Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 329

Could FALLOUT Season 2 Introduce NEW VEGAS’ Beloved Yes Man?

Prime Video’s Fallout featured a major, infamous figure from Fallout: New Vegas. The mustachioed leader of RobCo present for Barb Howard’s secret meeting was none other than the billionaire industrialist Mr. Robert House. With the show heading to the wasteland’s Sin City in season two, we might see the once powerful New Vegas ruler (or at least his brain) once again. But he might not be the only iconic denizen of the Strip still living there. We might also see a beloved video game character we would never say “no” to meeting again: Yes Man.

Who is this super positive, upbeat, hilarious fan-favorite AI robot voiced by Dave Foley? Here’s everything to know about a friendly and funny figure who can never turn us down.

Who Is Fallout: New Vegas‘ Yes Man?Obsidian Entertainment

Mr. House amassed his fortune thanks to his advanced robotics and software company. He then maintained order and kept power in New Vegas thanks in part to his fleet of Securitron robots. The heavily armed, single-wheeled machines served as his own private army. Fallout: New Vegas opens with an associate of Mr. House stealing the Platinum Chip, an upgrade that would greatly enhance the effectiveness of Securitrons.

The thief behind the subterfuge was Benny, head of the Mr. House-aligned tribe and casino operators known as “The Chairmen.” Benny (voiced by the late Matthew Perry) was already in possession of something that once belonged to Mr. House. That object was vital to Benny’s attempts to take control of New Vegas.

Obsidian Entertainment

The Chairmen leader had reprogrammed a damaged Securitron robot with a unique AI program. Benny’s right hand man/robot was known as Yes Man, and with good reason. Its comprehensive new programming (with one fatal oversight) made it impossible to refuse any commands or withhold any information asked of it. Yes Man’s compliant nature is the reason it alerted Benny to the Mr. House’s pending covert plans of the Platinum Chip. It also helped ruin its owner.

What Happened to Yes Man in Fallout: New Vegas?

Benny’s ultimate scheme to take control of New Vegas was going to include uploading Yes Man into Mr. House’s mainframe. First, he had to steal the Platinum Chip from the Courier, the delivery person gamers play as in Fallout: New Vegas. Benny’s associates left the delivery person for dead, but the Courier returned to New Vegas. There, Yes Man couldn’t refuse to answer the Courier’s questions about his owner or Mr. House. It was programmed to serve anyone and everyone.

Bethesda Softworks

Fallout: New Vegas provides players with many decisions, and they can change when and how gamers interact with Yes Man initially. Ultimately Yes Man becomes their sidekick as Benny is either captured, killed, or set free.

One available storyline sees the Courier work with Yes Man to free the city from the three main forces vying to control it. In that alternate ending the Courier acts on their own behalf, using Yes Man to secure the Hoover Dam and New Vegas. In one version of that ending the Securitrons don’t get an upgrade and chaos comes to the Strip. The one that includes them getting the Platinum Chip upgrade results in them maintaining order and peace in Sin City.

Yes Man ends the game by undergoing a small personality change Benny really should have thought of. It makes Yes Man only follow the Courier’s commands.

Does Yes Man Die in Fallout: New Vegas?

Yes Man is an artificial intelligence program. If someone or something destroys the robot or machine he possesses he simply pops up in another one. Yes Man’s sunny persona and smiling face can appear in any Securitron, his usual form. (Sometimes when he respawns its hard to find his new Securitron body. The Platinum Chip does not change his personality and programming if/when uploaded to Mr. House’s operating system.)

The only way Yes Man can truly “die” in the game is if he’s destroyed by a laser or plasma weapon. Prime Video’s Fallout doesn’t have to treat that as canon. And why would it when fans would love nothing more than to see Yes Man appear on the show?

Why Is Yes Man Such a Beloved Fallout Video Game Character?Obsidian Entertainment

Yes Man offers players advice and insight, but that’s not why players adore him. It’s how he does it. His can-do/must-do attitude makes for an always charming, consistently hilarious sidekick who is brought to life by the great Dave Foley. Yes Man, along with his biting, insightful commentary, is a whole lot of fun in a franchise that makes a dystopian wasteland a place worth wandering.

If you know Dave Foley, it’s not hard to understand what makes the character so memorable. Whether you’ve played Fallout: New Vegas for a thousand hours or are just learning about it right now, you can hear Foley saying, “This is going to be great! I’m going to help you accomplish so much, whether I want to or not!”

