Nostalgia Doesn't Come Cheap

Cold Open Headlines

SPEAKER_01 0:03

Tonight, Starfleet Academy hits the comic books, Finding Maxima, The Return of the Last Starfighter, plus we remembers Ed Croft. All then more in this edition of Multiverse Tonight. Welcome to Multiverse Tonight, your source for Geek New. We dissect films, games, comics, and much more, bringing you entitled commentary on Op Hology. This is Multiverse Tonight. Now here's your host, Thomas Townley. Well, hello and welcome to episode 263 of Multiverse Tonight. I'm of course your host, Thomas Townley. And well, it's a nice spring day today. Still didn't get still didn't get enough rain. We're still in a dry period right now, which is not good. Especially if you have dust allergies. You know. Last week I was coming, I was coming home and there was just, you know, air dust or smoke in the air, so it's like, yeah, I can't drive with the windows down right there. I'm gonna have to wait until I hit a patch of good air. Um, not much going on. They did announce the first guest for the Kansas Comic-Con uh at the end of the year. That'll be Ron Perlman. He's always a good guest, he's he's a good guest. I've seen him several times. Never gotten his autograph, though. Maybe this year I'll get his autograph. But uh not too much going on around here. Uh you know, it's spring. Trying to get tomatoes started growing, trying to, you know, get the lawn taken care of. I've uh gotten into 3D printing. So, you know, that's kind of my new hobby for right now. I even made uh this is the the uh this is the shell for the EMH uh mobile emitter. Basically you print it, you put a circuit board inside it, and then you glue it together, and there you have your own uh mobile EMH emitter. I'll probably put uh a magnet on the back so you can attach it to your arm. Otherwise, what uses it? Anyway, let's go on to the Star Trek news. And Star Trek News begins with uh Paramount Pictures, or Paramount Plus, which will not be moving forward on the third season of Star Trek Starfleet Academy. But however, the tie-ins, the tie-in chi is strong. The IDW is set to debut Star Trek Starfleet Academy, Lost Contact, on Wednesday. It's a five-issue comic mini-series that introduces a fresh journey for the Academy's cadets. The series is penned by legacy screenwriter Lane Morgan and features illustrations by Corale Escuna, known for her work on DC's poison ivy. Further details uh include the plot summit. This is plot summary. The story follows Caleb, Genesis, Jay Din, Kyle, and Tarima, cadets at the prestigious Starville Academy where the Federation's future leaders are forged. Though they aspire to command their own vessels, explore and short territories, and study alien cultures, their current task is much more routine. A survey simulation of a barren low oxygen world. The mission takes a perilous turn when a massive storm severs their communication with the Athena, their instructor ship, and an unexpected alien presence emerges. To survive, the students must collaborate and apply their acad things to say their academic training in first context protocols to navigate this impossible situation. Now as I said, this comes out on uh actually, this came out this past April, excuse me. Issue number one and subsequent installments can be pre-ordered through local comic retailers or purchased digitally by Amazon and Comixology.

DC Reprints Maxima Casting Batman Rumors

SPEAKER_00 4:18

I don't know why I just say Amazon and Comixology because Amazon and Comicsology are basically the same thing. Anyway, let's go on to the DC Comics News.

