Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 43

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Mid-Credits Scene Explained

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is out now and it might be the most self-contained, standalone MCU movie since Captain America: The First Avenger 14 years ago. But that doesn’t mean it contains no teases for the future. As is tradition for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this movie contains both a mid-credits scene and a post-credits scene. The first one is a direct setup to the next Avengers movie, Avengers: Doomsday coming December 2026. The second is just a bit of fun.

We’re going to breakdown both of them for you below! Beware spoilers.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Mid-Credits Scene

The mid-credits scene of First Steps moves the action four years in the future. Sue (Vanessa Kirby) is reading to towheaded Franklin, now a preschooler. Franklin wants a different book, but not whatever high-level physics book H.E.R.B.I.E. suggests. After grabbing another age appropriate book for the boy, she turns around and sees something horrifying. Someone has gotten into the Baxter Building and is kneeling down next to Franklin. He’s got a green cape and hood and he holds a metal mask, showing Franklin but no one else his true face.

Marvel Studios

We then read “The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday.”

Naturally this is Dr. Doom, although we don’t know if it’s specifically the Robert Downey Jr. variant or if it’s the Doom from Earth 828. One of the things the movie shows us earlier on is that Latveria is a country but that its representative doesn’t attend any UN or Future Foundation symposiums. So while this mid-credits scene shows us a Victor Von Doom, we don’t know if it’s a) the Doom from this universe or another, 2) if it’s Robert Downey Jr.’s Doom or another, or III) if this scene will play into the next movie or if that’s just a red herring. (Likely it’s very germane, since Matt Shakman has said he didn’t shoot anything with Doom; this would have been during Doomsday filming.)

Franklin Richards will likely act as the MacGuffin for all the incursion events we’ll see in both Doomsday and Secret Wars. You can read all about Franklin and his comic history here.

Robert Downey Jr.The Fantastic Four: First Steps Post-Credits Scene

This one’s just fun. It’s a full opening sequence of the in-universe Fantastic Four cartoon in which the Thing says “It’s clobberin’ time!” The style of the animation replicates the original 20-episode 1967 animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera. The cartoon shows animated versions of various FF villains we heard tell about earlier in the movie. It’s pretty delightful.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in theaters now.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Letterboxd.

The post THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Mid-Credits Scene Explained appeared first on Nerdist.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Had a Cameo From the Cast of Unreleased ’90s FF Movie

You might have heard that the actors who originally played the Fantastic Four in live-action made an appearance at The Fantastic Four: First Steps premiere on the blue carpet. But you may have been confused when none of these actors were Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, or Michael Chiklis. (The original Reed Richards, Ioan Gruffudd, did attend). You see, those were actors who played the FF in the 2005 Fantastic Four, from director Tim Story. But a decade prior, in 1994, a whole different set of actors played the team in a movie. Only to have their film never come out, shelved indefinitely. And those actors cameoed in First Steps, although it’s a “blink and you miss it” moment.

The cast of the 1994 unreleased 'FANTASTIC FOUR' movie all attended the #FantasticFour blue carpet event pic.twitter.com/z7fs8ql725

— ScreenTime (@screentime) July 22, 2025

The actors who truly played Marvel’s First Family for the first time on film were Alex Hyde-White (Reed Richards), Rebecca Staab (Sue Storm), Jay Underwood (Johnny Storm), and Michael Bailey Smith (Ben Grimm). Marvel Studios and director Matt Shakman invited them to the Hollywood premiere of First Steps. Thus, giving them a proper moment in the spotlight at last. Because their movie, sadly, never had a true premiere. The story of why the 1994 Fantastic Four movie never came out is truly a wild “only in Hollywood” tale.

Marvel

The 1994 Fantastic Four movie became a famous bootleg tape for years, traded at conventions by fans, and eventually posted online. It was a very low-budget production, produced by B-movie guru Roger Corman for a mere one million dollars. A trailer even saw release in 1993. The movie was never intended to hit theaters, and only had one known screening. All of this was a way for producer Bernd Eichinger to keep the Fantastic Four license for another decade. Sadly, no one ever informed the actors of that, so all their hard work was for nothing. Now, the original live-action FF finally got their moment to appear in front of millions of Marvel fans, as they cameo as New York City residents for a brief moment in Marvel Studios’s film.

