Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1824

BLACK PANTHER Vibranium Pie is a Dessert Fit For a King

The world of Wakanda is a mysterious place, predominantly due to their evasive nature, hiding superior technological advances as well as the world’s source of Vibranium. In Wakanda the celestial substance is everywhere—powering vehicles, weapons, even sewn into clothes—and in this case, it can be transformed into a delicious dessert, which we’ll show you how to make on the first episode of Nerdist Noms.

Black Panther‘s mask is created out of chocolate pie dough, the perfect topping for a frozen pie made out of ube, purple yam. The pigment isn’t derived from Vibranium (or is it…”), ube is naturally purple and used in many sweet desserts, making this pie as colorful as it is powerful. This royal pie is fit for a king, or a superhero. Wakanda forever!

Black Panther Vibranium Pie

You’ll need:

Black Panther mask and necklace template

Pie weights

1/2 gallon ube (purple yam) ice cream

Edible silver pearl dust

pie crust ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted cold butter, cut into cubes

1 egg

2-3 tablespoons ice water, as needed

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar and salt. With a pastry cutter, cut in the cold butter until crumbly.

Add the egg, then the water by the tablespoon until the dough comes together.

Divide the dough into two. Chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Roll out one half of the dough onto a floured surface, large enough to cover the pie plate. Lift the dough circle over the plate and lightly press into the bottom.

Place a piece of parchment over the dough and fill with pie weights. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool completely.

Roll out the second half of the pie dough onto floured parchment. With the clean x-acto knife, use the template to cut out Black Panther mask and necklace pieces. Place the parchment and the cut outs onto a baking sheet.

Bake the cutouts for 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely.

When the pie pieces are cool, dilute the silver pearl dust with a small amount of water. Use a clean kitchen paintbrush to paint the necklace pieces. Let dry.

Fill the pie shell with the softened ube ice cream. Use an offset spatula to spread evenly. Freeze for 30 minutes or until just solid.

Place the mask and necklace pieces onto the pie to serve.

Images: Jenn Fujikawa

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New THE LAST JEDI Funko Pops Let You Recreate Rey and Kylo’s Throne Room Scene

Normally Funko makes it possible to surround ourselves with our favorite characters, but their second wave of The Last Jedi Pop figures will now let us relive one of our favorite scenes from the film, with all new figures of Rey and Kylo Ren fighting Snoke’s Praetorian Guard. But they’re not coming alone, because we’ll also be able to add some our favorite characters–and animals–to our collection.

Funko’s two new Star Wars: Movie Moment Pops each feature Kylo and Rey during their temporary alliance against Snoke’s guards, so when you put them back-to-back you can recreate that brief moment when they formed the most powerful duo in the galaxy far, far away. These are some of our favorite Pops ever.

Also getting added to The Last Jedi Funko Pops list are some characters we have been expecting to see, like a sad porg, projection Luke from his showdown with Kylo, and a Vultpex.

But we’re just as excited that some minor characters are getting some love too, including Poe Dameron’s wingman C’ai Threnalli, Rose Tico’s s sister Paige who sacrificed herself to bomb the dreadnought, and an Ahch-To caretaker.

 

The figures are available for pre-order through Funko now, and will arrive in stores later this year.

At which time they’ll be joining our desk as we remember that brief perfect moment in time where Kylo and Rey fought alongside each other.

What other character from the movie would you like to see get their own Funko figure? Pop into our comments below and let us know.

Images: Funko

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BLACK PANTHER’S Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter Joins SPIDER-MAN Spin-Off

Black Panther has been nothing less than a cultural phenomenon. Its vibrant and brilliant vision of the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda has immersed fans and helped the film break records, garnering massive critical acclaim. A large part of that beautiful visual landscape are Ruth E. Carter’s incredible and instantly iconic costumes, which we’ll see once again in Avengers: Infinity War. But superhero fans can rejoice because—as reported by Shadow and Act—in a recent interview at Discussing Film, Ruth E. Carter revealed that she will be designing costumes for Sony’s upcoming Spider-Man spin off, Silver & Black. The film will follow Spider-Man side characters, Black Cat and Silver Sable, in a yet-as-undisclosed adventure.

“[Avengers: Infinity War] just scooped up our costumers and our costumes after we were done and just put them in their next movie. I did sign to do [Silver & Black] and Sony Pictures is actually doing it. It’s doing script rewrites right now, so I’m waiting to get the signal that I’m going back to work. I love this new genre and new area that kind of has discovered me. I just want to continue to bring something awesome to it,” Carter revealed.

