• The Batman Part II has been delayed until February 2028
• Its director has shared new footage of Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader
• James Gunn's DC Universe could be severely impacted by this development

It's going to be another 18 months before we finally get to see The Batman Part II.

The long in development comic book movie, whose release date had already been pushed back twice, is now not set to land in theaters until February 18, 2028. Anyone who had hoped to see The Batman Part II on its previously revised release date on October 1, 2027, then, is going to be seriously disappointed.

News of The Batman sequel's latest launch date came by way of a new video that director Matt Reeves shared on his social media channels. The footage, which gives us our first look at the returning Robert Pattinson as the titular vigilante in Reeves' next Batman film, ends with the revelation of the adjusted release date.

By the time this DC comic book project lands on the big screen, then, almost six years will have passed since its predecessor made its own theatrical debut. That's a long time to make fans wait for the hotly-anticipated follow-up.

Why The Batman Part II's delayed release is bad news for James Gunn's DC Universe

It would be remiss of me not to say that movie delays happen all of the time, so word of The Batman Part II's latest launch setback is, especially for a film that's taken a long time to get off the ground for myriad reasons, to be expected.

Nevertheless, it's going to have a huge impact on James Gunn and Peter Safran's nascent DC Universe (DCU), which is already reeling from its first major dud in Supergirl.

Indeed, Gunn has said time and again that the DCU's Batman — and, by proxy, his DCU Chapter One solo film in The Brave and the Bold — won't see the light of day until The Batman Part II has premiered.

The reason? While Gunn says audiences are intelligent enough to understand that Reeves' Bat-Verse and the DCU are separate entities, he doesn't want two Batmans running amok in cinemas at the same time. Now that The Batman 2 won't come out until early 2028, though, we aren't likely to see the DCU's Dark Knight until 2029 at the very earliest.

That doesn't mean Gunn, Safran, and company won't be working on The Brave and The Bold in the meantime. What it does mean, though, is that the wait for one of DC Comics' so-called Holy Trinity will not only drag on for ever longer, but DC Studios' co-heads will have to continue fielding questions about the timeline for the Caped Crusader's unveiling in their cinematic franchise. In that regard, can't say I envy them.

Anyway, feel free to find out everything we know so far about The Batman Part II while you're here. Alternatively, vote in the poll above to let me know what you think of the movie's latest delay.

As Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey arrives in theaters worldwide on July 17, the demand for screenings in IMAX 70mm has never been higher.

According to Variety, demand is so high that "fans are taking cross-country trips, buying tickets in bulk and more to see the film, with one fan even delaying her pregnancy."

The new movie is the first feature film ever shot entirely on 1570 IMAX cameras, and you only have to look at the TikTok below to see how much of each shot standard cinemagoers will be missing out on.

Globally, there are only 30-40 theaters that can play Nolan's original 70mm film, with around 26 in the US and just three in the UK.

We know what cultural and economic impact The Odyssey is set to have in the industry this summer, with estimates predicting that the movie will gross $200 million at the international box office in its opening weekend alone.

So does this mean that we could see an increase in new IMAX theaters being built? IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond confirms that it's a definite company goal... but the reality isn't quite so straightforward.

'We haven't made new IMAX projectors in about 50 years'

"There's certainly more demand; the problem is they haven't made new IMAX film projectors in about 50 years," Gelfond told Variety.

"So we retrofit them, rebuild them, and part of our strategy is to see how far we can take it. But certainly, demand-driven, I'd like to see more."

Obviously, this would be a huge investment for the company. Commercial IMAX projectors range from $300,000 to over $1.2 million USD, depending on whether it is digital, laser, or traditional 70mm film. The latter is going to be at the top end of this range, given its complexity.

Then there's the risk involved with investing. Just because The Odyssey has such high demand doesn't mean that other movies that opt to film in the same format in the future will have the same retention level.

Cinemas are struggling enough as it is, which isn't helped by the fact that streaming services like Netflix are frequently pushing back on giving original movies a theatrical release.

“There is a group of filmmakers who still want theatrical,” Dan Lin, chairman of Netflix Film, told The Hollywood Reporter. “Those are filmmakers that we’ve accepted; we just won’t work with.”

In short, it's a leap of faith back to a new cinema, despite how much fans are desperate for them. However, if any film can set a new precedent — and bring back the forgotten ways of making projectors — it's The Odyssey.

I'm quietly keeping my fingers crossed that such passionate interest in returning to cinema in its biggest and best form will mark a turning point. Perhaps just because I can't get tickets for Nolan's latest at the BFI IMAX... but while I'm jealous, the fact that screenings are sold out until mid-August is nothing short of astonishing.

