Doogee's new DG Venus is an almost perfect replica of the Garmin Lily smartwatch that launched in January 2021. Doogee is a Chinese brand that tends to focus on affordable products and this is clearly one of the major differences between its new women's smartwatch and the Garmin Lily, making it an option worth considering if on a budget.
Doogee might not be as well known as some other brands, but the company has been around for a long time. Founded in 2013, its product portfolio is primarily made up of smartphones, including ones designed for those looking for a more rugged device. Similar to many other smartphone brands, however, the company has also begun making smartwatches as well. The DG Venus is its first wearable designed specifically for women.
There is no mistaking that the design of the Doogee DG Venus is heavily inspired by the Garmin Lily, from the round display to the T-bar lugs, and even down to the straps. Doogee has tried to differentiate its watch to some degree by adding a digital crown to the side of the case. It is also available in more color options, including bright red and dark green. Doogee is keeping a tight lip on the specifications of the watch, but does state on the pre-order page that it is 9.6mm thick and weighs 34 grams (straps included). While details like the screen size remain unknown, Doogee has confirmed the health and sports features of the DG Venus. For example, the smartwatch comes with a heart rate monitor, a sedentary reminder, a menstrual cycle tracker, and can track sleep as well as provide suggestions to improve sleep quality in general. However, it is missing a blood oxygen level sensor, a feature available on Garmin's watch. It does also lack a built-in GPS chip, as does Garmin's watch.
For those looking for a solution to help with fitness, the DG Venus can track seven different sports including badminton, basketball, and football. It also comes with theming options, including the ability to upload images for a more personalized look. When connected to a compatible smartphone, the Venus will display notifications and call alerts. In addition, owners are able to control music playback from their wrist, or use the watch as a Bluetooth remote shutter for the phone's camera app. The battery life is stated to be seven days on a single charge, but that will depend on individual usage.
At just $49.99, the Doogee DG Venus is one-fifth of the price the Garmin Lily sells for. While it doesn't offer quite as many features as Garmin's watch, and may also not boast the same quality overall, it is good to know that there are cheaper options available for those looking for a smartwatch on a tighter budget.
In a wisecracking exchange with President Biden this weekend, veteran comedian Steve Martin offered to play the President onSaturday Night Live. Martin’s proposition arrived on the occasion of the Kennedy Center Honors, at whichSNLcreator Lorne Michaels was one of the honorees alongsideJoni Mitchell, Bette Midler, Berry Gordy, and Justino Díaz.Michaels launchedSaturday Night Livein 1975, and it has since become a cultural touchstone, providing laugh-out-loud commentary on contemporary culture and politics.Michaels is also a prolific producer and has received 94 Primetime Emmy nominations, holding the record for most nominated individual in the show’s history.
ThoughMartinwas never an official cast member onSaturday Night Live, the comic has hosted the show fifteen times—second only to Alec Baldwin—and has made over two dozen appearances going back to season 2. Despite not being one of the “Not Ready For Primetime Players” duringSNL’s early days, Martin has maintained a close relationship with other early cast members and Michaels, who served as Best Man at his 2007 wedding. It’s no surprise, then, that Martin was there to celebrate his friend at the Kennedy Center Honors. Martin himself was an honoree in 2007.
While attending the Kennedy Center ceremony, Martin interrupted President Biden from the crowd to offer his services asSNL’s next Biden imitator. PerCNN, the President had been giving remarks on Michaels, ribbing the show’s creator for having trouble casting a permanent Biden stand-in. “He’s trying out seven guys to play me,” the President joked. When Martin chimed in to ask, “Do you want me to play you?” President Biden laughed and responded, “Steve, I’m afraid you understand me too well.” Check out the full exchange below:
“He’s trying out seven guys to play me. As we say in our family, ‘bless me father for I have sinned.’ If you can’t laugh at yourself we’re in real trouble. And you make me laugh at myself a lot.”
“Do you want me to play you?”
“Steve, I’m afraid you understand me too well.”
President Biden wasn’t wrong to roast Michaels over the show’s Biden impersonator, or lack thereof.SNLhas cycled through a number ofBiden actors over the years, ranging from Kevin Nealon in 1991 to Woody Harrelson in 2019. In 2020 alone, four different actors attempted to parody the impregnable President. Most memorable is a six-episode stint from guest star Jim Carrey, whose manic, wide-eyed interpretation better resembled his ‘90s movie roles.SNLnewcomer, James Austin Johnson, is the latest player to try his hand at the sitting President, having already impressed audiences with his uncanny Trump impression.
Martin wouldn’t be the first non-cast member to imitate a sitting President onSNL. As mentioned, Carrey and Harrelson both had multi-episode arcs as Biden, and John Mulaney, a formerSNLwriter, portrayed the President when he hosted in February 2020.Alec Baldwinfamously played a pouty version of President Trump over the course of his presidency, and was only unseated this year by Johnson’s rambling performance. Moreover, it wouldn’t be Martin’s first appearance as a politico; he played Roger Stone in the cold open of a 2019 episode. As long as Lorne keeps cycling through different Bidens, Martin certainly has theSaturday Night Livebonafides to be the eighth man for the job.
Cobra Kai producer, Josh Heald, says season 5 is not the end of the show. Set 34 years after Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) defeats Johnny (William Zabka) in the 1984 All-Valley Tournament at the end of The Karate Kid, Cobra Kai has become a massive success for Netflix after the streaming service scooped up the series from YouTube Premium.
Centering on Johnny and his endeavor to rebuild his former karate dojo as a sensei, Cobra Kai features a new influx of students, while also focusing on the perdurable rivalry between Johnny and Daniel. Consisting of cameos from The Karate Kid franchise, violent fight scenes, and plenty of ‘80s references, Cobra Kai season 3 featured significant plot twists and shifted Johnny and Daniel’s dynamic after the duo opted to team up against John Kreese. Highlighting the return of The Karate Kid 3 villain, Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffth), Cobra Kai season 4 will dive into the war between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do/Eagle Fang Karate with the impending All-Valley Tournament. Ahead of its season 4 premiere, Cobra Kai was renewed for another installment, which will not be the last.
Speaking with Screen Rant, Heald says that Cobra Kai season 5 is not the end of the series. When asked how much story is left to tell, Heald confirmed there is more Cobra Kai to come beyond season 5. Revealing that season 5 is “another enormous season,” Heald teases the upcoming season will unfold events fans haven’t seen before on the show. Read Heald’s full comment from Screen Rant’s interview below:
We have more beyond season 5. We are not writing to the end of the series in season 5 right now. We can't believe we've filmed two seasons of the show this year. In our minds, it's crazy to believe how far ahead of the story we are than what the audience has seen so far. Season 5 is another enormous season with a lot of new flavors and a lot of things that you haven't seen before yet on the show. And it's not the end.