What we want is for Prime Video’s Fallout to say “yes” to bringing Yes Man to the show. With a character this good how could it even think about saying “no” to that?

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who loves Dave Foley and always will because of Newsradio. You can follow him on Twitter and Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Hasbro’s THE PHANTOM MENACE Retro Action Figures Could Not Be More Perfect

It’s hard to believe, but The Phantom Menace arrived in theaters 25 years ago. It premiered on May 19, 1999. As the first news Star Wars movie in nearly 20 years, the film had a lot to live up to, especially since it explored the origins of Darth Vader. The movie marks the in-universe beginning of the Skywalker saga. The Phantom Menace will be returning to theaters soon to celebrate the milestone anniversary on May 3. That’s right before May the 4th, a.k.a. Star Wars Day. Hasbro has several new items for that special day, including an absolutely perfect retro collection multipack of action figures for The Phantom Menace.

Hasbro

This multipack comes with action figures for Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala, Darth Maul, Jar Jar Binks, and a battle droid. In other words, it’s the ideal The Phantom Menace action figure sampler pack. It’s made all the cooler by the retro sculpt style. The lightsabers look like they’re from the ’70s and just look at Qui-Gon’s fabric cape! Take a closer gander at the figures in the gallery below.

Click To View Gallery Hasbro Hasbro Hasbro Hasbro Hasbro Hasbro

Inspired by the design of 1970s Kenner Star Wars action figures, these 3.75 inch scale The Phantom Menace figures each have five points of articulation. Each figure is individually packaged on a cardboard back within the box. The packaging has classic Kenner branding and a weathered look. As usual with these figures, the cardboard backing also has a large “Retro collection” label that takes away some of the coolness. However, if you’re like me, you open your action figures so the packaging doesn’t matter anyway.

Other items in the Hasbro May the 4th release include an Epic Hero series stormtrooper, Epic Hero series Paz Vizsla, a Vintage Collection Jango Fett, a Black Series Droideka, a Black Series Darth Vader, and a Vintage Collection Mandalorian.

This multipack of The Phantom Menace action figures retails for $59.99 and is available in stores now.

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The History of FALLOUT’s New California Republic

Prime Video’s Fallout opened with the destruction of Los Angeles in 2077 by the nuclear bombs. The Great War turned the world into a radioactive wasteland. It scattered elements of humanity into underground vaults while others struggled to rebuild civilization on the surface. In 2189 the western part of the United States did exactly that. Its people began to rebuild society with a functioning government known as the New California Republic. For years the highly-functional, welcoming, and (mostly) just NCR expanded its borders. Yet by the time of the Fallout TV series, it was no longer the beacon of prosperity it had once been.

What happened to the once burgeoning republic? Here’s everything you need to know about the NCR before Fallout season two.

When Did the New California Republic First Appear in the Fallout Franchise?Prime Video

Players first heard about the NCR and its capital city Shady Sands at the end of the original Fallout video game. The New California Republic then appeared in Fallout 2, which takes place on the West Coast. The powerful government was also mentioned in the franchise’s third and fourth installments, but it played a major role in Fallout: New Vegas.

At the start of Fallout: New Vegas the NCR controlled the Hoover Dam and had an alliance with Mr. House, the ruler of New Vegas. The status of the powerful imperialistic government by the end of the game depends on the player’s choices. You can read more about Fallout: New Vegas, Mr. House, and the game’s alternate endings with our deep dives into each.

Fallout’s New Vegas, Explained—from The Games To The Series
Who Is Mr. Robert House in FALLOUT? The History of New Vegas, Explained
Why The Fallout Series Won’t Have To Choose Between New Vegas’ Four Endings

How Did the NCR Begin? Who Founded the New California Republic?

The NCR, whose official flag is a version of the original California state flag that features a two-headed bear, can trace its origins back overcrowding in Vault-15. Most members of the highly diverse underground bunker left the vault behind in 2097 to live on the surface. There they used Vault-Tec technology to build flourishing, self-sustaining communities, one of which was Shady Sands (established in 2142). The town was led by former Vault dweller Aradesh, who ensured the community’s safety by defeating local tribes of raiders (some of which came consisted of his old Vault 15 cohorts).

