Month: August 2022

Dead Island 2’s release date has changed once again, but this time it’s good news. Here’s what we know about the game so far.

Dead Island 2 has been a long time coming, having initially been revealed all the way back in 2014. Since then , the game has changed hands between a number of studios, and has clearly been subject to a very difficult development process to say the least. Thankfully, it does seem as though Dead Island 2 will launch later this year.

Recently, the release date for Dead Island 2 was changed once again. This time however, the game was moved forward by a week, meaning you don’t have long to wait at all. 

From what we’ve seen, Dead Island 2 continues the zombie-slaying mayhem of its predecessor, with a new setting and cast of playable characters to set it apart. Players can choose from hundreds of weapons as they battle their way across Hell-A, facing off against regular zombies and more challenging mutated forms. 

Here’s everything we know about Dead Island 2 so far, including the new release date, info on playable characters, and a look at gameplay.

Dead Island 2: cut to the chase

What is it? The long-delayed sequel to Dead Island

When can I play it? April 21, 2023

What can I play it on? PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC 

Dead Island 2 release date and platforms

(Image credit: Dambuster Studios)

Dambuster Studios has once again changed the release date for Dead Island 2. It will now release April 21, 2023, one week earlier than expected. 

As for platforms, Dead Island 2 will be coming to new- and old-gen consoles, with PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC all confirmed.

Fans will be waiting with bated breath. The development of Dead Island 2 has switched hands twice since the sequel was originally announced eight years ago, leaving players disappointed in the past. It was first under development at Yager, the same studio that created Spec Ops: The Line, and was originally scheduled to release in 2015. But it never materialized. 

In 2016, it was announced that development had passed over to Sumo Digital. Three years later, the game changed studios again, with Dambuster announcing it had taken over work on the game. Fingers crossed that it makes it past the finish line this time around.

Dead Island 2 trailers

Latest trailer

A showcase aired on December 6, 2022, and gave us a few minutes of brand new gameplay footage. It was more of the same, but showed off some new weapons that can be used to batter the undead. In addition, zombie abilities were shown off, which allow the player to use their infection to enter a sort of frenzied state. You can watch this below.

More trailers

We’ve included some key trailers for Dead Island 2 throughout this article. To see every trailer released for the game so far, be sure to visit the Dead Island official YouTube channel.

Dead Island 2 gameplay

Now that Dead Island 2 has been given what seems to be a final release date, we’re starting to see more and more gameplay. In a recent showcase, a few minutes of new gameplay footage was shown off. Melee combat was highlighted, featuring hammers, blades, and DIY-modded gear. There are guns in the game too, and so far we’ve seen pistols, shotguns and assault rifles/SMGs.

One interesting mechanic that has been shown off in gameplay trailers is the frenzy ability. It comes from the zombie bite on your character’s arm, and allows them to enter a state where they become momentarily zombified. It looks like a useful tool, one that allows you to tear through hordes of zombies with ease.

In an interview with PCGamer, creative director James Worrall revealed that while the game doesn’t have a branching narrative, the six player characters offer different perspectives. 

“Each player character has their own voice and their own dialogue,” he said. “So you might get one character who’s particularly driven or energised or upbeat. You might get another character who’s a little bit more of a cynical individual. Some characters are quite low key, subtle. We’ve written those characters to reflect broad playstyles.”

As for the zombies, there’ll be variety there, too, with Dambuster confirming there’ll be “dozens of distinct zombie types, each with their own mutations, attacks and hundreds of LA-themed variants”.

In a preview of the game, IGN touched on the game’s ‘FLESH’ system, or ‘Fully Locational Evisceration System for Humanoids’, which “procedurally shreds zombies with each strike” and makes the game a truly gory experience. We caught a glimpse of that ourselves in the trailer. 

When it comes to combat, IGN said that the game “encourages constant movement, with dodges, kicks, and jumps all integral parts” and that while there is a stamina system, it’s not punishingly restrictive, allowing you to “experiment with a variety of different techniques”.

During an interview with GameInformer (opens in new tab), it was revealed that Dead Island 2′s skill tree will be based on a card deck-building system. Creative director James Worrall described the skill deck as, “A collection of slots that represent all kinds of different abilities and you swap the cards in and out on the fly, however you want, whenever you want.”

Dead Island 2 story and setting

Dead Island 2’s story is still a bit of a mystery, although it sounds as if you’ll play as a survivor of a deadly virus that’s wrecked Los Angeles. Banding together with other survivors, you’ll try to “uncover the truth behind the outbreak” as you “harness the zombie inside” of yourself.

As part of that banding together, Dead Island 2 will support single-player gameplay but there’ll be co-op mode, too, with up to three players able to take part. We’ve still got quite a lot to learn about just how the co-op will work, though.  There will be six playable characters at launch. So far, we’ve seen four of them. There’s Amy a Paralympian, Dani, who is a mosh-pit loving rockstar, Jacob, an English stuntman, and then finally Ryan, an exotic dancer from Fresno. 

Dead Island 2 news

(Image credit: Deep Silver)

Dead Island 2 gets new Skill Cards
In a post on the PlayStation Blog, Studio Community Manager, Toby Gallagher detailed new Skill Cards. Each allows you to unleash a different ability, and can be accessed from the deck building menu.

Check out the best co-op games you should play with a buddy

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From energy consumption to what you should and shouldn’t fry, here are all your air fryer questions answered.

As air fryer hype continues to mount, we’ve seen all different shapes, sizes and features emerge from some of the best kitchen appliance manufacturers.  From relatively compact models that will mainly be feeding our desire for fast French fries, to all-singing, all-dancing multi-function fryers that can tackle roast chicken, pastries, and much more in between. 

So if you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, or weighing up whether the best air fryer deserves a space on your counter, here are the answers to your most frequently asked questions about air fryers. And, when you’ve made your mind up about getting one, remember that Prime Day air fryer deals are brewing, which means it’s a good time to invest in one.

