The Nerdist

⚡ Quick Take

• Actor Daniel Weyman reveals to Nerdist that in The Rings of Power season three, Gandalf will try to find softness in those whose hearts have hardened.
• More specifically, Gandalf will try to reach the Dark Wizard, who has been corrupted by evil and power, and touch his heart.
• Go Deeper: To learn more about the Dark Wizard and his identity, explore “If THE RINGS OF POWER’s Ciarán Hinds Isn’t Saruman, Then Is He A Blue Wizard?“

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two revealed the identity of one important wizard. As we long suspected, The Rings of Power’s The Stranger was actually Gandalf, who had forgotten his name and identity. In The Rings of Power season three, we’ll see Gandalf more fully inhabit his true self and his powers, and that includes the wonderful ability of Gandalf to feel compassion, pity, and love for his fellow creatures. Daniel Weyman shares that in the third season of The Rings of Power, Gandalf will be finding the softness in people whose hearts have hardened. And he tells Nerdist that Gandalf has one very specific target in mind to save from the grip of evil: his fellow Middle-earth wizard, the Dark Wizard.

In The Rings of Power season two, the Dark Wizard appeared corrupted by the idea of power and control. He didn’t seek to save Middle-earth, but rule it. And when his “old friend,” The Stranger/Gandalf, did not want to join him on his dark paths, he grew angry and violent. But Daniel Weyman shares in our interview that Gandalf hasn’t given up on his friend; in The Rings of Power season three, he will seek to reach the Dark Wizard’s heart and save it.

Weyman reveals, “I think at the end of season two of The Rings of Power, we saw The Dark Wizard really upset The Stranger, who was turning into Gandalf. I think he found it very disturbing that this person, who was claiming to have been a friend, wanted to side with Sauron and take this sort of domination, this sort of grab of energy and power. And I think he can’t work out what’s going on inside that other creature’s mind and body and soul.”

Prime Video

But Gandalf isn’t about to give up on the Dark Wizard and lose him to evil. Weyman continues, “And so if he gets the opportunity, I think he’s going to watch out for moments where he can see the crack in the armor, where he can see a chance to get light in. And especially with The Dark Wizard, that’s a point of which I think this sadness that sometimes The Dark Wizard has is so clear for him to see. Is that a possible way in? Can he use that? Can he unpack? Because we know Gandalf has a lot of knowledge about sadness. He understands pity. And so hopefully that’s a way into the Dark Wizard’s heart.”

But whether there is or not, Gandalf will certainly give it his best efforts. “He might not be” someone Gandalf can save, Weyman concludes of the Dark Wizard, “He might not be, but I might try.”

Go Deeper on the Dark Wizard and Gandalf in The Rings of Power

We may have finally found out that Gandalf is Gandalf, but the identity of The Dark Wizard on The Rings of Power remains a mystery. The showrunners have confirmed he’s not Sauron, so who does that leave? Go deeper into the identity of the Dark Wizard in our piece, “If THE RINGS OF POWER’s Ciarán Hinds Isn’t Saruman, Then Is He A Blue Wizard?“

RELATED ARTICLE

If THE RINGS OF POWER’s Ciarán Hinds Isn’t Saruman, Then Is He A Blue Wizard?

Gandalf and the Dark Wizard will return when The Rings of Power season three premieres on Prime Video on November 11. The full release schedule can be found here. If you’d like to get yourself ready for this return to Middle-earth, you can pick up The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth or The Silmarillion and read more about Tolkien’s vision of the time when the show takes place.

This post has affiliate links, which means we may earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, we just have to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist. She’s still hoping for that Adar resurrection in The Rings of Power season three.

The post Can Gandalf Save the Dark Wizard in RINGS OF POWER Season 3? Daniel Weyman Weighs In appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• In the final episodes of The Vampire Lestat, we learn the heartbreaking truth that Claudia and Madeleine have not found one another in death.
• Will Claudia and Madeleine reunite in the world of The Vampire Lestat? Delainey Hayles certainly hopes that it could happen.
• Go Deeper: Read our full interview with Delainey Hayles about The Vampire Lestat, Delainey Hayles Talks Claudia and Regina in THE VAMPIRE LESTAT.

“My coven is Claudia,” are some of the most romantic words spoken in Interview with the Vampire. Although they came to a tragic end, we loved seeing the joy Claudia and Madeleine brought to one another during their brief time as companions in Interview with the Vampire. Madeleine is probably the only person who ever put Claudia first in the entire narrative. And the scenes between them were some of the most joy-filled and loving that we see on the series. And so, it is incredibly harrowing to learn that in death, Claudia and Madeleine have not been reunited. In episode six of The Vampire Lestat, Claudia’s spirit is summoned back into the land of the living. Threaded within Claudia’s justified rage, there’s a deep, unyielding loneliness and sorrow that emerges as she reveals that she cannot find Madeline in the afterlife, no matter how hard she searches for her. And Delainey Hayles gives a stunning performance of the tumult of heartbreak this induces in Claudia. We at Nerdist would hate for this to be the end of the love story between Claudia and her immortal companion, Madeleine. So when speaking with Delainey Hayles, we had to ask if she believes Claudia will ever achieve peace and find Madeleine in The Vampire Lestat? Here’s what Hayles had to say.

AMC

“I hope she does find rest.” Hayles offered, although she didn’t note whether she believed it was possible within the scope of the series. “Yeah, I really hope she does because her whole life has been kind of an injustice. Everything has been done to her. And now she is alone again, which is the worst thing to be for a vampire. So I hope Claudia finds rest, and her rest is being able to find Madeleine.”

A two-for-one deal, really. If Claudia finds Madeleine in death, she would also find peace. And it’s peace she so sorely deserves. Anne Rice’s books paint Claudia and Madeleine’s relationship in a much different light. And that’s the beauty of adaptation. Thus, we very much hope The Vampire Lestat series takes one more step and reveals to us that Claudia and Madeleine do eventually find one another in the afterlife. We’d very much like to imagine that Claudia can return to the love and happiness that filled her when she was alive, especially during the period when she had her companion. Seems like it would be a reasonable amend for Louis and Lestat to summon them both together to allow them some peace. Make it happen, boys.

RELATED ARTICLE

THE VAMPIRE LESTAT’S Ghost Scene Comes Straight from the Books

The Vampire Lestat is now streaming on AMC and AMC+. If you’d like more insights into the season, you can also pick up The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice for your reading pleasure.

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief of Nerdist. She cannot possibly wait two more years for more of The Vampire Lestat. She hopes for Claudia and Madeleine’s happy reunion in time.

This post has affiliate links, which means we may earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, we just have to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

The post Will Claudia and Madeleine Reunite in THE VAMPIRE LESTAT? Delainey Hayles Chimes In appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Charlie Vickers says Sauron will tell Celeborn that he’s been hanging out with his wife, Galadriel, when the pair meet in Rings of Power.
• The relationship between Galadriel and Sauron has been an important one in The Rings of Power, and fans are interested to see where it will go.
• Get Another Perspective: Morfydd Clark offers us her perspective on Sauron and Galadriel’s relationship in The Rings of Power in this interview, “Morfydd Clark Dives Into the Lasting Wounds Sauron Has Dealt Galadriel“

If you’re a fan of the relationship between Sauron and Galadriel, you probably already heard about The Rings of Power’s showrunners calling what will happen between Sauron, Galadriel, and her husband, Celeborn, in season three, a love triangle. But we’re equally obsessed with the version of events that Charlie Vickers regaled us with in our recent interview. Vickers let us know that Sauron and Celeborn have a history of sorts… But when they meet back up again in season three of The Rings of Power, Sauron will have some explaining to do about what he’s been up to with Galadriel. Vickers notes that the relationship between Galadriel and Sauron will hang in the air between Celeborn and Sauron. You can watch Vickers answer, which contains the words, “I’ve been hanging out with your wife,” below.

In full, here’s what Vickers had to say about the relationship between Celeborn, Galadriel, and Sauron: “I mean, the thing with Celeborn is when Sauron meets Celeborn, if Sauron meets Celeborn, well, let’s face it, they’re going to meet at some point. They have their own shared history. They’ve both been around for hundreds of years. So they have their own kind of thing.” Vickers mimes two people meeting and recognizing one another, “Oh, it’s like, oh… And then there’s also this other added thing of, by the way, ‘I’ve been hanging out with your wife.'”

It’s no small added thing, that’s for sure. Sauron and Galadriel’s intense entanglement throughout the first two seasons of The Rings of Power set in motion the series’ main events, including the formation of Mount Doom and the forging of the Rings of Power. Had Galadriel not let Sauron into her heart and mind, he may have never risen to power again. And it’s clear that, whether they like it or not, the relationship has left a massive mark on both characters and their journeys. And, now, Galadriel’s closest confidante, who has no idea that she’d become so intertwined with the Dark Lord, has returned… And it sounds like Sauron may be the one to tell him… “Hey, Galadriel and I have been hanging out.” That’s Middle-earth drama at its finest.

Prime Video

Sauron, Galadriel, and Celeborn will arrive on our screens when The Rings of Power season three premieres on Prime Video on November 11. The full release schedule can be found here. If you’d like to get yourself ready for this return to Middle-earth, you can pick up The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth or The Silmarillion and read more about Tolkien’s vision of the time when the show takes place.

Get Another Perspective

Morfydd Clark Dives Into Galadriel & Adar’s Bond, Sauron’s Lasting Hurt, TROP TikTok and All Things THE RINGS OF POWER

This post has affiliate links, which means we may earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, we just have to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist. She’s still hoping for that Adar resurrection in The Rings of Power season three.

The post ‘I’ve Been Hanging Out with Your Wife.’: Charlie Vickers on Sauron & Galadriel appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Jack Shi, who lives at Peter Parker’s comic address in Forest Hills, receives kids’ fanmail addressed to the hero.
• Shi says he had no idea the address belonged to the hero when he moved in.
• Realistically, neither Peter parker nor Aunt May could afford to live at 20 Ingram Street.

Dear Spider-Man, do you really live at 20 Ingram Street? If you’ve ever written a letter to the web-slinging hero, chances are it may have instead made its way to Jack Shi. Hailing from China, Shi owns the home at the address where Aunt May and Peter Parker a.k.a. Spider-Man live in the comics.

Marvel

Shi initially had no idea that he was buying the house at this infamous address, which is 20 Ingram Street in Forest Hills, New York. It wasn’t until he started getting letters addressed to Spider-Man that he realized the significance of the number on his new house.

“Spider-Man, this is the American spirit. If I am living here, I should do as Spider-Man,” Shi said to The New York Post. “If someone wants to take a picture, I say yes.”

Shi now feels the responsibility that comes with owning the multi-million-dollar home—other than the steep house cleaning bill. Lovingly receiving letters from hopeful kids writing to Spidey alongside welcoming hordes of photo-taking fans from all over the world has made Shi a hero himself to many fans.

