Teamwork makes the dream work, and Charlie Cox certainly agrees. Following the title’s record-breaking nomination count for this year’s The Game Awards, the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 star expressed his gratitude to his character’s motion capture artist, saying that all credit should be given to him instead.

Speaking at an event in Mexico, Cox acknowledged that while he was “thrilled” to receive a nod for his role as Gustave, it wouldn’t have been possible without Maxence Cazorla’s performance.

“Yes, I’m thrilled for this nomination,” he shared. “I’ve said this before, and I think it’s important to say: there’s an amazing French actor, by the name of Maxence Cazorla, who did almost all of the motion capture for that role in that game.

“So any nomination or credit I get, I really have to give to him — I believe that the performance of that character is really down to him, and my voice was just part of that process.”

The Daredevil actor is in the running for Best Performance at the annual awards show alongside co-stars Ben Starr (Clive in Final Fantasy XVI) and Jennifer English (Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3), who voice Verso and Maelle, respectively, in the RPG darling. The trio faces competition from Erika Ishii (Ghost of Yōtei), Konatsu Kato (Silent Hill f), and Troy Baker (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle) in the same category.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is also nominated for 11 other nods: Best Direction, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Audio, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Independent Game and Best RPG, as well as the highly coveted Game of the Year.

Cox’s declaration hardly comes as a surprise to fans — the actor previously admitted to feeling “like a total fraud” after his performance earned overwhelming praise from players and critics alike, adding that he recorded most of his lines in about four hours as part of a voiceover gig set up by his agent.

“Apparently, the game is awesome — I’m not a gamer, I have no idea. I haven’t played it,” he said then. “People keep saying how amazing it is and congratulations, and I feel like a total fraud,” Cox continued. “But I’m so thrilled for the company, I’m so thrilled it did really well.” 

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ Star Charlie Cox Says Mo-cap Actor Deserves All The Credit appeared first on Geek Culture.

The 50-year journey of the Super Sentai action series — the inspiration behind the popular Power Rangers — may have come to a historic end, but the tokusatsu (a Japanese term for live-action and television dramas that make heavy use of practical special effects) spirit continues in the form of Project R.E.D., which will take over the show’s previous timeslot of Sunday, 9.30am, on TV Asahi, starting 2026.

Kicking off the project is Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity, serving as a homage to the beloved 1982 franchise, Space Sheriff Gavan, the first in the Metal Hero series. While the new red-chromed battle suit in the teaser poster takes its aesthetic cues from its progenitor, the show is set to follow an entirely new story.

Further details about the production, including cast, staff, and an exact release window, were not announced. As for the multimedia project itself, the R.E.D. stands for “Record of the Extraordinary Dimensions”, and will feature red-themed heroes in various stories, with the possibility of crossover appearances in each other’s shows.

Starring actor/stuntman Kenji Ohba, who had roles in other genre titles like Battle Fever J and Denshi Sentai Denjiman, Space Sheriff Gavan centred on the titular agent of the Galaxy Federal Police, as he defended Earth from invasion by the sinister intergalactic mobster Don Horror. A revival attempt was made in 2012 with an anniversary film that spawned a handful of spin-offs in the mid-2010s, but Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity will mark the first official TV entry in the franchise in nearly 20 years.

Previously, news outlets Kyodo and The Sankei Shimbun reported that the reason behind Super Sentai‘s termination was attributed to a financial loss, as the income earned from events, merchandise, and film adaptations proved insufficient to cover production costs. No. 1 Sentai Gozyuger was the 49th and latest instalment in the franchise created by manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori, who developed the first two Super Sentai series with Toei.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Super Sentai’ Morphs Into ‘Project R.E.D.’ With ‘Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity’ Tokusatsu Series appeared first on Geek Culture.

The mystery has been lifted! Since her debut in Wicked: For Good (not a spoiler — the character’s arrival was hinted at in the trailer), fans have been speculating about the identity of the actress who plays Dorothy, and the reveal is now out in the open.

Taking to Instagram, British star Bethany Weaver shared some behind-the-scenes photos from the movie set, including a group shot with the Wizard of Oz crew (The Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion), and Oscar, the dog who brought Toto to life on the big screen, while acknowledging her role as the girl from Kansas.

