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Mega

Blockbusters Take Over Theme Parks for a Mega Movie Summer

by admin June 19, 2025

Summer hits the theme parks and vacation destinations in this week’s theme park news. Universal Studios Hollywood takes fans back in time with Back to the Future and Jaws while bringing in the future with new Wicked and Jurassic World fun. Don’t worry, the Universal Monsters aren’t far behind; in fact they’re all hitting up Sin City for Universal Horror Unleashed’s opening in Las Vegas this August.

Over at the Disney Parks, Walt Disney World gears up for Test Track‘s reopening. Meanwhile, Old Navy and Disney collab on one heck of a roadtrip across America with their new summer Mickey & Friends collection.

And just in time for the release of DC Studios Superman, Six Flags gets the Justice League to unite for new superhero experiences!

Mega Movie Summer at Universal Studios Hollywood

Iconic blockbuster movies abound as new entertainment, fandom foodie offerings, and more. To celebrate Jaws‘ 50th anniversary, the hanging shark makes its return to the theme park with a special Quint and Brody meet and greet, which is delightful and the actors doing their Robert Shaw and Roy Scheider impressions are fantastic. Hey if the kids can meet Mario and Luigi, letting the adults meet the Orca crew is a great compromise. There’s also more Amblin amusement park presence, with Doc Brown, his pal Marty McFly, and his trusty first time traveler Einstein the dog in the DeLorean. Both films get awesome curated cinematic cuisine at the parks too.

For Jurassic franchise fans, there is now a Mosasaur roar on Jurassic World: The Ride and a new tiny triceratops meet and greet (which was temporarily in London for the premiere of Jurassic World: Rebirth). Wicked fans will also be happy to learn they can meet Elphaba and Glinda in an alternating capacity and there’s tons of new Wicked merch in its designated store.

Universal Horror Unleashed: Universal Monsters – Area15 Las Vegas

All of the Universal Monsters will be featured in one haunted house at Universal Horror Unleashed, which is sharing more updates ahead of its arrival at Las Vegas’ immersive experience destination Area15.

“We’ve got four incredible haunted houses that put you right in the middle of iconic and terrifying scenes. In the Universal Monsters House, you get to follow Van Helsing as he battles all of your favorite classic monsters. Our legacy of creating horror in Universal Studios goes all the way back to the beginning of the film itself. We’ve been creating iconic horror movies that have stood the test of time. Our Universal Monsters Haunted House takes you through the stories of all of the classic Universal Monsters. All of them are there, and you get to walk into their world,” Universal Creative’s Lorelei Lee shared in the video you can watch above.

We can’t wait for this one, especially since The Creature from the Black Lagoon’s Gill-man will be represented at last in Horror Unleashed’s Universal Monsters house.

Shelby Honea, executive producer at Universal Creative added, “We’re bringing something entirely new to Las Vegas. It is a year round destination, and so is our horror brand.” The destination is currently slated to feature houses in the universes of The Exorcist, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Horror Nights original canon characters. There will also be performers, walk-around scare-actors, themed frightful foods, and scary sips! For more info check out the recent Discover Universal podcast that outlines whats to come at Universal Horror Unleashed.

M3GAN 2.0 at Universal Studios Florida

Just in time for M3GAN 2.0, the army of dancing M3GANS make their theme park return in limited appearances during the day at Universal Studios Florida. Images of their return courtesy of Park Hop on IG.

Walt Disney World announces Test Track opening date

The Epcot cars ride (not that one) is set to reopen with new theming and a refreshed look July 22.

io9 met Laufey at House of Mouse Los Angeles

Check out our chat with musical artist Laufey live from House of Mouse Los Angeles, where she shared with us the different ways Disney was one of her first fandoms. “I grew up in Iceland, which is definitely a very, very different climate and a different world. I always knew of Mickey. And that was one of those first characters that I became aware of,” Laufey said. “It’s so classic, my dad loved watching very classic cartoons growing up. So I grew up watching the really, really old Mickey Mouse ones.”

