Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 162

LANTERNS Casts Sinestro, Danish Actor Ulrich Thomsen Will Play Iconic DC Villain

The upcoming Lanterns show for HBO has already cast its Green Lantern leads, Hal Jordan and John Stewart. Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre will play them. And reports are saying that Nathan Fillion will guest star as Guy Gardner, the Lantern he plays in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman. But what about the “Big Bad” of the Green Lantern mythology, Sinestro? Even though James Gunn describes Lanterns as more Earth-bound than cosmic, it will feature the alien villain Sinestro. Now, according to Deadline, we’ve learned Sinestro will be played by Danish actor Ulrich Thomsen, famous for his Cinemax series Banshee. Mark Strong played Sinestro in the 2011 Green Lantern film, but times they are a-changing.

Cinemax/DC Comics

Thaal Sinestro first appeared in Green Lantern #7 way back in 1961. Described as a former Green Lantern who became the fascist dictator of his home planet of Korugar, the Guardians of the Universe stripped Sinestro of his green power ring. He forged another ring, however, powered by yellow energy. He became Green Lantern Hal Jordan’s primary antagonist in the comics. Sinestro gained even more popularity as a part of the Legion of Doom in the Super Friends cartoon. In the modern DC Comics era, his popularity doubled, as he founded a Yellow Lantern Corps, powered by the emotion of fear. The Sinestro Corps story in the 2000s remains one of the most popular Green Lantern stories ever.

Lanterns will be the first new HBO series taking place in the DCU, following a second season of Peacemaker. It debuts sometime in 2026, around the same time as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow hits theaters. With Ulrich Thomsen’s Sinestro joining the DCU Lanterns fun, we await news on which other alien characters will appear in the series. Could we see the alien Green Lantern Kilowog? Sinestro’s replacement on Korugar, Katma Tui, who later marries John Stewart? We can’t wait to find out who else is in the wings. Lanterns has a tentative release date on HBO and Max of late 2026.

The post LANTERNS Casts Sinestro, Danish Actor Ulrich Thomsen Will Play Iconic DC Villain appeared first on Nerdist.

ColourPop Brings TWILIGHT: NEW MOON Collection Celebrates Vampires AND Werewolves

We were so excited to see ColourPop team up with Twilight for an exquisite make-up celebration of everyone’s favorite vampires. But one set could not possibly be enough to capture the full Twilight majesty. Not when there are so many adventures to explore after the first film. If Twilight‘s first ColourPop collection was a homage to the beautiful, delicate (and sparkly) love that bloomed between Bella and Edward, its New Moon collection makes room for the other man in Bella’s life, Jacob. It wouldn’t be fun if we only had one kind of sexy monster to celebrate, after all. ColourPop’s New Moon collection has many cozy, autumnal vibes—which is pure Jacob. But, of course, it doesn’t leave out the sharp, blood-red appeal of the vampiric Cullen clan. And let us tell you, there’s still plenty of glitter. Let’s check out this iconic collaboration in full. It will absolutely have you saying, “Where have you been, Loca,” to all these glamorous makeup options.

ColourPopWhat Is in the Twilight: New Moon ColourPop Collection?New Moon Eyeshadow Palette – $24 ColourPop

As we said, this gorgeous Twilight: New Moon ColourPop palette really takes us to a gorgeous autumnal place. It makes us want to cozy up to our favorite heat source. We’ll have to wait for the Eclipse collection to do that in full. But we can snag this incredible eyeshadow set right now.

The official description shares:

The saga continues with this limited-edition The Twilight Saga: New Moon palette inspired by the iconic second film featuring Matte, Metallic and Pearlescent Glitter finishes! Create endless fantasy looks with 15 oranges, golds and red smokey shades that represent the warm tones in each scene. Our ultra-pigmented pressed powder formula is long-lasting, applies evenly and blends like a dream for effortless application.

Super Shock Shadow in “The Volturi” and “We Won’t Bite”– $9ColourPop

“We Won’t Bite” is technically a quote from our fav wolf gang, but these two ColourPop tie-dye shades really put us in mind of the vampire eyes in Twilight. The good… and the bad. The Volturi might give us shivers, but are obsessed with their eyeshadow form.

The official description shares:

Our famous OG crème-to-powder formula delivers supercharged sparkling colour in new tie dye shades inspired by The Twilight Saga: New Moon film! One swipe of this long-lasting shadow is all you need to get high impact colour with minimal creasing, fading or fallout. Its unique bouncy texture is super creamy and insanely pigmented to take any look to the next level!

Lip Kit: Bella! Where the Hell Have You Been, Loca? – $16 ColourPop

They said the thing!! No explanation necessary. We are in on a Jacob lipset. This Twilight: New Moon lip kit is currently out of stock on ColourPop, but you never know when Jacob might make a great comeback.

The official description shares:

A limited-edition brown lip combo inspired by Jacob!

Lippie Pencil in Hello Biceps – Define (or overline) your lips with our creamy, long-lasting formula that creates the cleanest lines and minimizes feathering. Plus, it’s sharpenable!

Power Pout Transfer-Proof 8HR Lipstick in Jake – Our very first transfer-proof lipstick glides on smooth for full coverage matte colour in just one swipe with high intensity pigments that wear comfortably all day.

Lip Kit: You Can’t Trust Vampires – $16 ColourPop

Okay, hello, sexy evil. We are obsessed with both of these shades, honestly. Sign us up for this intimate exploration of Vampiric royalty.

The kit’s description shares:

A limited-edition vampy red lip combo inspired by The Volturi!

