Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 372

Who Is the Fantastic Four’s Robot Sidekick, H.E.R.B.I.E.?

In the official casting announcement from Marvel Studios for the long-awaited Fantastic Four, we saw all of the members of Marvel’s First Family. That includes a cute little robot handing the Thing a cup of coffee. That would be our first official confirmation of H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot, a character from Marvel’s Fantastic Four comics. He’s been both loved and hated by the Marvel Comics fanbase because he once replaced a prominent member of the team. Here’s everything you need to know about the Fantastic Four’s robot sidekick H.E.R.B.I.E. and his Marvel history.

Marvel StudiosWho Is the Fantastic Four’s Robot, H.E.R.B.I.E.?Marvel

Similar to iconic characters like Harley Quinn and Jimmy Olsen, Marvel created H.E.R.B.I.E. for outside media before incorporating him into the comics. H.E.R.B.I.E., which stands for “Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics,” first appeared in the 1978 New Fantastic Four Saturday morning cartoon. He effectively replaced Johnny Storm/the Human Torch on the team. Despite rumors for years that H.E.R.B.I.E. was created so impressionable young kids would not light themselves on fire emulating the hero, that was not the true reason. The rights to a Human Torch film were at another studio, so the producers of Fantastic Four simply couldn’t use him. This was why they created Firestar for Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends two years later.

Marvel

The animation studio behind New Fantastic Four, DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, knew they needed a replacement for Johnny Storm. After all, this wasn’t the Fantastic Three. Although never specifically stated, a cute little robot sidekick debuting a year after Star Wars‘ R2-D2 captured everyone’s hearts is likely not a coincidence. Stan Lee created H.E.R.B.I.E. specifically for the cartoon, and Jack Kirby, who was designing characters for the new show, came up with the design. H.E.R.B.I.E. was Lee and Kirby’s last collaboration on a Marvel character together. Voice acting legend Frank Welker, the man behind Scooby-Doo, Megatron in Transformers, Garfield, and dozens more, was the voice of H.E.R.B.I.E. The series only lasted one season, consisting of 13 episodes.

How Did H.E.R.B.I.E. Join the Fantastic Four? Marvel

In 1979, a year after his TV debut, writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Byrne introduced H.E.R.B.I.E. into the comics. His first canonical appearance was in Fantastic Four #209, in August 1979. His comic book origin is that Mister Fantastic and Master Xar of the planet Xandar created him. They intended that this little robot could help them find Galactus. They were hoping for help from the Devourer of Worlds to stop the villain called the Sphinx. In a fun bit of meta-commentary, Wolfman said that Reed designed H.E.R.B.I.E. to look like the robot used as part of the in-universe Fantastic Four cartoon show. Supposedly, Johnny did not sign his likeness rights to the animation studio, as he was out of town, so they had to create a replacement for him. Reed Richards then designed the real H.E.R.B.I.E. to look like his animated counterpart.

MarvelThe Death and Rebirth of the Fantastic Four’s H.E.R.B.I.E.

This is where things get complicated and even more meta. The villain Doctor Sun, an enemy of Master Xar, had his consciousness trapped within Xandarian computers. He transferred his mind from those computers into H.E.R.B.I.E.’s system. The new robot mascot was effectively Doctor Sun’s sleeper agent to take out the team. Eventually, he was exposed, and Dr. Sun abandoned H.E.R.B.I.E.’s body, entering one of the computers in the Baxter Building, the Fantastic Four’s headquarters. Now himself again, H.E.R.B.I.E. sacrificed himself to stop Dr. Sun.

Marvel

The entire storyline was writer Marv Wolfman playing with the fans’ dislike of H.E.R.B.I.E. by making him an engine of destruction for the team. When the true H.E.R.B.I.E. sacrifices himself to save them, he knew readers would end up liking the character they once hated. Reed rebuilt H.E.R.B.I.E., but after a year or so, he disappeared from the comics. In more recent years, H.E.R.B.I.E. only made sporadic appearances. He usually appeared as a high-tech babysitter for Reed and Sue’s children, Franklin and Valeria Richards. Eventually, Reed Richards invented a more advanced version of H.E.R.B.I.E. This robot was H.U.B.E.R.T., short for Hyper-Ultronic Brain Employing Randomized Tracings. A H.E.R.B.I.E. Easter egg appears in the extended cut of the 2005 Fantastic Four. He’s also popped up in some modern animated shows.

