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Holiday Gift Guide for Pop Culture Lovers – 2023

Giving presents is fun, but picking them out can be really stressful. So because we like our readers to feel relaxed, we’re here to make the end of your year as easy as possible. We put together another holiday gift guide for you, our fellow pop culture lovers. This list celebrates some of our favorite properties with everything from ideal stocking stuffers and perfect Secret Snowflake options, to must-have collectibles and impressive big ticket items. There’s something here for everyone in your life.

We’ve highlighted a few, but you’ll find plenty of gift ideas under each entry. Make sure to check them out to find the right present for the special people in your life. And, let’s be honest, to probably also pick out a couple for yourself.

Star Trek: Picard – Delta Magnet ($29.95)Paramount

This year saw us say farewell to Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Again. But we can always keep the iconic Starfleet commander close by with this Picard elegant Delta Magnet. Based on the insignia seen on the spinoff series, it measures 2 ¾-inches tall and has a bright silver delta over a matte finish black nickel.

Looking for more Star Trek gift options? Star Trek Tridimensional Chess Set ($174.95) – Whether you want to play the legendary game or simply add a stunning Star Trek collectible to your home, you can do both with this gorgeous set. Star Trek: The Next Generation Replicator Color-Changing Mug ($19.99) – This mug is the best way to know your tea, Earl Grey, is still hot.Ted Lasso – Roy Kent Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure ($14.95)Funko

Sometimes we all need a little motivation to be our best. Other times we need someone to yell knock off the f***ing bull****. (We tend to really need both during the holiday season.) That’s why we could all use a little Coach Roy Kent in our lives, and you can get just that with this Funko Pop! of the breakout Ted Lasso star.

Looking for more Ted Lasso gift options? Mackenzie Limited Ted Lasso Biscuits with the Boss Shortbread Cookies ($29.95/$49.95/$69.95) – Live every day like Rebecca by having your very own Coach Lasso-style shortbread cookies.Ted Lasso Believe Dartboard ($99) – We believe in two things—believe and barbecue sauce—so this dart board is perfect for those who feel the same way.Batman – McFarland 1989 Batmobile Set ($74.99)McFarlane

There’s never a shortage of great Batman memorabilia, but we’re partial to anything that celebrates the greatest live-action Batmobile ever. That’s what this special McFarlane set does, with a replica of Tim Burton’s 1989 car. It also comes with a figure of Michael Keaton’s Batman.

Looking for more Warner Bros. icons gift options? Little People Collector Barbie: The Movie Special Edition Set of Four ($24.99) – We love Fisher Price’s Little People line, and this four figure set is an ideal gift for anyone of any age who loved Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie. It’s more than Kenough. Funko Pop! Rides Deluxe Aquaman And Storm ($30) – Know how Aquaman riding a giant seahorse is the best part of the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom trailer? Well it’s just as amazing in giant Funko Pop! form.Star Wars – Chatter Back Chopper Animatronic ($79.99)Hasbro

Ahsoka introduced a whole new audience to Star Wars‘ sassiest, prank-loving droid. Now you (or, you know, your kids) can also get the full Chopper experience with Hasbro’s interactive Chatter Back Chopper droid. With more than 40 different sound and movement combos it will beep your ear off. We wouldn’t want it any other way with old Chop.

Looking for more Star Wars gift options?Star Wars: The Deck-Building Game ($37.99) – Baylan Skoll would love this. This new head-to-head tabletop game will let you fight for the Rebel Alliance or the Empire, bu without worrying any Jedi or Sith will get involved in the outcome.Obi-Wan Kenobi Legacy Lightsaber Collectible Set ($249.99) – Sometimes you just need a super fancy replica of your favorite Jedi’s lightsaber. That’s just how it goes sometimes. Santa gets it.Super Mario Bros. – Fire Breathing Bowser ($29.99)Jakks Pacific

Jakks Pacific’s Super Mario Bros. collection was already one of the best in the toy business before the franchise’s animated film hit theaters. Since that blockbuster premiered Jakks’ Super Mario. Bros. collectibles have only gotten better, like with this fantastic fire-breathing figure of Jack Black’s Bowser. It’s so good even Peach would love unwrapping one.

Looking for more kids’ pop culture toy gift options?Sonic the Hedgehog Death Egg Playset ($44.99) – This clever set is basically a final battle come to life. Fair warning: your kids will be angry how much you play with it.Jurassic Park and Jurassic World Dinosaur Toys and LEGO Sets ($50-80) – It might be 30 years since Steven Spielberg brought moviegoers back to prehistoric times, but there’s never been a better time for Jurassic Park merchandise. There are almost too many, especially when it comes to fun toy dinos and iconic scenes recreated in LEGO.The Lord of the Rings – Horn Of Gondor ($184.99)United Cutlery

You don’t need to be in the kingdom of Gondor to hear its legendary horn. You can let anyone anywhere blow it with United Cutlery’s screen-accurate replica of the one Boromir used in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings. This is more than just a collectible, though. It can be buried with you when you die. It’s like a double gift! (Maybe don’t mention that during the holidays.)