Lippie Pencil in Vampire Laws – Define (or overline) your lips with our creamy, long-lasting formula that creates the cleanest lines and minimizes feathering. Plus, it’s sharpenable!

Power Pout Transfer-Proof 8HR Lipstick in Vampire Royalty – Our very first transfer-proof lipstick glides on smooth for full coverage matte colour in just one swipe with high intensity pigments that wear comfortably all day.

Multichrome Shadow Stix in “Wolf Girl,” “Vampire Girl,” and “It’s Always Been Him” – $12

Bella is both a Wolf Girl and a Vampire Girl, but you probably know where your loyalties truly lie. Or, if you don’t, your choice is much easier than hers. Have it all by snagging both these Twilight ColourPop shades. And then add on “It’s Always Been Him,” just for a little bit of extra excitement in your life.

The official description of this part of the New Moon makeup collection shares:

A super creamy multichrome eyeshadow stick in new shades inspired by The Twilight Saga: New Moon film! Get high impact colour-shifting pigment in a single swipe with this innovative, long-lasting formula that glides on effortlessly. This multi-tasking stick can be used as an eyeshadow base, a liner, smoked out – wear it so many ways!

Ultra Glossy Lip in “Runs with Vampires” – $10 ColourPop

Like Edward Cullen, this glossy red can seem bloody and intense, but goes on sweet and soft. Although this glossy lip looks vampishly scarlet, it’s nourishing and leaves your lips feeling perfectly plush.

The official description of this Twilight: New Moon ColourPop product reads:

Swipe on our hi-shine, smoothing (never sticky) gloss inspired by The Twilight Saga: New Moon film in a pearlized finish and prepare to be obsessed. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Plum Kakadu, Sweet Cherry Oil, and Japanese Sumac for a nourished pout. Our flexible paddle applicator applies a perfect plush layer that looks and feels amazing.

SOL Glow Oil in “It’s a Wolf Thing” – $12 ColourPop

Vampires might get to sparkle, but Werewolves GLOW instead. And now you can too, all while repping your favorite Twilight team.

ColourPop shares of this Twilight: New Moon product

A rich body oil that gives skin a hint of color and a touch of glow inspired by the warm, golden hue in The Twilight Saga: New Moon film. Light-diffusing micro pearls create a subtle luminosity for healthy-looking skin. Infused with Coconut, Argan, and Marula Oils for soft, moisturized skin.

Where Can You Buy This Incredible Twilight Makeup Collection?

ColourPop’s Twilight: New Moon collection is available on ColourPop right now. You can also snag it on Ulta!

In addition to individual purchasing, you can also snag the full Twilight New Moon ColourPop collection in one, or check out one of the other available bundles.

Twilight New Moon x ColourPop Full Collection – Get the full collection! – $125 USD Love Triangle Bundle – Get all three Multichrome Shadow Stix inspired by The Twilight Saga: New Moon film! – $32 USD Bloodsuckers Bundle – Get both of The Twilight Saga: New Moon x ColourPop Lip Super Shock Shadows in a Tie-Dye finish! – $15 USDPack Member Bundle – Get both of The Twilight Saga: New Moon x ColourPop Lip Kits plus our Ultra Glossy Lip! – $38 USD

So what are you waiting for, go loca!

The post ColourPop Brings TWILIGHT: NEW MOON Collection Celebrates Vampires AND Werewolves appeared first on Nerdist.

All the New STAR WARS Movies Announced, Including Daisy Ridley’s Return as Rey

After many false starts and canceled projects, Star Wars is finally ready to return to theaters. Lucasfilm announced three new upcoming standalone movies during the opening of Star Wars Celebration 2023. These new Star Wars movies include a story about the founding of the Jedi, a movie that will serve as the finale to this era of interconnected Disney+ shows, and the return of Daisy Ridley’s Rey. Additionally, in January 2024, Lucasfilm also announced a fourth new movie was heading to theaters, The Mandalorian & Grogu, a big-screen adventure starring our favorite Disney+ duo. Additionally, the once-canceled Rogue Squadron may rise to join the line-up (but nothing official has been reported.) Shawn Levy also teased he will direct a Star Wars film. And finally, a whole new trilogy of mysterious Star Wars movies also appears to be in the works.

Most recently, we learned that George Nolfi, who has written movies such as The Bourne Ultimatum and Ocean’s 12, has been tapped to write for Rey’s Star Wars film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie is now called New Jedi Order.

Lucasfilm

The galaxy far, far away is finally going back to the big screen, and how. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy revealed James Mangold (Logan, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Dave Filoni (The Mandalorian, Ahsoka), Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Ms. Marvel, Saving Face) have all been tapped to direct these new Star Wars movies. Meanwhile, Jon Favreau will take on the Mando movie. Additionally, if what Patty Jenkins says is true, she will direct an upcoming Star Wars movie as well, and it seems that Shawn Levy will also direct a Star Wars movie. Finally, Star Wars: Rebels‘ Simon Kinberg has reportedly been tapped to write a new trilogy that may or may not continue the Skywalker Saga. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rey could play a role “in several movies that are being developed, although which ones remains unclear.”

Variety confirmed on November 15, 2024 that Disney had removed one of its untitled Star Wars movies from its original date of December 18, 2026. While which was not confirmed, it was very likely the Rey movie.

While Lucasfilm shared few official details about the films, the little they tell us says a lot. Here’s what we know about these new Star Wars movies so far.

