Audible has announced the premiere date for Moriarty: The Devil’s Game, a thrilling ten-episode mystery podcast that reimagines the world of Sherlock Holmes. The podcast will be available July 7, exclusively on Audible.
The new podcast is performed by Dominic Monaghan (of Lost and Lord of the Rings fame), along with Billy Boyd (Outlander, Lord of the Rings), Phil LaMarr (Futurama, Pulp Fiction), Adam Godley (The Great), Curtis Armstrong (Doom Patrol, Supernatural), Josh Robert Thompson (Family Guy), Lindsay Whisler (How We Roll), Carlo Rota (The Boondock Saints), Victoria Smurfit (Bulletproof Monk), Billy Harris (Ted Lasso), Rebecca Mader (Once Upon a Time), and more.
Audible’s bold new addition to the Sherlock Holmes universe, Moriarty: The Devil’s Game, dares to ask: What if Holmes’ most villainous nemesis was actually an innocent man?
Audible has given the following information about the podcast:
“Featuring Monaghan in a enthralling lead performance, ‘Moriarty’ turns one of literature’s most famous rivalries on its head, recasting Professor James Moriarty as a desperate fugitive framed for murder — and hunted by dark forces who will stop at nothing to exploit his brilliance.
‘Moriarty’ finds the professor on the heels of an earth-shattering mathematical breakthrough — a formula so powerful, it can predict the future — and at the scene of a gruesome murder he must solve to prove his innocence. With London’s sprawling underworld as their battleground, Moriarty and Holmes match their peerless intellects to gain the ever-shifting upper hand. But as their duel escalates, so does the deadly cost of pursuing the truth. “What will it take to get your justice?” Dr. Watson asks an utterly ensnared Moriarty, “And if do you get it … what will you become?”
Vividly brought to life by a sensational cast and meticulously crafted sound design, ‘Moriarty’ is a heart-pounding series filled with biting wit and shocking twists at every turn.
Listen closely–and assume nothing. The game is afoot.”
A trailer has also been released, which can be heard here:
Moriarty: The Devil’s Game was written and produced by Treefort Media. You can pre-order now on Audible: www.audible.com/moriarty.
Welcome to the latest installment of our 2022 Pride Month Series! Each weekday in the month of June, we will be highlighting a different member of the LGBTQIA+ community who we think is a great example of representation and dynamic characterization. We will focus on fictional characters, celebrities, and activists alike — the positive voices within the LGBTQIA+ community and in mainstream media.
Take all the royal drama offered by shows such as The Crown and turn it into a compelling teenage school drama. Then make it gay. Is it any wonder that audiences have been eating up Netflix’s Young Royals?
Set at a Hillerska, a fictional elite boarding school in Sweden, the show follows Prince Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding) — known as “Willie” by his fellow students — as he is sent away to the school by his family. Despite his older brother Erik (Ivar Forsling) being in line for the throne, Willie is held to the same princely standards that he is. Unfortunately for Willie, getting into a fight at a party and having pictures of it posted online is about as far from “princely” as his family can imagine. So, off he goes to Hillerska, black eye and all.
The official synopsis of the show says:
“Prince Wilhelm adjusts to life at his prestigious new boarding school, but following his heart proves move challenging than anticipated.”
Who is this student that makes him want to follow his heart? Simon Eriksson, a rising star in Hillerska’s choir. He’s a scholarship student — a non-border, half Spanish, and working class. And, of course, a boy.
Young Royals has been a surprise hit for some, as the Swedish teen drama was dubbed into English for Netflix. In many cases, the same actors were kept for the English language version. Dubbed shows can be polarizing, with some fandom purists saying that the full experience is lost when dialogue is translated into a different language — but that certainly doesn’t seem to have slowed this show down. With a 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Young Royals is a hit in any language.
Let’s take a look at why and discuss Willie and Simon in more detail — spoilers ahead!
Prince Wilhelm of Sweden
Netflix
The prince’s sexuality is never labeled in the show, though he canonically has a relationship with Simon. Ryding has stated that the show not labeling his character was intentional.
Willie’s story and his portrayal are so beloved by viewers because although it has many themes of self-discovery, his story isn’t just “a coming out story.” It’s so much more than that. It’s about who he is as a person, who he wants to be, and what is important to him — or what has to be important to him, whether he wants it to be or not.
