Possibly the biggest Final Fantasy event of all time just concluded, so let’s go over the insanity.
Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV
Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV is an anime prequel for Final Fantasy XV. The series is set to have 5 episodes and to be released on YouTube for free. The first episode comes out later tonight with the remaining 4 following on the coming months, and a final, exclusive sixth episode available in the Ultimate Edition. Here’s a trailer:
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV is a movie companion to Final Fantasy XV. Whereas the game takes place following Noctis on the road, the movie follows the king, Noctis’s betrothed Lunafreya and Nyx, a member of an elite task force. The movie is fully CG and is of feature film length. There’s not much details on the plot, but the voice cast features the likes of Sean Bean, Leena Headey, and Aaron Paul. Give the trailer a watch here:
Platinum Demo
There’s a new FFXV demo out tonight too! Instead of being a piece of the game cut out to be standalone, it’s a whole new experience following Noctis as a child palling around with the cutest Carbuncle you ever did see. It’s designed to not be intimidating for people new to the FF franchise, but to give you a sense of how the combat and mechanics work. It’s also got a child Noctis using a squeaky hammer. Can’t get much better than that. Lookit this gameplay:
Justice Monsters 5
It wouldn’t be a Final Fantasy game without a minigame people sink hours of their time in to. This time it’s Justice Monsters 5, which looks to be a combination of pachinko, pinball, arkanoid, and an RPG. It’ll also be coming out for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone later this year! It’s a bit hard to explain this game, just let this trailer do the work for me:
Final Fantasy XV
We got 2 new trailers tonight as well as a firm release date — September 30, 2016! That’s only six months from now! And in that time, we get an anime series, a full length movie, a mobile game, and a demo made entirely of new content. Square is really quadrupling down on Final Fantasy XV, making it more like the Marvel Cinematic Universe in scale and it looks like it’s paying off. Check out the latest trailer here:
There’s always going to be places where geeks disagree on the direction of our beloved culture – especially when it comes to reboots, remakes and sequels of old classics. Over the last few years we’ve seen A LOOOOOTTTT of them and everyone has battle lines drawn as to how “acceptable” these newer films are. Latest to be announced was a 5th installment of Indiana Jones, about which myself and the lovely and talented Jenesee Grey (of the Grey Area Podcast, and now here!) had some.. disagreements. She is all about the Indy 5 hype while I have my reservations. You be the judge.
She Said (Jenesee)
Yes, I am excited about the new Indiana Jones, the question is, why aren’t you? I don’t know the plot; I have not followed the latest news on who else is starring in it, and I haven’t a clue about where or when the film will take place…not one clue. All that is essential to know about this movie is – does it contain Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones, Jr. reprising his role that made my favorite childhood movies? If that is the case, I will likely go see it because I love that character; I grew up with that character, and I lived many a mental adventure while enjoying those movies with him.
Why should we be afraid to bring him back to the silver screen? We already have movies like The Expendables, which starred some beloved yet aging actors who ran around blowing things up in a franchise that none of us were familiar with before. Apparently they are so very expendable that they repeated it three times. If the draw of these movies is purely based on the names of actors we have enjoyed and is enough to justify not one, but three released movies with a questionable plot, why should we not support the expansion of a series we have followed through four successful movies already? OK… three, if you don’t count the travesty of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, where the only true Ancient Alien was Ray Winstone and where the main character was ranked number 10 of the 100 Greatest Fictional Characters by Fandomania.com.
I do have hopes that this new film will follow in the footsteps of the Last Crusade, the very best of the trilogy IMO. Yes, I would love to see Harrison Ford pass the torch to his son/daughter so we can continue to join them on future adventures that would prevent the inevitable hip replacements of the future with a new spry anti-hero. Preferably a new undiscovered son/daughter who is miraculously found after the tragic death of the previous descendant played by Shia LaBeouf. As his father, Sean Connery, did before him, Indiana could accept his age and share his wisdom and experience with a new generation, all while still kicking some collective ass.
Call me an optimist, but I do not think an aging actor like Harrison Ford has to suddenly disappear from the face of the planet, nor do I think that beauty obsessed America is incapable of enjoying a solid performance by someone who is over the age of 25. I understand that they can evolve from a sex symbol into the classic sage and still enchant us the same way they have in the past. Sure, I also fondly recall the days when Harrison’s nose was centered squarely on his face and his eyes were bright and his smile flashing. However, as a 73 year old man I can echo Ford’s own famous words back to him: “it’s not the age, it’s the mileage” and you sir, still have a long way to go before you expire.
