Meta buys robotic startup to bolster its humanoid AI ambitions
Did you know you’re funding has-been Kid Rock’s failing tour?
Nobody wants to see Kid Rock perform. But guess what, America? You get to help Mr. Rock fix this problem! Wait, what? Kid Rock is pulling out all of the stops to boost his pathetic ticket sales for his Freedom 250 tour—including leveraging his ties with the Trump administration. His latest move is to surround himself with members of the military to boast that he’s going to give 250…
Greta Gerwig’s NARNIA Movie Delayed Until Early 2027
Greta Gerwig’s long-awaited fantasy film, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, has been delayed. Variety reports that Netflix pushed the film back over two months, from its November 26 release date to February 12, 2027. It will then premiere on Netflix on April 2, giving the film almost two months on cinema screens. Sneak previews for the new film start on IMAX screens on February 10. Although some Netflix films get theatrical screenings, few, if any, get a theatrical window as long as this one. The film features an all-star cast that includes Carey Mulligan, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, and Emma Mackey. Twentieth Century Studios
In Gerwig’s follow-up to her mega smash Barbie, she’s adapting C.S. Lewis’ prequel novel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which was his sixth Chronicles of Narnia novel overall. The story focuses on the creation of Narnia by Aslan the lion, voiced in this iteration by Meryl Streep. Two kids by the name Digory and Polly manage to discover the “Wood between the Worlds” after their uncle, played by Daniel Craig, gives the two friends a magical ring. Mackey will portray Jadis, a.k.a. the White Witch, once played by Tilda Swinton. So far, the young actors playing the leads in The Magician’s Nephew remain uncast.
Here’s what IMAX had to say about the upcoming release of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew:
From the outset, we got involved with Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew to support Greta Gerwig and see her vision realized to the fullest in IMAX. The film’s delay until 2027 creates an opportunity to give Narnia an expanded, wide release with a full theatrical window; we support Greta and Netflix in pursuing that opportunity and are pleased Imax could help facilitate. We hope as many people in as many places as possible can experience what Greta is creating with this special film — particularly in its exclusive debut in Imax, as it was meant to be seen.
Could this indicate a bigger change to how Netflix rolls films into theaters? Or will this be a unique situation? The streaming giant now owns the franchise rights to the entire Narnia series, all seven C.S. Lewis novels. 20th Century Fox adapted the first three novels in the series in the 2000s. Although, only the first film was a big box office hit. With Gerwig in charge, could the Narnia novels find a whole new life? This deal is for both films and television series, so we might be in for more Narnia than ever in the next few years.
The post Greta Gerwig’s NARNIA Movie Delayed Until Early 2027 appeared first on Nerdist.
Disney’s Live-Action TANGLED Finds Its Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
Earlier in 2025, Disney reported that it was halting progress on its live-action Tangled film. This decision likely came from the critical and commercial failure of Snow White. It wasn’t clear if the film would ever move forward again or end up getting the axe for good. But now Disney is ready to move forward with the live-action Tangled movie.
Taking on the two leading roles, according to The Hollywood Reporter, are Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim. They will star in the Tangled live-action movie as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, respectively. Croft previously played Raven in the DC series Titans while Manheim is known for his role in the Zombies movie franchise. Joining them is Kathryn Hahn as villain Mother Gothel. And additionally, Diego Luna will take on a role that has not yet been confirmed, per Deadline.
DisneyFor those who aren’t familiar, the animated Tangled film came out in 2010 and reimagined the classic story of Rapunzel. In this version, Mandy Moore voiced the main character. It was a big box office success for Disney and, with the recent love for Lilo & Stitch, it seems the company wants to bet on Tangled now.
It is not clear who else will star in this film nor when things will fully get back rolling again. We will have to wait and see what happens in the near future.
Originally published on October 10, 2025.
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ServiceNow under siege as Atlassian adds to ITSM take-outs
The chase is on. Atlassian reported its largest-ever quarter for taking share from a major IT service management provider, CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes said on the company's fiscal third-quarter earnings call Thursday, escalating its rivalry with ServiceNow.…
60 days into Iran war and Trump doesn’t have a concept of a plan
President Donald Trump made it clear Friday that, 60 days into his war in Iran, he still has no plan. “No other country has ever done it,” Trump said, delivering his signature rant when asked whether he would seek congressional approval for his war. “Most people consider it totally unconstitutional.” “We had a ceasefire, so that gives you additional time,” Trump added.
New MARVEL Magic: The Gathering Cards Revealed at MagicCon
Last year, we told you about an epic collaboration between Marvel and Wizards of the Coast to bring the Marvel Universe characters into Magic: The Gathering in a bigger and bolder way. The set, which arrives at the end of June, has heroes and villains from across the publisher’s vast history. We’ve seen previews of some already, including some for Marvel’s most iconic characters like Captain America, the Fantastic Four, and others. These followed some incredible Deadpool and Spider-Man cards, which also debuted last year. Now, at MagicCon: Las Vegas, Wizards of the Coast has revealed several new details, cards, and artwork for their Magic: The Gathering – Marvel Super Heroes set coming later this summer. (You can pre-order your decks today.)Wizards of the Coast
Among the new Marvel x Magic cards are the synthezoid Avenger, the Vision, labeled on the card as “the robot hero.” Also included is the Mad Titan known as Thanos, and the Mind Stone, one of his many coveted Infinity Stones. These come in very handy when trying to wipe out half of all life in the universe. You can check out the newly revealed Marvel Super Heroes cards below in our gallery.
