Actors playing multiple roles in entertainment go back to the dawn of drama. Even the ancient Greeks did it. This is certainly true of the film era, where actors have been playing roles all the way back to the beginning. Sometimes it's as simple as playing twins, like Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin in Big Business, and sometimes it's more complex, like the great Peter Sellers playing three very different roles in Dr, Strangelove. In honor of those actors, here are some of our favorite examples of actors playing multiple roles in movies.

Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove

No list like this would be complete without the great Peter Sellers in his three fantastic performances in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Sellers plays the resourceful Captain Mandrake, the bumbling President of the United States, and the completely over-the-top Dr. Strangelove in the movie. Sellers was also supposed to play the character Major Kong, but injured himself on set and the the role went to Slim Pickens instead.

Kate Hudson - Alex & Emma

Films with stories within stories are often a good place to find actors playing multiple roles, as is the case with Kate Hudson in Alex & Emma. In the "real" story, Hudson plays Emma, a stenographer helping Alex (Luke Wilson) complete his novel. As Alex and Emma work on the story, viewers are taken inside the story of a novel where both Wilson and Hudson play characters in the novel. Hudson, in fact, plays four different versions of a nanny in the book.

Michael J. Fox - Back To The Future Part II

While nothing will ever live up to the original Back To The Future, Back To The Future Part II is still pretty fun. One of the things that make it so is Michael J. Fox playing Marty (of course), and his son Marty, Jr., and his daughter Marlene in the movie. Thomas F. Wilson, who plays Biff Tannen, also plays multiple roles in the movie as the various members of the Tannen family.

Jodie Comer - Free Guy

This one is a little bit of a fudge, because in Free Guy, Jodie Comer is playing her character and her character's avatar. So in some ways they are kind of, sort of the same character. Still, she plays the roles different and for that reason, she deserves to be on this list.

Rory Kinnear - Men

Men is an odd movie, but in a good way. Rory Kinnear is what makes it unique. On the surface, Kinnear plays the owner of an inn in a small town, but he also plays most of the rest of the men in the town, all of whom are pretty odd characters.

Lupita Nyong'o - Us

Jordan Peele's horror classic Us features all of the cast members playing both their main character and "Tethered" character with that excellent cast being led by Lupita Nyong'o, who plays Addy and Red. It would be fair to put any of the cast members on this list though, about 20 in total, but we don't want to make this whole list about Us, despite how great it is.

Paul Dano - There Will Be Blood

It'll come as no surprise that a few entries on this list are actors playing identical twins in a movie. We had to include Paul Dano as both Paul and Eli Sunday in There Will Be Blood because Dano's performance, especially as the preacher Eli, is transcendent. The final scene between Eli and Daniel (Daniel Day-Lewis) is one of the most intense scenes ever to appear in a film.

Scarlett Johansson - Astroid City

Director Wes Anderson's Astroid City has a movie within a movie telling the story of the movie. As such, and as you'd probably expect, there are a few actors playing both their "real life" characters and the actors playing them in the movie inside the movie. Scarlett Johansson plays both Midge Campbell and the actor playing Midege, Mercedes. Jason Schwartzman also plays two roles, as do Matt Dillon, Maya Hawke, and others.

George Burns - Oh, God! You Devil

The legendary George Burns played God in not one, but three movies in the Oh God series. In the third installment, he added another character, the Devil. The best scene in the movie comes when God and the Devil play a game of poker for the soul of Bobby Shelton, played by Ted Wass.

Bette Midler And Lily Tomlin - Big Business

Movies about twins separated at birth have been popular in Hollywood forever, but in 1988, director Jim Abrahams upped the ante with two sets of twins separated at birth. Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler are two sets of sisters who discover they were separated from their identical twin. It's a decent movie that hasn't really been remembered by many movie fans.

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

Of course, we had to include Eddie Murphy on this list! There are multiple movies where the great comedian plays multiple roles, but in the interest of brevity, we're just including the best Eddie Murphy movie, Coming To America. Murphy's main character, Prince Akeem, is the only one that he plays in the movie. Clarence, the barber, is also Murphy, as is Saul, the guy who just hangs out at the barbershop all day. Finally, Murphy also plays the character you may remember from the "What's Going Down" episode of "That's My Mama," Jackson Heights' own Randy Watson!

Christian Bale - The Prestige

The Prestige is a movie that gets a little lost in director Christopher Nolan's fimography, though, like most of his movies, it's excellent. Nolan teamed up with Christian Bale again on the heels of Batman Begins for this movie about rival magicians. Bale plays Alfred Borden and Borden's assistant, Fallon, who are living with a secret that we'll keep in case you haven't seen the movie.

Mel Brooks - History of the World, Part I

Mel Brooks is a one-man force of nature. Not only did he write, direct, and str in most of his movies, but he usually played multiple roles as well. One of the best examples was in History of the World, Part I, where he plays four characters, one in each segment of the film.

Tilda Swinton - Suspiria

There is little that Tilda Swinton can't do, including playing multiple roles in movies. She first did it in 2002's Teknolust, before playing oddball twins in the Coen Brothers' Hail, Caesar! In Suspiria, she plays three roles, Madame Blanc, Dr. Josef Klemperer, and Mother Helena Markos.

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Man In The Iron Mask

The titular character in The Man in the Iron Mask, was, supposedly, a prisoner kept by King Louis XIV during his reign. In the movie, the mysterious prisoner is Louis' twin brother, the fictional Philippe Bourbon. Both the king and the man in the iron mask are played by Leonardo DiCaprio in this historically dubious retelling of a classic Four Musketeer tale.

Janelle Monáe - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

As the title implies, there are a lot of layers in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. by writer and director Rian Johnson. One of those layers is just who Janelle Monáe's character is, either Andi Brand, the ex-partner of Edward Norton's character, or Helen Brand, her twin sister investigating Andi's unexpected death.

Arsenio Hall - Coming To America

Like his co-star Eddie Murphy, Arsenio also plays multiple roles in Coming To America. His main role, Semmi, is Murphy's trusted servant. Hall also plays one of the women the two meet at a club and one of the barbers, but the funniest character he plays has to be the preacher. Every line he delivers is hilarious.

Armie Hammer - The Social Network

Of all the double (and more) roles on this list, maybe the easiest to do double duty for is that of the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network. Don't get us wrong, Armie Hammer nails the role(s) as the swarmy twins who actually came up with the idea that would become Facebook. They may have had a case against Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), but that didn't make them good people.

Graham Chapman - Monty Python And The Holy Grail

This is really an entry for all of the members of Monty Python, as all of them play at least four different roles in the movie. Graham Chapman plays King Arthur, so naturally, he gets top billing, but John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Eric Idle deserve the spotlight here. Actors Neil Innes, Sandy Johnson, and John Young also play multiple roles in the movie.

Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Ben Whishaw, And More - Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas tells a story that spans centuries and in each timeline, the same core group of actors play different roles. This includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, and many more. It's a wild movie to follow, but all the actors are on point, for sure

Jack Nicholson - Mars Attacks!

While Mars Attacks! may not be the first movie you think of when you think of the great roles Jack Nicholson has played over the years, you should because he's actually really great in both of the roles he plays. It's not often thought of as one of Nicholson's best movies, but maybe it should be, because it is hilarious and he's a big reason why,

Hayley Mills - The Parent Trap

Both versions of The Parent Trap, the original starring Hayley Mills as twins separated at birth and the remake starring Lindsey Lohan as the twins are great movies. Mills and Lohan are both great at playing the dual roles of the twins who discover their parents separated them when they were babies and they never knew.

Mike Myers - Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

As the Austin Powers franchise chugged on, Mike Myers kept adding roles, but in the original, he started brilliantly as both the hero, Austin Powers, and the villain, Dr. Evil. It's hard to decide which character is funnier, but it's safe to say that without Myers playing the roles, neither would be as iconic and we wouldn't have as many classic lines from Myers.

