Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 224

Daniel Radcliffe Was Never Going to Play Wolverine in DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, VELMA Canceled, and Other News Odds & Ends

Check out the latest odds and ends of entertainment news.

Gladiator 2

The Gladiator 2 popcorn bucket is here for your viewing pleasure.

Ready to be entertained. Get your tickets for #GladiatorII today! Playing at Regal November 22. #RegalMovies pic.twitter.com/x3CrAxBQ2O

— Regal (@RegalMovies) October 8, 2024

Velma WB/HBO Max

You probably haven’t thought about Mindy Kaling’s Velma in a while and that’s good because it looks HBO has cancelled season three of the series. Davey Cummings, a background artist on the series shared on his Instagram in a now-deleted post, “Backgrounds I painted for Velma Halloween Special,” he wrote alongside a carousel post of different spooky backdrops. “So fun working with this crew. There will not be a season 3, but I hope I get to work with these amazing talented people again one day. GO WATCH ‘VELMA’ HALLOWEEN SPECIAL ON MAX!!”

The post has since been taken down, but he seemed pretty sure… We guess we’ll have to wait for an official confirmation that Velma has been cancelled and will not receive a season trhee.

Deadpool & Wolverine 20th Century Studios/TBS

Alas, Daniel Radcliffe was never going to appear as a Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine. Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick reveal the following about rumors of Daniel Radcliffe cameoing as a Wolverine variant in the Deadpool movie, “No, I don’t think that ever came up. It was a rumor that flew all over, but I don’t think Daniel Radcliffe was ever considered.”

However, Wernick notes, “We had pitched the idea of Danny DeVito… And ultimately it was thought it was just funnier to see Hugh. A short version of Hugh was funnier.” Reese concludes, “And that was inspired, obviously, other than by the comics that was inspired by Tim Conway’s Dorf on Golf.”

Voltron: Legendary Defender Netflix

Netflix’s Voltron: Legendary Defender has experienced many ups and downs during the course of its existence. But now reports indicate it could leave Netflix in December of 2024. That would be a blow to fans because the series was created for Netflix. However, as always with TV series, there are many cooks in the kitchen and complicated contractual nuances in play.

Official accounts have weighed in the question of whether Voltron will be removed from Netflix, noting “Discussions are ongoing. When we know, you’ll know.”

Mr. Crocket

Get ready for a creepy children’s show to come to life, complete with an eerie jingle. Mr. Crockett is here to snatch children and kill parents. Yikes!

YouTubeYouTube

YouTube will soon allow creators to organize their contents by “season” and “episode” on its platform. YouTube Chief Product Officer Johanna Voolich shares in a blog post, “To help our creators’ content shine on TVs, they will soon be able to organize their content into seasons and episodes, making it easy for viewers to tune into the new must see TV… We’re making other improvements to the TV experience with immersive content that plays directly from a creator’s channel, streamlined subscription options and easier access to links in descriptions.” This update will arrive in 2025.

Time Bandits Apple TV+

Alas, although fans were excited about the Time Bandits series reboot/adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s cult favorite movie and seemed to like it overall, it was not meant to be. Joining a pile of other Apple TV+ series that somehow didn’t manage to make a big mark despite a big budget and a good amount of star power, Time Bandits has been canceled after one season. It seems like Time Bandits just didn’t garner a large enough audience. And so, to the canceled heap it goes. We barely knew you!

Apple TV+

For the interested, The Time Bandits season one synopsis shared:

Guided by Lisa Kudrow, the eccentric crew of bandits embark on epic adventures while evil forces threaten their conquests, and life as they know it. As the group transports through time and space, the gang stumbles upon fascinating worlds of the distant past while seeking out treasure, depending on Kevin to shed light on each situation. The “Time Bandits” witness the creation of Stonehenge, see the Trojan Horse in action, escape dinosaurs in the prehistoric ages, wreak havoc during medieval times, experience the Ice Age, ancient civilizations and the Harlem Renaissance, and much more along the way. 

Spirit HalloweenSpirit Halloween

Spirit Halloween is here to make Halloween miracles come true. Now you can dress like a Cinnabon Box or an Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Nuggets Cup. Isn’t that what every little kid dreams of? We just have to wonder if these costumes also include a Cinnabon and Auntie Anne perfume spray to really set the scene.

The Lord of the Rings

How many Hobbit feet have we made? The truth is, we’ve lost count. Here, Elijah Wood finds the perfect fit for his role as one of the most beloved Hobbits in the world of Middle-earth, Frodo.#wetaworkshop #tolkien #lordoftherings #lotr#middleearth #film #hobbits pic.twitter.com/8Glrf42B8b

— Wētā Workshop (@WetaWorkshop) September 16, 2024

Wētā Workshop can’t recall how many Hobbit feet its made, but does recall Elijah Wood looking for his perfect fit.

MCU – Beast Marvel Studios

Kelsey Grammer surprise reprised his role as the X-Men’s Beast in The Marvels. But Grammer can’t say much about whether his Beast will return to the MCU in the future. He notes that there have been “some conversations” about Beast returning to the Marvel franchise. These, he seems to imply, are bolstered by the “overwhelming” response to his cameo. In full, Grammer shares, “There’s nothing I can talk about. What I do know is that there was a huge sort of outburst when I showed up at the end of The Marvels; I guess it was. The response was really almost… it wasn’t unexpected. There’d be some response, but it was pretty overwhelming, and so there are some conversations.”

MCU – Scarlet WitchMarvel Studios

Elizabeth Olsen recently gave voice to what some MCU fans of the character have themselves felt. She noted, “It’s a character that I love going back to when there’s a way to use her well, and I think I have been lucky that when I started I was used well. I think people didn’t know what to do with me for a second there… if there’s a good way to use her I’m always happy to come back.”