Magic: The Gathering – Marvel Super Heroes: 5 New Cards RevealedHere are the five new Magic: The Gathering – Marvel Super Heroes that were just revealed:
- The Mind Stone (Three Versions)
- Vision, Synthezoid Avenger
- The Vision
The Marvel Magic: The Gathering set will feature dynamic new mechanics that celebrate Marvel Comics’ many decades of storytelling and beloved characters. Much of the art draws inspiration from pivotal moments in the history of the Marvel Universe. At the preview panel, fans got a first look at Vision and Mind Stone cards coming to the set. The Vision card features art of Wanda Maximoff’s former husband phasing through a wall and stopping a crime. And the Mind Stone card features the ancient and powerful gem, ready to slot in place in Thanos’ Infinity Gauntlet, ushering in his control of the universe.
There will be other cool announcements to come from MagicCon: Las Vegas, which runs from May 1 – 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Meanwhile, Magic: The Gathering – Marvel Super Heroes launches worldwide on June 26, 2026. Pre-order your decks today.
This post has affiliate links, which means we may earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, we just have to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!
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Magic: The Gathering x THE HOBBIT Set First-Look Images
Middle-earth has the Shire. Our Earth has Las Vegas. They might not seem to have much in common, but this week the two fantasy lands came together to create magic. Or rather, they came together to create an amazing new Magic: The Gathering set. We’ve already seen an incredible Magic: The Gathering x The Lord of the Rings set. And today, Wizards of the Coast announced a new The Hobbit collection at Sin City’s MagicCon, and you don’t need to play tabletops or slot machines to enjoy it. This collection is a must-have even for those who love great art that brings Middle-earth to life. So get your adventures shoes on and let’s dive into our first look at Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit.Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast created a fellowship with gamers and Lord of the Rings fans during a preview panel at MagicCon. The Las Vegas Convention Center is where the company provided its first look at Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit. Here’s the official description:
Journey from the Shire to the Lonely Mountain alongside Bilbo Baggins in a set that captures the whimsy and heart of one of fantasy’s most beloved adventures. Players will encounter trolls, ponder riddles in the dark, and come face-to-face with Smaug himself—brought to life through Magic’s gameplay and design.
Whether you love playing MTG or not, this feels like a must-have for J.R.R. Tolkien’s biggest fans. From the main set and land cards to boosters and tokens, this set features some absolutely beautiful artwork. Don’t believe us? Okay, Bilbo, look for yourself.
Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit Main SetYou can check out our first looks at some of the cards from Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit’s main set below, including:
- My Precious
- An Unexpected Party
- Bilbo, Luckwearer
- Bilbo, Thief in the Night
- Riddles in the Dark
- Smaug the Magnificent
- The Arkenstone
- Thorin, Mountain-King
- Tom, Bert, and William
- Wood Elves
You can check out our first looks at some of the Basic Land cards from Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit’s main set below, including:
- Forest
- Island
- Swamp
- Mountain
- Plains
You can check out some of the Seasonal Basic Land cards from Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit’s main set below:
Wizards of the Coast Wizards of the Coast Wizards of the Coast Wizards of the Coast Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit Booster FunYou can check out some of the Booster Fun cards from Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit’s main set below, including:
- Smaug the Magnificent
- Sauron, the Dark Lord
- The Arkenstone
- The One Ring
- Tom Bombadil
- Wood Elves
You can check out some of the Token cards from Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit’s main set below, including Dwarf and Treasure.
Wizards of the CoastMagic: The Gathering | The Hobbit launched worldwide (on this Earth) in the summer. You can grab yours on August 14, 2026. If you can’t wait that long, you can snag some gorgeous The Lord of the Rings Magic cards today.
This post has affiliate links, which means we may earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, we just have to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!
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Pope promotes former undocumented immigrant to bishop—Trump be damned
After being criticized by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for following the Bible and speaking out against an unjust war and in favor of helping the oppressed, Pope Leo XIV announced on Friday that a former undocumented immigrant and critic of Trump’s anti-immigrant policies would be appointed Bishop for West Virginia. Rev. Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, who currently serves as the…
I really don’t care. Unless …
A cartoon by Pedro Molina. Related | Melania renews call to censor Jimmy Kimmel—for doing his job…
The happiest people in Santa Cruz County are volunteers: here is how you can join them
Karen Delaney, Executive Director of the Volunteer Center, recently wrote, “Hope and happiness are, sadly, in short supply right now — but not amongst volunteers.”
That’s not sentimental. That’s her thesis, refined over 44 years of building a volunteer movement in Santa Cruz County. Volunteering, Karen will tell you, is the antidote — to isolation, to despair, to the creeping sense that nothing we do matters. People who show up are the people who stay hopeful, because they’ve seen what happens when neighbors help neighbors. They’re healthier. Happier. More connected.
It’s civic duty, but it works on you like medicine.
Karen Delaney has spent 44 years carrying the torch for one simple truth: ordinary people doing ordinary good is how communities thrive. Come celebrate with her on May 20.This June, Karen is retiring. She has spent her career lifting up the quiet heroes — the volunteer who drove seniors for decades, the literacy tutor who shaped 10,000 others, the neighbors who showed up for the floods and the fires and the daily work of an entire county taking care of itself. Now she’s the one whose legacy is being celebrated, and the only way to honor it — the only way that would actually make sense to her — is to do the thing she spent her life teaching us to do: Show up.
Here’s a list of ways you can start right now. If you don’t see something that lights you up, visit scvolunteercenter.org for 150 more ways to serve, or meet with our volunteer matchmaker (another Karen legacy) and get paired with your new favorite activity.
