Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 399

Obi-Wan and Anakin’s REVENGE OF THE SITH Duel Recreated in THE CLONE WARS-Style Animation

There are no taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems too complicated to make me hate the Star Wars prequels. Nor does The Phantom Menace have too much Jar Jar Binks hijinks to make me ever wish the trilogy didn’t exist. And no amount of Darth Vader awkwardly screaming “Noooo!” will ever make me regret George Lucas’s messy movies. Not when they resulted in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker’s “Battle of the Heroes” duel on Mustafar. Their epic, emotional, lengthy showdown will always make meesa happy the prequels exist. Now I have another reason to be grateful for them. A fan video recreated that legendary lightsaber showdown in the style of The Clone Wars animation.

This incredible video comes from the YouTube channel Hello There. It’s the work of animator Ben Johnson and a team of sound mixers and editors. They recreated Revenge of the Sith‘s famous fight between Master/Padawan fight in the style of the beloved animated series.

It’s a whole new way to experience this fantastic sequence, which boasts one of John Williams’ best songs. That alone makes it worth it. But what makes this special is that it also helps connect the characters of the animated show with their live-action counterparts. The Clone Wars‘ Obi-Wan and Anakin are the same characters from the movies. And yet, they’re different. They had their own stories. They had their own voice actors. And they shared a bond not fully developed in the films. This mashup of mediums serves as a visual bridge that strengthens the connection between different chapters in Star Wars story. This is a moving way to honor the cartoon’s important legacy.

Hello There

The team behind this video wrote that it took “years of hard work and dedication.” All that effort was more than worth it, same as the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Both gave us a way to enjoy this incredible, intense, tragic moment.

The post Obi-Wan and Anakin’s REVENGE OF THE SITH Duel Recreated in THE CLONE WARS-Style Animation appeared first on Nerdist.

The TV Series We Can’t Wait to See in 2024

With the writers’ and actors’ strikes over, TV shows can return to their regularly scheduled programs just in time for a 2024 debut. Some shows were supposed to premiere at the end of 2023, but moved to early in January, including Marvel’s Echo and HBO’s True Detective. But despite shifts and delays, there are a plethora of new shows premiering soon that have many people buzzing. From live-action anime to rebooted superheroes to killer spy series, 2024 has something for everyone. Though things could easily change due to post-production delays and issues stemming from the strikes, this list contains series currently set to air this year. As of now, here is our list of the most anticipated new shows of 2024.

HBO/AMC/Netflix

Jump to: TV Series Releasing in January 2024 // TV Series Releasing in February 2024 // TV Series Releasing Mid-Year in 2024 // TV Series Releasing Late in 2024 // TV Series Awaiting 2024 Release Window

TV Series Releasing in January 2024 The Brothers Sun

This upcoming black comedy, created by Byron Wu and Brad Falchuk, focuses on one Taiwanese triad family. After the patriarch is shot by an assassin, his son, Charles Sun (Justin Chien), must visit Los Angeles from Taiwan to protect his mother (Michelle Yeoh) and younger brother Bruce (Sam Song Li), who are now in danger. Bruce, who moved from Taiwan as a child and sheltered from the family’s business, has his whole world turned upside down as he struggles to balance his social life and his obligation to keep his family safe. 

The Brothers Sun‘s Release Date: January 4th on Netflix

Marvel’s Echo

Initially set to release back in November, the Echo TV series kickstarts the Marvel Universe for 2024. Following the events of Marvel’s Hawkeye in New York City, Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) is on the run from Wilson Fisk’s (Vincent D’Onofrio) organization. She returns to her hometown in Oklahoma. There, she must come to terms with her past and reconnect with her Native American roots, family, and community. The miniseries will be Marvel Studios’ first television release to debut on Hulu (and on Disney+, simultaneously) and receive a TV-MA rating for its graphic violence. It may be the closest series to the Marvel-Netflix era of shows. 

Echo‘s Release Date: January 10th on Disney+ and Hulu

TV Series Releasing in February 2024 Live-Action Avatar: The Last Airbender 

With the success of the live-action adaptation of One Piece for Netflix, Avatar: The Last Airbender has more hype than before. Especially exciting is the overall authenticity of the casting for this iteration. Based on the hugely popular animated series of the same name, the four nations—water, earth, fire, and air—once lived in harmony, with the Avatar, the master of all four elements, keeping the peace. Young Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier)—with the help of his newfound friends, Southern Water Tribe siblings Sokka (Ian Ousley) and Katana (Kiawentiio Tarbell)—must restore balance to a world threatened by the Fire Nation. 

