The Nerdist

⚡ Quick Take

• Actors Millie Brady and Pilou Asbaek will join the Lee Shaw Monsterverse spinoff.
• Director J.D. Dillard will direct the pilot.
• The Apple TV Monarch prequel will star Wyatt Russell and take place in the 1980s

We’ve said it before, but Thunderbolts star Wyatt Russell is one of the best things in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Although in Monarch, he has to share screen time with an older version of his character, played by his real-life dad, Kurt Russell. Well, very soon, Wyatt Russell will get to lead a Monsterverse series all his own, with an upcoming spin-off for Apple TV+, set during the 1980s. And according to a report in Deadline, Millie Brady (The Last Kingdom) and Pilou Asbaek (Foundation) have joined the as-yet untitled series. Also announced as directing the pilot episode is J.D. Dillard, director of the sci-fi film Sleight.

Alex Cameron/Christian Staehr

According to series showrunner Joby Harold, the new addition to the Monsterverse franchise will follow the story of Colonel Lee Shaw (Russell), during his time as an American operative in 1984. During this era, he went on a secret mission behind enemy lines. This is an attempt to stop the Soviets from unleashing a new Titan big enough to destroy the U.S. One that can even turn the tide of the Cold War. Based on what we know from the existing Monsterverse projects, the big American vs. Russian kaiju battle didn’t happen. Or at least, didn’t happen in a way the public at large ever found out about. Maybe it was like Rocky IV, only with giant monsters, and no cameras.

Legendary/Apple TV

According to the original report, showrunner Joby Harold is developing several different series set within the existing Monsterverse. These new projects will showcase old Titans, presumably Kong and Godzilla. But it will showcase several new monsters created just for this series as well. So what will this series be called? We’re not sure, but we imagine the word “Monarch” will be in the title somewhere. We expect production to get underway for this new Monsterverse series sometime within the next year.

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⚡ Quick Take

• The Vampire Lestat’s Damien Atkins spoke to Nerdist about Magnus, his ‘love sick’ feelings, and why he turned Lestat into a vampire.
• Atkins thinks Magnus was imagining a vampire revolution when he turned Lestat.
• He also teases that Magnus might be a real-life ghost, like he is in the Anne Rice books.

In The Vampire Lestat episode three, we got to meet the vampire who made Lestat. Some parts campy, some parts monstrous, all parts incredibly acted by Damien Atkins, Magnus brought a new level of intensity to the story. And Lestat’s song about his maker, “Your Biggest Fans,” is widely regarded as one of the best The Vampire Lestat songs of all. In the wake of Magnus’ harrowing appearance on The Vampire Lestat, Nerdist spoke to Damien Atkins about bringing the love-sick vampire to life, his designs for Lestat, and whether or not he has any agency as a ghost. You can check out our full interview with Magnus below.

AMC

Nerdist: In The Vampire Lestat song,”Your Biggest Fan,” we get Lestat’s interpretation of what he believes Magnus felt when he turned him into a vampire. How much of that do you think is accurate to Magnus himself?

That’s such a great question because I actually think it’s very accurate. I think for Lestat to have written this song, it’s like an act of rebellion, but it’s also actually it made me feel seen. I think it’s actually kind of a weirdly compassionate thing for Lestat to have done.

And even though Magnus is a monster, particularly to Lestat, it’s just another excellent example of how the show is just a very mature show that can have both those things at the same time, right? You are a monster to me, and I also have some insight into your heart, right?

AMC Networks

Yeah, that’s beautiful. So Magnus is quite antagonistic to Lestat when he appears to haunt him in the present day. Lestat tells him, “You’ve got your song, go away,” and he kind of just laughs. What do you think kind of Magnus’s apparition wants from his fledgling or vice versa?

Damien Atkins: That’s fascinating. I mean, because the question is, does Lestat summon him or does he have his own free will, right? I mean, I have to sort of play it like I’m doing it, but it’s a show about perspectives. So the question was, what does he want?

Well, Sam [Reid] would know best why he thinks he summons me, but it feels like it has something to do with exorcising me. I saw an interview that Sam did where he was talking about Lestat as an optimist, someone who is a fighter who wants to push through things, and get over things, and improve things. And so yeah, maybe you summon the original abuser to kind of punish or forgive or get past them. I think Magnus has his own reasons for haunting Lestat, and, for me, I chose him for a reason. It’s a pretty dark ethos and philosophy, and I think there is some impatience, some disapproval that he hasn’t lived up to what I know he can live up to. I think the story kind of proves me right. I think he’s the chosen one, and I keep saying, “Why aren’t you doing what you know you can do?

I think that’s probably where I’m coming from a little bit, where Magnus is coming from. Whether it’s fair, no. Is it healthy? Absolutely not.

AMC

Why do you feel is the reason that you mentioned? Why did Magnus choose Lestat?

Damien Atkins: There is something about, in the book, that he’s been through dozens of blonde men. It’s… like this weird… don’t know if Rice is consciously referencing a sort of Aryan philosophy or something. I don’t know. But there seems to be a combination of what Magnus would consider beautiful, but also brave. I mean, I say “Brave Little Wolf Killer.” So I think it has to be something about that bravery and charisma.

I think this is the guy we need. This is the guy who’s going to kick off the revolution. But this is Damien’s interpretation.

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You think Magnus is thinking about a revolution when he turns Lestat?

Damien Atkins: Yeah. I mean, in the end, that was what was in my head. I wasn’t in Anne Rice’s head, and I don’t know if Rolin and Hannah would… I don’t know if that’s their intention. And in the end, that’s more important. Their intention is key, they are the drivers, but that was something I could play. That was a reason to be demanding of this of him, to go, “It’s not just about you.”

Like a vampire revolution?

Damien Atkins: Yeah, that was what was in my head.

AMC

In Anne Rice’s books, Magnus actually comes back as a real ghost down the line. Do you think that this Magnus in The Vampire Lestat series was just a figment of Lestat’s imagination or could he be a real ghost?

Damien Atkins: I think he could be a real ghost. We’ll have to wait. Yeah. Yeah. It’s that kind of universe, right? Both things are potent, right? Yeah. Because it’s so real inside his head, but yeah, it’s a crazy universe.

It definitely is. Magnus notoriously throws himself into the fire after making Lestat his air. Why do you think he just made him and then decided to die?

Damien Atkins: Oh yeah, that’s such a great question. It’s because it’s a bit of a mystery in the book, right? I mean, what I get from the book is that he’s tired, that he entered this life late, and he wants to leave a legacy, but he wants to do it right. Like he’s done years of work to find the right person. Maybe he wants to find that pure love moment, which does happen in the book. Lestat talks very tenderly about sort of holding him after he sort of sucked all of his blood out, that he feels real love for this ugly, sick old man.

So maybe what Magnus wants is to feel that, and then peace out before it gets ruined.

AMC

The fans are quite interested in knowing where Magnus got his fan art portrait of Lestat. What do you think?

Damien Atkins: Oh, that’s so great. I think I drew it myself. I think there’s a lot of discarded, terrible versions of it.

One perfect drawing.

Damien Atkins: Yeah. I took my time.

AMC Networks

Magnus is what I might call campy, but also terrifying all at once. How did you kind of find that balance between being really scary and dark but also somewhat comedic?

Damien Atkins: For me, it’s all in the same kind of tapestry of behaviors. Magnus is love-sick for Lestat, right? And human beings, when they are love-sick, can be pathetic, can be very sweet, can be ridiculous, can be scary. And a lot of people are campy in the privacy of their room or in front of the mirror with a brush, doing a lip sync. I think it is actually just a part of the spectrum of human experience. I don’t know. When you put a big love in your heart, you will act out in lots of different ways. That’s what I was thinking. So it all felt quite natural.

Like, “Of course, now I do a video.” You know what I mean? “Of course. Now I’m standing here with a thing of flowers crying, of course.” And you love somebody or you’re infatuated, let’s say, you are insane. That’s why they call it love-sick. We take that word for granted, but it’s sickening. It’s not necessarily a good feeling. It’s sickening. Your body has a reaction.

The Vampire Lestat airs on AMC and AMC+, Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT and midnight, respectively. You can snag The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice to read, if you’d like to know a little bit more about what’s going on.

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⚡ Quick Take

• In our exclusive interview, The Vampire Lestat/Interview with the Vampire showrunner Rolin Jones promises that we WILL see Daniel’s vampiric turning on our screens IF we get a season four.
• Armand turned Daniel into a vampire at the end of Interview with the Vampire season two, but we never got to see the actual moment.
• Armand turning Daniel is a huge moment for the pair in Anne Rice’s books, and fans are hoping to finally see it adapted on screen.

