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
DC Unveils Mr. Freeze's Next Live-Action Costume (Photos)
Mr. Freeze returned to the small screen, and he doesn't look like any of his TV predecessors.
The Batman Part 2 First Set Photos Reveal An Exciting Design Change For Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight Movie
A new logo spotted on the set of The Batman Part 2 teases a design change for the titular hero.
MCU Star Gets Candid on 1 Major Problem With Marvel Studios’ Young Avengers Team
Despite the MCU going out of its way to build a Young Avengers team, one cast member isn't so sure about it assembling.
DC Studios Will Officially Debut Its 3rd Live-Action Superhero Rivalry in Upcoming 2026 HBO Series
The DCU continues to expand its list of rivalries, with DC Studios using HBO to deliver its third major one.
Marvel Studios Showrunner Calls Out 1 Weak MCU Storyline Following Creative Shifts in Disney+ Daredevil Series
Daredevil: Born Again's showrunner is finally speaking candidly about a storyline that failed to hit its mark.
Marvel Studios Just Sent Its 10th Major Villain Into Exile
Being evil in the MCU isn't for the faint of heart, as there's always the risk of being sent into exile.
5 Years Later, Marvel Studios Just Set Up The Power Broker's MCU Return
Marvel Studios has had issues with paying off teases in recent years, but it may have teased The Power Broker's return.
Avengers: Secret Wars Will Force Marvel Studios To Make A Tough Blade Decision
Marvel Studios continues to kick the Blade can down the road, but Avengers: Secret Wars will force the company's hand.
Samuel L. Jackson Just Joined His 5th Superhero Franchise
Any franchise would be lucky to land Samuel L. Jackson, and these five superhero ones got the job done.
Avengers: Doomsday's Surviving Heroes Will Reportedly Have One Thing In Common
The characters that make it out of Avengers: Doomsday alive are reportedly all going to be cut from the same cloth.
Marvel Studios Confirms Spider-Man's 5 'Enhanced Powers' In Next Movie
Peter Parker's life is going to change in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, especially in the power department.
18 Years Later, Marvel Studios Just Recreated Its Iconic RDJ Iron Man Line in MCU Disney+ Finale
The MCU has officially been around so long that it's ready to start recreating its own major moments, even on Disney+.
Daredevil Born Again Season 2 Finale Lays The Groundwork For the MCU’s Dark Avengers With Bullseye & Luke Cage
While the show might be called Daredevil: Born Again, Season 2's finale sets up something huge for two other characters.
Marvel Studios Just Unveiled Its New X-Force Roster, But Without Deadpool
Marvel Studios is about to unleash a new version of X-Force, and Deadpool is nowhere to be found.
Star Wars Isn't Done With Rey Just Yet
The sequel trilogy might be in the rearview mirror for the Star Wars franchise, but Rey isn't going anywhere.
Tom Holland’s 8th-Ever MCU Avenger Fight Gets Hinted At By Spider-Man Brand New Day Figure
Peter Parker has a lot on his plate in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, including his eighth fight with an MCU Avenger.
HBO's Harry Potter Show Is Already Differentiating Itself From the Movies in 4 Major Ways
HBO's Harry Potter TV series has big shoes to fill, but it's already starting to make its own mark.
All 7 Of Spider-Man’s MCU Mentors, Ranked By Impact
Spider-Man has had his fair share of mentors in the MCU, but some have left a bigger impact than others.
Avengers: Doomsday’s First Trailer Features 13 First-Time 'Avengers' Characters
The first full trailer for Avengers: Doomsday allows over a dozen characters to enter the MCU big time.
The MCU Just Nerfed Its 8th Major Hero
At a time when the MCU needs its hero the most, another one just revealed their powers have been downgraded.
DC Studios Just Set the Stage For The DCU’s Own Magneto & Professor X Rivalry
Few rivalries in comics are as impactful as Magneto and Professor X's, and the DCU just set up its own version.
Avengers: Doomsday’s New Trailer Just Introduced the 6th-Ever MCU Character to Stop Thor's Weapon
Thor usually gets the better of his opponents, but Avengers: Doomsday is going to continue an alarming MCU trend.
Marvel Studios Just Lost Its 10th Long-Term MCU Villain
Villains don't have long life spans in the MCU. In fact, the franchise has lost double-digit long-term bad guys.
DC Studios Officially Casts the 9th Star Wars Actor Into the DCU
James Gunn is taking a page out of Marvel's book by casting a bunch of Star Wars actors in the DCU.
With Marvel Studios’ 2027 Defenders Crossover Event Confirmed, These 5 Villains Are Perfect for the Disney+ Reunion
The Defenders are back in action, this time on Disney+, and they need a villain who can push them to the edge.
DC Studios Just Confirmed Its 13th Justice League Member
When the Justice League finally does form in James Gunn's DCU, it's going to have plenty of options to choose from.
Marvel Studios Just Retired Its 7th MCU Hero
A hero hanging up their supersuit in the MCU is a rare occasion, but it has happened more than once.
Marvel Studios Just Set Up Its 6th Captain America Successor
The one moniker the MCU will never retire is Captain America, as the franchise just teased a sixth potential successor.
7 Best Superheroes Who Have Never Been Used in the DC Movies
DC's movie division shows a lot of love to a select group of heroes, leaving several great characters out in the cold.
Marvel Just Gave Daredevil His 7th Major Vigilante Team-Up
Matt Murdock is having a rough go of it in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2. Fortunately, he made another vigilante ally.
Supergirl 2026’s Trailer Uses An Iconic Zack Snyder DCEU Line (For A Good Reason)
A dark line from the new Supergirl trailer sounds eerily similar to an iconic one from the DCEU, which is no accident.
Avengers: Doomsday Will Officially Feature 12 Reformed Villains
The MCU will take as many fighters as possible in Avengers: Doomsday, including a dozen villains who flipped sides.
All 6 MCU Heroes Still Hiding Their Secret Identities
Despite being familiar with the MCU's heroes, the public still doesn't know all their secret identities.
The MCU Just Set Up Its 6th Major Hero & Villain Team-Up
Heroes and villains usually get along like cats and dogs in the MCU, but there have been several chances for actual team-ups.
Jean Grey’s Role In Spider-Man Brand New Day Might Be Rooted In This Forgotten Marvel Story
Jean Grey's presence in Spider-Man: Brand New Day is strange, unless the MCU is adapting a forgotten Marvel story.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Features 6 Important Mutant Powers
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is going to feature its fair share of mutations, which means new abilities to showcase.
Avengers: Doomsday Is Missing 4 Crucial Marvel Legacy Characters
Adding a few more legacy heroes to its roster will take Avengers: Doomsday to the next level.
Avengers Doomsday Omitting These 5 Marvel Characters Can Make Secret Wars Significantly Better
Avengers: Doomsday has a lot on its plate, so cutting a few characters could make Avengers: Secret Wars stronger.
James Gunn’s 2027 DCU Movie Might Secretly Be A Justice League Movie
James Gunn's next superhero movie could be pulling out all the stops by forming the DCU's Justice League.
Avengers: Doomsday Reportedly Adding 7th Superhero Team (And They Are Crucial)
As if Avengers: Doomsday didn't have enough on its plate, a new team is reportedly joining the MCU team-up movie.