Cobra Kai continues to offer plenty of character arcs, storylines, and hurdles that have kept the interest of original Karate Kid fans while appealing to a new generation of viewers. In addition to Johnny and Daniel being forced to put aside their differences and form a partnership, Sam LaRusso, Robby, Tory, and Miguel are likely to experience a transformation in season 4 amid new teaching techniques, rivalries, and redemption. Indeed, each season of Cobra Kai continues to top its predecessors by peppering in original cast members of The Karate Kid franchise and unveiling major plot twists.
Cobra Kai season 4 could set the stage to bring back The Next Karate Kid star Hilary Swank as Julie Pierce in season 5. According to the creative forces behind Cobra Kai, audiences can expect a lot more content in the future. For now, fans of Cobra Kai can anticipate that the new season will throw some unexpected curves to set up the fifth installment. Cobra Kai season 4 debuts on Netflix on December 31.
Netflix'sSex Education includes a diverse group of characters that are all navigating their sexualities and relationships. The individuality of each character makes analyzing each couple's relationship that much more interesting for the viewer.
In a season that leads to various breakups, the process of ranking the compatibility of each couple becomes more relevant. While there are introductions of some new romantic pairings, their status at the end of the season determines whether or not they are meant to be. For the couples that the audience has grown to know and love, their fate remains unknown.
10 Jackson & Cal
There is no denying that these two have chemistry. When Jackson, Moordale Secondary School's head boy and former swimming star, meets Cal, a new non-binary student from the United States, he realizes they are unlike anyone he has ever met. Jackson and Cal soon develop a friendship, which Jackson hopes will progress into something more.
The problem is that Jackson can't seem to fully grasp the fact that Cal is not a girl. His failure to fully understand their identity ultimately leads to Cal labeling their relationship as strictly platonic.
9 Jean & Jakob
In season 3, Jean and Jakob's relationship skips forward multiple steps after Jean becomes pregnant. Although she does not know for certain that Jakob is the father, Jean tells him that the baby is most likely his, and they decide to move in together.
It is when Jakob moves in that Jean realizes that they aren't very compatible. She confesses this worry to Maureen, who reassures her that there is a spark between her and Jakob that most couples yearn for.
8 Otis & Ruby
Otis and Ruby's relationship is, on a more superficial level, one of the most unlikely long-term relationships in season 3. While Ruby is the best-dressed and most popular girl at school, Otis is the lanky and pale kid who wears relatively the same thing every day. What brings them together is a strong sexual attraction.
Although Otis convinces Ruby to show him her more personal side, it is soon revealed that they are not on the same page in regards to their feelings for each other. It becomes apparent that Ruby likes Otis a lot more than he likes her when Ruby tells Otis she loves him, and he responds with "That's nice."
7 Lily & Ola
When Ola broke up with Otis in season 2 to be in a relationship with Lily, it seemed like she had found her perfect match. However, towards the end of season 3, Ola asks Lily if they could have sex as themselves, rather than partake in alien roleplay, revealing that she isn't as into it as Lily is.
For Lily, who was shamed by the school's headmistress for her alien-romance short stories, this revelation is a blow to the heart. In the end, Ola apologizes to Lily and ultimately celebrates her unique interests. On the flip side, Lily didn't pay enough attention to Ola missing her mother though what makes these two work is that they ultimately understand each other and agree to be better.
6 Eric & Adam
Eric and Adam's relationship is quite interesting, for although they are two very different people, their opposing personalities fit together. Eric's flamboyant and outgoing personality helps the rather reserved Adam come out of his shell.
Although they break up at the end of the season, there is a strong chance that they will get back together. They really do have fun together and love each other. The issue is that Eric and Adam both have some soul searching to do.
5 Viv & Eugene
For most of the season, Viv raves on and on about her boyfriend Eugene, although her friends and the audience never see him. Rather than analyzing their relationship through in-person situations, the audience's insight comes from their sexting sessions. When Eugene's contributions start to lean towards a medieval fantasy, Viv is taken aback.
However, when Eugene makes his first on-screen appearance it is established that he and Viv work really well together. In regards to their preferences in the bedroom, a scene in which they are dressed as a queen and her servant determines that they have found some common ground.
4 Aimee & Steve
Aimee and Steve are the two sweetest characters in the show. They light up the screen with their presence and share an optimistic outlook that you don't really see anywhere else. Steve really loves Aimee and supports her. After her assault, Steve is very loving and patient towards Aimee, and never pressures her to do anything she doesn't want to do.
Although Aimee breaks up with Steve, the catalyst wasn't their compatibility, it was simply Aimee wanting to focus on herself after experiencing a traumatic event.
3 Maeve & Issac
When Issac is introduced in season 2, he establishes himself as a major blocker in the relationship between Maeve and Otis. Maeve and Issac have great chemistry and enjoy being in each other's company. They can also relate to each other as outcasts and talk openly.
Although Maeve's trust is broken after Issac reveals that he deleted a message Otis left for her, she ultimately forgives him. The intimate scene these two shared was well-received and featured electric chemistry.
2 Otis & Maeve
Being the two central characters of the show, Otis and Maeve are put into the "will they/won't they" position that will follow them for the rest of the series until they finally get together. The audience roots for them and struggles to accept either of them with any other romantic partner.
Throughout the series, the audience watches as Otis and Maeve's relationship blossoms through their work with the clinic. When they finally kiss on the trip to Europe, the audience's belief that the two are meant to be is solidified. Maeve and Otis are endgame, plain and simple.
1 Colin & Emily
Colin and Emily have the least chaotic relationship out of all the couples on the show. While many couples are revealed during this season to be less compatible than the viewers might have thought, Colin and Emily prove to be each other's perfect match.
The two teachers are quirky, sex-positive, and extremely passionate about their work and their students. Even more, their strong romantic compatibility is displayed in the first episode of the season with their appearance in the opening sex montage.
Battlefield 2042 was marketed to players as bringing an unprecedented scale to the FPS series, but there's an opportunity for the game to bring some variety by introducing maps that focus on infantry combat in closer quarters. Large sandboxes and vehicle combat are staples of the Battlefield series, but many previous titles have included maps that the opposite approach and confine players to a smaller area. 2042 has been receiving updates for many bug fixes, but its live service model will eventually introduce new content, and there's an opportunity for a reintroduction of CQB maps.
