Sophie Kinsella, who famously wrote the 2000 novel Confessions of a Shopaholic which was turned into a movie in 2009, has died at the age of 55. The novelist’s family shared on Wednesday morning that she “died peacefully” after having battled an “aggressive” form of glioblastoma brain cancer since 2022. Amidst the tragic news, Shopaholic star Isla Fisher has paid tribute to Kinsella.

One of Isla Fisher’s most notable roles to this day is playing the shopping addict, and the Now You See Me 3 actress reacted to the news with emotional words directed at the late author. In her words:

That's such a sweet tribute. Fisher has three kids with Sasha Baron Cohen, who announced their divorce last year after 14 years of marriage. Since they had two daughters and one son (who should be around the ages of 18, 15 and 10) while they were a couple, it certainly makes sense that Confessions of a Shopaholic is a staple in their household. Book adaptations are always fun to compare, and Fisher's kids can say their mom is the series' main character.

In addition to sharing those sweet words on her Instagram story, Fisher also posted this:

Sophie Kinsella's passing was shared on her own Instagram page by her family after the author died in her home in Dorset, just two days before her 56th birthday. In the family's message (which you can read in full below), her loved ones said her final days were "filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy." The clan also shared that despite her illness, Kinsella dealt with it with "unimaginable courage" and "took nothing for granted" when it came to life's blessings.

The film Confessions of a Shopaholic (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription) is one of those rom-coms set in New York that centers around writers for magazines (tales that were rather common in the 2000s). However, in the case of Kinsella's story, it's particularly funny and entertaining because its main character is dealing with a pretty serious shopping addiction. The book itself is actually set in London, since Kinsella is a British author herself.

Kinsella published ten Shopaholic installments between 2000 and 2019, along with 13 standalone novels and other works under the pen name Madeleine Wickham from 1995 to 2001. Per her website, over 50 million copies of her books have been sold, and they've been translated in over 40 languages and over 60 countries. Her final novel was What Does It Feel Like?, which was inspired by her experience with cancer.

Much like Rebecca Bloomwood, Sophie Kinsella was initially a financial journalist before becoming a successful writer. She's survived by her husband Henry Wickham and five children. We here at CinemaBlend extend our condolences to Kinsella's loved ones during this time.

Isla Fisher has been acting professionally for years, and she’s still thriving. Of course, with that kind of longevity comes the possibility that a star will work with younger actors who may not have even been born during the early years of their career. Fisher had a similar experience with one of her scene partners from her 2025 movie schedule release, Now You See Me: Now You Don't. In this case, the Australian actor learned that one of her co-stars was born the year Scooby-Doo was released, and the video of the revelation is perfect.

Joining Isla Fisher in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is Dominic Sessa (the up-and-comer who rose to prominence as a result of his work in The Holdovers). While promoting their new movie, the stars spoke to interviewer Jeff Thurm, who mentioned that Scooby-Doo detail during the chat. The video, which is on Instagram, is very humbling, but anyone who humorously feels personally attacked by this may surely find humor in Fisher’s response. Check it out:

I mean, what else can you really do in that situation but laugh? Also, the dry way in which Seesa acknowledges he was born in 2002 (October 25, to be exact) is great as well. So Sessa was just a few months from entering this world when Doo hit theaters over the summer of the aforementioned year. That’s honestly surreal, not just from the perspective of Fisher – who played Shaggy Rogers’ love interest, Mary Jane, in the movie – but from my experience as well.

When Raja Gosnell’s first live-action adaptation of Mystery Inc. hit the silver screen, I was a kid and was eager to see the movie. Even today, I can remember that period of time vividly and the excitement that swirled around the film’s release (I even recall the Six Flags America commercial advertising the soundtrack.) Considering all of that, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel just a tad old upon realizing that Dominic Sessa was born later that year.

It’s also somewhat hard to believe it’s been over 23 years since Scooby-Doo, which was penned by James Gunn, hit theaters. The flick proved to be a box office hit and spawned a 2004 sequel, subtitled Monsters Unleashed, which wasn’t as successful. Gunn has since expressed mixed feelings about the movies, especially the first one, given they went through creative changes. The first installment was actually meant to be R-rated before those changes were implemented.

However, both of those Scooby-Doo movies are greatly loved, and they’ve reached new generations of fans in great part due to streaming. Also, while Fred Jones actor Freddie Prinze Jr. admitted his “regret” over doing the movies due to dealing with execs, he also said he appreciated the joy the films brought fans. I know that, for me, these films were formative, and I’m grateful to Prinze, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini and co. for taking part in the films.

Isla Fisher should also be proud of taking part in Scooby-Doo, which was also my first time seeing her on screen. At the very least, though, it seems she can see the humor in now being so far removed from the movie that Dominic Sessa and a host of other actors have been born since its release. That movie Doo-ology (sorry) is now available to rent or buy on various streaming platforms. Also, check out Fisher and Sessa in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, which is in theaters now.

Major spoilers for Now You See Me: Now You Don’t are ahead! If you have not seen the project on the 2025 movie schedule, you can catch it in theaters now.

Leading up to the release of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, I couldn’t help but wonder if Mark Ruffalo would appear as Dylan. He wasn’t a confirmed member of the cast and didn’t partake in press for it; however, I had hoped he’d appear somehow. And he did! The Avengers actor made a brief cameo at the very end of the film, so I had to ask Jesse Eisenberg and Isla Fisher about it.

Jesse Eisenberg Shared His Thoughts On Dylan Showing Back Up In Now You See Me: Now You Don’t

Throughout Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, there are lines dropped that allude to what happened to Mark Ruffalo's character, Dylan. According to the Horseman, he was stuck in a Russian prison after their last job went horribly wrong. However, at the end of the flick, the man behind the first movie’s great plot twist surprised the magicians again by revealing he was free and that their latest mission was only the beginning via hologram.

Speaking to that idea and the relevance of Dylan showing up at the new magicians’ hideout as a hologram, Jesse Eisenberg, who has played J. Daniel Atlas in all three movies, said:

As we know, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’s plot twist revealed that The Eye actually wasn’t behind the plot to steal from Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike). Charlie (Justice Smith) and his pals, June (Ariana Greenblatt) and Bosco (Dominic Sessa), had actually planned the whole scheme and got the Horsemen back together.

However, after Charlie exposed his sister, Veronika, and the original four Horsemen learned what was really going on, the actual Eye came into the picture to assert its dominance. Dylan returned and complimented the work of the young tricksters, and that has seemingly led to them really being allowed to join the secret society and work with Atlas, Jack (Dave Franco), Henley (Isla Fisher) and Merritt (Woody Harrelson) on their next mission.

Isla Fisher Shared How They Filmed Mark Ruffalo’s Scene And Wether He Was Actually On Set

Now, while we all saw Mark Ruffalo in hologram form on screen, Isla Fisher explained to me what it actually looked like on set that day. Sadly, the Task actor wasn’t really there, but his voice was, as the Henley actress recalled:

Considering Mark Ruffalo is in this movie for maybe a minute and has released two TV shows, Task and Hal & Harper, and the movie Mickey 17 this year, I can see why he actually wasn’t on set. Plus, since he’s a hologram, CGI was going to need to be involved anyway.

So, the cast just heard him, and it sounds like they heard him a whole lot.

Now, if Now You See Me 4 happens, hopefully both the cast and audiences will get to see Mark Ruffalo back in action as one of the masterminds behind the Horsemen’s work. However, for now, let’s be grateful Dylan did appear in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t and left us with a lot of hope about what’s to come.

It’s been nine years since we last saw Daniel Atlas and his crew use their magic skills to pull off a heist, and now they’re back for Now You See Me, Now You Don’t. The third movie in the Jesse Eisenberg-led series hits the 2025 movie calendar on November 14. Combining magic with a good heist movie made for a lot of fun in the first movies (horrible plot twists notwithstanding), and the cast is bursting with talent, both old and new. But does that translate into positive reviews? Let’s see what the critics have up their sleeves.

Work on Now You See Me 3 started 10 years ago, and the three-quel has gone through changes in screenwriter and director over the years. Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer ended up landing the gig for another project with Jesse Eisenberg, who is rejoined by Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Isla Fisher as their characters recruit some new illusionists to assist in a big diamond heist. And according to Caroline Siede of AV Club they all seem to be having a blast. She gives the movie a B, saying:

Mark Kennedy of the AP says the old gang’s still got it, and the future is in good hands, as Now You See Me 3 introduces a trio of Gen Z illusionists, played by Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa and Ariana Greenblatt. The critic appreciates this offering not relying on CGI as much as the 2016 sequel, rating the movie 3 out of 4 stars and writing:

Owen Gleiberman of Variety says it’s a worthy continuation of the franchise, and Jesse Eisenberg is “gripping” as the leader of the Four Horsemen. Daniel Atlas? Try “Danny Ocean reborn as a terse megalomaniac of illusion.” Gleiberman continues:

Chris Hayner of Polygon, meanwhile, says the trick of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is actually being played on the audience. The movie isn’t actually a sequel but a reboot that’s seemingly passing the torch to a new generation of Horsemen. In the end, it’s a fine movie, the critic says, despite flaws like replacing magic with puzzles. In Hayner’s words:

Eric Goldman of IGN gives it an “Okay” 6 out of 10. As with the two that came before it, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t coasts on the charm of its ensemble cast but never fully realizes the potential of its concept. Goldman says:

Well, it sounds like Now You See Me 3 definitely has some issues, but regardless, Jesse Eisenberg and company are still game to entertain audiences. The movie currently stands with a 64% Rotten Tomatoes score, but if the first two movies are any indication, the audience will likely rate the movie higher than critics.

If you want to refresh yourself on the first two movies (or if you, ahem, didn’t realize there were two other movies) they can both be streamed with a Peacock subscription. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t hits theaters on Friday, November 14.

Isla Fisher has been on a roll promoting the release of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t on the 2025 movie schedule, and her latest look is stunning. For the London photocall for the third Now You See Me movie, she showed up in a beautiful corset gown that proves that this trend is not disappearing this fall.

Ahead of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’s November 14 premiere, Isla Fisher and the cast have been traveling around to promote and premiere the film. During her time in London, she attended a photo call at the Ham Yard Hotel, and she looked gorgeous. Take a look:

OK, I’m obsessed with this look. The corsets have been having a moment for a long time now, and Isla Fisher is really making sure that trend doesn't disappear (you see what I did there…'cause her character Henley Reeves is an escape artist...).

First of all, I love the crushed velvet material that makes up the gown. However, it’s the sheer lace panel in the middle that creates the fitted corset that really makes the look.

I also love that she paired it with chunky black heels and a red manicure and pedicure. That’s very Henley Reeves of her. Plus, the natural glam and her ginger hair being done in big waves is the perfect way to finish the look.

Now, along with this being a stellar look by itself, it can also be added to an impressive catalog of recent corset garments. From Alexandra Daddario’s casual white zipper corset to Margot Robbie’s modern cutout corset look to Megan Fox’s Halloween corset, it’s been proven time and time again that this trend isn’t going anywhere for now.

Isla Fisher really hammered that point home, too, with her latest outfit.

On top of this being a fashion moment worth celebrating, it also highlights another reason to celebrate. That reason is: Isla Fisher is back in the Now You See Me franchise! After not appearing in the sequel, she’s reprising her role as the escape artist Henley Reeves, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Based on the Now You See Me: Now You Don’t trailer alone, it seems like everyone is back, and they are on their A-game. There are also a few new magicians played by Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa and Ariana Greenblatt, who I can’t wait to see in action. I’m particularly excited about Henley’s return, though, since she’s my favorite. And after hearing Fisher hilariously roast and compliment her co-star Jesse Eisenberg about getting his magic skills back, I can’t wait to see the original Four Horsemen back in their sassy, sarcastic, and magical form.

However, before we get to see the third installment in the Now You See Me franchise, I’m looking forward to seeing Isla Fisher and her co-stars rocking red carpets and helping make sure beloved trends, like the corset, don’t disappear.

We all know there are some celebrities who are out there having a good time, and if they want to have a good time with other consenting adults (or ghosts), more power to them. People should be free to hook up without everyone being all up in their business, but now and again, a story comes out that’s so ridiculous that it needs to be commented on. This is one of those stories.

Davis Spade was recently on his podcast Fly On The Wall, the one he co-hosts with Dana Carvey, and the guest was Isla Fisher, who is starring in the upcoming Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. During the episode, she roasted him about how one time she tried to hook him up with one of her friends, and her friend later told Fisher he texted her and said, “I’ll pick you up at 4” without even introducing himself. He was a good sport about the roasting, but during the conversation, he mentioned he’s heard stories about another celeb who has a wild scheme for hooking up with women.

I’ll just let Spade explain it himself because it’s a total WTF.

Not surprisingly, both Dana Carvey and Isla Fisher were blown away by the story. Fisher called it “outrageously arrogant” and said she wants to know what the hit rate for something like that is. Carvey asked if the person was more or less famous than Nic Cage, and Spade said it was someone definitely less famous than Nic Cage, though it was clear from the context of the conversation that it was a well-known actor.

What I want to know is whether these women are supposed to respond in the group chat or respond in a side text. It seems like whoever is texting wants them to respond in the group chat, but that feels incredibly uncomfortable and awkward. Then again, maybe that’s the point of this entire scheme that is flush with exploited power dynamics and just general douchiness.

Also, of course, I want to know who it is, but I highly doubt it’ll ever come to light. Spade doesn’t seem like he’s sharing, and while it’s all kinds of weird and gives off the ick, it’s not illegal. So, I’ll just guess in my mind who I think it is and assume it’s that person forever. I suggest you do the same. Your only clues are he’s an actor who is less famous than Nic Cage (which is almost everyone) but clearly some level of famous and likely has at least friends or acquaintances in common with Spade.

There are a lot of exciting things happening on the 2025 movie calendar these days. Superman is kicking off the DCU, fast zombies are a thing again in 28 Years Later, and I couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming Naked Gun reboot. I’m also intrigued by the heist movie Now You See Me: Now You Don’t that’s coming in November, and I’m actually really embarrassed that I’m only finding out now that it’s the third movie in a series.

I think I’ve been tricked. It’s the only explanation. Allow me to explain how I came to realize that the Jesse Eisenberg flick has two predecessors, as well as how finally checking out the first movie (available via Netflix subscription) affected my opinion of Now You See Me 3.

I Was Interested In Now You See Me: Now You Don’t Without Even Knowing About The Previous Movies

In my defense, if the three-quel were actually called Now You See Me 3, this wouldn’t have been an issue. This story won’t do much to prove otherwise, but I’d consider myself a fairly intelligent human being. However, this movie is called Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. (The colon is a bit of a hint, but the title in the trailer did not include the colon, and honestly, with movie titles these days, you can never really tell.)

The trailer for the upcoming heist movie played when my daughter and I went to see Jurassic World Rebirth. Admittedly, I didn’t pay too much attention to it, because I don’t like when previews give too much away. I saw Jesse Eisenberg surrounded by a great cast, I saw heists, I saw magic. Sold. That’s all I needed to know … so I thought.

When I returned home, I was recalling the trailers we’d seen — The Running Man remake, The Odyssey teaser, Wicked: For Good — and I mentioned Now You See Me: Now You Don’t to my husband (a fellow CinemaBlend employee) and asked him if he’d heard of it. That was when he broke the news to me: Two other magic heist movies had come before. Not only that, but apparently he’s seen them both and mentioned them to me several times.

*Starts playing air violin to prove I’ve been hypnotized by Woody Harrelson’s Merritt to forget such things.*

How Did Now You See Me Pull Off This Disappearing Act In My Memory?

It seems ridiculous that I hadn’t heard of 2013’s Now You See Me and 2016’s Now You See Me 2. The really annoying part is that I did know about Isla Fisher almost drowning in a water stunt and heard colleagues discussing why the third movie has another water tank scene. I just didn’t know what movie they were talking about.

I have to admit, with this ensemble cast — Jesse Eisenberg, Morgan Freeman, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Isla Fisher and more, many of whom are apparently returning for Now You See Me: Now You Don’t — it’s actually unreal that I never paid this movie any attention.

My only guess — outside of sorcery, which I’m sticking with as my official defense — is that in the years that both of those movies came out, I had infants in the house. I was barely sleeping and was consumed by a different job that was not as conducive as my current one to keeping me in the know about fun movies about magic.

