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Could Lestat Meet Jesus in a Future INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Season? Quite Possibly!

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Interview with the Vampire ended its second season, concluding the events of Anne Rice’s first novel. In the series finale, the conductor of the titular interview, Daniel Molloy, (Eric Bogosian) publishes the interviews as a book and goes on a press tour. During a stop on an Atlanta news show, the host mocks his book, and laments how this once respected journalist was now “a Bigfoot hunter, tracing the bloodline of Jesus.”

This was, of course, a jest at The Da Vinci Code, and the conspiracies that proliferated after the book’s success. However, it might mean more, as Jesus is actually a character in Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. And in a potential future season, we could see the Vampire Lestat drink the blood of Christ. We don’t mean metaphorically in a church either. We mean the actual blood of Jesus, some two thousand years ago.

AMCThe Vampire Lestat Meets Jesus in Memnoch the Devil

The event in question occurs in Anne Rice’s fifth vampire novel, 1995’s Memnoch the Devil. This book came out at the peak of Lestat-mania, right after the release of the 1994 feature film Interview with the Vampire. In fact, the VHS rental of Interview had a video message from Rice promoting Memnoch the Devil. The novel was a huge bestseller in hardcover, but was a departure from the period vampire melodrama of earlier books. Instead, it focused on religious themes. Vampire Chronicles fans still remain divided on it.

Knopf/Ballantine Books

After the world-shaking events of book three, The Queen of the Damned, and having his body highjacked in book four, The Tale of the Body Thief, Lestat is at his most powerful. A being who claims to be Satan approaches Lestat in New Orleans. Only, he hates that name, and much prefers the name Memnoch, the Devil. He wants the “Brat Prince” Lestat at his side, thinking he’d make a perfect lieutenant in his ideological battle against God, and takes him on a trip through history. Memnoch then displays all the religious atrocities done in God’s name.

Lestat Was at the Crucifixion (Or Was He?)AMC

At one point, Lestat actually encounters Jesus at the crucifixion. Jesus offers Lestat his blood, which he consumes. Lestat emerges into the present day with the Veil of Veronica, proof of his religious experience. The Vampire Armand became so moved by this, he immolated in the sun in front of a crowd as “proof” of the miracle (Don’t worry, he gets better, and he even gets his own book). By the end of the novel, however, Lestat isn’t sure if what he experienced was real or not. He suspects it was. Lestat loses his marbles at this point and becomes catatonic for the better part of a decade. Several novels in subsequent years focused on other vampires in the series.

Could we ever get to this controversial moment in Rice’s story? Memnoch the Devil is book five in the series, and Interview with the Vampire showrunner Rolin Jones has recently said recently he’d love to get to potentially eight seasons. If each book constitutes two seasons of television, then seasons seven and eight could adapt Memnoch the Devil. Perhaps by that point, the world will be ready to see Sam Reid’s Lestat meet a fictional Jesus of Nazareth.

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Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy Tease HANNIBAL Season 4 Time Skip and How Long It Would Be

Hannibal season four. It’s on everyone’s minds. We’ve received some tantalizing hints over the years about what a Hannibal season four might hold if it ever returns to our screens. (A quest Fannibals, fans of Hannibal have been on for nearly a decade.) During Fan Expo Boston’s Hannibal panel, Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen thought a little bit about what season four of Hannibal might look like. Although, ultimately, the pair didn’t want to speculate too much on its contents, since that part is up to Bryan Fuller, the show’s creator, they seemed to imagine that though some time would pass between Hannibal season three and season four in the show’s reality, that time skip may not be fully aligned to the real time that has passed in our world.

NBC

One common refrain about Hannibal season four is that Bryan Fuller’s idea for it means the show could return at any time. Whatever idea Fuller has for Hannibal season four, it is built to encapsulate any amount of years that pass in our reality. But according to Hannibal‘s stars, that doesn’t literally mean that season four will take place a decade (or however long) after Hannibal‘s season three finale.

