Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1819

Does Warner Bros. Want Tom Cruise to Play GREEN LANTERN?

Warner Bros. tried to lure Leonardo DiCaprio to play the Joker by hiring Martin Scorsese. Could the studio now be targeting a director who can get Tom Cruise to be their Green Lantern? We discussed it on today’s Nerdist News Talks Back, along with Netflix’s Lost in Space, why Mario is a plumber again, and Diablo 3 coming to the Switch.

Host Jessica Chobot was joined today by our old pal writer Amy Vorpahl, editor Kyle Anderson, and producer Derek Johnson, and they started with a report from The Hashtag Show that Chris McQuarrie could be the top choice to direct the Green Lantern Corps movie. He’s worked with Tom Cruise on a number of films, so could this be a way to get the megastar to sign on as the next member of the Justice League? Is there any chance this could actually happen? Do we hope it does? And if not Hal Jordan, which superhero–or villain–should Tom Cruise play?

We also got a full trailer today for Netflix’s Lost in Space. What do we think of it? Were we fans of the original? Do we like the serious new take, or would we prefer it to be campy like the old series? What are networks trying to tap into with all of these old sci-fi reboots? And is Netflix releasing too many original programs now so none of them feel special?

Finally we wrapped up with some gaming news. After telling us last year Mario was no longer a plumber, Nintendo seems to have quietly changed course again and given him his plunger back. Why do we think they made a big deal about it in the first place, and why are they being so coy about it now? There’s also a new, reputable report from Eurogamer that Diablo 3 will be coming to the Switch. Do we plan on buying it if it does? What other third party games would we love to see arrive on the platform next?

Don’t forget to join us every Monday through Thursday at 1 p.m. PT when Nerdist News Talks Back airs live on our YouTube and Alpha channels, and end the week with our new series Nerdist News What the Fridays, exclusively at Alpha Fridays at 1 p.m. PT.

You never know who might show up, including Tom Cruise. What? If it’s possible he could be Green Lantern he can show up to talk about Star Wars with us.

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

Images: Warner Bros., Nickelodeon

THE BIG LEBOWSKI 20th Anniversary: Why The Dude Endures

The Big Lebowski was released in theaters 20 years ago, on March 6, 1998. While everyone has, like, their own opinion, man, on which Coen Brothers movie is the best, none have entrenched themselves in the public consciousness quite like their tale about bowling, crime, greed, and a rug that really tied the room together. Some of their other movies have also received acclaim and critical success and had memorable characters and hilarious scenes, so what is it about this unusual comedy noir that has made it such a cult classic over two decades? It all goes back to The Dude who abides.

It’s not hard to understand why people love The Big Lebowski: it has an unusual, engrossing plot that keeps the film moving forward with energy, its fantastic sprawling cast is populated with unforgettable performances, and it’s one of the most quotable movies ever made. Fucking-A, man, it’s hilarious. And the something that makes the biggest fans of the movie so passionate is Jeff Bridges‘ The Dude.

Part of what makes him such a notable character is obvious. His life of ease is appealing in a world that values work over happiness. He’s chill and mostly concerned with enjoying the simple things in life–bowling, a White Russian, coitus. And he’s really fun to spend time with. Who wouldn’t want to bowl with The Dude?

He’s a philosophical guru. It shines when Sam Elliott’s cowboy stranger/narrator says to him, “Take it easy, Dude. I know that you will.” The Dude turns, shrugs his shoulders, and says, “The Dude abides.”

It’s one of the best remembered lines in a movie full of catchy quotes, but what exactly does it mean? Does the Dude obey? Tolerate? Endure? How can he mean “abide” in a way that makes us feel good? The answer is found in how he acts throughout the movie.

For as much as we think of The Dude as the epitome of a relaxed human, he spends a lot of the movie yelling. He yells at Walter (constantly), he yells at the Big Lebowski, he yells at Little Larry Sellers. He’s stressed, angry, and sarcastic in multiple scenes–hardly the response of the most chill man in Los Angeles. And of course he goes to tremendous lengths to get a rug for his living room, even though doing so leads to a threat his “johnson” getting cut off. No rug, no matter how much it ties the room together, is worth such a price. That’s a clear “let it go” situation.



