Wednesday December 12th 2018

More cast members have been announced for The Mandalorian.

We already knew that the show will star Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, and is being created by Jon Favreau.

Today they also announced the casting of Giancarlo Esposito, Nick Nolte and Werner Herzog.

Herzog may be best known as a legendary director, but was only added as an actor.

At a rumored cost of $100 million for a 10-episode season, The Mandalorian should be one of the flagship- shows of the upcoming Disney streaming service.

https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/12/mandalorian-pedro-pascal/

Jeffrey Dean Morgan is returning to Supernatural.

Don't get too excited, it's only for episode 300.

He will of course be returning as John Winchester, the father of Sam and Dean Winchester.

Morgan has talked about returning to the show for over a decade.

The last time he was on the show was the Season 2 finale All Hell Breaks Loose.

Part two of that finale aired on May 17th 2007.

Even back then scenes with Jeffrey Dean Morgan had to be filmed weeks in advance using blue screen due to the actor's limited availability.

The 300th episode, titled "Lebanon," will air Thursday, February 7th.

https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/12/supernatural-jeffrey-dean-morgan-300th-episode

They canceled Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Daredevil, and probably The Defenders.

So fans are pretty worried about Jessica Jones and The Punisher.

Well fans have at least one more season of The Punisher as Netflix have added a very short teaser at the end of their official January preview reel.

Immediately after the video was posted, The Punisher himself Jon Bernthal posted an image of him as the character.

Many have connected a lack of social media activity to previously canceled Marvel shows on Netflix.

Will fans talk up this new season of The Punisher enough to get it a season three?

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/netflix-teases-punisher-season-2

The Predator raked in $160.5 million at the box office after a budget of $88 million when it was released in theaters just a few months ago.

This seems to be impressive enough to get The Predator its own Christmas special.

Ok, it's actually going to be aired as a Holiday Short during BoJack Horseman on Wednesday December 19th.

This will be one day after The Predator is released on Blu-Ray December 18th.

Am I the only one more interested in this short than I was in the fourth sequel to this movie franchise?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/12/18138147/predator-holiday-short

Tuesday December 11th 2018

Today's Nerd News is sponsored by the reindeer you see in the intro of our weekly show.

Those reindeer are handmade by my wife and are for sale!

Just follow the link to the etsy page in the show notes.

It's not too late to get them before Christmas.

They are extremely limited to only a small few made each year.

So buy them now before someone else does!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/652749686/reindeer-with-bells-fawn-brown-legs-move

When it comes to Godzilla: King of the Monsters, much of the press has been focused on Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown.

But the latest trailer makes it seem like the real stars are the bad kaiju poised to battle Godzilla himself.

King Ghidorah, Mothra; and Rodan will of course grab the attention of any Godzilla fan, but will that be enough?

Is this one of those rare cases where even a good story isn't necessary?

Will the battles be epic enough to keep fans happy?

https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/10/18134554/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters-trailer-king-ghidorah-mothra-rodan

Solo: A Star Wars Story just can't catch a break.

First there was that whole director problem (that the movie never really got over).

Then it receives the low box office from fans so extremely disappointed in The Last Jedi.

Now it seems that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has officially disqualified the films score from Oscar consideration.

The reason is that Disney didn't make the November 15th deadline to submit.

Do you sense that Disney is setting this movie up as its scapegoat for the Rian Johnson problem?

https://www.cbr.com/solo-a-star-wars-story-disqualified-from-oscars/

As if Jason Mamoa hasn't already won over the attention of every female on the planet, he just solidified it even more.

In a recent interview with The Mirror he proclaimed that he was constantly crying on the set of Aquaman.

'I was constantly crying. I was raised by a single mother and I'm very connected to my emotions.'

He says he gets his softer side from his mother Coni.

He followed that with 'I'm not going to nor-mally get hired to play those emotional things – and I'm capable of it. I'm just trapped in a big, dumb body!'

