One of the first big decisions made by newcomers to the series is which Charmed One is their favourite. While all four sisters have their merits, a great many fans settle on Piper, played by Supa-Star Holly Marie Combs. The middle, and later oldest sister, some find Piper the easiest Halliwell to connect to. Before Holly Marie Combs visits Supanova in Sydney (19–21 June 2026) and Perth (27–28 June 2026), let’s look back at some of the reasons why Piper Halliwell was, and still is, the most relatable of the Charmed Ones.

Piper is the protector and peacemaker among her siblings

Though Piper started the series as the middle Halliwell child, a significant portion of the Charmed fandom perceive her as giving off ‘Eldest Daughter’ energy long before Prue Halliwell’s death at the end of the third season. Though she was said to have been living independently at one point, prior to the beginning of the series, Piper had moved back to the family home not because she needed to, but because she didn’t want Prue to be alone there after the death of their Grandmother. Piper is also the one to invite Phoebe back to the family home when she is struggling, and plays peacemaker when Prue and Phoebe bicker.

Once the Charmed Ones’ powers manifest, panic is at first credited as the initial trigger to Piper’s power of freezing objects in time. However, many viewers noted that many of Piper’s early uses of her power occur when one or both of her sisters are in danger, saving them from injury or worse. While Prue, as the oldest and supposedly strongest sister, liked to see herself as a protector, Piper had a true protective instinct that fans noticed and appreciated, even if the show itself did not often comment upon it in the early seasons.

Piper holds on to her ‘Real World’ hopes and dreams

Throughout Charmed’s eight season run, Piper Halliwell is a gifted cook. For plot practicality purposes, this is also used to explain why Piper is easily able to develop a talent for brewing potions. However, her gift has a personal impact beyond magic. While Prue, Phoebe, and eventually Paige are increasingly consumed by the magical world, Piper, though no less committed to her duties as a Charmed One, holds onto her dreams outside of witch-hood.

When the series begins, Piper is an aspiring chef, taking a new job at a local restaurant in the first episode. Her dream is to one day own a restaurant of her very own. P3, the nightclub purchased by the Halliwells in season two, is seen as a stepping stone toward this dream (while also allowing the show to feature the occasional big name musical guest). Charmed’s final flashforward epilogue, narrated by Piper, reveals that she finally fulfilled her dream, selling P3 to fund her own restaurant, Halliwell’s. While Phoebe also ends the series with a real job, it wasn’t a lifelong dream in the way Piper’s was. Having a real, grounded, achievable goal outside of magic made Piper feel more real and relatable as a character in the eyes of many fans.

Piper’s fertility struggles 

During season four of Charmed, Piper and her Whitelighter Husband, Leo (played by Supa-Star Brian Krause, also joining us in June), begin trying for a baby. After an extended period of trying without results, Piper visits a Doctor and learns that scarring in her uterus (due to repeated blows to the stomach while fighting demons) would make it very difficult for her to conceive a child.

By the series epilogue, Piper and Leo have three children, Wyatt, Chris, and Melinda. While the children, or at least Wyatt, were the result of a ‘magic baby’ scenario increasingly frowned upon in present day television, Piper’s situation was somewhat different. At the time Charmed was airing, fertility stories were uncommon, making Piper one of the first characters on major network TV to have a fertility struggle storyline depicted over several episodes. Although the ‘magic baby’ resolution to the story was unrealistic, this doesn’t change the fact that the earlier part of the story made some women going through their own struggles feel seen in a way they might have been previously.

Power does not have to mean perfection

In the prophecy predicting the eventual arrival of the Charmed Ones, it is stated that the eldest sister will be the most powerful witch of the three. Prue takes this statement seriously, putting a large amount of pressure on herself to be the best, and sometimes cracking under said pressure, such as in the episode Just Harried, when her Astral Projected self subconsciously creates a free-spirited alternate personality to escape the struggles of her life.

Following Prue’s death in the season three finale and the introduction of half-sister Paige Matthews at the beginning of season four, it is assumed, much to Piper’s chagrin, that she will become the most powerful Charmed One. Despite her initial reluctance to accept the expectation of power being placed upon her, Piper does still emerge as the most powerful witch in the reforged Power of Three, but this is mostly because her power to freeze or blow up objects has the most combat applications. Piper, unlike Prue, does not put pressure on herself to be the most powerful, or actively try to be. She experiences various emotional breakdowns and struggles throughout the series, and is more willing to accept help from her sisters when these problems occur, because unlike Prue, Piper accepts she is not perfect, and doesn’t try to be.

