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Peacemaker‘s Christopher Smith keeps his helmets inside his father Auggie’s Quantum Unfolding Chamber. That massive extradimensional room is so much more, though. It contains doors to parallel dimensions. Nobody every explored any of them during the show’s first season, but that changed in the second season’s debut. John Cena’s superhero discovered a dimension where he’s part of a celebrated superhero trio along with his still alive father and still alive brother. Then he accidentally killed his other self, a death that warranted a gruesome, hilarious, existential dismemberment and burning in episode two.

With Peacemaker season two telling a sliding doors story about the lives we might have led, it seems obvious the Quantum Unfolding Chamber was always going to be more than just a fun place to store some shiny headgear. James Gunn said, however, he never had plans to make that extradimensional space a major part of the show. It really did start as a simple solution of where to put Peacemaker’s helmets.

Nerdist took part in a virtual media roundtable with James Gunn prior to Peacemaker‘s return to HBO Max. During the discussion he addressed a question about the origins and importance of his Quantum Unfolding Chamber. “It was just a place where [Peacemaker] could keep his helmets,” Gunn said. “It wasn’t going to be as important as it became when I first wrote it.”

Obviously it become very important during the writing of season two. That parallel world where Peacemaker has both adoration and his family is the crux of Christopher Smith’s story, both in terms of plot and in terms of theme. Gunn said the ideas of season two are very much influenced by novels he loves. He cited Philip Roth’s The Counterlife, which explores ideas of identity and how our experiences shape who we are, along with Ken Grimwood Replay. It follows a main character who gets to relive his life starting at age 18 with all his old memories intact.

“This is about one emotional journey with the world that seems slightly better than ours and how that helps Christopher Smith to learn about himself,” said Gunn about season two’s overarching idea. “And so that’s the story that interested me, the fun of that singular universe, of the small differences, not the big differences.”

Considering the Quantum Folding Chamber went from being a clever and entertaining idea to a core aspect of season two, we wanted to know how Gunn connects to this ideas himself. He frequently talks about how he personally relates to his characters and their stories, but the current creative head of the DCU would seem to be doing pretty okay in this dimension. So how much does he relate to Christopher Smith’s plight in season two? Here’s what he told us and why even though season two might appear to be a multiverse story it’s not.

It’s personal for me just in that I am a person that thinks back to, “What if I did this thing a little bit differently?” Or, “What if I did that thing a little bit differently? What if I kept that person in my life? What if I wasn’t so mean to this person in the past? How would my life be different? How much do the small choices we make in our lives affect us in really big ways?”

That is really the difference. That’s why this isn’t what has come to be considered a multiverse story. People will say it’s a multiverse story, but it’s really much more contemplative than what we’ve come to see from a multiverse story. As we were saying earlier, it’s a much more of a literary story than that. And it is about the emotional journey of this person who’s really lost everything in his life that has been important to him, from his brother to any sort of real relationship with his father that he never had. And now he’s presented with those things in a way that absolutely is going to be compelling and that we cannot blame Christopher Smith for his actions throughout the season.

The creative process, even for big interconnected cinematic universes, isn’t always linear. They’re certainly fully planned. Small ideas that weren’t important can sprout into big ones. Gunn says he loves to do exactly that. It’s how sometimes a simple storage solution can become the basis for an entire season of stellar television.

But this does raise one obvious question. It’s a fitting one for the show. What would Peacemaker‘s new season look like if Christopher Smith always kept his helmets in a normal basement? Maybe the answer exists Quantum Unfolding Chamber.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He would die for Vigilante, even if Vigilante was the one killing him. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermikeOpens in a new tab. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post James Gunn Says PEACEMAKER’s Quantum Closet Wasn’t Always Story Plan appeared first on Nerdist.

SUVs come in sizes and styles ranging from the very small to the enormous. If you’re in the market for an SUV, it’s important to consider which size best fits your lifestyle and your budget. Buy something too small and you may have trouble fitting all your cargo. On the other hand, if you buy something larger than you actually need, it’ll cost you more in fuel and can be more cumbersome to drive and park.

