Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 168

WTF Happened in SEVERANCE Season 1?

From Macrodata Refinement to the Perpetuity Wing, Severance season 1 gave us a ton of very strange, very intriguing concepts and some dark implications about work/life balance, or lack thereof. But it’s been three years since the last episode, so before you dive in to season two on Apple TV+, we’re here with a recap of the entire first season of Severance. Goats, Waffle Parties, and existential dread, oh boy!

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HUNGER GAMES Prequel Novel About Haymitch Reveals Official Synopsis, Shares First Excerpt

Get ready to go back into the arena. Suzanne Collins and Scholastic have announced a new Hunger Games prequel book will arrive on shelves next year. And Sunrise on the Reaping will take fans back to a period that impacted the original trilogy. The novel focuses on one of the most consequential battle royales in Panem’s history. It’s set during the Second Quarter Quell, the supersized Hunger Games won by a young Haymitch Abernathy. Here’s what we know about this Haymitch-centric Hunger Games novel coming in 2025.

Haymitch Abernathy’s Hunger Games Prequel Novel Shares First Excerpt

We officially have our first-look excerpt from inside of Haymitch’s Hunger Games prequel novel, Sunrise on the Reaping. The text, which was exclusively revealed by People, can be read below. It offers us a glimpse of a young Haymitch Abernathy and his home life before his reaping took place. We sure do get sucked back into Panem quickly. And Haymitch, of course, is just as endearing in his younger form. To skip the text and learn what else we know about Sunrise on the Reaping, click here.

“Happy birthday, Haymitch!” 

The upside of being born on reaping day is that you can sleep late on your birthday. It’s pretty much downhill from there. A day off school hardly compensates for the terror of the name drawing. Even if you survive that, nobody feels like having cake after watching two kids being hauled off to the Capitol for slaughter. I roll over and pull the sheet over my head. 

“Happy birthday!” My 10-year-old brother, Sid, gives my shoulder a shake. “You said be your rooster. You said you wanted to get to the woods at daylight.” 

It’s true. I’m hoping to finish my work before the ceremony so I can devote the afternoon to the two things I love best — wasting time and being with my girl, Lenore Dove. My ma makes indulging in either of these a challenge, since she regularly announces that no job is too hard or dirty or tricky for me, and even the poorest people can scrape up a few pennies to dump their misery on somebody else. But given the dual occasions of the day, I think she’ll allow for a bit of freedom as long as my work is done. It’s the Gamemakers who might ruin my plans. 

“Haymitch!” wails Sid. “The sun’s coming up!” 

“All right, all right. I’m up, too.” I roll straight off the mattress onto the floor and pull on a pair of shorts made from a government-issued flour sack. The words “courtesy of the Capitol” end up stamped across my butt. My ma wastes nothing. Widowed young when my pa died in a coal mine fire, she’s raised Sid and me by taking in laundry and making every bit of anything count. The hardwood ashes in the fire pit are saved for lye soap. Eggshells get ground up to fertilize the garden. Someday these shorts will be torn into strips and woven into a rug. 

I finish dressing and toss Sid back in his bed, where he burrows right down in the patchwork quilt. In the kitchen, I grab a piece of corn bread, an upgrade for my birthday instead of the gritty, dark stuff made from the Capitol flour. Out back, my ma’s already stirring a steaming kettle of clothes with a stick, her muscles straining as she flips a pair of miner’s overalls. She’s only 35, but life’s sorrows have already cut lines into her face, like they do. 

Ma catches sight of me in the doorway and wipes her brow. “Happy 16th. Sauce on the stove.” 

“Thanks, Ma.” I find a saucepan of stewed plums and scoop some on my bread before I head out. I found these in the woods the other day, but it’s a nice surprise to have them all hot and sugared. “Need you to fill the cistern today,” Ma says as I pass. 

We’ve got cold running water, only it comes out in a thin stream that would take an age to fill a bucket. There’s a special barrel of pure rainwater she charges extra for because the clothes come out softer, but she uses our well water for most of the laundry. What with pumping and hauling, filling the cistern’s a two-hour job even with Sid’s help. 

“Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” I ask. 

“I’m running low and I’ve got a mountain of wash to do,” she answers. 

