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HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2, Episode 7 Trailer Teases a New Dragon Rider and Trouble for Daemon

As if it’s not enough that House Targaryen is having a civil war on House of the Dragon, it seems like they’ll also be facing an identity crisis. The trailer for House of the Dragon season two, episode seven teases that everyone is in turmoil about who they are and the choices they’re making. With only two episodes remaining in this season of House of the Dragon, this sneak peek at the series’ penultimate episode reveals a tense present and a bloody future.

You can check out the full trailer for House of the Dragon season two, episode seven, below.

There’s a new dragonrider for Seasmoke, Addam of Hull. But where do his loyalties lie? And what does he want? It’s too soon to tell. Meanwhile, this new arrival seems to have rattled everyone on Rhaenyra’s side of the island. Jace asks in the trailer for House of the Dragon season two, episode seven, “House Targaryen is the blood of the dragon. If any may lay claim to it, what are we then?” We feel like that’s a big question House of the Dragon is intent on exploring. Is there anything to the myth of Targaryen blood… or is it all just propaganda?

HBO

Regardless of the finer points of dragon lore, dragons are about to have a huge impact on many in the Seven Kingdoms. Although Rhaenyra is sure that dragons will bring peace in this House of the Dragon trailer, it feels like they’ll just bring more destruction. Alicent doesn’t seem to feel too good about the direction things are going either. And Daemon has his hands full at Harrenhal where he appears to be unraveling more and more with every passing episode.

HBOHBO

Where will this season leave all our major players? House of the Dragon season two, episode seven, will air on July 28 at 9 PM on HBO and Max, and then’ll we’ll get to see exactly what its trailer is tee-ing up. You can check out more about House of the Dragon season two’s full release schedule here.

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Seasmoke Finds a New Dragonrider in HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2

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If there’s one thing we tune into House of the Dragon for, it is dragons. And, as the tension between the greens and the blacks slowly bleeds into an all-out war, we’re getting way more dragon action in season two. In episodes two and three of House of the Dragon season two, though, we saw one particular dragon flying across our screens, Seasmoke. Seasmoke then became very important in episode six of House of the Dragon season two when it claims a new rider in Addam of Hull. But which dragon is Seasmoke again, and why is its presence significant? Let’s dive into this House of the Dragon dragon.

MaxSeasmoke Appears on the Scene Early in House of the Dragon Season 2

In House of the Dragon season two, episode two, “Rhaenyra the Cruel,” we pause the political machinations and children’s funerals for a moment to enjoy a peaceful scene on the beach. A new character we only just met in this House of the Dragon episode, Addam of Hull, is fishing for food in the ocean when a dragon flies overhead. The casual viewer might not recall which dragon this is exactly. So, for the curious, we’re happy to confirm that the beach-side dragon in House of the Dragon season two, episode two, is Seasmoke, Laenor Velaryon’s dragon.

HBO

In episode three of House of the Dragon season two, we again see Seasmoke flying around as Rhaenyra and Mysaria meet on Dragonstone. Mysaria cryptically comments that the dragon might be lonely. But it’s not until episode six of House of the Dragon that these hints come together in the form of a new rider for Seasmoke.

Max

Here’s why this dragon’s presence is significant and what happens between Seasmoke and his riders.

What Happened to Seasmoke and Laenor Velaryon in House of the Dragon Season One?HBO

For those who need a quick House of the Dragon season one refresher, Rhaenyra Targaryen had a husband before she married Daemon. Laenor Velaryon and Rhaenyra were forced into a political marriage while her father, Viserys, was still alive. Neither of them wished to be in the marriage, with Rhaenyra’s heart elsewhere and Laenor being a gay man. Ultimately, Rhaenyra, Laenor, and Daemon conspired to fake Laenor’s death so he could flee to live in freedom and Rhaenyra could marry Daemon.

HBO

That seemed like a sound solution for all involved. Of course, at the time, the Targaryens were not engaged in a civil war. So it did not seem so crucially important that Laenor, now on the run, could no longer ride his dragon Seasmoke on House of the Dragon. Laenor, of course, could not take his very conspicuous dragon with him as he headed into hiding. Seasmoke, meanwhile, has been living in the House Velaryon stronghold Driftmark without a rider since Laenor vanished in House of the Dragon season one. In season two, we see the dragon remains there at the current time.

