We’ve come a long way when it comes to news about December 18th’s Avengers: Doomsday. From seeing a whole bunch of names on chairs to learning that Cap and company were coming back, the info keeps on rolling.

And with the news, we also got a new poster from former visual development director Andy Park, as well as a brand-spanking-new trailer featuring Doctor Doom and everything. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the X-Men, The Avengers (Both old AND new), and The Fantastic Four whoop Doctor Doom’s behind. However, one team is notably absent from the trailer, and that’s the one from my favorite Marvel movie, Eternals.

Which, you know, really bugs me, since if the Eternals were ever coming back, it likely would have been for this extravaganza. Let’s talk.

Look, I Get It. Nobody Likes Eternals Except For Me

Okay, I get it. When most people rank the MCU movies, Eternals always lands somewhere near the bottom, if not THE bottom. And, yeah, I’ve heard all of the complaints: “It should have been a TV series rather than a movie.” “There were just too many characters,” and, the most common of all, “It’s just so BORING.”

However, even after a rewatch, I still consider it my favorite MCU movie. I’m eternally hoping that we’ll see Thena, Sersi, and Kingo again (even though it probably would be in Kumail Nanjiani’s best interest to stay away from Marvel this time, for mental health's sake anyway). I just love these characters. I don’t think Eternals should have been a TV series, and I feel that the film did a great job of managing so many characters. But, most importantly, I don’t find it BORING. I find it ambitious, engaging, and artistic, and I always wanted more of it from Marvel.

So, to not see any hint of them on this new concept art or in the trailer just really upsets me. Especially since I know Marvel still remembers that they exist.

I Mean, Hello. They’re Referenced In Captain America: Brave New World

Another Marvel movie that I know people don’t like, but I enjoy, is Captain America: Brave New World, which I would actually rank higher than the first Captain America flick. Now, something that surprised many a longtime MCU fan is that Eternals were actually referenced in a major way in the fourth Captain America movie, as we actually got to see what happened to the Celestial, Tiamut, with Celestial Island.

That tells me that Kevin Feige still remembers Eternals. Now, I understand that the Russo brothers probably don’t care about Eternals since they have their own vision in mind, plus they also have the X-Men to bring into the fray.

However, I just can’t shake the feeling that Eternals should have at least SOME kind of presence in this movie, which actually brings me to my last point.

Eternals Would Be Really Cool In Avengers: Doomsday, So Am I Being A Fool For Still Holding Out Hope?

There’s still a lot we likely don’t know about Avengers: Doomsday, even with everything they’ve shown us thus far in the trailer. So, am I being foolish for believing that perhaps the Eternals MIGHT make an appearance in this movie somehow?

I mean, I never thought I’d see Thor: The Dark World ever referenced again, but it played a prominent role in Avengers: Endgame.

So, could the Eternals also be hidden away in this movie somewhere and we just don’t know about it yet? I guess only time will tell.

While comic book fans can still look forward to one upcoming DC movie hitting theaters in 2026 — James Watkins’ creepy Clayface — we’re still sadly a ways off from reconnecting with Matt Reeves’ Gotham City. That said, The Batman: Part II is filming, and Reeves surprised the fandom by officially confirming some of the new and returning actors starring in the sequel. But no such confirmations were made regarding the new additions’ characters.

Obviously Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne and other established Gothamites will be back for the second feature, but what of the latest recruits: Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Charles Dance, Brian Tyree Henry and Sebastian Koch? Here’s a basic look at what roles fans are thinking these actors are set for, based in part on pre-confirmation rumors.

On the one hand, the assumptions above all make a certain amount of sense, in that none of the speculation seems bizarrely over the top. If someone was trying to say Scar-Jo is actually playing The Joker's daughter, that would be a tad too far for me to buy into it. But on the surface, everything above tracks.

So why didn't Matt Reeves go all the way by confirming each of the roles that the new actors will be taking on? Even if he was intent on keeping Henry and Koch's roles under wraps, surely it would have made sense to the filmmaker to give fans a bone by validating all the predictions and assumptions about the Dent family's casting. Maybe it's because we've been wrong this whole time.

Rumor Suggests Batman Part II Castings Aren't For Roles We Think

The second Reeves' posts started spreading without any specific corroboration about the roles Stan, Johansson and others were playing, I started to think that something was fishy about it all. And I'm not just talking about Oz Cobb's B.O.

Those pangs of disbelief were seemingly justified when noted Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider shared a possible inside scoop on the latest episode of The Hot Mic shared to YouTube. There, Sneider revealed the grain-of-salt update from one of his sources who claimed that the current casting assumptions are off-base.

Sebastian Stan's Role

The insider says Stan is set to play a villain that isn't Two-Face, but doesn't indicate what the role actually is (allegedly). That would absolutely make sense for why the actor has been bulking up recently, since there isn't much of a reason for Stan to bring his muscles to swole levels to play a lawyer. Getting half of one's face/body gnarled up by acid isn't a fast track to buff-dom, and though Two-Face has never been depicted as a weakling, he handles his problems via guns and henchmen, not fistfights.

Given Stan and Robert Pattinson's similar ages (43 and 40, respectively), a lot of fans (like myself) have been holding out hopes that the MCU star is joining Reeves' Bat-verse as Tommy Elliot, otherwise known as the mega-villain Hush. The Batman linked the Elliot family to the Waynes' murders, and The Penguin gave insight into Gotham City's Elliot Bridge and its namesakes. It'd be weird to lay out that groundwork with no payoff in Part II, but we obviously can't say for sure just yet where it's going.

Charles Dance's Role

The other claim made in the grain-of-salt email sent to Jeff Sneider is that Game of Thrones vet Charles Dance will be playing the father of Scarlett Johansson's character. Which one could take in several ways, especially if one believes Stan is playing Hush. So let's take a big swing here.

This switcheroo detail doesn't necessarily negate the previous belief that Dance is playing the father of the District Attorney who becomes Two-Face. It does, however, set up the idea that the Black Widow star could be portraying a gender-swapped version of Two-Face. Or maybe neither actor will be part of the live-action Dent family.

Scarlett Johansson's Role

If Scar-Jo isn't playing Gilda or a would-be Two-Face, could she be taking on the role of Andrea Beaumont, introduced as the titular vigilante in 1993's Batman: Mask of the Phantasm? That would probably get fans generally more pumped than a female Two-Face, especially if Dance would be locked in as Andrea's father Carl Beaumont.

I do still like the idea of Johansson playing The Long Halloween's take on Gilda Dent, given the sordid events that play out in that arc. But I wouldn't complain about seeing her as any of The Batman: Part II's villainous entities.

Sneider and host John Rocha also speculated about whether or not Brian Tyree Henry could be stealthily playing a race-swapped Harvey Dent and Two-Face, which sounds pretty fantastic to me. I'd take Henry as Batman as well. Or whatever role he wanted, really.

Hopefully we'll find out whether or not these speculation sessions were worthy of happening long before The Batman: Part II actually hits theaters on October 1, 2027.

The following contains spoilers for Dope Thief Episode 4, "Philadelphia Lawyer". If you're not caught up with the series, you can check it out with an Apple TV+ subscription.

If you've been up to date with the 2025 TV schedule, you'd know about the latest Apple TV+ series, Dope Thief, and its incredible fourth episode. So, after the explosive car scene that was the epitome of a climax for main characters Ray and Manny, I knew I had to ask the creator – and the actors – what it was like to film it (and their answers were everything).

While I talked with creator Peter Craig on behalf of CinemaBlend, he admitted that while the show is based on a novel, he created this scene all on his own. In the moment, Manny is willing to take out both him and Ray in a car with a grenade that he stole after witnessing several people shot, and Ray holds it to stop him from killing each other. Through this scene, Craig wanted a to show how Ray and Manny were truly on two totally different sides of dealing with the emotions of what happened in the premiere, telling me:

Craig also openly admitted he wanted to make the explosive scene as "dramatic" as possible, and noted how he often turns things up to an "eleven" when writing these types of moments:

When I spoke to Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura about the scene, Moura admitted it was "the most intense" scene he had done in the show—which is saying something.

The series itself is filled with crazy moments. Some of them aren't as nail-biting—like watching Kate Mulgrew's Theresa slap her adoptive son across the face. However, there's no denying that there are multiple scenes that feel like they're at an eleven, as the Peter Craig-created series has had deaths galore, gun fights, and now, an entire car exploding because of a grenade.

Henry added praise for Craig's writing and creating such an intense friendship. He also added that if this were to happen in real life, where Moura had a grenade, he would stop him from holding it – jokingly adding he would beat him after:

Talk about a fantastic friendship. While Dope Thief continues to air episodes every Friday, you can catch the first four that are out now, detailing the adventures of Ray and Manny and the DEA agents that hunt them down (led by Amir Arison). There are so many fantastic upcoming Apple TV+ shows, but I think I'll be sticking with Dope Thief and these crazy moments for a while.

Minor SPOILERS for Dope Thief are ahead! If you're not caught up on the series, check out the first three episodes with an Apple TV+ subscription.

If you're like me and up to date with the 2025 TV schedule, you're watching the new Apple TV+ series Dope Thief. From there, you'd realize how incredible it was to see Kate Mulgrew and Brian Tyree Henry share the screen. One moment between them in Episode 3 – where Mulgrew's character, Theresa, slaps Henry's character, Ray – made me legit snort out my drink, and I knew I had to ask the actress about it.

The moment is born from Ray confessing what he has been doing with Manny the entire time – dressing up as a DEA agent to rob houses in order to get money and give some to her. Theresa slaps him barely without a second thought, and it makes me snort. When I asked the actress for behind-the-scenes about that moment, she said it was "wonderful" to act out and that it was because of the energy, she felt with Henry that they were able to make it work so flawlessly:

While Mulgrew and Henry had never shared the screen before, it didn't feel like that in the scene. The two perfectly capture the complicated relationship between Theresa and Ray as the parental figure in Ray's life and their complex dynamics. And, of course, it's pulled off by two master-class actors.

But truthfully, it's not that surprising. Henry is classically trained at the Yale School of Drama and has had plenty of excellent roles within the movie and TV industry. Most know him from one of the best FX dramas, Atlanta, but he's appeared in various other well-known projects, like Eternals, Class of '09 and Godzilla vs. Kong, to name a few.

Mulgrew is no different, with her career spanning back to the 1970s and her alma mater being NYU. I know her personally from her time in the Orange is the New Black cast, but many also know her from playing Kathryn Janeway in the Star Trek franchise, as well as roles in Ryan's Hope and The First Lady, among others. To have these two well-trained and seasoned actors in the same scene was an absolute delight, and of course it makes for great television.

I'm so down with Peter Craig's Dope Thief and the crazy adventure that these characters are going on. I know with these two taking the lead, any scene they are in will be legendary – but probably not as legendary as that slap. If you're looking to check out Dope Thief, new episodes premiere Fridays.

In any case-of-the-week procedural, you get a slew of guest stars popping in and out. However, in The Good Wife, the army of talent Robert and Michelle King’s show assembled to support the cast of regulars is next level. From actors we already knew and loved when the show was airing on CBS in the 2010s to performers who have since become A-list names, this list is really a who’s-who of Hollywood’s finest talents.

Pedro Pascal - Nathan Landry - 6 Episodes

These days, we know Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic in the Fantastic Four or Joel in The Last of Us. However, before all that – and even before he died on Game of Thrones – he played the prosecutor Nathan Landry in six episodes of The Good Wife across Seasons 1 (Episodes 8, 13, 14 and 15) and 2 (Episodes 1 and 12).

Cristin Milioti - Onya Eggertson - 1 Episode

A handful of years before she was revealed as the mother of the How I Met Your Mother cast and over a decade before she stunned us all with her portrayal of Sofia Falcone in The Penguin, Cristin Milioti played the paranoid Onya Eggertson in Season 2, Episode 1 of The Good Wife.

Brian Tyree Henry - Randall Simmons - 1 Episode

In Season 2, Episode 2, Brian Tyree Henry plays Randall Simmons, a man Will and Alicia defend in military court. Of course, after this brief role, the actor went on to have an illustrious career as he starred in the hit show Atlanta and films like Causeway (for which he earned a 2023 Oscar nomination).

Rachel Brosnahan - Caitlin Fenton - 1 Episode

Rachel Brosnahan is Lois Lane in James Gunn’s Superman, and before that, she was The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Before those career-defining fast-talking roles, she played Caitlin Fenton, a client Alicia worked with during Season 2, Episode 6.

Michael J. Fox - Louis Canning - 26 Episodes

I think there’s an argument to be made that The Good Wife should be considered one of Michael J. Fox’s best projects. Yes, there’s Family Ties, Back to the Future and Spin City. However, his cunning and sly lawyer Louis Canning is an incredible character who he plays to perfection in 26 episodes across Seasons 2 through 7.

Ana Gasteyer - Judge Patrice Lessner - 5 Episodes

Making sure the lawyers say “in my opinion” in their various statements is Judge Patrice Lessner’s signature move, and it’s hilarious. That funny element of this character is perfect, too, considering she’s played in Seasons 1, 2, 4 and 6 by Saturday Night Live alum and comedy genius Ana Gasteyer.

Mike Colter - Lemond Bishop - 21 Episodes

Mike Colter has become a Michelle and Robert King repertory player thanks to his leading role in the show Evil, and you likely also recognize him for playing the titular Luke Cage in the Marvel series. However, before that, he played the drug lord Lemond Bishop in 21 episodes of The Good Wife between Seasons 1 and 6.

Melissa Benoist - Molly - 1 Episode

I was introduced to Melissa Benoist when she appeared on Glee. Then, The CW’s Supergirl made her a household name. However, long before all that, she had a small guest starring role on The Good Wife as Molly, Cary Agos’ first cousin, in Season 2, Episode 9.

David Oyelowo - Judge Edward Weldon - 1 Episode

From Selma to Lawmen: Bass Reeves, David Oyelowo has become well known for playing very powerful people. That was true back in 2010, too, when he played Judge Edward Weldon in Season 2, Episode 11 of The Good Wife.

Jeremy Strong - Matt Becker - 5 Episodes

Long before playing the “eldest boy” in the cast of Succession and winning an Emmy for his portrayal of Kendall Roy in the HBO hit, Jeremy Strong played pollster Matt Becker in five episodes of The Good Wife. While we’ve come to know this actor for his big roles in film and television, his early career features this fun, smaller and memorable character who appeared in Seasons 2 (Episodes 13, 15, 16 and 17) and 4 (Episode 21) of the CBS hit.

Rita Wilson - Viola Walsh - 6 Episodes

There’s a rotating cast of entertaining lawyers who pop in from time to time to be a thorn in the side of Lockhart/Gardner. This includes Michael J. Fox and Martha Plimpton’s iconic defense attorneys. It also includes Rita Wilson’s lawyer, Viola Walsh, who was featured in six episodes of the show between Seasons 2 and 6.

America Ferrera - Natalie Flores - 4 Episodes

The year after Ugly Betty ended, America Ferrera joined the cast of The Good Wife for three episodes in Season 2 (Episodes 15, 18 and 20), then popped up again during Season 5, Episode 8. She played student Natalie Flores in the show. After that, she went on to lead the comedy Superstore and played a major role in the cast of 2023’s Barbie.

Taye Diggs - Dean Levine-Wilkins - 3 Episodes

I was introduced to Taye Diggs thanks to his role as the Bandleader in one of the best musicals, Chicago. He’s also very well known for films like House on Haunted Hill, Rent, and Set It Up. So, it was fun to come see him play on The Good Wife when he appeared in Season 6, Episodes 2, 3 and 5 as the lawyer Dean Levine-Wilkins.

Sarah Silverman - Stephanie Engler - 1 Episode

Sarah Silverman had been in the comedy game for a long time before playing Stephanie Engler in Season 2, Episode 22 of The Good Wife. And she brought that sense of humor to the show while also showing off her more dramatic side while playing this client of Lockhart/Gardner.

Michael Kelly - Mickey Gunn - 2 Episodes

Michael Kelly is one of those actors who seemingly has shown up in everything. He’s a well-known character actor who has been in projects like Jack Ryan, Lioness, The Penguin, House of Cards and so much more. And in Season 3, Episodes 2 and 8 of The Good Wife he played Mickey Gunn, a political strategist who spent a lot of time verbally sparring with Alan Cumming’s Eli Gold.

Sterling K. Brown - Andrew Boylan - 1 Episode

Sterling K. Brown is a staple on television, thanks to his starring roles in This Is Us and Hulu’s Paradise. However, as he was coming up as an actor, he guest-starred on a whole bunch of network procedurals, including The Good Wife, where he played complicated eyewitness Andrew Boylan in Season 3, Episode 4.

Meghann Fahy - Shelby Hale - 1 Episode

Meghann Fahy’s leading role in Freeform’s The Bold Type introduced me to her, then she broke big because she was part of The White Lotus’ Season 2 cast. In the lead-up to all that, she guest-starred in Season 3, Episode 6 of The Good Wife as Shelby Hale.

Matthew Perry - Mike Kresteva - 3 Episodes

Matthew Perry’s Mike Kresteva proved to be a snarky adversary of Alicia in his introductory episode (Season 3, Episode 19). And seeing him come back in Season 4, Episodes 1 and 18, was always fun! Overall, while the actor brought the sarcastic sense of humor we know and love him for thanks to Friends, this show also let him show off a more dramatic side.

Kristin Chenoweth - Peggy Byrne - 2 Episodes

The Good Wife loves its Broadway guest stars, and one of their biggest gets on this front was Kristin Chenoweth. The Tony winner and Wicked alum played Peggy Byrn in Season 4, Episodes 1 and 6 and it was always fun to see her interact with Alan Cumming’s Eli Gold.

Nathan Lane - Clarke Hayden - 15 Episodes

In the beginning (Season 4), Clarke Hayden is a trustee assigned to Lockheart/ Gardner, and he worked on their horrendous financial situation. Later, he worked with the firm as a lawyer. This character who appears in 15 episodes across Seasons 4 and 5 is played by the remarkable Nathan Lane, who you most definitely know from his legendary work in films like The Birdcage, The Producers and The Lion King.

Carrie Preston - Elsbeth Tascioni - 14 Episodes

Carrie Preston’s Elsbeth Tascioni was so iconic on The Good Wife and The Good Fight that she got her own show. After starring in 14 episodes of the flagship show across every season (except Season 2) and five episodes of the spinoff and winning an Emmy for her work, the Kings created Elsbeth, a hit CBS show based around Preston’s lawyer-turned-crime-solver.

Stockard Channing - Veronica Loy - 11 Episodes

Who do you hire to play Julianna Margulies’ on-screen mother? Stockard Channing, of course. In 11 episodes across Seasons 4, 5, 6, and 7, the Grease actress appeared as Veronica Loy, the mom of our leading lady, Alicia Florrick.

Will Patton - Mike Tascioni - 4 Episodes

Elsbeth talks a lot about her ex-husband and her son. While we didn’t meet her kid, Teddy, until Elsbeth, we did meet her former spouse, Mike Tascioni, in four episodes of The Good Wife during Season 7, Episodes 15, 16, 17 and 19. He was played by Will Patton, who you likely recognize from one of the best sports movies, Remember the Titans, and shows like Yellowstone.

Parker Posey - Vanessa Gold - 3 Episodes

Who can go toe-to-toe with Alan Cumming and play his ex? Parker Posey, of course. The indie film darling played Eli Gold’s ex-wife in Season 3, Episodes 6, 15 and 20, and she was the perfect person to play this vital character in the political consultant’s story.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph - Margie - 1 Episode

Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph appeared in one episode of The Good Wife, Season 4, Episode 21, to be exact. She played Margie on the show. These days, she’s best known for her turns in The Holdover, Dolemite is My Name and Only Murders in the Building, so it’s cool to think that this CBS procedural was one of her first-ever on-screen gigs.

Gillian Jacobs - Sonia - 1 Episode

In an almost blink and you’ll miss it role, Gillian Jacobs (of Community fame) appeared in the pilot of The Good Wife as Alicia and Cary’s assistant.

Christina Ricci - Therese Dodd - 1 Episode

Before The Good Wife, we knew Christina Ricci from The Addams Family and Casper. In more recent years, she and the Yellowjackets cast are all the rage. However, for one episode in 2012, Season 4, Episode 7, to be exact, she played comedienne Therese Dodd in the hit CBS drama.

Wallace Shawn - Charles Lester - 3 Episodes

We know and love Wallace Shawn for saying “inconceivable” in The Princess Bride, and we also adore him for his roles in The Incredibles, Toy Story and more. We also know and love him for playing the Lemond Bishop’s lawyer, Charles Lester, in both The Good Wife and The Good Fight. And for the sake of this story, he was specifically in three episodes of the flagship series, appearing in Season 4, Episode 16, Season 5, Episode 13 and Season 6, Episode 22.

Kyle MacLachlan - Josh Perotti - 4 Episodes

Kyle MacLachlan is a TV legend. Obviously, Twin Peaks is what he’s best known for, and more recently, he and the cast of Fallout have made quite the splash on streaming. Between all that, he appeared in four episodes of The Good Wife (Season 4, Episodes 14 and 15 and Season 6, Episodes 5 and 6). He played Josh Perotti on the show, a federal prosecutor.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor - Linda Underwood - 1 Episode

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is best known for her work in movies like Origin, King Richard and Nickel Boys, and she’s reached great acclaim for them. In the earlier days of her career, though, she was featured in Season 1, Episode 5 of The Good Wife, where she played Linda Underwood.

Matthew Lillard - Rowby Canton - 2 Episodes

It’s honestly a joy to see Matthew Lillard in anything. Of course, we know him best as one of the original Ghostfaces in Scream and Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, and he’s made waves in recent years for Five Nights at Freddys. However, he can do more than genre work, as proven by his two episodes of The Good Wife (Season 5, Episode 11 and Season 7, Episode 12) where he played musician Rowby Canton.

Vanessa Williams - Courtney Paige - 4 Episodes

Vanessa Williams is well known and loved for her roles on long-lasting shows like Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives. However, she’s also a King repertory player. She appeared in four episodes of The Good Wife, Season 7, Episodes 7 through 10, as CEO Courtney Paige, and then she showed up as a totally different character years later in the spinoff series, Elsbeth.

This list is honestly barely scratching the surface of the iconic actors who have been recruited to guest star on The Good Wife. The list is honestly elite, and it’s always fun to go back and see so many performers during so many different stages of their careers.

With its $571.8 million worldwide haul, placing it as the eighth highest-grossing movie of 2024, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire did pretty well for itself. Picking up three years after the events of Godzilla vs. Kong, the fifth MonsterVerse movie introduced the moviegoing public to Dan Stevens’ Trapper, a Monarch veterinarian/dentist for the Titans. Well, for those of you who liked what you saw of Trapper in The New Empire (which can be streamed with a Max subscription), word’s come in that he’ll be back for the sequel, and I’m hoping this leads to him being partnered back up with another alum for last year’s blockbuster.

Dan Stevens Is In Talks To Appear In The Godzilla X Kong Sequel

Per THR, Stevens is in negotiations to reprise Trapper for the yet-to-be-officially-titled Godzilla x Kong sequel, which is set for a spring 2027 release. The New Empire was one of three movies the actor appeared in last year, the other two being Cuckoo and Abigail. His forthcoming features include The Ritual and Swiped, which are both debuting on the 2025 release schedule, and the not-yet-dated Onslaught, which teams him back up with director Adam Wingard.

This is the second piece of casting news concerning the Godzilla x Kong sequel that’s come in. Last week, it was reported that Booksmart’s Kaitlyn Dever is also being lined up to appear, although no details about the character she’d be playing were revealed. There also hasn’t been any plot information shared about Godzilla and Kong’s third go-around in the MonsterVerse besides that it will feature “several new human characters alongside the beloved and iconic Titans Godzilla and Kong as they face off against a cataclysmic world-ending threat.”

