Nerdist in Audio

Instaread

Experience the best of Nerdist.com in a whole new way with Nerdist in Audio! We take the insightful and entertaining articles you love from the Nerdist website and bring them to life through audio narration. Perfect for multitasking, accessibility, or simply enjoying content in a different format, Nerdist in Audio ensures you don't miss out on the latest discussions in pop culture, science, gaming, and beyond. Subscribe and make the most of your listening time!

Brought to you by Instaread ( https://instaread.co/player )

Disclaimer: This content is generated using AI Voices.

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

Play

Open in

187 episodes
Avg 3 min
English

Episodes 187

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

#1502
September 15 · 2 min
Is DIGGER a Musical? The Internet Thinks So!
Is DIGGER a Musical? The Internet Thinks So! The internet has latched onto a theory that Tom Cruise's upcoming film Digger might secretly be a musical, sparked by a viral tweet from writer Jason Pargin compiling trailer clips as "evidence." The clips do feature unusually sweeping camera angles, overwrought gestures, and dramatic flourishes resembling musical numbers, and other users noted that films like Sweeney Todd, Wonka, and Mean Girls similarly hid their musical nature in marketing. The author ultimately concludes Digger probably isn't a real musical, and that the eccentric clips simply reflect how bizarre Cruise's performance as an oil tycoon is — but admits it would be fun if it were true. Digger releases October 2. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/is-digger-a-musical-internet-theory/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1501
September 15 · 2 min
MR. IRRELEVANT Trailer: David Corenswet’s Sports Movie Will Make You Sob
MR. IRRELEVANT Trailer: David Corenswet's Sports Movie Will Make You Sob The trailer for Mr. Irrelevant introduces David Corenswet as John Tuggle, the real-life last player selected in the 1983 NFL draft by the New York Giants, who fought a battle far bigger than earning a roster spot. Directed by Jonathan Levine (50/50, Warm Bodies), the film also stars Michael Shannon as Hall-of-Fame coach Bill Parcells and Isabel May as Tuggle's love interest. The movie is described as an inspiring true story about perseverance transcending even the greatest challenges, and it hits theaters this Christmas. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/mr-irrelevant-trailer-david-corenswet-emotional-sports-movie/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1500
September 15 · 4 min
LANTERNS Episode 5 Showed Us Pure Good and Evil
LANTERNS Episode 5 Showed Us Pure Good and Evil This review of Lanterns episode five discusses how the finale of the show's 2016 storyline strips away moral ambiguity, revealing Zoe Macon (the Manhunter posing as a beloved Rushville community member) to be utterly amoral rather than sympathetic — she's used the townspeople for control and is willing to sacrifice them to draw out and kill Hal Jordan. By contrast, the episode elevates Hal Jordan and John Stewart to true heroism: Hal, despite his arrogance, is fundamentally righteous, while John proves himself a worthy Green Lantern by refusing to be either Zoe's pawn or a blind instrument of the Guardians. The reviewer praises the mutual respect Hal and John show each other despite their rivalry and expresses excitement for more of Aaron Pierre's John Stewart in the DCU. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/lanterns-episode-5-showed-us-pure-good-and-evil/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1499
September 15 · 4 min
Why Is Guy Gardner SUPERMAN’s Green Lantern? LANTERNS Explains
Why Is Guy Gardner SUPERMAN's Green Lantern? LANTERNS Explains Episode five of Lanterns finally explains why Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, not John Stewart, is Earth's Green Lantern in James Gunn's Superman. After John Stewart kills the Manhunter Zoe Macon and claims Hal Jordan's ring, he confronts Guardian Lianna (Laura Linney) and realizes he was manipulated — so he angrily rejects the ring and walks away from his supposed destiny. With both Hal and John out of contention, the Guardians are forced to turn to their third option: Guy Gardner, an arrogant but obedient recruit. The article speculates this recruitment happens sometime in the nine-year gap between the show's 2016 setting and Superman's 2025 setting, and notes Fillion will appear as Guy Gardner in a jail-visit scene in episode six. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/lanterns-why-is-guy-gardner-green-lantern-not-john-stewart-superman/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1498