A man in NYC bought a house that has the same address as Peter Parker & Aunt May's address from Spider-Man and he's been receiving letters from children who think they're writing to Spider-Man 🥺

via NY Post pic.twitter.com/i0dKBYBKdx

— Complex Pop Culture (@ComplexPop) August 8, 2026

The address even appears on Google Maps as “Spider-Man’s home.”

Unless May and Ben were exceedingly well off, the likelihood of them being able to afford to own the home is slim. It seems Marvel has caught on to this and has changed the location of his abode in recent additions to the franchise.

Along with this, after the release of Brand New Day, internet users have joked (and genuinely questioned) about the fact that there was no indication throughout the movie that Spider-Man has a job of any kind, though he has his own apartment and upgrades his suit and gear every other scene. As arguably the most street-level installment in the Tom Holland run thus far, it seems the one fact of life the writers neglected to touch on was paying rent. And no, this isn’t just me lamenting the lack of journalistic representation, though I do miss Daily Bugle Peter.

In an odd coincidence, one resident of Ingram Street reported that the past residents shared the hero’s last name: Parker. That’s very cool. If you’re looking to reach Spider-Man with your letter, you may just get an everyday hero reading it.

The post Man Who Lives at Peter Parker’s Address Gets Spider-Man Letters appeared first on Nerdist.

This post contains major spoilers for House of the Dragon‘s season three finale. If you want to avoid them for now you can instead check out our coverage of episode seven.

⚡ Quick Take

• Rhaenyra’s descent into “madness” was on full display in House of the Dragon‘s season three finale.
• The stories of Daenerys Targaryen and Rhaenyra might not be exactly the same, but they both became “Mad Queens” for the same reason.
• Rhaenyra and Daenerys’ desperate pursuit of power caused them both to develop a god-like savior complex.

HBO

Rhaenyra Targaryen spent House of the Dragon‘s second season trying to avoid bloodshed. Her refusal to rain fire and blood on the Realm was so obvious that Ormund Hightower, who mocked her concern as a woman’s weakness, counted on her temperance as part of his plan. In season three’s finale, even Ulf laughed about how Daemon wouldn’t use his dragon against Tumbleton because the Queen had him on a short leash.

He wasn’t wrong. She instructed her husband to “not make a monster” out of her while attacking the city. That doesn’t sound anything like Daenerys Targaryen, Rhaenyra’s descendent who showed her enemies no mercy and claimed the Iron Throne by burning King’s Landing to the ground.

And yet, despite the differences in their actions, it’s clear House of the Dragon is drawing a clear link between Rhaenyra and Daenerys. They were both good women whose quest for power made them mad queens with a savior complex.

HBO

House of the Dragon‘s season three finale had multiple references to “The Bells,” Game of Thrones‘ penultimate episode where Daenerys turned King’s Landing into a smoldering ruin. In the prequel, Helaena saw a pale horse, the same kind of harbinger of death and doom that Arya saw. Just like King’s Landing nearly 170 years later, we also experienced the horror of a smoldering city through the eyes of a queen’s loyal follower who looked on in disbelief at the destruction the war had wrought. Alyn even acted as a stand-in for Grey Worm, two noble warriors committing atrocities on behalf of their Queen.

Unlike Daenerys and the capital, Tumbleton’s destruction was not directly Rhaenyra’s fault. It’s certainly not what she wanted. Daemon was (for him) judicious in his use of Caraxes. Once the Red Worm blasted open the city’s gates, the King Consort proceeded on foot. It was Ulf the traitor acting on behalf of the Greens who brought fire and blood to the market town.

Regardless of who was responsible, the devastation was the same. Each Queens’ attack brought the same carnage to the very people they wanted to save. Innocent people burned and suffered in wars that both Rhaenyra and Daenerys waged so they could sit upon the Iron Throne. And each got to that spot after slowly succumbing to what many in the Realm call Targaryen madness.

HBO

Were the dragonlords of old Valyria who conquered Westeros really more susceptible to going mad than others? Did a “taint” run in their blood like some said? Did inbreeding cause some Targaryens to do unspeakable acts? Or were they simply as susceptible as anyone who lived a lavish lifestyle without consequence, pursued the throne, or both, to losing themselves to the trapping of power? Daenerys’ didn’t seem mad when she was liberating slaves in in Essos. It wasn’t until she faced multiple failures, setbacks, and personal loss in Westeros that she snapped. The Khaleesi who liberated Slaver’s Bay was not the woman who burned innocent people after King’s Landing had fallen.

Neither was the Rhaenyra who risked her life to meet with Alicent in King’s Landing on the small chance she could avoid war the woman who declared herself The Prince That Was Promised in House of the Dragon‘s season three finale. And that, far more than the similarities of an atrocity of dragonflame, is where Rhaenyra and Daenerys’ stories mirror one another on HBO. Once Daenerys claimed the Iron Throne she announced her plans to “break the wheel” across the entire world. She would free everyone everywhere, whether they wanted her to or not. Then she would rule them.

That declaration pushed Jon Snow to kill her. When he first went to speak with Tyrion after King’s Landing fell, Jon made excuses for why she’d done something so horrible. But Tyrion told Jon what he already knew. “She believes her destiny is to build a better world for everyone,” and she would do so by spreading fire and blood to all of it.

Rhaenyra also believed she was destined to save everyone. She shared the biggest, most important secret in the world during an emotional, desperate frenzy where she claimed the gods had surely chosen her to rule. It was Daenerys’ own declaration in another form. Standing on the steps of Baelor’s Sept after she had the High Septon killed, Rhaenyra, compared herself to the most famous kings of Westeros in a stilted, wild speech about mythical monsters, prophesy, and divine purpose. It had to sound like madness personified to anyone who head it.

The gods summoned my ancestor, Aegon the Conqueror…. to the Seven Kingdoms to unite a fractured Realm beneath one banner of black and red. They named him Protector of the World of Men. His duty, to shield it… from an ancient and sinister darkness that looms in the far North… beyond the Wall, beyond the lands of winter. And only the might of dragons can stand against it. The Conqueror passed this sacred charge to his chosen descendants, to the Old King, Jaehaerys, then to my father, then to me. The Hightower line cannot fulfill this prophecy. If your world is to survive… I must light the way. Because I am the Shield of the People. I am Rhaenyra the Chosen.

HBO

“I am Rhaenyra the Chosen.”

We know Rhaenyra is partly right. An ancient and sinister darkness looms beyond the Wall. But we know she is not the prophesied Prince. Even if she were, how could anyone else at her absurd, chaotic, deadly coronation believe anything she said? Any ruler declaring themselves the literal chosen savior of the gods would sound as mad as any Targaryen who ever wielded power in Westeros. That was how Daenerys sounded to Jon Snow when she justified her plans for world domination. She told him, while King’s Landing still burned, only the two of them know what is “good.”

In her quest for power, her entire reason for living, Daenerys lost herself. She wasn’t born mad. Khaleesi turned her grief, frustration, sadness, loss, and desperation into anger. That led her to develop a god-like savior complex. And when you believe you and you alone know what’s good for everyone, you can justify any actions as right. It’s how you justify burning down a city you want to rule and had already won.

HBO

But while Rhaenyra didn’t want to look like a monster and her sins were not one of fire and blood, her descent came about for the same reasons as Daenerys’ own. Just as her descendent will do, Rhaenyra turned her own grief, frustration, and desperation into anger. That manifested into the same god-like savior complex that is no different from “madness.” And maybe that’s why so many Targaryens seemed to follow a similar path. When you become obsessed with power and believe you are owed it, you can go mad trying to prove to everyone you’re right.

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

The post Rhaenyra’s Descent Into Madness in HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Mirrors Daenerys appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• We believe The Rings of Power’s Dark Wizard is really a Blue Wizard.
• The Rings of Power‘s season 2 finale pointed to the Dark Wizard being Saruman, but the showrunners call that unlikely.
• Not much is known about the Blue Wizards from Tolkien’s lore and texts, but what is known matches with what we know about the Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power.
• Go Deeper Into the Lore: For more on wizards and the other inhabitants of Middle-earth in The Rings of Power, head to “Every LORD OF THE RINGS Race We’ve Met So Far on RINGS OF POWER“

The Rings of Power‘s season two finale saw the return of Ciarán Hinds’ Dark Wizard. His goals and allegiances turned out to be different than we thought, but in an episode that confirmed The Stranger is really Gandalf, everything we saw from Hinds’ powerful sorcerer pointed to him also having a famous name. Just like everything else he did during the season, he gave us plenty of reason to believe he’s really Saruman. Only, the Prime Video series showrunners have said that’s likely impossible. So if the Dark Wizard is not Saruman, who could he be? The identity of the Dark Wizard may be revealed to be one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ill-fated Blue Wizards of the Second Age.

Prime Video Table of contents

• The Dark Wizard Seemed Like the Perfect Saruman
• The Rings of Power ‘s Showrunners Said the Dark Wizard Is NOT Saruman
• Here’s Why the Dark Wizard Could be a Blue Wizard Instead
• Regardless of the Dark Wizard’s Identity, Gandalf will Seek to Help Him
• The Rings of Power Season 3 Is Coming Soon

The Dark Wizard Seemed Like the Perfect Saruman

From the moment he arrived on Middle-earth, all signs pointed to The Stranger secretly being Gandalf. And that’s exactly who he is. The same has been true of the Dark Wizard and Saruman since he made his debut in season two. Everything about him, including his appearance and staff, pointed to him secretly being the infamous White Wizard of The Lord of the Rings. And that continued into the final episode, where he cast aside his sinister human loyalists and cult followers and tried to embrace his “old friend” The Stranger.

Despite both being emissaries of Manwë, King of the Valar, The Stranger did not ally with his fellow Istar. The Dark Wizard hopes to succeed Sauron after defeating him. Gandalf would rather wander the desert nameless than try and rule. That greatly upset the Dark Wizard who’d waited a long time for his friend to arrive. He responded by trying destroy the halflings to teach his “kin” a lesson about showing pity in a world fighting Sauron.

Prime Video

The Dark Wizard’s actions in the season two finale only strengthened the theory around his real identity. He arrived long before the Stranger as one of five Istari to aide in the defeat of Sauron, yet he wants to replace Sauron as Middle-earth’s ruler. He also loves Gandalf and wants him by his side, but turned on The Stranger in anger when Gandalf refused. That all aligns with Saruman’s story in the Third Age, in the same way The Stranger’s own story on The Rings of Power has aligned with Gandalf’s. Saruman the White will arrive as the noble, good, powerful leader of five wizards. But after a long time he will succumb to darkness. He will ally with sinister forces, including Sauron, in hopes of replacing the Dark Lord as Middle-earth’s ruler.

