Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 377

LONGLEGS Trailer Gives Us Nicolas Cage as a Serial Killer

Nicolas Cage has played many roles in his storied career, including some famous horror roles. He’s been a guy who thinks he is a vampire (Vampire’s Kiss), to someone who definitely did not like bees (The Wicker Man). And, more recently, he starred in the cult film Mandy. Now, he’s finally playing a serial killer, in the upcoming film Longlegs. The upcoming film is from director Osgood Perkins, who comes from quite the horror pedigree himself. His father was Anthony Perkins, the iconic Norman Bates in the Psycho franchise. You can check out the first trailer for the upcoming serial killer horror film from NEON Films right here.

The movie centers on Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) a fledgling FBI agent, who is attempting to crack a long-unsolved case of a serial killer. Eventually, the investigation becomes more complex, when they uncover some occult evidence. We glimpse a book about the Nine Circles of Hell in the trailer. Eventually, Harker discovers that he has a personal link to the killer (Nicolas Cage), and has to race against the clock in order to prevent another murder from happening. Longlegs also stars Alicia Witt (The Walking Dead, Twin Peaks) and Dear White People’s Blair Underwood. Nicolas Cage is producing via his company Saturn Films.

NEON Films

Despite suggesting a horror film that connects to spiders, the tagline for the film says in a very cryptic way “You’ve got the teeth of the Hydra upon you.” So it looks like we’re seeing some Hydra ancient mythology that connects to this particular mystery. We’re a sucker for a good cult-themed horror story like True Detective: Night Country. A story that has ties to some kind of mythological being. The poster art for Longlegs says “The Man Downstairs is Coming.” It appears this mysterious man will arrive in theaters on July 12.

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New JURASSIC WORLD Movie Reportedly Sets Release Date

If Jurassic Park has taught us anything over 30 years, it’s that you can’t keep prehistoric monsters down. No, seriously, don’t even try it never works. That’s also true in a very different way of big-time, money-making movie franchises. So it’s only fitting a new report says Universal has plans for another Jurassic World movie. But while the sixth film in the series brought back the original movie’s stars, the seventh is bringing back its original screenwriter. David Koepp, who penned both the scripts for the 1993 classic that brought dinosaurs to life and its 1997 followup Jurassic Park: The Lost World, is already working on the next new installment in the Jurassic World universe. In addition, the new Jurassic World movie may have set its release date and revealed that it will be a universe reboot.

Universal Pictures

Most recently, Deadline reported that the release date for this new Jurassic World movie will be July 2, 2025. Additionally, the publication notes the film will be a reboot of the franchise. Deadline further shares that Universal is eyeing David Leitch to direct.

Before this latest batch of information, The Hollywood Reporter shared that Universal Pictures is “deep” in development on another dinosaur fim. Koepp, the person responsible for writing Jurassic Park‘s two best scripts, is writing the new movie. The apparently top-secret project is reportedly far enough along in the process that Universal not only likes the current script’s “shape,” it believes the film could hit theaters in 2025. That’s ambitious, especially since a director is not yet attached.

As for the plot, no specifics are known yet about this new Jurassic World movie. Only that the film will explore a “new” Jurassic era and a new story. This installment will almost certainly launch a whole new trilogy. We’d also bet the film will start with a new title. (Our official prediction is Jurassic Planet.)

Universal Pictures

Koepp isn’t the only veteran returning. Jurassic World trilogy producer Frank Marshall is also back for more prehistoric fun. As is series alum Patrick Crowley. And Steven Spielberg, who directed Koepp’s two previous scripts, will also serve as an executive producer on this new Jurassic World movie via his Amblin Entertainment.

And, no matter the story, if the movie is a big enough success, we expect some old stars to come back for later installments, too. Just like dinosaurs and this franchise, they always do.

Originally published on January 22, 2024.

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MARMALADE Cleverly Plays Into and Then Dismantles Viewer Expectations to Create Movie Magic

A poignant moment toward the end of Marmalade reveals the following important truth, “Life can only be understood backwards. But it must be lived forwards.” (Spelling errors here are relevant to the film.) That insight is true about life, and it is certainly the key to embracing the movie Marmalade.

