Just think how convenient it would be if we no longer had to drive to work every day, if we no longer needed to jump on an airplane or a bus to get across country for the holidays, or if we no longer had to wait for those unseemly delays in our pizza delivery.  Well, Chinese scientists are working to “make it so” via the miracle of transporter technology.

A group of researchers have recently announced progress in their quest for this Star Trek inspired device.  Well, sort of…

The technology they’re working on doesn’t actually move something from one place to another.  What it really does is duplicate the original object and recreate it in another place.  So I guess it’s more of a replicator technology, though it could have potential to pave the road for true transportation.

The first step in this ‘quantum technology’ was achieved back in 2010 when they managed to replicate at a distance of 10 miles.  Now, they’ve overcome some of the barriers which cause breakdown in information integrity and have gotten the thing to work at up to 60 miles.

The immediate goal with the new technology is to use it as a secure form of communication.  Due to all sorts of fancy laws of physics, the transported particles will change if they are observed, meaning that those on either end of the transmission will be aware if they’ve been hacked.  The first receivers of the new communication system will be (no surprise here) the military.

While people may not be making routine weekend trips to the Mediterranean just yet, this may be a step in the right direction.  Of course, you could always just destroy the original copy and then call it a transportation device…

Thanks to blastr for the heads-up.

Deadline is reporting that actor James Badge Dale (24, The Pacific, Rubicon) has signed on the dotted line to play a villain called Savin in Iron Man 3. And now you know everything we do.

So who could Savin be? It could be that Dale is playing Eric Savin AKA: Coldblood-7, a minor Iron Man villain in the late-80s. He was an Army officer turned cybernetic mercenary, and he looks a little something like this:

So how will Savin fit into the story, which, according to rumor, is based on Warren Ellis’ Extremis storyline? Also, how might the rumored main villain, The Mandarin, rumored to be played by Ben Kingsley, fit into this? Nobody knows. Well, Shane Black, we assume.

Iron Man 3 starts shooting next month.

Source: /Film

The cast of Community has appeared in both claymation and Japanimation, now they’re going 8-bit. In these exclusive images of their upcoming season finale see the Greendale Seven imagined as video game characters from a bygone era.

This episode is about Pierce battling for his rights to his father’s fortune. Finally, an episode where Chevy Chase will actually do something, I’m sure he’s thrilled. How this all takes place within a video game though, is beyond me, but I already know I’m gonna love it.

Make sure you tune in this Thursday at 8:00pm on NBC, and then again at 9:00 and 9:30 because for some reason they’re burning through three new Community episodes in one night. Oh! And next season, you’ll have to catch Community on Friday nights because NBC seems committed to killing any hopes for a larger audience.

Source: Kotaku, The Mary Sue

Today is the 22nd anniversary of Jim Henson’s death. Jim is part of a short list of creative people that positively impacts the daily lives of some many children around the world, even 22 years after passing away.

The video below is a tribute to Jim Henson that will leave you sad, yet still smiling. Jim’s creative genius has gone on to affect entire generations of children, who in turn bring the magic of Jim Henson’s Muppets to their own children.

Take a minute and watch. We still miss you Jim. 

Via: The Mary Sue

With five films full of details all leading up to The Avengers, what we really need is an infograph to keep it all straight. And now, thanks to the Art of The Avengers book, we have one.

Combining details from Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger, as well as the comic book prequel to The Avengers, the authors have compiled this impressive timeline of all the interconnected events that lead up to The Avengers. And for your convenience, it’s separated into B.I.M. and A.I.M., slicing eras to “Before Tony Star Declares ‘I Am Iron Man,’” and “After Tony Stark Declares ‘I Am Iron Man.’”

Click on the below image to embiggen to a readable size.

Source: Blastr

You might be tired of hearing about The Avengers, but guess what? Becoming one of the highest grossing superhero movies of all time tends to get you some press. Which is why we’re already talking about Avengers 2. Specifically, whether or not Joss Whedon will return to direct. Whedon spoke recently with L.A. Time’s Hero Complex about his plans, if any, for the sequel.

You know, I’m very torn. It’s an enormous amount of work telling what is ultimately somebody else’s story, even though I feel like I did get to put myself into it. But at the same time, I have a bunch of ideas and they all seem really cool.

It’s true Whedon is more well know for spearheading is own creations: Buffy, Firefly, Dr. Horrible, to name a few. But he did very much put his own stamp on The Avengers and it’s a stamp I’d like to see on the sequel. What do you guys think, should Whedon jump right in for a sequel or let someone else take the reins?

