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Business Upturn
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Is ‘The Penguin' returning for season 2? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on July 12, 2025, 20:11 IST Last updated July 12, 2025, 20:12 IST Fans of HBO's The Penguin have been eagerly awaiting news about a potential second season since the gripping finale of its debut run in November 2024. The crime drama, a spin-off from The Batman (2022), captivated audiences with Colin Farrell's stellar performance as Oswald 'Oz' Cobb and Cristin Milioti's chilling portrayal of Sofia Falcone. But will we see more of Gotham's criminal underworld? Here's everything we know about the possibility of The Penguin Season 2. Was The Penguin Meant to Be a Limited Series? The Penguin was sold as a 'limited series,' meaning it was meant to wrap up nice and tidy after eight episodes. It's basically a bridge to The Batman Part II (coming October 2027, mark your calendar). That finale, with Oz running the show and the Bat-Signal lighting up, felt like a perfect ending, right? Like a killer crime novel you don't mess with. But hold on—shows like The White Lotus got called 'limited' too, then boom, more seasons. So, maybe there's hope? Will There Be a Season 2? Right now, July 2025, The Penguin Season 2 is still just a maybe. HBO's playing it cool, and the team's taking their sweet time. With The Batman Part II dropping in 2027, we might not see more Penguin on TV until 2028—if it even happens. For now, Oz is set to feature in the movie. The Batman Universe The Penguin is part of Matt Reeves' 'Batman Epic Crime Saga,' a standalone universe. Reeves has teased other shows, like maybe a Catwoman series or something about Harvey Dent being a lawyer. So, even if The Penguin doesn't get a Season 2, Gotham's story might keep going elsewhere. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Business Upturn
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Big Little Lies Season 3: Release date speculation, cast and plot details – Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on July 12, 2025, 19:30 IST Last updated July 12, 2025, 14:10 IST Fans of Big Little Lies have been eagerly awaiting news about a potential third season since the gripping Season 2 finale aired in 2019. The HBO series, known for its stellar cast, intricate storytelling, and breathtaking Monterey backdrop, has kept viewers hooked with its mix of drama, mystery, and complex female friendships. With recent updates from stars like Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, the buzz around Season 3 is stronger than ever. Here's everything we know so far about Big Little Lies Season 3. Big Little Lies Season 3 Potential Release Date No official release date yet, but we are piecing together the clues. Nicole dropped a hint in April 2024 at the American Film Institute's Gala, saying, 'It's not this year, but next year.' That points to a 2026 premiere, which makes sense if you look at Season 2's timeline—filming started in March 2018, and it hit screens in June 2019, about 15 months later. The big holdup? Liane Moriarty's still working on the book that'll shape Season 3. In October 2024, Reese told E! News , 'We're just waiting on Liane to finish it—she's almost there.' HBO's Francesca Orsi said in March 2025 that Liane's got 150 pages done, and they'll kick things into high gear once the manuscript's complete. Liane's been busy with her 2024 novel Here One Moment , so I'm guessing she'll wrap up the Big Little Lies book by mid-2025. If filming starts late 2025 or early 2026, we could be binge-watching by summer or fall 2026. Fingers crossed! Big Little Lies Season 3 Expected Cast The Monterey Five are the heart of the show, and it sounds like they're all eager to return. Here's who we expect to see, though nothing's locked in yet: Nicole Kidman as Celeste, the grieving widow with a fierce spirit. Reese Witherspoon as Madeline, the fiery mom with a knack for drama. Shailene Woodley as Jane, who's rebuilding her life after trauma. Zoë Kravitz as Bonnie, whose Season 2 confession could shake things up. Laura Dern as Renata, the powerhouse who doesn't mess around. Zoë told ELLE in March 2025, 'I'd be thrilled to get back with everyone—it's such a fun group.' Shailene got fans excited in a December 2023 Harper's Bazaar chat, hinting at how the kids in the show are now teens, which could bring fresh stories. Laura and Reese have also said they're game, with Reese joking to Vanity Fair years ago, 'Let's do this!' Other familiar faces likely to pop up include: Adam Scott as Ed, Madeline's steady husband. Kathryn Newton as Abigail, Madeline's daughter, who told The Hollywood Reporter in February 2024, 'I'm ready—just call me!' Iain Armitage as Ziggy, Jane's son, now a teenager. James Tupper as Nathan, Bonnie's husband. Jeffrey Nordling as Gordon, Renata's ex. Big Little Lies Season 3 Potential Plot The Season 2 finale left us hanging—Bonnie texted the group, ready to confess to pushing Perry down the stairs, and the Monterey Five walked into the police station together. Season 3 will likely pick up there, diving into what happens when their secret comes out. Will Bonnie face legal trouble? How will Celeste cope, knowing Perry's death ties back to her abusive marriage? The story will come from Liane Moriarty's new book, which catches up with the characters years later. Reese mentioned in October 2024 that the kids, like Ziggy and Abigail, are now teens, opening up new drama. Shailene told Harper's Bazaar , 'Those kids aren't little anymore—that's what makes Season 3 so exciting.' I'm picturing teenage rebellion, family secrets, and maybe some new faces stirring things up in Monterey. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