H.E.R.B.I.E. in the MCU Fantastic FourMarvel

Since we know so little about the MCU Fantastic Four, it’s hard to say what role H.E.R.B.I.E. will play. The image Marvel released has a version of H.E.R.B.I.E. that seems to roll around on the ground, and not fly. Having said that, we didn’t know R2-D2 could fly until one day he just did. It could be that Marvel Studios and Disney want their own cute little robot, a version of BB-8 who talks. Even if H.E.R.B.I.E. plays a minor role in the film, we imagine Marvel will get a well-known actor to voice him. Possibly Frank Welker will come back? After all, he’s still working. That would be the ultimate Easter egg. We imagine that with movie exposure, H.E.R.B.I.E. will make a comic book comeback as well. Maybe this time, the fans will be nicer.

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DUNE 2 Cast Interviews Get Spicy | Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler & More

Dune: Part 2 stars Timothée Chalamet (Paul Atreides), Zendaya (Chani), Rebecca Ferguson (Jessica), Austin Butler (Feyd-Rautha), Josh Brolin (Gurney Halleck), Stellan Skarsgård (Baron Harkonnen), Dave Bautista (Beast Rabba), Florence Pugh (Princess Irulan), and director Denis Villeneuve sit down with Nerdist’s Maude Garrett ( @maudesworld ) to talk sequels, popcorn buckets, and more!

1:34 – Dune’s Spectacle and Action
5:44 – The Women of Dune
13:01 – The Villains of Dune
20:24 – Fun Stories from the Set
22:54 – Dune Part 3?
24:47 – The Boys Scare Josh Brolin

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STAR TREK: DISCOVERY Sets Release Date for Final Season

The intergalactic journey of U.S.S. Discovery is coming to an end. Paramount+ has revealed that it is ending Star Trek: Discovery with the upcoming fifth season of the show. The fifth and final season of series will officially release on April 4, 2024. At the fan convention CCXP, we saw a clip from the upcoming final season—a season that will see Captain Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery uncovering a mystery that will send them on an epic adventure across the galaxy to find an ancient power whose very existence has been deliberately hidden for centuries. But there are others on the hunt as well … dangerous foes who are desperate to claim the prize for themselves and will stop at nothing to get it.

Discovery‘s fifth season wasn’t necessarily meant to be the end. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, additional filming was set to help craft a conclusion for the series. Discovery was historic for many reasons. Debuting in 2017, it was the first streaming series in the franchise’s history. It was also the first Trek series since the cancellation of Enterprise some 12 years earlier.

Discovery launched a whole world of Trek in the streaming world, first on CBS All Access, then on its successor, Paramount+. This lead to Picard, Lower Decks, Prodigy, and most recently, Strange New Worlds. Of course, it was also the first Star Trek series with an African-American woman in the lead, and the Trek series with its first regular trans character.

Paramount+

Discovery was unique in Trek canon for several reasons. It began as a prequel to the original series, set some ten years before the time of Kirk on the Enterprise. But at the end of season two, they propelled the starship Discovery over 900 years into the future. This allowed the show to explore a completely different era in the Star Trek timeline. It was also unique in that the lead character was not a Captain or Commander. But she eventually evolved into taking command of the ship by the end of the third season. It will be interesting to see if Star Trek remains in this time period for future series, or returns to the past.

When Will Star Trek: Discovery‘s Fifth and Final Season Release?

As mentioned, the final season of Star Trek: Discovery has set its Paramount+ release date for April 4, 2024.

Originally published on March 2, 2023.

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A Big Threat Emerges in Latest GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE Trailer

Know what will never get old? Watching giant monsters fight. We’ll also never tire of watching giant monsters team up to fight other giant monsters. That’s exactly what we’re going to get in the next chapter of Legendary Picture’s Monsterverse. But the latest trailer for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire promises to give us more than just action. It will go deep into the history and lore behind these two icons, in a battle that will see them come together to save both themselves and everyone on Earth from a terrifying enemy.

