Mortal Kombat is known for many things, but none is more iconic than its over-the-top Fatalities. NetherRealm knows where its bread is buttered, so it made a point to show off a special Fatalities trailer during its Mortal Kombat 11 presentation.The montage is a bloody visceral series of blood and viscera. You'll see bones crunch, sinew snap, heads fly, and brains made for a tasty snack. It's all very painful to watch, in that special Mortal Kombat way.The reveal event also debuted a new character named Geras, announced actress Ronda Rousey as the voice behind Sonya Blade, and showed off some new gameplay systems like the Fatal Blows. NetherRealm also teased more announcements to come on its series of Kombat Kasts.Of course, we've only seen a select few Fatalities so far, as a fairly limited portion of the roster has been revealed so far. Among those confirmed playable characters, we have the likes of Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero and others. They're sure to have other Fatalities available to them, but you can see those revealed to this point in the video above.A beta will be coming to PS4 and Xbox One on March 28, ahead of the game's April 23 release date. You can gain access by pre-ordering through select retailers, which will also net you access to Shao Khan in the full game.Info from Gamespot.com

Riverdale continues to be one of the weirdest shows on TV where everything that happens is likely the last thing you'd possibly expect. Don't believe that? Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) was attacked by a bear in the latest episode and just might be dead. (He's definitely not going to die, don't worry.)Now the CW series is gearing up for its next musical episode. You may remember last season when they tackled Carrie: The Musical in an episode that left one character dead and everyone else freaking out. Now Riverdale is looking back on another classic film for its musical inspiration. On March 29, the series will present its take on Heathers: The Musical.In a statement, showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa teased, "Last year, we had a blast doing Carrie. This year, we wanted to honor another iconic teen movie. Heathers: The Musical is big fun, with great roles for the Riverdale kids. And everyone is singing." That last bit seems to hint that even Jughead (Cole Sprouse) will be getting in on the vocal action this time, after being sidelined during the Carrie musical.Riverdale's second musical episode will include nine songs from the show's cast. The episode debuts on March 20 on The CW.Info from Gamespot.com

NetherRealm shared more details on Mortal Kombat 11 today, including its high-end limited edition with goodies aimed at hardcore fans of the hard-hitting series. It's a sizable package, and the centerpiece is a neat costume prop honoring one of the series' most iconic characters.The "Kollector's Edition" boasts a 1:1 scale Scorpion mask measuring at 35 x 18 x 21 cm. That includes both the dark cowl and the bright gold mouthpiece, giving that important otherworldly look. We saw it on stage during the presentation, and it actually appears like it could reasonably fit on the heads of the two hosts around it.Other baubles in the Kollector's Edition include the Premium Edition of the game that includes the Kombat Pack, a Kollector's Box, and a Steelcase with MK logo medallion magnet. Kombat Packs were the name given DLC character packs in Mortal Kombat X, and GameSpot has contacted WB to confirm details for this one. It also appears as if the magnet may fit into an indentation in the case.According to a listing on GameStop's website, this special edition will be priced at $300 in the US. It also appears to be PS4- and Xbox One-only.The Mortal Kombat 11 reveal stream was packed with new information for the upcoming fighting game, including an extended look at gameplay, a montage of fatalities, and the first solid story details. The announcement also confirmed the beta dates for PS4 and Xbox One, and started to reveal the character roster. The game itself is coming on April 23 to those two platforms, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Info from Gamespot.com

