Pokémon Pinball Machine Trailer

All About the Machine

“Today we’re proud to finally deliver the long-awaited Pokémon by Stern Pinball machine,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball. “This game is a true celebration of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and the enduring adventure of Pokémon – brought to life in a whole new way through immersive pinball gameplay, thrilling battles and the timeless excitement of catching Pokémon.“

The machine is powered by Stern’s SPIKE 3 technology, and will set players out on an “unforgettable journey across four distinct habitats, discovering, catching, and bonding with many of their favorite Pokémon. Players will shoot the illuminated, mechanically animated Poké Ball to catch Pokémon, build their ultimate team, and complete their Pokémon Collection. The playfield also features beautifully crafted Pokémon-themed ramps, spinners, and targets. Watch as the animatronic Pikachu reacts to your gameplay, cheering you on every step of the way! Trainers can battle their way through rival trainers and compete in the arena through dynamic, custom battle sequences. Danger lurks as Team Rocket and their infamous boss, Giovanni, plot trouble. The interactive Meowth Balloon toy swoops down onto the battle arena to challenge the Trainer.“

With video clips from the original Pokémon animated series and the iconic theme song, the pinball machine offers a truly immersive experience in one of the world’s biggest franchises. It’s available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models. The latter is limited to 750 games globally and includes the “updated Expression Lighting System and Speaker Expression Lighting System with Pokémon-themed game effects, a full-color mirrored backglass, full-color high-definition cabinet decals, a custom LE Pokémon pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration.“

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The John Wick Video Game Trailer

The single-player third-person game is described as an AAA title for “mature audiences” currently in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Along with Reeves, John Wick director Chad Stahelski is also involved. You can check out the trailer below.

All About the Game

The game will combine the “unparalleled, adrenaline-fueled ‘gun-fu’ fighting style” of John Wick, with “Saber’s proven reputation for creating thrilling gaming experiences that leave players craving more.“

As for when the story will take place, it will be set “years before the Impossible Task. It will expand on the franchise’s lore during that time with familiar characters fans already know and love, as well as compelling new ones created specifically for this production.“

In a statement, Jenefer Brown, President of Global Products & Experiences at Lionsgate, said, “I can’t wait for fans to step into the shoes of John Wick and explore the multi-dimensional world of The High Table. We are collaborating closely with Saber’s dedicated team to develop a game that captures the unparalleled action, brand-defining fight choreography, immersive world-building, and authenticity of the films.“

Matthew Karch, CEO at Saber Interactive, added, “John Wick is one of the most iconic characters in action film history. Saber is honored to be working alongside Chad, Keanu and the Lionsgate team in a true collaboration to bring the world of Wick to life in a AAA game.“

What’s Next for the Film Franchise

Although John Wick: Chapter 4 seemingly brought the story of the legendary assassin to an end, the lucrative franchise will continue. Ana de Armas starred in Ballerina, the first spin-off movie, and Lionsgate has announced plans for John Wick: Chapter 5, an animated prequel, and a spin-off featuring Donnie Yen as Caine, the blind character from the fourth movie.

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Doug Bradley became a horror icon through his performance as the Cenobite known as Pinhead in the 1987 Clive Barker classic Hellraiser, a role he would reprise in seven sequels (Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, Hellraiser: Bloodline, Hellraiser: Inferno, Hellraiser: Hellseeker, Hellraiser: Deader, and Hellraiser: Hellworld) before stepping away from the franchise. Twenty years have gone by since Bradley last played Pinhead in a Hellraiser movie – but now, Saber Interactive and Boss Team Games have brought him back to the role for the video game Hellraiser: Revival, which will be coming to PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S sometime this year. We don’t have a release date yet, but we do have a story trailer, which you can watch in the embed above.

Clive Barker Approved

Hellraiser: Revival is described as being a “story-driven, single-player survival horror action game set in the Hellraiser universe.”

Clive Barker helped craft the story for the video game and provided the following statement: “Working on the first true Hellraiser game has been a venture deep into the recesses of my darkest imaginings. The dedication that Saber and Boss Team Games have shown is nothing short of remarkable. They’ve immersed themselves in the Hellraiser universe, capturing its essence — the seductive pull of suffering, the beauty within the grotesque — and forged a narrative that invites players to step beyond the threshold. I’m eager for both the curious and the damned to experience this new chapter in the Hellraiser mythos, where every moment balances on the brink of nightmare and revelation.“

Players will fight Hell’s wretches, deviants, cultists, and priests as they discover the tale of Aidan, who must unlock the dark powers of the Genesis Configuration, a mysterious puzzle box, to help his girlfriend from a hellish abyss. As Aidan, you’ll harness the box’s infernal abilities to survive your pact with the sinister Pinhead and battle against the twisted cult that worships him and the Cenobites. Fail, and your suffering will be legendary, even in Hell.

What did you think of the Hellraiser: Revival story trailer? Will you be playing this game when it’s released later this year? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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The Resident Evil video game franchise will continue with the release of Resident Evil Requiem on February 27th, when the game will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. Building up the hype before the game arrives, a live-action trailer / short film has dropped online – and it stars genre regular Maika Monroe, whose credits include It Follows, The Guest, Watcher, Longlegs, and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. You can watch it in the embed above.

New Game

Entertainment Weekly lets us know that Resident Evil Requiem follows FBI intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft and veteran agent (and fan-favorite character) Leon S. Kennedy. Grace travels to an abandoned Midwestern hotel, where her mother was murdered eight years prior, to investigate the latest in a series of deaths. When a cop goes missing, Leon is dispatched to assist.

Live-Action Trailer

The live-action trailer was filmed in Mexico City and directed by Rich Lee, who has been at the helm of music videos for the likes of Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Eminem, and more. Monroe isn’t generally a gamer and hasn’t played the Resident Evil games, but she said that the look-book Lee sent to her before they shot the trailer was “very nostalgic. The big point was going back to the ’90s, the original location of Raccoon City. And then of course, you get to the end and they’re showing visuals of the zombies, that I would then get to be a zombie. It was really quite exciting.” The article notes that Monroe has watched the Milla Jovovich Resident Evil movies.

Monroe told Entertainment Weekly that she was drawn to working on the live-action trailer because “it had a lot of heart. It’s really heartbreaking, the story that you’re watching unfold. I just thought it was a really interesting and a new way to portray this video game coming out.” As for the filming experience, “We had a lot of extras in zombie makeup just cruising around, which was quite funny. Cops and dogs and smoke machines — it was just chaos. I mean, it really felt like chaos.“

Will you playing Resident Evil Requiem? Take a look at the live-action trailer, then let us know by leaving a comment below.

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Last year, it was officially announced that IllFonic, the makers of horror-centric video games like Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game, and Predator: Hunting Grounds, are teaming with Gun Media, the studio behind The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th: The Game, Layers of Fear 2, and Breach & Clear, for a new video game based on the Halloween franchise. Now, the game’s official site has given us a look at some of the playable civilian characters!

Game Info

Halloween will offer a single-player mode, offline bot combat, and online asymmetrical PVP gameplay. It will also include multiple maps and “authentic locations” from the classic film. The teaser embedded above takes us to Haddonfield, Illinois, on Halloween night. As the residents of the sleepy town prepare for an evening of tricks and treats, we find a woman running for her life from door to door, hoping to get someone, anyone, to help her escape the masked killer following close behind. As she scambles to gain the upper hand, we hear the wise warnings of Dr. Samuel Loomis (thanks to a solid Donald Pleasence impersonator), warning us about the black-hearted Boogeyman who comes to Haddonfield. 

John Carpenter is on board as an executive producer. The motion-capture performance for Michael Myers has been provided by Nick Castle, who played Myers in the original film, and stuntman TJ Storm, whose mo-cap credits include Deadpool (as Colossus), Captain America: Civil War (as Iron Man), The Predator (as the Predator), and Godzilla and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, where he played Godzilla. Castle, who was absent from the Halloween franchise for decades before being brought back for cameos in the recent Blumhouse-produced trilogy of sequels, told the official website that being asked to do the mo-cap performance for Myers in the game made him “go watch the movie again to see just what the hell I did that contributes to the success of the character.”

