Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 2112

BATMAN V SUPERMAN Early Concept Art Gives Us a Comic-Book Accurate DOOMSDAY

When Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice came out last year, I think it’s fair to say the results were something of a mixed bag. For every one thing that the movie did right, like Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, or that awesome Batfleck scene where he takes down the thugs and rescues Superman’s mom, there were some missteps: Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. Batman straight up murdering people. The “Martha” moment. Oh, and a Doomsday that ended up looking more like the cave troll from The Lord of the Rings than anything from the actual Death of Superman comics.

But before the cameras started rolling on the film, for a brief time Doomsday actually did look pretty comics accurate. Batman v Superman Concept artist Jerad S. Marantz just gave fans a glimpse of his early Doomsday designs thanks to his Instagram account (via Batman News), saying “Here’s a very early Doomsday concept I did for Batman v Superman a couple of years back. I did several options for the character. It really was an honor working on such an amazing project with such an incredible team.” I think it is fair to say that most fans of the original comics would have been much happier with this version than the final product. You can check out the image from Marantz down below:

Here’s a very early #doomsday concept I did for #batmanvsuperman a couple of years back. I did several options for the character. It really was an honor working on such an amazing project with such an incredible team.#dc #dcuniverse #batman #superman #wonderwoman #comicbookmovies #conceptart #photoshop #zbrush #bigguy #badguy #moster #creature #creaturedesign

A post shared by jsmarantz (@jsmarantz) on Mar 28, 2017 at 12:13pm PDT

Lesson to not only the folks at behind the DCEU, but also the folks behind certain Marvel-based films as well (I’m talking about you, X-Men: Apocalypse): when bringing your comics to life on the big screen, remember that it isn’t 1995 anymore. You don’t have to “tone it down” or make it “less comic-booky.” Comic-booky is no longer a dirty phrase. Fans wants to see the comics come to life, not some producer’s notion of how their ideas are better than the comics. If fans are paying to see Doomsday…then give ’em Doomsday. It’s not rocket science.

What do you think of this early Doomsday concept art? Let us know your thoughts down below in the comments.

Images: DC Comics

Lesson learned?

How Anime Hit YOUR NAME Gets Millennial Relationships Better Than Hollywood

We live in a fast-paced society that relies on our ability to be clear and concise with our words. This is especially true in environments where walking too slow on the sidewalk could cost someone an extra 15 seconds to their commute, or taking too long to order while a crowd of people hurriedly tap their feet in an attempt to speed up the process can induce anxiety. Time wasted is time that could have been spent doing something else, and that philosophy can be applied to the way we communicate online or through technology; the Internet is available 24/7, with new information and conversation points available at all times. Tweets are limited to 140 characters for a reason. It forces us to carefully consider what it is we’d like to convey in the shortest way possible.

The film features teenaged high school students Mitsuha and Taki, who live far apart from one another and wake to find that without warning or reason, they switch bodies a few times a week and have zero recollection of how their time is spent during the separation. Thus, the two must resort to using pen and paper, diary entries written in their phones, and the accounts of their friends in order to piece together what happens when they swap places. With limited time to convey the details of their day-t- day, Mitsuha and Taki struggle at first to figure out how to talk with each other. If we remove the fantastical element of the film for just a moment, we see two young people who have met under difficult circumstances and are now forced to interact in a new way. Without having met in person, they lack the advantage that comes with physical communication–this makes their written words carry much more weight when it comes to forming a relationship.

When the two teens do switch bodies for the first time, it’s an incredible shock. Just like the start of a new relationship, the two are confused but excited. They both lead different lives, and this new experience is interpreted as a dream. We follow Mitsuha while she inhabits Taki’s body, watching as she finds a diary kept within his phone. She decides to leave an extensive entry, detailing everything she did that day along with photos and emoticons to add more context. Since this takes place toward the beginning of the film, the two have not yet realized what’s going on. The next day, Mitsuha wakes up in her own body and goes to school, only to find a cryptic message written into her notebook. “Who are you?” it reads. Nothing more, nothing less. In contrast to Mitsuha’s diary entry, Taki offered very little in return. Over time, as the two come to terms with what’s happening, they relay information back and forth through these diary entries. They learn more about each other and in the process, become better at communicating with their limited time and resources.

