The Last of Us live-action adaptation is finally debuting on HBO Max as part of the January 2023 schedule.
On Sunday, January 15, the streaming service will add The Last of Us to its available content. The series will tackle the events of the first game. Joining Pascal and Ramsey are Gabriel Luna (Terminator: Dark Fate) as Tommy Miller, Nico Parker (Dumbo) as Joel’s daughter Sarah, Anna Torv (Mindhunter) as Tess, and Merle Dandridge (The Flight Attendant) as she reprises her role from the video games as Marlene, the leader of a resistance group known as the Fireflies. It also features Jeffrey Pierce (Bosch) as Perry, Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus) as Frank, Con O’Neill (Chernobyl) as Bill, and Storm Reid (Euphoria) as Riley.
“The live-action series takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed,” reads the synopsis. “Joel and Ellie, a pair connected through the harshness of the world they live in, are forced to endure brutal circumstances and ruthless killers on a trek across a post-pandemic America.”
The live-action series is executive produced and co-written by Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin and original game writer Neil Druckmann, who is also serving as one of the directors. It is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television in association with PlayStation Productions. Executive producers are Carolyn Strauss, Naughty Dog President Evan Wells, and PlayStation Productions’ Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan.
HBO Max January 2023 Schedule
January 1
20 Feet From Stardom, 2013 (HBO)
American Hustle, 2013
American Ultra, 2015 (HBO)
At Middleton, 2013 (HBO)
Back to School, 1986 (HBO)
Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons, 2022
Black Butterfly, 2017 (HBO)
Captain Phillips, 2013 (HBO)
Catch a Fire, 2006 (HBO)
Child’s Play, 2019 (HBO)
Cold Pursuit, 2019 (HBO)
Cops and Robbersons, 1994 (HBO)
Coup de torchon, 1981
Crocodile Dundee, 1986 (HBO)
Crocodile Dundee II, 1988 (HBO)
Crocodile Dundee In Los Angeles, 2001 (HBO)
Cruising, 1980 (HBO)
Death Warrant, 1990 (HBO)
Dim Sum Funeral, 2008 (HBO)
Dom Hemingway, 2013 (HBO)
Every Secret Thing, 2014 (HBO)
Extortion, 2017 (HBO)
Fool’s Gold, 2008 (HBO)
Flashpoint, 2007 (HBO)
From Here to Eternity, 1953
Gemini, 2017 (HBO)
Geronimo: An American Legend, 1993
Ghostbusters, 1984
Ghostbusters II, 1989
Hereditary, 2018 (HBO)
Hoodlum, 1997 (HBO)
Insidious: Chapter 2, 2013
Jennifer Eight, 1992 (HBO)
John Wick, 2014
John Wick: Chapter 2, 2017
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, 2019
Jumping the Broom, 2011
Jury Duty, 1995 (HBO)
Kill The Irishman, 2011 (HBO)
Kusama: Infinity, 2018 (HBO)
Law Abiding Citizen, 2009 (HBO)
Lawrence of Arabia, 1962
Line of Duty, 2019 (HBO)
Marley & Me, 2008 (HBO)
Matilda, 1996
Nine, 2009 (HBO)
Oasis: Supersonic, 2016 (HBO)
Our Idiot Brother, 2011
Piranha 3D, 2010 (HBO)
Piranha 3DD, 2012 (HBO)
Planet 51, 2009
Precious Cargo, 2016 (HBO)
Quartet, 2012 (HBO)
Regression, 2015 (HBO)
Rememory, 2017 (HBO)
Sarah’s Key, 2010 (HBO)
Skate Kitchen, 2018 (HBO)
Stephen King’s Graveyard Shift, 1990 (HBO)
Stephen King’s Silver Bullet, 1985 (HBO)
Support the Girls, 2018 (HBO)
Teen Wolf, 1985 (HBO)
Teen Wolf Too, 1987 (HBO)
The Artist, 2011 (HBO)
The Book of Life, 2014 (HBO)
The Brink, 2019 (HBO)
The Cabin in the Woods, 2012 (HBO)
The Company Men, 2010 (HBO)
The Cookout, 2004
The Crying Game, 1992 (HBO)
The Guilty, 2021 (HBO)
The Haunting, 1999 (HBO)
The Homesman, 2014 (HBO)
The Hunter, 2011 (HBO)
The Iron Lady, 2011 (HBO)
The Last Face, 2016 (HBO)
The Lobster, 2015 (HBO)
The Master, 2012 (HBO)
The Perfect Score, 2004 (HBO)
The Promise, 2016 (HBO)
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, 1974 (HBO)
The Unborn, 2009 (HBO)
The Whole Ten Yards, 2004 (HBO)
This Boy’s Life, 1993 (HBO)
This One’s For The Ladies, 2018 (HBO)
Urge, 2016 (HBO)
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, 2016 (HBO)
Vendetta, 2022 (HBO)
When We Were Kings, 1996
White Chicks, 2004 (HBO)
Wild Rose, 2018 (HBO)
Woman at War, 2018 (HBO)
Zero Dark Thirty, 2012
January 3
The Menu, 2022
January 6
DC’s Stargirl, Season 3
The Nun, 2018 (HBO)
Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?, Season 2
January 8
We Baby Bears, Season 1F
January 10
Horrible Bosses 2, 2014 (HBO)
January 11
In with the Old, Season 3
January 12
Blended, 2014 (HBO)
The Climb, Max Original Series Premiere
Velma, Max Original Series Premiere
January 13
The Big Soirée (El Gran Sarao), Max Original Premiere
I Don’t Like Driving w/t (No Me Gusta Conducir), Max Original Premiere
January 15
The Last of Us, Series Premiere (HBO)
January 17
Sesame Street Mecha Builders, Season 1E
USWNT @ New Zealand #1, Live Sports
January 20
Game Theory with Bomani Jones, Season 2 Premiere (HBO)
Real Time with Bill Maher, Season 21 Premiere (HBO)
Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin has confirmed that some of the massive fantasy drama’s spin-offs have been “shelved” for the time being.