Anything that can make King Kong and Godzilla afraid is something we want to see. What nightmares lurk deep below the waves? The film’s official synopsis provides insight into how this next installment in the franchise will provide answers to some very big questions. It will also introduce the biggest threat to humanity yet. From Warner Bros. and Legendary:

The epic battle continues!  Legendary Pictures’ cinematic Monsterverse follows up the explosive showdown of Godzilla vs. Kong with an all-new adventure that pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence—and our own. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire delves further into the histories of these Titans and their origins, as well as the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.

Warner Bros./Legendary

The film reunites the Godzilla vs. Kong team of director Adam Wingard and writer Terry Rossio. The movie also boasts a fantastic cast with some big names of its own. Godzilla vs. Kong stars Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Kaylee Hottle are back for more monster mayhem. Joining them this time are Dan Stevens (Legion), Alex Ferns (The Batman), and Fala Chen (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings).

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire smashes into theaters March 29, 2024. On that day we’ll once again learn why we never get tired of watching giant monsters fight other giant monsters. So long as the right giant monsters win.

Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.

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Ian McDiarmid Confirms Palpatine Had ‘Sith Sex,’ But Doesn’t Want to Think About It.

The final chapter in Star Wars’ Skywalker Saga, The Rise of Skywalker, was controversial, to say the least. Perhaps most controversial was the choice to bring back Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine, a.k.a. Darth Sidious. It was so controversial, that Poe Dameron’s line “Somehow, Palpatine returned” has become a meme that won’t die. (Appropriately). Now, in an interview with Empire Magazine, celebrating 25 years of The Phantom Menace, McDiarmid doesn’t see his return as anything but proof that the disfigured Sith Lord always had a contingency plan. Also, he chimes in on if Palpatine had sex. After all, Rey is his granddaughter, right? Here’s what he had to say:

I felt that Palpatine always had a plan B – probably a plan C, D, E, and F as well. And he was an expert in cloning, so…

Lucasfilm

They also asked McDiarmid about just how Rey, a granddaughter, came about. Does this mean Palpatine, you know… does the deed? McDiarmid seemed to not want to discuss Sith sex too much, saying, “Please don’t pursue that line too vigorously. But yes, he does [have sex]. It’s a horrible idea to think of Palpatine having sex in any shape or form. But then, of course, perhaps he didn’t.”

In The Rise of Skywalker novelization, we learn that Rey’s father Dathan was a failed clone of the Emperor. These were also called “strand casts.” He did not naturally conceive a son. (This might have been relevant information for the film). McDiarmid must have some vague ideas about this, because he added “Maybe it’s all to do with midi-chlorians – and don’t ask me what those are.”

Lucasfilm

One thing is for sure. A lot of current Star Wars is bending over backward to logically explain how Palpatine was always planning for his eventual return as a clone. Both The Mandalorian and The Bad Batch have touched on this recently. We think it’s to show that Palpatine was always prepared in case Darth Vader turned on him, as Sith apprentices naturally do. He knew he’d need a new body to house his evil essence. They drew inspiration for this from the classic ’90s comic Dark Empire, where Palpatine used cloning to return to life after Return of the Jedi. We expect season three of The Bad Batch to explore this even more. As long as it’s in flashbacks, we’re always game for more McDiarmid as the Emperor—as long as we don’t have to see him smooch anyone.

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Who Is Feyd-Rautha From DUNE? Everything You Need to Know

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune sequel is on the horizon, and with it comes one notable character left out of Part One: Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Fans of David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation will remember Sting in this memorable, villainous role. Who could forget that spiky orange hair, tire-like underwear, and energetic flamboyance? 

In Villeneuve’s version, it’s Austin Butler’s turn to go bad—very bad. The recent Oscar-lnominee looks to provide a whole different spin on the character. Gone is the camp and color. This Feyd-Rautha is all black-and-white venom. And, like his fellow cinematic Harkonnens, his clean head and harsh features make for a menacing sight. If nothing else, Villeneuve knows how to cut a striking figure.  

