Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1858

LEGION’s David Haller Might Become a Villain in Season 2

David Haller (Dan Stevens) is going to be walking a very fine and dangerous line when Legion returns for its highly-anticipated second season.

FX’s trippy and prestigious X-Men drama will debut season two in April with “Chapter 9,” and when viewers reunite with David after he was abducted by a mysterious orb in the season one finale, things will look and feel very different thanks to a massive time jump. One year will have passed for everyone else, but for David, the events of the finale will feel like just yesterday. What occurred during that year will have massive effects on David and everyone around him, and might alter the course of whether he’ll be one of the good guys and remain a hero … or actually become one of the most powerful villains ever.

“If season one was about an insane man in a sane world, I was interested in looking at David as a sane man in an insane world,” Legion creator Noah Hawley says during the 2018 Winter Television Critics Association press tour panel. “There is this time jump for him to come back and suddenly the world is a much different place. I was interested in looking at a mass psychology and the way that mental illness can also be cultural in a way. We’re also exploring with [David], he’s on a journey here in which in the language of this world you have heroes and villains and it’s not determined yet where he’s going to end up. A lot of that is going to be determined by what’s holding him on the good path with his relationship with Sydney [Rachel Keller] and his experience with [The Shadow King, Amahl] Farouk.”

And while parasite villain The Shadow King ended season one by taking over Oliver’s (Jemaine Clement) body, when season two begins, viewers will finally get to meet Amahl face-to-face … in his own body, and not inside someone else’s mind. While Wonder Woman star Said Taghmaoui was initially cast to play Amahl Farouk in season two, Hawley revealed that the role had been recast for The Shadow King’s debut in the second episode of season two after screening that game-changing first scene with Amahl and David for the critics gathered.

“That’s Navid Negahban who’s playing Amahl Farouk for us,” Hawley says once the tense and epic scene concluded. “He came on board. We didn’t have a great fit with Said [Taghmaoui] and he was good enough to come join us to play against Dan and he’s great.”

But just because Amahl Farouk will be seen with his real face, that doesn’t let his previous vessels David, Oliver or Lenny (Aubrey Plaza) off the hook. “He wore different faces and certainly this season we’re now meeting him for the first time,” Hawley says. “That doesn’t mean he won’t continue to hide and continue to use people.”

 

And just because David finally got some answers about his mental health, and viewers got some information about who The Shadow King is and what powers David has, that doesn’t mean Legion is going to lose its style in season two. Thanks to the one year time jump, Hawley has more questions than answers.

“The first year we started with some confusion about does he have schizophrenia; does he have these powers; what’s this monster he’s seeing? Over the course of the year, as he got clarity, we got clarity,” Hawley says. “I didn’t want season two to be all clarity all the time so we built in a time jump and some things where we can muddy the waters again. I think the mystery and trying to figure things out is hopefully part of the joy of watching it.”

What are you most excited to see from Legion season two? Tweet me at @SydneyBucksbaum and let’s geek out together!

Images: FX

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Read Original Script for THE SIMPSONS “Steamed Hams”

Anyone from Albany will tell you if you want to host an unforgettable luncheon, there’s no finer meal to serve than some good old fashioned “steamed hams.” Of course, you don’t even have to be from that one very specific part of upstate New York to know that if you’re a fan of The Simpsons, because that’s what Seymour Skinner offered up to Superintendent Chalmers in the classic episode “22 Short Films About Springfield.” And thanks to one of the writers who came up with that vignette we now have the original script, and it was hilarious from the very first draft.

Bill Oakley shared the first version of the scene on Twitter (you can click his first tweet to read the entire thread), and what’s remarkable is just how fully formed it is. If you read it before re-watching the scene you might not even notice any changes since they’re mostly cosmetic, with a few superfluous lines cleaned up, and a couple added.

