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Celebrimbor Will Be the Main Character of THE RINGS OF POWER Season 2

The Rings of Power season one swept onto our screens in the summer of 2022, and it made quite an impact. In fact, at Nerdist, we felt it was one of the best shows of the year. And although we are still thinking about season one of the show, things are already ramping up on season two of The Rings of Power. The Rings of Power didn’t exactly leave us on a cliffhanger, but we are still on the edge of our seats, ready to dive back into its world.

Prime Video

Most recently, showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne teased that an unexpected character would take center stage in The Rings of Power season two. They revealed that the elven smith Celebrimbor would be “the principal protagonist” and that his relationship with Sauron is the “central relationship” of the season. Fans of Tolkien’s lore will know a bit more about where their relationship is heading.

Here’s everything we know so far about the next season of The Rings of Power.

The Rings of Power Season Two’s Plot

The Rings of Power concluded season one on a few very dramatic notes, setting the stage for season two. Of course, Halbrand revealed himself to be none other than Sauron in disguise. When we last saw the dark lord, he was simply walking into Mordor, no doubt on the way to mete out some vengeance on his wayward followers. Meanwhile, Galadriel, Elrond, and Celebrimbor proceeded to form the elven Rings of Power despite knowing the idea came from a source of evil. And we feel it’s likely the Dwarves might know about the rings sooner rather then later.

Prime Video

An official synopsis for season two reveals more about the The Rings of Power‘s upcoming season, it notes:

In Season Two of The Rings of Power, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will. Building on Season One’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots… as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all… each other.

Behind the ScenesPrime Video

Showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay return to helm season two of The Rings of Power. Also returning is director Charlotte Brändström. Sanaa Hamri and Louise Hooper will also join as directors on season two of The Rings of Power. They will each direct two episodes.

Prime VideoThe Rings of Power Season Two’s Cast

The entire main cast of The Rings of Power which includes Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charlie Vickers, Robert Aramayo, and more, is expected to return for season two, with the exception of two major characters.

Prime Video

Firstly, Nazanin Boniadi recently revealed she would not return as Bronwyn in season two of The Rings of Power.

Ben Rothstein/Prime Video

Secondly, Joseph Mawle will not return as the tragic but trecherous orc father, Adar, instead, the role has been recast. Sam Hazeldine will take on the role of Adar in the second season of The Rings of Power season two.

Prime Video

Joining Hazeldine are fourteen new actors. No new roles or characters have yet been revealed. The new cast of The Rings of Power season two includes: Gabriel Akuwudike, Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour, Ben Daniels, Amelia Kenworthy, Nia Towle, Nicholas Woodeson, Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Stuart Bowman, Gavi Singh Chera, William Chubb, Kevin Eldon, Will Keen, Selina Lo, and Calam Lynch.

Prime Video

Rory Kinnear has also been cast as Tom Bombadil.

The Rings of Power Season Two’s Release DatePrime Video

The Rings of Power season two will release on August 29.

Originally published on May 8, 2023.

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BLADE Would Have Included His Daughter Bloodline, and Lilith, Daughter of Dracula, New Script Coming Soon

The tortured process of bringing a Blade reboot to life at Marvel Studios has been something to behold. Blade was first announced at Comic-Con in 2019, when Oscar winner Mahershala Ali stepped onto the stage to announce he would portray the Daywalker. Since then, it’s gone through multiple screenwriters, different production start dates, several release dates, and two directors. Yet Marvel has revealed very little about the film in all this time, aside from the basic info we already knew from comics and previous movies. Now, an article in The Hollywood Reporter has revealed a few key characters of the MCU Blade.

Marvel Comics

One of the main reveals is that the film would have featured two characters from the pages of Marvel Comics. The first was Blade’s daughter. We presume this is Bloodline, who first appeared last year in the comics. Named Brielle Brooks, she also has a thing for slaying the undead, just like dear old dad. Although a recent creation, the idea of Blade having a daughter goes back a few years. Marvel announced a series about Blade and his daughter in 2015, Back then, her name was Fallon Grey. That series never happened, and Bloodline came about seven years later instead.

