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Giancarlo Esposito Makes MCU Debut CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Trailer

Steve Rogers is either dead or a very old man, but the world still needs Captain America. Fortunately for Earth, someone just as worthy of that title as Steve took on the job. No, not John Walker. (Definitely not John Walker.) On The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson finally accepted the mantle his friend tried to give him at the end of Avengers: Endgame. Now Anthony Mackie is ready to lead the superhero franchise into the future with the MCU’s fourth standalone Captain America film.

Giancarlo Esposito has been teasing for a while that he’ll join the MCU. And in Captain America: Brave New World‘s first trailer, we finally get to see him in action. You can check out our first-look at Esposito in the MCU movie below.

Marvel Studios

Here’s everything we know about Captain America: Brave New World.

Title

Marvel first announced Captain America 4‘s official title as part of its Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2022. It was originally called Captain America: New World Order. But in June 2023, Marvel changed the movie’s name. It is now called Captain America: Brave New World.

Captain America: Brave New World‘s Plot

We now officially have a synopsis and trailer for Captain America: Brave New World. It reads:

After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, played by Harrison Ford in his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

You can watch the trailer above.

Marvel Studios

Additionally, the film’s title echoes both the main conflict of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and Aldous Huxley’s dystopian classic. Marvel executives have shared some tasty additional breadcrumbs about the movie, though.

That began with Nate Moore, VP of Production & Development at Marvel Studios, talking about how Harrison Ford will replace the late William Hurt as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in Brave New World. In an interview, Moore said:

Well, look, Sam Wilson’s Captain America, he is going to bring his own team to play. It’s no secret that Samuel Sterns is making his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is fantastic because Tim Blake Nelson’s the best. Harrison Ford is taking on the role of General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, and to see Sam Wilson and Thunderbolt Ross, which if you remember actually threw him in prison at the end of Civil War because he violated the Sokovia Accords. There’s going to be some natural sparks there, which I think are going to be really fun.

Marvel StudiosBehind the Scenes

Malcolm Spellman (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) and Dalan Musson are co-writing the film. Matthew Orton will also contribute to the writing. Julius Onah (The Cloverfield Paradox) is set to direct.

Ca ptain America: Brave New World‘s Cast

In addition to Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier‘s Carl Lumbly will return as Isaiah Bradley. As will Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres.

Additionally, Brave New World will bring back Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) from The Incredible Hulk. Sterns, of course, is also known as The Leader. He will likely act as the film’s villain. Shira Haas will join the film as Sabra. Xosha Roquemore has joined the movie in an unknown role, and WWE wrestler Seth Rollins was spotted in costume on set.

Another original MCU star will also return after a long absence, too. Liv Tyler will reprise her role as Betty Ross. She originated the role in The Incredible Hulk.

Marvel Studios

Additionally, we know we’ll see the character of Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World.

Marvel Studios

The trailer for the movie has confirmed this inclusion now, but originally, an ad for a McDonald’s toy line for the movie revealed Red Hulk’s appearance to us in Captain America: Brave New World, likely Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross transformed.

McDonald's toys for 'CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD'! gives us our first look at Red Hulk, Ruth/Sabra, Falcon, and Diamondback! 👀

(Source: colecionaveis_fastfood | IG) pic.twitter.com/ooxl2ajKIk

— MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) April 18, 2024

Captain America: Brave New World‘s Release DateMarvel Studios

Captain America: Brave New World will fly into theaters on February 14, 2025.

Originally published on February 14, 2023.

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PRATICAL MAGIC 2 Will Arrive in 2025 With Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman Returning

Two of Hollywood’s biggest stars will soon return to make movie magic again. Practical Witch magic, to be specific. Warner Bros. Pictures has announced it’s finally making a (movie, not TV) sequel to its beloved 1998 film. And original stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman will reprise their roles as the Owens sisters. It is not clear if any other original characters will come back but we do know this film will adapt Alice Hoffman’s The Book of Magic, a sequel novel to her Practical Magic book that inspired the first film.

“I think [fans are] going to be very pleased. We’re going to be very faithful. We’re cognizant to how important those characters and that movie are to so many people. We’re not going to reinvent the wheel,” said producer Denise Di Novi to Entertainment Weekly. “We’re going to draw from Alice Hoffman’s books, as the first movie did, and we’re going to be true to the chronology of how many years later it is.”

@warnerbrosmovies

Can’t talk, busy summoning Practical Magic 2. 🪄✨

♬ original sound – Warner Bros. Movies

Warner Bros. went to TikTok to announced its producing a long-awaited followup to its beloved witchy drama. Oscar-winner Akiva Goldsmith (A Beautiful Mind) will write the script for Practical Magic 2. More important is the possible involvement of two other Oscar winners. But happily, Kidman confirmed they will both return for Practical Magic 2.

Speaking to People, which we say via Deadline, Kidman noted, “Yes, I will be in it. And Sandy will be in it. And that’s that. There’s a lot more to tell, which is why we go, ‘OK, this is kind of interesting now to be able to do this.’ [We] found a way in.” That’s that!