Quick Note From The Aforementioned Loving Husband

• "While I can safely say with confidence that I'd suggested both the first and second NYSM movies to Heidi around the time of their respective releases, I can also speak to the fact that both of our children were slightly more attention-worthy than any Hollywood directors' efforts at the time. To her credit, I probably couldn't pick the second movie's plot out of a lineup, while I could easily pick at least one of our children out of that same lineup. "

Also, apparently my Netflix algorithm hasn’t been given the information it needs to know that heist films — especially ones with horribly ridiculous plot twists like we get in Now You See Me — are right up my alley. Hopefully I’m on my way to remedying that situation, because I have now watched the 2013 installment of the Four Horsemen’s hijinks, and it made me even more excited for what’s to come.

After Finally Watching The First Movie, I Can’t Wait For The Second And Third

Just in case anyone else is as thick-headed as myself and somehow missed the memo (or rather, saw the memo that was sent multiple times but still threw it away, as some might contend) that a decade ago an all-star Hollywood cast put out two perfectly binge-worthy heist movies revolving around magic, I’m going to keep this spoiler-free. I will, however, say that I understand why some moments from Now You See Me still bother people. Also, I really don’t know what the ending with the carousel was all about.

Absolutely none of that has done anything to dampen my spirits about the second and third movies. I don’t need my heist movies to be realistic any more than I need to know how a magic trick was performed. In fact, if magic is the point of the heist movie, being able to explain everything that happens could suck the fun right out of it.

I may not be able to explain how the Now You See Me 3 trailer is my first conscious awareness of this franchise, but I have to believe there are others out there like me. Maybe there are people who are unfamiliar with the 2013 movie but are just excited to see any film that reunites Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson with Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer (that alone is reason enough for me to buy a ticket).

Or maybe you also saw the three-quel’s trailer at a showing of Jurassic World Rebirth and thought it sounded like a blast, even if it felt a little like the Four Horsemen’s story was starting in the middle. You can actually check it out below:

Whichever way you've come to the movie, now that we’ve taken off our blindfolds and awoken from our hypnotic trance, there’s plenty of time to get caught up before Now You See Me: Now You Don’t arrives in theaters on Friday, November 14.

Whether you’re watching for the first time or need a refresher on those wild plot twists, both Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 are available to stream on Netflix.

There are all kinds of exciting upcoming 2025 movies I’m looking forward to as we soon enter the second half of the year, but since the Now You See Me movies arrived for those with a Netflix subscription I’ve been getting more amped for the third movie, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. When I caught the trailer this week, I wasn’t expecting it to call back to a dangerous stunt from the original film. I need to talk about it.

That Time Isla Fisher Almost Died Filming Now You See Me

Have you heard the story from Now You See Me regarding the water tank scene? Well, I was recently reminded of the story behind it when I came across an old interview on Instagram. Here’s what Isla Fisher told On Demand Entertainment when she was on the Now You See Me press tour:

As you may recall, early in the 2013 movie, Isla Fisher’s magician character of Henley Reeves performs an escapist act where she attempts to get out of being handcuffed in a water tank in under a minute before piranhas are unleashed on her. During the scene, Fisher fakes out the audience by pretending there’s a problem and banging on the glass. Here’s what happened when Fisher really felt trapped in the tank in her words:

I can’t even imagine! There’s been a lot of actors who have incidents while filming movies, but this one is especially scary because she actually could have died if the crew never caught on that she wasn’t acting, but really needed help.

So Why Does Now You See Me 3 Have A Water Tank Scene, Too?

That brings me to what we know about Now You See Me 3, which is officially called Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. The movie’s first trailer dropped in late April to introduce what to expect, which is the return of The Four Horsemen, consisting of Jesse Eisenberg’s J. Daniel Atlas, Woody Harrelson’s Merritt McKinney, Isla Fisher’s Henley Reeves and Dave Franco’s Jack Wilder.

This time they’ll be teaming up with a younger group of magicians played by Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa and Ariana Greenblatt for a heist involving the world’s largest queen diamond from a family crime syndicate. Check out the trailer below:

If you look closely at around two minutes, you’ll see that there’s a scene being previewed where not only Henley, but all the Horsemen are dropped into a water tank and one shot calls back to the original with Fisher’s character banging on the glass. The trailer shows that the Four Horseman definitely finds a way out of the tank somehow, but I’m so curious about how the stunt was accomplished and how Fisher felt about the whole thing after her traumatizing moment on the set of the original.

It is kind of sweet that all the other main leads did it with her, and I'm excited by the scene, I've got to say. But I need to know more about how and why another water tank scene got written and approved after the hullabaloo surrounding the first movie’s stunt. Anyways, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t hits theaters on November 14, 2025.

When working in entertainment, everything is supposed to be fake. There shouldn’t be a real life threat to one’s life when getting behind the camera. Even with stunt doubles, there green screens, mo-cap and other ways to do more harrowing stunts and blood pumping scenes safely. However, despite all this, accidents do still happen from time to time. Nothing is guaranteed, and actress Isla Fisher shared her harrowing experience while on set and it’s chilling.

In an interview with Cineatomy, actress Isla Fisher shared her experience on the set of 2013’s Now You See Me. For those who haven’t seen the movie, it’s about a group of magicians and escape artists called the Four Horsemen who undergo grandiose heists. Across the entirety of the film the various cast members are all shown to be doing dangerous stunts. In the interview, Fisher shared about a particular scene where she was trying to break out of a water trap and nearly led to her drowning.

Some stunts in certain movies require risk for both the actors and stunt doubles alike, and there are plenty of instances where a stunt has gone wrong. Maze Runners’ Dylan O’Brien suffered multiple head injuries and was rushed to the hospital after a stunt on set went wrong. Daniel Craig needed surgery after an injury he sustained while on the set of Spectre. There was even an instance where Paramount ended up paying $18.5 million after three extras were injured while on the set of Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

While action packed movies are fun to watch, and a good blood pumping action scene is usually the first thing we talk about when we walk out the theater doors. However, personal safety is sometimes at risk to get us those scenes. There is a very good system in place to ensure the safety of actors, however as shown there is a good collection of outliers.

Knowing what happened behind the scenes makes this Now You See Me scene a lot more bone-chilling, and I have a lot of respect for Isla Fisher seeing as despite that incident, she reprised her role for two sequels. As of currently you can rent Now You See Me and its sequel on Amazon. As for the third movie in the trilogy, Now You See Me 3 will be released on November 14, 2025. Be sure to look through the 2025 release schedule to learn what other movies come out this year.

Now You See Me is about to be a trilogy, as the third movie in the franchise is in the works.

For some time, we didn't really know if Now You See Me 3 was going to happen. While the second film was released in 2016 to mixed reviews, it was a commercial success, and a sequel for a third film was confirmed only a short time after. However, we didn't get much news about the movie until 2024.

Now You See Me 3 is officially happening and taking huge steps forward, and there is so much we know. Let’s get into it.

What Is The Now You See Me 3 Release Date?

At the time of updating this in December 2024, Now You See Me 3 will be released on November 14, 2025, according to Deadline. This means that it’ll be a part of our 2025 movie schedule.

The Now You See Me 3 Cast

We do have an idea of who will return for Now You See Me 3. According to an article from The Hollywood Reporter released in April 2024, four cast members from previous Now You See Me films are expected to return:

Jesse Eisenberg as J. Daniel Atlas

Jesse Eisenberg is expected to return as J. Daniel Atlas in Now You See Me 3. Since 2016's release of the sequel, Eisenberg has appeared in Justice League, Vivarium, The Hummingbird Project, Resistance, Manodrome and many other films. He also was the star of the Fleishman is in Trouble cast on Hulu.

Woody Harrelson as Merritt McKinney

Woody Harrelson is expected to return as Merritt McKinney for Now You See Me 3. Harrelson has since appeared in films like Wilson, War for the Planet of the Apes, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Midway, Triangle of Sadness, and Champions. He also had a starring role in True Detective and a main role in The Freak Brothers.

Dave Franco as Jack Wilder

Dave Franco is expected to return as Jack Wilder for Now You See Me 3. Since the second film, plenty of Dave Franco movies have been released, including If Beale Street Could Talk, 6 Underground, Day Shift, The Disaster Artist, Nerve, and more. He was even in the 2024 film Love Lies Bleeding.

Isla Fisher as Henley Reeves

Isla Fisher is expected to return as Henley Reeves in Now You See Me 3. She wasn't in the second film but is expected to return for the third. Since the first movie, she's appeared in movies like Tag, Grimsby, Greed, Strays, Godmothered, and more. She also holds a lead role in the show Wolf Like Me.

Morgan Freeman as Thaddeus Bradley

At first, we didn't know if Morgan Freeman would return for Now You See Me 3, but The Hollywood Reporter said in May 2024 that he's expected to return as Thaddeus Bradley for the third film. Morgan Freeman's best films span decades, but since the 2016 sequel, he's appeared in movies like Coming 2 America, Paradise Highway, Vanquish, and more.

So far, it's been unconfirmed if Mark Ruffalo will return as Dylan Rhodes, although according to IMDB, it does say he’ll be back. Right now, it’s still up in the air, as no official first look of him in the movie has been released. GamesRadar also reported in an interview with Eisenberg in October 2024 that Ruffalo is a part of the cast, so we just might see him again.,

We actually have some additional cast members who have signed on for Now You See Me 3, some of whom are newer-ish faces to the industry and will be welcome additions to the franchise.

Ariana Greenblatt

According to The Hollywood Reporter article above, Ariana Greenblatt is set to appear in Now You See Me 3. The young actress has been on a roll the last few years with several small but meaningful roles – like Avengers: Infinity War, Ahsoka, In The Heights, and more – and has only since grown into more prominent roles, like her big part in the Barbie cast, and the upcoming Fear Street: Prom Queen.

Justice Smith

According to The Hollywood Reporter, in April 2024, it was confirmed that Justice Smith had signed on for a part in Now You See Me 3. The actor has appeared in various movies, including Paper Towns, All The Bright Places, Pokemon Detective Pikachu (which I still want a sequel for), Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Sharper, and many more. I know him best from the underrated and canceled too-soon TV show The Get-Down.

Dominic Sessa

Also confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter article in April 2024 regarding Justice Smith was that Dominic Sessa had also joined the NYSM3 cast. Sessa is a fresh face to Hollywood, as his debut role was in The Holdovers.

Rosamund Pike

As said in The Hollywood Reporter article in May 2024, Rosamund Pike is set to join the cast of Now You See Me 3. The actress has appeared in Gone Girl, Saltburn, A United Kingdom, A Private War, I Care a Lot, and more.

Talk about a stacked cast – one that's only going to get bigger.

What Is Now You See Me 3 About?

So far, there are really no plot details out there that we can dig into deeply. However, the Hollywood Reporter articles said that the third film would follow what the last two films did – the lives of the illusionists known as the Four Horsemen, who use their tricks for their heists. Beyond that, we'll have to wait and see what challenges the characters are facing next.

Ruben Fleischer Will Direct The Third Film

It was confirmed by Deadline back in September 2022 that Ruben Fleischer will direct Now You See Me 3. He has directed films like Zombieland, Venom, Uncharted, Gangster Squad and more. Also confirmed in that Deadline article is that Seth Grahame-Smith wrote the script for the film.

Filming Is Complete

The last thing we know is that filming for Now You See Me 3 has officially concluded. The official X (formerly Twitter) for the film tweeted out a few first-looks of the movie now that filming had wrapped, showing off the cast:

This just makes me more excited for 2025 to come.

What are you the most excited about when it comes to Now You See Me 3? I'm so eager to witness where it goes from here – or at least attempt to, as they do tricks beyond my very eyes.

It was revealed just last week that Hollywood stars Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher were divorcing after over a decade of marriage in their 22-year relationship. Said news was announced personally by Cohen on social media. The two actors seldomly talked about their marriage while they were together, only occasionally sharing insight into their domestic life. Now, on the heels of the divorce announcement, a source has dropped supposed details about what their relationship was like. And, if they’re to be believed, Fisher and Cohen’s dynamics were somewhat different from those of their famous peers. 

An unnamed individual claimed that while they were together the two (who share three children) got along well. What the insider specifically highlighted while speaking with People is that they weren’t like a number of other notable couples. As for why that supposedly was, the source cited one specific reason: 

Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher became acquainted with each other in 2001 after meeting at a party in Sydney, Australia. They eventually became engaged in 2004 but didn’t actually end up tying the knot until 2010. They have two daughters, who were born in 2007 and 2010, as well as a son, who was born in 2015. While their relationship apparently  wasn’t all that “typical,” the insider claimed that it suited the pair: 

While taking part in an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! back in 2020, Isla Fisher opened up about being married to the Borat actor. She specifically spoke about the kind of conversations she and her former hubby would have when he’d film “dangerous stuff” for his comedic mockumentary films. (That Trump prank he attempted comes to mind.) She also recalled an instance in which one of his Borat movies was crashed by the cops while she was visiting the set with their kids. The Tag actress also shared a few other memorable moments of personal time. For example, in early 2023, Fisher and family went to the Caribbean, and she dropped some photos from the trip.

Sacha Baron Cohen shared the divorce news on his Instagram account along with a photo of him and his ex. As he put it, “after a long tennis match lasting over twenty years, we are finally putting our racquets down.” Cohen explained that he and his former partner jointly filed to end their marriage in 2023 and are now seeking privacy as their family seeks to move forward.

At this point, it’s probably a foregone conclusion that the relationship between both Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen is changing along with their domestic situation. One hopes that as that happens, both can move forward in the way that they feel is right for them.

Another Hollywood couple has called it quits after two decades together. Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher announced they are divorcing after 14 years of marriage. Baron Cohen made the official announcement on social media.

The estranged couple usually remains quiet about personal matters, but word was spreading about the lack of appearances from the power couple, including vacation photos. After much speculation, the Hollywood stars released a joint statement, which Baron Cohen posted on his Instagram Stories. Look at the surprising and heartbreaking message from the Borat star below.

According to Cohen’s words, the couple was working on their marital issues for some time before dissolution became the only course of action. The soon-to-be-exes met in 2001 at a party in Sydney before getting engaged in 2004. They officially tied the knot in 2010. They share three children – two daughters and a son. 

The notoriously private couple maintained that angle by prioritizing their children’s privacy over public perception. Either way, the news is surprising considering how much the comedic pair gush over each other at Hollywood events. However, there appeared to be relationship issues that the usually mum couple didn’t share.

According to Page Six, the couple’s divorce announcement might’ve been in the works for some time. Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher were living separate lives for a while. Fans and the media first began questioning their relationship status after Fisher hid her left ring finger for a London fashion event last December. Speculation grew as she showed up at the Vanity Fair Oscar party solo with a cocktail ring replacing her wedding ring. The Wedding Crashers star recently enjoyed a theatre girls’ night with Oscar nominee Naomi Watts and Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery. 

Fisher wasn’t the only one seen mingling around Hollywood solo as Baron Cohen was spotted out at several Oscar parties. The comedic actor was out partying with other Hollywood A-listers at the CAA party. He enjoyed his new singledom after the actor was reportedly spotted at pop icon Madonna’s exclusive post-Oscars bash The Party earlier this year. The The Dictator star even hung out with Metallica’s Lars Ulrich at the Time Women of the Year gala around the same time.

According to the publication, a close source claimed Sacha Baron Cohen met with divorce lawyers in Los Angeles late last year. However, the couple officially filed for divorce in London where they currently reside. The divorce announcement is just the latest surprise news to hit the Brothers Grimsby star’s fans. His Grimsby co-star Rebel Wilson called him out in her upcoming memoir for challenging experiences shooting the comedy. He vehemently denied Wilson’s accusations, saying he had “extensive detailed evidence” to contradict her claims.

As the soon-to-be-former couple move on, their acting careers continue without any bumps. Sacha Baron Cohen is pivoting to TV with the upcoming miniseries Disclaimer and Ironheart airing on Apple TV+ and Disney+, respectively. Airdates are currently unknown. Isla Fisher is currently starring in the Peacock series Wolf Like Me. She will return to feature films in an untitled Netflix coming-of-age drama starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler. Check out our schedules of upcoming movies and TV series. 

Whether it's doing stunts or just freak accidents, even the biggest Hollywood stars aren't immune to getting injured on set. While we mostly think of stars chilling in their posh trailers while their stunt people take the biggest risks, sometimes it's the celebrities themselves who get the worst of things. Here is our list of big stars who have been injured while filming, and what happened after. 