Civil War Makes Dragons Imperative, and That Includes SeasmokeHBO

Of course, now that the greens and the blacks are poised for full-on war, every dragon counts. Previews of House of the Dragon season two tease that dragons fighting dragons will be at the heart of this chapter. With Laenor and Seasmoke, Rhaenyra would have had an additional dragon at her side as she faced Alicent, Aegon, and the rest. And one dragon can make an immense difference. While Seasmoke is present, his rider is not. And, with Laenor missing but not dead, Seasmoke cannot be ridden; at least, that’s what Game of Thrones‘ dragonrider lore seems to imply.

Does House of the Dragon Honor the Dragon Rider Lore of the Books?HBO

In the Game of Thrones universe, a dragon can only have one dragonrider at a time while both still live, and that rider must have Valyrian blood. If House of the Dragon season two abided by these dragon rules, it would mean that as long as Laenor remains absent but alive, no one else can ride Seasmoke and fully command the dragon in battle.

Of course, HBO’s live-action Game of Thrones has hinted that it might be flexible with the letter of dragonrider lore before. And neither Game of Thrones nor House of the Dragon have fully established how stringently the one-rider-only rule is followed in the live-action universe. After all, Jon Snow rode Daenerys’ dragon. House of the Dragon appears to follow in the tradition of Game of Thrones, creating its own dragonrider lore for the series and allowing Seasmoke to claim a new rider who isn’t Laenor. House of the Dragon hasn’t fully addressed this change yet in its episodes, but we bet we’ll kind of explanation for its internal logic before season two is up.

Although we don’t know for sure, we are going to go ahead and assume that Laenor is not dead. Death would seem a poor fate for someone who the show purposefully kept alive, breaking with the previously known canon. But as mentioned, House of the Dragon doesn’t set up Laenor’s return to ride Seasmoke, instead Seasmoke finds a new rider in Addam Hull.

Addam Hull Becomes Seasmoke’s New Dragonrider on House of the Dragon Season 2Max

It wasn’t just anyone who kept seeing Seasmoke fly through the clouds; it was Addam of Hull. Hull, of course, is the recent surname given to bastards born in the town of Hull, which, like Seasmoke, sits on Driftmark. In episode two of House of the Dragon, Addam additionally feels that Lord Corlys “owes” Addam and his brother Alyn something. Now, why would that be? Over the course of House of the Dragon season two, we learn it’s because Addam and Alyn are the sons of Lord Corlys Velaryon, making them very suited to ride a dragon.

Max

In House of the Dragon episode six, all the teases connecting Seasmoke and Addam of Hull finally culminate in Addam becoming Seasmoke’s new dragonrider. Unlike any other dragon and rider connections that we’ve seen so far on House of the Dragon or Game of Thrones, Seasmoke actually seeks out Addam of Hull and claims him as its rider. (Instead of the other way around. Typically, a human rider would approach a dragon and try to claim them.)

HBO

Honestly, we love this for them both. We don’t know exactly what motivated Seasmoke to break with the usual dragon and rider way of things, but we’re excited for this match-up. Perhaps Seasmoke could sense how closely related Addam of Hull and Laenor are in terms of blood and ancestry. Perhaps Seasmoke simply liked Addam’s vibe. Whatever the reason, Seasmoke decided that Addam of Hull would become his new rider, and so he has. What this means for the Greens, the Blacks, and the rest remains to be seen.

We’ll have to stay tuned for future episodes of House of the Dragon to learn more about Seasmoke, Addam of Hull, and their new dragon and rider connection.

Originally published on June 24, 2024.

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SUITS Spinoff, SUITS LA, Gets Series Order at NBC

Suits seems to be the topic of many recent conversations, even though it has been off the air for quite some time. That fact hasn’t stopped the USA show from dominating streaming charts, though. Suits has landed at number one on the Nielsen Streaming Top 10 more than any other series. So, it’s no surprise that networks have taken note. Earlier this year, NBC greenlit a pilot for the Suits spinoff series Suits: LA and now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the show has a full series order. It is not on the network’s schedule yet but it could come our way in late 2025. Arrow star Stephen Amell will serve as the lead in this spinoff alongside Lex Scott Davis. We’ll see if lightning can strike twice.

Could We See the Original Suits Cast Return in the Suits LA Spinoff?

Could Meghan Markle return in this Suits offshoot? That would really be something. We’d also love to see more from Gina Torres. We’ll have to wait and see for sure. But, speaking to People, star Lex Scott Davis teased, “maybe” there will be “some sort of rollover from the original cast.” And additionally noted, “It’s not impossible… I would love that myself if there was, but we’ll see. You never know.”

