Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 317

Let the Gorgeous Card Art From MAGIC: THE GATHERING’s Oracle Deck Divine Your Future

If there’s one thing users of Tarot or Oracle decks know, it’s that you can never have just one. The most recent temptation for your collection comes from Magic: The Gathering. Already known for making gorgeous cards, it’s not surprising that a Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck is simply divine. And not only is it divine, but it can also help you divine your future path or quest. Combining imagery and lore from Magic‘s Greek-inspired plane Theros with the frame of an Oracle deck, the Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck will help users find the answers they seek in a stylish and mythical way. To tease a little bit of what’s inside, we at Nerdist are pleased to exclusively reveal some of the gorgeous cart art you’ll find within this Magic: The Gathering Oracle deck… And the meaning these cards will hold if they turn up in your reading.

The Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, published by Clarkson Potter; TM & (c) 2024 Wizards of the Coast LLC Explore the Art of These Magic: The Gathering Oracle Cards and Learn Their True MeaningWeb of Drama: Arasta of the Endless WebThe Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, published by Clarkson Potter; TM & (c) 2024 Wizards of the Coast LLC

The first Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck card art we can reveal is for the card “Web of Drama: Arasta of the Endless Web.” In Magic‘s world, Arasta was a dryad, a beautiful nymph, who was tricked into becoming a monstrous spider. If Arasta turns up in your reading, she’s urging you to find some perspective and not get too caught up in the webs of drama around you.

You can take a closer look at the art from this Magic: The Gathering Oracle card below.

The Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, published by Clarkson Potter; TM & (c) 2024 Wizards of the Coast LLC Transitions: AthreosThe Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, published by Clarkson Potter; TM & (c) 2024 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Next up is the art and card meaning from the Magic: The Gathering Oracle card “Transitions: Athreos.” If Athreos turns up while you’re using your Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, he’s here to tell you that transitions are inevitable in life. Though they can be difficult, the choices we make help us to thrive when they are happening. Athreos represents passing between worlds in Magic: The Gathering‘s universe. His ability to look into your soul reminds you that, sometimes, a little soul searching is a good thing.

Take a closer look at the “Transitions: Athreos” Magic: The Gathering Oracle card below.

The Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, published by Clarkson Potter; TM & (c) 2024 Wizards of the Coast LLC Face Your Fear: PolukranosThe Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, published by Clarkson Potter; TM & (c) 2024 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Oracle decks can go very deep with their readings, and the Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck is no different. The card “Face Your Fear: Polukranos” is not a light-hearted one, but it is incredibly important. Like Magic: The Gathering‘s Polukranos, who faces a legendary Hydra in his Oracle card art, we all face fear in our lives. When fear finds us, we can become frozen, but we can also prevail. At times, fear is just a shadow on the wall. If you draw this card from the Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, remember to take stock of what you should really be afraid of and what lessons you can learn from your fear.

The Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, published by Clarkson Potter; TM & (c) 2024 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Check out this beautiful Magic: The Gathering Oracle card below.

Check Out Even More Art From the Magic: The Gathering Oracle DeckThe Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, published by Clarkson Potter; TM & (c) 2024 Wizards of the Coast LLC

In addition to the above, we are also happy to share art for two more cards from the Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck. However, to unlock their meanings, you’ll need to get a copy of the deck yourself. These cards are “Focus: Chimera,” and “Resourcefulness: Phenax.” Looking at the art of these the Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck cards, we can glean a little bit about what they might mean for a seeker. But we’ll leave you to your own interpretations.

The Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, published by Clarkson Potter; TM & (c) 2024 Wizards of the Coast LLC The Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck‘s Release Date, Price, and More

If you’re ready to have a full reading using the Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, here’s how you can add it to your deck hoard. The Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck releases on May 21, 2024, but you can pre-order it today for $24.99.

The Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck, published by Clarkson Potter; TM & (c) 2024 Wizards of the Coast LLC

Its official description shares:

From the team behind The Dungeons & Dragons Tarot Deck comes this officially licensed oracle deck comprising 52 all-new illustrations that celebrate the characters, creatures, and lore of the world’s largest trading card game. Inspired by Theros, the plane where monsters prevail, mortals endure, and heroes ascend, this Magic: The Gathering-themed deck features exclusive art of Jace, the Planeswalker; Hythonia, the legendary gorgon; and well-known creatures such as the Pegasus, Chimera, Sirens, and more.

With stunning illustrations, The Magic: The Gathering Oracle Deck also features a guidebook that introduces readers to the practice of oracle cards, including instructions on how to use and interpret the cards and descriptions of each card image. Both denizens of Theros and practitioners of oracle cards hold belief as a powerful tool that we can use to create our reality, and with this deck you’ll be inspired to explore new realms of meaning.

Happy divining!

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Who Is THE ACOLYTE’s Vernestra Rwoh? The Mirialan Jedi’s STAR WARS History, Explained

The newest show in the Star Wars universe, The Acolyte, is nearly upon us. Set during the High Republic, a century before the events of the prequel films, The Acolyte will introduce fans to a new group of Jedi. However, readers of the High Republic novels and comics will see at least one familiar face: Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson). This Mirialan Jedi already has a storied history within the High Republic books. So, let’s look at the Star Wars moments that shaped Vernestra Rwoh. 

Which Star Wars High Republic Books Does Vernestra Rwoh Appear In?Lucasfilm/Giuseppe Camuncoli/Cavan Scott/James Towe/Marvel Comics

Vernestra Rwoh appears in several High Republic books for adults, young adults, and middle-grade readers. She is also in issues 2-5 and 15 of Cavan Scott, Ario Anindito, and Mark Morales’s Star Wars: The High Republic (2021) comic book series published by Marvel. I don’t want to overburden you with every possible detail about Vernestra’s publication history. So I will tell you that the core of her story is told in middle-grade books A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland and Race to Crashpoint Tower by Daniel José Older. We also get her story in YA novels Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland and Defy the Storm by Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton.

She also appears in two short stories in the anthology, Tales of Light and Life. It provides connective tissue for Vernestra’s adventures outside the novels. The novels that Vernestra appears in are tied to major events that happen across all of the High Republic books. They all explore the Republic’s biggest battles from different perspectives. 

The History of Vernestra Rwoh

Vernestra, or “Vern” to her closest friends, is an alien of the Mirialan species, originating from the planet of Mirial. Mirialans have a variety of skin tones ranging from green, to yellow, to pink, and blue. Like Vernestra herself, many Mirialans have face tattoos. In The Acolyte, Vernestra sports tattoos on the outer corners of her eyes, as well as an intricate set on her scalp. Her scalp tattoos are a new addition to her character design. All her other appearances in High Republic books show her with her trademark purple hair. The Acolyte takes place a century after the current setting of the High Republic books. So there is probably a good reason for why Vernestra ditched her previous look. 

Among the Jedi, Vernestra is known as a wunderkind. She became a Jedi Knight at the age of fifteen, and took on her first Padawan, Imri Cantaros, at age seventeen. This made Vernestra one of the youngest Jedi Knights in the Order’s history.

Imri Cantaros/Avon Starros/Hardie Grant Children’s PublishingVernestra and Her Relationship With Her Jedi Master, Stellan Gios

The Jedi Master that Vernestra studied under was Stellan Gios, one of the most important Jedi in the High Republic. Stellan, a human, was immediately recognizable from his ornate blue lightsaber with a crossguard on it. His handsome looks made him popular on the holograms. But Master Gios had a reputation for rambling about minute Jedi lore and philosophy. In contrast to his best friend, the renegade Jedi Master Elzar Mann, Stellan was a traditional, by-the-books Jedi. He felt comfortable politicking where others shied away.

Unfortunately, in one of the most heartbreaking twists of the High Republic, Stellan Gios was killed in the destruction of the Republic’s Starlight Beacon base in the Outer Rim (as seen in The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray). He bravely refused to evacuate the base, instead piloting it in his last moments so others could flee. 

