Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 334

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Pits Xenomorphs Against Marvel’s Iconic Heroes

Once Disney bought 20th Century Studios and Marvel could play with Fox IP, we knew the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise would fight some superheroes one day. Now it’s official, as coming this July is Aliens vs. Avengers, a four-issue limited series by the superstar creative team of Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribić. That’s the same creatives responsible for the epic 2015 limited series Secret Wars, which is forming the basis for a highly anticipated Avengers sequel in a few years. Marvel has released cover art by Esad Ribić for the first issue, which you can see right here:

Marvel Comics

Jonathan Hickman spoke to Entertainment Weekly and dropped some hints about what to expect from the upcoming crossover event.

I’ve never worked on a licensed or ‘non-superhero’ property the entire time I’ve been at Marvel, so when all of this came together almost two years ago, I kind of jumped at the opportunity. I love the Aliens universe and the mythology, and obviously just how atmospherically and well-designed everything is has always gotten my creative juices flowing. It was tricky finding a way to make these two things work together, but I think Esad and I landed on something that works for fans of both franchises.

Jonathan Hickman is as big a writer as Marvel currently has. His runs on Fantastic Four and Avengers are among the best either series has ever had. Meanwhile, his X-Men reinvention of 2019 became a fan-favorite, fueling five years’ worth of stories. His work with Ribić on Secret Wars was also game-changing. So this creative team makes this series much more than another throwaway IP mash-up. The series will take place in the near future, with “older, gritter versions of Marvel’s heroes.”

Marvel Comics/20th Century Studios

We have to give it up to Marvel for the logo of this series. Fans will notice it’s an upside-down version of the Weyland-Yutani logo from James Cameron’s Aliens. Nicely done. The Alien vs. Predator franchise actually began as a comic book back in the day. Since then, the Xenomorphs have fought Superman, Batman, Judge Dredd, and even Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We’ll find out if Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are as much of a challenge to the Xenomorphs as those heroic icons were.

Aliens Vs. Avengers #1 goes on sale July 24, just weeks ahead of the release of Alien: Romulus.

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Josh Hartnett Is a Serial Killer Dad in TRAP’s Surprising Trailer

There’s something special about ‘90s heartthrobs and dream girls. Maybe you loved She’s All That because Freddie Prinze, Jr. and/or Rachael Leigh Cook were indeed all that. (Some of us were absolutely interested in both, hehe.) I totally hear you and had plenty of crushes of my own, like the Fresh Prince himself. Another guy I love is Josh Hartnett, whom I first saw in scary films like Halloween H20 and The Faculty. Of course, he was far from the villain in those films and many others as he became a teen idol and kept building his career. So, imagine my distress when I watched the trailer for Trap, a horror movie where Josh Hartnett is a serial killer at a pop concert.

The film, written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, is about Cooper, a dad taking his teen daughter Riley (played by Ariel Donoghue) to see her favorite singer. That sounds touching and totally normal, right? Well, if you know anything about Shyamalan, then you knew it was gonna go left field. However, the Trap trailer goes left field in a way that you don’t expect.

We see Cooper marveling at his daughter’s pure joy over seeing her music queen live. He tells her that he’s going to the restroom and that’s when your heart starts to pound. Is someone going to kidnap her? Is there some supernatural or demonic foolery afoot? Not quite. Cooper notices an unsettling amount of security on his way to the restroom and questions someone who works there.

The guy reluctantly tells him that they’re setting a trap for “the Butcher,” a serial killer who lives up to his name. The worker says there’s no way to leave, and Cooper retreats to the bathroom to check his home security. And guess what? He has someone chained and screaming in his basement! What. The. Hell. Cooper starts seeing red and wondering how he’s going to get out of there without being caught and really, really ruining Riley’s day. Yikes. A movie from the killer’s POV is inspired, indeed.