Pearl and MaXXXine star Mia Goth was the other major comics character, the villain Lilith. In the comics, Lilith Drake is the daughter of Dracula, and has fought Marvel’s supernatural heroes many times. In the film, she would have wanted the blood of Blade’s daughter. Considering Blade began as a supporting character in Marvel’s Tomb of Dracula comics, it makes sense for him to fight someone related to the King of the Vampires in the MCU. In actual mythology, Lilith was the first wife of Adam, and the supposed source of many vampire mythology. Marvel Comics had their own take on the character, which likely inspired whatever Marvel Studios was working on.

Marvel Studios

It’s unknown if either of these characters will survive into the latest Blade draft from writer Eric Pearson. One of the first MCU Blade scripts took place in the 1920s, with the most recent one taking place in the modern day. Some characters from earlier scripts might not make the cut, if and when this movie goes before the cameras. Blade currently has no director attached, so it’s certainly not making its 2025 release date. In its article, The Hollywood Reporter notes, “The new plan [for Blade] calls for the script to be written over the summer and then go out to directors.” Hopefully, Marvel Studios can finally crack the code on Blade, and give us Mahershala Ali slicing and dicing the undead. This shouldn’t be the hardest movie in the world to get off the ground.

The post BLADE Would Have Included His Daughter Bloodline, and Lilith, Daughter of Dracula, New Script Coming Soon appeared first on Nerdist.

BLADE Would Have Included His Daughter Bloodline, and Lilith, Daughter of Dracula

The tortured process of bringing a Blade reboot to life at Marvel Studios has been something to behold. Blade was first announced at Comic-Con in 2019, when Oscar winner Mahershala Ali stepped onto the stage to announce he would portray the Daywalker. Since then, it’s gone through multiple screenwriters, different production start dates, several release dates, and two directors. Yet Marvel has revealed very little about the film in all this time, aside from the basic info we already knew from comics and previous movies. Now, an article in The Hollywood Reporter has revealed a few key characters of the MCU Blade.

Marvel Comics

One of the main reveals is that the film would have featured two characters from the pages of Marvel Comics. The first was Blade’s daughter. We presume this is Bloodline, who first appeared last year in the comics. Named Brielle Brooks, she also has a thing for slaying the undead, just like dear old dad. Although a recent creation, the idea of Blade having a daughter goes back a few years. Marvel announced a series about Blade and his daughter in 2015, Back then, her name was Fallon Grey. That series never happened, and Bloodline came about seven years later instead.

Pearl and MaXXXine star Mia Goth was the other major comics character, the villain Lilith. In the comics, Lilith Drake is the daughter of Dracula, and has fought Marvel’s supernatural heroes many times. In the film, she would have wanted the blood of Blade’s daughter. Considering Blade began as a supporting character in Marvel’s Tomb of Dracula comics, it makes sense for him to fight someone related to the King of the Vampires in the MCU. In actual mythology, Lilith was the first wife of Adam, and the supposed source of many vampire mythology. Marvel Comics had their own take on the character, which likely inspired whatever Marvel Studios was working on.

Marvel Studios

It’s unknown if either of these characters will survive into the latest Blade draft from writer Eric Pearson. One of the first MCU Blade scripts took place in the 1920s, with the most recent one taking place in the modern day. Some characters from earlier scripts might not make the cut, if and when this movie goes before the cameras. Blade currently has no director attached, so it’s certainly not making its 2025 release date. Hopefully, Marvel Studios can finally crack the code on Blade, and give us Mahershala Ali slicing and dicing the undead. This shouldn’t be the hardest movie in the world to get off the ground.

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MY LADY JANE: Exploring the Tudor-Era Fantasy Series’ Lush Sets and Elaborate Costumes

When it comes to crafting a fantasy land or a historical setting, the costuming and set design can make or break a story’s believability. For a large majority of viewers, the visuals play just as vital of a role as solid storylines and compelling characters to bring a universe into focus. Costumes inform us about a character’s personality as well as their social and economic status. Set design brings the narratives and overall world to life. If you want to be successful, it has to look and feel real. Prime Video’s My Lady Jane certainly nails both of these aspects, which Nerdist got to experience first-hand during a set visit at Iris Studios in London, UK. 