Looking for more fantasy world gift options? Dungeons & Dragons Young Adventurer’s Guides Series ($13/14 per book) – Longtime D&D fans who nab a copy of the incredible new upcoming special edition Lores & Legends box set should remember every . For them pick up Dungeons & Dragons Young Adventurer’s Guide books, which help them learn all about the role-playing world.Game Of Thrones: Paper Models ($24.99) – Let Game of Thrones‘ fans bring the the world of A Song of Ice and Fire to life without needing a loan from the Iron Bank of Braavos.Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory – Bluetooth Train Set ($449.99)

The priciest item on our list is a big item for big fans of an all-time classic. Lionel’s new bluetooth-enabled Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Train set celebrates the beloved 1971 movie. Not only can you control this five-piece locomotive with your voice, you don’t even need to be a train person to run it. It includes it’s own track, making it the perfect present to chugga chugga chugga chugga choo-choose.

Looking for more food-inspired gift options?Thames and Kosmos Rainbow Gummy Candy Lab ($19.95) Any kid (or adult) who watches Willy Wonka wants candy, but why not play with your food and create your own with this set?Heroes of Barcadia ($60) – “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker,” and this clever tabletop game from Rollacrit turns a board game into a drinking game.Marvel – The Folio Society’s The Avengers Collection ($135)The Folio Society

This massive new 328-page collection from The Folio Society combines some of the most famous, most important Marvel Comics’ stories of Earth’s mightiest heroes. Whether a comic book newcomer or longtime fan this set is a beautiful addition to any library. Plus it also comes with a replica issue of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s 1963 The Avengers #1. Excelsior!

Looking for more MCU gift options?Guardians of the Galaxy Groot Alarm Clock ($31.99) – A loud little machine waking you up? The worst thing ever. Baby Groot waking you up? I am Groot.* (*The best.)Marvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe An Official Timeline ($50.00) – We’d have included the new official timeline of the MCU anyway, but this one is extra special to us because our very own Editor-in-Chief Amy Ratcliffe is one of the authors.Salute Your Shorts – Camp Anawanna Sherpa Blanket ($59.95)Paramount

Being a kid is obviously way better than being an adult, with one major exception. Adults can buy themselves stuff, including stuff they would have loved to have as kids. So why not do that for your fellow ’90s kids by getting them a blanket that celebrates Salute Your Shorts‘ Camp Anawanna. It will literally warm you with notalgia.

Looking for more nostalgic Nickelodeon gift options?Retro Rugrats 12-Inch Reptar Plush (20.99) If you haven’t noticed we’ve tried to find lots of gift ideas that work for both adults and children, that way grownups can justify buying them. Thus…REPTAR! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell Backpack With Character Masks ($79.99) – Is this the greatest backpack ever made? That’s an impossible question to answer, but yeah, probably.Parks and Recreation – Swanson Pyramid of Greatness Poster ($26.95)NBC

Don’t settle for just buying a great gift for someone. Strive to climb the Ron Swanson Pyramid of Greatness introduced on Parks and Recreation. This 18×24 premium print comes on satin photo paper. It’s one of our favorite options for an office swap, especially because there’s a chance your colleague will hang it up at your place of work. Then you’ll get to see Nick Offerman’s face and remember the importance of “Cabins.”

Looking for more beloved NBC show gift options?Law & Order: SVU “Dun Dun” Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt ($44.95) – Never before has a piece of clothing made an audible sound without actually making any noise.The Office Metal Sign ($34.95) – Simple, clean, and absolutely perfect for both fans of The Office and for any situation where you might have to give a gift blind.Cinema Science – DIY Retro Film Projector ($79.99 $32 Black Friday Special)Cinema Science

If you want to help inspire the next generation of filmmakers this DIY Retro Film Projector from Cinema Science is a great way to get them excited about how stories get on screen. This 86-piece STEM set designed for kids eight and up will let youngsters safely build their own camera to learn how they work. It also comes a shark-themed film strip to watch. Our only complaint is this didn’t exist 30 years ago so an adult could have given it to us.

Looking for more interactive story-telling gift options?Create-A-Story Paper Center ($59.99) Even the youngest kids can learn how to tell a story with nothing but pictures thanks to this adorable set. Zu3D Complete Stop-Motion Animation Software Kit and Set ($72) Once your favorite child is ready to go a little more high tech they can not only learn about stop-motion animation they can shoot their own films. We really love this set and would have guessed it costs way more.

The post Holiday Gift Guide for Pop Culture Lovers – 2023 appeared first on Nerdist.

NZ Post Celebrates 20 Years of THE RETURN OF THE KING

It is true that our Hobbit heroes bow to no one, but we here at Nerdist must bow to the majesty that has been NZ Post’s collections of coins, stamps, and prints celebrating the various 20th anniversaries of The Lord of the Rings‘ three movies. It has truly been a journey of epic proportions as we went there and back again to The Fellowship of the Rings, , and now The Return of the King with creations that can be described as nothing short of precious artworks. But like all good journeys, there must be an ending to this quest, however bittersweet.

