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Taylor Swift broke her political silence and endorsed 2 Democratic candidates running for office in Tennessee

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  • Taylor Swift has endorsed two Democratic candidates in her home state of Tennessee.
  • In an Instagram post Sunday evening, Swift acknowledged her reluctancy to publicly express political opinions but said she was ready to speak up over what she described as "several events in my life and in the world in the past two years."
  • The 28-year-old said she was spurred to speak out in opposition of the Republican congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, who represents Tennessee's 7th District and is running against the former Tennessee governor Phil Bredesen for a US Senate seat.
  • She said she planned to vote for Rep. Jim Cooper and Bredesen, who went against most Democrats in voicing support for Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination.

Taylor Swift endorsed two Democratic politicians in her home state of Tennessee on Sunday night in a rare moment of political activism.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Swift acknowledged her reluctancy to publicly express political opinions but said she was ready to speak up over what she described as "several events in my life and in the world in the past two years."

I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway. So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting! 🗳😃🌈

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Oct 7, 2018 at 4:33pm PDT on

"I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country," she wrote.

"I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent."

The 28-year-old said she was spurred to speak out in opposition of Rep. Marsha Blackburn, the Republican who represents Tennessee's 7th District and is running against the former Tennessee governor Phil Bredesen for a US Senate seat.

"As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn," Swift said. "Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry.

"These are not MY Tennessee values."

She said she planned to vote for Bredesen and Rep. Jim Cooper, the Democrat who represents her home district, which includes Nashville. Bredesen went against most Democrats recently in voicing support for Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination.

Swift, who spent much of her teenage life in Tennessee, previously endorsed the March For Our Lives movement, though she has been notably secretive about her political views.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov's teammate bragged about slapping Conor McGregor in the post-fight brawl

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At American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Zubaira Tukhugov discusses his upcoming fight with Artem Lobov at UFC Moncton, training with Khabib Nurmagomedov, his issue with Conor McGregor attempting to divide Chechens and Dagestanis and more.

You'd have to have been living under a rock to have missed the chaotic scenes that ensued after the UFC 229 main event on Saturday between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

A massive brawl broke out in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas when Nurmagomedov leapt into the crowd after beating McGregor by submission in the fourth round.

Nurmagomedov was reportedly going for one of the Irishman's cageside friends, Dillon Danis, according to ESPN journalist Chamatkar Sandhu.

While all that was going on, a number of Nurmagomedov's teammates jumped into the octagon and started attacking McGregor.

Among them was fellow Russian UFC fighter Zubaira Tukhugov, who later took to social media to brag about slapping his friend's opponent.

"I slapped him as promised. I promised to make him answer for his words and I did," Tukhugov said in a video shared by MMA journalist Karim Zidan.

In another tweet, Zidan added that "Anyone who has studied/reported on the North Caucasus knows how they handle insults towards family members (especially elders) & attacks on religion."

According to The Mirror, Tukhugov also denied in the video that McGregor was able to land a punch on him, saying: "Everyone who thinks I missed, show me where. There is nothing. Just cop pushed me back on the video, as if I missed. Not even close.

"Everyone who thinks I missed, I swear, nothing was too close."

After the melee, UFC boss Dana White told FOX Sports that "three of Khabib's guys have been arrested and are on the way to jail now."

However, it was later reported that McGregor refused to press charges against his assailants and that the three men had been released.

In August, McGregor accused Tukhugov of treason in an inflammatory Instagram post after it was announced that he would take on the Irishman's sparring partner Artem Lobov.

"A true Chechen would never assist in a Dagestani led attack on another Chechen," McGregor wrote in the Instagram caption.

"A true Chechen would never take orders from a Dagestani man. This is treason.

"There is no worse than treason."

In a recent interview with SBN, Tukhugov said: "Yes. [McGregor] put my picture on Instagram, with a little bit of s--- about me. This is never. After my fight with Lobov, I see McGregor? I ask him, 'Tell me now. I am here.'

"If you are a man – if you're a Chechen man, American man, Ireland man – you tell him face. No put Instagram. No message."

He added, "I want to fight outside. No cage, outside, after Lobov. I tell him. And after my fight, I show him."

However, it's unlikely that Tukhugov will ever get to lock horns with McGregor in or out of the ring.

According to The Mirror, White said that the men who entered the ring after the fight, including Tukhugov, would never fight in the UFC again.

"I've been working hard to promote this sport, this is not what a mixed martial arts event is normally like," he said.

SEE ALSO: Drake supported Conor McGregor at UFC 229 — and people are joking that he must have been terrified when Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped out the Octagon

DON'T MISS: Conor McGregor already wants a rematch, but not everybody in the industry thinks it's a good idea

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'Doctor Who' fans are loving the first female doctor and the way the show is reinventing itself — and so are critics

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  • "Doctor Who" premiered Sunday night with its first female lead in the show's 55-year history.
  • When Whittaker was cast, some fans of the series were upset that the Doctor, traditionally male, was cast as a woman. 
  • Fans and critics are praising Jodie Whittaker's performance, as well as the series for reinventing itself.

 

On Sunday night, Jodie Whittaker made history as the first woman to ever play the iconic role of the Doctor on "Doctor Who."

Whittaker's casting for season 11 of the BBC series was initially met with backlash from a portion of the "Doctor Who" fandom who felt that the role was not meant for a woman. 

But Sunday night's episode, "The Woman Who Fell to Earth" is getting high praise from "Who" fans as well as critics for its clever reinvention of the series given its new lead. 