Daniel Craig 

You can't just pick one of the James Bond movies that Daniel Craig was injured during the filming of, because the truth is, he's been injured a lot. In No Time To Die, it was his ankle, which required surgery and he was off-set for a couple of weeks recovering. In Casino Royale, he knocked out two teeth filming a fight scene. In Quantum of Solace, he injured his shoulder, and in Spectre, it was his knee. It's easy to see why Craig has retired from the role, filming James Bond movies can be dangerous. 

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise famously does many of his most intense and dangerous stunts himself. It's become his brand, but it doesn't mean he doesn't get hurt. In fact, while filming Mission: Impossible – Fallout, it was one of his more innocent stunts, jumping from building to building, that caused an injury when Cruise broke his leg landing the jump. Filming halted for a few months while Cruise recovered, but the footage was included in the movie. 

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford has a long history of getting injured on movie sets. Maybe the most high-profile time was when a door fell on his leg while shooting Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He broke his leg and director JJ Abrams injured his back helping pull the door off the Han Solo actor. 

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone is one of the premiere action stars of the last 50 years, and as such, he's been injured a few times on set doing stunts. The worst, according to Stallone, came while filming the boxing match with Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) in Rocky IV. Lundgren hit him so hard in the chest at one point that it caused his heart to swell and he ended up in intensive care for eight days. 

Isla Fisher 

One of the best scenes in Now You See Me is when Isla Fisher's character performs the underwater escape trick. It wasn't so great for the actress though, as she nearly drowned during the filming. Luckily a stuntman was there to flip the safety switch and save her. 

Leonardo DiCaprio

One of the most intense scenes in Django Unchained is Leonardo DiCaprio's speech after dinner. He bangs his hand on the table and slices his hand on a glass. DiCaprio, ever the pro, kept going without missing a beat. It's so good, director Quentin Tarantino left that take in the final cut. 

Kristin Chenoweth

TV stars aren't safe either. Kristin Chenoweth was almost killed on the set of The Good Wife when part of the lighting rig fell on her. According to the actress, she had a "skull fracture and a rib issue and a hip issue" as a result. 

Bruce Willis

Like a lot of action stars, Bruce Willis has had his fair share of injuries in stunts gone wrong. In Live Free or Die Hard, the Hollywood legend suffered a serious cut above his eye that required stitches, after Maggie Q's stunt doubled kick him with high heels on. 

Mariska Hargitay

Sometimes, the extent of the injury isn't immediately understood, as was the case with Mariska Hargitay after a fall on the set of Law & Order: SVU. Hargitay performed a stunt that required her to land on some pads, but, in her words, something went wrong. She shook off the injury at first, but a few months later, she felt a sharp stabbing pain and ended up in the hospital with a collapsed lung. She recovered after surgery, though a second surgery was needed later. 

Charlize Theron

Æon Flux is not one of Charlize Theron's best movies, and it did almost leave her paralyzed. The actor fell on her neck performing a stunt and had she not been lucky and fallen just a centimeter differently, according to her, it could have been very bad. 

Malcolm McDowell

One of the more terrifying scenes in A Clockwork Orange is when Malcolm McDowell's character is "rehabilitated" by being forced to watch violent videos while his eyes are held open. For McDowell, it was even worse, as the setup caused his corneas to be scratched and he was blinded temporarily as a result. 

Brad Pitt

In the weirdest of coincidences, there is Brad Pitt in Troy. In the film, Pitt plays the Greek hero Achilles. Achilles is famous for one thing, his armor not covering that one tendon in a person's heel... Well, it just so happens that while filming Troy, Pitt tore his Achilles Tendon. 

Uma Thurman

During the filming of the Kill Bill movies, Uma Thurman crashed a car she was driving into a palm tree in Mexico and suffered injuries to her knees and a concussion. Years later she exposed what she claimed was a cover-up by the film's producers in an Instagram post. 

Orson Welles

The great Orson Welles really gave everything he had to make Citizen Kane. That includes chipping a bone in his ankle that forced him to use a wheelchair on set for two weeks while he directed. The injury occurred when he fell down some stairs while filming, and the scene made it into the final cut. 

Linda Blair

During the iconic scene in The Exorcist when Linda Blair's character, Regan, thrashes around as the bed levitates, the scream queen injured her back due to a mechanical default. The injury caused scoliosis, which still causes her problems today, though she's found ways to make it less painful. 

Jim Caviezel

The list of injuries that Jim Caviezel suffered while filming The Passion of the Christ has become the stuff of internet legend. Some injuries are hard to verify, but others aren't, the most notable of which is that as Caviezel prepared for the Sermon on the Mount scene, he was actually struck by lightning. That's got to be some sign, right?

George Clooney

The head injuries George Clooney sustained while filming the torture scene in Syriana were so debilitating that the actor says he even contemplated suicide. Eventually, doctors were able to alleviate the headaches after surgery, but in the meantime, Clooney called it "the most unbearable pain I've ever been through."

Orlando Bloom

There were a few injuries on the set of the Lord of the Rings movies, and one notable one was Orlando Bloom. Bloom broke some ribs when he fell from a horse while filming LOTR: The Two Towers. His fellow cast members gave Bloom a little...uh... ribbing in a behind-the-scenes video as well. 

Martin Sheen

There may be no more infamous Hollywood production than Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now. No one had it worse than the film's star, Martin Sheen. As told in the documentary about the filming, Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, Sheen not only suffered a near-fatal heart attack during production, but he also suffered a nasty cut on his hand. In the famous opening scene, Sheen punched a mirror and sliced his hand open and it bled badly. If you've seen the movie, you know what it looked like, because Sheen continued the scene and all the blood is very real.  

Michelle Yeoh

As an actor known for doing her own stunts, it's no surprise that Michelle Yeoh has been injured a few times on set. The most notable came when Yeoh tore her ACL during the production of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. She was flown from China to Baltimore where surgery was performed to fix the injury at Johns Hopkins. 

Tom Hanks

Sometimes the most innocent-sounding injuries can be the worst. Such is the case for Tom Hanks, who cut his leg filming Cast Away. While a cut doesn't seem all that serious, it caused sepsis and landed Hanks in the hospital, who almost died as a result of the blood poisoning. 

Buddy Ebsen

The Beverly Hillbillies star Buddy Ebsen could claim one of the weirder injuries on this list. Ebsen was the original actor cast to play the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz and as part of the role, he was painted silver. The aluminum powder in the paint caused a reaction that landed Ebsen in the hospital due to breathing problems and he was recast by actor Jack Haley in the role. 

Winona Ryder

Accidents happen, even on movie sets of comedies, not action movies. Such was the case for Winona Ryder while filming Mr. Deeds with Adam Sandler. While filming the scene on the bike in Central Park, Ryder took a tumble off it and broke her arm in three different places. Ouch. 

Matt LeBlanc

Injuries even happen on sitcoms. Even the biggest ones. While filming a scene for Friends, Matt LeBlanc fell into a chair and dislocated his shoulder. Production was delayed briefly, but the evidence is still on the screen, as LeBlanc was seen wearing a sling for a couple of episodes as his shoulder healed. 

Michael J. Fox

One of the scariest injuries didn't happen during a proper stunt. In Back To The Future III, Michael J. Fox almost died in the scene where his character, Marty McFly, is hanged. A mishap meant that he was actually getting choked and at first no one noticed. He passed out before he was lowered to the ground. 

Ed Harris

Ed Harris was almost killed while filming The Abyss. In one of the many underwater scenes in the movie, Harris ran out of oxygen and no one else on set realized he'd signaled that he did. He passed out from a lack of oxygen, but luckily someone finally noticed and they got him some air. 

Vincent D'Onofrio

Marine boot camp is intense, even for actors just playing Marines. Vincent D'Onofrio, who played Private Pyle in Full Metal Jacket, injured his knee so badly during filming one of the training scenes that he ended up needing surgery to fix it. 

Melanie Griffith

One of the most notoriously dangerous movies ever shot is Roar by director Noel Marshall. In the 1970s, Marshall was married to Tippi Hedren, which also made him Melanie Griffith's stepfather. The movie filmed Hedren and Griffith (who was a kid at the time) living with lions. Real lions. According to legend, at least 70 people were injured by the big cats, including Griffith, who was "mauled near the eye" and needed plastic surgery to fix it. 

Jackie Chan

One actor you won't be surprised to see on this list is Jackie Chan. The martial artist and stuntman has pulled off some of the most insane stunts in film history, so it's no surprised he's been injured along the way. One notable time was while shooting Police Story. In one scene, Chan slides down a metal pole, which he did so quickly he suffered third degree burns on his hands. The shot was used in the movie. 

Al Pacino

Injuries can occur when actors don't quite make the best decisions. Take, for example the great Al Pacino. While filming a scene in Scarface, Pacino grabbed the business end of a gun that had just been fired and severely burned his hands. According to Brian De Palma, the actor was off for the next two weeks. 

Matthew Fox

Every now and then, one actor will injure another one, as is the case with Terry O'Quinn and Matthew Fox on the set of Lost. In a fight scene, O'Quinn stabbed Fox with a knife, which O'Quinn thought, incorrectly, was a prop knife, but it was very real. Thankfully, Fox was wearing a protective Kevlar vest that saved him from actually being stabbed. 

Dylan O'Brien

Dylan O'Brien was almost killed while shooting The Maze Runner: The Death Cure. While shooting a scene, the star of the movie was struck by a car. According to Vulture, O'Brien had a "concussion, facial fracture, and brain trauma among his injuries." Production on the movie was halted as he recovered, which, according to O'Brien, was one of the worst periods in his life. 

Dominic Purcell

Even without stunts and other action, injuries happen. Prison Break star Dominic Purcell broke his nose and had other facial injuries while filming for the show in Morocco. It was a freak accident as a lighting truss fell from the set and hit him. It could've been very scary, as those kinds of accidents have killed people, but luckily for Purcell, his injuries healed quickly and production on the show wasn't impacted.

Most of the time, when actors are injured on set, the injuries are minor, thankfully. Of course, that isn't always the case, and though deaths on movie sets are rare, they happen, so anytime someone is injured seriously, production is usually halted. Just looking through this list, you can see just how close some of these big names came to serious injury, and in a way, they're lucky (and we're lucky) that they are still around.   

Though some think Hollywood should hit pause on live-action talking animal movies, it doesn’t look like the trend is going to slow down anytime soon. The latest addition to the collection of talking dog films, Josh Greenbaum’s Strays, is now playing in theaters and brings with it an R-rated story and a star-studded group of actors who bring the adorable (and not-so-adorable) pooches to life.

As seen in the first Strays trailer, this isn’t as family-friendly as the best dog movies on Disney+, but that's okay, as the foul-mouthed canine-centric comedy gives the actors and comedians who portray its main characters plenty of time to do what they do best: make us laugh. If you’ve recently watched the 2023 new movie and want to know where you’ve seen the Strays cast before, look no further…

Reggie (Will Ferrell)

Leading off the Strays cast as Reggie, a recently abandoned Border Terrier, is Will Ferrell in his latest voice role.

Prior to providing the voice for a gullible pup who makes a new life (and a sweet revenge plan) on the streets with a group of stray dogs, the former Saturday Night Live mainstay portrayed characters in animated movies like Curious George, Megamind, and The LEGO Movie. Outside of the realm of animation (and popular SNL skits), the comedic actor has done a little bit of everything, with several of Ferrell’s funniest performances also being some of the best comedies of all time like Elf, Talladega Nights, and Step Brothers. 

Bug (Jamie Foxx)

Taking Reggie under his wing, er, paw, is a street-smart Boston Terrier that goes by the name of Bug, who is portrayed by none other than Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx.

The actor, who played large roles in some of the best movies of the 2000s, has been a major force in Hollywood for decades at this point in his career thanks to unforgettable performances in everything from Dreamgirls to Django Unchained and Booty Call to Spider-Man: No Way Home. Though he took home Best Actor for his unforgettable portrayal of the titular character in Ray, there are also several other Foxx performances deserving of an Oscar. 

Maggie (Isla Fisher)

Next up is Isla Fisher, who joins the cast as Maggie, an Australian Shepherd who runs in the same pack as Reggie and Bug while on their wild escapades. Just like her co-stars, this is the latest in a long line of voice roles for the Australian actress.

Over the years, Fisher has appeared in animated movies like Horton Hears a Who!, Rise of the Guardians, Back to the Outback, and the outstanding Rango, as well as multiple small-screen cartoons. However, the actress is probably best remembered for starring roles in Confessions of a Shopaholic, Now You See Me, and Wedding Crashers, to name only a few. Fisher has also given commanding performances in the likes of Nocturnal Animals, The Great Gatsby, and Blithe Spirit throughout her career.

Hunter (Randall Park)

Rounding out the pack of pooches with mouths like sailors in the Strays cast is a therapy Great Dane named Hunter voiced by Randall Park, who you may remember from a number of his best performances, including a brief appearance as “Asian Jim” in a ridiculous prank on The Office.

Park’s involvement with the movie comes after a string of other voice roles, including a small part in the Paw Patrol: The Movie cast a couple of years ago, which followed other animated movies like The Lego Ninjago Movie and The Samurai of Tsushima as well as a string of animated shows that includes Star Trek: Lower Decks, BoJack Horseman, and Human Resources.

Also, Park is in the middle of an impressive 2023, which has included his directorial debut with Shortcomings, a reprisal of his Jimmy Woo role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (with The Marvels to follow), and the upcoming release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. 

Doug (Will Forte)

One of the few human characters to appear in our breakdown of the Strays cast, Will Forte shows up in the movie as Doug, Reggie’s former owner who’s the impetus for the dog’s revenge scheme to begin with.

Like Ferrell, Forte made a name for himself on Saturday Night Live, spending most the 2000s as a member of the show’s cast. In the years that have followed his 2010 departure from the sketch comedy program, the comedian and actor has gone on to appear on shows like The Last Man on Earth, The Great North, The Cleveland Show, 30 Rock, and countless others. His list of film credits is just as impressive, with everything from Nebraska to Booksmart and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story to Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken. He’s even appeared in one of the best SNL movies, MacGruber, in which he portrayed his classic character from the show. 

Dennis Quaid As Himself

Continuing the tradition of actors playing themselves in movies, Dennis Quaid appears as, believe or not, himself, or at least a version of himself, as seen in the second teaser trailer.

Quaid’s career is one that goes back nearly 50 years, and during that time, he’s appeared in everything from over-the-top end-of-the-world disaster thrillers like The Day After Tomorrow to funny family movies like the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, and so much more. His versatile list of credits also includes The Right Stuff, Great Balls of Fire, Traffic, and A Dog’s Purpose, another pup-based movie, though also one with a much different tone. 

Other Actors In The Strays Cast

In addition to the main actors who either provide the voice of a character or appear in a live-action role in the movie, the Strays cast also includes some other major stars whose roles weren’t officially disclosed ahead of the films’ August 2023 release. 

This includes Frozen and Beauty and the Beast standout Josh Gad, former Modern Family star Sofia Vergara, Blue Beetle cast member Harvey Guillén, Stranger Things all-star Brett Gelman, legendary Seinfeld actor Rob Riggle, and Fleabag actor Jamie Demetriou.

Strays is currently showing in theaters nationwide. Before heading to the cineplex, check out what CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg had to say in his Strays review.

This box office has provided plenty of family-friendly options for moviegoers this summer, but when Will Ferrell’s new talking-dog comedy Strays hits the big screen on August 18, parents should fight the urge to bring the kids along. Audiences are apparently in for some foul language as terrier Reggie (Ferrell) joins up with a band of misfit dogs to seek revenge on his former owner Doug (Will Forte). Critics have been able to screen the movie, so they’re here to share their expert opinions on what we can expect from the R-rated comedy. And yes, there will be humping.

