Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1749

HBO’s WATCHMEN Will Not Be an Adaptation or a Direct Sequel

It’s funny: before Watchmen was finally made into a movie, the refrain from fans used to be, “Make it an HBO miniseries. That’s the only way to do it right.” Now that it will, in fact, be that, the fan refrain is, “Oh no, why are they doing an HBO miniseries?” And certainly, if the show were just retelling the same story, they would have a good point. Whatever your feelings about Zack Snyder‘s film, the casting was mostly spot-on, and the story close enough that any subsequent direct adaptation would be–like the Vince Vaughn Psycho remake–too close to ever really do anything but allow the viewers to play compare/contrast.

But today on Instagram, in a lengthy open letter to Watchmen fans (via Variety), Damon Lindelof has clarified his intentions for the show, and it’s probably not what you were expecting.

Day 140.

A post shared by Damon (@damonlindelof) on May 22, 2018 at 11:00am PDT

So, the TL;DR version? He’s been offered Watchmen before by producers who had no clue about the source material, and he turned it down. This time, he’s getting to do what he calls a “punk rock” version and a “remix.” In his series, the events of the original Watchmen comics happened, and are canon. But we’re in the present day now. And he mentions the stakes are different than the end of the world, so this isn’t going to be his take on Doomsday Clock either. It’s not a sequel in that it doesn’t necessarily follow the main characters from the original, but he hopes it will do for contemporary comics media what the original did to comics–rip it all a new one while still being respectful to the form. Oh, and he mentions a racially and gender-diverse writer’s room, so there’s a good chance the protagonists aren’t all straight and white (or blue) this time (Zack Snyder movie Easter egg aside, the actual comics don’t necessarily support the idea that Adrian was anything but).

Dave Gibbons and Geoff Johns have given their approval. Lindelof won’t say if Alan Moore has responded. And he’s sorry if you hate him, but not sorry enough not to take the job. He’s peppered the full letter with references to show off his fan bona fides.

He’s taking a massive chance here, and if it works, it could be amazing. Do you think it can, or do you fear the worst? Let us know in comments.

Image: Warner Bros.

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SOLO’s Emilia Clarke Does the Worst Wookiee Impression Ever

After spending all of that time with her dragons on Game of Thrones you’d think Emilia Clarke would know a little something about roaring, but the mother of dragons definitely didn’t earn her maester’s chain in growling, because she does the single worst Wookiee impression in both Westeros and the entire galaxy far, far away. But that’s okay, we’re not so great at speaking Shyriiwook either.

The Solo star, who plays Han’s old friend Qi’ra in the film, was on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon promoting the upcoming Star Wars movie when she was asked to show off her best take on the Wookiee language, only it was the worst. The literal worst Wookiee impression you will ever hear, a description that somehow won’t prepare you for how bad it really is.

Told you! That’s unfathomably bad. But also super charming, right? At least she tries!

This is kind of impression sends you down a rabbit hole, which is how we found this amazing interview where her co-star Paul Bettany ribbed her over her horrendous attempt at Chewbacca’s language.

If a Wookiee ever has a baby that sounds like that, they should take the kid to the local Kashyyyk doctor ASAP. The new Chewbacca himself, Joonas Suotamo, taught some of the cast how to mimic the sounds of the Wookiee language, but not all of us can be fluent. Or even semi-fluent.



This makes us really want to hear Emilia Clarke’s impression of a dragon.

Do you have a Wookiee impression? How long did it take you to learn Shyriiwook? Tell us in the comments below.

Featured Image: NBC

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The Beatles’ YELLOW SUBMARINE Graphic Novel Is Coming This August

The Beatles‘ animated masterpiece Yellow Submarine is a colorful and surreal trip into the land of the Blue Meanies. Once you’ve seen the film, set to some of the Fab Four’s most familiar and haunting songs, you’ll never forget the stunning visuals… but you might have a little bit of trouble understanding what it’s actually about. Thanks to Titan Comics, you’ll have the chance to pore through the story time and time again with an upcoming graphic novel adaptation.

Written and illustrated by Bill Morrison and colored by Nathan Kane, the Yellow Submarine graphic novel is scheduled for release on August 28, 2018 to coincide with the film’s 50th anniversary.

