• Spider-Man: No Way Home – 5 Burning Questions After the New Trailer

    Now that the second trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home has been released, we finally have a decent grasp of what's actually going on in this MCU sequel. Tom Holland's Peter Parker is going to face a real identity crisis and an entire team of familiar Marvel villains in his latest big-screen adventure.

    That's not to say we don't still have plenty of questions about No Way Home. Let's take a deep dive into the new trailer to see what it reveals and the burning questions that remain about Spidey's return.

    How Does Peter Get Out of Jail?

    The first No Way Home trailer made it clear this sequel opens shortly after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Given the cliffhanger introduced in FFH's mid-credits scene, how could it not? We'll see Peter and MJ deal with the immediate fallout of J. Jonah Jameson leaking Spider-Man's secret identity and accusing him of murder. What's more, the first trailer shows us Peter will actually be arrested and taken into custody.

    It's less clear what happens immediately after Peter's arrest. The first trailer also shows us a glimpse of Peter returning to school and facing the dumbstruck stares of his classmates. The second trailer, however, skips over this material and focuses more on Doctor Strange and the invading villains – what we assume is the main crux of the sequel.

    It would seem Peter is able to deal with the immediate legal fallout of being outed by JJJ, leaving him to pick up the pieces of his personal life. The police may not be able to prove he's Spider-Man, but that doesn't mean the rest of the world doesn't still suspect him of leading two lives. The question is how, and who might be helping Peter Parker win his freedom? How does a poor kid from Queens beat the system?

    If there's any truth to those persistent rumors about Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock appearing in No Way Home, this would probably be where he steps in. As a lawyer with a secret, costumed life of his own, Matt would be perfectly suited to helping a fellow hero out of a legal jam. Another possibility is we could meet Tatiana Maslany's Jennifer Walters ahead of her debut in the upcoming She-Hulk series.

    However, it's just as likely the movie will have a simpler explanation for this question. Aunt May is dating Happy Hogan, former personal valet to one of the richest men in human history. Happy probably has plenty of resources of his own for situations like these.

    Will We See Other Worlds in the Marvel Multiverse?

    Where Far From Home delivered a major fake-out on the multiverse front, No Way Home looks to be the first live-action Spider-Man movie to directly deal with the multiverse concept. But even after two trailers, we're still unclear how exactly the multiverse factors into the plot. We know villains from past Spider-Man movies like Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus and Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin are making the jump to the MCU. We don't know whether Peter himself will visit other worlds over the course of the movie.

    The title would seem to imply as much. We know the plot hinges on Doctor Strange casting a spell to make the world forget Spider-Man's identity, only for that spell to go haywire and weaken the barriers between universes. Even as we see these iconic villains enter the MCU, Spidey himself may be lost in the multiverse and trapped with no way home.

    But if that is the case, we see little evidence in this footage. Apart from a few shots showing us that trademark Doctor Strange, dimension-bending magic, most of these scenes look to be taking place in the MCU. So will Spidey be travelling to other worlds, or will this film be more akin to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, where the action is mostly confined to one world?

    Is There a Sixth Spider-Man Villain?

    The second trailer confirms a number of long-standing casting rumors. We now know Holland's Spidey will face off against at least five villains from the pre-MCU Spider-Man films – Molina's Doc Ock, Dafoe's Green Goblin, Rhys Ifans' Lizard, Jamie Foxx's Electro and Thomas Haden Church's Sandman. That's quite a roster, but we can't help but wonder if there are even more villains on tap.

    Given how many incarnations of the Sinister Six Spider-Man has battled in the comics, six would seem to be the magic number for this big supervillain team-up. And it's worth remembering that not every villain from the Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield movies is represented here. We don't see Topher Grace's Venom or Paul Giamatti's Rhino.

    And while you could argue we're looking at James Franco or Dane DeHaan's version of Green Goblin in this shot, it's probably just Dafoe's Goblin wearing goggles instead of a helmet:

    That's not even counting established MCU villains who might round out the Sinister Six. Could Michael Keaton's Vulture break out of prison to join this team? That might explain why we see Adrian Toomes as part of a prisoner transfer in the Morbius trailer. Will Jake Gyllenhaal's Mysterio rise from the grave? Could Venom: Let There Be Carnage's mid-credits scene be setting up Tom Hardy's Venom to join the Six?

    No Way Home certainly doesn't need more villains at this point, but would Marvel really stop this close to giving fans a true Sinister Six on the big screen?

    Are These Really the Same Villains?

    The second trailer also establishes the motivations for these returning Spider-Man villains. They're all fated to die fighting Spider-Man, and they seem intent on killing the MCU Spidey and rewriting their own destinies.

    The problem is this logic doesn't apply to every character. Of the five, only three actually died in their original movies. Lizard survives his clash with Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man in 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man, with that film setting the stage for a Sinister Six team-up that never happened. And not only does Sandman survive the events of 2007's Spider-Man 3, he and Peter make peace with each other in the end. What reason would he have to hate Spider-Man now?