The live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s Release Date: February 22nd on Netflix

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Lived

Set after the conclusion of the original The Walking Dead series and a little bit after Valentine’s Day, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Lived reunites Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira). In this 2024 TV series, the pair continue their battle for survival against zombies. Created by Scott Gimple and Gurira, the six-episode miniseries will answer the questions: Where has Rick been this entire time? And can Rick and Michonne’s love stand the test of time and… more zombies?

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Lived‘s Release Date: February 25th on AMC+

Shōgun 

Based on the novel of the same name by James Clavell, Shōgun is set in feudal Japan in the 17th century. The limited series tells the tale of two ambitious men from different worlds—Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and European Pilot Major John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis)—and their rise to power as the military ruler, known as shōgun. Then there is Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai), a woman with invaluable skills but a dark past. Lady Mariko must prove her allegiance to Lord Toranaga. 

Shōgun‘s Release Date: February 27th on FX

TV Series Releasing Mid-Year in 2024 The Sympathizer 

Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, The Sympathizer is an espionage thriller about a North Vietnam communist spy (Hoa Xuande) who plants himself in the South Vietnam army, but is forced to flee to the United States under the guise of a South Vietnamese refugee. He continues to report back to the Viet Cong, struggling between his original loyalties and his new life in America. Robert Downey Jr. serves as executive producer and also plays various different roles in the miniseries. 

The Sympathizer’s Release Date: Mid-2024 on MAX

TV Series Releasing Late in 2024 Daredevil: Born Again  Marvel Studios

Daredevil: Born Again, which marks the return of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil in his own series, was one of the series affected by the strikes. The story centers Matt and Wilson Fisk’s (Vincent D’Onofrio) ongoing feud to protect Hell’s Kitchen. With a rousing 18 episodes expected, the show filmed nearly half of that before the strikes. But when it returned to production, it saw a creative overhaul. This Daredevil TV series is expected to release sometime in late 2024 and remains part of the MCU’s Phase 5 plans. 

Daredevil: Born Again‘s Release Date: Late 2024 on Disney+ 

Marvel’s Agatha: Darkhold Diaries Marvel Studios

Created by WandaVision’s Jac Schaeffer as a spinoff for witch Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), Agatha: Darkhold Diaries begins after the events of WandaVision as Agatha finds herself powerless after breaking out of her containment spell in Westview, New Jersey. She looks to regain her powers with the help of unlikely allies. The nine-episode black comedy will likely release in the lead-up to Halloween, which makes perfect sense.

Marvel’s Agatha: Darkhold Diaries ‘s Release Date: Late 2024 on Disney+

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Lucasfilm

Set in the same time frame as The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is a coming-of-age story surrounding four kids (Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, and Ryan Kiera Armstrong) who make a mysterious discovery on their safe home planet, but end up getting lost in the galaxy. As they find their way home, they meet new allies and enemies. Described as a “galactic version of classic [Amblin Entertainment] coming-of-age adventure films of the ’80s”, the eight-episode series is helmed by Spider-Man’s Jon Watts and Chris Ford. Other directors include David Lowery, Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Lee Isaac Chung. 

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew‘s Release Date: Late 2024 on Disney+

The Penguin

The Penguin, a spin-off series of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, explores Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot/The Penguin’s rise to power in Gotham City’s criminal underworld. It takes place one week following the events of The Batman, with Colin Farrell returning as the menacing, volucrine villain. He is up against the daughter of his former boss, Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), over control of the crime empire. Lauren LeFranc serves as showrunner, with Reeves, producer Dylan Clark, and Farrell as executive producers. 

The Penguin‘s Release Date: Late 2024 on Disney+

Ironheart Marvel Studios

After the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel’s Ironheart follows 19-year-old MIT student Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) as she returns to her hometown of Chicago and deals with dangerous foes at her doorstep. Created by Chinaka Hodge, there is not much known about the series. For now, Marvel has revealed that it consists of six episodes, and the cast includes Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross, and Sacha Baron Cohen. 

Ironheart‘s Release Date: Late 2024 on Disney+

2024 TV Series Awaiting a Release Window

Star Wars: The Acolyte

Lucasfilm

The first series ever told during the High Republic era, Star Wars: The Acolyte is set a century before The Phantom Menace when the Sith were in hiding, planning their takeover of the galaxy. The mystery-thriller consists of eight episodes. It follows former Padawan (Amanda Stenberg) as she reunites with her Jedi Master (Jung-jae Lee) to investigate a series of crimes, but finds something even more sinister. Created by Leslye Headland, The Acolyte has a star-studded cast. The line-up of this 2024 series includes Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Charlie Barnett, Dean-Charles Chapman, Carrie-Anne Moss, Margarita Levieva, and Joonas Suotamo. Expect to see some of your favorite characters from the High Republic, including Vernestra Rwoh.