I Hope We See Trapper Paired With Brian Tyree Henry’s Bernie Again

Assuming Dan Stevens comes to a satisfiable deal to reprise Trapper in the Godzilla x Kong sequel, which is being directed by Grant Sputore and written by David Callaham, I’m hoping we’ll see him spend more time with Bernie Hayes, Brian Tyree Henry’s character. He was introduced in Godzilla vs. Kong as a former Apex employee who started a podcast to share his conspiracy theories about the Titans. Bernie then returned in The New Empire to accompany Trapper, Ilene Andrews and Jia to Hollow Earth to locate the source of a signal being sent out.

Trapper and Bernie quickly formed a friendship during the events of The New Empire, and it would be great to see more of their dynamic together now that they’ve had a lot more time to spend with each other. It would also be nice for the MonsterVerse to finally feature a character for more than just two movies. That has yet to be accomplished in the franchise, but my fingers are crossed that Bernie will be bequeathed that honor if he and Trapper are hanging out again.

Since the Godzilla x Kong sequel doesn’t come out until March 26, 2027, it’s a good bet filming will begin sometime before the year is over. As such, ideally it won’t be long until Dan Stevens’ involvement is officially confirmed, but we shall see.

There are a lot of exciting sequels and franchise films on the 2025 movie schedule but one project that is still conspicuously absent is Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. It’s been a year and a half since we got the epic Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and we still have no idea when we’ll see it. But now Bryan Tyree Henry has me seriously concerned about what’s going to happen when it eventually arrives.

Bryan Tyree Henry is part of the Beyond the Spider-Verse cast as the voice of Jefferson Davis, the father of Miles Morales. He was recently asked by Variety when we might see the next film. The actor, who is currently appearing in The Fire Inside (see our review here), had no information on when the film might finally arrive, but he teased that the movie is going to leave people in tears as it won’t be a happy ending for everybody involved. Henry said…

We might expect the final film in a trilogy to give us a conclusion that sees all our heroes come to some sort of definitive conclusion, but based on what Bryan Tyree Henry says that may not be the case. The ending of superhero movies are usually meant to make us cheer, but this one may make us all cry.

One immediately has to wonder about the fate of Henry’s own character. Across the Spider-Verse already prepared us for the possibility that Jefferson Davis will die. He is set to play the “Uncle Ben” role in Miles’ Spider-Man story. Miles plans to fight to change that, but that doesn’t mean he will be successful.

Such a moment would certainly leave many fans in tears. The relationship between Miles and his parents has been built up over two movies and most of the audience probably loves them as much as they are cheering for Miles. Certainly, a loss of Henry’s character would be as big for the audience as it would be for Miles as a character.

But Henry could also just be speaking in broader terms. Not wrapping up in a bow could be a reference to the story as a whole not coming to a true "conclusion" in some way. Whatever he means, it indicates the movie may not be everything we're expecting.

But when we’ll find out what it is that will leave us all in tears is anybody's guess. Originally, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse was set to release in 2024, a year after the previous film. However, shortly after Across the Spider-Verse debuted it was announced the movie would need more time to reach the high bar of quality of the previous films. The movie was delayed before being removed from the release calendar entirely. No release date is currently listed.

The world has no lack of inspirational sports movies. It's not difficult to see why. Sports have natural challenges and natural conflicts, so the drama is built in. Boxing is maybe the most natural challenge of all, being a literal physical battle between opponents.

At first blush, The Fire Inside would appear to be simply the latest in a long line of inspirational sports movies. In this case, the twist making this story unique compared to any Rocky movie would be that the traditional narrative of the boxer fighting to be the best is a woman instead of a man. However, what actually sets this movie apart is that the fight to be a champion is only half the story and the real inspiration comes from the fight that follows after.

The Fire Inside is based on the true life story of Claressa Shields. As a child in 2002, when the idea of women boxing seems crazy, she comes under the tutelage of Jason Crutchfield (Bryan Tyree Henry), a boxing coach in Flint, Michigan. Ten years later, Shields (Ryan Destiny) has a chance to compete in the Olympics the first year women's boxing becomes an official sport. Shields is an underdog not simply because she's a woman in a "man's sport” but because she is only a teenager and comes from working-class Flint, and thus doesn't have the advantages of many of the other competitors.

Despite some setbacks, Shields fights her way to the Olympic Games in London and ultimately wins the first gold medal in Olympic women's middleweight boxing. Some might expect such a statement to be a major spoiler, as certainly winning the gold medal is where such a story normally ends, but actually, that's where the real story of The Fire Inside begins.

The Fire Inside appears to be a traditional sports movie, but it’s a great deal more.

The movie pulls a remarkable swerve when one realizes that the medal is won, and yet the movie is only half over. This is really about what happens after other movies of this type have rolled the end credits.

Shields competes for the gold medal not simply for the medal itself but because of what it can bring to her life. She expects to have all of the sponsorships and endorsements that come with a gold medal. Unfortunately, when you are a black woman from a working-class town who won in a sport that isn't seen as feminine, things aren't so easy. Her family has pinned their future on her success, and while she achieved that success, the rest does not follow.

The script for The Fire Inside by Barry Jenkins certainly ends up uneven. The opening half flies by at an absolute breakneck pace. The story moves from each important chapter in Claressa Shields' life to the next so fast that the audience barely has time to get their bearings. Big moments that you would expect would have a lot of emotional weight, like Shields actually winning her gold medal, are moved through with an incredible speed so there's little catharsis for the audience. It's all strangely unsatisfying.

The Fire Inside isn't about boxing; it’s ultimately about a different sort of fight.

However, when you understand where the story is going, it at least makes sense why these decisions were made. The opening rise is only important because the audience must fully understand the depth of the fall. It's after she has achieved Olympic glory that Claressa Shields' true fight happens. She believes she's earned something, and now she has to figure out how to get it.

It's when she comes home from the Olympics and the happily ever after doesn't transpire that the movie finds itself. Our hero has been through an experience that few have ever had. She's accomplished something that even fewer have done, and yet, her life has not changed. This isn't what the American dream has sold her.

The Fire Inside is the feature film debut of director Rachel Morrison. Her skills as a cinematographer on Ryan Coogler's efforts like the action-heavy Black Panther and the more dramatic Fruitvale Station are both on display. Considering the story she has crafted, and the performances she has gotten from her two lead actors, we can rest assured we have not seen the last of Morrison's directorial efforts.

Ryan Destiny is a star in the making.

Ryan Destiny is incredible in her performance as Claressa Shields. As the young 16-year-old who is more than a little in over her head competing in the Olympics, she is completely relatable. The absolute pain that comes with realizing that her dream hasn't really come true is as heartbreaking.

Brian Tyree Henry is equally impressive. His character's relationship with Claressa is to some extent that of a surrogate father, but it's also one of true and honest respect. Crutchfield isn't simply a boxing coach trying to make a champion; he's a father and a cable installer who only volunteers to train boxers. He's the one who fills Claressa's head with dreams of endorsement deals, because he believes in it all too – and he is equally distraught when he discovers that those dreams aren't coming true for her.

There's an entire sequel's worth of information in the post-movie text that ends most modern biopics. The information contained there could have given the movie a potentially more satisfying ending had it been in the film. But then, the lack of satisfying closure to The Fire Inside is the point.

If there's a somewhat fatal flaw in your average inspirational sports movie, it's that the hero is usually clearly talented, and therefore seeing them win isn't necessarily a surprise. Claressa Shields is a talented boxer. Her winning at the Olympics was maybe not that much of a surprise. But the fight that she had to win was outside the ring which is why watching her fight is so inspiring.

Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry were the leads in the animated sci-fi movie Transformers One. They voiced archnemeses Optimus Prime and Megatron with the 2024 movie release setting up the origin story of their relationship. Another thing the two actors have in common is their awkward text exchange stories where Hemsworth accidentally texted his ex-girlfriend and Henry chimed in with an even worse story.

I’d like to believe we’ve all been there where we accidentally sent someone a text message that wasn’t meant for them. It’s probably one of the most painfully awkward experiences a person can have with technology. Chris Hemsworth can relate on that front to us all as he spoke in a Pedestrian TV video (via US Weekly) about a texting mishap he had with his high school ex-girlfriend and the story is absolutely cringe:

That’s just a tad awkward to accidentally tell your ex-girlfriend that breaking up with her was their “worst conversation ever.” Then again, that’s to be expected from a breakup. It’s never anyone’s favorite conversation. It’s a shame back then there was no “unsend” button like there is now. Even if that high school romance didn’t last for the Thor actor, he’s been happily married to Spanish model and actress Elsa Pataky since 2010. They’ve been living their best life in Byron Bay with their three kids developing “ultimate family workouts” and many fun vacations.

If you thought accidentally sending your ex-girlfriend a text about having the “worst conversation” with her was bad, Brian Tyree Henry had a similar yet even worse story for you. The Causeway actor chimed in that he unintentionally sent private photos to the wrong person and prepare yourself for laughter:

Okay, Brian Tyree Henry wins in the contest of “Who Accidentally Sent the Most Awkward Text.” That’s definitely a TMI moment for the Uber driver to have experienced. But, it’s also one of those moments we can all laugh about much later. I know I am.

The Transformer One actors aren’t the only ones to have embarrassing moments involving awkward texts. For example, Kevin Smith accidentally texted actress/model Genesis Rodriguez thinking he was offering George R.R. Martin to be in his 4:30 Movie. This led to the Clerks actor/director having to write a part for her in his new movie. Gymnast Jordan Chiles thought she was being pranked when former NBA star Michael Jordan texted her when it turned out to be the real deal. It’s easy to make mistakes when it comes to technology. But, luckily now we can unsend and edit sent texts before we have to do any damage control.

Sending the wrong people text messages and colonoscopy photos must have been incredibly offputting for Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry. On the other hand, they do make for entertaining stories and a good lesson for us to pause before hitting the send button. Their movie Transformers One still has limited showings in theaters now and is available to rent on digital streaming platforms.

Chris Hemsworth was cast as Thor years ago, headlined incredibly successful movies and participated in philanthropic efforts. Of course, aside from being a beloved movie star and philanthropist, he’s also one of the select few who’s been named Sexiest Man Alive. It’s an elusive title – and one that’s been humorously discussed by a number of Hollywood stars over the years. The latest recipient is set to be revealed in less than a month and, with that, Hemsworth just shared his sweet personal pick.

Considering that the 41-year-old Australia native held the Sexiest Man Alive title in 2014, he would likely know better than most who’d be a great fit for it. There are admittedly plenty of truly suave guys within Tinseltown who are deserving of the massive honor. When the Extraction star spoke to People – which handles the selection process – he name-dropped one of his latest co-stars, and I honestly can’t argue with his selection:

Yeah, I’m definitely down for this pick, though I may honestly be a bit biased, given the fact that I’ve long enjoyed watching Mr. Henry’s work. Nevertheless, Henry is indeed a handsome man and a sleek dresser. Of course, aside from that, the 42-year-old star is just a talented actor who’s put in some tremendous work. Having risen to prominence through the acclaimed FX dramedy series Atlanta, Henry has since impressed in Widows, Causeway, If Beale Street Could Talk and the Spider-Verse movies.

The Eternals actor’s latest role is actually what brought him and Chris Hemsworth together. Both of the fan-favorite stars worked together on the 2024 movie release Transformers One (which is honestly just as great for adults as it is for kids). Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry played friends-turned-enemies Optimus Prime and Megatron, respectively. Based on their press tour for the film – including the interviews CinemaBlend conducted with Hemsworth, Henry and co. – the two leading men have become quite close. I was already digging the bromance, but it makes me smile knowing that Hemsworth believes his pal should be Sexiest Man Alive.

Speaking of that much-discussed moniker, the latest honoree is set to be revealed by People on November 12. It’s, of course, unclear as to who will land it this year, and it’s safe to assume that inquiring minds are eager to find out. Patrick Dempsey is the latest star to have held the title, as he was announced to have earned it back in November 2023. Some would probably argue that Dempsey’s SMA title was a long time coming, and even his family responded to the news in humorous fashion.

Even if Brian Tyree Henry isn’t named Sexiest Man Alive this year, it’s my hope that he’ll eventually land it. Few people have the effortless charm and charisma that’s apparent during his interviews and emanates from his performances. I mean, hey, if he’s received a vote of confidence from Chris Hemsworth, Henry should at least receive consideration at some point, right?

You can hear the two celebrity friends lend their voices to the leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons in Transformers One, which is playing in theaters.

Transformers One has gotten a resounding nod of approval from critics, and fans agree that the trailers couldn’t possibly do the film justice. Having seen the film myself, I certainly agree that it’s a special anf nostalgic change of pace for a major franchise. However, I feel that it’s been underemphasized just how much Transformers One is geared towards kids. While the humor and story certainly appeal to all generations, more than anything else it’s going to be a blast for children. In the spirit of classic films from his own childhood, Brian Tyree Henry wants to make sure that involves a decent amount of trauma.

The actor plays the infamous villain Megatron in the film, though when it begins, he’s still known as D-16. I got the chance to sit down with him and Chris Hemsworth to discuss Transformers One, and when I mentioned that the transition to Megatron is somewhat scary, he volunteered his terrifying childhood inspirations:

Yes, trauma should be shared! It’s no secret that alleged “kid’s movies” are often littered with themes that may not be as appropriate for kids as we initially thought upon their release. The films Brian Tyree Henry named are spot-on examples of this phenomenon, and it seems that he wants Transformers One to join the ranks!

Truthfully, there’s nothing outstandingly scary about the film, but hey, not every cartoon can be as terrifying as The Care Bears Movie. Without further ado, because it’s obviously why you’re here, allow me to present the Care Bears scene that changed Brian Tyree Henry forever:

The Care Bears Movie must have taken a real toll, as Brian Tyree Henry doubled-down on his thirst for traumatizing the newer generation when he said this:

Obviously there is plenty of humorous exaggeration in his response, as that’s just the kind of interview Brian Tyree Henry gives. His fellow Autobots Chris Hemsworth and Keegan-Michael Key also kept the laughs rolling, as you can see in our delightful interviews with the cast and crew. Despite this focus on traumatizing children, the reality is that the film is pure fun and worth the trip to the theater if you want to bring your kids or if you’re simply an old school fan of the franchise.

Luckily for you, the film is in theaters everywhere right now! Not only that, but it’s showing in 3D and 4DX. I saw it in 3D myself, and I must say it’s some of the best that's ever been produced. As for everything coming down the pipeline on the 2024 movie release schedule, we will keep you updated.

Chris Hemsworth’s Thor isn't confirmed to be featured in any of the upcoming Marvel movies (yet). However, the actor himself is definitely showing off his superhero skills as he promotes his latest movie, Transformers One, which just hit theaters. Hemsworth faced off with co-star Brian Tyree Henry in a hilarious balloon pop racing competition amid the press tour. When he lost, the Australia native shared a hilarious and very Thor-related response.

The Transformers co-stars teamed up for a relay race alongside the Australian gents of How Ridiculous. Check out the funny Instagram video for yourself below:

I don’t know what random hangar they were in, but it’s giving Avengers HQ. Anyways, Chris Hemsworth started off the race by punching a massive balloon before poking a bunch of small ones and handing off the competition to Brian Tyree Henry, who is also part of the Marvel family via his spot in the Eternals cast. Given that the pair fell short of winning the funny competition, Hemsworth wrote this:

He sure is! Fans, of course, know that from the actor’s portrayal of the God of Thunder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from over the past decade. The last time Chris Hemsworth portrayed the character was in the fourth Thor standalone film, Love and Thunder, which was released out in 2022. Fans had a blast seeing Hemsworth take on the balloon race. Check out some of the other comments:

• “That first punch is sooo Thor😂” - @tarunsaxena1000
• “Thor doing side quests” - @mr_ogbebor
• “More like Hemstooslow” - @gauno44
• “So much fun to watch and see you beat the Avenger 😉😂😃” - @nath.heimberg

While the actor definitely started off strong with that balloon punch, fans got a kick out of seeing the superhero actor lose, probably because his Asgardian character is known for winning the day. That is, except for when Thor “should have gone for the head” the first time he and the Avengers went up against Thanos, but that’s probably still a sore subject, isn’t it?

As for Transformers One, it sees Chris Hemsworth play a young Optimus Prime (or Orion Pax) whilst Brian Tyree Henry voices Megatron (a.k.a. D-16). Also part of the cast are Scarlet Johansson as Elita-1, Keegan-Michael Key as Bumblebee (B-127), Steve Buscemi as Starscream, Laurence Fishburne as Alpha Trion and Jon Hamm as Sentinel Prime. Critics haven't disguised their praise for the film, with many particularly lauding Hemsworth and Henry for their performances.

Even though the Extraction actor has been honest about not knowing about Thor's MCU future, it’s great to see him still embracing the popular role as he did this funny press tour game with his co-star. I'd like to think that next time he finds himself playing such a game, he'll be sure to have that hammer ready as well.

Transformers One is in theaters now, and be sure to read up on other 2024 movies that are playing now or are heading to cinemas soon.

With Halloween just around the corner, there are plenty of spooky flicks hitting the 2024 movie calendar right now, but families need not be concerned, because there are also plenty of upcoming kids movies. In fact, it looks like there might be some pretty good options headed our way, including Transformers One, which arrives in theaters September 20. First reactions to the animated action film starring Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry were overwhelmingly positive, and now critics have gotten to expound on those original thoughts.

From what we know about Transformers One, this prequel will show how Chris Hemsworth’s Orion Pax and Brian Tyree Henry’s D-16 go from being brothers to the archenemies we’ve come to know as Optimus Prime and Megatron.

Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com gives it 3 out of 4 stars, saying that just like with Toy Story 4, director Josh Cooley finds new things to say about decades-old characters, bringing a freshness and innocence to characters who have historically not been known for their depth. The critic says:

Chris Bumbray of JoBlo declares Transformers One “the franchise’s best film to date (by a long shot),” praising the voice performances, a strong story and beautiful animation that all honor the works that came before it. Bumbray rates it a “Great” 8 out of 10, writing:

Kambole Campbell of Empire gives it 3 out of 5 stars, writing that the animation doesn’t completely work for him, but that Josh Cooley is successful in delivering some effective humor and making something new out of classic IP. Campbell continues:

Jeff Spry of Space, meanwhile, doesn’t take issue with the animation, calling the work done by Industrial Light & Magic, “a visual banquet of next-generation CGI.” Spry goes on to call Transformers One one of the best movies of the year, predicting that many fans will rank it as their favorite Transformers movie of all time. The critic says:

Not every critic is quite so high on the prequel. Tom Jorgensen of IGN gives the movie a “Mediocre” 5 out of 10. While Jorgensen enjoys the relationship between the central autobots — and particularly Brian Tyree Henry’s performance — the lackluster comedy and overall scale of the world don’t work, he says, writing:

The majority of critics seem to be excited about Transformers One, as it has garnered 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. Will you be rolling out to see the friends-to-enemies lore of these robots in disguise? The movie will be on the big screen starting Friday, September 20, and there are several past Transformers projects available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription.

The famous Robots in Disguise are about to return by way of a new animated film called Transformers One. A major title on the 2024 movie schedule, the flick will explore the origins of beloved characters like Optimus Prime and Megatron. Unsurprisingly, a top-notch cast has been assembled for the production, and it includes Chris Hemsworth, Keegan-Michael Key, Brian Tyree Henry and more. Those castings alone are sweet, though I have to say what’s really cool is the sight of the three actors standing alongside their respective characters.

It was during a special fan screening of the upcoming movie that the trio of actors reunited alongside director Josh Cooley and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. At some point during the day, all five men joined together to take a photo on the Paramount Pictures Studios lot. But, as mentioned, this particular snapshot was made even cooler by the fact that the stars were surrounded by standees of the very characters they lent their vocals to. You can check out the image for yourself down below:

For an actor, I’d assume that it’s a major flex to be able to stand alongside a recreation of a character that you helped bring to life. There may be a particularly high amount of pride in that when the role is associated with such an iconic franchise. Imagine being Chris Hemsworth (who received an ovation after the screening) in that moment and not just saying that I voiced Optimus Prime but also pointing to the character right behind him. I could go on about how cool this is, but it’s so great that the Thor alum and his co-stars can now claim such a moment.

After seeing this photo, I’m actually even more intrigued to see just what each of the stars bring to their roles. While the Extraction star is voicing the eventual leader of the Autobots, Brian Tyree Henry portrays a young Megatron, who has yet to take his place as the ruler of the evil Decepticons. As the Transformers One trailer has teased, Optimus and Megatron (who are initially known as Orion Pax and D-16) start out as friends before their legendary rivalry is formed. On top of that, B-127 (who’s more commonly known as Bumblebee) is also in the mix and is voiced by Keegan-Michael Key. If you ask me, each of these stars was perfectly cast. And other A+ stars with roles in the movie Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Jon Hamm and Laurence Fishburne.

Reactions for Transformers One have surfaced since that previously mentioned screening, and it sounds like viewers are high on it. Many appear to be in agreement that the trailers don’t exactly do the movie justice. What I’m excited to see the most are fresh takes on the characters that fans have come to know and love. I’m particularly pumped to see a different side of Megatron and believe that Brian Tyree Henry more than has the chops to play him.

From this point on, Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Keegan-Michael Key and their co-stars are forever linked to this esteemed franchise. The cast will surely have more press to do and additional premieres to attend in the coming weeks. With that, I’d say it’s very likely that they’ll be in proximity to other recreations of their characters very soon. I’ll certainly be keeping my eyes peeled in case that happens!

Transformers One opens in theaters on September 20, so there’s still a little bit of time before fans can check out the movie. In the meantime, though, fans can use a Paramount+ subscription or a Prime Video subscription to stream the latest live-action installment in the franchise, Transformers Rise of the Beasts.

When Transformers One hits the 2024 movie schedule in September, fans of the robots in disguise will see how Orion Pax and D-16 went from brothers-in-arms to the archenemies we know as Optimus Prime and Megatron. The prequel is the franchise’s first animated theatrical release since 1986, and while we still have a couple of months to wait — Transformers One’s release date is September 20 — the sci-fi action movie is already making quite a splash, as those who caught an early screening are taking to social media with their first reactions.

When it premiered at Annecy Film Festival in June, Transformers One earned a huge standing ovation for Chris Hemsworth and the rest of its star-studded cast, which includes Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key and Jon Hamm. The anticipation for this origin story is only going to get more intense after reading what others have to say, too, as Gizmodo’s Germain Lussier seems to have left his screening one happy Transformers fan. The critic posted:

The mere fact that Transformers One is being screened so far ahead of its release date speaks to the confidence Paramount Pictures has in what director Josh Cooley and his team have created. Steven Weintraub of Collider says as much, tweeting:

Liam Crowley of ComicBook.com agrees, praising the cast and assuring those who have complained about the franchise's movies spending “too much time with humans” won’t have to worry about that in this Autobot-centric story. Crowley continues:

While the above critic says Keegan-Michael Key steals the show as Bumblebee, for Perri Nemiroff, it’s Brian Tyree Henry who’s driving the story’s emotional beats. Nemiroff calls Transformers One a “winner,” lauding the animation style and writing:

Some fans were taken aback by the comedy in the trailer, and after director Josh Cooley promised there was “real danger” in the story, the early moviegoers seem to agree the trailer doesn’t quite capture everything that’s great about Transformers One. Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture says:

Brandon Slagle writes that his screening included cheers from the audience, and he is surprised by how much he likes this offering. Slagle continues:

DesiNerd’s expectations were also exceeded, with the critic writing that fans will happy with the love shown to the franchise:

We’ll have to wait until after its September 20 release date to see where Transformers One falls in the ranking of the Transformers movies, but the first reactions are pretty promising!

David Leitch is a former stuntman who has become an accomplished director, so we can expect that any action in his movies is going to go the extra mile. That was certainly the case with Bullet Train which had some incredible action including a complex fight sequence with Brad Pitt and Brian Tyree Henry that, despite it's fixed location, took a lot of extra work to film.

