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TWILIGHT OF THE GODS New Clip Celebrates the Show’s Impending Release

Zack Snyder might have never directed an MCU movie starring any Asgardian gods; however, his latest project for Netflix definitely deals with stories and heroes from Norse mythology. Twilight of the Gods is Snyder’s latest offering, an animated series offering bombastic and bloody battles. All playing out on a mythological scale. If you’ve seen 300, you know Snyder loves some epic sweeping battle scenes.

In honor of the show’s release on September 19, Netflix’s Geeked Week gave fans the gift of a Twilight of the Gods clip along with reminding everyone of its debut.

Netflix previously gave us a Twilight of the Gods teaser:

In addition to the teaser trailer, the synopsis for Snyder’s Twilight of the Gods shares:

In a mythical world of great battles, great deeds, and great despair, Leif (Stuart Martin), a mortal king, is saved on the battlefield by Sigrid (Sylvia Hoeks), an iron-willed warrior with whom he falls in love. On their wedding night, Sigrid and Leif survive a wrath of terror from Thor (Pilou Asbæk), which sets them — and a crew of crusaders — on a merciless mission for vengeance, against all odds. This heroic story of love, loss, and revenge, is a journey to hell and beyond … across fantastical lands, battlefields fierce and bloody, and wars waged against deities and demons.

Netflix

For a gorier glance at the series, you can also take in the Red Band teaser trailer below.

Watch a brand-new preview of Zack Snyder's upcoming animated series Twilight of the Gods in all its bloody glory. Just… maybe not at your desk… pic.twitter.com/0rOIMprQ5P

— Netflix (@netflix) August 21, 2024

The series features the voices of Sylvia Hoeks, Stuart Martin, Kristopher Hivju, Pilou Asbaek, and John Noble. Also in the cast are Paterson Joseph, Rahul Kohli, Jamie Clayton, Peter Stormare, Jamie Chung, Lauren Cohan, and Corey Stoll. The term “Twilight of the Gods” is another name, of course, for Ragnarok. We can see why Snyder chose to not call his series that. Marvel’s Thor kind of owns that one for now.

In recent years, after the end of his DCEU, Zack Snyder has found a supportive home on Netflix. They financed and released his Army of the Dead, as well as both chapters of Rebel Moon. Those were movies, and Twilight of the Gods is his first series for the streaming giant. We’ll see if it’s the first of many, or just a one off.

Twilight of the Gods drops on Netflix on September 19.

Originally published August 21, 2024.

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We Have Another Krypto the Superdog Tease From DCU’s SUPERMAN Movie

Soon, the world will meet a new Clark Kent in Superman. (Formerly titled Superman: Legacy). DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are rebooting the most famous superhero in the world as they transition the franchise from the DCEU to the DCU. Who will play the Man of Steel on the big screen this time around? What kind of story will we see him in? And who will bring it to life? We’re keeping track of all these answers and more.

DC Kids

Of course, if there’s one thing everyone wants more of in any superhero movie, it’s a friendly dog. Recently, comic book writer Mark Waid teased one appearing in James Gunn’s Superman movie. He noted on the Capes and Lunatics podcast “I have a good feeling about this movie… I like James Gunn. I like his reverential approach by and large to this kind of stuff. And reverential without taking it too seriously. The movie has a dog in it, a super-powered dog with heat vision, so there’s only so much… It ain’t Zack Snyder.”

Sounds like it could be Krypto to us, but we’ll take any super-powered dog, honestly.

DC Comics/Frank Quitely

Here’s everything we know about Superman so far.

Title

The DCU’s first official movie (though not its first official release) is now titled simply Superman. Of course, the movie began its life as Superman: Legacy. It will kick off the film side of what James Gunn has called the franchise’s first chapter, “Gods and Monsters.” He has also called this movie “the true beginning” of the DCU.

Superman‘s Plot

While the film still has no official synopsis, Warner Bros. did provide a description of what we can expect from the story, which James Gunn says is not an origin tale.

Superman tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.

Gunn announced the film with art from the cover of All-Star Superman by writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely. Whether or not that means the story is influenced, inspired by, or adapted from the 12-issue comic series in any way is unclear. What Gunn has said is the movie will focus on “an earlier part of Superman’s life,” where he is still old enough to already be working for the Daily Planet.

