Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1804

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG Originally Had an Insane WWII Fighter Pilot Backstory

There were only a few things you needed to know about the star of Sonic the Hedgehog when Sega‘s answer to Super Mario was first released in 1991: a) he was fast, b) he was blue, and c) he was awesome. Simple, yes, but effective. However, it turns out there was so much more to him than any of us realized, because originally he had an entire awesome backstory that involved a WWII fighter pilot and his wife’s children’s book.

We first heard about these new revelations at IGN, after Sonic game designer Hirokazu Yasuhara and character designer Naoto Oshima shared some of their original designs and plans that went into the creation of Sonic at GDC 2018 this week. They said they were focused on making a game with American influences, which led them to look at old WWII fighter pilots. That’s why the Sonic logo looks like one of the classic designs that used to be found on the front of fighter jets:

But they didn’t stop there. They also crafted a backstory around a fighter pilot who was obsessed with going faster, and whose hair was always on edge, earning him the nickname “Hedgehog.” Furthermore, he wore the Sonic logo on his plane, and had an author wife who wrote a kid’s story about an actual hedgehog leading to the Sonic we know. The original plan for the game was for it to be a story inside of a story.

True origin of Sonic The Hedgehog. Sonic was depicted as a fighter pilot! #GDC2018 #GDC pic.twitter.com/YhSysLUb9i

— Chris Melissinos (@CMelissinos) March 21, 2018

That might have been a little difficult to grasp when I was a kid playing the game, but man that’s awesome and I’m now treating it like canon. And I didn’t even know I wanted Sonic to have a backstory! But there’s still one question I do have—one that I’ve always wondered about:

Why Sonic is blue #gdc2018 pic.twitter.com/vAFFFIMIb6

— Jeremiah Freyholtz (@reedlake) March 21, 2018

You know what, I probably didn’t need an elaborate backstory to guess that one.

What do you make of Sonic’s WWII connection? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Featured Image: Sega

More on Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic returns to the comic pages next month
Read the latest on the developing Sonic movie
Sonic gets modded into Mario Kart 8

Images from ISLE OF DOGS Show the Different Dangers of the Island (Exclusive)

Director Wes Anderson‘s new animated feature film, Isle of Dogs, has arrived in select theaters across the country and invited moviegoers into its bleak and beautiful dystopia. Anderson’s story presents a world in which paranoia over “canine flu” has led Japan’s pooches to face exile on a remote island filled with trash (among other peculiarities). Fox Searchlight has provided us with a few stills from Isle of Dogs, which add additional context to this tale and the characters who populate it.

The boy in the middle is Atari Kobayashi (who is portrayed in the film by Koyu Rankin). Atari is the owner of a dog named Spots, who has been involuntarily sent to Trash Island. The primary story of the movie is Atari’s quest to find his lost pooch alongside a sympathetic pack of dogs who decide to help him along the way. The dog to Atari’s left is Rex, as voiced by Ed Norton.

This good boy is Chief (Bryan Cranston), the leader of the pack that befriends Atari on Trash Island. Chief may not have initially wanted this quest, but he will see it through to the end.

In the middle, we can see Boss (Bill Murray), an ex-mascot who wears a very distinctive doggy sweater.

Jeff Goldblum‘s Duke can be seen just ahead of Boss in this pic. Duke’s the dog who claims to have heard all of the rumors and inside buzz from their former home in Megasaki City.

In the middle, we can see King (Bob Balaban), the peacekeeper of the pack.

This is another shot of Rex.

And finally, we see Atari and his new friends making their way through a bamboo forest. How will their search for Spots play out? You’ll just have to see Isle of Dogs to find out!

What do you think about these stills from Isle of Dogs? Let us know in the comment section below!

Images: Fox Searchlight

More on Isle of Dogs

Read our review of Wes Anderson’s latest
Watch the film’s dogs come to life in this BTS video
Isle of Dogs star Jeff Goldblum tells the origin story of his Goldblumisms

Where Will We Find War Machine in AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR?

In Avengers: Infinity War, the Earth’s mightiest heroes will not only face off against the menacing Thanos, but also have to confront the wounded relationships and burned bridges left smoldering from Captain America: Civil War. A major casualty of that conflict was Tony Stark’s best friend, Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), who took a traumatizing blow in battle that left him battered, psychologically scarred, and learning to walk again.

When Nerdist visited the set of the third Avengers installment, we saw Cheadle wearing a sturdier leg rig than the one from Rhodey’s last appearance. The MCU star shared where we’ll find Rhodey on his road to recovery, and what’s to come in Avengers: Infinity War.

