New Fallout clip gives us a glimpse of an iconic Fallout: New Vegas location
Timothée Chalamet and writer-director Josh Safdie took the stage at CCXP in São Paulo, Brazil, today to hype up fans for Marty Supreme (review), the duo's upcoming, highly buzzed-about film.
During the panel, which saw the actor donning a Brazilian flag with his face on it at one point -- plus an array of ping-pong-headed men accompanying him, Chalamet was asked what moves him to aspire to greatness in his career.
"The people that inspired me to become an actor in the first place," responded the Dune star. "The greats before me, the Denzel Washingtons, the Leonardo DiCaprios, the people that laid a path that you aspire to as a young man, as a young artist. You get inspired by these people when you're young and sometimes the world puts you down and doesn't encourage you to dream. And this movie is exclusively about that. It's about following your dreams. Even driving here through Sao Paulo, always taking a moment to be grateful for the opportunities I had in my life. Going to the Performing Arts High School in New York, being surrounded by artists to be able to pursue my dreams, because you need people in your corner that support you."
"Equally, Marty Supreme is about an underdog, it's about believing your dreams when no one has your back, when no one believes in you, when the people you think love you the most, that claim to be in love with you, don't have your back. And then he's somehow persevering through it to be the greatest table tennis player of all time."
In his review of Marty Supreme, IGN's Michael Calabro said it was "equal parts fun and stressful" and that "Marty Supreme combines the chaotic directing style of Josh Safdie with the charisma of Timothée Chalamet to make a one-of-a-kind ping pong movie that is, without a doubt, one of the year’s best films.
Marty Supreme hits theaters on Christmas Day.
If you missed out on the budget gaming PC deals during Black Friday, here's yet another opportunity before the year's end. Lenovo has discounted its Lenovo LOQ AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX RTX 5060 Ti gaming PC down to just $949.99 with free delivery after applying coupon code "EXTRAFIVE". This is one of the lowest prices I've seen on an RTX 5060 Ti equipped gaming PC, from Lenovo or otherwise. The LOQ is Lenovo's budget line of gaming PCs. Despite the fact that it's less expensive than Lenovo's Legion lineup, the LOQ offers current-gen components (including Nvidia RTX 50 series GPUs) packed in an understated, compact chassis with proper airflow.
The Lenovo LOQ gaming PC is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX GPU GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB GPU, 32GB of DDR5-5200MHz RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is an 8-core, 16-thread processor with a max boost clock of 5.1GHz. It's a solid general-purpose CPU that complements the RTX 5060 Ti GPU well, especially since it's paired with a generous 32GB of RAM. The system is powered by a 500W power supply.
The RTX 5060 Ti is an excellent GPU for 1080p gaming. It outperforms the RTX 4060 Ti by about 20%, but the gap widens in games that support DLSS 4 technology with multi-frame generation. It's also obviously better than the RTX 5060. Keep in mind that this PC is equipped with the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB variant, not the 16GB. If you decide to play more demanding games at 1440p or higher, you'll encounter more instances where you'll run out of VRAM. For 1080p, however, you're fine.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Prime Video brought the cast of Fallout to CCXP in São Paulo, Brazil, today to, ahem, prime fans for Season 2 of the hit show, which will be arriving in less than two weeks. On hand were Ella Purnell (Lucy MacLean), Aaron Moten (Maximus), Walton Goggins (The Ghoul), and Justin Theroux (Robert Edwin House), who joins the show for the new season as the villain fans will remember from New Vegas.
During the panel, a scene from the new season was revealed, and you can watch a shorter version of it right here. (You'd have to fly to Brazil for the extra 30 seconds or so.) Featuring the video game location of Novac and Dinky the T-Rex, the scene would seem to be just a taste of the many game references the new season will be including as the story delves into the New Vegas of it all...
Watch the first clip from Fallout: Season 2 below.
Okie dokie, we’ve got our first clip from Season Two! pic.twitter.com/RfJkcdAX41
— FALLOUT⚡️ (@falloutonprime) December 5, 2025
Obviously Lucy and The Ghoul are still working together, though neither one seems particularly pleased about it. But, man, if The Ghoul doesn't need a hand at the moment...