    This raises the question of whether some of these characters might be from universes other than the Maguire-verse or Garfield-verse. Foxx's Electro also looks quite a bit different from his original appearance. Are these villains like J.K. Simmons' J. Jonah Jameson, where we're seeing a familiar actor play a slightly different version of their old character? Do these characters hail from alternate universes where the events of Spider-Man 3 and The Amazing Spider-Man played out differently?

    Another possibility is that some of these characters are being manipulated into hating Spider-Man. We could easily see Dafoe's Norman Osborn taking advantage of the situation. Maybe Osborn craves revenge for the death he knows is coming, and he's tricking Sandman and Lizard into thinking they're doomed to meet similar fates. Ironically, Osborn doesn't realize he has no one to blame but himself for his death in 2002's Spider-Man.

    This could also feed into the question of whether there's a mystery sixth villain at work. Maybe this character is the one manipulating the rest of the Sinister Six, feeding them half-truths or outright lies about the future so they'll target Spider-Man.

    Are Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield in the Movie?

    If you've been following the news around No Way Home over the past couple years, you've probably heard the rumors about Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield reprising their respective Spider-Man roles. Even ignoring the rumor mill entirely, it's not exactly a giant stretch to assume some familiar Spider-Men might be joining the fun alongside these classic villains.

    The new trailer gives us no direct confirmation on that front, but there are some telltale clues that Marvel and Sony are trying to hide some major surprises. Take this shot, for instance:

    We can see Holland's Spidey charging into battle against Sandman, Electro and Lizard, but neither Electro nor Lizard seem to be leaping at Spidey directly. We could easily believe there are supposed to be more Spider-Men in this shot who have been edited out. It would hardly be the first time MCU trailer footage has been doctored to hide major spoilers.

    Even more telling is the fact that the Brazilian version of the trailer shows Lizard seemingly being punched by an invisible character. Either Spider-Man is teaming up with Drax in this movie, or someone was edited out of the frame.

    There's no guarantee Marvel and Sony are trying to cover up a Spider-Verse team-up here. If those Daredevil rumors are true, it's entirely possible he's the character being CG'd out of this footage. Still, the second trailer directly acknowledges Maguire's Spider-Man when Doc Ock reacts to seeing Holland's Spider-Man unmasked. Ock has a history with that other Spider-Man. Why bring it up if Maguire isn't going to appear in the film? Why introduce these villains if No Way Home isn't going to fully commit to the Spider-Verse concept?

    The moral of the story is this – don't be surprised if Holland isn't the only actor decked out in red spandex this time. Spidey is going to need a lot of help dealing with this new threat, and who better to help than more Spideys?

    Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

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    Hunt: Showdown Is Being Turned Into a Live-Action Series

    Crytek's monster-infused multiplayer shooter Hunt: Showdown is getting a live-action TV adaptation thanks to Binge, a new streaming platform launching in 2022.

    Crytek announced the new series in a blog Wednesday. Crytek co-founder and CEO Avni Yerli, co-founder Faruk Yerli, and CryEngine director Pascal Tonecker will serve as executive producers alongside producers from Binge.

    Binge is advertised as a new streaming platform focused on original shows based on popular video games and content creators. Binge plans to launch as a subscription-free service on PC, TV, mobile, and consoles. Users can earn "Bytz" for watching content, but it's unclear how you'll spend them.

    For the unfamiliar, Hunt: Showdown was released in 2018 and pits you against other monster hunters (the dark, gory kind and not the kind that hangs out with cats dressed like Sonic) in the late 1800's Louisiana bayou.

    You'll race to collect clues for where to find boss monsters, like the Eldritch-looking Spider, the gruesome Butcher, or the insect-filled assassin. Players not only contend with other hunters looking to steal their prize but also various undead enemies, like zombies and hellhounds.

    Binge is also developing a live-action series based on System Shock and the Driver series. For more video game adaptations currently in the works check out the slideshow above or our interview with Adi Shankar who is developing several animated adaptations including a Devil May Cry series.

    Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/eldritch monstrosity for IGN.

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    Autonomous SmartDesk Can Turn Your Work-From-Home Office Into a Productivity Hub

    Partner content by StackCommerce

    We’ve reached a tipping point in the movement toward a work-from-home world. While some industries require in-person workforces, those that don’t routinely came to a surprising realization during the COVID pandemic: Both employees and employers are happier with content, productive remote workflows.

    In fact, an overwhelming 99 percent of people reported that they’d choose to work remotely for the rest of their life, even if it was just part-time. Over 77 percent say they’re more productive — and 78 percent of CEOs believe remote work must be part of any company’s business strategy going forward.

    This means no matter which company you choose to ply your trade for the rest of your professional life, there’s a good chance it could be while sitting at the same desk and leaning in the same chair in the same confines where you eat, sleep, and live every day.