So how long do you think it will be until he announces that his next major motion picture is some intense drama with tons of Oscar potential?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6476241/Jason-Momoa-says-constantly-crying-set-Aquaman-gushes-mum-Coni.html

If it seemed like anime is everywhere recently, it might not be your imagination.

The Hollywood Reporter just published a story that says the industry raked in $19.1 billion in 2017.

Streaming was a big reason for this with Netflix, Hulu, and of course Crunchyroll playing a big part.

If someone was just getting into Anime, what would you recommend they start with?

https://comicbook.com/anime/2018/12/09/anime-industry-2017-revenue-profit-popular-money/

Monday December 10th 2018

This weekend had the second lowest box office of the year, but next weekend should be massive.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Mortal Engines, and Once Upon A Deadpool will be released just days from now.

This is followed with Aquaman, Bumblebee, and Mary Poppins Returns on December 21st.

So you can call this 'The calm before the storm.'

Ralph Breaks the Internet still topped the box office with $16,253,831.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald raked in $6,953,846 for the weekend.

https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/

Netflix has released a teaser for season three of Stranger Things without releasing a single scene from the upcoming season.

They released the episode titles and that the show will be based in the year 1985.

The show titles announced are “Suzie, Do You Copy?,” “The Mall Rats,” “The Case of the Missing Lifeguard,” “The Sauna Test,” “The Source,” “The Birthday,” “The Bite,” and “The Battle of Starcourt.”

Some speculate that the Suzie mentioned in the first episode is Max Mayfield's mother Susan Hargrove.

Maybe the second episode is a trip to the mall that doesn't go as planned?

It's a pretty safe bet that the last episode will be a big fight against this seasons evil beast.

Please post the most ridiculous predictions possible in the comments.

Let's have some fun with these vague titles.

https://bgr.com/2018/12/10/stranger-things-season-3-episode-titles/

Bumblebee won't be released into theaters until December 21st, but it's already getting a 100% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Since that's only based on 12 reviews, that should be taken with a massive sized grain of salt.

Maybe people are just THAT happy that Michael Bay isn't in charge of the Transformers franchise anymore?

Or could it be that Travis Knight's work on Coraline, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls received so much respect that the hopes are extremely high.

Only time will tell if this sixth movie in the Transformers franchise can live up to those high expectations.

Will Bumblebee live up to the hype?

Post your thoughts in the comments.

https://comicbook.com/movies/2018/12/09/transformers-bumblebee-100-percent-rotten-tomatoes/

BUCKETHEADS: A Star Wars Story (2018 Fan Film)

Sometimes a Star Wars Fan Film is released that everyone needs to stand up and take notice of.

BUCKETHEADS is one of these fan films.

Shot in September 2017 in Vancouver, BC, Canada, it had over 76 people directly involved in the project.

The story covers one battle from the Stormtroopers point of view.

Clocking in at 13 minutes and 34 seconds, it is highly recommended.

So please watch it and let us know what you think in the comments.

https://youtu.be/t6GUxb0kCCA

Thursday December 6th 2018

Kevin Smith Visits Star Wars Set

Kevin Smith recently visited the set of Star Wars nine.

As always, he had nothing but good things to say about it on a show called GMA Day.

As often happens, he got very emotional, and cried after watching a performance many are guessing was Mark Hamill.

"I wept on set because I saw somebody give a career-best performance. Somebody I’ve seen in these movies before. I rolled a tear, it was so darn powerful."

Click the link below to see the entire clip from GMA Day on Slash Film.

https://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-episode-9-set/

Guillermo del Toro Pinocchio Not For Kids

I can't be the only one who had zero interest in yet another adaptation of the story of Pinocchio.

Then I heard that Guillermo del Toro was the one behind it all, and suddenly I was down right excited.

I am aware that this stop motion version of Pinocchio being done for Netflix is not news.

I also understand that Del Toro being the writer, producer and director of this musical is not news either.

But the part I do find interesting though is that Del Toro is making it clear that this will not be a family friendly version of the age old tale.

“It’s not a Pinocchio for all the family. Of course. Pinocchio during the rise of Mussolini, do the math. A puppet during the rise of fascism.”