Jump to: James Mangold’s Story of the Force // Dave Filoni’s Disney+ Series Team-Up // Rey Will Return in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s New Star Wars Movie // Jon Favreau Brings Us The Mandalorian & Grogu // Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron Is Back in Play // Shawn Levy Is Set to Direct a Star Wars Movie // A New Trilogy of Films Is on the Way From Simon Kinberg

James Mangold’s New Star Wars Movie Tells the Story of the Force

James Mangold’s “will go back to the dawn of the Jedi,” a time set tens of thousands of years earlier than anything we’ve ever seen on screen before. That might mean we’ll meet the figure known as Prime Jedi. That’s the person who founded the Order on Ahch-To 25,000 years before the events of A New Hope. And that is when this film takes place, according to James Mangold’s latest interview with MovieWeb, which you can check out for Star Wars intel in the video below at the 7:30 mark.

Here’s what else Mangold had to say about his upcoming Star Wars film:

“The two aspects that really important are the freedom to make something new, and beau and I have been working on a script in relation to Star Wars and we’ll see what happens, and in relation to Swamp Thing and DC, it’s all about do we find a way on the page to say something original

Part of the reason, the Star Wars movie would be taking place before any known Star Wars movies is because not only its an area and a playground that I was inspired by as a teenager, but also I’m not that interested in being handcuffed by so much lore at this point that it’s almost immovable and you can’t please anybody.”

Fans already know Ahch-To well. They first saw it in The Last Jedi when it served as Luke Skywalker’s hideaway. A release additionally shares, “James Mangold will take audiences deep into the past, telling the tale of the first Jedi to wield the Force and harness it as a liberating power in an era of chaos and oppression.”

Lucasfilm

Mangold further noted to Empire that his new Star Wars movie “takes place 25,000 years before Episode IV, and it’s about the discovery of the Force.” He further shares, “I told Kathy [Kennedy, head of Lucasfilm] I wanted to make a kind of Bible movie, a kind of Ten Commandments of Star Wars – kind of a Cecil B DeMille film about the arrival of the Force, and that’s what I’ve been pecking away at between press events. That’s the idea.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, playwright and screenwriter Beau Willimon will co-write the script with Mangold. In addition to his playwriting career and his Emmy-nominated scripts for House of Cards, Willimon also wrote the prison three-parter in season one of Andor. Writing the best episodes of the best Star Wars show is some real bonafides.

James Mangold’s New Star Wars Movie Connects with Rey’s Next Appearance

Kennedy also recently shared that this movie will help inform the new Star Wars movie featuring the return of Rey. She noted to Total Film, “I think it’s a really nice compliment to what we’re doing with moving into the future with Rey, and then understanding a bit more of where this all came from,” she explains. “Because it will be at the heart of creating the new Jedi Order, so to get a real sense of where that might have began with the dawn of the Jedi could be pretty cool.” 

According to a new official Star Wars eras list revealed by LucasFilm, this movie will most likely take place in the “Dawn of the Jedi” era, but could even take place earlier than that.

Dave Filoni’s Film Will Bring Together Many Current Disney+ Series

The next new Star Wars movie will come from franchise veteran Dave Filoni. His film “will focus on the New Republic and close out the interconnected stories told in The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and other Disney+ series.” That’s huge news for both the television and movie side of Lucasfilm. When we get a release date for Filoni’s film, we’ll know just how many more seasons of The Mandalorian we might see. Clearly, there’s already an end in sight to Din Djarin and Grogu’s story. Although, we suppose they could continue on beyond a culminating movie. A release further shares, “Dave Filoni will orchestrate the escalating war between the Imperial Remnant and the fledgling New Republic.”

Lucasfilm

In exciting news, Alien star and all-around icon Sigourney Weaver reveals she’s joined the cast of The Mandalorian & Grogu.

Rey Will Return in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Star Wars Movie

The third and final new Star Wars movie announced will focus on the future. Obaid-Chinoy’s movie will take place after The Rise of Skywalker. It will mark the return of Daisy Ridley as Rey. Set 15 years after the ultimate defeat of the Sith, she will be trying to build a new Jedi Order. Hopefully, that goes a lot better than her mentor Luke Skywalker’s attempts. According to the new list of Star Wars eras, it seems like this movie will take place in the “New Jedi Order” era.

The Bourne Ultimatum and Ocean’s 12 Writer George Nolfi Joins Rey’s Star Wars Movie—Potentially Titled New Jedi Order

 The Bourne Ultimatum and Ocean’s 12 writer George Nolfi has come aboard as a writer on Rey’s Star Wars movie, seemingly titled New Jedi Order. This looks to signal the Star Wars film is moving ahead again.

Rey’s Star Wars Movie Lost Its Original Writer

Recent rumors speculated that the Rey movie might have been delayed indefinitely due to creative differences between Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and the movie’s former writer Steven Knight. However, according to Gizmodo, Lucasfilm confirmed in January the movie is still moving forward without issue. According to the publication, a source at Lucasfilm noted at the time, “Knight continues to write and be a part of the process. In fact, the company is waiting on his latest draft as you read this.”

But now, Knight appears to be officially out as the writer of the Star Wars film and has departed from the project.

A Release Date for Rey’s New Star Wars Movie

According to Productionlist.com, which tracks production updates for the Film & Television Industry Alliance, the Rey movie was reportedly meant to start shooting on April 7, 2024 in London. But that does not seem like it came to pass.

Disney had announced two upcoming release dates for Star Wars movies: December 18, 2026 and December 17, 2027. Rey’s Star Wars outing will likely not debut in 2026. This was later all but confirmed as Disney removed the Star Wars movie from the December 18 date, replacing it with—is this right?—Ice Age 6.

