Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 169

Neil Gaiman Exits a Reduced GOOD OMENS Season 3 After Production Pause Amid Assault Allegations (Report)

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.

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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THE WOMAN IN THE YARD Trailer Teases a Black-Clad Spectre Who Is the Worst Uninvited Guest Ever

No one loves an uninvited guest… especially if that person is a creepy spectre with an ominous message about impending doom. Horror giant Blumhouse is delivering an original—and truly frightening—new tale with The Woman in the Yard, a film featuring a woman dressed in all black who, well, is in the yard and up to no good. The trailer for The Woman in the Yard is exactly what a horror trailer should be—intense, a bit vague, and quite terrifying. Let’s get into the action. 

The trailer starts off with a child reciting a poem about a lady coming to you “like a sudden chill.” And you know what? I felt a chill when a woman and her two children peeked from various places out into their yard. A window shows an obscure figure that soon becomes clear. It is a woman sitting in the yard dressed in all black with a long and large veil/headpiece obscuring her face.

As a very unserious person and Doctor Who fan, I immediately joked to myself that Miss Evangelista from “Silence in the Library” had finally gotten the scary return that she richly deserved in a new universe. She really does deserve revenge for how people treated her when she was alive. But, while Miss Evangelista was a sweetheart who wanted to help Donna Noble, this spectre is coming with chilling news and doesn’t seem to be someone you wanna hang out with. 

In a somewhat sing-songy tone, she says one line: “Today is the day.” Things immediately go off the rails and I fear this family may not make it past this day. Someone get this queen together with Yellowjackets‘ Man With No Eyes, please.

Here’s a synopsis for The Woman in the Yard to accompany its trailer: 

From Blumhouse, the most successful global brand in horror, comes a new original chiller starring BAFTA and SAG nominee Danielle Deadwyler as Ramona, a woman crippled by grief after she survives a car accident that takes her husband (Russell Hornsby). 

Seriously injured, Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler) now must care for their 14-year-old son (Peyton Jackson) and 6-year-old daughter (Estella Kahiha) alone in her rural farmhouse. Then one day the woman takes form in their yard. 

Ramona assumes the woman (Okwui Okpokwasili) is lost or demented, but as the woman creeps nearer and nearer to the house, it becomes clear she is no ordinary figure and her intentions are anything but peaceful. Now Ramona must rally to protect herself and her children from the grasp of the woman who simply won’t leave them alone. 

What Is the Release Date for Horror Film The Woman in the Yard?Blumhouse

Well, this is scary. What the heck does this woman want? How will Ramona defend her family while she’s on crutches. The answers will get questions when The Woman in the Yard hits theaters on March 28.

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UNTIL DAWN Movie Update: Official Synopsis and a First-Look at Peter Stormare’s Dr. Hill in the Film

Director David F. Sandberg seems done with the world of superheroes after two Shazam! movies, and is returning to his horror roots with a new film. The Swedish director of Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation has signed on to direct a feature film version of Until Dawn, an adaptation of the popular PlayStation horror video game, for Sony Pictures. It’s being developed by Screen Gems, together with PlayStation Productions. All three companies are under the larger Sony umbrella. Most recently, we learned that Sandberg’s Until Dawn movie will tell an original story that captures the spirit of the game’s world.

PlayStation/SonyThe Until Dawn Movie’s Official Synopsis Revealed

Sony has now released the official synopsis for its Until Dawn movie. The synopsis reads as follows:

One year after her sister Melanie mysteriously disappeared, Clover and her friends head into the remote valley where she vanished in search of answers. Exploring an abandoned visitor center, they find themselves stalked by a masked killer and horrifically murdered one by one…only to wake up and find themselves back at the beginning of the same evening. Trapped in the valley, they’re forced to relive the nightmare again and again – only each time the killer threat is different, each more terrifying than the last. Hope dwindling, the group soon realizes they have a limited number of deaths left, and the only way to escape is to survive until dawn.

It’s definitely an interesting take on what the game has to offer its fans.

The Until Dawn Movie Will Tell a New Story Using the Game as Inspiration, Trailer Coming Soon

Screen Gems president Ashley Bucks recently shared that in his conception of Until Dawn, David F. Sandberg “took the essence of what makes the game great and selected elements we think are the most important to the fans and paid homage to it in the right way.” She additionally adds, “We then built out Until Dawn‘s universe using the core premise of a group of friends who encounter a variety of terrifying threats to tell a new story that is truly visceral and horrifying.” Emphasis on “new.”