She seems to imply Marvel wasn’t super sure what to do with her character for a time, but the good news is Olsen is always happy to return as Scarlet Witch… If there’s a reason.

MCU – RDJ’s ReturnRobert Downey Jr.

We were shocked when it was announced Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU as Doctor Doom. And we weren’t the only ones. MCU co-star Don Cheadle shared his reaction was about the same. He revealed, “I was like, ‘What the f*ck?’ I think that’s exactly what I said,” 

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomNintendo

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom almost had a much more spoilery name. Producer Eiji Aonuma shared more about the title in Tears of the Kingdom‘s art book. In it, Aonuma notes, “One of the candidates for the title that made it to [the] end [of development] was ‘Tears of the Dragon,'”But it would be a bad idea to have the keyword ‘Dragon’ in the title, and we wanted to have dragon patterns in the logo, but decided otherwise. It’d emphasize the Light Dragon, after all.”

Nintendo

The game’s development team didn’t want to emphasize the Light Dragon too heavily in the title because it would have pointed to a huge game spoiler. The Light Dragon is, of course, Princess Zelda herself. To save her kingdom and restore the Master Sword to its full power, Zelda sacrifices her humanity and becomes the dragon. In this way, Tears of the Kingdom also makes perfect sense but doesn’t draw too much attention to The Light Dragon and her identity.

.youtube-embed{padding-bottom:56.25%!important;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.youtube-embed a,.youtube-embed iframe{display:block;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute}.youtube-embed iframe{border:0}.youtube-embed img.youtube-cover{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;height:100%;width:100%;cursor:pointer}.youtube-embed img.play-button{width:66px;position:absolute;left:46%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;cursor:pointer}@media only screen and (max-width:499px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:45%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:425px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:44%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:375px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:43%;width:56px}}@media only screen and (max-width:345px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:42%;width:50px}}.youtube-embed .progressive-img{-webkit-filter:blur(10px);filter:blur(10px)}.youtube-embed .progressive-img.loaded{-webkit-filter:none;filter:none;-webkit-transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;-o-transition:filter 1s ease-out;-moz-transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out,-webkit-filter 1s ease-out}.youtube-embed .kskdDiv{display:none!important}

The post Daniel Radcliffe Was Never Going to Play Wolverine in DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, VELMA Canceled, and Other News Odds & Ends appeared first on Nerdist.

Anne Hathaway Returns for PRINCESS DIARIES 3, Chris Pine Reacts to Movie News

For many years, fans have clamored for a return to that beloved nation of Genovia. The Princess Diaries movies won the hearts of practically everyone in the early 2000s and brought Mia Thermopolis into our lives. And who can forget the iconic The Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement, where Anne Hathaway and Chris Pine made us swoon as they bucked tradition and found love. Of course, through it all, Julie Andrews’ firm but tender Queen Regent Clarisse Renaldi reigned supreme. And now, it’s time to dust off those tiaras because The Princess Diaries 3 is a go. And yes, Anne Hathaway will return as Princess Mia in the third Princess Diaries 3. Miracles happen (when you believe).

DisneyAnne Hathaway Will Star in The Princess Diaries 3

Taking to her Instagram, Anne Hathaway revealed she would be back as Princess Mia in The Princess Diaries 3. Shut up! Hathaway’s video is adorable and nostalgic and puts us back exactly where we were 23 years ago when the first The Princess Diaries movie released.

Will Julie Andrews Return for The Princess Diaries 3? What About Chris Pine?

Unfortunately, franchise star Julie Andrews doesn’t think it is likely she will return to reprise the role of Queen regent, Clarisse Renaldi. Andrews recently noted to Access Hollywood (which we saw via The Hollywood Reporter) that “it’s probably not going to be possible” for her to appear in a Princess Diaries 3. She added, “I think it would be too late to do it now. There was talk of a sequel many, many years ago. But I don’t think it ever came to pass…[For] especially me, it’s too far down the line now to go back to it.”

A Princess Diaries movie without Clarisse? We couldn’t imagine. But other players are more on board. Chris Pine previously said to Entertainment Tonight, speaking of the potential third movie, “Yeah, I’m here! I’m here for it. Give me give me a phone call or an email.” He also noted in the past, “‘Princess Diaries 3, where is it?’ Have you been reading my diary? I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything about it.” But he did have some fascinating ideas about what the movie could look like. Of course, this was all before The Princess Diaries 3 was officially greenlit.

Chris Pine speaks to Hoda and Jenna about Anne Hathaway announcing that “The Princess Diaries 3” is happening: “I don’t know anything.”

(and yes, we showed him posts like @alamanecer’s asking for him to be a part of the movie) pic.twitter.com/Sg5av2xgo8

— TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@HodaAndJenna) October 8, 2024

How doe he feel about it now? Well, on Today With Hoda & Jenna, it seems like Chris Pine is still processing The Princess Diaries 3 news. He revealed, “I don’t know anything!… I think it’s fantastic!” When pressed to say if he personally would be in for The Princess Diaries 3, he noted, “The answer is I’ve gotta see… I don’t know anything about it. I think it’s fantastic.” And he also added, “Call Disney! Call Bob Iger!” We bet Disney AND Bob Iger will be hearing a lot about this exact topic very soon.

The Princess Diaries 3 Behind the Scenes and Plot

The Hollywood Reporter shares that Aadrita Mukerji will pen the third installment of The Princess Diaries for Disney. Meanwhile, Joy Ride‘s Adele Lim has been set as the director for the film. Lim shares “As a diehard fan of the original Princess Diaries, I’m beyond excited to be a part of bringing the third iteration of this beloved franchise to life. We look forward to celebrating its core tenants of female power, joy and mentorship with audiences worldwide.” Damn! It looks like it’s really happening!

