Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 396

Nick Offerman Says THE LAST OF US Spinoff Pitches About Bill and Frank Exist

Frank and Bill’s romance on The Last of Us gave us both a love story and an episode of television that will outlast any Clicker. Now it has also given Nick Offerman an Emmy. He took home a statue at this year’s Creative Arts Emmys. His win for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series is a fitting end to a truly memorable installment of TV. But is it actually the end? Maybe not. Offerman said there have been The Last of Us spinoff pitches on how to bring Frank and Bill back that go beyond just a flashback.

(WATCH) Nick Offerman speaks with Deadline's @SocialRosy after accepting #CreativeArtsEmmys award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series pic.twitter.com/avUmEJQ6wJ

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 7, 2024

At a short press conference following his Emmy win, Offerman answered questions from Deadline‘s Rosy Cordero. She asked Offerman if him and Murray Bartlett could return to The Last of Us via a flashback. (Bartlett played Frank, the love of Bill’s life. He also earned a nomination in the same category.) Offerman said the possibility of appearing in a flashback was a great question, but he would “have to ask somebody with a higher pay grade than myself.”

What he said next confirmed how serious he is about potentially reprising the role. Offerman said, “It certainly has been pitched. I think we pitched a whole mini-series of a prequel of their lives before they met each other. It could be a musical. We’re not short on ideas.”

HBO

While the musical part sounds like a joke, the mini-series doesn’t. That’s likely a long shot, but it does portend well for those who hope to see more of Frank and Bill onscreen. Not that it will be up to Offerman and Bartlett to bring these ideas to life. The new Emmy-winner added they will have to see what showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann come up with, but he’s for “sure” on board for whatever they might come up with.

Because Nick Offerman is the best, he also offered insight into why he got the role in the first place. “I was lucky this time they needed a guy who could use a shovel. There are only three of us in Hollywood: Harrison Ford passed and Jane Lynch was not available.”

Maybe HBO can get Ford and Lynch to appear in a Frank and Bill prequel mini-series. Anyone know if Harrison can sing?

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

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HBO Kicks Off THE SOPRANOS’ 25th Anniversary Celebration with Tasty Food Montage

Television changed forever on January 10, 1999. That night, a drama about a New Jersey mafia crime boss in therapy debuted on HBO. David Chase’s series, starring James Gandolfini in one of the medium’s greatest performances ever, still stands as one of TV’s best and most influential shows ever. It also stands as one of the tastiest shows, too. The Sopranos turned food into a character, and HBO honored that culinary legacy in a montage video that is part of the network’s new 25th anniversary celebration.

And if you weren’t hungry before watching you will be after.

Oh madone! This “25 Years of Gabagool” montage video features a smorgasbord of foods The Sopranos served up in its many kitchens, backyards, and restaurants over six seasons. From “manicot” to “Jersey’s best sangwich,” it’s enough to feed an entire Italian family during Sunday dinner. It should also put to rest the whole (wrong) “sauce” versus (correct) “gravy” argument. Not because I say so, but because I encourage you not to argue with a literal family of sociopaths who also know how to cook.

HBO

This video is just an appetizer for what HBO is serving up for its celebration of the show’s 25th anniversary. Max users will now find a The Sopranos: 25th Anniversary collection on the streaming site. It includes “15 deleted scenes, three of which have never been released.” Max also now has “over five hours of behind-the-scenes featurette content.”

HBO is also reuniting the cast for a “Family Dinner,” hosting screenings of the event at Alamo Drafthouse, partnering with restaurants for The Sopranos-inspired dishes and pop-ups, offering 25th anniversary merchandise, and more. You can read all about how you can join in on the fun from HBO and Max.

You can also get yourself some baked ziti whenever you like. And maybe also some nice pastries to bring to your nephew’s. You’ll all want to eat after watching The Sopranos talk about food.

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The Internet Is Rediscovering the Joy of the Flying RC Superman

Superman made his debut in the pages of 1938’s Action Comics #1. Since then countless actors have brought the character to life on screen. Which live-action iteration of the Man of Steel is our favorite? George Reeves? Christopher Reeve? Brandon Routh? Henry Cavill? One of the many other performers who have played him? It’s almost impossible to pick just one as the best. But it’s not hard to name our top choice when it comes Kal-Els who have actually flown in the real world. The internet is rediscovering the joy of RC Superman, a moppy-haired remote-controlled recreation of the iconic superhero.