The best review for Marmalade would be short and to the point. It would advise its readers that the movie is brilliant and they ought to watch it. It would caution future viewers to seek no further knowledge than what the trailers and teasers for the film provide. And finally, it would remind them of the movie’s synopsis, which shares that Marmalade revolves around a young man called Baron, “Marmalade, the love of his life, and their ‘Bonnie and Clyde’-style scheme to rob a bank in order to care for his sick mother and give the couple the life they’ve always dreamed of.” Then it would end there.

Signature Entertainment

Because truly, for a viewer to fully feel the movie’s mindblowing twists in full, Marmalade is best watched with only this and nothing more. However, since this is an actual movie review for Marmalade and not just a fantasy of one, we’ll delve a little deeper. In the end, Marmalade delivers everything written on its label. But the movie also offers so much more than that.

The true genius of Marmalade lies in the way it understands the expectations and, I would say, pretensions of its audience and uses them to its benefit. It’s a hard one to fully explain to someone who hasn’t yet watched the film. But, incredibly, the journey taken by the audience outside the movie screen exactly mirrors the one taken by the characters inside Marmalade‘s story.

Signature Entertainment

The first third of Marmalade plays exactly how one might imagine a low-budget indie movie about a “Bonnie and Clyde”-esque romance set in a small, rural town might play. It pulls in tropes and stereotypes. It features shots of hay bales against wide skyscapes. And it paints a familiar thematic tone that hits on ideas of isolation, desperation, and love. All this taken together, the beginning of the movie invites the viewer to think, “Well, that seems fine, I guess, though a little cliché” at its best times. And “Is that a necessary backstory element to add in again?” at its worst.

More than likely, viewers have more or less written off the movie by the time its middle begins, imagining that they know precisely how Marmalade will play out. That, of course, makes it the exact right time for the first twist to hit like a punch in the face. And from there, in a steady, pleased way, the movie sheds its disguises. Before our eyes, it removes its bumbling mask, flicks on the light, and shifts into gear. The writing sharpens, the cleverness of the narrative intensifies, and the twists, well, they keep on coming.

Signature Entertainment

I will say, though, that even at the movie’s earliest, most complacent-seeming points, hints of something greater appear in Marmalade. The lighting and setting of a scene intermittently offer something special. The color and composition tease a level of care taken. The acting knocks it out of the park. And the movie’s vague surreality and moments of strangeness make it feel like something excellent lurks in the wings. Greatness seems to live just out of sight but not fully realized. The way the story gets told fools a viewer into thinking that Marmalade‘s bright points must be incidental or underbaked. But in truth, the whole film is purposeful with a vengeance. (A huge round of applause to writer/director Keir O’Donnell.)

My favorite gotcha technique from Marmalade involves the movie actually showing its audience how the perception and reality of a story can be wildly different. Very early in the story, the sweet, confused, and doe-eyed Baron tells his cellmate that his neighbor showed him a croquet with a message that read, “Where there’s life, there’s hope.” And that’s how we see the scene play out. But when questioned about the ridiculousness of the sentiment, Barron amends that he was shown a “crochet.” Then, the same story scene rewrites and replays. This time, it features a crochet panel instead of a croquet mallet. At this point, it should have been apparent that not everything will be as it appears in Marmalade. But the film works very hard to drop the hint and then obscure its truth.

Signature Entertainment

Marmalade is also an incredibly patient movie, which feels like a rarity these days. It does not rush into its twists, nor does it overbroadcast them. It simply takes the time it needs to make its viewers believe they know exactly what is happening and then reveals to them how truly blind they are. Many movies try to pull off these kinds of successful blindsides, but almost none of them succeed in full. Marmalade trusts in its own story and makes it look easy.

Signature Entertainment

Of course, in the hands of a lesser cast, Marmalade might have achieved different results. But Joe Keery, Camila Morrone, and Aldis Hodge bring their absolute A-game. Camila Morrone fully becomes the finest example to date of a manic pixie dream girl. She’s by turns unhinged, endearing, and downright diabolical. Aldis Hodge, meanwhile, slips in and out of many hats very deftly. And he is very much the audience’s through line into the tale.