“What an honour it has been to walk on the yellow brick road with my fellow Witch Hunters,” reads the caption. “A huge thank you to the best film maker of all time Jon M Chu for choosing me to be your Dorothy in this wonderfully wicked universe called Oz.

“This has been a life changing experience, it’s changed me in so many ways and most importantly, for good. It’s been an honor to carry the legacy of the brilliant women before me who have stepped into these shoes, and embarked on the yellow brick road. I hope I have made them proud.”

As with the original Broadway musical, Wicked: For Good conceals Dorothy’s face from viewers, instead showing only her back as she walks down the Yellow Brick Road and stands before the Wizard. According to The Sun, the secrecy surrounding Weaver’s role was so significant that she was stopped from attending major premieres, while other cast and crew were banned from following or interacting with her on social media.

In any case, the highly anticipated sequel has proven to be a box-office hit. It collected an opening haul of US$226 million globally, setting a new record for a Broadway adaptation. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, alongside Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton) as Fiyero Tigelaar, Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman, Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp, Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park franchise) as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Wicked: For Good’ Set Photos Lift (Yellow) Curtain On Dorothy Actress appeared first on Geek Culture.

After dangerous brushes with dinosaurs, Scarlett Johansson will soon find herself against a new threat — demonic entities. The Jurassic World: Rebirth star is set to lead the next Exorcist film for Universal and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, with horror auteur Mike Flanagan (Midnight Mass) at the directing helm.

The filmmaker also serves as writer and producer on the upcoming instalment, which has been described as a “radical new take” on the original pic set in the same universe. Other details, including plot specifics, a release date, and additional cast members, are under lock and key for now, but what’s known is that it won’t be a sequel to 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer, initially planned to jumpstart a new trilogy.

Directed by William Friedkin, the 1973 original followed the demonic possession of a young girl and the attempt to rescue her through an exorcism by two Catholic priests. It starred Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, and Jason Miller, with the former two reprising their roles in Believer.

Leslie Odom Jr., Lidya Jewett, newcomer Olivia O’Neill, Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, and Ann Dowd join the pair in the sequel that centres on a photographer who must confront the nadir of evil when his daughter and her best friend are possessed. It grossed US$137 million at the global box office and didn’t generate enough buzz for follow-ups.

The new Exorcist film won’t be Johansson’s first stab at reviving a major franchise for Universal; her most recent dino-led adventure, co-starring Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), was one of the three movies to clear the US$750 million mark this year and set her up as Hollywood’s highest-grossing lead actor before inflation adjustment, ahead of fellow Marvel counterparts Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Scarlett Johansson Secures Another Franchise Lead In Mike Flanagan’s ‘Exorcist’ Reboot appeared first on Geek Culture.

The anime hype has only grown over the years, and the strong box office showing of this year’s anime films only serves to reinforce their presence. It comes as a treat to fans, then, that a handful of titles in the genre, including Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc, are eligible for consideration for the 2026 Oscars.

Per the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the works are listed under the Animated Feature category, where seven out of the 35 entries are anime features and Japanese media-related movies. Alongside the two juggernauts, directed by Haruo Sotozaki at animation studio ufotable and Studio MAPPA’s Tatsuya Yoshihara, respectively, the remaining candidates are as follows:

• 100 Meters (Hyakuemu), from Kenji Iwaisawa and studio ROCK’N ROLL MOUNTAIN
• ChaO (Yasuhiro Aoki / Studio 4°C)
• COLOURFUL STAGE! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing (Hiroyuki Hata / P.A. Works)
• Dragon Heart – Adventures Beyond This World (Isamu Imakake / HS Pictures Studio)
• Scarlet (Mamoru Hosoda / Studio Chizu)

Other heavyweight additions include Sony Pictures Animation’s KPop Demon Hunters, Lost in Starlight, Netflix’s first Korean-animated film, Disney’s holiday tentpole Zootopia 2, and Chinese hit The Legend of Hei II, with crowd favourite Nezha 2 notably missing.