Warner Bros.

Could Practical Magic 2 have been successful without them? Maybe, but it will be far more magical now that the duo will be back as the Owens sisters.

Originally published on June 10, 2024.

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RICK AND MORTY: THE ANIME Reveals August Release Date and Wacky Trailer

Ready for even more of Rick and Morty‘s wild world? Well, you’re in luck because we’re about to see the show in a whole new way. Adult Swim has officially ordered a Rick and Morty anime series. Of course, we’ve seen Rick and Morty anime shorts before, but they’ve been, well, short. This time, Rick and Morty: The Anime will get a full ten episodes, according to Deadline. And we finally have a release date for Rick and Morty: The Anime, which is August 15 on Adult Swim with a Max release the following day. Adult Swim has released a few clips and trailers to tease the series. All of these offer us a good glimpse of the animation and a sense of what this Rick and Morty anime will unleash.

Rick and Morty: The Anime Clips, Teasers, and More

Rick and Morty: The Anime: The Official Trailer

After several clips and sneak peeks, we finally have a full trailer and it serves all the common Rick & Morty weirdness with an anime twist.

Rick and Morty: The Anime: The Entropy Bomb Clip

If there’s one thing Rick and Morty: The Anime is giving to us, it’s sneak peeks galore. You can check out the latest sneak peek below.

Rick and Morty: The Anime Clip: Tammy vs. Space Beth

Another look at Rick and Morty: The Anime reveals an epic battle between well-known Rick and Morty villain Tammy Gueterman and the sharp-shooting Space Beth. (Plus some trigger-happy insect-like alien creatures.) It’s definitely one excellent fight, and incredibly well animated, too. We can’t wait to see what else this series has in store.

Rick and Morty: The Anime Clip: Philosophical Rick

Our next look at Rick and Morty: The Anime is a fairly meditative one, especially compared to the galactic fight we just witnessed. Although there may be a lot of shenanigans in store, there will also be some quiet moments of contemplation. And we’d expect nothing else. Although we live in infinite possibilities, we only get one life that we choose. And how are we spending it? Watching Rick and Morty: The Anime. We regret nothing.

Rick and Morty: The Anime Clip: Parallel Universes

Meanwhile, the description of Rick and Morty: The Anime‘s other latest sneak peek clip shares, “While flying near space distortion, Rick finds himself surrounded by multiple versions of himself from parallel universes.” This one brings a little more action to the table.

Rick and Morty: The Anime Teaser Trailer

Finally, our last teaser trailer for the Rick and Morty anime comes with some insights from director Takashi Sano. Take a look at what he has to say about bringing Rick and Morty into this whole new world.

Although there’s no release date yet, we’re excited to see the progress on the show. Eventually, this Rick and Morty offshoot will air on Adult Swim and Max. As far as where it stands in canon, Rick and Morty: The Anime will remain separate from the main series. But it will, however, “adapt themes and events from the original title.” The teaser trailer doesn’t reveal much more to us than that. The show does not yet have an official synopsis.

‘RICK AND MORTY: THE ANIME’ is in the works at Adult Swim. pic.twitter.com/WEc5v6LXqs

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 18, 2022

Rick and Morty: The Anime‘s Release Date

Adult Swim has confirmed that Rick and Morty: The Anime‘s English Language version will debut on August 15 while the Japanese Language version will arrive on August 17.

Rick and Morty‘s Anime History and Future

As mentioned, Takashi Sano, who directed Tower of God, will also direct this series. Sano led two of the aforementioned Rick and Morty anime shorts already. He directed both “Rick and Morty vs. Genocider” and “Summer Meets God (Rick Meets Evil).”

Adult Swim

We’ve greatly enjoyed both these previous Rick and Morty anime outings. They’ve been touching, confusing, weird, and really excellent additions to the franchise as a whole. Clearly, Adult Swim thought so too.

Sano’s Rick and Morty anime shorts accomplished so much with so little space, we can’t imagine what he’ll do with a full ten episodes. We wonder if each episode will stand alone or if there will be a throughline connecting them all together. It’s too early to tell, but at least we know the series is in safe hands. Not just anyone could adapt Rick and Morty‘s world successfully.

Sano recently shared at SDCC 2023 (via Comicbook.com), “What I’ve tried to accomplish in 10 episodes is to take all of my favorite parts of Rick and Morty…compress them down to extract their essence, and then add a unique Japanese twist. I’d like you to enjoy Rick and Morty‘s adventures as they’re whisked through time and space, tangled up in all sorts of chaos… And after all 10 episodes I think you’ll find yourself in a particular state of mind. And that state, I believe, best reflects the feelings I get watching Rick and Morty. I hope you enjoy the new series. Please, do check it out!”

Adult SwimThis Rick and Morty Outing Will Be Subbed

Rick and Morty: The Anime will also be subbed and not dubbed, like the show’s anime shorts before it.