Appearing on Corridor Crew, David Leitch spoke about the “silent” fight scene in Bullet Tain, which sees Brad Pitt and Brian Tyree Henry attempt to kill each other while trying not to bother the rest of the people in the quiet car. Leitch explained that the setup for the sequence was incredibly complex because, in addition to being a good action sequence, the scene also had to serve the comedy. Leitch explained…

Action sequences usually require a lot of setups to get the action from many different angles, unless there’s a particular design to do more impressive one-shot sequences or otherwise long takes. But 60 setups is a lot considering the actual fight scene in Bullet Train is all of about a minute long. Still, the sequence is both beautifully choreographed as an action scene, and also quite funny, so the movie balances the two things quite well.

The scene sees Brad Pitt and Bryan Tyree Henry as two hired guns chasing the same goal. This leads to an altercation where the two try to kill each other in public view of others while trying to go unnoticed, especially since the pair are sitting in the “quiet car” of a high-speed train. Check it out.

David Leitch says he's always been a fan of comedy, but he credits his time on Deadpool 2 and working with Ryan Reynolds for helping him hone his abilities when it comes to doing action and comedy in equal measure. He says that experience will “never leave” him and he’s carrying it forward into his other projects. That certainly worked here.

Leitch’s newest film, The Fall Guy certainly follows in the footsteps of Deadpool 2 and Bullet Train as it never slows down when it comes to the action and then stunts, but it never sacrifices the comedy of the film either.

In the realm of Transformers, leaders Optimus Prime and Megatron frequently are portrayed as lethal adversaries. Optimus heads up the Autobots, while his adversary Megatron commands the Decepticons. And even though the Transformers have been used to share stories in all forms of media – from video games and animation to the live-action movies that populate theaters – these inherent character traits have held true. Which is why it’s instantly disarming at the start of the trailer for Josh Cooley’s animated feature Transformers One to see Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry) as something else – friends.

The trailer for Transformers One recently arrived online. The movie opens in theaters on September 20, and will serve as an origin story for some of the most recognizable Transformers, including Bumblebee (Keegan-Michael Key). But as you can see in the first official footage from the movie, Transformers One showcases a bit of a buddy cop vibe to it, as it follows Orion Pax (Hemsworth) and D-16 (Henry) on a mission that originally pairs them up, then eventually describes what drives them apart.

Admittedly, it was jarring first seeing the Transformers One trailer as part of the Paramount panel in CinemaCon 2024. Maybe it’s because I grew up on the Michael Bay movies, but Optimus Prime and Megatron always wanted to tear each other’s heads off. Seeing them as buddies took some getting used to. But speaking exclusively with Josh Cooley (Inside Out, Toy Story 4) on behalf of the Transformers One trailer launch, it was that side of Megatron that he was most excited to showcase.

Cooley tells CinemaBlend:

Stories that big have to start somewhere, and Transformers One appears to be that initial step. Voice actor Scarlett Johansson promised that this animated feature would be unlike anything that fans of the series have seen before, and it struck me how family friendly the tone of the movie was based on the trailer. We also saw additional footage at CinemaCon that expanded on the universe that’s present in this story. Josh Cooley is right, it’s epic in scope. But if you want something grittier, you may have to wait until that eventual Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover that was announced from the stage in Las Vegas.

We’ll have plenty more on Transformers One as we get closer to the movie’s release date in September.

Three years after Legendary’s MonsterVerse brought us Godzilla vs. Kong, the monsters are teaming up again for a kaiju sequel in Adam Wingard’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. New enemies threaten Hollow Earth in this film, which hits theaters March 29, per the 2024 movie release calendar, and critics are weighing in after catching early screenings. Almost everyone is talking about how fun this new monster movie is, but some are finding Godzilla x Kong lacking in the emotional department.

First reactions to the new kaiju offering had people excited for the “slobberknocker,” as they noted how colorful the movie is, with its ‘80s buddy cop vibes, thanks to Dan Stevens and Brian Tyree Henry. Critics are now able to expound on those views, and in CinemaBlend’s review of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, our own Mike Reyes says spring for the IMAX experience if possible, because this movie is so much fun, it’s hard not to want more. He rates it 4 out of 5 stars, writing: 

Aaron Neuwirth of We Live Entertainment gives it a User Rating of 8 out of 10, agreeing with Mike Reyes that it’s a great time to be a kaiju fan. While last year’s Godzilla Minus One may appeal more to the scholarly crowd, Godzilla x Kong offers “a rock 'em sock 'em blast.” The critic says: 

Jane Crowther of GamesRadar rates it 3 stars out of 5, agreeing that it’s a “fun, neon rumble,” but saying ii's lacking an emotional journey. However, if you’re just buying the ticket to see the big monster fights, you’ll get your money’s worth, Crowther says: 

The weakness of the human story seems to be the primary criticism among critics, which isn’t all that uncommon for monster movies. Owen Gleiberman of Variety posits that it’s bad luck that Godzilla x Kong is coming out so soon after Godzilla Minus One, which proved these creatures could carry an “emotional grandeur.” 

D. Hood of IGN gives the movie an “Okay” 6 out of 10, calling it a “visually stunning, sensory extravaganza” that's so electrifying the critic isn’t even all that mad that it doesn't quite add up and the audience is made to slog through the humans’ drama. Hood continues:  

The monsters are clearly the stars of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, so it sounds like anyone hitting the theater for pure kaiju action is going to be happy. Just keep your expectations tempered regarding any emotional stakes. You can catch this movie in theaters starting Friday, March 29. 

If you follow the news, rumors, and history of the James Bond movies, then you probably already know we’re going through one of those crazy moments in between movies. Everyone wants to know what the future holds for Bond 26, and that shows with the increased traffic around Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s rumored 007 casting. And now, his Bullet Train co-star, Brian Tyree Henry, finds himself captivated by those reports himself. What’s more, he’s made a suggestion for the future of Bond that, I believe, is a stone-cold winner.

What's Brian Tyree Henry’s Killer James Bond Idea?

While promoting his role in the upcoming Titan team-up Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the actor spoke with ET about his own title match for the ages. As he gassed up his on-screen twin brother’s chances of becoming the next 007, Brian Tyre Henry complimented Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s hypothetical casting. He also slipped in the following suggestion: 

Honestly, I feel like Bullet Train is one of the most underrated action hits to come along in the last couple of years. Yeah, it has a healthy following, but it’s nowhere near as big as it should be; and part of that is because of Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry’s double act as wise-cracking assassins Tangerine and Lemon. 

To take that energy and reshape it as a hero/villain dynamic would be absolutely brilliant. But amping it up into the realm of Bond villainy is something unique, as evidenced by the rogue’s gallery of the most formidable 007 villains. I must admit, in the climate of recent James Bond rumors, a potential Henry/Taylor-Johnson face-off has me even more excited to see what happens next.

What Else Is Going On With Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, And The Current Bond 26 Rumors?

Brian Tyree Henry throwing his hat in the ring for the villain role in Bond 26, or any potential Aaron Taylor-Johnson-led adventure in the 007 series, is just the latest news tidbit that’s bound to turn heads. We’re not too far removed from the most recent betting odds, which suggest that Sydney Sweeney is a Bond Girl frontrunner. Which, in itself, is another fun coincidence, as this Madame Web alum is another party that’s recently been employed by Bullet Train/Kraven the Hunter studio, and former James Bond distributor, Sony. 

As for Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the former Godzilla star once again finds himself hotly tipped as being right on the verge of playing the next 007. Though if you talk to former James Bond George Lazenby, there are reasons that Taylor-Johnson’s casting isn’t a done deal. So this particular game is still on, and as such anything could happen; even Brian Tyree Henry’s hypothetical heel turn. 

The future holds tons of potential, which means we should also keep an eye on the past to help inform what we might expect to happen. If you have a Netflix subscription, you can do just that, as Bullet Train is still streaming on that platform at the time of this writing. You can also check out Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which opens in theaters on March 29 as part of the 2024 movie schedule.

Following the success of last year's Godzilla Minus One, there’s another kaiju film headed to theaters, and this is one fans have really been looking forward to. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire — the fifth film in Legendary’s MonsterVerse franchise and a sequel to 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong — is set to hit the big screen (including IMAX) on March 29, and those who have been able to catch an early screening are taking to social media with their first reactions.

Godzilla x Kong’s trailer shows the monsters working together against an even bigger, scarier enemy. Let’s see what people are saying about this movie, which has garnered a PG-13 rating. SlashFilm’s Ben F. Silverio calls the monsters’ tag-team action “terrific,” advising moviegoers to opt for IMAX if possible. He writes on X (Twitter): 

In the movie Godzilla sports some dangerous-looking, fiery pink spikes — which are reportedly Toho-approved — and the vibrant color was one quality of director Adam Wingard’s project that critics took notice of. Bill Bria writes: 

Griffin Schiller agrees that the ‘80s color palette makes for a fun experience, calling Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire “an absurdist romp.” The critic says: 

That ‘80s aesthetic seems to be exactly what Adam Wingard is going for, as he was inspired by the decade’s buddy cop movies. This is evident by the wardrobe of at least one member of the Godzilla x Kong cast, as noted by Creepy Kingdom’s Shannon McGrew. She writes: 

Brian Tyree Henry and Dan Stevens may be really funny in this monster movie, but make no mistake who the stars are. As Bernard “Beanz” Smalls says: 

Rafael Motamayor has high praise for the latest MonsterVerse offering, for one monster in particular, writing: 

While some enjoy the human actors, others think the movie is monster-centric to a fault. John Nguyen of Nerd Reactor says: 

Michael Lee agrees, writing that the human drama is pushed to the backburner in favor of more kaiju action. And that’s probably fine, as that’s what people want to see, he writes in a thread on X: 

It sounds like audiences are in for quite a bit of fun with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Catch this one in theaters starting Friday, March 29, and stay up to date on all the upcoming new releases with our 2024 movie release schedule. 

Sometimes the best crime TV shows are the ones that are less concerned with the cases that the heroes pursue and more so with the heroes themselves and their own philosophies regarding right and wrong. Creator Tom Rob Smith’s Class of ’09 — which is presented by FX and exclusively available to stream with a Hulu subscription — is one such series, following a group of FBI agents from their days at Quantico to their bitter, present-day reunion. Perhaps the Number One reason to check out this exciting new miniseries is to see the star-studded ensemble in the Class of ’09 cast, whom we will talk about in depth — including their characters and other notable career highlights — below.

Brian Tyree Henry (Tayo Michaels)

Insurance executive-turned-FBI operative Tayo Michaels is the latest character on an FX-presented series portrayed by two-time Emmy nominee Brian Tyree Henry, whose breakout role was Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles on one of the funniest shows on Hulu, Atlanta. His transition into movie stardom has gone swimmingly, though — having already appeared in a number of superhero movies (a brief part in 2019’s Joker, a leading role in Marvel’s Eternals cast, and voicing Miles Morales’ father, whom he is reprising in the upcoming superhero movie, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Also known for If Beale Street Could Talk, Godzilla vs. Kong, Bullet Train, and more, Henry became an Academy Award nominee in 2023 for his acclaimed performance in Causeway.

Kate Mara (Ashley Poet)

As Ashley Poet, who was a psychiatric nurse before receiving an unexpected invitation to join the FBI, we have Kate Mara, who also has a few superhero movies under her belt — including the 2006 family film, Zoom; a brief appearance in 2010’s Iron Man 2; and 2015’s Fantastic Four reboot as Susan “Invisible Woman” Storm. She is also an FX veteran, having appeared on American Horror Story Season 1 and earned an Emmy nomination for the network’s Hulu exclusive drama miniseries, A Teacher, in 2020, and her other notable TV credits include Netflix’s House of Cards and Black Mirror’s sixth season, which premieres June 2023. The sister of Rooney Mara is also known on the big screen from 127 Hours and The Martian, to name a few.

Sepideh Moafi (Hour Nazari)

Starring as data specialist Hour Nazari is Sepideh Moafi, who last played an FBI agent on the Apple TV+ true crime miniseries, Black Bird, which followed an eclectic variety of TV roles like a New York sex worker on HBO’s The Deuce or a realtor struggling to co-parent with her ex-wife on Showtime’s The L Word: Generation Q. Moafi has also guest-starred on various popular crime dramas — such as The Blacklist, Elementary, and Blue Bloods — and played one of the leads of the heart-wrenching 2020 film, The Killing of Two Lovers.

Brian J. Smith (Daniel Lennix)

As Daniel Lennix, we have Brian J. Smith, who also has many guest appearances on crime series like Blue Bloods and Quantico  on his resume, but is better known for his starring roles on sci-fi series like Stargate Universe or one of Netflix’s best sci-fi shows, Sense8. He also had a main part on USA’s short-lived Jason Bourne spin-off, Treadstone, and got the chance to be a big screen action star by joining the Matrix Resurrections cast alongside Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and more.

Jon Jon Briones (Gabriel)

FBI training instructor Gabriel is played by Jon Jon Briones, who is one of the Class of ’09 cast’s most experienced FX veterans — having played “Asian Elvis”on Sons of Anarchy, Modesto Cunanan on American Crime Story Season 2, warlock Ariel Augustus on American Horror Story Season 8, and himself on Better Things. His association with Ryan Murphy also earned him a main role in the Ratched cast on Netflix, for which he also leant his voice to the anime Trese. His most recent voice acting roles are on Nickelodeon’s Transformers: Earthspark and he also appeared a couple of episodes of Paramount+’s Picard in 2022.

Brooke Smith (Drew)

Before starring in Class of ’09 as Drew — an agent whose FBI career was cut tragically short — Kate Mara’s Random Hearts co-star, Brooke Smith, made her breakthrough as a woman rescued by an FBI agent (Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling) in the terrifying Best Picture Oscar winner, The Silence of the Lambs. She would go on to join the Grey’s Anatomy cast as Dr. Erin Hahn, also played a doctor on American Horror Story Season 2, and was a nurse in Christopher Nolan’s 2014 sci-fi drama, Interstellar. When not playing people in law enforcement or in the medical field, Smith has played a suffragette in HBO’s Iron Jawed Angels, Fox News executive Irena Briganti in Bombshell, and a realtor on Amazon Prime’s horror series, Them, to name a few notable examples.

Jake McDorman (Murphy)

As Murphy — an FBI recruit who gets more than he bargained for when he joins — we have Jake McDorman, who previously led a crime drama of his own as Brian Finch on the series spin-off of the Bradley Cooper movie, Limitless. He has also starred in some action-packed films like the fourth installment of the Die Hard franchise, Live Free or Die Hard, or the Oscar-nominated war biopic, American Sniper, from 2014, as well as lighter titles like A24’s coming-of-age dramedy, Lady Bird, or Hulu’s LGBTQ+ rom-com, Happiest Season from 2020. His other notable TV credits include college sitcom Greek, playing Murphy Brown’s son on the sitcom’s 2018 revival, and more recently starring in Peacock’s Mrs. Davis cast.

Rosalind Eleazar (Vivienne)

As Vivienne — a civil rights lawyer who wants to change how the justice system operates —  we have Rosalind Eleazar, who previously played a disgraced MI5 agent on Apple TV+’s Slow Horses and someone on the opposite side of the law in Cinemax’s structurally reversed crime drama, Rellik. The English actor is also known for her major role on the Hulu period drama series, Harlots and for starring alongside Dev Patel in the 2019 Charles Dickens adaptation, The Personal History of David Copperfield.

Check out this talented ensemble by logging on to stream Class of ’09 on Hulu now.

Over a decade ago, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was founded with a principal lineup of characters including Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, and Thor, and among the many things that has changed since those early years is an increased focus on diversity and youth. In Phase 4 particularly, both on the big screen and the small, MCU fans were introduced to a fantastic roster of new heroes from a wide variety of backgrounds, and they all are expected to contribute in major ways to what’s ahead in the franchise.

Of course, given the scale of the canon at this point, it can be tricky to keep track of all the new names being introduced, so we’ve put together this guide highlighting all of the fresh faces that fans should get used to seeing in Marvel Phase 5 and beyond.

Alaqua Cox As Echo

Marvel fans were first introduced to the awesomeness of Alaqua Cox’s Echo in Hawkeye, where she was introduced as an intense crime boss looking to get revenge for the death of her father. She’ll be back soon in her own solo Disney+ series, which will see her, in part, deal with the consequences from taking a shot at Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin.

Awkwafina As Katy

Awkwafina’s Katy is a normal woman who is thrown headfirst into the craziness of the Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to her friendship with Shang-Chi (more on him later). Where he goes, we expect she will follow and have his back – especially now that she has honed some killer archery skills.

Brian Tyree Henry As Phastos

A member of the Eternals, Brian Tyree Henry’s Phastos has a bit of a dark history in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as it was his incredible ingenuity that in part led to the horrific bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. This led him to put aside his skills as an inventor and focus on living a human-like existence raising a son with his husband.

Danny Ramirez As Joaquin Torres

During Steve Rogers’ run as Captain America, he had Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson as brothers in arms who always fought by his side, and now that Sam is wearing the star-spangled suit and shield, he has Danny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres. Fans first meet Joaquin as he is helping Sam during an Air Force mission in The Falcon And The Winter Solider, and we will soon see the characters back together on screen in Captain America: New World Order.

Dominique Thorne As Riri Williams

Move over, Shuri and Peter Parker. There is a new hero in the MCU vying for the title of “most brilliant young inventor.” Dominque Thorne’s Riri Williams makes a remarkable impression as a genius technological mind in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, making her first steps towards being known to the world as Ironheart, and audiences will get to see that journey continue in the upcoming Ironheart Disney+ series.

Florence Pugh As Yelena Belova

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has no shortage of charismatic ass-kickers, but Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova has already made herself stand out from the crowd following Black Widow and the Hawkeye series. The former Russian assassin is, for all intents and purposes, the franchise’s new Black Widow, following the death of Natasha Romanoff, and there is anticipation for everything she has in the works – the standout title being Thunderbolts.

Gemma Chan As Sersi

At the end of Eternals, it looks like the brilliant, matter-transforming Sersi, played by Gemma Chan, is on a path to start living a happy, human-like life – with her relationship with Kit Harrington’s Dane Whitman deepening. Sadly, those plans hit a snag when the Celestial, Arishem, comes to Earth and kidnaps her to space along with the other Eternals still alive and on the planet (including the aforementioned Phastos and the forthcoming Kingo). What’s next for her is unknown, but exciting.

Hailee Steinfeld As Kate Bishop

After decades of fighting for S.H.I.E.L.D. and serving as an Avenger, Clint Barton has certainly earned retirement – but it doesn’t seem he’ll be quite ready to hang up his purple costume until his successor is ready to take on the Hawkeye mantle. Said successor is Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop: an incredibly gifted and enthusiastic young woman who has a wide variety of skills, but chief among them is her talent with a bow-and-arrow.

Iman Vellani As Kamala Khan

Played by MCU superfan Iman Vellani, Kamala Khan is an Avengers superfan in the canon who lives the dream of gaining powers. In Ms. Marvel, it at first seems that her energy-based powers come from wearing a supernatural bangle, but she has since been recognized as the franchise’s first identified mutant. Expect that to come up when we see her next in The Marvels.

India Rose Hemsworth As Love

We have no idea when we will next see Love, or if she will continue to be played by India Rose Hemsworth in future movies after her debut at the end of Thor: Love And Thunder, but this list would be incomplete without mentioning her. She is the daughter of Gorr The God Butcher, and has remarkable gifts as a result – meaning Thor is going to have his hand’s full in the future as her guardian.

Kathryn Newton As Cassie Lang

Technically, Marvel fans have known Cassie Lang since Phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (first played by Abby Ryder Fortson), but she is all grown up now following The Blip, and ready to be reintroduced as a new hero: Stature. She’s played by Kathryn Newton in Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania, which features her coming into her own as a scientist and dabbling in her father’s quantum research.

Kumail Nanjiani As Kingo

Like Phastos and Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo was seemingly in big trouble the last time we saw him – taken by Arishem into space to face consequences for their role in halting the birth of the new Celestial being born inside Earth. Not only is the character’s fate unclear, but his incredibly successful, multi-generational Bollywood acting career may be in jeopardy as well.

Lauren Ridloff As Makkari

Unlike the other Eternals who have already been mentioned, Lauren Ridloff’s Makkari didn’t stay on Earth at the end of the 2021 blockbuster – instead choosing to leave the planet with Thena and Druig to find Eternals on other worlds and tell them about their true natures. This plan, however, may change in the wake of the space travelers learning what happened to Phastos, Sersi, and Kingo.

Lia McHugh As Sprite

Once an Eternal, but no more! At the end of Eternals, the forever-youthful Sprite, played by Lia McHugh, undergoes a transformation and becomes truly human thanks to Sersi. Will she enjoy the experience? We’ll have to wait and find out.

Mahershala Ali As Blade

We’ve thus far only heard the voice of Mahershala Ali’s Blade, the infamous comic book vampire hunter, but soon he will be getting his very own MCU spotlight with the Phase 5 release of his solo film. Be warned, bloodsuckers!

May Calamawy As Layla El-Faouly

Indiana Jones is cool and all, but is he imbued with superpowers as a result of being the avatar for an Egyptian god? The answer is no, and that’s the edge that May Calamawy’s Layla El-Faouly will always maintain over her fellow pop culture archeologist. She made her MCU debut as the wife of Marc Spector (more on him in a bit) in Disney+’s Moon Knight, and by the finale she takes on the superhero mantle Scarlet Scarab.

Meng'er Zhang As Xu Xialing

The leader of the Ten Rings is a daunting position, as the organization orchestrates crime on a global level, but Meng’er Zhang’s Xu Xialing looks pretty damn comfortable in the role in the end credits of Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings. She is officially the successor to The Mandarin in the MCU, and we’ll have to wait and see how she wields her power.

Michaela Coel As Aneka

It’s a high honor in Wakanda to be named a member of the Dora Milaje, but Michaela Coel’s Aneka gets an even bigger privilege than that in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. In the blockbuster she is featured fighting alongside Okoye wearing one of the two Midnight Angel suits, and the will and skill demonstrated in the battle against Talocan will surely only fortify her reputation among the royals going forward.

Oscar Isaac As Marc Spector/Steven Grant

Who is the hero known as Moon Knight? That’s a complicated question, as his secret identity is fractured as a result of him having dissociative identity disorder. He was born Marc Spector, who becomes a skilled soldier in his adulthood, but he also lives a life as Steven Grant, a museum curator in England. Obviously only making things more complicated is that he is the avatar for the justice-obsessed Egyptian god Khonshu.

Simu Liu As Shang-Chi

Xu Xialing may control the organization known as the Ten Rings, but Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi is the one who actually possesses the incredibly powerful bands that give the wearer supernatural abilities. At the end of Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, the hero is shown getting back to a somewhat normal life and hanging out with Katy, but it most definitely won’t be long until he returns to a good fight against evil.

Sophia Di Martino As Sylvie

Sophia Di Martino’s Sylvie is unique on this list in that she is the only one not from the main MCU universe; she is a version of Loki from an alternate dimension with a quest to destroy the Time Variance Authority. She actually accomplished this task at the end of Loki Season 1…but we don’t know yet how it has changed her existence.

Tatiana Maslany As Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk

It’s not easy being both a Hulk and a lawyer, but Tatiana Maslany’s Jennifer Walters, a.k.a. She-Hulk, makes it work in the meta Disney+ comedy series, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law. She’s mostly focused on the legal realm for now, namely practicing superhero law, but fans anticipate a call to action with the Avengers before too long.

Tenoch Huerta As Namor

Is Namor a hero or a villain? That depends on your perspective – but he’s certainly a hero in the eyes of the people of Talocan: the underwater nation he rules over like a god. Like Kamala Khan, he’s a mutant and he has remarkable abilities beyond his capacity to live underwater. He can fly thanks to Hermes-like wings on his ankles, and he is both phenomenally strong and durable.

Teyonah Parris As Monica Rambeau

The life of Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau changes in every way during the events of WandaVision. Working as an agent of S.W.O.R.D., she is sent to investigate a strange anomaly in northern New Jersey – and not only does she literally get sucked into Scarlet Witch’s grief-related drama, but she ends up gaining superpowers. We’ll see her put those skills to use in The Marvels, where she’ll be featured opposite both Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel.

Xochitl Gomez As America Chavez

Phase 5 has been called the second phase of The Multiverse Saga – and that could suggest that we’ll end up seeing huge things coming from Xochitl Gomez’s America Chavez. As established in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, the young hero has the unique ability to jump across universes, and that should be a pretty handy skill as existence gets closer and closer to potential chaos and nothingness.