Martin stated that the changes at Warner Bros. and HBO have affected the Game of Thrones franchise, leading to the production changes. He also notes that shelved doesn’t necessarily mean canceled.
“Some of those are moving faster than others, as is always the case with development,” Martin wrote on his blog (via Variety). “None have been greenlit yet, though we are hoping … maybe soon. A couple have been shelved, but I would not agree that they are dead. You can take something off the shelf as easily as you can put it on the shelf. All the changes at HBO Max have impacted us, certainly.”
Though the author did not specify which projects have been shelved, the currently planned spin-offs include the untitled Jon Snow sequel series, the Corlys Velaryon-focused series titled The Sea Snake, the Princess Nymeria-led Ten Thousand Ships, and The Tales of Dunk and Egg.
Game of Thrones is far from the only franchise to be affected by the Warner Bros. merger, as the DC Universe and Wizarding World have also been subject to changes in recent months.
The most recent spin-off was based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood. Titled House of the Dragon, it chronicles the rise and the downfall of the Targaryens, who are the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. It takes place 300 years before the events of the award-winning series adaptation of Game ofThrones, which aired its final episode in 2019.
The latest movie starring Christian Bale is part of the Netflix January 2023 schedule.
On Friday, January 6, the streaming service will add The Pale Blue Eye to its available content. Based on the gothic thriller novel by Louis Bayard, The Pale Blue Eye is written, directed, and produced by Scott Cooper. It revolves around the attempt to solve a series of murders that took place in 1830 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Bale will play a veteran detective in the film who investigates the murders, assisted by a detail-oriented young cadet who will later become a world-famous author, Edgar Allan Poe.
Joining Bale and Melling are Gillian Anderson (The Crown), Oscar winner Robert Duvall, Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody), Toby Jones (First Cow), Charlotte Gainsbourg (Antichrist), Harry Lawtey (Industry), Simon McBurney (Carnival Row), and Timothy Spall (Mr. Turner), Fred Hechinger (Fear Street trilogy), Hadley Robinson (Moxie), Joey Brooks (Molly’s Game), Brennan Keel Cook (Encounter), Gideon Glick (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Matt Helm (The Tragedy of Macbeth), Steven Maier (The Plot Against America), and Charlie Tahan (Ozark).
The Pale Blue Eye is financed and produced by Cross Creek (The Trial of the Chicago 7) Bale is also producing along with Grisbi Productions’ John Lesher and Cross Creek’s Tyler Thompson. Meanwhile, Tracey Landon and Grisbi’s Dylan Weathered are serving as executive producers.
Universal Pictures has announced the She Said Peacock, Blu-ray, and digital release dates for the critically acclaimed drama.
It will release first digitally on January 6, 2023, which is when it will also become available to stream on Peacock, and will then come to Blu-ray on January 10, 2023. The movie also comes in a DVD Collector’s Edition. Although no further details were provided, the different editions will feature special bonuses listed as the theatrical trailer and a featurette titled “Breaking The Story.”
Take a look at the She Said Blu-ray artwork below:
She Said is based on Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey’s 2019 non-fiction book. Maria Schrader directed the movie from a screenplay by Rebecca Lenkiewicz. Joining Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan are Patricia Clarkson, Andre Braugher, Samantha Morton, Tom Pelphrey, and Adam Shapiro. The movie started its theatrical run on November 18 and grossed $11.5 million at the box office.
