Multiverse Tonight - The Podcast about All Your Geeky Universes
Multiverse Tonight - The Podcast about All Your Geeky Universes
The Strange Case of Gene Hackman
We track major industry shifts with Star Trek Strange New Worlds already filming season 4 without a release date for season 3, plus a documentary in development about comic legend Jack Kirby's life, and Kathleen Kennedy expected to retire from Lucasfilm at the end of 2025.
• Strange New Worlds season 3 set for 2025 release with season 4 already in production
• "Kirby Vision" documentary in development, exploring Jack Kirby's groundbreaking comics career
• Marvel's Spidey and his Amazing Friends renewed for fifth season before season three airs
• Superman co-creator's nephew files new lawsuit against Warner Bros and DC Comics
• Neil Gaiman facing legal battle with former babysitter over serious allegations
• Kathleen Kennedy expected to step down as Lucasfilm president when contract expires in 2025
• HBO's Harry Potter series casting Janet McTeer and Papa Esiedu as McGonagall and Snape
• Jon Favreau developing animation-live-action hybrid about Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
• Hasbro reveals app-based Monopoly banking game, replacing paper money and banker
• FX's Alien Earth prequel series adds 11 names to growing cast
• Remembering George Lowe (Space Ghost), David Johansson, Gene Hackman, and Michelle Trachtenberg
Be sure to check out our social media on Blue Sky and Twitter @MultiverseTom, and Facebook and Instagram @MultiverseTonight. Support the show at multiversenight.com with Patreon and Ko-fi links.
Thanks for listening! Come visit the podcast at https://www.multiversetonight.com/
Tonight, strange New World Season 4, jack Kirby's life story, a new Superman lawsuit, kathleen Kennedy retires and remember George Lowe, david Johansson, jacket Gene Hackman and Michelle Trachtenberg. All that and more in this edition of Multiverse Tonight. Welcome to Multiverse Tonight, your source for geek news. We dissect films, games, comics and much more, bringing you insightful commentary on pop culture. This is Multiverse Tonight. Now here's your host, thomas Townley. Well, hello and welcome to episode 235 of Multiverse Tonight. I'm, of course, your host, thomas Townley.
Speaker 1:And well, spring has seemed to have arrived. Finally. The weather outside today is 70 degrees. I mean, it's nice, it's warm. I have a Comic-Con coming up this next weekend here, the Kansas Comic-Con, the first ever one in Kansas City, which just happens to fall a week before Planet Comic-Con, which I'm not going to this year. I just don't have it in the budget. I mean they just added Helen Hunt today, like that's just, you know, I just have no money to give. I mean you got to book a hotel room, you got to figure out which autographs you're going to get. That fall within your budget. I mean it's, it is something else. Anyway, let's go on to the Star Trek news.
Speaker 1:Star Trek news. Star Trek news begins with Star Trek Strange New World Season 4, which is now in production, even though Season 3 still hasn't gotten its premiere date. The official Star Trek social media accounts broke the news on Monday, along with a photo of the main cast on set. The update alarmed many commentators who thought they must have missed on some news about the third season. Now they're eagerly awaiting more details, noting just how long it's been since we last got an update. Paramount Plus has said that season three will debut sometime in 2025, but nothing more. In the meantime, production is getting ahead and is ultimately a good thing for the show and its future release schedule.
Speaker 1:Let's go on to the Marvel news. Marvel News begins with Kirby Vision, a definitive feature documentary about legendary comic book artist and creator Jack Kirby, which is in development with acclaimed filmmaker Ricky Stern, who did Joan Rivers' A Piece of Work. Ufos Investigating the Unknown, among others, as set to direct. Emmy-winning producers Dan Braun and Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment will produce under their Submarine Deluxe banner, alongside Mike Catticino, ron Fogelman and Chris Longo.
