> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theomnicosm.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # ‘Quantumania’ is a ‘Rick and Morty’ episode wrapped in an MCU movie - URL: https://www.theomnicosm.com/quantumania-is-a-rick-and-morty-episode/ - Published: 2023-02-20T12:00:54.000Z - Updated: 2024-01-13T02:36:47.000Z - Description: The third ‘Ant-Man’ movie beat box office expectations. PLUS: ‘John Wick’ is back for a new trailer, ‘Fantastic Four’ casting begins soon, and our daughter (kind of) watched ‘Moana.’ - Author: Bill Kuchman - Tags: Popculturology • Friday Newsletter, Popculturology, Marvel, Ant-Man, Jonathan Majors Out of the 31 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I’ve seen 28 of them in theaters. *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* was the first one where the feeling of “um, I don’t think I like this” crept over me as the movie progressed. It was the same feeling I had while watching *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* the Thursday night that movie premiered. Unlike with *The Rise of Skywalker*, though, this feeling didn’t dominate my entire viewing, and by the end of the second credits scene, I was comfortable calling *Quantumania* “OK.” OK. So here’s the deal with *Quantumania*. **(Maybe some light spoilers going forward …)** If you liked the first two *Ant-Man* movies and were expecting a sequel in the same tone, this one is going to be a problem for you. Almost the entire film takes place in the Quantum Realm, a world populated by humans that aren’t human (no explanation on that one) and bizarro creatures. **Michael Peña**’s Luis is not in Quantumania. Much of the first hour of the movie is dominated by Scott Lang, Hope van Dyne and Hank Pym asking **Michelle Pfeiffer**’s Janet van Dyne what she hasn’t told them about her time in the Quantum Realm. Or other characters asking Janet if she’s told her family about her time in the Quantum Realm. Or Janet finally admitting that she hasn’t been truthful about her time in Quantum Realm. It was exhausting. **Jonathan Majors**’ Kang saves the movie. (At one point, I realized I was rooting for him because I was so annoyed at the continuous gimmick of Janet not just telling the other characters about him.) He’s quietly threatening, and while *Quantumania* didn’t fully deliver, Majors is going to be an exciting addition to the MCU as we move through the Multiverse Saga. The two credit scenes are a quick peek at that potential. Here’s the easiest way I can explain where *Quantumania* goes wrong: It’s a *Rick and Morty* episode wrapped in an MCU movie. Nothing wrong with a *Rick and Morty* episode being a *Rick and Morty* episode. But when you try to cram that vibe into an MCU movie, it’s not always going to fit. There’s a character in *Quantumania* who would be a seamless fit in *Rick and Morty*. His name is Veb. He’s made of … jelly. He asks the human characters to drink his ooze in order to understand the language of the Quantum Realm. And he’s obsessed with holes. Like, how many holes does Scott Lang have? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f6e09cdd9-2fee-43f1-984b-21b6785054cc_400x225.gif) You wouldn’t think twice if Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith ran into Veb, but he — along with the rest of the Quantum Realm’s freedom fighters — never fully click with what we’ve come to expect from the MCU. The average moviegoer likely has no idea that Marvel Studios has handed the keys to the MCU to a handful of *Rick and Morty* writers. - **Michael Waldron** created the Loki series and wrote a couple episodes in its first season. He also wrote *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* and is the screenwriter for *Avengers: Secret Wars*. Waldron wrote the *Rick and Morty* episode “The Old Man and the Seat.” - **Jeff Loveness** wrote *Quantumania* and is the screenwriter for *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*. He wrote several episodes of *Rick and Morty*, including “The Vat of Acid Episode.” - **Jessica Gao** created the *She-Hulk* series and wrote several episodes. She wrote the *Rick and Morty* episode “Pickle Rick.” These are brilliant creative minds. They’ve written standout episodes of *Rick and Morty*. (And show how little disgraced co-creator **Justin Roiland** has actually been contributing to the show.) *Quantumania* was the first time, though, where things felt too *Rick and Morty*\-y. Waldron’s *Loki* honored the title character and his place in the MCU, and there was never any way *Multiverse of Madness* wouldn’t feel like a **Sam Raimi** project. Gao’s *She-Hulk* was fresh and one of my favorite bits of recent MCU storytelling. Marvel Studios has long trusted sitcom writers and directors with the MCU films. The megafranchise’s mix of humor and action has allowed talent