Mads Mikkelsen shared at Fan Expo Boston’s Hannibal panel, “I think it would be boring to see them a decade later. I’m fine with a couple of years. Obviously, they have to heal after the fall. But… a decade, we’d be missing out on something crucial.” Unless, of course, Hugh Dancy chimes in, “They haven’t been together, right? Unless Will’s been in a hospital.” But Mikkelsen seemed a little dubious about that. “So they landed on different ships?”

Fan Expo Boston

Mikkelsen is obviously envisioning Hannibal season four and its possible time skip through the lens of the story. While Dancy is a bit more pragmatic. “It’s nice of Mads to imagine it, but I’m not sure that only two years having passed is very realistic at this point.” But he concedes, “Maybe it was just a rough two years.”

We bet that’s a distinct possiblity. Ultimately, we’ll need Bryan Fuller to chime in on this one. But however long of a time skip happens between Hannibal season three and Hannibal season four, fans of the series will happily accept it. We just need a studio to join us at the table for dinner.

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Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen Talk Hannigram Being in Love at HANNIBAL Fan Expo Boston Panel

For the Hannibal fandom, love is always on the menu. Showrunner Bryan Fuller has previously shared with Nerdist that should season four of Hannibal come to life, the only path for Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter’s intimacy is forward. Fuller even noted that Will and Hannibal would hopefully answer all of Google’s most asked questions about them (Do they kiss? Kill together? Date?) with an affirmative. At Fan Expo Boston’s Hannibal panel, which Nerdist was excited to moderate, Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy also considered the question. While they might not be as effusively romantic as Fuller in their notions, there’s no doubt there’s love to explore between Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter.

Fan Expo

Interestingly enough, in Dancy’s opinion, and this has been a long-standing belief for him, Will Graham knows that Hannibal Lecter is in love with him, but Will Graham doesn’t, at least consciously, imagine himself to be in love with Hannibal at the point of the season three finale. (The last of the series for now.) Still, when asked what it might take for Will Graham to finally fall in love with Hannibal Lecter at Fan Expo Boston, Dancy joked, “Seven seasons?” But hey, he didn’t say never. We choose to interpret that answer as “time.”

Dancy also added at Fan Expo Boston that Will Graham is still firstly wrestling with his own perspectives on the world in Hannibal. He shared, “I think Will’s coming to terms with something within himself primarily.” But, of course, as Fuller has shared, Will Graham might be in a more malleable state should Hannibal season four take place. So perhaps, now that he’s done coming to terms with himself, there might be room to come to terms with his love for Hannibal.

NBC

Mikkelsen, meanwhile, jokingly groused on Hannibal’s behalf, “What is wrong with you?” and then proceeded to share some of his perspectives, noting that for Will and Hannibal, “there’s a mutual fascination, and they see each other for who they are. We can equate that love, but primarily, they are cat and mouse, and they keep changing who is the cat and who is the mouse… and, okay, a little in love.” He’ll give us that.

During a different question at the Fan Expo Boston panel, Mikkelsen and Dancy also considered whether their characters would ever engage in time travel to change any of their fates and circumstances in Hannibal. Ultimately, both landed on Will and Hannibal forgoing any kind of shift in their journeys. (Although Will might be tempted on reflex.) Considering everything they’ve been through, that feels as good as saying they’re fated to come together. You can catch some of these Hannigram love questions and answers and more in the highlights video below from the Fan Expo Hannibal panel.

Ultimately, Hannibal season four lives in Bryan Fuller’s brain. And the rest, for now, exists in the hands of fans. Will Hannibal‘s love story continue? It does every single day. And, hopefully, we’ll get to see it on screen soon as well sometime soon.

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Watch as Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy Bring HANNIBAL New Life at Their Fan Expo Boston Panel

One of the most important impacts a fictional property can have in this world is to create community. The power of loving the same story, walking in the same fantastical universe, and adventuring with the same characters can truly bring people together in their real lives, forging lasting bonds and deep friendships. As a devoted member of many fandoms, I can safely say that few shows have ever built a community quite as wonderful as the one Hannibal has created. In that vein, it was extra touching for Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy to celebrate the series at Fan Expo Boston, a convention specially designed to honor all things fandom. And, personally, as a long-time supporter of the series, it was my pleasure to represent Nerdist as moderator of the Hannibal panel.

