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      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/marvel-studios-mcu-phase-7-sequel-first</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-17T08:22:36Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Marvel Studios Officially Confirms MCU Phase 7&#x27;s First Sequel</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-17T08:22:36Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>MCU Phase 7</news:keywords>
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        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/1000011915.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Marvel Studios Phase titles</image:caption>
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      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/ahsoka-season-2-dave-filoni-star-wars-story-change</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-17T05:41:57Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Dave Filoni Defends Controversial Ahsoka Season 2 Story Change: &#x27;You Have To Serve Both Sides&#x27; Of The Star Wars Fanbase</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-17T05:41:57Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Ahsoka (Series), Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Disney+, Dave Filoni</news:keywords>
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          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/ahsoka-season-change-filoni.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars live-action series</image:caption>
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      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/star-wars-sith-ronin-dark-lord-live-action-redesign</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-17T03:11:45Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
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            <news:title>Star Wars Officially Unveils Dark Lord Ronin&#x27;s Live-Action Redesign</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-17T03:11:45Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Visions, Disney+</news:keywords>
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          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/ronin-star-wars.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Star Wars Dark Lord Sith Ronin</image:caption>
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      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/river-star-jessica-rothe-opens-up-about-the-extreme-terror-of-serial-killers-and-family-reunions</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T22:20:52Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
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            <news:title>&#x27;River&#x27; Star Jessica Rothe Opens Up About the Extreme Terror of Serial Killers and Family Reunions (NYCC Exclusive)</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T22:20:52Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Horror, Universal, NYCC</news:keywords>
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          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/Article_thumb.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Jessica Rothe in River.</image:caption>
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      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/avengers-doomsday-vanessa-kirby-invisible-woman-powers-mcu-movie</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T20:03:14Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Avengers: Doomsday Unveils First Look at Vanessa Kirby&#x27;s Invisible Woman Using Her Special Powers To Turn Completely Invisible On New MCU Fantastic Four Merch</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T20:03:14Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Avengers: Doomsday, Fantastic Four (Team), The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Doctor Doom, Marvel Studios, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Superhero</news:keywords>
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        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/1000011893.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman aka Sue Storm</image:caption>
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      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/dc-studios-casts-lead-dcu-superhero</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T19:05:29Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>DC Studios Officially Casts Its 12th Lead DCU Superhero</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T19:05:29Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Mister Miracle (Series), James Gunn, DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, Man of Tomorrow (2027), Superman (2025), Action, Adventure, Superhero, Peacemaker (Series)</news:keywords>
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          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/dc-studios-dcu-lead-actor.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Blue Beetle, Peacemaker, John Stewart Green Lantern, DC Studios Logo.</image:caption>
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      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/skydance-media-empire-quiet-place-part-3</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T17:02:06Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Skydance’s New Media Empire Spells Trouble For A Quiet Place 3&#x27;s Release</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T17:02:06Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/quietskydance.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Skydance Quiet Place</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/visionquest-jim-hammond-human-torch</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T16:01:15Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>VisionQuest Promo Releases Best Look At Jim Hammond’s Human Torch</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T16:01:15Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>VisionQuest, WandaVision, Marvel Comics, Captain America: The First Avenger, Action, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Superhero, Vision, Marvel Studios</news:keywords>
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        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/vistorch.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Vision and Jim Hammond.</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/avengers-doomsday-thor-odinforce-upgrade-doctor-doom</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T14:40:49Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Avengers: Doomsday Reveals Thor’s Odinforce Upgrade That Could Make Him Strong Enough to Fight Doctor Doom</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T14:40:49Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Avengers: Doomsday, Thor, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Superhero, Marvel Studios</news:keywords>
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          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/avengers-doomsday-thor-odinforce-mcu.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Avengers: Doomsday logo, Thor, Odin.</image:caption>
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      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/visionquest-bring-back-familiar-ai-mcu-characters</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T13:52:12Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>VisionQuest Could Bring Back 7 More Familiar A.I. MCU Characters</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T13:52:12Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>VisionQuest, Vision, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Loki (Series), Black Panther (Movie), Ironheart (Series), Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Superhero</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/visais.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Vision, Miss Minutes and NATALIE.</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/ahsoka-season-2-hayden-christensen-thrawn-star-wars-rebels-live-action</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T07:14:33Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Ahsoka Season 2 Star Confirms 1 Major Change For The Return Of Thrawn and Star Wars Rebels&#x27; Live-Action Heroes</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T07:14:33Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Ahsoka (Series), Hayden Christensen, Dave Filoni, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Disney+</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/1000011497.