Will Ferrell will be joined by Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher and Randall Park as the voices of the four-legged characters. Director Josh Greenbaum allowed the cast to record together to take full advantage of their comedic chemistry, so let’s see what the critics have to say. In CinemaBlend’s review of Strays, Eric Eisenberg says the canine performances are impressive, if not hilarious, and the movie is at its best when leaning into its R-rating. However, it relies too much on dog cliches, he says, giving it 3 out of 5 stars and writing: 

Neil Smith of GamesRadar rates the movie 2 out of 5 stars, saying the movie quickly loses its humor amidst its jokes about peeing, pooping and humping. The critic says: 

Leigh Monson of AV Club agrees that there is humor to be found, but in the end Strays is not less tired than movies like Homeward Bound that it seeks to ridicule. Monsoon gives it a C+, saying:

A.A. Dowd of IGN agrees with the critic above, ranking the film an “Okay” 6 out of 10. Strays’ bark is worse than its bite, Dowd writes, pointing out that this movie is just as formulaic and sentimental as the movies it’s looking to lampoon. He continues: 

Brian Truitt of USA TODAY, however, enjoys the “hilarious, heartwarming and outrageously filthy” dog-centered comedy, giving it 3 out of 4 stars. The humor is matched by an emotional storyline, with Truitt saying Strays is “like Homeward Bound with masturbation jokes and randy squirrels.” He writes: 

It sounds like there are plenty of laughs (and plenty of filth) in the upcoming Will Ferrell comedy, as long as audiences aren’t looking for any groundbreaking takes on a dog’s sensibilities. Overall the ratings seem to fall mid-range, with Strays holding a Rotten Tomatoes score of 56 percent from 43 critics’ responses as of this writing. 

If you’d like to check this one out in theaters, you can do so starting Friday, August 18. You can also check out our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to see what other offerings are coming soon. 

Talking-animal movies are a genre all to themselves. The class of the group probably belongs to Homeward Bound, a very sweet story of survival as three domesticated animals try to get back home to their family. It’s one of the best dog movies available on Disney+ at the moment. Other times, the “talking animal” concept is used for laughs, like in Zookeeper with Kevin James, or the Brendan Fraser feature Furry Vengeance. Those were aimed at kids and families. Strays most certainly is not. The upcoming feature by Josh Greenbaum follows a stranded dog (voiced by Will Ferrell) on an unusual mission that gets discussed in the new, hilarious trailer. Press play and see.

Josh Greenbaum is a red-hot director. Coming off of the smash hit Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar, built around the sharp combination of Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Greenbaum could have parlayed that success into almost any project he’d choose. And he told CinemaBlend that he had a stack of scripts at his fingertips. But there was something about the logline for Strays that caught his eye, and wouldn’t let him move past it. Greenbaum told us:

To me, the lure of Strays is the vocal talent involved. The upcoming Will Ferrell movie casts the former SNL star as an adorable and faithful pup who teams with Jamie Foxx and Isla Fisher to get revenge on his terrible owner (Will Forte) for stranding him somewhere far from home. Greenbaum let his cast record their comedy together, and play off of each other, to put some hysterical improvisations into the actions of animals on screen. 

Strays won’t be coming to theaters until June, meaning you will have to use our guide to upcoming 2023 movies to find something else to watch while you wait for it. And if you have a Hulu subscription, make sure that you have caught up on Greenbaum’s Barb and Star, because that contemporary comedic classic shows exactly the type of humor that he can bring to the time-honored talking-dog template. And with the cast he has in tow, I can’t wait to see the full-length version of the story we got in that trailer today.

A vacation can be a wonderful experience, especially when it involves a tropical backdrop. Sandy beaches, impeccable palm trees and crystal clear water are welcome sights and, while it may sound crazy, they really do help one get into the vacay mood. Celebrity couple Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen are the latest A-listers to go on holiday and did so in the Caribbean. The views, as you would expect, were nothing short of spectacular, though Fisher was the one who truly dazzled, thanks to her strappy swimwear. 

The social-media savvy Isla Fisher was the half of the famous pair to share about their lovely-looking vacation. The 46-year-old star posted photos from the getaway to her Instagram, and they’re nothing short of gorgeous. Scenic landscapes and delicious-looking drinks are just a few of the elements you’ll find within the slideshow. And of course, you’ll also see Fisher in her lovely beach fit. Take a look:

The Tag star definitely seemed to be living her best life amid the beautiful surroundings. One would think that her family also had a fun time, as her Borat star husband Sacha Baron Cohen can be seen taking in the sights in one snapshot. I’m personally mesmerized by the beauty of the sky above them, whether it be light blue or sporting shades of orange during magic hour. I just can’t think of a better spot for a vacation. 

Again though, we have to shout out Isla Fisher for her fashionable taste in beachwear. The mother of three flawlessly sported the pink ensemble, and provided the perfect pose while lying on the beach. Years ago, Fisher was candid about shedding pregnancy pounds, and it would seem to me that she still puts in the work to maintain her figure. Of course, the Australian star has always been a knockout, but she just seems to be getting better with age.

Isla Fisher has her share of (streamable) productions, some of which were released over the past few years. A few of her more recent credits include Godmothered, in which she provided some “filthy” improv ideas as well as the comedy film Blithe Spirit. In 2021, she also lent her voice to the animated flick Back to the Outback. 2022 also saw the release of her dramedy series Wolf Like Me – which is streamable with a Peacock subscription -- and sees her star alongside Josh Gad. The show has also been renewed for a second season. 

It’s probably fair to say that the actress earned that vacation. She’s worked hard – even when she’s not actually part of a production. (She once stood alongside Sacha Baron Cohen when his movie was crashed by the cops.) It’s likely that the actress will probably get back to work sooner rather than later but, even so, I’m sure her beautiful vacay will remain in her thoughts for the foreseeable future.

Thor: Love and Thunder's filming in Australia has proved to be a Hollywood affair since production began early this year. We’ve heard word that Matt Damon, Jeff Goldblum and Melissa McCarthy may be a part of the Marvel movie, as well as Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster, Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie and Christian Bale’s Gorr the Butcher leading the film. But wait, there might be more major names joining the God of Thunder.

The recent bit of major news about the movie is confirmation from Russell Crowe that he is on board to play Zeus in Thor: Love and Thunder. This came weeks after rumors spread that the actor was involved once he was spotted socializing with the cast. As the Marvel movie reaches its last few weeks of production, look who else is spending time with the Thor cast:

Borat’s Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher, his wife and fellow actor, recently had dinner in Australia with Christian Bale, Russell Crowe and Rita Ora, who has allegedly been linked romantically with writer/director Taika Waititi. Could one or both of them be suiting up for a role in Thor: Love and Thunder? It’s definitely not impossible considering all the starpower in the movie already, but rubbing elbows at a dinner table doesn’t always mean business.

Isla Fisher is from Australia and is a resident of Down Under alongside her British husband. Sacha Baron Cohen does already know Russell Crowe from being co-stars in 2012’s Les Miserables, and besides being costars on Thor: Love and Thunder, Crowe and Christian Bale starred together in 3:10 to Yuma back in 2007. It could be some old friends catching up while they are in Sydney, but sharing a film schedule definitely makes breaking for lunch easier.

We already suspect Taika Waititi recruited Matt Damon to play actor Loki again for a sequence in the movie alongside Melissa McCarthy as actor Hela, Sam Neill as actor Odin and Luke Hemsworth as actor Thor following some set images being snapped. Funny enough, McCarthy begged for a role in the film back in January before being caught in costume.

Perhaps Thor: Love and Thunder is going by a ‘more the merrier’ mindset as the underwraps storyline continues to be filmed. There’s a lot to be set up in the fourth Thor film, with Chris Hemsworth’s character facing a new adversary in Gorr the God Butcher, reuniting with old flame Jane Foster (who is set to become The Mighty Thor )and somehow crossing paths with Zeus. There could be room for Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher to find roles, even in a cameo capacity if the wine and dine wasn’t random.

Thor: Love and Thunder is set to reach theaters on May 6, 2022. While we wait for it, check out the entire confirmed Marvel movies lineup here on CinemaBlend.

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In 2005, Wedding Crashers became one of the biggest R-rated comedies of all time, solidifying Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as guys who can be funny and financial successful. However, even more memorably so, it made a star out of Isla Fisher in the eyes of audiences who, previously, wouldn't have recognized the actress… unless they mistook her for Amy Adams, that is.

For those who have successfully made that distinction, the 45-year-old redhead (whose first name is pronounced “eye-lah,” if you needed help with that, too) is also known for the Australian soap opera Home and Away, which many celebrities from Down Under can claim as one of their first gigs. Isla Fisher would grow more popular in the States for lead roles in subsequent comedies such as Hot Rod and Confessions of a Shopaholic or dramas like Now You See Me and Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby, in which she plays Myrtle Wilson, in 2013. Furthermore, some people are still surprised when they learn that Sacha Baron Cohen, the man behind Borat, is the love of her life and father to her three children.

Of course, you likely already knew about her marriage to the controversial comedian if you are truly a fan of the witty, multi-talented bombshell. Not to mention, you have probably already seen the following 11 movies and one TV show from her filmography that are currently available to stream. If not, I suggest you reconsider your fandom and get ready for the ultimate Isla Fisher binge, starting with the role that, arguably, sees her at her funniest.

Wedding Crashers (Hulu, HBO Max)

A pair of divorced lawyers (Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn) with a penchant for posing as wedding guests to pick up women experience a sudden disconnect in their womanizing dynamic when one of them falls in love.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: Owen Wilson as John Beckwith is the one who falls in love, and with Rachel McAdams' character, while Vince Vaughn's Jeremy Grey reluctantly finds himself in a relationship with her uproariously overbearing sister, played brilliantly by Isla Fisher, in Wedding Crashers - a comedy with just the right amounts of raunch and romance.

Stream Wedding Crashers on Hulu or on HBO Max.

Nocturnal Animals (Netflix)

An art gallery owner (Amy Adams) receives from her ex-husband (Jake Gyllenhaal) an unpublished copy of his scandalous, violent novel, in which she begins to notice parallels to their turbulent relationship.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: I jokingly mentioned earlier how Isla Fisher is often mistaken for Amy Adams, which director Tom Ford seemingly decided to use to his advantage by casting the Australian actress as Adams' fictional doppelgänger in the story within a story of Nocturnal Animals, the fashion designer's Academy Award-nominated 2016 adaptation of author Austin Wright's crime thriller.

Stream Nocturnal Animals on Netflix.

Scooby-Doo (HBO Max)

Years after parting ways, the members of Mystery Inc. are unexpectedly thrown back together to investigate the strange behavior from guests of a remote island resort.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: You would have never mistaken Isla Fisher for Amy Adams in 2002's live action Scooby-Doo movie (written by James Gunn), in which she went blonde to play a love interest to Matthew Lillard's Shaggy, who is fittingly named "Mary Jane."

Stream Scooby-Doo on HBO Max.

Rango (Netflix)

A chameleon (Johnny Depp) who typically uses his talent of "blending in" for his own selfish purposes, instead becomes a hero to a small desert town dry on water and law enforcement when he accepts the role of sheriff.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: Scooby-Doo was only one of the first films (barely) made for children starring Isla Fisher as the main character's love interest, as she also has her role as the voice of an Iguana named Beans in Gore Verbinski's 2011 western-style adventure Rango, which would go on to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

Stream Rango on Netflix.

The Beach Bum (Hulu)

A Floridian poet with a free-wheeling, hedonistic world view attempts to finally achieve his goal to write "the great American novel" in order to keep his share of his wife's estate, if not for his habits with alcohol, drugs, and other increasingly alarming vices getting in the way.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: If you ever found Isla Fisher's marriage to Sacha Baron Cohen to be a fascinating pairing, just wait until you see her as Minnie, the wife of Matthew McConaughey's Moondog (yes, that is the name of the Oscar-winning actor's character), in The Beach Bum - a thoroughly chaotic stoner comedy with a truly amazing, star-studded cast that could only come from the mind of writer and director Harmony Korine.

Stream The Beach Bum on Hulu.

Definitely, Maybe (Peacock)

A 30-something political consultant going through a divorce (Ryan Reynolds) tries to keep his story vague and child-friendly when his 10-year-old daughter (Abigail Breslin) asks to hear about the most significant relationships of his past, in the events leading up him meeting her mother.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: You may find yourself rooting for Isla Fisher's April to be the one who becomes Ryan Reynolds' bride (despite the marriage's bitter fate) in 2008's Definitely, Maybe, a charming romantic comedy that actually challenges you with the question of who the male lead will end up with.

Stream Definitely, Maybe on Peacock.

London (Amazon Prime, Tubi, PlutoTV)

A heartbroken cocaine addict (Chris Evans) and a drug dealer he recently met (Jason Statham) crash a get-together for his ex-girlfriend (Jessica Biel), where he makes a problematic attempt to win her over.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: Three years before playing a love interest to Ryan Reynolds in a rom-com, Isla Fisher played the host of a fateful going away for the unrequited love interest of another Marvel movie actor (Evans) in London, which has short bursts of rom-com action along with its depictions of post break-up depression, reactionary violence, and graphic substance abuse.

Stream London on Amazon Prime or Tubi or PlutoTV.

Rise Of The Guardians (HBO Max)

A group of iconic figures from fantasy legend - such as Jack Frost (Chris Pine), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), and Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin) - must join forces to defeat an evil spirit (Jude Law) who threatens to ruin the innocence of children all over the world.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: While its title may sound like a prequel to a Marvel movie, Rise of the Guardians is not even a comic book adaptation, but a fun, animated adventure powered by imagination with an impressive who's who of voice talents, including Isla Fisher as The Tooth Fairy.

Stream Rise of the Guardians on HBO Max.

The Lookout (Paramount+, PlutoTV)

A former star athlete who now suffers from debilitating memory problems after a car accident attempts to achieve normalcy with a custodial position at a bank, but instead gets roped into a heist.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: Say, speaking of that cheeky Guardians of the Galaxy reference I just made, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's amnesia-stricken character is actually named Chris Pratt in The Lookout, which also sees Isla Fisher perfectly cast in the dangerous femme fatale role of this acclaimed 2007 Neo-noir thriller.

Stream The Lookout on Paramount+ and Pluto TV.

Horton Hears A Who! (Disney+)

An elephant (Jim Carrey) struggles to keep a speck of dust he finds resting on a plant safe from his fellow jungle creatures when he discovers an entire community of microscopic organisms live on top of it.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: Inspired by the classic Dr. Seuss book, Horton Hears a Who! is yet another fun animated film with Isla Fisher playing a hero of sorts as the voice of a seemingly absent-minded university scientist who assists the Mayor Who-ville (Steve Carell) in attempting to avoid catastrophe.

Stream Horton Hears a Who! on Disney+.

Godmothered (Disney+)

A woman (Isla Fisher) whose wish for help was ignored when she was a child finally sees it answered by a bumbling aspiring fairy godmother (Jillian Bell), who tracks her down in the hope of proving she has what it takes for the job.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: Isla Fisher's most recent foray into family-friendly entertainment is playing the late recipient of some much-needed magic in the 2020 Disney+ exclusive comedy Godmothered, which offers a funny little twist on the wish-granting moral support role found in many classic fairy tales.

Stream Godmothered on Disney+.

Arrested Development (Netflix)

When his father (Jeffrey Tambor) is put in jail, California lawyer Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) attempts to keep his once-wealthy family of eccentric, selfish, and corrupt characters afloat without losing his sanity.

Why It's A Good Option for Isla Fisher Fans: Another famous redhead whom Isla Fisher has also been confused with is Bryce Dallas Howard, whose father is Ron Howard, which is what makes her role on Netflix's revival of Arrested Development in Seasons 4 and 5 as the filmmaker's illegitimate daughter, Rebel Alley, especially hilarious.

Stream Arrested Development on Netflix.

Something I would really love to see is a movie starring Isla Fisher, Amy Adams, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Jessica Chastain as the same character. It would all be an elaborate experiment to see how often the audience takes notice when each actress replaces the last one. Hell, I'll take just a viral video of it, if that makes it easier, but I believe Fisher and the rest certainly have the sense of humor and, undoubtedly, the talent necessary to pull that off.

After Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest outing as Borat in the long-awaited sequel to the comedy phenomenon, things have become blurred between the line and when he crossed it for the greatest of belly laughs and cringe-down-your-spine moments. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is not only one of the most popular 2020 movies, it’s also the most streamed behind Hamilton. Godmothered star Isla Fisher is Cohen’s wife, and she has an intriguing perspective on the whole thing.

Isla Fisher has been married to Sacha Baron Cohen since 2010, which means Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is the first Borat movie the actor has made as her husband. When speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Fisher shared what it's like to be the name who answers to the iconic “this is my wife” line:

Welp, that’s not concerning at all. If you’ve read some of the truly insane behind-the-scenes stories from Borat 2 you’ll learn quite quickly that much of what you see on screen really happened. Maria Bakalova actually crashed a meeting of Women Republicans and Sacha Baron Cohen really went to a CPAC event that VP Mike Pence spoke at. When it comes to those experiences and Isla Fisher, apparently she really doesn’t hear about them until after they've happen.