Jump to: James Mangold’s Story of the Force // Dave Filoni’s Disney+ Series Team-Up // Rey Will Return in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s New Star Wars Movie // Jon Favreau Brings Us The Mandalorian & Grogu // Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron Is Back in Play // Shawn Levy Is Set to Direct a Star Wars Movie // A New Trilogy of Films Is on the Way From Simon Kinberg

The Plot of Rey’s Upcoming Star Wars Movie

Kathleen Kennedy shared more about the movie with Variety. She noted:

Well, we’re 15 years out from ‘Rise of Skywalker,’ so we’re post-war, post-First Order, and the Jedi are in disarray. There’s a lot of discussion around, ‘Who are the Jedi? What are they doing? What’s the state of the galaxy?’ She’s attempting to rebuild the Jedi Order, based on the books, based on what she promised Luke, so that’s where we’re going.”

Speaking to Empire, Kennedy added, “The First Order has fallen, the Jedi are in chaos – there’s even a question of how many exist anymore – and Rey’s building the New Jedi Order, based on the text that she was given and that Luke imparted on her.” She also offers, “Rey has made a promise to Luke, and that’s really the core of where we’re going and what this story will be. And I think it offers just tremendous opportunity to introduce new characters and start with something fresh, because we culminated with what George [Lucas] was creating, and now we take all of that and move it to the next chapter.” 

Lucasfilm

On the topic of a possible Luke Skywalker presence in the new Star Wars movie, Kennedy said: “I don’t know if we’ll spend a lot of time in flashbacks or [on] Force ghosts or things like that, but certainly, the spirit of what he represents to her is going to be significant.”

Ridley previously noted, “I know bits and bobs… I know there’s an introduction of new characters… I don’t know about previous characters.” But she also didn’t rule out anyone’s return. When asked about the popular idea of John Boyega’s Finn returning as a Jedi in the new Star Wars movie, Ridley responded, “That is above my pay grade. [Laughs] I would love to see that, but that is not a decision for me.” She also recently told The Hollywood Reporter that it feels like she and Boyega should reunite in the movie, noting, “Absolutely, of course…It feels like we should, yeah.”

But Ridley does have some information, according to Empire, “she knows the story beats for what the new film will be.” And, as of May 2024, she notes that she still hasn’t read a script “but it is imminently about to change.”

A Jedi Academy Is in Rey’s Future

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy further noted about the new Star Wars movie, “At the heart of it, for me, is Rey Skywalker, Daisy Ridley, and her story, and taking her on an adventure to a Jedi Academy and sort of creating a world that is a natural dovetail to the story that we’ve seen her go through in the last three episodes.”

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy says she's had conversations with J.J. Abrams and George Lucas and speaks with Filoni "very often."

And the team is "really taking time to make sure that we do justice to telling the story of Daisy."#StarWars pic.twitter.com/3K5HXA6GpU

— Pedro (@pedrolms20) June 20, 2024

Obaid-Chinoy additionally adds, “I’ve had conversations with JJ Abrams. I’ve had conversations with George Lucas and, of course, Dave Filoni, who is a big part of the Star Wars universe now. We speak very often, and Kathy Kennedy, Carrie Beck, and Simon Emanuel – I think the team is really taking time to make sure that we do justice to telling the story of Daisy.”

Rey’s Future in the New Star Wars MovieLucasfilm

But will Rey’s upcoming Star Wars movie continue the common franchise trend of introducing new characters that are somehow related to other characters in the world? Daisy Ridley doesn’t really think so. Speaking to Deadline, Ridley noted it seemed unlikely that Rey would have kids in the new Star Wars film. She shared, “I would say she probably doesn’t have children seeing she’s a Jedi.” Of course, we know hypothetically Rey still could have children, like Anakin before her, but it sounds like this won’t be the path of the movie.

Daisy Ridley also notes that Rey will take a different approach to teaching the next generation of Jedi than Luke Skywalker did. Speaking to Den of Geek, she says about Rey’s tactics diverging from Luke’s, “I would say, from what I understand, yes. Short answer.”

Daisy Ridley and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Give Updates on the New Film

Daisy Ridley noted to Collider, “I’m very excited. The story is really cool. I’m waiting to read a script because, obviously, I don’t have any other updates. It’s not what I expected, but I’m very excited.” And additionally told The Hollywood Reporter, “I’m genuinely really excited about the next one [Star Wars movie]. I haven’t read anything, but I know the story. It’s really worth telling, worth exploring, and I think people will be excited.”

Daisy Ridley on Returning as Rey

The actress also offered a bit of a further tease about the film to AlloCiné. She said of the upcoming Rey Star Wars movie, “Once I knew what the story was and everything, I knew that it was something I really wanted to do. I think it’s a really fantastic exploration of the Star Wars world. It’s a really cool way of taking the story on in a bit of a different direction.” In conclusion, as Ridley noted to Variety, the story of this Star Wars movie is “cool as sh*t.”

Ridley also recently shared that this time around, she feels more ready to be Rey. “I suppose I feel more like I’m owning it. I suppose I owned it the first time. Basically, I’m an adult now. I certainly did not feel like an adult at the time. Obviously, personally, things have changed, and professionally, I’ve had lots of other experiences, and so I definitely feel like it’s a different thing this time. There’s just a lot of joy with me and these films. Honestly, if I wasn’t excited, I wouldn’t have done it. It feels like a great thing to be a part of.” However, the actress also expressed reprising the role could be a strange experience, saying, “I honestly have had moments where I’m like, ‘I don’t know if I remember what I did [as Rey]… It’s really strange. I think the whole thing will feel so different anyway, with a totally different team. I’m in a very different place than I was. I’m probably going to be one of the adults, and initially, I was the youngest person on set, which is a weird feeling.”