like **the Russo brothers** to jump from directing episodes of *Community* to helming the record-breaking films. Going forward, I’m curious to see how the *Rick and Morty* alumni blend that show’s brand of humor and storytelling with the two upcoming *Avengers* movies. Maybe *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* director **Destin Daniel Cretton** will balance Loveness’ *Rick and Morty* tendencies as he helms *The Kang Dynasty* better than **Peyton Reed** did in *Quantumania*. A sidenote for this movie: I saw *Quantumania* at 9 p.m. on Friday. Do you all realize how late 9 p.m. is now? And that’s the time you start watching a two-hour movie … plus previews? I felt like I was going to a midnight screening. --- **Happy Presidents’ Day, and thanks for reading* *Popculturology*. Which president is your favorite: James Marshall or Thomas Whitmore?* **Are you a subscriber yet?* It’s the easiest way to make sure you get every edition of *Popculturology*.* [Subscribe now](https://www.theomnicosm.com/subscribe) **Share your thoughts* on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and everything else pop culture down below.* *And please *tap the ♥️ button* at the bottom of each post if you enjoyed the newsletter. Now let’s get to the news.* --- ![The News](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f5596f026-3e58-4b1d-ba69-54d3a431d50b_2028x228-6.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f3c672bdf-5ded-4bd2-8610-d6068ca1b345_1600x800-webp.jpg) ****Jessica Alba** as Sue Storm in **Fantastic Four*. / 20th Century Fox ### *Fantastic Four* casting process begins this month, will focus on Sue Storm first Since pretty much the moment is was announced that Marvel Studios was making a *Fantastic Four* movie, casting rumors have swirled around the project. There was even the theory that Marvel would unveil the cast as San Diego Comic-Con or D23 Expo last year. Those events came and went without a *Fantastic Four* cast announcement. Turns out casting hasn’t even begun on the project — but it’s about to gear up, according to *Deadline*’s **Justin Kroll**. > [](https://twitter.com/krolljvar/status/1626284475914280961?ref=theomnicosm.com) Focusing on Sue Storm is a smart move by Marvel Studios. While we love fancasting Reed Richards (I mean, that’s how **John Krasinski** wound up in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*), Sue is a much stronger audience surrogate character. This makes [the recent meeting between ](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/fantastic-four-director-matt-shakman-recently-met-with-mila-kunis/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[*Fantastic Four*](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/fantastic-four-director-matt-shakman-recently-met-with-mila-kunis/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[ director ](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/fantastic-four-director-matt-shakman-recently-met-with-mila-kunis/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[**Matt Shakman**](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/fantastic-four-director-matt-shakman-recently-met-with-mila-kunis/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[ and ](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/fantastic-four-director-matt-shakman-recently-met-with-mila-kunis/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[**Mila Kunis**](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/fantastic-four-director-matt-shakman-recently-met-with-mila-kunis/?ref=theomnicosm.com) all the more interesting. Is Kunis in the mix for the role of Sue Storm? Hopefully Marvel and Shakman are screentesting their Sue Storms against **Tenoch Huerta**’s Namor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f0f60a1ac-9f8b-4433-8140-9c4c6c0d5b6d_690x1026-jpeg.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-318.png) ### *The Marvels* shifts from July to November [In addition to spreading out its Disney+ shows](https://www.engadget.com/disney-will-slow-and-spread-the-releases-of-its-marvel-series-202129646.html?ref=theomnicosm.com), Marvel Studios is also giving its theatrical releases a bit more breathing room. The studios revealed on Friday that it was pushing back *The Marvels* from a July 28 release date to Nov. 10, releasing a new poster for the movie in the process. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f0e271b9f-22b5-488b-b75d-7fc44925dec3_1080x1350-jpeg.jpg) The new poster for The Marvels. / Marvel Studios Marvel Studios had originally staked out Nov. 3 for *Blade*, but that one was pushed back to September 2024. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-319.