Subbed

— NUNEKIN KAMUI DEMARCO (@Clarknova1) May 18, 2022

As we wait for this new show, we’ll be rewatching the shorts that already exist and pondering the infinite possibilities this upcoming series offers to us. We have a feeling our minds are about to be blown.

Originally published on May 18, 2022.

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CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Trailer Introduces Red Hulk, Sets Political Thriller Tone

Captain America is back in a brand new MCU movie, and this time, it’s Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, holding the shield. The first trailer for Captain America: Brave New World sets a stark tone, reviving the political thriller mood of Civil War. We also get our first glimpse of Thaddeus Ross’ Red Hulk (and Harrison Ford’s turn in the MCU), the destruction of the White House, and lots of shooting and conspiring. The president wants to make Captain America an official military position. What could go wrong?

You can watch the Captain America: Brave New World teaser trailer below.

Captain America: Brave New World‘s First Trailer Releases

The trailer for Captain America: Brave New World deftly addresses Thaddeus Ross’ recasting, as sadly,  William Hurt passed away, and Harrison Ford is now playing the role. Of course, Ross isn’t the only role that Ford will play. The Marvel Studios movie will introduce his transformation into Red Hulk. You can check out our first look at Red Hulk below.

Marvel Studios

We can already see that this MCU movie will be unlike any we’ve seen in a while. The gritty political/espionage thriller energy is back to visit Captain America in this Brave New World trailer. There are bombs going off, political machinations at play, and everything feels tense and ready to explode.

Captain America: Brave New World‘s Synopsis

In addition to the trailer, Marvel Studios releases a synopsis for Captain America: Brave New World. It shares:

After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, played by Harrison Ford in his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

Captain America: Brave New World‘s Trailer Reveals New and Familiar Faces

In addition to Anthony Mackie, Captain America: Brave New World stars Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Xosha Roquemore, Carl Lumbly, with Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford.

Marvel Studios

Danny Ramirez, of course, returns as the new Falcon in the Captain America movie after his turn in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. We’re glad to see him. And Carl Lumbly is back as Isaiah Bradley, though we don’t love he’s ostensibly being mind-controlled in the Captain America: Brave New World trailer. Tim Blake Nelson, we know, will play Leader. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Esposito’s role has not been confirmed, but we see some good looks at him in the trailer.

Marvel StudiosMarvel StudiosWhen Will Captain America: Brave New World Release?

Captain America: Brave New World will release in theaters on February 14, 2025.

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THE RINGS OF POWER Showrunners on Sauron, the Stranger, New Season 2 Locations, and More

Middle-earth is different in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two. Season one ended with an eruption, both the literal and figurative kinds. The Southlands became Mordor in a fiery instant. Galadriel learned she had a hand in helping Sauron return. Darkness is creeping in. That darkness and the looming of villains came up often during Nerdist’s visit to the set of The Rings of Power season two. Along with a group of reporters, we spoke with The Rings of Power showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay about season two. Here’s what we learned about Sauron, Galadriel, the Stranger, new locations, and more.

The Psychology of SauronPrime Video

Sauron walked Middle-earth and Númenor as Halbrand for nearly all of season one of The Rings of Power. But now Galadriel knows who he is and we, the audience, know. McKay said, “We saw in season one that Galadriel who, in our estimation is one of the great heroes of Middle-earth, her pride and her PTSD were a crack that he could get into and manipulate her to get everything he wanted. Now he’s going to do that with everybody. And the joy of season two is we know who he is. And so, instead of season one, where Sauron’s [identity is] in the dark, this is us about understanding his psychology, and how he works.”

Payne said of Galadriel, she thought, “I thought my compass pointed north. I was the most righteous certain Elf in all of Elvendom. And I literally was so upside down that I was helping the Dark Lord.”

But that’s Sauron’s specialty. He’s going to be influencing all the peoples of Middle-earth and beyond. “We know Númenor has big things to do with Sauron down the road,” noted McKay. “As do the Dwarves in Khazad-dûm and elsewhere. We know that the Southlanders who had a home in Mordor, that has been utterly devastated and destroyed, are now essentially refugees. How does that play into it? We know men are weak. We know men eventually take rings. And what is going to be happening over the course of season two is, every single one of these societies and heroes that we set up in season one, are now facing serious cracks in the foundation that Sauron can exploit.”

And really, it’s about the evil every individual must face as things change. McKay said, “There is good and evil in Tolkien. That’s really important, we feel. What side are you fighting for is something that everyone has to struggle with in Tolkien. And that to us, is like… Evil is not something over there that’s other, evil is in here.”

The Stranger’s Visit to RhûnPrime Video

When last we saw the Stranger, a currently nameless wizard, and Nori the Harfoot, they were starting a long journey to Rhûn. McKay said, “We’re really excited about that. We’ve never seen deserts on-screen, in Middle-earth. And we’re really excited to go there. We think deserts are beautiful and awesome, and we’re doing our own Tolkienian Lawrence of Arabia. And one of the things that’s been fun about that is, Rhûn is really a blank canvas.”

