Multiverse Tonight - The Podcast about All Your Geeky Universes
Multiverse Tonight - The Podcast about All Your Geeky Universes
Jedi, Chocolate, and Clowns: Welcome to Spring
We dive into the biggest announcements from Star Wars Celebration including Hayden Christensen's return as Anakin Skywalker, Ray Park reprising Darth Maul, and exciting updates on upcoming movies and shows. The DC universe expands with Immortal Legend Batman taking the Dark Knight to space centuries into the future.
• Electronic Arts and Lucasfilm announce Star Wars Zero Company, a turn-based tactics game set during Clone Wars era
• Ahsoka Season 2 will feature Hayden Christensen returning as Anakin Skywalker and Rory McCann taking over as Baylan Skoll
• Admiral Ackbar will face off against Grand Admiral Thrawn in Ahsoka's second season
• Maul Shadow Lord animated series announced with Ray Park returning
• Star Wars Starfighter film starring Ryan Gosling set for 2027 release
• The Mandalorian and Grogu theatrical release features Sigourney Weaver in the cast
• DC reveals Immortal Legend Batman series set centuries in the future with cosmic elements
• Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders start April 24th, maintaining $449.99 price point
• Highlander reboot starring Henry Cavill in development at United Artists
• Live-action Pacific Rim series coming to Amazon from Eric Heisserer
• Hershey biopic starring Finn Whitrock and Alexandra Daddario begins filming in May
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Tonight, anakin Skywalker returns, batman becomes an immortal legend, switch 2 keeps its price point and we get the backstory of a famous chocolate maker. 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 everyone, and welcome to episode 238 of Multiverse Tonight. I'm, of course, your host, thomas Townley.
Speaker 1:And well, we had some rain, finally. When you're in a drought, rain is a good thing, and we actually got a fairly decent amount Just an inch and a half over two days, which is great. That keeps things moist and growing for a while, and we've got some more storms in the forecast. Anyway, I've been spending some time getting familiar with an old miniseries A, v, the original V, the original miniseries from the 1980s. It's V, the original V, the original main series from the 1980s. It's pretty much based on a book from 19, 1934 I think, called it Can't Happen here. It's basically aliens come down and they say they're here to help and then they accuse scientists of a conspiracy and basically take over the whole planet and they gotta be stopped, but I think I know they remade this show back in what? 2009? On ABC. I think this could be brought back as a comic book series or an animated series. It would be great. It's a great show if done right. So I've been enjoying that.
Speaker 1:But other than that, I really don't have a lot of other news to tell you. So let's go on to the Star Wars news, roger roger, and we begin Star Wars news with Electronic Arts and Lucasfilm, which are teaming up for Star Wars Zero Company, a new single-player turn-based tactics game set during the Clone Wars era of the Star Wars universe, developed by Bit Reactor in collaboration with Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games. In Star Wars Zero Company, players will step into the shoes of Hawks, a former Republic officer, to command an elite squad of cutting operatives through a gritty and authentic story set in the twilight of the Clone Wars era. As an unconventional outfit of professionals for hire hailing from across the galaxy, Zero Company must set aside their differences to overcome nearly impossible odds and take on emerging threats that will consume the galaxy if left unchecked. The game, which was revealed at Star Wars Celebration Japan this past weekend, will include a cast of new Star Wars characters that are alterable within a player's squad. Hawks' appearance and combat classes can be fully customized, while recruited operatives can be personalized from a range of original Star Wars characters, classes and species, including clone troopers, astromechs and even a Jedi. According to BitReactor, star Wars Zero Company will be released in 2026 on PC, playstation 5, and Xbox Series X and S consoles. In a statement, bitreactor CEO and Creative Director Greg Forshitz said quote Our vision for Star Wars Zero Company is ground in gameplay design pillars that weave in the immersive Star Wars galaxy with engaging, turn-based tactics gameplay. It's our aim to deliver a game with an original Star Wars story the Clone Wars era that has meaningful outcomes from player choices and deep turn-based tactical combat and an approachable and cinematic presentation. Tactical combat and an approachable and cinematic presentation. Ahsoka Season 2 also received updates at Star Wars Celebration.
