The Nerdist

Quick Take

• The season finale of Lanterns had many questions to answer, and in our opinion, it successfully answered most of them.
• Viewers will find out who killed Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), and whether or not John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) takes the power ring, in a way that is emotionally gratifying and does not feel unearned.
• There were some dangling plot threads involving Sinestro that were not wrapped up in a satisfying way, so we definitely hope we get a second season of Lanterns.
• Nerdist’s take: We ultimately think the Lanterns finale stuck the landing, especially in terms of character arcs. But the way this show shies away from its comic booky elements is annoying, and we hope season two corrects that.

We all knew a show called Lanterns was coming on HBO based on DC’s Green Lantern comics, but no one saw it coming, if you catch our drift. No one foresaw this grounded take on DC Comics’ emerald space cops was going to be as compelling as it was, with acting and craftsmanship behind the scenes to rival the best of HBO’s “prestige television” greats, like True Detective. A series this show owed a great debt to, as much as any comic book. But with all episodes now behind us, did the Lanterns showrunners, along with the cast, stick the landing? We’re happy to say, they mostly did.

HBO Max/DC Studios

Episode eight of Lanterns had a lot to tie up in one hour. We needed resolution to the season-long “Who killed Hal Jordan?” mystery. We needed to see if John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) would take the power ring and become a true Green Lantern at last. And we needed to know if there were still remnants of the Manhunter threat in Rushville, ten years later. And on an emotional level, we needed to know if John Stewart would make peace with his destiny, and with Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler). Or, should we say, the ghost of Hal Jordan in the form of the Halogram. And we’re happy to say that the episode mostly ties those threads up in a satisfactory fashion.

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The episode winds its way all over the Lanterns timeline, starting with Rushville in 2016, Hal’s release from prison in 2026, and right where the previous episode left off, with John and the Halogram interrogating Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) on the desolate alien world. Much of the lingering mysteries find resolution in a massive exposition dump by Sinestro while confined to a chair. This comes after a lengthy waterboarding torture sequence performed by John. This confession scene works to solve the various unanswered questions the audience had. If anything, this scene depicts a far more morally gray John than usual. It makes up for the standard “bad guy confesses everything” nature of it all. The writers turned it into a revealing character moment, instead of just a Scooby-Doo unmasking scene.

HBO Max/DC Studios

Of course, the questions the audience really cares about, who killed Hal, and whether John becomes a Green Lantern, find answers in a more emotionally gratifying way by the end of the episode. We won’t spoil the answers to the mystery here. We recommend just watching the episode. But we’ll say that it’s wrapped up with fantastically acted moments from Aaron Pierre, Kelly Macdonald, and, surprisingly, Shea Pritchard. The latter only just joined the series in the previous episode as the older Noah Macon. All three actors give their characters a nuance that no one was probably expecting from the “Magic Ring Superheroes” show. We think very few fans of the series are going to be unhappy about how things end for John Stewart.

HBO Max/DC Studios

As for what didn’t work, the plotline with Sinestro definitely remained dangling. This ties into the cosmic nature of the source material, something most of the writers are clearly less interested in. All signs indicate that a potential Lanterns season two will deal with some of these threads. And that takes the sting away a bit. But we still hate that some of that stuff did not receive a better resolution. The finale, and the whole series really, wasted great actors like Jason Ritter. We just don’t get why they cast them at all for such thankless roles. Laura Linney’s Guardian character felt like she needed one more moment, and we just didn’t get it. Those things were disappointing, to be sure.

Nerdist’s Take: Lanterns Season One Was an Incredible Character Study, But Season 2 Seriously Needs More Green Lantern Action

In the end, however, what made Lanterns season one great was how successfully it handled the story of two men, at the opposite ends of their lives and careers, facing their pasts and futures. When it came to its thematic elements and character arcs for its main cast, we think Lanterns succeeded in spades by its conclusion. And if this turns out to be the last episode ever, we’d still say we’re about 75% satisfied, which isn’t bad. But if there is a next time, and we certainly hope there is, we hope they mix in the weighty character stuff with a bit more actual Green Lanterning. We don’t think that’s an absurd request for a show called Lanterns.

All eight episodes of Lanterns are now streaming on HBO Max.

Eric Diaz is a staff writer at Nerdist and a Swiss Army knife of fandoms. Eric loves DC, Marvel, horror movies, and even Star Wars and Star Trek equally.

The post The LANTERNS Season Finale Mostly Sticks the Landing (Review) appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• The final episode of Lanterns’ first season ended with a handful of mysteries still up in the air, ones we hope an eventual season two of the show will answer.
• We have questions about the fate of Sinestro, John Stewart’s new power battery, the Manhunter that still exists, and a possible return for Hal Jordan.
• Nerdist’s take: We hope a potential season two of Lanterns addresses some of the bigger cosmic elements and mysteries, now that the character arcs for its leads are essentially tied up. And we really want more aliens.

Lanterns has ended its first season, or what we hope is just its first season. As of now, HBO Max has not officially announced a season two. But between the ratings and the critical buzz, all signs point to Lanterns getting another season. And we are certainly amped for that, because the end of season one certainly left a few questions up in the air that we still await answers to. Here are the top things we hope Lanterns season two address which the first season left unanswered. As always, spoilers for the whole season abound below.

What Happens to Sinestro?

The season ends with Thaal Sinestro (Ulrick Thomsen), the former Green Lantern who went rogue and killed a Guardian, busted out of prison by the Manhunter, Noah Macon. He’s retreated to the planet where, untold centuries ago, Manhunter Zoe once committed genocide with her fear toxin. John and the Halogram find him in a strange foundry there in the middle of a body of water, where Sinestro confesses to having forged a new lantern battery. Only this lantern was forged using elements found on that planet.

HBO Max/DC Studios

By the episode’s end, John Stewart leaves him on that little island on that barren world with no way out. He can’t swim across the water because the ocean is toxic. So what happens next? We can’t imagine that’s the end of Sinestro, as he’s such a major character in the Green Lantern mythology. Will he forge his yellow ring, and start up his own Sinestro Corps, just as in the comics? The ultimate fate of Sinestro has us the most curious about what season two might cover. He’s just too big a character to be “left for dead” on some remote planet.

Can Sinestro Really Bring Hal Jordan Back to Life For Real? HBO Max/DC Studios

Speaking of Sinestro, when John Stewart is interrogating him, he suggests to the Halogram that if he can be freed and allowed to forge a new lantern, he can “Bring him back, for real.” Sinestro later says that once John charges his ring on the new lantern, Hal’s consciousness will be lost, and he won’t be able to bring Hal back. Of course, by the episode’s end, John does charge the ring. But we highly doubt the writers would leave that comment by Sinestro for no reason. Not unless it was something he could really do, or something they had plans to address. It’s also possible that Sinestro means he could bring Hal back as an undead Black Lantern. We don’t think that’s the plan, but season two must explain just what Sinestro meant by this. We all want more Kyle Chandler as Hal, so they better follow that up.

Will Noah Macon Succumb to His Manhunter Programming? HBO Max/DC Studios

At the end of the season, John essentially made the judgment call to not kill Noah Macon (Shea Pritchard), whom he now knows is a human-born Manhunter agent. He believes his human upbringing can counter any ancient programming the Guardians of the Universe instilled in his DNA. But it seems that Noah has a clear course for success in life. College sports parlayed into fame, parlayed into politics, then parlayed into eventually becoming President. James Gunn has said that the events of Lanterns would have larger ramifications on the DCU. Could it be they’re setting up Noah Macon as the DCU’s “Big Bad?” And if so, what does that mean for John, who could have ended this potential threat? We hope Lanterns season two at least touches on this possibility.

Will the Guardians Retaliate Against John Stewart For Taking Hal’s Ring? HBO Max/DC Studios

At the end of the episode, John tells Guy Gardner to tell the Guardians of the Universe he’s “Earth’s Green Lantern.” John tells Guy to tell them his bosses he won’t be following their orders. He’s essentially daring them to come after him and take the ring away, which he strongly suspects they won’t do. After all, he knows Guardian Lianna’s dirty little secret about the Manhunters. But there is more than one Guardian of the Universe out there. We don’t think John’s declaration as a rogue “independent contractor” Green Lantern likely sits well with all of that immortal race. And if that’s the case, we need to find out what kind of response they’ll have. Maybe we’ll actually see some other Lanterns show up in response.

Will John’s New Lantern Forged with Fear Water and Air Matter? HBO Max/DC Studios

By season’s end, John Stewart’s is using the lantern battery that Sinestro forged on that lost planet. A lantern that John noticed had yellow cracks in it, because Sinestro forged it on a world where fear toxin infused the air and water. Now, in the comics, this is how the fear entity Parallax took over the mind and body of Hal Jordan. This is not something that ever happened to John Stewart. But could Lanterns be flipping the script, setting up John for a Parallax turn? We don’t think they’ll veer that far from the known mythology. But there’s something up with John’s Sinestro-forged lantern, and we need to know what it’s all about.