Throughout the story, Willie isn’t seen to have much conflict over his feelings for Simon in themselves. He seems to accept them pretty quickly, in fact. Instead, what Willie struggles with is what place those feelings have in his future as a royal. As a younger son, he doesn’t have the pressure to produce an heir, so he may have more freedom in his situation than he would otherwise … at least to start with. When, in the first season’s most shocking twist, Willie’s older brother and heir to the throne, Erik, is killed in a car accident, it changes things.
Simon Eriksson
Netflix
Simon, on the other hand, identifies as gay. This is made explicitly clear right in the first episode when Simon asks his estranged father Micke to get him alcohol for an initiation party at Hillerska.
Micke: I remember what it was like to try and impress a girl.
Simon: I’m gay, Dad.
Micke: Some cute guy, then.
Viewers like the fact that although Simon clearly has a complicated, somewhat unhappy relationship with his father, their estrangement doesn’t center around Simon’s sexuality. In fact, Micke moves the conversation onward without dwelling on Simon’s words at all, simply accepting them. They have problems, but for once, not those problems.
Simon is outgoing and unafraid to speak his mind, but he is also portrayed as kind and understanding. Nonetheless, he is unwilling to be pushed around and, as the season progresses, is unwilling to live in secrecy.
Young Royals didn’t end on a happy note for Willie and Simon, with circumstances and the pressure Willie feels from his family and position coming between them. But with season 2 already announced, viewers are hoping that we’ll see a happy ending still for Wilom.
Whether they end up together or with other people, seeing two such brilliantly realized LGBT+ characters on screen, upfront and proud, makes Young Royals a real treat amongst queer dramas. To keep an eye on news about the upcoming next season, don’t forget to follow Nerds and Beyond, and keep a lookout for the next Pride Month Spotlight!
Did you know that actors rarely, if ever, voice their action figures? In fact, at least the earlier versions of Captain America toys are indeed voiced by an Evans, but not Chris Evans. The task of providing those iconic lines to the toys that our kids play with actually belongs to his brother, Scott. With that tidbit out of the way, I can say that the absence of Tim Allen’s voice as Buzz did not at all detract from the story or quality of Lightyear as a whole.
Lightyear serves as the film Toy Story‘s Andy saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear toy. And you know what? I want a Buzz Lightyear toy now (spoiler, I already have one), so the film certainly lives up to the hype that Andy was so enamored with. With the exception of possibly Brave, this was Pixar’s first foray into creating an action film and they managed to find a good balance of the heart and emotion we expect out of Pixar and a high-octane sci-fi adventure. I cried three times which is pretty on par for others from the studio. But it also didn’t feel like it was made exclusively for kids, either. They knew that the Toy Story fans of old were going to want to head to the theater for some nostalgia, and they delivered on finding a good middle ground for kids and adults alike.
Disney/Pixar
The visuals are exceptional as we travel through space and the details on the people and environment alike are so captivating I’m still floored by the fact its animation. They pulled no punches with this one, creating infinity and beyond in rich colors and enthralling sequences.
Chris Evans is perfect as Buzz, who has a little dramatic flair that I found incredibly endearing and relatable. This is not a flawless character and they are not afraid to show it, which was refreshing as I went in expecting for our favorite Space Ranger to be a practical Boy Scout. He had enough depth to keep my adult expectations met but he was also charming and fun enough to keep my inner kid thoroughly pleased. Not every actor can make the jump to voice work, and that’s fine, but Evans is not one of those actors as he proves he can do both with exceptional finesse. And, shocking to no one, Taika Waititi’s Mo steals every scene he’s in, but it’s Taika Waititi so what do we expect?
Also, be fully prepared to fall head over heels in love with a robot cat. Sox is the main character, sorry to everyone else.
Lightyear premieres exclusively in theaters on Friday, June 17.
Dreamworks released today a trailer for its upcoming animated film Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Taking place in the Shrek Universe, this film follows Puss, voiced by Antonio Banderas, as he discovers that his years of swashbuckling might soon be coming to an end as he has burned through eight of his nine lives. Below is the official synopsis for the film:
Daring outlaw Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for peril and disregard for safety have taken their toll. Puss has burned through eight of his nine lives, though he lost count along the way. Getting those lives back will send Puss in Boots on his grandest quest yet.