Warner Bros./Legendary

If you’re familiar with Frank Herbert’s novel, then you already know Feyd-Rautha is one of the most deplorably evil characters in the Dune universe. Which is saying a lot, given his exceedingly evil family, some of whom we met in Part One. 

But if you haven’t read the book or watched Lynch’s movie, you might be wondering: who is Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen and how does he fit into the story of Paul Atreides? Here’s everything you need to know about the character ahead of Dune: Part Two. 

Feyd-Rautha’s Origins in the Dune Universe, Explained

Feyd-Rautha was born with the surname Rabban but is in fact part of the Harkonnen family. He’s the son of Abulurd Rabban, brother of Glossu Rabban (Dave Bautista), and nephew and heir of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), the primary antagonist of Dune: Part One. The Baron saw great potential in Feyd from a young age, preferring him to his older brother—which resulted in an understandably complicated family dynamic. He brought the boy from his home on Lankiveil to Giedi Prime, intending to groom him as the worthy successor of the Harkonnen dynasty. 

But his worthiness isn’t by accident. Like Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), Feyd is the product of the breeding program established by the Bene Gesserit, the mystical sisterhood that secretly controls much of the Dune universe. The Bene Gesserit intended for Feyd to marry the daughter of Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) and Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) and produce an heir: the Kwisatz Haderach. The Kwisatz Haderach was meant to be a male Bene Gesserit with the memory of all of his male and female ancestors, and with the power to bridge space and time. The union of Harkonnen and Atreidies would also resolve the long and bitter conflict between the two houses. 

Feyd-Rautha Is a Disturbance of FateWarner Bros./Legendary

This plan was thrown into disarray when Lady Jessica betrayed Bene Gesserit orders and birthed a son, Paul, instead of a daughter. (Jessica, a Bene Gesserit herself, has the power to control the sex of her children.) Because of this choice, Feyd-Rautha and Paul instead become fated rivals, locked in a duel of politics and prophecy. 

While the two share many attributes—thanks to their noble upbringings, education, and combat training—they are by nature quite opposite. Where Paul is kind, loyal, and empathetic, Feyd is ruthlessly cruel, brutal, and self-serving. He’s even willing to kill his own family if it means rising to the top. In many ways, Feyd-Rautha is like Paul’s dark-sided doppelgänger. Two halves of a Bene Gesserit breeding-program made whole.  

We see evidence of how Dune: Part Two will portray this side of Feyd in the trailers. Butler—strikingly hairless and brooding, rendered in monochrome—emits a feral scream as he fights in a massive gladiatorial arena. He looks as chilling as his reputation, a porcelain snake ready to strike his prey. And Feyd-Rautha is indeed a worthy enemy to the boyish and gentle Paul. 

How Feyd-Rautha Fits Into Dune: Part Two

Though Feyd was absent from Dune: Part One, he’ll play a large role in the sequel. His Bene Gesserit genes mean that he’s of great importance to the order—and therefore the plot. We know that Léa Seydoux will play Margot Fenring in Part Two. She’s a Bene Gesserit envoy with a key role in Feyd-Rautha’s story. Margot was sent by the sisterhood to help preserve Feyd’s genetic material through seduction. And she also uses the Voice to encode in him a fail-safe word that can, upon hearing, cause paralysis. We see their interactions in the trailer for Dune: Part Two, so this storyline will likely play out just like it does in the book. 

But Margot is one small part of Feyd-Rautha’s story. In Herbert’s novel, Feyd also rivals Paul for a place in the Imperium. Originally, the Baron wanted to create a marital alliance between Feyd and Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), eldest daughter of Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken), to set the table for political interference. He planned to seat Feyd-Rautha on Arrakis, overtaking his brother Glossu (who invades the planet and takes control in Part One, under the Baron’s guidance), and elevating Feyd’s savior status.

Warner Bros./Legendary

This, the Baron believed, would allow the Harkonnens not only access to the throne and the ability to influence it, but would secure the house’s overall dominance in the Known Universe. Of course, this is an epic science-fiction story with many moving pieces. Therefore, not all goes according to plan. The Emperor grows suspicious, alliances are tested, and Feyd hatches his own plan for Harkonnen dominance. 