But, there will be some connective tissue between the Until Dawn video game and its movie. Bucks revealed that Peter Stormare’s Dr. Hill game character will also appear in the film. Stormare, for his part, noted once again that a “brand-new story” awaited fans of the game, one that would have “fresh characters and victims.” In short, it’s “Until Dawn like you’ve never seen it before.”

Sony/Supermassive Games

You can learn a little more about the Until Dawn movie’s plot mechanics above, and catch a first look at Peter Stormare’s Dr. Hill in the film.

More About the Until Dawn Movie and GameSupermassive Games

Gary Dauberman, the screenwriter behind hit horror franchises It, Annabelle, and The Nun is doing a rewrite on the script originally written by Blair Butler. Butler had previously written wrote Sony’s vampire film, The Invitation. Speaking of vampires, Dauberman also recently finished his adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, which is sitting on a shelf at Warner Bros. We’re all still waiting for that one. Disney also announced Dauberman as the one taking the helm of a long-awaited adaptation of the ’90s animated hit, Gargoyles.

Until Dawn is an interactive horror video game that came out back in 2015. The game focuses on eight friends who arrive one day at a remote mountain retreat. There, they come face-to-face with several deadly scenarios, a killer on the loose, and even cannibal wendigos. All the members of the group of friends have to face their biggest fears, or they won’t live to see another day. Until Dawn ended up being a big seller, and critics also loved it. Until Dawn ultimately received several gaming awards nominations. Sony is no doubt hoping they have the same game-to-live-action success that they had with The Last of Us. Until Dawn is currently slated to release on April 25.

Originally published in 2024.

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THE WITCHER: SIRENS OF THE DEEP’s New Trailer Brings Sea Monsters to the Continent

Before The Witcher returns to Netflix with its all-new Geralt of Rivia, an old White Wolf will make his presence felt on the streamer. We don’t mean Henry Cavill, though. We mean Doug Cockle, the English voice of the iconic monster hunter in the franchise’s video games. He will once again play the character in Netflix’s upcoming animated spinoff film The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep. And the movie’s newest trailer show’s why this epic tale of land meeting sea is worthy of every version of Geralt.

Let’s go.

Specifically, let’s go deep into both the waters of the Continent and into another corrupt royal court. Somebody wants a war between humans and mer-people, despite what they claim. But as usual the only one trying to save humans from themselves is the monster hunter who claims he just wants to be left alone. Fortunately for those water-dwellers Geralt always cares. He might swear a lot while helping, but he’ll still help. He’ll also still slay a giant monster. Rumors of a new gentle monster killing policy are incorrect!

How will this brewing battle draw Geralt in? Here’s the film’s official synopsis from Netflix:

Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter, is hired to investigate a series of attacks in a seaside village and finds himself drawn into a centuries-old conflict between humans and merpeople. He must count on friends — old and new — to solve the mystery before the hostilities between the two kingdoms escalate into all-out war.

Netflix

The film comes from writers Mike Ostrowski and Rae Benjamin. Kang Hei Chul directs. The Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski also serves as a creative consultant. Though we imagine Doug Cockle didn’t need much direction or consulting from anyone on how to play Geralt. Netflix might be getting a new White Wolf for it’s live action-series, but it’s new animated film’s hero has plenty of experience.

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep dives into Netflix’s streaming waters on February 11, 2025.

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UNTIL DAWN Movie First Look Reveals How the Game Adaptation Will Work

We’ve seen many video game adaptation movies and TV shows cross our screens in recent history… some better than others. But when it comes to cinematic adaptations of our favorite games, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the question of what the best method of adaptation might be. Some on-screen projects aim to adapt the story of the game; as close to 1:1 as possible. Meanwhile, others set a new canon story within the existing game world. Still, others take the spirit of the game and tell an original tale. According to our first-look teaser trailer of Until Dawn, the upcoming movie adaptation of the interactive horror game will take the last approach. The film will tell a completely new story, but incorporate some mechanisms and storytelling facets that are similar to what you might find in the game.

Until Dawn Movie First Look Teaser Trailer and Plot Reveal

Writer Gary Dauberman and director David F. Sandberg walk us through our first-look footage from Until Dawn in this teaser trailer/featurette. Dauberman shares, “I thought a lot about how we could continue this story without giving the audience the same experience they got when they were playing.” Meanwhile, Sandberg notes of the movie and the game, “The same tone and vibe, but it expands upon the universe.” Additionally, he reveals that “One of the creative things the game did is that people make different choices and die in different ways. The movie has this mechanic where things start over, and they get to try again. Every time they come back to life, it’s like they’re in a new horror genre. To survive they have to make it… until dawn.”

