Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 319

Ahmed Best Wants to Make a Jedi JOHN WICK Movie in STAR WARS’ World

A Jedi John Wick Star Wars movie? Sold. Especially if we could get Keanu Reeves to join the Star Wars movie as a literal Jedi John Wick fighting beside Ahmed Best’s Kelleran Beq. (If he’s not too busy making John Wick movies forever, anyway.) Best shared his visions of a Jedi John Wick movie with ComicBook.com, noting:

I keep putting this out there. I want to do a Jedi John Wick as Kelleran Beq. And I don’t even need to say any words. I just want to do two hours of lightsabers and people in the way. I really want to do something like that because the fight that I did for Mandalorian is 1/10th of 1% of what I could do. And there’s so much more.

I was just talking about this, the style that influences Kelleran Beq is from Filipino martial arts, and nobody really knows very much how deep those arts are. Most of the Jedi are Japanese Samurai influenced, but the Filipinos beat the Samurai and they beat the Spanish. The way they move, the style that they move, and the weapons that they use are revolutionary. It’s so much so that a lot of what Bruce Lee does in Jeet Kune Do is influenced by Filipino martial arts. So I really want that to be highlighted through some kind of Jedi story.

Lucasfilm

Ahmed Best, we support you on your quest to make a Star Wars Jedi John Wick movie. It sounds like it would be amazing.

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Chris Pratt Hints at MCU Star-Lord Return and Possible DCU Role

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 concluded with the following sentiment, “The legendary Star-Lord will return.” But in what form he would return wasn’t yet known. But now, Chris Pratt seems to imply that he’ll return as Star-Lord in the MCU’s future. But don’t count Pratt out of James Gunn’s DCU either. In response to where he was heading next (DCU or Marvel), here’s what the actor shared:

Well, it probably make more sense that I would be Star-Lord again. But anything is possible, and especially with James [Gunn] over at DC. Maybe there’s something that would be right over there. Maybe both. How about both? Let’s do both. I think it’s 100% both.

Marvel Studios

Of course, this is all hypothetical. Still, given this response and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s message, it seems likely that we’ll see Pratt back as Star-Lord in the MCU. And, given Pratt’s connection with James Gunn it additionally seems likely, he’ll be in the DCU as well. So 100% both is only a slight exagguration.

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Chris Pratt Teases a ‘Nintendo Cinematic Universe’ on the Horizon

Chris Pratt was recently asked what we might expect in the Super Mario Bros. 2 movie. But he didn’t limit his answer to just a second movie. No, Pratt is imagining a whole “Nintendo Cinematic Universe” on the horizon. Here’s what the actor had to say to ScreenRant:

Oh, man! There’s so much to explore. There are decades worth of [games] to explore, not only with Mario and Peach and Donkey Kong and Luigi and Bowser and Yoshi; that was teased at the end. But it just gets me so excited. I was such a Nintendo head growing up, so just thinking about how everything from Legend of Zelda to the entire Nintendo cinematic universe could be created and what that could look like for all of these characters that I love? I mean, there’s really no limit. We could talk about it for hours.

Nintendo

Could we see Zelda and Link in Super Maro Bros. 2? Probably not yet, but it sure sounds like it’ll be an option sooner rather than later. With a live-action The Legend of Zelda movie on the horizon, why not an animated one too? Nintendo has successfully brought its gaming universe to life with many crossovers, so it seems like a Nintendo Cinematic Universe is definitely in the cards.

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Disney+ AGATHA Series Pokes Fun at Constant Name Changes

In WandaVision, it was Agatha all along. And now it really will be all about Agatha Harkness. Kathryn Hahn’s MCU witch will soon star in her own Disney+ Marvel series, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. While we don’t have too many details yet about what this series will entail, we can already tell it will serve up some delightfully magical fun.

Disney+

Most recently, we learned it was Agatha all along. After trying on at least four names, the Disney+ WandaVision spinoff series seems to have settled on a brand new (and perhaps final) name: Agatha. Were the multiple names just ruses so we could say, “Hey, it was Agatha all along?” We may never know. But at this point, we really must chuckle.