USASuits LA‘s Synopsis

Here’s what Variety had to share about the Suits spinoff series. It notes that Suits: LA will follow Ted Black “a former federal prosecutor from New York, who has reinvented himself representing the most powerful clients in Los Angeles.” And further adds that the spinoff logline reveals. “His [Ted Black’s] firm is at a crisis point, and in order to survive he must embrace a role he held in contempt his entire career. Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they can’t help but mix their personal and professional lives. All of this is going on while events from years ago slowly unravel that led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved.”

Suits Spinoff’s Cast and Production TeamThe CW

Deadline reports that Stephen Amell has been cast as the lead in Suits LA and will play the aforementioned Ted Black. The publication further adds that “Ted Black is described as a charismatic force of nature who puts his own needs above others. Fifteen years ago, the former New York prosecutor joined forces with his old buddy, Stuart Lane, to build an L.A. law firm that specializes in criminal and entertainment law.”

Additionally, Variety shares that Suits LA has cast Lex Scott Davis in a lead role. According to the publication, Davis will play “Erica Rollins, described as “a savvy and strong-willed rising star. Erica works for Ted Black. She’s shrewd enough to test the loyalty of her associates only to admire some of them for not having any.” Josh McDermitt has also reportedly come aboard the Suits spinoff. He is said to play the “energetic, powerful and self-absorbed…Stuart Lane, who co-founded Black Lane Law.”

Universal Pictures/AMC

Finally, Bryan Greenberg has joined the Suits: LA cast as Rick Dodsen, “Ted Black’s protege in the entertainment division of Black Lane Law. Slated to be promoted, Rick is determined to stay one step ahead of his rival, Erica Rollins (Davis).”

What we also know is that this spinoff is in good hands, with Suits’ original creator returning to write and executive produce.

When Will the LA-Based Suits Spinoff Release?

There’s no release date yet for Suits LA series, although it has been picked up for a full season.

The USA Renaissance

It’s an interesting time for the once-dominant USA set. Monk got a revival movie in late 2023, Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie. And now, Suits will return to the courtroom in this spinoff. Personally, we have to vote for a White Collar renaissance next. The time has come to let Neal, Peter, and Elizabeth live happily ever after together. In the meanwhile, we’ll keep our eye peeled for more from Suits: LA.

Originally published on February 2, 2024.

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HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Created Its Own Dragon Lore

The dragons of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire are as curious as they are magical. No one really knows how those mystical, highly intelligent creatures came into the world. Each one also has its own unique personality, yet also shares a special bond with its rider. Some believe Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon‘s dragons can change their gender whenever they like. It’s impossible to even identify a she-dragon until it lays eggs. And no one understands exactly why those beasts called “fire made flesh” allow certain people to claim them and not others. But while episode six of House of the Dragon‘s second season explored established dragon lore with Ser Steffon Darklyn’s fatal attempt to become a dragonlord, the series also created its own with the Vale’s wild dragon and Seasmoke’s search for Addam of Hull.

The Dragon Seasmoke Rejects Ser Steffon Darklyn in House of the Dragon HBO

The one (almost*) unquestioned rule for dragonriders in the lore of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy world is that they must have at least some blood of Old Valyria. The dragonlords of the former Valyrian Freehold were the only dragonlords in the world. In Westeros, that means someone must have ancestry with either House Targaryen or House Velaryon (even though Velaryons were not dragonriders).

(*One character’s uncertain birth is the only possible example of this not being true. We’ll get to that in the next section.)

Prince Jacaerys thought that rule might have simply been ahistorical propaganda meant to “gild” Valyrians. His mother still took the matter of blood seriously enough to search for forgotten relatives in old scrolls. On House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra believes even someone with “thin” Valyrian blood was more likely to successfully claim a dragon than someone without any. Especially since unquestioned family members can’t always become dragonriders, like Daemon’s daughter Rhaena. Aemond couldn’t successfully bond with a dragon either in House of the Dragon‘s world until he claimed the biggest one in the world, Vhagar.

HBO

On House of the Dragon‘s sixth episode, Rhaenyra asked the Lord Commander of her Queensguard, Ser Steffon, if he’d be willing to try to claim a dragon because his grandmother’s grandmother was a Targaryen. She reminded him to try and claim a dragon was to risk death itself, but he was honored by her even asking. Like many in Westeros, he views dragons as gods.