Sony Pictures

We also get a glimpse of Peter Stormare as Dr. Hill, one of the connective tissues between the Until Dawn game and movie. Stormare is so far the only directly adapted part of the Until Dawn game to appear in the film. He notes that he’s proud to be part of this Until Dawn evolution.

RELATED ARTICLE

Adapting the spirit of a game into a new story is one of the hardest versions of adaptation. One might begin to wonder if the two mediums are really all that connected. Especially given Sandberg’s discussion of exploring several different horror genres in one movie, there could be a bit of a fear the movie loses its focus as an adaptation of the Until Dawn game. But, if skillfully done, the movie could give fans a whole new vision of their favorite property. We’ll have to survive a few more dawns to know for sure.

We’ll soon get a fresh glimpse when the full Until Dawn trailer releases. It’s “coming soon.”

Until Dawn Movie Official SynopsisSony Pictures

The full Until Dawn movie synopsis is as follows:

One year after her sister Melanie mysteriously disappeared, Clover and her friends head into the remote valley where she vanished in search of answers. Exploring an abandoned visitor center, they find themselves stalked by a masked killer and horrifically murdered one by one…only to wake up and find themselves back at the beginning of the same evening. Trapped in the valley, they’re forced to relive the nightmare again and again – only each time the killer threat is different, each more terrifying than the last. Hope dwindling, the group soon realizes they have a limited number of deaths left, and the only way to escape is to survive until dawn.

When Will Until Dawn Release?

Until Dawn releases in theaters on April 25. Although, for now, Sony notes simply that it is “coming soon.”

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Starbucks’ Open-Door Policy Is Done, So You’ll Have to Pay to Stay

For some people, Starbucks is a place to grab a table, whip out a book or laptop, put on some headphones, and chill for a bit. Personally, I’d prefer to support my local coffee shop that supports causes I align with, but I don’t want to go down that road. For years, Starbucks has maintained an open-door policy that allows people to come in and hang out without having to make a purchase. This has been especially helpful to those who are underhoused and may need a reprieve from the elements or to use the restroom. Now, Starbucks is reversing its open-door policy and requiring people to make a purchase if they want to stay in its coffee shops and/or use the bathroom. 

Starbucks/Prime Video

CBS reports that Starbucks made the announcement recently along with a new code of conduct for all of its North American stores. It will ban discrimination or harassment, consumption of outside alcohol, smoking, vaping, drug use and panhandling. It seems those things would have already been banned at stores but perhaps it wasn’t formalized in this way. Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson says the new rule that gets rid of the company’s open-door policy helps to prioritize paying customers. 

“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores,” Anderson said. “By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone.”

Those who violate the new Starbucks rules could find themselves getting arrested for doing so. It remains to be seen what the reactions and potential backlash for this new policy will be.

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Some Dunkin’ Stores Are Having a Mysterious Donut Shortage

Nobody panic, but Nebraska is currently at a total standstill! At least that’s what we assume is going on there. Why would we think that? Because America runs on Dunkin’ and some stores in the state currently don’t have any donuts on their shelves.

Dunkin’ Donuts

According to the Associated Press, Dunkin’ locations in Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island had empty donut cases starting Thursday and Friday. The Nebraska stores suffering through this sweet treat drought put up signs up telling obviously devastated customers about the shortage. While the company hasn’t specifically stated what is causing the issue, the stores said it is “due to a manufacturing error.” Some employees also told the AP it’s a supply chain issue and that trucks showed up empty.

An empty donut truck is a metaphor that can go in so many directions. All of them sad.

Fortunately, a few places did still have munchkins still for sale. We know grateful parents and adults looking for a nosh surely appreciated that small miracle. Plus the stores all still had coffee, which is technically more important for keeping America running. In fact, now that we think about it, Nebraska probably isn’t at a total standstill. If anything it might be moving faster than ever, because we personally find donuts result in us napping more often than us doing anything productive.

That’s not to say we don’t feel terribly for the people of Nebraska. We do. But obviously this story could be so much worse. I’m from New England and if we had any kind of Dunkin’ shortage here…. 

No. No it’s too terrible to think about. So instead we’ll focus on the part of this report that says those locations are hoping to be back to full donut capacity this week. Once they’re back up and running smoothly we can take comfort that Nebraska will be, too.

