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Fan Favourite Sci-Fi Story Is Officially Getting The Adaptation It Deserves
Summary
- Collider’s Steve Weintraub talks with writer-director Duncan Jones for Rogue Trooper which is an adaptation of 2000 AD’s 1981 comic strip.
- At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Jones celebrated the world premiere of his comic strip adaptation film, over a decade in the making.
- He discusses using Unreal Engine 5, maintaining the source’s political edge, working with an ensemble of comedians, and more.
Filmmaker Duncan Jones (Moon) has four feature films under his belt, but for well over a decade, he’s been chasing his directorial white whale: an adaptation of 2000 AD’s 1981 comic strip Rogue Trooper. While talking with Collider’s Steve Weintraub at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where his longtime dream finally celebrated its world premiere, Jones explains that despite his affinity for Hollywood’s greatest World War II epics, it was the core group of buddies at the heart of the UK comic that inspired him most.
Rogue Trooper is a gritty sci-fi behemoth that Jones deftly adapted for screen from Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons’s original story, opting for Unreal Engine 5-powered animation to capture the futuristic war between the Norts and Southers. The movie follows Rogue (Aneurin Barnard) as he traverses enemy territory during a secret military operation, accompanied only by the biochips of his former pals, Gunnar (Jack Lowden), Helm (Daryl McCormack), and Bagman (Reece Shearsmith). The movie also enlists the talents of comedians like Jemaine Clement, Matt Berry, Diane Morgan, Al Murray, and Henning Wehn, plus stars like Game of Thrones icon Sean Bean and MCU favorite Hayley Atwell as the treacherous Venus Bluegenes.
“There’s a couple of little Easter eggs in there for the fans of the comic book,” Jones teases, but for the uninitiated, he adds, “Really, for an audience who doesn’t know about the biochips, it’s really making sure that they understand that the chips are in people’s heads, that their personalities, the people that they are, are recorded on those chips when they die.”
In their recent conversation, which you can read below, Jones further explains the lore and the themes he wanted to capture in his long-gestating adaptation. He discusses the full animation process and why their team had to shift from fully animating with Unreal Engine, tackling a massive world build through independent animation, without Disney-sized finances, and what about 2000 AD’s comic sources inspired him over the box office-busting Marvel or DC. Jones also addresses Rogue Trooper’s distinctly British aesthetic, how the “amazing comedians” in the cast helped shape the final film, adhering to 2000 AD’s political edge, the inspiration of WWII classics like A Bridge Too Far and more, working with Bear McCreary (Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead) on the score, and paying tribute to the creatives behind the original comic.
How ‘Rogue Trooper’ Was Made Using Unreal Engine 5 (Sort of)
“We didn’t know how the film was going to get made when we started.”
COLLIDER: How did you make this movie using only Unreal Engine 5?
DUNCAN JONES: [Laughs] We didn’t. We started that way. We thought we were going to be able to do that, and about two and a half years in, we realized that it’s not ready yet. So we actually took it out of Unreal 5 and ended up using Maya and some other software, and then we reimported it back at the end to basically do our rendering through path tracing.
Pipeline-wise, we didn’t know how the film was going to get made when we started. We thought we had a plan, but it didn’t quite work out, and that’s one of the reasons the film took four years. We were kind of working it out as we went along. It was maybe a little crazy of us to go ahead when we didn’t really know how we were going to do it, and we didn’t know what the film was going to look like by the end of it.
We knew what we wanted. There was this amazing comic that Dave Gibbons did with Will Simpson called War Machine, and we knew we wanted it to look something like that. Lots of beautiful rendered fog and a watercolor kind of feel to it. I mean, you would attest that that’s kind of how it looks?
100%.
JONES: That’s what we were going for, but we didn’t know how we were going to get there, and that’s why it took so long. One of the reasons.
For people who want to do something like this in the future, what’s the big lesson you learned?
JONES: Well, first of all, that it’s possible and that you can make big-world movies in independent cinema now, I believe. You need to get the expertise around you. The technology is moving so fast, and I’m sure you’ve heard me say this before, but there is no AI in this movie. We didn’t want AI. You can still do this without using AI. You can make an independent movie that looks like this without AI. It’s really just a matter of finding the combination of technologies to get you that.
I don’t want you to tell me, and I have no business knowing, but a lot of people are wondering, like, what did this actually cost? Is this something that a real indie can do? I’m sure a lot of people are wondering, “Can I actually do this?”
JONES: I’ll just put it this way, I don’t know any theatrical animated films that have been made at this budget.
‘Rogue Trooper’ Isn’t Working With a Disney-Sized Budget
“It’s a very British film, as well.”
When we talk about Pixar or Disney, those people are spending over $100 million.
JONES: We’re not talking about that. Even independent films, animated films that have gone to theaters, I’m sure there are others, but it really hits over its cost.
Absolutely. You world premiered here at Annecy, which is amazing, but how many times have you screened for studios and people? Was it like, “Let’s show here and see how it goes?” Because it’s a big decision to world premiere somewhere.
JONES: We did some test screenings, but it was a while ago, and that was still while we were in the editing room. But no, this was a proper first time in front of a real audience. We were proud of the film. We felt confident. I’ve been working with the guys at 2000 AD, and we’ve been working for such a long time refining it the best way we could, and we just wanted to put it in front of an audience. We felt confident. We felt like we had something.
Sometimes, the distribution plan can be a big question mark.
JONES: It is a big question. Look, it’s a very British film, as well. One of the reasons we wanted to come to Annecy in particular is that we feel confident that it is going to work with a British audience, but is it a British film that only British people will get, or is it like Shaun of the Dead, where audiences beyond that will appreciate it? That’s what we wanted to see. That’s why we wanted to come here.
This is a 2000 AD property with a very specific British sci-fi attitude. What was the most important piece of that 2000 AD DNA to preserve?
JONES: Not being afraid of being a little bit political. 2008 AD comic book has always worn its politics and its cynical humor on its shoulder, and that’s one of the things, to me at least, that differentiates it a little bit from DC and Marvel. I mean, they have those things, but I think 2000 AD does it in a very British way. It’s very Python-esque in some ways. There’s a cynicism in 2000 AD, which is maybe not as… You know what? I’m talking out of my knowledge because I don’t know DC and Marvel as well as I know 2000 AD, but I know what I wanted to capture in 2000 AD again, and it’s that it’s being funny, being acerbic, and being a little bit political at the same time.
As someone who’s watched all the Marvel and DC movies, they are not doing what this movie is doing and what they’re addressing. I will say that Thunderbolts*, which is a recent film, really addressed mental health in a way that I’ve never seen a comic book movie do, and it really impressed me what they pulled off, but that is a rarity, and it’s not about politics.
JONES: I understand, and those are big studio films. Again, one of the other benefits of being indie is that you can kind of just say what you want to say and do what you want to do.
Rogue is on a revenge mission, but the story also has a lot to say about soldiers being manufactured, used, and discarded. How political did you want the movie to feel?