Seasmoke did not care about Ser Steffon’s thin Valyrian blood, commitment to Rhaenyra, or his noble heart, though. The dragon still refused to obey the Lord Commander on House of the Dragon. Worse, he bathed Ser Steffon in dragonflame for even trying.

That outcome was not a surprise for any House of the Dragon viewer who knows about dragon lore in this fantasy realm. That was not true for the other two big dragon moments during this episode of House of the Dragon, though.

Rhaena Learns the Vale Has a Wild DragonHBO

The last thing young Princess Rhaena expected to find in the Vale was a wild dragon, because dragons don’t live in places like the Vale on House of the Dragon. They stay close to seats of House Velaryon, either in King’s Landing or on Dragonstone. Before they came to Westeros, they only lived in the Valyrian Freehold, leaving for any extended periods of time solely when taken someplace by their dragonrider.

Having a dragon burning sheep far away from dragons’ established homes means that House of the Dragon breaks established canon and dragon lore from Fire & Blood and A Song of Ice and Fire. George R.R. Martin himself confirmed that weeks before episode six debuted. From his “Not a Blog” (emphasis our own):

My dragons are creatures of the sky. They fly, and can cross mountains and plains, cover hundreds of miles… but they don’t, unless their riders take them there. They are not nomadic. During the heyday of Valyria there were forty dragon-riding families with hundreds of dragons amongst them… but (aside from our Targaryens) all of them stayed close to the Freehold and the Lands of the Long Summer. From time to time a dragonrider might visit Volantis or another Valyrian colony, even settle there for a few years, but never permanently. Think about it. If dragons were nomadic, they would have overrun half of Essos, and the Doom would only have killed a few of them. Similarly, the dragons of Westeros seldom wander far from Dragonstone. Elsewise, after three hundred years, we would have dragons all over the realm and every noble house would have a few. 

Why would House of the Dragon violate one Martin’s few, hard-and-fast dragon lore rules? To answer that, we must discuss something from Fire & Blood. We’ll note that this discussion will provide enough context clues to spoil something that now seems inevitable on House of the Dragon. It’s up to you if you want to read it. If you don’t, skip past the remaining text in this section (which is between two images) until you reach the next sub-headline, which explores another show-specific piece of dragon lore.

HBO

By moving this specific, sheep-killing dragon from Dragonstone to the Vale, the show appears to be cutting out a major, beloved character from Fire & Blood named Nettles. She is the person whose uncertain birth/bloodline we referenced earlier. House of the Dragon seems to be giving Nettle’s storyline to Rhaena.

Obviously since we mentioned Nettles’ uncertain birth/blood line, she does go on to claim a dragon in Fire & Blood. And since we’re talking about her in this section about Rhaena and the Vale, you can guess which dragon she bonds with.

Does that guarantee Rhaena will now claim that wild dragon on the show instead? It’s a possibility the series is definitely raising, but it’s not a guarantee. Not when House of the Dragon is making such drastic changes in the first place. But we still think it’s likely on a series that also made another significant change to an unlikely dragonrider’s story in this same episode.

Seasmoke Claims a Dragonrider on House of the Dragon (Possibly While His First Still Lives)Max

Addam of Hull is the bastard son of Lord Corlys Velaryon and, therefore, strong with Old Valyrian blood. It doesn’t go against known dragon lore, and thus is not completely shocking, that a “dragonseed” like Addam could claim a dragon, which is clearly what happened at the end of House of the Dragon episode six. What is unprecedented is a) how the two bonded and b) the fact they bonded at all.

There are two ways humans typically bond with dragons in A Song of Ice and Fire. The first is babies of House Targaryen have dragon eggs put in their crib with them. If healthy dragons hatch from those eggs they form that special dragon/dragonrider connection. The second way is that a person approaches a living dragon who then either accepts them or not. No one knows how or why this happens, only that there’s some kind of mystical element to their connection.

Max

Rhaena, daughter of Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon, has tried to claim a dragon many times on House of the Dragon and only has burn scars to show for it. Ser Steffon Darklyn tried once, and he paid with his life for his efforts. Yet somehow, Addam of Hull didn’t even have to try to become a dragonlord. In a complete role reversal, Seasmoke claimed his human. The “lonely” dragon hunted Addam down before the two took to the sky on House of the Dragon.