- Become a Literacy Tutor
The Volunteer Center’s Literacy Program has been teaching adults in our community to read, write, and speak English for 50 years. Two to three hours a week, free training, no teaching background required. You’ll help a neighbor build skills that will change their family for generations. Sign up for a free info session. - Helping Hands — home repairs for seniors
Use your handy-person skills to install grab bars, change lightbulbs, and other small home repairs that help local seniors stay safely in their homes. - Saturday, May 9 — Pitch In Santa Cruz County
Countywide cleanup day. Beaches, creeks, parks, neighborhoods — dozens of groups are organizing across the county, and you can join one or start your own. Three hours of your morning, connect with your neighbors, keep our county beautiful. - Pack groceries for families at Jacob’s Heart
Tuesday and Thursday mornings in Watsonville, packing nutritious groceries for families with children in cancer treatment. - Esperanza Community Farms Food Hub
Urgent volunteer need to keep a CSA program running for 300 South County families and 30 small farmers. Wednesdays in Watsonville. - Become a Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Over 60% of nursing home residents never receive a visitor. Trained advocates visit residents in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, ensure their rights are protected, and stand up for those who often have no one else. Comprehensive training, one-year commitment. - Join an upcoming beach clean up
Fun, sun, and community? Yes please! From Capitola to Main Beach – find a clean up at your favorite spot, or let the Volunteer Center help you schedule one with your group. - And on May 20 — Be the Difference Awards
Nearly 500 civic leaders, business partners, and community champions will gather to honor this year’s top volunteers, nonprofits, and businesses — and to celebrate Karen’s Legacy of Service. It’s her last official event, and a once-a-year chance to see what 44 years of grassroots community-building looks like, all in one room. Reserve your tickets before they’re gone.
Karen’s career has been a testimony to one simple truth: connection is the cure. For loneliness, for cynicism, for the worry that one person can’t possibly make a difference.
Her legacy is that we remember, we’re connecting, and we’re the difference.
By Leslie Lee, Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County
About the Volunteer Center
At the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, we connect people for good because meaningful service is the heart of a strong, vibrant community and a healthy, happy life.
For 60 years, Santa Cruz County has trusted the Volunteer Center to help people connect for good, turning compassion into belonging and lasting impact. Our vision is a community where giving is the way of life — where everyone’s gifts matter, kindness is celebrated, and together we build a stronger, healthier, more connected community where everyone thrives.Learn more at scvolunteercenter.org.
The post The happiest people in Santa Cruz County are volunteers: here is how you can join them appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.
From isolation to community: Why peer support matters
Some of the most powerful mental health support comes from ordinary people who truly “get it”, those who have walked a similar path and found recovery along the way. Individuals with lived experience of mental health conditions, often called “peers,” have a unique ability to foster hope, trust, and self-empowerment in others. These can be the very ingredients that make recovery possible.
Bilingual NAMISCC Peer Leaders and volunteers conduct outreach in the community, sharing a message of hope, offering support, and connecting people to valuable resources.Mental health needs in Santa Cruz County are urgent and measurable. Nationwide data suggests that about 1 in 5 residents are living with a mental health condition right now. Recent local data also indicates that up to 40% of young adults in our community may have experienced serious psychological distress within the last year (Datashare SCC). Yet despite how common these challenges are, only about half of those who need care are thought to be receiving it (nami.org).
That means many of us, our loved ones, friends, and neighbors, could be struggling without support. Barriers such as stigma, the cost of care, language access, lack of information, provider shortages, and an often-confusing behavioral health system frequently keep people from getting help.
So, what is peer support, and why does it matter?
At its heart, peer support is grounded in shared experience. In mental health recovery, it means building connection with others who have personally navigated the ups and downs that can come with mental health challenges and seeking care. Again and again, research has shown that peer support works. The evidence is found not only in numerous peer-reviewed studies, but also in the everyday stories of people quietly showing up for one another.
Peers and family members shared stories of personal experiences during NAMISCC’s Compassion Training with Watsonville Fire Dept. in March 2026.NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, with more than 650 independent affiliates serving communities across the country. Here in our community, NAMI Santa Cruz County (NAMISCC) provides a vital lifeline of free, bilingual, peer-based services. This includes support for individuals navigating mental health challenges, family members, and those with a loved one who is a peer. Additionally, NAMISCC provides early intervention education and support for youth and the wider community.
NAMISCC’s educational programs, weekly support groups, bilingual HelpLine, and social supports offer a bridge to recovery and community for hundreds of individuals every year — many who might otherwise experience isolation and despair. What makes these programs especially powerful is the role of peer support. All NAMISCC programs are facilitated by individuals with lived experience. Peer Programs are led by peers, while Family Programs are led by family members with experience supporting a loved one through mental illness.
At NAMISCC, we see the impact of peer support come alive every day. One participant describes the importance of reliable, accessible weekly support: “Every week I have a safe space to be heard or to listen to others. These groups are something I look forward to, and they have become a vital part of my routine.”
“NAMISCC planted the seed of hope within me and continued to support me.” – NAMISCC Peer Leader Jen Wentworth
Peer Leaders Hugh, Michael, and Jen help lead NAMISCC Peer Programs and facilitate monthly Peer Meetup socials.NAMISCC Peer Leader, Jen Wentworth, says that discovering NAMI peer support literally saved her life. “When I first took the NAMI Peer-to-Peer class back in 2008 I was completely surprised and very inspired that the classes were taught by peers like me. They were living a self directed life and were living in recovery which never seemed possible for me until I saw them in recovery.” She says of her peer community, “we have a special bond because we know what it’s like to live with serious mental illness and the struggles of managing our symptoms in our life.” Now, Jen is part of the NAMISCC Peer Leader team, supporting and inspiring others to seek recovery. She says, “Peers and family members often come to NAMI desperate and confused. Here they find a safe place to learn, understand, and find support within the mental health community – and they grow in their lives. It creates hope for them. ”
“Living with mental illness and/or trauma is a very isolating experience. Humans are social animals; we need the support of others for recovery and healing.” – NAMISCC Peer Leader Amante Libre
For 17 years, Peer Leader Amante Libre has been involved with NAMISCC’s Peer Programs – both as a participant and then as an employee. “Having been part of NAMI and in particular the Connection Peer Support Group program for many years, I have had the privilege of seeing how transformative peer support can be. Through peer support, people learn that recovery is possible and that they can still live a satisfying life while living with mental illness and trauma. Many of the participants of our program have been so transformed by their experience that they decided to become part of the program themselves. I consider that the secret sauce of why the Connection program has been so successful at providing compassionate support.”