1. Do I need an air fryer?

No, but there are lots of really good reasons that you might love having one. Air fryers offer a much healthier alternative to deep frying, and they cook far more quickly than convection or fan ovens. They heat up faster, and many models are small enough to sit on your countertop without getting in the way. If you like crisp fried foods, but want them to be as healthy as possible, an air fryer could be your new best friend.

(Image credit: Philips)

2. Are air fryers expensive?

Not especially. Some of the best cheap air fryers cost well below $100/£100, and even the biggest, smartest models aren’t hugely costly. If you don’t mind sacrificing a little bit of performance, you can pick up a multi-function air-frying oven that can bake, broil, toast, roast, air fry and reheat for between $200 and $300 (£200 to £300 in the UK). Air fryer deals can often be found during big sales events such as Black Friday, too. And if you’re on a tight budget there are plenty of affordable options – why not consider certified refurbished stock on eBay, for example?

3. Do air fryers use oil?

Yes, but only in tiny amounts: typically half a tablespoon. When we make fries, we only give them a quick spritz with an oil sprayer, enough to help the crisping process, but not so much that they become soggy. Being able to get that fresh-fried crispness without using gallons of oil is one of the biggest benefits of air frying: you get all the taste without all the fat.

4. Can you put foil in an air fryer?

You can, but it isn’t necessarily a good idea. The main difference between an air fryer and a convection oven is airflow: by circulating hot air very quickly around the food in the basket, an air fryer produces crisper, faster results than an ordinary oven. If you block that air – for example, by wrapping your food in foil – then you lose that benefit.

That said, sometimes a little bit of foil can be helpful – or better still, why not consider perforated parchment paper? Foil can react badly to acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and marinades containing tomato. Nevertheless, sitting food on a bit of foil or parchment paper in the basket can prevent it from sticking to the metal. However, don’t put it in until the oven has been pre-heated; it’ll blow around the inside of your air fryer if you do, and if it lands on the heating element, that could prove a disaster.

We decided to compare the different methods to see which was best. These four fillets of salmon were placed skin-down in four different ways: completely wrapped in foil; sitting in a little basket we made of foil; sitting on parchment paper; and sitting straight on the (oiled) basket.

(Image credit: Future)

And here are the results following 7 minutes of cooking at 400ºF. 

(Image credit: Future)

The salmon cooked fully covered in foil was watery and a bit slimy, with the skin sticking to the foil. The fillet sat on top of the foil was firmer and dryer, and had stuck to the foil a little. The salmon on the parchment was firm, dry and lifted clean off the paper, while the fillet in the metal basket cooked just fine but when we tried to lift it off, the skin stayed put.

5. What can I cook in an air fryer?

Air fryers are best suited to dry foods that you would otherwise deep fry in oil: think potato or sweet potato fries, breaded fish, cajun-rubbed chicken and so on. It’s good for reheating dry foods such as pizza or chicken, if you have leftovers from last night’s takeout, and it’s also good for cooking frozen veggies and frozen snacks. 

6. What foods can’t be air fried?

Air fryers are pretty hopeless with wet-covered foods such as vegetable tempura or battered fish (the batter drips or gets blown off), and they’re not good with cheese, which melts and falls through the basket. They can cook steaks and burgers, but you don’t get the pan-fried charring that provides so much of the taste. Green leaves such as spinach don’t cook well in air fryers either, and few air fryers get hot enough to make popcorn pop.

As with deep frying, it’s important that you don’t overcrowd the basket.

The other important thing to note is unless you buy a multifunction oven or a double-basket air fryer, you’ll be limited to cooking the contents of a single, often fairly small basket. You’re not going to get an entire turkey, tons of veggies and two dozen pigs in blankets in there on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.  

7. Do air fryers use a lot of energy?

That depends on the model. The smallest air fryers may use about 700W, but some of the biggest ones run at up to 2,000W. 

8. Are air fryers cheaper to run than convection ovens or stoves?

Yes. Electric ovens typically draw between 2,000W and 5,000W, and the largest burner on an electric range or stove can be 2,000W to 2,500W. An air fryer cooks in a shorter amount of time, as is the pre-heating time, so even the most powerful air fryer will use less energy overall. And if you have a small kitchen like ours, an air fryer won’t make your kitchen uncomfortably warm as conventional ovens often do.

9. Are air fryers cheaper to run than microwave ovens?

No. Microwave ovens use less energy – even the most powerful microwaves tend to top out at 1,000W compared to up to 2,000W for the largest family sized air fryers – and they use that energy for a much shorter period of time. But they cook in a different way so, for example, you wouldn’t make French fries in the microwave; and you wouldn’t air fry a lasagne ready meal.

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The AirPods Max 2 haven’t been announced, but here are the top rumors and things we’d like to see from Apple’s next noise-canceling over-ears.

The Apple AirPods Max 2 haven’t been officially announced yet. However, considering the huge popularity of the original AirPods Max over-ear headphones, it’s not too much of a risk to say that Apple is likely to release its second-generation version soon. 

When it comes to sheer sound performance alone, there’s no doubt that the best AirPods you can buy today are the AirPods Max. These are Apple’s first and only pair of Apple-branded over-ears with noise-cancelling tech and absolutely stunning audio quality. Sure, Apple technically owns all of the best Beats headphones, but the AirPods Max even beat the top Beats headphones for noise-canceling – like the Beats Studio 3 – in terms of audio performance, comfort, additional features and luxe design. 

Since the original AirPods Max were released, Apple has since refreshed its true wireless AirPods Pro, with the AirPods Pro 2.

These latest buds aren’t the same style as the Max, but they have got a bunch of new and improved features packed in that might translate well to over-ears and give us a glimpse of what Apple might have in store next, including Adaptive Transparency, the latest U1 and H2 chips, and sweat and water resistance.

