Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 20

All Five TWILIGHT Films Will Return to Theaters This October

Twilight continues to have millions of people in a chokehold more than a decade after its fifth film hit theaters in 2012. Fans simply cannot get enough of watching the winding love story between Bella and Edward unfold over and over again. While it’s always lovely to cozy up to a comfort film in the comfort of your own home, it is also just as great to witness it on the big screen. Now, 17 years after the first film hit theaters, the Twilight franchise is coming back to theaters this October for one hell of a movie marathon. 

According to Deadline, This Twilight movie marathon will hit theaters from October 29 to November 2 in honor of the 20th anniversary of the first book in Stephanie Meyer‘s series. Screenings for the five-night marathon will include exclusive roundtable chats about each film with Meyer, producers Wyck Godfrey and Karen Rosenfelt, Gillian Bohrer, former Lionsgate Co-President, Production and Erik Feig, former Co-President of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

RELATED ARTICLE

Every TWILIGHT Star’s Best Movie (In Our Opinion)

In addition to celebrating this milestone, the films coming to theaters again makes a lot of sense. There’s a whole new generation of fans who want to see these Twilight films in theaters. A lot of Millennial parents have tweens and teens who are into Twilight and, when the OG films came out, they were themselves just young adults. I myself wasn’t a mom when the first film made waves across the world. 

Focus Features

If you want tickets to this grand event, you’ll have to move fast. You can find them on Fathom Entertainment’s website.

The post All Five TWILIGHT Films Will Return to Theaters This October appeared first on Nerdist.

COBRA KAI Creators in Talks to Write KNIGHT RIDER for Movie

After an unprecedented six seasons and 65 episodes, Cobra Kai took its final bow earlier this year. Diving back into the world of the original The Karate Kid films, Cobra Kai switched focus and brought an unfolding, martial arts-driven narrative to years-long storytelling. The folks behind that show were co-creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, who also gave us Hot Tub Time Machine and the Harold & Kumar films. So what will the trio tackle next? Well, if they could turn a movie into a TV show, why don’t they try turning a TV show into a movie? And why can’t that movie be 1980s sci-fi favorite Knight Rider?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Heald, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg are in early talks to adapt Knight Rider for the big screen. They’ll also produce the movie along with Kelly McCormick and David Leitch (The Fall Guy), who are producing through their banner 87North. The Fall Guy was, of course, also a big screen adaptation of an action show from the ’80s.

NBC Universal

Knight Rider ran for 90 episodes from 1982 to 1986 on NBC. It starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a police detective who receives a new face following a gunshot injury and becomes the lead agent in the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG). Helping Michael with his activities is a state of the art AI-powered Trans Am called Knight Industries Two Thousand (or KITT). So it’s a cop with a talking car, but the car also has cool gadgets and stuff.

Like The Fall Guy, Knight Rider was the creation of prolific TV producer, Glen A. Larson, who also created Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Magnum, P.I. So it seems as though Universal is striking the Larson anvil once again. This will be the first feature film based on Knight Rider, however several TV movies followed the original’s cancellation, as well as a pilot film for the short-lived 2008 series revival.

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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Work on the MCU X-MEN Reboot Has Begun, Says Director Jake Schreier

Thunderbolts* may not have been the biggest box office hit of the year so far, that’s true. Yet both MCU fans and critics alike totally loved it. So when Marvel Studios announced Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier as the director for the highly anticipated X-Men reboot, most of us jumped for joy. After all, he nailed the dysfunctional family team dynamics of the future New Avengers perfectly, and their mutual trauma bonding in the film proved he’s the guy to bring Marvel’s disaffected mutants to the MCU. In a recent interview with Empire Magazine (via Deadline), confirmation came from Schreier that he’s already working on X-Men. Here’s what he had to say:

I can’t say anything about it, but we’ve started work on X-Men, and that’s obviously very, very exciting.

Marvel Comics/Marvel Studios

Ok, not a lot to go on here, but at least we know work has begun in earnest. In another recent interview with Playlist, Schreier added “It’s an incredible opportunity with super interesting characters and [much] internal conflict. These characters are wrestling with their identity and place in the world—that’s inherently interesting and complex material.” If work has started on the X-Men relaunch already, chances are it’s among the first MCU movies after Avengers: Secret Wars.