Peer support inspires people in their hardest moments, showing them that recovery is possible, healing can happen, and no one has to walk this path alone.
If you live with mental health challenges, or have a loved one who does, NAMISCC is here for you. No diagnosis is needed to join our supportive community of peers and family members. Learn more on our website: click here.
All of NAMI Santa Cruz County’s programs and services are 100% free to participants, thanks to the generosity of caring people in our community. Currently, there is a need for funding to keep these essential supports free and available to all who need them. You can help ensure that no one has to face mental health challenges alone.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and you can make a difference this month in our community by supporting no-cost mental health education and services through NAMISCC. Right now, you have the chance to change a life through a donation to NAMISCC’s Spring Fundraiser. Join in to offer hope, healing, and a pathway to recovery for someone in need of support today: Yes, I want to Provide Peer Support Today.
The post From isolation to community: Why peer support matters appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.
This May Day, Even Organizers Are Cautious, But Hopeful
After last month’s No Kings protest, Indivisible, the group that describes itself as a pro-democracy, anti-authoritarian people-powered movement, joined May Day Strong’s actions to take a page out of Minnesota’s one-day strike playbook from this past January.
On its surface, Indivisible’s participation appears to be a slight pivot, engaging in more disruptive labor-directed actions. But for Ezra Levin, the co-founder and co-executive director of Indivisible, May Day Strong is part of their movement—one that can’t succeed without growing its broad coalition. “Society cannot function without workers, and our political system won’t function unless more non-billionaires and non-mega corporations get involved in how politics works,” Levin told me when we spoke by phone on Thursday.
Politics feel brutal for most workers these days. It’s equally hard to measure the impact of protest groups like Indivisible. That’s especially true in a week where the Supreme Court dismantled voting rights and the Trump administration doubled down on its war in Iran despite rising costs and thousands of people killed. But Levin was, at times, evasive about looking too far in the future. For him, it’s impossible to measure the success of a pro-democracy movement on whether authoritarians are doing damage. It’s more useful to measure impact by how much a movement grows and tries new tactics.
This strategic alignment with May Day is an example. Levin was focused on building a coalition now—including opening the door for people who are not advocates or organizers. He also seemed clear-eyed about his group’s role: “Indivisible isn’t the right movement organization to organize the entire country. We are a piece of it.”
This interview has been lightly condensed and edited for clarity.
Where do you think Indivisible’s work stands within the larger US ecosystem of organizing?
I don’t think there’s a pathway to getting a real democracy that reflects the world of people that doesn’t depend on coalition. There’s not going to be any one organization or any one individual movement that succeeds in significantly changing our political system and bends it to the will of the people—you need to build across coalition.
For us, that’s core to just about everything Indivisible does. That shows up in the Hands Off coalition that came out a year ago. The Good Trouble Lives On [protests] on the John Lewis Day of Remembrance, and the No Kings coalition itself, which is made up of hundreds members.
May Day is not by Indivisible and it’s not led by the No Kings coalition. It’s being led by the May Day strong coalition with an emphasis on union participation. You’re not going to build a pro-democracy movement that’s successful without having heavy involvement from union leaders. You can’t succeed in what we’re trying to do without welcoming new members to your coalition and without showing up for them when they’re leading a day of action like tomorrow.
How are you measuring the impact of your work with No Kings, considering we’re in a week where the Supreme Court has fully gutted voting rights?
How you judge the success of a pro-democracy movement is with a couple of criteria: One, are you bigger than you were before? Two is, are you more aligned than you were before? Three is, is the authoritarian regime less popular than it was before? And four is, are your tactics proliferating? Are you trying new things? Are you developing new muscles?
We had three million people at the 1300 Hands Off protests last April. Then for the first No Kings, we had five million people at 2100 protests at the second No Kings. We had 7 million people at 2700, protests at the third No Kings. We had 3300 protests and more than 8 million people, which is to say three of the largest protests in all of American history are in ascending order.
The growth is pretty evident, and I don’t think it’s just us saying that. Some of the experts like Erica Chenoweth who are looking quantitatively at the scale of protests over the course of 2025 and into 2026. It dwarfs what we saw in 2017. The scale of mass mobilization and organizing is historic.
What are the challenges of growing No Kings?
The challenges in growing No Kings are the president repeatedly systematically using the powers of the presidency to go after his opponents. There are challenges of convincing people to care about politics. A lot of people believe that politics is bullshit, that both sides are corrupt, and that the whole system is broken and it’s not worth their time to get involved. That cynicism and nihilism and fatalism about the state of the country and our politics is the primary enemy that we have and the one that we have to slay. Indivisible isn’t the right movement organization to organize the entire country.
We are a piece of it. And if we’re doing our work to build a truly representative and powerful movement, we’ve got to be helping and showing up for other organizations, other movements, went into their time to lead, and I would be May Day tomorrow as an example that, like I said, it’s not an Indivisible action. This is being led by May Day Strong.
What do you think of larger disruption actions formed by coalitions over longer periods of time like the general strikes in India, Panama, and Italy? Do you think that is possible in the US?
In 2025, the regime was targeting the organization of America, which is straight out of [the playbook of] Hungary. One of the lessons of Orbán’s downfall is that the best way to remove an authoritarian is electorally, so it depends on building a mass movement.
When it comes to disruption, you don’t have to look abroad. You can look at the Twin Cities. The Day of Truth and Freedom was a mass disruption event and intended to bring society to a halt. And I think it was very successful. The federal government had to retreat because of the PR disaster as a direct result of the incredible organizing on the ground. If Trump tries to sabotage the midterm elections, you’re going to need something that looks like the Twin Cities but at the scale of something that looks like No Kings.
Going off what you brought up about disruption actions in the US, what do you think about tactics that try to get around restrictive US labor laws such as the proposed UAW strike in 2028?