The Rings of Power‘s Showrunners Said the Dark Wizard Is NOT Saruman

Yet, despite all those many obvious and direct connections, it is apparently “highly, highly, highly improbable” the Dark Wizard is Saruman. That’s what The Rings of Power‘s showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay told Vanity Fair in an interview about season two. Payne said it might actually be “impossible” for him to be Saruman. McKay then added “it would almost defy the laws of gravity and physics for [the Dark Wizard] to be Saruman.

NewLine Cinema

Their clever choice of words does not rule out the Dark Wizard being Saruman entirely. “Almost impossible” still means “possible.” But if they’re correct, who could Hinds be playing if not Saruman? Like the Dark Wizard, Payne and McKay referenced five wizards. One of the other three they cited is Radagast the Brown, of which there is no evidence he’s the show’s Dark Wizard. But the other two intriguing figures they mentioned do make sense. Known as the Blue Wizards, their story has much in common with Hinds’s Istar on The Rings of Power.

Here’s Why the Dark Wizard Could be a Blue Wizard Instead

In classic J.R.R. Tolkien fashion, the canonical history of the Blue Wizards in Middle-earth is unclear. Tolkien changed their story over time while not giving definitive answers about who they were or what happened to them. Even their names changed. But what he did say connects them to The Rings of Power‘s Dark Wizard. Also known as Ithryn Luin for their sea-blue robes, they were two of five Istar who made up the Order of the Wizards.

Named in one place as Alatar and Pallando (whom Alatar convinced to come with him), they arrived in Middle-earth in the Second Age with a mission to “circumvent Sauron.” They were there to undercut remaining loyalty to Morgoth and Sauron among men and to raise up those who opposed them. Whatever they did or didn’t accomplish, the only wizard who remained true to his purpose entirely was Gandalf. Tolkien wrote he didn’t know what exactly happened to the Blue Wizards of the Second Age, but he feared what befell them. And that fear mirrors the Dark Wizard’s story on The Rings of Power. Here’s what the author said:

I think that they went as emissaries to distant regions, east and south.

Missionaries to enemy occupied lands as it were. What success they had I do not know; but I fear that they failed, as Saruman did, though doubtless in different ways; and I suspect they were founders or beginners of secret cults and “magic” traditions that outlasted the fall of Sauron.

Prime Video

The Dark Wizard made clear his first mission is to stop Sauron. That’s why Manwë sent him and his fellow Istari to the east. But after generations on Middle-earth a cult of mystics rose up in Rhûn around the Dark Wizard. They believed he also wants to serve Sauron. And while his original intentions might have been noble, the Dark Wizard is now a killer who believes the means justify the ends. He’s lost whatever good was in him in his quest for ultimate power.

That sounds like Saruman. But The Rings of Power showrunners are right, there are obvious issues with that possibility. It also makes way more sense their Dark Wizard is really one of the Blue Wizards we know so little about.

Regardless of the Dark Wizard’s Identity, Gandalf will Seek to Help Him

Gandalf actor Daniel Weyman shared that Gandalf hasn’t given up on the Dark Wizard yet. And that in The Rings of Power season three, Gandalf will try to touch his heart and save him from darkness. Undoubtedly, when that happens, we will also learn the true identity of the Dark Wizard on The Rings of Power.

But no matter what his true identity—whether he’s Saruman, Alatar, Pallando, Radagast, or someone else entirely—The Stranger’s identity will always matter more. The only wizard the races of Middle-earth can count on in the Second Age is the one they will also rely on in the Third, Gandalf.

The Rings of Power Season 3 Is Coming Soon

The Rings of Power season three premieres on Prime Video on November 11. The full release schedule can be found here. If you’d like to get yourself ready for this return to Middle-earth, you can pick up The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth or The Silmarillion and read more about Tolkien’s vision of the time when the show takes place.

This post has affiliate links, which means we may earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, we just have to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

Originally published October 4, 2024.

The post If THE RINGS OF POWER’s Ciarán Hinds Isn’t Saruman, Then Is He A Blue Wizard? appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Video game-to-screen adaptations have been very successful, and studios are continuing to ride that wave.
• From Sonic 4 to Elden Ring, major video game movies are rolling out soon.
• It doesn’t stop at movies, with popular game-to-show series getting renewals and plenty more announced to be in production.

To say that video game adaptations have been doing very well in recent years feels like an understatement. For example, A Minecraft Movie grossed $960.3 million worldwide in 2025, and there’s a sequel coming in 2027. Games are also becoming popular TV shows, with streaming series like Fallout and The Last of Us scoring additional seasons and even more fans.

With that said, fans of many more popular franchises can expect to see live-action and animated adaptations, both new as well as continuing stories, coming to the screen very soon. Here is our ultimate list of upcoming video game-to-screen adaptations to keep on your radar.

The Video Game Movie Adaptations That We Want to See

The next few years are going to be packed with game-to-movie adaptations. And these are only the ones that we know about right now. From Lara Croft to Freddy Fazbear, iconic video game characters will be making their way to the screen in live-action and animated forms.

Resident Evil Sony Pictures

Capcom’s most famous horror game, Resident Evil, is finally getting a reboot. The first Resident Evil game came out in 1996 on the PlayStation and has since become part of a widely beloved, expansive video game universe. The new movie will have aspects of the second through fourth (of thirteen) games, and fans are hopeful for a better adaptation than the 2002-2021 series.

Zach Cregger, director of Barbarian and Weapons, told Entertainment Weekly that the movie is not a retelling of the games, but instead a separate story taking place in their world. Resident Evil will come to theaters on September 18.

Street Fighter Legendary/Paramount

Another Capcom title, Street Fighter, is no stranger to the screen and is getting another cinema round. Based on the 1990s 2D arcade game, the movie will include not only beloved characters but callbacks to iconic moments in Street Fighter history. The trailer references Chun-Li’s epic fight with Vega in the 1994 anime, Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie, and the car-smashing side quest seen in multiple games. Not to mention, the fight choreography and costuming look pretty legit.

Street Fighter comes out on October 16.

Angry Birds 3 Paramount Pictures

It’s not often a mobile game gets a movie, let alone three. The first two installments of this series focused on the main “angry bird,” Red, saving the birds from the threats of the evil green pigs and the eagles. Now, Red will face his biggest challenge yet: fatherhood. Despite a synopsis saying Red will be “saving the world,” the official trailer gives very few details about the plot and focuses almost entirely on Red’s two teenagers and infant. Both Chuck, played by Josh Gad, and Bomb, Danny McBride, returned in the trailer and certainly upped the funniness factor.

Angry Birds 3 will come out on December 23, 2026.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Paramount Pictures

Throughout the first three movies, Sonic goes from a shunned criminal on Earth (after fleeing his home world) to a hero. The fourth movie will bring on a new challenge: Metal Sonic. Jim Carrey will be returning as Sonic’s hilariously evil primary villain, Dr Ivo Robotnik (a.k.a. Eggman). James Marsden, the king of talking-creature movies, will continue to play Sonic’s human sidekick. And of course, Ben Schwartz will reboot his role as Sonic.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 comes out on March 19 of next year.

The Legend of Zelda Nintendo

Besides a 1989 animated series, Zelda fans have really only had the games. Now, the series is getting its first movie. Not much is out yet about the plot other than a generic outline that pretty much every game in the franchise follows: Link will save the kingdom of Hyrule from Ganon.

Link is the main, playable hero in every Zelda game, but he rarely ever speaks. When he does, dialogue options are chosen by the player. Seeing a dialogue-heavy Link onscreen would be… weird, to say the least. Stills from the movie are encouraging when it comes to production quality, though.

The Legend of Zelda will come out on April 30, 2027.

A Minecraft Movie Squared Warner Bros.

With Jack Black playing Steve and Jason Momoa co-starring as Garrett Garrison, the first Minecraft movie was a big hit. That movie ended with a post-credit scene in which Steve meets Alex, who now lives in his old home. The second movie will feature Kirsten Dunst playing Alex.

A Minecraft Movie Squared comes out on July 23, 2027.

Elden Ring Bandai Namco/A24

Elden Ring is a 2022 fantasy game with world-building and writing by George R. R. Martin. The game’s story is reportedly difficult to understand, but A24 is turning it into a movie anyway. Martin is attached as a producer, and there is no information yet about the plot, though the studios have made the cast of characters public. Since its announcement, fans have spotted sets that look like locations from the game around the UK, and Bandai Namco reported that filming started in Spring 2026.

The live-action Elden Ring adaptation will come out on March 3, 2028.

Video Game Movie Adaptations With TBD Release Dates

• Five Nights at Freddy’s 3: Fans loved that the first two movies drew from the FNAF games in so many ways, seeing animatronics full-sized and in motion, and the many niche fan references. The third installment is expected to follow the prior two movies’ lead and represent the franchise’s third game, following Michael, a security guard in a horror attraction, with Springtrap as the antagonist.
• Helldivers: HELLDIVERS is a shooter video game franchise containing two games published almost a decade apart. The movie was supposed to star Jason Momoa, but as of this June, he exited the project. Prior, it was estimated to come out in November 2027, but now, nobody knows.
• Call of Duty: Activision is reportedly working on a movie based on the first-person shooter game. In April at CinemaCon, Paramount debuted a sizzle reel teaser (using almost all video game footage) and revealed the release date of June 30, 2028.
• Metroid (Unconfirmed): This is a fan theory that I personally have chosen to believe out of sheer hope. Nintendo has been sitting on the Metroid IP for decades, throwing fans a bone every ___ years or so with a new game, but according to rumors from April, Sony and Universal were bidding for the rights to make a Metroid movie.

The New and Returning Video Game TV Adaptations That We Can’t Wait to See

There is even more mystery surrounding upcoming TV adaptations of video games. For most of them, audiences are left in the dark with no information coming out about plot or, more importantly, the release dates. But this is what we know is coming up.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (Season 2) Netflix/CD PROJEKT RED/TRIGGER

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners had an incredibly successful first season. Years later, the show is getting a second season. It will follow an entirely new cast of characters. The trailer explains nothing about the season, but it features amazing character designs, bloody action, and a nu-metal-esque song playing in the background throughout.

The show does not have an exact release date yet, but we do know it will be coming to Netflix this Fall.

Ghost of Tsushima Sony/Sucker Punch Studios

Ghost of Tsushima is being made into an anime by Crunchyroll, PlayStation Productions, Aniplex, and Sony Music. In the game, you play a samurai defending his island from a Mongol invasion. While no plot summary is public yet, we can assume the anime will follow the same main character.

It is set to premiere exclusively on Crunchyroll in 2027.

Fallout (Season 3) Prime Video

The Fallout series starring Ella Purnell has been one of Prime Video’s most successful video game adaptations. It quickly captured the hearts of Team Nerdist as well as you lovely readers, so we can’t wait to cover it once again.

No release date has been set for the post-apocalyptic show’s third season, but it could possibly land in later 2027.