For further reading, check out our Marvel Movies In Order feature and our Upcoming Marvel Movies and Upcoming Marvel TV guides. 

The events of Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla: King of the Monsters paved the way for the MonsterVerse’s first crossover event: Godzilla vs. Kong, which marked the first time these two title monsters crossed paths in a Hollywood production. While Godzilla and Kong started off as enemies, they eventually came together against a shared adversary: Mechagodzilla, which had been intended as Apex’s tool to wipe out the Titans, but was corrupted by the consciousness of Ghidorah. Upon defeating this robotic menace, Godzilla returned to Earth’s waters and Kong was moved to Hollow Earth.

Well, two colossal forces of nature like these can stay separated for only so long, because we now have what was originally just known as Godzilla vs. Kong 2, but was officially titled Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Per the official synopsis, along with Godzilla and Kong being pitted against “against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world” that challenges both their existence and our own, the sequel will “delve further into the histories of these Titans, their origins and the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond,” as well as pull back the curtain on the “mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.” The first trailer for The New Empire dropped on December 3, 2023.

As with the other MonsterVerse movies, obviously Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’s main draw is once again be giant monsters fighting each other, but humanity always factors into these stories somehow. As such, we should go over who will be comprising The New Empire’s cast, starting with its new lead character.

Dan Stevens

Adam Wingard is sitting back in the director’s chair for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire after helming its predecessor, and this time, he’s brought in an actor from one of his non-MonsterVerse movies, The Guest. Dan Stevens starred in that 2014 feature as a murderous U.S. soldier named David, and now he’s taken part in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire as Trapper, who, as Stevens told Total Film, is the man you call when you have a sick Titan. Many of you might know Stevens better for playing Beast in Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast remake, Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey or David Haller in Legion.

Brian Tyree Henry

Our first returning MonsterVerse human character in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is Brian Tyree Henry’s Bernie Hayes, who, like the other announced familiar faces so far, was introduced in Godzilla vs. Kong. An employee at Apex Cybernetics and host of a conspiracy podcast centered on the Titans, Bernie teamed with Madison Russell and Josh Valentine to figure out what the corporation was up to and how this was affecting Godzilla’s behavior. Bernie is recruited by the next person on this list to help investigate a mysterious signal coming from Hollow Earth.

Rebecca Hall

While the Monarch organization as a whole didn’t get a ton of time to shine in Godzilla vs. Kong, one of its operatives was key to the plot. Rebecca Hall appeared as Dr. Ilene Andrews, the anthropologist linguist who studied Kong on Skull Island, and the adoptive mother of Jia, the island’s last Iwi native. Ilene accompanied the team that was transferring Kong to Hollow Earth and managed to make it out of that region alive with Jia and Dr. Nathan Lind in time to witness Kong’s battle with Godzilla in Hong Kong. Ilene is still working for Monarch during Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and she ventures even deeper into Hollow Earth to learn about the aforementioned signal.

Kaylee Hottle

Deaf actress Kaylee Hottle made her film debut in Godzilla vs. Kong as Jia Andrews, who also couldn’t hear and communicated in America Sign Language. With Kong also knowing ASL, as well as having protected the young girl from being killed by Skullcrawlers like her biological parents, the two formed a special bond. It’s unclear how much time will have passed between Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, but Jia is still by Ilene’s side and watching over Kong at the Hollow Earth outpost station. She's on hand to witness things like Mini-Kong (whose name is actually Suko), but along the way, Jia learns about a deeper connection she has to the Titans.

Fala Chen

Fala Chen has been acting in Hong Kong movies and TV shows for over a decade and a half, but she made a splash in the United States on two fronts during 2021 and 2022. First, she appeared in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as Ying-Li, the wife of Wenwu and mother of Shang-Chi and Xialing, as well as the Dweller-in-Darkness masquerading as Ying-Li. Then she recurred in HBO’s Irma Vep miniseries as Cynthia Keng. Now she's added another Hollywood movie to her resume with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, where she plays the Iwi Queen. That's right, to Jia's delight, it turns out there is a group of Iwi still alive and living deep within Hollow Earth.

Alex Ferns

Many United Kingdom TV viewers likely remember Alex Ferns for his run as Trevor Morgan in the soap opera EastEnders, and over a decade later, he recurred as Rick Harper in the Scottish drama River City. For those of you stateside, not to worry, as you’ve likely seen him in something recently. For example, Ferns appeared in The Batman as Commissioner Pete Savage, one of The Riddler’s victims. 2022 also saw the actor recurring in Andor as Sergeant Linus Musk, the Pre-Mor officer who followed the orders of Kyle Soller’s Syril Kari without question. Ferns plays a Monarch operative named Mikael who initially leads the expedition into Hollow Earth, but that, ah, doesn't last long, if you catch my drift.

Rachel House

If you’re a fan of Taika Waititi’s work, then you’re quite familiar with Rachel House. The actress starred in the filmmaker’s movies Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnarok, appeared in a deleted Jojo Rabbit scene, and Next Goal Wins. You may also recognize House as the voice of Gramma Tala in Moana and Terry in Soul, and she also vocally reprised her MCU character Topaz in an episode of What If… ?. On the live-action front, she also played Mao in Netflix’s short-lived Cowboy Bebop series. She appears as Monarch director Hampton in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is now playing in theaters. Keep your eyes peeled on CinemaBlend for more news on upcoming MonsterVerse projects, including Netflix’s anime-style series Skull Island and Apple TV+’s live-action series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Stream the released MonsterVerse movies with your Max subscription.

Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry explore trauma, friendship, healing, and otherness in Causeway. It’s one of the best Apple TV+ movies to watch, as it’s a quiet film that relies heavily on the outstanding performances of Lawrence and Henry. These characters go through a heartbreaking journey but the Causeway ending brings hope.

The film says a lot about loneliness, scars, and the power of finding someone who understands you. The ending allows Lynsey, played by Jennifer Lawrence, to trust herself and make an unexpected decision that starts the next chapter in Lynsey’s journey: the healing process.

Let’s dig into that Causeway ending and what it all means. 

 Warning: Spoilers ahead.  

What Happened At The End Of Causeway?

James (Brian Tyree Henry) and Lynsey get into an argument after sharing a kiss. She admits she only kissed him out of pity. They discuss the meaning of their relationship, and things escalate into a huge blowup. Verbal daggers are thrown at each other. Lynsey brings up James’s involvement in his nephew’s death—being intoxicated while driving—and he mentions her abandoning her friends and family. He challenges her kindness towards her family after he learns that her brother is alive.

Time passes and the two no longer speak. Lynsey finally gets approval to redeploy. She also decides to see her brother in prison. The siblings have a conversation and they catch each other up on their lives. She tells him about her injuries and he talks about not trusting himself in the real world.

Lynsey grabs some beers and heads to James. She asks if the offer is still open to move in together. He questions her about whether she’s staying now. She says she thinks so and wants to make a friend. 

The Significance Of The Final Pool Scene 

Prior to Lynsey going to see James, she makes a trip to the local pool. Water and pools play a huge symbolic role in Causeway. The water offers Lynsey a sense of comfort. Even while in Afghanistan, it’s part of her job to work on them. Water represents her freedom.

Throughout, we see Lynsey’s relationship with water evolve; specifically we see it represent how she guards herself. 

She begins swimming in the pools alone. Then, eventually, she invites James to swim with her. It’s in this scene we see her at her most comfortable—until the kiss muddies the water a bit. The final scene with her getting in a public pool with lots of people seems to represent her being more open to the world. She’s open to no one, then to James, and then allowing herself to maybe add others to her life. 

She first sees freedom as being alone but realizes freedom could also mean allowing yourself to care about the world and those in it. 

At the public pool, Lynsey watches the people in it with a warm look. She doesn’t see all these people as obstacles but as potential salvation. They represent the possibility of her world expanding. 

In an interview on The Empire Film Podcast, Causeway director Lila Neugebauer goes more in-depth with what water represents:  

You can see how all these things could play a part in that final water scene. This pool, metaphorically, allows Lynsey to embrace healing and rebirth. She also releases herself and dives into the water. This represents opening herself up more to life and its challenges, including allowing others to enter her life. 

Why Lynsey Decides To Stay With James 

Most of Causeway deals with Lynsey's quest to run as far away from her hometown as possible. However, despite her best efforts, she and James grow attached to each other. Despite their connection, she still plans to run. It’s not until she gets what she wants (the approval of redeployment) that she seems to rethink her decision.

We aren’t given any insight into Lynsey’s thought process, so we have to infer why she makes the decision to stay. When James first invites her to move in with him, she says that she doesn’t think staying is healthy, at least not for her. This could have been her true feelings at the moment or her trying to convince herself to not stay. It could also be both.

Maybe when she’s approved for redeployment, instead of feeling excited about it, she starts to dread the idea. This may start the process of changing her mind. I believe what really drives her in the direction of staying is James telling her that she abandons people.

The visit with her brother may make her reflect on her life and decisions. She may see that he’s not this villain she created in her head; he’s someone also deeply scarred. She also may stay because she starts to see her mother’s struggle—especially since her brother mentions it. She dismisses his assessment of their mother’s pain, but she may now realize the shared familial pain and that may spark a desire to stay.  

James has been the most healing thing in her life. She may finally see the benefits of them leaning on each other to heal. 

The Healing Process in Causeway 

Jennifer Lawrence gives one of her best performances in Causeway by subtly communicating Lynsey’s pain. We also see this with James, as Brian Tyree Henry also gives one of his best performances in this film. Causeway is mainly about healing and the pain people carry. 

We see both James and Lynsey take small steps toward healing. Their friendship is a major sign of working toward their trauma recovery. Both are private people and are also simple people in terms of how they live their lives. It’s with each other that they feel the most comfortable and safe. 

James asking Lynsey to move in with him shows a major step towards his healing. He’s willing to allow another person into his life, into a sacred space once shared between him and his family. By asking her to move in, he admits that he needs someone and doesn’t want to be alone anymore.

Her acceptance of the roommate proposal represents her opening up to needing someone. It’s putting her past trauma aside and embracing her hometown as a new beginning and not just a tainted past. It’s also her saying that she doesn't want to be alone anymore. 

In an interview with Metro Philadelphia, Lila Neugebauer sums up one of Causeway’s biggest messages in this way:  

This movie takes a more stripped-down approach to storytelling. We don’t see huge victories for James and Lynsey, but it’s the small decisions and moments that speak volumes. The ending shows how a small decision represents a giant leap toward healing.

If you loved Causeway, Jennifer Lawrence has many upcoming projects, and Brian Tyree Henry has plenty of future projects, as well. 

Stream Causeway on Apple TV+.

Make sure to follow the Cinema Blend upcoming movies guide for future release dates.  

Jennifer Lawrence isn’t afraid to challenge herself as an actress. She’s done blockbusters, indie films, comedies, and movies that push the boundaries of the cinematic experience. Because she’s willing to take chances, Lawrence is also not afraid to be in an unpopular movie. The dedication to her craft allows her to give everything to her performances. Her latest film, Causeway, is no exception. She and Brian Tyree Henry give the film an overflow of on-screen talent.

The story is about two people whose physical and emotional scars almost make this world unlivable for them. However, their bond allows a little bit of happiness and comfort in this often dark world. 

I was able to attend an early screening of Causeway at the Chicago International Film Festival, and I can’t wait for more people to see it. It’s definitely a movie that will enter the 2023 Academy Award conversation—especially for the performances. 

This may be Lawrence’s best since her Academy Award-winning performance in Silver Linings Playbook.  

The Basics Of Causeway  

Causeway is a film about a soldier who survives an incident while in Afghanistan but must undergo rehab to try to regain full mobility because of a traumatic brain injury. She eventually ends up back in her hometown, the last place she wants to be. It isn’t a war film or even part of the films about war club in the typical sense, but it’s about an ongoing battle of inner demons and the sometimes overwhelming cycle of suffering that comes with humanity.

The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence as Lynsey and Brian Tyree Henry as James. Linda Emond plays Lynsey’s mother, Gloria, and Stephen McKinley Henderson plays Lynsey’s doctor. The film has a 92-minute run-time, and the official release will be on AppleTV+ on November 4. It’s currently making the rounds at several film festivals, including the Chicago International Film Festival and  Toronto International Film Festival.

Jennifer Lawrence Gives One Of Her Best Performances Ever 

Jennifer Lawrence has given many great performances over the course of her career. However, there is something so raw, real, and mesmerizing about her performance in Winter’s Bone. It’s also one of her more toned-down, organic, and powerful roles. That movie showed that Lawrence is really good at playing people in distress. 

Her performance in Causeway is the next level up from that one. It’s one of her few performances that doesn’t require big moments. She doesn’t need to scream, shout, cry, rage, cheer, or give any big movie emotions to connect with the audience. Yet we still feel everything this character feels. 

It’s all done in such a subtle manner that makes it feel genuinely human. Others may disagree, but I think this is her best performance yet. She has some great upcoming projects, but they’ll have to be exceptional to compete with the quiet execution of her role here. 

Brian Tyree Henry May Get The Oscar Nomination He Deserves 

Brian Tyree Henry is an actor who commands your attention whenever he’s onscreen. Many of the best Atlanta episodes have his character, Paper Boi, at the center because, similar to Lawrence, viewers can depend on Henry to give his all to a performance. He is often the standout in many of his projects.

For example, Widows is full of great actors and performances, but even in such an elite ensemble, he makes an impression. His performances in both projects are just a few of his many great performances. He's no stranger to award recognition, receiving nominations for the Emmys, Tonys, Screen Actors Guild awards, NAACP Image Awards, and many more. Despite his impressive resume, he has yet to receive an Academy Award nomination.

In the next few months, we’ll see and hear about a lot of great award-worthy performances, but it would truly be a shame if Brian Tyree Henry doesn’t receive a nomination for his role in Causeway. His performance is just as subtle and powerful as Lawrence’s work.

The actor is able to break your heart with just a look - a rare skill in the acting world. In Causeway, Henry allows his character to be vulnerable in so many ways that you instantly feel the sadness surrounding him. 

This makes the big tragedy of his life all the more suffocating and heartbreaking to watch. Seeing he and his co-star together is like watching a tennis match between two long-time champions. They’re evenly matched and the real winners are the audience who gets to see and experience their joint magic.

Causeway feels like just a snippet of some of the great upcoming Brian Tyree Henry roles, and it’s one more than worthy of attention and praise. 

Causeway Is A Thoughtful Character Study 

Causeway isn’t a film where there is a lot going on in terms of action and plot. Like real life, much of it is just people hanging around talking. It’s a film that focuses on highlighting these characters and less about having grandiose movie moments or being concerned that an audience isn’t entertained enough. 

It knows these characters are enough to create a fascinating tale of loss, loneliness, regret, and finding someone who truly understands you and your pain.

Lynsey and James are the focus, but I found myself also drawn to Gloria and Justin (Russell Harvard). I wanted to know more about the sadness behind their eyes. There are very few characters in the movie, so it’s able to use whatever time it has with them to communicate who they are and their struggles. 

You don’t need detailed backstories to understand some of what’s causing them pain. It feels organic in a way that many films don’t dare to be these days. It knows that a simple shot with two people leaving a lot unsaid can be more than enough to connect with an audience. 

This isn’t a film that needs a billion rewatches to unpack everything, but it is one that allows the audience to reflect with it. This may make additional viewings even more profound. 

Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry give really riveting performances in Causeway and that‘s enough to add it to your upcoming movies must-watch list. It will be available to stream on AppleTV+ on November 4. 

Director David Leitch is hardly a stranger to the world of action filmmaking. After spending years working in the stunts realm, he made his directorial debut with 2014’s John Wick, which he worked on with Chad Stahelski. Since then, Leitch has helmed Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2 and Hobbs & Shaw, and now he’s tackling Bullet Train, based on the Japanese novel “Maria Beetle” by Kotaro Isaka, for Sony Pictures.

If you have recently watched the new movie or are planning on seeing Brad Pitt in action at some point, you are probably wondering where you’ve seen the Bullet Train cast before they found their way into what looks to be one of the best action films of the year. There are quite a few passengers we need to meet, so let’s punch our tickets and step aboard.

Brad Pitt (Ladybug)

Shortly after the release of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Brad Pitt said he would act in fewer movies going forward. Evidently he deemed Bullet Train worthy of his time, as Pitt stars as the lead character, a hitman named Ladybug in the new movie. 

Pitt and David Leitch previously worked together on Deadpool 2, where the former cameoed as Vanisher, who we only briefly saw when he was being electrocuted to death. So Bullet Train will give them a chance to become much better acquainted, and we’ll see how this compares to Pitt’s previous action outings, such as Fight Club, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and World War Z, to name only a few.

Joey King (The Prince)

Some of you might remember Joey King from films like Ramona and Beezus, The Dark Knight Rises (she played a young Talia al Ghul in a flashback), and Oz the Great and Powerful, but nowadays she’s best known for Netflix’s The Kissing Booth movies, Hulu’s The Act, FX’s Fargo and Blumhouse’s The Lie, among other things. 

While Bullet Train won’t mark King’s first foray into action movies, this will definitely be her biggest action platform yet, with her portrayal of a seemingly harmless schoolgirl who is actually a fierce and deadly assassin who goes by the name “The Prince.”

Andrew Koji (Yuichi Kimura)

Those of you who’ve seen the Cinemax series Warrior are already well acquainted with Andrew Koji, and G.I. Joe fans will remember him from bringing Storm Shadow to life in 2021’s Snake Eyes. Now Bullet Train is the latest opportunity for Koji to show off his action cred, and count on him standing out among the other main cast members with his martial arts skills as Yuichi Kimura, another mysterious assassin aboard the action-packed train.

Throughout his career, Koji has also given great performances on shows like American Gods, Call the Midwife, and Peaky Blinders.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Tangerine)

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who is no stranger when it comes to action movies, plays a visible role in Bullet Train as Tangerine, one half of a citrus-themed team of contract killers who finds himself crossing paths with Brad Pitt’s Ladybug.

During the first half of last decade,  Taylor-Johnson drew attention for playing Dave Lizewski in the Kick-Ass movies, Quicksilver in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Ford Brody in Godzilla. More recently, Taylor-Johnson has appeared in Outlaw King, A Million Little Pieces,Tenet, and The King’s Man. And Taylor-Johnson knows a thing or two about playing less than heroic characters, especially with his menacing role in Nocturnal Animals.

Brian Tyree Henry (Lemon)

And who takes on the role of the other member of the citrus hit squad on the Bullet Train cast? Well, none other than Brian Tyree Henry, who can’t really be stopped thanks to a list of notable credits that includes hit shows like Atlanta.

If you’re an avid consumer of movies, then it’s hard to imagine you haven’t seen Henry in anything over the last several years, as he has appeared in Widows, If Beale Street Could Talk, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Child’s Play and Joker. In 2021 alone, Henry had major roles in the Legendary monster epic Godzilla vs. Kong and the Marvel Phase 4 movie Eternals. 

Zazie Beetz (The Hornet)

Like Brian Tyree Henry, Zazie Beetz is a member of Atlanta’s main cast, but if you haven’t seen her on that series, you likely remember her for her roles as Domino in Deadpool 2 or Sophie in Joker. Now Beetz is hopping aboard Bullet Train, taking on the role of “The Hornet,” an American assassin who has a fondness for poisons, hence her sleek and deadly name.

In the past year prior to punching her ticket to Bullet Train, Beetz has appeared in one of the best Netflix movies, Harder They Fall as well as the surprisingly clever and entertaining animated feature film The Bad Guys.

Masi Oka (Train Conductor)

Taking on the role of one of the conductors aboard the high-speed assassin deathtrap in Bullet Train is Masi Oka, who will be instantly recognizable for fans of a certain NBC drama from the early 2000s.

Oka kicked off his time in Hollywood working at Industrial Light & Magic as a digital effects artist, but in the 2000s, he began his acting career. Most of you likely remember him best either as the time-traveling Hiro Nakamura on Heroes or coroner Max Bergman on Hawaii Five-0, while his resume also includes Get Smart, Friends with Benefits and The Meg. 

Michael Shannon (The White Death)

Michael Shannon, who has been one of the most interesting and entertaining faces in Hollywood for the past decade-and-a-half, shows up on the Bullet Train cast as the White Death, a notorious and dangerous crime boss.

Some of you may know Michael Shannon best as General Zod in Man of Steel, while others followed along with him playing Nelson Van Alden in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. Or maybe you prefer one of his other credits more, like Revolutionary Road, 99 Homes, Elvis & Nixon, The Shape of Water or Knives Out. In any case, Shannon has clearly been around the Hollywood block, even before boarding Bullet Train. 

Logan Lerman (The Son)

Logan Lerman takes a seat on the Bullet Train cast as the son of the powerful and dangerous White Death, whose rescue and safe return can make some of his fellow passengers quite wealthy.

Some of you have most likely seen Lerman on the small screen playing Jonah Heidelbaum on the Amazon Prime Video original series Hunters. Lerman’s notable film credits include 3:10 to Yuma, the Percy Jackson movies, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Noah and Fury, the latter of which also featured his Bullet Train co-star Brad Pitt.

Hiroyuki Sanada (The Elder)

Showing up as a mysterious character known as The Elder, Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada serves as one of the most interesting passengers on the Bullet Train cast.

American audiences have gotten to know Hiroyuki Sanada over the years in movies like The Wolverine, Mr. Holmes, Life and Avengers: Endgame, as well as seeing him in TV shows like Lost, Revenge and Westworld. Sanada appeared in 2021 Warner Bros. films like the Mortal Kombat reboot and Netflix originals the Zack Snyder-directed Army of the Dead, and now we can throw Bullet Train into the mix too.

Bad Bunny (The Wolf)

Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known by his stage name, Bad Bunny, appears as The Wolf, the pissed off hitman trying to stab Brad Pitt’s Ladybug in the Bullet Train trailer.

Bad Bunny is a Latin Grammy-award winning singer who has been on a tear the past few years, with performances alongside Shakira and Jennifer Lopez at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2020, multiple appearances at major WWE events, and more. Acting-wise though, Mr. Bunny is just as busy. We already saw him in the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico and the movie American Sole, and now he’s taking the express train to superstardom. And this looks like it’s just the beginning as the Grammy Award winner is slated to star in his own Marvel movie in the future.

Sandra Bullock (Maria Beetle)

And then there is Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock, who portrays Brad Pitt’s on-screen handler, Maria Beetle, in Bullet Train.

Brad Pitt and Bullock have been active in the Hollywood space for roughly the same amount of time, but Bullet Train will be only their second time working together (they previously appeared together earlier this year in The Lost City). Bullock is no stranger to working on action movies, with her resume includes Demolition Man, Speed and The Heat. Bullock and Pitt have also both been part of the Ocean’s franchise though they’ve never been in one together.

Bullet Train is now playing in theaters nationwide. If you want to know what other movies are coming to a cineplex (or streaming service) near you, check out our rundown of all the 2022 new releases. 

While certainly more spacious than airplanes, the average train isn’t exactly a vehicle that offers a whole lot of room for passengers. Benches and seats are arranged to maximize the number of people who can ride at a time, and extras like tables don’t exactly help. Because of this, one might perhaps not consider it an ideal setting for a big action movie featuring characters beating the ever-loving hell out of one another, but the stars of David Leitch’s Bullet Train would disagree, as they argue that the limited space is a big part of what enhances the fun of the film.