The full list of eligible works for the documentary and international feature categories was also announced, totalling over 300 submissions across the board. As noted by Variety, some of them will still need to fulfil screenings in at least one theatre in one of six major American metropolitan areas for at least one week before the end of the year.

Shortlists for all categories will be unveiled on 16 December, followed by the finalised nominations on 22 January 2026. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is set to take place on 15 March, and it’d be interesting to see how far Japanese media can push their momentum in a traditionally Western-dominated space — Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron previously won the Best Animated Feature accolade in 2024’s show, while Takashi Yamazaki and TOHO’s Godzilla Minus One notched Best Visual Effects in a first for Japanese-language films.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’, ‘Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’ & More Anime Films Earn 2026 Oscars Eligibility appeared first on Geek Culture.

The return to Hawkins is imminent, and Netflix certainly pulled out all the stops to go out with a bang. The streamer has dropped the final trailer for the long-awaited and highly anticipated Season 5 of Stranger Things, which puts the main crew in the thick of the action against inter-dimensional monsters.

“We have a plan. It’s a bit insane,” says Mike Wheeler in the opening moments, setting the stage for an adrenaline-fuelled time in Volume 1 that involves every party member in some form of danger, whether it’s Eleven leaping over a barbed fence, Jonathan Byers and Nancy Wheeler fending off attacks with a machine gun and a flare, Lucas Sinclair holding up a metal pipe, or Steve Harrington driving straight into a gate.

Volume 1 is the first of three parts that make up the new season, comprising the first four episodes: The Crawl” (68 minutes), “The Vanishing of ____” (54 minutes), “The Turnbow Trap” (66 minutes), and “Sorcerer” (83 minutes). It premieres on 26 November, followed by the next three episodes on Christmas, before culminating in a two-hour grand finale on New Year’s Eve, with a simultaneous theatrical release in the U.S. and Canada.

“The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding,” reads the synopsis of Stranger Things 5.

“As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.”

The Duffer Brothers return to write and direct the penultimate instalment, joining Paul Dichter, Curtis Gwinn, Caitlin Schneiderhan and Kate Trefry as co-writers, and Frank Darabont and Shawn Levy as co-directors.

Meanwhile, the main cast, consisting of Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Joe Keery as Steve, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, Natalia Dyer as Nancy, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Jim Hopper, and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna, will all reprise their roles.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Stranger Things 5 Vol. 1’ Trailer Teases Action-Packed Return To The Upside Down appeared first on Geek Culture.

As Glinda (or Galinda) boldly claimed, “We’re gonna make you popular”, and popular are the Witches of Oz, indeed. Wicked: For Good, the highly anticipated follow-up to Universal’s adaptation of the Broadway musical, has opened to a staggering US$226 million globally, with US$150 million coming from North American theatres.

The haul puts it ahead of its predecessor’s US$164.2 million gross over the same period, setting the biggest overseas launch for a Broadway adaptation. It also ranks as the second-biggest start of the year, sandwiched between April’s A Minecraft Movie (US$162 million) and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch remake, which collected US$146 million domestically. Overall, the film currently occupies fifth place in terms of opening numbers for musicals, behind The Lion King (2019), Moana 2, Frozen 2, and Beauty and the Beast.

For the U.S. box office in particular, Wicked: For Good represents a much-needed respite from the recent slate of male-skewing features and the lack of family-centric or women-led offerings, resulting in the sharpest decline in decades. Despite the pivot into a darker tone and a more lukewarm response as compared to the first instalment, it remains a hit among audiences, scoring an “A” grade on CinemaScore exit polls — the same as before.

Directed by original helmer Jon M. Chu, the sequel covers the musical’s second act, where Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and Ariana Grande’s Glinda “embrace their new respective identities as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch of the North”, while facing the consequences of their previous decisions.

The leading pair is joined by returning stars Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton) as Fiyero Tigelaar, Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman, Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp, Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park franchise) as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Coming in second at the domestic box office is Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, which added US$36.8 million to a global haul of US$146.2 million, followed by Predator: Badlands with a franchise-best tally of US$159.6 million, and The Running Man, earning US$5.8 million for a domestic and worldwide total of US$27 million and US$48.3 million, respectively.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Wicked: For Good’ Bewitches With US$226M Opening, Sets Debut Record For Broadway Adaptation appeared first on Geek Culture.