NZ Post

Before we sail west, though, NZ Post’s final The Lord of the Rings collection, celebrating The Return of the King is here to take our breath away one more time.

The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Commemorative Stamps (Don’t Miss the Hidden Messages)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King always makes me feel emotional. Has there ever been a finer ending to a trilogy? And somehow, NZ Post manages to encapsulate everything powerful and wonderful about the movie in six incredible stamp designs. This time around, we are treated to stamps that depict Arwen’s grief and fading time, Gandalf’s realization of the eagles’ arrival at the Battle at the Black Gate, Frodo’s fight against Shelob with the beautiful light of Eärendil gifted to him by Galadriel, Aragorn calling upon the Army of the Dead with Legolas and Gimli at his side, Eowyn defeating the Witch King of Angmar, and, of course, Frodo and Gollum’s last stand in the heart of Mount Doom.

Click To View Gallery NZ Post NZ Post NZ Post NZ Post NZ Post NZ Post

Basically, these The Lord of the Rings stamps show all our favorite characters in their most epic moments from Return of the King. Phew, it gives me chills. And, our favorite part—if you look closely at the designs of the stamps, you can see secret messages embedded in the gorgeous artwork by Sacha Lees. For example, if you really peer at Eowyn’s Shieldmaiden stamp, you can see small letters spelling out, “I am no man.” See if you can spot them all below.

Click To View Gallery NZ Post NZ Post NZ Post NZ Post NZ Post NZ Post

You can order these stamps today.

Return of the King Commemorative Coins

In addition to exquisite stamps, NZ Post has also been creating The Lord of the Rings Commemorative Coins. We know Gollum and dwarves alike would be absolutely entranced by this latest set. There are four Return of the King coins in total, one set of three and one that stands alone. In the set of three, aptly titled “The Lighting of the Beacons,” we see the lighting of the Beacons of Gondor scene come to life in silver and gold. The artistry of these is just beyond incredible. And, in our solo coin is the King of Men himself, Aragorn, being crowned by Gandalf.

Click To View Gallery NZ Post NZ Post NZ Post NZ Post

These epic coins are not available to purchase yet but are coming soon.

NZ PostThe Lord of the Rings Art Prints

If you’d like to enjoy this glorious artwork on a bit of a larger scale, some of the concepts for The Return of the King‘s stamps are also available in print form.

NZ Post

But you had better not delay at the Prancing Pony because these are limited edition and selling out. Prints of Gandalf and Eowyn are still available and cost $32.44 each.

NZ PostAbout the Artist, NZ Post, and MoreArtist Sacha Lees

These gorgeous The Lord of the Rings creations come from the glorious mind and fingers of artist Sacha Lees. A release shares, “The artist behind the stamps and pins is New Zealander Sacha Lees, who began her career at Wētā Workshop working on The Lord of the Rings trilogy as an illustrator, creature designer, and airbrush and concept artist.” What a true talent. You can check out Lees’ other work on her website, here. Trust us, you will not feel sorry you did.

New Zealand and The Lord of the Rings

We also wanted to extend a big round of applause to NZ Post. NZ Post has taken the time to honor The Lord of the Rings because of its incredible relationship with New Zealand. The company shares, “The 2003 release saw a world premiere bring Wellington to a standstill, and scored notable breakthroughs for the local film industry. Held in Wellington, the world premiere of The Return of the King saw a parade begin at Parliament and featured two hundred extras in costume, and demonstrated the growing profile of Aotearoa New Zealand’s film industry on the world stage… As Nancy Swarbrick notes in Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, the film’s stunning financial and critical success further increased international interest in Aotearoa New Zealand as a place to make big-budget movies.”

Of course, New Zealand played no small role in making the films look and feel incredible. We love this symbiotic relationship.

NZ Post’s Collectables

Finally, if you’ve loved NZ Post’s The Lord of the Rings collectibles as much as we have, make sure to check out its Collectables page for more excellent surprises. You never know what you might find. We’d also like to say a special thank you to NZ Post Head of Stamps and Collectables, Antony Harris, for keeping Nerdist informed about the latest in NZ Post news.

We’re crossing our fingers to see a 25th anniversary The Lord of the Rings collection or two someday soon.

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LOKI Reveals How One Character Was Involved in an Infamous Historical Event

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One of the most fun aspects of Loki, that they frankly have not done enough of, is when the writers use time travel aspects to explain away historical mysteries. In season one, we learned Tom Hiddleston’s Loki was actually the infamous D.B. Cooper, who robbed an airplane in the ’70s, popped out with a parachute, and vanished for all time. Now, in the second season’s penultimate episode, “Science/Fiction,” the show solved yet another historical mystery, MCU style. One involving the most infamous (and mythologized) prison in American history—Alcatraz.