Peter Sellers - The Mouse That Roared

While Dr. Strangelove is the most famous and revered example of Peter Sellers playing multiple roles in a movie, it wasn't the first time he did. A few years before the Stanley Kubrick classic, Sellers started in the wildly underrated war movie farce The Mouse That Roared. Sellers carries the movie in three different, ridiculous, and hilarious roles and it really should be better remembered today.

Margaret Hamilton - The Wizard Of Oz

Margaret Hamilton plays two different villains in The Wizard Of Oz. Of course, she plays the iconic Wicked Witch Of The West and Dorothy's obnoxious neighbor Almira Gulch, who takes Toto after claiming to be bitten by the innocent dog. Hamilton isn't the only actor in the movie to play dual roles, but both of her characters are the most developed of them.

Eddie Murphy - The Nutty Professor

Coming To America may be the best example of Eddie Murphy playing multiple roles, but The Nutty Professors and its sequel, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps definitely has him playing the most characters. Across both movies, he plays eight different characters. While both movies have their moments, neither quite reach the comedic heights of Coming To America.

Mia Goth - X

In The X series, Mia Goth plays both Maxine Minx and Pearl Douglas. the former is in Goth's wheelhouse, but the latter, an elderly woman who is the villain of both of the first two movies, X and Pearl. Goth is unrecognizable and brilliant in both.

Richard Pryor - Which Way Is Up?

Years before his Harlem Nights co-star Eddie Murphy started starring in multiple roles in movies, Richard Pryor pulled off the feat in Which Way Is Up? in 1977. While it's an uneven movie, it does have some funny moments, especially Pryor in one of his roles, the Reverend Lenox Thomas.

Cate Blanchett - Coffee & Cigarettes

Director Jim Jarmusch's Coffee & Cigarettes is a collection of short stories, 11 in total, that pay tribute to, you guessed it, those two popular vices. In one of them, Cate Blanchett plays a fictionalized version of herself and her fictional cousin, Shelly, who meet for a coffee and a smoke. The story is really just an uncomfortable conversation between Cate and the jealous Shelly, but it's one of the best stories in the movie.

Tom Hardy - Legend

Tom Hardy is never afraid to take on a tricky role and in Legend he takes on two, playing the psychotic Cray twins, Reggie and Ronnie. Based on the true story of the mobsters who gained fame in the mid-'60s as the owners of a popular nightclub frequented by celebrities in the "Swinging London" era.

Hilary Duff - The Lizzie McGuire Movie

Okay, we'll admit the plot of The Lizzie McGuire Movie is pretty silly. In it, Lizzie, played by Hilary Duff, of course, travels to Rome on a school trip and ends up in a weird love triangle of sorts with her Italian doppelganger, Isabella. Is it a great movie? Nah, not really, but it does fit on this list.

Adam Sandler - Jack And Jill

If you're an Adam Sandler fan, then you'll love Jack And Jill because you get twice as much Sandler as usual, as he plays the brother and sister, Jack and Jill. Honestly, unless you're a big Sandler fan, this is a movie you can skip, though it does seem to have fans for some reason.

That’s it, Janelle Monáe won Halloween! The Glass Onion actor and famed singer has joined 2024 celebrity Halloween costumes that have surfaced ahead of the holiday, and wow, did she go all out. Monáe is unrecognizable as the star of one of the best sci-fi movies, E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial.

Janelle Monáe shared a series of photos of themselves dressed up in a very accurate costume of both E.T. and Elliott from what’s considered to be among the greatest 80s movies. Take a look:

Excuse me?!?! Janelle Monáe just took dressing up for Halloween to an entirely new level with this Instagram post. Somehow, the Glass Onion cast member is underneath the very accurate costume of E.T. in this series of photos that sees one of the most friendly creatures in a genre movie sitting at a table and playing dress up. In the last two photos, Monáe can be seen. One has them in a wig cap holding up the E.T. mask, and the last image has her in Elliott’s iconic red hoodie taking flight with E.T. in her bicycle basket.

Janelle Monáe also took the costume to The Jennifer Hudson Show. Check out this clip from the morning show’s Halloween episode:

As one commenter rightfully asked, “How she fit”? The singer is already rather short, reportedly standing at 5 feet, but there must be something else happening in that suit to make her accurate to E.T. size, right?

Pulling off the costume and the photoshoot itself certainly took a lot of work and effort from a team of people, as Monáe credited in her post. We especially have to give it up to the costumer Alex Navarro, who also transformed the actor into some wild characters in the past. Back in 2022, Navarro turned the talent into the blue alien singer Diva Plavalaguna from The Fifth Element:

In 2021, Navarro also transformed Monáe into their own vision of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde in along with Mr. Grinch in the same year. Look at the latter below:

I think it’s time we appoint Janelle Monáethe queen of Halloween. The talent has been making pop music since the early 00s before having an incredible pair of first movie roles with 2016’s Moonlight and Hidden Figures. Monáe has also been in Harriet, Antebellum and, most recently, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Her next movie is a musical called Atlantis alongside Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Quinta Brunson, Anderson. Paak and Missy Elliott. Atlantis is among the 2025 movies, as it will be released on May 9.

Monáe’s costume is the best costume we’ve seen so far ahead of Halloween and a great tribute to a classic movie that partially takes place during Halloween.

Music and the movies are two worlds that cross over often, and to great effect. Sometimes the greatest overlap between those segments of entertainment comes from performances through figures we primarily know for carrying a tune over a scene. But believe it or not, these 32 movies featuring professional musicians are noteworthy for providing talent that can do both. 

Janelle Monáe - Hidden Figures

Playing Mary Jackson, an African-American mathematician crucial to the early days of NASA’s space race, Janelle Monáe showed off her dramatic chops in the historical drama Hidden Figures. One of the earliest cinematic roles in her career, Monáe would go on to become a more prolific actor and singer, adding films like Glass Onion: a Knives Out mystery to her resume along the way. 

David Bowie - The Prestige

As he continues to build amazing ensemble casts to carry out his cinematic visions, director Christopher Nolan has a knack for choosing talent. Which leads to that time Nolan begged David Bowie to be in The Prestige, as the helmer felt that the actor/singer would be a perfect Nicola Tesla. That instinct was as well played as the film it served to bolster.

Lady Gaga - A Star Is Born

Lady Gaga is such a natural entertainer that when she was announced as a lead in Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born remake, it didn’t feel like that much of a surprise. With previous films and shows to her acting credit, this role could be considered her cinematic breakout, as it landed her many raves, awards and nominations during the 2018-2019 awards cycle.

Frank Sinatra - The Manchurian Candidate

By the time Frank Sinatra made The Manchurian Candidate, his career had seen him make musicals, comedies, and intense dramas alike. The 1962 neo-noir thriller became one of his best received films, as Sinatra’s Captain Bennett Marco and his quest to prevent a clandestine assassination attempt distinguished itself as a contemporary hit, as well as an all-time classic. 

Queen Latifah - Set It Off

A landmark ‘90s drama that’s still fondly remembered to this day, Set It Off told a story of four women looking to live better lives through thievery. Queen Latifah’s Cleo Sims made up a part of that team, offering a complex performance that was both tragic and empowering. 

Gene Simmons - Runaway

Kiss frontman Gene Simmons knew what it was like to surprise the world when he and his bandmates took off their makeup for a period between the ‘80s and ‘90s. That was as good a time as any for Simmons to break into acting, as the villainous Dr. Charles Luther in Michael Crichton’s Runaway. 

Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard

If The Bodyguard had been made when it was first written, we might have seen Ryan O’Neal and Diana Ross playing the leads. But, as anyone in Hollywood could tell you, delays can sometimes gum up the works. Which is how, by time the ‘90s rolled around, Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston landed the iconic leads in this romantic-drama; with Houston making her historic cinematic debut.

Tim McGraw - The Blind Side

A year after Tim McGraw starred in Four Christmases, the country singer experienced two life changing moments. Not only did McGraw’s weight loss journey start to take off, but his acting career saw him co-starring with Sandra Bullock in the sports drama The Blind Side.

Beyoncé - Dreamgirls

2006 was a banner year for Beyoncé’s film acting resume, thanks to Deena Jones, part of the central trio in the musical drama Dreamgirls. The Renaissance woman helped boost director Bill Condon’s musical to awards glory, alongside co-stars Anika Noni Rose and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson. 

Lenny Kravitz - The Hunger Games

Lenny Kravitz jumped into the acting game in a pretty big way, after playing himself in several film appearances. Perhaps his most iconic role yet is that of portrayal of Cinna, stylist to Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in The Hunger Games. Inspiring everyone’s favorite tribute into subtle acts of rebellion, Kravitz’s warmth helps solidify the guidance that helped turn Katniss into a hero for the ages. 

Cher - Moonstruck

“Snap out of it!” With four words, Cher became a romantic-comedy legend, as she tried to deal with Nicolas Cage’s amorous advances in Moonstruck. Not only did that impress audiences overall, it landed her the award for Best Actress at 1988’s Academy Awards as well.

Flea - The Big Lebowski

If you thought “Nihilist #2” in The Coen Bros’ legendary comedy The Big Lebowski looked or sounded familiar, you have a good ear. Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Flea is the actor credited for that role, providing some comedic menace in Jeff Bridges’ neo-noir classic about blackmail, death, and bowling. 

Dolly Parton - 9 To 5

With a balance of commanding wisdom and unlimited sweetness, Dolly Parton is a country star that will always be an icon. However, watching 9 to 5 just might shock you, as the dark comedy shows her teaming with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda to teach Dabney Coleman how to treat a woman in the workplace. Let’s just say that lesson goes beyond a catchy theme song.

Dean Martin - The Sons Of Katie Elder

Rat Pack icon of cool Dean Martin is mostly known for either his comedies alongside musical pals Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., or his long running partnership with Jerry Lewis. But outside of either of those canons is Martin’s parts in westerns like The Sons of Katie Elder, which saw the crooner playing brother to genre legend John Wayne. So you can see how this was a pretty big deal back in 1965. 

Madonna - A League of Their Own

A League of Their Own's Mae Mordabito is quite possibly Madonna's most memorable part. As center fielder for the Rockland Peaches, she plays the entire cast with comedic precision with her free spirited character. 

Eminem - 8 Mile

Playing a fictionalized version of your own experiences isn’t a guaranteed success. And yet, Eminem took 8 Mile’s aspiring rapper Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith and made believers of fans and critics with his acting abilities. It was enough of a success that, decades after he has yet to take on another major film role, people are still curious if Marshall Mathers will ever lose himself in a movie again. 

Mandy Moore - A Walk To Remember

Pro-tip: if you’re a pop star that wants to become an actor, a Nicholas Sparks movie just might be the surest way to test those waters. Mandy Moore can attest to that fact, as her role in 2002’s A Walk To Remember was probably a good warm up for her future success as part of NBC’s drama series This Is Us. If you’re a fan of that meteoric network hit, and you haven’t watched this movie, you owe yourself a moment to correct that. 

Isaac Hayes - Escape From New York

A certain generation of Isaac Hayes fans will know him best as a soulful singer, while others would recall his velvety pipes from the romantically obscene Chef from South Park. And right in between those groups are the die hard fans of the best action movies ever who would remember Hayes as the menacing Duke in John Carpenter’s Escape from New York. 

Brandy - Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Everyone has their favorite Cinderella, and for Disney growing up in the ‘90s, Brandy is a prime candidate for those honors. Which is totally valid, as the singer’s leading portrayal in Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a magical glass slipper that ties the entire cast of notables together. To imagine this movie without her is, quite frankly, impossible.

Sammy Davis Jr. - The Cannonball Run

The entire Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. were all actors, as well as singers, at the height of their powers. One of Davis’ best gigs, besides the original Ocean’s 11, came out of The Cannonball Run, which reunited him with fellow pally Martin for two films of vehicular madness. 

Janet Jackson - Poetic Justice

Writer/director John Singleton’s Poetic Justice could very easily be counted as an acting win for either Tupac Shakur or Janet Jackson. However, Ms. Jackson wins out no question, as her dynamic performance as Justice anchors both the dramatic, and the romantic halves of this picture. Not to mention, this project marking Janet’s debut as a feature film actor is still a powerful statement felt by her fans.

Andre Benjamin - Four Brothers

While Four Brothers isn’t an exact, on-brand remake of the western The Sons of Katie Elder, it’s pretty close. The similarities between the two Paramount movies are even eerier when you think about how Dean Martin’s acting career was enriched by the 1965 western, and Andre “3000” Benjamin saw the same sort of fortune come from his part in the 2005 action-drama.

Diana Ross - Lady Sings The Blues

Upon its release in 1972, Lady Sings The Blues sparked critical debate over how good of a biopic it really was. What wasn’t up for question was the excellence of Diana Ross’ performance as Billie Holiday; a feat that not only won her raves from critics, but also scored her a Best Actress nomination at 1973’s Academy Awards.

Usher - Light It Up

Not long after Usher made his movie debut in Robert Rodriguez's The Faculty, he graduated to being a lead player in the ensemble for writer/director Craig Bolotin's Light It Up. Going back to high school with Rosario Dawson and Sara Gilbert as classmates, Usher took part in a teenage rebellion with a cause more serious than any alien invasion.

Alicia Keys - Smokin’ Aces

The words “professional assassin” aren’t exactly what come to mind when talking about singer/songwriter Alicia Keys. That perception is part of how 2006’s Smokin’ Aces was such an explosive surprise upon its initial theatrical release. Keys and Taraji P. Henson’s double act as hired killers with a job to do helped keep this ensemble action dramedy spinning with chemistry to spare.

John Legend - La La Land

Is John Legend’s La La Land character a villain? It depends on who you ask, with his part in splitting up Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s on-screen romance acting as a defining factor. Unsurprisingly, the piano man’s charm and musical prowess added some extra star power to Damian Chazelle’s colorful musical.

Mariah Carey - Precious

People like Mariah Carey and Charlize Theron “deglamming” for performances in powerful dramas only helped amplify their performances. In Theron’s case, that led to her first Academy Award nomination in Monster. Meanwhile for Carey, director Lee Daniels’ heartbreaker provided her with a credit that wowed the critics to an impressive degree.

Alice Cooper - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Decades before Across the Universe turned the Beatles songbook into a jukebox musical, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band used that premise to a campier extent. This is, after all, the movie where you can see Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees “fighting” villains like Aerosmith and Steve Martin. And a part of that collection of baddies is an equally creepy and intriguing Alice Cooper, playing the role of cult leader Father Sun. 

Björk - Dancer In The Dark

Writer/director Lars Von Trier’s Dancer in the Dark was only singer Bjòrk’s second motion picture. You’d never know it, as this beautiful but tragic mashup of drama and music saw the Icelandic singer-songwriter land a heartbreaking blow with her character Selma. Trust us, you need the right headspace, and a lot of tissues, to take on this experience.

Common - Run All Night

While Common eventually got to hunt down Keanu Reeves’ titular assassin in John Wick: Chapter 2, he practiced his killer skills with another action vet: Liam Neeson. Run All Night pitted the rapping/acting talent against Mr. Neeson, and the war waged between the two men is something truly impressive to behold. 

