Support Leroy on Patreon.
MUSIC - From YahooNews: JAY-Z opens up about the Met Gala elevator whuppin' he got from his sister-in-law Solange, sister of his wife, Beyonce.
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MOVIES - From Variety: "Super Troopers 2" set to be released April 20, 2017.
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MOVIES - From Deadline: Billy Howle has joined "Outlaw King," the next film from director David Mackenzie of "Hell or High Water."
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CULTURE - From Splinter: Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer, the young woman killed by a Trump voter in Charlottesville, Virginia, offers a defiant eulogy for her daughter.
CULTURE - From Salon: Judd Apatow ("Knocked Up," The 40-Year-Old Virgin") explains why conservatives make bad entertainment.
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COMICS-FILM - From FlickeringMyth: Director David F. Sandberg gives an update on his DC Extended Universe film, "Shazam."
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TELEVISION - From TVLine: ABC has given a "put-pilot" order (which means they are more than likely to broadcast it, I think) for a live-action reboot of classic 1960s animated TV series, "The Jetsons." Robert Zemeckis is executive producing.
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DISNEY - From Variety: Netflix in talks with the Walt Disney Company for streaming rights to Marvel and Star Wars movies.
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CELEBRITY: YahooCelebrity: Iman shares rare photo of her daughter with David Bowie, Alexandria.
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HEALTH - From YahooFitness: 35-year-old fitness pro deliberately looks twice his age.
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COMICS-FILM - From YahooMovies: An international trailer for "Thor: Ragnarok" features Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange.
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MOVIES - From THR: "The Conjuring" has launched a cinematic universe (that includes the "Annabelle" films) that works.
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MOVIES - From THR: Cate Blanchett joins Jack Black in Eli Roth's "The House with a Clock in its Walls," based on the late John Bellairs' novel.
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MOVIES - From Variety: Lionsgate is developing an all-female production of Oscar Wilde's 1890 novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray."
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MOVIES - From THR: Production on "Mission: Impossible 6" will be shut down for 2 to 3 months while Tom Cruise recovers from an on-set injury.
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MOVIES - From Deadline: Justin Simien of "Dear White People" is working on his next film, "Bad Hair" with his "Dear White People" team.
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OBAMA - From YahooNews: Former President Barack Obama's #Charlottesville tweet is not the most popular in terms of "likes" in the history of Twitter.
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JAMES BOND - From THR: On "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Daniel Craig confirms that he is returning as James Bond for the film currently known as "Bond 25."
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MOVIES - From YahooMovies: The manager and friends of Joi "S.J." Harris, the stuntwoman who was killed while executing a stunt for "Deadpool 2," says she died doing what she loved.
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CELEBRITY - From YahooCelebrity: There is a contest in which the winner and a friend can drink wine with JLaw and even have a picnic with her.
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SPORTS - From YahooSports: Charlottesville, Virginia native, Chris Long, Defensive End of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, won't just "stick to sports."
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OBAMA - From YahooNews: Former President Barack Obama's tweet about this past weekend's violence in Charlottesville, Virginia is the third most popular tweet on Twitter (in terms of "likes") ever.
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TELEVISION - From Variety: Michael Sheen and David Tennant will star in Amazon's TV adaptation of "Good Omens," the novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
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TELEVISION - From TVGuide: After 15 years of producing TV series for ABC (like "Grey's Anatomy"), Shonda Rhimes is moving to Netflix.
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POLITICS - From Reuters: Merck CEO Kenneth C. Frazier has quit President Trump's American Manufacturing Council. Frazier says that he is leaving over Trump's initial response to the Charlottesville White Nationalist riots, a response many consider lame and weak. Trump's response to Frazier leaving has been more critical than Trump's response to Nazis, the KKK, and White Nationalists.
From NBCSports: Under Armor CEO Kevin Plank also leaving Trump's manufacturing council because of the President's reluctance to criticize violent White supremacy.
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MOVIES - From Variety: A female stunt driver has died following a motorcycle accident on the set of "Deadpool 2."
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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo: The winner of the 8/11 to 8/13/2017 weekend box office is "Annabelle: Creation" with an estimated take of $35 million.
