James Gunn FIRED Rumor, Call of Duty's $300M DISASTER, & The Return of RUSH | The Week In Nerdom

This week in the nerd world was an absolute dumpster fire of corporate chaos, shocking comebacks, and financial face-plants. We're breaking down the massive rumor that James Gunn could be fired from the DCU amid a potential Warner Bros. Discovery sale to Paramount. Plus, we dive into how Microsoft's own strategy led to a reported $300 million sales loss for Call of Duty, and celebrate the unbelievable news that RUSH is back for a 2026 tour!
From the official end of Marvel's Ultimate Universe to the revival of DC's Vertigo imprint and M. Night Shyamalan's bizarre Magic 8-Ball TV show, we're covering all the unhinged news you need to know.
Support the chaos and look good doing it!
👕 Grab the new "Music Nerd" Phantom of the Opera shirt: https://generally-nerdy.creator-spring.com
Fuel your nerdom with DUBBY!
⚡ Get clean energy for your next raid or workday. Use code GENERALLYNERDY for a discount!
https://www.dubby.gg/

Music News: The Return of RUSH & The Passing of a Legend

The music world was hit with massive news as prog-rock gods RUSH announced a 2026 comeback tour. With the legendary Neil Peart gone, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have tapped drumming phenom Anika Nilles for the impossible task. We also saw new, brutal music from Rob Zombie, and tragically, had to say goodbye to the iconic neo-soul pioneer D'Angelo.

Gaming & Tech: Call of Duty's $300M Self-Inflicted Wound

In the tech world, Microsoft is facing the consequences of its own strategy, with a new report claiming Call of Duty has lost $300 million in sales due to the aggressive push for Xbox Game Pass. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has declared war on Netflix over its inclusion of LGBTQ characters in kids' programming, and we say goodbye to a legend as Mortal Kombat's "Toasty!" guy, Dan Forden, leaves NetherRealm.

Comics: One Universe Ends, Another is Reborn

It's the end of an era as Marvel Comics has officially announced the end of its groundbreaking Ultimate Universe in April 2026. But as one door closes, another opens. DC Comics thrilled fans by announcing a full revival of its legendary, adult-oriented Vertigo imprint, the home of classics like Sandman and Preacher.

TV & Movies: Corporate Chaos and Bizarre New Shows

Hollywood is buzzing as Paramount has launched a massive acquisition bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, a move that could reshape the entire industry and put the future of the DCU in jeopardy. In what might be the strangest news of the year, M. Night Shyamalan is developing a thriller series based on the Magic 8-Ball. We also mourn the passing of the incredible Diane Keaton and look forward to a newly announced Batman: Knightfall animated film.

The Rumor Mill: Is James Gunn OUT at DC?

The biggest rumor of the week suggests that if the Warner Bros. sale goes through, the new leadership would immediately fire James Gunn and scrap his entire 10-year plan, leading to another full DCU reboot. Could we see Zack Snyder return? Is DC truly a cursed franchise? We break down the terrifying likelihood.

SOURCES:

Music

Follow-ups/Corrections

https://blabbermouth.net/news/ex-lostprophets-singer-ian-watkins-dead-at-48-after-attack-in-prison

https://blabbermouth.net/news/eloy-casagrande-on-slipknot-new-material-is-coming

https://metalinjection.net/news/amon-amarth-body-count-sepultura-more-added-to-sonic-temple-2026

New Music/Video

https://blabbermouth.net/news/agnostic-front-teams-up-with-darryl-dmc-mcdaniels-for-new-single-matter-of-life-death Roger “Tazmanian Devil” Miret and DMC on vocals together. New York at its FINEST!

~https://youtu.be/J-1KBu6Bnns

https://blabbermouth.net/news/puddle-of-mudds-wes-scantlin-pays-tribute-to-layne-staley-chester-bennington-and-chris-cornell-in-firefly-song His heart is in a good place, but his head is more on his wallet than anything else it seems.