Fan Expo Boston’s Hannibal panel was truly a magical convergence where off-stage, on-stage, and in the talent seats, a community of fans came together, celebrating the ethos of the convention and of Hannibal. As the saying goes, “It’s beautiful.”

Although Hannibal was canceled nearly nine years ago now, you certainly wouldn’t know it sitting in the panel room, its stars, and a room full of cheering Fannibals hungry to celebrate their favorite show. And happily, much like our love for the show, the fun of this panel doesn’t ever have to end. To ensure all Fannibals, Hannibal fans, and Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy enthusiasts alike can join in the beauty of what fans have termed the “Hannibal Reunion,” Fan Expo Boston has released a highlight reel of the panel. You can check out the best of the best moments above and make sure to subscribe to Fan Expo’s channel to catch all future panel highlights that might feed your fandom.

Day 1 of #FANEXPOBoston2024 has come to close. Here are some panel highlights from today featuring your faves, from a cannibal to Jedi and more. We'll see you all again tomorrow for another FAN-tastic day 👋 pic.twitter.com/mEcYTDnPTL

— FAN EXPO Boston (@FANEXPOBoston) June 15, 2024

From discussing Will and Hannibal’s love story and journey throughout Hannibal to pondering the intricacies of their characters, including what their last meals might be (each other) and what paintings they might eat (a question inspired by the Red Dragon Francis Dolarhyde himself), to sharing some of their on-set memories and experiences, Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy left Fannibals with a lot to chew on after their Fan Expo Hannibal panel. Some particularly hilarious answers will no doubt live forever in the inside jokes and fond memories of Hannibal fans—and isn’t that what being in fandom is all about?

Fan Expo

Of course, fans hope that this stop on the Hannibal reunion tour won’t be its last. But regardless of what the future holds, we know Fannibals will be savoring every bite of this Fan Expo Boston Hannibal panel.

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Christopher Reeve’s Son Will Cameo in James Gunn’s SUPERMAN

When James Gunn’s Superman hits theaters next year, it might for a moment feel like you’re seeing more than one Man of Steel up on the screen. That’s because, as reported by Variety, the son of the late Christopher Reeve, Will Reeve, shot a cameo scene for the Superman film this week in Cleveland, Ohio. Will Reeve, the youngest of the late Superman star’s three children, is the spitting image of his dad. So it’s sure to be a touching moment when he and David Corenswet share the screen in the DCU movie. Will Reeve is actually a journalist and ABC News correspondent, so his Superman cameo will fittingly be that of a TV reporter who meets the Last Son of Krypton.

It looks like Will Reeve, the son of the late Christopher Reeve, will make a cameo as a TV reporter in 'SUPERMAN' pic.twitter.com/sOpQVr0gru

— DC Film News (@DCFilmNews) July 2, 2024

Locals caught the filming of many scenes from the Superman movie, including Will Reeve’s appearance on set. In the past week, we’ve seen David Corenswet in costume on set, not only as Superman but also as Clark Kent. This version of Clark has a curly mop of hair and thick glasses. The Clark Kent disguise actually makes us believe that people would believe that Superman and Clark are two different people. Also spotted on set is Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hault as Lex Luthor. We’ve also seen Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), wearing his comics-accurate costume. But seeing Christopher Reeve’s son appear in the Superman production is definitely a very fun surprise.

ABC/Warner Bros.

Aside from the upcoming James Gunn film, Will Reeve will appear, along with his two siblings, in the documentary Super/Man. This new film chronicles their late father Christopher Reeve’s rise to fame as Superman, which led to three sequels. His acting career came mostly to a halt after a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995. The incident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Christopher Reeve would become an advocate and spokesperson for those suffering from similar injuries until his death in 2004. It’s safe to say his son’s appearance in Superman will be a more fitting tribute to Christopher Reeve than his CGI recreation in The Flash. Super/Man releases later this year, and Superman hits theaters in July 11, 2025.