Britney Spears - Crossroads

Not a girl, not yet a woman, and because of Britney Spears’ intense “method acting” in Crossroads, there was one more thing she wasn’t at the time: an actor. Though she’d eventually play a couple other roles here and there, preparing to star in this teenage drama road trip was enough to make Spears question how much she really wanted to act. 

Prince - Purple Rain

The world knows the many sides of Prince through his mythic career as a guitar god and musical boundary pusher. Purple Rain made that image all the stronger, as the man is basically playing himself, with some dramatic and comedic embellishment. The result is a movie that was a white hot success, and a powerful calling card in Prince's future endeavors on both sides of this fence.

While it’s not for everyone, actor/musician crossovers are always interesting to keep an eye out for. Both commanding successes and curious one-off scenarios are equally intriguing, as one never knows where the next success story will come from. Aspiring singers and actors alike take note: these cases we’ve just discussed are good studies to keep in mind when plotting your own course to stardom! 

We’ve seen Florence Pugh continue the sheer trend along with many other celebs for over a year now, and A-listers rocking Barbiecore have been a constant as of late. Both these trends highlight the creativity and innovation in fashion, and they show off the personalities and styles of the people who wear them. Now, another stylish moment seems to be emerging as celebs like Heidi Klum, Olivia Wilde, Shania Twain and more have been seen wearing some great dresses that feature side cutouts. And let me tell you, I’m so here for this trend popping off. 

Heidi Klum  

Heidi Klum knows how to rock a trend in a totally unique and daring way. From wearing a sheer dress that looked like water to the Avatar: The Way of Water premiere to her throwing it back to the early ‘00s with a butt-baring dress, the America’s Got Talent judge is always pushing the boundaries of what’s trendy. 

That was 100% the case at the iHeart Radio Music Awards this spring when the model wore a sparkly blue Julien Macdonald dress, per Hollywood Life, that featured both a fun side cutout and played into the ongoing underboob trend that celebrities have been loving for the last year.

Janelle Monáe 

While Janelle Monáe loves a futuristic fashion moment, they also adore a timeless look too – like this gorgeous red Cong Tri gown they wore to the NAACP Image Awards in February, per WWD. With a bold red lip and some fab red heels, the Glass Onion actor absolutely slayed the red carpet in this incredible dress that featured a slit all the way up their leg and a fun cut-out on the side with some flattering ruching. 

Olivia Wilde 

While Florence Pugh has reinvented the sheer trend over and over again, her Don’t Worry Darling director, Olivia Wilde is totally killing this side cutout trend. At the 2023 Met Gala, which honored Chanel’s longtime creative designer Karl Lagerfeld, Wilde wore a white Chloé design with gold detailing that featured side cutouts on both sides of her abdomen.

According to Vogue, it was inspired by a Chloé design from the spring 1983 collection and music, which you can see with the violin-like shape at the center of the dress.

Lori Harvey 

Showing off a slightly more casual version of the side cutout trend, Lori Harvey wore a white dress to the Revolve Festival earlier this spring during Coachella. The look leans into the streetwear style that’s been a big trend for the last couple of years, and it capitalizes on the side cutout having a major moment. Her black bag and sunglasses tie the sneakers into the look perfectly, and the gold waist chain and hand chain bring the ensemble together. 

Kim Kardashian

If you want to talk about a woman who is always at the forefront of fashion, look no further than Kim Kardashian. While she’s cooked up some wild trends of her own, she also knows how to rock whatever is having a moment – this includes a sidecut out dress. 

During an outing in New York City, she wore a Gucci maxi dress, per Page Six, that featured two cutouts on her hips and two more on her side. The edgy ensemble with the slicked-back updo was such a good look for her, and both on-brand and on-trend. 

Shania Twain

Like a lot of the fashionistas on this list, Shania Twain loves a bold look that’s both on trend and totally unique to her. At this year’s CMT Music Awards, the Queen of Me artist rocked a super fun sheer butterfly-inspired dress by Prabal Gurung, per People. Complimenting the red and black sheer fabric, the cut of the dress also helps show off the butterfly effect with the two cutouts at her waist acting as the center point, while the top and bottom of the dress flutter out almost like wings. 

The “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” singer is known for her high-fashion and confident looks. Shania Twain loves a bold and unique moment, and she proved that by going topless for her album cover, and proudly repurposing her clothes on tour. She also loves to be experimental on the red carpet, while remaining on-trend, as she did with this cutout gown. 

Hilaria Baldwin  

In late 2022, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin went out for a night on the town to attend The Museum Gala at the American Museum of Natural History. Two months after giving birth to her and the actor’s seventh kid, according to Page Six, they went to this event, and she thrived in a Joy Cioci gown that featured a gorgeous cutout at her waist. 

The velvet look, perfect for the holidays, also featured a white bow that tied the dress together right below the cutout. To top it off, Hilaria wore her hair up, and paired the dress with some sparkly silver earrings and pumps. All around, this mom of seven absolutely killed the carpet in this trendy fit. 

Gigi Hadid 

You can always count on Gigi Hadid to take on a trend in a super fun way, and she did just that by wearing a dress to the Met Gala in 2023 that featured fun side cutouts and radiated Y2K energy. Harper’s Bazaar called it a “Goth Naked” look while describing the sheer ensemble, and I totally agree. The naked dress has been a beloved staple for the red carpet recently, and the model stepped up her take on it by also playing into the side cutout trend.

Like Wilde’s look, Hadid’s custom Givenchy dress was inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s work, and you can feel that through the black gloves, and black and white color scheme. However, it’s also unique to her, and I love how the cutouts help give off a punk Y2K vibe that is very in at the moment. 

Overall, side cutouts are having a moment, and these people really know how to rock it. As the 2023 TV schedule keeps rolling along, more 2023 movie releases come out, more red-carpet events and fashion shows will happen, and I’m sure we’ll see more celebs donning this trend in the near future. I for one can’t wait. The cutouts are a way to make a look totally different from anything else, and it shows just how playful fashion can be, as these folks proved with their wonderful dresses. 

Janelle Monáe's image has long been synonymous with their androgynous style, with the musician/actor often rocking suits wherever they go. But as of late, in tandem with the recent release of Monáe’s album, The Age of Pleasure, they have been changing things up and showing a lot more skin. They did that very thing on the cover of Rolling Stone, wearing nothing but a gold headpiece on. With Monáe’s new era in full swing, the artist just spoke to their confidence journey, and it's reminiscent of Billie Eilish’s path in the public eye. 

The Hidden Figures alum opened up about struggling with body image across their career, especially when it comes to growing into their curvy physique while being in the spotlight. The Glass Onion star recalls starting to feel “really uncomfortable” with the change to their body when friends would frequently compliment them for having “the best boobies.” In their words: 

The Moonlight actor has been embracing their body as they promote The Age of Pleasure. As was the case with this Instagram post: 

While Janelle Monáe and Billie Eilish have completely different vibes when it comes to their music and fashion sense, Monáe’s newfound eagerness to embrace a new side of themself does remind me of the “Bad Guy” singer. After wearing almost exclusively oversized clothing in her first few years in the industry, in recent years, Eilish has experimented with more feminine clothing and spoken out about being shamed for it . In addition, she previously opening up about her “terrible” relationship with body image. 

Just last month, Billie Eilish took to social media to call out haters for comments for the way she dresses, writing “did you know that women are multifaceted!!!!!???” She also noted that “femininity does not equal weakness.” Janelle Monáe’s own journey to being confident in their skin despite what people may say speaks to a larger issue that is worth addressing. As Monáe continued: 

They opened up about their fashion and confidence journey to StyleLikeU. Check out the full interview below: 

Janelle Monáe shared that they had to “free” their own mind of what “masculine androgynous energy looks like” in order to reach this place in their career. And because of that, they ultimately became comfortable shedding the suits and showing more skin. I'm sure fans can’t wait to see what the artist does next. Meanwhile, you can check out The Age of Pleasure where you get your music and stream their latest movie, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, now with a Netflix subscription. 