Civilians

The playable civilian characters can be seen in the image above. From left to right in this image, we have:

Tanya Harrison: At the center of Haddonfield’s social scene is none other than Tanya Harrison. Much like Thomas, she loves Haddonfield and the people in this town. Her carefree and exuberant personality makes her the go-to person to ask about what’s hip, happening, and worth listening to. Tanya was once offered a job by Mr. Strode because he thought she’d be an outstanding fit to work at Strode Reality, but she turned down the opportunity in favor of a position at the local record store. Underneath that bubbly exterior, Tanya’s charming, dark sense of humor helps her get along with just about everyone in town.

Rachel Calahan: Rachel Calahan couldn’t be more displeased with hanging out with people… in fact she may even prefer the company of the dead! At night, her morbid curiosities are explored through funeral service education courses she attends in hopes of becoming a mortician and joining the family business. Fascinated by death and the unknown, her free time is spent hanging out with the small group of people in Haddonfield who frequent the occult section of the local bookstore. A lover of punk music and sarcasm, Rachel has a hard time letting people see her vulnerable side, but despite her general distaste for humanity, she does keep folks with similar interests and hobbies around… which should prove helpful on Halloween night.

Thomas Armitage: No one quite loves Haddonfield like our star college football player, Thomas Armitage. At 21, you’d think that parties would dominate his social life, but this dedicated athlete elects to return home every weekend to spend quality time with his little sister, visit close friends, and help out at his dad’s furniture business. His positive attitude solidifies Thomas’s role as a courageous leader on and off the football field. While some might confuse his confidence with arrogance, Thomas is the type of guy who talks the talk and walks the walk.

Jennifer Aarons: Jennifer Aarons is always prepared. She has a distinct vision for her future and that’s why she’s spending a few gap years working at the local bookstore to save money to pay for a college education. Quiet, kind, and demonstrably type A, she plans to leave the claustrophobic town of Haddonfield behind to pursue grander aspirations. Her overbearing mother would love for her to simply stay home, meet a nice guy, and settle down, but that’s far from what Jenny wants. Though, her extended academic sabbatical has led to a slight erosion in Jennifer’s fastidious shell courtesy of her new foray into Haddonfield’s nightlife.

Marcus Navarro: There are few things Marcus Navarro enjoys more than firing up his bike and hitting the open road. He was born and raised in Haddonfield, but spent a long stretch of time away to live with his father after his parents’ divorce. His independence and nomadic lifestyle are alluring to the residents of the small town, who find themselves captivated by his brooding, lone-wolf nature. While he typically prefers solitude, he does enjoy riding over to the Rabbit in Red Lounge to grab drinks and play pool with the Castle Hill Rooks. Much like Jennifer, Marcus has fundamental problems with the “phony” suburban facade of Haddonfield, but that won’t stop him from protecting the people he cares about, like his grandmother Gloria.

What do you think of this lineup of civilian characters from the Halloween video game? Are you looking forward to playing this game when it’s released on September 8, 2026? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice! BEETLEJUICE! Fresh off the heels of Evil Dead, Spooky Pinball is taking its “boo-tique” line of pinball machines to the afterlife for Beetlejuice pinball! The new game boasts design from Spooky Luke and Corwin (Bug) Emery, with Code by Spooky DJ and Casey Butler. The latest and spooktacular table features art by Christopher Franchi, accompanied by music by Brady Hearn (original music), Danny Elfman, and Harry Belafonte (film score).

Based on the 1988 film directed by Tim Burton with music by Danny Elfman, Beetlejuice follows the story of the titular “bio-exorcist” who can only be summoned by saying his name three times; he was originally hired to rid the deceased Maitland family’s house of their new residents, the Deetzes, but winds up forming a relationship with their youngest daughter, Lydia.

Beetlejuice is available for purchase as of publication. However, most of the 999 officially produced units (not including some number of games made available for purchase at pinball shows in 2026) have already been pre-sold through Spooky’s distributor network. A small number of games were made available for direct purchase through Spooky as well, but by the time you’re reading this, they will already be spoken for.

‍Game pricing remains unchanged from their last release, with games starting at $9,999. Upgrades like a motorized Beetle-Snake topper, invisi-glass, and more are also available.

As you can tell from the trailer, the Beetlejuice pinball machine comes complete with iconic characters, set pieces, and visual gags from Tim Burton’s original film, including the Sandworm, Lydia’s Barloroid camera, the Afterlife couch, the Beetlejuice snake, the Maitland couple as their spooky, stretchy counterparts, the demon-like entrance to Beetlejuice’s brothel, and much more!

You can check out a list of more spooky feature for the Beetlejuice Pinball game below:

Okay, which one of you has $9,999 to PayPal me this afternoon? I promise you’ll get it back… in a couple of years. In all seriousness, though, this might be the coolest pinball machine I’ve seen since The Addams Family pinball machine. I’m dying to get my hands on Spooky’s Beetlejuice pinball machine, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

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Netflix’s Game Night upgrade is the app’s next step toward making Netflix your one-stop shop for entertainment. The initiative encompasses a diverse range of gaming genres catering to various age groups, from children to adults, and everyone in between.

“Starting today, you can play games on your TV, using your phone as a controller — no setup needed, it’s as easy as streaming your favorite shows,” said Alain Tascan, President of Games at Netflix. “You can now go from watching KPop Demon Hunters to playing Pictionary: Game Night without ever leaving Netflix. And for those who love to play anywhere and everywhere, we’re bringing even more games to your phone with our own special Netflix touch.”

Per today’s official press release:

Have friends over? How about staging a classic murder mystery, except this time with the world’s greatest detective, Benoit Blanc, investigating you and your friends? In Dead Man’s Party: A Knives Out Game, that’s the order of the day. And for more group fun, the Party Games collection lets friends and family gather around the TV for instant game fun and creating memories for the future. It’s nonstop, familiar entertainment with hits like LEGO Party!, Boggle Party, Party Crashers, Pictionary: Game Night, and Tetris Time Warp.

For those nights when you need some solo time, there’s Red Dead Redemption — coming to mobile for the first time ever. Explore the Dead West, yank a few bandits off their horses with your lasso, leave ’em on train tracks, and take in a sunset or two in this masterpiece.

Speaking of, when you need a brainteaser, we’ve got those too. The brand-new Puzzled app has eight daily puzzle games and familiar faces, including Emily in Paris, Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters, all playable on Tudum and your mobile device.

If you’re looking for Party Games, Netflix has you covered with titles like Boggle Party, LEGO Party, Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends, Pictionary: Game Night, Tetris Time Warp, and Dead Man’s Party: A Knives Out Game.

If mobile games are your poison, check out LEGO DUPLO World, Barbie Color Creations, Toca Boca Hair Salon 4, PAW Patrol Academy, WWE 2K25, Netflix Puzzled, Red Dead Redemption (coming soon), and Best Guess Live (coming soon – only available in the US).

Other games coming to Netflix Game Night include World of Peppa Pig, Pictionary: Game Night, and Netflix Puzzled.

It’s no secret that gaming is a multi-billion-dollar industry. So, it’s natural for Netflix to want to get in on the action. Before Netflix Game Night, subscribers needed a phone or tablet to access the games on offer with this much ease. I might play some of these games now that I can enjoy them on my TV and use my phone as a controller. I’m a big fan of puzzle games, and Netflix is going hard with that genre in particular.

What do you think about Netflix’s Game Night initiative? Are there any games listed above that you’d like to play? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Here’s the logline: Set in the world of Death Stranding, Death Stranding Isolations (working title) will tell a completely new story, separate from that of the video games. The upcoming series will follow a young man and woman as they set out on an adventure.

Kojima previously worked with Disney on the documentary, Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds. Takayuki Sano (Bullet/Bullet, Gridman Universe) is directing the animated series, and attendees at the Hong Kong showcase got to see concept art created by Ilya Kuvshinov, who served as character designer for Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kojima said the series will be “pretty mind-blowing and that he wanted to expand his franchise into anime as it would allow him to do things you can only do with animation. He added the series will have new and different characters. As for his motivation for making the series, Kojima said he realized there were people who may not play video games, and he wanted to share the world of Death Stranding with more people.” They add that the series will utilize traditional hand-drawn 2D animation style. E&H Production (Ninja Kamui, Red Cat Ramen), one of Japan’s top animation studios, is working on the project.