Piper Halliwell is the most relatable Charmed One because, despite the magical hijinks going on around her, she is the one who most often feels like a real person in whom viewers can see themselves. This is why, 20 years after Charmed left our screens, she remains the one new fans are most likely to fall in love with.

You can meet Charmed Supa-Stars Holly Marie Combs and Brian Krause at Supanova in Sydney (19–21 June 2026) and Perth (27–28 June 2026).

The post Why Piper Is The Most Relatable Charmed One appeared first on Supanova Comic Con & Gaming.

However, in a different timeline, audiences may have been faced with a very different movie indeed. With Supa-Star guests Christopher Lloyd, Donald Fullilove, and Harry Waters Jr. set to join us for Supanova in Sydney (19–21 June 2026) and Perth (27–28 June 2026), we thought it might be timely to charge our flux capacitor up to its requisite 1.21 gigawatts and take a peek at what almost happened in another timeline.

We Almost Got A Very Different Marty McFly

Most Back to the Future fans will already know that Michael J. Fox was not the first actor cast to play Marty McFly. While Fox was indeed director Robert Zemeckis’ first pick for the role, his duties on Family Ties made it difficult for him to commit, and the filmmakers had to look elsewhere – including Ralph Macchio from The Karate Kid.

Eventually, actor Eric Stoltz was cast, and filming had even begun with him in November of 1984. However, Zemeckis quickly determined that he was not the right fit and, instead, went back to Fox, making the concessions necessary for him to film both Family Ties and Back to the Future simultaneously (adding an additional $4 million to the budget in the process).

The DeLorean Didn’t Exist In Earlier Drafts

It’s hard to imagine Back to the Future without the iconic DeLorean making its way up to 88 miles per hour and shooting off into the space-time continuum while leaving flaming tyre tracks behind.

Except the DeLorean didn’t even exist in the earliest drafts of the movie. In screenwriter Bob Gale’s initial draft, the time machine was originally a laser-gun type contraption that Doc Brown would later attach to a lead-lined refrigerator.

Why a fridge, you ask? Because the original plan to get Marty home from the 1950s involved driving the fridge into a nuclear test site on the back of a truck, and being close enough to a nuclear detonation to get the requisite power needed to charge the device.

While that idea would later be scrapped altogether, producer Steven Spielberg did eventually return to the idea of someone hiding in a lead-lined fridge during a nuclear detonation and used it for the opening sequence of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The DeLorean Was Almost A Ford Mustang

When the idea to transform the time machine into a car came about in later drafts, Zemeckis suggested the UMC DeLorean because its gullwing doors would look decidedly alien to people in the 1950s, and it could easily be mistaken for a UFO.

However, when the movie started moving into production, the Ford Motor Company offered producers $75,000 to use a Ford Mustang instead. Bob Gale, however, was less than enthusiastic about the idea, and the DeLorean stayed.

The Movie Almost Had A Different Name Altogether

It’s hard to imagine a timeline where no one even knew the name, Back to the Future, but Universal Pictures executive Sid Sheinberg originally pressed to change the movie’s title to Space Man from Pluto and “avoid the feeling of a ‘genre’ time-travel movie.”

Steven Spielberg replied to Sheinberg’s request in hilarious fashion, simply replying to the original memo with: “Sid, thanks for your most humorous memo. We all got a big kick out of it. Thanks, Steven.”

You too can find out what it’s like to go back in time when Christopher Lloyd, Donald Fullilove, and Harry Waters Jr. join us for Supanova in Sydney (19–21 June 2026) and Perth (27–28 June 2026).

The post ‘Back To The Future’ In An Alternate Timeline appeared first on Supanova Comic Con & Gaming.

Owing his origins to Frank Sinatra’s scat section in the 1966 song Strangers in the Night, the improvised lyrics “dooby-dooby-do” would later inspire CBS executive Fred Silverman to bestow the name on a cartoon dog whose influence would continue to echo down through the generations.

And, after decades’ worth of television reboots and adaptations, direct-to-DVD movies and the original live-action movies penned by none other than DC Studios boss James Gunn, Scooby’s coming back to live-action in a new series courtesy of Netflix.

Neil Fanning at Supanova

With the voice of the previous live-action Scooby himself, Supa-Star favourite Neil Fanning set to join us for Supanova in Sydney (19-21 June 2026), we thought it might be time to dig out the Scooby snacks and see what Netflix have planned for the return of the Scoobster and his pals in Mystery Inc.

