The Nerdist

⚡ Quick Take

• SPAM, the creator of the iconic canned meat popular in World War II, now makes hot dogs. It’s the same meat you know and love in a new shape.
• The upside to this weird food venture is that we at least now know what’s in the hot dogs we’re eating.
• Compared to other food combos of the summer, including but not limited to the KFC Oreos, this one is probably the least odd.

With summertime coming to a slow close, if you’re anything like me, you’re using your grill less and less. However, it’s not over yet, so fire those babies up for SPAM’s newest food-ition, SPAMdogs.

Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. A hotdog, made out of SPAM, the canned mystery meat. Well, it’s not a total mystery what goes into SPAM: at the very least, we know there’s some pork shoulder, also known as “Boston Butt.”

Hormel Foods

This may actually be a good sign for the hot dog industry—now there’s a sentence you’ve never heard, and I’ve never written before. Non-premium “all-beef” or “all-pork” options are generally wieners made from much more dubious odds and ends, including but not limited to pork, beef, turkey, and chicken.

Do I think it will taste any different than your average hot dog? Probably not, but I’m sure SPAM connoisseurs will be able to taste the difference. People already grill SPAM for the classic Hawaiian dish, SPAM Musubi. The only new aspect is the wiener’s shape. Haley Eggum, SPAM’s brand manager, seemed enthused about this addition to the legions of origin-ambiguous hot dog options.

“We’re excited to be rolling out the SPAM® Dog and the opportunity it creates for foodservice operators to offer something both familiar and surprising. It’s a fresh, new take on a hot dog with the unmistakable flavor that SPAM fans know and love.”

It’s been a summer full of weird food combinations. So, honestly, compared to the fried chicken Oreos, this is a pretty natural form for SPAM to take. Meat belongs in hot dogs; KFC fried chicken batter flavoring does not belong between two chocolate cookies, in my humble journalistic opinion. But who cares what I think?

SPAMdogs will be available premade in stadiums and for your own grilling pleasure at your local convenience store.

The post SPAMdogs Have Arrived In Time For The End of Grilling Season appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• After appearing in Superman, and soon, in Lanterns on HBO Max, Nathan Fillion will play Green Lantern Guy Gardner in the animated HBO Max series Mister Miracle.
• Guy Gardner is not in the Mister Miracle comic book by Tom King, but he’s bringing him into his adaptation of his own series for animation.
• Nerdist’s take: After his roles in Superman and Lanterns, Fillion’s character might be the connective tissue between DCU projects.

If there was any question that the upcoming Mister Miracle animated series from DC Studios takes place in the DCU, this latest news erases any doubt. According to Entertainment Weekly, it seems Nathan Fillion will reprise his role as Green Lantern Guy Gardner in Mister Miracle. His character first appeared in Superman, and pops up soon in Lanterns. Showrunner Tom King, who also wrote the critically acclaimed Mister Miracle comic book the show is based on, had this to say about Fillion joining the cast as the galaxy’s most obnoxious member of the Green Lantern Corps:

We brought Nathan into Mister Miracle’s show, and doing that, it’s just so wonderful. He brings that energy to every aspect of it. And you would think it would be different tonally from [Lanterns], but it blends because that’s who Guy is. He’s that guy who is over the top. We all know that guy who’s a little bit like that.

Is DC Studios positioning Guy Gardner as the DCU equivalent to Nick Fury in the MCU? The one character who dips in and out of different projects, uniting the narrative? It certainly seems to be the case. He is Earth’s resident Green Lantern after all. So if Mister Miracle brings in cosmic elements from the New Gods mythology, it makes sense the Lanterns would be interested. Guy doesn’t appear in the Tom King/Mitch Gerads mini-series that Mister Miracle the animated show is based on. But then again, Lobo didn’t appear in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. And DC Studios added him in for the Supergirl film.

DC Studios

So far, Nathan Fillion remains the only actor confirmed by DC Studios for Mister Miracle. James Gunn has stated that the same voice actors will play major roles from animated projects in live-action. So whoever plays Scott Free/Mister Miracle, his wife Barda, and other New Gods characters like Orion will play their live-action counterparts. Most importantly, DC Comics’ biggest bad, Darkseid, is a big part of Mister Miracle. So the voice actor they cast will be the eventual version of Darkseid in film. Apparently, DC has cast all the voice actors already, we’re just waiting on an announcement from James Gunn. Hopefully, any day now.

The post Nathan Fillion Will Voice Guy Gardner in MISTER MIRACLE appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Only 41 theaters worldwide were able to screen The Odyssey in IMAX 70mm, which is 11 more than Oppenheimer in 2023.
• The locations in the US excluded more than half of the states in America, with theaters only in 14 states.
• IMAX is reportedly a difficult medium to deal with, and mistakes in the film cost time, money, and audience approval.

When Christopher Nolan’s new movie The Odyssey came out (actually, a year before it came out), film geeks everywhere rushed to buy tickets to see the film in IMAX 70 millimeter. It isn’t just IMAX or just 70mm—it’s the combination of the two that makes the format so specific and rare. This format requires special projectors that both run film horizontally, which is different than other forms of film, and project the image onto an enormous IMAX screen.

On average, IMAX screens span about 59 by 79 feet, at least for traditional film. As such, screenings usually occur in larger-than-normal theaters. But which theaters are equipped to show IMAX 70mm?

IMAX

The answer is not many. Digital IMAX screens, which some call “LieMAX,” come a dime a dozen. Hundreds of theaters around the U.S. operate these screens with a different aspect ratio than IMAX’s traditional size. However, IMAX screens built for 70mm are hard to come by, with only 25-30 in the U.S. and a handful of others scattered around the rest of the world. It’s even harder to come by the projectors for the format. Only 41 theaters worldwide were able to play The Odyssey in IMAX 70mm, which was an increase from the 30 that played Oppenheimer.

The U.S. locations are scattered across the country. USA Today listed the 25 locations in the country that screened it, with theaters in:

• Arizona: Tempe
• California: Hollywood, Dublin, Irvine, LA, Ontario, Sacramento, San Fransisco, Universal City
• Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver
• Florida: Fort Lauderdale
• Georgia: Buford
• Illinois: Woodridge
• Indiana: Indianapolis
• Michigan: Grand Rapids
• Nevada: Las Vegas
• New York: New York City, Rochester
• Pennsylvania: King of Prussia
• Rhode Island: Providence
• Tennessee: Chattanooga, Nashville
• Texas: Dallas, San Antonio

That only “covers” 14/50 states. Some dedicated movie buffs went out of their way to road trip to other cities and even other states to see The Odyssey this year.

This is clearly an issue, and a big loss of potential revenue for IMAX. However, the chances that the company will go out of its way to increase the number of 70mm IMAX theaters are slim. Unfortunately, “The problem is they haven’t made new IMAX film projectors in about fifty years,” said IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond. In fact, the company doesn’t even have a complete blueprint for the machines anymore, and many of its parts no longer exist.

The projectors themselves are also huge, and the film they take can weigh over 300 pounds. Mistakes cost more, damaged film is a danger, and there is no way to restart or rewind the film efficiently.

After The Odyssey‘s success and the buzz around Dune: Part Three, who knows what the company has in store for the medium?

The post Where Can You Watch Films in IMAX 70mm? appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Absolute Wonder Woman presents a strong yet deeply kind and tender iteration of Diana of the Wild Isle, and she makes the story her own.
• The run solves just about every problem DC has had portraying Diana in the past.
• Absolute Wonder Woman deserves her own animated series, and the magic and color of her world prove that.

Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are DC Comics’ “Big Three.” They are the company’s trio of iconic heroes, superior in strength, smarts, and star power. However, whether or not Wonder Woman is genuinely a part of DC’s holy trinity has become a recent debate. Is Wonder Woman getting the non-comic content she deserves? I (and plenty of fans) think not.

DC Comics

While at one point Diana may have been more prominent in DC’s non-comics content, nowadays, the media created around her character is scarce. The success of Absolute Wonder Woman, her most popular comic run right now, is a good sign, but it has not yet had any payoff on the screen.

The Trouble with Diana

Since she was created in 1941, Wonder Woman has continued to be featured as an essential, founding pillar of the Justice League. Still, she has not quite stolen the spotlight in an actually empowering way. Her two blockbuster movies starring Gal Gadot were definitely steps in the right direction, sure, but they just weren’t enough to make the public call for more Wonder Woman, at least not fully.

If Wonder Woman is such a DC staple, why has she continued to be so under-appreciated in non-comics media? Many fans claim sexism is driving this issue. Batman and Superman, the other two-thirds of the DC holy trinity, have plenty of content coming out. I have found no clear, recent statistics on the readership of DC Comics or comics in general. However, it is safe to say that women are reading comics, too—and more than previously expected. That, and not only women are interested in reading about strong female characters.

If not sexism, or not just sexism, why? Whether it was her shallow characterization in the Injustice series or many other weak portrayals, Diana has had it rough. This has not gone unnoticed on the internet, either.

Despite the clear interest in Wonder Woman, with Absolute Wonder Woman sales going exceedingly well, and not to mention the popularity of the 2017 live-action movie, Diana has never received her own animated series. She has made appearances in plenty of Justice League content and series headlined by other heroes. However, never as anything more than a side character. This is not the treatment Superman nor Batman has received. She got close to tasting glory with a video game announced in 2021, but Warner Bros. killed that project in 2025.

This is not to discount her many popular and well-thought-out comic runs. However, onscreen, Diana faces a lot of issues when she finally does get included in DC content. However, I believe Absolute Wonder Woman answers just about every problem she has experienced so far. Let’s go down the list.

Quality as a Main Character

Almost every significant female character seems to face the trope of becoming nothing but a romantic interest at some point, a crutch for the main male characters. Even Wonder Woman, who is dripping with main-character qualities and potential, is often reduced to a side character. Instead of serving as a worthy teammate to Batman, Superman, and the other Justice League members, writers reduce her to one of the other main characters’ love interest. This also reinforces the fact that, for some reason, not always but often, female characters can’t seem to exist professionally in the same space as male characters without there being romantic undertones.