September 15 · 6 min
Who Is Abin Sur, the Green Lantern Before Hal Jordan?
Who Is Abin Sur, the Green Lantern Before Hal Jordan? This article traces the comics history of Abin Sur, Hal Jordan's predecessor as Green Lantern of Sector 2814, from his 1959 debut in DC Showcase #22 through various reinterpretations — including the 1990 miniseries Emerald Dawn, Geoff Johns' 2000s Green Lantern run introducing the Sinestro Corps and "Secret Origins," and his portrayal by Temeura Morrison in the 2009 Green Lantern film. It then explains how HBO Max's Lanterns reinvents his death yet again: Abin Sur broke Guardian protocol by sparing the fugitive Manhunter Zoe Macon and bringing her to Earth, and she killed him to protect her secret, leaving him just enough time to pass his ring to Hal Jordan in Rushville, Nebraska. This ties Sur's death directly into the show's central Manhunter plot and reinforces the theme that the Guardians' cover-up of their own mistakes caused much of the story's tragedy. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/green-lantern-abin-sur-explained-lanterns-dc-comics/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1497
September 13 · 2 min
Is DIGGER a Musical? The Internet Thinks So!
Is DIGGER a Musical? The Internet Thinks So! A fan theory has taken off online suggesting Tom Cruise's upcoming film Digger might secretly be a musical. Writer Jason Pargin sparked the theory with a viral tweet compiling trailer clips as "evidence," which gained traction with over 42,000 views/engagements. The article notes the clips do feature an unusual number of sweeping camera angles, overwrought gestures, and dramatic flourishes (including a literal split) that resemble musical dance numbers, and other users pointed out that films like Sweeney Todd, Wonka, and Mean Girls similarly concealed their musical elements in marketing. Ultimately, the author concludes Digger is probably not an actual musical — the eccentric clips likely just reflect how bizarre and over-the-top Cruise's performance as an oil tycoon is in this film — but plays along with the fun of the theory, joking that if it were a musical, it might rank among the best movies ever made. Digger releases in theaters on October 2. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/is-digger-a-musical-internet-theory/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1496
September 13 · 5 min
HOPE Is This Year’s Most Unhinged Action Movie (Complimentary)
HOPE Is This Year's Most Unhinged Action Movie (Review) Hope, from South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin (The Chaser, The Wailing), is reportedly the most expensive movie in Korean film history. Set in a fishing village along the DMZ between North and South Korea, the 160-minute film follows a police chief and local hunters investigating mysterious animal deaths, which turn out to be caused by near-human-looking alien creatures. The review praises the film's deliberate pacing and intense, prolonged action sequences (including a standout car-chase introduction for one character), and notes it functions as an allegory about the blurry line between self-defense and attacking "the other." However, the reviewer criticizes the shallow characters, simplistic plot, and rough CGI, and is frustrated that the ending abruptly reveals this is merely "chapter one" of a larger story rather than a complete narrative. Despite its flaws, the reviewer calls it relentless, well-acted, and worth watching, even while feeling ambivalent about a sequel. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/hope-review-action-movie-south-korea-alien-invasion/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1495
September 13 · 1 min
DIGGER Trailer Turns Tom Cruise Into a Wealthy Old Tycoon
DIGGER Trailer Turns Tom Cruise Into a Wealthy Old Tycoon Tom Cruise's upcoming role in Digger is unlike anything he's played before, as revealed in its bizarre final trailer. He plays Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon whose business ends up causing a major disaster that leads to global disruption, prompting him to go on a quest to fix his failure and try to save the world. Cruise looks almost unrecognizable in the role — the article notes it's amusing that, at age 64, he needed heavy makeup and prosthetics just to look old. He's joined by John Goodman as the President of the United States and Riz Ahmed as a scientist and right hand to the POTUS. Cruise has been nominated for an Academy Award before but has never won a competitive one, and the article speculates this transformative role could be his ticket to finally scoring an Oscar. Digger hits theaters on October 2. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/digger-final-trailer-tom-cruise/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1494