You know what Rick and Morty season 9 has been missing so far? Something marginally normal. Thankfully, Morty and Summer are off to summer camp (the season, that is — they didn't name the camp after her) in this week's episode.

Obviously, I'm being hopelessly naive in thinking that this is going to resemble anything like a routine summer-camp adventure, especially seeing as Beth and Rick are being left home alone in the meantime; I mean, what could go wrong — at either venue?

It's exhausting even trying to guess at what's coming, so I might as well stop trying, and answer the question you're here to have answered: when does Rick and Morty season 9 episode 9 arrive on Adult Swim, Hulu, and HBO Max?

What time can I watch Rick and Morty season 9 episode 9 on Adult Swim, Hulu, and HBO Max?

In the US, Rick and Morty season 9 episode 9 will debut on Adult Swim on Sunday, July 19 at 8pm PT / 11pm ET.

Viewers elsewhere, as well as in the US, have two streaming options: Hulu and HBO Max. Episodes should appear on these platforms 24 hours after they've aired on Adult Swim, meaning you can expect episode 9 to land on Monday, July 20.

These are the timings you need to take note of:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 6pm AEST
• New Zealand – 8pm NZDT

When do new episodes of Rick and Morty season 9 come out?

Rick and Morty season 9 is set to have 10 episodes. As long as there are no unexpected delays, we can expect it to follow the following release schedule:

• Episode 1: out now
• Episode 2: out now
• Episode 3: out now
• Episode 4: out now
• Episode 5: out now
• Episode 6: out now
• Episode 7: out now
• Episode 8: out now
• Episode 9: July 19
• Episode 10: July 26

• The Mandalorian and Grogu's digital release date has been announced
• It'll be available to rent or buy in late July
• The new Star Wars movie won't come to Disney+ anytime soon

The Mandalorian and Grogu is heading to a TV screen near you very soon — but not via Disney+.

Yesterday (July 15), Lucasfilm and parent company Disney announced the latest Star Wars movie will be available to watch at home from Tuesday, July 21 onwards. If you didn't catch it in theaters or have been waiting to re-watch it from the comfort of your couch, then you'll be able to do so via numerous premium video on demand (PVOD) platforms in less than a week.

As for the services it'll land on, the usual suspects, such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango, should be your first ports of call. Right now, there's no indication that The Mandalorian and Grogu will be available to rent and/or buy, but I'd be shocked if viewers were only given the option to temporarily or permanently add one of 2026's many new movies to their digital film collection.

Want to know if the first Star Wars flick in over six years is worth seeing? Read my review of The Mandalorian and Grogu for more details.

Why han't The Mandalorian and Grogu arrived on Disney+ yet?

If you're wondering why The Mandalorian and Grogu isn't coming to Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services, yet, you're not alone. After all, it's been over two months since the Pedro Pascal-fronted sci-fi adventure not only landed in theaters, but subsequently failed to meet expectations from critical and commercial standpoints.

Wouldn't it make sense to just drop the movie on Disney's primary streamer, then? Simply put: no.

For one, releasing it on digital platforms first is a sure-fire way for Lucasfilm and Disney to continue making money from The Mandalorian's big-screen sequel.

Sure, adding it to Disney+'s movie library might persuade some to sign up for the streamer to watch it. However, Disney is far more likely to bring in extra cash through rentals or permanent purchases than new Disney+ subscriptions, especially if the cost of renting or buying The Mandalorian and Grogu is greater than the most expensive tier on Disney+ in your world region. For instance, US fans have to pay $18.99 every 30 days for an ad-free experience, so if Disney sets The Mandalorian and Grogu's digital price at $20, it's obviously going to earn more from the latter.

Regardless, the Jon Favreau-directed film will eventually come to Disney+, so you'll just have to be patient if you're waiting for it to its official streaming debut. While you wait, see if you agree with my Disney+ release date prediction for The Mandalorian and Grogu.

If you'd missed that the big half-price Criterion Collection 4K Blu-ray sale is back on, then don't worry — you still have a bit of time left to catch it! The official sale runs until July 26. As always, the complete Criterion range is discounted at Barnes & Noble, while a more limited set of discounts is available at Amazon.

• View the full Criterion sale at Amazon
• View the full Criterion sale at Barnes & Noble

The Amazon sale also has some options that are on sale, but not at the full half price. I'm mainly included Amazon links because some people just lean towards it for convenience, but the B&N sale is where you can fully indulge in building your collection, and to a dangerous degree — my biggest problem with a Criterion sale is always deciding what to limit myself to if I don't want to hit bankruptcy.

I've highlighted 12 discs below that I think are worth checking out from the sale options, but I imagine most collectors will just want to browse everything, which you can do via the links above.