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MOVIES - From THR: Tom Cruise apparently injured while performing a stunt for "Mission: Impossible 6."
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MOVIES - From Indiewire: David Lynch almost directed 1982's Fast Times at Ridgemont High" says the film's screenwriter, Cameron Crowe. Amy Heckerling did direct the film.
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MOVIES - From Variety: Paramount wins the bidding war over a biopic about Leonardo da Vinci, which will star Leonardo DiCaprio.
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OBIT:
From THR: Actor, playwright, and screenwriter, Joe Bologna, has died at the age of 82, Sunday, August 13, 2017. As an actor, he may be best remembered for his role in 1982's "My Favorite Year." As a screenwriter, Bologna received an Oscar nomination for 1970's "Love and Other Strangers."
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Crisis in Charlottesville:
From TheVillageVoice: Scenes from a bloody weekend in Charlottesville.
From RSN: Trump having hard time condemning his supporter's murderous actions.
From CNN: Two Virginia state troopers are killed in a helicopter crash near the Charlottesville White Nationalists rally.
From YahooFinance: Before White Nationalist James Alex Fields, Jr. drove the car that killed Heather Heyer in Charlottesville, he was photographed wearing "Vanguard America" uniform.
From YahooNews: 32-year-old Heather Heyer of Virginia has been identified as the victim the White Nationalist car attack in Charlottesville, Virginia.
From GuardianUK: Far-right rally descends into violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.
From YahooNews: FBI begins investigation into car attack at White nationalist rally in Charlottesville.
From YahooNews: Clash in Charlottesville in pictures.
From TheDailyBeast: James Alex Fields, Jr. drove his car into a crowd in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing 1 and injuring at least 20.
From YahooNews: Mother of #Charlottesville car attacker speaks.
From LATimes: Opinion - President Trump bears some responsibility for racism on display in Charlottesville.
Saturday, August 19, 2017
James Wan's "Conjuring" Films Have Grossed Over $1 Billion
New Line Cinema’s “Conjuring” Universe Surpasses $1 Billion at the Global Box Office
Created by visionary filmmaker James Wan, the franchise reached the major milestone with just four films and is among the most successful horror series of all time
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After just one week in theaters around the globe, New Line Cinema’s “Annabelle: Creation” has taken in more than $110 million, not only opening in the #1 spot in numerous markets, including North America, but quickly boosting filmmaker James Wan and producer Peter Safran’s “Conjuring” universe of films over the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office. The announcement was made today by Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
In making the announcement, Kroll said, “We are thrilled with the success of ‘Annabelle: Creation’ and enormously proud to continue bringing this hugely popular ‘Conjuring’ franchise to theaters everywhere. We congratulate our colleagues at New Line Cinema, our astute marketing and distribution teams, and everyone who put their collective creative energies together to tell such wonderfully frightening stories for movie audiences around the world to enjoy.”
Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, stated, “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of New Line, and without question the horror genre has always been an integral and important part of the company’s DNA. While the genre has certainly evolved over the decades, watching the critical and commercial success of the ‘Conjuring’ universe has been truly spectacular and I am incredibly proud of all the talented people involved in making this happen.”
Together, New Line’s Richard Brener, President, Production, and Carolyn Blackwood, President, Content, Strategy & Operations, noted, “James Wan has a proven ability to tap into the minds of horror fans in a way few can. To reach this benchmark with just four films is truly remarkable. On behalf of everyone at New Line, we couldn’t be more excited for him, producer Peter Safran, and all the filmmakers who were so instrumental in making each of these movies so successful.”
In addition to opening in the #1 spot in the U.S. and Canada, “Annabelle: Creation” scored the highest industry opening weekend of all time for a horror film in numerous international markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Sweden, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary. It had the highest opening weekend grosses of all films in the “Conjuring” universe in 26 international markets, including Korea, Indonesia, Russia, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. The film dominated the Asian box office by ranking #1 in seven of eight opening markets there, out-grossing all comparable films regionally, and has already surpassed “Annabelle’s” lifetime cume in Portugal, Poland, Russia and Hong Kong, and both “Annabelle’s” and “The Conjuring’s” total cumes in Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. It currently ranks #1 in ten of the 11 markets that opened yesterday, including Mexico, Brazil and UAE, and is already dominating those markets, with Mexico and three other Latin American markets, as well as UAE, showing the highest opening days ever for a horror film in those territories based on the Thursday box office alone.