Will We Ever See Aliens on this Green Lantern-Based Series?

Look, we love Lanterns. It’s one of the best character dramas of the year, and one of television’s best mysteries of the year as well. But aside from Sinestro, a dude in pinkish makeup, we didn’t see a single alien on this show. We might have had mentions of Mogo and Ch’p, but not a sign of anything non-human. Now that HBO has the normies hooked with Lanterns, we really hope we see some actual aliens on this series. We’re not saying the show needs to take place in outer space, but they’ve got to give us something in this regard.

All of Lanterns season one is now streaming on HBO Max.

Eric Diaz is a staff writer at Nerdist and a Swiss Army knife of fandoms. Eric loves DC, Marvel, horror movies, and even Star Wars and Star Trek equally.

The post The Major Questions We Still Have After the LANTERNS Finale appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Baldur’s Gate 3 comics are coming from Dark Horse Comics and Wizards of the Coast.
• These comics will feature at least Astarion and Karlach.
• We don’t know too much about the plot of these Baldur’s Gate 3 comics, but we feel excited.

It’s a Baldur’s Gate 3 tie-in world, and we’re all just living in it. First, we heard a Baldur’s Gate 3 TV series is in the works. Then Astarion got his very own backstory novel. Now, Dark Horse Comics is teasing a “beautifully bloody new comic series” that promises a Dark Horse Comics and Baldur’s Gate 3 (Wizards of the Coast) will be collaborating. Yes, a series of Baldur’s Gate 3 comics are coming. So far, we know at least Astarion will be involved in these comics… and maybe even Karlach.

Dark Horse Comics What Will the Baldur’s Gate 3 Comics Be About?

At the moment, we don’t have any other news about the new Astarion, Karlach, Baldur’s Gate 3 comics or what they’ll be about. But we do kind of hope Astarion and Karlach can go on a joint journey. They’re a pretty fun pair, if we do say so ourselves. (But where’s Halsin?!)

At the moment, all Dark Horse Comics has to say is: “Hello, darling… A beautifully bloody new comic series is coming your way soon. Please stay tuned for the full announcement on Friday October 9 at #NYCC! 🗽 Dark Horse Comics x Baldur’s Gate 3.” So we’ll surely know more soon.

We Love the Artwork We See From the Baldur’s Gate 3 Comics So Far Dark Horse Comics

We do have some really gorgeous art from these new comics, though. Whatever adventures our party will go on in these stories, we know they are in well-drawn hands. Astarion is looking deliciously bloody, and might we say, more like Neil Newbon than ever. And Karlach’s gleaming eyes have us CAUGHT in her spell. Okay, we’re in and ready to say “Hello Darling,” “Hey Soldier,” etc. to these new adventures.

All These Tie-Ins Make Us Want to Play the Game Again

But it’ll probably be some time before these Baldur’s Gate 3 comics arrive in our hands. We guess in the meantime, we can revisit the original game and enjoy some of those great smooches. Baldur’s Gate 3 comics will bring Astarion and co. into a whole new medium, and we feel excited for that. But we’ll always love going back to the original story.

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist. She is a great lover of the anti-hero and is always ready for a new ship to set sail. In her work, she likes to combine fandom passion with journalistic sensibilities. Follow her on Instagram.

The post BALDUR’S GATE 3 Comics Are Coming appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Alison Mattingly’s queer horror short, Burning of a Family Tree, is screening now. This short is cathartic and scary.

Every queer person knows that if there’s a way out of a bad situation, you take it. But bad situations have a way of trying to pull you back in. And what’s truer horror than that? In a phenomenal new queer horror short, Burning of a Family Tree, the exact sensation of responsibility, yearning, anger, fear, and hope for catharsis many queer folks feel is distilled into 10 glorious minutes. All the while, the short weaves a compelling tale that brings an eerie new horror villain into the mix, promises deeper lore, and has you thinking, I could watch 80 more minutes of this. If you’re a queer horror fan, you won’t want to miss Burning of a Family Tree… And the good news is that it’s screening in film festivals now. Here’s more about the short and where you can watch it.

A release shares that the queer horror short, Burning of a Family Tree, is written and directed by Alison Mattingly. The short “follows non-binary protagonist, Eden Becker (Haven), who returns home to their estranged family after the death of their abusive father, Gerald. There, Eden discovers their family’s religious fanaticism has evolved into a cult-like nightmare, forcing them to confront their traumatic past…and their father’s reanimated corpse.”

Kilgore Productions

Burning of a Family Tree stars the incredibly talented Jack Haven (I Saw the TV Glow, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma), as well as Robert Lewis Stephenson (Landman, Criminal Minds), Jonathan von Mering (The Pitt, The Holdovers), and Conn Barrett (It’s Florida, Man, The Legend of Resurrection Mary). The entire cast delivers compelling performances, making this queer horror short rich with the inner lives of its characters, even in only a handful of minutes. Every character is truly dimensional and we get a sense for all their different dimensions and relationships.

And it’s worth mentioning that in only 10 minutes, this short made me jump several times. It’s SCARY.

Kilgore Productions

Burning of a Family Tree had its World Premiere at Popcorn Frights Film Festival 2026 and will hold its LA Premiere at ScreamFest Horror Film Festival this October. Mattingly shares, “Playing at ScreamFest has long been a personal goal of mine as a filmmaker, and I’m beyond ecstatic to see that dream realized with, Burning of a Family Tree. Through Eden’s journey, my goal was to form a catharsis for not only myself, but all the trans and queer individuals in this country and across the world who have had to live under the terror of a looming monster like Gerald.” Mission accomplished with this queer horror short.

Kilgore Productions

You can also catch Burning of a Family Tree at the following film festivals and dates:

• Oct 5th (Block 3 @ 3:30p) – Chicago Horror Film Festival (Chicago)
• Oct 10th (Block 3 @ 3:00p) – ScreamFest LA (Los Angeles)
• Oct 16th (Scare Package Block @ 5:30p) – Seattle Trans Underground Film Fest (Seattle)
• Oct 15-18 (TBD Screening Block) – Nightmares Film Festival (Columbus, OH)

As we said, if you’re a fan of queer horror, you HAVE to get yourself to a screening of this short. For more information, you can follow the film’s social media account @BurningOfAFamilyTree.

Editorial Note: Alison Mattingly is employed by Legendary Digital Networks, of which Nerdist is a subsidiary.

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist. She is a great lover of the anti-hero and is always ready for a new ship to set sail. In her work, she likes to combine fandom passion with journalistic sensibilities. Follow her on Instagram.

The post BURNING OF A FAMILY TREE Is a Phenomenally Creepy Queer Horror Short, Screening Now appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Eddie Murphy has signed on to star in his first scripted TV series, Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner’s new Peacock show The Chairman.
• No details about the series are known, but it comes from 01 Studios (Yellowstone, Landman, MobLand).
• While Murphy created two animated shows in the ’90s, this is his first real foray into television since he left SNL in 1984.

Eddie Murphy established his place in television’s Pantheon on Saturday Night Live. His meteoric rise then took him to the top of the box office as he quickly conquered the big screen. That’s where his career has primarily remained for more than 40 years. But that’s about to change. The comedy legend is returning to TV. Eddie Murphy will star in The Chairman, a new TV series at Peacock from Mad Men‘s Matthew Weiner.

NBC

Deadline reports Murphy has signed on to star in his first-ever scripted TV show. Weiner, best known as the creator and showrunner for Mad Men, is writing the series. He’ll also serve as an executive producer alongside Murphy. The show will come from 01 Studios (Yellowstone, Landman, MobLand) and Universal Television.

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No details about the TV show’s plot or premise are known. We know its star is up to the challenge of leading a drama, though. Over his four+ decades on the big screen Murphy has shown his acting chops countless times. In 2007, he also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his stellar performance in Dreamgirls. (He lost to Little Miss Sunshine‘s Alan Arkin.) But if you ever needed proof that awards don’t always tell a complete story, just remember Eddie Freaking Murphy never won an Emmy while he was on TV for SNL. He claimed his first and only Emmy win in 2020. He took home the statue for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series after finally returning to Studio 8H to host.

While he has never starred on a scripted TV series, he did develop two animated shows in the ’90s. Murphy was behind Fox’s The PJs and CBS’s The Royal Family. The fact that Eddie Murphy has signed on to star on The Chairman is the best sign yet for the TV show. Is it even possible Weiner could ever create another show as good as Mad Men or The Sopranos, which he also wrote for and executive produced? That’s a tall order for any TV series. But then again, no other show has ever before convinced Eddie Murphy to be its star.

