Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 77

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON’s Toothless Is Flying to LEGO Stores Soon

The most famous Night Fury in the Viking world will soon return to theaters. Toothless is set to soar high above Berk once again in Universal’s live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. Unlike his fellow fire-breathing cohorts who are getting a live-action makeover, Hiccup’s best bud looks a lot like like his animated counterpart. But if you want to see him in a whole new way LEGO has you covered. The company has announced an all-new buildable Toothless set. And it will have fans of the franchise grinning from dragon ear to dragon ear.LEGO

The LEGO Group has announced a new Icons How to Train Your Dragon: Toothless building model kit set. The 784-piece set stands more than 6.5-inches tall and features “intricate details that bring Toothless to life, including a saddle, repaired tail fin, and articulated joints to allow for versatile posing.” This posable adventure decor model also comes with fish and plasma-blast attachments. That way you can pose him how you like doing what you (or he) likes best.

But while this adorable dragon might look sweet, just like in the movie he’s more fearsome than he appears. This set is designed for adults. LEGO recommends it for ages 18 and up. Only, we bet plenty of grownups will build theirs with youngsters who fall in love with Toothless all over again after the live-action film hits theaters on June 13, 2025. They will just have to wait a couple weeks to do so, however. You can pre-order your LEGO Icons How to Train Your Dragon: Toothless building set now ($69.99), but it won’t ship until July 1.

LEGO

When it does you’ll have yet another version of Toothless to enjoy. And whether we have to build him or ornot, even if they all look vaguely the same every version of our favorite Night Fury is a good version.

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Mike Flanagan’s CARRIE Television Casts Summer H. Howell, Samantha Sloyan, Matthew Lillard, Amber Midthunder and More

You don’t need telekinesis to read Hollywood’s mind. It’s obvious the industry just can’t quit Carrie White. Horror master Mike Flanagan will be the next director to bring Stephen King’s iconic story to the screen. Only he’ll do it in a very different way than all the previous attempts. Flanagan will lead an eight-episode television series adaptation of the author’s seminal 1974 novel Carrie at Prime Video.

Mike Flanagan’s Carrie Cast

We officially have casting news for the new Carrie series. Summer H. Howell (Chucky TV series) will portray Carrie in Flanagan’s series. In our opinon, she certainly looks the part. Additionally, Siena Agudong has joined the cast as Sue Snell, a popular girl who bullies Carrie but also has a heart.

Joining the duo are:

Matthew Lillard as Principle GrayleSamantha Sloyan as Margaret WhiteAlison Thornton as Chris HargensenThalia Dudek as EmalineAmber Midthunder as Miss DesjardinJosie Totah as TinaArthur Conti as BillyJoel Oulette as TommyMGM

Flanagan is ready to work in Stephen King’s dark universe yet again. He is following up his recent adaptation of King’s 2020 novella The Life of Chuck with an adaptation of the book that kicked off King’s career. Flanagan will turn the story of a bullied, powerful young girl into a limited series.

This is just the latest live-action take on King’s book, but it will easily be the longest. Brian de Palma first brought Carrie to the screen in his classic 1976 film starring Sissy Spacek. A sequel titled The Rage: Carrie 2 followed in 1999. Adaptations of the novel then arrived in 2002 and 2013. There was even a failed stage musical in 1988 that was briefly revived in 2012. (It inspired Riverdale‘s Carrie episode!) Prime Video’s series will mark the first time anyone has adapted Carrie into a long-form series.

Warner Bros.

Carrie seems like an unlikely King novel to get an eight-episode take, but we’re confident Flanagan’s plans for it will prove why it was. He’s more than proven he can excel with long-form horror television. He’s also more than proven that he knows how to bring Stephen King stories to the screen, even if this will be his first attempt at a King TV show. Flanagan’s other King adaptations include feature film versions of Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep.