Are you a fan of Death Stranding? What do you think of Hideo Kojima working on an animated series expansion of the concept with Disney+? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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Be sure to check out JoBlo on Wednesday, as we’ll have the Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer up for you. The sequel will feature the return of Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek.

The sequel is likely to be another big success for Nintendo, and President Shuntaro Furukawa has recently stated that he wants to establish a “Consistent Release Cadence” framework, which will enable projects based on Nintendo’s IP to be released more regularly. Nintendo also has a live-action Legend of Zelda movie in the works, which recently started shooting in New Zealand.

The Super Mario Bros Movie received mixed reviews from critics upon release, including our own Chris Bumbray. “Here’s my problem with the movie – it wasn’t much of a film at all,” Bumbray wrote in his review. “For the most part, I felt like I was watching someone play Super Mario, and being a pretty devoted fan of the games, I wanted my turn at the controls. Watching people play Mario Kart or Super Mario Odyssey will never be as much fun as playing it yourself, but – I’ll give the movie this – I wanted to run home, turn on the Switch, and play the heck out of the game for a few hours. It’ll sell a lot of games, and kids will love it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the novelty wears off for older fans and they all start itching to just go home and play the game themselves.” You can check out the rest of Bumbray’s review right here. The mixed reviews clearly didn’t hurt the film.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be released on April 3, 2026.

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According to Furukawa, he wants to build a “Consistent Release Cadence” that allows projects based on Nintendo’s fan-favorite IP to be released regularly. Nintendo learned a great deal from the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and will continue its hands-on approach when producing its film and television projects. The studio presented a brief timeline document at the company’s Q2 financial earnings report, featuring both Super Mario Bros. Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda, as well as two additional spots for unannounced projects.

What other film projects is Nintendo working on? Signs point to the studio making a film starring Donkey Kong, likely with Seth Rogen reprising his role as the banana-loving, barrel-hurling hero of DK Jungle. While there are no concrete plans announced for a Donkey Kong movie, Nintendo and Universal did file a copyright in July for an Untitled Donkey Kong project.

Beyond Donkey Kong, Shigeru Miyamoto has floated the idea of developing a Pikmin film project. The Pikmin received the animation treatment last month when Nintendo Studios released “Close to You,” a mysterious release that turned out to be a short film featuring the Pikmin. In the short film, the Pikmin, which are invisible to humans, ran rampant in an infant’s bedroom, causing all manner of mischief. Nintendo insists the short film is merely an example of what its in-house animation studio can do, but fans are already hoping for more.

What Nintendo brand characters would you like to see on the silver screen? I would love a Metroid movie, a stop-motion Kirby television series, a Luigi’s Mansion film or limited series, a Fire Emblem anime, or an Animal Crossing series with multimedia components.

Are you excited about Nintendo increasing its release schedule in the future? What films or projects would you like to see come to life on screens? Let us know in the comments section below.

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The video game adaptation Five Nights at Freddy’s (read our review HERE) quickly became Blumhouse Productions’ highest-grossing movie when it reached theatres and the Peacock streaming service back in October, surpassing the likes of Split, The Invisible Man, The Black Phone, M3GAN, the recent Halloween sequel trilogy, and the Paranormal Activity, Insidious, and The Purge franchises with its haul of $295 million. So, of course, there’s a sequel coming our way, aiming for a December 5, 2025 theatrical release – and when fans go to see the movie on the big screen, multiple theatre chains will be offering them special popcorn buckets to munch out of!

Cinemark alone will be offering a Freddy popcorn bucket, a stage popcorn bucket, and a popcorn tin, not to mention a souvenir cup:

Regal Cinemas will have a popcorn stage collectible and a popcorn tin:

AMC Theatres will offer a Freddy head popcorn bucket (with removable face!) and a Carl the Cupcake bottle with movable eyes:

The first Five Nights at Freddy’s follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through. Now, a shocking new chapter of animatronic terror begins. One year has passed since the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. The stories about what transpired there have been twisted into a campy local legend, inspiring the town’s first ever Fazfest.  Former security guard Mike (Josh Hutcherson) and police officer Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) have kept the truth from Mike’s 11-year-old sister, Abby (Piper Rubio), concerning the fate of her animatronic friends.  But when Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, it will set into motion a terrifying series of events, revealing dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy’s, and unleashing a long-forgotten horror hidden away for decades.

As the synopsis mentions, the first film’s stars Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games), Elizabeth Lail (You), and Piper Rubio (Holly & Ivy) have returned for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. So have Matthew Lillard (Scream) and Theodus Crane (Underground). New characters are played by Freddy Carter (Shadow and Bone), Wayne Knight (Jurassic Park), Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters franchise), Teo Briones (Final Destination: Bloodlines), and Lillard’s Scream co-star Skeet Ulrich. Megan Fox (Jennifer’s Body) is voicing Toy Chica, MatPat (FNAF the Musical) is voicing Toy Bonnie, and Kellen Goff (Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic) provides the voice of Toy Freddy.

The first adaptation was originally set up at Warner Bros., where Gil Kenan (Monster House) was going to direct the film from a screenplay he was writing with Tyler Burton Smith (the Child’s Play remake). Then the project moved over to Blumhouse, where Chris Columbus (Home Alone) was attached to direct it for several years. It finally went into production with Emma Tammi – director of The Wind, Into the Dark: Delivered, and Into the Dark: Blood Moon – at the helm, working from a screenplay she wrote with Seth Cuddeback (Mateo) and video game creator Scott Cawthon. Tragedy Girls writers Tyler MacIntyre and Chris Lee Hill share story credit with Cawthon. Tammi has directed the sequel from a script by Cawthon.

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is produced by Blumhouse founder and CEO Jason Blum and Scott Cawthon, who also produced the first film. The executive producers are director Emma Tammi, Beatriz Sequeira, Christopher Warner, Russell Binder, and Marc Mostman. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop handled the special effects that bring the homicidal animatronic animals to life on the screen. 

Will you be catching Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 on the big screen this December, and will you be eating your popcorn out of a special collectible bucket? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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In a letter to shareholders, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said the delay was to give “the team some additional time to finish the game with the high level of polish players expect and deserve. Rockstar has our full support of course, and we are confident they will deliver an unrivalled blockbuster entertainment experience.“

The official synopsis: “Jason and Lucia have always known the deck is stacked against them. But when an easy score goes wrong, they find themselves on the darkest side of the sunniest place in America, in the middle of a conspiracy stretching across the state of Leonida — forced to rely on each other more than ever if they want to make it out alive.“

The game is set within the fictional US state of Leonida, with Vice City forming a large part of the open world. There will be heists, action, and colourful characters; everything we’ve come to expect from Rockstar. Still, it’s been so long that fans are expecting nothing short of perfection, so it’s understandable that Rockstar wants GTA VI to be as polished as possible.

Given the substantial investment in this project, there has even been speculation that the game could reach the $100 price mark when it’s released. That seems like a lot, and I’d hate for it to become the standard, but when I think of the sheer hours of entertainment which Grand Theft Auto V has given me, it doesn’t sound too bad.

Grand Theft Auto V was released in 2013 and became the fastest-selling entertainment product in history, earning $1 billion in three days. The game revolves around three protagonists—retired bank robber Michael De Santa, street gangster Franklin Clinton, and drug dealer and gunrunner Trevor Philips. The game was first released on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but received re-releases on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in 2014, and on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 in 2022. Grand Theft Auto Online has also kept the franchise going for the decade between installments, with frequent updates maintaining an active fan base and keeping the money rolling in.

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Cregger wrote the screenplay with Shay Hatten (Army of the Dead) and the story apparently harkens back to the original Capcom game’s horror roots. Here’s the supposed logline: Bryan, a laid-back organ courier, is sent on a late-night delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. En route through a snowy mountain road, he accidentally hits a strange woman with his car. She survives—but something is very wrong. As he tries to help, Bryan stumbles into a full-blown outbreak involving horrifying tentacle-based mutations and bio-engineered monstrosities. 

Weapons cast member Austin Abrams has the lead role and is joined in the cast by Paul Walter Hauser (Cobra Kai), Zach Cherry (Severance), Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country), and Johnno Wilson (I Love That for You). Cherry is said to be playing a scientist at a hospital and Reis is set to play an ex-military character that was initially written for a male actor.