TV Film News From CBS To Disney

SPEAKER_01 4:54

Interest in the landmark crossover event remains incredibly high. So DC is preparing a second printing of the issue, which is scheduled to hit comic book stores on May 27th. The upcoming second printing will showcase a fresh primary cover illustrated by Dan Mora. Additionally, fans can look to open to order variant covers from claimed artists including Yasmin Pugci, George Jimenez, and a foil edition by Gabriel Del Otto. Launched originally on March 25th, this one shot commemorates 50 years since the historic Superman versus the amazing Spider-Man encounter and provides a fresh anthology of tales from industry leaders anchored by the main story Truth, Justice, Anger Responsibility. Written by Mark Wade, with illustrations by George Menez. The narrative follows Clark Kent and Peter Parker as they confront a massive conspiracy involving Dr. Octopus and Brainiac that threatens the entire universe. The issue is further enriched by an impressive collection of secondary stories featuring contribute contributions from Jeff Lemery, Rafa Sandoval, Greg Ruca, Nicola Scott, Chris Christopher Priest, Daniel Zampre, Gail Simone, Bellin Ortega, Sean Murphy, Matt Friction, Steve Leibert, Tom King, and Jim Lee. The List Extensive Roster of Talent establishes Superman Spider-Man No. 1 as one of the most significant collaborative events of the year. DC Studios has cast Adria Arjona as Maxima for the upcoming 2027 Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. Arjona, widely recognized for her role as Bix Kellen in Andor, emerged as a choice from a shortlist of four actors compiled by DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn. According to Variety, she competed for the part against Eva D. Demichi, Sidney Chandler, and Grace Van Patton. The character Maxima first appeared in 1989 within the pages of Action Comics No. 645 as an exceptionally powerful alien warrior queen hailing from the planet Almarack. She travels to Earth in search of Superman. In her culture, the ruling lineage seeks out the most formidable mates, often from different species, that strengthen their bloodlines. Maxima determines that Superman is a suitable match. Over time, she evolved into a heroic figure and joins the Justice League. Previous live action portrayals of the character include Charlotte Sullivan and Smallville and Eve Torres, Gracie and Supergirl. Regarding comic book releases, uh retailers can God. Charles Dance, the actor renowned for his portrayal of Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones, is reportedly in negotiations to join the cast of DC DC Studios The Batman Part 2. According to sources at Deadline.com, Dance is eyeing a role as a newly new family patriarch within the franchise. Should the deal be finalized, he will star alongside Robert Pattinson, who returns as the titular hero in the sequel written and directed by Matt Reeves. While DC Studios has declined to comment on the casting, it is widely believed that Dance will portray Charles Dent, the character of being the father of Harvey Dent, the district attorney, a role set to be played by Sebastian Stann. Additionally, Scarlett Johansson has joined the production as Dent's wife. The upcoming project is scheduled to begin production this spring with a theatrical release set for October 1st, 2027. Producing the film are DC co-heads James Gunn and Pierre Safran, along with Dylan Clark. Dance's recent credits include a role as Dr. Frankenstein's father in Guillaume Dertreau's Oscar-nominate Frankenstein and an appearance in the Peacock series Day of the Jackal. Let's go to the Geek News. CBS does finalize its comedy pilot selections for the year, greenlining the single camera comedy eternally yours for the 2026-2027 broadcast season while passing on the Tilbrooks, formerly known as Regency. With the series order for Eternally Yours, CBS has concluded its scripted series decisions for the upcoming slate. This announcement arrives just ahead of the network's 2026-2027 fall schedule reveal. While most primetime programming was renewed several weeks ago, the network recently canceled the new comedy DMV and the sophomore drama Watson. Additionally, the veteran of sitcom The Neighborhood is entering its final season. Eternally Yours is created by executive producers and writers Joe Port and Joe Wiseman to do a responsible for the American adaptation of Ghost on CBS. Given their shared creative team and supernatural comedic themes, there is a speculation that CBS may pair the two series on the false schedule. Ghost is currently in its fifth season and has renewed for a sixth season. So um Vampires. It was called What We Do in the Shadows.

unknown 10:13

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 10:15

So I wonder what they're gonna bring to the table with this one. The rare comic book adaptation of the 1980 film Gordon Flash Gordon film is returning to print in a brand new collection. In collaboration with King Features, Mad Cave Studios is proud to present Flash Gordon, the movie, the grand graphic novel retelling. This release compiles the original three-part series that debuted alongside the legendary film. Now, this edition features the work of two industry icons written by Bruce Elliott Jones, a prolific writer and screenwriter with a distinguished career across novels, illustration, and comics, illustrated by Al Williamson, the award-winning artist whose 1960s run on Flash Gordon set the standard for adventure comics. With colors restored by Rich Weitch, the collection preserves the cinemat grandeur and expert craftsmanship that influenced science fiction for decades. Stating, this book is such a lovely artifact. Al Williamson drew Flash like no other, and thrilled to see his and Bruce Jones take on the iconic film. I'm proud to introduce Fresh Eyes to another Flash Gordon Classic. The Flash Gordon movie Graphic Novel Retelling arrives in paperback for$70.99 and officially goes on sale on June 16th, 2026, with a order cutoff of May 25th. Pre-orders are now available through Mad Cave Directly, comic shops, and major bookstores. Amazon MGM Studios has officially announced a live-action adaptation of the 99th to Animade Classic, Ferngully, The Last Rainforest. Marielle Heller is led to both write and direct the upcoming film. The production team includes Stacey Scher for Shiny Penny, alongside Susan Ersty Scheinberg, John Scheinberg, and Matt Feige, representing the Scheinberg Feige organization. Heller and Leah Holzer also produced via Defiant by Nature, with Moonly Signia serving as exec producer. The original animated feature is well remembered for its environmental themes, and a voice cast included Christian Slater, Samantha Mathis, Tim Curry, and Robin Williams. Williams' role in the film was notable for coinciding with this iconic performance as the genie in Disney's Aladdin. Set in Australian Rainforest, the story follows a group of fairies who team up with a shrunken logger to defend their home from a logging operation and the malevolent pollution entity Hexus. Music plays a significant role in the film, which features a song by Jimmy Buffett and performances from artists like Sheena Easton, Elton John, Rafi, and Johnny Clegg. William's baddie rap remains a standout musical moment from the original soundtrack. So uh live action fern collie. Are we are we sure this is what we want? Are we sure this is what anyone wants? Well, I guess someone will want it.