We also have our first look at David Corenswet as the DCU’s Superman.

James GunnSuperman‘s CastNetflix/DC Comics/Prime Video

David Corenswet will play Superman, while Rachel Brosnahan will play Lois Lane.

In addition, four more actors have joined the cast of Superman. Isabela Merced will play Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi will play Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion will play Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Anthony Carrigan will play Metamorpho. María Gabriela de Faría will play the villain The Engineer in the movie. Also known as Angela Spica, the character has nanotechnology built into her body. Additionally, Sara Sampaio will play Eve Teschmacher, Skyler Gisondo will play Jimmy Olsen, and Wendell Pierce will play The Daily Planet boss Perry White. Saturday Night Live‘s Beck Bennett will play The Daily Planet‘s sports journalist Steve Lombard. James Gunn has also confirmed that Nicholas Hoult will play Lex Luthor.

Gunn also recently confirmed the casting of Ma and Pa Kent on Threads. Pruitt Taylor Vince (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) will play Jonathan Kent, a.k.a. Pa Kent. Meanwhile, Neva Howell will play Martha Kent.

Behind the Scenes 

James Gunn wrote the (definitely completed) script and is directing.

Superman‘s Release Date

Thanks to the efforts of our talented crew, who never lost faith during the longest strikes in Hollywood history, and who never let their foot off the pedal, continuing to barrel forward, creating the most amazing character and set designs I’ve seen in my entire career,… pic.twitter.com/ntnEbA2fC0

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) November 11, 2023

Superman will soar into theaters faster than a speeding bullet on July 11, 2025.

Originally published on April 11, 2023.

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THE RINGS OF POWER Season 2 Clip Teases the Connection Between Galadriel, Adar, and Sauron

The Rings of Power season one swept onto our screens in the summer of 2022, and it made quite an impact. In fact, at Nerdist, we felt it was one of the best shows of the year. And although we are still thinking about season one of the show, things are already ramping up on season two of The Rings of Power. The Rings of Power didn’t exactly leave us on a cliffhanger, but we are still on the edge of our seats, ready to dive back into its world.

The latest clip from The Rings of Power season two, episode six, is a short one, but it gets in deep with the characters of Galadriel and Adar. Don’t watch it if you don’t want to be spoiled. But it basically lays out how they both feel about Sauron and how they were both deceived by him in similar ways. It’s honestly an incredible scene between two fascinating characters forced to come together. I’m obsessed with it. As we’ve said before, Galadriel and Adar should team up to fight Sauron in The Rings of Power season two. You can check it out below.

Here’s everything we know so far about the next season of The Rings of Power.

Prime VideoThe Rings of Power Season Two’s Plot

The Rings of Power concluded season one on a few very dramatic notes, setting the stage for season two. Of course, Halbrand revealed himself to be none other than Sauron in disguise. When we last saw the dark lord, he was simply walking into Mordor, no doubt on the way to mete out some vengeance on his wayward followers. Meanwhile, Galadriel, Elrond, and Celebrimbor proceeded to form the elven Rings of Power despite knowing the idea came from a source of evil. And we feel it’s likely the Dwarves might know about the rings sooner rather then later.

Among other things, war is coming to Middle-earth. A release for season two of The Rings of Power notes, “This season features the long-awaited Siege of Eregion, a definitive battle in J.R.R. Tolkien’s history of the Second Age of Middle-earth, from which not everyone makes it out alive. The banners are raised, and the devastating war against Sauron is just beginning.” Very ominous.

Prime Video

An official synopsis for season two reveals more about the The Rings of Power‘s upcoming season, it notes:

In Season Two of The Rings of Power, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will. Building on Season One’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots… as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all… each other.

In the latest clips from season two, we see Galadriel give name to what truly happened in The Rings of Power season one. Sauron deceived her. Elrond and High King Gil-galad do not seem thrilled by the news, but despite this Galadriel still seems to believe she was right to make Rings of Power for the elves. If that’s true remains to be seen. While Elrond staunchly stands against it, the High King seems like he’s willing to entertain it despite his frown. But that’s about to become much harder because Elrond seems to take the rings and jump off a cliff.

