Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 19

X-MEN ’97 Little People Set Is the Cutest Version of Marvel’s Mutants

We still have to wait almost a year for season two of X-Men ’97 on Disney+. However, in the meantime, fans will have some very cool ’90s “peak era” X-Men merchandise to tide them over. Mattel Creations is officially welcoming Marvel’s Merry Mutants into the family with a new series of Little People figures. The initial lineup of X-Men includes Wolverine (of course), the weather-controlling goddess Storm, the ragin’ Cajun Gambit, and Nightcrawler, the swashbuckling teleporter. The back of each package features a page of an original comic story. When you put the two sets together, they’ll form a complete X-Men story. You can see images in our gallery below:

Click To View Gallery Marvel/Mattel Creations Mattel Creations/Marvel Marvel/Mattel Creations Mattel Creations/Marvel Marvel/Mattel Creations Mattel Creations/Marvel Marvel/Mattel Creations Mattel Creations/Marvel

Each one of these figures stands over 2.5 inches tall and is styled in the character’s signature look from Marvel Studios’ X-Men ‘97. Each “issue” for these X-Men Little People includes four individual mutant heroes. The window box in front displays the figures as part of a comic-like cover. The faux pages on the side add to that retro comic book look. Each X-Man is showing off their signature power set. Wolverine has his claws unsheathed, while Storm is bringing the lightning. Nightcrawler is teleporting in a puff of smoke and Gambit has his charged playing card ready to explode.

Mattel Creations

We’re not sure which X-Men characters are going to be in the second set just yet. Although the comic book panels on the box art suggest we’re getting Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Rogue in the next round. But who will the mystery fourth mutant be, we wonder? Or maybe, it’s not even another mutant at all, but a Sentinel for them to fight.

The Little People Collector Marvel X-Men: Issue One Special Edition set is a reasonable $25.00. It’ll be available to order from the Mattel Creations site starting on September 3 at 9AM Pacific Time.

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James Gunn Says PEACEMAKER’s Quantum Closet Wasn’t Always Story Plan

Peacemaker‘s Christopher Smith keeps his helmets inside his father Auggie’s Quantum Unfolding Chamber. That massive extradimensional room is so much more, though. It contains doors to parallel dimensions. Nobody every explored any of them during the show’s first season, but that changed in the second season’s debut. John Cena’s superhero discovered a dimension where he’s part of a celebrated superhero trio along with his still alive father and still alive brother. Then he accidentally killed his other self, a death that warranted a gruesome, hilarious, existential dismemberment and burning in episode two.

With Peacemaker season two telling a sliding doors story about the lives we might have led, it seems obvious the Quantum Unfolding Chamber was always going to be more than just a fun place to store some shiny headgear. James Gunn said, however, he never had plans to make that extradimensional space a major part of the show. It really did start as a simple solution of where to put Peacemaker’s helmets.

HBO Max

Nerdist took part in a virtual media roundtable with James Gunn prior to Peacemaker‘s return to HBO Max. During the discussion he addressed a question about the origins and importance of his Quantum Unfolding Chamber. “It was just a place where [Peacemaker] could keep his helmets,” Gunn said. “It wasn’t going to be as important as it became when I first wrote it.”

Obviously it become very important during the writing of season two. That parallel world where Peacemaker has both adoration and his family is the crux of Christopher Smith’s story, both in terms of plot and in terms of theme. Gunn said the ideas of season two are very much influenced by novels he loves. He cited Philip Roth’s The Counterlife, which explores ideas of identity and how our experiences shape who we are, along with Ken Grimwood Replay. It follows a main character who gets to relive his life starting at age 18 with all his old memories intact.

HBO Max

“This is about one emotional journey with the world that seems slightly better than ours and how that helps Christopher Smith to learn about himself,” said Gunn about season two’s overarching idea. “And so that’s the story that interested me, the fun of that singular universe, of the small differences, not the big differences.”

Considering the Quantum Folding Chamber went from being a clever and entertaining idea to a core aspect of season two, we wanted to know how Gunn connects to this ideas himself. He frequently talks about how he personally relates to his characters and their stories, but the current creative head of the DCU would seem to be doing pretty okay in this dimension. So how much does he relate to Christopher Smith’s plight in season two? Here’s what he told us and why even though season two might appear to be a multiverse story it’s not.

