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All of the KING OF THE HILL Revival Easter Eggs, Callbacks, Cameos, and References

After 15 long years off the air, fans are finally heading back to Arlen, TX for a fresh batch of misadventures with the Hills. Not only was this new season (season 14) of King of the Hill a stunningly well-done revival of the classic series, but it was filled to the brim with loving tributes to the original run. So grab your can of Alamo and join us in the alley as we break down every easter egg, callback, and cameo we could find in the King of the Hill revival season. 

Every King of the Hill Revival Easter Egg and Reference From Season 14, Episode 1 “Return of the King”The King of the Hill Revival References Luanne & Lucky Through a PhotoFox

One of the big questions fans had coming into the King of the Hill revival was how the series would address the characters of Luanne and Lucky, due to the passing of their original series voice actors, Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty. While the revival avoided directly referencing what they are up to in the modern day, we did see a pre-timeskip photo of the couple on the wall of the Hills’ home in the King of the Hill Revival. 

Don’t Miss the Doggie Reference in King of the Hill Season 14

As Peggy is catching up with Nancy Gribble, we get a brief look at Nancy and John Redcorn’s newest venture together. In a YouTube promo video for their HGTV-style reality show, a quick scroll through the comments included an icon of Doggie. The Souphanousinphone family’s scruffy white dog was a recurring figure in the original series. Most notably, Doggie was Bobby’s dance partner for the Musical Canine Freestyle competition in King of the Hill season seven’s “Dances With Dogs”. 

Fox“Iron Chef! Iron Chef!” Chant in Revival Is a King of the Hill Season 5 Easter EggFox

In the King of the Hill revival season, we first find Bobby at his restaurant serving a group of college students who invite him to a frat party, referring to him as “Iron Chef”. This leads to them chanting “Iron Chef! Iron Chef!” on the revival, which is a direct Easter egg that mirrors the fifth season episode “Now Who’s the Dummy.” In that original series episode, Bobby chants that exact phrase with his new ventriloquist puppet doppelganger in a touching moment of acceptance from his dad. 

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Hank Hill Has Must-Hear Fatherly Advice in KING OF THE HILL Revival Teaser Trailer“Uhhh…There’s a Rooster on the Label,” Is a Subtle Reference to Season 6Fox

When Bobby arrives at the college party, he ends up manning the grill and notes how he always comes prepared with his spatula and hot sauce. While small, the hot sauce appears to have a rooster on the bottle, which could be a subtle revival reference to a joke in King of the Hill season six’s “A Man Without a Country Club”. 

In that episode, Hank and Peggy are invited to an event at a prestigious country club, where they meet a hot sauce mogul, Mr. Tranh. Upon meeting him, Peggy comments that he looks “much younger on the label”. To which he confusingly responds, “Uhhh, there’s a rooster on the label”. 

Every King of the Hill Revival Easter Egg and Reference From Season 14, Episode 2 “The Beer Story”Vaya con DiosFox

In “The Beer Story”, we find out that the Hills aren’t the only ones with a television revival. The melodramatic Spanish-language show, “Monsignor Martinez,” was a recurring bit seen throughout the original series’ run. And as it turns out, it has also received an in-universe reboot. 

Megalo Mart Returns in the Revival (RIP Chuck Mangione)

Another mainstay of King of the Hill saw a prominent return in this revival episode as well: Megalo Mart. The fictional big box store was a common setting for many episodes of the original King of the Hill series, and was known for its celebrity spokesperson, Chuck Mangione. The jazz musician even appears briefly as a cardboard cutout with Snoop Dogg promoting homebrew beer kits. 

This was a fun King of the Hill revival Easter egg that has sadly turned bittersweet as the real-life Chuck Mangione passed away just weeks before the series’ return.

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The 15 Best KING OF THE HILL Episodes of All-TimeEvery King of the Hill Revival Easter Egg and Reference From Season 14, Episode 3 “Bobby Gets Grilled” “Fiddy Men” Easter Egg Pays Off Cotton Hill Catchphrase in King of the Hill Revival Fox

“Bobby Gets Grilled” saw a fun payoff to a recurring joke around Hank’s late father, Cotton Hill. A veteran of World War II, Cotton often bragged about the “fiddy men” he killed while fighting in the war. When a group of representatives from the German cultural community comes to Bobby’s restaurant, concerned about his use of “authentic” German cuisine, one member reveals he is the grandson of one of Cotton’s “fiddy men”. 

Every King of the Hill Revival Easter Egg and Reference From Season 14, Episode 4 “Chore Money, Chore Problems” “How Do I Live” Revival Duet is a Direct Reference to King of the Hill Season 3

@bobbyj.hill

#kingofthehill #bobby #connie #dance #gout

♬ original sound – bobby

One of the more overt references to the original King of the Hill Series comes during the revival’s “Chore Money, Chore Problems” episode, where Bobby and Connie go out for karaoke. In a cute montage, we see the childhood friends singing a duet of “How Do I Live”, the same song they shared their first dance to in King of the Hill season 3’s “Love Hurts…and So Does Art”.