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2feaf66038-9c37-4a83-aa69-39a66c778415_1920x1080-webp.jpg) A few of the original Ducks join the Disney+ Ducks and Gordon Bombay. / Disney+ ### *Mighty Ducks: Game Changers* canceled The phrase “I guess this isn’t for me” would make pop culture discourse so much friendlier. Sometimes, a movie or show isn’t for you. And you just move on. Despite Millennial fans of the *Mighty Ducks* being the ones asking for a revival of the franchise, Disney brought the property back as a Disney+ show aimed at a younger crowd. “I guess this isn’t for me,” I said and pretty much forgot the show existed. (I also didn’t become a toxic fan on social media blasting Disney and the *Mighty Ducks: Game Changers* cast and crew for ruining my childhood.) Anyways, after two seasons, [*The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers*](https://deadline.com/2023/02/big-shot-mighty-ducks-game-changers-canceled-by-disney-after-two-seasons-1235263817/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[ has been canceled by Disney](https://deadline.com/2023/02/big-shot-mighty-ducks-game-changers-canceled-by-disney-after-two-seasons-1235263817/?ref=theomnicosm.com). I guess **Emilio Estevez** getting the boot was the beginning of the end for the show. The streamer also canceled Big Shot, the **John Stamos**’ basketball show. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-320.png) ### Zach Galifianakis cast in the live-action *Lilo & Stitch* movie — but as who? *Lilo & Stitch* is getting the live-action movie treatment over at Disney. (But if they don’t have a real alien playing Lilo, is it really live action?) [*The Hollywood Reporter*](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lilo-and-stitch-live-action-movie-remake-zach-galifianakis-1235328908/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[ broke the news on Friday](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lilo-and-stitch-live-action-movie-remake-zach-galifianakis-1235328908/?ref=theomnicosm.com) that **Zach Galifianakis** had joined the movie. And despite your initial assumption that he’s voicing Lilo, *THR* says that “details of Galifianakis’ role are being kept in the dog pound.” Hmmm. **Dean Fleischer Camp**, the co-creator of *Marcel the Shell with Shoes On*, will direct the *Lilo & Stitch* adaption. Galifianakis is absolutely voicing Lilo, right? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-321.png) ### Kelly Ripa replaces Ryan Seacrest with her husband The morning talk shows aren’t something that I’d usually write about in **Popculturology**, but I find this one especially funny. **Ryan Seacrest** announced on Thursday that he’s leaving *Live With Kelly and Ryan*. His replacement? **Kelly Ripa**’s husband, **Mark Consuelos**. Congrats to Ripa on playing a 22-year long con, joining *Live With Regis* in 2001, sticking around after **Regis Philbin**, outlasting **Michael Strahan** and now finally swapping out Seacrest for her husband. [There’s an alternate reality out there where ](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/seth-meyers-live-kelly-ripa-regis-philbin-347086/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[**Seth Meyers**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/seth-meyers-live-kelly-ripa-regis-philbin-347086/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[ replaced Philbin](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/seth-meyers-live-kelly-ripa-regis-philbin-347086/?ref=theomnicosm.com), and the world never got *A Closer Look*, *Corrections* or any of the fantastic work Meyers has done as host of *Late Night*. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-322.png) ### *SNL* announces Travis Kelce and Jenna Ortega as hosts *Saturday Night Live* announced who’ll host the two shows after the upcoming **Woody Harrelson** episode, and if you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan or a fan of just about any AFC team besides the Kansas City Chiefs, the March 4 episode is going to be a rough one. > [](https://twitter.com/nbcsnl/status/1626402408371822593?ref=theomnicosm.com) Bills fans like myself should be able to enjoy *SNL* without having to be subjected to **Travis Kelce**. *SNL*’s totally going to do a sketch around [**Jenna Ortega**](https://ew.com/tv/jenna-ortega-wednesday-viral-dance-routine-two-days/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[’s ](https://ew.com/tv/jenna-ortega-wednesday-viral-dance-routine-two-days/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[*Wednesday*](https://ew.com/tv/jenna-ortega-wednesday-viral-dance-routine-two-days/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[ dance](https://ew.com/tv/jenna-ortega-wednesday-viral-dance-routine-two-days/?ref=theomnicosm.com), aren’t they? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-323.png) ### Sequels to *Constantine* and *I Am Legend* in the works If you’ve spent the past 16 to 18 years waiting for a sequel to **Keanu Reeves**’ *Constantine* and **Will Smith**’s *I Am Legend*, you’re in luck. (You’re also a pretty specific person. This is what you’ve spent the past 16 to 18 years doing?) [Writer/producer ](https://deadline.com/2023/02/akiva-goldsman-first-look-warner-bros-deal-constantine-keanu-reeves-i-am-legend-will-smith-michael-b-jordan-sequels-1235260641/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[**Akiva Goldsman**](https://deadline.com/2023/02/akiva-goldsman-first-look-warner-bros-deal-constantine-keanu-reeves-i-am-legend-will-smith-michael-b-jordan-sequels-1235260641/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[ revealed to ](https://deadline.com/2023/02/akiva-goldsman-first-look-warner-bros-deal-constantine-keanu-reeves-i-am-legend-will-smith-michael-b-jordan-sequels-1235260641/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[*Deadline*](https://deadline.com/2023/02/akiva-goldsman-first-look-warner-bros-deal-constantine-keanu-reeves-i-am-legend-will-smith-michael-b-jordan-sequels-1235260641/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[ last week](https://deadline.com/2023/02/akiva-goldsman-first-look-warner-bros-deal-constantine-keanu-reeves-i-am-legend-will-smith-michael-b-jordan-sequels-1235260641/?ref=theomnicosm.com) that he’s working with Warner Bros. to produce sequels to the two films. “We’re starting with two projects that are fun and very much Warners: the sequel to *I Am Legend*, with Will and **Michael B. Jordan**, and the sequel to *Constantine* with Keanu Reeves that **Francis Lawrence** is going to direct,” Goldsman told *Deadline*. “This is a credit to Keanu, who endlessly has said, ‘this is the character I want to return to,’” Goldsman continued. “Finally, he said it enough times that it stuck.” [News of an ](https://deadline.com/2022/03/i-am-legend-sequel-will-smith-michael-b-jordan-movie-1234971302/?ref=theomnicosm.com#recipient%5Fhashed=cd07fc4249297dd60f88127c89cb89e98be21f2f290ef5aa46f320da52a22c48)[*I Am Legend*](https://deadline.com/2022/03/i-am-legend-sequel-will-smith-michael-b-jordan-movie-1234971302/?ref=theomnicosm.com#recipient%5Fhashed=cd07fc4249297dd60f88127c89cb89e98be21f2f290ef5aa46f320da52a22c48)[ sequel broke last March](https://deadline.com/2022/03/i-am-legend-sequel-will-smith-michael-b-jordan-movie-1234971302/?ref=theomnicosm.com#recipient%5Fhashed=cd07fc4249297dd60f88127c89cb89e98be21f2f290ef5aa46f320da52a22c48), including the part that Jordan would star, but this is the first new info we’ve gotten on the project since then. The most intriguing part of Goldsman’s talk with *Deadline* was the news that the *I Am Legend* sequel will work from the film’s alternate ending (which was superior and they should’ve gone with it from the start) instead of the ending where Smith’s character sacrificed himself. “We trace back to the original \[**Richard Matheson**\] book, and the alternate ending as opposed to the released ending in the original film,” Goldsman told *Deadline*. “What Matheson was talking about was that man’s time on the planet as the dominant species had come to an end. That’s a really interesting thing we’re going to get to explore. There will be a little more fidelity to the original text.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-324.png) ### Edited versions of HBO shows ‘Silicon Valley’ and ‘True Blood’ are heading to TBS and TNT If you were to cut down episodes of *Silicon Valley* and *True Blood* to be appropriate for basic cable, what’s would be left? For *True Blood*, you’d pretty much be down to the opening theme and then Bill the Vampire just saying “Sookie …” a bunch of times before the end credits to roll. We’re going to find out how this experiment works. [*Variety*](https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/silicon-valley-true-blood-episodes-tbs-tnt-1235525717/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[ reported on Thursday](https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/silicon-valley-true-blood-episodes-tbs-tnt-1235525717/?ref=theomnicosm.com) that Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to further maximize its content library, with plans to air edited episodes of *Silicon Valley* on TBS and *True Blood* on TNT. “We have an enviable arsenal of networks and assets which gives us flexibility and allows us to put our impressive content library to work on platforms where it can attract new audiences,” **Kathleen Finch**, chairman and chief content officer of Warner Bros. Discovery’s U.S. Networks Group, told *Variety*. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-325.png) ### ‘Why the fuck would I want that job?’: Marc Maron auditioned for ‘Avatar’ sequel Watching **Marc Maron** go from a cult comedian who hosts a podcast to an actor who leads Netflix shows and voices characters in kids’ animated movies has been wild. Turns out **James Cameron** wanted a piece of Maron too for the *Avatar* franchise. While chatting with **Josh Horowitz** for the *Happy Sad Confused* podcast, Maron revealed that he went out to Cameron’s studio to audition for a role in *Avatar: The Way of Water*. “A doctor or scientist who drank,” was how Maron described the role to Horowitz before clarifying that the part wound up going to **Jemaine Clement**. Maron went into depth on how bizarre the experience of auditioning for the *Avatar* franchise was to him. Acrobats! Tightropes! Scripts that couldn’t leave the building! “Why the fuck would I want that job?” Maron asked. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-326.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2fa62347bb-2b73-4797-a643-b0f29c1c0f3f_2000x1333-webp.jpg) ****David Harbor** as Hellboy in the last **Hellboy* remake. / Lionsgate ### Another *Hellboy* remake is on the way Why couldn’t the powers-that-be just have let **Guillermo del Toro** complete his *Hellboy* trilogy? Del Toro’s take on the property got weirder and better with *Hellboy II: The Golden Army*, and it would’ve been fun to see where del Toro and **Ron Perlman** took the story. Instead, Universal killed the sequel. And then we got the ill-advised **David Harbour** reboot in 2019. [According to ](https://deadline.com/2023/02/box-office-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-opening-1235263086/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[*DiscussingFilm*](https://deadline.com/2023/02/box-office-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-opening-1235263086/?ref=theomnicosm.com), another reboot is in the works. **Brian Taylor** will direct the new film. I dunno. We’ve gone from del Toro to now the guy who directed *Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance* helming the *Hellboy* franchise? --- *💬 💬 💬 *Wanna share your comments, questions or recommendations?* Leave a comment at the bottom of the newsletter.* --- ![Trailer Watch](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2fc07ddcd5-331f-4db7-a120-25841e805cba_2028x228-3.png) ### *John Wick: Chapter 4* John Wick just wanted to live a quiet life. But no, some idiots had to kill his beagle, and now four movies later, he’s still traveling the world as the secret society of assassins he once belonged to tries to kill him. *John Wick: Chapter 4 opens on March. 24.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-327.png) ### *Tetris* I love *Tetris*. There is a very tiny number of video games that I actually play, and *Tetris* has long been the one that I’m actually good at. I’ve played on the original Game Boy, a Game Boy Color, a Game Boy Advanced (both of those the awesome translucent purple versions that Nintendo used to produce), my phone and a Nintendo DS. The *Tetris* effect is real, and after I’ve played for long periods of time, I see the Tetrominos when my eyes are closed. When I first heard that they were making a *Tetris* movie, I assumed some studio was trying to turn the game into a movie. Like **Adam Sandler** was going to have to fight *Tetris* blocks or something. Nope. *Tetris* is the story of how the game came out of the Soviet Union and wound up being included with every Game Boy sold at one point, with **Taron Egerton** doing his best **Leonardo DiCaprio** in *The Wolf of Wall Street* impression. *Tetris premieres on March 31.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-328.png) ### *Love & Death* I have very little idea what *Love & Death* is about, but I know that I love the idea of **Elizabeth Olsen** and **Jesse Plemons** playing two people who decide to have an affair. I assume there’s a death at some point too. Also love the *White Lotus*\-y music in this trailer. *Love & Death premieres on April 27.* --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f07aae005-2bba-4d72-a8a2-a302bbff46b6_2028x228-6.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f4adf72b3-5a56-4a43-83d1-4c35b67f2742_1296x730-webp.jpg) ****Jonathan Majors** in **Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania*. / Marvel Studios *Weekend of Feb. 17-19, 2023* **Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania** (N) *Weekend gross: $104M / Total domestic gross: $104M / Percent drop: NA* No surprise that *Quantumania* took the No. 1 spot at the box office this weekend, but I am a bit surprised that the film opened at $104 million. Estimates had the third *Ant-Man* film pegged for a $95 million domestic opening weekend, and after it got a B from *CinemaScore*, I expected an opening weekend below that estimate. (*CinemaScore* is usually a good way of knowing how strong the word of mouth is around a movie.) A $104 million opening weekend is easily the best for an *Ant-Man* movie (the original opened with $57.2 million and *Ant-Man and the Wasp* opened with $75.8 