‘Course, before we see an Avengers 2 all those other Marvel movies need sequels first. Take Thor 2 for instance, The Avengers already gave us a nice lead in to where they might go, what with Loki being taken back to Asgard as Thor’s prisoner, will that play a part in the sequel? I’m going to go on record with a, “Yes.” I think it’s a no brainer we’ll see the ramifications for Loki’s action in The Avengers play out in Thor 2. He’s already been banished once, what new punishment will Odin have for him now?

Chris Hemsworth has a different take on it, though. He sees the possibility for Loki’s redemption in Thor 2. In this short, red carpet interview from MTV Hemsworth talks about his thoughts of the Loki/Thor relationship and what Loki needs to do if he ever wants his brother’s forgiveness.

Oh, and skip to 1:10 mark if you want to miss out on Hemsworth discussing the height difference between him and Kristin Stewart in Snow White and the Huntsman…SNOOZE!

Ah man, can we really get a scene in Thor 2 where Loki brings muffins to apologize! That’d be awesome. Do you think Loki redeemable?

Sources: Blastr, MTV

If you love the classic, expressive look of Converse‘s Chuck Taylor All Star shoes and you’re a comic book fan have I got exciting news for you! Converse and DC have been partners is superhero footwear for some time now, offering a bunch of designs based on Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Joker, Catwoman, etc., but now they’re offering you the opportunity to design your own!

Using their online Converse Builder you can create your own Chucks based on either Batman, Catwoman, The Joker or The Riddler. You’re able to manipulate the color or print of the canvas, emblems, rubber soles, lining, lacing, and if you’d like, add a personalized heel stripe.

Here’s my design. I, being a huge Joker fan, just had to make this exceptional pair for the Clown Prince of Crime. What d’ya think? Do I have a future in sneaker fashion?

I think they’re pretty snazzy and I’m currently fighting the urge to press “Add to Cart.” A customized pair of Chucks will set you back $75 bucks and at the moment I just don’t have the funds. But believe me, when I get paid I think a pair of these are in my future.

My one gripe is you can’t alter the Bat logo on the top of the tongue. Sure, that looks great on your pair of Batman kicks, but on these it looks out of place. Guess if I do order a pair I can even further customize them by adding a red slash through the logo. It just needs something to Joker-ize it, y’know?

Now it’s time for you to design your own! I’d love to see what you bastards come up with. Share your sweet DC Chucks in the comments below! Also, go check out Betty Fong of Comics Alliance simply purrfect Catwoman Chucks.

Elementary is another look at Sherlock Holmes set in modern day New York. The show is scheduled to air on CBS this Autumn. In hopes of stirring the already controversial pot of Internet and BBC angst, CBS sent out this first official image of the lead characters – Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as disgraced doctor Joan Watson. Aidan Quinn is also in the cast as Captain Gregson, who sounds like a modern day Lestrade figure.

After the hoopla surrounding the announcement of an American remake that follows so closely on the heels of an already wildly popular British BBC series modern day retake of Sherlock Holmes this time using a female Watson (Lucy Liu) died down, we haven’t heard or seen much. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more soon as CBS starts stirring the media pot.

This NerdBastard is hoping the show will be worthwile and not, as many fear, an attempt to hop on Moffat and Gatiss’ coat tails. Rumor is that a trailer might make it’s way to the Internet in the next couple of days.

Any thoughts? Did anyone read this far down the article?

Every day the internet produces an astounding amount of goodies and gems. Most hilarious, some amusing, but all worth at least a few seconds of your time. We here at Nerd Bastards try to bring you the best bits of news and nerdery the webz has to offer, with a bit of snark thrown in. But sometimes not everything makes the cut. Monday through Friday we’ll be bringing you our inbox leftovers, our forgotten bookmarks, the nerdy bits that simply slipped through the cracks. You can submit items to Nerdy Bits by emailing us at nerdybits@nerdbastards.com.

ABOVE: That Lady Thor with the boobs, I like her. I’ll have another! [BamKaPow]

Because getting your moneys worth means nothing, Korean gamer Yoshichan beat Diablo 3 in 12 hours and 29 minutes with “368 Lifetime Kills, 412 Elite Kills and 168,481 gold as a Barbarian on normal difficulty”. Since then, at least two other groups of Korean and Chinese gamers have done it in 7. Cripes, talk about sitting back and enjoying a game. [Dvice]

Scars of The Dark Knight inked by Adam M. Based on a painting by the venerable comic book artist Alex Ross. Normally I don’t like tattoos, but I can’t argue with the goddamn Batman. [Geekologie]