While Vernestra was no longer Stellan’s Padawan at the time of his death, his loss was devastating to her. Before his death, she had considered telling him that she had modified her own lightsaber so that she could use it as a light whip by turning a bezel on the hilt of her saber. This was going to be an important moment for her. In fact, she had procrastinated because she was nervous about how her traditional mentor might view such a modification. To make matters worse, in the destruction of Starlight Beacon, Vernestra also lost her Padawan, Imri Cantaros, who was declared missing after the incident. 

Vernestra’s Journey as a Wayseeker

To deal with her grief, Vernestra became a Wayseeker. It is more or less the Jedi Order’s version of a sabbatical. Wayseekers go off on their own to the furthest reaches of the galaxy to meditate and reshape their relationship with the Force. One crucial part about Wayseekers is that they are not beholden to act as ambassadors for the Jedi Council’s policies. As individuals, they can choose to get involved in political conflicts in the Outer Rim, if they believe that the Force wills them to. Vernestra went to the remote planet of Ibbe where she lived peacefully.

Jordanna Sparkburn/Avon Starros/Hardie Grant Children’s PublishingWho are Vernestra Rwoh’s Friends?

That is, until her close friend, Avon Starros, arrived to ask her to help her find Imri Cantaros. Avon Starros is part of a larger network of allies that Vernestra has across the galaxy. A brilliant inventor, Avon is the daughter of Ghirra Starros, a senator of the Republic who defected to the villainous pirate group, the Nihil.

Vernestra is friends with another daughter of a Nihil member, Sylvestri Yarrow. Sylvestri’s mother, Chancey Yarrow, was mistakenly killed by Jedi Elzar Mann. This happened during the destruction of Starlight Beacon, as she was trying to prevent the base from crashing. Elzar’s poor judgment directly led to the death of his best friend Stellan Gios, adding an extra layer of tension between Vernestra and him. In the absence of her mentor, Vernestra grew close to Stellan’s other best friend, Jedi Master Avar Kriss. 

In addition, Vernestra has close ties to a member of the prominent and wealthy San Tekka family, Jordanna Sparkburn. The San Tekkas made their money as hyperspace prospectors, essentially seeking out “highways” that could be traveled safely through hyperspace. Vernestra’s connections to the San Tekka family would later elucidate her mysterious Force powers. 

Vernestra’s Powers, Abilities, and Lightsaber, Explained

Vernestra has special Force abilities that allow her to see “lanes” in hyperspace. She can also see visions of events taking place in other parts of the galaxy. Because of this, she can navigate a ship manually while in hyperspace without setting coordinates. In the Out of the Shadows novel, Vernestra had hyperspace visions of a long-lost member of the San Tekka clan, Mari San Tekka, who possessed similar hyperspace abilities.

Through a series of visions, Mari San Tekka instructed Vern on how to use her mysterious Force abilities. This eventually led Vernestra to where the elder San Tekka was held captive by the Nihil. While Stellan Gios had encouraged Vernestra to develop her unique Force abilities, she had been reticent to do so. But after learning from Mari San Tekka, Vernestra became more welcoming of her strange skills. 

Imri Cantaros/Avon Starros/Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing

As mentioned earlier, Vernestra Rwoh has a unique purple lightsaber in the Star Wars universe. It can transform into a light whip by twisting a bevel on the hilt. Vernestra uses her saber as a light whip particularly when she is fighting in close quarters, or is sustaining intense blaster fire. She can spin the whip at such a velocity that it acts as a shield against blasters. 

Thus far, we have only seen Vernestra Rwoh as a young Jedi Knight in the High Republic books and comics. Considering that she is a Jedi Master in The Acolyte and sporting a whole new look, there is lots more to her story that we haven’t yet seen. Did she ever take on another Padawan after Imri Cantaros? What became of her friendships with Jordanna Sparkburn, Avon Starros, and Sylvestri Yarrow? The Acolyte may not answer all of these questions, but it hopefully will build off of everything we already know about Vernestra Rwoh. 

The post Who Is THE ACOLYTE’s Vernestra Rwoh? The Mirialan Jedi’s STAR WARS History, Explained appeared first on Nerdist.