The Battlefield series is nearly synonymous with vehicle combat, and the variety it brings is an important component of its sandbox gameplay. Nevertheless, previous entries have included maps that focus heavily on combat, particularly in other near-future entries like 3 and 4. Operation Metro and Operation Locker are two maps that abandon vehicles entirely and put players in a so-called meat grinder. 3's Grand Bazaar and 4's Flood Zone are good examples of CQB maps that congest players into fighting building-to-building but still allow for some vehicle involvement.
So far, Battlefield 2042 has delivered on its promise of a new scale in its 128 player lobbies on current-gen consoles and PC. At times though, Battlefield2042 might be too big, especially in Conquest where traveling the great distances between objectives can become a chore. This can be mitigated with deft use of the vehicle call-in system, but it's not always an option. Introducing some smaller maps, even ones that are significantly condensed compared to the seven launch maps, would be a great way to introduce variety into the game. It may, however, be a difficult task to design such maps, due to the sheer number of players that now need to be accommodated on current-gen and PC.
It seems like an extremely common request is a multiplayer FPS map that takes place on multiple floors of a tower. In theory, this seems like a fun idea, but especially with Battlfield 2042's large lobbies, a single building might not be enough space, even though close quarters is the goal. Skyscrapers have already become a problem anyway, making some objectives in 2042 near impossible to capture. Even a building with an incredibly large footprint would need to be very carefully designed - with many staircases, exterior areas like terraces and courtyards, other means of moving between levels like collapsed floors, etc. - to avoid any sort of game devolving into directionless mayhem. This does broach the idea of the required verticality for CQB maps in 2042, but might require more than one building with plenty of traversal methods between them available.
The best bet for Battlefield 2042 introducing CQB maps might end up encompassing an area like a city block or two. Streets and allies could let tanks and transport vehicles operate outside, while a whole block has enough area for many different buildings to be involved. A large group of buildings might be able to harness the concentrated chaos of 2042's Conquest game mode, while potentially having enough square footage to support Breakthrough as well. Breakthrough would most likely result in another meat grinder, but Operation Metro and Operation Locker were both very popular maps in their respective games. Map design has so far been a common critique for Battlefield 2042, but introducing some close quarters maps like in previous games might bring a new welcome dynamic to the 128-player gameplay.
Screen Rant has an exclusive clip from the bonus features of Rick & Morty: The Complete Fifth Season. The Adult Swim hit series hails from creators Justin Roiland (Solar Opposites) and Dan Harmon (Community) and is known for its mix of dark humor and sci-fi antics. Rick & Morty: The Complete Fifth Season is available now on DVD, Blu-ray, and Blu-ray Steelbook.
The Emmy Award-winning Rick & Morty follows the adventures of sociopathic genius scientist Rick (voiced by Roiland) and his timid grandson Morty (also Roiland). The half-hour comedy sees Rick engaging in dangerous exploits and dragging along his family including daughter Beth (Sarah Chalke), her husband Jerry (Chris Parnell), and daughter Summer (Spencer Grammer).
Watch a clip from the bonus features of Rick & Morty below. The clip comes from the never-before-seen featurette - "Fighting Gravity": The Making of Season5and features Harmon, producer Steve Levy, and writer Jeff Loveness talking about creating Rick's backstory. Harmon talks about balancing the "one-off" energy of the show with creating a complex cannon that will please die-hard fans. Loveness says the writers are "cowards" if they don't tell Rick's backstory and let the show grow. See the video here:
The bonus feature is just one of the many extras that can be found on Rick & Morty: The Complete Fifth Season. The home release comes packed with bonus content as well as all 10 22-minute episodes from the season. See the beautiful season 5 Steelbook cover art and details included in the bonus features below:
"Fighting Gravity": The Making of Season 5 (Exclusive to Set): In this deep dive discussion, co-creator Dan Harmon and the crew reflect on the challenges of completing this season in the middle of a pandemic and the creative process behind the story's biggest revelations.
"Inside the Episode": For every episode from season 5
B-Story Generator Vol. 1:Co-creator Dan Harmon and writer Rob Schrab reach into their box of random ideas to conjure up hilarious side stories.
B-Story Generator Vol. 2:Co-creator Dan Harmon and writer Rob Schrab return to brainstorm even more ludicrous side stories.
Backgrounds: The show's artists give us a jaw-dropping look at the amazingly detailed environments packed into every episode.
Animation and Compositing: Crafting the show's visuals is a complex process and the crew is here to show us why.
Coloring Rick and Morty: Get an in-depth look at how the crew uses vibrant color to create fantastic alien worlds.
Directing 'Mortyplicity': An inside look at the evolution of this ambitious and action-packed episode, from initial storyboards to final product.
Directing 'Rickmurai Jack': A behind-the-scenes look at one visualization of one of the most ambitious episodes in the series' history.
Season 5 Hype: Dan Harmon and the writers give you a taste of what's in store for Rick and Morty's wildest season yet.
Adult Swim recently announced Rick & Mortyseason 6 will premiere in 2022. Season 7 of the animated series is currently being written, with the producers promising a more serialized storyline in the future. Rick & Morty: The Complete Fifth Season is now available on DVD, Blu-ray, and Blu-ray Steelbook from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.
An apparently common glitch in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - Definitive Editionplaces a Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas mission start point way up above the game's map. The recently-released remake attempted to breathe new life into Rockstar Games's classic Grand Theft Auto titles GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas. While highly anticipated before launch, GTA: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition was considered a mess upon release due to a massive number of bugs, glitches and bizarre development choices.
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto series set a standard for open-world games in the early 2000's, with the crime simulator series becoming a nostalgic staple of the era. Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City and San Andreas continued to up the ante in terms of immersion and world size, making them instant and enduring classics that are still beloved today. Unfortunately, GTA: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition managed to deliver a laundry list of issues rather than effectively translating these titles into the modern day. Blinding rain effects, ugly character models and countless game bugs only scratch the surface of why franchise fans are so disappointed in the project. While Rockstar Games has pledged to fix the experience with a wave of patches, player responses to GTA: The Trilogy's latest patch suggests that the retro remakes may be beyond saving.
Adding to the remake's large list of bugs, Reddit user Regular_Definition_9 revealed yet another technical issue that they encountered in GTA: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition. After completing driving school in the remastered version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the player was given a map marker to a mission which should allow them to buy a car dealership. However, upon traveling to the destination, Regular_Definition_9 discovered that the mission's starting point was located up in the sky - and above a river. Other Reddit users quickly chimed in with similar experiences, revealing that this bug is actually very common. Many suggested to Regular_Definition_9 that a parachute or jetpack could help them reach the objective, though others remain hopeful that Rockstar will soon patch the issue.