DC Comics

Of course, not having a love interest shouldn’t become the hallmark of being a strong female character. They should, too, be able to have those relationships. The problem is when those relationships become who these characters are, the only reason they exist. Absolute Wonder Woman may have found a love interest in Steve Trevor, but it doesn’t become the centerpiece of who she is and what makes her powerful.

Steve Trevor has proven to be a… problem in other iterations of Wonder Woman. In Gal Gadot’s 2017 portrayal, he manages to outshine the titular character with, I would venture to guess, more lines than she has. (The less said about WW84‘s weird bodily-possession subplot the better.) The 2009 animated movie, Wonder Woman, managed to introduce possibly the worst-written and most misogynistic character I have ever encountered, and certainly the worst Steve Trevor.

AWW‘s version of Steve Trevor is a love interest, but he is without question a supporting character. That’s all. More than that, he is a supportive friend to Diana throughout the story, but the story itself belongs entirely to her. I could harp on about the fact that it always should have been this way, but I choose to be glad that it is now.

Weak Character

Even in her own live-action movie, portrayed by Gal Gadot, Diana isn’t presented with much personality. She has a backstory detailing cherished loved ones guiding her through her childhood and teenage years, but I found myself caring about and understanding them more than the movie’s namesake.

Every conversation this Diana has with Steve Trevor, who is historically a significant friend, ally, and lover to her, is either overtly romantic or sexual, and doesn’t drive their relationship or her character anywhere. Ryan Syrek from The Reader said it best:

“In the first hour of the first massively-budgeted movie centered on a female superhero, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) brags about his d**k as Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) ogles it before he takes her to buy dowdy clothes because her outfit is too “distracting” to men.”

I won’t continue to waste time trashing the movie, but I will say it is not her best portrayal. That said, there were some saving graces, from badass battle scenes (mediocre CGI aside) to an accurate level of otherworldliness in Diana’s character and her way of moving through the world.

Superheroes tend to have defining attributes, things they fight for. Batman has vengeance. Superman has justice. Wonder Woman has truth and kindness, and AWW portrays these better than any other portrayal I’ve seen. She shows kindness to creatures of all kinds. She is not grim in her strength, but compassionate. Other Diana portrayals have missed the mark somewhat when it comes to this. From her relationship with her mother and how she was raised, both strong and kind, to the wrath she directs toward those who harm the innocent, she is just incredibly interesting.

Wonder Woman’s Physique

Last and definitely least—the other items were definitely much more important—Absolute Wonder Woman having a physique that reflects the warrior she is is such a bonus for me. She is not stick-thin, reflecting modern (Euro-centric) beauty standards; she is unapologetically buff and looks like she could beat your ass, because she could. Sure, she doesn’t need to take up physical space for her powers to work (neither does the ever-yoked Superman), but man, is it cool. Her musculature reflects her hard work, her training, and the comic refuses to size her down.

DC Comics

These comics also bring back her wavy hair from the days of yore, and I think it adds so much to her character. She is wild and untamed, growing up on the Wild Isle in Hell instead of Themyscira. I hate to sound so cliché, but allowing her to have natural-looking hair does reflect that just feels so right.

Absolute Wonder Woman: The Answer to Our Prayers

Not everybody has the time to geek out on comics, but movies and shows can much more easily become mainstream. This is why I believe it is important that Wonder Woman gets more love on the TV/film side of things.

James Gunn has announced that a Wonder Woman movie is in the works. It will be a part of the “new DCU,” Gunn is working on, which also contains Superman, Supergirl, and Lanterns. Matt Reeves’ The Batman is unfortunately set in an alternate universe. Getting a new Wonder Woman on screen from the same director/producer who crafted a comic-accurate Superman with such care definitely sounds promising.

Wonder Woman has had her few standalone movies, but never an animated series. Absolute Wonder Woman is solving every issue the DC fandom has ever had with portrayals of Diana of Themyscira. With DC confirming Absolute Batman will be getting an animated series, why should she not be next in line?

The Absolute series brings about brand new backstory concepts and plenty of badass weapons. Not to mention, the magic and color of her world are perfect for animation. This version of Diana is a sorceress, which is a really cool, rare choice for Wonder Woman. This adds more to her character, especially knowing it was borne from her relationship with her mother, Circe. It was a cool way of turning the classic Circe versus Wonder Woman trope on its head.

DC Comics (Absolute Wonder Woman Issue #1)

Speaking of her weapons, Diana’s traditional Lasso of Truth now takes the form of three individual lassos. One is red, menacing-looking, and called “Nemesis.” It reflects the “pain [one has] wrought on others.” There is nothing more just than that. The second is Thusia, and it has transformational powers, though its use does come with risk. Thirdly is Troika, which uses the secrets of those whom it binds and leaves them changed fundamentally. This one is more mysterious than the other two thus far.

Everything about Absolute Wonder Woman is a sorely needed upgrade, from the creativity of her mythological background to her dark yet emotionally moving adventures. If any version of Wonder Woman deserves an animated series, this is her, DC. The fans are begging to see more, and the comic sales are proving it.

The post ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN Could Solve DC’s Diana Problem appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• A new report says DC Studios is giving the ax to announced HBO series Waller and Paradise Lost.
• Booster Gold is reportedly still in development, but looking for a new writer.
• Further, pitches for Catwoman and Poison Ivy series were rejected.
• NERDIST TAKE: The once robust Gods and Monsters lineup is looking a bit thin.

DC Studios’ Lanterns premieres this weekend, August 16 on HBO and Max. However, fans of DC properties might have to wait a while before more shows find their way to the screen. According to a new report in The Ankler, DC Studios has officially axed development of its Peacemaker spinoff Waller and its Themyscira-set Paradise Lost. We previously reported Booster Gold was gone too, but The Ankler says that show is still in the cards, just looking for a new writer. Also, evidently, two other pitches—both Batman-universe—also didn’t move forward. Yowzer.

Nerdist reached out to DC Studios for comment but did not receive a response at time of publication.

John P. Johnson/HBO

Waller and Paradise Lost were both Chapter 1 announcements in James Gunn’s infamous “Gods and Monsters” docket. The former would have focused on Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller after the fallout of Peacemaker season one. The latter was to be a massive Game of Thrones-style fantasy epic about Wonder Woman’s homeland prior to her birth. Development of both seemingly stagnated as the burgeoning months of the DCU commenced.

Booster Gold has been in development just as long, with writer David Jenkins attached. However, Jenkins recently took to Threads to say his involvement in the project was no more. The Ankler says the show remains in development, however, with James Gunn, Peter Safran, and HBO’s Casey Bloys looking for a new writer.

DC Comics

The final bit of news from the piece is going to be a gut punch to some fans. Evidently, Gunn, Safran, and Bloys also heard pitches for Poison Ivy and Catwoman series, but neither got the greenlight. Presumably (and this is just me speculating) having too many Bat-villain projects going on before we get a DCU Batman would be weird and awkward.

Whatever the reason, that’s two more DC projects that won’t happen. As of right now, we still have the Mister Miracle animated series and the bizarre Jimmy Olsen/Gorilla Grodd series. On the movie side, Gunn decided to axe The Authority, while James Mangold’s proposed Swamp Thing movie still remains a “who knows?” Clayface hits theaters in September while Man of Tomorrow will premiere next year.

HBO Max/DC Studios

The future of the DCU may, indeed, depend entirely on the outcome of the Paramount antitrust lawsuit. As it stands, only four of the original Chapter 1 projects—Creature Commandos, Superman, Supergirl, and Lanterns—made it to completion.

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

The post DC Studios Reportedly Ditching WALLER, PARADISE LOST Development appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Netflix shared the first image and synopsis for its animated sequel Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory starring Taika Waititi as Willy Wonka.
• Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory also revealed an all-star cast that includes it Connor as Charlie Paley and Taika Waititi as Willy Wonka, Charithra Chandran, Kate Winslet, and Helena Bonham Carter.
• The movie will also get an extensive theatrical window of 47 days.

Remember when Willy Wonka’s wildly unsafe factory resulted in many kids being maimed during a tour? Netflix does, and it’s turning that child endangerment into a sequel. Its upcoming Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory animated film, starring Taika Waititi as Willy Wonka, will see what happens after the infamous chocolatier gets out of prison for his past crimes. And while that premise might sound like a Mike Teeavee-esque stretch, the first image from the film is absolutely delectable.

Netflix

In addition to Kit Connor as Charlie Paley and Taika Waititi as Willy Wonka, Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory has added some MAJOR names, including Nicola Coughlan, Charithra Chandran, Samson Kayo, Christopher Chung, Kate Winslet, and Helena Bonham Carter.

Netflix also announced some WILD news. Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory will have one LONG theatrical release. Netflix reveals the Willy Wonka movie will have a 47-day exclusive theatrical window for the movie. Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory will release in theaters on November 5, 2027, and arrive on streaming on Netflix on December 22. 

Also of note, Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory is not another remake. This is a sequel to Roald Dahl’s story. Tudum provided an official synopsis for the film, which also stars Heartstopper‘s Kit Connor as Charlie Paley. From Netflix:

Willy Wonka has spent the years since the Golden Ticket contest behind bars (not the chocolate kind) for the crime of turning a child into a blueberry. Having served his time, Wonka returns to his factory determined to add a little sweetness to a bitter world. But one thing stands in his way: teenager Charlie Paley and his friends. Facing eviction, this next generation of “rotten” kids plot to break into the factory, nab a priceless Wonka Bar, and save their homes. But like many before them who enter the fantastical world of the factory, these kids are in for a bit more than they can chew…

Oh, okay. More child endangerment. That’s great.* Clearly this film will honor the original’s ethos.

Paramount Pictures

The film comes from directors Jared Stern (The LEGO Batman Movie) and Elaine Bogan (Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, Spirit Untamed). If this image feels familiar that’s because Sony Pictures Imageworks ( Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, KPop Demon Hunters) is handling the animation. Decent track record. DECENT.