Chris Wolf, who goes by the online handle The RC Geek, recently celebrated his delightful 2015 device by uploading a new short YouTube video of his model RC Superman. (Which we first saw at Laughing Squid.)

His super remote-controlled device made its debut at the 2015 PVMAC Big Jolt all-electric RC event. It featured a body that looked like a blue and red model airplane up-close. (Well, a model airplane that had a head with floppy black hair for a nose.) But the real genius of his flying contraption is best appreciated when it’s actually being used. His design made it so that when RC Superman took to the sky, it captured the look and feel of the “real” Man of Steel.

Chris Wolf

This machine is fantastic unto itself. If we saw it in-person our brains would short circuit until we figured out what was going on. But seeing it soar high in the air in this latest video is its own reward. It features John Williams’ iconic Superman theme. That song makes this footage something special. It’s strangely captivating, as though, for just a brief moment, Clark Kent is real and here to protect us.

The song really does matter, too. Just compare the new video to the original longer one that doesn’t use Williams’ song.

It’s not a bird. It’s not a plane. And it’s not even actually Superman. But it’s still something that is bringing us joy after all these years—just like Superman himself has since 1938.

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Fendi x POKÉMON Collaboration Rightfully Celebrates Dragonite with Expensive Collection

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always felt Dragonite was the best Pokémon of all. There is just something about the 149th Pokémon that feels endlessly endearing. And I strongly associate this gentle giant with its shiny Pokémon card, which features the creature on a shimmering rainbow background. Maybe that’s why I feel it only makes sense that Fendi has elected to feature Dragonite, Dragonair, and Dratini (the Dragonite evolutionary line) in its luxury collaboration with Pokémon and FRGMT. Normally, I would feel totally floored by an $850 t-shirt. But since it celebrates Dragonite, I understand just a little bit more. (Not that much, though.) Let’s take a look at what this Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon collaboration has to offer Pokémon Masters with deep pockets.

FendiThe Fendi x FRGMT Pokémon Collection Celebrates Dragonite

As mentioned, the Fendi x FRGMT Pokémon collection is all Dragonite all the time. (Except when it’s Dratini or Dragonair.) The official description of the line reads, “Hiroshi Fujiwara’s FRGMT plays with Dratini, Dragonair, and Dragonite to transform the Maison’s signatures and icons into mini pop monuments.”

That’s right, these aren’t just shirts and bags; they are mini pop monuments. But once again, it all comes back to Dragonite, of all Pokémon, deserving this love from Fendi. No Pokémon is as elegant and thus appropriate for luxury monuments. Dratini and Dragonair are also exceptional. The collection also notes that its items “celebrate the Year of the Dragon,” which makes a lot of sense.

What Is in the Fendi x FRGMT Pokémon Line, and How Much Do Items Cost? Click To View Gallery Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi Fendi

Ultimately, the collection features bags, t-shirts, jewelry, wallets, a fabric cardholder, and sweaters. You can even get a Dragonite bucket hat and/or umbrella. The most expensive item in the Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon line is the “Fendi x FRGMT x Pokémon beaded bag.” How much will that cost you, you ask? Well, this Fendi bag, which features all three Pokémon in question, retails for $9,400. Phew. But all that beading does look incredible.

Meanwhile, the cheapest item in the collection is a Dragonite silk scarf, and that will only cost $240. Nice. In between, you can find a Fendi Pokémon T-shirt, which costs $850, and earrings that end up at $520.

Our Favorite Dragonite-Inspired Bags

We have to admit that we are absolutely obsessed by the adorable Dragonite and Dratini face bags. These Fendi Pokémon bags are so cute that we would buy them right now if we could. But alas, the cheapest versions cost $1,190. Maybe if we finally become the Pokémon World Champion one day.

Fendi

Often, nerdy collaboration collections like these sell out pretty quickly. So even though the price tag is high, if these Fendi x Pokémon bags are calling your name, we suggest you throw that Poké Ball as soon as possible.

