Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 118

New HUNGER GAMES Movie About Haymitch Sets 2026 Release

Not too long ago, on the very heels of a new Hunger Games book announcement, we also received new of a new Hunger Games movie, and this time it’s all about Haymitch Abernathy. Suzanne Collins announced that she was releasing a new Hunger Games book, Sunrise on the Reaping, that would focus on the Second Quarter Quell, the Hunger Games that were won by a young Haymitch Abernathy. And, unsurprisingly, Lionsgate followed up that announcement by announcing Sunrise on the Reaping will become our newest Hunger Games movie. Now Sunrise on the Reaping, the book, is out in the world, and we have new information about the movie, too, a new logo and a writer.

Check it all out below.

LionsgateA New Hunger Games Movie Is on the Way

Lionsgate shared, “Lionsgate will return to the world of Panem with the major motion picture adaptation of the next book in the franchise, Suzanne Collins’s highly anticipated Hunger Games novel Sunrise on the Reaping, it was announced today by Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.”

Lionsgate

Additionally, Nina Jacobson, alongside her producing partner Brad Simpson, will return to produce The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. A release notes that “Francis Lawrence is in talks to direct the film; Lawrence has helmed four previous films in the Hunger Games franchise – every film since Catching Fire.”

Most recently, screenwriter Billy Ray was named the writer for Sunrise on the Reaping. Ray co-wrote the original The Hunger Games movie and get ready for it that iconic Nicole Kidman AMC ad. Amazing.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping‘s Synopsis and Haymitch Focus

A plot synopsis for the new Hunger Games movie shares of the Sunrise on the Reaping film:

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Of course, as mentioned, this setting means we’ll get the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy in the new Hunger Games movie.

When Will the New Hunger Games Movie Sunrise on the Reaping Release?Lionsgate

The new Hunger Games movie even has a release date. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will release in theaters in North America beginning on November 20, 2026.

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Deadpool MAGIC: THE GATHERING Cards Are Next Marvel Collab Drop

Magic: The Gathering‘s collaboration with Marvel has been the subject of much excitement. Most recently, we got a look at the Spider-Man Magic cards that any fan of either franchise will need in their lives. But now, to celebrate April Fools’ Day, although this is no joke, Magic: The Gathering and Marvel have released a Secret Lair drop of Deadpool cards. A release shares, “Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast and Marvel are launching the next cards in their groundbreaking collection inspired by Deadpool – all in celebration of the iconic antihero and the mischievous day he’s taken over. Magic: The Gathering fans are now able to order Marvel’s Deadpool-inspired cards via a Secret Lair drop starting today.”

Happy April Pool’s Day!

Wizards of the CoastWhat Magic: The Gathering Cards Are a Part of Deadpool Secret Lair Marvel Drop?

What is a part of this Secret Lair Magic: The Gathering x Marvel Deadpool drop? Well, the Merc with a Mouth is here to create chaos across across five continuity-ruining cards, including the all-new “Deadpool, Trading Card” game card. It’s a mockery of everything precious and good in this world. Deadpool can be your prized commander in the next game of Magic: The Gathering… if you can get him to behave. The full list of available cards is below.

Click To View Gallery Wizards of the Coast Wizards of the Coast Wizards of the Coast Wizards of the Coast Wizards of the Coast Secret Lair x Marvel’s Deadpool Foil Edition Game Magic: The Gathering Cards1x Foil Deadpool, Trading Card1x Foil Deadly Rollick1x Foil Saw in Half1x Foil Blasphemous Act1x Foil VandalblastSecret Lair x Marvel’s Deadpool Magic: The Gathering Game Cards1x Deadpool, Trading Card1x Deadly Rollick1x Saw in Half1x Blasphemous Act1x VandalblastWhen Can You Buy the Deadpool Magic Cards and How Much Do They Cost?Wizards of the Coast

This Marvel-licious Secret Lair drop is now on sale at the Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair shop. All Secret Lair drops are $39.99 in non-foil and $49.99 in foil with a limited print run. Fans can also sign up for alerts if they’d like.