Critics agree that the show feels different from the other seasons, but in a great and necessary way, and that Whittaker was well cast. Caroline Seide of the AV Club wrote that it's "like watching a trapeze artist perform without a net, it's both thrilling and slightly terrifying to watch Doctor Who launch itself into this brand new era."

And Vox's Todd VanDerWerff wrote, "I was also struck by how Whittaker's gleefully altruistic spin on the Doctor immediately felt more akin to Tennant's version than that of her immediate predecessor, Peter Capaldi."

And here's what the fans were saying on Twitter throughout the night:

 

 

SEE ALSO: The 4 movies or TV shows coming to Netflix this week that are worth watching

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The official trailer for the final season of Netflix's 'House of Cards' teases an intense season centered on Claire Underwood — and shows a country questioning its first woman president

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  • Netflix released the official trailer for the final season of "House of Cards" on Monday.
  • It teases an intense season that centers on Claire Underwood's presidency after her husband, Frank Underwood, dies. 
  • It also suggests that things could go very wrong for the people who did very bad things to get ahead, including Claire. 
  • The sixth and final season of "House of Cards," which was re-written after Kevin Spacey was fired following allegations of sexual misconduct last year, drops on November 2. 

 

Netflix just released the official trailer for the sixth and final season of "House of Cards." The trailer shows a country that is skeptical about its new female president, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), and it also implies that things could go badly for her seeing as she, like her late husband, murdered people to get ahead. 

In September, a teaser trailer showed how "House of Cards" would handle Kevin Spacey's departure: his character, Frank Underwood, is dead. 

The trailer Netflix released Monday starts with political analysts questioning Claire's ability to lead on television, including one broadcaster saying, "I think she might be the worst thing that has ever happened to this country."

The trailer also suggests that things might not be going well for Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly) now that Frank is gone, that the journalists who've been working for the entire series to bring the Underwoods down might be getting close to their goal, and that newcomers Diane Lane and Greg Kinnear might be Claire's biggest enemies in season six. 

Netflix fired Spacey from "House of Cards" after multiple men accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017. The final season drops on Netflix November 2.

You can watch the full trailer below:

 

SEE ALSO: The 8 worst new network TV shows this fall, from 'FBI' to 'New Amsterdam'

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Rose McGowan denies calling the #MeToo movement 'bulls---' and 'a lie' in a recent interview

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  • Rose McGowan has clarified on Twitter an interview she did with UK's Sunday Times Magazine, in which she's quoted saying the #MeToo Movement is "bull----" and "a lie."
  • "I never said #MeToo is a lie. Ever. I was talking about Hollywood and Time's Up," the actress tweeted on Sunday.

 

Following an interview in which Rose McGowan is quoted as saying that the #MeToo movement is "bull----" and "a lie," the actress, who has been one of the loudest voices of the movement, has taken to Twitter to clarify her comments. 

On the same day that an interview with McGowan ran in the UK's Sunday Times Magazine, in which her disparaging comments about #MeToo are included, the actress tweeted on Sunday that she is still very much a supporter of the movement. 

"I never said #MeToo is a lie. Ever. I was talking about Hollywood and Time's Up," the actress tweeted, referring to the movement against sexual harassment formed by celebrities in response to the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the revelations that followed from #MeToo.

McGowan then followed that with two brief video tweets, again, praising #MeToo.

“#MeToo is important, it’s honest, and it’s our experience. It is not a lie,” she said in the first video.

Followed by another where she said, "For some reason there are people in the media who will try to bring it down, but I say stand strong. Again, it’s simply our shared experience. That is what #MeToo is, and it’s beautiful, as are we.”

In the Sunday Times Magazine story, McGowan is quoted as saying that she felt those in Hollywood who supported #MeToo were not supporting her. 

"I just think they're douchebags," she said. "They're not champions. I just think they're losers. I don't like them. How do I explain the fact that I got a GQ Man of the Year award and no women's magazines and no women's organizations have supported me?"

McGowan also claimed in the interview that she has been excluded from "MeToo campaign lunches" and "survivor brunches."

"And I don't want to go, because it's all bull---," she said. "It's a lie. It's a Band-Aid lie to make them feel better. I know these people, I know they're lily-livered, and as long as it looks good on the surface, to them, that's enough."

McGowan also added that it's "literally impossible" that Meryl Streep didn't know about the allegations against Weinstein before they went public, as Streep has claimed. She also said in the interview that she doesn't plan on acting anymore, stating that the film industry is a "disgusting" world.

Read the Sunday Times Magazine interview here.

SEE ALSO: The directors of "Ralph Breaks the Internet" addresses the Princess Tiana backlash and teases more scenes featuring Disney princesses in the movie

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James Bond producer says there will probably never be a female 007: 'Bond is male'

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  • James Bond will continue to be played by a man, according to the franchise's producer Barbara Broccoli.
  • “He’s a male character," she told The Guardian. "He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male."

 

The overseer of the James Bond franchise has spoken: "Bond is male."

That was how producer Barbara Broccoli put it when asked if there would ever be a female James Bond. 

“He’s a male character," she went on to tell The Guardian in a recent interview. "He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male. And that’s fine. We don’t have to turn male characters into women. Let’s just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters.”

With the recent gender-bending trend bringing new life to existing IPs ("Ocean's Eight," "Dr. Who"), the internet has been pushing a female Bond for years. Even actresses like Priyanka Chopra and Gillian Anderson have voiced their interest in obtaining the coveted license to kill.

Barbara Broccoli Getty finalBut Broccoli, one of the most powerful producers working in the industry today, states that despite keeping Bond a man, that doesn't mean the character has to continue to have the same old-school qualities the character had in the early days of the franchise decades ago. 