It’s personal for me just in that I am a person that thinks back to, “What if I did this thing a little bit differently?” Or, “What if I did that thing a little bit differently? What if I kept that person in my life? What if I wasn’t so mean to this person in the past? How would my life be different? How much do the small choices we make in our lives affect us in really big ways?”

That is really the difference. That’s why this isn’t what has come to be considered a multiverse story. People will say it’s a multiverse story, but it’s really much more contemplative than what we’ve come to see from a multiverse story. As we were saying earlier, it’s a much more of a literary story than that. And it is about the emotional journey of this person who’s really lost everything in his life that has been important to him, from his brother to any sort of real relationship with his father that he never had. And now he’s presented with those things in a way that absolutely is going to be compelling and that we cannot blame Christopher Smith for his actions throughout the season.

HBO Max

The creative process, even for big interconnected cinematic universes, isn’t always linear. They’re certainly fully planned. Small ideas that weren’t important can sprout into big ones. Gunn says he loves to do exactly that. It’s how sometimes a simple storage solution can become the basis for an entire season of stellar television.

But this does raise one obvious question. It’s a fitting one for the show. What would Peacemaker‘s new season look like if Christopher Smith always kept his helmets in a normal basement? Maybe the answer exists Quantum Unfolding Chamber.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He would die for Vigilante, even if Vigilante was the one killing him. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermikeOpens in a new tab. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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PEACEMAKER Season 2 Eagly Scene Continues James Gunn’s Love of Unruly Pets

We’ve loved Eagly, Peacemaker’s loyal pet eagle, since season one. While he had some standout moments in the first season, it’s not until Peacemaker season two’s second episode that he really gets his star moment. This occurs when he makes mincemeat out of a group of highly trained A.R.G.U.S. operatives encroaching on his master’s house. Just one prickly bird managed to send a ton of folks to the hospital, with nothing but his talons, his beak, and a pair of wings. Oh, and a lot of loyalty and love for his owner, Christopher Smith, the Peacemaker (John Cena). So how did we get to the point where we get this Eagly bloodbath in episode two?

DC Studios/HBO Max

Thanks to the fact that Christopher Smith killed the son of A.R.G.U.S. director Rick Flag (Frank Grillo) in The Suicide Squad, he’s had his agents watching him under surveillance for months. When they discover he has a Quantum Unfolding Chamber to 99 other dimensions in his home, agent Langston Fleury (Tim Meadows) sends a detail of soldiers to scrub his home when he’s out partying with his friends. He sends four well-trained agents to his house, all of whom he gives demeaning nicknames. The baby-faced guy becomes “Cupie Doll,” the bigger dude is “Encino Man,” and the one woman is insultingly called “Titties.” But they don’t account for Peacemaker’s loyal feathered friend Eagly. And let’s just say, Peacemaker’s favorite American Bald Eagle took no prisoners.

DC Studios/HBO Max

When and his agents break in and almost open the door to the CUF, Eagly emerges out of the shadows and attacks. Although they shoot at him, he evades the bullets and flies straight at them, clawing and pecking at their face. Eagly knocks out “Cupie” first, and he falls to the floor unconscious. He flies outside and attacks one of the agents, “Encino Man,” and literally bites the eye out of his socket. He then thrusts his beak into another agent’s neck, and yanks the weapon out of Langston Fleury’s hands. Eagly doesn’t go so far as to use lethal force. However, he leaves one agent in the ICU, another with a lost eye, and another yet needing reconstructive facial surgery. After his valiant defense of his master’s home, Eagly struts around to the tune of “Dirty Money” by Ida Maria.

Warner Bros./DC

It’s the kind of hilarious “animal on human” violence that James Gunn clearly loves. After all, in Superman, Gunn had Krypto thrash Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor pretty soundly. Not to mention, much of the Fortress of Solitude. It’s clear Gunn has a powerful affinity for unruly pets. This is probably inspired by his own rescue dog, Ozu, at least in part. But would Eagly and Krypto get along? Someone asked Gunn that question recently, and he replied by saying “Probably not. I mean, I don’t think Krypto might try to play or something, but I don’t think Eagly would be too fond of Krypto whatsoever. I wouldn’t let Eagly around my dog for sure. Eagly doesn’t really like anyone except for Chris.” Meanwhile, we await in fear of Gunn ever unleashing Streaky the Supercat on an unsuspecting DCU.

Peacemaker season two premieres new episodes every Thursday on HBO Max.