Signature Entertainment

Finally, Joe Keery. I cannot say enough about Joe Keery in this film. Blinded by his spectacularly ridiculous hair, his absurd drawl, and the true ineptness that seems to cloak his character, it’s easy to miss everything else going on. And Marmalade trades heavily on the idea that this will occur. But as it does in so many ways, the movie allows Keery to embrace some of the tropes that perhaps have come to cling to him as an actor thanks to his prolonged time on Stranger Things and then twist them magnificently. Without the true tragic earnestness of Keery’s Baron lighting up the movie, Marmalade could not have pulled off what it does.

Ultimately, Marmalade is and is not the movie you think it will be. It pays off its initial ideas and adds on many other delights. And, as the film nears its conclusion, the audience now fully clued into everything going on, a real heart emerges and shines. Marmalade‘s final sequences warm you with the glow of a story well told. They create that bittersweet lump in your chest that only comes when you have come to care about characters and their relationships. We couldn’t have foreseen this outcome 10 minutes into the movie. But, of course, we can only understand Marmalade backwards and experience it forwards.

Marmalade releases in theaters and on-demand on February 9.

Marmalade ⭐ (5 of 5)

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WINNIE THE POOH: BLOOD AND HONEY 2 Trailer Takes Us Back to the 100-Acre Wood

Last year, almost the very minute that the beloved children’s character went public domain, the world learned of the emergence of Winne the Pooh as a sadistic killer. Well, he is on the big screen anyway. This happened in Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, a low-budget horror film released with much fanfare in 2023. On a mere $100,000 dollar budget, it grossed $6 million, ensuring a sequel would arrive soon. And now, it’s here. The first trailer for Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, from director Rhys Frake-Waterfield, has released, and you can watch it right here.

You can also read Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2’s official synopsis down below:

Deep within the 100-Acre-Wood, a destructive rage grows as Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Owl, and Tigger find their home and their lives endangered after Christopher Robin revealed their existence. Not wanting to live in the shadows any longer, the group decides to take the fight to the town of Ashdown, home of Christopher Robin, leaving a bloody trail of death and mayhem in their wake. Winnie and his savage friends will show everyone that they are deadlier, stronger and smarter than anyone could ever imagine and get their revenge on Christopher Robin, once and for all.

ITN Movies

We must say, the budget looks significantly bigger for the second installment than for the first. Maybe Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 will create a Terrifier 2 situation, with the second one blowing up and just eclipsing the original low-budget entry entirely. Certainly, Pooh Pear started a trend last year. We’ve already seen the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse also head to the horror genre the second the character went public domain. And we imagine more will follow. Does anyone know when Popeye goes public domain?? Because we know he’d be terrifying.

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 arrives in theaters in early 2024.

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DC Comics Heroes We Hope to See in Chapter 1 of James Gunn’s DCU

One year ago, DC Studios co-head James Gunn announced an ambitious slate of movies and series. Since then, we’ve learned of many more characters joining the new DCU, like Metamorpho, Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Guy Gardner. But there are a few DC Comics heroes we’re still hoping to see announced for Chapter 1 of Gunn’s DCU, called “Gods and Monsters.” We didn’t include Wonder Woman and Aquaman on our list, as they are almost certain to show up eventually. And we didn’t mention members of the Bat-Family like Nightwing, because it’s implied we’ll meet them in Brave and the Bold. Here are the DC Comics heroes we hope to see in Chapter 1 of the DCU.

DC ComicsGreen Arrow (Oliver Queen)DC Comics

Billionaire Oliver Queen, a.k.a. the vigilante called Green Arrow, became a mainstream hero after starring in the series Arrow for eight seasons. The Emerald Archer of Star City was so popular that he started his own branch of the DC Universe, the “Arrowverse.” But because he was in his own separate corner of live-action DC, we never got to see him suit up on the big screen with the likes of Batman or Green Lantern, his best bud in the comics. Hopefully, James Gunn will remedy that situation in his DCU, and add him in somewhere in Chapter 1. Maybe first as civilian Oliver Queen in the announced Green Lantern streaming series?

