It’s been a pretty great week for sci-fi fans so far, with multiple franchises seeing renewals for future seasons, promises of even more from others that are still just getting started, and a quietly impressive YouTube series you should really take a look at.
This week is shaping up to be a fantastic follow-up to last week’s debut ofAmazon’sFalloutseries. While we haven’t got any further news on the future of the retailer’s post-apocalyptic cinematic universe, the future looks bright for many other franchises. It’s also a pretty good day to be a fan of 1977’sClose Encounters of the Third Kind, as a sci-fi trailblazer returns to the scene to rock our concept of the world once again.
PeacemakerSeason 2 filming begins
A post shared by James Gunn (@jamesgunn)
James Gunnconfirmed this weekthat Season 2 ofPeacemakeris now well underway. This second season and the Superman movie he’s working on are being filmed simultaneously, which sounds like a minefield to keep straight in your head. For those who aren’t aware,Peacemakeris a spin-off of theSuicide Squadmovies starring John Cena’s titular character in one of his most enjoyable performances.
A Thousands Sunssci-fi short series delights viewers
A Thousand Sunsis a series of six short sci-fi movies. Each one is roughly 5 minutes long and paints a picture of humanity’s far future across various worlds, circumstances, and beliefs. It was created by Blackmilk Studios and released yesterday to a decent reception from fans on themain sci-fi subreddit. I’ve watched the first two episodes so far, and while they’re not as incredible as I’m sure a full-length movie in the same universe would be, they’re well worth a watch for the way they explore this vision for our progression in thousands of years.
Rebel Moon‘s third part is already plotted, should it get the all clear
I opened Netflix this morning in the UK and was surprised to seeRebel Moon: Part 2being advertised, with Part 1 having only been released in late 2023. However, it’s real and will be released this week on April 19, but the story beyond it has already been planned out. In a recent issue of SFX, as reported byCollider, director Zack Snyder already knows where the franchise is heading in a wider story arc.
This could include a Part 3 Netflix release as well as books, comics, and spin-offs. Snyder adds that after a certain point, he’d be fine handingRebel Moonoff to someone else so the massive universe can be explored. It feels a lot like the start of something much bigger, provided it can maintain its momentum.
Spielberg directing a new UFO movie
As reported byVariety, director Steven Spielberg is turning his attention to a new UFO movie based on his own idea. David Koepp is allegedly writing the script, though this isn’t confirmed. As someone who watchedClose Encounters of the Third Kinda ridiculous number of times as a child because he adores UFOs, this is very exciting news. If you’re struggling to wait, I can’t recommend that movie enough.
Apple renews For All Mankind for its fifth season, plus a spin-off
Finally,Apple has reneweditsFor All Mankindalternate history space race show for a fifth season as well as a spin-off. Its creators have an ambitious seven-season plan that they seem to be getting close to, which is impressive in a day and age when any streaming series can get shut down once it hits this point. Just look atThe Expanse.
The spin-off here is going to be another series calledStar City, which will tell the story of this alternative history space race as a paranoid thriller from behind the Iron Curtain. This ticks all the boxes for me right now, but more than anything, I want the main series to reach the planned endpoint, so I hope this spin-off doesn’t risk that.