Janelle Monae has had a wildly successful career as both an actress and recording artist. She’s also a LGBTQ+ icon, who will likely be celebrating Pride Month in June. The Glass Onion star is seemingly celebrating early, as she wore nothing but a gold headpiece and song rings on the cover of Rolling Stone’s Pride Issue. And smart money says that this image is going to quickly go viral, especially as she’s going topless.

Monae consistently pivots between music and acting roles, and she recently debuted the release of her new single “Lipstick Lover.” The marketing and video seemed like a celebration of her curves, and now they’re once again on full display for Rolling Stone. Janelle Monae’s Instagram showed off her cover image, check it out below:

Talk about a striking image. The “Yoga” singer isn’t wearing any actual clothing for her new Rolling Stone cover, which is sure to turn heads. Instead she’s rocking a gold headpiece and some matching rings. Said rings are clearly on display, as Monae is using her hands to cover up her areolas in the image.

The above image was shared with Janelle Monae’s whopping 5.2 million followers on Instagram. It’s definitely making the rounds online, and already has over 200k likes and 3k likes. And the comments section is filled with both celebs and fans giving her flowers over the striking photos. That include fellow pop star Sza, who posted:

Aside from featuring the Hidden Figures actress on the cover, the forthcoming issue of Rolling Stone does seem to be addressing a number of issues currently affecting the queer community. The story “The Defiance of Drag” no doubt does a deep dive on the various policies and laws that are being passed which target both Drag Queens and the transgender community. 

As previously mentioned, it looks like Janelle Monae is currently in her body positivity era. While her Instagram post got a few haters commenting, you can’t deny just how stunning she looks. You can see her music video for “Lipstick Lover” below:

Monae’s new album The Age of Pleasure is expected to arrive on June 9th, with “Lipstick Lover” being the first single. As such, it seems more than possible that we’ll be seeing more bold looks from the actress/singer once more videos and images are released. 

Of course, cinephiles are eager to see when Monae returns to the big screen. She got a ton of positive attention for her dual roles in Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion (which required a “rich bitch accent”), aka first sequel in the growing Knives Out franchise. She’s also got a few upcoming projects lined up, including both TV and film work. And there are 5 Marvel characters Monae would be perfect to play if she decided to join the MCU. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Janelle Monaé is well-known for rocking some gorgeous looks on the red carpet, and it only takes a quick look at her Instagram to see how enviable her fashion sense really is. Often futuristic in nature, her gowns are known to feature interesting shapes and cutouts that turn the actress/singer into a work of art. She showed that this week in an edgy black-and-gold dress with large shoulder piece at the 5th American Black Film Festival Honors. However, her latest look is straight royalty, as Monaé becomes the latest celebrity to free the nipple.

The Glass Onion actress’ latest dress, designed by SIEDRÉS, showed off literally all of Janelle Monaé’s assets, with the long-sleeved, flowing gown featuring an open knit that made it full-coverage and barely there at the same time. She posted a video from her shoot with Ebony magazine to Instagram, so check out the jaw-dropping, nipple-freeing look for yourself: 

Janelle Monaé was a queen, sitting on a wicker peacock throne, with her long, thick braids providing slightly more coverage than the dress itself. The crochet piece was adorned with colorful beads, and the actress looked like a goddess worthy of using that “rich bitch accent” as she posed for her cover shot. 

This casual red look comes just days after she slayed the black carpet in a futuristic minidress. While the SIEDRÉS number may not have been as sculptural as her previous fit, it was similar in the way it used cutouts in the fabric to make her body part of her statement. Her Gaurav Gupta dress was open on her torso and one shoulder, while featuring a large “sculptural creation” on her other shoulder.

The Hidden Figures actress is known for making some bold fashion statements, including being one of the early adopters of the silly-looking Big Red Boots, so it’s really no surprise that she’s part of the free-the-nipple trend. More actresses have been baring their chests in sheer gowns, including Julia Fox, who stepped out recently in a long, black see-through dress (but sans her human-sized handbag).

Kristen Stewart, meanwhile went in the opposite direction with her sheer dress, and rather than using cutouts to show more skin, she used pockets to avoid freeing the nips. The sheer dress trend has been embraced by everyone from Bella Hadid at Paris Fashion Week to Salma Hayek at the Magic Mike’s Last Dance premiere to Shakira in her latest music video. Even The West Wing’s Allison Janney freed the nipple at the premiere of her movie The People We Hate At The Wedding. 

But rarely have we seen an outfit as revealing as Janelle Monaé’s open-knit crochet dress, and her fashion sense in general makes me excited for her future looks. Perhaps we’ll see her Sunday night, as her latest movie Glass Onion (available to stream with a Netflix subscription) is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Janelle Monaé doesn’t have anything coming on the 2023 Movie Release Schedule, but fans can still look forward to the new music she’s releasing this year. 

In true Janelle Monáe fashion, the actress/singer rocked the carpet recently in a futuristic, edgy dress, that was 100% unique and futuristic, while simultaneously fitting her style perfectly. The Glass Onion star is known for her unique sense of style, and she’s been seen rocking futuristic looks for years, however, her latest dress, which featured some gorgeous big cutouts, is one that we should all take a minute to marvel at. 

While walking the black carpet at the 5th American Black Film Festival Honor Janelle Monáe rocked a gorgeous Gaurav Gupta minidress, per Red Carpet Fashion Awards. The article noted that the designer uses “sculptural creation and the fluidity of innovative materials” to create his pieces, and Monáe looks absolutely radiant in this futuristic dress, check it out:

As you can see, the dress features a big shoulder piece, a bando top, and a small skirt, and all of it is connected by a swirling piece of fabric that culminates at her shoulder. It’s also made of gorgeous gold and black fabric that sparkles against her glowing skin, and features big cutouts around her torso and shoulder. Overall, it's a stunning look, and I don't think I've seen something quite like it.

The dress really was the star of the show, as Monáe brought her ensemble together with a pair of simple black strappy heels, gold jewelry, and natural glam. It was clear that this Gupta piece was the focal point, as the singer wore her hair in a high bun, with metallic strings in it, guaranteeing that the dress would be on full display. 

Looking at the way Monáe used makeup, hair and accessories to amplify the dress, it reminded me of the hooded looks both Margot Robbie and Jenna Ortega rocked a few months ago. While the Hidden Figures actress is wearing a more avant-garde dress, the simplicity of her makeup and hair mixed with the uniquely cut dress, reminded me of the black hooded dresses the Babylon and Wednesday stars wore. Her confidence on the carpet, and her bold looks, are also reminiscent of Florence Pugh and her fashion choices, like her recent see-through skirt moment. Through these comparisons, it becomes clear that, like the aforementioned actresses, Monáe has an incredible ability to bend trends, make them her own and slay a red carpet. 

Janelle Monáe is known for making bold, unique, and futuristic fashion statements. If you take a look at her Instagram, that becomes abundantly clear, and if you ever see her on a red carpet she’s usually rocking an outfit that is campy, gorgeous, and cutting edge. For example, she was one of the early adopters of the wild Big Red Boots that have been making the rounds. Also, while on a press tour with the Glass Onion cast, she rocked more futuristic dresses that included a beautiful swan-like white gown, and a bright red gown that featured a massive red headpiece, as seen in People. This gold outfit is a perfect addition to the Moonlight star's portfolio of looks, and proved once again that she is a queen of fashion.

