Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 28

Science Brought Dire Wolves Back From Extinction, Watch the Adorable Creatures Meet for the First Time

I quite literally cannot believe, for multiple reasons, what I am about to say is true. Yet, somehow, it is: we got real dire wolves before we got The Winds of Winter. Scientists have produced three pups best known as House Stark’s sigil. They are the first de-extincted animal in history.

In April, Colossal Biosciences announced a major scientific breakthrough. The company says it has given birth to “the world’s first successfully de-extincted animal” by bringing back dire wolves. The three animals are the first of its kind since the creature went extinct 12,500 years ago.

Colossal Biosciences

“I could not be more proud of the team,” said Colossal CEO Ben Lamm in a press release. “This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works. Our team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth and a 72,000 year old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies. It was once said, ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic they are working on and its broader impact on conservation.”

[image error]Colossal Biosciences

Magic is a fitting word since most people know dire wolves from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. In his realm of magic and dragons, those American canids still exist. (Though by the end of Game of Thrones only Jon Snow’s albino Ghost remained from the litter the Starks found. That means the real world a current 3-1 advantage in official dire wolves.) Colossal Biosciences paid homage to Martin’s story by naming its female dire wolf Khaleesi. It named its two male pups after the mythical founders of Rome, the twins Romulus and Remus who legend says a she-wolf raised.

In the above video, shared again below, you can watch the adorable Dire Wolves all meet for the first time. Khaleesi, the female dire wolf, was kept in a separate habitat from her brothers as they grew to maturity. But now, she finally gets to meet more of her own kind. The meeting is adorable, and it went well. The trainer notes the dire wolves’ ear were “up the entire time”  during this meeting, indicating happiness and pleasure from the creatures.

Going forward, the trainers will slowly build the relationship between Khaleesi and her dire wolf brothers. “From here on out, we are going to alternate introducing her to one brother,” the trainer shares, “So, like, one day she’ll get to hang out and play with Remus, and the next day it’ll be Romulus. And we’ll just alternate over and over, to give her a sense of confidence. We want her to feel like she’s controlling all of her interactions with them. So we’re going with a cautious approach.”

Colossal Biosciences

It looks like the wolves are truly in a wonderful place. The company says all three dire wolves “are thriving on a 2,000+ acre secure expansive ecological preserve that is certified by the American Humane Society and registered with USDA.”

We’re sure they are. We’re also sure they’re thriving in ways A Song of Ice Fire fans, even if we’re awed by this news, can’t. Those animals are a living scientific miracle. Even better, they get to live their lives not realizing scientists somehow managed to de-exctint dire wolves before George R.R. Martin finished a single novel.

Originally published on April 7, 2025.

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SCARY MOVIE 6 Will Star Regina Hall and Anna Faris

Like the original Scream film that it parodies, the first Scary Movie film (2000) changed the game and inspired many films to follow as well as its own franchise. The first two Scary Movie films were developed by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Keenen Ivory Wayans. As we all know, they are three brothers from the iconic Wayans comedian family who gave us gifts like In Living Color, The Wayans Bros., and more. Marlon and Shawn starred in the first two Scary Movie films as weed-smoking Shorty and Ray, respectively. The Wayans departed the franchise after those first two films and its quality took a significant nosedive as a result. Now, 18 years after Scary Movie 2, the Wayans brothers are returning to the franchise for a reboot film with Miramax and Paramount. Dimension Films

According to Deadline, the announcement came at CinemaCon, and the new film will start shooting in October 2025. The release date of this Scary Movie reboot is currently slated for June 12, 2026.

It is not clear at this time if Marlon or Shawn Wayans will reprise their previous roles or stay behind the camera. “We are thrilled to reunite Scary Movie with the Wayans brothers, the brilliant creators behind the beloved franchise,” said Miramax Boss Jonathan Glickman. “The timing is perfect to bring back the series to the big screen and we’re lucky to have Keenen, Marlon and Shawn’s unique comedic vision bringing it to audiences around the world.”

The Wayans brothers released a statement saying, “We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the new Scary Movie and work with each other again. This is a franchise we created more than 20 years ago. We remember people laughing in the aisles and hope to see that happen again. We look forward to working with Jonathan Glickman and his team at the new Miramax to bring these laughs to theaters, where they belong. It’s a double reunion.”