No details on the prospective plot of The Princess Diaries 3 have yet been shared. But knowing Disney, we wouldn’t count out Mia having a daughter or some kind of daughter figure in the mix. We would certainly hope that the movie would keep the emotional, but ultimately lighthearted, air of the first two movies.

In any case, it would be delightful to see Mia as a more settled Queen of Genovia. And we wouldn’t complain about seeing Chris Pine again, either. Maybe the pair could even recreate their dip in the palace fountain. Pine is already slated for Star Trek 4, so why no The Princess Diaries 3? We hope to hear more official confirmations for The Princess Diaries 3 very soon.

In the meantime, we will take this time to rewatch the first two movies over and over. They are classics, after all.

Originally published on November 15, 2022.

.youtube-embed{padding-bottom:56.25%!important;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.youtube-embed a,.youtube-embed iframe{display:block;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute}.youtube-embed iframe{border:0}.youtube-embed img.youtube-cover{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;height:100%;width:100%;cursor:pointer}.youtube-embed img.play-button{width:66px;position:absolute;left:46%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;cursor:pointer}@media only screen and (max-width:499px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:45%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:425px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:44%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:375px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:43%;width:56px}}@media only screen and (max-width:345px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:42%;width:50px}}.youtube-embed .progressive-img{-webkit-filter:blur(10px);filter:blur(10px)}.youtube-embed .progressive-img.loaded{-webkit-filter:none;filter:none;-webkit-transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;-o-transition:filter 1s ease-out;-moz-transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out,-webkit-filter 1s ease-out}.youtube-embed .kskdDiv{display:none!important}

The post Anne Hathaway Returns for PRINCESS DIARIES 3, Chris Pine Reacts to Movie News appeared first on Nerdist.

Lewis Pullman Reveals ‘There Were Shredders Everywhere’ During THUNDERBOLTS* FBI-Like Audition

The Thunderbolts have been a long-awaited MCU team. The quasi-villainous anti-hero/misfit gang is a staple of the Marvel Comics world, and many heroes have been a part of it at some time or another. As the MCU slowly gathered the right members, fans speculated harder and harder that the Thunderbolts were coming. And finally, in 2022, Marvel Studios made the big announcement—the MCU’s Thunderbolts* movie was finally on the way.

The Thunderbolts* might be a secretive team, but they’ve got nothing on the MCU. Sentry actor Lewis Pullman revealed that auditioning for the MCU is like a spy mission all of its own. He shared, “It always felt like kind of an untouchable realm, kind of a cool kid’s table that I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get an invite to, or at least an invite to even try and be a part of… And so it was a hell of an experience going out there and test screening. It felt like I was going into the FBI or something. It was all very locked and sealed.”

Marvel Studios

He added, “They’re like, ‘You’re lucky to hold onto a set of sides for longer than an hour.’ There were shredders everywhere. But Jake Schreier, the director, sat down with me and he told me the story, but I couldn’t read any script or anything. It was cool. It was kind of old-fashioned in that sense. It was like, ‘And now by the campfire, I will tell you the story of Thunderbolts.’” Sounds like a good time to us.

Here’s everything we know so far about Thunderbolts*.

TitleMarvel Studios

For now, the movie about the Thunderbolts is simply called Thunderbolts*. There is that lurking asterisk that carries some kind of hidden meaning. Kevin Feige has revealed that it’s there for a reason. Speaking at CinemaCon 2024, he shared, “Yes, you’ll notice the asterisk on Thunderbolts. That is the official title of Thunderbolts and we won’t talk more about that until after the movie comes out.” This refusal to address the Thunderbolts* asterisk seems to mean that it’s important. Let the speculation begin.

Kevin Feige confirms THUNDERBOLTS*’ is the new official title

“We won’t talk about the asterisk until after release.” pic.twitter.com/wCwx5g3CWC

— ScreenTime (@screentime) April 11, 2024

Thunderbolts*’ PlotMarvel Studios

We don’t know much about the plot of Thunderbolts*. However, we know who will be part of the MCU Thunderbolts. The Thunderbolts will comprise of Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine, Ghost, Red Guardian, Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes (a.k.a Winter Soldier), US Agent, and Taskmaster.

The Thunderbolts* teaser trailer gives us a bit more of an idea of what we can expect. The clip focused on Yelena (Florence Pugh) as she knocks on Alexei (David Harbour). He welcomes her into his messy apartment. He asks what brings her there, and she says something’s wrong with her, an emptiness. She tried to throw herself into work after Natasha’s death, and we see cuts of her killing people. There’s also Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), US Agent (Wyatt Russell), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), who is in costume. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) arrives and assembles them together for a “bad Avengers” adventure of some sort. Make of that what you will.

Marvel Studios

For now, we still don’t have an official synopsis of Thunderbolts*, but a release from Marvel promises “an irreverent team-up featuring depressed assassin Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) alongside the MCU’s least anticipated band of misfits.”

Thunderbolts*’ Cast

Accordingly to the MCU Thunderbolts line-up, here is the projected main cast of the movie so far, pending any surprise recastings:

Marvel Studios

Julia Louis-Dreyfus returns as Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine in Thunderbolts*. Hannah John-Kamen will play Ghost. David Harbour remains as Red Guardian. Florence Pugh will reprise her role Yelena Belova. Sebastian Stan will again take on the role of Bucky Barnes (a.k.a Winter Soldier). Wyatt Russell will appear as US Agent. And Olga Kurylenko will appear as Taskmaster.

Geraldine Viswanathan will now take on a mystery role initially meant for Ayo Edebiri. And reportedly, Lewis Pullman will replace Steven Yeun as Sentry in the Thunderbolts* movie.

Behind the Scenes

Eric Pearson will write Thunderbolt*’s script, and Jake Schreier will direct the movie. Beef‘s creator and showrunner Lee Sung Jin has also come aboard as a writer of the movie. Kevin Feige is, of course, producing this Marvel Studios’ production.