We’ve also heard some whispers of changes that might be coming to the AirPods Max 2, and you’ll find all these early rumors below.

Plus, as much as we loved the original AirPods Max, there’s always room for improvement, so we’ve also come up with a list of six things we think would make the Apple AirPods Max 2 a must-buy and ensure they enter right at the top of our best headphones guide, not just our best Apple headphones guide, and you’ll find this list below too.

AirPods Max 2 release date & price rumors

The Apple AirPods Max 2 haven’t been announced yet, which means we don’t have a release date, and we might be waiting a while for one, as according to predictions from an Apple analyst the AirPods Max 2 won’t land until the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.

The analyst is Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple supply chain expert with a solid track record for guessing what moves Apple will make next. And he’s not alone, as more recently Mark Gurman (who has a similarly good track record) has said in his Bloomberg newsletter that the AirPods Max 2 will land in late 2024. 

So while it’s still worth taking these comments with a pinch of salt we also wouldn’t recommend holding your breath for the Max headphones to get a refresh for a while yet.

That said, the first generation of the Apple AirPods Max launched in December 2020, and while there’s no specific pattern to follow here, we know that Apple updated its AirPods Pro with the AirPods Pro 2 three years after the originals were launched. So there’s a chance Kuo’s and Gurman’s comments are incorrect, but we’ll have to wait and see what Apple announces.

We’ve no idea what kind of price to expect from future AirPods Max models – it might depend on how Apple feels sales of the current model have gone, which the brand doesn’t like to share.

However, it’s worth noting that the price of the current AirPods Max are often discounted by about $100-$150. It seems likely that the market has deemed that to be a better price than the $549 / £549 / AU$899 launch price. Perhaps the new version will move more in that direction, making it expensive but more affordable for the vast majority of people. 

AirPods Max 2: What we want to see

1. A proper carrying case

If you asked me to describe the current AirPods Max case in a single phrase, it would be “a stupid stupid headphone bra”. That’s not exactly poetic, but it is accurate. In my opinion, the AirPods Max carrying case is hopeless, horrible and whenever I take it out in public I feel I have to apologize: I didn’t choose it! It came with the headphones, honest! 

But my main beef with it isn’t its form, but its function. There’s no protection for the headband, which means this is quite literally a case of style over substance.

I could pay lots more for a nice hard case, but I already paid quite a lot for the actual headphones. Other brands manage to include a real case – surely Apple can too with the AirPods Max 2.

Look at this. It’s protection against some scratches, on some sides of the aluminum. That’s it! (Image credit: TechRadar)

2. Lossless audio

The AirPods Max are more expensive than many audiophile-grade headphones but they don’t support lossless audio: they only use Apple’s compressed AAC codec over Bluetooth. 

When you’re paying this much for a pair of headphones, no matter how nice, there really needs to be the option to step it up so you can listen to Apple’s Music’s Lossless or Hi-Res tiers in all their glory.

We’ve written about how lossless AirPods might be possible using current Bluetooth tech, but regardless of whether Apple uses these exact tricks or not, I want the highest-quality headphones to play the highest-quality music.

Of course, even if it can’t be done wireless, there’s always the wired option. Speaking of…

3. A standard cable connection that’s included

Yes, really: like everybody else’s, my AirPods Max didn’t include an audio cable for wired listening. Instead, you have to give Apple an extra $35 / £35 / AU$35 for its Lightning to 3.5mm cable. And this doesn’t even enable lossless audio, because it’s a digital cable! The worst of both worlds.

For headphones this pricey, not including the cable was a cut corner too far. And then the connector wasn’t even a plain old 3.5mm headphone port, which would have added utility and been a less cash-grabby option.

So let’s have a cable included please, even if you insist on it being a non-standard one. But while we’re on the subject of Lightning connectors…

Less of this, please. (Image credit: TechRadar)

4. USB-C

MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros have it. iPad Airs have it. Pretty much every other manufacturers’ devices have it. USB-C is the future. Which is why in the EU Apple now has a deadline for switching its future iPhones over to USB-C.

It may have made some sense at the time as Apple’s standard charger for AirPods, but these days, Apple’s use of Lightning in the OG AirPods Max is incredibly annoying: it won’t be long before they’re the only Apple kit in my home that doesn’t have a USB-C socket. So let’s make sure that the replacement is geared for the future.

5. L/R ear detection

If I had a penny for every time I’ve put my AirPods Max on the wrong way round I’d have enough money to buy the AirPods Max 2. I can never remember which side the controls are supposed to be on, and while I understand why Apple wanted to go with an Apple Watch-style Digital Crown I think it should also have implemented the Apple Watch’s reversibility: every Apple Watch can be used on the right or left side and its controls reversed accordingly.

However, the same doesn’t apply to the AirPods Max: you can have the controls on the right, or you can have them on the right. But the earpads are very uniform, so the ability to put them on either way round and for the headphones to automatically adjust would be perfect.

Swappable earpads for funky color mixing? We’d love it. (Image credit: TechRadar)

6. Swappable components

The AirPods Max were long rumored to be modular, with interchangeable headbands and ear cups so you could make yours truly personal (and Apple could sell you more stuff) in the same way you can change the bands on your Apple Watch. 

Apparently Apple couldn’t make that work, at least with the headband (the earpads can technically be swapped pretty easily), so it binned the whole idea. But the AirPods Max are actually quite easy to dismantle, especially if you just want to take the ear cups off, so it’s not far-fetched to imagine swappable ear cups in a range of funky colors and design at the very least.

If I’m going to pay lots for one of the best wireless headphones, it’d be great if I can make them feel totally like my own.

AirPods Max 2: rumors so far

If the AirPods Max 2 are in development, then Apple has done a phenomenal job of keeping details and leaks to an absolute minimum. As such, there aren’t many rumors to divulge at present. That said, here are all the early rumblings we’ve been able to find about the AirPods Max 2 so far.