RELATED ARTICLE

The Classic Scary Movie Tropes That Will Never Die

Previously, actress Regina Hall commented on her potential return to the Scary Movie world, noting, “I’m just very excited to know that the Wayans, who actually started the project out of their idea, are back on board and at the helm again. I’m excited for them. We’ll see if Brenda is in this new world. I’m thrilled at the possibility that the band could get back together again. That would be fun.” Meanwhile, Anna Faris noted her two conditions to return and that if Hall returned, she would probably be in too, saying, “I would love to work with Regina again. I just love her so much… We would make each other giggle all day long. Regina Hall would be my answer. And money. But mostly all Regina!”

And now we know that both Regina Hall and Anna Faris will return for Scary Movie 6. As reported by Deadline, the duo make a funny and brief statement: “We can’t wait to bring Brenda and Cindy back to life and be reunited with our great friends Keenen, Shawn and Marlon—three men we’d literally die for (in Brenda’s case, again.)”

Marlon Wayans shared a pic of Faris and Hall from the first film with the caption that’s simply the eyeball emoji and “SM6,” which obviously stands for Scary Movie 6. It was a clear hint right before the news dropped to make it official.

The first two Scary Movie films absolutely have some humor that wouldn’t fly in today’s world, but the Wayans are comedic geniuses who know how to tailor and adapt to the times. Let’s see what they choose to parody in this new silly movie.

Originally published on October 29, 2024.

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PEACEMAKER Season 2 Keeps Killing It as It Makes Us Laugh, Cry, and Think (Review)

The first season of Peacemaker caught me off guard in the best way. Sure, I liked James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, but not as much as most. I also wasn’t sure John Cena’s murderous, goober “hero” would work as anything more than a secondary character. The result was I went into season with no expectations, good or bad. By the time the finale ended, Peacemaker was easily one of my favorite shows on TV. So unlike its first year, I went into season two with massive expectations. It now had something to live up to, a much higher bar for any show to clear. And in its first five episodes, season two of Peacemaker has easily done just that. Peacemaker continues to kill it as a wildly entertaining, funny, emotional story with great, complex characters and themes.

Peacemaker‘s second season makes use of DC’s multiverse. Only, it’s not really telling a multiverse story. The show is telling a sliding doors tale, as Cena’s Christopher Smith realizes just how different his life could have been. It’s an especially painful realization because, despite saving the world in season one of Peacemaker, in season two the world doesn’t care. Peacemaker is still a joke to most. The same is true of the other 11th Street Kids, who find themselves all lost or suffering for various reasons.

Fortunately, as he has proven again and again in his career, Gunn understands what friendship is really all about. It doesn’t end or restart or collapse because a new season starts, and it needs conflict. A lesser filmmaker would have gone that route in Peacemaker season two and then had the friends work their way back to each other. But the 11th Street Kids feel authentic because they are still friends who rely on and care about one another. Their bond anchors the show in its second season, which is even more affecting and heartbreaking than its first.

HBO

Peacemaker season two‘s greatest strength is that it knows what it’s about, and all of its important characters’ individual stories contribute to that idea. Peacemaker season two is about who we are, who we might have been, who we want to be, the lives we might have led, and the outside forces that helped determine the path we ultimately took. This is a superhero show about a lesser-known comic book character, teeming with rich and nuanced ideas about life. It’s as good a use of a multiverse as any I’ve seen in a very long time. Peacemaker season two doesn’t use the concept of other dimensions mostly as a fun plot device. It uses it as a thematic one.

RELATED ARTICLEPEACEMAKER’s Opening Credits Get a Rocking LEGO VersionDon’t worry, though. Peacemaker season two is still a violent, bloody, wild mess of a good time. It never forgets to also be entertaining. Like season one, it still features plenty of action and comedy. Newcomer Tim Meadows is so impossibly funny it’s hard to believe any of his colleagues got through a single scene without breaking.) Season two of Peacemaker also features some, uh…..other…adult content. Definitely, definitely, definitely do not watch with little kids or your parents. You, dear and beloved reader, have been warned.While the entire cast is incredible, to the surprise of no one considering Gunn’s track record with casting, the real standout is the show’s star. Peacemaker season two is the best work of John Cena’s career. He’s always been great in the role of Christopher Smith, but he’s never been asked to do this much, not even in season one. The show tasks him with more responsibility and depth of character he—fittingly, considering his character—kills it. He gives a really moving performance that broke my heart.While I absolutely loved the five episodes HBO made available to critics, they aren’t without a handful of imperfections. There’s almost no fat on the season, but it does spend a little too much time with a silly Michael Rooker character. He’s very funny and entertaining, but he’s playing someone so dumb, less would be more. That’s a minor quibble ultimately, but it stands out even more because of my one major complaint: there’s not enough Vigilante.HBOFreddie Stroma’s sad, enthusiastic psychopath is one of my favorite characters ever. Ever. He was a huge and important part in season one, yet there’s not nearly as much of him in the first five episodes of Peacemaker season two. The little we do get is still great, including one scene that is so pure and painful I forgot for a moment that Adrian isn’t a real person.The good news is that Vigilante’s otherwise disappointing role in the first five episodes of Peacemaker‘s second season is seemingly very intentional. The show appears to be setting him up for an amazing end-of-season storyline that will likely work because of what it did with him earlier in the season.If I’m right, I won’t even have a single meaningful issue with Peacemaker season two, a show I once had no expectations for that is now living up to all of them.Peacemaker Season 2 ⭐ (Youtube Video)