Prime Video

My Lady Jane is a satirical dramedy that reimagines the life of Lady Jane Grey. She was the Queen of England for only nine days before the crown was taken away. In real life, she met her death via beheading in 1554. But, in My Lady Jane, she does become the Queen and has to deal with the schemes, jealousy, and other aspects of wielding power as a woman. This world sets up a class systems of veritans, people who cannot shapeshift into animals, and ethians, those who can shapeshift into animals. (For more on this show’s premise and characters, head to our complete explainer.) 

Considering its time period and fantasy elements, My Lady Jane’s crew had to make sure that the aesthetic details were on point. Upon our arrival, My Lady Jane was actively filming an elaborate coronation scene. Between takes, we were able to traverse the scene, taking in its intricate gold leaf detailing and decor. From an elaborate wine fountain to a massive dolphin head and ornate candelabras, I felt as though I’d stepped out of a time machine (the TARDIS, specifically) and into a completely different time.

My Lady Jane’s production designer Will Hughes-Jones, who also worked on Bridgerton, and set decorator Gina Cromwell, whose work has appeared on Downtown Abbey, were our guides. They led us through entire village sets, lofty towers, jail cells, a honeymoon suite, and more that comprise the show’s Tudor-era setting. The pair gave us a tour to three stages in one area of the studio and a larger warehouse on the other side, which was close to the show’s costume area. (More on the latter later!) 3D printing of buildings was actively happening as they broke down their process of drafting, model making, and physically constructing set pieces. 

Tai Gooden

We weren’t able to photograph much of the set to keep things under close wraps. However, we were able to take photos at the Swan Tavern, which Hughes-Jones said would double over as a barn and another tavern in the show. Recycling and reusing props are a major part of saving both time and money. It also helps with maintaining some consistency for the show’s overall design. “We had a lot of conversations with the showrunners and directors about how we can change things up to utilize them to the best of the economy that we can,” he affirmed. 

Once the set pieces are made, it is up to Gina to dress them and bring them to life. We see that shine through in several sitting areas and bedrooms, specifically through 28 tapestries. They are handmade and also contain detailing that tells a story about the characters. And, if you’re thinking that it is a typical set where there is no ceiling, think again. “We do ceilings because personally I think it’s important to put a ceiling on a set,” says Hughes-Jones. “It makes it feel real… I speak with the DP a lot and we work out how we can light through them.” 

One of the most intriguing rooms we witnessed was Jane’s room, which was filled with dried herbs and flowers. It truly gave us insight into her personality. “Jane is a bit of a herbalist,” Cromwell confirms. “She likes medicine and is a scientist, really, for this period. To hammer that home, there are a lot of herbs hanging up. There’s weird frogs and experimental things she would have had, like a still for making oils and distilling medicines. Also books…she’s brainy. In order to tell the story, we put them in so it helps the character evolve.” 

She affirms that they made many things themselves, considering My Lady Jane takes place hundreds of years ago. Cromwell and her team scoured antique stores that they would bring in and paint or reconstruct to fit their needs and accommodate space for crew and cameras. In terms of furniture, Cromwell wanted pieces with lots of and engraving carving on them. “A lot of the show is set at night,” she reveals. “So from our point of view, we are trying to see how the set will look in the dark. There’s a lot of candlelight and we need to reflect it off something.” 

Much of the overall set design draws inspiration from Will and Gina’s upbringings. “The whole Tudor period is a big project in primary school,” Cromwell said. “So you go to the castles and courts and it is kind of ingrained in us. Now we go back and look at those same things much closer. We get lots of books and look at all the art and tapestries from the time.”

“Part of the process when we are shooting on location and in the studio, I will go and look at ten castles or ten houses and choose one that works for the story,” Hughes-Jones chimes in. “Gina will come along. In the process, we will walk around and find interesting things to see. You’ll go through and say “oh, this room doesn’t work but I love that interesting little bit of paneling in the corner there” or “that window shape is really nice.” Both Gina and I have photo albums of thousands of random things. I spent a lot of time looking at floorboards because, during this period, not everywhere had flooring. There was dirt.” 

While we weren’t at location shooting, the set pieces along with actors scurrying about in their costumes was a wondrous sight. Speaking of costumes, a period drama absolutely has to bring its A++ game in that arena. That’s where costume designer Stephanie Collie (Peaky Blinders) comes into play. Witnessing her work onscreen and in photos is a joy but seeing it up close and personal is mind-blowing.