What Is the Release Date for M. Night Shyamalan and Josh Hartnett’s Horror Movie Trap? Warner Bros. Pictures

The trailer doesn’t offer up any brutality but we do get brooding stares from Hartnett that make me feel very conflicted. I want to talk about it but not in public. Anyway, Trap will hit theaters on August 9 and I cannot wait to see what happens to Cooper and Riley. Oh, and the man in the basement, too.

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The Best DOCTOR WHO Historical Episodes: The Modern Era Edition

Doctor Who‘s TARDIS is a spaceship full of marvels. Not only is it wildly bigger on the inside and basically alive, it can take you pretty much anywhere in space… and time. While it is always thrilling to witness the Doctor and their companion(s) heading to different worlds and days to come, the show often travels back in time to reimagine real-life events and bring historical figures into the fold. That look into the past for both educational and entertainment reasons is a foundational aspect of Doctor Who. It continues into the show’s modern era and, based on what we’ve seen, will keep going with Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. We think Doctor Who tends to nail it with most of the historical episodes. But a few stand out among the crowd. (If we listed ALL of the good ones, this list would be too long.)

BBC

Here are some the best Doctor Who historical episodes in the modern era and beyond.

“The Unquiet Dead” (Season 1 (2005), Episode 3)

This episode is the first foray into the past for the Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler’s short-lived duo as well as fans who were new to the franchise. It encompasses many things fans love about Doctor Who: emotional heft, time-traveling jokes, lots of running, wonky special effects, clever ties to a larger arc, and using the TARDIS’ closet. In Victorian-era Cardiff in 1869, Rose and Nine encounter the gas-driven and body-snatching Gelth alongside Simon Callow’s very delightful Charles Dickens. From the clairvoyant Gwyneth’s utterances of a “bad wolf” to her morally controversial sacrifice, viewers get a taste of history and a larger understanding of how awful it can be traveling with the Doctor. 

“The Girl in the Fireplace” (Season 2, Episode 4)

Once again, Doctor Who introduces many fans to a real-life historical figure in their accurate time period with a sci-fi twist. The Tenth Doctor, Rose Tyler, and Mickey Smith find themselves on a 51st-century spaceship. Oddly, the ship has time windows to spy on Madame de Pompadour. Much of this episode’s appeal is the chemistry between David Tennant’s whimsical and flirtatious Doctor alongside Sophia Myles’ curious, brazen, and charming take on the infamous real-life mistress of King Louis XV. It’s a riveting love story and mystery with an effective villain. The ending is one of many examples of how this mostly silly sci-fi series can absolutely destroy you emotionally.

“Human Nature/Family of Blood” (Season 3, Episodes 8 and 9)

This is a problematic fave for many Doctor Who fans. There’s the obvious issues with having a Black companion stuck in this time period (and with Martha Jones’ treatment as a whole). Still, this two-part story as a whole is quite good. Watching the Doctor become as human as he will ever be in 1913 as his frequent alter ego John Smith while Martha works to both protect him and help him remember who he is adds up to a touching, at times frustrating, but consistently entertaining story. The Family of Blood is properly creepy and Martha continues to prove that she’s very capable all on her own. There’s a reason why these episodes often rank among fans as two of the best in Tennant’s era. 

“The Unicorn and the Wasp” (Season 4, Episode 7)

Reader, I have a confession. Season four of Doctor Who is absolutely one of my faves, so I couldn’t choose just one historical episode. “The Unicorn and the Wasp” takes us to 1926 on the eve of mystery author Agatha Christie’s disappearance. The reimagining of her real-life mystery with an ongoing whodunit story that gives serious Clue vibes. There’s a plethora of reference’s to Christie’s most famous works, an ensemble of memorable characters, a shapeshifting giant wasp, and one of the best TARDIS duos in the show’s recent history. You gotta love it. 