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He would die for Vigilante, even if Vigilante was the one killing him. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Mason Gooding Says SCREAM 7 Is ‘Homely and Unconventional’

Despite a slew of controversy over the past couple of years, the Scream franchise is moving forward with its seventh installment. The previous film left the Core Four and Gale Weathers (we assume, considering she didn’t die) in a relatively good place, with Sam finally moving towards healing and peace after killing Richie’s remaining family. (It’s wild but true.) Now, this next film is going back to the original with Neve Campbell returning as Sidney Prescott as the main character.

We know some other characters are coming back too, including Mason Gooding’s Chad Meeks-Martin. In a recent interview, Gooding described Scream 7 in a very strange way, calling it “domestic” as well as “homely and unconventional.” We don’t really know what that means. But we can assume that this means Scream 7 will return to a quieter locale after the last movie’s NYC massacre. Sidney and her family don’t live in Woodsboro anymore, so we will get to see the small town she’s in.

The next film will be interesting, to say the least. Who will don that infamous mask next? Here’s what we know about Scream 7. 

Title

This film is indeed called Scream 7, which could be stylized as Scream VII.

Scream 7’s Plot Paramount Pictures

As stated above, Sam and Tara’s story came to a neat conclusion in Scream VI. And Sidney is living a happy life with her husband Mark and her daughters. It seems like there was no one else hiding in the shadows who would want to kill Sidney. Her story was complete and she found peace. So, the plot of Scream 7 is really up in the air. Depending on this film’s release, someone from 30 years ago could decide to celebrate the events of Scream (1996) in a sinister way. We shall see. 

In a recent interview with Comicbook.com, Scream 7 writer Guy Busick slightly opened up about why Sidney would return after her supposed happy ending. Of course, the more obvious reason is that Sid is a beloved character and the best way to get fans to stay onboard after firing Melissa Barrera.

“I don’t want to give anything away about the reason [Scream 7] had to be a Sidney movie because there’s a really cool reason,” Busick teases. “There is a really specific reason why Sidney is in this movie. I will say there is a reason and we were happy with it when we cracked it. We went to Neve Campbell and said, ‘This is why. This is why Sidney now.’ Neve was like, ‘Oh, I get that.’ I pitched Kevin [Williamson] this first, too. He got it and then I pitched the studio. I came up with the story with my co-writer on [Scream] 5 and 6, James Vanderbilt.”

He went on to say that the Meeks-Martin twins, Chad and Mindy, would come back due to their connection to Gale. While this film won’t take place in NYC again, Busick didn’t confirm whether we’d return to Woodsboro or go to another town, perhaps where Sidney lives. He did, however, give us a general timeline for when Scream 7 takes place.

It’s an unspecified amount of time [after VI],” he said. “I might get contradicted by other people, but in my mind, more than two years. I would say at least two years. It could be two years, but I would say two years plus.”

Behind-the-Scenes

Kevin Williamson, the writer of Scream (1996), will direct Scream 7. He is replacing Christopher Landon, who left the film after Melissa Barerra’s controversial (and very upsetting) firing and Jenna Ortega’s exit. Guy Busick and James Vanderbilt, who wrote the last two installments, will pen this sequel. The Radio Silence team will step back from directing duties to executive produce Scream 7. 

In an IndieWire interview, Campbell confirmed that filming started in December 2024. The cast and crew wrapped filming sometime in March 2025.

Scream 7’s Cast 

Right now, we know that Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Mason Gooding are returning from the previous film. The latter two are interesting considering Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin’s stories are closely tied to the Carpenter sisters, neither of whom will be in Scream 7. We don’t know if they will just make a quick cameo or if their stories will tie closely into Sidney’s in some fashion. We assume Roger L. Jackson will return as the voice of Ghostface.

