Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 404

LEGO Announces TWILIGHT Cullen House Set, Finally!

Rejoice, Twihards! LEGO is getting its first Twilight set ever, and it’s all thanks to LEGO Ideas. We should have known a Twilight fan would help make this happen. Although we don’t yet know when this set will release, it is officially coming our way. LEGO recently announced its first LEGO Ideas 2023 review results, revealing seven fan creations that are currently in development. And in among the seven? Why yes, it is a LEGO Twilight: Cullen House set.

LEGO Ideas

It honestly feels hard to believe that LEGO never made a Twilight set before this one. But it’s better late than never. Edward waited decades for Bella, after all. What is that compared to a few years for a Twilight LEGO set? And it seems like this set will be worth it.

LEGO shares of the Twilight: Cullen House set and its creator, “Nick became a huge Twilight fan as an adult and was inspired to create this impressive LEGO replica of the iconic Cullen family house. His design included a brick-built wolf and, of course, some of the main characters in Minifigure likeness so you can replay your favorite scenes from the movie.” Meanwhile, creator Nick Micheels, aka LobsterThermidor, notes, “No one asked for it, I answered! Welcome to Twilight: Cullen House.  When you see this set on the shelf, you’ll ask, “Where the H-E-Double Lego Bricks have you been, loca!?”

Click To View Gallery LEGO Ideas LEGO Ideas LEGO Ideas LEGO Ideas LEGO Ideas LEGO Ideas LEGO Ideas

But we have all obviously asked for it. Although the final set will be different than the LEGO Ideas model, this Twilight: Cullen House perfectly brings to life everyone’s favorite vampire family home. It comes complete with three levels and lots of windows. (No turrets, dungeons, or moats.) Of course, Edward must have his piano so he can serenade Bella. And we love the nod to Twilight‘s cover art on the walls, as well as other details such as:

A baseball bat and glove in the garage for playing vampire baseball (only during a thunderstorm, of course)

Graduation cap display art because the Cullens matriculate a lot (it’s a private joke)

NO BEDS! (because vampires don’t get sweepy)

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Of course, LobsterThermidor imagines Minifigures will come with the collection. These will include Bella, Edward, Jacob (shirtless and sweaty, duh), and Carlisle Cullen, who looks handsomely pale. With any luck, the official LEGO Twilight set will end up coming with all the Cullens. And these Twilight Minifigures had better sparkle, if you ask us. But the LEGO build of a Werewolf that LobsterThermidor imagines in the collection is very cool. We hope that remains in the purchasable version.

This definitely shouldn’t be LEGO’s last Twilight set, though. We suggest, nay DEMAND, a “Cullens and Bella Play Baseball” set, stat!

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

Echo is the latest character from Marvel Comics to make the jump to a live-action series on Disney+. Her fighting prowess makes her one of Marvel’s fiercest “street-level” superheroes, joining the likes of Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Moon Knight, and more. Today, Maya Lopez is an important force for representation within Marvel Comics, as she is a Deaf woman of Cheyenne Native American descent. Within this realm, Echo is one of a handful of Native American characters who aren’t mutants or members of the X-Men. While Echo isn’t one of the most storied characters in Marvel Comics, she has experienced immense growth since 1999. Without much further ado, let’s take a look back at the complete Marvel Comics history of Echo and her role in the MCU.

Joe Quesada/David Mack/Jimmy PalmiottiThe Marvel Comics Origin Story of Echo

Echo was created by writer/artist David Mack and Joe Quesada, and first appeared in Daredevil #9 (1998). She was introduced as the daughter of Kingpin’s (Wilson Fisk) right hand man, Willie “Crazy Horse” Lincoln. Crazy Horse was murdered when Maya was a young girl. Kingpin raised her to believe that Daredevil killed her father in cold blood. Thus, when Maya came of age, this deception sent her on a mission to kill Daredevil. However, like so many other powerful women in Daredevil’s life, the two fell in love. After a brutal fight, Daredevil informed Echo that he couldn’t have possibly killed her father, because he was only a child when it happened. In turn, Echo realized that her father’s murderer was actually Kingpin, setting her on a path of vengeance and redemption. 

Echo’s Comic Ties to the Avengers, Moon Knight, and the Phoenix Force  

Echo has deep ties to Daredevil and the Avengers, particularly in stories written by Brian Michael Bendis. After her first bout with Daredevil in Daredevil #9-15 (1998), Echo went on to join the Avengers. She was featured in The New Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu, where she was sent to Japan to infiltrate the criminal underworld. On this mission, she used the alias “Ronin.” In a shocking twist of events, she was killed and then resurrected by a Skrull posing as Elektra, who was the head of the ninja organization, The Hand, at the time. 

Joe Quesada/David Mack/Jimmy Palmiotti

Echo’s adventures as an Avenger continued in Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev’s Moon Knight series. Moon Knight accidentally interrupted her undercover mission at a strip club, where she was investigating the villain, Snapdragon. The two quickly formed an alliance that then blossomed into a brief romantic relationship. Echo’s untimely murder cut this budding romance short and sent Moon Knight into a rage. Thankfully, Echo later resurfaced in Charles Soule’s run on Daredevil, where she returned in the Daredevil Annual #1 (2016). 

The next era in Echo’s publication history is her most decisive yet. During Jason Aaron and Javier Garrón’s run on Avengers, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and their enemies battled it out to decide who the next host of the Phoenix Force would be. Despite seemingly falling out in the beginning of the tournament, Echo emerged victorious as the Phoenix Force host in Avengers #44 (2018). 

Jason Aaron/Javier Garrón

Her new abilities as the Phoenix fed directly into her next story, a miniseries called Phoenix Song: Echo by Rebecca Roanhorse and Luca Maresca. In this miniseries, a villain known as the Adversary hunted Echo for her Phoenix powers. The Adversary sought to take Echo’s Phoenix abilities by destroying her ancestral line, prompting Maya to team up with other Native heroes such as River and the mutant Forge to travel back in time to save her ancestors. As of now, Echo no longer is the host to the Phoenix Force. The conclusion of Jason Aaron’s run on Avengers ended with her giving up her Phoenix powers. 

