Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 186

The Shadow Council Will Return in THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU Role

Disney+’s two biggest stars are headed to the big screen. The next adventure for Star Wars‘ Din Djarin and his little green son will take place in theaters. What awaits the two when they get there? Who else will join them in making the move from television to cinema? And who will tell this new chapter in their story?

Here’s everything we know about The Mandalorian & Grogu so far, including its release date.

Latest News for The Mandalorian & Grogu – The Shadow Council ReturnsLucasfilm

The latest bit of casting news provides some insight into the film’s plot. Deadline reports Jonny Coyne (Bodies) will reprise his role as the Imperial Warlord. The character first appeared as part of The Mandalorian‘s Shadow Council in season three. The group of high-level officers remain loyal to the Empire after its fall and hope to restore it to power. Coyne’s character was also doing well for himself personally thanks to hit-and-run plundering of hyperspace lanes.

We expected the Shadow Council to return for the film in some capacity, and this confirms the group will make its presence felt.

The Mandalorian & Grogu‘s PlotWalt Disney Studios

The movie’s official announcement did not include a plot synopsis or any specifics about its story. It’s also unknown how it might connect to other Disney+ shows, characters, and other planned featured films. The only insight came from Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy’s statement in the press release. She said The Mandalorian & Grogu will tell a “new story” she describes as a “perfect fit for the big screen.” The movie’s first official artwork does show Din and Grogu fleeing an exploding ship, but that might be just a normal Thursday for them.

At D23, we saw a sneak peek of The Mandalorian & Grogu. It did not show too much, but it did reveal that Zeb would be back in the Star Wars movie, as would the Razor Crest, despite the ship’s season two destruction in The Mandalorian season two. Additionally, the teaser focused on something that looked like a giant battle on Hoth, complete with AT-ATs and Snow Troopers. At one point, Din Djarin infiltrates an AT-ST walker as it bounds through the snow. We also see a shot of Grogu in a tiny ship with two Anzellans.

Until we get any actual details about the film’s plot, any speculation about The Mandalorian & Grogu will be based on where the Disney+ show left the characters after season three, as well as the known state of the galaxy far, far away during the time period of the early days of the New Republic and what we know followed it.

Behind-the-Scenes

The Mandalorian creator and showrunner Jon Favreau will direct the film. He’ll also serve as a producer along with both Kennedy and longtime Star Wars stalwart Dave Filoni. 

Production is set to begin in 2024. It will shoot for a scheduled 92 days in California, where it has received one of the state’s biggest tax credits ever for a movie. Reports say work on The Mandalorian & Grogu will include 500 crew members, 54 cast members, and 3500 background players.

The Mandalorian & Grogu‘s CastLucasfilm

Pedro Pascal’s voice is all but certain to be a part of the movie. It’s unclear how much, if any, he will physically play the role, though. At this point on the Disney+ show the part of Mando is primarily a voice-over one for Pascal. Actors Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder share responsibility for playing the masked Din Djarin on film. If Din never removes his helmet in the movie, Pascal’s involvement could take place entirely off-screen. He did physically play the character in the past. Maybe he’ll put on his beskar armor once again for a big budget film.

Star Wars has yet to announce any official cast members for the movie. Other members of The Mandalorian are likely to also star in the film, however. Those alums include Katee Sackhoff, Emily Swallow, and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee. Ahsoka stars like Genevieve O’Reilly, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, and Eman Esfandi are also obvious candidates to appear, as is Boba Fett himself, Temuera Morrison.

20th Century Studios/Lucasfilm

Recently, Sigourney Weaver confirmed her place in the Star Wars universe. Yes, Sigourney Weaver, the Alien icon, will be meeting a much nicer space creature this time around in The Mandalorian & Grogu. Weaver shares, “I’m playing a role in The Mandalorian & Grogu [which will be directed by Jon Favreau]. I got to meet Grogu for the first time the other day.” We love to hear it.

FX Networks/Lucasfilm

Additionally, Jeremy Allen White has also joined the cast as Jabba the Hutt’s son, Rotta.

The Mandalorian & Grogu‘s Release DateLucasfilm

The Mandalorian & Grogu is scheduled to come to theaters on May 22, 2026.

Originally published on February 26, 2024.

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Anya Taylor-Joy Says She Will Be in DUNE: PART THREE

Long live the writers! And I’m not saying that just because I write for a living. It’s because Denis Villeneuve revealed he is writing the script for a potential Dune: Part Three. At 2024’s Toronto International Film Festival, the director spoke to Variety who asked about the state of the script. Villeneuve replied “It’s in the works. It’s why I’m not staying here [at the festival] that long.

Warner Bros./Legendary

Villeneuve further clarified that if he makes the second Dune book into a third movie, it won’t be a “trilogy” in the traditional sense. “First, It’s important that people understand that for me, it was really a diptych,” he said. “It was really a pair of movies that will be the adaptation of the first book. That’s done and that’s finished. If I do a third one, which is in the writing process, it’s not like a trilogy. It’s strange to say that, but if I go back there, it’s to do something that feels different and has its own identity.”

