News

Directors in the 1980s sought to expand on the film genres that were popular in the previous decade, one of which was adventure films, and what came as a result were bigger, and even weirder stories. The '80s saw the fusing of multiple genres in one film with adventure stories including bits of action, comedy, and science-fiction. The blending of multiple genres allowed for more imaginative adventures to be told and weirder elements to be explored.

Such films include Yellowbeard, The Ice Pirates, and Enemy Mine. The fun to be had with the oddity of these '80s adventure films comes in the form of dated special effects or original concepts that wouldn't be taken seriously by modern audiences. As technology has advanced and the adventure genre has acquired some widely acclaimed films, audiences can feel nostalgic for the '80s films that possess a weird charm unique to the decade.

Stars: Robert Urich, Mary Crosby, Michael D. Roberts, Anjelica Huston, John Matuszak, Ron Perlman, John Carradine | Written by Stewart Raffill, Stanford Sherman | Directed by Stewart Raffill

The 1980s was a golden era for science fiction cinema, giving birth to iconic films like Blade Runner, The Terminator, Back to the Future and many more. Yet, amidst these titans of the genre, there lies a hidden gem that has often been overlooked… Ice Pirates. Released in 1984, Ice Pirates combines elements of space opera, comedy, and adventure into a uniquely entertaining package that deserves more recognition than it has historically received.

One of the most compelling aspects of Ice Pirates is its fearless blending of genres. It doesn’t confine itself to the serious, often dystopian tone of many sci-fi contemporaries. Instead, it infuses humor and swashbuckling adventure into its narrative. This hybrid approach creates a distinct tone that sets it apart from other films of the era.

(Superhero Bits is a collection of stories, updates, and videos about anything and everything inspired by the comics of Marvel, DC, and more. For comic book movies, TV shows, merchandise, events, and whatever catches our eye, this is the place to find anything that falls through the cracks.)

In this edition of Superhero Bits:

Several superhero movies are getting trailers during the Super Bowl.

The Arrowverse is probably good and truly on its deathbed.

"Deadpool 3" adds a key member to its production team.

A new clip from the "Legion of Super-Heroes" animated movie.

All that and more!

MCU Phase 3 Variant Covers Revealed By Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics is helping fans relive the epic epicness that was Phase 3 of the MCU. With Phase 4 in the rearview mirror and Phase 5 on the horizon, now might be a good time to reflect on the final films in the Infinity Saga. As we can see here,...

Further to Nexstar Media Group, Inc. acquiring a 75 ownership interest in The CW Network, LLC (aka The CW), the TV network reported 100 million in losses, canceled numerous series and fired longtime president Mark Pedowitz, finance chief Mitch Nedick and chief branding Officer Rick Haskins, seemingly signalling the end of producer Greg Berlanti's 'gay-tv' push, that encouraged writers to groom popular DC Comics' superheroes into woke 'Lqbtq' characters:

Also let go from The CW were Gaye Hirsch, the network's EVP of Development and Michael Roberts, EVP of Current Programming.

The CW's recently canceled TV series include "Supergirl", "Naomi", "Batwoman", "Legends of Tomorrow", "In the Dark", the "Vampire Diaries" spinoff "Legacies", as well as the network's reboots of "Charmed", "Dynasty", "4400" and "Roswell, New Mexico".

Final seasons this year also include the series "The Flash", "Superman & Lois", "All American", "Nancy Drew", "Stargirl", "Walker" and "Kung Fu".

Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global,...

In what appears to be a new wave of layoffs, several senior scripted executives have left the broadcast network, including Gaye Hirsch, EVP, Development, who is departing after more than 15 years, and fellow CW veteran and head of department, Michael Roberts, who had been at the network (and its predecessor the WB) for 21 years, sources tell deadline.

Also said to be leaving alongside Hirsch and Roberts are Ellen Rand, SVP of Current Programming and Steve Tao, VP, Current Programming, I hear. The full extent of layoffs is unclear. Reps for the CW did not return calls and emails seeking comment.

The high-profile departures come three months after new CW owner, Nexstar, named former Pop TV topper Brad Schwartz as President of Entertainment.

In his first major executive move, he just hired former NBCUniversal executive Heather Olander as Head of Unscripted, an area that will have a big presence on the network in its new incarnation,...

The CW, in its latest shift away from scripted originals, is dismantling its current programming department.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that exec vp current programming Michael Roberts and exec vp development Gaye Hirsch — two of The CW’s remaining most important scripted executives — are among those who were let go Thursday. An exact headcount was not immediately available, though sources say others were impacted by the layoffs.

While losing the heads of current and development are a big blow to The CW’s efforts to continue making scripted originals, this is not a complete dismantling of its scripted executives as sources say some lower-level staffers — i.e., those with smaller salaries — are being retained.

Reps for The CW did not respond to THR’s multiple requests for comment.

The workforce reduction marks the latest blow to The CW under station group Nexstar, which took control of the younger-skewing broadcaster...