The Confessions of a Shopaholic actress talked about how she actually got really invested in the process of cutting together the movie during her appearance on the talk show. She said she was really invested in a hilarious joke during the debutante ball that was cut, despite her apparently threatening that she wouldn’t speak to him ever again if he cut it in the heat of the moment. Though as she laughed along, they are still happily married following the release and she’s in total agreement of the choices Sacha Baron Cohen made for the film.

Isla Fisher has been dealing with her offbeat husband for quite some time, once citing a funny story about what happened when she decided to bring lunch to him while he was making Brüno. When she arrived on set, it turned out to be “a truck in a parking lot,” where police showed up. All things considering, we’d imagine Isla Fisher is proud of her husband. Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is available on Amazon Prime and Godmothered is streaming on Disney+.

Hollywood is filled with a number of unique and quirky actors, and one of the most fascinating among them has to be Sacha Baron Cohen. The skilled actor and comedian has made quite an impact on pop culture, due largely to his hilarious alter egos like Kazakhstani journalist Borat Sagdiyev and British hip hop aficionado Ali G. And while embodying these characters, Baron Cohen is known to put himself into some pretty extreme situations. This was definitely clear when the actor’s wife, Isla Fisher, once visited him on set, during which things were shaken up by the police.

Isla Fisher recently recalled that she visited hubby Sacha Baron Cohen while he was working on Brüno. The actress remembered arriving to “set,” which was actually a truck in a parking lot. But things got really interesting when the shoot was interrupted by some surprise guests:

Well, that’s definitely one way to spend the day with your partner on a set. Isla Fisher is completely aware of the wild things her husband does in his films. However, based on her comments during her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, it doesn’t sound like she was quite prepared for a situation quite like that.

Sacha Baron Cohen is a humorous presence, but he does take his art seriously. The performer has put himself into some very dicey situations while making movies. His latest feature, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (or Borat 2), was no different. At one point in the movie, Baron Cohen, while in character, attended a right-wing rally, during which he sang about Dr. Anthony Fauci and COVID-19. While he and his crew were able to pull off the scene, the actor later shared on social media that it wasn’t without its hazards.

Of course, one of the most daring things that occurred in the film was the controversial scene that involved actress Maria Bakalova and President Trump’s attorney, Rudy Giuliani. Though Cohen wasn’t the one who was actually present in the scene, he was still concerned for Bakalova. However, he still made sure that he was close by while the scene was being shot.

It’s one thing to suffer for your art, but it’s an entirely different thing when those around you are also affected. Thankfully though, both Isla Fisher and Maria Bakalova came out of the situations relatively unscathed. And let’s be honest, Sacha Baron Cohen is a pro at this kind of filmmaking and likely takes precautions to keep collaborators and loved ones safe.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Godmothered is the latest Disney+ original movie. It stars Isla Fisher and Jillian Bell, and the film finally gives Godmothers their time to shine. Godmothered follows Eleanor (Bell), a Fairy Godmother in training who seeks out a young girl who wrote to the Motherland years ago. Eleanor is surprised to find that MacKenzie (Fisher) is now an adult and a single mother. She also doesn’t believe in fairytales and happy endings anymore. Godmothered is a sugary sweet film that’s perfect for this time of year. The Godmothered cast makes this film even better.

The Godmothered cast is full of recognizable names, some TV and film legends, and a few newcomers with seemingly bright futures. Most of the cast of this film, you’ve probably seen in other movies and TV shows, but you might be struggling to remember where you exactly saw them. Here’s where you’ve seen the Godmothered cast before.

Jillian Bell (Eleanor)

Eleanor has a heart of gold, but a little naive when it comes to how the real world works. Her child-like innocence allows her to leave a little bit of chaos and whimsy everywhere she goes. Jillian Bell is best known for her role as Jillian in Workaholics. She also appeared in the series Archer, Room 104, Bless the Harts, Drunk History, Bob Burgers, Eastbound & Down, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Recently, Bell played Dr. Taylor Wood in Bill & Ted Face the Music. She also received critical acclaim starring in Brittany Runs a Marathon. Bell also reunited with her Workaholics cast in Game Over, Man! She’s also appeared in the films Rough Night, Fist Fight, and Office Christmas Party. Jillian Bell has also appeared in these popular movies: The Angry Birds Movie, The Night Before, Goosebumps, Inherent Vice, 22 Jump Street, and Bridesmaids.

Isla Fisher (MacKenzie Walsh)

MacKenzie wrote to the Motherland as a child. She wrote about wanting to be with the cute boy in her school. Now as an adult, magic hasn’t been a big part of her life. MacKenzie is more focused on raising her two girls and keeping her job. Isla Fisher is probably best known for her role as Gloria in Wedding Crashers.

She also appeared in one of the most underrated romantic comedies, Definitely, Maybe. Fisher also appeared in the adaptation of the popular book series Confessions of a Shopaholic. She also appeared in The Great Gatsby, Now You See Me, Nocturnal Animals, The Beach Bum, and Tag. Isla Fisher also had recurring guest roles on Arrested Development and appeared on the popular Australian soap opera Home and Away. You also can spot her on episodes of Angie Tribeca, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Da Ali G Show.

Santiago Cabrera (Hugh Prince)

Hugh Prince is one of MacKenzie’s co-workers. He’s an anchor on the news program, but unlike the other anchors, he actually cares about the news that he presents to the world. He’s also Mackenzie’s romantic love interest. Santiago Cabrera has had supporting roles in Haven, Love and Other Disasters, Che, Transformers: The Last Knight, and Netflix’s original movie What Happened to Monday.

Fans of Heroes may remember him as Isaac Mendez in the first season. He also played Lancelot in the BBC’s Merlin. Santiago Cabrera also played Sal Price in Dexter, and he currently has a main role as Cristóbal Rios in Star Trek: Picard.

Mary Elizabeth Ellis (Paula Walsh)

Paula is MacKenzie’s sister, and she is often seen babysitting Jane (Jillian Shea Spaeder) and Mia (Willa Skye). She doesn’t quite know what’s going on but goes along with it. Mary Elizabeth Ellis is best known for her role as The Waitress on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Ellis has also appeared on Reno 911!, House, Drunk History, Happy Endings, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and The Cool Kids.

Mary Elizabeth Ellis appeared in multiple episodes of New Girl as Caroline. She was a series regular on two canceled-too-soon series: The Grinder and Santa Clarita Diet. Ellis also appeared in the films Free State of Jones, Masterminds, and The Truth About Lies.

June Squibb (Agnes)

Agnes is the cool Fairy Godmother often playing tunes for the Motherland. She helps Eleanor, despite being told not to help her. June Squibb is best known for her role in Nebraska. It earned her a 2014 Oscar nomination. She also appeared in the films Alice, Scent of a Woman, In & Out, Meet Joe Black, and Far From Heaven.

June Squibb’s recent movie credits have included Other People, Father Figures, Toy Story 4, Palm Springs, Hubie Halloween, and Soul. She also appeared in episodes of ER, Just Shoot Me! House, Law & Order, The Bernie Mac Show, and Bones. June Squibb appeared in multiple episodes of Good Girls, Shameless, Modern Family, The Young and the Restless, and Ghost Whisperer.

Jane Curtin (Moira)

Moira is head of the Motherland. She’s more into the traditional way of doing things, which isn’t helping keep theFairy Godmother population alive. Jane Curtin is best known for being an original member of the Saturday Night Live lineup. She also played Dr. Albright on 3rd Rock from the Sun. Her other TV credits include The Librarians, The Good Wife, Broad City, and Kate & Allie.

Jane Curtin’s film credits include Coneheads, Antz, The Shaggy Dog, I Love You, Man, The Heat, and Oscar-nominated Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Utkarsh Ambudkar (Grant)

Grant is in charge of the news station where MacKenzie works. His main goal is to be four out of the five stations. He’s all for stories that get the station’s name out there, even if they are sensationalized topics. Utkarsh Ambudkar appeared in the film Pitch Perfect as Donald. He also appeared in the films Ride Along 2, Barbershop: The Next Cut, Blindspotting, Brittany Runs a Marathon (with Godmothered co-star Jillian Bell), Game Over, Man! (also with Bell), and The Broken Hearts Gallery.

You may have also seen Ambudkar’s name mentioned in the cast for upcoming movies Marry Me and Free Guy. He has also appeared in the TV series The Mindy Project, The Simpsons, The Muppets, Brockmire, and Mira, Royal Detective. Utkarsh Ambudkar is a rapper who goes by UTK the INC. He has released a couple of albums, including Petty.

Stephnie Weir (Barb)

Stephnie Weir gives another hilarious performance as Barb, one of the main anchors. She’s also a huge fan of tanning. Most people recognize Weir for being part of the Mad TV cast. She has also appeared in the films Fun with Dick and Jane, Fist Fight, and Room for Rent.

Weir’s TV credits include King of the Hill, Joey, Weeds, Modern Family, Key & Peele, and Castle. She had a recurring role as Karen on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and on The Goldbergs as Karen English. She also appeared in the short-lived series Happy Together.

Jillian Shea Spaeder (Jane Walsh)

Jane is the eldest daughter of MacKenzie. She aspires to sing but gets stage fright. Eleanor helps Jane overcome this fear and find her voice. At only 18, Jillian Shea Spaeder is relatively new to the world of acting. She appeared in Walk the Prank, Just Roll With It, To The Beat! Back 2 School, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, & Dawn, and OMG!

Jillian Shea Spaeder also appeared in an episode of the Netflix canceled-too-soon series No Good Nick.

Willa Skye (Mia Walsh)

Mia is MacKenzie's younger daughter and up for some good magic. Willa Skye is also new to the acting world, so only appeared in a few things: Divorce School and Lazy Susan.

Artemis Pebdani (Duff)

Duff is a camerawoman and often works with MacKenzie and Hugh. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fans will recognize Artemis Pebdani for her role as Artemis in the series--friend to the gang and Frank (Danny DeVito)’s sometimes bang buddy. Pebdani has appeared in the films Sex Tape, Rainbow Time, and Dude.

She also has appeared on the series Ugly Betty, House, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, Drunk History, and Another Period. Artemis Pebdani has had recurring roles on Scandal, Master of Sex, The Cool Kids, and Future Man.

Sonia Manzano (Opal)

Opal only appears in one scene in Godmothered. She’s one of the Fairy Godmothers taking lessons from Moira. She doesn’t speak but has some funny prop interactions. Sonia Manzano is best known for playing Maria on Sesame Street. She played her from 1971 to 2015. She is also a successful author and Broadway performer.

Manzano has also had a recurring role on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit as Judge Pepitone.

Carlease Burke (Greta)

Greta also appears in the Fairy Godmother class scene. She’s very vocal about not believing that the Motherland will survive. Carlease Burke has played a nurse, officer, or paramedic in many shows, including Doogie Howser, M.D., Days of Our Lives, Roseanne, Chicago Hope, and Knots Landing. She also appeared in the films Why Do Fools Fall in Love, The Terminal, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and Child’s Play.

Carlease Burke has appeared in multiple episodes of Dave, The Middle, Crowded, Baller, NCIS, Switched at Birth, and Shameless.

Godmothered is a very sweet movie all about reinventing the idea of fairytales and happily ever after. If you enjoy a unique twist on fairy godmothering, then you may enjoy Godmothered. It’s currently available on Disney+. Stream it here.

No movie studio has so successfully built a brand as the Walt Disney Company. When you talk a bout a "Disney movie" there's a universal understanding of what that means. When Disney attaches its name to a streaming service, that means that people are going to expect that service to contain a certain type of content. The new Disney+ original movie Godmothered, is very much that sort of content. It's sweet, it's cute, it's not offensive. However, co-star Isla Fisher admits that her style of comedy doesn't necessarily meld well with family-friendly Disney.

Godmothered stars Jillian Bell as a fairy godmother in training, and as such, the bulk of the comedic weight of the film is on her shoulders. This was just fine with co-star Isla Fisher, who says she was glad that the movie didn't require her to be too funny, because the sorts of jokes she naturally comes up with would have likely been quite un-Disney. Speaking with CinemaBlend, Fisher told us:

It's difficult to tell if Isla Fisher actually made some of those "filthy" jokes while on the set. It's easy to believe that an actor, in a moment of improv, might let something fly that would never make it into a Disney movie. It's certainly happened before. Both Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried have spoken about how they would occasionally go a little "blue" when recording lines for Aladdin. One has to assume that in the history of Disney there's a lot of similar content that has been recorded. Those are some outtakes the world will likely never see.

While what constitutes a Disney product has certainly evolved over the years, most of the studios productions fall into the PG or PG-13 rating, it's certainly true that "suitable for all ages" us a pretty strong description of what Disney wants to be. Occasionally, this has even meant some frankly hilarious decisions, like the way Splash was edited to better cover Darryl Hannah's naked rear for the film's Disney+ debut.

At the same time, Disney has actually released R-rated movies before. To be sure, the Disney name is never anywhere near those films. But the Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures studios were created specifically to allow the Disney company to produce more mature films. And Disney owned Miramax for several years as well. There are several Quentin Tarantino movies that are technically Disney projects.

Isla Fisher's style of comedy may be more in line with more mature content, and those movies are certainly out there for fans looking for it, but she's also perfectly at home in a classic Disney Christmas movie. Godmothered debuts on Disney+ on Friday, December 4.

While Isla Fisher has been professionally acting for over two and a half decades now, a lot of moviegoers were introduced to her through the 2005 comedy Wedding Crashers, where she played the unhinged Gloria Cleary. Wedding Crashers was a critical and commercial success, and with it still ranking as one of the most well-known R-rated comedies of the 2000s, there’s been talk for years about making a sequel. Should Wedding Crashers 2 move forward, Fisher would definitely be game for it.

The prospect of putting Wedding Crashers 2 together first hit the public back in 2014, nearly a full decade after the original Wedding Crashers came out. Director David Dobkin revealed how he’d considered having Owen Wilson’s John and Vince Vaughn’s Jeremy face off against a superior wedding crasher, played by Daniel Craig, but that concept never went further than simply being discussed. In recent years though, there’s been renewed hope about Wedding Crashers 2 being brought to life, with Vaughn and Wilson having “seriously” talked with Dobkin about making the sequel happen.

CinemaBlend’s own Jeff McCobb recently spoke with Isla Fisher, as well as fellow actresses Jillian Bell and Jillian Shea Spaeder, about their new Disney+ movie Godmothered. When Jeff inquired with Fisher about if there’s been any chatter or movement on Fisher’s end about Wedding Crashers 2, she responded:

Naturally Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are necessary to make a Wedding Crashers sequel (as opposed to doing one of those spinoffs using the same concept with a brand new cast), but bringing back most, if not all of the supporting cast would also be important, Isla Fisher included. In case it’s been a while since you last watched Wedding Crashers, Fisher’s Gloria was immediately attracted to Vince Vaughn’s Jeremy when they first met. While Jeremy was initially turned off by her clinginess, he eventually fell in love with her, and they married at the end of the movie.

As things stand now, while Wedding Crashers hasn’t received an official green light yet, it does sound like the odds of it happening are greater than ever. So while Isla Fisher hasn’t heard anything about it yet, presumably she will once more pieces are put together behind the scenes. Of course, if Fisher is bright back for Wedding Crashers 2, fingers crossed that also means Rachel McAdams and Christoper Walken and Jane Seymour return as the other members of the Cleary family. Hell, let’s even find a way to squeeze in Bradley Cooper, who played Sack Lodge, the ex-fiancé McAdams’ Claire Clearly.

Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for any updates on the Wedding Crashers 2 front. In the meantime, you can see Isla Fisher starring in Disney+’s Godmothered, where she plays Mackenzie Walsh, a disillusioned woman who Jillian Bell’s Eleanor, a godmother-in-training, tries to help. That feature hits the Mouse House’s streaming service this Friday, December 4. Find out what movies are slated for next year in our 2021 release schedule.

When you wish upon a star, you don’t know what you’re going to get. That’s the starting point of Disney+’s new whimsical comedy Godmothered, as Jillian Bell tries to prove that the world still needs fairy godmothers to help out with the hard stuff. While her efforts to help Isla Fisher’s beleaguered character might not always work out, this new movie looks like nothing short of pure magic.