And it seems things are truly moving forward. During CCXP 2024, Anya Taylor-Joy said that Dune: Part Three (perhaps known as Dune: Messiah) is being made. “Yeah, the film is being made, and I am so thrilled to be a part of it,” Taylor-Joy said, adding, “I’m such a big fan of everybody that’s a part of that project and I just can’t wait.” The actress, who portrays Alia Atreides, couldn’t give any more details. But hopefully we will get more information about

Warner Bros./Legendary

Back in April, Villeneuve spoke to The New York Times about Dune: Part Two and all things Muad’Dib-related. Fans of the box office smash will definitely want to hear his thoughts on Paul’s possible Messiah-complex, Lady Jessica’s face tattoos, Chani’s expanded role, and the rules of Fremen intimacy. But the most exciting part of the interview came when he casually mentioned the future. He’s working on the script for a possible third entry in the franchise.

While speaking about how Paul and Chani’s connected stories ended in Part Two, the director said, “[Paul] will try to find a way to save his soul in the third part.” Then, while discussing Chani’s feelings towards Paul at the end, Villeneuve said, “That anger is tremendous. I don’t want to reveal what I’m going to do with the third movie. I know exactly what to do. I’m writing it right now. But there’s a lot of firepower there and I’m very excited about that decision.”

Warner Bros./Legendary

These quotes come just a couple of weeks after Variety reported Legendary Pictures is already developing Dune: Part Three with the director. And it comes as Part Two is returning to IMAX theaters this month. That’s when it’s expected to cross the $700 million box office mark. Those are all great signs for fans hoping to see Villeneuve adapt Dune: Messiah, which he has said he wants to do. But there’s still a long way to travel from “writing” to “Arrakis.”

In the recent interview, he did keep to his promise that Dune: Messiah would be his final outing. “Listen, if Dune: Messiah happens, it will have been many years for me on Arrakis, and I would love to do something else,” Villeneuve said. “I think that it would be a good idea for me to make sure that, in Messiah, there are the seeds in the project if someone wants to do something else afterwards, because they are beautiful books. They are more difficult to adapt. They become more and more esoteric. It’s a bit more tricky to adapt, but I’m not closing the door. I will not do it myself, but it could happen with someone else.”

If he’s already working on the script—in any capacity—viewers can probably at least start at least thinking about what color stillsuit they’ll want to wear to the premiere.

Originally published April 22, 2024.

Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.

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Henry Cavill WARHAMMER 40,000 Live-Action Franchise Moves Forward in the Nick of Time, First TV Series Officially In Development

“Life comes at you fast.” Well, sometimes, it comes at you faster than a proverbial speeding bullet. That was certainly the case for Henry Cavill not too long ago. In a whirlwind only Superman himself could keep up with, the actor quickly went from two high-profile jobs to none. First, he was back as the Man of Steel in the DCEU. But right after his cameo in Black Adam, he was out as Geralt of Rivia on Netflix’s The Witcher. Only, ultimately, he was also out as Clark Kent. Don’t feel too badly for Cavill, though. Another idiom now applies to his roller-coaster career: all’s well that ends well. His next series will turn his personal passion into a paying gig. Henry Cavill will headline Amazon Studios’ Warhammer 40,000 live-action franchise. And two years after its announcement (and just in the nick of time), a Warhammer 40,000 TV series is officially in development as part of this project with Cavill.

Henry CavillA Warhammer 40,000 TV Series Is Officially In Development with Henry Cavill and Games Workshop

After two years of very little in the way of updates, a Warhammer 40,000 TV series is officially in development with Henry Cavill, Games Workshop, and Amazon. And this timing is not a coincidence, according to Deadline. Apparently, Amazon’s hold on the Warhammer 40,000 rights was on a clock, a clock that was first meant to run out in December 2023, but was extended until December 2024. The publication writes that Games Workshop revealed in an annual financial report that Amazon and Games Workshop had to mutually agree on the “creative guidelines for the films and television series to be developed by Amazon” in order for Amazon not to lose the Warhammer 40,000 rights.

And it seems the companies, alongside Cavill, have achieved this mutual agreement about the future of the live-action Warhammer 40,000 franchise. Reportedly, “a decision was made to proceed with the development of a TV series as the first project.” We do not yet know what shape that TV series will take or who will be its showrunner.

Cavill offered the following statement about the Warhammer 40,000 TV series, “My incredible team and I, alongside the brilliant minds at Games Workshop, have been working away in concept rooms, breaking down approaches to the enormity and magnificence of the Warhammer world. Together, we’ve been sifting through the plethora of incredible characters and poring over old tomes and texts. Our combined efforts have led us to a fantastic place to start our Universe, which has been agreed upon by those up on high at both Amazon and Games Workshop.”