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He said (Tushar)
Why are we the generation that can’t seem to let go of our childhoods? These past few years looking up movie times makes me feel like I’m a kid in the 90’s again. At what point does it stop being nostalgia and start becoming a shameless cash grab? Why is this the place Hollywood goes when their idea wells run dry? It seems efforts have been turning away from making original content, and instead trying to sell me back my own childhood in 3D for 20 bucks a show.
Now, I’m a fan of a lot of the older franchises and trilogies – Star Wars, Back to the Future, and Indiana Jones were some of my favorite movies from back in the day. And until recently, they were the same ones that were left alone – untouched and classic. Granted Star Wars has more movies to come, but there’s more story, so I’ll give that a pass – there’s scores of lore in the expanded universe that can serve for a decent base for more films. At least they didn’t do remakes. Luckily, Back to the Future will never be remade. Good. Robert Zemeckis put the kibosh on that last year and I’m happy for it. There’s some things I think should stay in their classic form. And this is where I take issue with Indiana Jones.
Me and Indy have history. Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade were two of the greatest movies I’ve ever seen. Temple of Doom really only succeeded in making the other kids in school ask whether or not I eat monkey brains for dinner, so we’ll blow by that one for now. However, I have always loved Harrison Ford in the title role, and all was well until Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It tried a new formula – Indy being the elder statesman of Nazi-battling archaeology adventurism, and introducing his son, the new swashbuckler primed to take over the family business. It just didn’t work for me. It was putting old man Indy in a story that really didn’t hold up to the others, though it proved that people would pay to see because it was Indiana Jones.
And now we learn that an Indy 5 will hit theaters in 2019. Twenty. Nineteen. For those playing the home game that will be the year that marks Harrison Ford turning 77. Granted, he was in The Force Awakens well into his seventies as well, but he wasn’t carrying the lead role, and his place in the film made sense.
Sure, Spielberg has recruited Jurassic Park writer David Koepp to pen the screenplay and Ford will be surrounded by a star studded cast for Indy 5, but what’s this going to prove? The formula already didn’t work with the fourth installation of the franchise, and there’s no point in this 5th one even being scripted out. I love the franchise, and Harrison Ford will always be my “Indiana Solo,” but It’s time to hang up the fedora and whip. All good things must come to an end, and I would prefer that one of my childhood legends goes out with dignity instead of being squeezed for his last drops by Steven Spielberg. The last thing we need is this incredible actor and icon to become the Brett Favre of Hollywood so that producers can make a couple extra bucks in residual checks.
So that’s what we’ve got – What’s your verdict?
Tushar Nene
Staff Writer
@tusharnene
Convention season officially begins with Emerald City Comic Con, the premier comic book and pop culture convention held in beautiful downtown Seattle, Washington from Thursday April 7 to Sunday April 10. Boasting big name comic guests such as DC’s Babs Tarr, and Image’s Dustin Nguyen, and television superstars like Jenna Coleman, Nathan Fillion, and Melissa Benoist, ECCC promises to be a fun-filled weekend!
Although our schedule is soon to be jam packed with interviews and cool events off-site, you will definitely be able to find us taking part in some of the great content Emerald City Comic Con has to offer! Make sure to catch me at each of these events!
Friday
One-on-One Discussion with Ashley Eckstein, Voice of Ahsoka Tano
Apr 08, 2016, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, W611
The Wicked + The Divine: Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie
Apr 08, 2016, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM, T303
Vertigo
Apr 08, 2016, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, T304
Be Your Own Superhero: Intersectional Feminism in Comics
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, W603
Saturday
Stories from the Moon Kingdom
Apr 09, 2016, 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM, W611
Rise of the Valkyries
Apr 09, 2016, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, T304
The Future Is Now: Better Comics Through Diversity
Apr 09, 2016, 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM, T305
Sunday
Dante Basco Spotlight
Apr 10, 2016, 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM, W611
What are you hoping to see from Emerald City? See you in April!
In case it’s somehow slipped your comic reading radar, The Wicked + The Divine is one of the top selling Image comics in the past two years. From the amazing creative collaboration between Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson, and a smattering of guest artists in later issues, WicDiv is a tale spun with a particular kind of godlike charm and magic although it centers around a regular girl named Laura. Laura idolizes members of The Pantheon (gods who become mortal human superstars for a very brief two year span every 90 years). The story is a fantastic examination of fame and celebrity, idolatry and blasphemy, and with such a colorful cast, I couldn’t help but make it the subject of a Fancast, especially since WicDiv has been optioned for a TV show by Universal TV!
Laura Wilson
Laura Wilson is our teenaged South London protagonist. It’s through Laura’s rose colored glasses that we encounter each god, and feel what she feels, namely a fangirl’s yearning to be part of the Pantheon.
Casting Choice: While the English born Gugu is in her early 30s, she has a critically acclaimed background in acting, and, to me, appears youthful enough to play Laura if she ends up being aged up to early to mid-twenties.