The “youngest trainee” in the fairy godmother program, Eleanor (Bell) wants to show the world that fairy godmothers can still get the job done. With her heart set answering the wishes of a young girl named Mackenzie, she feels pretty confident on the odds of success; except there’s a bit of a problem. Mackenzie’s request for help was sent decades ago, as she’s now 40, a single mother, and played by Isla Fisher. So Jillian Bell’s magical helper might need a little more Disney magic than usual to pull this one off.

Putting Bell and Fisher together in Godmothered is probably the most magical decision that this project could have ever made. Jillian Bell’s Eleanor looks like someone who’s absolutely ready to wield the wand, but at the same time she’s sweet and heartfelt without being too sugary. Meanwhile, Isla Fisher’s Mackenzie is definitely a tougher cookie, but still has those moments where she’ll crumble out of the goodness of her heart. Strangely enough, this casting has paired a present fairy with a past fairy, as Fisher was previously the voice of the Tooth Fairy in Dreamworks’ Rise of the Guardians.

An even more impressive feat that Godmothered happens to pull off is that of being a film that absolutely looks like it’s ready for theatrical release ready to make a splash in the streaming world. In light of the news that Wonder Woman 1984 will find itself streaming for a full month alongside its theatrical presence, the market is about to get even more competitive for those watching at home. With the double play of Soul and now Godmothered both being available on the platform in December, Disney+ is going pretty hard for this holiday season.

With all of the magical energy it has in the tank, Godmothered feels like something to truly look forward to. In a year where almost any movie could have a question mark attached to its release plans, it’s a pleasant surprise that Jillian Bell and Isla Fisher will be making some sweet memories for the world to enjoy in the comfort of their own home. Godmothered will premiere directly on Disney+, starting on December 4th. So there’s plenty of time to have your ball attire and wands at the ready for the occasion. Though don’t forget to check the 2020 release schedule in the meantime, as there’s still some magic to be found in theaters throughout the rest of the year.

Of all the Disney+ original content that has been announced since the platform launched, Godmothered is one of the more intriguing projects. And now that the studio has announced who will be starring in the feature, it’s only gotten more interesting.

Godmothered tells the story of a lackluster fairy godmother who’s determined to prove that she’s capable of more. She seeks out a young girl whose wish was once ignored, only to find out that she’s now an adult -- more specifically, she’s a single working mother in need of some big magic in her life.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jillian Bell (Eastbound & Down, 22 Jump Street) has signed on to play the godmother, and Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers, Inherent Vice) will play the woman she tries to help. Both actresses are known for their comedic talents, but have also proven to have a huge range -- so it’s hard to tell exactly what tone the film will strike.

Godmothered’s premise is promising. While the idea of bringing childhood fairytales into adult lives isn’t new, it sounds like it has the potential to be a great blend of fantasy and reality. Tackling issues, like balancing parenthood and work, is a great approach for pulling in a generation of young women who grew up on Disney’s fairytale classics. And the details we’ve gotten about Godmothered -- that it’s “gothic, mystical, magical world of fairy godmothers in a parallel universe” -- make it sound all the more exciting. Plus, a live action film with new characters will be a nice change of pace from Disney’s current trend of adapting their animated classics.

There is no official release date for Godmothered yet. But in addition to the classic Disney titles available to stream, there is plenty to keep Disney+ subscribers busy in the meantime. The streaming platform has so much original content planned for the future that it’s hard to imagine how we’ll find time to watch it all. Of course, much of the series and films scheduled are extensions of Disney’s biggest franchises, including a Rogue One prequel and upcoming MCU series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, WandaVision, and Loki. The streamer has also brought back fan favorite stories, like High School Musical, in a series about kids performing a production of High School Musical. (So meta.)

So far, we haven’t had much of a glimpse of what the streaming platform is capable of offering, though what we have seen has been impressive. And it may seem like Godmothered could struggle to gain footing in an already crowded line-up. But given that its premise and tone sound quite different from the rest of the Disney+ offerings, the movie could end up being one of streamer's standout features.

When Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson reunited on the campus of Google for the 2013 comedy The Internship, most of us figured that's the closest we'd get to Wedding Crashers 2 (especially since that comedy didn't light the world on fire, seemingly extinguishing any hope of rekindling the Wedding Crashers fun). Lo and behold, though, original Wedding Crashers co-star Isla Fisher just appeared on the Today show to plug Nocturnal Animals, and she let it slip that a sequel is coming together. Sort of. When asked about Wedding Crashers 2, Isla Fisher exclaimed:

Wedding Crashers 2 is happening! Buy your tickets! Stand in line. Lock it up!

OK, wait. Pump the brakes. When you keep watching the Today show clip, Isla Fisher immediately starts to tap dance, saying she doesn't know about a done deal, and that she "probably shouldn't announce it on morning television," but she ends by confirming there has been "some talk of it, which is fun."

Wedding Crashers came out in 2005, and paired Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as likable jerks who make it a habit to show up, uninvited, to various wedding receptions, where they charm strange family members and try to pick up girls. With no real story to speak of, it coasted on the chemistry between the leads, and allowed for breakout performances by a meaty Bradley Cooper, an unpredictable Christopher Walken, a sexy Isla Fisher and a beautiful Rachel McAdams. Oh, and Will Ferrell demanded some meatloaf.

Wedding Crashers 2 could work, though I'm not sure anyone outside of Vince Vaughn's circle of friends is clamoring for it. Vaughn, himself, has moved on to more dramatic roles, like Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge (in theaters as we speak). And like I mentioned, audiences didn't necessarily flock when Vaughn and Owen Wilson tried to rekindle the comedic magic in The Internship.

So, what do we think happened here? Isla Fisher bumped into Vince Vaughn, who has an idea for Wedding Crashers 2? Or are we farther along on a Wedding Crashers 2 script than any of us realized? Stay tuned for more details from an official source, but Isla Fisher seems convinced. What about you?

It's hard not to be enamored with Gal Gadot. Not only is she a statuesque beauty with an undeniable big-screen presence that's perfectly suited for the action genre, but she also just so happens to be Wonder Woman, too. So it's no surprise that Isla Fisher couldn't keep her hands off Gadot when they were filming Keeping Up With The Joneses, something that clearly extended to her character, too, as the below clip from the upcoming comedy suggests that the pair get very, very close throughout the course of the film.

Is this Karen Gaffney (Isla Fisher)'s way of revealing that her life with her husband Jeff Gaffney (Zach Galifianakis) has been a complete lie? Or is this all part of a master plan to try and bring down an evil ne'er-do-well that has scuppered the quartet? You'll jut have to wait until Friday to find out when Keeping Up With The Joneses is finally released.

This isn't the first Keeping Up With The Joneses clip to show Karen and Natalie Jones (Gal Gadot) getting rather close to each other. In fact, a couple of months back, footage of the duo trying on lingerie together, which Karen teases in the above clip, was also released. You can have a gander at that scene below.

While these clips are all well and good, they don't really give you an insight into the tone, action, and comedy that Keeping Up With The Joneses will feature. Just to get up completely up to date, Keeping Up With The Joneses revolves around the Gaffneys, a suburban couple, that become embroiled in international espionage after their new neighbors the Joneses turn out to be government spies. And you can check out a full length trailer for the comedy right down there.

Keeping Up With The Joneses features probably the most likeable leading quartet of 2016. Everyone loves Jon Hamm, as not only is he one handsome dish but he's also preposterously funny for a man that shouldn't have such a good personality, while Zach Galifianakis might not be quite as attractive as his male counterpart but he continues to push the envelope in TV with Baskets and as one of Hollywood's leading comedians with his unique, but still sweet brand of humor.

Also, Isla Fisher always lights up the screen and steals scenes with her feisty everywoman persona, while she's willing to make herself the butt of the joke and isn't afraid to dabble in physical comedy. And it will interesting to see if Gal Gadot can translate her leading lady prowess to the comedy genre. But considering that she had the biggest laugh in the trailer for Justice League, she should do just fine.

You'll get to find out how they work as a foursome from this Friday when Keeping Up With The Joneses is released into cinemas.

Jake Gyllenhaal is on a mission to stretch himself and his CV as wide as possible. This has been happening thanks to the likes of Zodiac, Source Code, and End Of Watch, but it was with Nightcrawler, which he followed up with Southpaw, Everest, and the forthcoming Demolition, that people stood up and took notice. And it turns out that his next project, Nocturnal Animals, is just as enticingly bizarre and different as you hoped. Plus it has a sterling cast.

According to Variety, the people behind Nocturnal Animals are currently in talks with Isla Fisher (Hot Rod) to join the already stunning ensemble. Alongside Fisher and Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain), the cast also features Michael Shannon (Man Of Steel), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy), Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger), and Amy Adams (The Master).

If that doesn’t get you excited for Nocturnal Animals, then the fact that it is being overseen by Tom Ford, who previously directed A Single Man, a meticulous and stylish drama starring Colin Firth, should. Anticipation for the project has been ramping up because of the bidding war to purchase the worldwide distribution rights at the Cannes Film Festival back in May, which was ultimately won by Focus Features.

Why is the project so sought after? Well, not only is it an adaptation of the 1993 novel, Tony And Susan, written by Austin Wright, but it also has a wonderfully unique and bizarre, story-within-a-story concept. Basically, there are two stories to Nocturnal Animals. The first revolves around a woman, Susan (Amy Adams), who receives a book manuscript from her ex-husband of 20 years, Tony, who is played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Along with his manuscript, Tony also adds a note that says she was always his best critic.

Sounds simple enough at the moment, right? However, things soon start to take a turn for the more complicated as the woman becomes more and more entwined in the violent story, which revolves around the lead character driving his family to their summer house in Maine, and will come to life on screen. Because of the book, Susan suddenly starts going back into her past, and is forced to confront the dark issues that have always followed her. Isla Fisher will now take the part of Tony’s new wife. 

That sounds intriguing enough to me. And when you look at the long-line of supremely talented actors and actresses involved in Nocturnal Animals, you’ve got to assume that it’s doing something right to seduce this talent. Fisher, who has been keeping herself rather busy since giving birth to her third child earlier this year, seems like a sturdy choice to an already delightful ensemble. She just concluded filming Keeping Up With The Joneses with Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, and Gal Gadot, while she’ll next pop up opposite her husband Sacha Baron Cohen in Grimsby.

No word yet on when Nocturnal Animals will be released, but Focus Features will probably aim for production to begin early next year, with a release date in 2017. 

When Inhumans is released in 2018 during Marvel’s Phase 3, audiences will be exposed to a new side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Currently, powers in this universe can be attributed to science or cosmic phenomena, but thanks to the Inhumans, Marvel has a way to introduce genetic abilities. Most of these individuals can be found in the hidden city of Attilan, where their society has flourished for thousands of years in seclusion from the rest of the world. Inhumans may take place on Earth, but because of their history and technological advancements, we’ll likely be watching a story just as alien to the goings-on of the MCU as Guardians of the Galaxy.

While the term "Inhumans" refers to all the descendants of people who were experimented on by the Kree thousands of years ago in the Marvel universe, the movie’s main characters will likely be the Inhuman royal family. The following is a list of each character that needs to be included, as well as who is best suited to play them. If Marvel does everything right, Inhumans could be their best ensemble film yet.

Black Bolt

Who Is He?: Black Bolt is the ruler of the Inhumans. While his physical abilities already surpass most of his people, his main power is producing a particle from the speech center of his brain that can interact with electrons. This gives him his hypersonic voice, which is capable of unleashing massive destruction. A whisper can rock a building while a shout is capable of destroying a planet. As a result, he has undergone training to make sure he never speaks, whether conscious or asleep. Thanks to the metallic antennae he wears, Black Bolt is able to channel his powers in less destructive ways, like boosting his strength or manipulating energy.

Who Should Play Him: Marvel needs to get Vin Diesel on the phone and secure him for this role. Not only does he resemble Black Bolt, but it ironically parallels his role as Groot. In Guardians of the Galaxy, you hear Diesel’s voice but never see him, whereas in Inhumans, you’ll see him but he’ll never speak (aside from perhaps saying one destructive word). It’s too good of an opportunity for Marvel to pass up on!

Medusa

Who Is She?: As queen of the Inhumans, Medusa’s primary role is serving as interpreter for her husband Black Bolt – as she is able to understand and read his body language and mannerisms extremely well. However, she’s proven on multiple occasions that she’s an effective leader on her own. Medusa is able to control every strand of her prehensile hair, which is capable of lifting several tons, performing delicate procedures, and can even be fashioned into sharp, spear-like points. With her hair approximately six feet long, this makes her a dangerous adversary from both far away and in close quarters.

Who Should Play Her: Dina Meyer’s last attempt at a comic book property (playing Barbara Gordon in Birds of Prey) didn’t go well, but she deserves another shot at being a superhero. She’s capable of exuding a thoughtful demeanor that comes with being royalty, but as she demonstrated in the Saw movies as Detective Allison Kerry, she can also spring into action and deliver the intensity. She’s the perfect mix of queen and warrior.

Crystal

Who Is She?: Crystal is Medusa’s younger sister. She is capable of manipulating earth, air, water and fire, i.e. the "classic elements." In the comics, she has also been a member of the Fantastic Four and Avengers, and has been married to Quicksilver. Since Marvel will be introducing the speedster next year, it’s possible these two kids may eventually meet in the movies as well - especially if the theory that he and his sister, Scarlet Witch, are Inhumans is true.

Who Should Play Her: Well-known from movies like Wedding Crashers and The Great Gatsby, Isla Fisher is a versatile actress that would make a great Crystal. Not only does she resemble Meyer well enough, she’ll also be able to effectively portray Crystal’s gentleness and caring nature. Plus, she has plenty of experience with comedies, so if the film the film is looking to incorporate a fair amount of humor, she can be the one that delivers most of the light-hearted moments.

Karnak

Who Is He?: Like almost all Inhumans, Karnak’s physiology is superior to that of regular humans, but since he was never exposed to the Terrigen Mist, he never gained any superpowers. Instead, he has his very own unique ability garnered through extensive training: he is able to sense the weak point of anything, whether it’s a person, object or even a plan. As a master martial artist with a toughened exterior, this makes him an especially dangerous foe to anyone, even if they have superpowers.

Who Should Play Him: Action star Jason Statham has brought the pain repeatedly in projects like The Transporter series and the Fast & Furious movies. Not only does he look almost like Karnak (he just needs to grow some facial hair), but Statham has enough experience with physical roles that he’ll be able to show off Karnak’s martial arts abilities perfectly when 2018 rolls around. He’s already proven he’s good at being the anti-hero, so let’s elevate him to full-blown hero.

Gorgon

Who Is He?: Gorgon serves as bodyguard to his cousin Black Bolt, and interlopers need to watch their step around him. Because his legs were mutated when exposed to the Terrigen Mist, he is able to generate shockwaves and earthquakes with the stomp of his foot. His body is also much more resistant than the average Inhuman, and blunt force that would kill a normal person hardly affects him.

Who Should Play Him: He menaced Obi-Wan Kenobi as Jango Fett in Star Wars Episode II, he passed on the Green Lantern legacy to Hal Jordan as Abin Sur in Green Lantern, and it’s about time that Marvel casts Temuera Morrison for one of their movies. He’s one of those actors who gives great performances in action and sci-fi movies, but is continually underutilized. Let him unleash his ferocity as Gorgon in Inhumans. Watching him stomp his foot down is sure to leave the audience in awe.

Triton

Who Is He?: Triton is the brother of Karnak. Exposed to the Terrigen Mist when he was a year old, his skin turned green, and while he was able to breathe underwater, the downside was that he couldn’t breathe normal air. He was originally confined to a specially-made area for him in Attilan, but eventually a breathing apparatus was designed that allows him to survive on the surface. Triton’s aquatic physiology also allows him to swim at significant speeds and resist the pressures of the ocean.

Who Should Play Him: While he is a multi-ranged actor, in recent years David Oyelowo has shined as the villain in projects like Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Star Wars: Rebels. Let’s offset that negative energy by giving him a heroic role to play with. Plus, with the rights to Namor the Sub-Mariner still in flux, Oyelowo would have the unique opportunity to play the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first aquatic superhero. It’s quite the achievement, and since the movie will likely give him a few underwater action scenes, Oyelowo would be able to shine on his own while the rest of his cast is dealing with dangers on the surface.