Every King of the Hill Revival Easter Egg and Reference From Season 14, Episode 5 “New Ref in Town”“New Ref in Town” Riffs on Hank Hill’s Long-Standing, Complex Emotions About SoccerFox

The King of the Hill revival episode, “New Ref in Town,” feels like a spiritual callback to the series’ other famous soccer episode, season three’s “Three Coaches and a Bobby”. The episode notoriously highlighted Hank’s passionate disdain for all things soccer after Bobby joins the local team in favor of football. “New Ref in Town” hilariously plays on Hank’s newfound love for the sport after his time in Saudi Arabia, and the shame he feels for now enjoying it. 

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Ronny Chieng Joins KING OF THE HILL Revial Cast as Kahn, OG Actor Now Plays Dale GribbleEvery King of the Hill Revival Easter Egg and Reference in Season 14, Episode 6 “Peggy’s Fadeout” Motorcycle Mama—We Get a Fun Peggy Easter in the King of the Hill RevivalFox

“Peggy’s Fadeout” saw a slew of references to many of Peggy’s memorable moments from the original series. One of the best is a rather seductive photo of Peggy on a motorcycle. While other photos we see hanging in the barber shop of this scene are clearly faked by Bill, this revival Easter egg is actually real and lifted directly from King of the Hill season seven’s episode “Queasy Rider”. 

Three-Time Substitute Teacher of the Year Winner*Fox

Another fun easter revival egg comes when we see Peggy’s Substitute Teacher of the Year awards on the bookshelf in King of the Hill season 14, episode six. This easter egg even has an extra layer, as we can see the 1999 award has Peggy’s name taped over the first part. This is a hilarious nod to the episode “Little Horrors of Shop”, where Hank briefly became a substitute shop teacher. After he was controversially forced to resign, Peggy ran under the name “Mrs. Hank Hill” for that year’s award in an attempt to capitalize on his popularity. 

Boggle Champ—A King of the Hill Season 14 Reference to Peggy’s Love of BoggleFox

Similar to her substitute teaching awards, we also catch a glimpse of Peggy’s other passion, Boggle. This hourglass trophy appears to be the same one she won way back in the season one King of the Hill episode, “Peggy the Boggle Champ”. 

Mrs. Heimlich County

The episode ends with Bill giving a eulogy for Peggy at his fake funeral for her. During the touching speech, Bill totes a list of her accomplishments. One of them is a season 14 reference to Peggy competing in a beauty pageant in the King of the Hill season three episode “Peggy’s Pageant Fever.”

Fox

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Johnny Hardwick Recorded 6 KING OF THE HILL Revival Episodes Before His PassingEvery King of the Hill Revival Easter Egg and Reference From Season 14, Episode 7 “Any Given Hill-Day” Peggy’s World of Books Fox

“Any Given Hill-Day” had one of the best side stories of the season, with Peggy starting up a neighborhood book nook. Among the books we see in the little library are A Tale of Two Cities and A Dinner of Onions. These two wonderful revival callbacks reference a similarly themed Peggy episode, “Full Metal Dust Jacket.” In it, A Tale of Two Cities is cited as Peggy’s favorite book, and A Dinner of Onions is the fictitious novel read by the elitist book club Peggy attempts to join. 

Every King of the Hill Revival Easter Egg and Reference in Season 14, Episode 8 “Kahn-scious Uncoupling” Old MaidFox

This Kahn-centric episode saw him and Minh celebrating their wedding anniversary, and reaffirmed his grudge against Bill. This revival episode included a direct reference to Kahn’s late mother, Laoma, and her controversial love affair with Bill in season seven’s “Maid in Arlen”. 

Every King of the Hill Revival Easter Egg and Reference From Season 14, Episode 9 “No Hank Left Behind” The Hill Boys—King of the Hill Season 14 Bring Hank’s Brothers to the Screen

While many fans were expecting the appearance of Hank’s half-brother G.H. (aka Good Hank) in this revival, “No Hank Left Behind” also featured a surprise cameo by Hank’s other half-brother, Junichiro. Having not appeared since the season 6 two-parter, “Returning Japanese”, Junichiro briefly appears via Zoom at the beginning of the episode along with the other Hill boys. 

FoxThat’s My Purse! King of the Hill Revival References Popular Season 6 Episode

The revival episode’s B-plot focused on Peggy and Bobby, and ended with a wild callback to one of the King of the Hill‘s most famous episodes, “Bobby Goes Nuts”. After Peggy receives an MRI at the end of the episode, the doctor notes signs of a lingering injury in Peggy’s groin…where she was kicked by Bobby. 

Every King of the Hill Easter Egg and Reference in Season 14, Episode 10 “A Sounder Investment” The Bounce House Easter Egg Takes Us Back to King of the Hill‘s PastFox

As Bobby and Connie finally begin to date in the revival, we get a fun reference to the King of the Hill season five episode “T’was the Nut Before Christmas”. You know, the time Bobby, Connie, and Joseph were sold beer by a delinquent that Bill took in around the holidays. The trio wound up getting drunk in the bounce house outside Bill’s home, and Bobby got sick. Good times. 

HuluBobby Remembers Connie’s First Period in the Revival’s Finale

After Connie gets hurt at the trampoline park, Bobby takes her to the hospital and is quick to provide the doctors with all her information. He’s cut off just as he mentions her first menstruation in a cute nod to the King of the Hill season four episode, “Aisle 8A”, wherein Connie got her first period while staying with the Hills. 