“Our directors, Jared and Elaine, have a bold vision befitting this new adventure whilst remaining sympathetic to the legacy, and I’m thrilled to play my part in bringing Willy Wonka to life in animated form,” said Waititi in a statement. “He is so special to me, and the opportunity to voice such an iconic, eccentric candy genius — if a little mischievous at times — is hugely exciting.” 

Getting to see Willy Wonka teach a bunch of brats an important lesson is always fun. Watching him do it in animation this good will only make it better.

*Joke

Originally published on April 17, 2026.

The post Netflix’s CHARLIE VS. THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Adds BIG Names… And Major Theatrical Release appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Gayle Rankin plays Alys Rivers on House of the Dragon.
• In season two, it was unclear whether Alys Rivers is a wise woman or a woods witch.
• In House of the Dragon season three, we learned Alys is much older than she appears thanks to an ancient curse dating back to Aegon’s Conquest.

When Daemon Targaryen claimed Harrenhal during House of the Dragon’s second season, he didn’t find peace in that haunted castle. What he found instead was a mysterious woman named Alys Rivers, a strange figure and fan-favorite from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood. But who is she really? A bastard of the Riverlands who is nothing more than a wise woman who minds her surroundings? Or something much more magical and sinister? Here’s everything we’ve learned about Alys Rivers on House of the Dragon through season three, when we found out her story is even more important than we ever thought.

Who Plays Alys Rivers on House of the Dragon? HBO

Gayle Rankin (GLOW, Perry Mason) plays Alys Rivers on House of the Dragon. She joined the prequel series during season two. While the character is known to readers of Martin’s Fire & Blood, the in-world history reveals less about her than many other figures in the book.

What We Learned About Alys Rivers During House of the Dragon Season 2 Ollie Upton/HBO

Alys Rivers made her silent on-screen debut in House of the Dragon season two’s third episode. She first appeared in Harrenhal’s dining hall when Daemon Targaryen claimed the castle for Queen Rhaenyra (and himself). Alys was the only person not to kneel to his “Grace.”

Alys truly made her presence felt later in the episode when she showed up during Daemon’s nightmare-turned-waking vision. After dreaming about his wife as a young woman sewing the head of little Prince Jaehaerys back onto his body, Daemon suddenly found himself outside. He was standing near a dying weirwood tree overlooking the sacred Gods Eye lake. A confused Daemons then saw Alys Rivers appear below him. She only said one thing, but it made a major impact. She ominously told him, “You will die in this place,” before walking away.

HBO Alys Rivers: Maester, Owl, or Witch?

Another nightmare once again led Daemon to walk directly to Alys Rivers during House of the Dragon season two’s fourth episode. He found her working late at night.

She explained she was the castle’s de facto maester after the last one fled in the night. Like Daemon, the maester could not rest at Harrenhal. Alys Rivers said the castle is responsible for Daemon’s nightmares on House of the Dragon because Harrenhal is haunted and has been since its first stone was laid. The King who built the massive structure, Harren the Black, felled a grove of sacred weirwood trees for the land. He then tortured his workers who used the wood of the heart trees while building the castle. According to Alys Rivers, the spirits who lived in those ancient trees still roam the castle. She said you can hear them whispering in the night.

HBO

When Daemon asked who she really is, Alys Rivers jokingly said she’s really an owl trapped in a human woman’s body. (At least it sounded like a joke. In a world with wargs that wasn’t totally unbelievable.) Later, Daemon accused her of being a witch because she seemingly knew things she shouldn’t. That included how she seemed to know everything Daemon had left unsaid about his feelings over his wife’s ascension. Alys Rivers didn’t claim witchcraft or other magical powers for her House of the Dragon insights, though. She cited the many clues she observed about why he was unhappy being below Rhaenyra, including how he arrived alone but had yet to send a raven back saying he claimed the castle.

The alluring, wise, mysterious Alys then easily got Daemon to drink an unknown potion just days after he feared someone poisoning him. It was as though she had placed him in a trance and he couldn’t refuse her. Whatever she gave him was powerful. It knocked him out completely. Daemon lost a huge chunk of time after taking her potion. He awoke the next day, in the middle of a meeting, with no idea how he’d gotten there.

Alys Rivers Hears Cries of Anguish in the Wind HBO

In House of the Dragon season two’s “Regentm,” Alys Rivers continued to call out Daemon Targaryen. This time, she chastised him for war crimes Ser Willem Blackwood committed in his name. Daemon had told the knight to do his “worse” to bring House Bracken to heel. Even before the other riverlords confronted Daemon for those atrocities, Alys Rivers knew about them. She told Daemon she heard “strange things” on the “wind.” She spoke of “cries of anguish, children being taken from their mothers, men coming home to find their doors unlatched, their wives carried away.”

Did she mean she heard reports and rumors of those things from others? Or Alys Rivers actually hear the real screams from far away in House of the Dragon? If so, how? In visions? Dreams? Through weirwood trees? Sorcery? No matter how exactly she knew, she was aware of what it meant for the smallfolk. “And once again, in the name of power,” Alys said, “It’s the weak and the women who must endure.”

It was also unclear if Alys Rivers happened to mention Daemon’s late mother by chance, or if that meant she was the one who caused his Oedipal dream. That was a curious topic for Alys to bring up at that exact moment. It raised the possibility that even if she isn’t responsible for Daemon’s nightmares, she somehow knew about them.

Alys Rivers “Predicts” the Death of Lord Grover Tully HBO

With Daemon losing his grip on reality thanks to both his growing frustration in the Riverlands and his own nightmares in House of the Dragon season two, the King Consort was ready to flee Harrenhal before he asked for Alys’ help counsel. She offered him insights into the “mud” men of the region. She said they would rather get bogged down fighting one another than bend an inch. Only the stability of House Tully could bring them all together and give Daemon the army he sought.

With Lord Grover Tully too old and sick to bend the knee, that seemingly left Daemon without any options. But Alys told him while he couldn’t do anything, “in three days time, the winds will shift.” That would offer him a path forward. Sure enough, three days later Grover Tully was dead and his young healthy grandson was the new Lord of Riverrun. And who was with Grover at the end? Alys Rivers, who had gone to help.

HBO

Did Alys Rivers kill Grover Tully in House of the Dragon as Daemon (and possibly Ser Simon Strong) believe? Or did she go there—possibly to ease Grover’s pain, make Daemon think he can trust her, or both—because she somehow knew Lord Tully would die that day no matter what? Either she’s a murderer or a seer, either of which would be of great value to Daemon Targaryen.

Also of value was her insight into what it takes to rule. She cited Daemon’s desire for the crown as reason for him not to be worthy of it. Rhaenyra needed her husband (and his dragon) fighting for her. Alys Rivers was the only one who showed Daemon why the best he might ever be able to hope for is serving as King Consort and not the King.

Alys Rivers Shows Daemon the Prophecy of Ice and Fire in House of the Dragon

Alys Rivers revealed just how much she knows about the future when she showed Daemon a vision of Aegon the Conqueror’s prophecy about the White Walkers in House of the Dragon. She brought Daemon to Harrenhal’s weirwood, and when he touched it, he saw the Three-Eyed Raven, the army of the dead, and his descendant Daenerys rising from the ashes with three dragons. It was exactly what Daemon needed to finally fall in line behind his wife, the Queen. Without Alys Rivers and her mysterious knowledge, the Realm might have been doomed forever because Daemon never would have played “his part” in the fight against the Night King.

Is House of the Dragon‘s Alys Rivers Really a Witch? HBO

Season two never answered who exactly Alys Rivers is or even what she is. A witch responsible for Daemon’s nightmares? A wise owl in human form who can hear whispers on the wind because she soars on them? A greenseer with amazing abilities like Bran on Game of Thrones, which was how she knows so much about the past, present, and future? And does that mean she predicted Daemon’s future death at Harrenhal because she sees it, or as a threat?

In season three of House of the Dragon, we found out that we weren’t even asking the right questions about Alys Rivers.

What We Learned About Alys Rivers During House of the Dragon Season 3 HBO

Alys Rivers asked for Harrenhal as reward for the service she provided Rhaenyra in uniting the riverlords and getting Daemon to truly bend the knee. But he said that was not going to happen. Alys was disgusted, but quickly found a new Targaryen prince to get close with. She saved Aemond’s life from a stab wound after he claimed Harrenhal in the early episodes of House of the Dragon season three. She then nursed him back to health, even though she could have won the castle she so believed was rightfully hers by killing him—Rhaenyra had named the castle as the reward for the person who murdered Aemond for her.

Why didn’t Alys Rivers murder Aemond so she could receive Harrenhal? She had even bigger plans.

Alys Rivers Makes a Dragon Egg Offer to Aemond HBO

Even Aemond was confused by Alys’ humane treatment of him/lack of castle-claiming murder until she revealed she had much bigger plans for them both in House of the Dragon. She showed him lost dragon eggs a Targaryen queen had left behind at Harrenhal. Alys wanted the two of them to make the castle a new seat of ruling power, with her as the Lady of the Water and him the dragonlord by her side. But why at Harrenhal and not King’s Landing? Alys Rivers would soon tell Aemond the truth about her sad past and why she was cursed to remain in the Riverlands forever.

Alys Rivers: Harren the Black’s Cursed Wife HBO

Alys is not a witch, an owl, or even just a woman in House of the Dragon. Alys Rivers was Harren the Black’s wife when Aegon the Conqueror all but ended Harren Hoare’s line. One of her sons initially survived his dragon burns, and his mother did everything she could to save him. When maesters could do nothing, Alys turned to old magic, incantations, and ancient knowledge she learned from the Children of the Forest. It failed to save her son, and when she died, Alys Rivers learned she could not follow him in death. The price the former Queen of Harrenhal paid for her attempts was to lose her title, her name, her castle, and her power. Alys Rivers is doomed to live forever in the Riverlands serving every lord who rules in Harrenhal.