September 13 · 1 min
STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE and STARFIGHTER Both Going to IMAX in 2027
STAR WARS: A New Hope and Starfighter Both Going to IMAX in 2027 Lucasfilm announced that two Star Wars films will hit IMAX screens in 2027. First, to mark the franchise's 50th anniversary, a newly restored A New Hope will make its IMAX debut on February 19, 2027, screening in select IMAX 70mm film locations as well as digitally. Then, Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling as "cynical rogue" Kade Auberon, will premiere in IMAX on May 28, 2027, having been shot with IMAX-certified cameras. The Starfighter cast also includes Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, Flynn Gray, and Amy Adams. The article notes Gosling and Levy are also reteaming for a live-action Ghost Rider movie. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/star-wars-a-new-hope-starfighter-imax-2027-50th-anniverary/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1493
September 13 · 1 min
Marvel Studios’ X-MEN Adds GEN V’s Asa Germann as Angel
Marvel Studios' X-Men Adds Gen V's Asa Germann as Angel Asa Germann (Gen V, Scream 7) has joined Marvel Studios' X-Men reboot as Warren Worthington III / Angel, after having originally tested for the role of Cyclops, which ultimately went to Kit Connor. The article recaps Angel's comics history as a founding X-Men member created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, his wealthy background, his eventual transformation into the metal-winged "Archangel" under Apocalypse's control, and his rivalry with Cyclops for Jean Grey's affection. The casting suggests all five original X-Men may appear in the MCU reboot (something the Fox films never did), and the piece speculates that Beast and Iceman announcements may follow, along with theories about Emma Frost's rival mutant school and characters like Storm and Rogue. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/marvel-studios-x-men-asa-germann-cast-angel/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1492
September 13 · 2 min
First Look at STREET FIGHTER Movie Graphic Novel
First Look at Street Fighter Movie Graphic Novel Legendary Comics and Rocketship have launched a Kickstarter for Street Fighter: The Official Movie Graphic Novel, an anthology of five original prequel stories tied to Legendary and Paramount's upcoming Street Fighter film, which hits theaters exclusively on October 16th. The anthology features: a story by Paul Salamoff and Christopher Jones exploring Ken and Ryu's training under Gouken and the roots of their friendship/rivalry; a Chun-Li origin story by Amy Chu and Claudia Balboni covering her rebellious teen years, her relationship with her father, and her first encounter with the villainous Shadaloo organization; a Guile and Dhalsim team-up tale by Nick Marino and Robert Ingranata where the two meet at a martial arts competition and join forces against Shadaloo; a Dan Hibiki origin story by Brian Buccelatto and Mattia Monaco; and an M. Bison backstory penned by David Dastmalchian, the actor who plays Bison in the film (an artist for his story hasn't been announced yet). The article encourages readers to check out and support the Kickstarter campaign. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/street-fighter-movie-graphic-novel-kickstarter-first-look/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1491
September 10 · 4 min
How MST3K: THE RIFFTRAX EXPERIMENTS Selected Its Movies
How MST3K: The RiffTrax Experiments Selected Its Movies Kevin Murphy (Tom Servo) and Bill Corbett (Crow T. Robot) spoke about returning to Mystery Science Theater 3000 for four new episodes called "The RiffTrax Experiments," debuting via Fathom Entertainment starting with Sting of Death on September 9 and 13. Murphy said finding movies was surprisingly easy since they were selective and only wanted films they genuinely loved, with Sting of Death fitting the classic MST3K mold perfectly. Corbett noted they took extra care avoiding films that felt too violent or otherwise wrong for the show's tone, and both wanted movies that would hold up visually and sonically on modern 4K TVs with surround sound, unlike the show's original tube-TV era. Two other films, Deathsport and Space Raiders, have already been announced, but the fourth is being kept secret intentionally to preserve some mystery and surprise for viewers, much like the original series' weekly reveals. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/mst3k-rifftrax-experiments-interview-bill-corbett-kevin-murphy-picking-movies/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1490