"I think Bond has come through and transformed with the times," she said. "I’ve tried to do my part, and I think particularly with the Daniel [Craig] films, they’ve become much more current in terms of the way women are viewed.”

Craig will return to the role for the final time in the 25th Bond movie, which will begin production in March. But looking forward, can Broccoli see a female directing one of these movies?

“Yes, absolutely,” Broccoli told The Guardian. “As a female producer, of course I’d like to do that.”

SEE ALSO: All of the "A Star Is Born" movies ranked from worst to best

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Microsoft's Project xCloud will let you stream Xbox games straight to your smartphone or tablet (MSFT)

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  • Project xCloud is a new video game streaming service capable of bringing high-end Xbox games to a range of devices, including smartphones and computers.
  • The online service will stream the game from remote cloud servers to the user's device, removing the need for high-powered consoles or gaming computers.
  • Project xCloud doesn't have a release date yet, but it will likely launch with new Xbox devices designed specifically for streaming.

Microsoft has officially announced Project xCloud, a new video game streaming service that could bring the next generation of video games to mobile devices around the world.

Backed by the company's Azure Cloud computing service, Project xCloud aims to remove the need for expensive home consoles or gaming PCs to play high-quality video games.

Based on the announcement, Project xCloud would allow players to stream some of Microsoft's most well-known titles including "Halo," "Gears of War," "Forza" and "Minecraft." Microsoft said the thousands of developers currently working on Xbox titles will be able to use Project xCloud as well.

The service supports Xbox One controllers via Bluetooth but also allows touchscreen controls on tablets and smartphones. A handy peripheral that clips a smartphone on top of an Xbox Controller can create a portable setup for high-end gaming. In a statement attached to the Project xCloud announcement, Microsoft said Project xCloud will be functional on 4G and 5G mobile data networks.

Phil Spencer, Microsoft's executive vice president of gaming, teased the new streaming service at E3 in June 2018. In an interview with Business Insider after Microsoft's keynote speech, Spencer said the company wants to reach gamers on whatever platform they choose to play on. Microsoft's Azure Cloud service is available in 140 countries and Project xCloud could greatly reduce the technological barrier of entry for gaming.

Project xCloud will utilize Microsoft's Azure Cloud service, which currently supports 140 countries in 54 regions.

"There are 2 billion people who play video games on the planet today. We're not going to sell 2 billion consoles," Spencer said.

For now, it's not clear whether Xbox owners will be able to carry their games and subscriptions over to Project xCloud, but Microsoft says developers will be able to stream their new games through Project xCloud with no additional effort.

As Xbox One sales lag behind those of the PlayStation 4, Microsoft has shown a continued interest in offering subscription services like the Xbox Game Pass and Xbox All Access to its users.

Project xCloud Touch controls

Microsoft isn't the only company interested in streaming video games either. Google announced its own "Project Stream" last week, with the goal of bringing blockbuster video games straight to the Google Chrome browser. The Project Stream beta test will include just one game, Ubisoft's recently released "Assassin's Creed: Odyssey." Sony, Microsoft's primary competitor in the console gaming market, has its own streaming service in PlayStation Now.  PlayStation Now was once available on smart TVs and handheld devices but is currently limited to computers and the PlayStation 4 console. PC gaming company Nvidia unveiled their own streaming service in 2015, called GeForce Now, but the service remains in open beta after testing multiple subscription models. 

Project xCloud doesn't have a release date yet, but Microsoft is planning a public trial for 2019. Rumors suggest that Microsoft will launch one or two new Xbox devices in 2020 to make use of Project xCloud's streaming capabilities.  

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3 great TV shows to watch on Netflix this week, including a new season of 'Big Mouth'

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Need something to watch on Netflix this week?

Every week, we gather a list of three shows you can watch on Netflix right now. There's shows you can finish in a day, and some you can just get started on. We mix shows that have recently come onto the service (like season two of "Big  Mouth") with some old favorites you might have missed.

From season two of  the Netflix original "Big Mouth" to the 90s docuseries fittingly called "The Nineties" that aired on CNN last year, here are three great shows you should watch this week.

SEE ALSO: The official trailer for the final season of Netflix's 'House of Cards' teases an intense season centered on Claire Underwood — and shows a country questioning its first woman president

"Big Mouth" - a Netflix Original

Seasons: 2

Episodes: 20

Season two of the delightful, informative, but also very gross animated comedy from Nick Kroll dropped over the weekend. It's laugh-out-loud funny throughout every episode, and goes even deeper into puberty than season one as it delves into body image depression (particularly from the female perspective).



"I'm Sorry"

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 10

This comedy follows a comedy writer and mother whose confidence in saying or doing whatever she wants can get her into some trouble. It's a cute, easy, and quick watch that represents a modern American family in a unique but authentic way, and Andrea Savage carries the leading role well. 



"The Nineties"

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 8

This exploration of events and news from our culture's favorite decade right now doesn't go into as great a depth as it could, but it touches on everything from politics to pop culture, and you might learn something you didn't know.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Netflix announces plan to buy a New Mexico production hub to make its TV shows and movies (NFLX)

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  • Netflix announced it's in final negotiations to purchase production hub ABQ Studios in Albuquerque, New Mexico to produce its upcoming movies and TV shows.
  • The streaming giant plans to bring $1 billion in production to New Mexico over the next 10 years and create up to 1,000 production jobs a year.

 

Netflix wants Albuquerque, New Mexico to be the main location for its content-making.