In a quickly deleted post on Twitter, Marvel Studios also seemed to have a chuckle about the Agatha name debacle. Marvel seemed to share a meme of the title card with a ridiculous title option:

Marvel Studios

Here’s everything we know about Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, potentially just Agatha.

TitleMarvel Studios

Although the first title we heard for Agatha’s MCU series was Agatha: House of Harkness, and the second was Agatha: Coven of Chaos, it seemed the series would actually be called Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. But now a fourth title has emerged, just Agatha. For now, we’ll retain use of Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, but will keep everyone updated as more name details emerge.

Agatha: Darkhold Diaries‘ PlotMarvel Studios

Marvel Studios has kept plot details for Agatha: Darkhold Diaries under wraps. But the last time we got to see Agatha, the witch lost in a fight to Wanda Maximoff. And then Agatha ended up trapped in her Agnes persona.

We imagine the show will reveal to us how Agatha breaks out of the spell she’s under and then follow her along on some exciting shenanigans. And it seems like we’ll get to meet a number of witches from the pages of Marvel Comics. And we do love a witch.

Although it’ll likely still be a while before we see too much from the show, we officially have our first looks and footage from the Agatha-centric series. Set to be released on the WandaVision Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD editions, a special “Agatha Bonus Clip” takes us behind-the-scenes of Darkhold Diaries.

Whatever helps happens, we hope that Agatha gets yet another catchy jingle to her name. “Agatha All Along” needs a successor.

Behind the Scenes

WandaVison‘s Jac Schaeffer returns as executive producer and head writer on Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. Additionally, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Schaeffer, alongside Wednesday‘s Gandja Monteiro and Resident Evil‘s Rachel Goldberg, will direct different episodes of the show.

Agatha: Darkhold Diaries‘ CastMarvel Studios

We’ve learned about quite a number of potential coven members cast so far. Of course, Kathryn Hahn returns to play the titular MCU witch Agatha Harkness. Joining her is Emma Caulfield Ford, who will reprise her role as Dottie for the Disney+ show. Dottie was one of the women Wanda trapped in her Westview fantasies. Could Dottie be another secret witch? Only time will tell. Variety also reports Heartstopper‘s Joe Locke has joined the cast in an undisclosed role. However, many fans speculate Locke will play the role of  Billy Kaplan, a.k.a. Wiccan, the son of Scarlet Witch and Vision. Mashable further notes that Miles Gutierrez-Riley will play “Billy’s boyfriend, Hulkling.”

Aubrey Plaza will also star in the series, potentially as a more villainous character on the Agatha show. Ali Ahn and Maria Dizzia have reportedly joined the cast as well, as has Patti LuPone. LuPone revealed she will play the role of Marvel Comics’ Lilia Calderu. Debra Jo Rupp is reportedly in the cast, too, presumably reprising her role of Mrs. Hart from WandaVision. Sasheer Zamata, meanwhile, is confirmed to play the role of sorceress Jennifer Kale.

Agatha: Darkhold Diaries‘ Release Date

For now, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries will be a part of the MCU’s Phase Five. According to Mashable, it will be nine episodes long, a bit longer than the typical Disney+ Marvel show. Agatha: Darkhold Diaries will release on Disney+ in 2024.

Originally published on November 4, 2022.

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THAT ’90S SHOW Reveals Guest Stars and Release Date in Season 2 Trailer

It’s time to pack up the station wagon and head back to Point Place, Wisconsin. Netflix’s That ’70s Show spinoff That ’90s Show is coming back for a second season. And it’s inviting a whole lot of famous faces to hang out with Red and Kitty this time. That ’90s Show‘s season two announcement trailer promises a whole lot of big-name guest cameos, including some ’90s icons.