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on Tackling a Star Wars Story

Meanwhile, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy noted to CNN, “I’m very thrilled about the project because I feel what we’re about to create is something very special… We’re in 2024 now, and it’s about time that we had a woman come forward to shape a story in a galaxy far, far away.

We couldn’t agree more. But something tells us it won’t be smooth sailing for Rey. The dark side of the Force has a way of always creating shadows over the galaxy far, far away, especially in theaters.

The director also added, “The story that interests me most is in Rey’s journey as a female Jedi. That’s how I can best bring my experiences to it.”

Jump to: James Mangold’s Story of the Force // Dave Filoni’s Disney+ Series Team-Up // Rey Will Return in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s New Star Wars Movie // Jon Favreau Brings Us The Mandalorian & Grogu // Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron Is Back in Play // Shawn Levy Is Set to Direct a Star Wars Movie // A New Trilogy of Films Is on the Way From Simon Kinberg

Jon Favreau Takes Our Favorite Duo to the Big Screen in The Mandalorian & Grogu Walt Disney Studios

In addition to joining Dave Filoni’s big group Star Wars movie, the Mandalorian and Grogu will also star in a new Star Wars movie of their own (aptly titled, The Mandalorian & Grogu). Few details are known about it for now, but it will go into production in 2024.

As previously noted, this movie is expected to start shooting in April 2024.

At D23, Filoni and Favreau revealed that Zeb will be in The Mandalorian & Grogu movie. They also showed a teaser trailer for the movie which revealed what looked like a battle on Hoth, complete with AT-ATs and Snow Troopers. It also showed Grogu in a tiny ship with Anzellans.

Patty Jenkins Returns to Direct the Once Canceled Star Wars Movie Rogue SquadronLucasfilm

In 2020, Lucasfilm announced Patty Jenkins would direct a new Star Wars movie, Rogue Squadron. But the movie was removed from the company’s lineup in 2022. Now, Jenkins has revealed she’s back to work on the film, and she’ll take on the roles of writer and director. You can see what she had to say in full, here.

Shawn Levy Is Reportedly Set to Direct a Star Wars MovieLucasfilm/Marvel Studios

Deadline reports that Shawn Levy is set to direct a Star Wars movie of his own. The publication notes that the movie will be written by Jonathan Tropper. Levy’s Star Wars movie has not yet been officially announced, and no further details are available.

Levy briefly spoke on that movie during a Happy Sad Confused podcast appearance in August. Fresh off of Deadpool & Wolverine, the director didn’t give up too many details. But Shawn Levy did say that his Star Wars movie would not be redundant and that he and writer Jonathan Tropper have a fresh concept in mind.

“…there’s only so many times that Star Wars movies can revisit the same section of the timeline, and so it’s really forced me—because I don’t want to do a Star Wars movie that is redundant to others, nor am I interested in doing one that has to serve another movie,” he said. He hopes that his ideas will continue to thrill the powers that be at Lucasfilm and they can move forward with this film.

Ryan Gosling is in talks to star in Levy’s Star Wars movie.

A New Trilogy of Star Wars Movies Is on the Way From Simon KinbergLucasfilm

Recent reports also indicate that Lucasfilm has hired Simon Kinberg to write and produce a new trilogy of Star Wars movies. Some sources indicate these movies may actually be Episodes 10-12 of the Skywalker Saga, while others note they will be wholly original. You can check out more details about this potential trilogy, here.

Jump to: James Mangold’s Story of the Force // Dave Filoni’s Disney+ Series Team-Up // Rey Will Return in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s New Star Wars Movie // Jon Favreau Brings Us The Mandalorian & Grogu // Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron Is Back in Play // Shawn Levy Is Set to Direct a Star Wars Movie // A New Trilogy of Films Is on the Way From Simon Kinberg

Originally published on April 7, 2023.

The post All the New STAR WARS Movies Announced, Including Daisy Ridley’s Return as Rey appeared first on Nerdist.

What Is Up with Ms. Cobel on SEVERANCE, and What Does It Have to Do with Mark?

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“Do you know something about Gemma?”

Mrs. Selvig knows the truth about Mark’s “dead” wife. Gemma is the strange severed Lumon employee Ms. Casey. The bigger question raised by Severance season two’s second episode is what “Cold Harbor” has to do with Harmony Cobel and her own plans, because what we’ve learned about that file might explain Cobel’s unusual obsession with Mark.

Apple TV+

No one can trust anything a Lumon official tells them, but that’s especially true of “Cobelvig.” (Thank you for that helpful nomenclature, Ricken!) During Severance‘s first season, Harmony Cobel kept vital information from her superiors and Lumon’s mysterious Board. At the same time, she also ingratiated herself into Mark Scout’s Outie life as his kindly neighbor, Mrs. Selvig. That unsanctioned behavior was egregious enough the Board fired an employee it had trusted with a significant position. Considering her devotion to Lumon and its Founder, Cobel’s actions were incredibly risky. The fact they were clearly important enough for her to risk her job makes something she said as Mrs. Selvig possibly explain what she really wants.

In season one’s second episode, Mrs. Selvig tried to console a grieving Mark by talking about her own loss. “My late husband was a carpenter, and before he passed, he said he would start building us a house in the hereafter,” she said. “And there would be a small guest apartment in the back, in case I found a new man before I got there.” While that seemed like a lie meant to emotionally manipulate Mark in the moment, in episode seven she again mentioned her deceased husband while speaking to Devon. That interaction was even more revealing. “When my husband passed, I thought I saw him everywhere. It was just so hard,” said Selvig. She then asked, “Does Mark ever think he sees (Gemma)?”

