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Throwback to Comic-Con Cape Town 2024

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Jacques van Zyl at Comic-Con Cape Town 2024 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre

The annual Comic-Con Cape Town 2024 was a blast! Come join on me, Jacques van Zyl on a throwback to a very marvelous event!

Guests at Comic-Con Cape Town 2024

The local South African movie guests included Aidan Scott, Albert Pretorius, Alexander Maniatis, Arno Greef, Bianca Oosthuizen, Brett Williams, Celeste Loots, Chioma Umeala, Grant Ross, Langley Kirkwood, Leroy Siyafa and Theo Le Ray.

International stars who made a turn were Lesley-Ann Brand, Sean Gunn and Veronica Taylor.

Lesley-Ann Brandt is famous for her role as Mazikeen on Lucifer. Sean Gunn portrays the role of Kraglin in the Guardians of the Galaxy. Veronica Taylor does the voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokemon.

Lesley-Ann Brandt as Mazikeen in Lucifer (IMDb)
Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri (Marvel)
Veronica Taylor (IMDb)

Overview of Programme

The annual Comic-Con Cape Town 2024 ran from 27 April 2024 to 1 May 2024. Here follows a brief overview of activities that caught my eye during the convention.

Saturday, 27 April 2024

Veronica Taylor, Lesley-Ann Brandt and Sean Gunn was available for photos and autographs. The cast from the One Piece television series on Netflix had a discussion panel and a spotlight session was held on the latest Boy Kills World movie.

Boy Kills World Official Trailer (RoadsideFlix)

The following question for discussion was posed to our fellow comic book artists, “Is traditional comic book art dead?” A panel was held on the concept of investing in comic books versus buying just to collect.

Games, games everywhere at Comic-Con Cape Town 2024

The day ended with an amazing after-dark event, the Pokemon quiz.

Sunday, 29 April 2024

Gavin Thomson, a South African cartoonist shared some insight on how to bring life to cartoons and a panel of comic book writers came to share valuable insights on writing comics. A workshop was hosting on helping you deal with stage fright.

Monday, 29 April 2024

Horror Monday delivered a good scare with cosplayers dressing up as some of their favorite horror character. I came in early on the day to help with horror decorations at the main entrances. A discussion was held on how to write horror. One of the attendees who presented on this topic was Paul Blom who coordinates the annual South African HorrorFest.

Jacques posing with Paul Andre Blom

A quiz was held on the Conjuring Universe and a tutorial was offered on how to do your make-up for cosplaying as a horror character. The art of toy photography was one of the topics of the day. Sean Gunn and Veronica Taylor was around for more photos and autographs. The one discussion that caught my eye was on how artists can overcome artificial intelligence since most jobs are phasing in the use of artificial intelligence as a tool.

A movie screening was held on the movie Fried Barry.

Fried Barry Official Trailer (Shudder)
Some horror decorations
More horror

Tuesday, 30 April 2024

This day was called Pajama Tuesday and visitors could grab their favorite sleepwear for the day. A Harry Potter quiz was held to test the knowledge of fellow muggles and wizards and a disco party brought much needed entertainment. Veronica Taylor was back for more photos and autographs. A session was held to guide new and upcoming writers on the approach to follow when writing for different genres.

Wednesday, 1 May 2024

Paul Roos Orchestra came to open the day with amazing music.

Paul Roos Orchestra at Comic-Con Cape Town 2024

The One Piece cast and Veronica Taylor made a last turn for the day. A Disney quiz was hosted to test everyone’s knowledge about our favorite Disney movies and characters. Brandon Reynolds came to share insights on how to do a comic book strip at and helpful advice was shared on becoming either a scriptwriter for movies or a stunt professional. The concept of artificial intelligence was touched on since it is a tool that is also used for creating content.

Tabletop games, dungeons and dragon sessions, Pokemon card games, Yu-Gi-Oh and Star Wars Unlimited session took place everyday at the Tabletop Game area. Video games were also on offer throughout the week from racing to fighting games.