Mortal Kombat 11 will feature a surprising guest star. During the game's big reveal livestream, developer NetherRealm announced that athlete and current WWE Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey will be supplying the voice for series staple Sonya Blade.Rumors that Rousey would be voicing Sonya in the upcoming fighting game were circulating prior to the reveal. Rousey herself further fueled the speculation by sharing a picture of an invitation she received for the reveal event on Instagram."Sonya Blade was the first kick-ass girl that I saw come onto the scene, and I've always admired her and admittedly kind of emulated her in my own way," Rousey said during the stream. Rousey shares more of her thoughts on voicing the character in the trailer above. You can also see some gameplay footage of Sonya in action below.Sonya is one of several veteran Mortal Kombat characters who were confirmed during the reveal event; we also got our first look at Liu Kang, Baraka, Sub-Zero, and Skarlet, who was originally one of the DLC characters released for Mortal Kombat 9. NetherRealm also revealed a brand-new character, Geras, who has time-control abilities.Of course, it wouldn't be a Mortal Kombat game without an absurd amount of gore, and we got to see some of the inventive and gruesome ways the characters will dismember each other in Mortal Kombat 11's first gameplay trailer. NetherRealm also showed off some of the game's brutal new fatalities.Mortal Kombat 11 launches on April 23. The game is coming to PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Those who pre-order it will receive Shao Kahn as a bonus character. Ahead of the game's launch, NetherRealm will hold a beta for PS4 and Xbox One on March 28. Info from Gamespot.com

NetherRealm Studios has released our first look at the story in Mortal Kombat 11. The prologue to the game's story plays out in a trailer revealed at NetherRealm's January reveal event, which sees Raiden interacting with Shinnok after the events of Mortal Kombat X and also introduces a brand-new character.In the prologue, Raiden is wearing Shinnok's amulet as he tortures the captured Elder God. Shinnok arrogantly reminds Raiden that an Elder God can't be killed, so the Earthrealm defender simply cuts off his victim's head while reminding it that there are fates worse than death. The prologue ends with Shinnok's still-living head being approached by Kronika, the first female boss character in the franchise's history and who we first saw during the Game Awards 2018.During the reveal event, NetherRealm also revealed gameplay moments of several characters, including Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya, Skarlet, Raiden, and Geras--the latter of which is a brand-new addition to the franchise. Geras also got a reveal trailer at the end of the event that showcased his incredible time-bending abilities in action, both summoning artifacts from other periods, transporting himself to his past position to avoid enemy attacks, and also freezing an opponent's time to land some devastating combos.In addition to again being able to change between different character variations, in Mortal Kombat 11, you'll be able to customize fighters. Options include a fighter's costume, intros, victories, abilities, and AI behavior. Mortal Kombat 11 also adds Fatal Blow attacks for each fighter, which act as special, powerful attacks--similar to Fatalities--that can be pulled off in an effort to change the tide of a battle. The one meter devoted to offense, defense, and supers in past Mortal Kombat games has been separated into three different meters for this eleventh entry.Mortal Kombat 11 is scheduled to release April 23 for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Switch.Info from Gamespot.com

Those eager to get their hands on Mortal Kombat 11 who weren't fortunate enough to attend the January reveal event are in luck. We already knew a pre-release beta was on the way, and now we know exactly when it's set to begin.As part of the avalanche of MK11 news, NetherRealm Studios announced that the beta will begin on March 28. We don't know how long it will last, but it unfortunately won't be available on all platforms: Only PS4 and Xbox One owners will be able to participate. That leaves out both PC and Nintendo Switch players, although the full game is scheduled to hit all four of these platforms on April 23.This beta won't be available to everyone on PS4 and Xbox One either, though. In order to get in, you'll need to pre-order Mortal Kombat 11. As an added incentive, you'll be able to play as Shao Kahn in the full game if you pre-order. He's one of eight confirmed playable characters so far, alongside Geras, who's a completely new fighter for the series.Pre-ordering may not be quite so simple, as there are multiple versions of the game set to be available. The most premium of the bunch is the newly revealed Kollector's edition, which comes with the Kombat Pack DLC, Scorpion mask bust, steel case, magnet coin, and authenticity plate.The reveal event also brought with it word on Ronda Rousey's role and gave us a look at new gameplay and fatalities. Another livestream dedicated to the game is coming later in January.Info from Gamespot.com