“This afternoon, then,” I say, trying to hide my frustration. If the reaping’s done by one, and assuming we’re not part of this year’s sacrifice, I can finish the water by three and still see Lenore Dove.

A blanket of mist wraps protectively around the worn, gray houses of the Seam. It would be soothing if it wasn’t for the scattered cries of children being chased in their dreams. In the last few weeks, as the Fiftieth Hunger Games has drawn closer, these sounds have become more frequent, much like the anxious thoughts I work hard to keep at bay. The second Quarter Quell. Twice as many kids. No point in worrying, I tell myself, there’s nothing you can do about it. Like two Hunger Games in one. No way to control the outcome of the reaping or what follows it. So don’t feed the nightmares. Don’t let yourself panic. Don’t give the Capitol that. They’ve taken enough already.

Text from Sunrise on the Reaping © 2025 Suzanne Collins. Provided by Scholastic.

Sunrise on the Reaping‘s SynopsisScholastic

The synopsis for the Hunger Games Haymitch prequel novel, which was also recently released, reveals that it takes place during the Second Quarter Quell:

Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell,” Scholastic wrote. “As the day dawns on the 50th annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves,” the synopsis continued. “When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight … and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

On March 18, 2025, fans will get a full account of the Fiftieth Hunger Games. That’s one of the most important Games ever. That’s when Haymitch became a victor in name only. The new Hunger Games book, set 24 years before the original novel (and four decades after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), will start in the same way. It begins on the morning of the Games’ reaping.

Lionsgate

“Suzanne Collins has done it again, bringing us back to the world of Panem in order to ask us important questions about our own world,” said Ellie Berger, President, Scholastic Trade, in the book’s official announcement. “Sunrise on the Reaping is a remarkable book, bringing new complexity, perspective, and revelations to a piece of the Hunger Games story that readers have longed to know more about.”

Lionsgate

In the release, Collins shared the inspiration behind her new entry into the Hunger Games world. “With Sunrise on the Reaping, I was inspired by David Hume’s idea of implicit submission and, in his words, ‘the easiness with which the many are governed by the few,'” she said. “The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day.”

And yes, this new Haymitch Hungers Games book is getting its own film through Lionsgate. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes got its own movie just three years after the book’s release. And this story, which will include Haymitch, should have even more appeal to fans of the original Hunger Games trilogy.

When Will the New Hunger Games Book Sunrise on the Reaping Release?

As mentioned, the new Haymitch-centric Hunger Games book will release on March 18, 2025. Practically just around the corner.

Originally published June 6, 2024.

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What Is the Xiaohongshu a.k.a. RedNote App and How Does It Compare to TikTok?

With the looming threat of TikTok no longer being accessible in the USA thanks to a potential ban, people are wondering where they will go to get their fun, informative, and quick video hits. In case you aren’t familiar, the US Supreme Court is due to rule on a law that says TikTok must divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance by January 19 or it will be banned in the US over supposed national security concerns. Now, it seems the TikTok replacement will be Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, with many people talking about it and flocking to it in recent days. 

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TikTok Ban Updates: Supreme Court Leans Toward Upholding Ban and Shutting US TikTok Down in JanuaryWhat Is Xiaohongshu a.k.a. RedNote and Is It Anything Like TikTok? 

RedNote/Xiaohongshu was launched in 2013 and soon became one of the fastest growing social media platforms in China. It has a staggering value of $17 billion with 300 million active users monthly. Like TikTok, you can find a little something for everyone there in short video format. There are makeup tutorials, traveling tips, product recommendations, and more. RedNote uses hashtags where people can be sure certain content will make it to a specific feed. The current popular hashtag is #tiktokrefugee, referring to everyone who is making the move to this platform. The name Xiaohongshu translates to “Little Red Book,” which US users are calling RedNote. And yes, much of the app is not in English but people are finding their way through.

TikTok/RedNoteIs RedNote Free? 

Yes, the RedNote app is free. While many of its prompts are in Mandarin, skilled users are teaching us English speakers a few words on the app. 

Is Xiaohongshu a.k.a. RedNote Safe?

