Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 349

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE’s Post-Credits Scene, Explained

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The original Ghostbusters have learned a lot about apparitions during their four decades of ‘bustin. They know which spirits to lock up in a containment unit and which ones are okay to keep as a slimy spectral green pet with a fondness for junk food. Unfortunately young Podcast does not have the experience needed to make that call. He didn’t destroy the Mini-Pufts from Ghostbusters: Afterlife. He brought those adorable masochists with him to the world’s supernatural center, New York City. For awhile that wasn’t a problem. During Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire those tiny marshmallow weirdos mostly just hurt themselves with glee and shuddered in terror from Garraka. But that all changed during the only post-credits scene in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. That’s when the Mini-Pufts hijacked a truck that indicates they have big plans to bring back their oversized predecessor.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire featured a lot of Ghostbusters, but none of them appeared during this scene. It took place at a gas station as a truck driver made a quick pit stop. As he entered the station’s store an unseen force took control of his rig. At first it seemed as though it might be the ghost Possessor commandeering his vehicle. Instead it proved to be the mischievous Mini-Pufts working together.

The scene might have been nothing more than an extra gag involving the highly marketable marshmallows that make for some pretty great toys if not for the film’s final surprise. As the Mini-Pufts drove away the film revealed exactly what they had stolen: a Stay Puft Marshmallow delivery truck.

Sony Pictures

Why would a bunch of sentient tiny creatures steal a massive load of normal marshmallows? The most obvious answer is the most exciting ones for fans: to build a giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man like the one Ray Stantz accidentally chose as the form of Gozer’s Destructor in the franchise’s original 1984 film.

Ray’s inability to clear his mind in the presence of a powerful god was how a lovable rotund mascot instantly manifested as a skyscraper-sized monster in the Big Apple. But while the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is one of cinema’s most iconic monsters, he didn’t last very long in the original film. The Ghostbusters quickly ended his sticky reign of terror by crossing their streams to stop Gozer. That turned him into mounds piles of marshmallowy mess all over the city.

While the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man returned on the animated The Real Ghostbusters series and in video games, the original Ghostbusters haven’t had to deal with him in a live-action film again. He was a terrible memory until his tiny counterparts arrived. But if there’s a sequel to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, that could change based on this post-credits tease. The Mini-Pufts are organized and they seem to have a plan to bring back their big dad.

That’s not going to be good for the Ghostbusters, except ironically maybe Podcast. He should at least get a good episode out of the return of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter and Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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STAR WARS Blue Milk Is Coming to Grocery Store Shelves on Earth

Ever since A New Hope, when we saw Aunt Beru serve her nephew Luke some blue milk on their Tatooine moisture farm, we’ve been wondering how it might taste. Well, in 2019, when Disneyland and Walt Disney World opened Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we learned. The theme park lands finally brought us blue milk treats. And it turns out that blue milk is actually pretty yummy. Now, the rest of us Earthlings not near a Disney theme park will get to taste some blue milk straight from the grocery store and not from the planet Batuu, with Star Wars TruMoo Blue Milk.

Dairy Farmers of America TruMoo

Lucasfilm revealed the official Blue Milk as part of its “Imperial March” of new product announcements. The new Star Wars brand of vanilla-flavored milk will be hitting the shelves on April 17. It comes from the Dairy Farmers of America TruMoo. So on this upcoming May the Fourth, you’ll be able to celebrate Star Wars Day in style and just the way Aunt Beru intended, with a cool glass of something blue. Just make sure you find yourself a Wookiee cookie to go with it. Even better would be a bowl of C-3PO’s Cereal, but sadly no one makes that anymore.

This is actually not the first Star Wars milk branding from the Dairy Farmers of America TruMoo. They’ve had little Grogu from The Mandalorian on their milk cartons in the past, as well as Darth Vader. Now the brand have both Vader and Luke Skywalker on their milk containers. The art shows the pair fighting it out in a scene from The Empire Strikes Back. We’re not sure if the Star Wars Blue Milk is a limited-time offering, but we hope this is one that sticks around. We have Star Wars fruit roll-ups and other goodies all year round , right? So we deserve some Blue Milk all year round too.