Apple TV+

That last question seemed strange to Devon, but it set alarm bells off for viewers who knew what Cobel had been doing at Lumon. She had recently sent Mark S. to Ms. Casey for an additional Wellness Check, a session Mr. Milchick didn’t think Mark needed. There, Ms. Casey used a candle Cobelvig had stolen from Mark’s house. It was a new test to see if Mark’s Innie would recognize his “dead” wife sitting in front of him. She hoped the familiar aroma would arouse something deep in Mark’s splintered mind. It didn’t work, which Cobel saw firsthand as she watched the entire interaction personally.

Harmony Cobel attended the Myrtle Eagan School for Girls as a child. She has a literal shrine to the Founder, Kier Eagan, in her home. She came to Lumon’s rescue even after the company fired her. Why would someone so loyal and so faithful to Lumon risk her job and the company itself by constantly trying to make Mark’s Innie recognize his dead wife? It all makes sense if her late husband she keeps mentioning is “dead,” same as Gemma.

Apple TV+

At various moments throughout season one—while totally alone and therefore not performing for anyone—Mrs. Selvig showed real sympathy for Mark. She also seemed relieved to hear he was quitting Lumon. Just as she was disgusted after learning he’s going back in after the Innie uprising. It’s as though she sees something of her own plight in Mark. But we wouldn’t expect someone who knows the pain of losing a spouse to keep the truth about Gemma from Mark. That is unless she’s in the same boat and is trying to wake her own husband up.

If a severed Gemma can be alive (or rather “alive,” since we still don’t know if she ever died), the same can be true of Cobel’s late husband. “Cold Harbor” has confirmed the “important and mysterious” work of macrodata refinement is literal human beings, the very job Cobel was in charge of and desperately wanted to return to. Everything she has done makes sense if her husband is in the same state as Gemma.

Apple TV+

And if that’s true, it makes her shrine and dedication to Kier himself that much more intriguing. Lumon is keeping people alive, maybe even people who died, as digital files. Kier Eagan’s first job was also working for a furniture maker, the type of place that employs a lot of carpenters, which is what Selvig called her husband. Kier’s wife Imogen was also a Swab Girl, the job Mrs. Selvig pretended to have at Lumon’s Swab Girl Bathhouse and Soapery store in town.

Is her dead husband really Kier, a man who passed away before Cobel was even born? (A man all of Lumon might be working to bring back?) Or is it maybe someone else we’ve already met or seen on the show? Someone unknowingly in a Gemma-like state Cobel hopes will recognize her with the right clue? Is that why she wanted to learn everything she could about reintegration from Petey’s severance chip she took back herself?

Apple TV+

Or did she not even have a husband and we fell for one of her many lies?

Harmony Cobel wouldn’t tell Mark what she knows about Gemma. We don’t know everything about either woman, yet, either. We just know Cobelvig’s obsession with Mark and the importance of “Cold Harbor” to Lumon have made one Severance‘s most fascinating and mysterious characters even more important.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who isn’t sure what his Outie does. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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The Wayans Brothers’ SCARY MOVIE Reboot Lands Summer 2026 Release Date

Like the original Scream film that it parodies, the first Scary Movie film (2000) changed the game and inspired many films to follow as well as its own franchise. The first two Scary Movie films were developed by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Keenen Ivory Wayans. As we all know, they are three brothers from the iconic Wayans comedian family who gave us gifts like In Living Color, The Wayans Bros., and more. Marlon and Shawn starred in the first two Scary Movie films as weed-smoking Shorty and Ray, respectively. The Wayans departed the franchise after those first two films and its quality took a significant nosedive as a result. Now, 18 years after Scary Movie 2, the Wayans brothers are returning to the franchise for a reboot film with Miramax and Paramount that will release in the summer of 2026. 

Dimension Films

According to Deadline, the announcement came at CinemaCon, and the new film will shoot sometime in 2025. The release date of this Scary Movie reboot is currently slated for June 12, 2026.

It is not clear at this time if Marlon or Shawn Wayans will reprise their previous roles or stay behind the camera. “We are thrilled to reunite Scary Movie with the Wayans brothers, the brilliant creators behind the beloved franchise,” said Miramax Boss Jonathan Glickman. “The timing is perfect to bring back the series to the big screen and we’re lucky to have Keenen, Marlon and Shawn’s unique comedic vision bringing it to audiences around the world.”

The Wayans brothers released a statement saying, “We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the new Scary Movie and work with each other again. This is a franchise we created more than 20 years ago. We remember people laughing in the aisles and hope to see that happen again. We look forward to working with Jonathan Glickman and his team at the new Miramax to bring these laughs to theaters, where they belong. It’s a double reunion.”

RELATED ARTICLE

The Classic Scary Movie Tropes That Will Never Die

Recently, actress Regina Hall commented on her potential return to the Scary Movie world, noting, “I’m just very excited to know that the Wayans, who actually started the project out of their idea, are back on board and at the helm again. I’m excited for them. We’ll see if Brenda is in this new world. I’m thrilled at the possibility that the band could get back together again. That would be fun.” Meanwhile, Anna Faris noted her two conditions to return and that if Hall returned, she would probably be in too, saying, “I would love to work with Regina again. I just love her so much… We would make each other giggle all day long. Regina Hall would be my answer. And money. But mostly all Regina!”

