Tom Holland And Zendaya are Golden

Cold Open And Headlines

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Tonight, Mr. Gold is dead. Everyone's gotta wait. Spider-Man breaks records, and we remember Ben Jones and Richard L. Connor, all then 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 Bob Hollywood. This is Multiverse Tonight. Now here's your host, Thomas Townley.

25K Downloads And Quick Updates

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Well, hello everyone, and welcome to episode 271 of Multiverse Tonight. I'm of course your host, Thomas Townley. And uh congratulations to us. I can now review I can uh now say we have hit 25,000 podcast downloads. So thanks to uh all those who have been on the show, and thank you for listening. And uh please, you know, share us with friends and family. Yeah, it's always nice to get a good solid plug at the beginning of the show. Uh this is episode 271. And uh it's hot, it's about that temperature outside, it's about 110, 105, somewhere around there. So uh stay cool if you can. That's supposed to get down to the 90s next week and then back down to you know regular 80s and stuff like that. But uh, we don't have a lot of news today, but what news we have uh we'll get on

Booster Gold Series Canceled

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to. So let's get on to the DC Comics News. The HBO series Booster Gold, which had David Jenkins attached to Showrunner, is officially no longer in development. Jenkins, known for our Met Flag means death, confirmed the news on threads, knowing that his vision for this for the uh DC character, Michael John Carter, won't be moving forward. This update follows a similar sentiment recently shared by Maharshla Ali regarding the stalled blade reboot at Marvel. Now, Booster Gold was created by Dan Jurgens, with the comics centered on Michael John Booster Carter, a member of the Justice League born in Gotham City, who attends university on a football scholarship. He expelled from gambling and becomes a superhero in the past. Although he continues to irritate others with his obsession with fame and wealth, his nickname came via Ronald Reagan after he saved the former POTUS.

Paramount And WBD Merger Trial

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A trial has been scheduled for March by the judge overseeing the lawsuit from a 12-state coalition seeking to halt Paramount's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery. The timing is a setback to the studio, which had advocated for a November start date. Beginning October 1st, Paramount faces a daily ticking fee of approximately $7 million payable to Warner shareholders until the transaction is finalized. With the time required for the court to deliver and an antitrust ruling factored in, the studio will likely owe more than $1.5 billion. It's a good time to buy stock. A Paramount spokesperson stated, quote, We respect the court's decision and continue to believe a trial on the merits is the best and what most direct way for us to prove what we said from the start. This transaction is lawful, pro-competitive, and raises no antitrust concerns. The lawsuit against us has no basis in fact, economics, or antitrust law. We will continue to vigorously defend the transaction and remain committed to closing as soon as possible so it benefits for the CRAP community and consumers can be realized. The 12-day trial is set to run from March 2nd to March 19th, with daily sessions scheduled from 8.30 to 1.30. A final pretrial conference is scheduled for February, with both parties are to finish briefing by early April. Now the timeline could bring Paramount close to a June 2027 outside date, after which Warner holds the right to cancel the merger and collect a $7 billion termination fee. Lean Paramount's legal representation is Beth Wilkinson, who recently defended Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition against an FTC lawsuit. She joined Paramount's legal team last month alongside Jeffrey Kessler and Paul Clement. Representing the states are Richard Parker and James Weingarten, partners at Millbank. Weingarten previously served as the FTC's chief trial counsel during its act its challenge to the Microsoft Acquisition Blizzard transaction. Now Paramount's acquisition attempt remains stalled among these legal challenges. Not only is it belonging the coalition of 12 states, the Rivals Guild of America and its own shareholders have also tried suing. During an earnings call Wednesday, Paramount CEO David Ellison confirmed that the deal's financing remains secure. Ellison additionally claimed in a New York Times op-ed that the opposition is politically driven, particularly regarding his protest's prospective ownership of CNN. Yeah, uh let's try to keep CNN out of the hands of this of this Mega Lunatic, please. You know? In fact, let's keep all of it out of the Mag hands of a MAGA lunatic. He doesn't need he doesn't need it. Not necessary. It is anti-competitive on the face of it. I'm sure, you know, the Warner Brothers would be rolling in their grave to be bought by Paramount. As if. Let's go on to the Marvel Comics News.

