Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 39

First PEANUTS Musical in 35 Years is Coming to Apple TV+

I love Charlie Brown and have all my life. I watched Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown—a Peanuts movie about Charles Schulz’ iconic group of children at summer camp—roughly 80 million times when I was a kid. I’m also very fond of musicals. So you can understand why it feels as thought Apple TV’s newest special featuring the Peanuts was made just for me. The new trailer for Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical shows Charlie, Snoopy, and friends trying to save their beloved camp with songs.

“Kids try to save their camp” is, and forever will be, an impeachable concept. The same is true of both Peanuts and musicals, two perfect creations. Now Apple is combining all three into one new special. Here’s the streamer’s official synopsis for its latest story featuring Charlie Brown:

One morning, the Peanuts gang learns that their beloved camp is shutting down because fewer campers are joining each summer. The news especially saddens Charlie Brown, who feels hopeless about losing a place that has meant so much to him and his friends. Meanwhile, on their adventure, Snoopy and Woodstock find the sought-after treasure chest, but are quickly disappointed when they discover it’s not riches, but instruments and photos from past summer concerts held at the camp. Newly inspired, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang use the treasure to host their own concert to save the camp.

Apple TV

Apple notes that this is the first Peanuts musical in 35 years. It also features the work of some very talented, well-known musicians. It features original songs from and Ben Folds Five‘s Ben Folds, who is no stranger to partnering with beloved icons of our past.

The 40-minute Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical comes from director Erik Wiese with a script by Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano. The special establishes its base camp this summer on August 15, 2025.

Even if it feels as though Apple made it for me specifically, they likely want you to tune in, too.

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GREMLINS 3 Could Finally Happen if Steven Spielberg Approves New Script

Every human could vanish from Earth tomorrow and one thing would not change. Even without people, cockroaches would still be talking about the possibility of a third Gremlins movie. I wrote my first story about a potential Gremlins 3 almost ten years ago, but rumors go back much farther. They never stop and they never will unless someone actually makes that movie. Now they actually might. Earlier this year a new report said Warner Bros. is developing a third installment. We’ve heard that before, but what we hadn’t heard until now is one of the series’ biggest stars saying the script is done and sitting on Steven Spielberg’s desk waiting for his approval.

@comicmoviedb

#gremlinsmovie #reboot is happening! #zachgalligan #exclusive #stevenspielberg #gremlinsontiktok #gremlins #gremlins2 #gremlins1984

♬ original sound – Comic Movie DB

Gremlins stalwart Zach Galligan recently appeared at Comic Con Manchester where he provided a big update. During his conversation with the audience (which we first learned about at GamesRadar) he said the long-awaited third film is close to happening. Galligan said, “I can report, that, after 35 years they’ve come up with a script. Warner Bros. is incredibly interested in doing it. Apparently it’s waiting upon Mr. Spielberg to read it and approve it.”

….Well then.

Galligan cited the “success” of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice behind the studio’s seemingly renewed interest in Gremlins. That’s no surprise, as the Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder-led legacy sequel cleaned up at the box office. Warner Bros. has already announced that franchise will soon get its own third installment. That will be a much shorter wait than Gremlins got after its sequel. Gremlins 2 premiered in theaters in the summer of 1990. (Though in our heart, Nick Lutsko will always be the person who gave us the people’s Gremlins 3.)

Warner Bros.

Okay, so what’s the deal with Spielberg? Well, he’s obviously very busy, so it’s very possible he really hasn’t read the script yet. Or….he has. And he hasn’t given his approval because he doesn’t think the script is good enough. If nothing else, we’ll always have Groblins, the spiritual sequel that Zach Galligan starred in for Nerdist back in 2016.

Until Spielberg gives this new script the official greenlight, stay tuned to Nerdist for more Gremlins 3 rumors. Even if we’re not here to write them we’ll make sure the cockroaches pick up the beat.

