Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1836

Amazing Mural Pays Tribute to 40 Years Of STAR WARS

Over the last several years, we’ve seen some pretty impressive Star Wars fan art, ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime. Well, now we have one for you that absolutely qualifies in the “sublime” category. Thanks to io9, we’ve learned about an artist named James Raiz, who goes by the moniker “The Box Office Artist” on YouTube. Raiz has made tons of intricate drawings based on popular films over the years, including Marvel, Transformers, and more.

And his Star Wars work is the stuff of legend.

Back in mid-2017, Raiz decided he was going to attempt what would be his magnum opus—a tribute piece to the entire Star Wars saga, in which he included every single character who appeared in all (up to that point) eight live-action films. The entire endeavor took 450 hours spread over seven months to do. He finally finished the mural at the end of last year, and the results are nothing less than jaw dropping.

Starting with A New Hope and finishing out with Rogue One, Raiz made two videos chronicling his making of this mural. One, showing a time-lapse video of the entire process of making this piece from start to finish, and the other giving a behind the scenes account on what motivated him to attempt this in the first place. At the end of one of the videos, he said he hoped to include a new addition to the piece featuring the characters from The Last Jedi soon. Although Raiz has yet to finish that new addition, after seeing this amazing mural, we can officially say that we can’t wait.



Are you as blown away by this Star Wars mural as we are? Be sure to let us know your thoughts down below in the comments.

Need More Star Wars? Try These Stories Out:

Here are 14 porg-inspired recipes.
You can also wear porgs on your feet now!
Here’s how The Last Jedi made that distinctive porg sound.

Images: James Raiz

DC Collectibles is Finally Doing WATCHMEN Comic Figures…From DOOMSDAY CLOCK

It’s been a long wait for DC Collectibles. Back when they were still DC Direct in 2000, the company planned to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Watchmen with a line of action figures that were shown at San Diego Comic-Con. Fans were excited, until Alan Moore publicly told everyone not to buy them because he felt DC had cheated him with his contract. DC Direct could have legally still released them, but opted not to out of respect. When Zack Snyder‘s movie version came around, however, they did do movie figures in both 7-inch and 13-inch scale. By that point, DC Comics had decided they were going to merchandise it anyway, especially after Moore even insisted on his name being taken off any adaptations or spin-offs to be credited solely as “the original writer.”

In 2013, Mattel made comic-based figures, but they were available by mail subscription only. Today, however, DC Collectibles is revealing six new figures based on the new Doomsday Clock miniseries: old favorites Ozymandias, Dr. Manhattan, and The Comedian alongside new players Rorschach II, Mime, and Marionette. And if you’re thinking the new characters won;t sell as well as the old, so has DC–they’re coming in two-packs. Jon and Adrian, Comedian and Marionette, and Rorschach and Mime. (Yes, technically it’s a new Rorschach, but he looks just like the old one.)

All figures will be in the 7-inch scale that DC Collectibles is returning to this year after retiring the 6-inch Icons line, and feature the most articulation of any Watchmen figures in this scale to date.

Check out the rest of the figures below, including the new fugitive couple Erika “Marionette” Manson and Marcos “Mime” Maez. As the miniseries progress, it wouldn’t surprise us to see more familiar faces, both on the page and in toy form. Who are you hoping for? Comment below with your faves.

More From Your Collectibles!

The new Star Wars confirm the Kessel Run toys in Solo.
The Black Panther Marvel Legends collectibles are rad.
And finally, the A Wrinkle in Time Barbie Dolls are TOO GOOD.

Images: DC Collectibles

Breaking Down the Newest INCREDIBLES 2, READY PLAYER ONE, and PAC RIM Trailers

Hollywood apparently decided to drop all the movie trailers this week, so on today’s Nerdist News Talks Back we broke down all of them, including the latest from The Incredibles 2, Ready Player One, and Pacific Rim Uprising.

Joining our host Jessica Chobot today was associate editor Kyle Anderson, Nerdist News writer Aliza Pearl, and Mothership writer Amy Vorpahl, and they flew into action with the new look we got during the Winter Games for Pixar‘s long-awaited followup to The Incredibles. What do we think of it? Are we excited for the film, or has too much time passed since the original? How do we think it might address modern day superhero movies? And what are the odds it could actually be even better than the first film?