Individually, several of the films that make up the New Line horror-verse are among the top all-time earners at the box office, with the “The Conjuring 2” and “The Conjuring” coming in second and third in the genre, respectively, after “The Exorcist,” and “Annabelle” at number eight. The worldwide theatrical grosses for the films stand as: “The Conjuring 2” at $320,373,500; “The Conjuring” at $319,482,193; and “Annabelle” at $257,047,661.
Next up in the New Line series is “The Nun,” based on the character appearing in “The Conjuring 2,” directed by Corin Hardy, and due in theaters July 13, 2018. The studio is also in active development with Atomic Monster and The Safran Company on “The Conjuring 3” and “The Crooked Man,” the latter also drawn on the character appearing in “The Conjuring 2.”
In “Annabelle: Creation,” several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a doll maker and his wife welcome a nun and six girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home. They soon become the target of the doll maker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.
David F. Sandberg (“Lights Out”) directed from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman, who also wrote “Annabelle.” Peter Safran and James Wan produced the film, which stars Stephanie Sigman (“Spectre”), Talitha Bateman (“The 5th Wave,” upcoming “Geostorm”), Lulu Wilson (“Ouija: Origin of Evil,” “Deliver Us from Evil”), Philippa Coulthard (“After the Dark”), Grace Fulton (“Badland”), Lou Lou Safran (“The Choice”), Samara Lee (“Foxcatcher,” “The Last Witch Hunter”), and Tayler Buck in her feature film debut, with Anthony LaPaglia (TV’s “Without a Trace”) and Miranda Otto (Showtime’s “Homeland,” “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy).
Serving as executive producers on “Annabelle: Creation” were Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter and Hans Ritter.
Collaborating with Sandberg behind-the-scenes from his “Lights Out” team were production designer Jennifer Spence, editor Michel Aller and composer Benjamin Wallfisch, joined by director of photography Maxime Alexandre (“The Other Side of the Door”) and costume designer Leah Butler (“Paranormal Activity 3 & 4”).
New Line Cinema presents, an Atomic Monster/Safran Company production, “Annabelle: Creation.” The film is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
“Annabelle: Creation” has been rated R by the MPAA for horror violence and terror.
www.annabellemovie.com
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Created by visionary filmmaker James Wan, the franchise reached the major milestone with just four films and is among the most successful horror series of all time
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After just one week in theaters around the globe, New Line Cinema’s “Annabelle: Creation” has taken in more than $110 million, not only opening in the #1 spot in numerous markets, including North America, but quickly boosting filmmaker James Wan and producer Peter Safran’s “Conjuring” universe of films over the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office. The announcement was made today by Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
In making the announcement, Kroll said, “We are thrilled with the success of ‘Annabelle: Creation’ and enormously proud to continue bringing this hugely popular ‘Conjuring’ franchise to theaters everywhere. We congratulate our colleagues at New Line Cinema, our astute marketing and distribution teams, and everyone who put their collective creative energies together to tell such wonderfully frightening stories for movie audiences around the world to enjoy.”
Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, stated, “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of New Line, and without question the horror genre has always been an integral and important part of the company’s DNA. While the genre has certainly evolved over the decades, watching the critical and commercial success of the ‘Conjuring’ universe has been truly spectacular and I am incredibly proud of all the talented people involved in making this happen.”
Together, New Line’s Richard Brener, President, Production, and Carolyn Blackwood, President, Content, Strategy & Operations, noted, “James Wan has a proven ability to tap into the minds of horror fans in a way few can. To reach this benchmark with just four films is truly remarkable. On behalf of everyone at New Line, we couldn’t be more excited for him, producer Peter Safran, and all the filmmakers who were so instrumental in making each of these movies so successful.”