Deadline reports that Scream 7 added Joel McHale to its cast as Sidney’s husband Mark, which means that she is not married to Patrick Dempsey’s Mark Kincaid from Scream 3. Most fans assumed that when she referred to Mark, she meant that character. They did seem to have some flirtation and were last seen hanging out at her house with Dewey (RIP) and Gale. This new casting could still be the same Mark, but perhaps with McHale because Dempsey wasn’t available.

Paramount Pictures/NBC

When asked if he might return as Mark Kincaid, Patrick Dempsey previously said it was possible. Dempsey noted of reprising his role in Scream 7, “I’m waiting on the script, “There has been a conversation about it. I haven’t seen anything yet, so we’ll see what happens. … It’s always good to have a job.” Welp.

We do know that at least one of Sidney’s kids is making an appearance. Deadline reports that Isabel May (1883) will portray Sidney’s currently unnamed daughter in Scream 7. It is not clear if she will be a main target like her mom was back in 1996. Considering the film releases in February 2026, it is possible that someone wants to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original killings by targeting Sid’s kid. She would be at least 14 years old by that time, according to the universe’s timeline.

Philippe Bossé/Paramount Pictures

Deadline reports that Asa Germann, who is currently known for his role as Gen V‘s Sam Riordan, will join the cast of Scream 7 in some unknown role. Maybe he will be one of the next killers. We certainly know he’s not above taking someone out onscreen. In December, Deadline also reported genre staple McKenna Grace has joined the cast in an undisclosed role. Possibly another Sidney kid, or just fodder for Ghostface.

Mark Consuelos will also be in Scream 7 in some undisclosed role. Many may know him from Riverdale, where he played Hiram Lodge, or their moms perhaps watch him now on Live With Kelly & Mark.

In a bit of wild casting news, David Arquette’s Deputy Dewey Riley will be returning in Scream 7. What?! We all witnessed Dewey’s incredibly emotional death in Scream (2022). And we’re not so sure we want this movie to undo it. After all, what is a franchise if it has no stakes? Still, Scream does have a history of shenanigans. So we’ll have to wait and see how exactly Dewey makes his grand return. Dewey, of course, is married to Gale Weathers, played by Courteney Cox, who will also appear in the movie.

Dimension Films

In addition to Arquette’s’ Dewey, Matthew Lillard AND Scott Foley will return to the franchise in Scream 7. Yes, the guy who played Roman Bridger, a Ghostface who died back in Scream 3, and Stu Macher, who died in the original Scream movie nearly 30 years ago, are going to be in this new film. Dewey absolutely shot Roman in the head, so there’s no way that character is still alive. We also saw Sidney knock a TV onto Stu’s head and BBQ his brain so, despite ongoing fan theories that he is still alive, he seemed pretty dead to us.

Dimension Films

We can assume they will all appear perhaps in some flashbacks or perhaps in a video like Randy Meeks did in Scream 3. One thing we don’t hope happens is more Ghost of Ghostfaces Past foolery, like the previous two films did with Billy. Please don’t do that again.

RELATED ARTICLE

Unpacking Maureen Prescott’s Devastating Story in SCREAM 3

It seems a bit weird to announce their return instead of allowing it to be a shock for fans. But, surprises are hard to hold onto in a world where people are constantly taking videos and photos of people trying to film a movie in peace.

Scream 7 Release Date 

Scream 7 will arrive in theaters on February 27, 2026. The cast and crew shared the release date on social media.

Originally published on March 13, 2024.

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HOME ALONE Director Says a Reboot Would Be a Mistake (And We Totally Agree)

There are many reboots and revivals of popular franchises happening right now. Is that a good or a bad thing? It depends on who you ask. But I think we can all agree that some franchises are better left alone because they simply don’t work in today’s times. One of them is Home Alone, which has four movies but we really only respect the first two with Macaulay Culkin. Both of those films are holiday classics that are beloved by several generations. A few months ago, Culkin said he would be down for a new Home Alone film if the story made sense. But director Chris Columbus, who headed up the first two films in the Home Alone franchise, says it is better to leave them back in the ‘90s. 

“I think Home Alone really exists as, not at this timepiece, but it was this very special moment, and you can’t really recapture that. I think it’s a mistake to try to go back and recapture something we did 35 years ago,” Columbus told ET in a recent interview. “I think it should be left alone.”

RELATED ARTICLE

What Makes HOME ALONE a Christmas Classic?

And you know what? He’s right. A lot of what made Home Alone work was the technology and cultural norms of the time. The phone lines going down and no cell phones made it possible for 8-year-old Kevin to be left at home with no access to his parents. In a modern film, he could simply find someone with a phone to access his parents or even message them on Facebook.