The streaming giant announced on Monday that it has chosen ABQ Studios, located in Albuquerque's Mesa Del Sol, as the site of the new US production hub for its huge roster of TV shows and movies.

This marks Netflix's first purchase of a studio complex.

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, and Netflix VP of Physical Production Ty Warren were on hand to make the announcement, which is in final negotiations. 

According to a release about the purchase, Netflix plans to bring $1 billion in production to New Mexico over the next 10 years and create up to 1,000 production jobs a year.

The studio — which in the past has housed such movies as "The Avengers," "Logan," and "Sicario," as well as AMC's hit TV show "Breaking Bad" — will be used right away for Netflix shows like the dramedy "Daybreak," supernatural drama "Chambers," and the suspense drama "Messiah."

“Our experience producing shows and films in New Mexico inspired us to jump at the chance to establish a new production hub here,” said Warren. “The people, the landscape and the facilities are all stellar and we can’t wait to get to work — and employ lots of New Mexicans — creating entertainment for the world to enjoy. We are grateful to Governor Martinez, Mayor Keller and the people of New Mexico for the opportunity to create a new ‘home away from home’ here in Albuquerque.”

SEE ALSO: James Bond producer says there will probably never be a female 007: "Bond is male"

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NOW WATCH: A top movie actor reveals how he learns different accents

Trump jokes about Taylor Swift's endorsement of Democratic Senate candidate: I like her music '25% less' now

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  • President Donald Trump said he likes Taylor Swift's music "about 25% less" now that she's endorsed two Democratic candidates running in her home state of Tennessee ahead of the November midterm elections.
  • Swift shared her endorsement with her 112 million followers on Instagram Sunday night. It's the first time she publicly revealed her political leanings.
  • In the post, the Grammy-winning musician said she "cannot support" Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, who is running for Senate, saying the congresswoman's beliefs were not consistent "not MY Tennessee values."
  • Trump, who has endorsed Blackburn in the race to replace the retiring Sen. Bob Corker, sought to downplay Swift's political influence.

President Donald Trump said he likes Taylor Swift's music "about 25% less" now that she's endorsed two Democratic candidates running in her home state of Tennessee ahead of the November midterm elections.

Swift shared her endorsement with her 112 million followers on Instagram Sunday night. It's the first time she publicly revealed her political leanings.

In the post, the Grammy-winning musician said she "cannot support" Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, who is running for Senate, saying the congresswoman's beliefs were not consistent "not MY Tennessee values."

"Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me," Swift said.

The singer said she would support former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen and Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper instead.

"In the past I've been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now," Swift said.

After being asked for his thoughts on Swift "jumping into politics" at the White House on Monday, Trump defended Blackburn, calling her "a tremendous woman."

"I'm sure Taylor Swift has nothing or doesn't know anything about her," Trump said, adding that "Blackburn is doing a very good job in Tennessee." The president has endorsed Blackburn in the race to replace the retiring Sen. Bob Corker.

Turning back to Swift, Trump said: "And let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25% less now, OK?"

SEE ALSO: A Fox News contributor fell out of his chair on-camera while trying to take a selfie with Laura Ingraham as part of a joke

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The next PlayStation is already in the works, says Sony's new president

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  • Sony's new president, Kenichiro Yoshida, spoke about the successor to the PlayStation 4 in a recent interview.
  • "It's necessary to have a next-generation hardware," Yoshida told the Financial Times.
  • This isn't the first time Sony's spoken about the currently-in-development game console; PlayStation division head John Kodera said the company is using the next three years to work on the next PlayStation.


Five years ago, in 2013, the PlayStation 4 launched. If history is any indication, we're due for a new PlayStation in the next five years or so. 

Sony apparently agrees: "At this point, what I can say is it’s necessary to have a next-generation hardware," new Sony president Kenichiro Yoshida told the Financial Times in a recent interview. Yoshida stopped short of calling the console "PlayStation 5," but it's widely expected to be the name for Sony's next PlayStation console.

Most interesting is the fact that Yoshida referred to the new console as "next-generation hardware." Rather than focusing on streaming games over the internet — a la Netflix — Sony is apparently working on a more powerful box for running prettier games. 

It's the traditional format for the video game business: Produce a new, more powerful game console every 5 to 10 years that's distinct from previous hardware generations.

The PlayStation was succeeded by the PlayStation 2; the PlayStation 2 was succeeded by the PlayStation 3; and the PlayStation 3 was succeeded by the PlayStation 4. Each was its own hardware "generation," more capable than the previous generation.

Both Sony and Microsoft altered that cycle this generation by releasing half-step upgrades in the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X, respectively. Neither outright replaced the base console — instead, they offered better graphics and performance for the same games.

PlayStation 4 vs PlayStation 4 Pro

Sources speaking with the Financial Times said that the next PlayStation console, "might not represent a major departure from the PS4." That's not such a surprise: More than ever, players are demanding that their digital game libraries carry forward. It wouldn't be a huge shock to hear that the PlayStation 5 could play all PlayStation 4 games — especially those purchased digitally.

But don't expect the PlayStation 5 any time soon. 

"We will use the next three years to prepare the next step," PlayStation head John Kodera said back in May, according to The Wall Street Journal, in a reference to the PlayStation 4's successor. That puts Sony's next console on track for launch somewhere in the vicinity of 2021. 

Given that the PlayStation 4 continues to sell tremendously well, it's no surprise that Sony would want to hold off for as long as possible. Microsoft's Xbox One is in a distant second place, and Nintendo's Switch is in a league of its own.

There's at least one other good reason that Sony isn't moving on from the PlayStation 4 just yet — the PlayStation 4 Pro exists.