Assassin’s Creed Netflix

Assassin’s Creed‘s live-action adaptation takes place in Rome, according to Tudum, and “is a high-octane thriller centered on the secret war between two shadowy factions — one set on determining mankind’s future through control and manipulation, while the other fights to preserve free will. The series follows its characters across pivotal historical events as they battle to shape humanity’s destiny.”

There’s no release date at this time.

Far Cry FX

Far Cry, a first-person shooter/survival franchise, is getting a limited FX series following the format of the games, with each season introducing a new location and cast of characters. There is no release date set nor a plot reveal for the first season, though one could imagine it will loosely follow along with the first game.

Tomb Raider Jay Maidment/Prime Video

“They’re making another Tomb Raider?” Yes, indeed. Starring Sophie Turner, the Prime Video live-action show is based on the 1990s adventure game following archaeologist Lara Croft. There’s no set release date yet, but some estimate it may be ready by late 2027.

God of War Sony Santa Monica Studios

Prime Video has a God of War live-action series is in development, and it will focus on the Norse era, which only spans the two most recent games. The series hit a major snag when its lead Ryan Hurst suffered a major injury that caused him to leave the series altogether. A new casting announcement for Kratos has yet to happen, and there’s no release date at this time.

Persona

This extensive Japanese slice of life/murder mystery/supernatural RPG series is being adapted by Netflix. Each game includes various odd, lovable characters and a high-school-aged protagonist who band together to fight dark forces.

Unnamed Riot Games Projects

After the global success of Arcane, a series following several characters from Riot Games’ League of Legends, a multiplayer battle arena game, Riot is gearing up for three new unnamed shows.

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

The post Video Game Movie and TV Show Adaptations That We Can’t Wait to See appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• AMC’s Queen of the Damned will continue the stories from Interview with the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat.
• The series will adapt the third book in Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles series.
• Sheila Atim will star as Akasha, with Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, and Assad Zaman expected to return.
• Nerdist’s Take: Queen of the Damned might be the most complex and millennia-spanning chapter so far in the Anne Rice Immortal Universe.

To the delight of fans of sexy and morally complicated vampires everywhere, AMC Networks has announced a fourth season of Interview with the Vampire at Comic-Con 2026, now re-titled Anne Rice’s Queen of the Damned. This series will continue the storylines of the previous seasons, based on the Gothic novels of Anne Rice. Here’s everything we know so far about the highly anticipated series, set to sink its fangs into our collective necks in the next few years.

AMC Title

The title for the fourth season of the Interview with the Vampire franchise is Queen of the Damned, named for Anne Rice’s third installment of her long-running Vampire Chronicles series, which began in 1976. The title was officially confirmed via a special trailer released after The Vampire Lestat concluded, which you can view below.

Queen of the Damned, a.k.a. Interview with the Vampire Season 4’s Plot AMC

The plot of Queen of the Damned sees Akasha (Sheila Atim) a 6,000-year-old vampire and first of the undead race, arise from a centuries-long sleep. She arrives with a plan to unleash a genocidal rage against the males of the human race. Akasha awakens thanks to the music of the Vampire Lestat, whom she decides will be her new prince consort. But her many vampire children oppose her, leading to some deadly confrontations. The trailer released at Comic-Con suggests that Akasha will cause a global uprising among women. And the final moments of The Vampire Lestat suggest she will leave much destruction in her wake.

Behind the Scenes

Mark Johnson (who oversees AMC’s entire Anne Rice Immortal Universe) is the executive producer for The Queen of the Damned. For this season, The Vampire Lestat writer and producer Hannah Moscovitch takes over as showrunner from Rolin Jones, who ran the first three seasons and remains involved as an executive producer. Mark Taylor, Christopher Rice, and the late Anne Rice also serve as executive producers.

Queen of the Damned Cast AMC

Shelia Atim is starring as the titular Queen of the Damned Akasha, and she’s reprising her brief role from The Vampire Lestat. Also returning are Sam Reid as Lestat, Jacob Anderson as Louis, Assad Zaman as Armand, and Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy. Also probably returning are Jennifer Ehle as Gabriella, and Christopher Heyerdahl as Marius, Akasha’s former keeper. Although technically, the trailer confirmed no one except for Sheila Atim so far. If the show follows the book by Anne Rice to any degree of faithfulness, we should hear of several new cast members as well.

Queen of the Damned Release Date

The Queen of the Damned series currently has no release date on AMC and AMC+. However, there tends to be about two years between seasons for Interview with the Vampire. We’d love if it came out earlier, but right now, one can assume it’ll arrive sometime in 2028, probably during the summer.

You can currently stream all seasons of Interview with the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat on AMC+.

The post Everything We Know About QUEEN OF THE DAMNED appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day has grossed $1.6 billion globally—so far.
• This $50 mask and web-shooter set from Amazon letsn anybody be their neighborhood Spider-Man.
• The mask has a squinting function using chin movement.

Personally, I am proudly one of those people who leave a movie theater feeling newly inspired. Spider-Man: Brand New Day, this year’s smash hit for moviegoers around the world, already grossing $1.6 billion globally, filled me with inspiration. Inspiration for looking fabulous!

If you likewise felt inspired to spin your own webs and would rather not pay a fortune for a custom mask build, there is a better option. For only $49.99, you—yes you!—can become your neighborhood’s friendly Spider-Man with a mask featuring moving eyes.

Tarrshiney / Amazon

The friendly neighborhood hero stands for the fact that “anyone can wear the mask.” Heroism is everywhere, and Spider-Man has always recognized that. Brand New Day accomplished that portrayal better than any other movie with Tom Holland playing the hero—it was street-level, not multiversal, and Spider-Man solved smaller-scale problems while dealing with his emotional well-being.

The mask’s movement is operated using chin movement. Parker’s Homecoming suit’s design inspired the color. A gridded, mesh-like material hides the wearer’s eyes, allowing them to see through clearly but still keep their identity secret (as any Spider-Man would). It goes from a relaxed, regular look to a spidey-squint rivaling even Peter Parker’s.

Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures

You don’t just get the mask, either. The mask comes with gloves and wrist-equipped web-slingers that shoot suction-cup “webs.” It definitely makes for a fun toy for any Spidey fan, adults and kids alike. Did I mention the mask and gloves use zippers? No more pulling a tiny neck hole over your head, stretching out the mask, and ruining your perfectly styled hair.

Brand New Day is making waves at the box office and making everybody want to be an everyday hero. In that spirit, this mask is a necessary purchase for the Spider-Fan in your life. Or, for those who, like me, felt inspired leaving the theater and want to look cooler than the many other Spider-Man costume-wearers this Halloween.

This post has affiliate links, which means we may earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, we just have to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

The post HOMECOMING-Inspired Spider-Man Mask Lets Anyone Be A Hero appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• The Odyssey marks a historic landmark for both Christopher Nolan and IMAX.
• The film’s run in its “intended format,” IMAX 70mm, has been extended an extra month.
• IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond thinks the film will spearhead the company’s best year yet.

Unsurprising to anybody who watched it, The Odyssey is officially Christopher Nolan’s biggest hit ever. So far, the film has grossed $1.1 billion at the box office. It was also a smash for IMAX, making the company almost $290 million.

Universal Pictures

The film added a month to its run in the highly-coveted IMAX 70mm format, and the new showings are already selling out around the country. Seeing Nolan’s newest movie in its “intended format” has become a status symbol in the moviegoing community.

All of this is even before the film premieres in China on August 14. As the second-biggest moviegoing country, the box office effect is bound to multiply.

Nolan’s effect on the film community, especially the traditionalists, has certainly cemented his place in the director’s hall of fame. From the Dark Knight trilogy to even his more recent work with Oppenheimer, Nolan just keeps selling out theaters.

The Odyssey was also a huge milestone for IMAX, becoming its highest-grossing film of all time. It has made the company $289 million at the time of writing. Another thing that made the film revolutionary was the use of IMAX cameras and equipment. Nolan commissioned special sound-dampening equipment from the company and was able to make The Odyssey the first-ever feature-length film done entirely with IMAX cameras. The company’s CEO, Richard Gelfond, discussed the historic landmark in an interview with Variety.

“We had the very highest of hopes for ‘The Odyssey’ from the start, but it somehow continues to exceed them. Its historic performance is headlining what we expect will be our best year ever at the global box office.”

Though most movies can be seen in IMAX, The Odyssey is on a short list of films this year that were filmed for IMAX, also including Dune: Part Three and The End of Oak Street. Though they may not be entirely filmed using IMAX cameras, who is to say these selections won’t be able to compete and make it a truly historic year for the company?

The post THE ODYSSEY Sets Records For Nolan and IMAX appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• The Rings of Power season 3’s Jamie Campbell Bower talks Celeborn spoilers. He and the showrunners hint at Celeborn’s story.

Jamie Campbell Bower is joining The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power as the Elf Lord Celeborn. Of course, some ideas about Celeborn in the Second Age of Middle-earth are established in Tolkien’s writings. But, by the same token, much of the story of the elf is also not told in great detail in those texts. And that gives Bower and the creators of The Rings of Power season three space to do what they do best: add nuance and depth to some of Middle-earth’s most familiar faces. So what exactly awaits Celeborn in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season three? Jamie Campbell Bower and The Rings of Power‘s showrunners offered us a few fascinating ideas about Celeborn’s upcoming story during our recent interviews. One point that Bower shares even feels like it verges on something spoilery… Could Celeborn have something dangerous lying in wait deep inside of him? Jamie Campbell Bower shares there’s something inside Celeborn that could betray him.

Prime Video Table of contents

• Jamie Campbell Bower Talks Celeborn’s Concept of Joy
• Jamie Campbell Bower Cautions Celeborn Has ‘Constructed Something That May Be Used Against Him’ in The Rings of Power Season 3
• The Rings of Power Season 3 Showrunners Say Celeborn’s Torture Turns Him Toward the Light
• But Could That Light Be Celeborn’s Undoing?

Jamie Campbell Bower Talks Celeborn’s Concept of Joy

When we speak to Jamie Campbell Bower, we note to him that it sounds like Celeborn has really seen the darkenss of the enemy, trapped as he is in a Middle-earth prison. We wonder how, then, Celeborn views the darkness and its forces in The Rings of Power season three. Is it all black and white for him? Or has he come to see things in shades of grey?

Prime Video

Bower offers us a beautiful answer, bringing it back to one of the most important themes in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. He notes, “I mean, to talk about the idea of ‘One cannot know light without having experienced the darkness, right?’ And I think that for Celeborn, he’s chosen to find joy. But I struggled with this concept of joy and what it means. And I looked at many, many writers to do with joy, and actually found something particularly interesting in Nick Cave. Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is choosing hope even in the face of great suffering and great sorrow. And that’s what he’s had to do.”