Cregger has said, “It’s gonna be not at all like Barbarian and Weapons. It’s going to be a rock ’em, sock ’em… it’s for me to play. And turn my brain off and just make an… Evil Dead II… get crazy with the camera. … It’s a weird, fun, wild story. This movie follows a person from point A to point B. It’s like a real time journey, where you just go deeper and deeper into the depths of Hell.“

Constantin Film is producing and co-financing the film. Constantin’s Robert Kulzer, Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee and Miri Yoon, and PlayStation Productions are also producing. Nicole Brown will be overseeing the project for Sony’s Columbia Pictures.

Are you looking forward to Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil? Let us know by leaving a comment below. Here are the first set images:

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Yesterday, we shared the news that Sam Raimi’s horror comedy classic Army of Darkness is getting the board game treatment courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment – and that’s not the only movie-inspired board game Dynamite is working on. They have also created a board game that’s based on the Puppet Master franchise from Charles Band’s company Full Moon! The game is called Puppet Master: Return to Bodega Bay Inn and you can secure your copy on GameFound.com.

Bodega Bay Inn was the setting for several films in the Puppet Master series. Here’s some information on the board game: Puppet Master: Return to Bodega Bay Inn is a cooperative, cat-and-mouse-style, survival game. Explore the hotel as a modular game board you design each time, so every game is different! Each puppet has a unique personality and the “Puppet Behavior Dial” changes their hunting strategy throughout the game. Having the right cards in your hand and a few doors strategically locked might just give you the time you need to escape but it’s a race against your quickly dwindling Deck to collect the information you need to stop the puppets before the puppets complete their agenda. A “how to play” video can be found at the bottom of this article, along with a preview video.

The game has a 30 to 40 minute play time and is for 1 to 4 players. The core game includes the puppets Blade, Pinhead, Jester, Tunneler, and Leech Woman, but there’s also an expansion pack that brings Six Shooter, Torch, and Decapitron (and a fifth player, if you want) into the game. For more information, click over to the GameFound link.

The original Puppet Master was released in 1989, and since then we’ve gotten multiple sequels, prequels, a Fangoria reboot, a couple of solo puppet spin-offs, and a Demonic Toys crossover, resulting in a total of (as of right now) fifteen movies. A sixteenth is said to be in the works.

Are you a fan of the Puppet Master franchise, and will you be buying the Puppet Master: Return to Bodega Bay Inn board game? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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The video game adaptation Five Nights at Freddy’s (read our review HERE) quickly became Blumhouse Productions’ highest-grossing movie when it reached theatres and the Peacock streaming service back in October, surpassing the likes of Split, The Invisible Man, The Black Phone, M3GAN, the recent Halloween sequel trilogy, and the Paranormal Activity, Insidious, and The Purge franchises with its haul of $295 million. So, of course, there’s a sequel coming our way, aiming for a December 5, 2025 theatrical release – and late last night, a new trailer for the film dropped online! You can check it out in the embed above.

he first Five Nights at Freddy’s follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through. Now, a shocking new chapter of animatronic terror begins. One year has passed since the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. The stories about what transpired there have been twisted into a campy local legend, inspiring the town’s first ever Fazfest.  Former security guard Mike (Josh Hutcherson) and police officer Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) have kept the truth from Mike’s 11-year-old sister, Abby (Piper Rubio), concerning the fate of her animatronic friends.  But when Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, it will set into motion a terrifying series of events, revealing dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy’s, and unleashing a long-forgotten horror hidden away for decades.

As the synopsis mentions, the first film’s stars Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games), Elizabeth Lail (You), and Piper Rubio (Holly & Ivy) have returned for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. So have Matthew Lillard (Scream) and Theodus Crane (Underground). New characters are played by Freddy Carter (Shadow and Bone), Wayne Knight (Jurassic Park), Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters franchise), Teo Briones (Final Destination: Bloodlines), and Lillard’s Scream co-star Skeet Ulrich. Megan Fox (Jennifer’s Body) is voicing Toy Chica, MatPat (FNAF the Musical) is voicing Toy Bonnie, and Kellen Goff (Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic) provides the voice of Toy Freddy.

The new trailer gives us our first look at the character played by Skeet Ulrich. JoBlo’s resident Five Nights at Freddy’s expert Mike Conway lets us know that Ulrich is playing Henry Emily. That character first appeared in Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator. He was co-owner of Freddy Fazbear’s with William Afton (Lillard). Could be a SPOILER if they follow this plot, but Henry’s daughter was Afton’s first kill. Her spirit winds up in the Puppet, which is in the movie.

The first adaptation was originally set up at Warner Bros., where Gil Kenan (Monster House) was going to direct the film from a screenplay he was writing with Tyler Burton Smith (the Child’s Play remake). Then the project moved over to Blumhouse, where Chris Columbus (Home Alone) was attached to direct it for several years. It finally went into production with Emma Tammi – director of The Wind, Into the Dark: Delivered, and Into the Dark: Blood Moon – at the helm, working from a screenplay she wrote with Seth Cuddeback (Mateo) and video game creator Scott Cawthon. Tragedy Girls writers Tyler MacIntyre and Chris Lee Hill share story credit with Cawthon. Tammi has directed the sequel from a script by Cawthon.

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is produced by Blumhouse founder and CEO Jason Blum and Scott Cawthon, who also produced the first film. The executive producers are director Emma Tammi, Beatriz Sequeira, Christopher Warner, Russell Binder, and Marc Mostman. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop handled the special effects that bring the homicidal animatronic animals to life on the screen. 

Will you be catching Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 on the big screen this December? Take a look at the new trailer, then let us know by leaving a comment below.

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If you think Spooky Season is over just because we’ve closed the book on another Halloween, think again! Today, Stern Pinball invites players to embark on the epic journey of surviving the apocalypse in The Walking Dead Remastered – a technologically advanced version of one of the most beloved pinball games of all time.

Proceed with caution, Pinball Wizards, there will only be a limited number of The Walking Dead Remastered pinball machines available to purchase soon on the Stern Store! You’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for a countdown for a chance to buy one of these rare tables, with only registered All-Access members having access to the sale while supplies last.

The following details arrive courtesy of Stern’s official website:

In Stern Pinball’s The Walking Dead Remastered pinball game, players will battle walkers and survive key scenes from The Walking Dead in an immersive physical pinball experience like none other.  The development team, led by John Borg, the designer of the original game, have created a modern version of the original masterpiece.  The playfield features enhanced versions of the “Cell Block C” Prison building, bicycle girl ramp, and an interactive Well Walker toy.  The fan-favorite crossbow device that shoots a pinball has been re-engineered and updated for increased precision and flexibility in gameplay.  The game also features new RGB lighting and illuminated zombie heads on the slingshots.

Extra care and attention to detail have gone into every facet of The Walking Dead Remastered, honoring the original masterpiece by John Borg and Lyman F. Sheats, Jr. The game includes an updated version of the revolutionary ruleset that introduced a new mode structure and risk-reward elements that have stood the test of time. Through the iconic Prison, Well Walker, and Blood Bath multiballs and the depth of each Dead Feature mode (Barn, CDC, Riot, Tunnel, and Arena), players are immersed in a pinball battle that can ultimately leave a “Last Man Standing”… that is, if you’re able to survive the Horde and escape Terminus along your adventure.

In The Walking Dead Remastered, players will be introduced to newly developed visuals that blend high-quality video elements with a vibrant painterly art style, both on the cabinet and on the display. Extraordinary care has been taken to ensure the new visuals mirror scenes from the classic game, while also going beyond with additional updates. Software enhancements will introduce additional game rules, including new custom audio call-outs from actors Michael Rooker (Merle) and Danai Gurira (Michonne). Players will also experience Stern’s Insider Connected (IC) system that provides advanced connectivity features, enabling real-time engagement and a more connected experience for all.

The Walking Dead Remastered features Stern’s next-generation SPIKE 3 technology platform, which includes a larger 18.5″ full HD display with true color depth, along with a more powerful processor, and a new high fidelity immersive audio system. Players will get to experience completely overhauled 3D-rendered graphics and custom animations that pay homage to the dot matrix display from the original  pinball machine. SPIKE 3 electronics also feature more efficient power handling, improved Wi-Fi support, and wireless headphone capabilities.  This release will also feature an updated cabinet lighting customization system designed to allow for internal and external expression lighting on all versions of the game.