Thunderbolt‘s Release DateMarvel Studios

Thunderbolts* is scheduled to release on May 2, 2025.

Originally published on January 27, 2023.

.youtube-embed{padding-bottom:56.25%!important;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.youtube-embed a,.youtube-embed iframe{display:block;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute}.youtube-embed iframe{border:0}.youtube-embed img.youtube-cover{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;height:100%;width:100%;cursor:pointer}.youtube-embed img.play-button{width:66px;position:absolute;left:46%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;cursor:pointer}@media only screen and (max-width:499px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:45%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:425px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:44%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:375px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:43%;width:56px}}@media only screen and (max-width:345px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:42%;width:50px}}.youtube-embed .progressive-img{-webkit-filter:blur(10px);filter:blur(10px)}.youtube-embed .progressive-img.loaded{-webkit-filter:none;filter:none;-webkit-transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;-o-transition:filter 1s ease-out;-moz-transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out,-webkit-filter 1s ease-out}.youtube-embed .kskdDiv{display:none!important}

The post Lewis Pullman Reveals ‘There Were Shredders Everywhere’ During THUNDERBOLTS* FBI-Like Audition appeared first on Nerdist.

Netflix Has Already Cancelled KAOS After One Season (And Just 6 Weeks)

KAOS starring Jeff Goldblum as the Ancient Greek god Zeus premiered at Netflix on August 29. That was just a measly six weeks ago. That’s not enough time for any show, even one with positive reviews from both critics and viewers, to find an audience. Not when every episode was dropped at once and there’s no chance to build momentum via word of mouth. And yet none of that stopped the streamer from already pulling the plug on the dark comedy. Netflix has cancelled KAOS after a single season and no time to build the case for a second. After yet another premature end to a series, it’s getting harder than ever to give any of the site’s new shows a chance.

Nerdist

After a late summer debut, KAOS didn’t even survive until Halloween. Netflix has cancelled the show (news we first heard at The Hollywood Reporter) after it launched to so-so viewership. According to the streaming site’s internal numbers, the show garnered 14.9 million views. Not a disaster by any means, but not a big number either. That was enough to get the series a quick pull, even though it starred a big-time Hollywood celebrity.

Did KAOS deserve its fate? I have no idea, because I didn’t even get a chance to watch it before this news broke. I was very much looking forward to seeing it, too. Multiple friends have raved about it and said I would love it. Now? What’s the point. Even if, as they predicted, I will really enjoy it, watching will feel pointless.

Netflix

None of this is a surprise, unfortunately. This is just what Netflix does. It cancels even its best shows prematurely, which in turn makes it harder for anyone to watch anything else it releases. Why bother giving a show a chance when you fear/know even greatness won’t save it from an early end? At this point its best to wait to see if a series will get time to grow and build something. Of course, a show won’t unless we tune in en masse immediately…which we don’t want to do because we don’t trust Netflix.

What a cycle! What a business model! But really, what a disappointment.

The post Netflix Has Already Cancelled KAOS After One Season (And Just 6 Weeks) appeared first on Nerdist.

MONARCH Season 2 Adds PREY Star Amber Midthunder

When you go up against some massive underground, extradimensional titans and a shady tech company, you need a robust team. Season one of Apple TV+’s Monsterverse series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, had the likes of Kurt Russell (and Wyatt Russell), Emmy winner Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, and Ren Watabe. Pretty good team if you can get ’em. But with both Godzilla and Kong out there, not to mention Apex Technologies, a bigger cast is all but guaranteed. According to Variety, the upcoming second season of the series will bring in Prey star Amber Midthunder.

Midthunder will play Isabel, described as “an intelligent and powerful businesswoman.” Variety also describes her role as “heavily recurring,” which to me (with zero idea other than the word “businesswoman”) means she’ll be on the baddies’ side. But I could be wrong!

20th Century Studios

In addition to Prey, in which Midthunder played the lead character Naru taking on an 1800s version of the Predator, she had roles in FX’s Legion and Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Apple officially greenlit a second season in April of 2024, a few months after the first season’s finale. Additionally, Apple and Legendary struck a multi-series deal with that includes multiple spinoff series based on the franchise. 

Morgan Wandell, head of international development for Apple TV+ said in a release at the time:

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has left an indelible imprint on the hearts, minds and imaginations of audiences around the world, led by the brilliance of Chris, Matt, Kurt, Wyatt and the incredibly gifted talented cast and creative team. We couldn’t be more excited for viewers to not only have the chance to experience even more thrills in season two, but to embark on epic, new journeys in the franchise, as we expand Legendary’s Monsterverse.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season two is executive produced by Chris Black, Matt Fraction, Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell from Safehouse Pictures, Matt Shakman, Andrew Colville, and Jen Roskind. Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita executive produce on behalf of Toho Co., Ltd., the owner of the Godzilla character.

We’ll let you know more casting and news about Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season two as it develops!

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

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

The post MONARCH Season 2 Adds PREY Star Amber Midthunder appeared first on Nerdist.

Bob Dylan’s Switch to Electric Causes Controversy in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN Trailer

A Complete Unknown will show how a young musician from Minnesota changed the world with his acoustic guitar. It will also show how he then did the one thing his fans didn’t want him to. The new trailer for the Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet touches on both the artist’s meteoric rise to fame and his controversial decision to ditch his acoustic guitar for an electric one.

If only we could return to the days when musicians were in the news because of their choice of instruments…

Why exactly was Bob Dylan’s decision to change his guitar such a big deal? A Complete Unknown will show those of us not old enough to have experienced the start of his career first hand. Here’s the film’s official synopsis from Searchlight Pictures:

New York, early 1960s. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives in the West Village with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. As he forms his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement and, refusing to be defined, makes a controversial choice that culturally reverberates worldwide. 