It sounds as though, in the face of great darkness, Bower’s Celeborn has actually chosen to open his heart to light and hope, instead of succumbing to it, being enraged by it, or being determined to answer it with his own destruction. It’s truly a character arc that we feel excited to experience. But could this determination for joy and optimism actually betray Celeborn in The Rings of Power season three?

Jamie Campbell Bower Cautions Celeborn Has ‘Constructed Something That May Be Used Against Him’ in The Rings of Power Season 3

Jamie Campbell Bower speaks with great confidence about Celeborn’s joy, but then he wavers a little bit as he starts to offer a sentiment that feels like it may get into spoilery territory. Bower notes, “But within that [hope and joy], he’s constructed something of his own… That may or may not be something that could be used against him.”

HRMMM! WHAT could that mean? What could Celeborn have constructed for himself that could later be used against him? Is it an ill-advised friendship with Sauron? A dissociative state that he might slip into? A false recollection of events that have happened to him? We suppose if, in response to trauma, he’s had to block out significant portions of what’s happened to him during his captivity, that MIGHT cause some trouble… Should that wall ever get knocked down. But, like we said, this is all speculation. All we know for sure is that Celeborn has constructed something for himself in The Rings of Power season three and that something might get him into trouble.

RELATED ARTICLE

Celeborn and Sauron ‘Share History’ on RINGS OF POWER, Teases Charlie Vickers The Rings of Power Season 3 Showrunners Say Celeborn’s Torture Turns Him Toward the Light

In addition to Jamie Campbell Bower, The Rings of Power season three showrunners J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay had more to share about Celeborn. While they didn’t touch the idea of Celeborn potentially being betrayed by something inside of him/something he’s constructed as Bower did, they did return to the idea of how Celeborn’s dark fate has made him that much more full of light. The pair discusses whether Celeborn’s torment has twisted or corrupted him.

Prime Video

McKay notes, “Only time will tell. I think Gladriel will be worried about that. But Jamie Campbell Bower is a pretty stalwart elf. I would believe in his ability to withstand torture.”

And Payne offered, “Everyone will be affected by that kind of experience, but not everyone would necessarily be twisted to the darkness. And I think what’s interesting about Jamie’s Celeborn, everyone responds definitely to those kinds of experiences. And Celeborn, there are actually scenes where he’s getting to know Galadriel again, and they’re reconnecting in their marriage after having been apart for millennia, talks about the effect that it’s had on him. And actually, you see that it has twisted him, not necessarily towards darkness, but maybe to light.”

But Could That Light Be Celeborn’s Undoing?

It sounds to us like Jamie Campbell Bower’s Celeborn might be one of the purest elves around in The Rings of Power season three, and by that we mean, one of the elves who most wishes to do good. But, Bower’s words of caution still haunt our ears. Will Celeborn’s light end up betraying him. As Bower also tells us, “Sauron uses the things that you love the most to cut you.” Cue some ominous Bear McCreary chords.

The Rings of Power season three premieres on Prime Video on November 11. The full release schedule can be found here. If you’d like to get yourself ready for this return to Middle-earth, you can pick up The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth or The Silmarillion and read more about Tolkien’s vision of the time when the show takes place.

This post has affiliate links, which means we may earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, we just have to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief at Nerdist, she’s still hoping for that Adar ressurection in The Rings of Power season three.

The post Jamie Campbell Bower Says ‘Something Inside Celeborn’ May BETRAY Him in TROP S3 appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• A new report says Paramount is pledging to produce an outrageous 30 new films per year if the merger with Warner Bros. goes through.

Not even a week after a judge placed a start date for the antitrust trial regarding Paramount’s bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery and we already have more news. The David Ellison-run Paramount-Skydance is evidently trying to sure up their claim that the merger of two of the largest media studios in the world is somehow good for competition. How, you might ask? Well, according to Deadline, Paramount is attempting to strike separate deals with theater chains AMC and Regal, two of the largest in the U.S., with a pledge to release 30 movies per year. THIRTY. Outrageous.

Paramount Skydance

Deadline shares that they’ve learned Paramount made written commitment to Regal for “30 films annually over three years with an exclusive 45-day theatrical window and a 90-day window to streaming.” Buzz is apparently Paramount has offered a similar agreement with AMC, but the exhibitor’s boss Adam Aron said, “AMC has no comment on this story, period. Nor have we ever had any comment on this story.” Touchy.

AMC and Regal have publicly backed the merger, while the rest of Cinema United (formerly National Association of Theatre Owners) remains firmly against. Paramount still has yet to explain how it believes the merger would not result in negative financial outcomes in regards to long-term box office, feature film output, and loss of jobs.

Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery

And what of that output? Had the merger gone through as planned, with Paramount’s 16 film output and WB’s 19, 2027 would have had a total of 35. But for 2028, the planned output for each is only around 22. That output for 2027 is high by the average of the studios, with most years WB doing 10-15 and Paramount with 8-12. To promise at least 30 for the next three years is lofty.

Not least because history is not on their side. Remember how Disney bought 20th Century Fox back in 2016? At the time, the studios separately released 26 new titles. After that merger, in 2025, their “combined output fell to 14 wide releases, a 46% decline. The box office combined went form $4.29 billion in 2016 to $2.4B in 2025, down 44%.”

Basically, when the few control the means of production, they’re less likely to make more product because they simply won’t need to. As always, we’ll see what happens.

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 Paramount Making Outrageous 30-Films-Per-Year Pledge If Merger Goes Through appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Propstore is auctioning Mike Myers’ shockingly creepy suit from his critically and commercially panned The Cat in the Hat movie.
• It is expected to sell for at least $12K, and bidding is happening until August 26.
• Nerdist’s Take: Maybe A24 can buy it and make a horror movie!

In 2003, Mike Myers’ The Cat in the Hat film hit theaters and became a critical and commercial failure. It was panned so terribly that Dr. Seuss’ widow, Audrey Geisel, forbade any further live-action adaptations of her husband’s work. Despite this, the film has somewhat of a cult following with some people really liking Myers’ as the titular character. If you’re one of those people, you are in luck. No, there’s not a sequel coming, but Propstore is auctioning Myers’ shockingly creepy suit from The Cat in the Hat. 

While the film version of this mischievous cat has a kinda cute face that indeed resembles Myers’ mug with fur, this one looks really different. The nose and mouth give off serious Whoville energy and there are two hollow openings for the eyes. I mean… Mike Myers did need to see where he was going. 

Propstore

So, how much will you have to pay for Mike Myers’ very unsettling The Cat in the Hat suit? Propstore estimates that it will sell for between $12,000 and $24,000. That’s actually not too bad considering some film props can sell for six figures or more. Bidding takes place through August 26, when the auction begins at 9:30AM PDT. 

Nerdist’s Take: A24 Should Buy The Cat in the Hat Suit for… Reasons 

If a private collector doesn’t nab this weird suit for whatever reason, then maybe A24 can grab it. Why? Well, to make a horror film, of course. This story doesn’t hit public domain until 2053, so maybe they can 1) hold onto it until then or 2) take away some elements of the costume that make it Seuss adjacent but not exactly. (I am kidding about this… sort of.) 

RELATED ARTICLE

Ariana Grande and Josh Gad Will Star in Dr. Seuss’ OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO Animated Movie

Geisel died in 2018, but it is not clear if current rights holders would grant A24 the right to make a horror film with The Cat in the Hat. Money does have quite a loud say and if anyone could do this kind of film right, it would be the creative minds that partner with A24. Otherwise, there will just be some rich bloke letting it collect dust… or a horror nerd with too much money who scares kids this Halloween. Who knows.

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

The post Mike Myers’ THE CAT IN THE HAT Suit Is Up for Auction and VERY Upsetting appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• House of the Dragon delivers a sobering moment with Alyn in the season three finale that will likely fracture his life and relationships.
• His choice to kill the High Septon upon Rhaenyra’s request will put him at odds with his brother Addam, father Corlys, and niece/beloved Baela.
• Is Alyn seeking to rise the ranks and find more power, or is he simply moving from a place of self-preservation.

There comes a time in many fictional characters’ lives where they make a choice that deeply changes them. In The Walking Dead, it was Glenn killing another human, which broke his spirit deeply shortly before his demise. And in Stranger Things, it was Steve Harrington’s decision to fight a Demogorgon at the Byers’ house that took him from a self-centered high school jerk to a protective hero. House of the Dragon delivers a sobering moment with Alyn in the season three finale that will likely fracture his life in many ways. 

Ollie Upton/HBO

Throughout the season, we’ve seen Alyn struggle to form a connection with his father Corlys. And, after Corlys and Queen Rhaenyra’s spat over legitimizing him and his brother Addam, Alyn continues to serve her faithfully. He convinces his father to send Velaryon forces per her request, which leads to Corlys’ capture and the loss of his ring finger. Addam even expresses his concern over Rhaenyra’s reaction to Aegon being alive, saying that she’s making dangerous decisions, to which Alyn brushes aside. 

Alyn travels with Rhaenyra to see the High Septon, whom she wants to anoint her. Upon his refusal, she calls the High Septon treasonous and orders Alyn to kill him. At first, Alyn hesitates. He’s certainly no stranger to death and war, but this is completely different for many reasons. First, this is not a battle against another soldier.

RELATED ARTICLE

Every Major Character Death in HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 3

They are on holy ground and this is a highly regarded religious figure who is not physically aggressive. And, the High Septon is not necessarily wrong for this stance. He anointed Aegon and, considering he’s still alive according to reports, then that means he is still the King. Furthermore, it is said that your soul will be damned if you kill someone like him. 

However, he allows Rhaenyra to get into his head, leaning into the fact that his Valyrian blood means he answers to higher gods. And, we’d also heard him deem himself Corlys’ successor publicly and that he would lead his army. Considering he’s acting as Rhaenyra’s hand and deadly muscle after killing the High Septon, things don’t look good for Alyn’s future. He’s being set up to be a villain but that feels wildly inconsistent with his character as someone who is thoughtful, logical, strong-minded, and makes careful choices.

Ollie Upton/HBO

It’s clear, at least to anyone who isn’t tangled in Rhaenyra’s web, that she’s been an ineffective leader and she’s becoming increasingly unhinged. She will use a person as long as they are willing to give and follow, and if that changes, they are disposable to her. Baela calls her out on this in the finale, saying how she’s been working tirelessly for her cause, yet Rhaenyra won’t send anyone to save her grandfather. Predictably, Rhaenyra’s response is to detain her, a choice that Alyn finds out about via Addam and doesn’t show a real reaction.

This decision will put him at odds with the people who actually love him, like Addam, Baela, and Corlys. Is Alyn starting to feel the intoxication of power and societal elevation? Perhaps. Or maybe he is aware that he’s in too deep and knows opposing Rhaenyra can cost him his own life. It’s possible that he will feel some internal turmoil over his choice to kill a religious figure. No matter where he’s coming from, this moment feels like a shift for Alyn that will change him significantly in season four.