While Rockstar Games is apparently making an effort to fix the broken game, franchise fans are improving GTA: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition themselves through the use of mods. The remake's hilariously deformed character models and world textures were the source of frustration among some gamers, so dedicated players have created a GTA: San Andreas - Definitive Edition texture mod in an effort to fix the issue. The game's massive open world greatly benefits from these improvements, with pieces of the environment appearing much more realistic when they catch the player's eye. The impressive improvement boasts 85 brand-new textures, particularly involving different types fo roads.
Since its release, GTA: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition has been the subject of great anger and mockery from players. The three Rockstar Games creations have become important parts of open-world gaming history and the history of the gaming industry in general. Unfortunately, an abundance of bugs, such as Regular_Definition_9's mid-air objective bug, demonstrate a potential lack of care while bringing these beloved games to the modern day. While Rockstar continues to patch the title, potentially game-breaking issues like this do not inspire faith in the series.
Editor’s Note: A lawsuit has been filed against Activision Blizzard by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which alleges the company has engaged in abuse, discrimination, and retaliation against its female employees. Activision Blizzard has denied the allegations. The full details of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit (content warning: rape, suicide, abuse, harassment) are being updated as new information becomes available.
Blizzard's 2014 card game Hearthstone has added a brand-new honor system that fully embraces the Horde and Alliance rivalry from World of Warcraft. All of Hearthstone's content comes from the lore of Warcraft and World of Warcraft, with the previous Hearthstone expansion taking players to Alliance capital Stormwind. The newest expansion, Fractured in Alterac Valley, releases on December 7 and pays tribute to one of WoW's oldest Horde vs Alliance battlegrounds.
The Alterac Valley battleground was released in WoW in June 2005 in patch 1.5.0. The area is situated within the Alterac Mountains, which lie between the Horde outpost of Mor'Shan Rampart and the Alliance's Silverwing Outpost in Ashenvale. In Alterac, the Horde is led by General Drek'Thar of the Frostwolf clan, and the Alliance is commanded by General Vanndar Stormpike of the Stormpike guard. Both Drek'Thar and Vanndar are new legendary cards available in the Hearthstone expansion.
Soon after the release of Hearthstone's new Mercenaries mode, Blizzard has now added a new Honor system to the game. When players next launch into Hearthstone, they will be asked to choose if they are Horde or Alliance, just like when WoW players must make the decision when they create a new character. Once the choice is made, players will be given the rank of Private if they are Alliance or Scout if they are Horde. Players can progress up the ranks by earning honor points, which are rewarded after the completion of games in the Standard, Arena, and Duels game modes. If a player matches up against someone on the opposite faction to them, they will earn double the honor points if they win that match.
When a player pledges their allegiance, they will receive a golden legendary card of their Faction's legendary card, either Drek'Thar or Vanndar. Players won't have to worry about missing out on owning one of these cards, as they will also be given a legendary quest chain to complete over the expansion. Each time a player increases their honor rank, they will receive a golden version of a rare card from the new expansion, these cards are the same for every player regardless of faction. Once a player reaches the highest honor rank, they will receive the other faction's golden legendary minion. Earning cards this way is another step Hearthstone is taking to finally be more accessible to new players.
The rewards don't stop there though; after January 11, Blizzard will announce the winning faction which has the most amount of Honor points accounted from all players who participated in the event. All players, no matter which factions they chose, will then receive the diamond version of the winning faction's leader card. Players can still continue to earn honor points after that until the next expansion launches, so they can still claim the free cards by leveling up.
Fractured In Alterac Valley is one of Hearthstone's most interesting expansions, and many fans appreciate how heavily the new content has drawn from the original World of Warcraft source material. The addition of the Honor system is also impressive and gives players a more rewarding experience when playing. Unfortunately, honor cannot currently be earned when playing Hearthstone's popular Battlegrounds mode or the new Mercenaries mode. Future expansions could see the honor system return, and keeping the rivalry between the Horde and Alliance alive in Hearthstone could help in bringing new players to the game.
Comedian Dave Chappelle will open Netflix’s first-ever comedy festival next year, despite the controversy he’s attracted in recent months. The often divisive former star of Chappelle’s Show has been at the forefront of intense debate and condemnation ever since his comedy special, The Closer, was released on Netflix this past October. The special – Chapelle’s sixth and final outing for the streaming giant - brought substantial criticism of the comedian’s attitude toward the transgender community.
Though The Closer made many of Chappelle’s opinions on the subject of trans rights clear, it wasn’t the first time that the 48-year-old’s comedy has been accused of transphobia. With The Age of Spin in 2017, Chappelle began to make his thoughts on the subject matter known. The initial response from the trans community and its allies was one of disappointment, but with each subsequent Chappelle special, the comedian almost seemed to welcome the increasingly frustrated backlash he was receiving. This culminated with The Closer, in which Chappelle’s stand up routine dedicated a significant amount of time to the topic, voicing opinions that many felt were hurtful and grossly uninformed. As a result, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies rose up in protest of Netflix and Chappelle.
Despite a lengthy list of demands from protesters with regard to how Netflix should handle the controversies created by The Closer, it’s now been confirmed that Chappelle will open the streamer’s first ever comedy festival. As The Los Angeles Times reports, Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival will bring together more than 130 different artists for a comedy lover’s dream come true. The event will take place from April 28-May 8, 2022 at venues in and around Los Angeles. For his part, Chappelle will open the festival on April 28 at the Hollywood Bowl, with a comedy event called Dave Chappelle and Friends.
With significant pressure having been put on Netflix by The Closer’s protesters to take action against Chappelle, it seems the streamer has doubled down on their love for the comedian instead. This isn’t to say that Chappelle previously faced the controversy alone – a large percentage of fans and those who consider his performance in The Closer to be a matter of free speech remain devotees. But for those who consider Chappelle’s words to be hate speech, the idea of him having the right to say whatever he wants about the trans community remains a highly contentious issue. At the very least, for Netflix to turn around and make Chappelle the opening act of one of the biggest comedy festivals of all time definitely sends a certain message.
In the years since Dave Chappelle first became one of the most popular comedians in the world, there has clearly been a change in his comedy. The routines have largely turned into lectures with only the occasional joke thrown in. At some point, Chappelle became a spokesman for a generation, and while this has certainly been welcome with regard to issues like racism in America and police violence, his takes on the trans community often feel like intentional attempts at generating controversy and attention. As for the Netflix Is A Joke festival, it’s safe to say that Chappelle’s appearance will draw plenty of criticism and protest.