Star Wars: The Acolyte’s Release Date: Unknown 2024 on Disney+

The post The TV Series We Can’t Wait to See in 2024  appeared first on Nerdist.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Sea Snake Spinoff Series Shifts From Live-Action to Animation

Iron Islanders sure do understand how television works. “What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger.” A report released in 2021 shared that HBO was developing three additional spinoff possibilities for Game of Thrones. The three new concepts included 9 Voyages (a.k.a. Sea Snake), Flea Bottom, and 10,000 Ships. While Flea Bag has since been shelved, and 10,000 Ships remains in development as of April 2023, it is the first project, Sea Snake, that seems to be the furthest along in the developmental process. Deadline says it already has a creative team, which includes Bruno Heller (Rome, Gotham). Additionally, G.R.R. Martin recently gave the project a fairly extensive update in his latest blog post.

The Sea Snake Spinoff Will Now Be AnimatedHBO

Sea Snake would follow the many adventures of Westeros’ most legendary seafarer, Corlys Velaryon. The famed hero lived one of the most extraordinary lives of anyone who ever called the Seven Kingdoms home. That includes both afar and in Westeros. The show would follow his many journeys to every corner of the world, bringing him to places the original series never touched. That includes arguably the most mysterious place in all of George R.R. Marin’s fantasy world, Asshai.

No surprise, we’re big fans of this idea. It’s similar to two concepts we suggested way back in 2017, when HBO first acknowledged the possibility of spinoffs. Not only would it open up the world across the Narrow Sea, it would explore stories very different than those of the original series. It would also complement the currently airing Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon. An older Corlys Velaryon was a major figure in the Dance of the Dragons. His later life at home was just as noteworthy as were his younger years abroad.

HBO

Martin recently shared an update about the Sea Snake show in a blog post shared on December 31, 2023. He noted that Sea Snake has shifted from a live-action series to an animated one. But that this change is a positive one. Martin writes of the Game of Thrones spinoff, “We have moved Nine Voyages, our series about the legendary voyages of the Sea Snake, over from live action to animation. A move I support fully. Budgetary constraints would likely have made a live-action version prohibitively expensive, what with half the show taking place at sea, and the necessity of creating a different port every week, from Driftmark to Lys to the Basilisk Isles to Volantis to Qarth to… well, on and on and on.   There’s a whole world out there.  And we have a lot better chance of showing it all with animation.”

The Flea Bag Game of Thrones Spinoff Has Been Shelved

Although the Flea Bottom spinoff has been presently shelved, the series would have followed the lives of the poorest citizens in King’s Landing’s most notorious district. The original home of Davos Seaworth, it was seen throughout Game of Thrones. Gendry returned there to hide in plain sight, and Arya had to survive in its narrow streets before she left the city.

HBO

10,000 Ships Remains in Development

10,000 Ships would explore the legendary story of Princess Nymeria. (Not Oberyn’s paramour.) She led her people of the Rhoynar out of Essos after the Valyrian Freehold conquered the region, 700 years before Aegon’s Conquest of Westeros. Her long and dangerous three-year path to find a new home ultimately led her to Dorne. Once there she burned all the ships, married Lord Martell of Sunspear, and fought to rule the kingdom. She was successful, which is why the Dornish, unlike the other six kingdoms of Westeros, have royal titles like Prince and Princess. Nymeria was also a hero of Arya Stark.

Like Corlys’ adventures, 10,000 Ships would open up Martin’s massive world. But on a smaller scale. Nymeria didn’t travel as far for nearly as long. But all three shows are a world away from becoming a series. According to Martin, as of April 2023, the series continues to be in development.

Most Game of Thrones spinoffs HBO has developed have never become anything more than an idea. But like winter, more shows are coming. And even if these projects don’t happen now, they could always be revived in the future. In Westeros, what is dead may never die.

Originally published on March 19, 2023.

Featured Image: HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Sea Snake Spinoff Series Shifts From Live-Action to Animation appeared first on Nerdist.