The singer also revealed her fave childhood Disney toys. “I had the whole Winnie the Pooh zoo. I had Winnie and I remember specifically I have a Piglet. It’s really, really special.”

The Disney Style pop-up party is currently on a global tour at major cities where fandom and fashion collide.

Disney and Old Navy go on a road trip across America

To celebrate the summer Disney and Old Navy have dropped a Mickey & Friends collab for the whole family. Combining options for all sorts of weather, the Disney Americana-inspired collection features swim, tees, sweaters, kidswear, and accessories to suit the season wherever you happen to be. If you’re in Chicago this weekend, you can hit up the Disney x Old Navy road trip van which will feature immersive photo-ops, treats, and a showcase of the collection with a summer bbq vibe on the 21st. The van will also stop at the Santa Monica Pier on June 28.

Shop the collection online here.

Disney Jr. Let’s Play – The Disneyland Resort

Kids can have more fun with Mickey and friends as Disney Jr. Let’s Play returns to the Disneyland Resort August 8-10.

DC Heroes at Six Flags Magic Mountain

DC Heroes and Villains Fest arrives at Six Flags to get superhero fans hyped up as we head into a Superman movie summer. It’s filled with action stunt shows, character meets, music, and more, and DC fans can enjoy these offerings on Friday and Saturday nights from June 20-July 26.

Kung Fu Tea x How to Train Your Dragon

Kung Fu Tea locations across the nation will be featuring special drinks inspired by Universal Pictures’ How to Train Your Dragon until June 30 with drinks and collectible cups/stickers. The flavors include:

Toothless Soaring Slush – a frosty swirl with milk cap magic
Stormfly’s Dragonfruit Splash – citrusy zing + chia seeds that pop
Monstrous Flight Tea – dragonfruit base, honey boba finish

Pop Mart x Pride

The toy collectible giant currently taking over the world with Labubu launched its Pride collection at LA Pride recently with a float and LGBTQIA+ collectibles creators. Check out the Peach Riot and Hug You limited releases with special Pride colorways online now.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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June 19, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ Is Returning to Theaters, in a Truly Mega Way

by admin June 19, 2025

Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola’s long-awaited dream project, came and went from theaters last year. Usually, after that, a film would show up on demand or for streaming but that wasn’t the case here. What was happening with Megalopolis? Now we know.

Starting July 20, Coppola’s film will be taken on the road for a series of events called “An Evening With Francis Ford Coppola and Megalopolis Screening.” It kicks off in Red Bank, NJ, before going to Port Chester, NY; Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; Dallas, TX; and San Francisco, CA. It includes a screening of the film, obviously, as well as an “interactive discussion” with Coppola called “How to Change Our Future.”

“This is the way Megalopolis was meant to be seen,” Coppola said in a statement. “In a large venue, with a crowd and followed by intense interactive discussions about the future.” You can get tickets on Ticketmaster, which appear to cost around $40.

Released last year, Megalopolis was the result of decades of planning and anticipation from the legendary director of The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation. It cost well over $100 million and was paid for almost exclusively by Coppola himself, but it proceeded to bomb at the box office, grossing a little over $14 million. Nevertheless, the film’s huge ambition and beyond-weird performances, themes, and visuals gave it the beginnings of cult classic status. Physical versions of the film were released but nothing beyond that.

Adam Driver stars in the film as a visionary architect who wants to push his city into the future, only to run into a hard-nosed mayor, played by Giancarlo Esposito. Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, and Shia LaBeouf all get in the fun along with Aubrey Plaza as a character named Wow Platinum. Yes, it’s a movie where someone named “Wow Platinum” makes total sense.

We don’t think Megalopolis is a particularly good movie, but it’s certainly fascinating, worthy of discussion, and surely there won’t be too many more cases to see Coppola discuss his work in public in the coming years. If you’re a fan, take note.

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June 19, 2025 0 comments

NFT Gaming

Pompliano Prepping Mega Crypto Fund

by admin June 13, 2025

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Anthony Pompliano is set to lead a new Bitcoin investment outfit that plans to raise $750 million. His move comes as big sums flow back into crypto under a friendly White House. Investors are watching closely.