Old Top—The King of the Hill Revival Brings Back Buck Strickland

Many fans had long been assuming that Hank’s former boss, Buck Strickland, would be long dead in the new timeline of the revival. And after nine episodes without so much as a passing mention, “A Sounder Investment” surprised fans with the return of a much older and slimmed-down version of the sleazy businessman. 

The King of the Hill Revival Was Chock Full of Easter Eggs and References

All in all, the King of the Hill revival was a love letter to fans that celebrated its past while crafting an exciting and promising future ahead. There were a ton of Easter eggs, references, and fond memories shared within the 10 episodes. It’s good to be back in Arlen. 

King of the Hill season 14 is streaming now on Hulu.

The post All of the KING OF THE HILL Revival Easter Eggs, Callbacks, Cameos, and References appeared first on Nerdist.

JURASSIC PARK in Concert Roars to Life at the Hollywood Bowl with Full Orchestra

Jurassic Park is widely known as one of the most epic movies to have ever graced our screens. Created in 1993 by the iconic Steven Spielberg, the film launched a new era of cinema, bringing to life groundbreaking special effects and setting the imagination of audiences aflame like never before. And so, it’s not surprising that this is one movie that has truly withstood the test of time, inviting fans to rewatch it again and again. For your next watch through, though, we feel like Jurassic Park deserves something special. If you want to experience Jurassic Park like never before, it’s only right that you choose the coolest location possible and turn its soundtrack into an iconic orchestral event. Yes, get ready to experience Jurassic Park live at the Hollywood Bowl with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic performing John Williams’ epic score live to picture. Jurassic Park in Concert is a cinematic event 65 million years in the making, and you definitely don’t want to miss it.Universal Pictures

A historic Hollywood location? Check. One of the best movies ever made? Check. Potentially the most iconic soundtrack to ever grace a film, performed by a stunning orchestra? Check, check, and check. And all of it under the stars? We are pterodactyl screeching with excitement. If that sounds like your perfect evening, too, we recommend that you not delay in snagging tickets to Jurassic Park in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. This magical night is the next leap in movie-watching evolution you’ve been waiting for.

Attending a performance of John Williams’ music, played by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, would be a worthy adventure all on its own. We might gently imply that you haven’t truly lived until you’ve heard the Jurassic Park theme played live in all its splendor. Just listening to its familiar notes on YouTube has that specific well of emotion rising in our hearts. So the opportunity to experience its trills and swells live at the Hollywood Bowl would be beyond transcendent. And if we add to that the experience of watching the movie itself projected onto a huge screen in crystal-clear HD, well, we couldn’t imagine a better night.

Jurassic Park leaves us with the inspiring message that “Life finds a way.” And we suggest that you take that to heart and find a way to experience the pure joy and cinematic wonder that is attending Jurassic Park in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Jurassic Park in Concert takes place on Friday, August 8, and again on Saturday, August 9. Both shows begin at 8 pm. Tickets are on sale now.

Welcome… to Jurassic Park (in concert)! 

This article is written in partnership with the LA Phil.

The post JURASSIC PARK in Concert Roars to Life at the Hollywood Bowl with Full Orchestra appeared first on Nerdist.

Live-Action ONE PIECE Shares New Image, Teases ‘Something Big’ for One Piece Day

Ahoy, maties! We absolutely adored Netflix’s live-action One Piece season two. It was really one of our favorite live-action adaptations ever. And that’s why we were extra thrilled to see it get renewed for season two. Yes, Luffy and the gang will be back for more adventures as the huge manga/anime series gets translated into a new form. We have no doubt Netflix’s live-action One Piece season two will continue to deliver on all the wonder of season one. Netflix

We haven’t yet gotten too much information on season two of live-action One Piece. But Netflix has officially shared a new image of our favorite Straw Hat Pirates on their beloved ship. The new live-action One Piece season two image also teases something big is coming soon when it comes to the next season of the epic series. Netflix notes that something major will drop on One Piece Day, August 9th-10th. In full they share, “Can you feel it in the wind, Nakama? 🌊 The seas are restless and rumors from the Grand Line speak of something BIG approaching for ONE PIECE DAY! 😆🏴‍☠️ Trust us, you’ll want to be aboard when it hits!” We CAN feel it! So let’s raise the sails and wait patiently. In the meantime, we’ll enjoy this new image from One Piece season two.

Netflix

While we wait to know more, join us as we sail into the high seas of what is confirmed about the series. Here’s everything we know about Netflix’s live-action One Piece season two.

Live-Action One Piece Season 2’s Plot

We don’t know too much about live-action One Piece season two’s plot. As mentioned, there is a lot of story to choose from. What we do know is that the Baroque Works crime syndicate will feature in some capacity in live-action One Piece‘s second chapter, and that includes the villainous Crocodile. Additionally, last season of the show teased Smoker on the horizon. Dr. Kureha, Dr. Hiriluk, Chopper, Crocus, Brogy, Dorry, Tashigi, Wapol, Dalton, and Nefertari Cobra have also been cast.

It’s feeling like we’ll get a proper teaser for live-action One Piece season two very soon. But as we wait to know more, Netflix is offering us a delightful glimpse into One Piece season two, giving us a little slice of life scene with the Straw Hat Pirates. In it, the Straw Hats get together for a slumber party. Team bonding is critical after all, and we’re obsessed with this glimpse into more One Piece.