Also, the lackadaisical attitude by some adults about Kevin being home alone wouldn’t fly in today’s times where parents pay a lot more attention to their kids. The aesthetics of the house, cultural references, and everything else is a huge part of the first film’s charm. And, who doesn’t get quite emotional seeing an NYC skyline with the Twin Towers in it from the second film? 

Disney

Plus, there’s an effervescent and unique charm that young Macaulay brought to this role that cannot be replicated. So yeah, let’s leave Home Alone 35 years in the past where it belongs and stop trying to make a reboot happen.

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Charlie Cox Calls DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Season 2 ‘Final Season’—But D’Onofrio Says ‘Good Chance’ of Season 3

Daredevil: Born Again is bringing back Matt Murdock and company for more NYC adventures. The show’s first season on Disney+ was so long that it needed to be split into two parts. Therefore Daredevil: Born Again will indeed have a season two that’s probably coming sooner than most would expect. 

Daredevil: Born Again season two is in the works, but will the show get a season three? If you ask its stars, you get two very different answers. At GalaxyCon, Cox noted that Daredevil: Born Again season two was the series “final season,” implying no season three. Speaking of the series, he noted, “There’s something that we do in this final season that doesn’t exist in the comics. So, it is unique to our show.”

Charlie Cox calls ‘DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN’ Season 2 the “final season.” pic.twitter.com/nhJN0HUlNp

— Daredevil Updates (@DDevilUpdates) August 12, 2025

But, if you ask Vincent D’Onofrio, he’ll disagree. Replying to a fan questioning whether Daredevil: Born Again season three would happen or if season two is its final season, D’Onofrio shared very straight-forwardly, “Good chance there will be a third.” So who is right and who is wrong? The truth is probably neither actor truly knows the truth. We’ll have to wait for a more official chime in before we celebrate or mourn.

Here’s everything we know about Daredevil: Born Again season two.

Daredevil: Born Again Season Two’s Plot Marvel Studios

Considering season one is not finished, we do not know what the plot of season two is at this time. 

Behind the Scenes 

As reported by Collider, producer Brad Winderbaum confirmed that Season one directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead will return for Daredevil: Born Again season two. 

They’re directing a block of episodes, just like they did in Season 1,” he confirmed. “They are fundamental in establishing the tone of Born Again. Those guys are tonal masters.”

Daredevil: Born Again Season Two’s Cast 

Assuming none of them die in the first season, we are sure Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Jon Bernthal will return for next season. According to Deadline, Scream alum Matthew Lillard will also be in Daredevil: Born Again season two. Details about his role are being kept under wraps. Additionally, per Deadline, Outer Range‘s Lili Taylor has joined the cast.

RELATED ARTICLE

Krysten Ritter Joins DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN As Jessica Jones

Excitingly, Krysten Ritter will return in Daredevil: Born Again season two, reprising her role as Marvel’s Jessica Jones.

Daredevil: Born Again Season Two’s Release Date 

According to current showrunner Dario Scardapane, Daredevil: Born Again will release season two in March 2026. That will be one year after season one’s debut.

Originally published March 28, 2025.

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Russell T Davies Said He Doesn’t Know If DOCTOR WHO Is Returning, So Stop Asking

Russell T Davies may be the current showrunner of Doctor Who, but that doesn’t mean he’s calling the shots about the sci-fi series’ future. Season two wrapped up a couple of months ago with the ultimate cliffhanger ending that saw Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor regenerate into Billie Piper, of all people. Since then, fans continue to be in the dark about whether the series is returning for a third season or not. BBC and Disney+ haven’t made any formal announcements, which is worrying. And Mr. Davies is frankly tired of people asking him about Doctor Who news and its future because he doesn’t know. BBC Studios

During an appearance on the Pilot TV podcast, he kept a question about the show short and simple. “There’s nothing to report, nothing’s happening,” Davies stated. “You’ll know when you know, when we know. I don’t know.” 

He went on to say, “Conversations are between the BBC and Disney. I don’t work for either of them. I work for Bad Wolf, so I’m not part of those rooms. So I literally don’t know. And even people I work with every day, so they couldn’t know what’s really going on. I’m going, ‘I don’t know.’ I really don’t know.” 

Basically, Russell T(alk to someone else not me) Davies wants everyone to stop questioning him about Doctor Who. It is an interesting response considering how deeply intertwined Bad Wolf is with the production of the series. Sure, showrunners don’t play a role in renewing shows but a company does. But he also doesn’t have a reason to lie about anything either. He could easily say that conversations are still at play or even plead the fifth. Instead, he is telling the media and fans that he is not a part of the decision.