While we can’t wait to see what it’s like to spend even more time with Carrie White, we’re also excited about what the existence of this series could mean for another project. This show could also help Flanagan deliver on his long-teased The Dark Tower series. You don’t need telekinesis to know why anyone would want prom night to lead to that.

Originally published October 21, 2024.

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Johnny Hardwick Recorded 6 KING OF THE HILL Revival Episodes Before His Passing

Reboots and revivals have been everywhere lately, allowing fans a chance to reunite with their nostalgic favs. But while fictional worlds can start and stop with ease, the real world also plays a role in the proceedings. Hulu’s King of the Hill revival has been in the works for a long time, since 2017. And finally, the return to Texas seemed to be on track to becoming a reality. In January 2023, ABC Entertainment announced that the King of the Hill revival would move forward and would bring with it the original voices of key characters. Fans of the Hill clan and friends rejoiced, and the show seemed slated to release in 2024. Unfortunately, Johnny Hardwick, a King of the Hill stalwart, who was set to reprise his role as Dale Gribble in the revival, passed away not long after the news at the age of 64.20th Television

Hardwick appeared in 257 of King of the Hill‘s original 258 episodes and also worked as a writer, producer, and more on the show. His passing has left the show’s viewers sorrowful and wondering how the revival will move on. For now, 20th Television Animation and Hulu have shared the following statement. The studios note:

Johnny Hardwick was an incredibly beloved member of the King of the Hill family, whose tremendous talent, brilliant humor and friendship will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to work with him over the past 25 years. Our deepest condolences go out to his friends and family as we mourn the loss of one of the animation greats. His voice gave life to one of our most iconic characters, and he will be truly missed.

20th Television

In the world of fiction, death can exist as a minor obstacle. But our realities are not so fortunate. However, per TV Line, it seems there is still a bit more new Dale Gribble awaiting those who have known the character since 1997. TV Line shares that “Johnny Hardwick completed work on ‘a couple’ episodes of Hulu’s forthcoming King of the Hill revival prior to his death.” And we now know that Johnny Hardwick will voice Dale Gribble in six of the King of the Hill revival episodes. Voice actor Toby Huss will take over as Dale for the remaining episodes of the season 14 revival.

The fate of Dale Gribble on the King of the Hill revival remains unknown, although the show shares that “he remains an extreme skeptic at heart with even wilder conspiracies and half-baked, elaborate schemes.” As a big part of the show, Dale will surely feature prominently on the King of the Hill revival. He and Hank had a close friendship, after all. As Dale’s old legacy comes to a close, and his new legacy begins, we’ll pop open a beer in honor of the character and the iconic Johnny Hardwick.

Originally published on August 15, 2023.

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Benoit Blanc Returns in Teaser for WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

We haven’t seen the gentleman detective Benoit Blanc on our screens for six whole years. Wild how time flies when you’re pandemified for a bunch of that. At any rate, we’ve known Rian Johnson would make a third installment in his series, which began with 2017’s Knives Out, for a while, but it’s taken its sweet time. In the interim, Johnson has created another quirky detective for the Peacock series Poker Face. But we long for Blanc! Daniel Craig is the sleuth of our dreams. Luckily, as part of TUDUM 2025, Netflix has finally released a teaser and a release date for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

Right away, as if the title didn’t tee it up already, we get the sense that this will be a much darker and broodier movie than the first two. Certainly Glass Onion was positively zany. Wake Up Dead Man seems chillier, back to the vibe of the autumnal Knives Out. Fans of the Coen Bros. might recognize the song “O Death” on the soundtrack. That was in O Brother, Where Art Thou? way back in the day. Great choice. I’ve been dying for some Southern Gothic.

As is customary now for these movies, the cast list reads like a Hollywood wish list. Starring Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church.

Netflix

The only downside I can see thus far is we have to wait so long to get it! XII XII MMXXV. Now if you’re not up on your Roman numerals, that’s 12/12/2025, or December 12 of this year, if ya nasty. I’ve long believed the wintertime is perfect for gloom, Christmas season or not. Looks like I’m going to get my wish!