Netflix has announced That ’90s Show will return with “Part 2” (which is really just season two) this summer on June 27, 2024. “Part 3” of That ’90s Show (which is really just the second half of season two…yeah, it’s weird) will then follow on October 24. But what can viewers expect from this throwback to a throwback when they spend another summer with two beloved grandparents? Here’s the official That ’90s Show season two synopsis from Netflix:

It’s 1996 and Leia Forman is back in Point Place for another summer of fun with her friends and grandparents, Kitty and Red. Leia and Jay are excited to be together again after nine months of long distance. But she’s on edge since Jay still doesn’t know she almost kissed Nate. Nate is concerned that his girlfriend, Nikki, doesn’t know either. How long can they keep this secret? Turns out, not long at all. And when the truth finally comes out, relationships are threatened, friendships are at stake, and the summer is on the verge of ending before it even gets started.

Netflix

That ’90s Show comes from creators Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Lindsey Turner, and Gregg Mettler. Mettler also serves a showrunner. It stars Kurtwood Smith, Debra Jo Rupp, Callie Haverda, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Reyn Doi, and Sam Morelos.

Season two of That ’90s Show will also feature guest spots from both franchise alums and newcomers. The second season will include appearances from Will Forte, Seth Green, Lisa Loeb, Carmen Electra, Wayne Knight, Kevin Smith, Tommy Chong, Jason Mewes, Matt Rife, and Kadeem Hardison.

That’s a pretty good group to hang out with in any decade. We just hope nobody ends getting a foot up their…well, if you’re still reading you already know.

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28 YEARS LATER Movie Sets Release Date

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are teaming up again. That might sound like dream come true, but it’s actually something even better: a nightmare. We know because the last time they worked together was 2002’s 28 Days Later. That popular horror film’s influence is still being felt more than two decades later. Now it’s going to be felt even longer. That’s exactly what is bringing them back together. They’re making a sequel to their modern zombie classic. Only it might be more than just a single new entry in the franchise. It could launch a new trilogy.

Fox Searchlight Pictures28 Years Later Release Date

The highly anticipated 28 Years Later movie has a release date: June 20, 2025. Hopefully, that means we’ll be seeing more from it very soon.

The Cast of 28 Years LaterBBC America/Sony/MGM

According to Variety, the cast of 28 Years Later is also coming together. The publication reports that Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have joined the film. That’s a pretty star-studded opening play.

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland Re-Teaming for Sequel and Possible Trilogy

Danny Boyle, who directed 28 Days Later, is making his long-awaited return to the franchise. Even better he is bringing the original film’s writer, Garland, with him. Boyle will direct a new film, 28 Years Later, which will move the story decades past the original entry starring Cillian Murphy.

Rather than just one film, though, THR says the duo has plans to launch a trilogy. Garland would write all three scripts, with the Academy Award-winning Boyle directing the first at least. Variety recently reported that Nia DaCosta is in talks to direct the second part of the trilogy. Garland and Boyle will begin shopping the project to studios soon. The pitch will include giving each film its own $75 million budget. That would pay for a whole lot of very fast reanimated corpses.

While this movie would mark the return of Boyle and Garland as a creative team, their zombie film did get a sequel with 2007’s 28 Weeks Later. However, they only served as executive producers on the movie. (Which, for the record, was still very good!) That’s what makes this news so exciting for fans, especially those who remember what a cultural phenomenon 28 Days Later was.

It still is. The modern zombie renaissance owes a lot to Boyle and Garland. With their renewed partnership it is likely going to owe them even more in the future.

Originally published on January 11, 2024.

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Sigourney Weaver in Talks to Join THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU

Disney+’s two biggest stars are headed to the big screen. The next adventure for Star Wars‘ Din Djarin and his little green son will take place in theaters. What awaits the two when they get there? Who else will join them in making the move from television to cinema? And who will tell this new chapter in their story?

Most recently, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Sigourney Weaver was in talks to join the Star Wars universe in The Mandalorian & Grogu. We’d certainly love to see Weaver head back to space. There is no news yet on what role she might play.

