July 2020 kicked off with plenty of trailers and promos to keep fans cool during an especially hot summer. From continuing summer television series, the arrival of new movies either on rescheduled dates or digital streaming platforms and plenty of new video game titles, there is no shortage of content to keep audiences entertained as they continue to stay indoors and socially distanced.Here are all the biggest trailers, teasers and promos released during the first week of July leading up to Independence Day.
Candyman
The fan-favorite horror franchise Candyman is receiving a revival film and sequel to the 1992 original this year, which is directed by Nia DaCosta and co-written and produced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele. Addressing themes of gentrification and erased cultural identity, the film stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as an artist that moves into a Chicago neighborhood only to discover his connection to the title serial killer's bloody legend.
Directed by Nia DaCosta from a script by Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld, Candyman stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Vanessa A. Williams, Rebecca Spence and Tony Todd. The film arrives in theaters Sept. 25.
Cursed
The latest trailer for the upcoming Netflix original series Cursed follows the mythical Nimue as she transports a sword across a devastated England. Her goal is to deliver it to the future King Arthur so he can fulfill his regal destiny. Fighting through a world that widely persecutes magic-users, the Arthurian legend has been reimagined from the perspective of the Lady of the Lake. The series will examine the cost inflicted on Nimue just to carry an ancient sword to Merlin for Arthur, an unassuming mercenary unaware of his true role in England's history.
Based on the novel of the same name by Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler, Cursed stars Katherine Langford, Devon Terrell, Gustaf Skarsgård, Peter Mullan, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Daniel Sharman, Sebastian Armesto, Ella Prebble, Scarlett Rock and Daniella Gad. The series arrives on Netflix July 17.
Doom Patrol
Saving the world from its most bizarre threats can be stressful business and the latest episode of Doom Patrol allows the quirky super-team to finally stay at home with friends and cut loose. HBO Max has released a promo for the second season's latest episode, "Sex Patrol," in which the Chief gives Robotman ecstasy and Flex Mentallo leads a group of friends to party at Doom Manor. Meanwhile, Crazy Jane hits on Cyborg in an especially irreverent episode of the DC Universe series.
Streaming now on DC Universe and HBO Max, Doom Patrol stars Brendan Fraser as Cliff Steele, Matt Bomer as Larry Trainor, Diana Guerrero as Crazy Jane, Alan Tudyk as Mr. Nobody, April Bowlby as Rita Farr, Joivan Wade as Vic Stone and Timothy Dalton as Niles Caulder.
Fallout
One of the most acclaimed open-world video game franchises is Fallout, set in a post-apocalyptic United States following a devastating nuclear war against China in an alternate 20th century. In a surprise move, Amazon Studios announced it will be adapting the video game series for television, in association with developers Bethesda Softworks and Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. Details remain under wraps but a teaser promo in the style of the broadcasts from the video games confirmed the upcoming series.
Developed for television by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, Fallout will air on Amazon Prime Instant Video.
Fortnite
Just in time for Independence Day, Captain America has officially joined the cast of Fortnite, along with his signature, indestructible vibranium shield. The massively popular online shooter released a promo announcing the arrival of Captain America's costume and buckler in the in-game store, with the shield acting as both a pickax item and back bling. Coinciding with the addition, players will also be able to perform a salute emote to honor America in between laying waste to their opponents.
Developed by Epic Games, Fortnite is available on Mobile, PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One.
Hamilton
One of the most acclaimed Broadway musicals of all time is Hamilton, written and starring Lin Manuel-Miranda as the titular revolutionary Founding Father. Blending hip-hop and R&B influences, and backed by a diverse cast portraying different historical figures, a filmed performance by the Tony Award-winning original Broadway cast has been added to Disney+ in time for the Fourth of July. A new trailer showcases its hit musical numbers.
Directed by Thomas Kail, Hamilton stars Lin Manuel-Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Leslie Odom, Jr., Christopher Jackson, Jonathan Groff, Phillipa Soo, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Anthony Ramos, Okieriete Onaodowan and more. The recorded performance is available to stream now on Disney+.
Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo!
The latest Scooby-Doo animated movie appropriately has the Great Dane and his crime-solving friends celebrating Halloween in a small town. The Mystery Inc. gang are joined by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, before the festivities are explosively interrupted by Doctor Jonathan Crane, better known as the classic Batman villain Scarecrow. As Scooby and his pals scramble against the bona fide supervillain and his army of genetically engineered pumpkin monsters, they receive timely assistance from Bill Nye the Science Guy, who provides tech-based support to the team.
Written, directed and produced by Maxwell Atoms, Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo! stars Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey Griffin, Kate Micucci, Dwight Schultz, Cassandra Peterson and Bill Nye the Science Guy. The film arrives on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD this fall.