The local excitement surrounding Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba reached a fever pitch with the highly anticipated arrival of the Infinity Castle animated film and a red carpet premiere attended by Japanese voice actor Takahiro Sakurai, but there’s still more to come. Following sold-out runs across Asia in 2023 and 2024, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition will make its debut in Singapore, inviting fans to relive iconic scenes through life-sized sets, dynamic visuals, and multi-sensory experiences.

Organised by FriedRice Experience, in collaboration with ACO Media, Muse Communication, and Mediasphere Communications, the showcase is set to take over the former Singapore Sports Hub Library from 24 January to 15 March 2026, marking its only Southeast Asian stop for the year. It spans 21,000 square feet across two floors, comprising seven experiences that feature major locations and elements of the series, including the Demon Slayer Headquarters, House of Demons, and the various Breathing Style techniques.

Here’s what to expect from each zone:

• Mount Fujikasane: The mountain designated by the Demon Slayer Corps for the Final Selection. A dreamlike space surrounded by eternally blooming wisteria trees.
• Demon Slayer Headquarters: Displays key items related to the organisation, including an organisational chart, character profiles, Nichirin Swords, and a curated collection of memorable quotes and iconic depictions of the Demon Slayers.
• House of Demons: Showcases illustrations of demons from the series, while partially recreating Kibutsuji Muzan’s Infinity Castle. At regular intervals, a special mechanism activates to immerse visitors in the terrifying presence of demons.
• Battle of Mount Natagumo: Highlights Breathing Styles with original illustrations of Demon Slayers using their breathing techniques, a photo spot recreating the effects of Water Breathing, and other exhibits related to breathing styles.
• Mugen Train: Life-sized reproductions of the carriages from 2020’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train.
• Kimetsu Academy: The official spin-off, created by artist Koyoharu Gotoge, portrays life in a modern world where the Demon Slayer Corps and demons coexist. It offers a glimpse of the Demon Slayer Corps living a peaceful life, a stark contrast to their daily life-or-death missions.
• Infiltrating the Entertainment District: Features numerous contraptions, such as peek-through holes in the fusuma (traditional Japanese sliding partitions) and the Muscle Mice, visible when peering through small openings.

After the 45-minute journey, a 1,000-square-foot merchandise store awaits, offering a selection of collectables and apparel. Specifically for this stop, animation studio ufotable has created designs exclusive only to Singapore, featuring chibi characters at iconic local landmarks.

Tickets for the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition will be available for purchase online in three phases, via Pelago and Klook. The first runs from 26 November to 10 December (or when allocations sell out, whichever is earlier), with a 20 per cent discount on all tickets: S$19.20 and $22.40 for adults on weekdays and weekends, respectively – versus the standard of S$24 and S$28 – and S$15.20 and S$18.40 for concession prices (children between two to 12 years old, and seniors aged 60 and above), compared to S$19 and S$23.

Phase 2, which includes a limited-edition souvenir card with each ticket, begins on 11 December and ends on 22 January, followed by the final wave from 23 January to 15 March 2026. Bundles will be available starting 11 December, consisting of the following options:

• Family Bundle of 3 (max 2 adults) – S$72, includes 3x souvenir cards if purchased during Phase 2 sale period
• Family Bundle of 4 (max 2 adults) – S$94, includes 4x souvenir cards if purchased during Phase 2 sale period
• VIP Bundle (per pax) – S$58, includes 1x ticket, 1x metal bookmark, 1x ID card, 1x $10 retail voucher

The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition will take place at the former Singapore Sports Hub Library, 4 Stadium Walk, from 24 January to 15 March 2026.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ Exhibition Marks Singapore Debut In Jan 2026 appeared first on Geek Culture.

Wireless headphones are a dime a dozen, but an audiophile-grade option remains elusive. Sennheiser, long known for its superior audio quality, seeks to transform this vision into reality with the HDB 630 headset, and it has made further strides than most, if not all, of the competition.