Maximus The Mad

Who Is He?: Every member of the royal family mentioned so far is an ally to one another, but not this guy. Black Bolt’s brother Maximus The Mad is well-deserving of his nickname. Already intelligent and having a knack for inventing, the Terrigen Mist gave him the ability to manipulate minds for a short period of time. Due to his insanity, though, he’s never explored the full potential of his powers. Over the years he has staged multiple coups against his brother, and while he did succeed several times in taking the throne, eventually he was defeated and imprisoned. Chances are good that he’ll be the main antagonist for the 2018 movie.

Who Should Play Him: Adrien Brody has built a career off playing unique and eccentric characters. Who better to portray Black Bolt’s insane, power hungry brother? He can definitely pull of the insanity of Maximus, and appearance-wise he’s a great contrast to Vin Diesel. Also, Maximus has the potential to be a recurring villain in the MCU, which is something that doesn’t pop up often considering how often bad guys die in this universe. It goes without saying, but Marvel would be wise to lock Brody into a multi-film contract so that he can return to the role similar to way Tom Hiddleston has reprised Loki.

Lockjaw

Who Is He?: Resembling a giant bulldog, Lockjaw giant stature already shows off his power. As the name suggests, he has a jaw so strong that one time he clamped onto The Thing’s arm, and the Fantastic Four member couldn’t unhinge it. However, Lockjaw’s main ability is being able to teleport anywhere. Because of this, he serves as the royal family’s main form of transportation on Earth, and he can even travel to space

Who Should Play Him: Lockjaw will be have to be a CGI creation, but to do his grunts and barking, Marvel needs to hire the most experienced voice actor in the business: Frank Welker. Not only has he been providing voices since 1969 in a variety of movies and TV shows, but he voiced Scooby-Doo in the live-action movies. If that doesn’t qualify him to voice this CGI dog, I don’t know what does.

This fall Liam Hemsworth is set to hit theaters with the guaranteed blockbuster The Hunger Game: Mockingjay - Part 1. But he's already looking past the Hunger Games series with an eye to his homeland and an enchanting drama called The Dressmaker.

Variety reports out of Cannes that Hemsworth has signed on to co-star in The Dressmaker opposite Academy Award winner Kate Winslet. Also joining the cast are Aussie actresses Judy Davis (Husbands and Wives), and The Great Gatsby co-stars Isla Fisher and Elizabeth Debicki. As you may have gathered, The Dressmaker will be an Australian production. Melbourne-born director Jocelyn Moorhouse will helm.

Based on the Rosalie Ham novel of the same name, The Dressmaker centers on Tilly, a fiery woman with a dark past and a passion to win sweet revenge. Set in the 1950s, the film will follow Tilly's return to her rural Australian hometown after years away, following her flight after being accused of murder as a child. Returning, she's hoping to make amends with her unorthodox mother. But Tilly's natural flare for fashion--in particular the haute couture styles of Madame Vionnet and Balenciaga--make her a subject of fascination and inspiration for the local women.

Is it just me, or does this last bit sound a like To Wong Fu Thanks for Everything, Love Julie Newmar?

Kate Winslet is slated to play Tilly, also known as Myrtle Dunnage. Judy Davis will play mama Molly Dunnage, and it seems Liam Hemsworth will play the love interest of Winslet. Jocelyn Moorhouse, who also wrote The Dressmaker's adapted screenplay says of the casting:

The area in front of the camera isn't the only place Moorhouse has filled incredible talent. She's also hired Moulin Rouge cinematographer Don McAlpine, Moulin Rouge editor Jill Bilcock, costume designer Tim Chappel of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Chronicles of Narnia production designer Roger Ford. So expect The Dressmaker to be an extraordinary spectacle.

The Dressmaker will begin principal photography in Australia this October, with a likely 2015 release to follow. In the meantime, look for Liam Hemsworth in The Hunger Game: Mockingjay - Part 1.

While it’s arguable that director Kevin Greutert’s work on films such as Saw VI, Saw 3D and the upcoming Jessabelle put him in the presence of bonafide movie stars, his next film Visions has gathered quite the talented trio for its leads, as Ellen Barkin, Isla Fisher and Jim Parsons have all signed on for the film, which will hopefully be gloriously free of the words, "I want to play a game."

We don’t have a very meaty plotline for this film yet, as we know it focuses on a pregnant woman who moves out to a wine vineyard with her husband, only to find herself the victim of a series of horrifying visions. Now, does that mean she’s seeing dead people or demons, or does she just see Miley Cyrus placing her naked body on things? All equally horrifying.

Unfortunately, Shock Till You Drop couldn’t fill in the blanks on what actors would be playing which roles, though I dare say Fisher will be playing the pregnant woman. Surely they could give Barkin some make-up to make her look younger, but that’s a bit of a stretch. I was actually shocked to find out that Parsons is older than Fisher, but that really has no bearing on any of this.

Considering this is a Blumhouse Productions film, you can bet it’ll be cheap, centered around one intriguing storyline without depth or an accompanying B-story, and that it’ll make back its budget in a weekend. The script was written by Lucas Sussman, who was a co-writer on the underseen 2001 thriller Below with Darren Aronofsky and David Twohy.

Parsons is probably the most regularly seen of these three actors, as his CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory is a constant ratings killer, and the Emmy Awards voters have been kind to him in recent years. He wrapped filming a couple of months ago on Zach Braff’s Kickstarter-funded drama Wish I Was Here, and is lending his voice to Antz director Tim Johnson’s oddball animation Home.

Fisher had a big 2013, starring as both Myrtle Wilson in Baz Luhrmann’s take on The Great Gatsby and…whatever her character was named in Louis Leterrier’s magical heist thriller Now You See Me. She also played Ron Howard’s daughter in Netflix’s fourth season of Arrested Development, and will appear in Daniel Schechter’s comedy Life of Crime with Jennifer Aniston, whenever that eventually comes out.

Barkin, meanwhile, can be seen with an all-star cast in Naomi Foner’s young romance drama Very Good Girls, though she’ll no longer be seen on Fox’s The New Normal, which got the axe some months back. She’s currently filming the Roberto Duran biopic Hands of Stone with Robert De Niro.

Filming on Visions is set to begin in the next month or two. You’ll be able to see the Blumhouse/Greutert team-up Jessabelle, scripted by The State comedian Robert Ben Garant, when it releases in January.

Lately, there’s been a strange trend of magician centered-movies emerging. 2013 has already seen three: Oz: The Great and Powerful, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone and Now You See Me. Some have been hits (Oz with $234 million domestic); Some were major misses (Wonderstone with a meager $22 million domestic). But apparently Hollywood knows how to spot a mark, as the last of these has been steadily gaining momentum internationally. THR reports Lionsgate has begun planning for a sequel to Now You See Me as the sleight of hand heist movie’s overseas numbers bypassed its domestic gross.

Despite having big budget tent pole releases like The Lone Ranger, Pacific Rim and Fast & Furious 6 as its competition, the mid-range thriller that cost $75 million to produce has become a sleeper hit, earning $115 million domestically and $117 million abroad. While these figures are no doubt worth bragging about, the film still has yet to open in Australia, Japan, or China, a market so big it can make or break movies. The small studio is confidant that after its theatrical release in this trio of nations, Now You See Me will ultimately make more than $150 million in it foreign box office. To Lionsgate this is practically a mandate to continue the story of slick thieves and magicians.

Now You See Me stars Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, and Woody Harrelson as The Four Horsemen, a quartet of wild and gifted stage magicians who dazzle and delight crowds by brilliantly pulling off bank robberies during a show and then distributing the booty among the ecstatic audience members. Mark Ruffalo and Melanie Laurent played their antagonists, a FBI agent and an Interpol detective charged with discovering how the group’s hocus pocus made for the seemingly perfect crime. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman also co-starred in the Louis Leterrier-directed adventure.

When the movie opened in the US last May, critics complained that the plotlines set up didn’t satisfyingly resolve. Some speculated this was a lame ploy to allow for an easy sequel and it appears they may have been right. Despite what Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer think, critics are rarely to blame for a movie’s flopping. It is clear that despite mostly negative reviews Now You See Me found an appreciative audience worldwide, reflected in its impressive box office and enviable CinemaScore of A-. For all those who enjoyed this caper, Lionsgate promises Now You See Me 2 will leap into production in 2014. Though it’s currently unknown who will pen the project, or which of its cast will return.

Check out the trailer below, and in comments tell us where you hope the sequel will lead.

Though movie productions have been faking New York City locations for decades, there are a few things you simply can't fake. Like an abandoned building that's become a legendary graffiti hub, painted over by countless artists and preserved by devoted caretakers. Or views of Manhattan from the top of the building where your characters will pull off their climactic stunt. Or the 7 train rumbling by in the background, loud and chaotic but all part of the charm you get when you sign up for New York City.

On a chilly night in Long Island CIty, Queens last spring, the production of Now You See Me had set up at the iconic 5 Pointz, where the magicians at the center of the story were ready to pull off their big climactic illusion. With a crowd gathered below them, and both an FBI agent (Mark Ruffalo) and an Interpol agent (Melanie Laurent) hot on their tail, the Four Horsemen-- played by Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco and Woody Harrelson-- were standing on the roof of 5 Pointz and commanding the crowd. Or were they? As the crowd looked up in awe, Ruffalo's character was led in the opposite direction by Laurent's, each of them trying to stay ahead of the magicians who had eluded them all this time. Were they on the roof, or was that another illusion? Would the magicians and Robin Hood-like thieves be caught in the end?

Nobody on the set was telling-- that's the nature of a set visit, where you see one piece of a very large puzzle that will only make sense in context. But in the night spent at 5 Pointz, watching director Louis Leterrier manage 650 extras and tossing his actors right into the middle of them, we saw a film about something that might sound ridiculous-- a bunch of magicians who rob banks and share their profits with the audience-- turning into something thrilling. Leterrier, who has made The Incredible Hulk and Clash of the Titans, says that Now You See Me is his small movie, and operating on an estimated $70 million budget with limited CGI, it's a good bit smaller than his last two films. But as he stood on set, describing shoots in Las Vegas and New Orleans, using the crowd on Bourbon Street as free extras and inventing new shots inside an elevator shaft, it's clear that "small" for Louis Leterrier is still a pretty damn big spectacle.

Truthfully, it was hard to tell just how much spectacle that would be on the ground at 5 Pointz, especially with Leterrier and producer Bobby Cohen both being deliberately cagey about what they would reveal (asked why the Four Horsemen were robbing banks to begin with, Cohen said "I'd rather not tell you.") Leterrier revealed that some of the graffiti at 5 Pointz had been altered-- with permission of course-- so that it would be able to change as part of the magic trick, but of course we couldn't see that happen. As the extras looked up at the roof over and over again, they were supposed to be seeing the 4 Horsemen… who weren't there (their scenes had been shot earlier). And though the set was littered with fake money as part of the trick, nobody would reveal if the Horsemen were successful or not, or if Ruffalo finally succeeded in catching the magicians who had been eluding him across several cities.

At the same time, there were bits of verisimilitude all over the place, like the 7 train that rumbled overhead (Leterrier seemed practically giddy that he had gotten the subway "for free" instead of having to create it in CGI), or the warehouse next door that was crammed full of the iconic quilted food carts that rattle into Manhattan every morning. Before the production set up shop in 5 Pointz they had no idea the warehouse was there, but quickly incorporated the setting into a foot chase scene. As Cohen told us, "That's the kind of thing that you say, if you had written it that way, and said "Yeah, we should go and order 25 of those carts," somehow it would never quite look right."

Talking to the cast and crew on Now You See Me was a bit like spending time with a magician, watching them seem to reveal their entire hand-- Leterrier happily showed us footage on his monitor, and Ruffalo talked about the seductive power of magicians-- only to come back with 10 times as many secrets. Of course, that misdirection is all part of the plan, even for the audiences who wind up buying tickets.. "If we've done it right, I think that the whole movie should work as a trick," Cohen told us. So while we didn't come away with the method behind the magic, or even how Dave Franco got so good at tossing cards he was able to slice a banana in half with one from across the room, we were able to talk to the cast and crew about the practicalities of shooting a film in four different cities, about pulling one over on the audience, about honoring the spirit of magic and about the unexpected Zombieland reunion that happens when you cast Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson together.

You can read excerpts from our on-set conversation with Leterrier below, and come back later today for what we learned from Eisenberg, Fisher and Ruffalo. Check out the film's trailer first (you can see a lot of 5 Pointz graffiti in there), and look for Now You See Me in theaters on May 31.

NOW YOU SEE ME DIRECTOR LOUIS LETERRIER

What are we going to see specifically tonight? What are you filming?

We are doing the moment when all the cops have converged on the last show. They know where the magicians are, they’re a little ahead of them, they’ve always been behind them, but now they’re ahead, and they will arrest them. There’s a moment when one group of cops is going where the show is, and Melanie Laurent stops Mark Ruffalo and says, “Come the other way, trust me, come this way, I’ll show you, towards this crappy pushcart, this food cart thing, that’s where they are, that’s where we can stop them, that’s where we can come ahead.” And he has that moment where he hesitates, and he’s like, should I trust her? Because they’ve been trying to work together, but sometimes she was — it’s two people working together for the first time, being attracted or being mistrusting and everything. So that’s the moment where really, it’s the crossroads between, do I go with these guys and keep my job, or do I risk losing it all and go with her?

How do you deal with the trains when they’re going overhead?

Oh it’s fine, the trains have been great. It’s free. We have a scene on Bourbon Street where Mark Ruffalo chases them, and we’re like, okay we need extras. We can only afford whatever, like two hundred. And I was like, with the AD, let’s go on Friday night and shoot on Bourbon Street. So we had twenty thousand free extras. And we have, you know, free trains. We did some amazing shots the other day with the helicopter with the trains. It’s amazing. People will see that, and that’s the thing, people will be like, “Visual effects.” I’m like, “No, that’s real, that’s real, let’s find a real location, that’s real.” No, it’s fine, you do that and then you loop.

Why was this location so perfect for the scene?

Because visually, we wanted a place where thousands of people could converge, New York in the background, several floors, a maze. That’s what I was looking for. It’s a cat and mouse game that ends up in this location. You’ll see afterwards in the 4D projection, there’ll be helicopters flying around with spotlights and the spotlights will shine on the building, almost doing an X-ray transparency thing where you’ll see the magicians running around and the cops chasing them. All that stuff will be projected onto the building. This is a great building, this is unbelievable.

Did you recreate some of this on a soundstage?

No, actually, it’s all here. We didn’t do a lot of soundstage. We built an apartment just because it’s easier to film fly away walls and everything, but our thing was, let’s shoot on location as much as possible. So we went to New Orleans, you know, for the tax incentives, yes, but I said, well, it’s New Orleans. It’s magic and voodoo and all that stuff, so let’s really embrace New Orleans for what it is. So we shot New Orleans for New Orleans, we’re shooting New York for New York, Vegas we’re going next week, and then Paris at the end. So yeah, we’re going to the real places. We’re shooting in real places.

It looks like you're trying to capture a lot of stuff in-camera instead of relying on CGI.

Yeah, absolutely. I’m trying to get as much as possible real stuff. Then afterwards we’ll do crowd replications. It’s not crazy visual effects, it’s crowd replications and stuff like that. There’s no full CG shot. Again, it’s putting stuff together, putting elements together. But I still try to get the stuff. Like the rig we have upside down. Yesterday we did a shot — I’ll try to find it — but we did the most amazing shot ever. It’s called a basket cam, we invented this. Literally, it’s a camera, a seamless 235 camera, going up a shaft with people, with a SWAT team running up. It’s as low-tech as possible, but it looks like a visual effects shot. I’ve done it before in Hulk, but it was a full visual effect. This time, I was like, “No no, let’s do it for real, I know how we do it, we do it for real.”

What was it about this project that said, I need to make this?

I was looking for a great script. And then the vision comes afterwards. But I don’t want to have just the title or universe, I wanted a great script with a great story, some great twists, some great characters. I was looking for it, looking for it, looking for it, and then I found this amazing script. It’s been written and enhanced, but it was already amazing in the beginning. So I was like, “This is it, this is for me.” And really, I’ve always loved magic and been a great admirer of magic, but respectful and fearing magic, because I was like, oh, I don’t just understand how you guys do it. And what I love about this script is that it’s very respectful of the art of magic but also gives you a little bit of a peek behind the curtain, the Wizard of Oz curtain, a little bit. Not too much, but that’s what I want.