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

The post Eddie Murphy Stars in First TV Series, Matthew Weiner’s THE CHAIRMAN appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Digger isn’t a musical, but it does have a massive twist.
• We break down Digger’s big twist, how it’s revealed, and what it means.
• Nerdist Take: Ultimately, Digger‘s twist presents us with two contrasting ideas, one about hope and one about despair.

There’s been a lot of chatter about Tom Cruise’s newest movie, Digger. After all, the trailers for Digger offered glimpses that left us befuddled but excited about the story that could unfold on our screens. In a couple of words, we thought the movie looked “real weird.” And we weren’t the only ones… Internet conspiracy theorists insist that Digger is actually a musical in disguise. Ultimately, Digger is NOT a musical, but it DOES have a twist. Let’s dig into what’s really happening in Digger, delve into what the twist of the movie is, and explain what it really means. As we said, Digger is not a musical, but…

Digger’s Twist Explained: Digger Is Actually a Play Warner Bros.

Surprise. Digger is actually a play. It’s a play within a movie! That is to say, Digger tells the story of a play rehearsal in a dystopian future where climate change, world war, unchecked greed, and oil drilling has wrecked the world. In the context of this reality, actors are putting on a parody play about the historical figure, Digger Rockwell, the man who destroyed the world. In the movie Digger, we see both sequences that take place in “the present” and “the past.” In the present, we follow actors living in a dystopia as they try to put on a play and survive. Then, we also see the play they are putting on about the past, as though we are the audience watching the play itself. But the play is screened to us as a movie, the trappings of the stage falling away.

In other words, we see Tom Cruise playing an actor who is playing Digger Rockwell in Digger. Whenever we see Tom Cruise as Digger, we are immersed in the world of the play about Digger Rockwell. That play is a parody history of the world the play takes place in. And whenever we see Tom Cruise break character, we flash to the present of that world, where Digger’s actions have destroyed life as we know it.

Digger‘s Two-Part Twist: First, We Learn Digger Is Actually a Play

Digger actually reveals its twist very cleverly. From the start, it’s clear that things aren’t 100% real in the “play” scenes of Digger, which run for quite a while before finally zooming out to reveal the backstage of a theater and that Tom Cruise is actually an actor playing Digger Rockwell. We see that Digger’s beloved cat is clearly an animatronic in the very first scene, for one thing. For another, visual cues like the overly picturesque and expansive view out of Digger’s window just LOOK fake. But at the start of Digger, it’s hard to know whether the movie was just aiming for something slightly surreal.

Digger doesn’t keep us in suspense too long, though, and very overtly reveals the first part of its twist. The camera pans out, and we find ourselves on the set of what we are told is a play. We follow Tom Cruise as he falls out of Digger Rockwell and into the actor who is playing Digger Rockwell. (Who is something of a drama queen.) And we get to peer into the behind-the-scenes world of the play being put on. The movie then flips between showing us the play and showing us the actors in between scenes.

Digger’s Two-Part Twist: Digger’s Play, Fossil Fools, Is a Historical Parody of Past Events That Actually Happened, It Is Being Performed in The Future/Present Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures

But the fact that Digger is a play is only a part of the movie’s twist. As the movie intercuts through the “play” sequences and the “behind-the-scenes” sequences, we start to understand that Digger‘s play is being put on in a very specific world. Namely, we learn that the play about Digger Rockwell, titled Fossil Fools, is actually a parody of historical figures and events that really happened in the world. The world in which the play is being put on is actually a dystopia wherein Digger Rockwell’s refusal to stop drilling for oil started a chain reaction that led to climate change, world war, and the overall destruction of the planet. The Fossil Fools play now parodically retells these historical events for an audience who has lived through them and their consequences.

Little clues throughout Digger hint at this twist, as it becomes clear the “past” play is converging with the present storyline. For example, as we see Digger digging the world into a deeper whole with melting icebergs and bombs, we hear about a “Category Six” hurricane, something that doesn’t yet exist in our world, but hints at immense climate catastrophe. And we see the actors using futuristic technology to communicate and perform the play. Ultimately though, it’s a very well-delivered monologue by Jesse Plemons’ mysterious character that reveals all to the audience.

It Is Actually Digger’s Nephew, Played By Jesse Plemons, Who Is Putting on The Play Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures

Surprise! Yes, another Digger twist: it’s actually the real Digger’s nephew, Eddie Rockwell, played by Jess Plemons, who is putting on the play in the first place. Plemons’ Eddie survived his family’s exile after the role they played in massive world destruction (although they were never technically punished) and his uncle’s suicide to come out on top. Eddie Rockwell seemingly took over the “Green Energy” company run by Digger’s sister and Eddie’s mother, Emma Rockwell, played by Sandra Hüller. Digger, of course, never cared about this “Green Energy,” just as Emma never truly cared that Digger was destroying the planet.

Either way, Plemons’ Eddie Rockwell saw the parody play Fossil Fools about his family and decided to turn the idea into something bigger, giving it funding and a major stage. He claims he applauded the play mocking his Uncle Digger. He saw how the play gave the audience catharsis and a place to put their feelings of pain, sadness, and anger. Eddie Digger wants the play to allow its audience to escape the horror of their lives, created by his Uncle, and find some kind of peace. And that’s why he’s put on the play in Digger. (Yeah, okay.)

Nerdist Take: Digger’s Play Both Promises Communal Catharsis Will Always Exist and Cautions That If We Don’t Take Action, We’ll All be Inert as the Rich Get Richer Warner Bros.

Ultimately, the Digger play twists highlight two contrasting ideas. First, obviously, Digger warns us that the stupid rich control our lives. And that even when they utterly tear down everything and make the world a living hell, they will escape true consequence. Digger Rockwell might have killed himself, but Eddie Rockwell was able to use his family’s fortune and status to not only survive, but thrive in a dystopia. He does a couple of nice things in Digger, like helping Digger’s actor to locate his daughter after she is lost in a hurricane, and insists on putting on the play Fossil Fools to give the masses catharsis. But instead, he could be using his money to actually help people.

At the end of Digger, we see every single person in the audience put on a high-tech gas mask before exiting. No doubt the people bought these gas masks from the Digger family, who forced them into this mess in the first place. Ultimately, Eddie Rockwell helps Digger’s actor save his daughter from a catastrophe his family helped cause and now profits from. The selfish rich continue to enact the actions of the selfish rich, and the cycle continues.

At the same time, we do see that Digger‘s play does bring a rare moment of entertainment and community to the people forced to live in this horrible world. And in a sense, Digger the movie does the same in ours. Entertainment will always be important. We’re glad communal catharsis can exist into dystopia. But frankly, we’ll take the first lesson more to heart. Let us not allow ourselves to fall into the future Digger paints in the first place.

Final Thoughts: Even Though Digger Isn’t a Musical, We Feel Like the Internet Got it Right on This One

My favorite conspiracy theory right now is that Digger is secretly a musical and they’re desperately trying to hide it in the marketing pic.twitter.com/JORNZ0iqib

— Jason Pargin, author of John Dies at the End, etc (@JasonKPargin) September 10, 2026

Our final thoughts on Digger? We have to give it to the internet on this one. Digger is not a musical, but really, aren’t a play and a musical practically the same thing? Same genre anyway. We feel like the internet got it right and called the Digger twist! But that also speaks, we suppose, to how Tom Cruise and the rest of Digger‘s actors successfully played their parts as if they were in a play. They managed to get the sense of theater across even in snippets of the trailer without context. Job well done by all!

Digger is now in theaters.

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist. She is a great lover of the anti-hero and is always ready for a new ship to set sail. In her work, she likes to combine fandom passion with journalistic sensibilities. Follow her on Instagram.

The post DIGGER’s Twist, Explained—Not a Musical, But… appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• CEO David Ellison announced the launch of his mega-studio Skydance with a video that opens with footage from Titanic.
• The Titanic was an “unsinkable” ship built by overconfident rich guys that vey famously crashed and sank on its maiden voyage.
• Some people think this video is a bit of very funny, unaware foreshadowing, but that’s only true if you understand metaphors.

The fight against Paramount’s monopolistic, job-destroying purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery is over. After a judge brushed aside the final formal objection to the mega-merger, the two companies will formally come together early next week. We now know the uber-corporation will go by the name Skydance. While many both inside and outside of the industry aren’t happy about any of this, CEO David Ellison continues to promise this deal will be good for creatives and consumers alike. To share his excitement he took to social media to share an optimistic message likely written by AI that also featured an accompanying video. Skydance’s first introduction to the world opens with footage from Titanic, a film about an opulent ship built by overconfident executives that is famous for crashing and sinking.

What once was the peak, is now just the beginning.

Paramount and Warner Bros. shaped over a century of culture. By combining them, we aren't rewriting history — we're equipping these iconic studios with a more powerful engine. Together, we are Skydance: a creative-first home for… pic.twitter.com/uInLRY3IrE

— David Ellison (@ellisonskydance) October 2, 2026

Yes! It makes perfect sense to announce this new company with a clip from Titanic. The movie won so many awards for Paramount! It’s one of the most beloved and popular films of all time. Titanic is exactly the type of IP Skydance should highlight.

