The final week of May brought a host of news across the world of gaming and film, before heading into the busy Summer season. Here’s what you may have missed!
‘Shinobi: Art of Vengeance’ Story Trailer
The trailer illustrates protagonist Joe Musashi’s tragic story, taking viewers through the loss of his village and the deadly curse placed upon the Oboro Clan. Left with nothing, his sole focus becomes defeating those responsible for burning his village to the ground – Lord Ruse and the ENE Corp. However, the path ahead holds many challenges, for Lord Ruse wields a powerful stolen artifact that grants him immortality. Nothing and no one can stand in his way… or can they?
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance hits PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Consoles, and Steam on August 29th.
‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 4K Release Announced
The Last of Us season 2 came to a close this past week, and HBO/WB were quick to announced the physical release of the season (along with several special features):
Five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind.
Season two returning cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, and Rutina Wesley as Maria. New cast includes Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. Catherine O’Hara also guest stars as therapist, Gail.
BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:
Ellie’s Ultimate Revenge (New Featurette Exclusive to 4K, BD and DVD) – Join the cast and crew as we discover what is fueling Ellie’s revenge and the rage within. What lead her on this path? Who is Ellie as a person and what drives her? What is her current relationship with Joel? How does she feel after she witnesses Joel die? Who is Abby? How can she find her? What will she do when she finally does? All of these questions are explored in Ellie’s Ultimate Revenge.
Beneath the Surface: The Visual FX of The Last of Us (New Featurette Exclusive to 4K, BD and DVD) – The Last of Us invites you behind the scenes with the award-winning teams who bring the show to life. Tour the prosthetic workshop and revisit the concept art that inspired the characters! See the pyro team bathe the infected stunt performers in flames. Go behind the scenes as the production prepares hundreds of background actors in hair and make up for their epic attack on Jackson. Learn how VFX and Costume teams worked together to help bring to life the spore-filled basement beneath Lakehill Hospital. Featuring interviews with cast and crew.
· Growing the World of The Last of Us
· Welcome to Jackson (Set Tour)
· Joel’s Journey to Season 2
· Ellie’s Journey to Season 2
· Pedro and Bella Q&A
· Battle of Jackson, Deconstructed
· Open Book: Isabela Merced & Young Mazino
· Mushroom Taste Test
· Character Featurette – Joel
· Character Featurette – Ellie
· Character Featurette – Abby
· Character Featurette – Dina
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #1
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #2
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #3
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #4
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #5
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #6
· Making of: The Last of Us Episode #7
The Last of Us: The Complete Second Season hits 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray on September 23rd.
First Trailer for ‘The Home’
In this horror thriller from the creator of The Purge, a rebellious twentysomething is sentenced to community service at a quiet retirement home. The residents on the fourth floor are strictly off-limits, said to require “special care.” As his suspicions grow and he digs deeper, he uncovers a chilling secret that puts both the residents’ lives and his own in grave danger.
The Home hits theaters on July 25th.
Mafia: The Old Country Developer Diary
2K Games has released the first developer diary for Mafia: The Old Country, offering fans a look behind the scenes at how the developers recreated early 1900s Sicily.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o34WOE1a8aQ
First Trailer for ‘Good Fortune’
Lionsgate revealed the first trailer for Aziz Ansari’s directorial debut, Good Fortune, which casts Keanu Reeves as an angel trying to help. It’s a pretty hilarious trailer and one of the projects that intrigued me most during CinemaCon.
In GOOD FORTUNE, a well-meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker (Aziz Ansari) and a wealthy venture capitalist (Seth Rogen).
Good Fortune hits theaters on October 17th.
First Trailer for New ‘Jaws @ 50’ Documentary
Screenrant got the exclusive first look at the upcoming new Jaws documentary. The new behind the scenes doc will explore the making of the film (including new interviews with Steven Spielberg), it’s impact on culture, and why it still resonates even 50 years later.
National Geographic’s SHARKFEST wouldn’t exist without the film that changed cinema—and our relationship with sharks—forever: “Jaws.” This summer, in tribute to the movie that sparked a lasting fascination with the ocean’s most misunderstood predator, National Geographic goes behind the scenes of the legendary blockbuster with JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau (“Faye,” “Music by John Williams”), the 90-minute documentary takes viewers on the ultimate deep dive, from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel to the cinematic phenomenon that is “Jaws” and how the film continues to ripple through pop culture, cinema and shark conservation to this day. You may think you know the full story of “Jaws”—but not until now.