Here’s everything we know about The Mandalorian & Grogu so far, including its release date.

The Mandalorian & Grogu‘s PlotWalt Disney Studios

The movie’s official announcement did not include a plot synopsis or any specifics about its story. It’s also unknown how it might connect to other Disney+ shows, characters, and other planned featured films. The only insight came from Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy’s statement in the press release. She said The Mandalorian & Grogu will tell a “new story” she describes as a “perfect fit for the big screen.” The movie’s first official artwork does show Din and Grogu fleeing an exploding ship, but that might be just a normal Thursday for them.

Until we get any actual details about the film’s plot, any speculation about The Mandalorian & Grogu will be based on where the Disney+ show left the characters after season three, as well as the known state of the galaxy far, far away during the time period of the early days of the New Republic and what we know followed it.

Behind-the-Scenes

The Mandalorian creator and showrunner Jon Favreau will direct the film. He’ll also serve as a producer along with both Kennedy and longtime Star Wars stalwart Dave Filoni. 

Production is set to begin in 2024. It will shoot for a scheduled 92 days in California, where it has received one of the state’s biggest tax credits ever for a movie. Reports say work on The Mandalorian & Grogu will include 500 crew members, 54 cast members, and 3500 background players.

The Mandalorian & Grogu‘s CastLucasfilm

Pedro Pascal’s voice is all but certain to be a part of the movie. It’s unclear how much, if any, he will physically play the role, though. At this point on the Disney+ show the part of Mando is primarily a voice-over one for Pascal. Actors Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder share responsibility for playing the masked Din Djarin on film. If Din never removes his helmet in the movie, Pascal’s involvement could take place entirely off-screen. He did physically play the character in the past. Maybe he’ll put on his beskar armor once again for a big budget film.

Star Wars has yet to announce any official cast members for the movie. Other members of The Mandalorian are likely to also star in the film, however. Those alums include Katee Sackhoff, Emily Swallow, and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee. Ahsoka stars like Genevieve O’Reilly, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, and Eman Esfandi are also obvious candidates to appear, as is Boba Fett himself, Temuera Morrison.

The Mandalorian & Grogu‘s Release DateLucasfilm

The Mandalorian & Grogu is scheduled to come to theaters on May 22, 2026.

Originally published on February 26, 2024.

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A Dive Into the Fifteenth Doctor’s TARDIS

The TARDIS is truly a living spaceship of beauty. It is bigger on the inside and, like the Doctor, frequently changes its appearance, although to a lesser degree. Throughout the show’s history, the box’s broken chameleon circuit means it always looks like a blue ‘60s era police box. But, even then, the outside often goes through some subtle tweaks. The biggest TARDIS changes really come from its interior, often reflecting the personality of the Doctor’s current incarnation. Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor has quite the marvelous TARDIS with some new features and we are keeping an eye on it all season long. 

The Fifteenth Doctor’s TARDIS Unique Origin Story BBC/Disney+

We first saw the Fifteenth Doctor’s TARDIS in the final 2023 anniversary special “The Giggle.” Fifteen brilliantly realizes that he and Fourteen’s game against the Toymaker left them with a prize—an additional TARDIS. Their TARDISes look almost identical. Both are stark white with those lovely round things on the wall that the Doctor loves. And while previous versions of the TARDIS had balcony areas, this one is delightfully full of ramps. The Fourteenth Doctor gets to keep his and go on occasional small adventures while Fifteen sets out in the universe. 

Is the New TARDIS the Real TARDIS?

Yes, according to showrunner Russell T Davies. If anyone has the duplicate, it is the Fourteenth Doctor. It is likely we will get confirmation about this sometime during season one. Ncuti’s Doctor is THE Doctor and this TARDIS is THE TARDIS. Period. Moving on…

The TARDIS’ Console Room, Special Features, and Other Interior Places [image error]BBC/Bad Wolf Studios/Disney+

One thing that sets Fifteen’s TARDIS apart from his predecessor’s machine (and anyone else’s) is the inclusion of a jukebox. It seems music will play a large role in this Doctor’s arc, considering his bouts with singing goblins, the Toymaker and his melodic laugh track, and Maestro’s musical mayhem. We haven’t heard him play a tune on it yet but surely it will come into play.