Criterion 4K Blu-ray sale — quick links

• View the full Criterion sale at Amazon
• View the full Criterion sale at Barnes & Noble

Criterion 4K Blu-ray sale: 12 titles I'd recommend

• View the full Criterion sale at Amazon
• View the full Criterion sale at Barnes & Noble

• Real Housewives of London season 2 will stream on Hayu from September 7
• Core cast Juliet Angus, Amanda Cronin, Karen Loderick-Peace, Juliet Mayhew, Panthea Parker and Nessie Welschinger are returning
• New episodes promise ' shifting alliances, mounting tensions and unmissable moments'

Look lively, reality TV fans: Real Housewives of London season 2 is set to return to Hayu on September 7.

According to NBCUniversal, housewives Juliet Angus, Amanda Cronin, Karen Loderick-Peace, Juliet Mayhew, Panthea Parker and Nessie Welschinger are all returning, and "old friendships are tested, new loyalties are questioned and even the most glamorous postcode cannot contain the drama."

The synopsis continues, "Picking up in the aftermath of a fracturing off-camera dinner, the women attempt to move forward through charity galas, Fashion Week front rows, Lunar New Year celebrations and a jaw-dropping trip to Antigua."

Following the September 7 premiere, remaining episodes are set to drop weekly. With 10 episodes in total, the season will culminate with a reunion special hosted by author and podcaster Katherine Ryan.

It's this final detail that I have the biggest problem with... and I'm desperately hoping that the hit series doesn't repeat the same mistake that so many of the international versions have year-on-year.

Opinion: Real Housewives needs to change its reunion show format ASAP

I would apologize for being a hater, but really it stands me in good stead to be a Housewife myself. After streaming multiple episodes of catty VTs, explosive showdowns and domestic setups that truly boggle the mind, I often feel my shoulders sink when the reunion show rolls around.

Essentially, a host will sit the entire cast down in a live studio format to recap the drama of episodes past, getting their individual takes on what happened and if anything has changed since filming.

If you loathe overly edited and contrived TV scenes like I do, this is an absolute nightmare. It's part and parcel of the Real Housewives IP that drama is both heightened and engineered, but reunion shows channel this in the most inorganic way possible.

At least if someone is having a fight at a restaurant on a kitchen island, they're genuinely in the moment — they're not having to perform their emotions too much because they're feeling them in real time. But raking back over the past is merely a way to create a viral moment rather than engaging television.

Instead, I'd prefer it if the reunions were scrapped altogether to allow the next season (which hasn't been greenlit in this instance) to come sooner rather than later.

Real Housewives of London season 3 isn't going to be a bad decision for anyone, so what are we waiting for?

• Marvel is reportedly making a Nova movie with the aid of Loki's showrunner
• The cosmic hero was originally going to star in a Disney+ TV show
• If true, the film will need to address three big questions about the MCU

Marvel is turning its attentions to the stars again as it begins work on a movie starring fan-favorite character Nova.

Per Deadline, the comic-book titan has pivoted away from telling a story about the cosmic hero on Disney+ to give him the full big-screen treatment. Furthermore, Michael Waldron, who was Loki's showrunner and rewrote parts of the Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness script, is leading development on the untitled Nova project.

According to Deadline's sources, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) flick is still in the early planning stages. Nonetheless, I've already got four big questions that Marvel and Waldron need to shed light on regarding their next sci-fi project…

1. Who will play Nova?

Chief among the answers I seek is which actor will portray the eponymous character.

With Waldron also the creator-in-chief on acclaimed sports comedy Chad Powers, a Hulu TV Original that starred Glen Powell, it's little surprise to see that the aforementioned actor has been linked with the titular role. Add in the fact that Marvel has prioritized casting A-listers in its movie and TV productions recently, and the charismatic Powell would fit the bill as a big name who could draw a crowd, too.

That said, Powell is far from the only star that Waldron has worked with before. Additionally, Marvel President Kevin Feige has occasionally stated his belief that the comic giant needs to reduce the costs of its films and TV series, which includes the salaries of those who appear in said screen projects. Powell's hiring, then, is certainly not a foregone conclusion.

2. Which version of the superhero will we see — Richard Rider, Sam Alexander, or Frankie Raye?

Like the Green Lantern Corps that exist in DC Comics, there are hundreds of individuals who have held the rank of 'Nova' in Marvel Comics.

There are three particular human characters who are part of the insterstellar cop agency known as the Nova Corps, though — those being the aforementioned Rider, Alexander, and Raye.

Of that trio, Rider is the most famous, so it would make sense if Marvel decided to center Nova around this well-known individual. However, should Marvel want to go down the route of introducing a younger Nova to audiences, Alexander would be the way to go. Furthermore, if Marvel isn't worried about the fan backlash that could come from casting a female lead in this film and/or taking creative liberties with Raye's comic-book origins, it could turn heads by selecting the least likely member of this group to star in it.