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

The post What Alyn’s Dark Turn in HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Means for His Future appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Charlie Vickers teases a “shared history” between Celeborn and Sauron in The Rings of Power season 3.
• In Tolkien’s lore, Celeborn and Sauron do not have a rich history before the Second Age of Middle-earth.
• But The Rings of Power sets up ways for Celeborn and Sauron to have a deeper relationship, maybe even a personal one that doesn’t directly involve Galadriel.
• Go Deeper: Learn more about Celeborn with our full explainer, “Who Is Celeborn, Galadriel’s LOTR Husband, and Where Is He on THE RINGS OF POWER?“

Things are heating up in Middle-earth. And we don’t just mean the forge in Mount Doom that Sauron will soon use to create the One Ring. No, as we head into The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season three, we’re particularly interested in the fiery tangle of relationships that exist between Galadriel, Sauron, and Galadriel’s previously missing husband, Celeborn… What The Rings of Power‘s showrunnes have even called a “love triangle.” Of course, the relationship between Galadriel and Sauron has been a center point of the first seasons of The Rings of Power. And the relationship between Galadriel and Celeborn is complex, but clear. But, it turns out, the last of this trio also has a little bit of a past between them. Charlie Vickers, who plays Sauron in The Rings of Power season three, tells us that Sauron and Celeborn are no strangers to one another; in fact, they have “their own shared history.”

Prime Video Table of contents

• Celeborn and Sauron Met Before The Rings of Power Season 3, Shares Charlie Vickers
• Celeborn and Sauron’s History in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Writings
• What Does ‘Shared History’ Mean in The Rings of Power Season 3?
• How Well Do Sauron and Celeborn Know One Another in The Rings of Power ?

Celeborn and Sauron Met Before The Rings of Power Season 3, Shares Charlie Vickers

Well, consider us seated. Vickers reveals, “I mean, the thing with Celeborn is… When Sauron meets Celeborn, if Sauron meets Celeborn… Well, let’s face it, they’re going to meet at some point. They have their own shared history. They’ve both been around for hundreds of years. So they have this kind of thing. Vickers indicates with his hands the idea of two people meeting and recognizing one another, “Oh, it’s like, oh. And then there’s also this other added thing of, by the way, I’ve been hanging out with your wife.”

Celeborn and Sauron’s History in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Writings

We note the bit about “hanging out with your wife,” and honor it. But in this piece, we’re more curious about the “shared history” between Celeborn and Sauron in The Rings of Power. So we begin, of course, by looking to the lore.

In Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings writings, Celeborn and Sauron do not have a rich history in the time before the Second Age of Middle-earth, a period marked by the end of the War of Wrath with Morgoth. The Second Age of Middle-earth is also, of course, when The Rings of Power begins.

The first known encounter between the pair is in Eregion during the Second Age, when Sauron initially comes to deceive the elves and forge the Rings of Power alongside Celebrimbor. Galadriel and Celeborn are both suspicious of Sauron, even in his Fair Form, but their reservations are not enough to waylay the Dark Lord from his aims. Of course, in The Rings of Power, Celeborn is not at all present for the fall of Eregion, which happens in a different way than in Tolkien’s books.

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Celebrimbor’s Farewell to Galadriel on THE RINGS OF POWER Captures the Best of Tolkien

There may have been an opportunity for Celeborn and Sauron to encounter one another during the War of Wrath in The Lord of the Rings‘ world, as Sauron fought for Morgoth in that war, battling against the elves. However, Tolkien’s writings do not clearly place Celeborn as having fought in the War of Wrath or any of its component battles, and so this would be at most speculation as far as Tolkien’s texts are concerned.

What Does ‘Shared History’ Mean in The Rings of Power Season 3?

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, however, opens a much wider door for a “shared history” between Celeborn and Sauron. For one, in The Rings of Power, we know for a fact that Celeborn fought in the War of Wrath on behalf of the elves. Galadriel tells us in season two that she last saw Celeborn when he went off to war. She reveals, “The war seemed so very far away then. When he went to it, I chided him; his armor didn’t fit properly. I called him a silver clam. I never saw him again after that.” We already know that when Galadriel’s brother, Finrod, went to war in The Rings of Power, he came face to face with Sauron, who marked and murdered him. It’s even possible that Finrod and Celeborn served in the same battalion, given their familial connection to one another. And so it seems quite reasonable that Sauron and Celeborn met in battle at some point.

Prime Video

Additionally, we know that Celeborn was captured and kept prisoner “in the Middle-earth equivalent of sadistic Alcatraz for a thousand years.” That certainly sounds like an operation that Sauron might have been running at some point. We don’t know exactly when during the War of Wrath Celeborn was captured, or what happened to Middle-earth Alcatraz after a) Morgoth was destroyed, B) Adar stabbed Sauron, forcing his temporary absence. But as Vickers notes, “They’ve both been around for hundreds of years.” And so, it seems likely that at some point during the war or after it, Sauron heard of/visited a massive dark prison and perhaps met Celeborn, one of its important prisoners.

How Well Do Sauron and Celeborn Know One Another in The Rings of Power?

But Vickers seems to imply more than just animosity between Celeborn and Sauron in The Rings of Power, but almost a familiarity. How did that come to exist between them? Well, we’re only theorizing here, but Sauron doesn’t seem to have that much respect for his own troops. We know from previous seasons that he doesn’t really have much respect for the Orcs (or Uruk). He sees them as kind of disgusting necessities to wrinkle his nose at, and ultimately a race far beneath him. But Sauron has always had an interest in elves and corrupting them. In The Rings of Power, we see him first try to slither into Galadriel’s mind, and then do the same to Celebrimbor. Often, he destroys his elven objects of interest, but nevertheless is pulled to them.

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Morfydd Clark Dives Into Galadriel & Adar’s Bond, Sauron’s Lasting Hurt, TROP TikTok and All Things THE RINGS OF POWER Season 2

We can see how, if Sauron encountered Celeborn in a prison in the time before The Rings of Power began, he might be similarly fascinated by the elven prisoner. And Celeborn, an elf who sees light and seeks joy, might well have tried his luck reasoning with the Dark Lord… All for Sauron to end up hanging out with his wife! Tut, tut.

We’ll learn more about Sauron and Celeborn when The Rings of Power season three premieres on Prime Video on November 11. The full release schedule can be found here. If you’d like to get yourself ready for this return to Middle-earth, you can pick up The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth or The Silmarillion and read more about Tolkien’s vision of the time when the show takes place.

This post has affiliate links, which means we may earn advertising money if you buy something. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, we just have to give you the heads up for legal reasons. Click away!

The post Celeborn and Sauron ‘Share History’ on RINGS OF POWER, Teases Charlie Vickers appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• We chatted with House of the Dragon’s Steve Toussaint, who reflected on Corlys’ season 3 journey and what’s possibly ahead for the Sea Snake.

House of the Dragon season three took Corlys Velaryon on quite the ride. He found himself embroiled in a fierce battle against the Triarchy in the season opener, which led to mass destruction at High Tide. It didn’t take long after the Gullet battle for Corlys to grow weary of Rhaenyra, even going so far as to publicly call her sons bastards after she refused to legitimize his. 

This chasm between the two left Rhaenyra without his balanced council, and Corlys eventually captured and imprisoned by Ormund at Tumbleton, giving him a front seat to witness the battle there. Things end on a shaky note with Corlys helping Daemon retreat to presumably head back to King’s Landing. Will he bury the hatchet with Rhaenyra? What will his relationship with Alyn become? What’s next for Corlys in the show’s final season? We mused about these things and more during our interview with Steve Toussaint, who reflected on Corlys’ season three journey and what’s ahead for the Sea Snake. 

Theo Whiteman/HBO

Nerdist: This season brought a major fracture in the relationship between Corlys and Rhaenyra. As an actor, what was it like to parse through his complex emotions as he dealt with his complex emotions? 

Steve Toussaint: It was great! One of the things that you want as a performer is to explore all facets of a character. The basic emotion of Corlys in season one was sort of ambition and anger at what he could perceive to be injustice. And then in season two, it was basically grief and humility with his illegitimate sons. Now here, you do get that sense of betrayal and frustration. The rage comes back along with a real sense of righteous indignation on his part. It was lovely to look at all those colors of Corlys. 

Yeah, and you could feel it deeply in the scenes you shared with Emma D’Arcy and Abubakar Salim, among others. Do you think that season four will show a reconciliation between Rhaenyra and Corlys? Or is that not possible after such harsh words? 

Toussaint: Oh, that’s a good question. I think maybe for practical reasons that they will. After he called her out in public like that, normally there’d be no way back from that. But I think he is still a useful member of the Realm, even if he has lost most of his things, he still has his army. So I think there may be a chance for some kind of rapprochement.

But as long as she doesn’t legitimize his kids, which he thinks is the least she can do considering what he and his family have given up for her, it’s still going to be a very rocky road. I’m as excited to find out what happens between those two as anybody else. And I did talk to [showrunner Ryan Condal], but he, being Ryan, was incredibly tight-lipped.

HBO

It will be interesting to see what happens! I feel like the finale points towards that with Corlys going into Tumbleton and telling Daemon that they have to leave. He still treated Daemon like an ally, even though he could have just left him there and ran away. 

Toussaint: Yes, true. I think that Daemon and Corlys have this very interesting relationship, which has lots of ups and downs. I think for Corlys, Daemon is somebody who is obviously a formidable warrior when he wants to be and a decent strategist, but also a bit of a loose cannon. This season’s slightly different, though. Daemon thinks mainly about himself, but he’s thinking about Rhaenyra, too. 

But Corlys recognizes that the Realm’s cause is much stronger with Daemon on his side. There is a sort of wary respect between the two of them. Corlys is very much about doing the right thing, at whatever cost that is.

He may not find Daemon trustworthy or he may not be comfortable in his company, but it’s the right thing to not leave the man behind. And I think, as you said, I think the way that scene plays out, I really feel, and I’ve not had this discussion with Matt, but I just feel that Daemon is prepared to die. He’s just going to keep on cutting people down until someone cuts him down. And in that sense, he needs to be saved from himself. I think that’s what Corlys does here. 

That’s very true. Another interesting dynamic is Corlys and his relationship with Alyn. They are also in a fraught place where Alys is growing more devoted to Rhaenyra. He makes this really big choice to kill the High Septon, which seems like a dark shift for his character. How do you think their relationship will evolve when they are reunited? 

Toussaint: It’s a difficult one because I think when Corlys hears the news of that act, he’s going to be incredibly disappointed. Again, that’s another sacrifice for the Queen that Coryls thinks has very little reward… The thing with Corlys, and I guess it’s the same with most parents really, is that you try as much as you can to encourage your children to do the right thing and then hope that they do. Of course, Corlys obviously wasn’t in his life for a long time but he still wants to try. But the choices have to be Alyn’s. Even when I saw that scene, I was like “Oh, no, no, no, that’s too much!”