Secondary Choice: Alternatively, Laura could be played by upcoming X-Men: Apcalypse star, Alexandra Shipp, even if her filmography isn’t as extensive…yet.
Lucifer
It’s safe to say this Bowie inspired leading lady snatched all of our hearts from the very first second she graced a panel. She kept us guessing and lusting for more, and the creative team certainly made sure she was as irresistible as possible.
Casting Choice: Her most famous franchise aside, my choice for the androgynous, nihilistic, and smug Lucifer is Kristen Stewart. She positively shines in her independent film choices for the most part, and it would be interesting to see her embody the chief fallen angel herself. My biggest issue is whether or not Kristen could sell that signature McKelvie smolder.
Secondary Choice: Perhaps Evan Rachel Wood would be a better choice. She can definitely do predatory as seen in her brief stint on True Blood, and could bring a touch of lightness to the role.
Amaterasu
The ethereal sun goddess Amaterasu is benevolent and kind, and our first introduction to the Pantheon in issue one. I felt that any actress cast should have an immediate like-ability to them, along with the potential to play such an easily wounded beauty.
Casting Choice: This reincarnation of the Shinto deity could absolutely be done justice by Once Upon A Time alum, Emilie de Ravin, assuming time could be made in her busy television schedule.
Secondary Choice: My other pick for donning the immaculate white dress? Holland Roden of Teen Wolf fame.
Baal
Although he comes off a bit cold, anyone shouldering the egotistical mantle of this particular sexually fluid god has to be able to balance a little bit of Kanye and a little bit of heart.
Casting Choice: One of the stars of Fox’s increasingly popular drama Empire, Jussie Smollet has proven he can play a character with heart and a metric ton of musical talent, but it would be such fun to see him tackle such a darker character.
Secondary Choice: The same could be said of rising movie star, Michael B. Jordan, even though he might have other offers on the table following his performance in Creed.
Sakhmet
Insatiable, rebellious, and constantly under the influence, Sakhmet is pure fun.
Casting Choice: Assuming money isn’t an issue, there’s no need to fix what isn’t broken since the wild and insatiable Sakhmet is already based on popular songstress, Rihanna.
Ananke
Matriarch supreme Ananke commands your attention, and as the only immortal not to be reincarnated every cycle, I think she is quite possibly the most interesting character in the series thus far.
Casting Choice: Watching the Dame Judi Dench scold anyone leaves an impression, and she’s one of the few people I’ve watched who can make a whisper seem menacing.
Baphomet
Black leather, abs, fangs, and perfectly tousled hair make up the bad boy, Baphomet, but there’s definitely more than meets the eye. Easily one of the more fun members of the Pantheon, his character provides room for puns, lots of dramatic flair, and a healthy dose of flirtatious dialogue
Casting Choice: As there’s “none more goth” than he, except perhaps The Morrigan, Baphomet requires a brooding actor who could definitely fill the shoes of the rock star celestial being, like Game of Thrones’ Kit Harrington or Teen Wolf‘s Tyler Hoechlin.
The Morrigan
It’s easy to pigeonhole The Morrigan (Badbe, Gentle Annie, Morrigan) as Baphomet’s lover and leave her there, but this three-in-one goddess has layers upon layers.
Casting Choice: Kaya Scodelario, Alexandra Daddario, and Anna Popplewell as a collective, or on their own, possess the vulnerability and ferocity of the Irish goddess(es) needed to accurately bring her to life.The Morrigan’s shapeshifting skills could also provide an easy explanation for the different faces, should the show cast three different ladies as the Queen of the Underground.
Inanna
The moment Inanna was introduced into the comic series, my mind immediately connected the him o the character Felix Dawkins from the Canadian sci-fi television series, Orphan Black. Normally a goddess, his purple aesthetic and sweet nature makes for a touching addition among the more rough members.
Casting Choice: Looks aside, Jordan Gavaris has proven himself proficient at portraying a complex character in a television series, and if someone with casting abilities hears my shouts on the internet, perhaps we can see him play this Prince-ly role.
Mentions of Tara were hard to come by in the first two arcs, but writer Kieron Gillen delivered one hell of a message when we got a whole issue dedicated to her, a message I hope will translate to television. I am loathe to say more about this casting, if only because we have so little of Tara to go on, and I don’t wish to spoil anyone!!
Casting Choice: Since Tara does not speak much outloud and her story revolves around her beauty, I chose gorgeous model/actress Shay Mitchell, probably best known for her work on Pretty Little Liars.
Since I have yet to cast Minerva, Woden, Dionysus, or Urdr/The Norn, tweet me your choices using the hashtag #SCFancastFriday!