As captured in the video at the top of this article, I interviewed Bullet Train stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Brad Pitt late last month during the virtual press day for the new movie, and one question I asked everyone was about performing the crazy action the story demanded in confined spaces. Taylor-Johnson explained that he feels that not having a lot of room to work in was an asset for the work, as limitations in the environment demanded creative solutions. Said the actor,

The movie is based on the book Maria Beetle by Kōtarō Isaka, and its main ensemble are all killers, hit men, and assassins who board a bullet train in Tokyo heading to Kyoto. Each of the characters have their own motives and goals for being on the high speed rail, and quite often intersections lead to violent conflict and confrontation.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson pointed at an example in Bullet Train featuring Brad Pitt and Brian Tyree Henry going toe-to-toe in the titular transport’s quiet car, and he noted that the limitations enhanced both the action and the comedy:

Riffing on his co-star, Brian Tyree Henry noted that an interesting chemistry came as a result of the space being limited and the fact that Brad Pitt apparently isn’t a person who deals with limitations. He said, laughing,

Playing The Elder, a character who makes a big entrance into the movie late in the second act, Hiroyuki Sanada didn’t spend as much time on the bullet train as his co-stars, but he still definitely got to have his own experience with the cramped quarters, and was impressed by director David Leitch’s work in the space. Said Sanada,

The sentiment regarding working with David Leitch was something that Brian Tyree Henry also echoed. He explained that there were times on set when he wasn’t sure how certain scenes would actually work, but the fact that they do is a testament to the director’s talent:

Bullet Train, featuring a brilliant cast including Joe King, Andrew Koji, Sandra Bullock, Benito A Martínez Ocasio, Masi Oka, Karen Fukuhara and more in addition to Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Brad Pitt, arrives in theaters this Friday. Tickets are on sale now, and if you’re a fan of the movie’s stars, you should most definitely check out our Upcoming Brad Pitt and Upcoming Brian Tyree Henry guides.

To learn about all of the other films set to hit theaters and streaming it what remains of the year, our 2022 Movie Release Calendar has the information you’re looking for.

Brad Pitt and more of the absolutely stacked cast of “Bullet Train,” including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, and Hiroyuki Sanada joined CinemaBlend to discuss their favorite behind-the-scenes details and more. Watch as they dive into working with Director David Leitch, filming high-intensity action sequences in small train cars, working on the film during the height of COVID and more.

Video Chapters:

00:00 - Intro
00:18 - Brad Pitt On Reuniting With Former Stuntman-Turned-Director David Leitch
01:20 - Hiroyuki Sanada Discusses Working With David Leitch And His Past Experiences With Him As Stunt Coordinator
02:28 - How Super Tight Spaces Contributed To The Badass Fight Scenes Of ‘Bullet Train’
05:19 - Hiroyuki Sanada On Rehearsing And Filming During The Height Of The COVID-19 Pandemic
06:19 - John Wick Chapter 4's Hiroyuki Sanada Teases A History With Keanu Reeves's Hero
07:26 - Outro

The new satirical action comedy Bullet Train certainly took a long time to get here. Based on the novel by Kōtarō Isaka, which was published in Japan with the title Maria Beetle, the movie from director David Leitch went into production back in October 2020. That means there’s been a lot of excitement building for this blockbuster, with Bullet Train boasting an A-list cast that includes Brad Pitt, Zazie Beetz, Brian Tyree Henry, Sandra Bullock, Lady Gaga and more. With the release finally upon us, let’s take a look at what critics are saying about the film.

When CinemaCon audiences got an extended look at Bullet Train, they were wowed by the action sequences, and — as we saw from the exchange between Brian Tyree-Henry and Brad Pitt in the trailer — this movie promises to bring the laughs as well. Let’s get into the reviews, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of Bullet Train. Eric Eisenberg rates the movie 3.5 stars out of 5, saying that Brad Pitt exhibits a palpable joy in his role as the assassin Ladybug. The story gets a little chaotic, the review says, but it comes together as a fun puzzle:

Peter Debruge of Variety says the movie is a fun-enough ride, if not particularly deep, as it tries really hard to capture Quentin Tarantino vibes. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry are likable as Tangerine and Lemon, respectively, and the fight scenes can be appreciated for the choreography:

Paul Bradshaw of NME rates it an average 3 out of 5 stars, saying that Brad Pitt powers this action flick, while the other assassins aboard struggle to keep up. It’s a fun ride, but not as fun as it thinks it is, this critic says:

Mentions of the movie going “off the rails” are to be expected in reviews for a movie about a train. However, Deadline’s Pete Hammond argues Bullet Train was never on the rails to begin with, saying the movie is so wild it’s basically a live-action animation:

David Ehrlich of IndieWire grades the movie a C, agreeing with other critics that while the movie itself isn’t great, Brad Pitt’s joy is radiant enough to convince viewers they’re having fun too. From the review:

If this movie feels like something you must experience this summer, you can check it out in theaters beginning Friday, August 5. In the meantime, check out what else we know about Bullet Train, as well as other upcoming projects from Brad PItt. You can also start planning your next trip to the theater by checking out our 2022 Movie Release Schedule to see what else is coming soon.

Since the release and monumental success of Black Panther in 2018, Marvel Studios has been making a larger effort to include more diversity in the MCU. We’ve seen our first female-led Marvel movies in Captain Marvel and Black Widow, along with the predominantly Asian cast of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. But the biggest strides in representation yet for the studio come in the form of Chloé Zhao’s Eternals. 

The hiring of Nomadland filmmaker Chloé Zhao in of itself was a big moment in terms of a POC filmmaker getting the keys to a big-budget Marvel film. But Eternals walks the walk too. There’s a number of massive instances of incredible representation in the movie that we have never seen before in a movie of this scale. Let’s take a moment to celebrate the aspects of the film we want to celebrate now that Eternals is streaming on Disney+. 

Kingo’s Bollywood Dance Sequence 

Kumail Nanjiani is the first South Asian superhero we’ve seen on the big screen. The Silicon Valley actor famously got super jacked to play the role. The actor shared he felt it was important for his character to look like “somebody who could hang out with Thor and Captain America” in a Hollywood landscape where South Asian actors are often typecast into “fixing your computer.” Not only did Eternals deliver on a ripped Kingo, but the movie itself is packed with South Asian representation. 

Nanjiani had the chance to be part of bringing Bollywood to a big-budget Marvel film with his dance sequence, along with the movie highlighting the world of Bollywood movies and the scene-stealing character of Karun (played by Harish Patel), who goes along for the ride of much of the movie to play cameraman to Kingo’s latest movie. 

Phastos And Ben Kiss

Disney in general has a troubling history with showcasing the LGBTQ+ community in its films. When the studio made a first attempt with Beauty and the Beast, by making Josh Gad’s Le Fou gay, it was both criticized by the queer community and caused the movie to be initially banned in many countries. The studio has continued to push some weak attempts at representation over the years, between a in-the-background same-sex kiss in Star Wars and mixed signals on queer Disney princess. 

Eternals however is the first legitimate step forward in the direction of LGBTQ+ representation on the big-screen for the studio. In the film, Brian Tyree Henry’s Phastos is an openly gay man with a partner named Ben, played by Haaz Sleiman, who identifies as gay. They have a son together and late in the film, the pair have a blatant moment of PDA when the pair kiss. What’s great about Phastos arc in Eternals is that he’s not just the “gay superhero” in the team. There’s other interesting things about him other than his sexual preferences, such as how he guides the innovations of mankind. Eternals also dodges the common trope of the gay character having a coming out scene as well. 

Our First Deaf Superhero

When it comes to conversations around diversity, there’s still not enough storytelling around people with disabilities on a mainstream scale. Eternals not only paid attention to diversity in terms of race and sexual identity, the movie also brought the first deaf superhero to the forefront with Lauren Ridloff’s Makkari. In the movie, Makkari is an Eternal who has super-speed. Her lack of hearing is actually a gift because without it she can reach a powerful sonic boom while running. She can run across the Earth in minutes. Also, while speaking to the cast, she uses sign language to communicate. 

The ripples of Makkari’s presence in Eternals have been immediately evident. The movie’s release led to a huge spike of interest in people researching American Sign Language education. Ridloff, who is deaf herself, had the chance to play a major role in a Marvel movie and as she shared, excited to see “deaf kids wearing Halloween costumes that are going to be Makkari-inspired.”

Women-To-Men Ratio Of The Superhero Team

Since the beginning of the MCU, there’s been an inherent inequality between men and women. One clear example is through the original six Avengers, where only one of them is a woman – Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow. And it took over a decade for a female actress to lead a Marvel movie with 2019’s Captain Marvel. The scales have definitely been tipped toward men in Marvel, but with Eternals, the group of eight heroes is split nearly even in terms of men vs. women. 

Additionally, there are a variety of body types and presenting men and women in the lineup. For example, Sprite is a more masculine-presenting female, whereas Angelina Jolie’s Thena is more classically feminine in her appearance. Overall, Eternals is the first superhero movie to showcase a wider spectrum of what a hero can look and act like and it’s honestly beautiful. 

A Dominantly POC Cast

And finally, we can’t overlook the range of backgrounds the cast belongs to in Eternals. We’ve touched on it throughout this article, but it truly does set itself apart from not only other Marvel films, but any other film of its scale. Along with the cast we’ve mentioned, Hong Kong-Londoner Gemma Chan plays the lead Sersi, Mexican-Lebanese actress Salma Hayek is Ajak and South Korea’s own Ma Dong-seok is Gilgamesh. 

And what’s especially beautiful about this is the comics didn’t necessarily reflect the representation of the movie. The writers took the time to alter each character to become what we see on screen and in a way in which each of them have fleshed out storylines and again are not solely defined by traits that make them diverse or among the representation conversation. 

We can’t wait to see how Eternals return to the MCU and how Marvel will continue to include more diversity into its movies and TV shows going forward. Check out the upcoming Marvel movies here on CinemaBlend and stream Eternals on Disney+ now. 

Through Eternals, Marvel Cinematic Universe fans were introduced to a number of new and exciting heroes, who are bound to play major roles in the expansive franchise moving forward. What’s even more exciting is that Chloé Zhao’s film broke new ground when it comes to representation in the superhero genre. While this surely means a lot to particular audiences, it was also a big deal for the actors themselves, like Brian Tyree Henry, who plays Phastos. Recently, the actor revealed that he was under the impression that he would have to get ripped to play the role. But that notion quickly left him after he had an emotional conversation with Zhao about his Marvel hero. 

If there’s one thing we know about comic book movies, is that actors usually find themselves getting into “superhero shape” to play the role of a costumed protector. Marvel stars like Captain Marvel’s Brie Larson and Thor’s Chris Hemsworth are prime examples of this. So it’s understandable why Brian Tyree Henry assumed this would be the case for his MCU debut. But during a recent press conference for the film that was attended by CinemaBlend, Henry revealed what his director told him that both surprised and delighted him:

Most would agree that there are plenty of projects (aside from superhero movies) that desire an actor with a particular look or body type for a given role. And as a result, many (particularly marginalized groups) don’t get to see themselves represented. There have been a few instances of true representation in the comic book genre in the past few decades, but the true shift has only happened over the last several years. To that point, Brian Tyree Henry further recalled not seeing many superheroes that looked like himself when he was growing up:

The Atlanta star also explained that he’d always hoped that “one day there would be somebody representing me and the way that I am.” Well, he did in fact get to see that happen and, even better, he himself turned out to be that source of representation. In addition, Phastos also makes history as the first openly gay character in the MCU. Needless to say, the star’s performance could be incredibly impactful when it comes to showcasing underrepresented groups moving forward.

The latest MCU feature is also breaking down barriers in a few other ways. For instance, it features the franchise’s first deaf superhero in Lauren Ridloff’s Makkari. Salma Hayek is also the first Mexican-American actress to play a prominent superhero role in a Marvel Studios production. 

It’s taken a while, but the massive company is finally making some major strides when it comes to varying up the kinds of characters it gives its audiences. Let’s hope this is a trend that only continues as time goes on. For now, you can check out Eternals in theaters now.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe returned to theaters with Black Widow and Shang-Chi, and we’re mere days away from the newest release: Chloé Zhao’s Eternals. The blockbuster will feature the MCU’s most diverse cast yet, with Brian Tyree Henry bringing a queer superhero to life with Phastos. Zhao recently spoke to the possibility of gays characters being edited down for certain international markets. 

While audiences in the US have been calling for more on screen representation for underrepresented groups like LGBT folks, inclusion provides potential roadblocks for certain international markets where queerness isn’t accepted. Chloé Zhao was recently asked what she thought about characters like Phastos possibly having scenes cut for some countries, saying:

Touche. While Eternals hasn’t been released to wide theatrical audiences, it sounds like Brian Tyree Henry’s character is going to be pivotal to the titular group standing up and fighting for the human race. While the celestial beings might have been disassociated from their original mission, Phastos marries a man (Haaz Sleiman) and has a family. And just like that, he’s got added stakes in the fate of Earth.

The overall contents of Eternals are being kept under wraps, but the limited footage shows that the group of heroes have been on Earth for a long time. They eventually lost touch, and seemingly lost faith in humanity as mankind began killing each other and polluting the planet. But a new threat will unite this team of cosmic entities, with Phastos being especially connected to Earth and its people. You can check out the final trailer for Eternals below.

Chloé Zhao is an Oscar-winning filmmaker who clearly cares deeply about her work on Eternals. She doesn’t want to see the movie edited down for certain international markets, and it seems that Marvel Studio might have her back. But it remains to be seen if the studio’s arm eventually gets pulled by censorship organizations in markets overseas. Because Disney will presumably want Eternals on as many screens as possible.

The call for major LGBT characters to be present in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going on for a few years now, with Kevin Feige promising change was coming. Eternals has an extremely diverse cast, including a variety of ethnicities and ages, a queer character, and the MCU’s first deaf superhero. We’ll just have to wait and see how the movie is distributed around the world, and how Chloé Zhao’s blockbuster influences the universe as a whole.

Eternals is currently expected to arrive in theaters on November 5th. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Netflix has been delivering some amazing hits the last couple of years in terms of animated films. From the family movie The Mitchells vs. The Machines to the Academy-Award-nominated musical, Over the Moon, they’ve had some awesome additions to their already amazing line-up. And now, a new film joins that group, titled Vivo.

In Vivo, we follow a kinkajou, played by the amazing Lin-Manuel Miranda, who plays music to crowds in a lively square with his owner, Andres. However, when Andres expresses his interest in a long-lost love, Vivo takes it upon himself to try and reunite the star-crossed lovers once more. There are plenty of stars in the Vivo cast, from Zoe Saldana and Michael Rooker to musical geniuses, such as Gloria Estefan. Here is where you might have seen them (or heard them) before Vivo.

Lin-Manuel Miranda (Vivo)

Everyone loves Vivo, and the man behind him is the wonderful Lin-Manuel Miranda. If you haven’t heard his name yet in the media, I’m sure you’ve been living under a rock, because he’s been taking over Hollywood – at least in the musical sense. Prior to his breakout in film, Lin-Manuel Miranda rocked the streets of Broadway, creating two major hits – In the Heights and Hamilton: An American Musical.

Both of these hits actually ended up on the big screen in some form or another - Hamilton premiered on Disney+ as a live-stage recording, while In the Heights adapted for film and released in 2021, starring Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, and more, and Lin-Manuel Miranda had a part in both musicals. Besides his big-Broadway escapades, Lin-Manuel Miranda has done plenty. He had a role in Mary Poppins Returns as Jack, and wrote music and lyrics for the Disney animated film, Moana. He’s even hosted Saturday Night Live prior to his role in this film.

It’s not a surprise that Miranda is returning once again to his musical roots, this time through voice-acting and song-writing, with how fantastic his musicals have been in the past. And I’m sure after watching Vivo, you can’t get those songs out of your head either.

Ynairaly Simo (Gabi)

While this cast is also full of stars in both the acting and musical world, we have a newcomer here as well. Gabi, the lovable partner to Vivo throughout the entirety of Vivo, is played by Ynairaly Simo, a young actress who’s just starting to make her mark.

While she did have a small role in a TV series titled Creative Galaxy back in 2014 where she played herself, this is her first major role in the Hollywood world. And hopefully, after playing Gabi in Vivo, we’ll be seeing a lot more of her soon.

Zoe Saldana (Rosa)

Every adorkable little kid needs an equally worried mother, and that’s where Rosa comes in, portrayed by Zoe Saldana. Saldana herself has been in some of the biggest movies of all time – even if she doesn’t quite look like herself in those films. Since 2014, Zoe Saldana has portrayed Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a role that started with Guardians of the Galaxy. Also in 2009, Saldana portrayed Neytiri in Avatar, one of the highest-grossing films of all time, a role which she will reprise in the upcoming sequels – whenever they do release.

Besides her roles in these films, she’s also had roles in other movies series as well, such as the Star Trek film series, where she portrayed Nyota Uhurua. Zoe Saldana also dabbled with pirate adventures for a bit, with a role in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

The year after that, she would go on to have a role in the Steven Spielberg film, The Terminal. She’s even been in the voice world prior to Vivo, with a role in the 2014 animated film, The Book of Life, as Maria Posada.

Truly, Zoe Saldana has been all over, and I for one can’t wait to see what she does next. Now, if only Avatar 2 could release, dang it.

Juan de Marcos Gonzalez (Andres)

As the owner of Vivo in Vivo, Andres is a kind and caring older man who loves music, and wants to reunite with his past partner/love of his life, Marta. Playing Andres is Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, who is likely better known as a Cuban musician than he is an actor.

Vivo is his first acting credit ever, but Gonzalez has been in the music industry for decades. He’s been a Cuban bandleader and musician, who was part of the Buena Vista Social Club, an ensemble of Cuban musicians that was established in 1996. With someone as musically talented as him, it’s not a surprise that he'd land a role in Vivo. And honestly, I can’t think of anyone better.

Michael Rooker (Lutadoor)

Moving back to actors on this list, we take a look at Lutadoor, an evil python in Vivo that lives to make the Vivo's life difficult. Michael Rooker portrays Lutadoor in Vivo. The actor, with a career that spans back to the '80s, has been around Hollywood for some time. He started off his acting career with several roles in movies, such as the crime film Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, the sports film, Eight Men Out, the political thriller, JFK, the crime thriller film, The Bone Collector, and several others.

From 2010-2013, Michael Rooker portrayed Merle Dixon in AMC’s The Walking Dead, before moving over to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he portrayed Yondu in the Guardian’s of the Galaxy franchise. Most recently, he’s had a role in the 2020 monster/romance film, Love and Monsters, and will have a role in The Suicide Squad as Brian Durlin/Savant.

Brian Tyree Henry (Dancarino)

As the first half of the star-crossed spoonbills in Vivo, Brian Tyree Henry portrays Dancarino. Henry hasn’t been in the industry for as long as some of his other co-stars, with his earliest film/tv credit being a guest spot on Law and Order in 2009, but boy has he had a career since then. Since 2016, Brian Tyree Henry has had a main role on the FX comedy series, Atlanta, alongside creator Donald Glover, a role he will reprise in the upcoming third season. He also had a guest spot on the This Is Us episode, “Memphis” in Season 1 of the show, and has been on a couple of episodes of Drunk History.

In terms of film, Henry has done several films in plenty of different genres. He portrayed Jamal Manning in the heist thriller, Widows, Daniel Carty in the Academy-Award-nominated film, If Beale Street Could Talk, Jefferson Davis in the Academy-Award-winner film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Detective Mike Norris in Child’s Play, Carl in Joker, Bernie Hayes in Godzilla vs Kong, and so many others.

He’s also going to be starring as Phastos in the upcoming Marvel film, Eternals.

Jeez, talk about someone who has made his mark on Hollywood. I’m not surprised he scored a role in Vivo, and I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.

Nicole Byer (Valentina)

Valentina is the other-half of the star-crossed spoonbills on Vivo, and Nicole Byer is the lucky woman to play her. Byer, who got her start through her amazing comedy, has been the host of Nailed It!, a Netflix reality bake-off series where average bakers try to recreate amazing baking creations, a show that was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

Other than her amazing hosting talents and hysterical jokes, Byer has also had a couple of roles in the film/TV world. She starred in the commentary series, Girl Code, and then went on to be in Loosely Exactly Nicole, an MTV/Facebook Watch comedy series based on her life. Other than that, she’s made several guest appearances on television, including parts on 30 Rock, the Amazon original series, Transparent, the iconic animated series, The Simpsons, and more.

Recently, Byer has taken up co-hosting Wipeout, alongside John Cena, so keep an eye out for her the next time you’re catching up on your competition shows.

Gloria Estefan (Marta Sandoval)

Oh, Marta. We love Marta. As the wonderful other-half to Andres in Vivo, Marta is played by the wonderful Gloria Estefan, whom is another case of musician-over-actor. Gloria Estefan is a famous Cuban-American singer and songwriter, with a career that spans back to the 1970s, with several hits that have become popular all over the world.

However, besides her amazing music, Estefan has dipped her toes into the acting world several times before. She portrayed the mother of Santana Lopez in Glee, and also appeared in a guest role on the Netflix original series, One Day at a Time. Besides guest appearances, she’s also had plenty of cameos as well, including roles on Jane the Virgin, Fraser, Blue’s Clues, and so many others. If you haven’t given her music a listen to, check her out now. You won’t regret it.

Katie Lowes, Olivia Trujillo, And Lidya Jewett (Scout Troopers)

While their roles in the film isn’t as big as the others here, the Scout Troopers are still adorable, played by Katie Lowes, Olivia Trujillo, and Lidya Jewett. Katie Lowes is best known for her role on ABC political drama, Scandal, and had voice roles in Wreck-It Ralph, and its sequel, along with Zootopia and Big Hero 6.

Olivia Trujillo has been on the TV series For All Mankind, as well as some guest appearances on other shows such as Drunk History, #Realityhigh, and others.

Lidya Jewett had a major role on the series Good Girls as Sara Hill, alongside other guest appearances on shows such as Bunk’d, Grey’s Anatomy, See Dad Run, and more. She also portrayed Young Katherine Coleman in the film Hidden Figures in 2016.

With all these big-time stars in Vivo, it’s a welcome addition to the 2021 Netflix movies. Who were you excited to see in this amazing animated film?

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It’s a beautiful thing to feel like you’re truly seen on the big screen. Not only does it help audiences immerse themselves into the blockbusters they experience, but in the case of actors like Brian Tyree Henry, it’s also a joy when it comes to landing big ticket roles. As Henry himself has recently racked up opportunities like the mega hit Godzilla vs. Kong and Marvel’s Eternals on his resume, he’s taken some time to reflect on how this has affected him and his career.

During his guest spot on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Brian Tyree Henry spoke with Ms. Clarkson about his recent run of blockbuster fortune. As he’s currently being seen as conspiracy theorist/Titan enthusiast Bernie Hayes in Godzilla vs. Kong, as well as being cast as Phastos, the first openly gay MCU character, in director Chloe Zhao’s Eternals, Henry has taken these two roles to heart. Describing what these characters mean to him, Brian Tyree Henry said the following:

Brian Tyree Henry is yet another actor who's sung the praises of diversity becoming a recent priority in Hollywood casting. He’s not the only MonsterVerse lead to think so either, as Godzilla vs. Kong co-star Eiza Gonzalez was also pleased with seeing herself making strides for Latinx performers in the world of Titan combat. Though these recent remarks do further highlight what Brian Tyree Henry has been doing with his career in the recent past.

Most notably, Brian Tyree Henry was part of the Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse cast, which introduced Miles Morales into the world of Marvel Comics cinema. Playing Miles’s father, NYPD officer Jefferson Davis, Brian Tyree Henry is already versed with bringing a more diverse family unit to the big screen. While there’s no talk yet about what sort of role he might be able to play in the Into The Spider-Verse sequel, at least Mr. Henry can continue paving the way for these sorts of opportunities in the future.

Even if Jefferson Davis doesn’t return, Brian Tyree Henry’s output in the next couple years is only going to continue offering him opportunities to further diversity in film and TV. Not to mention that fans of his work on shows like FX’s Atlanta will be pleased to see him returning to roles that helped build his career into the success it is today. You can see Mr. Henry currently in Godzilla vs. Kong, which is now in theaters, as well as available on HBO Max until April 30. (And if you’re not a subscriber yet, you should totally check out the deal for a discount on a six-month prepaid subscription.)

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There were a lot of jokes both before and after the release of Godzilla vs. Kong wondering why the movie even had human characters. Basically all the fans really cared about were the giant monsters punching each other. However, there were human characters in Godzilla vs. Kong and they weren't entirely superfluous. They had an adventure of their own, one that actor Bryan Tyree Henry compared to them being The Goonies while on set.