With the aid of his daughter Tandi, Aradesh oversaw Shady Sands’ growing prosperity. Then, in 2186, Shady Sands and other nearby communities formed a trial council government with the aim of ultimately forming a functioning republic. Three years later, five “states” signed a formal constitution creating the New California Republic. Aradesh would serve as the first President for a nation that would go on to become the biggest, most powerful government in North America since The Great War.

Black Isle Studios

Aradesh was the first President of the NCR, but he mysteriously vanished seven years into his presidency. His disappearance is especially notable because he was a) interested in the abandoned Vault-13 and b) this is a world where people can show up later/live for centuries as a ghoul, a brain plugged into a computer, in life-support pods, or be woken up from stasis.

After he was declared dead his daughter Tandi served as his successor for 52 years. Three other presidents (at least) served after Tandi, who had been a truly transformational leader.

What Was the NCR’s Form of Government in Fallout?

The New California Republic was just that, a federal democratic republic based on the former United States. A President of the executive branch (called the Council) served as its head of state. The NCR also had a senate elected directly by citizens. Members of Congress then elected the President, Vice President, and the executive cabinet to five-year terms with no term limits. Despite being a democracy that included a judiciary that enforced the government’s laws, NCR Presidents often met little pushback in implementing their policies.

The NCR had easy and direct immigration laws and processes (for non-violent people), which helped grow its number of official citizens. It also had a a formal process for tribes and communities to join, which expanded its borders. The New California Republic also had a powerful, advanced, standing military consisting of both volunteers and conscripted members.

Prime Video

And the diverse and welcoming nation protected non-citizens and non-humans alike. It welcomed mutants and ghouls into the country, where NCR laws and courts protected them even before they became formal citizens. The republic, which passed equality laws banning nearly all forms of discrimination, also strictly enforced the separation of church and state, but non-violent religions were freely permitted to practice.

The government even had a Department of State to establish formal ties and communications with other governments and groups. And it also built roads, trains, forts, and other forms of infrastructure, all of which it supported with a formal currency.

What Was Life Like for Citizens of the NCR?Prime Video

After only a century, which saw it defeat the Brotherhood of Steel in direct combat, the NCR firmly established itself as a beacon of the wasteland. Its more than 700,000 citizens (a massive population) enjoyed a high quality of life. The NCR came closest to recreating life of pre-war America. It established a working society of laws that offered people both healthcare and an economy that provided a variety of careers and lifestyles for people to pursue. The technologically advanced NCR gave people the chance not just to survive like others in a post-war world, but to thrive.

The NCR’s growth and prosperity brought new problems with it, however. It changed from a communal society where people worked for free to one where some citizens became driven by greed and self-interest. That was also true of the government itself, which sought to expand its borders without consent.

What Areas Did the NCR Control?Bethesda Softworks

At its apex, the drug-free, slavery-free, sex-work-free NCR expanded its borders from southern California all the way north into Oregon. It also expanded into Nevada and the Mojave desert, only not all of its eastward movement was given freely by people asking to join. The NCR adopted an imperialistic expansionist policy. That led it to take control of the Hoover Dam, though it did not try to conquer New Vegas. Instead it entered into an alliance with the city, which it also aimed to protect.

The Hoover Dam was a source of clean water and energy, both of which greatly enhanced the quality of life for NCR citizens. But the damn also exemplified the New California Republic’s new militaristic approach to achieving its otherwise benevolent goals. And the Second Battle of Hoover Dam (the conclusion of Fallout: New Vegas) showed not everyone was willing to accept NCR rule without a fight.

That included one group that had spent years secretly planning to rule the surface itself.

What Did Fallout Season 1 Reveal about Shady Sands?Prime Video

Fallout: New Vegas—set 15 years prior to Prime Video’s canonical show—said Shady Sands was still standing strong during the events of the game. Yet Fallout season one revealed the town had been destroyed four years prior to the Second Battle of Hoover Dam. (The series’ creators have said that apparent discrepancy has an official explanation we’ll learn about eventually.)

Hank MacLane and his cohorts at Vault-Tec dropped a nuclear bomb on the city to stop it from reestablishing civilization on the surface before Vault-Tec could. The destruction of Shady Sands also suggests its government also died in the blast, as it was the location for both the NCR President and the Hall of Congress.

That blast might have destroyed the NCR forever. But there’s just as much reason to be hopeful about its survival as there is to despair over its fate.