She takes us through a large room with rows and rows of costumes for nearly every major character. Some of them are duplicates to get through filming challenges. While it can be difficult to find materials when other Tudor-era series costume designers are also on the hunt, Collie traveled to make it happen. “We got stock from Italy, France, and from Spain,” Collie said. “You always need to have a basic kind of stock because sadly you just don’t have time to make everything, as much as you’d love to… I think the art department did amazing stuff with so much gold and we just hopefully added to that with the costumes.” 

Tai Gooden

Collie leaned into the character’s personalities and the reality of their circumstances to craft their wardrobes. “We’ve worked really hard to give everyone an arc in their story,” she said. “Jane [and her family] start off very poor to begin with and they don’t have much money. But Lady Frances (Jane’s mother) is trying to put on a wealthy front, but her dresses are probably from 10 years ago. Then when she gets to the palace, suddenly she’s got all these riches, all the jewels, and all the fabrics, so we made her clothing elaborate for that… I think of them as clothes, not costumes, and that the characters should try and wear them in a way that is believable.”

She jokes that Jane’s husband Guilford is, as he previously told us, a Tudor rockstar who wears lots of leather. Meanwhile, it made sense to keep Jane in simpler fabrics like linens and cotton at first. Then, she began to wear silks and beaded fabrics once she gets to the palace. Many things were sewn by hand, including the pearls on Jane’s wedding dress, which Collie jokingly says was not a fun experience for her team. Their hard work certainly meshes together to create some killer looks. 

My Lady Jane has the look and feel of both Tudor-era and fantasy. And, when the series hits Prime Video on June 27, fans will get to see everything onscreen and in motion. Get ready to watch Jane fight to keep her crown in the midst of a brewing conflict.

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M3GAN Getting ‘Erotic Thriller’ Spinoff Film Called SOULM8TE

M3GAN was the surprise horror hit of 2023, creating an instant icon in the dancing killer robot doll. So it came as no shock when they fast-tracked a sequel, M3GAN 2.0. Now, a spin-off of M3GAN is on its way as well, as Atomic Monster, Blumhouse, and Universal are developing SOULM8TE, a new film expanding on the M3GAN universe. SOULM8TE releases in theaters on January 2, 2026. Described as a throwback ’90s style erotic thriller with a technological twist, Kate Dolan will direct the film. The original script is by Rafael Jordan, with the story by James Wan, Ingrid Bisu, and Jordan. 

Universal Pictures

According to the official description for SOULM8TE, the story centers on a man who acquires an artificially intelligent android to cope with the loss of his recently deceased wife. In an attempt to create a truly sentient partner, he inadvertently turns a seemingly harmless robot into a deadly soulmate. In short, it sounds like it’s Fatal Attraction meets Short Circuit. And we’re totally here for that. We’re not entirely sure how much the world of this movie will actually connect to M3GAN, although we are hoping we see her pop up in some capacity. M3GAN 2.0 will arrive in theaters first, on June 27, 2025.

We hope that SOULM8TE is the kind of campy fun that M3GAN was, only with a more R-rated adult skew. Back in the ’80s, and especially the ’90s, the erotic thriller was one of the top genres at the worldwide box office. Movies like Basic Instinct enthralled audiences everywhere with their sexy suspense stories. Ok, so they were a little ridiculous too, which is why we still love them. Maybe for today’s audience, the only way to truly bring the genre back is to have an erotic killer robot. Universal Pictures’ SOULM8TE hits theaters on January 2, 2026.

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Patrick Dempsy Joins DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN Prequel Series Cast

The Dexter prequel series is starting to come together. Paramount+ with Showtime announced the cast of Dexter: Original Sin, including Patrick Gibson as Dexter and the always fantastic Christian Slater as Harry Morgan, Dexter’s adoptive father and a homicide detective. Molly Brown, who will portray Debra Morgan, Dexter’s younger sister, also joins. In addition Patrick Dempsey has come aboard Dexter: Original Sin in a series regular role.  