Speaker 1:Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential creators in comics history, kirby co-created Captain America with Joe Simon in 1941, famously depicting the superhero punching Adolf Hitler on the first issue cover months before the US entered World War II. Now, throughout the nearly 66-decade career of Kirby, he went on to co-create numerous iconic Marvel characters, including the Avengers, black Panther, fantastic Four, hulk, iron man, silver Surfer, thor and the X-Men many of those. With co-creator Stan Lee At DC Comics, kirby created the ambitious Fourth World saga, a sprawling cosmic epic featuring characters like Darkseid, mr Miracle and OMAC, who remain central to DC's publishing and screen projects today. I don't know about OMAC, but yes, the rest of those. Yes. Stern said in a quote Jack. Jack was not only one of the great comic book creators of all time, but a true visionary genius.
Speaker 1:In this new feature-length documentary, we actively campaign for the recognition he finally deserves. The documentary has secured cooperation from the estate of Jack Kirby, as represented by the Rosalind Kirby Family Trust, with access to personal documents, home movies and creative materials, most of which have been unseen by the public until now. The documentary will explore Kirby's remarkable journey from poverty during the Great Depression to frontline service in World War II and his groundbreaking career spanning various genres, from superheroes to romance, war westerns, science fiction and horror. Superheroes to romance, war westerns, science fiction and horror. Caccino serves as executive producer on Does it Fly from Rydberg Entertainment and is a trustee of the Jack Kirby Museum. Fogelman is director and co-founder of the London Action Festival, while Chris Longo is chief creative officer of pop culture media company Dan of Geek. Randolph Hope, director of Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center, which is collaborating on the project stated quote. Now is the perfect time to tell the complete story of the man whose imagination and craft continue to ignite and shape the dreams of new generations. We're delighted to work with Ricky and the whole production team to unlock the life story of a true legend. Unquote.
Speaker 1:Marvel's Spidey and his amazing friends have been renewed for a fifth season by Disney-branded television. The news comes ahead of season three, which will air on Disney Junior, and ahead of season four's summer debut. Per Nielsen. In the last quarter of 2024, marvel's Spidey and his amazing friends was the second most watched streaming show among kids aged two to five and remained number two with Ice Lang for boys two to five In that demographic. It beat popular preschool series Paw Patrol and Coco Milan, usurped only by smash hit Bluey. Overall, the series has reached one billion hours watched on Disney Junior and Disney Plus and on YouTube, and has hit 2 billion views across Disney Junior and Marvel's HQ channels. Marvel's first ever full-length preschool series follows Pierre Parker, gwen Stacy and Miles Morales as they learn about teamwork, problem solving and helping others by working with other superheroes to defeat their foes. Disney Junior and Marvel Studios produce in association with Atomic Cartoons, with the Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump serving as the show's composer and songwriter and performs the theme song.
Speaker 1:Now let's go on to the DC Comics News. Dc Comics News begins with Mark Perry, the nephew of the late Superman co-creator, jerry Schuster, who has initiated a lawsuit against Warner Bros and DC Comics. The lawsuit centers around allegations of copyright infringement related to the forthcoming Superman film. Perry contends that the movie's production and release violate copyright laws pertaining to the Superman character and related elements. However, warner Bros and DC Comics maintain a contrasting stance. They argue that the copyright issues raised by Perry may have already been resolved in prior court cases. Specifically, they point to the fact that Perry's mother, who is Schuster's sister, signed away all rights to the Superman character following Schuster's death. Now this agreement, they assert, transferred the ownership of the character and related intellectual property rights to the companies, granting them the legal authority to produce the film. Despite the previous legal agreements. The Schuster estate, represented by Perry, is seeking to block the film's release in certain countries and are pursuing financial damages for Warner Bros and DC Comics. The estate's legal strategy seems to be focused on challenging the validity or scope of the previous arguments, potentially arguing that they do not cover or scope of the previous arguments, potentially arguing that they do not cover all aspects of the Superman copyright or that they signed under duress or misinformation. In response to the lawsuit, warner Brothers has expressed confidence that the film will receive its full global release as planned. The company believes that the lawsuit lacks legal merit and will ultimately be dismissed by the court. Now, this confidence likely stems from the company's belief in the strength of their previous legal arguments and their conviction that they have the full ownership and control over the Superman character and related intellectual property. Now the lawsuit represents a complex legal battle over the ownership and control of one of the world's most iconic and lucrative fictional characters. The outcome of this case may have significant implications for the future of the Superman franchise and could potentially set precedent for similar copyright disputes in the entertainment industry.