A Dance with Destiny Between Paul and Feyd

Paul, on an empirical infiltration mission of his own (along with a host of other important, messiah-esque things), eventually comes to a head with his rival Feyd. We see glimpses of this moment in the trailers, too. Feyd pointing his blade at Paul’s chest. Paul in opposition, crysknife in hand. Eyes locked, bodies mounting—the two of them entwined in a twisted dance of fate. 

We won’t spoil how things end up for Paul and Feyd-Rautha. But we can’t wait to see how Butler handles it. The promising young actor, fresh out of the Elvis suit that made him famous, has a lot to live up to. Feyd-Rautha is a frightening, sadistic character with a bloodlust that rivals his Baron uncle. How can he stack up to Stellan Skarsgård’s massiveness, in terms of intimidation? And how will he play against the more delicate Chalamet? Can he beat out Sting as the Feyd-Rautha we remember forever? 

We’ll all find out together when Dune: Part Two arrives in theaters on March 1, 2024.

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DC and Marvel to Reprint Their Legendary Crossover Event Comics

For decades, the two titans of comic book publishing, DC and Marvel, would occasionally cross over for special event comics. But we haven’t had one of these in over 20 years. The previous crossover comics have remained out of print, available only via the back issue bins at your comic shop. Now, Marvel and DC are reprinting these beloved comics at last, in two massive hardcover omnibuses collecting almost every single crossover, including the ’90s DC Versus Marvel event, and its fallout, the fused-together Marvel/DC Amalgam universe. Both omnibuses will be coming out this summer. Here’s what we know so far about the DC and Marvel crossover comics reprint.

DC Versus Marvel Omnibus DC Comics/Marvel Comics

Who would win: Superman versus Spider-Man? Batman versus Captain America? The X-Men meeting the Teen Titans? DC Versus Marvel Omnibus collects crossovers between the core DC and Marvel characters starting from 1976’s Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man to 2000’s Batman/Daredevil. The collection includes stories from some of comics’ most revered talents. Names like Dennis O’Neil, George Pérez, Dan Jurgens, Chris Claremont, Walter Simonson, J.M. DeMatteis, Mark Bagley, Gerry Conway, John Romita Jr., and more. DC and Marvel fans alike can’t miss these thrilling pieces of unearthed comic book history.

DC Comics/Marvel Comics

Specific issues include are Batman/Captain America #1, Batman/Daredevil #1, Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire #1, Batman/Spider-Man #1, Daredevil/Batman #1, DC Special Series #27 (Batman vs. the Hulk), Darkseid vs. Galactus: The Hunger #1, Green Lantern/Silver Surfer: Unholy Alliances #1, Incredible Hulk vs. Superman #1, Marvel and DC Present Featuring the Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans #1, Marvel Treasury Edition #28 (Superman and Spider-Man), Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights #1, Silver Surfer/Superman #1, Spider-Man and Batman #1, Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man #1, and Superman/Fantastic Four #1.

DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus DC Comics/Marvel Comics

This collection features stories first told in 1996 of the two superhero universes fused together into a new Amalgam Universe, combining DC’s and Marvel’s heroes, villains, and mythologies. The result was a series of unforgettable one-shot comic books starring the likes of Dark Claw (Batman and Wolverine), Super Soldier (Superman and Captain America), Iron Lantern (Iron Man and Green Lantern), and many more. Among the creators are Peter David, Dan Jurgens, Mark Waid, Dave Gibbons, Ron Marz, José Luis García-López, Gary Frank, Bill Sienkiewicz, Claudio Castellini, and more. This represents one of the most fun and unlikely periods in comic book history.

DC Comics/Marvel Comics

This omnibus collects the 1996 DC Versus Marvel series, issues #1-4, and the subsequent follow-up one-shots. Included is DC/Marvel: All Access #1-4, Unlimited Access #1-4, Bat-Thing #1, Bruce Wayne: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, Bullets and Bracelets #1, Challengers of the Fantastic #1, Doctor Strangefate #1, Iron Lantern #1, Legends of the Dark Claw #1, Lobo the Duck #1, Speed Demon #1, Spider-Boy #1, Super Soldier #1, Thorion of the New Asgods #1, X-Patrol #1, and more. We imagine that the rest of the Amalgam issues like Amazon (Wonder Woman and Storm) and JLX (Justice League and X-Men) are also included. There will also be “a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes material.”