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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE Teaser Gives Us Michael Keaton as the ‘Ghost with the Most’

Last year, Michael Keaton returned to the role he last played thirty years ago when he played Batman again. Now, he’s returning to the role of Beetlejuice, over 36 years since he last played him. Now, we finally have a good look at Keaton in the role of the “bio-exorcist” in the first teaser trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tim Burton’s long-awaited follow-up to the cult classic supernatural comedy. You can watch the teaser below, which also features our first look at the returning cast from the original, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder, along with new cast member Jenna Ortega as Astrid Deetz.

Also among the new cast are Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe. Here’s the official synopsis for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice from Warner Bros. Pictures:

Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

Warner Bros. Pictures

We have a strong feeling the “unexpected family tragedy” is the death of family patriarch Charles Deetz, played by Jeffrey Jones in the original, and who is not returning for this sequel. We have to say, we love that Lydia Deetz has never sold out, retaining her goth aesthetic into middle age. Although she doesn’t look too happy to see Beetlejuice back in the flesh (so to speak). We are curious as to what happened to the ghostly Maitlands. They agreed to cohabitate the home at the end of the original film after all. Maybe they finally moved on to their “great reward?” We can’t wait to find out when Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hits theaters on September 6.

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Meet THE ACOLYTE’s New STAR WARS Characters

Soon, we’ll be heading off into the galaxy far, far away for a brand new Star Wars adventure. Star Wars: The Acolyte will be released on Disney+ on June 4. This series will be set about a century before the events of The Phantom Menace. It’s a period of time that live-action and animated Star Wars projects haven’t really explored to date. And so, The Acolyte will feature a whole host of brand-new Star Wars characters for us to get to know. Until recently, these figures were largely a mystery. But now, The Acolyte‘s main players have received descriptions from the official Star Wars website.

Lucasfilm

Let’s meet all the new characters that will feature in Star Wars: The Acolyte.

Star Wars: The Acolyte‘s New Characters

Jump to: Mae // Jedi Master Sol // Jedi Master Indara // Wookiee Jedi Master Kelnacca // Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh // Jedi Knight Yord Fandar // Padawan Jecki Lon // Former Smuggler Qimir // Mother Aniseya

Mae: The Acolyte‘s Masked MarvelLucasfilm

Mae is the main character of The Acolyte. Her official description reads, “Mae gets swept up into a sinister mystery—one that puts her into the center of a conflict in unexpected ways.” And additionally, we know that this new The Acolyte character is “a masked marvel who isn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with a Jedi.” Finally, Mae is said to be “a dangerous warrior from Jedi Master Sol’s past.”

Who Will Play the Character of Mae in Star Wars: The Acolyte?

Amandla Stenberg will play Mae in The Acolyte.

Sol: The Acolyte’s New Jedi Master CharacterLucasfilm

We’re about to meet many Jedi in The Acolyte, but one new character we meet is Jedi Master Sol. Sol’s official description is as follows: “Master Sol is a wise, highly respected, powerful Jedi Master, strong in the ways of the Force, who is going through emotional conflict.” Additionally, The Acolyte‘s synopsis shares, “an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master against a dangerous warrior from his past.”

Most mysterious indeed.

Who Will Play the Character of Sol in Star Wars: The Acolyte?

Lee Jung-jae will play the new character of Sol in The Acolyte.

Indara: Another New Jedi Master in The AcolyteLucasfilm

Jedi Master Indara is referred to as a “protector of the peace.” In The Acolyte this new Star Wars character is described as “a Jedi Master of great physical and mental skill.”

Who Will Play the Character of Indara in Star Wars: The Acolyte?

Carrie-Anne Moss will play Jedi Master Indara in The Acolyte.

Kelnacca: The Acolyte‘s Wookiee JediLucasfilm

Wookiee’s can be Jedi too. And Jedi Master Kelnacca will certainly prove that when he appears as a new character in Star Wars: The Acolyte. Kelnacca is described as “a Wookiee Jedi, a loner who lives a solitary life.” Star Wars: The Clone Wars was the first canon story to bring a Wookiee Jedi to life, but Jedi Master Kelnacca marks the first Wookiee Jedi in live-action. This new The Acolyte character will also be the first canonical Jedi Master Wookiee in Star Wars because The Clone Wars‘ Gungi was a Youngling.