Jude Law's role in Captain Marvel has been a hotly contested issue since he was confirmed for the film, originally as "Walter Lawson," the human alter-ego of the original Captain Marvel, the Kree warrior Mar-Vell which naturally led fans to assume that Law would be playing Mar-Vell himself. This would go to follow, given the movie's status as an origin story for Carol Danvers and Mar-Vell's integral role in Carol's comic book history.However, as the movie marches closer and closer to release, details about Law's character have surfaced via Marvel's Minimates figure line, naming Law as Yon-Rogg--another name that might be familiar to MCU speculators as one of the educated guesses for the villain of the film, prior to Ben Mendelsohn's confirmation as Talos the Skrull.So, what does that actually mean? Who is Yon-Rogg and what is his deal?We're so glad you asked.Introduced in the late 60s, Yon-Rogg was a Kree military officer sent to Earth by the Supreme Intelligence, a hyper-advanced Kree AI designed to promote Kree genetic superiority throughout the galaxy. Yon-Rogg had a deep-seated, soap opera flavored grudge against Mar-Vell, who was already stationed on Earth at the time of his arrival, which drove him further and further into a zealous madness. Ideally, he would have been helping Mar-Vell fight off the Skrull invasion, but instead, he sought out every opportunity to undermine Mar-Vell's efforts and fight against the people of Earth as well.Why the grudge? Well, like any self-respecting warrior, Yon-Rogg was jealous over the relationship between Mar-Vell and a Kree medic named Una, who Yon-Rogg was in love with as well. Thus far, no casting announcements for Una have been made for the MCU (though it should be noted that Annette Bening's character is still a mystery), so it's not all that likely that this specific character trait will be getting a direct translation to the big screen, but if you're wondering what Yon's "traditional" villain motivation is, that's it. He really is just that petty. So while comics Yon-Rogg tried to sabotage an entire planet all because he couldn't get a date, MCU Yon-Rogg will probably find his beef elsewhere.Yon's hatred ran so deep that he even tried to get Mar-Vell put on trial for being "Un-Kree" (one of the worst things a Kree could be accused of) by Ronan the Accuser--a name you'll recognize from Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 1 and a role Lee Pace will be reprising in Captain Marvel.Over the years, Yon continued to be a thorn in the side of both Mar-Vell and Carol, who he inadvertently helped transform into Ms. Marvel by causing the accident that fused her DNA with Kree genetics. Though that story has been retconned out of comics continuity several times over, it still presents some interesting possibilities for Yon-Rogg's MCU future. Most notably, he actually was revealed to have a telepathic connection with Carol because of the accident, which later results in Carol attacking Yon at the cost of all her memories.This is specifically important, given Carol's apparent status as an amnesiac in the movie, and her seemingly close relationship with Yon and the Starforce. Maybe Yon himself was somehow at fault for the Kree selected Carol in the first place and maybe that decision somehow affected her ability to remember her time as a human. Or, at the very least, maybe it was Yon's decision to erase Carol's memory.Regardless of the link between them, it's pretty safe to say that, given Yon's rather dubious comic book past, it's probably not the best idea to go into Captain Marvel trusting him all that much. We may only be able to make educated guesses about what his motives and plan might be, but it's probably not good. Info from Gamespot.com