We’ve seen other movies like The Prestige that tried to show magic, and audiences sometimes are like, “Well, it’s all a special effect.” So how do you deal with that aspect of today’s film-going world?

By having the actors doing it for real. You met [magic consultant] David Kwong yesterday, he’s a magician, and the actors have been doing the real deal, training and the real stuff. Obviously they cannot do everything, but the magic they’re doing is very real. Dave Franco has become amazing at throwing cards. He can take a card and throw it across the room. You met Steve Pope, the stunt guy, he slit his eye, above his eye, with a card across an entire theater. They really got amazing at it. And Woody has been training with this mentalist called Keith Barry. I don’t know if you know him, he has a TV show on Discovery. And really has been that close to hypnotizing people. But you know, hypnosis is very tough, mentalism is very tough, because you can actually make somebody go down, and if you don’t know how to bring them out, you can actually really be in trouble.

? What was the one magic trick that was most difficult to film?

?The card tricks are tough. We had some very complex stuff. We really had some very complex technical stuff, like mirrors. Sometimes, literally, the crew didn’t know what they were shooting. I knew ’cause I was like, this will be used to do this. But sometimes we’re inside a mirror, upside-down, reversed, and the guy on the crane was like, I don’t know where I’m at. Just take the wheels.

How would you say the project has changed or developed since you first signed on?

It’s become a little bit bigger, but not so much. I started like, oh, this is my small one, and then it became a little bit bigger just because the magic became bigger. Jesse Eisenberg as the leader of a magic group — that changed the whole dynamic as the script was written. The script was written for a David Blaine character, a guy wearing a T-shirt, in the original script, hitting on women and doing all this stuff. Jesse coming in was very different. So that’s one change, I guess, but it’s by meeting people, not me saying, “I want to do that.” Meeting people, and seeing that that would be the dynamic I wanted. Again, it was very healthy; the development process was very healthy on this one. It was a great script, then we get a great cast, then we rewrite the script for that cast, and then we build it up from there, starting with visual effects and stunts, finding locations, finding this kind of location, costumes, everything.

You're shooting with anamorphic film, even as a lot of people are going digital. What inspires you to stick with film?

I’ve always shot on film, or we shot on anamorphic lenses. Actually, these lenses that you see are very old, very old lenses, they’re like 40 years old. I feel like digital right now is getting better, because of the new camera that came out, it’s called the Alexa Studio, so now it’s really good. But three months ago when we started this movie, this camera didn’t exist. And I thought that without this camera, the image I would get would be too digital, too crisp. I mean, we’re shooting every format on this movie. We’re shooting digital. You weren’t here the other day, but the helicopter was shooting Alexa, we’re shooting with 5Ds, we’re shooting with GoPros, I’m shooting tons of formats. But the main format is film, 35 and anamorphic, just because of these reasons. Because it’s a film for me, it’s a feature film.

Mark Ruffalo and Melanie Laurent have both directed movies. Did that make them easier to work with?

They take direction easy. And when they see me, they’re like, “Oh, I know what he’s feeling.” Like the first shot of the day when the sun is rising. Or “Oh, I still have sixteen shots in a day.” Morgan Freeman has directed a lot of movies, so he knows exactly. Great actors are so easy to direct. It’s like they’re big 747s that you just have to move left and right, and I don’t really need to direct. I need to put them in the right costume, with the right haircut, in the right location, and with the right actor to act with. My job is almost done at this point, because I’ve found the perfect — it’s like cooking, it’s like cuisine. You cannot make a great dish with bad ingredients. I have great ingredients, and I’m putting them together. That’s all I’m doing.

What's the tone of the movie. People were mentioning Sneakers, Ocean’s Eleven. What are you thinking for the tone of the film and did you ask the cast to maybe watch any films, or did you watch any films before starting?

Yeah, obviously I watched Sneakers, Ocean’s Eleven, Usual Suspects, and all these movies, these heist movies. But for me, the movies I was giving my actors were more like French movies, just for the filming stuff, French movies. There’s a movie actually Melanie is in, called The Beat My Heart Skipped, it’s an unbelievable movie. It’s a remake, actually, of an American movie, James Toback’s Fingers. But there’s a levity about the camerawork that is really inspiring. I was talking to actors, I was like, here is how my camera is going to interact with you. You will be free, and I will capture moments, but it’s not going to be about the camera.

Because I was afraid they’d be like, ugh, the guy from Clash of the Titans is trying to direct me to say these big lines, and it’s going to be terrible. But I was like, “No no no, I’ve done these big movies, but really what I’m trying to do with this one is really to put you in the right mind or space, and then capture these great moments. Put a great group together and capture these little moments. I’m not trying to impose my style on a new film, like it’s just my toy. I’m not interested in this.” So that’s what I show them. It didn’t really have anything to do with the movie or the tone. Yeah, this movie, the tone is funny. All these people, they’re fast. Everybody’s having a great time, off-camera but on-camera too. It’s really fun, fast. It feels stupid to say that, but it really is like a thrill ride. It’s really fun and fast. The movie starts first heist seven minutes into the movie, and then you go in and never stop.

It appears there has finally been more forward progress behind the scenes of This is Where I Leave You, the film adaptation of Jonathan Tropper’s celebrated adult-coming-of-age novel which has been put through Hollywood’s wringer for quite a while now. Back in November, Shawn Levy took over as director, but little has been heard about it since.

The Hollywood Reporter is now reporting Jason Bateman has returned to the project, after having his name attached to it early last year. Bateman is a welcome presence in almost any film, and will probably do a great job nailing the character’s tone of the novel. But there’s more!

On Monday, Levy and Bateman will meet with a group of well-known actresses, some of whom will be reading for the lead female role of Penny. Those actresses include Zoe Saldana (The Words), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (A Good Day to Die Hard), Isla Fisher (Bachelorette), Ari Graynor (For a Good Time Call…), and Kathryn Hahn (Afternoon Delight). This is an interesting bunch, and I think we can determine who probably isn't reading for the love interest, since Winstead wasn’t even born yet when Jason Bateman was on Silver Spoons. Amy Adams’ name is floating around as well, but she’s not being asked to read for the part.

Last May, when Bateman’s name was first connected to the film, it was being directed by Adam Shankman, who has now stepped into a producer role, and the co-stars in talks to join him were Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Jason Sudeikis, Malin Akerman, and Goldie Hawn. Nobody ever made anything official, but it’s possible a few of these names will resurface as the casting process continues.

This is Where I Leave You, from a script written by the author Tropper himself, follows a man whose dysfunctional family gathers for a rare get-together after the death of his father, whose dying wish was for the family to spend the week following his death under one roof. It sounds like the most comfortable, non-intrusive situation imaginable, right?

There was a time not so long ago when it looked like Baz Luhrmann's glossy and glitzy adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby would be one of 2012's biggest holiday movies. That was until Warner Bros. switched the flashy feature out of its Christmas Day debut to the beginning of summer, May 10, 2013. While the motives for this move are unclear, it means fans of Luhrmann and Fitzgerald have been hungry for more of this movie that’s proving as elusive as the affections of its golden girl.

While Warner Bros. has its hands full promoting The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, they haven't forgotten about The Great Gatsby. In fact, they've started revealing characters posters of the tale's troubled figures. In what should prove the first of six, the two posters below show Joel Edgerton as the wealthy and dangerous Tom Buchanan, and Isla Fisher as the low-class gal with big dreams, Myrtle Wilson.

These images are striking. The colors vivid, and the richly detailed costumes set off by the ominous gold gates from the film's poster. Tom looks handsome, but harsh, buttoned up and even shielding his gaze with dark glasses. And the way his manly hands cross seems like a threat, as the fall just below a quote from the novel that reads: "They were careless people Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money and their vast carelessness…"

Daisy Buchanan, Tom's gorgeous but fickle wife, will be portrayed by Oscar-nominated English ingénue Carey Mulligan. I'm sure we'll be awed by her poster soon. But in the meantime, Warner Bros. offers a look at her foil, Myrtle. Where Daisy is graceful, Myrtle is crass. Where Daisy is elegant, Myrtle is bold. Here Myrtle is beautiful, but everything about her very red costume screams for attention, and suggests insecurity. The quote from the novel is telling, "…there was an immediately perceptible vitality about her as if the nerves of her body were continually smouldering." This is the impression she makes on the novel's narrator, Nick Carraway, who will be played by Tobey Maguire.

My guess, is the next two posters we'll see will feature Nick and his high-society girlfriend Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki), followed by The Great Gatsby's most-anticipated poster reveal, that of Carey Mulligan as Daisy and Leonardo DiCaprio as her devoted lover Jay Gatsby. Expect them to be deeply glamorous.

The Leslye Headland written and directed Bachelorette made its official debut at Sundance earlier this year, but the film won't arrive in theaters until September, with an On Demand release coming up in just a few weeks. The film boasts a pretty fantastic cast of females (and some great supporting males), with Rebel Wilson, Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan playing a group of former high school friends reunited to celebrate one of their approaching nuptials.

As you'll see in the trailer (via iTunes) the story follows Rebel Wilson's character Becky, a bride-to-be who's looking forward to celebrating her bachelorette party with her old friends (Dunst, Fisher and Caplan). Only it seems she and they have different ideas in mind for how this party's going to go. Despite Becky's efforts to keep the party tame, the evening takes some wild turns and shenanigans ensue.

I'm not sure which I liked better, Dunst's facial expression when she learns her friend is getting married, or Fisher's various hand-gestures to describe what she has in mind for the party. Bachelorette certainly has a great cast. In addition to the four leading ladies, the film also stars James Marsden, Kyle Bornheimer and Adam Scott, the latter of whom co-starred with Caplan in Party Down. Beyond the obvious star-power, the film looks like it's aiming for goofy and wild female-focused fun, and there's certainly plenty of appeal in that. Also, I think it's worth mentioning that Headland was a writer for FX's short-lived but excellent detective drama Terriers, which boosts my anticipation up a few more notches.

Produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, Bachelorette arrives in theaters September 7, however the film will be available to rent on iTunes on August 10.

Despite early reports that producers were eyeing Rachel Weisz to star opposite Johnny Depp in Rob Marshall's remake of the classic detective comedy The Thin Man, Deadline reveals the race for the film's female lead is wide open. Looking in earnest for the perfect Nora Charles, the lauded Chicago director will begin meeting next week with a long list of leading ladies, including: Eva Green, Amy Adams, Emma Stone, Carey Mulligan, Kristen Wiig, Emily Blunt and Isla Fisher. Weisz is still in the mix, but now she's got some serious competition.

While each of the women above is beautiful and talented, the range in age and type here is slightly bewildering. In the original Thin Man film series, it was the elegant yet cute and warmly funny Myrna Loy who played Nora, the loving wife and willing partner-in-crime of William Powells' Nick Charles, a private investigator turned man of leisure who returns to his sleuthing roots when a curious mystery falls before him. It was a spirited premise that spun into five sequels, each throwing the banter-loving married couple into a new, comedy-laced adventure. And with a hero who is equal parts eccentricity and savvy, it's no surprise Depp has been pushing hard for The Thin Man's resurrection.

Now, let's parse through these casting possibilities. While Stone (Easy A) and Mulligan (Drive) are wonderfully charismatic and deservedly popular ingénues, at 23 and a baby-faced 26 respectively, they look too young to play the wife of 48-year-old Depp without things getting creepy. Of course Hollywood typically loves pairing older men with much younger women, but this is still an uncomfortable stretch. Even Powell was only 13 years Loy's senior. However, as I'd love to see either actress make her way into this comedy, let's hope Marshall is also looking to cast a younger woman for a yet-to-be revealed role.

As the for the rest, Green and Fisher seem to have a slight advantage as each has played a Depp love interest before, the former in the upcoming Dark Shadows and the latter in Gore Verbinski's animated adventure Rango. Yet Adams has never faltered as a winsome comedic performer and possesses an impressive resume filled with rollicking romances like Enchanted. Still, her Muppets co-star Blunt is better regarded for portrayals of sharp and sassy heroines, and so seems a wonderful fit for Nora. Of course, Wiig has shown a wacky appreciation for classic female character types on a variety of Saturday Night Live sketches and it would be intriguing to see her paired with Depp. Still, it's hard to shake the idea of the ever-graceful Weisz, who was silly while charming in The Brothers Bloom, as the enviably glamorous yet game Mrs. Charles.

Basically, it's difficult to predict who will walk away with the coveted role of Nora Charles. But lucky for us, Marshall has an embarrassment of riches to choose from, and none of the above would be a bad choice for to play Depp's marvelous better half.

I know the rule in Hollywood is that the actors in a movie are always going to be incomprehensibly attractive, no matter how ugly or plain their characters are supposed to be. But I thought we were at least supposed to try for some verisimilitude when it came to adapting great literature, so I was holding Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby to a higher standard. Except now he's gone and cast Isla Fisher as Myrtle Wilson, according to THR, and any scrap of hope I had that this would be more than beautiful people swanning around in flapper clothes has been lost entirely.

The cast already includes Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby, Carey Mulligan as his flame Daisy, Ben Affleck as her meanie husband Tom Buchanan, and Tobey Maguire as the fly-on-the-wall narrator Nick Carraway. All of these characters are relatively wealthy and privileged, so it makes some sense for them to be movie-star attractive. But Myrtle, the wife of an auto mechanic with whom Tom is having a fairly inexplicable affair, is distinctly, specifically plainer than all the rest. Here's how she's described in the book:

So, sure, Fisher is plenty vital, and always a welcome presence on the screen. And yes, she could conceivably gain weight to fit into Myrtle's curvy description. But I still can't possibly see her fitting the role, and wonder what on earth Luhrmann is thinking in casting her. I don't want to be one of those slavish fans of a book who objects to everything, but come on-- am I the only one who thinks there was a more logical casting decision to be made here?

Gore Verbinski's Rango remains a bit of a mystery. Even after an announcement piece came out earlier this month, audiences were perplexed why a movie about a chameleon suffering from an identity crisis would be advertised with a giant toy fish. Even stranger, the film sports a cast that includes Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Ray Winstone, and Timothy Olyphant, and not a single character was revealed. The newest update to the film's website doesn't give us much information as to who the characters are, but at least we get to see them.

When the site first launched alongside the announcement piece it featured a long strip of desert, and not much more. Now there are all kinds of interactive goodies, three of which reveal some characters from the film:

• The guitar - Scrolling over the guitar produces a strum, but if you wave your mouse over the strings long enough, an owl wearing a mariachi hat shows up on screen to play a little diddy on his electric guitar.
• 
  
• The toad - On the right side of the first screen you can see what, at first glance, appears to be a gray lump. Clicking on the lump, however, reveals that it is actually a giant cane toad who is trying to catch some z's. Clicking on him multiple times will result in different reactions, all of which have the same general message: go away.
• 
  
• The pillbug/gophers - After clicking on the toad, move your mouse slowly down and to the right - this should reveal a second page. Click on what appears to be a ball (and is actually a pillbug) and it will roll into a nearby gopher hole. If you do this enough times, a pair of gophers will emerge and will say something about a bank and making a wrong turn. It seems that these two little rodents are trying to pull off a heist.

Unfortunately, I can't pick out any of the individual voices, but perhaps you can. The rest of the site is full of goodies that don't produce characters, such as a radio that plays soft country music and a plastic palm tree that you can use to chuck rocks at cars, but are fun to mess with nonetheless. Check it out over at RangoMovie.com.

Full disclosure: Brain is gone this week. If you listen to the show exclusively for his loud guffaws and vicious hatred of Heroes, it’s probably best you skip this episode. But if you’re like the rest of us and secretly feel he’s a buoy weighing down the Blendcast, listen with relish. There’s just no way of knowing how many Brainless opportunities you might get.

Gourmet Chef and all-around New York hard-ass Steve West sits in this week and discusses both this season’s upcoming television pilots, and of course, plays chuck fuck marry with Isla Fisher, Rachel McAdams and Jane Seymour. Add that to Trevor’s bitching about the Bears game and Mack’s personal address to all of Blendcast’s black fans, and well, there’s something here. We’re not sure if it’s innovative or awful---but it’s something.

Warning!: This week’s episode of Blendcast has a mean streak to it, like a hungry tiger or Tonya Harding. Buy headphones and keep your children locked in the bunker.

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