Matt.weiland

Getty Image

The world of Game of Thrones is not kind to those that end up on the wrong end of various power dynamics, either political or interpersonal. And while there are certainly characters that have it worse than Sansa Stark, she’s definitely had a rough go of things. She probably thought it couldn’t get worse than her treatment at the hands of Joffrey … and then she got married off to Ramsay Bolton.

Things may be looking up for Sansa in season six, though. At least that’s what actress Sophie Turner is claiming. Here’s what she told Entertainment Weekly:

“I mean this season is a really, really big one for Sansa. It’s probably her best season yet. It’s her really coming into her own. She, this season, really commands the respect that she deserves and she grabs hold of it and she runs with it and it’s really good. … It was amazing because the past five seasons, it feels like it’s been building up and up to that. You can only suffer so much before she finally gets her, the respect that she deserves.

“I mean this season there’s like so many shocks, it’s massive. It’s the biggest season yet. And just like in terms of character development, so many people’s storylines, I’m so excited for. I’m so excited to see Alfie’s one this season. It’s going to be good.”

That will be a nice change of pace. While Sansa has finally pulled her head out of her fairytale filled arse, she’s still no better at self-actualizing her own destiny than Hodor. Margaery Tyrell tried to teach her a few basics on how to run things as a woman in Westeros but it went completely over her head. I’d say she needs a couple more masterclasses from Littlefinger, but the less those two are together, the better.

While this season may be the best for Sansa in a while, that may not mean much in the context of Game of Thrones. As Ramsay Bolton once said, if you think this is going to have a happy ending, you haven’t been paying attention. But even if Sansa just gets some hits in on the way to a typically terrible Game of Thrones fate, at least she got to the point where she was able to fight back.

(via Entertainment Weekly)

Subscribe to UPROXX

Obviously there was a lot of CGI in last year’s Jurassic World, even more than you may have thought. That said, not everything was done entirely with a computer. A lot of the movie’s effects were still practical, or at least partially practical.

What was real and what wasn’t? How was it all done? A new video from Industrial Light and Magic gets into it with highlights that include a breakdown of how much of the scenery was CGI during the movie’s final “roaring T. rex” shot (almost all of it), and hilarious pre-VFX footage of kids riding guys with saddles on their backs for the “dino pony rides” scene. Oh, and no, Bryce Dallas Howard running everywhere in high heels wasn’t an effect. That was apparently all her.

By the way, Industrial Light and Magic wasn’t the only special effects company to work on Jurassic World. VFX company Imagine Engine has also released a video showing how they achieved some of their visual trickery (they mostly worked on the movie’s raptors):

Interesting stuff. I feel like Jurassic World somewhat over-utilized the CGI effects (Jurassic Park with its heavy use of practical props still looks more believable), but there’s no denying there were some pretty fantastic shots in the movie. Hats off to the countless VFX artists who gave us the T. rex/Indominus rex/velociraptor throwdown of our nerdy dreams.

Now Watch: You Should Put These 12 Most Promising Movies Of 2016 On Your Calendar

“Jurassic Parkour” is a great short video by Brentwood Photography of athlete Reko Rivera wearing a Tyrannosaurus rex costume while performing a series of awesome parkour stunts. Last year, Reko wore the suit while doing some intense “American Ninja Warrior T-Raining.”

via Dorkly

highpulp:

WHO DID THIS

Getty Image

Snoop Dogg’s resume is already pretty lengthy: rapper, actor, football coach, entrepreneur and now, thanks to this petition, a possible host for one of BBC’s most popular TV series.

A petition has been created to get Snoop to narrate a whole season of BBC’s nature documentary series, Planet Earth, and is already at 12,250 signatures and counting. The inspiration behind the petition comes from a segment Snoop did on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where the rapper recorded voiceovers to footage from Planet Earth.

Subscribe to UPROXX

Of course, plenty of people are excited about the possibility of Snoop talking about animals in nature, with that distinctive voice of his.