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images; Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images; Ted Ely

Deadline reveals that Dempsey will play Aaron Spencer, “the Captain of the Miami Metro Homicide department who has a decades-long relationship with Harry Morgan (Christian Slater).”

Additionally, James Martinez (Love Victor), Christina Milian (Falling Inn Love), Alex Shimizu (The Blacklist) and Reno Wilson (Mike & Molly). According to a release, “These four actors star as members of the Miami Metro Police Department. Martinez plays Angel Batista, an up-and-coming homicide detective who leads with his heart; Milian plays Maria LaGuerta, Miami Metro’s first female homicide detective; Shimizu plays Vince Masuka, a forensic analyst who eagerly shares his expertise while relishing the chance to boss around his new intern, Dexter Morgan; and Wilson plays Bobby Watt, Harry’s longtime partner and confidant.”

Here’s a brief synopsis of Dexter: Original Sin to accompany the cast announcement: 

Set in 1991 Miami, DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN follows Dexter (Gibson) as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry (Slater), he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcements’ radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.    

What Is the Release Date for Dexter: Original Sin?

The release date for Dexter: Original Sin is unknown at this time. 

Originally published on May 23, 2024.

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BATMAN: CAPED CRUSADER Casts Christina Ricci and Hamish Linklater as Catwoman and Batman

The new animated series Batman: Caped Crusader sounds more and more interesting with each new reveal. The 1940s-set noir superhero show comes to us from the all-star creative team of Bruce Timm, Matt Reeves, and J.J. Abrams. Now, we finally have a voice cast revealed. Via The Hollywood Reporter, we’ve learned that Midnight Mass star Hamish Linklater is our new Batman/Bruce Wayne, and iconic Wednesday and Yellowjackets star Christina Ricci will portray Catwoman/Selina Kyle in Batman: Caped Crusader. The series, set to debut on Prime Video later this summer, has also dropped a voice-cast announcement video. You can check out that video right here:

The names behind the heroes and villains of Batman: Caped Crusader, premiering August 1 pic.twitter.com/pJ5ta1o7nI

— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) June 20, 2024

They have also announced several other actors for the show’s period accurate first season. Among them is Jamie Chung (Sucker Punch) voicing a new take on Harley Quinn/Dr. Harleen Quinzel. She is now a character introduced independently of the Joker. She’ll also have a romantic relationship with detective Rene Montoya in the series. Meanwhile, Diedrich Bader will voice Gotham D.A. Harvey Dent, and eventually, the villainous Two-Face. This is a role reversal for Bader, who voiced Bruce Wayne in Batman: Brave and the Bold, and other animated projects.

Netflix/Warner Bros. Animation

Other voice actors cast in currently unknown roles include Minnie Driver, John DiMaggio, McKenna Grace, Jason Watkins, Paul Scheer, Reid Scott, David Krumholtz, Haley Joel Osment, and Toby Stephens. Among the villains revealed for season one thus far are Clayface, the Gentlemen Ghost, Natalia Knight/Nocturna, and Onomotapia. No word yet on iconic Gotham baddies like Joker, Riddler, and Penguin. Below is the official series description for Batman: Caped Crusader from Prime Video:

Welcome to Gotham City, where the corrupt outnumber the good, criminals run rampant and law-abiding citizens live in a constant state of fear. Forged in the fire of tragedy, wealthy socialite Bruce Wayne becomes something both more and less than human—the Batman. His one-man crusade attracts unexpected allies within the GCPD and City Hall, but his heroic actions spawn deadly, unforeseen ramifications.

The entire 10-episode season of Batman: Caped Crusader will drop on Prime Video on August 10, so we will hear Hamish Linklater and Christina Ricci soon.

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Legendary Actor Donald Sutherland Dies at Age 88

Iconic actor Donald Sutherland has died at the age of 88 after a long illness. The sad news arrives to us via Deadline. With over 200 film and television credits to his name, Sutherland became a household name in the ’70s. All thanks to films like The Dirty Dozen, M*A*S*H, Klute, and the suspense classic Don’t Look Now. The Canadian-born actor also starred in movies such as JFK, Backdraft, and Pride and Prejudice, to name a few. Donald Sutherland capped off a legendary career with a villainous turn as President Snow in The Hunger Games franchise. Of course, he’s also the father of another iconic actor in his own right, Kiefer Sutherland. We’re very sorry to hear about the death of this legend.