First announced in April 2024, this new Scooby Doo series is set to be produced by Arrowverse boss Greg Berlanti, someone whose previous Netflix collaborations have included the hit Riverdale and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina adaptations. And, it would seem that the darker, more adult tone that inspired both of those shows, looks set to return in this latest incarnation of Scooby-Doo too.

Touted as an origin story concerning the formation of Mystery Inc., the show’s official synopsis reveals that a lost Scooby will first encounter Shaggy and his friends after bearing witness to a supernatural murder. Check out the full synopsis below:

During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder. Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma, and the strange, but ever so handsome new kid, Freddy, they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets.

Penned by Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, the writing duo behind Netflix’s short-lived live-action Cowboy Bebop adaptation, the show’s first season has been confirmed to run for 8 episodes, and production officially got underway in April this year.

As for who audiences can expect to see front and centre beside everyone’s favourite great dane, Ghostbusters and Scream 7 star Mckenna Grace was previously announced to be stepping into the stylish, knee-high boots of Daphne Blake. Interestingly enough, this isn’t Grace’s first flirtation with the role, and she previously voiced a younger version of the character for 2020’s animated reboot, Scoob!

As for Daphne’s compatriots, Netflix has only just dropped the rest of the Scooby gang line-up, which now includes actor and musician Tanner Hagen as Shaggy Rogers, Abby Ryder Fortson (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret) as Velma Dinkley, and Maxwell Jenkins (The Bondsman, Lost In Space) as Fred Jones.

Meanwhile, the task of voicing Scooby this time around falls to franchise veteran Frank Welker, who began voicing the cartoon version of Fred as far back as 1969, and also lent his voice to the animated versions of Scooby Doo from the early 2000s.

Introducing the cast of the live action Scooby-Doo series!

Mckenna Grace as Daphne
Tanner Hagen as Shaggy
Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma
Maxwell Jenkins as Fred pic.twitter.com/igiv7YwlTP

— netflix⁷ (@netflix) March 18, 2026

Other announced cast members include Cobra Kai’s Paul Walter Hauser, who will serve as Scooby’s original owner. Meanwhile, The Big Bang Theory’s Sara Gilbert has also signed on for an as-yet undisclosed role.

In the meantime, you can come and share some Scooby snacks with Scooby himself, when Neil Fanning joins us for Supanova in Sydney (19-21 June 2026). Scooby-dooby-doo!!!!

The post Zoinks! What We Know About Netflix’s Live-Action Scooby-Doo Reboot appeared first on Supanova Comic Con & Gaming.

During her recent trip Down Under for Supanova, we sent her some spellbinding questions to answer.

What’s your favourite memory of filming the Harry Potter films?

All the scenes with my Weasley family. The Burrows was my favourite place to be. I would love to be back on the set!

Are there any deleted scenes that you wish had made it into the final cut of the films?

We filmed a lot of Ginny being possessed by Tom Riddle’s diary; some of it made it to the final cut, and others didn’t. It would have been cool to see more of that and how that experience changed her.

Out of all the spells in The Wizarding World, which one is your favourite and why?

Reducto. It epitomises Ginny’s growing confidence as a witch during her Dumbledore’s Army days.

What advice do you have for those who want to chase their creative ambitions?

Work hard, be authentic and do it your own way.

Your environmental advocacy is a huge part of your identity. What inspired you to write your book, Go Gently: Actionable Steps to Nurture Yourself and the Planet?

I had been making small changes in my day-to-day life to connect with the wider issues our planet is facing. I wanted to document and share them in a way that felt approachable and inviting. If we all do our little bit imperfectly, that is better than nothing at all.

What’s one small thing we all could do that would leave a positive impact on the world?

I usually say there is not one thing, as our lives are uniquely different. But as food is part of our daily life, and one small change that you can make that has a big impact is to buy food within the season it is grown and locally to you.

Lead image: Bonnie Wright at Goldnova 2026. Photo by Ali Stevenson

The post INTERVIEW: Bonnie Wright On The Magic Of ‘The Wizarding World’ & More appeared first on Supanova Comic Con & Gaming.

Fresh from stepping into the role of ‘Johnny Cage’ in Mortal Kombat 2, Urban continues to dominate screens globally as Billy Butcher in Prime Video’s smash-hit series The Boys, while remaining a fan-favourite across iconic franchises including The Lord of the Rings and Star Trek.