Amazon Studios Acquired Rights to Warhammer 40,000 in 2022, Henry Cavill to Star and Produce Franchise

In December 2022, Amazon Studios first confirmed the news was true. It acquired the rights to Games Workshop’s wildly popular miniature universe Warhammer 40,000. The deal includes future shows, movies, “and more.” The arrangement, a first-of-its-kind agreement, didn’t go small with its leading man. We learned at the time that Cavill would both star in and executive produce the Warhammer franchise. Considering his well-established love for the hobby, it’s hard to think of anything that will help Henry Cavill overcome his disappointment at no longer being Superman.

“I have loved Warhammer since I was a boy, making this moment truly special for me. The opportunity to shepherd this cinematic universe from its inception is quite the honour and the responsibility,” said Cavill in his initial statement about joining the Warhammer world. “I couldn’t be more grateful for all the hard work put in by Vertigo, Amazon and Games Workshop to make this happen. One step closer to making a nigh-on lifelong dream come true.” 

Games Workshop Shares Cavill’s Live-Action Warhammer 40,000 World Is ‘Now Properly Rolling’

In a 2023 blog post, Games Workshop gave a very positive update about that revealed a bit more to us about the shape of Cavill’s Warhammer 40,000 live-action franchise.

The company Games Workshop noted, “An elite band of screenwriters, each with their own particular passion for Warhammer, is being assembled to help bring the setting and characters you love to the screen. This illustrious group will be championed by Henry Cavill, who stands ready to take his place as executive producer – bringing his pen, sword and/or spear to the project.” Interestingly, Cavill is mentioned in his capacity as an executive producer, but not necessarily as an actor. We feel it’s still likely that Cavill will take his place as the star of one Warhammer 40,000 property or another. Who could be better?

In addition to this, Cavill himself shared at the time, “Warhammer is progressing very well. Big things are happening, and we are very excited.” He also offered, “It is the greatest privilege of my professional career to have this opportunity… I can’t say too much, again, it’s early days, still. But to have this opportunity to bring it to the screen, and be at the tiller so it can be faithful, is key to me.”

It sounds like any Warhammer 40,000 projects will be in great hands with Cavill. We appreciate just how much the actor is excited. Cavill even has the videos of him nerding out over Warhammer miniatures to prove his love.

When Can We Expect a Warhammer 40,000 Movie or TV Series to Release?

Ultimately, Games Workshop reminded us last year that, “It’s not unusual for projects to take two to three years from this point before something arrives on screen. Still, things are now properly rolling, and you can bet we’ll bring you all the latest updates and cool snippets as soon as we’re able.”

But at least now that there’s a firm direction, we’ll hopefully hear some more news soon.

More About Warhammer 40,000

Warhammer 40,000 takes place in the “far future, where humanity stands at the edge of what might be its brightest future, or its darkest age. The threats to humankind’s empire are many—traitors driven by the fires of ambition, alien empires sworn to reclaim the stars, and the corruption of reality by malevolent gods.”

Sounds like a place that could really use both a witcher and a super man. Now it has both. Congratulations to Cavill and all the other fans of the Warhammer 40,000 world.

Originally published on December 16, 2022.

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THE ART OF THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA Exclusive Excerpts: Percival de Rolo Sketches, Keyleth Concept Art, and a Creator Interview

It is a good time to be a fan of Prime Video’s The Legend of Vox Machina. Firstly, the Critical Role series just wrapped up its incredible third season. And, much to the delight of fans, it has already been renewed for season four. If that weren’t enough, Critters are getting an incredible treat in the form of The Art of the Legend of Vox Machina, a new art book that walks fans through seasons one and two of the series, episode by episode. Not only is this nearly 200-page book both fun and informative, but it’s downright gorgeous. If you’re a true heart fan, you’ll be pouring over all of its pages, just letting its magic absorb into you. But you don’t just have to take our word for it; we at Nerdist are thrilled to share exclusive excerpts from The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina.

In our sneak peek look inside the tome, available for sale today, we share incredible Keyleth concept art, fantastic Percival de Rolo sketches, and a brilliant interview with Lead Character Designer Phil Bourassa. And this is just a taste of the wonders that lie in store. We say it’s even better than rolling a Nat 20.

Dark Horse Comics Our Exclusive Excerpt From The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina Reveals Concept Art and More of Your Favorite Characters, Keyleth and Percival de Rolo

We would never dream of playing favorites with our The Legend of Vox Machina‘s party. After all, a found family is so wonderful because of all its disparate parts coming together. That’s definitely one of our favorite tropes ever, and The Legend of Vox Machina brings it to life like no other series. But… we have to admit, Keyleth and Percival de Rolo are some of our most beloved characters ever. And we know they’re yours too. That’s why we were so excited to see The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina art book give us even more in-depth looks at their brilliant designs, offering fans gorgeous pieces of concept art and fun character tidbits to eagerly consume. If that doesn’t get you ready to dive head-first into this Critical Role book and explore every corner, we don’t know what will.