Searchlight Pictures

A Complete Unknown comes from director James Mangold (Logan, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny). He also wrote the script with Jay Cocks (Silence, Gangs of New York). Chalamet isn’t the only famous face playing a famous musician in the film. It also features Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, and Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie. The movie also stars Elle Fanning, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz, Eriko Hatsune, Big Bill Morgenfield, and Will Harrison.

It will help close out the 2024 movie year when it arrives in theaters on Christmas Day. That will be a nice holiday gift for longtime fans. Or at least it will be for the ones who aren’t still mad about Dylan’s switch to electric.

.youtube-embed{padding-bottom:56.25%!important;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.youtube-embed a,.youtube-embed iframe{display:block;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute}.youtube-embed iframe{border:0}.youtube-embed img.youtube-cover{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;height:100%;width:100%;cursor:pointer}.youtube-embed img.play-button{width:66px;position:absolute;left:46%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;cursor:pointer}@media only screen and (max-width:499px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:45%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:425px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:44%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:375px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:43%;width:56px}}@media only screen and (max-width:345px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:42%;width:50px}}.youtube-embed .progressive-img{-webkit-filter:blur(10px);filter:blur(10px)}.youtube-embed .progressive-img.loaded{-webkit-filter:none;filter:none;-webkit-transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;-o-transition:filter 1s ease-out;-moz-transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out,-webkit-filter 1s ease-out}.youtube-embed .kskdDiv{display:none!important}

The post Bob Dylan’s Switch to Electric Causes Controversy in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN Trailer appeared first on Nerdist.

7 Spooky POKÉMON For Your Halloween Teams

With over nine generations of Pokémon, countless little pocket monsters fit perfectly in theme with all things Halloween, horror, and ghosts. From fan favorites like Gangar to cute but creepy Mimikyu, there is a plethora to choose from. Here are our top seven mysterious and supernatural Pokémon that are perfect for your Halloween teams.

The Pokémon CompanyGourgeistThe Pokémon Company

Gourgeist is a Ghost and Grass-type Pokémon from Generation VI. The evolution of Pumpkaboo, it is a gourd-like Pokémon that resembles a pumpkin. In fact, in the Pokémon animated series, Gourgeist can pull its upper stem into its bottom half, shapeshifting into a jack-o-lantern.

What makes it particularly spooky is its tendency to emanate eerie cries in the middle of the night. People assume the cries are the weeping of spirits in the afterlife. If you hear its cries, you will be cursed. It sings with joy as it strangles its prey with its hair-like appendages. I wouldn’t want to run into this one.

MimikyuThe Pokémon Company

Mimikyu is an adorable Ghost and Fairy-type Pokémon from Generation VII. However, don’t let its cute appearance fool you. Its silly face is actually a part of a rag that covers most of its body. The two holes on its tummy are actually where its real eyes are peeking out from its disguise. Sometimes if it’s angry, it will even reach a long black claw from under the rag.

What Mimikyu looks like under the Pikachu costume is unknown because it always hides itself. This Pokémon just wants friends. Rumor has it that if you see Mimikyu’s real appearance, you will die painfully.

MismagiusThe Pokémon Company

Mismagius is a Ghost-type Pokémon from Generation IV that evolves from Misdreavus. Its witchy appearance is very fitting for its demeanor, since it usually appears as it tries to wreak havoc on unaware humans and Pokémon. Mismagius has an unusual ability where its cries sound like incantations that can cause misery and, rarely, happiness.

This Pokémon has always scared us a little since it used its cries to cause hallucinations that incapacitated Ash and the gang. On the flip side, people use its incantations to ward off misfortune, creating a custom in the Pokémon world of inviting it into their homes. Be careful; who knows what will happen if you upset them.

BanetteThe Pokemon Company

Banette, a Ghost-type Pokémon from Generation III, resembles a puppet possessed by pure hatred. It was brought to life by an insanely strong grudge. This forceful grudge is kept away behind its zipper mouth. If unzipped… well, it would be just a lifeless doll.

Banette acts like a voodoo doll, sticking pins in itself to harm its enemies. Legend says its hatred stems from being a discarded doll, and it constantly searches for the child who threw it away. In a sweeter twist, though, people believe that showing Banette kindness will turn it back into a doll.

ChandelureThe Pokémon Company

Chandelure is a Ghost and Fire-type Pokémon from Generation V that is the final evolution of Litwick, who, just putting it out there, is much cuter. This Pokémon clearly mimics a chandelier. Its flames don’t burn its victims; instead, they burn their spirits.

By waving its flame arms around, it manages to put its victims in a trance, allowing them to absorb and burn their spirit. Those who suffer this fate “lose their way and wander this world forever,” according to the Pokédex. If you are looking for this Pokémon, it tends to wander around haunted mansions.

HoundstoneThe Pokémon Company

Houndstone is a Ghost-type Pokémon from Generation IX that is the evolution of Greavard. This Pokémon is from the newest generation and is a lot less menacing than the others that grace this list with a backstory to match it.

Houndstone was born out of a deceased Pokémon. A tombstone sits on top of its head, and it doesn’t like anyone touching it. Houndstone spends most of its time underground in graveyards, with its tombstone lying above ground. Of all the different dog Pokémon, Houndstone is known to be the most loyal to its master.

GrimmsnarlThe Pokémon Company

Grimmsnarl is a Dark and Fairy-type Pokémon from Generation VIII that is the final evolution of Impidimp. Its prior two forms are mischievous imps that like to play pranks and fool people. Despite turning into this massive beast, it still partakes in that same roguish behavior. It controls all the hair wrapped around its body.

Grimmsnarl lives deep within the forest and uses their hair to support their muscles. If you think Grimmsnarl looks scary, wait until you see its Gigantamax form, which has even more hair that moves like tentacles.