The highly-anticipated Resident Evil 2 remake's release draws near and I couldn't be any more excited. I'm a huge fan of the 1998 original--alongside many lovely coworkers at GameSpot--and have countless fond memories playing it during my formative years. But amidst these memories were hours spent speculating upon the validity of a popular gaming hoax; the ability to play as Akuma in Resident Evil 2. That's right, the Akuma (or Gouki, if you're a Capcom purist)--the infamous top knotted practitioner of the Ansatsuken fighting style and well-known beaded necklace aficionado from Street Fighter. Though it began as a joke back in 1998, I'm crossing my fingers that Capcom puts Akuma in the upcoming remake. It's a longshot, but the iconic fighter's addition could prove a humorous and unexpected way to experience the horrors of Raccoon City."[Akuma's] main weapon is a fireball, done just like holding the Action button and firing" -- EGM2The popular Akuma hoax was birthed into the Resident Evil 2 community thanks to the work of the now defunct Electronic Gaming Monthly spin-off magazine, EGM2. The publication's April issue "Trick of the Month" column stated that Akuma could be unlocked by typing "AKUMA" instead of "GUEST" on a laboratory computer located at the end of the game, allowing a new save file to be made where you could play him. However, to actually get this to work, EGM2 claimed you needed to first beat both Resident Evil 2 scenarios six times in a row with an A-rank, and do it only using the handgun combat knife. Akuma could then be unlocked on the seventh run after inputting the login name across both scenarios. This was clearly an April Fool’s joke, but readers quickly spread word of the false unlockable. None of this was unfeasible, as both The 4th Survivor and Tofu modes demanded similar unlock requirements."Remember that 'Unused' Cryo tank? Well, at the start Akuma will bust out of it!" -- EGM2Looking back at the low-resolution screenshots from EGM2, it's not surprising that many were fooled by this joke. A polygonal Akuma exploring RPD and launching Shakunetsu Hadokens at zombies looked as authentic any other screenshots in the magazine. As a child, I only heard about this myth via word-of-mouth during a vague encounter that only seems to escape my memory the more I think about it. Regardless, the myth worked its way into the community to the point where many were convinced of its existence. Though, I do admit that by the time I built up the courage to play Resident Evil 2, the hoax had already been debunked. However, an uncertainty around the myth remained--if anything a nostalgic yearning for it to somehow be true.This wasn't the first time EGM fooled people, either. In fact, the magazine did something similar in a previous April Fool's joke with Street Fighter II with the infamous Sheng Long hoax. Many were lead to believe that the game had an unlockable character named Sheng Long, who was framed as the martial arts master of Ryu and Ken. The joke's status grew over the years, gaining international fame. Capcom acknowledged its existence several times and eventually added the character to Street Fighter IV in the form of Gouken as a response to fans.Imagine performing a Raging Demon on Mr. X. It would be ridiculous.Like EGM's Sheng Long, the Akuma hoax is a peculiar piece of gaming history that continues to captivate in its execution and overall endurance. Its alluring promise is a fantasy that I hold steadfast in wanting to come true in the Resident Evil 2 remake. Imagine being able to send enemies across a room with a well-placed fierce punch or performing a Raging Demon on a Licker. Of course, let's not forget about spamming Hadokens at the undead. And if we're remaining faithful to EGM2's vision, you'll have free rein to be merry and explore environments without worrying about locked doors. You might call it a pipedream, but given Capcom's track record with previous Resident Evils, I could easily see a playable Akuma becoming a reality.Case in point: Wesker mode in Resident Evil 0 HD Remaster. This bonus mode made Rebecca's and Billy's terrifying zombie-infested journey into a silly romp, allowing you to use Wesker's super-human speed and destructive arsenal to wipe out the undead with ease. The ability to instantly overpower your enemies supplied a satisfying release, especially after spending hours desperately managing resources to survive. Akuma could easily bring all the joyous highs of Wesker mode into Resident Evil 2 remake, while also being a fun, loving nod to the hoax that captivated readers back in the day.I'm still shocked at how well Akuma was inserted into Tekken 7's story. I envision a similar scenario playing out in Resident Evil 2 where Akuma just happens to walk onto the scene as if he's always been there.Capcom certainly isn't shy towards allowing Akuma to be in ridiculous situations and crossovers. He recently jumped franchises by appearing in Tekken 7, somehow managing to be naturally incorporated into that franchise's lore. In addition, Akuma once appeared in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter as Cyber-Akuma, a cyborg version of himself with a sweet robot arm that was brainwashed by X-Men baddie Apocalypse.Despite all this talk, I admit that Capcom adding Akuma into the remake is still unrealistic. Compared to Sheng Long, the Akuma hoax had more impact in North America than in other regions, so I'm sure it would be bizarre for European and Japanese players, who would see Akuma's inclusion as a random choice. I already feel lucky that Capcom is taking a chance on a Resident Evil 2 remake in the first place. But I know that whoever Capcom chooses to be the star of the game's Wesker mode-like equivalent, if anyone at all, my heart will always be longing for Akuma and the promise EGM2 cleverly fooled me into believing all those years ago. Info from Gamespot.com