This Deadpool Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair Marvel drop will also be available at participating Wizards Play Network (WPN) stores in non-foil on April 25. To find a WPN store near you, please visit: WPN Store Locator.

More about the Marvel x Magic: The Gathering CollaborationWizards of the Coast

This latest Secret Lair Deadpool drop is the continuation of the Magic: The Gathering x Marvel collaboration. As mentioned, the first tentpole Magic set based on Marvel’s heroes and incredible stories will be Magic: The Gathering | Marvel’s Spider-Man, which will release globally on September 26.

REad next

SPIDER-MAN MAGIC: THE GATHERING First-Look Is Here, Now Up for Pre-Order

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Keanu Reeves Returning for JOHN WICK 5; Donnie Yen Directing CAINE Movie

Remember when a Hell demon learned you can’t punish Homer Simpson with too many donuts? That’s how we feel about the John Wick franchise, and it’s a good thing, too. Lionsgate is going to stuff us full with more movies. Chapter 4 star Donnie Yen will direct his own Caine spinoff. The studio also announced a new anime prequel film will show how its most fearsome assassin escaped the High Table originally. And, somehow, neither of those are the biggest news about the franchise. That goes to John Wick himself. Keanu Reeves is officially returning for John Wick Chapter 5.

Lionsgate

If there’s one thing we’ve learned after four John Wick movies it’s that you can’t kill Baba Yaga. The franchise’s fourth installment wanted us to believe you can, but that film’s box office made sure you can’t. Now we know for sure after Lionsgate announced at this year’s CinemaCon (in news we first heard at Variety), its titular star will be back for John Wick: Chapter 5. Director Chad Stahelski will also be back with Reeves for the fifth time.

Reeves return always seemed likely, especially since John Wick’s “death” was clearly ambiguous enough for them to reveal he’s still alive. But it’s still nice to have confirmation.

It’s also nice to know exactly what the rumored next spinoff will be. Donnie Yen will direct and star in a movie about John Wick’s friend-turned-foe-who-remained-his-friend, the blind assassin, Caine. The project will begin production in Hong Kong in 2026. Lionsgate describes it as “stylistically modeled on the uniquely designed action films that Yen helped make famous.” (Hell yeah.) But it will still very much take place under the High Table. Stahelski said this “modern day kung-fu classic” will also explore “the John Wick world.”

Lionsgate

The studio also announced another series spinoff. We’re getting an animated prequel designed for “more mature audiences.” Shannon Tindle (Ultraman: Rising) will direct with a screenplay by Vanessa Taylor. The animated movie will feature Reeves voicing John Wick during an infamous event that happened years before the first film. It will show Baba Yaga pulling off the “Impossible Task” that got him free of the High Table originally.

Do we want to see that? Yes, just like we want to see Ana de Armas Ballerina spinoff, Donnie Yen’s Caine standalone, and, of course, John Wick: Chapter 5. Lionsgate can keep stuffing as many of these movies as they want down our throats and, like Homer Simpsons, we’re just going to ask for more.

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THE LIFE OF CHUCK Trailer Reveals Mike Flanagan & Tom Hiddleston Adaptation of Stephen King Novella

Most of us are at least generally familiar with the concept of an “elevator pitch.” Whether starting a new business or trying to make a movie, it refers to the concept of selling someone on your idea in the short time it takes to ride an elevator. Well, a new project from Intrepid Films doesn’t need an elevator. It doesn’t even need a step ladder. All it needs to do is share its all-star list of names working on the project. Because a list including “Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Mike Flanagan, and Stephen King” is among the easiest sales jobs in movie history.

Horror luminaries Mike Flanagan and Stephen King are joining forces. Flanagan will direct, write, and produce a film adaptation of King’s novella “The Life of Chuck.” And you can check out its first trailer below.

The author published it in his 2020 anthology If It Bleeds. King’s official website describes “The Life of Chuck” as “three separate stories linked to tell the biography of Charles Krantz in reverse, beginning with his death from a brain tumor at 39 and ending with his childhood in a supposedly haunted house.”