“The film follows New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor as they broke together one of the most important stories in a generation— a story that helped propel the #Metoo movement, shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood and altered American culture forever,” reads the synopsis.
She Said is produced by Academy Award winners Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B Entertainment. Annapurna Pictures’ Oscar nominee Megan Ellison and Sue Naegle executive produced.
The second season of the adult-animated fantasy The Legend of Vox Machina is among other exciting additions to the Prime Video January 2023 schedule.
On January 20, the streaming service will release The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2. The show is based on the beloved characters and adventures of Critical Role’s first live-streamed tabletop role-playing game (RPG) campaign. It features the voices of Critical Role founders and cast members Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Liam O’Brien, Matthew Mercer, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, and Travis Willingham.
“In Season 2, after saving the realm from evil and destruction at the hands of the most terrifying power couple in Exandria, Vox Machina is faced with saving the world once again—this time, from a sinister group of dragons known as the Chroma Conclave,” reads the synopsis.
The new line-up of guest voice stars for the next installment has also been revealed. It includes Will Friedle, Billy Boyd, Henry Winkler, Lance Reddick, Cree Summer, Alanna Ubach, Cheech Marin, Troy Baker, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Ralph Ineson, and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. In addition, Stephanie Beatriz, Indira Varma, Gina Torres, Kelly Hu, and Esmé Creed-Miles are also returning to guest star.
The Legend of Vox Machina is a production of Amazon Studios, Critical Role, and Titmouse for Prime Video. The Critical Role cast are also serving as executive producers, alongside Brandon Auman (Star Wars: Resistance), Chris Prynoski (Metalocalypse), Shannon Prynoski (Fairfax), and Ben Kalina (Big
Prime Video January 2023 Schedule
January 1
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Mission: Impossible (1996)
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (Freevee)
How to Train Your Dragon (Freevee)
Source Code (Freevee)
The Devil Wears Prada (Freevee)
Dharma & Greg Seasons 1-5
Invader Zim
Nella the Princess Knight
Shimmer and Shine
12 O’Clock High Seasons 1-3
Welcome to Flatch
50/50
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
After Earth
Akeelah and the Bee
Ali
Antwone Fisher
Are We There Yet?
Baby Boy
Barbershop 2: Back in Business
Beauty Shop
Black Dynamite
Blankman
Blue Chips
Breakdown
Breakin’ All the Rules
Broken City
Brown Sugar
Clue
Despicable Me
Despicable Me 2
Downsizing
El Dorado
El Mariachi
Election
Employee of the Month
Europa Report
Failure to Launch
Forces of Nature
Frankie & Alice
Friday the 13th (1980)
Gamer
God’s Not Dead
Guess Who
Harold and Maude
Higher Learning
Home for the Holidays
I Am Not Your Negro
If Beale Street Could Talk
In My Country
In the Heat of the Night
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler recently opened up about Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character Val and how she was written into the movie.
When asked about whether Namor was planned to be in the Black Panther sequel prior to Chadwick Boseman’s passing, Coogler said that the ruler of Talokan was part of it, but shared the antagonist role with Val.
“Val was much more active,” Coogler told The New York Times. “It was basically a three-way conflict between Wakanda, the U.S. and Talokan. But it was all mostly from the child’s perspective.”
Coogler was then asked about Val’s presence in the film and whether it’s difficult to implement storylines from the broader MCU into a solo movie. The director clarified that Val was always in Wakanda Forever and that he wasn’t forced or asked to include her.
“Yeah, nobody was shoehorned in or asked to be put into the movie or anything like that,” Coogler clarified. “Actually, in this version, [Louis-Dreyfus’ role] was pared back in order to make space for dealing with T’Challa’s death. And we had Val in there before she even appeared in any of the other movies, before Black Widow and Falcon and the Winter Soldier. People assume that we were told to put her in, but she was there from the beginning.
Even though 2022 was packed with incredible games, 2023 is still going to be absolutely stuffed. It’s not a given that they will all be good when they come out, but there’s still plenty to look forward to. Here are ComingSoon’s top 50 most anticipated games slated for 2023.
Forspoken
January 24, 2023
Forspoken is one of the first big releases of the year. Its questionably quippy marketing campaign has painted a somewhat grim view of its dialogue, but its trailers have likewise demonstrated a magical, parkour-focused experience where traversal looks fast and effortless. And there’s not going to be much of a wait to see what side of Forspoken will be more dominant.