What Happened to Moldaver and the NCR in Fallout Season 1?Prime Video

We don’t know exactly how many government officials died in the Shady Sands blast. We don’t even actually know if the NCR’s borders have greatly shrunk since Fallout: New Vegas. However, things don’t exactly look good for the New California Republic. Moldaver (who might have been its newest President) was leading a much smaller NCR out of the old Griffith Observatory in the former Los Angeles. Was that tiny retinue all that remained of the once powerful NCR? If so it’s now gone. Moldaver and all her forces died when the Brotherhood of Steel attacked and took control of her cold fusion technology. (A source of unlimited power that makes the Hoover Dam seem inconsequential.)

But not all hope is lost for the NCR, even if Hank’s vile monster leader who helped him destroy Shady Sands now controls New Vegas. The New California Republic had established outposts throughout its borders. It had a military, resources, technology, and many citizens who’d built quality lives for themselves thanks to the NCR. Even without Shady Sands the nation had the infrastructure it needed to withstand an attack and quickly rebuild.

Is the New California Republic Gone Forever on Fallout?Black Isle Studios

The NCR might not exist anymore. Or there might be more than just remnants of the NCR still operating. It might have just moved its politicians and military somewhere else. At the very least it has at allies out there. (Someone helped Moldaver.) If it still exists in anyway it could be the one group powerful enough to save the world. It could stand against both the Brotherhood and Vault-Tec.

More importantly, it might be the only group that can do something revolutionary. It could help mankind establish a truly free and just society for everyone. Hopefully this time, it will only do that with people that want to join.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who wonders if the NCR had good fish tacos. You can follow him on Twitter and Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Does the KNUCKLES TV Show Set Up SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3?

The Knuckles TV series is finally here. That fiery and red Echidna (voiced brilliantly by Idris Elba) went from being Sonic’s opponent to his “base of ball” loving friend by the end of Sonic 2. This show takes us into Knuckles new life as he (poorly) adjusts to being on Earth. Knuckles is a very unserious adventure with its titular character and Green Hills deputy Wade Whipple as the pair go on a journey to Reno, NV. Knuckles is determined to make Wade into an Echidna warrior and Wade is determined to reconnect with his estranged dad and beat him in a bowling tournament. Fans of this universe may be wondering how Knuckles sets up Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and, well, the answer is pretty simple.

[image error]Paramount PicturesKnuckles Digs Deeper Into G.U.N.’s History

Knuckles does have some connective tissue to the Sonic films, specifically with learning more about G.U.N (Guardian Units of Nations). The first episode introduces us to the antagonist The Buyer, whom we later find out is a former G.U.N. employee who worked under Robotnik. In case you forgot, G.U.N. is that evil military organization run by Commander Walters that is doing some no-good research with Project Shadow. (Totally looking forward to Keanu Reeves voicing Shadow the Hedgehog.)

The Buyer said after Robotnik lost his mind pursuing Sonic, the organization tried to kill him but he survived and made a lucrative living selling tech on the black market. His next goal is to capture Knuckles’ power and use it to get revenge against aliens like Sonic and friends. He enlists two rogue G.U.N. agents to do his dirty work but they predictably fail more than once. One of the agents, Willoughby, is unhappy that G.U.N. is allowing aliens like Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles to live on Earth. She sees them as a threat to humanity and wants them dead.  

The Knuckles TV Series Ending, ExplainedParamount Pictures

The series basically ends with Wade finally discovering his inner strength and discovering his father isn’t a good man. Meanwhile, Knuckles forms a bond with Wade, his mom, and his sister and finally sees Earth as his new home. Knuckles uses two rings to send the agents to some unknown place and, with Wade’s help, crushes The Buyer and his mechanical suit with a globe. It is a much more self-contained story with a neater ending than most fans would expect; however, it gives Knuckles and Wade some necessary growth. 

At the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles primary concern was protecting the Master Emerald versus saving the planet. Now he has friends and family to fight for. Wade can also prove to be useful instead of just being Tom’s dimwitted friend. He’s still silly but certainly much braver now. 

Is There a Post-Credits Scene in Knuckles?

For those who are wondering, there is a mid-credits scene in Knuckles but it has nothing to do with setting up Sonic the Hedgehog 3. It is Knuckles and Wade on a motorcycle heading back to Green Hills. Wade puts on “The Warrior” by Scandal and Knuckles claims it as his jam. (This is also one of my jams, too.) It is cute but without big revelations. 