While Monáe does not have any new projects coming to the screen this year, she is releasing new music. So, there are without a doubt more fantastic looks to come with her next musical endeavor. On top of her new single, her latest film Glass Onion (which can be streamed with a Netflix subscription) is on the list of 2023 Oscar nominees. So hopefully, that means she will make an appearance at the ceremony to support the Knives Out mystery, and rock another futuristic dress like this gold minidress with big cutouts that was absolutely stunning. 

Spoilers for Glass Onion ahead!

Glass Onion has become a massive hit for Netflix as millions of fans watch and rewatch the murder mystery film. Much of this came courtesy of Janelle Monáe’s dual performance as Andi and Helen Brand. The big reveal of Helen recruiting Benoit Blanc and playing her deceased twin to solve Andi’s murder threw many viewers for a loop. That is because they couldn’t tell Andi wasn’t Andi until the big twist. While many viewers were surprised, Monáe revealed there’s a subtle hint people may have missed in telling it was Helen not Andi at Miles Born’s murder mystery getaway.

Watching the Netflix murder mystery had many fans guessing how could you tell the women apart outside of Helen’s first appearance and Alabama accent. Monáe did an excellent job of making Helen mimic Andi without drawing any suspicion (outside of Miles, of course). While viewers and the other characters were clueless right up until the final act, the Grammy-nominated singer spilled to Variety the subtle way they and director Rian Johnson distinguished the twins.

Well, that tidbit makes you want to go back and look at the mystery comedy once again to spot the difference. This played into the women being actual identical twins. Helen and Andi were so different that having a subtle difference in hairstyles makes sense. Helen was an Alabama elementary school teacher living a simple life. On the other hand, Andi was a trendy big-tech jetsetter whose style and demeanor matched the corporate setting of New York. Of course, the twins shared the ability to use the rich bitch accent, which made the switcheroo even more believable.

Monáe gave another hint at the difference between Helen and Andi’s hairstyles. She mentioned the Alabama schoolteacher’s hair “wasn’t going to be as perfect as” her tech-savant sister. Helen had to cut her hair and wear a wig to mimic her deceased twin’s trendy New York style. The difference even extended to their eyebrows with Helen’s being thicker in contrast to Andi’s more professionally groomed ones.

Monáe’s performance as the Brand twins has garnered them much acclaim from critics and viewers. They’ve scored multiple nominations this awards season as Best Supporting Actress, including National Board of Review, Critic’s Choice, NAACP Image, and Satellite Awards. There’s also a bit of Oscar buzz surrounding the multihyphenate with Academy Award nominations just weeks away.

Janelle Monáe hasn’t been resting on their laurels as they gear up to star as the iconic activist and dancer Josephine Baker in an upcoming miniseries. While we wait for that, if you want to see why Monáe’s dual performance is garnering so much buzz, just get a Netflix subscription to watch Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery sans the axed post-credit scene.

The following contains spoilers for Glass Onion.

The hero of Glass Onion may be Daniel Craig’s detective Benoit Blanc, but the real star of the show is probably Janelle Monae, who puts in double time in the new movie playing two different characters, or more accurately, one charcter who is also pretending to be somebody else. Monae needed two different voices in the movie for her two different characters. One has a strong American southern accent, and the other had that accent, before she covered it in what the movie calls the “rich bitch” voice. 

Glass Onion has an incredible cast but none are quite as impressive as Monae. Monae says she had a lot of freedom in tackling the voices of twin sisters Helen and Cassandra. For Cassandra, who wanted to hide her origins in order to be taken more seriously, Monae tells EW that it was about creating a “corporate” voice that didn’t reveal where it came from. Monae said…

When we first meet who we think is Cassandra in Glass Onion, she has basically no accent at all. This makes the reveal all the more surprising when we find out that who we’re actually seeing is sister Helen, impersonating Cassandra, using a voice they created as children that they called “rich bitch.” But since both sisters used to play with the voice, Helen is able to do her version of it when it is time to pretend to be her sister.

When we listen to Helen as herself we hear how artificial the “rich bitch" voice really is, as Helen has a very pronounced accent, she’s not trying to hide where she’s from in any way. As Monae explained…

Janelle Monae’s two performances, and two accents, are some of the highlights of Glass Onion. The two characters seem like anything but sisters from their voices alone. They are very distinct characters, even though we only ever see the actual Cassandra in flashbacks. Glass Onion is available to watch with a Netflix subscription. 

Needless to say, this story is going to get into specifics for scenes in Rian Johnson’s new Knives Out mystery, titled Glass Onion. The movie is in theaters in a limited release, and if you have the means, see it that way, with a crowd. The movie plays like gangbusters. Especially this scene, which we are about to dissect.

The world’s greatest detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is back on the beat in Rian Johnson’s sequel Glass Onion, which takes place on the private island of tech billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) as he invites a group of friends he has nicknamed “The Disruptors” for a vacation. Over the course of the weekend, Bron stages a “murder mystery” for his friends to solve. But actual crimes take place, because people in the group have lethal secrets to protect. 

Despite all of the tension that envelopes the action in Glass Onion, there is one scene that had audiences squirming in their chairs and screaming in agony for fear of what might happen. I’m referring to the moment where Janelle Monae’s character lies on her back after having been shot, and a bead of hot sauce (which she is using as fake blood) drips toward her open nostril… sure to give up the fact that she isn’t really dead. It’s a delightfully playful sequence, one that plays the audience like an instrument. 

And it almost wasn’t in the film. 

Rian Johnson came on CinemaBlend’s ReelBlend podcast to discuss Glass Onion in a spoiler-free conversation. I have embedded the full conversation at the bottom of this story. But over the course of the conversation, I brought up that hot-sauce sequence, to which Johnson revealed:

By the time that this moment happens, the audience has caught up to the main twist of the movie, and so Janelle Monae’s character has to maintain a ruse so as to continue fooling the other characters in the Glass Onion cast. It’s something as simple as hot sauce, but if it goes up Monae’s nose, her reaction could and would expose her deception. Naturally, Jeremy Renner’s hot sauce wasn’t actually used in the scene (nor does such a product exist). So when we asked Rian Johnson about filming that moment, he told ReelBlend:  

Here’s the Rian Johnson interview, in full:

Glass Onion is an audience-friendly movie. Get out and see it in a theatre while there is still time. If, for some reason, you miss it at the multiplex, the murder-mystery that we gave 5 stars to will stream on Netflix in December. Avoid all of the spoilers, and enjoy the ride!

Janelle Monáe has been steadily building up her acting resume. But compared to other music stars-turned-actors, they’ve been quite selective about the roles they take. It’s paid off well for Monáe so far after starring in multiple Oscar-nominated films, including Moonlight and Hidden Figures. The influence on their selectivity may come from an odd place – Hollywood icon Johnny Depp. Given his decades-long career, it makes sense. But it might not be for the obvious reasons as the Hidden Figures star explained why Depp’s acting career is something they aspire to emulate.

The Glass Onion actor opened up about their career aspirations at BFI London Film Festival (via THR). While fans have compared their career path to the likes of pop culture icons Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson, Monáe revealed their acting goals fall more in line with fellow multihyphenate Depp. The entertainer explained how the Oscar-nominated actor’s chameleon-like career choices inspired their trajectory as an actor.

While Depp’s personal life has been tabloid fodder in recent years, one thing that has never been questioned is his capabilities as an actor. The Pirates of the Caribbeans star could’ve cashed in on his good looks early on and headlined huge Hollywood films, but he chose to become a character actor. As Monáe pointed out, he’s never played the same role twice (outside franchises like Pirates and Fantastic Beasts). From Edward Scissorhands to Capt. Jack Sparrow to J.M. Barrie, Johnny Depp manages to disappear into those great roles while sprinkling in a bit of himself. So if Monáe wants to model her career after Depp’s, they couldn’t have picked a better choice.