Academy Award® nominee Antonio Banderas returns as the voice of the notorious PiB as he embarks on an epic journey into the Black Forest to find the mythical Wishing Star and restore his lost lives. But with only one life left, Puss will have to humble himself and ask for help from his former partner and nemesis: the captivating Kitty Soft Paws (Oscar® nominee Salma Hayek).
In their quest, Puss and Kitty will be aided—against their better judgment—by a ratty, chatty, relentlessly cheerful mutt, Perro (Harvey Guillén, What We Do in the Shadows). Together, our trio of heroes will have to stay one step ahead of Goldilocks (Oscar® nominee Florence Pugh, Black Widow) and the Three Bears Crime Family, “Big” Jack Horner (Emmy winner John Mulaney, Big Mouth) and terrifying bounty hunter, The Big Bad Wolf (Wagner Moura, Narcos).
Dreamworks Animation
Included in the voice cast is Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, Samson Kayo, Anthony Mendez and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. The film is directed by Joel Crawford and produced by Mark Swift. The film is also executive produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri.
Dreamworks Animation
Check out the trailer below to get a glimpse of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and make sure to see the film when it’s released in theaters on December 21, 2022.
Bugs, Daffy, and the Looney Tunes will go on Broadway in Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical coming soon to HBO Max and Cartoon Network.
In Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical, Bugs Bunny decides to retire from Broadway and must go on a rescue mission to save Daffy Duck:
“After starring in a long-running Looney Tunes Broadway smash production, an exhausted Bugs Bunny decides it’s time to trade in sold-out shows for life as a regular rabbit. Ever the spotlight opportunist, Daffy Duck attempts to step into the lead role, but his star ambitions are quickly sidetracked when he is kidnapped by an obsessive fan who has more sinister plans for her favorite stage duck. With his ticket to Broadway retirement in danger, Bugs sets off on a rescue mission to find Daffy and, with the help of his Looney Tunes co-stars, hopefully, his joy of performing again.“
Amy Friedman, Head of Kids & Family Programming, Warner Bros. said:
“Bugs Bunny on Broadway? Yes, please! This musical gives off old Hollywood and Broadway vibes while offering a new, modern way to sing along to this one-of-a-kind Looney Tunes movie with the whole family.”
Sam Register, President of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, said:
“Mayhem and music have helped define the comedic genius of the Looney Tunes for decades. It is a pairing that has created some of the greatest cartoons of our time, and it’s going to be a thrill to add our own musical stamp to these characters.”
Ariel Dumas wrote the screenplay and the lyrics. Music and orchestration are by Pulitzer Prize, Tony, and Grammy award-winner Tom Kitt. Brandon Jeffords serves as director and supervising producer. Sam Register is the executive producer.
No release date has been revealed as of yet for Bye Bye Bunny. Stay tuned to Nerds and Beyond for more news!
HyperX announced today that they’ve partnered with Kris “FaZe Swagg” Lamberson to welcome him as a brand ambassador. As an ambassador, FaZe Swagg will be using HyperX headsets and microphones while streaming and gaming and will participate in marketing and social activities with HyperX.
FaZe Swagg is an esports content creator whose main focus is on Call of Duty: Warzone. He joined FaZe Clan in 2020 as the first Black member and accompanied five other FaZe Clan members on the first cover of Sports Illustrated to feature a gaming organization. He was also featured on the 2021-2022 Forbes 30 under 30 Games list.
For more on HyperX, visit their website, here. You can follow FaZe Swagg, here.
The official trailer for Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between has been released! The film, based on the book by Jennifer E. Smith, is set to release on Netflix on July 6.
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between stars Jordan Fisher and Talia Ryder as Clare and Aiden, respectively.
After making a pact to break up before college, Clare (Talia Ryder) and Aidan (Jordan Fisher) spend their last evening as a couple on one final epic date. As they retrace the steps of their relationship, from their first hello and kiss to their first argument, they edge towards a turning point in search for answers — should they stay together or say goodbye forever?