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is out, as I literally just said, December 12.

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.

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M3GAN 2.0 Trailer Shows a Sassy Killer Robot Battle Royale

You just can’t keep a sassy killer robot down. After M3GAN was the sleeper horror hit of 2023, a sequel was inevitable. But if you think the first M3GAN leaned into the camp aspects of a killer doll on the rampage, then the trailer for M3GAN 2.0 takes things even further. This time, our titular robot doll has to protect young Cady from an even worse mechanized killer. So, think the plot of Terminator 2, only with more pastels, neon, and one-liners. Now, we have our final trailer for the much-anticipated sequel, set to the musical stylings of the iconic Britney Spears. You can watch the full final M3GAN 2.0 trailer below:

And here’s the synopsis for M3GAN 2.0 from Universal Pictures to go with that trailer:

Two years after M3GAN, a marvel of artificial intelligence, went rogue and embarked on a murderous (and impeccably choreographed) rampage and was subsequently destroyed, M3GAN’s creator Gemma (Allison Williams) has become a high-profile author and advocate for government oversight of A.I. Meanwhile, Gemma’s niece Cady (Violet McGraw), now 14, has become a teenager, rebelling against Gemma’s overprotective rules. 

Unbeknownst to them, the underlying tech for M3GAN has been stolen and misused by a powerful defense contractor to create a military-grade weapon known as Amelia (Ivanna Sakhno; Ahsoka, Pacific Rim: Uprising), the ultimate killer infiltration spy. But as Amelia’s self-awareness increases, she becomes decidedly less interested in taking orders from humans. Or in keeping them around. 

With the future of human existence on the line, Gemma realizes that the only option is to resurrect M3GAN (Amie Donald, voiced by Jenna Davis) and give her a few upgrades, making her faster, stronger, and more lethal. As their paths collide, the original A.I bitch is about to meet her match.

Universal Pictures

Usually, we would stan a supermodel killer robot, but we’re loyal to our OG murderbot, M3GAN. Besides, we don’t want to get on her bad side. M3GAN 2.0 reunites the original M3GAN creative team of writer Akela Cooper and co-writer/director Gerard Johnstone. M3GAN 2.0 arrives in theaters on June 27.

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Guillermo del Toro’s FRANKENSTEIN Movie Sets November 2025 Release Date on Netflix

A new monster is about to rise. Guillermo del Toro will soon adapt Mary Shelley’s classic tale, Frankenstein, for Netflix, and the streamer has revealed the movie will have quite a star-studded cast. Although early reports indicated that Andrew Garfield would star in the movie as Frankenstein’s monster, it is instead Jacob Elordi who will take on the role. Garfield, it seems, had to depart from the film due to scheduling conflicts. Elordi, meanwhile, recently played a certain kind of monster in Saltburn. But we feel like we’ll see a whole new side of him once Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein arrives on Netflix. Oscar Isaac, meanwhile, will take on the role of Doctor Frankenstein himself. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein has even set a Netflix release date window.

Check out everything we know about the film so far below.

When Will Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Release on Netflix?MGM/Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures/A24

So, when will Frankenstein be released on Netflix? Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein will arrive on Netflix on November 2025. Frankenstein does not yet have an exact release date, but that certainly narrows it down. Reportedly, the movie has now completed filming. So, hopefully, we’ll learn more about when to expect the movie without too much delay. It’s early days, but we’re already itching to see its aesthetic brilliance take shape.

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Reveals Trailer and First Look Photos

We finally have a trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, alongside a few first-look photos.

For our full breakdown of the trailer, check out our piece below.

RELATED ARTICLE

del Toro’s FRANKENSTEIN Trailer Is SO GOOD It Stopped Our Hearts

The film remains shrouded in mystery, and our first glimpses of Frankenstein raise more questions than they answer, but they do pique our interest. A monstrous-looking laboratory. A man with his back to us. Oscar Isaac looking good. We’re into it. And there’s a lot to take in as we look more closely.