In season two of Interview with the Vampire, something very important took place that was both expected and shocking. After centuries without making a fledgeling, The Vampire Armand turned Daniel Molloy into a vampire. Of course, Armand is Daniel’s vampiric maker in the Anne Rice books as well, but the timeline is very different in the series and the books. Still, fans of Armand, Daniel, and Devil’s Minion were delighted with this turn of events. HOWEVER, the actual moment of Daniel’s turning wasn’t shown on screen in Interview with a Vampire season two, only its aftermath some months later. And this has left fans curious about whether we’ll ever see Daniel’s turning in full. A desire compounded by how important the scene is to the relationship between Armand and Daniel in the Anne Rice book, Queen of the Damned. Armed with fan curiosity and my own, I took the question to showrunner Rolin Jones in the lead-up to The Vampire Lestat. So, will we see Armand turn Daniel into a vampire on screen? …Yes, but not yet.

The Vampire Lestat showrunner, Rolin Jones, is a true gift to fans. It’s a known fact that he always goes out of his way to speak to those who love the show at events and offers up his true perspectives and insights when he’s able. And, in response to the question of whether Daniel’s turning into a vampire would make it to our screens, Jones was much the same. “Look, I’ll do this.” Jones said, sincerely squaring with me, “If they give us a season four, you’ll see it.”

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Next to Jones, Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson burst out into cackles. “You’re outrageous,” Reid told Jones between laughs. And Anderson shook his head, “Diabolical.” But you know what? It works for me. I got the real sense that Jones wanted us to know that even if it wasn’t coming this season, it was on his mind to film. And this offered notion wasn’t meant to be dangled in front of us like a carrot, but merely a pretty honest offering to fans. To me, it felt like Jones wanted to level with us. The scene isn’t coming this season, but it is coming. I know it may not be the answers fans expected or wanted to hear, but where other showrunners may have obscured and teased, Jones’ honesty really struck me as a gift to those who are hoping for this scene. And, with all that said, turning or not, there’s still a lot for fans of Devil’s Minion to feel excited about… and that’s said with one whole episode we haven’t yet seen.

AMC

In a recent interview with The Vampire Lestat‘s Assad Zaman, who plays Armand, Zaman shared more about Armand turning Daniel into a Vampire, “Vampirism to Armand, I think, acts like a form of self-flagellation, similar to the way prayer and punishment go hand in hand. So yes, there’s agency in turning Daniel, but also, he’s punishing a man whom he also worships in a fucked up way.” And I feel we simply must see this blend of worship and punishment manifest. Plus, as mentioned, it’s a pivotal scene for Armand and Daniel; one worth finally bringing to our screens.

AMC

So, Rolin Jones, if you’re reading this. Please know that telling me in a junket that, if we get a season four of Interview with the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat, we’ll see the scene of Daniel’s vampiric turning in full does count as a blood pact which cannot be dissolved.

Fans, if you’re reading this and you want to see Armand turning Daniel into a vampire in full color and sound, I guess we’d better keep converting the masses to the wonder of this series and tuning in to watch The Vampire Lestat as it airs on AMC and AMC+ (on Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT and midnight, respectively).

Rotem Rusak is Editor-in-Chief of Nerdist. She is waiting for Armand and Daniel to finally get together so one of her canon ships can finally sail on The Vampire Lestat.

Originally published on June 8, 2026.

The post We WILL See Daniel’s Vampire Turning, Promises Rolin Jones… BUT Not Until Season 4 of IWTV/THE VAMPIRE LESTAT (Exclusive) appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• The YouTube-famous celebrity interview series, Hot Ones, is expanding to Netflix with Extra Heat.

What was once simply a YouTube-exclusive series about interviewing celebrities while eating hot wings is now moving to Netflix and becoming a full-fledged show called Hot Ones: Extra Heat. This odd interview format has gained wild popularity since its inception in 2015, and the publishing YouTube channel, First We Feast, now has 15.5 million subscribers.

Kit Karzen/Netflix

Some of the biggest trending celebrities have appeared on the show, from Pedro Pascal to Tom Holland. The show also has various smaller spinoffs. Hot Ones Wing Pong and Hot Ones Versus make celebrities face off against one another, enduring the spice.

Watching famous people struggle to eat spicy food has become popular enough for Netflix to want a piece of the pie. Netflix revealed that the first guests will be the stars of an upcoming Netflix show, The Hawk. Will Ferrell, Fortune Feimster, and Jimmy Tatro will appear in the premiere.

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Hot Ones will continue to exist on YouTube, alongside its spinoffs. Netflix will use Extra Heat as a way of promoting its shows. It will take place in “settings inspired by major moments on Netflix.” Sean Evans will host the series of 30-minute specials.

Several clips from the original show have gone internet-famous, which definitely contributed to its popularity. A clip of Jennifer Lawrence starting to cry as she eats a wing was used to create a viral audio on TikTok. Her sobbing “what do you mean?!” even became its own meme format. Take a look at this clip posted by First We Feast.

While I have to wonder how anybody came up with the premise, First We Feast must be doing something right. This deal with Netflix will expand the Hot Ones franchise while allowing them to continue posting their own YouTube content.

The first episode of Hot Ones: Extra Heat will premiere on Netflix on July 13.

The post Netflix to Create HOT ONES Spinoff, EXTRA HEAT appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• During a panel at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Pokémon and Aardman revealed more details about their upcoming claymation series.
• “Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu,” is revealed to take place in the Galar region.

This weekend, Pokémon and Aardman unveiled more content from their upcoming stop-motion series at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

They also revealed that Pokémon’s Galar region will be where the series, entitled “Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu,” takes place. Pokémon Sword and Shield also takes place in this region, so fans of the game will see some familiar terrain.

There is notable British influence on the series, with Aardman, one of Britain’s most renowned animation studios, spearheading production, and the Galar region looking geographically similar to the U.K. A press release described the humor of the series as “distinctly British.” Aardman is behind the creation of Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.

Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu is an epic journey through the wilds of Galar. Our heroes embark on a gallant quest to help and protect Pokémon across the region. Their missions rarely go as planned, but their noble deeds forge their friendship as they step bravely into the unknown. Peril, alliances and rivalries, extraordinary Pokémon, and endless laughs await them.

Pokémon has already entered the world of stop-motion. Pokémon Concierge season one came out on Netflix in 2023, and the second part dropped in 2025. It followed a woman named Haru who works at a Pokémon resort. Claymation, on the other hand, is a new realm these Pokémon are stepping into.

Often, Pokémon content follows the human trainers who interact with Pokémon. However, this series tells a story from the creatures’ perspective.

“This project gives us a unique opportunity to tell stories from the point of view of Pokémon, made possible by Aardman’s extraordinary craft, remarkable artistry,” said Phil Rynda, Director of Original Animation at The Pokémon Company International. “Their warmth, and affection for this much-loved Pokémon cast are evident in every brilliantly crafted frame.”

The series has no set release date yet, but we know it won’t come out until 2027.

The post Pokémon Reveals New Details of Upcoming Stop Motion Series appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• The Multiverse is broken, and it’s all Stuart Bloom’s fault, in the trailer for the new HBO Max series Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is the latest spin-off of The Big Bang Theory, set to debut this summer on HBO Max. And now, we have our first full-length trailer for the series. The premise of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe finds Stuart David Bloom, the owner of the comic book shop Comic Center of Pasadena, who was a regular recurring character on The Big Bang Theory, in the middle of a multiversal cosmic quagmire. David Sussman will once again play the character of Stuart. In addition, Lauren Lapkus and Brian Posehn reprise their Big Bang Theory roles as Denise and Bert. You can check out the new trailer for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe right here:

The trailer for this unlikely spin-off features a few other familiar actors, including Christine Baranski and Riki Lindhome. You can also briefly see Jon Cryer in a kaleidoscope graphic, so it looks like he’ll pop in, too. In the new series’ official description, Stuart “Breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.” Looks like this Big Bang Theory spin-off is beating Marvel Studios to the punch with the whole Multiversal Armageddon story. Who would have thought?

HBO Max

As we see in the trailer for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the show will send its titular character into several different parallel realities. Most of which seem inspired by famous sci-fi movies and TV shows. One of these is designed to look just like The Matrix, while another one goes full Mad Max dystopia. You’ve always got to have one of those, right?

Over the course of the season, the cast will meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know from The Big Bang Theory. Although who exactly is coming back from the main cast remains a mystery. The ten-episode season will debut Thursday, July 23 at 9PM ET on HBO Max. Afterward, a new episode drops every Thursday.

The post STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE Trailer Is Delightfully Odd appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• The mutant team X-Factor will soon play a big part in X-Men ’97 season two, and a group named X-Factor has been a part of the Marvel universe for forty years.