Middle-earth fans can also prepare for an epic reunion as Craig Parker joins fellow The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit stars Urban, Jed Brophy and Stephen Hunter in Sydney. The quartet bring decades of adventures from Middle-earth to the Supanova stage, with Brophy and Hunter appearing exclusively in Sydney with Parker crossing the Nullarbor to also appear in Perth.

The nostalgia train keeps rolling at 88 miles per hour with Donald Fullilove and Harry Waters Jr. joining previously announced guest Christopher Lloyd for Sydney and Perth. Fans of Back to the Future will recognise Fullilove as Mayor Goldie Wilson, while Waters Jr. famously performed Earth Angel as Marvin Berry & The Starlighters during one of the film’s most iconic scenes.

Action cinema fans can also look forward to martial arts legend Bolo Yeung appearing exclusively in Sydney on Sunday only. Best known for Bloodsport, Enter the Dragon and Double Impact, Yeung remains one of the genre’s most recognisable screen legends.

Power Rangers fans can prepare to morph into action with a huge line-up of franchise favourites joining Supanova Sydney including Power Rangers Mystic Force stars Richard Brancatisano, Angie Diaz, and Firass Dirani (Saturday Only), Operation Overdrive stars Gareth Yuen, Caitlin Murphy (Saturday Only), and Ninja Storm’s Adam Tuominen (Saturday Only).

Anime fans are in for a treat as we’re joined by Alan Lee, the Saja Boys’ own Mystery Saja from KPop Demon Hunters, who recently joined the cast of Jujutsu Kaisen as Naoya Zen’in. Alan can also be heard as Shang Tsung in NetherRealm’s Mortal Kombat 1, alongside roles in Solo Leveling, Rising of the Shield Hero, and many more.

These latest additions join previously announced Supa-Stars including Christopher Lloyd, Anthony Daniels, Simon Pegg, Adam Savage, Holly Marie Combs, Brian Krause, Veronica Taylor and many more, as Supanova continues building one of its biggest events to date.

Admission Tickets to Sydney and Perth are on sale now via Ticketbooth. Secure your tickets ahead of autograph and photo token releases closer to the event. For the latest news and updates, follow @SupanovaExpo across social media.

The post “Flawless Victory!” Karl Urban Leads Supanova’s Latest Sydney & Perth Guest Announcements appeared first on Supanova Comic Con & Gaming.

Life Is Strange is an indie game darling, the name itself sparking visions of quirky dialogue, reverberating indie music, mysterious powers, and heart-wrenching choices. With many different versions of the series following the very first 2015 release, it’s safe to say Dontnod created a Tumblr-esque decision-based game that will not soon be forgotten.

And the hype is finally reaching a fever pitch. After nearly a decade in development limbo, the live-action series has officially been greenlit at Amazon MGM Studios for Prime Video. While original developers Dontnod have moved on to other projects (Lost Records: Bloom & Rage and more!), the franchise remains in the capable hands of Square Enix and Deck Nine. LuckyChap and Story Kitchen are bringing the vision to life, with Charlie Covell, the brilliant mind behind The End of the F***ing World, serving as showrunner and writer.

We even have our leads! Tatum Grace Hopkins is set to step into the shoes of our beloved awkward hipster Max Caulfield, while Maisy Stella will take on the iconic role of the blue-haired backtalking lovable scamp, Chloe Price. With Karyn Kusama confirmed to direct the first two episodes, the show is shaping up to have the exact moody, cinematic edge fans have been in love with since the first game.

I first played Life Is Strange back in 2015 when it first came out, and as a young teen, my immediate obsession with the world of Max and Chloe would go on to define so much of who I am today. The game and its characters were full of love, lingering passion found in every corner of the diligently crafted Arcadia Bay. Everything from the at times cringey dialogue, the lost and newly rekindled relationship between Chloe and Max, to the small-sleepy-town setting and raw reflections of human struggle, it all embraced me in a way I hadn’t known a game could. And I wasn’t alone; Life Is Strange has a legacy fandom behind it for good reason.

All this to say that expectations are very high. With such a legacy in tow, it’s no wonder fans are cautiously waiting with bated breath. With these hopes and dreams packed into the new release, here’s some of the things we’d like to see as long-term fans of the series:

That signature Indie music we love

The soundtrack to Life Is Strange isn’t just background noise; it’s the heartbeat of the game. From the melancholic and absolutely iconic to the series sound of Obstacles by Syd Matters to the heart-wrenching moment you hear Mt. Washington by Local Natives, the music dictated the emotional temperature of every scene. We want the show to avoid generic TV drama scores and lean heavily into the licensed indie-folk and sad girl anthems that defined the 2015 era. It needs to be the kind of soundtrack you want to listen to while staring out a bus window at snow in the middle of summer.