NetflixNetflix

del Toro shares that “Much of the film, including this laboratory scene, takes place within the remnants of once-great structures.” And further notes, “Gothic romance was born partially out of the fascination with ruins. Sometimes they’re more beautiful than the building complete because it’s the clash of creation and destruction.”

The Cast of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein

Jacob Elordi
Oscar Isaac
Christoph Waltz
Mia Goth
Felix Kammerer

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is coming soon to Netflix.

Netflix (@netflix) January 8, 2024

In addition to revealing Elordi’s role in the movie, Netflix also confirmed the full cast of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. First up in the casting line-up, there’s Oscar Isaac, who will play the nefarious Doctor Victor Frankenstein himself. Additionally, Christoph Waltz, scream queen Mia Goth, and Felix Kammerer have all come aboard the film. Per Deadline, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, and Christian Convery will also star.

Honestly, we can’t wait to see this film draw its first breaths. Whether this is a modern adaptation of the movie, a period piece, or anything in between, we’ll take it. A cast this good, combined with del Toro’s vision, will surely bring us something absolutely stunning. We only hope Frankenstein remembers the very queer roots of its story as it comes to life And then delivers on them in full.

Originally published on January 8, 2024.

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THE DEATH OF RASPUTIN Is Your Newest Immersive Theater Obsession in NYC

Grandma, it’s meyour newest immersive theater obsession, The Death of Rasputin. If you’re an immersive theater nerd, an occult/witchy nerd, a history nerd, or just a lover of a cool story told in a fun, gorgeous way, NYC’s The Death of Rasputin is for you. This latest immersive theater offering invites you to dress yourself in the colors of darkness, cross the waters of the New York Harbor, and arrive in a world where history, loyalty, revolution, desire, betreyal, and romance all spin into a magical narrative that not only unfolds around you, but beckons you all the way in. The Death of Rasputin originally had a run that lasted only through May 31, but thanks to its great popularity and enthusiastic following, it’s now extended in NYC until June 15. So if you’ve been waiting for a sign from on high to get your tickets, consider this your invitation.

The Death of Rasputin‘s official description shares that the show “isn’t just an immersive performanceit’s a revolution,” and that it beckons you to “step into a world where history is suspended, loyalty is tested, and desire will save you.” That sounds like a worthy weekend adventure to us.

After all, as The Death of Rasputin‘s trailer asks, haven’t you been seeking something? Something intriguing, perhaps? Full of magic, maybe? An enthralling adventure that you can actively consume? Well, if you’re ready to hail all that is light, Rasputin can help you out.

The NYC show further tempts:

Whispers in the candlelight, shadows in the corridorsThe Death of Rasputin is no mere play; it is a descent into decadence, a fever-dream of power, prophecy, and betrayal. This debaucherous satire unfolds as a lavish, unholy revel, conjuring the espionage and mysticism that danced at the edges of the Romanov dynasty in its twilight hour. Here, every character claws for dominion, every ambition is laced with poison, and every grasp for power pulls them closer to the abyss. 

With history and legend entwined, and the specter of Rasputin looming large, this production dares to reclaim the grand spectacle of immersive performance, shattering the mold long held by the few. The revolution is here. The prophecy is written. Will you heed the call? 

Maria Baranova

It’s easy to write a compelling summary, but I promise you that The Death of Rasputin is every bit the mesmerizing and timely extravaganza that its description promises. You can expect drama, dancing, and cutting critiques, but also laughs, levity, and the exquisite adventure of building community. You’ll dally with royalty, plot with revolutionaries, and get to know a fantastical version of the mythos that survives the holy man/grifter/larger-than-life figure that is Rasputin. And none of it will come to life without your influence on the show, as it extends a hand to you and pulls you in so deeply you’ll forget you’re in NYC and instead feel the chilly kiss of Petrograd manifest around your shoulders.