"I think so much of Lucy and The Ghoul is revealed over the course of this apocalyptic road trip they take," Goggins told the crowd. "Ella was saying that either she'll become more like me or I'll become more like her. And it really is through this rhythm that you see The Ghoul change, and Lucy change! But for me, [The Ghoul's human persona] Cooper Howard, you got to know him a bit in Season 1, but Season 2 is a deep dive and deep exploration picking up where we left off in Season 1 about how much, how little he knows about the world that he thought he knew. And so much of The Ghoul is informed by Cooper Howard's experience in the past, and it's the way in which these writers architected it. The way in which the directors chose to tell the story visually, it's very powerful and very cinematic. And I'll be the third person [here] to say, I can't wait for you guys to see it!"
Fallout Season 2 debuts on December 17 on Prime Video, with a new episode dropping each week until the season finale on February 4.
For more Fallout coverage, discover what the executive producers told us about how they took a "fog of war" approach to avoid many any Fallout: New Vegas ending canon in Season 2.
The Secretlab Christmas Sale has officially commenced starting today. Save up to $100 off Secretlab's popular gaming chairs including its flagship Titan Evo Nanogen chair, up to $249 off its gaming desks, and up to 37% off accessories like the Titan Evo recliner add-on. In addition to the instant discounts, you can get extra tiered savings by hitting a certain order amount for each type of purchase. These should be stackable with the instant discounts.
It's no secret that we love our Secretlab gaming chairs. Three of the eight chairs in our best gaming chair roundup are Secretlab models. Of all the gaming chairs we covered in our "Budget to Best" roundup video earlier this year, my colleague Akeem Lawanson considered the Secretlab Titan Evo to be the most comfortable. No good chair comes cheap and Secretlab chairs definitely cost a premium, but we think the craftsmanship, materials, and customizability are worth it.
You can quickly browse through all of the listed products on sale above. For more information on each product and why they are worth your consideration, read through below.
The Titan Evo Nanogen Edition is on sale for the first time ever. It normally sells for $799 at Secretlab direct, but there's a $50 off discount during the Christmas Sale. If your budget can accomodate it, this is the best gaming chair. In our recent Titan Evo Nanogen Edition review, Chris Coke wrote that "the Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen Edition deserves every bit of the overwhelming praise I’ve given. Granted, at $799 it’s significantly more expensive than the original and not far off from an entry-level Herman-Miller. But the return it offers in comfortable, supportive gaming is well worth the extra cost thanks to dramatically improved materials in both the fabric and multi-layered padding. The Titan Evo Nanogen Edition is class-leading, and is hands-down the most comfortable gaming chair I’ve ever used."
The Titan Evo starts at $499 during the sale. This is Secretlab's flagship chair and it's available in small, medium, and large sizes. Upholstery options include Neo Hybrid leatherette, SoftWeave Plus fabric, or premium Napa leather. The chair features cold-cure foam upholstery for the seat, a supportive four-way lumbar system, full length backrest with 165 degrees of recline, full metal 4D armrests with magnetically attached PU cushions, and a memory foam headrest pillow.
Aside from the build quality, the Titan Evo also stands out thanks to the sheer number of officially licensed designs from popular video games, TV shows, and more. Some of the more popular examples include Star Wars, The Witcher, Overwatch, Attack on Titan, League of Legends, World of Warcraft, and Game of Thrones. They generally cost more than the standard colors, but they're worth it if you're looking for that extra personal touch.
In our Secretlab Titan Evo review, Chris Coke wrote that "after two years of daily use, the Secretlab Titan Evo has proven that it can stand the test of time and still be one of the best gaming chairs you can buy. Meaningful ergonomics paired with Secretlab’s wide selection of designs, it remains a fantastic option, especially for fans of bright colors or designs."
The Titan Evo Lite gaming chair is an excellent value with its starting price tag of $419, which is $80 less than the base model Titan Evo. It's built upon the same frame as the Titan Evo and has the same core features like the cold-cure foam cushioning, lumbar, 165 degrees of recline, and 4D armrests. What it compromises on is customization, with "only" two upholstery options, two sizes, and five colors, a non-adjustable lumbar system, simpler arm rests, and no included head rest. If none of these tradeoffs bother you, then you'll be saving quite a bit of money.
Also on sale for the first time, Secretlab's new recliner add-on is $30 off for Christmas. This is a nice upgrade for anyone who already owns the Titan Evo chair. In our recliner add-on review, Chris Coke wrote that "while both comfort and value are subjective things, the recliner is able to take the Titan Evo and transform it from one of the best racing style gaming chairs to standing head and shoulders above the competition at its price point. It’s novel enough that I wouldn’t be surprised to see other brands following suit in the near future. If you don’t mind paying for it, it’s an absolutely killer upgrade for your gaming chair."