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Go See THE TOXIC AVENGER and Help Crush Medical Debt (Really!)

The Toxic Avenger is releasing in movie theaters on August 29. And trust us when we say, it’s one of the best movies with “Avenger” in the title to ever hit the big screen. The Toxic Avenger has it all — laughs, gore, heart (both the organ and the spiritual feeling of connection), and a terrific cast whose performances you will not want to miss. Could we ask for better than Peter Dinklage and Elijah Wood coming together on our screen? We think not. And the special effects that created Toxie’s look alone are worth the trip. As you make your weekend plans, don’t forget to factor in Toxie. The Toxic Avenger will be the most deliciously oozing adventure you’ll ever have at the movies. And, as a bonus, you’ll get to do some real good.

The Toxic Avenger‘s teaser perfectly sums up what you’ll see on the big screen if you head to The Toxic Avenger in theaters. Truly, the cult classic comes to life in fine fashion in this version of the movie. And that’s something its die-hard fans will certainly celebrate for years to come. And honestly, Toxie is a hero that you can genuinely root for, so it doesn’t get much better than that.

If you need proof, Toxie’s current mission is to help erase debt. Yep, Toxie is ensuring that at least $5 million in medical debt gets erased, no matter what. And for every million bucks The Toxic Avenger makes at the box office, another million in debt will go up in toxic smoke. That is truly the good work, and worth getting out to the theater for.

A release shares, “This debt relief is possible thanks to a partnership between Cineverse, a next-generation entertainment studio, and Undue Medical Debt, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping families least able to pay burdensome healthcare debt.” Once again, we’ll say it, that’s heart.

And hey, on top of working to end debt, Toxie is also warning folks about the dangers of high-sugar sodas and bringing Mr. Moviefone back from the dead. True mitzvahs.

The official synopsis for The Toxic Avenger reveals, “When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.“

Cineverse

Seeing The Toxic Avenger at the movie theater means experiencing all its gory delights in the best way possible. And you can feel extra good about your choice to see the movie, knowing you’re helping real people. Tickets to The Toxic Avenger are officially available for purchase now.

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

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VTV Channel Parodies MTV, Playing Cheesy Novelty Songs 24/7

In the ’80s and ’90s, nothing was a bigger cultural tastemaker than MTV. Long before it became the home to endless reality shows, it played nothing but music videos 24 hours a day. If you wanted to know the latest rock, rap, and pop hits, you simply had to tune in. To say it left an imprint on the hearts and minds of Gen X and elder Millennials is something of an understatement. Now, via Laughing Squid, we’ve learned about an homage/parody of that peak era of MTV called VTV. It plays the weirdest (and often most grating) novelty songs of all time on a loop.

📺 NEW THING 🎵Brace yourselves for VTV, our music video TV station featuring HUNDREDS of odd/terrible novelty songs vole.wtf/vtv/

— VOLE.wtf 🐹⁉️ (@vole.wtf) 2025-08-20T09:39:33.901Z

The creators of VTV are the folks at Vole.wtf. Operating since 2002, the owners describe it as “a weird, random nonsense site.” Which we’d say is fair. It certainly recalls the Wild, Wild West days of the early internet. Everything about this website recreates that bygone era. It emulates those online golden years before anyone monetized the internet. The VTV player pulls random songs from YouTube to provide a unique musical experience for every viewer. Luckily, one can find even the most obscure novelty song from yesteryear on YouTube these days.

Vole

Novelty hit songs are largely a thing of the past these days. But once upon a time, someone could get a hit song based entirely on humor, or a gimmick. This isn’t quite the same as a parody of an existing hit song, like the entire catalog of Weird Al Yankovic. Although we suppose they count too. Examples of novelty songs penetrating the mainstream include “The Purple People Eater” in the ’60s, or “Pac-Man Fever” in the ’80s. Some of these are actually well-crafted and fun, but a lot are just extremely annoying. So head over to VTV to see how much you can handle, and for how long.

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Walt Disney World Announces New Attraction and Ride Updates

Walt Disney World didn’t wait for this year’s Destination D23 in Orlando to share big news. The Mouse House recently invited Nerdist down for its Play ‘n’ Preview media event, which included a parks panel held at EPCOT’s World Showcase. The presentation provided information about ride re-themes, upgrades, and new attractions that will soon open. We also got a firsthand sneak peak at some of the changed that await. Here’s everything Walt Disney World shared and which news has us most excited.