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

Guess what? It’s another week and another price increase/ad break increase from a streamer. This time Amazon’s Prime Video is getting into the streaming shenanigans. Amazon plans to bring ads into its previously ad-free Prime Video movies and television series. This follows in the footsteps of many streamers who have recently added ads into their content strategies such as Netflix, Disney+, Max, and more. Prime Video has long remained ad-free, but it seems like the siren song of ad revenue is too strong to resist. For those who continue to desire an ad-less and commercial-free existence, Prime Video will offer an ad-free tier, but it will come at a price increase. Here’s what we know.

When and Where Will Ads Hit Prime VideoPrime Video

Amazon has officially set a date to introduce ads into the world of Prime Video. Ads will arrive on Prime Video on Jnauary 29, 2024. Variety reports that ads will first arrive in the US, UK, Germany, and Canada and then will come to Prime Video in France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Australia at a later date in 2024.

How Much Will the Ad-Free Prime Video Tier Cost?

If commercials in your Prime Video movies and TV shows doesn’t sound like a fun time, you can pay to keep your experience ad-free. In the US, an ad-free Prime Video will cost $2.99 more a month on top of the annual Prime fee of $139. You can pre-register for Prime Video Ad-Free today if you want to avoid ads ever hitting your screen. Amazon notes that even with the ad-free version of Prime Video, “Live TV, Freevee, and channel subscriptions may continue to have ads.”

More About This Upcoming ChangePrime Video

A release from Amazon about its Prime Video ad plans shares, “Starting January 29, Prime Video movies and TV shows will include limited advertisements. This will allow us to continue investing in compelling content and keep increasing that investment over a long period of time. We aim to have meaningfully fewer ads than linear TV and other streaming TV providers.” Only time will tell what exactly this chapter of Prime Video will look like. But it definitely feels like the start of a new era of streaming, one that seems to closely resemble the past.

More than ever, streaming is moving toward becoming exactly like its cable predecessor. We guess we’ll have to wait and see how consumers continue to react.

Originally published on September 22, 2023.

The post Amazon Will Bring Ads to Prime Video on January 29, Users Can Pay More for Ad-Free Experience appeared first on Nerdist.

The Pop-Tarts Bowl ‘Toasted’ Its Pop-Tart Mascot So the Winning Team Could Eat It

This year’s inaugural Pop-Tarts Bowl featured the 19-ranked NC State Wolfpack football team taking on the Kansas State Wildcats. The two squads met on the field at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Who won? ALL OF US. Kansas State’s 28-19 victory resulted in one of the most absurd mascot moments in human history. Since they won, the Wildcats got to eat the first-ever edible mascot after the game’s giant walking Pop-Tart happily jumped into a gigantic toaster so players could consume his flesh.

No, not a single word of that is made up.

Pop-Tarts Bowl

The inaugural Pop-Tarts Bowl managed to separate itself from a plethora of otherwise forgettable college bowl games this year by cooking up something new. Specifically it cooked a mascot. The food company’s sentient symbol made a glorious debut at the start of the game. It introduced itself to fans by popping out of an enormous toaster on the field.

That oversized kitchen appliance is also where the mascot ended its story after the game. Holding a sign that said, “Dreams really do come true,” it climbed back onto the toaster. It was then lowered down Terminator 2 style so it could be cooked like a Pop-Tart. Its warm carcass then emerged on a tray below where members of the Kansas State Wildcats partook of the Pop-Tart corpse.

Perfection! pic.twitter.com/3z2RVzAUnA

— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 29, 2023

Perfection indeed. Perfection indeed.

Would I eat a mascot? It depends, obviously. I’m not going to eat Grimace.* But would I eat the Pop-Tart mascot? You better believe it. I might go back to college just to try and play in the Pop-Tart Bowl Game. I mean, look at this gigantic toasted pantry pastry. LOOK AT IT.

*Record scratch*

*Freeze frame*

“Yup that’s me. You’re probably wondering how I ended up in this situation” pic.twitter.com/EBEugCxhko

— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 29, 2023

So big. So gooey. I must have it.

If you have some larger questions about what this mascot meal means you aren’t alone.

Her: Ugh, he’s probably thinking about other women.

Him: Since one of Strawberry’s eyes was left over, could that lead to a full pastry regeneration allowing Strawberry to back again for next year’s Pop-Tarts Bowl? pic.twitter.com/jc6CVLDDOC

— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 30, 2023

I won’t ever remember who won this game or even played in it. But I will forever remember this mascot moment. That’s why every bowl game should end with a mascot sacrificing itself as a snack.

*I would eat Grimace. Purple monster meat curiosity would get the best of me.