Not only are the Magnus and Magnus Pro discounted for the holidays, you also get the desk mat topper (your choice of style) free of charge. The Magnus is a traditional fixed-frame gaming desk while the Magnus Pro ups the ante with a custom designed electric standing desk frame for an additional $250. Both desks feature an all-metal desktop surface, solid steel legs and cleverly thought out areas for cable management, but the Magnus Pro has some really unique features including a power cable that runs internally inside one of the telescoping legs and an in-line control panel.
In our Secretlab Magnus Pro review. Mark Knapp writes that "the Secretlab Magnus Pro is a fantastic desk, bringing the brilliant cable management solutions of the original Magnus to a fast, quiet, and wide-ranging motorized standing desk. The desk is built well and proves an excellent platform for work and play alike. It’s an expensive desk though, and for the money, it would have been nice to see a smarter safety mechanism for the motors and the desk mat included. Still, the overall quality you get is a big step up from cheaper standing desks, and the optional accessories truly enhance the experience. Anyone who’s not committed to a standing desk should save their money and go for the standard Magnus if everything else about this model sounds good, but for gamers who love a tidy desk and want the flexibility of a standing desk, the Magnus Pro should be the first they consider."
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Battlefield Studios has published the Battlefield 6 update 1.1.3.0 patch notes ahead of next week’s Winter Offensive update, revealing a detailed list of audio improvements, soldier visibility tweaks, a range of map adjustments, and more.
Patch notes for the third major Season 1 update were published in a post on the EA shooter series’ website today. The full breakdown follows up on promises made by BF Studios’ outline from earlier this week and touches on every notable change coming to Battlefield 6 and REDSEC when Winter Offensive reaches its December 9 release date.
Though today’s patch notes cover everything from audio to Sector sizes, players may be happy to see the studio continuing to adjust an issue that has wormed its way to the front of online discussion since launch: hit registration. BF Studios says the 1.1.3.0 changes should result in more predictable bullet impact and easier-to-read damage feedback thanks to tweaks to quick aim, pre-zoom firing, and close-quarters gunfights.
Other elements the Battlefield 6 developers took aim at with the Winter Offensive update include better weapon handling, improved character highlights and animations for visibility, gadget reliability, and refined gameplay for vehicle-savvy players. Launch players will also notice relatively extensive changes to Sectors and vehicles across seven Breakthrough maps: Manhattan Bridge, Mirak Valley, New Sobek City, Operation Firestorm, Liberation Peak, Siege of Cairo, and Empire State.
It may be some time before players get a handle on whether many of these changes correct the balance of the average Battlefield 6 multiplayer match. Those audio tweaks, however, will likely be noticeable from the get-go, with the hope being that infantry noise is clearer and easier to read at different distances.
“We’ve also continued addressing performance and memory issues that could cause sounds, such as footsteps or vehicle audio, to drop out or fail to play, especially during large-scale Battle Royale matches,” BF Studios says in the update 1.1.3.0 patch notes. “To get ahead of this as we add more audio content to the game, we’ve adjusted the memory priorities for most sounds in the game and optimized how some larger audio assets load. In practical terms, this means that important combat, movement, and vehicle sounds should play more consistently even under heavy load.
“These changes are part of an ongoing effort to improve the overall stability of the soundscape. While this isn’t a complete overhaul, and there may still be edge cases depending on hardware and match conditions, it's a big step toward more reliable and predictable sound across the game.”
Each change arrives in addition to new weapons, limited-time winter events, and more new content that players have been told to expect since launch. Highlights include the Ice Lock Empire State map, the Ice Lock multiplayer and Gauntlet modes, the Ice Climbing Axe melee weapon, Portal updates, and a mini–Winter Offensive-themed battle pass bonus path. It’s the latest in the run of Battlefield 6 Season 1 chapter updates, which saw Rogue Ops bring Blackwell Fields and battle royale to the experience October 28, while California Resistance added Eastwood November 18.
Plans for Season 2 remain under wraps for now. In the meantime, you can read up on another recent change that saw BF Studios unveil another round of challenge and progression tweaks. You can also learn about why some players both loved and hated the new The 323 cosmetic pack.
Finally, you can check out the full Winter Offensive patch notes below.