Lionsgate

Donald Sutherland was born in 1935 in New Brunswick, Canada. At 20 years old, he departed Canada for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Not too long after excelling there, he began appearing in several horror films with the iconic Christopher Lee. His big break in film came in 1968, starring in the blockbuster war movie The Dirty Dozen. He soon became one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors. He starred in serious dramas like Ordinary People, and raunchy comedies like Animal House, proving his versatility. Sutherland also racked up an impressive list of sci-fi and horror roles, like the 1978 Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Puppet Masters, and as Buffy Summers’ first Watcher in the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Thanks to his outspoken views about his opposition to the Vietnam War, Donald Sutherland found himself on a CIA watchlist in the early ’70s, right as he became world famous. None of this hurt his career, though. Aside from his acting roles, in his later years, Sutherland became a blogger for The Huffington Post, chronicling the 2008 Presidential election. Despite his incredibly impressive resume, somehow, Donald Sutherland never received an Academy Award. However, the Academy granted him an honorary Oscar in 2017 for his lifetime of work. However, Sutherland won several Emmys and a pair of Golden Globes as well. Sutherland is survived by his wife, Canadian actress Francine Racette, and his five children. Although Sutherland’s death is sad news indeed, few are likely to forget his storied career.

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THE BOYS Is Hinting at a Homelander Prequel Spinoff Series, and It Could Be Rad

The Boys will end its story in a fifth and final season. We know that Eric Kripke plans to continue Gen V for a few more seasons and create other The Boys spinoffs, too. And we are getting some very, very strong hints that The Boys‘ main villain, Homelander, could be getting a prequel spinoff series. Is this a good idea? I think so, if it is approached the right way. 

Jasper Savage/Prime Video

In episode four of season four, Homelander spends time confronting some of his deepest and earliest core wounds. He goes back to the Vought lab where he was born and raised for a “family reunion” of sorts. He confronts a couple of people who mistreated him as a child. Of course, Homelander gets bloody revenge on pretty much everyone, setting the stage for him to become even more unhinged. This small peek into Homelander’s origin story gives us a lot of context to some of his frankly disturbing proclivities. A prequel Homelander series would further establish how he became such a twisted being. 

I am not super interested in seeing a very young Homelander get tortured by adults. That just seems overly brutal, even for this universe’s standards. But I think the period from where he becomes “The Homelander” at age 16 through him becoming the leader of the Seven is an intriguing part of his life that we know little about. After spending years with lots of isolation and brainwashing, how did he learn to navigate larger society and become the hero of America? What challenges did he face? His journey from socially awkward supe loner to the cunning leader we all know would be fun to witness. It would largely hinge on finding the right young man to compliment Antony Starr’s flawless portrayal of an adult Homelander.

Hacked into the Vought vault to find this Season 1 bonus scene. New fuckin nightmare coming your way tomorrow. #HomeSweetHome pic.twitter.com/NpNauYOVnx

— THE BOYS (@TheBoysTV) June 19, 2024

I am not always a fan of trying to humanize a villain. But the duality of having the powers of a god yet the innate human need for love, family, and approval, even after excruciating torture, makes Homelander such an effective antagonist. Sure, we could get flashbacks to his young child and pre-teen days in a The Boys spinoff series, like what The Boys posted on social media with the hashtag #HomeSweetHome. (Is that a title hint? I’d like for it to be Home Sweet Home(lander) personally.)

But that shouldn’t be the primary focus of a Homelander prequel spinoff series. By aiming at his late teen and early 20s, we’d get a chance to meet other members of the OG Seven, like Queen Maeve, at a more impressionable point of their lives, too. Maybe we can discover what happened to Mister Marathon, whom A-Train replaced prior to the events of The Boys. In fact, The Boys could even make it a true “Dawn of the Seven” spinoff story about how they all came together but with a larger focus on Homelander’s story.