In Yellow Submarine, if you haven’t had the chance to see the unique film, John, Paul, George, and Ringo are asked by the captain of the Yellow Submarine to travel with him back to Pepperland. Its inhabitants have been petrified by the horrible, music-hating Blue Meanies.

With a little help from their new friends, the four go on an adventure in a land unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, with “landscapes painted with Beatles sounds,” says the film’s trailer. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually feels like to have your mind blown, watch Yellow Submarine, which will be re-released in theaters this July.

“Eleanor Rigby” and “Nowhere Man” are melancholy on their own, but paired with Yellow Submarine‘s dreamlike animation, the songs become absolutely extraordinary. Capturing the sounds and aesthetics of The Beatles in a graphic novel sounds like a daunting task, but judging by just the cover, the creative team captures the energy and feel of the animated film in an image that almost looks like it’s in motion.

The hardcover graphic novel will be available from Titan Comics this August at a retail cover price of $29.99.

What’s your favorite song from Yellow Submarine? Tell us in the comics.

Images: Titan Comics and United Artists

 

GAME OF THRONES’ Composer Plays the Theme on a Nintendo Labo

“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die,” but when you play the Game of Thrones theme on a Nintendo Labo you end up with a delightful rendition that sounds like it came from a lost ’80s video game. Well maybe not if we tried, but it definitely does when it’s played by Ramin Djawadi himself, the composer responsible for the show’s iconic opening theme.

Djawadi was asked by IGN to try and play his famous theme song entirely using the Labo’s piano set. Not only had he never seen one of the cardboard contraptions before, he had never even seen a Nintendo Switch. Like any talented performer, he just needed a moment to get used to the setup before he began laying down a bass line. He then added that classic melody every single one of us hums during the opening credits at the start of every episode. Can’t say we remember the song having such a funky drum line though. Not that we’re complaining.



If someone would please make us a Game of Thrones video game for the original Nintendo system (we’re thinking the adult, R-rated version of The Legend of Zelda), you won’t have to worry about finding the perfect version of the theme song to play.

What other track from Game of Thrones would you like to hear him play with the Labo next? Tell us in our comments section below which other song from Westeros you’d most like to hear.

Featured Image: IGN

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Two Lynxes Screaming at Each Other Is the Best Real-Life Analogy for Social Media

Screaming at–and over–one another for no discernible reason? Escalating a seemingly innocuous situation into a meaningless frenzy for way too long? No, we’re not talking about your typical interaction on social media, we’re talking about this amazing, bizarre, and hilarious footage of two lynxes screaming at one another, the best real world analogy we’ve ever seen for what it’s like to interact with someone on Twitter.

We came across this genuinely hysterical and highly unusual video at ABC News; it was shot along a rural logging road near Avery Lake, Ontario by Edward Trist, who along with his girlfriend Nicole Lewis and his daughter found the normally reclusive lynxes inexplicably screaming at each other like two old neighbors arguing over lawn care. Although with the human-like way they are screeching, wailing, and moaning, they could really be arguing over anything from who rules that neck of the woods to who they blame for high gas prices.



I don’t know what these two lynxes are screaming about, but I think at one point one of them said something about Robert Mueller.

While we might never know exactly what this encounter was about, unlike most social media interactions at least the rest of us get to enjoy this stupid screamfest without worrying about which friend or family member we now have to question if we want in our lives. No one would argue animals yelling isn’t hilarious. Well, except maybe on Twitter.

Based on the way this “conversation” went, what would you like to imagine they are fighting about? Tell us your funniest idea in the comments below.

Featured Image: Edward Trist

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THE RAID Gets a Bone-Crunching Sequel Comic Series (Exclusive)

In 2011, an Indonesian martial arts movie took the world by storm, achieving instant cult status thanks to its stylish action, savage fight scenes, and electrifying story of a SWAT team trapped in a tenement building by a vicious crime lord. The only way to escape this death trap was by climbing to the top, which they did, floor by floor and punch by punch. That movie was The Raid and, at a time where quick cuts and muddy choreography seemed the norm for action movies, it felt like a cinematic thunderclap. In Iko Uwais, an action star was born and legions of fans were left hungry for more. In 2014, they were treated to The Raid: Redemption, with the promise of a third film on the way. While we don’t know the status of that movie, Nerdist has your exclusive first-look at the next chapter in the thrilling The Raid saga.