For what it's worth, I think Marvel will play it safe and go for Rider — but that's just my view. Vote in the poll below to let me know which character you'd like to see!

3. Will Nova show us the off-screen destruction of Xandar at Thanos' hands?

Think you've heard the word 'Nova' before in the MCU? You'd be right. We were actually introduced to the Nova Corps in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, which saw the titular ragtag group travel to — and then save — Xandar, aka the capital city of the Nova Empire and, by proxy, the space cop agency's headquarters.

At the end of that film, the Nova Corps was entrusted with the Power Stone, aka one of the Infinity Stones. Unfortunately, as part of his genocidal plan to destroy half of all life in the universe, the Mad Titan known as Thanos soon came calling for said cosmic gem. Long story short: he acquired the Power Stone and, as punishment for Xandar's role in trying to stop him obtaining it, decimated the planet.

So, will we witness Xandar's destruction in a flashback sequence as part of Nova's story? If it had been developed and released by now, I believe we already would have. However, Nova won't arrive before the Marvel Multiverse Saga comes to an end with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. And, with that Marvel Phase 6 duology set to reboot the MCU, I think it's incredibly unlikely that Xandar's annihilation at Thanos' hands will be depicted in Nova.

4. Can Waldron win over the MCU sceptics?

There's no denying that Waldron's apparent involvement in Nova has caused something of a ruckus online. Indeed, following the publication of Deadline's article, fans have taken to various Reddits, the ResetEra forums, and other social platforms to criticize or defend Waldron's hiring.

There are valid arguments on both sides of the debate, too. As Loki's head writer, Waldron proved he had the necessary writing chops to tell a sci-fi story that was focused on a beloved Marvel character. In sharp contrast to the praise he received for his work on that show, though, Waldron is often 'credited' with not only turning Doctor Strange 2 into a narrative mess, but also with undoing all of the growth that Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch underwent in WandaVision and positioning her as a one-dimensional villain in Multiverse of Madness.

Of course, Loki and Doctor Strange 2 aren't the only screenwriting credits on Waldron's resume, but they're the ones that MCU diehards will know him from. In that sense, he's one for two in the 'great MCU project' department. The jury is still out, then, on whether it'll be one or two for three before Nova's arrival.

• Marvel has supposedly cast a major star as Magneto in its new X-Men film
• The actor in question was linked with another major role in the MCU
• They were said to be close to playing The Fantastic Four's Reed Richards

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has reportedly found its Magneto.

According to multiple industry insiders, none other than former Star Wars actor Adam Driver has supposedly signed on to play the iconic metal-manipulating mutant in the comic giant's new X-Men movie.

At the time of publication, the Hollywood trades are yet to corroborate this via their own sources. Furthermore, with this rumor being circulated online by leakers with spotty track records, including MyTimeToShineHello and KnightEdgeMedia, Driver's casting is mere speculation at this stage.

That said, another insider, Apocalyptic Horseman, who's more trustworthy than the aforementioned pair, has backed up their claims. So, until we get an official line from Marvel and/or some form of verification from Deadline, Variety, or The Hollywood Reporter, it's just as likely that Driver won't appear in the MCU's first X-Men film as it is that he will.

What are the chances of Driver's involvement being confirmed sooner rather than later? Well, San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2026 is right around the corner, and Marvel is set to take the stage for its traditional Hall H panel on Saturday, July 25. Given that Marvel has had a surprise or two up its sleeve for past editions of SDCC presentations, I wouldn't rule out the prospect of some form of official X-Men movie casting news at this year's event.

Driving the Marvel rumor mill

If Driver becomes the third A-lister to portray Magneto in a live-action film — the others being Michael Fassbender and legendary actor Ian McKellen — it'll put an end to speculation about his long-rumored involvement in the MCU.

In October 2022, Driver was supposedly in talks to play Doctor Doom in Marvel's Fantastic Four film. Seven months later, Driver was apparently among the stars up for consideration for playing The Fantastic Four's Reed Richards instead. Said whisper was just one of many Fantastic Four casting rumors that sent MCU fans into a tailspin but which didn't come to pass.

Will this Magneto-specific rumor prove to be a case of third time's a charm for Driver? Some fans aren't convinced — indeed, threads on ResetEra and various Reddit pages are full of comments saying Driver would be a better fit for famous X-Men villain Mister Sinister, or that he should steer clear of a franchise whose best days are arguably behind it.

With or without Driver, Marvel's untitled X-Men movie is slowly taking shape. Lee Isaac Chung and Jake Schreier (Beef, Thunderbolts*) are already on board as its respective writer and director, and Marvel President Kevin Feige recently revealed (per Collider) that the mutant-led feature could be the first MCU film post-Avengers: Secret Wars.