(Image credit: Apple)

USB-C
Unsurprisingly it has been reported by Mark Gurman (writing for Bloomberg) that the AirPods Max 2 will have USB-C rather than a Lightning port.

Thanks to new EU laws, Apple has moved most of its products over to USB-C, so it’s fully expected that the AirPods Max 2 will follow suit.

New colors
At the same time as mentioning a move to USB-C, Gurman also claimed that the AirPods Max 2 will be available in new colors, though he didn’t specify what shades those might be.

The same chipset and no Adaptive Audio
According to a leak on Chinese social media (via MacRumors), the AirPods Max 2 will have the same H1 chipset at the original model. That unfortunately means they apparently won’t get the Adaptive Audio feature offered by the AirPods Pro 2, as this requires a new chipset (such as the H2 used by the Pro 2).

Touch controls
A patent discovered by Patently Apple suggests that Apple is working on touch control functionality for the AirPods Max. The patent, published in early February, 2022, shows that touch controls could be present on future devices, though it’s not clear if this pertains to a potential AirPods Max 2 or an updated AirPods Max model.

The patent mentions the act of “processing gestures on a touch-sensitive surface,” displaying a diagram of an example of this tech. Furthermore, the digital crown featured on the AirPods Max appears to be absent in the patent’s diagrams, potentially hinting that a future AirPods Max model could eschew it entirely in favor of bespoke touch controls.

Lossless audio
Another patent spotted by Patently Apple suggests that Apple could be working on new high-quality optical audio transmission technology for AirPods, though this unlikely to be the main transmission tech – Bluetooth would still be the main way people use these devices.

While this isn’t a guaranteed feature for the AirPods Max 2, we have to imagine that a potential follow-up model could feature this same tech. After all, if the AirPods Pro 2 can manage to include this tech, there’s no reason why a pair of over-ear headphones couldn’t feature the same lossless audio support.

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Here’s what you need to know about every Marvel Phase 5 movie and Disney Plus TV show.

Marvel Phase 5 only began in February, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) next line-up of movies and shows is already undergoing a major makeover.

How so? Marvel has delayed multiple films and Disney Plus shows that were supposed to debut in early 2023, later this year, and in early 2024. Much of that is down to the studio’s desire (and that of Disney’s executive leadership team) to space out its forthcoming slate. We also think Marvel has learned a big lesson from James Gunn’s new look DCU, too, based on its launch date announcements.

If you’re wondering when the next batch of MCU Phase 5 productions will arrive, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, you’ll find all of the latest and most important information about Marvel’s line-up of shows and movies, including their revised release dates, cast news, trailers, and rumors. You’ll also find the first details about Marvel Phase 6, too.

Here, then, is all you need to know about Marvel Phase 5.

Marvel Phase 5: every movie and TV show

Nick Fury will star in Secret Invasion on Disney Plus this year. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Here’s the full lineup for Marvel Phase 5, including those recent TV show launch delays:

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 (May 5, 2023)

The Marvels (November 10, 2023)

Echo (TV show, 2023)

Loki season 2 (TV show, 2023)

Secret Invasion (TV show, 2023)

What If…? season 2 (TV show, 2023)

X-Men 97 (animated TV show, 2023)

Ironheart (TV show, 2023/2024)

Captain America: New World Order (May 3, 2024)

Thunderbolts (July 26, 2024)

Blade (September 6, 2024)

Deadpool 3 (November 8, 2024)

Agatha: Coven of Chaos (TV show, 2024)

Daredevil: Born Again (TV show, 2024)

Marvel Zombies (animated TV show, 2024)

Spider-Man: Freshman Year (animated TV show, 2024)

Armor Wars (movie, TBA)

Marvel Phase 5 movies

Guardians of the Galaxy 3

Release date: May 5, 2023

This movie will end the MCU trilogy James Gunn (now co-head of DC Studios) has helmed since 2014. It’s set after Thor: Love and Thunder and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, and sees every member of the cosmic ragtag crew return.

Guardians 3 marks the final time we’ll see the group’s current line-up. Dave Bautista isn’t returning as Drax, while Gunn has hinted at some major character deaths in the threequel. The film’s first trailer teased Adam Warlock’s first MCU appearance, a multi-armed, gun-toting Groot, and baby Rocket, while its second teaser arrived in February.

Will Poulter will play Adam Warlock, who was teased in Guardians 2‘s post-credits scene. Chukwudi Iwuji (Peacemaker) will play the villainous High Evolutionary, while Maria Bakalova (Borat 2, Bodies Bodies Bodies) reprises her role as Cosmo the Spacedog from The Holiday Special. Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad) and Nico Santos (Crazy Rich Asians) have been cast in undisclosed roles.

The Marvels

The Marvels will bring Captain Marvel, Photon, and Ms Marvel together for the first time. (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Company)

Release date: November 10, 2023

This Nia DaCosta-directed film, whose release date has been pushed into late 2023, will see a female superhero-only team up on the big screen for the first time. Well, if you discount the all-female ensemble in Avengers: Endgame.

Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers reunites with Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau, the daughter of Danvers’ best friend Maria (Lashana Lynch) from 2018’s Captain Marvel. The last time we saw Rambeau, aka Photon, was in WandaVision, so expect an awkward family-style reunion between the pair. Iman Vellani’s Ms Marvel will also make her MCU movie debut after starring in her own TV show. 

Zawe Ashton (Velvet Buzzsaw) will play the movie’s villain. Park Seo-joon (Parasite) will portray an as-yet-unnamed character and Samuel L Jackson’s Nick Fury will cameo. A teaser was shown at D23 Expo 2022, but we’re still waiting for its public release.

Captain America: New World Order

Sam Wilson’s first proper outing as Captain America is coming soon. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: May 3, 2024

A new Captain America film starring Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson is in development, with principal photography beginning in March. Malcolm Spellman (Falcon and the Winter Soldier (FATWS)) penned the script, while Julius Onah (The Cloverfield Paradox) is on directing duties.