Honestly, we cannot answer that question. What we can say is that pretty much any time you are using a website or an app, you are almost certainly consenting to sharing a certain amount of information about yourself as a user. Now how much information RedNote is getting and what is done with it is likely in some kind of fine print. You know, the print that no normal person really reads and, depending on the level of legalese, may not fully comprehend. So, like anything else new you try, use your best judgement. 

For now, we will hold our breaths and see what happens with the Chinese social app RedNote and TikTok in the near future.

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Quests N’ Answers | Inside Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode Ep. 13

Welcome to Quests N’ Answers, the companion series to Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode! ***Massive spoilers ahead for episode 13***

Join Dan Casey and special guest Ross Bryant (MST3K, Improvised Shakespeare Company, Dropout), as well as cast members Amy Vorpahl, Jason Nguyen, and Danielle Radford as they break down what went into this harrowing battle of self-discovery in Goblin Mode episode 13, “Inner Demons.”

New episodes of Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode air every Monday on Geek & Sundry or wherever you get your podcasts: https://lnk.to/goblinmodepod

Learn more and sign up for the Geek & Sundry newsletter at https://www.geekandsundry.com/!

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Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode is a Geek & Sundry production made in partnership with Realm.

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#goblinmode #geekandsundry #rpg #ttrpg #sagasofsundry

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WOLF MAN Threads Needle Between Terrifying Monster Movie and Poignant Tale of Tragedy (Review)

At the heart of any good werewolf story, there is both a tale of great sadness and one of great brutality. And the success of these narratives often depends on how the two parts balance against one another. In Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man, both the elements of sadness and brutality are in play to great effect and deftly woven together into a thoughtful meditation on the nature of violence in humanity. In its perfectly tight run time, Wolf Man unfurls a beautifully tragic reflection about how humans’ own capacity for brutality molds them and impacts those who they love—especially from parent to child, but also from husband to wife. But, of course, the movie also makes time to build much heart-pounding tension, offer a bevvy of jump scares, and bring us some good old-fashioned gore to shield our eyes from. Taken together, Wolf Man delivers on many different fronts as it takes us through one harrowing night.

Universal Pictures

On the face of it, the Wolf Man does not tell a very complicated story—and seems to lean more toward delivering a standard horror movie, filled with tension and fear, than an elegant deep dive into the human psyche. Deciding to return to his childhood home in the incredibly isolated rural Oregon after the state declares his estranged father dead, a husband/father (Blake) brings his whole family (wife Charlotte and daughter Ginger) into terrible danger. On the way to the home, a monstrous creature attacks them and then stalks them into the night. But, of course, Blake himself begins transforming as well after the beast cuts him. And as the night stretches before them, many dangers wait.

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Why Are Small Towns the Perfect Sinister Setting for Horror?

And, indeed, Whannell is able to deliver on the promise of some unadulterated monster movie horror fun. Wolf Man artfully uses every filmmaking facet available to it, its shot framing, sound, and lighting, to rachet up our fear. Shots become dizzying, noises become distorted, and darkness falls all around us at every turn. Whannell uses our own very real fears against us to thrust us into the terror the characters experience. Most notably, the fear that we will find ourselves simply unable to communicate with those around us surfaces again and again. And it pairs with the terror that others will ignore our fear or receive it without empathy.

The movie also knows how to serve a heaping of stomach-churning gore—and seems to particularly delight in proferring some of the most viscerally disturbing elements it can to its viewers. Yes, we’re talking about teeth falling out, fingernails ripping off, and big chunks of hair coming unglued. It was enough to make several people in the theater hide their eyes.

Universal Pictures

But, indeed, the scariest monsters of all featured in the movie are the very real specters it deals with—the creatures that might haunt every single audience member who goes to watch Wolf Man in one way or another. In a very intimate way, Wolf Man‘s most haunting howls are those of generational trauma and violence and the way that “sickness” can spread even despite the real truth of love, desire for change, or an escape into a different kind of life.

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One of the scariest scenes of the movie is its opening sequence, where we see more about what formed Blake and the harrowing life he lived with his father in his childhood. Although the Wolf Man does appear in this opening, by and large, the greatest source of unease and threat to the audience is Blake’s father. Clearly, Blake fears his father more than anything else in the woods. And Blake’s father also keeps him tremendously isolated as he drills into him ideas of death and danger. The threat of violence, although not fully realized, clings to him like a second skin, seeping into Blake and all of us.