Update 1.1.3.0 delivers a broad range of fixes and refinements across Battlefield 6, improving soldier clarity, weapon reliability, vehicle behaviour, audio consistency, and overall gameplay flow. This update also includes several quality-of-life improvements across UI, HUD, and controller aiming options, along with map-specific updates designed to stabilise objective play and reduce round-end matchmaking frustration.
We also made improvements to reduce cases where player settings could be reset when updating the game to the newest version. While this behaviour should now occur less frequently, we are still seeing isolated instances and expect to fully resolve the issue in an upcoming update.
As always, thank you for continuing to share your feedback which helps us refine and evolve the Battlefield 6 experience.
With this update, we’ve made a wide range of audio improvements, including a dedicated tuning pass on footsteps to make movement clearer, easier to locate, and more readable at different distances.
We’ve also continued addressing performance and memory issues that could cause sounds, such as footsteps or vehicle audio, to drop out or fail to play, especially during large-scale Battle Royale matches. To get ahead of this as we add more audio content to the game, we’ve adjusted the memory priorities for most sounds in the game and optimized how some larger audio assets load. In practical terms, this means that important combat, movement, and vehicle sounds should play more consistently even under heavy load.
These changes are part of an ongoing effort to improve the overall stability of the soundscape. While this isn’t a complete overhaul, and there may still be edge cases depending on hardware and match conditions, it's a big step toward more reliable and predictable sound across the game.
LWCMS Portable Mortar
Supply Pouch
Following feedback since launch, several Breakthrough layouts have been updated to address attacker–defender win/loss imbalance and improve overall flow, vehicle balance, and capture-zone clarity across multiple maps.
Manhattan Bridge
Mirak Valley
New Sobek City
Operation Firestorm
Liberation Peak
Siege of Cairo
Empire State
Footsteps
Battle Royale
Gauntlet
Battle Royale
Gauntlet
This announcement may change as we listen to community feedback and continue developing and evolving our Live Service & Content. We will always strive to keep our community as informed as possible.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Direct from the showroom floor of CCXP 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil, we've got a close-up look at Supergirl's costume from the 2026 DC movie. Also along for the ride is the Girl of Steel's dog Krypto, or a statue of him at least.
Warner Bros. and DC's activation dominates the São Paulo Expo where CCXP is held, as it's situated right next to the Omelete Stage, which is a location where the stars and creators who are visiting the convention brave the showfloor amid a sea of fans.
Check out some images of Supergirl and Krypto below (click through the slideshow for all the shots):
Supergirl stars Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) as Kara Zor-El, returning after her brief appearance in last summer's Superman. Directed by Craig Gillespie (Fright Night, I, Tonya, Cruella), the film is an adaptation of the comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. James Gunn and Peter Safran of course serves as producers on the film.
Supergirl will be released on June 26, 2026.
Earlier this year, Disney announced it would bring the original Star Wars film, later dubbed Episode IV: A New Hope, back to theaters for the film's 50th anniversary in 2027. But it looks like we'll be seeing it a little earlier than we originally thought, on February 19, 2027.
This comes from an official announcement on the Star Wars website, which also revealed another piece of pretty big news. The version of A New Hope that will show in theaters in 2027 will be a "newly restored" version of the original 1977 theatrical release. This is likely the same version that was shown earlier this year in London at the Film on Film Festival.
The original version of the film features a number of differences from the Special Edition, which at the behest of George Lucas has replaced the original in just about every possible medium for watching it since 1981. The differences are the origin of the "Han shot first" controversy, which is probably the most-discussed aspect of the differences, but there are a number of other changes of varying levels of subtlety throughout.
Lucas has been firm over the years that the Special Edition is his true vision for the film, speaking to the Associated Press in 2004 about his feelings:
The Special Edition, that’s the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it’s on VHS, if anybody wants it. I’m not going to spend the — we’re talking millions of dollars here — the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn’t really exist anymore. It’s like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I’m sorry you saw a half-completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I’m the one who has to take responsibility for it. I’m the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they’re going to throw rocks at me, they’re going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished.
It's unclear if this 2027 showing and the London festival showing are indicators of Lucas relaxing his stance a bit, or if everyone has just sufficiently bullied him into letting it exist alongside the Special Edition. Probably Disney's ownership of Lucasfilm has something to do with it. Or, as he told People Magazine in October of this year, perhaps he's simply managed to let go. “Of course I’ve moved past it," he said. "I mean, I’ve got a life."