Etsy seller “Movie Guns Inc.” is offering this custom 1:1 scale replica of the Colonial Marines’ Smartgun from Aliens which consists of over 60 individual parts made from a mix of aluminum, resin and steel. The prop offers features such as grips reinforced with steel rods, a removable ammo drum, a removable top cover and a functional rear trigger handle. All yours for a mere $2,700!  [NerdApproved]

Mark Pearson, a 44-year-old car mechanic from West Yorkshire spent 14 months this epic Iron Man armor out out of household items including an ashtray and 400 sheets of fiberglass covered cardboard. Wait…cardboard? [FashionablyGeek]

Engraver’s Cafe, created a unique science and science fiction-minded ring on request. Harpuahound writes, “They wanted insignias mixed in with the design. Tardis (Phone booth from Dr. Who) is center motif. With a space shuttle on one side and Star Trek symbol on the other.” Cool, but Y U NO put Millennium Falcon?

In “honor” of The Dark Knight Rises, Mountain Dew is releasing a special Batman-branded Mountain Dew flavor titled “Dark Berry.” It tastes like VENGEANCE! (and berries) [ToplessRobot]

A Lego skyscraper created by a group of 4,000 kids and assembled in Seoul, South Korea has broken the world record for tallest Lego structure, measuring 105 feet tall. Oh good, that means less LEGOs for me to step on. [TheDailyWhatGeek]

Game of Thrones theme IElectric Harp Duet) by Camille and Kennerly, the harp twins. Peaceful and beautiful. I shall make it my night time play track.

Cosplayer AlisaKiss] does sexy DC 52 supergirl. Meanwhile, I go up, up and away… if you know what I mean.  [GeeksAreSexy]

The original Star Wars with Modern Technology [Shoebox Blog]

Game of Thrones theme (Electric Harp Duet) by Camille and Kennerly, the harp twins. Peaceful and beautiful. I shall make it my night time play track.

And now, T-Shirts You Gotta Buy…TODAY! (Before they’re gone.)

(Click images to buy shirts.)

Don’t forget about our Nerd Bastards’ tees, available at Split Reason! (Use coupon code “CHEAPASS15″ to save %15)

Who in their right mind would make a movie based off of a board game? Let alone a game that has no elements to it except for little plastic ships and red pegs. It’s almost like taking RISK and turning it into a musical….yeah, OK. Not gonna lie here, I am not excited about Battleship, not one bit. However, I am extremely excited about the TOYS that come along with it. Why is that you ask? Hasbro sent NerdBastards a mystery box…with a note apologizing for making one of the lamest movies ever. Nah, I kid. It was full of some killer products….and of course there were toys included.

First, I gotta talk about the box. It’s one of the coolest things to ever arrive on my doorstep. It’s a 3 foot long cardboard shipping box made to look like a battle damaged steel container.You can imagine the smirk on myself when I walked up to it. I have to tell you, that I was a bit afraid to open it. I thought it might contain Rhianna’s head or something. Opening it however, turned out to be a real delight. Upon flipping over the lid I discovered a mini battle command center, with a lenticular radar screen and a little red “fire” button, that when pushed, triggered a battle sound effect. Cool. Seriously, this is such a rad box. HASBRO should just sell this. Kids love boxes!

Now, although nothing could ever compare to a LEGO, HASBRO has recently released a new form of connecting pieces called KRE-O. What’s the difference between the two? I’m not sure and I don’t really care too much.  We got our hands on two playsets: Alien Strike and U.S.S. Missouri. These things are pretty cool. And honestly, who really grows up and stops playing with Legos? No one. So these KRE-Os and the perfect movie tie-ins. Not only will the kids love them, but so will the adults.

Next in the mystery box was the new Battleship Board-game. The only differences from the original are the ships have an alien-esque appearance to them and the game now has a deck of cards that call for extra gimmicks such as call out 2 or 3 positions instead of the usual 1. I have decided it would make a great drinking game at my next house party. I approve of this game.

Last but not least is a killer t-shirt with matching dog tags. I know, the most exciting thing in the mystery box! But let me tell you, my wardrobe just got a whole lot snazzier… The shirt says; 99 Problems but my ship ain’t one, HIT ME!!!!!!

All-in-all…pretty neat stuff. I would expect nothing less from HASBRO. They simply make fun stuff. In fact, I had enjoyed these products so much that my interest in Battleship increased a notch (or should I say peg?).

Be sure you check out all the contents from the mystery box in the gallery below. And, if explosions, aliens, battleships and Rhianna excite you (see what I did there) then check out Battleship in theaters this Friday, May 18th.