What’s the movie, series and geeky lifestyle news that made headlines this past week? Read on now for the answer.
Before we get to the content side of things, though, a former child star has died aged 35. Daveigh Chase, who retired from acting in 2016, was submitted to hospital with severe malnutrition, only to succumb to meningitis complications and sepsis. Chase had struggled with drug addiction, mental health issues, homelessness and brushes with the law since the mid 2010s, and was reportedly living on the streets close to the hospital where she was ultimately admitted.
Chase’s in-front-of-the-camera roles included Samantha Darko in the Donnie Darko movies, long-haired monster Samara in The Ring, and a child bride in Big Love. She also delivered notable voice acting performances like Chihiro in the English dub of Spirited Away, and Lilo Pelekai in animated classic Lilo & Stitch, and all following media.
Film
Toy Story 5 is in cinemas right now, and seemingly capitalising on that interest in animated franchise resurgence is DreamWorks Animation, and Universal Pictures, with the release of the Shrek 5 teaser. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz return as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona respectively, for a new instalment of pop culture-savvy fairy tale shenanigans, while Zendaya joins the cast as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter Felicia, and Marcello Hernandez and Skyler Gisondo play Felicia’s brothers, Fergus and Farkle.
The film is directed by DreamWorks Animation veterans Conrad Vernon (Shrek 2, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted and Monsters vs. Aliens) and Walt Dohrn (Trolls, Trolls World Tour and Trolls Band Together).
Shrek 5 comes to cinemas in the Northern Hemisphere summer 2027.
Following hot on the heels of Pixar’s Gatto reveal last week, Walt Disney Animation Studios has unveiled their next original release, Hexed. Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones lead the voice cast of this supernatural comedy and coming-of-age adventure.
Unconventional teenager Billie Doe (Steinfeld) discovers she has magical abilities, which take her to Hexe, a realm of witches. Finding her place for the first time in life, Billie’s wild journey of self-discovery uncovers long-held secrets about her family – much to the concern of her cautious mother Alice (Jones).
Hexed debuts this year, on 25 November.
There’s a new trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and it’s probably at this point that you should stop exposing yourself to new previews because there are sure to be spoilers soon enough, given the twisty, easter egg-stuffed nature of the latest Spidey film franchise. Like we already know that other MCU heroes Frank Castle/Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) appear in the film.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day looks especially intriguing as Peter Parker (Tom Holland) plunges all his efforts into protecting New York City as masked hero Spider-Man, while keeping an eye on the friends (played by Zendaya and Jacob Batalon) who have forgotten him after the events of No Way Home. Problems arise, though, when Peter’s powers start evolving, at the same time a threat emerges that only he can sense.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into cinemas on 31 July.
Finally, if the winter chill has you reluctant to get off the couch, sci-fi survival thriller The Last House is heading your home entertainment way courtesy of Netflix.
The trailer below gives a bit too much away, but in The Last House, Greta Lee and Wagner Moura head up a family that discovers they are suddenly sealed in their home… along with the rest of the world. As time passes, and resources dwindle, they’re forced to work together to contend with the mysterious threat keeping them prisoner. Now You See Me, Fast X and The Incredible Hulk’s Louis Leterrier directs.
The Last House starts streaming on Netflix on 7 August.
Series
We know loads of people who will be thrilled to hear that smash hit Dungeon Crawler Carl is making the trip from page to screen, thanks to Peacock, and Seth MacFarlane‘s Fuzzy Door production company.
Set post alien invasion, Matt Dinniman’s eight-book series combines action, comedy and science fiction, as United States Coast Guard veteran Carl, paired with his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, are forced into a game show called Dungeon Crawler World – which draws on tabletop role-playing and video games for its challenges – and is streamed across the universe.
Lifestyle
Comic Con Africa 2026 has just announced its first guest, and it’s international cosplayer Going Ape Costume. Going Ape Costume, AKA Becky, has years of experience as a costumer, making custom Halloween outfits for decades before entering the cosplay scene in 2014. She is known for her all-round crafting knowledge, intricate armour builds and judging experience.
CCA 2026 is happening at the Joburg Expo Centre from 24 – 27 September.
Gaming
Finally! After 12 years of development, it’s actually happening.
Pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI open on 25 June on digital storefronts, and at select retailers. This news was paired with a cover art reveal for the open-world crime actioner, which is guaranteed to break all-time sale records.
GTA 6, which follows a pair of armed robbers in contemporary Leonida (Rockstar’s version of Florida), is currently scheduled for release on 19 November 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.