Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 298

New JURASSIC WORLD Movie Heads to Thailand, Receives Warning Not to Damage Environment

Universal isn’t waiting around to relaunch one of its signature franchises. The studio is already developing a seventh film Jurassic Park/World movie. And it won’t take long to arrive in theaters. Universal has already carved out a prime 2025 summer release date. Who will star in it? Who is making it? And what is it about?

The latest news about the new Jurassic World suggests the movie is heading to Thailand. Per Variety, we saw that Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan noted that Thailand is honored to host the filming, however “It is strictly required that they comply with relevant laws and regulations, and must not affect and damage natural resources and the environment.” That sounds like a fair deal to us.

Here’s everything we know about the new Jurassic World movie so far.

Title

As of now, the new Jurassic Park/Jurassic World movie remains untitled.

New Jurassic World Movie’s PlotUniversal

The untitled movie also lacks an official synopsis. What we do know is that it will explore a “new” Jurassic era and story, in what it being described as a franchise reboot. If history is any guide it will also launch another trilogy. (Jurassic Planet? Jurassic Universe?)

New Jurassic World CastMarvel Studios

The upcoming Jurassic World movie will feature an all-new cast headlined by original Avenger Scarlett Johansson. Rupert Friend (Obi-Wan Kenobi) is also getting in on the modern prehistoric mayhem. Other performers reportedly in discussion to join the film include Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Lincoln Lawyer), Luna Blaise (Manifest), and two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali.

Behind the ScenesUniversal

David Koepp, who wrote both Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World, is returning to pen the franchise’s seventh installment. Rogue One‘s Gareth Edwards will direct after The Fall Guy‘s David Leitch stepped down. Filming will begin this year and will have a quick post-production timeline.

Jurassic World trilogy producer Frank Marshall is returning for the series’ latest installment. Series alum Patrick Crowley is also back for dinosaur mayhem. And original franchise director Steven Spielberg is also serving as an executive producer via Amblin Entertainment.

New Jurassic World Movie’s Release Date

pic.twitter.com/GJhiqIgCJc

— Jurassic World (@JurassicWorld) February 6, 2024

We won’t have to wait long for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie. It will come to theaters on July 2, 2025.

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HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Renewed for Season 3 at HBO

What a shocking twist! Game of Thrones‘ lavish spinoff, House of the Dragon, has been renewed for season three at HBO. Ahead of House of the Dragon‘s season two premiere on June 16, HBO renewed the series for its next season. House of the Dragon season three, here we come!

HBO

Here’s what Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, had to say about this House of the Dragon renewal:

George, Ryan, and the rest of our incredible executive producers, cast, and crew, have reached new heights with the phenomenal second season of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON. We are in awe of the dragon-sized effort the entire team has put into the creation of a spectacular season two, with a scope and scale that is only rivaled by its heart. We could not be more thrilled to continue the story of House Targaryen and watch this team burn bright again for season three.

HBO

We can’t really say we feel surprised that House of the Dragon will see season three. We’d honestly be way more surprised if HBO canceled it at this point. The series promises to bring to life some riveting parts of the Game of Thrones novel Fire & Blood, like the infamous “Blood and Cheese” moment. And we can’t wait to see what’s in store. But hey, it always feels good to go into a season of TV knowing another one will follow. That’s not always a guarantee at this point. And we definitely can’t wait to see more dragons.

So, even though we do not feel surprised, shocked, or even a little taken aback by this news, we are happy to hear that House of the Dragon has been renewed for season three. Fire, blood, cheese, dragons, wigs, and whatever else awaits us. We are ready.

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Who Are the New Members of the Seven in THE BOYS?

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Spoilers ahead for the first three episodes of The Boys season four.

Since The Boys‘ earlier seasons, the Seven collective has been in near-constant flux. At the end of season three, the group was barely clinging on with only Homelander, the Deep, and A-Train remaining. Homelander’s continuous mental unraveling and overall instability certainly hasn’t made it easy to find replacements either. But the Vought supe team is determined to move forward in season four with three new weapons in its arsenal: Sister Sage, Firecracker, and a new Black Noir (!!!). We learn a lot about these Seven members in the first three episodes, so let’s dive into their stories. 