In addition to opening in the #1 spot in the U.S. and Canada, “Annabelle: Creation” scored the highest industry opening weekend of all time for a horror film in numerous international markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Sweden, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary. It had the highest opening weekend grosses of all films in the “Conjuring” universe in 26 international markets, including Korea, Indonesia, Russia, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. The film dominated the Asian box office by ranking #1 in seven of eight opening markets there, out-grossing all comparable films regionally, and has already surpassed “Annabelle’s” lifetime cume in Portugal, Poland, Russia and Hong Kong, and both “Annabelle’s” and “The Conjuring’s” total cumes in Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. It currently ranks #1 in ten of the 11 markets that opened yesterday, including Mexico, Brazil and UAE, and is already dominating those markets, with Mexico and three other Latin American markets, as well as UAE, showing the highest opening days ever for a horror film in those territories based on the Thursday box office alone.
Individually, several of the films that make up the New Line horror-verse are among the top all-time earners at the box office, with the “The Conjuring 2” and “The Conjuring” coming in second and third in the genre, respectively, after “The Exorcist,” and “Annabelle” at number eight. The worldwide theatrical grosses for the films stand as: “The Conjuring 2” at $320,373,500; “The Conjuring” at $319,482,193; and “Annabelle” at $257,047,661.
Next up in the New Line series is “The Nun,” based on the character appearing in “The Conjuring 2,” directed by Corin Hardy, and due in theaters July 13, 2018. The studio is also in active development with Atomic Monster and The Safran Company on “The Conjuring 3” and “The Crooked Man,” the latter also drawn on the character appearing in “The Conjuring 2.”
In “Annabelle: Creation,” several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a doll maker and his wife welcome a nun and six girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home. They soon become the target of the doll maker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.
David F. Sandberg (“Lights Out”) directed from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman, who also wrote “Annabelle.” Peter Safran and James Wan produced the film, which stars Stephanie Sigman (“Spectre”), Talitha Bateman (“The 5th Wave,” upcoming “Geostorm”), Lulu Wilson (“Ouija: Origin of Evil,” “Deliver Us from Evil”), Philippa Coulthard (“After the Dark”), Grace Fulton (“Badland”), Lou Lou Safran (“The Choice”), Samara Lee (“Foxcatcher,” “The Last Witch Hunter”), and Tayler Buck in her feature film debut, with Anthony LaPaglia (TV’s “Without a Trace”) and Miranda Otto (Showtime’s “Homeland,” “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy).
Serving as executive producers on “Annabelle: Creation” were Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter and Hans Ritter.
Collaborating with Sandberg behind-the-scenes from his “Lights Out” team were production designer Jennifer Spence, editor Michel Aller and composer Benjamin Wallfisch, joined by director of photography Maxime Alexandre (“The Other Side of the Door”) and costume designer Leah Butler (“Paranormal Activity 3 & 4”).
New Line Cinema presents, an Atomic Monster/Safran Company production, “Annabelle: Creation.” The film is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
“Annabelle: Creation” has been rated R by the MPAA for horror violence and terror.
www.annabellemovie.com
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Friday, August 18, 2017
VIZ Media Announces RANMA ½ OVA and Movie Collection
Three Full-Length RANMA ½ Feature Films And Eleven OVAs Based On The Classic Anime Series Make North American Debut In HD Format
San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, delights anime fans and lovers of the classic RANMA ½ series as it announces the upcoming home media release of the RANMA ½ OVA & Movie Collection on September 19th, 2017.
The new one-of-a-kind collection is based on the smash hit manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi and will be released in DVD and Blu-ray editions that include eleven episode-length Original Video Animation (OVA) adventures as well as three RANMA ½ theatrical movies.
Ranma Saotome, the iconic character created by master artist Rumiko Takahashi, is back for new adventures and more than a few hilarious misunderstandings along the way! From mishaps at a holiday party to casual use of mystical trinkets to possession by cursed dolls, what’s in store for Ranma is anyone’s guess in these original anime adventures. Also included in the new home media set are two feature-length RANMA ½ movies and one special OVA-length movie that brought Ranma to theaters to make some big choices with his heart and not his head…which is usually what starts his trouble in the first place!