The Raid‘s story will continue in a brand new comic book series from Titan Comics, written by Ollie Masters (The Kitchen) and Alex Paknadel (Assassin’s Creed: Uprising) and illustrated by Budi Setiawan (Savage Dragon) and Brad Simpson (Wolfenstein). Overseen by The Raid director Gareth Evans, this series expands on the mythos established by the first two films to tell the never-before-told story of Hammer Girl and Baseball Bat Man. The first issue of this four-part series hits store shelves in August 2018, but in advance of its release Nerdist has a collection of variant covers, as well as interior art for the series.

Here is a preview of the variant covers:

The Raid Issue #1 Cover A: Ben Oliver

The Raid Issue #1 Cover B: Photo

The Raid Issue #1 Cover C: John McCrea

The Raid Issue #1 Cover D: Budi Setiawan

Here is a preview of the interior art.

Titan Comics The Raid #1 is available this August.

Images: Titan Comics

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Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of books about Star Wars and the Avengers. Follow him on Twitter (@DanCasey).

13 Easter Eggs and Secrets You Missed in DEADPOOL 2

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Deadpool 2 !

Deadpool 2 is finally here, and there’s so many comic book references the Marvel Universe couldn’t hold them all. Even the DC Universe wasn’t safe from this film’s wicked sense of humor, especially in one of our favorite scenes. Regardless, there were still plenty of secrets that may have escaped your notice during the movie. That’s why today’s Nerdist News is all about the 13 best secrets and Easter eggs you might have missed in Deadpool 2.

Join host and the only other surviving member of X-Force, Jessica Chobot, as she lands safely away from any wood chippers and buses to share her Deadpool 2 intel. We really should have known the X-Force was doomed from the start. In the comics, Zeitgeist and his replacement X-Force team got themselves killed after only a single appearance. History repeated itself here.

We’ll miss you most of all, Shatterstar! At least his death was darkly comedic. Black Tom didn’t even stay around long enough to do anything cool. Given the high mortality rate in Deadpool 2, Mr. Sinister was probably lucky he didn’t appear. The longtime X-Men villain’s real name was referenced in the title of the orphanage: Essex. And as we recently guessed, Juggernaut was in the movie. Ryan Reynolds helped keep that a secret by playing the Juggernaut himself.

There were also quick shout outs to some of the creators behind Deadpool’s comic book adventures, including Rob Liefeld, Gail Simone, and Gerry Duggan. Matt Damon even showed up for a cameo under heavy makeup to play the man with some…interesting opinions about the proper use of toilet paper. Brad Pitt’s Vanisher was easier to spot at the moment of his death by electrocution.

Sharp-eyed fans may have also recognized director David Leitch as a truck driver who was shown the door by Domino. But one of our favorite recurring gags was the way Deadpool’s comic book variant costumes were used, including his Uncanny X-Force outfit.

What was your favorite Easter egg in Deadpool 2? Let us know in the comment section below!

Images: 20th Century Fox/Marvel

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Greg Capullo Makes Batman a Fierce Work of Art with This DARK NIGHTS: METAL Statue

When DC Comics first announced their mega-crossover event, Dark Nights: Metal, they did so with a single image drawn by the mighty Greg Capullo. It was of Batman, bathed in shadows, clearly injured, and wielding two battle-axes. That single image was all we needed to know we were sold on Dark Nights: Metal. Now, the fine folks at DC have unleashed a statue in their DC Designer Series that perfectly captures that glorious Capullo drawing… and we’re sold on that, too.



Designed by Greg Capullo and sculpted by Jonathan Matthews, the statue brings Batman out of the shadows and serves as a fantastic showcase for Capullo’s costume design. The square-jawed and bloody Dark Knight has a Frank Miller-esque feel to him, with his broad shoulders and sinister scowl. Still, Capullo’s design elements really shine through; from the yellow-outlined bat insignia to the bright purple cape lining, this statue is unmistakably born of the Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo era of Batman.

Standing nearly 12 inches tall, this axe-wielding Batman is a real beast. It’s solid and comes out of the box as one whole piece; you don’t have to attach any arms or legs, which is sometimes the case with massive statues. The DC Designer Series has really stood out from the crowd of collectibles by producing quality, detailed, unique statues for an affordable price. This Batman is no exception and it looks like it feels like it should carry a price tag much higher than its $150 retail price.