We are seated. You can check out the clips below.

She was deceived. The Rings of Power Season 2 arrives August 29 on Prime Video. pic.twitter.com/j79heJQa6W

— The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@TheRingsofPower) August 21, 2024

For the greater good of all Middle-earth. 1 week until The Rings of Power returns. pic.twitter.com/rY0VA4hMqW

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) August 22, 2024

Behind the ScenesPrime Video

Showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay return to helm season two of The Rings of Power. Also returning is director Charlotte Brändström. Sanaa Hamri and Louise Hooper will also join as directors on season two of The Rings of Power. They will each direct two episodes.

Rufus Wainwright joins forces with Bear McCreary for The Rings of Power season two, specifically for Tom Bombadil’s song. The video above teases the song, as well as the making of it.

The Rings of Power Season Two’s Cast

The entire main cast of The Rings of Power which includes Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charlie Vickers, Robert Aramayo, and more, is expected to return for season two, with the exception of two major characters.

Prime Video

Firstly, Nazanin Boniadi recently revealed she would not return as Bronwyn in season two of The Rings of Power.

Ben Rothstein/Prime Video

Secondly, Joseph Mawle will not return as the tragic but trecherous orc father, Adar, instead, the role has been recast. Sam Hazeldine will take on the role of Adar in the second season of The Rings of Power season two.

Prime Video

Joining Hazeldine are fourteen new actors. No new roles or characters have yet been revealed. The new cast of The Rings of Power season two includes: Gabriel Akuwudike, Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour, Ben Daniels, Amelia Kenworthy, Nia Towle, Nicholas Woodeson, Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Stuart Bowman, Gavi Singh Chera, William Chubb, Kevin Eldon, Will Keen, Selina Lo, and Calam Lynch.

Prime Video

Rory Kinnear has also been cast as Tom Bombadil.

The Rings of Power Season Two’s Release DatePrime Video

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two will premiere with its first three episodes on August 29. It will then release episodes weekly with its finale landing on October 3.

Originally published on May 8, 2023.

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Did AGATHA ALL ALONG Reveal Who Joe Locke’s Teen Character Really Is?

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From the first two episodes of Agatha All Along, all we know about Joe Locke’s mysterious character, simply called “Teen,” is that he’s a 16-year-old gay Westview resident. A resident with quite an interest in witchcraft. He helps to break Agatha out of the spell that Wanda Maximoff placed her under at the end of WandaVision. A spell that lasted three whole years, only weakened by Wanda’s death in Doctor Strange in the Mutliverse of Madness. He essentially tells her he’s the ultimate Agatha fanboy, a fan who knows way too much about her life.

Teen Has a Mystical Sigil Placed on HimMarvel Studios

But when Agatha asks Teen who he is, his words sound muffled and she can’t hear what his name is. In fact, a series of cursive letters appear over his mouth, which prevents Agatha from knowing who he really is. Agatha then explains that the letters are part of a sigil, which is a concealing spell. Who (or what) placed that spell on Teen is a mystery. It’s certainly a mystery that annoys Agatha to no end since she can’t break the spell in her current powerless state.

Marvel Studios

Later on in episode two, the two characters take a car ride together. Teen attempts to explain to her where he’s from to make small talk. However, the very same magic prevents Agatha (and the viewer) from hearing it. We imagine lip readers will have a field day trying to figure out what he’s saying. This only annoys Agatha further. It’s evident to her there is something special about the boy, even if she doesn’t know quite what that is.

Is “Teen” Billy Kaplan, a.k.a. Wiccan, or Someone Else?Marvel Comics

The prevailing theory, of course, is that Teen is really Billy Kaplan. Billy in the comics is the reincarnated soul of Billy Maximoff, Wanda’s son she created in the Hex in WandaVision. In the comics, he becomes one of Marvel’s most important LGBTQ heroes, Wiccan, a Young Avenger. But so far, nothing we’ve seen on Agatha All Along has confirmed that theory. Teen says he wants to go on the Witches’ Road to learn “How to blast, to shield, to levitate.” All traditional powers used by Wiccan. Agatha also notes that it takes someone innately powerful to break a spell cast by the Scarlet Witch. Could it be he broke it because he’s her son?