Dead Space Remake
January 27, 2023
It seems like a blessing from Michael Altman himself that the Dead Space remake is coming so soon after the immensely disappointing The Callisto Protocol. Dead Space is one of the greatest survival horror games of all time and Motive Studio has shown all the right signs that it gets how to update such a classic.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake
January 31, 2023
There aren’t many licensed 3D platformers now, and SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake seems positioned to address that drought. This spongy game doesn’t look like it will set a whole new standard for the genre and make Nintendo rethink its upcoming lineup, but The Cosmic Shake appears to have the charm, color, and collectibles that a decent platformer needs.
Season: A Letter to the Future
Jan 31, 2023
Season: A Letter to the Future sounds like a depressing game, as it’s about a character trying to catalog everything before a giant storm washes everything away. But with that darkness comes an inviting art style and laid-back gameplay mechanics focused on exploration and taking record of its various locations. It’s quite a jump between tones, but there’s potential for a thoughtful rumination on finding beauty in the midst of some very real-world problems.
Hogwarts Legacy
February 10, 2023
Hogwarts Legacy looks like the game Harry Potter fans have wanted for literal decades. Enrolling in Hogwarts, learning magic, and exploring in and around the constantly shifting school are elements made for an RPG and it seems as though Avalanche Software is well aware of that fantasy.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
February 16, 2023
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is seemingly taking the simple but endlessly engaging rhythm gameplay from past Theatrhythm Final Fantasy games and finally putting it all on home consoles. It is also set to not only include songs from Final Fantasy but other staple RPGs like Chrono Trigger and Romancing SaGa, resulting in an experience that is aimed directly at RPG fans who want to interact with classic soundtracks.
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
February 21, 2023
Like a Dragon: Ishin! already came out in 2014, but this modern remake will bring it to a new audience since it never initially left Japan. This remake boasts improved visuals and now runs on Unreal Engine 3. But despite its new face, it still has Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s beating heart at the center of it, meaning it’ll be full of memorable characters and over-the-top action from the original.
Atomic Heart
February 21, 2023
Atomic Heart has been in development for so long that it seems like a troubled title. There are even reports alleging as much. However, the game shows well and seems like developer Mundfish has put enough of its own spin on the BioShock formula it was obviously inspired by. It might be a janky title that can’t hide its development woes or it could overcome them, but it is interesting either way.
Horizon Call of the Mountain
February 22, 2023
Horizon Call of the Mountain is shaping up to be one of PlayStation VR2’s first big titles. This adventure may not have the vast open world as the mainline entries, but it seems like it could make up for that with its new perspective. Admiring a Tallneck while shuffling around its huge feet sounds like it could be something special.
Resident Evil Village VR
February 22, 2023
Resident Evil Village is already one of the best Resident Evil games and its predecessor was an absolute terror in VR, so it isn’t hard to imagine that Resident Evil Village VR will be anything short of fantastic. Being able to dual-wield and witness House Beneviento in VR sounds like an equally terrifying and exhilarating way to put a fresh spin on such an incredible horror game. And, of course, there will be the people who just want to look up at Lady Dimitrescu and get stomped on in a way that the old versions can’t provide.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
March 3, 2023
Team Ninja is known for its action games like Ninja Gaiden and Nioh, so any other action game is going to carry that pedigree. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty seems similar to Nioh with its action-heavy take on soulslike combat and while that might not be the newest take, it’s hard to refuse a Team Ninja action game (that isn’t Ninja Gaiden 3).
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
March 17, 2023
Bayonetta 3 took a long time to come out, so it’s interesting that PlatinumGames has another Bayonetta game almost ready to go. However, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is not just another regular entry in the franchise since it is a spin-off that looks and plays differently than the numbered titles. Players control Cereza in her pre-Bayonetta days with the left Joy-Con and the demon Cheshire with the right Joy-Con. It’s unique, but something the series could use after three traditional installments.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
March 17, 2023
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was a great first attempt, but it just needed some refinement to reach its full potential. And it looks like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor could be that second shot that Respawn Entertainment needed to truly get it right. Its first gameplay trailer teases what’s to come and gives small glances into its expanded traversal and combat mechanics, two aspects that needed work in the original. Respawn has yet to put out anything less than great (except that VR Medal of Honor game) and it doesn’t look like that will change with Jedi: Survivor.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
March 24, 2023
Dead Space isn’t the only horror classic getting remade, as Capcom is continuing the trend and remaking Resident Evil 4. Resident Evil 4 looks like it is retaining many of the big reasons why the original was so beloved, but adding and changing between the margins when appropriate. The intro is symbolic of this approach since it draws out the opening sequence into something more terrifying and mysterious. It’s got a lot to live up to, but it seems like Capcom is well aware of that and making all the right choices.