This is a huge get for Sony after Carter’s costume work played such a huge part in Black Panther’s success. It’s especially exciting as director Gina Prince-Bythewood is the first black woman to helm a superhero movie, and it’s great to see other black female creatives being added to the film’s reative roster. It’s also fantastic for fans, as historically both characters have often fallen victim to the over-sexualized, illogical costume trope that oft befalls female superheroes in comics. We’ve already seen Ruth E. Carter create fantastic, action-ready, and gorgeous costumes strong women can fight in, so we can’t wait to see what Carter has in store for Black Cat and Silver Sable.

Are you excited about seeing Carter take on another superhero world? Can’t wait to see what Prince-Bythewood has in store for the world of Spider-Man? Just want to see two badass women take on the world? Let us know below!

Need More Spidey News?

Learn all about the new Silver Sable/Black Cat film!
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Images: Fox, Marvel Comics

Dad Han Solo Is the Cutest in a New STAR WARS Book Excerpt

How’s your day going? Would you like to feel personally attacked by fiction? Great, because StarWars.com has released an excerpt from the upcoming Han and Lando novel Last Shot that will break your heart into pieces. The book by Daniel José Older is hitting stores on April 17 and is just one of the publishing titles coming out ahead of Solo: A Star Wars Story–and I’m guessing it’s the most heartbreaking of them all. The offensive but touching selection highlights Han Solo being a father to baby Ben Solo, a.k.a. Kylo Ren. He’s just trying to get his restless toddler to stay asleep while being inundated with interruptions. Hashtag relatable.

Enjoy this portrait of Dad-Solo:

“What? No!” Han sat up, still trying not to move Ben too much. He was shirtless, and his hair was almost certainly pointing in eight different directions. He probably had crust on his face. He didn’t much want to talk to Mon Mothma under regular circumstances, let alone half naked and bedheaded.”

Last Shot unfolds over three different time periods: back when Lando owns the Millennium Falcon, when Han owns it, and then after the Battle of Endor. The excerpt is obviously from that last time period, featuring a Han who is a new parent alongside his wife, Leia Organa, a weary sometimes politician. Lando shows up in the passage and disturbs this moment of happiness:

“Little Ben looked up groggily, those dark eyes settling on Han, studying him. Han had no idea how a two-year-old could have such ancient eyes. It was as if Ben had been waiting around for a millennium to show up at just this moment in history.

Slowly, Ben Solo’s eyes drifted closed as his chin settled on Han’s shoulder.”

It’s fine. I didn’t need my heart. Read the entire excerpt at StarWars.com.

Images: Lucasfilm, Del Rey

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

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WONDER WOMAN 2 May Cast Kristen Wiig as Cheetah

What with the sequel to director Patty Jenkins’ blockbuster hit Wonder Woman heading into production this coming summer, we’re beginning to hear scattered rumors about what the new film will look like. In a surprise bit of casting no one predicted, according to Deadline, actress Kristen Wiig is in talks for the role of the Cheetah, considered by many to be Wonder Woman’s most well known adversary. This news comes after the recent revelation that Cheetah could become the main villain for the sequel.

According to the original report, it appears that Wiig was always close to the top of Jenkins’ short list for the role, and that Jenkins had let Wiig know she wanted her for the part before the director had begun scouting locations for the Cold War-era sequel. Although many fans were hoping that Charlize Theron might be playing the Cheetah (makingthe connection due to the actress’ previous Oscar-winning work in Patty Jenkins’ Monster), it now looks like it’s Wiig’s role to lose.

Although in the original DC Comics it’s safe to say that Ares is Wonder Woman’s main villain, the larger pop culture scene has catered to the perception that Cheetah is  Diana’s #1 foe, thanks to her role in the classic Super Friends cartoon series and in several other animated offerings.

There have been several versions of the character over Wonder Woman’s 75-year history. The first Cheetah was Priscilla Rich, a criminal suffering from a fictionalized split personality disorder who wore a cheetah print cat costume when committing crimes, similar to Catwoman. Her niece, Debbie Domaine, inherited the name and costume decades later.