Not too long after, we see Blake as a father of his own. While his daughter is clearly attached to him, and he clearly wishes to be better than his father than his own was, even before becoming any kind of supernatural creature at all, we see Blake falling into his father’s pattern, falling into deep anger (a form of violence) at the very innocent patterings of his child around him.

Universal Pictures

“What if someone you loved became something else?” is one of the tag lines the Wolf Man movie presents us with. But the crux of the story feels more like, “What if the something else was someone you loved all along?” Although the scares and growling snarls of Wolf Man are horror genius, the true horror is that the story of this movie could easily be about garden variety anger taking over for a night instead of a supernatural disease, and it would still read pretty similarly, in ways that are sadly all too common. But that is the genius of the movie Whannell presents us with. While the claws and sudden pours of blood are terrifying, at its heart, the movie’s real fear-generating mechanism is something like: “A man in the room is a physical danger to you, and the danger is you can’t get out.” And in some way or another, many audience members will have faced this clawing danger themselves.

Between a particularly intense scene where Charlotte stands frozen as Blake menaces close to her in his changing form, on that screams of “maybe if I just stand still,” and another, where Ginger (the daughter) begs Charlotte to overcome her most primal instincts to let a turning Blake back into their sanctuary and preserve the familial bond, if not their personal safety, it seems clear that Wolf Man wants to shed a light on very human fears and dangers, as much as it does on those that come from a werewolf. Indeed, feels extra meaningful that the werewolves of this tale never hit a full transformation and instead very much retain their human forms, although they change along some incredibly disturbing lines. The movie doesn’t offer a very clear conclusion on whether generational trauma and violence can be mitigated or overcome, but it certainly makes you want to think, discuss, and consider the hidden wolves in your life, big and small.

Universal Pictures

In addition to all of this, I will note that Wolf Man‘s second act surprised me pleasantly, and though I thought I knew the plot of the film going in, I was pleasantly subverted along the way. And, of course, as a consummate horror fan, Whannell leaves fun werewolf Easter eggs for fans to discover along the way. For example, Blake’s red-headed daughter called Ginger no doubt homages Ginger Snaps‘ wolfy Ginger.

And, as mentioned, the runtime of the film (1 hour and 43 minutes) felt just right, allowing for a streamlined story that neither wasted time nor felt undersold. Watching Wolf Man is definitely one of the best uses of under two hours of your time. Choosing for the movie to take place all in one night also kept the scope of the story confined in a way that really worked, letting it focus on its simmering themes and nuanced emotional tale. Full kudos to Leigh Whannell and Corbett Tuck for the excellent script and to Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, and Matilda Firth for their great performances.

As a whole, Wolf Man delivered on many of its fronts and threaded a very fine needle. It created a fun monster movie that horror fans will love while also telling a poignant tale of tragedy and sorrow that will resonate in anyone with a pulse (human, wolf-like, or other). It’s definitely a film that will make you think as it terrifies you, and more worth revisiting more than once.

Wolf Man ⭐ (4 of 5)

Wolf Man hits theaters on January 17, 2025.

The post WOLF MAN Threads Needle Between Terrifying Monster Movie and Poignant Tale of Tragedy (Review) appeared first on Nerdist.

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Drops Intense New Trailer, Images, and Key Art

When the Netflix Marvel shows moved to Disney+, fans hoped they might see some familiar faces incorporated into the MCU’s world. Although there were many good iterations of Marvel characters in the Netflix shows, one hero that fans particularly hoped would return for a solo show or movie was Charlie Cox’s Daredevil. Happily, Marvel Studios didn’t make us wait very long. At San Diego Comic-Con 2022, the studio announced that Daredevil would receive a new MCU series on Disney+, Daredevil: Born Again. Since that announcement, the series had some ups and downs, including an overhaul of its creative team. But now it is 2025 and the series is just around the corner.

Disney+/Marvel Studios

We got the blessing of a Daredevil: Born Again trailer, new key art, and few images as well. It’s good to see everyone back like they never left.

The images give us some Matt/Foggy/Karen fun, Matt pondering his lives, and Kingpin. We don’t know why they didn’t include a bearded Frank Castle with these images but at least he’s in the trailer.