The Flash (Wally West)DC Comics

After nine successful CW seasons and one underperforming solo movie, we think it’s time to put a moratorium on Barry Allen’s version of the Flash. Even if he is arguably the most famous of the Scarlet Speedsters. Gunn’s DCU does need a Flash, though. The character is way too important to leave on the side of the road. So we suggest Barry’s nephew and successor, Wally West, the former Kid Flash, as the DCU’s main Flash. Wally was the sole Flash for over 20 years in the comics, and is the current star of DC Comics’ Flash book. Also, the idea of a former kid sidekick who must inherit a heroic legacy is great source material for a series or movie—one that has yet to be realized in live-action.

ZatannaDC Comics

Marvel Studios has made a superstar out of the Avengers’ resident sorceress, the Scarlet Witch. But the Justice League’s most famous resident spell caster, Zatanna the Magician, has not appeared in live-action since Smallville. Hopefully, James Gunn corrects this oversight. Before the old DCEU died, a Zatanna project was announced, written by none other than Saltburn writer/director Emerald Fennell. However, it was canceled before production began. The DCU needs its backward-talking mistress of magic, and we hope she shows up somewhere in “Gods and Monsters.” Perhaps in the supernatural-tinged Swamp Thing?

Vixen (Mari McCabe)DC Comics

The mid-80s Justice League Detroit era was not particularly well-loved. In fact, fans hated it so much, DC killed off several prominent members introduced in that run. However, JL Detroit member Vixen survived and thrived, rejoining the League on several rosters. Supermodel Mari McCabe could summon animal powers via her African Tantu Totem, passed down from her ancestors. It allowed her to channel the speed of a cheetah, or the strength of a rhino, and more. The CW Arrowverse had two versions of Vixen. One in the present, and one as her WWII-era grandmother on Legends of Tomorrow. But hopefully Gunn and co. introduce Mari to the DCU soon. Maybe even played by Zoe Saldana, his old Guardians of the Galaxy pal? We think she’d kill it.

Martian Manhunter (J’onn J’onzz)DC Comics

One of the founding members of the Justice League of America, the DCEU never really included J’onn J’onzz, the Manhunter from Mars—not until a cameo appearance in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, retconning Man of Steel actor Harry Lennix into the role. The character was a mainstay on the CW Supergirl series, played by David Harewood. For years, J’onn has been called the heart and soul of the Justice League, and the new DCU needs him as an anchor. We’ve been waiting years to see a live-action J’onn fight alongside Superman and Batman. We hope he appears, and a perfect place for him to pop up is in the Green Lantern streaming series.

The Question (Victor Sage/Renee Montoya)DC Comics

Like Blue Beetle, the mysterious faceless detective the Question originated at publisher Charlton Comics, before transferring to DC in the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Victor Sage was a reporter who took on the faceless identity of the Question, to fight crime and look for the answers to the questions he posed as a journalist. A beloved version of this Question appeared in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon as a conspiracy theorist superhero. In the comics, Vic died of lung cancer, and passed on his superhero mantle to Gotham City detective Renee Montoya. Either version (or both) would make for great additions to the DCU. Maybe first in Peacemaker season two? After all, Peacemaker also started out as a Charlton hero.

Mister Miracle (Scott Free) and Big BardaDC Comics

Jack Kirby’s New Gods characters almost had a movie of their own, before Warner Bros. pulled the plug on Ava DuVernay’s film. But Kirby’s Fourth World mythology is too rich to not appear in Gunn’s plans for his DCU. We think the best entry point for this mythology is a more Earthbound one—escape artist supreme Mr. Miracle, and his wife, the strong woman Big Barda. Both characters are from Darkseid’s planet of Apokolips; they escaped to Earth seeking refuge. The DCU might downplay those aspects of the characters in favor of a husband and wife team of circus performers and part-time superheroes. We’re not sure where they’d appear in Chapter 1, but both characters are friends and teammates of Booster Gold, who has a series coming.

Static (Virgil Hawkins)DC Comics

The Milestone Comics heroes need to be introduced into live-action. Before the DC shakeup, there were preliminary plans for the electrically powered teen hero Static to show up. First appearing in 1993, young Virgil Hawkins gained amazing electricity powers after an accident exposed him to radioactive “Quantum Juice.” A comic book geek in real life, Virgil became a hero just like the ones he read about, or saw in video games. Of all the Milestone Comics heroes, Static has the most popularity, thanks to his animated series Static Shock. We’re not sure where he fits into Chapter 1, but we feel he should appear somewhere.