JONES: The timing of everything was unplanned. I’ve been working on it for a long time, and it synced up that we started production roughly the same time as the SMO in Ukraine began. So we’ve been making the movie while watching the horrors of what’s been going on out there. I don’t know if you know much about what I do online, but I’ve been keeping in contact with a lot of people out there and trying to understand what’s been going on and how they’re getting through it in Ukraine. In my own small way, I’ve been trying to say, “Okay, what can I learn from your experiences that you feel would be helpful to communicating what we’ve done?”
I am so pro-Ukraine. Also, I’m blown away by the way they have taken drone technology to a level that no military command person on the planet, even with the biggest military, has even fathomed. They are revolutionizing warfare.
JONES: There’s a lot of rethinking that has to go on about what asymmetry has brought to modern superpowers, how they’re going to have to rethink what they do. I think sovereignty of smaller nations is in a different place now than it was four years ago.
Absolutely. There’s a lot of world-building baked into Rogue Trooper — Nu-Earth, the Norts, the Southers, and genetic infantry biochips. What was the hardest thing to explain elegantly without stopping the movie cold?
JONES: I think it was the biochips. We hit it a few times, and hopefully, each time that we do hit it, we add just a little bit more information. The key is to try and keep those moments action and entertaining, as well as you learning something. So, there’s a couple of little Easter eggs in there for the fans of the comic book, but really, for an audience who doesn’t know about the biochips, it’s really making sure that they understand that the chips are in people’s heads, that their personalities, the people that they are, are recorded on those chips when they die, and then obviously that they can be brought out and put in the equipment and stored until they can be put into a real body later on. That becomes the ticking clock for us with the chips, which are traveling in Gunnar and Helm and Bagman.
WW2 Classics Like ‘The Dirty Dozen’ Were a Major Influence on ‘Rogue Trooper’
Duncan Jones also praises Bear McCreary’s original score.
I love Bear McCreary’s soundtrack.
JONES: Oh, me too! That was so much fun.
What did his music unlock in the movie that you weren’t expecting?
JONES: Well, I knew that it was going to be great. Because of the weight of what we had talked about, we really wanted to tap into those old World War II movies that I’m kind of nostalgic about, whether it’s A Bridge Too Far, The Dirty Dozen, or Where Eagles Dare. Those were the things we were listening to. I had a few of those as a temp score in the film, and Bear immediately got it. He’s fantastic, and it was amazing to work with him. As soon as we started talking about having a march and using bagpipes and writing lyrics that were as in character with the movie as the story itself, we just had the best time.
The movie’s about two hours. With the process that you did, how exponential is every extra minute in terms of cost, or once you’ve refined this process, was it like, “If we want to do 100 minutes or 120, it’s not that different?”
JONES: For finished film, you’re using more resources than the rough cut, the animatic. Those things, you can have a two and half-hour movie or a 90-minute movie. At the animatic stage, it’s not that much of a problem. We actually ended up taking about nine months to make our animatic, but that wasn’t really because of resource hogging. It was really just working out the story as we went along. I guess it’s a little bit like what Pixar and those people do, is you keep refining and doing new versions of it as you see the finished movie in front of you, and you start realizing where it’s a little bit heavy or where it doesn’t quite work, and you’re able to keep iterating on it.
But isn’t that also because once you start animating, if you will, that’s where the cost is? When you’re doing animatics for those nine months, isn’t the cost minimal, or is it still expensive?
JONES: No, it is minimal. It is minimal, but the interesting thing is, because we use a lot of mocap, there’s a lot of hand animation, as well, but you can do rough hand animation. It only really becomes time-intensive in this experience when you start refining the animation. So, it’s those last passes of iteration where you’re getting it to finished quality. That takes up a lot of time and resources. But you can iterate and have characters moving and get the basic movements down, and that doesn’t really eat up resources in the same way as the finishing off of the film. You just want to know that you’ve done, and then you do your refining.
You’ve wanted to make this for a very long time, and you’ve talked about it for almost 10 years.
JONES: [Laughs] I think we’ve talked about.
It’s possible. What was it about this material that has kept you so passionate for so long?
JONES: Well, the crazy thing is, it wasn’t even the fact that it was a war movie, or that it was even necessarily 2000 AD. I always loved the group of buddies traveling together part of it, between Rogue, Bagman, Helm, and Gunnar. I loved it. It was a road trip movie in some respects. I always thought that the banter and the reliance that these three guys had on Rogue to get them home was just a wonderful setup for a story.
One of the things that really impressed me about the film is that you used actual comic panels at the beginning and at the end. It’s a love letter to the comic, and I don’t think I’ve seen another comic book movie that really embraces comic book frames in the movie. Is it hard to get permission to put the panels on the screen, and why was that so important to you?
JONES: We were lucky enough to show Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons the movie a couple of weeks ago, and they immediately appreciated the fact that we start our movie with the panels they started the comic book with. We didn’t know exactly what we were going to do at the start of the movie, but as soon as that idea came to me, it just felt so right.
We literally start with the first three panels of the comic book. That’s how we start our movie. Then, when we did that, we started thinking about how we’d like to end the movie, and obviously, this very iconic, massive tank that we start the film with is also at the end of the movie, so the opportunity to do that as a comic panel — that’s not from the comic. That’s one that we had one of the artists who does work in 2000 AD and has done Rogue work, he came in and did this bespoke ending comic panel for us to end the movie.
That’s fantastic. Something else I want to commend you on is that in the credits, you mentioned all the people who worked on the comic. No disrespect to Marvel and DC, but it’s almost like they’ve been forced to mention Bob Kane, or they’ve been forced to mention some of these creators.
JONES: Why wouldn’t you want to mention them?
It’s because of money, attrition, or residuals. Who knows? But all of this stems from these people. It’s their ideas.
JONES: Yeah. We’ve got Gerry and Dave’s credit right up front, the beginning of the movie. That’s how we start.
Edgar Wright’s ‘The Running Man’ Played a Surprising Role in Duncan Jones’ Acclaimed Sci-Fi Feature
“I stole that.”
I give you credit because you have all the people. There’s a huge number of people thanked in the credits. Again, why was that important?
JONES: Well, it was important because they made the damn thing! [Laughs] And secondly, I love the graphic design of the end credits, the end roller. I stole that. I stole that idea. I had seen Edgar [Wright]’s most recent movie, The Running Man, and The Running Man credits were beautiful. The end credits, the end roller on Running Man, were beautiful, and I just said, “Who did that? Who did that?” And I worked with the same artist to do ours, and he was amazing. So, the people who made Rogue Trooper deserve to have their credit, and then we had beautiful credits, so I was like, “Put everyone in there!”
You start the movie with a little bit of what’s going on, and then you’re thrown into the action with Genetic Infantryman. How did you decide where to start the beginning of the movie, and did you ever have a version that explained the differences between the sides more?
JONES: It’s always such a balancing act with science fiction conceits, as to how much do you have to explain? How much time do you want to spend explaining it? We went through all sorts of different permutations early on. So yeah, there were some scenes that we played around with. It was just too clunky. I went even more [Paul] Verhoeven at the beginning. It was much more setting up the war, setting up the grunts on the ground, and doing all that kind of stuff. I was like, “This is a lot of starts before we actually start the movie. I don’t think we need to explain all of this.” I think the way we’ve structured how the G.I.s find out where they are, we can learn all the stuff that we need the audience to learn. So, we trimmed off a lot of that, and I think it was the right move.