To help, CarMax broke the SUV world down into four broad categories. Subcompact SUVs are the very smallest, with compact SUVs the next size up, followed by two-row and three-row midsize SUVs, and finally the biggest, full-size SUVs. Learn what to expect as well as who they’re best suited for.

Subcompact SUVs

• Pros: Small, maneuverable, fuel-efficient, and affordable
• Cons: Limited cargo, small rear seat, not much fun on road trips
• Best for: Urban dwellers, budget shoppers
• Popular Models: Chevy Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Venue, Kia Soul

Subcompact SUVs are the smallest SUVs, and are sometimes referred to as extra-small SUVs.

While overall dimensions vary from vehicle to vehicle, most subcompact models feature small trunks and rear seats.

These extra-small SUVs are best suited for commuting or city driving, where their compact size allows them to easily fit into parking spaces and maneuver between lanes. Their limited space makes them less ideal for families or road-trippers.

But that doesn’t mean they skimp on features. Driver aids like forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assistance are relatively common on most models built since 2020, and smartphone integration such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is usually available on subcompact SUVs from around 2018 on. Be sure to check an individual vehicle’s specs to confirm. Note that fancier features, such as ventilated seats, dual- or three-zone climate control, and even power liftgates, remain rare.

Subcompact SUVs are the entry-level vehicles for many manufacturers, and low-level trims tend to be pretty basic in terms of equipment, so look at higher-level trims to find these desirable features.

This class of SUV tends to rely on smaller engines that prioritize fuel economy over horsepower, although there are exceptions such as the turbocharged Mazda CX-30. In addition, many of these extra-small SUVS, such as the Toyota C-HR and Kia Soul, are only available in front-wheel drive. Even those with available all-wheel drive (AWD) are primarily focused on improved traction in wet conditions. If you want a subcompact SUV with off-road capability, the Subaru Crosstrek and Jeep Renegade (particularly the Trailhawk trim) buck that trend with enhanced ground clearance and capability.

Compact SUVs

• Pros: Good passenger and cargo space, high-end features available
• Cons: Three-row models have limited cargo space with all seats up
• Best for: Families with small children, those who prioritize flexibility and fuel efficiency
• Popular Models: Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4

Compact SUVs, also known as small SUVs, are among the most popular vehicles in America. They offer ample space for passengers and cargo, a range of engine options, and a variety of standard and optional features. While not as small as their subcompact cousins, they’re still small enough to be easy to park and drive in the city, making them a great pick for urban and suburban drivers.

With larger back seats, compact SUVs usually have plenty of space to accommodate adults or rear-facing infant seats. This makes them equally popular with new families as it does with those just looking for a bit more elbow room on their weekend adventures. Many models can easily accommodate adults and teens with adjustable rear seats that slide forward and back and have adjustable seatback angles. Cargo space is also typically generous, and with the rear seats folded down, some compact SUVs, such as the Honda CR-V, can even accommodate furniture like dressers or loveseats in their cargo areas.

If you need extra passenger space instead of cargo, there are some small three-row SUVs, like the Kia Sorento and Volkswagen Tiguan. Just keep in mind that, while these available third rows can come in handy in a pinch, they tend to be too cramped for adults and are better suited for children old enough for seat belt-positioning boosters. Additionally, you’ll have to choose between using the third row for passengers or cargo, depending on your preference for passenger space or cargo room. With the third row in use, cargo space shrinks to the size of just a few grocery bags.

Since these tend to be priced higher than subcompact SUVs, you’ll find more standard features and a lot more optional upgrades. Luxury touches such as ventilated seats, premium sound systems, multizone climate control, and technology like head-up displays can be found in the upper trims of a number of compact SUVs.