Stern Pinball’s The Walking Dead Remastered pinball machine is limited to 500 game units globally. Meanwhile, the highly collectible Limited Edition model includes the updated Expression Lighting System and Speaker Expression Lighting System with The Walking Dead-themed game effects, a full-color mirrored backglass, full-color high-definition cabinet decals, exclusive custom The Walking Dead Remastered pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration.

Will you attempt to survive the zombie apocalypse while playing Stern’s The Walking Dead Remastered pinball machine? How many zombies do you think you can mow down with a silver ball before getting overrun by a horde of ravenous undead? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Written by Sam Raimi and his brother Ivan Raimi, Army of Darkness has the following synopsis: Ash is transported back to medieval days, where he is captured by the dreaded Lord Arthur. Aided by the deadly chainsaw that has become his only friend, Ash is sent on a perilous mission to recover the Book of the Dead, a powerful tome that gives its owner the power to summon an army of ghouls.

And here’s some information on how Dynamite and Lynnvander are turning it into a board game: In this cooperative tower defense board game for 1 to 4 players (5 with the expansion!), Ash Williams and his allies lead the defense of Lord Arthur’s castle. Each round, players frantically program actions in a real-time planning phase. Then they take turns resolving those cards to move around the castle, use its artillery and other rooms, and fight to keep the Deadites at bay. If they can survive long enough against the Army of Darkness, Evil Ash himself shows up – and if the players can defeat him before the undead steal the Necronomicon, then the battle will be won! Sounds pretty intense.

The game has a 60 minute play time and involves 40 character standees (44 miniatures with the expansion), 95 cards, 47 tokens, 6 custom dice, and 4 playable character boards (a 5th playable character board is available with the expansion).

Are you interested in playing an Army of Darkness board game? Let us know by leaving a comment below. And if you want to see exactly how the game works, here’s an epic playthrough video:

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After making his Fortnite debut yesterday, Art the Clown is ready to level up in his own video game, titled Terrifier: The ARTcade Game! Developer Relevo announced the title’s official release date with a new trailer today, with the game set to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC on November 21, 2025.

In the new trailer for Terrifier: The ARTcade Game, Art the Clown frustratingly plays his upcoming beat-em-up on a Nintendo Switch. He eventually starts enjoying himself after seeing how violent the game is, with plenty of victims waiting to be on the receiving end of one of his creative kills.

In Terrifier: The ARTcade Game, Art can use a variety of weapons and team up with up to four players in local co-op mode for more bloody fun! The game even has “over-the-top” finishing moves!

Some other key features for the game include:

• Gorgeous Pixel Art and Animation – The game captures the essence of the Terrifier films with bright, cartoonish pixel art and fluid animations that vividly depict the gruesome action.
• Bloody Arsenal of Weapons – From chainsaws to cleavers, pick up a variety of weapons to turn your enemies into bloody pulp.
• Diverse Stages and Boss Battles – Travel through multiple stages, each with different paths to explore and enemies to defeat. Prepare yourself for intense boss battles that will test your skills.
• Chiptune Soundtrack – Relive the golden age of gaming with a glorious chiptune soundtrack that perfectly complements the retro aesthetic.
• Multiple Game Modes – With six different game modes, whether you’re looking for a quick beat ’em up session or an extended challenge, there’s a mode that fits your style.

Terrifier: The ARTcade Game will be available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. It offers fans the chance to step into the chaos of Art the Clown’s world with a blood-soaked blend of retro nostalgia and modern multiplayer madness. Players step into the role of Art the Clown as he disrupts movie sets where films about his own gruesome acts are being shot. Instead of letting the cameras capture the staged terror, Art will be tearing through hordes of policemen, firewomen, camera operators, stunt performers, makeup artists, and even unsuspecting civilians. The game captures the essence of the Terrifier films with bright, cartoonish pixel art and fluid animations that vividly depict the gruesome action. Players can also team up with up to 4 players for a chaotic local co-op experience. Work together or against each other in various game modes, each offering its own unique challenges.

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If you thought the story of Ginger, Rocky, and all their fine-feathered friends was over after the events of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, think again! Outright Games, the leading publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, and Aardman, the multi-award-winning independent animation studio behind Chicken Run and Wallace & Gromit, are delighted to announce that their newest game, Chicken Run: Eggstraction, is now available to play worldwide. Launching today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, this all-new stealth action-adventure invites fans to rejoin the beloved flock in a daring new chapter to save chicken-kind.

Per today’s press release from OG Outright Games:

Chicken Run: Eggstraction continues the story of Aardman’s 2023 hit film Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, transforming the franchise’s trademark wit, charm, and high-stakes tension into a full-length interactive adventure for all. The adventure is brought to life by a stellar cast of British talent, including Bella Ramsey, Josie Sedgwick-Davies, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Romesh Ranganathan, Jane Horrocks, and even more familiar voices. With a script penned by acclaimed writer Larry Rickard (Ghosts, Horrible Histories), fans will uncover an eggstraordinary adventure they will never forget.

Players can finally take charge with Frizzle, Molly, Fowler, and the rest of the flock, equipping their special chicken skills and unique leadership powers to save chicken-kind. Team up in two-player local co-op and eggsplore a variety of high-security locations from the industrial Chump Factory to the maze-filled Peckingham Manor. Disguise the chickens with camouflage, knit distracting decoys, and even launch a squadmate into battle! Each mission demands teamwork and stealth to outsmart the ever-watchful Nugget Industry.

Sean Clarke, Managing Director at Aardman, shared, “We’re incredibly proud to see Chicken Run: Eggstraction finally take flight today. This game is not only a continuation of Frizzle and the gang’s story, but also a whole new way for the millions of people all over the world who have enjoyed the Chicken Run films to experience this unique world, full of charm, fun, and plenty of surprises.”

Chicken Run: Eggstraction appears to be a lot of fun. The top-down gameplay reminds me of Klei Entertainment’s Invi?ible Inc., and I love that they got some of the original voice actors to contribute to the action. What do you think about Chicken Run: Eggstraction? Want to give it a go? Let us know in the comments section below.

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The excellent Friday the 13th: The Game from IllFonic and Gun Media is no longer playable online, but its legacy lives on not just in the hearts and minds of the many fans who loved spending hours and hours playing it, but also in the merchandising world. And the version of Jason that represents Friday the 13th: The Game in merchandising is, of course, the one that was entirely unique to the game: Savini Jason, which was designed by legendary special effects artist Tom Savini. NECA has created a Savini Jason action figure, Spirit Halloween is selling a Savini Jason mask, and now Funko has announced that a POP! version of Savini Jason will be going on sale tomorrow, October 22nd! An image of the POP! figure can be seen at the bottom of this article.

The Savini Jason Funko POP! will be available for purchase on Entertainment Earth and Amazon.

The idea behind Savini’s design of this Jason Voorhees is that he has escaped from Hell. He still has hellfire burning within him, and the trident / pitchfork he carries was stolen from the Devil himself.

Friday the 13th: The Game was hindered by the copyright lawsuit that the original Friday the 13th‘s screenwriter Victor Miller filed against producer/director Sean S. Cunningham, with Miller seeking to obtain the copyright to his script within the United States. As soon as that lawsuit was filed, new content could no longer be added to the game. Fans held on to hope for years that the game might be revived once the lawsuit came to an end. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. Miller won the lawsuit, but the game remained shelved.

While fans add Savini Jason figures to their collections, the Friday the 13th rights holders have let it be known that a new video game is in the works. It’s going to be very difficult for a new game to live up to Friday the 13th: The Game, though. In my opinion, that was the perfect video game for the franchise.

Are you a Friday the 13th: The Game fan, and will you be buying the Savini Jason Funko POP? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post Funko POP! version of Savini Jason from Friday the 13th: The Game goes on sale tomorrow appeared first on JoBlo.

Jake

Now that the smoke has cleared from the polarizing finale of The Last of Us Season 2, it’s time to put the fungal infection the series revolves around under the microscope. Remember, the hit HBO horror series is adapted from the 2013 video game, with Season 2 drawing inspiration from the 2020 gaming sequel, The Last of Us Part II. Of course, 2020 also marked the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an eerie, coincidental real-life parallel that made the TV series as timely and topical as can be. In the last five years, more light has been shed on the properties of COVID-19 and its transmission, a viral infection that differs from the fungal disease that turns humans into slavering, bloodthirsty zombie ghouls on the hit HBO series.