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ARCANE Season 2 Reveals First-Look Trailer, Series Returning in November

Arcane season two will release in November 2024. And that means it will have been three years since the first season was released in November 2021. That’s a pretty long time for fans to wait. But this League of Legends-based show is so beautifully animated and skillfully voiced that we aren’t surprised viewers have been willing to wait as long as it takes for more. To help tide everyone over Netflix has released a first-look clip teasing the Arcane season two adventures to come. This early teaser trailer for the show doesn’t seem to reveal too much, but it actually validates a popular fan theory. Hopefully, this will give fans something to buzz about until Arcane season two actually arrives, or at the very least, we get a full trailer.

Take a look at the Arcane season two first look below.

Arcane Season 2 First-Look Teaser Trailer Contains Important Revelations

This teaser trailer focuses on Singed. The highly gifted but incredibly callous scientist seems to be getting a blood transfusion of sorts. He looks patient enough, but it seems like something is about to happen. Above him, suspended by chains hangs a giant monster. For those who don’t want any spoilers, look away now… Because this little bit of scene has sparked a huge response among Arcane‘s fans, hinting as it does at two popular fan theories.

Vander Is the League of Legends Monster Warwick

Firstly, throughout season one, fans wondered if the popular character Vander was actually part of greater League of Legends lore. And it seems like this trailer has helped validate that opinion.

Riot Games

Arcane season two appears to tease that Vander is actually the monster Warwick. In League of Legends, Warwick was “transformed by agonizing experiments, his body is fused with an intricate system of chambers and pumps, machinery filling his veins with alchemical rage.”

A nightmarish augmentation.

Brace yourself for #Arcane Season 2, coming this November. pic.twitter.com/MyiGRlqzdk

— Arcane (@arcaneshow) January 5, 2024

Agonizing experiments certainly seem to be happening in this Arcane season two trailer. Or, as Netflix shares, we’re looking at “a nightmarish augmentation.” We’ll have to wait to see how this impacts the series and the rest of the characters.

Singed’s Daughter May Become Orianna, the Lady of Clockwork

Singed is holding a locket in this first look at season two of Arcane. And when he glances down at it, we hear a clock-like ticking sound. Fans suspect that this locket holds the image of his daughter. In season one, it is strongly implied that Singed’s daughter passed away, perhaps because Singed subjected her to his experiments. Likely, his daughter’s fate drove Signed to become the monstrous kind of man we see on the show.

But what good is being a mad scientist if you can’t even bring your daughter back from the grave? Between the visuals and the ticking sound, it looks like Arcane season two is already pointing at Singed’s daughter becoming Orianna, the Lady of Clockwork.

Netflix

Per the official League of Legends website, “Once a curious girl of flesh and blood, Orianna is now a technological marvel comprised entirely of clockwork. She became gravely ill after an accident in the lower districts of Zaun, and her failing body had to be replaced with exquisite artifice, piece by piece.”

Riot Games

Singed strikes us as the kind of person who knows exactly how to replace a human body with “exquisite artifice.” Perhaps more than one nightmarish augmentation is at play.

Arcane‘s Synopsis

Arcane season two does not yet have a specific synopsis. But here’s what Netflix shares about the show:

Arcane tells the origin story of two iconic League of Legends champions, who just so happen to be sisters. Jinx (Ella Purnell) — also known as Powder — and Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) find themselves on rival sides of a brewing war between the utopian city Piltover and its oppressed underbelly Zaun. Powder and Vi are completely transformed by the end of the first season, as Powder becomes the mischievous Jinx and Vi proves she’s one champion you don’t want to mess with. 

We can’t wait to learn more about what season two specifically has in store.

When Will Arcane Season 2 Release?Netflix

Arcane season two also does not have a specific release date yet. However we know that the second season of the series will release in November 2024.

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AMERICAN BORN CHINESE Cancelled by Disney+, Will Seek New Home

The first season of American Born Chinese—the series starring Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan—ended on a cliffhanger. Ben Wang’s Jin had begun to master his abilities, but he returned home to find an empty house. The show ended with Princess Iron Fan telling Jin he’d have to go with her if he ever wanted to see his parents again. Where was she taking him? Fans waiting to find out better hope the answer is another streaming site. Disney+ has cancelled American Born Chinese due to low ratings. Fortunately producers could look for another place to continue the story.