Jasper Savage/Prime VideoSister Sage Is the Smartest Person in the World, Homelander’s New Right-Hand Woman, and Vought’s True CEO 

The first addition is Sister Sage, a Black woman from Detroit whose superpower is being the smartest person in the world. A-Train is against her joining the Seven because of their previous history together in Teenage Kix, a group similar to the one in the DC Universe’s Young Justice. (We have only heard of Teenage Kix in the TV show but they haven’t been seen outside of the comics.)

A-Train thinks Sister Sage is annoying and not an asset but Homelander personally seeks her out for a few reasons. First, he is aging and concerned about the world/legacy he’s leaving for Ryan. Second, he wants to use her brain to help him figure out how to find fulfillment and joy in his new role as a leader so he can keep the Vought train running. Third, he’s tired of everyone always agreeing with him and wants someone to actually be useful. Fourth, he wants to destroy Starlight and the Boys collective for good.

Meet Sage. She’s already a thousand steps ahead of you.

And let's just say Firecracker has a short fuse. pic.twitter.com/Ci3li8j1LJ

— THE BOYS (@TheBoysTV) October 10, 2022

Sage is interested in gaining some level of power and influence, so she joins Homelander and she is absolutely on some diabolical s**t. From killing Homelander fans to frame Starlighters to setting traps for the Boys, Sage is pulling all sorts of strings. Outside of calling the shots and causing chaos, her other motivations aren’t super clear at this time. But she’s playing the hell out of everyone to the point that she’s Vought’s CEO now. Ashley is relegated to a figurehead whom even the Deep doesn’t respect anymore. Speaking of him, she’s messing around with him and mayyybeeee killed his octopus bae. Good times. 

Firecracker Is a Conspiracy Theorist With a Connection to Starlight’s Past 

One of Sage’s tasks is to bring in someone new who can take the Seven to another level. She finds Firecracker, who makes videos and does “truther” conferences where she spreads all sorts of weird theories and lies. One of her main targets is Starlight, whom she says is running a child sex trafficking ring with Tom Hanks and Oprah. (I know, I know.) Sage feels like Firecracker has the right spark to galvanize Homelander fans into destroying those who support Starlight and her foundation. Starlight eventually confronts Firecracker, who reveals that she was on the pageant circuit with Starlight when they were younger.

Prime Video

Then know as Sparkler, she was ousted from the pageant world after Starlight spread a rumor about her having inappropriate sexual relations with judges. Starlight said that was the only reason that “fat, white trash” like her would be in that world. So this explains why Firecracker has so much spite for her. She says she will do whatever she can to expose Annie for the heartless b***h that she truly is. Starlight is obviously remorseful for her childhood actions but now she will have to face her past in a new way.

Firecracker is also very eager to win Homelander’s affections, which makes her even more dangerous. Unlike the more reclusive Sage, Firecracker has an audience and influence among the same demographic that supports Homelander. 

The New Black Noir Is a God U Graduate and Super ChattyJasper Savage/Prime Video

The funniest addition to the Seven is a new Black Noir. We don’t know who is under the mask but he’s very actor-y and constantly complains about not knowing what they want from him. He’s obviously willing to play along and even kill but he is also annoying everyone around him. Maybe he’s someone we’ve met before but it is likely that he’s a new character whose face we will see in the near future.

There is still one spot open in the Seven so we will have to see who takes that final chair at Homelander’s roundtable of foolishness.

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Who Is Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Character on THE BOYS? Butcher’s Former Colleague, Explained

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In the first episode of The Boys season four, we finally get to meet Joe Kessler, the mysterious character played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Until now, we only knew that he used to work with Butcher in some capacity. He’s admittedly not in the show’s first three episodes a lot. But we do get to know more about who Jeffrey Dean Morgan is playing on The Boys. 

