Nerdist in Audio

Could a CLONE SAGA Series Use SPIDER-MAN Actor Lookalikes?

Following news of Sony and Prime Video's Clone Saga series, this piece asks whether the show might cast younger lookalikes of Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, or Tobey Maguire. Because Sony can't use the names "Spider-Man" or "Peter Parker" in its live-action series without a deal with Marvel (which is why Nicolas Cage's Spider-Noir character was just "the Spider"), the author argues a clone story without a recognizable original is hard to pull off. Holland lookalikes are unlikely since the show probably wouldn't be set in the MCU. Garfield's universe is unused but would require a deal, while Maguire's Peter Parker is the author's pick as the best clone template, with a possible small return since he's less booked. Without establishing a known Spider-Man, the author predicts a Madame Web-style misfire.

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/sony-spider-man-clone-saga-series-use-lookalike-actors/ to read or listen to the article.

Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DIGGER's Twist, Explained—Not a Musical, But...

Despite internet speculation that Digger was secretly a musical, the film's real twist is that it's a play-within-a-movie: it depicts actors in a climate-ravaged dystopian future putting on a parody play called Fossil Fools about Digger Rockwell, the oil tycoon whose greed destroyed the world. The film cuts between the staged "past" scenes and the "present" backstage reality, revealing late in the film that it's Digger's nephew Kenny Rockwell (Jesse Plemons) — who inherited his mother's "Green Energy" company — funding the production to give dystopian audiences catharsis. The author argues the twist conveys two ideas: that the ultra-wealthy escape consequences for the destruction they cause, but that communal art and entertainment can still provide genuine healing even amid disaster.

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/digger-twist-explained-fossil-fools-play/ to read or listen to the article.

Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Nicolas Cage Right to Slam MCU as 'Well-Funded and Glorified WWE'?

Nicolas Cage compared the MCU to professional wrestling, criticizing "50-plus" talented actors donning "ridiculous outfits" for storylines that exist mainly to build to a big fight. The author acknowledges the hypocrisy of Cage (star of many poor films, whose own Spider-Noir was just canceled) making this critique, but concedes he has a point — while also noting that, like wrestling, the MCU can still produce great stories when done well, and that MCU stars like Robert Downey Jr. still pursue acclaimed outside work (e.g., his Oppenheimer Oscar).

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/is-nicolas-cage-right-to-slam-mcu-as-glorified-wwe/ to read or listen to the article.

Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Gunn & DCU Safe After Paramount/WB Merger (For Now)

Reports indicate James Gunn and Peter Safran will remain in charge of the DCU following the completion of the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger (closing October 6) into the new company Skydance. Given the DCU's youth and recent successes (Superman, Lanterns, Peacemaker, Supergirl), it reportedly made little sense to dismantle it amid the broader corporate upheaval. The author notes uncertainty remains about whether Gunn and Safran will retain their previous creative freedom under the new ownership.

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/james-gunn-dcu-safe-after-paramount-warner-bros-merger/ to read or listen to the article.

Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Skydance Is the New Name of Combined Paramount-Warner Bros.

Following the completion of their merger (closing October 6), Paramount and Warner Bros. will operate under a new combined company name: Skydance, taken from CEO David Ellison's original production company. Skydance will control an enormous portfolio including DC, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, Nickelodeon, HBO Max, Paramount+, CNN, CBS, and more. The author expresses concern that consolidating so many major brands and news outlets under one company inherently limits diversity of creative and editorial voice, despite Skydance's promises to preserve each studio's distinct identity.

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/skydance-new-name-combined-paramount-warner-bros-company/ to read or listen to the article.

Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bradley Cooper Will Star in Danny McBride's G.I. JOE Reboot

Bradley Cooper will star in Paramount's new G.I. Joe reboot, directed by Danny McBride (whose script beat out a competing one by Max Landis). This version replaces the previously planned G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover film, which is no longer moving forward. The article speculates Cooper will likely play team leader Duke, though he could also play General Hawk, with Cobra and Cobra Commander presumably serving as the antagonists.

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/bradley-cooper-g-i-joe-reboot-from-danny-mcbride/ to read or listen to the article.

Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immersive DUNE: The Experience Launching in Los Angeles

Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros., and Fever are launching DUNE: The Experience, an immersive 60-minute, multi-sensory fan activation in Los Angeles this November, ahead of Dune: Part Three's December 18 release. Guests can explore Arrakis-themed environments, test themselves against Bene Gesserit-style challenges, sit on Paul Atreides' throne, and photograph a giant sandworm, plus enjoy themed food and merchandise. Tickets go on sale October 6, with the possibility of a touring expansion if the LA launch succeeds.

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/dune-the-experience-launching-in-los-angeles-immersive-fan-activation/ to read or listen to the article.

Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A24 Gives Robert Pattinson a Russian Nesting Doll Set

To celebrate Robert Pattinson's eclectic career (and his new film Primetime), A24 released a $42 Russian nesting doll set featuring six of his film characters, including roles from Primetime, The Drama, The Lighthouse, High Life, Good Time, and The Rover. The author praises the novelty item as a fitting tribute to Pattinson's famously unconventional, "weird" choice of acting roles.

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/a24-robert-pattinson-russian-nesting-doll-set/ to read or listen to the article.

Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EBENEZER Releases the Year's Worst Trailer

Ti West's A Christmas Carol reimagining Ebenezer, starring Johnny Depp as Scrooge, has released a trailer the author calls one of the year's worst — criticizing its baffling "you don't know this story" marketing angle, its oddly joyless depiction of the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Depp's casting given his public controversies. The film also stars Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Daisy Ridley, and Ian McKellen, and releases in theaters November 13.

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/ebenezer-releases-worst-trailer-of-the-year/ to read or listen to the article.

Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HBO Brings Its Iconic Shows to BACKROOMS in Hilarious Video

HBO Max released a humorous social media promo for the horror film Backrooms that places characters from its biggest shows — including Lanterns (Hal and John), A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (Dunk & Egg), The Sopranos, and The Righteous Gemstones — into the film's iconic yellow liminal-space setting, captioned "Took a wrong turn." The author praises it as a clever, well-executed marketing mashup.

Visit https://nerdist.com/article/hbo-took-a-wrong-turn-backrooms-video/ to read or listen to the article.

Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.