Even Snoop himself is down for the cause.

Looks like David Attenborough might have some competition, or at the very least we’ll get a joint episode where the two narrate together. Regardless, the world needs more Plizzanet Earth.

(Via NME)

Keanu Reeves narrated a Quantum chess match between theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and actor Paul Rudd to prove that “Anyone Can Quantum.” Quantum chess was created by Selim Akl, and applies the properties of quantum physics to the pieces on a chess board to put an interesting twist on the game.

The video was directed by Reeves’ Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure costar Alex Winter for the IQIM Caltech event One Entangled Evening.

By Erin Foster

Should I bring my kids on my Walt Disney World vacation? That’s a joke, right?

Disney is the place for kids. If I want to go to Disney World, I have to bring them. Um, don’t I?

Well, no, you don’t have to bring them. And, depending on your needs, you may not want to. Here are some things to think about to decide whether bringing the kids on your Disney vacation is right for you.

Meetings and parties are just a few of the reasons to leave your kids at home when you visit Walt Disney World.

Is there an easy place to leave your kids at home?

This won’t work for everyone, but many families have a relatively (Get it? Relatively. Oy, sorry.) easy place to leave the kiddos — grandparents or a favorite aunt may be thrilled to step in for a few days. Or you and a best buddy could trade babysitting duties over a few long weekends. For some children, particularly younger kids, getting indulged by grandma might be more appealing than getting schlepped around in the hot sun. Or perhaps you and your spouse/partner could trade childcare duties, giving each some getaway time.

Will your kids complain if they know you went to Disney World without them?

Many elementary age kids or older will know about the wonderful world of Disney from hearing stories of their friends’ travel or from television advertisements. This may make it more challenging to ditch them at home. However, a preschooler may have no idea what they’re missing if you say you’re off at Disney World (or just Florida) for a few days. The reaction from the peanut gallery could color your decision.

What’s your budget?

Let’s face it. Kids are expensive. Depending on the ages of your kids and how many you have, bringing them can add thousands of dollars to the cost of a trip in park ticket fees, food bills, transportation rates, and possibly larger accommodations — not to mention all the extra souvenirs they “must have, pleeeeeeazze.” On the other hand, an adult or two in budget mode can often get by with a fairly frugal parks visit. Leaving the kids at home is a great way to save money.

Will your kids slow you down?

Related to the money issue … Adults on their own are often able to cover significantly more territory at Disney World than adults accompanied by children. You might be able get as much accomplished in two days at the parks alone as you would in four days in the parks with your kids. A shorter stay could mean significant cost savings.

Do your kids bother you on vacation?

Everyone’s family dynamic changes while you’re on vacation and out of your routine. Sometimes we become better versions of ourselves when we’re away from home. And sometimes, well, not. Your child may be a delight when she’s home in her usual routine with her usual food and usual bedtime, but become a royal terror (or just a big annoyance) when she’s out of her comfort zone. Frankly, sometimes traveling with your kids just isn’t much fun. If you’re in fun mode, then maybe leaving them at home is better for everyone.

Do your kids get along with each other?

If your kids spend most of the time squabbling with each other when you’re on vacation, maybe going on vacation can wait until they’re older or more mature.

Do your kids like Disney?

There are some people who simply don’t like Disney theme parks. Shocking, I know. Some of those people might even be kids. If they don’t like the parks, then not bringing them there might make them, and you, more happy than having them tag along.

What are your child’s school issues?

Many school districts have strict policies against removing children from class for travel. And some children may struggle academically if they miss even a day or two of school. If you’re considering a trip during the school year (for a runDisney race or the opening of a new attraction, for example), it may not be prudent to bring your kids with you.

Do you need a mental health break away from your kids?