Marvel Studios

At the end of episode four of this season, the Temporal Loom exploded, and we learned the different TVA employees who were in the control room, as well as Sylvie, were sent back to their lives before the TVA took them and wiped their memories. Mobius was a single dad named Don who sold jet skis (of course). O.B. was a scientist and an aspiring sci-fi author. Hunter B-15 was a doctor. Sylvie just went back to work at McDonald’s in 1982. But the most interesting true identity of a TVA employee had to be Casey. Turns out, the mild-mannered “guy at the desk” was once a notorious criminal, Alcatraz escaped convict Frank Morris.

Marvel Studios

When Loki starts time slipping again, Casey appears in 1962, escaping from Alcatraz. We even see the crude dummies the inmates made to appear as if they were sleeping during bedcheck. It’s something that really happened. Casey even says “If they catch us, they’re going to gut us like a fish!” That was a fun callback to season one, when Loki threatened to do the same to him but he had no idea what a fish even was. As they’re trying to escape, a time-slipping Loki appears on the shores of Alcatraz island in San Francisco. He finds Casey, now called Frank, who doesn’t recognize him, along with two other men getting ready to escape in a makeshift raft.

Dark Curiosities

In reality, the two other men were Clarence and John Anglin. They were portrayed by the episode’s directors, Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson. The real Frank Morris was a lifelong criminal who spent much of his life in correctional facilities. Authorities arrested Morris for armed robbery, car theft, and finally, the crime that put him in Alcatraz, bank robbery. However, he had a genius I.Q., and was likely the real mastermind behind the whole escape. Being so smart, it’s no wonder the TVA wanted him as an employee.

Later in the episode, Loki appears to Frank Morris on a beach along with the other two escaped convicts, who made it to dry land. In reality, no one really knows what happened to the three men. Official reports suggest they drowned in the waters of San Francisco Bay, or hypothermia got them. But they never discovered any bodies. Over the past 60 years, some anecdotal evidence points to at least one of the men surviving. We have since mythologized the only successful escape from Alcatraz in pop culture. It was even the subject of the 1979 film Escape from Alcatraz with Clint Eastwood playing Frank Morris.

Marvel Studios

Frank accepts Loki’s offer to help restore the TVA, even though he doesn’t understand what’s going on. Once he realizes that O.B.’s temp pad can take anyone to anywhen, he even asks if it could take him into a bank vault. Even after doing time in the world’s most infamous prison, Frank still can’t get rid of the urge to rob banks. When one of the TemPads vanishes due to reality coming undone everyone thinks Frank stole it. Hey, when you’re famous for robbery, it’s hard to shake that reputation.

While we saw Frank/Casey unravel at the end of the episode, we have a strong feeling it’s not the last we’ve seen of him. If Loki has taught us anything, it’s that there’s always another branched timeline somewhere.

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Excellent ECHO Trailer Teases a Dark MCU Series Full of Heads Getting Bashed

Heads will roll in Echo. And get bashed in. And explode. The first trailer for the upcoming MCU series Echo is full of violence, blood, and a whole lot of goodness. The trailer for this five-episode special event honestly looks amazing. Both Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopez and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk are delivering. This truly looks like an MCU series like none other, and we kind of love it. Take a look at Echo‘s first trailer below, if you dare.

We first met Echo in the Hawkeye series, which carried a very different tone. And we feel thrilled to see her coming into her own in this outing. It is incredible to see a Marvel show center on a deaf and Indigenous character and for it to have taken care to support this representation in front of and behind the camera.

A logline for the series revealed with the trailer shares more about the show, noting:

No bad deed goes unpunished on Jan. 10, 2024, when Marvel Studios’ “Echo” launches on Disney+ and Hulu. The five-episode streaming event spotlights Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) as she is pursued by Wilson Fisk’s (Vincent D’Onofrio) criminal empire. When the journey brings her home, she must confront her own family and legacy. All five episodes will stream on Jan. 10 on both platforms. They’ll be available on Hulu until April 9. This marks the first Marvel Studios series to drop all entirely bingeable episodes at once. 

Marvel Studios

The relationship between the MCU’s Kingpin and Echo is fraught, as we’ve seen before and see again in this trailer. But when the chips fall, will Echo end up as much a monster as her mentor? Only time will tell. At one point, rumor had it that Charlie Cox’s Daredevil would also appear on the Echo show. And though he is not mentioned in any official materials so far, we caught a brief glimpse of Daredevil in a montage of shots featured in Echo‘s trailer. Very exciting.

Marvel Studios

As the description of the series mentions, there are a few interesting aspects of Echo‘s release. Firstly, the series will run on both Hulu and Disney+, likely an homage to its grittier nature. Echo also has the distinction of being the MCU’s first series rated TV-MA. And, of course, all episodes of Echo will land at once. Disney+ has never shared a series in this format before, so it will be interesting to see how it impacts viewership. We can only hope that it helps.

