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I read The Incal at least thirty years ago, during the burst of Mœbius republications from Marvel. As I recall, I thought it was Ok space opera, with an annoying main character and more mystical mumbo-jumbo than I preferred.

Humanoids republished the original Incal series – in six volumes this time, matching the original French albums, unlike the Marvel 2-in-1s – in 2012, going back to the original French colors by Yves Chaland and taking out some minor censorship that had crept into English-language editions in the ’90s. And so, for no good reason, I’m taking another look at this series.

The Black Incal is the first of the six albums of the main series,...

Despite Taika Waititi‘s already heavy portfolio, the Kiwi director keeps adding to his slate of movies and other franchise projects, the most recent one being a live-action Judge Dredd film. The violent and bleak comic satire, which became hugely popular in the UK since its launch in the late 1970s, has been a Hollywood pet project for the longest time.

In the past, Sylvester Stallone tried and failed while Karl Urban somewhat succeeded in bringing the comic book character to life. However, this time around, the project will be a collaboration of the action-fanatic mind of Drew Pearce and the eccentric genius of Taika Waititi (The Hollywood Reporter).

But despite the made-to-be-successful pairing of the two, the future of Judge Dredd looks as bleak in reality as it does in the comics. And Waititi’s growing list of the following undeveloped projects is to blame for the growing suspicion...

Metal Hurlant, the French comic book anthology from the 1970s and 80s credited with reshaping the contemporary sci-fi aesthetic and inspiring films such as “Alien,” “Tron,” “Blade Runner,” “Akira” and “The Fifth Element,” is returning on its 50th anniversary.

A new English-language quarterly edition of Metal Hurlant — first announced last year — is hitting shelves this week from publishers Humanoids, which launched the original in France in 1975. Variety can exclusively reveal several excerpts of new stories from the anthology alongside support from one of the biggest filmmakers working today.

Excerpt from ‘Respect’ by Matthew Allison

Metal Hurlant was first created by comic artists Jean Giraud (better known as Mœbius) and Philippe Druillet, together with journalist-writer Jean-Pierre Dionnet and finance director Bernand Farkas. Collectively, the four were known as “Les Humanoïdes Associés (United Humanoids), which became the name of their publishing house, first launched in Paris but now based in Los Angeles.

Movies To Watch If You Liked ‘The Electric State’ on Netflix: Anthony and Joe Russo have had one of the most fascinating career trajectories of any filmmakers working in Hollywood. Despite having only a few comedy features to their name, the duo was hired to revolutionize the Marvel Cinematic Universe when they crafted “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” which was instantly hailed as one of the greatest comic book films ever made. Although the Russo brothers continued to earn praise for their subsequent work on “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Avengers: Endgame,” their work outside of Marvel Studios has been rather disappointing.

The Russo brothers’ latest film is “The Electric State,” a post-apocalyptic science fiction action comedy that is based on an acclaimed graphic novel of the same name. Although a $320 million budget and the involvement of stars like Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown would suggest great things,...

Hollywood is lucky to have highly imaginative writer, director, and actor Taika Waititi planning to bring his vision to several more intriguing projects in the coming years. Waititi was an up-and-coming director at the time he was tasked with leading the latest Thor movie for the MCU and shocked everyone when he completely redid and reinvigorated the subseries' established tone. Since then, Waititi has created and starred in several more off-beat projects.

This includes Best Picture nominee Jojo Rabbit, and the highly acclaimed but sadly canceled pirate series Our Flag Means Death. Easily able to star in TV shows that balance comedy and drama as well as mainstream blockbusters, everyone is eager to see what Waititi is doing next, following his reported involvement in future anime movie adaptations as well as upcoming book adaptations.

Klara And The Sun Waititi As Director & Producer

Waititi has taken on the monumental task of...

Half a century after the groundbreaking release of the first issue of Metal Hurlant in France, the endlessly influential comic book anthology will return to print in English in early 2025 as a quarterly publication from Humanoids, and with a Kickstarter campaign now underway as part of Humanoids' 50th anniversary celebrations, we've been provided with an exclusive excerpt that invites readers to check into Elene Usdin's “Nightmare Motel,” one of the many unique stories that will be featured in the first year of the new Metal Hurlant.

Below, you can check out our exclusive preview pages from Elene Usdin's “Nightmare Motel,” as well as cover art and the official press release with additional details. To learn more about the return of Metal Hurlant, visit:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/humanoidsinc/metal-hurlant?ref=ch8qc6

Press Release: Los Angeles, November 13, 2024 – In 1974, filmmaker, writer, mime, and poet Alejandro Jodorowsky was working in...