The post The Pop-Tarts Bowl ‘Toasted’ Its Pop-Tart Mascot So the Winning Team Could Eat It appeared first on Nerdist.

These MCU Post-Credits Scenes Are Still Waiting for a Payoff

The Marvel Cinematic Universe didn’t really begin until Iron Man ended and Nick Fury unexpectedly appeared at Tony Stark’s house. Since that shocking moment both mid and post-credits scenes have become staples of the franchise. Sometimes they tease future entries, stories, and characters. Other times they offer a fun, bonus moment of entertainment. But on a few rare occasions they have led…well…nowhere. At least not yet. Which ones are we talking about? These are all of the MCU’s end-credits scenes still waiting for a payoff.

Note: Some end-credits scenes, like The Marvels‘ exciting moment, simply haven’t had a chance to get a payoff yet. That includes Blade interrupting Dane Whitman in Eternals, Clea’s arrival in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Zeus sending Hercules to kill Thor in Love and Thunder, and the Council of Kangs call to arms in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. We expect all of those will ultimately prove important.

Doctor Strange : Karl Mordo says “there are too many sorcerers” in the world.Marvel Studios

The Karl Mordo who appeared in Multiverse of Madness was not the same character who appeared in the first Doctor Strange movie. The sequel featured a Variant of the Baron from a parallel world. The original MCU Mordo of Earth-616 has yet to reappear in the franchise since he stole the magic of Jonathan Pangborn during an end-credits scene. That was in 2016! Meanwhile, the Scarlet Witch killed a whole lot of sorcerers with just one attack. Maybe Mordo moved on to a different hobby after her massacre in Multiverse of Madness.

When Could This End-Credits Scene Finally Get a Payoff? Doctor Strange 3, which will definitely have at least one sorcerer Mordo hates.

Spider-Man: Homecoming : Adrian Toomes and Mac Gargan talk Spider-Man’s identity. Marvel Studios

The entire world forgot about Peter Parker’s existence in No Way Home, so we might never get a payoff to this post-credits scene from his first MCU standalone movie. Spider-Man: Homecoming featured a bonus scene of Mac Gargan asking fellow prisoner Adrian Toomes about Spider-Man’s real identity. Adrian lied about what he knew in a telling moment, but that was apparently the end of it for the MCU. Any type of closure for that tease will more likely come via Sony’s own live-action Spider-Verse, but we’re not sure it will count if it takes place outside of Earth-616.

When Could This End-Credits Scene Finally Get a Payoff? In a Sony Sinister Six movie that leads to many, many, many debates about whether or not it technically connects to the MCU.

Speaking of unfinished Spider-Man movie business…

Spider-Man: No Way Home : Eddie Brock leaves a piece of the Venom symbiote behind on Earth-616.Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios

Technically there’s a symbiote in the MCU. Or, at least, a tiny piece of one. Is that enough to bring Venom to the franchise outside of his brief appearance at the end of No Way Home? We don’t even know if Spider-Man himself will ever appear in the MCU again! This tiny piece of Venom might be all we ever get.

When Could This End-Credits Scene Finally Get a Payoff? When Sony and Marvel both need to make their investors happy.

Eternals : Eros and Pip arrive to offer help.Marvel Studios

Eternals ended with a gigantic dead space god sticking up out of the ocean. Since then literally no one on Earth-616 has ever acknowledged that in anyway. It’s so very weird. It’s as though it never happened. Sometimes it feels like the MCU treats all of Eternals that way, so who knows if we’ll ever again see Harry Styles as Eros, the brother of Thanos. (If we do maybe Pip can get a CGI upgrade. Yeesh.)

When Could This End-Credits Scene Finally Get a Payoff? Uh…maybe after Galactus possibly shows up in a Fantastic Four movie?

Moon Knight : “Jake Lockley” kills Arthur Harrow.Marvel Studios

Throughout its first (only?) season, Moon Knight teased that Marc Spector/Steven Grant might have also had a third personality neither of them knew about. The show then finally confirmed the existence of Jake Lockley during an end-credits scene where Khonshu called on his dangerous avatar to kill Arthur Harrow. It was a big tease for a second season, or at least an expanded role for Oscar Isaac in the franchise. Only, no one knows if we’ll ever seen Moon Knight in the MCU again. That sad cap-per might be the last we ever see of Marc Spector.