Her past, powers, and old age mean she might also be the mother of the Three-Eyed Raven.

Alys Rivers and Aemond Targaryen Are Now Betrothed HBO

For 130 years, “Alys Rivers” has haunted the halls that became her family’s tomb. And after all that time, she has grown lonely. In Aemond, she sees something she didn’t in Daemon: another lost soul desperate for love. He sees the same in her. Alys Rivers and Aemond Targaryen are now betrothed as House of the Dragon season three comes to an end. Whether their union will lead to a new age of Water and Fire is a question for House of the Dragon season four.

Originally published on July 9, 2024.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He’s still mad we didn’t get GLOW’s final season. You can follow on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Who Is HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Alys Rivers? appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Ellie Farrell is a propmaker from Dublin and has gained virality on social media for her Iron Man suits.
• She has created plenty more impressive builds, from web shooters to shields.
• Farrell says her goal is to positively influence others who are involved or want to be involved with the hobby.

No, you’re not “literally Batman”—but Ellie Farrell might be. Actually, she’s also Iron Man, too. And with a 3D printer and some paint, she could probably become any hero she wants to be. Farrell is a 20-year-old mechanical engineer and a prop designer based in Dublin, Ireland, and her hobby is building suits and gadgets from your favorite superhero comics.

What started as a deep desire to bring small pieces of the immersive worlds she saw onscreen into real life became a complex passion involving robotics, engineering, and design. Farrell is a self-taught propmaker, learning Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and rendering on her own, along with drawing on skills she learned from her dad and at school. Putting together these abilities has allowed Farrell to recreate stunningly realistic (and functional) props from film and TV. Farrell says when she was a kid, things started small.

Ellie Farrell

“When I was a kid, I’d make little costumes for myself,” said Farrell. “I just wanted to replicate movies. I think there was a sense of realism that I couldn’t get just from watching [them], so I wanted to bring it to real life. I’d make little outfits for my stuffed animals.”

Growing up with the urge to bring fantasy into reality was what solidified Farrell’s interest in mechanical engineering. Now, she is majoring in the craft at Technological University Dublin, where she is a 3rd year student.

We became aware of Farrell’s work after she posted her Batman suit build on Instagram. The reel she made detailing the process has 5.1 million views, at the time of this post. The suit’s details are wildly intricate, and it was a great introduction to Farrell’s craftsmanship.

Ellie Farrell

Farrell is not only a propmaker but an influencer, posting short videos of her creative process on social media. Some of Farrell’s well-known builds on the internet include her two Iron Man suit iterations and a Batsuit. She has also made a realistic Captain America shield and functional web-shooters, among many other cool creations.

With 618.6k followers on TikTok and 294k on Instagram, she has grown an audience of like-minded nerds who appreciate seeing their favorite heroes brought into the real world. She says it was her original Iron Man suit build that really boosted her attention on both platforms. After her first Iron Man suit went viral, Farrell took the learned skills to build a second, more detailed version.

Ellie Farrell

“[The second suit is] just much higher quality. Thanks to the internet, I was able to get a better 3D printer, so the quality just went up a lot. I also knew which paints to get, how to layer paints, how to sand better, electronics that I wanted to include, and different moving parts. I wanted to just get a bit more detailed with it. I think [with] the first suit, I was like, ‘Do I really want to do all of that?’ But the second one, I just knew I could, so I decided to go a bit more in depth.”

According to Farrell, she can sometimes bang out a project in a day or two, depending on the size. But suits? Those can take months. Her creative process starts with a sketch and blooms from there.

Farrell cited the first Iron Man suit as her most challenging build. Going in, she only knew how to build the helmet. But she did what she needed to learn: understanding it “by failing first.”

Farrell has big plans for the future, wanting to pursue propmaking either for live theatre or film/TV as a career. However, she says that her most important goal is to positively influence people.

“I think younger people need an outlet now more than ever… I found that [COVID] was a really rough time. You’re very isolated, and I feel like… there’s a lot going on in society where [kids are] not able to communicate really, and I think it can be a great outlet to be able to be in your own space and build things.”

Ellie Farrell

The internet can be harsh. The more people see your work, the more the wrong people will interact with it or leave hateful comments. Farrell said she has struggled with that, but it hardly bothers her anymore.

“[Social media is] an interesting place to be as a girl. I’ve just gotten so used to it now, but it does get annoying, I suppose, when men comment stuff about your abilities as a woman,” said Farrell. “I [barely] look at comments anymore. I’ve put up with it my whole life—I did football for 12 years growing up, and I was on a boys’ team, [the] only girl in the entire league. So I guess I got used to just regulating emotions relating [to] that.”

Farrell said the social media and virality side of her passion felt enjoyably “unreal.” She understands her role as an influencer and the impact she has on other hobbyists. She said she especially wants her content to resonate with young girls. Farrell hopes she can teach them that they can do what she says some people view as “boy stuff.”

“I just want to be a good influence on [young girls] to believe in themselves and believe in their own abilities and develop their own skills, because it is easy to believe that you can only do it if you get a degree… or you’re talented or [a] genius in something,” she affirms. “But I’m not a genius. I’m just a regular person doing something every day and building up those skills… [It] gets me when girls are like, ‘Oh, you, you’re not able to do this,’ because it’s different coming from a girl than a guy, but I hope I’m able to convince girls then that they’re able to do it too. There’s no real restriction other than a mental barrier for most people.”

Surprisingly, Farrell doesn’t see a future in commissioned propmaking. She is currently building a Nightwing suit for a friend, but says it won’t become a regular activity.

“When I’m thinking about someone else seeing my work… I just get very particular about the tiny little details that I know people don’t care about—and they won’t see it, but I see it, and I care about it. I just couldn’t do [commissions] because [I] would get too much in my head. I would not enjoy it.”

In terms of future projects, Farrell is not even close to stopping making awesome props. She mentioned a functioning grappling hook/ web-shooter hybrid, able to hold a person’s weight. In addition, she is working on an ECG scanner that controls lights, mimicking telekinesis. Farrell also mentioned that she’s working on something else “really cool,” so keep an eye on her socials.

You can follow Ellie’s work on her Instagram and TikTok pages.

The post This Propmaker’s Passion Is Becoming Real-Life Superheroes appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• You will never sit on the Iron Throne or on a dragon, but your furry friend can, thanks to these Paw of Thrones’ adorable pet beds. 
• There are two types of beds: the Iron Throne and a dragon
• You can buy single beds or a set of two for a discounted price.

Do you have what it takes to sit upon the Iron Throne? That coveted seat in the Game of Thrones universe has cost countless lives and caused a lot of drama for many, many years. You have to be charismatic, a little ruthless, and a shrewd decision-maker, among other things, to rule in Westeros. If that’s not you, then that’s too bad. You need a dash of Valyrian blood to be a dragonrider, unfortunately. While you may never get to sit on the Iron Throne or on the back of a mythical beast, your dog or cat can do it, thanks to these Paw of Thrones’ adorable pet beds. 

Pawora

There are two different yet equally awesome beds to choose from for your furry friend. First, there’s a plushy replica of the Iron Throne that makes for quite the cute pet bed. Unlike the one in the HBO universe, this one is not sharp enough to pierce the skin. It has a seat that allows your pup or kitty to sink into its cushion and rule the kingdom of your abode. This bed is currently up for pre-order for $119 for one or $229.98 for two if you have multiple rulers. 

Pawora

The second bed is a big ole dragon who, like a dog, is curled up and comfy. The center space is for your dog or cat to hang out in as they keep their human subjects in line. This bed retails for the same prices above. 

Yes, these beds are super cute. But, the only thing that seems to be missing/unclear is the size of the bed. It doesn’t come in a variety of sizes and, although the logo features a big ole German Shepherd, it isn’t clear if a larger animal could fit. As someone who has a Shepherd/Golden mix who weighs over 100 pounds, I am not sure if my dog could fit or not. It is pretty hard to tell based on the pictures. 

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Every dog and cat deserves a dragon, indeed. So make sure that you grab your pre-order and let your pet rule in style. 

The post Your Pet Can Rule the Realm With These GAME OF THRONES Beds appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• At last, we’ll see the adventures of Captain Seven of Nine and the crew of the Enterprise-G in a new ongoing Star Trek comic.
• The series will take place five years after the finale of Star Trek: Picard
• Characters from Picard, like Jack Crusher and “Crash” La Forge, will feature heavily.
• Nerdist’s Take: This is the sequel to Star Trek: Picard that Trekkers have waited years for.

At the end of the much-loved third season of Star Trek: Picard, the U.S.S. Titan becomes the new starship Enterprise, NCC-1701-G. And her commanding officer is none other than Voyager’s iconic ex-Borg, Seven of Nine, played by Jeri Ryan. The finale of the series promised adventures that sadly never happened on screen. But they will happen in a new ongoing comic book series from the folks at IDW, titled, simply enough, Star Trek. (Really, you can’t go wrong keeping it simple with that title.) What better way to celebrate the franchise’s 60th anniversary? (And just a reminder that if you’d like to snag a pre-order for Star Trek #1, pre-orders close on 8/17. And trust us, you’ll want to after seeing our exclusive preview pages of the Star Trek comic below.)