Inheriting the same chassis from its Momentum 4 lineup, it lacks the sophisticated polish expected of a S$749 price tag, preferring instead to let its acoustics and comfort speak for themselves. The all-new Japanese protein leatherette, paired with breathable ear cushions, offers an ergonomic fit, and there’s hardly any clamping force or fatigue even after two or three hours of extended use.

Active noise cancellation has never been Sennheiser’s strong suit, so don’t expect groundbreaking performance here. While the HDB 630 blocks out everyday noise, such as speaking voices and commuting sounds, fairly well, higher-decibel audio is often able to creep its way in, making it more ideal for indoor environments.

Where the headset excels is in music delivery, especially after some manual fine-tuning. Boasting a near-neutral profile, tight bass, and fine detail, it gives the mids more room to shine, with the introduction of Parametric EQ allowing users to adjust various settings.

Check out our full review in the video above.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Sennheiser HDB 630 Hi-Res Headphones — Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Android devices and iPhones have traditionally gotten along as well as oil and water, but recent developments, such as OPPO’s O+ Connect app, are slowly bridging the file-sharing divide. Now, Google has some welcome news to share — its Pixel 10 smartphones will allow users to share data with Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs of any variety, via Quick Share.

To do so, owners of the Apple device are required to change their AirDrop settings to “Everyone for 10 Minutes”, with support documentation confirming two-way functionality. Per the announcement post on Google’s security blog, the feature is “direct and peer-to-peer, meaning your data is never routed through a server, shared content is never logged, and no extra data is shared.”

The tech juggernaut also highlighted that Apple wasn’t involved in the process, with a company spokesperson telling WIRED, “We accomplished this through our own implementation. Our goal is to provide an easy and secure file-sharing experience for our users, regardless of who they are communicating with.”

Cross-platform compatibility is big news for non-Apple users, considering how Quick Share has only worked between Android devices up until now. AirDrop support rolls out today to Google’s latest-gen series, comprising the Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, with plans to expand it to older models sometime in the future.

There’s no word on whether the feature will eventually be available on other Android phones, but fingers crossed.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Google Pixel 10 Phones Roll Out AirDrop Support For Quick Share appeared first on Geek Culture.

It’s lore galore in Westeros, as both the House of the Dragon and Knight of the Seven Kingdoms prequels have been renewed. Following the announcement of a third season, the former will head into Season 4 in 2028, with creator and showrunner Ryan Condal reportedly still writing the script (via Deadline).

While it was previously revealed that the show would wrap after four outings, there’s no confirmation of this during HBO’s latest press presentation in New York, and Condal is expected to finalise the plan after completing work on the fourth season. An early Season 2 renewal for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was also announced ahead of its 18 January 2026 premiere, currently slated to release sometime in 2027.

The back-to-back releases mean Game of Thrones fans will have new yearly content to enjoy through 2028. First on the list is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which follows the adventures of Westerosi hedge knight Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall and his diminutive squire Egg, played by Peter Claffey (Wreck) and Dexter Sol Ansell (Emmerdale), respectively.

Meanwhile, House of the Dragon is based on George R. R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” and chronicles the Targaryen family 200 years before the events of the flagship series. Emma D’Arcy, who plays Rhaenyra Targaryen, will reprise their role alongside Matt Smith (Doctor Who) as Daemon Targaryen, Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel) as Alicent Hightower, and Steve Toussaint (The Knock) as Lord Corlys Velaryon. New cast additions include Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy) as Ser Roderick Dustin, Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts films) as Ser Torrhen Manderly, and James Norton (Happy Valley) as Ormund Hightower.

Joining Condal are co-creator Martin, Sara Hess, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Vince Gerardis, David Hancock and Philippa Goslett. Season 4 drops in 2028, while the sophomore outing of Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to air in 2027.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘House of the Dragon’ Roars To Season 4, ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel ‘Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Lands Early Renewal appeared first on Geek Culture.

The world of the Hunger Games offers cruelty in spades, and the Quarter Quell never lets it go forgotten. A quarter-century anniversary marking the districts’ defeat by the Capitol during the Dark Days, it brings a twist to the reaping process and, in some cases, the arena — and nobody knows that better than Haymitch Abernathy.