Jasper Savage/Prime Video

Episode one takes place six months after the events of season three. Billy Butcher is sick, no longer the leader of the Boys,and, well, pretty much everyone around him hates him. After a failed mission to kill Vice President-elect Victoria Neuman, Grace Mallory and President-elect Robert Singer call MM in for a heavy scolding. Butcher is not welcomed into the room but he is shocked with Joe Kessler appears at the CIA office. They worked together at the CIA and were in a war on some covert s**t. It’s been over 10 years ago, so they exchange some pleasantries and jokes before catching up over coffee.

Joe asks why Butcher is still trying to be down with the Boys. Butcher says he will get his leadership position back. Butcher is laser focused on killing Homelander and saving Ryan while Joe is clearly frustrated about Mallory’s preoccupation with killing Victoria Neuman. Joe says they need someone like him before supes start rounding up humans and putting them into camps. It’s not totally clear who the “they” is but we can assume that Joe is working on something behind Mallory’s back. 

We see Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Joe Kessler again in episode three after Butcher admits to the Boys that he only has months to live. MM is unwilling to help Butcher with his dying mission of getting Ryan away from Homelander for good. So he goes to Kessler for assistance. Joe gives Butcher a powerful drug that will knock Ryan out and allow them to essentially hold him hostage at Grace’s safehouse. Butcher bakes the drug into cookies but, after opening up about his fears of dying, decides to earn his trust instead.

Karl Urban/Instagram

Joe feels like Butcher is wasting precious time. He reveals that he looked into Butcher’s medical files and knows about his diagnosis. He also says they “need” Ryan because the whole world is about to burn. This angers Butcher because he doesn’t want Ryan to be a killing asset. Joe warns that they either figure out how to train him or they may have to figure out how to kill him. Honestly, they are both making valid points. Ryan is only 12 years old and maybe shouldn’t be trained to be a soldier. However, his lack of training could prove to be dangerous. He did (accidentally) fling a man into the side of the building and crush him, after all. The question is whether Joe is someone with good intentions or not.

Is Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s The Boys Character Joe Kessler From the Comics?

There isn’t a Joe Kessler in The Boys comics but there is a Howard Kessler. He’s a CIA analyst who feeds the Boys information. Butcher calls him Monkey due to a gross incident that happened at a brothel. Howard Kessler is a terrible person who tries to sexually assault a woman. Butcher responds to this by having his dog Terror deliver sickening justice. I’d rather not get into all that but it seems that Joe’s last name is simply a nod to that character and nothing more.

Right now, he’s the only friend that Butcher has who will help him complete his final missions. Let’s see what else we learn about Joe Kessler this season.

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Marvel’s BLADE Reboot Loses Its Second Director

In what seems now like a running joke, the Marvel Studios version of Blade has lost another director. According to a report from Variety, director Yann Demange (Lovecraft Country), will no longer direct the film. This makes Demange the second director to walk away from the project. Director Bassam Tariq exited an earlier version intended to go into production in 2022. The studio also announced that screenwriter Eric Pearson, who co-wrote The Fantastic Four for Marvel, is the latest writer taking a crack at the Blade script. The report suggests that star Mahershala Ali is still on board as the titular hero, although other actors have departed the project.

Marvel Comics

In a big bit of fanfare, Kevin Feige announced that Oscar winner Mahershala Ali was starring as the day-walking half-human/half-vampire superhero on stage at Comic-Con 2019. Since that announcement five years ago, nothing has gone right with this project. Writers have come and gone, and now two directors have left. Nevertheless, Marvel Studios seems committed to making this one happen, come hell or high water. Ever since the character’s Wesley Snipes trilogy in the late ’90s and early 2000s, the Marvel hero has become iconic. So, needless to say, the property remains a priority for Marvel. We’re not sure why it’s so hard coming up with a good vampire hunter story, but here we are.

The only time we’ve had an MCU performance by Mahershela Ali as Blade was a quick voice cameo at the end of Eternals. Sadly, three years later, nothing has come of that post-credits scene. First appearing in Tomb of Dracula #10, Blade has been a mainstay of Marvel Comics for five decades. One way or another, Marvel Studios is determined to bring him back to the big screen. It just may take a few more years for that to happen. The film still has a late 2025 release date, but we wouldn’t hold our breath for that one to pan out.

