Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 161

Critical Role Founding Cast Reuniting for Live Charity One-Shot To Support LA Wildfire Relief

Critical Role’s founding cast is getting back together for one night of fun, all for a very good cause. And Critical Role is inviting you to be a part of this special tabletop role-playing campaign. The group announced it’s hosting a live one-shot charity event to raise funds for wildfire relief in Los Angeles.

Critical Role

On January 30 “Critters” everywhere are encouraged to tune into Critical Role’s “Freaky Thursday” event, “a chaotic and interactive one-shot charity livestream.” This special (non-canon) one-shot ad venture will feature Bells Hells, the characters from Critical Role’s third RPG. Ashley Johnson, Marisha Ray, Taliesin Jaffe, Travis Willingham, Sam Riegel, Laura Bailey, and Liam O’Brien will sit down for Game Master Matthew Mercer’s campaign. Here’s what awaits Bells Hells when they do:

Two Elemental Royals have made a wager: Are modern mortal “heroes” as resilient and courageous as those of legend? Hearing of the recent, wild exploits of Bells Hells, these two entities pluck the troupe from Exandria and force a series of challenges to test their skills, wit, and ability… all while the Elementals subtly manipulate the odds between Order and Chaos to serve their bet. Weird magics weave throughout the realm, as onlookers from across the realms alter the dangers mid-contest, rending the battlefield or even swapping souls between the players! Can Bells Hells survive this series of clashes, and does either Order or Chaos truly carve the path of a hero?

Critical Role

Fans who tune into either Critical Role’s Beacon membership service, or its Twitch and YouTube channels, will get to do more than just watch. “Freaky Thursday” is the group’s latest fundraising effort to help the recovery from the Los Angeles wildfires. Viewers can shape the one-shot’s story via Critical Role’s Tiltify page. There fans can “donate or purchase rewards” that will directly influence the campaign. As of this writing more than $19,000 has already been donated. From Critical Role:

Story elements with the most donations will take center stage in the adventure. Each fundraising milestone reached will unlock unique surprises, including new allies, unexpected adversaries, or even character sheet swaps, ensuring an unpredictable and exciting adventure shaped entirely by the community’s contributions.

Your contributions will fund grants to the California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund, the Latino Community Foundation, and the LA Fire Department Foundation. In addition, 10% of every donation will go into Critical Role’s emergency fund. It allows them “to send help quickly in the event of a future unforeseen natural emergency.”

The company, its Critical Role Foundation, and fans have already done a lot to help Southern California. They’ve donated $30,000 to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund. And that was without getting the founding cast back together for an adventure. This event, especially with how you can literally be a part of it, should raise way more. You can how exactly at the show at the event’s official page.

If you want to get in on both the fun and the funds tune into “Freaky Thursday” live at 7 pm PT on January 30.

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THE LOST BOYS Officially Coming to Broadway as a Musical in 2026

Some twenty years after a string of vampire musicals flopped on Broadway, the singing undead are ready to make a comeback. Via The Hollywood Reporter, we’ve learned that a musical based on the cult classic horror comedy The Lost Boys officially debuts on Broadway at the Palace Theater in early 2026. The musical will feature a score by The Rescues and direction by Tony Award winner Michael Arden (Parade, Maybe Happy Ending). The book is by Chris Hoch and David Hornsby, a writer/producer on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The announcement comes with an official title logo reveal for The Lost Boys: A New Musical.

Polk & Co./Warner Bros.

The Lost Boys remains one of the most iconic vampire movies ever. It successfully crossed the teen comedy genre with vampires, during the summer of 1987. It’s all about two teen boys who move to a California beach town, which just happens to be overrun with vampires. The Joel Schumacher film became even more successful on video and endless TV airings. A few years back, reports about a prequel musical to The Lost Boys hit the internet. The title for that one was A Lost Boys Story. It had a score written by musician G Tom Mac who wrote the movie’s memorable opening track, “Cry Little Sister.” They announced that musical prequel back in 2020. But it seems Warner Bros., who owns the rights to the property, decided to go in a different direction.