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REESE’S and OREO Have Finally Combined for Two Sweet Crossover Treats

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Oreo Cookies. When it comes to sweet treats you can’t get more iconic than those two legendary foodstuffs. Each, in its purest form, is perfection. By definition, you can’t improve on something that is already perfect. But what you can try to do is create something that is just as good. That’s exactly what those two brands are going to try and do now together. Twice. Reese’s and Oreo have united for two delectable snacks that will finally deliver the culinary crossover fans have long hoped for.Reese’s/OREO

America’s #1 candy and America’s #1 cookie are combining their powers. Reese’s and Oreo have announced they’re partnering up on a double dose of sweet treats. Customers will soon be able to pick up Reese’s OREO Cups and the OREO Reese’s Cookies.

This mashup is exactly what you’d hope it would be. The Reese’s OREO Cups—which will come both full sized and mini—features milk chocolate and white creme peanut butter cups with OREO cookie crumbs. The OREO Reese’s Cookies have OREO’s chocolate sandwich cookies with a Reese’s peanut buttery creme and OREO cookie crumbs in-between.

Reese’s/OREO

“At Reese’s, we’re obsessed with pushing the boundaries of what chocolate and peanut butter can become — and our fans fuel that fire,” said Dan Mohnshine, Vice President, U.S. Confection Marketing, The Hershey Company, in a press release. “When we heard the incredible demand for a Reese’s and OREO mashup, we knew we had to make magic happen. This isn’t just another product launch — it’s two legendary brands coming together to create something absolutely unprecedented that’ll blow minds and taste buds everywhere.”

Reese’s/OREO

Fans can make their minds and taste buds soon. The cups will go on pre-sale at Hershey’s Store on August 18. Sign up here for early access. That’s the same day the cookies will be up for pre-sale, but you can already sign up for early access now. Both items will then hit stores nationwide in September while supplies last.

That’s the only thing keeping this crossover from true perfection – it’s going to end.

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Armand IS in Interview with the Vampire Season 3 & He’s ‘Full Gremlin’ Shares Rolin Jones

Interview with the Vampire season three, also known as The Vampire Lestat, is slowly rising from the grave and making its way toward our screens. The third season of the beloved show recently began production, and only two weeks later, it made its way into the hallowed halls of San Diego Comic-Con. At SDCC, Interview with the Vampire season three had a panel to discuss the series’ upcoming new chapter, where it, to the surprise and delight of fans, shared an ICONIC teaser trailer. But some fans were starting to feel a little nervous as their favorite Interview with the Vampire vamp, Armand, didn’t appear in the teaser and was only occasionally mentioned in the panel (although actor Assad Zaman was confirmed to return as Armand during the conversation). But would Armand be in season three of Interview with the Vampire as much as his fans might hope? Some rumbling was heard throughout the land. Well, Nerdist heard this critical question and took it to showrunner Rolin Jones at the press conference for Interview with the Vampire season three/The Vampire Lestat, and here’s what Jones had to say.

Here’s our question from the Interview with the Vampire press conference last night! Where is Armand? What’s he up to? He will soon return to us in full gremlin mode. #IWTV #InterviewWithTheVampire pic.twitter.com/73jn8bcJdX

— Nerdist (@nerdist) July 27, 2025

In a word, yes. Yes, Armand will be in Interview with the Vampire season three. And this character is not about to be short-changed in any way. Fans just have to be a little patient as his storyline unfolds. We truly already felt this would be the case, but as big Armand fans, it’s certainly nice to hear. In full, Rolin Jones shared:

Give us a second to introduce a bunch of things that are going on. And then let him come in. Full Gremlin. You’ll be pleased.

AMC Networks

Important context is that we shared that we were “Armand Apologists” before asking our question. So Rolin Jones is really saying that Armand fans will be pleased by his appearance in Interview with the Vampire season three/The Vampire Lestat. And we do, indeed, love to hear it. Jones also noted that he hoped Armand Apologists would multiply. So we’re taking that as a positive sign.

If that weren’t enough, Eric Bogosian, who plays Interview with the Vampire‘s Daniel Molloy, spilled the beans that his character and Assad Zaman’s Armand have ALREADY been filming together. And that means that Armand is not only in season three of Interview with the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat, but he’s IN the early episodes. Bogosian notes, “Armand and Daniel will be face to face again… We’ve already shot some of it, and it’s pretty intense.”