That’s why the real reason The Dude has endured is his overall approach to life. When he says he “abides,” he’s talking about how he rolls with the punches life throws at him. When people call on him, he answers whether it’s his landlord Marty asking him to come to his show or Maude requesting his presence. When Walter comes up with insane plans The Dude doesn’t stop him. When goons dunk his head in the toilet, he retrieves his sunglasses and puts them back on. He accepts what the universe throws at him–the good, the bad, the weird–and he deals with it. He’s not fighting life by saying no, he goes with the flow.

But even better, and what really makes The Dude someone worth emulating, is how he never carries his anger with him. He shrugs it off and keeps moving. No matter how angry he is at Walter, it’s nothing that stays with him when he arrives at the bowling alley. There’s too much in life to enjoy to waste time dwelling on the bad. That’s why he’ll make a White Russian with powdered milk if it’s all that’s available. It’s not ideal, but that’s better than not having one at all.

Most of us couldn’t–and wouldn’t want to–live The Dude’s life. It’s hard to be so lazy. Bathrobes aren’t really an “outside” garment. We don’t care all that much about any rug we own. But we’d probably all be a lot happier if we took his approach to life. That’s why fans watch this movie over and over again, it’s an attitude we take comfort in. As Sam Elliott says, “It’s good knowing he’s out there.”

“The Dude abides” is a philosophy that is just as appealing as it was 20 years ago. That’s why The Dude has endured.

Why do you think The Big Lebowski is such a fan favorite? Tell us why in the comments below.

Images: Gramercy Pictures

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Barbie Adds Amelia Earhart, Patty Jenkins, and Dolls of Other Inspiring Women

International Women’s Day is on Thursday, March 8, and Mattel is celebrating the occasion by releasing the Inspiring Women Barbie doll line and revealing the latest role models from their Shero program. Via Huffington Post, the Inspiring Women series means kids and Barbie fans of all ages can bring home dolls based on historical figures. The first three dolls are Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, and Frida Kahlo.

These women all made significant contributions to the world in their respective fields of aviation, mathematics, and the arts. And while these designs are perhaps more suited for collectors, imagine how a young child could be influenced by receiving a doll based on Katherine Johnson and learning about her valuable work with NASA and the role she played in getting Americans into space. The entire series is available for pre-order now and will ship in mid-April.

Can't express how totally mind blowing and delightful it is to have your childhood favorite resemble you!! Thank you @Barbie, for this incredible honor, and for celebrating all kinds of women, everywhere. What a great way to inspire the girls of tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/X5FteJQltn

— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) March 6, 2018

And to continue the rad female role models trend, the Barbie brand has also revealed additions to their Shero program. These dolls are made to honor the recipients with one-of-a-kind collectibles, so they’re not available for purchase. It’s too bad; Patty Jenkins is in the line-up, and I would love to be able to stand her alongside a Wonder Woman Barbie. Some other Shero dolls include history makers such as snowboarding champion Chloe Kim, conservationist Bindi Irwin, and journalist Martyna Wojciechowska.

Which of the Inspiring Women would you like to bring home?

Images: Mattel

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

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LEGION Season 2 Trailer is as Weird as You Remember

You can never quite trust your senses when watching Legion, FX’s original series that exists within an X-Men-adjacent universe. David Haller may be one of the most powerful mutants alive, but he’s not exactly the picture of mental stability. At the end of last season, David was seemingly sucked into a tiny metal ball and abducted. It’s anyone’s guess whether it really happened, but David is back in the first trailer for Legion season two. And while David can’t quite say where he’s been, he’s got some very vivid memories about a dance sequence, which looks hilariously bizarre.



The new trailer also introduces the new Shadow King (who looks a lot like his comic book counterpart) and sets up the story for the 10-episode second season. According to the new footage, the Shadow King has found a way to expand his influence in the real world and infect people with his mind. The “infection” appears to have its own physical form in this footage, as it slides towards a potential victim.

