THE FLASH
Teddy Sears' run as Zoom, AKA Hunter Zolomon, on "The Flash" may have reached its end with the season two finale, but executive producer Andrew Kreisberg says the actor could return later in the show in a grim role befitting his character's late fate.
Speaking with EW.com, Kreisberg indicated that The CW show's creators were deliberate in making the final fate of Sears' Reverse-Flash tease the prospect of his return as a character familiar to fans -- The Black Racer. This Flash shadow is a Speed Force specter that serves as a sort of Grim Reaper for speedsters, and when Zoom was swallowed by the Time Wraiths all that was left of him was a corpse that looked suspiciously like the Racer, or "Black Flash," as he is also known.
"Obviously, we did that on purpose," Kreisberg said of the hand-tipping imagery, adding that the shows producers are eager to keep Sears a part of their story. "We love working with Teddy. He's such an amazing actor and amazing person, and was so much a part of the success of the show last season," Kreisberg said.
But don't expect to see Death racing towards Barry and the gang any time too soon into season three.
"There aren't any immediate plans for that [storyline], but you can't keep a good Black Flash down, so I'm sure we'll be seeing him in the future," the producer stated.
While the Black Racer might not show up in season three, fans got an idea of some new Rogues that might show up in Central City this year with a few recent casting announcements.
First, "Awkward" star Ashley Rickards has signed on to play the spinning Top, "the Bonnie to Mirror Master's Clyde," alongside Grey Damon's Mirror Master. A featured player in Geoff Johns' critically acclaimed run, in the comics the Top is a male character whose alter ego is Roscoe Dillon, but the show has spun her alter ego's gender, and is named Rosalind "Rosa" Dillon. She is slated to appear in episode four.
"Fargo" and "Independence Day: Resurgence" star Joey King will play Magenta, an unhinged rogue with the power to control metal. She will appear in episode three.
Returns October 4
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING
It was a big week for the wall-crawler, as first news broke that revealed who many of the previously announced cast members of the Sony/Marvel Studios co-production are likely be playing, then some fans reacted, and then Spider-Man made it better with a well-snapped photo.
Purported to be the film's casting call sheet, a leaked image indicated that Laura Harrier will play Liz Allen (who marries Harry Osborn in the comics), Tony Revolori will be Flash Thompson (who bullies Peter Parker in the comics), Jacob Batalon will play Ned Leeds (who becomes Hobgoblin in the comics), Angourie Rice will play Betty Brandt (or Brant, one of Peter's first girlfriends and a coworker in the comics), and that Bokeem Woodbine will be Herman Schultz, or the Shocker (a shocking villain in the comics).
It also evidences that "Captain America: The First Avenger" veteran Kenneth Choi will play Principal Morita, who some suspect will turn out to be a descendant of the Howling Commando he once played -- Jim Morita. Other "Spider-Man: Homecoming" school staff look to include Selenis Leyva as Ms. Warren (potentially related to the clone-happy Jackal character from the comics), Martin Starr as Mr. Harrington, Tunde Adebimpe as Mr. Cobwell and Hannibal Buress as Coach "Don't Call Me Mister" Wilson.
One name that wasn't confirmed via the cast sheet was Zendaya as Mary Jane Watson, a rumor which gained steam late this week. While the image attached "Z" to the character of "Michelle," it seems a likely misdirect, as there is no high-profile "Spider-Man" character of that name.
Reports connected the former Disney Channel star to the role of MJ, and when complaints against the potential color-blind casting of Spider-Man's main love interest began to gain steam, "Guardians of the Galaxy" director Tim Gunn stepped in and let his feelings on the matter be known.
"For me, if a character's primary attribute - the thing that makes them iconic - is the color of their skin, or their hair color, frankly, that character is shallow and sucks," Gunn wrote in a Facebook post. While he carefully stopped short of confirming the casting rumors, he shot down the premise for any potential "fan" complaints. "For me, what makes MJ MJ is her alpha female playfulness, and if the actress captures that, then she'll work," he wrote, adding later that he considered actors of color for the part of Star-Lord, which eventually went to Chris Pratt.
It wasn't all cast controversy, though, as "Spider-Man: Homecoming" star Tom Holland made an in-costume appearance at an Atlanta children's hospital to spread hope, cheer, and webs.
It was amazing to meet the kids today. They inspire us and their smiles are brighter than the sun☺ï¸â˜ºï¸ we love youâ¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ A photo posted by Jacob Batalon (@lifeisaloha) on
Meeting you all today was such a wonderful experience and you're all such little inspirations. We're proud of you and we love and we hope to be back soon â¤ï¸ and thank you for having us Egleston Children's hospital. A photo posted by âœŒï¸ (@tomholland2013) on
#ryanseacreststudios #spidey #onair #tomholland A photo posted by @helloatlga on
#spidey #selfies #childrenshealthcareofatlanta #tomholland #jacobbatalon A photo posted by @helloatlga on
#tomholland #jacobbatalon #spidermanhomecoming #spiderman #childrenshealthcareofatlanta #ryanseacreststudios #spidey #peterparker @lifeisaloha A photo posted by @helloatlga on
The budding web-slinger proved to be more hero than menace with the swing.
Opens July 7, 2017
DOCTOR STRANGE
A batch of new hi-res images of the Benedict Cumberbatch-starring next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was released, giving fans their best look yet at "Doctor Strange," and his hoary host of magic spells.
Opens November 4
THE TICK
Amazon made fans cry "Spoon!" when they released a pair of scenes from their new pilot to "The Tick," a satirical take on the superhero genre and the third television show to carry the mantle of Ben Edlund's New England Comics' creation.
Watch the clips below.
The show has not yet been ordered to series, but illustrates that the Big Blue Destiny is the Tick's for the taking.
Pilot available now via Amazon Prime
SUPERGIRL
Fans finally got to see what a Wonder-Woman and Supergirl team-up might look like when an image of Lynda Carter and Melissa Benoist on the set of "Supergirl" was released on Benoist's Instagram.
Carter, who played Wonder Woman on the '70s TV show of the same name, will fittingly play the President of the United States on "Supergirl" this season, continuing the show's tradition of bringing actors who have played prominent DC characters in the past back into the fold.
Returns October 10, on The CW