million), and sits at the 17th best opening weekend of the 31 MCU movies. *Quantumania* is the fifth straight MCU movie to break the $100 million opening weekend mark. (*Spider-Man: No Way Home* $260.1 million, *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* $187.4 million, *Thor: Love and Thunder* $144.2 million, *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* $181.4 million.) This ties the longest streak of MCU films to open at $100 million or higher. (*Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* $146.5 million, *Spider-Man: Homecoming* $117 million, *Thor: Ragnarok* $122.7 million, *Black Panther* $202 million, *Avengers: Infinity War* $257.7 million.) Can *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* keep this streak going in May? **Avatar: The Way of Water** (2) *Weekend gross: $6.1M / Total domestic gross: $657.1M / Percent drop: -15* Avatar: The Way of Water is now the ninth highest grossing movie in domestic box office history, moving past Jurassic World’s $652.3 million. A lot of work left for the second Avatar movie if it’s going to move any higher on the worldwide chart, though. Its $2,243,275,991 worldwide haul is more than half a billion away from Avengers: Endgame’s $2,794,731755 and even farther away from Avatar’s $2,923,706,026. 1. **Magic Mike’s Last Dance** (1) *Weekend gross: $5.5M / Total domestic gross: $18.1M / Percent drop: -33* 2. **Puss in Boots: The Last Wish** (5) *Weekend gross: $5.3M / Total domestic gross: $166.1M / Percent drop: -6* 3. **Knock at the Cabin** (6) *Weekend gross: $3.9M / Total domestic gross: $30.4M / Percent drop: -28* *Box office numbers via* [*The Numbers*](http://www.the-numbers.com/?ref=theomnicosm.com) --- ![Playlist](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2fb3056c7c-76eb-4f47-9b81-96396664f2aa_2028x228-6.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f9acf421f-d65e-43c9-9a58-4ba1dc7812b6_2861x1608-jpeg.jpg) Moana in Moana. / Walt Disney Animation Studios ### *Moana* *Moana* is a masterpiece. Good luck ever convincing me that it’s not the crown jewel of the Second Disney Renaissance. Yes, better than *Frozen*. Better than *Zootopia*, which somehow beat *Moana* for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2017 Oscars. (Between *Moana* and *Arrival*, November 2016 gave the world two of my favorite movies, both of which would be snubbed for Oscar glory.) This obviously wasn’t my first time watching *Moana*. I’ve probably seen it more than any MCU movie and most *Star Wars* films. So why am I highlighting it in the newsletter? (Besides maybe as a reminder that you all should watch it.) Well, this past week I realized our daughter knows who Moana is. We were playing in her room, and I pulled the Moana Squishmallow out of her basic of toys. Hazel recognized the character and pointed at the Baby Moana Funko Pop on one of the shelves in her bedroom. (It’s the only Funko she owns. She has *many* Squishmallows, though.) She knew that they were both Moana. I started showing her some YouTube clips of the songs from *Moana*. “Where You Are” was an immediate hit — if you consider an almost-14-month-old paying attention to something for a full minute an immediate hit. On Saturday night, Caitlin suggested we just put *Moana* on for Hazel to see how she’d react. Would she be interested? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2fee7a37d6-51e2-40f0-a7af-39c6174c149c_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg) She didn’t watch the entire movie. (I mean, she’s a baby. And she has a 7 p.m. bedtime.) But Hazel was dancing along with the music and may have even made her own attempt at hula hands. We obviously had to finish watching the movie after she went to bed. Excuse me while I buy every *Moana* toy Amazon sells for 1-year-olds … ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-329.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2fc1705932-c7a5-4a74-a702-13b217cf6a7b_1000x665-jpeg.jpg) ****Charles Melton** and ****Jasmine Aiyana Garvin** in the **Poker Face* episode “The Future of the Sport.” / Peacock ### *Poker Face* **“The Future of the Sport”** I’m not sure how long **Poker Face** will be able to sustain it, but I’ve enjoyed how each episode has found a way to put some kind of twist on the show’s setup. In “The Future of the Sport,” we see **Natasha Lyonne**’s Charlie’s superpowers initially fooled thanks to an attempted murder being built on a separate bit of sabotage. I’m hoping “cancer-dog him” sticks as the terminology for Charlie’s powers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-330.png) ### *Abbott Elementary* **“Fire”** “I’ve longed for protocol,” **Tyler James Williams**’ Gregory says at one point during this episode. “This is the best day of my life.” All it took was Ava fleeing the school as the fire alarm went off and a well-placed blazer for Gregory to assume control of Abbott Elementary as interim principal. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-331.png) ### *Corrections* **“It’s Getting Hot in Hair”** I’ve never submitted a note to *Corrections*. I always assume that some other jackal has already alerted **Seth Meyers** and the *Late Night* team to any error I’ve caught. *Corrections* didn’t let me down when it came to making sure Meyers knew that Buffalo wings pair with blue cheese. Not ranch. Never ranch. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-332.png) ### *Hot Ones* **“Austin Butler Searches for Comfort While Eating Spicy Wings”** Seems like **Austin Butler** is still doing the *Elvis* voice. I thought there was a chance that the *Hot Ones* wings might’ve snapped him out of it, but Butler was still sticking with it as he made a pair of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and hugging **Sean Evans**. Speaking of Evans, I cringed as he pronounced “biopic” the pretentious way. > [](https://twitter.com/drewmcweeny/status/1621596580695658496?ref=theomnicosm.com) --- ![The Links](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f93d79287-0282-4aec-b896-77d9245d4941_2028x228-6.png) - [How an alleged con man tore apart one of the Nineties’ biggest bands ](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/live-alt-rock-band-crime-lawsuits-1234677011/?ref=theomnicosm.com)(**Andy Greene**, *Rolling Stone*) - [The monster maker: Meet the prosthetics guru behind ](https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-barrie-gower-clickers-game-of-thrones-night-king/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[*The Last of Us*](https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-barrie-gower-clickers-game-of-thrones-night-king/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[, ](https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-barrie-gower-clickers-game-of-thrones-night-king/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[*Game of Thrones*](https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-barrie-gower-clickers-game-of-thrones-night-king/?ref=theomnicosm.com)[ and more](https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-barrie-gower-clickers-game-of-thrones-night-king/?ref=theomnicosm.com) (**Nick Romano**, *Entertainment Weekly*) - [15 hours With ](https://kotaku.com/hogwarts-legacy-review-harry-potter-rowling-transphobia-1850127849?ref=theomnicosm.com)[*Hogwarts Legacy:* ](https://kotaku.com/hogwarts-legacy-review-harry-potter-rowling-transphobia-1850127849?ref=theomnicosm.com)[Magical surface, rotten core](https://kotaku.com/hogwarts-legacy-review-harry-potter-rowling-transphobia-1850127849?ref=theomnicosm.com) (**Carolyn Petit**, *Kotaku*) - [A conversation with Bing’s chatbot left me deeply unsettled](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/technology/bing-chatbot-microsoft-chatgpt.html?ref=theomnicosm.com) (**Kevin Roose**, *The New York Times*) - [Why Pizza Hut’s red roofs and McDonald’s play places have disappeared ](https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/18/business/fast-food-architecture-mcdonalds-wendys-ctpr/index.html?ref=theomnicosm.com)(**Nathaniel Meyersohn**, *CNN*) --- **Spread the news!* Share a free *Popculturology* subscription with your friends.* --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2fa54e24d4-d6c8-4f10-99d0-ba6ef0d59294_2028x228.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f7e9fabf4-f2d3-458f-a4a5-ca36f31f80f8_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg) A pack of White Chocolate Marshmallow Crispy Treat M&Ms. ### White Chocolate Marshmallow Crispy Treat M&Ms I pretty sure these are new. Before finding them at Target on Saturday, I don’t think I’ve seen them around. At first, I assumed they would basically be the white chocolate version of Crispy M&Ms, but there is a touch of marshmallow flavor in them. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2fd313aa26-5587-4a19-8262-2286691bdb00_4032x3024-jpeg.jpg) A bowl of White Chocolate Marshmallow Crispy Treat M&Ms. They’re pretty good. Would eat again. (I bought two bags. Just in case.) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2ff05828a6-e0fc-456e-8d31-5f6fbd8e943f_3333x65-333.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2fb8971a81-dd56-4a75-96e4-d3cf5fa0afb1_1500x999-jpeg.jpg) ### Pepsi x Peeps OK, I haven’t found [the new release of Pepsi x Peeps](https://www.foodandwine.com/pepsi-peeps-soda-coming-back-7110773?ref=theomnicosm.com) yet, but I’m on the look out … --- *That’s the end of this issue of *Popculturology*. Thanks for reading. If you don’t already subscribe, please hit the “Subscribe now” button. Tapping the ♥️ at the bottom of each post also helps the newsletter.* [Subscribe now](https://www.theomnicosm.com/subscribe)