I’m one battle at a time right now. There are a lot of questions about what happens in the Democratic primary, how we position ourselves in that race, and what happens if Trump runs again. These are all interesting questions that I look forward to digging into after we crush the regime in the midterms and elect some Democrats who are interested in using the powers of the Senate and the House to prevent the regime from doing more damage and bringing accountability to people who violated the Constitution. That is the single best thing we can do to set up democracy for a successful 2028.
Why the race for Georgia governor is crucial for Democrats
Georgia’s gubernatorial election is not getting the kind of national attention that other statewide races are drawing as the 2026 midterms approach. But the outcome of that race may be one of the most important for the future of democracy—for multiple reasons. First, after the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act on Wednesday, Georgia could eliminate more than a dozen Black- and…
Zach Cregger Reveals Details About New RESIDENT EVIL Character
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil film is bringing a new character to Raccoon City, which we saw in its recent trailer. Austin Abrams’ Bryan is meant to be an everyday man put in the most impossible and frightening situation ever. And, unlike other leading characters in apocalyptic situations, he’s not meant to be someone who is super heroic nor strong. Cregger spoke more about Abrams’ Bryan characters, saying he is like an “avatar.”
“So the world of [Resident Evil 2] is kind of where this takes place, even though I’d make a couple of little shifts for dramatic license,” Cregger told PlayStation. “It’s just following a different person who’s on a mission in this horrible night when things are going wrong in Raccoon City, and they’ve got to get something from point A to point B. And as they go, they encounter all of the same sorts of things you would encounter in the games.”
Sony PicturesBryan is a medical courier who is trying to make a delivery when the world goes downhill after a sudden outbreak. It is literally the worst thing that you could imagine happening on a random day.
“Austin is very much like an avatar for me, or what I expect the average video game player would react if they were thrust into the game themselves,” Cregger explained. “So he’s just a normal guy. He’s not particularly good at combat in any way, shape, or form. He’s athletic, but he’s not an athlete, he’s just a guy. He’s just a good natured, hapless dude who gets sucked into a nightmare.”
He says that Austin Abrams is perfect for this role and we agree, based on Resident Evil’s trailer. Things will delve into chaos when Resident Evil hits theaters on September 18.
The post Zach Cregger Reveals Details About New RESIDENT EVIL Character appeared first on Nerdist.
Camryn Grimes Talks Cheese Puns and Voice Acting on MOUSE: P.I. FOR HIRE
At Nerdist, we love a fun combination of nostalgia and modernity, and we LOVE an exciting new game that takes us on a unique adventure. And that’s why we were especially excited to speak to Camryn Grimes about her new role in Mouse: P.I. for Hire, a stylized new first-person shooter game that “combines the charm of hand-drawn rubber hose animation inspired by the classic cartoons of the 1930’s with the adrenaline and action of an explosive first-person shooter.” In the game, Grimes plays Tammy Tumbler, a multifaceted, fast-talking mechanic who demonstrates remarkable depth, resilience, and wit. Nerdist sat down with Grimes to discuss her layered performance, voice acting as a whole, and her favorite cheese puns and nerdy hobbies. Dive into our full interview below.Fumi Studios
Nerdist: I love the look of Mouse: P.I. for Hire, what a fun game. What drew you to this unique title?
Camryn Grimes: I think as somebody who’s grown up watching Disney and a lot of Rubber Hose animation and loving games, I think it’s this wonderful amalgamation of all these sorts of things, and it brings a sense of nostalgia to it while also giving a sort of modern flair in the fact that it’s like a first-person shooter. So it’s a fun concept.
How did you first hear about the Mouse: P.I. for Hire role? How did it come to you?
Camryn Grimes: Well, it’s funny that when I auditioned for the role, my husband and I both got auditions for it at the same time. My husband’s also a voice actor, and he had already known about the game. So he kind of showed me the socials. He was like, “Oh my gosh, I actually know about this game, and I’m super excited for it. I already follow them.” So he kind of walked me through, and I was very, very, very intrigued.
And yeah, just looked like something that was a really, really interesting concept. And it being an indie game, it’s so wonderful to see, and you want to support. And I think they did an amazing job with their grassroots effort to get people excited from day one. So that’s how I had first heard of it.
Fumi StudiosCan you tell me more about your Mouse: P.I. for Hire character, Tammy Tumbler, and what about her might really resonate with the players?
Camryn Grimes: Oh, I love Tammy Tumbler. She’s really spunky and witty, with a kind of dry humor. She’s had a life that’s a bit tougher, but has kind of settled into her place in Mouseburg. And she’s very intelligent. She’s a fixer, a tinkerer, and a mechanic. And she’s got this really, I think, endearing relationship with Jack that I think you get to kind of see progress over the
You just mentioned all of those wonderful things. And it feels like there are so many layers of depth to Tammy. Can you talk about crafting her into a really nuanced character for Mouse: P.I. for Hire, and what about her layers appeals to you?
Camryn Grimes: I just kind of wanted to bring a sense of myself to Tammy because I felt so, so connected to her and like we were kindred spirits right away. So bringing that comedy and bringing that a little bit of the grittiness or the rasp or the tomboy-ness, it was really important to me. I looked at Tammy, and she reminded me a lot of Tony Toponi from An American Tail. And even though Tony’s a boy, Tammy’s a girl, having that as inspiration kind of led me to the voice. And making her a little bit raspier and a little bit spunkier was something I wanted to do. I have a pretty raspy voice, but I’m from the Valley. So I’ve got that vocal fry all day, and I like it.
Fumi StudiosAnd so, about the voice. What kind of prep work did you do to settle on your Mouse: P.I. for Hire voice? Did it just come to you? Did you have different iterations?
