The book War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells from 1898 is one of the greatest science fiction classics of all time. The story of an alien invasion has been adapted into films countless times.

The most famous one for us was the film by Steven Spielberg from 2005. In that version, the story was relocated to America, with a starring role for Tom Cruise.

On Screen

Next week on Amazon Prime Video, another version will be released. This movie also takes place in modern-day America. However, it has a special twist.

The film is entirely presented as a 'desktop thriller'. This means that everything takes place on a computer screen. Think of earlier films like Searching, Missing, and Unfriended.

Trailer

The new War of the Worlds is directed by Rich Lee, featuring Ice Cube and Eva Longoria in the lead roles. The film will be available on Prime Video starting July 30. Watch the trailer below.

Kyle Newacheck previously collaborated with Adam Sandler on the 2019 Netflix film Murder Mystery. Their latest film is Happy Gilmore 2. But should you go see it? Here's what film critics are saying.

In this second installment, currently holding a Tomatometer score of 64 percent, Happy returns to the golf course as his son signs up for the professional circuit. He faces new rivals, old friends, and unexpected twists both in and out of the sport.

Unjustified Nostalgia

Nick Schager from The Daily Beast is very critical, calling the film "possibly the least inspired film in the actor's oeuvre, if not in all of film history". Frank Scheck from The Hollywood Reporter is also unimpressed, stating that it feels more like a "fan service project than a true sequel".

Lewis Glazebrook from Screen Rant mentions that Happy Gilmore 2 has a few nice moments, but falls short where it counts. He describes the screenplay as incoherent and is bothered by "unnecessary cameos and a heavy reliance on nostalgia that is unfulfilled".

Jokes And Cameos

A more positive note comes from Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence. She appreciates the mix of familiar elements and new challenges for the protagonist. "There’s enough freshness in the story to keep it lively, while the golf stunts and cameo festival are abundant", says Miller.



Joshua Ryan from FandomWire claims that despite the numerous references and flashbacks, the film is one of Sandler's better comedies in years. He believes Happy Gilmore 2 is even "one of the funniest movies of the year" thanks to Sandler's timing and physical humor.

The entertainment world can’t get enough of author Stephen King. Earlier this year, The Monkey hit theaters and became another box office success with fairly solid reviews.

Moreover, this year will also see the releases of The Long Walk and The Running Man in cinemas, while the television landscape is filled with series like Welcome to Derry (HBO), The Institute (MGM+) and Carrie (Amazon Prime Video).

The Next Book

According to a new press release from Lionsgate Studios, director JT Mollner is set to adapt another work of King that has never been filmed before, the horror novel The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon from 1999.

The story revolves around nine-year-old Trisha, who tries to survive alone in a forest. Her only solace comes from listening to baseball games played by pitcher Tom Gordon on her walkman, but this leads to hallucinations.

Psychological Thrills

Mollner previously wrote and directed the thriller Strange Darling about a one-night stand that turns into a cat-and-mouse game. This title currently holds an impressive score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Roy Lee will produce, having previously done so for IT, Doctor Sleep and Salem's Lot.

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Marvel Animation is about to release a new series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Eyes of Wakanda. This four-part prequel dives deeper into the world of Black Panther and introduces a new version of Iron Fist, all set hundreds of years in the past.

The series follows the Hatut Zeraze, also known as the 'Dogs of War' of Wakanda. This secret defense group, similar to the CIA, has the mission to recover stolen vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda.

Early Release Date

According to Entertainment Weekly, Eyes of Wakanda will premiere earlier than anticipated: all four 30-minute episodes will be available on Disney+ starting August 1. Originally, the premiere was set for August 27, making this news a pleasant surprise for fans.

Showrunner Todd Harris told the magazine that his goal was to further expand the world of Wakanda. A film often does not have the space to achieve that. "Wakanda is a nation with multiple layers. This series offers the chance to explore that world further."

A New Heroine

The first episode centers around Noni, a former member of the Dora Milaje. She is up for recruitment for the Hatut Zeraze. Noni is described as a sort of James Bond version of a Dora; someone who does not just follow the rules.