I don’t have the highest opinion of the work of Alexandro Jodorowsky, to put it mildly. (See my post on the Moebius/Jodorowsky product Madwoman of the Sacred Heart for a fuller rant.) I tend to think Moebius had massive tendencies towards self-indulgence at best, and that Jodorowsky fed into those, adding a soupy Euro mystic vagueness on top, like a light fog that makes everything unclear.

But I like books that I react strongly to – even if that reaction is not actually positive. The point of art is to make people feel, and revulsion and disdain is a feeling, he said somewhat puckishly. So I keep giving Jodorowsky chances, in large part because other readers – people who I otherwise respect – said consistently for decades that there really was a there there.

Thus The Eyes of the Cat , their 1978 collaboration – I think the first time they worked together, a...

I don’t have the highest opinion of the work of Alexandro Jodorowsky, to put it mildly. (See my post on the Moebius/Jodorowsky product Madwoman of the Sacred Heart for a fuller rant.) I tend to think Moebius had massive tendencies towards self-indulgence at best, and that Jodorowsky fed into those, adding a soupy Euro mystic vagueness on top, like a light fog that makes everything unclear.

But I like books that I react strongly to – even if that reaction is not actually positive. The point of art is to make people feel, and revulsion and disdain is a feeling, he said somewhat puckishly. So I keep giving Jodorowsky chances, in large part because other readers – people who I otherwise respect – said consistently for decades that there really was a there there.

Thus The Eyes of the Cat , their 1978 collaboration – I think the first time they worked together, a...

Luc Besson has a rather unique filmography. While some of the films he's written and/or directed, including The Professional and Taken, have become staples in pop culture, other films - particularly Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets - are better tossed and left in the dustbin of history. Among his work, many consider Besson's crowning achievement to be The Fifth Element, starring Bruce Willis as a soldier turned cab driver who winds up protecting a mysterious girl (Milla Jojovich) who is literally the key to stopping a dark force from engulfing the universe. The Fifth Element delivered a universe that was unlike anything else in science fiction at the time, both in terms of visual appeal and lore. It also had some great performances as Willis lends equal parts heart and snark to his cosmic cabbie Korben Dallas, while Jojovich's Leeloo runs through a gauntlet of emotions.

Jenna Ortega is reportedly close to signing up to play the lead in Taika Waititi’s Klara And The Sun – an artificial being created as a friend for young people.

Taika Waititi has a whole raft of projects that may or may not get made, including a Star Wars film, the Tower Of Terror project based on the Disney theme park ride, adaptations of Flash Gordon and Akira, not to mention his planned take on The Incal, an adaptation of a ‘partly satirical space opera literary masterpiece’. There are other film projects in the pipeline too, not to mention TV-based ones.

Time will tell which of these reach fruition, but we do know that the filmmaker is plumping for Klara And The Sun as his next project. Back in October, we heard that Waititi wanted to begin production in Australia at the beginning of this year. We haven’t heard much since then,...

Taika Waititi has revealed that he has no plans to return to Marvel’s Thor franchise anytime soon.

A fifth film hasn’t been confirmed by the studio but rumors have made their rounds on social media in recent months. The director recently told Business Insider that he “wouldn’t know if that’s accurate,” but he knows “that I won’t be involved.”

“I’m going to concentrate on these other films that I’ve signed on for,” he added.

Waititi helmed 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok, which took in more than $855 million worldwide, and 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder, which earned over $760 million.

As for the next few years, the Jojo Rabbit director wants to focus on the film adaptations of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Klara and the Sun and Alejandro Jodorowsky’s novel The Incal, as well as continue to develop his highly anticipated Star Wars movie, which he said is “still marinating.

Taika Waititi won't be involved in 'Thor 5'.The 48-year-old filmmaker - who directed 'Thor: Ragnarok' and 'Thor: Love and Thunder', while also co-writing the latter - has confirmed he isn't returning for a potential next instalment in the Marvel franchise as he looks to focus on other projects.Asked about reports a fifth film is being developed, Waititi - who helmed the last two movies in the series - told Business Insider: "I wouldn't know if that's accurate. I know that I won't be involved."Instead, he explained he will focus on other projects he's already got in the pipeline.He added: "I'm going to concentrate on these other films that I've signed on for."As well as a movie adaptation of Alejandro Jodorowsky's graphic novel 'The Incal', his own 'Star Wars' movie is "still marinating" as he continues to develop the project.