A deep focus on Max and Chloe (and Rachel!)

Now you’d think this one would be a no-brainer, but with such a well-written original cast of characters, it could be easy to lose the thesis of Life Is Strange: the time-defying bond of analog-obsessed-wallflower Max and manic-pixie-nightmare Chloe. Whether you view them as partners in time or star-crossed lovers, their chemistry needs to feel authentic and earned. With the show being on Prime Video, which thankfully hasn’t shied away from queer narratives, we really hope to see their romance explored with the same weight it held in the games. We also need to see the ambiguous ghost of Rachel Amber looming over the story. Her disappearance is the catalyst for so much of Chloe’s pain, and acknowledging her lingering presence and her dark end without over-exposing who she is will be vital.

Dwelling in the slow beauty of Arcadia Bay

In the game, some of the best moments were when Max would just sit for a moment with her thoughts, and the camera would pan out while a song gently played. It was a time to hear some of her innermost thoughts, and wrestle with the burning feelings the game stirs. We want the show to breathe. Don’t rush the plot just to get to the next time-travel twist. Let us see the golden hour light hitting the Blackwell Academy hallways; let us hear the jukebox in the Two Whales Diner. Arcadia Bay needs to feel like a character itself, cozy and welcoming, but with a rot hiding just beneath the surface.

A commitment to the murder mystery twist

While the game is famous for its vibes, it is also a gripping supernatural thriller. The disappearance of Rachel Amber and the dark secrets of the Prescott family and Mr. Jefferson provided a terrifying stakes-check to Max’s high school drama. We want the show to fully commit to the horror we felt when uncovering Arcadia Bay’s secrets the very first time. It should feel dangerous, the stakes should feel high. We want to see Max and Chloe playing amateur (albeit superpowered) detectives, creeping through the Dark Room, and uncovering a conspiracy that genuinely makes our blood run cold.

Respecting “The Choice”

Adapting a choice-based game is a minefield. While Bae over Bay (sacrificing the town for Chloe) is a massive fan favorite, the show has the difficult task of making a definitive narrative choice. We’d love to see the show play with the concept of timelines or offer subtle nods to the other path. Perhaps Max sees flashes of what would happen if she chose differently. Regardless of which ending the showrunners pick, it needs to honor the emotional weight of that final decision, acknowledging that for many players, there was no true right answer.

Keeping it small and intimate

One of the biggest risks of a big-budget Amazon adaptation is losing the small-scale feel that made the indie game so special. We don’t need a Marvel-level spectacle of time travel. Max’s powers should feel intimate and taxing, used to fix small social blunders (think openly reaching into someone’s trash can to retrieve a pregnancy test – OMG Max!) or save one specific life, rather than being used for grand action set-pieces. By casting relatively fresh faces like Tatum Grace Hopkins and Maisy Stella, the show is already on the right track. We want a story about people, not just a story about superpowers.

As we wait for more news on the release date, there is a sense of nervous excitement in the air. Life Is Strange taught a generation of gamers that our choices matter, and that even a hella cringey teenager can use her powers to make a difference, even when everybody reduces her to a busybody. If Prime Video can capture even half of that magic, we’ll all be ready to head back to the lighthouse one more time. Ready for the mosh pit, shaka brah?

The post What Fans Want To See In The ‘Life Is Strange’ TV Show appeared first on Supanova Comic Con & Gaming.

Celebrating the enduring legacy of late Showa (1926-1989) and early Heisei-era (1989-2019) Japanese film and television, this special collaboration further expands Supanova’s focus on global pop culture, bringing four iconic performers whose work has shaped generations of fans across anime and tokusatsu (live action special effects), to an event already brimming with film, television, anime, gaming, cosplay and comic-book content from around the world.

Leading the announcement are two of anime’s most recognisable voices. Toshio Furukawa, whose career spans more than five decades, will appear on Friday and Saturday only. He is best known to fans as Piccolo in Dragon Ball Z, alongside roles in Mobile Suit Gundam, Urusei Yatsura, Detective Conan and Demon Slayer. Joining him is Takeshi Kusao, also appearing Friday and Saturday only, celebrated for his energetic and charismatic performances as Trunks in Dragon Ball Z, Hanamichi Sakuragi in Slam Dunk, and roles across Code Geass, Saint Seiya and Guilty Gear.