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Legendary and Big Finish Team Up for THE TIME TUNNEL Audio Relaunch

I first heard of British audio drama company Big Finish Productions in conjunction with its longest running license, Doctor Who. Big Finish has hundreds if not thousands of audio dramas based on that perennial sci-fi staple. That is by no means the only sci-fi series from the ’60s and ’70s to find new life in audio drama form thanks to Big Finish. Blake’s 7, Sapphire & Steel, and Thunderbirds are among the shows in their enormous catalog. Add the Irwin Allen cult favorite The Time Tunnel to that list!

Under license from Legendary Entertainment, Big Finish Productions presents Seán Carlsen and Safiyya Ingar in an audio revival of Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel. This exciting continuation of the classic sci-fi series will debut in February 2025. Originally airing from 1966 to 1967, the iconic series returns with all-new characters set in the present day, offering a thrilling experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

The plot for the new series is as follows:

In 1979, 20 years after its establishment, Project Tic-Toc was shut down by the American authorities. All hope of retrieving scientists Tony Newman and Doug Phillips, lost in the Time Tunnel in 1968, has been abandoned.

In 2025, four people are brought together by a need to reopen the Arizona base and reactivate the Time Tunnel in secret. From there, they must try to find Doug or Tony because something they have done in the past has changed the present—and not for the better. The world is now under the power of Rakervia.

“Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel had the potential to be the most interesting and clever of all his shows. Still, the story never got a resolution – and that was the launchpad for this new 2025 version,” said Gary Russell, producer and script editor of the new series from Big Finish. “Time travel is also dangerous – as the great writer Ray Bradbury once warned, be careful not to tread on the butterflies…”

Big Finish Productions

Robert Napton, SVP & Publisher, Legendary Comics, added: “I first started listening to Big Finish’s Doctor Who audios at the Gallifrey One convention 30 years ago, so it’s been fun to work with Big Finish and our friends at Synthesis to bring another beloved classic series back to the modern era. I am glad producer Gary Russell and executive producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs are so passionate about returning to the world of Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel.”

Volumes 1 and 2 of Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel will be released in February and November 2025, respectively. Each volume comprises three exciting adventures through time and is now available for pre-order exclusively from www.bigfinish.com.

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 Instagram and Letterboxd.

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Every Confirmed MCU Character/Actor returning for AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY

Avengers: Doomsday, the fifth Avengers film from Marvel Studios, and the first of a two-part arc culminating in Secret Wars, starts shooting in the spring for a May 2026 release date. And if you thought Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame had a lot of heroes running around, then you may not be prepared for how many return in Doomsday. We’ve already had several iconic MCU cast members announced for Doomsday so far, and here is who we know are confirmed to come back:

Robert Downey Jr.Robert Downey Jr.

This is the big one, and the “Doom” of the titular “Doomsday.” Marvel Studios announced at Comic-Con 2024 that Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU not as Tony Stark/Iron Man, but as Dr. Victor Von Doom. Will he be a Tony variant? Probably. All we know is that he will be front and center in Doomsday, and likely, in Secret Wars as well.

Chris EvansMarvel Studios

The second actor of the Avengers’ “Core Four” is returning, but almost certainly not as Steve Rogers/Captain America. At least, not the Captain America of the Sacred Timeline/Earth-616. Will he be evil Hydra Cap? Nomad? With the Multiverse at play, the possibilities are endless.

Anthony MackieMarvel Studios

Whoever Chris Evans may play, Sam Wison is throwing the shield in Doomsday. The Avengers need a Captain America leading the charge in battle, and right now, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson is our Sentinel of Liberty.

Sebastian StanMarvel Studios

Not only will Chris Evans be back, but so will his co-star from three of his Captain America films, Sebastian Stan. Bucky Barnes a.k.a. the Winter Solider returns, after his time among the Thunderbolts. Speaking of the cast of Thunderbolts*…

Thunderbolts* (Some of the Cast)Marvel Studios

At Comic-Con, Marvel Studios announced that most of the principal cast of Thunderbolts* returns in Doomsday. Now, we won’t list all the main cast here, because we expect not everyone in this MCU version of the Suicide Squad will make it out alive. Or even most of them. But we expect the surviving characters to appear in Doomsday. Perhaps as the New Avengers? Place your bets on who those might be.

Tom HollandMarvel Studios

An article in The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Tom Holland would be swinging in as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Avengers: Doomsday, sometime between working on Chris Nolan’s next film and Spider-Man 4. We can’t wait to see how Tom Holland reacts when the villain looks just like his mentor, Mr. Strark.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Principal CastMarvel Studios

The principal cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps—Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and—were confirmed by Kevin Feige at Comic-Con 2024 as starring in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Given Reed Richards’ famously adversarial relationship with Doctor Doom in the comics, we think it’s fantastic (pun intended) they’re all along for the ride.