September 10 · 8 min
STAR TREK Legends on 60 Years of Humanist Cosmic Adventures
Star Trek Legends on 60 Years of Humanist Cosmic Adventures To mark Star Trek's 60th anniversary, Nerdist interviewed several franchise icons at San Diego Comic-Con about its legacy and future. George Takei recalled his decades-long push for Sulu's promotion to captain, framing it as an extension of his real-world activism. Robert Picardo said Trek's core values of diversity and inclusion will outlast current political trends, and hoped future Trek stays science- and ethics-based rather than becoming dystopian or overly action-focused. Doug Jones reflected on Discovery's demanding production schedule compared to classic Trek's 26-episode seasons. Jerry O'Connell joked about his Lower Decks line referencing his real wife Rebecca Romijn's Star Trek: Strange New Worlds character. Cirroc Lofton discussed the emotional weight of returning as Jake Sisko in a Deep Space Nine tribute episode honoring the late Avery Brooks. Michael Dorn joked that even the writers don't know what happened to Worf's command of the Enterprise. Finally, Rod Roddenberry expressed confidence that despite industry upheaval (including Paramount's merger talks), Star Trek will continue while staying true to his father's core message. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/star-trek-legends-interviews-60th-anniversary-sdcc/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1489
September 10 · 1 min
Ryan Reynolds Says We’ll Learn Why Thor Was Crying in DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Ryan Reynolds Says We'll Learn Why Thor Was Crying in Deadpool & Wolverine Ryan Reynolds confirmed that Marvel Studios will eventually explain the mysterious TVA scene from Deadpool & Wolverine, which showed a future Thor weeping while holding an injured Deadpool. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly on the red carpet for his new film Mayday, Reynolds said he's just as curious as fans about the reasoning behind the moment and promised it will be addressed at some point, though he gave no timeline. The article speculates the payoff could come in Avengers: Doomsday, its sequel Avengers: Secret Wars, or even a future Deadpool sequel, but notes that given the serious tone of Doomsday's trailers so far, the reveal likely won't happen for at least a year, especially since Thor doesn't even know who Deadpool is yet in current MCU continuity. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/ryan-reynolds-says-learn-why-thor-crying-deadpool-wolverine/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1488
September 10 · 1 min
DIGGER Trailer Turns Tom Cruise Into a Wealthy Old Tycoon
"Digger" Trailer Turns Tom Cruise Into a Wealthy Old Tycoon Tom Cruise's upcoming role in Digger is unlike anything he's played before, as revealed in its bizarre final trailer. He plays Digger Rockwell, a wealthy oil tycoon whose business causes a major disaster leading to global disruption, and who then goes on a quest to fix his failure and save the world. Cruise looks almost unrecognizable in the role, requiring heavy makeup and prosthetics to appear elderly at age 64. He's joined by John Goodman as the President of the United States and Riz Ahmed as a scientist and right hand to the POTUS. The article speculates this could be Cruise's best shot at finally winning a competitive Oscar, since he has been nominated before but never won. Digger will hit theaters on October 2. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/digger-final-trailer-tom-cruise/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1487
September 10 · 1 min
Did GODZILLA MINUS ZERO’s Trailer Bring Back a Famous Kaiju?
Did "Godzilla Minus Zero"'s Trailer Bring Back a Famous Kaiju? TOHO and GKIDS have released a new, large-scale IMAX trailer for Godzilla Minus Zero, following an earlier teaser released this year. The film takes place two years after the events of Godzilla Minus One, moving the action to 1949 and returning to the Shikishima family as they face another disaster. Based on a roar heard in the trailer, fans believe King Ghidorah — with all three heads — will appear in the film. The trailer arrives ahead of the film's festival debut on September 26 at the New York Film Festival, and the movie is set to release in US theaters on November 6. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/godzilla-minus-zero-imax-trailer-king-ghidorah/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1486