Most small SUVs offer adequate power and efficiency from their base engines, but almost all offer an upgrade with either better fuel economy or more power, or sometimes both. If you want better fuel economy, hybrid versions such as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid are available, while turbocharged versions of the Mazda CX-5 are a good example of the power upgrades you can find.

All-wheel drive is available on almost every small SUV, making this segment easier to shop if you live somewhere with snowy winters or want to do some light off-roading. If you want something that’s more aggressive off-road, models like the Subaru Forester, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Cherokee offer surprisingly good capability.

Midsize SUVs

• Pros: Lots of cargo and passenger space, generous third-row seating, high-end features
• Cons: Lower fuel economy than smaller vehicles, bulky
• Best for: Larger families, those who need extra cargo or passenger space
• Popular Models: Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Honda Passport, Toyota 4Runner (2-row); Ford Expedition, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander (3-row)

Midsize SUVs cover a broad range of vehicles, some with two rows of seats, some with three, and they’re considerably larger than their compact counterparts. These larger SUVs will usually get you more interior space, more cargo room, and more horsepower.

Whether you’re looking at SUVs with two or three rows, there are enough features available to blur the line between mainstream and luxury. Many come with a full complement of driver aids as standard equipment, including features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. High-end audio systems are also available, as are luxury-grade touches such as leather dash trim, ventilated seats, large touchscreens, and even heated and ventilated second-row seats.

Midsize SUVs are also high-tech in a family-friendly way. For example, some Toyota Highlander models have a microphone that amplifies the driver’s voice to rear passengers through the vehicle’s audio system speakers, so you can tell the kids to “keep that racket down” without yelling.

Because SUVs in this class are big, they have more powerful engines than compact and subcompact SUVs, usually turbocharged four-cylinder or V6 engines. While they have no problem getting up to freeway speeds, fuel economy isn’t generally a strong point.

Two-row midsize SUVs

Two-row midsize SUVs can be divided into “around-towners” and trucks that are aimed toward off-road enthusiasts.

Around-town two-row SUVs such as the Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and Honda Passport focus on carrying passengers in comfort. Most offer all-wheel drive for better traction in slippery conditions, snow, or even dirt trails, but these vehicles are primarily meant for paved roads.

Two-row midsize SUVs like these offer excellent cargo and passenger space. Their additional width means the rear seats accommodate everyone, whether they’re in infant seats, child booster seats, or adults. Cargo space is usually better than that of compact SUVs, too. They’re a good choice not only for families with a small child or two in boosters or infant seats, but also for families with an older child who no longer needs one.

Off-roaders include the Toyota 4Runner, Ford Bronco, and Jeep Wrangler, all of which put a premium on off-road capability. These SUVs are on truck frames, with rugged suspensions, high ride heights, mediocre cargo capacity, and generally not-so-great fuel economy compared to the around-towners. While they might not be as family-friendly, the plus side is they’re extremely capable in tough off-road situations, and that extra ride height is helpful when the snow gets deep.

Three-row midsize SUVs

Three-row midsize SUVs have tons of space inside and are a good choice if you need to carry six, seven, or even eight passengers in comfort but don’t want a minivan. Large midsize SUVs like the Volkswagen Atlas and Chevy Traverse offer a lot of room for passengers in all three rows, with enough cargo space behind the third row of seats for several days’ worth of groceries.

In most, the third row is also equipped with one or two additional Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) points for child booster or rear-facing infant seats, making them perfect for larger families. If you need more cargo space, folding the third row down opens up a tremendous amount of space. If you need a midsize SUV and want to tow, the Dodge Durango can handle up to 8,700 pounds when properly equipped, but those who frequently tow might want to look at full-size SUVs.

Full-Size SUVs

• Pros: Lots of space, excellent towing capacity, four-wheel-drive capability, high-end features
• Cons: Poor fuel economy, hard to park, hard for small kids to get inside
• Best for: People who need a lot of passenger and cargo space, people who like to tow
• Popular Models: Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia

Full-size SUVs, also called large SUVs, are usually built more like trucks than cars. They generally offer three rows of seats, and you may find some that can seat up to nine passengers thanks to front bench seats.