Studio Canal/EA Star Wars

Loki‘s Hiddleston will play the doomed Chuck, with Hamill joining him as Albie. This will be the latest project between the Star Wars legend and director. Hamill also stars in Flanagan’s The House of Usher at Netflix. Joining Hiddleston and Hamill in the Flanagan cast of this Stephen King adaptation are Matthew Lillard, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay, and more.

Simon & Schuster Books

Don’t expect a true horror film. Deadline also states the movie will “draw tonally” from previous King adaptations such as Stand By Me, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Green Mile.

That’s more than fine by us. “Mike Flanagan directs Tom Hiddleston and Mark Hamill in a Stephen King adaptation that reminds us of The Shawshank Redemption” is such a good elevator pitch that the elevator doesn’t even have to move to get us onboard.

Originally published on May 9, 2023.

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New KFC-Flavored Toothpaste Is No Joke, It’s a Very Real Product

For many years companies treated April Fool’s Day as the perfect opportunity to announce totally fake products. Like every April Fool’s Day prank it was a very hit or miss proposition. Some were funny, some were not. Some tricked people, others didn’t. But on rare occasions a company would announce a totally fake product everyone instantly wished were real. So companies adapted and started using the foolingest day on the calendar to have some real fun by announcing real products that only sounded like they must be a prank. And that’s why we’re all about to get KFC-flavored toothpaste.

Yes, for real.

KFC and Hismile have cooked up a tasty treat for teeth. They’ve made “fried chicken fans’ wildest dreams (or wildest cravings) come true” with a new limited-edition fried chicken-flavored toothpaste that emulates KFC’s best offering.  

Again, this is not a prank. We really can’t stress this enough. This KFC toothpaste is a very real product you will be able to use to order and use to clean your teeth. Here’s the KFC toothpaste’s official description, which makes us both hungry and not feel like eating at the same time:

We’re talking flavor notes inspired by KFC’s legendary 11 herbs and spices—all wrapped up in a craveable toothpaste that delivers next-level freshness with every brush. Like biting into a hot, juicy piece of KFC Original Recipe Chicken, this toothpaste is irresistible, coating your teeth in flavor before leaving your mouth feeling fresh and clean.

KFC/Hissmile

“This started as an April Fools’ joke, but we thought—why not make it real?” said Hismile’s Marketing Manager, Koban Jones, in a statement about the KFC toothpaste. “We love pushing boundaries, and what better way to do that than by bringing KFC’s legendary flavors into an everyday essential? This collab is bold, unexpected, and seriously fun.”

Bold? Yes. Unexpected? Definitely. Fun? Hell yeah! We can’t wait to try it. This is so weird, and we have no idea what it’s going to feel like to clean your tooth with something that makes your mouth feel like it’s eating fried chicken. If you agree, head to hismileteeth.com while supplies last. You can get both the Hismile x KFC Toothpaste ($13) and a Hissmile x KFC Electric Toothbrush ($59).

No foolin’. Just finger lickin’. Or, in this case, tooth brushin’.

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RICK AND MORTY Meet Space Christians on an Easter Hunt in Season 8 Trailer

Easter is just around the corner, so let us be the first to wish all of you a happy wubba and a peaceful lubba dub dub. Okay, sure, that doesn’t make any sense. But it will after you watch Adult Swim’s new teaser trailer for Rick and Morty‘s upcoming season eight. This new look at Rick and Morty‘s new season features our favorite infinite-universe hopping duo on a particularly bizarre Easter egg hunt. And things only get weirder when they’re interrupted by Space Christians.

This new clip from Rick and Morty season eight opens with a German Easter….uh….what would you call this? A….celebration? Ritual? Or…you know what? The less said about it, the better. What happens next is more important anyway. We then see an intergalactic encounter of confusing religious affiliations.