Who Will Play the Character of Kelnacca, the Wookiee Jedi, in Star Wars: The Acolyte?

Joonas Suotamo will play the Kelnacca, the Wookiee Jedi, in The Acolyte.

Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh: A New The Acolyte Character but a Familiar Star Wars FaceLucasfilm

Fans of The High Republic book series will know Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh. In The Acolyte, Vern Rwoh will leap from page to screen as she debuts in the live-action world. Vernestra Rwoh will be the only character we’ll see from The High Republic books, though. But still, we’re very happy to have her.

Vernestra’s description reads, “Vernestra Rwoh is an elder Jedi Master who has ascended the ranks of the Jedi from a teenage prodigy to a leader in the Order. She became one of the youngest Jedi Knights in a generation at age 15, and solidified her status as a prodigy when she took Imri Cantaros as a Padawan the next year. With a purple-bladed lightsaber that can change into a lightwhip, young Rwoh led with unwavering faith in the Force and devotion to the Jedi Order. But in the year after the fall of Starlight Beacon — while mourning those lost in the destruction, including her own Padawan — Vernestra pulled back from the Order and shifted her focus to heal herself.”

Additionally, Vernestra Rwoh is a Mirialan character.

Who Will Play the Character of Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh in Star Wars: The Acolyte?

Rebecca Henderson will play the live-action version of The High Republic‘s Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh in Star Wars: The Acolyte.

Jedi Knight Yord Fandar: The Acolyte‘s Jedi Temple Guardian Lucasfilm

Another character new to The Acolyte will be Jedi Knight Yord Fandar. Yord is “a Jedi Knight and guardian from the Jedi Temple, [who is also] an overachiever and a rule follower. His need to be a by-the-book Jedi can cloud his mind.”

We can’t say Yord sounds like the most fun new character from The Acolyte, but we guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Who Will Play the Character of Yord Fandar in Star Wars: The Acolyte?

Charlie Barnett will play Yord in Star Wars: The Acolyte.

Jecki Lon: A New Padawan Character From Star Wars: The AcolyteLucasfilm

Padawans can be critical characters in the Star Wars world, and so we’re glad to meet another one in The Acolyte. Jecki Lon “is the Padawan apprentice to Master Sol. Although she is young, she projects calm and conducts herself with maturity.” With her close connection to Sol, she’ll undoubtedly be a critical character.

Who Will Play the Character of Jecki in Star Wars: The Acolyte?

Dafne Keen will play Jecki in Star Wars: The Acolyte.

Qimir: Star Wars: The Acolyte‘s Former Smuggler and TraderLucasfilm

Who doesn’t love a charming rogue? Qimir joins a long line of dashing smugglers that have lived in Star Wars‘ world. This new The Acolyte character “is a former smuggler who now makes his living as a trader, procuring unusual things and enjoying a life of leisure.”

Now, he sounds like fun. Though we bet Yord won’t think so.

Who Will Play the Character of Qimir in Star Wars: The Acolyte?

Manny Jacinto will play Qimir in Star Wars: The Acolyte.

Mother Aniseya: A Leader of a Coven of WitchesLucasfilm

We are obsessed with Mother Aniseya. She’s Mother, after all. This new witchy character is Star Wars: The Acolyte‘s independent thinker. Her description reads, “Mother Aniseya is the leader of a coven of Witches who value their independence and the preservation of their beliefs and powers.”

These new Witches may have some kinship with the the Nightsisters of Dathomir. Showrunner Lesyle Headland shares, “The Clone Wars [inspired The Acolyte], a lot being inspired by Nightsisters. We don’t have any Nightsisters in this show, but being inspired by them, being inspired by Asajj Ventress. My favorite episode is ‘The Wrong Jedi.”‘ I definitely took some inspiration from that.”

Who Will Play the Character of Mother Aniseya in Star Wars: The Acolyte?

Jodie Turner-Smith will play the new character of Mother Aniseya in Star Wars: The Acolyte.