The Grammy-nominated singer has seemingly followed that path so far. They’ve appeared in various genres, from coming-of-age drama to animated comedies.  They’ve played real-life cultural icons like Mary Jackson and Dorothy Pitman Hughes to Teresa in Moonlight and Mandy in UglyDolls. Time will only tell what other roles Monáe will add to her growing acting resume in the future.

Audiences will get to see another side of Janelle Monáe when they appear as Andi Brand in the murder-mystery sequel Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. They are a part of an all-star ensemble, including Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, and David Bautista. The sequel will see Craig’s Benoit Blanc getting into detective mode after a murder occurs during a friendly getaway on a tech billionaire’s secluded island.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery will have a limited-theatrical run on November 23 before premiering worldwide on December 23 on Netflix. The murder mystery has already received rave reviews before viewers see it. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out what upcoming movies will premiere for the remainder of 2022.

Knives Out breathed new life into the murder mystery genre when it was released in 2019, with its brilliant ensemble cast, hilarious script and twisty story. Audiences were immediately craving more of Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc, and director Rian Johnson has delivered, with the first sequel set for release to Netflix subscribers in December. The detective will take on a new case in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend, and the first responses to the movie are overwhelmingly positive.

Glass Onion stars a new but equally impressive cast of characters for Daniel Craig to investigate, including Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr. and Kate Hudson, to name just a few. The story sees Benoit Blanc taking on a new case, after someone winds up dead during a lavish getaway on the private Greek island of Miles Bron (Norton). So how do the new story and cast compare to the first? CinemaBlend’s Sean O’Connell says it’s obvious how much fun Rian Johnson had directing this project, and that experience spills over to the viewers: 

The ensemble was integral to the success of Knives Out, which saw huge box office success, and audiences are undoubtedly curious to see how these new characters come together. Many people in attendance at TIFF note that Kate Hudson and Janelle Monáe are standouts in the sequel’s cast:

When the trailer for Glass Onion was released, viewers could already see how this group comes together to play off of each other. But Erik Anderson says forget what you think you know, as he ramps our expectations up for what’s to come: 

While classism was targeted in Knives Out, Sarah Marrs says the sequel targets influencer culture. She also echoes other viewers in praising Janelle Monáe as, “NEXT LEVEL”: 

Regarding how well Glass Onion stands up to its predecessor, it seems like many of the Toronto International Film Festival audience actually enjoys the sequel as much as or more than the first. This viewer says it’s “funnier, more clever and sharper”:  

Clayton Davis also thinks Glass Onion outdoes the first movie “in almost every way”:

Perri Nemiroff says this sequel is worthy of multiple viewings, and notes Rian Johnson’s “precision and passion,” while pointing out Steve Yedlin’s cinematography: 

Following the first movie, Netflix purchased the rights for two Knives Out sequels, but many who were able to screen Glass Onion are asking, nay, begging for the film to receive a theatrical release: 

We’ll have to wait and see if Netflix jumps on board for a wide theatrical release of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery after seeing the response to its premiere at TIFF, but for now the murder mystery sequel is set to be released on Friday, December 23. While we wait for that, you can check out some of Netflix’s best movies, and start planning your next trip to the theaters with our 2022 New Movie Release Schedule. 

After delivering the polarizing Star Wars: The Last Jedi to the public, filmmaker Rian Johnson turned his attention to a mystery tale that he’d first thought up over a decade before: Knives Out. The whodunit flick, which saw Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc investigating a prosperous, yet dysfunctional family about the death of its patriarch, hit theaters in November 2019 and was a critical and commercial hit. So, unsurprisingly, Knives Out 2 was officially greenlit just a few months later, and now we’re learning who will make up the cast of the sequel that Johnson returned to write and direct.

Before going further, it should be noted that if you were expecting Knives Out 2, which now has the official title of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, to involve the Thrombey family again, toss those hopes aside. Benoit Blanc will investigate a new mystery featuring an assortment of new colorful characters in the 2022 Netflix movie schedule addition. So let’s go over who’s participating in this latest caper, starting with the man who anchors what’s now a film series.

Daniel Craig

While most people know Daniel Craig for his outings as James Bond and from dramas like Defiance and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Daniel Craig also has plenty of experience with more lighthearted fare, such as Logan Lucky and hosting Saturday Night Live twice. Knives Out definitely fell into the latter category, with Craig adopting a ridiculous Southern accent to bring Benoit Blanc to life. But, silly voice aside, Blanc proved himself a skilled detective as he peeled back the layers of Harlan Thrombey’s sudden demise. It hasn’t been revealed yet what kind of mystery he’ll be solving in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, but, naturally, we can count on Blanc eventually uncovering the truth of what’s happening this time around.

Dave Bautista

There’s no question that Dave Bautista's acting career skyrocketed after debuting as Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy, but the WWE star has scored plenty of other notable projects beyond his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From Spectre (which marked the first time he worked with Daniel Craig) and Blade Runner 2049 to more recent offerings like Army of the Dead and Dune, Bautista has firmly cemented himself as a movie star. He’s now lined up to take part in Knives Out 2, though no details about his character have been revealed yet.

Edward Norton

Like Dave Bautista, Edward Norton is an MCU alum, having played Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk. In recent years though, Norton has starred in movies like Birdman, Alita: Battle Angel, Motherless Brooklyn (which he also directed, wrote and produced) and the recent The French Dispatch, another collaboration with director Wes Anderson. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery will be Norton’s first time sharing the screen with Daniel Craig, so I’m interested to see what kind of dynamic these two will have.

Janelle Monáe

While she’s primarily known as an accomplished singer and songwriter, Janelle Monáe also has some acting experience under her belt, including movies like Hidden Figures and Antebellum, and TV shows like Phillip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams and Homecoming. As far as her role in Knives Out 2 is concerned, sources who spoke with THR’s Borys Kit say Monáe could be playing someone similar to Ana de Armas or LaKeith Stanfield’s characters from the first Knives Out. That’s a lot of room to work with, considering how drastically different those two roles were, so I’m curious to see how Monáe ends up fitting into the Knives Out 2 picture.

Kathryn Hahn

Kathryn Hahn’s been acting professionally for over 20 years, but the last several have seen her soar to new heights of fame. Whether it’s starring in the Bad Moms movies with Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell, causing trouble as Agatha Harkness in Disney+’s WandaVision or delving into dramatic territory with Mark Ruffalo in HBO’s I Know This Much Is True, Hahn has shown time and time again how much range she has. As for how she fits into Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, that remains to be seen, though she did say that filming the movie reminded her of college, so at least she had fun making it.

Leslie Odom Jr.

In the wake of his breakout performance as Aaron Burr in Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. has had no shortage of work opportunities, delivering excellent turns in movies like Harriet and One Night In Miami... He has a long list of developing projects, and one of them has been confirmed to be Knives Out 2. He is a star whose range dictates that he could play either a good guy or a villain in any story, so it will definitely be interesting to see the way in which Rian Johnson utilizes him in the mysterious mystery plot.

Kate Hudson

Following a four-year break from film work, Kate Hudson returned to the theatrical realm in early 2021 with the Sia-directed Music. Luckily for fans, Hudson's other upcoming movies, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon and Shriver, were in post-production by the time Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery had to shoot, and it was the next movie she had lined up. It’s hard to say how she fits into the mystery that Benoit Blanc is solving, but it’s easy enough to imagine her being directly involved with the crime that was committed, based on first impressions from what we've seen of the suspicious cast of characters so far. 

Madelyn Cline

If the name Madelyn Cline rings a bell, you’re most likely familiar with her as Sarah Cameron in the Outer Banks cast. Or maybe you caught one of her recurring gigs on shows like Vice Principals, The Originals or Stranger Things. In any case, now Cline’s keeping her relationship with Netflix going by getting in on the Knives Out 2 fun, though we’ll have to wait and see why she's in Benoit Blanc’s orbit.