Meanwhile, with speculation swirling online that Sadie Sink is playing iconic X-Men member Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, as well as Obsession star Inde Navarrette saying she recently met with Schreier, and Apocalyptic Horseman claiming that Marvel is searching for the MCU's Cyclops, Storm, and Rogue, this new X-Men movie's cast might soon be in place. All eyes will be firmly fixed on Marvel's SDCC 2026 presentation, then, for confirmation of any or all of the above.

• Moana had a disappointing weekend at the box office, only making $95 million from its huge $250 million budget
• The live action remake currently sits at 33% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Fans have criticized Moana for being an exact replica of the beloved animated movie

Moana set sail for theaters recently, but its opening weekend was a poor performance for one of July's biggest new movies.

The original Moana movie was a huge success for Disney, bringing in $687.2 million at the global box office. But based on the opening weekend, it doesn't feel like the 2026 live action remake will be following in its footsteps.

At the time of writing, the new Moana has only made $95 million on its huge $250 million budget, making it one of Disney's poorest performing movies.

It has also received a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score of 33%, with its critics consensus saying: "The sea calls to no one in this underwhelming new version of Moana, an endeavor that solidifies its animated predecessor as the superior adventure."

Moana has been branded 'lifeless' by viewers

Many fans of the original Moana movie have expressed their disappointment, describing the new live action version as being flat and a "carbon copy" of the original, per this scathing review by Associated Press.

Fans on X have also had a lot to say, with some wonder what the point in making a live action movie for Moana was. There's been plenty of backlash, making it a disappointing entry into Disney's library.

Another X user commented on how their main issue was the lack of quality, noting that nothing about the Moana live action was better than the original. They also cited The Lion King and Aladdin as having "new elements that justified their existence", but claimed that Moana did not have this.

Finally, another user pointed out that they'd rather watch the Snow White remake over Moana. Snow White also underperformed at the box office, but has a slightly higher Rotten Tomatoes score of 39%.

If you want to see for yourself, Moana is now playing in theaters globally. But judging by initial reports, you might want to head to Disney+ to check out the original, and it's admittedly very good sequel, Moana 2.

• The first full trailer for Tom Cruise's new movie Digger is here
• Cruise plays 'an incredibly powerful corrupt oil tycoon, who embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity's savior'
• Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, it also stars Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, and John Goodman

The first trailer for Digger, Tom Cruise's next movie, has now been released — and the Mission: Impossible star is appearing as he never has before.

Cruise is seen in heavy prosthetic makeup, transforming into someone that, per the film's synopsis, os "an incredibly powerful corrupt oil tycoon, who embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity's savior."

Directed by Birdman and The Revenant's Alejandro G. Iñárritu, its supporting cast includes Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, and Emma D'Arcy. Digger will be in theaters worldwide from October 2, 2026.

Unsurprisingly, the internet is beside themselves thanks to Cruise's new look. "Seeing an old Tom Cruise is wild," one YouTube comment reads, while another says:, "The biggest physical transformation Tom Cruise has had since Tropic Thunder."

With so much chaos happening at once, it's still anybody's guess as to how the full film will play out. But, in my opinion, Cruise is the least exciting part of what's coming.

Opinion: Digger will finally turn Sandra Hüller into the Hollywood leading lady she deserves to be

Despite being nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award in 2024 for her lead role in Anatomy of a Fall, Hüller still hasn't cemented her status as a leading lady.

Since then, she's had supporting roles in Project Hail Mary, The Zone of Interest, and yet-to-be-released Cannes period drama Fatherland. I've got a feeling, though, that Digger will finally give her the global recognition that she deserves.

Why? A simple answer: Tom Cruise. Aside from his death-defying stunts, the actor has made a name for himself through his consistent kindness and willingness to show up. Not only has he done this for his fans — just look at any press tour he's done in the last 10 years — but he also does it for his fellow actors.

By the time Digger is being promoted across the world, I can guarantee that Cruise will spend the entire time singing Hüller's praises. He's a man who bring along those around him while he's on the way up... and his own performance is likely to be a significant talking point for the 2026-2027 awards season. If Hüller isn't a routine Hollywood booking after this, I'll be at a loss for words. Know talent when you see it, people.

• HBO has released a mid-season trailer for House of the Dragon 3
• It teases the high fantasy show's next major battle in the Targaryen Civil War
• A game-changing betrayal could happen soon, too

The Dance of the Dragons is about to get even deadlier and more deceitful in House of the Dragon season 3.

Indeed, with its fourth episode officially marking the midpoint of the show's latest installment, HBO has released a foreboding new trailer that teases what's to come in the weeks ahead. Judging by the latest round of footage, we can expect another major battle to take place — in episode 5 or beyond — that'll reshape the entire Targaryen Civil War, too.