A recently-released trailer for The Matrix Resurrectionscontains an extremely subtle hint towards The Game Awards 2021, potentially foreshadowing an upcoming reveal. The cyberpunk action film franchise, starring Keanu Reeves as protagonist Neo, sees a group of rebels attempt to free humanity from a simulated recreation of the world. Ahead of the December 22 release of the franchise's long-awaited fourth film, a Matrix game on PlayStation 5 will apparently allow gamers to immersive themselves in the mind-bending film series.
With an acting career spanning more than 30 years, Keanu Reeves has left his mark on both Hollywood blockbusters and AAA video games. Utilizing the star's subtle performances and attraction to stunts, Reeves' role as Neo in The Matrix led him to great stardom. The epic sci-fi saga also led to Reeves' introduction into the world of video games, as he portrayed Neo in the 2003 action game Enter the Matrix. More recently, Reeves' role as Johnny Silverhand in 2020's Cyberpunk 2077 was considered an exceptional part of an otherwise lackluster release from CD Projekt Red. Now an upcoming tie-in to The Matrix Resurrections, an Unreal Engine experience called The Matrix Awakens, will see Reeves return to the digital world of gaming with an announcement teased for The Game Awards 2021.
A new Matrix Resurrections trailer, posted to YouTube by Warner Bros. Pictures, gives a nod to The Game Awards in the background of one quick shot. The trailer shows Neo beginning to remember the events of the previous movies, apparently leading to him walking off of a roof. Hidden in a wide shot of the rooftop is a Game Awards trophy, which portrays a pixelated angel flying upwards. Game Awards producer and host Geoff Keighley has responded to the fascinating Easter egg on Twitter, leading to speculation that The Matrix Awakens will appear at The Game Awards 2021 on December 9. The true nature of the trophy's inclusion, however, may not be revealed until the film releases on December 22.
While Keanu Reeves has made the transition into the video game world with Enter the Matrix and Cyberpunk 2077, the action star seems hesitant to appear in one popular franchise. In response to ongoing demand from fans, Keanu Reeves recently stated that he would prefer if John Wick or Neo not join Mortal Kombat as a playable character. The last several installments in the legendary fighting game franchise have included guest fighters, ranging from The Terminator to Freddy Krueger to John Rambo. Many fans believe that Neo or John Wick would fit perfectly into Mortal Kombat's blood-soaked battles, but Keanu Reeves feels that his iconic roles are "doing their own thing" separate from the fighting game franchise.
The Matrix Resurrections appears to be a mind-bending return for the classic cyberpunk action franchise, and this includes fascinating Easter eggs like the Game Awards trophy. This subtle inclusion could be a simple nod towards Keanu Reeves' role in Cyberpunk 2077, or perhaps a set-up to reveal more information about The Matrix Awakens on December 9. One fan theory also suggests that The Matrix Resurrectionsmay treat the original Matrix trilogy as a video game, so the trailer scene may instead establish this Game Awards connection.
If Spider-Man: No Way Home really does bring back previous film versions of Peter Parker, their classic themes should also return. The next installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's take on the beloved web-slinger is already shaping up to be both a game-changer for the franchise and a nostalgic trip for audiences who grew up with the pre-MCU Spidey films. With the return of Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield now seeming more likely than ever, Marvel should make it a priority to include the Spider-Man themes and music from their respective films in No Way Home's soundtrack.
Set to release December 17, 2021, Spider-Man: No Way Home will open up the multiverse in ways that the MCU has never done before. When Peter Parker (Tom Holland) seeks the help of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) for the purposes of erasing everyone's knowledge of his secret identity, he accidentally messes up Strange's reckless spell and causes an unbalanced merging of multiple timelines and universes. While much of the film's plot remains under wraps, it is confirmed that this multiverse tampering has resulted in villains from other universes crossing over into the MCU, including Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) from the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films, and both Electro (Jamie Foxx) and potentially the Lizard from the Marc Webb-directed Amazing Spider-Man films.
While still unconfirmed, this convergence of characters from different Spider-Man franchises seems to confirm rumors that both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's versions of the titular hero will also make appearances. And if this is the case, the score for No Way Home should absolutely include the music heard in both Maguire and Garfield's movies. Doing so would not only make for a fantastic tribute to the original Spider-Man films but would also make the return of these versions of Spider-Man even more nostalgic.
Back in 2001, director Sam Raimi teamed up with Sony to direct the first of what would become a trilogy of Spider-Man films. The composer for the film and its first sequel was the legendary Danny Elfman, who crafted an iconic main theme for Tobey Maguire's take on the character. Elfman also created memorable themes for both the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus, and despite not scoring Spider-Man 3, his themes (particularly his theme for Spider-Man himself) were still used throughout the score. When Marc Webb rebooted the series in 2012 with The Amazing Spider-Man, he partnered with the late James Horner to create another fantastic soundtrack to accompany Spidey's crime-fighting adventures.
When it comes to evoking nostalgia in audiences, the power of music should never be underestimated. With many kids who watched the first Spider-Man film 20 years ago now grown and taking their own kids to see the character's latest film, it's easy to imagine how hearing Danny Elfman's score for the Raimi trilogy could result in plenty of cheering from viewers. With The Amazing Spider-Man now almost a decade old itself, there are plenty of fans who look back on Andrew Garfield's time as Spidey with just as many fond memories. If Marvel, Sony, and Spider-Man: No Way Home's composer Michael Giacchino were to put in the extra effort to compliment Maguire and Garfield's return with their respective themes, the end result would surely be one of the most emotional and nostalgic moments in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Bachelorette follows a formula and presents slight variations each season to keep things interesting for fans. When viewers tune into the show, they know they'll be watching one-on-one dates, rose ceremonies, family introductions, and several group dates.
Contestants on TheBachelorette don't love to share their prospective wife on group dates. If they want to be one of The Bachelorette couples that are still going strong, they need one-on-one time. As such, the cast can get pretty competitive when vying for the affection of a bachelorette like Hannah Brown or JoJo Fletcher. As a result, group dates can end up disastrous and messy.
There doesn't seem to be a less appropriate place for rap music than on The Bachelorette. Hip-hop star Soulja Boy made a guest appearance on Desiree's season to help her and the contestants make a rap video on a group date. The result was messy.