Speaker 1:Neil Gaiman, the renowned author of the acclaimed comic book series Sandman and numerous other works, has found himself embroiled in a legal battle with his former babysitter, scarlett Pavlovich. Pavlovich has accused Gaiman of sexual assault and trafficking, allegations that Gaiman vehemently denies. Gaiman's defense asserts that his encounters with Pavlovich were consensual and he has provided WhatsApp messages as evidence to support his claim. And he has provided WhatsApp messages as evidence to support his claim. He contends that Pavlovich is being manipulated by external forces to propagate a false narrative of abuse. Gaiman's legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the allegations lack merit and that a US court lacks jurisdiction over events that allegedly occurred in New Zealand. The lawsuit has sparked significant controversy and media attention. Given Gaiman's prominence in the literary world, the allegations against him are serious and the legal proceedings will likely be closely watched by the public. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for both Gaiman and Pavlovich, as well as for the broader conversation around sexual assault and consent.
Speaker 1:Let's go on to the Star Wars news. Kathleen Kennedy, the longtime president of Lucasfilm, is expected to step down at the end of 2025. She intends to retire after her current contract expires, according to a source with knowledge of her plans. A separate source close to Kennedy, however, dismissed the initial report by Puck News as pure speculation and said nothing has been decided. Kennedy joined Lucasfilm in 2012 as co-chair alongside Star Wars creator George Lucas. Shortly after Lucas exited his post, as Disney required the company for $4 billion, kenny was elevated to the role of president. Now she's been credited with reviving the property by launching the sequel trilogy, beginning with 2015's Star Wars, the Force Awakens, as well as the critically acclaimed 2016 spinoff, rogue One. Kenny has also charted a future of the franchise on streaming with television series such as the Mandalorian and Andor. However, her future with the company behind Star Wars has been a source of speculation over the years.
Speaker 1:The Force Awakens remains the highest-cursing film in domestic box office history, with $936 million and $2 billion globally, but the triad of Skywalker-centric blockbusters experienced diminishing returns, with Rise of Skywalker capping off the trilogy in 2019 with a still impressive $1 billion, albeit half as much as the Force Awakens earned a few years earlier. Now that may have been as bit, not big, a much of a big of a deal, but it came a year after the financial failure of 2018's Solo, a Star Wars Story, which became the first Star Wars movie to ever lose money in the theatrical run At Lucasfilm. Candy also oversaw 2023's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the fifth and final film in the Harrison Ford-led series. The action-adventure which relaunched the property after 15 years with a catastrophic failure, generating only $383 million globally against a $295 million budget, ultimately losing around $140 million for the studio. Star Wars has struggled to return to the big screen since the Rise of Skywalker, although not for lack of trying. In the years since, lucasfilm has announced several Star Wars projects with filmmakers like James Mangold, charmaine Obad Chinoy, taika Waititi and Donald Glover, but none have come to fruition. Meanwhile, new takes on the series from Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, marvel's producer Kevin Feige, the Last Jedi director Rian Johnson and Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and DB Weiss were shelled for various reasons. Lucasfilm has plans to eventually reintroduce itself to movie theaters the Mandalorian and Grogu. A continuation of the Disney Plus series about the helmet-wearing bounty hunter is set for theatrical release in 2026, while X-Men alum Simon Kinberg is reportedly developing a brand new Star Wars trilogy.
Speaker 1:Let's go on to the geek news. Geek News begins with HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter series, which is taking shape with new casting news. The network is close to finalizing deals with acclaimed actors Janet Metier and Papa Esuado to portray two iconic Hogwarts professors Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape respectively. They'll join the previously announced John Lithgow, who will take on the role of beloved headmaster Albus Dumbledore. The series has long been planned as a long-term project which will span a decade, and aims to be a meticulous and loyal adaptation of JK Rowling's seven original Harry Potter novels. This will allow for a deep exploration of the wizarding world and its characters that was not possible in the film series. Asueto, who is in his 30s, will portray a younger version of Snape than the one depicted in the movies, offering a fresh perspective on the complex character, and McTeer's casting, meanwhile, aligns with the age of Maggie Smith when she was cast as McGonagall, ensuring a sense of continuity with the film series while also bringing a new interpretation of the role. One of the key goals of the Harry Potter TV series is to create a more inclusive and diverse wizarding universe than reflects the world we live in. This commitment to representation will be evident in both the casting and the storytelling. The series is slated to debut on HBO in late 2026 or early 2027, and fans are eagerly awaiting their return to Hogwarts Now. Mcteer has been nominated for both Academy Awards and Emmy Awards, showcasing her versatility and talent. She will next be seen in the highly anticipated action film Mission Impossible, the Final Reckoning. Svito, meanwhile, has been nominated for BAFTA and Emmys, and his upcoming project is the film the Scurry.