The RANMA ½ OVA & Movie Collection Blu-ray Edition will carry an MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $63.99 CAN and comes packaged in a premium full-color chipboard slipcase. The three-disc set features full 1080p High Definition resolution with 16:9 video aspect ratio. Subtitled and English dubbed dialogue options are available. Bonus content includes a 32-page full-color booklet, upcoming OVA previews, and clean opening and ending segments.
The RANMA ½ OVA & Movie Collection DVD Edition will carry an MSRP of $39.99 U.S. / $52.99 CAN. The three-disc home media set presents content with 16:9 video aspect ratio and features subtitled and English dubbed dialogue options. Notable bonus features include clean opening and ending segments.
“We are pleased to present RANMA ½ fans with this one-of-a-kind remastered collection filled with mystical transformations, martial arts mayhem and comedic hijinks,” says Charlene Ingram, VIZ Media’s Director of Animation Marketing. “This new set serves as a wonderful addition to the RANMA ½ universe. Catch all the zany escapades in this not-to-be-missed upcoming release.”
RANMA ½ manga creator Rumiko Takahashi is one of Japan’s most prolific and respected manga artists and is the creator of several long running series including MAISON IKKOKU, RANMA ½, and INUYASHA, which are all published in North America by VIZ Media. The spotlight on her prolific career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and also spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another— MAISON IKKOKU ran from 1980 to 1987, RANMA ½ from 1987 to 1996, and INUYASHA from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include MERMAID SAGA, RUMIC THEATER, ONE-POUND GOSPEL, and RIN-NE (all also published in North America by VIZ Media).
Also catch home media releases for the original RANMA ½ anime series, which are available in Blu-ray and DVD editions exclusively from VIZ Media.
For more information on RANMA ½ or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.
Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.
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Thursday, August 17, 2017
VIZ Media Announces a Naruto Chibi Manga
Naruto’s Rival Returns – Cuter Than Ever And Ready For New Action Packed Adventures
San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, announces the launch of NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND, a hilarious spin-off of the world’s most popular ninja manga series, NARUTO, on September 5th, 2017.
NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND is written by Kenji Taira. The series is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will be published in print and digital editions under the Shonen Jump imprint; Volume 1 will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.
NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND will be available digitally via VIZ.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and Google Play Store. Subsequent volumes of the series, which is also continuing in Japan, will be published in English on a quarterly basis.
Uchiha Sasuke, the brooding loner who will do anything to avenge his clan and kill his older brother… Yes, this is that story, but with a funny twist! In NARUTO: CHIBI SASUKE'S SHARINGAN LEGEND the characters and story have been flipped on their heads, all for the sake of comedy! With his Taka teammates Suigetsu, Karin and Jugo, Sasuke travels the land and gets into all kinds of wacky adventures. This is a side of Sasuke you’ve never seen before. One bit of advice: do not mock the Uchiha!
“Naruto’s best friend and rival, Sasuke, returns in this hijinks-filled new series,” says Alexis Kirsch, Editor. “We hope fans enjoy the ‘chibi’ art-style that adds to the hilarious flavor of the series, and takes the NARUTO canon in a fun new direction!”
NARUTO manga series creator, Masashi Kishimoto, was first inspired to become a manga artist in elementary school when he read DRAGON BALL. After spending time in art college, he won the Hop Step Award for new manga artists with his story Karakuri. After considering various genres for his next project, Kishimoto decided on a story steeped in traditional Japanese culture. His first version of NARUTO, drawn in 1997, was a one-shot story about fox spirits; his final version, which debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999, quickly became the most popular ninja manga in the world. The series would also spawn multiple anime series, movies, novels, video games and more. Having concluded NARUTO in late 2014, Masashi Kishimoto has kept himself busy with the side stories such as NARUTO: THE SEVENTH HOKAGE AND THE SCARLET SPRING and writing the story for the latest NARUTO anime movie, BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE, both of which focus on the title character's son, Boruto.
For additional information on NARUTO and other manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.
Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.
