News Bytes: GKIDS Teases ‘Evangelion’ Set, Live-Action ‘Airbender’ Cast, Idris Elba Knuckles Down for Sonic & More

All Personnel, Condition One. Battle Stations. Countdown Start.

GKIDS has launched a countdown page promising big news about an “Ultimate Edition” of Neon Genesis Evangelion coming to North America, to be revealed on August 19. One of the most critically acclaimed, popular anime of all time, the 26-episode mecha series from Hideaki Anno originally debuted on TV Tokyo in October 1995, produced by Gainax and Tatsunoko.

Netflix Announces Cast & Creatives for ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’

The live-action series based on the iconic Nickelodeon animation will be headed by showrunner/exec producer/writer Albert Kim (Sleepy Hollow), executive produced by Dan Lin (The LEGO Movie) and Lindsey Liberatore (Walker) for Rideback and Michael Goi (Swamp Thing), co-exec produced by Roseanne Liang, and directed by Liang, Michael Goi and Jabbar Raisani. Starring are…

• Gordon Cormier (he/him) as Aang, a fearless and fun-loving 12-year-old who just happens to be the Avatar, master of all four elements and the keeper of balance and peace in the world. An airbending prodigy, Aang is a reluctant hero, struggling to deal with the burden of his duties while still holding on to his adventurous and playful nature.
• Kiawentiio (she/her) as Katara, a determined and hopeful waterbender, the last in her small village. Though only 14, she’s already endured great personal tragedy, which has held her back from rising to her true potential, though it’s never dimmed her warm and caring spirit.
• Ian Ousley (he/him) as Sokka, Katara’s sardonic and resourceful 16-year-old brother. Outwardly confident, even brash, he takes his responsibility as the leader of his tribe seriously, despite his inner doubts over his warrior skills… doubts that he masks with his wit and deadpan sense of humor.
• Dallas Liu (he/him) as Zuko, a skilled firebender and the intense and guarded Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. Currently roaming the world in exile, he’s on an obsessive quest to capture the Avatar because he believes that is the only way to reclaim his life and live up to the demands of his cruel and controlling father, the Fire Lord.

The Suicide Squad star is on deck for another franchise turn, joining the cast of the hybrid sequel as the fan-favorite echidna character. Sonic the Hedgehog — slated for release by Paramount on April 8, 2022 — is being directed again by Jeff Fowler, with Ben Schwartz returning as Sonic. Also starring are James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore and Jim Carrey. The first outing released in February 2020 earned almost $320 million globally, right before the pandemic shuttered box offices.

‘Lucifer’s Season 6 Trailer Promises a Devilishly Wild Finale

The DC Comics adaptation returns for its final season on Netflix September 10 — packed with the action, romance and extra-twisty twists fans have come to expect. Perhaps most sinister of all, the puckish Prince of Darkness (played by Tom Ellis) and Chloe (Lauren German) will find themselves in cartoonish torment, the teaser hints.

‘Luca’ Gets August 20 Release Date in China

Pixar’s summery sea monster tale is the first Hollywood title slated for theatrical release in the market since Cruella in June. The studio’s previous title, Soul, released in the Middle Kingdom at Christmas 2020 and went on to gross $58 million in the country, beating the previous Pixar record set by Incredibles 2.

Sailor Moon Uniforms and Theme Music Wins Usbekistan Gymnasts New Fans at Tokyo Olympics

The country’s rhythmic gymnastics team took inspiration from the Japanese shoujo queen in sera fuku-inspired leotards and a magical routine set to the song “Moonlight Densetsu”.

これ観客いたら死ぬほど盛り上がっただろうな?
セーラームーン見てた世代だからめっちゃ嬉しい??#ムーンライト伝説 #ウズベキスタン #新体操 #新体操団体 pic.twitter.com/wxgpbFxzTh

— なな (@_kcyuta) August 7, 2021

‘Powerpuff Girls’ CW Pilot Star Chloe Bennet Exits Project

The live-action spin on Craig McCracken’s hit series has lost its Blossom. After The CW chairman & CEO Mark Pedowitz dubbed the first shot at a pilot “a miss,” the network opted to shoot a new test of the concept, creating scheduling difficulties for the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. actress. Dove Cameron (Bubbles), Yana Perrault (Buttercup), Donald Faison (Prof. Utonium), Nicholas Podany (Jojo) and Robyn Lively (Sara Bellum) are still attached to the project, dubbed Powerpuff.

Watch: Tomohiro Okazaki’s Mesmerizing ‘Matchstick’ Animations

Give your brain a five-minute vacation with these hypnotic transformations created by the head of Japan’s SWIMMING design studio. (H/T to Hypebeast.)