“The Fires of Pompeii” (Season 4, Episode 2)

Much like “The Unquiet Dead,” “The Fires of Pompeii” is a historical episode that also serves a few sobering warnings to the companion and, by extension, the viewer. Some terrible things are meant to happen and there’s nothing anyone—not even a godlike time-traveler—can do to fix it. While traveling with the Doctor seems exciting and glamorous on the surface, it will involve death and heartbreak. Ten and Donna end up in Pompeii the exact same day that Mount Vesuvius is set to erupt. Then-future Doctor Peter Capaldi’s turn as real historical figure Lucius Caecilius along with his family gives the viewer a more intimate view of what it meant to live during that time while also staying in line with the show’s fantasy elements. 

“Vincent and the Doctor” (Season 5, Episode 10)

You cannot talk about Doctor Who historical episodes without talking about “Vincent and the Doctor.” Despite being a well-known artist, Vincent van Gogh often feels nebulous as a human being. This episode brings him to life (thanks to Tony Curran’s stunning performance) in marvelous fashion. It depicts his mental health and self-image struggles with compassion and heart. It’s a history lesson and winding adventure all wrapped in one. I dare you to watch it and not feel all the feels at the end.

“Let’s Kill Hitler” (Season 6, Episode 8)

This title is certainly one that grabs your attention. The Eleventh Doctor, Amy, and Rory end up in 1938 Berlin where they accidentally save Hitler from torture at the hands of a time-traveling justice organization. (To be fair, it makes sense for that type of org to go after him.) It is quite the gamble to include such an awful person in a rather comedic story. But, thanks to great performances by Albert Welling and Alex Kingston as Hitler and River Song, respectively, it becomes a high-energy dive into the past. 

“The Doctor, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” – (Christmas Special 2011)

Okay so maybe this one is not as directly “historical” as some of the other episodes on this list. But, the Doctor’s encounter with a family with World War II as the backdrop is a delightful Christmas romp, so it is all good. The episode’s obvious ode to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and getting to see a more domestic side of the Doctor are a special treat. 

“The Day of the Doctor” – (50th Anniversary Special)

Two Doctors in 1562 England? Sign me up. This anniversary special is a bombastic adventure that features none other than Queen Elizabeth I, the Tenth Doctor on horseback (again) and kissing the Queen, and moments that feel like a big hug for Who fans.

“Robot of Sherwood” – (Season 8, Episode 3)

It’s almost a given that a legendary figure like Robin Hood would appear in Doctor Who. The infamous outlaw who steals from the rich and gives to the poor certainly exhibits the kind of rogue behavior that the Doctor appreciates. “Robot of Sherwood” pits the Twelfth Doctor against Robin Hood for a fun battle before fighting against the gold-digging Sheriff Nottingham and his band of robot knights. A spaceship masquerading as a castle, Twelve’s doubts about whether Robin Hood is real, and some sweet costume designs bring this legendary story to life in a way that only Doctor Who can.

“Thin Ice” – (Season 10, Episode 3)

One of the best parts of watching a Doctor Who historical episode is diving into Britain’s past. “Thin Ice” takes us to a frost fair at the river Thames. These were real life events that started as early as the 7th century. People would enjoy food, music, ice skating on the frozen river, and much more. In the episode, Bill couldn’t wait to experience this with Twelve in 1814. Of course, their fun day is interrupted by the very plausible existence of a racist alongside the less plausible sea creature lurking beneath the ice. (Well, less plausible for the average person.) This is a very character driven and fun story that forces Bill to see and embrace the totality of the Doctor. 

“Rosa” – (Season 11, Episode 3)

When it comes to modern-era Doctors, Thirteen has some of the best historical episodes. One of them is “Rosa,” which brings the crew to America in 1955. It provides a serious examination of racism and sexism via Ryan and Yaz. The duo’s conversation about their shared and unique experiences is a shining gem in an overall great episode. Ryan specifically meets great Black figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. and, of course, Rosa Parks. The latter is on the cusp of her historic moment where she refuses to give up her seat to a white bus rider, sparking the Montgomery bus boycotts. There’s a time-traveling (and deeply racist) criminal set on preventing this fixed event from happening and the TARDIS team figures out a way to thwart him.