He continued, “There’s little hints. There’s talk about magic cults and talk about the stars being strange, and there’s rumors of wizards having adventures in Rhûn that may or may not have gone well. And we’re drawing on all of that, all those seeds, to hopefully continue to tell a story that feels worthy of the other canonical stories in here.”

McKay noted, that at the time of the set visit, they had just spent five weeks shooting in a far-flung location for spectacular vistas. As a viewer, he sees Nori and the Stranger and thinks about E.T. and Elliott or the Iron Giant as far as a similar sense of wonder in their journey. Payne added that going through the experience with the characters keeps the story grounded.

As for the Stranger’s identity, Payne explained, “The wizard doesn’t know who they are. If they did, then it might feel a little cheap. It would be like we were just withholding, just for the purpose of withholding, but the wizard is on a journey of self-discovery, and learned a couple key things about himself at the end of season one, learned that he’s an Istar, and learned that he has a destiny in the East. So now, we are on that journey of self-discovery with him, where he’s learning how to control his powers. For us, it’s really delicious to watch a character who could eventually become one of great power, not yet be there, and then have to figure out, ‘What are the mistakes they’re going to make along the way?’”

Prime Video

Though the Stranger used a line from Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring in season one, that was not necessarily meant to be a hint. “Despite what some folks might think, we’re really not about a game, we’re really not about a puzzle,” McKay noted. “But we don’t want to take for granted where characters will end up. We want to see them grow and change along the way. And we hope that, in the end, you look back and it feels inevitable. But in the moment, hopefully… Yeah, I’m trying to say but not say.”

Payne added, “We also try to make it delightful that there are several possibilities what that could end up meaning. Could that mean that the stranger is Gandalf, and that, ‘He says that, then he says that later on?’ It could definitely mean that. Could that mean the stranger is Saruman? And that’s something that you’re going to realize that later on, Saruman said that to Gandalf, and then Gandalf said it. There are always ways you can pinball it from the legendarium to the story, and there could be delightful paths that could come out of either eventuality. We like to keep those doors open.”

Hope in a Time of DarknessPrime Video

Though the stakes are large and very real in J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, the story also has a sort of coziness. While season two is inherently darker, they’re trying to be aware of not going too far and only doing what makes sense for the story. McKay said, “Journeys have to go to darker places as they go forward. Every saga that we love, that’s sort of the classical structure. I think, when we think about Peak Bleak, it’s not necessarily about the level of the stakes or the scariness of it, or whether people could die. It’s more about, ‘Is there a…’”

“It’s the core ethos at the center of it. Is it nihilistic bleak…” Payne said.

“Or cynical,” McKay said.

“Or cynical where people are just screwing each other over for their own self-gain without any sense of redemptive quality at the center of it? And in Tolkien, even the villains often have something redemptive at the center of it. Even Sauron, in his own twisted way, thinks he’s healing Middle-earth. So I think that’s one ways, is that there’s always a core there, that isn’t just darkness for darkness’ sake,” Payne explained.

McKay added, “There’s an earnestness to Middle-earth and stories in Middle-earth, and we happily embrace that. It’s really hip to be cynical and roll your eyes, and be postmodern, and winky-winky, and we’re just not going to play that game.”

Releasing Seasons More QuicklyPrime Video

The Rings of Power‘s first season debuted in 2022. Season two is coming out in August 2024. The showrunners have mentioned a five-season plan and at the current pace, that finale would be far into the future. McKay said, “We took this insane ambitious project on because we had a story we wanted to tell, and we felt needed to be told, and we were willing to give our lives for a long time to tell it. The plan hasn’t changed. There’s opportunities all the time. When you meet an actor who inspires you, it gives you a new idea. There’s always room for that. But this was always the plan, was to continue telling this five-season story. And we’re now in the sixth inning of making—maybe the fifth inning of making, depending on how you count it—the second piece of it.”

McKay continued, “We have all kinds of ideas for the third and the fourth and the fifth [seasons]. But there’s a long road ahead, in terms of really developing them. In terms of the timeline…”

Payne jumped in, “Some things speed up in season two, because we’ve cast a lot of the show. So that process is a little further this time around. Some of the things have been designed in terms of costumes to the world. There’s a lot of new things that you’re going to do as well. Some of the machine, that’s time that you save there a little bit.”

McKay noted, “Which is the machine of production, how we actually physically make the show.”

They pointed out they didn’t have COVID in the middle of season two, so at the time of the interview, they thought it would take about as half as long to make as season one did. What that means for release dates for season three and beyond is not yet clear.

New Locations in The Rings of Power Season TwoPrime Video

Season one of the fantasy series traveled throughout Middle-earth and past that land’s borders. And season two will expand the show’s locations. McKay said, “We talked about Rhûn a little bit, that’s certainly a big opening up. The Southlanders are going to Pelargir, an old Númenórean colony. We know that’s a place that has a significant destiny in the legendarium, and how the colonies of Middle-earth relate back to the parent country, back in Númenor. So, that’s a story that’s kicking off. And we love the idea of an old Númenórean colony that had become now adapted to Southlander life, and what might that look like, and it’s quite rugged the way that that world tends to be, and really beautifully designed, I would say.”

