The "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" sequel/spinoff, "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth," written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by David Fincher, is set for a major holiday release on Netflix. But before the film hits the streamer, Tarantino plans to release a novel version first.

HarperCollins Publishers recently announced that "The Adventures of Cliff Booth," a novel personally penned by Tarantino, will be published on December 8. The cover art has also been revealed (see below). This title was actually the original name for the film, but it has now been reserved for the novel while the movie received a new title. This isn't the first time Tarantino has written a novel based on his own work; he previously published a book for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" that included many scenes and details not depicted in the film.

(Image: HarperCollins Publishers)

The cast for "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth" brings back original stars Brad Pitt and Timothy Olyphant, with new faces including Peter Weller, Scott Caan, Carla Gugino, Holt McCallany, Elizabeth Debicki, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

The film boasts a massive $200 million budget. This time, the story focuses on Cliff Booth, the dedicated stuntman for Brad Pitt's character Rick Dalton, as he navigates Hollywood on his own and solves various problems for movie studios. The film is scheduled for a two-week run in North American IMAX theaters starting November 25, before landing on Netflix worldwide on December 23.

Straley now re-emphasized that the issue lies not with the "God of War" team itself, but with the overall AAA industry's lack of room for taking risks.

"What I'm worried about is that our players have started to get tired of repeating the same gameplay behaviors for the past 20 years," he stated.

He also cited "Half-Life 2", "Gears of War", "BioShock", "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves", and "The Last of Us", believing these titles had all attempted to forge new experiences within the AAA framework at the time.

"I originally wanted to have a deep discussion, but I mentioned 'Laufey', and that was my mistake," Straley finally admitted.

DC Comics and Toei have officially announced a groundbreaking crossover event, uniting Batman with "Kamen Rider ZERO-ONE" for the first time. The collaboration will feature a new original comic series, alongside co-branded merchandise developed by Bandai. This ambitious project was officially revealed during Warner Bros. Japan's "Rule the Night" special event, celebrating Batman Day.

According to DC Comics Senior Editor Andrew Marino, the decision to pair Batman with "Kamen Rider ZERO-ONE" stemmed from a crucial shared trait: both heroes are powerful corporate executives. Bruce Wayne, as Batman, leads Wayne Enterprises, while Hiden Aruto serves as the president of Hiden Intelligence. Marino explained that this unique commonality provides a fertile ground for an original narrative that only these two characters could bring to life.

Toei producer Shinichiro Shirakura offered a historical perspective on the partnership, noting that the original "Kamen Rider" in 1971 featured early antagonists like a spider-themed villain and a bat-themed villain. While Toei later collaborated with a "spider hero" in 1978 (referring to the Toei-produced "Spider-Man" TV series), an opportunity to truly engage with a "bat hero" never materialized until now. Coinciding with Kamen Rider's 55th anniversary, Shirakura hailed this collaboration as a "historic event worthy of being etched into the annals of Japanese and American hero history."

Interestingly, the concept of a Batman and Kamen Rider team-up isn't entirely new; discussions for such a crossover first emerged in 1996. Golden Age Batman artist Jerry Robinson reportedly met with Shotaro Ishinomori to explore a "Batman vs. Kamen Rider" comic project, though it never came to fruition at the time.

Bandai also disclosed that the current project has been in development for approximately four years, from its initial conception to this official unveiling. Further details regarding the comic's storyline, creative team, and specific co-branded merchandise will be announced by officials in due course.

The newly rebooted "Resident Evil: Outbreak Night" officially premiered this week, receiving enthusiastic praise from both audiences and critics. The film reportedly averaged over 90% with both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the best-reviewed video game adaptation of all time. However, director Zach Cregger has no time to rest on his laurels, with several new projects already lined up.

Among these is the sci-fi film "The Flood," executive produced by Steven Spielberg and slated for an August 11, 2028 release. In a recent interview with Men's Health, Cregger shared his general vision for "The Flood."

(Image Source: Sony Pictures)

Cregger described, "Man, I love the story of 'The Flood' so much. It tells some things that are really important to me in a very real way. Its narrative structure is as peculiar as my previous films, 'Barbarian' and 'Weapons,' just without the frequent shifts in perspective. The way the plot unfolds is very special, and I’m very proud of it. It’s unsettling, but it’s not exactly a Horror film, although it does have some Horror elements that give me a sense of dread. I’m not entirely sure how to shoot this film yet, but I think that’s a good thing. It’s hard to talk about the story itself without giving spoilers, but I’m excited for the opportunity to make this movie. I fell in love with this story in a very unique way."