That was unusual enough, but what what makes this bond entirely new dragon lore for House of the Dragon is that Seasmoke seemingly already has a dragonrider. His first mount, Laenor Velaryon, isn’t actually dead on House of the Dragon like he is in Fire & Blood. The show changed his story so that he conspired with his wife Rhaenyra to fake his death so he could live freely in Essos. But dragons only accept one dragonrider at a time. They will not accept another so long as theirs lives.

HBO

Unless we learn Laenor died in Essos offscreen without anyone on Dragonstone knowing, we know have House of the Dragon-specific dragon lore. (Which still has its own internal logic, since Seasmoke sought out the half-brother of his missing rider.)

How you feel about that is as personal as a dragon/rider bond, but what it actually means is not. Whether or not you’re familiar with both Fire & Blood and George R.R. Martin’s dragon mythology, none of us know what else could happen in the Dance of the Dragons.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter and Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Celebrate 30 Years of Hellboy with These Comic-Con Exclusives

This year marks three decades since one of the weirdest superheroes of all time made his debut, Mike Mignola’s Hellboy. The demonic owner of the Right Hand of Doom has gone on to worldwide fame thanks to a pair of iconic movies by Guillermo Del Toro, but it all started in the pages of Dark Horse Comics back in 1994. At this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego, Dark Horse will celebrate their signature character’s 30th Anniversary with several incredible exclusives, which you can preview right here:

Hellboy Seed of Destruction #1 30th Anniversary Convention Exclusive VariantDark Horse Comics

This is a special edition of the first issue of Hellboy that depicts his arrival on Earth in the midst of WWII, the return of his adoptive father from a failed Arctic expedition, and Hellboy’s first encounter with Mike Mignola’s infamous frog monsters. Dark Horse has printed this special edition of Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #1 as uncolored line art, and it features an updated line art cover, a bonus section with more than 20 sketches, and digital codes for Seed of Destruction #1-4. This is a limited Edition of 1500 copies for $25.00 and is limited to 5 copies per person per day.

The Goon, Hellboy, and Usagi Yojimbo Anniversary PrintDark Horse Comics

Mike Mignola, Stan Sakai, and Eric Powell each draw their iconic characters in this exclusive print, painted by Powell. This poster measures 18 inches x 24 inches, with a limit of 300 units. The gorgeous commemorative piece showcases three of the comic book medium’s most enduring creator-owned heroes. To grab this one, it’ll set you back $50.00.

Hellboy 30th Anniversary Pinfinity SetDark Horse Comics

The augmented reality Pinfinity set features three detailed enamel pins depicting Mike Mignola’s iconic artwork. These include Hellboy 30th Anniversary, Crowned Knight Skeleton, and Giant Robot Hellboy. Fans can explore the legendary comic series like never before. All by scanning the pins with the Pinfinity app to unlock comic pages, animated content, and more. The price for this set is $40.00.

Hellboy Letterpress Print Sets Click To View Gallery Mike Mignola/Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics/Mike Mignola Mike Mignola/Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics/Mike Mignola Mike Mignola/Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics/Mike Mignola Mike Mignola/Dark Horse Comics

Dark Horse has partnered with The Press Room in Austin, TX on a run of specialty crafted Hellboy Letterpress Print Sets. This bundle of five (5) 4-inch by 6-inch prints features black and white Hellboy illustrations by Mike Mignola. Each is printed on an original 1955 Vandercook 219AB press, on heavy 100lb cover stock. Limited to just 666 sets, this gorgeous collection comes complete with a hand-numbered, letterpress printed, red belly-band. The price for this Letterpress set is $40.00.

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New Cast Announced for Nicolas Cage’s Live-Action SPIDER-MAN NOIR Series

The Spider-Verse is about to get even bigger via the small screen. It is also about to get a lot darker, mysterious, and funny. And, let’s be honest, a lot weirder. Prime Video has officially done what Spidey fans have been waiting to hear. The studio has formally ordered a new live-action series starring Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man Noir, the character he originally voiced in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Now joining Cage in the series, as per Deadline, is Fargo and New Girl star Lamorne Morris.

Marvel Comics

Amazon used its inaugural upfront presentation in New York City to announce it has finally ordered Noir to series. The Spider-Man Noir show will see Nicolas Cage playing the live-action version of his character from Sony’s animated 2018 Oscar winner. Morris has been cast as Robbie Robertson, the nice editor of The Daily Bugle who traditionally works under the surly publisher J. Jonah Jameson. Variety also reported The Banshees of Inisherin star Brendan Gleeson has been cast as well, though in an undisclosed role. The series, based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, will air on Prime Video and MGM+.

