Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1805

Green Ranger Goes Bad in POWER RANGERS Prequel Comic Series

For nearly twenty-five years, the original Green Ranger, Tommy Oliver, has been a fan favorite in the Power Rangers franchise. Even after he left the show, Jason David Frank has occasionally reprised his role as Tommy and maintained his connection to the series.

Now, Frank has returned once again in a new live-action trailer for the Power Rangers: Shattered Grid comic book crossover. Only this time, Frank is portraying Lord Drakkon, an alternate Tommy from another Earth. On his world, Lord Drakkon embraced evil and seized control. The Power Rangers of our world were able to repel Lord Drakkon’s first attempt to invade, but he’s about to strike back against every Power Rangers team across all eras.



Mighty Morphin Power Rangers writer Kyle Higgins scripted and directed this short teaser, and produced it alongside Frank. Because this was a Saban approved production, the video was able to include clips from many different seasons of the Power Rangers TV show. It was an intriguing touch to connect the comic with the incarnations of the team who have yet to appear in print. However, even the combined might of the Rangers may simply disappear if Lord Drakkon successfully takes out the morphing grid in the past.

The Power Rangers: Shattered Grid crossover will begin in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #25 by Higgins and artist Daniele Di Nicuolo. Boom! Studios will release the issue on Wednesday, March 28.

What did you think about the live-action Power Rangers: Shattered Grid trailer? Let’s discuss in the comment section below!

Other old favorites are coming back…

Tank Girl is coming back in a big way this year.
How to get the Muppets reboot right.
Joss Whedon returns to the world of Buffy!

Images: JDFFFN

Get Ready for the REBOOT Reboot with Twitch Marathon

Want to indulge in some colorful, computer-animated nostalgia before ReBoot: The Guardian Code premieres on Netflix next Friday? You’re in luck. Get ready to hack back into Mainframe on Wednesday, March 28 at 3pm, when Shout! Factory‘s 24-hour ReBoot original series marathon kicks off on their Twitch channel.

In addition to all four seasons—that’s 47 episodes—of TV’s first fully computer animated series (which premiered in 1994), the marathon will include a making-of mini-documentary and a retrospective with co-creator Gavin Blair.

If you need a ReFresher (I’m not sorry) course before the stream, here goes: Bob is a Guardian of Mainframe, a computer system he must defend against both the User (that’s you, PC gamer!) and two dangerous viruses called Megabyte and Hexadecimal. (They’re siblings. It’s a whole thing.) Accompanying Bob were Dot Matrix, a small business owner, and Enzo, her younger brother. Enzo also had a sidekick in the form of a feral dog named Frisket. Naturally, ReBoot is best remembered for its animation, which was intentionally blocky due to the show’s setting and the constraints of CGI in the mid-’90s.

As we’ve said, ReBoot: The Guardian Code looks more like a re-imagining of the original series than a sequel, focusing on four live-action teens who become Guardians and take on Megabyte. We’re crossing our fingers that Bob and his buddies will be back somewhere down the line. In the meantime, Shout! Factory already has every episode on VOD, and there’ll be plenty more where that came from when the marathon kicks off.

Who was your favorite ReBoot character (and why was it Frisket)? Let us know in the comments below!

Images: Shout! Factory

More of the nerdy stuff you love!

Nintendo’s Mii channel music gets a ska cover !
Chris Evans is officially leaving MCU after Avengers 4!
Our list of Wes Anderson’s quirkiest protagonists, ranked !

Captain America’s Best MCU Moments (So Far)

Captain America: The First Avenger wasn’t the first official film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but the 2011 movie did introduce the best MCU character: Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America. Don’t at me. With Chris Evans’ time as Captain America coming to an end after the as yet untitled fourth Avengers movie, it’s the right moment to look back at the best Cap one-liners, gifs, and scene-stealing moments in the films…so far.

“I can do this all day.” Steve was a super human before he became a super soldier. He didn’t tolerate bullying, and despite his skinny frame, he fought back against injustice. This moment in The First Avenger is everything Captain America is about in a nutshell. When Cap said it again in Civil War, I experienced a lot of feels.

Since Steve was a Capsicle for decades, he missed out on a lot of pop culture. References often fly right over his head, but in The Avengers, he got a nod to The Wizard of Oz. So proud of you, Steve.

Remember that time Steve did PSAs.