Marvel Studios

Fans have noted that the squiggly letters appearing on his mouth look like they spell W.V. for WandaVision, or just the letter M for Maximoff. There are other possibilities though. He could also be the son of Agatha, the one she supposedly gave away centuries ago in exchange for the Darkhold. In the comics, that son was Nicolas Scratch. Although, why her son would still be a teenager after hundreds of years is perplexing. We have a strong suspicion that we may not find out the true identity of Teen until the very end of the series.

When Will Agatha All Along Reveal the Truth about “Teen?”

We do hope that Marvel Studios understands how important the character of Wiccan is to fans, especially LGBTQ fans, and doesn’t wind up dropping the ball on the perfect way to introduce him. As much as we loved WandaVision, we’re still a little bitter about Evan Peters’ character who they teased as Quicksilver from the Fox X-Men universe, only to really be some dude named Ralph Bohner. If the same producers pull that trick again, we might be more than a little annoyed. Right now, our money is on Teen being some form of Billy Maximoff, but who knows what the producers of Agatha All Along have in store?

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What Is the Witches’ Road? The Marvel Comics History of AGATHA ALL ALONG’s Dimension, Explained

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The Witches’ Road, which plays a big part in the plot of Agatha All Along, is a relatively recent addition to Marvel Comics lore. This addition to the universe first came in the 2015-2017 Scarlet Witch series, in issue #3, and was created by writer James Robinson and artist Steve Dillon. This series came after a decade-long period of instability for the character of Wanda Maximoff, and the Witches’ Road helped set her on the path to full redemption. But to explain the Witches’ Road, we have to briefly explain the modern history of the Scarlet Witch first.

The Fall and Rise of the Scarlet WitchMarvel Comics

The 2004 event Avengers Disassembled had the Scarlet Witch lose control of her chaos magic, nearly destroying the Avengers and killing several teammates. This is after she learned her children were merely magical constructs, and not flesh and blood. Afterward, she decimated the mutant race in House of M. She vanished for years, until coming under the control of Doctor Doom. She was finally freed from his influence in Young Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, and embarked on a new life where she tried to redeem her heroic legacy.

The First Scarlet Witch Ongoing Series Introduces the Witches’ RoadMarvel Comics

In James Robinson’s Scarlet Witch series, the newly returned Wanda learns that witchcraft itself is broken. Magic is no longer working correctly for the witch community around the globe. To get to the bottom of the mystery, she journeys to the mystical realm known as the Witches’ Road. She embarks on this quest with her guide and former mentor, the witch Agatha Harkness. In the comics, the pair were not adversaries as they are in the MCU. Agatha actually tutored Wanda in the use of magic, beyond her own mutant powers. Wanda learns that only witches and other magic users can travel on the Road.

When Wanda embarks on the Witches’ Road, she faces a series of trials over the course of the fifteen-issue series. She learns more about herself, discovering that her superhero name “The Scarlet Witch” is actually a title first used by her birth mother, Natalya Maximoff. They adapted this idea into the MCU in WandaVision, with the name Scarlet Witch also being a formal title assigned to a powerful being, and not just a heroic codename.

The Many Trials of the Witches’ Road Marvel Comics

As part of her trials on the Witches’ Road, Wanda comes up against various spirits, creatures, sorcerers, and demons. Although Wanda is on the Witches’ Road for several weeks, time passes far slower on Earth than on the Road. In our world, only hours have passed. She eventually learns that the battles she fought on the Road were caused by the entity called Chaos, who is the source of her own Chaos Magic. Chaos was attacking Witchcraft, itself an entity that is the source of all the witches’ powers. It was the attack from Chaos that caused the sickness in witchcraft across the world.

Marvel Comics

In the end, Wanda’s final trial is facing her own traumatic past, and all the pain and suffering she caused. Not only to her fellow Avengers, but also the mutant community. She must also confront what others did to her, especially her adopted father, Magneto. Wanda, along with Agatha and her mother, find a way to save the entity Witchcraft by combining into the so-called “Witches’ Trio,” the Mother (Natalya), the Maiden (Wanda) and the Crone (Agatha). The powers of Witchcraft and Chaos then combine in Wanda, making her the most powerful witch in the Marvel Universe.