Marvel/Twentieth Century Studios

Many believe this whole debacle was when the “curse” of the Fantastic Four on film began. Although the 2005 Fantastic Four film was actually quite profitable (many fans forget it became a box office hit), it received terrible reviews. It paled in comparison to Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films, or the Fox X-Men franchise when it came to success. The 2015 reboot from Josh Trank was a true mega flop. But judging from the early reviews, it seems the fourth time’s the charm for Marvel’s First Family. We should have all known it would take four times to get it right.

The 1994 Fantastic Four movie is indeed pretty terrible, when all said and done. Although it does have a certain low-budget charm. Marvel never officially released it, so every version that’s out there since the ’90s is a fuzzy, low-quality version. Now that all this time has passed, it would be fun for Marvel Studios to give the film a proper release. Even if it’s just as a glorified special feature on the eventual The Fantastic Four: First Steps Blu-ray release. Alex Hyde-White, Rebecca Staab, Jay Underwood, and Michael Bailey Smith deserve that much at least.

The post THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Had a Cameo From the Cast of Unreleased ’90s FF Movie appeared first on Nerdist.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Post-Credits Scene Features Classic Marvel Comics Characters

In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, several villains from the pages of Marvel Comics are mentioned, but never seen. However, we do finally see them in animated form in the post-credits scene in this Fantastic Four film. Matt Shakman designed these moments to evoke the crude animation from the Saturday morning Fantastic Four cartoon made by Hanna-Barbera, way back in the late ‘60s. (Somehow, these are not on Disney+, but this may be a rights issue. We hope it is rectified soon.)

Marvel Comics

Fun fact: All but one of these villains appeared in the FF’s first four years, so it matches their MCU timeline. These are the classic Fantastic Four villains who got a post-credits shout-out in cartoon form after the credits rolled.

The Puppet Master (First Appearance: Fantastic Four #8, 1962)Marvel Comics

The Puppet Master, whose real name is Phillip Masters (of course) was one of the FF’s earliest villains. He first appeared in 1962’s Fantastic Four #8. He’s a typical mad scientist type, but with a twist. He creates little puppets of his enemies, which he then controls, kind of like sci-fi voodoo dolls. He especially hates the Thing because the monstrous Ben Grimm dared to date (and later marry) his daughter Alicia. He’s been a persistent thorn in the Richards family’s side for sixty years. But since Ben married his daughter, he’s now officially part of the family.

The Red Ghost (First Appearance: Fantastic Four #13, 1963)Marvel Comics

This villain nearly made it into the movie itself, played by none other than Oscar-winning actor John Malkovich. In the comics, the Red Ghost was a Soviet scientist who controlled an army of “super apes,” which he sent against the Fantastic Four. Although Matt Shakman cut Malkovich from the final film, they still name-dropped Red Ghost early on in the movie. And Mister Fantastic yeets one of his apes into the river. Hopefully, one day we see his scene in full, even if it’s just a deleted scene on the Blu-ray.

The Mad Thinker (First Appearance: Fantastic Four #15, 1963)Marvel Comics

Speaking of mad scientist types, another early FF foe created by Lee and Kirby, the Mad Thinker, first appeared in 1963. He specialized in robots, and pitted his “Awesome Android” against the team. Turns out, the android was less than awesome and the team defeated him soundly. He was even responsible for the X-Men and the Fantastic Four’s first meeting. The Mad Thinker, who wouldn’t receive a real name for some fifty years (it’s Julius, by the way), also created Quasimodo, a living computer. But he also proved no match for Reed Richards’ superior mind. He still pops up occasionally to make trouble for the FF and other Marvel heroes.