From the world of live-action tokusatsu, Supanova welcomes two fan-favourite stars whose performances helped define an era of Japanese television. Shiro Izumi is best known for his roles as Yuma Ozora / Change Pegasus in in Dengeki Sentai Changeman and Burai / Dragon Ranger in Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger, the latter adapted internationally into Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. His portrayal of Burai became one of the most beloved in Super Sentai history.

Joining him is Tetsuo Kurata, widely recognised as Kotaro Minami in Kamen Rider Black and Kamen Rider Black RX, cementing his place as one of the defining Riders of the late Showa era. Beyond acting, Kurata has remained a prominent figure in the tokusatsu community through music and global convention appearances.

Fans attending Supanova Sydney will have the opportunity to meet these iconic guests across autograph sessions, photo opportunities and Q&A panels throughout the weekend. For more information, fans can visit each guest’s dedicated page on our website.

Admission Tickets to Supanova 2026 – Sydney are on sale now via Ticketbooth. Secure your tickets ahead of autograph and photo token releases closer to the event. For the latest news and updates, follow us on @SupanovaExpo across social media!

The post Supanova Welcomes Legendary Japanese Voice & Tokusatsu Stars to Sydney this June! appeared first on Supanova Comic Con & Gaming.

Appearing exclusively on the Sunday of Goldnova 2026, he examined his current projects in gradual detail with Supa-Fans at his Q&A panel.

Urban began his panel by reflecting on his experience with The Boys. “Billy Butcher is a character I’ve really enjoyed playing over the last nine years. It’s so much fun to play such a multifaceted character, and I was always drawn to his circumstances.

“He’s a man who’s lost everything, and that makes him formidable and dangerous. From mine and Butcher’s perspective, Homelander is an existential threat to humanity. His course of action is a necessity as far as he’s concerned.”

Urban explained Butcher’s mindset with an example, “Imagine if there was an AI program developed to wipe out humanity. There’s a way to destroy it, but in destroying it, you will destroy all AI programs for everybody.

“This is how I think Butcher looks at the superhero issue in The Boys. He must emotionally dissociate himself from viewing the Supes as people. To him, they are a corporate experiment that has gone out of control, and it is a massive threat.”

He emphasised, “Butcher can be an anti-hero, villain, and a hero. I relished the opportunity to play on the many different facets of Butcher.

“Going forward, I’m happy to leave The Boys where it is.  I think there’s a beauty in finishing where we want to finish, to maintain the quality of the story that we want to tell. I will miss Billy Butcher. I will miss the cast and crew; it was some of the best experiences of my life.

“I can’t wait for you guys to see the rest of the season. It will become a thing that we will revisit over the years. It’s special”, Urban grinned.

Both The Boys and Mortal Kombat are very similar; both franchises feature ultra-violent action and a no filter attitude. That’s why Homelander was a perfect fit as a playable DLC character for the recent Mortal Kombat 1 video game.

He reflected on his casting as Johnny Cage, “I may not have done Mortal Kombat II if it wasn’t for The Boys. When we were filming season four, I had a lot of days off due to the shooting schedule and Butcher being sick in the story. I had fuel in the tank, because there is usually a big fight sequence for the season finale, but it wasn’t the case.

“I called my reps, I said that ’I’m ready to go back to work, I’d love to do something high-octane.’ A couple of weeks later, I get the Mortal Kombat II script. I loved the character of Johnny Cage; I loved the story.”

He declared, “It’s definitely some of the best stuff I have ever done outside of The Boys. If it wasn’t for The Boys, [Johnny Cage] may not have been offered to me.”

Urban gave Supa-Fans a glimpse of what to expect from Mortal Kombat II. “At the point where we are introduced to Johnny Cage in the movie, the world has forgotten about Johnny Cage. He’s a former martial arts action star who’s fallen into hard times.

“He’s going to conventions, and he’s looking at other guests that are signing, and there are lines going out of the door, but there’s no one in his line.

“His confidence is at an all-time rock bottom, and it’s at this very juncture that Raiden and Sonya come to him, and say, ‘Hey mate, you’ve been chosen to defend Earth Realm.’ He’s just not ready for it; he’s mentally not there.”

Urban elaborated, “He has neglected his martial arts training. I thought that was an interesting launch pad for this character, like I can take him somewhere from there. Move him towards the Johnny Cage that is synonymous with the games.