There have been multiple mutant teams in Marvel Comics using the name X-Factor, going back 40 years. There’s never been a solid “mission statement” for the team, as mutant hunters, a government strike force, and mutant private investigators have all used the name. But soon, in the second season of X-Men ’97, the team we’re introduced to is perhaps the most iconic roster of all, the team from writer Peter David’s run, which lasted from 1991 to 1994.

Marvel Comics

Cyclops’ brother Havok leads this version on the Disney+ series, a.k.a. Alex Summers. Alongside him were Polaris, Wolfsbane, Strong Guy, and Multiple Man. For X-Men ’97, the sonic screamer Siryn is also on this team. They actually all appeared as a team before, in the original X-Men: The Animated Series episode. But before we get to that version, we have to look back to where it began: with the original five X-Men.

The Original 5 X-Men Reunite as the First X-Factor Team Marvel Comics

By 1985, Uncanny X-Men was Marvel Comics’ biggest title. The series earned its first spin-off, a junior X-Men series titled New Mutants. But sales were very strong, and warranted a third title. Marvel’s EIC Jim Shooter had the idea of reuniting the five original X-Men, who hadn’t been together as a team since 1970. They’d come together with a new name and mission as X-Factor. There was one small problem, however. The lead female hero on the team, Jean Grey, had died five years earlier in a fairly high-profile story, The Dark Phoenix Saga.

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After debating several characters for the fifth member, including Dazzler, Marvel decided to resurrect Jean Grey. She rejoined her great love, Scott Summers/Cyclops, as well as Beast, Angel, and Iceman, who had just quit the Defenders. Starting in 1985’s X-Factor #1, they would pose as mutant hunters, working for Hodge Industries. While working for Hodge, they were secretly taking the young mutants they apprehended and training them in using their powers as Professor X had trained them as teens. A major X-Men villain, Apocalypse, debuted in the pages of X-Factor in 1986. This version of the team lasted 70 issues, until 1991, when the original five rejoined the X-Men in Marvel’s massive “Mutant Genesis” relaunch.

Cyclops’ Brother Havok Leads the Second X-Factor Team of Government Heroes Marvel Comics

X-Factor was now a popular title without a team. The U.S. Government operative Valerie Cooper co-opted the name X-Factor for her government-sanctioned mutant hero team, which would operate in a high-profile capacity. This lineup included two early X-Men, Havok and Polaris, Cyclops’ brother and Magneto’s daughter, respectively. Former New Mutant Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane) joined them, as did the replicating Multiple Man (Jamie Madrox), and Strong Guy, musclebound former bodyguard to the stars. Occasionally joining them was Magneto’s son, Quicksilver. This version of the team mixed sitcom humor with soapy drama and superheroics, similar to what would come later in pop culture with shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This team was together from X-Factor #71 to #100.

Marvel Comics

Eventually, this lineup would split up, but Valerie Cooper soon drafted other mutants into service. Forge led this more paramilitary team, which also included shapeshifter Mystique, Bishop’s sister Shard, Wild Child, and the villain Sabretooth. By the time these characters joined, Peter David had left the title, and G.I. Joe writer Howard Mackie replaced him. Without David at the helm, the popularity of the team dropped. Although, as an X-Men spin-off, it always sold rather well. X-Factor volume one ended in 1997 with issue #149. The team name “X-Factor” would then remain dormant for almost a decade.

X-Factor Becomes a Mutant Private Investigations Operation Marvel Comics

Eventually, Peter David returned to the team he helped popularize in a new relaunch in 2005. He reimagined the concept for the 2000s. Instead of a government team, he brought back Jamie Madrox to create X-Factor Investigations, a P.I. firm serving mutant interests. Among the cast were former X-Factor members from David’s earlier run, like Strong Guy and Wolfsbane. Now joining them were former X-Force members Rictor, Shatterstar, and Siryn. Eventually, Havok and Polaris rejoined the team as well, along with former X-Men like Longshot and Darwin, and Generation X’s Monet St. Croix. This version of X-Factor would canonize long-held fan theories, making Rictor and Shatterstar a gay couple. X-Factor volume 2 lasted for eight years, running from 2005 to 2013.

X-Factor, the Corporate Superteam Marvel Comics

X-Factor rebranded yet again, once again with Peter David at the helm. This time, in the All-New X-Factor series, which lasted all too briefly. In this iteration, Polaris led the team, now backed by the massive corporation Serval Industries. Essentially, instead of working for the government, they were on a corporate payroll. This brought the concept back to its ’80s roots. Among the members were Gambit, Quicksilver, former New Mutants Cypher and Warlock, and even the former villain Danger. Sadly, this series only ran for twenty issues. And it was Peter David’s final run on a comic book titled X-Factor. Overall, David wrote 13 years of X-Factor comics.

X-Factor in Modern Marvel Comics Marvel Comics

During the Krakoan era, when mutantkind lived in its own prosperous nation, the name X-Factor was used for a special team led by Northstar. This roster included Polaris, Prestige, Aurora, Daken, Prodigy, and Eye-Boy. They investigated mutant crime, as even in their special paradise, mutant crimes did occur. After the Fall of Krakoa, a new X-Factor team was formed, with original member Angel (Warren Worthington) in charge. This was once again a government sanction teamed, and included Havok once again. This series was also short-lived. But without a doubt, a new X-Factor team will rise again. Simply put, after four decades, they’re too much of a Marvel Comics staple to stay on the sidelines too long.

The post X-MEN 97’s Mutant Heroes X-Factor, Explained appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Elizabeth Banks will finally get to star as a live-action Ms. Frizzle in Legendary’s Magic School Bus movie from Detective Pikachu’s Rob Letterman.

Elizabeth Banks is still ready to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy. Her next big screen outing will see her finally stepping into some pretty big shoes. She will play Ms. Frizzle in a live-action The Magic School Bus movie. And if that news sounds familiar it’s because we first reported it six years ago.

Peacock

Scholastic, Legendary Pictures, Banks’ Brownstone Productions, and Marc Platt Productions are teaming up to bring the animated kids’ icon to theaters. Legendary, which recently acquired the rights to the project, is once again turning to Rob Letterman to adapt a big IP. He previously handled Legendary’s 2019 Detective Pikachu. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Letterman is writing a treatment for the film. He will also direct. He also has a history with Scholastic, as Letterman wrote 2015’s Goosebumps.

While his involvement is new, Banks’ is not. She was first attached to a live-action take on The Magic School Bus in 2020. It was in development at Universal and was supposed to be a hybrid live-action/animated take. It’s unclear what approach Legendary will take with its adaptation. It’s also unclear how the movie might attempt to fit into the history of the cartoon, which originally starred Lily Tomlin as the colorful and energetic teacher who takes her students on amazing adventures via her magical school bus. Netflix’s The Magic School Bus Rides Again reboot that launched in 2017 starred Kate McKinnon as Ms. Frizzle’s younger sister. Tomlin also reprised her role as the original teacher on the sequel series.

Scholastic

Could Banks’ version of the character be related to both of them? Or will her live-action Ms. Frizzle be entirely separate? We’ve had a long time to consider that question. Hopefully we’ll soon get an actual answer with a movie that has been waiting a long time to go on a big screen adventure.

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

The post Elizabeth Banks To Star as Ms. Frizzle in Live-Action THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS Movie appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• A balding cowboy Tom Cruise “hits ’em with the hard truth” in new footage from Digger.
• We haven’t seen much from Digger yet, but we are absolutely intrigued.

Hey, do you know who Tom Cruise is? It’s possible you have heard of him because he’s been one of the biggest movie stars for more than 40 years. Well, if you don’t remember who he is or any of his movies, Warner Bros. has you covered, because its short new teaser trailer for Digger is also an homage to Tom Cruise’s career.

No, we have no reason to think Tom Cruise is dead or even dying. Warner Bros. has merely decided the best way to promote its new film is by highlighting that it features a mega star. But Digger has enough going for it that it doesn’t need to rely only on Tom Cruise’s star power. The film comes from two-time Oscar-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu. He also wrote the screenplay with Alexander Dinelaris & Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman. 

Digger also has an absolutely loaded cast. Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons will all join Tom Cruise in the comedy.

Warner Bros. Nerdist Take: Tom Cruise’s Digger Is About to Be Bonkers

Judging by the little we’ve seen from it, Digger looks bonkers in the best way and Tom Cruise seems wild in in it. What exactly is going on with Cruise’s brash, balding cowboy? Digger‘s official synopsis gives us an idea of the wild ride we’re very eager to dig into. From Warner Bros:

Digger tells the tale of the most powerful man in the world as he embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything. 

