off an even more imaginative and visually arresting take on the CGI symbiote. (Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Richardson, who recently teamed with Tarantino on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, will be joining Serkis on the film.) "It's a fantastic franchise and I'm honored to be asked to direct it," Serkis said (via IGN). "It feels like a very contemporary story, and I think, hopefully, that it's going to be an extraordinary piece of cinema." Explaining that he was still "in the beginning stages" of putting the film together, he added, "I have some very clear ideas about what I want to see visually, and how we can take the characters to another dimension." Much of the film's creative direction, though, will still come from star and executive producer Hardy. “Tom is very involved with the writing with Kelly Marcel of the new story, so it’s very much centered around their take,” Serkis said (via /Film.) In fact, Hardy was so involved that he will be receiving his first 'Story By' credit, after spending months brainstorming the narrative with the film's screenplay writer Kelly Marcel. "This is new for him, to get credit, but it's not new for him to be this involved," Marcel told Empire Online. "He's absolutely 100 per cent committed to everything that he does." Marcel, who also co-wrote the original Venom, said that the two of them spent "months breaking the story together on FaceTime, riffing on ideas, seeing what worked, seeing what didn't" before she wrote the script. “He’s married to Venom,” Marcel added. “He loves this character. He’s very involved in what he thinks should happen.” Hardy has also hinted that there's a strong chance he will return to work on a potential third film with Marcel. "I’m thinking about the third movie as well, because I think you need to write that at the same time,” Hardy told Esquire. “A third won’t be greenlit until the second is successful, but the studio were really, really pleased with number two.” If you've already seen the movie in the US, you can read our Venom: Let There Be Carnage post-credits scene explainer here - but beware of spoilers! Is Tom Holland's Spider-Man in Venom 2? While Sony and Marvel are no longer splitting apart over Spider-Man (with Marvel making one more solo Spidey flick and having him in another team-up movie), at some point we'd expect the characters to come together. Sony are supposedly quite keen to integrate Spider-Man back into their established stable of movies down the line, and Spider-Man and Venom’s status as arch-nemeses in the comics makes the Venom series the obvious way for the character to check in. There are also reports from Geeks WorldWide that Holland may have a cameo role in the second Venom movie following leaked casting details – however, it's not yet clear whether he'd appear as the Peter Parker we know and love from films like Infinity War, or whether it would be an alternate universe Spider Man. There's also a possibility that Venom 2 might cross over with upcoming Morbius movie starring Jared Leto, which is part of the same universe. Hardy himself has hinted, if somewhat cryptically, that he would be keen on sharing the screen with Spider-Man when asked by Esquire. “Should both sides be willing, and it be beneficial to both sides, I don’t see why it couldn’t be," Hardy said. "I hope and strongly, with both hands, push, eagerly, towards that potential, and would do anything to make that happen, within what’s right in business." However Serkis is less keen, and although he acknowledges that "everyone is desperate for Venom to meet Spider-Man", he told Screen Rant that he'd rather Venom battle more villains from the film's Ravencroft Institute before meeting the webslinger. "I think there's real mileage in some of the other supervillains that reside in Ravencroft," Serkis said. "I think there's so much... There's such fertile ground to be uncovered there. That would be the sandbox I'd be really interested in playing. Who's lurking in there that could break out?" Check out our TV Guide to see what's on tonight, or visit our Movies hub for all the latest news.
The Many Saints of Newark release date: Trailer, cast for The Sopranos film prequel
Prepare to explore Tony Soprano's troubled teenage years in this intense crime drama.