September 6 · 2 min
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Sequel May Happen at Another Studio
Dungeons & Dragons Sequel May Find a New Home The Core Focus: While Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) was a critical darling, its modest box office led Paramount to pass on a direct sequel. However, the franchise isn't dead yet. Key Takeaways: Hasbro’s Hustle: Hasbro (which owns the D&D IP) is reportedly looking for a new partner or studio to co-finance a follow-up, refusing to let the positive word-of-mouth go to waste. The "Budget" Factor: Any sequel would likely need a tighter budget. Stars like Chris Pine have expressed interest in returning, provided the creative team stays the same. A Cult Classic in the Making: The article notes that the film has found a massive second life on streaming, which is the primary leverage Hasbro is using to pitch a sequel to other studios. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/dungeons-dragons-sequel-may-happen-another-studio-paramount-passed/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1485
September 6 · 1 min
DC Villains 6-Film Limited-Edition Steelbook Has an Evil Glow
DC Villains 6-Film Limited Edition Steelbook Collection The Core Focus: Warner Bros. is releasing a massive, curated 4K UHD Steelbook set focusing specifically on the antagonists and anti-heroes of the DC Universe. Key Takeaways: The Lineup: The set includes Joker, The Suicide Squad, Suicide Squad (2016), Black Adam, Birds of Prey, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Physical Media Revival: This release caters to collectors who still value high-quality physical discs and premium packaging, especially as streaming services continue to rotate content. Villain-Centric Branding: It’s a unique way to package the "DCEU" era by focusing on its most colorful characters rather than the traditional Justice League heroes. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/dc-villains-6-film-limited-edition-steelbook-collection/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1484
September 6 · 2 min
Ralph Fiennes Is Snow In New THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING Image
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – First Look at President Snow The Core Focus: The upcoming Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, has revealed a major casting update and a first-look image of the franchise’s iconic villain. Key Takeaways: Ralph Fiennes as Snow: In a massive casting coup, Ralph Fiennes will play the elder President Snow, bridging the gap between the young Snow (Tom Blyth) in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the version played by Donald Sutherland. Haymitch’s Story: This film focuses on the 50th Hunger Games (the Second Quarter Quell), which was won by a young Haymitch Abernathy. The Prequel Strategy: Lionsgate is doubling down on the "history of Panem," finding that audiences are just as interested in the world-building of the past as they were in Katniss Everdeen’s future. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/the-hunger-games-sunrise-on-the-reaping-exclusive-image-ralph-fiennes-president-snow/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#1483
September 6 · 3 min
6 Shows and Films We Can’t Wait to Watch in September
What to Watch in September: Films and Shows The Core Focus: A curated guide to the biggest releases for the month, helping fans navigate the transition from the summer blockbuster season to the "prestige" fall season. Key Takeaways: The Big Hits: The list features Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Theatrical), The Penguin (Max), and Agatha All Along (Disney+). Genre Variety: From high-concept animation like Transformers One to the return of The Old Man on FX, the guide highlights that September has become a "second summer" for nerd culture content. The Spooky Season Lead-In: Many of the recommendations (like Agatha and Beetlejuice) lean into the supernatural, marking the unofficial start of the Halloween countdown. Visit https://nerdist.com/article/shows-and-films-to-watch-in-september/ to read or listen to the article. Powered by Instaread (https://instaread.co/player) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 101–120 of 187 episodes