A powerful man who thinks he’s humanity’s savior but who is really going to destroy everything? Wonder where they came up with an idea like that. I….I wonder… But one thing is for sure: Digger will likely give us a Tom Cruise we’ve never seen before.

I also wonder when we’ll get a full trailer for Iñárritu’s trailer. While we can certainly appreciate a nice little career retrospective for Tom Cruise, we’re much more interested in his next film. And we’ll get to see Cruise in full bald glory this fall when Digger comes to theaters on October 2, 2026.

The post Cowboy Tom Cruise Hits ‘Em with the Hard Truth In New DIGGER Footage appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Decades after it made its debut and changed horror cinema, The Blair Witch Project will get a reboot film with Dylan Clark as its director.

The Blair Witch Project changed the face of horror forever in 1999. Shot on a minuscule budget, it pioneered not only the found footage genre, but also the use of the internet as a marketing tool for film. It captured the mainstream zeitgeist in a way few horror films outside The Exorcist or The Silence of the Lambs had. Back in 2024, Variety reported that The Blair Witch Project franchise would return for a new reboot, courtesy of Blumhouse Productions and Lionsgate. Jason Blum will team with producer Roy Lee, who previously produced the 2016 Blair Witch reboot. Two years later, things are moving forward, as Variety reports that Dylan Clark will be its director.

He will also pen the film’s script. There aren’t plot details at this point, but original stars Joshua Leonard and Michael C. Williams are coming back once again.

Lionsgate

The original film changed the game, landing young directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez on the cover of TIME Magazine. Yet none of its sequels have ever been able to capture that lightning in a bottle again. A more traditional horror sequel came out just a year later in 2000, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2. It failed to make much of a splash, and many thought of it as a cash grab. Sixteen years later, after the found footage genre became hot again, we got a new installment, with 2016’s Blair Witch. Critics liked it overall, but it found little love at the box office. There have also been games. Can Blumhouse turn things around for this franchise?

The Blair Witch Project was about three college students who went into the Maryland woods to film a documentary on a local legend. They disappeared, and the terrifying footage they left behind became the basis for the film. Audiences in 1999 absolutely believed the movie was an actual documentary, leaving movie theaters totally shaken. Filmed on a budget of $200,000, it made micro-budget horror a trend, one which Blumhouse later capitalized on with Paranormal Activity. So in many ways, this partnership makes perfect sense.

The Blair Witch Project reboot film will release on September 24, 2027.

Originally published April 10, 2024.

The post Blumhouse’s BLAIR WITCH Reboot Film Reveals 2027 Release Date appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• A fan of the Apple TV series WIDOW’S BAY edited the show’s intro to look like it was straight out of PARKS AND REC.

Threads user Warren Buchholz (@warrenbuchholz) edited the intro sequence of supernatural comedy horror Widow’s Bay in the style of Parks and Rec. Featuring both the hilarious and terrifying sides of the show, the short video is a dream for fans of both franchises.

Parks and Rec leans entirely to the comedy side. Widow’s Bay integrates horror as well, and this video combines the best of both worlds. Seeing silly moments mixed in with clips of monsters and action sequences in this fan-made video gets across the show’s juxtaposition.

It’s hard to make comedy-horror work. The two genres seem like they should exist on opposite sides of a spectrum, and oftentimes they do. However, some movies and series have braved the blurring of that line. Evil Dead 2, Shaun of the Dead, and The Cabin In The Woods are some examples, though some lean into comedy more heavily than others.

Widow’s Bay keeps up with the citizens of a coastal New England island town as they interact with the supernatural. We follow the mayor of the town, who starts the series unable to believe in its terrifying mythology.

Apple TV/NBC

Since premiering at the end of April, the series has had an overwhelmingly positive reception from its audience. Apple TV has already renewed the show for a second season.

“Widow’s Bay” is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis is desperate to revive his struggling community. He wants these people to respect him. They don’t. Miraculously, he succeeds: tourists are finally coming. Unfortunately, the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true, start happening again.

The release date for Widow’s Bay season two is not yet public.

The post WIDOW’S BAY Intro Gets a PARKS AND REC Makeover, Thanks to a Fan appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Our exclusive clip from The Legend of Vox Machina season four finale stars Vex, Percy, and Taryon. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and want a hug.

Say it ain’t so! The Legend of Vox Machina season four is almost at a close. In our review, we called this season one that “never fails to entertain and amuse”… and break our hearts. After a tragic set of mid-season episodes, we’re still reeling from loss and heartache… And not at all ready for what’s to come in the closing episodes of this penultimate season. And that makes it an absolutely perfect time for Nerdist to debut an exclusive sneak peek clip from The Legend of Vox Machina season four’s finale episodes. Not just to get us all VERY excited about what’s to come, but to remind us that this Critical Role animated series is a mix of all things: tragedy, comedy, and, most of all, deep, deep love. You can check out our exclusive The Legend of Vox Machina season four finale clip below.

“Happy endings are guaranteed in the storybooks,” Vex gently reminds Taryon Darrington in our exclusive The Legend of Vox Machina clip. Taryon is spiraling in a mix of anxiety and pain caused by the agony of possibly having lost dear friends forever and the weight of what the future holds. “But you’re more than a story to me… You’re not some hero from fiction, you’re the real deal.” We all need a Vex pep-talk like this, honestly, delivered with Percy knowingly looking on.

Prime Video

But this The Legend of Vox Machina season four clip isn’t just a bolstering for Taryon. It’s a beautiful in-sum moment of what The Legend of Vox Machina is all about. This isn’t a tale of perfect heroes who shine in the sun and never do wrong or fail. No, it’s a gorgeous story about the humanity of our fantasy, and the way all the different threads of existence—laughter, tears, and love—come together to make a gorgeous whole. We don’t necessarily feel like the finale of The Legend of Vox Machina season four won’t mess us up forever, but this clip is like a balm on our souls. Whatever happens, we’ll have one another! I know I’ll be watching this one another thousand times.

Prime Video Prime Video

The Legend of Vox Machina season four is streaming now on Prime Video. It’s finale episodes will release on June 24. The Legend of Vox Machina is an Amazon MGM Studios, Critical Role, and Titmouse production for Prime Video. The series stars Critical Role founders and cast members Laura Bailey (The Last of Us: Part II), Taliesin Jaffe (World of Warcraft), Ashley Johnson (The Last of Us), Matthew Mercer (Baldur’s Gate 3), Liam O’Brien (Marvel’s Avengers), Marisha Ray (Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft), Sam Riegel (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and Travis Willingham (Dispatch).

The post THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA Exclusive Season 4 Finale Clip Makes You Laugh and Sob appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• George Lucas will have lines in the upcoming MINIONS AND MONSTERS movie, set in 1920s Hollywood.

The newest addition to the Minions franchise is set to feature a cameo from master filmmaker George Lucas of Star Wars fame. According to Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, Lucas told him he was a fan of the franchise and absolutely loves the Minions.

“I had this privilege of meeting George about two years ago, and what led to my meeting him is how much he loves Illumination movies, and specifically Despicable Me, and even more specifically, the Minions.”

Illumination Entertainment/Universal Pictures

Lucas’ lines were recorded in Paris, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The trailer for Minions & Monsters came out a while ago and gave us a peek into its bizarre plot. It appears the story will follow the Minions as they enter the star-studded world of Hollywood (meta much?) and their many misadventures casting their monster movie.

It has not been revealed who Lucas will play or how large a role he will have in the Minions & Monsters movie. Regardless, the premise promises chaos only the familiar yellow characters could bring.

This is the rambunctious, ridiculous and totally true story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything, unleashed monsters onto the world, and then banded together to try and save the planet from the mayhem they had just created

Since their introduction in Despicable Me (2010), the Minions have become beloved, immediately identifiable characters. They have since appeared in four Despicable Me movies and are going on three of their own Minions movies.

The original franchise followed Gru, voiced by Steve Carell of The Office, and his adopted daughters. Then, after the minions became the audience’s favorite characters, they got their own movies, starting with Minions in 2015. Since then, we have followed the minions through multiple eras, including their misadventures in Great Britain and the beginning of their relationship with Gru. This movie jumps back again to the 1920s, the early days of Hollywood.

Minions and Monsters hits theaters on July 1.

The post George Lucas to Voice Character in MINIONS & MONSTERS appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• The Vampire Lestat actor Joseph Potter spoke to Nerdist about his character, Nicholas de Lenfent.
• Among many topics, Potter discussed changes to Nicki’s death, his relationships with Armand and Gabriella, and his great love for Lestat.

