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THE ACOLYTE Cast Members Comment on the Show’s Premature End

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The cancelation after one season of Star Wars: The Acolyte still has its devout fans in shock. And not just the fans, but cast members as well. We now know that Jedi Master Sol himself, Lee Jung-jae, was just as surprised at the cancelation news as the fans were. Of course, even if Lucasfilm were to green light a season two, Lee Jung-jae wouldn’t be a part of it (His character is kind of dead). That didn’t stop him from expressing his disappointment, however. Here’s what he had to say about the end of The Acolyte to the folks at Entertainment Weekly.

Lucasfilm

As you know, my character had died already in the first season. So I wouldn’t have appeared in the second season if there was one anyway. But personally speaking, I really loved Leslye’s writing. I thought that she was a great writer and director who was very talented in the storytelling, as well as creating characters and creating meaningful structures within the story. So I was actually personally really looking forward to watching a season 2 with her at the helm. Honestly, I am hoping that maybe there could be changes in the future. Because you never know what’s going to happen. So on a personal level, I really hope we could get to see further stories of Leslye’s second season.”

And Lee Jung-jae is not the only cast member commenting on The Acolyte’s premature end. The man behind the Sith mask, Manny Jacinto, posted the final shot of The Acolyte on his social media. It showed the Stranger and his new apprentice Osha (Amandla Stenberg) holding hands, looking across the ocean, into their future. Now that we know there’s probably no future for the characters, Jacinto posted a heart emoji along with the photo. Fans are reading into it that it’s not a broken heart emoji, giving them some hope. We also have our fingers crossed that it’s not really the end. Even if it’s not The Acolyte season two but something new, we want to see this saga continue.

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James Spader Returning as Ultron in VISION Series

With the promise of a spin-off series to WandaVision focusing on the “Vision” half of that equation, speculation as to who or what might appear has run something approaching rampant. Vision, played by Paul Bettany, has had surprisingly few run-ins with out-and-out villains in his tenure in the MCU. Sure, Thanos killed him, but otherwise he tends to just fight other Avengers. That is, with the exception of his first appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Vision’s evil counterpart in that was the titular Ultron, a nefarious AI voiced by James Spader. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ultron’s back, and so is Spader.

Marvel Studios

The famously stringless creation of Tony Stark, Ultron proved an especially thorny barb in the side of the Avengers in the 2015 movie. His plot eventually led to the destruction of Sokovia, which in turn led to the eponymous Accords which pitted hero against hero in Captain America: Civil War. Ultron did appear in What If…? but not with Spader’s dulcet tones.

The Vision series, Vision Quest, will follow a rebuilt Vision, in his all-white version, as he searches for meaning following the disastrous events of WandaVision. Presumably this Vision will somehow interact with what remains of Ultron’s programming, if not a fully reconstituted Ultron. This will add an interesting layer of pathos to the proceedings. The divide between Vision’s humanity and his robotity is one of the hallmarks of the character, focusing on what it means to truly be alive.

Marvel

Running Vision Quest is Terry Matalas who is no stranger to sentient robotics. He wrote for Star Trek: Picard season two and showran the wildly successful and beloved third season. According to reports, the Vision Quest series will begin filming in England in early 2025. In the meanwhile, we have another WandaVision spin-off, Agatha All Along, on the way September 18.

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.

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Pristine Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom 1960s Comics Going Up for Auction

The Avengers and the X-Men may have overshadowed them in recent years, but make no mistake: without the Fantastic Four, there’s no Marvel as we know it. When Stan Lee and Jack Kirby launched Fantastic Four in 1961, it caused a sensation. It led to a publishing line that changed comics forever. Now, via Comic Book Resources, we’ve learned that a very highly graded, near-mint copy of Fantastic Four #1 is going up for auction. This sale is part of Heritage Auctions’ Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction this fall. This copy has an impressive 9.6 Near-Mint grade. That makes it one of only two copies known to exist at that level of good condition.

A previous copy of The Fantastic Four #1, graded at only 9.2, sold for $1.5 million in 2022. The Heritage Auctions copy of the issue is in better shape, so they expect it to go for far more. Part of the reason, of course, is the current hype surrounding the team. Next year’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps is about to bring Marvel’s First Family into the MCU. And with a cast led by Pedro Pascal, it will presumably launch the team into new levels of popularity. That will only make the value of Fantastic Four #1 go up even higher.

