Geek showbiz news has been flowing over the past few days, and we round it up here.

Arowana Media Holdings has acquired the film, television, and streaming rights to Dynamite Entertainment’s Vampirella universe, including stories, characters, and derivative works, the companies announced.  A feature is planned, with Mark Newbauer of Arowana parent Mike the Pike Productions, and Nick Barrucci and Juan Collado of Dynamite producing.

Hugh Grant will play the villain in the Dungeons & Dragons feature, Variety reports, and Sophia Lillis has also joined the cast.  They join Chris Pine and others; the film is preparing to begin principal photography (see "Hasbro Drops Multiple Announcements").

Ta-Nehisi Coates will write an upcoming Superman feature from DC Films and Warner Bros., according to Shadow and Act.  Bad Robot’s J.J. Abrams is producing, along with Hannah Minghella.  Widely honored author Coates also has comics cred from his writing runs on Black Panther and Captain America.

An animated series starring vocaloid Hatsune Miku is in development by Crypton Future Media, Graphic India and Carlin West Agency, according to Deadline.  The virtual pop star had a good run in the U.S., appearing on Letterman, and with manga from Dark Horse Comics and Seven Seas Entertainment (see "’Hatsune Miku: Future Delivery’"), and games from Bushiroad.

Marvel announced that the Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. animated series (see "’M.O.D.O.K.’ Series Sneak Peak"), starring Patton Oswalt and Melissa Fumero, will premiere on May 21 on Hulu.

Announced the same day, Hulu has renewed Animaniacs for a third season, although the second season has not yet aired, according to Variety.  The first season aired late last year (see "New ‘Animaniacs’ Trailer’").

After strong performances on Netflix last year, the world of Avatar: Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra will expand; Nickelodeon has launched Avatar Studios to create original animated series and features based on the worlds from the two Nickelodeon series, the company announced.  An animated theatrical film is first up, with production to begin later in 2021.  The studio will be helmed by series creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko as co-CCOs.


And in a second Nick announcement, a new CG-animated Rugrats series will premiere on Paramount+ (née CBS All Access) this spring.  The new series will reunite the members of the original voice cast.  Nine seasons of the original animated series were aired from 1991 to 2004.