Behind the ScenesNetflix

Joe Tracz joins Matt Owens, and together they act as showrunners on Netflix’s live-action One Piece season two.

Live-Action One Piece Season 2’s CastNetflix

The Straw Hat pirates we’ve come to know and love will all be back in action in One Piece season two. Inaki Godoy stars as Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. Additionally, we’ll see like see the following returning One Piece cast in season two: Morgan Davies as Koby, Aidan Scott as Helmeppo, Vincent Regan as Vice Admiral Garp, Langley Kirkwood as Captain “Axe Hand” Morgan, Craig Fairbrass as Zeff, Peter Gadiot as Shanks, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino as Alvida, Jeff Ward as Buggy the Clown, and more.

Netflix

Of course, as mentioned above there is a ton of new characters and cast joining One Piece in season two. Here is a list of everyone coming on board, and you can read more about each new character, here.

Charithra Chandran (Bridgerton) as Miss WednesdaySendhil Ramamurthy (Never Have I Ever, Do Aur Do Pyaar) as Nefertari CobraKatey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy, The Conners) as Dr. KurehaMark Harelik (Presumed Innocent, Preacher) as Dr. HirilukDaniel Lasker (Raised by Wolves) as Mr. 9Camrus Johnson (Batwoman) as Mr. 5 Jazzara Jaslyn (Warrior) as Miss ValentineDavid Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil) as Mr. 3Werner Coetser (Getroud met rugby) as DorryBrendan Murray (Raised by Wolves) as BrogyClive Russell (Game of Thrones) as CrocusCallum Kerr (Monarch) as Smoker Julia Rehwald (Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures) as TashigiRob Colletti (The Many Saints of Newark) as WapolTy Keogh (24 Hours To Live) as DaltonJoe Manganiello as Mr. 0Lera Abova as Miss All-SundayMikaela Hoover as Tony Tony Chopper

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Live-Action ONE PIECE’s Chopper Is CUTER Than GroguLive-Action One Piece Season 2’s Release DateNetflix

Sadly, we won’t be seeing more One Piece in 2025. Netflix has confirmed the second season of the series will release in 2026. We don’t have an exact release date for One Piece yet, but we hope it’s early in 2026 rather than later. Filming for season two has officially wrapped.

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Originally published in December 2024.

The post Live-Action ONE PIECE Shares New Image, Teases ‘Something Big’ for One Piece Day appeared first on Nerdist.

Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk Returns for SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY, Michael Mando Also Joins

For a guy no one can remember a whole lot of people sure do want to hang out with Peter Parker. Jon Bernthal’s Punisher won’t be the only famous superhero teaming up with him in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. OG Avenger Mark Ruffalo will also get in on the webbed fun next summer. But while he’s likely to provide some big backup for our favorite neighborhood, another newly revealed co-star is guaranteed to cause Spidey trouble. Better Call Saul‘s Michael Mando is finally returning to the MCU as Scorpion. It will mark only his second appearance after he made his debut in a Spider-Man: Homecoming end-credits scene in 2017. Here’s what we know about Hulk and Scorpion’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day adventures.Marvel Studios

Hulk smash. Hulk also join Spider-Man: Brand New Day. That’s according to a new report in The Hollywood Reporter. It’s not surprising to learn we’ll see a famous Avenger in a Spider-Man movie. But we won’t fault anyone who gave up on ever seeing Michael Mando’s Scorpion in the MCU again. His first and only appearance as Mac Gargan in the franchise came during an ominous end-credits scene in Tom Holland’s first film as Peter Parker, Spider-Man: Homecoming. That moment in jail between him and Michael Keaton’s Vulture was one of many MCU end-credits scenes that seemed destined to be lost to time. Now it will finally get a payoff, the kind only true MCU sickos (like us) were always holding out hope for.

Details about Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s plot remain unknown, so we don’t know how big a role Mando’s Scorpion or Ruffalo’s Hulk will play in the movie. But we certainly hope Scorpion gets way more than just a single scene. Fans of Better Call Saul know just how good the 44-year-old actor is. And while we love seeing Spider-Man work with other heroes, his rogues’ gallery provides way more fun.

Marvel Studios/Sony

And even if none of his enemies in Earth-616 know who he is, they know they don’t like him. That’s all we need for a great Spider-Man movie. Hulk, Spider-Man, and Scorpion will all hit our screens when Spider-Man: Brand New Day releases on July 31, 2026.

The post Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk Returns for SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY, Michael Mando Also Joins appeared first on Nerdist.

Lady Gaga Will Release New Song for WEDNESDAY Season 2, ‘Dead Dance’

The supreme Addams family member is coming back to our TV screens in two snaps. Well, not quite that fast. But soon enough, Netflix’s Wednesday will return for season two and we cannot wait to hear Jenna Ortega’s snappy one-liners once again. At the end of season one, Wednesday and her friends defeat Laurel Gates. Meanwhile, Tyler is set to escape his very short time in custody. Nevermore Academy is understandably closed for the remainder of the semester as a result of all the drama. But what will happen when the school opens up once again? We don’t know yet.