Almost fifteen years after it finished, The Sopranos still regularly tops lists of the greatest TV shows of all time – and now the acclaimed gangster series is getting a spin-off in the form of a prequel for mob boss Tony Soprano. Fans of The Sopranos are in for a treat later this year, as prequel film The Many Saints of Newark will shed new light on the dark world of the acclaimed crime drama. Director Alan Taylor (Thor: The Dark World), who helmed nine episodes of the original series, returns for the new project, from a script written by the show's creator David Chase. Taylor has described the film as the most difficult project he's worked on in his career. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he said "Doing this in a way that would work for David’s vision was a huge challenge, something I would lie awake at night thinking about. This is the hardest job I’ve ever done." As the film is set several decades earlier than the TV show, an all-new cast has been enlisted to portray characters that will be very familiar to longtime fans. Among them is Michael Gandolfini, who inherits the role of Tony Soprano from his late father James, and looks to be doing a phenomenal job embodying the character in the Many Saints of Newark trailer. Meanwhile, it looks as if this won't be the last time that David Chase dips into the world of the Sopranos, with the boss having indicated that there could be demand for a second prequel – even if he's more interested in doing other things. "When we first started, the studio used to talk about doing a sequel, and I was like yeah, dream on," he told Deadline. "And now that they’ve seen the movie and they really like it, they don’t talk about it anymore. But there’s only one way that I would do it, and that was if Terry (Winter) and I could write the script together. That I would do." Read on for all the details on this highly anticipated The Sopranos prequel, including release date, cast, returning characters, and trailer. The Many Saints of Newark release date The Many Saints of Newark will be released in UK cinemas on Wednesday 22nd September 2021. This is slightly earlier than the film arrives for our friends across the pond, where it will be available to stream on HBO Max or to see in cinemas from Friday 1st October. Like many high-profile movies, The Many Saints of Newark has faced multiple delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, having originally been slated for release in September 2020, moving to March 2021 and then again to its current date. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. The Many Saints of Newark trailer The first trailer for The Many Saints of Newark dropped in June 2021, introducing the key players in this suspenseful crime story, including Michael Gandolfini in his father's iconic role: Tony Soprano. View oEmbed on the source website And a second trailer for the movie was released in September 2021, this time focusing on Alessandro Nivola’s Dickie Moltisanti (the father of Sopranos character Christopher) while also offering a glimpse of John Bernthal as Tony's father Giovanni 'Johnny Boy' Soprano. View oEmbed on the source website The Many Saints of Newark cast: Is anyone returning from The Sopranos? The Many Saints of Newark will see the return of several characters first introduced in The Sopranos, but they will be portrayed by different actors due to the film's significantly earlier setting. Original Tony Soprano actor James Gandolfini sadly passed away in 2013, but his son, Michael (Ocean's 8), has stepped into the role, providing a moving homage to his father's groundbreaking performance. Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring) will portray Tony's mother, Livia, while Alessandro Nivola (Black Narcissus) has bagged the role of his uncle, Dickie Moltisanti – father of Christopher, a prominent character in The Sopranos. Other returning characters from The Sopranos include Giovanni 'Johnny Boy' Soprano (The Punisher's Jon Bernthal), Junior Soprano (House of Cards star Corey Stoll), Paulie 'Walnuts' Gaultieri (Aladdin's Billy Magnussen) and Silvio Dante (The Umbrella Academy's John Magaro). The star-studded cast also includes Leslie Odom Jr. (One Night in Miami), Ray Liotta (Marriage Story), Joey Diaz (Maron) and Nick Vallelonga (Green Book). Behind the camera, The Sopranos creator David Chase has returned to write and produce this new entry in the story, with Alan Taylor (who directed nine episodes of the original series) taking on directing duties. What is The Many Saints of Newark about? The Many Saints of Newark is a prequel to acclaimed HBO drama The Sopranos, which followed the eponymous crime family led by patriarch Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). This film is set several decades earlier, introducing us to a teenage Tony and unravelling how he became the hardened criminal we later come to know. That story will involve the rivalry between the powerful DiMeo crime family and the several rival organisations rising to challenge them, with Tony's uncle Dickie tied up in the brewing conflict. The riots that swept Newark, New Jersey in 1967 are also set to provide a powerful backdrop to this narrative. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide to see what's on tonight, or visit our Movies hub for the latest news and features.