The MCU Version of the Witches’ Road in Agatha All AlongMarvel Comics

The basics of the Witches’ Road remain the same in Agatha All Along. It’s another dimension with its own magical rules that govern reality. It’s a realm that only witches and other magically inclined people can access. In the series, most witches think of the road as a myth. Although Agatha has walked the Road before, and knows it’s real. In the MCU, one needs a coven of witches to access the road (although in the past, Agatha was able to do it alone, suggesting something was afoot there). We suspect like Wanda Maximoff in the comics, Agatha will have to face the misdeeds of her past to regain full power. Will she remain a selfish villain, or will the Witches’ Road teach her to become a better person? We will soon find out.

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EA Confirms Cal Kestis Saga Will End in Third STAR WARS JEDI Game

Star Wars is all about that trilogy format. So it should come as no surprise that the mega-popular video game franchise that began with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor will conclude with a third game, already in development. We’ve known another game was definitely coming from developer Respawn. But we now know for certain it will be the final chapter in the adventures of Cal Kestis. Via Games Radar, we’ve learned that Laura Miele, president of entertainment at EA, discussed the series as part of the company’s future plans. Here’s what she had to say about the eventual final chapter of the series:

Over 40 million Star Wars fans have connected with Cal Kestis and his arc of becoming a powerful Jedi. Respawn is working hard to bring the final chapter of this thrilling story to players.

Electronic Arts/Lucasfilm

So we don’t have any kind of timeframe for the game’s release yet. And we doubt it will be coming within the next year or so. We certainly don’t have a name for the game yet (Jedi Requiem? Jedi Legacy? Who knows!) There were three years between Fallen Order and Survivor. Right now, we’d say the third game is as anticipated as the next Star Wars movie or Disney+ series.

Will Cal Kestis survive the events of the upcoming third game? After all, how many Jedi can there possibly still be in the era of the original trilogy? Between Ahsoka, Ezra Bridger, and about a dozen others, it seems Yoda saying to Luke in Return of the Jedi “When gone am I, the last of the Jedi you will be” was somewhat exaggerated. Whatever the case may be, the Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order/Jedi Survivor games are so popular that we’re pretty sure fans are willing to throw continuity out the window if it means a triumphant finale for Cal Kestis.

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How THE RINGS OF POWER Elevates Galadriel’s Characterization to New Heights

As The Rings of Power moves through its second season on Prime Video, the show continues to expand on the lore of Middle-earth in its Second Age, with the threat of Sauron coming ever closer to everyone. This season began with Sauron’s deception as Halbrand is revealed to the elves of Lingon after the creation of the first three Rings of Power. Gil-Galad, Círdan, and Galadriel have now become the first ringbearers. 

Galadriel in particular, as the story’s primary focus, has made a compelling case for The Rings of Power as a worthy adaptation which expands her as a character. We saw her become very close to Halbrand (a.k.a. Sauron) in the first season. Now, we are witnessing her deal with the ramifications of that this season. This character arc adds complexity to Galadriel, a figure who has only really been seen as the beautiful and graceful Lady of Lothlorien.

Prime Video

In the series, she transforms into a headstrong, ambitious warrior who will fight to protect her people from harm at any cost. This is especially intriguing considering what she becomes in the Third Age and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Sadly, The Rings of Power continues to receive unnecessarily vitriolic backlash from racist and misogynistic “fans” online. Middle-earth reflects our world and they don’t like it. Along with adding more diversity, the show also adds more to existing characters in the Tolkien canon. Although Tolkien’s work has several mentions of Galadriel’s power and beauty, The Rings of Power lets us see her battle prowess in action. It helps us understand why she poses such a threat to the likes of Sauron.

The corruption resulting from the desire for power is a theme that has always been core to Tolkien’s work. Quite a few figures in Tolkien’s world deal with this temptation towards darkness. However, it is almost always male figures who become corrupt in pursuit of power. Meanwhile, the female figures are either easily manipulated or captured and often reduced to damsels in distress. In The Rings of Power, we see Galadriel’s single-minded desire for power motivated by her concern for the preservation of her people. After Sauron’s deception, she succumbs to her temptation by wearing her ring Nenya. This brings her into focus at the center of major conflicts within Middle-earth in a novel way. The audience gets to experience the previously mentioned challenges through fresh eyes, thanks to Galadriel.

