Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 124

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey Discuss THE LAST OF US Season 2

We already know that The Last of Us season two takes place five years after season one. And at the end of season one, there was a huge gulf that formed between our favorite father/daughter duo, Joel and Ellie. Joel had, of course, lied to Ellie after saving her life at a great cost. And Ellie seemed to know something was wrong. As we head into The Last of Us season two, the cast and creators of the series held a press conference to dive into what we can expect from the upcoming season after such an ending. Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, didn’t mince words. Ramsey shared about The Last of Us season two’s Joel and Ellie, “We just had to not like each other for a bit.” Uhoh, it feels like there’s going to be some unhappiness separating the pair.

Ramsey went on to share more about The Last of Us season two’s time jump, saying, “I think that yes, obviously a lot has changed over those five years. Ellie was like 14 and is now 19. And I think in any teenage life, those are formative years. So that definitely informed it. But there are obviously deeper reasons for their little rift, and it was kind of, I didn’t enjoy the feeling of feeling estranged from Pedro within a scene. It wasn’t a nice feeling when the cameras were rolling. And so it was, yeah, it was definitely interesting.”

Max

Meanwhile, Pedro Pascal, who plays Joel, echoed the sentiments, discussing the intensity of his character’s journey and the weight of the separation that happens between Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us season two. Speaking to Ramsey, Pascal shared, “I feel like it was a beautiful setup by Craig [Mazin] and Neil [Druckmann] that the first thing that I got to shoot was just you and me and in kind of an intimate setting. There’s incredibly painful distance between the two of them and the playing of the scene, but we still got to be on set and fuck around and laugh and stuff like that. And that was incredibly comforting, that was like coming home.”

Max

But there was also a lot of intensity there. Because of the quality of The Last of Us and the viscerally beautiful characters, Pascal felt that distance from the role of Joel was hard to obtain. He noted, “I was grateful to be back. And yet at the same time, this experience, more than any other I’ve had, makes it hard for me to separate what the characters are going through and how it makes me feel in a way that isn’t very healthy. And so I kind of feel their pain, and I suppose, I suppose I was in an unhealthy mindset.”

Max

It’s always harrowing when our favorite characters are at odds. But it makes it all the sweeter when they find their way back to one another. We know we’ll have to go through it with Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us season two. Hopefully, reconciliation won’t be too far off. Or our states of mind won’t be very healthy either. The Last of Us season two premieres on Sunday, April 13.

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Amazon MGM Studios Signs Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to Lead JAMES BOND Franchise

Recently Amazon acquired full creative rights to the James Bond franchise. How’d it manage to finally do that years after purchasing MGM? Easy: money. A whole lot of money. You obviously don’t spend that kind of cash unless you have big plans. And in the year 2025 big Hollywood plans almost always means creating a gigantic cinematic universe. That certainly seems what Amazon MGM Studios has in mind for the iconic spy. It has signed two industry heavyweights with experience leading popular franchises, Spider-Man‘s Amy Pascal and Harry Potter‘s David Heyman, as producers for the next James Bond film.

MGM

Amazon MGM Studios has announced (in news we first heard at Deadline) it has tapped Amy Pascal, via Pascal Pictures, and David Heyman, via Heyday Films, to produce the studio’s new iteration of 007.

“We are approaching every creative decision with James Bond, which Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have so masterfully steered, with the greatest sense of responsibility,” said Amazon MGM Studios’ Head of Film, Courtenay Valenti, in a press release. “Part of an elite group of producers who have developed and managed massive film franchises to box office success and critical acclaim, Amy Pascal and David Heyman are two of the most accomplished, experienced, and respected film producers in our industry. We are honored to be working with them on James Bond’s next chapter and are excited to deliver to global audiences storytelling that upholds the impeccable legacy of this beloved character.”

MGM

The selection of Pascal and Heyman reveals what Amazon really wants from its big purchase. It noted Pascal is best known for her work on the Spider-Man franchise. It also pointed out Heyman produced every Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movie. These are people who know how to lead massive franchises. That’s obviously what they’ll be doing here. And that will almost certainly mea way more than just five movies over 15 years like we got with Daniel Craig.

The fact both Pascal and Heyman will work on this together also speaks volumes. It points to the likelihood of spinoffs, TV shows, and, yes, maybe even multiple 007s. James Bond is about to get bigger. A whole lot bigger. The question is whether bigger will mean better.

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All Hail the Haunting Woman Draped in a Black Dress

We’ve all seen her unnerving presence before in television and film. She’s an oncoming storm of murder and mayhem. She is the omen and harbinger of evil, often a sinister silhouette shrouded in all black. It is a pleasure to see her weave a web of horror or provide unsettling tension on screen, but we hope we never have to encounter her in real life. She is an icon, a legend, and always the moment, a true staple in pop culture. All hail the haunting woman in black. 

A woman wearing all black is certainly not uncommon in TV and film. In fact, in the case of The Matrix’s Trinity and DC Comics’ many iterations of Catwoman, it is a symbol of effortless cool and sexiness. But this is not the archetype we are honoring today. No, we want to raise a glass—and maybe a sharp knife or a crucifix—to the woman draped in a black dress with a head covering or veil to complete her look.

Oftentimes, she’s barely visible under her dark layers, but we feel and invite her presence into a fictional universe all the same. Is she in mourning? Is she the representation of death itself? Her secrets will come to the light, even if her face does not. 

From The Woman in the Yard’s ominous specter to Doctor Who’s sci-fi take on this figure, these women in black are a few of our faves. 

The Woman (The Woman in the Yard)Blumhouse

This queen is the latest in a line of haunting women in black and she embodies this archetype to perfection. She comes to a grieving family like a sudden chill, perching elegantly in a chair in the middle of their yard. She’s draped in black from her crown of her head to her feet, sitting silently before declaring that “Today’s the day.”

It’s the frightening prelude to a symphony of terror as she goes on the attack, bringing darkness to a woman who is wounded in more ways than one. Her presence in the bright sunlight and penchant for playing with shadows makes her a queen worthy of honor. 

Dark Lady (Are You Afraid of the Dark?) Nickelodeon/YTV

While her moniker is humorously on the nose, her presence strange presence in this tale by Gary is no laughing matter. “The Tale of the Super Specs” follows Weeds, a teen who loves to play pranks to the chagrin of his new girlfriend Marybeth. He buys her a pair of incredibly weird glasses for April Fool’s Day, but the gag gift turns into a living nightmare when Marybeth begins to see strange entities.

One of them is the Dark Lady, a woman cloaked in all black from the covering over her face to her black stockings and pumps. Her creepy silence and eerie pointing are befitting for a being from another dimension. Dark Lady is the manifestation of a kid’s nightmare and certainly causes a living one for Marybeth and Weeds. 

Miss Evangelista (Doctor Who) BBC Studios

Doctor Who gave “haunting woman in Victorian-era funeral clothes” its own spin in season four’s “Forest of the Dead.” Instead of being the precursor to sinister activity, Miss Evangelista serves as a doomsayer of sorts, warning Donna that her seemingly joyful world is not what it seems. She gives the haunting woman in black aesthetics with a heart of gold.

For Miss Evangelista, her death in the world is the gateway to a more fulfilling life within a simulation. While alive, she was ridiculed for her supposed lack of sense, when in reality her emotional intelligence made her superior. After her heartbreaking death and final words that she didn’t want her comrades to laugh at her, she became a part of simulation, losing her conventional beauty with a skewed face but gaining superior intellect. It was a sign of the twisted reality in which she’d learned to navigate.

She wrapped herself in black, complete with a veil, and guided Donna towards enlightenment. In the end, she makes amends with her traveling companions after the Doctor fixes the data core of the library, but we hope she still has that dress in the closet. 

Temptress (Def by Temptation) Troma Entertainment

An oft-forgotten and frankly underrated early ‘90s Black horror gem, Def by Temptation’s sultry succubus certainly deserves a standing ovation. From the onset of the film, she wraps her gloved fingers around young Joel as he listens to his father preach the word of God, desiring to get her clutches into this lineage of preachers. Her goal is simple: to destroy men by using the sin of sexual temptation.

We see her full beauty as she surveys New York City for her next prey, but she’s at her scariest when she is wearing her midnight ensemble. She’s in the yard, she’s in the street, and she’s in your dreams, guys. Will you give in to her feminine wiles? 

Morticia (The Addams Family)MGM Television

Creepy. Kooky. Mysterious. Spooky. Morticia Addams isn’t a ghastly figure nor a physical representation of despair and looming death. But she is one of the greatest witches of all-time, a literal (and physical) smokeshow with an affinity for thorny stems and curious concoctions in a cauldron. Her signature form-fitting dress, sleek black locks, and beguiling stare certainly set her apart from many other haunting women in black. But we feel those vibes from her just the same.

Morticia is a goth girl icon with an undying love for storm clouds and morbid trinkets who makes others squirm in discomfort with little to no effort. She could completely destroy your life if she wanted to, but she’d rather pull you in to dance the tango. We see why Gomez is completely smitten by her sheer existence.

Jennet Humfrye (The Woman in Black) CBS Films

Why yes, there is a movie literally called The Woman in Black. And yes, there is a woman in black who is bringing terror to a small town. They are, after all, the scariest places on Earth. What does this spectral sweetie want with the children of Crythin Gifford? Vengeance, naturally.

A curse from a woman scorned is among the worst things that can happen to a community. She demands a high penance that only your offspring can pay. 

Margaret Hichcock (The Ghost/Lo Spettro)Dino de Laurentiis

This classic Italian Gothic follows Margaret, a woman who is tired of her seance-loving and unorthodox treatment-taking husband. She teams up with her suave side dude, Livingstone, to murder her hubby, but things do not go as planned. While Margaret is not the titular Ghost, she is a murderous maven dripping in her darkest threads and feigning grief at a funeral.

What ensues next between Margaret, her husband, her boyfriend, and their housekeeper is a juicy and strange story for the books. Specters and the undead haunting women are certainly scary. However, there’s something even more frightening about a femme fatale who will kill you with zero remorse.

Countess Marya Zaleska (Dracula’s Daughter)Universal Pictures

How do you make a woman in black infinitely more chilling? By making her the daughter of the most infamous vampire, obviously. Meet the Countess Marya Zaleska in Dracula’s Daughter (1936). She wants to break free from her father’s curse and live a normal life. How does she do this? Well, by destroying his body in fire and looking absolutely fabulous while doing so.

Her pale skin and soulless eyes pair well with her black scarf and dress as she speaks over the flames, inviting the exorcism of evil into her space. However, she gives in to the darkness within and pursues bloodlust while donning the flyest of clothing. She may have died (twice) but she lives forever in our hearts. 

Margot Fenring (Dune) Warner Bros./Legendary

A seductive and enchanting lady of the Bene Gesserit, Margot Fenring’s loyalty lies with no man. She is dedicated to her Order and concerned with the agenda of extending the Harkonnen bloodline. But, most importantly, Margot is dedicated to serving like no one else in the Dune universe.

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Who Is Margot Fenring From DUNE? Everything You Need to Know

That black dress and gloves with the pleated head covering draped over her hair honors the Bene Gesserit but with a tantalizing twist. Like Morticia, she makes the haunting woman in black very sexy, and that earns her the final spot on our list.

Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.

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Everything We Know About Lee Cronin’s THE MUMMY

The Mummy simply cannot stay dead. Lee Cronin, Atomic Monster, and Blumhouse are forming a formidable trio to create a new The Mummy film that will really lean into horror. After all, what could be more horrifying than the undead coming after you? The project is still shrouded in secrecy but with its cast coming together, the details are slowly coming to life. 

Here’s what we know about Lee Cronin’s The Mummy film.

Title

For now, the film seems to be going by Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. It could reveal another title in the future. 

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy Plot 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Mummy will have a married couple and their daughter who somehow run into the titular creature. And, here’s what Cronin told the outlet about his upcoming horror film. “This will be unlike any Mummy movie you ever laid eyeballs on before,” he said. “I’m digging deep into the earth to raise something very ancient and very frightening.” Otherwise, the details about this film are not available quite yet. 

Behind-the-Scenes

Of course, Lee Cronin will write and direct this New Line Cinema feature film. Atomic Monster, Blumhouse, and Cronin’s outfit Doppelgängers will produce this Mummy movie. 

Cronin himself posted on Instagram that filming began on March 24. That means we will likely get more information about casting considering how people like to snap photos and spoil things. Ahhh, the joys of social media.

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy Cast

So far, the only cast members we know about are Jack Reynor and The Wheel of Time actress Laia Costa, the aforementioned married couple in the film. 

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy Release Date

This film will release in theaters on April 17, 2026.

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STREET FIGHTER Movie Removed From Sony’s Release Calendar, Loses Release Date for Now

Capcom’s Street Fighter franchise has seen some bad movies in the past. And that’s why fans were exceptionally excited to hear that Street Fighter would receive a new cinematic adaptation, coming in 2026. The Street Fighter movie recently brought on The Eric Andre Show and Twisted Metal director, Kitao Sakurai, to direct the film. But although it seemed to be making progress, Sony recently removed Street Fighter from its upcoming release calendar. The Street Fighter movie was meant to release in 2026, but now we don’t have a good release date for it. Of course, given that the director of the movie recently changed, this move by Sony could simply mean he needs more time to execute his vision properly.

Seeing release dates shift for movies we’re excited about is always a little stressful. But given the history of Street Fighter, it’s definitely more important to get this movie right than to have its release date be imminent. We don’t know too much about what was planned or is changing for this new film. However, we do know that Legendary will co-develop and produce the Street Fighter movie with Sony and Capcom, and they will work together on any future titles. All companies involved have a rich history of adapting games onto the screen, and so, with any luck, this release date shift is just a minor scrape and not a KO.

Steam

Street Fighter was released in 1987 and has defined the fighting game genre since. It’s one of the highest-grossing and most profitable video game franchises in our history, so it’s about time it gets a live-action movie done right. Many anime adaptations have grown the game’s world and lore, and there’s a lot in it to adapt. Hey, this game is almost 40 years old, after all. Hopefully, a new Street Fighter release date will surface soon.

Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks

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Original E.T. Model Could Go For a Million Dollars at Auction

In the 43 years since the release of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, many of the original screen-used body models of the lovable alien have fallen apart from age. But a few survived the ravages of time, and one of them is going up for auction soon at Sotheby’s. And it could fetch as much as a million dollars. Via Boing Boing, we learned that the 3-foot-tall artifact is from the collection of Hollywood special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi. His daughter brought the model, along with several other E.T.-related items, to the world-famous auction house.

Sotheby’s

The model is part of an auction named There Are Such Things: 20th Century Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy on Screen. Among the other items are fairly significant pieces of fantasy and sci-fi film history. Items from The Wizard of Oz, Total Recall, Blade Runner, Labyrinth, Jurassic Park, and David Lynch’s Dune are all part of this auction. Speaking of Dune, they’ve also got three 1964 issues of Analog Magazine containing the first serialized chapters of Frank Herbert’s novel. Unlike the E.T. model, these will only set you back a mere few thousand dollars.

Sotheby’s

If you’re a fan of classic horror, there are also several movie posters from the iconic Universal Monsters movies. The name of the auction, “There Are Such Things,” is from a line from Tod Browning’s 1931 Dracula. In fact, Bela Lugosi’s Dracula cape from Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is also up for sale. There are also a lot of original movie posters from Star Wars. (You just can’t have one of these sci-fi auctions without some kind of Star Wars presence). The auction There Are Such Things: 20th Century Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy on Screen begins on March 21, and ends on April 5. For more information, head on over to the official Sotheby’s site.

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Watch a Compilation of Actors You May Not Know Who Auditioned for BACK TO THE FUTURE

Back to the Future is one of the most iconic films of all time, with a huge fanbase, of which I am most definitely a part of. The 1985 film stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson, and Lea Thompson, and it is hard to imagine anyone else in these roles. However, if you were ever wondering which other actors were contenders for the main roles in the film, look no further than the video below (which we first saw via Laughing Squid), which shows auditions for the time-travel movie.

All these old audition tapes come from a special feature included in the Blu-ray edition of Back to the Future. Many of the contenders are actors you may recognize from other projects. Among the actors auditioning for Marty McFly were Ben Stiller, Jon Cryer, and C. Thomas Howell. The special feature also showed auditions for other characters. Peter DeLuise and Billy Zane were considered for the role of Biff Tannen instead of Thomas F. Wilson. Kyra Sedgwick auditioned for Jennifer Parker, Marty’s girlfriend. Of course, many of the young actors went on to have long-storied careers in the industry.

Stiller has been in some of the most famous movie series like Zoolander and Madagascar. If you’re me though, you know his magnum opus is the Night at the Museum series. Similarly, Cryer is famous for playing Duckie in Pretty in Pink. Howell is most known for his role as Ponyboy in The Outsiders. As you may remember, Zane was still cast in Back to the Future as Match despite originally auditioning for the role of Biff.

If you want to take a trip down memory lane and watch Robert Zemeckis’ masterpiece, it is not on a streaming service as of now. It is only available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

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SAW XI Delayed Indefinitely, THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 Takes Its Fall 2025 Release Date

It appears that Jigsaw will not be appearing this fall to terrify moviegoers, as is tradition. Sadly, it looks like Saw XI has been delayed indefinitely, thanks to disagreements behind-the-scenes. This news originally came to light late last week. But Lionsgate isn’t leaving a proper horror film out of their Halloween season plans. Despite Saw XI being taken off the calendar, via The Hollywood Reporter, we’ve learned that Lionsgate has turned over the September 26 slot to a different horror show, The Strangers: Chapter 2.

Billy the Puppet has seemingly denied rumors that ‘SAW XI’ has been canceled by changing his LinkedIn status to ‘Employed’ and issuing a new statement:

“I’ve seen the rumors. They say it’s Game Over. You all should know me better than that. The game is never over.” pic.twitter.com/IJZL75jY4A

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 24, 2025

This doesn’t mean that Jigsaw won’t be back at some point, however. No, the iconic cinematic killer never goes away for very long. He simply makes too much money to ever retire. On Monday, Lionsgate shared a “statement” from Billy the Puppet, the ventriloquist dummy used in most of the films by the character of John Kramer, aka Jigsaw: The statement, rather hilariously, came over LinkedIn, where Billy’s status remained “Employed.” It said “I’ve seen the rumors. They say it’s Game Over. You all should know me better than that. The game is never over.” With ten entries in the Saw franchise since James Wan’s 2004 original, it is very evident that indeed, the game will never be over. One way or another, Jigsaw will always find a way to come back.

Lionsgate Films

Meanwhile, getting the coveted spooky season release window is a show of confidence from Lionsgate in The Strangers franchise, which began in 2008. Lionsgate then revived the franchise last year, announcing a whole new trilogy for the home invasion horror series. Madelaine Petsch reprises her role after starring in The Strangers: Chapter 1, which Lionsgate released in May, 2024. This marks the second feature in the planned stand-alone The Strangers trilogy. Lionsgate shot the second and third movies consecutively after the first one. Hopefully, we’ll find out soon what the future holds for the eleventh Saw movie as The Strangers takes its place.

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Who Does Joel McHale Play on YELLOWJACKETS Season 3?

There was a lot of curiosity when the news broke that Joel McHale would play a role on Yellowjackets season three. Joel McHale, of course, is an icon in the world of pop culture for his role on Community. Yellowjackets is a very funny show at points, too, but it’s definitely much more of a dark humor—a bit removed from the purely hilarious sitcom energy that Community brought to the table. And it turns out McHale is very removed from his turn as Jeff Winger on Yellowjackets as well. For Community fans and Joel McHale fans overall, McHale’s role as Kodiak, a.k.a. Kodi, might be something of a surprise. We break it all down below.

Joel McHale Plays Kodiak, a Wilderness Survival Guide, on Yellowjackets Season 3Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

It’s all gruffness and toughness for Joel McHale on Yellowjackets season three. McHale’s character Kodiak is a serious outdoorsman who is not there to mess around with the wilderness but is there to flippantly throw knives past people’s faces. He claims he was named after tobacco. We meet McHale’s character alongside two biologists who have wandered into the wilderness, where the Yellowjackets team also crashed.

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YELLOWJACKETS Season 3, Episode 7 Recap: New Revelations u0026 Questions From ‘Croak’

The university that biologists Hannah and Edwin work for hired McHale’s Kodiak/Kodi to help guide the researchers through the dense woods. Hannah and Edwin wish to observe a frog mating ritual and bring back a specimen of the Arctic Banshee frog. McHale’s Kodiak doesn’t seem to think too much of frogs, but he’s plenty willing to show off his wilderness chops. He also appears to think little of scrawny scientist Edwin, whom he clearly considers “less manly” than him, and meanwhile enjoys flirting with Hannah, Edwin’s partner—although he doesn’t think twice about abandoning her when danger comes.

Is Joel McHale’s Kodi a Dangerous Character?Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

In one scene, Yellowjackets makes a point of noting that Joel McHale’s Kodi has a bag labeled “Erik.” Edwin claims that he’s hiding something and that they know nothing about him, not even his name. Additionally, he feels that Kodi may have broken their satellite phone, the one connection the research team had to the outside world, on purpose. Joel McHale’s Kodiak claims that the phone is not their lifeline, and instead, he is. And he seems offended by the whispers about him. But as mentioned, Kodiak flees the scene, leaving Hannah to fend for herself once they encounter the Yellowjackets team in the woods. He also shoots Melissa from very close with his crossbow. We do not like the energy of this Joel McHale character on Yellowjackets.

Will Kodi Help the Yellowjackets Escape the Wilderness?

Although we don’t trust him, it is true that Joel McHale’s Kodi/Kodiak is the only character that has any hope of escaping the wilderness on Yellowjackets. Kodi has a good sense of where they are and how to survive and literally no one else does. At the end of the episode, Akilah and Travis help Kodiak survive his fall off a cliffside in the hopes that he will lead them home. But can they really trust him to help, or will he turn on them and leave them to die? What about the rest of the team? It doesn’t seem like Kodiak cares even remotely that the Yellowjackets are merely high school students trying to survive. And would kill them all if it meant his own skin. Only time will tell if he’ll become a friend or foe.

Will Joel McHale’s Kodiak Die in the Wilderness?Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

There’s a very notable toxic masculinity air to Kodiak. It’s honestly a character type that hasn’t really appeared on Yellowjackets before. Travis had a bit of that attitude at the beginning of the series, but time in the wilderness seems to have excised most of it from him. That’s why Kodiak’s angry, bullish disposition, his dislike for other men whom he considers less strong, and his immediate need to flirt with the only woman around stands out on the series. As Lottie said, the Wilderness does not want him (and his noxious manliness) there. But does that mean he’s doomed? We kind of hope so… Even though we also agree that going home would be nice for the team. If only the Yellowjackets could live their free life in a society without arbitrary standards but also have running water and enough food to live.

We’ll have to see what happens to Joel McHale’s Kodiak as Yellowjackets season three continues to air.

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Having Trouble Scheduling Your DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Games? Here’s the Solution

The struggle of finding a good time for everyone to start a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign is a real struggle. So many games end up just falling through because scheduling with one friend is already hard enough, but multiple?! Impossible…or so it seems. Current comic book writer Kieron Gillen has us all covered with a few golden rules to keep the game alive. Here’s how you can make sure your Dungeons & Dragons game schedule operates smoothly.

Kieron Gillen

Gillen was in a pub with a friend who complained to them about yet another game of D&D falling through. I guess Gillen had enough because he wrote, “[imagine] all these decades of people wasting time, just waiting for that one player to be free on Friday.” Now be warned, Gillen’s rules for scheduling your Dungeons & Dragons games without fail are pretty strict but also happen to make for a good baseline if your party is having trouble sustaining a campaign.

Gillen’s core rules are as follows:

1. The Dungeon Master sets a regular time to play.
2. The game happens on that night, with whoever turns up.
3. The only time a date moves is if the DM can’t make that time or if literally no other player can make it.

To solve the Dungeons & Dragons schedule problem altogether, Gillen wrote the rules as a patch “fixing” the new 2024 edition of the D&D Player’s Handbook. It neatly fits in right after page eight. So your entire party can familiarize themselves with the new course of action for setting up games. The actual page goes much deeper, covering what to do when the dungeon master is missing and during your first session.

Wizards of the Coast

Writing about his rules for scheduling Dungeons & Dragons games, Gillen said, “This is probably overkill, but it breaks my heart, and made me laugh. You can’t resist yourself sometimes. It is actively strange that RPG folks write rules about everything, but have avoided giving actual advice on basic play culture ideas. Generations after generations of players, falling into this particular trap. No more, I say.”

You can view and download a PDF of Gillen’s “Scheduling Games” page for the Player’s Handbook on his website here. And hey, if your Dungeons & Dragons game never falls through again and stays exactly on schedule, you know who to thank.

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