While showrunner Noah Hawley has kept a lot of David’s comic book roots intact, the trailer also teases a story that is going off in its own direction. David has been warned about a threat that could mean “the end of everything.” Even David’s closest allies aren’t sure he’s up for the challenge, but Syd gives him at least a halfhearted vote of confidence. It’s the most she can give, since Syd doesn’t believe David’s love can save either one of them.

Legion season 2 will premiere on Tuesday, April 3 on FX.

What do you think about the new Legion trailer? Activate your mutant powers in the comment section below!

Images: FX

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Celebrate THE BIG LEBOWSKI with the Best/Worst Movie Line Dubs in Cable TV History

Twenty years ago today, March 6, 1998, the Coen Brothers cult classic The Big Lebowski arrived in theaters, man, and it has proven to be one of the most quotable films of all time for the last two decades. But when it came time for the movie to enter the basic cable rotation, networks had one major problem to overcome–one that is best summarized by Sam Elliott’s sarsaparilla drinking stranger: “Do you have to use so many cuss words?”

Because fucking-A man, there’s a lot of swearing in the film. A lot. While cable companies are used to finding creative ways around common vulgarity, one scene posed particularly challenging, because how can you replace Walter repeatedly screaming, “Do you see what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass?” Turns out the answer is with one of the worst, most infamous, most iconic censored lines in cinema history.

In honor of the film’s twentieth anniversary, and Walter’s strange comments about what happens “when you find a stranger in the Alps,” Nerdist Special Reports looks at some of our favorite, horrible, no-good, totally amazing failed attempts at covering up cussing with F.C.C. acceptable language.

The real question is who saw Al Pacino in Scarface and said, “Yeah, this movie belongs on basic cable.” That guy must have been one stupid Mr. Falcon. Whoa, I know, pretty harsh, but it’s not like I called him an Ironbutt or a Casserole. But I think you can see why I’m so funking angry. Hopefully I never run into him in the Alps, because I’ve seen what can happen–I’ll sound really dumb.

What’s your favorite questionably censored line of all time? Don’t be an airhead, man, share it with us in the comments below.

Featured Image: Gramercy Pictures

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THE SIMPSONS and MS. MARVEL Have “Embiggened” the Dictionary

Over 20 years ago, The Simpsons episode “Lisa the Iconoclast” brought a new word into the American lexicon by way of Springfield’s official motto: “A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.” The word “embiggens” has taken on a life of its own in the subsequent decades, and now it’s been added to the dictionary. Merriam-Webster made the announcement by quoting The Simpsons‘ use of “embiggens” while also acknowledging Ms. Marvel, a comic book heroine who has also become associated with the word.

A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.

Also, ’embiggen’ is now a word we enter. https://t.co/3XmkZO0ral pic.twitter.com/wLUDsWIAga

— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) March 5, 2018

Ms. Marvel co-creator G. Willow Wilson was quick to respond to the news.

OH MY GAWWWDDDDD https://t.co/82VgM8OYmv

— G. is in the Dictionary (@GWillowWilson) March 5, 2018

In the Marvel Universe, Ms. Marvel (a.k.a. Kamala Khan) is teenage girl whose latent Inhuman powers manifested as an ability to stretch her limbs and body to a fantastic degree. Kamala subsequently adopted “embiggen” as one of her favorite expressions. But according to Wilson, she wasn’t even aware of The Simpsons connection when she first started using the word.

Here is a true story: growing up, my parents didn’t let us watch much TV, so the first time I encountered the word “embiggen” was in reference to sizing JPEGs. Didn’t realize it was a Simpsons thing until years later.

— G. is in the Dictionary (@GWillowWilson) March 5, 2018

Now, it belongs to the ages. D’oh!

What do you think about the official recognition of embiggen? Make your thoughts bigger or more expansive in the comment section below!