Danny Ramirez and Carl Lumbly will reprise their roles as Joaquin Torres and Isaiah Bradley from FATWS, with Torres suiting up as the MCU’s new Falcon. Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns/The Leader makes his first MCU appearance since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, while Shira Haas (Unorthodox) will play Israeli superheroine Sabra, who may provide another link to mutants existing in the MCU. Xosha Roquemore (Atlanta) has reportedly landed a key casting role, which could be Leila Taylor, Sam’s love interest from the comics.

Legendary actor Harrison Ford will portray Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross, the role held by William Hurt until his death in March 2022, with Feige confirming Ross is the USA’s new President in this film (via Entertainment Weekly (EW)).

Thunderbolts

The MCU’s first anti-hero team is on its way. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: July 26, 2024

Billed as an anti-hero Avengers-style film, Thunderbolts is being helmed by Paper Towns director Jake Schreier. Filming will start soon, according to Kevin Feige, with The Cosmic Circus’ Lizzie Hill believes it’ll begin shooting in June.

Sebastien Stan’s Bucky Barnes will be joined by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). – all four debuted in Black Widow – US Agent (Wyatt Russell) from FATWS, and Ghost (Hannah-John Kamen) from Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross will also feature, while FATWS‘ Baron Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) could cameo. Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) has reportedly joined the cast in an undisclosed role, too. Lastly, Invincible‘s Steven Yeun has joined the Thunderbolts‘ cast – and we think he’d be perfect for one particular role.

Blade

Blade’s release date has been pushed to late 2024. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: September 6, 2024

After his off-screen Eternals cameo, Blade is getting a solo MCU movie. Beau DeMayo (The Witcher) is rewriting Watchmen scribe Stacy Osei-Kuffour’s original script, and Yann Demange (Lovecraft Country) is its new director. Kevin Feige has confirmed principal photography will begin in May.

Mahershala Ali (Green Room) will star as the titular vampire hunter. Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods) has joined the cast, while Joshua Mikel (Ozark) have also reportedly signed on. However, Milan Ray (The Wonder Years) has dropped out over supposed scheduling conflicts.

The movie is said to be partly set in the 1920s, but it’s unclear how much of its runtime will be devoted to that time period. Either way, don’t expect Kit Harington’s Black Knight (last seen in Eternals) or Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight to cameo.

Deadpool 3

Deadpool 3 might actually cap Marvel’s Phase 5 slate. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: November 8, 2024

Deadpool 3 is in development – and, delightfully, Hugh Jackman is reprising his iconic role as Wolverine. As revealed by lead star Ryan Reynolds, The Crown’s Emma Corrin has signed on to appear. However, Charlie Cox’s Daredevil won’t make a surprise appearance. Filming is slated to begin in May.

Leakers suggest Fox’s defunct X-Men teams, as well as characters from Deadpool’s previous two solo films, such as Domino (Zazie Beetz) and Colossus (Stefan Kapicic), could appear. Other industry insiders claim Loki season 2 will have a hand in Deadpool’s MCU arrival, and some have even suggested Patrick Stewart’s Professor X and Ian McKellen’s Magneto might show up (per ComicBook.com). Jackman could portray two versions of Wolverine in this comedy-infused multiversal adventure.

It’s unclear if Deadpool 3 will cap Marvel Phase 5 or open Phase 6. Once we know for sure, we’ll update this section accordingly.

Armor Wars

Armor Wars is now being developed as a movie. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: TBA

Originally billed as a TV show, Armor Wars is being turned into a movie. Yassir Lester (Black Monday) will write the script, with the story picking up after Secret Invasion. There are conflicting reports about when shooting will commence on this Marvel Phase 5 project.

Armor Wars will follow Cheadle’s James Rhodes/War Machine as he pursues criminals who have acquired some old Stark technology for nefarious means. The Department for Damage Control, seen in projects including She-Hulk, Ms Marvel, and Spider-Man’s MCU trilogy, are expected to show up, as is Ironheart.

Spider-Man 4

Spider-Man will join Thor in getting a fourth solo MCU film. (Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

Release date: TBA

A fourth Spider-Man MCU movie is in early development. There are reports it could be part of Marvel Phase 5 and that it could be released in July 2024. Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman has confirmed another Spider-Man film will be made, but hasn’t specified when that’ll be. Kevin Feige also confirmed “we have a story” for Spidey’s next big-screen adventure.

Tom Holland and Zendaya could return as Peter Parker and MJ respectively. There are rumors that Miles Morales (another Spider-Man) could make his live-action debut, which could see Donald Glover’s Aaron Davis appear following his Spider-Man: Homecoming cameo. However, Jon Watts – director on Spidey’s three other solo Marvel films – isn’t likely to helm the flick.

Marvel Phase 5 TV shows

Secret Invasion

Release date: 2023

Secret Invasion will focus on the Skrulls, with Samuel L Jackson’s Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos being the show’s leads. The show is slated to arrive sometime in 2023 (it was originally set for Q1 2023), according to the Disney Plus Originals website, and will be the MCU’s first crossover event.

Kyle Bradstreet (Mr Robot) has penned the six-part series, but a unnamed writer was also reportedly brought on board to improve the scripts. Thomas Bezucha (Let Him Go) and Ali Selim (Condor) are on directorial duties.

Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami), Olivia Colman (The Favorite), and Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) are among the MCU’s newcomers. Martin Freeman’s Everett K. Ross, Don Cheadle’s James Rhodes, and Cobie Smulders’ Maria Hill will also feature.

Jackson has revealed we’ll see more of Fury’s life away from all the superhero stuff. Everything else is being kept under wraps, although Smulders has also teased the series will be much darker than we expect.