Marvel Comics

That’s not the only vintage Marvel comic book expected to sell for an astronomical price. Also up for auction is Marvel Super Heroes #20 from 1969, graded at 9.8. This issue was the first title Doctor Doom headlined as a lead character. Although not his first appearance, which would be Fantastic Four #5 from 1962. With Robert Downey Jr. now playing Victor Von Doom, his first headlining comic is no doubt going to go for a lot more than it would have before. Other Marvel Comics and original art will be part of Heritage Auctions’ Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction, which takes place September 12-15. For more information, head on over to their official site.

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Jenna Ortega Was ‘Terrified’ to Return for WEDNESDAY Season 2

The supreme Addams family member is coming back to our TV screens in two snaps. Well, not quite that fast. But soon enough, Netflix’s Wednesday will return for season two and we cannot wait to hear Jenna Ortega’s snappy one-liners once again. At the end of season one, Wednesday and her friends defeat Laurel Gates. Meanwhile, Tyler is set to escape his very short time in custody. Nevermore Academy is understandably closed for the remainder of the semester as a result of all the drama. But what will happen when the school opens up once again?

Well, we probably won’t get getting another infamous dance… at least, not as far as Jenna Ortega knows. Ortega talked about Wednesday season two during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and she wasn’t aware of another big dance break; however, the show still has a ways to go for filming. Ortega did open up about her fears of returning and promised big moments this season.

“I was a little terrified just because it had been years since Wednesday, since we shot the first one. We did that like two or three years ago in Romania,” Ortega said. “So, I didn’t really know how I… I just was, I think, overthinking it.  But as soon as you put on the costumes by Colleen Atwood, you get hair and makeup done, and then you take all the expression out of your face, it’s like, ‘Oh, okay. I kind of, I know how to do this. Yeah. Yeah.'”

Netflix

Here’s everything we know about Wednesday season two. 

Wednesday Season Two’s Plot 

Of course, we don’t know much about Wednesday season two’s plot at this time. It’s pretty clear that Wednesday, Enid, Xavier, and others will return back to Nevermore. We also know that someone is watching Wednesday and threatening to kill her, based on a text message she received while leaving Nevermore. There are still some secrets in Jericho to uncover, indeed. During the 2024 Emmys, Jenna Ortega revealed that the next season of Wednesday will pack in lots of horror, have more wonderful quotes, and that each episode will feel like its own movie. 

What I can say … [is] we’re definitely leaning into a little bit more horror,” the Scream actress teased. “It’s really, really exciting because all throughout the show, Wednesday does need a bit of an arc, she never really changes, and that’s the wonderful thing about her.”

Ortega previously stated this, saying the show will leave romance in the rearview mirror. As much as we love a good romance triangle, Wednesday is at her best when she’s investigating and verbally skewering people. 

Season two’s first episode is titled “Here We Woe Again,” which we discovered in this cute announcement video.

Here we woe again. pic.twitter.com/FPYrc5Tnaj

— Wednesday Addams (@wednesdayaddams) May 7, 2024

Behind the Scenes

Jenna Ortega will join Tim Burton and Steve Stark, and others as an executive producer. Alfred Gough and Miles Millar will continue as co-showrunners. It remains to be seen who will direct its episodes. As of May 2024, Wednesday season two is in production with filming taking place in Ireland.

Wednesday Season 2 is NOW IN PRODUCTION 🖤 Please give a round of double snaps to our cast — now including Christopher Lloyd, Steve Buscemi, Thandiwe Newton, Joanna Lumley, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, and Billie Piper! pic.twitter.com/v6nX6eLPP8

— Netflix (@netflix) May 7, 2024

Wednesday Season Two’s Cast Vlad Cioplea/Netflix

Alongside Ortega, Emma Myers (Enid Sinclair), Joy Sunday (Bianca Barclay), Jamie McShane (Sheriff Galpin), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Morticia Addams), Luis Guzmán (Gomez Addams), Isaac Ordonez (Pugsley Addams), and Hunter Doohan (Tyler Galpin), Fred Armisen (Uncle Fester) will return. Uncle Fester is reportedly getting his own spinoff, so an episode this season could serve as a backdoor pilot for that show. It doesn’t seem that Christina Ricci will return as Laurel Gates but anything is possible.

According to Netflix, Billie Piper (who will play a character named Capri), Evie Templeton, Owen Painter, and Noah Taylor are joining the cast in a full-time capacity. Addams Family alum Christopher Lloyd is joining as a guest star alongside Joanna Lumley, Frances O’Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, Thandiwe Newton (as Dr. Fairburn), and Joonas Suotamo

Deadline reports that Steve Buscemi has joined the cast as well, and “will play the new principal of Nevermore Academy.” His character’s name is Barry Dort.