“Demons of the Punjab” – (Season 11, Episode 6)

Yaz’s family history is perfectly woven into events surrounding the partition of India, giving us a specific family to focus this historic moment around. “Demons of the Punjab” truly takes the series back to its original educational premise. It introduces many viewers to a pivotal event that they may not have learned about or fully explored in school. The episode also resonates with many of us who wish we could go back in time and meet our elders and ancestors to peel back the layers on their lives. Also, Thirteen’s speech about love is one of the best Doctor monologues.

“Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror” – (Season 12, Episode 4)

Another season of Thirteen and the fam, another great historical episode. As the title indicates, we meet the now-famous inventor back in 1903 when he’s trying to get a break. Cloaked figures, demanding aliens, and Tesla’s infamous real-live rivalry with Thomas Edison (who was always causing mess) bring together this enjoyable episode that deserves more praise. 

“The Haunting of Villa Diodati” – (Season 12, Episode 8)

As a fan of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, haunted house stories, and the Doctor putting rogue companions in their rightful place, “The Haunting of Villa Diodati” is my favorite Thirteenth Doctor story. I’d dare say it is one of my favorite Doctor Who episodes ever. It’s a good ole ghost story packed full of literary references and sharp dialogue. The story that depicts the weekend that Shelley, Lord Byron, Claire Clairmont, and other real-life figures spent three days together at the Villa Diodati mansion telling each other stories. This is when Frankenstein was born! Doctor Who puts a spin on it by using a lone, half-converted Cyberman to spark inspiration for the author. Written by Maxine Alderton and directed by Emma Sullivan, it is an absolutely stunning episode. 

Tai Gooden is a horror and sci-fi fan with a serious love for Doctor Who and Martha Jones. She’s been a fan of the show for over 10 years, often writing about it for several outlets and attending Gallifrey One with her Who crew.

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GOOD OMENS Season 3 to Begin Filming in January 2025

Crowley and Aziraphale are coming together for one last round. Prime Video’s beloved fantasy series Good Omens has finally gotten a season three renewal. The show’s third season will be the final one. Fans were hoping that the show would get a definitive conclusion, which seems to be a tall order in today’s streaming world. As we all know, it is heartbreaking to become attached to a world only to have a cancellation snatch it from us. Oftentimes, it leaves the characters hanging from a proverbial cliff and that’s super frustrating for all. Yes it will be hard to say goodbye to Good Omens; however, it did start as a limited series, so it lived far longer than initially expected. The beloved celestial duo gets a proper ending to their story thanks to this renewal and we love that for them.

Prime Video

Here’s what Good Omens creator and showrunner Neil Gaiman had to say about the season three renewal: 

I’m so happy finally to be able to finish the story Terry and I plotted in 1989 and in 2006. Terry was determined that if we made Good Omens for television, we could take the story all the way to the end. Season one was all about averting Armageddon, dangerous prophecies and the End of the World. Season two was sweet and gentle, although it may have ended less joyfully than a certain Angel and Demon might have hoped. Now in season three, we will deal once more with the end of the world. The plans for Armageddon are going wrong. Only Crowley [David Tennant] and Aziraphale [Martin Sheen] working together can hope to put it right. And they aren’t talking.

When Will Prime Video Release Good Omens Season Three?

We don’t yet know when Good Omens season three will hit Prime Video, but Neil Gaiman recently shared that it would begin filming in January 2025. We are almost certain that it will be ineffably good.

Originally published on December 14, 2023.

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THE WITCHER Ending at Netflix With Season 5

Henry Cavill’s sudden and unexpected departure from The Witcher after season three was genuinely shocking. He had previously said he was “absolutely” committed to playing Geralt of Rivia for seven seasons. With a Hollywood A-lister leading the fantasy series, it seemed guaranteed for an especially long run at a streaming site known for ending shows way too early. But even without him, it seemed likely The Witcher would stay the course. The streamer has greatly expanded the franchise with a number of spinoffs. And Liam Hemsworth is replacing Cavill as The Continent’s White Wolf. Only now comes more shocking news: Hemsworth won’t be playing the monster hunter for long. The show will end with season five.

