Latest news with #JohnCarter
Geek Tyrant
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
JOHN CARTER OF MARS Animated Series in the Works and the First Look Is Coming to Comic-Con — GeekTyrant
Fans of classic science fiction have something big to look forward to. An all-new animated series based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' legendary John Carter of Mars novels is officially in development. The project is being spearheaded by the author's estate in collaboration with showrunner Michael Kogge, and the very first sneak peek will be unveiled this Friday during a Burroughs-themed panel at San Diego Comic-Con. Burroughs first introduced readers to John Carter in 1912 with the serialized story Under the Moons of Mars , later published as the novel A Princess of Mars . It follows Civil War veteran John Carter who mysteriously finds himself on Mars, known to its inhabitants as Barsoom, where he becomes a warrior and fights epic battles against alien species and monstrous beasts. These stories were fun just pulp entertainment, but they also helped shape modern science fiction. Alongside Flash Gordon , Burroughs' tales influenced the likes of Star Wars creator George Lucas and Avatar director James Cameron. The franchise saw a high-profile live-action adaptation in 2012 with Disney's John Carter , directed by Andrew Stanton, but the film became infamous for its box office failure despite its massive budget and ambitious scope. I actually liked the movie! Decades before that, there were even attempts to bring the story to animation. Burroughs' son, John Coleman Burroughs, once partnered with Looney Tunes animator Bob Clampett to pitch MGM on a series of animated shorts, but the idea was rejected. Now, over a century after its creation, John Carter of Mars is finally getting the animated treatment it deserves, and according to Kogge, the timing couldn't be better. 'In this era of incredible animation, with shows like Castlevania , Blood of Zeus and Twilight of the Gods pushing the genre of fantasy action-adventure to new heights, there couldn't be a better time for the Martian saga of John Carter and Princess Dejah Thoris to be told through bold, ground-breaking animation,' he said in a statement. Kogge recently adapted the novels into an audio series featuring Sean Patrick Flannery, Bruce Boxleitner, and Star Wars legend Ian McDiarmid. He'll be joined on the animated series by Jim Sullos and Wolf Larson, representing Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Sullos also expressed his excitement about bringing this iconic story to life in animated form: 'The explosive rise of action-adventure animation has captivated audiences around the world, making it the perfect moment to launch our John Carter animated series. This marks a new era in storytelling for the Edgar Rice Burroughs universe and we're excited that Michael Kogge will help bring Mars to life.' With the success of adult-oriented animated hits and renewed interest in Burroughs' work, this series could finally give John Carter the epic screen adaptation fans have been waiting for. Expect more details, and hopefully some stunning visuals, at Comic-Con this Friday. Source: The Wrap
Los Angeles Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Noah Wyle on his Emmy nomination for ‘The Pitt': ‘This time around, it's much more gratifying'
Twenty-six years after Noah Wyle was last nominated for an Emmy, for his role as Dr. John Carter on NBC's long-running medical drama 'ER,' the actor has scrubbed back in for a chance at a golden trophy. The star and executive producer of 'The Pitt' received a nomination for lead actor in a drama series for his role as Dr. Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch, and overall, HBO Max's breakout hit received 13 nominations. Wyle will be competing alongside Sterling K. Brown ('Paradise'), Pedro Pascal ('The Last of Us'), Gary Oldman ('Slow Horses') and Adam Scott ('Severance') for the award. The actor's skill around a fictional emergency room has yielded strong results. While it's his first Emmy nomination since 1999, it's the actor's sixth Emmy nomination for playing a doctor — the previous five were for his supporting role as the med student-turned-hospital veteran on 'ER.' Tuesday's nomination is his first ever in the lead actor in a drama category. Wyle was in production on 'The Pitt's' sophomore season on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank when he got the celebratory news, and The Times caught up with him during a break. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Noah, congratulations! Production on Season 2 is underway. You were on set when you got the news? Thank you. Yes, we're working today. I was on set. We shot the first scene. I asked to go to the bathroom. On a bathroom break, I checked my phone and saw a text from my wife that said, 'Baby!' I thought, 'Oh.' By the time I came back onto set, everybody was starting to get very excited. Then just now, Scott Gemmill [the show's creator] came down and made a formal announcement and read off all the 13 nominations, and that just exploded the crew and cast background into massive celebration. How do you get back to work after this? Oh, so easily. I'm going go in there and we're gonna get right back at it. I don't know. I guess with a little bit of a bounce in our stride. When I look at the sound department, who works so hard on our show, parsing out all that overlapping dialog — to see them get recognized, and see our makeup departments, both prosthetic and non-prosthetic, be recognized for their labor — everybody puts such pride into their work, and I am inspired by so many incredible artists who bring their expertise to this place every day. To see everybody be recognized makes it feel even more special, because it's truly a group effort. Dr. John Carter on 'ER' was a newbie to the healthcare industry, bright-eyed and eager to learn. Dr. Robby