The cast does their best to pull off the video with Soulja Boy's help. However, the contestants make their experience known on the track as they stumble through their lines. Considering TheBachelorette's criticism for lack of representation, the rap date came across as messy and almost mocking of the genre.
There have been a few instances of Bachelorette contestants wearing kilts and playing outdoor games like archery. Hannah Brown took her men ax throwing in Scotland in the signature bottom wear, but nothing was like Emily's outdoor games date.
Despite being in Croatia, the men wore Scottish kilts and competed in feats of strength to gain Emily's affection. The theme was meant to promote Disney's Brave, which the group all watches before the games begin. The men get a little too competitive during the date, but the transparent sponsorship makes it feel staged and disastrous.
Michelle takes her prospective partners on a group date to the farm on her recent season of The Bachelorette. The men were willing to do their best, but fans might think they weren't prepared for their activities on the farm. Michelle and the contestants milked cows together, and it was easier for some more than others.
Joe revealed that his folks owned a dairy farm, and he made quick work of the job. However, Rodney had a tougher time, and the cow he milks nearly knocked the camera out of the crew's hands. When the men started shoveling manure, fans knew they were watching one of the show's messiest group dates.
Ashley's roast date is perhaps the most notorious group date in Bachelorette history. Some fans called it one of the worst betrayals to happen on The Bachelorette. The idea didn't sound good on paper, as fans are more used to seeing contestants give a rigorous stream of compliments to their prospective partners than ever giving them any playful ribbing.
Switching things up and having contestants roast the bachelorette turned out to be a disaster. When William compared Ashley to "another man's trash," and took digs at her body, it was hard for audiences to stomach. Ashley broke down in tears soon after the roast, and fans couldn't blame her.
It doesn't get much messier than Rachel Lindsay's mud wrestling group date. Dates are meant to showcase suitors' talents and help the bachelorette and the contestants get to know each other better. However, Rachel's mudwrestling group date didn't do much of either.
Rachel sat on the sidelines in a clear raincoat as the men from her season duked it out in a blowup pool filled with mud. She was joined by a crowd of screaming women as the cast did their best to pin each other in the wet dirt. The result was a date that was hard for fans to watch, but probably not as uncomfortable to watch as it was for the men to perform.
JoJo takes contestants on one of the most impractical group dates in Bachelorette history on her season. The cast was tasked with a mock firefighting situation, and all suited up in real helmets and heavy protective gear before competing for some alone time with JoJo.
Grant had an upper hand as the cast's only real firefighter. However, most of the suitors struggled under pounds of equipment, and Wells was disqualified because the crew feared he would faint. Wells got more alone time with JoJo, while the rest of the cast looked on with envy. The date certainly was messier than the production must have planned.
Rachel surprised the cast of her season when a spelling bee group date was announced to the men competing for her hand in marriage. Chris Harrison hosted, three pre-teen girls judged, and a crowd of onlookers watched the memorable date unfold.
Perhaps the competition was meant to appear cute and wholesome, but the result missed the mark. Men cussed over the microphone when they missed words, and it wasn't long before Harrison instructed the judges to put their "earmuffs" on for words like "coitus." The loser's circle filled up fast, and the date appeared uncomfortable and disorganized.
A game of football seems like a wholesome and easy group date idea. However, things didn't go as planned for Becca and her men when they hit the field on her season. During Becca's group date, things started strong as the contestants began a friendly game of football.
Considering contestants Clay Harbor and Colton Underwood had NFL experience, fans thought the date would go off without a hitch. However, the men get a little too invested in the game, leaving Clay with an injured wrist, requiring an ambulance ride to the ER.
Kaitlyn Bristowe gave fans one of the most bizarre group dates in Bachelorette history on her season. While most bachelorettes bring their men on group dates to play sports or perform on stage, Kaitlyn had them honor her in a mock wake.
Kaitlyn lied down in a casket, pretending to be dead, while the contestants of the show spoke on her behalf. The date came across as strange and awkward, and Kaitlyn couldn't keep quiet and still. Things got messy when Ben was reminded of his mother's recent passing thanks to the date's strange premise.
Clare's season of The Bachelorette was less than perfect. Her time on the show was a landmark moment, as she leaves with a fiancé in Dale Moss after just a few short weeks. However, her first group cocktail party foreshadowed her difficult time on the show.
When Clare had the cocktail party portion of her first group date, she excused herself after no one tried to pull her aside for alone time. She was hurt by the lack of enthusiasm and even asks if anyone was going to step up and take charge. Luckily for her, the disastrous date was only followed by a few after she got attached to Dale, even if they did have one of the shortest Bachelorette engagements.
Warning: The Walking Dead: World Beyond season 2, episode 10 and Fear the Walking Dead season 7, episode 8.
Surprisingly, new episodes of Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond that aired together on the same night featured the same big twist. The life-changing experience that Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey) endured in the Fear the Walking Dead midseason finale was mirrored by an event in the World Beyond episode that immediately followed it. Two different shows using very similar storylines was taken as an extremely interesting coincidence.
Though this isn’t always the case with The Walking Dead universe, having multiple shows in its franchise has allowed AMC the opportunity to release them back-to-back on the same night. Most recently, this approach has been used in the fall 2021 season, with episodes in Fear the Walking Dead season 7’s first half being bookended by Walking Dead: World Beyond season 2. Their worlds converged briefly a few weeks ago when FTWD borrowed the CRM – World Beyond’s villains – to finish out Althea’s storyline. But for the most part, the two shows have largely been on different wavelengths, with Morgan’s battle with Strand being fundamentally different from the issues that Hope’s group has been having with the CRM.
FTWD and World Beyond went in directions that were oddly identical on Sunday when AMC aired the Fear the Walking Dead midseason finale and the World Beyond series finale. In the former, it was found out that Alicia lost her arm to a zombie bite months ago and has been living with a prosthetic hand made from her own bones ever since. Shortly after the massive change that was made to a staple of the Fear the Walking Dead cast, World Beyond shook things up in a big way by putting Elton in the same bind. In an effort to save Hope from an approaching zombie, Elton took a bite on the arm, which was later amputated off-screen at the group’s new base.
For those who watched both episodes back-to-back in the same way that they aired, Elton’s fate was highly unexpected, in part because it had just happened to Alicia in the previous hour. Though amputation is a common solution to the zombie infection, it’s certainly rare for it to happen to a main character, not to mention two on the same night. And when it does occur, the character to lose their limb doesn’t always survive, as was the case with The Walking Dead’s Bob (Lawrence Gillard, Jr.) and Fear the Walking Dead’s Virginia (Colby Minifie). The last major character to go through this experience – and live – was Aaron (Ross Marquand), who lost his arm in The Walking Dead season 9.