My first post-parenthood trip to Disney World without my children happened when my youngest (twins) were six years old. I had a difficult pregnancy followed immediately by years of attention to the twins’ many health problems. I was basically in a constant state of worry and stress for half a decade. Once we finally got the situation under control, I was mentally and physically exhausted. I knew I needed to get away and was ready to just go sleep in a Holiday Inn in the next town. My husband, knowing I was a huge Disney fan, suggested a solo trip to Disney World. I slept. I ate. I went only on the rides I liked. I sat by the pool. And when I came home four days later I was a new woman, ready to face the next set of challenges.

There’s a caveat here — Of course if you go to Disney World you won’t be getting away from ALL kids, just your own. For some people, this will prove counterproductive. However, I have never had a problem being around other people’s kids, even if they’re rambunctious or crying. It’s just my own kids acting up that makes me nuts.

Similarly, if being away from your kids makes you feel guilty, then hanging out near lots of other people’s children could exacerbate the issue.

Do you need time to reconnect with your spouse/partner?

There’s a reason why Disney World is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world — great hotels, wonderful restaurants, terrific entertainment, and so on. If at-home child care duties have caused tension or drift in your relationship, Disney is a fabulous place to relax and unwind together (you don’t even have to set foot in the parks) and make some couple-centered memories.

Is there a preponderance of things you want to do at the parks that aren’t child friendly?

Maybe you’ve had a bucket-list goal of riding every WDW roller coaster in a single day. That might be a great thing to do with your teens, but if you’ve got a preschooler, it’s more than a little challenging to make that happen. Sure, you could hire a sitter to watch your kids at the hotel, or to accompany you in the parks, but that’s a significant added expense, as well as a significant time drag. Perhaps it would be easier to leave your kids at home for this type of trip.

Are you participating in an event that makes even child care challenging?

Many runDisney races require you to be ready to go at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning. Sure, you could get Kids Nite Out to send you a sitter at three a.m., but do you want to? Will you be worried about them showing up on time? Will you want them around while you’re getting dressed for the race? Will you want them waking up with a stranger in the room? Perhaps this is the trip to leave them at home with your sister so you can fully enjoy the fruits of your training.

In addition to runDisney events, there may be business conferences, Food & Wine events, or other situations that present childcare puzzles.

Disney World is certainly a great place to bring kids, but it’s also a great place to enjoy children. If you’re a parent, have you visited the parks without your children? Do you want to? Would this be a difficult decision for your? Let us know in the comments below.

Should I Bring My Kids On My Disney World Vacation? is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Donald Trump went to church today: “When the collection plate was passed, Mr. Trump tossed in money; two crisp $50 bills peeked out from under a handful of singles minutes later.” The sermon was on the concept of humility. “I have more humility than people think,” he told reporters afterwards.

Read more...

AMC

Season two of ‘Better Call Saul’ premieres Monday, February 15 10/9c on AMC.

In the first season of Better Call Saul, we were introduced to the people in Saul’s life before he got involved in the con game, way back when he was still a public defender living in the back of a nail salon going by the name Jimmy McGill. As season two unfolds, we’ll undoubtedly see more characters come in contact with Jimmy as he starts to tear down his old “Slippin’ Jimmy” reputation and conjure the slimy persona of Saul Goodman. For now, let’s look at who we met in season one and where you’ve seen the many familiar faces before Better Call Saul came along.

Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut

AMC/Paramount

The Mike that we meet in Better Call Saul isn’t exactly the stone cold hitman for hire that we see in Breaking Bad — not yet, anyway. He’s still incredibly gruff, only he’s working at a parking lot toll booth instead of getting his hands dirty for crime lords like Gus Fring and Walter White. Actor Johnathan Banks had plenty of experience playing shady characters long before Vince Gilligan came calling, and was often cast as bad guys with names like “Slick Slim” in the TV movie Boys in Blue and “Handsome Harry” in There Goes the Neighborhood. In addition to getting shot by Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop, Banks played characters on the other side of the law plenty of times as well. He portrayed cops in shows like Dexter and movies such as Gremlins and Horrible Bosses 2 and an FBI agent on the cult-favorite late-’80s crime drama Wiseguy.

Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler

AMC/ Fanfare Productions

We know that Kim had some serious pull at Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill and that she has a close and complicated relationship with Jimmy. This is bound to become even more complicated and result in even more deep conversations at the nail salon as Jimmy transitions to Saul in the new season. Prior to befriending Albuquerque’s soon-to-be shadiest lawyer as Kim Wexler, Rhea Seehorn took on both cameo and regular cast parts on a number of TV shows including Whitney, Franklin & Bash, and Burn Notice.

Patrick Fabian as Howard Hamlin

AMC/NBC

Howard Hamlin is really everything that Jimmy isn’t. He’s better looking, more charming, and obviously much more successful. While at the beginning of the first season Jimmy was nothing more than a never-was clown to Howard, by the end of episode four (“Hero”) it had become abundantly clear to Howard just how cunning Jimmy could be. If upon first seeing the suntanned villain you thought to yourself “Hey, I’ve seen that guy before” that’s because actor Patrick Fabian has popped up in a ridiculous amount of TV shows over the years. Nineties kids will best remember him as the charming college professor that nearly stole Kelly from Zack Morris in Saved by the Bell: The College Years. Fabian has also worked on everything from Veronica Mars to Big Love, Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and nearly all of the CSI spin-offs.

Michael Mando as Nacho Varga

AMC/Ubisoft

While Howard Hamlin might pose a career threat to Jimmy, Nacho Varga is more of an end-your-life-and-bury-you-in-the-desert type of threat. Canadian-born actor Michael Mando is the only member of the Saul cast that’s probably best-known not for a TV or film role, but for his portrayal of another psychopath – Vaas Montenegro in the video game Far Cry 3. Mando has had plenty of practice playing bad guys over the years, though, showing up in Elysium, Psych, and as a recurring character in the sci-fi series Orphan Black.

Michael McKean as Chuck McGill

AMC/Embassy Pictures

There’s something about comedians that attracts Saul co-creator Vince Gilligan and he couldn’t have found a better choice for mentally-ill Hamlin partner Chuck McGill than comedy vet Michael McKean. McKean’s film and TV resumé is incredibly long with the actor having roles in some of the biggest comedy hits of the last 40 years. In addition to being a regular cast member of Happy Days spin-off Laverne & Shirley, he’s popped up in a ton of TV shows over the years with recurring roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm and animated series like Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law and The Animaniacs. McKean’s film work is just as extensive, and the Christopher Guest ensemble regular can lay claim to playing a huge part in one of the 20th century’s greatest comedies — This Is Spinal Tap.

Kerry Condon as Stacey Ehrmantraut

AMC

We only saw Stacey in one season three episode of Breaking Bad and while we don’t know a lot about her yet, we do know that she followed her father-in-law out to New Mexico after her husband was killed in Philly. We also know that she has a somewhat reluctant relationship with Mike, though she does allow him to dote on his granddaughter. Saul fans might best recognize actress Kerry Condon from AMC’s biggest hit show, The Walking Dead, where she played Clara, a disturbed widow that Rick comes across in the woods before she ultimately became a walker. Condon left her native Ireland at age 16 to embark on her acting career, which has included roles on HBO shows Luck and Rome. And just last summer, she joined the Marvel universe providing the voice of F.R.I.D.A.Y. in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill aka Saul Goodman

AMC/NBC

If you’ve been a fan of Saul Goodman since Breaking Bad, then there’s a good chance you’re probably familiar with Bob Odenkirk’s extensive film and TV resumé. Just in case you lost track of the guy in between his revered sketch show, Mr. Show, and Breaking Bad, let’s do a quick refresher course.

The actor and comedy writer (Saturday Night Live, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, Ben Stiller Show, Get a Life) has been tied in either major or minor capacities to some of your favorite movies and shows over the years including The Cable Guy, Seinfeld, How I Met Your Mother, Let’s Go to Prison, and Nebraska. Odenkirk just reunited with his old Mr. Show buddy, David Cross, for the Netflix sketch series W/ Bob & David and is currently producing an indie comedy he co-wrote called Girlfriend’s Day. So yeah, the guy’s been pretty busy over the last 25 years.