Galadriel receives one of the Rings because she is one of the greatest of the elves. This statement is according to the appendices of The Return of the King, from which The Rings of Power draws much of its inspiration. Aside from mentions of her cunning and wisdom in the books, we don’t get much exploration of her power in live-action depictions. The exception is when Frodo offers her the One Ring as he and his fellowship seek refuge in Lothloríen.

In this pivotal scene for her character, she says, “You will give me the Ring freely! In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!” 

Aside from this one instance, Galadriel, like many other women (elven or otherwise) in Tolkien’s stories, is rarely seen as a leader in the major battles against Morgoth or Sauron, whether in the Silmarillion, or in the main The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Let’s be honest. Tolkien did not write women—whether human, elven, or dwarven (of which there were none originally)—to be warriors or leaders.

An illuminating example is that of Lúthien in the Silmarillion, the daughter of the great elven king Thingol who, along with her eventual husband Beren, subdued the great enemy Morgoth with nothing more than her voice. Despite her power and dedication to her husband’s quest to retrieve the precious Silmarils from Morgoth’s lair, Beren was concerned that he could not provide her with “home or honour or the fair things that are the delight of the queens of the Eldalië.”

There are few elven women more powerful than Lúthien in Tolkien’s canon. But even she fought reluctantly, rather than as someone who wanted to take part in battle against the evil Morgoth for the good of their world. However, in The Rings of Power, we not only see Galadriel fight bravely alongside her male counterparts, but we also see several other women become pivotal in the battles fought against Sauron, like Queen Miriel. 

Tolkien wrote these books in the 1930s and ‘40s, depicting a fantasy land in which he likely never imagined there to be characters like those in The Rings of Power. And that’s understandable, considering the world at that time. As much as his writing, beautiful and lyrical, has stood the test of time, so should adaptations be allowed to update his work in a way that reflects the world we live in. The show certainly does take some liberties with the canon. In the case of Galadriel, that includes the questionable lack of her husband Celeborn and her daughter Celebrian. I am willing to wait to see that story in return for a character who is so much more interesting than the fair Lady of Lothloríen. 

Prime Video

Galadriel plays an undeniably important role in the main trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. But, beyond some sage advice, gifts to the fellowship that are used in their battles, and one aforementioned scene in which the terrifying potential of her power is demonstrated, we don’t get much else. In The Silmarillion, most of what is written that drives the main plot is focused on her brother Finrod and the male members of her family. All that is said about Galadriel when the Noldor elves are deciding to leave Valinor, the heaven-like land of the Valar, is that she wants to rule a land of her own. She never actually speaks in those pivotal moments. 

There is a portion of Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth that focuses on Galadriel and Celeborn specifically, but even that does not expand on Galadriel’s involvement in the battles against Morgoth and Sauron. It mostly focuses on their eventual settlement in Lothloríen. The Rings of Power shows a Galadriel who is wise and beautiful. But we also get a fierce warrior who believes that she can make her people safe, no matter how great the sacrifice. Once Sauron reveals himself at the end of season one, we see Galadriel face a true test of her dedication to fighting the darkness.

Sauron conjures a vision of her brother to gain her as an ally. He manipulates her ambition and desire to save her people, offering her a position at her side as his queen, with a line in reference to The Fellowship of the Ring. She rejects him, a moment which shows us just how much of a threat to Sauron. She is the greatest ally and enemy he could have. But she still allows the forging of the rings. This shows that she (and others like her) can still face temptation towards the darkness, despite her best intentions. 

Prime Video

In making an adaptation that reflects our world, The Rings of Power has breathed in new life into Tolkien’s work. A new approach to some characters can actually make for a very compelling story. The Rings of Power gives Galadriel a chance to do and be more than she was in the original The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Silmarillion. She finally gets the respect that one of the most powerful elves in Middle-Earth deserves. Her journey as a fierce warrior who wrestles with the corruption that great power can incur is compelling.