Spider-Man (PS4)

Less than two years ago, Sony launched the PlayStation 4 Pro: A more powerful update to the PlayStation 4. It plays the same games, but makes them look prettier and load more quickly. It's a half step up, in terms of horsepower, from the PlayStation 4, but it's a meaningful mid-point between the PlayStation 4 that went on sale in 2013 and the PlayStation 5 that's expected around 2021. 

Sony's no doubt hoping that you'll consider the PS4 Pro for now, but don't worry if you're not: Something new is also in the works.

SEE ALSO: The PlayStation 5 won't launch until at least 2021

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Netflix just released the official trailer for 'Making a Murderer Part II'

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  • Netflix released the official trailer for "Making a Murderer Part Two."
  • The second series of the true crime phenomenon follows Kathleen Zellner's attempt to overturn Steven Avery's conviction and get him out of prison.
  • It will also dive into the psychology behind Brendan Dassey's false confession.
  • "Making a Murderer Part Two" drops on Netflix October 19.

The official trailer for season two of "Making a Murderer," Netflix's true crime docuseries that became a cultural phenomenon in 2015, is here.

Netflix announced in late September that part two will premiere on October 19.

The new season will be "over 10 episodes" and introduces viewers to Kathleen Zellner, the post-conviction lawyer for the subject of the first season, Steven Avery, "in her fight to prove that Avery was wrongly convicted and win his freedom."

The trailer for part two clearly demonstrates how the popularity of the documentary affected the case. It follows Zellner's attempt to overturn Avery's conviction, and also shows that part two will dive a little more into Brendan Dassey and the psychology behind false confessions. 

Watch the full trailer below, and make some time in your schedule the weekend of October 19 so you can binge "Making a Murderer Part Two" on Netflix:

 

SEE ALSO: Here's everything that's happened since the first season of Netflix's "Making a Murderer"

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Liam Neeson says that a horse he acted with before recognized him on the set of his new movie with the Coen Brothers

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A million ways to die in the west

  • At the New York Film Festival, Liam Neeson said that a horse on the set of the Coen Brothers' "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" remembered him from another movie they shot together.
  • Neeson says he knows the horse remembered him because "he whinnied when he saw me, and pawed the ground."
  • Neeson did not specify the other film they worked on together. 

 

One time Academy Award nominee Liam Neeson says that a horse recognized him on the set of his new movie.

Page Six reports that Neeson told the story at the New York Film Festival. Neeson said it happened while filming the Coen Brothers' "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs."

“I play a traveling impresario," Neeson said. "We filmed in New Mexico. The odd thing is the horse who pulls my wagon knew me. You won’t believe it. I’m saying this horse knew me. He actually remembered me from another Western we made a while back.”

Neeson said that he knew the horse recognized him because “he whinnied when he saw me, and pawed the ground.” 

Unfortunately, Neeson did not verify which film this horse worked with him on before. But Neeson did appear on a horse in 2014's "A Million Ways to Die in the West," and it is safe to assume that there was not a horse on the set of the 2015 "Entourage" movie, which also Neeson appeared in. 

This is not the first time Neeson has been a part of horse-related news. Neeson is a noted and proud supporter of horses being used for carriage rides in New York City's Central Park, and as a result, he's an enemy of PETA

"The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" comes to theaters November 16, so you'll have to wait about a month to see this friendship blossom on screen and do your deep dive into Neeson's filmography to figure out which movie this horse remembers him from. 

SEE ALSO: 'Venom' has the biggest box office opening weekend ever for an October release

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Mark Hamill wants 'Star Wars' fans to campaign for Carrie Fisher to receive her Walk of Fame star early for the release of 'Episode IX'

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  • Mark Hamill asked fans on Tuesday to campaign for his late "Star Wars" co-star Carrie Fisher to receive a star along the Hollywood Walk of Fame in time for the release of "Star Wars: Episode IX" next year.
  • The posthumous rule for the honor is a five-year wait, but Hamill thinks with enough support from fans, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce could make an exception.
  • Fisher passed away in 2016, but will appear in "Episode IX" through unused footage from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

 

A real-life Star War is taking shape. Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, is using the force to get his "Star Wars" co-star Carrie Fisher a star along the Hollywood Walk of Fame — the force of fans, that is.

Hamill asked fans on Twitter on Tuesday to campaign for Fisher — who passed away in 2016 — to receive the honor early, in time for the release of "Star Wars Episode IX" next year. The posthumous rule is a five-year wait to receive a star, but Hamill thinks that with enough support, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce could make an exception.

"Carrie WILL get her well-deserved Star on the Walk of Fame, it's only a matter of when," Hamill wrote. "The rule is a 5-year wait when awarded posthumously. A letter to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce wouldn't hurt, urging them to time it to the release of #EpIX."

Fisher will appear in "Episode IX" as Leia Organa through unused footage from "Star War: The Force Awakens." The movie is directed by "The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams.

"Episode IX" comes to theaters on December 20, 2019.

SEE ALSO: 'Black Mirror' season 5 is reportedly coming to Netflix this year, and it could include a choose-your-own-adventure episode

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A group of Magic Leap alumni are making experiences for 50 pairs of smartglasses at once — and they're working with a world-famous performance artist

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  • Technologists think that augmented reality is the next big thing that could replace smartphones, TVs, and all the screens in your life.
  • Alumni from Magic Leap, a hyped augmented reality startup, are now using the technology to create music and art pieces.
  • Their first work stars Marina Abramović and will premiere simultaneously to 50 people in London in February. 