Deathstroke (Slade Wilson)DC Comics

The superpowered mercenary Deathstroke is one of DC’s most popular antiheroes, and has made live-action appearances in both the Arrowverse, as well as the Titans streaming series. But although DC teased Deathstroke for the DCEU in the theatrical cut of Justice League, with actor Joe Manganiello, we never saw him face DC’s biggest heroes. So, he should appear somewhere in Chapter 1 of James Gunn’s plans. Certainly, The Brave and the Bold makes the most sense, if only because we’d see him take on the Bat-Family, particularly Nightwing. We know Gunn doesn’t want to carry over many former DCEU actors. However, Joe Manganiello only appeared for a few seconds. That shouldn’t count. Let him play Deathstroke for real in the DCU.

Fire and Ice (Beatriz Da Costa and Tora Olafsdotter)DC Comics

These powerful ladies started from humble beginnings in the pages of DC Comics, in the non-continuity Super Friends series. Back then, they were known as the fire-projecting “Green Flame” and the polar-powered “Icemaiden.” But in the ‘80s, DC reinvented the duo as Fire and Ice, members of the Justice League International. The Brazilian Fire (Beatriz Da Costa) was the hot-tempered firecracker of the team (naturally), while her best friend Tora Olafsdotter was the shy and even-tempered Ice. The two were the perfect counterparts to JLI’s Booster Gold and Blue Beetle. They currently star in their own DC Comics series, and we hope they pop up in the Booster Gold Max series too.

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Saturn Awards Honored Keanu Reeves with First-Ever Lance Reddick Legacy Award

For over 50 years, the Saturn Awards have celebrated movies and TV that nerds like us care about. The awards honor the kind of stories that the Motion Picture or Television Academies often overlook. This year’s awards were a bit different, because they were dedicated to the memory of the former Saturn Awards host, the late Lance Reddick. To honor his memory, the Saturn Awards presented the first-ever Lance Reddick Legacy Award. And it went to Reddick’s longtime co-star and friend from the John Wick franchise, Keanu Reeves. 

Keanu Reeves honors Lance Reddick with his acceptance speech for the inaugural Lance Reddick Legacy Award at the @SaturnAwards🪐 pic.twitter.com/eYN2KV6E6L

— Electric Entertainment (@ElectricEnt1) February 5, 2024

Actor Titus Welliver presented the award to Reeves at the 51st Annual Saturn Awards. This year’s event featured Joel McHale as its host. You can catch Reeves’ acceptance speech dedicated to Reddick above. It’s a beautiful moment.

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror President Robert Holguin also released this statement:

This award symbolizes and celebrates not only a performer’s talent, but their character; someone who’s a true goodwill ambassador in the industry. From Science Fiction (The Matrix franchise), Fantasy (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure/Constantine) & Horror (Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula/The Devil’s Advocate), Keanu has done it all — not to mention Speed and Point Break. Keanu is not just a Hollywood icon but also a shining example of humility and gratitude. Throughout his incredible career, he has never forgotten the support of his fans and the filmmakers who’ve supported him all these years. We’re thrilled to celebrate Lance’s memory with a dear friend and a genre icon.

MGM/Warner Bros/Lionsgate

Keanu Reeves is one of the most humble and kind actors in Hollywood, according to everyone who has ever worked with him. Given Reeves’ iconic status in so many beloved genre franchises, we’re glad the first-ever award honoring Lance Reddick went to him.

Originally published on January 26, 2024.

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Mads Mikkelsen’s Cliff Will Not Return in DEATH STRANDING 2

The world of Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding has seen a lot of activity these last few months. The first game premiered on PlayStation 4 in 2019. We recently learned a live-action movie adaptation from A24 and Kojima Productions is in the works. And, perhaps most importantly, a sequel to the game is on the horizon. Kojima announced it at The Game Awards in 2022. In its first State of Play for 2024, Sony revealed a new Death Stranding 2 trailer full of gameplay and story hints. We also learned the game’s full title, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and a little bit more about who will (and will not) appear in the game.