Del Toro continues with “He’s a creature that is created through unnatural means from a father that he then distances [himself] from, and has to learn about failure and pain and loneliness.”

https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3536559/guillermo-del-toro-teases-animated-pinocchio-film-netflix-not-family/

Bumblebee director not directing Guardians Of The Galaxy 3

Bumblebee director Travis Knight is not directing Guardians Of The Galaxy 3.

In a recent interview he was blunt in his denial.

"I'm a huge fan of what Marvel did, it's no surprise for anyone to know that as a child I was a huge fan of comics. But no, it's just a rumor!"

So will Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 ever be made?

I still say that Kevin Smith is the only one on the planet that could take the job without massive backlash, but he seems loyal to DC so far.

https://www.comicbookmovie.com/transformers/bumblebee/bumblebee-director-travis-knight-responds-to-reports-that-he-will-direct-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-a165114

Warwick Davis Not Returning To Leprechaun

Warwick Davis has been a fan favorite across many nerdy film franchises.

He is the most well known Ewok from Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi, Professor Flitwick in the Harry Potter movies, and of course the star of the Leprechaun films.

Yeah, he was also Marvin in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Nikabrik in the The Chronicles of Narnia, and so many others, but this isn't just me reading his entire IMDB page.

This is about the one franchise he isn't interested in returning to; Leprechaun.

He will not be in Leprechaun Returns when it hits theaters December 11th.

That role will go to someone named Linden Porco instead.

In a recent interview Davis explained his reason why.

"You know what we did six Leprechaun films and around Halloween people always watch them and love them. Horror is an interesting medium, I think it's different when you have kids, you look at horror in a slightly different way. Since I finished the Leprechaun films I had kids and I see the world through their eyes and to be in a horror movie right now is probably not quite right, I will wait until my son turns 18 and then I'll do some horror again."

https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2462885/warwick-davis-explains-why-he-didnt-return-for-the-new-leprechaun-movie

Monday December 3rd 2018

Movies for Nerds and geeks have once again ruled the major motion picture box office.

Ralph Breaks The Internet leads the pack with a total of $25,756,000 for the weekend.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald raked in $11,200,000 during its third week.

Venom is still printing money in the ninth week with a $380,000 weekend total.

But keep in mind that the real invasion is still on the way.

December 14th three movies are unleashed.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Once Upon A Deadpool, and Mortal Engines.

https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/

Pollyanna McIntosh revealed that “things are in process” for the Rick Grimes movie trilogy.

The trilogy will be overseen by chief content officer Scott Gimple.

McIntosh also told fans at the Fan Fest San Jose that she assumes that she will be involved.

It is also been strongly hinted that the trilogy will give more detail about the well-equipped helicopter group.

The Walking Dead returns with its back half of Season Nine Sunday, February 10th on AMC.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/2018/12/02/the-walking-dead-rick-grimes-movie-details-helicopter-community-pollyanna-mcintosh-jadis-anne/

So Star Wars Galaxy Of Adventures was launched on YouTube Friday.

There is very clearly a reason why this was launched on Star Wars Kids instead of the main Star Wars outlets.

The videos seemed flooded with comments talking about how the videos were great and would indeed open up Star Wars to a younger audience.

When I tried to watch them, they came off as trailers to a show that would never happen.

They were so short, that there was zero story.

Because they were only select scenes, there was not even what could be called a short story arch.

In short, older nerds need not apply, but let us know in the comments if your kids enjoy them.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDe7m0POuwkL1gwnQ-FVhMw

Saturday December 8th at 1:00 pm the Nerds Drink Whiskey Christmas party begins.

We will be giving away our shot glasses, low ball glasses, and our brand new Nerds Drink Whiskey t-shirts!

Be entertained as the cast of Nerds Drink Whiskey exchange the worst Christmas presents they could find for each other.

And of course there will be whiskey tastings all at Dogger's in Yelm Wa.