Science fiction is the exploration of our practical imaginations. Its stories can be fantastic, uplifting, and horrifying but they need to remain grounded in a scientifically applied reality -- a reality we already understand or one that's clearly explained. Without these rules governing our experiences, our exploration becomes untethered from reality and sails off into obscurity, and no CGI velociraptor, animatronic android, or puppet-like killer shrew is going to save it. Or can it? If Dr. Ian Malcolm were a film historian, his cinematic chaos theory would predict that over time, lovingly crafted cinema, like life, breaks free, expands to new territories, and crashes through barriers, painfully, maybe even dangerously.

In their era, masterpieces like "The Thing" may have been a little too much for audiences. Some critics struggled to see the beauty present in John Carpenter's classic beyond the gore and creatures. Over time, though, a cinematically enlightened...

Researchers have reportedly discovered the merchant steamship SS Mesaba, which is known in history for sending an iceberg warning to the Rms Titanic. The Mesaba was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in 1918 on a voyage to Philadelphia from the U.K., and was finally found over a hundred years after it sank in the Irish Sea.

The two ships passed each other in 1912, and the radio warning apparently never made it to the Titanic’s bridge, dooming it to its horrible crash. Six years later, when the Mesaba itself sank, 20 people lost their lives including its commander.

The scientists from were using a new scanning technology referred to as “multibeam sonar,” and the SS Mesaba was one of nearly three-hundred vessels including ships, subs and others that were on the floor of the Irish Sea. This research project has been a collaboration between Bangor University and Bournemouth University.

The aim of the investigations,...

Spoiler Alert: The following reveals major plot points from the series finale of the CW’s Legacies.

“Annoyed” is the word Julie Plec used to describe how she’s feeling about the end of The Vampire Diaries franchise on the heels of the Legacies finale airing tonight before sharing a hearty laugh. Legacies was canceled after four seasons by the CW in mid-May as the network prepares for a sale.

Plec, who is the co-creator and executive producer of The Vampire Diaries and the creator of its two spinoffs, The Originals and Legacies, was joined by Legacies showrunner and fellow executive producer Brett Matthews for a chat with Deadline about the end of an era and their plans to expand on the franchise’s legacy someday.

“I think it’s no secret that this was not the ending we expected to have,” Plec shared. “You know, in our minds, Legacies...

When I was growing up in the 80s, I was introduced to a crazy sci-fi adventure film called The Ice Pirates. This is a movie that I used to watch all the time as a kid. I have fond memories of this film, but I haven’t seen it in years!

This is one of those movies that I’m afraid to watch again because I want to preserve the fond memories that I have of it. I was curious to know if any of you might remember this ridiculously fun and over-the-top movie.

The film is set in the distant future where water is the most valuable substance. It follows two space pirates who are captured, sold to a princess, and recruited to help her find her father who disappeared when he found information dangerous to the rulers.

This was a swashbuckling space opera that was filled with sword fights,...

Sony Pictures Animation has scored the movie rights to NBC's short-lived early 80's TV series "Manimal" with plans to turn it into a combination live-action/CG animated feature says Heat Vision.

Simon MacCorkindale ("Death on the Nile") starred in the campy original as Dr. Jonathan Chase, a wealthy doctor with a mysterious past, who can shape shift into any animal he chooses in order to help the police fight crime.

Melody Anderson ("Flash Gordon") and Michael D. Roberts ("Baretta") co-starred. Only eight episodes aired before the critically slammed show was cancelled, though it has since developed a cult following.

Glen A. Larson ("Magnum P.I.," "Knight Rider," "Battlestar Galactica") created the original show and will serve as producer on the film for which writers are currently being sought. The move follows Sony's announcement last month of a similar live-action/CG feature based on 80's sitcom "Alf".

Do you ever feel like you just want to watch a bad movie? The problem, it seems, is that bad movies are almost always certain to be boring as well.  Thankfully, there is a solution to this dilemma; it's called The Ice Pirates. It's in the same sci-fi vein as Star Wars  but reeks from the influence of 80's pop culture. A more accurate label would be train crash. You just can't look away. 

What else can I say about this movie besides the fact that it is, to be perfectly honest, pretty horrible. The production values are equivalent to a late-night infomercial, the plot seems like it's trying to outrace itself, and any hint of acting is mere coincidence. Some of the jokes are meant for children, others are crude and directed at adults. "Major" characters appear and disappear at a whim, and nothing is ever explained. Therefore, confusion is the norm.

Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios, an independent producer and distributor of first-run syndicated TV programming, has sold its sitcoms The First Family and Mr. Box Office to Tribune, Weigel and CBS Television Station Groups as part of a two-hour primetime weekend comedy block. It has been cleared in more than 85% of the U.S. Entertainment Studios first shot pilots for the sitcoms, which are getting initial orders of 104 episodes each. They will run two half-hours each, back-to-back, to create a two-hour primetime block. Related: Comedy Series Starring Bill Bellamy Eying 100-Episode Order, Fall Launch The First Family is about an African-American family that resides in the White House. Its cast includes Christopher B. Duncan, Kellita Smith, Gladys Knight, Jackee Harry, John Witherspoon, Marla Gibbs, and Michael D. Roberts. Mr. Box Office is about one of the world’s biggest movie stars, who is sentenced to community service teaching English at...