(Image Source: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Cregger likened the style of "The Flood" to "2001: A Space Odyssey," stating, "I’m not comparing 'The Flood' to '2001: A Space Odyssey,' because I think '2001: A Space Odyssey' is truly a masterpiece in every respect, but that film does have an undeniable strangeness, and it’s also a Horror film. '2001: A Space Odyssey' portrays humanity in a very unsettling, thrilling way, and of course, it explores artificial intelligence while also posing many profound questions. I feel that from this perspective, 'The Flood' shares some similarities."

While an official synopsis has not yet been released, rumors previously suggested that the film's protagonists are a deep-space exploration team aboard a vessel named "Spirit of the World," receiving eerie, repetitive signals from a distant planet. Captain Elena Voss leads the expedition to investigate, only to unexpectedly discover a bizarre alien artifact that begins to distort time, reality, and the minds of the crew.

(Image Source: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Cregger also confirmed that the "Barbarian" prequel film "Gladys," which he is actively developing, was indeed originally a chapter in the "Barbarian" script. "The script is still being written; the first draft is complete and fantastic, but we’re still refining it. It’s a character study. It explores: 'What kind of person was Gladys before she became who she is now? And how did she become that way?' So, it’s not a Horror film where she plays the monster — although it does contain elements of that — it’s more about following her perspective to understand the story. When I wrote 'Barbarian,' I specifically wrote a chapter for Gladys, detailing her background, but I ultimately removed it from 'Barbarian' because I felt it was best not to let the audience know too much about her. That was the right decision for 'Barbarian,' but it doesn’t mean Gladys’s story can’t be developed independently, and I’m really looking forward to it. I love watching Amy Madigan play this role, and I think this script creates a very interesting performance framework for her, so we’ll have to wait and see what the final result is."

Cregger previously revealed that he will not personally direct or write "Gladys." The director has not yet been decided, but he has entrusted the screenwriting duties to Zach Shields, co-writer of "Godzilla: King of the Monsters."

The zombie-themed video game "Lollipop Chainsaw," originally released by Kadokawa Games in 2012, has been making headlines recently. Just days after the announcement of a sequel, "Lollipop Chainsaw 2: Back2Back," slated for next year, news broke at the Tokyo Game Show today that a live-action film adaptation is also officially in development. While the production team has yet to secure a writer or director, they have already outlined a general story direction for the movie.

(Image source: IMDb)

The film's primary plot will adapt the game, but its narrative will begin at an earlier point than the original game's timeline. Furthermore, the movie is being positioned as an R-rated action-comedy, ensuring no compromise on its mature content. However, the live-action film is not the only "Lollipop Chainsaw" adaptation in the works; an animated series, which began development even earlier than the film, is also set to debut soon.

The original "Lollipop Chainsaw" video game already had a Hollywood connection, as its writer was none other than James Gunn, now co-CEO of DC Studios. At the time, Gunn had not yet directed the first "Guardians of the Galaxy," which brought him widespread fame, making "Lollipop Chainsaw" one of his very early works before his breakthrough. Whether Gunn will be involved in the film's production, however, remains unknown.

Brad Pitt's new wilderness survival film, "Heart of the Beast," sees him reunite with director David Ayer (pictured right below) after their collaboration on "Fury." While the movie is set for its US theatrical release on September 25, 2026, reports have surfaced regarding creative differences behind the scenes, specifically between Pitt and Ayer.

(Image Source: Pinterest)

According to Puck News, Pitt and Ayer had significant disagreements over the film's tone, leading them to each cut their own distinct versions. Three sources close to Puck News indicated that Ayer's cut was "more commercial" and received better audience feedback during test screenings. Pitt's version, conversely, leaned towards a more niche appeal but garnered support from producer couple Damien Chazelle and Olivia Hamilton, who previously worked with Pitt on "Babylon."

The creative impasse between Pitt and Ayer initially put Paramount Pictures in an awkward position, unsure which vision to back. Ultimately, other producers intervened, urging the two to reconcile their ideas. They were granted additional post-production time to collaboratively create a new version. Sources suggest that the final theatrical release primarily follows Ayer's vision, incorporating some of Pitt's suggestions.

The official synopsis reveals that after a harrowing plane crash, former Army Special Forces officer James Belmont, played by Brad Pitt, and his retired combat dog, Odin, find themselves stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness. They are forced into a brutal fight for survival against the harsh elements. The film explores the unbreakable bond between a man and his best canine friend as they face the most challenging battle of their lives.