The post Meet THE ACOLYTE’s New STAR WARS Characters appeared first on Nerdist.

WICKED Trailer Brings a Beautiful Oz to the Screen

L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz got turned on its head with Gregory Maguire’s Wicked. The 1995 book put the spotlight on Elphaba and her life, often one full of hardship, until Dorothy kills her. Wicked became a Broadway musical in 2003 and has since become the fourth longest-running Broadway series. And this journey through Oz doesn’t stop with a musical: we’re getting a two-part film adaptation from director Jon M. Chu. The first Wicked trailer is here, showing off a beautifully cinematic version of Oz and the beginning of Elphaba and Glinda’s fateful and witchy friendship.

Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba and Ariana Grande plays Glinda. They meet as students at Shiz University and become close friends. Elphaba and Glinda could not have more different backgrounds. Those backgrounds definitely put a thorn in the side of the friendship. As Wicked‘s synopsis explains:

The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked is an epic and long story. Is it a story that needs two movies? Only time will tell.

Universal

In addition to Erivo and Grande, the cast for Wicked includes: Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible; Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero; Ethan Slater as Boq; Marissa Bode as Nessarose; and Jeff Goldblum as the legendary Wizard of Oz. Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, and Keala Settle also star. You can see more first-looks from the movie, below.

Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero in ‘WICKED.’

In theaters November 27. pic.twitter.com/puAf9mGV1n

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 21, 2024

Ariana Grande as Glinda in ‘WICKED.’

In theaters November 27. pic.twitter.com/DLlL7ZMQdC

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 21, 2024

Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible in ‘WICKED.’

In theaters November 27. pic.twitter.com/LR4jrw59Lh

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 21, 2024

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo insisted on singing live when filming #Wicked, says director Jon M. Chu.

“When we were shooting it, those girls were like, ‘F—k the pre-records. We’re going live.’”

🔗: https://t.co/IJpREEjocR pic.twitter.com/mbo3CcYGqK

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) March 21, 2024

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in ‘WICKED.’

In theaters November 27. pic.twitter.com/0QduNvx3gy

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 21, 2024

Wicked arrives in theaters on November 27, 2024. Wicked Part Two will follow on November 26, 2025.

Originally published on February 12, 2024.

Featured Image: Universal

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How The TEEN TITANS Movie Lineup Will Determine the DCU’s Future

When fans think of the DC Universe, chances are the first team that comes to mind is the Justice League. The Justice League is undoubtedly one of the most famous groups in fiction. However, the Teen Titans are arguably the glue that holds the world of DC Comics together. The significance of the Titans did not develop overnight, but rather over the course of several decades. And this is what makes the announcement of a live-action Teen Titans movie set in the DCU exciting. To define the Teen Titans lineup of characters is to define the course of the DCU’s future. 

A Teen Titans movie is in the works at DC Studios https://t.co/FqBvg2aefe pic.twitter.com/ic3e1EPEOT

— Nerdist (@nerdist) March 19, 2024

So what’s so special about the Teen Titans? Unlike many areas of Marvel Comics, DC Comics is deeply entrenched within an idea of legacy and plurality. It’s why so many superhero mantles have been carried by different people over time. (Five people have been Robin in DC’s main continuity, for instance.) The Teen Titans as a group have thus become a springboard for the next generation of DC heroes. Three different Robins—Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne—have led the team at one point or another. It’s also no accident that Nightwing was declared to be “the center of the DC Universe” during the 2022 Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths event. His time with the Teen Titans gave him ties to several different corners of DC lore. 

Which Teen Titan Lineups Could Appear in the Upcoming Live-Action DCU Movie?The New Teen Titans Lineup From Marv Wolfman and George Perez’s EraMarv Wolfman/George Pérez/Dick Giordano

The lineup for the upcoming Teen Titans movie has a few different options. The most famous iteration is from Marv Wolfman and George Pérez’s run, aptly titled The New Teen Titans, beginning in 1980. The team was led by Robin, and featured established characters like Wally West’s Kid Flash, Donna Troy’s Wonder Girl, and Beast Boy. Brand-new characters of Cyborg, Starfire, and Raven also came into the mix. The bulk of this lineup would star in the hit 2003 Teen Titans animated series. (The show tragically left out Kid Flash and Wonder Girl from the cast.)