Maria Baranova

The Death of Rasputin is truly like no other immersive performance that has come before it. It’s forging its own path and having an amazing time doing so, and you, too, can become part of the journey. And here, I’ll mention that if you’ve ever wanted to waltz in a royal ball, The Death of Rasputin WILL make that happen for you. (This was a dream of mine.)

Maria Baranova

For those seeking even more detail on what they can expect, The Death of Rasputin‘s official website explains, “Your fate awaits in 1916 Petrograd, Russiawhere war, scandal, and the occult collide. The opulent Romanovs cling to power. Enraged workers fight to survive. The philandering Rasputin captures the longing of all who suffer.  Befriend revolutionaries, scavenge the palace, and devour the narrative.  Stakes are high. Where will your allegiance lie?” It’s a tricky question, and one that you might find you need more than one performance’s worth of experience to answer. Not for nothing, but many who have attended The Death of Rasputin have returned to the adventure, again and again.

Artemis is Burning

Since at the time of this writing, it’s officially Pride month, I’ll also mention that The Death of Rasputin is an incredible queer performance, populated with many queer characters, and more importantly, an overall mentality that queerness is not only to be celebrated, but is the obvious norm for any character. And it’s no coincidence either that the show is summoned into existence by the sorceresses of Artemis is Burninga formidable, female-led creative force comprised of industry veterans from film, television, and theater. Truly, those creating the show respect and know their audiences, and want them to have the best time possible. In fact, I’ll note for those truly fandom-oriented among us, The Death of Rasputin is even holding a fanfic competition. So, you know it has taste.

The Death of Rasputin takes place at the LMCC’s Arts Center at NYC’s Governors Island. It currently will run through June 15, but if it does well, it could be extended through August. To help make this dream a reality, snag your passport to Petrograd today.

REad next

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ANNE RICE’S THE TALAMASCA Reveals New Vampires and Witches, First Cast Photos

The first two series in AMC’s Anne Rice Immortal Universe were based directly on Rice’s series of novels, The Lives of the Mayfair Witches and The Vampire Chronicles. But for the third series, AMC is branching out into more unknown territory. Instead of basing it on a book, they are making a show about the secret organization of the Talamasca. That mysterious order ties Rice’s vampire world and her world of witches together. At a panel at ATX TV Festival, AMC Networks revealed first look photos of Anne Rice’s Talamasca, which is currently in production, and announced new cast members as well.

Click To View Gallery AMC Networks AMC Networks AMC Networks AMC Networks AMC Networks AMC Networks AMC Networks

John Lee Hancock and Mark Lafferty, executive producers on Anne Rice’s Talamasca, revealed the new characters and cast updates. Joining the already-announced Elizabeth McGovern, William Fichtner, and Maisie Richardson-Sellers is Celine Buckens (Showtrial) rounding out the series’ regular cast. Joining as a guest star is Jason Schwartzman. Buckens stars as Doris, described as “Strong-willed and with an old soul, she lives with a coven of witches on a houseboat.” Meanwhile, Schwartzman portrays Burton, “A charming, rakish vampire, leading a cloistered life in a luxurious Upper West Side penthouse.” Both seem like original characters created for the show, and not from any one Anne Rice novel.

AMC Networks

In Rice’s novels, the Talamasca is a very ancient and mysterious psychic order. They study (but never interfere) in supernatural happenings across the globe. Well, they rarely interfere, we should say. Although they never received their own novel, Rice finally revealed their origins in her 2014 novel Prince Lestat. She tied the beginnings of the Talamasca more strongly to the vampire species. However, the AMC shows often change much of the mythology Rice created for the television format. So it remains to be seen if any of that backstory will still be canon in the series. Anne Rice’s Talamasca still does not have a premiere date on AMC.