Camryn Grimes: No, I think for me, I know a lot of people have different approaches. I try to … I have kind of a list of things that give me inspiration or things that I will do naturally in my own, because being just riddled with ADHD, I do a lot of mimicking, and I do a lot of quoting, and I do a lot of impressions kind of without thinking. So when I got into voice-over, my husband was so great at reminding me that, like, sometimes a bad impression is still a good voice. So I try to write everything down as I can, like, “Oh, this is something I tend to do in conversation, or this is something that is fun to me. ”
But even having that list, which I think is super good and important, and you can use if you ever feel stuck, a lot of the time I also try to go with just first instincts, especially if you get the visual aid and you get a picture of the character.
I think it’s important to kind of go with what you hear, sort of as you’re reading the lines, and try to match that. And that’s sort of just a gut feeling, and that’s what kind of came out with Tammy.
Fumi StudiosWhat do you feel is your favorite part of voice acting versus acting on camera, and also what is the greatest challenge?
Camryn Grimes: They’re so different. It’s night and day. The subtlety that you have to bring to on-camera acting versus how big you have to be at the mic to even register. When I was first doing voiceover and auditioning, I think I found that to be my biggest struggle that like you just have to exercise out of yourself is that when you’re at the mic, and you think you’re huge, you think you’re going way, way, way beyond, you still have to go beyond that.
If the camera adds 10 pounds, the mic takes away 10% of your flavor or energy, and you lose it. And I would find myself in the very beginning editing my auditions and saying, “Oh my God, this sounds so flat. I thought I was giving my everything, and this still sounds so flat.” So you really, really have to be way more animated and way more energetic. And that sometimes means like, I’m glad there’s not a camera on me because I look ridiculous.
But they both, I think, really, really have their beauty. And just as an actor becoming well-rounded, it’s so lovely to do, and to try any and all mediums: on camera, voiceover, stage acting, anything like that. I learn something from everything that I do.
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XBOX Sets Nearly 25% Price Drop For Game Pass UltimateDid you learn anything new about voice acting while crafting Tammy and working on Mouse: P.I. for Hire?
Camryn Grimes: Oh, I’m trying to think. I mean, I definitely learned in my first session that stamina is important. Luckily, the rasp comes pretty naturally to me, but you get excited about something, and you do an audition, and then if you book it, you’d better be able to sustain that voice for a really, really long time. Usually, a two to four-hour session, and it is pretty tiring. It’s so much more tiring than on camera, I would say.
And I think that’s something that people wouldn’t necessarily guess. There is more time that goes into on-camera. You have to go to set, you have hair and makeup, you have to do a lot. But I think on-camera is like a sprint and voice acting is like a marathon because it’s just, you’re not working with anybody else. The demand is just on you back to back to back to back to back to back.
Granted, you don’t have to memorize the lines. They’re in front of you. But if you’re doing each line three times, six times, you never know what the director’s going to need or want. You get pretty exhausted.
Did you have any favorite lines that you delivered as Tammy?
Camryn Grimes: Here’s what I’ll say. I think the writing in this game is brilliant, and I had so much fun with all the cheese puns. I think if you’re going to have something that looks like this, visually exciting, lean in, make every pun you can, and really just go all the way with it. And I think they do. And so it was really fun getting to kind of throw those zingers out. And Tammy talks in a very fast-paced way. So it was a challenge sometimes because on some of those lines, I got tongue-tied a few times.
Camryn GrimesVideo games have become so narrative-driven in recent times. They’re really like full stories, like any movie, book, or anything else. What do you feel like this game’s place in that sort of trajectory is?
Camryn Grimes: Well, I think it’s got a lot of great elements. I think it being a first-person shooter is just fun. I remember back in the day, like my brother and I playing Time Splitters, and I don’t really know that that had much of a narrative, but it was super, super fun. But I think the level of mystery that this blends in, so it’s also sort of like problem solving, and you have to find clues, and you get … It kind of wraps it together nicely in a little box. They have a lot of cool side games as well.
So I think it can give players a lot of what they want.
At Nerdist, we love to ask, what do you nerd out about in your life?
Camryn Grimes: I think the better question is, what do I not nerd out about? I mean, I would say like I am a part of so many different fandoms, and I think once you’re a nerd, it’s easy to spread. It’s like a virus. If you’re nerdy about one thing, chances are you’re going to hop over and hop over and hop over.
I’m a nerd for books. love reading books. In 2020, and there was nothing to do, I got super into ACOTAR. I got into like Ferry Smut, if you will. [laughs]
I also, I mean, I’m a big Disney nerd. I love Game of Thrones. I love The Lord of the Rings.
Are there any other projects on your radar that you’re looking forward to or that you’d like to tease?
Camryn Grimes: Doing this game was so fun. Mouse: P.I. for Hire has a really, really great cast, and it’s a really fun game. So I would love to do more games. I think MoCap would be really interesting because it kind of feels like a live theater performance, and you’re working with the other actors. But in the meantime, you could just catch me on The Young and the Restless on CBS.
Mouse: P.I. for Hire is now available to play at any time.
The post Camryn Grimes Talks Cheese Puns and Voice Acting on MOUSE: P.I. FOR HIRE appeared first on Nerdist.
Amazon Powers ICE. Its Workers Aren’t Happy.
Matt Multari has been driving for Amazon—and organizing with the Teamsters—for about a year and a half. His days are mostly spent delivering packages. But he thinks of his role as a worker-organizer as something much more historically significant than just maximizing delivery efficiency.
“After the Assyrians lost their state, they survived in their homeland of Iraq for thousands of years. After facing a genocide that forced them to flee that homeland, they went to Russia, and then to Iran, and then some of them went to New York. Now I’m here,” he said. “And I’d like to tell Amazon: fuck you!”
Early on the morning of May 1, Multari took the megaphone in front of a hundred or so sign-toting Amazon warehouse workers, delivery drivers, and software engineers, who had traveled in from Queens and Staten Island to march on an Amazon office building for International Workers’ Day.