Speaker 1:Over the last decade, jon Favreau has been a linchpin of Disney Plus' original series slate, with flagship the Mandalorian and its offshoots, while also taking on classic Disney animated characters on the feature side with the live-action photorealistic animated the Jungle Book and photorealistic the Lion King. Now he is combining the two with a new series in development at Disney Plus. The animation-live-action hybrid is about Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a saucy, self-absorbed bunny Favreau is writing and producing the project from Walt Disney Studios. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is very important to the Walt Disney Company. The creation, which bears a close resemblance to Mickey Mouse, has a fractured history with the company and played a pivotal role in the creation of Disney's most famous animated character. Oswald was created in 1927 by Walt Disney and was featured in 27 animated shorts, but after Universal took control of the character in 1928, disney created a new character as a replacement Mickey Mouse. Bringing Oswald home has been a priority for Disney CEO Bob Iger, and the Walt Disney Company acquired the trademark in 2006. The character aired the public domain in 2023. Favreau created, wrote and execs produced Mandalorian, which aired on Disney Plus from 2019 to 2023, and also execs produced the Disney Plus spinoffs, the Book of Boba Fett, ahsoka and Star Wars Skeleton Crew. Additionally, favreau produced and directed the upcoming feature offshoot, lucasfilms' the Mandalorian and Groku set for release in May of 2026.
Speaker 1:Hasbro revealed a new digital version of Monopoly, called Monopoly App Banking at the North American International Trade Fair in New York City. This new version modernizes the classic board game as it celebrates its 90th anniversary, replacing paper money and the banker with a mobile app that will handle all transactions. Players scan their bank and property cards into a smartphone or tablet, which will track the money and automate the transactions. This update aims to make gameplay faster and easier by limiting cash counting and reducing the opportunity to cheat. However, it also removed the traditional math element of Monopoly, which some parents and teachers might cause consternation over. The game board has been redesigned with a kid-friendly theme, replacing the Atlantic City-based properties with locations like a rocket launch pad, a chocolate factory and a dinosaur park. The app will also include mini-games to keep younger players engaged. Monopoly app banking will be available at most major retailers in August for $24.99. Your mileage may vary, however, with any tariffs that might be imposed.
Speaker 1:Lionsgate and Lucky Chap's Monopoly movie is also getting momentum, as the studio is cornering the market on one of the town's hottest writing duos. Sources have told Deadlinecom that Lionsgate has closed a deal for John Francis Daly and Jonathan Goldstein for a screenplay based on Hasbro's classic board game. The project is being produced by Lucky Chap, the award-winning production company, and Hasbro Entertainment. So do you really want to see Monopoly the movie? Anyone, anyone, I'll leave it up to you.
Speaker 1:Fx has added 11 names to the growing cast of Alien Earth Richie Morjana, karen Eldridge, enzo Cliente, max Reinhart, amir Boutrous, victoria Mosoma, tom Moya, andy Yu, michael Smiley, jamie Bisping and Tanipol Chusrada. They join previously announced cast members Sydney Chandler, timothy Oliphant, alex Lothar, sc Davis, david Reichdahl, samuel Blutkin, adresh Gurdwarv, babu Sazay, jonathan Adyei, ariana James, lily Nemark, diem Kamali and Adrian Edmondson. Alien Earth is a prequel series to Ridley Scott's classic 1979 Alien, the first of nine films in the franchise. With the official logline for Alien Earth reading quote when a mysterious space vessel crash lands on Earth, a young woman played by Chandler and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet's greatest threat. Unquote. Ooh Ah.