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Image: 20th Century Fox

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN Teaser Introduces Ewan McGregor to Winnie the Pooh

As someone over 30 working in a field where watching and reviewing what is ostensibly children’s entertainment is the norm, I know the importance of staying young at heart. The stuff I loved when I was a kid is still pretty much the same stuff I love now, and that’s really the luxury of the world today; nostalgia remains profitable and nobody has to put away childish things to grow up. This wasn’t always the case, and even some of the most childish of children had to put on a suit and pick up a briefcase. Even someone as famous for having an imagination as Christopher Robin…

Disney‘s latest live-action adaptation of their animated properties is a bit of a different take on the Winnie the Pooh story, sort of akin to Hook and Peter Pan. The above trailer finds a grown up Christopher Robin played by Ewan McGregor, dealing with the travails of adulthood, personified by his sniveling boss, played by Mark Gatiss. Unable to go on a trip with his family, he gets a visit from his old pal Winnie the Pooh, voiced here as for the past 30 years by Jim Cummings. It’s a brief teaser, but we get to see the CGI version of Pooh, a melding of the A.A. Milne-era plush toy and the Disney character everyone knows.

This movie looks to be an antithesis to Goodbye Christopher Robin from last year, in which the beauty and innocence of Milne’s son’s childhood pretending became a bestselling series of books and thus ruined the boy’s life. So maybe don’t watch that one if you’re going to watch this one. In addition to McGregor and Gatiss, the human cast includes Hayley Atwell, while the voice cast includes Toby Jones as Owl, Chris O’Dowd as Tigger, Peter Capaldi as Rabbit, Sophie Okonedo as Kanga, Brad Garrett as Eeyore, and Nick Mohammed as Piglet. But you can’t have anyone but Jim Cummings voice Pooh. It just wouldn’t be proper!

Christopher Robin, directed by Marc Forster, is due in theaters August 3, 2018.

Image: Disney

Kyle Anderson is the Associate Editor for Nerdist. He’s written the animation retrospectives Batman: Reanimated, X-Men: Reanimated, Cowboy Rebop, and Samurai reJacked. Follow him on Twitter!

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Breaking Down STAR WARS REBELS’ Final Minutes

Warning: Spoilers are ahead for the Star Wars Rebels series finale. Jump into hyperspace and away from this page if you haven’t watched the episode yet.

The time has come. After four seasons, Star Wars Rebels has come to an end. We wondered about which members of the Ghost crew would make it to the end. Many, myself often included, looked at the characters and didn’t think they could make it out of the series alive. It’s Star Wars, not Star Live Happily Ever After. But I was unnecessarily cynical. The end of Rebels was a gift, a series of satisfying endings and an open door.

Before Ezra disappeared, he told Sabine he knew he could always count on her. So, she remained on Lothal and protected Ezra’s home in case the Empire returned. They never did. And through Sabine, we learned what happened to the crew of the Ghost. The final minutes of Star Wars Rebels jumped into the future to after Return of the Jedi and the Battle of Endor.

Zeb Orrelios and Agent Kallus

Zeb and Kallus used to be enemies. But things changed in the season two episode “The Honorable Ones.” Stranded together on an icy moon, the rebel and the Imperial started to understand one another. Kallus soon defected from the Empire and joined the Rebel Alliance, and his friendship with Zeb strengthened—no small feat considering Kallus once participated in the partial genocide of Zeb’s people.

So, it’s a huge moment for Zeb to take Kallus to Lira San, the Lasat homeworld. And I might be reading too much into this, but I think they could be together romantically now. What do you think?

Hera Syndulla and Chopper

We knew from Forces of Destiny that Hera survived until at least the Battle of Endor, and Sabine’s narration confirms she and Captain Rex fought in the important battle. The big surprise here is her and Kanan’s child, Jacen Syndulla. At some point during season four of Star Wars Rebels, Kanan and Hera were uh, busy. Can you just imagine Chopper around a toddler?

Sabine Wren and Ahsoka Tano

Sabine looked out for Lothal, presumably staying there despite anything that may have been happening on Mandalore. Ezra was her family, and eventually she realized he wasn’t gone. The purrgil (please note the purrgil art on Sabine’s shoulder armor) could have protected Ezra when they made the hyperspace jump with him and Grand Admiral Thrawn. And once Sabine discovers Ezra is still somewhere in the galaxy, Ahsoka Tano, dressed like a glorious Togrutan version of Gandalf the White, came to help look for him.

Give me a Sabine and Ahsoka spinoff series right now, please and thank you.

What do you think about the jump to the future? Did you cry over baby Syndulla and knowing Ahsoka Tano survives until at least after the Battle of Endor? Let us know in the comments.