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A Documentary on the Making of DC Comics’ Classic KINGDOM COME Is Coming Soon

Mark Waid and Alex Ross’ 1996 mini-series Kingdom Come is one of the greatest and most influential comics from DC. The painstakingly crafted tale about an elder Superman and the Justice League facing a new generation of amoral heroes became a massive hit. Comics fans still feel its influence today, including in James Gunn’s new DCU. So the timing is right for a new documentary on the making of this classic comic, The Legend of Kingdom Come, which we’ve learned about via The Wrap. You can check out the first teaser trailer for director Remsy Atassi’s film, right here:

THE LEGEND OF KINGDOM COME
A feature-length documentary coming Fall 2024 on Kickstarter!
Sign up & be the first to know when we launch: https://t.co/YopjrrsOLu pic.twitter.com/ywumIODBpN

— Alex Ross (@thealexrossart) July 2, 2024

DC Comics expanded on many of the themes and visuals of Kingdom Come in other media over the years. First in the comics, then later in things like the CW Arrowverse. In fact, the Superman ‘S’ shield designed by Alex Ross for Kingdom Come? It’s now the same one we see in James Gunn’s Superman. In a statement, director Remsy Atassi said, “The Legend of Kingdom Come documentary will be an exploration of the mad, relentless dedication that goes into producing this stunning art form – and what it takes for an artist to achieve greatness.”

DC Comics

Both Kingdom Come writer Mark Waid and artist Alex Ross will be interviewed extensively about their seminal creation in this documentary. Among the other creators interviewed are Spawn creator Todd McFarlane and Batman: The Animated Series writer Paul Dini. This series came at just the right time in the comics industry. In the mid-90s, violent antiheroes ruled superhero comics. DC’s Kingdom Come asked the question, “Is the world just too dark now for old-fashioned heroes like Superman? It’s a question that James Gunn’s new Superman film will likely pose as well.

The pre-Kickstarter launch page for The Legend of Kingdom Come documentary is online here. Fans can sign up now for alerts on the film and details about when the crowdfunding campaign goes live later in 2024. A Legend of Kingdom Come panel is also taking place at Comic-Con in San Diego this year.

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Check Out the Cover for THE SERPENT CALLED MERCY, a Fantasy Book Full of Deadly Adventure and Battle-Tested Friendships

At Nerdist, we love a battle-tested friendship. What could be better than deep connections forged in the midst of harrowing danger? There’s nothing like an epic adventure to bring people together. And that’s why we’re thrilled to exclusively reveal the cover of DAW Books’ The Serpent Called Mercy, a Malaysian Chinese-inspired fantasy by debut author Roanne Lau. The underlying, steadfast friendship between the protagonists of The Serpent Called Mercy creates the beating heart of this story. But, in addition to resonant interpersonal dynamics, the fantasy-adventure book also promises no shortage of heart-pounding battles and mysterious (and ferocious) sun-cursed beasts. And we feel like we can see all of this well-represented in The Serpent Called Mercy‘s cover.

You can take a look at it below.

Exclusive Cover Reveal for The Serpent Called Mercy Daw Books

Okay, isn’t this cover art stunning? We are stunned. The Serpent Called Mercy‘s gorgeous cover is by Rowynn Ellis (they/them) and art directed by Katie Anderson. We absolutely hope we’ll be seeing all these monsters in the story. But both literally and symbolically, we’re obsessed with them already. The elemental energy, the dynamic action, the little hint of adorable friendship in the corner—we feel it all in this cover. The ferociousness, fury, and little brushes of gentleness all come together perfectly to help us understand what awaits readers in The Serpent Called Mercy.

(But seriously, get that little guy his own streaming show, stat. We would follow him until the ends of the earth.)

Daw Books

Likely, this cover will only become more beautiful as fans grow to learn more about its true meaning as they read the book. But we’re honestly thinking of buying a second copy of The Serpent Called Mercy just so we can display this piece in our house.

More About The Serpent Called Mercy

Just in case The Serpent Called Mercy‘s swoon-worthy cover reveal isn’t yet enough to sway you, here’s a little bit more about the book. A release shares that “Fans of the tense, dynamic action and battle-tested friendships like The Witcher and Squid Game will love The Serpent Called Mercy, where a debt-ridden slumdog joins an illegal monster-fighting arena for some fast coin but quickly learns the most dangerous beasts are outside the ring.” Basically, this book strives to answer the question, “What if an epic fantasy with already high stakes met even higher stakes and added heart-wrenching friendship on top?” It sounds guaranteed to have us both sobbing and at the edge of our seats. And we could ask for little more from a book than that. We also just have to say that the home of this novel adaptation should definitely be Netflix. An even fuller synopsis of the book can be found at the end of this article.