The first two Scary Movie films absolutely have some humor that wouldn’t fly in today’s world, but the Wayans are comedic geniuses who know how to tailor and adapt to the times. Let’s see what they choose to parody in this new silly movie.

Originally published on October 29, 2024.

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Kaitlyn Dever to Star in GODZILLA X KONG Follow-Up

Actress Kaitlyn Dever is about to debut in HBO’s The Last of Us as Abby Anderson, fighting off both infected clickers and Ellie alike. But it looks like after that she’ll set her sights on something a whole lot larger. According to Deadline, Dever will join the cast of Legendary’s Monsterverse follow-up to Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire. While the giant ape and the behemoth lizard are always the stars of those movies—not to mention others like Mothra—the list of human cast members are just as impressive.

Dever has an increasingly impressive filmography including feature films Booksmart and No One Will Save You as well as television roles in Dopesick and Unbelievable. She was also in 142 episodes of that Tim Allen show Last Man Standing. Did you know that show was on for as many seasons as Home Improvement and yet no one ever talked about it? Weird.

Hulu/Warner Bros.

Of course, her role in The Last of Us season two later this year will see her play Abby, the controversial co-lead of the second Naughty Dog video game. Without spoiling it for anyone who hasn’t played the game, Abby is the second protagonist, the player character for about half the playtime, and who stands in direct conflict with Ellie and Joel. Between that and her essentially solo turn in the alien invasion film No One Will Save You, Dever should be plenty prepared to tangle with some Titans.

While we don’t have a title yet for the film—which continues on from the top 10 box office hit of 2024—we do know Adam Wingard won’t return to direct. The franchise’s new director will be Grant Sputore working from a script by Dave Callaham. No release date yet.

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

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Letterboxd.

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SEVERANCE Season 2’s New Opening Credits Tease Lumon’s Ultimate Goal

After a long hiatus, Severance has picked right back up where it left off. That’s true both literally and figuratively. The show is just as great as ever, and season two’s second episode revealed Mark returned to work just a couple days after the Innie Macrodat Uprising. One thing is different about the Apple TV+ series this time, though. It has a new, even creepier opening credits sequence from artist Oliver Latta. It’s just as strangely beautiful and strangely upsetting as his season one intro, only this work-related nightmare might also be telling us something important. It might be teasing what Lumon is ultimately working towards.

While Theodore Shapiro’s Severance theme song has stayed the same in season two, the art of Oliver Latta (a.k.a. EXTRAWEG) has not. “Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig” premiered the show’s new opening credits, and it’s a sequence full of references to other characters and departments at Lumon. But two moments in particular stand out in Latta’s exploration of Mark Scout’s split mind: there are a whole lot of babies.

The first comes when a bunch of faceless newborns in suits crawl all over Mark’s bed. The second comes at the very end as Mark sits on the edge of his bed in red pajamas. Suddenly a baby with the human head of Kier Eagan, the long dead Founder of Lumon, crawls on the floor shaking off snow.

Apple TV+

Why babies? And why specifically Kier Eagan as a baby? Both could just be symbolic of the way many moments and motifs in Severance‘s two different opening credits are. But considering what we know about Lumon and what we’ve learned about “Cold Harbor” through two episodes in season two, seeing Kier Eagan as a baby feels more like a clue than a metaphor.

Lumon desperately wants Mark to finish working on “Cold Harbor,” which is literally a file of his “dead” wife Gemma. That file includes vital signs that indicate she’s in some kind of stasis or coma. Mark’s work on his wife’s file is so important to the company they brought back the severed employees who broke out. It’s as though everything they’re really working towards depends on this one project involving a possible dead woman.

Apple TV+

All of which is taking place at a creepy cult-like company where digital files are connected to actual humans. It’s a place where Board members, the only people even an Eagan like Helena must answers to, exist only on an intercom. And everyone based at the company’s original headquarters visits a “perpetuity” wing that houses life-sized replicas of every Eagan Lumon CEO in history. Oh yeah, and everyone treats the Founder Kier Eagan like a literal god.

Now Severance‘s opening credits shows not just a bunch of babies in work suits, but Kier Eagan reborn as a baby. And he’s throwing cold snow off his head, as though his head had been on ice at a company that developed severance technology and is currently obsessed with completing a dead woman’s file it named “Cold Harbor.” They also have a whole department of baby goats for some reason.

Apple TV+

The implication is beyond obvious: Lumon is working on bringing Kier Eagan back to life in his own body. That’s why Mark’s work on Gemma’s file is so important. It’s why Lumon never tells macrodata refiners anything about their “mysterious and important” work. No one can know the horrifying truth.

If you think that’s a reach you underestimate both Lumon and Severance. That doesn’t mean that’s what the opening credits are referring to, though. But while the evidence on its own is compelling, Latta has now confirmed there are direct connections between his intro and what’s going to happen on the show. He spoke to The Los Angeles Times about his new opening sequence, which he said he made after being given major plot points. (Latta didn’t see any season two episodes.) He had to take some stuff out because Ben Stiller said they were too spoiler-y.

Apple TV+

What about those babies? They came directly from Ben Stiller. Here’s what Esther Zuckerman wrote in her interview with Latta:

Stiller gave Latta a directive: “Let’s add babies.” The initial idea that Latta had was to flood the screen with versions of Mark, but Stiller suggested adding babies. Thus, there’s now a scene where Mark is surrounded by crawling, faceless babies in his bed. “I asked him, ‘Why babies?’ ” Latta recalls. “Because for me it’s important why we want to do something, what is the aim, what we are trying to achieve. He just said, ‘I like babies.’ ” The babies also came in handy when Latta was trying to think of something to put near the end of the sequence. He’s pretty sure it’s Stiller who suggested a version of Lumon founder Kier Eagan as a crawling babe. Latta has no idea what it exactly means. “I have my own metaphor, but I don’t know the actual answer,” he says. “We will see when everything is out fully.”