Amnesia: The Bunker
March 2023
Horror games can sometimes be hard to replay since many of them are so heavily scripted. Amnesia: The Bunker isn’t and that’s why it is so enticing. The Bunker is a much more open game than its predecessors where scares aren’t predetermined and players can explore where they want in the titular World War I bunker. It sounds new and ambitious and something the Amnesia team is quite qualified to tackle, given its expertise in the genre.
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection
April 13, 2023
Capcom ran the Mega Man Battle Network series into the ground, but it’s been dead long enough to feel new again. This golden formula of tactically choosing chips from a menu and then using them in real-time is an engaging mix that still feels great today, as noted by games like One Step From Eden. Capcom has not only bundled these titles together for this collection, but also introduced a whole bunch of online functions to bring it into the modern era. It’s more than a slapdash port and something that seems designed to appeal to new and returning players.
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores
April 19, 2023
Horizon Forbidden West was one of the best games of 2022, so more of it is not a bad proposition. Not much is known about Aloy’s next small adventure, but given the quality of Frozen Wilds, Zero Dawn’s DLC, it’s likely that Burning Shores will provide a fitting tease of what’s to come in the inevitable third main entry. It’s also only coming to PS5 and not being shackled to the PS4 might mean Guerrilla Games can aim a little higher.
Dead Island 2
April 28, 2023
Almost no game has been through as much turmoil as Dead Island 2. But even though the game has gone through a few studios, it seems as though Dambuster Studios has wrangled it into something promising. Being able to bash zombies with all sorts of weapons and run around its interpretation of Los Angeles seems like it might be mindless, but in a way that might work well for co-op and those who just want to unplug.
Star Trek: Resurgence
April 2023
Star Trek: Resurgence seems fitting for Dramatic Labs, a new team made up of ex-Telltale Games developers, given the team’s history with games of this ilk and Star Trek’s penchant for deep stories. The narrative game formula isn’t as new as it once was, but a good story can excuse a possible lack of innovation.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
May 12, 2023
Nintendo has hardly shown The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but it’s difficult to not have astronomical expectations for the sequel to Breath of the Wild. Nintendo perhaps knows that surprises were key to Breath of the Wild‘s success and is playing Tears of the Kingdom close to its chest to preserve that sanctity.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
May 26, 2023
Rocksteady Studios has been working on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League for so long that it seems like it will never come out. The team hasn’t even shown that much of this comic book game, either. Regardless, Rocksteady has a phenomenal track record and it won’t be that much longer until it’s clear if it was worth the wait.
Street Fighter 6
June 2, 2023
Street Fighter 6 seems like it is more than making up for Street Fighter V. It’s got an undeniable style and expanded mechanics, but also more modes for those who don’t just want to play competitively. If it all comes together, it could be one of Capcom’s best playable apologies since Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
Final Fantasy XVI
June 22, 2023
A new numbered Final Fantasy is a big deal and Final Fantasy XVI, appropriately, looks like a huge deal, especially with all of the larger-than-life beasts seen in its trailers. And with an M rating, inspirations from Game of Thrones, and current-gen exclusivity, it doesn’t seem that Square Enix is content with just going bigger with Final Fantasy XVI.
RoboCop: Rogue City
June 2023
Teyon’s surprising Terminator first-person shooter means that RoboCop: Rogue City is worth keeping an eye on. The brief trailer showed players mowing down thugs as Alex Murphy and generally looks smoother than the aforementioned Terminator title. It may still be a passable budget shooter when it finally releases, but that’s better than RoboCop has seen in the gaming space for some time.
Tchia
Early 2023
Tchia is another wholesome game that is set on an island inspired by New Caledonia, a place not typically seen in video games. But instead of just walking around like some stumpy human, players can inhabit any animal or object on the island, allowing for great freedom during combat and exploration. This unique mechanic combined with the setting and Breath of the Wild influences make Tchia seem like more than a relaxing, cutesy experience.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Between April 2022 and March 2023
Ubisoft has not given players much of a look at Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, but the allure of an open-world game set on Pandora is quite strong, especially right off the heels of Avatar: The Way of Water. It would also be ideal if Ubisoft tried to innovate and didn’t just rely on its usual bag of open-world tricks. Doing so might mean Ubisoft could make up for its tepidly received 2009 Avatar game.
Sea of Stars
Summer 2023
Sabotage Studio’s The Messenger was a great modern take on Ninja Gaiden and it seems like Sea of Stars is shaping up to be a contemporary homage to Chrono Cross. It’s a lot to live up to, but the studio has already shown that it can live up to the games it is obviously drawing from.
The Expanse: A Telltale Series
Summer 2023
Telltale Games’ first game since its collapse is going to be quite the spectacle since it will be the true test of whether or not it deserved to be revived. The Expanse: A Telltale Series looks like it was where the team wanted to go all along, given its added gameplay segments that go beyond picking dialogue options. It remains to be seen if that is enough, but it is promising.