Warner Bros. also dropped another Easter egg-filled trailer for Ready Player One today, and it had some obvious changes from the novel. Are we happy about this, or do we hope it mostly sticks to the book? What new elements do we think we’ll like? Are we looking forward to the adaptation of A Wrinkle In Time way more? And what are the chances this ends up being Steven Spielberg’s worst movie?

Finally, Pacific Rim Uprising also got a new trailer (seriously, it’s like Hollywood had a trailer sale). What’s our reaction? Are we digging the vibe of the cast? Do we plan on definitely seeing it in IMAX? And with all that new tech, what kind of tool would we want on our own jaeger?



And a big reminder that tomorrow our all new show Nerdist News What the Fridays, an hour long recap of the week in pop culture, premieres live at 1 p.m. PT exclusively on Alpha. But don’t worry, Nerdist News Talks Back isn’t going anywhere, we’ll still be here live Monday to Thursday on our YouTube and Alpha channels, also at 1 p.m. PT.

We’re excited to have you guys join u tomorrow for What the Fridays, and with the rate Hollywood is releasing them, who knows how many trailers we’ll have to discuss tomorrow.

But we still want to hear from you today, so talk back to us in the comments below.

Ready to Talk Back Some More?

Hear our thoughts about the Seinfeld return.
Plus: do you think George Lucas could/should return to Star Wars?
Finally, what do we think about a Michael Bay-directed Lobo movie?

Featured Image: Disney-Pixar, Warner Bros., Legendary

Is BLACK PANTHER the GODFATHER of the MCU?

This weekend, Wakanda will open its borders as Marvel’s Black Panther hits theaters with his first solo film. And if the box office projections hold, then it won’t be the last one! Black Panther has a good shot at becoming one of the biggest hits Marvel has ever had, and that’s on top of the critical acclaim that it has already received. By all indications, director Ryan Coogler and his collaborators have made something special. Today’s Nerdist News is looking at that accomplishment and the way that Black Panther homages at least three unlikely films, including The Godfather.

Join host and ambassador to the Dora Milaje, Jessica Chobot, as she fully explains the parallels between The Godfather and Black Panther. While the Wakandan royal family is a far cry from the mob, we can see that some of T’Challa’s journey may be similar to the path of Michael Corleone. Michael’s fight for respect from his family and outsiders while holding on to his father’s empire isn’t too different from T’Challa’s attempts to keep his country together and fend off a challenge to the thrown.

Coogler has also called Black Panther “the James Bond of the MCU,” and we can definitely see some of that influence in the film’s signature car chase as well as the fantastical devices created by T’Challa’s sister, Shuri. There will also be plenty of chances to show off those gadgets, and T’Challa’s spy game. We’re looking forward to that!

Perhaps the most surprising cinematic influence cited by Coogler was A Prophet, a French film that dealt with secret societies and cultural ties. That movie may inform T’Challa’s numerous roles within his country: king, brother, son, and leader. Wakanda itself could also be described as a secret society, since it has been largely hidden from the world. That seems like a fitting analogy for this film.

What do you think about Black Panther‘s cinematic connections? Let’s discuss in the comment section below!

Images: Marvel Studios

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Celebrate Fifty Years of MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD with This New Documentary

Many of us grew up watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood on PBS, and on February 19, the series will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. It’s a show that was not only monumental in so many of our childhoods, but it taught us all about being a good friend, helped us dream and be imaginative, and it empowered us to be brave and believe in ourselves.

To help the show celebrate its half-century on public broadcast television, PBS will be airing a star-studded special to commemorate the show, Fred Rogers himself, and the timeless ways in which Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood influenced several generations of kids. Michael Keaton is the host of this delightful walk down memory lane called Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like and will feature commentary from stars like Judd Apatow, Sarah Silverman, Whoopi Goldberg, and more.

The show will also revisit some fan-favorite segments from the show like visiting Koko the Gorilla, Big Bird’s appearance in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, and my personal favorite, the trip to the Crayola Factory (seriously, watching them make those crayons got me SO HYPED as a kid).