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How INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Changes a Key Moment from the Original Novel’s Ending

AMC’s Interview with the Vampire series just changed and embellished a major part of the book it’s based on. In episode five of season two, “Don’t Be Afraid, Just Start the Tape,” we get a proper flashback to Daniel’s 1973 interview with Louis in San Francisco. Luke Brandon Field plays Eric Bogosian’s character of reporter Daniel Molly in the flashbacks. Things suddenly go off the rails in this version of the interview, far more than they ever did in Rice’s original novel. Here’s how the Interview with the Vampire series changed and expanded on a major moment in the original novel’s ending.

Please note: The following article contains discussions of sensitive themes.

[image error]AMC Networks

Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire was published in 1976, but she actually wrote it in 1973. This is likely why the series placed Daniel’s original interview in that year. In the novel, we never really know where Louis encountered Daniel, simply called “the Boy” in the book, and agreed to an interview with him. (The name Daniel Molloy is not attributed to him until book three, The Queen of the Damned). The novel starts with the interview already in progress. However, Rice implies that they met at a bar in Interview with the Vampire. The series makes that official, with Daniel agreeing to interview with Louis in a San Francisco pub called Polynesian Mary’s.

This is but a small change, though; the Interview with the Vampire series goes on to alter events from the book much more deeply than this clarification. Before we get into that, though, let’s look at what originally happened.

AMC Networks

In the Interview with the Vampire novel, Louis is alone when Daniel interviews him. At the end of the interview, Daniel begs Louis to give the vampire life one more shot, pleading with him to make him into a vampire, and his companion. Louis is disgusted at Daniel’s request, feeling the entire point of his story was lost on him. An enraged Louis then attacks and bites Daniel, yet stops short of killing him. In the novel, Daniel wakes up the next day, grateful for his life but drained of blood. He runs off, interview tapes in tow, looking for Lestat, based on the clues in Louis’ confessions.

Meanwhile, in the 1994 Interview with the Vampire film, Louis attacks Daniel, but doesn’t feed from him. Daniel escapes that very night, and it is Lestat who appears in his car and bites him. The Interview with the Vampire TV series changes the events of that original interview session even more than the movie did.

AMC Networks

In the series, we learn that Daniel wasn’t alone with Louis while interviewing him for one night in the early ‘70s. When he asks Louis to make him into a vampire, the vampire flies into a rage just as in the novel. Louis bites him, but this is where things change in the Interview with the Vampire series change drastically from Rice’s prose. The vampire Armand (Assad Zaman) suddenly arrives on the scene, and saves Daniel from Louis’ bloodlust and wrath. Louis then explodes on Armand, partially due to the drugs in Daniel’s system, which he just took into his own body.

Louis proceeds to tell Armand that life with him is boring and dull and colorless, and has been for decades. Armand, meanwhile, is furious at how obvious it is that Louis never got over his maker, Lestat, given how often he mentioned him in the interview. A despondent Louis then leaves the house in the middle of the day, ready to meet the sun and die. He talks about his beloved Claudia calling to him from beyond. The morning sun begins to scald his skin, but Armand rescues him, although he is badly burnt and in agony.

AMC Networks

As Louis lies in bed suffering and burnt, windows blocking out sunlight with newspapers, a very angry Armand takes mental control of Daniel’s body, forcing him to recall painful memories he’s pried from his mind, a major change in events from Interview with the Vampire. He keeps him hostage in their home in San Francisco for up to six days. Next to him is the corpse of an unfortunate neighbor Armand killed after he witnessed the events of the morning. Armand feels jealousy toward him, as Louis confessed things to Daniel he never told Armand. Eventually, at Louis’ request, he chooses not to kill Daniel, although that was his original plan. He erases his memory of everything but the interview with Louis, up until the point Louis attacked him.