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Donald Glover Talks LANDO Series, Says ‘STAR WARS Needs to Be More Fun’

Talk about a Lando Calrissian spinoff movie starring Donald Glover began when 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story arrived in theaters. Eventually a potential Lando Calrissian movie became a greenlit series. In 2020 Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy announced the development of a Lando show for Disney+. Since then fans have waited for Disney to kick things into hyperdrive. Now the Lando series’ latest update might be the clearest sign yet it will really happen, just not anytime soon. Donald Glover himself will now co-writing the show for Disney+ with his brother Stephen Glover. But it’s possible the Lando series will actually return to its original movie form.

Lucasfilm

Haunted Mansion director Justin Simien’s week took an unexpected turn a while back. It was revealed that he was no longer writing the Lando series for Disney. That might not have been as big a surprise for him as we thought. Shortly before the news about the Glover brothers broke, Simien told The Hollywood Reporter he was still attached to pen the series. Since then Above the Line, who broke the news of Glover’s new role, reports Simien left the project last summer because of his Haunted Mansion duties. (Why be evasive about the Lando series? Simien likely didn’t want to announce news Disney didn’t want out in the world just yet.)

In September 2024, Glover spoke to The Wall Street Journal (via IGN) about the series, which he hopes will bring a bit more fun to the current state of Star Wars.

“As a Star Wars fan myself, I think it’s important that there needs to be fun being had. It’s very hard to have fun right now. It’s tough because there are very serious things happening and those are the only things that connect us, weirdly. So I get why things are serious, but part of the human experience, I believe, is we have a responsibility to have enjoyment. And I just feel like we’re lacking in that department.

“Star Wars, I love it, but sometimes it can be super serious. Sometimes it be, like, way too serious. Everything that has to do with the Skywalkers is like so serious. [With] Lando, I think the best part about him is he’s a scoundrel. And I feel like people can relate to that, and he’s probably like ‘man, this war is whack. I need money,’ which I feel everyone can relate to. I want to bring fun to Star Wars. I just want it to be fun.”

Questions arose as to the timetable of when Glover and his brother Stephen, with whom Donald has collaborated with before (Atlanta, Swarm), agreed to write the show despite the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in place at the time of the announcements. Disney hired the two before either began. But until each has resolved, we’re no closer to actually seeing the Lando series than we were before this report came out.

Additionally, it’s possible the Lando series won’t even be a series anymore. Recently, Stephen Glover noted on an episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, which we saw via Deadline, “It’s not even a show…The idea right now is to do a movie.” Although we’re still unsure what kind of a project the Lando one is, Donald Glover recently noted that it will have a very specific perspective. He shared with The Hollywood Reporter, “I feel like I have enough control. And maybe you get painted as a control freak, but it’s like, yeah, control allows for the vision to be singular. And if the vision is singular, people want it more. The less it’s singular, the less people want it because they feel like they could’ve made it.” It certainly sounds exciting.

The good news is that Donald Glover’s new role in series, movie, or whatever else essentially guarantees he’ll reprise the role as young Lando Calrissian. That was still technically in doubt. Whether Glover’s involvement in the Lando series means Billy Dee Williams will also appear as the elder hero of the Rebellion is yet unknown. (But we hope he will.) Just getting one of them back in the smuggler’s cape will be a better than getting neither of them. Hopefully, Disney will stop changing the deal and get Lando off the ground.

Originally published on July 28, 2023.

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THE WITCHER: SIRENS OF THE DEEP Shares New Clip and Release Date

The Witcher only has two seasons left on Netflix, but they won’t be the only new chapters in Geralt of Rivia’s story. Another spinoff animated film is set to debut at the streamer before The Witcher‘s live-action series returns. And now we know exactly when it will premiere. As part of this year’s Geeked Week event Netflix announced a February 11, 2025 release date for The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep. Since that’s still a long ways away for fans of monsters and magic, the site also provided something to tide them over until the movie arrives on its shores. Netflix also shared an all-new clip from the film. This The Wicher: Sirens of the Deep clip features Geralt and his best, slightly annoying friend, Jaskier.