unknown 13:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 13:25

So I guess that's what matters. Uh Walt Disney Studios presented a major lineup at Cinemacon 2026, featuring the first trailer for Avengers Doomsday, which featured the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and Chris Evans as Steve Rogers. The studio also introduced Infinity Vision, a new theater of certification for premium large format screens. Other highlights from the presentation included the Mandalorian and Grogu. Director John Favreau shared the first 49 minutes of alternate aspect research footage and the filmed opening sequence. Toy Story 5, which had new clips featuring the toys facing a tech versus toys battle against a device called Lillipad, alongside the return of Woody and Bo Peep. Moana, live action, uh, with Dwayne Johnson introducing footage and new actress Katharina Laga Lagae describing Moana as a warrior, and mid and comedy features. Details were and clips were shared for a variety of upcoming projects, including Hexed, which is Walt Disney Animation Studios' upcoming comedy adventure, which took center stage at the presentation and features Haley Stanfield as the voice of the main character Billy and Rashida Jones as her mother, Alice. A showcase clip followed Billy as she is flung into a cavern and discovers a talking ancient book, along with a speaking pen and ink. After signing the book, Billy is welcomed into Hex, a world of magic and wonder revealed through a transforming wall. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on November 25th, 2026. Also showcased was Ice Age Boiling Point. The film marks the series return after a decade. Returning cast members include Ray Romano, Dennis D'Leary, and Queen Latifa, and the story introduces baby Scrat, and the footage revealed Scrat and the infant fighting over an acorn that eventually triggers a volcanic event, forcing them into a dinosaur-filled cavern. The film is scheduled for release on February 5th, 2027. Wasn't the last Ice Age film the last Ice Age film? As in, you know, even Scrat got a happy ending at the end of it, finally got his acorn. So now we're just gonna rip that away from Scrat.

SPEAKER_00 15:40

Yeah.