Loki season 2

Loki will reunite with Agent Mobius and Sylvie in season 2. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: 2023

Like Secret Invasion, Loki season 2 is still coming this year. Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw are back as Loki, Agent Mobius, Sylvie, and Revanna Renslayer. Wunmi Mosaku’s Hunter B-15 could also return, plus Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones), and Rafael Casal (Bad Education) have been cast in undisclosed roles.

Season 1 head writer Michael Waldron is returning in an executive producing capacity. Eric Martin, a staff writer on three of season 1’s six entries, is the new head writer, while Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson (Moon Knight) have co-directed its episodes.

Kevin Feige has revealed Loki season 2 “directly connects” to all three phases in the Multiverse Saga. A brief teaser was shown to D23 2022 attendees, which hints at a far creepier, time-jumping instalment.

X-Men 97

X-Men ’97 will pick up events straight after the original show’s finale. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: 2023

The only other MCU TV show rumored to be releasing this year (per showrunner Beau DeMayo (The Witcher)), X-Men ’97 is a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series that’ll pick up right after the final episode of its predecessor’s original run. JB Ballard (Moon Knight) is on board as script coordinator, plus most of the series’ original voice cast have signed on to reprise their iconic roles.

An official albeit brief plot synopsis was revealed during a Marvel Unlimited panel celebrating 60 years of the X-Men, which reads: “Storm and Wolverine try to continue the X-Men. Magneto comes in and wants to step up for Charles Xavier. Sinister comes in to try to end the X-Men once and for all.” Sunspot, Nightcrawler, Cable, and Bishop are among the team’s new members.

The Marvel Phase 5 series will consist of 10 episodes and a second season has already entered full production (via Twitter user Tankados). Given that X-Men: The Animated Series‘ theme tune was used in Ms Marvel’s season finale, here’s hoping X-Men 97 is a pre-cursor for the mutants’ eventual live-action MCU debut.

What If…? season 2

What If…? season 2 isn’t coming in early 2023. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: likely 2024

What If…? season 2 was expected to be the first Marvel Phase 5 TV show, but it’s reportedly been delayed until 2024. We’re waiting for Marvel to officially confirm this, though.

Marvel executive Brad Winderbaum has confirmed season 2 will dig into what makes The Watcher tick and show more of his humanity. Co-creator Bryan Andrews also says it’ll be wilder than its predecessor.

Scarlet Witch actor Elizabeth Olsen will reportedly lend her voice to her character’s animated version, despite not doing so in season 1, while Cate Blanchett is back to voice Hela for a Thor: Ragnarok-based episode. Other entries include the unused Gamora-Iron Man team-up, which was originally part of season 1, and a supposed Marvel 1602 set instalment. An original superhero called Kahhori will make their debut in season 2 as well.

Finally, a third season has been greenlit, with MCU scooper DanielRPK suggesting that season will mark the end of the road for What If…?.

Echo

Alaqua Cox’s Echo is getting her own Disney Plus series. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: likely 2024

Following her MCU debut in Hawkeye, Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopez/Echo is getting her own show, which is helmed by Sydney Freeland (Navajo) and Catriona McKenzie (Gunaikurnai), and is “tonally different” and more “spiritual”, according to producer Stephen Broussard (per Collider), than what’s come before.

Zach McClarnon reprises his role as Lopez’s father from Hawkeye, and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk and Charlie Cox’s Daredevil are set to feature. Chaske Spencer (Wild Indian), Tantoo Cardinal (Killers of the Flower Moon), Dervery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs), Cody Lightning (Hey, Viktor!), and Graham Greene (1883) have been cast in undisclosed roles. 

Despite its mid-2023 launch window, there’s confusion over when it’ll be released. Showrunner Marian Dayre has claimed Echo could be delayed until late 2023, with Cox suggesting an October 2023 release will be announced soon (per ComicBook.com). Based on other rumors, however, it’s possible Echo might be delayed until 2024.

Ironheart

Riri Williams will star in her own TV show soon. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: likely 2024

Ironheart will star Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, who made her live-action debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It’s been written by Chinaka Hodge (Snowpiercer), with Angela Barnes (Killing It) and Samantha Bailey (Dear White People) on directing duties. Black Panther director Ryan Coogler is also on board as an executive producer.

Anthony Ramos (In The Heights) will play Parker Robbins, aka The Hood, who specializes in dark magic. Nick Fury could make a cameo, too. Meanwhile, there are serious rumors that Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) will portray Mephisto, a previously rumored WandaVision villain. Elden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story) is also part of the cast.

Lyric Ross (This Is Us), Manny Montana (Good Girls), Zoe Terakes (Nine Perfect Strangers), Chaim Girafi (Waterworld), Shakira Barrera (GLOW), Rashida Olayiwola (Insecure), Sonia Denis (BoJack Horseman), Paul Calderon (Bosch), Cree Summers (Cosmic Love) and newcomer Harper Anthony are all believed to have signed on in undisclosed roles.

Like What If…? and Echo, Marvel hasn’t confirmed Ironheart is delayed yet. Once we know for sure, we’ll let you know.

Agatha: Coven of Chaos

WandaVision‘s villain is getting a spin-off series. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: likely 2024

This Marvel Phase 5 show sees Kathryn Hahn reprise her WandaVision role in this nine-episode musical comedy, which began filming in January.

Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Joe Locke (Heartstopper), Audrey Plaza (The White Lotus season 2) Ali Ahn (Raising Dion), Sasheer Zamata (Tuca & Bertie), Patti LuPone (Last Christmas), and The Good Nurse‘s Maria Dizzia are all part of the cast. Locke is reportedly playing a grown up Billy Maximoff, aka Wiccan, but no other cast details are known.

Emma Caulfield Ford, Evan Peters, and Debra Jo Rupp, who played Dottie, Ralph Boener, and Sharon Davis in WandaVision, are expected to return. There’s also speculation Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda could feature (per Deadline).

