Birds Of Prey Isn’t The Only Movie To Get A Post-Release Title Change

Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is a mouthful of a movie title, and recently, it’s had a not-so-great start at the box office. So Warner Bros. has decided to give the film a facelift, by way of a new title for it to be listed as at theaters, Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey.

While a movie getting a name change as it’s in theaters seems like an abnormality–whether it’s an official name change by the studio or movie theaters rebranding it–it’s something that has happened a few times in the past. Whether it be a way for the studio to try and get a boost out of the box office or just a way to categorize a movie, here are a few name changes from the history of cinema.

The most notable name change for a film is the 2014 Tom Cruise sci-fi blockbuster Edge of Tomorrow. While filming, the movie had the same title of the book it was based on, All You Need Is Kill. Warner Bros. famously changed it to Edge of Tomorrow after filming wrapped, and director Doug Liman wasn’t a fan of that, as he felt it didn’t fit the tone of the movie, according to an interview with Den of Geek. He wanted Live Die Repeat, and after Edge of Tomorrow had a rough start at the box office, the “Live Die Repeat” title was tagged onto the end.

“They started titling it the title I always thought it should have, which is Live Die Repeat,” explained Liman. “But they tiptoed around it, and when we make the sequel, it’ll be permanently titled Live Die Repeat.”

This one is a little bit of a cheat. 2016’s Ghostbusters always had the full title of Ghostbusters: Answer The Call, but the movie marketed the movie simply as “Ghostbusters.” Even the title at the beginning of the film lacks the “Answer the Call” tag. However, this tag was added on earlier simply for Sony to catalog its movie.

“It was basically the studio realizing for the video catalogs, and that kind of thing, [there would be] two Ghostbusters. And I didn’t want to make it like 2016,” director Paul Feig told io9. “That sounded like Airport ‘77. The next year, you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s an old movie.’ I didn’t want to have to anchor with that, so they basically said they liked [Answer the Call].”

There have also been changes for movie titles years down the road. 1977’s Star Wars became Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Raiders of the Lost Ark became Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark for the obvious reasons of connecting the movies to its sequels.

Movie title changes are pretty common when it comes to pre-production of a film. For example, one of the most notable changes was the film $3000–which refers to the amount needed to buy a prostitute–which was retitled Pretty Woman. This was done because $3000 is a pretty terrible title for a movie. At times, films also get working titles while in production to throw people off. Director Christopher Nolan did this with his Batman followup The Dark Knight, filming under the guise of Rory’s First Kiss. Would fans rather stakeout the set for a movie about a first kiss or Batman punching people?

In GameSpot’s review of Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey, Meg Downey gave the movie a 9 out of 10 and said, “It’s the sort of kinetic, high energy romp that comes with built-in replay value, and proves exactly why Harley Quinn has become such an endearing, beloved character in the pop-culture pantheon. If this is the direction the DCEU is headed, the future’s looking bright.”

Now Playing: Birds Of Prey – First Look

You Can Play The Last Of Us 2 This Month, Here’s When And How

The Last of Us: Part II is one of 2020’s most-anticipated games, and you have an opportunity to play it ahead of release in May. Developer Naughty Dog has announced that the long-awaited PlayStation 4 exclusive will be playable to the public for the very first time during PAX East in Boston later this month.

As you may recall, Ellie and Joel began their adventure in a fictional post-apocalyptic Boston in the original Last of Us, so this is sort of a homecoming for the franchise. Additionally, the first public hands-on for original Last of Us was held during PAX East in Boston in 2013.

“We thought it would only be fitting to return to the city that started it all to give fans the first-ever public hands-on with The Last of Us Part II,” Naughty Dog said.

PAX East attendees can line up or book an appointment to play a slice of The Last of Us: Part II called “Patrol.” This is an early section of the game during which Ellie and Dina (a new character voiced and performed by WestWorld’s Shannon Woodward) leave Jackson to find and eradicate infected. The demo contains about one hour of gameplay.

Tickets are still available for PAX East, and you can visit the event’s official website to learn more. You can book an appointment to play the demo through the Experience PlayStation mobile app for iOS and Android. PAX East runs February 27-March 1, and the Last of Us: Part II demo will be available each day.

Naughty Dog also confirmed that The Last of Us: Part II is now in the “final stretch” of development, as the studio works to put the “finishing touches” on the game.

“The end of development puts us one very large step closer to launch. We know all of you have been so patient over the last few years, so it’s been thrilling to see our game taking on its final shape and knowing that means it will be in your hands soon,” Naughty Dog said.