All five episodes of Echo will be available to stream on January 10.

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Does Mobius Finally Get to Ride a Jet Ski in LOKI Season 2?

One of the greatest unrequited loves in the whole of the MCU has been the one between Loki‘s Mobius and a jet ski. Loki‘s first season gave us glimpses of Mobius’ jet ski adoration. Despite living his whole remembered life in the confines of the TVA, where there are certainly no rivers, lakes, ponds, or jet skis, Mobius had a very specific dream. In episode two of Loki season one, Mobius has a magazine with jet skis on his desk and tells Loki that he keeps it because “they’re awesome.” Then Mobius proceeds to give a touching monologue about jet skis and how they’re the only perfect thing in history. He calls them “a beautiful union of form and function.” Sadly, Mobius confesses he’s never actually ridden a jet ski. A cruel twist of fate! But did Mobius finally get to ride a jet ski in season two of Loki?

Here’s what went down.

[image error]Mobius Gets to Ride a Jet Ski in Season Two of Loki… Sort Of!

In episode five of Loki season two, we finally get to see Mobius ride a jet ski. And just like he told Loki in season one, it looks like fun. Mobius has the time of his life during his jet ski montage. He’s feeling the wind in his hair, he’s experiencing the sting of mist slapping him in the face, he’s surfing the waves. And it’s all set to some incredible funky instrumentals. But then, record scratch. It turns out Mobius hasn’t actually taken a jet ski out onto the ocean; he’s sitting on a stationary version of the watercraft in Piranha Powersports, the store where he works.

#Loki
THEY DID THIS FOR MOBIUS TWT 😭 pic.twitter.com/IBBzOpQDmr

— andrea ४ 💚 (@sherlokius) November 3, 2023

So did Mobius actually get to ride a jet ski in Loki? Well, technically, he was riding on a jet ski, but the adventure was still only in his mind. In our book, this is not that dissimilar to when he imagined riding jet skis in the TVA, though, of course, it’s closer. We feel happy that Mobius gets to actually touch and feel a real jet ski, but we still need to see him fulfilling his dreams.

Loki Season Two Enhances Mobius’ Love of Jet SkisMarvel Studios

The anticipation is only heightening, though. Although Loki season one teased Mobius’ jet ski love, in season two, we see how deep it runs. In episode six, after the Temporal Loom’s dramatic explosion, Loki time slips to a a 2022-branched timeline where he meets a version of Mobius called Don. And this Mobius is obsessed with jet skis. He sells them and hypes them up every chance he gets. Among other things, Mobius shares that “a personal watercraft is kind of a thinking man’s dirtbike” and even very earnestly tries to sell the branched timeline version of Hunter B-15 on the idea of buying one though she lives in New York City. (New Yorkers will truly appreciate the futility of this mission. But Mobius is right; a jet ski would be a thrilling way to commute… Although maybe not on the Hudson.) What a truly pure love. It warms our hearts.

Mobius even owns two jet skis which he refers to as “beauties,” and offers to sell one to Loki. He, wholeheartedly agrees, of course, when Loki repeats his own words back to him and calls them “a beautiful union of form and function.” It would break his heart to let one go. But, well, Mobius can’t ride two of them, after all. Sounds like an excellent setup to us for a full-force “Mobius rides a jet ski” scene in Loki or elsewhere in the MCU.

The MCU Needs to Show Us Mobius Living His Dream in FullMarvel Studios

Even though the branched timeline’s Mobius may have ridden his jet skis on open water, we don’t see our version of Mobius do that very thing. But we hope that in time, he gets to see his whole wish come true.

Producer Kevin Wright notes of the scene, “We wanted to find a way to do it in an unexpected way… I mean, there’s been so much anticipation, and I think we could have just plopped him on a jet ski riding around a lake, and people would have been just as happy. Owen said something really funny, which was he compared it a little bit to an old TV romance — will they, won’t they? He’s like, well, the second you do it, the thing kind of is done. So he’s like, if we’re going to do it now, it’s got to be really fun and really unexpected.”

He further shares, “That was kind of the genesis of, well, what if we tease this out?… We know we can get some of that out there. He’s working at a dealership. Also, the fun of, it is in Cleveland, which is not known for its water sports. It’s the dream but not exactly the ideal version of it.”

We completely agree that in the scope of this episode, this version of the moment was the right way to go. Mobius took one step toward his dream of riding a jet ski. But there’s still a dream out there ready to be realized… And two empty jet skis waiting patiently in a garage.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2023 – For the Tabletop Gamer

If you’re lucky enough to have a tabletop gamer to buy for this holiday season, we’ve found the perfect presents for them—including the most popular new games, incredible gifts for Dungeon Masters and Dungeon & Dragons players, and even a game designed to get you outside to literally touch grass.

And if you’re the tabletop gamer? Give someone one of these picks from our Holiday Gift Guide and you’ll immediately have someone to play with! Win-win.