Online friendships and romances are no longer considered a strange concept, especially with the millennial generation having grown up on the Internet and used smartphones to facilitate conversations. More common are long-distance relationships, which can be easier to maintain with the introduction of new technologies. Depending on where your friend or partner lives in the world, there’s a certain window of opportunity where the two of you meet the criteria to talk face to face as opposed to through text: you’re both awake at the same time, and neither of you are busy. In Your Name there’s a similar concept: a very short period in which Mitsuha and Taki are able to interact without the assistance of a screen. It’s called “kawatare-doki,” which can be loosely translated to “twilight”. In old Japan it was thought that supernatural occurrences were possible at twilight, which is fitting if your communication during this time isn’t good. Kataware-doki can mirror how it often feels as though you’re talking to the ghost of a person, especially if the two of you are separated for a long time and haven’t interacted much.

At one point in the film, they try calling each other–but fall into playing a game of phone tag, not able to talk within the same timeline. However, the importance of good communication is heightened with the kind of long distance relationship Mitsuha and Taki posses. They switch bodies for an entire day, which leaves a 24-hour gap in their memories. Because the teenagers interact mostly through reading diary entries on their phones that recap their day, this makes it crucial to be clear and direct, so that they can retain a sense of normalcy after returning to their “usual” routine.

Technology is a fantastic vessel to facilitate creating bonds and carrying conversation, and it’s often looked down upon when young adults have their nose stuck in their phones. But Your Name shows us the importance of forming relationships outside normal conventions by giving us Mitsuha and Taki, taking their bizarre situation, and using it as an example of how connecting with another person on an emotional level (especially when long distance) requires effort and transparency, and is definitely possible.

What did you think of Mitsuha and Taki’s relationship? Would you consider it long distance? Let me know in the comments below!

Images: Toho/FUNimation

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Pickstarter: A NINJA TURTLES Fan Film With Practical Effects and Costumes

Last year, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows featured several callbacks to the original TMNT animated series from the ’80s. And while it might be a long time before we see the heroes in a half shell on the big screen again, a new fan film is attempting to recapture the magic of both the cartoon and the very first live-action TMNT movie.

Veteran special effects artist Scotty Fields has started a new Kickstarter campaign to fund his passion project, Ninja Turtles: Blood Brothers. As the name implies, the fan film isn’t an authorized take on the TMNT, but it does have almost all of the most popular characters from the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series and comics, including Shredder, Krang, Bebop, Rocksteady, Baxter Stockman, the Rat King, Usagi Yojimbo, Casey Jones, Splinter, April O’Neil, and of course, the Turtles themselves. But rather than recreating these fantastical characters in CGI, Fields has instead opted to made practical costumes for performers to wear on the set.

The clip even includes some early footage of Bebop and Rocksteady on a rampage together, as well as an actress playing the part of April, complete with her signature Channel 6 jumpsuit. Fields has been working on this project for at least four years, and it shows. Almost all of the major costumes have been finished, and we’re impressed by what we saw in the video.

Fields previously worked on the Marvel Zombies fan film that was released in 2008, but this appears to be a much more ambitious project. He is asking fans to help him raise $20,000 to finish his Ninja Turtles movie, and the campaign has just under two months to bring in that amount. We’re definitely intrigued by Fields’ decidedly old-school approach to the material, and we’re hoping that he gets his chance to bring it to life. If you want to contribute to the campaign or learn more about it, click here.

Are you excited about the prospect of seeing Ninja Turtles bring back the feel of the classic TMNT cartoon? Let’s discuss in the comment section below!

Images: Scotty Fields

Yes, we liked Out of the Shadows. Don’t judge.

This Fan Trailer Imagines a Darker ADDAMS FAMILY Reboot on Netflix

It’s been far too long since The Addams Family has graced the small screen with their presence, and almost a quarter century since their last feature film. Charles Addams’ delightfully macabre creations are overdue for a modern update, and it will probably happen eventually. But for now, we’ll have to settle for an amusing new fan-made video that suggests a scarier reboot on Netflix.

Alexia Bertha has posted her take on The Addams Family as a darker series by using a few clips from the 1991 Addams Family movie as well as footage from Penny Dreadful and a few other sources. Bertha’s video was so well done that it managed to fool at least a few people, but it is sadly just a parody…for now. The ’91 movie and its sequel, Addams Family Values, were both directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, who has recently done a great job of bringing A Series of Unfortunate Events to Netflix as an original show. Sonnefeld still has our full support if he ever decides to reboot it again.

