Lauren Rouse has been a writer at The Direct since the site launched in 2020. She has a huge passion for everything pop culture and currently writes news articles for the Marvel, Star Wars, DC and video game branches.
Lauren also works as a journalist at Lifehacker, Gizmodo and Kotaku in Australia, where she covers entertainment news, reviews, and interviews talent. She previously served as a freelance writer at Game Rant and she holds a Master's degree in Screenwriting from AFTRS.
You can follow Lauren’s articles, entertainment opinions and Comic-Con adventures over on Twitter (@LRouse19).
About The Direct
The Direct is a leading independent entertainment news outlet covering the biggest franchises in pop culture. The Direct reaches over 10 million page views a month on its website, thedirect.com, and millions more on social media. Learn more about The Direct here!
Lauren Rouse's Latest The Direct Articles
Mario Galaxy Movie Directly Sets Up 8 Nintendo Spin-Offs, Ranked by Likelihood
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was full of Nintendo characters who deserve their own films.
Dave Filoni Makes First Major Star Wars Move As Lucasfilm President
Dave Filoni was only recently appointed as co-CEO of Lucasfilm and he's already making bold moves.
Unlike the Mario Galaxy Movie, This 2026 Video Game Movie Is Reportedly “Great”
Super Mario Galaxy Movie reviews aren't great, but there's more hope for another video game adaptation.
Daredevil and Punisher May Never Team Up Again In The MCU
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 confirmed a potentially irreconcilable ethos between Daredevil and the Punisher.
Disney+ & Hulu Confirm 15 Biggest Releases For April 2026 (Spider-Man, Darth Maul & More)
April is a huge month for Disney+ and Hulu with major franchise returns and originals all newly available to stream.
Nintendo's Mario Movie Universe Just Revealed Its 13th Power-Up
Mario and his friends have access to some familiar powers from the video games in the Super Mario movie franchise.
DC Studios Will Continue A 12-Year James Gunn Trend In Supergirl 2026
New Supergirl merchandise confirms the film will include a familiar James Gunn hallmark.
Avengers: Secret Wars Is Now Confirmed To Suffer The Same Problem As Doomsday
Avengers: Secret Wars may have an uphill battle at the box office next year, similar to Avengers: Doomsday.
If JK Rowling Ruined Harry Potter For You, HBO Already Has an Adult Alternate Series in the Works
HBO is moving ahead with its Harry Potter TV remake, but those opposed might prefer a different fantasy series.
Star Wars Announces Historic Genre For Disney+'s Darth Maul Show
Star Wars is expanding into new territory with its next Disney+ series, Maul - Shadow Lord.
'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' Now Officially Has 8 Boss Characters from Nintendo's Mainline Mario Games
Mario and Luigi have some bosses to beat in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
First Look at Secret Playable Character In 'LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight' Unmasked (Photo)
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight has seven playable characters, but one has rarely been spotlighted.
Marvel Studios Won't Be Releasing Two Planned 2026 Movies This Year
A once-busy 2026 for Marvel Studios now looks significantly thinned out.
Disney's Next Live-Action Villain Movie Announces Its Main Cast
Disney is continuing its trend of focusing on villainous characters in its new live-action movie.
Star Wars Officially Confirms Mace Windu Will Return In Fall 2026
The iconic Jedi Master Mace Windu is making a comeback in the world of Star Wars.
The Mandalorian & Grogu Movie: All 5 Types of Stormtroopers Confirmed To Appear
Mando and Grogu will encounter many types of Imperial Stormtroopers on their journey in the next Star Wars film.
How 'End of Oak Street' and 'Cloverfield' Are Related (and How They're Quite Different)
The first trailer for End of Oak Street has audiences questioning whether it is connected to the Cloverfield universe.
Nintendo Confirms 17 Super Smash Bros Characters Exist In The Mario Movie Universe
Nintendo is building up its Super Smash Bros. roster in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Marvel Studios Announce Historic Release Gap For Next MCU Titles
Marvel's Disney+ release schedule will break records for the studio in 2026.
Avengers Doomsday: All 21 Photos Revealed from the Movie
Avengers: Doomsday is starting to take shape thanks to a slew of official images.
DC Studios' Jimmy Olsen Show Confirmed To Be a 'Crime Mystery Comedy' By Superman Spin-off Showrunner Dan Perrault (Exclusive)
DC Studios' Superman spin-off focusing on Skyler Gisondo's Jimmy Olsen is a rare genre blend.
Spider-Verse Producers Confirm the End of An Era For Miles Morales
Spider-Verse overseers Phil Lord and Chris Miller confirm the universe won't be the same after 2027.
Spider-Man Brand New Day Officially Confirms 4th Daredevil Character Joining Cast
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is becoming more and more intertwined with the Daredevil universe.
Nintendo Announces the 6 Main Mario Galaxy Movie Locations in Upcoming Film
Several of the worlds in the expansive galaxy of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie have been revealed.
James Gunn Will Revive Plans of 1 Cancelled DCEU Movie (Report)
A DCEU superhero team, once thought dead, is getting a second chance in the DCU.
Marvel Studios' 4th X-Men Project Reportedly Revealed
Marvel Studios is finally going all-in on the mutants, with a handful of X-Men projects in development.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight - All 7 Playable Characters, Ranked
LEGO: Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight has more than just Batman himself to offer players.
Project Hail Mary Movie’s End Scene Alters The Ending Of The Book (For The Better)
Project Hail Mary's film iteration didn't end in quite the same way as the book - but it's not a bad thing.
HBO Max Announces Removal of 12 Beloved Movies Amid Paramount Takeover
HBO Max is losing some of its favorite films ahead of the looming Paramount merger.
James Gunn Confirms Supergirl’s Exciting DCU Timeline Placement
Supergirl's time period in the DCU is good news for Milly Alcock's character.
Disney Officially Confirms Its 11 Biggest Movies Releasing In 2026 & 2027
Disney's upcoming slate is stacked with high-profile releases across the next two years.
MCU: First Look at New White Tiger Costume Revealed In Full
The MCU has a new White Tiger in two, and they have a new and improved costume.
New Mario Galaxy Movie Promo Hints At Major Peach & Rosalina Connection
The evidence is mounting that there's a connection between Princess Peach and Rosalina in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Star Wars Confirms Maul Shadow Lord Release Schedule & Episode Titles
Star Wars has confirmed exactly when and where fans can watch Maul - Shadow Lord.
Mario Galaxy Movie Unveils First Look At Second Non-Mario Nintendo Character
A surprising Nintendo character appears in the new promo for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Devil Wears Prada 2 Star Addresses Whether Miranda Priestly Is Lying About Andy
Stanley Tucci has addressed why Miranda doesn't seem to remember Andy in The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Star Wars Officially Unveils Darth Maul’s New Weapon For Shadow Lord
Darth Maul needs a weapon in his new Disney+ series, and the latest trailer may have revealed what it is.
Disney+’s Next Star Wars Show Confirmed to Pit 2 Iconic Villains Against Each Other
Maul - Shadow Lord is shaking up the dynamic between one of Star Wars' most iconic duos.
6 Key MCU Characters Confirmed On Team Kingpin In Marvel's Phase 6
Kingpin has assembled a powerhouse team for his war on vigilantes in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2.
Disney+'s Top 10 Most Watched TV Shows For Kids, Revealed
Disney+ is home to some of the biggest children's TV shows. These are the most popular ones.