Echo’s Powers and Abilities in the Comics, Explained

Echo has photographic reflexes, meaning that she has the ability to mimic any type of movement after observing it. When she was first hunting down Daredevil, she watched footage of the villain Bullseye in order to learn his fighting techniques. She is also an accomplished concert pianist and ballet dancer, precisely because of this ability. In addition, she is also Deaf. Her skill at reading movements allows her to lipread and verbally communicate with an uncanny sense of accuracy. 

As the Phoenix, Echo was the host of one of the most powerful entities within Marvel Comics: the Phoenix Force. The Phoenix Force is a primordial being that draws its power from the life force of future generations in the universe. It also allows its host to transcend time and space in the universe. This played a direct role in the events of the Phoenix Song: Echo miniseries. With the conclusion of Jason Aaron’s run on Avengers, Echo is no longer the host of the Phoenix Force. 

Echo Moves to Live-Action and Joins the MCUMarvel Studios

Echo’s first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was in the Disney+ show, Hawkeye. Played by actress Alaqua Cox, this version of Echo boasts the same powerful fighting abilities as her comic book counterpart. She also has a limb difference, with a prosthetic leg. 

There are some parallels between the MCU version of Echo, and her comic book counterpart. Instead of believing that Daredevil killed her father, the MCU’s Echo believes that Ronin (Hawkeye’s alias) killed him. This is a callback to her brief time as Ronin in The New Avengers. In addition, she has a similar backstory as the former ward of Wilson Fisk. At the end of Hawkeye, Echo shot Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) point blank in the head. It is similar to how she shoots him at the end of her first Daredevil arc. 

Echo’s new miniseries will explore the heroine’s journey back to her hometown in Oklahoma. The plot summary for the series states that she will also reconnect with her Native American heritage there. This is perhaps pointing at a story within a similar vein as Phoenix Song: Echo. 

We cannot wait to see what happens when Echo hits Disney+ on January 9, 2024.

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AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER Live-Action Series Will Remix the Animated Show’s Stories

Netflix’s upcoming live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series will embrace its role as an adaptation. And that means the series will not just purely retell a story already in existence. Instead, it will reimagine its source material to create the best new story possible. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Albert Kim revealed Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) won’t be a one-to-one match with the original animated series that people know and love. Instead, it will take the story threads at its disposal and make something all its own. This only makes sense because, of course, the live-action ATLA has eight hour-long episodes to tell its tale, whereas the animated series had a much different format in play. But these changes might still come as a surprise to long-time fans.

Still, even if the live-action series will alter the course of some Avatar: The Last Airbender stories, it definitely feels like the right choice for this adaptation.

Netflix

Entertainment Weekly notes that in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series, “some events will have a strict one-to-one adaptation, while others will be remixed.” And Kim expands on the idea, sharing, “We don’t start the show the way the animated series starts… That was a conscious decision to show people this is not the animated series.” Additionally, he offers, “We had to sometimes unravel storylines and remix them in a new way to make sense for a serialized drama… So I’m very curious to see what’ll happen in terms of reaction to that.”

Netflix

While the idea of unraveling and remixing might sound scary to some, to me, it sounds exciting. The Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series already told its story. We do not need to retell it in the exact same way. Allowing live-action ATLA to make smart changes and bring some novel story into the mix will give a true reason for bringing the series to a new medium. But happily, Kim also notes, “All of our writers are also fans of the original, so they drew upon their own personal experiences and the things that they love the best. We made sure to include all those in the show.”

Fingers crossed your favorite details made the cut.

Avatar: The Last Airbender releases on Netflix on February 22, 2024.

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Marvel Studios Fires Jonathan Majors After Guilty Verdict

Disney/Marvel Studios has confirmed they have fired actor Jonathan Majors after his recent guilty verdict. Deadline shares that “a studio rep confirmed the news about the decision not to move forward with Majors in the MCU.” The news comes on the heels of Majors being found guilty in a domestic violence trial.

Marvel Studios

Jonathan Majors had previously played the role of Kang the Conqueror in a couple of Marvel Studios properties. He appeared in both seasons of the MCU’s Loki series and the movie Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania. However, Marvel had lined up Kang the Conqueror as the next big villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Kang would have taken on a Thanos-like role. An upcoming Avengers movie meant to release on May 1, 2026 holds the title of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. The movie was already undergoing recent changes and will now likely have to see more with the firing of Majors from the MCU and the Marvel role of Kang.

Marvel Studios has confirmed only that Majors will not continue in his previous role. The studio has not shared further insight about whether it will recast the role of Kang. We don’t even know whether the MCU will veer away from the character altogether. So far, Marvel has not announced any changes to the MCU’s calendar.

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Matt Reeves’ ARKHAM ASYLUM Series Will be Set in James Gunn’s DCU

James Gunn has said the new DCU will make room for “Elseworlds” style stories. In other words, it will allow for DC Comics-based stories not tied to any overall continuity. Matt Reeves’ The Batman and the upcoming Penguin series as well as The Batman – Part II are part of this standalone approach. But the Max Arkham Asylum series, announced in 2022, and also produced by Reeves, won’t take place in that version of Gotham City. Instead, it will take place in the Gotham that exists in the new DCU. Via IGN, we learned Gunn was asked by Threads user if Reeves was “producing another Batverse project, other than The Batman 2, Penguin and Arkham?” This is how Gunn replied:

James Gunn confirms that the planned Arkham TV series will be a part of the DCU and not an Elseworlds story. Despite still being helmed by Matt Reeves, it will not exist within the universe of #TheBatman! pic.twitter.com/SZgSnL6XTQ

— Batarang To The Butt (@TheBatBen) December 18, 2023

“Right now Matt is producing Arkham as a DCU series, so there’s just the two for now. We love Matt as a director and producer so he’ll be producing stories both within his The Batman universe and within the DCU.”