Pompliano Steps In With Big Target

According to the Financial Times, Pompliano will become chief executive of ProCapBTC. The firm wants to gather $500 million in equity and add $250 million in convertible debt.

It will do this by merging with blank‑cheque company Columbus Circle Capital 1, which went public with a $250 million IPO in late May. Pompliano has already pulled in $220 million for a separate SPAC this year.

Based on reports, Columbus Circle Capital 1 got support from Cohen & Company, an investment bank in New York. That partnership gave ProCapBTC a fast track into public markets.

Pompliano’s last SPAC move closed in under six months, so investors see a quick timetable here. The blank‑cheque route has become a popular way to raise cash for Bitcoin buys without the usual paperwork of an IPO.

Crypto influencer Anthony Pompliano set to launch bitcoin-buying vehicle https://t.co/jMZ0PVx9qZ

— Financial Times (@FT) June 12, 2025

Debt And Equity Mix

ProCapBTC’s plan mirrors what Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy (rebraded to Strategy) did, and what Japan’s Metaplanet has tried. By blending equity with convertible debt, the group can boost its buying power.

But this mix comes with risk. If Bitcoin falls, the debt could convert into shares at a discount, cutting into early backers’ stakes. Pompliano will need to manage that balance carefully if he wants to hit the $750 million goal.

BTC is now trading at $104,802. Chart: TradingView

Crypto Listings On The Rise

This push is part of a broader wave of crypto listings. Earlier this week, Peter Thiel‑backed Bullish filed for a US IPO, and Gemini—the platform run by the Winklevoss twins—also filed plans to go public.

Stablecoin issuer Circle saw its shares jump over 150% on their trading debut. All of this points to a revival in US markets for crypto firms.

Political Backdrop Fuels Momentum

Investors aren’t just looking at balance sheets. They’re watching politics too. US President Donald Trump has spoken favorably about digital assets during his second term. That has sent fresh capital into crypto names, including Trump’s own social media company.

Pompliano even warned against Trump’s threat to oust Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell last month, saying it would set a bad precedent for US central bank independence.

Bitcoin has been hovering near $105,000, with swings of up to 8% in a day. Dropping hundreds of millions into the market at once could nudge the price up, making buys more expensive. ProCapBTC might spread purchases over weeks or use futures to soften the impact, but details are scarce for now.

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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June 13, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Helldivers 2 just rolled out mega city battles against the Terminids, kicking off an “unprecedented assault” of bug fascism

by admin June 10, 2025

Helldivers 2 developers Arrowhead have unleashed the latest twist in the game’s Galactic War, with urban battles against the Terminids now on the cards. Rather than defending cities on Super Earth, this time the task is swatting bug invasions of population centres across multiple planets.

A tough assignment, but to be fair, successfully protecting their home planet against the still-at-large Illuminate should have given players plenty experience of street fighting (not the Ryu and Chun-Li kind).

“Massive Terminid outbreaks erupted simultaneously across multiple Super Earth cities,” reads the latest briefing from developers Arrowhead, “This unprecedented assault of Fascism into highly-populated areas puts millions of citizens in grave danger. The Helldivers must respond immediately.”

The order, which dropped not long after the game’s latest patch, is shipping players off to five planets with cities that are being overrun by the bugs. Fighting’s already started on Crucible and Alta V, with Volterra, Caramoor, and Inari also on the list of worlds the divers need to hold onto until the end of this order to secure a victory.

MAJOR ORDER: The remnant Illuminate forces have evaded Justice. Some of their remote bases endure. The unprovoked Illuminate assault on Super Earth will never be forgotten. Justice for the Illuminate atrocities has not been averted—merely postponed, for a greater and more… pic.twitter.com/WY24mVg21y

— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) June 10, 2025

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It’s news that, while obviously terrible from a lore perspective, will no doubt be music to the ears of Helldivers 2 players that prefer squashing the bugs over battling the game’s other enemy factions. This group, referred to in the HD2 community as “bugdivers”, have caught some flak from their fellow soldiers in the past for not lending enough of a hand during non-Terminid MOs. At least this one should put that minor bickering to bed for a little while.