A mobile application was developed to help guide fellow comic-con fans throughout the journey. Maps were provided at the reception area as well which made the journey easy throughout the convention.

Cosplayers Galore!!!

I had the chance to catch a few photos with some of the cosplayers at the comic convention. Many of the cosplayers went to the next level with their outfits.

To me, my X-Men

Here I am posing with cosplayers who dressed up as X-Men. As a huge Marvel, and X-Men fan in particular, I couldn’t pass an opportunity for a photo.

X-Men Cosplayers at Comic-Con (Jean Grey, Scarlet Witch, Jacques, Wolverine, Cyclops)
Jacques and Rogue.
Wolverine and Jacques

DC

There weren’t as many cosplayers dressing up as our favorite DC heroes and villains. As usual Batman put crime-fighting aside for a week to surprise us at Comic-Con.

Batman (DC) and Jacques
Scarecrow (DC) and Jacques

Horror Monday

Lunchtime I disappeared into the crowd as Ghostface from Scream to take a few photos with some of the cosplayers embracing their favorite horror character. Many cosplayers decided to do Pyramid Head from Silent Hill and we saw Freddy and Jason also run around at the convention.

Pinhead (Hellraiser) and Ghostface (Scream)
Jacques and The Nun (Conjuring Universe)
Pyramid Head (Silent Hill) and Jacques
Jacques and Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street)

We had other cosplayers who made a turn during the week. I found the Witcher, but sadly couldn’t toss a coin to him this time. I saw a few Mortal Kombat cosplayers as well. Even Tomb Raider decided to skip treasure hunting day and visit the convention.

The Witcher and Jacques
Round 1: Jacques versus Kitana (Mortal Kombat)
Round 2: Jacques, Raiden and Sonya (Mortal Kombat)
Jacques and Lara Croft / Tomb Raider

Comic-Con Cape Town 2024 was really amazing and I’m definitely looking forward to the next comic convention. The organizers went totally Super Saiyan with the programme and all the planned activities were next level.

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Entertainment

New Live-Action Ghostbusters Movie Reportedly in Development at Sony

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The Ghostbusters could be preparing to fire up their proton packs once again, with a new report claiming Sony Pictures is developing another live-action movie in the long-running franchise.

According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, the project is currently going by the title Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street. The film is also reportedly being written by Josh Miller, whose credits include the Sonic the Hedgehog movies and the Christmas action-comedy Violent Night.

Sony has not officially announced the project, meaning details surrounding the movie should still be considered unconfirmed. There is currently no director, cast or release date attached to the reported film.

Perhaps the most interesting detail is the title itself. Nightmare on 34th Street appears to be a play on the Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street, immediately raising the possibility that the Ghostbusters could be headed into a holiday-themed supernatural adventure.

However, no plot details have been revealed, and there is currently no confirmation that the movie will actually take place during Christmas.

It is also unclear whether the project would continue the storyline established in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire or introduce a different group of characters.

The most recent live-action installment, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, arrived in 2024 and brought the franchise back to New York City. The movie continued the story of the Spengler family while once again bringing together several members of the original Ghostbusters team.

The franchise is also expanding outside of live action. Netflix has Ghostbusters: Night Shift, an animated series set in New York City in 1994, on the way in 2027, while a separate animated Ghostbusters feature is also in development.

For now, Ghostbusters: Nightmare on 34th Street remains an unconfirmed project, but if the report proves accurate, another live-action chapter of the Ghostbusters franchise could officially be on the way.

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Comic Book Movies

Christopher Abbott Says He Hasn’t Read the X-Men Script Yet but ‘Can’t Wait’ to Play Professor X

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Getty Images for Disney

Christopher Abbott may already be Marvel Studios’ new Professor Charles Xavier, but the actor says he still knows surprisingly little about what awaits him in the MCU’s upcoming X-Men movie.