Disney+

Variety reports that despite Disney executives’ high opinion of the show the series is done with the Mouse House. There were simply not enough viewers to continue with a second season. Positive reviews from critics and fans alike were unable to save it as well. All hope is not loss for those who did watch, though. Variety says the show’s producers “plan to shop the series to other outlets.”

Based on Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel, the comedy also features Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Jimmy Liu, Sydney Taylor, and Daniel Wu. Kelvin Yu serves as showrunner and executive producer. It’s official logline says it “chronicles the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager whose life is forever changed when he befriends the son of a mythological god.” That teenager is Jin, and his story is a “battle for his own identity, told through family, comedy, and action-packed Kung-Fu.”

Disney+

If his story is to continue onscreen, his battle will now also include finding a new television home. Hopefully the show’s diverse cast, universal themes, and unquestioned star power will help it land on its feet. Fans, cast, and crew are certainly hopeful it will. But Jin’s parents are depending on it.

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Meet the Skar King, the Villain of GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

The two biggest and most popular Titans surely can’t stay dormant for long. Godzilla, the mighty lizard with atomic breath will clomp his way back to the movies soon. Along with him will be none other than Kong, the king of the hollow Earth. After 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong ended in something of a draw, a rematch of legendary proportions is very necessary. Luckily, a big screen follow-up is happening.

Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures

Of course, Godzilla and Kong won’t be the only forces around. They’ll both face a new foe, “the mysterious primate, the Skar King.” In a recent interview with Total Film, director Adam Wingard shared more about Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire‘s villain. He noted of the Skar King:

What’s interesting about this new film is that we go in a direction that I don’t think this series has ever seen before, which is that the Skar King is, in a way, the closest that the human threat has ever been juxtaposed onto a titan itself

The Skar King almost represents an upscaled version of the worst parts of humanity, just as Kong represents some of the best parts of humanity. I would say the Skar King is the greatest threat that we’ve seen in these movies. It’s really going to take a full team together to bring it down because it’s too big for just one titan!

Here’s everything we know about the Godzilla vs. Kong sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

TitleLegendary Pictures/Warner Bros

The Godzilla vs. Kong sequel is called Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire‘s Plot

The official synopsis is as follows:

This latest entry follows up the explosive showdown of Godzilla vs. Kong with an all-new cinematic adventure, pitting the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own. The epic new film will delve further into the histories of these Titans, their origins and 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./LegendaryBehind the Scenes

Adam Wingard, who directed Godzilla vs. Kong, will return to direct this film. He’ll be the first director in Legendary’s Monsterverse series to helm a second film so far. He’s working from a script by Terry Rossio (Godzilla vs. Kong), Jeremy Slater (Moon Knight) and Simon Barrett (Wingard’s longtime collaborator on movies like You’re Next and The Guest). The film is being produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Eric Mcleod, Brian Rogers, Thomas Tull, and Jon Jashni, with executive producers Josh Grode, Adam Wingard, Jay Ashenfelter, Jen Conroy, Kenji Okuhira, and Yoshimitsu Banno.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire‘s Cast

Returning cast members to the series include Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Kaylee Hottle. All three joined the franchise with Godzilla vs. Kong. New cast members include Dan Stevens, who starred in Wingard’s The Guest. Other new cast members include Fala Chen (Shang-Chi), Alex Ferns (The Batman), and Rachel House (Thor: Ragnarok).

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire‘s Release DateWarner Bros./Legendary Pictures

The movie has an expected release date of March 15, 2024.

Originally published on August 26, 2022.

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

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OPPENHEIMER and ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE Return to IMAX, Adam Driver Done with STAR WARS, and Other News Odds & Ends

From Mickey Mouse horror movies to streaming shenanigans to the Minecraft live-action movie casting news, here are some of our favorite odds and ends from pop-culture news that bubbled up in the last little while.

