Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 308

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Live-Action Series Not Happening in Its Current Form

Fans will have to wait a lot longer for the proposed Dungeons & Dragons live-action series. According to a report in Deadline, Paramount+ has decided not to go forward with the fantasy series. This news comes about a year and change since the streamer announced an eight-episode, straight-to-series order. This Dungeons & Dragons series was intended as a co-production between Hasbro’s eOne and Paramount Pictures. But this may not be the end for this adaptation of the iconic role-playing game. The series is undergoing a creative overhaul, and Hasbro is shopping the series to new potential buyers and streaming platforms.

TSR/Hasbro

Dungeons & Dragons has gone through a few iterations as a live-action series in recent years, with none ever going before the cameras. Derek Kolstad, the creator behind John Wick, was developing a Dungeons & Dragons series for Paramount and Hasbro a few years back. This most recent version came from Rawson Marshall Thurber, who wrote the pilot for the Dungeons & Dragons TV series. It was also his plan to direct some episodes. Now, it’s back to the drawing board again. It’s unclear if elements from this recently proposed version will appear in whatever future iteration the project takes. We’ll just have to wait and see.

While the report doesn’t cite any particular reason, it’s possible budgets have played a part. Many cite Paramount’s financial issues as the reason that Star Trek: Legacy never received a greenlit, so it’s possible these issues have also impacted D&D. Others say it’s the underperformance of the excellent Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves at the box office. Yet Dungeons & Dragons is too famous an IP to never pique the interest of some other streamer though. It’s just a question of when, and just what form the series will take. For now, however, it’s swords and shields down.

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Chris Hemsworth in Talks to Lead G.I. JOE x TRANSFORMERS Crossover Movie

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts set up a crossover movie between G.I. Joe and Transformers. And now, there’s some movement on that film. Chris Hemsworth is reportedly in talks to star in the G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover movie. We guess we could certainly have no trouble imagining Hemsworth as a G.I. Joe. And hey, there would be no capes involved this time around.

Paramount Pictures/Netflix/Hasbro

G.I. Joe and Transformers have met before in the world of comics, so there is precedent for their connection. But this would be their first encounter in live-action. At the end of Transformers: Rise of Beasts, G.I. Joe is revealed to be a kind of investigative organization in the Transformers world. This crossover movie, would, of course, help to grow the Hasbro cinematic universe. And hey, everyone needs a cinematic universe these days.

It’s early days for the film. But if you want to read more about how G.I. Joe and Transformers go together, you can check out our piece here.

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STAR TREK: DISCOVERY Series Finale Epilogue Reveals the Fate of Captain Burnham

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After five seasons and 65 episodes, Star Trek: Discovery has landed in dry dock. The first ever Star Trek streaming series has released its final episode, “Life, Itself.” And the finale has a coda that ties off the journey of Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green). What a journey it has been. In the first episode, set in the 23rd century, Burnham (Spock’s adopted sister) is a mutineer whose actions landed her in the Starfleet prison. She joins Discovery‘s crew, and serves under several captains. Then, after time-traveling 900 years into the future, Michael Burnham becomes the Captain of Discovery herself. And now, we see where her life takes her decades later.

Paramount+

Michael Burnham met the man who would be the love of her life, the Kwejian Cleveland Booker (David Ajala), when she arrived in the 32nd Century. This was at the start of season three. The two became partners when Burnham became stranded in this strange future. She became a space courier with Booker, or “Book” for short. Eventually, they became romantically involved, even after she became Captain of Discovery. Over the course of the last three seasons, the pair had their ups and downs. They even split up for a time. But in the series finale, the two recommitted their love for one another. This was at the wedding of Captain Saru (Doug Jones) and the Vulcan President T’Rina (Tara Rosling).

Admiral Burnham Is Married to Booker, and They Have an Adult Son in StarfleetParamount+

Then, Star Trek: Discovery drops a bombshell on us. We flash forward decades into the future. We see that Burnham and Booker are now married, living in a country home on a remote alien planet. As Michael wakes up to get her morning coffee, Book follows her, and in their conversation, it’s revealed that today is a big day for her. She’s now Admiral Burnham, and a shuttle is coming to take her to a special ceremony. When the shuttle arrives, a young man beams down, played by Sawandi Wilson. He reveals himself as the son of Burnham and Booker. He’s also in Starfleet, and is about to get his own command and starship. He appears as “Captain Leto” in the credits, although they never refer to him by name. He looks about thirty, meaning she and Booker have been married for at least three decades or more in these scenes.