When Could This End-Credits Scene Finally Get a Payoff? Moon Knight was good we’re staying hopeful and saying the show will eventually get a second season.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings : Bruce Banner and Carol Danvers examine the Ten Rings.Marvel Studios

Simu Liu seemed primed to become one of the next big stars of the MCU after 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings. The character’s future importance to the franchise seemed all but confirmed during a post-credits scene. In it famous Avengers Carol Danvers and Bruce Banner examined his magical, ancient Ten Rings, which were also sending a mysterious signal to space. It was the type of end-credits scene that helped build the franchise, a moment that seemed to be leading to something big very soon. But Shang-Chi hasn’t even been mentioned since then. Not even in The Marvels, a film which featured ancient magical space bangles. Bruce Banner welcomed Shang-Chi to the “circus,” but apparently forgot to tell him where the big tent is.

When Could This End-Credits Scene Finally Get a Payoff? If/when Shang-Chi 2 actually gets made or someone remembers he exists.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings : Xu Xialing takes over her father’s organization.Marvel Studios

If Shang-Chi ever does get that address to the circus he should share it with his sister, Xu Xialing. She took over her late father’s powerful, secret organization during her own end-credits scene. She apparently really committed to the “secret” aspect of her group, since we haven’t heard from her since.

When Could This End-Credits Scene Finally Get a Payoff? Besides the obvious answer of a sequel, the Ten Rings organization would fit right in with Thunderbolts. As would the character who features in our next entry.

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier : The pardoned Sharon Carter is the Power Broker.Marvel Studios

We spent a lot of time trying to figure out the identity of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s mysterious Power Broker, but we didn’t learn the truth until the U.S. government welcomed Sharon Carter home in a season finale end-credits scene. However, it turned out Peggy’s heroic niece did not give up her criminal empire just because she earned a pardon. Who was she talking to about having access to sensitive documents? We still don’t know, and we’ve been waiting a long time to figure out that person’s identity. We also have no idea how much longer we’ll be waiting for a resolution.

When Could This End-Credits Scene Finally Get a Payoff? Both Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World are fertile ground for the head of an underworld criminal empire with ties to multiple characters in both.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law : Wong frees Emil Blonsky.Marvel Studios

She-Hulk showed Phase 1 villain Abomination completely reformed himself while in prison. He had help working out his anger issues, too. The Sorcerer Supreme had been portaling Emil Blonsky out of jail to partake in an underground fight club as seen in Shang-Chi. But once Abomination ended up back behind bars following a parole violation Wong got his friend out for good. He brought Emil to Kamar-Taj in a post-credits scene. Why? Right now “friendship” is the only answer, because it’s not clear when or if that scene will ever have a payoff in the MCU.

When Could This End-Credits Scene Finally Get a Payoff? Considering Wong shows up everywhere in the MCU because he has universal approval? Anywhere at anytime.

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.

The post These MCU Post-Credits Scenes Are Still Waiting for a Payoff appeared first on Nerdist.

Who Is DEADPOOL 3’s Dogpool? Marvel’s Mutant Mutt, Explained

You know you’re a true comic book superstar when there are endless variations of you out there. Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, they’ve all got multiple versions of themselves running around. Although Deadpool has not been around nearly as long as those previously mentioned icons, he already has a ton of “other Deadpools” out in the wild. There’s Kidpool, Lady Deadpool, and yes, Dogpool. And as the name suggests, he’s Deadpool, just as a canine. Thanks to Ryan Reynolds’ Instagram posts, we know “The Merc with the Bark” is going to appear in Deadpool 3. But what is the actual Marvel Comics history of Dogpool? Or as Deadpool loves to call him, “Cujo.” We’re here to explain it all.

The Marvel Comics Origins of DogpoolMarvel Comics

Like Alligator Loki and Spider-Ham before him, Dogpool continues a proud tradition of animal versions of famous Marvel heroes. As far as animal doppelgänger characters in the Marvel Universe go, Dogpool is a relatively recent addition. He first appeared in Prelude to Deadpool Corps #3 in 2010, and then died tragically in Deadpool Kills Deadpool #1 back in 2013. The pooch known as Dogpool hailed from Earth-103173, and was known as Wilson, just like the Wade Wilson of Earth-616 we all know and love. In his world, Wilson was the guinea pig test subject for a brand called Mascara X, intended to be makeup that would always replenish itself after just one use. Of course, “Mascara X” is a spoof on “Weapon X,” where Wade Wilson (and Wolverine) got their powers.