~https://youtu.be/UZ10twHvS4k

https://blabbermouth.net/news/rob-zombie-announces-new-album-the-great-satan-releases-video-for-punks-and-demons-single This is some OLD SCHOOL Zombie for sure! Good to see ol’ Rob still has it in him.

~https://youtu.be/J0mfcGLaPqI

https://blabbermouth.net/news/the-pretty-reckless-announces-holiday-ep-taylor-momsens-pretty-reckless-christmas Are we already to the point of desperation that we need to capitalize on our CHILDHOOD fame?

~https://youtu.be/z1XRh1JZpPs

https://blabbermouth.net/news/ice-nine-kills-unveils-dark-homage-to-batman-89-with-the-laugh-track

~https://youtu.be/2fbVUmH6mY0

https://blabbermouth.net/news/as-i-lay-dying-announces-new-lineup-shares-powerful-single-echoes

~https://youtu.be/R4JOYXTHenc

https://metalinjection.net/new-music/riot-games-streams-2xko-theme-song-feat-spiritboxs-courtney-laplante Definitely better than that MK11 announce trailer song.

~https://youtu.be/xyK3lFtz2H8

Tours/Festivals

https://blabbermouth.net/news/ex-type-o-negative-guitarist-kenny-hickey-confirms-there-have-been-talks-about-staging-peter-steele-tribute-concert

https://blabbermouth.net/news/rush-announces-2026-tour

~https://blabbermouth.net/news/new-rush-drummer-anika-nilles-i-want-to-thank-geddy-and-alex-for-welcoming-me-on-this-incredible-new-journey

https://loudwire.com/no-doubt-las-vegas-sphere-2026/

https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/left-to-suffer-announces-early-2026-headlining-north-american-tour

Reg ‘ol News

https://variety.com/2025/music/news/dangelo-dead-neo-soul-pioneer-untitled-voodoo-1236552500/ statement from the family: “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life…After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today, October 14th, 2025. We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”

https://blabbermouth.net/news/reunited-winds-of-plague-is-definitely-leaning-towards-making-new-music-and-playing-a-couple-of-more-shows

https://metalinjection.net/news/enterprise-earths-gabe-mangold-joins-devildriver

Gaming/Tech

Follow-ups/Corrections

https://boundingintocomics.com/video-games/video-game-news/call-of-duty-reportedly-loses-300-million-in-sales-as-microsoft-increases-xbox-game-pass

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/gta-6-delay-explained-take-two-ceo-price-increases-1236399699/

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/instagram-teen-accounts-pg-13-movie-rating-restrict-1236551529/

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/invincible-video-game-cecil-gaming-news-roundup-1236544610/

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/youtube-second-chance-reinstate-users-terminated-banned-1236544596/ Surely this can’t be because Google recently testified to Congress that they censored people for no reason other than a difference of political opinion.

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/fallout-season-2-update-fallout-76-walton-goggins-ghoul-1236535681/ - In news that should have happened FAR sooner.

Reg ‘ol News

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/netflix-spotify-video-podcasts-streaming-deal-1236552447/

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/women-older-adults-us-gamers-study-1236538193/ Studies like this happen every few years anymore. It is interesting how they define what a “gamer” is. Mostly if you play casual games like Candy Crush then these studies qualify you as a gamer. Which then causes the AAA Gaming industry types to try to market and design for the fairer sex. But the people spending actual money on games, especially AAA titles where the REAL money in the industry is, are still majority male. A slimming majority sure, but a strong majority none-the-less.

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/joe-rogan-megyn-kelly-smartless-golden-globe-podcast-award-1236537516/ And the award for the Awards show that is trying the HARDEST to stay relevant goes to…

https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/elon-musk-cancel-netflix-war-kids-shows-trans-lgbtq-characters-1236537089/

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fighting/the-guy-who-says-toasty-in-mortal-kombat-has-left-netherrealm-after-more-than-30-years-with-the-team/