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Eric Bogosian Dives Into Daniel Molloy, Elder Queer Representation, and All Things INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE

What do “full gremlin” and “intense” mean for Assad Zaman’s Armand in Interview with the Vampire season three? It’s really too soon to tell, but we absolutely feel excited to sit back, be patient, and find out. Full Gremlin, here we come.

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ALIEN: EARTH’s Secret Sci-Fi Influences | SDCC 2025 Interview

In space, no one can hear you scream. In FX’s Alien: Earth podcast booth at Comic-Con, we can hear you just fine. Nerdist’s Dan Casey sat down with Alien: Earth creator Noah Hawley and star Samuel Blenkin (“Boy Kavalier”) to talk about how the prequel series expands Alien lore, its unexpected sci-fi influences, how it approaches AI and synthetic life, its incredible production design, and much more.

FX’s Alien: Earth premieres 8/12 on FX | Hulu

#Alien #Aliens #AlienEarth #FX #Hulu #SDCC

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Gamer Creates a French Fry Holder That Attaches to a Nintendo Switch 2

Some issues are universal. They transcend culture, religion, and even time and touch all of us. Every person needs shelter, food, water, and an easy way to eat French fries while playing the Nintendo Switch 2. Like we said, “universal.” While mankind refuses to address the most important needs on that list, someone has at least solved the last one. A gamer modded a Joy-Con grip to double as a container for fries. And yes, it can also be attached to the screen while you play.

GamiFries is the clever invention of Maker World user7R135. The red plastic mold looks like a certain fast food chain’s container of fries. But it becomes a unique combo meal when attached to a Nintendo Switch 2. A real container of fast food French fries then slides right in. You can use it as the middle for the left and right sides of the controller, or you can attach it next to the screen itself.

This creation (which we first learned about at Kotaku) solves a problem that has plagued scientists and engineers alike for generations. We now have a way to play a handheld game while also noshing on a greasy snack, all without making a mess of our controller.

You do that by….uh. Huh. Maybe…maybe you pick up the fries with your mouth or something? That would work, right? Yeah, let’s roll with that.

user7R135

If you literally want to do just that and have a 3D printer and magnets, user7R135 uploaded the schematics so you could make your very own GamiFries. And why wouldn’t you? All of us, no matter where we live and game, have certain things we need to live. Now that we can play the Nintendo Switch 2 and eat French fries at the same time we can all worry about the other ones.

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THE COMIC SHOP Trailer Teases a Workplace Comedy with a Nerdy Twist

There are some subgenres of comedy that will never get old. From besties getting into the most ridiculous of situations, like Girls Trip, to shenanigans at work in the vein of The Office, these types of stories will always tickle our funny bone. With the latter, we often see comedic banter at standard 9-5 jobs or bars but, in the trailer for the mockumentary sitcom The Comic Shop season one, we get a fresh take on workplace chaos.

This indie series by Cheyenne Ewulu (a.k.a. Cheyenne the Geek), which came to life thanks to a successful Kickstarter, follows a group of friends working to keep their Los Angeles comic shop afloat among stiff competition against digital access and big box stores. They are quirky, a little incompetent, and willing to do a lot to save Oh Em Gee Comics. It’s the kind of series that’s made for us nerds in the world with characters who feel like people we know personally. We need more carefree stories with Black characters! And, the story does resonate in a sad way with many small comic shops struggling to stay open in today’s world.

Awkward Virgo TV

Ewulu portrays Stephanie, the perfectionist leader of the group who is disappointing her Nigerian parents by not becoming a software engineer. Her crew includes Keith Hendricks (Zeno Robinson), a gamer with wild ideas and great graphic T-shirts and Dominique (Shanae Cole), a fashionable chick who is a bit of an airhead. There’s also Connor (Grayson Niles), the nerdy frat boy (what a contradiction) who wants to get back in the good graces of his rich parents. It’s honestly lovely to see a project like The Comic Shop get funding and come together so beautifully in a trailer.

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THE OFFICE Spinoff Series THE PAPER Shares First Image, Sets Official Release Date

And thankfully, you won’t have to wait long to check it out! The Comic Shop will premiere on Awkward Virgo TV’s YouTube page on August 29.