There's plenty to unpack from this new hype-inducing teaser — Rhaenyra's continual descent into madness and the return of Aemond Targaryen, whom we haven't seen since episode 2, being chief among the biggest reveals.

It's the HBO Max TV series' interpretation of the First Battle of Tumbleton, though, that takes center stage here. Indeed, we see Daemon Targaryen's forces converging on the market town that — at this moment in time, anyway — is still loyal to Rhaenyra and Daemon. However, with Ormund Hightower's forces occupying the strategic settlement's buildings and streets, a life-threatening fight for Tumbleton — and, by proxy, the Iron Throne itself — awaits in the Game of Thrones prequel's next chapter.

Why the First Battle of Tumbleton is such an important event in the Targaryen Civil War

It would be incredibly unfair of me to spoil everything that happens during the First Battle of Tumbleton, especially with the conflict potentially being the focus of next week's episode.

That said, there's a particularly vital incident that occurs— one that House of the Dragon has been sowing the (dragon)seeds for since its third season premiered — that's worth raising. The reason? Basically, it turns the tide of the Targaryen Civil War in favor of House Hightower, aka Team Green.

Full spoilers immediately follow for Fire and Blood, the book that House of the Dragon is based on. Turn back if you don't want this season's fifth chapter ruined before it airs on one of the world's best streaming services.

If you've read Fire and Blood, and/or know your Thrones lore, you'll know I'm referencing the moment known as the Two Betrayers.

During the First Battle of Tumbleton, Hugh Hammer and Ulf the White, both of whom are of Targaryen blood and swore their allegiance to Rhaenyra in season 2, defect to Team Green. As part of their betrayal, the pair use their dragons Vermithor and Silverwing to burn Tumbleton to the ground. Not only does Rhaenyra lose two of her dragon-riding allies, she also a key stronghold in a vital region of Westeros.

Fire and Blood doesn't contain an explanation as to why Hugh and Ulf turn their backs on Team Black and join the Hightowers' cause.

Admittedly, Rhaenyra hasn't helped her cause — after all, among other things, she refused Ulf's request to officially bear the Targaryen name when he was knighted, and she's been incredibly short-tempered and cold with Hugh since taking the throne. Nonetheless, with two less dragons on her side, things could be about to get even dicier for Rhaenyra as she struggles to retain her sanity and the wider support of the realm.

Anyway, HBO's adaptation has taken certain creative liberties with its source material and added narrative content to illustrate why characters make the choices they do. So, don't be surprised if, as long as the First Battle of Tumbleton occurs in season 3 episode 5, it includes some new material that, the above reasons notwithstanding, spells out why Hugh and Ulf symbolically stab Rhaenyra in the back.

The first two episodes of new MGM+ crime drama The Westies are now streaming, but strap in — we've still got another six installments to go.

The new show follows the real-life Irish-American crime family of the same name, who ran the streets of Hell's Kitchen for decades from the 1960s. Basically, it's the perfect warm-up act for MobLand season 2 and The Gentleman season 2, which are both set to return in September.

Led by J.K. Simmons as patriarch Eamonn Sweeney, we've got an epic cat-and-mouse game afoot between our shady leads and the FBI, who have been tasked with bringing them to justice.

The trailer set up the high-stakes drama to come, but some fans weren't entirely happy with the teaser. Scroll through the YouTube comments on the clip below, and you'll see multiple fans complaining that The Westies looks far too tame for a mobster story.

In a way, they have a point. If you're tuning in looking for glory through guts and gore, you're not going to find it. However, that doesn't mean that intense action sequences are few and far between.

Not only have lead stars Simmons and Tom Brittney (James) seen the comments, they're the first in line to disagree — and they've got pretty good reasoning as to why.

'There's some stuff that I'm surprised we could get away with'

"God, no," Brittney says when I ask if The Westies felt tame when filming. "I think I saw that comment. Someone sent something to me about going, 'oh, I think it's tame.' And I was like... well, you better watch then.

"We can't put everything that's in the show into that trailer because you wouldn't be able to show it on TV as a teaser. Especially depending on the time that you're showing it. It's a brutal one. There's some stuff in this that I was surprised that they could get away with."

From a marketing standpoint, it makes complete sense that the best parts of The Westies, which would include the grittiest and most intense fights, won't be revealed immediately. They wouldn't even be in the two-episode premiere... think of them as a reward for investing in the new series long-term.

"If I may... don't watch the trailer. Watch the show," Simmons adds. We're both in it. You know it's gonna be good! So, just watch the show. July 12th. Or you could watch it on the 13th if you want. That's the beauty. Go crazy. Watch it on the 14th, whatever. Just watch it sometime in the first week, please."