Of additional interest to some, Roanne Lau’s novel will feature asexual and neurodivergent representation, which we definitely support and applaud. Both asexuality and neurodivergence deserve more representation in media, and books that feature representative characters should be championed.

Pre-Order The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau Today

The Serpent Called Mercy releases on December 3rd, 2024. You can pre-order it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Bookshops.org. You can also follow Lau on Twitter, @roannelau, and Instagram, @roannelau, for more updates on the story.

The Serpent Called Mercy‘s Full SynopsisDaw Books

Here is the full synopsis of The Serpent Called Mercy by Roanne Lau:

Lythlet and her only friend Desil are shackled to a life of debt and poverty that she fears they will never escape. Desperate for money, they sign up as conquessors: arena combatants who fight sun-cursed beasts in the seedy underworld of the city.

Match-master Dothilos is initially enamored of Desil’s brawling reputation, but after seeing Lythlet lead the pair to triumph with her quick cunning, he takes her under his wing, scorning Desil. Ambition takes root in Lythlet’s heart as a life of fame and wealth unfolds in her imagination.

But Lythlet isn’t the only one out for coin and glory, and she soon finds herself playing an entirely different game—a game of politics and deception. As the cost of her ambition grows, she will have to decide if sacrificing her honor, and only friendship, is worth the chance to shape her own fortune.

A whirlwind of blood-pounding battles as characters grapple with their choices in the face of wealth and financial security, The Serpent Called Mercy’s heart is the underlying, steadfast friendship between its protagonists.

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THE SANDMAN Announces Its New Season 2 Characters and Cast, Including Thor, Loki, and More

The Sandman will continue its drama with another serving of episodes. What will happen in this next installment with Morpheus? That remains to be seen. We do not know when these episodes will hit Netflix but we do know that there will be new characters and cast members coming into the fold for The Sandman season two. 

Netflix released a ton of information about the new faces we will need in The Sandman’s next season. We will get to see gods like Loki, Odin, and Thor, but they will certainly be different from the MCU characters we’ve grown to love.

All the New Characters and Cast Members Appearing in The Sandman Season TwoRuairi O’Connor (he/him) as OrpheusCourtesy of Netflix

Official description: “Orpheus, the poet, musician, and oracle, is the only child of Dream and the muse, Calliope. Orpheus is an idealistic, romantic, young man – and very much his father’s son – until tragedy strikes and reveals to him the true nature of love.”

Freddie Fox (he/him) as Loki Courtesy of Netflix

Official Description: “…the god of chaos. Loki is a charming, seductive shapeshifter. The smartest and most dangerous person in any room, Loki is utterly irresistible and never to be trusted.” That certainly sounds on brand for this famous Greek god.

Clive Russell (he/him) as OdinSally Mais

Official Description: “…the father of Thor, and blood-brother to Loki. He is a longtime ally of Dream’s, but finds himself driven to desperate extremes in his efforts to stave off Ragnarök.”

Laurence O’Fuarain (he/him) as Thor Joseph Sinclair

Official Description: “…the storm god. With his hammer Mjollnir, Thor is brusque, rude, and driven entirely by his appetites – for food and drink, for battle, and for sex.

Ann Skelly (she/her) as Nuala and Douglas Booth (he/him) as Cluracan Misan Harriman/Simon Annand

Official Description: “…royal emissaries from the court of Faerie. Nuala and Cluracan are siblings who are opposites in every way. Nuala is responsible, empathetic, and principled. Cluracan is an impulsive rogue who lives for pleasure. They disagree about everything, except their devotion to one another.”