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Bluefin Offers Realistic Hannibal Lecter Action Figures
BLUEFIN OPENS PRE-ORDERS FOR STUNNINGLY REALISTIC 1/6 SCALE HANNIBAL LECTER ACTION FIGURES FROM BLITZWAY
Cinema’s Most Infamous And Charismatic Serial Killer Comes To Life In Two New 12-Inch Designs Set For Release In Early 2018; Each Figure Features Over 30 Points Of Articulation And An Array Of Screen Accurate Props
Anaheim, CA – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Asia and more, brings one of cinema’s most memorable villains to life as it opens pre-orders for BLITZWAY’s new line of 1/6 Scale Hannibal Lecter Action Figures.
Two poseable figures are scheduled for release in the First Quarter of 2018 and will be available from authorized Bluefin retailers nationwide and also from select leading online outlets. MSRP will be $269.99 each.
Two stunningly lifelike releases from BLITZWAY recreate actor Anthony Hopkin’s iconic portrayal of the forensic psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter. Bluefin first showcased the figures at the recent 2017 Comic-Con International. Savvy collectors are invited to enjoy them with some fava beans and a nice Chianti!!
The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most distinguished movies of all time. Released in 1991, directed by Jonathan Demme and based on author Thomas Harris’ book, The Silence of the Lambs starred Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, and Scott Glenn. The film was a major blockbuster and became the first American horror-thriller film to win Academy Awards in the top five categories.
Savor the realism of Hannibal Lecter depicted in a straitjacket and also in a pristine, white prisoner’s uniform (complete with a police officer’s nightstick). BLITZWAY worked with the world’s best sculptors to achieve an extremely high level of realism for each design. Each figure stands nearly 12 inches tall and features over 30 points of articulation to allow for a myriad of realistic posing possibilities.
For these releases, BLITZWAY recreated Hannibal Lecter in the most realistic way possible to express the compelling aura of the infamous character. BLITZWAY adds to the excitement for fans and collectors by including an array of iconic sets of props that add to the strong sense of nostalgia for the film.
The BLITZWAY Hannibal Lecter Straitjacket version features accessories including a white t-shirt with prisoner number 'B5160-8;’ 1 orange prison uniform with prisoner number 'B1329-0;' 1 screen-accurate straitjacket, as well as 1 iconic Hannibal face mask and an authentic movable gurney.
The BLITZWAY Hannibal Lecter White Prisoner Uniform version includes multiple interchangeable arm and hand accessories featuring a pen clip and nightstick accessories. Also included is a screen accurate chair, a pair of handcuffs, a folding knife, a fountain pen, a “Clarice” drawing prop, and a cathedral church drawing prop.
Based in South Korea, BLITZWAY specializes in highly detailed and intricately sculpted 1/6 and 1/4 scale figures and statues of famous characters from pop culture, comics, and TV and movies.
About Bluefin:
Based in Anaheim, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Bandai Shokugan, and Capcom, and is also an official provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products, and is also the exclusive and official distributor for BLITZWAY, Mr. Hobby, SEN-TI-NEL, Storm Collectibles, and Iron Studios. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.
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VIZ Media Acquires Anime Comedy, "Mr. Osomatsu"
Uproarious Comedy About The Misadventures Of Six Unique Brothers Is Produced By The Famed Anime Production Company Studio Pierrot And Inspired By A Bestselling Manga Series
San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, brings the hilarious story of six quirky siblings to North and Latin American audiences as it expands its anime catalog with the acquisition of MR. OSOMATSU. VIZ Media announced the news during its official panel held this past weekend during Otakon 2017.
Inspired by the classic manga series Osomatsu-Kun created by Fujio Akatsuka, MR. OSOMATSU is animated by Studio Pierrot, which also produced the massively successful BLEACH and NARUTO anime series (also distributed in English by VIZ Media). VIZ Media has acquired the digital streaming, EST, home video and merchandise rights for MR. OSOMATSU. Season One of the series was originally broadcast in Japan in 2015-2016, and Season Two is slated to start this Fall.