No JLA/Avengers…Yet.DC Comics/Marvel Comics

Now, arguably the most famous of the Marvel and DC Crossovers is not included here. We’re talking about JLA/Avengers. That 2004 event comic was the biggest and last of the crossover events. It was written by Kurt Busiek and drawn by the legendary George Pérez. When Pérez announced his terminal diagnosis in 2021 the two publishers rushed a very limited-run reprint for charity. But it sold out almost instantly. We can only hope that the legendary title receives its own new deluxe edition. That’s one book that should never go out of print.

The DC Versus Marvel and DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age omnibuses both hit on August 6, 2024.

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SUITS Spinoff, SUITS LA, Will Star Stephen Amell

Suits seems to be the topic of many recent conversations, even though it has been off the air for quite some time. That fact hasn’t stopped the USA show from dominating streaming charts, though. Suits has landed at number one on the Nielsen Streaming Top 10 more than any other series. So, it’s no surprise that networks have taken note. And now, NBC has greenlighted a pilot for the Suits spinoff series Suits: LA. Arrow star Stephen Amell will serve as the lead in this spinoff. We’ll see if lightning can strike twice.

USA

Here’s what Variety had to share about the Suits spinoff series. It notes that Suits: LA will follow Ted Black “a former federal prosecutor from New York, who has reinvented himself representing the most powerful clients in Los Angeles.” And further adds that the spinoff logline reveals. “His [Ted Black’s] firm is at a crisis point, and in order to survive he must embrace a role he held in contempt his entire career. Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they can’t help but mix their personal and professional lives. All of this is going on while events from years ago slowly unravel that led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved.”

Deadline reports that Stephen Amell has been cast as the lead in Suits LA and will play the aforementioned Ted Black. The publication further adds that “Ted Black is described as a charismatic force of nature who puts his own needs above others. Fifteen years ago, the former New York prosecutor joined forces with his old buddy, Stuart Lane, to build an L.A. law firm that specializes in criminal and entertainment law.”

The CW

As of now, there is no further cast information available. Could Meghan Markle return in this Suits offshoot? That would really be something. We’d also love to see more from Gina Torres. We’ll have to wait and see. What we do know is that this spinoff is in good hands, with Suits’ original creator returning to write and executive produce.

It’s an interesting time for the once-dominant USA set. Monk got a revival movie in late 2023, Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie. And now, Suits will return to the courtroom in this spinoff. Personally, we have to vote for a White Collar renaissance next. The time has come to let Neal, Peter, and Elizabeth live happily ever after together. In the meanwhile, we’ll keep our eye peeled for more from Suits: LA.

Originally published on February 2, 2024.

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Who Is DUNE’s Chani? Everything You Need to Know

Paul Atreides saw Chani in his dreams long before he arrived on Arrakis in Dune: Part One. She then appeared to him again in visions induced by the planet’s spice melange. Sometimes he’d see that beautiful young woman standing beside him as he ruled over the galaxy. In others Chani put a crysknife into his body. But in many the two embraced as one. Which fate ultimately awaits them in on the desert world? Who is this mysterious Fremen warrior destined to play such an important role in the young Duke’s life? Here’s everything you need to know about Chani before Dune: Part Two.

Who Is Dune‘s Chani?Warner Bros./Legendary

Chani is a Fremen. Like her fellow natives of harsh Arrakis, she has sharp blue eyes thanks to extended exposure to the planet’s invaluable spice. The Fremen also worship Shai-Halud, the world’s giant sandworms, which they can ride atop.

She is a also a member of the sietch led by Stilgar, who trusts Chani’s formidable skills as a fighter. But while she is a highly capable warrior, she also has a caring and compassionate side. She gave Paul Atreides’ her ancestral crysknife before his duel with Jamis so Paul could die with honor.

After Paul killed Jamis and the Fremen welcomed him into their tribe, Chani warmly led Paul to see her people riding the sandworms. While Paul smiled as he followed Chani, the literal girl of his dreams, his mother Lady Jessica did not as she watched him walk away.