“Each of us here has a story of generational struggle,” Multari, 25, said. But to him, working for Amazon means the obliteration of identity. “Amazon is trying to erase that.” Every day, as he puts on his blue vest and delivers packages from Amazon’s DBK-1 warehouse in Queens, the company surveills him: “You have an app that tells you the exact stop order you’re supposed to go in. You’re under a time quota, basically.”
If you take too long, or take too many stops, Multari said, the app tells you to go faster. “You get a scorecard every week that says how you’re performing.” Five months ago, Multari and his DBK-1 coworkers unionized with the Teamsters, joining thousands of unionized Amazon workers nationwide. They’ve been able to extract some concessions from the e-commerce giant, though Amazon has refused to bargain with their unionized workers. Nonetheless, during this year’s record-breaking winter storms, they were paid for days they weren’t able to work; and when they needed new hand-trucks, Amazon paid up.
Amazon holds millions of dollars in ICE contracts.Sophie HurwitzNonetheless, Multari and his coworkers are aware that they’ll have to do much more to win real job security in an age of automation. “Amazon, at its core, is a tech company,” Multari said. “Our main asset to them is our data from our routes, so that it can train its algorithm, so it can make us more and more replaceable.”
Amazon’s Web Services cloud-computing platform is more profitable than all the company’s retail operations combined. And AWS sells cloud-computing services to clients throughout the American government, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement: According to Forbes reporting, ICE spent at least $25 million on AWS during the second Trump administration. Amazon Web Services also holds contracts with Palantir, the surveillance-tech company behind much of ICE’s deportation operation. (And Amazon has served as an inspiration for ICE, too: acting ICE director Todd Lyons has said he wants deportations in the US to run “like Amazon Prime for human beings.”)
That’s part of why, at Monday’s rally, non-union tech workers stood alongside unionized warehouse workers.
Zelda Montes, a former software engineer at Google who was fired in 2024 for holding a sit-in with their coworkers, said they’ve spent much of the past two years trying to help organize tech workers at places like Amazon. With the group No Tech for Apartheid, Montes works to build power within tech companies against the contracts that Amazon and Google hold with the Israeli government. “For a lot of tech workers, the work that they’re doing is helping to create these systems of surveillance that affect warehouse workers, that affect delivery workers, that create more difficult working conditions for them,” Montes said. “So it’s really important for us to be able to unite with them on the labor front.”
Thousands of Amazon workers are unionized with the Teamsters. The company has spent years refusing to bargain with them.Sophie HurwitzAt some Amazon warehouses, more than half of workers are immigrants. But Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has shown no interest in walking back the company’s contracts with agencies targeting those immigrants. “Amazon’s abuse of workers bankrolls their ability to do this,” said Sultana Hossain, an organizer with Amazon Labor Union. So, workers in New York told Mother Jones, they’re going to keep fighting.
“We will demand the one thing that’s worth fighting for in this life: respect,” Multari said.
Santa Cruz residents have spoken: housing, homelessness and transportation
At a March 10 listening session at the London Nelson Community Center, residents gathered to discuss issues facing the City of Santa Cruz. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local / Catchlight Local)
SANTA CRUZ >> Santa Cruz Local staff spent weeks meeting with and listening to City of Santa Cruz residents about their top concerns going into the June 4 election. The June primary consists of Santa Cruz mayor, Santa Cruz City Council and the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. Residents told us their top priorities are housing, traffic, homelessness and government transparency.
To press candidates on residents’ concerns, we asked around 200 residents two key questions: what’s the biggest issue where you live? And what would you like to see done about it?
Our staff conducted an online survey of 165 residents, interviewed 30 in-person, and invited 14 to an in-person, 90 minute listening session at the London Nelson Community Center. The residents we surveyed ranged in age from 19-93. Of those, 72% were white, 7% were Latino, 70% homeowners and 25% were renters.
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The reoccurring themes that kept coming up for residents?
- Affordable housing availability.
- Local response to state housing construction mandates.
- Traffic and road safety.
- Homelessness and homeless services.
- Transparent communication between local elected leaders and residents.
Housing was the top concern, with affordability and accessibility top of mind. Residents pointed to myriad costs of unaffordable housing in Santa Cruz as a major quality of life issue. “I know so many young people who went to college, who come from middle class families, and they have full time jobs, and they’re living in their cars because it’s like the only affordable option,” shared Michael, 30, of Santa Cruz.
Many residents were dubious of new construction as a solution. “The narrative is if you just build, build, build things will get more affordable… I would like to believe that’s true, but I’m not convinced that it is,” said Stacey, 45, of Santa Cruz.
Residents were at turns split or at a loss for how to address affordability. While some residents weren’t interested in new housing being built, others were in favor of creative solutions like more backyard ADUs, potentially to house elderly homeowners who rent out their larger houses, or converting single family homes into duplexes or triplexes.
Many residents were also concerned about the local government’s response to state housing mandates and the perceived pressure to build new housing. “[There is] excessive catering to developers without local accountability or sufficient affordable housing,” said Michael, 64, of Santa Cruz.
Transportation was the second most common concern. Residents told us that they find roads to be crowded, unsafe and generally unpleasant for bikers and pedestrians. Many named specific intersections near their homes or on their commutes that they find routinely dangerous. Among those named were Bay Street and High Street and Water Street, Soquel Avenue and Morrissey Boulevard. “Traffic control over speeding and street repairs is needed, especially for bicyclists,” said Linda, 73. “There’s slow East-West traffic from too many cars on the roads,” said Dan, of Santa Cruz. “We need a comprehensive streets program and not only the lower Westside but really citywide,” said Stephen, 76.
Residents also shared concerns about the sustained homeless population in Santa Cruz and quality of life for homeless and housed people. “Homelessness and housing are really big issues right now, and both really need to have county-wide solutions and not piecemeal by city or county.” said Kathy, 73, of Santa Cruz.