Forget double the fun because here’s a series that amps up the insanity six silly ways! The Matsuno sextuplets are quite a bunch. One’s always hanging out at the local Pachinko joint, one un-ironically wears sequined pants, one is a total otaku with a fancy for idols while another brother would rather just loaf around with some cats and his own ennui. The fifth brother loves baseball but was probably dropped on his head a couple times and then there’s the youngest, who really leans into that sweet baby brother angle, if you know what we mean. None of them have jobs, but they do have one heck of a tab run up at the local Oden stand! With so many brothers with too much time on their hands, there’s sure to be some crazy (and raunchy) adventures!
“MR. OSOMATSU depicts the hilarious exploits of the sextuplet Matsuno brothers, and each sibling’s unique personality and their fumbling antics will endear them to audiences,” explains VIZ Media Vice President of Animation Brian Ige. “Whether they are attempting to find employment or land girlfriends, the quirky lives of these brothers are never dull! We look forward to announcing more details on MR. OSOMATSU in coming months and to North American audiences discovering this fun series.”
For additional information on anime titles available from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Established in 1986, VIZ Media is the premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing. Along with its popular digital magazine WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, DRAGON BALL, SAILOR MOON, and POKÉMON, VIZ Media offers an extensive library of titles and original content in a wide variety of book and video formats, as well as through official licensed merchandise. Owned by three of Japan's largest publishing and entertainment companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is dedicated to bringing the best titles for English-speaking audiences worldwide.
Learn more about VIZ Media and its properties at VIZ.com.
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Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Elijay Wood to Appear at Salt Lake Comic Con 2017
Elijah Wood Makes Rare Appearance At Salt Lake Comic Con 2017
- Even the smallest person can change the course of the future -
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Salt Lake Comic Con (http://saltlakecomiccon.com/) announced today that the world’s most famous hobbit, Elijah Wood, will attend the 5th Annual Salt Lake Comic Con that takes place September 21-23, 2017 at the Salt Palace Convention Center for a panel, photo ops and autograph signing with his Salt Lake Comic Con fans.
Wood is an actor, voice actor, producer and DJ. He’s best known for his starring role as Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The Lord of the Rings series won a total of 17 Academy Awards and grossed almost $3 billion at the global box office. In addition to Lord of the Rings, Wood appeared in Back to the Future Part II, Deep Impact, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Sin City and Green Street.
Wood is also the voice of Mumble in the award-winning animated musical films Happy Feet and Happy Feet Two, Tim Burton’s 9 and the animated series Tron: Uprising. In 2005 he started his own record label, Simian Records.
“The Lord of the Rings trilogy was an epic series and Elijah’s role as Frodo made him a fan favorite around the world and certainly for our Utah fans,” said Dan Farr, Salt Lake Comic Con Founder and Show Producer. “We’re thrilled that Elijah can join us in September. This is one of our strongest celebrity lineups yet and we know that our fans will be excited to meet the hero responsible for ensuring the destruction of the Sauron, the Dark Lord.”
In addition to Wood, Salt Lake Comic Con will feature one of its strongest lineups yet from fandoms such as The Arrow, Walking Dead, Star Trek, Back to the Future and Guardians of the Galaxy. Individual celebrity attendees include: Val Kilmer, Dick Van Dyke, John Cusack, Jon Bernthal, Christopher Lloyd, Wil Weaton, Michael Rooker, Rob Schneider, Catherine Tate, John Barrowman, Willa Holland, Joan Cusack, Elodie Yung, Sean Gunn, Michael Biehn, Eliza Dushku and Richard Dean Anderson. There are still more guests to announce before the show in September.
“Lord of the Rings is hugely popular with our fans and Elijah has been one of the top guest requests from our fans,” said Bryan Brandenburg, Salt Lake Comic Con Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer. “Elijah Wood hasn’t been available for this kind of appearance for several years so we are so excited that the stars aligned for his very rare appearance at our comic con. Our star studded lineup is incredibly strong and the addition of Elijah and the remaining announcements will seal this year’s event as being truly our best ever.”
Salt Lake Comic Con is September 21-23, 2017 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. For more information or to buy your ticket(s) now visit, http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com/. Shipping Deadline ended Monday, August 14, 2017.