We will see. And when we do we won’t be surprised to find out the reason Ben Stiller wanted babies in the show’s intro. Or why he suggested making Kier Eagan into one. Because the truth might be that’s what Lumon is trying to make happen. The company’s entire purpose might be to honor the Founder by bringing him back to life fully. And we’re all babies when it does.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who isn’t sure what his Outie does. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Robert Pattinson Tells TWILIGHT Haters to Move On; ‘Are You Still Stuck on That S—?’

It’s a valid question. The first Twilight movie was released in 2008, if you can believe it. That’s nearly twenty years ago. But it seems like the Twilight haters have still not given up the ghost, or the undead sparkle vampire, as the case may be. Some Twilight naysayers feel strongly that the movie ruined the vampire genre, and they still feel the need to tell Robert Pattinson, who played Edward Cullen, about it. But Pattinson has one central message for those who are still stuck on Twilight ruining vampires and somehow also their lives forever: move on. And we couldn’t agree more.

Lionsgate

Vampires must be incredibly weak if one campy movie trilogy can ruin their entire existence. If you don’t like Twilight, we have a truly mind-blowing suggestion for you. Just don’t watch it. And certainly don’t waste your time telling Robert Pattinson about it because he doesn’t care. When asked about reactions to Twilight, Pattinson shared, “I love that people keep telling me, ‘Man, Twilight ruined the vampire genre.’ Are you still stuck on that s—? How can you be sad about something that happened almost 20 years ago? It’s crazy.”

In the past, Pattinson has been tough on Twilight himself, noting things like, “I mean, it’s a weird story, Twilight. It’s strange how people responded.” and  “I thought there were definitely bits that were very romantic. But to me, I thought it was a pretty weird story. and even when I was promoting it, I was pretty open about how strange I thought it was when I was doing it.” He’s even confessed to having an onset attitude so bad it nearly got him fired.

RELATED ARTICLE

Robert Pattinson Almost Got Fired from TWILIGHT Over Emo Edward Cullen

But it seems like, 20 years on, Pattinson is over his Twilight haterade and things you should be too. After all, insisting that Twilight could ruin the vampire genre is inadvertently giving it a lot of credit. So let’s all unstick from these sparkly vamps and just accept them as the part of vampiric history they have become.

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This GoPro Footage of a Rotting Watermelon Looks Like a Body Horror Nightmare

The GoPro is one of the coolest inventions in existence. It gives us a perspective into certain activities and spaces that we’d never quite get any other way. Until now, my favorite GoPro video was one of a dog who stole her owner’s device and took off running through various yards and alleyways. It is hilarious to see his owner running helplessly behind her and internally praying that his dog doesn’t destroy his GoPro. Now, that video might be rivaled by something weirder and quite gross. This GoPro time lapse video shows the inside of a rotting watermelon and it looks like something straight out of a body horror flick. 

YouTube channel Photo Owl Time Lapse decided to put a GoPro camera inside a watermelon and document the decomposition process. This five minute clip puts together footage from 128 days and it doesn’t take too long for it to get super gnarly. Our favorite day is probably around day 11 when it starts to look like the inside of a zombie’s mouth or stomach. Those bubbles are a lot like acid, after all.

Photo Owl Time Lapse/YouTube

It is both disturbing and also fascinating to see a rotting watermelon through the lens of a GoPro. We also imagine that space smelled like a horror movie scene. Thankfully, YouTube doesn’t come with the ability to smell a clip. 

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STAR TREK: SECTION 31 Has a Surprise Cameo From Michelle Yeoh’s EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE Co-Star

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For Star Trek fans who watch until the end of the Star Trek: Section 31 film, there’s a bit of a surprise cameo. When Empress Phillipa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) and her team of secret operatives complete their first mission and save the Federation, they head back to Georgiou’s illicit space casino. There, they receive a transmission from their contact at Section 31, giving them their next orders. And the representative from Section 31’s top brass, known as “Control,” is none other than Michelle Yeoh’s Everything, Everywhere, All At Once co-star (and fellow Oscar winner) Jamie Lee Curtis.

A24

Curtis’ cameo is brief, but she appears to be a purple-skinned alien with cybernetic implants on her face. Now, this is way too early in the timeline for her to be a liberated Borg drone. So we’re not sure what all those metal patches are supposed to mean. Maybe they are just there to look cool? The only purple-skinned humanoid aliens in Trek canon we’re familiar with are the Violaceans. But they appeared only as background aliens a handful of times. Control then makes a pretty deep-cut reference, when she sends Georgiou’s operatives on a mission to Turkana IV. Star Trek: The Next Generation fans know this as the colony world Lt. Tasha Yar and her sister hailed from.

Paramount+

Will we ever see Jamie Lee Curtis’ character Control in a Star Trek project again? That depends on if there’s ever another adventure with this Section 31 cast or not. We wouldn’t exactly bet the house on it, but anything is possible in the world of Star Trek. Most likely, this was just a favor to her friend and co-star Michelle Yeoh. No matter what one thought of Section 31, we think fans would be into more Jamie Lee Curtis in Trek. Given that The Shape’s iconic mask from Halloween is based on a William Shatner as Captain Kirk mask, Curtis’ appearance means that both Laurie Strode and Michael Myers have Star Trek connections now. We have to admit, that’s kind of cool.

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