Subscribe to UPROXX

Adam Driver reprised his role of Kylo Ren (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) for a Saturday Night Live skit in which the First Order Commander goes undercover at Starkiller Base as “Matt the radar technician” for an episode of CBS show Undercover Boss. The skit turned out to be one of the most popular videos SNL has put out in awhile, and understandably so. Picturing that petulant brat trying to fit in among the rank and file First Order members makes for several funny moments.

And because every Star Wars character — however obscure — seems to get an action figure eventually, why not Matt the radar technician? (It’s not canon, you say? Shush, you.) Jim Heston of Toy Addicts has answered the call. He employed his custom toymaking skills in crafting this alternate version of Kylo Ren, complete with maintenance supplies and a lightsaber you don’t have to look at if you don’t think it’s cool.

Via Jim Heston

The toy is a one-off created as a fan, but we’ll admit we would buy three of them if they were official merchandise. What do you think of this action figure, “Matt”?

Via NBC

He’s giving a thumbs up, but we all know he’s really crying on the inside.

(Via Jim Heston and Neatorama)

Subscribe to UPROXX

One of the most frustrating questions regarding the death of Teresa Halbach in Netflix’s crime documentary Making A Murderer is “If Steven Avery didn’t kill her, who did?” We’ve heard a couple of theories offered up by internet sleuths and Steven Avery himself, but there’s been nothing very conclusive – partially because the police did such a terrible job of following leads once they’d decided Avery was the killer. But former police sergeant and FBI cold case task force worker John Cameron thinks he knows who did it.

According to Cameron, Edward Wayne Edwards was a serial killer that liked to set other people up for the crimes he committed and was obsessed with the media attention surrounding murder. Sometimes he would pick victims based on reports he read in newspapers. Other times his target would be the person being set up for murder, with the victim being almost inconsequential.

Officially, Edwards has been convicted of five deaths from 1977 to 1996, including the murder of his adopted son for insurance money. But there’s a growing body of investigators that believe he is responsible for some of the biggest unsolved murder cases in American history, including the Zodiac killings, the West Memphis Three, Chandra Levy, and Jon Benet Ramsey. Now Cameron believes Edwards may have something to do with Teresa Halbach’s death as well.

What ties Edwards to all these cases? Location, letters to press/police/families of victims, and blogs written by Ed Edwards himself. His daughter, who was the one who ended up turning him in to the authorities, has also put forward information linking Edwards to more murders than he was officially tried for.

Here are some things that may make you go hmmm when considering Cameron’s theory that Edwards killed Halbach:

• Several of Edward Wayne Edwards’ past victims were murdered on Halloween night. Teresa Halbach disappeared on Halloween night.
• Edwards had killed in Wisconsin before: In 1980, Edwards mudered Timothy Hack and Kelly Drew in what was later dubbed the Sweetheart Slayings.
• Edwards was living about an hour away from Steven Avery at the time of the murder.
• Avery’s new lawyer Kathleen Zellner has already freed one of the men wrongfully convicted of a crime Cameron attributes to Ed Edwards – Ryan Ferguson spent nearly 10 years in jail for the death of Columbia Daily Tribune sports editor Kent Heith. That murder went down on Halloween night.
• Edwards has a history of showing up at funerals and trials of his victims. Cameron contends he’s been caught on camera doing this a few times, appearing in the background of a documentary on the West Memphis Three. As for the Halbach case, take a look at someone Cameron noticed in episode six of Making A Murderer:

Netflix / Montana Correctional Institute

Was this Edward Wayne Edwards? Cameron has spent time in Wisconsin trying to determine the mystery individual’s identity, with no luck so far.