Emma Frost Casting Rumor

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Marvel Studios is advancing its plans for the mutants, with reports indicating that Samara Weaving has been selected to portray Emma Frost in the upcoming X-Men film. Director Jake Schreier and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige chose Weaving earlier this week following extensive search and auditions that took place shortly after July 4th. While Marvel is now officially commented, Frost, a telepath telepath character transitioned from villain to a central X-Men member since her 1980s comic debut, was previously played by January Jones in 2011's X-Men First Class. The franchise remains highly intensified by fans following Disney's 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox's lucrative Marvel properties. In contrast, Marvel has also canceled the Disney Plus series Wonder Man, despite its prior second season

Wonder Man Series Gets Canceled

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renewal. Star Yah Yah Yah Yah Yah Abdul Mateen II, who plays the superpowered actor Simon Williams, and recently earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, confirmed the cancellation on Instagram. They thanked the fans for their support and expressed gratitude for the show's impact. Debuting on January 27th, the first season garnered 618 million viewing minutes in its initial week, according to Nielsen. The series was developed around a character created in 1964 by Stanley, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby, and followed Williams as an aspiring actor navigating his career alongside veteran performer Trevor Slattery, as they both seeked roles in a superhero movie remade by legendary director Von Kovac. Although the standalone series will not return, its characters remain eligible for future MCU projects.

Spider-Man Shatters Box Office Records

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The box office records continues to fall for Sony and Marvel Studios Spider-Man Brand New Day. The film, helmed by director Dustin Daniel Credin, has officially become the fastest movie in history to cross the half billion dollar mark at the box office, at the domestic box office, that is, achieving this milestone in just one week. It surpassed the previous record of eight days set by Disney and Marvel's Avengers Endgame in 2019. By crossing the $500 million threshold, the Tom Holland and Zendea Vehicle marks the 23rd film in North American box office history to do so. The historic list remains topped by the Force Awakens, which brought in 936.6 million. By comparison, it took the Force Awakens 10 days to cross the half billion dollar mark statewide, while 2021's Spider-Man No Way Home required 12 days to reach that same milestone. Let's take a look at the record so far. Spider-Man Brand New Day has uh set multiple all-time box office records, including these domestic records, biggest opening weekend ever, 360 million domestic debut, uh fastest to 500 million domestically, achieved in five days, seven days, highest grossing Monday and Tuesday, 46 million Monday and 42 million Tuesday, both new all-time highs. The third biggest second weekend, with 145 million in the second weekend, trailing only the Force Awakens and Endgame. First to hit $1 billion domestically before adjustment. Non-pace to surpass the Force Awakens. And global records, second largest global opening with $932 million worldwide behind Endgame's $1.22 billion. Fastest to $1 billion worldwide, six days faster than Endgame's five-day mark. Highest grossing film of 2026, topping Toy Story after just seven days. Record-breaking country performances, the highest grossing Hollywood release in India, the UK, Mexico, and France. Domestically, it's made $655 million after 10 days. Worldwide, it's made $1.67 billion after two weekends. At current pace, it will reach $2 billion before the end of its theatrical run. Other notable achievements, a 36% of opening weekend audience was 18 to 24 years old, a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score, and an A Cinema score. AMC Theater's biggest ever global weekend in box office and concessions. In short, Spider Man brand new day has not only broken Endgame's domestic and global opening records, but also set multiple new benchmarks for second weekends, daily grosses, and international performance, making it one of the most dominant box office hits of all time.

Weekend Box Office Rundown

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Take a look at how it did this past weekend, according to box office mojo. Brand new day topped the uh topped the list again with 145 million uh billion 145 billion dollars. No, that's million. 145 million dollars, down 60%. Um so far its total growth is $655 million, uh, followed by the Odyssey with uh 31.5 million, down 38%. Uh the movie One Night Only came in third, and the and Super Troopers 3 debuted at number 4. So uh good on you, Spider-Man. Tom Holland is is you know came himself to be one of the biggest biggest uh hits of all time, you know, actors of all time at the current as his current rate. Let's go on to the geek news.