Now, as you might remember (don’t feel too badly if you don’t, it happened more than one hundred years ago!), Titanic is based on a very real event. See, what had happened was that a bunch of rich guys built a ship even God couldn’t sink. Then the company’s CEO demanded it travel full speed through a field of ice during its maiden voyage so it could set a meaningless record. Instead, it struck an iceberg and sank, killing roughly 1,500 people. There are, like, one or two books about this otherwise forgotten maritime incident.

Paramount

But, again, Titanic won like a million Oscars and Skydance could win like a million Oscars! That’s all that matters here. There’s obviously no meaning behind making us mentally connect this merger of Warner Bros. and Paramount with the Titanic. This is NOT some kind of accidental foreshadowing made without an ounce of self-awareness. Just like there’s nothing any of us can ever learn from history. The past is over, you know? Full steam ahead! is what I always say. Because I lack critical thinking skills.

For some reason, though, a few silly gooses thinking launching your new company by tying it to the launch of the f***ing Titanic is symbolic of what awaits this entire Skydance endeavor. I can’t imagine why, but in fairness, we should hear from both sides.

— 🎃 Ryan S. Pumpkins 🎃 (Any Questions?) (@ryanwritesgood.bsky.social) 2026-10-02T16:44:19.511Z

— Jameson (@jamesonstarship.bsky.social) 2026-10-02T16:41:44.565Z

— Logan Hard (@loganhard.bsky.social) 2026-10-02T16:35:26.376121Z

— King of the Suburbs (@jamesbaumann.bsky.social) 2026-10-02T16:23:33.313Z

With the merging of these two iconic companies, Skydance is ready to soar into the future!

— Ken Tremendous (@kentremendous.bsky.social) 2026-10-02T15:59:39.244Z

….Hey…..wait. IS there a possible connection between this controversial new Skydance studio and the Titanic? Is this an ominous sign, one that lacks all self-awareness, about the fate of unchecked hubris? Some seem to think so.

But not me. I’m all in on this creative-first ho. I mean, what can go wrong? Skydance isn’t a ship like the Titanic. It’s not like it can literally hit an iceberg and sink, you know? It’ll be totally fine, and you have my guarantee as someone who doesn’t know what “metaphor” means.

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

The post Skydance Launches with Footage of Overconfident Ship Famous For Sinking appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• The 2020s have been a weird decade but we have gotten a lot of great horror movies and shows out of it.
• We love to be frightened but we also like when horror tosses in some funny one-liners and reactions.
• To celebrate Nerdoween, we are highlighting 13 funny quotes that we love from these recent shows and films.

If there’s one genre that’s excelling in the 2020s, it is horror. We’ve gotten quite a few film and television gems, both from well-known franchises and original stories. Sinners and Weapons even scored big at the Oscars, showing that horror is truly an artform worth recognition. And while we love the more macabre elements of the genre, there’s nothing like a line that makes us giggle in the midst of gasping. So, in honor of Nerdoween, here are 13 funny horror movie and TV show quotes from the 2020s that made us genuinely laugh out loud. 

RELATED ARTICLE

Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS Oscar Wins Are Huge for Horror “I think I shat myself.” -Delta Slim, Sinners (2025)

Sinners has its share of hilarious moments in the midst of a very intense main plot. Stack’s sarcastic “Nah, we cousins.” found lots of social media fame, but we think that Delta Slim’s very real declaration that he felt like he’d pooped his pants is just as funny. It’s also a very real reaction to have after seeing someone you know turn into a bloodthirsty monster. Delroy Lindo’s delivery is perfection, as is Michael B. Jordan’s bewildered reaction. 

“Why, I’m Pennywise, your dancing daddy!” – Pennywise, IT: Welcome to Derry (2025)

Pennywise has never been a serious being, and that’s exceptionally true in IT: Welcome to Derry. Season one took us back to 1962 to see what terrors this dancing clown would unleash on a group of unsuspecting kids. He delivers a lot of great lines, but the best one of the season is when he addresses Ingrid, calling himself her dancing daddy. It’s hilarious in such a mean-spirited way. 

“Nope.” -Otis Haywood, Nope (2022) NBCUniversal

Otis Haywood’s deadpan single word is what we are all thinking when we spot something suspect. And the fact that it is the title of the film makes it even funnier. Oftentimes, we gripe when characters do incredibly boneheaded things, so it is kinda refreshing to see one onscreen who has the same vocal reaction that we do as the viewer. 

“Negroes at Applebee’s cooking pasta? Oh my god, this is so offensive!” – Allison, The Blackening (2023)

This horror comedy gem is packed with lots of jokes from pretty much every character in the film, including the killers. For those who aren’t familiar, The Blackening is about a group of college friends who reunite on Juneteenth weekend to play spades and turn up. Things go awry with a killer with a blackface mask forces them to play a game to prove their Blackness and possibly survive. Allison reading one of the deadly game’s answer choices about what the NAACP stands for and her subsequent disgust makes us cackle every time. 

“Jingle bells, jingle bells, this place f**king smells.” – Dennis, Terrifier 3 (2024) 

We will admit it. The Terrifier franchise isn’t our typical cup of horror tea. But we cannot deny that Art the Clown is scary AF and that the films do have some nice layers of humor. Dennis puts a spin on a typically cheery song, and it became a line that many fans have used in TikTok videos. 

RELATED ARTICLE

ABIGAIL Overdelivers on Its Premise With a Wildly Entertaining Vampire Story “I f**king hate ballet.” -Frank, Abigail (2024)

What happens when you kidnap a rich ballerina for ransom, only to discover that she’s a vampire? A very bad night, that’s what. But it is what the unlucky criminal adults get. Frank is absolutely over Abigail’s s**t and gives us this humorous one-liner. 

“F**king help me!” – Justine, Weapons (2025)  Warner Bros.

Poor Justine. Being a schoolteacher who becomes ostracized by her community after almost her whole class disappears has to be hard. What’s even harder is legit screaming for help just like we would and getting absolutely none. It’s not funny for Justine, but the way she says it makes us laugh for sure. 

“You look like a tuna melt. No one’s gonna love you lookin’ like that.” – Chucky in Chucky (2021-2024)

Chucky has always been one of the more humorous slasher villains. You kinda have to have some funny elements when the killer is a doll, right? That remained the same in the Chucky series, which ran from 2021-2024. At one point, Chucky catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror and laments over his appearance. A tuna melt is certainly not an attractive sandwich, so he’s got a point. 

RELATED ARTICLE

CHUCKY Canceled After 3 Seasons, But Creator Says ‘He’ll Be Back’ “Apparently there’s no age limit for syphilis.” – Rosemary, Widow’s Bay (2026) Apple TV

Widow’s Bay is beloved by our entire staff, and it is certainly just as comedic as it is spooky. Mayor Tom Loftis has his hands full in every way, from old curses to his eccentric staff, including Rosemary. She says there will be no gossip from her but also declares that there’s no age limit on contracting this STD. While getting syphilis is no laughing matter, Rosemary’s delivery of this line and so many others absolutely are. 

“Well maybe you’re the killer… because that cut deep.” – Dewey Riley, Scream (2022) 

Dewey is not only beloved for his fierce devotion to Sidney and Gale, but also for the unintentionally funny things he says. He’s a grizzled old man in this fifth installment, which sadly ends up being his final round, but that doesn’t mean his feelings cannot be hurt. After Wes tells him that he could be the killer because he’s divorced and washed up, Dewey responds with this line, which is perhaps the funniest quote in this horror movie. 

“STAAAAYYYYYYYY!” – Nikki, Obsession (2026) Focus Features/Universal Pictures

Again, a one word quote that is incredibly funny. Obsession became one of the hottest horror flicks of 2026, packing a lot of dark humor into a rather bleak story about a guy who makes a wish for his crush to love him obsessively, and she does to a deadly and disturbing extend. Nikki’s angry command towards Bear, the film’s real villain, frightens us a bit but also makes us literally laugh out loud. 

“Great. We’re gonna be killed by Murder Barbie.” – Josh, Freaky (2020)

Freaky was, well, a freaky horror flick. A big ole serial killer man switching bodies with a high school girl, Millie, is pretty darn wild. And her friend Josh is both scared and perhaps a bit annoyed that he’s in this situation with “Murder Barbie” on his a**. 

RELATED ARTICLE

Get a Freaky Text? Don’t Worry It Was THE BLACK PHONE 2 “Your day f**king sucks.” -Ally, Heart Eyes (2025) Sony Pictures

Heart Eyes is one film that sadly flew under a lot of folks’ radars, but it is a really great addition to the horror comedy landscape. In it, we meet Ally and Jay, who are paired together for an ad campaign. They are mistaken for a couple on Valentine’s Day and become the target of the titular killer. Towards the end of the film, after a night of hell on Earth, Ally is inside a church and sees a statue of Saint Valentine, and tells it that this day f**king sucks. And yeah, it was a night that neither of them will forget. 