FURIOSA Once Again Rules the Wasteland | Review + Interview

Welcome back to the wasteland, Mad Max fans! Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is finally here, and Nerdist’s Kyle Anderson is breaking down his thoughts on the long awaited follow up to Fury Road. He also sits down with the film’s stars Anya Taylor-Joy (Furiosa) & Chris Hemsworth (Dementus) to talk about working with George Miller, their favorite vehicles from the film, and more on today’s video!

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Netflix Renews 3 BODY PROBLEM, Will Allow Creators More Seasons to Finish Story

One of the biggest issues with new shows on streaming services is premature cancellation. You spend a season or two getting invested in a story and its characters only to discover that it has gotten an unceremonious ax. Sometimes, the show doesn’t even get a chance to come out at all before a streamer drops it from their roster. We’ve seen it happen with many streamers, including Netflix. (I will not forgive them for canceling Archive 81.) But, fans of 3 Body Problem won’t have this issue. Netflix has renewed 3 Body Problem for season two and says it will give the show a currently undisclosed amount of seasons to complete the story. 

Netflix

According to Variety, creators David Benioff, D.B. Weiss and Alexander Woo said in a statement that they will “get to tell this story through to its epic conclusion.” Benioff has previously stated that it would take three or four seasons to tell the complete tale. The show draws its material from Liu Cixin’s trilogy of novels, so perhaps the show will follow suit with three seasons. We will just have to wait and see when Netflix follows up on this announcement.

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HAPPY GILMORE 2 Coming to Netflix, Adam Sandler to Star in Sequel

This news might turn some fans into Unhappy Gilmores or into Really Happy Gilmores, but regardless of how anyone feels about it, a Happy Gilmore sequel is heading to Netflix. According to Deadline, Netflix announced that a sequel to Happy Gilmore had been greenlit during its Upfront presentation. Netflix confirmed that Adam Sandler would return for Happy Gilmore 2, which we’re going to call Happier Gilmore for now. But no logline or other attachments were named for the movie at present.

Universal Pictures

For those who are somehow not in the know, Happy Gilmore is a golf movie and one of Sandler’s most famous. Its synopsis reads:

All Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) has ever wanted is to be a professional hockey player. But he soon discovers he may actually have a talent for playing an entirely different sport: golf. When his grandmother (Frances Bay) learns she is about to lose her home, Happy joins a golf tournament to try and win enough money to buy it for her. With his powerful driving skills and foulmouthed attitude, Happy becomes an unlikely golf hero — much to the chagrin of the well-mannered golf professionals.

Well, we did just see a tennis movie hit our screens, so why not bring back golf? We’ll just have to wait and see what the Happy Gilmore sequel is all about. Maybe it will bring back Sandler’s alien co-star from Spaceman. That would be fun. Happy Gilmore 2, it’s your swing.

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FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Isn’t FURY ROAD But It Still Revs Our Engine

Nine years after the fact, it’s still astonishing to think a legacy sequel to Ozsploitation favorite Mad Max is one of the best movies ever made. Not only that, but it garnered so many Oscar nominations, and won several. But here we are, in a better cinematic world because George Miller finally got to make Mad Max: Fury Road. That movie is a miracle. With all of those plaudits, how could a follow-up ever dream to match it? In the case of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, it doesn’t. How could it? What it does do is give us a compelling, exciting adventure in a world I love being in.

Warner Bros.

Infamously, Miller and co-writer Nico Lathouris (credited here as “Dramaturg” as well) had so much of Fury Road planned out ahead of time, that the meat of this movie was written before they’d shot that movie. All of what happened to Imperator Furiosa in her life leading up to that fateful moment in the War Rig existed in writing. Because of that, Furiosa is more narrative focused than Fury Road, taking place over many years rather than a couple of days. It feels much more like a regular-ass movie, which, again, is not a bad thing.