In The Vampire Lestat, we get new perspectives on characters and moments that we saw before in Interview with the Vampire through a different lens. One of these characters in The Vampire Lestat is Nicholas de Lenfent, Lestat’s first and/or great love, depending on who you ask. In The Vampire Lestat episode three, we walk the paths of Nicki and Lestat’s relationship and its ultimate tragedy to incredible impact. The telling of Nicki’s tale is equal parts captivating and harrowing, and played to perfection by Joseph Potter. In the wake of Nicki’s important story on The Vampire Lestat, we sat down with Potter to discuss Nicki’s pure heart, great jealousy, difficult life, intense undeath, and heartbreaking actual death.

AMC

Nerdist: So you’ve played three versions of Nicki now. Armand’s Nicki in seasons one and two, Lestat’s Nicki, and the Nicki hallucination that Lestat has in the modern day. What do you feel is different about each one of them, and what do you think gets closest to the truth of Nicki?

It’s interesting, isn’t it? In the playing of him, I try and not to overthink too much the levels of the difference between them. I try to have the book as my reference point and try to stay fairly truthful to that. And just the way in which it’s written is leading, I don’t know, the way in which it’s perceived. I think my favorite one to play has definitely been Lestat’s Nicki. And I feel like that’s closer to my perception of what truth is, but that feels like it’s constantly changing and being challenged in this show, which I think is really, really good.

Do you think any of the perspectives we’ve seen of Nicki have been wrong?

I mean, I think Armand’s in season two; his version definitely lessens that kind of narrative about the importance of Nikki’s and Lestat’s relationship, I think.

That makes a lot of sense. That is the Armand way.

Yeah. Cheeky Gremlin.

Lestat calls Nicki his great love at times, but also alternately dismisses him as just his first love. In your mind, what place do you really feel Nicholas held in Lestat’s heart?

AMC

I think he’s an important love. He’s a great love in the context of how he informs the rest of Lestat’s relationships and how he carries him through in our season and through the rest of the books. I think that first love, I mean, we’ve all had it, and it can sometimes be a bit of a train wreck, but the way in which you hold that and the lessons that you’ve learned from that relationship and carry it through matter.

I feel like the way in which his and Louis’ relationship is informed by the tragedy of Lestat and Nicki’s relationship is really important, and there’s a semi-mirroring going on there, and obviously, some of their relationship, Louis and Lestat’s relationship is fairly tumultuous, but probably it ends in a better way than mine.

RELATED ARTICLE

How THE VAMPIRE LESTAT Gives Louis All New Storylines

How do you feel Nicki’s relationship with Lestat informs his relationship with Louis?

I feel like the lessons… I mean, the first mistake he makes in a way is of taking Nicki into eternity or trying to anyway. And I think his decision, when Lestat turns Louis, he has to be so sure that that is the right decision because he’s made that mistake before. And ultimately, Nicki’s demons: even when he’s in Auvergne, I think, in the book before we see him in Paris, he’s carrying something, but he’s not fully honest with Lestat about that pain or that jealousy, or what’s festering inside him. And then it comes out, and Lestat’s turning of Nikki is almost more of a guilt because of the deception and the dishonesty. It’s, “I’ll give this to you because I wronged you. ” Whereas with Louis, it’s I’m giving this to you because I know that you are capable of this, and I’m sure of that decision.

Though he turns Claudia… Which doesn’t end necessarily well. But we’re allowed to make mistakes. Even vampires make mistakes.

In the novel, Armand chops off Nikki’s hands, but in The Vampire Lestat series, he does it to himself in the grip of madness. Why do you think that change was made by the writers, and how do you think it changes your character in the series?

AMC

I never asked Rolin and Hannah about that, but I think there’s a level of just increasing the pain of it. And also if Nicki does it to himself, one, I think there’s something I had to … Obviously, he’s manic, but in playing that, you have to find a sense of it in the madness. You can’t just play mad. So I think there’s something about the betrayal he sometimes feels: the best way to hurt someone you love is to hurt yourself. And I think there’s a little bit of that going on, but also then the pain of his death and that loss is, I think it’s more on Lestat if Nicki does it to himself rather than it being someone else… It actually, I don’t know if this would be the right word, but it implies more blame on Lestat, which kind of explains why he carries it with him with him for longer.

Rather than blaming it on the naughty Armand.

But who knows? Is it real? Is any of it? Well, that’s the question. This is what I’m still asking.

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Conversely, in the books, Nicki brings himself into the fire, but Lestat tells Daniel that Armand pushes him in and makes sure he stays there in The Vampire Lestat version. What do you think of that change?

We didn’t see it. We don’t see it. So, who knows? Who knows?

I mean, the image of that when I read it in the script, I was like, “Gosh, that’s pretty horrendous.” And then the last kind of line that I have, or the last thing that he says, is, “Forgive me. ” And if he’s being held there, is he ready to go? Does he want to go?

There’s a sobering after the hand’s gone because I feel like his hands and the music have driven him to a point. That was his way of expression, and that’s what drove it. The music’s so mad in his head, and once the hand’s gone, that kind of noise goes, and there’s a sobering. And if he’s being held there, then there’s a level of… And then Lestat says, actually, in that scene, that he realized that it was just nothingness and that kind of knowing that after all of this, there’s just nothing is immense.

I think that Rolin, Hannah, and the whole team do such a good job of keeping the nature of the books, but just extending it and making it more painful, which you wouldn’t even know if that was possible, but they do it.

And there’s something about not seeing it as well, and the way that Sam Reid delivers that is just so incredible. Oh my gosh, it’s amazing.

Yeah, it’s a harrowing scene. But as you mentioned, we don’t actually see it happen, even though we hear Lestat’s detailed account. So do you believe there’s more to the moment or that we might revisit it in the future?

AMC+

I mean, I’d love to revisit it. I’m always up for revisiting anything. I mean, such a privilege to play this part with this amazing team of actors and creatives. But yeah, there’s a lot of history between Armand and Nicki that I’m really intrigued by that we haven’t necessarily seen too much of there.

Yes. Tell me, what do you think Nicki thinks of Armand?

Without sounding too strange, I was always fascinated by when Lestat goes away in the book, and Nicki’s just left with Armand in the theater. That dynamic is… I’m really fascinated by that. And that kind of power dynamic at play between them, with Armand in control. I think it’s a fascinating place. I mean, you don’t know what’s going on there. I mean, I’d be intrigued.

Why do you think Nicholas wanted to become a vampire so badly? And what was it about vampirism that ultimately harmed him so much?

I think he feels profoundly wronged, and he’s had such a hard life and has been quite unlucky. And I think in my head, he had a very tumultuous, toxic relationship with his father, that he almost believes that goodness doesn’t exist, and that then the realization that vampirism and this thing exists is then a proof that evil does exist. And so then it does explain everything that’s gone wrong in his life, why it has. And then he feels like Lestat isn’t using that gift the way it should be, that kind of power.

I mean, everything he says in the book is so reflective of that. They’re two different sides of the coin. Lestat has this light and Nicki has this horrible kind of darkness. And I think he’s infected with jealousy. So anything that Lestat has, he wants, and it just feels a betrayal. I think he loves him ultimately. And if he feels like he can get that vampirism, that might keep him closer to this light. I don’t know if I’ve said two things there that contradict utterly what they said, but—But this is why it’s so rich. Do you know what I mean?

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Nicki is the person who brings music into Lestat’s life, and ultimately, music is the way Lestat chooses to tell his story. Do you feel like that makes Nikki’s presence interwoven into Lestat’s whole journey in The Vampire Lestat?

AMC

I think so. Yeah. The first line we have before we first see them is, “I heard music.” And then that’s the journey that he goes on too… The stutter disappears. For Nicki, music is pure expression, and I think that’s exactly what it is for Lestat, too. So maybe that line of “First love, not great love” is deceptive. But that’s a step one lesson. It’s so clever how he’s interwoven throughout the story. He’s a presence throughout.

You spoke about turning to the books to form your Nicki in The Vampire Lestat. Were there any moments from the books that haven’t yet been brought to the screen that you’d love to bring to life?

I mean, there are so many. Oh gosh, I mean, we get it. We get a little bit of it with the… When we see them in the theater, and he says, “I’ll give you the Theater of the Vampires.” But I love that in the book, I love when all the vampires come in and they start dancing. That’s amazing.

There’s also a really tender moment with Gabriella, I can’t remember what chapter it’s in, or Gabrielle. And there’s a kind of tenderness between them, and he’s catatonic, and I think she’s doing his hair or just dressing him, and Lestat says he looks like, I can’t remember what the exact quote was, but “He looks like a young priest” or something like that. It’s quite interesting the way when he’s chopping off the hand, and Jennifer’s laughing at me, or Gabriella’s embarrassed, or like, “What’s going on here?”

There’s something about it where you’re like, “Oh, is that a reliable narrator on different relationships with different characters with Armand, with Gabrielle.” And there’s so much. I mean, I’d love to revisit anything.