We also don't know how long Star Wars will stay in theaters. The original announcement suggested it would debut on April 30, 2027, with the intent of it showing at least through May the 4th, or Star Wars Day. It's possible they'll keep it in theaters long enough to still celebrate May the 4th, or perhaps Disney has other, even splashier plans for the big 50th. We only have to wait just over a whole year to find out.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Walmart is offering a great deal on a wonderful gift idea for anyone who is constantly fiddling with small electronics, building PCs, or modding consoles and controllers. Right now you can get the Fantik S1 Ace 3.7V Precision Cordless Screwdriver for just $21.99. Walmart states the list price is $100, but I've generally seen it closer to $50. Nevertheless, this is still a great deal on a versatile product.
The Fantik S1 Ace screwdriver is a handy tool for situations where your large real power drill might be way too powerful and a manual screwdriver would be too tedious. The screwdriver itself is compact but delivers a good amount of power, up to 6nM. That's more than most other precision screwdrivers you'll find on Amazon for about the same price, which usually top out at under 1-2nM. The Fantik S1 Ace has three torque settings in case you don't need the extra power and a handy LED light. It charges via USB Type-C so there's no need to swap out batteries or anything.
The set includes ten S2 steel magnetic bits which are comprised of the most common Philips, flat, and hex heads. They're housed in a compact EVA storage case. If you need more bits, the Fantik S1 Ace uses a standard 1/4" hex shank.
For just $22, this is a nice-to-have tool in a nearby drawer for convenience, when you don't want or need to deal with the hassle of bringing out a full-sized power tool for a small odd job. I have one and use it all the time on my PC builds.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Superhero blockbuster and Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Infinity Saga bookend Avengers: Endgame will return to theaters for the first time since 2019 next year.
Marvel Studios confirmed plans to bring the last Avengers movie back to the big screen September 2026 with a social media post and short video teaser. It’s a nostalgia pull that calls back not only to the crossover film’s iconic “on your left” moment but also the viral audience reactions that came with it.
Avengers: Endgame — Back in theaters, September 2026. pic.twitter.com/PRmW9pEAxm
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 5, 2025
THR reports that Avengers: Endgame is set for a September 25 premiere, specifically, though it’s unclear how long it will stick around in theaters. There’s currently no explanation as to why Marvel seems to have opted out of bringing back the story’s first half, Infinity War, to tie a bow with the full package.
However, we can probably guess why the comic book company is looking to bring back its massively successful superhero team-up film in 2026. Across its April 2019 premiere and June 2019 theatrical victory lap, Avengers: Endgame managed to rack up a box office total of a whopping $2.8 billion (via Box Office Mojo). It’s a number that saw the MCU Phase Three event film earning a record-shattering opening weekend and eventually following James Cameron’s Avatar ($2.92 billion) as the second-highest-grossing film of all time.
Avengers: Endgame proved to be quite the moment for the movie world, as theatergoers lined up to see how Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, and other Marvel mainstays would finally take down Thanos. Now, Marvel seems to be looking to give those numbers another boost as it barrels toward its first superhero team-up flick in six years with Avengers: Doomsday.
The film, which features MCU veterans Joe and Anthony Russo back as directors, is set for a December 18, 2026, release date. The Marvel calendar has the movie set to follow Tom Holland’s long-awaited return as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day come July 31, 2026. It’s a plan that has the Avengers: Endgame re-release hitting theaters perfectly between the two new entries, giving die-hard fans the chance to keep the hype going between releases.
While we wait for more details, you can check out our original 9.5/10 Avengers: Endgame review. You can also read up on the list of the top 10 highest-grossing Marvel movies of all time.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Nintendo has just released Metroid Prime 4: Beyond for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. And, to the surprise of no one, this latest Metroid game is playable on PC via the latest versions of the Nintendo Switch emulators. Going into more details, both Eden and Citron are able to run Metroid 4 Prime: Beyond. From … Continue reading Metroid Prime 4: Beyond can already run on PC via Citron & Eden →
The post Metroid Prime 4: Beyond can already run on PC via Citron & Eden appeared first on DSOGaming.