Star Trek #1 Exclusive Preview Pages: Catch Up with Seven of Nine and the Enterprise-G Five Years After Picard IDW/Paramount

You can check out several exclusive preview pages and covers from the all-new Star Trek #1, written by Christopher Cantwell, with art by Dennis Menheere, and letters from Jodie Troutman, below:

Click To View Gallery IDW/Paramount IDW/Paramount Paramount/IDW IDW/Paramount IDW/Paramount Paramount/IDW IDW/Paramount Paramount/IDW IDW/Paramount Paramount/IDW IDW/Paramount Paramount/IDW IDW/Paramount

In our exclusive look at the pages of Star Trek #1, we see Captain Seven of Nine, five years after the events of the Picard finale. She’s speaking to a Lt. Commander Sato, a likely descendant of Star Trek: Enterprise’s Hoshi Sato. Seven is clearly missing her former first officer, Raffi Musiker. But now, Seven has lost Raffi to her own command. However, she still has her special counselor, Jack Crusher, son of Jean-Luc Picard and Dr. Beverly Crusher. And he even shares a Borg telepathic link with her, which is a new wrinkle. But Seven feels the weight of her upcoming mission. Not to mention the weight of the Enterprise and her many iconic Captains looming large. She reflects on Captains Pike, Kirk, Rachel Garrett, and, of course, Picard. Can she and her Enterprise crew live up to their incredible legacies? We have faith in our favorite ex-Borg and her stalwart crew and can’t wait to follow their adventures in the new Star Trek comic.

IDW/Paramount Star Trek #1 Sees the Enterprise-G on a “Desperate Mission”

Additionally, you can explore the official solicitation for IDW’s Star Trek #1, along with a special cover gallery, which includes many variant covers featuring characters from the series.

Their mission is new. Their legacy is not. From the pen of fan-favorite writer Christopher Cantwell (Star Trek: Defiant, Star Trek: Red Shirts) and the brush of psychedelic standout Dennis Menheere (Etheres, Little Nightmares) comes the launch of an all-new flagship…and this time, we’re busting out of the four quadrants. The Enterprise-G is on a desperate mission beyond the known galaxy to relocate the dying Revlavan people when its crew finds a perfect new home in a region of unknown space called the Epsilon Corridor. Three pristine Class-M worlds—the Trinity—await the refugees.

No signs of civilization. No detectable threats. A colonist’s dream. But the dream fractures fast.
When Captain Seven of Nine and her divided, fast-tracked crew begin exploring the Trinity, they
uncover disturbing contradictions: vanished structures, inexplicable artifacts, time skips, and
evidence of a presence Starfleet’s century-old probes never detected. Each world houses a
different ecosystem, different physics problems, and different secrets—as if they’ve been
curated…or quarantined. But from who? Or what? The first arc of Star Trek delivers a prestige, mystery-driven, high-stakes psychological thriller of an opening salvo—new worlds, new species, new existential threats—anchored by Seven, Jack, and Crash La Forge fighting to keep the mission together as the Galaxy’s oldest ghosts awaken.

Paramount/DW Star Trek Writer Christopher Cantwell Shares the Question of This Comic Is ‘How Do We Survive’ Paramount/IDW

Here’s what Star Trek writer Christopher Cantwell has to say about this exciting new launch, and the continuing voyages of the new Federation flagship:

“This newest launch of Star Trek is all about looking FORWARD. Boldly going. We can’t
ignore the past and won’t — there’s sixty years of history here and in story time within the Trek
universe, multiple centuries. But this story is very much about how we carry ourselves and our
pasts with us ever forward into the future. The question is: how do we survive? How do we
evolve? It’s a question for our characters and Star Trek as a whole as we cross the halfway
point of 2026. Star Trek has always been about heading into the (at times frightening!)
unknown of the future because we believe a good one is still possible. That’s something that
keeps me going in my life on a daily basis these days, and I’m so eager to imbue this latest
Trek chapter with that core essence alongside Dennis, Charlie Jane, Isaac, and our incredible
IDW team.

Star Trek #1 warps into comic book shops on September 23, 2026, just a few weeks after the franchise’s 60th anniversary. Pre-orders for Star Trek #1 are due August 17.

The post Exclusive Preview Pages: STAR TREK #1 Comic Stars Captain Seven of Nine appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• John Stewart has long been one of the most prominent members of DC Comics’ Green Lantern Corps.
• John Stewart’s history goes back over fifty years, and he’s one of DC’s most important characters.
• In the upcoming DCU series Lanters, John Stewart will make his live-action debut as a Green Lantern.

A Green Lantern series has been in the works since 2019. It was originally meant to focus on many members of the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps. Now, the final iteration of an HBO Green Lantern series has arrived. As part of their master plan for the on-screen DC Universe, James Gunn and Peter Safran announced a new DC television series called Lanterns. This live-action Green Lantern DCU entry will star Hal Jordan and John Stewart. According to the DC duo, this is “a True Detective-type mystery with our two Lanterns. A terrestrial-based mystery… that leads into the overall story… We find this ancient horror on Earth, and these guys are basically supercops on ‘Precinct Earth.'” And playing John Stewart is the star of the Netflix film Rebel Ridge, Aaron Pierre. James Gunn congratulated the actor via social media.

Welcome to DC, Aaron Pierre. After a long and grueling series of auditions I am absolutely sure we’ve found an incredible John Stewart. #Lanterns pic.twitter.com/1grFjppkQe

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) October 9, 2024

Many of you out there might think Green Lantern is just that guy infamously played by Ryan Reynolds once, and soon, Friday Night Lights star Kyle Chandler. But that’s test pilot Hal Jordan. We’re here to tell you all about the 50-year legacy of John Stewart and why he’s one of DC Comics’ most important characters.

John Stewart’s Green Lantern is DC’s Most Prominent African-American Superhero DC Comics

John Stewart, contrary to popular belief, was not DC Comics’ first Black superhero. That honor belongs to Mal Duncan, one of the early members of the Teen Titans. A few months before Stewart appeared, Jack Kirby’s Forever People hit newsstands, which included the character Vykin the Black. Regardless, it’s safe to say that John Stewart’s Green Lantern is DC’s most prominent African-American superhero today. He has totally eclipsed the earlier debuting characters.

John Stewart’s Historic DC Comics Debut DC Comics

The creative power duo of writer Denny O’Neil and artist Neal Adams created John Stewart, appearing in 1971’s Green Lantern/Green Arrow #87. This creative team reinvigorated the Green Lantern comics starting in 1970, making it more socially relevant (and allowing DC to compete with Marvel). Despite the existence of the Black superheroes previously mentioned, there was no one headlining a book, even for an issue. John Stewart did that, making his debut historic as Green Lantern.

The story “Beware My Power” introduced John Stewart as a headstrong young man, an architect who had a distaste for authority. So Green Lantern Hal Jordan and John butted heads from the very start. Especially seeing as how Hal was essentially a space cop. But because of John Stewart’s fearlessness, the Guardians of Oa chose him as Hal’s backup Green Lantern. Hal’s backup at the time, Guy Gardner, sustained serious injuries and couldn’t fill the role.

DC Comics

One of John Stewart’s first assignments as Green Lantern was to protect a racist politician. Despite his personal issues with the politician, Stewart completed the mission successfully. And he exposed the same politician for various crimes while doing so. This impressed Hal Jordan, who then realized the Guardians of the Universe made the right choice in selecting Stewart as Green Lantern. Sadly, readers wouldn’t see much of John Stewart after this debut on a regular basis. At least not for some time.

John Stewart Becomes Earth’s Primary Green Lantern in the DC Universe DC Comics

After that issue, for much of the 1970s, John Stewart only appeared sporadically. DC had created a cool new character but didn’t seem to know what to do with him. Finally, in the early 1980s, Hal Jordan quit the Green Lantern Corps. This meant John Stewart became the Green Lantern for Sector 2814 full-time. John Stewart headlined the Green Lantern series and was the prominent Green Lantern of Earth during Crisis on Infinite Earths. It was during this time that John ditched the mask and secret identity. And he let the entire world know who he really was. He also began a romance with a fellow Lantern, Katma Tui, from the planet Korugar.

DC Comics

After this point, no one would ever sideline John Stewart again at DC Comics. John Stewart headlined the Green Lantern Corps team book, which put him side by side with Hal Jordan and other Lanterns. After his wife Katma was murdered, John lost his way. In his arrogance, he accidentally let a planet die during the DC event series Cosmic Odyssey. The weight of these actions would bear heavily on him for years. He finally headlined his own series in the early ’90s, Green Lantern: Mosaic. There he became the guardian of the patchwork world of Oa. And he achieved nearly godlike powers. Although it only lasted 18 issues, this series was critically acclaimed.

From Green Lantern to Darkstar, and back to Green Lantern Again DC Comics

In the mid-’90s, John Stewart and all other Green Lanterns became depowered, when Hal Jordan lost control and became the villain Parallax. He destroyed all the power rings but one, which went to a new character, Kyle Rayner. For a few years, Rayner was the only Green Lantern in the universe. But as Green Lantern, he sought mentorship from John Stewart, preserving his presence in the DC Universe. Stewart was now part of another intergalactic peacekeeping force, the Darkstars. But When Rayner decided to create new rings and expand the Corps, one of the first people to get a new ring was Stewart.

Justice League and Mainstream Stardom for Green Lantern John Stewart DC/WB

John Stewart’s biggest boost in popularity came in 2001. After several years of waiting, the creators of Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series brought the DC heroes together for Justice League. When they were deciding which Green Lantern to use for the team, series creator Bruce Timm chose John Stewart. He reinvented the character, making him a no-nonsense ex-marine. (The comics would later adopt this aspect of John Stewart’s backstory.) The popularity and wider reach of the TV series made it so, for many kids, John Stewart was the Green Lantern. After nearly 30 years since his creation, John Stewart finally broke into the mainstream consciousness,

An Entire Generation’s Green Lantern DC Comics

The arrival of the Justice League cartoon coincided with a surge in popularity for the Green Lantern brand at DC Comics. Stewart became the lead in a new Green Lantern Corps series and was a central figure in company-wide events like Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night. Using his architectural skills, he even designed the new Hall of Justice for the Justice League. Although he was only mentioned at the end of the only season of Green Lantern: The Animated Series, John Stewart appeared across other media, such as in Young Justice, Teen Titans Go!, and several animated films. Just this year, he starred in his own movie, Green Lantern: Beware My Power. Interestingly, Aldis Hodge, who played another DC hero, Hawkman, in Black Adam, provided his voice.