The Deck of Many Things Craig J. Spearing/Wizards of the Coast

The Deck of Many Things is a D&D magic item so legendary that most Dungeon Masters shudder when they hear its name. (Or they cackle, which is much worse.) Just in time for the holiday season, The Deck of Many Things is now available as a gorgeous gift set with updated rules, a 66-card deck (which includes the 22 classic cards), its own supplement guide for incorporating the reimagined deck into your game, and more.

Dungeon Masters will love its ability to create adventures on the fly complete with traps and puzzles; D&D players will find new character backgrounds, spells, and star-signs inside. ($99.99, available digitally on November 14 with the physical copy release date TBD)

Disney Lorcana Ravensburger

Lorcana is a Disney-themed trading card game that’s taking the tabletop by storm! While the first starter sets quickly sold out, more are on the way to stores everywhere. Rise of the Floodborn, the second chapter of the game, is due out in December.

In Lorcana, players take the role of Illumineers and use character and item cards to collect 20 lore and win the game. This trading card game is easier to learn than most, but still encourages thought-out strategy and card collecting. And have you seen some of the art? Pick this up for the Disney or TCG fan in your life, and be sure to grab a starter pack for yourself while you’re at it. (2 players, Ages 8+, $5.99-$49.99)

Linkee Linkee

Part trivia, part lateral thinking, and part party game, Linkee is the perfect gift for the social butterfly in your life. (It also has two-player rules if your gift recipient prefers to cocoon at home.) Each Linkee card features four short trivia questions. Players remember the trivia answers as they’re revealed, and once they see the connection between them, they shout, “Linkee!” The first team to successfully find the common link for the answers wins the card.

Work together as a team to find the connection and earn bragging rights for eternity. Well, maybe until the next game night. (2+ players, Ages 12+, $8.45)

Magic: The Gathering – Doctor Who Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro

All we really have to say is “Doctor Who Magic cards” and you’ll know immediately who to give this to for the holidays. But, if you need a little more info, we have you covered. The new official “Universes Beyond” set features gorgeous art of 13 Doctors and their companions. These cards with Doctor Who-themed mechanics are now available to join the Magic lineup.

Choose your gift recipient’s favorite Doctor to find the perfect 100 card Magic: The Gathering – Doctor Who Commander Deck, and allons-y! (2 players, Ages 13+, $59.99)

Nine Arches Moose

Nine Arches might be designed like a tabletop card game, but it’s intended to take you and your friends and family away from the table. The game includes a 54-card deck similar to tarot cards that are used to choose your next adventure. Cards feature activities like “dance party,” “caravan,” and “ghost.” With the drawn cards and input from each player, the group adventure’s is talked out. Will you do the activities all at once? One at a time? It’s up to you and the group. Then you’re all off on a real-life journey based on the prompts on the cards!

If your recipient is the type who appreciates experiences instead of plain gifts, you’ll wow them with this one. (1-5 players, Ages 13+, $34.99)

Potion Pack – Cantrip CandlesCantrip Candles

Whether your lucky gift recipient is a fan of tabletop role-playing games or video game RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3, this three-candle set from Cantrip Candles will be met with delight when it’s unwrapped. The Potion Pack comes as a lovely gift set of 10 ounce soy wax candles in decorated glass containers.

The Health Potion, Stamina Potion, and Magicka Potion candles are sure to heal and reenergize any weary adventurers (or office workers) who lights them. And how can you pass up the opportunity to give someone a container labeled “Dragon’s Blood”? ($80.00)

The Practically Complete Guide to Dragons Wizards of the Coast

Do you remember being a kid and re-reading your favorite book so many times you had every page memorized? This is your chance to give the youngest Dungeons & Dragons or fantasy fan in your life that same experience!

The Practically Complete Guide to Dragons is exactly what it says on the cover: an imaginative, in-depth look at the dragons that populate the D&D setting of Dragonlance. Written in-character by the kender Sindri Suncatcher, this guide to dragons is packed with personality—along with, you guessed it, lots of dragons. Dragon facts, dragon stories, dragon lair maps, it’s all here. Your lucky gift recipient will spend hours staring at the gorgeous art alone. ($39.95)

Sea Salt & Paper Pandasaurus Games

The stocking stuffer-sized card game Sea Salt & Paper is a delightful set collecting game with a dash of luck to keep things exciting. Collect and play pairs of cards to score points and use their effects to earn even more points. If the player thinks they have enough points in hand, they can call for the end of the round or give everyone one last chance to try to beat them for bonus points. Reach the necessary number of victory points to win the game!

Not only does each card feature charming and original origami art, Sea Salt & Paper includes bold icons so that colorblind players aren’t excluded from the fun. (2-4 players, Ages 8+, $14.95)

Kelly Knox is a pop culture writer and the author of Star Wars Conversation Cards, Be More Obi-Wan, and the upcoming Star Wars Dad Jokes. You can still find her on Twitter at @kelly_knox .