Click To View Gallery Netflix/Giovanni Rufino Netflix/Giovanni Rufino Netflix/Giovanni Rufino Netflix/Giovanni Rufino Netflix/Giovanni Rufino Netflix/Giovanni Rufino

What can we expect when it does? Here’s everything we know about Daredevil: Born Again.

Marvel StudiosTitleMarvel Studios

The title of the MCU Daredevil series will be Daredevil: Born Again. This is also the title of one of Daredevil‘s famous comic arcs.

Daredevil: Born Again‘s PlotMarvel Comics

Daredevil: Born Again will have eighteen episodes and pick up a few years after where the Netflix show left off. In an interview with Empire, Charlie Cox opened up about the status of Matt, Karen, and Foggy. ” A lot of the history follows on,” said Cox. “The relationships and dynamics set up in the previous seasons still exist… A few years have passed. In that time, Matt, Foggy, and Karen have found a pretty good rhythm.”

Things are great at Nelson, Murdock, & Page… until Kingpin comes along.  “Matt’s made peace with his role both as a lawyer and a vigilante,” Cox affirmed. “Then, of course, shit hits the fan.”

Here’s a trailer for Daredevil: Born Again:

Daredevil: Born Again‘s official synopsis reveals the following:

In Marvel Television’s “Daredevil: Born Again,” Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course. The series also stars Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, with Ayelet Zurer and Jon Bernthal. Dario Scardapane is showrunner. Episodes are directed by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Michael Cuesta, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, and David Boyd; and executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Sana Amanat, Chris Gary, Dario Scardapane, Chris Ord & Matt Corman, and Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead. “Daredevil: Born Again” launches on Disney+ on March 4, 2025.

Marvel Studios

Brad Winderbaum, the head of streaming, television, and animation at Marvel Studios, spoke at D23 about the upcoming Daredevil series on an ABC panel. The video for that panel hit the internet recently and he had something quite interesting to say.

“Imagine if New York City was as intricate and problematic and scary as the world of Game of Thrones,” he said. “All these forces vying for control, and it can be really hopeful at times, and really violent at times, and dark-but also there’s light at the end of the tunnel if you could just fight for it.”

Marvel StudiosBehind the ScenesNetflix/Marvel Studios

The Hollywood Reporter shared the superhero crime series has added Dario Scardapane as its showrunner. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead will direct the rest of the episodes for the first season. Scardapane has experience with The Punisher, while Benson and Moorhead directed episodes of Loki season two.

Daredevil: Born Again‘s CastMarvel Studios

Charlie Cox returns as Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin. Jon Bernthal will reprise his role as Punisher in the MCU series as well, and Deadline shares that Wilson Bethel’s Bullseye will also make the leap. Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson will return as Karen Page and Foggy Nelson, respectively.

Also joining the Daredevil show are Nikki M. James, Michael Gandolfini, Margarita Levieva, Sandrine Holt, and Lou Taylor Pucci. Their roles remain unknown as well as Carnival Row‘s Arty Froushan as part of the cast. Genneya Walton will reportedly play “a young journalist with connections to a character from the original series.” Clark Johnson, in addition to directing, reportedly has a recurring role in the series.

Marvel Comics

At D23, we learned a male White Tiger is coming onto the scene in Daredevil: Born Again. We glimpsed White Tiger in a sneak peek from the series, but no casting information was yet revealed. This White Tiger is likely Hector Ayala who uses ancient amulets to transform into White Tiger, a “master of martial arts.” Perhaps we will see Daredevil defend him this season, as White Tiger is often mistaken for a criminal and gets into tight spots.

Daredevil: Born Again‘s Release Date

Daredevil: Born Again will debut at Disney+ on March 4, 2025.

Originally published January 5, 2023.

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Live-Action ONE PIECE Season 2 Casts for Dragon, Miss Goldenweek, Ipponmatsu, and More

Season two of Netflix’s One Piece will soon set sail. And that means we’ll be seeing more familiar faces come to life on our screen. Recently, Netflix has shared a string of new casting announcements for season two of live-action One Piece. But who are the new cast we’ll see on the high seas? From Smoker to Baroque Works Agents to everyone else in between, here the actors joining the cast of One Piece season two and the new live-action characters they’ll play.