It’s also worth noting the result of the last mission if you’re returning to the game to fight these bugs following a bit of a post-battle for Super Earth break. Remnants of the Illuminate, supposedly reeling from that failed invasion, were the target and proved too tough for the divers to overcome.

Unsurprisingly given wiping the faction out totally would leave the game with just its two oldest foes, the squids were hiding more in reserve than it first seemed, so they’re still kiciing around on remote bases across the galaxy.

It’ll be interesting to see how the usual bug swarm battles translate to the urban biomes, but this certainly explains why this morning’s HD2 patch reworked stealth detection around Terminid spawners and places that kick out flying enemies.

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June 10, 2025 0 comments

Chun-Li, on the cover of the Street Fighter Legends comic

Gaming Gear

Udon, publisher of Street Fighter, Mega Man, Elden Ring, and other videogame comics and art books, is the latest to cut ties with bankrupt distributor Diamond Comics

by admin June 5, 2025

Until 2020, Diamond Comic Distributors held a near-monopoly on getting comic books to retailers in the US. Publishers like Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image, Viz, Boom, and Udon all sold their comics exclusively through Diamond, though hearing retailers grumble about them—often claiming books arrived damaged, late, or not at all, especially in small-town shops—was common.

When Diamond announced it would cease shipments during the Covid-19 pandemic in March of 2020, DC took it as an opportunity to jump ship, switching to Lunar Distribution and UCS Comic Distributors for its monthly releases and Penguin Random House for book-sized releases. One by one other publishers followed, including Marvel, until Diamond declared bankruptcy in January of 2025.

Udon was one of the last publishers to remain with Diamond (alongside Dynamite, which would rather like to retrieve half a million dollars it claims Diamond owes), but now Udon has declared it’s found an alternative as well. Udon has halted all shipments to Diamond in favor of Lunar Distribution, with its Manga Classics imprint now being distributed by Simon & Schuster.

“With the current state of uncertainty and lack of communication from the new owners to both retailers as well as many publishers, we have to do what is best to serve our customers,” Udon chief of operations Erik Ko said. “We realize this is a deep inconvenience for many retailers, but we’re trying to do our best to serve our partners and fans, while minimizing risk and moving forward in an uncertain time.”

This has affected the first issue of Udon’s new series Mega Man Timelines, which has been pushed back a month to a June 25 release. Udon’s future comics, manga, and art books will be distributed though Lunar, which presumably includes any more of the Capcom-licensed books it’s famous for—like Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, and Final Fight—as well as its books based on games like Elden Ring and Persona.

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June 5, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Dead Finger Dice: A Billionaire Killing Game is about beating demon elites at finger-severing poker on a mega yacht

by admin June 4, 2025

A game that sees you forcibly kidnapped, smuggled aboard a mega yacht dubbed The Avarice, and made to play demon billionaires at lethal dice poker just got a new trailer, and it looks as funky as you’d expect. Dead Finger Dice: A Billionaire Killing Game is its uber-snappy name, and it’s coming to Steam this summer.

Psychroma and Raptor Boyfriend developers Rocket Adrift Games released a trailer for this roguelike dice builder as part of yesterday’s The Mix showcase, and as soon as I clapped my eyes on it, I was intrigued.

Watch on YouTube

The big boat of these bad money creatures is rendered in a “grungy 1-bit aesthetic”. Aboard, you’ll be treated to an experience that looks quite Balatro-ish except with dice instead of cards, and a lot more severing of fingers. Yep, you bet one of your digits each round, and if your five dice don’t boast the highest poker hand after three re-rolls, the demon billionaire you’re playing against gets to chuckle as you lose an appendage.

The first of you to be separated from all of your feelers loses the game and suffers a lethal punishment. In your case, being lobbed overboard in what’s a rather wet end to that particular run. Every failed run adds to the game’s “body count”, and you play as a new character every time, though with an option to pass useful items between runs via the “hidden compartment of your cell”.