Steamed Hams, but it's the original first draft in a thread pic.twitter.com/x9ORERiBVq

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The First BLACK PANTHER Toy Commercial Has Arrived

Next month, Marvel’s Black Panther will arrive in theaters and bring fans into the futuristic African nation of Wakanda as King T’Challa tries to save his people and his crown. And while the trailers for the film have offered older fans a taste of the action ahead, Marvel hasn’t forgotten their younger fans. Hasbro has more than just Black Panther action figures for children to play with. The company has unveiled its first commercial for the other Black Panther toys, which allows kids a chance to try on some of T’Challa’s signature costume.



We first spotted this ad on io9, and the video intersperses its look at the toys and accessories with another enticing glimpse of Wakanda before the trio of kids comes face-to-face with T’Challa himself. It’s not surprising that the Black Panther mask and claws will be available as toys, but it is refreshing that Hasbro is also offering the panther gauntlets that were worn and created by Shuri, T’Challa’s sister. Shuri is a relatively recent addition to the Marvel canon, and the movie portrays her as the genius behind many of T’Challa’s high tech gadgets. If the MCU follows the example of Shuri’s comic book counterpart, she may eventually become the Black Panther as well.

Regardless of what happens with the Disney and Fox deal, we think that Black Panther is going to be a big hit for Marvel Studios. If we’re right, that’s going to mean a lot more Black Panther toys in the future, as well as an inevitable sequel on the big screen. And that’s something that we would be very excited to see.

What do you think about the first ad for Hasbro’s Black Panther toys? Let us know in the comment section below!

Images: Hasbro

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New BLACK PANTHER Featurette Explores What Makes the Character Special

Black Panther might have only joined Marvel’s Cinematic Universe in Captain America: Civil War, but the character has been an important part of Marvel for over 50 years. And with his standalone film set to hit theaters next month the studio has released a new featurette discussing what makes both him and his technologically advanced African homeland of Wakanda such an exciting place and superhero to explore in-depth.

This short video includes commentary from Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, Stan Lee–who along with Jack Kirby created the character in the early ’60s, director Ryan Coogler, and actor Chadwick Boseman. They explain how the character went from the page to the screen, what makes Black Panther stand out from the rest of the superheroes he’ll be teaming up with in Infinity War, and why they can’t wait for fans to see what he is capable.

“He’s an interesting character that is going to be such a different thing for the audience on the screen,” said Lee. Especially because as Boseman pointed out, he’s the only superhero who is also responsible for leading an entire nation. Yeah Iron Man is great, but Tony Stark can’t even successfully handle his own parties let alone an entire country.

However the truth is we didn’t need this featurette to get us excited for the film. Black Panther was one of the best parts of Civil War, and every trailer for the movie has been amazing. That’s why after more than 50 years of anticipation, somehow the last few weeks until the movie hits theaters on February 16th couldn’t be the longest.

What are you most excited about for the movie? Tell us in the comments below.

Featured Image: Marvel

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4 Reasons You Should Be Watching THE GOOD PLACE

With its unique concept, stellar cast, and consistent comedy, NBC’s The Good Place stands out among TV’s current offerings. It’s certainly the most original accomplishment yet of creator Michael Schur, who has to date worked on The Office and co-created Parks and Recreation. The Good Place is a sitcom by its basest definition, but this time, it’s about the afterlife, it’s full of fun twists, and it’s deeply, wonderfully weird. Even with its absurdity, though, the characters remain deeply relatable, and its emotional beats always ring true. If you haven’t hopped aboard this trolley yet, there are plenty of reasons to try. Here’s why you should go back, binge on a season and a half, and then carve out a half hour on Thursday evenings going forward.

IT’S TV’S MOST ORIGINAL COMEDY

The Good Place has always been high concept, but it never sacrifices accessibility to this end. Season one used the framing device of “Someone who wasn’t meant for heaven ends up there,” an idea that was interesting but didn’t necessarily promise longevity. Fortunately, creator Michael Schur and his crew had something shocking in store for viewers going forward (SPOILER WARNING): the utopian setting they’d come to know as the Good Place was actually the Bad Place. Those that ruled over the Bad Place—typically a fiery hellscape—were testing out a bold new method of torture by using the victim’s own vices against them, opting for psychological torment over physical. It was a bold move creatively, and it’s still paying off. As main character Eleanor (Kristen Bell) and her companions began figuring out Bad Place architect Michael’s (Ted Danson) scheme, the story took turns the audience never could’ve anticipated. 