We hope you can make it!

https://www.facebook.com/events/188954781983246/

Friday November 30th 2018

Friday November 30th 2018: Episode 20

Would You Eat Lab Grown Meat?

In our science story of the day, The Guardian reports on the future of lab grown meat.

It's estimated that this year Americans will eat about 220lbs of red meat and poultry each.

Forget about the environmental impact, animal treatment, health issues, effects of greenhouse gases, and think about all the outbreaks of e-coli.

I have always been a meat eater myself, but it disturbs me how my food soaks in it's own fecal matter its entire life.

Maybe if we treated our food better, our food would treat us better, then we wouldn't be getting sick so often?

There are tons of startups trying to solve this issue, but so many of us would have to stop being freaked out about our meat being grown in a lab.

Somehow they think that's better than our food being covered in its own waste for most of its life.

Memphis Meats, Future Meat Technologies, Just Inc, and others are leading the charge in developing cell-based meats in its laboratories.

Some investors include Tyson Foods, Cargill, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson.

So I ask you all this question: Would you be open to eating meat grown in a nice clean lab with no risk of e-coli?

Let us know in the comments?

And if any of these companies want to host a tasting challenge event, please get in touch.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/nov/29/meat-poultry-sustainable-affordable-solution-lab-grown

Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures

The original Star Wars trilogy has had many remasters, edits, and re-releases that have been repackaged, and resold to us fans Ad nauseam.

Yet this is the first one that I have to admit I am a bit excited about.

Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures will be the original Star Wars movies re-done as a kids cartoon.

Although most reports say that these shorts will not be a full re-creation of the original trilogy, it will be most classic moments.

The best part is that it will be free and available to everyone on YouTube.

Want more good news? It's available as of today!

https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/28/18116541/star-wars-galaxy-of-adventures-kids-disney-youtube-animated-shorts

DC’s First Latino superhero movie

When Black Panther was released I kept hearing stories of African-American children looking at those movie posters the way I used to look at Super friends.

They had a superhero that they not only look up to, relate to, but also try to model themselves after.

I can't be the only nerd that was left wishing that more young children could have that experience as well.

Something like that can't be done when it's some hand me down like the attempted Ghostbusters reboot.

It has to be its own unique and original thing.

So I am thrilled to hear that Warner Bros and DC comics are developing their first Latino superhero movie with Blue Beetle.

Although Mexican-American teenager Jaime Reyes is the third character to assume the mantle of the Blue Beetle, the movie will focus on this era of the character.

Because of this, the majority of people will be introduced to the character as Jamie Reyes.

The executive producer for this historic stand alone movie will be Zev Foreman.

https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1013285-dc-warner-bros-developing-blue-beetle-movie

Daredevil has been canceled

Deadline has confirmed what we have all feared, Daredevil has been canceled.

“Marvel’s Daredevil will not return for a fourth season on Netflix.”

With Iron Fist, then Luke Cage, and now Daredevil canceled there is not much hope for Jessica Jones and The Punisher?

However, it does seem that there is hope for the character being part of one of the other Marvel shows on the upcoming Disney+ streaming service launching next year.

Netflix added to their statement with “While the series on Netflix has ended, the three existing seasons will remain on the service for years to come, while the Daredevil character will live on in future projects for Marvel”

https://deadline.com/2018/11/daredevil-canceled-netflix-3-seasons-1202511521/

Netflix Marvel Heroes Were Almost In Infinity War

The list of heroes that were in Infinity War was seemingly endless.

But there was an end because they stopped at putting the Netflix Marvel characters in the movie.

/Film’s Peter Sciretta was able to get confirmation from The Russo Brothers at a Collider screening and Q&A recently.

They told him that although they tried, in the end it was too complicated to include the television Marvel Universe.

https://www.slashfilm.com/russo-brothers-q-and-a/

Blade Runner anime series hitting Adult Swim

This new series will be called Blade Runner-Black Lotus.

There will be 13 half hour episodes when the show first launches.

The series will be on both Adult Swim and Crunchyroll, which are divisions of WarnerMedia.

https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/blade-runner-anime-series-adult-swim-crunchyroll-1203047083/

Preacher has been renewed for a fourth season on AMC.

