James Whitbrook, Author at Gizmodo

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Is Big, Dumb, and Beautiful

The very first thing Godzilla: King of the Monsters presents to you is the blaring skree-onk of Godzilla’s iconic caterwauling cry. It sets the tone immediately: This is not going to go how 2014’s Godzilla reboot went. It’s also perhaps not going to go the way you might have expected it to. Ever since its…

Movies James Whitbrook

One of Detective Pikachu‘s Grossest Moments Is Even Weirder Than You Thought

Detective Pikachu’s trailers were full of wonderfully cute (and occasionally freaky) Pokémon—but one of the biggest reactions came with the debut of Lickitung. Or rather, Licktung’s ginormous, gross tongue as it slathers Tim Goodman’s face with saliva. It turns out there’s actually a much creepier factoid behind that moment than Pokédrool. We recently had the…

Movies James Whitbrook

How Detective Pikachu Built Its Adorable Star

For visual effects house MPC, Pikachu stood as the ultimate thesis for its approach to designing the world of Pokémon for Detective Pikachu. io9 recently spoke to MPC VFX Supervisor Pete Dionne about his work on Detective Pikachu, and the particular challenges behind bringing the most vital Pokémon to life. Detective Pikachu’s adorably weird approach…

Movies James Whitbrook

Booster Gold’s Screenwriter Is Waiting for WB to Make a Move

Todd McFarlane is having Spawn drama. James Cameron is excited for the next chapter of the Terminator franchise. Stranger Things’ David Harbour is hyping us up for season three. Plus new looks at iZombie and Cloak & Dagger’s next episodes and…cats? Spoilers meow! Booster Gold Appearing as a recent guest on The Fanboy Podcast, screenwriter…

Television James Whitbrook

Arrow’s Star Leaves the Door Open for a Post-Series Finale Return

You’ll have to wait a bit longer to see Super Pets in action. Spider-Man: Far From Home’s stars give us some new looks. Plus sneak peeks at Star Trek: Picard, Legion, and more. Spoilers ho! Tenet Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kenneth Branagh, Clémence Poésy, Dimple Kapadia and Michael Caine have joined John David Washington, Elizabeth Debicki and…

Television James Whitbrook

HBO Gives Official Updates on Game of Thrones’ Prequel Series and Potential Spinoffs

Child’s Play is taking more jabs at the poor toys from Toy Story 4. Even more new looks at The Dark Crystal, plus Swamp Things’ first episode and Doom Patrol’s last. Spoilers set sail! Tom & Jerry Deadline reports Ant-Man’s Michael Peña has been cast as the film’s antagonist—a disgruntled hotel manager named Terrance—in Tim…

Television James Whitbrook

Updates From The Dark Crystal, John Wick, and More

The cast of Stranger Things heads into summer while Swamp Thing goes back to its comic book roots. A familiar face from Star Trek is headed to Penny Dreadful’s City of Angels. Plus what’s to come on The 100, Aggretsuko, and more as you head to Spoiler Town. Lair Corey Johnson, Oded Fehr, and John…

Television James Whitbrook

New Details Emerge on the Villain of Disney’s Live-Action Mulan

Spider-Man: Far From Home lets one particular secret out of the bag. Patty Jenkins would like to move the release date for Wonder Woman 1984. Plus new looks at Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Legends of Tomorrow’s finale, and more. Spoilers onward! Gunpowder Milkshake Deadline reports Carla Gugino is the latest actress to join the…

Television James Whitbrook

The Best Toys of the Week Need Guns, Lots of Guns

Welcome back to Toy Aisle, io9’s regular roundup of all things good and merchandisable, as seen on the internet lately. This week: some adorable Dungeons & Dragons figures; John Wick, his alarmingly robust arsenal, and (of course) his dog; Captain America with some spoiler-ific Endgame accessories; and more! ThreeZero Game of Thrones Season 8 Jon…

Toys & Collectibles James Whitbrook

Pokémon Sword and Shield‘s New Starters Look Great in Detective Pikachu‘s Style

It’s a fantastic time to be a Pokémon fan, between the arrival of Detective Pikachu in theaters and the two brand new mainline games, Sword and Shield, coming to the Switch later this year. But what if we could have the best of both in one go? Well, artist RJ Palmer is back to imagine…

Games James Whitbrook

In This Exclusive Look at Angel #2, a Familiar Face Re-Emerges

One of the most intriguing thing about Boom’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics series has been watching the familiar tale of the beloved show play out anew in a modern, rebooted setting. Watching these characters we know and love re-meet each other for the first time has been a hoot so far—and we’re about to…

Books & Comics James Whitbrook

The First Details on the CW’s Epic Crisis on Infinite Earths Crossover

The Goon movie lives. The Tick is searching for a new home. AMC is exploring a new sci-fi anthology series about true love. Akiva Goldsman sets his sights on another comic book universe. Plus, new details on Disenchantment’s return, a creepy new look at Child’s Play’s updated Chucky, and a Katy Keene teaser. Spoilers get!…

Television James Whitbrook

Dooku: Jedi Lost Makes Me Wish There Were More Prequels to The Phantom Menace

The Phantom Menace is on the precipice of turning 20 years old. The lasting legacy of what it added (for better and worse) to Star Wars’ rich tapestry is still being debated today, but the recent release of another bit of prequel storytelling has had me thinking about something: Why aren’t we getting more stories…