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DUNE: THE SISTERHOOD Reportedly Renamed DUNE: PROPHECY

The second installment of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise isn’t the only new entry into Dune‘s world coming our way.  Warner Media, together with Legendary Television, is creating a Dune tie-in series titled Dune: The Sisterhood. The show will serve as a prequel to the films and focus on the Harkonnen Sisters as they create the mysterious order of the Bene Gesserit. Villeneuve will even serve as an executive producer.

Dune: The Sisterhood may be transforming a bit, though, when it comes to its title. According to , the series has been renamed Dune: Prophecy and is expected to arrive in fall 2024. We’ll be excited to soon hear more about the show if this is true.

Warner Bros. Pictures / Legendary Pictures

Here’s everything we know about Dune: The Sisterhood so far.

Title

The title for this Dune series is Dune: The Sisterhood.

Dune: The Sisterhood‘s Plot

We do not have specifics about Dune: The Sisterhood‘s plot. But, as mentioned, we do know it will serve as a prequel to the story taking place in Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two. A logline for the show reveals more about what we can expect:

Set within the mystical world of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, Dune: The Sisterhood follows the Harkonnen Sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit.

Behind the ScenesWarner Bros. Pictures / Legendary Pictures

To help cement the connection between the series and movies, Denis Villeneuve will serve as an executive producer on Dune: The Sisterhood. Meanwhile, Alison Schapker will be the showrunner and an executive producer of the series. Schapker previously worked as an executive producer on Westworld. She also had a hand in Netflix’s Altered Carbon and other series like Fringe, Lost, and Almost Human. Additionally, Warner Media shares that “Diane Ademu-John serves as creator, writer, and executive producer.”

According to a release:

Academy Award-nominated writer Jon Spaihts, Scott Z. Burns, Mark Friedman and Matthew King will executive produce with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert for the Frank Herbert estate. Kevin J. Anderson will co-produce. The series is co-produced by HBO Max and Legendary Television with Legendary also producing the film franchise that released its first installment to critical acclaim in October 2021 and garnered six Academy Awards, including Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Dune: The Sisterhood‘s Cast

So far, we’ve seen quite a few exciting casting announcements for Dune: The Sisterhood.

Emily Watson will act as the lead of the show. Watson will play the role of Valya Harkonnen. Shirley Henderson was slated to play Tula Harkonnen but has exited the series. Other cast members include:

Indira Varma as Empress Natalya, a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds in her marriage to Emperor CorrinoSarah-Sofie Boussnina as Princess Ynez, an independent young princess dealing with the pressures of her responsibility as heir to the Golden Lion ThroneShalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela, a strong-willed Fremen woman who serves the royal family while longing for a home planet she’s never knownFaoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen, a fierce, unpredictable acolyte in training at the Sisterhood School who rarely reveals her emotional coreAoife Hinds as Sister Emeline, a zealous acolyte descended from a long line of martyrs, who carries fervent religion to her training at the SisterhoodChloe Lea as Lila, the youngest acolyte at the Sisterhood School with a deep empathy beyond her yearsTravis Fimmel as Desmond Hart, a charismatic soldier with an enigmatic past, who seeks to gain the Emperor’s trust at the expense of the SisterhoodMark Strong as Javicco Corrino, a man from a great line of war-time Emperors, who is called upon to govern the Imperium and manage a fragile peaceJade Anouka as Sister Theodosia, a talented and ambitious acolyte at the Sisterhood who harbors a dangerous secret about her pastChris Mason as Keiran Atreides, a Swordmaster to a Great House whose ambition to live up to his family name is disrupted when he forms an unexpected connection to a member of the royal familyJosh Heuston as Constantine, the illegitimate son of the Emperor (Strong). His character is described as being ‘torn between seeking his father’s approval and his own happinessEdward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen, a rising politician from a once-great family, who harbors a strong desire to elevate his House to its former gloryDune: The Sisterhood‘s Release Date

Dune: The Sisterhood does not yet have a release date.

Originally published in 2021.

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

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A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES Hulu TV Series Adaptation Is Still in the Works

If you’ve heard of Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses book series, then you are possibly (likely?) a rabid fan. Frequently abbreviated to ACOTAR, the fantasy series tells the story of Feyre Archeron, a young mortal huntress who gets swept into a journey in the faerie lands of Prythian. With a sprawling world, deeply flawed and intriguing characters, and a whole lot of steamy love scenes, the ACOTAR series has attracted legions of fans since Maas published the first book in 2015. And now the beloved book series is becoming a TV series for Hulu.

Bloomsbury Publishing

In 2021, Maas first shared the news via a now-deleted Instagram post. But that post let us know she was working with Ron Moore (Battlestar Galactica, Outlander) to adapt A Court of Thorns and Roses for Hulu. Since then, we haven’t heard any updates for a while, but recently, Moore shared with TVLine that Hulu is still game for the ACOTAR series. He noted, “It’s still in development… We’ve written some scripts, and we’re just sort of waiting. I think the whole town is kind of waiting to see if we have actors before things really move forward, but it’s still in development.” Hey, we’ll take it.