Top Gun Returns Plus Last Starfighter

Million-Dollar Boba Fett Prototype

StudioCanal Reboots And Hollywood Dealmaking

Remembering Sid Croft At 96

Follow Support Subscribe And Farewell

SPEAKER_01 15:41

That's kind of sad. Paramount Pictures has officially green-lit a sequel to the 2022 blockbuster Top Gun Maverick. During a presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, the studio announced a screenplay is currently in progress. Tom Cruise anticipated to return as Pete Mitchell, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, also confirmed for the project. The original film stands as the most successful of Cruz's career, earning$1.49 billion at the Global Box Office. Under the direction of Joseph Kozinski, Top Gun Maverick received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and secured a win for Best Sound. So more Tom Cruise and a Fighter Jet. I wonder if they're doing these like the Mission Impossible films, where they come up with like the stunts and then write around it. So are they just coming up with, you know, you know, with the uh visuals first, and then they're gonna write you know a story about how, you know, Top Gun about Maverick losing his mojo again or something. Sullivan, what top top gun maverick? I don't know. Uh more than 40 years later, Mad Cave Studios brings the last starfighter back with a long-awaited continuation of the classic film. The 1984 sci-fi adventure film, directed by Nick Castle and written by Jonathan Butell, expanded the boundaries of visual effects and became a defining touchstone for a generation raised on arcades and imagination. Jonathan Butel shared his excitement by returning to the world of the last Starfighters, saying, quote, chronicling and expanding the heart over hardware adventure of a trailer park hayseed as he saves the whales, the universe, and those he loves with Mad Cave's talented team has been a blast, unquote. In collaboration with Butel and producer Paul Davidson, writers Benjamin Rabe and Derek A. Hughes joined forces with artist Will Roberts and colorist Francesca Segala and Ashkan award-winning letterer Rob Jones with covers for issue number one by Torin Clark, David LaFante LaFuente, and Stephanie Hans for a thrilling and heartfelt journey through a newly expanded universe. The synopsis is uh as follows Small Town teenager Alex Rogan has already saved multiple worlds, but that was only the beginning of his story, 40 years after the called classic movie that pioneered CGI and inspired generations of fans. An all-new story picks up from the end credits and takes off for the stars. Now the leader and sole member of the Star League, Alex must rebuild the galaxy's only defense force against Xur and the Kodan Armada, introducing a new cast of Starfighters alongside fan favorite faces and new killers and cutthroats in the shadowy employee of the Kodan. The last Starfighter No. The Last Starfighter No. hits comic shops on July 1st, 2026, launching an all-new chapter that expands the universe and introduces a new class of Starfighters and resets the stakes for the galaxy ahead. Always liked the last Starfighter. That uh that was a fun movie. Yeah. Especially when I was a kid. That was you know, that was a that was a good movie. Yeah, true to special effects. Really not aged well. You know, it is what it is. But it's still a fun fun movie to go watch. Go watch it. Star Wars, a Star Wars relic has sold for$1.34 million, cementing vintage toys as a blue chip asset. A 1979 Kenner rocket-firing Boba Fett prototype has shattered records in the alternate asset market, selling for 1,342,000 at a recent golden auction. The sale adds a new name to the list of irreplaceable cultural tokens that includes the 1933 Double Eagle coin and the Gutenberg Bible. Ken Golden, the auction house founder, proclaimed the unpainted plastic figure to be, quote, the holy grail of not only Star Wars collectibles, but of all action toy collectibles as well, unquote. Now the astronomical price reflects the figure's extreme scarcity and unique historical context. Originally planned for Kenner as a mailway promotion for the Empire Strikes Back, the rocket firing feature was removed in 1979 over safety concerns regarding a choking hazard posed by a competitor's similar project. Consequently, most pre-production units were destroyed before reaching stores, leaving only about 100 prototypes or first shots thought to exist in various states of completion. The specimen sold at Golden is a highly sought-after second generation prototype known as the J slot, referring to the J-shaped firing mechanism channel on the figure's back. The version is preferred over the earlier L-slot prototype because fewer were made, and the mechanism was more mechanically complicated and thus more likely to break down over time, making a working high-quality example exceptionally rare. Now the seven-figure deal was made possible in part by the maturation of the vintage toy market, which now utilizes standardized third-party authentication and condition scoring by the Action Figure Authority. For high net worth investors, this grading system functions like a Sotheby's province report leading credibility to the asset class. The golden result gives a clear answer to the market question posed since 2022. The surge in prices for high-end collectibles was not a bubble but a price discovery moment. Find a true balance for artifacts that can never be replicated. The prototype segment has demonstrated that it has performed better than traditional equity indices over the past decade. Studio Canal is focusing its development efforts on several high-profile properties, including Paddington and Escape from New York. During the opening event of CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Studio Canal, CEO and Canal Plus Chief Content Officer Anna Marsh, alongside Global Marketing and Distribution Executive VP Hugh Spearing, presented the company's upcoming slate. Pangton 4 Marsh confirmed that a fourth installment in the franchise is in development. While a team of comedy writers has been tasked with the script, their identities remain undisclosed. This follows the 2024 release of Pangton 4. Peru, the third film in the franchise that began with Paul King's 2014 adaptation of Michael Pond's literary character. Escape from New York in partnership with the picture company, Studio Canal is working on reimagining John Carpenter's 1981 cult classic. The original film starred Kurt Russell's Snake