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It really hurt my heart because I feel like it’s a turning point in a dark direction for him. Now, of course, I know you don’t know what’s going to happen in season four of House of the Dragon. But what is the ending that you dream of for Corlys? 

Toussaint: Well, you’re right. I don’t know because I didn’t read the book, and so I have no idea! [laughs] My wishes for him are going to sound so silly and pathetic compared to what’s been happening. I just want Corlys to be happy, but no one remains happy in this world. So I think for him, if his boys and his granddaughters are safe and secure, I would love that for him. But somehow I have a feeling that that’s not going to happen. But that’s my dream.

Ahhh it would be nice in our hearts, but a TV show has to have all sorts of drama and death and destruction, as the Game of Thrones universe loves to do. I want to see him and his family set sail off towards the sunset and be happy, but I have to brace myself for the alternative.

Toussaint: Exactly! It’s so funny because myself, Clint, Abu, and Bethany had taken a photo after filming for episode two. And when that photo was put out to the public, everyone loved it so much. 

Yes, I know the one you’re talking about! I personally shared it with the hashtag #VelaryonGang because it sparked so much joy. 

Toussaint: I love that.

Blood is thicker than water. #DemDragons pic.twitter.com/nj5KQUfVB6

— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) July 2, 2026

Which House of the Dragon character are you most like in real life? And which character do you wish you were more like?

Toussaint: Oh, wow. Okay. The second question, that’s a real kicker. In fact, they both are. Let me think. The first one, I was going to say Rhaenys, but actually I’m not that wise. Oh, gosh. I’m probably a bit like Maester Orwyle because a lot of stuff seems to happen to him and somehow he just manages to just scrape through without entirely falling apart. Actually, I’m doing that character a bit of disservice, but that’s how I see him.

And the one I’d like to be like… well, if he didn’t have the foot fetish, Larys Strong is quite smart and always thinking a couple steps ahead. And if he wasn’t so evil, I wouldn’t mind being like Otto. He’s a shrewd plotter, but even he got a bad ending. [laughs] I quite liked the way that Rhys Ifans portrayed him. 

Otto was certainly fun to watch! Last question for you. At Nerdist, we’re all about everything that’s all nerdy and geeky, whether it is comics, gaming, television shows, whatever else makes your nerdy heart happy. So I want to know, Steve, what do you nerd out about?

Toussaint: I often say this, and it sounds so silly. I’m a bit of a nerd for good acting, to be honest. I like a lot of TV. I do watch a lot of TV and I will watch movies again and again. A long, long, long time ago when you used to have to buy games, I used to play some games. And I don’t read books as much as I used to… I like to get lost in somebody else’s world, someone else’s reality, and also have a glimpse into someone else’s life. So I think that’s probably it.

Love it. Do you have a favorite genre? 

Toussaint: I like thrillers. One of my favorite films is North by Northwest, the Hitchcock movie. Do you know that one? 

Yes I do. 

Toussaint: Oh great. That’s the archetypal thing. An innocent man wakes up and suddenly he’s embroiled in something that he has no idea how he got into. I love those kinds of movies. They don’t make them enough.

Tai Gooden is the Features Editor for Nerdist, a fictional villian apologist, and a horror aficionado who is indeed 100% #VelaryonGang, even though Rhaenyra is getting on her nerves.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Steve Toussaint on Corlys’ Journey and Season 4 Hopes appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• The Royal Shakespeare Company’s first official photos from its Game of Thrones play The Mad King.
• In this play, we finally see the Mad King in all of his madness, unlike how he appeared on Game of Thrones.
• Nerdist Take: This stage show features a truly amazing weirwood tree that we, as fans, enjoy seeing, along with other truly epic Game of Thrones props.
• Go deeper: Learn more about the history behind the Game of Thrones play in “History of Thrones: Aerys II, The Mad King of Westeros.”

House of the Dragon‘s third season came to an end the same weekend a new Game of Thrones story officially kicked off. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s play, The Mad King, officially opened. While fans who saw early previews have shared details about the story, it’s clear those breakdowns couldn’t capture the grandeur of seeing the Seven Kingdoms’ come to life on stage. For that, we needed to see these first official images from the Game of Thrones play, which show how The Mad King brings to life some of the most beloved, notorious, and important figures from the Realm, surrounded by some truly epic sets worthy of A Song of Ice and Fire.

Game of Thrones fans might only know Aerys II, the Mad King himself, from his brief appearances in vision-flashbacks from the show. But this is the true Mad King, a once charming monarch whose descent into madness helped end his family’s nearly three-century reign. But he’s just one of the many famous faces seen here. This batch of first-look images from the Game of Thrones play The Mad King include Ned and Lyanna Stark, Rhaegar Targaryen, Robert Baratheon, Elia Martell, Ashara Dayne, and Shella Whent.

This batch of images from The Mad King also shows the Tourney at Harrenhal that takes place in the Game of Thrones play. That event changed Westeros and the world of the living forever. The Mad King‘s version of that ill-fated gathering even includes the infamous tourney joust. A joust. On stage. My R’hllor!

HBO Nerdist Take: The Mad King Brings to Life Epic Game of Thrones Sets in Play Form, Including the Weirwood Tree and Iron Throne

The first-look images from the Game of Thrones play also feature maybe the best weirwood tree ever. We see Rhaegar alone near the tall, holy weirwood, which has many faces carved into it. How many greenseers were watching him through those eyes at this vital moment in Seven Kingdoms’ history? Maybe as many people who sat in the audience on opening night.

We also love the version of the Iron Throne from The Mad King, which is much taller than the iconic version seen on HBO. Neither is wholly accurate to the description found in George R.R. Martin’s books, but that’s because that giant monstrosity would not be practical for a TV show or a stage play. Plus, this way we get many versions of the most famous chair in Westeros. We ready to see even more angles of this epic set piece as more images from the Game of Thrones play surface.

If only Aerys II could have taken one of the Iron Thrones’ swords to use as a razor. Maybe if he didn’t look so mad he wouldn’t have become the Mad King. But we’re certainly not upset we finally got to see him the way he really looked.

Go Deeper Into the Mad King’s Story

Why are so many notorious figures from Game of Thrones involved in this play? Not sure what to expect from The Mad King? Excited but confused by these first-look images from the Game of Thrones play? We have you covered. Read our pieces about The Mad King, Rhaeghar Targaryen, and his relationship with Lyanna Stark to really get into the meat of this tale.

And, if you can, make sure to snag tickets for The Mad King. The Game of Thrones play is now performing at the Royal Shakespeare Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon in the UK.

The post First Images From GAME OF THRONES Play, THE MAD KING appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• After years of rumors, Avengers: Doomsday confirmed the return of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers to the MCU.
• Evans’ Captain America received a teaser trailer all about Steve Rogers to set the scene.
• Recently, Evans teased Doomsday will be brutal for Steve Rogers.

After years of rumors, denials, and more rumors, the first teaser trailer for Avengers: Doomsday confirms that Chris Evans is indeed returning to the MCU as Steve Rogers, the original Captain America. Not only that, but the teaser shows a scene where Steve, sometime in the past, comes home to his idyllic life in the suburbs to a brand new baby. So it looks like he took Tony’s advice from Age of Ultron very literally and went ahead and got a life. We also see glimpses of Steve in the full Avengers: Doomsday trailer. But it’s not all fun and games for Steve Rogers, Chris Evans warns Doomsday is going to be a “brutal” movie for the beloved character.

Table of contents

• Steve Rogers’ Character Centric Avengers: Doomsday Trailer
• Chris Evans’ Captain America Returns in Avengers: Doomsday Full Trailer
• Chris Evans Warns Avengers: Doomsday Is ‘Brutal’ for Steve Rogers
• Steve Rogers Is Heading Back the the MCU

Steve Rogers’ Character Centric Avengers: Doomsday Trailer

The very brief Avengers: Doomsday teaser trailer shows Steve riding a motorcycle and parking it in front of his (and presumably Peggy’s) home. This all happens as a slowed-down, piano version of Alan Silvestri’s iconic Avengers theme plays. The motorcycle helmet he wears is very similar to his World War II Captain America helmet from The First Avenger.

Marvel Studios

We also catch a glimpse of Steve taking out his old Cap costume before putting it back in a box. He holds his newborn baby, and the teaser ends with “Steve Rogers will return for Avengers: Doomsday.” A countdown timer begins at the end, one set to expire a year from now when Doomsday finally arrives in theaters.

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In the full Avengers: Doomsday trailer, we see many MCU teams coming together. And, of course, catch a glimpse of Chris Evans’ return as Steve Rogers. Always the drama queen, Steve snags Mjölnir from Thor as only he can during the final moments of the trailer, showing he is still indeed a worthy ally. Thor looks incredibly surprised to see his friend and one-time teammate. We also see what appears to be Steve walking up to his best friends (or is that his ex-friends), Bucky and Sam. But they don’t seem to happy to see him… And we can’t say we blame them.

Chris Evans Warns Avengers: Doomsday Is ‘Brutal’ for Steve Rogers

But it’s not going to be all kissing babies and friendly reunions for Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday. Evans recently shared at Boston’s Fan Expo, “The Russos love beating up Steve Rogers. Their favorite thing to do is to just beat the crap out of him. To them that’s what makes a hero, and that’s someone who gets punched so many times but still gets up.”

But it’s not all about the physical, the mental is important as well. “They keep finding new ways to kick his butt, but this one was brutal,” Evans revealed, “and a really, really good examination into his nature and his values. I’ll say… it’s probably something you haven’t seen yet, but you will.”

In such a jam-packed movie, we’re interested to see just how much time there is for Steve Rogers as a character. But this certainly sounds like a promising direction.

Steve Rogers Is Heading Back the the MCU Marvel Studios

It seems it will take a massive multiversal incursion that threatens all reality to bring our domesticated Steve Rogers back into action. Baby or no baby, we can’t imagine Cap refusing the call to save the world. Even if it means saving the world from someone who looks (and might be?) his old friend Tony Stark. Will his and Peggy’s child play a big role? There is precedent for a Rogers kid in the comics, after all. Hopefully, this doesn’t mean Sam Wilson as Cap gets totally sidelined, after only one movie to his name. But in the comics, both men have shared the title for years. We’ll have to wait and see how all this pans out when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026.

Originally published December 18, 2025.

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The post Chris Evans Returns as Steve Rogers in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• House of the Dragon is back and bloodier than ever for season three, which features a lot of major deaths in a battle for the Iron Throne.