If there’s one thing that’s for sure, it’s that Moore has plenty of material to work with. The first book, which carries the title of the whole series, is a loose adaptation of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. As punishment for killing a faerie, a faerie leader, Tamlin, imprisons Feyre in Prythian. He and everyone else in his court wear face-obscuring masks; a curse affixed the masks to their faces. Things just get progressively wilder from there in each of the 600-plus-page books.

Bloomsbury Publishing

A Court of Thorns and Roses TV series would have a vast playground to explore. And given Moore’s experience in telling epic stories, he seems like an excellent choice to work with Maas. Especially given his role in bringing Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander to the screen. Given the rise of fantasy books coming to the screen, with series such as Shadow and Bone delighting viewers on Netflix, it’s no surprise to see that it’s ACOTAR‘s turn.

Maas is also known for her Throne of Glass series (which Nerdist Book Club read a portion of). But just anecdotally, I feel like folks get most excited about A Court of Thorns and Roses. By folks, I mean myself. I definitely named my Animal Crossing: New Horizons character Feyre. I’ll just be over here daydreaming about who will play Rhysand.

Originally published on March 26, 2021.

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GODZILLA MINUS ONE Trailer Sees Kaiju on a Rampage with Terrifying New Powers

The giant lizard Godzilla (maybe you’ve heard of him) has been around for 69 years. Nice. When the first movie came out in 1954, it was a clear allegory to Japan’s Postwar turmoil following the U.S. dropping atom bombs. Atomic energy created Godzilla, which led to more devastation. Over the years, Godzilla has gone from adversary to savior and back again. The last Japanese-made film was 2016’s Shin Godzilla which recontextualized the threat for a new generation. Now, Toho will take us all the way back to the beginning with Godzilla Minus One. Take a look at the terrifying new trailer for Godzilla Minus One below.

The synopsis for the movie shares, “Post-war Japan is at its lowest point when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant monster, baptized in the horrific power of the atomic bomb.” And we see that power crystallize in our latest Godzilla Minus One trailer, which puts the kaiju at center as it reigns down horror. At the very of the tease, we see the emergence of some kind of glowing appendages. And that can only mean bad news. This Godzilla is pure terror on land and sea and is not holding back as it seeks to cause destruction.

Setting this new movie in the aftermath of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki devastation is also an interesting and harrowing new wrinkle in the Godzilla mythos. We’re used to seeing him demolish buildings, but what if the buildings are already destroyed? I wonder if any of the politics of the U.S. occupation following Japan’s surrender will be there at all. It’s clear from the trailer and the title, that Godzilla is just another horror for the people of Japan to deal with, one of many.

In addition to the new trailer, there is also a sweet new poster for Godzilla Minus One.

Toho

Godzilla Minus One is written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, who also wrote and directed 2019’s excellent Lupin III: The First. Clearly he has no problem tackling some of Japan’s biggest pop culture icons. The movie will open in Japan on November 3 and in the United States on December 1, 2023.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

Featured Image: Toho

Originally published on July 11, 2023.

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SUPERMAN & LOIS to End With Season 4

Superman & Lois’ upcoming fourth season will officially be its last, according to news we saw at The Hollywood Reporter. The series, which premiered in 2021, has been one of the best iterations of the Man of Steel mythos ever. Tyler Hoechlin as Clark Kent and Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane instantly won over the hearts of DC Comics fandom. But with The CW changing ownership, their programming is undergoing an overhaul as well, with fewer scripted shows. In a statement, The CW’s Brad Schwartz said the following:

CW/Warner Bros. Television

“Over the last three seasons, Superman & Lois redefined both the superhero genre and family drama as Tyler, Elizabeth and the entire cast effortlessly portrayed these classic characters with new layers of depth and complexity that had never before been explored in the Superman universe. We are grateful for the years of hard work and graceful storytelling from the show’s writers, producers, actors, and crew, as well as our terrific partners at Warner Bros. Television and Berlanti Productions. As Superman embarks on his final flight, the team is leaving us with an absolutely epic 10-episode must-watch-every-minute farewell to one of the most legendary CW families ever.”

The end of Superman & Lois shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, for many reasons. With James Gunn launching a new DCU and Superman: Legacy in 2025, he probably wants only one iteration of Superman in live-action. He also wants one consistent DC Universe across film and TV. This means the old Arrowverse (of which Superman & Lois is technically a spinoff) must come to an end.

The cancelation of Superman & Lois marks the true end of an era. Since 2012, after the debut of Arrow, producer Greg Berlanti launched a staggering 11 DC Comics-based shows. These include The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, Batwoman, and for Max, Stargirl, Doom Patrol, and Titans. The last two were Gotham Knights and Superman & Lois. We just hope that knowing the show has an endpoint in advance will allow the writers to craft a fitting finale for the Kent family.

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