You can check out some of the Keyleth and Percy spotlight pages below.

Keyleth’s Nature-Based Powers and Earnestness Were Critical to Her Design

Our girl Keyleth shines in The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina. The book offers us a look at different iterations of the charming yet awkward druid and offers us a few interesting ideas to chew over about her season one look. We absolutely love exploring the subtle yet impactful changes that came over Keyleth as the team searched for the perfect look for this essential character. Of course, we can never get enough of Minxie (Keyleth’s saber-toothed tiger form), and we love seeing her from many different angles.

Dark Horse Comics

The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina also shares of Keyleth, “Her powers encompass a wide range of abilities, from controlling the weather to communicating with animals and plants, making her a formidable force. Finding the right design to capture the natural foundation of her powers was an important consideration when developing the look of Keyleth’s magic.” And additionally that, Keyleth “captured the hearts of the design team, who wanted her design for season one to convey her earnestness and heart-on-her-sleeve attitude.”

Dark Horse Comics

Well, even though she didn’t end up with any sleeves, The Legend of Vox Machina‘s Keyleth certainly captured our hearts as well, so we’ll say, job very well done.

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Watch CRITICAL ROLE’s ‘Twelve Days of Grogmas’ Music Video for Delightful Holiday ChaosPercival de Rolo’s Gunslinging Style Leapt Out Even in Early Concept Art Reveals The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina (But So Did His Tortured Soul)

There’s very little we could love more than a tortured soul in a fantasy story, and that’s why The Legend of Vox Machina‘s Percy is basically perfect. It’s also why we were extra excited to see more of one Percival de Rolo (or Percival Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, if you’re feeling casual) in our exclusive excerpt from The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina. In Percy’s pages, we get to explore how Mr. (etc. etc.) de Rolo came to life in fine fashion, as the text reminds us exactly why he’s one of the most beloved characters in The Legend of Vox Machina.

Below, you can take a look at just a tease of the new art and sketches of Percival de Rolo that you can find in The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina.

Dark Horse Comics

Gunslinger. Stoic exterior. Tortured soul. Like we said, these words are music to our ears. And these pieces of Percy de Rolo concept art and character sketches are music to our eyes. A close-up sketch of Percy laughing? Have you ever seen anything so pure? That sure made our day. Not to mention some very cool concepts of Percy’s coat billowing and gun firing. Of course, Percy’s pepperbox and mask get their own little spread. It’s what they deserve.

Dark Horse Comics

The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina notes, “Armed with his intellect and a talent for invention, Percy became known as the ‘gunslinger’ of Vox Machina. Yet, beneath Percy’s stoic exterior lies a tortured soul haunted by guilt and remorse. Despite his best efforts to bury his past and focus on the task at hand, the specter of his family’s murder looms large, driving him to desperate measures in his quest for vengeance. As the series unfolds, Percy’s character undergoes a profound transformation, evolving into a reluctant hero and a steadfast friend.” We absolutely love watching Percy’s journey unroll in The Legend of Vox Machina, and all these incredible extras from The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina just give us that much more to enjoy.

Like we said before, these gorgeous pages are just excerpts of what the full book has in store. And we bet you already cannot stop looking at them again and again. We know we sure can’t.

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DAGGERHEART, CRITICAL ROLE’s Answer to DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Reveals Cover ArtThe Art of The Legend of Vox Machina Delivers Informative Interviews with the Creators of the Series Dark Horse Comics

We love the characters of The Legend of Vox Machina, of course, but this Critical Role show didn’t just spring to life all on its own. No, we could not have gotten our favorite series without the fabulous creators who work behind the fantasy. In this excellent art book, you’ll find some amazing interviews with some of the geniuses who brought the epic tale. And we at Nerdist are thrilled to share one such interview with Lead Character Designer Phil Bourassa in our exclusive excerpts from The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina.

You can check it out below.

Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics

First things first, we’ve caught our favorite party in an outtake sketch, which we adore. We guess we understand why they didn’t use that shot as their cover, but you have to admit it’s pretty great. Everyone’s looking just a bit ready for a nap (except Percy, who is always a cool customer.) But we’re glad Pike found a comfy place to rest her head… Poor Keyleth is less fortunate. But hey, Scanlan is ready to go.

Speaking of, Phil Bourassa shares that Scanlan is one of his favorite characters to see fan art for. He offers the following answer in his The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina‘s interview:

Who is your favorite character to see fan art for?

I’ve seen a lot of great fan art, but I feel like people have a lot of fun with Scanlan. He’s so over the top and absurd because Sam is such a riot. However, Pike is probably my current favor- ite to draw. I don’t see a lot of fan art of her, but it’s always nice to see. She’s like a little tornado, and I love drawing her compact nature. You can do a lot of fun things visually when posing her out.

Additionally, Bourassa reveals how involved the Critical Role cast were in the design of their The Legend of Vox Machina characters:

How closely did you work with the individual cast members on the look of their character?