THE CHARACTERS ARE COMPLETELY CAPTIVATING

After the first few episodes, the residents of the Good Place could’ve been described in broad strokes: comically cruel and self-absorbed Eleanor, her stick-in-the-mud soulmate Chidi (William Jackson Harper), the glamorous and image-obsessed Tahani (Jameela Jamil), and silent monk Jiangyu (Manny Jacinto), who’s actually a clueless dancer named Jason posing as a nobler man. However, there’s plenty below the surface in three of those cases: Eleanor’s cruelty stems from deep loneliness and lack of fulfillment, Chidi’s indecisive nature and tendency toward uptightness prevented him from ever truly being happy in life, and Tahani’s jealousy of her sister’s success led to her self-absorption… and, ultimately, her death. Jason is, more than anything else, a vehicle for humor—another of the show’s greatest strengths.

THE JOKES NEVER PUNCH DOWN

Humor-wise, The Good Place punches up. Instead of jokes that leave a bad taste in a viewer’s mouth, the show relies on absurdity, sight gags, silly puns, and snappy dialogue for laughs. Some of the most memorable moments, like a wedding dance featuring *NSYNC’s “Digital Get Down,” Janet (Michael’s assistant who’s essentially an AI in a skirt suit played by D’arcy Carden) malfunctioning and spewing pennies all over Michael’s office, and Michael’s muscle car-driving, earring-sporting midlife crisis (he’s several eons old), would all be far too weird on any other show. But this is The Good Place, and weirdness is sublime. As far as wordplay goes, look no further than writer Megan Amram’s restaurant names she brainstormed for season two episode “Dance Dance Resolution.”

The comedic performances are also stellar. It’s no exaggeration to say that every regular player on The Good Place is gifted comedically; Chidi’s stammers are just as funny as Eleanor’s creative insults or Michael’s scathing critique of Les Miserables. And the best part? The joke density is bonkers. As soon as one giggle fit is over, the next one’s already started.

IT HAS HEART, BUT IS NEVER CHEESY

Sentimentality isn’t always a bad thing, and it has its place in TV comedy. Schur and the Good Place writers understand that, but instead of going for maudlin moments, they take another tack: always add some bitter to the sweet. That’s what makes the heartfelt portions of The Good Place so compelling; Eleanor, Chidi, and the others are deeply flawed, and even when they’re portrayed as happy (whether in the past or present), there’s the sense it won’t last long. Initially, the show was far from a tearjerker, but that’s what it’s turned out to be in addition to one of the best comedies in recent memory. And that’s worth tuning in for.

Let us know if you’ll be climbing aboard the The Good Place bandwagon!

What We’re Looking Forward to in 2018

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The top 12 things we’re looking forward to in 2018
Have you seen the latest The X-Files? Everyone is losing it

How Bruce Wayne Became BATMAN’s Latest Villain

Warning: There are massive spoilers ahead for this week’s Batman #38 . You may want to stay out of the Batcave until you’ve read the issue!

The cover of Batman #38 promised that it would feature “the origin of Bruce Wayne,” and it delivered. But Tom King and artist Travis Moore didn’t simply rehash a story that goes back over seven decades. Instead, they introduced Matthew Warner, a young boy who idolized Bruce Wayne. And the fallout from Matthew’s first appearance may hang over the Dark Knight for years to come.

At the beginning of the issue, Bruce offered his support to Matthew after his parents were brutally killed, just as Bruce’s parents died years ago. Matthew’s father worked with Bruce at Wayne Enterprises, and he obviously felt a kinship to Matthew over their shared trauma. Instead of playing the role of a playboy, Bruce allowed Matthew to see his more vulnerable side as a way to deal with his emotional pain. Along the way, Matthew revealed that he idolizes Bruce Wayne.