Speaker 1:18 months after the Season 1 finale of the acclaimed Star Wars series Ahsoka, fans were treated to exciting news. At Star Wars Celebration Tokyo, not only were two teasers for the highly anticipated Season 2 revealed, but major casting announcements and plot points were also discussed. Among those is Hayden Christensen's return. One of the biggest revelations was his return as Anakin Skywalker, anakin who was Ahsoka's Jedi Master before the fall of the Jedi, has a complex and emotional charged relationship with her. His return promises to delve deeper into their bond and explore the lingering impact of their shared past. In a bittersweet announcement, it was also revealed that Rory McCann, known for his powerful performance as Sander the Hound and Kligin in Game of Thrones, will be taking over the role of the villainous Jedi Balan Skull. The role was originally played by Ray Stevenson, who tragically passed away in May 2023 before the first season aired passed away in May 2023, before the first season aired. Ahsoka's creator, dave Filoni and actress Rosario Dawson, who plays Ahsoka, expressed their admiration for McGann's intensity and felt he was the perfect choice to fill Stevenson's shoes.
Speaker 1:Fans were also thrilled to learn that Admiral Ackbar, a beloved character from the original Star Wars trilogy, will be returning in season two of Ahsoka. As promised by Dave Filoni, ackbar will face off against Grand Admiral Thrawn, setting the stage for an epic clash between two of the most brilliant military minds in the Star Wars universe. With Season 2 set to begin production next week, anticipation is at an all-time high. The first season ended on a cliffhanger, with Grand Admiral Thrawn jumping to hyperspace and Ahsoka, sabine and Ezra stranded on Peridia. Thrawn's ultimate goal is to restore the fallen galactic empire and crush the fledgling New Republic, setting the stage for a galaxy-spanning conflict. Return of Anakin Skywalker, the introduction of Rory McCain as Bailiff Skull and the impending showdown between Admiral Ackbar and Thrawn promises to make Ahsoka Season 2 an unforgettable chapter in the Star Wars saga. As production gears up, fans eagerly await the continuation of Ahsoka's journey and the next chapter in the ongoing battle between the light and dark sides of the Force.
Speaker 1:And here are some more big announcements that came out of Star Wars Celebration 2025. Ray Park is returning as Darth Maul in Maul Shadow Lord. At the end of a panel focusing on the 20th anniversary of Lucasfilm Animation, the attendees were surprised with a trailer for the new animated series Maul Shadow Lord. Sam Witweir, who has voiced Maul for multiple projects, will be returning to play the title role. Whitweir, who has voiced Maul for multiple projects, will be returning to play the title role. The series takes place before the events of Star Wars Rebels and will follow Maul as he trains as a Padawan.
Speaker 1:Also, star Wars Starfighter, the previously unnamed Star Wars film helmed by Sean Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, has a new name and release date. Star Wars Starfighter will release in theaters on May 28, 2027. Now it's an interesting choice for a release date because it's only a few months away from the release of another Disney blockbuster Avengers, secret Wars. Now no specific details were revealed, although we know Starfighter is a standalone film removed from the Skywalker saga. The film takes place approximately five years after the events of 2019's the Rise of Skywalker, gosling said in a statement.
Speaker 1:Quote the reality is that this script is just so good. It has such a great story with great and original characters. It's filled with so much heart and adventure and there just really is not much a more perfect filmmaker in this particular story than Sean. Also, a sizzle reveal of the Mandalorian and Grogu was unveiled, opening on a firefight in an AT-AT where Din Djarin swiftly eliminates a squad of snowtroopers using just about everything in his arsenal. We hear Sigourney Weaver's voice messy and then we cut to Weaver saying very messy. Weaver seems to be playing some kind of officer in the New Republic in charge of giving Din Djarin assignments. Among the rest of the highlights, we see At-Ats in the snow landscape, grogu swimming, grogu using the force to destroy a droid and Jeremy Allen White's Road to the Hut in some kind of gladiatorial battle, while Grogu watches. The Mandalorian and Grogu hits theaters May 22nd 2026.