But while massive parts of Titans lore were created during Wolfman and Pérez’s New Teen Titans and New Titans series, like Nightwing’s iconic “Disco-wing” suit and their archenemy Deathstroke, the team’s membership has indeed changed over time.

The Original 1960s Teen Titans Lineup Nick Cardy/Steven Skeates/Ben Oda/Dick Giordano

When the Teen Titans first debuted in 1964, they originally consisted of Justice League sidekicks, Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad (Aquaman’s buddy named Garth). Donna Troy then joined the team as Wonder Girl. There’s also Green Arrow’s sidekick, Speedy (Roy Harper). The 1960s lineup had deep, personal ties to the Justice League. It’s not a surprise, then, that some of the original Titans, like Roy Harper and Wally West, would go on to join the Justice League decades later. 

The Geoff Johns and Mike McKone Teen Titans Lineup From the 2000sGeoff Johns/Mike McKone/Marlo Alquiza

Another Teen Titans lineup worth mentioning is from Geoff Johns and Mike McKone’s run, which began in 2003. The team was led by Tim Drake, Batman’s third Robin, and featured Cassie Sandsmark’s Wonder Girl, Superboy, and Bart Allen’s Kid Flash replacing Wally West in the role. Bart is the grandson of Barry Allen, the DC Universe’s main Flash, and a cousin of Wally West.

The 2003 Teen Titans cemented the theme of legacy that defines the DC Universe, considering that many of them were the second person to hold their particular superhero mantle. Using this specific team in the DCU would imply the existence of Dick Grayson as Nightwing and Wally West as The Flash elsewhere in the universe. Johns and McKone’s run also revealed that Superboy was the clone of both Superman and Lex Luthor. With Nicholas Hoult already cast as Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman movie, the building blocks for this dramatic reveal are already laid. 

The Relationships Between These Teen Titan Characters and the Justice League

And this is precisely why the Teen Titans are such an important team to the DCU’s future. If the film goes with the ‘60s lineup, which still has yet to appear in its full glory in live-action, this would mean that Justice Leaguers like Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, and of course Batman would make their DCU debut further down the line.

Characters like Speedy and Kid Flash can’t materialize out of thin air. Kid Flash is The Flash’s nephew, for starters. Wally West is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the larger Flash Family in DC Comics. Similarly, Green Arrow’s network of sidekicks and allies, many of whom have been on the Teen Titans, form the Arrow Family. The same applies to Wonder Woman and two of the Wonder Girls, Donna Troy and Cassie Sandsmark. Plus, the Teen Titans have acted as a window for Justice League members’ different mentorship styles, which HBO’s Titans largely left out. 

It’s hard to overstate the importance of the Teen Titans to the DC Universe. As a flagship team, they have incubated a given decade’s most promising characters. And they serve as a branching off point for various character “families” within DC. With so many different Titans lineups to choose from, DC Studios’ decision ultimately reflects the tone they want to set for the DCU. Do they want to establish a more comic-accurate picture of the DC Universe, with Green Arrow, The Flash, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman are nexus points to larger groups of characters? Time will only tell.

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Dev Patel Seeks Vengeance in MONKEY MAN’s Action-Packed Trailer

Pop culture is full of stories about the self-destructive nature of revenge. Those blinded by vengeance often bring ruin upon themselves. That’s a good guiding lesson for life, yes, but movies are a form of escapism. Sometimes it’s fun to sit back and watch a badass fictional character beat up those who harmed them. And that’s the kind of fun the trailer for Dev Patel’s Monkey Man promises. It follows a grieving son with some serious fighting skills who sets out to bring down some very bad people.

The exciting new trailer for Monkey Man, from first-time director and star Dev Patel (The Green Knight, Slumdog Millionaire), is part Batman, Robin Hood, and John Wick. It also has Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” and that song rules. Patel’s Kid has plenty of motivation in his quest for vengeance. The people he hopes to bring down not only killed his mom, they thrive by oppressing the people of India. At least they will until a hero rises to stop them.