Well, you can’t blame the whole being frozen in ice thing for Steve misunderstanding some basic lessons about the birds and the bees. Fondue hasn’t been the same since 2011.

I mean, if you have the gumption to order Hulk around…

You can find a lot of impressive action sequences in the MCU, but Captain America’s elevator knockout in Winter Soldier stands out among the dozens as maybe the best and most memorable one.

Steve had to get used to so much after he thawed and emerged into the modern century. But like he points out in The Winter Soldier, one of the positive changes is the oh so helpful internet.

Captain America was born in a different time with different ideas about what is proper. He’s old-fashioned, which is charming as hell when put against Tony Stark’s personality. Steve calling Stark out on his language is the most Cap thing to ever Cap.

Steve Rogers’ Captain America will always stand against bullies—even if they were once his friends. I hope the next Cap can do the same.

What Captain America moments are closest and dearest to your heart? Tell us in the comments or share gifs and quotes with us on Twitter.

Images: Marvel/Disney

Here, have more Chris Evans!

He’s officially leaving the MCU.
On the politics of Infinity War.
That time he reunited with his dog and it was the cutest.

Nintendo’s Mii Channel Music Gets a Ska Cover

As much as we love the Nintendo Switch, we kind of miss the Mii Channel from the Wii. There was something delightfully whimsical about the Mii Channel music as it looped over and over again in the background. Now, a musician has improved upon the Mii Channel theme by giving it the Ska cover we never knew we wanted.



This video was posted on the Ska Tune Network YouTube Channel, which features Ska covers from across several different genres. The Mii Channel music really lent itself well to this style, but this isn’t the only cover we’ve come across. Last year, insaneintherainmusic released their own Jazzy take on the tune as a tribute to the Wii era of gaming.



The Mii theme has proven to be a popular cover in several different genres, styles, and instruments, including this take by Super Guitar Bros.



Perhaps it’s time to add a little metal to the proceedings. PeriPheric nailed this one.



We wouldn’t have suspected that a percussion cover would also work quite well, but the National Youth Orchestra of the USA appears to have it well in hand.



If that’s not your thing, then perhaps a cover by a saxophone quartet will capture your ear.



Some artists don’t even need instruments to cover the Mii theme. Tsuko G. decided to tackle the music by going full acapella. It’s almost hypnotic.



What do you think about these Mii theme covers? Select your Miis and leave a comment below!

Image: Ska Tune Network

LEGION Teases David’s Fate After Season 1’s Cliffhanger

FX’s trippy X-Men-adjacent series, Legion, left Season 1 on a major cliffhanger. David (Dan Stevens), free of the parasitic entity Farouk (also know as “The Shadow King“), stands on a balcony at Summerland with his girlfriend Syd (Rachel Keller). The couple, who spent much of the season torn apart thanks to Farouk’s interference, are finally able to be wholly together. But then, out of nowhere, a metallic orb appears before them. It miniaturizes David and captures him, then soars away.

Theories abound over the true nature of this drone-like object and its intent. Is it kidnapping David? Rescuing him? The Season 2 trailer doesn’t offer much in the way of answers, but a new 360° video straight from the folks at FX gives us a fun tease at what it’s like for David inside the orb.

The video opens with a close-up on David’s face which eventually morphs into Rachel, then into Lenny (Aubrey Plaza), and then into Farouk (Saïd Taghmaoui). “The real me is an imminent threat to our future, our safety, our one-way ticket to utter destruction,” they say. Next, we see flashes from the Season 2 trailer, along with more dialogue. “No secrets,” Rachel whispers. “What are you hiding?” another voice asks. “This thing kills everyone,” Rachel says again. “It’s coming.” The flashes continue in disarray, and as you drag your curser around, you can watch the images projected throughout the orb. After a few minutes, we’re treated to an exclusive scene from Season 2, which shows Oliver (Jemaine Clement), who is now infected with Farouk in the form of Lenny, lounging in a pool. As with most things Legion, it’s unclear what’s really going on, especially after the camera zooms out to reveal Farouk in Paris, then again to reveal Oliver in a bar. The layers of the Shadow King’s manipulation are on full display, but we don’t yet know how or if they’re associated with David’s capture.

We can’t wait to find out what’s going on – or to at least try – when Legion returns to FX on April 3.