“The day we shot Uncaged Fury, I was wearing the classic Cage gear, and all the rest of the cast came down to watch me. I felt the pressure to get it just right, and having an audience added to that. But I just leaned into it and had fun.”

He concluded, “You guys are in for a treat! You don’t need to see the [2021] Mortal Kombat movie to go into this and have a great time. The movie has a lot of heart, comedy and action. It is made for the fans.

“I’ll be back here with Mortal Kombat II soon, so I hope to see you there!” Urban beamed with a large smile.

Lead image by Ali Stevenson

The post PANEL RECAP: Karl Urban On ‘Mortal Kombat II’, ‘The Boys’ & More At Goldnova appeared first on Supanova Comic Con & Gaming.

We were introduced to the inseparable clan of two – the Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his force-wielding companion, Grogu. With the series proving to be a huge success, the transition to the big screen is only natural.

In anticipation of the release of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu in cinemas on May 21, let’s examine why this is the way to start the next wave of Star Wars films.

A NEW ADVENTURE

Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) and Grogu in ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu’ 

After the events of The Mandalorian season three, New Republic Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) hires Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice, Grogu, for a clandestine mission. Not much is known about this mission, but it happens to involve the Imperial Remnants and the Hutt Cartel, so it will be no walk in the park for the duo.

This film promises to explore the New Republic era further, which is vastly uncharted territory for the franchise. There are many questions to meditate on, such as how Jabba’s son, Rotta the Hutt (played by Jeremy Allen White), fits in all of this.

There is also the return of the Razor Crest, which was destroyed in season two of the show. Is this a reconstructed Razor Crest, or a new ship entirely? What has happened to Mando’s N-1 Starfighter?

And let’s not forget Star Wars: Rebels fan-favourite Zeb Orrelios, voiced by legendary voice actor and Supa-Star alum, Steve Blum, plays an undisclosed role in the plot as well. There are a great number of things that remain unclear in the Force.

Will this be an epic, stand-alone tale in the vein of classic Spaghetti Westerns, and be the spark that ignites the eventual rise of the First Order? Only time will tell.

UNDERNEATH THE HELMET

The creative masterminds behind The Mandalorian, Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, return for The Mandalorian and Grogu. This is not Director Favreau’s first rodeo in feature films, as he has directed many box-office smash hits such as Elf, Iron Man, and 2019’s The Lion King. They both serve as producers on the project as well.

Grogu and Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu’

Also returning is composer Ludwig Göransson, who’s responsible for the iconic score of the first two seasons of The Mandalorian and the main theme of Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett. We can expect an interstellar orchestral score befitting Din Djarin’s and Grogu’s first theatrical outing!

The film’s story is co‑written by Favreau, Filoni, and Noah Kloor, who’s best known for his work on The Book of Boba Fett. With these creative veterans at the helm, expect tons of Easter Eggs from the Star Wars universe, and surprise character appearances, too.

We wouldn’t be surprised if Supa-Star alum Temuera Morrison flies in as Boba Fett at some point in the film’s plot. Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese’s cameo as an Ardennian fry cook is proof that anything is possible.

CRAFTING AN EPIC

Jon Favreau, Pedro Pascal, and Sigourney Weaver sat down in an interview with Fandango to discuss this exciting release. Pascal discussed the impact films have had on his life and the type of conversations that were had behind-the-scenes.

“We were talking about these major imprints in my life when I was a kid,” said Pascal. “When I would go to the movie theatre. I think of movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, performances like Sigourney Weaver [in Aliens], and I remember just feeling like I just went on a ride. It was a sensation that stayed for the rest of the day, the rest of the week. I haven’t had that in a long time.

“When they locked me in the room and let me read the script of The Mandalorian and Grogu, I felt that. And then, being on the set, what I saw was the kind of thing that made my mouth drop when I was a kid.”

He gave an example of this, “Seeing all the kids discover the ship in The Goonies. It was just that feeling of a true adventure, with characters that are grounded in real relationships, and a visual experience that comes from Jon’s imagination. I feel like he gets to go all out on this one.”

‘It’s been many years since Star Wars has been on the big screen,” said Favreau. “Star Wars really opened me to loving cinema. That was my entry point. And so, to create an adventure that reaches out to a new audience as well as, if you’ve been with it as I have, since ’77, there’s lots in there for you too.”