Now, we bet what you are really wondering is: “Just how metal is this Dark Nights: Metal statue?” Totally fair question. The blood, axes, and jagged cape definitely give Batman a look that would feel at home on a High on Fire album cover. The detail on the axes helps sell this imagery as well. The blood dripping from Batman’s wounds is obviously his own, but the spray across his legs and the thick red stains on the blades? Batman has clearly been hard at work.

To give you a full sense of how metal this Dark Nights: Metal statue is, we compared it to an LP of the 1984 masterpiece Ride the Lightning by Metallica and the latest Mammoth Grinder album, Cosmic Crypt. It becomes clear when you see this statue next to a 12-inch LP that it is, indeed, really freaking metal.

Pretty metal, right?

 

Batman, about to hit the pit

This is a must-own statue. You can pick up the DC Designer Series Batman by Greg Capullo statue at fine comic books shops everywhere. Don’t drag your feet, because this bad boy is a limited edition and when it’s gone it’s gone. So scope out a few more pics we snapped in the gallery below and then get to a shop and pick one of these monsters up.

Featured Image: DC Comics

Will Ben Affleck Remain Batman If Jake Gyllenhaal Joins the MCU?

Jake Gyllenhaal could be joining the MCU in the Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel, so does that mean Ben Affleck will be staying on as the DCEU’s Batman? We discussed the latest superhero news on today’s Nerdist News Talks Back, along with a full (spoiler-filled!) breakdown of Deadpool 2, and new details for Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth‘s Men in Black revival.

Host Jessica Chobot was joined today by Nerdist News writers Joan Ford and Joey Clift, along with producer Derek Johnson, and they started with the weekend’s big movie release Deadpool 2. What did we think of it? What were our favorite parts? How effective was that big X-Force surprise?

Speaking of superheroes, a new report says Jake Gyllenhaal could join the next Spider-Man as the super villain Mysterio. What do we make of this potential casting? Would he make for a good Mysterio? And most importantly, is it possible this means Ben Affleck will continue to play Batman in the DCEU? Gyllenhaal was rumored to take over the cowl at one point, so maybe this means Affleck will stick around.

Finally, we’re getting new details about the upcoming Men in Black film with Thor: Ragnarok costars Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth, which will see them solving a global murder mystery. Are we excited for what that could mean? And do we hope it’s a reboot of the franchise, or that it acknowledges the Will Smith/Tommy Lee Jones films?

Nerdist News Talks Back airs live on our YouTube and Alpha channels at 1PM PT every Monday through Thursday, and we end the week in pop culture with our hour-long Nerdist News What the Friday at 1PM PT, exclusively at Alpha. Because whether it’s Ben Affleck, not Ben Affleck, or Ben Affleck again, no matter who plays Batman we want to discuss it with you.

What did you think about today’s topics? Talk back to us in the comments below.

Image: Focus Features, Warner Bros., Marvel

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Thandie Newton and Woody Harrelson Explain Their STAR WARS Characters

In Solo: A Star Wars Story fans of the galaxy far, far away will get to see how our favorite scruffy nerf herder got his smuggling start, which will mean meeting two people who played a big part in setting him on his outlaw path, Woody Harrelson‘s Beckett and Thandie Newton‘s Val. But what were the two newcomers doing in the galaxy far, far away before they met Han? Where did they come from? How did they end up in a life of crime themselves? To find out we asked the two actors, and not only did we learn a whole lot about Beckett, Val, and what’s at the heart of the movie, we found out it’s best to respond to a question before Thandie Newton gives an answer so good she’s impossible to follow.

In this Nerdist Special Report our Dan Casey sat down with Harrelson and (huge Nerdist fan!) Newton to try and find out who they thought the team of Beckett and Val were before the events of the film. The answer we got from Newton might not be the one you’d expect for two rogues working around the rules of the Empire, but that’s what makes it so intriguing, not just for them but for what we can expect from Solo.

It’s only fitting that Newton’s answer about Solo being about “loss” left Woody Harrelson at a loss for words.

Note to any other performer who ever does a joint interview with Thandie Newton–if you’re worried your answer to a question won’t be as good as hers, go first. Because you’re probably right.

What did you find most interesting about Val and Beckett’s backstory? What does it tell us about the movie? Tell us your answer in the comments below–before Thandie Newton gives an even better one.

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