Katniss’ mentor will be the focus of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, set to introduce a younger version of the character. Stepping into this role is Joseph Zada (Invisible Boys), who takes over the reins from Woody Harrelson in the film trilogy, and Lionsgate has unveiled a new teaser that gives a first look at his portrayal, alongside hints of the dystopian despair to come.

Counting down from 10, it opens with Haymitch being chosen as a tribute for the 50th Hunger Games, otherwise known as the Second Quarter Quell, joined by younger iterations of familiar faces like Plutarch Heavensbee (Jesse Plemons), President Snow (Ralph Fiennes), and Effie Trinket (Elle Fanning). “I think these games are gonna be different,” he says at one point, and well, that’s quite the understatement.

Instead of the usual 24, the prequel film sees 48 tributes gearing up for a fight to the death, including Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird (Whitney Peak), and District 12 pair Wyatt Callow (Ben Wang) and Maysilee Donner (Mckenna Grace). Other cast members include Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Kieran Culkin as a young Caesar Flickerman, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, Lili Taylor as Mags, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Billy Porter as Magno Stift, Iris Apatow as Proserpina, and more.

Francis Lawrence, who has directed every theatrical release since 2012’s Catching Fire, is back at the helm, with Billy Ray penning the screenplay. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson serve as producers, alongside Cameron MacConomy as executive producer.

Based on Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, Sunrise on the Reaping is set before the original Hunger Games trilogy, opening on the 50th Hunger Games — the violent, bloody Second Quarter Quell that formed a defining chapter in Haymitch’s story. Jennifer Lawrence led the first five movies as Katniss Everdeen, while Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth starred in the President Snow-centric prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in cinemas on 20 November 2026.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Unveils Young Haymitch, Dystopian Thrills & Despair appeared first on Geek Culture.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are switching out one sensei for another. Following earlier news that a live-action/CG animation hybrid project based on the R-rated comic novel series, The Last Ronin, was in development, it’s now back in the pizza box, with Paramount opting for a family-friendly approach.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Neal H. Moritz, known for Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog series, is in talks to direct a new live-action film in the beloved franchise. Toby Ascher, who works with the filmmaker at the Original Films banner, will serve as producer, although no other details have been confirmed at this time.

The project will mark the first live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature since 2016’s Out of the Shadows, which was a critical and commercial failure at the box office. The studio then pivoted to animation in 2023 with Mutant Mayhem, earning a modest worldwide haul of US$181 million against a US$70 million budget and a 96 percent Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. A sequel from producer Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, as well as director Jeff Rowe, is slated for release on 17 September 2027.

While story details remain under wraps, the pic is set to introduce the franchise’s most popular villain, Shredder, with a fresh touch.  Shredder is just a great character. He’s an iconic, classic, loved character. He’s like the Joker,” said Rowe.

“You know who he is, even if you’re not a fan of the source material. I think we definitely wanna do a villain-forward film. We’re currently trying to make decisions about that, but those decisions for us as filmmakers are always going to come from the place of what tells the best story, specifically about our main characters, the Turtles.”

As for The Last Ronin, it was originally being developed by former Warner Bros. chief Walter Hamada and screenwriter Tyler Burton Smith, with Nobody helmer Ilya Naishuller in talks to direct. The project’s status is currently unclear, however — sources say there are plans to revisit it down the road, but not anytime soon.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: ‘The Last Ronin’ Put On Hold In Favour Of Family-Friendly Live-Action Reboot appeared first on Geek Culture.

The tech scene is no stranger to the numbers race. Even as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to gain steam, it’s still back to the basics with hardware, with more powerful cameras, faster processors, and sturdier builds, all mapped out in math figures that, in general, translate to “the bigger, the better.” 

OPPO’s latest flagship smartphone, the Find X9 Pro, adopts the approach, touting a whopping 200-megapixel (MP) telephoto shooter that builds on its existing Hasselblad-branded imaging prowess. It’s not just for show, though, cementing the device as one of the best mobile cameras on the current market that, alongside an upgraded chip, covers all bases for day-to-day use. Parts of its design identity are lost due to a certain fruity inspiration, and gaming performance can be inconsistent in more demanding titles, but there’s little else to grouse about and plenty to love. 