Warner Bros. Animation John Stewart as a Live-Action DC Universe Green Lantern

When John Stewart’s Green Lantern arrives on HBO as part of the DC Universe, it could be the biggest spotlight the character has ever had in media. We don’t know too much about who John Stewart will be in Lanterns. But it sounds like he’ll be part of an epic adventure.

John P. Johnson/HBO

A well-deserved reward for a character who was once just thought of as another hero’s “backup guy.” John Stewart long ago outgrew that and is now one of the most prominent heroes of the DC Universe.

Lanterns premieres on Sunday, August 16, on HBO Max.

Originally published on October 26, 2022.

The post The History of Green Lantern John Stewart, Explained appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• We interviewed Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard ahead of the debut of his LEGO Pokémon ad with Terry Crews.
• Wolfhard dished on his longtime connection to LEGO as a fan and which set he grew up playing.
• He also told us more about LEGO’s SMART Play technology and its best features.

We all know Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard is a great actor as well as a talented musician. However, many people do not know that he has a blossoming career as a Pokémon trainer. Wolfhard got into an epic battle against fellow actor Terry Crews in a promotional short film for the Pokémon x LEGO collaboration. The two used the collab’s newest lineup in the battle, fighting with Charizard and Jigglypuff LEGO figures, each equipped with LEGO’s SMART Play features.

Nerdist spoke with Wolfhard ahead of the short film’s debut about his favorite LEGOs and his music career:

Nerdist: Prior to this collaboration, were you a fan of Pokémon or LEGO on their own?

Finn Wolfhard: [I believe LEGO] should be a part of every child’s toy box or toy collection, and I was definitely a fan. And my brother and I were huge Pokémon fans and grew up playing the games. So it was sort of the best of both worlds.

I certainly agree. Did you have a favorite LEGO set growing up?

Wolfhard: We had a Star Wars set that was really awesome, and also would play LEGO Star Wars all the time. We were we were big Star Wars kids. We were obsessed with [our] Darth Maul figure, that was definitely our our big one.

LEGO Star Wars is a classic collaboration, especially growing up in the 2000s. As you know, SMART Play is a pretty new feature for LEGO. What value would you say you see in integrating those electronics into such a classic toy?

Wolfhard: I think it’s really cool. I think it definitely is more suited to the younger crowd and generation that can really make it a social toy. It’ll really allow kids to go out and be able to play together and also have an interactive piece to it.

LEGO / Pokémon

Absolutely! And you were able to test the figure out yourself on set. How did you enjoy filming the battle scene with Terry?

Wolfhard: It was awesome. We had a great time, and obviously, I’m a huge fan of Terry’s—and of LEGO and Pokémon. So I just was excited to to to shoot it, and then actually being able to hold the LEGO Pokémon [figures] in our hands was really cool.

I saw you had Charizard, and Terry fought back with Jigglypuff. If you got a rematch, which LEGO Pokemon would you use?

Wolfhard: The Mewtwo one is incredible. I’m really glad I had Charizard, but next time I would love the Mewtwo.

Definitely fair, it looks great. Switching gears a bit, you’re focusing pretty heavily on your music career at the moment. With that in mind, what value do you feel that you get from smaller, shorter acting projects like this?

Wolfhard: To me, it’s just a way to have fun with acting. Considering I’ve like been doing it for so long, since I was little, it’s always fun to do stuff like this where it’s just fun and innocent. And I get to work with someone like Terry Crews, who I’ve been a fan of my whole life and childhood. So it [is] definitely really awesome to be able to do things like this, and also [have] some time for music.

RELATED ARTICLE

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I imagine most people probably think of you first as an actor, but you’ve released two albums and various EPs within the last two years. Do you find yourself leaning towards a specific genre with your music?

Wolfhard: I would say alternative rock and roll is probably the best way I can describe the music. And yeah, I think most people definitely know me for my acting. But music and acting came around the same time. I’ve been putting out albums [about] as long as I’ve been known as an actor, ever since I was 14, and so it’s definitely been a huge part of my life. [I’m] excited to be pursuing it now that I am a little older and maybe have a little more of a mature sound.

Do you find music taking more of a centered role in comparison to acting in your career right now? Or do they stay about the same in terms of the attention you’re giving them?

Wolfhard: You know, I think music has really been an amazing outlet for me, and I get a lot of control of it. I think both [crafts] are very important pieces of my life, and I’m lucky to be pursuing both of them. I’m very proud of the work that I’ve put into music, and hope people will like what they hear.

LEGO/The Pokémon Company

Do you have an end goal musically, or do you tend to just go with the flow in that regard?

Wolfhard: I would say [I’m] going with the flow. I don’t really have an end goal. I think [I’ll] just keep recording and making music and writing about the things that I want to be writing about and playing with the people that I want to play with.

Where do you draw inspiration from in terms of bands or sounds, and what is your songwriting process like?

Wolfhard: For me, the songwriting process can change between a few different modes. It could be something that is happening in my life that I’m inspired by, or could be a story that I heard from someone else. The music [tends to come] first, and then the lyrics come second. I definitely have a lot of different inspiration when it comes to bands.

I definitely get a lot of inspiration for a lot of different things. You know, movies, books, TV, comics, YouTube videos. To me, it all depends kind of on the album that I’m working on. [Each] will usually have a sonic inspiration from a different album. This last album I made was kind of inspired by early Wilco records and British rock and roll from the ’60s, like the Faces and the Rolling Stones. I’ll be back out on tour in October.

LEGO/Pokemon

And how do you enjoy touring?

Wolfhard: Touring is really awesome. It’s definitely a muscle that you have to exercise a lot, and it’s definitely a challenge, physically and sometimes mentally. You know, having to play a show every day or every other day. But I’ve got a really good band and crew around me, so it’s really rewarding.

That can make all the difference. And now for a Nerdist classic question… What do you nerd out about and why?

Wolfhard: I’ll just get really into rabbit holes. I’m a huge comedy nerd, so I know a lot about the history of SNL. I’m obviously a huge movie fan. And music, obviously, [the] history of indie rock and alternative rock. I’m definitely super into [those].

The post Finn Wolfhard Discusses LEGO Pokémon, Making Music, and More appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• You can now watch 120-year old solar eclipse footage.
• In 1900, a magician caught a solar eclipse on film for the first time and it was only made available in the past years.
• This video of the first-ever filmed solar eclipse reminds us not to take our phones and simple recording devices foregranted.

Solar eclipses, wherein the Earth is caught in the shadow that is cast when the moon blocks the sun, are among the most surreal astronomical events. They’re beautiful and haunting, turning daylight into dusky darkness for several minutes; and they’ve  been capturing the interest of Earthbound humans for millions of years. Nowadays, there are all sorts of methods for viewing a solar eclipse, but what did people do in olden times? Luckily, the first-ever video recording of a solar eclipse has made its way to YouTube to give us some insight. The footage is just incredible!

The video of the first-ever solar eclipse caught on tape was filmed by magician Nevil Maskelyne in North Carolina on May 28, 1900. Maskelyne was on an expedition with the British Astronomical Association, and recorded the footage with a telescopic adapter on his camera. The footage shows almost the full duration of the eclipse, starting when the moon’s shadow is just dipping into the sun, and concluding as it starts to move away.

This minute-long video of the solar eclipse had been held in the Royal Astronomical Society’s archives until 2019. In a post, the society mentioned that Maskelyne had previously filmed another eclipse when he traveled to India in 1898, but that footage was stolen on his journey home.

BFI

The perfectly preserved 1900’s video of the solar eclipse was “painstakingly scanned and restored” in 4K quality by BFI, a film preservation organization, which retimed the film frame-by-frame to achieve the final version they posted to YouTube. It’s part of their recently released Victorian Film collection, which also features footage of the first x-ray cinematograph film ever taken and other vintage recordings.

Now that photography technology is so advanced, it’s easy to take videos and images of a solar eclipse for granted. But Maskelyne’s first-ever film of a solar eclipse is a testament to where these sorts of recordings all started, and an impressive piece of history.

Originally published June 3, 2019.

The post See 120-Year-Old Footage of the First Solar Eclipse Ever Filmed! appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Composer Daniel Hart confirms for fans that there’s no Armand and Daniel “Devil’s Minion” musical theme in The Vampire Lestat.
• Hart explains that the relationship between Armand and Daniel wasn’t yet developed enough for a musical theme.
• But Hart reveals there is “the beginning inkling” of a theme for Devil’s Minion in one scene, and we will hear it on The Vampire Lestat OST.
• Even More Insights: For even more on Armand and Daniel’s relationship, check out what Assad Zaman and Eric Bogosian had to say about them after TVL‘s finale, “Eric Bogosian and Assad Zaman Discuss All Things Armand and Daniel in THE VAMPIRE LESTAT.“

The Vampire Lestat is a season full of music. Between catchy earworms, heartbreaking ballads, and some of the most gorgeous orchestral work you can imagine, composer Daniel Hart outdoes himself in this chapter of the series. And as is so often the case on our screens, and is especially the case in The Vampire Lestat, music also plays as much of a role as dialogue when it comes to relationships between characters. As The Vampire Lestat comes to a close, fans felt curious to know whether Devil’s Minion, the romance that takes place between Armand and Daniel, had received a musical theme of its own in this latest batch of episodes. The Vampire Lestat composer shares on Twitter that there’s “no obvious Devil’s Minion musical theme in The Vampire Lestat,” but there is “the beginning inkling of a theme in one scene between Daniel and Armand.”

So anything I would have written would have been incomplete, and, knowing that, I chose to wait. Yes, there is the beginning inkling of a theme in one scene between Daniel and Armand. And yes, that will be on the score OST. But no, I wouldn't call it their theme.

— Daniel Hart (@danielmwenda) August 11, 2026

In full, The Vampire Lestat‘s composer, Daniel Hart, said the following about the presence/absence of an Armand and Daniel love theme. In response to a fan asking after a Devil’s Minion musical theme while The Vampire Lestat was still airing, Hart revealed, “There was no satisfying answer to this question. And any answer I could give at the time was some form of spoiler. There isn’t an obvious Devil’s Minion musical theme in The Vampire Lestat, because their relationship hasn’t developed enough in our show. So anything I would have written would have been incomplete, and, knowing that, I chose to wait. Yes, there is the beginning inkling of a theme in one scene between Daniel and Armand. And yes, that will be on the score OST. But no, I wouldn’t call it their theme.”