Marvel Comics

Just like the Deadpool we all know, Wilson gained healing powers. And also like human Wade, they hideously disfigured him as a result. The amoral Babeline Cosmetics company didn’t realize the tests gave Wilson powers, and they threw the poor doggo into the dumpster. Depressed by his state, and the rejection he received from all who looked at his ugly mug, Wilson tried to end it all by throwing himself in front of a moving vehicle. But he survived and healed instantly. A circus truck passed by and saw the miraculous self-healing dog, and so Wilson joined their circus. They rechristened him as Deadpool, “the Death Defying Hound.” He was part of this circus, and almost killed by a dog Wolverine. Until the human Wade Wilson came to his Earth to recruit him into the Deadpool Corps, that is.

Dogpool Joins the Deadpool Corps and Promptly DiesMarvel Comics

So what is the Deadpool Corps, you might ask? Well, much like the Thor Corps, it’s an army made of different multiversal variants of Wade Wilson. The 616 Deadpool actually founded the team, to save reality from a powerful cosmic being, the Awareness. The Awareness had one goal—to devour the consciousness of the Multiverse itself. They recruited Dogpool, who formed a close bond with Kidpool. Later, once the Awareness threat ended, Wade Wilson had to gather the Deadpool Corps once again, to fight the Dreadpool Corps, made up of evil Deadpools from across the multiverse. It was during this event that Dogpool came to Earth-616 to warn our version of Wade. When an evil Deadpool tried to kill the 616 version, Dogpool heroically gave his life to save him. During his brief time on this Earth (and a few others) Dogpool made a lasting impression.

Dogpool in Deadpool 3 and in the MCUMarvel Comics

So how will Dogpool fit into the overall story of Deadpool 3? Well, we already know the multiverse is playing a big part in the upcoming film. And rumors suggest we’ll be seeing Kidpool, and maybe even the entire Deadpool Corps. And you can’t have the Deadpool Corps without at least one appearance from Dogpool. Maybe it’ll be a brief cameo, or maybe he will tag along with Wade for most of the movie. We just know that he looks like a very good boy (although a bit mangy) and we can’t wait to see him up on the big screen when Deadpool 3 hits theaters on July 26, 2024.

The post Who Is DEADPOOL 3’s Dogpool? Marvel’s Mutant Mutt, Explained appeared first on Nerdist.

Everything We Know About THE LAST OF US Season 2

The Last of Us ended its first season on HBO with Joel and Ellie returning to the commune in Colorado. Sure, Joel might have doomed all mankind to save one young girl, but at least they have a place nice to live. For now. Fans of Naughty Dog’s popular video game franchise know new terrors and sadness await the pair in the years to come, and we’ll see all of it come to life when the hit series begins adapting the sequel game in its second season. What else can we expect from the show after a lengthy wait? Here’s everything we know about The Last of Us‘ second season so far.

The Last of Us Season 2 PlotLiane Hentscher/HBO

HBO has not yet shared an official synopsis for The Last of Us season 2. We still have some idea what to expect. The franchise’s second video game will provide the source material for the TV series. Showrunner Craig Mazin has said the show will take more than one season to adapt the sequel game, but like with the television series’ first season they are not making a direct adaptation. Fans will once again see some major changes alongside some major moments and stories taken directly from the game. That might very well include a huge—though temporary—change for one character. (We won’t risk spoiling it for those who don’t know what that means.)

One thing that won’t change is the importance of The Last of Us Part II‘s Abby Anderson. She will debut during the second season and play a significant role in Ellie’s story. And like the video game sequel, the HBO series will also feature a time jump.

Behind the Scenes

The Last of Us‘ second season was in pre-production before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes put the show on hold. The first episode had already been written at the time. With both unions finally getting fair deals, the show is now expected to begin filming in Vancouver in early 2024.

Co-creators, writers, and executive producers Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann are back for season two. Writers Halley Gross (The Last of Us Part II) and Bo Shim worked with Mazin and Druckmann on season two.

The series comes from Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, Word Games, and Naughty Dog.

The Last of Us Season 2’s CastHBO

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey will return as Joel and Ellie. Also expected back is Gabriel Luna. He plays Joel’s younger brother, Tommy. As is Rutina Wesley. She plays Tommy’s wife Maria.

The Last of Us Season 2’s Release DateHBO

The Last of Us‘ second season wasn’t expected to premiere until the start of 2025 before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Even with production delayed, HBO is still reportedly targeting a 2025 return for the show. However, there is not yet an official date in place.

The post Everything We Know About THE LAST OF US Season 2 appeared first on Nerdist.