in 'The Pitt' is a veteran of the industry, sort of jaded by the systemic challenges, but as committed as ever to the patients. How is it to track someone deep in their career at this stage in yours? There was a lot of one-to-one identification with Carter back then, as I was new and eager to be good at my job and seen as being good at my job —both ambitious, both aspirational. This time around, it's much more gratifying because you have perspective. When you're 23, you don't necessarily know what the peaks and valleys of a life or career are going to be, but at 53, you have a better understanding of the road traveled and the road ahead, and it just makes this feel even sweeter. The show is confronting issues changing in our world in real time, and you're inhabiting someone behind the headlines, in the trenches, dealing with the realities of those issues. What intrigues you about what Dr. Robby and the rest of the characters on this show say about this moment in time, especially as the healthcare industry is on the precipice of more drastic change? Season 1 was trying to put a spotlight on the community of frontline workers and hospital personnel who've been doing sort of unending tours of duty since the pandemic. It was a thesis on tracking the emotional and physical toll that that it's taken on our workforce, in a way to try to inspire the next generation, but really to also highlight the heroism of people that are in the trenches now. Unfortunately, we've had to move on from that thesis because the world events since that [time] have taken such a turn, and healthcare in particular is in such cross hairs that it is both extremely incumbent upon us to stay current in our storytelling and reflective of what's happening. But it's really quite a challenge to try and peer into a crystal ball and see what the world will look like 13 months from now, when these episodes air, because the events are changing on the ground daily, so quickly that things that we didn't think would have come to pass by now have already come and gone and been normalized. So it's a challenge. The last time we spoke, you talked about how you strolled into work every morning, sort of mimicking Dr. Robby routine — that entrance to the hospital, listening to 'It's Baby' by Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise. Is that still the case for Season 2? No, we have a different opening this year. So, I have a different ritual and routine every morning. But I'm a creature of habit, and so I do my odd, little eccentric things every day to get ready. How are you feeling about this new season? It was recently revealed that your co-star Tracy Ifeachor would not appear in Season 2; there has been speculation about that decision and whether it's linked to her allegedly being a member of a London evangelical mega church that performs 'gay exorcisms.' Can you comment on the reason for parting ways? I can only comment and say that that was all revelatory to me. All these stories that have come out subsequently are news to us. It had nothing to do with anything like that. How are you feeling about that kind of cast change early in the show's run, or what it means for Season 2? We made it clear at the outset that part of being in a realistic teaching hospital is a revolving door of characters, whether you have somebody not come back, or you have somebody die, or whether you have somebody rotate to another department or go on another specialty. These are the things that we pull our hair out in the writers room trying to figure out how to keep this ensemble together for as long as time possible, but knowing that there has to be a revolution of characters coming through to keep the place realistic. And the character of Collins was a significant character in the first season, and Tracy was amazing. I loved working with her. I wish her all the best in her future. I heard she got another gig. As far as how this impacts your character, there's concern about Dr. Robby's mental health. Fans want to see Dr. Robby smile. Are you smiling in Season 2? [laughs] If it means that much to you, I'll trying to work one in. I would imagine it'll be easy today. How do you plan to celebrate? I looked at that list of nominees that I'm in the company of, and I send my congratulations to all of them. It's incredibly gratifying and humbling to be included in their company. I'm going to celebrate quietly with my family and come back to work tomorrow. Have you heard from your 'ER' counterparts? George Clooney? Eriq La Salle? They don't get up this early. [laughs] What's a memory that stands out from your last Emmys experience? Talk about perspective. It was such a beautiful, wonderful, heady time for me that the last time I was nominated, I was annoyingly blase about it, and if I had known that it was going to be 20-plus years before I was invited to the party again, I think I would have had a better time. Before I let you get back to work, tell me: what's the medical procedure on the docket for you today? Today I'm removing some taser barbs from the back of a thrashing patient's neck. We're shooting, actually, an episode that I wrote, so it's really kind of heavy week already.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House passes $435 billion spending plan for VA in fiscal 2026
