AMC Expands Anne Rice Universe with The Vampire Lestat and Talamasca at Comic-Con

Posted on July 26, 2025 by admin

AMC brought fresh updates from its Anne Rice Immortal Universe to San Diego Comic-Con, spotlighting the next chapter of Interview with the Vampire—now titled The Vampire Lestat—alongside its new series Talamasca.

During the Vampire Lestat panel, cast members Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, and Eric Bogosian joined showrunner Rolin Jones and composer Daniel Hart to preview the upcoming season. Along with returning actors Delainey Hayles and Assad Zaman, the series adds Jennifer Ehle (Gabriella), Ella Ballentine (Baby Jenks), Jeanine Serralles, Christopher Heyerdahl (Marius), and Damien Atkins (Magnus) to the ensemble. Bogosian, who plays journalist Daniel Molloy, will also appear in Talamasca, creating the franchise’s first crossover character.

Later, AMC introduced Talamasca, a series focused on a secret society that monitors supernatural activity. Executive producers Mark Johnson, John Lee Hancock, and Mark Lafferty were joined by stars Nicholas Denton, William Fichtner, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, and Celine Buckens. A teaser trailer and a first scene were shown. The show will premiere October 26 at 9PM ET/PT.

Both series are part of AMC’s expanding Immortal Universe, following the critical success of Interview with the Vampire, which has earned multiple award nominations and back-to-back seasons with high acclaim.

See the teaser trailer for Anne Rice’s Talamasca below:

Kelsey Grammer and Benjamin Hollingsworth Join Cast of Karen Kingsbury’s The Christmas Ring

Posted on July 25, 2025 by admin

Kelsey Grammer and Benjamin Hollingsworth have joined Jana Kramer in Karen Kingsbury’s The Christmas Ring, a holiday-themed romantic drama set to premiere exclusively in theaters on November 6.

Grammer, best known for his long-running role as Frasier Crane, will play Howard Miller, while Hollingsworth—of Virgin River fame—stars as his son, Ben. Kramer and Hollingsworth lead the story as romantic co-stars in this adaptation of Kingsbury’s upcoming novel, set for release on October 21.

Principal photography is underway in Nashville, with Tyler Russell directing and Natalie Ruffino Wilson producing for Karen Kingsbury Productions and Fathom Entertainment. The film follows Kingsbury’s previous adaptation, Someone Like You (2024), and marks her return to fiction publishing with Thomas Nelson.

The Christmas Ring will debut nationwide in theaters just in time for the 2025 holiday season.

Wonderstorm Unveils The Dragon King, a New Series Set in The Dragon Prince Universe

Posted on July 24, 2025 by admin

At San Diego Comic-Con, Wonderstorm announced The Dragon King, a new animated series expanding the world of The Dragon Prince. Set seven years after the original Netflix series, the new story follows returning characters as they confront the reemergence of Aaravos and face world-altering challenges in a more mature narrative arc.

The series reunites Avatar: The Last Airbender veterans Jack De Sena (Sokka) and Dante Basco (Zuko), reprising and expanding their roles as Callum and Zym, respectively. Joining them is Critical Role’s Liam O’Brien, voicing a new antagonist who threatens the balance of Xadia.

Designed as a standalone entry, The Dragon King aims to appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences with epic battles and god-tier powers, while reflecting the evolution of its characters and viewers alike.

To support production, Wonderstorm is launching a Kickstarter campaign next month, offering fans behind-the-scenes access and participation in the creative process. The initiative underscores the studio’s commitment to independent storytelling and fan collaboration.

Holiday Odd-Couple Romance Takes the Spotlight in The Baltimorons

Posted on July 23, 2025 by admin

Jay Duplass returns to feature directing with The Baltimorons, a quirky romantic comedy that won the Audience Award at this year’s SXSW. Co-written with lead actor Michael Strassner, the film unfolds over Christmas Eve in Baltimore, where a newly sober man’s dental emergency sparks an unexpected connection with his older dentist.

Strassner stars as Cliff, an improv comedian trying to stay on track, while Liz Larsen plays Didi, a lonely dentist with problems of her own. As the two navigate their emotional baggage and the city’s cold streets, their night evolves into something tender, funny, and oddly cathartic. Olivia Luccardi co-stars as Cliff’s girlfriend.

Critics have likened the film to Before Sunrise with a dash of Harold and Maude. Ehrlich of IndieWire called it “a Christmas classic in the making.”

The Baltimorons opens in New York on September 5, with more cities to follow on September 12 via Independent Film Company.

Rob Liefeld Returns to Youngblood With New Series and Star-Studded Covers

Posted on July 22, 2025 by admin

Rob Liefeld is returning to Youngblood for the first time in over 30 years, writing and illustrating a new series set to launch November 5 from Image Comics. The rebooted Youngblood (2025) #1 will feature a lineup of variant covers from top industry names, including Skottie Young, Daniel Warren Johnson, Ryan Stegman, Ryan Ottley, Kael Ngu, Erik Gist, and Mark Spears.

The new series sees the team facing a crisis in the Pacific as a deadly adversary emerges. Liefeld, one of Image’s founding creators and known for co-creating Deadpool, is back in full creative control—something Image Chief Creative Officer Eric Stephenson says has been missing in past revivals.

The announcement follows strong interest in Liefeld’s deluxe reprints earlier this year and includes a Comic-Con push. At San Diego Comic-Con, fans can attend a “Youngblood 33rd Anniversary” panel and pick up an SDCC-exclusive variant at the Image Comics booth.