You heard the man... lock in now, and reap the benefits as The Westies continues to drop on a weekly basis.

Hoo boy, is anybody else still coming to terms with X-Men 97 season 2 episode 4's ending? I know I am but, with a new chapter of the Marvel TV show set to drop very soon, it's time to re-compose and emotionally steel ourselves for whatever comes next.

So, when will this season's fifth entry — titled 'Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs' — make its debut on Disney+? Read on and you'll find out!

What is the launch time for X-Men 97 season 2 episode 5?

X-Men 97 season 2's next installment will air on Wednesday, July 15 at 12am PT / 3am ET in North and South America.

Viewers living elsewhere will also be able to catch it on Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services, on the same date. Depending on where you're based, though, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) adjacent TV series' next episode will come out at a different time. Check out the list below for more details:

• US — 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada — 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK — 8am BST
• India — 12:30pm IST
• Singapore — 3pm SGT
• Australia — 5pm AEST
• New Zealand — 7pm NZST

How many more episodes are there in X-Men 97 season 2?

After this week's episode, there'll be four more episodes of X-Men 97's second season to enjoy.

Want to know the exact dates that the Marvel Phase 6 show's remaining entries will appear? Run your eyes over the below list for more on the schedule for the X-Men animated show's sophomore season:

• Season 2 episode 1 — out now
• Season 2 episode 2 — out now
• Season 2 episode 3 — out now
• Season 2 episode 4 — out now
• Season 2 episode 5 — July 15
• Season 2 episode 6 — July 22
• Season 2 episode 7 — July 29
• Season 2 episode 8 — August 5
• Season 2 episode 9 — August 12

• Cast confirms on social media that Mayor of Kingstown season 5 has officially wrapped production
• No official release date has been confirmed, but predictions suggest new episodes could be seen as soon as November 2026
• Plot details have largely been kept under wraps

If you've been keeping a close eye on all things Paramount+ in the last week, you might have noticed that Mayor of Kingstown season 5 has wrapped production.

Tobi Bamtefa, who plays Bunny on the show, confirmed the news on Instagram, adding in a caption, "To those about to start from season 1, I envy you. Your socks are about to get blown off in the best way possible. 5 seasons with no breaks!!"

New episodes of the Taylor Sheridan series are set to be the last ever, despite the crime thriller originally being mapped out to run for seven seasons.

The Hollywood Reporter speculated that the unexpected cut falls in line with other Paramount+ original series, none of which have ever exceeded a fifth season. However, the studio has never given an official statement on this.

With production now finished, thoughts turn to when we might see Mayor of Kingstown season 5 episodes released. No date has been confirmed as of writing, but that doesn't mean that we can't use context clues to hazard an educated guess.

Opinion: Mayor of Kingstown season 5 could be released as early as November 2026

Let's look back at the Taylor Sheridan TV canon to see what sort of release schedules have come before. Landman season 2 was released in November 2025, with filming having completed in early August 2025.

Similarly, Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch wrapped production in March 2026, resulting in an incredibly quick turnaround, ready for its release in May 2026.

In short, Sheridan shows that only a matter of months is needed between filming and hitting the small screen as a finished product, which means — in a best-case scenario — we could expect Mayor of Kingstown season 5 to premiere as early as November 2026.

In Sheridan's world, anything is possible, but an exact release strategy will likely depend on what else is confirmed for Paramount+'s year-on-year schedule. We're expecting Dexter: Resurrection season 2 and Yellowjackets season 4 to arrive at some point before the year is out, and I don't think seeing Landman season 3 or The Madison season 2 is too far-fetched, either.

It all comes down to how much of a priority Mayor of Kingstown season 5 is for Paramount+, and that's a question that we just can't answer. However, the editing process starts now, and that can only be a good thing.

• Marvel has published a giant new mural for Avengers: Doomsday
• It gives us a fresh look at its massive cast and villain-in-chief, Doctor Doom
• One MCU character is surprisingly conspicuous by their absence

Marvel has unveiled a huge new mural for Avengers: Doomsday that features all but one of its sizeable cast.

Shown for the first time at the Chinese fan convention Bilibili World in Shanghai last Saturday (July 11), the artwork gives us another look at the highly anticipated movie's heroic ensemble.

The image, which was later shared online by former Marvel Studios Director of Visual Development Andy Park, also offers a fresh glance at Robert Downey Jr's Doctor Doom.

Predictably, we don't get to see Doom's likely scarred face — a reveal Marvel is surely holding back for the film's full release. Nonetheless, his iconic mask, coupled with those piercing, ice blue eyes, indicates that the Multiverse Saga's primary villain will be an emotionally cold, calculating, and formidable foe for our heroes to overcome.