CNET
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
War for Westeros, Coming in 2026, Will Let Fans Make Their Own Game of Thrones Ending
For a moment in time, fantasy fans were split between whether Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies or HBO's Game of Thrones prestige TV show was the best adaptation of a classic book series. But the Oliphaunt in the room is that the last seasons of the latter plummeted so far in quality that it soured opinions on the show as a whole, especially with its divisive ending. But an upcoming GoT video game adaptation due out in 2026 will give players a chance to set the record straight and make their own new ending to the saga of noble houses, loyalty, betrayal and dragons. Game of Thrones: War for Westeros, from Australian developer and publisher PlaySide Studios, is a real-time strategy game for PC in which players take on their faction of choice and veer away from the storyline of the books and TV show. Back in June at Summer Game Fest, I descended the stairs below the media lounge into a dimly lit interview spot (the most fantasy dungeon-adjacent spot at the event) to chat with Ryan McMahon, the game's director. McMahon explained PlaySide's vision for the game alongside his own deep affection for the Song of Ice and Fire books and Game of Thrones TV show. In the latter years of the show, he'd hold watch parties with other PlaySide developers to see the latest episodes the night they aired. PlaySide's history of RTS games, like its own property Age of Darkness: Final Stand, and work on Warcraft 3: Reforged and Civilization 7 VR, made the strategy genre seem appropriate for its adaptation of the franchise. "Game of Thrones really felt like a natural fit for that because it's a show about mass conquest and fighting for territory and leading these armies, as well as the political layers within it," McMahon said. "There's a lot of complexity to it that really can shine in a strategy genre." That includes representing the warring factions in Game of Thrones as different forces in War for Westeros, each with their own distinct units and strategies. The game will have four playable factions at launch: House Stark with all its minor houses representing the North of the continent of Westeros; House Lannister representing those in the southern half; House Targaryen with the forces she's collected in the Free Cities, along with her dragons; and finally the Night King with his army of the dead and White Walkers. While War for Westeros primarily references the Game of Thrones world built in the TV show, PlaySide used lore from the books to fill in the gaps, including among the minor houses and the forces of the Night King, McMahon explained. PlaySide didn't consult directly with series creator George R.R. Martin, but the studio has consulted the author's team through rights holder Warner Bros. during development when exploring new territory, McMahon said, "especially when it comes to the White Walkers." And while War for Westeros focuses on strategy gameplay over character building and world lore, there are still nods to the source material. "We definitely are trying to sprinkle as many little Easter eggs and lore mentions where we can to really bring that flavor," McMahon said. "If you're a book reader, there will definitely be stuff for you." Playside Games A clash of player-kings PlaySide is designing War for Westeros' four factions to be balanced but distinct. In the game, cavalry, siege engines, giants and dragons are among the units unique to each faction, though McMahon declined to elaborate further about how each force will differ from the other, saying PlaySide would share additional details when it was ready to reveal more gameplay. But even the reveal trailer unveiled during SGF hints at the mechanics and asymmetric units fielded by each faction. The accompanying developer diary showed prealpha gameplay footage that includes columns of foot soldiers arranged to march into battle -- some of which were completely incinerated by a massive dragon belching flames. Though the armies will each have their different units, mechanics, heroes and play styles, PlaySide is striving to keep them balanced against each other -- and most importantly, make each side interesting to play. "We want to make dragons feel powerful, but we want to make sure that the Lannisters, the Starks and the White Walkers all have something that feels like a powerful equivalent that can potentially contest the dragons in some way," McMahon said. The developer diary also touches on the political aspect of War for Westeros, though this is less like the systems-heavy diplomacy of strategy games like Civilization 7 and more like the jockeying that happens whenever multiple players are gunning for the win in a tabletop game like Risk or Settlers of Catan. Each playthrough of War for Westeros only ends when one player sits the Iron Throne, so McMahon expects them to naturally form and break alliances at strategic moments -- just like in Game of Thrones. "If I know this person over here [controlling] House Stark is pushing in on the Lannisters, and I'm playing as the Targaryens, that could be my opportunity to push in if they're ahead," McMahon said. Single-player mode will have its own specific layers of political interaction, he added, but the game design's focus is on how players pit themselves against each other. There will be a game mode where players can set custom modifiers to vary their playthrough and set their own rules. The geography has its own conditions: In the developer diary, there's footage of an overworld map of Westeros featuring famous locations