Michael Burnham Takes Command of Discovery One Last TimeParamount+

Booker stays behind on the alien world, and mother and son go to Starfleet HQ together. In typical Trek fashion, they have a new uniform design. They talk together on the shuttle about Burnham’s friend Tilly, who is now the longest-tenured instructor at Starfleet Academy. We don’t really find out what became of the rest of Discovery’s crew, although we see a montage of them together in younger days. Once they get to Starfleet HQ, we see that they are reverting Discovery to its original 23rd-century mode, with the letter “A” removed from its registry number.

Paramount+

Michael Burnham beams aboard Discovery, now an empty ghost vessel, and talks to Zora, Discovery’s sentient AI system. They embark on one final mission together. It’s a secret “Red Directive” mission, where Discovery will await a ship of unknown origin for a thousand years. Upon reaching the coordinates, Burnham will disembark, while Zora awaits the mysterious vessel. Zora realizes that after this mission, she and Burnham won’t ever see each other again. Burnham says her famous catchphrase one last time as they go to warp — “Let’s fly.”

Will Michael Burnham Return in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?Paramount+

Will we follow up on this future version of Michael Burnham? It depends on exactly when the new Starfleet Academy series takes place. It might happen concurrently with the elder Michael Burnham we see in the Discovery epilogue. What we do know is that after many hardships, Admiral Michael Burnham led a fulfilled and fruitful life, something she could never have foreseen for herself in the series’ original episode, when she was an outcast mutineer, shunned by almost every member of Starfleet. Admiral Michael Burnham has had a journey unlike any Starfleet commander, or Star Trek series lead, before her.

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RICK AND MORTY’s Dan Harmon Will Executive Produce Netflix Animated Series THE UNDERVALE

Netflix is bringing another new animated show to its airwaves. Only unlike the streamer’s newly announced Minecraft series, this cartoon is meant for adults. Deadline reports Netflix has ordered The Undervale from Rick and Morty alum Matt Roller to series.

Netflix

Netflix’s new (new) animated series comes from creator and showrunner Matt Roller (Archer, Rick and Morty). The Undervale will follow a single mother raising her two children while struggling to “run a haunted hotel with the help of her estranged brother.” And it truly is haunted. Her brother “is now one of the ghosts and thinks the other ghosts have some pretty good ideas.”

Rick and Morty co-creator and showrunner Dan Harmon will also serve as an executive producer on the series. As will Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s Chris McKenna Rick and Morty‘s Steve Levy. And if that’s not enough multiverse power, Rick and Morty‘s Erica Hayes will also serve as the animated show’s supervising director.

Obviously anyone with experience in an infinite universe knows something about working with ghosts.

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Mahershala Ali in Talks to Join the New JURASSIC WORLD Movie

If Jurassic Park has taught us anything over 30 years, it’s that you can’t keep prehistoric monsters down. No, seriously, don’t even try it never works. That’s also true in a very different way of big-time, money-making movie franchises. So it’s only fitting a new report says Universal has plans for another Jurassic World movie. But while the sixth film in the series brought back the original movie’s stars, the seventh is bringing back its original screenwriter. David Koepp, who penned both the scripts for the 1993 classic that brought dinosaurs to life and its 1997 follow-up Jurassic Park: The Lost World, is already working on the next new installment in the Jurassic World universe.

In addition, the new Jurassic World movie has set its release date. Reports also indicate that it will be a universe reboot.