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How STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC Owes a Debt to NEW JEDI ORDER

Since its initial announcement, The High Republic initiative has garnered comparisons to The New Jedi Order series from Legends. Charles Soule’s conclusion to the main High Republic story in Trials of the Jedi makes the connections between the two publishing ventures undeniable.

Both finales rely on the Force as an ultimate deus ex machina to make everything work when the odds are impossible. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it’s a bedrock factor in Star Wars storytelling and themes—but where its use in the New Jedi Order feels like a cop-out to wrap things up, Trials of the Jedi’s ending is a poignant culmination of all that came before. 

Why does one feel satisfying, while the other doesn’t? 

Penguin Random HouseIt’s Like Poetry…

On the surface, the similarities between The High Republic and New Jedi Order are hard to ignore. From conception to marketing, Lucasfilm touted both as a giant shake-up of the Star Wars story we know; promising a defining new era, telling a singular story across multiple novels by various authors. While the New Jedi Order did not spread over multiple different mediums like The High Republic has been, its 19 full novels are nothing to sneeze at. 

At a glance, the Yuuzhan Vong and Nihil are very different villains. One is an extragalactic species with a culture built around the idea of pain and war. The other is an anarchist gang within the known galaxy, looking to spread their lawlessness and keep the good times rolling. 

Del Rey Books

Dig deeper, however, and they’re thematic peas in a pod:

Changing the Status Quo

The Vong and Nihil are designed as disruptive forces. An altogether new kind of threat to the characters (specifically the Jedi) and audience.

New Challenges

Having eschewed all things technological, the Vong’s bio-engineered everything poses unique problems for the Jedi. Similarly, the Nihil’s advanced Path Engines, Stormwall technology, and frenetic/unpredictable approach to fighting put the Jedi on their back feet.

Extreme Perspectives

The Vong are religious zealots. They see the Jedi/New Republic as heretical and needing eradication. The High Republic Phase II reveals the Nihil’s origins stem from the Path of the Open Hand. A religious cult who believes no one should use the Force and the Jedi as the worst perpetrators. 

Marvel ComicsThe Force

Both villains featured strange relationships with the Force. The Vong are disconnected from the Force—stripped if we’re getting technical—making them invisible to the Jedi and practically immune to their effects. While the Nihil employ the Force-eating Nameless to render the Jedi all but helpless. 

These last two elements are possibly the most important factors for these villains. Their views/relationship with the Force makes the crux of the struggle in these stories go beyond the mere Light and Dark side as we know it. Instead, they present a tangible threat to the concept of the Force itself.

Wrapping Things Up

Both stories made it clear from the outset these factions would upend the galaxy in ways we couldn’t imagine. The most important similarity, however, is how they conclude. Without diving into specifics, The High Republic and New Jedi Order both rely on the mystical, esoteric nature of the Force to save the day. The threats in both stories had become insurmountable. The only way to resolve things was through a higher power in a way we’ve never seen before. 

Del Rey Books

In The Unifying Force, Jacen Solo’s battle against Onimi sees him attain “Oneness” with the Force where he becomes a glowing—literally—avatar of the cosmic Force. Following Onimi’s defeat, the Vong surrendered all at once. They hop onto the living planet, Zonama Sekot, vowing to give up their warlike ways in order to rediscover their connection to the Force. Apart from a few stragglers left behind to help with rebuilding efforts, the Vong disappear from the galaxy. 

In Trials of the Jedi, the truth of the Nameless—Shrikarai—and their connection to the Blight fully reveal themselves. Elzar Mann and Avar Kriss learn the Shrikarai homeworld, Sophros, sits at a nexus point where the Light and Dark side work in tandem to hold back the Blight. 

In order to bring the world back into balance and eliminate the Blight caused by Marchion’s careless use of the creatures, Elzar and Avar remain on Sophros, using their connection to the Force, and each other, to hold both the Dark and Light in equilibrium. The Blight is beaten back entirely, even reversing its debilitating effects. Since Marchion Ro put all his eggs in the Nameless basket, the Nihil fall into disarray and quickly surrender at the Battle of Eriadu. 

Dark Horse Comics

Obviously, we’re skipping over details for the sake of expediency. Regardless, both endings rely on the supreme, unknowable powers of the Force to wrap things up rather neatly.

One of These Things is Not Like the Other

Without mincing words, The High Republic feels like a natural endpoint for the story they were telling/setting up, while the New Jedi Order’s ending feels…convenient. The reasoning goes beyond the execution of these finale events.