Everything We Know About the ALIEN TV Series

The Alien franchise, dormant since 2017’s Alien Covenant, is about to come roaring back to life. Not only is there the new feature film on the way, Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez, but there’s also a new Alien TV series on the way as well. And, this series has Fargo‘s Noah Hawley as the creative in charge. Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming Alien series, set for release on FX for Hulu.

TitleTwentieth Century Films / FX

So far, everyone involved with the series is simply calling it Alien. We imagine that could change, and a subtitle will be added when it finally arrives. If only to not confuse it with the original 1979 film, or more likely, to not confuse it with any new films in the franchise like Romulus. But for now, we’re sticking to calling it just Alien.

Alien’s Plot20th Century Studios

The new series is a prequel to every iteration of the franchise so far, taking place in the year 2089. That’s about four years before Prometheus, and about thirty years before Ridley Scott’s film. Unlike previous films, it will take place on Earth. It deals with the emergence of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, often referred to in the films as “the company.” In the later part of this century, Weyland-Yutani will be pioneering android intelligence, as we saw with Ash in the original film and Bishop in James Cameron’s Aliens.

Showrunner Noah Hawley has said the race between corporations to create new android life will largely be the focus of the series. But given that the title of the show is Alien, the actual xenomorphs have to turn up at some point we think. The aliens on Earth decades before Ripley and the crew of the Nostromo discover them is a bit of a huge continuity change, but we expect Noah Hawley to discover a decent workaround. There’s lots of wiggle room there.

Behind the Scenes20th Century Studios

The new Alien series has quite a pedigree of talent behind it. Fargo and Legion creator Noah Hawley came up with this series and will also direct at least some of the episodes. Original Alien director Ridley Scott is an executive producer on the series. Alien is filming in both Thailand and the United Kingdom.

Alien’s Cast

Alien the series stars Sydney Chandler as a series lead, Alex Lawther as a soldier named CJ, and Samuel Blenkin as the mysterious CEO Boy Kavalier. Essie Davis is Dame Silvia, Adarsh Gourav as Slightly, and Kit Young as Tootles. Additionally, Timothy Olyphant has reportedly joined the cast as “Kirsh, a synth who acts as a mentor and trainer for Chandler’s Wendy, who is a hybrid, a meta-human who has the brain and consciousness of a child but the body of an adult.” Fargo‘s David Rysdahl has also come aboard in an undisclosed role.

Babou Ceesay, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diêm Camille, and Adrian Edmondson round out the series casting.

Given the timeline of the series, it’s all but confirmed that none of the original film’s actors will reprise their roles for the series. Sadly, that means no Sigourney Weaver this time.

Alien’s Release Date20th Century Studios

So far, all we know is that filming is set to continue until mid-2024. So the Alien series likely won’t drop of FX until early 2025.

The post Everything We Know About the ALIEN TV Series appeared first on Nerdist.

Bring DUNGEONS & DRAGONS to Your Letters in 2024 with These Stamps

In this modern world, you may not need to send many letters. Maybe you mail the occasional card to a friend. Perhaps you have that one bill you have to pay with a check. But wouldn’t you like an excuse to send more mail? The US Postal Service has just the thing. The USPS has announced Dungeons & Dragons stamps for sometime in 2024. Yes, D&D stamps! It’s a way to instantly level up any envelope. The set of 20 stamps features 10 different designs that revisit decades of Dungeons & Dragons art.

USPS

The Dungeons & Dragons stamps celebrate 50 years of the tabletop roleplaying game. It’s only become more and more popular in recent years with its fifth edition. Jumping into D&D is easier than ever (as long as you can find folks to play with) and it’s an excellent way to escape the world and stretch your imagination. We know mage’s spells aren’t actually real, but we like the notion that adding a D&D stamp to any piece of mail gives it magical armor.

Take a closer look at each stamp in the collection in the gallery.

Click To View Gallery USPS USPS USPS USPS USPS USPS USPS USPS USPS USPS

The stamps feature art from:

The Practically Complete Guide to DragonsFizban’s Treasury of DragonsWizards and Spells: A Young Adventurer’s GuidePlayer’s HandbookDungeon Master’s GuideD&D Basic SetBeasts and Behemoths: A Young Adventurer’s GuideMonster ManualD&D Starter Set

It seems very possible we’ll need a set of Dungeons & Dragons stamps to collect and a few sets to use for everything we mail in the next two years. We’ll keep an eye out next year for the release date.

The post Bring DUNGEONS & DRAGONS to Your Letters in 2024 with These Stamps appeared first on Nerdist.