This is a pretty big change. Until now we only believed Matt Reeves’ involvement extended to one iteration of Gotham City and the Batman world. And we’re not sure this was always the case. Comments from Reeves previously about the Arkham series made it seem as if he tied it to The Batman world. So why the change? We can only guess as to why this is part of the DCU and not a totally separate thing. But we have a theory.

Warner Bros. Animation

Given how realistic and grounded the Gotham City of The Batman is, maybe Reeves wanted something a little more sci-fi? Or maybe something leaning into the supernatural? Something that did not fit in with the world established in The Batman. This means we might see more bizarre villains from Batman’s rogues’ gallery, like Mr. Freeze, Clayface, Poison Ivy. Heck, why not Man-Bat? These villains will eventually battle whoever the eventual DCU Dark Knight may be. We think it’s long overdue that we see some of these iconic characters on the big screen.

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The COMPLETE Alien Cinematic Timeline

It’s time to get out of your hypersleep chambers, Alien fans! Resident Xenomorph enthusiast and last surviving member of the Nerdistromo, Adam Murray is signing on to break down the long and gooey history of the sci-fi horror franchise on today’s video!

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The 10 Best Superhero Teams in Comics History

What’s better than one superhero? A bunch of them in one comic book. The superhero team concept has been around since 1940 and led to some of the biggest franchises both in and out of comics. But which ones are the cream of the crop? Our criteria for this top 10 ranking of the best superhero teams is as follows. First, each team must have comic book origins. So sorry, no Power Rangers or Thundercats. Second, although each entry originated in comic books, their popularity in other media does factor into their greatness. So without further ado, we present the 10 greatest comic book superhero teams of all-time, ranked from least to most great.

Marvel Comics/ DC Comics 10. The DefendersMarvel Comics

If you only know superheroes from their live-action adaptations, you may think the Defenders are just Marvel’s street-level heroes. After all, that’s what the Netflix series of the same name suggested. But in the comics, from 1972 to 1985, the Defenders were a staple of Marvel Comics, with an ongoing series that lasted 150 issues. The original concept for the Defenders series showcased “loner” Marvel heroes like Namor, Doctor Strange, the Hulk, and Silver Surfer. Strange summoned these heroes together to stop world-ending threats no one else could handle… not even the Avengers.

Eventually, characters like Valkyrie and several others joined the ranks of this “non-team.” Their non-teams status came as they had no formal headquarters or leadership structure. They just teamed up when bad things were about to go down, stopped the bad things, and went their separate ways until the next time. Almost every Marvel character who was not a regular Avenger was a Defender at some point, including three original X-Men. However, the core roster always defaulted to the original four and, because of them, this is a forever iconic team. Not only should Marvel Comics consider giving them a series again, it’s high time they arrived in the MCU too.

9. The Doom PatrolDC Comics

Let us describe an iconic superhero team to you. A group of freaks and outcasts, led by a genius in a wheelchair, who works out of a mysterious mansion. Oh, and they debuted in 1963. All of that applies to the X-Men, but I am also talking about DC’s Doom Patrol, who actually debuted three months earlier. Debuting in My Greatest Adventure, the Doom Patrol was originally made up of Robotman, Elasti-Girl, Negative Man, and their leader, the Chief. After five years, DC deemed the comic as too weird for their readership at the time, and all the Doom Patrol died saving a small village in their last issue. And they’d stay dead for years.

In the ‘70s, jumping on Marvel’s successful revival of X-Men, DC tried to do their own “New Doom Patrol.” But it didn’t click until 1989, when writer Grant Morrison took a crack at it. And they made the group deeply, deeply weird. Less “superheroes,” and more “support group for damaged, super-powered people.” This surreal and psychedelic version of the team, which carried over original members Robotman and the Chief, was a hit with readers. It was simply unlike any other superhero team book of the time. The Morrison Doom Patrol heavily inspired the Max streaming series, which introduced the Doom Patrol to the masses. All of this increased their popularity even further, thus earning them a spot as one of the best superhero teams.

8. The Justice Society of AmericaDC Comics

None of the other teams on this list would even exist if not for the Justice Society of America. Created by DC in 1940, the idea behind the JSA was simple — bring all the publisher’s main heroes together into one big group. Well, almost all our heroes. Superman and Batman were seen as too popular, and didn’t need the boost. But every other headlining DC hero made the cut, including the Flash, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman who, despite outselling every male member, was relegated to “team secretary.” But when superheroes lost their popularity after World War II, the JSA went away.

The JSA would make sporadic appearances after that, usually crossing over with their successor team, the far more high-profile Justice League. But the team really came into their own 60 years from their creation. In the early 2000s, writers David S. Goyer, James Robinson, and Geoff Johns gave the JSA their first-ever ongoing series, which focused on the group as a legacy team, one whose roots go back to the ’40s. Some older members were still around, like Flash and Green Lantern, but the focus was on newer legacy members. New characters like Mister Terrific, Stargirl, and others really came into their own in the pages of JSA, and the team proved they were more than just a bunch of old guys in tights. Between their status as the original superhero team, and their superior modern-day roster, the JSA remains one of the best.

7. The Legion of Super-HeroesDC Comics

These days, the Legion of Super-Heroes does not get much love from DC Comics. But once upon a time, mainly through the ‘70s and ‘80s, it was one of their biggest sellers, and helped carry the line. And to think, they were intended as “one and done” guest stars in a single Superboy story. First appearing in 1958, the Legion was a group of super-powered teens from across the galaxy who lived 1,000 years in the future. Using time travel technology, they traveled back to 20th century Smallville, to recruit their inspiration Superboy to join the team. But the Legion was so popular, that DC brought them back. They eventually received their own feature in Adventure Comics, and their ranks grew and grew, way beyond the original three members.