Many more Pokémon are seasonally fitting, like the iconic Houndoom and the less-known Trevenant. But in case you want to find your favorite less spooky Pokémon decked out in Halloween gear, check out the Pokéween collection from the Pokémon Center.

For more Pokémon fun, watch Geek & Sundry’s new series, The Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet—Stellar Crown Showdown.

.youtube-embed{padding-bottom:56.25%!important;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.youtube-embed a,.youtube-embed iframe{display:block;width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute}.youtube-embed iframe{border:0}.youtube-embed img.youtube-cover{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;height:100%;width:100%;cursor:pointer}.youtube-embed img.play-button{width:66px;position:absolute;left:46%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;cursor:pointer}@media only screen and (max-width:499px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:45%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:425px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:44%;width:60px}}@media only screen and (max-width:375px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:43%;width:56px}}@media only screen and (max-width:345px){.youtube-embed img.play-button{left:42%;width:50px}}.youtube-embed .progressive-img{-webkit-filter:blur(10px);filter:blur(10px)}.youtube-embed .progressive-img.loaded{-webkit-filter:none;filter:none;-webkit-transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;transition:-webkit-filter 1s ease-out;-o-transition:filter 1s ease-out;-moz-transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out;transition:filter 1s ease-out,-webkit-filter 1s ease-out}.youtube-embed .kskdDiv{display:none!important}

The post 7 Spooky POKÉMON For Your Halloween Teams appeared first on Nerdist.

Best Horror-Related Marvel Universe Comics, Ranked

Unlike DC, Marvel Comics‘ history with horror characters in their universe is something that comes and goes. It was predominant in the ’70s and ’90s, with other blips here and there. But some of those horror characters have been the subject of some very fun comics within the Marvel Universe over the years. Here are ten series, all taking place within the 616 Marvel Universe, which do the best job showcasing horror-themed characters.

10. Nightstalkers (1992-1994)by Steven Grant and Ron GarneyMarvel Comics

In the early ‘90s, horror movie popularity was peaking, and Goth culture was on the rise. Sensing a trend, after shelving their ‘70s horror characters for most of the previous decade, Marvel revived Ghost Rider first in 1990. When that proved a hit, they brought back most of their other supernatural heroes that were introduced in the ‘70s. This time, sporting some very ‘90s hair and wardrobe updates, in a line of books called Midnight Sons. Among that early Midnight Sons line were comics like Morbius and Darkhold.

The most fun series of this initiative was Nightstalkers. It saw Blade team up with other vampire hunters from the old Tomb of Dracula series like Frank Drake and Hannibal King. This time, however, they wore way more leather jackets. The main writer of this series was Steven Grant, with art by Ron Garney. His style at the time mimicked the ‘90s “extreme” flavor of the Image Comics founders. This series, which only ran two years, is very of its time. But it’s a fun read if you put yourself in the right headspace. The main concept of Nightstalkers was the basis for the dreadful threequel Blade Trinity. Just try not to hold that against it.

9. Darkhold: Pages from the Book of Sin (1992-1994)by Chris Cooper and Richard CaseMarvel Comics

These days, everyone knows about the ancient evil book known as the Darkhold, thanks to WandaVision and Multiverse of Madness. But it originated in the comics. It was also the title of the Midnight Sons series, Darkhold: Pages from the Book of Sins. This short-lived series ran from 1992-1994, and was written by Chris Cooper and illustrated by Doom Patrol’s Richard Case, In the series, the long-lost pages of the Darkhold written by Elder God Chthon started to appear around the world. A group of experts known as the Darkhold Redeemers began hunting them down across the world.

The Redeemers’ leader is a doctor named Victoria Montesi, a descendent of the creators of the Montesi Formula, which (for a time) destroyed all vampires. An archeologist Louise Hastings joins her, and later, Interpol agent Sam Buchanan. Together, they search for the missing pages before someone learns to harness their dark power. The series only lasted 16 issues, but it was one of the weirder and more interesting horror-related series at Marvel. It’s never been collected, but given its place in the MCU, now seems the time.

8. Legion of Monsters (2011)by Dennis Hopeless and Juan DoeMarvel Comics

Just like Marvel brought together their key superheroes to form the Avengers, in 1976 they did the same thing with many of their popular monster characters. The Legion of Monsters brought together Morbius, Man-Thing, and Werewolf by Night, led by the most popular among them, Ghost Rider. The Legion came together for just one issue of Marvel Spotlight before going their separate ways. It seemed no one at Marvel saw the true potential of this concept at the time.

Flash forward 30 years, Marvel brought back the Legion of Monsters for a mini-series in 2011 that is an absolute blast. Monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone brings together the original Legion, minus Ghost Rider, and adds other long-forgotten Marvel monsters. The Living Mummy, Frankenstein, the Zombie, and even FrankenCastle, the undead version of the Punisher, joined the team. The writing by Dennis Hopeless is fun and over-the-top while the art by Juan Doe is cartoony in the best way. By the time you’re done with this silly adventure, you’ll want more. We’re still waiting, Marvel. Where’s Legion of Monsters Vol. 2 at?

7. Son of Satan (1974-1975)by Steve Gerber, Gary Friedrich, Sal Buscema, Jim MooneyMarvel Comics

By the early ‘70s, Marvel Comics had Dracula, a werewolf, and even Frankenstein’s monster appearing their own series. So the next logical step? How about the Devil himself? Ok, Daimon Hellstrom isn’t the Beelzebub, but he is his offspring. He’s “Satan Jr.” It’s hard to imagine these days, with how uptight people get, but Marvel actually published a series called Son of Satan in the ‘70s that sold to kids on newsstands. And it sold without much parental uproar. This is a series that could only have been published in a pre-“Satanic Panic” America.