Last year’s TUDUM event revealed that we will meet a new Addams family member. We had a few ideas about which Addams family member could show up in Wednesday. And now we know that Joanna Lumley will portray Grandmama in Wednesday‘s second season.

Wednesday Season Two’s Release Date

Wednesday season two will tentatively start filming in April 2024, so we can probably expect a 2025 release date.

Originally published on January 16, 2024.

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THE RINGS OF POWER Season 2 Reveals Ciarán Hinds’ Dark Wizard Character

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.

One great thing about a new season is getting more characters. A while ago, we learned that Ciarán Hinds would join the series in some capacity. Now, we have our first look at his new character called Dark Wizard. Ciarán Hinds’ Dark Wizard character in The Rings of Power is described as “a dark and powerful wizard, whose origins and intentions are shrouded in secrecy, and who has a legion of magic-wielding acolytes who obey his every command—among them the three travelers who sought out the Stranger at the end of Season 1… on the Dark Wizard’s orders.”

Prime video

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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Live-Action ONE PIECE Season 2 Casts New Characters: Miss Wednesday, Nefertari Cobra, Dr. Kureha, Dr. Hiriluk, and More

Season two of Netflix’s One Piece will soon set sail. And that means we’ll be seeing more familiar faces come to life on our screen. Recently, Netflix has shared a string of new casting announcements for season two of live-action One Piece. But who are the new cast we’ll see on the high seas? From Smoker to Baroque Works Agents to everyone else in between, here the actors joining the cast of One Piece season two and the new live-action characters they’ll play.

One Piece Season 2 Casts Charithra Chandran As Miss Wednesday

It seems that Netflix will slowly trickle out a large number of new cast members for One Piece season two. A beloved anime favorite character, Miss Wednesday, will be played by actress Charithra Chandra. We love to see it!

Netflix’s Live-Action One Piece Season 2 Casts Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefertari Cobra

According to Variety, there’s yet another cast announcement for One Piece season two. Sendhil Ramamurthy will play Nefertari Cobra, the King of Alabasta and the patriarch of the Nefertari family.

In the heart of The Desert Kingdom of Alabasta, where rebellion stirs and secrets are buried, stands a King like no other. Introducing Nefertari Cobra, the pillar of integrity in a kingdom at crossroads. 🐫🌴 #OnePieceLiveAction pic.twitter.com/daCvHeh9RJ

— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) August 22, 2024

Netflix’s Live-Action One Piece Season 2 Casts Dr. Kureha and Dr. HirilukNetflix

The Great Medical Land of Drum is in the house. For a long time, fans hoped that the iconic Dr. Kureha would be played by Jamie Lee Curtis. But alas, that casting did not work out. Instead, Dr. Kureha will be played by Katey Sagal on One Piece season two. In One Piece‘s world, Dr. Kureha is an elderly doctor who some think of as a witch, and an ally to the Straw Hat pirates. Dr. Kureha is Chopper’s adoptive mother, which likely means Chopper’s reveal is just around the corner.

Netflix

Additionally cast for One Piece season two is Dr. Hiriluk, who will be played by Mark Harelik. Dr. Hiriluk is a complicated character with a good heart and a tragic story. He is Chopper’s original father figure, but alas, their story ends in great sadness. It will be interesting to see just how the live-action One Piece series adapts Chopper’s backstory and Dr. Hiriluk’s tale.

One Piece Season 2 Casts Smoker, Tashigi, Wapol & Dalton

New faces 🗡️ new powers 🚬 🐂 new adventures! Don’t drift away, Straw Hats! We’re just getting started. ​​🏴‍☠️ 🌊 #OnePieceLiveAction pic.twitter.com/N5omk4OuOI

— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) June 27, 2024

A very anticipated casting for One Piece season two is that of Smoker. This villainous figure was teased at the end of One Piece season one. In One Piece‘s world, Smoker is a marine on a mission… A mission to capture Luffy. And now we know that Monarch‘s Callum Kerr will play Smoker in One Piece season two as the character arrives in full.

Additionally, Netflix has cast Tashigi, Wapol, and Dalton to join the pirate-fun. Tashigi is also a marine who serves under Smoker. Tashigi is a skilled swordsman and we’ll no doubt see her clashing blades with Zoro in One Piece season two. Julia Rehwald has been cast as this new One Pieces season two live-action character.