Death Stranding 2‘s Trailer and Synopsis

A number of wild and weird things happen in the trailer. It shows off new locations, the return of the villainous Higgs, and a talking puppet thing? The nine minutes of footage don’t make a ton of sense, but that’s on par for Death Stranding. It’s an odd world, true, but it’s a world many fans are anxious to return to.

Sony Interactive Entertainment/Kojima Productions

Death Stranding 2‘s premise is as follows:

Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam—with companions by his side—sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected?

Mads Mikkelsen Will Not Return as Cliff in Death Stranding 2

One character we won’t be seeing again in Death Stranding is Mads Mikkelsen’s Cliff. In response to massive fan curiosity, Hideo Kojima shared on Twitter that neither Mads Mikkelsen nor Cliff would return for the sequel game.

If you have PLAYED DS1 to the end, you will understand. Cliff is a character who played a very important and special role in Death Stranding. Mads understood this and performed it beautifully. Mads' Cliff will remain in the story of Death Stranding and in your memories forever.… https://t.co/WzECINz6vR

— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) February 3, 2024

Kojima explained, “If you have PLAYED DS1 to the end, you will understand. Cliff is a character who played a very important and special role in Death Stranding. Mads understood this and performed it beautifully. Mads’ Cliff will remain in the story of Death Stranding and in your memories forever. It is because we care about the character of Cliff that he will not appear in DS2. Please understand.”

We understand but don’t like it.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Cast and Release Date

But there is good news about Death Stranding 2: On the Beach‘s cast. The game will see Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, and Troy Baker return to Hideo Kojima’s universe. They will be joined by Elle Fanning, Shioli Kutsuna, and Academy Award-winning film director George Miller.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will arrive in 2025 on the PlayStation 5.

Originally published on January 31, 2024.

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COBRA KAI’s Sixth and Final Season Begins Production

The beginning of the end is here. That sounds dire, but it’s actually joyous. Cobra Kai treated us to five seasons that not only let us revel in nostalgia done right but also offered us a brand-new story that stood all on its own. The time has come for this good thing to end, though, because the final season of this Karate Kid series has arrived. We learned last year that Cobra Kai‘s season six would be its last. But the series is going out on its own terms, in the place that makes the most sense for its story. Throughout the seasons of Cobra Kai, Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso became allies in a way that touched our hearts. And now they have one last great adventure before them. One we’ll soon see take shape because Cobra Kai season six is officially in production.

Netflix wants us to know that reminds us that “Cobra Kai is officially back in production filming the biggest, the baddest, the final season.” And we believe it. Cobra Kai‘s action has only improved and intensified as its seasons passed. So, we feel sure no punches will get pulled for this final outing. In the above video, the cast welcomes us to the start of Cobra Kai season six’s production. They tease plenty of surprises and the huge scale of the story to come. But even though they all really want to give us some spoilers, lips are well-zipped. But, they all promise to see us in the dojo, and we guess that’s enough.

Netflix

Though final seasons can feel hard, six seasons is a massive achievement for any show these days. We’re proud of what our ’80s favs and their new friends have accomplished. Cobra Kai‘s final season, here we come.

NetflixWhat Is the Release Date for Cobra Kai Season 6?Netflix

We don’t yet know when season six of Cobra Kai will land. But in the meantime, Netflix invites us to check out seasons one through five.

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SAW X Director Kevin Greutert Will Return for SAW XI

“The game continues.” And indeed, we hope it never ends because is there a finer series than Saw? Many may look at it and see only horror and gore. Still, beneath the surface of disgusting traps that involve eyeballs, extremities, and other unpleasantness, there’s also sincere camp and sometimes even romance. (Just ask the unofficial Saw musical.) In any case, what could be better than Tobin Bell with a backward cap on pretending to be one of the youths? Nothing. And that’s why we’re delighted to hear that Saw will return with a new movie, and soon. Lionsgate has announced Saw XI will return to play more games with us. And it has even shared a release date for the new Saw film. Saw XI will release on September 27, 2024.

Saw X really missed a golden opportunity to refer to itself as “Sawks” or “Socks” and make all the traps for people who give you socks as Christmas gifts. However, we really hope that Saw XI or “Saw-xy” doesn’t miss the opportunity to pun.