Awkward Virgo TV

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SUPERMAN’s James Gunn Shares His Love and the Backstory For Lex Luthor’s Creation Mr. Handsome

Despite its social commentary, James Gunn’s Superman was obviously set in a fantasy world. That has nothing to do with its Kryptonian hero, Green Lantern, or a flying dog. It’s because in the movie the world’s richest man wasn’t a total moron. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor was evil, sure, but he was obviously not based on a real person because he was actually brilliant. He created his own pocket dimension, cloned Clark Kent, and found a great new donut place. It turns out he also created a living being at the age of 12 that he still loved even as an adult. And James Gunn says that abomination known as Mr. Handsome might be his favorite character from Superman.

When people ask me my favorite character from #Superman it just might be Mr. Handsome. Lex created Mr. Handsome in a Petri dish when he was 12 – he was trying to make a human. He didn't come out so well, but he just might be the only one in the world Lex has any true sentiment… pic.twitter.com/NwBPOOMLtQ

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 29, 2025

Superman‘s writer-director addressed a common fan question about the film on social media. Fans want to know which character he liked more. His answer is one no one would have guessed. They also wouldn’t have guessed its backstory. Gunn said Mr. Handsome, a gangly, alien-like being played by Trevor Newling, might just be the character he loves most. While the creepy creature looks like it made its debut in M. Night Shymalan’s Signs, the Man of Steel’s foe actually created him as a pre-teen. That’s partly why he had a strange affection for the strange pseudo-failure years later in the film Gunn wrote:

Lex created Mr. Handsome in a Petri dish when he was 12 – he was trying to make a human. He didn’t come out so well, but he just might be the only one in the world Lex has any true sentiment for, as evidenced by the photo on his desk.

He didn't come out so well, but he just might be the only one in the world Lex has any true sentiment for, as evidenced by the photo on his desk. Our Mr. Handsome was portrayed by the wonderful Trevor Newlin.

— James Gunn (@jamesgunn.bsky.social) 2025-07-29T14:39:36.243Z

Love. It. We love it. Just as we love Mr. Handsome and his backstory. We’re also huge fans of Gunn’s behind-the-scenes photos showing Newlin in full costume. They show the pocket dimension ferryman doing totally normal things like having a drink and using the bathroom.

James Gunn

Was Mr. Handsome everything young Lex hoped he would be? Obviously not. But that didn’t stop him from loving him for what he was. Besides, perfection, even in a fantasy story, is boring. You don’t have to be the smartest man in the world to know that.

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KING OF THE HILL Revival Goes Nerdy in New Poster

You thought going back to the basement of That ’70s Show with That ’90s Show was a nostalgic trip down memory lane? Well, hold onto your beer cans because you’re about to be standing in front of a fence with some pals. A King of the Hill revival is officially heading to Hulu, and it’s bringing the whole gang back together.

In the latest of antics released in celebration of the series, the main cast has gone very nerdy, with Bill dressing as Wolverine, Jeff becoming a denizen of Dune, and Dale suiting up with a VR headset. We love to see this kind of geeky crossover.

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KING OF THE HILL Goes to Middle-earth in LORD OF THE RINGS MashupKing of the Hill Season 14 Revival Synopsis

Variety reports that this revival will give us a time jump with an adult Bobby Hill working as a chef. Initially, we wondered if Hank was still selling propane or if he’d gone into an early-ish retirement… And now we know. King of the Hill season 14 has shared its official synopsis.

The King of the Hill revival description reads:

After years working a propane job in Saudi Arabia to earn their retirement nest egg, Hank and Peggy Hill return to a changed Arlen, Texas to reconnect with old friends Dale, Boomhauer and Bill. Meanwhile, Bobby is living his dream as a chef in Dallas and enjoying his 20s with his former classmates Connie, Joseph and Chane.

Fascinating.

Better than an Alamo and almost as good as propane. An all new season of #KingOfTheHill drops Aug 4th on Hulu and with #HuluOnDisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/U8wAkHHg7E

— kingofthehill (@kingofthehill) May 30, 2025

King of the Hill Revival Cast

Co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels are returning for this King of the Hill reunion. Mike Judge recently had a successful time reviving yet another adult-animated dark-comedy favorite, Beavis and Butt-Head. In Hulu’s King of the Hill Revival, Judge will reprise his role as that bumbling patriarch Hank Hill. Kathy Najimy returns as Peggy. It really is giving us Red and Kitty goosebumps all over again.

