SciFi Foods Shutters Submits to Snarky Sales Firm
SCiFi Foods, a cultivated meat startup, has closed due to challenges in fundraising and has appointed an advisory firm for a sale process, after raising $40 million from investors such as Coldplay and Andreesseen Horowitz, and despite opening a pilot plant in San Leandro, the company’s founder believes that using cultivated cell biomass as an ingredient in plant-based products is commercially viable, but the last 18 months have been challenging for the cultivated meat industry, with a decline in funding and companies such as Finless Foods and New Age Eats facing financial troubles, and a panel of experts discussing the challenges of investing in cultivated meat at Tufts University, noting a general risk aversion and challenges with scalability and ecosystem development.
Evangelion-Era Anime Ends: Gainax Goes Bust
After 40 years of producing hit anime titles, including “Neon Genesis Evangelion” and “Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water,” Tokyo-based animation studio Gainax filed for bankruptcy in May 2020 due to poor management, the loss of its creative staff, and legal issues, despite attempting to rebuild with the support of Khara.
George Lucas’ Order 66: Kills Pixar to Save Divorce
Pixar Animation Studios, once a part of Lucasfilm Computer Division’s Graphics Group owned by George Lucas, had a bumpy start. In fact, George Lucas pulled an ‘Order 66’ on Pixar due to his lack of belief in their groundbreaking computer-generated animation ideas.
Josh Gad Is the Spaceballs 2 Superhero??
Josh Gad posted a cryptic social media post about completing a script that may be a sequel to Mel Brooks’ “Spaceballs,” written with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” writers and potentially directed by Josh Greenbaum, leading to speculation and excitement about the potential for a long-awaited “Spaceballs” sequel.
Was Harold Ramis’ ‘Galaxy Quest’ Snub Tim Allen’s Fault?
Galaxy Quest, a beloved comedy and the only watchable Tim Allen movie for many, was almost directed by Harold Ramis but he ultimately stepped down due to conflicts with casting choices, particularly the studio’s suggestion of Tim Allen for the lead role.
Black Mirror’s AI ‘Spooky’ Scifi – Yeah, Was It?
Charlie Brooker finally able to discuss the AI-focused episode “Joan Is Awful” from Black Mirror season 6, which was even more timely and relevant than expected due to its exploration of AI and its use in Hollywood during the writer’s strike, and Brooker also reveals that the original plan for season 6 was to have all episodes focused on horror, but the success of “The Dropout” on Hulu inspired him to create the episode and he is grateful for the timing of its release before the ChatGPT controversy, with a new season on the way later this year.
Russo Bros’ Electric State: A Shockingly Expensive Sci-Fi Bet
We discuss the rising trend of overspending on movies, citing the examples of Joseph Kosinski and Brad Pitt’s F1 Apple movie costing $300 million and Joe and Anthony Russo’s Netflix film “Electric State” costing $320 million, and speculates on the potential consequences and behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the high budgets.
Are Teeth the Six-Year Biotech Miracle?
Today we’ve got some groundbreaking news that’s sure to make you grin from ear to ear (or at least, the remaining teeth you have left). Apparently, teeth can’t grow back on their own like bones can. Shocking, I know. But don’t worry, the brilliant minds in Japan have come up with a solution and are ready to test it out on humans. Because nothing says safe and effective like using unsuspecting humans as guinea pigs, am I right?
Oscars: Hollywood Stunts Get a Shot at Recognition
It’s that time of year again, folks. The time when the Hollywood elite gather together to pat themselves on the back and give out meaningless accolades in the form of little gold statues. And this year, they’re adding a new category: Best Stunt Performance. Maybe. *Cue eye roll*
Great Moments in Saving the World! /s
A new generation of industrial CO2 filters are out from Climeworks. Good idea? Bad idea? I guess we’ll find out.