Even though these large SUVs are much taller and longer overall than midsize SUVs, that doesn’t always translate into more interior space. The truck-like construction means a higher floor, bigger engine, and beefier suspension, all of which eat into the available interior space.

Within the full-size SUV class, there are mega-sized versions, like the Chevy Suburban and Ford Expedition Max. These have massive cargo and passenger spaces, with tons of rear legroom in the third row. The downside is that these are giant SUVs, and at more than 18 feet long, a vehicle like the Suburban might be too long to fit into some residential garages or urban parking spots.

Luckily, there are shorter versions. The Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition are both shorter than their mega-sized counterparts, and other models like the Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia fall into the same category. Because they’re smaller, these vehicles tend to have more cramped third rows and less cargo space behind that third row. In fact, some full-size SUVs offer less cargo room behind their third row than many midsize SUVs.

The tall truck-like construction means it can be difficult for smaller children to climb in and out, and lifting an infant seat into the second-row passenger area can be difficult. The cargo floor is higher off the ground than in most midsize SUVs, which means it can be hard to lift heavy items to the cargo area.

Finally, because these SUVs tend to have big, powerful engines, fuel economy is poor. Even the newest Toyota Sequoia, which comes exclusively as a hybrid, only gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined score, and its competitors are all in the teens.

With all that said, there are plenty of reasons to seek out a full-size SUV. Whether you go big or really big, these SUVs are generally packed with features. Premium materials are used inside, along with high-tech features such as smartphone integration, rear-seat entertainment systems, and driver-assist systems.

Due to their bulk, many come with parking sensors and, in some instances, 360-degree camera systems that give you a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings to make parking easier. Plus, these big SUVs are generally pleasant to drive, offering a premium experience behind the wheel that’s hard to beat.

The biggest practical reason to choose one of these vehicles is their towing capacity. With their truck-like construction and powerful engine options that frequently include V8s, it’s common to find models that can tow 8,000 pounds or more. Although the added bulk may be a downside in the city, the added ground clearance can make traveling over deeper snow a snap. You can also get four-wheel drive and similar off-road equipment to pickup trucks, making these more rugged choices than most smaller SUVs.

Conclusion

Which SUV is right for you comes down to your wants and needs. If you live in the city and need a little extra cargo room for your bike or dogs, a subcompact might be just what you need. On the other hand, if you have a boat and want to tow it to the lake on weekends, a full-size SUV might be a better call.

This story was produced by CarMax and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

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After an unprecedented six seasons and 65 episodes, Cobra Kai took its final bow earlier this year. Diving back into the world of the original The Karate Kid films, Cobra Kai switched focus and brought an unfolding, martial arts-driven narrative to years-long storytelling. The folks behind that show were co-creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, who also gave us Hot Tub Time Machine and the Harold & Kumar films. So what will the trio tackle next? Well, if they could turn a movie into a TV show, why don’t they try turning a TV show into a movie? And why can’t that movie be 1980s sci-fi favorite Knight Rider?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Heald, Hurwitz, and Schlossberg are in early talks to adapt Knight Rider for the big screen. They’ll also produce the movie along with Kelly McCormick and David Leitch (The Fall Guy), who are producing through their banner 87North. The Fall Guy was, of course, also a big screen adaptation of an action show from the ’80s.

Knight Rider ran for 90 episodes from 1982 to 1986 on NBC. It starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a police detective who receives a new face following a gunshot injury and becomes the lead agent in the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG). Helping Michael with his activities is a state of the art AI-powered Trans Am called Knight Industries Two Thousand (or KITT). So it’s a cop with a talking car, but the car also has cool gadgets and stuff.