And just to conclude, as we end our time, of course, you’ve brought so much from the books, but do you think there’s anything that you brought to Nicki in The Vampire Lestat? Anything where you thought, “I’m going to add this to this character in this way”?

AMC

Yeah, I mean, I think the game that you are always trying to play is what’s similar and what’s different. I feel like Nicki has a real, despite his madness, it’s all done through this open heart of love. And so I always try and sympathize with him. So I feel like I try to bring that kind of semi-openheartedness of myself even in his mania. I mean, I like playing tragic young men, and I seem to do it quite a lot. So he was another one, but it was just with a French accent this time.

The Vampire Lestat airs on AMC and AMC+, Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT and midnight, respectively. You can snag The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice to read, if you’d like to know a little bit more about what’s going on.

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief of Nerdist. Devil’s Minon is her endgame in The Vampire Lestat, but she’s never opposed to other ships on the side—Nicki and Armand, why not?

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 Joseph Potter on Changes to Nicki’s Death and His Love for Lestat in THE VAMPIRE LESTAT appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• A trailer for a new dystopian dramedy dropped today—Klara and the Sun will feature Jenna Ortega as an AI companion robot.

Surely there are a lot of Gen Z people who would love to be friends with Jenna Ortega. She’s very famous and seems to be a cool person. The trailer for Klara and The Sun turns Ortega into a friend, but not in the way you’d imagine. The film features her as a quirky companion robot who is learning about the world through her new owner.

The story is based on a 2021 book by Japanese-British author Kazuo Ishiguro. He also wrote the award-winning Never Let Me Go, which got its own movie in 2010.

Taika Waititi, who worked on Jojo Rabbit, and various Avengers films, will be directing the movie.

Jenna Ortega plays the story’s main character, a childish “artificial friend.” Of course, Ortega starred in Netflix’s popular Wednesday series, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and the Scream franchise. The human by her side is Mia Tharia, whose credits include Phoenix Rise (2023-2024) and September Says. Here’s a synopsis to go with Klara and the Sun‘s trailer:

Klara and the Sun introduces audiences to Klara, an Artificial Friend who wants nothing more than to find the perfect home. When Klara meets Josie, each immediately senses a kindred spirit in the other. Josie has a fraught relationship with her mother, and they’ve suffered great loss, but Klara’s innocent wonder and unwavering loyalty begin to heal the family and bring light to Josie’s complicated world.

Sony Pictures

The story seems to be uplifting and heartwarming, as robots learn from the humans that care for them, and care for them in return.

“We come out of the lab with the intelligence of a toddler, and then we learn everything from our humans.”

This premise does bring to light a shift in the way robots and artificial intelligence are being portrayed in media. From the 1980s to the early 2000s, movies like Blade Runner, I, Robot, and The Matrix warned of the dangers of a machine-dominated world. But over the last decade, society has seemed to warm up to integrating artificial intelligence into our daily lives. With this, more content has come out as part of a trend of humanizing robots.

Companion (2025), though it was an entirely different genre, personified robots and made the main AI character relatable. Another example is Detroit: Become Human, a 2018 video game following several main AI characters who have developed emotions. Both examples are darker in theme than Klara and the Sun appears to be. However, they all humanize robots and AI and deal with issues of discrimination against and mistreatment of these entities.

This makes for a complicated issue in the modern day, with people delegating everything from research and organization to critical thinking and life advice to ChatGPT. The question I ask is whether, despite the emotional depth and significance of these stories as well as the discrimination issues within human society they allude to, we should be seeing AI in a humanistic light at all. The warnings from robot films of the 1980s-2000s certainly still haunt me. I am interested to see if they address this issue.

Klara and the Sun has no set release date yet, but the trailer claims it is “coming soon.”

The post Jenna Ortega Is an AI Robot in KLARA AND THE SUN’s Weird Trailer appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• House of the Dragon star Abubakar Salim told us why filming the Battle of the Gullet was like being a kid, Alyn’s emotions during the fight, and more.

After a much longer wait than viewers expected, House of the Dragon finally delivered the Battle of the Gullet. It was big, bold, and bloody. But what was it like to actually film it? We asked one of the infamous Dance of the Dragon conflicts biggest players exactly that. When we spoke to star Abubakar Salim before the season about what to expect from Alyn of Hull and the show this year, we also asked him about shooting the seismic sea fight. Now that the episode is aired we can share his insights into bringing the Battle of the Gullet to HBO.

Ollie Upton/HBO

Nerdist: What’s it like getting to film a big, giant, epic sea battle on these massive sets with all of these people?

Abubakr Salim: It’s bonkers. The closest description I can give is remember when you’re at school as a kid and you’d be playing with your friends? All these fantastical sort of games, be it like you’re playing with sticks and you’ve got swords and you’re chasing one another and screaming and shouting because you’re so enraptured in this world? That was the feeling. That was what it was. Filming that whole sequence was like being a kid again.

The hardest part of it was to not smile at every single take, because it was just pure elation and joy and ridiculousness. You’re swinging t

hese swords pretending to kill people, and then also jumping and seeing explosions. I recently went to Disney World in Florida and there’s a show, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. It’s watching that and being like, “Oh man, that’s so cool!’ Well, you’re in it.  And it’s like, “Oh my God, what do I do? ” That’s the best way I can describe it. It’s just mad and great fun.

HBO

What can you tell us about shooting that episode that a viewer would never know just from watching it?

Salim: We we spent a good six to eight weeks doing that whole sequence. And it was chopped and chewed. Different sets, different environments. There was a massive gap before Lohar’s ship crashes into our ship. We didn’t film that bit until I think another two, three, or four weeks even afterwards. It was a completely separate session.

The amount of detail that was put into everything, into this huge set piece, was mad. For something that happens and kind of erupts, it took so much time. And the amount of explosions and people that were set on fire. I think we broke a record because of the amount of people that we set on fire on set. It’s nuts.

In terms of what viewers can see, what do you most hope they will notice from the Battle of the Gullet that might not be obvious?

Salim: The one thing I remember Loni (Peristere), the director of the sequence, shouting at us was “fear.” It was the idea that going into battle isn’t this cool, epic thing. It’s fear. And that’s something I think you see and feel in everyone’s performance. Even the stunt guys. If you look and you watch people’s expressions and you see the way people fought, there is almost this primal animalistic fear that permeates through it all. That’s a big one.

Ollie Upton/HBO

When Alyn goes after Lohar, it seems like he’s full of rage. What is actually driving him in that moment? And what I mean by that is how much of it is duty versus admiration for a great sailor versus concern for a father?

Salim: The way I played it was in my mind, I didn’t know how much I loved Corlys until you see him gone. That flash of realizing what you have just lost or what you were about to gain. Because the scene just before that, before everything escalates, was us reconnecting and having a drink in his quarters and almost seeing each other eye to eye for a moment.

And there was something really beautiful that day when we filmed that scene. To then have that ripped and stripped from me so viciously and violently and chaotically, that’s the thing that drives Alyn. Especially when you’re so that far deep into the fight. It doesn’t even become about beauty, it becomes about survival and it becomes about really trying to ensure that you can at least breathe and return home.

Actually, you don’t even care about that. You simply are just present, you are there. And Alyn at that moment, seeing that being taken away from him, just evokes this pure age. This pure sense of a childish tantrum of something being taken away from him that he deeply loved and he didn’t realize how much he loved until he got into it.

I’d say there was no duty there. There was no duty. There was no sense of avenging. It was almost purely selfish of you have just taken something away from me that I might not ever know about.

Ollie Upton/HBO

(Note: While House of the Dragon has made major changes to George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, he following portion of the interview alludes to Alyn’s future based on the source material. They can be considered spoilers.)

Every actor always tells they try to stay in the moment and they try to use what’s in front of them, but considering you know who Alyn of Hull becomes, and you kind of referenced this a little bit, the esteem that he is held in both by readers and within the world of A Song and Ice and Fire, does that help you shape your performance because you can say to yourself, “What kind of person becomes that?”

Salim: Yes, it absolutely does. I’m such a big fan, or big believer, of giving us the arc and the story from the beginning to the end. Because if I look at a play like Hamlet or Othello, or even a film script, you know where the character begins and you know where they ends. And the fun part is seeing the journey of how they get from A to B.

The beauty of what George (R.R. Martin) has crafted and what he has created, and also what (showrunner) Ryan (Condal) cares for is honoring this stuff. And we know where we’re going, we know where we’re playing, so let’s have fun on the journey and lay little seeds there. Then when audiences do come back to watch it all at once, they can see that full arc and really revel in it. Because you can really tell when audiences definitely can tell when stories shifts and turns and goes in a direction that feels almost like it had to make sense in the moment.