House of the Dragon is back for season three and whoa did it not waste any time diving right into the action. Rhaenyra’s continuous quest to sit upon the Iron Throne and claim her place as her father’s rightful heir and Alicent’s cold, villainous decisions to attempt to clean up her royal messes are at the forefront of this season as battles rage on. As is customary with any story of war and revenge, there will be a lot of bloodshed and big deaths in House of the Dragon season three. So, who ends up losing their life in this conflict between Team Black and Team Green? Here is every major death that happens in House of the Dragon season three. 

Note: We are only counting main and important named characters. Sorry to all the ancillary soldiers and random people who are caught in the line of fire between Rhaenyra’s rage and Alicent’s boneheadedness. 

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What Is HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Battle of the Gullet? (Spoiler Free) Jump To: HOTD Season 3, Episode 1 Deaths // HOTD Season 3, Episode 2 Deaths // HOTD Season 3, Episode 6 Deaths // HOTD Season 3, Episode 8 Deaths House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 1 Major Deaths Prince Jacaerys Velaryon and His Dragon Vermax HBO

Believing in Alicent’s offer to let her come into King’s Landing and take power, Rhaenyra sends her naval forces, led by the Sea Snake Lord Corlys Velaryon, in that direction to control the city. Her wise son Jace strongly advises against this, saying that it is likely a trap. This decision leads to the Battle of the Gullet when the Triarchy shows up and Admiral Sharako Lohar is determined to take the Sea Snake down. Rhaenyra gets word of this and hastily decides that she will ride Syrax into battle; however, Jace comes up with a plan to protect his mother’s life. 

He conspires with Sir Lorent to lock Rhaenyra in her room, and Jace instead rides off with Baela on their respective dragons, Vermax and Moondancer. Unbeknownst to them, Rhaena rides a very untamed Sheepstealer into battle, who begins to burn everything and tries to attack the other dragons. This leads to Vermax being harpooned for a second time. Vermax drowns and Jace manages to unhook himself, but is shot down with several arrows, ending the first episode of House of the Dragon season three with a very major and sad death. Now, Rhaenyra will have to deal with losing two sons in her journey towards the Iron Throne. 

Admiral Sharako Lohar  Ollie Upton/HBO

Sure, she’s not necessarily the most “major” character in this show. But Admiral Sharako Lohar made quite the splash with her appearance at the end of season two, and fans were ready to see more from her. The Battle of Gullet features much bloodshed and fire, much of it fueled by Admiral Sharako Lohar’s hatred of Lord Corlys. She wishes to exact revenge on him, saying that he led the persecution and slaughter of her mates for 20 years. She doesn’t care what the King’s mission is, nor is she Team Green. She is driven by hatred, and after much tense battle and chase, finally gets her one-on-one fight against Lord Corlys.

Interestingly, Lohar’s drowning at the hands of Alyn of Hull was a creation of the show. In George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood, the Lyseni admiral survived the Battle of the Gullet. His ship was one of the 28 out of 90 not to burn or sink. Lohar’s survival, and the fact that 25 in total hailed from Lys, helped lead the three Free Cities of the Triarchy to go to war with one another two years later.

As the ship splits, it throws Corlys into the sea, a sight that makes his illegitimate son Alyn of Hull incredibly angry. Alyn tackles Sharako into the seas and attempts to drown her before finally stabbing her in the neck. It’s kinda sad because she was lit but she also dug her own grave by going rogue against the Sea Snake.

House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 2 Major Deaths Ser Simon Strong  HBO

After delivering news to Daemon about Jace’s death, Ser Simon Strong returns to Harrenhal. Little did he know that he’d meet his demise at the hands of Aemond, who continues to operate in a state of chaos. Alicent convinces Aemond to leave King’s Landing and to go to Harrenhal to secretly get him and Vhagar away so that Rhaenyra can take the throne and she can finally escape with her daughter, he arrives there in a fiery fashion. Vhagar cooks most of the soldiers and Aemond goes inside to confront a shocked Ser Simon.

He asks for Daemon before telling Simon to draw his sword, which is just plain cruel. Simon is certainly not a fighter and he’s also an older man. Simon comes close and tries to tell him that the army has decamped, but Aemond stabs him and kills the others in the room. However, Aemond is stabbed in the back and collapses in front of an unsympathetic Alys. We already know she wants control of Harrenhal, so she has no inclination to help Aemond. 

Otto Hightower  HBO

Otto finally came back after being locked away in King’s Landing for a long time. But his return was short because he lost his head to Rhaenyra. After Rhaenyra and Daemon slay their way to the Iron Throne, he goes with a band of soldiers and finds Grand Maester Orwyle, who quickly bends the knee and offers up a prisoner to literally save his own neck. That person is Jasper Wylde, the same man who tried to sexually assault Alicent. But, another man says there is a gift left for him by Lord Larys Strong, yet another prisoner to kill. 

That person is none other than Otto Hightower, whom we haven’t seen in a very long time. We knew that he was replaced as the King’s Hand when Aegon took the throne. After Ser Criston Cole took his place, he left to gather allies in the Reach but disappeared. Last season, we saw him in a dark jail but it wasn’t clear where he was. Well, it seems he was in King’s Landing the entire time, and Alicent didn’t have a clue. 

Otto and Wylde are brought to Rhaenyra. Daemon tells her that she must take their heads to assert her authority, but she hesitates. To be fair, she’s not a soldier like he is and, at one point, she did care for her former best friend’s father. But she finally did what needed to be done and chopped both of their heads off. Predictably, Alicent is captured and she’s brought into the room to see her father’s lifeless body on the floor. Welp! 

House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 6 Major Deaths Ser Criston Cole

We’ve seen quite a few deaths transpire in the last couple of episodes with City Watch, hired assassins, and more dying. But it wasn’t until episode six when we got another shocking death in House of the Dragon when Ser Criston Cole died. His army is ambushed by Tully soldiers and they fight back valiantly. Roderick and Oscar arrive, and Criston challenges him to a duel. However, Alysanne Blackwell shoots him with three arrows. It’s a death that we don’t love for many reasons.

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Somehow, the finale of House of the Dragon is in the world and season three is a wrap. We know that the series will have a fourth and final season, and that we had to go into it with more demises. The Battle of Tumbleton brought plenty of deaths, but that wasn’t the only place that it happened.

The High Septon

Determined to have the High Septon’s blessing as the true Queen, Rhaenyra pays his holy abode a visit with Alyn and a full escort in tow. But that does not sway the High Septon from sticking to his decision to not do as she wants, especially in light of the news about Aegon being alive.

She calls the High Septon a traitor and orders Alyn to kill him, and he hesitates because harming the High Septon is basically damning your soul to Hell. Rhaenyra is able to influence Alyn, saying his Old Valyria blood answers to higher gods. Alyn kills the High Septon and the others kill the holy men around him. 

Ormund Hightower HBO

Ormund Hightower met his fiery death at the battle in Tumbleton in the season three finale. After convincing Ulf the White to turn on Rhaenyra’s forces, Ormund and Ser Roderick get into a one-on-one battle. He manages to lob Roderick’s arm off, but gets a sword up his butt in return.

Ulf burns many of Daemon’s forces, then redirects his dragon’s attention to Orumund, showing that he has no loyalty to anyone but himself. It remains to be seen if Daeron is alive or dead, but we know that Gwayne is looking for him. 

Helaena Targaryen

This is certainly one of the saddest deaths in House of the Dragon overall. When Rhaenyra sends Mysaria away, she crosses paths with Helaena and gives her a dark warning. Mysaria tells Helaena not to trust the queen and that Aegon lives and her unborn child will be a political pawn, just like Helaena feared. Her dreams of having freedom with her children and getting away from all of this chaos (none of which is her fault) were completely crushed.

She finished her needlework, which displays her death as well as Rhaenyra’s potentially fiery ending, and jumped from her window. Of course, Alicent isn’t back yet and will have to deal with the ramifications of leaving her daughter alone to attempt to kill her son. You deserved better, Helaena. 

Roderick Dustin HBO

Ser Roderick went into the battle at Tumbleton fully willing to die for his Queen, and that’s exactly what happened. After forcing his way into the city and allowing forces to flood in, Roderick found Ormun and they got into a swordfight atop a wall. Roderick lost his arm but didn’t lose his wit nor spunk.

Roderick takes his sword and sticks it right up Ormund’s butt, a fitting consequence for a jerk. The duo die when Ulf flies over and cooks them with his dragon.

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

Originally published June 21, 2026.

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⚡ Quick Take

• The Five Nights at Freddy’s universe is opening a real Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza in 2027.
• The location will be in East Rutherford, NJ, and it is not clear if other locations will pop up in the future.
• The pizza joint will have food, two animatronic shows, and horror games for Five Nights at Freddy’s fans.
• Nerdist’s Take: Five Nights at Freddy’s new Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza location will be nostalgic fun for Gen Z.

As an adult, one of the scariest places that you can go is Chuck E. Cheese. There’s a ton of mostly unsupervised children running around with an unhinged amount of energy. Everyone is yelling and there’s a ton of flashing lights, expensive yet cheap games, and food that isn’t great. And, of course, Charles Entertainment Cheese and his weird animatronic band are chilling, too. Perhaps that’s why Five Nights at Freddy’s is so frightening, and why we are a little concerned that a real Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza is coming in 2027. 

Universal Pictures

According to Variety, this location will be in East Rutherford, NJ. It will mimic the infamous pizza joint from the games as well as the ongoing film franchise. The real-life Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza will have two animatronic stage shows: one with Freddy and the Fazbear band and the Pirate Cove featuring Foxy the Pirate. Hopefully, they are just there to entertain attendees and not for more sinister reasons. Those who are brave enough to attend can play games, eat pizza, and even play survival horror multiplayer games. 

“The only way this experience succeeds is if it’s created by a team that knows Five Nights at Freddy’s inside and out,” said Atreyu Alcantar, creative manager, licensing & location-based entertainment at American Dream and creative lead for the attraction. “The animatronic show has to be authentic. The food has to be high quality. And above all else, we’re not building a set that looks like Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza – we’re building Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. This experience will immerse longtime fans in the world they’ve imagined for years while welcoming an entirely new audience to discover it for the first time.” 

Nerdist’s Take: A Five Nights at Freddy’s Real Life Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza Is Gen Z Heaven

FNAF, as the youths call it, is a relatively newer franchise that got its start in 2014. While there are likely younger Millennials who were playing the game, it probably resonates more with Gen Z. And right now, Gen Z is out and about in the world, hanging out with friends, going to movies, and spending money. This location will give them that nostalgia of their youth, especially if they are elder Gen Z and in their late 20s.

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Even for the younger Gen Z crowd, Five Nights at Freddy’s was a part of their elementary school experience and they have basically grown up with this franchise as their gateway into gaming and horror. So while I, a Millennial who is almost 40, do not wish to go to the weird animatronic pizza place, my almost 17-year-old is excited and will surely end up planning a trip against my will.

We will have to see when the real Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza comes to life in 2027 to give us a full Five Nights at Freddy’s experience.

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