Alam Nyo Ba?

We have tragic news to share today, as it’s being reported that Kaylee Hottle, the deaf actress who played Jia in the MonsterVerse films Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has passed away at the age of 18 following a car accident in Maryland.

According to TMZ, Hottle’s father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed that his daughter was killed in a car accident early Tuesday morning. He later shared the heartbreaking news during a livestream conducted in American Sign Language, explaining that he had traveled from Texas to Maryland to claim her body.

Joshua Hottle said he was initially informed that Kaylee had been involved in a serious crash. A short time later, authorities contacted him again to say that her heart had stopped while she was being transported to the hospital.

Born into a multi-generational deaf family, Hottle began acting at a young age. One of her earliest appearances came in a public service announcement for the video messaging app Glide, which is widely used within the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Her mother is Ketsi Carlson Hottle, an ASL educator, advocate, and performer in educational materials like She Said, He Said: Monologues and Dialogues in ASL and In Transition: Interactive Situations for Interpreting Practice on Transitioning to College.

Kaylee Hottle made her feature film debut in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, playing Jia, who forms a bond with Kong and communicates with him using sign language. The character quickly became a fan favorite thanks to her unique connection with the giant ape, making her one of the emotional centerpieces of the creature-filled franchise. She returned as Jia in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, where her character also happened to be the key to reawakening Mothra.

Outside of the Godzilla franchise, Hottle also appeared in an episode of the Magnum P.I. reboot, playing the character Joon during the show’s fourth season.

Although her career was only beginning, Hottle’s performances made her a memorable part of the MonsterVerse for audiences around the world. Our condolences go out to her family, friends, and fans during this incredibly difficult time.

The post Godzilla vs. Kong actress Kaylee Hottle has passed away at age 18 appeared first on JoBlo.

Although The Conjuring: Last Rites was billed as something of a finale for the horror franchise, the instant it grossed nearly $500 million at the box office, you knew there was going to be more. Thus, New Line Cinema is moving forward with The Conjuring: First Communion, a prequel featuring young versions of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the married paranormal investigators previously played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. We already know who will be filling their shoes (more on that later), and now Deadline reports that Matthias Schweighöfer has joined the cast of The Conjuring: First Communion as well.

All About The Conjuring: First Communion

Plot details regarding the prequel are being kept under wraps, as is the nature of Schweighöfer’s character. The actor is best known for appearing in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer as German theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg and as Ludwig Dieter in Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead. He reprised the role for a prequel movie, Army of Thieves, which he also directed.

As for the new Ed and Lorraine, it was announced last week that Garrett Wareing (The Long Walk) had been cast as Ed Warren, while Amanda Fix (Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen) will play Lorraine Warren

Rodrigue Huart is directing from a script by Richard Naing & Ian Goldberg. The film is slated for a September 10, 2027 release.

The Conjuring Franchise Will Continue

I’m still astounded by how successful the Conjuring franchise has become—$2.7 billion across nine movies—and producer Peter Safran is confident that the franchise will continue.

“I think that Last Rites shows that there is a lot of fuel left in the tank,” Safran said. “[Last Rites] was the end of that particular version of the story with Patrick and Vera and that version of The Conjuring. There’s so much more to it that we haven’t dug into. So the truth is, I think there’s really exciting ways to go with both film and television, frankly. It would be incredibly satisfying. People have been on this journey with us for a dozen years now. I think they want more.“

In addition to First Communion, there’s also a Conjuring TV series in the works at HBO. Nancy Won (Jessica Jones) is serving as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Peter Cameron (WandaVision) and Cameron Squires (Gen V) have joined as writers. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but it’s said that the series will “continue the story established in the feature films.”

The post Matthias Schweighöfer joins the congregation of The Conjuring: First Communion appeared first on JoBlo.

Disney+ is officially set to take us back to Riverdale! Nearly a year after reports surfaced that an Afterlife with Archie television series was in development, the project has now received an official series greenlight. Disney+ has announced that the zombie horror adaptation, based on Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla’s bestselling Archie Comics series, will premiere in time for Halloween 2027.

The project comes from Warner Bros. Television, with Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and Greg Berlanti (You, The Flash, The Flight Attendant) serving as executive producers.

What is Afterlife with Archie about?