Lyrical Lemonade/Marvel Studios/Sleight of Hand Productions / Andrew L. Kern/Mojang StudiosOdds & Ends in Entertainment News

Jump to:

Adam Driver Is Done with Star Wars, His Kylo Ren Will Not ReturnJack Black Will Reportedly Play Steve in Live-Action Minecraft MovieOppenheimer and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse are Heading Back to IMAX TheatersWhat If…? Season 3 Is Coming Soon, Meanwhile Season 2 Almost Had a Truly Dark Spider-Man StoryJohn Wick Director Would Make a Star Wars Movie “If Disney Could Survive Me,” Wants a Swing at the MCU’s BladeA Second Steamboat Willie Horror Movie Is on the WayThe MCU’s Echo Series Will Be Dubbed in the Choctaw Language The First 10 Star Trek Movies Are Moving to Max Adam Driver Is Done with Star Wars, His Kylo Ren Will Not ReturnLucasfilm

Daisy Ridley’s Rey will soon be back in a new Star Wars movie. But those hoping to see Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren strike back may end up disappointed. In a recent interview with the SmartLess podcast, which we saw via GameSpot, Driver revealed that more Star Wars content may be happening “but not with me.” Driver also noted, “I’m not doing any more.” Alas, we would say, never say never… But Driver seems pretty set in his thoughts for now.

It also turns out that Kylo Ren’s redemption arc wasn’t planned.

Adam Driver Reveals Kylo Ren’s Redemption Wasn’t Originally the Plan for the STAR WARS Character

Jack Black Will Reportedly Play Steve in a Live-Action Minecraft MovieLyrical Lemonade/Mojang Studios

Who doesn’t love a good live-action adaptation of a beloved game? According to Deadline, Jack Black, who recently had a well-received turn in the animated adaptation of Super Mario Bros., will take on the character of Steve in a live-action Minecraft movie. Steve, of course, is one of Minecraft‘s original player characters. He is made of blocks and has no official backstory. Thus, we’ll be extra interested to see how he, and the game, get adapted. Jason Momoa is also set to star in the Warner Bros. movie.

Check out Jack Black performing the hit song “Peaches” from The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Jack Black’s Song from THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE, ‘Peaches,’ Is Oscar Eligible

Oppenheimer and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse are Heading Back to IMAX TheatersUniversal Pictures

‘Tis the season for movies that are in contention for awards to head back to theaters. Two such movies, Oppenheimer and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will be doing exactly this in a big way. Both of these incredible movies will return to IMAX for a limited run. Oppenheimer will be back on IMAX theater screens beginning on January 12.

If you didn’t get a chance to catch ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE on the big screen – where you can see the jaw-dropping level of detail & innovation lovingly put into every frame – you’ve got another chance!
It’s returning to IMAX for a limited release on January 19th. Don’t miss it! pic.twitter.com/UCqeWCCSlv

— Christopher Miller (@chrizmillr) January 3, 2024

Meanwhile, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will hit IMAX on January 19. Both these movies are well worth watching on a huge screen, so don’t delay in getting your tickets.

Sony Animation

Here’s what we thought of Oppenheimer and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse:

OPPENHEIMER Is a Harrowing, Chaotic Masterpiece

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE Is a Visually Stunning and Frenetic Trip

What If…? Season 3 Is Coming Soon, Meanwhile Season 2 Almost Had a Truly Dark Spider-Man Story

What If…? season two only just released, but Marvel Studios has revealed that season three will be “streaming soon.” Although we don’t know exactly when soon is, we do already have a full clip from the next season of the animated show. In it, Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, voiced by Sebastian Stan, teams up with Red Guardian, voiced by David Harbour, and the pair go on an odd-couple road trip. Per Empire, Bill Foster/Giant Man, voiced by Laurence Fishburne, and a character named Ranger Morales also feature. We’ll take it.

Marvel StudiosMarvel Studios

Meanwhile, when it comes to season two of the show, What If…?‘s writer A.C. Bradley revealed there was almost an incredibly dark episode revolving around Spider-Man. Bradley noted, “I did write an episode, which is forever going in a drawer, that was very, very dark. I was calling it ‘Children of Men with Spider-Man.’” We can only imagine what on earth that might have entailed.