All Elite Wrestling may not be holding its first show until May, but that isn't stopping the new company from making an impact wherever possible. Wrestling fans in Los Angeles found that out Wednesday night, January 16, when several members of the AEW roster invaded Bar Wrestling during the main event, creating one of the most memorable wrestling moments in quite a while.During a match that saw AEW signees Scorpio Sky, Frankie Kazarian, and Christopher Daniels--known as So Cal Uncensored--take on the team of Eric Watts and the RockNES Monsters, some very special surprise guests made their way to the ring to help SCU fend off the heels. First out was Bar Wrestling founder Joey Ryan, who has been featured extensively on the Being the Elite YouTube series and appeared at All In. He was soon joined by Elite member Adam "Hangman" Page, as they performed a double YouPorn Plex--a move you have to see to believe--on Watts.From there, The Elite's Cody and Brandi Rhodes made their arrival to dispatch of the RockNES Monsters, before the Young Bucks joined in for one of their patented Superkick Parties. The entire thing was utterly ridiculous in the best possible way, and based on the video above, the audience couldn't have loved it any more.Once SCU secured the victory over the fallen villains, the show kept going as Cody officially signed everyone in the crowd to All Elite Wrestling and promptly crowd surfed over the audience. Of course, Brandi quickly fired them all because they simply can't afford to employ that many people.The only unfortunate part of the entire invasion is that AEW didn't sign Joey Ryan on the spot, even though he seems tailor-made for the promotion. However, as Matt Jackson of the Young Bucks revealed to the audience, Ryan is currently under contract to El Rey's Lucha Underground promotion until 2020. Who knows what could happen once that contract has run its course, though?While there may not have been any major AEW news to come out of this event, the invasion makes it obvious that it's business as usual for The Elite. While they may have partnered with the owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars to launch AEW, that's not going to stop them from going to smaller shows and having fun. Now if they could just bring the rest of their group--Kenny Omega and "The Villain" Marty Scurll were absent from the invasion--along for the ride. At this point, though, both men are still under contract to other companies.All Elite Wrestling's first major event, Double or Nothing, will happen on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Make sure to check out our wishlist of wrestlers we'd like to see sign with AEW and be part of that show.Info from Gamespot.com

The long-awaited gameplay reveal of Mortal Kombat 11 revealed all sorts of new details about the upcoming fighting game from NetherRealm. As expected, one such aspect is customization options similar to Injustice 2, the studio's other hit fighting series.In a video, director Ed Boon walks us through some of the customization options using Scorpion. Each character has three pieces of customizable gear, and in Scorpion's case that's his mask, katana, and spear. Each of the options themselves changed his look pretty significantly, but further "Kosmetic" options change his look even more dramatically. Tabs for "Abilities" and "AI Behavior" can also be seen in the customization menu. Boon also mentioned you can set intros and victory celebrations.After that, the closer look treated us to a scene of Scorpion vs Baraka, cycling through several costume changes for both. The customization looks to be pretty in-depth, even from just a brief look at some of the menus and options.Other details from the Mortal Kombat 11 reveal event included a partial character roster, our first extended look at gameplay, a bunch of fatalities, and story details. A beta test is coming in March for PS4 and Xbox One, followed by the game on April 23 on those platforms plus PC and Nintendo Switch.Info from Gamespot.com

