The latest geek TV news roundup has Marvel, Star Wars, Watchmen, and much more.
Netflix has run into more legal trouble, with Chooseco, LLC suing the streaming giant over Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Chooseco alleges that the episode infringes on its trademark, causes reputational harm, and dilutes the Choose Your Own Adventures brand. The lawsuit demands compensation in the amount of $25 million or Netflix’s profits, whichever is higher. Much like a Choose Your Own Adventure book, viewers are able to select the course of action in Bandersnatch, and the episode briefly references Choose Your Own Adventures in one scene. Netflix has not referred to the books in their advertisements, and most descriptions comparing the show to the popular books have been by third parties, such as reviewers. Chooseco sent the company a cease-and-desist letter before the episode aired. Netflix once pursued a license for the Choose Your Own Adventures mark, but it was not awarded to the streamer. The Satanic Temple recently sued Netflix for copyright infringement over the use of a Belial statue in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and the case was settled for an undisclosed amount (see “Disney's OTT Service Name, 'Rogue One' Series, Satanic Temple Sues Netflix, Netflix Adds New Anime, Grant Morrison Adapting 'The Invisibles' For TV”).
HBO’s Watchmen series has added Hong Chau (Downsizing). Producers aren’t offering details on her role in the series, but her character’s name is rumored to be Lady T., reports Deadline. The series also stars Jeremy Irons, Jean Smart, Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr., Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Andrew Howard, Tom Mison, Frances Fisher, Jacob Ming-Trent, Sara Vickers, and Dylan Schombing (see “Watchmen Casting in Latest Geek TV Round-Up”). It will air sometime in 2019.
Star Wars Resistance has been picked up for a second season reports TV Week. The animated series, which airs on the Disney Channel and DisneyNOW, is set prior to the events of The Force Awakens and includes familiar characters like Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma (see “AMC's 'The Walking Dead' Plans, 'Star Wars Resistance' Debut, Shudder Is a 'Lucky Man,' 'Swamp Thing' Cast, Live Action 'Ladybug & Cat Noir'”). The first season debuted in early October, and the midseason premiere aired this week.
The CW announced several 2019 premiere dates and time changes for its geek shows via Entertainment Weekly. iZombie returns for its final season on May 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The 100 returns for its sixth season on April 30 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Legends of Tomorrow is moving to a new time on April 1, airing at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, followed by Arrow at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT beginning April 15.
Disney+’s series centered on Vision and Scarlet Witch has a showrunner and writer. Jac Schaeffer, who was a writer on Captain Marvel and the upcoming Black Widow film (see “'Black Widow' Solo Feature Names Director”), has been tasked with running the series, writing the pilot, and executive producing reports THR. Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen are expected to reprise their roles for the series. Disney+ has been banking shows based on various characters from the MCU, including Loki (see “Loki Series Starring Tom Hiddleston Planned For Disney+”) and Falcon and Winter Soldier (see “Falcon and Winter Soldier Series”), with the film actors set to star. Malcolm Spellman (Empire) has been hired to write the Falcon and Winter Soldier series.