If you haven’t seen What If…? season two yet, you can check out its trailer below.

Marvel’s WHAT IF…? Season 2 Trailer Takes on Christmas

John Wick Director Would Make a Star Wars Movie “If Disney Could Survive Me,” Wants a Swing at the MCU’s BladeMavel Comics/Vanity Fair/Lucasfilm

Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick franchise, recently discussed whether he’d make a Star Wars or MCU movie. Speaking with the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Stahelski had quite a few thoughts. When it comes to Star Wars, the director had mixed feelings. He noted, “I’m a Star Wars guy. The first Star Wars changed my life path. Maybe someday out there, Disney if you’re listening, hit me in a couple of years. I have a couple of takes for Star Wars. I’d take a swing at that, see if Disney could survive me.” Of course, he also discussed the difficulties of not having creative control in franchise situations, but ultimately, he’d want to take a swing.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the MCU, the John Wick director shared, “Of all the things out there, I would take a swing at Blade in a second. Like that’s one that gets under my skin, like ‘Ah! I’d take a swing at that one.'” And further offered, “We’ve talked about it, but look they’ve got a good formula… they have their thing going and I think they’ve got the right people involved in Blade now… I’m not in the Inner Circle but we’ve had talks… Just for whatever reason things come together, and there’s a good fit for everything out there. But for what they’re doing they’ve got a great thing going, but if that thing doesn’t work out, in five years from now… maybe on the fourth reboot of Blade or the fifth reboot of Blade… Maybe I can pull back Wesley and jump in.”

Hey, you never know.

For now, though, it seems like John Wick 5 is slowly becoming a reality.

JOHN WICK 5 Is Currently in the Works at Lionsgate

A Second Steamboat Willie Horror Movie Is on the WaySleight of Hand Productions / Andrew L. Kern

To no one’s surprise, a second Steamboat Willie horror movie is on the way. This one doesn’t have a trailer yet, but it does have some creepy art. And bonus, it actually takes place on a boat. That feels right. According to Variety, this public domain Mickey Mouse movie comes from director Steven LaMorte, who also directed The Mean One, a horror take on the Grinch. This Mickey movie, meanwhile, is an “untitled horror-comedy based on Mickey’s cartoon debut. In it, a sadistic mouse will torment a group of unsuspecting ferry passengers. Production is set to begin in the spring.” We’re sure this will not be the last Steamboat Willie/Mickey Mouse movie we’ll see whistling to life in the coming months.

The first announced Steamboat Willie horror movie, Mickey Mouse’s Trap, already has a trailer.

A Mickey Mouse ‘Steamboat Willie’ Horror Movie Trailer Is Already Here

The MCU’s Echo Series Will Be Dubbed in the Choctaw LanguageMarvel Studios

The MCU’s upcoming Echo series features a main character who is Native American. Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) a.k.a. Echo is a member of the Choctaw Nation. And so we are incredibly happy to hear that Marvel Studios will honor this aspect of the show by dubbing it in the Choctaw language. Director and executive producer Sydney Freeland shared the following with Entertainment Weekly:

In the process of working and collaborating with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, in working with the Choctaw language experts and consultants, it became very apparent that we needed to do a dub in Choctaw as well. And we’re incredibly proud of it.

Placing the story of Echo in the actual Choctaw language helps make our character more authentic to her heritage, because we get to delve into the specifics of Choctaw culture and traditions. I’m indigenous, I’m American, but I’m Navajo. And the Choctaw language and the Navajo language are completely different from each other; they’re as different as Portuguese and Polish. And so one of the things that was important for us was making sure that we had people who were experts in Choctaw language. But a lot of really great things came out of that collaboration — specifically, in the second episode of our series, we actually get to see a portion of pre-European contact America that I can genuinely say has never been seen on film before. That came as a direct result of our collaboration with the Choctaw Nation in trying to tell a more authentic story.

We can’t wait to see and hear the results of this incredible collaboration in full.

Before Echo arrives, you can get to know Maya Lopez with our character explainer.