Benedict CumberbatchMarvel Studios

We last saw the versatile British actor casting spells as the former Sorcerer Supreme in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022. He recently said in an interview he’d be returning as Doctor Strange for Avengers: Doomsday. This will shoot before any potential Doctor Strange 3, so the cliffhanger ending of that second film will be resolved in Doomsday it seems. Or it won’t! Wouldn’t be the first time.

Hayley AtwellMarvel Studios

Deadline confirmed that Hayley Atwell will be back as Peggy Carter, a role she first played in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, which she later reprised for her own two-season series Agent Carter. It’s likely Peggy will be a multiversal variant, probably one with powers like her character in the What If…? Animated series.

Charlie CoxMarvel Studios

The Daredevil: Born Again actor recently posted about getting back in shape for Avengers filming this summer. Although the Man Without Fear has never been an Avenger in the MCU (or really, even the comics) it looks like he’s going to suit up for Doomsday.

Which Other MCU Stars Might Return for Doomsday?Marvel Studios

These names are likey just the tip of the iceberg for Doomsday. So who is unconfirmed but will probably be back? Well, we think the odds are good that Mark Ruffalo is back as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye. And yes, Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff died in Endgame, but this is the Multiverse Saga, baby. We expect to see a Black Widow variant completing the OG six Avengers. However, none of them have been confirmed by any official announcements yet.

Other MCU alumni we expect to appear are Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel. The end of The Marvels saw Monica Rambeau lost in a parallel reality, so that likely plays into Doomsday. The end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 said “The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return.” Now that he’s on Earth, will he become an Avenger? Quite possibly. Less certain are Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/the Scarlet Witch, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, or Letitia Wright as Shuri, the new Black Panther. But if they don’t appear in Doomsday, then expect them in Secret Wars. Also, given how much the Multiverse factored into Deadpool & Wolverine, expect those two killer Canadians to make some kind of appearance as well. Like we said, this movie is going to be stacked.

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MASS EFFECT TV Series: Shepard Voice Actor Wants to Star in Series and Have Game Cast Very Involved

Back in 2021, Amazon was in talks to develop a Mass Effect TV series. The popular video game franchise from BioWare has been around since 2007. Set in the future, the military drama puts players in the middle of humanity trying to find its place among aliens out in the galaxy. And now, we finally have an update about the adaptation. A Mass Effect TV series is officially in development at Amazon MGM Studios, according to Variety. We don’t know much more than that yet, but we do know that original game cast, especially Shepard voice actor Jennifer Hale want to be a part of the Mass Effect TV show fun.

BioWareShepard voice actor Jennifer Hale Wants the Original Cast to be Part of the TV Show

When an adaptation takes place, fans are always wondering how the cast and characters of the original incarnation will feature into the mix. Of course, we don’t exactly have answers yet, but Mass Effect voice actor Jennifer Hale thinks the original cast needs to be involved as much as possible. She shares firstly that she would love to return as Shepard in a TV show if given the chance, noting “You will always get a yes vote from me on Shepard coming back in any form. That was such a gift, and it’s a gift I will always be extremely joyful to receive.”

But, of course, she’s not here to dictate how the series should tell its story. Hale says, “I never suppose to tell creators what to do. The only thing I must say about that TV series is I want to play! Any capacity, I will be there with bells on!” But, of course, she’d like to return as female Shepard in the Mass Effect TV series. But whether or not that happens, Hale’s opinion is that, “They’d be really smart to pull as much of the original cast into the show in cameos and Easter eggs and recurring and regular [roles] as possible. I think that would be an absolutely genius move.”

What We Know So Far about the Mass Effect TV Series

Daniel Casey, writer on the ninth Fast & Furious movie (F9), will write and executive produce the Mass Effect TV series. The video game franchise is currently comprised of five different games, with the most recent one releasing in 2017. Mass Effect 5 is also currently in development. We don’t know yet which of the Mass Effect games the TV series will adapt or if it will adapt any game at all. But, for ourselves, we’d love to see a live-action version of Commander Shepard and Garrus, no matter which plot they find themselves in.

Regardless of the story, this Mass Effect series has the potential to be a gritty sci-fi in the style of Battlestar Galactica, but with aliens. Television adaptations of popular games have been gaining traction recently, with The Last of Us seemingly leading the way. Of note, Prime Video’s Fallout has been especially well-received. The success of Fallout makes us feel excited to see what a Mass Effect series from Amazon could look like. We’ll share more details when we have them.

Originally published on November 7, 2024.

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