Coming from its predecessor, the most prominent change is the look. Gone is the distinctive circular cutout on the rear, and in its place a pill-shaped module and two round ones, housed within a squarish block. It also comes in two colours: Silk White and Titanium Charcoal, with the former adding an elegant shimmer to the body, and the satin-like surface proving effective at keeping fingerprints at bay. The aesthetic tweak is a bit of a mixed bag, as while the previous back design may not be everyone’s cup of tea, switching it up entirely chips away at the Find X personality, resulting in a more generic finish. 

On the sides are two new buttons that would be familiar to Apple users. The Snap Key, replacing the old ringer switch, sits on the left edge and can be programmed to quick-launch apps or perform certain actions, accompanied by a dedicated, right-aligned Quick Button that offers a shortcut to the Camera app. Double-tapping brings it up, after which the button turns into a shutter and zoom dial. The influence of its Western counterpart is hardly subtle, but the additional usefulness has its place, especially since the Quick Button feels more intuitive and responsive to control. 

All of that, including a USB-C port, a volume rocker, and the power button, is packed into a similar chassis to before. Measuring 161.26 x 76.46 x 8.25mm (versus 162.27 x 76.67 x 8.24mm), the OPPO Find X9 Pro is slightly heavier at 224 grams, with the lack of flex under applied force serving as a testament to its solid physical build. Water and dust resistance is also a step up from the IP68 industry standard, now rated IP69 for improved protection against submersion and high-pressure water jets from any angle. 

Likewise, there are minimal changes to the 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display (2,772 x 1,272 pixels), which retains support for a 120Hz refresh rate and a pixel density of 450 PPI. Peak brightness has dropped from 4,500 nits to 3,600 nits – still bright enough for outdoor use, even in sunny Singapore – on the latest Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, designed for toughened durability. 

The screen works no differently from what users would expect, delivering deep blacks and natural, lively colours across all sorts of viewing content, as well as sharp detail and fluid visuals in high-motion scenes. Parked underneath is a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner that proves snappy and reliable at unlocking, wet and oily fingers notwithstanding. 

Unlike most of its Android brethren and following family tradition, the OPPO Find X9 Pro swaps out the more widely used Snapdragon 8 Series chipset for the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, pairing it with a Mali Drage MC12 GPU. In theory, it boasts beefy power rivalling other top dogs, excelling particularly in the single-core segment (that’s to say, strong single-app performance), demonstrated through seamless user interface (UI) and app navigation. 

Gaming capabilities are equally impressive, if slightly more inconsistent. The device runs various titles smoothly, showing little to no signs of stutter or lag for the most part, but particle-heavy set pieces, such as when certain characters trigger their animated Ultimate ability sequences in Honkai: Star Rail, reveal some evident frame rate drops. It bounces back quickly enough, though, with above-average graphical fidelity at standard settings, softening the hit. Due to the heavier weight, fatigue may set in earlier than expected during extended gaming sessions. 

In terms of the operating system, the OPPO Find X9 Pro comes outfitted with the company’s ColorOS 16.0 on top of Android 16, and it’s nothing new for existing Android users. There are a couple of touch-ups to aesthetic elements like the pop-up animation and fonts, while the persistent issue of bloated pre-installed apps, as well as their cluttered default layout, remains. 

Mobile photography is where the fun (and its expertise) lies. Alongside two 50MP cameras (main and ultrawide) on the rear, a 200MP 3X telephoto shooter – established earlier as the headliner – turns the OPPO Find X9 Pro into an imaging powerhouse for the regular Joe, especially in the zoom department. Armed with a 1/1.56-inch sensor, the main camera produces crisp, punchy images and balanced exposure in natural lighting, without the oversaturated tint that some of the competition offer. 

As with most smartphone cameras, there are instances of over-sharpening or excessive digital processing, most prominently seen in high dynamic range (HDR) shots – framing a Mulan performer during the character parade at Disneyland Shanghai against the bright sky, for instance, brought the contrast up to unnatural levels. Otherwise, the main snapper is a beast, retaining detail and a good balance of shadows and highlights in low light. Noise and flare aren’t a concern, either. 

