Disney and Epic Games Collaborate on New Universe Connected to Fortnite

As a 40-year-old man with far too many hobbies, I’ll warily admit that I dabble in Fortnite from time to time. Whether popping in to spend way too much money on a new Star Wars skin or killing time while another game downloads, Fortnite serves as an easy-to-pick-up palate cleanser that’s a lot more fun and immersive than a lot of people my age assume it is. I’m also pretty terrible at it.

Well, I might be spending a lot more time getting one-shotted by buff Peter Griffins following news that Disney and Fortnite makers Epic Games are teaming up to bring us “an all-new gams and entertainment universe that will further expand the reach of beloved Disney stories and experiences.”

According to the press release, which you can read in full here, the new experience will connect to Fortnite, and “the new persistent universe will offer a multitude of opportunities for consumers to play, watch, shop and engage with content, characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more. Players, gamers and fans will be able to create their own stories and experiences, express their fandom in a distinctly Disney way, and share content with each other in ways that they love. This will all be powered by Unreal Engine.”

Disney is also investing $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games as part of this multiyear project.

So might we soon see Lightning McQueen do the griddy through Pandora as Babu Frik wields a Keyblade against Goofy in Iron Man armor? God, I hope so.

Watch the announcement video below!

‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ Trailer Reaction: More Slime, More Ghosts, More Bustin’

 

I’m gonna be real with you: I didn’t love the first trailer for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the much-anticipated follow-up to Jason Reitman’s surprisingly good and immensely tear-inducing Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Based on that initial trailer, the new film seemed like a lifeless retread and, at worst, generic.

Having seen the new trailer for Frozen Empire – I still don’t love the title – I’m a lot more optimistic. Could it be because it’s absolutely loaded with fan service? Probably. But it’s also got a miniature Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man happily getting his arm shredded in a pencil sharpener. See? Franchises can give you something new these days, ya cynics.

But, yeah. About the absolute smattering of fan service … We’ve got William Atherton back as Walter Peck, we’ve got Janine Melnitz in uniform. We’ve got Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson involved for more than an end-of-movie cameo. We’ve got a return to the New York Public Library and the re-emergence of the Librarian Ghost that’s been giving me nightmares for 37 years. We’ve also got Slimer, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Paul Rudd slinging a particle throw and a brand-new ghost villain who ISN’T Gozer.

But perhaps my favorite thing in the trailer is the fact that Rudd’s character actually seems to quote the Ray Parker Jr. Ghostbusters theme, which means that it actually exists in-universe. And based on Carrie Coons/Callie Spengler’s reaction, they have the same mixed emotions about that “bustin’ makes me feel good” line as we do in our world.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is directed by Gil Kenan and hits theaters March 22. Watch the trailer below!

‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Season 3 Promises Big Return, Big Finale

When people talk about Star Wars steward Dave Filoni’s best works, they often leave out The Bad Batch, his Clone Wars spinoff featuring a toyetic group of genetically augmented clone troopers who find themselves on the run from the Republic-Turned-Empire. And you know what, those people are wrong! The Bad Batch is a great show, and despite having some slower and more deliberate episodes during its two-season run, this is a solid entry in the animated Star Wars canon and I’m sorry to see it go.

But it’s going out with a bang if the new trailer is to be believed. Following the heart-wrenching loss of Tech, Season 3 is set to feature the remaining members of Clone Force 99 rescuing Omega – a young, female clone of Jango Fett – from Imperial imprisonment. But they’ll be facing other enemies in that galaxy far, far away … namely Count Dooku’s former apprentice, Asajj Ventress! And she’s got a cool new hairstyle!

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3 begins Feb. 21. Check out the trailer below!