On a more serious note, the only thing we know for sure about Saw XI is that Saw X director Kevin Greutert will return to direct this new Saw movie. Bloody Disgusting first shared this news. Greutert has directed Saw X, Sav VI, and Saw: The Final Chapter. He also worked as an editor on Saw I through Saw V, as well as Jigsaw. Saw fans will be glad to have him back!

Other than this piece of information, we know very little about the new Saw movie. And since it’s a part of the Saw universe, we’re really guaranteed very little. Saw X, of course, traveled back in the franchise’s timeline to shade in some cinematic real estate between Saw and Saw II. So Saw XI could take place in between any two Saw movies already in existence. It could even take place during a Saw movie already in existence. Perhaps Saw XI will bring us a prequel, or it could just exist as the next movie in the timeline proper. The world is our, and Jigsaw’s, oyster. As long as we play by his very arbitrary rules… And pretend like it’s all about a moral plane of existence anyway.

Lionsgate

We’ll find out more soon, we’re sure. In the meanwhile, there’s plenty of Saw to tide you over while you wait.

Originally published on December 12, 2022.

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Who Is Marvel’s Sentry? The THUNDERBOLTS Character, Explained

The upcoming Thunderbolts film from Marvel Studios is slated to introduce one of the most powerful characters Marvel Comics has ever produced, the Sentry. Essentially, he’s Marvel’s Superman, but with a dark secret. He’ll be portrayed by actor Lewis Pullman in the upcoming MCU film. But who is this (relatively recent) Marvel character, and what is his strange origin story, both on and off the page?

The Bizarre Backstory of Marvel Comics’ SentryMarvel Comics

The Sentry began his comic book existence as an elaborate trolling by Marvel Comics editorial. Back in the ’90s, the Marvel Knights line of comics helped save the company after bankruptcy. Edgy titles like Kevin Smith’s Daredevil got critical acclaim and big sales. In 2000, creators Paul Jenkins and Rick Veitch came up with the Sentry series for Marvel Knights, about a superhero in a more classic DC Comics mode than a Marvel one. His costume suggested Superman’s, or Shazam’s. Although he’s not the only analog for Superman at Marvel (Hyperion predates him) he is the most powerful. He may be stronger than Superman himself.

Sentry, The “Lost” Stan Lee Marvel HeroMarvel Comics

When the Sentry mini-series was announced, Marvel touted the series as a discovery of a “lost” concept by Stan Lee and a forgotten artist named Artie Rosen from the early ’60s that never made it to print. When Rosen “died” in 1999, writer Paul Jenkins discovered his original creation with Lee, a classic hero named the Sentry. He decided it was time to give the hero a proper Marvel debut in his own mini-series. Marvel EIC Joe Quesada even used the octogenarian Stan Lee himself as part of the promotion, giving interviews to comic book media about how even he had forgotten he co-created this hero. Of course, all of this was complete nonsense. Sentry was a pure creation of Jenkins. The whole backstory was a marketing gimmick.

Sentry Is Marvel’s Superman, with a Dark SideMarvel Comics

In the Sentry original limited series, we meet Robert Reynolds. He’s an out-of-shape, middle-aged man living a bleak existence. Reynolds starts remembering a superhero career in his younger days, when he was the Sentry. Having taken “the Golden Sentry Serum,’ an advanced version of Captain America’s Super Soldier Serum, he now had “the power of a million exploding suns.” His arch nemesis was a dark presence called “The Void.” He was a contemporary of early Marvel heroes like the Avengers, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four. In fact, he was very close friends with Reed Richards, the Fantastic Four’s genius leader. As he encountered each Marvel hero in the present, they all slowly began to remember him. But why did they forget him in the first place?

After a deadly attack by the Void that resulted in high casualties during his heroic heyday, Sentry disappeared from the Marvel Universe when his mind was wiped, along with the memories of everyone on Earth, to make everyone forget that he ever existed. This was because of Reed Richards and Doctor Strange realizing that the Void was not just Sentry’s arch-foe, he was also a part of him. The only way to get rid of the Void was to make everyone forget that both Sentry and Void existed, including Bob Reynolds himself. So for years, he lived a life of anonymity, forgetting his heroic past entirely.