Unlike the classic wholesome adventures of Archie Andrews and the Riverdale gang, Afterlife with Archie imagines the beloved characters trapped in a full-scale zombie apocalypse. According to the official synopsis:

When a supernatural spell from a certain teen witch backfires, unleashing an army of the possessed dead upon Riverdale, Archie and his friends must fight to stay alive, testing the friendships, romances, and loyalties that have always held them together.

The comic, first published in 2013, quickly became one of Archie Comics’ most popular modern titles. It also marked one of the publisher’s first major books aimed squarely at older readers.

Back in 2025, reports indicated that Disney+ had landed the rights to the series after a competitive bidding process involving multiple streaming services. At the time, the project received a script-to-series commitment, with Aguirre-Sacasa attached as executive producer alongside Jimmy Gibbons, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, and Archie Comics Studios CEO Jon Goldwater.

Today’s announcement confirms that the project is officially moving forward into full series production.

Executive producers on the series include Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Jimmy Gibbons (via Muckle Man Productions); Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman (via Berlanti Productions); and Jon Goldwater for Archie Comics Studios.

Disney promises a thrilling new Riverdale

Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis said the series captures much more than zombie horror.

“Afterlife with Archie has always been about more than just zombies — it’s about the friendships, loyalty and humanity that make Riverdale worth fighting for. Roberto, Greg, Sarah and Jon have such a deep appreciation for these characters, and they’ve built something that’s equal parts thrilling and heartfelt. Fans are going to fall hard for this new version of the gang … and maybe scream a little too.”

Warner Bros. Television Group chairman and CEO Channing Dungey added:

“The world of Afterlife with Archie and Riverdale is the gift that keeps on giving. To bring Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s incredible story to life with our partners at Berlanti Productions, Archie Comics and Disney+ is a thrill for all of us at WBTVG.”

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa calls it a “full-circle moment”

For Aguirre-Sacasa, adapting Afterlife with Archie is especially meaningful because the comic laid the foundation for many of his later Archie projects.

“This was the comic book that started it all. Before there was a Riverdale, before there was a Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, there was Afterlife with Archie, which I collaborated on with the best horror artist in the business, Francesco Francavilla. Getting to turn Afterlife into a TV series for the amazing team at Disney+ with our incredible partners at Berlanti Productions, WB and, of course, Jon (Goldwater) and his Archie family is truly a full-circle moment — and the ultimate dream project for me. Time to say a prayer for Archie, Betty, Veronica and the whole gang, ’cause THE ZOMBIES ARE COMING!!!!”

Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter also celebrated returning to Riverdale, saying:

“We are so happy to reunite with Roberto on this exciting series that takes us back into the Riverdale world that we so love, and we are thankful to Disney+ and WBTV for giving us the opportunity to revisit some of our favorite characters in a unique and thrilling way. A special thank you to Jon Goldwater for letting us continue to play within the beloved Archie universe and trusting us to bring Archie’s various stories to life.”

Jon Goldwater added:

“I am absolutely thrilled to see the iconic Afterlife with Archie come to life; this is a series that has meant so much to me since the first comic issue came out years ago. This was a series always destined for live-action and finally getting the chance to make that happen is like a dream come true. Not only that, getting back in the saddle to work once more with Roberto, Greg and Sarah truly feels like a homecoming. I’m so grateful to everyone at Disney+ for giving this series a chance and cannot wait for the zombie invasion to take over TV screens worldwide.”

With Riverdale ending its seven-season run in 2023, Afterlife with Archie looks set to become the next major live-action chapter in the Archie universe, this time embracing full-fledged horror instead of teen melodrama.

Are you excited to see Afterlife with Archie make the jump to television? Let us know in the comments.

The post Afterlife with Archie TV series officially greenlit at Disney+, zombie adaptation set for Halloween 2027 appeared first on JoBlo.

After spending a couple of decades in development hell, a live-action feature film adaptation of Masters of the Universe finally made its way through production with Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White and Royal Blue) in the role of Adam / He-Man. Coming our way from Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Studios, the film received a theatrical release last month – but the box office numbers were sadly underwhelming. The movie has only made $113 million at the worldwide box office. Maybe it will have better luck in the streaming world. We’ll find out soon, because Deadline reports that Masters of the Universe will begin streaming on Prime Video on Wednesday, July 22.