Along with the two sides in Godzilla vs. Kong there are a pair of parallel stories associated with each massive creature. On Kong's side there is Rebecca Hall and Alexander Skarsgård, who take Kong from Skull Island in an attempt to locate a power source that might explain why Godzilla has gone on a rampage. On Godzilla's side we have Millie Bobby Brown, reprising her role from Godzilla: King of the Monsters, her friend, played by Deadpool 2's Julian Dennison, and Bryan Tyree Henry, as a podcaster the two young people go in search of looking for their own answers as to why Godzilla has seemingly gone wild.

Bryan Tyree Henry recently told the Daily Californian that while on set he likened his time with co-stars Denison and Brown to The Goonies. Henry seemed to feel that the adventure they three went on together, which saw numerous twists and turns, was somewhat like the classic '80s adventure where a bunch of kids go in search of pirate treasure. According to Henry,

While I certainly didn't make a connection to The Goonies while watching Godzilla vs. Kong, I can totally see how Bryan Tyree Henry did exactly that. The journey of his team of characters doesn't involve a treasure map, but it is basically three characters following a trail of breadcrumbs from one place to another with no real idea where they're going or what they will find. Plus, the whole thing is vaguely dangerous. And the possibility of danger is quite real, in The Goonies the kids have to deal with booby traps and a family of criminals on their tail. In Godzilla vs. Kong, there's the possibility of getting eaten by a kaiju.

And now I kind of want to see a new Goonies movie starring Millie Bobby Brown and Julian Dennison. They would actually be perfect members of such a cast. Of course, the trials and tribulations of a Goonies follow-up have long been reported and it seems unlikely such a movie will ever happen. But at least we'll always have Godzilla vs. Kong.

Decades after 1962's King Kong vs. Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Kong is now smashing its way onto the big screen (and, subsequently, on HBO Max), promising to deliver one of the biggest action spectacles we've seen in ages — especially after 2020's cinematic drought. Folks, movies are back again! The stars are aligning again.

Indeed, alongside these gigantic monsters are a variety of high-profile actors, including Rebecca Hall, Millie Bobby Brown, Alexander Skarsgard, Kyle Chandler, Eiza Gonzalez, and Brian Tyree Henry. When it comes to the always-busy Atlanta actor, Godzilla vs. Kong is only the latest high-profile project on his resume, particularly with Marvel's Eternals and other notable films and shows arriving in the near future. If you love the Emmy-nominated actor, here's what you can look forward to — including Bullet Train.

The Outside Story - April 30, 2021 (Completed)

After years of playing supporting roles, Brian Tyree Henry finally got his own starring vehicle with The Outside Story, the feature directorial debut of writer/director Casimir Nozkowski. Following an introverted video editor (Henry) as he recovers from a broken heart, only to have a life-altering experience when a locked apartment forces him to live an alternate life, The Outside Story is an intriguing concept for a romantic dramedy, to be sure, in a movie that should hopefully showcase Henry's proven talents once more.

Premiering at a number of virtual film festivals over the past few months, The Outside Story was met with kind reviews (if not overwhelmingly so), and the movie will make its way to a wide audience when it debuts on VOD on April 30th. Having proven himself in a number of projects, both big and small, on the stage and screen, Brian Tyree Henry is long overdue for his own acting showcase. While it's a small project, it should give the actor the flexibility he needs to demonstrate the full extent of his distinguished talents.

The Woman In The Window - May 14, 2021 (Completed)

It hasn't been an easy journey for The Woman in the Window. Based on the novel by A.J. Finn, this psychological thriller adaptation was originally set to hit theaters in 2019, but the movie was delayed when poor test screenings resulted in heavy rewrites and reshoots. Rescheduled for May 15, 2020, The Woman in the Window was pushed back again due to the pandemic. Rather than wait for theaters to reopen, Fox sold it to Netflix. Now, the streaming exclusive will premiere on May 14, 2021, one year after its planned release. It's ready to go, no matter what the theater situation is in May, so the third time should be the charm — pending any additional unforeseen drama, of course.

It's been a labored release for The Woman in the Window, it's fair to say, and not for the better. Whether or not the drama was worth it will be determined in a matter of weeks. The latest movie from director Joe Wright stars Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Wyatt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Julianne Moore, and Brian Tyree Henry.

Eternals - November 5, 2021 (Post-Production/Completed?)

Appropriately, it's taking an eternity for Marvel's Eternals to reach the silver screen. Or, at least, it feels that way. Shot in 2019, the superhero blockbuster was scheduled to come out on November 6, 2020, before the pandemic pushed back the whole MCU calendar. Originally moved to February 2021, this Phase 4 Marvel movie will premiere on November 5, 2021, a whole year after its initial release date. Directed by Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), this superhero movie has the potential to be one of the finest films in the MCU, especially with such a high-profile ensemble.

Starring Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek, Kit Harington, Gemma Chan, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Lia McHugh, Lauren Ridloff, and Brian Tyree Henry, Eternals is filled with talented actors, and Henry's role is particularly noteworthy. In the role of Phastos, the actor plays the first openly-gay Marvel character in the MCU, which is a progressive step forward for LGBTQ+ representation in this franchise. Like many upcoming 2021 movies listed in this article, Eternals could really propel Henry's career.

Red, White, And Water - TBA (Post-Production)

Following a temporary break from acting, Jennifer Lawrence returns to the screen with Red, White, and Water, the feature directorial debut of Lila Neugebauer (Room 104), which will expectedly be another great showcase, not merely for its Oscar-winning A-lister but also for its prominent Emmy-nominated co-star, Brian Tyree Henry. Following a U.S. soldier who suffers a traumatic brain injury while fighting in Afghanistan and subsequently struggles to adjust to life back home, Red, White, and Water will undoubtedly be a heavy picture, but it has the potential to be an outstanding movie, too — particularly if Lawrence, Henry, and the rest of the ensemble bring out the fireworks.

Shot back in 2019, Red, White, and Water has been stuck in post-production, a process that has likely been extended due to the pandemic. It's expected to arrive later this year, though it's unclear when it'll premiere in theaters. Best guess is this fall, in time for awards season. We'll definitely be hearing more about this project in the months ahead.

Cyrano - TBA 2022 (Post-Production)

While The Woman in the Window got caught in creative limbo, with delays and reshoots painting an uncertain future, the movie did establish a good working relationship between Brian Tyree Henry and Joe Wright. The actor and director have reunited for the filmmaker's next film, Cyrano, a dramatic musical that follows the life of Cyrano de Bergerac, played by Peter Dinklage. With a strong supporting cast, including Ben Mendelsohn, Haley Bennett, and Kelvin Harrison Jr., in addition to the aforementioned Henry, Cyrano could easily shape up to be one of the finest films on Wright's resume. It could also prove to be the win that Wright needs if The Woman in the Window doesn't meet its potential following its creative troubles. Only time will tell for both features, but at the very least, it's nice to know that Henry and Wright have developed a nice rapport.

Bullet Train - TBA (Post-Production)

All aboard! The Bullet Train is in motion. Based on the novel of the same name by Kôtarô Isaka, the latest movie from director David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde) is surely set to be an action extravaganza, notably with a cheeky premise that involves five assassins on a fast-moving bullet train who discover that their missions might share something in common. There's a lot of promise with that action-friendly storyline (it's sorta like Smokin' Aces meets Unstoppable) and that's without mentioning the cast.

Set to star Brad Pitt, Bullet Train's supporting cast includes Zazie Beetz, reuniting with her Deadpool 2 director, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Andrew Koji, Masi Oka, Michael Shannon, Lady Gaga (reportedly), Logan Lerman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Bad Bunny, Sandra Bullock, and Brian Tyree Henry. Wow! Talk about a killer line-up (hardy har har).

Adapted for the screen by Zak Olkewicz, Bullet Train will undoubtedly be a high-profile project for Brian Tyree Henry. It'll also be fun to see the comedic/dramatic actor in action movie mode. Now in post-production, Bullet Train should be coming out quickly.

The Magician’s Elephant - TBA (Filming)

In recent years, Netflix has become one of the biggest animation houses in Hollywood. With dozens of animated movies and shows premiering on their service in a given year (maybe more, at this point), they know how to attract some serious talent and how to get their movies to a wide audience. That won't be an exception with The Magician's Elephant, based on the two-time Newbery Award-winning novel by Kate DiCamillo. The directorial debut of visual effects artist Wendy Rogers (Shrek), The Magician's Elephant is in the midst of production, and it features a stellar ensemble. As Deadline reports, the voice cast includes Noah Jupe, Benedict Wong, Sian Clifford, Pixie Davies, Aasif Mandvi, Mandy Patinkin, Miranda Richardson, Lorraine Toussaint, and Brian Tyree Henry.

Adapted for the screen by Martin Hynes (Toy Story 4), The Magician's Elephant follows Peter, who crosses paths with a fortune teller in search of his long-lost sister. When he asks if his sister is still alive, Peter is met with a curious answer: that he must find a mysterious elephant and the magician who will conjure it. This movie has the potential to be one of the best animated movies from Netflix yet. Here's hoping that's the case.

Atlanta Seasons 3 And 4 - TBA (Pre-Production)

After an extended hiatus, Atlanta is finally returning to FX. Picked up for a third season in 2018, shortly after its second season aired, the show has been stuck in limbo due to Donald Glover's busy schedule. When production on Season 3 was set to move forward last year, filming hit a roadblock with the ongoing pandemic. During that time, plans changed. Also renewed for a fourth season, which is also expected to air later this year, it was announced that the next two seasons will be shot together, with production beginning in London, followed by Amsterdam and Paris. It'll be interesting to see all the ways Atlanta changes this year, most notably with production moving away from the show's namesake. Likewise, it'll be interesting to see how Glover plans to wrap up his acclaimed series; with his Amazon deal, these two seasons are expected to be the last.

In the role that propelled his career (outside of Broadway), Brian Tyree Henry owes a great deal of his continued success to his Emmy-nominated performance as Paper Boi in Atlanta. It's certainly a highlight in his increasingly busy schedule. Production on Seasons 3 and 4 will start in April, according to Deadline. If this is truly the end of Henry's time in Atlanta, at least the future looks bright for the increasingly active actor.

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Providing an intensely darker, more brooding take on the famous DC Comics character than we've seen in previous live-action features, Todd Phillips' heavily Martin Scorsese-influenced Joker, a character study exploring the reworked origin story of the titular character, divided critics but became an unlikely worldwide hit. The R-rated dramatic film grossed over a billion dollars worldwide and it received 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, with Joaquin Phoenix winning Best Actor for his unhinged portrayal of The Clown Prince of Crime. However you feel about the movie itself, it's hard to deny the visceral power of the lead actor's committed performance.

Now that it's been a little over a year since Joker's controversial cinematic debut, what is the high-profile cast, including Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz and Robert De Niro, working on now? Let's find out!

Joaquin Phoenix (Arthur Fleck/Joker)

In the role of Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill clown and failing stand-up comedian who eventually adopts the persona of The Joker, Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for his titular turn in Todd Phillips' re-imagined origin story for the DC character. Prior to this performance, Phoenix garnered acclaim and accolades for his work in Walk the Line, The Master, Gladiator, Signs, The Village, Hotel Rwanda, You Were Never Really Here, Inherent Vice, Her, Two Lovers, The Immigrant, The Yards, and I'm Still Here.

Most recently, Joaquin Phoenix was seen in the short film, Guardians of Life. Next, Phoenix stars in C'mon C'mon, from writer/director Mike Mills (20th Century Women). The actor is also signed on to play Napoleon Bonaparte in Kitbag, which will reunite him with Gladiator's Ridley Scott. Reportedly, Phoenix is in talks to frontline Beau is Afraid, the newest horror film from writer/director Ari Aster (Midsommar). Additionally, he might return for Joker 2, which has been discussed. Outside of acting, Phoenix produced 2020's documentary Gunda and he's an executive producer on The End of Medicine.

Zazie Beetz (Sophie Dumond)

Playing the part of Sophie Dumond, Arthur's romanticized "love interest," Zazie Beetz plays a prominent part in Todd Phillips' Joker. Outside of this performance, Beetz is best known for Deadpool 2 and her Emmy-nominated role in FX's Atlanta. Also, she can be seen in Netflix's Easy, Geostorm, Slice, Lucy in the Sky, Wolves, Seberg, High Flying Bird, Wounds, The Twilight Zone, and James White.

Most recently, Zazie Beetz appeared in December's Still Here. Next, she'll star in Nine Days, which premiered at last year's Sundance, as well as Netflix's The Harder They Fall and Bullet Train. The actress is also doing voice work for Extinct and Amazon Prime's animated series, Invincible. Additionally, Beetz is signed on to star in Shelter and she's expected to return for Atlanta's delayed third and fourth seasons.

Robert De Niro (Murray Franklin)

As Murray Franklin, a popular talk show host who plays a prominent part in Arthur's downfall, Robert De Niro paid homage to his lead role in Martin Scorsese's excellent The King of Comedy with his supporting turn in Joker. As one of the most revered actors in the world, De Niro has made an indelible impact on cinema, particularly with two Oscars to his famous name. Some of his most famous credits include Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, Meet the Parents, The Godfather Part II, Mean Streets, Heat, The Deer Hunter, The Irishman, Once Upon a Time in America, and Brazil.

Most recently, Robert De Niro starred in The War with Grandpa and he made a cameo in Nancy Meyers' Father of the Bride Part 3(ish). Next, he'll frontline The Comeback Trail. Currently, De Niro is working on Wash Me in the River and writer/director David O. Russell's untitled new movie. The actor is also expected to appear in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, James Gray's Armageddon Time, and Nick Cassavetes' After Exile.

Frances Conroy (Penny Fleck)

In the role of Penny Fleck, Arthur's physically and mentally ill mother, Frances Conroy plays a devastating character in Joker. Outside of this performance, Conroy is known for Six Feet Under, Casual, The Mist, and her two-time Emmy-nominated roles in American Horror Story. She can also be seen in Catwoman, Sleepless in Seattle, The Crucible, The Aviator, Shopgirl, Broken Flowers, The Wicker Man (2006), and The Tale.

Most recently, Frances Conroy was seen in James vs. His Future Self, as well as episodes of Netflix's Dead to Me. She can also be heard in Summer Camp Island. Next, Conroy appears in Jane Campion's The Power of the Dog.

Hannah Gross (Young Penny)

Playing a younger version of Penny, Hannah Gross has a dramatic supporting role in a series of flashbacks in Joker. Most notably, Gross is known for Netflix's Mindhunter. She can also be seen in Her Smell, The Mountain, Marjorie Prime, Unless, and I Used To Be Darker. Additionally, Gross played recurring roles in The Sinner Season 2 and Deadwax. Most recently, the actress was seen in Tesla and Disappearance at Clifton Hill. Next, she'll appear in February's Falling and The Education of Frederick Fitzell.

Brett Cullen (Thomas Wayne)

As Thomas Wayne, an aspiring politician and the ill-fated billionaire father of Bruce Wayne, Brett Cullen played a menacing supporting character in Joker. Outside of this performance, Cullen is a prominent character actor with over 140 credits to his name. Some of his most notable performances are found in Ghost Rider, The Dark Knight Rises, Person of Interest, True Detective Season 3, Narcos, Devious Maids, 42, Lost, Damages, Apollo 13, Wyatt Earp, and The West Wing.

Most recently, Brett Cullen was seen in Amazon Prime's Big Dogs and NBC's The Blacklist. Next, he'll appear in Reminiscence and an untitled Lakers project.

Dante Pereira-Olson (Bruce Wayne)

In the role of Bruce Wayne, Thomas's son who eventually becomes Batman, Dante Pereira-Olson plays a small-but-important part in Joker. Outside of this performance, the child actor notably appeared in You Were Never Really Here as a younger version of Joaquin Phoenix's character. He can also be seen in Jessica Jones, Happy!, Mozart in the Jungle, and The Slap. Most recently, Pereira-Olson was heard in Netflix's The Midnight Gospel. Next, he'll be seen in Porcupine.

Marc Maron (Gene Ufland)

As Gene Ufland, Murray Franklin's producer, Marc Maron has a brief cameo in 2019's Joker. Outside of this film, Maron is a stand-up comedian who's best known for his popular podcast, WTF with Marc Maron. His notable acting credits include Maron, Netflix's GLOW, Sword of Trust, Sleepwalk with Me, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, and Almost Famous.

Most recently, Marc Maron was seen in Spenser Confidential and Stardust. Next, he appears in Worth, Respect, and To Leslie. Also, Maron will be heard in The Bad Guys.

Brian Tyree Henry (Carl)

Playing the part of Carl, Arkham State Hospital's concerned clerk, Brian Tyree Henry makes the most of his brief appearance in Joker. Most notably, he's known for his Emmy-nominated performance in FX's acclaimed Atlanta. Some of his other noteworthy credits include Widows, If Beale Street Could Talk, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Child's Play (2019), White Boy Rick, and Hotel Artemis. Additionally, on the stage, Henry received a Tony nomination for his Broadway performance in Lobby Hero. He also appeared in The Book of Mormon and The Fortress of Solitude.

Most recently, Brian Tyree Henry starred in The Outside Story and played a supporting role in Superintelligence. Next, he'll be seen in Godzilla vs. Kong, The Woman in the Window, Red, White, and Water, Cyrano, and Marvel's Eternals. The actor will also lend his voice to The Magician's Elephant. Additionally, Henry will star in the forthcoming third and fourth seasons of Atlanta.

Glenn Fleshler (Randall)

As Randall, one of Arthur Fleck's fellow clowns, Glenn Fleshler plays a prominent supporting character in Joker. Outside of this performance, Fleshler is most well-known for his roles in Boardwalk Empire, Billions, True Detective Season 1, and Barry. He can also be seen in Waco, The Night Of, Watchmen, and Maniac. Additionally, the actor's other film credits include Margaret, Blue Jasmine, A Most Violent Year, Suburbicon, Irreplaceable You, and High Flying Bird. Most recently, Fleshler was seen in For Life. Next, he'll appear in Clean and Werewolves Within.

Leigh Gill (Gary)

In the role of Gary, one of Arthur's former clown co-workers, Leigh Gill plays a notable supporting role in Joker. Outside of this film, Gill is known for his work in Game of Thrones, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them, The Witcher, The Most Beautiful Day in the World, Mirrors, and The Scorpion King 4: Quest For Power. Next, Gill will appear in Cranley Gardens and Chi ha Incastrato Babbo Natale?

Bill Camp (Detective Garrity)

Playing the part of Detective Garrity, a vigilant member of the Gotham City Police Department, Bill Camp plays a watchful supporting character in Joker. An acclaimed character actor, Camp is best known for his excellent Emmy-nominated performance in HBO's mini-series, The Night Of. Additionally, he garnered acclaim for his Tony-nominated role in 2016's Broadway revival of The Crucible. Camp can also be seen in Molly's Game, Lincoln, 12 Years a Slave, Love and Mercy, Loving, Vice, Wildlife, Public Enemies, Birdman, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Red Sparrow, and Dark Waters.

Most recently, Bill Camp was seen in News of the World, HBO's The Outsider, Hulu's Monsterland, and Netflix's The Queen's Gambit. Next, Camp is set to star in Showtime's Rust. He'll also be seen in Passing, which is soon set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. He also stars in Sound of Freedom and he'll appear in a segment for the COVID-19 anthology film, With/In, which he also directed.

Shea Whigham (Detective Burke)

As Detective Burke, a member of the Gotham City Police Department, Shea Whigham plays a dutiful supporting role in 2019's Joker. An established character actor of screens big and small, Whigham is known for his work in Boardwalk Empire, True Detective Season 1, Fargo Season 3, Fast & Furious, Fast & Furious 6, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans, Silver Linings Playbook, The Wolf of Wall Street, Vice, First Man, Kong: Skull Island, and Death Note (2017). His other prominent TV credits include Vice Principals, Narcos, Waco, Homecoming, and a main role in Perry Mason.

Most recently, Shea Whigham was seen in Netflix's Vampires vs. the Bronx and The Quarry. Next, the actor will appear in Small Engine Repair, Till Death, and The Gateway. Currently, Whigham is filming a role in Mission: Impossible 7 and 8.

Josh Pais (Hoyt Vaughn)

In the role of Hoyt Vaughn, Arthur's agent, Josh Pais can be seen in the first half of Joker. His other notable credits include Ray Donovan, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), Music of the Heart, I Saw the Light, Motherless Brooklyn, Mrs. Fletcher, Maniac, Law & Order: SVU, Touchy Feely, The Sopranos, Phone Booth, Rounders, and Law & Order. Most recently, Pais appeared in an episode of HBO's The Plot Against America. Next, Pais will be seen in The Mimic, Two Against Nature, and Checkout. He's also set to star in HBO Max's DMZ.

Douglas Hodge (Alfred Pennyworth)

Playing the part of Alfred Pennyworth, the caretaker of the Wayne family, Douglas Hodge has a brief-but-notable supporting role in Joker. An acclaimed stage performer, Hodge's most notable screen performances include (but don't limit to) The Report, Gemini Man, Red Sparrow, Beirut, Diana, Robin Hood (2010), Serena, Tulip Fever, and The Dancer. Additionally, on television, he can be seen in Penny Dreadful, Catastrophe, and The Night Manager.

Most recently, Douglas Hodge appeared in The Bet, Netflix's The Devil All The Time, HBO's The Undoing, and Hulu's The Great. Next, he'll be seen in A Grand Romantic Gesture and the newest season of Lost in Space.

You can stream Joker on HBO Max here. And keep an eye out on the latest movie releases on our 2021 New Movie Release Schedule.

If you’re like me, you’re probably going through massive Atlanta withdrawal by this point. The critically acclaimed FX dramedy wrapped up Season 2 (a.k.a. Robbin’ Season) back in the spring of 2018 before going on hiatus. The show has faced a few behind-the scenes obstacles on the road to Season 3, with the most recent one caused by COVID-19. Luckily, both a third and fourth season have been mapped out, and production is scheduled to start in early 2021. But at this point, some of you may still be thinking about that Atlanta ending that closed out Season 2 and how it sets up the next season.

Robbin’ Season was filled with revelations for Earn, Alfred, Van and Darius, and the finale put a firm stamp on what was a very cerebral set of episodes. It also appeared to pave the way for some interesting plot points in Season 3. Atlanta has always been unpredictable when it comes to the stories it tells, but some of the things the Season 2 finale alludes to just seem too clear. So let’s start off by reflecting on that last episode before looking ahead:

How Atlanta Season 2 Ended

The finale – “Crabs in a Barrel” – provided a surprise for Earn and Van, who learn during a parent-conference that their young daughter, Lottie, is gifted. The teacher also recommends that the two send her to an expensive private school, where she can reach her full potential. Earn, who’s set to join his friends on Clark County’s European tour, resolves to use his earnings to pay for Lottie’s tuition. Despite parting on mostly good terms, Van shows concern for Earn, who was pretty much self-destructing due to the change that’s taken over his life during the past season. This sense of dread only increases when Van later texts him, saying that she’s considering taking Lottie and moving in with her mom.

Leading up to the finale, there were doubts as to whether Alfred would keep Earn on his manager, due to his constant mistakes. And in the finale, the tension only rises, as Al and Darius move from their house and the group prepares for the tour. But near the end of the episode, Earn manages to impress his cousin when he slips a gun (the one he received from their uncle) into Clark County’s bag to avoid getting stopped at airport security. Later, on the plane, Al reveals that he saw what Earn did and commends him for having his back, as Al states that people in the music industry only care about themselves. This point is solidified when Clark arrives on the plane, having placed blame for the gun on his manager, Luke.

Earn And Van’s Relationship Won’t Be The Same

The relationship between Earn and Van has always been up and down but, at the beginning of the season, it appeared they were making an effort to create a true commitment. Yet things end up going south in “Helen” when Van states that Earn only uses her for sex – to which he replies that he’s content with their “arrangement.” Van is also frustrated by Earn’s infrequent presence in their daughter’s life, which only increased in Season 2.