I believe that this is your first time co-writing a song.
JONES: I guess technically, yeah.
You co-wrote the Rogue Trooper march, and it’s a good song.
JONES: I’m not taking credit for that. I wrote a few lyrics just because I wanted to make sure it felt like 2000 AD, but that’s not writing a song. Not in my mind. I wrote a few couplets. [Laughs]
I did just want to mention that you did co-write a song, and it’s good. It’s really selling the troops.
JONES: I love it. I love what they did, and it’s freaking contagious.
I can hear the song in my head.
JONES: I’ll tell you what I did, and you’ll probably recognize this: I gave very specific notes on what I wanted “I Am the One and Only” to sound like at the end of the movie. The Flash Gordon ending music, the big Queen ending there, I was like, “We’ve got to do that, or we’ve got to use ‘I Am the One and Only.’ I need a big guitar solo. I need a screaming performance of the song at the end, and we’ve got to start with the chorus, not the way the song originally begins.” So that one, I feel like, I had more notes on that than what I did on the march.
This movie feels like a movie without studio notes. It really feels like you’re getting your brain on screen. Did you have a lot of notes to deal with, or did you have incredible creative freedom?
JONES: I did have incredible creative freedom. I did work very, very closely with Jason and Chris [Kingsley] at 2008 AD, at Rebellion, to basically make sure that they were happy both with what I wanted to do and also all of the improv that came into the film. Obviously, we were working with these amazing comedians, so there’s no point having amazing comedians come in and think that they’re going to deliver your lines, and that’s going to be the best option.
So they came in, they watched the animatic, they read the lines, they said, “Okay, I see what you want to do. I see what you need to get out of this scene,” and then they ran with it. So, Matt Berry, Jermaine Clement, they come in, they do their own version of what they want to do, we’re laughing our asses off, and adding bits into the project that weren’t even planned on being there just because they’re making us laugh. I mean, how much fun is that? I had them coming in, I had Diane Morgan coming in, I had Al Murray and Henning Wehn coming in. All of these comedians. Like every two days, there were new comedians coming in. It was amazing. It was like being at a comedy festival was what the shoot was like.
Rogue Trooper does not have an official release date yet. Keep an eye on Collider for more updates!
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Duncan Jones
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Duncan Jones
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The Valley, Season 3 – Reunion Part 1 (Bravo)
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We Are Pat
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August 2: WNBA – Los Angeles Sparks vs. Portland Fire
August 3: WNBA – Seattle Storm vs. New York Liberty
August 9: WNBA – Dallas Wings vs. Minnesota Lynx
August 10: WNBA – Toronto Tempo vs. Atlanta Dream
August 17: WNBA – Dallas Wings vs. Golden State Valkyries
August 23: WNBA – Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky
August 24: WNBA – Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks
Additional sports dates
August 1: IMSA – Porsche Carrera Cup – Road America #2
August 1: 2026 AIG Women’s Open – Round 3
August 1: IMSA – Road America 120
August 1: IMSA – Qualifying – Road America
August 1: Lamborghini Super Trofeo – Road America #2
August 1: USA Swimming Toyota National Championships – Day 5
August 2: IMSA – Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix
August 2: 2026 AIG Women’s Open – Final Round
August 5: World Athletics U20 Champs – Day 1 AM
August 5: World Athletics U20 Champs – Day 1 PM
August 6: World Athletics U20 Champs – Day 2 AM
August 6: World Athletics U20 Champs – Day 2 PM
August 6: NFL – HOF Game: Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers
August 6: U.S. Gymnastics Champs – Senior Men Day 1
August 7: World Athletics U20 Champs – Day 3 AM
August 7: World Athletics U20 Champs – Day 3 PM
August 7: U.S. Gymnastics Champs – Senior Women Day 1
August 8: World Athletics U20 Champs – Day 4 AM
August 8: World Athletics U20 Champs – Day 4 PM
August 8: U.S. Gymnastics Champs – Senior Men Day 2
August 9: World Athletics U20 Champs – Day 5
August 9: U.S. Gymnastics Champs – Senior Women Day 2
August 12: Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Day 1 (Prelims)
August 12: 2026 U.S. Amateur Golf – Round of 64
August 12: Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Day 1 (Finals)
August 13: Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Day 2 (Prelims)
August 13: 2026 U.S. Amateur Golf – Round of 32
August 13: Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Day 2 (Finals)
August 14: Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships – Individuals All-Around Finals Day 1
August 14: Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Day 3 (Prelims)
August 14: 2026 U.S. Amateur Golf – Quarterfinals
August 14: Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Day 3 (Finals)
August 15: Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships – Groups All-Around DAY 2
August 15: Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Day 4 (Prelims)
August 15: 2026 U.S. Amateur Golf – Semifinals
August 15: Pan Pacific Swimming Championships – Day 4 (Finals)
August 16: Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships – Individuals and Group Apparatus Finals Day 3
August 16: 2026 U.S. Amateur Golf – Championship Match
August 21: Liga MX – Juárez vs. America
August 22: La Vuelta a Espana Stage 1
August 22: IMSA – VP Racing SportsCar Challenge – VIR #2
August 22: IMSA – Ford Mustang Challenge – VIR #1
August 22: IMSA – VP Racing SportsCar Challenge – VIR #1
August 22: IMSA – Virginia Is For Racing Lovers Grand Prix
August 22: IMSA – Qualifying – VIR
August 22: Liga MX – Chivas vs. Tijuana
August 22: Liga MX – Tigres vs. Atlante
August 23: La Vuelta a Espana Stage 2
August 23: IMSA – Ford Mustang Challenge- VIR #2
August 23: IMSA – Michelin GT Challenge at VIR
August 24: La Vuelta a Espana Stage 3
August 25: La Vuelta a Espana Stage 4
August 26: La Vuelta a Espana Stage 5
August 27: La Vuelta a Espana Stage 6
August 27: La Vuelta a Espana Stage 7
August 28: La Vuelta a Espana Stage 8
August 29: Kentucky Downs 2026
August 29: Big Ten Football – San Jose State vs. USC
August 30: La Vuelta a Espana Stage 9
August 30: Purina’s Incredible Dog Challenge 2
August 30: Kentucky Downs 2026
August 30: NFL Special
Same-Day:
TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle, Season 1 (Monday through Friday)
Meet the Press with Kristen Welker (Sunday)
Sunday Today with Willie Geist (Sunday)
TODAY (Monday through Friday)
In February, there’s one comedy show that jumps out as the most intriguing new series of the year. Peacock‘s The ‘Burbs is very loosely based on the 1989 cult comedy classic starring Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher. Keke Palmer headlines the new series, which re-contextualizes the paranoia of The ‘Burbs and expands upon it. Now, […]
Next-Day News (Below are the days episodes come to Peacock):
Dateline (Saturday)
Nightly News with Tom Llamas (Daily)
Noticias Telemundo (Tuesday through Saturday)
Noticias Telemundo En La Noche (Daily)
Noticias Telemundo Fin De Semana (Sundays and Mondays)
Noticias Telemundo Mediodía (Tuesday through Saturday)
Next-Day Talk Shows (Below are the days episodes come to Peacock):
Access Hollywood, Season 30 (Monday through Friday)
The Kelly Clarkson Show, Season 7 (Monday through Friday)
Late Night with Seth Meyers, Season 13 (Tuesday through Friday)
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Season 13 (Tuesday through Friday)
Watch What Happens Live, Season 22 (Monday through Friday)
Netflix has evolved from one of the foremost places to stream studio content to a producer of its own excellent original works. Whether it’s dominating the animated landscape with mega-hits like KPop Demon Hunters or taking over the sci-fi genre with shows like Stranger Things, Netflix is a force to be reckoned with in the battle for new and iconic IPs. One area where the channel is slowly making progress is in the action movie genre.