If you thought the people out there fighting to determine Avery’s innocence or guilt are hardcore, wait until you wade into the section of the internet devoted to serial killer theories. There are endless message boards crammed with opinions, theories, and suppositions made by all sorts of people about every case ever left unsolved. Cameron makes some solid arguments and has a legit background in police investigation, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that he’s accusing one man of literally over a hundred murders.

I mean, just look at his website, which declares with no uncertainty that “EDWARDS IS THE KILLER OF TERESA HALBACH AND SET-UP OF STEVEN AVERY AND BRENDAN DASSEY.” Well, that’s, like, just your opinion, man. The rest of us would like a few more hard facts to back this up before we go all in on this theory. And when someone is willing to throw so much certainty behind one claim we know isn’t for sure, how are we supposed to give him the benefit of the doubt in anything else he says?

But the further you go down the rabbit hole, the harder it gets to ignore certain evidence unearthed by Cameron. For more information, you can check out Cameron’s book, listen to some of his appearances on crime podcasts, or take a look at this website which attempts to summarize the evidence that ties Edwards to his many alleged crimes.

Now Watch: Hollywood Weighs In On The #OscarsSoWhite Controversey

IGN has created a compilation video of every time that the heroic astromech droid, R2-D2, has saved the day in the Star Wars films.

Luke, Han, and Leia would have been dead long ago if it weren’t for this little droid.

via Blame It On The Voices

Rebel Scum is a Star Wars fan film, created by Blood Brother Cinema Co., about a rebel pilot who wrecked his snowspeeder and is now stranded on Hoth in Empire controlled territory. The clever pilot, who goes by Echo 12, does whatever it takes to survive and get back to his family.

Rebel Scum was filmed over a period of 2 months at the Columbia Icefields in Alberta Canada on the Athabasca Glacier. Due the nature of the hostile environment a custom thermal rig was built to keep the cameras from freezing in -30C/-22F. Nearly all visual effects have been achieved without the use of CGI using time-honored methods such a stop-motion animation.

images via Blood Brother Cinema Co.

via reddit

David Bowie Secrets

thesimpsonsfox:

“Can’t argue with the little things, it’s the little things that make up life.” - Hank Scorpio

eyeonspringfield:

Now I’m going down to Emmett’s Fix-It Shop… to fix Emmett.

Tsutchi~i captured absolutely adorable footage of a confused little raccoon frantically searching for a piece of cotton candy that disappeared right before his eyes when he tried to wash it. Unfortunately, the sugary sweet left no trace of behind.

via RocketNews24

Subscribe to UPROXX

One really fun part of being a beloved television character with a catch phrase must be having that catch phrase yelled at you, constantly, wherever you go. Oh, did I say fun? I meant “incredibly tedious and annoying.” The always fabulous Retta, currently appearing on Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce, stopped by to chat with Seth Meyers on Wednesday night where she was asked about her own catchphrase on Parks and Recreation, which several audience members screamed out at the very hint of.

When asked how often per day she hears “Treat Yo Self,” Retta says, “If I don’t hear it 10 times a day… I haven’t left my house.” She also says that her fans, true to form, always think they’re the first one who ever thought of saying it to her. She says, “I love that people think that they’re, like, discovering new land with it. I’ll post a new purse that I bought that they’re like, ‘Girl, you know what you just did, right?'”

To be fair to enthusiastic Parks and Rec fans, most of us would probably have trouble restraining ourselves when put in the position of coming face to face with Retta. At least, as a lover of good television, she seems to take it with little more than a sense of humor and slight eyeroll.

Via Brian Kesinger / Instagram

Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes comic strip ran from 1985 to 1995, but it’s still inspiring people to have theme weddings, make fan tributes, and cosplay as the titular characters. Calvin and Hobbes also deftly lends itself to immediately-recognizable mashup art, like this alternate and adorable version of Rocket Raccoon and Groot. Now Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been given the mashup treatment.

Brian Kesinger is an artist who works for Marvel Comics and Disney Animation Studios, and he tells BuzzFeed he decided to draw this series when he watched Rey ride a makeshift sled down a sand dune on Jakku. “It struck me that she probably did that as a child, and that’s when the Calvin and Hobbes image flashed in my head.”