There’s no confirmation that Wade Whipple and his family will be in the next Sonic sequel. But it seems pretty likely given their importance in Knuckles’ life. Either way, Knuckles is a fun romp in the Sonic universe to hold you over until the next movie.

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X-MEN ’97’s Open Credits Get the LEGO Treatment

There are lots of ways to tell when a show has made its way to the forefront of pop culture. Sometimes it’s as simple as bonkers ratings and robust social media attention. You can also get a good idea how much people care by how many theories and explainers sites like ours write. Even an influx of popular memes and jokes can indicate a project has thoroughly made its way into the cultural consciousness. But there’s one specific sign something is truly connecting with audiences that is especially fun. It comes in little plastic brick form. We know viewers can’t get enough of a series when it gets a LEGO recreation. And that’s exactly what Disney+’s X-Men ’97 just got for its opening credits.

YouTuber LegoBricks Studio has turned Marvel’s mutants into a delightful LEGO short. Over three weeks the channel used Mecabricks to re-create the opening credits for the MCU’s X-Men: The Animated Series reboot. It recently launched to widespread acclaim. That’s true of both the show and its fantastic opening sequence. Accompanied by the original series’ iconic theme song, this intro shows Charles Xavier’s most important X-Men character by character before they run into battle against Magneto and his forces.

You can really appreciate how good this LEGO version is by seeing how it stacks up to the actual intro.

Not every LEGO re-creation is (re)created equally, though. Some are truly just full on shot-for-shot LEGO versions. But this X-Men ’97 takes it a step further by full embracing its LEGO-ness. You can see that when Beast goes from docile doctor to fierce warrior by spinning his LEGO head. He goes from smiling to growling just like an actual LEGO mini-figure. And rather than just a regular light emanating from Professor X’s head, it’s an illuminated LEGO piece.

LegoBricks Studio

Perfection.

And also the latest sign just how much people love this show.

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CLUE: WEDNESDAY Board Game Brings Hyde Drama to Your Table

It’s always a delight when two things we love come together for something fun. It is no secret that Netflix’s Wednesday series is a fave here at Nerdist. We simply cannot get enough of Jenna Ortega as our favorite dark and very quotable Addams family member. And, of course, we will always pledge our nerdy allegiance to Tim Curry and the movie masterpiece known as Clue. Remember when we live-tweeted that gem together when things spiraled in 2020? Good times. That movie only made us love the game even more. Now, there’s a new edition of the beloved Clue board game—which got an upgrade in 2023—that is Wednesday themed. 

The OP Games/Hasbro/Netflix

This is perfectly fitting considering the Wednesday TV series is largely playing out as a mystery. Last season left us wondering who is watching Wednesday after she solved the mystery about the Hyde. Here’s a description of the Clue: Wednesday game: 

A dark mystery with terrible dangers is yours to solve in this spooky, modern take on the classic mystery game. With the dangerous Hyde on the loose, you’ll play as students of Nevermore Academy, like Wednesday Addams and Ajax Petropolus. You’ve got to keep your wits about you as you determine WHO will be the Hyde’s next victim, WHERE will the Hyde attack, and WHAT item was key in bringing him down!

Click To View Gallery The OP Games/Hasbro/Netflix The OP Games/Hasbro/Netflix The OP Games/Hasbro/Netflix The OP Games/Hasbro/Netflix

There couldn’t be a better time for this collaboration. There are new Clue stories coming to TV as well as film in the future. And, Wednesday is even getting a spinoff series featuring Uncle Fester, which will expand that world. Maybe, just maybe, we can get a live-action Wednesday and Clue mashup at some point. Until then, Clue: Wednesday is available on Amazon for $44.99.

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U.S. Signs ‘TikTok Ban’ Legislation to Force Sale, Lawsuit to Follow

The long-discussed TikTok “ban” just took a big legal step towards becoming a reality. It also took a big step towards a courtroom. The recently passed bipartisan national security bill signed into law by President Biden included legislation forcing TikTok owner ByteDance to sell the social media platform lest it be banned in the U.S. entirely. But don’t worry about losing access to the site’s videos just yet. The company says it will go to court to have the law overturned.

And, despite some reports that ByteDance is considering selling to some degree, a Variety report confirms that the company affirms will not sell TikTok.