Diablo (First Appearance: Fantastic Four #30, 1964)Marvel Comics

Diablo is another early Fantastic Four foe who appeared in the second post-credits scene. He is an ancient alchemist from 9th-century Spain. His true name is Esteban Corazón de Ablo. Once again, Stan Lee can’t resist the punny naming conventions. He sold his soul to the demon lord Mephisto (you know, that guy) to lengthen his lifespan. He’s a master of the arcane arts, although not quite on the Doctor Strange level. When the Fantastic Four first encountered him, he resided in a castle in Transylvania, although he has moved around to many locations since. He continues to plague the FF to this day.

The Sentry Sinister (First Appearance: Fantastic Four #64, 1967)Marvel Comics

The robot that we see the FF fight in cartoon form may look like one of the mutant-hunting Sentinels from the X-Men, but he’s sort of a knock-off. Worse, he’s a knock-off created by the same two people who created the X-Men’s Sentinels, Lee and Kirby. Hey, they had to come up with a metric ton of new concepts and characters for several titles a month back in the day. They sometimes just went back to the well. Such was the case with the Sentry (not to be confused with the character from Thunderbolts). This Sentry was a robot of Kree origin, who fought the FF and deactivated itself when it lost. So, he’s a Sentinel, just of alien origin.

The post THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Post-Credits Scene Features Classic Marvel Comics Characters appeared first on Nerdist.

5 Big Questions THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Raises About AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY

Haven’t seen The Fantastic Four: First Steps yet and want to avoid spoilers? Leave this tab open while you head to the theater.

Just as Thunderbolts* brought Marvel’s first family into the MCU with an end-credits scene, The Fantastic Four: First Steps finished with its own big introduction. The movie did exactly what many expected/hoped. It teased the arrival of the franchise’s next supervillain, Doctor Doom. But despite his ominous arrival, there’s still so little we know about him. Instead of answers The Fantastic Four: First Steps raised lots of important questions for Avengers: Doomsday. These are the biggest.

Robert Downey Jr.Why Was Latveria’s Seat Empty at the Future Foundation?

During Sue’s speech to the Future Foundation, Earth-828’s United Nations equivalent, one nation’s seat was noticeably empty. Latveria, Doctor Doom’s home country where he rules, did not have a representative in attendance. Why wasn’t its ambassador there? Who is Latveria’s ambassador? Is it Doom himself?

Even more important is the question of why The Fantastic Four: First Steps showed us that vacant chair. Was it merely to tease Doom’s appearance at the end of the movie? To remind us he’s coming in Avengers: Doomsday? Or was it a far bigger deal than that? Is there significant meaning to both Latveria existing in the Fantastic Four’s dimension and to that empty chair? That might depend on the obvious question the film left us with.

What Dimension Is the MCU’s Doctor Doom Actually From?Marvel Comics

The Fantastic Four: First Steps established that Latveria exists on Earth-828. That doesn’t mean the version of Doctor Doom seen at the end of the film* is from that dimension, though. Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards said parallel worlds exist. Galactus was older than that universe itself because he wasn’t from that dimension. And this film is take place in a well-established multiverse. So while he might very well hail from 828, there’s no guarantee the hooded figure we saw playing with Franklin Richards is actually from there.

If the end-credits Doom is from another world we need to know which dimension he calls home, why and how he came to Earth-828, and how he learned about Franklin’s incredible cosmic power.

Marvel Studios

*We technically don’t know if the hooded Doom is Robert Downey, Jr.’s character and not a Variant since we didn’t see his face. However, it would be shocking if it’s not. There’s simply not enough time for the MCU to pull a switcheroo. Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters December 2026. The only other MCU movie premiering before that is Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Peter Parker’s next entry was originally supposed to come out after Doomsday. Its story is almost certainly going to have little to no connection with Doom, all but guaranteeing it was Downey, Jr. Especially when the Russo brothers actually directed that scene.

If Doom Lives on Earth-828, Where Was He During the Events of the Film?Marvel Studios

We covered all the questions raised by the possibility Downey Doom is not from Earth-828. But what if that is his home world? What if he’s from the same dimension as the Fantastic Four and Franklin Richards? That raises a pretty obvious question with huge implications: where the hell was he during First Steps? A genius who loves his home nation and its people was sitting on the sidelines while an interdimensional being threatened to eat the whole planet? Victor von Doom wasn’t interested in helping save his world? He was okay with that?