What we do know is that Lady Gaga is in the second season of Wednesday. And to the surprise of no one, Lady Gaga will release a new song to go along with her appearance on the series. We still have a little while to wait for this new song, though. Per Variety, Lady Gaga will release the new song for Wednesday season two, expected to release in September. The song will be called “Dead Dance.” Lady Gaga will also appear on Wednesday, where she will play Rosaline Rotwood, a “legendary Nevermore teacher who crosses paths with Wednesday.”

Here’s everything we know about Wednesday season two. 

Wednesday Season Two’s Plot Netflix

It’s pretty clear that Wednesday, Enid, and others will return back to Nevermore. We also know that someone is watching Wednesday and threatening to kill her, based on a text message she received while leaving Nevermore. There are still some secrets in Jericho to uncover, indeed, and we get a taste of the action in this trailer.

Netflix gave us our first footage from Wednesday season two a while back. It is only five seconds but we see Wednesday visiting Tyler Galpin a.k.a. The Hyde at Willow Hill psychiatric hospital.

You're not ready for Wednesday Season 2. #NextOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/ZDx2501wIm

— Netflix (@netflix) January 30, 2025

During the 2024 Emmys, Jenna Ortega revealed that the next season of Wednesday will pack in lots of horror, have more wonderful quotes, and that each episode will feel like its own movie. 

What I can say … [is] we’re definitely leaning into a little bit more horror,” the Scream actress teased. “It’s really, really exciting because all throughout the show, Wednesday does need a bit of an arc, she never really changes, and that’s the wonderful thing about her.”

Ortega previously stated this, saying the show will leave romance in the rearview mirror. As much as we love a good romance triangle, Wednesday is at her best when she’s investigating and verbally skewering people. 

Season two’s first episode is titled “Here We Woe Again,” which we discovered in this cute announcement video.

Here we woe again. pic.twitter.com/FPYrc5Tnaj

— Wednesday Addams (@wednesdayaddams) May 7, 2024

We probably won’t get getting another infamous dance… at least, not as far as Jenna Ortega knows. Ortega talked about Wednesday season two during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and she wasn’t aware of another big dance break; however, the show still has a ways to go for filming. Ortega did open up about her fears of returning and promised big moments this season.

“I was a little terrified just because it had been years since Wednesday, since we shot the first one. We did that like two or three years ago in Romania,” Ortega said. “So, I didn’t really know how I… I just was, I think, overthinking it.  But as soon as you put on the costumes by Colleen Atwood, you get hair and makeup done, and then you take all the expression out of your face, it’s like, ‘Oh, okay. I kind of, I know how to do this. Yeah. Yeah.'”

A recent sneak peek clip from Wednesday season two dives into how this season will build Addams family lore in ways we haven’t seen before. It looks like Morticia will really get to expand her role this season, including a blindfolded fencing scene with Wednesday. She is and will always be Mother.

Behind the Scenes

Jenna Ortega will join Tim Burton and Steve Stark, and others as an executive producer. Alfred Gough and Miles Millar will continue as co-showrunners. It remains to be seen who will direct its episodes. As of May 2024, Wednesday season two filming began in Ireland in May 2024 and wrapped in December.

Wednesday Season 2 is NOW IN PRODUCTION 🖤 Please give a round of double snaps to our cast — now including Christopher Lloyd, Steve Buscemi, Thandiwe Newton, Joanna Lumley, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, and Billie Piper! pic.twitter.com/v6nX6eLPP8

— Netflix (@netflix) May 7, 2024

Jenna Ortega closes the coffin on Wednesday Season 2. Coming 2025 🖤 pic.twitter.com/QJwBh1fEts

— Netflix (@netflix) December 4, 2024

Wednesday Season Two’s Cast Vlad Cioplea/Netflix

Alongside Ortega, Emma Myers (Enid Sinclair), Joy Sunday (Bianca Barclay), Jamie McShane (Sheriff Galpin), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Morticia Addams), Luis Guzmán (Gomez Addams), Isaac Ordonez (Pugsley Addams), and Hunter Doohan (Tyler Galpin), Fred Armisen (Uncle Fester) will return. Uncle Fester is reportedly getting his own spinoff, so an episode this season could serve as a backdoor pilot for that show. Speaking of Addams family members, there are new ones this season. Joanna Lumley is portraying Grandmama Hester Frump, Morticia’s mother. And Joonas Suotamo is the family’s butler Lurch, of course.

It doesn’t seem that Christina Ricci will return as Laurel Gates but anything is possible.

20th century studios

We do know that there will be an Edward Scissorhands reunion this season. Variety reports that Anthony Michael Hall, who played Kim’s jerk boyfriend Jim, will reunite with Tim Burton in Wednesday season two. Details about his role are unknown at this time.

In recent news, Lady Gaga is joining the cast for season two as Rosaline Rotwood, a “legendary Nevermore teacher who crosses paths with Wednesday.” Ortega opened up about working with Gaga on Wednesday and what her personality is like.

“It’s the best. She’s the best, definitely one of the most talented individuals I’ve ever worked with,” Ortega said to IndieWire. “It was just a really, really special environment to be there with her and Tim [Burton], two people that I respect and have been inspired by so much….Then just finding out that she’s such a sweetheart and really kind and reserved, it’s very strange. I love that you never know what to expect from her, but you can always expect kindness and generosity.”