Tai Gooden is the Features Editor for Nerdist, a fictional villain apologist, and a horror aficionado who is forever waiting for her trip in the TARDIS.

The post 13 Funny Horror Film and TV Quotes From the 2020s appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Jonathan Bailey is bringing a NSFW, steamy version of Dracula to our ears in a new audiobook from Audible.
• We have a few clips of Bailey and Ella Purnell recording their Dracula readings, and they are unbelievably sexy.
• Audible better release the full BTS recordings because we NEED them!

Oh my. As Jonathan Bailey says, Dracula is the ultimate creature of seduction… But we’re not sure we’ve ever seen him quite so STEAMY before. Jonathan Bailey is voicing Dracula in a new audiobook from Audible… But we have to say, we wish we could see the visuals for the entire recording. Because Bailey’s purring, panting, and cackling during his reading… Not to mention the way he keeps touching his body… is quite possibly one of the sexiest visions of Dracula we’ve ever seen… And we’ve seen many of them. We’d call it downright NSFW. Someone tell Jonathan Bailey that Dracula is classing literature… And Ella Purnell, please… don’t let us stop you from slurping up that apple.

First clip of Jonathan Bailey and Ella Purnell recording lines for Audible's audiobook adaptation of ‘DRACULA’. pic.twitter.com/8IrbtRGyYb

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 1, 2026

Okay, Audible, you’ve got us. We WILL be snagging this Dracula audiobook, which goes straight to downright filthy in less than a minute. Jonathan Bailey and Ella Purnell are BRINGING something beyond sexy to this version of the vampire tale. As we said, someone get us the full visuals of Bailey reading Dracula because we’ll be forever incomplete without them. And we kind of love the hint in the below featurette that there’s a lot of equal opportunity sexiness going around. Sounds like Purnell’s Lucy and Aimee Lou Wood’s Mina have a little bit of a flirtation going. Well, vampire tales have always been a hot bed for lesbianism, that’s for sure.

View this post on Instagram

For now, we have put a taste of Bailey’s Dracula and co. But Audible’s audio adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula is available now. A release shares, “The immersive, full-cast audio experience reimagines the classic psychological thriller with an all-star English-language cast led by Jonathan Bailey (Wicked) as Dracula and Ella Purnell (Fallout) as Mina… Rounding out the stellar English cast are Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus) as Lucy, Louis Partridge (Enola Holmes) as Jonathan, David Jonsson (Industry) as Dr Seward, Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) as Mrs Westenra, Johnny Flynn (Ripley) as Renfield, Francis Lovehall (A Thousand Blows) as Arthur, and Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight) as Professor Van Helsing.”

Well, strap in, vamp lovers; this will be a fun one to sink your teeth into for sure. If you’d like to read along, you can also snag a of Dracula that you can keep on your shelf.

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist. She is a great lover of the anti-hero and is always ready for a new ship to set sail. In her work, she likes to combine fandom passion with journalistic sensibilities. Follow her on Instagram.

The post Jonathan Bailey’s DRACULA Is NSFW-Levels of Steamy appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Nicolas Cage, star of Spider-Noir and many terrible movies, compared the MCU and its aging stars in ridiculous costumes to professional wrestling.
• Cage made his comments about the MCU “becoming a well-funded and glorified WWE” at Fan Expo Dallas.
• Nerdist’s Take: Nicolas Cage might be throwing stones from his glass house, but he’s not wrong. He’s also not entirely right.

Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage currently has 131 acting credits on his IMDb page. That is four more than Robert De Niro, even though Cage started his onscreen career 16 years later. Not all of those 131 credits have exactly been top-notch outings. That’s, uh, being polite. We love Cage, but he’s made some pretty terrible films without a ton of artistic merit. So you would think if anyone in Hollywood would not throw stones at other actors’ choices it would be him. Instead, Cage gave the MCU a verbal body slam by comparing the franchise and its aging stars in “ridiculous outfits” to professional wrestling.

Prime Video

The 62-year-old Cage—whose own freaking live-action superhero show Spider-Noir was just canceled at Prime Video!—had some strong/curious/arguably hypocritical thoughts about the MCU during a recent appearance at Fan Expo Dallas. His comments, which we first learned about at The Playlist, aren’t exactly ambiguous. Here’s what he said:

I do say this with love. When I see these 50-plus and otherwise intelligent and remarkably gifted thespians putting on these ridiculous outfits and getting ready for the fight — let’s face it, it’s all cutting to the fight — it’s hard for me not to be reminded that the MCU is becoming a well-funded and glorified WWE.

Okay. Okay, let’s put aside the obvious issue of Nicolas Cage being the one to say this about the MCU so we can evaluate what he said. He’s sort of not wrong? The MCU features a lot of very talented older actors dressing up in elaborate/silly costumes for storylines that culminate in big showy fights. That is quite literally how professional wrestling works. But so what? Like the MCU, when done well, professional wrestling can tell amazing stories. It’s also not like any MCU actor can’t still do amazing work away from the franchise. Robert Downey Jr. won an Oscar for Oppenheimer in-between MCU stints.

Which also sort of proves Cage’s point about the MCU. What could these older actors do if so much of their time wasn’t dedicated to fighting super villains? I suppose they could make more movies like MADDEN.

Prime Video

Cage being the one to say this about the MCU obviously carries an element of someone in a glass house throwing stones. But in addition to having a point, he genuinely does seem to be saying this from a place of love.

Of course, so did Shawn Michaels when he superkicked Ric Flair into retirement….

You know what? That match featured two supremely talented older performers in ridiculous costumes. And it was incredible storytelling. If Avengers: Doomsday is as good as that match, Nic Cage’s MCU comments will be right, just not for the reason he meant.

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

The post Is Nicolas Cage Right to Slam MCU as ‘Well-Funded and Glorified WWE’? appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• For now, it appears James Gunn, Peter Safran and the DCU are safe after the Warner Bros. and Paramount merger into Skydance.
• The DCU is a relatively new and very successful cinematic universe, so it seems to make sense that the merged Warner Bros. and Paramount company, Skydance, will want to keep it going.
• The question is will Gunn’s DCU still have creative and experimental freedom under Skydance?
• Learn More: Learn more about the Warner Bros. and Paramount merger and what Skydance will own with our piece here.

There’s an intensity in the entertainment world right now as the merger of two giants threatens jobs, IPs, and the diversity of voices in the industry. There’s a lot of unknown variables. But for now, it seems like one beloved cinematic project, still in its infancy, is safe. Reports indicate that although Paramount and Warner Bros. have seen departures around their merger into a company with the new name Skydance, James Gunn, Peter Safran, and the DCU are currently safe.

Warner Bros

Forbes reports, “Big changes are about to happen at Warner Bros. as the Paramount merger closes. The $110 billion deal is supposed to be finalized on Oct. 6, and arriving with it are some big exits, but also some notable retentions. Namely, that James Gunn and Peter Safran will be staying, meaning the current DCU and its future plans are intact.”

It does seem to make sense to keep James Gunn’s DCU safe as Warner Bros. and Paramount merge. After all, it was only in 2025 that James Gunn and Peter Safran announced their plans for the new DCU. The whole affair is only a couple of years old, and it seems to be going well. It wouldn’t make sense to dismantle it now and try to start the DC movie world all over again, especially amid the chaos of building a new company.

Ultimately, Superman was a massive hit. And viewers have been greatly enjoying the recent release of Lanterns, as well as Peacemaker‘s latest season. Supergirl had more mixed reviews, but the movie was good in our book. The upcoming Clayface also looks promising. Then, of course, there are hits like The Batman. The Batman—Part II will also surely be a crowd-pleaser if it ever releases. Overall, Gunn and Safran have done a solid job with DC movies, and it would be foolish for Skydance to fire them after the Warner Bros. and Paramount merger.

So, at least one franchise is safe… for now.. But will Gunn and Safran be allowed the same creative and experimental freedom they had from Warner Bros. under the new era of Skydance? We will have to wait and see.

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist. She is a great lover of the anti-hero and is always ready for a new ship to set sail. In her work, she likes to combine fandom passion with journalistic sensibilities. Follow her on Instagram.

The post James Gunn & DCU Safe After Paramount/WB Merger (For Now) appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• When Paramount and Warner Bros. merge, they’ll take the new name of Skydance.
• This newly combined company will own TOO MANY TV & movie brands, not to mention an outreagous amount of recognizable IP.
• Nerdist Take: Skydance promises that Paramount, Warner Bros., and the rest of its brands will be allowed to retain their identity. But when one company makes decisions for so many brands, that’s limiting by definition.