With more emphasis placed on the Cordyceps Brain Infection in The Last of Us Season 2, it’s worth exploring how accurate the science is on the show and how realistic it would be if the fungal pathogen could transmute humans into mind-controlled automatons. After all, it’s already been proven that the Cordyceps fungus, also known as the zombie ant fungus, can infect arthropods, make them behave against their nature, and promote fungal reproduction. But can it do the same to you and me? Well, get out the lab coats and goggles, it’s time to explore The Real Science Behind The Last of Us!

Alright, for a little context, The Last of Us is set in a post-apocalyptic future in which humanity has been ravaged by a fungal infection that controls human minds and turns the hosts into brainless, hyperaggressive drones. The purpose is to spread the disease and expand the fungal species across the land. Although there are many real-life fungal diseases, also known as Mycosis, The Last of Us revolves around the specific strain known as Cordyceps, or Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, a parasitic fungal mutation that human beings transmit from person to person, populating a horde of violent zombie-like monsters who scour the land looking for more people to infect.

Beyond the scientific backdrop, The Last of Us follows Joel and Ellie, two survivors and unlikely companions who forge a strong emotional bond while escaping a quarantine zone. While traversing the zombie-strewn countryside together, Joel and Ellie encounter one fungally infected flesh-eater after another, many of which are categorized by the severity of their illness. There are Runners, Stalkers, Clickers, and Bloaters, each of which behaves differently based on their exposure to the mutated Cordyceps.

Without spoiling the most significant plot points, the Cordyceps brain infection remains a prominent storyline in both seasons, leading to a harrowing Season 2 finale that has divided fans. In Season 1, the fungal disease spread environmentally through crops and, later, through saliva and other bodily fluids caused by physical bites. In Season 2, the Cordyceps evolved into an airborne disease that humans contracted by breathing the infectious spores. However, the central question remains: can mutated cordyceps infect human brains as seen in The Last of Us?

While somewhat complicated, the simple answer is no. At least not yet. Although mutated Cordyceps have been proven to infect ants, spiders, and other insects, there is no proof that the fungus can infect the minds and affect the behavior of human beings. Here’s how the zombie-ant fungus infects arthropods.

The spores of the Cordyceps act as a parasite that attacks insects, eats through their exoskeleton, and controls their brain to act in the fungus’s favor. Specifically, the spores overtake control of the insect’s mind and motor functions, causing irregular behavior. The spores manipulate the hosts to climb to a higher altitude, often in bushes and trees, to expose the fungus to as much sunlight as possible. More sunlight equals better breeding conditions for the fungus to reproduce, sustain its species, and expand its vast underground network known as Mycelium.

The fungus controls the insects’ minds and deliberately kills them to promote reproduction. Once the host insect dies, the fungus grows out of the insect’s head, sprouts a mushroom, and releases more predatory spores on and around the insect to find their next host and repeat the process over and over. This is all well-proven science that serves as the basis for The Last of Us. Fortunately for human beings, given our current climate and body temperatures, there is no imminent threat of fungal infections turning humans into grotesque, mushroom-headed zombies.

Far from conjecture, Yale School of Medicine Assistant Professor Scott Roberts, who specializes in infectious diseases, had this to say about the Cordyceps Brain Infection in The Last of Us: “Very few fungi or mold spread person-to-person, so a fungal pandemic is not too likely,” adding, “There are millions of different fungal and mold species out in nature that don’t cause any sort of infection in humans, and this is one of them. A Cordyceps that infects one species of ant cannot even infect other species of ants.”

The primary physiological factor preventing humans from such a fungal infection is body temperature. Most fungal species are unable to grow and reproduce at temperatures higher than 98.6 Degrees Fahrenheit, the human body’s average temperature. Most fungal strains struggle to thrive above 94 degrees, a fact noted by a mortified mycologist in The Last of Us. Some real-life scientists even believe that humans evolved their body temperature specifically to combat fungal infections.

Moreover, the vast majority of fungal infections are not transmissible from human to human, as are other infectious diseases like COVID-19. Some diseases can be spread from small animals to humans, but Roberts claims Cordyceps is not one of them, and humanity should not be concerned. As Roberts states: “Viruses are set up to spread person-to-person—we sneeze, and it can infect 20 people in the right setting. Fungal infections come from the environment through inhaling spores or an exposed wound. And once you’re infected, the risk of spreading it to another person is exceedingly low.”

The Last of Us depicts the spread of the disease through tainted food supplies. While it’s true that many bacterial infections can be transmitted through what we eat, such as E. coli or Salmonella, fungal infections are not a significant part of the equation. At least, not in the current temperatures we all inhabit in 2025.

Now, if climate change continues to escalate at a torrid pace, the drastic increase in temperatures could lead to the kind of fungal infection seen in The Last of Us. If the planet becomes hotter, certain fungal pathogens could evolve enough to subsist in higher temperatures, making humans more susceptible to infection.

In The Last of Us, the Cordyceps adapt to warmer weather and human body temperatures. While this isn’t currently plausible with Cordyceps, a fungal strain known as Candida auris already thrives in warmer climates. Scarier yet, Candida auris is untreatable and can be transmitted from human to human, unlike Cordyceps. As Roberts notes: “What does concern me as an infectious disease physician is a relatively new fungus called Candida auris. This fungus spreads person-to-person, which hasn’t really been reported before.”

Yet, even if rapid climate change caused a massive spread of Candida auris, chances are high that it would not turn humans into mindless zombie-like aggressors. Even harmful fungi like Aspergillus and Cryptococcus neoformans, which also adapt to warmer climates, would not penetrate humans’ biological defenses and morph them into mindless monsters. They could lead to fatal lung and respiratory problems, but not brain-altering transformations and ultra-violent urges.

Sure, certain fungal properties, such as those in psilocybin, can alter our human brain chemistry and make people hallucinate. But the effect wears off after the mushrooms are digested and do not cause chronic, transmissible illnesses as seen in the show.

Now, if The Last of Us retained the game’s original timeline, perhaps the Cordyceps Brain Infection could be more plausible. In the game, the fungal pandemic occurred in 2013, with Joel and Ellie’s apocalyptic sojourn taking place in 2033. The TV show shifted the timelines back a decade, with the outbreak beginning in 2003 and the aftermath set in 2023. It’s easy to understand why the change was made; to contemporize the story and allow viewers to watch Joel and Ellie deal with the pandemic as the world simultaneously dealt with COVID-19. Yet, by making the show more timely, it stretches the scientific credulity even thinner. However, the likelihood is that, between 2025 and 2033, there probably isn’t enough time to increase temperatures significantly enough for Cordyceps to evolve and thrive in hotter weather. If the show were set a millennium later in 3033, then the Cordyceps Brain Infection would be far more feasible, as it would allow enough time for the fungi to mutate, subsist in hotter weather, and threaten human immune systems.

Aside from rising temperatures, the overreliance on antibiotics could potentially lead to fungal infections among humans. Overusing antibiotics, many of which are produced by fungi, can weaken a person’s immune system, eliminating all the beneficial and harmful bacteria at once. Says Roberts: “Antibiotic use is a huge risk factor for fungal and yeast infections because they essentially wipe out all of the good bacteria, so fungi can start to take over.”

But again, even if fungal infections became as threatening as the Cordyceps in The Last of Us, they would not necessarily control our minds and turn us into enslaved, ambulatory meat puppets with hyperviolent tendencies. Nor would they kill us so we could propagate their species.

Another key difference between humans and arthropods is that our nervous systems are far more complex than those of insects. The nervous system of insects is mainly comprised of easily manipulable ganglia, a simple network of nerves that can be controlled. Humans have far more complicated brains and cerebral mechanisms that would prevent us from being hacked and hijacked by Cordyceps or any other mutated fungal strain.

Here’s the bottom line. The Last of Us utilizes a fictional pandemic to raise awareness about the potential dangers of fungal infections, emphasizing the drastic need for more scientific research. Creative liberties have been taken to imagine a future scenario, however distant its plausibility may be, to understand the eternal struggle between humanity and nature and their complex symbiosis.