According to Netflix, Billie Piper (who will play a character named Capri), Evie Templeton, Owen Painter, and Noah Taylor are joining the cast in a full-time capacity. Addams Family alum Christopher Lloyd is joining as a guest star alongside Frances O’Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, and Thandiwe Newton (as Dr. Fairburn).

Deadline reports that Steve Buscemi has joined the cast as well, and “will play the new principal of Nevermore Academy.” His character’s name is Barry Dort.

Last year’s TUDUM event revealed that we will meet a new Addams family member. We had a few ideas about which Addams family member could show up in Wednesday. And now we know that Joanna Lumley will portray Grandmama in Wednesday‘s second season.

Wednesday Season Two’s Release Date

Wednesday season two has eight episodes and will release in two equal parts, with Part I coming August 6 and Part II coming September 3.

Originally published on January 16, 2024.

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CRITICAL ROLE Announces Campaign 4 & NEW GM Brennan Lee Mulligan (Matt Mercer ‘Takes Breather’)

Okay, Critters, we’re gonna need you to take some deep breaths with us. Yes, inhale, hold, exhale. Breathe. We know there is a lot of Critical Role excitement in the air, and also many ch-ch-ch-anges, and that can make it hard to remember to do anything but flail in delight. Because, YES, Critical Role has officially announced Campaign 4 is rolling toward you soon. And YES, Critical Role Campaign 4 will feature a NEW Game Master for the first time in the beloved franchise’s main campaign continuity. Hold onto your dice, friends, Exandrians, and countrymen, Matt Mercer will NOT be the GM of Critical Role campaign 4. Instead, creative powerhouse and masterful world builder Brennan Lee Mulligan will be taking on the role of Game Master in Critical Role‘s fourth campaign. Yes, BREATHE. Breathe. Let’s break all this exciting Critical Role news down.

Brennan Lee Mulligan Will Be Game Master of Critical Role Campaign 4Malik Daniels

Critical Role Campaign 4 will be releasing on Thursday, October 2. And when it does, a brand new Game Master will enter the world of Critical Role‘s core campaign for the very first time. Yes, celebrated actual play creator and storyteller Brennan Lee Mulligan will be taking over for long-time Critical Role Game Master, the beloved Matt Mercer. Those are big shoes to fill. But if anyone is qualified to helm Critical Role in the wake of Matt Mercer, it’s Brennan Lee Mulligan. Brennan Lee Mulligan has made a massive name for himself in the world of Dungeons & Dragons actual play, heading up Dropout’s intensely popular series Dimension 20 as well as his own popular podcast Worlds Beyond Number.

Critical Role reveals that Brennan Lee Mulligan will “step into the Game Master seat for the full duration of Campaign 4, bringing his signature depth, humor, wit, and high-stakes drama to Critical Role’s next grand adventure.”

Travis Willingham on Critical Role‘s New Game Master

Speaking about the new Game Master coming to Critical Role‘s world, Travis Willingham, CEO, co-founder, and cast member of Critical Role shares, “We’ve been enormous fans of Brennan’s for many years now, and when it came to giving both Matthew Mercer and the world of Exandria a bit of a breather, Brennan felt like the perfect storyteller to take our community somewhere entirely new.”

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Why CRITICAL ROLE’s Video Game DISPATCH Is a Surprising Yet Smart Move for an Expansive Future

Willingham adds, “Critical Role has always been about genuine connection through storytelling first and foremost, and as Brennan himself will tell you, he’s still played more TTRPGs away from a camera than in front of it. His passion and drive for worldbuilding is infectious, and it’s been an absolute joy to spark off him as we forge ahead.”

Brennan Lee Mulligan on Taking Over as Critical Role‘s GM

Mulligan, of course, is also no stranger to the Critical Role world. He was the Game Master of three Critical Role productions: Exandria Unlimited: Calamity, Critical Role: Downfall, and Exandria Unlimited: Divergence. And he does not take the gift of the position lightly. Mulligan shares, “What a gift, a privilege and an honor to be invited behind the screen of Critical Role for this next epic adventure. Every collaboration we have had together has brought nothing but sheer joy, and Campaign 4 will be no exception. I’m finally playing *almost* as much tabletop as I’d like to!”

We can’t wait to see where this will go.

Will Matt Mercer Be a Part of Critical Role Campaign 4? Mike Schmidt

But where does all of this leave Matt Mercer, who has helmed Critical Role‘s core campaigns for ten years now? Well, as Willingham shared earlier in the piece, it sounds like Matt Mercer might need a bit of a Critical Role Game Master breather. Willingham notes, “When it came to giving both Matthew Mercer and the world of Exandria a bit of a breather, Brennan felt like the perfect storyteller to take our community somewhere entirely new.”

But does that mean Matt Mercer won’t be a part of Critical Role campaign four at all? Not necessarily! We don’t know what a breather means exactly. And it could be that Mercer wants to join in on the game instead of running it. Being Game Master is a lot of work. If Mercer did join Critical Role as a player, it would mark the first time he’ll get to do a full campaign as a player/character in the 10 years of Critical Role. We bet fans would love that.

Of course, there is always the possibility that Matt Mercer will not be involved in Campaign 4 of Critical Role. But we suppose, after 10 years, we’d understand that too!