It's official, The Witcher season 4 is in production. But that's not all, we're already planning season 5, which will be the final season and bring this epic show to a fitting conclusion. See you on The Continent. pic.twitter.com/c0ilUCWYkF

— The Witcher (@witchernetflix) April 18, 2024

Netflix has announced that while it has greenlit season five of The Witcher, that will also mark the show’s final year. It will film “back-to-back” with season 4, which is now in production. Combined the two final years of the show will adapt three of author Andrzej Sapkowski’s books. The series will cover the events of Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake.

In a press release showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich said, “It is with huge pride that we begin shooting our penultimate season of The Witcher with a stellar cast, including some exciting new additions, led by Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia. We’re thrilled to be able to bring Andrzej Sapkowski’s books to an epic and satisfying conclusion. It wouldn’t be our show if we didn’t push our family of characters to their absolute limit — stay tuned to see how the story ends.” 

Netflix shared the first official images for season four. They show the cast, both old and new stars alike, during the first table read. That includes our first look at Hemsworth working on the show, as well as the great Laurence Fishburne who is set to play a beloved character.

Click To View Gallery Netflix Netflix Netflix Netflix Netflix

The streamer also shared writing and directing credits for the fourth season:

Writers: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (401), Tania Lotia (402), Rae Benjamin (403), Troy Dangerfield (404), Matthew D’Ambrosio (405), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (406), Clare Higgins (407), Mike Ostrowski (408)Directors: Sergio Mimica-Gezzan (401 & 402), Tricia Brock (403 & 404), Alex Garcia Lopez (405 & 406), Jeremy Webb (407 & 408)

What it hasn’t shared is how seven season (at least) is going to end up being just five. Did Cavill’s departure lessen Netflix’s commitment to the show? Is this a bad sign for season four? Or did the writers simply realize the most natural and best ending spot for this story was season five? We’ll get the only answer that matters when seasons four and five premiere.

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HADES II Reveals Gameplay Trailer and New Look at God Designs

“The Hades Game” as it is affectionally called by its fans, became a surprise hit in the video game world in 2020. Helped along by its mythological roots, its incredible artwork, and its queer-friendly and fun characters, Hades checked all the right boxes to take its place as a fandom favorite. But despite the success of the game, a sequel was no guarantee. In fact, the announcement of a Hades sequel came as a total surprise but a joyous one. At The Game Awards 2022, Supergiant Games officially announced Hades II, and the company even released the game’s first trailer. And now, we have a first look at its gameplay as well.

Take a look at what lies in store for this franchise in Hades II with its technical test and reveal trailers:

“Death to Cronos,’ Hades II‘s unnamed protagonist utters with a chill in her voice. But as the trailer notes, Cronos rules as the titan of time… And no one can stop time. Certainly, Hades II players will likely lose a lot of it as they get sucked right back into the world of the game. And then go around and around and around in it.

According to Steam, Hades II “builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft.”

In the first Hades game, players stepped into the shoes of Hades’ son, Prince of the Underworld, Zagreus. But in this iteration of Underworld exploration, you’ll play as the Princess of the Underworld, Melinoë, instead. And this princess seems to have witchy powers. We don’t know about anyone else but exploring the “dawn of witchcraft” sounds like the perfect direction for this franchise to go.

Supergiant Games

Hades II looks like it will feature many familiar facets from the first game. The sequel game will include nods to mythology and cameos by plenty of gods, such as Apollo and Zeus. But whether we’ll see any fan-favorites from Hades, we don’t yet know. Of course, we feel certain fans would love to see more from Zagreus, Thanatos, Megaera, and more. So we will cross our fingers they appear or at least cameo in Hades II.

For now, we don’t know when exactly Hades II will release. But the description of the trailer shares that details about Early Access for Hades II will arrive soon. That sounds like good news to us. We can’t wait to head back into the Underworld.