Sentry Becomes the Mightiest AvengerMarvel Comics

In the New Avengers series in 2005, writer Brian Michael Bendis brings Sentry back to the Marvel Universe. We see Reynolds in a cell inside the supervillain prison the Raft, where he has voluntarily imprisoned himself for murdering his wife, Lindy Lee. When a huge jailbreak occurs, the Avengers catch several of the escaping villains. During this time, Daredevil finds the Sentry, and the powerful hero saves several others from Carnage, whom he flies into space and rips in half. Later, the Avengers discovered that X-Men villain Mastermind, who was at fault for Jean Grey’s descent into Dark Phoenix, was responsible for what happened to Sentry. He implanted a psychic virus in Robert Reynolds’ mind that created the delusion of the Void, but it was all really an aspect of his own repressed personality, unleashed by the serum.

Readers learned that the psychic virus does not allow Reynolds to remember his life as he lived it. Instead, he subconsciously implants his memories into the mind of comic book writer Paul Jenkins, a meta-commentary on the real-life creator of the same name who invented Sentry. Eventually, the Avengers show Reynolds that his wife, whom he confessed to murdering, is still alive. Sentry runs away, going to a house in the suburbs he shares with his wife Lindy. The Marvel heroes find him there, and attempt to reason with him. But he insists the Void is coming, and will destroy the world. Ultimately, X-Men telepath Emma Frost frees Reynolds from the psychic virus and restores his memories, and the Sentry joins the Avengers. The rest of the world does not regain their memories of Sentry. To them, he’s a brand new hero and new addition to the Avengers.

The Many Powers and Abilities of SentryMarvel Comics

The Sentry is one of the most powerful superheroes in the Marvel universe, even more powerful than his DC counterpart Superman. His powers supposedly came from a more advanced version of Captain America’s super soldier serum. Later, they revealed that an alien intelligence actually infused itself with the serum, making Reynolds its host body. Whatever the true origins are, Sentry has super strength, enough to subdue the Hulk at his most powerful. He can fly, has super speed, has telepathy, and can even shapeshift. He can also project light and project energy blasts. Sentry can also pass on a portion of his power, as he did to his kid sidekick, Billy Turner, a.k.a. Scout, an amalgamation of DC’s Robin and Captain Marvel. Jr. He even passed on powers to his Welsh Corgi, Watchdog, a riff on DC’s Krypto the Superdog. Sentry is the definition of the phrase “OP.”

Sentry’s Death and Rebirth

Sentry remained an Avenger for many years, although he constantly battled the emergence of the Void, a symptom of his own mental illness. Eventually, he joined former Green Goblin Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers, as Osborn’s secret weapon. Thanks to Norman’s mental manipulations, he is able to break down the barriers that keep Robert Reynolds’ darker Void persona at bay. In the Siege storyline, Osborn and the Dark Avengers, together with Loki, attack Asgard itself. Osborn uses the powers of the Sentry to destroy Asgard, which was hovering above Oklahoma at the time.

Marvel Comics

The Dark Avenger Ares, the actual Greek god of war, attacks Sentry for his loss of control. Then, Sentry literally rips the god in half. (It’s a pretty gross panel too). Sentry then murders Loki, although he is eventually reborn as Kid Loki. Realizing what he’s done, upon reverting to his Bob Reynolds persona, Sentry asks the Avengers to kill him. Thor obliges, and carries his body to the sun to be cremated. But Sentry is effectively immortal, and can’t truly die. He eventually merges his Sentry half with his Void half, now seemingly more in control, but also elevated to godhood. In the comics, it seems it is the destiny of the Sentry to effectively never die.

Sentry in the MCU

All we know about Sentry in the MCU is that he’s part of the upcoming Thunderbolts film. We have no idea what role he’ll play, but we imagine a scenario similar to the comics. We foresee a situation where Sentry is assigned by the government to the Thunderbolts team. Perhaps to be their public face? But when the ultra-powered hero loses control of his darker half, the former assassins will have to find a way to stop him. But that’s just us guessing. We’ll know for sure when Thunderbolts hits theaters in 2025.

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