The story follows Furiosa as a child (played by Alyla Browne) as fate takes her away from the idyllic Green Place of Many Mothers and puts her in the clutches of the insane biker warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Dementus—who is brutal yet charismatic leader with an enormous horde of followers—while looking for the “place of abundance” runs afoul of Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme). The two make an uneasy alliance of mutually assured destruction while the supremely capable and patient Furiosa (played by Anya Taylor-Joy in older years) gains skills and lets her anger guide her.

Warner Bros.

Along the way, Furiosa meets Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke), a capable wastelander who works for Immortan Joe as a driver. It’s through this character that Furiosa sees more than her own survival, her own escape. Naturally, as we know what comes later, we know it’s not likely to last. This is an unfair place for decent people.

To say the least, this is an atypical Mad Max movie. Rather than a single adventure, it tracks a life. Instead of standing alone, it fleshes out the circumstances of the previous film. And Max isn’t even the central character. So because of that, it’s possible some people won’t vibe with Furiosa. However, the action, the bombast, and the filmmaking prowess are all still on display in full force. Miller knows this world inside and out and it’s a joy to spend time in it.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Additionally, Miller offers us various action scenes in parts of the Wasteland ecosystem we haven’t really seen before. Gastown and the Bullet Farm are real locations in Furiosa, not simply far-off ideas. Weirdly, we get a sense for how the economy of these three places work in tandem. If you ever wondered why the War Rig is so important and how the People Eater got his groove back, this is the movie for you.

The centerpiece of the movie is a 15-minute action extravaganza that reportedly took 78 days to film in which Furiosa and Jack, in the newly minted War Rig, have to fight off a horde of raiders attacking from both land and air. The sheer ability of Miller and company to give the rig its own geography is astounding. We always know where Furiosa is on the machine, and where the weapons are at her disposal. It’s exhilarating to watch.

While we watch the adventure through Anya Taylor-Joy’s seething eyes, she has, effectively, the Max Rockatansky role. And by that I mean, she doesn’t say a whole lot. (Only 30 lines, apparently.) The actor who probably has the most lines is Hemsworth, who is absolutely killing it as Dementus. He plays the biker boss as a kind of violent wasteland messiah, attempting to recruit others to his cause. His performance is phenomenal. A just world would give him a Best Supporting Actor nomination, but I can’t claim that’s where we live.

Warner Bros.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga probably won’t revolutionize the film industry the way Mad Max: Fury Road did, but it’s a damned exciting action film with a great mix of familiar and new additions to the franchise. It even has some references to the 2015 video game Mad Max which I absolutely did not expect. I hope George Miller gets to make his proposed sequel to Fury Road, because after Furiosa, he’s proving what a wonder this unlikely franchise is.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga ⭐ (4 of 5)

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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TERMINATOR ZERO Anime Sets Netflix Release Date and Shares First-Look Images

We’re about to head back to the world of Terminator in a whole new way. Netflix’s Terminator Zero anime has set a release date and shared some first-look images that give us a taste of the series’ style. Terminator Zero will actually be the first-ever piece of the Terminator franchise to be animated. That’s quite an achievement. You can check out the first-look images of Terminator Zero below and learn more about its plot with Netflix’s official synopsis.

Click To View Gallery Netflix Netflix Netflix Netflix

Here’s Netflix’s official insight into the plot of the Terminator Zero series:

2022: A future war has raged for decades between the few human survivors and an endless army of machines. 1997: The AI known as Skynet gained self-awareness and began its war against humanity.

Caught between the future and this past is a soldier sent back in time to change the fate of humanity. She arrives in 1997 to protect a scientist named Malcolm Lee who works to launch a new AI system designed to compete with Skynet’s impending attack on humanity. As Malcolm navigates the moral complexities of his creation, he is hunted by an unrelenting assassin from the future which forever alters the fate of his three children.

Netflix notes that “The eight-episode series will be part of the Terminator universe but will center around new characters.” Terminator Zero will release on August 29.

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5 Characters Worthy of a JOHN WICK Spinoff Movie

John Wick: Chapter 4 was the series’ best installment yet, but it raised some unexpected questions about what comes next for the franchise. We know Ballerina with Ana de Armas will come to theaters in 2025. Now we also know Donnie Yen will star in his own spinoff film about his blind assassin Caine. But what other projects will join those movie under the High Table? These are the five John Wick figures we’d most like to see headline their own film.