The Complete Marvel Comics History of Echo, a.k.a. Maya Lopez

The First 10 Star Trek Movies Have Moved to MaxParamount Pictures

What is life in the streaming age except constantly working to keep track of where your favorite movies can be watched? For a little while, all of Star Trek‘s films were on Paramount+. But now, as we saw via Comicbook.com, the first 10 Star Trek movies have moved to Max. Only the three Chris Pine-era movies remain on Paramount+. All we can say to those just trying to keep up is: live long and prosper.

More streaming shenanigans happen every day. The latest includes ads coming to Prime Video this January.

Amazon Will Bring Ads to Prime Video on January 29, Users Can Pay More for Ad-Free Experience

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You Can Send Your Name to the Moon on NASA’s VIPER Rover

In late 2024, NASA is sending a very special machine to the Moon’s South Pole under its Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. VIPER is the space agency’s first-ever robotic Moon rover. It’s going to spend 100 days traveling many miles across our closest celestial neighbor’s surface. VIPER’s mission will include visiting some of the coldest, darkest places in our solar system. The rover will also sample different kinds of lunar soils and environments. Plus it will also be the first rover to ever measure “the location and concentration of water ice and other resources.” It’s an amazing device embarking on an incredible journey. And if that’s not enough, it’s also going to deliver your name to our cosmic partner. .

NASA/Daniel Rutter

In 2020, NASA let denizens of Earth . We now have a chance to do that again with the Moon thanks to VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover). Anyone can have their name included on the Moon rover.

All you have to do to be a small part of this mission is . When you do NASA will generate a digital ticket so you can commemorate your part in the mission. You have until 11:59 p.m. EST on March 15 to sign up. Make sure you do so you can travel alongside your favorite website.

NASA

“With VIPER, we are going to study and explore parts of the Moon’s surface no one has ever been to before – and with this campaign, we are inviting the world to be part of that risky yet rewarding journey,” said Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, in a press release. “Just think: Our names will ride along as VIPER navigates across the rugged terrain of the lunar South Pole and gathers valuable data that will help us better understand the history of the Moon and the environment where we plan to send Artemis astronauts.”

That’s right. We’re all going to the dark side of the Moon. Someone make sure Pink Floyd fills out a boarding pass. It won’t be right if we go to the moon without the band.

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John Ridley’s Mystery Marvel TV Series Was Based on ETERNALS

Almost eight years ago, Marvel Television announced 12 Years a Slave screenwriter and prolific author John Ridley was taking on a new series for the company. However, the show’s premise was a mystery. Later, Marvel quietly shelved it. MCU fans have wondered for years what that series might be. Well, thanks to an appearance on the Comic Book Club podcast (via Deadline), Ridley revealed the Marvel property he was developing for television was actually Eternals. The Oscar winner said “It was a television version of the Eternals… But good.” Ouch. (For the record, we liked it fine). Here’s what he had to say about his version of Jack Kirby’s space gods:

“My version was the good version. It was so f***ing weird. There was my version, a good version, which is good to me, which — that doesn’t mean anything. There was the version that [Marvel] ended up doing, which I don’t think… that version was particularly good. I’ll be honest.

My version started with, the first thing you see is a young man, probably about 18 years old. And he’s sitting there. He’s sitting there for a moment. And then he lifts his hands. He has a drill in it. And he turns the drill on. And he puts the drill to his ear. And he starts pushing it in. And then it goes from there. That’s the start, right? That’s how it starts. And then I think you see… another kid… He sleeps in the bathtub, covers himself with foil. It’s just a really weird story about these people who are, I mean, it’s just weird.”

Marvel Studios

Marvel ultimately passed on Ridley’s version of Eternals, and the writer didn’t really give a reason why, except that he didn’t think his version was “very entertaining.” We’re going to put our speculative caps on, and give another possible reason. Marvel TV took Inhumans, originally announced as a film, and turned it into a TV series in 2017. The results were a disaster, and Inhumans was a critical and ratings disappointment. After that, we could see Marvel thinking an epic Jack Kirby sci-fi saga might be better suited for the big screen instead. Yes, many fans did not care for Eternals, but in the words of Marty McFly in Back to the Future, “I guess you guys weren’t ready for that. But your kids are gonna love it.”

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