And oh yeah, the Muppets made a surprise appearance onstage.

Zootopia: Better Zoogether!

The panel kicked off with a big update on Zootopia: Better Zoogether! Walt Disney World announced the 4D show will soon open in Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life Theater on November 7. The production will focus on “live” coverage of a multi-location celebration of the Zoogether Day festival. It will span locales from both the original Zootopia and its upcoming sequel, as Imagineers worked hand-in-hand with filmmakers on the attraction.

The original show is replacing It’s Tough To Be a Bug, but we learned it’s not keeping every element from the old attraction. Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will involve 3D-glasses known as Carrot Vision. It will also include a new scent, as we say goodbye to that unpleasant stink bug blast. The seats won’t poke you in the back, either, but we’re actually sad about that.

Click To View Gallery Disney Disney Disney Disney

Heidi Howler, an original high-energy character, will host the in-world show. It will also feature plenty of other figures including Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. The duo will also be coming to Animal Kingdom as a new character greeting opportunity for guests.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

A great look at the new ride vehicles that will be a big part of the Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin upgrade coming to Magic Kingdom in 2026.

— Michael Walsh, Verified #1 Criston Cole Hater (@burgermike.bsky.social) 2025-08-28T14:03:11.470Z

Earlier this year Disney announced Magic Kingdom’s Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin would undergo a big refurbishment. The ride shut down in August shortly before Play ‘n’ Preview for its much-needed overhaul. It’s getting new ride vehicles, all-new blasters you can pick up, and new interactive targets. The attraction will also introduce an original character called Buddy. The support-bot will prepare Star Cruisers before they head out to battle Zurg.

At Play ‘n’ Preview we got to actually try the new equipment. They had a new Space Ranger Spin vehicle on display. It will keep a live tally of your running score. Previously you only learned your score at the end. They also had the new handheld blasters you can pick up (versus the old ones that were part of the vehicle) and the new targets for us to try out. The red and green blaster in each vehicle make a slightly different sound. The interactive targets also light up with your blaster’s color when you hit the center target. (And you must hit that little white spot in the middle. It’s the only way to both engage it and score points.) Hit it enough times in a row and you’ll get a different sound.

One of the coolest things I got to do at Walt Disney World's Play 'n' Preview event was try out the new blasters and targets coming to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Not easy to aim and record, but we endured. We. Endured.

— Michael Walsh, Verified #1 Criston Cole Hater (@burgermike.bsky.social) 2025-08-28T13:57:45.447Z

We didn’t get to see Buddy, but the new gameplay is a fantastic improvement over the original version of the ride. Those blasters and targets alone will make for a much more fun and engaging experience on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

However, we don’t yet know exactly when in 2026 it will open in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. Imagineers were tight-lipped when we asked. All they offered was an assurance that as of now they’re “on track.”

Big Thunder MountainDisney

Speaking of tracks, Big Thunder Mountain is also undergoing a big “refreshment.” The iconic Frontierland roller coaster shut down at the start of 2025 for a significant overhaul. Prior to the panel Disney hadn’t shared any specifics about what they’ve called “little bit of new magic” that is coming to the ride when it eventually re-opens (at a still unannounced date) in 2026.

We now know the attraction is adding more story and effects. The presentation made reference to Big Thunder Mountain Company founder Barnabas T. Bullion. His own history within the story will shape the updated attraction, which will be far more themed when it re-opens. “One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening” at his company. No matter how much his workers dug into the mountain nature kept fighting back to protect its gold. Disney also said it will eventually share how a highly-desired “mother lode of gold” will factor into to the ride’s story.

Disney

The panel showed some of the updates guests will encounter at the start of Big Thunder Mountain. Riders will see firsthand what strange events might have caused Barnabas’ problems when they take a seat on a runaway train. After ignoring warning signs riders will pass silent bats staring at them as they enter a giant, gorgeous Rainbow Cavern.

Those glimmering stalagmites and stalactites won’t shine for long, though. The cave quickly turns ominous after a crack of thunder transforms it into “an eerie red space.” Then the real fun begins.

Disney

While Imagineers didn’t share any other updates, a new description on the ride’s official page seems to confirm the popular fan theory that Magic Kingdom’s version will take a page out of Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain. The west coast edition ends with an explosion. Here’s the new story for Walt Disney World’s coaster, emphasis ours:

After you arrive at the legendary Big Thunder Mining Company, descend into an active mine shaft and board your runaway train. As you enter the cavern, the engine speeds up along the rickety track. Dodge exploding dynamite and falling boulders as you swoop around turns, drop into canyons and dart through the town of Tumbleweed.