Then there’s seeing more of locations we already know. Payne said, “The Dwarves are going to be digging deeper, and going to new parts of Khazad-dûm we haven’t seen before. There will also be journeys within lands that we know, but new parts of those lands, and seeing new creatures. There’s a lot of creatures this season.”

“There’s the Grey Havens in Lindon. That’s expanding that,” McKay recalled. “In Númenor, a lot of the story this season… It’s a really exciting Númenor story. We’re doing the old quarter of the capital city in Númenor, and really going into the ethos of the faithful and starting to set up what people who love the mythology know is a civil war, and a battle of ideologies, and what does their faith mean to them, and what did old Númenor mean to these people, versus what does it mean to the more Pharazôn-y folks? That’s all stuff we’re exploring. So hopefully that’s a whole new side of that world.”

Filming moved from New Zealand to the United Kingdom for season two, and they’ve been leaning into that. Payne said, “We’re shooting in some of the very forests and country sides that inspired Tolkien, and that really gave birth to Middle-earth. And so, we’re taking full advantage of that. We’re shooting in these forests that have thousand-year-old-plus trees. We’re able to bring to life the forest of Eriador in absolutely spectacular fashion, and see the strange wonder things that might be lurking therein.”

The Rings of Power season two premieres on Prime Video on August 29.

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How Jedi in STAR WARS Have Become Like Vulcans in STAR TREK

Star Wars and Star Trek are very different sci-fi franchises. However, they share more than a few key similarities. Both have giant galactic governments made of hundreds of worlds. The Klingons in Star Trek and the Mandalorians of Star Wars have similar warrior culture traditions. One other thing modern Star Wars has leaned into in recent years is that the Jedi are extremely similar to Mr. Spock’s alien race, the Vulcans. That’s especially true ever since George Lucas fleshed out what the Jedi were truly like during the prequel trilogy. Now with The Acolyte, we’ve seen the Jedi at perhaps their most Vulcan-like.

Lucasfilm

When audiences watched the original Star Wars trilogy, we only ever saw two fully trained Jedi Knights—Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. Both were in exile, decades after their order had fallen. So neither character really explained how the Jedi were meant to behave. The term “knights” suggested to most viewers that the Jedi were probably dashing, romantic knights in the Arthurian tradition, and not warrior monks in the Eastern sense. With the release of the prequels, however, we started to see the Jedi in large numbers. We learned that not only were they warrior monks, we also discovered how much they were like Star Trek‘s Vulcans.

Paramount Television For Star Trek’s Vulcans, Emotional Detachment Is Key, Much Like Star Wars‘ Jedi

In Star Trek, our reference point for Vulcans as a species was usually Leonard Nimoy’s Mr. Spock. We also saw other prominent Vulcans in the original series, like his father Sarek. Over the years, we met Lt. Saavik, Tuvok, and T’Pol. Throughout many movies and TV series, we learned these pointy-eared aliens actually had very deep emotions, only they learned to suppress them. Simply put, their emotions got in the way of their mental disciplines and adherence to logic, hindering their ability to mind meld and use their other psychic powers. They can only achieve these powers through total serenity, bypassing all emotion. Their genetically identical (and passionate) Romulan cousins couldn’t access the same powers, because emotion rules them.

Paramount Television/Lucasfilm Mental Discipline and Training Is Crucial to Both Vulcan and Jedi Alike

Vulcans undergo intense emotional training as small children, just as Jedi do. As adults, Vulcans also go through different disciplines and rituals to purge remaining emotion. Spock goes through the Kolinahr discipline in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, although he fails to purge his emotions. Those who do so achieve a higher status within Vulcan society. In The Acolyte, we see Torbin partaking in something called the Barash Vow, where they go into deep meditation. Despite their logic, the Vulcans are very tradition-bound, and function in temples of different varieties. In these temples, we often see them wearing hooded robes. The Vulcans and Jedi definitely share an aesthetic.

In Star Wars, we learned that for Jedi to truly access the Force, they must let go of emotional attachments. That’s why the Jedi Council forbids those in the order to marry or have children (with few exceptions). Although Jedi don’t totally suppress all emotions, they do crack a smile and make jokes here and there. Especially younger Padawans, who have not achieved knight status. Most Vulcans don’t even do that. But the Jedi are otherwise cold and aloof, seeing their emotions as an impediment, not a strength. The Jedi live a sparse lifestyle, essentially as monks in the Jedi temple. Vulcans in Star Trek also believe owning things for the sake of it is “illogical.” Vulcans, like the Jedi Knights, are pacifists, but both have superior fighting skills if need be (see “Amok Time” from the original series). Of course, to the Jedi, fighting skills are far more important.