Jack Gleeson (he/him) as Puck Yellow Belly

Official Description: “…a malevolent hobgoblin who serves as the royal jester to King Auberon of Faerie. Puck is fascinated by mortals and enjoys nothing more than making sport of them for his own amusement. He’s also the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”  

Indya Moore (she/her) as WandaCourtesy of Netflix

Official Description: “…a professional driver and security agent for an exclusive travel firm. Wanda proves herself to be an indispensable guide on an Endless road trip to the waking world.”

Steve Coogan (he/him) as the Voice of Barnabas Thomas Laisne

Official Description: “…the canine companion of the Endless’ prodigal brother. Barnabas is loyal and loving, but an outspoken cynic. He’s man’s best friend and man’s sharpest critic.”

I know nothing about Barnabas but somehow I feel like he will be my favorite character. Let’s see how all of these new characters will play into The Sandman season two.

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MAXXXINE Gives Ti West’s Horror Trilogy a Very Anticlimactic Ending

Light spoilers ahead for MaXXXine.

MaXXXine is the climactic—or should I say anticlimactic—end to Ti West’s trilogy. Rather than a crescendo with a peak, it struggles to even race beside the previous two. Gore and violence are sparse with a plot that lacks focus. It’s more of a pick-your-poison “choose your own adventure” film. With Maxine Minx in Hollywood attempting to transition from porn star to movie star, her past rears up and puts an unnecessary kink in her plans. While audiences won’t walk away hating MaXXXine, it’s a lackluster film that drifts from the mind after viewing.

Directed and written by Ti West, MaXXXine marks the final chapter in the trilogy. Maxine, played by Mia Goth (Suspiria, Infinity Pool), is so close to breaking into Hollywood from the porn industry. But with a snoopy P.I. John Labat (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Leave the World Behind) in the mix, deaths adding up around her, and cops sniffing at her heels, her career might be dead on arrival. However, Maxine is not someone anyone should cross. She still possesses her self-preservation edge. With all the promise built from the other films with Mia Goth’s star performance, it’s a wonder this final film falters so much. 

MaXXXine Takes Audiences From Say Something to Say Nothing

X was astounding because of its gore and how it subverts traditional horror. Rather than the stereotypical “pure” final girl, they have a woman who is literally shooting a porn film to survive. Religion and the restrictions women face play out underneath. There is plenty to draw from rewatching X.

The second film, Pearl, was a prequel focused on gender constraints through a warped Wizard of Oz tale. There’s also the nature versus nurture question of whether Pearl was always prone to violent outbursts or if her mother’s restrictive rearing led her down that path. By its climax, Dorothy does not ever leave Kansas. She remains trapped, building up her bitterness and resentment for a life never lived. 

A24

Then there is MaXXXine, a less refined version of the two. MaXXXine lacks cohesion. It has too much happening, and few parts meld together. There are ideas that the movie wanted to explore, including gender and religion, the entertainment industry, and the thin line between entertainment and reality. However, it fails to nail any of them. 

Pointless Parts in MaXXXine Taint the Whole Picture

A familiar refrain will haunt viewers, and it’s one word; “why.” Unfortunately, too much feels unnecessary or designed for laughs. The in-universe film director, Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki), feels jammed in without a purpose. Maxine has brief mental struggles with what happened at the farmhouse, but it never amounts to anything. So much hinders the film, like the inclusion of the ’80s real-life serial killer, the Nightstalker. 

At first, it seems as though the infamous murderer is stalking the streets and explicitly targeting those close to Maxine. But it takes little effort to realize who may resent Maxine and her “life of sin.” The movie tries to tease the threat, only showing the individual’s gloved hands, but it does not even take three guesses to identify her foe. So, while it tries to go the mystery route, it fails miserably. MaXXXine‘s uncertainty with what it wants to be. Is it a callout to the industry? Or is the film perhaps a mystery, Giallo horror, etc.? It is unclear.

Mia Goth Still Rocks as Maxine, But There’s Too Much Camp

In MaXXXine, religious zealotry and moments of bright, violent girl power run throughout its narrative. Mia still delivers a forceful and deadly performance. From nutcracker to face-keying, whenever Maxine unleashes her violence on the men around her, it’s always fun and deserved. Still, because of the breadth of what the film takes on, even Mia Goth feels underutilized in the final film. Too much attention goes to flat jokes and exaggerated religious zeal. You nearly forget that Maxine is trying to make a movie. 