Gripping plotlines, impressive stunts, and nonstop thrills are all par for the course when it comes to action films. Like children’s and family movies, action films are deceptively difficult to execute well. It is not merely a matter of throwing in an explosion here or adding a few more stunts there. A great action movie needs to feel like an odyssey, a rewarding saga that audiences are allowed to participate in. While Netflix makes strides in almost every genre, its foray into action is steadily rising in both quantity and quality. Here are Netflix’s best original action movies so far.
‘Carry-On’ (2024)
Whether or not Carry-On can be called a Christmas movie is up for debate in the same vein as the ongoing Die Hard debate. Taron Egerton stars as Ethan Kopek, a TSA agent working on one of the busiest travel days of the year, Christmas Eve. As if his workday wasn’t stressed enough, Ethan soon has an unknown hijacker talking to him through an earpiece, threatening his coworkers and loved ones if he does not let a suspicious package go through the safety check and onto a plane.
Carry-On is full of suspense. Its realistic and close-to-home setting ramps up the stakes and makes it instantly gripping. Egerton is phenomenal in the movie and carries the focus well. Jason Bateman is brilliant as the cold, calculating, and methodical Traveler. Carry-On makes a good watch any time of the year, but especially for action fans who want a little mayhem in their holiday movies.
‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ (2021)
If you were to combine the maternal feelings and chaotic felicity of Everything Everywhere All at Once with the fast-paced fight scenes of John Wick, you would get Gunpowder Milkshake. Karen Gillan stars as Sam, an assassin who is used to kicking ass and taking names, who gets saddled with an eight-year-old girl named Emily (Chloe Coleman) who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Gunpowder Milkshake is packed with talent, including Everything Everywhere All at Once‘s Michelle Yeoh. Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Angela Bassett, and Paul Giamatti are also part of the extremely gifted cast.
Gunpowder Milkshake is refreshingly original and one of the best female-led action movies of the 21st century. There are gorgeous slow-motion sequences that make the visceral visually stunning. Released during the height of the COVID pandemic, Gunpowder Milkshake didn’t receive the attention it deserved. The blend of distinctly feminine elements and gritty action tropes is brilliant, and if you haven’t checked out this absolute triumph yet, this is your sign.
‘Damsel’ (2024)
From facing monsters in titles like Stranger Things and Godzilla: King of the Monsters to solving mysteries in the popular Enola Holmes trilogy, there is nothing Millie Bobby Brown can’t do. One of her most epic action movies yet is the 2024 dark fantasy Damsel. In Damsel, Brown stars as Elodie, a young woman who thinks her dreams are about to come true when she is wedded to the young and eligible Prince Henry (Nick Robinson). However, there are darker circumstances and deeper motives at play, and immediately after saying her vows, Elodie is tossed into a deep cavern where a dangerous dragon lives.
Damsel is a fantastic flip on the fairytale genre. It takes back the ground used as an all-too-often trope of sacrificing the lives of innocent young women as a means to an end. Brown proves in Damsel why she is one of the foremost action stars of the day, and the performances given by Robin Wright, Angela Bassett, and the rest of the cast are equally dedicated and captivating. Shohreh Aghdashloo is irreplaceable as the voice of the dragon. The writing in Damsel lifts the character of the dragon off the page and, much like the damsel herself, she isn’t relegated to merely being a plot device, but is in fact an important part of the story.
‘Day Shift’ (2022)
In a world where vampire hunting is a money-making enterprise, Bud Jablonski (Jamie Foxx) goes on an all-out killing spree trying to make money fast so his ex-wife doesn’t relocate with his daughter. Day Shift is a gory, nonstop horror-meets-action banger. As the movie makes note, this is nowhere near Twilight. In Day Shift, vampires are soulless, blood-sucking villains, and the hunters like Bud are there to “cut necks and cash checks.”
Foxx is, as always, brilliant, and his odd couple dynamic with Dave Franco as Seth makes for a highly entertaining movie. Day Shift is a perfect choice for dark fantasy-action fans and puts viewers in the mind of films like Blade and Daybreakers. The comedic elements lift the overall tone of the film and keep it from being a straight horror. There have been whispers about a possible Day Shift sequel in the future, and Franco has said he would be up for it and would love to work with Foxx again.
‘Ultraman: Rising’ (2024)
Ultraman: Rising is an awesome Netflix original action movie that the whole family can enjoy. It is one of the best animated movies of the past five years and packs a whole lot of punch and heart. The story revolves around protagonist Ken Sato (Christopher Sean), a famous baseball player who returns to Japan after having a successful life and career overseas. Ken’s return to Japan carries the emotional weight of taking over the Ultraman mantle from his father, a source of deep contention between them, and his relocation is made even more complicated when he takes in a baby Kaiju that has lost its mother.
Ultraman: Rising is the latest in a solid canon that has included everything from anime to TV shows. It feels like a capsule story within the Ultraman franchise, and you don’t have to be familiar with any of the other projects to enjoy this spectacular standalone film. Ultraman: Rising has action scenes with superhero themes and a touching undercurrent about family and parenting. The baby Kaiju is absolutely adorable, and watching Ken bond with her makes the movie highly rewarding. If you want a fun action-packed movie with a good story that everyone can watch together, Ultraman: Rising is your next watch.
‘Space Sweepers’ (2021)
Set in the future, Space Sweepers follows a misfit crew of scavengers who stumble upon a highly advanced android child. Those onboard The Victory face a crisis of conscience and have to decide whether to turn the robot Dorothy (Park Ye-rin) in for money, or keep her safe. The cast is spot-on, and Space Sweepers delivers one of the more interesting and introspective performances about an android with the identity journey of Bubs (Yoo Hae-jin and Kim Hyang-gi).
Netflix is known for its excellent selection of South Korean TV shows and movies, and Space Sweepers is no exception. It has the ensemble movie format down to an art. Each character is interesting on their own, and the group as a whole is dynamic to watch. Netflix offers an English dub of the movie and subtitles. Space Sweepers is an interesting and enthusiastic fan-favorite that could be poised to reach cult status as time goes on.