Youngblood (2025) #1 will be available in comic shops and digitally via Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Johnny Depp, Ridley Scott, and Mechanical Cake Launch Dark New Venture, HYDE

Posted on July 21, 2025 by admin

In a rare pairing of Hollywood star power and comic book grit, Johnny Depp and Ridley Scott are teaming up with Mechanical Cake’s Jesse Negron to launch HYDE, a new entertainment venture unveiled ahead of this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.

Created by Negron, HYDE reimagines the aftermath of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, exploring a world where Hyde has fully taken over. Set in the sewers beneath London, the story follows Hyde as he conducts twisted experiments to create others like himself. Depp will help shape the character and narrative, while Scott lends his world-building expertise as co-owner of the project.

“This is a no-brainer,” Scott said upon seeing early concept art. Depp called the project “insane and beautiful,” highlighting the creative freedom behind the venture.

The HYDE graphic novel will span two volumes—each over 200 pages—and is set to launch with a preview “ashcan” edition at Comic-Con this week. Attendees can pick up the limited edition at the panel HYDE: When the Worlds of Graphic Novels and Movies Collide, Thursday in Hall H, or pre-order the first chapter, due out this Halloween.

With a team that includes artists Gary Erskine and Chris Weston, and comic veteran Dave Elliott as editor, HYDE is poised to blur the line between graphic storytelling and cinematic ambition.

Trailer Drops for The Map That Leads to You, a Romance Across Europe

Posted on July 20, 2025 by admin

A new trailer has been released for The Map That Leads to You, a romantic drama starring Madelyn Cline and K.J. Apa, set to premiere on Prime Video on August 20, 2025.

Based on the novel by J.P. Monninger, the film follows Heather (Cline), a recent college graduate with her life carefully mapped out, who meets Jack (Apa), a free-spirited traveler retracing his grandfather’s footsteps across Europe. Their spontaneous connection on a train to Barcelona leads to an unexpected journey through Spain, Portugal, and Italy—one filled with romance, secrets, and emotional turns that challenge Heather’s plans and sense of self.

Directed by Lasse Hallström and written by Les Bohem and Vera Herbert, the film also features Sofia Wylie, Madison Thompson, Orlando Norman, Josh Lucas, and Karl-El Santos.

The Map That Leads to You explores how one chance meeting can reroute everything, blending scenic travel with themes of love, uncertainty, and change. The film arrives on Prime Video just in time for late-summer viewing.

Jungle Horror “River of Blood” Sets Release

Posted on July 19, 2025 by admin

River of Blood, a survival horror film set in the depths of a remote jungle, is set for release on August 1, 2025.

Directed by Howard J Ford and written by Tom Boyle, the film stars Louis James, Sarah Alexandra Marks, and Joseph Millson.

The story follows two couples on a luxury holiday who hire a local guide for a kayaking trip. When one of them goes missing, the group ventures deeper into the jungle, only to find themselves on the territory of a cannibalistic tribe with a history of violent rituals. What begins as a getaway quickly turns into a struggle to stay alive.

Filmed in a lush, isolated setting, River of Blood blends traditional horror elements with survival thriller tropes, emphasizing atmosphere, physical tension, and isolation.

Medieval Spawn to Appear in Rogue Sun #30 This October

Posted on July 18, 2025 by admin

Todd McFarlane’s Medieval Spawn character will appear in Rogue Sun #30, set for release on October 8, 2025, from Image Comics. The standalone issue is written by Ryan Parrott and Nick Cotton, with art by Abel, and will focus entirely on the Spawn character.

Parrott described the collaboration as unexpected and personally significant, citing his long-standing admiration for Spawn since the early days of Image Comics. Additional information will be shared during the Massive-Verse panel on Friday at 10 p.m. in room 25ABC, followed by a group signing at booth #1915 at 3 p.m. with Parrott, Cotton, and other Massive-Verse creators.

The publisher also announced an October release of a new Starter Pack for The Massive-Verse Fighting Card Game, along with a restock of the original set. The game includes a playable version of the Catalyst War storyline, with Radiant Black and Premier featured in asymmetrical, simultaneous-turn gameplay.

Rogue Sun #30 will be available in comic shops on Wednesday, October 8.

The Favors Announce Debut Album The Dream and First Tour Dates

Posted on July 17, 2025 by admin

The Favors, the newly formed duo of FINNEAS and Ashe, have announced their debut album The Dream, set for release on September 19, 2025, via Darkroom Records. The announcement follows the release of their single “The Hudson,” a piano-led ballad, and marks the pair’s first official tour as a band.

Tour stops include performances at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles (Sept. 18), Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Sept. 26), Central Park Summerstage in New York City (Oct. 1), and two appearances at Austin City Limits Music Festival (Oct. 3 and 10). Tickets go on sale Friday, July 18 at 10 a.m. local time.

Longtime collaborators, FINNEAS and Ashe rose to prominence with 2019’s “Moral of the Story” and 2021’s “Till Forever Falls Apart.” In June 2025, they officially began recording as The Favors. Their debut album draws influence from 1970s Laurel Canyon folk-pop and artists like Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, and Simon & Garfunkel, blending retro harmonies with modern production.

The Dream was written and recorded between Los Angeles and Nashville, reflecting the artists’ respective home bases. The project emphasizes live vocal recording, analog warmth, and long-form listening—what FINNEAS refers to as “a true ‘long-play’ album.”