When Will Critical Role Campaign 4 Release?

Campaign 4 of Critical Role will release on October 2. It will premiere with instant access on Beacon.tv as well as streamed to Critical Role’s YouTube and Twitch channels on October 2. The VOD of Campaign 4 will available for everyone the following Monday and podcast episodes available in two parts: the first one week after the premiere of the episode, and the second on the following Tuesday. Beacon members will also get exclusive access to all episodes of Critical Role Cooldown for Campaign 4, where the cameras keep rolling and you get a front row seat to the cast’s post-show reactions.

What Do We Know About Critical Role Campaign 4?Heirlume Photography

We don’t know too much about what Campaign 4 of Critical Role will entail, no details about its plot, characters, or setting have been revealed. What we do know is that will be an all new chapter in the world of Critical Role. Here’s what the official release had to say about Critical Role Campaign 4, “Following the beloved sagas of Vox Machina (Campaign 1), The Mighty Nein (Campaign 2), and Bells Hells (Campaign 3), Critical Role’s new campaign represents a bold evolution for the franchise, ushering in a new era with new legends to be forged in a brand new world.”

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Marisha Ray, Creative Director, co-founder, and cast member of Critical Role expounds on the description, sharing, “We’re not just turning a page – we’re starting a whole new book,” added “Everything about Campaign 4 is fresh; new world, new tone, new possibilities. We can’t wait for the fans to experience what we’ve been building.”

Who Will Be Part of Critical Role Campaign 4’s Cast?

We do not yet know who will be a part of Critical Role Campaign 4’s cast except for Game Master Brennan Lee Mulligan. Further details – including cast, the world, game system, format, and more – will be revealed in the months to come. Go to Critical Role’s website or follow along on Instagram at @Critical_Role to stay up-to-date. 

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Critical Role Campaign 4, here we come.

The post CRITICAL ROLE Announces Campaign 4 & NEW GM Brennan Lee Mulligan (Matt Mercer ‘Takes Breather’) appeared first on Nerdist.

Tom Holland Reveals New SPIDER-MAN Suit in SPIDER-MAN BRAND NEW DAY First Teasers

If a Peter Parker falls off a New York City skyscraper and no one knows who he is, does he make a sound? Please don’t bother trying to answer that very silly question, because we all know Tom Holland’s web slinger is going to cause a ruckus at the box office when he returns as the iconic character in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. What will this new chapter for the (currently anonymous) superhero look like?

We just got the briefest of answers. Sony shared a very short teaser featuring glimpses of Spider-Man’s suit in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the description “Something brand new is coming…” This promo marks the one-year countdown until the film’s release.

Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures

Following this, Tom Holland took to Instagram to reveal a full look at the new suit! An exciting one-year-out gift. Holland’s Spider-Man is looking quite heroic and definitely all grown up. You can watch the full Spidey suit reveal below.

What will Peter Parker be doing when he wears that super suit? Here’s everything we know about Spider-Man: Brand New Day so far.

TitleMarvel Studios

Tom Holland’s fourth standalone film as everyone’s favorite neighborhood hero is called Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The movie takes its title from the 2008 Marvel Comics series. Its storyline shares many similarities with the current plight of the MCU’s character, as it followed Peter Parker after a universe-changing event undid his marriage to MJ. The series was part of a controversial Spider-Man storyline that upset some fans.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s Plot Marvel Comics

Marvel Studios and Sony have not released any official information about Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s plot. Tom Holland has called the film ““a fresh start” for the character following the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home. That film, which completed the Spider-Man Home Trilogy, ended with Doctor Strange casting a spell that made everyone in the universe forget Peter Parker existed. While not the same, that monumental event is similar to Peter’s situation in the comic book series the movie gets its title from.

One unconfirmed synopsis on the film’s IMDb page does provide a believable description of the film, which will take place between Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Here’s the unofficial (for now at least) logline:

After Doomsday, Peter Parker tries to focus on college and leave Spider-Man behind. But when a new threat endangers his friends, he must break his promise and suit up again, teaming with an unexpected ally to protect those he loves.

Marvel Studios

That does line up with comments franchise producer/steward Amy Pascal provided about the film. She told Deadline‘s Behind the Lens, “We have to deal with the fact that he decided he was going to give up being Peter Parker, and he was gonna focus on being Spider-Man, because being Peter Parker was too hard. So that’s what the movie is about.”

We also know it won’t be rated R. Kevin Feige has confirmed it will feature a more family-friendly version of Jon Bernthal’s Punisher. Feige revealed, “When Punisher is in the Spider-Man movie, it’ll be a different tonality” than when he’s in his own TV-MA rated Disney+ special. But Punisher WILL appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, shares the Marvel boss.

Behind the Scenes Marvel Studios

Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is taking over directing duties from Jon Watts.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s Cast Sony/Marvel Studios

Zendaya and Jacob Batalon will return alongside Holland as Peter Parker’s memory-wiped love interest and best friend/guy in the chair MJ and Ned. Sadie Sink will also join the MCU in a still unreleased major role. (Jean Gray, perhaps?)

Netflix

One actor whose role we do know is Jon Bernthal’s. He will make his MCU movie debut as the Punisher, Frank Castle. The vigilante might very well be Peter’s unexpected ally.

