Jackson Hayes is a Freelance Writer at The Direct. Starting his writing career in 2017, he quickly rose through the ranks and became an editor. He’s spent the last seven years working at outlets such as CBR, The Escapist, and Comic Book, where he’s covered major franchises like the MCU, DCU, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones.
About The Direct
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Jackson Hayes's Latest The Direct Articles
Lanterns Episode 1 Already Set Up A Major Justice League Hero's DCU Debut
Episode 1 of HBO's Lanterns goes out of its way to tease the arrival of a major Justice League hero.
Avengers: Doomsday Debuts Nightcrawler’s New Comic-Accurate X-Men Look
All of the X-Men are getting comic-accurate looks in Avengers: Doomsday, including Nightcrawler, who's ready for action.
15 Years Later, Star Wars Is Officially Bringing Back Its Most Controversial Jedi From The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars era of Star Wars was full of Jedi, and the franchise is bringing back its most controversial one.
Marvel Studios Confirms The Strongest X-Man Ahead of MCU Reboot
When Marvel Studios' new X-Men team arrives, they'll all be fighting an uphill battle for the title of strongest.
Marvel Studios Just Paved The Way For The Eternals’ MCU Return
A sneaky breadcrumb left behind by Marvel Studios sets the stage for more of the Eternals in the MCU.
Star Wars’ Next Movie Trilogy Finally Makes Progress; Lucasfilm Writer Shares Photo At Iconic Skywalker Location
The future of Star Wars on the big screen includes a new trilogy that's gaining momentum.
Marvel Studios Finally Has All The Villains To Form Tom Holland Spider-Man’s Own Sinister Six
It's taken four solo movies for Marvel Studios to give Tom Holland's Spider-Man the blueprint for his own Sinister Six.
DC Studios’ Risky 2026 Casting Approach Has Succeeded Before for Warner Bros
At a crucial time in its history, DC Studios is taking a risk that worked out for Warner Bros. decades ago.
Avengers: Doomsday's First Full Trailer Is Still Hiding 4 Confirmed MCU Characters
The Avengers: Doomsday isn't lacking when it comes to star power. But several MCU characters somehow missed the cut.
Marvel Studios Officially Abandons 5 Key Spider-Man Trilogy Characters in New Sequel
Spider-Man: Brand New Day picks up after the events of the hero's last trilogy, with a few familiar faces missing.
Star Wars Confirms Next Actor To Voice Han Solo After Alden Ehrenreich
Han Solo is one of Star Wars' most important characters. And a new actor is preparing to put their stamp on him.
DC Studios Might’ve Just Cast Its First Batman Supporting Character
Despite The Brave and the Bold still being on the back burner, DC Studios could be building Batman's supporting cast.
T’Challa’s Son Is Being Aged Up in Black Panther 3, and These 5 MCU Characters Should Be Too
T'Challa's son will be grown up when Black Panther 3 arrives. A few other MCU characters should get the same treatment.
Where Does Jean Grey Go At The End Of Spider-Man Brand New Day?
Spider-Man: Brand New Day ends with Jean Grey heading off on her own. But what is her destination?
Marvel Studios Canonizing 1 Netflix Villain Team Just Made Daredevil’s Future Spider-Man Team-Up Far More Likely
Marvel Studios is going full steam ahead with the Netflix integration, canonizing a team that teases more for Daredevil.
DC Studios’ New Green Lantern Villain Will Redeem a Flawed Arrowverse Adaptation
DC Studios peeled back the curtain on Lanterns, revealing a villain that will make up for a messy Arrowverse adaptation.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Is Returning To An Important Tobey Maguire Trilogy Location (Confirmed)
Despite forging a new path for its titular hero, Spider-Man: Brand New Day includes an important location from Tobey Maguire's Marvel trilogy.
X-Men 97's Two Apocalypses Theory Explains How En Sabah Nur Resurrects After His Apparent Death In Episode 7
Apocalypse meets a mysterious end in X-Men '97 Season 2, Episode 7, opening the door for a wild fan theory.
Ryan Gosling's Ghost Rider Movie Already Has 5 Perfect MCU Characters It Can Bring Back
Ryan Gosling's Ghost Rider movie is a go at Marvel Studios, and he may already have a stellar supporting cast.