Your rip-roaring adventure proves that some legends are true. You’re sure to have a real blast!

The Magic of Disney Animation in Animation Courtyard Click To View Gallery Disney Disney Disney Disney

Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (née Disney–MGM Studios Theme Park) got its name because it once produced actual animation. When the park opened that area featured a satellite studio for Walt Disney Feature Animation. Work on some truly iconic films took place there. Guests also traveled through the building watching talented artists at work. Star Wars Launch Bay took over the space in late 2015, but the lackluster, underused attraction is now giving way to an experience more in line with the park’s history.

In 2026 a family experience called The Magic of Disney Animation will bring both animation and Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat back to the park. Inspired by the short-film “Once Upon a Story,” the new building is designed to resemble Burbank’s Roy E. Disney Animation Building. Only at Hollywood Studios visitors will visit interactive offices, have drawing opportunities, encounter portraits that “come to life before your eyes,” see a new short film, and more. It will also have a play space for kids based on the original Alice in Wonderland concept art by Disney legend Mary Blair. Animation Courtyard’s actual courtyard will get an overhaul, too. The outdoor area will resemble the original Burbank location, host new character meet-and-greets, and house a new Disney Jr. show.

Smuggler’s Run – Mando and Grogu

The panel included a brief look at the previously announced Mandalorian and Grogu reskin coming in to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Galaxy’s Edge. It will take flight at Hollywood Studios the same day The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters, May 22, 2026. You can read more about the changes here.

The audience reaction made clear which newly announced change fans are most excited by. Engineers will actually get to do something on the updated ride. They’ll pick which locations to visit, as every trip will offer different planets you can visit. While Hondo Ohnaka is still involved (woo!), the singlular, repeated storyline of the old ride is gone. As is being stuck doing nothing as an Engineer.

Cool Kid SummerMariah Wild/Disney

Walt Disney World is continuing its Cool Kid Summer program in 2026. The popular promotion began this year at all four parks and features discounted tickets for children, special activities and installations geared towards youngsters, dance parties, unique character appearances, and more.

Nerdist was there for the kick off of the Cool Kid Summer event. We discovered it’s just as much a program for exhausted adults as it for littles. Find out why by clicking the link below.

Walt Disney World’s ‘Cool Kid Summer’ Event Is a Vacation Dream for Worn Out Parents

The Muppets Rock ‘n’ Roller CoasterDisney

The highlight of the Play ‘n’ Preview parks panel also doubled as one of the highlights of my life. The Muppets—the actual Muppets—made a surprise appearance onstage. Kermit the Frog, an interrupting and impossibly funny Fozzy Bear, Scooter, and members of The Electric Mayhem band appeared in the flesh/cloth.

They provided a sneak peek at the upcoming reskin of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The Muppets are taking over the attraction from Aerosmith and we got to see how Hollywood Studios is re-imagining the ride with the iconic group at the center.

Disney

The fun will begin outside the attraction. The building’s giant guitar is getting a fresh, psychodelic repaint. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will then repurpose a lot of the original ride’s general story.

Inside you’ll encounter The Electric Mayhem recording at The Muppets own studio, G-Force Records (a nod to the old version of the ride). The company is now owned by Scooter’s uncle, J.P. Grosse, propietor of The Muppet Theater. Penguins serve as audio engineers in the booth where Miss Piggy will also appear with Kermit. (A wonderful nod to the recently shuttered Muppet*Vision 3D.) From there the band—and VIP ticketed guests—will hit the road as The Electric Mayhem tries to make it Hollywood for their biggest concert ever in Hollywood. The limousine coasters will then take riders on a topsy turvy trip through famous Hollywood locales, all “with a Muppet twist.”

If the ride is as funny and entertaining as The Muppets were on the Play ‘n’ Previe stage stage, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is going to be one of the best at Walt Disney World.

Test Track 3.0

After the presentation ended, Disney encouraged all attendees to take a ride on Test Track, which reopened just a couple weeks prior. Sponsored by General Motors, version 3.0 is a stylish improvement over the previous iteration. It boasts a better theme and contains nods to the old World of Motion attraction that once occupied the space. Even better is it seems to have a smoother track system with less herky-jerky stops and starts. The post-ride exit is also among the best at all of Walt Disney World, as GM has lined the walkway with its cars and trucks.