Here’s the official synopsis for Monkey Man to bring the trailer into focus:

Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man stars Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash. After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him.

Universal Pictures

The movie, which arrives in theaters April 5, also stars: Sharlto Copley (District 9), Sobhita Dhulipala (Made in Heaven), Pitobash (Million Dollar Arm), Vipin Sharma (Hotel Mumbai), Ashwini Kalsekar (Ek Tha Hero), Adithi Kalkunte (Hotel Mumbai), Sikandar Kher (Aarya), and Makarand Deshpande (RRR). Jordan Peele also serves as a producer via his studio Monkeypaw Productions. Among those also producing alongside him are John Wick franchise alums Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee.

That’s a lot of revenge fantasy experts on hand, which is good for lots of reasons. They know vengeance is best enjoyed on the big screen. A fun night at the theater watching a revenge tale won’t destroy you personally.

Originally published January 26, 2024.

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HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2 Sets June 16 Release Date

House of the Dragon’s first season flew in with all the drama, shocking moments, and, of course, dragons that fans expect from this universe. Season one took us back many decades before Daenerys Targaryen’s birth to show us the events leading to the decline of the mighty House Targaryen. Now, we are fully locked into the fury that Rhaenyra will rain upon her former BFF Alicent and her supporters after Jace’s death. What does the future hold for these warring factions? We shall see what happens in this upcoming season.

Happily, we now know when that season will arrive. House of the Dragon season two will officially be released on Sunday, June 16. It will debut on HBO at 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT and will also be available to stream on Max. The second season of House of the Dragon will stream for eight episodes.

HBO

Here’s everything we know about House of the Dragon season two so far. 

House of the Dragon Season Two’s Plot 

The show is based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, so book fans have a general sense of where this show will go. Of course, there will be some creative liberties taken, but the obvious “Dance of the Dragons” between Team Rhaenyra (the Black Queen) and Team Alicent will happen. Rhaenyra and her uncle-husband Daemon will wage war against Aegon II, Alicent’s son and the newly crowned king.

House Velaryon stands with the “Blacks” along with their massive navy. On the other side is the “Greens” with Alicent, her father Otto Hightower, Ser Criston Cole, and her son Aemond, the rider of Vhagar, the largest dragon in the world. There is no longer a chance at mediation as Rhaenyra’s rage takes over. 

Click To View Gallery Ollie Upton/HBO Ollie Upton/HBO Ollie Upton/HBO Ollie Upton/HBO Ollie Upton/HBO Ollie Upton/HBO

The battle between the Greens and Blacks is further set up with these gorgeous posters featuring Alicent and Rhaenyra and first-look images of the season (pictured above).

Tomorrow.
The first look at #HOTDS2 is coming with fire and blood. #HOTDnaCCXP pic.twitter.com/Yknlfh5T6Z

— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) December 1, 2023

George R.R. Martin himself has seen the first two episodes and said on his blog that they were “very dark.” Now, we all know you literally can’t see things sometimes on this show. But we are sure he means the tone and action are not pleasant. He also said the episodes are “powerful, emotional, gut-wrenching, heart rending” and “may make you cry.” Let’s prepare our hearts for heartbreak.

Behind the Scenes 

House of the Dragon co-creator and executive producer Ryan Condal will continue on as a showrunner; however, his season one co-showunner Miguel Sapochnik will not return for season two. George R.R. Martin will continue his involvement as an executive producer. This time, fans will get eight episodes, which is two fewer than the first season.

House of the Dragon Season Two’s CastHBO

After many time jumps and casting changes in season one, House of the Dragon’s second season will stick with the faces we know now. And boy are there a lot of characters in this show. Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy will return as Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen. Olivia Cooke (Alicent), Eve Best (Rhaenys Targaryen), Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon), Fabien Frankel (Ser Criston Cole), Ewan Mitchell (Aemond Targaryen), Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon Targaryen), Sonoya Mizuno (Mysaria), Matthew Needham (Larys Strong) and Rhys Ifans (Otto Hightower) are also set to round out the main cast. 