Warning: We will have to discuss Chapter 4 spoilers to explain why some of them made the list.

Murray Close/Lionsgate[image error]Sofia Al-Azwar (Halle Berry)Lionsgate

What would the world of John Wick be without a beloved star playing a fearsome, stylish killer with an affinity for dogs? Exactly! That’s why Halle Berry’s Sofia from Chapter 3 – Parabellum is as perfect a choice for a spinoff as any character in the franchise. She also has a personal backstory—Sofia had John Wick hide her a daughter to keep her safe and doesn’t know where her child is—that would give her film the kind of intimate element we’d want to see. Hopefully, though, Sofia would have to find and protect her daughter rather than avenge her.

Mr. Nobody/The Tracker (Shamier Anderson)Murray Close/Lionsgate

Speaking of dog lovers, Shamier Anderson’s Tracker more than proved he’s capable of picking up John Wick’s mantle. Not only was he able to track down Baba Yaga repeatedly in Chapter 4, he was able to go toe-to-toe with Keanu Reeves’ hitman. Anderson has the charisma, screen presence, and fighting skills needed to excel in an even bigger role. And it’s not like he didn’t make some enemies failing to finish the job the Marquis hired him to complete.

Shimazu Akira (Rina Sawayama)Murray Close/Lionsgate

If Rina Sawayama hadn’t said a single word in Chapter 4 she’d be deserving of a spinoff. Akira had one of the coolest fighting styles of any John Wick character. Since she was also excellent during her non-action scenes, she’s a no-brainer to possibly star in her own film. Even if Donnie Yen’s Caine spinoff proves she didn’t kill him during the movie’s post-credits scene, there are plenty of people left for her to go after. The previously retired Caine was simply serving the High Table when he killed Akira’s father. We know what this franchise can deliver with a main character bent on vengeance and the skills needed to get it.

Cassian (Common)Lionsgate

The John Wick franchise’s best characters all stand out in their own way. None of them are common. That is unless they are literally Common, who played Cassian in John Wick: Chapter 2. The aggrieved protector of Gianna D’Antonio wasn’t afraid of John Wick. He also had John’s full respect. Wick liked Cassian so much he let him live after their memorable train showdown. Common hasn’t returned to the franchise since that goodbye on the subway, but that would only add to our excitement for his own film. What’s life been like for him since then? How does he fit into this world now? And how did his near-death experience with John Wick change him?

Tick-Tock Man (Jason Mantzoukas)Lionsgate

Jason Mantzoukas’s Tick-Tock Man, loyal servant of the Bowery King, is the only character to make this list that hasn’t shown off his fighting skills in a John Wick film. You can understand why that was a prerequisite for inclusion. This is an action movie franchise after all. But if you’re familiar with Mantzoukas’s career you can also understand why we made an exception for him. He’s one of the most interesting actors working today, and his Tick-Tock Man would provide a different perspective on this world than almost every other spinoff candidate.

Of course, we’d also be happy to see any of these characters team up or appear in each others’ films. John Wick might be dead (or, you know, definitely alive!), but the world he left behind is full of people we want to see more of.

Originally published on March 27, 2023.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who would not try to collect a bounty on John Wick even for 17 trillion dollars. You can follow him on Twitter at  @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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ASSASSIN’S CREED SHADOWS Trailer Reveals Japan Setting and Intertwined Samurai and Shinobi Stories

Assassin’s Creed is back, and it’s looking cooler than ever. In the first trailer for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we journey to Japan to explore the intertwined stories of two Samurai warriors. You can watch the epic trailer in full below.

The official description for Assassin’s Creed Shadows shares:

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you will live the intertwined stories of Naoe, an adept shinobi Assassin from Iga Province, and Yasuke, the powerful African samurai of historical legend. Against the backdrop of the turbulent late Sengoku period, this remarkable duo will discover their common destiny as they usher in a new era for Japan.