The production will now be moved to Australia however.

Production on Season 4 will begin in early 2019.

Season three has hovered just under a million viewers per episode, which might be the reason for the new location.

The first two seasons are streaming now on Hulu.

https://tvline.com/2018/11/29/preacher-renewed-season-4-amc/

Gloria Katz Has Died

It seems that every day the nerd and geek culture world loses another.

Today we are sad to announce that the writer of the screenplay for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom has died.

Gloria Katz also co-wrote American Graffiti with George Lucas, which many credit with opening the studio doors for the entire Star Wars franchise.

She died after a long battle with ovarian cancer, on her 49th wedding anniversary, at the age of 76.

https://celebritydead.wordpress.com/2018/11/29/breaking-news-15/

Thursday November 29th 2018

Thursday November 29th 2018: Episode 19

Netflix's Lucifer has new new king of hell

Writers posted a photo on Twitter of a script cover page with "[REDACTED]: King of Hell," on it.

The writers then made things even more clear by asking fans to guess who the new king of hell is.

This was the script for episode 10 of the upcoming fourth season.

So who do you think the king of hell is?

https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/11/28/lucifer-season-4-finale-title-teases-new-king-of-hell/

Are Daredevil fans a vocal minority?

There is a loud outcry from fans of Daredevil for a season four.

But data analysis of social media traffic hints that this could be just a vocal minority.

Business Insider hired Crimson Hexagon to do the data analysis.

Most of the cast and crew of Nerd's Drink Whiskey are big fans of Daredevil, so we want Netflix to #RenewDaredevil too.

But when online conversations are down, Netflix tends to cancel shows.

https://www.businessinsider.com/fans-want-netflix-daredevil-renewal-but-data-shows-interest-is-down-2018-11

National Board of Review listed Black Panther as a "Top Film."

Now keep in mind that this was alongside nine other movies.

Marvel is seriously trying for most categories at the Academy Awards.

This will probably increase hope in many circles.

I loved the movie too, but it's not at all the type of movie that gets a flood of Academy Awards.

Discuss the chances Black Panther has at the Academy Awards in the comments.

https://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/11/27/black-panther-top-film-of-year-national-board-of-review/

A major Star Wars Episode 9 leak has happened.

I call it major because there is so much detail that many on the subreddit called it a fake at first.

The leak comes from someone claiming to be an extra on the set, another extra has somewhat confirmed that this person knows things that only an extra would know.

The scene includes Poe, Finn, Chewbacca, Dominic Monaghan's character, Vera Calrissian, and even General Hux.

"A body is seated with a bag over their head. He gets dropped down. Revealed to be a cowering General Hux. He admits surrender and is searched by Domenic who prods him with an instrument and taunts him."

Read the entire leak by clicking the Reddit link in the show notes.

But do you think this is a legit leak or a fake?

https://www.reddit.com/r/starwarsspeculation/comments/9z9i8x/spoilers_episode_9_set_leak_description_will_not/

Kevin Smith blames himself entirely

A fan on Twiiter asked Kevin Smith "Sometimes I wonder what really happened between @BenAffleck and @ThatKevinSmith that made them not talk to eachother."

An extremely bold and sad response from Smith was given.

"If I had to guess? It’s because one of us has a big mouth and told too many candid stories that sometimes weren’t his to tell, and the other one is Ben."

Well, it looks like Kevin Smith blames himself entirely for the fallout, but is ready to offer a humble apology to his old friend.

Is the ball in Ben's court now or is this just the first step Kevin Smith needs to take to repair their friendship?

https://twitter.com/ThatKevinSmith/status/1067197488891867136

Game Of Thrones reunion special for big Boxset only?

The special even included Sean Bean, who fans will remember as Ned Stark.

The reunion special was filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland earlier this year.

It was hosted by hosted by Conan O'Brien, but will not air on his show.

The rumor is that it won't air on HBO either.