AMC Networks

In the modern day in Dubai, Louis realizes that Armand “edited” his memories of the events as well, making him forget his suicide by sun attempt and the violent argument that preceded it. It’s only in the modern day that both Louis and Daniel realize Armand has been removing their memories to his liking, something that doesn’t sit well with either the vampire or interviewer. What will happen now that both Louis and Daniel know what Armand has done to their minds? We’ll have to wait and see how the rest of Interview with the Vampire season two plays out and how it continues to change or stays to true its original source texts.

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Live-Action MOANA Movie Casts Lead Actress Catherine Laga‘aia

It usually takes some time for an animated Disney film to get a live-action film adaptation. But according to the Mouse House, they’re bringing the beloved 2016 film Moana into live-action. This film was meant to hit theaters in 2025, but now, the live-action Moana movie is coming on July 10, 2026. That actually works, considering it will be the tenth anniversary of the original movie. Production on the movie will begin in the fall of 2024. The Moana live-action movie has even released cast information, including for its new Moana actress, Catherine Laga‘aia.

The Live-Action Moana Movie Casts Its Moana and Other Characters[image error]Disney

A release from Disney reveals, “Catherine Laga‘aia will be voyaging to Motunui and beyond as the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people in Disney’s upcoming live-action Moana.” Laga‘aia notes,  “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites. My grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

Click To View Gallery Disney Disney Disney

Joining Laga‘aia are “Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, NZ, was cast as the revered Gramma Tala. Previously announced, Dwayne Johnson, who voiced larger-than-life demigod Maui in the 2016 animated version of the film, will reprise his role.”

Moana is directed by Thomas Kail,

Dwayne Johnson Returns to Live-Action Moana

Yes, this live-action Moana will see one of its original stars producing and starring. And yes, that star is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who played the part of demigod Maui in the original film. Johnson tweeted the official announcement of his return to the world of Moana, which you can watch right here:

Humbled to say we’re bringing #MOANA’s beautiful story to the live action big screen!#MAUI changed my life (miss you grandpa) and I’m honored to partner with @DisneyStudios to tell our story thru the realm of music & dance, which at the core is who we are as Polynesian people🪝 pic.twitter.com/CxJFKQewUS

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 3, 2023

The Walt Disney Company and Dwayne Johnson also released this statement on the new, live-action iteration of Moana:

I’m deeply humbled and overcome with gratitude to bring the beautiful story of Moana to the live-action big screen. This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength. I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me. I want to thank my partners at Disney for their strong commitment to this special endeavor, because there is no better world for us to honor the story of our people, our passion and our purpose than through the realm of music and dance, which is at the core of who we are as Polynesian people.

The Walt Disney Company Auli‘i Cravalho Will Not Return in Live-Action Moana

Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated film, is also one of the producers. She shared on Instagram in May that she, however, would not be reprising the role of Moana. Cravalho said, “As an executive producer on the film, I cannot wait to help find the next actress to portray Moana’s courageous spirit, undeniable wit, and emotional strength.”

What Is the Release Date for the Live-Action Moana Movie?

The live-action Moana will arrive in theaters on July 10, 2026.

Originally published on April 3, 2023.

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Everything We Know About DISNEY LORCANA’s Next Set, Shimmering Skies

Disney Lorcana is a game that has only continued to pick up speed and fan love. And without anyone realizing it, the release of Disney Lorcana‘s fifth set is here. Ravensburger has announced the next set of Disney Lorcana cards will be called Shimmering Skies and has given us a brand new look at what’s in store. Here’s everything we know about this magical fifth set, Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies.

Title

As mentioned, the fifth set of Disney Lorcana cards is called Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies.

Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies’ Story

Disney Lorcana‘s fifth release will continue the story told in the first four sets of cards. A release shares, “The realm of Lorcana holds a great festival to celebrate its recent victory over Ursula, which concluded the previous set, Ursula’s Return, filling the realm with fun and revelry. During the celebration, a new mystery begins to unfold as parts of the Great Illuminary fall off, crashing down around the crowd.”

Uh-oh, what could that mean for Disney Lorcana? We’ll just have to play Shimmering Skies and find out.

Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies‘ New Franchise and CharactersRavensburger

One of the most exciting parts of Disney Lorcana is the gorgeous new renditions of familiar and beloved Disney characters. Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies will bring Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph into the mix. A release notes, this Disney franchise will join “Lorcana in a substantial way and is the franchise’s first appearance since Ralph appeared on the Pick a Fight action card in Rise of the Floodborn.” That’s very exciting for fans of this particular Disney adventure. New Wreck It-Ralph characters coming to Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies include “Wreck-It Ralph, Vanellope Von Schweetz, King Candy, Fix-It Felix, Jr” Additionally, Elemental spirits from Frozen 2, including Bruni and Gale, will join in the Disney Lorcana fun.

Click To View Gallery Ravensburger Ravensburger Ravensburger Ravensburger Ravensburger Ravensburger Ravensburger Ravensburger Ravensburger Ravensburger Ravensburger

A release additionally shares, “Shimmering Skies features Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph with the introduction of Disney characters like Vanellope Von Schweetz and Fix-it Felix, Jr. In addition, players can anticipate new gameplay mechanics with an evolved story with gorgeous art – all of which is infused with electric energy that amplifies both the celebration and the gameplay. More details on mechanics and other cards will be unveiled closer to availability. All cards in this set can be used to update existing Disney Lorcana TCG decks or played alongside the previously released sets, The First Chapter, Rise of the Floodborn, Into the Inklands, and Ursula’s Return.”

What Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies Will IncludeRavensburger

The Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies release will include the following

Two Starter DecksAmethyst and Ruby (Elsa and Wreck-It Ralph) Emerald and Steel (Scar and Kronk) Illumineer’s TroveContains: (8) booster packs, lore counter, card dividers and new shimmering diceTwo new Deck Sleeves and BoxesFeatured glimmers are fan favorites from sets 1 and 2Tiana – Celebrating PrincessAladdin – Heroic OutlawTwo New PortfoliosBack of card artwork (Front and back)Six glimmers by artist Nicholas Kole across the front and backDisney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies Release Date

Disney Lorcana will be released at local game stores, Disney Stores, and Disney Parks on August 9, 2024. Shimmering Skies will then be released by mass market retailers and DisneyStore.com on August 23, 2024. 

A Disney Lorcana and Disney VIllainous: Introduction to Evil CrossoverRavensburger

Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies and Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil will be having a crossover this summer. An exclusive, alternate-art, foil version of the Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies card, Prince John – Gold Lover, will be available in new, stickered, and limited copies of Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil board game. This limited-edition Disney Lorcana card will be illustrated in the art style of Disney Villainous.

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An Uneven INSIDE OUT 2 Will Leave You Feeling Underwhelmed

Inside Out 2 is a movie at conflict with itself, both literally and figuratively. The plot of the film features emotions battling for control of Riley, in a story full of beautiful ideas about what it means to grow up and establish our own identities. It’s a coming-of-age tale about the struggles we face building the personal belief system that will both guide and define us. It also has some genuinely funny scenes and characters. That provides the balance of heart and comedy you expect from a Pixar movie.

But Inside Out 2 has too many ideas without the time or space to explore most with enough depth. It’s also so desperate to be clever it’s often groan-inducing. But what really holds it back are its new emotions. The film introduces feelings that say they’re complex, but are really (at best) derivative, or (much worse) downright confusing. That includes the film’s villain, Anxiety (Maya Hawke), a character that makes Inside Out 2 downright terrifying for kids.

With both so much going for it and so many fundamental issues, it definitely evokes one strong emotion: “meh.”

Inside Out 2 reunites us with its young star who recently turned 13. Riley is an almost perfect child to an annoying degree. That’s intentional and has a meaningful payoff by the end of the film. But it’s still less interesting than if she were obviously flawed to start. How perfect is she? Riley is a better hockey player than Wayne Gretzky. That sounds like hyperbole but is laughably not.

Riley’s problems begin when puberty hits the same exciting day she gets news that would devastate any teenager. That’s the worst possible time because she doesn’t know how to handle so many big moments at once. Puberty means her brain gets all new, unexpected emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment.