What is Masters of the Universe about?

Bumblebee director Travis Knight is at the helm of this new take on Masters of Universe, working from a screenplay by Chris Butler that’s based on earlier drafts by Dave Callaham and formerly attached directors Aaron and Adam Nee. Alex Litvak and Michael Finch also have story credit. The story follows ten-year-old Prince Adam who crashed to Earth in a spaceship and was separated from his magical Power Sword—the only link to his home on Eternia. After tracking it down almost two decades later, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam will first need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man: the most powerful man in the Universe.

Here’s the official synopsis: After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) back to Eternia where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto). To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.

Who’s in the cast?

Galitzine is joined in the cast by

• Camila Mendes (Riverdale) as Teela
• Jared Leto (Morbius) as the villainous Skeletor
• Idris Elba (Luther) as Man-at-Arms (a.k.a. Duncan)
• GLOW‘s Alison Brie as Skeletor’s right hand woman Evil-Lyn
• Morena Baccarin (Deadpool & Wolverine) as The Sorceress
• Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson (Captain America: Brave New World) as Malcolm (a.k.a. Fisto)
• Sam C. Wilson (Dodger) as Trap Jaw
• Hafthor Bjornsson (Game of Thrones) as Goat Man
• Kojo Attah (The Beekeeper) as Tri-Klops
• Jon Xue Zhang (The Brothers Sun) as Ram-Man
• Stephen Adentan (Gladiator II) as Moss Man
• James Purefoy (A Knight’s Tale) as King Randor
• Charlotte Riley (Peaky Blinders) as Queen Marlena
• Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids) provides the voice of Roboto

All of those names will be familiar to fans of the Masters of the Universe franchise – and then we have Sasheer Zamata (Agatha All Along) and Christian Vunipola (Wildflower) as a pair of new characters, Suzie and Hussein. Dolph Lundgren – who played He-Man in the previous live-action Masters of the Universe film, released in 1987 – shows up for a cameo.

The new Masters of the Universe has been produced by Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Robbie Brenner, Steve Tisch, and DeVon Franklin, with Ynon Kreiz, Bill Bannerman, and David Bloomfield serving as executive producers.

Will you be watching Masters of the Universe when it starts streaming on Prime Video? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The post When will Masters of the Universe be streaming on Prime Video? appeared first on JoBlo.

William Wisher Jr., the screenwriter who helped bring Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic T-800 to the big screen in The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, has passed away at the age of 71.

The news was broken by journalist David Poland, a friend of Wisher’s, who posted on social media:

“Sad to announce the passing of screenwriter William Wisher at the age of 71. His credits include T2, The Terminator, Judge Dredd, and Live Free or Die Hard. He loved his wife Debbi… and cigarettes, scotch, and guns. An old friend and a good guy. RIP.”

Wisher’s first credit came on The Terminator, where he received an “additional dialogue” credit before being promoted to full co-writer alongside James Cameron on Terminator 2: Judgment Day. He even made memorable cameos in both films, playing a police officer in the original and the man who photographs the T-800 after it crashes through a store window in the sequel. Wisher also wrote the novelizations for both movies. I actually had both on my bookshelf as a kid and read the Terminator 2 novel months before the film was released—a fairly common practice at the time.

Wisher enjoyed a prolific career beyond the Terminator franchise, writing Sylvester Stallone’s Judge Dredd and the underrated John McTiernan epic The 13th Warrior, based on Michael Crichton’s Eaters of the Dead. He also co-wrote Exorcist: The Beginning, which became infamous after Paul Schrader’s original version was shelved. When Schrader’s cut was eventually released as Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist, Wisher earned the unusual distinction of receiving writing credit on two different versions of the same film.

He was also one of Hollywood’s go-to script doctors, contributing uncredited work to Die Hard with a Vengeance, Broken Arrow, Eraser, and Mercury Rising, among many others. His final credited screenplay was the Pierce Brosnan thriller I.T.

Paying tribute on X, The Terminator producer Gale Anne Hurd wrote:

“Such terribly sad news… Bill was not only integral to THE TERMINATOR but he was such an all around great guy. RIP.”

The post William Wisher Jr., Co-Writer of The Terminator and Terminator 2, Dies appeared first on JoBlo.