Spider-Man 2
Fall 2023
Insomniac Games has already made two amazing Spider-Man games and there’s little reason to think it can’t add another to that list. That pair raised some interesting questions and opened the door for a truly wild follow-up, given the emphasis on Venom this one seems to have.
Cocoon
2023
Cocoon is a cute-looking puzzle adventure game from the lead designer behind Limbo and Inside. That’s an impressive pedigree on its own, but Cocoon also looks great in action with its core mechanic of being able to leap between worlds to solve puzzles. With a unique setup and interesting abilities, Cocoon is an indie title that could blossom into a beautiful experience.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
2023
Assassin’s Creed has gone so far up its own ass that it’s about time it went back to basics. Assassin’s CreedMirage is a callback to the first few entries where they were more open-world action games than open-world RPGs. That combined with its Middle-Eastern setting might just be what the series needs.
The Wolf Among Us 2
2023
The Wolf Among Us was one of Telltale Games’ best series and it’s been a grueling wait to see what happened after its cliffhanger ending. This new iteration of Telltale has yet to put out a new game, but it’s saying the right things about this long-anticipated follow-up.
Blasphemous II
2023
Blasphemous was one of the standout 2D soulslike action games, so its sequel is naturally interesting. The first game’s art style and take on religion and religious iconography made for such a unique world that deserves a second go. The Game Kitchen hasn’t released footage of the sequel, but did announce it through a trailer for the first game’s Wounds of Eventide expansion.
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
2023
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals almost seems lost itself since it has been in the works for so long. Night School Studio has been toiling away on this adventure game sequel for a few years and shown very little of it. But given how Oxenfree thrives on intrigue, being vague may just be a fitting pre-release strategy.
Replaced
2023
Judging by the trailers, Replaced has some of the most stunning pixel art around, which is saying something given how many games use that art style. But those same trailers also reveal a loud and unique style in a cyberpunk world that makes a bold first impression. Sad Cat Studios has only revealed glimpses of its free-flow action combat and cinematic platforming, but they have a similar energy to the action seen in its cinematic moments. If the full game is as cohesive as its trailers, Replaced might be one of 2023’s indie darlings.
Pikmin 4
2023
Nintendo hasn’t divulged much about Pikmin 4, but it’s a charming series worth keeping an eye on. It’ll also be the first Switch-native entry, which is exciting in its own right. While it is a little alarming that it has been in development for so long — Shigeru Miyamoto first talked about it in 2015 — Nintendo is known for its commitment to quality.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
2023
Hollow Knight: Silksong, the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed search action platformer Hollow Knight, is finally set to come out in 2023. It’s been a long time coming, but it re-emerged from its cocoon at the Xbox + Bethesda Showcase just long enough to prove that it still existed. And for most, that’s more than enough.
Lollipop Chainsaw is a weird game that’s hard to play now since it isn’t backward compatible on Xbox systems, never came out on PC, and incompatible with current PlayStation hardware since it was on the PS3. This all makes it a prime target for a remake. The original’s weird controls will ideally be smoothed out without paving over Suda 51’s weird style and James Gunn’s (yes, that James Gunn) raunchy humor.
Lies of P
2023
Some games have tried to emulate Bloodborne’s style, but none have even come close to nailing what FromSoftware achieved. It’s very unlikely that Lies of P will hit some of those same highs, but it is one of the more promising Bloodborne-inspired games due to its striking visuals and impressive enemy design. Mixing that formula with Pinocchio is quite a take, but it remains to be seen if it will be more than the sum of its parts.
Exoprimal
2023
It may not be Dino Crisis 4, but Capcom is still making dinosaur games with Exoprimal. This co-op shooter seems ridiculous with its dinosaur weather forecasts that dump an absurd amount of reptilian beasts onto players. There’s not exactly a dearth of co-op horde shooters, but not enough of them have hordes and hordes of dinos, and that alone may give Exoprimal its spot within in the crowded genre.
Goodbye Volcano High
2023
Goodbye Volcano High may also not be Dino Crisis 4, but it isn’t trying to be. Goodbye Volcano High frames the impending extinction event through the lens of anthropomorphic teenage dinosaurs, which is quite unique. These types of games can either be heartfelt or extremely cringeworthy, but it’s at least got a setup all its own.
Ereban: Shadow Legacy
2023
Stealth games are rare nowadays, which makes Ereban: Shadow Legacy stick out. This fast-paced stealth action platformer has sneaking in it, but most of it seems to be more aggressive than what the genre typically sees. Players can harness shadow powers to move quickly without being seen and use that agility to strike their robotic foes; the choice is up to them. It’s an intriguing concept, particularly in an underserved genre.