NetherRealm gave fans a much closer look at its upcoming fighting game, Mortal Kombat 11, during its big livestream event. The developer showed off a load of brutal gameplay footage and revealed a handful of familiar characters who'll be returning in the game, as well as one entirely new one: Geras.Described as the "powerful and loyal servant" of Kronika, the Keeper of Time and the first female boss in the Mortal Kombat series, Geras looks like a powerhouse of a character. As you can see in his character trailer above, Geras is able to conjure up objects made of sand, such as a bed of spikes that he can slam his foes onto. He also has the ability to manipulate time, which he can use to freeze foes in place.Geras is one of eight fighters who have been confirmed for Mortal Kombat 11 thus far. In addition to Scorpion and Raiden, who were both revealed during The Game Awards this past December, we got our first look at Baraka, Sub-Zero, and Sonya Blade, who this time is being voiced by Ronda Rousey. NetherRealm also confirmed that Skarlet, the DLC character from Mortal Kombat 9, is set to return.In addition to the characters, NetherRealm shared some details about Mortal Kombat 11's story, which takes place after the events of 2015's Mortal Kombat X. The developer also demonstrated some of the gruesome new fatalities in the game.Mortal Kombat 11 is in development for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The game is slated to launch on April 23, and those who pre-order it will get a bonus character: Shao Kahn. Reserving the game for either PS4 and Xbox One will also get you access to an upcoming beta, which is scheduled to take place on March 28.Info from Gamespot.com

The expanded universe of Blizzard's classic sci-fi strategy franchise StarCraft is about to get a bit bigger next week with the release of StarCraft: Soldiers #1, the latest comic to enter the alien-fighting canon by writers Jody Houser (Stranger Things, Star Wars) and Andrew R. Robinson (Blizzard Entertainment, Overwatch) with artist Miguel Sepulveda. GameSpot has an exclusive preview of the first six pages for you, right here, right now.Soldiers will follow the newly graduated Lieutenant Shivani Singh as she early fights to prove herself on the Dominion's front lines--all while learning some hard (and potentially fatal) lessons about the realities of zerg space that her time at the academy didn't quite prepare her for.This will be Dark Horse Comics' second entry into the StarCraft pantheon following the StarCraft: Scavengers, a four-issue series released last year following a group of terrans attempting to--surprise!--scavenge supplies out of a derelict Protoss starship. Soldiers will be independent from Scavengers' in terms of plot, so no need to worry about prerequisite reading before you pick up issue #1 next week. If, however, you're a StarCraft fan looking for even more expanded universe lore, working your way back through Scavengers certainly wouldn't hurt.StarCraft: Soldiers #1 hits shelves on January 23rd everywhere comics are sold. Info from Gamespot.com

Typically, Netflix doesn't release viewership figures, but as part of the company's earnings report today, the streamer revealed key datapoints for some of its biggest TV shows and movies. The network announced that the drama You, starring Penn Badgley and Elizabeth Lail, is tracking to be watched in 40 million households over its first four weeks.Meanwhile, the British comedy/drama Sex Education, starring Gillian Anderson and released on January 11, is expected to reach the same viewership figure within its first month. Netflix also announced that the Spanish show Elite was seen in more than 20 million homes globally after its first four weeks.Joe isn't the only one watching: @YouNetflix is on track to be viewed by more than 40 million members in its first four weeks on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/W4jZ3nYTdQ — See What's Next (@seewhatsnext) January 17, 2019One of Netflix's biggest hits recently, meanwhile, was the Sandra Bullock horror film Bird Box. It was astonishingly popular, tracking to be watched by 80 million users over time, according to Deadline. All of these figures are likely well below the number of people who end up watching the programs, as people often watch movies and TV shows on Netflix together.Anyone who watches at least 70 percent of a single episode of a series or a movie is counted as a "viewer" according to Netflix, which is surely inflating these figures.#SexEducation has come out with a bang — the smart and emotional series is on pace to be watched by over 40 million accounts over its first month pic.twitter.com/TAsklhTSQH — See What's Next (@seewhatsnext) January 17, 2019Netflix had another strong quarter for the three final months of 2018, as the network announced revenue of $4.19 billion for the period; that's up 27 percent year-over-year. Additionally, Netflix added 8.84 million subscribers during the period, increasing the total number of paying members to 139 million globally.In recent news, Netflix announced yet another subscription fee price hike for all tiers. For more on Netflix, here's everything coming to and leaving the service in January (US only).#Elite is a true global phenomenon. The Spanish language original attracted more than 20 million households during its first four weeks on service! pic.twitter.com/FwrRT6gqyh — See What's Next (@seewhatsnext) January 17, 2019 Info from Gamespot.com