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Thrawn in Ahsoka series</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/avengers-doomsday-robert-downey-jr-doctor-doom-footage-powerful</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T06:03:04Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>New &#x27;Avengers Doomsday&#x27; Footage Proves Robert Downey Jr.&#x27;s Doctor Doom Is Even More Powerful Than We Thought</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T06:03:04Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Avengers: Doomsday, Avengers: Endgame, Doctor Doom, Robert Downey Jr., Hulk, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Superhero, Marvel Studios</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/1000011891.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Robert Downey Jr. Marvel</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/star-wars-starfighter-trailer-franchise-ryan-gosling</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T05:30:17Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Ryan Gosling&#x27;s Star Wars Starfighter Trailer Breaks a 49-Year-Old Franchise Tradition</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T05:30:17Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Star Wars: Starfighter, Ryan Gosling, Lucasfilm</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/star-wars-starfighter-gosling-1.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Ryan Gosling</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/kevin-feige-ryan-gosling-ghost-rider-marvel-studios-development</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T03:36:36Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Kevin Feige Admits Ryan Gosling&#x27;s Ghost Rider Has Not Actually Been A Part Of Marvel Studios&#x27; Development Cycle For Very Long</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T03:36:36Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Ghost Rider (Character), Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios, MCU Phase 7</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/ghost-rider-ryan-gosling.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Ryan Gosling</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/harry-potter-hbo-show-release-tv</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-16T02:42:56Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Harry Potter Officially Returns On TV In 2 Weeks Ahead of HBO Show Release</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-16T02:42:56Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Harry Potter, Adventure</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/harry-potter-hbo-tv.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/visionquest-ultron-room-countdown-doom-avengers-doomsday</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-15T20:11:55Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>VisionQuest: Ultron’s Room Hid A ‘Countdown To Doom’ Avengers: Doomsday Connection</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-15T20:11:55Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>VisionQuest, Avengers: Doomsday, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Superhero, Doctor Doom, Marvel Studios, Disney</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/doomultron.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Doctor Doom, Ultron.</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/dc-studios-clayface-movie-historic-rating</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-15T19:26:55Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>DC Studios&#x27; Clayface Movie Gets Historic Rating</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-15T19:26:55Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Clayface (Movie), Horror</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/clayface-r-rated-dc-dcu.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Clayface Monster, Clayface Movie, DC Studios Logo.</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/whalefall-stars-josh-brolin-and-austin-abrams-break-down-the-important-father-son-dynamic-at-the</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-15T18:46:50Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Whalefall Stars Josh Brolin and Austin Abrams Break Down The Important Father-Son Dynamic at the Heart of Their Epic Whale Survival Story</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-15T18:46:50Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Josh Brolin</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/Whalefall_thumb.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Whalefall stars Josh Brolin and Austin Abrams.</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/avatar-seven-haven-deeper-connection-last-airbender-chakras</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-15T18:28:10Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Avatar Seven Havens Title Has A Deeper Connection To The Last Airbender&#x27;s 7 Chakras</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-15T18:28:10Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Avatar: The Last Airbender, Paramount+, Animation, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Explainer</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/avatar_state_pavi_.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Avatar State, Pavi Seven Havens.</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/marvel-sticking-mcu-canon-spider-man-disney-plus-show</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-15T17:47:51Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Marvel Producer Admits Sticking to MCU Canon Would Have Limited Spider-Man Disney+ Show</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-15T17:47:51Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Disney+, Spider-Man, Hulu, Marvel Studios, Marvel Studios Animation</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/marvel-producer-admits-sticking-to-mcu-canon-would-have-limited-spider-man-_iJglas7.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Spider-Man animated, Endgame Marvel Studios Poster.</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/visionquest-episode-3-tommy-alive-wandavision</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-15T17:06:48Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>VisionQuest Episode 3 Clip Reveals How Tommy Is Alive After WandaVision</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-15T17:06:48Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>VisionQuest, Action, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Superhero, WandaVision</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/tommywv.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Tommy VisionQuest</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/dc-studios-boss-shuts-down-cancellation-chapter-one-movie</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-15T16:15:00Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>DC Studios Boss Shuts Down Cancellation Rumors Of Original Gods &amp; Monsters Chapter 1 Movie</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-15T16:15:00Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Swamp Thing (Movie), Peter Safran, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/dc_movie_logos.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>DC Studios Logo, Various DCU Movie Logo.</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/clayface-movie-dc-trend-supergirl</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-15T15:04:36Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Clayface Movie Will Reportedly Follow a Disappointing DC Trend Established by Supergirl</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-15T15:04:36Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Clayface (Movie), Supergirl, James Gunn</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/sgclay.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Clayface, Milly Alcock as Supergirl</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
      <url>
        <loc>https://thedirect.com/article/jeremy-renner-new-avengers-secret-wars</loc>
        <lastmod>2026-10-15T14:16:59Z</lastmod>
        <news:news>
            <news:publication>
                <news:name>The Direct</news:name>
                <news:language>en</news:language>
            </news:publication>
            <news:title>Jeremy Renner May Have Just Hinted at a New Avengers Team in Secret Wars</news:title>
            <news:publication_date>2026-10-15T14:16:59Z</news:publication_date>
            <news:keywords>Avengers: Doomsday, Avengers: Secret Wars, Jeremy Renner, Marvel Studios, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Superhero</news:keywords>
        </news:news>
        <image:image>
          <image:loc>https://images.thedirect.com/media/article_full/hawkavs.jpg</image:loc>
          <image:caption>Hawkeye and the rest of the Avengers.</image:caption>
        </image:image>
      </url>
    
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