like Winterfell and King's Landing. Players won't be fighting within the iconic castles of the show, but they will clash against enemy armies in handcrafted maps tailored to the various biomes of the continent. Playside Games A storm of strategy swords PlaySide has leaned on its previous strategy experience, making its own RTS, Age of Darkness, and strategy games from other IPs to ensure War for Westeros has a satisfying core gameplay loop. With all that experience, the studio can incorporate layers of complexity while also making it approachable, McMahon said. Given Game of Thrones' popularity, the game is probably going to be a lot of players' first RTS (or first in a very long time). As a game in development, things can always change before War for Westeros comes out in 2026, and McMahon couldn't say a lot about the game. But I had to ask: What's the faction McMahon himself likes playing most right now? While his favorite character from the books is Tyrion Lannister, and he really enjoys how the Targaryen hero Daenerys functions, and the faction's dragons, his sympathies lie with the undead Night King and his White Walkers. "I'm naturally a very aggressive player in video games, wanting to push forward, take territory, put a lot of pressure on my opponent," McMahon said. "The White Walkers, as they stand right now, lean heavily into that type of play." Much of our conversation centered around the state of the game at launch, with the implication that more could be coming later, though that all depends on how the game is received. Still, McMahon emphasized that the team has a lot of ideas. "Actually, there's so much you can do with the world of the Song of Ice and Fire -- outside of Westeros, within Westeros -- that we can tap into," McMahon said. "But right now, our focus is on the launch itself. And then, [if] things go well there, there's a lot we'd love to do."
News18
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Billy Joel Gets Candid In ‘And So It Goes' Trailer: ‘Music Saved My Life'
Last Updated: The trailer features archival footage of Billy Joel performing across different stages of his decades-long career, interwoven with family photographs and personal home videos. Billy Joel, fondly known as the Piano Man, has been more than just a chart-topping artist. Throughout his career, Billy Joel has masterfully woven stories of love and loss into timeless melodies. Now, the upcoming HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, promises to delve deeper, offering an intimate portrait of the man behind the music. In the trailer, Billy Joel is seen reflecting candidly on his journey—his life, his career, and the music that defined generations. 'Sometimes it's alien to me—this guy, Billy Joel. I don't know who that is, or what that is," says the 76-year-old musician in the trailer, his voice playing over a montage of performances from across his career. 'I'm reminded of it when I go walking on the street. Oh, right, I'm that guy," he adds. The documentary offers a deeper, more personal exploration of Billy Joel's life and career. It gives fans a chance to hear him speak candidly about his childhood, the formative experiences that shaped his music and the early challenges he faced breaking into the industry. It also sheds light on his personal relationships and marriages, painting a fuller picture of the man behind the music. The trailer is rich with nostalgia, featuring archival footage of Billy performing across the decades, interspersed with family photos and home videos. It's set to the soundtrack of some of his most iconic hits, including Big Shot, Uptown Girl, My Life and Vienna. Adding to the documentary's emotional weight are appearances by legendary artists such as Paul McCartney, Pink and Bruce Springsteen. In one standout moment from the trailer, Springsteen pays a tribute to Joel, saying, 'Billy's melodies are better than mine." Beyond celebrating Billy Joel's career, the documentary also confronts some of the darkest chapters of his life. It revisits the near-fatal motorcycle crash he survived in 1982, along with his two suicide attempts. 'I learnt that life is a fight. I think music saved my life. It gave me a reason to live," he shares in the trailer. He reflects on how every hardship, every moment of struggle, has ultimately been channelled into his music. Billy Joel: And So It Goes had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival in New York City on June 4, 2025. The event, however, took place without the legendary musician in attendance, as Billy later revealed he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus. The two-part documentary is scheduled to debut on HBO Max, with the first instalment airing on Friday, July 18, followed by the second part on July 25. First Published: July 12, 2025, 18:19 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I was an extra on Game Of Thrones - the cast showed their true colours when the cameras stopped rolling and one lead star was a nightmare