Yet another classic board game is being turned into a movie, as Hunger Games studio Lionsgate is making a Monopoly film, and now we've learned who will star in it.Actor and comedian Kevin Hart, who has made headlines recently for his past tweets that got him fired as the newest Oscars host, will star in a live-action version of the board game that destroys relationships and family bonds.According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film has been in the works for more than a decade already, and it's been through what's described as a "hellish development process." The latest script is said to involve a woman and her young son who go back in time to thwart a corrupt businessman. Whether or not that's still the story for this newest version with Hart is unclear.When the movie was officially announced in 2015, Lionsgate released a synopsis that is either the best or the worst depending on your attitude. Here it is:"The story centers on a boy from Baltic Avenue who uses both Chance and Community in a quest to make his fortune, taking him on a fun, adventure-filled journey. It's about making your own luck, what makes you truly rich and, of course, avoiding Jail time!"It was previously announced that Andrew Niccol, who picked up an Academy Award nomination for The Truman Show, would write the screenplay for the Monopoly movie, but it's not clear if he remains attached. According to a press release, the movie will be a "big, crowd-pleasing event film."Lionsgate goes on to say that the Monopoly movie will be "a film for all ages, visually sumptuous, heartwarming, and full of action and adventure."Monopoly is just the latest board game to be spun into a movie. The Peter Berg-directed Battleship movie starring Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, Liam Neeson, and Taylor Kitsch, was released in 2012. Before that, there were films based on Dungeons & Dragons, Ouija, and Clue. Looking ahead, movies based on Tetris and Catan are in the works.As for Hart, one of his next big movies is the sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which is also based on a board game. Info from Gamespot.com

The J.R.R. Tolkien biopic finally has a release date. Fox Searchlight has announced that the movie about the Lord of the Rings author will arrive in theatres on May 10, 2019. The movie stars Nicholas Hoult as a young Tolkien, with the story following the man long before he came to write his epic fantasy tome.According to Entertainment Weekly, the film will track Tolkien as a young man who came into his own at school before serving in World War I. In the trenches of France, with death and despair surrounding him, Tolkien was said to have come up with the ideas that would become The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. A number of Tolkien's longtime friends died in World War I; Tolkien survived, came home, and wrote his defining work.The movie will also focus on Tolkien's wife, Edith Bratt, who is played by Lily Collins, the actress daughter of singer Phil Collins. The relationship between Tolkien and Bratt was supposedly the inspiration for Tolkien's Beren and Luthien story, which itself inspired the Aragorn-Arwen relationship in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings series. Tolkien and Bratt share a gravestone, and on it they're referred to as Beren and Luthien.The new movie, which is simply titled Tolkien, is directed by Dome Karukoski (Heart of Finland), based on script from David Gleeson and Stephen Beresford.In addition to this film, another one is in the works that focuses on the relationship between Tolkien and Narnia writer C.S. Lewis, and how Tolkien helped convert Lewis to Christianity.Outside of these, Amazon is producing a Lord of the Rings prequel TV show, while a massive Lord of the Rings art exhibit is opening in New York City. A new Lord of the Rings video game is also in the work, and it's said to have an online focus. Info from Gamespot.com