MCU Tie-In’s to be More Thematic? – Prior to the season premiere of “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” tonight, show-runner Jed Whedon has promised a more parallel direction to the MCU film side as opposed to seasons past, where the films directly influenced the show. Whedon was quoted by CBR saying;

We try to a little bit follow in the wake of the films as they plot new territory in the MCU. Last year that was magic, with Doctor Strange. We felt like Ghost Rider all of a sudden fit into our show in a way that we didn’t necessarily feel like he would have before, tonally. And this is us expanding out even further into the world of space which they very much are living in now in the features. It’s the great unknown, and we hadn’t explored it yet.

Whedon also went on to explain that the direct ties to the films have been scaled back on purpose, saying;

It’s a thematic tie, (moving to space). We try to make it feel like that the whole thing is moving in this swelling direction. We’re not in space for no reason. We wouldn’t have gone there if they hadn’t. The overt ties were a necessity of starting out, but those have faded over time, basically because we have our own mythology. That started to be much more interesting to us, and hopefully to the audience, just digging that stuff up. No one wants to come to see our show to see another show. Now they want to see our show, which, yay.

Is Armie Hammer in Line for Another Comic Book Hero? – Armie Hammer has been linked to numerous superhero roles ever since he was tapped for “Justice League: Mortal” as Batman. He’s played the Lone Ranger but ever since that film flopped, it’s been a question as to if and who he’ll play going forward. That being said, he’s not exactly chasing down specific roles, saying;

I’m trying to answer in a way that’s not going to get me into trouble. Alright, f*ck it, might as well go for it. I haven’t seen a superhero movie in a long time where I thought, f*ck, I wish I was in that.

If a great director came around and said ‘I have this idea’… but at the end of the day, no one’s asked and I’m not going out of my way to do it.

“Batman: Ninja” Anime Trailer Debuts – The next dive into anime for Batman, following 2008’s “Gotham Knight”, will be “Batman Ninja”, which will presumably be released next year some time. The film follows Batman as he travels back in time to take on The Joker in Fudel Japan. Batman, Joker, Nightwing, Robin, Red Hood, Grodd, Two-Face, Deathstroke, Catwoman, Harley Quinn and others are in the film.

The film will star Kouichi Yamadera as Batmanm, Wataru Takagi as Joker, Ai Kakuma as Catwoman, and Rie Kugimiya as Harley Quinn, among others.

Quick Hits – Dwayne The Rock Johnson has reiterated that Black Adam won’t appear in “Shazam!”, as DC has different plans for him before they cross paths. Scarlett Witch has been confirmed to survive the upcoming “Infinity War” film, as teh actress Elizabeth Olsen is on set for “Avengers 4”. Season 3 for “Stranger Things” has been confirmed. The Sabrina spin off show from “Riverdale” will no longer be on The CW, instead moving to Netfilx for two ten episode seasons.