As much as we enjoyed Bertha’s video, and love the notion of Oscar Isaac and Eva Green as possible leads, we do have to take some issue with the danger implied by the blood in the snow. It’s easy to forget that the Addams family are neither monsters nor evil. They simply don’t care what other people think about them and they fully embrace their supernaturally tinged weirdness. Just a few years ago, NBC and Bryan Fuller’s Mockingbird Lane attempted to add a darker edge to The Munsters, but it lacked the charm of the original series. If Netflix were to take that approach to The Addams Family, it would risk repeating the same mistake.

What did you think about Bertha’s Addams Family teaser? Scare up your thoughts in the comment section below!

Images: Paramount Pictures

Animated TEEN TITANS: THE JUDAS CONTRACT Does the Classic DC Comic Justice (Review)

Ten years ago at Comic-Con in San Diego, Warner Brothers Animation and DC Comics announced a new initiative where they would be making PG-13 animated films for the straight-to-DVD market. The first three films announced were Superman: Doomsday, Justice League: The New Frontier, and Teen Titans: The Judas Contract. Although the first two films came out and were a success, the Titans film was delayed, and ultimately, cancelled, due to brand awareness not being high enough (despite the fact that the Teen Titans animated series had been an enormous success on Cartoon Network.)

Well, good things come to those who wait, as 10 years later, the Teen Titans: The Judas Contract movie finally hits Blu-ray/DVD (April 18) and digital download (now). So was it worth the very long wait? I’m going to go out on a limb and say absolutely. And believe me, I’m a tough customer. See, The Judas Contract just happens to be my favorite comic book storyline of all time, and the reason I’m the hardcore comic book fan I am today. So I went into this with, shall we say, a raised eyebrow…especially after the original Teen Titans animated series kind of took this story and softballed it big time.

The original comic book storyline on which this film is based ran over two years, and took the readership by total surprise. During the early ’80s, the two biggest hits in the comics world were X-Men and New Teen Titans…and they were constantly being compared to each other. When Titans introduced new member Tara Markov, who was a plucky, sarcastic 15 year old who controlled the earth and went by the code name Terra, fans cried foul and said she was a rip-off of the X-Men’s own junior mascot Kitty Pryde. But Titans creators Marv Wolfman and George Perez had an ace up her sleeve, and a year into Terra being a member, they revealed that she was actually spy, planted on the team by their mortal enemy, the mercenary Deathstroke.

While fans (like a ten year-old me) fervently hoped that their new favorite sarcastic teen hero was really a triple agent, and would show her good side before it was all said and done, Wolfman and Perez gave the fans no such comfort. Terra turned out to be true sociopath, rotten to the core, and any affection she showed her teammates–especially Beast Boy, who was in love with her–was nothing but an act. As a young reader, my heart was broken…but man, I knew I had just been taken along for an excellent ride. It was my first lesson as a kid that a good story often gives you what you need, and not necessarily what you want.

So how does this shortened, new retelling stack up to the original classic? Pretty damn well, I must say, resulting in one of the best DC animated films to date. Yes, there are some huge changes from the original comic: for starters, two key members of the comics team aren’t really a part of this adaptation. Cyborg has been “graduated” to the Justice League in recent years, so he’s been replaced by the Jaime Reyes version of Blue Beetle (Jake T. Austin). Donna Troy/Wonder Girl only has a “blink and you miss it” cameo. And the Damian Wayne version of Robin (Stuart Allen) has a major role, despite not even being a glimmer in Bruce Wayne’s eye when the original comic was written. Titans villains the H.I.V.E. and Brother Blood have been combined into one threat.

But ultimately, none of these changes really matter, because director Sam Liu and writer Ernie Altbacker get so much of the essence of the comic right. Most importantly, they nail the characters and relationship of Terra (Christina Ricci) and Beast Boy (Brandon Soo). Just as in the comics, Beast Boy is a jokester who uses humor to hide the pain of his unique nature, but who eventually opens up his true self to her. Terra, on the other hand, is made completely uncomfortable by the loving group the Titans represent, not knowing at all how to deal with these selfless people, so utterly unlike herself. Just as in the comics, you feel her barely contained disgust at this family of do-gooders at all times.