With the 50th anniversary of Star Wars and the release of Star Wars: Starfighter only a year away, The Mandalorian and Grogu stand ready to usher in a new era of cinematic storytelling in a franchise that has endured and thrived across generations of fans and families. In the words of the Mandalorian: “This is the Way.”

‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ lands in cinemas on May 21

The post ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu’ Promises A Bold, New Chapter For The Titular Clan Of Two appeared first on Supanova Comic Con & Gaming.

For many fans, Hudson will always be Winston Zeddemore from Ghostbusters – the grounded, everyman member of the team. But the actor and man behind Winston has travelled a much wider road than ghost traps and proton packs, including memorable experiences right here in Australia.

We caught up with Hudson for a chat while he was in Australia for Supanova in April.

A WARM WELCOME DOWN UNDER

Hudson speaks fondly about his time filming in Australia. One of those projects was the action thriller No Escape, which was shot partly in Queensland before moving to Sydney and Newcastle. The experience left a lasting impression.

“It was a great experience and an exceptional cast, led by Ray Liotta,” Hudson recalls. “The people of Australia were very welcoming. I had a great time getting to know them and count it as one of my best experiences filming.”

It wasn’t his only Australian project. Hudson also filmed the television movie Nowhere to Land in Sydney and later returned on a press tour connected to the groundbreaking HBO prison drama Oz. Each visit reinforced the same feeling. “Again, it was a wonderful experience, primarily because of the people of Australia who were so welcoming.”

WINSTON’S JOURNEY

Of course, fans still love to talk about Winston, and recent films have given the character a new dimension. In Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Winston has evolved far beyond the practical new recruit audiences first met in 1984. Hudson appreciates how the character has grown.

“I love how they’ve allowed Winston to grow and develop,” he says. “As you know, he now owns Ghost Corps, which owns Ghostbusters.” But the expansion of Winston’s story goes beyond wealth or corporate ownership. “More importantly, they’ve given him a backstory that includes civic involvement and charity. For me, that centres the character, and I couldn’t ask for more.”

Despite the changes, including Winston’s new billionaire status, Hudson believes the character’s essence hasn’t changed. “His steadiness and basic common sense approach has remained the same,” he explains. “I think audiences appreciate him being the down-to-earth Ghostbuster.”

That grounded quality is part of why Winston continues to resonate. “His love for the Ghostbusters and for ghostbusting has never been more apparent,” Hudson says. “That allows audiences to identify with him and his journey even more.”

A CAREER BEYOND GHOSTBUSTING

Although Winston is iconic, Hudson’s career spans a massive range of films and television shows. When asked if there’s a role he wishes people talked about more, two titles immediately come to mind.

“My role in the movie The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and the movie Congo are two of my favourite roles that I don’t think people ask enough about,” he says. “But they’re two that I’m very proud of.”

Of course, some projects refuse to stay under the radar. His role in The Crow remains a fan favourite. “I love my role in The Crow, but that one people do mention quite often and really appreciate.”

FROM PLAYWRIGHT TO STORYTELLER

Long before Hollywood, Hudson imagined a different creative life centred on writing. Early in his career, he even worked as a resident playwright. But today he’s candid about how that identity has changed. “If I’m honest, I’m embarrassed to refer to myself as a writer,” he says. “Over the years I haven’t contributed very much in that area.”

Acting, he says, ultimately became the centre of his creative life. “Now I completely identify as an actor. That’s where my heart is and what has supported me for nearly 60 years in this business.”

Still, the urge to write never disappeared entirely. “I do continue to write,” he says, “but I no longer put pressure on myself by calling it a profession.”

At its core, he sees both crafts as part of the same creative impulse. “Writing and acting are about storytelling. I consider myself a storyteller – and acting is specifically telling a character’s story.”

SIXTY YEARS OF PERSPECTIVE

After decades in front of the camera, Hudson’s understanding of acting has evolved dramatically from the ambitions he had when he first started out. “When I began, I thought I could completely transform into another person,” he says. “I strived to become someone else.” Experience has changed that perspective. “Now, after 60 years of acting, I’ve come to realise that whatever character I play, at its core, its soul, it’s still ME. It’s still who I AM.”

That realization doesn’t make the craft easier. He says, “Every character has different fears, hopes, and dreams, different obstacles to overcome or be defeated by,” Hudson explains. And after all these years, the work remains a process. “I’m still trying to get it right.”

The post INTERVIEW: Ernie Hudson On ‘Ghostbusters’, Longevity, & The Art Of Storytelling appeared first on Supanova Comic Con & Gaming.