“Clearly there was a pretty significant moment for Rhodey at the end of Civil War, where he was accidentally shot out of the air by Vision,” Cheadle said, adding the joke: “…who is now my mortal enemy.”

All kidding aside, Cheadle told us, “I think it’s something that [Rhodey is] fighting to put behind him. But absolutely, it creeps up. There’s shots taken. There’s things said. Don’t want certain people behind me.” Singling out Vision, he noted, “I’m going to keep an eye on everybody, but I want to keep that jewel in front of me, not behind me.”

So, is it safe to say War Machine had recovered enough to get back in action? “He’s rejoining the team,” Cheadle confirmed, though he admitted getting back into that Stark Industries suit will be a challenge for Rhodey. “That’s going to be a thing for him to put that suit back on,” Cheadle said, “Last time he was in it, it didn’t go so well.”

In Civil War, Tony took Rhodey’s injury hard, and specially built the rig that’d help his friend regain mobility. Asked what their friendship is like heading into Infinity War, Cheadle teased, “They’ll always be taking the piss out of each other a little bit. But I think their relationship has deepened since the last event. I think Tony feels somewhat responsible and culpable in a way. But again, he’s always had (Rhodey’s) back in a way that only he could really have.”

Beyond Tony and the other Avengers, Rhodey will have new cosmic heroes and foes to face in Avengers: Infinity War. Regarding how his character is coping with the news of the intergalactic tyrant that is Thanos, Cheadle said, “Rhodey would prefer to deal with real-world things and that’s kind of what he understands. When we start leaving the planet and talking about things coming from outer space, he’s like, ‘Dude, I don’t even know what that is. I know how to fight guys in tanks and weapons and that. That’s something that’s beyond my pay grade.'”

“He’s been thrown into the deep end, as they all are in a way in this one,” Cheadle said. “So, everybody’s going to have to figure it out on their feet.”

From the looks of the movie’s second trailer, Rhodey is back on his feet and ready to go to war.

Avengers: Infinity War opens April 27th. Look for more from our set visit in the coming days. Which cosmic Marvel character do you want to see Rhodey interact with in Avengers: Infinity War?

Images: Disney/Marvel

More on Infinity War

How will Chris Evans say goodbye to the MCU?
Twitter picks crossover events even more ambitious than Infinity War
These are Captain America’s best moments so far

Maltin on Movies #171: Bill Hader

One of the funniest performers around, Bill Hader is also a movie savant, as knowledgeable as he is enthusiastic. Now he’s starring in an HBO series called Barry that allows him to fulfill a lifelong dream to direct. Leonard and Jessie interviewed him in front of a live audience at South by Southwest and had a ball, as you will tuning in.

Follow @LeonardMaltin and @jessiemaltin on Twitter! And be sure to check out leonardmaltin.com

Subscribe to Maltin on Movies on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

THOR: RAGNAROK Brings ROCKO’S MODERN LIFE to the Arena in This Amazing Crossover

One of the best, most hilarious parts of Thor: Ragnarok was rock monster and would-be revolutionary Korg, who was voiced by the film’s director Taika Waititi. He was honest, innocent, and in way over his head, which reminds us a lot of our favorite wallaby from Nickelodeon’s classic series Rocko’s Modern Life. Which is why we asked the voice of Rocko to help us recreate one of our favorite scenes from the latest (and best) Thor movie. But also like Rocko, we got way more than we bargained for.

In this clip from the latest episode of our Alpha series Talkin’ Toons, host Rob Paulsen and one of our favorite voice actors, Carlos Alazraqui, read the scene from Thor: Ragnarok when the God of Thunder first meets fellow slave and arena warrior Korg. Rob filled in for Chris Hemsworth’s Thor as Yakko from Animaniacs, and Carlos totally rocked in the role of Korg. He kicked things off by playing his iconic Rocko’s Modern Life hero before launching through litany of other animated characters he’s voiced… including the Taco Bell dog.

Korg was perfect in Thor: Ragnarok, and yet somehow watching Carlos Alazraqui play the part while seamlessly changing between his characters only made it more perfect. If you want to see the rest of this interview though, along with the rest of Talkin’ Toons, you can only watch them at our online Alpha community. But it’s just one of our many great shows there, and your first 30 days are free when you sign up for the first time.

What other Marvel character should Rocko read for? Tell us your best suggestion in the comments below.