The character of Daimon Hellstrom was introduced in the first issue of Ghost Rider in 1973, quickly thereafter receiving his own headlining feature in the series Marvel Spotlight, under the name Son of Satan. Despite his heritage, Daimon was a good guy, an occult specialist who fought evil with his own demonic powers. Oh, and without a shirt, showing off his muscled torso with a giant pentagram on it. (Evil never looked so sexy!) Yes, he was “of the Devil,” but he hated his dad and helped the innocent. Steve Gerber of Man-Thing wrote most of these stories, with art by industry vets like Sal Buscema, and they have a fun, batshit quality. A ‘90s revival came out called Hellstorm, which ripped off the trench-coated look and feel of DC’s Hellblazer. But we’ll take the bare-chested, cape-wearing Antichrist over that one any day.

6. Morbius, the Living Vampire (1973-1975)by Steve Gerber, Doug Moench, Bill Mantlo, P. Craig Russell, Frank Robbins, Gil KaneMarvel Comics

In 1971, the Comics Code Authority restrictions on horror characters in mainstream comic books loosened significantly. As a result, one of the first things Marvel did was create a new vampire character. Introduced in Amazing Spider-Man #101, Michael Morbius was a scientist whose experiments to cure his rare disease led him to become a living vampire. Although his origin story is rooted in sci-fi, his vibe was strictly horror. He starred in his own feature in Vampire Tales, a black and white magazine, but his signature series was Adventures into Fear, where he headlined for eleven issues.

In that title, he headlined from issue 20-31, from 1974-1975, he faced off against all manner of monsters and demons, all while fighting his own bloodlust. He’d save someone from some beast, then urged them to run away for their own good. Steve Gerber and Doug Moench wrote the bulks of the series, with art by a variety of pencilers. But the best part about this series were the covers by Gil Kane, who made the heroic vamp look genuinely scary. Morbius would get his own series again in 1992, where he was suddenly sexy in his human form (this was in the Anne Rice era), but we liked the original version best, where he was just an ugly dude in both forms.

5. Vampire Tales (1973-1975)by Various Artists

From 1973-1975, Marvel published several black-and-white magazines for adult collectors, mostly focusing on horror themes. Among these titles were Dracula Lives!, Tales of the Zombie, and Monsters Unleashed, but the most interesting was Vampire Tales. With Dracula in his own pair of titles, this series could focus on other Marvel vamps, chiefly Morbius, Blade, and Lilith, Daughter of Dracula. The monochrome art, from a variety of artists like John Buscema and others, was gorgeous.

They could all be a little more grown up, sexy, and bloody than their regular comic book-sized counterparts. Every cover was a painted work of art, worthy of framing. The first issue was an adaptation of The Vampyre by Dr. John Polidori, the first vampire story in the English language, which ultimately led to Dracula, and that set the tone for this series. These stories have been collected before, but they are long out of print. But if you can track them down, they are worth a read.

4. Werewolf by Night (1972-1977)by Paul Jenkins, Doug Moench, Gerry Conway, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Don Perline, Mike Ploog, and Leonardo MancoMarvel Comics

Of all the Marvel characters based on classic monsters, few had as much success as Werewolf by Night. The series, which ran for 43 issues from 1972-1977, didn’t exactly break the mold when it came to werewolf stories. But it did add a few fun twists, like the main character’s werewolfism linked to a family curse, not just a random attack. Jack Russell is the cursed antihero of the series who travels the world seeking a cure for his lycanthropy, tussling with one monster character after another in his wanderings.

The Werewolf by Night series also famously introduced Moon Knight into the Marvel Universe. That is perhaps its greatest long-term contribution to the Marvel Universe. Written largely by writers Doug Moench, Gerry Conway, and Marv Wolfman (how could he resist with that name?) Werewolf by Night featured some great art by pencilers like Don Perin and Mike Ploog. Along with Tomb of Dracula, this series is the pulpiest and most “classic” of the regular Marvel horror comics and a blast to revisit because of it.

3. Marvel Zombies (2006)by Robert Kirkman, Sean PhillipsMarvel Comics

In the 2000s, between Dawn of the Dead, Shaun of the Dead, 28 Days Later, etc., zombies were back in a big way. So it’s no surprise that Marvel wanted to get in on some of that brain-eating action. In 2006, Marvel brought The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman and artist Sean Phillips to flesh out (no pun intended) a concept born a few years earlier in Ultimate Fantastic Four. In that series, they introduced a parallel Marvel Earth where a virus had turned the population into flesh-eating zombies.

The twist here is that the heroes all retain their powers and intelligence. But now, that intelligence came paired with a raging hunger for human flesh. One of the only non-zombified heroes is Black Panther, who has to use his scientific genius to somehow fight off the horde. Oh, and speaking of hunger, Galactus is part of this story too. We’re telling you, it’s bonkers. Marvel Studios animated this idea for an episode of What If…? It will soon receive its own Disney+ spin-off too. But the original series is still a hoot, and a very quick read as well. Without this comic, there is no DCeased over at Marvel’s Distinguished Competition.

2. Tomb of Dracula (1972-1979)by Marv Wolfman, Gene ColanMarvel Comics

In the early ‘70s, the Comics Code finally allowed Marvel Comics to publish horror comics again. After a trial run with Morbius, they decided it was time to let the Big Guy have his own series. And by “Big Guy” we mean Bram Stoker’s Lord of the Vampires himself. Tomb of Dracula was one of Marvel’s most successful ongoing horror series, running from 1972-1979. The series was drawn from start to finish by legendary artist Gene Colan. And he gave it all a Hammer Studios vibe, although Colan’s Dracula was based on actor Jack Palance, not Christopher Lee. Interestingly, Palance would play Dracula on TV after this series debuted. Future New Teen Titans co-creator Marv Wolfman writes most of the series

Although Dracula was a title character, being an evil unrepentant monster meant the main characters were the vampire hunters. Among their ranks were Stoker legacy heroes Rachel Van Helsing and Quincy Harker, “good guy” vampire Hannibal King, and Frank Drake, Dracula’s human descendent. Oh, and they introduced a vampire hunter by the name of Blade in this series. You may have heard of him. For the most part, Wolfman’s stories kept things in the horror realm, but occasionally, Dracula would fight Marvel heroes like the Silver Surfer, and it was wild. All in all, Tomb of Dracula is a constantly pulpy good time for its seventy-issue run.