HBO Max

There is a real beauty of knowing where the story ends. And again, to those who know the stories and those who don’t, there is a comfort in knowing like, “Oh, there is a source material, a truth that we can always rely on,” which is great.

It’s funny, it’s how I approach a lot of things that I hope that I create, be it with my game studio, or even whenever as I work as an actor, I always want to know, “What’s the end goal here?” Because then I can really have fun and push boundaries and push the limitations of where I’m going as a character to then come to the middle ground or make sense of where I end and feel satisfying with that and go on that journey with an audience.

So knowing that the noble accomplished, respected person he becomes, what’s the most meaningful way that’s shaping your performance now?

Salim: It’s the stoicism and the discomfort that you’re seeing me play with. And really sort of seeing Alyn almost learning from what he’s seeing. He isn’t reacting or engaging or pushing to be the star. He’d rather learn and soak up. Then when the time is right, act. And I think there’s a really lovely moment actually in episode one, which will hopefully make … do you know which moment I’m talking about?

Is it when Corlys is lost and he just takes over?

Salim: Exactly.

It’s your best moment in the whole episode.

Salim: Thank you. Thank you. Because that is exactly the moment where I felt like that’s where you plant the seed for where he is about to go. Where he sees there’s a moment, there’s an opportunity here of taking all that he’s learned, what he’s seen from his father, and stepping up to the plate.

It was so great, because I remember talking with Loni about that, that specific moment being like, “This is key.” To the people who are watching this who don’t know about the book and where Alyn goes, it’s a pretty cool moment of like, “Oh man, he’s stepping up to the plate.” For the people who do know, they’re like, “Oh, kid, this is it!”

HBO

That was exactly how it came across to me. I was like, “There it is. There he is. That’s our guy.

Salim: I’m glad you saw that. I’m glad you saw that because that was a real powerful moment. That was an enjoyable moment for me.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He would have immediately drowned during the Battle of the Gullet. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Abubkar Salim on Filming The Battle of the Gullet appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• The world’s #1 Ser Criston Cole hater finally got to ask his fictional nemesis a (loaded) question. House of the Dragon’s Greens booed him.

I have detested Ser Criston Cole from the moment I first read about him. George R.R. Martin’s histories, especially Fire & Blood, might debate what motivated Rhaenyra’s sworn protector to turn on her. But I never had any doubts. I always knew the Kingmaker was a pathetic, oath-breaking baby who helped start a civil war because the heir to the Iron Throne rejected his offer to run away to Essos to sell oranges. My well-established hatred of Criston Cole is why I was overjoyed when House of the Dragon saw the obvious truth about him. It confirmed its handsome knight was really the lowlife punk I always knew he was.

I have not been shy about sharing my thoughts on the infamous knight in my posts and on Nerdist‘s talk show Maesterminds. But recently, I finally got a chance to do something I’ve long hoped to do. I got to ask Ser Criston Cole himself, Fabian Frankel, what it’s like to play the infamous knight/villain. And it went better than I ever could have hoped. Because before he gave me a thoughtful answer, I got a truly wonderful gift. The Hightowers booed me.

Then I went ahead and turned a win into the ultimate loss.

HBO

Before House of the Dragon‘s season three premiere, I took part in a series of virtual media roundtables with the stars of the show. That included speaking to Olivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower), Freddie Fox (Gwayne Hightower), and Frankel. Before things started, I knew my pro-Rhaenyra stance was going to be at odds with the people who play her enemies on the show. Frankel was wearing a custom Gwayne shirt while Fox was wearing the most disgusting shirt ever made. His celebrated Criston Cole. Truly vile.

While I waited for my turn to ask a question, I listened to the three stars being downright silly. The roundtable began with Fox and Frankel referencing That’s So Raven. They then talked about their characters having huge crushes on one another and being intimidated by the others’ physique. The atmosphere was lighthearted and fun. This is very important to understand. Partly to know I wasn’t out of line with how and why I asked my question, but more so you can appreciate how genuinely funny their response was to my query.

HBO

While I can’t fully convey the clearly absurd tone with which I asked my question, you’ll get a pretty good idea of how intentionally ridiculous it was. even in print This is what I asked Ser Criston Cole the very first chance I got to speak to him:

Fabian, I’ve had some very strong feelings about Ser Criston Cole that long predate the show. So I worked very hard to ask what I think is a fair question: What’s it like getting to play the worst person in the history of Westeros?

Dear reader, and hopefully dear fellow hater of the Greens, Olivia Cooke’s reaction to this question is a true career highlight. It was half groan/half boo. “Ooooh, that’s unfair,” she said. Freddie Fox responded the same way at the same time.

HBO

As for Frankel, he made me laugh as he calmly said, “It’s a loaded question. It’s a loaded question.” I insisted, it wasn’t. I claimed, with the innocence of Ramsey telling Theon he was safe, I had worked really hard to make sure it wasn’t loaded. Frankel said, “No no no.” And, I mean…..yes. Obviously. The obvious loaded-ness was the point. But it was also sincere, since Cole is a major villain on the show.

And that’s exactly how Frankel took my question when he talked about playing the part. Here’s what he said:

It’s funny. I actually remember Sara Hess our writer saying something like, “Be ready.” Because [Cole]’d been set up as such a different character in the first season. As this kind of quite noble knight who’s going to protect Rhaenyra and help her manage the expectation. Then obviously he turns so quickly. And what I think is kind of a shame, not a shame, but what I would’ve been interested to see is how that 20-year gap would’ve unfolded.

The way it starts, he’s just such a different person in the sixth episode of season one. Obviously over the course of 20 years, a bunch of shit happened, which we don’t tackle as a show, but it would’ve been something I would’ve found very interesting to read about. But I tell you, I take it with great pride and it’s a great joy to play this kind of a villain. I have enjoyed every moment of it.

It was a great answer loaded with insights into both his character and the show. But my duel victory—one personal for upsetting the Greens, the other professional for asking a question that garnered a thoughtful response—came at a cost. I wasn’t really worried anyone was upset. All three understand the spirit of my silly question.

But I still wanted to make clear that my feelings about Criston Cole were limited to the fictional knight. In fact, the question came from a place of admiration for Frankel. He gives one of my favorite performances on the show. Thanks to his portrayal of Cole, the whole world knows exactly why I have always hate the dishonorable knight.

HBO

“I know everyone groaned,” I told Frankel, “But honestly, you have played this character in all the ways I hoped for. If you would have made him sympathetic or likable, I’d have been furious.” Nothing loaded in that comment. I was being completely honest.

Then, Ser Criston Cole—Ser Criston freaking Cole, my fictional nemesis I’ve always hated and always will—thanked me for the compliment. The compliment I paid him. Ser Criston Cole told me he appreciated that I said something nice about him. Total disaster.

Now I have to live with that. And really, in some ways—maybe the biggest way—that makes me the final victim in the Dance of the Dragons.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. Despite his appreciation of Fabian Frankel’s performance, Mikey remains the world’s leading Criston Cole hater. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post I Asked My Fictional Nemesis Criston Cole a Question (and the Greens Booed Me) appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• The year is already halfway over, and plenty of good movies have come out so far! Here are our favorites of 2026.

This year has been a great year for movies. From horror stunners like Obsession to nerdy favorites like The Mandalorian and Grogu, 2026 has covered a wide scope of genres—and it’s only halfway over! At Nerdist, we hold movies near and very dear, and so we have compiled a list of our favorites, in no particular order. Here are the best movies of 2026 so far.

Project Hail Mary Amazon MGM Studios

Project Hail Mary kicked off the year with a feel-good space drama. It offered a little bit of everything. The deep emotions of an astronaut lost alone in deep space, complemented by star Ryan Gosling’s quippy humor and—who could forget—a lovable alien creature, Rocky.

This movie knew when to be serious, and it definitely knew when to be funny. It was heartwarming, too, exploring complex relationships between humans as well as humans and aliens, and the meaning and significance of sacrifice.

RELATED ARTICLE

PROJECT HAIL MARY Made Me Romantic About Movies (Review) Hokum NEON

Switching gears entirely, supernatural horror film Hokum will have you chilled to your core. Adam Scott of Severance and Parks and Rec stars as Ohm Bauman, an author who decides to spread his parents’ ashes where they took their honeymoon. He finds himself in a haunted hotel in Ireland where he must face the evil trapped there.

Hokum was created by Damian McCarthy, an Irish filmmaker. He drew inspiration from Gaelic myth, where he got the cailleach concept. In mythology, a cailleach is a mythical “hag” with power over the landscape. While not an inherently evil being in myth, she certainly felt evil in this movie. Bauman faces the witch herself alongside visions from the past.