One Piece Season 2 Casts Sophia Anne Caruso as Miss Goldenweek, Anton David Jefta as K.M., and Mark Penwill as Chess

The latest round of casting includes some pretty beloved One Piece characters like Goldenweek, K.M., and Chess. We cannot wait to see them in (live) action!

Click To View Gallery Netflix Netflix Netflix One Piece Season 2 Casts Rigo Sanchez as Dragon, James Hiroyuki Liao as Ipponmatsu, Yonda Thomas as Igaram

Yet another round of casting drops some big ones, especially Dragon!

Click To View Gallery Netflix Netflix Netflix One Piece Season 2 Casts Joe Manganiello as Mr. 0 and Lera Abova as Miss All SundayNetflix

In its most exciting piece of casting yet, Netflix has cast Joe Manganiello as Mr. 0 in live-action One Piece season two. Mr. 0, of course, is also known as the villainous Crocodile, a Warlord of the Sea and the president of Baroque Works. Crocodile is one of the most nefarious villains in One Piece‘s world. Additionally, Lera Abova joins as Miss All Sunday… also known as one Nico Robin… she may or may not be destined to join the Straw Hat Pirates along with another teased character, Chopper. Fans will surely delight in seeing these iconic characters brought to life by such masterful actors.

Joe Manganiello's official coronation as Mr. 0 by One Piece showrunner Matt Owens at #GeekedWeek!

“To be trusted with one of the greatest characters ever… I’ve been waiting for this my entire career.” pic.twitter.com/K0Cxx4pzmU

— Netflix (@netflix) September 20, 2024

One Piece Season 2 Casts Charithra Chandran As Miss Wednesday

It seems that Netflix will slowly trickle out a large number of new cast members for One Piece season two. A beloved anime favorite character, Miss Wednesday, will be played by actress Charithra Chandra. We love to see it!

Netflix’s Live-Action One Piece Season 2 Casts Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefertari Cobra

According to Variety, there’s yet another cast announcement for One Piece season two. Sendhil Ramamurthy will play Nefertari Cobra, the King of Alabasta and the patriarch of the Nefertari family.

In the heart of The Desert Kingdom of Alabasta, where rebellion stirs and secrets are buried, stands a King like no other. Introducing Nefertari Cobra, the pillar of integrity in a kingdom at crossroads. 🐫🌴 #OnePieceLiveAction pic.twitter.com/daCvHeh9RJ

— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) August 22, 2024

Netflix’s Live-Action One Piece Season 2 Casts Dr. Kureha and Dr. HirilukNetflix

The Great Medical Land of Drum is in the house. For a long time, fans hoped that the iconic Dr. Kureha would be played by Jamie Lee Curtis. But alas, that casting did not work out. Instead, Dr. Kureha will be played by Katey Sagal on One Piece season two. In One Piece‘s world, Dr. Kureha is an elderly doctor who some think of as a witch, and an ally to the Straw Hat pirates. Dr. Kureha is Chopper’s adoptive mother, which likely means Chopper’s reveal is just around the corner.

Netflix

Additionally cast for One Piece season two is Dr. Hiriluk, who will be played by Mark Harelik. Dr. Hiriluk is a complicated character with a good heart and a tragic story. He is Chopper’s original father figure, but alas, their story ends in great sadness. It will be interesting to see just how the live-action One Piece series adapts Chopper’s backstory and Dr. Hiriluk’s tale.

One Piece Season 2 Casts Smoker, Tashigi, Wapol & Dalton

New faces 🗡️ new powers 🚬 🐂 new adventures! Don’t drift away, Straw Hats! We’re just getting started. ​​🏴‍☠️ 🌊 #OnePieceLiveAction pic.twitter.com/N5omk4OuOI

— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) June 27, 2024

A very anticipated casting for One Piece season two is that of Smoker. This villainous figure was teased at the end of One Piece season one. In One Piece‘s world, Smoker is a marine on a mission… A mission to capture Luffy. And now we know that Monarch‘s Callum Kerr will play Smoker in One Piece season two as the character arrives in full.