Wapol, meanwhile, is a selfish character who used to be the king of his kingdom (called Drum). However, when pirates attacked, he fled his people in a cowardly way and became a pirate himself. He’s eaten of the Baku Baku no Mi Devil Fruit which allows him to eat nearly everything and then take on the characteristics of whatever he’s consumed. No doubt, Luffy will be a bit jealous of this eating ability. Rob Colletti will join the cast as Wapol.

Finally, One Piece season two has cast the live-action character of Dalton. Dalton is the new King of Wapol’s former kingdom and a friend to the Straw Hat Pirates. Ty Keogh has been cast as Dalton.

Crocus, Brogy, and Dorry’s Actors Join Live-Action One Piece Season 2

The Grand Line just got bigger! The crotchety Crocus, Brogy, and Dorry are coming our way. #OnePieceLiveAction pic.twitter.com/Z86S8ZY7wI

— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) June 26, 2024

Additionally, One Piece revealed that actors Clive Russell, Brendan Murray, and Werner Coetser will join the season two cast as Crocus, Brogy, and Dorry.

Crocus, Clive Russell’s new character on One Piece season two, is an ally of the Straw Hat Pirates. He’s a lighthouse keeper, but also an exceptional doctor who was a part of Gol D. Roger’s crew.

Meanwhile, Brendan Murray, who has been cast as Brogy in One Piece season two, will play a giant on the series. He’s one of the two captains of the Giant Warrior pirates alongside Dorry. Dorry, also a giant, will be played, as mentioned, by Werner Coetser.

David Dastmalchian Will Play Mr. 3 in One Piece Season 2 Shudder/Toei Animation

We’re particularly excited to see David Dastmalchian cast in One Piece season two. Dastmalchian will play the devious Mr. 3, a member of the Baroque Work Agent crime syndicate. Mr. 3 has consumed the Wax Wax devil fruit and has total control over candle wax. This is definitely a unique and terrifying ability, especially in Dastmalchian’s hands.

One Piece Casts Three Other Baroque Work Agent Characters

Out from the shadows comes your first look at who's playing the Baroque Works agents! pic.twitter.com/k0G7A94QnE

— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) June 25, 2024

But David Dastmalchian’s Mr. 3 isn’t the only Baroque Works Agent to join the cast of One Piece season two. Jazzara Jaslyn will play Miss Valentine, who has the Devil Fruit power of manipulating her body weight. Camrus Johnson joins the cast of Netfix’s live-action One Piece as Mr. 5. Mr. 5 has the deadly ability to create explosions from his body without harming himself. And finally, Daniel Lasker has come aboard as Mr. 9. The newly cast Mr. 9 will bring his metal bats to One Piece season two.

We’re sure these number/holiday-named agents will be up to no good in the season.

More New Characters and Cast Are On the Way for One Piece Season 2Netflix

One Piece teases that they’re just getting started with new season two cast announcements. We can’t wait to see who will appear on the horizon next.

The post Live-Action ONE PIECE Season 2 Casts New Characters: Miss Wednesday, Nefertari Cobra, Dr. Kureha, Dr. Hiriluk, and More appeared first on Nerdist.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM Trailer Teases Epic Anime Return to Middle-earth and… Rings

Tolkien’s fans all visit Middle-earth with slightly different interests. Some think the elves are clearly the best, while others most enjoy the world of the Shire and Hobbits. Still, there are those who see the dwarves as their kindred spirits. But if it’s the journeys of man that most draw you, then you’re in luck. The next outing into the world of The Lord of the Rings will take us into the history of Rohan and explore “the untold story behind the fortress of Helm’s Deep.” The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is an epic animated adventure, an original anime movie, that tells the tale of the legendary Helm Hammerhand and his previously unnamed daughter, Héra. We’ve seen glimpses of the movie before, but now we can finally immerse ourselves in the full trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

You can check out this sneak peek at this The Lord of the Rings anime movie below, and make sure you watch this The War of the Rohirrim trailer until the very last moment…

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Trailer

The Lord of the Rings fans will know, of course, of Ralph Bakshi’s animated version of the main trilogy from 1978. But The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim‘s anime style offers a much different vision of an animated Middle-earth, an enchanting and gorgeous one if we do say so ourselves. It’s clear that The War of the Rohirrim‘s director Kenji Kamiyama knows exactly what he’s doing when it comes to creating an anime movie version of The Lord of the Rings. This one brings high art and high storytelling if The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim‘s trailer is anything to judge by.