WandaVision writers Peter Cameron, Cameron Squires, and Laura Donney are penning the scripts, as is The Marvels‘ Megan McDonnell. WandaVision co-executive producer Mary Livanos co-produces alongside Jac Schaeffer, who served as head writer on Black Widow and WandaVision. Schaeffer is also on directing duties.

Daredevil: Born Again

The Man Without Fear makes the leap to Disney Plus. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: likely 2024

The Man Without Fear is finally getting an MCU TV series. It’ll comprise 18 episodes and star Charlie Cox doesn’t think it’ll be fully R-rated. Matt Corman and Chris Ord (The Enemy Within, Covert Affairs) are helming the series. Filming began in early March, with Michael Cuesta (Dexter) announced as its first director.

Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio reprise their roles as Daredevil and Wilson Fisk – the duo having already made MCU cameos in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk, and Hawkeye respectively. 

Michael Gandolfini (The Many Saints of Newark), Margarita Levieva (The Deuce), Colin Woodell (The Flight Attendant), and Sandrine Holt (American Gigolo) have reportedly signed on in undisclosed roles.

Additionally, John Bernthal is rumored to be back as Frank Castle/The Punisher from Netflix’s Marvel universe – a character who creates a big problem for the MCU, in our view – and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon) is said to be playing Kirsten McDuffie, an assistant district attorney. However, Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson’s Karen and Foggy aren’t expected to make the leap from Netflix’s Daredevil series to the MCU.

Spider-Man: Freshman Year

A Spider-Man animated series thwips its way onto Disney Plus in 2024. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: likely 2024/2025

This animated series follows Peter Parker during his college days and celebrates his early comic book roots. Tom Holland isn’t expected to voice this version of the character, which isn’t surprising, given the show is apparently not canon. However, Charlie Cox’s Daredevil is part of the cast, which muddies the canonicity waters.

Harry Osborn, Amadeus Cho, and Nico Minuro are part of Peter’s friendship group. Norman Osborn will be Peter’s main mentor, and multiple villains will show up, including Doc Ock, Chameleon, Scorpion, and Rhino.

Production has wrapped on this Marvel Phase 5 project. A second season, titled Spider-Man: Sophomore Year, is said to be in development. However, apparent cost-cutting measures mean Sophomore Year – and Freshman Year itself – are in serious trouble and could even be canceled.

Marvel Zombies

Marvel Zombies will be a spin-off series from What If…?. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: likely 2024/2025

A spin-off of What If…?, Marvel Zombies will make MCU history when it launches as it’ll be Marvel’s first R-rated TV show.

It’ll pick up after the events of What If…? season 1 episode 5 – aka ‘What If… Zombies!?’ – and comprises four episodes. It’ll see the MCU’s newer heroes face off against the ever growing zombie superhero threat, with Shang-Chi, Ms Marvel, Kate Bishop, and Black Widow‘s Yelena Belova and Red Guardian among the dwindling superhero roster.

We’ll also see a zombified version of Ikaris. However, given the Eternals are human-robot hybrids, it’ll be interesting to see what role Ikaris will play. Other zombified heroes will include Captain Marvel, Okoye, Ghost, Abomination, and Hawkeye.

Marvel Phase 6 movies and TV shows

We’re getting two new Avengers movies as part of Phase 6. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Marvel Phase 5 is the primary focus of this guide, but the first three Phase 6 movies have been announced:

Fantastic Four (February 14, 2025)

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (May 2, 2025)

Avengers: Secret Wars (May 1, 2026)

For more Marvel-based content, check out our Marvel movies in order guide. Additionally, read our X-Men movies in order article, Spider-Man movies in order guide, and our Marvel movies ranked piece.

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Labor Day sales will be here before you know it, and our guide is breaking down the date and deals you can expect.

It’s almost August which means Labor Day sales will be here before you know it, with huge savings on appliances, tech, mattresses, furniture, and clothing from all your favorite online retailers. To help you find all the top offers in one place, we’ve created this guide with everything you need to know about the 2023 Labor Day sales, such as the date, deals to expect, and when we should start to see early bargains.

Labor Day is a federal holiday that always falls on the first Monday in September, so this year, the date takes place on September 4th, with the long weekend kicking off on Friday, September 1st. The holiday celebrates all the hard-working Americans and marks the end of summer, so it’s a great time to score clearance prices on outdoor items. Labor Day sales also mean record-low prices on major appliances, TVs, furniture, and clothing and include back to school sales, which mean deals on laptops, tablets, and printers.

We should start to see Labor Day sales popping up at the end of August, and we’ll update this page with new offers as soon as they drop. In the meantime, our Labor Day sales guide is breaking down when deals start, what bargains you can expect, and taking a look back at last year’s sale.

Labor Day sales 2023: key information

When is Labor Day 2023

Labor Day is a federal holiday that always takes place on the first Monday in September to celebrate the contributions and achievements of American workers.

This year, Labor Day lands on Monday, September 4th, with the long holiday weekend kicking off on Friday, September 1st.

What deals can we expect in Labor Day sales?

Labor Day marks the end of summer, which means you can find clearance items on outdoor items like patio furniture, tools, grills, and lawnmowers. Labor Day sales, like other holiday events, offer record-low prices on big-ticket items, including major appliances, TVs, furniture, and mattresses.

Labor Day sales also include back to school deals from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy so that you can find impressive savings on laptops, tablets, printers, and school supplies like backpacks and lunchboxes.

If you’re looking to shop for deals right now, we’ve listed today’s best offers below at retailers we can expect to launch Labor Day sales in September.

Amazon: 50% off TVs, air fryers & AirPodsBest Buy: cheap laptops, OLED TVs & iPadsBack to school: 44% off clothing, laptops & printersHome Depot: up to 50% off patio, furniture & toolsNordstrom: 35% off Nike, UGGs, Spanx & moreTarget: 20% off bedding, decor, clothing & techWalmart: Apple Watch, vacuums, TVs & clothing

Last year’s best Labor Day sales

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There are the best accessories for MacBooks to take back to school this 2022.