It seems like it’s really happening. Paramount will be buying Warner Bros., and the two companies will merge. Even though some antitrust concerns muddied the waters at the start, somehow or another, all of those seemed to vanish. We’re not sure we saw the part where the newly combined Paramount and Warner Bros. agreed to anything to reduce the combined company’s giant size, but one way or another, the two will merge. And now we know the new name of the combined Paramount and Warner Bros. company is Skydance.

The New Name for Warner Bros. and Paramount Is Skydance

What once was the peak, is now just the beginning.

Paramount and Warner Bros. shaped over a century of culture. By combining them, we aren't rewriting history — we're equipping these iconic studios with a more powerful engine. Together, we are Skydance: a creative-first home for… pic.twitter.com/uInLRY3IrE

— David Ellison (@ellisonskydance) October 2, 2026

The new name for the combined Warner Bros. and Paramount company will be Skydance. This name comes from chairman and CEO David Ellison’s original film production company, Skydance Media. On Twitter, Ellison shared the following note:

What once was the peak, is now just the beginning.

Paramount and Warner Bros. shaped over a century of culture. By combining them, we aren’t rewriting history — we’re equipping these iconic studios with a more powerful engine. Together, we are Skydance: a creative-first home for bold, quality storytelling.

We chose this name for a few important reasons. First and foremost, as we bring Paramount and Warner Bros. together, we wanted to preserve what has made each of these studios iconic. Both have distinct identities, extraordinary legacies and brands that have resonated with audiences for generations. We never wanted a new corporate identity to diminish, alter or overshadow either one. Instead, we wanted a name that would give the combined company an identity of its own while allowing Paramount and Warner Bros. — and all our extraordinary brands — to remain in the spotlight.

We have big goals for Skydance, and we intend to pursue them with passion, imagination and a willingness to take smart risks. At the same time, we will honor what makes Paramount and Warner Bros. special — giving both studios the opportunity to grow, tell more great stories and bring those stories to even broader audiences around the world, powered by the scale and capabilities of Skydance.

I couldn’t be more excited about what we’re going to build together.

What Brands Will Skydance Encompass After Warner Bros. and Paramount Merge? Skydance

In Ellison’s message, he includes a video that tours through everything the newly titled Skydance will encompass when Warner Bros. and Paramount merge. And… yeah… It’s a lot. From DC, including Superman, Batman, and more, to The Lord of the Rings, from Game of Thrones to Nickelodeon, Yellowstone, Top Gun, Mission: Impossible, we saw Grease in there; there’s Star Trek… It feels like too much.

In total, Skydance will own the movie studios of Paramount and Warner Bros.; the HBO Max and Paramount+ streaming services; and TV channels including CBS, CNN, MTV, TBS, Comedy Central, Food Network, and more.

With a Name Confirmed, All That’s Left Is for Warner Bros. and Paramount to Actually Merge Into Skydance

It looks like the deal to turn Warner Bros. and Paramount into Skydance will close on October 6. Skydance will be headed up by chairman and CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz, who joins from Mattel.

Nerdist Take: When Only One Company Is Making Decisions for So Many Brands, That Will Naturally Be Limiting

For now, Skydance promises to maintain the integrity of all its brands, including Warner Bros., Paramount, CNN, and more… But we suppose the company would promise that, wouldn’t it? We’ll have to watch closely to see which direction this giant takes its many movie and TV brands. Whatever choices Skydance, one, single company, makes could have a massive impact on the media landscape… And that’s just a little bit terrifying.

Even if Skydance tries to allow brand diversity and different IPs to have different voices, there will still be only one company and one set of decision-makers in play. By definition, that’s limiting a diversity of thought. Naturally, if every brand or company was its own entity, there would be many more voices and imaginations in play. And when the proposition goes beyond simply entertainment and into news and beyond, we have to say, we’d prefer more companies over one.

RELATED ARTICLE

DOJ Approves $111B Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist. She is a great lover of the anti-hero and is always ready for a new ship to set sail. In her work, she likes to combine fandom passion with journalistic sensibilities. Follow her on Instagram.

The post Skydance Is the New Name of Combined Paramount-Warner Bros. appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Peacock has officially ordered a Fast & Furious TV series, which will debut sometime in 2028, the same year as the final film in the franchise.
• Vin Diesel first announced development of the show, along with three others, in May.
• Nerdist’s Take: The smaller screen of TV will flatten any of the things that makes the Fast & Furious movies great.

Earlier this year, self-proclaimed architect of mythology Vin Diesel revealed that a Fast & Furious TV show was revving up. Now it’s officially on the streaming start line. Peacock has ordered a Fast & Furious series that will begin defying physics and logic in 2028.

Universal Pictures

Deadline first reported Peacock is bringing the the big screen franchise to the small screen. It has greenlit a Fast & Furious series from writers and co-showrunners Mike Daniels and Wolfe Coleman. Diesel will also serve as an executive producer along with the duo.

The show will premiere sometime in 2028, which is also when the (supposedly) final film in the franchise will also debut. Fast Forever—the 11th movie in the main franchise and 12th overall—will come to theaters on March 17, 2028. That could be a sign of what to expect from the show, as it might serve as a de facto sequel to the story. (Though whether it will include any actors or characters from the film side is unknown.)

Universal

The show almost didn’t happen. A skeptical Diesel said he was sold on the idea by Universal Studios chief Donna Langley. At NBCUniversals’ Upfront in May, Mr. Dominic Toretto said he became convinced “the integrity of the characters, the international appeal, what makes us all feel like family will be protected in the TV space.”

He’s the best and I love him. Especially because when he said that he also announced Peacock was working on three other additional Fast & Furious shows. He went from not believing in one to believing in multiple shows.

Will Fast & Furious Work as a TV Show? Nerdist’s Take: The Small Screen Could Flatten the Fun (from left) Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Dom (Vin Diesel) in F9, directed by Justin Lin. Credit: Universal Pictures

As an unabashed Fast & Furious fan, I remain far more skeptical of this project than Vin Diesel. One of the best things about these movies is their scope. They are big, bold, epic, and wonderfully silly in the best way. TV will make all of those things smaller. But that doesn’t mean they still won’t be fun. It also doesn’t mean the show can’t be good. It just means the Fast & Furious TV show has a much harder race to win.

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

The post FAST & FURIOUS TV Show Racing to Peacock in 2028 appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Wizards of the Coast released the Dungeons & Dragons: Arcana Unleashed sourcebook on September 15th.
• The sourcebook introduces a significant amount of new content, including eight subclasses that players can use to build their characters and even weave magic into some unexpected play-styles. Two of the subclasses are brand new, while the rest are updated existing subclasses.
• Nerdist’s Take: It’s not Dungeons & Dragons without magic, and Arcana Unleashed gives us new and reworked subclasses for the usual magic suspects, but also allows martial characters to blend magic with their existing physical capabilities. We’re always down to have new ways to play!

There’s a ton of new stuff introduced in Arcana Unleashed, but what I’m most excited for are the added subclasses. D&D 5.5e has oft struggled with martial classes falling behind in the general meta, but some of these new subclasses will help level the playing field, as well as expanding many possibilities for existing Wizarding classes. Let’s do a basic overview of our range of Arcana Unleashed subclass options:

1. Vestige Patron Warlock Wizards of the Coast, Katerina Ladon

Alright, so I’m starting out with one my personal favorites. There are dead gods out there that sure would love to be less dead, and need some loyal Warlocks to have any hope of accomplishing that goal. Choose to serve one of these gods, and they’ll become a Vestige that tails along at your side. I love a good familiar, I’m a simple person. Vestige Patron Warlock’s are primarily companion-based, with players able to choose between customizable Celestial, Undead, or Fiend companions, depending on which dead/dying god they choose to worship.

Your little buddies will be useful in combat and for the regular tasks you might assign to a familiar, and they level along with you. This subclass diversifies the Warlock class, allowing for a range of Cleric spells, as well as domain-based spells and and aura effects at higher levels. You can even temporarily transform yourself into a summoned creature, which is pretty sick.

2. Warrior of the Mystic Arts Monk Wizards of the Coast, Swatches Studio

Punching stuff is great. Magically enhanced punching? Even better. This gish class essentially is a spell-casting monk, a dangerous combination in the right hands. This is a wisdom-based subclass adopting a lot of spells and cantrips from the Sorceror class, though there’s no school restrictions on the spells the Mystic Arts Monks can use. This is an extremely flexible class, and allows players to imbue cantrips and spells directly into their physical attacks.

3. Conjurer Wizard Wizards of the Coast, Ignatius Budi

An updated subclass that first appeared in the 2014 Player’s Handbook, Conjurer Wizards are back and better than ever, with greater access to Conjuring spells! Imagine that. This 2026 rework also allows you to maintain Concentration while casting spells, even if an enemy lands a hit on you during an encounter. Players will also get to use a new version of Benign Transposition, with greater battle utility than its previous iteration.