Warner Bros.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim‘s trailer also very cleverly lures viewers in by reminding them of everything they loved about Rohan in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Who among us doesn’t feel stirred by the epic sounds of Rohan’s theme? We even see small clips from The Lord of the Rings movies and watch as they transform into The War of the Rohirrim‘s animated style. Miranda Otto even reprises her role as Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, to walk us through this tale with The Lord of the Rings trailer with a familiar guide.

Warner Bros.

For a special treat, you can also check out the Japanese version of the trailer, which showcases none other than Saruman.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Story and Synopsis

Éowyn’s voice echos through the trailer and introduces us to the story of The War of the Rohirrim, “All Middle-earth knows the tale of the War of the Ring, but 200 years before that, there was an older tale…” And thus our journey into the anime world of The Lord of the Rings begins.

The trailer hints at love stories gone awry, power tainting the hearts of man, the story of Héra, the daughter of Helm, coming into her own, and the gradual acceptance of her strength by her father. The War of the Rohirrim‘s trailer also makes it very plain that Helm Hammerhand is not a King of Rohan to be messed with. And last but not least, The War of the Rohirrim promises us many, many epic battles, on both a massive and small scale. We’re excited to continue to see more from this The Lord of the Rings anime movie.

Warner Bros.

Of course, though the characters in this story might not be familiar to The Lord of the Rings fans yet, even in this animated form, all the hallmarks of Middle-earth are in place. We see our favorite creatures such as the Great Eagles, Oliphaunts, tentacle monsters, and more. Éowyn even blows on a horn of Rohan to call her soldiers to battle. It gives us chills!

Warner Bros. Warner Bros.The War of the Rohirrim SynopsisWarner Bros.

The synopsis for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim shared along with the trailer notes:

Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan.  A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg—a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep.  Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction. 

Warner Bros.The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim‘s Trailer Teases Rings of PowerWarner Bros.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a The Lord of the Rings movie without, well, Rings of Power. At the last moment of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’s trailer, we see what looks like the One Ring, perhaps in the clutches of Gollum?! It’s not entirely clear, but it definitely has us buzzing to learn more. We the connective thread of the rings tying on The Lord of the Rings story to another.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim‘s Release Date, Cast, and More Warner Bros.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim will be released in theaters on December 13, 2024, in the US and internationally beginning December 11, 2024. We’ll also soon learn more about the movie because it’s heading to NYCC in October.

More about the movie’s cast and creators is below:

Under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama (the “Blade Runner: Black Lotus” and “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” TV series), the talented voice cast is led by Brian Cox (“Succession”) as Helm Hammerhand, the mighty King of Rohan; Gaia Wise (“A Walk in the Woods”) as his daughter Héra; and Luke Pasqualino (“Snowpiercer”) as Wulf.  Miranda Otto, who delivered an unforgettable, award-winning performance in “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, reprises her role as Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, who serves as the tale’s narrator.  The voice ensemble also includes Lorraine Ashbourne (Netflix’s “Bridgerton”), Yazdan Qafouri (“I Came By”), Benjamin Wainwright (“World on Fire”), Laurence Ubong Williams (“Gateway”), Shaun Dooley (“The Witcher”), Michael Wildman (“Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw”), Jude Akuwudike (“Beasts of No Nation”), Bilal Hasna (“Sparks”) and Janine Duvitski (“Benidorm”). 

With Kamiyama at the helm, the original feature is being produced by Oscar winner Philippa Boyens, from the screenwriting team behind “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” Trilogies, alongside Jason DeMarco and Joseph Chou, who, in addition to their many separate animation projects, collaborated on the “Blade Runner: Black Lotus” series. The executive producers are Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson, Sam Register, Carolyn Blackwood and Toby Emmerich.  The screenplay is by Jeffrey Addiss & Will Matthews and Phoebe Gittins & Arty Papageorgiou, story by Addiss & Matthews and Boyens, based on characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien.  The team of creative collaborators returning from “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy also includes Oscar winners Alan Lee and Richard Taylor, along with esteemed Tolkien illustrator John Howe. 

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THE CROW Gives High-Octane, Believable Action That Pulses With Love

The Crow (2024) might have some missteps with stale dialogue and questionable acting in certain scenes. However, it does succeed at building the emotional connection between its main characters Eric and Shelly, packing in graphic violence, and delivering a soundtrack to make it worthy of a double feature with the original film. It’s no easy task to take on a piece of cinema that nailed the dark, gritty noir world the original The Crow embodied, along with a soundtrack that nailed the alternative rock with a violent, rancid city backdrop. But this reboot does a solid job of stepping up to the challenge.