Simon Russell Beale, Freddie Fox, Gayle Rankin, and Abubakar Salim have joined the series as well, according to Deadline. Beale plays Ser Simon Strong, Castellan of Harrenhal. Fox is Ser Gwayne Hightower. Rankin is Alys Rivers, and Salim is Alyn of Hull.

The series revealed new cast members at CCXP 2023, including Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne.

House of the Dragon Season Two’s Release Date HBO

House of the Dragon season two will premiere on June 16, 2024.

Originally published on May 8, 2023.

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The X-MEN Comics History of Rogue and Magneto’s Romance, Explained

Aside from Cyclops and Jean Grey, the X-Men’s premier “power couple” is Rogue and Gambit. In fact, it’s hard to imagine the sassy southern mutants with anyone else. But as X-Men ’97 hinted at in episode two, “Mutant Liberation Begins,” Rogue also once had a relationship with their enemy and occasional ally Magneto of all people. This star-crossed romance began in the main 616 universe, but other versions of it flourished even more in other alternate realities.

Marvel ComicsRogue and Magneto’s Savage Land Flirtation

The first hints of a romance between Rogue and Magneto began in the early ‘90s X-Men comics by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee. Specifically, in 1991’s Uncanny X-Men #274. After a period of time where the Master of Magnetism tried his best to be a good guy, he retreated to the prehistoric Savage Land. There, he met up with Rogue, during a very strange period in her life. As most X-Men fans know, Rogue’s mutant powers are energy and life force absorption. When she touches a mutant with her bare skin, she can absorb their powers too. When she was young, she touched the hero Carol Danvers for too long, landing her in a coma. But Rogue permanently absorbed Carol’s super strength and flight powers, along with her memories.

Marvel Comics

When Rogue went through the mystical portal called the Siege Perilous, it split her in two. The Carol aspect of her personality gained its own body. But as long as Rogue was alive, it could not sustain itself, so it tried to kill her. This version of Carol followed Rogue to the Savage Land, the hidden primordial world. There, Magneto killed her, saving Rogue’s life, and the two mutants reconnected. During their time in the Savage Land, Magneto and Rogue grew close. They found out that Rogue could actually touch him, because her powers were on the fritz. But when Magneto kills his enemy Zaladane in cold blood, Rogue is horrified at his turn back to the dark side. She leaves Magneto before a real relationship can begin.

In the Age of Apocalypse Reality, Rogue and Magneto Are Married with a KidMarvel Comics

In one alternate reality, Rogue and Magneto’s romance actually flourishes. This alternate reality, called the Age of Apocalypse, happened when a young Charles Xavier died, leaving Magneto to form the X-Men himself. Magneto’s X-Men led a charge against that world’s mutant despot, Apocalypse. This world’s version of Rogue was one of Magneto’s top X-Men, but she was in a relationship with the Cajun mutant Gambit. When Wolverine, who in this reality was their enemy, attacked the three of them, Rogue could only save one teammate. She chose Magneto, making her feelings clear.

Marvel Comics

A heartbroken Gambit leaves the X-Men, and Magneto and Rogue officially become an item. In this reality, Rogue permanently absorbed magnetic powers from Polaris. Since Rogue’s powers always contain a form of magnetism now, the two magnets cancel each other out. This allows Rogue and Magneto to touch. They soon marry, having a son named Charles, who has psychic abilities. However, the Age of Apocalypse timeline is eventually wiped out of existence, restoring the X-Men reality everyone was familiar with. Thus, consigning the romance of this reality’s Magneto and Rogue as something that never really happened.

The Doomed Romance of Rogue and Joseph, Magneto’s Younger CloneMarvel Comics

Back in the main 616 timeline, the X-Men encounter a young mutant named Joseph, a clone of Magneto. Rogue feels a strong connection to Joseph, and since he does not have any of his genetic template’s darker tendencies or tragic past, the two strike up a relationship. This was during a time Rogue and Gambit were on the outs. Like her teammate Scott Summers, it seems Rogue could not resist a clone copy of a past love. It’s safe to say that Joseph dating Rogue didn’t endear Gambit to him much. Eventually, Joseph died and the real Magneto returned. Later, for a brief time, so too did the Magneto/Rogue romance.