Taika Waititi directed two of the four Thor films starring Chris Hemsworth and as rumors that a fifth installment is being developed, the director is saying he is not involved.

After directing Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Waititi’s involvement in the Thor franchise could have ended already. In a new interview promoting his latest film Next Goal Wins, Waititi says he is not working on the rumored Thor 5 film.

“I wouldn’t know if that’s accurate,” he tells Business Insider. “I know that I won’t be involved.”

He added, “I’m going to concentrate on these other films that I’ve signed on for.”

Waititi says he has other projects in the pipeline like the adaptation of the graphic novel The Incal and a movie in the Star Wars universe as well as the adaptation of the Kazuo Ishiguro novel Klara and the Sun.

“So that’s six,...

Even if Marvel decides to produce a fifth “Thor” movie, Taika Waititi is unlikely to return to the director’s chair. The filmmaker spoke to Business Insider while promoting his underdog soccer crowdpleaser “Next Goal Wins.” During that chat, he was asked the extent of his involvement with the reportedly in-development “Thor 5.”

“I wouldn’t know if that’s accurate,” Waititi responded. “I know that I won’t be involved.” He further stated that he was “going to concentrate on these other films that I’ve signed on for.”

Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarök turned him into a household name at least among the film nerd crowd. The pulpy, colorful and fantastical action comedy earned strong reviews along with a franchise-high rave reviews for the along with a franchise-high $854 million in late 2017. The film helped rejuvenate the “Thor” series after the successful ($644 million in 2013) but indifferently received “Thor: The Dark World.

Famed director Taika Waititi recently stated he isn't working on a new Thor movie.

In an interview with Business Insider, New Zealand native director Taika Waititi discussed his future with the Thor franchise. Whispers have been swirling about another Thor installment for the ever-expanding MCU -- but Waititi clarified, "I know that I won't be involved." Furthermore, he said of the rumors that Thor 5 is even happening at Marvel Studios, "I wouldn't know if that's accurate." Waititi directed the last two films for the Thor series, Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder. The former was a smash hit for Marvel, raking in a total of $855 million worldwide (making it the highest grossing Thor film) and quickly cementing itself as a favorite among Marvel fans.

Rumor: Thor 5 in the Works at Marvel Studios

Thor 5 May Move Forward Without Waititi

Waititi made sure to emphasize that there was no bad blood between himself and the studio,...

When credits for Thor: Love and Thunder ended, Marvel Studios promised the God of Thunder would return to the MCU for another adventure of epic proportions. While the studio’s been quiet about Thor’s return, that hasn’t kept fans from speculating about the hero’s future and press outlets from needling Taika Waititi about returning to direct another film in the franchise after helming the last two chapters, Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder. Catching up with Waititi while promoting his new sports drama Next Goal Wins, Business Insider asked if he’s involved with Thor 5.

“I wouldn’t know if that’s accurate,” Waititi explained to Business Insider. “I know that I won’t be involved.” Before putting a pin in the conversation, Waititi added, “I’m going to concentrate on these other films that I’ve signed on for.”

Waititi has several projects in development,...

Despite Marvel’s latest troubles, Thor 5 is reportedly pressing on, but Taika Waititi won’t be returning to helm the film.

Taika Waititi has officially ruled himself out of directing another Thor sequel. After Thor: The Dark World, which is commonly considered one of the worst Marvel films, Waititi brought the individual superhero franchise back from the dead with the delightfully colourful and weird Thor: Ragnarok.

Last year saw the release of Thor: Love And Thunder, which garnered a mostly positive, but a little muted reception. Speaking to Business Insider about his new film Next Goal Wins, Waititi put an end to the rumours of whether or not Marvel’s making another Thor film.

“I wouldn’t know if that’s accurate,” Waititi told Business Insider. “I know that I won’t be involved.”

Well, that’s that then.

“I’m going to concentrate on these other films that I’ve signed on for,...

Taika Waititi told Business Insider while promoting his new sports comedy “Next Goal Wins” that he “won’t be involved” in a fifth “Thor” movie, at least if it’s happening anytime in the next six years or so. The Oscar winner directed Chris Hemsworth in the beloved “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017) and the hugely divisive “Thor: Love and Thunder” (2022). A fifth “Thor” film is currently not on Marvel’s upcoming slate, although the character is still very much alive within the MCU and the door is presumably open for his return.