In 2025, the Cordyceps Brain Infection seen in The Last of Us is next to impossible. In a thousand years or more, with rapid climate change and antibiotic usage, spore, mold, and fungus turning us all into mind-controlled zombies is theoretically more probable. The HBO series, like the video game it’s inspired by, is more science fiction than scientific reality.

The post The Real Science Behind The Last of Us appeared first on JoBlo.

Last month, it was officially announced that IllFonic, the makers of horror-centric video games like Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game, and Predator: Hunting Grounds, are teaming with Gun Media, the studio behind The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th: The Game, Layers of Fear 2, and Breach & Clear, for a new video game based on the Halloween franchise. Now, a gameplay trailer has dropped online to give us an idea of exactly how this game is going to work – and it looks like it’s going to be very cool. You can watch the gameplay trailer in the embed above.

Halloween will offer a single-player mode, offline bot combat, and online asymmetrical PVP gameplay. It will also include multiple maps and “authentic locations” from the classic film. The teaser embedded above takes us to Haddonfield, Illinois, on Halloween night. As the residents of the sleepy town prepare for an evening of tricks and treats, we find a woman running for her life from door to door, hoping to get someone, anyone, to help her escape the masked killer following close behind. As she scambles to gain the upper hand, we hear the wise warnings of Dr. Samuel Loomis (thanks to a solid Donald Pleasence impersonator), warning us about the black-hearted Boogeyman who comes to Haddonfield. 

John Carpenter is on board as an executive producer. The motion-capture performance for Michael Myers has been provided by Nick Castle, who played Myers in the original film, and stuntman TJ Storm, whose mo-cap credits include Deadpool (as Colossus), Captain America: Civil War (as Iron Man), The Predator (as the Predator), and Godzilla and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, where he played Godzilla. Castle, who was absent from the Halloween franchise for decades before being brought back for cameos in the recent Blumhouse-produced trilogy of sequels, told the official website that being asked to do the mo-cap performance for Myers in the game made him “go watch the movie again to see just what the hell I did that contributes to the success of the character.”

What did you think of the gameplay trailer for the Halloween video game? Are you looking forward to playing this game when it’s released on September 8, 2026? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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It’s been four years since Insomniac Games first announced Marvel’s Wolverine, and a brand-new trailer has finally been released. The trailer announces that the much-anticipated game will launch on PlayStation 5 consoles in Fall 2026. As you might expect, the trailer features plenty of blood-soaked action, and it is glorious.

Wolverine is played by actor Liam McIntyre, who you might remember as Spartacus in the Starz series and Weather Wizard on The Flash.

The description states that the actor “taps into the rage, pain, and nuances of this iconic character. In this story, he is on the hunt to uncover the secrets of a dark past that keeps eluding him. Unfortunately, in this world, he’ll have to dig his claws deep to pull any shred of information that may lead to answers. Often, that means shredding into a relentless onslaught of enemies who aim to stop him by any means necessary. Fueled by unflinching resilience (and a rapid healing factor), Wolverine won’t go down easy if it means keeping the mission on task.“

In addition to Wolverine, the trailer features a few familiar faces, including Mystique, Omega Red, and a Sentinel. The description continues: “In this global thriller, Wolverine’s search for answers will send him on perilous excursions to exotic locales, including the island nation of Madripoor, the frosted wilderness of Canada, and the narrow city streets of Tokyo – all potential battlegrounds for fierce, bloody, destructive action.“

“We aim to deliver the ultimate Wolverine fantasy built on Insomniac staples like fast, fluid, and ferocious combat; exhilarating, action-packed set pieces; robust accessibility features; and a gripping story that taps into the core tenets of one of the most compelling comic book characters of all-time,” reads the release. “We’re breaking new ground with Wolverine, yes, but our penchant for telling stories about heroes overcoming colossal odds is as strong as ever. We’re eager to explore Logan’s story with you and tap into his signature spin on heroism, which is much darker and more brutal than you might expect from Insomniac.“

The game has been a long time coming, and while there’s still a year to go, I think this will be one to watch. Insomniac Games has done great things with its Spider-Man games, so fans have high hopes for Wolverine.

The post Marvel’s Wolverine trailer reveals the blood-soaked game we’ve been waiting for appeared first on JoBlo.

A24 continues to show how much the studio thinks outside the box. Their promotion for the upcoming character drama is a pop-up 2000s-style Japanese arcade in New York City just as the film opens. The description reads,

Step into the year 2000 with The Smashing Machine Arcade in New York City. Enter the world of Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE with a retro Japanese Arcade on Canal Street. Play 15+ classic games, take photos in a full-size MMA ring, explore props straight from the film, and score exclusive limited-edition merchandise. Show your THE SMASHING MACHINE movie ticket to enter. Coming to 305 Canal Street, NY this October 2 & 3.

You can also check out the retro 2000s commercial for the event below.

The style no doubt reflects the film’s subject, Mark Kerr, as he became a fighting icon in the mixed-martial arts circuit, which would take him to bouts in Japan at the turn of the millennium. Johnson would speak about his real-life counterpart in a recent featurette of the movie. As Johnson puts it, “He was the greatest fighter on the planet. And in many ways, he was invincible. My own life experiences allowed me to live in Mark’s skin and know what it’s like – the pressure to perform, destroying your body every single night…I was just so happy that we could shine a light on the legacy that’s left.”

As huge of a dude Johnson is, director Benny Safdie – making his solo directorial debut away from brother Josh – actually asked him to bulk up even more, which really says something about the size of Kerr. And the way Safdie tells it, Johnson delivered. “I saw it in his eyes. He accessed something where he put himself in Kerr’s body. That level of dedication, he went all in.”

The post A24 promotes The Smashing Machine with a 2000s-style Japanese arcade, which will pop up in New York City in October appeared first on JoBlo.

Brotherhood of the Wolf and Silent Hill director Christophe Gans’ new Silent Hill movie Return to Silent Hill, which is said to be “totally independent from the two previous movies,” recently secured a U.S. distribution deal with entertainment studio Cineverse and is heading for a January 23, 2026 theatrical release. Last month, a teaser trailer for the film dropped online, and now the first theatrical poster has been unveiled. You can check it out at the bottom of this article.

Gans directed the 2006 version of Silent Hill from a screenplay he wrote with Roger Avary and Nicolas Boukhrief, and directed this new film from a screenplay he wrote with Sandra Vo-Anh and Will Schneider. Based on the video game Silent Hill 2, Return to Silent Hill follows James, a man broken after being separated from his one true love. When a mysterious letter calls him back to Silent Hill in search of her, he finds a once-recognizable town transformed by an unknown evil. As James descends deeper into the darkness, he encounters terrifying figures both familiar and new and begins to question his own sanity as he struggles to make sense of reality and hold on long enough to save his lost love.

The film stars Jeremy Irvine (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) and Hannah Emily Anderson (Jigsaw).

Return to Silent Hill was produced by Victor Hadida, Molly Hassell, and David Wulf. When the project was heading into production, Gans provided the following statement: “Return to Silent Hill is a mythological love story about someone so deeply in love, they’re willing to go to Hell to save someone. I’m delighted to have the wonderful talents of both Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson take us on this journey into a psychological horror world that I hope will both satisfy and surprise fans of Silent Hill.“ Hadida added: “Christophe and I have been working closely with our partners at KONAMI, as they update the video game, to also create a version of Silent Hill for the theatrical audiences of today. You will still find the iconic monsters – but there will also be new designs. We are confident that this new film and KONAMI’s updated game together will propel the Silent Hill franchise forward for years to come.“

Are you looking forward to Return to Silent Hill? Take a look at the first theatrical poster, then let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post Return to Silent Hill unveils its first theatrical poster appeared first on JoBlo.

Last month, it was officially announced that IllFonic, the makers of horror-centric video games like Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game, and Predator: Hunting Grounds, are teaming with Gun Media, the studio behind The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th: The Game, Layers of Fear 2, and Breach & Clear, for a new video game based on the Halloween franchise. Now, the official website has revealed that the game’s version of iconic slasher Michael Myers is being brought to life through motion-capture performances from stuntman TJ Storm and Nick Castle, who played Myers in the original Halloween!