That might sound like a lot because it is, yet there are even more major changes and additions coming that the panel didn’t address. But soon enough Walt Disney World’s multi-year overhaul will be a lot less preview and a lot more play.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who will not hold back against his toddler on Space Ranger Spins. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Gene Hackman Was Nearly Hannibal Lecter and That’s So Weird

Emmy winner Brian Cox (Succession) has a long and storied career in film and television. He’s done Shakespeare and been in an X-Men movie. He also holds the distinction of being the first actor to portray genius cannibal Hannibal Lecter in Michael Mann’s Manhunter (or Lecktor in that movie). He’s good in the movie, but he unfortunately doesn’t have nearly the iconic, terrifying presence of Anthony Hopkins in Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs. Hopkins won Best Actor for his performance and made audiences fear fava beans and chianti. But Hopkins almost didn’t get the part. Instead, producers wanted to cast—and I can’t believe this is true—American acting legend, Gene Hackman. WHAAAAAAAAT?Warner Bros/Orion Pictures

As part of a piece on Slashfilm, the original rights holder of Thomas Harris’ novel, The Silence of the Lambs, had trouble getting the project off the ground. Bob Bookman cited the poor box office of Manhunter as the partial reason for this. At one point, the closest he got to traction was when Gene g-damn Hackman was interested in directing the movie and playing Hannibal himself.

“Nobody wanted it. It was a combination of the serial killer aspect of it and the failure of ‘Manhunter.’ It reminded of how the science fiction genre was as dead as a door nail … until George Lucas made ‘Star Wars.’ Then one day my colleague Fred Specktor asks, are the rights still available? Gene Hackman wants to buy them. Gene called a good friend, Arthur Krim at Orion, and they bought it together, 50/50 partners. Gene wanted to direct, and play Hannibal Lecter.” – Bob Bookman

Hackman’s daughter read the novel and saw the violent content and besought her father to bow out of the project. At that point, Orion bought out Hackman’s interest. Hopkins ended up winning the Oscar and the following year, Hackman won Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven. So I guess all was well.

I love hearing about the might-have-beens of film history. Like how David Schwimmer was the first choice to play Agent J in Men in Black, or similarly how Will Smith was the first choice for Neo in The Matrix. That is so weird, almost impossible to picture. But them’s the movie business. As good an actor as Hackman was, I think he would have been a terrible choice to play Dr. Lecter. He just doesn’t ever read as psychopathic, nor do I think he’d have directed the movie with nearly as much intensity as Demme did. Sometimes things work out how they should.

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 Letterboxd.

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JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS’ 40th Anniversary Vinyl Album Totally Rocks

Forty years ago, Jem and the Holograms picked up their mics and instruments for a series that continues to delight people of all ages today. Jem lasted for three seasons and 65 episodes, and over that span of time the show managed to firmly cement itself in the “beloved” sector of pop culture history. On its surface it seems like a silly children’s program with lots of pink and ‘80s pop rock music. But, the show is both weirder and more emotionally resonant than what it appears alongside those unforgettable jams. Speaking of jams, Hasbro is celebrating the show’s big anniversary with a brand-new Jem and the Holograms album. R&CPMK for Hasbro

It includes six re-recorded tracks from the series and is available both on vinyl and digital. The collection includes the singing voice of Jem herself, Britta Phillips, which makes this even better. And yes, the theme song that we all love is on this album along with “Only The Beginning,” “Truly Outrageous,” “Like A Dream,” “I Got My Eye On You,” and “She’s Got The Power.”

RELATED ARTICLE

This JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Fan Film Is Finally the Movie the Series Deserves

So grab your ‘80s gear, an old-school microphone, and maybe a can of hairspray, and get ready to rock out with one of the coolest all-girl bands of all-time. The album is available on several platforms like Spotify as well as online for vinyl purchases. And, if you really wanna celebrate more Jem goodness, there’s an accessory collection at Loungefly and a slate of new dolls from The Loyal Subjects. Jem is excitement, indeed.

And, check out our recent Laser Focus episode, where yours truly and podcast host Kyle Anderson chat about how Jem and the Holograms truly aged like fine wine. It’s streaming on Tubi so if you’re looking for something that involves criminal behavior, sci-fi, and found family, go for it!