Those we surveyed didn’t agree on how best to address homelessness. Many expressed frustration with constant sweeps. “I’ve seen a lot of hostility and just more crackdowns… you can’t park an RV on the street, you can’t sit on a bench… it’s so hostile to people who are in a situation that any of us could be in,” said Cooper, 28. Some want City officials to focus on increased services and housing. “Redirect some of the Santa Cruz Police Department budget to social service appropriate to unhoused and those needing mental health support,” suggested Michael, 64, of Santa Cruz. Some residents felt that the existence of local services contribute to homelessness, and should be pulled back. “Cut off all money to the homeless, EBT and Medical… total waste,” said Karen of Santa Cruz.
The desire for a more transparent, responsive and communicative local government was a concern threaded throughout our surveys and interviews. Residents told us they want local leaders to show them that they are listening. Residents offered advice to incoming elected officials on this topic, including:
- “Have meetings or listening sessions with community members with actionable next steps on what you heard.”
- “Find ways to demystify where our taxes go, where our general fund is spent and how to make the most with the monies our local government has access to”
- “Gather listening sessions neighborhood by neighborhood to learn what we need you to accomplish during your term representing us.”
- “Engage with your whole community, not just those in the largest tax bracket. You are a representative for Santa Cruz as a whole, you should have the community’s best interests at heart.”
- “Make a point of talking to someone outside your normal circles on a regular basis.”
From these core themes, we plan to ask the following questions of candidates Santa Cruz mayor and city council:
- Do you support policies like rent control, rental assistance or enhanced eviction protections? Do you have other plans for making existing housing stock more affordable?
- How will you balance the pressures of state housing mandates with the desires of current residents?
- What do you believe works and doesn’t work about the city’s homelessness policy? What changes do you plan to make in office?
- What policies would you propose to make roads safer and easier for all residents?
- What’s your plan to rebuild trust in local government with the people that you represent?
Elena “Nini” Cohen, Kara Meyberg Guzman and Billy Rainbow discuss the challenges facing residents in the City of Santa Cruz at a March 10 listening session. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local / Catchlight Local)
At our March 10 listening session, 14 residents shared their experiences making a life in Santa Cruz and perspectives on the City’s future. Participants expressed a deep love for the City of Santa Cruz and a desire to stay, even as life feels more and more precarious for renters and those on a fixed income.
Young people shared the impact of the housing crisis on their lives. “All my friends moved away. Everyone I was friends with who grew up here moved away because the rent was too high and the opportunities were too low,” said Emeline, 25, who hopes to see the City support converting single homes to duplexes and triplexes to increase affordable housing stock.
Nico, 27, recently moved and delivered muffins to their new neighbors, but the burden of rent keeps their hopes for community connection low. “My neighbors are renters and work numerous jobs and have multiple kids, and we’ve talked briefly, but they’re like, yeah, it’s hard for us to attend a block party, let alone help facilitate one.”
Among participants, there was excitement for neighborhood-based innovation that focuses on community cohesion. Ellen, 64, suggested that local government funneling money to neighborhoods themselves might allow neighbors to intervene directly for those that are homeless on their blocks – a common point of concern among residents. She also wants to see creative zoning that makes neighborhoods more conducive to community connection. “Allowing for libraries, small stores, not like a Target or a Safeway, but like a little corner store or a cafe… would be really useful to keep people moving and walking and just being present in their space,” said Ellen.
Participants also expressed a desire for greater local government transparency and accountability, particularly around housing. “There should be some annual public accountability. Here’s what we built, here’s how it reduced the cost of housing, or didn’t, here’s how it changed the rate of homelessness,” said Stacey, 45.
Our staff spent a week tabling at Cabrillo College’s Aptos campus, where we interviewed 25 students, including 10 City of Santa Cruz residents. We asked: what’s the biggest issue facing your community?
Almost every student we spoke to mentioned the cost of living and affordability of housing. “The cost of living is pretty bad, seeing everything getting more expensive in real time sucks,” said one 23-year-old student. They shared that it’s difficult to afford housing as a student: rent is high and jobs are low-paying. One student, aged 20, shared that he and most of his friends had been unable to secure part-time jobs, despite months of applications. Even with full-time work, students said it’s hard to make ends meet. Many younger students live with family, and don’t have plans to move out.
Students also shared community concerns. Almost half of the students we spoke to shared fear about Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. They discussed the impact of fear on the immigrant communities they’re part of, like people sheltering at home. Slightly less than half of students also shared concerns about homelessness, which they discussed as a failure of local government to keep residents housed.
At a food distribution on the North Coast, our staff interviewed 10 Spanish-speaking residents who live in or just outside the City of Santa Cruz. Here too, concerns about housing and the cost of living were top of mind, with residents telling us that rising prices are making it difficult to afford basic necessities.
Our Noticias Watsonville team conducted a week of listening in March with residents of Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley. To learn more about what they heard, check out Catalina Jaramillo’s story.
Candidates interviews are underway and once published in May, our free election guide will be available in English on our website, in print and on our Instagram. Our Spanish election guide will be available in print and in our Noticias Watsonville WhatsApp group. To stay in the loop, sign up for our weekly newsletter, follow us on Instagram or join our Spanish-language news community on WhatsApp.
Questions or comments? Email info@santacruzlocal.org. Santa Cruz Local is supported by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how we are funded.
Learn about membership Santa Cruz Local’s news is free. We believe that high-quality local news is crucial to democracy. We depend on locals like you to make a meaningful contribution so everyone can access our news. Learn about membershipThe post Santa Cruz residents have spoken: housing, homelessness and transportation appeared first on Santa Cruz Local.
Coatue has a plan to buy up land for data centers, possibly for Anthropic
Trump family grift soars to new height
It’s probably for the best that the Trump family doesn’t bother to hide its corruption. At least we get advance word of their next grift rather than having to guess. This time around, it’s drones, because of course. President Donald Trump’s Large Adult Sons are getting into the war business. Pretty convenient when your daddy can start a war and you can profit, right?