Everyone had a say, especially in the beginning, when it came to their character. Travis (Willingham), Sam (Riegel), and Matt (Mercer) are kind of the point guys that I see regularly, but they have all been friends for years so they know how each member would react to each design before even asking.

It was important to me to get every cast member involved because, at the end of the day, you want Ashley (Johnson) to LOVE the Pike design and you want Marisha (Ray) to LOVE Keyleth’s look because they’re the experts. These characters are avatars of these artists. They were also their first characters too–so they are their alter egos in a way, and it feels a little more personal.

And finally, The Art of the Legend of Vox Machina gets at the most important question of all:

Which character would you want to be trapped on a deserted island with and why?

I’m going with my girl Keyleth. She has the charming awkward- ness and is easy to relate to. And who better to be stranded in the wilderness than someone who has mastery over the elements and nature magic? I do have to point out that there’s probably no one less useful in a protracted real-life crisis than someone whose only skill is drawing cartoons, so hopefully, she likes my jokes. The rest of the characters would probably eventually kill me because I’d be doing nothing.

More About The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina

If you’re itching to get The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina into your Bag of Holding… and come on, we bet that you are, you’re in luck. This incredible art book is now available for purchase. (And, it does happen to be almost Christmas/Winter’s Crest…) The Art of The Legend of Vox Machina by Meredith Kecskemety costs $49.99. A deluxe version of the art book is also available for $99.99.

Dark Horse Comics

The official description of the book shares:

Experience Exandria again with character breakdowns, concept art, and a behind-the-scenes look into the creation of the show with Legend of Vox Machina writer Meredith Kecskemety, along with special commentary from the cast.

As mentioned, expect episode-by-episode walkthroughs that reveal early concept art, color scripts, passages from scripts, set designs and building layouts, storyboards, and more. And we can’t forget those juicy interviews.

Dark Horse Comics

So, place your order, turn up Critical Role‘s holiday hit “Twelve Days of Grogmas” and get ready to experience all The Legend of Vox Machina cheer you’ve dreamed of.

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A COMPLETE UNKNOWN Is a Moving and Beautiful Work of Art about Art

There is a very reasonable criticism of A Complete Unknown I can’t really argue with. The film, starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Bob Dylan, is an incredibly traditional biopic about a highly specific point in a famous musician’s life. The movie hits so many familiar beats, and features so many other famous figures popping in and out, that at times it plays as a serious remake of Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. At best some will say director James Mangold’s film lacks originality. At worst some will call it cliché. Both sides will be making the same point, and I can’t say they’re wrong.

I simply do not care about any of that. Because while it’s format might be familiar, A Complete Unknown is an absolutely beautiful film in every way. It’s full of fantastic performances and richly explored ideas, a gorgeous work of art about art, artists, celebrity, and self-expression that genuinely moved me from start to finish.

I went into A Complete Unknown almost entirely unencumbered by the burdens of history and expectations. I know Bob Dylan’s most famous songs and why he holds a special place in music history. And I also know about his controversial switch to playing electric, which serves as the climax of the film. While I’m old enough to understand why he’s a consequential, revered presence in pop culture, I am not old enough to remember him as anything but a living legend. Not only do I know almost nothing about his both career and him personally, I can’t even imagine Bob Dylan as a young man. To me he was born a 50-year-old enigma.

I knew even less about the other famous musicians who played such a prominent role during this period in Dylan’s life. I know who Pete Seeger was and the kind of music he played. Same with Joan Baez and Woody Guthrie. And that’s pretty much it. To me they were just artists without context. I didn’t know anything about their lives or who they were/are as people. (I only know about Johnny Cash because he already got the biopic treatment.)

Searchlight Pictures

Normally none of that would matter for a movie review, but it does in this case because it’s important to understand A Complete Unknown might be totally full of shit and I’d have no idea. It might play very loose with history. It might even create events and personalities out of whole cloth for narrative convenience. If so that will be a huge problem for Dylan fans and music historians and another fair criticism I can’t argue with.

I simply do not care about any of that.

Searchlight Pictures

I went into this movie free of any ideas about how it would tell its story because I don’t know this story. I just know I walked out finding the story I was told tell incredibly effective.

A Complete Unknown is about the rarest type of artist, one who really deserved to be called a prodigy and a genius. The reason it works so well is that it understands something that would seem to undermine the film’s own existence: we can’t understand that kind of person or where their talent comes from. There is no way to make sense of someone who has natural gifts few could ever even try to learn. That frustrating truth is at the core of this movie. It’s the struggle those who knew and loved Bob Dylan face in A Complete Unknown. They’re desperate to connect with him—to make sense of him—but they can’t. And the harder they try the worse they feel. He’s always so far away even when he’s right there.