BBC/Bad Wolf Studios/Disney+

Quite a few tunnels lead to other areas, which the Doctor can seal off if he desires. In “Space Babies,” Ruby accidentally steps on a butterfly and changes her personal history, which the Doctor is able to fix. The TARDIS apparently has a “butterfly compensation switch” that he can activate to prevent things like this from happening.  

BBC Studios/Bad Wolf Studios/Disney+

So far, we haven’t seen anything outside of the console room. In “The Devil’s Chord,” we see Fifteen and Ruby go into one hallway on the lower deck and exit in the upper one, but that’s it. We do love the main room, though. Those round lights can actually change colors with some rainbow hues, which the Doctor can control with the snap of his fingers. We love mood lighting. And the console itself is a mix of past tech with a futuristic look. Overall, it truly looks and feels like something otherworldly and hopefully we can explore it more in the future. 

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DOCTOR WHO’s Fifteen and Ruby Space Story Pays Homage to Nine and Rose

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Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who’s “Space Babies” episode.

The Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday are officially off towards great adventures. “Space Babies” picks right up where the Christmas special left off. After a quick foray into the past with dinosaurs, the duo end up on a strange space station full of babies. It’s quite the odd adventure, to say the least, that shows how this Doctor and companion will stand out for their predecessors. However, Doctor Who season one tips its hat at the Ninth Doctor and Rose in a couple of sweet ways. 

BBC/Bad Wolf Studios/Disney+

These odes to Nine and Rose aren’t shocking considering the parallels between them and the Fifteen/Ruby pairing. Nine and Rose’s first season (also known as season/series one) began a fresh slate and era for the show for new fans to enjoy while referencing the show’s rich history. Fifteen and Ruby’s era is doing the same thing, obviously.

BBC Studios/Bad Wolf Studios/Disney+

Ruby is slightly reminiscent of Rose. They are both 19-year-old blonde girls from working class neighborhoods who seem to be down on their personal luck when they begin traveling with the Doctor. The Ninth and Fifteenth Doctors are coming off some pretty dark eras but know that they don’t want to be alone. Their first adventures are on Earth while the second one takes place on a space station. So, it’s only right for Doctor Who to callback to Nine and Rose. 

Much like Rose when she was billions of years in the future, Ruby is excited but also sad about the realization that her mom is dead at that time. The Fifteenth Doctor takes Ruby’s phone and boosts the signal so she can call her mom on the spot, thereby easing her anxiety. This is a direct callback to “The End of the World” when Nine does the same thing for Rose. 

The end of the episode also gives us another Nine and Rose ode. The Doctor takes Ruby to spend Christmas with her mum and grandmum. She invites him to come and say hello and he says, “tell your mom not to slap me.” Of course, this references “Aliens of London.” In that episode, Nine brings Rose back to her mom only to discover that an entire year has passed. Jackie is angry and slaps him really, really hard in response. Thankfully, Ruby was gone a very short time but her mum probably wanted to slap him for landing in her kitchen.

We will see if Fifteen and Ruby’s journey mirrors Nine and Rose’s adventures in the future.

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Who Is Jinkx Monsoon’s Maestro in DOCTOR WHO? The Musical Villain, Explained

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Spoilers ahead for the first two episodes (following the Christmas special) of Doctor Who season 1.

Doctor Who season 1 is ushering in a new era of adventures with the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday. There are fun places in the universe to explore and so many places in time to touch. The Doctor has lots of fun and friends but this character also has an endless list of enemies. The latest one is Jinkx Monsoon’s delightfully campy and musically inclined Doctor Who villain Maestro (pronouns: they/them). Let’s get into this character and their potential future in the Whoniverse. 