We think the X-Men reboot (Uncanny X-Men?) likely takes place in a post-Secret Wars newly “reset” timeline, per Kevin Feige’s description. If it arrives in 2028, that means it will have been nine years since the last X-Men movie, Dark Phoenix. So enough time for fans to forget that dud and get excited about the concept again. Rumors suggest we are getting much younger versions of Xavier’s students this time around. We believe fans can expect teenage iterations of Cyclops, Storm, Jean Grey, Beast, and the rest. For Marvel mutant fans, 2028 simply can’t get here soon enough.

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We Tried EVERYTHING on Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar’s Halloween Menu at Disney Springs

Walt Disney World’s sprawling shopping and dining complex Disney Springs is home to a very special watering hole for Indiana Jones fans. It’s where the archeologist’s old pilot pal settled down after a lifetime of adventure. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is a themed lounge decked out in décor worthy of globe-trotting daredevils. Only, this year it’s also worthy of Halloween lovers. For the first time ever it, has undergone a spooky season transformation. This ghoulish reskin also includes an original limited-time menu full of frighteningly good food and drinks. Which ones stand out as the best? We got to find out ourselves when Nerdist tried every dish and beverage at Jock Lindsey’s Halloween Hangar Bar during Disney’s Play ‘n’ Preview media event.

Here’s what we thought of all of them, including which ones we’d get again.

NerdistJOCK LINDSEY’S HALLOWEEN HANGAR BAR – FOODAlien Invader Sliders Nerdist

Crispy Nashville hot fried chicken, sliced provolone, dill pickle slices, cheddar-chive biscuit, and queen olives

These fun, filling, oversized chicken sliders are the visual standout from the food side of the bar’s Halloween menu. They’re also really tasty. The fried chicken is crispy and delicious, though not as spicy as some might like. (That includes the head chef behind the menu.) The Alien Invaders Sliders are designed to have broad appeal and they will.

The cheddar-chive biscuits are very good, too. They’re also surprisingly light, which is also why they’re not strong enough to sop up all of the grease from the chicken. You will want to eat them quickly. You’ll also want to order them again.

Phantom Dumplings Nerdist

Chicken and pork dumplings wrapped in rice paper and served with teriyaki dipping sauce

These ghostly dumplings are more than just an appetizer. They’re an experience. They arrive in a glass case full of white smoke that “escapes” when opened, like ghouls fleeing a crypt. It’s a really nice touch and the best theatrical element of the overlay.

The Phantom Dumplings from the special Jock Lindsey's Halloween Hangar Bar overlay at Disney Springs.

— Michael Walsh, Verified #1 Criston Cole Hater (@burgermike.bsky.social) 2025-08-26T18:59:51.818Z

The extra long rice paper makes for a striking visual, as it hangs well below the dumplings to create the full phantom effect. They really aren’t meant to be eaten, though. They’re thick and gummy. That’s good for creating an aesthetically pleasing dish, but not for consuming. If you do, you’ll ruin an otherwise satisfying and chewy bite.

(Note: You might want to remove all of the rice paper, but I didn’t mind wrapped around the top.)

Zombie Eye Bites Nerdist

Traditional deviled egg filling, crispy fried chicken, and black olives

Of the five food dishes on Jock Lindsey’s Halloween Hangar Bar, I was most skeptical about the ones made to look like zombies eyes. And that’s not because of their appearance. While the lounge is known for them, I’m not a big deviled egg guy.

I made sure I had a second one. The egg and fried chicken go perfectly together. As does the Harissa-mustard sauce on top, which thankfully does not shy away from trying to look as much like blood as possible. This zesty sauce with the faintest bit of heat goes for it and the dish is (fittingly) as fun to stare at as it is to eat.

Zombie Eye Bites, a deviled egg and fried chicken combo, from Jock Lindsey's Halloween Hangar Bar, the Disney Springs lounge's first ever spooky overlay.

— Michael Walsh, Verified #1 Criston Cole Hater (@burgermike.bsky.social) 2025-08-26T20:06:30.578Z

The Zombie Eye Bites also come in a black creatures boxes to complete the effect. It’s a nice touch. However, it’s unclear how you should eat these. Fork and knife? Hand? One bite? The chef said if you can manage he recommends one bite. Not everyone will be capable of that, as a single piece is a big hearty app. I tried my first in two and my second in one and agree with the chef. But if you pick them up, these are messy, so have a napkin handy.