At its peak in the ‘80s, the Legion was so popular that they expanded to 25 regular members, living up to their name. By 1980, the group didn’t even need Superboy to sell anymore. Instead of Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, the title shifted to Legion of Super-Heroes, leaving the big guy behind. The series was a teenage superhero soap opera, one done several years before Marvel would receive similar acclaim for inventing the genre. Specifically, under writers like Paul Levitz, comics fans were into the interpersonal dynamics of heroes with the names Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl. And long before Star Trek had a utopian United Federation of Planets, DC had the Legion’s United Planets. Too many reboots have rendered the LSH inert at DC, but at its core, they are still one of the greatest super teams of all-time.

6. The Teen TitansDC Comics

When Justice League of America became a sensation for DC, the company knew it wanted some kind of spinoff. Someone at DC realized that several JLA members had kid sidekicks, most famously, Robin the Boy Wonder. In 1965, writer Bob Haney brought these teen sidekicks together as the Teen Titans. The original Titans was a very goofy title, and by the early ‘70s, their Silver Age campiness had worn thin. However, it was a revival of the team in the 1980’s by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez, New Teen Titans that blew the doors of the barn, by combining some of the original team with brand new characters, heroes like Cyborg, Starfire, and Raven, who were all compelling, often tragic, and instantly iconic.

New Teen Titans was DC’s biggest hit of the decade, and without it, we would have never got Dick Grayson graduating from Robin into Nightwing, or Wally West going from Kid Flash into Flash. In 2003, DC revived the series with writer Geoff Johns, once again to huge accolades, with the older Titans now teaching younger junior legacy heroes. The most important update to their legacy came in the form of an animated series that same year, which made them all world famous. Between that cartoon, Teen Titans Go!, and their live-action streaming show, the Titans are currently a household name and still one of the coolest superhero teams around.

5. The Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesIDW Comics

Most of the superhero teams on this list come from either Marvel or DC. Let’s face it, when you’re the two biggest publishing houses and superhero universes, you’re going to have characters that stand the test of time. But one heroic team from an independent publisher shines among these Marvel and DC icons. Those are the “Heroes in a Half-shell,” the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. For nearly 40 years, this quartet of sewer-dwelling martial artists has fought the good fight. Why are they so popular and enduring? There’s just something inherently silly yet also endearing about a family of turtles turned into badasses by toxic waste.

Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird started Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a small print black and white comic. It unexpectedly took off and became a phenomenon. They originated as a parody of popular DC and Marvel heroes, only to become famous before many of the characters they parodied. Spoofing DC’s Teen Titans, Marvel’s mutant X-Men, and the ninjas of Daredevil, the Ninja Turtles would quickly become an animated series, a live-action movie, and a true cultural phenomenon. They are still a perennial brand to this very day, with a recent animated film hitting theaters, Mutant Mayhem. No other comic book superhero team from an independent publisher has found as much longevity as the Ninja Turtles.

4. The Fantastic FourMarvel Comics

Thanks to the massive sales success of DC’s Justice League of America, word got out to the Marvel offices that superhero teams were making a comeback. Marvel publisher Martin Goodman tasked writer Stan Lee with making a superhero team of their own in the JLA vein. The problem was, Marvel had no current superheroes to group together in a new team. So Lee got together with artist Jack Kirby, and the duo came up with a group of all-new heroes. In 1961, the Fantastic Four was born. Unlike DC’s JLA or JSA, these heroes had totally different personalities and were constantly butting heads. Nevertheless, they were also a family, something new and unique for comics.

Gaining their powers from cosmic rays, Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) was the “dad,” while Sue (the Invisible Girl) filled the role of Den Mother. Her brother Johnny (the Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (the Thing) were the bickering kids. Using this dynamic, Lee was writing for slightly older audiences. Meanwhile, Kirby was changing the art form of comics with each subsequent issue. The first 100 issues of FF remains one of the best creative runs of any comic book, and literally created the Marvel Universe as we know it today. The idea of the family of superheroes was a big influence on the Ninja Turtles and Pixar’s Incredibles. Thanks to multiple cartoon series on TV, and several feature films (of admittedly varying quality) Marvel’s first family remains one of comics’ most famous and influential teams, even as groups like Avengers and the X-Men often overshadowed them.

3. The AvengersMarvel Comics

Just a little over a decade ago, it’s unlikely the Avengers would have ranked quite this highly on a list of best superhero teams. It’s funny what a multi-billion dollar film franchise will do to raise your profile, though. Even before the MCU, the Avengers were Marvel’s “All-Star” team of heroes with a little more room for misfits and weirdos than DC’s counterpart Justice League. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963, the Avengers was Marvel’s answer to DC’s JLA. Several of their solo heroes came together to fight evil. Once Captain America joined the team in issue #4, the book really clicked with readers, as Cap led the team through various permutations.

Sometimes, Cap led a team of fellow “big name” solo acts like Thor and Iron Man. Yet Avengers made former villains like Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Scarlet Witch into some of the publisher’s most prominent heroes. If the Fantastic Four were a family, and the X-Men were a school, the Avengers would be Marvel’s premiere sports team. Simply put, the best players, all in the right positions. Rarely selling as well as Fantastic Four or X-Men, Avengers never benefited originally from a high-profile media franchise like a TV cartoon to boost their profile. (One attempt in 1999 failed utterly.) Then, the MCU’s Iron Man happened, ultimately leading to the massive success of the Avengers franchise. It took decades, but Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are now as big in the real world as they are in the Marvel Universe.