Images: Lucasfilm/Disney XD

Amy Ratcliffe is an Associate Editor for Nerdist. She likes Star Wars a little. Follow her on Twitter.

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STAR WARS REBELS Says a Poetic Goodbye

Warning: Spoilers are ahead for the Star Wars Rebels series finale. Jump into hyperspace and away from this page if you haven’t watched the episode yet.

I was bitter when Star Wars: The Clone Wars was canceled. The animated series is my Star Wars—it’s the show that sparked my fandom and made me fall in love with the galaxy far, far away. So when Disney and Lucasfilm announced Star Wars Rebels, I was skeptical. I didn’t want another animated series, I wanted more of The Clone Wars. Nothing could replace it. That’s the unfair attitude Star Wars Rebels had to overcome to win my heart.

But it succeeded. From the beginning, the series emphasized the important bonds of a family that chose each other, not one related by blood. That spoke to me—shouted at me, really. Couple that with the notion of showing what the pre-Rebel Alliance insurgency was like and the presence of a cranky droid I identified with, and I couldn’t stop myself from being invested.

Over the last four seasons of Rebels, I received some of the answers I needed from The Clone Wars. I was delighted to the point of flailing when Ahsoka Tano came into the picture as Fulcrum. I was heartbroken and proud when she faced Darth Vader. And to see Captain Rex again? What a gift. I couldn’t count the number of times this series has made me cry from both sadness and joy. But my passion for Star Wars Rebels has never been based on seeing beloved characters from the past. It’s because of the crew of the Ghost–Ezra, Sabine, Zeb, Kanan, Chopper, and Hera—and how they fought and kept going despite the nearly insurmountable odds ahead of them.

This ragtag team doubled down on hope, and in doing so, they all developed into something better and bigger. Kanan found faith in himself, as a person and as a teacher. Ezra learned what it means to be selfless. Sabine confronted her past and became more confident and capable than ever. Zeb discovered the importance of forgiveness. Hera guided them through perils and victories and became the strongest of them all.

All of those themes and lessons have been layering upon each other since the first season. The scene in the finale where Sabine lays out a plan for turning on the shield generator and asks Hera for approval wouldn’t pay off in the same way without the season one episode “Out of Darkness,” in which the duo confronted trust issues between them. That’s a single example in an ocean of many. This series has come together in an artistic, deliberate fashion, and that was glaringly obvious in the finale.

Star Wars Rebels can be viewed as an ensemble, but it’s really Ezra Bridger’s story. The show began on Lothal, and it ended on Lothal. The Empire occupation of the planet grew more oppressive over the series, and in many ways, the overarching plot has been about preparing Ezra and the Ghost team to defeat the Empire and take Lothal back. It’s impossible to imagine this outcome in the first season, but by the time the final movement of the series closes, the rebels’ victory feels so right, so earned.

What speaks to me most about the end of the show is how natural it all felt because of the journey we’ve been on. Ezra learned from Kanan and took out Grand Admiral Thrawn (we think) with a heroic decision. Given how we’ve seen Ezra display strong connections with creatures through the Force over the series, it’s perfect that he called upon the purrgil for help. The family theme was stronger than ever as other “members” like Kallus, the clones, and Hondo Ohnaka joined the Ghost crew in battling for the planet.

And the coda. The conclusion of this story was poetic and moving. I don’t know why, but I didn’t expect so many happy endings. I’m thrilled to be wrong. Zeb and Kallus went off to Lira San together (and maybe as romantic partners), Hera gave birth to her and Kanan’s son and kept fighting for the Rebellion, and Sabine watched over Lothal and eventually left with Ahsoka to find Ezra, who is still in the galaxy somewhere. “Who lives, who dies, who tells your story” from Hamilton kept running through my head as I listened to Sabine narrate what happened to each of the characters, the ones she and we love. We have no control over who survives or who is lost, but by trusting in friends, in family, we know who will tell our stories…and who will come search for us when the story isn’t over.

Images: Lucasfilm/Disney XD

Amy Ratcliffe is an Associate Editor for Nerdist. She likes Star Wars a little. Follow her on Twitter.

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