Skull of the DeadNerdist

Mojo pork, cheddar, flour tortilla, and pickle pico de gallo

These kitschy mini quesadillas wouldn’t be out of place on the normal menu sans the embossed skull and syringe of that blood red Harissa-mustard sauce. There’s nothing special about these, but they’re really good. It’s just a good, solid, and easily shared appetizer elevated by the excellent “pickle de gallo” and the sauce.

Just…uh…be aware of one thing. There’s a small cap on the syringe you need to remove. Otherwise….

NerdistCursed Mummy SausagesNerdist

Mini smoked sausages wrapped in puff pastry and served with pomegranate-mustard sauce

The only Halloween food item I can’t recommend are the Cursed Mummy Sausages. The flavors are okay, especially when dipped in the accompanying pomegranate-mustard sauce. But they’re as dry as a real mummy and too flat flavor-wise. They might be a decent option for fussy eaters since they’re a simple puff pastry with a sausage that isn’t too strong or spicy.

They also arrive in style. Jock Lindsey’s Halloween Hangar Bar serves them in a coffin that plays a spooky scream when you lift the lid. It’s a fun presentation, but not good enough to make up for the actual dish.

The Cursed Mummy Sausages at Jock Lindsey's Halloween Hangar Bar come in a mini coffin that screams when you open the lid.

— Michael Walsh, Verified #1 Criston Cole Hater (@burgermike.bsky.social) 2025-08-27T13:13:07.516Z

JOCK LINDSEY’S HALLOWEEN HANGAR BAR – DRINKSCauldron Cooler

The interactive Cauldron Cooler, my favorite drink from the special new menu for Jock Lindsey's Halloween Hangar Bar at Disney Springs.

— Michael Walsh, Verified #1 Criston Cole Hater (@burgermike.bsky.social) 2025-08-27T13:16:15.296Z

Hendrick’s Gin, Domaine de Canton Liqueur, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup and Butterfly Pea Extract

This interactive beverage comes in a beaker with a test tube of white liquid you pour in. When you mix it, the translucent dark purple drink turns a lighter, cloudier shade. The amount of alcohol in it is anything but light. This tart, gingery concoction has a whole lot of booze, yet doesn’t feel out of balance.

This was my favorite of the three alcoholic drinks on the menu because I prefer my alcoholic beverages to taste like alcohol.

Scarab Beetle EssenceNerdist

Siesta Key Silver Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, Bols Blue Curacao Liqueur, DOLE Pineapple Juice and Grenadine

If you prefer your cocktails to taste more like popsicles, then I highly recommend the adorable Scarab Beetle Essence. It looks like a bomb pop that turns a sinister dark-blackish purple when mixed. Out of everything on the Halloween menu, this is the least-Halloween-like option. While I wouldn’t order it again (it’s pretty normal for a cocktail), it’s a nice choice for those who want something refreshing while sitting outside on the bar’s porch.

The Spike TrapNerdist

Malibu Coconut Rum, Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Cream of Coconut and Sprite garnished with a Ghost Marshmallow

To the surprise of no one at my table, The Spike Trap is a delicious drink. It leans more on the sweet side than the boozy side, but it’s not cloying. It also far more refreshing and thinner than its cloudy white appearance might suggest.

The problem with this otherwise perfect cocktail is the glass. It comes in a slanted glass and multiple people at my table spilled it when they picked it up. Your brain just isn’t ready for a glass at this angle. The move is to take a big sip before you pick it up.

Snake Egg Surprise (Non-alcoholic)Nerdist

Simply Lemonade, lime juice, desert pear syrup, and green apple boba pearls

Maybe the biggest surprise from Jock Lindsey’s Halloween Hangar Bar menu is the only non-alcoholic beverage. (You can apparently add liquor to it.) The Snake Egg Surprise looks great, and while kids can drink it to get in on the fun, adults will enjoy it, too.

Click To View Gallery Nerdist Nerdist Nerdist

This isn’t Jock Lindsey’s first seasonal overlay, but with a spooky menu this fun we doubt this will be the Hangar Bar’s last Halloween adventure.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who ate the most at his Jock Lindsey’s table. (No surprise.) You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Tenoch Huerta Talks Returning to the MCU for AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s Tenoch Huerta has only appeared in one MCU movie, but his Namor made a big impact. He went from Wakanda’s most dangerous enemy to its new ally (maybe). The Sub-Mariner is also one of Earth-616’s first confirmed mutants. Now after a years long hiatus he’s coming back to the franchise in Avengers: Doomsday. Just how short was the heads up on his casting? And what was it like being on set for the next big MCU team-up? Huerta just provided a glimpse of what awaits Namor when Victor von Doom arrives.