TikTok

The recent $95 billion dollar national security bill that provided funds to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan also included a piece of legislation called Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The portion of the bill “prohibits distributing, maintaining, or providing internet hosting services for a foreign adversary controlled application.” If there were any questions who this bill is specifically targeting it only cites TikTok and ByteDance by name.

The given reason by politicians for the law’s inclusion in the larger bill is one of national security. Despite only a small amount of evidence the Chinese-based ByteDance has ever done so, officials believe the company is following a Chinese law that requires TikTok to sharing private user data with the Chinese government. Meanwhile others have also noted TikTok is a natural rival of Facebook, which has previously spent big dollars lobbying congress to take action against TikTok.

@tiktok

Response to TikTok Ban Bill

♬ original sound – TikTok – TikTok

The legislation gives the company nine months to sell TikTok. President Biden can also extend them 30 more days to find a buyer. If ByteDance doesn’t sell the social media platform TikTok will be officially banned in the United States. Before any of that happens though the legality of the bill will head before a judge. ByteDance has said it intends to sue the government from forcing its sale or from banning it.

How long will that take for this case to make its way into a courtroom? We don’t know. But for at least nine months we have a pretty good idea where you’ll find lots of video updates about its status on the court’s docket.

Originally published April 24, 2024.

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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Doesn’t Require Major MCU Knowledge, Says Director Shawn Levy

After years of speculating, in 2022, Marvel Studios confirmed that Deadpool would officially join the MCU for a third installment of the R-rated comic book franchise at the start of Phase Six. This would mark the first official character of the Fox X-Men universe joining the MCU (although Patrick Stewart as a variant Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness kinda counts too, we suppose).

Marvel Studios

While this film will fold in some previous MCU elements, like the TVA, as well as the Fox X-Men movies, director Shawn Levy insists that you will not need a ton of MCU knowledge or have to do “homework” to enjoy this film. Here’s what he had to say in an Associated Press interview:

“I was a good student in school. I’ll do my homework as an adult. But I am definitely not looking to do homework when I go to the movies. I very much made this film with certainly a healthy respect and gratitude towards the rabid fan base that has peak fluency in the mythology and lore of these characters and this world. But I didn’t want to presume that. This movie is built for entertainment, with no obligation to come prepared with prior research.”

In a world where everything is a massive universe that you have to keep up with closely, this is a relief. Here is everything we know so far about Deadpool & Wolverine.

Title

Thanks to a Super Bowl trailer (check it out below!), we know that this film, formerly called Deadpool 3, is actually Deadpool & Wolverine.

Deadpool & Wolverine‘s Plot

The plot of Deadpool & Wolverine remains a mystery. All we know is that Hugh Jackman is returning as Wolverine, and that it takes place before the feral X-Man’s death in Logan. In fact, Jackman has confirmed that time travel will be involved in the threequel in a big way.

While originally, Deadpool & Wolverine was called Deadpool 3, director Shawn Levy wants to make sure fans understand that the title change is not just cosmetic. Levy notes to Screen Rant:

As far as crafting the Deadpool & Wolverine story, I just felt privileged every day because you’re talking about two massive movie stars in their most iconic roles. It also gave me an opportunity. It’s the third Deadpool movie, but it’s not Deadpool 3. It’s a different thing that’s very much Deadpool and Wolverine. And it’s not trying to copycat anything from the first two movies. They were awesome, but this is a two-hander character adventure.

As most folks know by now, Deadpool’s third solo film will reunite him with his X-Men Origins: Wolverine co-star. Deadpool and Wolverine will work together, although they have made it very clear that these two characters “hate each other.” It will not be a love-fest in this story. But the fact that Deadpool & Wolverine is smack in the middle of the Multiverse Saga should give us all a clue as to what’s going to go down, and probable multiversal shenanigans will ensue.

Dogpool, of course, will also star.

Make sure to follow him on Instagram.

We also now know what Deadpool & Wolverine‘s new official logo looks like thanks to a fun poster.

Marvel StudiosDeadpool & Wolverine‘s Cast20th Century Studios

We know Hugh Jackman will return, along with the very obvious Ryan Reynolds. Here’s who else we know about: Karan Soni, cab driver Dopinder, Leslie Uggams, Emma Corrin, and Matthew Macfadyen. In exciting news, Morena Baccarin and Stefan Kapicic are reprising their roles as Vanessa and Colossus in Deadpool & Wolverine. So are Rob Delaney’s Peter, Brianna Hildebrand (Negasonic Teenage Warhead), and Shioli Kutsuna (Yukio). Jennifer Garner’s Elektra from the 2003 Daredevil Marvel Fox movie is also reported to reprise her role in this MCU film.