Fred Rogers passed away in 2003, but he left behind a legacy of kindness, understanding, compassion, and tolerance. It’s weird to say this about a kid’s show, but Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood really has been an iconic part of modern American culture. After all, the show had over 900 episodes, 31 seasons, and aired from 1968-2001. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood influenced generations of children, and Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like will really take the time to appreciate the huge cultural influence Fred Rogers had on all of us.

Leading up to the premiere of It’s You I Like, PBS will be running a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and Daniel Tiger marathon. Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like will air on PBS on March 6.

Did you watch Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as a kid? What is your favorite memory from the show? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

Need More Nostalgia in Your Noggin?

Reptar Bars (from Rugrats!) are coming to a store near you.
Hulu is bringing back ’90s TGIF programming!
And finally, they’re bringing back Ecto-Cooler!

Feature Image: PBS

Nintendo Labo Shows All the Possibilities of DIY Controllers

Last month, Nintendo surprised everyone with its latest innovation for the Switch: Nintendo Labo. Who could have possibly known that the future of video games is in cardboard? While the initial announcement offered gamers a glimpse of Labo’s potential, Nintendo’s latest videos offer a much more detailed explanation about what fans will be able to do when they finally get their hands on it.



Nintendo has dubbed its Labo creations as Toy-Cons, and the overview video demonstrates how they work in conjunction with the Switch. While the official Labo sets include pre-made cardboard sheets and  the software to control them, Nintendo is also inviting fans to make their own custom creations. We suspect that it won’t be long before there’s a large online community of Labo builders.

The first round of Labo releases will hit on April 20, with the Variety Kit and the Robot Kit. The second Labo video dives into the many features of the Variety Kit, which includes options to make a Toy-Con 13-key piano, a motorbike, a fishing rod, a house, and even a RC car.



We’re intrigued by the way that the camera will be integrated into the Labo. Gamers will apparently be able to scan objects (like their hands) to create landscapes within the games, and even create their own fish for the fishing pod minigame.

But what we’re really looking forward to is the chance to take the Nintendo Labo Robot Kit out for a test run. There are more options to explore than just guiding the robot’s path of destruction within the minigame, but we totally want to go on that rampage!



Are you excited about the potential of the Nintendo Labo? Let us know in the comment section below!

Image: Nintendo

These Nerdy Macarons Are Pop Culture Pastry Perfection

Everyone loves a good macaron. The popular sweet, which is probably French for “dessert hamburger,” is like a delicious, sugary sandwich that lets transports you to another realm of fanciful flavors. While these meringue-based cookies are undeniably delicious, the vast majority of them are aesthetically lacking. Sure, they come in a wide array of colors, but why don’t they come shaped like characters from Stranger Things, Overwatch, Sailor Moon, and more of our favorite TV shows, games, and movies? Thankfully, one bakery is rising to the challenge of making their macarons look as good as they taste: Honey & Butter.

Located in Irvine, CA, Honey & Butter puts a distinctly modern twist on classic French macarons, creating pop culture-inspired culinary creations that are both a visual and literal feast. While they make traditional French macarons, they also make what they call “creature cookies,” which are edible versions of popular characters. From Game of Thrones to Harry Potter, the cookie creators at Honey & Butter work their sugary sorcery to turn practically every fandom under the sun into a tantalizing treat. Here’s a small sampling of the delicious dishes they make:

Game of Thrones

Stranger Things

League of Legends

Harry Potter

Overwatch

Honey & Butter is open 7 days a week. For more information on how to get your hands (and mouth) on these creature cookies, check out their website. In the meantime, keep your eyes on their Instagram for a preview of all the tasty treats you’re missing out on.

What characters would you most like to see in macaron form? Let us know in the comments below!

Images courtesy of Honey & Butter

Take a peek at these other nerdy noms!

Brew a Harry Potter love potion cocktail.
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14 porg-inspired recipes for hungry The Last Jedi fans.

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

Jonah Raydio #110: Elvis, King of the Poops

Hey everyone, this week the  Sklar Brothers sit down with us. We talk their new poop documentary @PoopTalkMovie, why Neil may actually be a nice person despite all the talk, and play a Sklar pun based game.