Kesinger credits Watterson as one of his biggest influences, and that inspiration is clear in how much the style of these drawings would fit right into a Spaceman Spiff comic — or a “Spaceman Finn” comic.

You can see more of Brian Kesinger’s cool art on his Instagram and his Etsy store, or continue scrolling to see the Calvin and Hobbes mashups. Let’s go exploring!

Bonus Adventure Time mashup:

(Via Brian Kesinger and BuzzFeed)

Now Watch: All The Rey Theories From ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Explained

Subscribe to UPROXX

At a recent Big Bash League cricket match in Melbourne, a young boy in the stands was spotted eating an entire watermelon, including the rind.

via YouTube Trending

We noted last night that ESPN corporate parent Disney shoved a bunch of hilariously bad references to the college football playoff games on New Year’s Eve into yesterday’s episode of General Hospital. Commenter JortReform noted that even Disney Jr. had been running tie-in promos, and we caught one of them on TV today. It’s... thirsty.

Read more...

AMC

Andrew Lincoln has been playing Rick Grimes so well for so long on The Walking Dead that it’s almost impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. Interestingly, however, I doubt that many people in 2010 could’ve predicted that this guy:

Universal Pictures

Would’ve been the perfect actor to ultimately play this guy:

AMC

Believe it or not, however, Andrew Lincoln wasn’t the first choice to play Rick on The Walking Dead.

As most of you may know, The Walking Dead‘s journey through the development process was not an easy one. The original showrunner Frank Darabont had shopped the series around to a number of networks, but no one was interested in a grim serialized drama about a zombie apocalypse where major characters were frequently killed off. NBC, of course, won the award for most baffling reason why they passed on the series, as one executive at that network saw the pilot and said, “This is awesome. I really love this. Does it have to have zombies in it?”

Of course, AMC wasn’t exactly Darabont’s first choice for the series, either. When The Walking Dead was pitched, AMC was basically the home of Mad Men, and that was it. It may not have felt like a natural home for a grim, post-apocalyptic drama.

In fact, Darabont first took the series to HBO, three years before it began airing on AMC. When he brought it to HBO, however, he had someone else in mind to play the nominal lead in the series, Rick Grimes.

HBO

Yup. Thomas Jane, who had starred in The Mist, directed by Frank Darabont. Here’s Jane with a Rick Grimes beard.

Getty Image

I could see that.

Unfortunately for Thomas Jane and fortunately for Andrew Lincoln, HBO passed on The Walking Dead and by the time that AMC had picked it up in 2010, Thomas Jane was already committed to another series, Hung.

The rest is history.

Source: L.A. Times via Reddit

Subscribe to UPROXX

NBC’s critical darling 30 Rock has been off the air for almost three years, and Tina Fey has since moved on to her acclaimed (and bizarrely misunderstood) Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and the new comedy film Sisters. But much like George Costanza boiled and fumed until he came up with his jerk store comeback, Sarah Palin decided that 30 Rock was the perfect target for her own act of comedic revenge. John McCain’s former running mate has long taken credit for Fey’s career and all-around success, as her Palin impression on Saturday Night Live is still a fan favorite, so when Fey brought the clueless candidate back on this week’s SNL, Palin countered with 31 Rock.

Produced by the Independent Journal Review, 31 Rock stars Palin as Lynn Melon, a “small-town TV writer who moves to NYC in hopes of creating a hit variety show.” Joining her are Senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain, as well as 30 Rock cast member Kevin Brown, who reprises his role as Dot Com. In addition to allegedly mocking Fey, Palin takes a swing at the politically correct with a timely Starbucks cup joke, as well as a comment about the only PC she needs that is sure to leave your pants dry.

As far as parodies go, this is certainly a video that someone made.

Now Watch: Why Everyone Loves Tina Fey & Amy Poehler