Searchlight Pictures

That’s why even though the film follows a well-trod format, that approach ends up being a strength. The movie is an inversion of a traditional biopic. They’re typically meant to help us understand who someone “really is” away from their art. Instead A Complete Unknown is about how such staggering genius is so unknowable and so unreachable by nature that not even the genius themself can full understand who they are. And in this case Dylan actively doesn’t care about letting anyone know anything about him because it doesn’t matter, only his music matters. Yet that’s all anyone in the film wants from him. They want to understand this man who leaves them awed by his art, either so they can learn from him or make him into what they want him to be.

A Complete Unknown doesn’t leave us entirely in the dark about him, though. (And not just because it shows why he was kind of an asshole.) What actually defines/explains Bob Dylan as a person is that all he really wants to do is write his songs and share them with others. That’s what drives him. The need to express himself—in a way few ever have or ever will—is almost a sickness. He leaves a beautiful woman’s bed in the middle of the night to strum his guitar and write world-changing lyrics with the ease of a child drawing random lines. And when he’s correctly called out for being an insensitive, annoying dick for doing that, he accepts that assessment. He knows that’s absolutely true, he just doesn’t care. He keeps writing because he simply must.

Searchlight Pictures

By the end of the film, I felt like I still knew almost nothing about Bob Dylan the person, yet totally understood him. Bob Dylan is/was/forever will be his music. He’s “a complete unknown” (a fantastic title itself layered with meaning) because he’s completely unknowable. In that way he’s both simple and complicated. He’s an artist so completely dedicated to his work, and sharing it with others, he sacrifices his own identity to do so. Once you understand that you understand him.

Want to know who Bob Dylan is? Listen to his music. That’s where you’ll find him, in his lyrics, in the notes he plays and how he plays them, in the way he sings and what he sings about and where. The other stuff like relationships, his past, basic decency, genuine human connection? Those don’t matter because to truly express ourself in a way that connects with others we must make sacrifices. They might not all be the same ones, and you don’t have to be a jerk to be a great artist. (Dylan is surrounded by plenty who aren’t.) But all great artists must make some kind of sacrifice, even if we don’t understand why.

Searchlight Pictures

The greatest of those sacrifices in A Complete Unknown is the conundrum all famous artists face: celebrity. It’s one of the film’s best ideas, the double-edged sword that is sharing your art with the whole world. The more people you share yourself with via your work the more they want from you. The more they think they own a part of you. And the more they think they can define you and how you express yourself. This is the major internal conflict of Dylan’s story and it’s told with nuance and depth.

A Complete Unknown is able to so wonderfully explore its ideas about Dylan himself, art and the artist, celebrity and genius, passion, compulsion, and self-expression thanks to some beautiful filmmaking from Mangold, who shows a real grace and sophistication with this film. Even scenes that are very familiar because you’ve watched ones just like them a million other times are the best version you’ve ever seen. They’re beautifully lit and always feel intimate even when they’re at big venues.

Combined with the (surprise, surprise) incredible soundtrack that is young Bob Dylan’s catalogue, and the movie creates a tone and atmosphere that feels accessible yet elevated. It’s both a period piece and timeless, like a beautiful song in complete harmony with its surroundings. And even when some dialogue or sequences are a little clunky, trite, or overly grandiose it still works because the subject matter warrants such over-the-top proclamations. You can’t really oversell the music of Bob Dylan.

Searchlight Pictures

The film also works so well thanks to an incredible cast. Edward Norton is absolutely fantastic as Pete Seeger, a well-intentioned folk musician doomed to lose his fight with the inevitable tide of change. Without making you realize it, A Complete Unknown seamlessly tells a compelling story about Seeger that enhances its main story about Dylan. Monica Barbaro is also completely enchanting as legendary folk artist Joan Baez who gets caught up both personally and professionally in the storm of young Dylan’s rise.

Scoot McNairy also gives an inspired, mostly physical performance as Woody Guthrie. He’s only in a handful of scenes, but he plays the sick musician with a power and grace that makes his role feel so much bigger. The same is true of an unrecognizable Boyd Holbrook. He plays Johnny Cash, the one person who seems to understand Dylan’s need to express himself howeve rhe wants. Holbrook makes his mark in everyone of his scenes in a way that reminded me of Mark Wahlberg’s impact in The Departed. Holbrook only appears a few times but his presence is ten times that. Every time he comes on screen it’s like lightning hits.

Elle Fanning is initially hampered by an under-developed role as Dylan’s girlfriend and early muse Sylvie Russo. (She’s based on the very real Suze Rotolo). But in the latter half of the film she makes a huge impact. A Complete Unknown finally figures out why Sylvie is interesting unto herself. When it does Fanning gets to really shine in one of the film’s most emotional sequences. The only person the script totally fails is Dan Fogler. He plays Dylan’s manager Albert Grossman. Only it doesn’t matter because Fogler makes Grossman compelling anyway. He’s really cooking in a role that probably should have been swallowed up by everything else.