-Songs-

Negative Perspective- Kevin Fowler- send a link next time buddy

Old Rivals- The Darkness

Elvis- You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling

Woziskee- Blue

These Fithy Animals- Zombie Joe

Purdy Shuffle

Langhorne Slim- Say Yes

Make sure to check out the Sklar brother on their podcasts View from the Cheap Seats or Dumb People Town and see their movie Poop Talk in theaters or on demand.

What’s the Deal with a Possible SEINFELD Reboot?

Might Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer return for a Seinfeld reboot? On today’s Nerdist News Talks Back we asked if there would be anything wrong with that, along with breaking down the latest movie news and Netflix‘s latest big signing.

Nerdist managing editor Alicia Lutes, producer Derek Johnson, and Nerdist News writer Joey Clift joined host Jessica Chobot today, and they started with a good old fashioned movie roundup, including the latest looks at The Incredibles 2. The movie seems to have a Mr. Mom kind of vibe. Then, they turned their focus to Ready Player One‘s new retro, Drew Struzan style poster and the appearance of the Jaegers in Pacific Rim Uprising.

From there they headed to the ever-growing world of streaming services, where Netflix has thrown all the money at producer Ryan Murphy to join them. Do we think this, along with inking Shonda Rhimes to a huge deal, is a good move for them? Besides the creator news, they discuss comments about how the execs on the upcoming live-action Sword Art Online series want to avoid any whitewashing.

Finally, Jerry Seinfeld, who has always insisted his iconic show will never return, was again asked if he would ever go back to Monk’s Café, and yadda yadda yadda now “anything is possible.” Would this bring us serenity now or insanity later? You have to wonder if Seinfeld‘s meta-humor would feel stale with so many similar comedies around these days.

Don’t forget Nerdist News Talks Back has a new schedule. We’ll still be joining you Monday to Thursday live on our YouTube and Alpha channels at 1 p.m. PT, but starting this Friday we’re kicking off our brand new hour long show recapping the week in pop culture, Nerdist News What the Fridays. It will also air at 1 p.m. PT, exclusively on Alpha.

What do you think of today’s topics? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Images: NBC

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New Millennium Falcon Details Have Fans Scratching Their Heads

The Millennium Falcon has been a fan favorite since it debuted in Star Wars over 40 years ago, but it’s never exactly been a “new” ship until now. The upcoming spinoff prequel, Solo: A Star Wars Story is giving us the first chance to see the Falcon back when it was still factory fresh. Thanks to some previous toy leaks, we had an idea about how the early Millennium Falcon design differed from its classic look. But now that the official toys have been revealed, the internet is losing its collective mind over the changes. Today’s Nerdist News is taking us on a tour of the new Falcon and explaining how it all fits within the canon.

Join host and Mother of Rathtars, Jessica Chobot, as she pins down the issue that’s really got people worked up: the missing mandibles which give the Falcon its distinct shape and identity. The blue and white paint job, the round radar dish, and the single laser cannon are just minor cosmetic details. And honestly, it’s not really that surprising to learn Lando liked to keep his ship clean before Han got his hands on it. Do you remember how pristine Cloud City was? You could practically eat off of those floors there too.

Keep in mind one of the very first things Han told Luke Skywalker and Ben Kenobi was he had modified the Millennium Falcon. But it’s also worth noting A New Hope may have already explained away the ship’s mandible shape. According to Greedo, the entire reason Han ended up on Jabba the Hutt’s *bleep*list is he dumped his cargo at the first sign of Imperial inspectors. If you look closely at the new toys, you’ll see the section of the ship between the mandibles appears to be detachable.

We’re thinking Han never got around to replacing that part of his ship after his last cargo dump. Or maybe that newly created shape made the Falcon even faster than before. It’s also possible the breakaway attachment is actually a smaller scout ship that was used for smuggling. One way or another, we’re fairly certain we’ll see the Millennium Falcon in its classic form by the end of the movie.

What do you think about the “new” look of the Millennium Falcon? Set a course for the comment section below!

Images: Lucasfilm

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