I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS REAL THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST ROMANTIC THINGS I’VE EVER SEEN “i want to be your maker” “52 years i’ve watched you” I’M GONNA BE SICK #tvlspoilers pic.twitter.com/99ICJfIQra

— nora ꕤ (@norabuckleydiaz) July 4, 2026

So it’s good news/bad news for fans of Devil’s Minion who wanted to hear a musical theme for the pair. On the one hand, no Armand and Daniel love theme yet. On the other, Hart notes that he “chose to wait” and “there is a beginning inkling of a theme” in The Vampire Lestat. “Wait” and “Beginning” do feel like directional words that imply something more is coming! You wait for something, and if there’s a beginning, hopefully there’s a middle. (But no end, please!)

Ultimately, Hart’s vision of why there isn’t yet a Devil’s Minion theme matches with what we’ve seen so far in the series. Armand and Daniel are on a slow burn. In The Vampire Lestat, there are ardent love confessions and mutual beheadings—there’s certainly fascination. But as Assad Zaman and Eric Bogosian told me earlier in the season, “How does a love manifest itself? We’re a work in progress. // We’re working on it.” And as Zaman reiterated after the finale, “There’s always room in season four, I think. There’s a lot of room” for exploring what love between these two vampires means. Ultimately, when we get a Devil’s Minion love theme, we’d like it to be for a developed relationship.

AMC

And that brings us back to “the beginning inkling of a theme in one scene between Daniel and Armand.” Where does that inkling appear? Well, The Vampire Lestat OST will be available beginning on August 21. And if we check out the track listings on the score, we find one titled “The Rothko Chapel.” The Rothko Chapel, is, of course, the place where Armand guided Daniel so he could mourn his relationship with his daughter in peace. And so, this Armand and Daniel-inspired track seems like a likely candidate for where a Devil’s Minion theme could live in The Vampire Lestat‘s soundtrack. (Although we don’t count out “Hi Dad.”)

And indeed, as we listen through that scene again, focusing on the music rather than the very distracting conversation on our screens, we can definitely hear the beginning of… something beautiful, hovering at the edges.

I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS REAL THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST ROMANTIC THINGS I’VE EVER SEEN “i want to be your maker” “52 years i’ve watched you” I’M GONNA BE SICK #tvlspoilers pic.twitter.com/99ICJfIQra

— nora ꕤ (@norabuckleydiaz) July 4, 2026

Inklings for now, but hopefully a whole evening at the orchestra later for Armand and Daniel. Season four of The Vampire Lestat WILL be called Queen of the Damned, after all. And, of course, the Devil’s Minion chapter lives in Anne Rice’s book Queen of the Damned. We can’t wait to see what Daniel Hart will create when the time is right.

The Vampire Lestat streams now on AMC and AMC+. You can snag The Vampire Lestat and The Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice to read—if you’d like to know a little bit more about what’s going on.

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief of Nerdist. She’s ready for Devil’s Minion to become canon so one of her ships can finally sail.

The post No Armand & Daniel ‘Devil’s Minion’ Theme in The Vampire Lestat, Says Daniel Hart appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Jeff the Killer, a cornerstone of internet creepypastas, is getting his very own feature film based on his terrifying story.
• This comes in the wake of Backrooms‘ success earlier this year.
• The movie will be directed by TikTok creator Savanah Moss and backed by Tongal, a creator-led studio.

After the box office success of Backrooms, internet horror is a popular topic. The next natural move, then, is to capitalize on this. Thus, The Wrap has confirmed that a Jeff the Killer movie is in production, with a TikToker directing. Tongal, the creator-helmed studio, will back the project.

Jeff is an essential piece of the creepypasta lineup, including Slender Man, the Rake, the Russian Sleep Experiment, and, of course, the Backrooms.

Savanah Moss will direct the feature film. Moss makes surreal TikTok videos and has gained over 11 million followers with her weird, creepy content (this is complimentary). Her work certainly fits the unsettling feel of early internet/creepypasta horror. This won’t be the first internet user to direct an internet-focused story, with Kane Parsons, previously only directing YouTube videos, spearheading Backrooms earlier this year. Moss most recently directed and starred in her own horror short film, Funny Bunny. Plenty of the comments on that film, though, were from viewers who enjoyed her storytelling but were dissatisfied with her use of AI. We’ll see if she takes those comments to heart on her next big project. This won’t be the first internet user to direct an internet-focused story. Parsons famously only directed YouTube videos prior to spearheading Backrooms earlier this year.

Jeff the Killer is a classic creepypasta. Born in 2008, the story, in its most basic form, is about a teenage serial killer with a disfigured face. Accompanying the story is a jarring photo of a pale, human-like face with deep-set eyes and an uncanny smile. It was the Momo doll before the Momo doll existed—without the challenge aspect. Jeff is arguably the inception of uncanny internet horror.

RELATED ARTICLE

The 8 Scariest Levels of the BACKROOMS

Like the Backrooms and many other creepypastas, the unnerving photo came before the lore now associated with it. As the story goes, Jeff was a 13-year-old who moved to a new town with his parents and brother. Early on, bullies attacked him and his brother, and they fought back. This landed his brother in jail. They attacked Jeff more brutally a second time and, this time, set him on fire, causing his facial disfigurement. After seeing his new face, he began self-mutilating before going on a killing spree. Jeff specifically targeted those who refuse to sleep at night. Insomniacs, you’re screwed. Or so the legend goes.

There is a lot that can be done with this story on the screen, and a lot of internet users’ ideas to draw from. With Clayface coming in October and after the success of The Substance, body horror is a genre on everybody’s mind. Unlike Backrooms, an internet story without an inherently solid plot, which still did very well, Jeff the Killer has a backstory. That said, there is still definitely wiggle room for Savanah and Tongal to play with, so we will have to see what direction they take it.

The post Creepypasta Returns To The Screen With Jeff the Killer Movie appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Rosario Dawson revealed at a convention that she shot scenes as her Marvel character Claire Temple for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but they were cut.
• She was ready to post behind-the-scenes photos with Spider-Man when she received news she wasn’t going to be in the film.
• Nerdist’s Take: The cut scenes of Claire Temple could wind up on the Spider-Man: Brand New Day Blu-ray release, or a future extended version.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the live-action version of an oversized Marvel Team-Up Annual, featuring Spidey crossing paths with not one, but four MCU heroes. But one more MCU character, played by someone very well known, almost found themselves in the film too. And they even shot their scene. However, director Destin Daniel Cretton cut it out of the final film. While appearing at Galaxycon recently, Ahsoka and Sin City actress Rosario Dawson confirmed that she filmed a cameo in BND as her Marvel character Claire Temple. Sadly, it wound up on the cutting room floor. Here’s what she had to say about the experience:

I tell you my post was already ready with my BTS, with my grandson wearing all his Spider-Man stuff cause he loves Spider-Man. Then I got the email, so yeah, I’m a reject of Spider-Man and I’m a reject of the Devil’s Rejects.

Rosario Dawson recalls that her scene as Claire Temple in ‘SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY’ was cut at the last minute.

“I tell you my post was already ready with my BTS, with my grandson wearing all his Spider-Man stuff cause he loves Spider-Man. Then I got the email, so yea I'm a… pic.twitter.com/46SrXK8VdF

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 10, 2026

What Dawson refers to here is a cameo scene filmed 20 years ago as a nurse for Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects. Now, a different nurse character of Dawson’s never made it into another film. For those unfamiliar, Dawson’s character of Claire Temple appeared across several Marvel Netflix shows. She was a practicing nurse who secretly helped injured vigilantes. She’s a composite of Claire Temple, a medical doctor in Luke Cage comics, and an obscure character from a series from the early ’70s called The Night Nurse. That series centered on a nurse named Linda Carter who treated injured superheroes. For obvious reasons relating to a famous DC heroine, Marvel changed the name of its Night Nurse to Claire Temple.

Marvel Television/Sony Pictures

Dawson’s character appeared in two seasons of Daredevil, as well as Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and The Defenders. She somehow didn’t appear on The Punisher, although it stands to reason that Claire Temple would know him. Yes, it’s a bummer that her cameo didn’t make it into Brand New Day. But we imagine it’ll be a deleted scene on the eventual Blu-ray. Who knows, maybe they even insert it back into the film? Claire Temple was a very cool character, one we hope finds a home somewhere in the MCU again. If not in Brand New Day, then maybe in a future Spider-Man film down the line.

The post Rosario Dawson Confirms She Shot Scenes for BRAND NEW DAY appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• The director of Smile and Robert Pattinson are teaming up to remake one of the ’80s most bizarre cult films, Possession.
• The Possession remake movie will officially release on June 11, 2027.
• Nerdist Take: The original Possession is so wacky and strange that it’s hard for us to imagine a remake capturing that energy. However, we do like the minds behind this reboot, so we are interested to hear more.

Over the past several years, it seems like they’ve remade almost every ’70s and ’80s horror classic. Probably some you’re not even aware of. (Someone remade John Carpenter’s The Fog, for reasons). Yet one cult horror film from that era has remained untouched by the remake craze, until now. According to The Hollywood Reporter, 1981’s Possession is getting the remake treatment soon, as Smile filmmaker Parker Finn and Robert Pattinson are joining forces to remake the supernatural thriller. Polish filmmaker Andrzej Zulawski wrote and directed the original. Pattinson is on board as producer, and may also star in the film. The Possession remake movie will officially release on June 11, 2027.

We first learned this news back in 2024, and now we have a casting confirmation. No, it is not for Robert Pattinson as the star. Instead, Paul Dano will star in this Possession remake film alongside Callum Turner and Margaret Qualley. Yes, that means Batman and the Ridder are teaming up after all. It is not clear who anyone will portray in this film right now.