20th Century StudiosBehind the Scenes

Deadpool & Wolverine‘s director for this third outing will be Shawn Levy, most recently known for his work on Stranger Things. This would be a reunion for Levy and Reynolds, as the pair previously worked together on the movie Free Guy. Levy is also known for the time travel movie The Adam Project.

On the writing side of things are Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, writers for the popular animated series Bob’s Burgers. The writers for the first two Deadpool films, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, are also contributing to movie number three’s screenplay, as is Ryan Reynolds himself.

Deadpool & Wolverine Release DateMarvel Studios

Deadpool & Wolverine will arrive on July 26, 2024.

Originally published on January 4, 2023.

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Pee-wee Herman in CYBERPUNK 2077 Somehow Just Works

It’s been almost a year since we lost Paul Reubens, the actor who brought the iconic Pee-wee Herman to life. But fans have ensured the memory of Pee-wee lives on, finding ways to keep him alive in memes and tribute videos. Thanks to the folks at Laughing Squid, we’ve learned about a YouTuber by the name of eli_handle_b․wav. They have edited scenes from the game Cyberpunk 2077 and included Pee-wee from his cinematic debut in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Whether it’s Night City, California, or a 1980s shopping center, one truth remains: you just don’t separate a boy from his bike. There are consequences.

Pee-wee was always trying to look like a tough guy in Tim Burton’s classic 1985 movie. So he somehow fits right into the dystopian future world of Cyberpunk 2077. After all, this is the same Pee-wee who got inducted into the Satan’s Helpers biker gang by putting on an unforgettable dance number. The same Pee-wee who said “I’m a loner, Dottie. A rebel.” Ok, maybe his wardrobe doesn’t go, but nobody’s perfect. This is not the first time that eli_handle_b․wav has mixed classic comedies into video games. On their channel, they have videos showcasing Shrek in Fallout 4, and Austin Powers in Mass Effect. They even had Ace Ventura, also in Cyberpunk 2077.

eli_handle_b․wav

Pee-wee somehow has a way of turning up in various other movies he originally wasn’t in. Well, in fan-made videos anyway. Some of our favorites include the time he was in Jurassic Park, or when he took the place of Kylo Ren in Star Wars. We don’t think anyone has put Pee-wee on board the Titanic yet, but we figure it’s only a matter of time. Especially now that he’s gone though, we appreciate seeing that face and hearing that distinctive laughter pop up anywhere.

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Who Is Mr. Robert House in FALLOUT? The History of New Vegas’ Ruler, Explained

The house always wins. As the only human cameo from the Fallout games thus far in the Prime Video TV series, and with New Vegas very literally looming on the show’s horizon, it seems only natural that we’ll see Robert House appear at some point in Fallout season two. He’s an insufferable libertarian to some and based inspiration to others. Here’s everything the Fallout games tell us about New Vegas’ enigmatic autocrat. 

Who Is Robert House in the Fallout Universe? Bethesda Softworks

Robert House is the founder and CEO of RobCo Industries. His company is the source of much of Fallout’s classic tech, such as the Mr. Handys (the robotic butler we see trying to ‘borrow’ Lucy’s organs in the show) and, of course, the Pip-Boy, a product that was a partnership between RobCo and Vault-Tec. Worn on the wrist of every game protagonist, and now with Lucy carrying on its tradition—RobCo is an inescapable force in the Fallout universe. 

Robert House’s History Before the War

Robert Edwin House was born on June 25th, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada, to the owners of the H&H Tool empire. House was orphaned at age two when his parents died in a freak auto-gyro-lightning-bolt accident. (Fallout is weird.) House was cheated out of his sizable inheritance by his half-brother Anthony. However, with that chip firmly on his shoulder and a genius IQ under his belt, House persevered. He eventually got into the Commonwealth Institute of Technology, the Fallout universe’s MIT equivalent. After graduating at the ripe old age of twenty-two, House founded RobCo industries. 