Blitzkin. Snake Blitzkin. I thought you were dead. A prisoner attempting to rescue the president in exchange for a pardon. Also, The Howling, a new take on Joe Dante's 1981 horror film, is also being developed. The original starred Dee Wallace as a news anchor who encounters werewolves at a resort. Other projects are production for Sean Burns' thriller The Mannequin, starring Melissa Leo, is set for the summer. Additionally, the company is collaborating with Blueprint Pictures on a film version of Matt Haig's The Midnight Library. The presentation also provided a first look at Eli Roth's Ice Cream Man, which arrives in theaters on August 7th, and also showcased footage including the Rupert Murdoch-centric link ink from Danny Boyle, the Ian Charleston biopic Elsinore, featuring Andrew Scott and Olivia Coleman, and everyone wants to bleep me, starring Turn Egerton. The film duo of Zach Levinsky and Anne B. Stein has experienced a transformative year in Hollywood. Just 12 months ago, the pair who originally met as contestants on Steven Spielberg's On the Lot 17 years ago were transitioning from their indie horror roots to prepare the release of the new Lion Cinema feature Final Destination Bloodlines. The project, provided to be a major turning point, released in May of 2025, the film earned$317 million globally against a$50 million budget, marking it as the franchise's most successful and best-reviewed entry. This success has made them some of the industry's most sought-after creators, leading Sony Pictures Securidum in an extensive first-look deal across all studio labels. Under their new production banner, Wonder Lab, Lopinsky and Sign will develop commercial character-driven genre projects. Their upcoming slates include several high-profile assignments, including Metal Gear Solid, the first live-action adaptation of Hideo Kajima's, an iconic video game for Columbia Pictures, produced by Avi and Arya A. Red, a Venom Animate feature, a new entry for Sony's Pictures Animation, The Earthling, directing and producing alongside Eric Heiser and Scott Glasgow. Beyond Sony, the duo remains active with a sequel to the breakout indie hit Freaks, Gremlin post-production, and have contributed to a new Gremlins film for Warner Brothers, long lost for Anblin and Universal, and The Traveler at Paramount. And finally tonight, Sid Croft, the visionary puppeteer, who alongside his brother Marty established an entertainment landmark with psychedelic television hits like H.R. Puffin Stuff, Land of the Lost, and The Banana Split Adventure Hour has passed away at the age of 96. The creative engine of their partnership, Sid was eight years senior to Marty, who died in his sleep on he died in his sleep on Friday at the Los Angeles residence of Kelly Killane, his business partner and friend. Marty Croft preceded him to death in November of 2023 at 86 years old. Reflecting on their professional bond in a 2000 interview, Sid noted, quote, I get a dream and Marty gets it done, unquote. Already established as theatrical puppeteers, the brothers gained widespread fame in 1968 after designing the costumes for NBC's The Banana Splits Adventure Hour. Their rock band of fur characters, Snorky, Bingo, Drooper, and Fleagle, became an immense Saturday morning sensation. Following this success, they created H.R. Puffin's stuff in 1969, centering on a boy named Jimmy stranded on Magical Island. The titular dragon was a reimagining of Luther, the character they originally built for the 1968 Hemisphere. Although the show originally ran for only 17 episodes due to a licensing fee dispute with NBC, it remains a cult classic today. The show's trippy aesthetic sparks persistent, though denied rumors of drug influence. Marty Croft later told the Hollywood reporter, quote, You can't do a show stone, unquote, knowing that even the Beatles had requested tapes of the series. Their croft look, defined by vivid colors and distinct edge compared to Disney, continued through hits like The Bugaloos, Lidsville, Sigmund, and the Sea Monster, and Land of the Lost. A diverse entertainment legacy beyond television series across were formidable independents who successfully sued McDonald's in 1977 for copying their style to create McDonald Land. They also ventured into theme parks, opening the world's first vertical theme park in Atlanta, Georgia in 1976, although it closed after six months due to high costs. Their portfolio includes variety specials for stars like The Brady Bunch, Donnie Marie, and Barbara Mandrill. Their puppetry also supported legendary performers like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. Even in Larry years, they remained active producing mutton stuff for Nickelodeon in 2015. Born in Montreal on July 30th, 1929, Sid began working in New York clubs by age 15. While the brothers often claimed to descend from generations of puppeteers, that Larry admitted their father was actually a Greek clock salesman. Sid worked for the Ringling Brothers circus before he and Marty launched Le Popes de Paris in 1958. This adult-only puppet show became a global phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers and famous guests like Richard Nixon and Shirley McLean. And Sid is survived by his nieces, Kendra, Christina, and Deanna. Up until his passing, he hosted the Instagram live program Sundays with Sid with Kelly Callane and was finalizing two books about his life as a performer and a private individual. Killane remembered him as an extraordinary man who taught her about the art of Hollywood and the magic of the stage, adding, quote, I will miss his big blue eyes, his cheerful smile with his dimples and the warmth that seemed to follow him everywhere he went, unquote. Sid Croft, H.R. Puffinsuff co-creator, dead at the age of 96. And finally, that brings us to the end of our show for today. Now, please be sure to check us out on social media. We're on Blue Sky at Multiverse Tom, Thread, Facebook, and Instagram at Multiverse Tonight. If you've gotten some value out of the show and would like to pay it back, please head on over to multiverse tonight.com where you can find our Patreon, our Ko Fee links. Uh, check out show notes, fill our TeePublic store. You can leave some feedback and so much more. If this is your first time listening, thank you and welcome. Go ahead and hit that subscribe button and share it with others. Special thanks to Shane Ivers 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 that big genre production, copyright 2026.