Back in early June, the upcoming live-action film adaptation of Sony Interactive Entertainment's Sci-Fi action-shooter game, "Helldivers," was rocked by news of its lead star dropping out. Originally set to star Jason Momoa, known for his role as Aquaman, Momoa unexpectedly exited the project, with no official reason given. Now, after a three-month search, the production has found its new lead in Alan Ritchson, who also famously portrayed a different iteration of Aquaman years ago.

(Image Source: Pinterest)

Momoa previously starred as Aquaman in the DCEU, while Ritchson took on the role of a younger Aquaman in the hit series "Smallville." Coincidentally, the two actors recently shared the screen, as both were part of the ensemble cast for "Fast X," playing characters on the same side.

The live-action Helldivers film will be helmed by Justin Lin, director of "The Fast Saga" entries 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9. The screenplay is penned by acclaimed horror scribe Gary Dauberman, known for his work on the "It" franchise and the "Annabelle" series. The film is currently slated for a November 10, 2027 release.

This past April, Paramount/Skydance announced at CinemaCon that the long-gestating sequel to the hit zombie epic "World War Z", based on the novel of the same name, was officially back in development after years of dormancy. Today, Deadline exclusively reports that original star and producer Brad Pitt has agreed to return to lead the film, with "Conclave" director Edward Berger (pictured below) now set to direct, replacing original helmer Marc Forster.

Berger recently wrapped another novel adaptation, "The Riders," with Pitt. He was also previously approached by Pitt and George Clooney to direct the fourth installment in the "Ocean's" franchise. However, Berger ultimately chose to take on "World War Z 2." Reportedly, Pitt's former stunt double, "Bullet Train" director David Leitch, is now slated to helm the next "Ocean's" film.

"World War Z" sequel plans have been in motion for years, with Pitt at one point bringing in his acclaimed director friend David Fincher to helm the project. However, those plans were ultimately shelved due to budget concerns, leading to Fincher's departure. It remains to be seen if Berger will successfully guide this iteration of the sequel all the way to production.

This episode picks up where last week left off, with Stuart, Bert, Denise, and Kripke trapped in a comic book world and encountering Mr. Freeze, portrayed by Eric Allan Kramer. Notably, Kramer was the first live-action Thor in 1988's "The Incredible Hulk Returns."

Meanwhile, Andy Ridings transforms into Jay Garrick's Flash in the episode, helping the main characters traverse different dimensions. In fact, The Flash wasn't the creative team's initial choice; they originally wanted Green Lantern.

Co-creator Zak Penn told Deadline that they were informed they couldn't use Green Lantern because HBO was producing "Lanterns," a decision he understood.

He stated that writer Chuck Lorre was initially a bit displeased, but he and fellow writer Bill Prady later realized that if they needed a character who could travel between different dimensions, The Flash was actually a better fit than Green Lantern.

Penn also admitted that the team particularly loved the Golden Age Flash's somewhat goofy charm. They intentionally had the characters travel from Gotham City to Central City for help, using this to poke fun at seemingly obvious yet ultimately absurd tropes within the comic book world.

The character designs for this episode were developed through close collaboration between the creative team and DC President and CCO Jim Lee. Penn joked that the DC team offered assistance with an attitude of "anything we can help with, except Green Lantern."

"Stuart Fails to Save the Universe" has already received an early renewal for a second season, and Penn indicated that the possibility of further exploring the DC Universe in the future is quite high.

In an interview with Edge magazine, Straley cited "God of War: Laufey" as an example, acknowledging his full understanding of the immense resources and technology invested in such productions.

"I look at 'God of War: Laufey,' and every pixel is amazing. The amount of work and technology that goes into every frame... I've made games like that myself, and I'm still blown away when I see it now," he said.

However, what truly disinterests him is the actual gameplay. Straley continued, "But when I actually look at what you're doing in the game, I'm not excited. This isn't directed at the 'God of War' team, but rather the entire AAA landscape makes me feel like there are no longer any opportunities to inject truly fresh, innovative ideas."

Ironically, "Uncharted" and "The Last of Us" themselves served as significant blueprints for today's highly cinematic third-person AAA games. In 2018, some players even jokingly referred to "God of War" as "Kratos's version of 'The Last of Us'."

Straley departed Naughty Dog in 2017, following the release of "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End," largely due to burnout from years of high-intensity AAA development.

He has since founded Wildflower Interactive, shifting his focus to smaller-scale game production. The studio's debut title, "Coven of the Chicken Foot," was unveiled at The Game Awards 2025, with no release date announced yet.