2. The X-MenMarvel Comics

Comic book teams presented as an ongoing soap opera wasn’t an X-Men invention. That can probably be credited to Fantastic Four, or even DC’s Legion of Super-Heroes. But without a doubt, the X-Men perfected the formula. Especially once writer Chris Claremont took over for Marvel’s mutants in 1975, with an epic 16-year run. Unlike most of the other teams on this list, the X-Men were (eventually) racially and nationally diverse. And they had a central metaphor about prejudice and alienation that other “let’s get together to save the Earth” teams just didn’t have. This placed them higher than most teams just in terms of actually being about something other than just superpowered people punching each other. (It is also that.)

Every reader who felt like an outcast in some way could relate when reading Uncanny X-Men, amping up the team’s popularity. They just meant something more to readers, on a deeper level. All high-minded reasons aside, the visuals of a burly man with claws, a weather goddess, and a guy with laser eyes instantly grabbed the attention of any kid. Without a doubt, the X-Men’s high profile in comics eventually translated to other media, helping make them icons to folks who never read a comic in their life. The ‘90s X-Men: The Animated Series propelled the team into household names. Later, their live-action films in the 2000s pushed their fame even further. It took the X-Men almost 20 years from their inception to become the comic book medium’s biggest-selling title. Once they hit that mark, they became superstars.

1. The Justice LeagueDC Comics

Three of the greatest, most famous superhero icons in comics for over 80 years are Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Pretty much everyone alive knows who they are, whether they’ve picked up a comic or seen a superhero movie in their life. So it’s almost by default that the Justice League gets the top slot. The fact that so many other iconic DC heroes are part of the lineup simply pushes them over the edge. The Justice League isn’t comics’ first super team. That honor goes to DC’s Justice Society. The League did improve on the concept of the JSA by having all three of DC’s trinity in leading roles. That made them a true All-Star team.

From the get-go in 1960 when they first appeared, Justice League of America was so successful, that rival Marvel Comics brought back superheroes themselves. So without the JLA, there’s no Fantastic Four, and no Avengers. Although their list of creative team runs has not been as impressive as say, the X-Men, they still have some great stories to their name, particularly by creators like Grant Morrison.

Every since Super Friends aired on Saturday mornings 50 years ago, they’ve been the template for all superhero team success in other media. The Seven on The Boys, and the Guardians of the Globe in Invincible? All League analogs. When you have the greatest characters in comics leading the way, you’re always going to be thought of as the greatest super team of all time.

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THE WHEEL OF TIME’s Madeleine Madden, Zoë Robins, and Ceara Coveney on Their Characters’ Journeys in Season 2

The Wheel of Time’s second season flung the core cast of characters to different parts of the world. The group from the Two Rivers started their wild adventure together in season one. But after Rand learned at the Eye of the World that he was the Dragon Reborn, things changed. Rand, believed by his friends to be dead, departed on his own. Perrin searched for the Horn of Valere with the Shienarans. Nynaeve and Egwene, however, stuck together. They went to the White Tower to learn how to use the One Power and become Aes Sedai.

Though the friends set out on the same path, their paths diverged. Nynaeve showed more strength with the One Power despite her self-imposed block, the Daughter-Heir of Andor arrived in the Tower, and Liandrin, a member of the Black Ajah, sold them out to the Seanchan. We talked with Madeleine Madden (Egwene al’Vere), Zoë Robins (Nynaeve al’Meara), and Ceara Coveney (Elayne Trakand) separately about their characters’ journeys in The Wheel of Time season two, from Tar Valon to Falme.

Becoming Aes SedaiPrime Video

Of the group from the Two Rivers, Egwene has been maybe the most okay with seeing the world. She wants to be an Aes Sedai more than anything, and she keeps her lifelong values close. “I think Egwene has always had a very strong moral compass, but is also incredibly determined,” Madeleine Madden said.

She continued, “At the beginning of the season, we see her determined to try and be at the top of the class, to try and channel without her hands, determined to fit in, determined to please, and to shine and be special. And this is all sort of thrown on its head because she’s not the one that is standing out, it’s actually a friend, Nynaeve, who doesn’t really even want to be there. So she’s really struggling with this inner turmoil of, she loves her friend and everything that they’ve been through, but is also incredibly jealous of her and is feeling like she’s invisible.”

Nynaeve, while not as excited about being an Aes Sedai, wants to stay by Egwene’s side in The Wheel of Time‘s season two. Zoë Robins said she admires how loyal Nynaeve is. She said, “She really, really cares about the people that she loves and I absolutely believe she would do anything for them. I think we see that in moments throughout season one and throughout season two, and we will continue to do so That’s something that I continually learn about her, is just how big her heart is.”

Finding the Right Tone for ElaynePrime Video

While Egwene is feeling a bit out of sorts with Nynaeve, a new novice comes to the White Tower: Daughter-Heir of Andor, Elayne Trakand. The Two Rivers is technically part of Andor, making Egwene Elayne’s subject. And while Elayne comes from a world of nobility, she shows kindness, too—traits Ceara Coveney had to consider.

“It was really fun to find that balance of Elayne really playing against her upbringing,” Coveney said. “She’s completely a fish out of water when we meet her in the White Tower; she’s navigating making new friends and finding her new role in the pecking order in this institution. In feeling her way around, she definitely puts her foot in it every now and then. It was so fun to find those little moments of, when does she get it slightly wrong, and when does she get it very right? She really becomes a confidant for Egwene and she offers this different perspective to her problems and her worries. She really adds to the dynamic of the three characters and offers this new perspective.”

Early in their blossoming friendship, Elayne calls Egwene out on her jealousy of Nynaeve. Because of how she grew up, Elayne doesn’t know another way that’s not being direct. Coveney said, “She doesn’t have a wealth of experience in making new friends, or maybe finding the right things to say, so I don’t think she’s so hesitant to maybe say it how it is, in some situations, or say what she sees. I think that’s really what Egwene needs in that moment. Although perhaps it might make you wince, that she’s so honest and so direct, actually, it’s exactly what Egwene needs. That lack of a filter in that situation really allows that relationship to grow.”