Speaker 1:Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins have joined the fifth and final season of Amazon Prime's the Boys as guest stars, reuniting with their fellow Supernatural, alum Jensen Ackles. Details of the roles are being kept under wraps. The Boys creator, eric Kripke, has long expressed a desire to cast Padalecki on the satirical superhero drama, telling Variety last year, quote I feel like I have to complete my game of Supernatural Pokemon and I have my one big one, very big one, left to catch. Unquote. He later told Variety that he was talking to Padalecki about a role in the final season, saying, quote I love him and you try to work with people that you love. Unquote. Zendaya is taking her talents to the swamp. Taking her talents to the swamp. The mononymous in demand actor has joined Shrek 5 as Felicia, the daughter of Shrek and Fiona.
Speaker 1:Universal and DreamWorks, the studios behind the anime adventure set in the land of Far, far Away, released a teaser along with the updated casting news. In the clip, shrek's trusty sidekick Donkey asks hey, magic Mirror, who's the fairest of them all? Magic Mirror you know the one from Snow White responds why? Shrek, of course. But this Magic Mirror appears to have a distinctly 21st century twist allowing the Green Ogre to swap between various Gen Z-ified looks at Shrek. This prompts very different reactions from Felicia and Fiona, as Shrek raises the question of the hour who is making this stuff?
Speaker 1:Just then Pinocchio pops up to tell a nose-growing lie, declaring Not me, yeah, shrek 5. Hard pass. I think they've done the Shrek universe to death, literally. I mean each one from Shrek 1 to Shrek 4, just dropped off in quality and storytelling. So I don't know where they'd go with Shrek 5. It almost seems like Back to the Future. 2. It's your kids, marty. It's your kids.
Speaker 1:Anyway, some sad news. George Lowe, the veteran actor, voice actor and comedian best known for his work as Space Ghost on the cult favorite series Space Ghost Coast to Coast, has died. He was 67 years old. A rep for Lowe confirmed his death to Rolling Stone. A cause of death has not been released yet. Lowe's friend, the radio host Marvelous Marvin Boone, said Lowe died after a long illness. Boone added he was a supremely talented actor, artist and voice actor, a truly warm-hearted genius. Funniest man on Earth too. I've stolen jokes from him for decades. He sold some of mine".
Speaker 1:Lowe began his career in radio before slowly moving into voice acting during the 80s and 90s, he landed the role of Space Ghost in 1994, taking a 60s-era Hanna-Barbera cartoon and reviving him as the host of a late-night talk show on Space Ghost Coast to Coast. The show premiered on Cartoon Network, but was very much a template for the adult-oriented programming that would come to define Cartoon Network's After Dark affiliate, adult Swim. When it debuted the following year, space Ghost Coast to Coast offered a novel take on the classic talk show format with its mix of live-action animation. The interviews between Space Ghosts and the very real celebrity guests were often chopped up and edited in irreverent ways, like when Space Ghosts got Michael Stipe to say of REM's shiny, happy people I hate that song, space Ghosts to which Space Ghosts solemnly replies oh, me too, michael, me too. When the show began, lowe admitted he often found himself trying to imitate the original voice of Space Ghost, gary Owens, before eventually finding his own take on the character. While much of the show was scripted, lowe was also allowed to add lib, which further helped solidify the show's off-kilter, edgy sense of humor. Lowe told Under the Radar in 2020, quote we'd do everything that now would get us place-sanctioned, outlawed and move to Sri Lanka. It's almost like people embrace all the naughty stuff that you're not supposed to do, so we got away with a lot. Unquote. Space Ghost Coast to Coast ran for 11 seasons, with the final episodes airing in 2008. Lowe also voiced Space Ghost and other characters on spin-off shows like Cartoon Planet and the Brack Show, as well as other adult swim favorites like Aqua Teen, hunger Force and Robot Chicken. He recently reprised his role in Space Ghost in the most recent episode of Jellystone. During his career, lowe also lent his voice to shows like Celebrity Deathmatch, squidbillies and American Dad, as well as numerous video games, commercials and TV and radio stations. Again, george Lowe, the voice actor behind Space Ghost, dead at the age of 67.