It doesn’t make sense. So was he in a different dimension? On another planet? Trapped somewhere? Even then, why did it take him four years to come looking for Franklin? Does that indicate he only just learned about the boy’s powers? That Doom needed time to build something before trying to take the child? We have a good idea why Doom wants Franklin (it involves incursions and ultimate power), but we don’t know why Doom came for the kid when he did.

What Exactly will Bring the Fantastic Four to Earth-616? Marvel Studios

The Fantastic Four arrived on Earth-616 in Thunderbolts*. We thought we might learn why in First Steps, but the movie left us guessing. Are they chasing after Franklin because Doom kidnapped him? If so, why did Doom take him to Earth-616? Considering he’ll be a Tony Stark Variant, we know that dimension can’t be his home world.

Or is the Fantastic Four fleeing to another dimension to get away from Doom? Are they running to keep Franklin safe? If they are we still don’t know why they’d pick Earth-616 as a haven. Are they looking for help from someone specific? Is it even possible Franklin himself chose that parallel world?

Did Galactus’ Appearance and/or Disappearance Influence Doom’s Plan?Marvel Studios

Galactus wanted Franklin and his powers so it would free Galactus of his insatiable hunger. But did his arrival reveal something to Victor von Doom? Did Galactus arrival reveal the danger of the multiverse, since Galactus was from another dimension? Or did Galactus’ quest to obtain Franklin show Doom how powerful the child is and what he’s capable of?

Or was it actually the Fantastic Four’s victory that motivated Doom to action? They sent a powerful creature deep into the vastness of space without a way to get back. Did that make the power hungry Doom realize he’ll always be in danger so long as the Fantastic Four is around?

Marvel Studios

Despite his faceless debut, there’s still so much we don’t know about Robert Downey Jr’s. Doctor Doom. From where he’s from and where he was, to why he showed up when he did and how the Fantastic Four responded to his arrival. But we do know one very important thing: he’s about to be every world’s problem.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He very much supported Sue Storm not turning her child over to a big cosmic monster thank you very much. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post 5 Big Questions THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Raises About AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY appeared first on Nerdist.

SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES Trailer: ’80s Hair Nostalgia, Elton John, and a Rockin’ Reunion

Sometimes, you gotta wait a long time for a sequel. It could take a couple of years before you get the conclusion or the next chapter of a story that you’ve been following. In some cases, the sequel is one that you didn’t see coming, like when the Scream franchise decided it didn’t want to be done over a decade after Scream 3. But This Is Spinal Tap takes the cake. 41 years after its 1984 release, the film’s sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, is coming and the trailer is finally here. 

In the clip, we see the band come back together for a final concert. They try to deal with their messy pasts, the horror of their own mortality, and more during the process, which will either be a success or a resounding failure. We are sure there will be lots of laughs and ridiculous moments along the way. 

RELATED ARTICLE

SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES Drops First-Look Photos

Here’s a synopsis from Bleecker Street to go along with the Spinal Tap II: The End Continues trailer: 

Forty-one years after the release of the groundbreaking mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, the now estranged bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls (Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer) are forced to reunite for one final concert. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues also marks the resurrection of documentarian Marty Di Bergi (Rob Reiner), who once again tries to capture his favorite metal gods as they contemplate mortality—and the hope that their 12th drummer doesn’t join them in The Great Beyond. Joined by music royalty Paul McCartney and Elton John, Spinal Tap wrestles with their checkered past to put on a concert that they hope will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock ’n’ roll.

What Is the Release Date for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues?Bleecker Street

This film will rock out in theaters on September 12.

The post SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES Trailer: ’80s Hair Nostalgia, Elton John, and a Rockin’ Reunion appeared first on Nerdist.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS Season 2 Releases Teaser Trailer, Casts Key Season 3 Roles

Percy Jackson and the Olympians achieved what many new streaming service shows no longer get: a second season. The show delighted book fans and newcomers alike with a first season that honored its source material while using all that good Disney+ money to make this universe come to life. Now, our favorite demigod and his comrades are moving towards the next chapter of their saga in Percy Jackson and the Olympians season two. 