Image: FX

Jabba the Hutt’s Gigantic Sail Barge Has Never Looked Better

At Toy Fair 2018, Hasbro announced their most ambitious Star Wars vehicle in the 3-3/4 inch action figure scale to date: Jabba the Hutt’s Khetanna, commonly known as his Sail Barge. The proposed toy will be over four feet long and cost $500, but—and here’s the big qualification that has not yet been met—it must be preordered by a total of 5,000 people in the next 13 days in order to be made. As of this writing, they’re at 3,029 orders.

So to sweeten the deal, Hasbro’s not only revealing pictures of a fully painted prototype today…

…but they’re also announcing an added pack-in bonus: vintage collection super-articulated Yak Face, on a classic Power of the Force card with collector coin, reproducing what was once the hardest-to-find figure in the original Kenner line.

If you ask me, he looks more like Joe Camel than a yak, but it’s just a nickname anyway. Hardcore collectors know his actual name is Saelt-Marae. And he hangs out with his pal Jabba.

It’s a crazy-ambitious toy, but it needs your help to happen. Preorder online at HasbroLab.com, and let the toy companies know you want a ridiculously huge playset every now and again. It doesn’t ship until next February, so there’s plenty of time to clear space for it. You don’t really need that couch, you know.

Be sure to add your share of Klaatu, Barada, and Nikto skiff guards to truly make this the day your collection stands still. And if you’re the parent of a Star Wars-loving kid, you will guarantee that junior gets bragging rights and lots of friends coming over.

There’s even a timelapse video of the whole thing, check it out:

Are you in? Can you handle the scale of Tatooine’s finest. Tell us in comments below.

More from the galaxy far, far away!

The coolest reveals from Forces of Destiny season two.
Go behind the scenes of Finn and Phasma’s battle.
Luke, Rose, and Maz Kanata join Forces of Destiny.

Images: Hasbro

Meltdown Comics, an LA Landmark, to Close After 25 Years

No, it isn’t raining in Los Angeles. That precipitation you see outside is runoff from the tears streaming down the faces of thousands of nerds, comic book fans, comedy aficionados, performers, and countless others who called Meltdown Comics home for the past 25 years. On Wednesday, news broke that after a quarter-century of purveying geeky goodness to the greater Los Angeles area, Meltdown Comics and the Nerdmelt Showroom would be closing their doors for good on March 30, 2018.

On its surface, the closure of Meltdown Comics may seem like yet another casualty of the Amazon era, a relic of a bygone age in a world where people either order their comics online or read them digitally. Or perhaps it’s simply a casualty of the changing face of Los Angeles, which seems destined to have luxury condos erected upon its aging bones. None of that matters now, though, because the deed is done. Meltdown Comics is dead. Long live Meltdown Comics.

Image: Justin Sewell/Flickr

Anyone who spent time at Meltdown Comics could tell that it wasn’t your typical comic book shop. It was enormous. Its neon sign shined like a beacon of hope to weary souls from all over Los Angeles looking for a place to take respite from the slings and arrows of the outside world. Inside its sprawling halls, you could pore over tomes collecting classic comics, read the newest spandex-clad superhero stories, peruse a robust collection of indie comics and zines made by local creators, agonize over whether you wanted to spend your paycheck on vintage action figures, go on a high-fantasy adventure in a game of Dungeons & Dragons, laugh until your sides hurt seeing some of the funniest comedians in Los Angeles in the theater up the back–the list goes on and on and on. That’s because at Meltdown, the possibilities felt limitless. It was the kind of place where you were just as likely to see Robin Williams stop in to do an unannounced stand-up set as you were to find that one issue of Swamp Thing your collection was so sorely missing.

Much like the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater gave rise to a generation of comedians that cracked us up on TV and in movies, Meltdown and its theater–which was curated in association with Nerdist–the Nerdmelt Showroom served as a launching pad for some of the funniest and most creative individuals in Hollywood to hone their craft before breaking big. What began as Kumail Nanjiani, Jonah Ray, and Emily V. Gordon’s weekly stand-up showcase transformed into a television show on Comedy Central. A recording studio in the building’s attic served as ground zero for Chris Hardwick’s sprawling media empire, beginning with the podcast formerly known as The Nerdist Podcast. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. It allowed so many artists, writers, comedians, performers, and fans to have a shared community of creative, nerdy, wonderful people who came together to wear their passions on their sleeve in what felt like an oasis. As a cultural institution and a community center, Meltdown will be sorely missed.