DC Studios Just Confirmed The 4th Superman 2025 Spinoff
Superman was clearly a great starting point for the DCU, as DC Studios has just confirmed the movie's fourth spinoff, this one focused on Mr. Terrific.
Disney's Star Wars Movie Failures Can Finally Be Fixed With These 4 Film Adaptations
Star Wars might be struggling to make impactful movies, but these stories would help right the ship.
Marvel Studios Debuts Ian McKellen's New Magneto Suit in Avengers Doomsday
Magneto returns to live-action in Avengers: Doomsday. And Marvel Studios is finally ready to unveil his new costume.
DC Studios Officially Hits 1 Failure Point That Took the MCU 13 Years to Reach
DC Studios' latest movie failed to hit a benchmark that Marvel Studios' films reached comfortably for over a decade
Marvel Studios' Main Avengers Lineup Only Features 3 Endgame Heroes According to Doomsday's New Trailer
Avengers: Doomsday's trailer covers a lot of ground, including revealing how many Endgame heroes are in fighting shape.
James Gunn's DC Reboot Unveils First Footage Of Its Own Thanos
James Gunn's DCU is still trying to find its footing, and unleashing its own version of Thanos will help with that.
Daredevil Born Again Season 3 Wrap Photos Reveal Matt Murdock’s Prison Superhero Costume
Wrap gifts that the crew of Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 received for their hard work tease another superhero costume.
Marvel Studios Just Lost A Major Connection To Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man Trilogy After 2 Movies
Despite showing love to the original Spider-Man and his movies, Marvel Studios said bye to a Tobey Maguire connection.
Robert Pattinson Just Lost His 1 Chance To Play Batman Before 2028
Robert Pattinson is gearing up to play the Dark Knight again in 2028. But 2026 nearly lit the Bat-Signal for him.
Avengers Doomsday Trailer: Thor’s “Miracle” Speech Might Connect To Scarlet Witch’s MCU Introduction
Thor's speech to the heroes in Avengers: Doomsday's trailer could tease the circumstances of Scarlet Witch's MCU return.
The Thunderbolts’ Avengers Tower Is Getting A New Name, According To Upcoming LEGO Set
The New Avengers' base of operations from Thunderbolts* goes by a new name in Doomsday, teasing a major MCU shake-up.
'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Will Do Something No Spider-Man Movie Has Done Before
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is heading into uncharted territory as it pits Peter Parker against a bunch of new villains.
Avengers: Doomsday Star Confirms 'Secret' Roster of Characters - And These 7 Superheroes Are Strong Candidates To Be In It
Avengers: Doomsday is hiding a few of its characters from the world, and these names would fit right in.
Marvel Studios Just Robbed Wolverine Of His Greatest Upgrade
Wolverine is the best at what he does, but Marvel Studios just stole a chance for him to get even better.
Blue Beetle’s Man of Tomorrow Casting Makes Adria Arjona’s Mystery Superhero Character Much Clearer
Blue Beetle landing a spot in James Gunn's Man of Tomorrow may have given away Adria Arjona's mystery role.
A Forgotten MCU Line Explains Steve Rogers’ Controversial Avengers: Doomsday Costume
Marvel Studios is taking heat for Steve Rogers' Avengers: Doomsday costume. A forgotten MCU line might set things right.
A Dark Doctor Doom Story Explains Why Avengers: Doomsday Is Missing Storm, Wolverine, & Other Important X-Men
The X-Men lineup in Avengers: Doomsday is missing a few faces, and a dark Doctor Doom story could explain why.
Marvel Studios Has Secured 1 Original Avenger’s Future Amid Rumors They’re Sitting Out Doomsday & Secret Wars
A couple of original Avengers are returning for Doomsday and Secret Wars. One not set to appear found work elsewhere.
Marvel Studios Still Hasn’t Given Up On Its 3 Most Controversial Projects Yet
Marvel Studios doesn't try to hide its past, as it's currently working to salvage parts of three much-maligned projects.
Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 Must Address 4 Major Netflix Cliffhangers
If Daredevil: Born Again really wants to pick up the baton from Netflix, it has to wrap up a few lingering storylines.
Marvel Shows Love To 1 Major Hero Ahead Of Rumored MCU Debut
Marvel Studios is rumored to introduce Gray Hulk in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and this new Marvel merch further teases his MCU debut.