Horizon: Zero Dawn
While the popular open-world video game Horizon: Zero Dawn is getting a sequel exclusively for the PlayStation 5 this holiday season, PC gamers will get the chance to experience a definitive edition of the original game next month. Developer Guerrilla Games announced the post-apocalyptic title will receive a full release on the PC, with a gameplay trailer showing Aloy navigating a vast 31st century landscape filled with monsters and rival factions after her people are brutally ambushed.
Developed by Guerrilla Games, Horizon: Zero Dawn will be released for PC on August 7. The game is currently available on the PlayStation 4.
Marvel Contest of Champions
Just in time for Canada Day on July 1, the popular mobile fighting game Marvel Contest of Champions added Marvel's biggest Canadian superheroes to its playable roster. Developer Kabam released a promo in the style of an infomercial, which introduces gamers to hallmarks of Canadian culture before bringing Alpha Flight members Guardian and Sasquatch to the fight, while a certain Merc with a Mouth looks to crash the proceedings.
Developed by Kabam, Marvel Contest of Champions is available on the App Store and Google Play for iOS and Android devices.
The Old Guard
The upcoming Netflix original movie, The Old Guard, is an adaptation the Image Comics series of the same name by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez. Starring Charlize Theron, the film follows a group of warriors who are immortal and unaging. As the ensemble fights across the course of human history, they reveal that while their wounds heal, they can still feel pain, and proceed with the knowledge that their healing abilities are gradually diminishing, setting up one final battle they won't be able to walk away from.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and co-produced with Skydance Media, The Old Guard stars Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Harry Melling, Van Veronica Ngo, with Matthias Schoenaerts and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The film will be available to stream on Netflix July 10.
The 100
The next episode of The 100's seventh and final season takes things back to the beginning, showing the final days of civilization on Earth as nuclear Armageddon wipes out most of humanity. Serving as a backdoor pilot for a planned prequel series set in the immediate aftermath, the promo shows Bill Cadogan lead his doomsday cult from a fallout bunker while missile strikes set the planet on fire in an episode that sets up the franchise's post-apocalyptic premise.
The 100 stars Eliza Taylor, Marie Avgeropoulos, Bob Morley, Lindsey Morgan, Richard Harmon, Tasya Teles and Shannon Kook. The series airs on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
Parts Unknown
The worlds of professional wrestling and horror are tailor-made for each other and the upcoming indie horror movie Parts Unknown takes full advantage of this potential. A trailer for the film sees a pro-wrestling family become disgraced in the eyes of the general public, threatening their livelihood. Desperate to satisfy the bloodlust of the ring, they make a deal with a literal devil to keep wrestling, with plenty of bloody sacrifices made to appease their sinister new master.
Written and directed by Richard Chandler, Parts Unknown stars William DeCoff, Alexandra Cipolla and Sarah Michelle. The film will be released on digital HD and DVD on July 7.
Soul
Originally slated for release this past June, Pixar Animation's next feature film is Soul. It follows a father and middle school music teacher after he suffers a tragic accident that separates his soul from his Brooklyn-based body. Hovering at death's door, the character finds himself in a realm where souls are formed and decides to impart his love and knowledge of music while attempting to travel back to his body before it's too late.
Directed by Pete Docter, Soul stars Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Questlove, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs and Angela Bassett. The film will be released in theaters on November 20.
Stargirl
In the most recent episode of Stargirl, the teenage superhero endured her worst defeat yet at the hands of her nefarious high-school classmate, Shiv, the daughter of the villainous Dragon King. Courtney Whitmore barely escaped with the help of disguised superhero Shining Knight, and her new nemesis has discovered her true identity. A promo for the next episode's inevitable rematch sees Shiv track down a recovering Courtney at her family home.
DC Universe's Stargirl stars Brec Bassinger as Courtney Whitmore (Stargirl) and Luke Wilson as Pat Dugan (S.T.R.I.P.E.). The series airs Monday on DC Universe and Tuesdays on The CW at 8 pm ET/PT.
Sword Art Online Alicization Lycoris
The popular manga/anime franchise Sword Art Online is being adapted into a new multiplayer RPG this month by Bandai Namco. Adapting the anime's third season, the video game has players form teams of four to traverse a digital fantasy realm known as the UnderWorld where they must defeat the system administrator and the various monsters lurking throughout the world. A gameplay trailer shows the coordination-oriented combat and dynamic-learning style of A.I. partners as they battle epic foes.
Sword Art Online Alicization Lycoris is developed by Bandai Namco. The game arrives on July 10 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.