Also announced to appear as a series regular is Wu Assassins star Li Jun Li. According to Deadline, Li will play a “singer at the premier nightclub in New York.”

Harry Bradbeer (Fleabag, Killing Eve) will direct and executive produce the Spider-Man Noir‘s first two episodes. Oren Uziel (22 Jump Street) and Steve Lightfoot (Marvel’s The Punisher, Shantaram) will serve as co-showrunners and executive producers. They developed the show with the Spider-Verse‘s Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Amy Pascal. All three are also on board as executive producers.

For those who have (for some absurd reason) not yet seen Into the Spider-Verse or are unfamiliar with the character’s comic history, Amazon also shared a brief synopsis for the Spider-Man Noir series.

Noir tells the story of an aging and down on his luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.

GQ

Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios, explained why the studio wants to make this series in a release. (As though we need an explanation.) “Expanding the Marvel universe with Noir is a uniquely special opportunity, and we are honored to bring this series to our global Prime Video customers,” he said. “The extremely talented Nicolas Cage is an ideal choice for our new superhero, and the accomplished producing team with Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Amy Pascal, and the incredible team at Sony is dedicated to expanding this franchise in the most authentic way.” 

We’re ready to dedicate our time to watching when it debuts. The Spider-Verse is an infinite place of possibilities and heroes. But we very much want to spend more time with this version of the character. And obviously, more time with Nicolas Cage.

Originally Published May 14, 2024

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Xenomorph ALIEN: ROMULUS Popcorn Bucket, TIME BANDITS Trailer, and Other News Odds & Ends

More minions are coming. The Conjuring 4 sets a release date. Time Bandits shares its first trailer. Severance season two offers us a teaser and a look at Gwendoline Christie’s new character. Godzilla x Kong hits streaming. A Furiosa transformation. Eric Kripke talks about The Boys‘ comic twist the series will skip. Here are all these news odds & ends, and more.

Alien: Romulus

Cinemark Theaters wants you to enjoy Alien: Romulus and really dig your teeth into the film. The theater chain revealed its Xenomorph Alien: Romulus popcorn bucket and it is delightfully creepy.

Coming soon to theatres 👀🍿 #AlienRomulus pic.twitter.com/Tl8pev0jKU

— Cinemark Theatres (@Cinemark) July 17, 2024

Celebrate Summer with these French Fry Ice Cream Pops

What could be better than dipping french fries in ice cream? An ice cream pop that does it for you already. GoodPop and Ore-Ida have teamed up to create the ultimate frozen treat, “an all-in-one pop featuring a creamy dairy free oatmilk interior coated in frozen chocolate fudge and sprinkled with real crispy potatoes for a cleaned up classic treat that’s cold, creamy and completely crave worthy.”

Good Pop

You can try to snag a four-pack for $9.99, here, but don’t delay. These tasty treats are selling out quickly.

Minons & Despicable Me Universal Pictures

As Despicable Me 4 reaches $255 million at the global box office, another franchise movie has been given a release date. Minions 3 will release on June 30, 2027.

The Conjuring

The Conjuring 4, which is now being referred to as the finale of the cinematic franchise, has set its release date. The next The Conjuring movie will release on September 5, 2025. The movie does not yet have a title.

Time Bandits

Everything old is new again and the latest reboot to hit our screens is Time Bandits. A reimagination of the 1981 film in series form, this Apple TV+ adventure is created by Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris and Taika Waititi. The series stars Lisa Kudrow alongside rising star Kal-El Tuck. It “will take viewers on a riveting journey through time and space with a ragtag group of thieves.”

The Time Bandits synopsis shares:

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. 

The 10-episode series will premiere globally, with the first two episodes on Wednesday, July 24, followed by two new episodes every Wednesday through August 21, 2024.

Severance

Severance season two has revealed its release date. The second chapter of the series will arrive on January 17, 2025. Additionally, the release date announcement teaser trailer gives us a look at Gwendoline Christie’s mysterious new character.

SpongeBob SquarePants

The trailer for Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie is here. This trailer brings us a whole new kind of SpongeBob SquarePants adventure. A little bit of live-action, a little bit of surface mayhem—what could possibly get better than this?

A release shares, “When Bikini Bottom and all its denizens are suddenly scooped out of the ocean, Sandy Cheeks and SpongeBob SquarePants journey to Texas to save the town from a villainous plot.” Sandy Cheeks is one (flying) squirrel not to be messed with. Honestly, we’re all the way in for this Sandy Cheeks star vehicle.

Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie releases on August 2.

Godzilla x Kong

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will release on July 4. The monster movie will stream on Max.

We’re also very excited to share that a version of the movie with American Sign Language (ASL) will also stream exclusively on Max the same day. Max shares, “This ASL version of the film was produced exclusively for Max, with ASL performer Otis Jones (Deaf West Theatre) providing interpretation. Jones was coached by Leila Hanaumi, who delivered a highly praised performance in Barbie with ASL last December, Max’s first ASL film interpretation. GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE in ASL will be displayed as a unique title on the Max app, identifiable by its key art featuring the sign language symbol.” We absolutely applaud Max for these efforts to be as inclusive as possible with their programming!

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

If you’re a fan of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, you can check out Anya Taylor-Joy’s epic transformation into Furiosa below.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s hair and make-up process for ‘FURIOSA.’ pic.twitter.com/4UHR4oZ3MS

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) June 26, 2024

The Boys Prime Video

The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke promises that unlike in the comics, Black Noir will not end up being a Homelander clone.

He tells Variety:

No, and I don’t mind saying it. In the comics he’s a clone of Homelander this entire time and is actually the one doing all these horrific things. And again, it’s a hell of a twist. But it’s like, well wait, the villain I’ve been following isn’t really the villain. And mileage varies, and I’m sure fans are mad I’m not going that way, but that felt not as satisfying to me. I’m like, if I’m going to follow this villain, I want this guy to be the villain. So I was never really into the clone idea.

Plus, cloning feels like too — I’m going to sound silly — but cloning feels too magical for the show. We try to say that superheroes are the only slippery banana, and that everything else we try to make as grounded as possible.

Netflix Netflix

Netflix is creating its own line of popcorn… and its own malls.

Netflix shares:

Today, we’re excited to announce that Netflix and Popcorn Indiana are teaming up to bring Now Popping, an all-new ready-to-eat popcorn line! With flavors like Cult Classic Cheddar Kettle Corn and Swoonworthy Cinnamon Kettle Corn, this partnership promises a snack experience tailored to every viewer’s taste. Discover your favorite flavor, nationwide at Walmart, today. 

The popcorn retails for $4.49, but no word on how much it is if you want to share a pack.

Netflix

Additionally, the streamer has revealed it will be opening two entertainment, dining, and shopping complexes, a.k.a. malls. Per Variety, “They’re not exactly theme parks, but the new Netflix Houses — to open next year in King of Prussia, Pa., and Dallas — will feature a wide array of shopping outlets, eateries and experiential activities tied to the streamer’s major franchises like Bridgerton, Stranger Things and Squid Game.“

Marian Lee, Netflix’s chief marketing officer, shares “At Netflix House, you can enjoy regularly updated immersive experiences, indulge in retail therapy, and get a taste — literally — of your favorite Netflix series and films through unique food and drink offerings. We’ve launched more than 50 experiences in 25 cities, and Netflix House represents the next generation of our distinctive offerings. The venues will bring our beloved stories to life in new, ever-changing and unexpected ways.”

Netflix invites you to imagine, “waltzing with your partner to an orchestral cover of a Taylor Swift song on a replica of the ‘Bridgerton’ set –– and then walking around the corner to compete in the Glass Bridge challenge from ‘Squid Game.’” After that, you can enjoy “food inspired by Netflix shows from around the world” or buy “that Hellfire Club T-shirt you’ve always wanted from Stranger Things.”

Deadpool Marvel Comics

Marvel is all set to kill Deadpool in Deadpool #6 by Cody Ziglar and Rogê Antônio. Marvel shared of the issue:

Wade Wilson triumphed against Death Grip! This is the first issue of a new arc and killing Deadpool NOW would be an INSANE thing to do. Which is exactly why we’re doing it.

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

Originally published on June 20, 2024.

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FREAKY FRIDAY 2 Begins Filming, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan Are Back

Freaky Friday 2 is officially happening, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan back for more body-swapping fun. The highly anticipated sequel movie certainly seemed like it was gaining traction, but there’s nothing we love more than an official announcement. In addition to Curtis and Lohan, Freaky Friday 2 has gained some excellent new cast members, and it has a slated release window of 2025. That’s some freakishly exciting stuff.

DisneyFreaky Friday 2‘s Plot

In a release, Disney describes the plot of Freaky Friday 2 as follows:

A sequel to the beloved 2003 film with a multigenerational twist, the film picks up years after Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) endured an identity crisis. Anna now has a daughter of her own and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might indeed strike twice.