After quite a few months of waiting, we finally have more teaser footage from this season, which you can see in the above video. This clip came out at SDCC 2025 as well as some exciting casting information. Season three of Percy Jackson and the Olympians has found its Nico and Bianca di Angelo, with Levi Chrisopulos and Olive Abercrombie in those roles, respectively.

Disney+/David Bukach

Here’s everything we know about Percy Jackson and the Olympians season two. 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season Two’s Plot 

Of course, there are no specific details about the plot. Season two of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is based on The Sea of Monsters, the second installment in Disney Hyperion’s bestselling Percy Jackson book series by Rick Riordan. We won’t get into any of those events here for spoiler’s sake. 

Behind the Scenes 

Predictably, much of the creative team returns for season two of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The series is executive produced by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan Shotz along with Rick Riordan, Rebecca Riordan, Craig Silverstein, Albert Kim, The Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Bert Salke, The Gotham Group’s Jeremy Bell and D.J. Goldberg, James Bobin, Jim Rowe, Jason Ensler and Sarah Watson. 

We do know that the show is currently in production, thanks to this clip from D23.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season Two’s Cast 

Series regulars Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson), Leah Sava Jeffries (Annabeth Chase), Aryan Simhadri (Grover Underwood), Charlie Bushnell (Luke Castellan), and Dior Goodjohn (Clarisse La Rue) are all back for another round. New cast members also include Daniel Diemer (Tyson) and Sandra Bernhard, Kristen Schaal, and Margaret Cho as the Gray Sisters Anger, Tempest, and Wasp, respectively. Timothy Sans will portray Tantalus. 

Tamara Smart will also join the Percy Jackson and the Olympians cast as Thalia Grace, the daughter of Zeus. Here’s what creator Rick Riordan had to say about this big casting news. 

Disney/David Bukach

“Thalia Grace is one of the most important characters in the Percy Jackson universe, so the right casting was critical. Thalia is a powerful warrior, a fiercely loyal friend, and a demigod rebel with a very ‘punk’ / ‘rage-against-the-machine’ sensibility. As soon as we saw Tamara Smart play this role, we knew we had found our daughter of Zeus. She was, no pun intended, electric. Tamara puts the ‘grace’ in Thalia Grace!”

Additionally, we now know who will play Zeus in Percy Jackson and the Olympians season two, after Lance Reddick’s sad passing. Courtney B. Vance will take up the mantle of the King of the Gods.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season Two’s Release Date 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season two will hit Disney+ on December 10.

Originally published on September 25, 2024.

The post PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS Season 2 Releases Teaser Trailer, Casts Key Season 3 Roles appeared first on Nerdist.

THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA Renewed for Fifth and Final Season, Returns in 2026 for Season 4

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is off to a most excellent start already. Prime Video, Critical Role, and Titmouse’s beloved and critically acclaimed The Legend of Vox Machina came bearing lots of good and a bit of bittersweet news during its packed panel. It is hard to believe that the series is already gearing up for its fourth season. The Legend of Vox Machina gave fans a sneak peek at season four, which will debut in 2026, as well as big news that the show has been renewed for a fifth and final season. Let’s get into all the goodness. 

The Legend of Vox Machina: Exclusive Season 4 Clip and 2026 Premiere 

As stated above, the series’ fourth season will arrive in 2026. In anticipation for season four, The Legend of Vox Machina dropped an exclusive clip to give fans a taste of the action that is ahead. This season will scatter these heroes across the globe for a variety of journeys. A threat of cataclysmic proportions will come to Exandria, forcing them to reunite to fight this dark and dangerous enemy. 

There’s also a couple of new characters arriving in The Legend of Vox Machina season four, including a new main character Tayron Darrington and a robot named Doty.