From chaos to purpose, from darkness to light. A new Creed rises over Japan.

Ubisoft

A shinobi assassin and a samurai? We could not be more in. A release from Ubisoft notes what we can expect from Assasin’s Creed Shadows‘ gameplay, sharing “As Naoe and Yasuke, players can master two complementary playstyles, with each character featuring their own progression paths, skills, weapon options, and stats. Whether they embrace Naoe’s stealth skills or Yasuke’s combat prowess, players will have plenty of ways to approach objectives. With Naoe, they will experience refined infiltration mechanics using light, noise, shadows, and changing surroundings to avoid detection from enemies. With Yasuke, they will be able to take on larger groups of enemies with brutal precision.”

The standard edition of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will cost $69.99 on new-gen platforms, PCs, and Macs. Those who pre-order the game “will receive an additional quest.” Additionally, Gold, Ultimate, and Collector’s Editions of Assassin’s Creed Shadows are also available. Here’s what they include:

The Gold Edition will include the base game, the Season Pass (including a bonus quest with additional unlockable content as well as two upcoming expansions) and 3 days early access to the game.  The Ultimate Edition will include the base game, the Season Pass, the Ultimate Pack and 3 days early access to the game. The Ultimate Pack will contain the Sekiryu Character Pack (Naoe and Yasuke outfit and weapon, trinket and mount), the Sekiryu Hideout Pack, 5 Skill points and a Red and black photo mode filter. The Collector’s Edition will include the base game, the Season Pass, the Ultimate Pack, physical content and 3 days early access to the game. The physical content will be a Steelbook, the World map, Naoe & Yasuke Figurine, life-size Naoe’s Katana Tsuba, a Wall Creed Scroll, an 84 pages collector’s artbook and 2 sumi-e lithographs. 

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Donnie Yen Will Star in JOHN WICK Caine Spinoff Movie

We’ve known for months Lionsgate is developing John Wick spinoffs. Now we know which beloved character will get to star in one. It’s our top choice. Donnie Yen will get his chance to step into the spotlight with a John Wick spinoff movie centered on his stylish, standout assassin, Caine.

Lionsgate

Lionsgate is giving the coolest character (which is truly high praise) from 2023’s John Wick: Chapter 4 his own film. Donnie Yen will reprise his role as the blind assassin, and Baba Yaga’s seemingly only equal with a John Wick spinoff movie. Lionsgate did not share plot specifics of this Caine-centric John Wick movie, but the studio did say it will “continue Yen’s story arc” following the events of his debut film. That means Caine officially survived the end-credits assassination attempt on his life. Either that or this will be a very short movie about him bleeding to death.

The Umbrella Academy‘s Robert Askins will pen the screenplay. The John Wick movie will start filming in Hong Kong next year. Caine’s film is also one of the first to come projects to come out of the massive, franchise-leading deal John Wick director Chad Stahelski recently signed with Lionsgate. We expect other characters from the movie franchise to also reappear in the film. With a 2026 release date seemingly like the earliest it could premiere (the John Wick spinoff Ballerina arrives in theaters in 2025), we won’t know if any other familiar faces will appear in this Caine-focused John Wick movie for awhile.

Murray Close/Lionsgate

In a press release, Adam Fogelson, chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, explained why Caine is getting his own John Wick film. “From the moment Donnie Yen appeared on screen in John Wick: Chapter 4, he captivated audiences and created an authentic, emotional connection that left an indelible mark and had fans asking for more,” he said.

Yen also shared his thoughts about returning to the role in Lionsgate’s official announcement. “Working on John Wick: Chapter 4 was an extraordinary experience,” he said. “The reason these films resonate so deeply is because, like myself, Chad, Basil (Iwanyk), and Erica (Lee) push themselves to create action, fights, and stunts that are not only thrilling, inventive and artistic, but also expressive of character, story, and emotion. Caine is an incredible character with a haunted past, and I am excited to return to the role.”

We agree and can’t wait for what the future holds for Caine in the world of John Wick. He made life under the High Table better in someone else’s movie. Imagine what he can do in his own.

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