RELATED ARTICLE

HOKUM Is a Delightfully Chilly Haunted Hotel Flick (Review) Is God Is Orion Pictures

Is God Is was an emotionally moving tale of twin sisters on a journey to kill their abusive father. Aleshea Harris’ directorial debut, based on her off-Broadway stage play of the same name, is a thriller, a dark comedy, and a revenge film rolled into one. It also explores the tensions within a cycle of abuse.

The two girls suffered life-changing first-degree burns at their father’s hands when they were children. Despite its characters’ traumatic backstory, the movie manages to be darkly comedic.

RELATED ARTICLE

IS GOD IS: A Cathartic and Brutal Exploration of Black Girl Rage (Review) The Devil Wears Prada 2 20th Century Studios

Picking up where the first installment of Andy’s story left off 20 years ago, The Devil Wears Prada 2 was a glorious return to Runway magazine. Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and, of course, Anne Hathaway graced our theater screens once again. Despite two decades passing, we could be convinced the second movie had been filmed the day after the first—the stars appeared almost identical to their 2006 counterparts.

The story follows Andy and Miranda, both down on their luck. It deals with the realistic struggles of print magazines in moving to digital, clickbait-heavy formats. It also discusses the looming threat of A.I. taking over the journalism field (gulp). Amidst these heavier issues, the characters navigate the complex reality of their careers, their relationships with each other, and their own personal flaws.

RELATED ARTICLE

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 Is 2026’s Most Important Movie—Here’s Why It Matters (Review) Backrooms Kane Pixels

After his YouTube series The Backrooms gained immense traction, a creator known as Kane Pixels found himself directing a feature-length psychological horror based on the story he had been developing for years.

He created his YouTube series in a found-footage style, exploring a liminal, empty mass of endless hallways. The landscape resembles an abandoned department store, with fluorescent ceiling lights to boot. Parsons’ first episode was a “short film” published in 2022, and the story developed from there as he continued making videos for three years. You can read more about the internet “creepypasta” that inspired his work here.

The movie is set in the same location as his shorts and follows researchers as they investigate the realm of “the backrooms.” Getting lost in the hallways is scary enough, but when it turns out some sort of entity is there with them, the scientists have to fight for their lives.

RELATED ARTICLE

The 8 Scariest Levels of the BACKROOMS Obsession Focus Features/Universal Pictures

2026 truly is a year of good horror, with Obsession being another box office smash. It has also had its moment on the internet, with stills of star Inde Navarrette’s intense frown going viral, alongside her other facially uncanny moments.

More is disturbing about this movie than just the “be careful what you wish for” trope. In some ways, it is about the world of romance we live in today, the idealization of being in a relationship or being loved. Having a partner who has no personality outside of loving you may, in fact, be more terrifying than the natural character flaws that being an individual, an independent person, would bring.

The underlying messages of the movie are what take it from scary to horror.

RELATED ARTICLE

OBSESSION Is a Classic Story with an Uncanny Horror Twist (Review) The Mandalorian and Grogu Lucasfilm

For the Star Wars nerds out there, your favorite world has never stopped expanding. The Mandalorian show has been wildly popular in the years since it began its run. And now the creators have taken a more cinematic direction with The Mandalorian and Grogu.

The two-hour long feature film actually replaced the show’s fourth season. Director Jon Favreau mentioned that writing for season four was underway in 2023 but, in a statement to SFX Magazine, said they trashed those scripts entirely to write the feature film.

The episodes would have been aiming to continue where season 3 had left off and set up the Ahsoka show. However, the movie took a different direction, something that would be appealing to the audience whether they had watched the previous content or not.

“As long as you understand the archetypes of this hardened warrior with their vulnerable young apprentice, you’ll know these characters well, even if you’ve never seen the show,” Favreau said. “But there’s still a lot of Star Wars in there.”

Masters of the Universe

Based on the 1980s animated show, He-Man and The Masters of The Universe, this nostalgic movie did the series justice. He-Man, played by Nicholas Galitzine, is your average Joe working in an office cubicle and yearning for the day he can return to Eternia. Luckily, he does—it would have been boring otherwise—and along the way encounters Skeletor, the classic villain, along with other characters from the series.

Amazon MGM

This is the second time He-Man has been adapted in live-action. In 1987, the first adaptation was made, featuring an oddly shiny blonde man and a tacky skeleton mask. On the surface, not much changed, but this film is a step up.

RELATED ARTICLE

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Is a Colorful Retro Adventure (Review) Toy Story 5

If you thought Toy Story 4 was the end, you’ve officially been proven wrong. Despite what seem to be repeated conclusive finales to the series, fans love Toy Story enough to bring it back to the theaters a fifth time. Nostalgic characters accumulated over the first four movies return and grapple with their place in the age of the internet.

Pixar

1990s toys meet electronics, and parents face criticism in this new story. A review from Indiewire points out the blatant complacency with which many parents now operate, surrendering their children to the teachings of mindless internet use. This movie calls that out and emphasizes the importance of imaginative play in childhood, and this makes it one of the best movies of 2026.

RELATED ARTICLE

TOY STORY 5 Cements the Franchise as Cinema’s All-Time Best

Originally published on June 22, 2026 with additional reporting by Ella R. Dunn.

The post The Best Movies of 2026 (So Far) appeared first on Nerdist.

Supergirl stars Milly Alcock (Supergirl), Eve Ridley (Ruthye), and Jason Momoa (Lobo) sit down with Nerdist’s Maude Garrett to talk Supergirl vs Superman, bringing Lobo to the big screen, and their secret fandoms!

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The post SUPERGIRL Cast Reveal Their Secret Fandoms! appeared first on Nerdist.

⚡ Quick Take

• Actor Joseph Potter is particularly interested in the dynamics between Armand and Nicholas de Lenfent.
• Speaking to Nerdist, Potter revealed he’d love to delve into the time from The Vampire Lestat when Nicki and Armand were left alone without Lestat.
• He shares, “It’s a fascinating place.”

In The Vampire Lestat episode three, we met a familiar face again in a whole new way. In Interview with the Vampire, we briefly saw Nicholas de Lenfent through Armand’s perspective. But in The Vampire Lestat, with Lestat telling his version of events, we got to see a lot more of Lestat’s first… or is that great… love. Fans of the Anne Rice books will know that some aspects of Nicki’s story changed for The Vampire Lestat series, one of which is the idea that Lestat left Nicki alone with Armand for a period of time, although not without arranging for his care, and in this time, Armand’s emotional and mental manipulation of Nicki drove his inner struggles to an even worse place, eventually leading to his death by walking into fire. But, as we know, there are no reliable narrators in the world of The Vampire Lestat/Interview with the Vampire. And if you ask Nicki actor, Joseph Potter, it’s too soon to give up on the idea of the time that Armand and Nicki (Nickimand, if you will) spent together. Potter, for one, would love to explore it.

AMC

Speaking about Armand and Nicki, here’s what The Vampire Lestat actor, Joseph Potter, had to say. “I’d love to revisit the role. I’m always up for revisiting anything. It has been such a privilege to play this part with this amazing team of actors and creatives. But yeah, there’s a lot of the history between Armand and Nicki that I’m really intrigued by, that we haven’t necessarily seen too much of there.”

He continues musing about the character of Armand, noting, “Without sounding too strange, I was always fascinated by when Lestat goes away in the book, and Nicki’s just left with Armand in the theater. That dynamic is… I’m really fascinated by that. And that kind of power dynamic at play between them, with Armand in control. I think it’s a fascinating place. I mean, you don’t know what’s going on there. I mean, I’d be intrigued.”

AMC

Well, wouldn’t we all? If there’s one thing about Armand, it’s that he has fascinating dynamics with pretty much everyone. The time Potter speaks about is one that’s left murky in both the books and in the series (for now), so it would be a great place to explore and adapt the two characters. What did Nicki and Armand get up to while Lestat was away in The Vampire Lestat? There’s always been a great deal of confusion around the particulars of Nicki’s devolution and death, even among book readers. And though we have some vision of it from the series now, it’s hard to trust that events were recounted with exact truth. More points of view for us all to dissect, debate, and debrief about are always welcome.

Additionally, Potter referred to Armand affectionately as a “Cheeky Gremlin” and “That Naughty Armand,” elsewhere in our talk, which is probably of interest to the people reading this right now.

The Vampire Lestat airs on AMC and AMC+, Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT and midnight, respectively. You can snag The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice to read, if you’d like to know a little bit more about what’s going on.

Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief of Nerdist. Devil’s Minon is her endgame in The Vampire Lestat, but she’s never opposed to other ships on the side—Nicki and Armand, why not?

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