Additionally, Netflix has cast Tashigi, Wapol, and Dalton to join the pirate-fun. Tashigi is also a marine who serves under Smoker. Tashigi is a skilled swordsman and we’ll no doubt see her clashing blades with Zoro in One Piece season two. Julia Rehwald has been cast as this new One Pieces season two live-action character.

Wapol, meanwhile, is a selfish character who used to be the king of his kingdom (called Drum). However, when pirates attacked, he fled his people in a cowardly way and became a pirate himself. He’s eaten of the Baku Baku no Mi Devil Fruit which allows him to eat nearly everything and then take on the characteristics of whatever he’s consumed. No doubt, Luffy will be a bit jealous of this eating ability. Rob Colletti will join the cast as Wapol.

Finally, One Piece season two has cast the live-action character of Dalton. Dalton is the new King of Wapol’s former kingdom and a friend to the Straw Hat Pirates. Ty Keogh has been cast as Dalton.

Crocus, Brogy, and Dorry’s Actors Join Live-Action One Piece Season 2

The Grand Line just got bigger! The crotchety Crocus, Brogy, and Dorry are coming our way. #OnePieceLiveAction pic.twitter.com/Z86S8ZY7wI

— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) June 26, 2024

Additionally, One Piece revealed that actors Clive Russell, Brendan Murray, and Werner Coetser will join the season two cast as Crocus, Brogy, and Dorry.

Crocus, Clive Russell’s new character on One Piece season two, is an ally of the Straw Hat Pirates. He’s a lighthouse keeper, but also an exceptional doctor who was a part of Gol D. Roger’s crew.

Meanwhile, Brendan Murray, who has been cast as Brogy in One Piece season two, will play a giant on the series. He’s one of the two captains of the Giant Warrior pirates alongside Dorry. Dorry, also a giant, will be played, as mentioned, by Werner Coetser.

David Dastmalchian Will Play Mr. 3 in One Piece Season 2 Shudder/Toei Animation

We’re particularly excited to see David Dastmalchian cast in One Piece season two. Dastmalchian will play the devious Mr. 3, a member of the Baroque Work Agent crime syndicate. Mr. 3 has consumed the Wax Wax devil fruit and has total control over candle wax. This is definitely a unique and terrifying ability, especially in Dastmalchian’s hands.

One Piece Casts Three Other Baroque Work Agent Characters

Out from the shadows comes your first look at who's playing the Baroque Works agents! pic.twitter.com/k0G7A94QnE

— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) June 25, 2024

But David Dastmalchian’s Mr. 3 isn’t the only Baroque Works Agent to join the cast of One Piece season two. Jazzara Jaslyn will play Miss Valentine, who has the Devil Fruit power of manipulating her body weight. Camrus Johnson joins the cast of Netfix’s live-action One Piece as Mr. 5. Mr. 5 has the deadly ability to create explosions from his body without harming himself. And finally, Daniel Lasker has come aboard as Mr. 9. The newly cast Mr. 9 will bring his metal bats to One Piece season two.

We’re sure these number/holiday-named agents will be up to no good in the season.

More New Characters and Cast Are On the Way for One Piece Season 2Netflix

One Piece teases that they’re just getting started with new season two cast announcements. We can’t wait to see who will appear on the horizon next.

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Fan Recreates Iconic STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Battle with Motion Controlled Model Kits

There are 13 Star Trek theatrical features in total, spanning 45 years. But to this day, the crown jewel in the cinematic Starfleet crown is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. In fact, the Library of Congress just included Nicholas Meyer’s 1982 sci-fi masterpiece in its National Film Registry. It’s the only Star Trek film to ever receive that honor. And one of the coolest sequences in the movie remains the battle between the Enterprise and Khan’s stolen starship, the Reliant. Now, a fan on YouTube by the name of NJM Photo has recreated that scene, using only AMT Star Trek model kits, and homemade motion control cameras. And it looks pretty amazing. You can see his recreated “Battle of the Mutara Nebula,” right here:

It’s amazing that 40 years later, a sequence that would have cost Industrial Light & Magic hundreds of hours and millions of dollars can now essentially be recreated in someone’s home, DIY style. And it looks just about as good as what moviegoers saw in theaters back in 1982. NJM Photo didn’t actually recreate the battle frame for frame. The cutaways to Captain Kirk and the bridge crew on the Enterprise are not present, for example.