“I wouldn’t know if that’s accurate,” Waititi said when asked about the social media rumors claiming “Thor 5” is in development but not with him as director. “I know that I won’t be involved…I’m going to concentrate on these other films that I’ve signed on for.”

Waititi has a slew of non-Marvel projects that he’s currently in development on,...

Afternoon all! It’s been a manic week but fortunately one that can be summarized neatly in several paragraphs, as evidenced below. Read on International Insider crew.

Big Cannes Interviews & Packages

Sitting down with David and Riz: With Cannes on the horizon, Deadline has been breaking packages here, there and everywhere this week but we still found time to sit down with two of those most prominently involved. On Tuesday, Damon Wise published his interview with Eastern Promises creator Cronenberg to talk Crimes of the Future, his latest Cannes pic. David talked variety, 25 years’ worth of Cannes trips and whether his violence in movies can go too far. Not to be missed. Meanwhile, Andreas broke the news of hot Riz feature Hamlet, a modern adaptation of the Shakespeare classic, and spoke at length with the Sound of Metal star about his plans for one of his boldest projects yet. Not...

Exclusive: A sister company to The Incal Universe owner Humanoids named Sparkling has launched to create European drama, with Patrick Nebout at the helm, Deadline can reveal.

Cannes Confidential and Midnight Sun producer and European co-production specialist Nebout is exiting Beta-owned producer Dramacorp to lead the Paris-based producer as President and Chief Content Officer.

Sparkling will sit adjacent to LA-based Humanoids, which is the owner of science fiction comic book franchise The Incal, created by writer and filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky and French artist Mœbius in the 1980s. It will focus on original European drama projects and series and financing, producing and co-producing series and movies based on the Humanoids catalogue.

“We’ll be identifying and adapting the most unique and scalable IP from Humanoids’ vast catalogue of iconic graphic novels but we’ll also develop and produce original series and movies,” Nebout told Deadline. “All will be premium projects, resonating...

Sword-carrying, swashbuckling vigilantes who kill each other with kindness? This clearly isn’t your typical pirate tale.

Set in 1717, “Our Flag Means Death” follows Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) after he trades in his aristocratic lifestyle to become captain of pirate ship Revenge following a midlife crisis. Helmed by creator David Jenkins and executive-produced by Taika Waititi (who also stars as Captain Blackbeard), “Our Flag Means Death” is loosely based on the real-life adventures of Bonnet and his crew.

The 10-episode season premieres March 3 on HBO Max with three episodes, followed by three more episodes March 10, two episodes March 17, and the two final episodes March 24.

Waititi directs the first episode, featuring an ensemble cast of Nathan Foad, Samson Kayo, Vico Ortiz, Ewen Bremner, Joel Fry, Matt Maher, Kristian Nairn, Con O’Neill, Guz Khan, David Fane, Rory Kinnear, Samba Schutte, Nat Faxon, Fred Armisen and Leslie Jones.

“Our Blackbeard is a legend,...

Exclusive: The Incal Universe established in the 1980s by writer and filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky and French artist Mœbius will soon be expanding, by way of a set of new stories.

When Free Comic Book Day rolls around next May, Humanoids will unveil an Incal Universe Special previewing three new titles: Psychoverse by Mark Russell and Yanick Paquette; Dying Star by Dan Watters and Jon Davis-Hunt; and Kill Wolfhead by Brandon Thomas and Pete Woods.

Today’s Incal news comes on the heels of Humanoids’ announcement in November surrounding a film adaptation of The Incal to be helmed by Taika Waititi. The Oscar winner is also co-writing the script for the project, from Humanoids and Primer Entertainment, with Jemaine Clement and Peter Warren.

The Incal is the highest-selling science-fiction graphic novel of all time, and is also regarded as one of the most influential. It’s an epic space opera centered on John Difool,...

Created by author/historian Xavier Dollo and illustrator Djibril Morissette-Phan, the graphic novel The History of Science Fiction will be released on November 23rd by Humanoids, and we've been provided with exclusive preview pages that explore the origins of Mary Shelley's groundbreaking novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.

You can check out our exclusive excerpt below, and to learn more about The History of Science Fiction, visit:

https://www.humanoids.com/y_catalog/book/id/1176

This November Humanoids, the publisher of some of the world’s most iconic and groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy graphic novels, will release The History Of Science Fiction from author/historian Xavier Dollo and illustrator Djibril Morissette-Phan. For the first time in illustrated form, this comprehensive history of science fiction traces its origins and, in fascinating detail, charts its history from its beginnings as a “schlock” genre to its respected status today.

Who is...