Working Together on The Wheel of Time Season TwoPrime Video

Elayne and Egwene’s friendship and then Nynaeve and Elayne having to team up in Falme to rescue Egwene meant Coveney, Madden, and Robins worked together a lot in season two of The Wheel of Time.

Coveney said of Madden and Robins, “They are both amazing. They’re incredible actresses. And it was such an interesting dynamic in a way, because obviously they’ve already done a whole season together before I was introduced. It almost really fed into the situation of the show that they grew up together in the Two Rivers, and Elayne is this new person. A lot of our work was done for us in a way. I felt like, as Elayne the character was making friends with Egwene and making friends with Nynaeve, slowly, and I was making friends on set with Maddie and Zoë, so it felt very reflective and very natural, and they were both absolutely incredible. I learned so much from both of them and in the same way that Elayne learned so much from both Nynaeve and Egwene.”

“We are all so close,” Madden said. “Zoë and I have known each other for years now, but getting to know Ceara was just so easy. She’s our perfect Elayne, because like Elayne, she’s an amazing listener and is such a wonderful kind person. And I think Egwene really finds comfort in her and security, and they’re unlikely friends. But it’s also an interesting dynamic. Three is definitely a crowd, and we see there’s a bit of tension there. Elayne’s helping Egwene with her jealousy that she’s feeling towards Nynaeve, but then Nynaeve is also feeling, I think, maybe a bit of jealousy at the relationship or confusion as to what Egwene sees in Elayne.”

Prime Video

“But when Egwene thinks she’s lost Nynaeve, and also feels she’s lost Rand,” Madden continued, “Elayne’s really there to help her pick up the pieces and to comfort her, which is really beautiful. I love—episode three is one of my favorite episodes of how amazing Zoë is, but I really love the scene where Elayne talks Egwene off the edge and just knows what she needs in that moment.”

Robins shared similar sentiments about The Wheel of Time season two. “Working with those two women is amazing. Maddie’s like my little sister now, so it’s really not that hard to conjure up those emotions when I’m being Nynaeve. And we were so happy that Ceara was cast as Elayne because she’s such a sweetheart and so genuine and we have such a great time together. I love doing those scenes with those women. Obviously, their relationship and friendship becomes a little bit more complex, and there is some jealousy and hurt feelings and all the things, but that’s just actually real life.”

Like Robins points out, Nynaeve and Elayne wouldn’t naturally be friends, but circumstances force them together. They come from opposite backgrounds but find common ground. Coveney noted their relationship had a slow start, but she had fun bickering and taking out frustrations about the situation on each other. “I’m really excited to see where their relationship goes in the next season and how it develops, because I think they’ve really found a respect and understanding for each other in season two eventually,” Coveney said.

Nynaeve’s Thoughts on the Aes SedaiPrime Video

The Aes Sedai put Nynaeve through no shortage of hardship in The Wheel of Time season two. They continually push her about her block with the One Power. Liandrin encourages her sisters to raise Nynaeve to Accepted despite that. The Accepted test in the One-Power activated Arches is traumatic. And that’s all before Liandrin betrays her and tries to turn her over to the Seanchan.

Robins explained, “Nynaeve’s thoughts on the Aes Sedai probably haven’t changed much from her first perception of them at the beginning of season one and what she’s been told about them her whole life. We find her at the beginning of the season questioning her own thoughts and beliefs and opening up a little bit to them. I think the betrayal of Liandrin is very, very deep in a way that I think will hurt Nynaeve for quite some time and I think will inform a lot of her decisions and choices in the future.”

In one of the Arches, a possible future, Nynaeve lived for years with Lan by her side. Their story ended in tragedy as she got stuck inside the Arches. Nynaeve temporarily had a joyful existence. “I was so happy for her to have those moments, even though they weren’t necessarily real,” Robins remembered. “It was nice to have moments of levity for her. The whole Arches experience for her, though, obviously she’ll never be the same again. All I want for her is to have peace at some point.”

Under the Seanchan’s Control in The Wheel of Time Season TwoPrime Video

Liandrin set a trap for Nynaeve and Egwene and happened to catch Elayne in it, too. She took them all to Falme as a present for the High Lady Suroth. Nynaeve and Elayne escaped, but the Seanchan sul’dam captured Egwene and enslaved her with a One Power-imbued bracelet and collar. Egwene’s sul’dam, Renna, exerted control over Egwene, pushing her to the edge. The series took a paragraph from the books that described Egwene’s experience as a damane and expanded it into a powerful, intense episode.

“I think it was probably the hardest thing I’ve had to do as an actor,” Madden recalled. “Staying in that physical but also psychological state for an extended period of time—I think we were in the cells for about eight days—was really difficult. I was lucky enough to shoot chronologically, so then that really helps all of us, but particularly me, to go on that emotional journey.”

Madden continued, “And also the breakdown of the Egwene’s mental wellbeing, but also her physical wellbeing, I was really lucky to work with Scarlett Mackmin, who’s our fantastic movement coach. It was really important for me to nail the physicality and also to show different ways that the a’dam inflicted pain, whether it was in your head, or full body spasms, or whether it was throwing up. I pulled a bunch of inspiration and images from artworks, dance pieces to try and figure out how pain holds itself in the body.”

Prime Video

Madden continued, “Xelia [Mendes-Jones] was fantastic to work opposite. They just hold such a power on-screen, and their acting is just so… I don’t know, you feel like you love them, you love Renna, but you also hate Renna. And I think Xelia just did such a fantastic job at showing that vulnerability in ‘I’m trying to be nice to you,’ but then also the cruelty. They were amazing to work opposite against.”