Moving Out 2
2023
Moving sucks, but it didn’t in the first Moving Out. This co-op sequel in the vein of Overcooked is bigger and, according to the team, sillier than the first game with more characters and twice as many levels. Moving Out 2 now has online play and cross-platform multiplayer, too, meaning more people can get in on this expanded follow-up.
Starfield
2023
Bethesda Game Studios hasn’t made a single-player RPG in some time, especially one set in a whole new world. Starfield is also Bethesda Game Studio’s first crack at a space-faring adventure, so the team has been given the opportunity to adapt its signature RPG formula to a new frontier. It could also be somewhat of a comeback story since Fallout 76 was maligned at launch and Fallout 4, while received moderately well, didn’t scratch that itch for some fans.
Aliens: Dark Descent
2023
Recent Aliens games are usually terrible to passable shooters, but Aliens: Dark Descent is taking the series to a different genre: real-time strategy. This shift might make battles a little more engaging than constantly holding down the trigger, which is often the case in those aforementioned shooters. With the potential for permanent losses and the ability to forge unique paths ahead, Aliens: Dark Descent might be more thoughtful than most other Aliens games and why it is something to look out for.
Alan Wake 2
2023
Remedy Entertainment fired on all cylinders with Control, so anything after that was going to have a lot to live up to. And seeing as though Alan Wake and Control are now part of the same universe, that anticipation has only risen. The narrative possibilities are endless, but its gameplay is also exciting, too, since Remedy is calling this a true survival horror game. It’s a swerve from its usual brand of sci-fi or supernatural thriller, but if any team can pull off this transition, it’s Remedy.
Judas
2023
Judas sure does look like Bioshock, which is absolutely fantastic; there just aren’t many shooters like Bioshock anymore. And it makes sense, too, given how it is Ken Levine’s first game since being creative director on 2013’s Bioshock Infinite. The unique world and swath of otherworldly powers are incredibly appealing, but its unique narrative structure is more enticing since it reportedly reacts and adapts to the player’s choices. It’s mighty ambitious and it will be remarkable if the team can actually pull it off.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
2023
Armored Core was always somewhat of a niche series, but there are a lot more FromSoftware fans now, given the explosive success of the studio’s recent gameography. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is not going to be Elden Ring with mechs, though, as From has stated it has actively tried to not make it a soulslike. But the team has noted that it will focus heavily on boss battles and customization, which are two lauded aspects of From’s recent output, as well as aggressive combat. No gameplay has been shown yet, but these descriptions paint a picture of a game that might make Armored Core fans out of a lot of soulslike players.
The Lords of the Fallen
2023
CI Games is known for being very, very inspired by FromSoftware’s games, and it’s not a given that The Lords of the Fallen will break away from the derivative nature of the team’s titles. However, The Lords of the Fallen still does look incredibly pretty and a bit more inspired this time around with its more striking environments and enemy designs.
Thirsty Suitors
2023
There aren’t any games like Thirsty Suitors. It’s a narrative adventure with turn-based RPG battles against ex-partners, skateboarding, and cooking, all with a South Asian cast. Thirsty Suitors has a lot to juggle, but it seems like it has a high chance of sticking out no matter the quality of its many systems.
With Avatar: The Way of Water currently dominating theaters, James Cameron has begun to reveal the first Avatar 3 plot details.
When asked about what fans can expect from the third Avatar film, Cameron gave the first details about the “Ash People” — a new Na’vi culture that is not necessarily as “good” as those we’ve seen thus far.
“To show cultures different from those I have already shown,” Cameron told French outlet 20 Minutes (thanks to John Francis Gillman for the tip and translation). “The fire will be represented by the ‘Ash People.’ I want to reveal the Na’vi from another angle because, for the moment, I have only shown their good sides. In the early films, there are very negative human examples and very positive Na’vi examples. In Avatar 3, we’ll have the opposite.”
Cameron also spoke of his goals with the franchise and how the story will continue to grow.
“We will also explore new universes while continuing the story of the main characters. I can say that the last parts will be the best. The others were an introduction, a way to set the table before serving the meal. But, obviously, everything will depend on how Avatar 2 will be received, if it will find its audience.”
Avatar 3 is tentatively scheduled for December 20, 2024. Further sequels also have release dates with Avatar 4 set for December 18, 2026, and Avatar 5 on December 22, 2028.
In a report earlier this year, producers Jason Blum and James Wan’s production companies were said to be merging. Now, the duo have opened up about what the future holds.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Blum — who is the founder and CEO of Blumhouse Productions — spoke about what motivated him to try and make a deal with the filmmaker, who runs his own production company, Atomic Monster. According to Blum, not missing out on the next James Wan film was a big factor.