The problem is that Matthew didn’t just idolize Bruce Wayne, he wanted to become Bruce Wayne. And he has a twisted way of going about it. First, Matthew convinced his butler, Taylor, to murder his parents and frame two of Batman’s greatest villains for the crime. Then Taylor took the fall to protect Matthew before Bruce realized the truth. But by the time that Batman caught up with Matthew, he had fully retreated into his new identity as “Bruce Wayne” after cutting the names of Bruce’s parents into the flesh of his face.

By the end of the issue, “Bruce” is happily locked away in an asylum while the real Bruce is left shaken to the core. This was a masterfully executed “done-in-one” story that’s rarely seen in modern superhero comics. But King may be far from done with “Bruce Wayne.” After this introduction, we believe that “Master Bruce” has the potential to become one of Batman’s greatest enemies. Think about it: he’s got the wealth he inherited from his parents, the undying loyalty of his butler, and an insane drive to model himself after the real Bruce. Given enough time to study the genuine article, we wouldn’t be shocked if he eventually discovered Bruce’s secret as well.

Because years pass at a crawl within superhero comics, it could be a very long time before the new Bruce comes of age. But we think that it would be fitting if he eventually becomes a Dark Batman. That would probably be one of the worst nightmares for the real Batman. As Bruce Wayne, he wanted to inspire Gotham City’s residents to be better. Now, even his best intentions have come back to haunt him.

What do you think about the introduction of the new Bruce Wayne? Light the Batsignal in the comment section below!

Images: DC Comics

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How Will WONDER WOMAN 2 Be Completely Different From the First Film?

Director Patty Jenkins says the next Wonder Woman movie will be totally different from the first, but what exactly could that mean for the movie? We discussed that on today’s Nerdist News Talks Back in our DC roundup, along with the poor reaction to the season 11 premiere of The X-Files, and whether we might be getting another mega-Hollywood merger.

Host Jessica Chobot was joined today by managing editor Alicia Lutes, Bizarre States’ Andrew Bowser, and Nerdist News writer Aliza Pearl, and they kicked things off with Patty Jenkins comments the next Wonder Woman movie will be a “new adventure” instead of a “number two.” What will that mean for the movie? What kind of role would we like Lynda Carter to have in it? Does new head of DC Films Walter Hamada have us feeling more optimistic about DC movies on the whole? And what other changes do we hope to see after Justice League?



Last night we also got the season premiere of The X-Files, and people were not exactly thrilled by it. What did we think of it though? With Gillian Anderson saying she won’t be back for another year, and Chris Carter saying he won’t do the show without her, is this the beginning of the end? Are the episode’s lower ratings enough to guarantee that anyway? And are revivals in general also in trouble?

Finally, new rumors say we might be getting yet another major merger in the entertainment world, with Apple possibly considering buying Netflix. Would this be good for either company? What about for fans? What would Hollywood look like with both Disney-Fox and Apple-Netflix?

Nerdist News Talks Back airs live on our YouTube and Alpha channels every weekday 1:00 p.m. PT, so tune in and be a part of the conversation with us. Just like Wonder Woman 2, every day is a new adventure.

But even though you might have missed today’s show live, we still want to hear your thoughts on all the topics we discussed. So talk back to us about them in the comments below.

Images: DC Films, Netflix

Verne Troyer Bought Himself a Tiny Toy Tesla for Christmas

Although it hasn’t been documented yet, there seems to be evidence for a “Verne Troyer” effect, where everything the actor and stuntman touches somehow becomes about ten times as awesome as it originally was. Case in point: Verne Troyer tooling around in a tiny toy Tesla. What seemed like an already neato car for kids becomes a miniature slice of The Fast and the Furious action with Troyer at the wheel.



CNET reported on Troyer’s acquisition of the tiny Tesla, which is a scaled-down duplicate of the popular full-sized, fully electric Model S. And if you think corners were cut just because this little car is for kids, then you don’t know Tesla.