Marina Abramović, the renowned performance artist, is going to be the star of a piece premiering February 18 at the Serpentine Gallery, in London.

But she's not going to be there in person — or, at least, she's not performing live.

Instead, she's going to be performing in the lenses of 50 augmented reality headsets simultaneously, all of whom will be wearing AR hardware, including the Magic Leap One, a hyped pair of smartglasses that launched earlier this year. 

"Up until now it has been impossible to understand what the artist does and the purpose of the event is unless you were in the room at the time of the event," Todd Eckert, founder of Tin Drum, which is producing the piece, told Business Insider. 

"As a performance artist, my work is about energy, so the work we've been doing here, what is the chance that I can really keep energy that can radiate to the public, and you can feel it," Abramović said in a video starring her 3D avatar. 

"This is a really promising media," Abramović continued.

What is augmented reality? 

Magic Leap One Creator's EditionAugmented reality is a technology that, if you listen to investors in Silicon Valley, might one day be able to replace the smartphone and every other screen in your life by showing advanced computer graphics seamlessly mixed with the real world. 

But Tin Drum, a studio partially staffed by Magic Leap alumni and other technologists, is betting that before augmented reality becomes an everyday technology, it's going to become a new tool for artists and directors to create works that can't be displayed on a traditional, flat screen.

With this most recent piece, "you have the ability to feel what performance is like, not as an artifact of something that already happened, but the energy of what's happening now as if you are actually there at the time of the event," Eckert explained. 

Eckert first started thinking about augmented reality and its challenges when he worked for Magic Leap as its director of content development. There, he reached out to a variety of musicians and artists to get their ideas on how to transfer a live performance into a wearable augmented reality experience.

So, after he left Magic Leap, he decided to start a production studio focused on augmented reality projects — and the Abramović piece is Tin Drum's first public exhibition.

There are lots of challenges when recording a person in three dimensions, often called "volumetric capture," he explained. It usually requires an array of cameras, as many as 32, as well as a lot of care and time to put the images together in a way that can be placed into a real-world environment. 

Other challenges include how colors are represented in augmented reality — red looks very different than, say, black, inside a headset that's based around displaying graphics inside transparent lenses. And each different augmented reality headset, like Hololens or ODG, also requires tweaks. 

"The positioning of cameras and the specific lighting attributes during the time of capture is very specific based upon each project," Eckert explained. To create the Abramović piece, Tin Drum teamed up with 4DViews, a volumetric capture company in France.

06_TinDrum

I was able to see a short preview of the Abramović piece on a Magic Leap One, although I was nowhere near London. Inside the smartglasses, you could see the artist, and although there were technological limitations including the headset's field-of-view, cutting off parts of the virtual people in frame, I felt her "presence" in the room with me — but I was just in a conference room in New York. 

But simply capturing a 3D image of an artist is only the first step. There's lots of post-production that's needed in order to take the raw footage and turn it into a graphic that can be integrated with the real world inside a pair of augmented reality glasses. Then Tin Drum's specialists, who are technical and proficient in software like Unity, tweak the footage in Tin Drum offices until it's perfect.

Tin Drum wants to produce other high-quality mixed-reality experiences, and Eckert said the company is close to raising venture capital so it can continue to develop technologies for volumetric capture.

02_TinDrumAfter capturing video of a subject in a green screen room, the background can be removed, and the video can be placed in the real world, like this: 

Going forward, Eckert believes that in a new medium like augmented reality, it's going to be more important to experiment with completely new ways of thinking about media, as opposed to shoehorning older modes of thinking onto new technologies. 

"I think people have a tendency of trying to use what they know and in order to kind of embrace whatever they perceive as new," Eckert said. "This is recognizing that the technology can do things beyond anything else that's ever existed."

SEE ALSO: This entrepreneur just got $8.6 million to make advanced AR games for phones

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Apple's dream of making the Apple TV a gaming console just took a major hit (AAPL, MSFT)

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Minecraft

  • "Minecraft" is one of the most popular games in the world, and the second highest-selling game of all time.
  • Despite its wild popularity, even "Minecraft" struggled to find players on Apple's set-top box, the Apple TV.
  • As such, "Minecraft" is dropping Apple TV support and will receive no future updates. If you already own the game, you can still play it, but it's no longer up for sale.


You can play "Minecraft" on pretty much anything: Your phone, your game console, your computer, and even your tablets. 

But, as of the recent past, you can no longer play "Minecraft" on Apple's popular set-top box, the Apple TV.

That's because the wildly popular "Minecraft" — the second best-selling game of all time, just behind "Tetris" — couldn't find enough players on Apple TV to be worth the investment. 

"We need to reallocate resources to the platforms that our players use the most," a pop-up states when you launch the game on Apple TV. It's a dire statement about gaming on the Apple TV; "Minecraft" on Apple TV was introduced to much fanfare under two years ago. It was played by so few people that Microsoft, which owns and produces "Minecraft," discontinued support as of September 24. 

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So few people were playing "Minecraft" on Apple TV, it seems, that most news outlets didn't notice it was being discontinued until this week.

That reality stands in stark contrast to Apple's supposed push into gaming with the latest iteration of the Apple TV (pictured above). The company made a whole show of gaming on Apple TV during a presentation in September 2015 — three years later, and there's been little progress. 

And now, "Minecraft" is dropping support.

But if you're one of the few people playing "Minecraft" on Apple TV, don't despair: The game will continue functioning for the time being. "You can continue to play 'Minecraft' on Apple TV, keep building in your world and your Marketplace purchases (including Minecoins) will continue to be available," the in-game note says. 