Thanks to House’s impeccable business acumen and intrinsic technical know-how, RobCo became one of the most profitable companies in the world over the next eight years. House was known for his ruthless, excessive corporate expansion. He’d gobble up smaller companies and eventually create a veritable monopoly in some tech markets, especially software. If you look closely at any terminal in the games or show, you’ll see that it’s running on a RobCo operating system. 

Robert House as a character was very much in the spirit of Howard Hughes a.k.a. the classic eccentric billionaire trope. But House, and by extension his hobbies, were more bizarrely pragmatic. House personally designed mathematical paradigms to attempt to predict major world events. He’d base this on a stream of constantly updating information with thousands of geopolitical and socio-economic factors.

House determined that on October 23rd, 2077,  at approximately 8pm EST, nuclear fire would rain from the sky. You gotta give it to the guy. He was only off by twenty hours. 

Mr. House Devises a Plan for Las Vegas to Survive the Impending War

With the date in mind, House began working towards making sure that Las Vegas would survive the war, and just as important—he would survive the war. Like any good billionaire, House owned a Vegas casino known as the Lucky 38. Using the vast wealth and resources of RobCo, House began outfitting the Lucky 38 so that it could protect Vegas against the brunt of a nuclear assault. He also decided that drastic measures would have to be taken for him to remain alive indefinitely to handle the crisis personally. House had his fleshy, mortal body sealed into a life support device that would keep him alive—relatively and theoretically—forever. Meanwhile, his brain was wired into a massive supercomputer. 

Bethesda Softworks

House also created an army of Securitrons to act as his eyes, ears, and hands post-war. The Securitrons are some of RobCo’s stronger combat robots. He knew they would at least be enough to deter most trouble makers that might crop up after the end of the world. House knew that the current capabilities of the Lucky 38 and the Securitron army that he possessed were not going to be enough to completely spare Vegas. The Strip would likely remain relatively unharmed, but the surrounding environs, not so much.

A new operating system (OS) was designed, one that would upgrade House’s laser grid to better ensure a completely untouched Las Vegas. It would also greatly increase the offensive capabilities of his Securitron army. The OS was downloaded onto the Platinum Chip, and was set to be delivered via courier to House the morning of October 23rd, 2077. Unfortunately, the courier didn’t make it in time. 

Even with the inferior operating system, House was still able to stop sixty-eight of the seventy-seven nuclear missiles from hitting Las Vegas. While portions of the city were still destroyed, it was largely spared. When the impact hit, House’s life support systems went out of whack, and he fell into a coma for the next fifty years, while chaos reigned unchecked in the world outside. 

Robert House Comes Out of a Post-War Coma and Establishes New Vegas

House regained consciousness in 2138. He initially chose to bide his time and observe the goings-on of the Mojave Wasteland instead of immediately revealing himself. Waiting and watching, House made his move when reports of NCR scouts in the area reached him around 2274. The Securitrons finally, after so many years, left the Lucky 38. With the hopes of having staff that had pulses, House gave the raiders currently occupying the Vegas Strip three options. They could leave, work for him, or die. Three raider tribes chose to work for him. They became the Chairmen, the Omertas, and the White Glove Society, who would run New Vegas’ three restored casinos.

Prime video

Once established and later ensconced within the cultural and economic conscience of the Mojave, House made a deal with the NCR to coexist in relative peace. The NCR got to have McCarran Air Force Base and an embassy on the Strip. House got to have free power from Hoover Dam, and all the money from the NCR citizens desperate for a vacation. What happened to New Vegas and Mr. House after 2281—well, only the show can really answer that now. 

What Is Mr. Robert House Up to in Fallout?

House’s morality (or lack thereof) has been debated among the Fallout fanbase for the past fifteen years. House is a man with a single-minded focus who allows for no distractions. Monitoring or controlling the lives of the people in the Mojave has never been of any interest to him. The preservation and newfound flourishing of mankind, through throwing off the shackles of the past is, by all accounts, his singular interest. However, with a goal so large and lofty, you can imagine that the man behind these plans might find singular human lives, or even large groups of them …fairly insignificant. His take on democracy is also not the most positive one. 

Love him or hate him, House is a force to be reckoned with. Once the Fallout show confirms which of the multiple endings from New Vegas is canon, we’ll see how Mr. Robert House is going to play into the events of the show moving forward. Can you imagine House and Cooper in a room together? Because I’m imagining it, and I’m loving it.

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