The film is produced by Matt Kaplan, Aubrey Bendix, Chris Foss, and Max Siemers, who also produced the To All the Boys films. Fisher and Smith are also executive producers. There’s also a new movie tie-in copy of the book from Smith, and you can find out more information, here.
Fans of ABC Family/Freeform’s Pretty Little Liars spent seven (long) seasons trying to figure out who the heck A/A.D./Uber A was, along with the characters. Five years after the identity was finally revealed, a new generation will be dealing with the stalker’s antics in HBO Max’s Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. Now, we finally know when the show will be released.
The streamer has revealed that the reboot of the hit series will premiere on Thursday, July 28! HBO Max also released a new teaser to give fans a taste of this new A that we’ll be dealing with. Check it out below!
The official synopsis for PLL: Original Sin is as follows, per Warner Bros.:
“Twenty years ago, a series of tragic events almost ripped the blue-collar town of Millwood apart. Now, in present day, a disparate group of teen girls — a brand-new set of Little Liars — find themselves tormented by an unknown Assailant and made to pay for the secret sin committed by their parents two decades ago…as well as their own. In the dark, coming-of-age, horror-tinged drama PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: ORIGINAL SIN, we find ourselves miles away from Rosewood, but within the existing Pretty Little Liars universe — in a brand-new town, with a new generation of Little Liars.”
The series stars Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Malia Pyles, and Maia Reficco as the new generation of Liars with Mallory Bechtel, Sharon Leal, Elena Goode, Lea Salonga, Eric Johnson, and Alex Aiono also attached to the project.
The first three episodes of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin drop Thursday, July 28 on HBO Max with two new episodes each on August 4 and 11. The final three episodes will premiere August 18, so hopefully, with little time between the episodes, there won’t be much to drag out yet still just enough time to theorize over who could possibly be A once again.
In the meantime, you can return to Rosewood with all seven seasons of Pretty Little Liars streaming on HBO Max to get you all set. Stay tuned to Nerds and Beyond for more news!
The animated feature directed by renowned anime creator Kenji Kamiyama will take place 183 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring when the Dunlending lord Wulf sets himself on a quest for vengeance against the people of Rohan for his father’s death. In their last stand, the people of Rohan flee to the Hornburg, a fortress later to be known as Helm’s Deep, where Hera, daughter of the King of Rohan Helm Hammerhand, will lead a resistance against Wulf and his forces.
Otto will serve as narrator of Helm’s tale. Also joining the English-speaking voice cast will be Succession‘s Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand, Gaia Wise as Hammerhand’s daughter, Hera, and Luke Pasqualinoi as Dunledning chieftain Wulf along with Lorraine Ashbourne, Yazdan Qafouri, Benjamin Wainwright, Laurence Ubong Williams, Shaun Dooley, Michael Wildman, Jude Akuwudike, Bilal Hasna, and Janine Duvitski.
The plot serves as an interesting parallel to Éowyn’s tale where she took down the great Witch-king of Angmar on the fields of Minas Tirith along with the iconic line “I am no man.” The woman of Rohan are clearly forces to be reckoned with.
Stay tuned for more news as it emerges! It is currently set to release on April 12, 2024.
Following Funko’s announcement that Pop!s are finally on the way for Jujutsu Kaisen, a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive figure has been revealed.
The limited edition figure for the upcoming convention features the series’ lead character, Yuji Itadori, holding the cursed tool Slaughter Demon (which was lent to him by Satoru Gojo during his first field test, though it originally belonged to Maki Zenin).
Jujutsu Kaisen is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Gege Akutami, which follows the story of high schooler Yuji Itadori. When Itadori swallows the finger of Ryomen Sukuna — the King of Curses — he finds himself entangled within a secret organization of sorcerers fighting to rid the world of its dangerous, malignant curses. The series was adapted into an anime that premiered in 2020, and the prequel film Jujutsu Kaisen 0 landed in theaters earlier this year.
Season 1 of Jujutsu Kaisen is now streaming on Crunchyroll. A second season is on the way, slated for a 2023 premiere date. A stage play adaptation will be happening in Japan this summer.
This year’s San Diego Comic-Con will take place July 21-24 at the San Diego Convention Center in California. Follow Funko on Twitter for announcements on more convention exclusives!
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