Speaker 1:David Johansson, the charismatic front man of the proto-punk band New York Dolls, who revended himself as the lounge singer, buster Poindexter enjoyed a diverse acting career, has died at the age of 75. His daughter, leah Hennessy, confirmed his passing, saying he died peacefully at his New York home on Friday. On Friday, a family statement released on the following Saturday revealed that Johansson had battled profoundly compromised health for a decade, succumbing to stage 4 cancer and a brain tumor diagnosed in 2020. He passed away surrounded by loved ones, including the hands of his wife, marie Hennessy, his daughter Leah, with music and flowers filling the room. His health had deteriorated further after a fall in November which resulted in a broken back and confined him to bed. The family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support following their public announcement of Johansson's health struggles. Knowing that he was able to reconnect with many friends and family before his death, they promised future events to celebrate his life in artistry. Johansson's later years saw a resurgence of action, thanks to, in part, to the 2023 Showtime documentary Personality Crisis One Night Only, co-directed by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi. The film captured his final full performances at New York's Cafe Carlisle just before the pandemic lockdown.
Speaker 1:Johansson's musical career began in Staten Island with the Vagabond Missionaries in the 1960s. He joined the New York Dolls in 1971, quickly becoming a central figure in the band's groundbreaking sound and image. Their 1973 self-titled debut, produced by Todd Rundgren, showcased their unique blend of glam rock and raw energy, with songs like Personality Crisis influencing generations of punk and rock musicians. Despite critical acclaim, the band struggled commercially and disbanded in 1976. After the Dolls, johansson pursued a solo career before transforming into Buster Poindexter in the late 1980s, achieving mainstream success with Hot Hot Hot. He also built a notable acting resume, appearing in films like Scrooged and Car 54, where Are you? And the HBO series Oz. The New York Dolls were united in 2004 at the behest of Morrissey, leading to further albums and tours. Johansson also hosted David Johansson's Mansion of Fun on Sirius XM Radio, which caught the attention of Scorsese and inspired the documentary.
Speaker 1:Johansson's versatility and enduring influence were evident throughout his career and he embraced diverse musical styles from punk to lounge, and found success in both music and acting. He was known for his wit and unfiltered personality, which shone through in his performances and interviews. His daughter, leah, had publicly shared his health struggles linked to a fundraising effort through the Sweet Relief Foundation. The family expressed deep appreciation for the support they received. Johansson's death marks the passing of the last original members of the New York Dolls, following the deaths of Sylvian Sylvian, arthur Kane, jonathan Thunders, jerry Nolan and Billy Marcia. He is survived by his wife, marielle Hennessy, and their daughter Leah. Again, david Johansson dead at the age of 75.
Speaker 1:Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman, age 95, and his wife Betty Arakawa, 64, were found deceased in their Santa Fe, new Mexico, home on February 26, 2025. Santa Fe County Sheriff Aidean Mendoza confirmed the deaths, along with that of one of their dogs. Deputies responded to a welfare check at the residence on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park around 1.45 pm after a neighbor expressed concern. A statement from the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office indicated that foul play was not suspected but the exact cause of death was under investigation. The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator stated that a final medical examiner's report typically takes four to six weeks. An autopsy conducted on February 27th, however, revealed that Jean Hackman died from a combination of advanced Alzheimer's disease and severe heart disease. Dr Heather Jarrell, the New Mexico chief examiner, indicated that Hackman likely died on February 18th, noting he was in poor health and had not eaten for several days. His heart issues were well documented. Betsy Arakawa's cause of death was determined to be hantavirus pulmonary disease, a rare disease spread by rodents. She likely passed away around February 11th. Sheriff Mendoza provided further details stating that Arakawa was seen on security footage shopping at a local Sprouts farmer's market around 3.30 pm on February 11th and entered their neighborhood around 5.30 pm. No further action, activity or communication from her was recorded after that time. The couple's bodies were discovered in separate rooms of their home alongside a deceased dog. Another healthy dog was also present. Pills found at the scene were identified as diltelazime, tylenol and thyroid medication.