Another aspect of the comics that the film gets perfect is the relationship between veteran Titans Nightwing (Sean Maher) and Starfire (Kari Wahlgren). Batman’s first sidekick and the alien warrior princess may seem like an odd romantic match, but the film perfectly captures what made these two into comics’ power couple for so long (You even get their first meeting, in an adorable flashback sequence that should delight most old school Teen Titans fans). More than that, it makes Starfire the leader of the team, something she wasn’t in the comics, and it’s a welcome improvement that enhances her character.

The voice cast, almost all of whom carry over from previous DC animated films, are uniformly great. Sean Maher continues to shine as Nightwing, and Brandon Soo is an excellent choice for Gar Logan/Beast Boy. He and Christina Ricci are the heart of this story after all. Taissa Farmiga takes more of a backseat as Raven from the last film, but is no less perfect in the role. And the late, great Miguel Ferrer gaves us a truly great version of Slade Wilson/Deathstroke. The action beats are terrific, especially when Nightwing takes on Deathstroke in battle.

One aspect of the comic that remains controversial, and one fans might be wondering about, is that of the sexual relationship between Terra and her much, much older partner-in-crime Deathstroke. In the movie, this is toned down quite a bit. Tara clearly wants to seduce Deathstroke, but he resists her advances, promising to consummate their relationship once she betrays the team and gets the job done. Was it important that they delete the ickier aspects of their relationship for the movie to work? Not really, especially since both characters are contract killers and not good people. I’m not sure why I’m supposed to be extra bothered by their having a sketchy relationship, as they are both amoral villains. But today’s attitudes about such things are not what they were 30 years ago, so it’s understandable why it was changed.

This movie has the unenviable task of not only adapting a beloved comics storyline, but also serve as a sequel to recent DC animated films like Justice League vs. Teen Titans and Batman vs. Robin. That it manages to do both successfully is a credit to all involved. I sincerely hope we see more adventures with this Teen Titans line-up in future films, especially with all the teases this movie leaves us with for possible future stories.We DC animation fans simply can’t live on Batman and Justice League stories alone.

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is now available via digital download, and hits Blu-ray and DVD on April 18.

4 OUT OF 5 TITANIC BURRITOS:

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Which Titans stories would you like to see adapted next? Let us know down below in the comments.

Images: Warner Brothers Animation/DC Comics

5 Reasons Why We Love Evie From 1999’s THE MUMMY

We’re always looking out for the unsung heroes in films, and Evelyn from Universal’s 1999 cult-classic The Mummy is one such heroine. This bookish beauty had more to offer than meets the eye, as she effectively gave the whole damsel in distress thing a new point of view: a worthy scholar, compassionate lover, and overall badass. Cheers love!

Knowledge is power–and sometimes knowledge can resurrect a centuries old mummy skilled in the dark arts and prepared to unleash the apocalypse to seek his lover. That’s the basics of The Mummy (1999), the action-adventure film loosely based on the 1932 black and white horror film staring Boris Karloff. It spawned a decent sequel in 2001, a prequel, an animated series, a less-than mediocre third film (which I won’t speak of…), and soon an explosion-heavy, Tom Cruise centered reboot will kick off the Universal Monsters shared universe.

A lot happened in pop culture between the 1932 original and the 1999 remake, mainly the representation of female characters in film. Lucky for us, the commanding British actress Rachel Weisz was tapped for a new spin on the damsel role that had original belonged to actress Zita Johann. From there, the sultry and swooning Helen Grosvenor became Evelyn “Evie” Carnahan, an clever protagonist we’ll forever admire for all the reasons.

EVIE IS A REAL WOMAN

From her first moments to her last in the sequel, The Mummy Returns, Weisz gave an energetic and optimistic portrayal of a real woman dealing with some insane supernatural events. Rather than turning her into an imaginary superhero in a world of ancient fact and mythological fiction, Weisz made Evie a realistic character because of her relatable quirks and charming mistakes.

We’re led to believe that Evie is utterly hopeless, as her boss at the Cairo Museum of Antiquities hastily proclaims at the start of The Mummy following an accidental domino-toppling of library shelves. But who hasn’t gotten themselves into a pickle before? I know I’ve had my share of epic blunders in grocery stores (sorry not sorry, aisle 5 at HEB). She actively seeks solutions for her mistakes and as the film progresses, Evie becomes more mature, crafty, and domineering–traits that all great protagonists have in common.

EVIE LOVES KNOWLEDGE

As a book nerd since childhood, I appreciate any and all characters who read with a passion in films. While Disney’s Belle and Anne of Green Gables were my bookish film heroines from childhood, Evie was the book nerd I most associated with as a teenager. What Harrison Ford did for archaeologists, Rachel Weisz did for librarians, adding a proud punch of passion to the often stuffy career path as seen on film.