Lucasfilm/Paramount PicturesBoth Vulcans and Jedi Have Incredible Mental Powers

There are big differences, however. Jedi and Vulcans have mental powers, but Vulcans need physical contact to make a psychic connection, or mind meld. They can’t just read thoughts from a distance, or command people to do things by merely thinking it, like the Jedi do. Vulcans can marry, even if their emotional attachments are very limited. It’s more about procreation and perpetuating the species, hence all the arranged Vulcan marriages. The Jedi are not allowed to have children, with rare exceptions. The biggest difference between the Jedi and the Vulcans is the most obvious—the Vulcans are a race, while the Jedi is a religion composed of many races.

Vulcans Are the Glue Holding the Federation Together, Like the Jedi Are for the Republic

Yet the Vulcans are the backbone of the Federation, providing the organization with logic and guidance. The Jedi served the same function for the Republic for generations. In the recent seasons of Star Trek: Discovery, we learned that the Federation falls apart quickly without the Vulcans. And we know what became of the Republic without the Jedi, despite their failings. Without a doubt, it was never intentional for the Vulcans and the Jedi to become so similar. Nevertheless, it’s remarkable to see how much the Jedi have paralleled the Vulcans over the last few decades of both franchises. May the Force be with the Jedi, and may they also live long and prosper.

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HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2 Sees Milly Alcock Cameo as Young Rhaenyra

There’s nothing fans love more than a well-placed cameo. Of course, on a series like House of the Dragon, cameos come in all shapes and sizes. A cameo can mean a character connected to House of the Dragon from Game of Thrones appeared on the scene, or it can mean a particularly cool actor turned up on the hit show. The major House of the Dragon season two cameo in episodes three and four was not precisely either one of those things, but it sure did delight fans. Here’s how Milly Alcock returned to our screens as young Rhaenyra on House of the Dragon season two’s third and fourth episodes.

Milly Alcock Returns as Young Rhaenyra Targaryen in a House of the Dragon Season 2 CameoHBO

Surprise! Milly Alcock made an unexpected cameo as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon season two, episode three and then returned again in episode four. We suppose it makes sense that the younger versions of the characters could appear for a flashback or dream sequence at any time, but we weren’t really planning on seeing much of Milly Alcock on House of the Dragon in season two.

At the beginning of season one of House of the Dragon, it was impossible to imagine anyone but Milly Alcock playing the role of Rhaenyra Targaryen. But House of the Dragon achieved the nearly impossible and cast so well that trading younger versions of the characters for older ones happened seamlessly. Though we absolutely love Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra, it sure was nice to see Milly Alcock return in the role for one more scene. It brought us back to everything we loved so much about the characters before the time skip.

What Was Milly Alcock’s Young Rhaenyra Doing in House of the Dragon Season 2, Episodes 3 and 4?HBOMilly Alcock’s Young Rhaenyra’s Episode 3 House of the Dragon Cameo

But what was Milly Alcock’s young Rhaenyra up to in her House of the Dragon season two cameo? Well, she returned to haunt Daemon’s mind in a couple of half nightmare and half a prophetic visions. First up, Milly Alcock appeared in episode three. As Daemon paced his haunted, rain-soaked room in Harrenhal, he was overtaken by a dream. Following mysterious noises and movements, he made his way through the darkened hallways and turned a corner to find who else but young Rhaenyra. Milly Alcock’s Rhaenyra sits by a fire, eerily humming and cradling the dead Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen as she sews his severed head back onto his neck.

“Always coming and going, aren’t you,” young Rhaenyra levels at Daemon in the House of the Dragon season two episode. “And I have to clean up afterward.” Daemon looks truly jolted by this encounter, but before he can say anything, the dream ends. But in his vision state, Daemon has made his way out to Harrenhal’s weirwood tree where he’s greeted with a prophecy of his own death.

Milly Alcock’s Young Rhaenyra’s Episode 4 House of the Dragon CameoHBO

In episode four, Milly Alcock’s young Rhaenyra returns again to haunt Daemon’s mind. This time young Rhaenyra is dressed in the same dress that adult Rhaenyra wore when Daemon choked her in a moment of anger and envy in season one of the series. She’s also wearing a crown and standing before the iron throne, implying she’s become queen. In her cameo, Milly Alcock’s young Rhaenyra first addresses Daemon in High Valryian. She says the following phrases, some of which are translated by subtitles on HBO and so of which have been translated by fans:

It’s been said that Targaryens are closer to gods than men…

In my eyes, you were a god. Daemon Targaryen. The Prince of the City. The Lord of Flea Bottom.

I was an innocent. You exploited me and abandoned me. You sullied my name at court. You empowered my rivals. You tried to make my ruin.

You put me on that throne. And you love me and you hate me for it.

You created me, Daemon. Yet you are now set on destroying me.

All because your brother loved me more than he did you.

This is what you always wanted, is it not?

Right before young Rhaenyra says her last phrase to Dameon, he unsheaths his sword and chops off her head. But that does not stop her from addressing him again.