Switching over to the ultrawide camera, performance is nearly identical and nothing short of competent, although the slight loss of detail and the occasional excessive digital processing knock it down a peg. Naturally, the upgraded 200MP telephoto snapper steals the show with welcome versatility, allowing for a seamless transition between wide snaps and close-ups without sacrificing quality, thanks to support for native 50MP capture at 6X and lossless zoom at up to 13.2X.

What this translates to are beautiful, detailed portraits with soft, natural bokeh and natural-looking colours, even when shot from a fair distance away. Keeping the subject within 10X zoom is ideal, as the AI-powered image recovery and upscaling capabilities beyond that eliminate a fair amount of detail from the original. For those seeking stronger camera chops, an optional Hasselblad-engineered teleconverter lens offers up to 40X zoom, proving handy for street, wildlife, and sports photography at the cost of being less pocket-friendly. 

The front camera is decent, and existing photography features, such as XPAN mode, which captures ultra-wide panoramic photos with a 65:24 aspect ratio to recreate the experience of the classic Hasselblad XPan camera, and light painting, allow for creative experimentation and shooting.

Battery life also sees a bump, and a significant one to boot. The OPPO Find X9 Pro packs a substantial 7,500mAh battery, up from 5,910mAh previously, that can last for two days on a single charge. It’s a ballpark, on-paper figure, but real-world testing indicated fairly accurate results, with intensive mixed use – watching videos, browsing social media, gaming, and replying to chats on the highest brightness, and with always-on display enabled – clocking a 10 to 12 percent drop after an hour. Of course, mileage will vary across individuals, but a full day of use can easily be achieved (and more for lighter workloads). 

Should the device run out of juice, support for 80-watt fast charging gets it up to speed in under an hour, with 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging for power sharing, serving as alternatives. 

Other notable capabilities come from ColorOS 16.0, including a new Dynamic Island-adjacent feature and existing ones like file sharing and remote control via the O+ Connect app for both PC and Mac, Mind Space, which saves screenshots and voice notes throughout the day for reference at a later date, and AI Studio. Standard tools, such as translation, a voice recorder with transcribing support, and Google’s Gemini and Circle to Search, are also available. 

The OPPO Find X series is no stranger to commanding attention, and it hasn’t changed here. At S$1,599 for the fixed configuration of 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, the Find X9 Pro leans towards the pricier side, but knocks it out of the park with stellar, well-rounded performance. It scores praise in all key aspects, and users will be hard-pressed to find genuine criticism beyond nitpicking. 

Now, if only it could retain some elements of its signature look…

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post OPPO Find X9 Pro – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Season 3 of Squid Game may have ended, but the dystopian thrills are just getting started. The American spin-off of the Netflix hit, to be directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, House of Cards), has set a date to begin filming, with the series taking on the title of Squid Game: America (who’d have known?).

Although there is no official announcement, the Film and Television Alliance website lists 26 February 2026 as the filming date. It will take place in Los Angeles, and Cate Blanchett, who made a cameo in the third and final season of the Korean drama, is the only confirmed cast member to date. Alongside Fincher, original Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk and producer Kim Ji-yeon, as well as Zeus Zamani and Rhett Giles, are on board as producers. Dennis Kelly serves as screenwriter on the project.

No further story details were shared except the same-world setting, but the show appears to pick up after the Season 3 finale. In it, Blanchett’s character was spotted by the Front Man in a Los Angeles alleyway, playing ddakji against a stranger; the games will likely be localised for cultural relevance in Fincher’s version, however.

There’s no release date for the American offshoot, which has some high expectations to uphold. Within 10 days of release, Squid Game Season 3 became the first Netflix series, in any language, to achieve 106.3 million views in two weeks, after amassing 60.1 million views in just three days from its opening.

The series stars Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-shim, Jo Yu-ri, Lee David, and Roh Jae-won. It follows Seong Gi-hun, played by Jung-jae, and the players in their fight for survival in ever deadlier games, while the Front Man (Byung-hun) welcomes the VIPs, and his brother Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) continues the search for the island, unaware of a traitor in their midst.

Si Jia

Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.

The post David Fincher’s American ‘Squid Game’ Spin-off Starts Shooting Feb 2026 appeared first on Geek Culture.