Featured Image: Nickelodeon, Marvel

More from Asgard!

How Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther influenced Infinity War
Check out Hot Toys’ new Loki figure
Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster moves in with Thor’s old roommate Daryl

Cook More of Your Fav GILMORE GIRLS Recipes with This Cookbook

If Gilmore Girls has a continuing theme aside from the importance of friendship and family, it’s food. Takeout, fancy canapes, everything we watch Sookie make—all the snacks and meals add a certain kind of comfort to Lorelai and Rory’s story. Eat Like a Gilmore, an unofficial Gilmore Girls cookbook by Kristi Carlson, highlights some of many delicious menus in the show, including Luke’s coffee cake.

That cookbook was successfully funded through Kickstarter and can now be found at bookstores and online. But one cookbook isn’t enough. Carlson’s back with a follow-up, The 2nd Unofficial Gilmore Girls Cookbook.

Even though the initial release had over 100 recipes, there’s plenty more territory to cover. Carlson is focusing on food from around Stars Hollow this time around with recipes inspired by Weston’s, Al’s Pancake World, and the town’s many festivals. She’s also including some mood food, such as the spread Lorelai would assemble for movie night.

It’s almost hard to imagine how much edible territory is still left to cover. If you need more Gilmore Girls recipes in your life, you can support the cookbook on Kickstarter by placing a preorder. If the project is fully funded, estimated delivery is December 2018.

Did you buy the first installment of Eat Like a Gilmore? What food in Gilmore Girls makes you have cravings? Tell us in the comments.

Images: Kristi Carlson, Warner Bros., Netflix

Amy Ratcliffe is an Associate Editor for Nerdist. Follow her on Twitter and keep up with her Disney food adventures on Instagram.

Stay in Stars Hollow with these stories!

6 things we’d like to see if Gilmore Girls comes back.
Why Kirk is one of the best characters on Gilmore Girls.
The most memorable musical moments in Gilmore Girls.

BATMAN: THE ENEMY WITHIN Trailers Show What Happen When You Team Up with the Joker

What if you could change the Joker‘s destiny? If you’ve been playing Telltale Games‘ Batman: The Enemy Within, then you may have already done it. Players who choose to befriend the Joker when he was “John Doe” have the ability to create a bond between Batman and his would-be greatest enemy. There may not be a way to completely prevent the Joker’s emergence, but a new trailer for The Enemy Within‘s fifth and final episode reveals what could happen if the Joker models himself on Batman and becomes a semi-heroic vigilante.

Unfortunately, even this version of the Joker is potentially deadly. Joker may be loyal to Batman, but he could also alienate every other ally the Dark Knight has made in Gotham City.



Still, the idea of Joker as Batman’s partner has a lot of intriguing story potential. It’s also very amusing to see Joker use some of his own Batarangs in battle. This is the best of all possible outcomes, because it will be far worse if the Joker is born hating Bruce Wayne and Batman. If players have chosen to betray John Doe or turn their back on him, then the Joker’s going to want revenge. And he may even know that Bruce is Batman.



Batman: The Enemy Within episode five will wrap up this storyline on Tuesday, March 27.

Which path do you want to choose for the Joker? And do you want to see more stories in this universe? Let us know in the comment section below!

Image: Telltale Games

More superhero stories!

How will Chris Evans say goodbye to the MCU?
Legion teases David’s season two fate
Get your first look at Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors

This Ancient Castle Inspired Walt Disney’s Animated Classics

Walt Disney‘s earliest animated films revolved around fairy tales, far away lands, and magical castles that captured our collective imaginations. Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty‘s castles even came to represent the studio itself, with large recreations placed at Disney theme parks across the world. But if you’re planning a trip to Spain, you can actually visit the Alcázar of Segovia, a wondrous palace which dates back to the 12th century. Great Big Story recently featured the Alcázar, and expanded on the inspiration it provided for two of Disney’s iconic castles.



As noted in the video, Disney was so taken by the Alcázar that it was reproduced as the Queen’s castle in Snow White in almost exact detail. It was also a major influence on Cinderella’s castle. However, the Alcázar has a much deeper history beyond its association with Disney’s films. Over the centuries, the Alcázar has been a fortress, the home of the Spanish royal family, a state prison, and a military academy, as well as its current incarnation as a museum and military archive.

The Alcázar is still one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain, and it’s easy to understand why. It looks like it could have escaped from a storybook fantasy, but it is also an intriguing reminder of Spain’s distant past. To learn more about the Alcázar, or even plan a trip of your own, check out the official site here.