Disney/Pixar

The result is a film with a clear villain. Anxiety banishes the old emotions, including head emotion honcho Joy (Amy Poehler), from Riley’s control panel. She then begins to remake Riley in her own nervous image. Only, Anxiety also seems to be wholly responsible for Riley’s ambition, which is weird. Anxiety is also responsible for any sense of planning and forethought, which is also weird. But Anxiety is also full of fear, even though the literal emotion Fear is still around. Meanwhile, Envy and Embarrassment also overlap with Sadness and Disgust, who also overlaps with Ennui. It’s not exactly clear plot-wise or thematically why all these similar emotions exist. They seem to only exist so the movie can. That’s a big and consistent problem that detracts from the film.

We’re told these emotions are “more complex,” but it doesn’t make sense when the first film wonderfully established that feeling different emotions at the same time is complex. Why have individual, well-defined emotions at all if some convey the same feelings? And why is Anxiety—presented as a troubling emotion that is hard to control and capable of ruining your life—also responsible for things that seem good? For a film focused on what it means to have a “sense of self,” Inside Out 2 also doesn’t seem to understand itself.

Disney/Pixar

Anxiety’s issues are not just for adults. The emotion’s total dominance and fear-mongering makes this a tough viewing for young kids. Some will be old enough to understand the film’s broad ideas but not old enough to get all the nuance. The result might very well be them dreading getting older. I mean, fair, but not exactly fun.

It is also is very, very, very hit-or-miss with its humor. The film features some surprise characters and concepts that are as good as anything in the original film. (Minus Bing Bong, the greatest character ever). Please try to avoid spoilers for those characters hidden away in Riley’s mind. They’re the movie’s best surprises and how they’re handled are among the film’s best moments. The problem is Inside Out 2 also has some gags, and “clever” ideas that are absolute duds and worse. There are moments so painfully unfunny, Dread might as well have been a new emotion.

Disney/Pixar

Despite its rushed plot and confusing characters, Inside Out 2 sticks the landing both emotionally and thematically. Everything ultimately comes together exactly how you think it will. Being predictable doesn’t stop the ending from being effective. Like its beloved predecessor, it captures the complexity of being a living, emotional, flawed, creature full of contradictions.

The uneven journey of highs and lows on the way to that ending, though, is why Inside Out 2 left me feeling underwhelmed. That’s better than feeling anxious, but that’s not nearly as good as feeling joy.

⭐ (2.5 of 5)

Inside Out 2, directed by Kelsey Mann, stars: Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Ayo Edebiri, Lilimar, Grace Lu, Sumayyah, Nuriddin-Green, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Paul Walter Hauser and Yvette Nicole Brown. It comes to theaters on June 13, 2024.

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Watch Comedians Perform a Live Reading of THE PHANTOM MENACE

Somehow, it’s been 25 years since the release of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. As if I didn’t already feel like ambulatory dust. In the time since its release, it (and the prequel trilogy as a whole) has gone through the many stages of public perception. From a flawed blockbuster, to hated pariah, to underappreciated childhood favorite, to finally begrudging acceptance. Some people will never like it, others never didn’t. In either case, its legendary status (and, let’s face it, silly script) has made it perfect for a live staged reading with a cast of comedians.

As a co-production between the Star Wars Minute and George Lucas Talk Show podcasts, the reading of The Phantom Menace was performed May 19 at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. The George Lucas Talk Show added the recording to their YouTube channel and now you can watch it!

The cast includes:

TAWNY NEWSOME HALEY JOEL OSMENT DIANA LEE INOSANTO LARAINE NEWMAN ERIC BAUZA VIC MICHAELIS TONY HALE KRYSTINA ARIELLE BOBBY MOYNIHAN CORIN WELLS MARK MCCONVILLE JEREMY CARTER HAL LUBLIN JOJO GINN MATT GOURLEY JAMES BLADONLucasfilm

Love it or hate it, The Phantom Menace is definitely much funnier in staged reading form.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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