Yesterday, Raw Fury released Lunar Software’s first-person sci-fi horror game, ROUTINE. ROUTINE is powered by Unreal Engine 5.5.4.0 and can run with high framerates on PC. So, let’s take a closer look at it. Since this is an indie game, we won’t have a PC Performance Analysis. However, this doesn’t mean that we can’t talk … Continue reading Here’s ROUTINE at Native 8K on Max Settings with over 100FPS →
The post Here’s ROUTINE at Native 8K on Max Settings with over 100FPS appeared first on DSOGaming.
The weird, sprawling saga of Warner Bros. Discovery just dropped another major plot twist, as Netflix has seemingly emerged victorious in the bidding war over the company. This means that Netflix, already one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world, will now control the film and TV rights to franchises like Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and, of course, DC. Batman is now a Netflix character (provided the acquisition is approved by federal regulators, that is).
This new deal raises many, many questions about the future of Warner Bros. as a studio and what this means for theatrical distribution, many of which will only be answered in the months and years to come. But for many superhero fans, the biggest question is what this all means for DC Entertainment, a company that has already experienced more than its fair share of turmoil in recent years. Let’s explore why the best-case scenario for DC right now is simply business as usual.
DC’s leadership has been nothing if not tumultuous over the past decade. Back in 2016, Warners ushered in the era of DC Films, with Geoff Johns and Jon Berg serving as co-chairmen of the division. But after films like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League underperformed, Johns stepped down in favor of Walter Hamada in 2018.
Despite the success of 2018’s Aquaman and 2019’s Joker, the DC brand remained on rocky footing, leading Hamada himself to leave the company in 2022. Thus began a brief bloodbath where several parties jockeyed for control of DC’s future, including Black Adam star Dwayne Johnson. Only in 2023 did things settle down when James Gunn and Peter Safran were announced as the new co-CEOs of the rebranded DC Studios and the sun finally, officially set on the DC Extended Universe.
Nor has this behind-the-scenes chaos been limited to DC’s film and TV division. The publishing side has also seen some big shake-ups in recent years. DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson left the company in 2018. In 2019, DC laid off approximately 3% of its staff, and co-publisher Dan DiDio left the company later that year, cutting short plans for the controversial 5G initiative that would have replaced DC’s iconic cast of heroes with a new generation of characters. Currently, DC’s publishing division is overseen by President, Publisher, and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee and Editor-in-Chief Marie Javins.
In short, this is a lot of chaos for any one company to endure in such a relatively short span of time. There’s been a tangible lack of consistency and direction behind the DC brand for a long time now. Just look at the latter years of the DCEU, with the company afraid to leave behind the foundation established in Zack Snyder’s films but simultaneously failing to build on that foundation in a meaningful way. And all the while, box office returns steadily plummeted.
Meanwhile, DC continued to struggle in other media. 2024’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League proved that even the mighty Rocksteady can miss with the DC brand. Over on the comics side, while the 5G reboot and its accompanying revamped DC timeline were certainly ambitious, they threatened to undo all the goodwill DC had only recently recaptured through the DC Rebirth initiative.
DC was badly in need of a consistent, steady vision by the time Gunn and Safran were hired to right the ship in 2023. And while it’s far too early to say whether they’ve accomplished that goal, the early signs are certainly promising. Superman was the box office success DC sorely needed after a truly disastrous 2023 and 2024 film slate. Creature Commandos and Peacemaker have established a strong track record for the DCU on the streaming front. And as for the comics, the Lee/Javins era of DC Comics has been truly great, most notably giving us the chart-topping Absolute Universe imprint.
Things are finally looking up for DC, which is exactly why the chaos and confusion of the Netflix acquisition is an unwelcome development. The very last thing this company needs is another regime change or a fundamental pivot.
It’s going to take some time for Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery to be approved and completed (and there are any number of things that could go wrong along the way). But once all the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted, Netflix is going to have a massive pile of new IP to play with. Which then begs the question, do they continue following Warners’ roadmap for these franchises or start fresh?
It’s hard to imagine Netflix changing course with the Harry Potter and Game of Thrones series. They’ll be inheriting a Harry Potter series in the midst of adapting the original novels and an ever-growing slate of Game of Thrones spinoffs. No reason to rock those boats. But with DC, there’s always a danger that Netflix will want to wipe the slate clean and start a brand new shared universe of films and shows from the ground up for their streaming service.
We can only hope the company resists that particular urge. After so many years of creative turmoil and leadership shake-ups, the very last thing DC needs right now is change. Gunn and Safran need to be left alone to cook. We’ve only gotten one live-action DCU movie so far in Superman, which will be followed in 2026 by Supergirl and Clayface and in 2027 by Gunn’s Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow. On the TV front, we’ve only seen the barest glimpse of 2026’s Lanterns and the other shows that will make up this new universe.