The most popular version of the character—and the one said to be used in the upcoming film—is Dr. Barbara Minerva. This version of the Cheetah was a top-to-bottom reinvention of the character by George Perez for Wonder Woman’s mid ’80s reboot. Minerva was an archaeologist who learned about an ancient cat god while on a dig in Africa. She became the host body for this ancient god, but the ritual that transformed her into a were-cat practically crippled her in her human form. The later DC Rebirth version of Cheetah added a new wrinkle to her backstory by making her a former friend of Diana’s.

Although Wiig is know primarily as a comedic actress thanks to her work on SNL and in films like Bridesmaids and Ghostbusters, she’s landed several dramatic acting parts too, like her turn in The Martian and most recently, Mother! Although it seems at first like an offbeat choice, she could definitely nail this role under Jenkins’ direction.

What do you think of Kirsten Wiig potentially taking her claws out on Gal Gadot in the Wonder Woman sequel? Be sure to let us know what you think down below in the comments.

Images: DC Comics / Warner Brothers / Sony 

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9 TO 5 Reboot in the Works with the Original Stars and Rashida Jones

Almost 40 years ago, three female superstars came together to tell a comedic story about the plight of American women in the workplace, working for misogynistic men for low wages until they finally formulate their plan to get even. I’m talking about 9 to 5, and needless to say, this movie is more relevant today than ever.

Now, according to a story on Deadline, a reboot of sorts is in the works for this classic comedy, and original stars Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and Dolly Parton are all said to be involved. Current plans call for original screenwriter Patricia Resnick to team with none other than Rashida Jones to bring the 1980-set story to 2018.

20th Century Fox is apparently in the very early stages of creating a reboot of the original film, and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that today’s audience will be even more receptive to this movie than they were nearly four decades ago. According to the original report, this updated version would reportedly follow three young women (probably played by three popular young actresses—start fan-casting now!) going up against “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” male bosses, with the three original cast members offering advice to the girls on just how to get back at their scumbag higher-ups. Evidently, this will be more of a sequel than a reboot in the strictest sense.

Just a few years back, screenwriter Resnick suggested that the ship had sailed for any kind of reunion, but clearly the power of the #MeToo movement has changed things. Add to that: Dolly Parton, who wrote the original iconic theme song from the film—which is still amazing and catchy as all get out—also composed songs for a 2009 Broadway musical adaptation of 9 to 5, which received several Tony Award nominations.

Could some of those songs make it into a new version? While updating a classic is always a tricky thing, clearly if ever there was going to be a 9 to 5 remake or sequel, now is for sure the time to make it happen. What do you think of a 9 to 5 reboot? And who would you cast as the three younger women and their hideous male boss? Let us know your thoughts down below in the comments.

Images: 20th Century Fox

Love, Alexi #101: Rose McGowan

Alexi is joined by brave, luminary, badass Rose McGowan. Rose’s New York Times Best Selling memoir “Brave” is available now wherever books are sold; check out her docu-series #CitizenRose on E!; and her album Planet 9 is available for pre order on iTunes. #RoseArmy

Follow @alexiwasser on instagram & twitter, send emails for Alexi to read on air: DearLoveAlexi@gmail.com!

How Will STAR WARS Fans React to Rian Johnson’s Thoughts on SOLO?

Director Rian Johnson hinted he’s already seen Solo and loved it, but after the mixed reaction to The Last Jedi how will Star Wars fans feel after hearing that? We discussed it on today’s Nerdist News Talks Back, along with our first look at Zachary Levi as Shazam, James Gunn on the death of Groot, and Bruce Willis on Die Hard 6.

Host Jessica Chobot, editor Kyle Anderson, producer Derek Johnson, and Nerdist News writer Joey Clift started today’s show by setting off for the galaxy far, far away, after Rian Johnson called Solo “beautiful” and “funny,” saying “they all just did a great job with it.” Considering the divided reaction to The Last Jedi, how do we think fans will take this?



Over in the world of DC, a Reddit user might have revealed our first look at Zachary Levi in costume as Shazam, and there’s a whole lot of padding. The group shares their thoughts on the new look.

Yesterday Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn shocked fans (who apparently refused to believe him when he said it before) by confirming the first Groot died and Baby Groot is his son. It’s a little confusing. Does it change how we view either version of the character?

Finally, Bruce Willis told Jimmy Fallon a script for Die Hard 6 is in the works, but do we need or want another entry in the franchise? Considering this of course leads to a ranking of the films we know.

Don’t forget Nerdist News Talks Back airs Monday through Thursday at 1 p.m. PT, live on our YouTube and Alpha channels, and Nerdist News What the Fridays, our hour-long recap of the week in pop culture, ends the week on Fridays at 1 p.m. PT only at Alpha. Tune in live every day, because you don’t need Rian Johnson to tell you it’s always more fun when you’re a part of the conversation with us.