NJM Photo

Luckily, he was wise enough to reuse the incredible score for the film by James Horner. The late composer’s score is still the greatest Star Trek film score of them all, in our opinion. (No shade intended to the wonderful Jerry Goldsmith.)

NJM Photo has other videos on his channel using model kits to create movie-like versions of Star Trek starship scenes. They’ve recreated the Enterprise-D from Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as the Enterprise-E from films like First Contact. There’s also one of Voyager, as well as several from the original Star Trek series. They’ve even got a “Making Of” video on their channel, showing fans how they do it at home, which you can watch above. This only proves that there’s no fan base more devoted than Star Trek fans, even close to 60 years later.

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Fede Alvarez Teases Going Into “Uncharted Waters” for ALIEN: ROMULUS Sequel

Last summer, Alien: Romulus came and knocked the socks off pretty much everyone. Director Fede Alvarez’s movie, some questionable digital resurrections aside, pulled the best from Ridley Scott’s Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens. This is something others have tried and failed to do in this franchise. Romulus, taking place between the first two films, was a big success. And now a sequel seems inevitable. While talking to Empire Magazine, Alvarez shared some thoughts on where the next installment might go. Here’s what he had to say about the potential further adventures of Cailee Spaeny’s character Rain in another chapter of the Alien saga:

Rodo [Sayagues, co-writer] and I are working on that right now. We’re excited about where it can go. We’ve almost checked all of the boxes of things that I want to see [in Romulus], and brought back a lot of the things I hadn’t seen in a while. Wherever we go now, we can go into uncharted waters. I think it’ll be so exciting to go with characters you know from this movie, to a place in the Alien franchise that we’ve never been before, and to discover things that you’ve never seen before.

20th Century Studios

So what could this all mean? Well, if Rain is our new Ripley, then the previous films in the series give us an idea. The Sigourney Weaver films each ended with Ripley going into cryostasis, then waking up in a new environment and era. Or, in the case of Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection, dying and being reborn in a new time period. That means that Rain (and her android companion Andy, played by David Jonsson) will likely emerge from cryostasis in a totally new environment, and not the destination they were headed toward. In Aliens, Ripley slept for 57 years. We think it would be amazing if Rain woke up well past where Alien: Resurrection left off in 2181. This opens up a whole new world of Xenomorph possibilities. That definitely falls under the definition of things we’ve never seen before, and “uncharted waters.” And we’re here for it.

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Pepsi Announces New Permanent Flavor Pepsi Wild Cherry Cream

Things are getting a little wild at PepsiCo! The company has announced its expanding its cherry-flavored options with a permanent new creamy product. This month it’s launching Pepsi Wild Cherry Cream.

Pepsi is jumping on the current cherry craze, a fad we were definitely/totally/for sure aware of before the soda giant told us about it. On January 20 it will offer fans of Wild Cherry an even more intense way to enjoy a cherry-flavored take on its iconic soft drink. That’s when both Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild Cherry and Cream will arrive in stores. And once they do, they’re staying there. This new flavor isn’t limited-edition or seasonal. It’s sticking around full-time.

Pepsi

What will it actually taste like? Here’s how Pepsi describes the flavors and experience of drinking this sweet soda:

The initial burst of sweet cherry flavor is what people love about the Pepsi Wild Cherry. Then, the sweet, fruity effervescence is followed by a smooth, creamy vanilla swirl, delivering a practically silky mouthfeel. It’s a refreshing and satisfying blend that’s sure to delight your taste buds and make every sip a moment of pure enjoyment.

Both the original and Zero Sugar versions of Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream will come to stores nationwide in 12-ounce cans. Those are the permanent editions. However, for a brief time you will also be able to nab them in 20-ounce bottles.

Pepsi

Pepsi is the latest soft drink company to offer up a creamier take on this signature soda. Two years ago Dr. Pepper released a Strawberries & Cream option. We liked that. We also like Pepsi Wild Cherry, so we’re optimistic about this new combo. Just like we’re excited to learn “cherries” are a thing. Obviously that fad won’t last, but if Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream is as good as we hope it surely will.

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