The finale seems to indicate that while Earn is still committed to providing for his daughter, he and Van are clearly in different places in their lives. Van knows this, which is why she’s considering taking a new step by moving to her mother’s. And after that text, Earn knows she’s tired of playing house. When it comes to Season 3, there’s a strong chance their relationship will look very different when we see them again, especially since the tour is going to create even more distance between them – both figuratively and literally. It definitely doesn’t feel like they’re anywhere close to giving Lottie the “happy two-parent household” her teacher recommended.

Paper Boi And Co. Are Getting A Major Change Of Scenery

What was arguably the biggest development to come out of the Season 2 finale is that Alfred, along with Earn and Darius, is accompanying Clark County on his European tour. Although a lot of time will have passed by the time Season 3 arrives, it looks like the show won’t progress in real time. This was pretty much confirmed when it was announced that one of the upcoming seasons would shoot outside the US. So it looks like at least part of Atlanta Season 3 will essentially be “Paper Boi Does Europe.”

Atlanta has proven to have a great deal of affection for the city it’s named after, and it’s an integral part of the series’ identity. Nevertheless, taking Alfred, Earn and Darius out of their familiar surroundings keeps things fresh and will allow them to continue to grow as characters. The European backdrop also gives the show an opportunity to explore some more interesting concepts. How does Europe’s perception of rap culture compare to North America’s? Does that same amount of reverence and popularity carry over? And while Afro-European culture has been touched on through Van’s heritage, how might the characters (all African American) respond to it when it surrounds them? These questions are all fair game for Season 3.

Clark County Is Not To Be Messed With

Up to this point, Atlanta hasn’t had what you would consider a true villain. Earn and the gang have come across some pretty dangerous people over the course of the show, but they’ve never had a consistent rival. This all seemed to change with Robbin’ Season’s introduction of Clark County, an arrogant rapper and heavily commercialized rapper. Although he takes a liking to Earn, Al and Darius and plays up a friendly image, the show has hinted to his darker side. I’m still thinking about that unfortunate sound engineer (from “Money Bag Shawty”), who was probably beaten to a pulp by Clark’s gang after his software issues held up the rapper’s studio time.

Clark’s ruthlessness was solidified in the finale when he framed Luke for the gun and, if he was willing to do something that shady to his own manager, you can bet he’ll have no problem throwing Earn or the others under the bus. Europe will be unpredictable as it is, but Clark is going to keep them on their toes. I honestly think it’s only it’s only a matter of time before a member of the trio – or all of them – actually come to blows with the mysterious young rapper.

But what do you think awaits Earn and the others in Atlanta Season 3? Is there anything from the Season 2 finale that you’re still thinking about? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates on Atlanta and for other news from the world of TV and film.

An acclaimed actor of the stage and both the big and small screens, Brian Tyree Henry is an exceptionally talented actor who only continues to impress in a number of exceptional roles. The Tony and Emmy-nominated actor is probably best known for his work on FX's extraordinary Atlanta, though the actor's profile continues to rise with outstanding roles in several other films and TV shows – most recently Joker – all of which we'll take this time to celebrate and acknowledge.

Brian Tyree Henry has also been a standout actor in several stage roles over the years, including Romeo and Juliet, The Book of Mormon, The Fortress of Solitude, and Lobby Hero. For today though, we're moving the focus from the theatre to the theater (and television), for the following Brian Tyree Henry movies and shows that deserve recognition.

If Beale Street Could Talk (Daniel Carty)

Based on the extraordinary novel by James Baldwin, Barry Jenkins' elegant and enthralling adaptation of If Beale Street Could Talk is a heartfelt, beautifully crafted and deeply heartbreaking tale of love and injustice, particularly in regards to the prison system. While Brian Tyree Henry doesn't get as much screen time as our leads, his devastating performance is one of the keys to the movie's emotional success. As a friend of Alonzo "Fonny" Hunt (Stephan James), Daniel Carty is a falsely accused man who recently gained parole after he serving time for a crime he didn't commit. With many long-flowing lines of dialogue lifted directly from Baldwin's novel, Henry's somber and traumatized Daniel reflects many of the hidden emotions he doesn't know how to express in a moving, powerful performance. After enduring such a horrifying term, notably under false circumstances, Henry's wrenching performance is absolutely haunting work.

Widows (Jamal Manning)

In a stellar cast that includes heavyweights talents like Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki, Carrie Coon, Jon Bernthal, Daniel Kaluuya, Jacki Weaver, Robert Duvall and more, Brian Tyree Henry could've easily gotten left in the shuffle in Steve McQueen's crime drama-thriller, Widows. But in the role of Jamal Manning, a crime boss who is etching his way into politics, Henry gives another outstanding performance, particularly in a role that's filled with several different complexities. As a politician, Manning's platform is based on providing goods and relief for the underclass citizens and turning over unreformed policies that pollute Chicago's current well-being, as well as providing intelligent and impassioned arguments and debates. But his campaign is built by ill-gained connections and dirty money, demonstrating a power struggle that informs Henry's intriguing and nuanced performance. Even in an ensemble that's this thoroughly stacked, Henry gets many of the movie's richest, most compelling, and most thoughtful sequences.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (Jefferson Davis)

In what might very well be his most well-known screen role outside of Atlanta, Brian Tyree Henry lent his voice talents to the Oscar-winning animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in the role of Jefferson Davis, the father of Miles Morales who is also a police officer. While Henry claimed he was too young to portray Morales' father in the film, he agreed to take on the role after discovering that Morales is the only black, Latino Spider-Man. Certainly, Spider-Verse is made better by his winning talents. In this parental role, Henry gives Davis an emotional gravitas that is vital and meaningful in the midst of the movie's hyper-energetic zippiness. Even when Spider-Verse whizzes by at a quick, quippy rate, Henry's established talents for finding the emotional honesty of his characters was definitely heard and celebrated in this triumphant achievement in animated superhero movies.

Joker (Carl)

Unfortunately, Brian Tyree Henry only gets one scene in Todd Phillips' Joker. As Carl, the Arkham Asylum clerk who has an intense and heated confrontation with Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), the actor doesn't get nearly as much time as his co-stars to shine. Nevertheless, in this suspenseful sequence, Henry's commanding authenticity helps to hurtle over some of the clunkiness of Phillips and Scott Silver's intriguing, but limited screenplay. While that's not to say that their script is without merit, Henry's scene doesn't necessarily give the actor his full due in this massively popular retelling of the title character's origins. But like any great actor, Henry finds the emotional truth of the scene, bringing so much life and intrigue to even a minor scene like this one, conveying depths that aren't fully realized on the page for this supporting role and bringing a more authentic realism to the movie's bleak aesthetic.

2019's Child's Play (Mike Norris)

While 2019's Child's Play is ultimately a mixed bag as a reboot, providing an interesting modernized spin on 1988 horror favorite, but never making the same indelible impression, Brian Tyree Henry's humorous and commendable performance as Detective Mike Norris doesn't deserve any criticism. In fact, along with Aubrey Plaza and Gabriel Bateman, Henry's work is one of the main reasons why this reboot never totally falters the way so many other horror remakes do. Though he ultimately is left in a substantial supporting role, Henry's mindful, good-natured character is given humor and heart through Henry's surprisingly tender performance. The actor could've easily half-assed his performance in this half-inspired attempt to bring the Chucky property back to cultural relevance, but instead, Henry makes the performance seem sincere and believable, giving 2019's Child's Play more authenticity than you'd expect any killer doll movie to have.

Atlanta (Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles)

In what is certainly his most recognizable and revered role to date, Brian Tyree Henry plays Alfred Miles, i.e. Paper Boi, in Donald Glover's acclaimed FX series, Atlanta. As an up-and-coming rapper who is managed by his cousin, 30-something Earn Marks (Glover), Henry conveys the nuances of this late-in-the-game rapper with humor and pathos, providing a rich, honest sincerity to Miles' ambitions and desires, while also showcasing his sharp wit and comedic timing in the right moments. Certainly in Season 2, Henry is giving more time to shine, practically becoming the show's lead in a few key episodes. While the actor continues to gain notice and more outstanding roles, he hasn't gotten too many leading man roles in the process, which is a great shame. As seen in this series, Henry is capable of commanding the center stage with both levity and gravity.

These are only a few of Brian Tyree Henry's noteworthy performances to date. He has also received acclaim for his work in Hotel Artemis, Relive, Crown Heights, White Boy Rick and more. The exceptionally talented actor continues to gain prominence and acclaim with a number of standout roles, many of which should (hopefully) come out later this year. But what is your favorite Brian Tyree Henry role? Let us know in the comment section!

The progress has started off slow, but in recent years the Marvel Cinematic Universe has begun to better represent the population of the world. Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther was an early indication of Marvel stepping into claiming more diversity and its massive success was proof that Wakanda was a missing element in the superhero genre audiences were craving. Last year, Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel became the first female-led MCU flick and coming this November is the biggest leap yet. The Eternals will feature the first openly gay Marvel character in the form of Brian Tyree Henry’s Phastos.

This isn’t just a big step for Marvel Studios, it could be a giant leap for LGBTQ representation in the movie industry. In recent years, more of the community has certainly started to be given the spotlight on film and television, but Marvel movies are the most highly-anticipated of the year. If the casual moviegoer goes to see two movies a year, chances are one of them from the MCU considering they, without fail, sit atop box office charts. It's major exposure and it makes an inclusive statement. But just who is Phastos?

Let’s get to know the character from the pages of Marvel Comics. It should be noted going forward that Phastos roots may not be reflected in The Eternals movie and since he’s a lesser-known character, significant changes from what we know may be found once the movie is released. Time to dive in:

Phastos Is Not An Original Eternals Character

If you decided to check out one of the early issues of The Eternals by Jack Kirby, which debuted in 1976 you will not find Phastos in the original team. Phastos actually belongs to the third generation of the superhuman team. The character first appeared in a 1985 issue and was created by Peter B. Gillis and Sal Buscema. But still, Phastos does belong to the Eternals race who are a near-immortal race who were created by the Celestials thousands of years ago. The upcoming movie is the first Marvel film to span this amount of time and it will track their long lives throughout history.

Like The Rest Of The Eternals, Phastos Is Incredibly Powerful

As you can imagine from their title, Eternals are some of the most powerful teams in the universe. They can take the Guardians of the Galaxy without breaking a sweat, and quite possibly the Avengers too. Each of them can project cosmic energy from their eyes and hands, have superhuman strength, can self-heal, levitate themselves along with other objects and beings and are pretty much immortal. What separates Phastos from the pack is his genius-level intelligence who has the ability to create incredible weapons, and he’s a master technologist. Phastos is known for carrying around a hammer that can manipulate machinery in ways the power of the Eternals cannot.

In Ancient Greece Phastos Was Mistaken For Hephaestus

Since Phastos has been around for thousands of years, he was alive during Ancient Greece. In the comic books, he was often mistaken for the famous Greek God Hephaestus, who is the Olympian god of fire and metalworking. As you can imagine, back in the day when the Eternals used their powers the citizens of Greece immediately expected them to be the holy beings they worship. If you’re familiar with Greek mythology this comparison actually says a lot about who Phastos is. Like Hephaestus he’s a clever inventor and knows how to skillfully create a weapon. Plus, he is morally against war.

Phastos Opposed War Against The Deviants

Jumping off that last point on war, this is a trait of Phastos which defines him and has placed him at odds with the rest of the Eternals. In the comics, when the other members of the team were ready to go to war with the Deviants, he refuses to join Ikaris and the others. The Deviants are a race that were created by the Celestials at the same time they created the Eternals except they are much different. There are way more Deviants, they are hideous and have random physical mutations. In The Eternals movie, the story will revolve around the team reuniting against the Deviants. Will Phastos' morals remain the same in the movie?

Phastos Of Marvel Comics Believes Life Is Meaningless

Another distinguishing trait about Phastos is his approach to the world as a whole. The character to be played by Atlanta’s Brian Tyree Henry is pretty much a nihilist along with being a pacifist. Phastos is more reserved and grim than the rest of the group and he believes that life is meaningless. He does live in search for someone or something that can change his mind and show him the meaning of life. Perhaps this comes in the form of the husband and children he’ll have at some point during The Eternals movie?

Brian Tyree Henry’s Phastos Will Have A Husband And A Family

It has been confirmed that the Brian Tyree Henry’s Phastos will be the first openly gay character in the MCU and he’ll be married and have a family. Kevin Feige confirmed it back in August along with saying that it’ll be “just part of who he is”. Some of the best representation doesn’t explain the diversity it includes or give the identity a spotlight without giving the character something out of that to do and here’s hoping The Eternals does the same. It should be noted that Phastos’ gay sexuality is not part of the comics in any way but he is a small enough character in the universe for it not to be changing anything massive from the source material.

Who Is Playing Phastos’ Husband In Eternals?

It was revealed in February that Haaz Sleiman will be playing the husband of Brian Tyree Henry’s Phastos. Sleiman is an openly gay actor himself who is of Lebanese descent. He has starred in an episode of AppleTV+ series Little America (which fellow Eternals actor Kumail Nanjiani executive produced) and he was also in 2007’s The Visitor. It's uncommon for an openly gay man to play a gay man in a major studio film and could be an important moment of representation for the LGBTQ community. The actor confirmed the Eternals will feature “a moving kiss” between him and Phastos that had everyone on set crying. The couple will also have a child.

The Eternals comes to theaters on November 6, 2020.

The past few years have seen a renaissance in the horror genre, with new critically acclaimed projects being brought to theaters, and making a ton of money at the box office. One of the biggest hits to come from 2018 was John Krasinski's directorial debut A Quiet Place. The apocalyptic drama was a sensory experience, as the movie had so little dialogue. A Quiet Place: Part II was quickly green lit, although there's been a casting changeup, with the film losing one star and gaining a MCU alum.

A Quiet Place: Part II's contents and plot are a mystery, but we'll see some new faces joining the Abbotts in the apocalypse. Christopher Nolan favorite Cillian Murphy will have a role in the sequel, but Atlanta star Brian Tyree Henry recently dropped out of his announced role in the upcoming horror movie. Luckily there's already been a replacement: Djimon Hounsou aka the MCU's Korath Pursuer.

This latest news from A Quiet Place's sequel comes to us from Deadline, and is sure to be a bummer for the many fans of Brian Tyree Henry's work. Henry first became known to the public through his work on the acclaimed FX drama Atlanta. Henry has been getting some high-profile movie roles in the recent past, including Widows, If Beale Street Could Talk, Child's Play, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Unfortunately, a scheduling conflict prevented the actor from fulfilling that obligation.

Instead, actor Djimon Hounsou has taken on Bryan Tyree Henry's mysterious role in A Quiet Place: Part II. What the part will entail remains a mystery, but Hounsou is another actor who had made quite a name for himself through the years, especially within the superhero genre of film.

Related: John Krasinski’s ‘A Quiet Place 2’: What We Know So Far

Djimon Hounsou played Korath The Pursuer in James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy, recently reprising his role for the prequel movie Captain Marvel. He's had two different roles on the DC side of things, playing the Fishermen King in Aquaman and the Wizard in Shazam!

Brian Tyree Henry's departure from A Quiet Place: Part II is sure to be a disappointment for the up and coming actor, and one has to wonder what the scheduling conflict might have been that made this decision real. One possibility is Marvel Studios' The Eternals, which recently announced its cast at San Diego Comic-Con. Henry is playing the character Phastos, in what might be his biggest star-making moment yet. Both The Eternals and A Quiet Place's sequel are currently filming, so it would make sense that their schedules might not mix.

A Quiet Place: Part II is currently set to arrive in theaters March 20, 2020. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Marvel Studios formally announced Eternals (then officially called THE Eternals) as one of several upcoming Marvel movies during its San Diego Comic-Con panel in 2019. At that time, its release date was also set for late 2020, but now the film is one of the most anticipated 2021 movies fans are looking forward to. Plenty more updates regarding the fascinating Marvel film, starring Angelina Jolie, have surfaced since, and we will take you through all of them now, starting with when exactly it will finally hit theaters.

The Eternals Release Date Is Set For November 2021

At the aforementioned Comic-Con 2019 panel, it was revealed that Eternals was officially set to be released on November 6th, 2020, which felt like a pretty tight window at the time since filming would not even begin until the following September. Of course, shortly after production in England wrapped in early 2020, the pandemic forced Disney to delay the hotly anticipated release until the following February and then again to almost exactly a year after its initial set date. As of now, Eternals is officially set to hit theaters on Friday, November 5, 2021.

The Eternals Are A Team Of Ageless Superheroes From Marvel Comics

Created by Jack Kirby in 1976, the Eternals are a band of humanoids considered an offshoot of the evolutionary process which created sentient life inside the Marvel universe. Once intended protect Earth, and they've gone to war with their counterparts, The Deviants. They are basically superhumans who can live for thousands of years without threat of disease or destruction, a mental bond that unites them, and other extraordinary feats like flight.

In short, they're the best of the best in many respects, but do have some limitations (obviously), which will likely be explored in Eternals. They have several years of history, but it sounds like the characters chosen to be at the forefront of this introductory tale range from a variety of generations. It's unclear how closely this story will follow the origins of the characters from the comics, or when we'll be introduced to the characters with respect to the current timeline of the MCU.

The Eternals Cast Includes Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, And More

The first to join the Eternals cast was Angelina Jolie as Thena before Oscar-nominated actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani got ripped to play super-powered samurai Kingo. From the Game of Thrones cast, we have Richard Madden as leading Eternal Ikaris and Kit Harrington as Dane Whitman, otherwise known as the Black Knight in Marvel Comics. Celebrated Latinx actress Salma Hayek stars as Ajak and Atlanta and Godzilla vs. Kong star Brian Tyree Henry is making history by playing the first openly LGBTQ+ Marvel movie superhero, Phastos.

Irish actor Barry Keoghan of Dunkirk fame plays Druig along with South Korean actor Don Lee of Train to Busan fame as Gilgamesh in Eternals. Fellow horror movie star Lia McHugh (The Lodge) plays the deceptively young-looking Sprite and Sersi is Gemma Chan’s second MCU role after playing Minn-Erva in Captain Marvel. The gender-swapped Makkari is also Lauren Ridloff’s second role in a comic book adaptation after appearing in The Walking Dead cast as Connie.

Chloé Zhao Directed Eternals

In September 2018, it was revealed that Chloé Zhao would direct Eternals, a Chinese-born filmmaker who had already earned a wealth of acclaim for her sophomore feature, The Rider, that year. Zhao was also in the running to direct Black Widow before the position was given to Cate Shortland, but Marvel was clearly impressed with her work, having only been known at the time for independent films, including her directorial debut, Songs My Brothers Taught Me.

Certainly, Eternals is a big leap for Chloé Zhao, or so it seemed until she became the second woman (and first woman of color) to win Best Director at the 2021 Academy Awards for Nomadland, which would also take home the top prize that night. It is also worth noting that Eternals will now be the third Marvel film directed by a female filmmaker, following 2019’s Captain Marvel and the upcoming Black Widow. That is certainly an exciting development, and it's hopefully a sign of what's to come with regards to a diversity of filmmakers directing these movies.

Ryan And Matthew K. Firpo Wrote Eternals

In May of 2018, it was revealed that cousins Ryan and Matthew "Kaz" Firpo were in talks to write the screenplay for Eternals. The related writers have only previously had their short film screenplays brought to life, which makes the prospect of them jumping on board to write this major motion picture all the more exciting. Although, it should be noted that their script for the war thriller Ruin would acquire a great deal of interest — most notably because Margot Robbie and Matthias Schoenaerts are currently attached to star with Assassin’s Creed helmer Justin Kurzel on board to direct.

Marvel’s Hype Video Gave Fans A First Look At Eternals

It is no secret that 2020 was a hard year for the theater industry and for cinephiles who consider the big screen a second home. Marvel Studios proved that the feeling has been mutual by releasing a Hype Video to encourage fans to have a safe, exciting return to traditional moviegoing which also included a sneak peek at Eternals and other upcoming Marvel flicks. While the combined two clips of footage only lasted mere seconds, viewers took note at how badass Angelina Jolie looks as Thena.

There are still a lot of details left unknown about Eternals at this time, which looks like it could be one of the best Marvel movies yet, such as when we will see the first trailer. But with the release date fast approaching (even if it's still over a year away), we should expect to see and hear more about this film and these characters in the months to come.

Speaking with the stars of the new Child’s Play, it’s clear how much they enjoyed working on the film. After all, they did get the opportunity to try and scare the hell out of each other whenever cameras weren’t rolling. When it came time to being professional, though, director Lars Klevberg was able to run a tight ship… at least partially because he legitimately intimidated his cast.

This was something I learned earlier this month when I sat down with Aubrey Plaza, Gabriel Bateman, and Brian Tyree Henry at the Los Angeles press day for Child’s Play. Apparently it wasn’t just Lars Klevberg’s physical presence that was a bit scary – as the filmmaker stands at nearly six-and-a-half feet tall – but that he also had a super intense job before pivoting his life and directing his first big Hollywood feature. Plaza explained,

I had asked the actors about the atmosphere on set, and how Lars Klevberg was able to set up a proper horror headspace for their performances. Apparently not much work was required, as when the actors weren’t goofing around, they were responding to military-esque structure. It was something that seemed to impress Brian Tyree Henry, who told me,

Lars Klevberg only recently got into the features game, but he has been directing for a few years now. In the past 15 years he has written and helmed a few shorts, and during the making of Child’s Play even had the opportunity to turn one of his shorts, Polaroid, into what technically exists as his directorial debut (as it was actually finished and released first – albeit only in Europe and Asia). The man has had an interesting life, and it could start taking some even more interesting turns following the release of the new Chucky film.

You can watch the stars of the new Child’s Play discuss their time working with Lars Klevberg by clicking play on the video below:

Co-starring Mark Hamill, Tim Matheson, David Lewis, Beatrice Kitsos, and Ty Consiglio, the new Child’s Play is in theaters this weekend. You can read my full review of the movie here, and stay tuned for more from my interviews with the stars coming your way here on CinemaBlend!

Making movies can be an arduous process, which explains why you often hear about actors getting together on a set to blow off some steam. Sometimes folks just enjoy hanging out, others like to play games, and occasionally the tone or subject of a film can influence the entertainment. For example, I recently learned that the production of Lars Klevberg’s Child’s Play falls into that third category, as the stars of the horror flick regularly attempted to scare the hell out of their co-stars.

I had the chance to sit down with Child’s Play stars Aubrey Plaza, Gabriel Bateman, and Brian Tyree Henry earlier this month during the movie’s Los Angeles press day, and I learned some great stuff when asking them about the atmosphere on the set. To borrow Henry’s phrasing, the ensemble acted like “jackasses” during filming, and Plaza and Bateman even had an escalating prank war. You can watch them all discuss it by clicking play on the video below.

Aubrey Plaza and Gabriel Bateman may play mother and son in Child’s Play, but their relationship on set was more like sister and brother. And while you might expect that it would be the younger of the two who initiated the back-and-forth scaring, Plaza admitted that the whole thing was really her fault.

It was the actress who made the first move by hiding in her co-star’s set transport van on the first day of set – apparently waking up at 5:00am in order to do so – and things got bigger from there. It got to the point where Aubrey Plaza was crawling under cars in an attempt to scare Bateman; and Bateman even got in trouble for locking Plaza in her trailer. But it was all in the name of fun, and it was clear that the two got along swimmingly during filming.

Being a big horror fan, Brian Tyree Henry had a blast on the Child’s Play set, and appreciated the opportunity to put a fun scare into some of his co-workers. As he explained, it was in a way his attempt to live in the moment given that you never know when an on set prop might start going on a murderous rampage:

Also starring Mark Hamill, Tim Matheson, David Lewis, Beatrice Kitsos, and Ty Consiglio, Child’s Play is a brand new take on the classic horror franchise - hybridizing Chucky, the killer doll, with modern smart-home technology - and it will be arriving in theaters everywhere this Friday, June 21st. Be now and next week be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more from my interviews with the stars, as well as more of our coverage of the film.