Speaker 1:Lucasfilm announced the release day of Star Wars Visions Volume 3 and a new spin-off series, the Ninth Jedi at the Star Wars Celebration Now Visions Volume 3 will debut with nine episodes on October 29th. The Ninth Jedi at the Star Wars Celebration Now Visions Volume 3, will debut with nine episodes on October 29th. The Ninth Jedi is a spinoff of an earlier Volume 1 story and will feature longer stories than the animated shorts. The Ninth Jedi follows Kara, the daughter of a lightsaber smith, on a dangerous mission. Visions Volume 3 episode, child of Hope, continues Kara's story and leads to the Ninth Jedi following her father's footsteps. Kenji Kanayama is the supervising director for the Ninth Jedi and will reveal the secrets of the Force-based color-changing savers and, in a collaboration with Fortnite, featuring Darth Jar Jar.
Speaker 1:In the Galactic Battle Season starting May 2nd, fortnite's Star Wars themed battle Pass will include Emperor Palpatine, mace, windu, themed map locations and weekly gameplay content. A live end-of-season narrative event will conclude the five-part Fortnite Saga in early June. A new in-game Force ability Force Lightning will be added to Fortnite. The Fortnite event will have weekly themes. Imperial Takeover starts May 2nd. The Pull of the Force begins May 8th. Mandalorian Rising begins May 22nd and Star Wars Destroyer Bombardment May 29th, with Death Star Sabotage on June 7th.
Speaker 1:Lego is celebrating Star Wars Day on May 4th 2025, with the release of nine new LEGO Star Wars sets and various promotional offers, including the rumored $1,000 Death Star set, which will not be included in the May 4th release, although it is rumored for an October 1st release. The 2,970-piece Jango Fett's Fire Prey Starship will be the flagship release. 970-piece Jango Fett's Firespray Starship will be the flagship release. Several sets can be pre-ordered now, but it's recommended to wait until the official release date of May 1st to take advantage of promotional offers. New sets include Jango Fett's Firespray Starship, a 2,970-piece set costing $299.99,. A Chopper Astromech Droid, a 1,039 piece set retailing for $99.99. Jingo Fett's Helmet, a $616 piece set costing $69.99. A Rebel U-Wing Starfighter a $594 piece set costing $69.99. The Kylo Ren Helmet, consisting of 5 529 pieces for $69.99. The brick-built Star Wars logo at $59.99. Kylo Ren's command shuttle, a 386-piece set for $69.99. A BrickHead's Revenge of the Sith Heroes and Villains 656 piece set for $49.99, and the Brickhead's Luke Skywalker Rebel Pilot, a $138 piece set for $9.99.
Speaker 1:Now let's go on to the Marvel Comics News, and we begin Marvel News with Daredevil Born-again showrunner Dario Scardapine, recently taken to Instagram to thank his teams for the season one finale and also to tease that season two of the Disney Plus Marvel Studios series will premiere in March of 2026. The second season is currently shooting, he said in the statement. Quote. It's all led up to this, such a mix of emotions as we close out season one. So grateful for the cast crew and studio for their confidence and indulgence. Biggest of thanks to Sona, brad, kevin, lou, aaron, justin, charlie, vincent, deb, john and the whole mass circus. And yeah, season two March 20th, 26th. Now, separately from Daredevil Born Again, jon Bernthal has a MCU Disney Plus special of the Punisher in the works that he has co-wronged with filmmaker Rinaldo Marcus Green.