Why Did Paul Atreides Dream About Chani?

Dune: Part One raised the possibility Paul Atreides is the prophesied great hero known as the Kwisatz Haderach. For a thousand years the powerful witches in the Bene Gesserit crossed bloodlines hoping to bring forth a super being who would have a mind that could bridge “space and time.” Paul was not meant to be that person, but that doesn’t mean he’s not. His mother trained him in the ways of her order, but his “sight” only recently awakened.

His dreams also don’t always come true exactly as he dreams them. He can see multiple futures, which is why in some visions he sees himself kissing Chani while in others he sees her stabbing him. The same was true with Jamis. Paul saw and heard visions of Jamis both becoming a close friend and mentor just as he saw ones where Jamis murdered him. Only it was Paul who murdered Jamis.

Warner Bros./Legendary

Chani’s final scene in Dune: Part One made one of Paul’s visions about her true. He had already seen that exact moment of her smiling at him as the sun of Arrakis set behind her. Whether she will one day kill him or stand next to him as a holy war rages across the galaxy in his name is unknown.

Who Plays Chani in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Movies?Warner Bros./Legendary

Zendaya (Euphoria, the Spider-Man “Home trilogy) played Chani is Dune: Part One. She reprises the role in its sequel, Dune: Part Two.

Who Played Chani in David Lynch’s Dune?Universal Pictures

Sean Young, also known for her roles as Rachael in Blade Runner and Lt. Lois Einhorn in Ace Venture: Pet Detective, starred as Paul’s lover Chani in David Lynch’s 1984 Dune adaptation.

What Will Chani’s Role Be in Dune: Part Two?Warner Bros./Legendary

Dune might be an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal 1965 sci-fi novel, but Part Two will have some surprises for even the series’ oldest fans. Zendaya’s Chani will have an expanded role in the story compared to her book counterpart who was primarily a love interest of Paul in the book.

What will that mean for both of them? What destiny awaits Chani and Paul now? For that you’ll need to either be the Kwisatz Haderach or wait to see Dune: Part Two when it comes to theaters on March 1, 2024.

Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.

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An Ode to BLEACH’s Yoruichi Shihōin

Black characters in anime have a spectacular range of variety. From villains to heroes to anti-heroes, they run the gamut. Narrowing it down to one beloved character is difficult and feels like a betrayal to so many incredible characters. Who doesn’t love the coolness of Dutch from Black Lagoon or the fighting prowess of Bob Makihara in Tenjou Tenge. But Bleach‘s Yoruichi Shihōin is all that… and more. She’s as formidable as she is stunningly gorgeous, possessing long purple hair, feline speed, golden-yellow eyes, and reflexes. 

Funny, strong, yet gentle when necessary, Yoruichi can bring enemies down with lightning—or flash step—speed, tame a bitter foe with a soft touch, and was in the best arc in Bleach, “Soul Society: The Rescue Arc.”  

Yoruichi in Incredible Cat Form

The series, based on the original manga by Tite Kubo, began in 2004 with Yoruichi’s introduction in episode 15 of the first season. And we met her as a talking cat, no less. Ichigo (along with those who don’t know the manga) assume she’s just a cat. A special cat, clearly, but a cat nonetheless.

Yoruichi doesn’t appear in human form until the 41st episode. But even before transforming, she exudes strength and power. In cat form, Yoruichi is hilarious yet she still inspires fear. Whether it’s her threatening Ichigo after he mangled her precious tale while unconscious or her headbutting Inoue for her carelessness when they went into Soul Society, she inspires both laughter and mystery. Yoruichi proves size does not matter because she can deliver blows in either form. She’s just that good. 

She’s pivotal in training Chad and Inoue to prepare to enter Soul Society to rescue Rukia from execution. Without her assistance, these two wouldn’t stand a chance. Mind you, she does all this while in cat form. How many others in Bleach can say that about themselves?