In most situations, amputations understandably lead to important changes for their characters, who have to make big adjustments to how they survive in the zombie apocalypse. However, the fact that Walking Dead: World Beyond has ended means that the incident with Elton may have minimal impact (unless the character somehow returns). That stands in contrast to Fear the Walking Dead’s Alicia, who is facing a new status quo that could have long-term implications. Believing that the amputation only delayed the turning process, Alicia is convinced that her days are numbered.
Elder Scrolls fans who have played Oblivion will undoubtedly recognize the Welkynd Stone, a new Miscellaneous Item added to Skyrimin the free update that arrived with the Anniversary Edition release of The Elder Scrolls V. Created by ancient High Elves, Welkynd Stones are magical rocks that glow with a bluish-white light. They were initially introduced to the home of the Nords with the Creation Club's Rare Curios, a Skyrim mod that adds a large assortment of ingredients, bolts, arrows, and treasures from Morrowind, Oblivion, and the Shivering Isles DLC.
One way to obtain Welkynd Stone in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is to find one randomly in the boss chest of a dungeon. Unless players go from dungeon to dungeon farming boss loot, this method isn't reliable for collecting the stones, however. The optimal way to obtain Welkynd Stones or any other unique item from Rare Curios is to buy them from the merchants in Khajiit Caravans.
To get the Welkynd Stone, players need to trade with one of the Khajiit Caravans traveling between Skyrim's major settlements. While it is possible to encounter the Khajiit merchants out on the road, meeting the traders camped outside a city would be an easier way of reliably doing business with them. Ri'saad's caravan travels between Whiterun and Markarth. Ahkari's caravan travels between Riften and Dawnstar. Finally, Ma'dran's caravan travels between Windhelm and Solitude.
Although it's somewhat impossible to constantly know the current location and stock of a caravan, there is a way for players to mark Ahkari's convoy's location. By accepting the "Amulet of the Moon" quest from Kharjo but never returning the amulet to him, Skyrim players will always have Ahkari's caravan marked on their map for quick reference and to help them more quickly obtain unique items.
Once a player obtains a Welkynd Stone in Skyrim, they can use its magical properties to completely restore all their Magicka. However, the stone will be consumed upon use, similar to a Magicka potion. Skyrim players running magic hybrid and spell builds will find the Welkynd Stones to be quite helpful in the late game, as characters' Magicka pools should be relatively large by that time.
Players will need to keep in mind that, like the rest of the Rare Curios items sold by Khajiit merchants, Welkynd Stones won't always be readily available in a trader's stock. Khajiit Caravans will only sell a limited selection of unique items at any given time. It may still take a while for players to find more Welkynd Stones using this method.
Former Keeping Up With The Kardashians star Scott Disick was spotted with a mystery woman while at the Art Basel show in Miami. Scott has been tied to quite a few women since he and Kourtney Kardashian ended their relationship for good in 2015. His first serious relationship was with Sofia Richie in 2017, who was only 19 years of age at the time. Scott and Sofia were on-and-off for more than three years before officially calling it quits in September 2020.
However, the reality star was able to bounce back quickly as he began a new relationship a month later. In October 2020, Scott was spotted with model Amelia Hamlin at Kendall Jenner's Halloween bash. A few days later, they were spotted walking arm-in-arm along the beaches of Santa Barbara. Scott and Amelia seemed like they had a strong relationship as Amelia was seen several times hanging out with his three kids, Mason, Penelope, and Reign. Despite having a seemingly great relationship, the pair broke up in September 2021.
Over the weekend, Scott was photographed hanging out with a group of friends at the Alec Monopoly Art Basel show at MAPS Backlot. Those photos also included a mystery woman that was identified by Page Six as Diana Diaz. An insider revealed that the 38-year-old reality TV star arrived at the party by himself but was later seen with a group of his friends. "He was with a group of people at the VIP, including his friend Alec Monopoly, his girlfriend, Alexa Dellanos, and two of her friends - Corinne Olympios from The Bachelor and influencer Celeste Bright," the source added. In the photos captured that night, Diana - who has worked as a newscaster for 7News in Florida - stayed close to Scott, who wants to get married in his life sometime in the future, for most of the night.
While Diana was dressed to impress in a gold textured dress, Scott dressed down for the evening and simply wore a baseball cap and a hooded zip-up white sweater. In the snaps, Scott and Diana are seen chatting it up as they made their way through the party. However, neither Scott nor Diana commented on the recent rumors of their relationship. Before their recent outing together, Scott was spotted with several women at different locations. Last month, for instance, Scott reunited with his ex from 2016, Christine Burke. He was also spotted hanging out with Hana Cross, who dated Brooklyn Beckham in the past. Scott has yet to comment on either of these relationships as well.
Now that his ex Kourtney is engaged to Travis Barker and Scott is no longer dating Amelia, the Keeping Up With The Kardashians alum is clearly looking for a new relationship. Diana seems accomplished and more age-appropriate compared to some of the other women he has dated in the past. Hopefully, this relationship works out for Scott.
Vigil season 1's final episode tied up all the loose ends of the investigation DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) was sent to conduct on the HMS Vigil submarine. The mini-series ended on September 29 on BBC One in the UK. It is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and is reported to be the second most-watched drama of 2021 in the UK after Line of Duty.
BBC's Vigil follows the crew of a fictional ballistic missile submarine following the death of sonar operator Craig Burke, played by Martin Compston. Detective Silva arrives onboard the Vigil to investigate the death, along with Burke's replacement Matthew Doward (Lorne MacFayden). The investigation takes place on the submarine and simultaneously on the ground, with Silva's ex Detective Sergeant Kristen Longacre (Rose Leslie) and the rest of the team providing assistance.
Vigil touches on many themes, focusing primarily on the existence of nuclear deterrent programs, their weaknesses, and criticalities. The BBC show, created by Tom Edge—also a writer on C.B. Strike—gives an apt representation of all the forces at stake in the drama, picking up on real-life incidents. For example, the multiple sinkings of trawlers that happened over the years off the coast of the UK because of submarines, and authentic tidbits of information about how life works for people employed on the underwater vessels. The Vigil season 1 ending is full of twists and turns that could be missed, as the action is packed.