‘Enola Holmes 2’ (2022)
Taking after her older brother, the famed detective Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill), Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) has a keen mind for solving mysteries. Instructed by her mother, Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter), to be cunning and independent, Enola is a leading lady like none other in the Victorian era. Headstrong, fiercely loyal, and abounding with tenacity, Enola tackles cases that get dismissed by other detectives.
The second movie in the trilogy, Enola Holmes 2, is the best of the canon. The romance, action, and intrigue are all dialed up to 11, and the introduction of Moriarty (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) as a villain is excellent. Enola Holmes 2 offers some interesting insights into social and gender issues of the era and is a great watch for fans of period murder mysteries.
‘The Gray Man’ (2022)
Directed by The Russo Brothers, The Gray Man stars Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans as combatants. In the movie, Gosling plays Six, a CIA agent with virtually no identity. Evans plays Lloyd, a psychotic hitman who puts a bounty on Six’s head, ensuring that everyone, not only himself, will be trying to end him. It becomes an all-out brawl as multiple agents and assassins get involved, and The Gray Man is full of excitement.
The Gray Man is a divisive movie. It has an abysmal critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, but an audience approval rating of 90%. It seems as though viewers either love or hate this original action movie. While The Gray Man is no Avengers, it has exhilarating action scenes, solid fight sequences, and watching Evans play a villain in an action movie after his long stint as Captain America in the MCU is refreshing. Although there were talks about a possible sequel to The Gray Man, the project has been put on hold for the time being.
‘Vampires vs. the Bronx’ (2020)
Bringing some fresh blood (pun intended) to the vampire genre is the dark comedy Vampires vs. the Bronx. In the movie, three young friends notice a strange influx of people to their neighborhood who act out of the ordinary, right as a bunch of locals go missing. When Miguel (Jaden Michael), Bobby (Gerald Jones), and Luis (Gregory Diaz IV) investigate, they find out that the newcomers are actually vampires.
Vampires vs. the Bronx is a funny and bloody action movie. It has a distinct energy and grit to the mise en scène and the storyline emphasizes the importance of a local community. All of the cast are brilliant, and fans of shows like Stranger Things and Buffy the Vampire Slayer need to add this Netflix original to their watchlist.
Vampires vs. the Bronx has a direct contradiction of Rotten Tomatoes scores compared to The Gray Man. It ranks incredibly high with critics, but very low with audience votes. This makes it another movie you have to see for yourself to decide. Movies like Vampires vs. the Bronx and The Gray Man prove that action fans are a highly discerning crowd, and they can’t be swayed by critics’ votes, one way or the other.
Vampires Vs the Bronx
- Release Date
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October 2, 2020
- Runtime
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85 minutes
- Director
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Osmany Rodriguez
- Writers
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Blaise Hemingway, Osmany Rodriguez
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EW checks in with some of the network’s most memorable faces — from Nina Blackwood to Vanessa Lachey — to see where they landed after signing off from MTV.
Hilaria Baldwin opened up about being misunderstood by the public ever since she got married to husband Alec Baldwin.
“I’ve been trying to clear up misconceptions — it is like I’m the best cleaner in the world — since I met my husband and I entered the public world,” Hilaria, 42, exclusively told Us while promoting Fox’s new show Nation’s Dumbest.
The experience taught Hilaria an important lesson.
“This is what you do. Stop proving things. Just be who you are. The right people are going to see you. And the people who are not going to see you, they didn’t want to anyway,” she noted. “There’s nothing you can do to change that because that’s on them.”
Hilaria continued: “What they’re seeing is actually their own reflection. So at this point, it is what it is. I am who I am. I’m going to forget things. I’m going to know things. I’m not going to know other things. And maybe we’re all surprised — including me — about some of the things that I can somehow pull out of my mind.”
Alec, 68, and Hilaria tied the knot in 2012. They have since welcomed seven children: Carmen Gabriela, 12, Rafael Thomas, 11, Leonardo Ángel Charles, 9, Romeo Alejandro David, 8, Eduardo “Edu” Pao Lucas, 5, María Lucía Victoria, 5, and Ilaria Catalina Irena, 3.
After being thrust into the public eye, Hilaria has gotten to show her authentic self in projects such as Dancing With the Stars, The Baldwins and now Nation’s Dumbest.
“I have moments where I’ll have conversations with myself and I’m like, ‘Hilaria, what’s wrong with you? Why do you put yourself in these situations?’ And I think it is curiosity and that I do believe that people are inherently good,” she said about remaining in the spotlight despite online negativity. “And I do believe that even though the negative can feel loud, there’s so much more good.”
Who says true love doesn’t exist on reality TV? While it seems to be a trend that many marriages on reality TV end in divorce, there are still some reality TV couples out there beating the odds. Big Brother‘s Nicole Franzel and Victor Arroyo met while filming season 18 of Big Brother in 2016. The timing […]
Hilaria has prioritized working on herself, adding, “I want to be a better person every day. And when I put myself in these experiences, I grow and I learn and I think I make myself a better person. Can I be dramatic sometimes? 100 percent. Will I do it again? Yes, I will be dramatic again. But at the same time, I am somebody where I wear my heart on my sleeve. You only live once, you might as well make it count.”
While speaking with Us, Hilaria admitted that she has still faced challenges — including with Nation’s Dumbest.
“I was a student that had to work really hard [when I was in school]. So I have ADHD and dyslexia and I was very ashamed of this at different times,” she recalled. “I wasn’t the most social person and I would just have to work much harder than the average person. Doing a show like this was a little scary for me, to be honest, because I think that I’ve grown so much. But I definitely had my moments where I’m like, ‘Oh no, all the trauma’s coming back.’”
Nation’s Dumbest airs on Fox Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
Bailey Zimmerman is addressing fans’ concerns after abruptly canceling his upcoming United Kingdom and European tour dates because of an unspecified family matter. The country music star previously announced that he would step away from touring following his scheduled North American concerts in August, giving him time to focus on himself, his loved ones and new music. The unexpected cancellations came shortly after Zimmerman’s legal ordeal involving an incident at Sandia Resort & Casino reached a resolution. Zimmerman has now shared an update about his family while responding to the supportive messages he received after making the difficult announcement.
The country singer took to Instagram Stories with a reassuring update, confirming that his family is safe while thanking supporters for their concern. “To put everybody at ease… my family is all good! Like I said just gotta take care of some things [red heart emoji],” Zimmerman wrote over a selfie. “Thank y’all for all the messages and the love! It means so much [red heart emoji].”
Zimmerman’s follow-up appears intended to address questions sparked by his original announcement, which did not explain the nature of the family matter. While the musician made it clear that everything is okay, he did not elaborate on what currently requires his attention.
The update comes after The Blast reported that Zimmerman was putting part of his touring schedule on hold to prioritize his family.
Country Star Will Still Perform In North America
In his initial announcement, the country star acknowledged that fans had been waiting for the overseas concerts and admitted that canceling them had been a difficult decision. “This was not an easy decision and it kills me to have to cancel because I know how excited everyone is… but right now I need to take this time to focus on important family matters,” he wrote. “Everything is okay, it’s just my family needs my attention and that’s what I’ve gotta do,” he wrote.