Warner Bros.

This musical doesn’t seem to be a prequel story at all, just a straight-up adaptation of the 1987 film. The producers even said in a statement, “David Hornsby and Chris Hoch have done a remarkable job of honoring this classic film and its beloved characters, creating something new and unique for the stage that will excite the die-hard fans of the movie as well as those being introduced to this timeless story for the first time.” That doesn’t sound like they are straying too far from the source material. Hopefully, this fares better than notorious vampire musical flops like Dance of the Vampires, Dracula: The Musical, and Lestat. Honestly, if the teenage vampire-hunting Frog Brothers get a killer number, how can they go wrong?

The post THE LOST BOYS Officially Coming to Broadway as a Musical in 2026 appeared first on Nerdist.

Marvel Reveals Unorthodox YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN Release Schedule

The new animated series based on everyone’s favorite wall-crawling hero is hitting Disney+ this week, with the arrival of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man from Marvel Animation. This new show is a fresh take on the earliest days of Peter Parker’s superhero career, when he was just a freshman in high school. Now, Disney+ has revealed the episode release schedule for season one of the show, and it’s a bit wonky. The show won’t do a traditional “one episode per week” drop like X-Men ’97, but it won’t be an every single day drop like the final seasons of What If…? were. Below, you can see how it’s going to go down:

See you in class!

Stream the two-episode premiere of Marvel Animation’s #YourFriendlyNeighborhoodSpiderMan January 29 only on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/LbC5yH7w1d

— Spider-Man (@SpiderMan) January 24, 2025

So, the first week we get the first two episodes of the show, titled “Amazing Fantasy” and “The Parker Luck.” The name “Amazing Fantasy” is an homage to the comic Amazing Fantasy #15. That’s the issue where Stan Lee and Steve Ditko debuted Spider-Man way back in 1962. A two-episode drop for the first day is not so odd really, as lots of streaming shows do that nowadays. But then the next two weeks drop three episodes each, with the final two episodes streaming on the finale week. So the whole series will play out over a month in this fashion. Yes, it’s unorthodox, but we’re into it.

Marvel Animation

Marvel Studios originally announced Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man way back in November 2021, as Spider-Man: Freshman Year. The original intent was to cover the events of Peter Parker’s earliest days as Spider-Man, before Captain America: Civil War. But ultimately, the powers that be moved the series out of the Sacred Timeline, into its own reality. To the show’s creative team, the confines of the preexisting MCU history were too constricting. Although there are many similar elements to the MCU, it’s definitely its own thing. And we’re very eager to see how life unfolds for this version of Peter Parker.

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Here’s Where You Can Watch 2025’s Nerdy Oscar Nominees

The 2025 Academy Awards are just around the corner and Hollywood is going…mild? Yeah, that sounds about right. In fairness to this year’s batch of nominees, living up to 2024’s class was always going to be tough. However, there aren’t still plenty of films up for the industry’s most prestigious award worth celebrating, including a whole lot of movies right in our pop culture loving wheelhouse. And if you want to see them before the Oscars airs on March 2, here’s where you can watch 2025’s nerdy Academy Award nominees.

Universal Pictures/Warner Bros./Paramount Pictures/DisneyWicked – Buy or Rent on Digital Platforms (Or See It In Theaters)

Haven’t seen Wicked yet even though you really want to? You’re in a small group. The smash box office hit turned into a digital bonanza when it arrived at video on demand platforms. Now it’s an Oscars darling with 10 nominations including Best Picture and acting nods for its two iconic witches. You can find out why if you buy or rent it from your favorite digital platform. But if you’d rather see Elphaba and Glinda on the big screen Wicked is still in theaters, too.

Dune: Part Two – Stream on Max, Netflix

Fear is the mind killer, but you have nothing to fear if you want to see Dune: Part Two and pay for either Max or Netflix. The spicy five-time nominee from (wrongly snubbed) director Denis Villeneuve is available at both streaming services.

A Complete Unknown – Watch in Theaters

Speaking of Paul Atreides, Timothée Chalamet’s other big 2024 film is up for a whole lot of gold statues. A Complete Unknown is in the running in eight categories, including Best Picture, Director, Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress. But while you can listen to Bob Dylan’s music at home, you’ll have to get moving like a rolling stone to theaters if you want to see his biopic before the Oscars.

The Substance – Stream on Mubi

Want to be uncomfortable in your own home? Want to feel like you need to take a week long shower to get clean? Mubi has you covered. Sign up for a free seven-day trial via Prime Video and you can watch The Substance for free. The body horror film is up for five awards, including Best Picture and a Leading Actress nom for Demi Moore.

Inside Out 2 – Stream on Disney+

Inside Out 2 made a whooooole lot of money for Disney at the box office, but now you can find the Best Animated Feature Film nominee at the Mouse House’s streaming service. The story of what happens when Joy meets Anxiety can be found at Disney+.

The Wild Robot – Stream on Peacock

We bet Disney’s biggest competition for Best Animated Feature is DreamWorks The Wild Robot, a beautiful film in every way. You can find out why we loved this tale of love, family, and community so much at Peacock where it’s available to stream.

Nosferatu – Watch In Theaters (On Digital Now, on Disc February 18)

Roberts Eggers’ stylish (and, let’s be honest, horny) re-imagining of the iconic vampire movie is still in theaters. But the four-time Oscar nominee will be available to buy and rent at video on demand platforms starting February 18. That’s also when Nosferatu arrives on disc for those brave enough to invite him into their home. Also, listen to our interview with Robert Eggers on Laser Focus!

Alien: Romulus – Stream on Hulu

In space no one can hear you scream, but your neighbors definitely will when you stream Alien: Romulus at home on Hulu. Director Fede Alvarez returned the franchise to its roots with his entry in the franchise, which earned a Best Achievement in Visual Effects nomination.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – Stream on Hulu

As usual, the Best Achievement in Visual Effects category turned into a hot spot for genre films. In addition to Xenomorphs it’s also where the Academy found a way to celebrate advanced primates. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is up for the VFX Oscar and also up at Hulu.

Gladiator II – Stream on Paramount+ and Roku

Somehow Denzel Washington did not get a Supporting Actor nomination for chewing scenery in Gladiator II, but Ridley Scott’s big budget sequel grabbed a spot in the Best Achievement in Costume Design category. You can see why when you watch the film at Paramount+ or Roku.

The Apprentice – Buy or Rent on Digital Platforms (Or See It In Theaters)

Last year an Avenger took home an Academy Award when Oppenheimer‘s Robert Downey Jr. won for Supporting Actor. This year another MCU star is up for a big award. The Winter Soldier himself nabbed a Lead Actor nomination, as Sebastian Stan earned a nomination for playing a real estate figure from New York City in The Apprentice. (The movie, not the reality tv show, though there are some connections between the two.) Succession‘s Jeremy Strong also grabbed a Supporting Actor nomination for the film.

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Who Is the Newest Actor to Play Moriarty? WATSON Reveals a Surprise Casting for the SHERLOCK HOLMES Villain

When we say Sherlock Holmes, a vision of the character must instantly pop into your head. Ditto if we say Watson. And, of course, there must be one actor you strongly associate with Sherlock Holmes’ greatest villain and opponent, Moriarty. For me, it’s hands-down Andrew Scott, who played opposite Benedict Cumberbatch in the BBC’s version of Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock. But now a new actor has arisen to take on the mantle of Sherlock evil. The newest Sherlock Holmes adaptation, CBS’ Watson, had a surprising casting of Moriarty—one that the series did not reveal until after its premiere. But who plays Moriarty in Watson, joining a prolific line-up? Why Moriarty’s actor is none other than one Randall Park.

CBS

In the final minutes of Watson‘s first episode, Randall Park is revealed to be the actor who plays Moriarty. Park’s Moriarty appears to retrieve a set of DNA samples from another known Holmes and Watson associate, Shinwell Johnson. Randall Park as Moriarty? Park seems like too friendly of an actor to play Moriarty, you might say. Well, you’d be right. Watson creator Craig Sweeny revealed of the surprise Moriarty casting:

I was getting a lot of interest in the role of Moriarty from great actors, but people who are more traditional villains. And I was just interested in the idea of really inverting his persona, the idea of what if Randall Parks’ affability and smile and his famous and completely genuine niceness were a mask for something much more sinister.

I thought that was a really interesting writing challenge and a really interesting way to present the character of Moriarty and that performer as well. I sent him a text and said, would you want to do that? Obviously, there are negotiations that needed to happen but there was interest right from the get-go, we’re very fortunate. He comes back quite a bit over the course of the season.

As to why Sweeny kept Randall Park’s Moriarty casting a surprise, Sweeny shares about hiding the actor, “I’m always thinking about what’s the most fun for the audience. I think that we have a strong enough concept to draw crowds to the show anyway and that the idea of seeing Moriarty — but really Randall Park playing Moriarty, which I find to be a really surprising, interesting choice — the idea of that being a surprise and shock was appealing to me.”

And judging by audience reaction, it was a fun shock indeed.

I’m watching Watson and I know that’s not RANDALL PARK AS MORIARTY DID I MAKE THIS SHOW???

— Kendalind⁷ (@bxngtxnrecords) January 27, 2025

So let me get this straight, infamously COMEDIC actor Randall Park is playing Moriarty? A notoriously serious and lethal antagonist? This is gonna be wild. #Watson pic.twitter.com/oGrFigh9hM

— THE Gentleman (@Abovethelaw187) January 27, 2025

Randall Park as moriarty pic.twitter.com/WRGep7foSD

— deah (@indogaysian) January 27, 2025

Although Randall Park’s Moriarty is not a series regular, yet, we can expect to see the actor play a big role this season on Watson. As for his relationship with Watson, Sweeny shares, “I wouldn’t say he has a beef with Watson. I would say that he has an interest in the work that Watson is doing, and that the DNA that they’re collecting at the clinic is something that Moriarty believes he can put to a very particular use. This version of Moriarty I don’t think has a big picture viewpoint, I don’t know that you would see it as a beef with anybody, but he has a keen interest in the work that’s going on at that clinic.”

CBS

But don’t expect Randall Park’s Moriarty to tangle with Sherlock Holmes himself. Sherlock is gone for the moment, although Sweeny hesitates to say he’s fully and forever dead. (You never know!) We can’t wait to see how Park’s casting pays off and what happens with Moriarty, Watson and the rest.

The post Who Is the Newest Actor to Play Moriarty? WATSON Reveals a Surprise Casting for the SHERLOCK HOLMES Villain appeared first on Nerdist.

The Strangest Trailers of Pop Culture History: The PSYCHO Trailer

By the time Universal Pictures released Psycho in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock was already one of the most famous directors in Hollywood, and a household name. As “The Master of Suspense,” during the 1950s he’d produced massive hits like Rear Window, Vertigo, and North by Northwest. Most importantly, his weekly TV series Alfred Hitchcock Presents, which he hosted, was a massive hit for the network. So anticipation for his first feature for the new decade, Psycho, was at an all-time high. The original trailer for Psycho capitalizes on Hitchcock’s fame and reputation. But what’s really shocking about it is how much it outright spoils for the film. And we mean a lot. You can watch that original trailer in all its glory right here:

In the Psycho trailer, the esteemed director walks the audience through the sets, including the Bates Motel and its adjacent creepy house. There’s no footage of its stars, Janet Leigh or Anthony Perkins, at all. One of its stars, Vera Miles, appears briefly in a recreation of the shower scene, itself a misdirect. But Hitchcock literally tells the viewer how many victims there are going to be in the film, and where they die. For fans today who complain that trailers today give away too much, the Psycho trailer can tell them “Hold my beer.” This trailer literally spells out the body count for them.

Universal Pictures

Of course, this all still works because the reveal of Psycho isn’t the amount of victims or where they die. The actual reveal is the true identity of the killer. Throughout the trailer, Hitchcock paints the woman of the house as the murderer. So the film’s biggest surprise, the one about Norman Bates, might remain preserved. Still, it’s wild that Hitchcock even gave away this much. There’s also a strange use of light and jaunty music throughout the trailer. The kind that today we connect to 1950s PSAs, indicating wholesome frivolity. It’s almost like he was trying to assure suburban ‘50s audiences this all wouldn’t be too terrifying.

Despite his iconic status in Hollywood, Hitchcock’s home studio Paramount didn’t want to finance Psycho. They thought the subject matter was just too grotesque for American audiences. Serial killers existed in real life, of course, but they weren’t daily front-page headlines yet. This wouldn’t happen until after the Zodiac killer and later Charles Manson. Many Americans were blissfully unaware of even the term “serial killer.” So Hitchcock convinced Universal to finance his adaptation of Robert Bloch’s pulpy novel, using his TV show crew. He chose to shoot in black and white to keep the budget down. Remember, Psycho came after his big glossy technicolor epics of the ‘50s. One would think any studio would give him carte blanche. However, the subject matter was viewed as unmarketable, even for a “name” like Hitchcock.

Universal Pictures

Until Psycho, Hitchcock’s films had the label of a thriller, or a mystery. The term “horror” was reserved for B-movies and classic monsters. But without a doubt, Psycho, with its creepy old manor home and knife-wielding killer, was a pure horror film. Yet, it was maybe the first truly modern horror film. Alfred Hitchcock brought the bloody terror out of the distant past, and out of far-away European castles, and placed it in present-day America. It might not have been the first move to do that, but it sure was the first to do it to blockbuster success.

Universal Pictures

It may seem tame by today’s standards, but audiences in 1960 had never seen anything so outwardly horrific as Marion Crane’s stabbing in the shower. And this promotional campaign suggesting Psycho was boundary-pushing worked like gangbusters. Psycho had huge box office business, making what amounts to 323 million dollars in today’s money. It would be a rare anomaly if any horror movie made that much these days. Psycho changed the face of horror cinema forever, even if it took the rest of Hollywood almost a decade to catch up to it.

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Netflix Confirms Live-Action ONE PIECE Season 2 for 2025 (And Then Unconfirms The Release Window)

Ahoy, maties! We absolutely adored Netflix’s live-action One Piece season two. It was really one of our favorite live-action adaptations ever. And that’s why we were extra thrilled to see it get renewed for season two. Yes, Luffy and the gang will be back for more adventures as the huge manga/anime series gets translated into a new form. We have no doubt Netflix’s live-action One Piece season two will continue to deliver on all the wonder of season one.

We had a hunch we might be seeing season two of One Piece sooner rather than later. But as of right now, we’re left a bit unsure of when we might expect more from our favorite anime adaptation. For a minute, it seemed like Netflix officially confirmed that season two of its live-action One Piece would arrive in 2025. In a piece about upcoming LEGO x One Piece sets, Netflix originally shared, “The Lego Group, Netflix, and Tomorrow Studios are teaming up to bring you treasures you can cherish while you wait for new episodes of ONE PIECE, which arrive later this year.”

Netflix

However, that version of the article has now been removed and replaced with one that does not specify any release date information for One Piece season two. LEGO’s version of the piece also does not exactly confirm when the season will arrive, but does say that more information about the One Piece LEGO sets will arrive in “the coming months.”

So what does this mean? Well, it could mean that One Piece season two is confirmed for 2025, but Netflix wasn’t ready to announce a release window. Or it could mean that, in fact, we’ll get more of the anime live-action in 2026 instead, and the 2025 official confirmation was just a mistake. For now, Netflix isn’t saying. Potentially, the streamer just doesn’t yet have a firmed-up release date in mind for One Piece season two. But we’re really hoping that One Piece season two will arrive in 2025 because we are READY for more One Piece.

In the meantime, join us as we sail into the high seas of what is confirmed about the series. Here’s everything we know about Netflix’s live-action One Piece season two.

Live-Action One Piece Season 2’s PlotNetflix

We don’t know too much about live-action One Piece season two’s plot. As mentioned, there is a lot of story to choose from. What we do know is that the Baroque Works crime syndicate will feature in some capacity in live-action One Piece‘s second chapter, and that includes the villainous Crocodile. Additionally, last season of the show teased Smoker on the horizon. Dr. Kureha, Dr. Hiriluk, Chopper, Crocus, Brogy, Dorry, Tashigi, Wapol, Dalton, and Nefertari Cobra have also been cast.

NetflixBehind the Scenes

Joe Tracz joins Matt Owens and together they act as showrunners on Netflix’s live-action One Piece season two.

Live-Action One Piece Season 2’s CastNetflix

The Straw Hat pirates we’ve come to know and love will all be back in action in One Piece season two. Inaki Godoy stars as Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. Additionally, we’ll see like see the following returning One Piece cast in season two: Morgan Davies as Koby, Aidan Scott as Helmeppo, Vincent Regan as Vice Admiral Garp, Langley Kirkwood as Captain “Axe Hand” Morgan, Craig Fairbrass as Zeff, Peter Gadiot as Shanks, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Alvida, Jeff Ward as Buggy the Clown, and more.

Netflix

Of course, as mentioned above there is a ton of new characters and cast joining One Piece in season two. Here is a list of everyone coming on board, and you can read more about each new character, here.

Charithra Chandran (Bridgerton) as Miss WednesdaySendhil Ramamurthy (Never Have I Ever, Do Aur Do Pyaar) as Nefertari CobraKatey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy, The Conners) as Dr. KurehaMark Harelik (Presumed Innocent, Preacher) as Dr. HirilukDaniel Lasker (Raised by Wolves) as Mr. 9Camrus Johnson (Batwoman) as Mr. 5 Jazzara Jaslyn (Warrior) as Miss ValentineDavid Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil) as Mr. 3Werner Coetser (Getroud met rugby) as DorryBrendan Murray (Raised by Wolves) as BrogyClive Russell (Game of Thrones) as CrocusCallum Kerr (Monarch) as Smoker Julia Rehwald (Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures) as TashigiRob Colletti (The Many Saints of Newark) as WapolTy Keogh (24 Hours To Live) as DaltonJoe Manganiello as Mr. 0Lera Abova as Miss All-Sunday

RELATED ARTICLE

David Dastmalchian Talks His DCU Dream Role, KNIGHTS VS. SAMURAI, and Latest D&D CharacterLive-Action One Piece Season 2’s Release DateNetflix

We don’t yet know when season two of Netflix’s live-action One Piece will release. However, filming for season two has officially wrapped.

The post Netflix Confirms Live-Action ONE PIECE Season 2 for 2025 (And Then Unconfirms The Release Window) appeared first on Nerdist.

New ALIEN: EARTH Teaser Brings the Xenomorphs to Our Backyard

The first-ever series based on the Alien universe is hitting this summer, in the form of Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth on FX and Hulu. The latest teaser gives us some big hints at the horrors to come. Alien: Earth takes place about 70 years into our future, well before Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley encountered the Xenomorphs on LV-426. Alien: Earth doesn’t look like it will waste any time in getting those acid-for-blood critters onto our vulnerable blue orb. You can check out the new trailer, and read the official description for Alien: Earth, down below:

When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat in the sci-fi horror series Alien: Earth. As members of the crash recovery crew search for survivors among the wreckage, they encounter mysterious predatory life forms more terrifying than they could have ever imagined. With this new threat unlocked, the search crew must fight for survival and what they choose to do with this discovery could change planet Earth as they know it.

This new trailer gives a POV shot from the Xenomorph’s perspective. We hear the iconic and creepy sounds from the original 1979 trailer for Ridley Scott’s Alien. As the creature moves through a familiar-looking spaceship, we hear the ship’s central computer voice warning of a containment breach. We then see the Xenomorph is inside a ship that is crashing down on Earth. The ship’s design looks somewhat like the escape life raft from the Nostromo in the original Alien. Although, as we mentioned, this is set many decades before that film. So it’s likely another Weyland-Yutani company vessel.

FX Networks/Hulu

Our biggest question remains about Alien: Earth. How in the world did the Xenomorphs arrive on our planet that’s teeming with life and not take over? And how did they get here and stay undiscovered to the public until we encountered them again in space? While the new series might ignore Ridley Scott’s Prometheus backstory, we assume it still lines up continuity-wise with the original films. Although, the series will focus more on the creation of artificial life, much like Ash and Bishop in the original films. But we still expect plenty of chest-bursting terror for the new series. As it should be.

Alien: Earth debuts this summer on FX and Hulu.

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Neil Gaiman Exits a Reduced GOOD OMENS Season 3 After Production Pause Amid Assault Allegations, Plus Other Canceled Projects

Earlier this year, Deadline reported that production on Good Omens season three, the third and final season of the show, had paused amid allegations of assault centering on creator Neil Gaiman. Gaiman, of course, was the executive producer, writer, and showrunner of Good Omens. And so, understandably, among multiple allegations of sexual assault, the series paused its work. Deadline reported in September that “there are discussions about possible production changes.” However, Amazon had not made any official announcements at that time.

After that, reports indicated that Neil Gaiman offered to step aside from Good Omens season three so that the production could continue. Deadline shared, “We understand that Gaiman has made an offer to Amazon and producers to take a back seat on the latest season so that it can continue amid crisis talks over the Terry Pratchett adaptation’s future.” The publication, though, further noted that Gaiman’s offer to recuse himself from season three of Good Omens should not be taken as an admission of guilt regarding the assault allegations centering Gaiman.

Although we do not have the specifics of what transpired between Gaiman and Amazon, the latest reports appear to conclude these discussions and confirm what will become of Good Omens season three. Variety shared that Neil Gaiman would no longer be involved in the production of season three of Good Omens. However, the series’ final season did not escape unscathed. While ultimately not canceled, it is much mitigated. The publication shares that Prime Video confirmed season three of Good Omens will consist of only one 90-minute episode. Production is expected to resume in early 2025 in Scotland. 

It seems that while Gaiman did contribute to the writing of the final season, he will not be working further on production of the series and is not listed as an executive producer on the final Good Omens episode.

Prime Video

At the original time of this news, at least five women have accused Gaiman of sexual assault. Gaiman has denied the allegations against him. An investigation was also underway by authorities in New Zealand. Since then, at least nine women have come forward with allegations that detail accounts of sexual abuse by Gaiman. The full and latest report was published by Vulture in January 2024 and can be read here.

In addition to this Good Omens pause, Disney’s adaptation of Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book has also been put on hold. And Netflix recently canceled Dead Boy Detectives. IndieWire reports “multiple factors went into the decision” about The Graveyard Book. Nothing regarding Gaiman was cited in the Dead Boy Detectives cancellation news. Most recently, Dark Horse Comics announced it would no longer work with Neil Gaiman, noting that “Dark Horse takes seriously the allegations against Neil Gaiman and we are no longer publishing his works. Confirming that the Anansi Boys comic series and collected volume have been cancelled.”

Dark Horse takes seriously the allegations against Neil Gaiman and we are no longer publishing his works.

Confirming that the Anansi Boys comic series and collected volume have been cancelled.

— Dark Horse Comics (@DarkHorseComics) January 25, 2025

Good Omens was gearing up to begin production on season three when Amazon first paused work on the project. Fans of the show undoubtedly hope the series will now proceed in the best possible way.

If you or someone you know is suffering from sexual abuse, contact the  RAINN National Sexual Assault  Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Originally published on September 10, 2024.

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DOCTOR WHO Season Two Will Have a Diverse Mix of Writers

The Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday’s adventures will continue in Doctor Who’s second season (which some are still calling season fifteen). For now, Ruby is back home and getting to know her birth mom but something will draw her into the TARDIS once again. Thankfully, the Doctor’s spaceship is bigger on the inside, which means there’s plenty of room for Belinda Chandra, a new companion coming to Doctor Who next season.

This is the first time that a TARDIS team has not included at least one white person, so it is only right that the episode writers reflect this milestone. Juno Dawson, Pete McTighe, Inua Ellams, and Sharma Angel-Walfall are now a part of the Doctor Who writers’ room.

Here’s everything we know about Doctor Who season two so far. 

Doctor Who Season Two’s Plot

As usual, the plot for any Doctor Who season is a bit in flux but there is a main synopsis now:

The Doctor meets Belinda Chandra and begins an epic quest to get her back to Earth. But a mysterious force is stopping their return and the time-traveling TARDIS team must face great dangers, bigger enemies and wider terrors than ever before.

In addition to the Belinda storyline, there could be more mystery to unveil with Ruby Sunday’s family, especially her father. And her neighbor Mrs. Flood is an enigma who does appear in the Doctor Who season two trailer.

Right after the 2024 Christmas special, we got to get our first look at Doctor Who season two in a trailer with the Fifteenth Doctor and Belinda Chandra. Based on what we see here, it appears that the Doctor is trying to get Belinda back home but there are some strong forces preventing that from happening. We get a glimpse of Ruby herself rocking an interesting haircut. We also see Kate Lethbridge-Stewart from UNIT, so perhaps we will see other faces from there as well. And one of those villains gives serious Cuphead vibes. Love to see it.

Behind-the-ScenesDisney+/Bad Wolf Studios/BBC

APeter Hoar (“A Good Man Goes to War”) and Amanda Brotchie are directing two episodes each. Ben A. Williams and Makalla McPherson will direct one episode a piece to round out the six episode season. Of course, Russell T Davies will continue as the showrunner. 

Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson opened up about Doctor Who season two in a Variety interview. Gibson says that the fourth episode was a favorite onset moment. “That [episode] was the first one I filmed and the biggest challenge,” said Gibson. “So I was so proud of how it came out.”

Gatwa said he truly got to soar as the Fifteenth Doctor in this next season. This totally makes sense now that this new era has a solid foundation. “Season two felt like a chance to flex the muscles properly,” Gatwa said. “So exciting. You’re fueled by the writing and by each new story, each new monster, each new addition into our world, there’s many in Season two. It’s just the fun of the show. I think that just drives you growing into the character.”

Doctor Who season two finished filming in May 2024. 

Doctor Who Season Two’s Cast

Millie Gibson and Ncuti Gatwa will continue their roles as Ruby Sunday and the Fifteenth Doctor. In addition to Varada Sethu’s role as new companion Belinda Chandra, Jonah Hauer-King will appear in the series.

In the aforementioned Variety interview, Russell T. Davies shed some light on how Belinda Chandra will fit into the Doctor Who season two dynamic. “We see The Doctor and Ruby in a new light, and with a new friend,” Davies affirmed. “Like you’re saying, different friends bring out different aspects of you.”

Doctor Who Season Two’s Release Date 

Doctor Who season two will hit BBC One and Disney+ in 2025.

Originally published July 29, 2024.

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