House Republicans on Wednesday approved plans for a $435.3 billion budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs in fiscal 2026, putting the department in line for a significant funding boost despite objections from congressional Democrats. The 218-206 partisan vote, with just two Democrats voting for the measure and no Republicans opposing it, represents the first appropriations package approved for next fiscal year by either chamber of Congress, but does not necessarily mean a fast track ahead for the VA budget becoming law. Senate appropriators still must draft and pass their own funding plan for veterans programs and benefits support, a process that is expected to drag through the summer. And the VA budget plan is unlikely to pass as its own standalone measure, but instead is expected to be approved sometime this fall as part of an all-of-government spending package. But Republican lawmakers on Wednesday praised passage of the massive VA spending bill as an important step for the appropriations process and for ensuring veterans will get the services they need. VA staff finished 2M disability claims faster than ever this year 'The bill continues robust investments in women's health, rural health, veteran homelessness and mental health,' said Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's veterans panel. 'The legislation maintains all funding for medical and prosthetic research, increases funding for VA infrastructure and supports Arlington National Cemetery. … Everyone should understand this bill cares for our veterans, supports our troops and their families, and keeps the promises we have made to our heroes.' The bulk of the increase in VA spending comes in mandatory health care and benefits costs. The appropriations bill includes $134 billion in discretionary funding, up about 4% but about $1 billion less than what the White House requested in its fiscal 2026 budget plan. But Democratic lawmakers objected despite the increases because of concerns about where and how the money will be spent. White House officials have yet to provide full details on their program needs for next fiscal year, and VA Secretary Doug Collins has proposed trimming 80,000 jobs from the VA workforce but has not yet revealed specifics. 'We need to remain united in fighting cuts and ensuring that veterans have everything they need,' said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., ahead of Wednesday's House vote. 'With all the issues raised, from the push towards privatization of the VA care, with the underfunding of infrastructure, I just cannot in good conscience support this bill.' Lawmakers did find bipartisan agreement on a pair of floor amendments designed to broaden mental health care options for veterans. One measure boosted research into psychedelic therapies in the VA medical system by $1 million, while another would prohibit VA from denying veterans permission to participate in state-approved medical marijuana therapies. Veterans Affairs leaders have seen regular budget increases annually for more than 20 years, even amid frequent congressional and White House efforts to reduce federal spending. In fiscal 2001, the VA budget — both mandatory and discretionary — totaled just $45 billion. In 2011, it was about $125 billion. In fiscal 2023, the total topped $300 billion for the first time. The House-passed plan for fiscal 2026 would now push that total over the $400 billion level, and cost more than the combined fiscal 2025 budgets of the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Wednesday's appropriations bill also includes $18 billion in military construction funding for troop housing and base installation projects. That total is an increase of about $480 million from last year, or about 3%.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
House GOP advances first 2026 funding bill out of committee
House Republicans early Wednesday morning advanced legislation that calls for more than $450 billion to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction and other programs for fiscal 2026. The bill advanced out of the GOP-led House Appropriations Committee along party lines, as Democrats came out in strong opposition to the plan. It marks the first of the 12 annual funding bills House GOP appropriators are hoping to move out of committee before Congress leaves for its August recess. The bill calls for about $152 billion in discretionary funding for fiscal 2026, marking a 3 percent increase compared to current levels. Overall, the bill would provide about $453 billion for the VA, including $300 billion for mandatory programs. Among the increases Republicans have highlighted in the measure are boosts to the VA, military construction and family housing, and funding for a new homelessness program. In his opening remarks on Tuesday, Rep. John Carter (R-Texas), the head of the subcommittee that crafts the annual funding bill, said the bill ensures 'veterans get the benefits and care they've earned.' 'The bill does that while also addressing other issues affecting veterans, including homelessness, mental health services and taking care of our women veterans,' he said. 'The bill also makes crucial investments totaling nearly $18 billion in the infrastructure of our service members need to work on to live.' Democrats, however, have railed against the plan, needling Republicans for not including advanced funding for the Toxic Exposure Fund in the proposal, which they also said falls nearly $1 billion short of the funding needed for military construction. Democrats have also accused Republicans of seeking to privatize medical care for veterans. 'This bill hurdles us towards VA privatization, a top project 2025, priority that undercuts what veterans consistently ask for, which is the high quality medical care at VA, by transferring record funding from VA medical services to community care,' Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), the top Democrat on the veterans' funding subcommittee, said. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) has emphasized as the committee ramps up its funding work that the legislation currently being considered will look different when eventual bipartisan spending talks begin. Senior GOP appropriators have also acknowledged that further changes are possible during the annual process as they await more information from the Trump administration about the president's vision for government funding for fiscal 2026 and beyond. 'As this process moves forward and we receive further documentation on the OMB budget, we will take it under consideration, put forward a product that best addresses the needs of our service members and veterans,' Carter said during the meeting on Tuesday, referring to the Office of Management and Budget. The bill comes about a week after hardline conservatives urged top appropriators to write bills 'consistent' with President Trump's budget request and to 'include adjustments initiated' by his Department of Government Efficiency. In a slim budget request released earlier this year, Trump called for cutting funding for domestic programs by more than $160 billion for fiscal 2026. As appropriators await more details from the administration, the committee also approved interim subcommittee allocations for a third of the annual funding bills. 'These interim allocations will allow us to begin our work. As we move forward, this committee is prepared to do the hard work — line by line — to uphold fiscal discipline and effective governance,' Cole said. However, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, criticized Republicans over the process, saying negotiators are 'beginning the appropriations process without a total funding level.' 'We are flying blind and handcuffed into the critical work of providing discretionary funding for programs and services across the government that help to grow the middle class, protect the working class, support small businesses, and grow our economy — this is important business that cannot be done responsibly without a complete vision for how we plan to fund the government.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House panel pushes ahead $453 billion funding plan for VA next year
House Republican appropriators early Wednesday advanced a $453 billion budget plan for Veterans Affairs next year despite hours of objections from Democrats that looming reforms at the department could blunt the impact of the record funding levels for veterans programs. The plan — which now moves to the full House for consideration — is the first portion of the annual federal budget approved by either chamber's appropriations committee. But despite the typical bipartisan nature of the veterans bill, the 36-27 approval vote from the panel came after nearly 12 hours of grueling, contentious debate, with dozens of Democratic amendments rejected by the Republican majority. The budget bill (which also includes $18 billion for military construction projects) is an increase in total VA program and benefits spending of more than $83 billion, or about 22%, from the fiscal 2025 approved levels. Panel advances defense budget despite missing details from White House But nearly all of that boost is in mandatory funding, tied up in medical programs and veterans benefits payouts. Discretionary funding — money for new program starts and support services — would rise to about $134 billion, up about 4% but about $1 billion less than what the White House requested in its fiscal 2026 budget plan. Still, Republican leaders praised the measure as an important step forward in providing promised care and support to veterans. 'We have an obligation to ensure our veterans get the benefits and care they've earned,' said Rep. John Carter, R-Texas and chairman of the appropriations' panel's subcommittee on veterans issues. 'This bill does that, while also addressing other issues affecting veterans, including homelessness, mental health services and taking care of our women veterans.' The plan includes $34 billion for community care programs, which allow veterans to receive medical treatment at private-sector clinics paid for by taxpayer funds. That's up nearly 55% from this year's community care funding levels, prompting accusations of privatization from committee Democrats. 'By transferring record funding from VA medical services into community care, this bill pushes veterans into private care, even though veteran polls and studies show that when given the option, veterans want to receive their medical care at VA,' said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. and ranking member of the committee's veterans panel. 'We should invest more in VA, provider recruitment and retention incentives, increase benefits counselors and adjudicators, not ignore veterans wishes and speed recklessly into privatization.' Democratic lawmakers attempted to reallocate some of those funds through amendments, but those efforts were rebuffed. They also objected to provisions in the bill blocking abortion counseling and services at VA, halting department efforts to reduce its workforce by roughly 80,000 workers in coming months, and ending support options for some minority groups. However, the committee did adopt one amendment by Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., that would block any reductions in staffing at the Veterans Crisis Line and other VA suicide prevention programs. House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said during Tuesday's debate that she hopes the appropriations package will see significant changes before a full chamber vote later this summer, particularly since White House officials have yet to release a detailed budget plan for the department next year. House leaders have not yet announced when that vote will take place. Both the House and Senate will need to negotiate a full budget for the federal government before a compromise package can be signed into law. The new fiscal year starts on Oct. 1. Veterans Affairs leaders have seen regular budget increases annually for more than 20 years, even amid frequent congressional and White House efforts to reduce federal spending. In fiscal 2001, the VA budget — both mandatory and discretionary — totaled just $45 billion. In 2011, it was about $125 billion. In fiscal 2023, the total topped $300 billion for the first time. If approved, the fiscal 2026 VA budget would surpass $400 billion in spending, marking an increase of more than 900% over the last 25 years.