The story takes place in 1260 B.C., as Noni is tasked with stopping the Lion. This former Wakandan has stolen technology from his people and turned himself into a war lord. His goal: to conquer Crete in Greece.

Sources Of Inspiration

Harris drew inspiration for the story from films like Apocalypse Now and characters such as Thulsa Doom from Conan the Barbarian. "What if Wakanda had its own colonel? That idea, combined with an ancient empire like Atlantis, formed the basis for the conflict."

Throughout history, brave Wakandan warriors have traveled the world to locate dangerous vibranium artifacts. Eyes of Wakanda tells their story. The series will be exclusively available on Disney+ from August 1.

James Gunn has addressed the future of Jason Momoa in the new DC Universe this week. While most DCEU characters have been definitively written off, it seems the end may not be entirely clear for Momoa's Aquaman. In Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, launched in preparation for season 2 of Peacemaker, Gunn admitted that there are internal debates about officially integrating the Aquaman films into the DC canon.

However, he quickly tempered expectations: "Is Aquaman canon? We're not sure yet, but I doubt it," Gunn said. He also indicated that if Aquaman were to remain within the DCU, timelines would likely need to be adjusted for coherence.

Peacemaker Confronts The Old DC Chapter

The timing of Gunn's comments is somewhat notable. Peacemaker season 1 was created before his appointment as head of DC, but season 2, releasing on August 21, will be fully canon within the DCU.

This means that everything happening in the new season is officially part of the new universe that Gunn is building with titles such as Creature Commandos and Superman.

Aquaman Is Not Superman

In the podcast, Gunn discussed a scene from Peacemaker season 1 where Aquaman is mentioned. That reference was originally a wink, but now it suddenly carries more weight.

Yet, Gunn maintains that in his vision, Aquaman is not a well-known hero in this universe, certainly not at the level of Superman.

The Lobo Dilemma

Another factor complicating Gunn's decision is Jason Momoa's possible role as Lobo in the new DCU. Rumors suggest he will debut next year in Supergirl as the iconic intergalactic bounty hunter. Two major roles in the same universe would not only be confusing for the audience but also a logistical challenge for Momoa himself.

For Warner Bros., this is a tricky balance: Aquaman was the biggest commercial hit of the old DCEU, but the sequel underperformed. Moreover, the worldview of the new DCU, where metahumans have been known for 300 years, significantly deviates from the mythology of Aquaman. It's quite possible that Gunn ultimately opts for a clean slate.

During Comic-Con in San Diego, the first teaser for the eighth and final season of the popular series Outlander was unveiled. In the same Hall H, it was also announced that the new season will not air until early 2026. Note: Spoilers for those who are not familiar with the books.

Lead actor Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) read a foreboding passage from Frank Randall’s book (Tobias Menzies) during Comic-Con: cThere is war coming in the Highlands, and James Fraser will die in it. These words seem to foreshadow a dramatic conclusion to the Starz series, where Claire Randall/Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) continues to play a central role.

Prequel Series

In addition to the last season of Outlander, the spin-off Outlander: Blood of My Blood was also discussed during Comic-Con. Showrunner Matthew B. Roberts announced that the prequel will kick off on August 8 with two episodes instead of just one. A new episode will then be released weekly on Fridays on Starz.

The series focuses on the love stories of Jamie and Claire's parents: Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie, and Julia Moriston and Henry Beauchamp. There are roles for Jamie Roy, Harriet Slater, Hermione Corfield, and Jeremy Irvine.

Same Creators Behind Both Series

The original Outlander series is based on the nine books by Diana Gabaldon, which have sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide. Just like the original, Blood of My Blood is also produced by Sony Pictures Television. Below is the teaser for season 8 of Outlander.

Permission to scream at the top of your lungs: GRANTED. The final season of Outlander is officially coming early 2026! pic.twitter.com/pbpxlNuy2J

— Outlander Universe (@Outlander_STARZ) July 25, 2025