ABOUT SALT LAKE COMIC CON:
Salt Lake Comic Con is organized by Dan Farr Productions (DFP), in partnership with ABC4/CW30 of the Nexstar Broadcasting Group, and was co-founded by Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenburg. DFP is an event and marketing group devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium celebrities and brands in the pop culture arena, including Salt Lake Gaming Con and Pop Life Asia. DFP is dedicated to producing spectacular celebrations of popular culture that lead the market in providing exceptional and rewarding experiences for our consumers, fans, celebrity guests, vendors and partners. Find out more at: www.SaltLakeComicCon.com, www.abc4.com/.
Salt Lake Comic Con
http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com
Salt Lake Comic Con Tickets
http://saltlakecomiccon.com/tickets/
Salt Lake Comic Con Guests
http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com/guests/
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- Even the smallest person can change the course of the future -
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Salt Lake Comic Con (http://saltlakecomiccon.com/) announced today that the world’s most famous hobbit, Elijah Wood, will attend the 5th Annual Salt Lake Comic Con that takes place September 21-23, 2017 at the Salt Palace Convention Center for a panel, photo ops and autograph signing with his Salt Lake Comic Con fans.
Wood is an actor, voice actor, producer and DJ. He’s best known for his starring role as Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The Lord of the Rings series won a total of 17 Academy Awards and grossed almost $3 billion at the global box office. In addition to Lord of the Rings, Wood appeared in Back to the Future Part II, Deep Impact, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Sin City and Green Street.
Wood is also the voice of Mumble in the award-winning animated musical films Happy Feet and Happy Feet Two, Tim Burton’s 9 and the animated series Tron: Uprising. In 2005 he started his own record label, Simian Records.
“The Lord of the Rings trilogy was an epic series and Elijah’s role as Frodo made him a fan favorite around the world and certainly for our Utah fans,” said Dan Farr, Salt Lake Comic Con Founder and Show Producer. “We’re thrilled that Elijah can join us in September. This is one of our strongest celebrity lineups yet and we know that our fans will be excited to meet the hero responsible for ensuring the destruction of the Sauron, the Dark Lord.”
In addition to Wood, Salt Lake Comic Con will feature one of its strongest lineups yet from fandoms such as The Arrow, Walking Dead, Star Trek, Back to the Future and Guardians of the Galaxy. Individual celebrity attendees include: Val Kilmer, Dick Van Dyke, John Cusack, Jon Bernthal, Christopher Lloyd, Wil Weaton, Michael Rooker, Rob Schneider, Catherine Tate, John Barrowman, Willa Holland, Joan Cusack, Elodie Yung, Sean Gunn, Michael Biehn, Eliza Dushku and Richard Dean Anderson. There are still more guests to announce before the show in September.
“Lord of the Rings is hugely popular with our fans and Elijah has been one of the top guest requests from our fans,” said Bryan Brandenburg, Salt Lake Comic Con Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer. “Elijah Wood hasn’t been available for this kind of appearance for several years so we are so excited that the stars aligned for his very rare appearance at our comic con. Our star studded lineup is incredibly strong and the addition of Elijah and the remaining announcements will seal this year’s event as being truly our best ever.”
Salt Lake Comic Con is September 21-23, 2017 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. For more information or to buy your ticket(s) now visit, http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com/. Shipping Deadline ended Monday, August 14, 2017.
ABOUT SALT LAKE COMIC CON:
Salt Lake Comic Con is organized by Dan Farr Productions (DFP), in partnership with ABC4/CW30 of the Nexstar Broadcasting Group, and was co-founded by Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenburg. DFP is an event and marketing group devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium celebrities and brands in the pop culture arena, including Salt Lake Gaming Con and Pop Life Asia. DFP is dedicated to producing spectacular celebrations of popular culture that lead the market in providing exceptional and rewarding experiences for our consumers, fans, celebrity guests, vendors and partners. Find out more at: www.SaltLakeComicCon.com, www.abc4.com/.
Salt Lake Comic Con
http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com
Salt Lake Comic Con Tickets
http://saltlakecomiccon.com/tickets/
Salt Lake Comic Con Guests
http://www.saltlakecomiccon.com/guests/
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