“[Not losing out on the next James Wan film] is always a motivating factor for me. I get very nervous anytime James does a scary movie without me. I get very upset,” Blum said.
While Wan and Blum are set to work together on the upcoming fifth installment in the Insidious franchise, Insidious: Fear the Dark, the pair can now also look to what the future might hold if their companies merge. One specific film that popped up is a sequel to The Invisible Man, which Blum is hoping Wan will be able to help revive talks for.
“Hopefully, should our dreams come true and our two companies get to work together, maybe James will help me solve that problem,” said Blum, to which Wan added “I’d be more than happy to.”
Up next for Wan on the directorial front is 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. As a producer, Wan is involved in a ton of films, including the fifth Insidious film, a remake of Salem’s Lot, and the sequel to 2018’s The Nun, all of which are set to release sometime in 2023.
More than four months since the award-winning murder mystery comedy series concluded its 10-episode second season, Disney has revealed the Only Murders in the Building Season 3 release date window.
In a recently released D23 article that highlights Disney’s upcoming 2023 projects, it was confirmed that Only Murders in the Building Season 3 is one of the many Hulu originals set to premiere next year. This is the first official confirmation of the third season coming in 2023, so fans won’t have to wait too long for more misadventures of the now-iconic trio. The celebrated series is also currently nominated for four Golden Globe Awards including Best Television Series, Best Actress for Selena Gomez, and Best Actor for both Steve Martin and Martin Short.
Only Murders in the Buildingcenters around three strangers who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. The series stars Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, Nathan Lane, Aaron Dominguez, and Amy Ryan. Season 3 will also feature Marvel Cinematic Universe star Paul Rudd as Broadway actor Ben Glenroy.
“In season two, following the shocking death of Arconia Board President Bunny Folger, Charles, Oliver & Mabel race to unmask her killer,” reads the synopsis. “However, three (unfortunate) complications ensue — the trio is publicly implicated in Bunny’s homicide, they are now the subjects of a competing podcast, and they have to deal with a bunch of New York neighbors who all think they committed murder.”
Only Murders in the Building hails from co-writers and co-creators Steve Martin and John Hoffman (Grace & Frankie). Its executive producers are Martin, Hoffman, Short, Gomez, Jamie Babbitt, Dan Fogelman, and Jess Rosenthal.
In a recent appearance on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast (via TheWrap), Courtney Love claimed that Brad Pitt fired her from a role in Fight Club after Love didn’t allow him to play Kurt Cobain in a biopic.
The actress and musician spoke about the moment during her appearance and revealed that she was initially set to play Marla, a role that Helena Bonham Carter would later take over. Love stressed that she wasn’t just considered for the role, but had actually been given the job.
“I get the role, so the lawyers have called the lawyers — this is my role,” Love said. “We’d done all these table reads, I’d gone to work privately with David, and I get this phone call and it’s from Gus Van Sant, and Gus is having lunch with Brad Pitt … he goes, ‘Brad really wants to do a movie about music.'”
Love went on to say that Pitt and Van Sant then began pitching a movie about Kurt Cobain to her. Love — who was married to Cobain prior to his death — said that she regrets not saying yes and then denying them later, but admits she was enraged at the idea of it when it was initially pitched.
“It was like the hellmouth opened, oh my God, ‘We wanna do it about Kurt!’ And 22 years later I still kick myself for not having the shark instinct to be like, ‘Sure,’ and f–k ‘em later. I went nuclear. ‘I don’t do Faust, who the f–k do you think you are?!'”
Love also mentioned that Edward Norton, who she was dating at the time and was co-starring in the film, was upset when he found out, but couldn’t do anything about it. It was around that time that director David Fincher called to let her know that she had been let go from the role.
“Edward gets home, he starts sobbing — his mother had just died, so it was very much allowed — but he was like, ‘I don’t have the power’ … My landline rang and it was David Fincher. I knew it was gonna be him. By the way, God bless Helena Bonham Carter. She’s a genius. I’ve never seen that film … And yeah, he fired me because I wouldn’t let Brad play Kurt.”
Love mentions that Pitt would continue to try and make a film about Cobain through his production company Plan B in the following years. She also brought up director Cameron Crowe, who Love said joked that Pitt had been put on the earth to stalk Love to play the role.
“My friend Cameron Crowe was like — I don’t think he meant it as literally as it’s become — but like, ‘Brad Pitt was put on this earth to stalk you for Kurt,’ which has been going on since ’96.”
While Pitt would never play Cobain in a film, director Gus Van Sant would go on to make a film that was largely considered to be about Cobain in 2005’s Last Days. However, due to legal reasons, the film makes no mention of the legendary artist.