“While it was very difficult for me physically and emotionally, our director Maja [Vrvilo], was so wonderful in nurturing me and also allowing me to try new things and to experiment and to play, which was really important,” Madden said. “It’s one of those things where you just had to give a hundred percent all the time in your physicality. So there’d be moments where I was exhausted, but just would have to keep going because you can’t half-ass that kind of thing.”

Egwene transforms in her time as a damane. By the time she touches the pitcher, Madden said Egwene has lost her sense of self, escape, and hope. But she’s still defiant. When Renna takes her braid, a core part of who Egwene is, it sparks something. “She’s trying to find the last bits of herself so she can build herself back up again,” Madden noted, “And Renna is just cutting off limbs and things that connect her to herself. And I think once she loses that [her braid], she’s completely transformed into something different. She’s already felt different, but now she looks different, so she’s an entirely different beast at this stage.”

A Lesson from FalmePrime Video

The group that stands atop the tower in Falme, fiery dragon swirling around them, is not the same group that left the Two Rivers. As the one-time Wisdom of their village, Nynaeve has seen herself as a protector of everyone. However, things are changing.

“As Nynaeve is one who doesn’t like to give up control, I think she’s desperately holding on to that idea and that hope and want of protecting her people—her people specifically from the Two Rivers,” Robins said. “Where we see her at the end of season two, that ideal is being challenged massively because of where she finds herself and not being able to access the Power. Then looking around, she can see that her friends, a lot of them can protect themselves on their own. There’s quite a big crisis of confidence and we will then see her having to accept where she is and what life is throwing at her. I think Nynaeve’s whole journey basically is about acceptance, to be honest.”

You can watch the entirety of season two of The Wheel of Time on Prime Video now.

The post THE WHEEL OF TIME’s Madeleine Madden, Zoë Robins, and Ceara Coveney on Their Characters’ Journeys in Season 2 appeared first on Nerdist.

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Season 2 Shares First Look at Lestat

AMC’s adaptation of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire is finally ready to launch its second season in early 2024. The WGA and SAG strikes halted production on season two, but the series got a special dispensation to continue filming in Prague. This allowed them to complete the season. Now, AMC has released a first look scene from season two. The clip shows Louis (Jacob Anderson) and Claudia, now played by Delainey Hayles, involved with a coven of Parisian vampires. In the scene, we see the coven attack a mansion owned by some very corrupt humans. We also have our first look at Lestat from the upcoming season.

You can take a look at both full below:

New look at Sam Reid in ‘INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE’ season 2.

(via @TVInsider | https://t.co/C9z1TiD6L6) pic.twitter.com/C3gvK5pwPl

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) December 18, 2023

Interview with the Vampire ended its first season around the middle point of Anne Rice’s 1976 novel. Louis and Claudia had finally dispatched with their controlling maker Lestat (Sam Reid). Or at least that’s what they think. The big reveal came at the end of the season one finale. We learned that Louis’ human assistant in the modern day, Rashid, (Assad Zaman) was actually the vampire Armand, one of Rice’s most famous creations. Now, it looks like season two will deal with the second half of the novel, which dives deep into the relationship between Louis and Armand, and all its tragic fallout.

AMC Networks

In the book, the American vampires Louis and Claudia flee New Orleans after attempting to kill Lestat. They eventually wind up in 19th century Paris. In France, they discover an undead coven who operates the Théâtre des Vampires. There, they murder victims on stage in front of a human audience, pretending it’s all a show. The leader of the coven was Armand, a 400-year-old vampire of powerful blood. In the AMC series, the setting for the Théâtre des Vampires is now post-World War II Europe, and it seems the coven, which includes the vicious vamp Santiago (Ben Daniels), is also a biker gang now. It will be interesting to see how Lestat, who only appears briefly in the second half of the novel, will be incorporated into the season.

Interview with the Vampire season two premieres in early 2024 on AMC.

Originally published on October 13, 2023.

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NOSFERATU Shares Release Date and First Look Images, Plus Other News Odds & Ends

From Nosferatu‘s first images to tantalizing The Last of Us season two teases to incredibly orange Cheez-It nail polishes, here are some of our favorite pop-culture news odds & ends from recent history.

Focus Features/Cheez It/Paramount Pictures

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu Reveals First-Look Images and Release DateThe Last of Us Season 2 Will Release in 2025, Set to Feature Content From Lost Game Levels Iman Vellani Reveals Kamala Khan Will Be “Frodo” of Marvel Zombies, Returns to Voice Character and Pen New ComicChris Pine Feels Confident a Dungeons & Dragons 2 Movie Will HappenCheez-It Nail Polish Is coming!Hazbin Hotel Sets Release Date Twilight Director Would Cast Jenna Ortega and Jacob Elordi as Leads in Movie TodayMargot Robbie Reveals No Barbie Sequel Is Heading Our WayYou Can Now Watch the Halo Live-Action Series Free on YouTubeRobert Eggers’ Nosferatu Reveals First-Look Images and Release DateFocus Features

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu has been brewing for a while. But we finally have our first looks at the movie and a release date. Nosferatu will officially release on December 25, 2024. That’s one delicious Christmas gift for goths. The vampiric tale stars Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, and Willem Dafoe.

New look at Nicholas Hoult in Robert Eggers’ ‘NOSFERATU’.

Also starring Lily Rose-Depp, Bill Skarsgård, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Willem Dafoe.

(Source: https://t.co/GtZ0Npf9yB) pic.twitter.com/YYYE1pSSnD

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 4, 2023

https://x.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1...

Learn more about the influence of the original Nosferatu with our article, here.

NOSFERATU and Count Orlok’s Influence on Pop Culture Vamps

The Last of Us Season 2 Will Release in 2025, Set to Feature Content From “Lost Levels“HBO

In a recent sizzle reel teasing their upcoming properties, HBO confirmed that The Last of Us season two would arrive on Max in 2025. This release window for more of The Last of Us has been highly hinted at in previous discussions, but now it is finally confirmed. The network did not release any further details on the season.