Universal Pictures

Most recently, this new Jurassic World movie confirmed its release date will be July 2, 2025.

pic.twitter.com/GJhiqIgCJc

— Jurassic World (@JurassicWorld) February 6, 2024

Additionally, reports say that the film will be a reboot of the franchise. Before this latest batch of information, The Hollywood Reporter shared that Universal Pictures is “deep” in development on another dinosaur film. Koepp, the person responsible for writing Jurassic Park‘s two best scripts, is writing the new movie. The apparently top-secret project is reportedly far enough along in the process that Universal likes the current script’s “shape.” Recently, we learned David Leitch, who was set to direct, will not be moving ahead with the film. Instead, Rogue One‘s Gareth Edwards is now slated to direct the new Jurassic World movie. We have to say, it feels like Edwards would do an excellent job. The movie is also set to begin filming this year.

Marvel Studios/Universal Pictures

Casting news for the new Jurassic World movie is also starting to emerge. Deadline reports that Scarlett Johansson will star in the upcoming film. Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) is also in early talks to star in the upcoming Jurassic World sequel. Additionally, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo is also in negotiations for the film. Rupert Friend has also joined the cast of the movie. And reportedly, Mahershala Ali is in talks to join it as well.

As for the plot, no specifics are known yet about this new Jurassic World movie. Only that the film will explore a “new” Jurassic era and a new story. This installment will almost certainly launch a whole new trilogy. We’d also bet the film will start with a new title. (Our official prediction is Jurassic Planet.)

Universal Pictures

Koepp isn’t the only veteran returning. Jurassic World trilogy producer Frank Marshall is also back for more prehistoric fun. As is series alum Patrick Crowley. And Steven Spielberg, who directed Koepp’s two previous scripts, will also serve as an executive producer on this new Jurassic World movie via his Amblin Entertainment.

And, no matter the story, if the movie is a big enough success, we expect some old stars to come back for later installments, too. Just like dinosaurs and this franchise, they always do.

Originally published on January 22, 2024.

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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE’s Popcorn Bucket Is Every Bit as Suggestive as You’d Imagine

The Deadpool & Wolverine popcorn bucket is designed by Deadpool. And that tells us practically everything we need to know. It wants you to open wide… and enjoy a ton of delicious popcorn. You can finish that off with a golden shower of… butter. Come on now, everyone.

Years from now they will look back at 2024 as when the War of the Popcorn Buckets began. #history #DeadpoolAndWolverine ❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/zxo3NK3cUB

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) May 30, 2024

When Deadpool & Wolverine promised the popcorn bucket to end all popcorn buckets, we knew the film would deliver. But we just couldn’t have imagined to what degree. But hey, who doesn’t need a collectible Wolverine with a wide-open mouth on their shelves? And at least the… hole is nice and wide… on the Deadpool & Wolverine popcorn bucket… so you won’t have to struggle to get your popcorn out.

Ryan Reynolds

This masterpiece of modern design popcorn bucket will no doubt be available in theaters when Deadpool & Wolverine releases on July 26. However, the exact purchasing instructions are not yet available. We bet there will be a mad rush for these, though, so we’d make sure to plan accordingly. It’s not yet clear whether this is an AMC only popcorn bucket or whether it will be available at movie theaters everywhere. But we’ll keep you posted on that. Ryan Reynolds seems to think other movies will try to compete with this Deadpool & Wolverine popcorn bucket. But we feel like this movie might just be given the win.

We’ll leave you with these various shots of the bucket, which are surely just what you need in your day.

Ryan ReynoldsRyan ReynoldsRyan Reynolds

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Jeremy Renner Joins WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY Cast

Benoit Blanc and his Kentucky Fried Foghorn Leghorn drawl is coming back for his “most dangerous case yet.” That’s how Daniel Craig’s brilliant detective described his next outing in the announcement trailer for Rian Johnson’s third Knives Out installment, Wake Up Dead Man. Who will join Craig for some murder-mystery fun this time around? What is the movie about? And when (and where) can we expect to see it?

Marvel Studios

The latest addition to the Wake Up Dead Man cast is Jeremy Renner. That’s a bit of a surprise, but we’ll where this goes. This will be his first role since a snow plow accident he suffered in 2023.

Netflix

Other actors who recently joined the cast of the Knives Out movie are Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, and Andrew Scott. They join the recently announced Cailee Spaeny and Josh O’Connor in Knives Out 3, and we could not be more excited.

Here’s everything we know about Netflix’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery so far.