Game of Thrones, even after a controversial final series, is widely considered one of the greatest TV series of all time. The high fantasy HBO series, based on novels by George RR Martin, follows (now infamously) the conflicting political dynasties on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. Its large ensemble cast, led by Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner, among others, put its stars firmly - or even more so - on the rise. And the stats do not lie - its eight-year, eight-season run, with 73 episodes and a whopping 59 Emmy nominations made it a real phenomenon of modern television. This behemoth of the small screen, which aired from 2011 until a disappointing finale in 2019, required resources of a similarly gargantuan scale to bring it to life. And one of the legions of extras who worked on the show has now spoken out about what its stars were really like behind the scenes. Writing on discussion site Reddit, they said they met 'a decent chunk' of the cast in their time working on the programme. They were full of admiration for 'funny' Peter Dinklage and Jack Gleeson, who played Tyrion Lannister and his nephew King Joffrey Baratheon respectively. Charles Dance - who played Tywin Lannister, head of the House Lannister dynasty, and father to Tyrion - was 'very tall and polite' when he asked the extra for a light. But Aidan Gillen, who plays Lord Petyr Baelish, part of Joffrey's inner sanctum, was apparently not so pleasant: 'Aidan Gillen had a bit of a w***erish air about him.' Another extra, who wrote on Reddit they had been on the show since its inception, said most of the cast basically ignored the extras. But Gethin Anthony, who plays Renly Baratheon, fourth in line to inherit the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms realm, was different. The extra said he spoke to the actor every day of the shoot, calling him an 'amazing guy': 'He's the most down to earth actor on the set. 'The extras are generally told not to bother the "talent" but Anthony treats you as an equal (unlike most of the main cast who look right through you).' Another extra was full of admiration for Jack Gleeson (pictured), who played Tyrion Lannister and his nephew King Joffrey Baratheon respectively They also had a different take on his fellow actor Peter, who they had expected to be extroverted: 'He keeps to himself for most of the day. 'He's very shy. I expected him to be more flamboyant. 'Peter Dinklage is nothing like his character. He's incredibly quiet and is not as outspoken as you would initially think.' The extra also heard good things about Rory McCann, who plays The Hound, Joffrey's bodyguard: 'McCann was very friendly. 'I didn't meet him but from what I was told he was a good guy.' The user also gave an interesting insight into the casting process, saying they applied with friends on a total whim and was accepted alongside one of their pals. 'They had a casting call near a hotel where I live and you filled out a form which asks some basic questions for the show, such as, "Can you ride a horse?", "Do you have any experience with fencing", then they take your picture', they explained. In their case, they were able to fence, so were taken on set. Aidan Gillen (pictured), who plays Lord Petyr Baelish, part of Joffrey's inner sanctum, was apparently not so pleasant: 'Aidan Gillen had a bit of a w***erish air about him' The extra also said the pay was 'decent', at £100 per day. Charles Dance was praised by another extra on Reddit, who said he was 'a real presence' on set and 'very popular' with the extras, who all wanted photos with him. Thousands of people have had the pleasure of being in the thick of the action as an extra on Game Of Thrones. The Battle Of The Bastards, the spectacular war episode towards the end of series six, used around 500 extras to bring the fight scenes to life, Movie Web reports. It also took a whopping 25 days to film, featuring an astonishing 70 horses, with 600 additional crew members brought on to see it to its conclusion. Some extras even had the trying job of taking part in a 20-foot-high pile of bodies, alongside bloodied mock corpses. Similarly, the eighth episode of series five saw another enormous battle, with Jon Snow (Kit Harington) leading the Night's Watch and Free Folk against the Army of the Dead. An amazing 400 extras and 50 stuntpeople were hired to bring the impressive episode to life. Another extra, commenting on discussion site Quora, claimed to have starred in The Purple Wedding, the episode which saw Joffrey marry Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer). They said a mere 15-minute scene in this episode saw at least 100 extras brought on set. Showrunner and co-creator David Benioff was full of praise for the extras when previously speaking to Entertainment Weekly. 'Many of these guys kept long hair and beards purely for the show and they even came up with character names and backstories for themselves, their childhood traumas, what House they owed allegiance to, even though [those details] are not in the show… 'It really adds to the believability of so many shots - whether they're behind Jon Snow at Castle Black or at Winterfell or wherever - that these dudes really take this seriously and have passion for it.' Several celebrities, often from bands the producers like, also starred as extras throughout the show's run. Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody played a soldier in the third series, while Coldplay drummer Will Champion starred as a drummer at The Red Wedding in the same season. Despite the mixed reception of GOT's final season, the show's immense success has already birthed a 2022 spin-off prequel series, HBO's House of Dragons. And Warner Bros. has begun laying the groundwork for 'at least one film' set in the same world, according to The Hollywood Reporter. While the project is still in its infancy - lacking a director, cast, or script - sources have said Warner Bros. is enthusiastic about bringing the rich narratives of the Seven Kingdoms to the big screen. Initially, showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss envisioned concluding the series with a theatrical trilogy instead of the 2019 finale. And author George himself has hinted at the possibility of a movie as far back as 2014. Fans can also look forward to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, another GOT prequel, slated to premiere next year.