Like The Fall Guy, Knight Rider was the creation of prolific TV producer, Glen A. Larson, who also created Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Magnum, P.I. So it seems as though Universal is striking the Larson anvil once again. This will be the first feature film based on Knight Rider, however several TV movies followed the original’s cancellation, as well as a pilot film for the short-lived 2008 series revival.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Letterboxd.

The post COBRA KAI Creators in Talks to Write KNIGHT RIDER for Movie appeared first on Nerdist.

If Labor Day weekend is anything like last year, more than half of all Americans are expected to travel over the holiday weekend. Drivers should be diligent when hitting the road, as the holiday is one of the most dangerous days of the year for driving.

Using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, researchers at TruckInfo.net discovered a few worrying trends for Labor Day drivers.

Drunk driving is a major issue over Labor Day weekend

Like many other holidays, drunk driving is a major issue over the holiday weekend, and fatalities from drunk driving spike by nearly a fifth.

Labor Day driving fatalities in urban areas have spiked in recent years

Historically speaking, the majority of driving fatalities have occurred in rural areas. However, this trend reversed in 2017. Over the past decade, driving fatalities in urban areas have increased by 1.5 times.

Wyoming, Montana, and Mississippi are the most dangerous states for driving over Labor Day weekend

While the majority of fatalities occur in urban areas, Wyoming, Montana, and Mississippi are the most dangerous states for driving, with nearly three times as many fatalities per capita as the U.S. as a whole. On the flip side, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington have the fewest driving fatalities.

Six of the most dangerous roads are outside of populated metro areas

The most dangerous counties for driving on Labor Day weekend from 2004 to 2023

1. Los Angeles County, California

Labor Day Weekend Driving Fatalities: 140

Population: 9,731,837

2. Cook County, Illinois

Labor Day Weekend Driving Fatalities: 81

Population: 5,142,522

3. San Bernardino County, California

Labor Day Weekend Driving Fatalities: 76

Population: 2,200,805

4. Dallas County, Texas

Labor Day Weekend Driving Fatalities: 75

Population: 2,636,254

5. Harris County, Texas

Labor Day Weekend Driving Fatalities: 73

Population: 4,903,450

6. Maricopa County, Arizona

Labor Day Weekend Driving Fatalities: 62

Population: 4,615,625

7. Miami-Dade County, Florida

Labor Day Weekend Driving Fatalities: 52

Population: 2,774,250

8. Kern County, California

Labor Day Weekend Driving Fatalities: 51

Population: 916,646

9. Riverside County, California

Labor Day Weekend Driving Fatalities: 51

Population: 2,503,549

10. Broward County, Florida

Labor Day Weekend Driving Fatalities: 48

Population: 2,002,786‍

Full Data and Methodology

Fatal accident statistics were sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for 2004 through 2023. Population data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large counties were defined as those with populations exceeding 500,000, midsize counties as those with populations between 150,000 and 500,000, and small counties as those with populations under 150,000.

Comparing Year over Year

In 2022, the average daily driving fatalities due to drunk driving were 29%, while on Labor Day alone, the rate rose to 38%—meaning that if there were 100 driving fatalities on Labor Day, 38 were caused by drunk driving. In 2023, the daily average inched up to 30%, while Labor Day’s rate dropped to 36%.

Over the decades, urban driving fatalities were nearly twice as high from 2013 to 2022, but from 2014 to 2023, the increase eased to about 1.5 times. In contrast, rural fatalities saw a much sharper decline over the same period.

The number of roads in less-populated metro areas (with under 500,000 residents) that made it to the top 10 most dangerous roads list increased from four in 2022 to six in 2023.

For the ranking of the most dangerous counties during Labor Day, Harris County, Texas, moved down from fourth place in 2022 to fifth place in 2023, swapping positions with Dallas County, Texas, which rose from fifth to fourth. Similarly, Riverside County, California, climbed from 10th to ninth, exchanging places with Broward County, Florida, which dropped from ninth to 10th.

This story was produced by TruckInfo.net and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

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