The Legend of Vox Machina Season 5 Renewal and Series Finale 

Yes, it is always sad to see a loved show come to an end. But, at least fans know they will get the entire saga and a farewell to characters they’ve grown with over the years. We even caught the announcement on video during the show’s SDCC panel:

“It’s so rare for any television series to get to tell a complete story, beginning to end, exactly as it was envisioned,” said executive producers and Critical Role co-founders Sam Riegel and Travis Willingham. “We’re so grateful to our fans, the critters, our partners at Prime Video, and the original Kickstarter backers for bringing this show to life, and turning the numbskulls of Vox Machina into animation legends.”    

Courtesy of Prime Video

Of course, there is no word on when that final season will air. But considering the fourth round is in 2026, it will likely be 2027 or 2028 before The Legend of Vox Machina airs its fifth and final season. 

“A huge congratulations to our creative collaborators at Critical Role and Titmouse for bringing the incredible story of The Legend of Vox Machina to life for our global Prime Video customers,” said Melissa Wolfe, Head of Animation, Amazon MGM Studios. “Achieving five seasons is a significant milestone for everyone involved, and we can’t wait for fans to experience what we have planned for the epic fifth and final season of The Legend of Vox Machina on Prime Video.”

RELATED ARTICLE

CRITICAL ROLE Announces Original Video Game Set in Exandria

We cannot wait to see what’s next for this series and how it will come to a surely satisfying conclusion. Congratulations to everyone for the season five renewal for The Legend of Vox Machina!

The post THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA Renewed for Fifth and Final Season, Returns in 2026 for Season 4 appeared first on Nerdist.

Funko POP! Yourself x STRANGER THINGS Collab Is Coming Soon

Funko’s POP! Yourself initative lets you turn yourself (or anyone you know) into a Funko POP! figure. And though you can play it straight, Funko has collaborated with different IPs to let you add a little nerdy flair to your figure. For example, you can go Marvel and add a Captain America shield to your personalized Funko figure, or head into the world of Star Wars with a bonus lightsaber. But now, things are about to get a little stranger in the world of Funko POP! Yourself. That’s right, as Stranger Things heads to its final season, it’s also heading into the world of Funko’s POP! Yourself. Soon, you’ll be able to add a Stranger Things twist when you turn yourself into a collectible figure.Nerdist

Funko hasn’t elaborated too heavily on what exactly the collaboration between POP! Yourself and Stranger Things will entail. But it did offer guests at San Diego Comic-Con a little tease. Funko gave a con-exclusive Pop! Yourself x Stranger Things Demodog figure to guests at its panel at the convention. This adorable little guy is the perfect (deadly) pet for the Pop figure of you. Sadly, those who didn’t attend the panel won’t be able to snag the Demodog, he’s a con special. But the cute carnivore does get us excited for what’s in store for us when Stranger Things does finally come to the world of Pop! Yourself. Maybe you’ll be able to give yourself Steve Harrington’s bat, Max’s headphones, Dustin’s hat, or Vecna’s… vines? Something we know we’d LOVE to be able to do is give our POP! Yourself figures little Funko Hellfire Club t-shirts. So please move that up to the top of the list, Funko.

Funko officially shared:

At Funko’s SDCC Panel, attendees were surprised with a limited-edition Stranger Things’ Demodog buddy designed as part of the company’s Pop! Yourself line. With only 2,000 made and never to be released again, the collectible became an instant must-have for fans. More details of an upcoming Stranger Things collaboration to be revealed soon.

Nerdist

Funko hasn’t confirmed when the Stranger Things x POP! Yourself collaboration will go live, but does say, it’s coming soon. Cue Stranger Things theme music.

The post Funko POP! Yourself x STRANGER THINGS Collab Is Coming Soon appeared first on Nerdist.

