In the mix of all the bad news, 2020 has a most excellent surprise for us coming in late August. A new Bill and Ted movie! The end to a trilogy looks to be radical in every way with many returning characters, a hilarious new plot, and music to save the universe. What more could you want from Bill and Ted? Bill and Ted Face the Music was one of the only movies this year to come out earlier than expected. It’s original date before this year’s events was supposed to be August 21st but was moved to September 1st after the coronavirus. However, in an amazing turn of events, it is now set to come out on VOD August 28th, only a week shy of the original date. Not only do they plan on releasing it to video on demand, but possibly in theaters as well. Most people who enjoyed the first two films in the trilogy were used to going to the theater and seeing the epic adventure happening before them on the big screen. It would be nice to visit the same place to watch the final movie and complete the series. However, even if movie theaters are not opened, we will still get the luxury of watching it at home, and that is all we can ask in uncertain times like these. However, many of us have our fingers crossed that we could enjoy this movie in a theater full of laughing fans and wannabe rockers. 

One of the best things about this movie will be its original characters that have decided to return after almost three decades between Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey to Bill and Bill and Ted Face the Music. Of course, our favorite silly rockers will return, played by Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. Both main characters have teased on their twitter since 2013 about the upcoming movie and have promised it was in production. Just as we all started losing hope, they announced a release date in 2019. Not only will Reeves and Winter return but William Sadler will return as the Grim Reaper and the beautiful Amy Stoch will return as Missy, the young stepmother. There will be two main additions to the cast which will be Samara Weaving and Brigette Lundy-Paine, playing Bill and Ted’s daughters. There will also be the addition of Kristen Schaal who will play the new messenger the comes back from the feature to warn Bill and Ted about the fate of the universe. Her character will be named Kelly Carlin in remembrance of the late George Carlin who played the original Rufus.

The writer of the Bill and Ted movies, Ed Solomon who is also famous for writing the Men in Black films and the Super Mario Bros., said he took a long time on this script for a reason. He wanted this movie to be a continuation of the story and not a reboot. He also mentioned that Bill and Ted have been beloved characters and was important to make the script just as funny and lovable as the 1989 and 1991 movies, so he took his time. This is by no means a ‘cash-in’ on the Bill and Ted franchise, but a return to a beloved universe of wannabe rockers saving the world. So, if it is a continuation, what will be Bill and Ted’s new adventure? They will be in their 40s with daughters who seem just as entangled with rock and roll as they were. With the help of their daughters, they must create a song in 78 minutes (the run time of the movie) that will save the universe and reality as they know it. They will also seek help from other legendary artists and some new historical figures to fulfill their rock and roll destiny and save the world again. This new plot promises to be everything we wanted from a Bill and Ted movie while also continue the story of the two wacky best friends. 

There will also be a new banging soundtrack for Bill and Ted Face the Music as if we expected anything else. One song that is guaranteed is from Mastodon called ‘Rufus Lives.’ The guitarist, Bill Kelliher was quoted saying they,” wrote a killer f—ing song,” for the third installment of the trilogy. Mastodon had requested to be a part of the movie and wrote the song to be considered for the soundtrack, which obviously won the favor of the production. While the rest of the soundtrack may be shrouded in mystery, Alex Winters promises it will be the most killer soundtrack so far. With great music artists like Kid Cudi begin apart of the cast, one has to wonder if they will add a pop element to this soundtrack, which would be different from other Bill and Ted movies. They must save the universe with one killer song, so why not add some different elements from other genres for good measure? 

There is also a promising new director, Dean Parisot, who is famous for movies such as Fun with Dick and Jane (2005) and Home Fries (1998). With his history in comedy, his direction should meet well with the Bill and Ted trilogy. Alex Winter is quoted saying,” We went out to find a director. Dean Parisot, who we love, did Galaxy Quest, which is a masterpiece.” They also have returning producers Steven Soderbergh and Scott Kroopf who have been entwined with the franchise since Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

With so many setbacks and years of teasing of a new movie, it seems this production was able to move forward. It has everything you would want from a continuation of an old movie series. Returning characters, rad new music, and a new challenge to face.  In a few short weeks, we will finally see Bill and Ted complete their destiny with rock and roll, family, and old friends. We cannot wait to see what they have in store for us next, and remember my friends, stay excellent to each other!