Originally published on December 9, 2022.

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FALLOUT Cast Choose Vault Dwellers, Wanderers, or Brotherhood of Steel

Fallout stars Walton Goggins (The Ghoul), Ella Purnell (Lucy), Arron Clifton Moten (Maximus), and Kyle MacLachlan (Hank) sit down with Nerdist’s Ro Rusak to talk about bringing the video game to life, season 2, and whether they would be a Vault Dweller, Wanderer, or member of the Brotherhood of Steel in the Fallout universe.

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Image: Prime Video

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What’s Really Going on With The Enclave and Vault-Tec on FALLOUT?

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Prime Video’s Fallout series confirmed an explosive fan theory. Vault-Tec was not merely a powerful conglomerate that got rich selling underground shelters. The company dropped the nuclear bombs that began The Great War. It sent humanity scurrying into Vaults secretly led by its own executives because it planned on reshaping and managing the world. That revelation, along with the corporation’s many other atrocities, turned it into the franchise’s greatest villain. But what does that mean for the organization that previously held that title, The Enclave? The evil agency has been the primary antagonist of multiple Fallout video games, and The Enclave’s own past actions seem to make it a natural foe of Vault-Tec. Each group wants to rule the world in its own image. But if they are enemies, how did the evil masterminds at Vault-Tec let The Enclave get ahold of its cold fusion technology on Fallout?

That raises an even bigger, more important question. Fallout‘s first season changed everything we know about Vault-Tec, and its own past suggests it might be The Enclave’s secret partner. That is, unless it’s even more sinister than that. The two Fallout groups might have always been different parts of a singular entity.

Prime VideoWhat is The Enclave on Fallout?

Of all the factions featured in Fallout‘s first season, The Enclave was the least explored. But video game fans know all about the anti-communist, paramilitary organization. Their heinous actions for more than two hundred years are why everyone on the Prime Video series had such animosity towards the authoritarian, genocidal entity.

Prime Video

In Fallout‘s world, The Enclave’s origins date back to before The Great War. It began as a powerful deep state within the U.S. government. Its members included some of the highest-ranking military, political, and corporate officials. (It even included Presidents.) Because of its beginning, The Enclave views itself as the direct and rightful heir to the United States government.

That has never resulted in The Enclave acting with any kind of governmental rules, standards, or accountability in Fallout. It’s an anti-democratic regime that kills anyone it deems a threat to either itself or its ideology. The Enclave does whatever it deems necessary to achieve its ends however it likes. That includes killing “inferior” humans, ghouls, and mutants alike. Fallout‘s Enclave wants to build and rule over a world of “true” humans. To accomplish its goal, it has enslaved people, performed horrible experiments, committed war crimes, and tried to wipe out entire populations and races.

Prime Video

Even groups who compete with one another for resources have long been united in their hatred for The Enclave. Until the truth about Vault-Tec came out in the Fallout series, The Enclave was the wasteland’s unquestioned most evil group. But now that we know Vault-Tec’s true purpose there are all new questions about how the two vile groups might be connected.

What is The Enclave’s History With Vault-Tec in the Fallout Video Games?

The Enclave spent years not only preparing to survive a nuclear war but also to rule after it commenced. That included The Enclave spying on the experiments Vault-Tec was running in its Vaults prior to Fallout‘s Great War. The Enclave then monitored life in the Vaults for centuries. It’s how scientist Siggi Wilzig knew everything about Lucy MacLane’s life.

Prime Video

The Enclave was even able to manipulate Vault behavior after the war. It told one group of Vault dwellers it was safe to return to the deadly surface, another cruel experiment. At various points after the war The Enclave even attacked Vaults and their dwellers. Ultimately, even those Vault denizens untouched by radiation, were deemed targets marked for death by The Enclave.