Although Zimmerman has canceled his UK and European dates, his currently scheduled North American performances in August are still expected to proceed. After completing those shows, the singer plans to step away from the road for additional time while focusing on himself, his family and new music.
He closed the original message by acknowledging the fans who have supported him through changes in both his personal and professional life. “Thank you for having my back on this crazy ride we call life,” Zimmerman wrote, adding a red heart emoji.
Tour Pause Follows Zimmerman’s Recent Legal Ordeal
Zimmerman’s decision to scale back his touring schedule follows the recent resolution of a separate legal matter involving Sandia Resort & Casino in New Mexico.
The country singer was charged with felony criminal damage to property exceeding $1,000 and misdemeanor falsely obtaining services. The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office later dismissed both counts after he paid the resort the full amount of restitution.
Court documents claim the May incident unfolded before Zimmerman’s scheduled concert, beginning with an allegedly chaotic soundcheck. According to investigators, the singer appeared intoxicated, damaged a guitar, tossed a microphone, kicked cymbals, pushed a member of his band and spat toward a resort security officer.
The performance was subsequently called off, and Zimmerman’s party was reportedly instructed to leave the property. Staff later found damage inside his hotel room that was estimated at roughly $16,000, including broken furniture, damaged electronics, holes in the walls and stained carpeting. Investigators further accused Zimmerman of leaving behind more than $400 in unpaid alcohol expenses.
Zimmerman has said his newly announced break is related to family matters and has given no indication that the decision has any connection to the now-dismissed criminal case.
Bailey Zimmerman Previously Accepted Responsibility
After details of the New Mexico incident became public, Zimmerman apologized to the Pueblo of Sandia, the resort and the fans who had expected to see him perform. “I want to address the events surrounding my canceled show in New Mexico in May and the reports that have followed,” he said.
“First things first, I want to apologize to the Pueblo of Sandia and to everyone at Sandia Resort & Casino,” the country music star added. “I never meant for any of this to come across as disrespectful. I am deeply sorry for my actions that transpired.”
Zimmerman also emphasized that he accepted responsibility for what happened. “I respect your community and the hospitality, and appreciate the opportunity that was given to me to perform on Native Land. I take full accountability for everything that happened, and I am sorry to anyone who feels hurt or disrespected,” he said.
Bailey Zimmerman Prioritizes Loved Ones After Apologizing To Fans
He separately apologized to ticket holders, telling them, “To my fans who bought tickets and showed up expecting a performance, I am so sorry, you deserved better from me.”
For now, Zimmerman is keeping the details of his family situation private, but his latest update makes one point clear: his loved ones are okay, and he is taking the time needed to care for them.
Ariana Grande’s new “Petal” music video has ignited a heated conversation about the singer’s appearance, with Meghan McCain joining social media users expressing concern about her health. The video arrived alongside Grande’s eighth studio album, “Petal,” on July 31. While fans have praised the project’s music and visuals, others have focused on the 33-year-old singer’s slender frame.
Grande has not indicated that she is experiencing a health issue, and a person’s medical condition cannot be determined from their appearance. The pop star has also repeatedly asked the public to stop speculating about people’s bodies.
McCain weighed in on the discussion through X, where she compared the reaction surrounding Grande to the public scrutiny Amy Winehouse faced before her death in 2011.
“This reminds me of the Amy Winehouse era when it was blatantly obvious something was very wrong, but everyone around her just ignored and enabled it. This is very, VERY sad and she clearly needs help immediately,” McCain wrote.
Grande has not publicly responded to McCain’s post.
Ariana Grande’s Appearance Draws Alarming Reactions
McCain’s remarks added to a conversation already unfolding beneath clips and photographs from the “Petal” video. However, her claim that Grande needs help is based solely on the singer’s appearance and has not been supported by any disclosed medical information.
Several X users made similarly extreme observations about Grande’s body, with some comparing her to late singer Karen Carpenter, who died in 1983 at age 32 following complications connected to anorexia nervosa. One user shared a photograph reportedly taken shortly before her death and wrote, “This is singer Karen Carpenter, a month before she DIED of anorexia at only 32 years old,” they wrote alongside a photo of Carpenter and Grande.
They added, “Ariana looks even thinner. She needs help ASAP. Her team and friends need to organize and act, even if it means postponing tour dates or going on a hiatus.”
There is no publicly disclosed evidence supporting such a conclusion about Grande’s health.
Ariana Grande Previously Addressed Comments About Her Body
This is not the first time Grande’s weight has become the subject of widespread online discussion. During a 2024 interview, the singer became emotional after she was asked how she handles the “overwhelming” pressure women face to maintain a supposedly perfect appearance. “I think that it’s something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you’re experiencing it on,” Grande said in part at the time.
She described unsolicited remarks about another person’s weight as “uncomfortable” and “horrible,” explaining that such comments can be damaging regardless of whether they are presented as criticism, concern or praise. “Even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner, and someone’s granny says, ‘Oh my God, you look skinnier! What happened?’ or ‘You look heavier! What happened?’” Grande said.
Singer Warned That Appearance Speculation Is ‘Dangerous’
Grande also argued that commenting on people’s bodies has become far too normalized, particularly on social media. “I think in today’s society, there is a comfortability that we shouldn’t have at all, commenting on others’ looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes or health or how they present themselves,” she said.
“From what you’re wearing to your body to your face to your everything, there’s a comfortability that people have commenting on that that I think is really dangerous,” Grande shared.
Grande resurfaced the interview in November after body scrutiny surrounding her continued online. “Resharing this from last year, as a loving reminder to all,” she wrote over the clip on Instagram Stories.
In the footage, she acknowledged that “it’s hard to protect yourself from that noise.“
‘Petal’ Video Puts Ariana Grande Back In Control
The discussion surrounding Grande’s appearance risks overshadowing the message of her new video. The audition-themed “Petal” visual reportedly features the singer wielding a garden chainsaw against entertainment executives.
According to Billboard, the imagery serves as a metaphor for Grande reclaiming her narrative and pushing back against those attempting to control her career. That defiant tone reportedly continues throughout the album, which Rolling Stone praised for channeling raw anger into Grande’s latest musical era.
The project has also experienced an immediate commercial response. Songs including “hate that i made you love me” and “stay” entered the top five on Apple Music’s global chart following the album’s release.
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“With great power comes great responsibility.”
Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 6.The fight for the Iron Throne continues in House of the Dragon Season 3. Set about 200 years before Game of Thrones—specifically 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke)—the series chronicles the events that led to the decline of House Targaryen, culminating in the infamous war of succession known as the Dance of the Dragons. What begins as a dispute over the line of succession eventually spirals into one of the bloodiest conflicts in Westerosi history.
Over the course of the series, House of the Dragon begins as an internal conflict over who should inherit the Iron Throne after the death of King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine). Although Viserys names Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy) his heir, her claim is challenged after he marries her closest confidante, Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke), and fathers sons of his own. As each side continues to take the lives of the other’s family members, this family feud erupts into a realm-shattering civil war — pinnacling in the greatest battles of House of the Dragon, ranked.