Naughty Dog made additional announcements about The Last of Us: Part II today. The studio released a free Last of Us: Part II dynamic PS4 theme and also announced that the game’s more-expensive Ellie Edition will be back in stock this week.

Now Playing: The Last of Us Part II – Inside the Demo Trailer

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

The Hunt: Universal Sets New Release Date for Controversial Movie

The Hunt will release in theaters on Friday, March 13.

Universal made the announcement in a press release with a new tagline: The most talked about movie of the year is the one nobody has seen … yet. Check out the poster and watch the new trailer below.

The Hunt follows a group of rich liberals who hunt conservatives for sport. The movie’s release was originally canceled about a month before the film’s release after a summer of mass shootings and criticisms of the film’s premise from conservatives.

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/the-hunt-official-trailer-2″]

Producer Jason Blum told Variety that it was not just the movie studio who wanted the movie delayed.

“There was this wild kind of tornado of events, and it just seemed like the right thing to do,” Blum said. “It was never our idea to have the movie be gone forever. We wanted to take it off the schedule so there could be time to process things and reintroduce the film to the world. That ended up taking three-to-four months.”

Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse, who previously worked on the HBO series Watchmen and The Leftovers, wrote the script for The Hunt. Lindelof feels better about the film after they’ve received more reactions from people who’ve actually seen it.

“…as more and more people start to see it, we’ve gained confidence in the fact that this is not a dangerous movie,” Linelof said. “This is not a provocative movie. This is not a divisive movie. I think the big shift between now and then is that more people have seen it and they’ve responded positively.”

[widget path=”global/article/imagegallery” parameters=”albumSlug=59-movies-to-geek-out-over-in-2020&captions=true”]

The Hunt stars Betty Gilpin, Ike Barinholtz, Emma Roberts, and Hilary Swank and is directed by Craig Zobel. It will release on the same day as the Vin Diesel action movie Bloodshot, the Britt Robertson drama I Still Believe, and the Dave Bautista comedy, My Spy.

Blumhouse will next release Fantasy Island on Friday and The Invisible Man on February 28. They have another Purge movie on the way but are doubtful about Happy Death Day 3.

[poilib element=”accentDivider”]

Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN.

New Red Dead Online Update Will Get You In The Romantic Spirit

For the romantic outlaws among us, Red Dead Online has something for you as part of its weekly update. Just make sure you have time to make the effort if you want to be rewarded.

The Lovers Collection reward is available from Madam Nazar, whose location regularly changes. If you cannot find her in person, you can also mail her the supplies via a post office. In order to complete the mission and receive your reward, you must give her the Chocolate Daisy, Yellow Gold Diamond Ring, and the Two of Cups Tarot Card.

Several new clothing items were also added in the update, including new permanent hats in the Wheeler, Rawson & Co. catalogue. Limited-time clothing is back, including several coats like the Morning Tail and Irwin.

Experience bonuses are available for Moonshiner, Bounty Hunter, Trader, and Collection activities. Missions and sales in these activities will earn 40% more experience and Role XP, and you can get started more quickly with five Gold Bars taken off the Bounty Hunter License, Butcher Table, and Collector’s Bag costs.

If you’re a PlayStation Plus member, you’ll get three free Mash Refills and Trader Resupplies and Twitch Prime members who have connected their accounts to Rockstar Social Club will get a Collector’s Bag and Polished Copper Moonshine Still for free.

Red Dead Online is included as part of Red Dead Redemption 2 for free. The game recently came to PC, including Steam, in late 2019. Just last week, the game gave away freebies like arrows and bolas to celebrate hitting a new player record.

Now Playing: Red Dead Redemption 2 – PC Launch Trailer

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

Nintendo Publicly Cuts Ties With Game Publication After Pokemon Sword and Shield Leaks

Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have announced they will no longer work with a game publication after one of its reviewers leaked images of Pokemon Sword and Shield back in November 2019.

The reviewer worked for Portugese website FNintendo and received a copy of the Nintendo Switch game early. He then shared photos of the game online that revealed multiple Pokemon in Sword and Shield that were unannounced at the time.

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/13/pokemon-sword-and-pokemon-shield-review”]

Nintendo and The Pokemon Company discovered the source of these leaks and took immediate action. But now the two companies have gone further and announced in a statement released to press today that they’ve cut ties with that reviewer and FNintendo completely.

“Both he and FNintendo failed to handle confidential material, resulting in a clear breach of the confidentiality agreement between Nintendo and the media outlet. As a result, Nintendo will no longer work with FNintendo,” reads the statement.

“Nintendo will always protect its intellectual property and brands. Leaks hurt not just Nintendo, but the thousands of employees who work hard to bring games to market, and the millions of fans around the world who look forward to news and surprises.