And, simply put, this is the best performance of Timothée Chalamet’s life. This was a really hard role for a whole lot of reasons. Dylan is not just incredibly famous and mysterious, he’s one of-a-kind and very recognizable. Young Bob Dylan’s hair and style are so iconic even a talented actor could easily come across like they’re doing a silly impression on SNL. But Chalamet gives a layered performance that is, fittingly, completely in-tune with Mangold’s vision and ideas. Chalamet also sounds great when singing and captures Dylan’s spirit. His portrayal totally works, one of the year’s best, and it makes everything else work.

Maybe A Complete Unknown is a complete crock. Maybe it’s a great collection of songs that gets Bob Dylan and his story totally wrong. I don’t know and I don’t care. If that’s what historians and experts tell me it won’t change how I feel about this movie. Instead of treating it as a biopic I’ll think of it as a beautiful work of fiction that says true things about art and the people who makes the very best of it.

A Complete Unknown ⭐ (4.5 of 5)

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He wants to talk about the first time Dylan met Guthrie after you see the movie. You can follow Mikey on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN Releases Sneak Peek Clip Into Its Chaos

The Dexterenaissance continues. The return of the infamous serial killer continues with Dexter: Original Sin, a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME series which will take us back to the ‘90s to uncover more of his origin story. The series stars Patrick Gibson as Dexter and Christian Slater (one of my personal faves) as Harry Morgan, Dexter’s adoptive father and, interestingly, a homicide detective. Molly Brown is also a part of the Morgan family as his younger sister Debra Morgan. We got some first-look photos a while back as well as a teaser (which you can watch further down the page) and now we have a full trailer for Dexter: Original Sin. 

This trailer gives us a curtain call of sorts of the new cast, many of whom assaying roles familiar to those who’ve watched Dexter in the past. The entire series appears to be a flashback of current-day Dexter (aka “Inner Voice Dexter”) still played by Michael C. Hall on death’s door. Real Sunset Blvd vibes. In addition to the above listed cast members, the trailer tells us Christina Milian will play Det. Maria LaGuerta, James Martinez as Det. Angel Batista, and Alex Shimizu as weird horny crime scene tech Vince Masuka.

We also have a sneak peek at the series, thanks to this clip from CCXP.

Showtime

As lame as it often is for prequels to spent a ton of time showing us how various characters we all know met each other, the cast for this is impressive.

Dexter says that he’s not a natural born killer but instead it took a village to lead him down his dark path. I must say, Gibson does capture the spirit of Dexter really well with his actions as we hear Michael C. Hall’s voice as his inner thoughts. Here’s a synopsis for Dexter: Original Sin: 

Set in 1991 Miami, Dexter: Original Sin follows Dexter (Patrick Gibson) as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry (Golden Globe® winner Christian Slater), he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcement’s radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department. Patrick Dempsey, Molly Brown, James Martinez, Christina Milian, Alex Shimizu, Reno Wilson and special guest star, Sarah Michelle Gellar also star in this new series, with Michael C. Hall returning to voice the iconic inner monologue in Dexter Morgan’s head. 

What Is the Release Date for Dexter: Original Sin? Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

Dexter: Original Sin will begin streaming on December 13 on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.

Originally published September 12, 2024.

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Is Cillian Murphy a Zombie Jim in the 28 YEARS LATER Trailer?

The trailer for 28 Years Later is here and many horror fans are both curious and confused. The curiosity comes from the trailer, which gives away little to nothing about its narrative. We don’t even hear the main characters speak to each other but it is still so, so good. The confusion part comes from one infected person who pops up briefly in a field. Prior to this trailer, there were reports that Cillian Murphy would return to the franchise as Jim in 28 Years Later. But we don’t see him in the clip at all… or do we? Is Cillian Murphy actually that zombie sitting in a field of flowers in the 28 Years Later trailer? It is not impossible. 

Cillian Murphy is not listed on the official poster for 28 Years Later as a cast member despite previous reports saying he would return as Jim. In the film’s trailer, there is a zombie that briefly rises up out of a field full of yellow flowers and it looks an awful lot like Cillian Murphy. So far, none of the cast nor crew have given an official confirmation but it is possible that his cameo is simply as a zombie. It has been 28 years since we saw him, Selena, and Hannah, after all. It is very, very easy for a person to die and seeing his undead corpse could be final confirmation that he succumbed to…something.

Sony Pictures

But there’s also comic precedent that could bleed over into this film and explain why Jim is a zombie in 28 Years Later. In BOOM! Studios 28 Days Later comic series that follows Selena, Jim is captured and sentenced to execution for all the deaths at Major Henry West’s compound. Hannah goes to live a “normal” life with a new family, so Selena goes off on her own to continue surviving. Maybe Cillian Murphy’s role in 28 Years Later is simply to appear as a zombie Jim. I find it to be hilarious personally but that’s just me.