However, if you’re looking for hints about The Last of Us season two than look no further than the remastered “Lost Levels.” These Lost Levels are playable sequences that were cut from The Last of Us Part II. But they’ll be back in the remastered version of the game that is releasing on January 19, 2024. And Neil Druckmann is teasing that they hold some insights for the HBO series. He notes to Entertainment Weekly, “As a tease, I will say there is at least one element from a cut level that is planned [for] the show… I say that with the caveat that we haven’t started filming the show yet, and all things are subject to change based on what we ultimately feel will be best for the show.”

The Last of Us Part II Remastered and its mysterious Lost Levels will be available to pre-order on December 5.

The Last of Us season two is already off to an ominous start.

THE LAST OF US Shares an Ominous Season 2 Poster

Iman Vellani Reveals Kamala Khan Will Be “Frodo” of Marvel Zombies, Returns to Voice Character and Pen New ComicMarvel Studios

Iman Vellani has emerged as one of the MCU’s truest heroes. So we couldn’t be more thrilled that she’ll soon be back to voice Ms. Marvel in the Disney+ series Marvel Zombies. In an interview with The Direct Vellani reveals, “We’ve done the whole thing. It was amazing. It was so much fun. And I love—there are a lot of cool characters in the ‘Marvel Zombies‘ show. And Kamala is kind of the center of the show. They described it to me, it’s like, ‘She’s basically the Frodo of the story.’ And I was like, ‘That’s amazing.'” It’s what Ms. Marvel deserves.

Marvel Comics

Vellani will also be back to pen another Ms. Marvel comic. She and co-writer Sabir Pirzada will write the Ms. Marvel: Mutant Menace series, a follow-up to Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant. According to GamesRadar, the pair will be joined by artist Scott Godlewski. The series is set to release in March.

Iman Vellani on THE MARVELS, Writing MS. MARVEL Comics, and Her Hopes for Kamala Khan’s Future

Chris Pine Feels Confident a Dungeons & Dragons 2 Movie Will HappenParamount Pictures

Although it was bad news for Star Trek 4, Chris Pine recently gave a positive update about the future of the Dungeons & Dragons movie franchise. He shared the following with GamesRadar about a potential Dungeons & Dragons 2, “I’ve heard some rumors about it… But I don’t know anything yet. But I feel pretty confident that it may happen.” He also added that he’d be “absolutely” happy to return to the universe. And we too would be absolutely happy to see it happen. Roll for Dungeons & Dragons 2.

Unfortunately, Chris Pine wasn’t so optimistic about Star Trek 4.

Chris Pine’s Latest Comments Spell Bad News for STAR TREK 4

Cheez-It Nail Polish Is coming!Cheez-It

Enough said, no? Cheez-It and Nails Inc. Polish are collaborating on two cheesy colors, “Orange You Feelin’ the Cheeziest” and “Flexin’ in the Red Zone.” And who doesn’t want their nails to look like a little cheesy? This polish, perfect for mani/cheddiz, will be available for pre-order on Dec. 29 at CheezIt.com.

Hazbin Hotel Sets Release Date

Who doesn’t want an animated musical series about the princess of Hell trying to rehabilitate demons? Hazbin Hotel is created by Vivienne Medrano and is based on “her popular animated pilot released on YouTube in 2019.” Additionally a release shares, “The series blends adult humor, unforgettable characters, and catchy musical numbers creating a wholly original and unique world.” It certainly looks good in its preview. And now it has a release date. Hazbin Hotel will release on January 19, 2024. The series stars Erika Henningsen, Stephanie Beatriz, Alex Brightman, Keith David, Kimiko Glenn, Blake Roman, Amir Talai, Christian Borle, and Joel Perez. And it will feature exciting guest stars such as Darren Criss (Saint Peter), Jeremy Jordan (Lucifer Morningstar), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Carmilla Carmine), Patina Miller (Sera), and Jessica Vosk (Lute).

We can’t wait to check in to this hotel.

Twilight Director Would Cast Jenna Ortega and Jacob Elordi as Leads in Movie TodaySummit Entertainment/MGM Studios/Netflix

Twilight just wouldn’t be Twilight without the incredible performances of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. But who doesn’t love a fan-cast for today’s day and age? Speaking to the Watch-a-long podcast, Twilight‘s director Catherine Hardwicke shared her picks for Bella and Edward, should a reboot of the series happen. Her selections? Jenna Ortega and Jacob Elordi. We accept these choices. Ortega could definitely help give Twilight a more horror-focused lean and Elordi really does give off strong vampire vibes.

There is a Twilight series brewing, after all…

A TWILIGHT TV Series Is Coming Our Way

Margot Robbie Reveals No Barbie Sequel Is Heading Our WayWarner Bros.

Alas, it’s unlikely we’ll say “Hi, Barbie 2.” But that’s most likely for the best. Not everything needs a sequel. Of course, this could all change in a moment, especially since Barbie was so immensely popular. But for now, Margot Robbie shares, “I think we put everything into this one. We didn’t build it to be a trilogy or something… Greta put everything into this movie, so I can’t imagine what would be next.”

We bet Warner Bros. could… But we’ll cross our fingers Barbie gets to stand on her own.

Barbie is now available to stream at home.

BARBIE Movie Sets Digital Release Date

You Can Now Watch the Halo Live-Action Series Free on YouTube

In case you’ve been waiting for a sign to watch the live-action adaptation of Halo, here it is. The Halo series is now available on YouTube in its entirety via Paramount+’s official channel. And it’s totally free. So now nothing is stopping you from watching Pablo Schreiber’s hunky Master Chief in all his sci-fi/action glory. We know we’re pressing play.

You can find the Halo playlist here.

We’re also getting a live-action series adaptation of Fallout.

FALLOUT First Look Images Show Power Armor, the Ghoul, and More

Originally published on December 1, 2023.

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