Magneto Proposes Marriage to RogueMarvel Comics

After the events of Avengers vs. X-Men, Rogue and Magneto grow close again. Possibly because both have dark pasts as villains, they are trying to atone for as X-Men. In X-Men: Legacy #249, the two finally consummate the relationship in the main 616 timeline. Magneto falls hard for Rogue, and in X-Men: Legacy #274, he actually proposes marriage to her. Shocked, Rogue turns him down. Ultimately, Rogue returns to Gambit, and the two get married, and become “Mr. and Mrs. X.” Rogue and Magneto are simply not designed to be an “endgame” couple, and there’s always an obstacle in the way of any potential romance.

[image error]Rogue and Magneto in X-Men ’97Marvel Animation

In episode two of X-Men ’97, Rogue and Magneto share a private moment in Xavier’s old office. The two come close to touching, and they make it clear that at some point in the past, the two shared a romantic relationship. Rogue reminds Magneto this is something she’d like to continue to keep secret. There are no hints of a Magneto/Rogue pairing in the original animated show, so whatever happened between them, it will certainly be a shock to everyone when they learn the truth. Especially poor Gambit. We’ll see if the Magneto/Rogue romance has a better chance of survival in the animated universe than it did in the comics.

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Everything We Know About DISNEY LORCANA’s Next Set, URSULA’S RETURN

Disney Lorcana is a game that cannot, will not slow down. We’ve known about Ravensburger’s plan for quarterly releases since the trading card game debuted, but we’ve never been prepared for how quickly time flies. It feels like only yesterday we were learning about how to best incorporate Into the Inklands cards into our decks. But now, it’s time to look ahead to Lorcana‘s fourth set. Here’s everything we know about Disney Lorcana: Ursula’s Return.

Title

The fourth Disney Lorcana set is called Ursula’s Return.

Disney Lorcana: Ursula’s Return Story and Mechanics

Disney Lorcana‘s next release will continue the story told in the first three sets. This time Ursula is at the center. The Rise of the Floodborn release saw Ursula freed from the Illuminary. And now, in Ursula’s Return, the sea witch is “ready to put her plans into motion and take over Lorcana with only the players and their trusted glimmers standing in her way.”

We’re sure it will all work out just fine.

Ravensburger states gameplay will evolve with this set, but we don’t have any specifics on new mechanics yet.

Disney Lorcana: Ursula’s Return CharactersRavensburger

Disney Lorcana releases come with over 200 cards (at least they have historically), so we don’t know every character that will be in the fourth set. However, we do know Ursula’s Return will include Bruno and the rest of the Madrigal family from Encanto. That means Felix, Julieta, Mirabel, Bruno, Dolores, and Luisa. We’ll also see Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey and Yen Sid from Fantasia. A sneak peek included glimpses at Floodborn Ariel and Floodborn Mulan, too.

RavensburgerWhat Disney Lorcana: Ursuala’s Return Will IncludeRavensburger

The Ursula’s Return release will include the following:

Starter Deck – $16.99, Amethyst & AmberStarter Deck – $16.99, Sapphire & SteelBooster Packs – $5.99Illumineer’s Trove – $49.99Card Sleeves – $9.99Deck Boxes – $5.99Playmats (featuring Rapunzel and Tinker Bell) – $19.99RavensburgerDisney Lorcana: Ursula’s Return Release Date

Ursula’s Return will release at local game stores, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, and select Disney Store retail locations on May 17, 2024. It will then be available from mass market retailers on May 31, 2024.

A Disney Lorcana Cooperative GameRavensburger

This release will also launch with the first Disney Lorcana TCG cooperative game, Illumineer’s Quest “Deep Trouble.” The game has four difficulty levels and sees Illumineers fight Ursula. Ravensburger says, “The game includes a guided gameplay area for Ursula, two preconstructed Disney Lorcana TCG player decks (featuring Disney’s Mulan and Yen Sid and built with cards from the first four Disney Lorcana TCG sets) and a fierce Ursula deck. This sea witch plays by her own rules.”

Originally published on March 20, 2024.

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