    Of course, considering the tools of professional motivation are now all in your hands with no external excuses anymore, it pays to make sure your daily work environment is as comfortable and ruthlessly efficient as possible.

    Autonomous is a smart office tool supplier based in California, crafting desks and office chairs sporting simple, sleek lines powered by technological innovation to create the most advanced and ergonomic office furniture available anywhere.

    The centerpiece of their work-from-home collection is their fully adjustable SmartDesk, collecting that simple design aesthetic, high quality materials, and a stylish look into a premium workspace in that home office.

    Since launching their company in 2015, Autonomous has put more than 375,000 people behind a SmartDesk, which can raise or lower to accommodate standers, sitters, or any mixing of the two to help improve your daily productivity.

    Made from moisture-resistant Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF), each desk from the basic SmartDesk Core ($499) up to the wraparound SmartDesk Corner ($999) can raise anywhere from 29 up to 48 inches high. Each also comes with four different programmable settings, so users can set the perfect height for themself while standing, sitting, or even when another member of the household holds down the workspace.

    The SmartDesk also comes in a variety of finishes and styles to match any particular decor, from traditional black, white and wood varieties like walnut, oak, and bamboo to more eye-catching designs like a night sky over the desert or a rainbow color explosion.

    Those who want to raise their office game can not only style up with an Autonomous SmartDesk, but they can do it at an added savings. By submitting your work email address at the Autonomous website, shoppers can receive an exclusive discount offer through their Employee Purchase Program. They're also offering a $9 deal, where they sell one of their products for just $9 every day until Christmas. Check out their sales page daily to see if you're chosen!

    Prices subject to change

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    Learn To Create Your Own Comic Book During This Pre-Black Friday Doorbusters Sale

    Partner content by StackCommerce

    Arts can serve us in so many ways. They can serve as an avenue for us to explore fantasies about stories we wish we could see on screen, video games we wish we could play, and otherworldly universes we wish we could visit. Though, not all of us know how to bring the visions we have in our heads to a state that can be shared with others. There are tools that can help, though.

    The 2022 Premium School of Digital Art Bundle is on sale for just $9.97 (reg. $2,000) during our Pre-Black Friday Doorbusters Sale. With the wisdom you gain from these 10 courses and 645 lessons, you can create your own manga or comic book. Learn paint tool familiarization, character design, coloring, and painting with this super affordable collection of content.

    Among the many well-reviewed courses in this bundle, Clip Studio for Absolute Beginners helps you demystify Clip Studio Paint, so you can get to work on the 3D figures in your imagination. This course is taught by illustrator and designer Rich Graysonn, who has earned a 4.5/5 star instructor rating for his ability to teach people the fundamentals of art and anatomy with ease.

    Another popular course, which is rated 4.5./5 stars, Manga Art Academy: Anime and Manga Character Drawing Course teaches you how to draw stylized characters in genres like Shoujo, Shounin, Bishoujo, and others.

    To create the worlds surrounding your characters, the bundle also features the Perspective Art Academy: Complete Environment Drawing Course, which will teach you how to create worlds, draw landscapes, perspectives, backgrounds, and scenes for video games, comics, illustrations, and more.

    Don't miss your chance to get The 2022 Premium School of Digital Art Bundle while it is on sale for just $9.97 (reg. $2,000) during our Pre-Black Friday Doorbusters Sale.

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    Discover How Machines Learn For Less During This Pre-Black Friday Doorbusters Sale

    Partner content by StackCommerce

    Artificial intelligence is poised to change how we do everything. It will influence the development of the video games we love, the commercials we watch, and the products we purchase. So, it's safe to say that learning the basic programming fundamentals of machine learning and artificial intelligence can prove to be quite valuable — even when the content is super affordable.

    During a special Pre-Black Friday Doorbusters Sale, you can save on The Premium Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Super Bundle and get it for just $14.97 (reg. $2,388). Featuring 79 hours of fundamental knowledge on artificial intelligence and machine learning, this bundle covers the essential programming language Python and various other development tools that can give you a foundation for pursuing a career in AI, or learning how to incorporate it into your business.

    Among the most important courses available in this bundle, Machine Learning with Python will teach you the fundamentals of machine learning with this fascinating language. Packed with practical, hands-on examples of programming that you can follow step-by-step, this course will teach you important stuff like data processing, linear regression, and more. It's taught by Juan Galvan, who has earned a 4.4/5 star instructor rating for his ability to bring a strong entrepreneurial background to the e-learning space.

    Another great course featured in the bundle, the Machine Learning, and Data Science Developer Certification Program will show you how to use the most powerful tools used in data science and machine learning. Rated 4.6/5 stars, this curriculum covers key technologies, techniques, principles, and practices you'll need as a data science professional.

    Don't miss your chance to get the super informative and valuable content in this bundle for a killer deal. During a special Pre-Black Friday Doorbusters Sale, you can save on The Premium Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Super Bundle and get it for just $14.97 (reg. $2,388).

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