Speaker 1:Now let's go on to the DC Comics. News begins with DC having a welcoming surprise up their sleeve for C2E2, bringing some cosmic chaos to one of its biggest heroes During the Kyle Higgins-present Radiant Black, the Massive Verse and More panel at C2E2, dc revealed a new Batman Elseworlds series titled Immortal Legend Batman. It features the talented team of Kyle Higgins, matt Groome, dan Moore, maura Erika D'Urso, colorist Igor Monti and letterer Becca Carey Monty and letterer Becca Carey. Now, this is not your usual Batman story, as it takes place in the future and features a bevy of new tech for the Dark Knight to take advantage of Immortal Legend. Batman takes place centuries from now, in a world where humanity has managed to create megacities across multiple planets. To do that, they had to harness dark matter and in the process they broke the barrier to the universe's shadow that brought about the creation of mindless and soulless apparitions, known as shadows. This almost brought down everything, but three heroes were able to tap into the energy that joined their world to the shadow world and become immortal legends in the process. Those heroes are Batman Robin and Nightwing. Heroes are Batman, robin and Nightwing and, as we'll see in the series, mora gave Batman, robin and Nightwing some truly out-of-this-world designs for the galaxy-wide adventure. Higgins said in the quote certain projects are the perfect storm of timing, idea and creative team.
Speaker 1:Immortal Legend of Batman has been years in the making, dating back to stunning designs that Matt and I first saw from Dan Mora. Obviously, we have a love and appreciation for Takasatsu and its influence on our books like Radiant Black and Inferno Girl Red. The opportunity to bring that love to a very unique version of Gotham and very unique versions of these characters, with Matt Mora, igor and Becca, along with our editor, matt Levine, who we worked with on Power Rangers, makes us beyond a perfect storm. Batman is fiction's greatest hero and we wanted to find a way to take everything that's so great about him his immense determination, resilience and selfishness and explore it in a totally new way, said Groom. So we're taking Batman to the stars, turning him into a wandering hero exploring humanity's final frontier and searching out deadly threats he inadvertently released upon the galactic community, now Immortal Legend. Batman clearly draws inspiration from science fiction, as well as Japanese takasu stories. That makes this team a perfect fit, as they would have plenty of experience in those worlds with their work in Power Rangers, ultraman and the Massifers.
Speaker 1:Here's the logline quote Many centuries from now, humanity becomes a galactic civilization with capital megacities on multiple planets and smaller outposts on dozens more. To conquer the vast distances between solar systems, humanity has tapped into dark matter to bend space-time around spacecraft from hulking colony ships to one-man mech suits. In accessing this dark power, humanity broke the barrier between their universe and their universe's shadow. This resulted in the creation of shadows, mindless, soulless apparitions craving nothing but violence and destruction. Due to the actions of these shadow creatures. Newly colonized worlds were brought into the brink of collapse, but three warriors found a way to access the energy that bound their universe to the shadow universe, becoming Immortal Legends Immortal Legend Batman. Immortal Legend Robin and Immortal Legend Nightwing.
Speaker 1:Immortal Legend Batman will be available for pre-order starting on Friday May 23rd and will arrive in comic book stores and digital retailers on Wednesday August 27th. And with that let's go on to the geek news. Following an initial delay, nintendo has set the pre-order date for its Switch 2 console as April 24th. Just this week, this company has also decided to keep the upcoming products' cost at the previously announced $449.99, amid market concerns surrounding President Trump's tariff policies. But it's hiking the price of accessories because of quote market conditions no-transcript as they were first revealed April 2nd. Now the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart bundle, which is priced at $499.99, the Switch 2 and related products, are set to ship June 5th, as previously announced.
Speaker 1:We have a cause of death for former Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl star, michelle Trachtenberg. Following a review of laboratory test results, it was determined that Trachtenberg died naturally as a result of complications from diabetes mellitus, according to the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner told Deadline in a statement. Trachtenberg was found unresponsive in her midtown Manhattan apartment on February 26th. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. No foul play was suspected. She was 39 years old. The coroner's office initially said her cause of death would remain undetermined because the family had requested that no autopsy be conducted because of religious reasons. The family had requested that no autopsy be conducted because of religious reasons. The medical examiner's office would automatically do an autopsy if foul play or criminality was suspected, but there was none, so the office did not overrule the family's decision. Following the lab test results, the medical examiner's office amended the cause of death.