Geralt and Jaskier talking? That’ll do. We’d watch a whole movie of that. But we’d like it to also be introduced by Dock Cockle, the voice of Geralt in both The Witcher video games and this animated film. This scene doesn’t feature any merpeople, though, so what’s going on. Well, it’s a watery tale centuries in the making. Here’s the official synopsis of The Wicher: Sirens of the Deep from Netflix.

Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter, is hired to investigate a series of attacks in a seaside village and finds himself drawn into a centuries-old conflict between humans and merpeople. He must count on friends — old and new — to solve the mystery before the hostilities between the two kingdoms escalate into an all-out war.

Netflix

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep comes from director Kang Hei Chu, with a script from Mike Ostrowski and Rae Benjamin. The animation is the work of South Korea’s Studio Mir Co. (The Legend of Korra, Voltron: Legendary Defender.) Studio Mir Co. also worked on Netflix’s previous spinoff movie set in the Continent, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.

We were big fans of that film. Hopefully Sirens of the Deep makes as big a splash in the world of The Witcher. Knowing it’ll feature some quiet time between Geralt and Jaskier makes us think it will.

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ANNE RICE’S THE TALAMASCA Casts Nicholas Denton, William Fichtner As Leads

AMC’s “Immortal Universe” of series based on the novels of Anne Rice is expanding. A new series based on the psychic order of scholars the Talamasca is coming next year, according to Deadline. In Rice’s books, the Talamasca is an ancient and secret order that catalogs and studies the supernatural. And now, they’re joined by a veteran actor who’s a familiar face to many — William Fichtner. Fans know him from decades of roles in films like The Dark Knight. He’ll be playing a character named Jasper, who Variety describes in the following way:

Jasper is a mysterious American who has quietly assumed control and influence over the Talamasca’s London Motherhouse. Though his motives and methods are cloaked in shadow, his charm and righteous sense of purpose are as dangerous as the power he’s pursuing.

Warner Bros./AMC Networks

He’ll be joining Nicholas Denton (Dangerous Liaisons) who has been cast as the lead. He’ll play a character named Guy Anatole, who, like Jasper, seems to be created just for this series and not from the novels. Here’s the Talamasca character’s official description:

 Guy Anatole is brilliant, handsome and sharp on the surface, but he’s always known his mind works a little differently. On the cusp of graduating law school, he is approached by a representative of the Talamasca, a secretive agency that monitors and protects us from the supernatural world. When Guy learns that the Talamasca has been tracking him since his childhood, he falls headlong into a world of secret agents and immortal beings who, up to now, have maintained a fragile balance with the mortal world. But for that balance to hold, and for Guy to survive, he will have to learn to embrace the dark, treacherous depths of his true and singular self.

AMC Networks

Production for the series begins next month in the U.K. The six-episode season will focus on the people responsible for tracking and containing the witches, vampires, and other creatures scattered around the globe. Members of the Talamasca have already been introduced to viewers of Mayfair Witches and Interview with the Vampire. Although, they are a bigger presence on Mayfair Witches so far. John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) and Mark Lafferty (Halt and Catch Fire) will be the series writers, co-showrunners, and executive producers. Hancock will also direct. 

Unlike the previous two series inspired by Rice novels, there is no Talamasca series of books by the late author. Instead, she used them as seasoning throughout several of her supernatural novels. In the 2000s, when Rice “crossed over” her Witching Hour series and her vampire books, they played a significant role. Rice often teased a standalone Talamasca novel, but it never came to fruition. She finally revealed the origins of the organization in her 2014 novel Prince Lestat. She tied their beginnings more strongly to the vampires. The AMC shows change much of the mythology Rice created, so who knows if any of that will stick in Anne’s Rice’s The Talamasca series.

Nerdist

According to Dan McDermott, president of AMC Studios, a Talamasca spin-off series is something the studio has been thinking about since their Anne Rice Immortals Universe began. He said, “This is a story we’ve been developing and wanting to tell from the earliest moments of this franchise, focused on a fascinating and compelling secret society that has already appeared in both of our existing Anne Rice series.” Shooting starts this fall in Manchester, England. In the novels, the main Talamasca Motherhouse is in England, so this makes sense. Anne Rice’s The Talamasca series is scheduled to debut on AMC and AMC+ in late 2025.

Originally published on September 4, 2024.

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