This week marks the arrival of another Marvel film, “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” adding to the ever-expanding cinematic universe.
However, the next seven days offer a diverse range of entertainment beyond the superhero realm.
Pokémon Presents is set to potentially feature Pikachu in a DJ role, while Madonna’s “Ray of Light” era receives a remix treatment, and Happy Gilmore makes a long-awaited return to the golf course after nearly three decades.
Read on for a preview of the week’s upcoming highlights…
The 37th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the first of phase six, is set to hit UK cinemas from Thursday.
“Fantastic Four: First Steps” stars Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing.
Set in the 1960s, the narrative focuses on the heroes defending Earth from Galactus, played by Ralph Ineson, and the Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner.
Director Matt Shakman has stated that this latest adaptation exists in its “own universe,” allowing new viewers to jump in without prior knowledge of the other 36 MCU films.
“There’s really no [other] superheroes,” he told Empire. “There’s no Easter eggs. There’s no running into Iron Man or whatever. They’re it, in this universe. I love the interconnected Marvel Universe, but we get to do something so new and so different. Eventually, this world will meet up with other worlds – but for now this is our own little corner.”
John Malkovich was originally cast as Red Ghost; however, Shakman told Variety it was “heart-breaking” to ultimately have to leave his scenes on the cutting room floor.
Adam Sandler‘s Happy Gilmore will return to the greens after nearly three decades.
The original 1996 movie saw the aspiring hockey player switch sports to comedic effect, and now Sandler, 58, will reprise his role on Netflix from Friday.
“Happy Gilmore 2” will see the main character dusting off his clubs in order to raise money to put his daughter Vienna, played by the actor’s real life daughter Sunny Sandler, through ballet school.
Original stars including Julie Bowen, Dennis Dugan, Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller all return.
New faces also join such as Lavell Crawford – who plays the son of Gilmore’s late, great caddy Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers) – and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, aka Bad Bunny, as well as Kym Whitley.
By Andrew Rogers, Newsbeat reporter
This Tuesday, The Pokémon Company will reveal its plans for the coming months during its Pokémon Presents showcase.
These livestreams share upcoming information for the fictional creatures: from their trading card game to collaborations with fashion houses.
This time, it’s been teased with a picture of Pikachu with DJ equipment, leading some to speculate there could be a new rhythm game on the way.
The event is expected to include more information on the upcoming “Pokémon Legends: Z-A” game, and updates on Pokémon’s mobile games.
There may also be further news on the next series of the Netflix spin-off show “Pokémon Concierge,” set to launch in September.
It appears that the Queen of Pop, Madonna, is set to drop her long-rumored and aptly named “Veronica Electronica” project this Friday.
The album features rare and unreleased remixes from her Grammy-winning 1998 album “Ray of Light.”
The album will be released digitally and on vinyl as part of her Silver Collection of ongoing career-spanning special releases.
Last month, the US singer, now 66, released Peter & Victor’s Collaboration Remix Edit of her song Skin as the first offering, followed by a previously-unreleased original demo from the classic album sessions entitled Gone Gone Gone.
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Portsmouth City Council discussed the century of contribution of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Viewers were taken by surprise this week when Stephen Colbert announced the end of The Late Show.
There were nine complaints against Torode, BBC learns – and show’s producers had hoped to ride out the storm.
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