You’ll need to craft custom dice with “demonically sealed special abilities” using your poker winnings as you strive to beat the game’s five bosses, as well as making use of charms and curses you unlock.

Also, Dead Finger Dice’s Steam page notes that it features “class consciousness”, a “revolutionary body count”, and is “completely human-made” via its developers’ own fingers. Cool, the Che Guevara of deck builders that use dice. It’s got me convinced, even if I’ve spent about 6 million less hours with Balatro than most other people seem to have.

Hey, I’ve had fun with what I have played of it, don’t come for me joker mafia. Dead Finger Dice is set to drop on on Steam in Summer 2025.

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June 4, 2025 0 comments

Crypto Trends

OKX Announces Mega Delisting of 11 Pairs, USDT/USDC Affected

by admin May 28, 2025

Next week, OKX will remove 11 spot trading pairs from its platform. While most of the names will not be surprising, one stands out: USDT/USDC.

Along with some lesser-known tokens, such as ZERO, PRQ, IQ, ARTY and SAMO, the pair that acts as a stablecoin-to-stablecoin ramp for many users will also be taken offline. According to the platform, the decision is part of its regular review process to maintain healthy trading markets. However, no further explanation was given.

What’s next?

Any open orders on affected pairs that are not closed manually will be canceled automatically during the delisting window. Users can still find their assets under the “Untradable” section after that.

Eagleopolis has fallen despite Helldivers 2 players slapping up 2.5 billion squids for an opening victory in the battle for Super Earth, leaving six Mega Cities to defend

by admin May 23, 2025

Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Well, good news, Helldivers 2 managed to win the first major order of the battle for Super Earth by slaughtering over two billion Illuminate. The bad news? It’s not stopped Eagleopolis from falling.

As it turns out, not even the biggest number of Helldivers the game’s had since last spring diving in to help try and hold off the invasion of fresh Illuminate baddies was enough to stop one of Super Earth’s seven Mega Cities being reduced to ruins. It’s ok, don’t cry. Hug your SEAF buddy and watch a clip of someone surfing on a Leviathan if that’ll help.

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The previous major order, which was the Helldivers’ initial defense of Super Earth after the Illuminate invasion of their home planet began with the arrival of the Heart of Democracy update, ended this morning. Things looked good, the goal of casually killing 2.5 billion Illuminate had been achieved. Let the good times roll right?

Nope, said Arrowhead. “Eagleopolis, a venerable stronghold of Managed Democracy since time immemorial, lies in ruins,” the studio informed us all via its latest MO briefing, “Its tattered shopping centers stand in warning as to the fate that awaits the rest of Super Earth, should our mission fail.”

So, that’s one of the seven Mega Cities which make up Super Earth destroyed, but there’s still a long way to go in the battle for Super Earth, and that win has seen folks make some progress towards wiping out the entire Illuminate fleet or forcing it to retreat.

Eagleopolis, a venerable stronghold of Managed Democracy since time immemorial, lies in ruins. Its tattered shopping centers stand in warning as to the fate that awaits the rest of Super Earth, should our mission fail.

The initial wave of assault is over. The Battle for Super… pic.twitter.com/wWgL8gfaiu

— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) May 23, 2025

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“Illuminate Fleet Strength currently stands at 49%,” Arrowhead continued, “Six Mega Cities remain standing. The Helldivers must dig in, alongside their SEAF allies, and continue to fight, day and night, to defend the heart of our Federation. The surviving Mega Cities must be defended at all costs. The Helldivers must deploy to the Mega Cities as Illuminate pressure shifts among them to prevent them from falling. Once they fall, they cannot be reclaimed.”

Hence the latest order’s goal – successfull extract from missions against the Illuminate 20 million times, in order to strike a further blow to the fleet’s big invisible health bar. And, of course, to avenge Eagleopolis, which I’m sure people on the game’s subreddit would be cut up about if they weren’t too busy post fan art about loving their SEAF trooper buddies in a fashion that totally isn’t getting a bit creepy.

Are you shedding super tears for Eagleopolis? Let us know below!

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May 23, 2025 0 comments