7
Shipbreaker Bay
Season 1, Episode 10 “The Black Queen”
Shipbreaker Bay proves that bloodshed and family grudges are generational—especially when young royals are involved. Sent as Rhaenyra’s envoy, Prince Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault) arrives at Storm’s End to secure Lord Borros Baratheon’s (Roger Evans) allegiance, only to find Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) already there. Still consumed by the childhood incident that cost him his left eye, Aemond pursues Lucerys through a violent storm atop the colossal Vhagar, while Lucerys flees on his much smaller dragon, Arrax.
The chase is hopelessly one-sided, but Lucerys uses the storm and narrow cliffs to evade the massive Vhagar. Everything unravels when the terrified Arrax disobeys Lucerys and breathes fire at the ancient dragon. Enraged, Vhagar ignores Aemond’s commands and tears Arrax apart with Lucerys still aboard. Horrified by what he has unleashed, Aemond realizes he never intended to kill his nephew. Lucerys’ death becomes the spark that ignites the Targaryen civil war and the infamous vow of vengeance: “An eye for an eye, a son for a son.”
6
Cargyll vs. Cargyll
Season 2, Episode 2 “Rhaenyra the Cruel”
Cargyll vs. Cargyll is one of the most tragic duels in House of the Dragon because it never should have happened. Twin brothers Ser Erryk Cargyll (Elliott Tittensor) serves Queen Rhaenyra, while Ser Arryk Cargyll (Luke Tittensor) remains loyal to King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney). In retaliation for Prince Jaehaerys’ murder, orchestrated by Daemon (Matt Smith), Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) orders Arryk on a near-suicidal mission: infiltrate Dragonstone by impersonating his twin, enter Rhaenyra’s chambers, and assassinate her. Arryk initially refuses, but Criston exploits his sense of duty and shames him into accepting.
By the time Arryk reaches Rhaenyra’s chambers, Erryk arrives to stop him, forcing the brothers into a brutal sword fight. Erryk ultimately kills Arryk, but the grief proves too much. Devastated by the fact that he has slain his own brother, he takes his own life not a second later. The mission ends with no victors, only two needless deaths that accomplish nothing beyond further fueling the war. It also just goes to show Criston’s recklessness, poor strategic vision, and his tendency to act based on past grudges.
5
Fall of King’s Landing
Season 3, Episode 2 “Queen’s Landing”
Although there is not much bloodshed, the Fall of King’s Landing in House of the Dragon proves that strategy can triumph over brute force. When Aemond and Ser Criston Cole leave King’s Landing for Harrenhal with Vhagar, the capital is left heavily unprotected. Meanwhile, Alicent stays behind, already determined to surrender the city to Rhaenyra, even ordering the guards to put down their weapons before Rhaenyra and Daemon arrive on their dragons.
The only major confrontation occurs when Rhaenyra and Daemon encounter Green loyalists, whom Daemon swiftly kills. Even when more troops arrive to challenge them, they are surprised when Daemon’s former City Watch, now known as the Gold Cloaks, turns up to support Rhaenyra’s claim. As for Aemond, although he successfully burns Harrenhal, his victory is short-lived when one of Ser Simon’s sons strikes him through a gap in his armor, leaving him bleeding heavily and injured.
4
Butcher’s Ball
Season 3, Episode 6 “Faceless Men”
The Butcher’s Ball uses such a deceptively simple trap that it’s baffling Criston and the remnants of the Green army fall for it. Stranded in the Riverlands, Criston and his men stumble upon a camp where everyone appears to be dead. As they investigate, the corpses suddenly spring back to life, revealing they had been playing dead as part of a carefully planned ambush. Just when the Greens think they have regained control, they find themselves surrounded by forces led by the young Ser Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) and Ser Garibald Grey (Mark Oldridge).
Realizing death is only moments away, Criston still tries to argue that continuing the battle will only claim more lives. Garibald refuses, reminding him that House Tully has already vowed to build a sept from traitors’ bones. Roddy the Ruin (Tommy Flanagan) declares he would rather die with a sword in hand than surrender. Criston offers single combat, but his request is denied. Instead, Alysanne Blackwood (Annie Shapero) kills him with three arrows, triggering the massacre that follows immediately.
3
The Battle of Rook’s Rest
Season 2, Episode 4 “The Red Queen and the Gold”
The Battle of Rook’s Rest is Season 2’s biggest heartbreak of a battle. With Criston Cole leading 1,400–1,500 troops to surround Rook’s Rest and intimidate Lord Staunton (Michael Elwyn), Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) takes Meleys into battle to defend one of the Blacks’ strongest allies. Even when Aegon joins the fight on Sunfyre, he struggles against Meleys, with Rhaenys steadily gaining the upper hand against the inexperienced king and his younger dragon.
The course of the battle changes instantly when Aemond arrives on Vhagar, blindsiding everyone by unleashing dragonfire on Meleys and Rhaenys—but also on Aegon and Sunfyre, severely burning the king and crashing to the ground. From there, the fight becomes hopelessly one-sided, as Vhagar’s sheer size gives him a decisive advantage over Meleys after a long, hard-fought, yet clearly mismatched battle. Rhaenys, the Queen Who Never Was, dies alongside her dragon, while Aegon’s catastrophic injuries leave him unfit to continue ruling, allowing Aemond to assume power as Prince Regent instead.
2
War for the Stepstones
Season 1, Episode 3 “Second of His Name”
The War for the Stepstones was a conflict over control of the Stepstones, waged by Prince Daemon and Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) against the Triarchy, a confederation of the Free Cities led by the vicious Craghas Drahar (Daniel Scott-Smith). Lasting nine years, the war dragged on largely because of King Viserys’ complacency. Fearful of “ruining the peace,” he refused to intervene and instead focused his attention on his new son from his marriage to Alicent.
Fed up with the Triarchy hiding in the caves and frustrated by his brother’s inaction, Prince Daemon marched into the Stepstones alone carrying a white flag, seemingly signaling his surrender. The ruse lures Crabfeeder and his troops out into the open, only for Caraxes to rain fire down on them while Corlys’ forces charge in to wipe out the remaining soldiers. Amid the chaos, Daemon pursues Crabfeeder into the caves before emerging with his body split in half, bringing the brutal war to an end.
1
The Battle of the Gullet
Season 3, Episode 1 “Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood”
The Battle of the Gullet is arguably House of the Dragon‘s most unforgiving battle to date. First, there’s the factor of it being a naval war, meaning the Blacks and the Triarchy must also contend with Mother Nature as they steer their ships through danger. There’s also the Triarchy’s massive 90-warship fleet, which is divided into two pincers to blind the Velaryon ships by taking advantage of the morning sun’s glare.
But most dangerously, because of the Triarchy’s history with Daemon in Season 1, they now know exactly how to counter dragons. By fashioning heavy scorpion crossbows equipped with grappling hooks, they can bring down even the largest dragons. This weapon ultimately takes down Prince Jacaerys (Harry Collett) and Vermax, with the dragon dying from blood loss while Jacaerys is struck by arrows while struggling in the water. The battle only brings more losses than victories, destroying two wealthy port towns and, more importantly, taking Queen Rhaenyra’s son—a loss that shapes her rule afterward.