Some who suspected there was a shadow group within the United States government before the war, also thought the deep state entity was conspiring with Vault-Tec. The bombs that dropped (notably right after those suspicions became public) put an end to the investigations. Until Prime Video’s series, the Fallout games indicated only that The Enclave was an enemy of Vault-Tec. Everything that happened in the two centuries after nuclear war, seemed to paint the two factions in opposition.

Now, though, the origins and actions of both groups have raised the possibility that the Enclave and Vault-Tec have always been united, even if most of their members were unaware of this Fallout connection.

What Happened With The Enclave and Vault-Tec on the Fallout Series?Prime Video

Fallout’s games established that Enclave members—those high-ranking, powerful, influential politicians, military officers, and corporate figures—knew the nuclear bombs were coming. Meanwhile, Vault-Tec was no mere conglomerate. It essentially owned and ruled the United States in all but name prior to The Great War.

So either two totally different deep state groups, each of which has spent centuries trying to rule the world, happened to co-exist at the exact same time before the Great War, or they were working together.

Both answer are possible, though one seems far more plausible. Especially because if The Enclave and Vault-Tec were working together to rule Fallout‘s world, it would explain why The Enclave had possession of Vault-Tec technology that could have destroyed both groups.

Prime Video

Moldaver’s cold fusion tech had the power to give the world free, unlimited energy. That was a direct threat to Vault-Tec’s plans, which is why Vault-Tec bought it. But if Vault-Tec is so powerful and has always been controlling events on the surface since even before Fallout‘s Great War, how did it let The Enclave get ahold of its most valuable asset? And once it did, why wouldn’t Vault-Tec do everything in its power to get it back? If The Enclave ever managed to unlock Moldaver’s cold fusion, it would have unlimited, unchecked power. Not even Vault-Tec could stop it. And that would ruin centuries of planning.

The most likely answer is also the most terrifying.

Are Vault-Tec and The Enclave Part of the Same Evil Group in Fallout?Prime Video

Prime Video’s series deemed it important enough to tell newcomers to the franchise the President was missing right before the bombs dropped. We also know from Fallout lore other members of The Enclave had also strategically retreated to safe locations right before The Great War started. But now that we know Vault-Tec—which owned “half of everything” including the U.S. government—dropped the first bombs in Fallout, it seems possible (maybe even likely) it forewarned The Enclave of what was coming.

Why would Vault-Tec do that if it had long-term plans to “manage” humanity? Why not simply destroy The Enclave forever and eliminate a dangerous enemy? And why, if Vault-Tec was so powerful itself, would it let The Enclave spy on its Vaults and their activities for centuries? Vault-Tec was able to bomb Shady Sands and stop humanity from restoring society on its own terms, but it couldn’t stop The Enclave from spying on it? That doesn’t seem to follow.

In the reverse, if The Enclave merely knew about Vault-Tec’s secret plans (which is how it knew the bombs were coming) why didn’t it try and eliminate Vault-Tec before the group could obtain such massive power?

Prime Video

The most logical explanation is that Vault-Tec and The Enclave have always been working together in Fallout. (This would also explain how Wilzig knew the truth about Hank MacLane and why he needed to get Modalver’s tech away from The Enclave entirely.) Maybe not everyone within both groups has always known about their shared connection, which is why The Enclave has attacked Vaults before. But not everyone had to know. The less people who did the better.

The best way to keep a secret is to not tell anyone else. And only one person needed to know because as The Ghoul said, “There’s always somebody behind the wheel.”

Prime Video

That person is New Vegas, where Hank MacLean has fled. But while Hank might think he ran to his company’s mastermind, that mysterious person might be driving a car that has always had two engines working together to power a single Fallout group that is more dangerous and more evil than either Vault-Tec or The Enclave could ever be on their own.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who is already tired waiting for Fallout season two. You can follow him on Twitter and  Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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SUPERMAN Casts Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent and Neva Howell as Ma Kent

Soon, the world will meet a new Clark Kent in Superman. (Formerly titled Superman: Legacy). DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are rebooting the most famous superhero in the world as they transition the franchise from the DCEU to the DCU. Who will play the Man of Steel on the big screen this time around? What kind of story will we see him in? And who will bring it to life? We’re keeping track of all these answers and more. Here’s everything we know about Superman so far.