This vision of The Crow reimagines the source material of the graphic novel by James O’Barr, leaning into a larger world of supernatural forces. Rather than attempting the monumental task of replacing the 1994 classic, The Crow charts an unexplored path. It leans heavier on the mixed musical assortment of today’s listeners, with a more realistic—at times—Eric Draven, the man with a plan. 

Directed by Rupert Sanders (Ghost in the Shell, Snow White and the Huntsman)—yes, that one—The Crow, like the previous film, is a path of vengeance. Bill Skarsgård steps into the vengeful role of Eric Draven. Eric, alongside his girlfriend, Shelly, played by FKA Twigs, gets brutally murdered. But it winds up more than vengeance as there is a hint of redemption with crows and deals with the devil at play. Here, there is an apparent afterlife and judgment. So enters one Vincent Roeg (Danny Huston), a man—but more—looking to avoid the sufferings of hell. 

The Crow (2024) Is Less Seedy and More Glitterati

Rather than leaning into the dark, dreary underbelly of the first film, this one lives more in the bright, upscale, and, at times, shiny atmosphere of high society. That’s not to say it does not have a darkened tint, as fights and bloodshed typically occur at night under dim lighting. The film is sleek. Yet, it still feels like it’s dipping into both worlds. The realm Eric arrives in after death has that signature damp, dirty appearance. 

Plus, much of the direction from Sanders stands out alongside editing. In particular, the transitions between rampant violence and an opera are spellbinding. It’s reminiscent of The Fifth Element without the PG-13 rampage. The costume choices of light and shadow work effectively and amplify the viewing experience for audiences. 

The Relationship Between Eric and Shelley Gets a Solid Foundation Lionsgate

The Crow spends time showing how Eric and Shelly meet and builds up the fact that they connect through their shared pain. It’s told through a montage of moments. But it does work to show their love within a short time. It also makes their deaths more unsettling. Director Rupert Sanders stays on their deaths for a prolonged period, amplifying the audience’s dismay as Sanders maintains a closeup of Shelly’s death and Eric’s horror. It forces viewers to imagine that sense of helplessness when witnessing someone they love die violently.

Some of The Crow‘s Conflict Feels Forced

While the general premise of The Crow is relatable, there is one piece of discord that feels unbelievable because of how the movie presents it. After learning that Vincent is not altogether human and can make people do terrible things against their will, Eric learns about Shelly’s past. Unfortunately, this causes Eric to doubt Shelly, affecting his supernatural ability. 

But the whole scenario feels forced. Eric knows Vincent needs to collect pure souls to send to hell. Yet, despite all this, his pure love for Shelly falters. It’s implausible and lessens his love for Shelly. Although it’s necessary—in a movie sense—to progress the plot and Eric’s choice, it doesn’t resonate with his character or their relationship. 

The Crow Boasts Good Performances From Its Cast, Especially Bill Skarsgård as Eric Draven

While Bill Skarsgård is not someone I’d envision in the role, he actually delivers the emotional weight of loss, anger, confusion, and, later, the unleashed fury. Both he and FKA Twigs occasionally struggle with poorly written dialogue. However, both convey the pulsing essence of the story: love and the lengths one will go to save the one they love. 

Danny Huston serves that classy villain with something coarse simmering underneath his veneer of civility. Sami Bouajia (A Son, Days of Glory), who plays Kronos, faces the challenge of reciting the exact dialogue that young Sarah states in the 1994 movie’s opening. Unfortunately, nothing tops the latter’s execution. 

The Graphic Special Effects Hinder Shocks But The Crow‘s Sad Ending Helps Its Rise About Its PitfallsLionsgate

The Crow has some elaborate deaths and horrifying displays of blood and viscera that elicit shockingly jaw-dropping moments. In particular, Eric feels all the pain that comes with each shot and stab. So audiences gasp and shrink with him. However, the impact of each moment of bloodshed would strengthen with practical effects. Each time audiences realize it’s not real because of the special effects used, it decreases the time moviegoers sit in horror. 

The Crow finds a way to build a world different from the one in the previous film, and it feels like the best decision. It has faults but manages to carve out a moving story with shocking action that feels genuine. It has a common feel. Eric is not skilled in combat and doesn’t know martial arts, but he displays the grit to see his decision through. The ending is sad and has a dreamlike quality. So, The Crow, thanks to its cast, action, and story, rises above its mistakes to make a worthwhile viewing experience and a welcome addition to this world where love grants metaphorical wings.