What do you think about the the Alcázar of Segovia? Let us know in the comment section below!

Images: Great Big Story

More of the nerdy things you need!

Shout Factory is hosting a 24-hour ReBoot Twitch marathon !
Captain America’s best MCU moments …(so far)!
Wes Anderson’s quirkiest protagonists, ranked !

Who’s on the X-Force Team in the New DEADPOOL 2 Trailer?

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Deadpool 2 .

After months of teasers and some funny parodies, Deadpool 2 finally got serious with its first full length trailer–as serious as Deadpool can get. Cable‘s gunning for Marvel’s Merc with a Mouth, so Deadpool is getting some backup from the new X-Force team. But aside from Domino and Shatterstar, who are the merry mutant warriors lining up behind Wade Wilson? Today’s Nerdist News studies the latest footage to identify X-Force’s initial line-up.

Join guest host and assassin-in-a-box Hector Navarro as he runs down the members of X-Force. Oddly enough, the movie appears to set up Deadpool as the founder of the team. In the comics, it was Cable who took the remnants of the New Mutants and transformed them into the paramilitary unit known as X-Force. We’ll still probably see Cable on the team in the X-Force movie, but we don’t expect all of the members to make it out of this film alive.

At first, we thought Terry Crews would be playing G.W. Bridge, one of Cable’s former allies turned antagonist. But instead, it now appears Crews will step into the role of Bedlam, an obscure character who has rarely appeared in the last decade. Rob Delaney is playing “Peter,” who may be Pete Wisdom, a former member of Excalibur who later went on to join X-Force as well. Pennywise actor Bill Skarsgård is also playing a member of the team. And while Skarsgård could probably pull off Cannonball, it’s more likely he’ll be taking on the role of  Zeitgeist. The other new face here is Shiori Kutsuna, who appears to be playing Surge.

What do you think about the lineup of X-Force characters in this sequel? Let’s discuss in the comment section below!

Images: 20th Century Fox/Marvel

More of the latest entertainment news!

Who is the secret cameo in Deadpool 2?
Why the WWE’s Ultimate Deletion has fans losing their minds?
How Wakanda is essential to surviving Infinity War.

How Will Chris Evans Say Goodbye to CAPTAIN AMERICA and THE AVENGERS?

Chris Evans says he’s absolutely done with Captain America after Avengers 4, but what does that mean for his character in Infinity War? We discussed how and when we will have to say goodbye to Cap on today’s Nerdist News Talks Back, along with the newest Deadpool 2 trailer, and Frank Oz‘s theory about why Disney gets The Muppets wrong.

Guest host Hector Navarro was joined today by producer Derek Johnson, Nerdist News writer Joey Clift, and Nerdist editor Kyle Anderson, and they started with the latest Deadpool 2 trailer, which shows The X-Force and more of the story’s plot. Are we even more excited to see it now? How big a problem is T.J. Miller’s continued presence? Was Ryan Reynolds right to turn down more money so the creative team had more freedom? And if the Disney-Fox merger goes through, could we ever see the Merc With the Mouth join the MCU?

Speaking of Marvel, Chris Evans told The New York Times he’s definitely done with Captain America after Avengers 4. Does he actually mean it this time? Does this guarantee he will die in one of the next two Avengers movies where they face Thanos? Who would be most likely to follow him as Captain America? Bucky? Falcon? And, after Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn called the movie “INCREDIBLE,” can it actually live up to the insane hype?

Finally, legendary puppeteer Frank Oz had some comments about why Disney can’t seem to get The Muppets right, saying they don’t get the “true rebellion” and “true affection” of the characters. Do we agree with his assessment? Why have The Muppets endured for so long across numerous generations? What should they do with them next after their mockumentary-style TV series failed? And should they embrace the fan theory that 30 Rock was really a live-action Muppets? Would that style of humor work for them?

Nerdist News Talks Back airs live on our YouTube and Alpha channels Monday through Thursday at 1 p.m. PT, and remember to tune in tomorrow to Nerdist News What the Fridays, our hour long recap of the pop culture week that airs at 1 p.m. PT exclusively at Alpha. We promise to be around even when Captain America no longer is.

What did you think of today’s show though? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

More of today’s biggest nerd stories!

First 6 Star Wars films getting new remastered soundtracks!
Toys ‘R’ Us’ going out of business sale starts this week!
How Infinity War will make Thanos a a compelling villain!

Images: Disney