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INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Season 3 Begins Production in June

Ever since the amazing teaser from Comic-Con in San Diego last year, fans of AMC’s Interview with the Vampire have been waiting patiently for news of the show’s third season, and when it would begin filming. Well, we finally have an update, straight from the horse’s mouth. At ATX TV Festival, AMC Networks presented a panel called Vampires, Witches, and Other Secret Societies: Inside AMC’s Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe. During the presentation, executive producer Mark Johnson revealed that Interview with the Vampire season three would begin production this June in Toronto. This means season three won’t premiere until 2026.

Season three of Interview with the Vampire will be based on Anne Rice’s second vampire novel, The Vampire Lestat. According to AMC, season three will follow Sam Reid’s Vampire Lestat and his rock band as they go on tour. That’s where we expect Lestat to spill all his secrets. So far, it doesn’t seem like they will film in Europe as before. This is interesting, as much of Lestat’s backstory takes place in 18th-century France. Prague substituted for Paris in flashbacks to Lestat’s early years in season two. Will production return to Europe at all for season three, or will they try to recreate those locations on soundstage in Canada? We still don’t know.

AMC

There was also no new casting information given for season three at the panel. However, major characters from The Vampire Lestat were already announced as additions. If production begins in June, we should be hearing casting news soon. We’re hoping to learn who plays Gabrielle, Lestat’s mother, and Marius, the ancient Roman vampire and maker of Armand. Another important cast addition is Akasha, the first vampire and so-called “Queen of the Damned.” Hopefully, we’ll have a full cast reveal for season three by the time Comic-Con rolls around this summer.

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First Artwork from MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: THE SWORD OF FLAWS Shows Eternia in Peril (Exclusive)

Are you ready to journey back to the planet Eternia once again? Before He-Man wields the Power Sword in the upcoming Masters of the Universe film, he’ll return to comic books first. Recently, Dark Horse Comics and Mattel announced a new mini-series, Masters of the Universe: The Sword of Flaws. It’s written by Tim Seeley and illustrated by Freddie E. Williams II (Turtles of Grayskull). Now, we have our first look at some of the interior artwork, which shows our heroes doing battle with Skeletor and his forces. This line-art isn’t yet final, but it’s a very cool look at what we can expect as the comic takes shape. This series takes place in the iconic MOTU world of the ’80s cartoon and toyline. You can check out these early preview pages from the first issue in our gallery below:

Click To View Gallery Dark Horse Comics/Mattel Mattel/Dark Horse Comics Dark Horse Comics/Mattel Mattel/Dark Horse Comics

And here’s the synopsis from Dark Horse Comics for the upcoming Masters of the Universe: The Sword of Flaws series, along with the regular and variant cover art for issue #1.

A legion of Heroic Warriors protects the magical realm known as Eternia They are led by Teela: Captain of the Royal Guard, Man-at-Arms: weapons master and combat instructor, and the powerful and heroic He-Man. These heroes, known as the Masters of the Universe, keep threats like the evil Skeletor and his minions at bay. But when an ancient and evil artifact is unearthed from the depths, the Masters of the Universe will have to scour the land in search of this Preternian power…or risk it falling into the hands of their greatest enemies.

Dark Horse Comics/Mattel

Longtime Masters of the Universe fans will recognize the term Preternia as the name for ancient, pre-historic Eternia. It was once intended as the primary setting for a Mattel toy line in the ’80s called “Powers of Grayskull,” led by He-Man’s ancestor, He-Ro. But it never came to fruition. Maybe we’ll see He-Ro in this series? Judging by the cover for Masters of the Universe: The Sword of Flaws #1, He-Man won’t just face off against Skeletor, but also his other arch-foes, Hordak and King Hiss. Looks like He-Man may need all the help he can get.

Dark Horse Comics/Mattel

The Masters of the Universe: The Sword of Flaws #1 (of 4) will be available in comic shops on September 24, 2025. 

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