House of the Dragon
- Release Date
-
August 21, 2022
- Network
-
HBO
- Showrunner
-
George R.R. Martin
- Directors
-
Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel
-
-
Fabien Frankel
Ser Criston Cole
Two weeks after finishing as runners-up on ‘Love Island USA’ season 8, Carl Schmidt and Aniya Harvey have shared an update on where their relationship stands. During a recent appearance on ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,’ the pair revealed they are not officially boyfriend and girlfriend, despite saying their connection has continued to grow since leaving the villa. Carl also weighed in on the criticism surrounding KC’s comments about Aniya during Casa Amor.
Related: Issa Wrap! ‘Love Island USA’ Star Clarke Carraway Announces Decision To End Relationship With Taylor Williams
Carl & Aniya Share Relationship Update After The Villa
‘Love Island USA’ Season 8 runner-ups, Carl and Aniya, joined winners Trinity and Bruce on a recent episode of ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,’ where the couples reflected on life after the villa. While Trinity and Bruce confirmed they are officially dating, viewers were still curious about where Carl and Aniya stand.
When Andy Cohen asked about their relationship status, Carl said the two are intentionally taking things slow after only knowing each other for a short time.
“No, so we are not officially boyfriend-girlfriend yet,” he said.
Carl explained that because he entered the villa during Casa Amor, the pair only had about two weeks together before the finale.
“I honestly feel after two weeks, the connection has just been really strong, and we just feel really, really happy. We just kind of want to keep rolling that as long as we can,” he added.
Carl Weighs In On KC’s Comments About Aniya
Before finding a connection with Carl, Aniya was originally coupled up with KC. Their relationship unraveled during Casa Amor after KC explored a connection with Tierra, whom he ultimately chose to recouple with. Aniya was left single until Carl returned to the villa following Casa Amor. The two quickly built a connection that carried them to the finale. Tensions between KC and Aniya escalated during the show’s Movie Night episode. Islanders watched clips revealing what their partners had been saying and doing during Casa Amor.
During ‘Watch What Happens Live,’ a fan asked Carl about KC’s comments regarding Aniya. Carl said he would not defend everything KC said, but suggested some of the remarks were likely “boy locker room talk.” He also noted that spending weeks constantly wearing microphones can make Islanders forget they’re being recorded at all times.
Social Media Reacts
Fans quickly flooded social media with reactions after Carl and Aniya’s relationship update.
Instagram user @thereall.lakey wrote, “They only knew each for 2 weeks, that very right to take it slow. Yall don’t know how to date. You have to be in the talking stage getting to know each other first before you get in a relationship. Ain’t nobody finna keep riding into relationships to keep falling out of it!”
Another Instagram user @heavenleighdes wrote, “they be wanting these people to hop in a relationship soon as they meet 😂😂😂😂”
While Instagram user @shadyladytree wrote, “Last night was Carl and Anita’s first time seeing each other since the show ended. They don’t have a relationship 🥴”
Instagram user @luvvaskye wrote, “more like lust island 🙄🙄”
Another Instagram user @asutoras wrote, “no chemistry”
While Instagram user @thehannahmwale wrote, “if they end up like Nic and Olandria imma be disappointed ngl”
Instagram user @tifftiffrk wrote, “Carl Is real ad for everything he said!!! They are taking things slow and also speaking for KC because that’s how men talk when women aren’t around but a lot of ppl don’t realize or think it won’t happen. KC and Anita were not exclusive and both had doubts whether anyone wants to admit it or not! 🤷🏽♀️ kudos to Carl!”
Another Instagram user @acireluv wrote, “Yes 👏🏽 thank you Carl because it wasn’t that deep for a hate train on KC 😭”
While Instagram user @ajaneetimore wrote, “Now this is a PR relationship”
Related: ‘Love Island USA’ Star Nic Vansteenberghe Claps Back As He Breaks His Silence Following Split From Olandria Carthen
What Do You Think Roomies?
Claressa Shields is throwing her support behind ‘Baddies’ star Big Lex ahead of her highly anticipated boxing match against fellow cast member Tesehki. After the undisputed boxing champion shared footage of the pair training together, fans quickly flooded social media with reactions, debating whether Shields’ coaching will be enough to help Big Lex compete with Tesehki.
Related: Not The One! Claressa Shields Sends Heated Message After Interview Had Fans Side-Eyeing (PHOTO)
Claressa Shields Says She’s Riding With The Underdog
The upcoming boxing match between ‘Baddies’ stars Big Lex and Tesehki has become one of the most talked-about storylines among fans, with many eager to see the two settle the long-running debate over who packs the harder punch.
On Friday, July 31, Shields shared a video on Instagram showing Big Lex working through drills, combinations, and footwork inside the boxing ring. Alongside the video, Shields explained why she decided to work with Big Lex despite many fans favoring Tesehki.
“I saw the polls. Majority picked Tesehki to beat Big Lex, so I went with the underdog,” Shields wrote. “I put Big Lex through some hard training and showed her some of my best GWOAT moves. She is ready.”
Shields’ endorsement immediately sparked debate online, with fans weighing in on whether the extra training could change the outcome of the fight.
Social Media Reacts
Fans wasted no time sharing their opinions in The Shade Room Teens’ comment section after Shields revealed she was Team Big Lex.
Instagram user @jakylaaa wrote, “honestly can’t say who gon win this one but I’m here for it !! 🍿🥤☺️”
Another Instagram user @myasiaasimone wrote, “she still can’t fw Tesehki 😂😂😂😂😂”
While Instagram user @gmac4life wrote, “Tesehki Tesehki… the sister of Chrisean Rock ?! She’s teaming for no reason 😂😂😂”
Instagram user @s.sneakyyy wrote, “Claressa just don’t like Tesehki a*** that’s the only reason why 😂😂😂😂”
Another Instagram user @tsx2__ wrote, “The only thing that lex got over Tesehki is reach and height.”
While Instagram user @xoziya.__ wrote, “Lex gone get more hits in and Tesehki is doing more damage idc argue with ya mama”
Instagram user @2valid_.Dora wrote, “Tesehki might as well ask Laila Ali to train her 🤷♀️”
Another Instagram user @nyahhh_j wrote, “Why does Claressa think she’s the Baddies Connoisseur”
While Instagram user @allhailteezus wrote, “she not gonna use none of these moves in the ring trust me 😂😂😂”
Tesehki Has Support From Chrisean Rock Ahead Of The Fight
While Shields has stepped into Big Lex’s corner, Tesehki has received encouragement from her younger sister, Chrisean Rock. In a viral video shared online, Chrisean invited Tesehki to train with her in Baltimore ahead of the fight, saying she would love to help her prepare for the matchup. “I’m glad she’s doing this lane,” Chrisean said, adding that her sister “could really fight.” The support comes after Chrisean also entered the boxing world, making her amateur boxing debut earlier this year.
@clips_ofdrama
Related: Oop! Blueface Alleges Chrisean Rock Posted Message Calling Chrisean Jr. His Son As Nevaeh Akira Reacts To Their Cozy Link-Up
What Do You Think Roomies?
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