But perhaps you just want your money back? If you bought the game (or anything in the game) in the last 90 days, Microsoft is offering a full refund through Apple.

SEE ALSO: 'Minecraft' is still one of the biggest games in the world, with over 91 million people playing monthly

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Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo may have revealed the title of the next 'Avengers' movie in a censored interview, and a fan might have uncovered what he said

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  • Bruce Banner/Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo may have revealed the "Avengers 4" title in an interview on "The Tonight Show."
  • It was bleeped out, but a fan may have uncovered what Ruffalo said using audio-editing software.
  • Spoiler alert: The potential title is "The Last Avenger."
  • While it's unlikely that Ruffalo actually revealed the title, it wouldn't be the first time he's slipped up, and that title makes thematic sense.

 

Spider-Man actor Tom Holland is known for being the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most notorious spoiler, but Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/Hulk, is giving him a run for his money.

During Friday's "The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon," Ruffalo may have revealed the title of next year's "Avengers: Infinity War" sequel. The fourth "Avengers" film's title has been shrouded in secrecy, but Fallon convinced Ruffalo to spill the beans — or did he?

The potential title was bleeped out on air, so it's unknown whether Ruffalo actually said the title, or if it was simply a pre-planned bit all in good fun. Considering how secretive the production has been, it's probably the latter. But if what Ruffalo said actually was the movie's title, a fan may have uncovered it through audio-editing software.

Twitter user Anton Volkov tweeted the video on Sunday which reveals that Ruffalo seems to be saying "The Last Avenger."

The title makes sense from a thematic standpoint: "Avengers 4" marks a turning point for the MCU, as it will likely focus on other franchises beyond Avengers afterward, according to Disney CEO Bob Iger. And Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has said that this era of the MCU is "gearing towards a conclusion" with "Avengers 4."

Captain America actor Chris Evans also appears to be leaving the franchise after "Avengers 4," and tweeted a heartfelt farewell to the character last week after he wrapped filming on the movie. "Captain America: The First Avenger" was Evans' debut as the character in 2011, so "Avengers 4" being called "The Last Avenger" would bring his storyline full circle.

It still seems unlikely though that Ruffalo would reveal the title, but he's slipped up before. During an interview nearly a year before the movie came out, Ruffalo revealed that "everybody dies," which is half-true.

Ruffalo chimed in on the debate on Tuesday, tweeting that the title is "Avengers 4: Register to Vote" in response to a fan.

"Avengers 4" comes to theaters May 3, 2019.

Watch the full "Tonight Show" clip below:

 

SEE ALSO: DC Universe's first original series — 'Titans' — is a dark reimagining of a classic superhero team that's bound to divide fans

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One of the most popular shooters of the decade is coming to PlayStation VR as an exclusive

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  • "Borderlands 2 VR" will arrive on PlayStation VR December 14th for $49.99.
  • "Borderlands 2" remains one of the most popular shooting games on PC, and the virtual-reality version will feature enhanced graphics and new abilities.
  • While "Borderlands 2" originally allowed up to four players, the VR version will be single-player only.

Fan-favorite sci-fi shooter "Borderlands 2" will make the jump to virtual reality with "Borderlands 2 VR" launching on the PlayStation VR this December.

"Borderlands 2" has remained one of the most popular first-person shooters on PC since its release in 2012, with fans making all sorts of modifications to the cooperative campaign that allowed up to four players. 

By incorporating virtual reality, "Borderlands 2 VR" will bring players closer to the action with a larger field of vision and the ability to look around with the PlayStation VR headset. For example, you could be shooting straight ahead at an enemy but then turn your head to make sure nothing is sneaking up behind you.

The game can be controlled using a combination of real-time aiming and a standard PlayStation controller, and there's at least some form of support for the PlayStation Move motion controllers. Players in VR will have access to a new abilities too, letting them slow down time to take better aim during fire fights, or teleport to quickly change position in the world. However, the virtual reality experience will only allow for single-player campaigns.

The original "Borderlands 2" was already ported to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2015 as a part of "Borderlands: The Handsome Jack Collection." However, "Borderlands 2 VR" appears to be exclusive to PSVR for the time being. 

There's currently no word as to whether "Borderlands 2 VR" will include the original game's large library of expansion content, which includes extra character classes and hours of side quests. "Borderlands 2 VR" launches on the PlayStation VR on December 14 for $49.99.

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Therapy in a pill: Breaking down the science behind the strange, surreal world of Netflix's "Maniac"

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The A Pill

Critics have given mixed reviews of Netflix's new series, "Maniac," which is set in a high-tech, futuristic dystopia.

But what's undeniable is the fascinating world that the show presents. The story unfolds over 10 episodes, and the plot revolves around an experimental pharmaceutical trial to test whether a course of three pills can replace cognitive-behavioral therapy for people experiencing psychological trauma. 

The show relies on theoretical and fantastical science; its style is reminiscent of the films "Inception" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," and the television series "Black Mirror." 

But "Maniac" does actually incorporate many facets of current psychology. A lot of the technology and science used in the show, like ink-blot tests and brain monitors, exist in real life.

We took a look at seven of the science concepts seen in "Maniac" to see how they stack up to the real research they're based on. Potential spoilers lie ahead, so tread carefully. 

SEE ALSO: A new documentary chronicles the lives of triplets separated at birth in a controversial study — here's how scientists continue to use twins in research

DON'T MISS: Why psychedelics like magic mushrooms kill the ego and fundamentally transform the brain

In the show, participants in the trial get tested for defense mechanisms. Those tests are actually used to screen for mental illness.

Many psychology concepts in the show come from real research by psychologists like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. 