The High Republic went to great lengths to expand on what audiences know about the Force in general. From showing how different Jedi personally experience the Force to showing them perform incredible feats (e.g. saving Hetzal during Light of the Jedi), THR established early on that it would delve deeply into the nature of the Force.All three Phases added to this notion as it presented readers with new concepts on the Force (e.g. the numerous new Force sects and extremist views within the Path of the Open Hand) and how it regularly introduced new lore/artifacts which pushed the boundaries of what we thought possible. 

Thus, when the finale came and massive things happened (are Elzar and Avar essentially some form of gods now?), they didn’t feel like convenient plot devices. Instead, it was a natural culmination of everything leading up to it. 

The same can be said with how quickly the Nihil fell apart. Marchion isn’t a complicated character. Time and time again, we see Marchion Ro only cares about one thing: himself. Seeing him choose to sabotage the Stormwall and leave the Nihil hanging is completely within character. There were also numerous instances showing the Republic and Jedi working together to achieve military victories over the Nihil forces. While the Stormwall and Nameless were massive threats, our heroes weren’t losing the entire time either. 

Del Rey Books

The New Jedi Order struggled with this aspect immensely. By and large, the Vong repeatedly beat the New Republic. Each novel featured a galaxy map showing the lightyears of territory the Vong had conquered during the stories! As such, the Vong’s defeat in Unifying Force feels like the only real victory New Republic forces had. The Vong renouncing their ways and leaving the galaxy they’d technically won was hard to swallow. 

Moreso, the NJO kept introducing new stuff right up to the end. Zonama Sekot isn’t even mentioned as a factor until Destiny’s Way; just five books out from the finale. The reveal of Onimi being the real leader of the Vong, comes in the back half of Unifying Force with little foreshadowing to make that reveal more palatable. With new elements introduced even as the series reached its conclusion, the story had a very “thrown together” vibe. Resulting in and ending that felt similarly slapdash. 

Aftermath

The Unifying Force set an almost unshakeable precedent, where every subsequent threat could “magically” resolve in the most frustrating ways. The Jedi have always worked as wizards in storytelling terms, but how their abilities—specifically with Luke Skywalker—expanded in order to fit the needs of each story became a tad ridiculous. 

From Lomi Plo in the Dark Nest crisis, to handling Jacen/Darth Caedus, and all the weirdness introduced with Abeloth (though, arguably, Fate of the Jedi handled it better), Luke miraculously manages to outdo the villains by mastering their own unique—and often heretofore unkown—powers. Suffice it to say, the endings to many post-New Jedi Order stories felt too handy. 

Conversely, The High Republic had a unique problem to deal with in its ending. Serving as a prequel to other Star Wars stories, its ending not only had to work for the story at hand, but couldn’t feel out of place for the major stories following it. Thankfully, the story/ending was so brilliant in execution it manages to slot into the existing tales quite well. More importantly, it enhances pre-existing stories in ways that allow us to view certain aspects in a new light.

Del Rey BooksOwing a Debt

It’s been fascinating to revisit the New Jedi Order since The High Republic started (more so seeing how it ends). It’s impossible not to see the influence the former had on the latter. It proves the NJO continues to shape the way we get new tales in the galaxy far, far away. For all its faults, the New Jedi Order walked so The High Republic could run. It laid the groundwork for a massive, coordinated storytelling undertaking that future authors were able to learn from. 

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THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Skipped the ‘Council of Reeds,’ But They Could Show Up in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY

The Fantastic Four: First Steps finally did justice to Marvel’s First Family in live-action. And it gave long-suffering fans of the heroes that originated the Marvel Comics Universe a faithful adaptation. However, the movie surprised us by not including one element from the modern Fantastic Four comics we thought for sure we’d see—the Interdimensional Council of Reeds. This secret society of Reed Richardses from across the Multiverse felt like a no-brainer to appear in this film. Especially given that it’s one of the concluding chapters in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. But we have a feeling Kevin Feige is saving them for Avengers: Doomsday.

The Comic Book Origins of the Interdimensional Council of ReedsMarvel Comics

The concept of the Council of Reeds was introduced by writer Jonathan Hickman, in his seminal 2009-2012 run on Fantastic Four. And yes, it was the inspiration for the Council of Ricks in Rick & Morty. The idea is that Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mister Fantastic, is not only the smartest man on our Earth (Earth-616). Every Reed across the Multiverse is also the smartest man on their respective Earth. Each of these Reeds developed interdimensional portal tech they call the Bridge. It allowed them to convene together in their quest to “solve everything.” This group was founded by three different Reeds who all wielded an Infinity Gauntlet in their own timeline.

