Hello, Fandom Fans! Welcome to level 8 of 2021. How did you fare with the previous level? We are hoping that August brings us good things both IRL and the world of fandom. We have some casting updates, a venomous trailer, and new project announcements for our first Fandom News Roundup of August. So, reload and grab a medkit because we are jumping right into the news.
Gorr in Thor
The first look at Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder!
Filming has resumed in Malibu
(via Daily Mail) pic.twitter.com/2RHo4zG1VJ
— Thor: Love and Thunder News (@lovethundernews) August 4, 2021
There were many theories on who Christian Bale was playing in Thor: Love and Thunder; now we know he’s the God Butcher- Gorr. Photos of Bale on the set in Malibu show him in costume. He looks like he is just wearing the finest silks, but we hope CGI takes care of the rest. Thor and Gorr are known for being bitter rivals with many fierce and even deadly battles. Will Thor 4 be the most “violent” in the series?
The Depp Vs. Heard Saga Continues
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have been locked in bitter legal battles for over a year. This messy divorce has even their fans warring with each other. Recently, Depp took home a win in court against his ex-wife. On August 16, 2016, a $7 million settlement was reached, which Heard claimed she would donate to the American Civil Liberties Union and Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Depp and his legal team filed a lawsuit in which they wanted proof that Heard donated the money as she claimed. This week a judge sided with Depp, ruling that the ACLU hospital has to reveal how much Amber Heard donated from her $7 million divorce settlement. If the ACLU reveals that Heard didn’t donate as she promises, this will help with Depp’s case that Heard is not all that she portrays. We will continue to monitor this case.
Even More Carnage
Tom Hardy returns to the big screen as Venom, one of Marvel’s most complex characters. The film is directed by Andy Serkis and stars Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, and Woody Harrelson as the villain Cletus Kasady/Carnage. This new trailer shows us more of Carnage’s insatiable hunger for violence. Will the film live up to the pair’s comic book history? If we go by this trailer, we say yes.
A Voice That Made Us Brave
On August 1, 2021, it was announced that voice actress Thea Ruth White passed away. White is most known for being the voice of Muriel on “Courage the Cowardly Dog.” White died from an infection following surgery to remove a cancerous mass from her liver; she was 81 when she died. We at Fandom Spotlite would like to extend our condolences to her family, friends, and fans.
From Cobra Kai to Blue Beetle
DC/WB has been working hard to cast their “future slate” of films. Their latest casting announcement is Cobra Kai actor Xolo Maridueña as the Blue Beetle. Maridueña will be playing Jamie Reyes, the latest version of the character. Reyes’ Beetle is often associated with the Teen Titans, the Young Justice team, and celebrity/superhero Booster Gold. The Blue Beetle film will be exclusively on HBO Max. This is the 2nd Latinx-lead film that will only be on HBO Max and not in theaters. Leslie Grace’s Batgirl will also only be available on HBO Max. Why can’t we see these characters on the big screen?
Two Josts & Some Turtles
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The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles continue on their quest to have more reinventions than Madonna. We aren’t sure who is winning. SNL comedian Colin Jost and his brother Corey Jost will write the new TMNT film reboot script. The writer brothers will be writing the script for the turtle brothers for Paramount’s reboot. The untitled, live-action movie is separate from the CGI-animated film that Seth Rogen produces for Paramount and Nickelodeon. If you are wondering why we need two Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle reboots, the answer is obvious.
Feige is Not A Fan of The Widow
Last week, we reported that Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit against Disney for streaming Black Widow on Disney Plus. According to reports this past week, it appears that Kevin Feige is done with the actress. Feige, the president and producer for Marvel Studios, asked not to have the star return in the future. The reports do not indicate why Kevin Feige feels that way. If this is true, this could potentially damage the actress’s already shaky image.
A Legend Returns to the Earth
The Iconic Indigenous actor Saginaw Grant has passed away. His publicist, Lani Carmichael, did not specify how Grant died. Saginaw Grant was 85 years old. Saginaw is the Hereditary Chief and a respected member of the Sac and Fox, Iowa, and Otoe-Missouria Nations. He is most known for his roles in Breaking Bad, The Lone Ranger, Skinwalkers, and Veep. We offer our condolences to Grant’s family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
A Live-Action Flashing
Director, writer, actor Taika Waititi was hoping to create a zany animated Flash Gordon film. Waititi has changed his vision into live-action. During an interview with Collider, Jungle Cruise producer John Davis said, “Taika is writing it. It was a movie that was a huge influence on him growing up. It is one of his favorite movies. He initially said to me, ‘Let’s do it animated.’ I said, ‘Okay.’ Then we got into it and started developing it, and he said, ‘No, let’s do it live-action.’ I said, ‘Even better.” Davis and Waititi are working together on the Flash Gordon reboot. There are no other details at the moment regarding the film.
First Look at Y: The Last Man
Based on DC Comics’ acclaimed series by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra, Y: The Last Man traverses a post-apocalyptic world in which a cataclysmic event decimates every mammal with a Y chromosome save for one cisgender man and his pet monkey. The series follows the survivors in this new world as they struggle with their efforts to restore what was lost and the opportunity to build something better. Y: The Last Man premieres on September 13, streaming exclusively on FX on Hulu.
That concludes our first Fandom News Roundup of August! How did we do? Will you be sharing these stories with the family this weekend? Tell us what story was your favorite in the comments and online. Remember to stay safe and have a fun weekend. We’ll see you next week for even more fandom goodness!