Jessica Henwick

Most of you likely know Jessica Henwick best as Colleen Wing in Iron Fist, The Defenders, and Luke Cage, but following the collapse of Marvel’s Netflix universe, she’s been collecting some impressive film credits. In late 2021, we saw Henwick opposite Keanu Reeves (which led to some fan-girl moments) in The Matrix Resurrections, and we recently saw her star alongside Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling in The Gray Man. Now, Henwick is sticking around Netflix for Knives Out 2, so we can play the waiting game on learning details about her character.

Unlike the first Knives Out, which was theatrically released by Lionsgate, both Knives Out 2 and Knives Out 3 are going to Netflix, so you'll be able to watch both with your Netflix subscription. Keep checking back with CinemaBlend to learn who else will appear in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, as well as any other significant news about the sequel.

It's the little indie that could. In 2016, writer/director Barry Jenkins' sophomore feature, Moonlight, proved to be an incredible success, grossing over $65 million from its $4 million (or less) budget and earning a wealth of acclaim. Widely considered one of the best films of the early 21st century, this coming-of-age drama, based on Tarell Alvin McCraney's unpublished semi-autobiographical play, In Moonlight Black Men Look Blue, became a powerful examination of race, sexuality, and identity as seen through three life stages of its main character, Chiron. Shortly after its acclaimed release, the movie won three Oscars for Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture.

While the highly unorthodox way it won Best Picture is often remarked upon, Moonlight became the first LGBT-related movie and the first film with an all-Black cast to be awarded the top prize at the Academy Awards, among other triumphs. Now that it's been nearly half a decade since its outstanding debut (if you can believe it), what is the Moonlight cast, including Ashton Sanders, Trevante Rhodes, Naomie Harris, Janelle Monae, Jharrel Jerome, and Mahershala Ali, doing now? Let's take a look and find out!

Ashton Sanders (Teen Chiron)

In the role of teenage Chiron, Ashton Sanders plays our main character throughout the middle section of A24's Moonlight. Prior to starring in this Best Picture winner, Sanders frontlined The Retrieval. He was also seen in Straight Outta Compton. Following his lead performance in Moonlight, Sanders starred in The Equalizer 2, HBO's Native Son, Dead Women Walking, and Captive State. He also appeared in short films like 2012's Making Possibilities and 2016's We Home and The Last Virgin in LA, as well as Chloe x Halle's "The Kids Are Alright" music video. Additionally, on Hulu, Sanders played The RZA in Wu-Tang: An American Saga. Furthermore, the actor guest-starred in The Skinny.

Most recently, Ashton Sanders appeared in February's Judas and the Black Messiah. Also, he starred in Netflix's All Day and a Night. Next, Sanders stars in The Things They Carried. Additionally, the actor will produce and headline A More Unbending Battle.

Trevante Rhodes (Adult Chiron/Black)

Playing the part of Adult Chiron, who's often referred to as "Black," Trevante Rhodes found his star-making role in Barry Jenkins' Best Picture-winning drama, Moonlight. His other film credits include Bird Box, The Predator, 12 Strong, Lady Luck, Smartass, Song to Song, The Night Is Young, Burning Sands, Shangri-Li Suite, and Open Windows.

Additionally, on TV, Trevante Rhodes played a recurring role in OWN's If Loving You Is Wrong, and he appeared in Westworld, Gang Related, and Jay Z feat. Beyonce's "Family Feud" music video. Prior to acting, he was an accomplished track and field sprinter, winning a gold medal at 2009's Pan American Junior Athletics Championships. Last month, Rhodes starred in Hulu's dramatic biopic, The United States vs. Billie Holiday.

Alex Hibbert (Child Chiron/Little)

As Child Chiron, also known as "Little," our adolescent protagonist in the first chapter of this acclaimed coming-of-age drama, Alex Hibbert made his screen acting debut in Barry Jenkins' Moonlight. Following this exceptional performance, Hibbert was seen in Marvel's Black Panther. Currently, the actor stars in Showtime's drama series, The Chi.

Mahershala Ali (Juan)

In the role of Juan, a drug dealer who becomes a father figure for Chiron, Mahershala Ali won an Oscar for his outstanding supporting turn in A24's Moonlight. Only two years later, Ali won his second Oscar for his performance in Green Book. His other notable film and TV credits include House of Cards, Luke Cage, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 and 2, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Hidden Figures, Crossing Jordan, The 4400, Predators, The Place Beyond the Pines, Free State of Jones, Roxanne Roxanne, Crossing Over, Go for Sisters, Supremacy, Kicks, Treme, Alphas, Threat Matrix, Room 104, NYPD Blue, CSI, Law & Order: SVU, and Alita: Battle Angel. Additionally, Ali starred in True Detective Season 3. He also played a supporting role in Ramy Season 2.

Next, Mahershala Ali will be heard in Amazon Prime's Invincible. Soon, the actor will be seen in Swan Song, which he also produced. Also, Ali will play Blade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a still-developing project.

Jharrel Jerome (Teen Kevin)

As a teen version of Kevin, who shares an intimate relationship with our lead character in the midst of his formative years, Jharrel Jerome plays our second lead in a pivotal part of Moonlight. Most notably, Jerome is an Emmy-winner for his performance in Netflix's When They See Us. The actor also played a main role in Audience's Mr. Mercedes. Jerome's other TV credits include Tales and Live in Front of a Studio Audience. In film, he can be seen in All Rise and First Match. Additionally, the actor starred in short films like 2019's Robu and 2016's Her Coloring Book, while also serving as a narrator for 2016's Wheels. Away from acting, Jerome is a musician as well.

Most recently, Jharrel Jerome was seen in Amazon Prime's Selah and the Spades. Next, Jerome will be seen in Netflix's Concrete Cowboy, which premiered at last year's TIFF.

Andre Holland (Adult Kevin)

Playing the part of Adult Kevin, Chiron's childhood friend who gets reacquainted with our lead during an intimate night, Andre Holland played a romantic character in the third act of Barry Jenkins' Moonlight. Most notably, Holland received a wealth of acclaim for his excellent lead role in Cinemax's The Knick. He was also seen in FX's American Horror Story: Roanoke. His other TV credits include 1600 Penn, Friends with Benefits, Law & Order, Damages, and Burn Notice. Additionally, Holland starred in Hulu's Castle Rock. Away from TV, Holland frontlined Netflix's High Flying Bird. He also appeared in Selma, 42, A Wrinkle in Time, Miracle at St. Anna, Small Beautiful Moving Parts, and Black or White. Additionally, the actor starred in Battle At Big Rock, a short film in the Jurrasic Park franchise. Elsewhere, Holland led 2017's Broadway production of Jitney.

Most recently, Andre Holland starred in Netflix's limited series, The Eddy. Next, the actor will be seen in Netflix's Passing, which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

Jaden Piner (Child Kevin)

As Child Kevin, Chiron's nine-year-old best friend, Jaden Piner made his acting debut in Barry Jenkins' Moonlight. Following his supporting turn in this acclaimed award-winner, the child actor starred in 2018's dramatic horror-mystery, Boo! Next, Piner will be seen in Feral State, which premiered at the Orlando Film Festival. It'll be released this May.

Naomie Harris (Paula)

In the role of Paula, Chiron's abusive, crack-addicted mother, Naomie Harris was Oscar-nominated for her ferocious supporting turn in Moonlight. Harris is also known for Skyfall, Spectre, 28 Days Later, and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Her other film credits include Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Southpaw, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Rampage (2018), Collateral Beauty, Miami Vice (2006), