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ANDOR’s Luthen Rael Was the Unsung Hero Both STAR WARS and We Needed

In Andor‘s first season ISB Agent and Rebel spy Lonni Yung asked Stellan Skarsgård’s Luthen Rael what sacrifice he made for the cause. In a memorable response Luthen told him, “I burn my decency for someone else’s future. I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I’ll never see. And the ego that started this fight will never have a mirror or an audience or the light of gratitude.” In the end Luthen was right about everything. His hate drove him to fight the Empire with the same terrible “tools” of his enemy. He gave up all inner peace and happiness for freedom. And, ultimately, “Axis” sacrificed both his life and his soul for a dawn he never go to see. All so the very people he saved would either hate him or never learn of him.

To some who knew (or knew of) the shadowy antiques dealer Luthen was a monster, not a hero. To the galaxy he helped rescue from darkness he is a nobody, a name lost to shadows. So what is his true legacy? What do we make of a man who did truly horrible things for a truly righteous cause? Especially in a franchise where some of the bravest acts of heroism feature far more powerful figures doing nothing? Luthen Rael was the exact kind of hero Star Wars needed. He is one of the greatest and most important characters in the history of the galaxy far, far away, a rebel and leader who taught us a lesson no Jedi ever could.

Andor was a show about rebellion, but it’s most enduring idea is not that rebellions are built on hope. It’s that rebellions are built by people actually doing something. Hope is a powerful idea, but ideas without action can never be anything more. Luthen Rael built a rebellion by doing what needed to be done. And he did so no matter how inherently abhorrent the act.

His covert efforts, which laid the very foundation upon which the Rebellion built itself on Yavin IV, are inherently at odds with one another. Everything he did was to stop fascism. His singular goal was to stop evil. But he was no hero. He certainly didn’t act like one. As he said, he could only succeed by embracing the same awful methods employed by the very fascists he dedicated his life to defeating.

Lucasfilm

He did not find strength in the light side like so many of Star Wars bravest. He found strength in darkness. Luthen let allies die when he could have saved them and killed without pause or second thought. He manipulated and abused everyone who ever served him. He would gladly let a whole planet burn, same as the Empire, if the fire would cause an inferno of rebellion everywhere else. There was no cost he was unwilling to let others pay.

It’s not that Luthen lacked a moral code. He knew right from wrong. It’s that he didn’t let ethics slow him down from doing the only thing that truly mattered. He knew no one would ever know peace so long as the Empire reigned, so he couldn’t let anyone stand in the way of its destruction. It’s why Luthen told Lonni he personally sacrificed “everything,” because to save everyone he needed to sacrifice his soul. He abandoned the very same ideals that led him to fight back in the first place. He became the very thing he hated.

Lucasfilm

It’s no wonder some on Yavin, even those who Luthen protected and worked with, didn’t fully trust him. A monster with good intentions is still a monster. Especially one who will never hesitate to sacrifice someone, even the innocent, if he thinks they stand in the way of good. To him, the ends always justified the means. It’s why he scared his own ally Mon Mothma more than anyone.

There’s simply no one in Star Wars like him. This is a franchise that began with a scroll of text telling us the galaxy has an objectively good side and an objectively bad side. It’s greatest heroes fight for the light side of a magical, all-encompassing Force while its greatest villains fight for the literal dark side. And yet, Luthen succeeded by doing evil things for the best reasons. He made it possibly for the galaxy to escape darkness by making his mind mind “a sunless space.” There’s no rebellion, no stolen Death Star plans, no Luke Skywalker heroics, no end of the Empire without Luthen Rael. He made all of that possible because he was always willing, no matter the cost and no matter what others might think of him, to do something.

Lucasfilm

Luthen’s defining trait was taking an unyielding, cold, pragmatic approach to solving a seemingly impossible problem. He wasn’t a hero because he was better than everyone else. He certainly wasn’t nearly as noble as most rebels. Luthen Rael was a hero because he was willing to make hard choices when the galaxy needed someone to do exactly that.

Long before Anakin Skywalker’s kid showed up and used space magic to blow up the Death Star, a regular man with nothing more than the will and conviction to act did exactly that. For those of us who love Star Wars, there’s a greater lesson to learn from Luthen’s life than Luke’s. We can’t use the Force, but we can always do something to fight evil. We always should. And unlike many leaders, both real and fictional, Luthen never found an excuse not to act. He never worried about how something might “look” or come across. His only concern was fighting back, however he could, always.

Lucasfilm

Days after Luthen’s death, “brave” rebel leaders on Yavin IV will suggest running from the Death Star. They will say there is no way to fight such a weapon. They will say there is no hope left for the galaxy. But they will be wrong. Not because rebellions are built on hope, but because they are built by people inspired by hope to do something. And that day Cassian Andor will inspire others to act. He will convince fellow rebels to go with him, to do what must be done even when their “wise” leaders demand they do nothing. He will do what Luthen would have wanted. Cassian will do what Luthen would have done. It will be an act of heroism that saves countless live. And it will be an act only made possible because years before Cassian met a man who showed him the value of doing something.

When things are darkest there is no time to talk. When lives are at stake optics and time are not luxuries to worry about. The only thing that matters is action. So no, Luthen Rael was not a heroic man. Even he knew that. Just as he knew that the people he fought to save would never even know to thank him for what he did. But unlike so many he was always willing to act. That’s what made him the hero the galaxy far, far away—and all who love it—needed when it needed a hero most.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist and obvious Luthen Rael enthusiast. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Kristen Stewart, Oscar Isaac, and Elizabeth Olsen to Star in a Vampire Movie That Will Break Your Brain

This isn’t your early oughts sparkly vampire movie. Kristen Stewart and Oscar Isaac are set to play vampires in a movie titled Flesh of the Gods from director Panos Cosmatos of Mandy fame. According to The Hollywood Reporter, “The story follows a married couple, Raoul (Isaac) and Alex (Stewart), who descend each evening from their luxury skyscraper condo and head into an electric nighttime realm of ’80s LA. When they cross paths with the mysterious and enigmatic Namelss and her hard-partying cabal, Raoul and Alex are seduced into a glamorous, surrealistic world of hedonism, thrills and violence.” Sounds like a lot of thrilling and sexy fun. And we’d bet our bottom dollar this movie will be incredibly queer. Joining the fray is the Scarlet Witch herself, Elizabeth Olsen, who Nameless.

A24/Legendary/Warner Bros.

Honestly, Kristen Stewart plus Oscar Isaac plus Elizabeth Olsen plus vampire movie sounds like a plot to truly blow our minds.

Marvel Studios

We can’t wait to see and hear more from this fangulous film.

Originally published in 2024.

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New HUNGER GAMES Movie Casts Young Haymitch and More

Not too long ago, on the very heels of a new Hunger Games book announcement, we also received new of a new Hunger Games movie, and this time it’s all about Haymitch Abernathy. Suzanne Collins announced that she was releasing a new Hunger Games book, Sunrise on the Reaping, that would focus on the Second Quarter Quell, the Hunger Games that were won by a young Haymitch Abernathy. And, unsurprisingly, Lionsgate followed up that announcement by announcing Sunrise on the Reaping will become our newest Hunger Games movie. Now Sunrise on the Reaping, the book, is out in the world, and we have new information about the movie, too, a new logo and a writer.

Check it all out below.

LionsgateA New Hunger Games Movie Is on the Way

Lionsgate shared, “Lionsgate will return to the world of Panem with the major motion picture adaptation of the next book in the franchise, Suzanne Collins’s highly anticipated Hunger Games novel Sunrise on the Reaping, it was announced today by Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.”

Lionsgate

Additionally, Nina Jacobson, alongside her producing partner Brad Simpson, will return to produce The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. A release notes that “Francis Lawrence is in talks to direct the film; Lawrence has helmed four previous films in the Hunger Games franchise – every film since Catching Fire.”

Most recently, screenwriter Billy Ray was named the writer for Sunrise on the Reaping. Ray co-wrote the original The Hunger Games movie and get ready for it that iconic Nicole Kidman AMC ad. Amazing.

Sunrise on the Reaping CastDisney/Lionsgate

The first two major cast members have closed deals to star in Sunrise on the Reaping. Deadline reports relative newcomer Joseph Zada will portray Haymitch in the movie. Opposite him, as Haymitch’s girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird, will be Hocus Pocus 2‘s Whitney Peak.

Other reports indicate that Elle Fanning is in talks to play a younger Effie Trinket. This well-known The Hunger Games character was first played by Elizabeth Banks in the first four movies. Additionally, McKenna Grace will play Maysilee Donner, another one of the tributes from District 12.

In exciting news, Sunrise on the Reaping has cast Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee. Plutarch Heavensbee is a future Head Gamemaker in The Hunger Games and rebellion leader. The role of Plutarch Heavensbee was previously played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, and honestly, this casting is astoundingly good.

Mufasa: The Lion King‘s Kelvin Harrison Jr. has been cast as a familiar face, Beetee. Beetee is the victor of the 34th Hunger Games and the father of Ampert Latier, a tribute in the 50th Hunger Games. Beetee is a tech wizard and we feel Kelvin Harrison Jr. will play him to perfection.

Additionally, Stranger Things Maya Hawke has joined the cast as Wiress, another Hunger Games victor who has become a mentor to new tributes.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping‘s Synopsis and Haymitch Focus

A plot synopsis for the new Hunger Games movie shares of the Sunrise on the Reaping film:

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Of course, as mentioned, this setting means we’ll get the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy in the new Hunger Games movie.

When Will the New Hunger Games Movie Sunrise on the Reaping Release?Lionsgate

The new Hunger Games movie even has a release date. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will release in theaters in North America beginning on November 20, 2026.

Originally published in 2024.

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SUPERMAN Trailer Emotionally Devestates Us as Hero Fights for Thankless World

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No….it’s a new Superman trailer. Warner Bros. Entertainment and DC Studios have given us our best look yet at writer-director James Gunn’s upcoming film about the most iconic superhero ever. And the first film in the DCU is full of both hope and darkness, which is just how we like our Superman movies.

But, most importantly, it’s also full of the world’s most adorable super-powered canine. You can check out the full Superman trailer below.

David Corenswet’s Man of Steel is one step closer to making his big screen debut. His Clark Kent will kick off the film side of the DCU’s first phase, “Gods and Monsters.” This latest trailer for the Superman movie certainly has plenty of both. It also reveals that Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane knows the truth about her co-worker. He’s not quite the hero everyone in the world wants or trusts. The United States government doesn’t want Superman acting on his own. Meanwhile, Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor doesn’t want him gaining the love of the world’s citizens, even when he’s literally stopping wars and saving lives.

The tone of this Superman trailer and the plot details line up with how the studio describes the film. It says the movie delivers “a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.” The fact that not everyone believes in those same ideals will make for some powerful conflict and themes.

Warner Bros.

In addition to the synopsis and trailer, we also know Superman‘s cast. The movie will star María Gabriela de Faría as the film’s villain, Engineer. Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl) and Nathan Fillion (Green Lantern Guy Gardner) will also reprise their upcoming Peacemaker roles in the film. Anthony Carrigan plays Metamorpho. Sara Sampaio joins the cast as Eve Teschmacher. Skyler Gisondo will fulfill his destiny as Jimmy Olsen. Wendell Pierce will join him at The Daily Planet as his boss Perry White. And Beck Bennett will play the paper’s sports journalist Steve Lombard. 

And, of course, the film will also feature a star who shines so bright we’re already in love with him, Superman’s dog Krypto. We see him in his full glory in the Superman trailer.

Krypto will fly into theaters with his iconic owner, whether some want him to or not, when Superman releases this summer on July 11, 2025.

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A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS Shifts Release to 2026, No GAME OF THRONES This Year

We were gearing up to celebrate more Game of Thrones coming our way in 2025. Warner Bros. Discovery executives told us over and over again that the new Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, would arrive this year. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms footage was even featured in a teaser trailer for Max’s 2025 slate. But alas. There will not be more Game of Thrones in 2025, not even A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Instead, at upfronts this year, HBO revealed that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has shifted its release date to 2026. Here’s what we learned.

Per Variety, at its upfront presentation, HBO showed the audience a first look at A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. At the end of this sneak peek footage of the Game of Thrones series, a title card noted the year “2026.” And HBO content chairman and CEO Casey Bloys confirmed the 2026 release date shift for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, saying the show would arrive in the “winter.” That does seem to indicate an early 2026 release. But still! We were ready for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to release in 2025.

HBO

No official release date was ever set for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but now we know that release date will end with a 6. It felt like the show was nearly on its way to being done. Even G.R.R. Martin was happy with it! But we guess it needed just a little more time to cook. We wouldn’t want to find a raw egg on our plates, after all. That would not be appetizing.

RELATED ARTICLE

HBO Shares First Footage of Dunk and Egg From A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS

The Game of Thrones spinoff has at least shared its official logline. From HBO, here is what A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be all about whenever its release date arrives.

A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.

HBO

We can’t wait to know more about it soon… we hope!

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HBO MAX Is Back: Max Changes Name Back to HBO MAX After 2 Years

Forgive us, but we must say LOL! As basically everyone predicted, Max is changing its name back to HBO Max two years after it originally cut those three little letters (and a lot of prestige) out of the Max streaming brand. What’s dead may never die, but we’re pretty sure this is it for Max. From now on, the short-lived streamer will have to kneel at the feet of the true king in the streaming, HBO Max.

Max Will Change Its Name Back to HBO Max

dubiously of the name change from Max to HBO Max, noting that “Given that HBO Max has some pretty significant brand awareness, the rebrand seems strange for fans of the platform. It seems like the Warner Bros. Discovery’s perspective, however, is that if the HBO stayed, users wouldn’t understand that the platform now also contained a different kind of content. In an effort to appeal to as many subscribers as possible, HBO was removed from the title of the streamer. Of course, to many HBO symbolizes a kind of prestige and quality. So we will have to wait and see how users respond to the rebrand, and, ultimately, whether it was a good idea.”

HBO Max

And it turns out, changing HBO Max’s name to Max was NOT a good idea. HBO was synonymous with prestige, quality, and excellent storytelling. Max wanted to be a catch-all brand that tried to offer something to everyone, but in the end, spread itself too thin in its attempts and lost some of the appeal that HBO had carefully built.

At Warner Bros. Discovery’s 2025 upfront presentation, the company revealed that Max would change its name back to HBO Max. Warner Bros. Discovery shared in a release, “Returning the HBO brand into HBO Max will further drive the service forward and amplify the uniqueness that subscribers can expect from the offering. It is also a testament to WBD’s willingness to keep boldly iterating its strategy and approach — leaning heavily on consumer data and insights — to best position itself for success.”

RELATED ARTICLE

Max Dresses Up as HBO in Black u0026 White Logo Rebrand (Despite Previous Rejection of Brand)

Recently, there were signs that Warner Bros. Discovery wanted to change Max back into HBO Max. For one, it recently updated its color scheme, ditching the Max blue it had worked so hard to concoct in favor of returning to HBO’s classic white and black schema. Just a month ago, as we wrote up the story, we mused, “But hey, the return of black and white to Max’s branding makes us think they’re onto something… Maybe one day soon the streamer will even change its name to HBO Max once again.” But we could not have expected it to happen so quickly.

Uniqueness Is Back in the Conversation

CEO David Zaslav shared with the audience at the upfront presentation the following words (which we saw via ), “The powerful growth we have seen in our global streaming service is built around the quality of our programming. Today, we are bringing back HBO, the brand that represents the highest quality in media, to further accelerate that growth in the years ahead.”

We’d like to point out that no one asked Warner Bros. Discovery to change Max’s name to HBO Max. Instead, as mentioned, this feels like it was done out of a desire to become the streamer that viewers went to for literally everything. But when HBO had such a specific and known brand associated with it, and a good one at that, dismantling that didn’t seem like such a great move. In a previous article, we noted that owning your errors is a step in the right direction. But the question now is whether the HBO Max to Max to HBO Max name changes have confused viewers enough that getting back the power that the HBO brand possessed will even be possible.

Warner Bros. Discovery president and CEO of streaming, JB Perrette’s statements seem to indicate that HBO Max will surely try. For the first time, the uniqueness of the HBO brand has returned to the conversation. Perrette noted, “We will continue to focus on what makes us unique — not everything for everyone in a household, but something distinct and great for adults and families. It’s really not subjective, not even controversial — our programming just hits different.”

Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, concluded with a sentiment that stressed the words “HBO.” He offered, “With the course we are on and strong momentum we are enjoying, we believe HBO Max far better represents our current consumer proposition. And it clearly states our implicit promise to deliver content that is recognized as unique and, to steal a line we always said at HBO, worth paying for.”

When Will Max Change Its Name Back to HBO Max?

Warner Bros. Discovery shares in a release, “Max, the company’s premier streaming platform, will be rebranded HBO Max this summer.” This summer isn’t a very clear time period, but we assume, sooner rather than later.

As Bloys notes above, people have always believed HBO is worth paying for. But HBO tried to dismantle itself into Max. So, now we’ll see if HBO Max can go the distance. Cheers to the name change, it’s about time.

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Krysten Ritter Joins DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN As Jessica Jones

The return of the Netflix-era Marvel characters Matt Murdock, Wilson Fisk, Jon Bernthal, et al, in Daredevil: Born Again was a very welcome one. While those series had been believed de-canonized after a fashion, we knew at least Daredevil and Punisher could now appear in future MCU things. But why couldn’t more of the heroes and villains pop up? They all live in New York after all. Well, for Born Again season two, we got one! Krysten Ritter will join the series, reprising her role as fan-fave hero, Jessica Jones.

Marvel Studios

This news comes courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter. According to them, Marvel announced Ritter’s return at their portion of Disney’s upfront advertisers’ call on Tuesday. Ritter, of course, portrayed the eponymous, superpowered private investigator in Jessica Jones for three seasons, between 2015 and 2019. She also co-headlined the team-up series The Defenders which ran for a single season.

The series, and Ritter’s performance specifically, garnered immediate acclaim with its fantastic first season. Subsequent seasons didn’t quite capture the same magic, nor especially did The Defenders, despite its “small-screen Avengers” vibe. However, as soon as Born Again season one ended with the promise of a Daredevil team taking on Wilson Fisk’s corrupt mayorship, fans speculated other Netflix characters could show up.

Jessica Miglio/Netflix

Marvel’s head of television and animation, Brad Winderbaum, played coy with THR about the possible return of Mike Colter’s Luke Cage or Finn Jones’ Danny Rand and instead made sure to say “It’s about not rushing and telling the best story. Yes, it’s exciting to think about characters interacting, but it’s about the reasons why. At times we’ve done that very well, at times we’ve rushed. The story has to lead the path.”

While Colter’s Luke Cage was fairly well received, Jones’ Iron Fist was not. I can definitely see a world where neither, both, or even just Luke Cage shows up in Born Again. Jones has gone on record recently saying he would love to be able to return to his character, so who knows? At least for now we can be happy that Ritter and Jessica Jones will cross paths with the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen again on TV.

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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How the O.X.E. Company in THUNDERBOLTS* May Hint at Greater MCU Dangers to Come

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In Thunderbolts*/The New Avengers, we’re introduced to one of the MCU’s most powerful characters ever, in the form of Lewis Pullman’s Bob Reynolds, a.k.a. the Sentry. In the film, we discover that when he was a lost and lonely young man, one struggling with serious mental problems, he made a very poor choice. Bob volunteered to become one of many human guinea pigs for O.X.E. This shady corporation was trying to recreate the super soldier serum that gave Steve Rogers his powers, only with even more potency. And their experiment worked—perhaps too well. But what is O.X.E., and how does it connect to the MCU’s other evil scientific corporations?

Marvel Studios

All we know is that O.X.E. is a company run by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), run specifically for her secret off-the-books operations. The kind of things that one might not exactly consider as legal. It was first mentioned in Black Widow, and again in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. But it’s in Thunderbolts* where we really see their operation in full effect. In the comics, the Life-Model Decoy of Valentina created O.X.E, and its intel was used to form one of the (many) iterations of the Thunderbolts team. In Thunderbolts*, we learn the MCU version has at least one top-secret bunker in the American desert to store their experiments.

Marvel Comics

But did Valentina actually found O.X.E., or did she buy it from someone else? Traditionally, O.X.E. is a reference to Omega Chi Epsilon (or ΩΧΕ, often simplified to OXE) an international honor society for chemical engineering students. But we already know of another shady, up-to-no-good corporations in the MCU, some going back all the way to the first Iron Man in 2008. In the background of that film, we saw a building marked Roxxon. We also saw Roxxon in Loki, and mentioned in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, and Cloak and Dagger. The latter two shows probably aren’t MCU, but they are at least adjacent. Could they be extensions of O.X.E.? Probably not, but there’s one MCU company that might be.

Iron Man 3 also introduced us to A.I.M., or Advanced Idea Mechanics. They were behind the Extremis experiments to create unbeatable soldiers. Seeing a pattern here? They very nearly killed Tony Stark’s nearest and dearest, Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts. It feels like some of Sentry’s power set derives from Extremis, so for all we know, O.X.E. absorbed A.I.M. after the events of Iron Man 3 and used their research to help create the Golden Sentry Program. But there’s yet another possibility that could be very exciting for the future of one Marvel hero in particular, Spider-Man.

Sony Pictures

One of the most nefarious corporations in Marvel Comics is Oscorp, the company founded by billionaire tech genius Norman Osborn. It’s long been a thorn in the side of Spider-Man and the Avengers. A version of Oscorp exists in the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man universe, as well as the universe of Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man films. It also exists in the Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Earth. But we learned in Spider-Man: No Way Home that Oscorp does not exist in the MCU. But what if O.X.E. is what might have become Norman Osborn’s company in the MCU? And the “O” in O.X.E stands for Osborn? “Osborn Xenochemisty Enterprises” perhaps?

Marvel Television/Disney+

Let’s say Norman Osborn founded such a company, one that was bought by Valentina. So no actual company named Oscorp ever technically existed in the MCU. But post-Thunderbolts*, the MCU Norman Osborn might take back control of O.X.E. and rename it to Oscorp. He could then become a legitimate threat to Peter Parker going forward. And we honestly wouldn’t hate it if Colman Domingo played Norman in the MCU, since he voices him in the cartoon. The world of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is very similar to the MCU, so we could totally see it. Whatever happens next, we doubt this is the last we’ve seen of O.X.E. in the MCU. You just can’t keep a good shady corporation down.

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The FANTASTIC FOUR Battles Galactus In First-Ever LEGO Set For Marvel’s Iconic Family

The Fantastic Four is finally coming to the MCU. When they arrive they are bringing Galactus with them. Marvel’s iconic first family will battle their longtime, very big enemy in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. But while you’ll have to wait until July 25, 2025 to see that epic fight on screen, you’ll be able to recreate it at home much sooner with LEGO’s new Fantastic Four vs. Galactus Construction Figure set. It’s the first ever LEGO set featuring the legendary group.

LEGO

The LEGO Group’s latest addition to its Marvel catalogue celebrates the Fantastic Four and one of their most infamous foes. The 427-piece construction set, based on the upcoming MCU film, is designed for fans of all ages. LEGO lists the set as appropriate for ages 9 and up.

It features a “fully jointed model” of The Fantastic Four: First Step‘s oversized villain, Galactus. He stands over 11-inches tall. The set also comes with four minifigures of the film’s titular squad, and they celebrate each member’s special powers. Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards, comes with extendable legs. The Invisible Woman comes with her very own force shields. The Human Torch boasts hand blasters. And the Thing has….uh…big hands. You know, the defining quality of the Thing. His hands.

LEGO

Charlie’s uncle Jack Kelly on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is going to buy 700 copies of this set. With a price of $59.99 he really might. Those….those are some memorable hands. And you just can’t put a price tag on that. (Even if this set literally does have a price tag on it.)

Uncle Jack won’t have to wait long to get his tiny hands on one, either. While The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in July, LEGO’s Fantastic Four vs. Galactus Construction Figure set arrives online and in stores on June 1.

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Sonic’s New Unicorn Dreams Slush Is a Very Sweet (and Very Pretty) Summer Treat

What does a unicorn’s dream taste like? That sounds like the premise of a delightful children’s book. But this summer, it’s the inspiration for Sonic’s newest item. Sonic’s Unicorn Dreams Slush is a very sweet—and very pretty—treat that comes with an extra bonus. Because long after you’ve finished drinking it, you’ll still get to keep your colorful Unicorn Horn Straw.

Sonic

Okay, what does a unicorn’s dream literally taste like? Sonic describes it’s new limited-time drink as a “vibrant pink cotton candy slush” that is “swirled with blue raspberry bursting bubbles, topped with a fluffy cloud of whipped topping and a sprinkle of shimmering pink cotton candy sugar crystals.”

The fast food chain invited me to try it, and I can tell you that’s a spot-on description. But it doesn’t capture how sweet this drink really is. It’s not cloying, but it does taste like a sugary candy. The blue raspberry bubbles give the slush a fun boba quality. But the real standout is the incredible whipped topping. This might be a drink, but the best way to enjoy it is with a spoon. Having a little bit of the cotton candy crystals, the whipped topping, and the slush together was especially delicious.

I also shared mine with my young son (who LOVED it) on a chilly rainy day. But this is clearly perfect for summer days. This is going to be really refreshing when you’re hot and sweaty.

Sonic’s Unicorn Dreams Slush might also be the first fast food item to ever look better in person than it does in official promo shots. Mine was really beautiful. This is the type of fun, playful drink the best tee-ball coach in the world gets his whole team after a game.

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Unfortunately my nearby Sonic didn’t have any of the slush’s accompanying Legendary Wish-Awakening Unicorn Horn Straws yet. The company did send me the full set of these vibrant straws, so I can tell you they are really sturdy and built to last. You’ll keep yours long after these slushes are no longer on the menu. There are four straw options you can get with your slush. Sonic offers White-to-Pink Color-Changing, Green-to-Blue Color-Changing, Neon Green Glow-in-the-Dark, and Frost Blue Glitter.

The Unicorn Horn Straws come free with any Unicorn Dreams Slush. That’s especially great since those start at just $3.99 for a 20-ounce drink. So you’ll not only find out what a unicorn’s dream tastes like, you’ll do so for just a few bucks.

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