Halloween will offer a single-player mode, offline bot combat, and online asymmetrical PVP gameplay. It will also include multiple maps and “authentic locations” from the classic film. The teaser embedded above takes us to Haddonfield, Illinois, on Halloween night. As the residents of the sleepy town prepare for an evening of tricks and treats, we find a woman running for her life from door to door, hoping to get someone, anyone, to help her escape the masked killer following close behind. As she scambles to gain the upper hand, we hear the wise warnings of Dr. Samuel Loomis (thanks to a solid Donald Pleasence impersonator), warning us about the black-hearted Boogeyman who comes to Haddonfield. John Carpenter is on board as an executive producer.

Castle, who was absent from the Halloween franchise for decades before being brought back for cameos in the recent Blumhouse-produced trilogy of sequels, told the official website that being asked to do the mo-cap performance for Myers in the game made him “go watch the movie again to see just what the hell I did that contributes to the success of the character.” He added, “The folks creating the game wanted the character to be as authentic as possible and I did my best to capture the original movements. It was fun to do and I had a great time with the team.“

Storm has previously done motion capture performances for the likes of Deadpool (as Colossus), Captain America: Civil War (as Iron Man), The Predator (as the Predator), and Godzilla and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, where he played Godzilla. Storm is said to be a great listener, and he incorporated Castle’s suggestions into his work as Michael Myers in the Halloween game.

What do you think of Nick Castle and TJ Storm sharing Michael Myers mo-cap duties on the Halloween game? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post Nick Castle and TJ Storm share Michael Myers mocap duties on the new Halloween video game appeared first on JoBlo.

In Star Wars: Fall of the Empire, players will take down the AT-AT by attaching their snowspeeder’s tow cable and shooting the spiral ramp to send it crashing down; they’ll destroy the Death Star II by lowering shields on the battle station during Death Star Multiball; and they’ll escape from Cloud City by reactivating the Millennium Falcon’s hyperdrive by hitting the center jump ramp to escape into hyperspace. You’ll enter the Sarlacc Pit, battle stormtroopers, and even mimic using the Force to save your ball on the journey to defeating the Empire.

“Star Wars is one of the most iconic franchises in entertainment history and bringing it to life with a fresh take in our new pinball machine is a dream come true for our team who grew up as fans,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball. “At Stern Pinball, we always want to deliver an immersive, high-energy experience for our players, and there’s no better way to do that than with Star Wars.“

Over 1,000 film and audio assets are integrated into the gameplay. The machine also features the iconic Star Wars score and custom audio call-outs from Chris Barlett as C-3PO. This is also the first machine to launch on Stern’s next-generation SPIKE 3 technology platform, which includes a larger 18.5” full HD display with true colour depth, along with a more powerful processor, and a new immersive audio system.

There’s also a Limited Edition model which will be limited to 770 machines. It will include the Expression Lighting System and Speaker Expression Lighting System with Star Wars-themed game effects, a full-colour mirrored backglass, full-colour high-definition cabinet decals, exclusive custom Star Wars: Fall of the Empire pinball armour, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a digital Insider Connected LE owner’s badge on registration.

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie got quite a bit of coins from the question mark block, as the animated adventure film raked in $1.36 billion worldwide. A sequel to the popular video game adaptation was almost certainly pushing forward and fans had already circulated a wishful casting of Danny DeVito joining the franchise to play Wario. Two years ago, Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario, announced that a Super Mario Bros. sequel was in the works, while Illumination head Chris Meledandri said the studio “is excited to continue its partnership with Nintendo, bringing its signature mix of joy and discovery to worldwide audiences of all ages, allowing them to connect with the beloved characters and stories from one of the world’s most popular franchises.”

Variety reports that Nintendo has unveiled a bit of a surprise during a Nintendo Direct, which is just shy of the 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. video game on September 13, 1985. It was revealed that the title of the next film will be The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. This is quite a jump as the video game Super Mario Galaxy would be a banner title for Nintendo’s Wii console in 2007. The Super Mario Bros. franchise had a great deal of sequels and spin-offs between the original and Galaxy. However, many references to other titles were included in the 2023 film, like Mario Kart and even Donkey Kong.

As stated before, The Super Mario Bros. Movie took in $1.36 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year. It, too, would earn three Golden Globe nominations (including in the inaugural Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category) and an Annie Award nod for Jack Black. Unfortunately for fans, it missed out on any Academy Awards recognition, although Black doing “Peaches” live could have been an iconic Oscars moment.

According to Public Records, Nintendo and Universal Pictures filed a “motion picture” copyright for an “Untitled Donkey Kong Project” in May, leading fans to think a big-screen adventure starring the classic Nintendo character could also be on the way.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is currently slated for an April 3, 2026 release. Nintendo has also released a teaser poster and an announcement video.

The post Nintendo announces the title for the sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie appeared first on JoBlo.

Cregger has still been doing the press rounds for Weapons, and some more info dropped regarding his Resident Evil when speaking with Double Toasted. He assured game fans that, despite it not following characters from the games, it will still feel like a Resident Evil story. “All I can say is that it is true to the experience of the games,” he said. “It takes place in the world of the games, but most importantly the journey you’ll have as a viewer of watching this movie is going to be similar to the journey you have as a player when you play these games. And what that means is it follows one protagonist from point A to point B as they just descend deeper and deeper and deeper into hell.”

He also got into what tone his movie would be going for, which seems to further show off his experience with the game franchise itself, which should come as a relief to fans, “It probably lives more in the world of 2 and 3, but I’d say it adheres more to the tone of 4,” he said. “But you know, the thing about the games is that the game franchise itself is incredibly malleable. 2 and 3 take place in Raccoon City, and then 4 takes place in Spain, and it feels like it’s in the past even though it’s not. And then 7 is like a Texas Chainsaw kind of a thing. And then 8 is like some ancient European village and definitely in the past….So, the games don’t even have some sort of a set lore. It’s not rigid. And so I don’t think I’m taking any more liberties with this than the game franchise does at all. So I’m coloring within the lines.”

Finally, he did admit that he’d never watched the Milla Jovovich films or the reboot Welcome to Raccoon City (something I wish I could say myself). “I’m a huge fan of the games,” Cregger said. “Now, I’ve never seen a Resident Evil movie. I imagine that if there are people out there that are just rabid fans of the movie franchise, they’re probably not really prepared for what I’m going to be doing. But I think the people that are fans of the games are probably going to be stoked.”

While I certainly wish that we were getting a fully original film from Cregger, it does sound like the Resident Evil franchise is finally in good hands. Here’s hoping he can revitalize the property and give us the big screen Resident Evil film that fans have been hoping for.

The post Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil Will Be “A Lover Letter To The Games”; Has Never Seen the Paul WS Anderson Films appeared first on JoBlo.

Deadline reports that Paramount Pictures and Activision are collaborating to develop a Call of Duty movie. The game is one of the most popular first-person shooters in the war genre and has been the number one best-selling video game series in the United States for 16 consecutive years, with over half a billion copies sold worldwide.

Skydance will be producing the film and new Paramount Chairman & CEO David Ellison has stated his love for property and calls this project a dream come true. He explained, “As a lifelong fan of Call of Duty this is truly a dream come true. From the first Allied campaigns in the original Call of Duty, through Modern Warfare and Black Ops, I’ve spent countless hours playing this franchise that I absolutely love. Being entrusted by Activision and players worldwide to bring this extraordinary storytelling universe to the big screen is both an honor and a responsibility that we don’t take lightly. We’re approaching this film with the same disciplined, uncompromising commitment to excellence that guided our work on Top Gun: Maverick, ensuring it meets the exceptionally high standards this franchise and its fans deserve. I can promise that we are resolute in our mission to deliver a cinematic experience that honors the legacy of this one-in-a-million brand – thrilling longtime fans of Call of Duty while captivating a whole new generation.”

Additionally, President of Activision, Rob Kostich, also made a statement that said, “Throughout its history, Call of Duty has captured our imagination with incredible action and intense stories that have brought millions of people together from around the world, and that focus on making incredible Call of Duty games remains unwavering. With Paramount, we have found a fantastic partner who we will work with to take that visceral, breathtaking action to the big screen in a defining cinematic moment. The film will honor and expand upon what has made this franchise great in the first place, and we cannot wait to get started. Our shared goal is quite simple — to create an unforgettable blockbuster movie experience that our community loves, and one that also excites and inspires new fans of the franchise.”

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