Clearly, there’s a plan in place. Gunn even has a name for it - “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.” But we’re still in the very early stages of that plan. As much as things are looking up for DC after a bad few years, we’re still very much in the rebuilding stage right now. Gunn’s Superman did respectably well at the box office (narrowly beating 2013’s Man of Steel domestically), but one might argue that a big-budget Superman reboot by the director of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy should have performed better. Repairing the damage done to the DC brand is a long-term, ongoing process.
Netflix needs to commit to letting that process continue to play out, not tossing everything out and starting over yet again. We just found the ideal live-action Superman in David Corenswet. Don’t start that agonising process all over again.
And what of DC Comics in all of this? Is DC’s publishing division even a blip on Netflix’s radar? Will they have any interest in overseeing a comic book publisher, or simply license DC’s characters out to other companies? Again, DC Comics has been in a very good place these past couple of years, so the ideal scenario is that Netflix stays as hands-off with the division as it has Mark Millar’s Millarworld line. Let DC Comics continue to operate as it has these past few years, producing good, character-driven stories that can be adapted in other media.
If Netflix wants to make waves anywhere with the DC brand, it should be with the games division. While somewhat overshadowed in the initial announcement, it’s been confirmed that Netflix will take ownership of WB Games along with everything else. With all the movies Netflix has been making into the interactive games space lately, they may well have big plans for the developers and IP now coming under their umbrella.
As it is, WB Games has hardly been making the best use of the DC brand in recent years. Games like 2022’s Gotham Knights and the aforementioned Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League were big disappointments, while the much-anticipated Wonder Woman game has been canceled after a long, chaotic development cycle. Meanwhile, as much as Gunn and Safran seem to be including the games in their long-term plans for the DC line, that has yet to yield any concrete announcements. Hopefully, having Netflix’s resources to bring to bear can only mean better things for DC’s future gaming slate.
But beyond the games, the best thing that can happen for DC in the midst of this merger is nothing at all. After so many years of shifting leadership and pivots in direction, what DC needs is stability, consistency, and a chance to win back moviegoers still skeptical of the brand. What it doesn’t need is a new captain at the helm or yet another reboot. Just trust that Gunn and company know what they’re doing and leave it at that.
Should Netflix overhaul the approach to the DC brand, or do you want to see Gunn and Safran continue their vision for the DCU? Vote in our poll and let us know your thoughts in the comments below:
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.
Nintendo and LEGO fans rejoice, because one of our favorite sets just got a major discount ahead of the holidays. Amazon has lowered the price of the LEGO Super Mario Piranha Plant 71426 to just $35.99 after a 40% off instant discount. This happens to just barely clear the free shipping threshold for non-Prime members. The 18+ rating means that this set is relatively challenging, but I've built this one myself and I think it's a great set for builders of all ages. It would make a pretty amazing gift for the holidays and, unlike many new LEGO sets, won't cost an arm and a leg.
The LEGO Piranha Plant measures 9" high, 4.5" wide, and 6.5" deep – about the size of a potted plant – and consists of 540 bricks. The Piranha Plant makes for a fantastic display; it has numerous articulation points located at the head, mouth, stalk, and each of its leaves, and the jaw is also hinged, all of which allow for myriad customizable poses. There's even a cool little easter egg: A piggy bank is built into the pipe with two golden coins included to get you started on your stash. Despite the small brick count, this set is intended for ages 18+, so novice builders may need guidance. Once completed however, this adorable looking set is sure to be a hit with people of all ages, even if they didn't join in on the build.
Kevin Wong built this set for IGN and wrote, "As far as LEGO builds are concerned, the new Piranha Plant is just about perfect – vibrantly colored, well-proportioned and sized, and reasonably priced. Whether you're new to bricks or you're a dedicated hobbyist, this set captures that signature Mario franchise whimsy – cute but not too cute, menacing but not too menacing, and imbued with lots of personality."
Another LEGO x Nintendo collab that has been making waves amongst the IGN community is the new LEGO Super Mario Game Boy set. This is a near 1:1 replica of the original Game Boy released back in 1989. The set comes with two game cartridges: Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening and even includes their respective lenticular screens. Seth Macy built this set and loved it.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.