Huerta recently appeared on TV Azteca‘s late-night show La Resolana Con El Capi. (An interview we first heard about at Deadline.) During his visit he talked about returning to the MCU for the first time since his 2022 debut. Not that he knew for sure he’d definitely be back. Marvel only confirmed with his agents he’d appear in Avengers: Doomsday less than six hours before it began announcing the cast with a lengthy live stream of empty chairs. “They practically told us around 12 at night. And at 5:30 in the morning the livestream started and they told us, ‘Hey, the news is about to drop.’”

While Huerta says that was “surprising” and “cool,” actually shooting the movie was a very different “dynamic” from filming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever where he was the main antagonist. “There are twenty-something characters involved in the story,” he said. “Which means we are each going to have smaller roles because there needs to be space for all the characters and all the universes.”

Marvel Studios

Huerta describes his role in the film as “simpler” in both “terms of time and energy.” What’s not clear is whether he ever shot with 20 other people at the same time or if that is how many of Doomsday‘s numerous characters who play a meaningful role in the film.

Marvel Studios didn’t even tell its own actor if he was definitely in Doomsday or not. We don’t expect to get answers about ourselves anytime soon.

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A SUPERMAN Family Movie Is James Gunn’s Smartest Move

James Gunn’s DCU is looking Super. After the rousing success of Superman this summer and the promise of next year’s Supergirl, naturally you’d assume Mr. Gunn would do a Superman 2…not so, he says! Join Kyle Anderson as he breaks down the assertion that the next time we see David Corenswet will be in a Super Family movie. What could that mean? Who could be in it? And what big-time comic villain makes the most sense to fight the Fam of Steel?

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Here’s How Long GEN V Season 2 Takes Place After THE BOYS Season 4

Gen V season two oh-so-close. It will hit Prime Video on September 17, and we are steadily getting more information about what’s coming next. Sophomore year will obviously bridge the gap between The Boys season four and five. And we will get at least one crossover cameo with Starlight appearing to team up with Marie Moreau. But there’s so much more in play this season, according to a Gen V interview with Entertainment Weekly. Jasper Savage/Prime

First, we now have a definitive timeline for when Gen V will take place. In this universe, the events of The Boys take place fittingly around Inauguration Day in January. Now, it’s August and the world is months into what’s essentially a Homelander-run America. It seems that, at least with things at God U, Marie will become the school’s savior. But that may not be the case, according to showrunner Eric Kripke. 

“If she can control everybody’s blood, then what can’t she do? How is she not the most powerful superhero on the planet?” Kripke says. “Just because she has the potential to be, doesn’t mean that she is. It felt like a very organic adolescent problem, which is these expectations are placed on you to be this truly great thing, but you’re not quite ready to step up to be truly great.”

No matter what, we are going to see Marie really level up her powers this season. If the final fight scene on campus is any indicator, we are in for a treat. “Marie’s such an underdog,” said Jaz Sinclair. “The expansion of my powers in season 2 is really exciting. So the weight of that and the implication of what that could mean for Marie was really fun for me this season.”

We cannot wait for our college supes to spring back to action soon. 

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James Gunn Created Story of the MCU’s Infinity Stones in ‘2 Seconds’

The MCU’s Infinity Saga might be the single most successful undertaking in Hollywood history. A single movie, featuring a B-level comic book character played by a troubled star, led to billions in ticket sales, countless fans around the world, and a cultural impact we might never see again. And Marvel Studios made it up as they went along. That much is clear from the tale of the magical space rocks that ended up giving the saga its name. James Gunn says he came up with the story of the MCU’s Infinity Stones in “two seconds.” Only then did Marvel retconn where some had been hiding the whole time.

In an interview with GQ, the new creative head of the DCU, James Gunn, discussed how he helped shape the overarching story that defined the first three phases of the MCU, especially when it came to the Infinity Stones. Not that he fully grasped what that meant. “I never understood what any of the phases were in Marvel,” he said. “I don’t know what any of it means.”