Right now, we don’t know if Homelander will survive the events of The Boys or not. (My guess is he’s going to stick around.) But, if Homelander does, it wouldn’t be out of the realm for him to appear on other The Boys spinoffs. A prequel series would be an excellent way to have a complete picture of Homelander as he moves forward. In fact, it could even connect to what we get in The Boys: Mexico or future Gen V seasons. Who knows how far Dr. Vouglebaum’s reach extends? Let’s see where this wild world takes us the in future.

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THE ACOLYTE Introduces Its Mysterious Sith Lord Villain, ‘The Master’

If there was one character that stood out in all of The Acolyte‘s promotional materials, it was the mysterious Sith Lord who hides his face behind a mask. Truly, this enemy of the Jedi is one of the most fearsome creations to ever emerge from a Star Wars property. But although his identity remains shrouded in mystery, Star Wars dark side fans didn’t have to wait long to meet his evil Sith. What did we learn about the menacing evil referred to as “The Master” in The Acolyte‘s first episodes? Let’s take a look.

The Sith Lord Known as “The Master” Wants Mae to Kill Jedi Without a Weapon in The AcolyteLucasfilm

We only saw The Acolyte‘s villainous Sith Lord once in the series’ first two episodes. Mae meets with him on a deserted beach located on an unknown planet. But in her later scenes with Qimir, we learn a bit more about this so-called “Master” and his agenda for Mae.

Mae reveals she has been tasked to kill four Jedi, seemingly by The Master. But from what she shares, the Sith Lord specifically wants her to kill a Jedi without using a weapon. So far, Mae has not been successful in these pursuits. She kills Jedi Master Indara with a knife and Jedi Master Torbin with poison from Qimir. But she notes that she has two Jedi left to kill in order to fulfill The Master’s command.

Lucasfilm

Qimir also seems to be in some way involved with the masked Sith Lord. When Osha poses as Mae, he believes for a moment Mae has succeeded in her task and notes, “Wait, you killed Torbin without the poison. He will be so pleased.” It remains to be seen how Qimir, who on the face appears more innocent than the rest, is mixed up with the Sith.

The Master and His SpeechLucasfilm

When Mae meets with The Acolyte‘s villain at the end of the first episode, the Sith Lord offers the following speech. He intones, “The Jedi live in a dream, a dream they believe everyone shares, if you attack a Jedi with a weapon you will fail, steel or laser are no threat to them, but an Acolyte, an Acolyte kills without a weapon. An Acolyte kills the dream.”

Perhaps this has to do with why The Master is so set that Mae kills a Jedi without a weapon. The Sith Lord’s speech seems to imply that Jedi can only be taken down via emotional attacks/attacks to their spirit. And maybe that’s what The Master hopes Mae will learn to do. But for now, the practical aims of this villain’s mission remain unclear.

The Master Kills Wookiee Jedi KelnaccaLucasfilm

Although the Master wants Mae to kill the Jedi who oversaw the tragedy on her planet, as she begins to shy away from her mission, he intervenes. But for all his talk, he doesn’t seem to kill without a weapon, either. In episode four of The Acolyte, we find the Wookiee Jedi dead in his home with two lightsaber slashes decorating his chest. Outside the hut, our Jedi heroes gather to take Mae in, but they’re interrupted as the Master emerges from the woods of Khofar. The Sith Lord uses the force to fling Osha away and draws his red lightsaber, ready for a fight.

Who Is Star Wars: The Acolyte’s Mysterious Sith Lord?

But just who is Star Wars: The Acolyte‘s mysterious Sith Lord villain? Well, it’s much too soon to tell. Although we do have some theories. We’re sure there will be a reveal, and it will be a good one, sooner rather than later.

Is this Villainous Sith Lord the Titular Acolyte on The Acolyte, or Is Mae?

Another natural question around Star Wars: The Acolyte is related to the identity of the titular Acolyte. Of course, the series seems to imply Mae is the Acolyte in question. But it could be that The Master is also a candidate for the position. We’ll have to wait and see.

Here Are Other Looks at Star Wars: The Acolyte‘s Sith Lord Villain Click To View Gallery Lucasfilm Lucasfilm Lucasfilm

The identity and motivations of Star Wars: The Acolyte‘s villainous Sith Lord will surely unroll over time. But as we wait to find out more, here are the images of “The Master” that we’ve seen so far.

The Acolyte is now airing on Disney+.

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