TitleNetflix

Knives Out 3 is officially titled Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. That latter half of that title also appeared in Glass Onion‘s title, much to the chagrin of Rian Johnson.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery‘s PlotNetflix

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery does not have an official synopsis, but we do have some early clues about what to expect from it. Johnson’s announcement of the film included commentary about how much he loves the malleability of whodunits. Combined with calling it Benoit Blanc’s “most dangerous case yet,” and everything points towards the darkest entry in the franchise yet.

The title and its accompanying font also suggest the film will have something to do with pirates. (Though we can’t rule out the film is about U2. Hopefully The Edge is safe either way.)

Does that mean a good old-fashioned treasure hunt gone wrong? A setting somewhere in the Caribbean? Arr, until we be getting something more official, wese can let our imaginations run wild like the sea. (Sorry.)

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery‘s Cast20th Century Studios/Netflix

Johnson confirmed a report that Mare of Easttown and Alien: Romulus‘ Cailee Spaeny is joining the returning Daniel Craig in the cast. The Crown‘s Emmy winner and Challengers star Josh O’Connor will also join the cast of Knives Out 3. Additionally, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, and Jeremy Renner have come aboard.

Of course, Daniel Craig will reprise his role as Benoit Blanc in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

Behind the ScenesLionsgate

For the third time, Rian Johnson is directing his own script in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. He’s also producing the film with his T-Street Pictures partner Ram Bergman.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery‘s Release DateLionsgate

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will come to Netflix in 2025. It will also hopefully also come theaters, and for a longer run than its predecessor.)

The movie does not have an official release day yet; however, the first two installments have Thanksgiving weekend releases. Knives Out arrived in theaters Thanksgiving weekend on November 27, 2019. After some film festival screenings, Glass Onion came to theaters for a brief run on Thanksgiving weekend, November 23, 2022. It then started streaming on Netflix, Wake Up Dead Man‘s ultimate home, on December 23.

If Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery follows a similar release schedule, we should expect to see it on the big screen on November 26, 2025. And we didn’t even need to be Benoit Blanc to figure that out.

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Rory Kinnear Cast as Tom Bombadil in 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

The latest piece of exciting The Rings of Power season two news involves a beloved The Lord of the Rings character. Tom Bombadil is making his way to live-action, and he’ll be played by Rory Kinnear. We’re excited to see Kinnear in action as our favorite powerful being.

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 one major character.

Prime Video

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.

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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FALLOUT Season 2 Will Continue the Stories of Season 1’s Characters

Post-apocalyptic wastelands have never been hotter. Prime Video’s Fallout was not only a huge hit for the studio, it has led to a massive surge of interest in Bethesda’s video games. But unlike its playable counterparts which each feature their own characters and storylines, the show’s second season will stay on the same path. Fallout will continue to follow season one’s main figures when it returns.

Prime Video

Variety‘s new piece about the incredible interest in Fallout video games that has followed the debut of Prime Video’s hit show has some important information about Amazon’s adaptation. Bethesda Game Studios’ Todd Howard said the show won’t continue the video games model of introducing all new characters. Instead the TV series will continue to focus on the stars of season one. That includes its three main characters: Lucy, Maximus, and the Ghoul. But it also means more of Norm and Chet, too.

This news isn’t a surprise. It doesn’t mean we won’t see any new faces, either, just that we’re not moving on from the old ones. But it should ensure this post-apocalyptic wasteland stays hot.

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This STAR WARS YouTube Playlist Will Up Your High Republic Era Knowledge

The Acolyte is almost here and Star Wars fans can’t wait to witness this fresh adventure. We have a solid explanation of The High Republic era in both print and video format but it is impossible to have too much information. Star Wars has an entire YouTube playlist with all the Star Wars: The High Republic episodes to make sure you’re a certified expert. (Thanks to the fantastic Krystina Arielle for bringing this to our attention via the site formerly known as Twitter.) 

Lucasfilm

Some of the videos are short bites about certain characters while others are longer deep dives and convention panels. So, settle in and get your High Republic knowledge up with this Star Wars playlist. Oh, and please do check out our video below.

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