Marvel Comics

There was a price for being a part of this high and mighty council, however. Each version of Dr. Richards had to abandon their family to commit to this council. They had to place science and discovery above the needs of their own kin. The mainline Reed from Earth-616 refused to do so, proving he was the most morally upstanding version across the many realities. Although Marvel writers sometimes portray him as cold and distant, the “main” Reed Richards proves he’s a fundamentally decent and empathetic man in a way most of his counterparts are not.

Where Was the Council of Reeds in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?Marvel Studios

It feels like Pedro Pascal’s version of Reed had technology advanced enough to breach the Multiverse (he certainly knows it exists). This is a guy who made faster-than-light starships in the ‘60s, after all. But we never saw him interact with any of his variants, even to try to solve the Galactus problem. Many fans believed that actor Ioan Gruffudd, who played Reed in the 2005 Fantastic Four, would appear in such a scene. Especially as he went to The Fantastic Four: First Steps premiere. But there was no scene in the final film. Perhaps director Matt Shakman thought referring to previous versions of the FF might not make the movie feel like the clean slate that it is for casual audiences.

Avengers: Doomsday Could Debut the MCU Council of Reeds

Having said that, we know Reed Richards will have a leading role in Avengers: Doomsday. That movie will absolutely deal with these Multiversal shenanigans on a grand scale. We feel Doomsday would be the perfect time for Earth-828’s Reed Richards to contact his variants in the Council of Reeds for help. Decades of Marvel movies have already provided several versions of the character to make up at least some of the council. While there should be hundreds of Reed variants in this council, we feel the leaders of said cabal should be narrowed down to four, fittingly enough.

Previous Cinematic Reed Richards Should Lead the MCU Council of ReedsTwentieth Century Studios/Marvel Studios

Here’s who could make the cut. There’s Alex Hyde-White, who played Reed in the never-released Fantastic Four movie from 1994. Then, Ioan Gruffudd played him in the two Tim Story movies from the 2000s. Miles Teller played him in the infamous 2015 reboot from Josh Trank. And fan favorite John Krasinski played Reed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. That’s five Reeds, which means there have been more Mister Fantastic actors on screen than Spider-Mans or Hulks at this point. We don’t expect a very long scene with the Council of Reeds in Doomsday, should it happen. That movie is overcrowded enough as it is. But we have a strong feeling they’ll pop up before this Multiverse Saga is over. If not now, when? Doomsday provides the perfect opportunity. We hope Kevin Feige seizes the moment.

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Superman Cameos in New KRYPTO SAVES THE DAY Cartoon Short

As we predicted, Krypto the Superdog became the breakout star of James Gunn’s Superman. Everyone around the globe fell in love with the badly behaved (yet adorable) Canine of Steel. So it’s no surprise that DC Studios is already capitalizing on Krypto’s newfound fame in a series of animated shorts, Krypto Saves the Day! We’re not sure if these are DCU canon or not, but if they are, this is technically the second appearance of David Corenswet’s Superman in the DCU. Although, it’s a silent cameo, as we only see him his apartment with Krypto as he sips his morning coffee and daydreams. You need to keep an eye on your dog, Clark!

You can watch the first chapter of Krypto Saves the Day! down below:

Krypto Saves the Day! is a cute cartoon adventure showing the Kryptonian pooch saving a school bus full of kids from catastrophe. It also depicts Krypto getting super annoyed at a random pigeon, flying around the Daily Planet globe, and scratching his ear mid-air. Which raises the question, how does Krypto even feel fleas on him? Can they penetrate his invulnerable hide? He can take bullets! Ok, we’re way overthinking this. We still want to adopt him, though. Episode 2 – Krypto Saves the Day!: Halloween Havoc, Episode 3 – Krypto Saves the Day!: Package Pandemonium, and Part 4 – Krypto Saves the Day!: Coastal Catastrophe, will debut individually through 2026.

DC Studios

This is actually one of Krypto’s many times as a cartoon hero across the decades. He first appeared in animation in the Saturday morning cartoon show The Adventures of Superboy. He’d later be the main character in his own Krypto the Superdog series on Cartoon Network, Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too!, and most recently, Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson voiced him in the movie DC’s League of Super-Pets. But this is definitely the worst-behaved version of Krypto yet. But that just makes us love him all the more. These cute shorts will just have to tide us over until Krypto returns in Supergirl, arriving on June 26, 2026.

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