Tomb Raider Live-Action Casting News

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According to sources, speaking with deadline.com, Jason Isaacs, recently seen in The White Lotus, has joined the cast of Amazon MGM's upcoming live-action adaptation of Tomb Raider. While Amazon representatives declined to comment with and Isaac's specific character remains undisclosed, he joins a high-profile ensemble. Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner had previously announced was previously announced as the iconic role of Laura Croft, with Sigourney Weaver also in talks to join the production. As expected for the adaptation of a hit video game franchise, specific plot details are currently being kept under wraps. This project has been in development since 2022. It was formally Greenlit in 2024, and the series secured Turner for the headline for the headline role six months later. The show is officially scheduled to begin production on January 19th. The late Sam Neal is set to appear in Nintendo and Sony's upcoming live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda,

Zelda Film Update And Final Role

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according to sources. This update follows earlier news today that Australian actor Ulei Latkufu has been cast at the film's villain, Ganendorf. Now, Neil passed away on July 13th at the age of 78, and with production on the feature film having wrapped in April, this project will stand as one of his final on-screen performances, if not his absolute last. While his specific role has not yet been disclosed, representatives for Sony and Neil's former uh uh Sony and Neil have uh not been reached out for comment.

Remembering Producer Richard L. O’Connor

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And finally, tonight, in the in Palm Desert, California, Emmy-winning Telgin producer and studio production executive Richard L. Connor passed away on July 22nd at 96 years old. He oversaw production for noble films such as Raise the Titanic, The Muppet Movie, and On Golden Pond. Although his family announced his passing, they did not share the cause of death. O'Connor lived for many years on the Mendocina coast. He received an Emmy Award for Outsiding Children's Program as a producer for the 1989 NBC TV movie Mother's Courage, the Mary Thomas Story, which starred Alfred Woodard. O'Connor was born alongside his twin brother Don in San Francisco on January 7, 1930. The twins served together in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War in 1950 to 1951. Following college, Richard reclocated to Hollywood to build a career in show business, starting out in the mail room at CBS Television City before moving up to become a producer and studio executive. O'Connor's executive's career spanned four decades and included production credits on films and television projects like Movie Movie, The Muppet Movie, Friendly Fire, Raise the Titanic, and on Golden Pond. His professional credits as producer featured various TV movies, series, and limited series, including Fatal Vision, A Death in California, America, Dr. Quinn Messon Woman, and Angels in the End Zone. He's survived by his wife Brona, his daughters Karen, Trigilia and Kathleen, his stepchildren Matt, Mark, and Kate, as well as four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. Again, uh Mr. Uh again, uh Richard L. O'Connor passed away at the age of 96 years old.

Farewell To Ben Jones Of Dukes

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Ben Jones, known to millions as the affable if mischievous, mechanic Cooter on the Dukes of Hazard, died today at the age of 84. His wife Alma Vitter said that Jones had died of a massive heart attack while resting in his favorite chair, waiting for the Braves to come on and whoop the Yankees. Jones played Crazy Cooter Davenport on all seven seasons of the original show from 1979 to 1985, as well as in the Made-for-TV reunion movie 1997 and the 2001-off Hazard in Hollywood. While many may remember Cooter as a gregarious good old boy, the character had a wild rebellious side in the first season, often called an honorary Duke. He owned a local garage, which just happened to be across the street from the sheriff's station, allowing him to keep an eye on the comings and goings of the for the Duke cousins. Jones' second act was an auspicious one. After serving as president of SAG's Georgia branch and as chairman of the Georgia Film Commission, Jones won the race for Georgia's fourth congressional district in 1988 and was reelected in 1990. While Capitol Hill, Jones was Democratic whip, a member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, and a member of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation. In 1994, he ran against Newt Gingrich in another district and lost. Luke Duke himself, Tom Wolpat, wrote on Instagram, quote, The Dukes of Hather lost another integral part of their cast today. Ben Jones was a fine friend and a fierce advocate of all the best things we can offer in the entertainment business. He will be sorely missed, unquote. Again, Ben Jones, dead at the age of 84.

Where To Follow And Support

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And that brings us to the end of our show for today. Now uh be sure to hit us up on social media. We're at uh blue sky and Twitter at multiverse tomorrow, Facebook, and Instagram at Multiverse Tonight. If you enjoyed the show and want to support our work, please visit Multiverse Tonight to access our Patreon and Kofi pages, explore our show notes, and browse the T Mode T Public merchandise shop. We also welcome your ratings and reviews. For those tuning in for the first time, we extend the warm welcome and sincere thank you for joining us. Be sure to subscribe and pass the show along to friends, family, mortal enemies. Anyone will do. Special thanks to Hot Dope for the intro music and Lobo Loco for the outro 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 Genre Productions Copyright 2026. All rights reserved