The electric automaker — and energy production company — teamed up with Radio Flyer to make the mini Tesla, which boasts much of the signature designs of its full-sized family member. The mini Tesla, aimed at kids aged 3-8 years old, features working headlights, a working horn, forward/reverse gearing, a front trunk (frunk), an aux input for music players, and a FlightSpeed Lithium Ion battery that allows the little electric vehicle to reach top speeds of 6 miles per hour. Not exactly the 250+ miles per hour promised by Tesla’s forthcoming quarter-of-a-million-dollar halo sports car, but certainly not bad for the relatively modest $500 price tag.



As for Troyer’s experience with the vehicle, it seemed to be mostly positive after he managed to get the box into his garage, which as you can see in the video was a harrowing endeavor for the two-foot-tall actor. He then took some time to do a little (seemingly unintentional) drifting on the slick surface of his garage floor before taking the car out for a speedy spin around the block.

The day of spirited driving was ultimately capped off by Troyer flipping his camera crew the bird, which is to be expected as he claims that he enjoys “ridin’ dirty.” Luckily that doesn’t mean he and his tiny auto produce green house gas emissions.

What do you think about Troyer’s romp in this tiny toy Tesla? Give us your thoughts in the comments below!

Images: Verne Troyer

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Why Everyone is Flipping Out Over Last Night’s X-FILES!

Warning: There are massive spoilers ahead from last night’s season premiere of The X-Files ! 

Remember two years ago when Fox brought back The X-Files for a six-episode run and left us on a cliffhanger that seemed to put Mulder on death’s door while the world fell to a deadly illness? Well, forget about it, because it was all a dream! Or maybe parts of it were a dream or some kind of vision of the future? But if you thought fans were pissed about that, well, the firestorm is just getting started. Today’s Nerdist News is diving into the Scully intel that changes everything we thought we knew about her son, William.

Join host and conspiracy crusher, Jessica Chobot, as she unpacks the loaded revelation that William is not the love child of Mulder and Scully. Instead, the Cigarette-Smoking Man secretly used science to impregnate Scully with alien DNA some time during the seventh season. Oh, and CSM may have used his own DNA as well. If so, that would make him William’s real father.

According to series creator Chris Carter, this was always the plan for Scully’s child, even if they never got around to dealing with it on the original series. So far, the response from fans has been less than positive. One of the more endearing parts of the previous season was the way that Mulder and Scully shared their grief over missing their son’s life. Now, that burden is Scully’s alone. And we’re thinking that this is one mystery that would have been better left out of the show.

What do you think about the paternity of Scully’s son and the season 10 cliffhanger? Declassify your thoughts in the comment section below!

Need More Mulder and Scully?

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And finally, here’s our review of last night’s episode.

Images: Fox

The WORKAHOLICS Trio Go Full DIE HARD in First GAME OVER, MAN! Trailer

Last year, Workaholics wrapped up its seven season run, but that doesn’t mean that the guys behind the show are done collaborating with each other. Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Blake Anderson are re-teaming for Game Over, Man!, an upcoming Netflix original film that appears to be a Die Hard parody. Within this story, Devine, Holm, and Anderson play hotel workers with some delusions of grandeur. During a posh LA party, criminals seize control of the hotel and its guests, leaving these three men as the only “heroes” who can save the day. But as you can see in the first trailer for the film, they’re liable to get themselves killed long before they can help anyone else.



Within the trailer, Shaggy makes an appearance as himself, which made for an amusing cut to one of his most famous songs. The trailer also offers a better sense of who Alexx (DeVine), Darren (Holm), and Joel (Anderson) are outside of the hostage situation when they turn their guns on each other in one of the most bizarre stand-offs that we’ve ever seen. It seems that their self-image as would-be heroes just can’t live up to reality, which is probably why they end up in a very perilous position by the end of the video.

Holms wrote Game Over, Man!, and it was directed by Workaholics co-creator Kyle Newacheck. Netflix will drop the film on Friday, March 23.

What do you think about the first trailer for Game Over, Man!? Let us know in the comment section below!

Images: Netflix