Speaker 1:Gene Hackman, born on January 30, 1930, had a long and celebrated acting career. He won Oscars for the French Connection in 1971 and Unforgiven in 1992, and received nominations in 1967 for Bonnie and Clyde, 1974 I Never Sing for my Father and 1988 for Mississippi Burning. He was also known for his role as Lex Luthor in the Superman films and had extensive filmography, including the Poseidon Adventure, the Conversation Hoosiers, the Firm, the Birdcage, edmure, the State and Runaway Jury. He retired from acting in 2004 after starring in Welcome to Mooseport. Hackman's early life was marked by instability. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at 16 and served until 1951, where he later pursued acting, finding success on Broadway and in film. Hackman and Arakawa had been married since 1991 and lived a private life in Santa Fe. He has survived by three children from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese, christopher, elizabeth Jean and Leslie Ann, again two-time Oscar winner, gene Hackman, dead at the age of 95, and his wife, betsy Arakawa, dead at 64.
Speaker 1:And finally, tonight, michelle Trachtenberg, an actress beloved by millennials for roles in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, disney's Ice Princess, gossip Girl and more, died this past Wednesday at the age of 39. Police responded to a 911 call shortly after 8 am at Luxury Resortial Tower in Midtown, where officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive. According to a New York police statement, paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. No foul play was suspected and the New York medical examiner was investigating the cause of the death. A spokesperson for Trachtenberg's family corroborated the news, saying it is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family respects privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time, unquote Now. Per ABC News police sources, trachtenberg was discovered by her mother at her New York apartment, who called police. She said that she had recently had a liver transplant.
Speaker 1:Born on October 11th 1985 in New York City, trachtenberg was a lifelong actor who made her television debut in commercials at the age of three before landing a recurring role as Lily Montgomery on the longtime soap opera All my Children. She gained further recognition while starring in Nickelodeon's the Adventures of Pete and Pete and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her role in Discovery Children's series Truth or Scare, for a daytime Emmy for her role in Discovery Children's series Truth or Scare, before landing her breakout feature role as Harriet M Welsh in the 1996 Paramount film Harriet the Spy, based on the classic children's novel. Trachtenberg joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the cult WB fantasy series' fifth season In 2000 has Dawn Summers, the younger sister to Cher Michelle Gellar's Buffy. Subsequently, the actress garnered further notice with roles in the raunchy 2004 cult comedy Euro Trip and the Disney sports drama Ice Princess, where she played a bookish teen discovering her passion for figure skating. One of Trachtenberg's other most memorable roles came in 2008, when she joined Gossip Girl as Georgina Sparks, a manipulative and unpredictable troublemaker who frequently threw the lives of the Upper East Side elite into chaos. Around that time, she starred opposite Zac Efron and Matthew Perry in Warner Brothers' Comedy 17, again playing the daughter of Perry's Mike O'Donnell, who magically gets the chance to relive his teenage years. Trachtenberg later continued to work steadily and intelligent, with guest appearances on shows like House, weeds, ncis, los Angeles and Sleepy Hollow. Additionally, she lent her voice to anime projects, including Robot Chicken, most recently reprising her role in Max's Gossip Girl sequel series in 2023.
Speaker 1:Again, michelle Trachtenberg, dead at the age of 39. And that brings us to the end of the show for today. Now please be sure to check us out on our social media. We're on Blue Sky and Twitter at Multiverse, tom threads, facebook and Instagram, as well at Multiverse Tonight. If you've gotten some value out of the show and like to pay it back, head on over to multiverstenightcom and where you'll find our Patreon and Ko-fi links.
Speaker 1:Check out our show notes, visit our TeePublic store. You can leave some feedback and so much more. And if this is your first time listening, thank you and welcome. Go ahead and hit that subscribe button and share us with others. Now, thanks to Hot Dope for the intro music and Lobo Loco for the outro theme music. Thanks for watching this edition of Multiverse Tonight. We'll be back in two weeks with more sci-fi and comic book news. Now please exit the universe in an orderly fashion. Good night All. First Night is a production of Half-Baked John and his brothers. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. This podcast is brought to you by the Populous Culture Podcast Network.