According to IndieWire, Ted Wassanasong, Chane Wassanasong, and Joseph Gribble will all have new voice actors whose ethnic identities align much closer with those characters. Ted, a Laotian businessman and investor in Bobby’s restaurant, will now be voiced by Kenneth Choi. Chane, Ted’s son and Bobby’s former childhood bully and current business partner, will be voiced by Ki Hong Lee. Joseph Gribble, Bobby’s half-Native best friend, will be voiced by comedian Tai Leclaire, who is of the Mohawk Nation of Kahnawà:ke.

New characters include Keith David’s Brian Robertson, who is now a part of Hank’s friend circle. This is quite the change considering Hank’s close friends were all white men in the original series. Anthony “Citric” Campos will voice  Emilio, a chef at Bobby’s Dallas restaurant.

In addition, Deadline reported that we’ll see the return of “Stephen Root as Bill, Pamela Adlon as Bobby Hill, Johnny Hardwick as Dale, and Lauren Tom as Minh.” It wouldn’t be King of the Hill without them. However, Johnny Hardwick passed away back in 2023, but we will still hear his voice in at least some episodes. For the rest of the time, voice actor Toby Huss, a King of the Hill alum who voiced Kahn Souphanousinphone and Cotton Hill will the voice the role of Dale.

20th TelevisionKing of The Hill Season 14’s Release Date and More About the Show

This revival has been long-anticipated and in the works since 2017. The original show ran from 1997 to 2010 and had nearly 300 episodes. It zeroed in on one family in Texas as they navigated the perils of ordinary life, growing up, and evolving. We’ll feel interested to see how the series designs itself for modernity. The original episodes of King of the Hill, can, of course, be streamed on Hulu.

pic.twitter.com/fhA9Ykpqbz

— Mike Judge (@MikeJudge) March 20, 2020

Craig Erwich, president of ABC Entertainment, Hulu, and Disney Branded Television Streaming Originals, notes, “We are all so excited to welcome back Hank, Peggy and Bobby, and to see what they have to say about the world we live in and continue the conversations we began years ago. This show has all of the perfect ingredients to meet this moment in animation at Hulu, and we’re so thankful to be having those conversations alongside this talented group.”

Welcome back propane and propane accessories to your life. We can’t wait to see what this King of the Hill revival has in store when it drops on August 4. All 10 episodes of the revival series will release at one time.

Originally published January 31, 2023.

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James Gunn Shares Behind-the-Scenes Video of SUPERMAN Flying Scene

When it comes to onscreen flying, Superman has come a long way since George Reeves jumped out a window in the ’50s. It’s even light-years better since they hoisted Christopher Reeve in the air on wires in the ’70s. Modern special effects techniques now allow for things like the Volume, depicting Clark flying at supersonic speeds with far more ease. Now, Superman director James Gunn posted a video of how he filmed the scene of David Corenswet flying away from the Fortress, doing barrel rolls in the air. You can watch the short video right here, which James Gunn posted on Instagram:

James Gunn shot the scene in question on the stages at Trilithi Studios in the state of Georgia. These are the same soundstages where Spider-Man: Homecoming, Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Endgame were shot. James Gunn shot the plates used to recreate the Antarctic landscape where Superman’s fortress lies hidden in Svalbard, Norway. Gunn shot this scene in particular almost a year ago, back in July 2024. Which goes to show just how long it takes to get these kinds of scenes just right. We saw early versions of this scene in the first Superman trailers, later altered because Supes looked a little wonky.

DC Studios

Everyone knows that modern spectacle cinema overly relies on CGI. But this shows how often we still need a flesh-and-blood actor to make things believable. At least if you want them to look realistic when you watch it on the big screen. Although of course, some scenes of Superman flying in the film were indeed pure CGI. But it’s good to know that James Gunn doesn’t lean on that one tool alone. You can now catch David Corenswet flying as the Man of Tomorrow in DC Studios’ Superman, currently playing in theaters.

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