Here’s a letter written by Meltdown Comics founder Gaston Dominguez-Letelier:

To The City of Angels,

As is the case with all good things, at some point they must come to an end. Meltdown Comics is no exception to this rule and so, after 25 years coveting every comic treasure we could lay our hands on, I’m sharing that on March 30th I’ll be closing our doors for the final time.

No business is easy, least of all one rooted in paper surrounded by brick and mortar, yet against all odds we survived just long enough to host, share, and celebrate some of the most creative and imaginative artists in the world. It has been my personal privilege to welcome so many incredibly talented minds through our doors giving them and their work a home in this great city of ours.

And what a wonderfully surreal run it’s been… we’ve watched every fad, trend, and next big thing come and go while customers became celebrities, children blossomed to adults, geeks morphed into moguls, and fanboys scored Oscars. Throughout it all, I’ve been most fortunate to be surrounded by my family and the best staff anyone could have ever wished for – through thick and thin you supported Meltdown and invested in me, I will never be able to repay you but know that I am eternally grateful and forever in your debt.

As I prepare to extinguish Sunset’s neon know that there is a new path for me (more later) and I close Meltdown without any regret. For 25 years I have been enriched by every inquisitive mind I have encountered on this journey and for that I humbly thank you, all of you.

In signing off, I urge you all to continue creating comics, buying comics, and supporting the comic book world that has given us all so much over the years.

For one last time, #LetsgoMELTDOWN!

Thank you, LA

Sincerely,

Gaston DL

Meltdown Comics

October 26, 1993 – April 1, 2018

While Meltdown may be gone, it will never be forgotten–especially by all of us here at Nerdist. So long and thanks for all the deeply nerdy laughs.

What was your favorite memory of Meltdown Comics and the Nerdmelt Showroom? Let us know in the comments below.

Featured Image: LA.CityVoter

KRYPTON’s Stars Joined Us to Talk About Syfy’s New SUPERMAN Prequel Series

Everyone knows about the events that led to Superman arriving on our world, but when it comes to the history of his home planet we’re mostly in the darkseid. That’s why we’re so excited for Syfy‘s upcoming prequel series Krypton, which will explore Kal-El’s family and homeland in ways we’ve never seen before. But because we couldn’t wait for it to crash land on our TVs, we invited the show’s stars onto today’s Nerdist News Talks Back for a very special episode.

Super excited guest host Amy Vorpahl and Alpha‘s Hector Navarro welcomed Cameron Cuffe and Georgina Campbell to today’s show to learn all about their new series that is set 200 years before the Man of Steel arrives on Earth. We wanted to know all about Cameron’s Superman ancestor Seg-El, who he says we meet “at his lowest,” and Georgina’s Lyta Zod, whose descendant General Zod will one day threaten Earth, even though she has more of a “humanist” side to her than we might expect from her family. Although we might be even more intrigued about why they think their characters relationship goed beyond “flirtation.”



Cameron also explained how “the violence on the show is character based,” which required him to do lots of MMA and boxing training even if Seg-El gets beat up, and why that meant Georgina had to focus on martial arts training. But did they feel pressure taking on such a beloved comic book franchise? Was that harder on “massive DC nerd” Cameron (and he wasn’t kidding about that), who says “no one would be harsher on this than me?” Or Georgina, who Amy might have freaked out about upsetting diehard fans? And why did Cameron say the look of the show was influenced by Star Wars and Blade Runner?

We also wanted to know about the pressure they feel adding to the mythology of such a famous character? (“I feel that you can see the love in the show on every level because this was made by really passionate people.”) How did they create the “perfect” Krypton by pulling from all the different iterations of Superman? What does the show take from Richard Donner’s films? What about the comics? And what kind of musical Easter eggs might we hear?



The show also includes Adam Strange and time travel, but how exactly does that mean they’re “not making a prequel?” (“You think you know where it’s going, but I think through the story and through the episodes you do start to wonder if you know where it’s going.”) Could we even see Superman show up? (“His presence is very much felt on the show, he’s the most important off-screen character.”) And besides Brainiac, should we expect any other villains to arrive this season? Does it matter on a show that doesn’t have clear heroes and villains? And why did Cameron mention Doomsday?