More body swapping, ahoy!

Freaky Friday 2‘s Cast and Creators

@disneystudios

The band’s back together and coming to theaters in 2025 🤘. The sequel to Freaky Friday is now in production!

♬ original sound – Disney Studios

Of course, Curtis and Lohan reprise their roles as Tess and Anna Coleman. But other Freaky Friday actors will be back for more fun. These returning original cast members include Mark Harmon, Chad Michael Murray, Christina Vidal Mitchell, Haley Hudson, Lucille Soong, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Rosalind Chao. But Freaky Friday 2 will also see some new faces, including Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. We are very excited to hear Manny Jacinto is Freaky Friday 2 official, especially after his excellent recent turn on The Acolyte.

In addition to the above looks, we also have a glimpse at Chad Michael Murray’s return as Jake.

Finally, Freaky Friday 2 will be directed by Nisha Ganatra.

Freaky Friday 2‘s Release Date

Production on the Freaky Friday sequel began in June 2024. We should expect Freaky Friday 2 to release in theaters nationwide in 2025.

While we wait for Freaky Friday 2 to release, you can catch the original movie streaming on Disney+.

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New Images From HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2, Episode 6 Have Released

Every week, we eagerly anticipate a new episode of House of the Dragon. But to make that wait a little easier, Max is releasing teaser images from new episodes of the Game of Thrones series a little early. These images don’t tell us too much about what’s in store in the new chapters of House of the Dragon season two, but they are fun to speculate over. Let’s take a look at the sneak peeks the streamer has released for House of the Dragon season two, episode six. Of course, these are technically spoilers, so look away if you don’t want to know anything more.

New Images From House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 6HBO

Aemond looks like he’s adjusting to life in charge in these new images from House of the Dragon season two, episode six. But we bet the current King Aegon, grievously injured after a blast from Aemond’s dragon, might have something to say about that. The trailer for House of the Dragons season two, episode six, certainly hinted at a coming clash.

Click To View Gallery HBO HBO HBO HBO HBO HBO HBO HBO HBO HBO HBO HBO

Meanwhile, Alys Rivers is lurking around with an owl. Does that mean she really is one? We’ll have to wait for the episode to know for sure. Larys, Alicent, and Rhaneyra also feature in these new House of the Dragon images. We can’t wait to see how these sneak peeks come together as House of the Dragon season two releases its sixth episode this Sunday, July 28, at 9 pm on HBO and Max.

Originally published on June 21, 2024.

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Dafne Keen’s X-23 Returns to Cameo in DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE’s Final Trailer

According to Kevin Feige, Deadpool & Wolverine will be the most wholesome R-rated movie ever. And its final trailer certainly makes us feel that way. In addition to pulling on our heartstrings more generally, the trailer also reveals a very special Logan cameo will come to us in Deadpool & Wolverine. Yes, that’s right, Dafne Keen will return to our screens as X-23, Wolverine’s feral surrogate daughter, in the upcoming Marvel Studios movie. You can take a look at Keen’s return to our screens as X-23, also known as Laura, in the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer below.

There’s been a lot of buzz about whether Dafne Keen would or would not return to cameo as Logan‘s X-23/Laura in Deadpool & Wolverine. But it seems like Marvel doesn’t want to leave us wondering for very long. X-23 tells Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer, “You were always the wrong guy, till you weren’t.” And we get the feeling her appearance will be just the thing that downtrodden Logan needs to go into full heroic (but still grumpy) mode.

In Logan, Wolverine becomes X-23’s surrogate father. X-23 is a Wolverine clone, after all. He devotes himself to protecting her and other mutant children and gives his life in the process. Logan was meant to be Hugh Jackman’s final turn in Wolverine. But, obviously, that didn’t take. The somber movie is, however, lauded as one of the finest superhero movies ever. Deadpool & Wolverine will have a very different tone to Logan, and so we’re curious to see in what form Keen’s X-23 will return.

Marvel Studios

Keen shares of returning to X-23 in Deadpool & Wolverine, “It was wonderful to get to come back to that and explore that as a grownup… now understanding more parental rage so much more and bringing that to the table for her. I found that Laura in Logan stumbled into having a dad and then having lost her dad. We find her again really knowing how to appreciate — and with this kind of wiseness to her — how much her father means to her.” But not to worry, she’s still physical and feral.

Deadpool & Wolverine releases in theaters July 26.

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