What Do Daemon’s Visions of Young Rhaenyra Mean on House of the Dragon Season 2?HBO

Harrenhal is a cursed place where felled weirwood trees make up the rafters, and everything is a little strange. It’s no surprise that supernatural-feeling visions emerge when one spends time there. While Daemon’s visions of young Rhaenyra aren’t necessarily prophetic, it does feel like greater forces coming to tell Daemon that he’s been really making a mess of things. It’s also interesting that in Daemon’s mind, it’s Milly Alcock’s young Rhaenyra who scolds him on House of the Dragon season two, not the full-grown version of the woman to whom he is married. This Milly Alcock cameo offers a fascinating insight into how Daemon sees their relationship. In a way, it feels like Daemon preferred Rhaenyra before she had power and responsibility and also, perhaps, respected and listened to her more when that was the case.

HBO

In the case of the second vision, it seems that Milly Alcock is telling Daemon everything he knows is true as young Rhaenyra. Daemon refuses to acknowledge these truths, but they are inside of him, haunting him in Harrenhal where one cannot escape their demons. And even killing Rhaenyra won’t make those truths stop bubbling up inside of him. Daemon also knows that if he were to ever take the throne for himself, he would have to kill Rhaenyra—but even dead, he would not be able to prevail over her. He would still feel like a diminished ruler when measured up against her.

Young Rhaenyra’s First House of the Dragon Season 2 Cameo Is All About Daemon’s GuiltHBO

Beyond that, for Daemon, his initial vision of young Rhaenyra also serves as the first manifestation of true remorse for his actions that we’ve seen. House of the Dragon director Geeta Vasant Patel offered more insight into the cameo scene, Daemon’s feelings in it, and what Milly Alcock’s presence brought to the table, sharing:

At least in my eyes, that’s what it was. “That’s the Rhaenyra I know.” And in that dream, she looks at him — and the way we talked about it is she doesn’t need to say anything. We just worked on the look; the meaning that comes from all the episodes before she looks at him, and she cuts him. She says, “Hey, you killed a boy. You don’t do that.”

People have said that to him all the way through. But when young Rhaenyra says it to him, it’s the first time he feels it. It’s the first time he processes his actions, though he’s been killing people left and right since the beginning. This is the first time we see him regret. We see him feel. We actually kept talking, in between takes, about how this is something we’ve never seen before in Daemon.

There was a take where Matt went in, and he just kept saying, “No, I need another take. I need another take.” He was really such a hardworking actor on this, and all of a sudden I saw his face break after Milly looked at him. I just saw his hands loosen, and I saw the tear in his eye. Then I had a tear in my eye because we both felt it. Even the crew got emotional at that moment. And it wasn’t about House of the Dragon, it was about making a mistake that you deeply regret that hurt somebody else. It’s just that simple. That’s what I love about working on this show. I like to think that it is a documentary with dragons. We always try to make it feel real; like something we can relate to.

But will young Rhaenyra’s cameo appearances actually serve to change anything in Daemon beyond offering moments of grief and clarity, or will Milly Alcock have to return to House of the Dragon again and again to achieve that? We’ll have to see what awaits Daemon outside the world of dreams and back in reality.

Originally published on July 3, 2024.

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THE SHINING Actress Shelley Duvall Has Died at 75

Actress Shelley Duvall, famously known for her intense performance as Wendy Torrance in The Shining, has died at the age of 75. Her beloved partner Dan Gilroy confirmed the news to Variety in a brief statement. “My dear, sweet, wonderful life, partner, and friend left us last night,” said Gilroy. “Too much suffering lately, now she’s free. Fly away beautiful Shelley.” 

A Texas native, Duvall’s effervescent personality caught the attention of director Robert Altman in the early 1970s. She came out swinging with a beguiling performance as Suzanne Davis in the dark comedy Brewster McCloud (1970). Shelley made a string of appearances in Altman’s films, including Thieves Like Us (1974), Nashville (1975), and 3 Women (1977). The latter garnered Duvall a Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress as well as a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

The doe-eyed thespian with an enigmatic smile and svelte frame made the perfect choice for her (criminally underrated) role as Olive Oyl in Atlman’s Popeye movie alongside Robin Williams. But it is her turn in The Shining (1980), complete with all its behind-the-scenes controversy, that often causes conversations about respect, compassion, and the unfair treatment of women in the workforce and society at large—all still painfully relevant over 40 years after this film’s release.

Some wish to reimagine Shelley’s post-Shining career as one that waned into despair, but reality begs to differ. She was the narrator, host, and executive producer of Faerie Tale Theater (1982), a children’s program and also starred in the Steve Martin-led comedy Roxanne (1987). She had an affinity for developing and producing children’s content, perhaps a reflection of her vibrant spirit and forever youthful gaze. 

20th Century Fox

Duvall appeared in a variety of roles throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, including The Portrait of a Lady (1996), Boltneck (2000), and the (very good) Twilight of the Ice Nymphs (1997). After moving back to Texas, she took a 20-year hiatus from acting and public life, only making occasional appearances. Her outspokenness about her experiences in Hollywood—both happy and heartbreaking—and pride in her career were constant and candid, even at times when Duvall seemed exceptionally vulnerable. 