A24

Detective Williams (Michelle Monaghan) and Detective Torres (Bobby Cannavale) are excess baggage in an already bogged down film. Their whole schtick is Torres being an obnoxious man, talking down to Maxine, then Williams steps in, and Maxine leaves. Rinse and repeat. Many attempts at comedic moments with these two do not land. It’s more obnoxious and will likely leave audiences bewildered. They are not even essential to the final fight.

That Death Was Certainly a Choice

Another strike for MaXXXine, tying in with the gore, is how one death is handled. A Black person has one of the only gruesome deaths that takes place onscreen. Sure, it’s set in the ’80s, and few Black characters in predominantly white films survived. However, if we were going by the checklist of the time, Maxine herself would not have made it out of X intact. 

An argument can be made regarding the fact that the most gruesome deaths are men—although only one is her friend. But there was not enough done to cement that aspect. It’s ruddered in crudely. (If you’re a fan of Cardi B, you can insert her “what was the reason” GIF here.) Because choosing to have one of the most gruesome deaths be a Black person is a jarring disappointment.

A24

MaXXXine had all the promise and goodwill engendered by the two preceding films. Unfortunately, it does not earn much beyond a shrug and “That’s it?” It would be fine if it weren’t part of a trilogy that rose beyond gore and violence while still delivering both. But the final act is “Yikes” in cinema form. MaXXXine forfeits it all, devolving into a messy puddle of obscurity, where whatever themes viewers say the movie explores is more of a wish than reality. The further you get from the theater, the less you’ll like or want to remember this film. 

MaXXXine ⭐ (2 of 5)

The film hits theaters on July 5.

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Michelle Yeoh Will Star in Prime Video’s BLADE RUNNER 2099 Series, More Cast Announced

The Michelle Yeohaissance continues. Just days after going to the White House to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, she’s got another big time gig lined up. A new report says our beloved Michelle Yeoh—an Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar-winner—is joining Prime Video’s limited series Blade Runner 2099. But in true franchise fashion, we have no idea if she’ll be playing a human or a replicant.

Paramount+Michelle Yeoh Joins Blade Runner 2099 Series

Deadline reports Yeoh has signed on to Prime Video’s upcoming series, which is currently filming in Prague. The show is a sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2017 film Blade Runner 2049, which itself was a sequel to Ridley Scott’s iconic 1982 film. (Which was itself an adaptation of author Philip K. Dick’s classic story Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.) Scott is an executive producer on the series alongside showrunner Silka Luisa (Shining Girls). And Shogun‘s Jonathan van Tulleken will also serve as an executive producer and direct the first two episodes.

Yeoh’s exact role on the show is the latest unknown about the series. Prime Video has yet to release any plot details about the story. Its title does reveal it will take place half a century after Blade Runner 2049. A lot can change in five decades on a dying planet full of humans and replicants alike, and yet we know that even with a lot of time a lot of things in the world of Blade Runner always remain the same.

Other Cast Announced for the Blade Runner SeriesLionsgate

Joining Yeoh are a slew of other actors. Hunter Schafer is also set to star. Additionally, Deadline reports that Dimitri Abold (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), Lewis Gribben (Somewhere Boy), Katelyn Rose Downey (The Nun II), and Daniel Rigby (Renegade Nell) join Blade Runner 2099 as series regulars. Meanwhile, Johnny Harris (A Gentleman in Moscow”), Amy Lennox (Only Child), Sheila Atim (The Woman King) and Matthew Needham (House of the Dragon) will be recurring guest stars.

MaxWhen Will Blade Runner 2099 Release on Prime Video?Warner Bros.

The series was considered a priority for Amazon in 2022. It was “fast tracking scripts and eyeing potential production dates.” However, Hollywood studios unnecessary delay in giving the writing and acting unions fair contracts delayed work on the show. Now it’s in full swing with an Oscar winner in the cast.

And whether Michelle Yeoh is playing a real person or a copy of one, we know she’ll be good.

Originally published on May 7, 2024.

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