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Jeremy Allen White Joins THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU as Jabba the Hutt’s Son Rotta

After becoming a star thanks to his role in The Bear, actor Jeremy Allen White is joining the Star Wars galaxy. Well, we will hear his voice at the very least. According to a report in Variety, Jeremy Allen White will be providing the voice for the son of Jabba the Hutt, known as Rotta the Hutt, in Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian & Grogu. Hardcore Star Wars fans know that Rotta the Hutt was Jabba’s infant son. He was first introduced in the 2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated movie, which led into the beloved series. Apparently, this is not a cameo role, and Rotta the Hutt will play a sizable part in the film.

FX Networks/Lucasfilm

In the Clone Wars movie, Count Dooku, Asajj Ventress, and the Separatists kidnap Rotta with the help of Rotta’s scheming uncle, Ziro the Hutt. The Separatists then frame the Jedi for the kidnapping, hoping to get Jabba to turn on the Republic and join their cause. Anakin Skywalker and his newly minted apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, eventually rescue him and clear the Jedi’s name. But Star Wars fans never did find out what became of Jabba the Hutt’s young child. Soon, we’ll all find out.

The Mandalorian & Grogu take place roughly three decades after the events of the Clone Wars. So little Rotta, who Ahsoka Tano nicknamed Stinky in the film, won’t be so little anymore. We would not be shocked if Rotta now runs a criminal empire all his own. Probably taking over from his dearly departed father. Although probably not on Tatooine, as that is now Boba Fett’s domain. Could The Mandalorian & Grogu see Rotta trying to muscle in on Boba Fett’s criminal enterprise? And then Boba having to call in his Mando buddy to help out? We could see it. We’ll find out when The Mandalorian & Grogu hits theaters on May 22, 2026.

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Chris Evans Reportedly Returning to MCU for AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY

The machine that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe always has to keep the fires burning for the next project—or often three projects down the line—and has done since the beginning. Teases for future movies have become requirements. This has, as a result, led to journalists finding things out about these movies way ahead of time, likely long before Kevin Feige and company were ready to tell us. Even weirder, now we seem to know more about the moving coming out in 2026 than we do the one coming next summer. But there we have it as, according to The Wrap, Chris Evans will return to the MCU for Avengers: Doomsday.

Lionsgate

Now, it’s not the most out-there of ideas that Evans would return to Marvel movies even after sunsetting his founding Avenger, Steve “Captain America” Rogers. The actor, after all, had a lot of fun with expectation in Deadpool & Wolverine as a foul-mouthed (and ill-fated) version of his Johnny Storm character. Avengers: Doomsday already has a whopper of a returning cast member, with Robert Downey Jr. coming back as Doctor Doom. Even still, it might have been fun not to know that for sure 18 months early.

At any rate, the report says Evans will be back in an undisclosed and unknown capacity for what will be the fifth Avengers movie, due out May 1, 2026. Will he be old Steve Rogers, as we saw at the end of Avengers: Endgame? Will he be a different Steve Rogers from a different universe? Or will he play some other character entirely, like friggin’ Doctor Bong or some shit? Who even knows.

We’ve spent a lot of time already discussing what may or may not happen in Joe and Anthony Russo’s Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. But that’s because actually have a lot of info to glean. It’s very surprising we don’t have much in the way of info, really, of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, especially considering that comes out in July. Presumably without Chris Evans, but who even knows anymore?

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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GLADIATOR II Becomes a Swords and Sandals and Songs Musical on SNL

Hey look at that, for the seventh millionth time, movies are not dead. Theaters are currently setting post-Thanksgiving records. The three-headed cinematic monster of Wicked, Moana 2, and Gladiator II has led to a box office bonanza. What do all three blockbusters have in common? Easy! They’re all musicals. …Or at least they are now. Gladiator II star Paul Mescal helped turn his own sword and sandal epic into a song-filled sequel when he hosted Saturday Night Live.

SNL‘s “Gladiator Twosuical” trailer re-imagined Ridley Scott’s long-awaited Gladiator followup as a quickly revamped musical meant to compete with its fellow box office titans. The results are…awesome. And we mean that both in terms of this very funny pre-taped sketch and also the fictional songs. They’re way too good for a show that is made entirely from scratch in less than a week. And adding in a Lin-Manual Miranda rap number, which you’ll find in 89% of every musical now made, is a perfect joke.

Just as good as this sketch’s fake music is Paul Mescal’s actual singing. As though being a world class actor wasn’t enough, he also has some serious musical chops. He sounds fantastic! Get this man in a full-length musical right now. Plus he can dance! You think it’s easy swinging a sword while keeping time? I mean, we’ve never tried, but we imagine the answer is “no.”

NBC

As someone who definitely did not love Gladiator II, in large part because it goes from silly fun to bad silly, I can honestly say I would have much preferred this version of the film. It’s all intentionally silly in the best way.

The film did set up an obvious third installment. Will this sketch inspire Ridley Scott to make Gladiator III a musical? Probably/absolutely not. But considering movies are not dead well keep this new dream of ours alive anyway.

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