Learning new things and collecting books wasn’t just a random hobby for her–seeking the Book of the Dead was her life’s pursuit and, in The Mummy, Evie’s love of knowledge led to her ironic mistake–Evie craves knowledge with so much chipper excitement that she singlehandedly triggers Imhotep’s resurrection. No harm ever came from reading a book, huh? And in an era where the men considered themselves the keepers of knowledge, Evie challenged everyone one and everything with her wealth of wisdom.

EVIE IS CONFIDENT

Real talk: Evie was basically surrounded by men in The Mummy, and even more so in The Mummy Returns with the addition of her young son, Alex. But even in the midst of snooty Englishmen who put her down, rude show-off Americans, and a godly big bad literally chasing after her body, she persisted and proved herself–no one puts Evie in a corner!

Yes, she ends up riding off into the sunset and marrying Rick, but not before she saves his sorry ass from hanging to death in jail. Evie wasn’t an object to begin with, whereas the character Helen Grosvenor was included in the original film primarily as a “good lookin’ gal.” Following strong female characters in pop culture before 1999, like Buffy Summers, Alien‘s Ripley, and Star War’s Leia Organa, Evie was a confident, well-rounded character in a mainly male-dominated film playing a significant role in the  plot.

EVIE IS FIERCE AND FEMININE

The daughter of a British explorer and Egyptian adventurer, Evie personified the essence of an early twentieth-century feminist–a unique beauty with a brain, proudly dishing out ancient Egyptian Cliffs Notes in a stunning beaded outfit with gorgeous kohl-lined eyes. And let’s not forget those proper British manners.

Sure, she wasn’t the best at throwing a punch, but girl could run, jump, and ride a camel like no one else in The Mummy. Her role expanded exponentially to twenty-first century feminist in The Mummy Returns, which added tons of action-adventure moments to her character, like spear-fighting her Egyptian rival and dangling out of a dirigible. But she was, first and foremost, an enchanting as well as empowering protagonist.

EVIE IS RICK’S EQUAL

Not too many people can outshine Brendan Fraser‘s comedic timing, but Rachel Weisz delivered some equally hilarious moments. Both outsiders in a sense, Rick and Evie are fighting for validation and together they reach their individual goals with a dash of silliness. They become an action-packed power couple–she saves him, he saves her, and they both save the world!

In one of my favorite moments of The Mummy, Evie “the damsel” gives herself up to Imhotep in his final form with complete composure–no screaming, no fainting–trusting that Rick, “the swashbuckling hero,” has her back just as much as she had his. They exceeded their original tropes from 1932 with ease. And this mutual understanding went beyond a single life debt–they loved and respected each other as equals and would rather save the world together than go at it alone.

What are some of your favorite moments from 1999’s The Mummy? Share the love with us below!

Images and GIF Credit: Universal

Puddles the Clown Covers The Who’s ‘Pinball Wizard’ With a Johnny Cash Style

Clowns don’t exactly have it easy these days. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is closing down next month after 146 years, and there are even some clowns who are concerned that the new remake of Stephen King’s IT will only perpetuate the public’s fear of clowns. However, there’s at least one giant clown who is going to stand tall: Puddles Pity Party, and he’s making the world a better place for everyone! Other clowns may fear the influence of Pennywise’s big screen return, but we suspect that Puddles could defeat that evil clown with the power of his voice.

Puddles recently posted a new cover of The Who‘s rock opera classic, “Pinball Wizard,” in his signature baritone voice. But for this cover, Puddles wasn’t content to simply recreate the original song. Instead, Puddles sang it to the music of Johnny Cash‘s “Folsom Prison Blues,” and the results are glorious. Separately, “Pinball Wizard” and “Folsom Prison Blues” are both great songs; together, they’re even more powerful, thanks to Puddles’ soulful rendition.

Big Mike Geier is the man beneath Puddles’ distinctive makeup and costume, and he’s also the guy who created the mythology and personality of Puddles. After teaming up with Postmodern Jukebox for a cover in 2013, Puddles became an internet sensation and he took his act on tour. Recently, Puddles re-teamed with Postmodern Jukebox for a new cover of Blink 182’s “All the Small Things.”