A defense mechanism, for example, is a real term in modern psychology. These mechanisms are the ego's way to protect the mind from feelings of anxiety, depression, guilt, and shame. The major defense mechanisms as defined by Freud are repression, reaction formation, projection, regression, sublimation, denial, and rationalization.

Prior to admission to the pharmaceutical trial depicted in the show, the subjects (including the two main characters, Annie and Owen) undergo a pre-screening test for such defense mechanisms.

The three tests in the pre-screening are all really used by psychologists to scan for mental abnormalities or signs of PTSD in patients. They are:

  • The ink blot test, also known as the Rorschach Test: This test was invented by psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach in 1917 to study the mind's interpretation of the splattered paint. While there are no wrong answers, highly unusual responses tend to be an indicator of potential psychological issues. For example, Rorschach found that schizophrenic patients displayed more abnormal eye movement and deviation in image perception in this test compared to normal people. Later research showed similar findings. In 2013, the American Psychological Association deemed the test effective at diagnosing mental illness. The test has historically been used to test defense mechanisms as well.
  • Picture-word association: In these free-association tests, subjects are asked to say the first word that comes to mind when they see an ambiguous image. A similar test was used by psychologist Carl Jung to see into the mind of patients. The idea is that patients are likely to project their own ideas, thoughts, and emotions onto the simple images they're shown. 
  • Maintaining direct eye contact: Direct eye contact is used to assess social anxiety levels in individuals, since fear is associated with avoidance of eye contact. The test is also administered to assess if individuals have PTSD, since those patients may perceive direct eye contact as threatening. 


In the show, the three pills are designed to replace cognitive-behavioral therapy. Here's what that really is.

In real life, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to relieve symptoms of trauma, grief, or PTSD by helping patients understand their experiences and coping mechanisms. CBT can be used on its own or in conjunction with medication, and the aim is to return a sense of control, confidence, and predictability to patients' lives. 

In the show, the characters' experiences when taking the pills parallels that process. 

The first pill, A, stands for agonia, which means struggle in Greek. It's supposed to reveal and uncover a person's tragic experiences, making the patient relive them. Immersion therapy and gradual exposure to traumatic memory is usually a first step in trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy

The B pill stands for behavioral, and it's supposed to tear down defense mechanisms and expose lies created by the mind. This mirrors a step in CBT that educates patients about their reaction to trauma exposure. The goal is to get someone to realize their true feelings and shed coping mechanisms . 

The C pill stands for confrontation, and it's supposed to get the patient to come to terms with the truth. Here, they must accept their own shortcomings and the consequences of their behavior. From this point, they can start to change, move on, and connect with others. This mirrors the step in CBT in which caregivers help patients process trauma-related thoughts and beliefs and help patients reassert control over their situation. 



Many elements of the characters' diagnoses are consistent with real-life conditions and symptoms.

In episode five, Dr. James K. Mantleray, the inventor of the pills, gives each character a personalized assessment and diagnosis. Here are the diagnoses given to Annie and Owen, what they mean, and how well they match up with real-life classifications of these disorders. 

Annie is told she shows signs of borderline personality (among other things). As defined by the National Institute of Mental Health, patients suffering from borderline personality disorder have a tendency to act impulsively and struggle with personal relationships. They can experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that lasts from a few hours to days. Patients also are prone to cut off communication with someone in anticipation of being abandoned, feel chronic emptiness, and have intense but unstable relationship with those close to them. This aligns with Annie's character and actions in the show.

Owen finds out he shows signs of paranoid schizophreniaSchizophrenic patients often have delusions about someone spying on them or plotting against them, visual and auditory hallucinations, flat expression of emotion and voice tone, and reduced feelings of pleasure in everyday life, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

James Gunn will write and possibly direct DC's 'Suicide Squad 2' after being fired from Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy 3'

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  • Warner Bros. has confirmed that James Gunn will write "Suicide Squad 2."
  • According to TheWrap and io9, Gunn could potentially direct the film, as well.
  • Gunn was fired by Disney in July from directing the third "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie after years-old offensive tweets from Gunn were uncovered.

 

Nearly three months after being fired by Disney from Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy 3," director James Gunn will write and possibly direct "Suicide Squad 2" for DC and Warner Bros.

Business Insider was able to confirm with Warner Bros. that Gunn will indeed write "Suicide Squad 2," though it's not certain if he'll also direct the film.

TheWrap first reported the news on Tuesday, citing anonymous sources. Then io9 wrote that it had confirmed with Warner Bros. that Gunn is in talks to write, with an eye to direct, the sequel.

Gunn was fired in July from the third "Guardians" movie after conservative personalities uncovered years-old tweets from Gunn that he had apologized for in the past, in which he joked about child abuse. Disney has shown no signs of re-hiring him, despite the entire "Guardians" cast releasing an open letter in support of the director.

Disney CEO Bob Iger recently told The Hollywood Reporter that he doesn't regret the decision.

David Ayer directed the first "Suicide Squad," which was released in 2016 to poor reviews as part of the DC Extended Universe. Gunn writing and possibly directing a sequel is a big steal for DC, especially as it aims to compete with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The two "Guardians" movies that Gunn directed grossed over $1.6 billion combined worldwide. "Guardians of the Galaxy 3," which was scheduled for release in 2020, is currently on hold. Gunn had finished the script for the movie before being fired, but it's unclear if Disney will still use the script. A replacement has not been announced for Gunn on "Guardians 3."

SEE ALSO: Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo may have revealed the title of the next 'Avengers' movie in a censored interview, and a fan might have uncovered what he said

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