He did know about the Infinity Stones from Marvel Comics, though. The Power Stone played a huge role in the first Guardians of the Galaxy. That’s also where the studio asked him to explain what those colorful rocks meant. Gunn said he gave the MCU Infinity Stones their origin story in three minutes when he wrote the scene where the Collector explains their origin and power.

Marvel Studios

Gunn says the MCU then decided to retroactively make the Infinity Stones even more important. The studio decided Loki’s blue-hued scepter and the red Aether from Thor: The Dark World were actually hidden Infinity Stones the whole time. That meant Gunn had to change his own movie. He’d filmed Guardians Vol. 1 as though the Power Stone were red. He had to change it to purple in post.

It’s not that Gunn is saying he created the concept of the Infinity Stones in “two seconds.” Obviously, that came from Marvel Comics. But rather Gunn is noting that the version he introduced on screen in the MCU was something he put together quickly without too much thought or time.

Obviously, that approach worked. Like the Infinity Saga itself, sometimes it pays not to overplan.

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Naruto’s Voice Actors Met Each Other for the First Time, And It’s Delightful

Are you due for some heartwarming and wholesome news? Of course you are. At Nostalgia Con 2025 in Houston, the loveliest meeting happened for fans to witness. Both of the voice actors for Naruto Uzumaki met each other for the very first time. It’s quite interesting considering they both started voicing the character back in 2007. Malie Flanagan does Naruto’s English dubbed voice while Junko Takeuchi is the voice in the show’s original Japanese language. 

They came together onstage for a panel to chat about all things Naruto. You can check out this lovely meetup between the two Naruto voice actors below in a video from Anime Secrets: 

Both Flanagan and Takeuchi admit that there are a few moments in the series that they wish they could re-record. We are all very critical of our past (and sometimes present) work, so this isn’t surprising.

Viz Media/Nostalgia Con

Personally, we think they both have delivered the goods over nearly 20 years of voicing Naruto. And maybe they will become good friends and continue to swap recording stories for years to come. 

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DC X EASTPAK Collection Honors Classic Comic Characters

Eastpak and DC Comics both have some serious brand recognition. The former has been making cool backpacks, tote bags, and much more since the 1950s. Many of us grew up with one or even own a few of them now. And, well, DC Comics is one of two publishing giants in that arena with iconic characters like Batman, Wonder Woman, the Joker, and Superman. You may have heard of them. So, when two big brands come together, some really cool results spawn from that collaboration. The new DC x Eastpak link-up is here and we are loving the choices. 

POW! Packs in DC Comics Characters  Click To View Gallery Eastpak/DC Comics Eastpak/DC Comics Eastpak/DC Comics Eastpak/DC Comics

This overall print features the aforementioned characters as well as other faves like Catwoman and the Flash. The collage print is available on several items, including the Padded Pak’r, Orbit mini backpack, Springer bum bag, and others. We especially dig the Transit’r bag that you can carry with you, whether you’re going on vacation or off to a quick business trip. (Yes, it’s carry-on sized!) You may want to avoid Metropolis and Gotham City though. We heard it gets chaotic in those cities pretty often…

WHAMMY: The Joker Gets the Last Laugh Click To View Gallery Eastpak/DC Comics Eastpak/DC Comics Eastpak/DC Comics Eastpak/DC Comics

One of the most iconic sounds in TV and film history is the Joker’s maniacal laughter. The DC X Eastpak collection brings this cackle to print form on quite a few items, like the Oval and Benchmark. The Gotham Crossbody belt includes three detachable pouches that also give a nod to Batman. Long live the Joker, Batman’s enduring nemesis, a certified agent of chaos, and a drip god. 

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The 10 Greatest DC Comics Villains, RankedSMASH! Brings Wonder Woman to Pop Art Life Eastpak/DC Comics

Wonder Woman is in her satin tights and fighting for our rights! We see the Themiscyran legend on several items, including the Day Pak’r as well as a Shopp’r Tote. The comic strip print in black and white juxtaposed with Diana in color is quite the nice touch. We love her! 

BAM! Superman and Batman Add Strength to Your Accessories Eastpak/DC Comics

Of course, it cannot be a DC X Eastpak line without two of comic’s biggest characters. A laptop case, the Day Pak’r, and a Padded Pak’r, and Travelpack all include some great images. Detective Comics and the joys of those early days are honored here, and a must have for diehard fans. 

The collection pieces vary in pricing and is all currently available on Eastpak’s website, so don’t hesitate to head over and grab what your comic-loving heart desires.

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