Missing in action

With San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2026 — and, by proxy, this year's edition of Marvel's oft-anticipated Hall H panel — it's little surprise to see the comic giant starting to accelerate its promotional campaign for the next Avengers film.

What is eyebrow-raising about the Marvel Phase 6 flick's first official artwork, though, is the absence of a specific Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) character. And I'm not talking about heroes who weren't announced as part of Doomsday's initial 27-strong cast, such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, Deadpool, or Captain Marvel.

So, who is it? None other than Tenoch Huerta's Namor, aka the ocean-dwelling anti-hero and the MCU's first mutant, who was first introduced to MCU fans in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Namor's absence is certainly strange, especially as the rest of Doomsday's original cast reveal is part of this mural. The inclusion of Chris Evans' Steve Rogers, who wasn't part of the movie's initial line-up, but was eventually confirmed to be part of proceedings when Avengers: Doomsday's first teaser was released last December, makes Namor's non-appearance all the more bizarre, too.

Is this a simple albeit major oversight on Marvel's part not to include him in this artwork? Or does it indicate that Namor will only have a minor role/cameo to play in Avengers 5? With Namor appearing in Avengers: Doomsday's fourth teaser, I seriously doubt it's the latter. That said, I don't believe Marvel would purposefully cut him from this illustration. Hopefully, someone at Marvel Studios will shed light on this if they're asked about it at SDCC.

In the meantime, find out everything we know so far about Avengers: Doomsday. Once you're done, get the full lowdown on Avengers: Secret Wars, aka Doomsday's sequel that'll also cap off the Marvel Multiverse Saga.

Evil Dead Burn is the sixth installment in the horror franchise, and unfortunately, I found the new movie to be the weakest one of the bunch. Considering the 2013 reboot wasn't great, I think that speaks to how much I'm disappointed in the most recent entry.

On the surface, Evil Dead Burn looks promising. It was directed by Sébastien Vaniček, who is most well known for his movie Infested. I liked that one a lot (mostly because spiders terrify me), and so I was excited for his take on the iconic Evil Dead series.

Vaniček's Evil Dead Burn follows a woman named Alice (Souheila Yacoub) who is grieving over the loss of her husband, William (George Pullar), as she seeks solace with her in-laws. One member of her late husband's family is played by Hunter Doohan, who stars in Netflix's Wednesday, and I must admit it was cool getting to see him in a horror movie.

One by one, the family transforms into Deadites, the malevolent, parasitic demonic spirits we've come to fear throughout the Evil Dead franchise. But it goes in a direction I really wasn't expecting.

I do want to preface my mostly negative review by pointing out that there are some good things about this movie. Horror fans with a thirst for gory set pieces will no doubt have fun, as there are indeed some great moments. Some stand-out scenes involve a dishwasher and a car door, and just thinking about them makes me cringe uncomfortably.

Unfortunately, there's not much else to it beyond some standout gory moments that will stick with you. It's not a patch on the Bruce Campbell-led movies we know and love, and pales in comparison to its predecessor, Evil Dead Rise.

Evil Dead Burn centers around a family terrorized by Deadites, but there's a lot of confusion here surrounding how people become possessed. Sometimes you need a transfer of bodily fluids, and sometimes possession takes longer than others. The inconsistency throughout the movies might frustrate fans, as sometimes, a simpler answer is best.

When the family members are possessed, horrible things happen. It is a very unforgiving movie because the Deadites are particularly cruel here, often to an extreme degree. I should warn people now that yes, there is violence towards animals if that bothers you, and the movie feels nastier than its predecessors as a result.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, as we expect to watch a horror movie to feel uncomfortable and scared. But Evil Dead Burn really struggles to balance these shocking, brutal moments with an actual story, to the point where it feels like you're just watching a montage of gory scenes.

There's also a frustrating overreliance on jump scares here, which previous Evil Dead movies steered away from. There's nothing wrong with a good scare, and horror fans love them, but when you have excessive ones you saw coming a mile away, it becomes tedious.

Sam Raimi wove a really cool horror story when he first created The Evil Dead, but this sequel adds very little to the lore. It's basically a long movie where family members brutally attack and maim each other, and by the credits, I was left with more questions than answers.

Even the post-credits scene isn't really worth waiting for, and since there was a three-year gap between Evil Dead Rise and Evil Dead Burn, it's a shame that's all we got.

Ultimately, Evil Dead Burn is another divisive horror movie that will work for some and not others. It really depends on what you want from a horror movie, and if you're content with some over-the-top gore and repeated easy-to-spot scares, then you'll definitely have fun.

If you want more lore with your gore, then you might want to revisit the previous movies instead. Evil Dead Burn doesn't add much to a long-running franchise, and I found it to be a disappointment.