1. Ghost Rider (1973-1983)by Gary Friedrich, Gerry Conway, Jim Shooter, Michael Fleischer, Roger Mckenzie, and Don PerlinMarvel Comics

Easily the greatest horror series and character Marvel ever produced was Ghost Rider, one who is still popular today and the subject of many a hastily decided-upon biker tattoo. Much like characters such as Luke Cage and Shang-Chi, who were cashing in on popular mainstream trends, Ghost Rider did the same. This time, it was two trends: the ‘70s obsession with stunt motorcyclists like Evel Knievel and occultism. Johnny Blaze was a stunt rider who made a deal with the Devil (actually Mephisto) to save his dad’s life, and would transform into the Spirit of Vengeance to avenge the innocent. Now with a flaming skull head, he roars through America on a fiery motorcycle

Created by writer Roy Thomas and artists Gary Friedrich and Mike Ploog, Ghost Rider debuted in the anthology series Marvel Spotlight in 1972. The sales were excellent, so in a year, Ghost Rider received his own ongoing series which ran for ten years and 81 issues. He outlived the popularity of many other supernatural heroes, despite creative team changeover. Ghost Rider was written by Gerry Conway, Jim Shooter, Michael Fleischer, and many others over the decade. Thus, the tone of the book shifted from fighting demonic forces, to teaming up with the Hulk and Spider-Man. But it was always fun and inventive, and drew in kids who were more into horror than superheroes. Although many fans prefer the ‘90s revival with Ghost Rider Danny Ketch, our hearts belong to the OG, Johnny Blaze. Long may he ride.

The post Best Horror-Related Marvel Universe Comics, Ranked appeared first on Nerdist.

New Report Implies Budget Was Reason for THE ACOLYTE Cancellation

There’s been much discussion about Disney/Lucasfilm’s cancellation of The Acolyte. On Nerdist, we shared our perspective on why canceling The Acolyte was a mistake. However, a recent report from Forbes indicates that the series’ budget/financial concerns were the biggest reasons why Disney canceled The Acolyte.

Lucasfilm

In its piece, Forbes notes of The Acolyte‘s cancellation, “Disney has revealed that its…Star Wars streaming show The Acolyte came in ‘over the production budget’ with its costs hitting $230.1 million (£172.7 million) when it was only part of the way through post-production.” Additionally Forbes shares, “The $230.1 million spent on the show has been widely misreported with even industry outlets wrongly claiming that it cost $180 million to make. Two experts who got it right were news site That Park Place and entertainment industry pundit Valliant Renegade with the latter also noting that the show’s production costs are still likely to soar.”

Slash Film, meanwhile, reports that initially, The Acolyte had a budget of $180 million, with each episode costing $22.5 million. But it seems like The Acolyte ended up at $230 million before it was completely finished, leaving each episode to cost about $28.7 million per episode. Most TV episodes come with a hefty price tag these days, and Slash Film notes many Marvel series cost around $25 million per episode. Other series are much more expensive to make. We suppose that doesn’t leave The Acolyte as being spectacularly pricey. But ultimately, Disney likely compared the final costs to what it imagined it might spend on the show when deciding whether it should cancel The Acolyte.

Lucasfilm

Ultimately, we may never know the true reason for The Acolyte‘s cancellation. For many fans, The Acolyte‘s worth was greater than its cost or the number of viewers who tuned in. Instead, it was the creative, inclusive path it walked in Star Wars‘ world that made it so beloved. But, of course, getting studios to think of their creative products without considering the bottom line is not a realistic proposition. In the world of Disney/Marvel/Star Wars TV, it definitely feels like a contraction is occurring. And The Acolyte, conceived of, perhaps, before this change of perspective, could not survive it.

In the future, we hope that studios will see that giving series time and space to find their footing, to grow and find fans, will benefit everyone. But until that time, more shows like The Acolyte will likely continue to get canceled. In the meantime, we continue to support The Acolyte‘s fan petition for new life and hope that it can find it at some point and get-uncanceled.

The post New Report Implies Budget Was Reason for THE ACOLYTE Cancellation appeared first on Nerdist.

Alleys and Enemies | Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode | Episode 5

It’s The Minions of Mayhem versus The Marked in a back-alley brawl for the ages! But are these mysterious newcomers really their enemies? Or could the Terror Squad find new allies in their battle to get even with Fiends United? And will Tippy’s dream finally come true? Find out in this explosive new episode of Saga of Sundry: Goblin Mode.

Goblin Mode is also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://lnk.to/goblinmodepod

Learn more and sign up for the Geek & Sundry newsletter at https://www.geekandsundry.com/!

Subscribe to Geek and Sundry: http://goo.gl/B62jl
Twitter: http://twitter.com/geekandsundry
Facebook: http://facebook.com/geekandsundry
Instagram: http://instagram.com/geekandsundry
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@geekandsundry

Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode is a Geek & Sundry production made in partnership with Realm.

Official camera partner: FUJIFILM USA — Visit https://shopusa.fujifilm-x.com for more!

#goblinmode #geekandsundry #rpg #ttrpg #sagasofsundry

The post Alleys and Enemies | Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode | Episode 5 appeared first on Nerdist.