Movies James Whitbrook

The Swamp Fights (and Frights) Back in the New Swamp Thing Trailer

There’s something spectacular going on in the swamps, and Alec Holland is about to find out just how creepy it all is. DC Universe has just dropped another new tease for Swamp Thing’s impending streaming debut, and it is an intense one. It’s full of dread, from all the darkly-lit shots of the swamp to…

Books & Comics James Whitbrook

Image: Derek Charm, Matt Herms, and Jack Morelli

An Inside Look at Jughead’s Timey-Wimey New Adventure

He’s fighting cults on Riverdale. He’s turning into a werewolf in the comics. Sometimes, he’s just eating his way through Pop’s menu time and time again. Jughead’s living a wild life wherever you get your Archie fix these days, but his new series is his weirdest one yet, because Jughead’s going back to the future.…

Books & Comics James Whitbrook

Updates From the Avatar Movies, Game of Thrones, and More

They’re somehow still casting people in James Cameron’s Avatar saga. Get a look at a very sad Flex Mentallo in new Doom Patrol pictures. Bill Murray’s open to making a cameo in the new Ghostbusters. Plus, a creepy new clip from Brightburn, and the final two promo pictures for Game of Thrones. Spoilers, away! Avatar…

Television James Whitbrook

Neil Gaiman Had to Fight to Keep One of Terry Pratchett’s Creations in Good Omens

Agnes Nutter is not really a huge part of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s divine apocalyptic adventure Good Omens—she’s more important to the backstory and worldbuilding of Crowley and Aziraphale’s journey to stop the apocalypse, rather than being a major player herself. But when the upcoming adaptation nearly cut the character, Gaiman had to step…

io9 James Whitbrook

James Gunn Speaks Out About His Exit From (and Return to) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Back in March, Disney shockingly announced that James Gunn would return to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, months after firing him after a series of crude jokes made by the director on social media years prior were resurfaced. Gunn has been quiet about his return, and his exit, ever since the original firing—but he’s…

Movies James Whitbrook

Bruce Campbell Teases More Evil Dead…But Without Ash

The Cruella de Vil origin movie adds another familiar face. M. Night Shyamalan teases a genre bent to his next movie. The Mortal Kombat movie is heading down under. Plus, more production quibbles for Bond 25, Supergirl’s Lex Luthor heads to the White House, and more clips from The Dead Don’t Die. Spoilers now! The…

Television James Whitbrook

Batman Faces a Ghost in the First Trailer for the Animated Batman: Hush Adaptation

Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair’s Batman: Hush is one of the most beloved Batman storylines of the early ‘00s—and now, it’s making its way into the world of Warner Bros.’s DC animated movies. An animated adaptation of Hush has been in the works for a while now—we first heard about it…

Trailers James Whitbrook

James Whitbrook

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Is Big, Dumb, and Beautiful

One of Detective Pikachu‘s Grossest Moments Is Even Weirder Than You Thought

How Detective Pikachu Built Its Adorable Star

Booster Gold’s Screenwriter Is Waiting for WB to Make a Move

Arrow’s Star Leaves the Door Open for a Post-Series Finale Return

HBO Gives Official Updates on Game of Thrones’ Prequel Series and Potential Spinoffs

Updates From The Dark Crystal, John Wick, and More

New Details Emerge on the Villain of Disney’s Live-Action Mulan

The Best Toys of the Week Need Guns, Lots of Guns

Pokémon Sword and Shield‘s New Starters Look Great in Detective Pikachu‘s Style

In This Exclusive Look at Angel #2, a Familiar Face Re-Emerges

The First Details on the CW’s Epic Crisis on Infinite Earths Crossover

Dooku: Jedi Lost Makes Me Wish There Were More Prequels to The Phantom Menace

The Swamp Fights (and Frights) Back in the New Swamp Thing Trailer

An Inside Look at Jughead’s Timey-Wimey New Adventure

Updates From the Avatar Movies, Game of Thrones, and More

Neil Gaiman Had to Fight to Keep One of Terry Pratchett’s Creations in Good Omens

James Gunn Speaks Out About His Exit From (and Return to) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Bruce Campbell Teases More Evil Dead…But Without Ash

Batman Faces a Ghost in the First Trailer for the Animated Batman: Hush Adaptation

Elon Musk’s Lawyer Claims Jury’s 420 ‘Joke’ Proves He Didn’t Receive a Fair Trial

‘Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice’ Is a Genre Blending Delight

Leaked Anthropic Model Presents ‘Unprecedented Cybersecurity Risks,’ Much to Pentagon’s Pleasure

Don’t miss out: Bitdefender, One of the World’s Best Antiviruses, Is Now on Sale

The Secret to Better Sperm? It’s Probably Already on Your Schedule

Lego Is Leaning Into Your Marvel Memories With a New Helicarrier Set

Toshiba’s 65-inch Smart Fire TV Now Matches 43-Inch Pricing After 44% Drop on Amazon

Kash Patel’s Email Account Hacked, Iran-Linked Group Takes Credit

Repair Workers Accidentally Stumble Upon Lost Remains of Legendary ‘Fourth Musketeer’

Dreame Aero Pro Wet Dry Vacuum Mop Drops 20% Shortly After Launch in the Spring Cleaning Sale

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets

Apple Studio Display XDR Review: It Looks So Good, I Wish It Were an iMac

RayNeo Air 4 Pro Review: My Eyes Love These Video Glasses, but My Nose Disagrees