Of course, we also had some fun, less serious (yet somehow they were the most serious) questions, like which Superman ability would they most want to have? (We’re going to speak to Hector about his strange response don’t worry). What is their personal kryptonite? And what other sci-fi universes would they also love to visit? (Give us the Krypton/Buffy crossover we deserve!)



Don’t forget Nerdist News Talks Back airs every live on our YouTube and Alpha channels Monday through Thursday at 1 p.m. PT, and we wrap up the week with our new hour-long Nerdist News What the Fridays at 1 p.m. PT, exclusively at Alpha. Tune in live every day so you can be a part of our conversation, because you never know who will show up from Krypton–or Krypton–and you can’t fly against the Earth’s rotation and go back in time if you miss them.

After today’s show what are you most excited about for this Superman prequel? Fly into our comments below to let us know.

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 !

First 6 STAR WARS Films Get New Remastered Soundtracks

Where would Star Wars be without John Williams? It’s almost impossible to picture George Lucas‘ space opera series without hearing the iconic themes provided by Williams. Over four decades, Williams’ music has added depth and texture to a galaxy far, far away. Now, for this year’s Star Wars Day, fans will get a chance to hear brand new remastered editions of Williams’ first six Star Wars scores.

Via StarWars.com, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith will all get remastered releases on Friday, May 4. Shawn Murphy and Skywalker Sound used new “hi-resolution (24/192) transfers” to reconstruct Williams’ original recordings. Each soundtrack will come with a new cover and a collectible mini-poster.

The music from the first three Star Wars films has become so ubiquitous that even casual fans know the title of the “Imperial March” and other famous themes. However, Williams’ scores for the prequel trilogy have also left a large cultural imprint, especially the “Duel of the Fates” theme from Episode I‘s climatic lightsaber duel. We’re very eager to hear these remastered editions!

Recently, Williams indicated he will step away from the franchise after finishing the score for Episode IX. However, fans won’t have to wait too long for Williams’ next contribution to the saga. He’s writing the main theme for Solo: A Star Wars Story, which will hit theaters on May 25.

Are you excited about the newly remastered Star Wars soundtracks? Sound off in the comment section below!

Images: Lucasfilm

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Tessa Thompson reuniting with Chris Hemsworth for Men in Black reboot !
Toys ‘R’ Us’ going out of business sale starts this week !
Star Wars: Forces of Destiny is changing the narrative !

Who Is the Secret Cameo in DEADPOOL 2?

A few weeks ago, there were rumors about test screenings for Deadpool 2 which were said to be disappointing. Now, the latest word is Deadpool 2 is testing through the roof with high scores and praise. The reshoots added additional scenes for Josh Brolin‘s Cable and Zazie Beetz‘s Domino, since the initial test audience loved them. But the big mystery here is the identity of the mystery character who will be making a cameo appearance. Today’s Nerdist News is sharing our theories about Deadpool 2‘s secret cameo!

Join guest host and Marvel’s alternate “Merc with a Mouth,” Amy Vorpahl, as she lays out some enticing possibilities for Deadpool’s newest co-star. The reports going around state that Ryan Reynolds filmed a scene for two hours on a closed set alongside an unspecified performer, who will be added to the film’s final cut. 20th Century Fox and the Deadpool 2 team have really gone out their way to maintain this secret, so it should be a good one.

Who could possibly live up to the hype? How about Hugh Jackman? The former Wolverine performer may have stepped away from the role after Logan, but we think Jackman could be lured back for a cameo. He doesn’t even have to play Wolverine, since the first Deadpool established a Hugh Jackman in their world.

Our other two favorite theories involve key players from the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Robert Downey, Jr. and Samuel L. Jackson. Disney’s deal to acquire Fox is far from finished, so it may be too early to see a true blending of the universes. That said, a post-credits teaser with Iron Man and/or Nick Fury could be a humorous one-off, or even an indication of things to come. Keep in mind, the conclusion of Deadpool took place near wreckage which looked suspiciously like a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. Considering Deadpool’s irreverent approach to continuity and the fourth wall, it would actually be the ideal place to add more jokes about the Disney/Fox merger.

Who do you want to see in Deadpool 2‘s secret cameo scene? Share your picks below!

Images: 20th Century Fox/Marvel

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