Kevin

Here we go again. We’ve previously suggested five great movies that proved you don’t need an epic runtime to deliver the goods, as well as another list of five amazing action movies perfect for a quick watch. This time, we’re turning down the lights and focusing on horror.

From Gothic monsters and Italian nightmares to alien parasites and claustrophobic supernatural terror, the genre has produced no shortage of unforgettable movies that waste little time getting to the good stuff. These films may be short, but they still deliver plenty of atmosphere, scares, gore, and thrills.

Same rules as always. 90 minutes or less. If it goes over by even a minute, it’s out. Let’s do this!

Night of the Creeps (1986) – 88 minutes

When alien parasites begin turning the students of a small college town into zombie-like killers, two awkward freshmen and a hardened detective must work together to stop the outbreak.

“I’ve got good news and bad news, girls. The good news is your dates are here… the bad news is… they’re dead.” It’s one of horror’s great lines, delivered by the one and only Tom Atkins.

Fred Dekker’s Night of the Creeps gleefully throws alien parasites, zombies, college comedy, 1950s science fiction, and hard-boiled detective clichés into a blender. The result shouldn’t work nearly as well as it does, but Dekker’s affection for every genre he’s playing with holds the whole wonderfully strange concoction together.

And then there’s Atkins. He nearly steals the entire movie—screw it, he absolutely does—as the world-weary Detective Cameron, stalking through the film with a cigarette, a haunted past, and an endless supply of memorable one-liners. He’s just so damn good.

Thrilling, funny, gory, and unapologetically weird, Night of the Creeps is the very definition of a cult classic. It’s a joyous celebration of horror that knows exactly how ridiculous it is and never stops having fun.

Dracula (1958) – 82 minutes

After Jonathan Harker falls victim to Count Dracula, Dr. Van Helsing sets out to destroy the vampire before he can claim another victim.

It was a glorious day when I discovered Hammer Horror. Here was an entire world of Gothic terror populated by cinema’s most iconic monsters, all presented with lurid sexuality, bright red blood, lavish period atmosphere, and incredible actors.

Dracula, released as Horror of Dracula in the United States, is one of Hammer’s very best. It strips Bram Stoker’s story down to its essentials and races through them with remarkable confidence and energy. Christopher Lee’s Dracula is commanding, seductive, and genuinely frightening, becoming my favourite interpretation of the legendary vampire.

The always fantastic Peter Cushing makes Van Helsing every bit Dracula’s equal. Watching Lee and Cushing face off is a thrill, and the pair share an undeniable chemistry that would serve Hammer well for years. They would reunite many times, becoming the studio’s own dynamic duo of horror.

The film helped reinvent the vampire movie for a new generation, and more than six decades later, it remains one of the finest and most entertaining Dracula films ever made.

Demons (1985) – 88 minutes

A group of strangers attending a mysterious movie screening become trapped inside the theatre when members of the audience begin transforming into bloodthirsty demons.

Unlike many horror fans, I didn’t start regularly watching scary movies until my teens. My parents were fairly strict about anything they considered inappropriate or too frightening, and, for whatever reason, I actually listened to them.

That didn’t mean I was completely sheltered from horror. Most of my early exposure came through friends whose parents seemingly let them watch whatever they wanted. When I was seven years old, I attended a sleepover birthday party for my friend Geoff, where his mother had rented a stack of gruesome horror movies. One of them was Lamberto Bava’s Demons.

I vividly remember sitting there in the middle of the night, peering through my fingers as the movie unleashed one horrifying creature after another. The mysterious man in the metallic mask, Rosemary’s transformation in the bathroom, and several of the film’s more gruesome attacks remained lodged in my brain for a long time.

I didn’t rediscover the film until many years later, when I started exploring Italian horror, and you know what, it’s still just as impactful as it was when I was little; only this time, I’m not hiding my face behind my hands.

Packed with grotesque transformations, pounding heavy-metal music, and increasingly outrageous set pieces, Demons barely gives you a chance to catch your breath. Logic may occasionally take a back seat, but that hardly matters when the result is this entertaining.

Blood and Black Lace (1964) – 88 minutes

A masked killer begins murdering the models at a prestigious fashion house, exposing a web of secrets, rivalries, and hidden relationships.