The Crow ⭐ (3.5 of 5)

The Crow hits theaters on August 23.

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Early DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Concept Art Shows Wade Meeting the Comic Book Avengers

Deadpool & Wolverine went through many different iterations before settling on a concept. At one point, it was actually going to be a road trip movie between Wade and Logan. Once the Multiverse was decided as a big part of the story, Marvel Studios concept artist Andy Park pitched a scene where Deadpool travels through various Earths in the Multiverse, and lands on the comic book version of the Marvel Universe, a.k.a. Earth-616. He even drew up a scene where Deadpool lands in the iconic shot from Avengers, only with the heroes’ comic book counterparts instead. You can check out Andy Parks’ concept art, which he shared on Instagram, below:

So who were the artists inspiring this piece of concept art from Andy Park? We spot a Rob Liefeld version of Deadpool in there (of course), and a Jack Kirby-inspired Captain America. The Hulk looks to be in the style of longtime Incredible Hulk penciler Sal Buscema, with Thor giving Walter Simonson vibes. Hawkeye looks like Al Milgrom’s rendition of Clint Barton from West Coast Avengers, and Black Widow looks a bit like her portrayal by Jim Lee in an issue of Uncanny X-Men. And Iron Man, in his white and red “Silver Centurion” armor, appears to draw inspiration from the art of Mark Bright.

Marvel Comics

Sadly, this scene never made it past the concept stage. It would have been a blast to see on screen. We have a feeling that Kevin Feige might have stepped in here. After all, he’s adamant that “the Sacred Timeline” of the MCU is Earth-616. Longtime comic book fans know that’s actually the designation of the main universe of monthly Marvel Comics. That is where the term “Earth-616” originally came from. (Something that Ms. Marvel star and superfan Iman Vellani is hilariously adamant about reminding Kevin Feige of constantly). Feige was probably wary of starting a fan discourse of which universe is really Earth-616. They’ll just have to put a pin in that debate until Avengers: Secret Wars stirs it all back up again.

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Who Is The Hood a.k.a. Parker Robbins in IRONHEART? The Mystical Villain’s Marvel Comics History, Explained

When Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige first announced the new Ironheart Disney+ series, he said it would feature genius inventor Riri Williams, a.k.a. Ironheart, taking on a mystical villain known as the Hood. It will be a full-on battle of science versus magic for the first time in the MCU. The Hood will be played by actor Anthony Ramos in the show. Riri Williams actor Dominique Thorne confirmed that Ironheart won’t debut until 2025 but, in the meantime, we can get to know her upcoming adversary. Here’s a complete rundown of the origin story, powers, and overall Marvel Comics history of the Hood.

Marvel Comics A Brief Explanation of Parker Robbins a.k.a. The Hood

When small-time crook Parker Robbins came upon a cloak of dark magic, he was granted incredible powers and became a supervillain known as the Hood. He used his street smarts and new supernatural abilities to become one of Marvel’s premiere supervillain crime bosses. Despite his small beginnings, he’s risen to become a threat to the Avengers and the entire Marvel Universe. He has been called the “Godfather of all supervillains.” 

The Hood’s Comics Origin Is a Story of Rags to Riches

The Hood first made his comic book debut in a self-titled mini-series in 2002 by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artists Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell. Growing up in New York City, a teenage Parker Robbins witnessed a battle between Daredevil and Electro, but he found himself inspired by the villain rather than the hero. As an adult, Robbins lived a shady life where he lied and stole to get by.

When he needed money to provide for his sick mother and pregnant girlfriend Sara—not to mention his secret mistress—he took a job from his crooked cousin John King to help rob a warehouse. Rather than finding valuable goods inside, they stumbled across the remains of a demonic ritual and came face-to-face with an actual demon. Robbins killed the demon with a gunshot to the head and, not wanting to leave empty-handed, took its cloak and boots.

Soon after, he discovered the boots gave him the power of levitation and the cloak turned him invisible while he held his breath. Robbins used these new tricks to help pull off daring robberies, and the police gave him the nickname “the Hood.” Emboldened by his newfound power, Robbins went on to become a notorious supervillain and the head of a criminal syndicate.

The Hood’s Demonic Powers in the Marvel Comics, ExplainedMarvel Comics

The Hood’s powers and abilities originally come from his magical cloak and boots. The cloak turns the Hood invisible while he’s holding his breath. The boots give him the ability to levitate. After his origin story, the boots were never mentioned again and the Hood’s powers were attributed solely to his cloak.

