ICYMI: SECRET INVASION AI Opening Backlash, Netflix Changes, and More

Here are the biggest stories for Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

Netflix changes their measurement system and Marvel Studios skips Hall H at Comic-Con. Meanwhile IDW launches Star Trek: Picard’s Academy, HBO series licenses to Netflix, Michael Shannon passed up a Star Wars role. Plus, New Yorker’s lawyer blames racism for Jonathan Majors Domestic-Violence arrest.

We can’t always cover everything. So here’s everything you missed this morning. In Case You Missed It (ICYMI).

Warning: May contain spoilers!

1. Why Netflix Changed Its Own Measurement System | Indiewire

Netflix is changing its viewership metrics to increase transparency and fairness. The weekly Top 10 will now be ranked by “views” (hours viewed divided by runtime) and the all-time Most Popular lists will be elongated by nine weeks to 91 days.

This change is a reflection of the WGA’s ongoing fight with studios over transparency and fairness. The new metrics make it easier for the public to understand and appreciate Netflix’s growth over time. The changes will not be revised since June 2021.

2. Marvel Studios Will Skip Hall H At 2023 San Diego Comic-Con | Slashfilm

San Diego Comic-Con, known for its Hall H, is skipping Marvel’s annual Hall H presence due to unprecedented roadblocks. Marvel Studios and Comics will still have a spot on the convention floor, but the big announcements and celebrity appearances typically reserved for Hall H won’t be happening.

The company is also dealing with a writers’ strike and potential talent unavailability due to the SAG-AFTRA union. Universal and HBO may also be skipping the convention. Big announcements are expected during the annual D23 Expo on September 9 and 10, 2023.

3. This New Grogu Collectible Will Have You Saying Yes, Yes, Yes | Gizmodo

Season three of The Mandalorian featured highs and lows, with one memorable moment when Grogu took the body of his old friend IG-12 for a joyride.

Fans loved the moment, and Hot Toys has revealed a 1/6th scale IG-12 piece from Disney+’s Star Wars show. The piece comes with Grogu’s in-belly and various accessories, including voice effects that can say “No” or “Yes.” The IG-12 is available for pre-order at Sideshow for $264 or $360.

4. Exclusive: IDW Launching ‘Star Trek: Picard’s Academy’ Series About Young Jean-Luc Picard | Trekmovie

IDW is launching a new comic series called Star Trek: Picard’s Academy, which will reveal the past of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, one of Starfleet’s most celebrated officers.

The series, written by Sam Maggs, will debut in September and follows the story of a “cool, teenage” Jean-Luc Picard in the Prime Universe. The series will focus on the character’s struggles with the Evasive Maneuvers exam and the group project required to pass.

The series is set to debut in September and is expected to be as exciting for readers as it was for Maggs to write. The series will also explore the building blocks of Starfleet, such as love, acceptance, and found family, which are essential for the future of Star Trek.

5. Warner Bros. Discovery May Start Licensing HBO Series to Netflix (Report) | Tvline

Warner Bros. Discovery is in talks to license some of its biggest HBO titles to Netflix, marking the first time in nearly a decade that HBO’s original series would exist on another platform outside of its own corporate umbrella. The deal is primarily a financial one, with pushback from HBO vets on the inside. However, corporate financial consideration appears to be winning out, and partnering with Netflix is still a major strategy shift that could help WBD cut costs across the board. HBO rarely licenses its original shows outside of its own corporate structure, but there are precedents for the move. HBO Max, formerly known as HBO Max, has recently purged HBO originals from its servers to save money.

6. Michael Shannon passed up a Star Wars role to avoid getting roped into a franchise | Joblo

Michael Shannon, who reprises his role as the Kryptonian villain Zod in DC’s The Flash, turned down a Star Wars role to avoid becoming a part of the Hollywood franchise machine. Shannon, who plays Zod in the DCEU, believes the script was relevant and that he agreed to play him because it focused on protecting his people. He also played Zod in DC’s latest superhero spectacle, The Flash, but found the experience less satisfying as an actor. Shannon believes multiverse movies are their own brand of superhero cinema, with little substance in them.

7. ‘Secret Invasion’ Opening Credits Generated By AI, Prompting Backlash From Audiences | Deadline

Marvel’s Secret Invasion has sparked backlash on social media after director Ali Selim confirmed that the opening credits were generated by artificial intelligence. The idea came from the Skrull world identity and was designed by Method Studios. The revelation has sparked backlash, as it eliminates the need for graphic designers and animators to craft the opening credits. This is particularly relevant as the WGA is currently on strike due to failed negotiations with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Some social media users have expressed their dissatisfaction with the use of AI in the writing process, while others have decided not to continue watching the series.

8. Marvel’s TikTok is currently live counting down to Secret Invasion’s premiere with the cast members awkwardly passing the time waiting | Reddit

The feed is now no longer running but a commentor described it:

This is genuinely hilarious marketing IMO LOL. Sam Jackson is just staring at the camera, Cobie is blowing bubbles, Don is bored waiting, Olivia and Kingsley are just chatting LMAO

9. Get in Line for Marvel Studios’ Rogers: The Musical at Disney Parks | Gizmodo

Steve Rogers will star in Rogers: The Musical, a one-act show at Disney California Adventure, from June 30-August 31. The Marvel Studios parody of the character, which apes Hamilton and appeared in Hawkeye’s opening episode on Disney+, will feature five new songs with music by Christopher Lennertz and lyrics by Lennertz, Jordan Peterson, and Alex Karukas. The show will also feature fan-favorite numbers “Save the City” from Hawkeye and “Star Spangled Man” from Captain America: The First Avenger. The show will be accessible through the Disneyland app’s virtual queue system, with reservations distributed daily. Fans can try for tickets on standby or purchase a special “Premium Viewing Experience” package. Rogers: The Musical will be performed multiple times daily, Tuesday through Saturday, during the limited engagement.

10. Lawyer for Marvel’s Jonathan Majors blames NYPD ‘racism’ for his domestic violence arrest | Insider

Majors’ attorney argues that his arrest could make Black men afraid to call 911. NYPD body-camera footage shows Majors telling cops that he had not struck or injured Jabbari, but that she had gouged his chin and arm with her fingernails. The footage suggests racism, as officers believed Jabbari, who initially could not remember what had happened. The lawyers allege Jabbari was saved by calling 911, but officials falsely charged him with a crime. The lawyer argues that a Black man should be afraid to call 911, even to save a life, as they may be blamed and arrested.

Cool Stuff: Factory Entertainment Reveals WRATH OF KHAN Necklace Replica | Blog.Trekcore

Factory Entertainment is now offering fans a replica of Khan Noonien Singh’s makeshift necklace from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The replica, made from real electrical wire, solid-metal components, and imitation suede, measures 13.8″ x 7.3″ x 2.2″ and weighs 1.54 lbs. The team studied the original props and Paramount Pictures archives to duplicate them, using real electrical wire and imitation suede. The edition size is 1,864 pieces, and it is expected to ship in August. Preorders are available at Factory Entertainment’s website for $199 USD, with a $50 non-refundable deposit. Stock may also be available at San Diego Comic Con in July.
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Quote of the Day

“Remember, no matter where you go, there you are” –  Pigkiller
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

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