Yoruichi vs. Byakuya

Let’s call a spade a spade. Ichigo gets stronger throughout the Soul Society arc, but his confidence sometimes writes checks his backside cannot cash. When he faces Byakuya in Soul Society at Rukia’s repentance cell, Byakuya prepares to unleash his shikai, Senbonzakura—his first level zanpakutō move. Ichigo faces a certain defeat but survives thanks to plot armor and the timely arrival of the terrifyingly strong and swift Yoruichi. After rendering Ichigo unconscious, she squares up against Byakuya in a game of tag to escape. Here’s where viewers get a glimpse of her talent. 

Although Byakuya moves fast to the point where Ichigo has trouble reading his movements, Yoruichi is a flash step above him, literally landing on his arm with the unconscious Ichigo slung over her shoulder. Hence, her label is “Flash Master Yoruichi.” Though the series touts Byakuya as a significant threat Ichigo must face, Yoruichi talks to him like a child trying to compete with the grown-ups. The verbal sparring amidst swift evasions makes it clear Yoruichi is equally fearsome. At that point, Yoruichi established herself as tough and stirred the need for everyone to learn more about her. Let’s also not forget that Yoruichi trains Ichigo to achieve the second level of his sword, “bankai,” without which he would never win against Byakuya. 

Yoruichi’s Powerful Past and Leadership Style 

Yoruichi was the former leader of the Stealth Force and captain of Squad One in Soul Society. She soon adds a young girl, Soifon, to her ranks during her time there. Within a short time, the pair grew close with a kohai/senpai relationship. But when affection and adoration disintegrate, resentment, jealousy, and pain (in the form of rage) can take their place. Such is the case with Soifon. Soifon lives in Yoruichi’s former shadow. So it stands to reason that when the battles to stop Rukia’s execution begin, Yoruichi would square up with her former friend. 

Their battle gives glimpses of Yoruichi’s past, as experienced by Soifon. And Yoruichi is who she’s always been: happy and caring. Despite her lofty titles, she does not care for titles that separate her from her squad. She’s not a leader on the sidelines or from the safety of the rear. In fact, Yoruichi fights alongside those she leads. All Soifon wants is to fight alongside her, yet Yoruichi disappears one day, and Soifon’s love turns to hate. It’s not because Yoruichi left but because she did not include Soifon, which is a testament to her effect on others. 

Yoruichi Vs. Bee Lady—I Ship ItCrunchyroll

Now Soifon commands Squad One of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, with an entire crew at her back to take down her idol-turned-rival. Yoruichi takes every single one down within moments with her flash steps and lethal combat skills. It’s not just the fact she is from the Shihoin clan, one of the Four Great Noble Clans, that made her the former leader of these groups. 

Though Yoruichi faces Soifon’s zanpakutō in bankai form, she never uses her own. Yoruichi honed her body into a deadly weapon capable of going toe-to-toe with enemies who possess weapons. Imagine that every captain in the thirteen squads must have a zanpakutō and have released it to bankai level—except Zaraki Kenpachi. It’s a prerequisite. But Yoruichi, unleased zapakutō or not, never bothers to use hers. That says it all regarding her physical strength. 

Yoruichi battles against Soifon’s zanpakutō, Suzumebachi, and comes out victorious. When Soifon tries to unleash an ability she claims she made herself that has no name; she discovers Yoruichi made the move at least a hundred years ago. Hence, uniforms for the leader of the Punishment Force have no back to them. The move rips the cloth from the back. When an enraged Soifon tries to continue the match, Yoruichi gently holds her hand, and the anger unravels to hurt. It’s easy to see why. Who wouldn’t be heartbroken if Yoruichi left them behind? I don’t care what anyone says. I ship these two, and though they are not canon, it will never diminish my hope. 

Yoruichi is an incredible Black woman who delights as a black cat, breaks hearts in human form, and devastates in combat using the weapon before weapons: her body. Despite her lightheartedness, Yoruichi is unwavering in her sense of right and wrong. Even if it hurts others, like Soifon or herself, she does not refrain. Yet she’s not cavalier, taking lives frivolously. Her penchant for random nudity is shocking and funny because she is in cat form for lengthy periods. I get it, Yoruichi. Clothes are so confining.

Obsession aside, without Yoruichi’s presence, Ichigo would never have made it past the “Soul Society Rescue Arc,” and that’s, in the words of young Erica Sinclair, “just the facts.” So put some respect on this queen’s name.

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