I can hardly believe it but today marks one hundred straight weeks of The Sunday Post. Just under two years ago, Robby told me that he was hoping to expand his recurring “Sunday Selections” article into more of a full-blown newsletter, complete with a news section, and he asked if I would be willing to write up the news of the week for Friends From Work.

Thus, “The Watercooler” was born, and the rest as they say, is history. I am proud that not a week has gone by without some form of this newsletter, through illnesses and holidays, strikes and vacations. It’s been a pleasure to assemble each week, and I look forward to the next 100. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read each week, whether this is your first, your hundredth or anywhere in between.

On the podcast front, Kyle and Robby are back watching and recording in real-time for Daredevil: Born Again so expect the next main feed episode (covering the fourth episode of the show) at some point Wednesday. FFW+ subscribers should be on the lookout for a follow-up to January’s videogame episode soon.

And now…

THE WATERCOOLER

THIS WEEK IN THE MCU

• It was a (mostly) quiet news week around the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but for the first time in a while, there was some major casting news. Deadline was the first to report that Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) is joining the cast of Spider-Man 4. There have been rumors linking Sink to the MCU for a while, and it remains a secret which character she will portray. According to the Deadline report, the prevailing theory is that she will be playing Jean Grey of the X-Men (and for what it is worth I’ve heard the same) but others (like insider Jeff Sneider) have heard she is playing Mary Jane Watson.

• Despite an initial onslaught of poor reviews and internet bad-mouthing, Captain America: Brave New World has proven quite resilient at the box office. Now in its fifth weekend, it is approaching $390 million globally, surpassing the totals of Captain America: The First Avenger and Black Widow. It should cross $400 million next weekend, and is projected to finish anywhere from $405 million to $440 million (my guess: $430 million). The Hollywood Reporter had previously reported that the breakeven number for the movie is $425 million.

• Avengers: Doomsday is expected to begin filming in the UK next month, and Forbes reports that the movie had already spent more than $8 million during the pre-production process by the time the Russos and Robert Downey Jr. were revealed to be returning at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con. The name of the production company that Marvel Studios has registered for the movie is For All Time Productions UK.

• Another week, another new quote from the Russo Brothers about coming back to the MCU for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. From ComicBookMovie.com- 

• Daredevil: Born Again debuted to $7.5 million views across its first five days, according to multiple reports. That is the biggest debut on Disney+ in 2025, but 2025 is barely two-and-a-half months old. For some context on those numbers, check out the chart below.

BEYOND THE MULTIVERSE

• Disney released a charming first teaser for Lilo & Stitch. After seeing Mufasa: The Lion King in the top-10 at the domestic box office for a 13th straight week, I am convinced that adorable little alien has a chance to gross over $1 billion.

TRUE BELIEVERS RUMOR OF THE WEEK

• My Cosmic Circus reported last week that Atlas Hall Productions UK is a production company registered to Marvel Studios for an upcoming theatrical release. They also theorized that this mystery movie could be the long-awaited follow-up to Shang-chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Check out their complete theory here.

Before I go, I just wanted to say thank you one more time to all the listeners and readers of Friends From Work. It is truly a tremendous community to be a part of. If you haven’t already, join the discussion on Discord. You won’t find a less toxic environment anywhere else on the internet.

Until next week,

-Greg