Burke's death happens in the first 10 minutes of Vigil episode 1, but his killer is revealed only later when the situation on the submarine has considerably worsened, and Silva and the crew are already looking for a saboteur. His killer is revealed to be galley chef Jackie Hamilton (Outlander's Anita Vettesse), following the plans Russian intelligence operative Peter Ingles (Sam Redford) was involved in, as he had contact with Doward, the saboteur that replaces Burke. Originally other crew members are looked into regarding his death, which Silva quickly rules as a homicide.
The reason why Jackie kills Burke has less to do with Burke and more with her personal situation. Jackie's son is held in prison in Indonesia, in his first year of the 10 he must spend incarcerated for illegally smuggling drugs in the country. Jackie was ordered by Russian operatives to kill a sonar operative aboard the submarine, in case the operation didn't succeed on the first try, in order for Doward to replace him. In exchange for the murder, Russia would have interceded in her son's difficult situation in Indonesia.
Still, the choice of Line of Duty's Martin Compston's Burke as a victim depended on other convenient circumstances as well. He wasn't well-liked among the crew members, as he had files on all of them in his and his girlfriend Jade's quest to prove corruption inside the British Navy. Moreover, the objective of the mission was to make the Vigil get to the surface, and a death onboard might have warranted that if the trawler accident hadn't happened and the Vigil crew hadn't realized another submarine was tracking them. In addition to that, Burke could have identified Ingles, as the Russian operative had approached him first to ask him to collaborate with Russia, but he refused. Killing Burke would have killed two birds with one stone.
Outlander's Lauren Lyle' plays Jade, who is revealed to have been in a relationship with Burke early on in the show. She was working with Burke to collect information on the Navy corruption, and she was part of the peace camp protesting the British nuclear deterrent program based off Scotland. Believing she was being followed, she snapped a picture of what she thought was an MI5 agent but was then revealed to be Ingles. If it weren't for Jade's friendship with fellow activist Ben Oakley (Cal MacAninch), Ingles never would have met her. When they did, though, Ingles drowned her to protect his identity.
Contrary to Jade, Jackie wasn't killed. Doward had been pressuring her to proceed with the plan, which involved releasing a nerve agent to force a resurface of the Vigil needed for the mission to be completed, but she had second thoughts about it. Jackie, played by Outlander's Anita Vettesse, is found by Elliot Glover (Shaun Evans), coxswain of the boat and helper of Silva throughout the investigation, and releases the nerve agent. Glover watches her die while trying to secure the container covering it with a clear plastic box. Jackie had helped the Russian but ended up dying a hero trying to save the crew.
Considering how many people died throughout the show, Doward's mission seemed futile. The sonar operator needed for the HMS Vigil to resurface when it was surrounded by Russian vessels so that they could take pictures and show them to the public, proving Britain's nuclear deterrent program had flaws and could be infiltrated. A vote on its funding was scheduled in Parliament the following week, and Russian operatives wanted it to be defunded.
Doward tried to force the submarine to surface in many ways, including flooding it. It was one of his last acts, though, as he's stopped by the crew when he tries to take control of the boat by keeping Silva at knifepoint and threatening to kill her if the Commander (Paterson Joseph) does not give the order to resurface. His reason for wanting to help the Russian operatives is never explained, as he refuses to comment when in custody.
As a result of Silva's trauma from losing her partner—as she had to choose between him and their daughter—her ability to profess her feelings is affected, and that impacts the relationship with Longacre. When Longacre learns more about her situation when visiting Silva's daughter on her birthday, things start to change. When Silva leaves the Vigil submarine, she asks Kirsten to visit her daughter Poppy together with her and is finally able to tell her she loves her, leading to their reconciliation.
Anjli Mohindra, who plays onboard medic Tiffany Docherty, has told the press that talks were in motion for a possible Vigil season 2, but nothing has been confirmed. Creator and writer Tom Edge has revealed he would love to revisit some of the characters of the show, although not underwater, as all the stories they wished to tell on a submarine were explored. Story-wise, Vigil does not need a second season, as all major storylines were satisfactorily concluded, but it could still be in the works.
Jamie Foxx thinks that Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin is the scariest villain in Marvel's upcoming film, Spider-Man: No Way Home. No Way Home is the third Spider-Manmovie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is one of the most anticipated tentpole blockbuster releases of 2021. The film is set to feature a host of actors from previous Spider-Man franchises (i.e. the two separate continuities directed by Sam Raimi and Marc Webb respectively), including Alfred Molina as Doc Ock, Foxx as Electro, and Dafoe as the Green Goblin. While Dafoe was rumored to be attached to the film for a long time, Sony only recently confirmed the actor's return officially.
Dafoe's chilling performance as Norman Osborn captivated audiences when Raimi's first Spider-Man film released in 2002; he is arguably the most iconic villain in the entire trilogy. Although he is defeated by the conclusion of the first film, his lingering legacy provides the thrust for many of the primary conflicts throughout the three films – particularly with regards to Peter Parker's (Tobey Maguire) relationship with Norman's son, Harry (James Franco). Now, thanks to the storytelling possibilities afforded by the MCU's recently introduced multiverse, Dafoe will return as the Green Goblin opposite Tom Holland's Spider-Man.
In a new video posted to the official Spider-Man YouTube account, Foxx explains why he thinks Dafoe's Green Goblin is the most intimidating villain featured in No Way Home. He says that Dafoe's performance "seems personal," unlike his own character, Electro, whose anger is directed "to the world." Check out the actor's full quote below:
"It's crazy because we've just been watching Willem and it seems personal. Because with Electro, it's to the world. The world did me wrong. But when something is personal - and you can go all the way back to Shakespeare - when something is personal, there's nothing that can beat that. No matter what costume you put on, no matter what you say. When he speaks, he has the power. It's personal. And any time you can get a character to be personal in the movie, it has the most weight."
Dafoe's performance as the Green Goblin in the original Spider-Man was suitably creepy and unsettling, and it sounds like those qualities carried over into Spider-Man: No Way Home. Foxx's description of Dafoe's turn is fascinating, with his use of the word "personal" to describe Norman Osborn's story. Not many concrete narrative details are widely known at this point, but based on Foxx's comments, there are some differences in each villain's respective arc. It will be interesting to see Dafoe's No Way Home performance and what makes it feel so "personal." The actor definitely has the talent to deliver a memorable antagonist, and the personal element can make Goblin even more compelling.
Despite praising Marvel's modifications to Electro, Foxx himself can't help but concede the title of "scariest villain" to Dafoe. Sam Raimi's horror sensibilities played a significant role in highlighting Dafoe's ability to portray sinister characters in the original Spider-Man trilogy. Although Raimi is currently busy directing Doctor Strange 2, Foxx's comments indicate that Dafoe is bringing his A-game in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