JAWS @ 50 hails from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films, in partnership with Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling, and is this summer’s only authorized documentary on the making of “Jaws,” with the award-winning director himself diving back into the story that launched his career and earned him final cut on the film, a creative control he has maintained for the last 50 years. The documentary premieres July 10 at 9/8c on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
This definitive account offers an unfiltered look at the chaos and creativity behind the making of “Jaws,” featuring never-before-seen footage from Spielberg’s and Benchley’s personal archives, including home videos and rare outtakes. Through candid new reflections, Spielberg recounts the high-stakes production, from battling a malfunctioning mechanical shark and relentless weather delays to his own post-production PTSD and fears the film would end his career. The documentary also reexamines the infamous “Jaws effect”—the wave of shark fear it unleashed—and reframes it as a legacy of awe, curiosity and enduring respect for the ocean’s top predator. Complemented by brand-new interviews with cast, crew, filmmakers and shark advocates, JAWS @ 50 captures the full creative and cultural shockwaves of the first summer blockbuster.
In addition to Steven Spielberg, the documentary includes exclusive interviews from original cast and crew—including Joe Alves (production designer), Jonathan Filley (Cassidy), Lorraine Gary (Ellen Brody), Carl Gottlieb (Meadows, screenwriter), Jeffrey Kramer (Hendricks), Ian Shaw (son of Robert Shaw, who played Quint), Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner), and composer John Williams—and a who’s who of modern filmmakers and superfans—including J.J. Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, George Lucas, Greg Nicotero, Jordan Peele, Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Zemeckis, and more—reflect on how “Jaws” shaped their work and the cinematic landscape.
Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story debuts July 10th on National Geographic and Hulu/Disney+.
World War Z VR Arrives This August
Developed and published by Saber, World War Z VR is designed from the ground up to capture the series’ legendary scale and action for long-time fans and VR enthusiasts alike. Every gameplay mechanic of the original World War Z has been fully reimagined for VR to deliver a gripping sense of realism and excitement with each moment.
Take on hordes of undead across vast environments in three unique locations – New York, Tokyo and Marseille. Customize your challenge to suit your playstyle with a variety of characters, weapons, perks and difficulty settings to choose from.
Key Features
Battle Hordes of Zombies in VR: Endure overwhelming swarms of up to 200 zombies on screen at a time in the ultimate VR zombie experience!
Explore Immersive Environments: Navigate massive levels with total immersion across three real-world locations overrun by the undead – New York, Tokyo and Marseille.
7 Playable Characters: Select your operative and dive into each mission with your pre-selected AI squad. Equip a wide variety of weapons and perks to give yourself the edge over the most gruesome firefights.
Survive Epic Challenges: Zombies will adapt to their surroundings and your playstyle to hunt you down, while special infected enemies raise the stakes even higher. Choose from three difficulty modes and overcome all odds to live to fight another day!
World War Z VR hits Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, or SteamVR on August 12th.
Dark Horse Announces Epic ‘The Art of Fantastic Four’
In collaboration with Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Books continues the Bullpen Books series of thoughtfully designed and curated art books featuring iconic artwork by some of Marvel Comics’ most influential figures. The inaugural installment of this series, The Art of the Amazing Spider-Man, showcases the work of John Romita Sr. and Gil Kane on a historical journey through time and artwork from The Amazing Spider-Man. Now, readers are invited to explore Jack “King” Kirby’s groundbreaking run on The Fantastic Four with co-creator Stan Lee, with reproduced archival scans along with essays and commentary from editor-designer team Ian Chalgren and John Lind. The Art of Fantastic Four pays tribute to the first family of the Marvel Universe when the oversized art collection arrives in fall 2025.
Since its debut in 1961, The Fantastic Four has been a cornerstone of the Marvel Age of Comics. The series, co-created by legendary artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, revolutionized the comic book industry and set the standard for a new brand of superhero storytelling. Kirby, one of the most influential creators in comic book history, infused the series with his dynamic artwork and unparalleled imagination, cementing its place in comics history.
Within the oversized Bullpen Books edition is a treasury of Kirby’s artwork from his lengthy run on The Fantastic Four spanning 1961 to 1970. It includes complete stories from issues #60, #71, #82, and #83, and the spectacular 48-page Fantastic Four Annual #6. These selections provide a glimpse into the early days of Marvel’s bullpen, showcasing Kirby’s artistic genius during one of his most creative periods.
The Art of Fantastic Four arrives on September 23rd.