VOX MACHINA Sequel Series THE MIGHTY NEIN Shares Release Date, Guest Cast, and New Clip

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this job, it’s that Critical Role fans quite literally cannot get enough Critical Role. Prime Video clearly knows that, too. It’s launching a Vox Machina sequel series, The Mighy Nein. Now, more than two years after the show was first announced, we know when this new band of outcasts will begin their own campaign. Amazon announced the show will debut this November. And when it does, it will feature a whole lot of famous guest stars.Prime Video

Prime Video celebrated its upcoming new show from Critical Role and Titmouse during pop culture’s premier party. At San Diego Comic-Con the streamer revealed the original series will launch around the world on November 19. When it does it will introduce (at least to newcomers) a party destined for adventure and chaos. Here’s the show’s official synopsis:

The Mighty Nein follows a group of fugitives and outcasts, bound by secrets and scars. But when a
powerful arcane relic known as “The Beacon” falls into dangerous hands, they must learn to work
together to save the realm and stop reality itself from unraveling.

Reality unraveling doesn’t sound all that bad, but still, it’s best not to trifle with powerful arcane relics.

The release date wasn’t the only news to come out of San Diego Comic-Con. Prime Video also released a new episode clips and character art designs.

Click To View Gallery Prime Video Prime Video Prime Video Prime Video Prime Video Prime Video Prime Video Prime Video

The show’s panel also featured news of the big names who will lend their voice to The Mighty Nein‘s first season. The impressive lineup include Mark Strong, Alan Cumming, Tim McGraw, Anika Noni Rose, Ming-Na Wen, Auli’i Cravalho, Rahul Kohli, Robbie Daymond, and Jonathan Frakes.

They’ll join series stars and Critical Role founders Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Liam O’Brien, Matthew Mercer, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, and Travis Willingham. Tasha Huo (Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft) serves as showrunner.

Will Critical Role fans tune into Prime Video when The Mighty Nein premieres this November? I think we all know they definitely will.

The post VOX MACHINA Sequel Series THE MIGHTY NEIN Shares Release Date, Guest Cast, and New Clip appeared first on Nerdist.

Nickelodeon’s AVATAR: SEVEN HAVENS Series Shares First Image at SDCC 2025

I can’t believe Avatar: The Last Airbender is nearly 20 years old. Time truly does fly, especially when you’re out there trying to save the world with your various elemental powers. The passage of time continues for the characters within the Avatar universe also. In 2012, we got the sequel series, The Legend of Korra, set 70 years in Avatar‘s future. That show proved nearly as popular, and both spun-off into comics and other official material. Now, Avatar creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko are bringing a third series to the saga, Avatar: Seven Havens.

This news comes from Variety who shares the new 2D animated series will consist of 26 half-hour episodes spread across two seasons. Or Books 1 and 2, if ya nasty. At San Diego Comic-Con 2025, we finally saw our first image from Avatar: Seven Havens. We get to see our new Avatar, who is an Earth bender with an Air bender mentor. And, that delightful cat monkey beside her is Gheet.

Nickelodeon

The show’s official logline is as follows:

[Avatar: Seven Havens is] set a world shattered by a devastating cataclysm. A young Earthbender discovers she’s the new Avatar after Korra – but in this dangerous era, that title marks her as humanity’s destroyer, not its savior. Hunted by both human and spirit enemies, she and her long-lost twin must uncover their mysterious origins and save the Seven Havens before civilization’s last strongholds collapse.

That’s a fun inversion of the classic formula. The Avatar is a symbol of destruction and fear not hope and triumph. Also, we love a long-lost twin, don’t we folks? Sounds fun!

Nickelodeon

“When we created the original series, we never imagined we’d still be expanding the world decades later,” said DiMartino and Konietzko. “This new incarnation of the Avatarverse is full of fantasy, mystery, and a whole new cast of amazing characters. Get ready to take another epic and emotional adventure!”

DiMartino and Konietzko famously departed Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender over creative differences. They also executive produce the Aang-centric animated feature film expected in 2026 starring Dave Bautista. So it’s a busy time in the Avatarverse, eh? The Avatar: Seven Havens series will release sometime in 2027, which isn’t shocking considering that animation is famously slow.

Originally published on February 20, 2025.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Letterboxd.

The post Nickelodeon’s AVATAR: SEVEN HAVENS Series Shares First Image at SDCC 2025 appeared first on Nerdist.