DC Comics/Frank Quitely

Title

The DCU’s first official movie (though not its first official release) is now titled simply Superman. Of course, the movie began its life as Superman: Legacy. It will kick off the film side of what James Gunn has called the franchise’s first chapter, “Gods and Monsters.” He has also called this movie “the true beginning” of the DCU.

Superman‘s Plot

While the film still has no official synopsis, Warner Bros. did provide a description of what we can expect from the story, which James Gunn says is not an origin tale.

Superman tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.

Gunn announced the film with art from the cover of All-Star Superman by writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely. Whether or not that means the story is influenced, inspired by, or adapted from the 12-issue comic series in any way is unclear. What Gunn has said is the movie will focus on “an earlier part of Superman’s life,” where he is still old enough to already be working for the Daily Planet.

Superman‘s CastNetflix/DC Comics/Prime Video

David Corenswet will play Superman, while Rachel Brosnahan will play Lois Lane.

In addition, four more actors have joined the cast of Superman. Isabela Merced will play Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi will play Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion will play Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Anthony Carrigan will play Metamorpho. María Gabriela de Faría will play the villain The Engineer in the movie. Also known as Angela Spica, the character has nanotechnology built into her body. Additionally, Sara Sampaio will play Eve Teschmacher, Skyler Gisondo will play Jimmy Olsen, and Wendell Pierce will play The Daily Planet boss Perry White. James Gunn has also confirmed that Nicholas Hoult will play Lex Luthor.

Pruitt Taylor Vince (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) will play Jonathan Kent, a.k.a. Pa Kent. Meanwhile, Neva Howell will play Martha Kent.

Behind the Scenes 

James Gunn wrote the (definitely completed) script and is directing.

Superman‘s Release Date

Thanks to the efforts of our talented crew, who never lost faith during the longest strikes in Hollywood history, and who never let their foot off the pedal, continuing to barrel forward, creating the most amazing character and set designs I’ve seen in my entire career,… pic.twitter.com/ntnEbA2fC0

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) November 11, 2023

Superman will soar into theaters faster than a speeding bullet on July 11, 2025.

Originally published on April 11, 2023.

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IHOP Will Serve Its Viral Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola in Restaurants

In 2022 a great injustice was inflicted on the world. And by “world” I mean “me,” though I imagine countless others feel the same way. In March of that year Pepsi announced it was giving out just 2,000 cans of an all-new flavor. The cola company had partnered with IHOP for a limited batch Maple Syrup Cola. I, like nearly 100% of the people on this planet, did not get a can of what I imagined was “delicious tree nectar.” Now the two companies are finally atoning for that terrible wrong by offering up something even better. IHOP’s Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola is now available in restaurants as a fountain soda.

IHOP/Pepsi/Business Wire

IHOP has brought its highly-coveted Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola to participating restaurants around the country. Only, this time it’s as a superior fountain soda option rather than coming in a can. The drink is part of the chain’s expanded iconic menu. Other new items include Cinn-A-Stack and Cupcake House-Made Milkshakes, Kids French Toast Sticks, a Watermelon Splasher, chicken sandwiches, and Silk Oatmeal Cookie Oat Creamer.

Those all sound good, but I haven’t spent two years angry about never trying them like I have “a perfect blend of maple syrup-flavored indulgence with the crisp, refreshing caramel notes of Pepsi.” The company also claims the soda makes for a perfect vanilla float option.

I am very happy to test that claim. Maybe even two (dozen) times if it seems legit.

Neither me nor my fellow aggrieved diners will have long to do that, though. The Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola arrived at participating locations starting on April 1. But it will be available for only a “limited-time.” That is unless we collectively show why only releasing 2,000 cans was such an awful injustice in the first place. If we make our voices/stomachs heard, they’ll know how much they wronged us before.

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