What did you think about Puddles’ take on “Pinball Wizard”? Sing us a song in the comment section below!

Image: Puddles Pity Party

Louis C.K. Stars in SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE’s Musical Tribute to Facebook Activism

The world is frightening. There’s civil disorder all around, wars, and rumors of wars. Worse yet, your friends don’t believe exactly the same things you do. It would take a concerted effort to change things for the better, but who has time for that in a recession? You’ve got bills, man!

One brave fellow named Scott will show us the way.

At first, this Saturday Night Live sketch begins a lot like the “Republican TBD” movie trailer they did a few weeks back, longing for a generic dissenting member of the president’s party. But bold Scott, played by Louis C.K., doesn’t have to stand up to Donald Trump face-to-face. He will save the planet by…posting article links on Facebook.

You laugh, but we’d wager that if you’re honest with yourself, there has been at least one moment where you read something online, thought “This is important! People must know!” and shared that link hoping you’d change a few minds. The truth is you probably didn’t. But what you’d rather believe is reflected in the video above.

This article, on the other hand, is extremely important, and if you share it, you will change the world. That’s right–if you share this article on Facebook the world will be entirely different than it otherwise might have been…in that an additional link will now appear on your feed! Thank you, Scott [your name here].

Is the sarcasm too thick in the sketch? Are we making way too much of social media? Hit us up on Facebook or Twitter and let us know!

Image: NBC

Her Universe Reveals STAR WARS 40th Droids Jacket and More for Celebration Debut

Star Wars Celebration is almost here. The out of this world gathering of Star Wars fans is happening from April 13-16 in Orlando, and alongside news about what’s happening in the storytelling side of the galaxy (like a teaser for The Last Jedi, maybe/hopefully), it’s an opportunity for licensees to roll out new products. Her Universe isn’t the missing the chance to launch a variety of fresh fashion, including this completely awesome R2-D2 and C-3PO jacket with the 40th anniversary logo:

I’m sorry/not sorry for the puddle of drool that just spilled off the screen. It’s not visible in the photo, but the interior of the jacket is patterned with Threepio’s wiring.

Another standout offering that’s not quite like any official Star Wars clothing I’ve seen is a floral romper with Rebellion imagery:

The gallery below features other pieces you can get at Celebration, like a Hera shirt (finally!) designed by Star Wars Rebels‘ artist Amy Beth Christenson, and a Darth Vader cardigan.

If you’ll be at the convention, you’ll find the Her Universe boutique inside the official Celebration store. While you’re there, you can stop at Salacious Crumb’s Bake Shop and pick up Star Wars themed cupcakes by Cupcake Wars winner Jillian Hopke.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to Celebration; this collection will available on the Her Universe website soon. Start saving your cash monies.

Is anything in particular calling your name? What’s on your wish list? Stop by the comments and tell me what you have your eyes on.

Images: Her Universe

Know who else wants new clothes? Kylo Ren.

Morgan Freeman Gives Graham Norton a SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION Narration

Think about how weird it must be to be Morgan Freeman. Being a world–renowned actor who has been in every conceivable type of movie and is beloved by millions of people has got to be strange enough without constantly being asked to lend your voice to things. We wonder if every morning, Freeman looks into the mirror, takes a deep breath, and wonders how many times he’ll be asked to narrate something in someone’s life. Ever the good sport, he recently gave a Shawshank-like narration to Graham Norton.



Freeman visited The Graham Norton Show to promote his new film, Going in Style, alongside co-star Michael Caine and it wasn’t long before Norton asked Freeman about his iconic role as Red in The Shawshank Redemption. Freeman explained how the film didn’t do well in theaters and blames poor word of mouth and a title that wasn’t memorable at the time. He then treated the audience to a Shawshank-esque narration about Norton, Caine, and the constant requests to narrate things.

All in all it shows how good of a sport Freeman is about being so beloved for his particular skill, and we hope it’s something that doesn’t actually annoy him. It’s not like he’s a one-hit wonder having to play the same song every day, or deal with people yelling a catchphrase at him. People simply love his voice and that’s got to be a pretty cool aspect in life. Though it is fun to think that, somewhere in Freeman’s home, there’s a diary where–on those ever so rare days–he gets to write “Today was a good day. No one asked me to narrate a goddamned thing!”

As one can expect, Morgan Freeman narrating happens pretty often. What would you have him narrate? Share your ideas in the comments below!

Image: Columbia Pictures