Mario Bava is one of horror’s true masters and is frequently regarded as the father of giallo, the Italian subgenre that would explode in popularity throughout the 1970s. Although Bava’s The Girl Who Knew Too Much is often considered the first true giallo, the director took the formula to a new level with Blood and Black Lace.

Few horror movies are as visually striking as this one. The film’s vivid lighting, elaborate compositions, and shadowy fashion-house setting give nearly every frame the appearance of a macabre painting. Its masked, black-gloved killer, bold use of colour, and intricately staged murders would influence countless giallo films and slashers in the decades that followed.

Yet Blood and Black Lace is more than an important piece of horror history. It remains a beautifully crafted, deeply atmospheric murder mystery and a stunning showcase for Bava’s unmatched visual style.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) – 86 minutes

A father-and-son team of coroners examines the unidentified body of a young woman, only to uncover a series of increasingly disturbing and inexplicable clues.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe takes place almost entirely inside a single mortuary, but director André Øvredal finds countless ways to make the confined setting feel increasingly terrifying. What begins as a seemingly routine examination gradually descends into something far more sinister, with the skin-crawling tension steadily tightening as the night unfolds.

Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch give the film a believable emotional foundation as a father-and-son team of coroners attempting to understand the impossible body before them. Despite apparently being dead for several days, Jane shows no external signs of trauma, and her blood still flows. As the autopsy progresses, each new discovery only deepens the mystery, blurring the line between reality and something much more frightening.

It’s a smart, deeply unsettling example of how much horror can be generated through suggestion, atmosphere, and carefully controlled pacing. By revealing its secrets one disturbing layer at a time, The Autopsy of Jane Doe turns a simple examination into a claustrophobic nightmare.

The post Five Terrifying Horror Movies Under 90 Minutes appeared first on JoBlo.

Reggie Bannister, the beloved star of the Phantasm franchise, entered hospice care more than a year ago, and he and his family need our support. A GoFundMe campaign was launched earlier this year to help the horror icon cover medical expenses and other essential costs, ensuring he can continue to receive the care he needs. Now, there’s a new campaign in progress, with funds going toward Bannister’s hospice caregiving expenses, which are around $3000 per week.

Reggie Bannister GoFundMe

Here’s the campaign description: Reggie Bannister is a world-renowned musician, actor, and Vietnam veteran whose life has touched countless people. From his early days as a founding member of the Young Americans and the Greenwood County Singers, performing on iconic shows like Ed Sullivan and Dean Martin, to his legendary role as the intrepid ice cream man in the Phantasm film franchise, Reggie has inspired generations of fans. His journey took him from the vibrant music scene to the battlefields of Vietnam, where he served bravely and returned to pursue his passion for the performing arts. Along the way, he formed lifelong bonds and brought joy to audiences around the world.

Today, Reggie faces his toughest challenge yet. Diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia secondary to Parkinson’s Disease, he is in home hospice care, requiring 24/7 support. His devoted wife, Rev. Gigi Bannister, has been by his side, balancing her hypnotherapy practice and residency while managing Reggie’s complex care needs. The costs for caregivers, medical supplies, equipment, utilities, and payroll taxes are overwhelming, and not currently covered by the Veterans Administration. Gigi has even begun selling memorabilia to keep up with bills and payroll, while volunteers have stepped in to help during peak care periods.

Your support will help Reggie and Gigi maintain essential care and dignity during this critical time. Every donation goes directly to Reggie’s hospice home care, ensuring he receives the comfort and support he deserves. Any contribution, big or small, will make a meaningful difference and is deeply appreciated by their family and the Phantasm community. Please join us in honoring Reggie’s legacy and supporting his journey.

As someone with personal experience in home care and end-of-life care, I know all too well how overwhelming things can become (as I’m sure some of you do as well). The costs can add up quickly, adding another layer of stress at a time when all you really want is to make sure your loved one is comfortable and cared for.

Reggie Appeared in Every Phantasm Movie

Along with Angus Scrimm, who played The Tall Man, Reggie Bannister is the only actor to appear in every Phantasm movie, from the original 1979 film through to Phantasm: Ravager in 2016.

The post Phantasm star Reggie Bannister needs help to support his hospice care appeared first on JoBlo.