We bumped the weekly pop culture news recap last week to make space for the biggest game releases of the Summer Game Fest period. So today we have a fortnight of trailers and other standout announcements.

That also includes sad stories, for the record. Like the news that British actor Anthony Head, who is probable best known for playing mentor figure Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and odious football club owner Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso, has passed aged 72 from pneumonia. Head lost his partner of almost 45 years, animal activist Sarah Fisher, suddenly on 1 January.

Film

Riding high on the critical and commercial success of Hoppers, Pixar has another original movie on the way. Hitting cinemas on 5 March next year is Gatto, from the filmmaking team behind Luca.

After years of surviving the canals of Venice, black cat Nero (voiced by Mark Ruffalo) begins to question whether he’s lived the right lives. Indebted to Rocco (Laurence Fishburne), the local feline mob boss, Nero nonetheless forms a friendship with a human street artist, which may finally lead him to his purpose.

Considered more a “companion piece” to The Social Network, than a sequel, The Social Reckoning sees the writer of the original film, The West Wing’s Aaron Sorkin return to script, and direct, this drama thriller based on real-life events. With Jeremy Strong stepping in to replace Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, The Social Reckoning explores how Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), a young Facebook engineer, enlisted the help of Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White), to reveal the social network’s most guarded secrets.

The Social Reckoning comes to cinemas on 9 October.

Post-apocalyptic media fans rise up. The Dog Stars is heading your way on 28 August, with Ridley Scott behind the camera.

Based on the bestseller by Peter Heller, the film tells the story of Hig (Jacob Elordi), a young pilot who, together with military survivalist Bangley (Josh Brolin), has carved out an isolated homestead in a world where a flu pandemic has basically erased civilisation. Then Hig receives a mysterious radio transmission, and he ventures into the unknown in search of the humanity he still believes exist. Also with Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong and Guy Pearce.

If you’re scared of heights, skip this part of today’s post now.

Sequel and survival thriller Fall 2: Deadpoint looks every bit as heart-stopping as its predecessor. After the death of her younger thrill-seeking sister, Jax Hunter (Harriet Slater) agrees to a tribute proposed by mutual friend Luce (Arsema Thomas). The two travel to Thailand to conquer a treacherous plank walk on Mount Kwan, but a sudden rockslide leaves them trapped 3,000 feet up in the air. While Fall 2 features the same writers as the original, Jigsaw, Predestination and Winchester filmmakers Peter & Michael Spierig direct this one.

Fall 2: Deadpoint comes to cinemas from 2 September.

Less than two weeks to go until Supergirl swoops into cinemas, including IMAX, on 26 June.

To pump up excitement for the next big screen entry in James Gunn’s rebooted DCU, our friends at Warner Bros. SA shared these character posters, including Milly Alcock as the titular character; Matthias Schoenaerts as the film’s Big Bad, Krem of the Yellow Hills; Jason Momoa as cosmic antihero Lobo; and Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, a young girl who recruits Supergirl to take on Krem, who murdered her father. Cruella and I, Tonya’s Craig Gillespie directs.

Joining the ranks of The Devil Wears Prada and Practical Magic in terms of delivering decades-later sequels is 1997 comedy Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. Announced with the image below, production is now underway on Romy and Michele 2, with Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow returning as the title best friends. Also back are original supporting cast members Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming, Camryn Manheim and Julia Campbell.

Romy and Michele 2 will be coming straight to streaming, via Hulu and Disney+.

Series

Let’s get some bad news out of the way first.

If you were pumped for a Stargate series reboot, Prime Video has pulled the plug on the project, due to decision-maker concerns that “the series would not have broad appeal beyond the franchise’s already dedicated fanbase.”

Also in the bin is the Doctor Who Christmas Special, as showrunner Russell T Davies and production company Bad Wolf parted ways with the BBC over the iconic British sci-fi series.

Now for a tonal palate cleanse. Joining Netflix’s library of cartoon-to-live-action adaptations is Scooby-Doo: Origins. Lined up for release in 2027, Origins provides some back story for the Mystery Inc. gang, going back to explore how the spooky crime-solving teens first met.

Set during summer camp, friends Shaggy (Tanner Hagen) and Daphne (McKenna Grace) get embroiled in a mystery surrounding a lonely, lost Great Dane puppy that may have witnessed a supernatural murder. Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma (Abby Ryder Fortson), and the strange, but ever so handsome Fred (Maxwell Jenkins), they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare.

The novelty this time, after the Scooby-Doo movies years ago, is that Scoob is being played by a real dog, instead of being a CGI creation.

Lifestyle

Disney+ Quiz Nights are making a return to South Africa this winter. For the third year in a row, these popular competitive events – staged in 2026 in collaboration with Quiz Nights SA and Tiger’s Milk – are popping up at pubs across the nation, starting 24 June.

Assemble your team, and brush up on your Disney+ trivia because some branded prizes can be won… although this light-hearted event is more about the vibes and bragging rights than loot. You’re encouraged to book in order to reserve your spot at each event.

Gauteng: Bryanston • Appleton’s • Waterfall • Melrose • Harvest Place

Western Cape: GrandWest • Green Point • Claremont • Muizenberg • Century City

KwaZulu-Natal: Pavilion • Suncoast • Ballito (24 June ONLY) • Umhlanga