The only confirmed way to see it will be as part of a major box set after the show ends.

https://www.cnet.com/news/game-of-thrones-reunion-special-officially-confirmed-by-hbo/

So Netflix has announced a live action Cowboy Bebop.

So how many of you are thinking, "Isn't that pretty much just Firefly then?"

There will be ten episodes, but no release date, or starting production date was given.

There was no casting announcements, but they did announce one very important behind the scenes person.

The original director Director Shinichiro Watanabe will serve as a consultant.

Although the Jazz soundtrack is extremely important to fans of the original animated series, original composer Yoko Kanno has yet to be attached to this live action version.

It should also be noted that the press release says "Based on the worldwide phenomenon," which tells me that this is an entire re-boot of the story.

As a huge fan of Firefly, I have been told repeatedly that I should watch Cowboy Bebop.

This announcement tells me that I better start binging it now, so I can complain about this reboot not being as good.

https://media.netflix.com/en/press-releases/netflix-announces-new-live-action-series-cowboy-bebop-based-on-the-japanese-original-animated-series-1

Wednesday November 7th 2018

WEDNESDAY:

This is Nerd News for Wednesday November 7th 2018.

Nerd News is sponsored by NerdsDrinkWhiskey.com

Always sip, Never slam.

Click the link in the show notes for more info

and we hope to see you at our Christmas party Saturday December 8th.

http://nerdsdrinkwhiskey.com

Wolverine: The Long Night is Marvel's first scripted podcast.

The first 9 episodes are available now at WolverinePodcast.com.

With only one episode left a second season has been announced.

Richard Armitage will return as Logan, along with Bill Irwin as Jason Wyngarde, Bell Heck as Remy LeBeau, and Blair Brown as Bonnie Roach.

The second season will be released in winter of 2019 and it will be called Wolverine: The Lost Trail.

https://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/11/05/wolverine-the-lost-trail-long-night-season-2/

https://www.wolverinepodcast.com/

Does Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald break canon?

There is a young Professor Minerva McGonagall in the latest movie.

This latest movie is set in 1927, but many Harry Potter fans will tell you that Minerva McGonagall was born in 1935.

How is she in a movie when she hadn't even been born yet?

For the full (and very detailed) calculations on this, click the link in the show notes.

https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2460786/fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald-looks-as-if-its-breaking-harry-potter-canon

Nerds Drink Whiskey recently announced that our Christmas party on December 8th will feature the most nerdy whiskey we can find.

Just in time Star Trek has announced Montgomery Scott Blended Scotch Whiskey.

Yes this is a Scotch named after Scotty from the original Star Trek.

CBS Consumer Products have officially licensed the blended scotch whiskey.

The plans are to have it on the selves just in time for our Christmas party on December 8th.

A James T. Kirk Bourbon Whiskey has been out since this past summer.

http://www.treknews.net/2018/11/05/star-trek-montgomery-scott-scotch/

In the worst news ever department: There is a rumor that Matt Smith might play a young Sheev Palpatine.

So my least favorite Doctor might be my all time favorite villain?

This could mean that J.J. Abrams is making something from Legends into cannon.

In Star Wars Legends Palpatine used Essence transfer to clones in order to cheat death.

This could also be an interesting twist since in Legends Palpatine tries to overtake the conscience of Anakin Solo.

In current cannon Anakin Solo is called Ben Solo, which is of course Kylo Ren.

https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-matt-smith-palpatine-rumors/

I want to try something new for Nerd News.

About once a week I will pose a question to everyone to chime in on.

The question is simple: Is it nerdy?

HBO has announced that the long promised Deadwood movie is officially in production.  

The film will begin ten years after season three ended.

Almost the entire cast has returned with Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, Molly Parker, Paula Malcomson, Dayton Callie, and many more.

The shows' creator David Milch wrote the movie too, so this should excite fans to no end.

Although everyone on the Nerds Drink Whiskey podcast are fans of the show, is it nerdy?

https://www.nme.com/news/tv/production-begins-deadwood-movie-almost-full-cast-returning-2397478