Oliane Productions/Marianne Productions/Soma Film/Warner Bros. Nerdist Take: It’ll Be Hard for Any Remake to Live Up to the Strangeness of the Original Posession

The original film wasn’t your typical ’80s horror movie. It wasn’t even a financial success in its day, only achieving cult hit status over time, thanks to home video. Possession took place in West Berlin, and featured future Jurassic Park star Sam Neill as a spy who returns home to his wife and son.

This meditation of martial drama eventually spirals out, and before you know it, there are strange doppelgangers and a tentacled alien. So, not exactly Friday the 13th. The U.K. banned Possession, and an American release cut out a third of it to be less bizarre. We must say however, it does sound exactly like the kind of weird stuff producer Robert Pattinson would totally be into.

Parker Finn is riding high after his directorial debut, Smile, became the biggest horror hit of 2022. That film cost $17 million to produce, and made $217 million at the box office. It was originally intended for Paramount+. Yet wiser heads prevailed after positive test screenings, and Smile made quite a return on investment for the studio. And now Finn is making the sequel.

So it seems Finn is using his Smile clout to do his version of the relatively obscure cult film. It remains to be seen if the final film could possibly live up to the strangeness of the original, which was made in a completely different climate for horror films.

As mentioned, the Possession remake will release on June 11, 2027.

Originally published June 14, 2024.

The post POSSESSION Horror Remake Casts Paul Dano appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Peacock and A24 are teaming up for Crystal Lake, a Friday the 13th prequel series that will expand the franchise.
• Linda Cardellini will star as Pamela Voorhees, the mother of the infamous Jason Voorhees.
• Crystal Lake will release its first episode on October 15.

A couple of years ago, we got the big news that the Friday the 13th franchise would continue to expand with Crystal Lake, a prequel series about the infamous campground. What would a prequel series entail? Will we learn new things about Jason Voorhees’ childhood and perhaps his psychotic mother Pamela?

Here’s everything we know about Crystal Lake. 

Title Paramount Pictures

The title of this series is Crystal Lake.

Crystal Lake’s Plot 

There is a brief plot synopsis for Crystal Lake, which you can read below:

A prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise, the series follows single mother Pam Voorhees who has been unable to shake her grief after her young, sickly son Jason tragically drowned in the town lake almost a year before. When two strangers arrive at Pam’s door digging into her past, a disturbing chain of events are set into motion, leaving the townspeople of Crystal Lake wondering: just who is Pam Voorhees?

Perhaps they will reveal some lore that changes what we thought about Camp Crystal Lake and the franchise’s original players. The trailer confirms that the show takes place a little under a year after Jason’s death, which was in 1957 originally. However, it seems the show is taking some timeline liberties and bringing those events to the 1970s.

Cardellini opened up about her role as Pamela Voorhees during this year’s NBC Backlot Press Day, saying that this show gives her a firmer foundation.

“We all know where Pam ends up because she starts all the killing in the first movie. So, what Brad gave me was a beautiful beginning and somewhere to go. There’s an arc there from somebody who means well and is trying to survive. She’s doing the best that she can and fighting hard for things that she thinks are right to [becoming] somebody who then turns out to do all the wrong things. That gives me a lot of places to go. I think that dissent is very necessary,” Cardellini said.

She even hinted that she will wear Betsy Palmer’s infamous sweater from the original film.

Behind the Scenes

Brad Caleb Kane, who recently brought us IT: Welcome to Derry, will be the showrunner for Peacock’s Crystal Lake TV series. He is the creator, writer, and executive producer as well. Ahead of its release, we have photos of Crystal Lake cast in action.

Click To View Gallery Peacock Peacock Peacock Peacock Crystal Lake’s Cast

Crystal Lake stars Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees. William Catlett will portray Levon Brooks, Devin Kessler is Briana Brooks, Cameron Scoggins is Dorf, and Callum Vinson from the Chucky TV show will be a young Jason Voorhees.

Crystal Lake’s Release Date

There is no release date for Peacock and A24’s upcoming series. 

Originally published August 19, 2024.

The post Everything We Know About CRYSTAL LAKE, the FRIDAY THE 13TH Prequel Series appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• KFC and Oreo have collaborated to create the fried chicken cookie.
• The cookie kept the chocolate wafers and added herb-and-seasoning-flavored cream.
• These cookies were dropped with a Retro Popcorn flavor, exclusively in China.

Oreo is collaborating with anyone and everyone these days. Some of these collaborations have created insanely popular hits, like the BTS and Post Malone packs. Others have been total misses. Where the KFC x Oreo China Fried Chicken Cookie stands is… up to you.

Oreo China / Kentucky Fried Chicken

As part of Oreo’s “Playful Time Travel” collection, the fried chicken cookie came out alongside another weird combination: Retro Popcorn. I am personally interested (and slightly mortified) to see how the collection continues with more flavor drops.

The odd combo kept the classic chocolate cookies but replaced the filling with an 11-seasoning spice blend-flavored cream. The seasoning includes herbs, spices, and salt, emulating the classic batter KFC uses. One side of the cookie has Oreo’s regular logo, but the other side includes KFC’s branding. The choice not to use a savory cracker to hold the salty cream is baffling to me, but I’ll wait to judge.

And I’ll have to wait a long time, if not forever. The two new cookie flavors went on sale on July 31, but only in China. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you feel about chocolate and fried chicken flavor profiles interacting), Oreo China is not selling the cookies anywhere else—yet.

Oreo and KFC are both notorious for producing odd flavor combinations, for the love of the game, it seems. Last year, KFC turned its gravy into an ice cream flavor, and Oreo created a Thanksgiving pack that included flavors like Turkey & Stuffing and Creamed Corn. I’m not sure who is buying these, and honestly, I am wholeheartedly afraid of anybody who does. Are they the equivalent of people who like the popcorn and toothpaste-flavored jellybeans? Maybe. But I still hope, for their sakes, the KFC and Retro Popcorn Oreos will be coming to the rest of the world soon.

The post KFC Collaborates with OREO for a Fried Chicken Cookie appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Marvel and Lucasfilm have announced that Kevin Smith will write a Star Wars and Marvel Universe crossover event series, Star Wars/Marvel: Heroes Assemble.
• Ultimate Spider-Man artist David Marquez will illustrate the five-issue series.
• The events of A New Hope will spill over into the mainline Marvel Universe, Earth-616
• Nerdist takes: Despite 50 years of association, Star Wars and Marvel have never crossed over, making this a historic comic book series.

Star Wars and Marvel Comics have been synonymous for nearly five decades. In fact, the relationship goes back before Star Wars first hit theaters. The first issue of Marvel’s Star Wars adaptation hit spinner racks 6 weeks before George Lucas’ game-changing film premiered. And those Star Wars comics helped save Marvel from bankruptcy. Now, at long last, the Marvel Universe and the Star Wars galaxy will officially collide, as the publisher has announced Star Wars/Marvel: Hope Assembles, the first official crossover between universes. And writing it is none other than avowed Star Wars/Marvel fanboy-for-life, filmmaker Kevin Smith. The Announcement came via Entertainment Weekly. You can check out the covers by Ultimate Spider-Man artist David Marquez, the series’ main artist, below in an Instagram post from Kevin Smith:

This five-part limited series will kick off in January of 2027, starting off Star Wars’ 50th anniversary in style. The iconic heroes from A New Hope will join Earth-616, which fans know as the “main” timeline of monthly Marvel comics, and meet iconic heroes like Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man, and many others. Meanwhile, Doctor Doom and several Marvel villains will join the forces of Darth Vader and the Empire. This is especially fitting, as Mark Hamill himself has said George Lucas drew inspiration for Darth Vader from Victor von Doom. Now, to paraphrase Vader in A New Hope, “They meet at last. The circle is now complete.” Below you can read Kevin Smith’s statement on this once-in-a-lifetime crossover event:

Back in the early ‘80s, I had a subscription to Marvel’s Star Wars comics. And as fun as it was to follow the continuing adventures of Luke, Leia, and Han, I always wished that Spider-Man or Doctor Doom could cross over into their cinematic saga. So when the opportunity arose to actually tell that story, nobody had to Force my hand! I’m ecstatic to be writing Hope Assembles for the 50th anniversary of Star Wars! Many thanks to Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm for trusting me to fly the Falcon and the Quinjet!

Marvel Comics/Lucasfilm

Hope Assembles Heroes sees the events of A New Hope unfold on Earth after a reality-shattering spell. Now, we don’t see Doctor Strange in the artwork, but this feels like his doing. However, we do indeed see the Scarlet Witch, and altering reality on a grand scale seems to be her thing, so keep an eye on that Wanda. The first issue will launch in January 2027, with each subsequent installment dropping every month. The fifth and final issue will arrive in May 2027, A New Hope’s official anniversary month.

Lucasfilm/Marvel Lucasfilm/Marvel

This comic is historic for another reason. In 50 years of Star Wars, aside from very short, tongue-in-cheek comedy comics and short non-canon prose stories, there has never been a long-form Star Wars story that acknowledges Earth. Or even the Milky Way galaxy. They’ve kept things to that galaxy far, far away. So this is a first for that too. Kevin Smith has long been asked by fans when he’d write a Star Wars or Marvel movie, and always said no. It seems comic books are another thing entirely.

Outgoing Marvel EIC C. B. Cebulski said of the project, “It’s an idea we’ve wanted to explore since getting the Star Wars license back [from Dark Horse Comics] over a decade ago, but we knew we’d have to wait with the patience of a Jedi to make it happen. The 50th anniversary of A New Hope has finally given us the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring these two universes together.” Can Heroes Assemble live up to 50 years of nerd daydreams? We’ll find out in January, when Star Wars/Marvel: Heroes Assemble hits comic book shops.

The post STAR WARS and Marvel Collide in New Kevin Smith Mini-Series appeared first on Nerdist.