We still want to hear your thoughts on today’s show, so share them with us in the comments below.

Images: Disney

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AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Is Getting A Whole Marvel Universe Of Funko Toys

Although we are all still basking in the warm glow of Black Panther, in just a little over two months, we will be seeing T’Challa and friends back on the big screen once more, along with pretty much everyone else in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, when Avengers: Infinity War hits the big screen.

And as with any big Marvel movie, there usually comes an assortment of wonderful Funko products. But since this is a Super-Sized kind of movie, we are getting a Super-Sized assortment of characters this time. Some of them are old favorites, some of them are new, and since this is Funko, all of them are adorable.

Coming this spring, there will be a huge assortment of Avengers: Infinity War plushies, Mystery Minis, Dorbz, keychains, and of course, classic Funko Pop! vinyls. And there will be exclusives a plenty, for all of you completists out there. (You know who you are).

The Plushies will feature Iron Spider, the Hulkbuster, Thanos, and teenage Groot. Meanwhile, the Mystery Minis will feature Black Panther, the Hulk, Gamora, Dr. Strange, Iron Spider, Thor, Thanos, and two of his minions. Hot Topic will carry exclusive Captain America, Winter Solider and Proxima Midnight minis, while Walmart will be the place to find Iron Man with wings, Falcon and Corvus Glaive. And at Target, you’ll be able to get Vision, Teen Groot and Black Widow to complete the set.

For the Dorbz wave, we have a focus on Thanos and his minions, including the big purple guy himself, along with his children: Corvus Glaive, Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight, and Cull Obsidian. But we’ve got some good guys in this wave too, worry not — Iron Man, Spidey and Thor are all here.

There will also be classic Pop! vinyls for Iron Man, Thor, Spider-Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Thanos, Proxima Midnight, Ebony Maw, Corvus Glave, and teenage Groot, along with a  a 6″ Hulkbuster. And of course there will be exclusives — a 10” Pop! of Thanos can be found at Target, an unmasked Iron Spider at BoxLunch, Hot Topic will be home to the Vision, Groot at Toys”R”Us, and Iron Man at FYE. Cull Obsidian will be available only at Walgreens, while Glow-in-the-Dark Thor is set to be an Asia exclusive. Finally, yet another version of Thanos will be found at Walmart.

There will also be a pair of Pop! tee shirts, and a series of keychains, all of which you can check out in our gallery down below.

What do you think about this incredible assortment of Avengers products? Let us know what you think of all this adorableness down below in the comments.

Images: Funko / Marvel

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AVENGERS PRELUDE Comic Just Revealed INFINITY WAR’s Biggest Threat

Warning: There are huge spoilers ahead for the Avengers: Infinity War Prelude comic and potentially for the film as well. 

Last month, the in-canon comic book miniseries, Avengers: Infinity War Prelude, dropped a number of hints about the Avengers‘ current status quo, including Captain America, Falcon, and Black Widow operating as an underground team. The first issue even set up the post-credits scene for Black Panther, as Shuri made good on her brother’s promises. Avengers: Infinity War Prelude #2 hit comic book stores this week with an unexpected lesson about the Infinity Stones. Today’s Nerdist News is going to tell you all about the most “dangerous” Infinity Stone of them all.

Join host and Kamar-Taj Librarian-in-training, Jessica Chobot, as she lays down the scoop on the Infinity Stones courtesy of our main man, Wong. That’s right, Doctor Strange‘s last surviving mentor may have a big role to play in Infinity War. Wong knows exactly where all of the Infinity Stones are…except one.

If you guessed the Soul Stone remains hidden even from Wong and his order, then give yourself a pat on the back. According to Wong, the Soul Stone’s abilities are largely unknown, but if what is known turns out to be true, “it could prove to be the biggest threat of them all.” Despite Doctor Strange believing no one could ever bring the six stones back together, we know that’s not the case when Thanos is chasing their powers as well.

As for the location of the Soul Stone, we’re still convinced it’s somewhere in Wakanda. The Black Panther movie may have ignored the chance to directly set up Infinity War, but it’s the best explanation for the almost mystical powers Wakanda’s vibranium would have given them.

What do you think about the latest Avengers: Infinity War Prelude revelations? Let’s discuss in the comment section below!

Images: Marvel

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