Abbott was officially announced as Professor X earlier this year, taking over one of the franchise’s most iconic roles following previous live-action portrayals by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy. Despite already landing the part, Abbott revealed that he has yet to read the screenplay for the highly anticipated reboot.

“I haven’t read anything yet. Nothing,”

Abbott said while discussing the film. “I’m not even being coy. It’s true, I haven’t read anything.”

While Marvel is apparently keeping details close to the vest, Abbott made it clear that he is excited about joining the project and working with director Jake Schreier.

“But I’m excited to work with Jake Schreier, I think he’s a great director and that cast is really, really good,” Abbott continued. “I can’t wait, I love the X-Men.”

Charles Xavier [Image credit: Marvel Comics]

Abbott did get an early taste of Charles Xavier during the audition process. The actor initially read for the role over Zoom before participating in a more extensive test that included costume work. He described the material he performed during the process as “very human,” although it remains unclear whether those scenes will actually appear in the finished movie.

That could provide an interesting indication of how Marvel Studios and Schreier are approaching Professor X. Charles Xavier possesses one of the most powerful mutant abilities in the Marvel universe, but some of the character’s most memorable stories have centered on his complicated relationships with his students, fellow mutants and longtime friend and ideological rival Magneto.

Abbott’s comments also suggest that Marvel is still keeping major story details away from at least some members of the cast. With the movie not scheduled to arrive until 2028, there is still plenty of time before cameras begin rolling.

The upcoming X-Men movie will introduce Marvel Studios’ primary version of the mutant team following years of individual mutants and characters from Fox’s X-Men universe appearing throughout the MCU.

Marvel’s X-Men Cast [D23]

Abbott will lead the team as Charles Xavier alongside a new generation of X-Men, with Jake Schreier directing after previously helming Thunderbolts*.

For Abbott, the opportunity also marks another chance to enter the Marvel universe after appearing as The Foreigner in 2024’s Kraven the Hunter. This time, however, he’ll be stepping into a considerably larger role as the leader and founder most closely associated with the X-Men.

And even without seeing the script yet, Abbott already sounds ready to get started.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “I love the X-Men.”

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Entertainment

Warner Bros. Water Tower Officially Adds ‘A Skydance Corporation’ Following Merger

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One of the most recognizable landmarks in Hollywood has already been updated following the massive merger that brought Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount together under Skydance.

The iconic Warner Bros. water tower at the studio’s Burbank lot now features the words “A Skydance Corporation” underneath the classic Warner Bros. logo, marking one of the first major visual changes following the completion of the deal.

The change came quickly. The merger officially closed Tuesday, October 6, and workers were already updating the Warner Bros. tower the same day.

The newly combined company will operate under the Skydance name, with David Ellison serving as chairman and CEO. The merger brings Warner Bros., Paramount and a massive collection of entertainment brands under the same corporate umbrella.

Warner Bros. will retain its historic studio identity, which is reflected on the updated tower. Rather than replacing the Warner Bros. name or logo, “A Skydance Corporation” has simply been added beneath it.

It also creates a direct visual connection between two of Hollywood’s most famous studio lots. Following Skydance Media’s takeover of Paramount Global in 2025, the Paramount Pictures water tower was similarly updated with “A Skydance Corporation.”

Now both Paramount and Warner Bros. carry the Skydance designation.

The newly formed Skydance includes Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures, DC Studios, HBO, CBS, CNN and numerous other television and cable properties. Its streaming portfolio includes HBO Max and Paramount+, while its collection of franchises stretches from DC and Harry Potter to Game of Thrones, Top Gun, Mission: Impossible and Transformers.

Skydance officially described the combination as the creation of a new global entertainment company built around both creativity and technology.

While the long-term impact of the merger will take years to fully unfold, the change to the Warner Bros. water tower provides an immediate and highly visible symbol of Hollywood’s new landscape.

For generations, the Warner Bros. water tower has represented one of the industry’s most storied studios. The Warner Bros. shield is still there, but it now comes with four words signaling the beginning of a new era:

“A Skydance Corporation.”

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