4. Arcane Domain Cleric Wizards of the Coast, Billy Christian

Originally introduced in Sword Coast’s Adventurer’s Guide, this new modified 5.5e version has some significantly expanded abilities. Arcane Domain Clerics have a few new spells added to their retinue, such as Bigby’s Hand and Magic Missile. This subclass can also learn two Wizard cantrips, and at 3rd Level, they gain proficiency in Arcana and one other skill of their choice. (Damn!) These Clerics can also modify spells mid-combat, with Fortify Spell and Tenacious Spell, allowing them to either subtract 1d6 from an enemy’s saving throw, or a spell’s target gains 2d8 + Cleric Level temporary HP.

5. Arcane Archer Wizards of the Coast, Swatches Studio

A well-loved D&D 5e subclass from 2017’s Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, Arcane Archers return with even more variety in their skill set. As long as you’re willing to go the path less traveled for fighters and invest heavily in Intelligence, this subclass can make your character an incredible asset in and out of battle. The Arcane Archer’s world really opens up at Level 7, when Magical Ammunition becomes available. This offers a spread of options, like unlocking doors from a distance, or turning your bow into a grappling hook. You can shoot an arrow trailing a rope up to 120 feet, which allows your party to reach (or escape!) areas they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to.

6. Enchanter Wizard Wizards of the Coast, Gaboleps

Another subclass from the 2014 Player’s Handbook, this 5.5e rework offers some more versatility for Enchanter Wizards. Enchanter Wizards now get Intelligence bonuses on Charisma checks. This new feature is “Enchanting Talker.” Get it? ‘Cause…oh never mind. In addition, Enchanters can now split their enchanting spells between multiple targets, allowing for a wider range of options in and out of combat.

7. Necromancer Wizard Wizards of the Coast, Jordan Kerbow

The third entrant from the 2014 Player’s Handbook, this newfangled 5.5e version of the Necromancer Wizard primarily has had its spellbook redesigned. Cast spells can now grant things like Necrotic resistance and temporary hit points, buffing up the typical low-Constitution Necromancer. Summon Undead can now be cast at no cost, a bit of a game-changer in terms of magical resource management. There’s also a few new abilities available at higher levels, like teleporting away and regaining HP when near death.

Transmuter Wizard Wizards of the Coast, Michele Giorgi

The Transmuter Wizard has been updated from its previous version and several sweeping improvements have been made. Once an underwhelming class, the Transmuter Wizard has been reworked, now with more raw power and more spectacle. The Transmuter Stone (basically a Transmuter Wizard’s personal philosopher’s stone) is now earned at Level 3 rather than 6, and its abilities have been buffed. Besides that, Transmuter’s can now upcast their spells by a level, and some of the classic Transmuter spells have been upgraded. Shapechanger, for instance, can now be used on much higher CR creatures. This definitely makes the Transmuter class far more appealing in 5.5e!

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Arcana Unleashed has a little something for all D&D players, whether you’re looking to mix some magic with your martial or just play a better version of your favorite type of Wizard. There’s plenty to explore, and the subclasses are just the tip of the iceberg!

Jess Harshbarger writes about movies, books, TV, games, comics, and all things nerdy for Nerdist.

The post D&D ARCANA UNLEASHED: 8 New Subclasses, Explained appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• After an eight year hiatus, Toei Animation has released a trailer for the next era of the Dragon Ball Super series, which starts with Dragon Ball Super: Beerus.
• The series will be a remastered, recut, and extended version of Dragon Ball Super’s God of Destruction Beerus, Golden Frieza, and Universe 6 arcs. It premieres in Japan October 11th, 2026.
• Nerdist’s Take: This feels like Toei is calling a redo on the first season of Dragon Ball Super, which is known for its low production value.

Polish your balls Saiyans, Dragon Ball Super is returning after eight years. The series’ 131 episode run finished on March 5th, 2018 with the finale episode “A Miraculous Conclusion! Farewell, Goku!” Now it’s back and looking better than ever as Dragon Ball Super: Beerus. The trailer looks absolutely beautiful. Per Dragon Ball executive producer Akio Iyoku, this is an ‘enhanced’ version of the anime. The makers have reconstructed the story, with many new scenes. All the old scenes still get a makeover redraw to make it look stunning.

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus takes place several years after the conclusion of the Majin Buu arc, the final and longest of Dragon Ball Z‘s arcs. The planet is in a safe and surprisingly peaceful lull. However, as usual, this nice break for our heroes can’t last. The God of Destruction Beerus, who keeps balance in the universe, awakes from his long sleep, and he quickly sets his eyes on Earth. As soon as he learns that Goku was able to defeat Frieza, he immediately seeks him out. What follows is, of course, a many-episode anime battle of cosmic proportions.

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Interestingly, this is a remake of a remake of a movie. 2013’s Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods is when we were first introduced to Beerus. This was retold in the Dragon Ball Super anime, except it was paced worse and kinda looked uh. Really f*cking bad. The Golden Frieza arc got much the same treatment in Dragon Ball Super, being adapted from Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F. Beerus is looking good this time around though, as is everyone and everything else. This particular adaptation looks like it has the potential to bring Akira Toriyama’s work to life in the best way, and to redeem the weakest part of Dragon Ball Super’s legacy.

Toei Animation, Netflix

Japanese fans will find out what exactly is in store for us on October 12th. Neither Toei nor Netflix has said anything about sub or dub releases in the US, but with luck we’ll learn that very soon. I know that Dragon Ball has what one might say is a chronic ‘remake a remake of a remake of a retcon of a remake of a manga arc’ problem, but with Toei now rolling around in the big money, I think Dragon Ball Super: Beerus justifies itself. Plus, it’s not like any of us ever really get sick of watching Goku beat people up.

Jess Harshbarger writes about movies, TV, games, comics, and all things nerdy for Nerdist.

The post Everything You Need to Know About DRAGON BALL SUPER: BEERUS appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Walton Goggins is the latest actor to join Joseph Kosinski’s Miami Vice ’85, reportedly in the role of a crime cartel boss’ number one minion.
• Unlike the previous 2006 reboot, this version will take place in the original series’ 1980s heyday.
• Nerdist’s take: Walton Goggins’ character on White Lotus proves he’s the right guy to play a sleazebag drug dealer in ’80s South Beach.

Soon, we may all be seeing Walton Goggins wearing pastel sports coats and neon belts. According to a report coming from Deadline, it seems the White Lotus and Fallout star will be joining the cast of Joseph Kosinski’s Miami Vice ’85, apprently in some kind of villain role. It seems he’ll play a subordinate to the main bad guy, a cartel king played by John Leguizamo. The film stars Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler as police officers Rico Tubbs and Sonny Crockett, respectively. Also joining the cast are Whitney Peak, Alden Ehrenreich, Camila Morrone, and Danny Ramirez. The script comes from Dan Gilroy.

HBO/NBC Universal

The orginal Miami Vice series, created by future Heat director Michael Mann, first premiered in 1984. And it was an instant game-changing hit for NBC. It was more cinematic than most standard police procedurals at the time, and oozed style. Within months, Miami Vice influenced how men dressed and presnented themselves fashion-wise, and its theme song became a huge radio hit. It also showed how powerful MTV was as a cultural driving force at the time, as the show was pitched to the network as “MTV Cops.” Although Miami Vice only lasted six seaons, at its peak, its cultural power was inarguable

Nerdist’s Take: Walton Goggins Is the Perfect Casting for a Miami Vice Reboot Leaning into ’80s Aesthetics

Series creator Michael Mann rebooted Miami Vice for the big screen himself, back in 2006. That version starred Colin Farrell as Crocket, and Jamie Foxx as Tubbs. Sadly, moving the action to a then-modern setting made it lose a lot of the ’80s flavor that made the TV series so memorable. Now, Kosinski is going back and setting this new version in the era which made it famous. So expect lots of neon lights in South Beach, red sports cars, and a soundtrack littered with 1980s hits. Who can hate that part? Goggins role in White Lotus felt like an ’80s burnout character, so his casting is spot on. Production for Miami Vice ’85 begins later this year. Miami Vice ’85 will be filmed for Imax, and release theatrically on May 19, 2028. 

Eric Diaz is a staff writer at Nerdist and a Swiss Army knife of fandoms. Eric loves DC, Marvel, horror movies, and even Star Wars and Star Trek equally.

The post Walton Goggins Joins MIAMI VICE ’85 in Bad Guy Role appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Bradley Cooper will play the lead character in Danny McBride’s big screen reimagining of the iconic Hasbro action figure line G.I. Joe for Paramount.
• This new version of G.I. Joe replaces the previously announced G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover movie, which is no longer in development.
• Nerdist’s take: Although not 100% confirmed, it appears that Cooper will play G.I. Joe field leader Duke. Although, we think he’d be just as good as General Hawk.

Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper has flirted with big action IP franchises before, namely voicing Rocket Raccoon for Marvel Studios, and a cameo in James Gunn’s Superman. But now, he’s about to join another iconic franchise, as Paramount Pictures has announced that Cooper is going to play the lead in a new reboot of Hasbro’s iconic G.I. Joe. This version will reinvent the franchise, and seemingly have no ties to the previous films that came out several years ago. Danny McBride, who helmed the Halloween reboot trilogy several years back, will be directing G.I. Joe for the studio. His script won out over a competing script by Max Landis. (Good.)

Searchlight Pictures/Hasbro

With this announcement, Paramount also confirmed that this G.I. Joe reboot won’t be the Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover film, which is now no longer in development. For years, Paramount tried to tie their Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises, both based on Hasbro toylines, together. But nothing ever gelled. We have no idea what this new version will entail, but we expect it to hit the notes most people associate with the franchise. There will be a G.I. Joe team, as opposed to one individual named “G.I. Joe” (as it was originally with the ’60s toys). They will almost certainly fight the global terrorist organization known as Cobra, lead be the masked Cobra Commander.

Nerdist’s Take: We Think Bradley Cooper Is Almost Certainly Playing Duke in G.I. Joe, But He Could Play Hawk.

So, that leaves one big question, and that is “Which G.I. Joe character will Bradley Cooper be playing?” In all likliehood, Cooper will be playing the G.I. Joe team’s field leader, Duke. Deadline seems to think he’s Duke, but Paramount has not confirmed that. He certainly fits the profile to play General Hawk too. The other most high-profile member, Snakeyes, doesn’t seem like a fit at all. You hire Bradley Cooper because of his recognizable face, not to hide him the whole time in a mask. We imagine an official announcement on how Cooper is playing, and which other characters are set to appear in G.I. Joe, is forthcoming. Paramount has not revealed a production start date for G.I. Joe as of yet.

Eric Diaz is a staff writer at Nerdist and a Swiss Army knife of fandoms. Eric loves DC, Marvel, horror movies, and even Star Wars and Star Trek equally.

The post Bradley Cooper Will Star in Danny McBride’s G.I. JOE Reboot appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• The newly announced DUNE: The Experience will launch in Los Angeles this November ahead of Dune: Part Three.
• The immersive experience will let fans see, feel, hear, and even taste what it’s like to visit Arrakis.
• If DUNE: The Experience proves a hit in Los Angeles it could hit the road to visit other cities.

None of us can actually travel to Arrakis. I know because I’ve checked. Twice. But Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three won’t be the only way we can approximate a visit to Frank Herbert’s iconic planet this year. Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures are partnering with Fever to give fans another way to immerse themselves among the Fremen when DUNE: The Experience launches in Los Angeles in November.

Legendary Entertainment/Warner Bros. Pictures/Fever

If you want to feel, hear, see, and even taste what it’s like on Arrakis you’ll get the chance soon enough. The newly announced all-age DUNE: The Experience will invite fans to lose themselves in the spice-melange world with a limited-time activation. Attendees will get an experience for all the sense that runs for roughly 60 minutes. Here’s the description from the activation’s website of what guests can expect:

Step into the world of Arrakis with an immersive, real-life experience that invites you to journey through the universe of Dune, blending interactive storytelling, iconic environments, cinematic soundscapes, and striking visuals as you travel across the trilogy. Step into an atmosphere built to be touched, heard, and felt firsthand, with opportunities to test yourself against the Bene Gesserit, discover hidden messages within ancient carvings, claim Paul Atreides’ throne, and capture an unforgettable photo moment with a colossal sandworm. Complete your journey by refueling at the themed culinary lounge, grabbing exclusive merch, and building the hype as the universe expands towards Dune: Part Three.

If we’re completely honest we’d like to sit on Paul Atreides’ throne. It’s so rare you get a chance to sit in a tyrant’s chair, you know?

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The experience launches in November ahead of Dune: Part Three’s December 18 premiere. The experience will take place at 330 S Alameda St. in Los Angeles. You can sign up for the wait list to get your ticket when they go on sale October 6. Try to make sure this sells out for those of us not in Los Angeles. If DUNE: The Experience proves a hit there we expect it to then go on tour. Since we can’t actually travel to Arrakis it would be nice to have Arrakis come to us.

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

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

The post Immersive DUNE: The Experience Launching in Los Angeles appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Anthony Russo has revealed the runtime for Avengers: Doomsday, and while it matches most Avengers films, it’s significantly shorter than Endgame.
• Right now, Doomsaday’s runtime more or less matches that of Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Avengers: Infinity War.
• Nerdist’s take: For MCU fans worried that Doomsday is too short, just remember that Endgame is the actual outlier when it comes to runtime for Avengers movies. It shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

Each of the four previous Avengers films have had a decently long runtime. When you’re juggling that many superheroes, how can they not be long? But both Avengers: Infinity War and especially Avengers: Endgame had especially epic runtimes, with Endgame clocking in at three hours. So will the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, the immediate follow-up to Endgame, be even longer? Actually, it appears it’s not going to be that long at all. According to co-director Anthony Russo, right now, it stands at about 2 1/2 hours long. Here’s what he told Fandango, via Games Radar.

It’s a two and a half hour movie or so, and you’re sitting through it, and it’s a focused propulsive narrative that has like an organizing principle at its center, and everything has to orbit around that.That’s part of the creative challenge for Joe and I – just figuring out how that what that orbit is and how it all smashes together.

Marvel Studios

So there you have it, Avengers: Doomsday is about two and half hours. Of course, that could change when the film hits theaters in December. We still have some time to go, and we’re sure they are still adding/subtracting to the film. But we doubt it would be longer or shorter than five or ten extra minutes at this late stage in the game.

Nerdist’s Take: Doomday’s Runtime Matches Most of the Previous Avengers Films, Which Should Relieve Any Worries

So how does the runtime for Doomsday measure up against the previous four films? The first Avengers is 2 hours and 23 minutes long. Age of Ultron is almost the same, at 2 hours and 21 minutes long. Then, Infinity War, the Russo Brothers’ first Avengers film, is 2 hours and 29 minutes long. So really, it’s only Endgame that is the outlier here among Avengers films with its three hour length. Now, if next year’s Secret Wars doesn’t match Endgame, then we imagine some fans will be upset. But we’re not sure how a movie taking place on Battleworld with possibly every MCU actor known to exist can be anything less than three hours. If Marvel announced that Secret Wars was four hours long, we wouldn’t even be surprised.

Eric Diaz is a staff writer at Nerdist and a Swiss Army knife of fandoms. Eric loves DC, Marvel, horror movies, and even Star Wars and Star Trek equally.

The post DOOMSDAY Runtime Revealed, Matches Most AVENGERS Films appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• Celebrate Hollywood’s most interesting leading man with six mini versions of him thanks to A24’s Robert Pattinson Nesting Doll set.
• The six-piece set stands 5.75-inches tall and is made of 100% Linden wood.
• This wonderfully weird collectible is a fitting tribute to Robert Pattinson’s unlikely career choices.

Robert Pattinson is not only one of the best actors working today, he’s also one of the most interesting. The former Twilight star has leading man good looks. Yet, when it comes to choosing movies, he constantly makes delightfully weird and unexpected choices. That’s also an apt description for many of his performances in those movies. He could exclusively be doing standard rom-coms and traditional action movies. Instead, even as Bruce Wayne, he’s an enigma hiding inside a classically attractive visage. And A24 has now honored him in a strange yet totally fitting way. They’ve immortalized Robert Pattinson as Russian nesting dolls.

A24

Robert Pattinson’s latest A24 outing Primetime is now in theaters, and the company is celebrating his latest film by storing a bunch of Robert Pattinsons (Robert Pattini?) inside larger Roberts. This six-piece, 100% Linden wood Russian doll set that stands 5.75-inches tall features the actor as his characters in the following films:

• Chris Hansen – Primetime (2026)
• Charlie Thompson – The Drama (2026)
• Ephraim Winslow/Thomas Howard – The Lighthouse (2019)
• Monte – High Life (2018)
• Constantine “Connie” Nikas – Good Time (2017)
• Reynolds “Rey” – The Rover (2014)

This is wonderfully unhinged because it highlights exactly how unhinged Robert Pattinson’s career choices have often felt. (We mean that in the absolute best, best, best way.) Do you know what is also great? What this set looks like when the tiny Rey from The Rover peaks out of the set like it’s bursting out of Chris Hansen’s chest.

A24

Who would want such a thing? People with good taste, like us. If you feel the same you can grab your Robert Pattinson Nesting Doll set from the A24 store now for $42. That is $7 per weird Robert Pattinson performance.

When he makes his next unlikely career choice, we hope A24 gives us another doll to add to this collection.

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

The post A24 Gives Robert Pattinson a Russian Nesting Doll Set appeared first on Nerdist.