Jinkx Monsoon’s Maestro Is the Child of the Toymaker in Doctor WhoBBC Studios/Bad Wolf Studios/Disney+

In this season’s second episode, aptly titled “The Devil’s Chord,” we finally see Jinkx Monsoon in deliciously evil action. People speculated that Monsoon could be playing anyone from the Rani to another version of the Master to a somehow regenerated version of the Toymaker. It turns out that final theory wasn’t too far off base. At the end of the 60th anniversary episode, the Toymaker warned the Doctor(s) that a legion would head their way.

In “The Devil’s Chord,” Maestro reveals that they are the child of the Toymaker. While the Toymaker’s jam was playing deadly games as a living game himself (of sorts), Maestro is the essence of music. Maestro is happy that the Doctor (whom they oddly refer to as the Lord Temporal) trapped their father so they can truly play.

Is Jinkx Monsoon’s Maestro Really the Toymaker’s Child or Are They the Master?

Well, we can only assume that Maestro is being truthful about their origins. Interestingly, when you Google search “Doctor Who Maestro,” the results reveal that Maestro is a word that can also mean master. The word literally means a master of art, particularly music, which is true in this episode. It seems like more of a clever ode to the Doctor’s enduring enemy so that’s what we will believe for now. Jinkx Monsoon isn’t playing a new version of the Master as far as we can tell.

What Does the Villain Maestro Want in Doctor Who? 

At the beginning of the episode, we see Maestro invade 1925 and suck the musical life out of a prolific composer. It’s not clear what that means until the Doctor takes Ruby Sunday to 1963 to hear The Beatles record their first album. They are all decked out in ‘60s gear and ready to witness music history but they soon discover that the songs, well, suck because Maestro is sucking music out of humanity. (Now that’s a clever way to have the Beatles in the show and work around music licensing issues.) 

🎶 🎹 😈 #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/dgRdD37WGw

— Jinkx Monsoon (@JinkxMonsoon) May 6, 2024

The Doctor knows that something is amiss, so he takes Ruby to the rooftop of the recording studio to play the piano. When she does, Maestro literally pops out of the piano and begins to wreak havoc. Later on, Ruby asks why Maestro is doing this. Beside the obvious answer that they are the child of an agent of chaos, Maestro likes to hear the sweet music of a nuclear winter. They call it the purest music of all because it is “Aeolian tones,” which means music without the need of people. Every song that goes unsung feeds Maestro, who wants to get stronger so they can steal the music of the entire universe so it will stop turning and “keen in a minor key.” Maestro plans to “go solo” and have this be their greatest symphony of all. This is a wild plan, indeed. 

What Does Maestro Know that the Doctor and Ruby Sunday Don’t Know? BBC Studios/Bad Wolf

Maestro is a being of many mysteries and secrets. The biggest one comes later in the episode. Ruby is caught up in Maestro’s musical chains. They want to consume the music left in her heart. Maestro unveils Ruby’s hidden song, which is “Shepherd’s Bell Carol,” the Christmas song playing the night she was born. Similar to the space station, snowfall begins to fall in that room. Maestro says, “How can a song have so much power? And power like him?” The Doctor questions who “him” is and Maestro says it is “the oldest one.”

Maestro questions how the oldest one could have been there on Ruby’s birth day and why. They almost get the upper hand on Ruby and the Doctor but two of the Beatles—Lennon and McCartney—come together to play the right chord to defeat Maestro. Upon banishment, Maestro warns the Doctor and Ruby that “the one who waits is almost here.” 

Will Jinkx Monsoon Return as Maestro in Doctor Who?

We don’t know what any of that means at this point. But we are pretty certain that this won’t be the last of Maestro. Doctor Who said that this character was one of the Doctor’s greatest foes yet. And, with Maestro and Toymaker’s stories setting the foundation for Fifteen’s arc, it would be odd to only have the former in one episode. We will see how Maestro affects Doctor Who’s future.

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