To surprise and delight players through new experiences is a shared passion for Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. We will pursue all avenues to preserve surprises for players of future Pokémon titles.”

[widget path=”global/article/imagegallery” parameters=”albumSlug=25-most-wanted-pokemon-not-in-sword-and-shield&captions=true”]

FNintendo has released its own statement on the matter, which admits to being the source of the leaks, and offers an apology. Here’s FNintendo’s statement:

“At the beginning of November, a series of off-screen photographs leaked multiple new and unannounced Pokémon from Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. We want to take this opportunity to openly admit to our readers that FNintendo was responsible for leaking some of these photos.

Nintendo offered us a copy of the game for review purposes, with clear embargo guidelines, to which we agreed. This copy was then sent to one of our reviewers, who leaked the information. Following the investigation, FNintendo severed its relationship with this reviewer.

Our relationship with Nintendo Portugal dates back 11 years, but our part in this leak is a clear breach of the confidentiality agreement between us, and, as a result, a total breach of trust with Nintendo.

We recognise it is impermissible to break embargo guidelines and we failed to handle the review materials with sufficient care. We fully respect Nintendo’s decision to cancel the confidentiality agreement between our companies as a result of this breach of trust, and accept that we will no longer receive products from Nintendo, nor will we be invited to attend their events.

We want to apologise to Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, and to our readers for letting them down.”

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/09/pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-announced”]

It isn’t just FNintendo that were hunted down by The Pokemon Company for leaking unannounced Pokemon. In late November 2019, the company announced it was after 4Chan and Discord users that leaked photos from the Sword and Shield strategy guide before it was released.

Then, in December 2019, The Pokemon Company said it had been given legal permission to pursue those leakers to the full extent of the law. This involved seeking financial reimbursement from the leakers and any legal punishment that is deemed appropriate by court.

It wasn’t just Pokemon Sword and Shield that was subject to huge leaks last year either. We summed it all up in the biggest leaks of 2019, which includes some of the biggest game announcements in recent years alongside info on next-gen consoles.

[poilib element=”accentDivider”]

Chris Priestman is a freelancer who writes news for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Another Animal Crossing: New Horizons Feature Confirmed

Animal Crossing: New Horizons arrives on Nintendo Switch in a little over a month, and new details about the game continue to trickle out in the lead up to its launch. We recently learned New Horizons may receive some kind of paid add-on content, and now another feature has been confirmed by Nintendo’s website.

According to Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons page, the game supports the seldom-used Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app. This app allows Nintendo Switch Online subscribers to voice chat while playing compatible games and offers additional functionality for certain titles, namely Splatoon 2 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

For Splatoon 2, the NSO app lets users access SplatNet, which displays detailed stats, the map rotation schedule, a gear shop, and other useful information. Smash Bros. Ultimate, meanwhile, has an ancillary service called Smash World, which lets NSO members view screenshots, video clips, custom stages, and other content shared by other players.

Nintendo hasn’t shared any further details about New Horizons’ NSO app support, so it’s unclear whether the game will use the app strictly for voice chat or offer a more detailed service like Splatoon 2 and Smash Bros. Ultimate, but you’ll need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription in order to use the app and play New Horizons online with others.

In other news, Nintendo recently confirmed that New Horizons only lets you have one island per Switch console. The game also does not support Nintendo Switch Online’s cloud save backup feature, but Nintendo will give NSO subscribers some way to recover their save data should something happen to their Switch. You can read more about the game in our roundup of everything we know about New Horizons.

New Horizons launches on Switch on March 20. The game is now available for pre-order on the Switch Eshop and other retailers. Be sure to check out our Animal Crossing: New Horizons pre-order guide for more details on where you can reserve the title and what pre-order bonuses are available.

Now Playing: Animal Crossing: New Horizons May Have Microtransactions & Save Data Backup – GS News Update

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

Metro Exodus’ Second Major Expansion Is Out Now; See The Launch Trailer

The second major expansion for Metro Exodus is out now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Titled Sam’s Story, the latest story DLC for the post-apocalyptic shooter is available as part of the $25 Expansion Pass or can be purchased separately for $18.

The story follows US Marine Sam, who you might remember as a supporting character in Metro Exodus’ main campaign. Sam is a Spartan Ranger who has worked under Colonel Miller since the nuclear war devastated Moscow, joining series protagonist Artyom on his search for a new world outside of the Metro tunnels.