The DC live-action universe went through some growing pains during its early stages, although Warner Bros. seems to have found its rhythm recently. Rather than crossover-heavy ensemble projects, DC has been releasing director driven movies that solely focus on one protagonist. This is a method that worked out for Shazam! and Aquaman, and likely factored into the development of Todd Phillips' Joker.

Joker will break new ground for the franchise, as a movie that is disconnected from the larger shared universe. It will also give the titular Gotham City villain a true origin story, something that is typically lacking in his appearances on the screen and page. Into the Spider-Verse actor Brian Tyree Henry has a mysterious role in Todd Phillips' upcoming movie, and teased that the Joker will handle its protagonist different than other iterations. As he put it:

Well, that certainly doesn't sound like Mr J's typical onscreen MO. Rather than simply being an agent of chaos, Joker will give the title character a fleshed out back story, and reasoning for becoming the villain we all love to hate.

Brian Tyree Henry's comments to Observer may cause a mixed back of emotions for DC fans out there. The Joker is one of the most iconic villains in comic book history, so he seems like a great character to give an origin story to. There are Bat-fans out there who want to get as much Joker related content as possible, despite the character recently being portrayed by Heath Ledger and Jared Leto recently.

Related: First Joker Trailer: Joaquin Phoenix Is Here To Freak You Out

But there are also hardcore comic book fans who may take umbrage with the Joker's story being truly explored in the upcoming DC movie. Part of what makes the iconic Batman rogue so terrifying is that there is no rhyme or reason to his actions. He's typically an anarchist, who is content with nothing but dismantling society and seeing Gotham City burn.

That's certainly how Heath Ledger played Joker in The Dark Knight. The performance was so strong that Ledger won an posthumous Oscar for his performance. That version had a different story for his scars for every time it came up, highlighting that there was no regular human consciousness in the character. So Joker seems like a big change from what we've previously expected from The Clown Prince of Crime.

Joker will arrive in theaters on October 4th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

By the end of writer/director John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place, the surviving members of the Abbott family looked to have quite the fight on their hands. And considering A Quiet Place 2 is in the works for its debut next spring, that fight sounds like it’s going to be more than just a simple dust up.

With a new chapter in a horror story such as this one, there’s bound to be new faces added along the way. A new addition that might be jumping on board to fight these sound-sensitive beasties is none other than Brian Tyree Henry, fresh off of his work in last year’s Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.

Henry’s name came up as in talks to join in on A Quiet Place 2, presumably alongside Emily Blunt, Noah Jupe, and Millicent Simmonds, as the returning members of the family that single handedly fought off the aliens of the first film. Now, with a wider world at work, Brian Tyree Henry and other new cast members will be able to take the world from the previous film and flesh it out even more for A Quiet Place 2.

This news comes not very long after Cillian Murphy became the first cast member announced to join the sequel to 2018’s blockbuster horror hit. Much like his mysterious interloper who throws his lot in with the Abbott family, not much is known about the role Brian Tyree Henry is in talks to take up. Though should he be confirmed, after the talks that Collider reported have concluded, Henry will have already warmed up on some horrific projects set to debut later this year.

Both the Child’s Play reboot and DC’s new Joker film have some very chilling aspects to them that could prime Brian Tyree Henry for a trip to A Quiet Place 2’s post-apocalyptic alien hunting grounds. Which is good, because the sequel to A Quiet Place has probably gone from a questionable idea to a hotly anticipated sequel in no time.

With John Krasinski returning to both the writing and director’s duties for A Quiet Place 2, seeing as he had an idea so good even Emily Blunt felt it should happen, we’ll be getting more of the world that kicked off when we first met the Abbott family. Only this time, there’s a good chance that more people have the secret to killing these creatures, and a war might be brewing between those who want to defend Earth and those who would claim it.

A Quiet Place 2 is slated to open on March 20, 2020; but if you’re looking for something more horrifying, you can see Brian Tyree Henry in Child’s Play, opening in theaters on June 21st.

The 2019 Academy Awards has come and gone, and while there were plenty of serious moments throughout the night, there were also some laughs to be had as well. The world wanted to know if the Oscars could find the funny without a host, and still get a laugh, and while the masses will decide for themselves tonight and tomorrow, here we're here to highlight some of the funnier moments of the show in chronological order.

Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, And Amy Poehler Open The Show

The Oscars kicked its host-less night with three women that could've hosted - and they let the world know. It didn't take long for the former Saturday Night Live cast members to get the laughs rolling, as they riffed on the night, each other, and other topical humor much to the delight of the audience. After a stunning performance by Queen, it seemed as though the Oscars could survive without a host.

With that said, Hollywood, let's go ahead and get these ladies an invitation in advance for next year's show. The run time improved significantly, but the jokes this year felt few and far between when compared to the past. Starting off with these three was a smart move, but maybe set the bar too high for the rest of the night comedy-wise.

Melissa McCarthy And Brian Tyree Henry Look Amazing

Physical comedy and deadpan humor are tough to do in an Oscars sketch, so full credit to Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree Henry for absolutely knocking it out of the park. Of course, they had a lot of help in their amazing costumes, which really elevated the whole bit immensely.

Anyone who doesn't think McCarthy has some of the best comedic chops in Hollywood should try to give that same speech while making a rabbit puppet move. As for anyone who thought that about Brian Tyree Henry, they just need to start watching Atlanta - although viewers probably already got their fill of Donald Glover listening to one of his songs repeatedly during the Oscar broadcast commercial breaks.

Keegan-Michael Key Makes A Mary Poppins Entrance

Keegan-Michael Key got the Oscars stunt of the night, descending from the ceiling with an umbrella in a clear homage to Mary Poppins Returns. The actor was really living in the moment on his way down, and had both arms and legs locked as the crowd cheered him on the way down.

The star stuck the dismount, but stumbled a bit with the umbrella, and, honestly, that unplanned bit may have been the funniest part of the whole segment. Of course, it didn't appear as though it was planned in the slightest. Just proof that funny people like Keegan-Michael Key are good at comedy even when they aren't trying!

Trevor Noah Takes A Shot At Mel Gibson

Leave it for The Daily Show host to take a shot at riskiest joke of the night. Trevor Noah took the stage to talk about Black Panther, and in the process reminded Hollywood that one of its own has a seriously checkered past. Noah took a risk for cheers - would he be rewarded with a fair amount of jeers for taking a shot at the actor?

Turns out there were no jeers tonight, as Trevor Noah got the audience rolling with his joke. It wasn't a complete surprise, although similar jokes at award shows like these have been met with criticism before. It was a gamble, but one that seems to have paid off for the man who people don't immediately realize is in Black Panther.

Paul Rudd Being Paul Rudd

At the award shows mid-point, the jokes started to wear a bit thin. Needless to say Paul Rudd was like finding an oasis in a dry dry desert. It was a simple joke, just a riff on visual effects being utilized to make him appear to be an actor, but it was enough to get the crowd going again after a long period of quiet.

From a comedy standpoint this may have been a point where a host would've been missed. That's not to say having a host would've absolutely kept the laughs going in that lull period, but it wouldn't have put the burden on actors who don't necessarily have the funny bone to attempt to get a laugh when it didn't feel like it was going to happen. Fortunately, Paul Rudd isn't one of those actors.

Samuel L. Jackson Delivers An NBA Update

Once you get to a certain point in Hollywood, sticking to the script is optional. Samuel L. Jackson proved that today when he took the stage with his Captain Marvel co-star Brie Larson and decided to go rogue. Jackson, in a room full of Hollywood elite likely wound so tight with nerves they can't stand it, decided to inform everyone, specifically his friend Spike Lee, that the Knicks won today.

The moment may very well go down in the show's history, as Samuel L. Jackson would minutes later award Spike Lee with his very first Academy Award. In the words of Lee, it was about time the institution did "the right thing." Lee is probably also hoping the Knicks continue to do the right thing and keep that win streak alive! He might have better luck just crossing his fingers for another Oscar, though.

Frances McDormand Has No Comment

Frances McDormand had Hollywood talking following her 2018 acceptance speech, as the actress' went on a passionate rant and ended on a term that had folks talking inside and outside Hollywood. Her call for inclusion riders inspired many, and made some waves that might've led to that Oscar of hers being stolen temporarily. Okay, that last bit probably isn't true, but who doesn't love a good Hollywood conspiracy?

It was a wild night, so obviously when Frances McDormand strolled out on stage, there was a certain expectation she might have something else to say. That expectation made it that much funnier when McDormand was stone cold silent on stage, other than to say she had "no comment." The crowd loved it, and surely quite a few folks watching at home did as well.

So, did the Oscars manage to keep the humor up without a host? Be sure to sound off in the comments below, and let us know if you think the show had more laughs or was lacking and could've been different had someone hosted. For more on the award show, read up on which studio made history during the night, and be sure to check out the full list of winners as well.

Brian Tyree Henry has a special connection to Miles Morales that goes beyond his role in the upcoming Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. After all, he co-stars alongside Donald Glover on the hit FX series Atlanta, and Glover was famously the inspiration for Miles' creation. It's why the actor/writer also appeared in last year's Spider-Man: Homecoming... though that actually created its own funny situation in their friendship, according to Henry:

I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Brian Tyree Henry and Luna Lauren Velez for a paired interview late last week during the Los Angeles press day for Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, and during our conversation I brought up Henry's extracurricular connection to the story being told in the animated feature. It came after the actor had earlier expressed a real love for the web-slinging hero, so his feelings about Spider-Man: Homecoming weren't super surprising.

For those who don't recall, Donald Glover doesn't actually play Spider-Man in the 2017 Marvel film, but instead a character named Aaron Davis -- Miles Morales' uncle in the comics (and voiced by Mahershala Ali in Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse). Though it seems like Brian Tyree Henry would have been very excited to watch Glover's live performance, there was a lot of secrecy surrounding the role during production, and that may have been the explanation for why there was no access available to him.

Donald Glover's specific history with Spider-Man dates back to June 2010. It was at that time that a campaign started to try and get him considered as the lead for the then-developing Amazing Spider-Man, and it started a massive debate online between fans. The ordeal was referenced in an episode of Glover's television series Community (where he was briefly shown wearing Spider-Man pajamas), and the look caught the eye of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli. The duo was inspired to create Miles Morales as the new Spider-Man for the Ultimate Universe Marvel Comics, which at the time was planning the death of Peter Parker.

Seven years after his creation, Miles Morales now has his own movie, and Brian Tyree Henry is playing Jefferson Davis -- Miles' father. It's not only a role that the actor really loved to play, but during the interview he expressed extreme pride in the project as a whole. Said Henry,

I'm so honored, actually. Because I can't wait for [Donald Glover] to see this, and know that it came to fruition. You know what I mean? I'm so glad that the story of Miles didn't fall short... I'm glad that it actually came to actuality and that it turned out so amazingly, though.

You can watch Brian Tyree Henry talk about Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and the Donald Glover connection by clicking play on the video below!

In addition to Brian Tyree Henry and Luna Lauren Velez, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse features an outstanding cast that includes Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Lily Tomlin, Liev Schreiber, and more. Catch it in theaters on December 21st, and be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for a whole lot more of my interviews with the cast and filmmakers behind the movie!

There are plenty of monsters living in Warner Bros' MonsterVerse franchise (as one would expect with a name like that), but two reign above the rest. In 2014, Godzilla's eponymous beast roared back onto American screens to dispatch the MUTOs, and last year, Kong: Skull Island wound the clock back to 1973 to show King Kong retaliating against the humans who bombed his home and battling Skullcrawlers. In 2020, these two will finally face off in the appropriately-titled, Adam Wingard-directed Godzilla vs. Kong.

While this won't be the first time that Godzilla and King Kong have crossed paths in cinematic history, it is the first time it's going down in a Hollywood franchise. Naturally Godzilla vs. Kong's main draw will be seeing those two monsters engaged in battle and possibly teaming up to fight a greater threat. But naturally, there will be humans around to witness this conflict, and with that in mind, we've assembled this list of all the actors who've been announced for Godzilla vs. Kong.

Kyle Chandler

Starting off, Godzilla vs. Kong is bringing back three familiar MonsterVerse faces. Well, they'll be familiar once Godzilla: King of the Monsters comes out next year. The first person is Kyle Chandler's Mark Russell, ex-husband of Emma Russell and father of Madison Russell. Mark will team up with others in King of the Monsters to save Emma and Madison, and while it remains to be seen how that rescue mission unfolds, at least we know he'll make it out alive. It's possible King of the Monsters' ending will hint at how/why he's in Godzilla vs. Kong, but for now, like the rest of the cast, specific details of his involvement are being kept under wraps. Chandler has also appeared in Argo, Game Night, First Man, the Friday Night Lights TV series and Bloodline. Fun fact, this will also be Chandler's second Kong movie, as he previously played adventure actor Bruce Baxter in Peter Jackson's King Kong remake.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown catapulted to worldwide fame when she debuted as Eleven in Netflix's Stranger Things. She's still one of the TV series' main players, but Godzilla: King of the Monsters will mark her film debut, and what a way for people to first see you on the big screen. Brown is playing Madison Russell, who, like her father, will survive the events of King of the Monsters and be back for Godzilla vs. Kong. From what we've seen of King of the Monsters so far, Madison will be at the center of all the insanity, where she'll see some, if not all, of the gigantic creatures, like Mothra. Watching Godzilla and King Kong throw down in fisticuffs shouldn't be too out of the ordinary for her then, though she and the others would still be wise to keep their distance.

Zhang Ziyi

The last established MonsterVerse character who's been announced to return for Godzilla vs. Kong for is Dr. Chen, played by Zhang Ziyi. No details about Dr. Chen have been revealed yet, but she will be someone that figures prominently in the MonsterVerse. Given the doctorate, presumably she works alongside Ken Watanabe's Ishiro Serizawa and Sally Hawkins' Vivienne Graham at Monarch, the organization that studies these monsters, but we can't say that with certainty yet. Either way, Dr. Chen will witness Godzilla and King Kong's clash. Zhang's other credits include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha and The Cloverfield Paradox.

Julian Dennison

Now we get to the actors whose Godzilla vs. Kong characters haven't been identified yet. Before this year, Julian Dennison was best known for starring in the New Zealand film Hunt for the Wilderpeople, directed by Taika Waititi, who later helmed Thor: Ragnarok. But in May, a lot of American moviegoers saw Dennison for the first time in Deadpool 2, where he played Russell Collins, a.k.a. Firefist, the pyrokinetic youth who Cable traveled back in time to kill. Godzilla vs. Kong keeps Dennison's blockbuster cred going, and ideally his character will cross paths with Madison Russell so he has someone around his own age to hang out with.

Danai Gurira

There are two places you likely know Danai Gurira from best: The Walking Dead and/or Black Panther, The actress has been part of the former as Michonne since Season 3, and after debuting as Okoye in the latter, she reprised the role in Avengers: Infinity War. Now it looks like she'll be jumping into the realm of Titans for her next high profile role, although it is worth noting that when Gurira's Godzilla vs. Kong involvement was first announced, she was in early talks. There hasn't been any updates on her status since then, so we're not 100% sure that Gurira will be in the movie. But I imagine that since there's been no word of negotiations breaking down either, there's a good chance she'll appear.

Brian Tyree Henry

Having already made a name for himself on television as Paper Boi on Atlanta, Brian Tyree Henry's movie career has been taking off. This year alone, he's starred in Irreplaceable You, Hotel Artemis, White Boy Rick, Widows and If Beale Street Could Talk, and we'll soon hear him in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Henry's upcoming appearances include The Woman in the Window and the Child's Play reboot, but Godzilla vs. Kong will unquestionably be his biggest (figuratively and literally) live action project yet. Like Danai Gurira, Henry will be playing one of the lead characters, so he won't be lacking for screen time.

Demián Bichir

Next up on the Godzilla vs. Kong lineup is Demián Bichir, who appeared as Father Burke earlier this year in The Nun, the latest Conjuring franchise entry. Before that, his American cinematic credits included A Better Man, Machete Kills, The Hateful Eight and Alien: Covenant, and next year, he'll star in Chaos Walking and the Grudge reboot. As things stand now, according to THR, Bichir is in talks to join Godzilla vs. Kong, so while it's possible said discussions could break down, it's more likely that he'll play a part in this violent monster mash.

Alexander Skarsgard

Then there's Alexander Skarsgard, whose casting in Godzilla vs. Kong was announced by Deadline. Skarsgard's cinematic credits include the Zoolander movies, The Legend of Tarzan and Mute, while on TV, he played Eric Northman on True Blood, starred in Big Little Lies last year as Perry Wright and will soon be seen in The Little Drummer Girl on AMC. Whether Skarsgard is playing a military man, a Monarch agent or a civilian who is accidentally drawn into this monster-packed craziness, he's a good recruit for the blockbuster.

Eiza Gonzalez

Eiza Gonzalez has been professionally acting for 11 years, but in the past three years she's built quite the career in Hollywood. During her tenure on From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, she starred in Jem and the Holograms, which, to put lightly, was not a good movie. But from there, Gonzalez appeared in Baby Driver as the badass Monica "Darling" Castello, and she'll be seen in the near future in Welcome to Marwen and Alita: Battle Angel. Along with appearing in Godzilla vs. Kong, as revealed by Deadline, Gonzalez will also star in Bloodshot in 2020, so the actress is building quite the collection of action-oriented projects.

Rebecca Hall

Next we have Rebecca Hall, and surprise surprise, there's no word on who she's playing in Godzilla vs. Kong in Variety's report. Regardless, Hall is another high caliber talent joining the cast. Acting for most of her life, Hall's breakthrough performance was as Sarah Borden in the Christopher Nolan pic The Prestige. In the years since, she's appeared in movies like The Town, Iron Man 3, The Gift, The BFG and Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, as well as the upcoming Holmes and Watson, to name just a few.

Jessica Henwick

After briefly being seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens as Resistance pilot Jessika Pava, and afterwards recurring in Game of Thrones as Nymeria Sand, Jessica Henwick score her biggest role yet as Colleen Wing in Iron Fist. After the eponymous protagonist himself, a.k.a. Danny Rand, Colleen was arguably the Netflix show's most important character, and Henwick also reprised the character in The Defenders and an episode of Luke Cage. However, Iron Fist was cancelled last month, and while it remains to be seen if Henwick will ever play Colleen again, the gap in her schedule allowed her hop aboard Godzilla vs. Kong, as revealed by Variety.

Lance Reddick

Lance Reddick is primarily known for his numerous television roles, particularly Johnny Basil in Oz, Cedric Daniels in The Wire, Phillips Broyles in Fringe and, currently, Deputy Chief Irvin Irving in the Amazon series Bosch. However, Reddick also has a solid amount of movie credits under his belt, from Jonah Hex and White House Down to the John Wick movies (including the upcoming John Wick 3: Parabellum) and next year's Angel Has Fallen. Now, according to Deadine, he'll be lending his talents to Godzilla vs. Kong, though this isn't his first go-around with the giant reptile, as Reddick had an uncredited role in the 1998 Godzilla movie.

Godzilla vs. Kong rampages into theaters on May 22, 2020, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for continuing coverage.

Donald Glover's career has been anything but ordinary in the last decade. He entered adulthood with a writing gig on 30 Rock, joined a sketch group and released an acclaimed feature film, landed a regular gig on the fanbase-fueled Community and put out a handful of mixtapes and albums, earning Grammy nominations in the process. Now, he has created the FX comedy Atlanta, a hilarious and poignant slice of life that is so stunningly realized, it could serve as legal proof that Glover can do no wrong.

While some of the humor may be offbeat and hidden in weed smoke, the name of the show offers no opaqueness. Donald Glover is giving audiences the relatively rare TV glimpse into his home turf of Atlanta, and the even rarer glimpse into the lives of black people in Atlanta, particularly Glover's Earnest "Earn" Marks, his stern-faced rapper cousin Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles (Brian Tyree Henry), and the latter's laid back cohort Darius (Keith Stanfield). When the series kicks off, Paper Boi's mixtape has just dropped, with his catchy eponymous single getting the buzz rolling, and the show's core thrust is the three men aiming to turn that sub-fame into something bigger. But the episodes don't hash out a biopic's worth of struggles coupled with tireless club shows and promotion, and perhaps the biggest conflict is between dreams of overnight success and the reality of day-to-day mediocrity.

In fact, it's reductive to go by any logline-ish description here, because Atlanta doesn't make it easy to pinpoint its comparison-friendly handholds. As an FX comedy with an endlessly moldable concept and an adherence to a central location, it's comparable to It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Louie, though lacking the former's broad cruelty and the latter's excessive turns. As an introspective, surreal and unblinking comedy focused almost entirely on black people, though, it's essentially unparalleled. And though its story is serialized, the pacing is more meditative than kinetic, subverting at least one expectation in nearly every scene.

Earn is the quintessential main character who can't climb out of his woe-filled hole, but lacking the ego or affronting nature most are imbued with. Paper Boi and Darius could easily have their own broadcast network buddy comedy together, but then both have their standalone moments and aspects that convey way more untapped depth than you normally get from the lead roles in mass media contributions.

Not that this is solely a boy's club. Zazie Beetz stars as Van(essa), the foundation of everything that could be good about Earn's life. She's his best friend in a way, as well as the mother of his child, and there's definitely a deep affection that tethers them together, but it's another side of Earn's life deadened by his immaturity and professional foils. Only having appeared in a couple of short films and indie features, Beetz is a prize in Atlanta, showcasing few stereotypes employed by the majority of fiction's exes and baby mamas, and you do get the feeling she would prefer a life with Earn if it would guarantee stability.

Great performances abound in Atlanta, really, and we'd expected nothing less on Donald Glover's part. Brian Tyree Henry's biggest role to date has been a handful of Vice Principals episodes, but you'd swear he'd been typecast into a thuggish brute in dozens of projects. (A joke sadly rife with realism.) It's through the prism of Paper Boi that Atlanta looks at the different levels of fame, resulting in riotously uncomfortable situations involving people losing all couth and sense when meeting him. In particular, the episode where he deals with Freddie Kuguru's social media star Zan is sharply insightful about how modern media is set up to consume itself. But the show knows not to make Paper Boi too brusque, which leads to excellently silly moments like one involving some specially prepared chicken wings.

And Keith Stanfield, who has been killing it in films like Dope and Straight Outta Compton, is just as important to the ensemble's success. As the possibly freeloading friend, he could have easily been a douche like Ballers' Reggie, but Stanfield gives Darius a fully-formed personality that fits somewhere between a zen (read as: stoned) hip-hop kung fu master and an idiot savant (read as: a stoned idiot savant). Breakfast cup!

Created and written by Donald Glover (with the project's origins first announced over three years ago), Atlanta definitely feels like the work of a single voice that's both frustrated with the way things are, but fascinated by them nonetheless. In the episodes available for review, there are scenes that take left-of-center approaches to hot button topics like police brutality, transsexuals, gun violence, the influence of rap music on children and more. So many moments juxtapose laughter with jarring tonal shifts that than make the viewer reflect on how indefinable humor can be. Even something as seemingly slight as an amusing convo about black people not knowing who Steve McQueen is can lead to sobering realizations.

I could probably champion Atlanta for more time than it would take to watch the entire season, as there are many other topics to cover. Glover does some directorial duties here, along with others, that give Atlanta a simplistic but still lovely aesthetic, full of wide shots that capture the city and its unique sights. The music, also, is worth all the commendation I can muster, as we finally get a show that takes full advantage of how big music is to black culture, and Atlanta uses soul, R&B and rap beats to draw emotions from viewers in a variety of ways. (Waiting on Luke Cage to boost that trend, too.)

For a show about a city that I've only spent a brief amount of time in, Atlanta makes me want to permanently move into its universe. With cutting (and often NSFW) humor that never hurts and an empathy for its characters that never pities, FX's newest series is easily the best new comedy of 2016, and if the second half of Season 1 is as strong as the first, then Atlanta just might take all the top honors. Now, somebody hand my some headphones so I can jam to this Paper Boi track right quick.

A show that is destined for every end-of-year Top 10 list out there, Atlanta is set to kick off its 10-episode first season on FX with a two-episode debut on Tuesday, September 6, at 10:00 p.m. ET. To see when everything else is coming to the small screen later this year, check out our fall TV schedule.