However, Parker Robbins without the cloak is no slouch in a fight. He’s a great shot with his signature twin pistols. Outside of combat, Robbins is a powerful leader and strategist. He uses his persuasive skills to recruit supervillains to his criminal syndicate and outmaneuver other crime lords to rise to the top as the Kingpin of crime. 

Over the years, Robbins discovered his cloak had additional powers, such as teleportation and resurrection. The cloak also gives him the ability to see through all manner of illusion. During Secret Invasion, he was able to identify who was a shapeshifted Skrull. When battling Doctor Doom and a fleet of Doombots, he could tell which one was the real Doom.

In times of desperation, the Hood transforms his body to become more demonic. His face dons a monstrous guise, his fingers turn to claws, and he gains incredible strength, speed, and magical ability. In his demon form, the Hood can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Wolverine and Doctor Doom. (Speaking of Wolverine, one of the Hood’s most infamous acts is shooting Logan in the crotch during a fight. It didn’t end well for him.)

Marvel Comics/Brian Michael Bendis/Stuart Immonen

After some time with the cloak, Robbins began to commune with the source of its demonic power and learned it was none other than Doctor Strange baddie Dormammu. The ruler of the Dark Dimension helped Robbins access more of the cloak’s power. But the longer Robbins wore the cloak, the more he was corrupted by Dormmamu’s evil.

When an exorcism broke the link to Dormammu, Loki made a deal with Robbins to restore his powers with the Norn Stones of Asgardian legend. Loki eventually took back the power of the Norn Stones and left Robbins powerless once more. Robbins wound up in jail until a fellow prisoner told Robbins about the location of an Infinity Gem. So Robbins escaped and almost succeeded in gathering all of the gems before he was stopped by the Avengers. No matter how many times Robbins gets knocked down, he always finds a way to reclaim his power and continue his quest to become the Kingpin of crime. 

The Hood Is a Criminal Mastermind

Since becoming a crime lord in New York City, the Hood has started several criminal organizations and joined the ranks of a few supervillain groups. His first big push to become the Kingpin of crime came in the fallout of Civil War when the superhero community was in shambles. This made it easy for the Hood to amass power and organize a large group of villains to take advantage of the situation.

As the Hood’s criminal empire expanded and he learned more about the dark power of his cloak, he became a major ongoing threat to the Avengers. When Norman Osborn took over the world during the Dark Reign era, the Hood joined Osborn’s ruling council of villains called the Cabal. The Hood started his own evil version of the Illuminati with fellow baddies Black Ant, Enchantress, Mad Thinker, Thunderball, and Titania.

Anthony Ramos Will Deliver a New Twist on the Hood in Marvel’s Ironheart Series

The story of Ironheart sees gifted MIT student Riri Williams return to her home city of Chicago where she reconnects with her roots and tries to rebuild her suit of armor, only to be pulled into a world of danger when she meets Parker Robins, aka the Hood. When the Hood makes his live-action debut in Ironheart, he will be a bit different than in the comics.

Hood actor Anthony Ramos told Entertainment Weekly that his Marvel Cinematic Universe Parker Robbins will be from Chicago instead of New York—specifically the Humboldt Park area of Chicago, which has a large Puerto Rican community. The change makes sense not only because it brings the hero and villain together but creates a personal link between them. “We created this whole backstory with [Parker Robbins’] mom being from the Young Lords and raising him that way [as a gang member-turned-activist].,” said Ramos. “Chicago plays a huge part in the identity of all of our characters and the identity of this show, so I’m really excited for people to experience that.”

Another big change will see the typically heroic Riri Williams joining the Hood’s criminal organization. In the comics, the two characters don’t have any sort of connection, so their relationship will be a brand new element unique to the MCU. As we saw at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Riri had to leave her shiny new suit of armor behind in Wakanda, which is why Ironheart finds her joining the Hood’s gang to fund the creation of a new one.

“We see this common thread between [Riri Williams and Parker Robbins] where it’s like, ‘How much can I get? I get a little bit and I see how much I can do with this little bit, maybe if I get a little more I might be able to do a little more with that.’ And we see how that affects the characters positively and negatively,” Ramos explained. “And then we start to see how the characters start to use each other to get ahead and to get more, whether that’s more power, more something, more money. It’s really cool to see that journey in how the characters start to interweave between one another’s stories.”

We cannot wait to see what the MCU does with the Hood next year when Ironheart hits Disney+.

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