Why is Rick looking for a crystal Easter egg in this Rick and Morty season eight teaser trailer? Why was it made on Andromeda and not Earth? And why would people from another planet follow a messiah from this planet? Anyone even trying to guess has clearly never watched Rick and Morty.

Adult Swim

That’s also why they can’t appreciate the absurd genius of Adult Swim’s other new video promoting the show. The network celebrated April Fool’s Day with a staged, live-action version of Rick and Morty‘s opening credits. It’s absolutely ridiculous in how involved it is. We love everything about it, but we definitely have a favorite part here. We won’t spoil what that is until you get to watch it yourself.

Yeah, obviously it was live-action Mr. Nimbus. Obviously.

As for what the new animated opening introduction will look like this time, we’ll find out soon enough. Rick and Morty season eight premieres on May 25, 2025, at 11 pm on Adult Swim.

With Rick and Morty so close to returning we fully expect to see a full season eight trailer very soon. Will it help explain the existence of Space Christians? Probably not, but we wish them a happy wubba and a peaceful lubba dub dub all the same.

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THE BEATLES Biopic Cast: 4 Fab Stars for 4 Massive Movies

This isn’t your grandmother’s biopic. We don’t actually know what that means. But the point is that it feels like biopics have gone from stilted, boring primetime specials to lavish, award-bait affairs. And this upcoming The Beatles biopic is the grandest, most fabulous, you could say, biopic of them all. Sam Mendes is directing The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, a four-movie bonanza that features the story of each member of The Beatles, separately and together. Of course, to carry off such an elaborate ambition, a major cast is necessary. The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event has now found its Fab Four actors, who will bring the musical phenomenon to life on screen. The Beatles biopic has the following cast: Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon, Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Barry Keoghan will play Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn will play George Harrison.

You can check out a first-look image of The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event‘s biopic cast below.

Sony Pictures

There’s something really essential right about Joseph Quinn playing George Harrison that is hard for us to explain. We will say, we can’t exactly tell all these actors apart from a distance. But we guess that’s true of The Beatles as well. We love some true-to-life accuracy. Still, though we affectionately snark, we do love all the performers in this cast, and we bet they’ll do a great job bringing The Beatles to life.

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The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event will feature four movies that all lock in together to make one huge The Beatles biopic. Each film will turn the spotlight on a different member of The Beatles. The logline shares, “Each man has his own story, but together they are legendary.” As legendary as the runtime of this event, no doubt.

The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event will release in theaters in April 2028. No exact release date has yet been shared, but we’re sure it’s coming soon. As we wait for the biopic (x4) to arrive, we’ll be listening to all The Beatles‘ hits and highly anticipating the wigs that will surely come our way.

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BRING HER BACK Horror Trailer Teases a Bloody Resurrection Ritual

There are many things that one should not do, lest they want their life to become a legit horror movie. Don’t watch weird video tapes. Maybe leave that strange book or ancient object alone. Avoid going to a cabin near a lake in the middle of nowhere. In fact, avoid small towns altogether. And please, please don’t do rituals to try to bring people back from the dead. That last one is how everyone ends up in mess in A24’s Bring Her Back, which boasts a very intriguing trailer. 

In it, we meet two kids who recently lost their family and end up in foster care. There, they meet their strange new foster mom and Oliver, another kid who also lost his family. She’s doing some strange ritualistic things to Oliver.

Why? Well, she seems to think that the spirit stays in the body for a while after death. And she thinks she can bring people back, like Cathy. I dunno girl. As much as I wish I could bring back people I love who have died, this seems like a disaster waiting to happen. Those two new kids might want to find the nearest exit. 

What Is the Release Date for A24’s Bring Her Back Horror Movie?A24

Bring Her Back certainly piques interest with its trailer because it doesn’t give too much away. The film is directed by Danny and Michael Philippou. It stars Sally Hawkins, Billy Barrat, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, Sally-Anne Upton, and Stephen Phillips. Bring Her Back will hit theaters on May 30. 

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Amazing STAR WARS “Duel of the Fates” LEGO Fan Build Has 13,000 Pieces

The Star Wars saga is overflowing with great lightsaber duels. And everyone has their favorite. But often, THE fan-favorite lightsaber fight is almost always Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan vs. Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace. Now, via Reddit, we’ve discovered a Star Wars LEGO fan who has paid tribute to the legendary Jedi vs Sith “Duel of the Fates” with an amazing custom build. And this set took 13,000 pieces and over a year and a half of work to create. The builder in question is Reddit user The_Trade_Federation, and you can see their creation below:

Click To View Gallery Reddit/The_Trade_Federation The_Trade_Federation/Reddit Reddit/The_Trade_Federation The_Trade_Federation/Reddit Reddit/The_Trade_Federation

Here’s what The_Trade_Federation had to say about creating this incredible Star Wars custom LEGO set:

After well over a year of on-and-off work, I proudly present to you my tribute to the legendary Duel of the Fates, built across four 32×32 LEGO baseplates! To this day, LEGO has yet to release a large set dedicated to Naboo, leaving The Phantom Menace shelf in my LSW display room without a proper centerpiece. Just as I did with my Jedi Temple, Jedi Council, Tipoca landing platform, and Cloud City creations, I took it upon myself to fill that gap. The larger front section and the central room in the back (where Qui-Gon met his fate) are based on TPM. For the remaining back sections I drew inspiration primarily from the Battlefront map. All walkways in the front are fully accessible via stairs and removable doors in the back. Piece count: 13,085.

Reddit/The_Trade_Federation

The name “Duel of the Fates,” of course, stems from the title of the John Williams music for this scene. Just as many fans consider the battle the best lightstaber fight, many consider Williams’ music for this scene the best as well. It is wild that there still isn’t an official Duel of the Fates LEGO Star Wars set available yet. Hopefully, if they make it, they take some cues from this incredible fan build.

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Controversial LOONEY TUNES Characters Will Appear on New Blu-ray Release

The Warner Archive Collection is releasing classic Looney Tunes cartoons on DVD and Blu-ray and remastering some for the first time on disc. This comes after the sad news that Max has removed the original Looney Tunes from its catalogue. In the new physical disc characters who have long been absent from Looney Tunes make a reappearance. These characters portray larely offensive caricatures of different maginalized communities. 50 different shorts appear on Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault Vol. 1.

Warner Bros.

Pepé Le Pew is one of these aforementioned characters who has been mostly absent from new Looney Tunes content after a New York Times Opinion Editorial about the character went viral. A rumor about Pepé being scrubbed from Space Jam 2 spread. However, many sources dispute this claim, stating that Pepé’s removal from the film happened early in development. However, the skunk is appearing in Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault Vol. 1.

The disc’s shorts also include those starring Speedy Gonzales. Speedy’s character has faced a lot of criticism for the character’s reliance on racial and ethnic stereotypes. A previous DVD released in 2024, Collector’s Choice Vol. 4, included a 1964 Sylvester & Speedy cartoon titled Road to Andalay.

Warner Bros.

Many people have speculated on Pepé and Speedy’s “cancellation”, but George Feltenstein, Warner’s Library Historian, denies this.

People were really upset there was no Pepé Le Pew in Collector’s Choice Volumes one to four. I’m very happy to say Pepé has not been canceled, which people thought was the case. Speedy Gonzales has not been canceled. All the characters will be represented with a lot of quality, given that we’re upgrading cartoons that were only available on DVD to high-definition.

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Feltenstein went on to mention that there may be subsequent volumes of the Collector’s Vault series if fans enjoy it and there are high sales. He stated that for this collection they wanted to do “double the amount of cartoons, but not double the price.”

Collector’s Vault Vol. 1 comes with two discs. The names of the 50 cartoons appearing in the Collector’s Vault Vol. 1 are unknown. Warner has newly remastered 25 of the shorts. The other half of shorts are appearing on Blu-ray for the first time. The Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault Vol. 1 will be available for purchase beginning June 17 from Warner Archive.

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