Marvel Studios/Netflix Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s Release Date

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will swing into theaters on July 31, 2026.

Originally published on June 23, 2025.

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Tim Burton’s BATMAN Films Return to Theaters in August

We have to wait until 2027 to see a new Batman film on the big screen. However, in the meantime, the films that started it all are coming back to theaters this summer. Via Variety, we’ve learned that Tim Burton’s original Batman from 1989 and 1992’s Batman Returns are playing a limited engagement on August 25th. And this won’t just be any old re-release, as both films will be presented in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for the first time ever. This one-night-only event will play exclusively in over 160 Dolby Cinemas at AMC Theatres locations across the United States. Batman Returns was actually the first film released in Dolby Digital back in 1992.Warner Bros.

The enhanced presentation will bring to life Tim Burton’s gothic vision of Gotham City with unprecedented clarity. And it will look better than ever before. According to Warner Bros., the Dolby Vision presentation will deliver deeper blacks, sharper contrast, and more vivid colors. The Dolby Atmos will create a multi-dimensional sound experience that will especially elevate Danny Elfman’s iconic scores for both films. In a statement, Tim Burton said “I hadn’t watched these films since I made them, and seeing them again with this level of clarity, beauty, color, and sound felt really new and exciting.”

Will the two Joel Schumacher Batman films get a similar treatment? If the Burton films do well in their theatrical release, then anything is possible. Someone out there has got to want a Batman Forever and Batman & Robin one-night-only engagement. Burton’s first two Batman films helped cement the Dark Knight as a cinematic titan. And many younger fans have never seen the original films on the big screen. This presents the perfect opportunity for everyone to experience the films that started it all. After all, Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne, Jack Nicholson’s Joker, Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman, and Danny DeVito’s Penguin remain iconic to this day for a reason.

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A QUIET PLACE PART III in the Works from John Krasinski

Ah, the mystery of franchise naming schemes. Whether movie sequels get numbers, subtitles, both, neither, or some other combination is a language known only to marketing people. It’s how we get a series of Final Destination movies with sequels called 2, 3, The, 5, and Bloodlines. Absolute madness. Well, you can add another franchise to that list. Today we’ve learned from Deadline that John Krasinski will write, produce, and direct the fourth film in the A Quiet Place series. The fourth film. The movie’s title? A Quiet Place Part III.Paramount Pictures

Yes, the sci-fi/horror saga that popularized shoving your finger into your nose to tell people to be quiet is back with another installment. The first movie, which came out in 2018, set the movie world ablaze with its unique approach to monster thrillers. Naturally, we’d get sequels. Krasinski directed and co-wrote the first movie and directed and wrote the second film. Both of those starred his wife Emily Blunt and young actors Noah Jupe and Millicent Simmonds. Since Krasinski’s character (spoilers) dies in the first movie, he only appears in a flashback in the second, but Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou stepped in.

Krasinski also co-wrote the story for the third movie, a prequel from writer-director Michael Sarnoski entitled A Quiet Place: Day One. Starring Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn along with Hounsou (all now Marvel alum), that movie depicted the very beginning of the alien invasion as it hits a major city. So now the series progression will go Part I, Part II, Day One, and Part III. It’s enough to make a guy fly private.

A Quiet Place Part III doesn’t have a cast yet, but the announcement claims a release date of July 9, 2027. So get your nose ready for your finger to smush it all over again.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Letterboxd.

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ALIEN: EARTH’s Noah Hawley and Samuel Blenki Talk Lore, Humanity, Sci-Fi Influences, and More

When Alien: Earth debuts it will bring one of Hollywood’s most important sci-fi horror franchises to the small screen. It will also arrive with monster expectations and a loyal fanbase. Those are the kinds of burdens many creators would find too intimidating. So no surprise Noah Hawley is the one who embraced that challenge. The creator of FX’s Fargo and Legion does not shy away from beloved properties. But this time he’s working in a cinematic universe built on the iconic line, “In space no one can hear you scream.” How did he approach bringing that horror to our world? And what other science fiction stories influenced his new tale of Xenomorph terror? Those were just some of the things Nerdist‘s Dan Casey asked him and Alien: Earth star Samuel Blenki about at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.

During this year’s premier pop culture party we sat down with Alien: Earth showrunner Noah Hawley and star Samuel Blenki. They talked to us about their own experiences with Xenmorphs and the other inspirations behind their upcoming FX series. The Blade Runner influences might not surprise you. But we’ll bet you weren’t expecting to hear so much Peter Pan talk.

Hawley also noted the series will change the stakes of a typical Alien story. They are usually about the survival of just a few humans. His series is about the survival of humanity itself. Or rather, it’s about the question “does humanity deserve to survive.” He also talked about how the series touches on transhumanism, mankind’s focus on profit, and the very question of what it means to be human.

FX

Blenki also talked about playing Boy Kavalier and how a truly iconic character from The Twilight Zone helped him understand his character.

Beyond their own histories with the series and the stories that shaped their own, Hawley and Blenki also told Dan about the show’s incredible production. Working on those amazing sets was exactly as as much fun as it seems. And they also shared the things they nerd out about.

Pretty soon we’ll all ne nerding out about Alien: Earth together. It debuts at FX on August 12.

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