Speaker 1:As they say in the Highlander franchise, there could be only one and in the case of the list reimagining from the new home of Amazon MGM Studios, united Artists. Sources tell Deadline that United Artists and Scott Stubber are in final negotiations to secure rights to a new version of Highlander based on the 1980s cult classic. The film would star Henry Cavill with John Wick director Chad Stolesky helming and would be released in theaters. Michael Finch from John Wick, chapter 4, is penning the screenplay. Ua is Stubber and Nick Nesbitt will produce, alongside Neil H Moritz and 8711 Entertainment Stolesky's production banner. Ua has secured full rights to the franchise which Liongate developed, with potential to also develop a new series. Sources close to the situation say at the end of the day, stolitsky's vision for the film fit better than into the Amazon model, but add that it's a big win for all parties.
Speaker 1:The original Highlander in 1986 starred Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery and portrayed the climax of an ancient battle between immortal warriors unfolding through interwoven past and present-day storylines. After steadily growing in popularity upon its release, the film spawned multiple sequels, a TV series and an enduring fan base. Russell Malay directed the original film, which was produced by Pierre S Davis and William N Panzer. A live-action Pacific Rim television series from Eric Heiser based on Legendary's epic giant robot film franchise is in development at Amazon. According to Deadlinecom, legendary will produce the series as the lead studio for Prime Video with Amazon MGM Studios. As we previously reported, the project has been in development at Legendary. Legendary is the inaugural project of the Legendary First Look television deal with Oscar-nominated Heiserer and his Chronology banner. Heiserer will serve as writer and executive producer of the series.
Speaker 1:Twisted Metal is racing toward its return to Peacock for Season 2, and the streamer is finally revealed when episodes will be available. 2, and the streamer is finally revealed when episodes will be available Per the release date teaser on Thursday. Season 2 will debut on July 31st. The teaser doesn't give away much more about the season than had already been released in previous trailers, but we know that Raven, played by Neve Campbell, has been grooming Anthony Mackie's John Doe for the Sinister Twisted Metal Tournament, which looks to be about as lovely, as lovely as it sounds. The teaser does also feature a glimpse at Calypso, the man who hosts the tournament, as well as the signature laugh from Sweet Tooth, the terrifying clown.
Speaker 1:In a recent interview with Business Insider, jc Lee, stanley's daughter, denied the allegations of elder abuse against her parents. These claims were initially brought up in a 2018 Hollywood Reporter article, which detailed alleged financial abuse and exploitation by several individuals, including a business manager introduced to Lee by JC. The article also accused JC of physically abusing her parents. Jc vehemently denied these accusations, saying that she never touched her parents and regretted not publicly denying them in 2018. She believes that her father was financially exploited and that those responsible are still benefiting from it. The Hollywood Reporter article was published less than a year after Stanley's wife, joan Babcock, passed away, six months before Lee's own death in January of 2018. It led to criminal elder abuse charges against Lee's former business manager, kf Borgen, which were later dropped. The article also highlighted Gerardo Leveras, a business manager recommended by JC, whom Lee sued before his death. While the allegations against JC were never resulted in charges, they were severe.
Speaker 1:She was portrayed as spoiled and entitled, often fighting with her parents over money and property. The article's claim of physical violence allegedly stemmed from a 2014 incident where JC allegedly attacked her parents after discovering that her new Jaguar was leased in her father's name. Jc admitted to having a temper and frequently screaming at her parents, but maintained that she never physically harmed them. Her former business partner, james O'Clean, added that screaming was a common part of the family dynamic. Jc now believes that some of the people who managed her father's business interests and finances towards the end of his life took advantage of the situation and enriched themselves, leaving her without the inheritance she expected. So yeah, a, he said, she said, type of deal.