What stands above any controversy and speculation is Shelley Duvall’s undeniable talent. She could exude palpable fear, childlike joy, captivating eccentricism, knife-sharp wit, and teary-eyed heartbreak on command because she, simply put, had the “It factor” that many actresses only dream of possessing. Her work is a treasure trove for cinephiles to discover as her spirit flies with the wind. Rest easy, Ms. Shelley Duvall.

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DUNE: PROPHECY Photo Shows Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen

Yes, we may have to wait a long two years (or more) for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Messiah. However, we won’t have to wait that long for new content based on Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi masterpiece. The new HBO original series Dune: Prophecy is currently in post-production, with a premiere set for this fall. Now we have a first-look photograph from the set of Dune: Prophecy, featuring Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen, ancestor to the diabolical Harkonnen family we saw in the original Dune films. Does this mean good guy Harkonnens? What’s the universe coming to? You can check out the photo of Emily Watson in full costume, as well as read the official synopsis for Dune: Prophecy, right here:

HBO

From the expansive universe of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, Dune: Prophecy follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit. Dune: Prophecy is inspired by the novel Sisterhood of Dune, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. 

So you thought that The Acolyte and House of the Dragon prequels were very far removed from their parent series timeline-wise? Well, Dune: Prophecy has them both beat now. And by quite a bit in fact. Ten thousand years is a very long time to go back for a prequel. This series has to be setting some kind of prequel record in that regard. Joining Emily Watson in for Dune: Prophecy are Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, and Sarah-Sofie Boussnina. Alison Schapker serves as showrunner and executive producer for Dune: Prophecy. The series recently changed to an HBO original series, despite its original intention for the Max streaming service.

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

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Why THE ACOLYTE’S Mother Koril Is Almost Certainly Alive (and Where She Likely Went)

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In The Acolyte‘s third episode Sol told young Osha her twin sister started a fire that killed everyone on Brendok. We know Mae survived that calamity, but the show’s seventh episode “Choice” also suggested another member of the coven also escaped death that fateful night. Mother Koril dematerialized her body before a possessed Kelnacca attacked his fellow Jedi. That was the last we saw of the powerful witch, and it was far from a definitive end. But does that mean she’s actually still alive? The Acolyte showrunner Leslye Headland told us there’s a very good reason to believe she is. Even more tantalizing is that Headland also hinted at where Mother Koril likely went after leaving that planet. It’s an important, infamous, dark magic world full of her own kind that Star Wars fans know well.

Lucasfilm

During “Choice” Mother Koril said she would die before she let the Jedi take her children. Yet despite that exact thing happening with Osha, it didn’t appear as though the witch actually met her end. Headland didn’t deny that possibility when we asked her during a lengthy interview following the episode. She actually affirmed why we questioned Koril’s fate. “No body, no death,” Headland said.

…Exactly.

Koril being alive would have obvious ramifications for everyone involved in Mae and Osha’s story. One of their mothers, a woman with immense powers, is out there and angry at the Jedi. But considering there’s another Jedi-hating Force user also causing havoc, we had to ask Headland if that meant Koril is also part of Qimir’s story. She was clear “they do not know each other,” but she did provide a bigger clue about Koril’s whereabouts, one that could still factor into the ultimate fate of the Jedi. “What I will say, as a tease, if we are able to explore this story more, (Koril’s) species will tell you a little bit about where she ends up.”

Lucasfilm

Considering what we know about Mother Koril that’s as good as teases get. Koril is Zabrak, a humanoid species identifiable by distinct horns on their head. They’re native to two planets. One is Irodonia, a minor world in the galaxy far, far away. The other is :insert ominous music: Dathomir, a massively important location in Star Wars. It’s home to the franchise’s most famous, most important witches, the Nightsisters. It’s also home to their subordinates, the Nightbrothers.

During our interview Headland explained how The Acolyte‘s witches are both similar and different to that notorious group of dark magick users. But Koril was always more like the Nightsisters than anyone else who lived on Brendok, and not just because of her horns. She was more aggressive and willing to fight. She even instructed Mae to fight back against the Jedi, despite Mother Aniseya’s efforts to avoid violence. The Nightsisters had a history of warring with the Jedi until both sides agreed to leave each other alone.

Lucasfilm

With her coven gone it makes sense Koril would look for kindred spirits in the galaxy, and she has no more kindred spirits than her fellow Zabrak witches who call Dathomir home. If that is where Mother Koril went after Brendok it opens up major possibilities for how she might contribute to the Jedi Order’s eventual demise.

The Acolyte is exploring the beginning of what will ultimately be the fall of the Jedi. That will come at the hands of the Sith and Sheev Palpatine. And his first big screen apprentice was Darth Maul, another Zabrak Force-user from Dathomir.

Lucasfilm

Could Koril end up having some relationship with Maul, either by blood or by training? If so that will be one more way “noble” Jedi intentions helped bring about their own demise. They came for Koril’s daughters and made a very powerful, very angry enemy in the process.

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

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