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STAR WARS: STARFIGHTER Adds Amy Adams and Aaron Pierre to Cast

Drumroll, please! A new Star Wars movie is coming to theaters in 2027. At Star Wars Celebration 2025 Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni announced that in 2027, Star Wars: Starfighter will release in theaters.

Who Will Star in and Create Star Wars: Starfighter?Warner Bros./Lucasfilm

Star Wars: Starfighter will be directed by Shawn Levy and star Ryan Gosling. So, it has our attention. We’re obsessed with the idea of Ryan Gosling in Star Wars honestly. This Ken’s job is space. We hope Star Wars: Starfighter is able to capture Gosling’s weirder and more comedic aspects, honestly. He really seems to excel in them.

A24

In another fascinating move, Variety reports that X and Pearl star Mia Goth has joined the film’s cast. Goth’s body of work up to this point has largely consisted of strange movies, horror movies, and period-set dramas. Now she’s heading to a galaxy far, far away. Additionally, our beloved Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith will have a role in the film as well.

Recently, Deadline delivered an entire lineup of new cast members who will be in Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars: Starfighter film that includes Flynn Gray, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings and Amy Adams.

“I feel a profound sense of excitement and honor as we begin production on Star Wars: Starfighter,” says filmmaker Shawn Levy. “From the day Kathy Kennedy called me up, inviting me to develop an original adventure in this incredible Star Wars galaxy, this experience has been a dream come true, creatively and personally. Star Wars shaped my sense of what story can do, how characters and cinematic moments can live with us forever. To join this storytelling galaxy with such brilliant collaborators onscreen and off, is the thrill of a lifetime.”

What Will This New Star Wars Movie, Star Wars: Starfighter, Be About?

But what will this movie be about? According to Lucasfilm, Star Wars: Starfighter is “a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of 2019’s Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. The film is an entirely new adventure featuring all-new characters set in a period of time that has not been explored on screen yet.” Very mysterious. We’re in.

And we’ll have to be because Levy certainly isn’t spilling any secrets. He notes, “Stranger Things taught me to keep my mouth shut. So I’m really grateful for that because I kept the Ryan Gosling news and the title and release date of my Star Wars movie pretty damn quiet for a long time. So I’m quite proud of myself and grateful to Stranger Things for making me shut my mouth.”

When Will Star Wars: Starfighter Release in Theaters

This new Star Wars movie will release in theaters May 28, 2027. Star Wars: Starfighter begins production in the fall. We can’t wait to see this new Star Wars movie adventure take shape. We’ll keep you updated as we know more.

Warner Bros.

In the meantime, you can check out all the latest Star Wars movies that are in the works, here. It really feels like Lucasfilm is pulling back from the Disney+ TV world and heading back to the glorious universe of the big screen. But hey, if it means Ryan Gosling will be in a universe, far, far away, we are totally in. And fresh stories, unrelated to what has come before, also feel like the right way forward.

Originally published on April 17, 2025.

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V/H/S/HALLOWEEN Trailer Delivers Sadistic and Blood-Soaked Found Footage

This year’s V/H/S film is particularly exciting to us nerds at Nerdist. As you all know, we are massive Halloween fans and, each year, we love to do our own celebration of all things spooky for our Nerdoween lineup. So, imagine our delight when we discovered that the next installment in this horror anthology franchise is V/H/S/HALLOWEEN, which is exactly what it sounds like and has a great trailer to drum up excitement. 

There will be six segments of videotapes with stories that all revolve around Halloween. It’s a match made in bloody heaven. We get glimpses of all the chaos that turns a night full of fun, candy, and costumes into a nightmare that everyone is fighting to survive. The V/H/S/HALLOWEEN trailer doesn’t hold back on the gore, and that’s what we love to see! 

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V/H/S/85 Provides Surprisingly Consistent Level of Found-Footage Fright

Here is more information about this installments six parts: 

DIET PHANTASMA directed by Bryan M. FergusonFUN SIZE directed by Casper KellyHOME HAUNT directed by Micheline Pitt-Norman and R.H. NormanKIDPRINT directed by Alex Ross PerryUT SUPRA SIC INFRA directed by Paco PlazaCOOCHIE COOCHIE COO directed by Anna ZlokovicWhat Is the Release Date for V/H/S/HALLOWEEN?Shudder

V/H/S/HALLOWEEN will premiere at Fantastic Fest in September before it hits Shudder for all to see starting on October 3.

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