Sam’s Story features a brand-new storyline and characters, as well as new weapons and mutant variants. “Sam had long dreamed of returning to his homeland, and perhaps even finding his father alive,” the synopsis says. “The prospect seemed impossible in the darkened tunnels of the Metro, but when the Spartans discovered that Moscow was not the only city left alive after the war, holding out hope didn’t feel so foolish anymore.

“Sam, determined to find a way back to the USA, departed from the Aurora to make his way through Vladivostok’s tsunami-ravaged harbors, ruined industrial buildings, and crumbling residential districts. However, to complete his journey, Sam will discover that he needs every tactic he has learned so far to survive, as his surroundings prove to be far trickier than expected.”

Sam’s Story is the second major expansion for Metro Exodus following the release of The Two Colonels last year. You can currently purchase Metro Exodus on PS4, Xbox One, and on PC via the Epic Games Store. Epic’s exclusivity is coming to an end soon, however, which will see the game launch on Steam on February 15.

Now Playing: Metro Exodus Video Review

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

Revenant’s Twitch Prime Skin Is Incredibly Creepy

If you’ve been enjoying Season 4 of Apex Legends, chances are you’ve had some time playing around with the latest roster addition, Revenant. And if you have, you might be thinking about grabbing some new skins to stand out. But maybe you just want to scare other players, which is exactly what the dead eyes of the Gilded Rose Revenant skin will do.

You can grab the skin through Twitch Prime from now until March 7, but you need to think long and hard about the implications if you do. Sure, the red and gold color scheme is really attractive, as are the floral accents down Revenant’s arms. But it’s those eyes that are just a deal-breaking.

Cold, static and constantly gazing at you down the sights. Even the description for the Gilded Rose knows how horrifying it will be to have this version of Revenant after you.

“Roses are red, Revenant’s skin is too, and he’ll never, ever stop hunting you!” Well thanks for that terrifying image to fall asleep to, Respawn.

Gilded Rose Revenant Skin via Twitch Prime
Gilded Rose Revenant Skin via Twitch Prime

When Revenant is not haunting your dreams, he’s likely tearing things up in Season 4 of Apex Legends, which will be getting Duos back for a limited-time Valentines event. If you want to be a better death-dealer as Revenant, check out our starters guide for Apex’s latest legend.

Now Playing: Apex Legends | Best Games Of 2019

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

The Parasite TV Show Is Eyeing Hulk Actor Mark Ruffalo, Report Says

Parasite was the biggest winner at the 92nd Academy Awards, and the thriller will continue with a limited series inspired by the movie. Now, some early casting news has surfaced.

Collider reports that Mark Ruffalo is being considered for a lead role in the show, which will be produced by director Bong Joon-Ho and Anchorman director Adam McKay. Ruffalo, who has earned three Oscar nominations and played Bruce Banner/Hulk in the Avengers and Thor franchises, has not officially been cast, but he is being considered, the report said.

Mark Ruffalo in the movie Spotlight
Mark Ruffalo in the movie Spotlight

The Parasite TV show will not necessarily feature the same characters as the movie. It’s unknown who Ruffalo might be playing as part of the ensemble cast, if this report is accurate.

HBO said in a statement to Collider, “The HBO limited series inspired by Parasite is in the early stages of development, and to speculate on any characters or casting is wildly premature.”

The limited series will add more depth and detail to the story. “So I had all these key ideas accumulated from when I started writing the script,” the director said. “I just couldn’t include all those ideas in the two-hour running time of the film, so they’re all stored in my iPad and my goal with this limited series is to create a six-hour-long film.”

Parasite won Best Picture at the Oscars and made history as the first non-English language movie to win the award. It also won Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature to claim more Academy awards (4 in total) than any other movie this year.

The movie is coming to even more theatres in the US this weekend following its big wins at the Academy Awards.

Parasite Expanding To More Theatres After Historic Oscars Wins

After winning four Academy Awards at the 92nd Oscars, including Best Picture, director Bong Joon-Ho’s thriller Parasite will play in more theatres this weekend in the US.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Parasite will play in as many as 2,000 more locations across America, which is more than double its current reach.

Parasite is currently the fifth highest-grossing non-English language movie of all time in the US with some $35.5 million in box office receipts so far. It currently trails Pan’s Labyrinth ($37.6 million), Instructions Not Included ($44.5 million), Hero ($53.7 million), Life is Beautiful ($57.2 million), and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon ($128.1 million).

Globally, Parasite has made more than $165 million, including $71 million from South Korea alone.

Parasite won Best Picture at the Oscars and made history as the first non-English language movie to win the award. It also won Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature to claim more Academy awards (4 in total) than any other movie this year.

You don’t have to go to a theatre to see Parasite, however, as the movie is also available through video-on-demand platforms around the world.