With everyone heading back to school in 2023, it’s time to upgrade all the back-to-school accessories you use with your MacBook. As great as Apple’s various laptops are, from their portability and battery life to outsized performance, not to mention ability to handle both schoolwork and entertainment, you’ll want to make the most of that computing experience with the right accessories.

Considering that back to school sales are here nearing the end of summer, it’s time to take stock and figure out what additions will help you, or your matriculating mini-me, squeeze every ounce of use from that laptop. The best MacBooks for students still have some limitations so getting a laptop stand to help with overheating or an SSD to expand storage space can be life-savers. And, getting the proper accessories for MacBook can also make for a smoother workflow. Many of these accessories are just as good for the best laptops from other manufacturers as well. 

We’ve tested and used more than our share of MacBook and Mac accessories so we know which ones are useful and which ones aren’t worth your time. From hard drives and the best monitors to laptop stands and the best Bluetooth speakers, these are the best back to school accessories for MacBook.

If you find Apple laptops a bit too pricey for a student, consider buying one of the best Chromebooks out there, since they have similar portability and battery life as well as surprising performance yet cost much less than an Apple laptop.

The best back to school MacBook accessory sales

The best back to school accessories for MacBook

(Image credit: JanSport)

This classic backpack has enough space to accommodate any MacBook or MacBook Pro, as well as books, pencils, pens, and other school supplies. Features four exterior pockets for various necessities like a portable hard drive or SSD, and is available in several excellent colors. There’s even a laptop sleeve so that the kids can ensure their MacBook is protected from bumps and drops.

(Image credit: JBL)

Fun and affordable, with a clip-on design, 10 hours of playtime, IP67 waterproof rating, three color options and plenty of volume for something so small, JBL’s Clip 4 Eco is just the portable speaker for students with a more active lifestyle. Those worries about the environment will appreciate that it’s made from recycled materials for a reduced carbon footprint. 

Since it connects via Bluetooth, you can easily pair it with that brand-new MacBook you just splurged on. Simply press the Bluetooth button, connect with a laptop, and play tunes in seconds. Just what the kids need for a hectic back to school season.

(Image credit: Logitech)

The Logitech MX Master 2S is the perfect addition for any students using a Macbook. It’s not the latest version – that would be the MX Master 3S – but it comes with the essentials like reprogrammable buttons and cross-platform support. Plus, it comes with both Bluetooth and wireless connectivity letting you pair it with up to three devices simultaneously. If that’s not enough, it’s still relatively affordable, especially next to the pricier MX Master 3S.

(Image credit: Twelve South)

If you have your kids’ MacBook set up with an external monitor, this Twelve South stand is an excellent choice. It stylishly keeps that MacBook from taking up a lot of precious desk space, especially if there’s also a display taking up a chunk of it. Even without a monitor, it’s useful for keeping that desk organized when not in use. It comes in either silver or space gray.

(Image credit: Bestand)

For those that use your laptop without an external monitor, but want to elevate it and get a little extra cooling, check out Bestand’s aluminum cooling stand. Elevating that MacBook at an angle, this stand offers a little extra help keeping the laptop, and is great for storing  external accessories like keyboards and mice when not in use.

(Image credit: Logitech)

Upgrade your typing experience this back to school season. It’s true that MacBooks have among the best keyboards out there, but if you want to sit away from that screen a bit, the Logitech K380 might just be the ticket. It’s among the best small keyboards we’ve tested, slim and compact yet also incredibly comfortable to type on and very affordable. It also has three-device simultaneous connectivity so you can switch from your laptop to your iPad to your iPhone seamlessly.

Read our full Logitech K380 review

(Image credit: Satechi)

Satechi is known for its solid products that feel like they could take a beating, even this X2 Bluetooth keyboard that’s among the slimmest keyboards we’ve used. Optimized for Mac, it boasts backlit keys that are amazingly comfortable to type on, multi-device connectivity (up to 4, in fact), and the exact color scheme that most MacBooks have for a match made in Apple heaven.

(Image credit: Seagate)

It’s almost impossible that something so tiny and lightweight – small enough to easily slip in your shirt pocket – can carry up to 1TB of data. It’s also built to be robust. In fact, Seagate is so confident about its build, it’s added a loop so you can attach it to a carabiner clip to hang on your backpack. We also love its smart woven fabric exterior. Since it’s an SSD, you can be assured that it’s fast and secure.

(Image credit: SanDisk)

Keeping your files safe and portable may be this external SSD’s top priority, but it also takes pride in its rugged build. This thin and tiny storage drive comes with a two-meter drop protection and an IP55 rating, which means it’s protected from dust ingress and low pressure water jets. Rain or shine, it can take a beating, making it your ideal companion for doing on-the-field school work and projects.

(Image credit: HP)

We can honestly say that the HP E14 G4 portable monitor is the most appealing portable monitor we’ve used (and we’ve tested quite a few of them). Touting a 1080p resolution and a whopping 400 nits of brightness in an unbelievably thin and light form, this might just be all you need if you need a bit of extra screen space. It’s even got a 65W power passthrough and a nifty anti-glare feature.

(Image credit: Dell)

If you’re ready to upgrade to a 4K monitor, you cannot go wrong with Dell’s curved offering. The Dell 4K S3221QS is a 32-incher with a stunning woven back design in white, making it better looking than most monitors, and a deep 1800R curvature for an even more immersive experience. Because it is Dell, it’s got 300 nits of brightness, much like the popular XPS line.

(Image credit: Beats)

This new release from Beats is a more accessible alternative to those premium Airpod Pros you’ve been eyeing. It’s more affordable for back to school season than the classic Airpods while offering features that are more on par with the Pros, including ANC, transparency mode, on-ear touch controls, and a great sound. It’s also easy to use and has a good battery life that slightly beats out that of the pros.

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