Speaker 1:Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have dated the original animated feature Forgotten Island for September 26, 2026. The pic is directed and written by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. Details are being kept secret, but the project is billed as a broad-party comedy that transports its characters into a long-forgotten magical island rooted in Philippine mythology. The film will also mark the directorial debut for Mercado, who also served as co-director in Puss in Boots, the Last Wish and head of story for Crawford on the Croods. A New Age Forgotten Story will be produced by Crawford's longtime collaborator, mark Swift. Currently, forgotten Island is the only wide entry on the final weekend of September 20th-26th. The movie will open, in the wake of an untitled Warner Bros movie and Sony's Zack Krager's Resident Evil, on September 18th.
Speaker 1:The story behind one of the most famous chocolate companies in the world will be told in the live-action movie Hershey, starring Fen Whitrock and Alexandra Daddario, and directed by Mean Girls and Freaky Friday Hummer Mark Waters. But wait, there's more. The movie will begin filming in May across Pennsylvania and is targeting a 2026 release. The film does not have a distributor yet. Now Whit Rock will play Milton Hershey who, alongside his wife Kitty, built a candy empire that powered a philanthropic legacy. In 1909, milton and Kitty found the Hershey Industrial School, which provided free education and housing to orphans and underprivileged children. Twenty years before his death, milton transferred the majority of his fortune into the Milton Hershey School Trust, playing the seed for one of the wealthiest educational endowments in the country. In developing a town around their chocolate factory, the Hersheys also built theaters, recreation centers and public transportation for their workers. The Hershey's also built theaters, recreation centers and public transportation for their workers. Hershey hails from Dandelion Media in partnership with the Hershey Entities and in association with Aloe Entertainment, peachtree Group and RCM3.
Speaker 1:Uta Independent Film Group is representing worldwide rights and releases plans for 2026, aligning with America's 250th anniversary. Mark Waters said in a statement, quote Against all odds, milton achieved great success and, unlike a lot of other wealthy men of his time, he shared the success with the working people and community around him, the core of Hershey. The movie will be the special love story between Milton and Catherine Hershey, who inspired his greatest legacy the creation of Milton Hershey School. I am excited to have Finn Whitrock and Alexandra Daddario to portray these two visionaries who believed in leaving the world a better place than they found it the kind of wonderful true story the audiences are hungry for right now. And finally tonight, paramount Pictures will theatrically distribute Around the Globe the Angry Birds movie the Three on June 29, 2027. The studio also has this date on hold in CinemaScore for a family event film. The previous two movies were released by Sony and grossed a combined half billion at the global box office.
Speaker 1:Angry Birds 3 sees voiceover cast members Jason Stekas, josh Gad, rachel Bloom and Danny McBride reprising their roles as Red, chuck Silver and Bomb. Rovio and Sega will produce alongside Namit Malhotria and his production company, prime Focus Studios, in partnership with Flywheel Media One, cool Group and Dentsu. They'll be joined by new cast members including Emma Myers, kiki Palmer, tim Robinson, lily James, marcelio Hernandez, walker Scoble, sam Richardson, anna Cathcart, matreya Rickard-Manson, nikki Glaser, james Austin Johnson and Psalm West. And with that we come to the end of our show for today.
Speaker 1:Now please be sure to check us out on social media. We're at Blue Sky and Twitter, at Multiverse, tom Threads, facebook and Instagram, as well at Multiverse Tonight. And if you've gotten some value out of the show and like to pay it back, head on over to multiverstenightcom, where you'll find our Patreon and Ko-fi links. Check out our show notes, visit our TeePublic store, where you can also leave some feedback, and so much more. And if this is your first time listening, thank you very much Please hit the subscribe button and share this 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. Multiverse Tonight is a production of Half-Baked John. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. This podcast is brought to you by CultureHeadscom. Find more about it at wwwcultureheadcom.
