You probably read it or heard it. The man who voiced Optimus Prime from the original cartoon and the Michael Bay movies, has passed away. Peter Cullen reportedly died on Wednesday (Aug 26) at his home in Los Angeles. Peter Cullen, he is the iconic voice actor for Optimus Prime and many other characters, such as KARR from Knight Rider, Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, Felix Faust from Super Friends and multiple characters in other shows such as GI-Joe, Gremlins, Dragon's Lair, Ghostbusters and more. Do check out his IMDB page for details. 

His agent, Kevin Motley, said “His family asks that you honour his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty and always remember 'be strong enough to be gentle,'". What's next for Optimus Prime now? Either a new voice actor to be casted or using AI generated that sounds like Peter's voice. He will be missed by fans.

You would probably have heard the phrase, AI will take away our jobs, or AI will replace us. Never did I expect in Singapore, it is happening, in the entertainment industry. AI in a show isn't new. In China, their low budget micro dramas are now mostly AI. In Hong Kong, when TVB released their drama that uses AI actors, Netizens slams it as fake and question why with so many actors available, why the need of AI? But being a big TV entity in the industry, it remains to be seen if this AI show is a one time thing.

Now fast forward present day, a local production, a Singapore movie is using all AI in the show. And yes, there are many actors available here and across the causeway. The only reason would be the budget. How would the audience view it? Do they even know that it is a AI show? I really think that unless you are watching a computer game story cutscene, being AI generated is acceptable. Even computer games prefer real actors for their cutscene. So far only local cinema operator Golden Village is showing the AI movie Trace Project. The other operator as I checked, did not have this movie for show.

Online check shows the movie is being booked. So these viewers aware they will be watching AI show?

Is DC Comics dying? At least not just DC comics but probably include most other big brands. The DC and Marvel is the bigger of the others, I read mostly DC. However I haven't quite read much nowadays. The comics today seems to shift direction to the current younger generation of readers. They made changes to the established characters, storyline and even the origin and histories. To cater to the new generation of readers and to left out the older generations. Ever since new 52 the changes began. Justice League, for example, the established classic will be Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter. The 7 core characters. Changes starts when they start to replace Green Lantern with John Stewart, then new lantern characters such as Baz and Cruz. Cyborg replaced Martian Manhunter. And more and more changes to other characters as well. So is the new audiences biting the contents? The sales will tell.

The new MASK comics. If you have been through the 80s as a kid, you would probably know MASK. This was a toyline that used to hooks us, the 80s kids. Now that MASK is back. Actually it had been back previously from IDW. Now Skybound is continuing with it. For those new readers, start with this new book. 

For me, the old fan of the original MASK, first I will think the drawing needs to improve. Perhaps consider this a reboot or an alternate universe reimaging whatever you name it. This isn't the MASK I know. Even Thunderhawk is off. And not to mention the leader of MASK is different. I will probably have a read if the story is good. But it will never replace the MASK I grew up with.

Skybound's MASK

The original MASK

Cinema operators in Singapore are always having changes. Golden Village (GV), one of the last two major cinema chain operator is closing one of it's cinema in Tiong Bahru Plaza. Located in a mall at housing area, it is one of their long running branch. Closing this branch could be due to rental and not because of not doing well. Many audiences goes to watch their last movie at this branch before closure.

There is a new live action movie for He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe. However it could be a flop as the trailer was released yesterday. The He-Man that most of us grew up with, is the animation from the 80s. It feature Prince Adam who could become He-Man when he wield his magical sword. All the adventures occurs on He-Man's world of Eternia. The movie most likely be on Earth. Having it on Earth would be cheaper on the pockets. If that is the case, then how would this compare with the 1980s version of He-Man movie starring Dolph Lundgren. That show also is happening on Earth. Most audiences would prefer it to be near source material. Would you, if you are a new generation who did not grew up with He-Man, watch He-Man on Earth?

Avatar, the movie about humans trying to colonize a alien world in the Solar System and encounter resistances from the local alien life forms, is into the 3rd show. Would this be the last of the movie? Usually most movies end as a trilogy. The show is a 3 hours long, with the final battle, however it could leave an open ending, for a forth film is they want. With the defeat of the bad guy, probably Jake and his family will probably live on in peace and as the hero known to everyone. No spoilers here but probably a later post should the interest remains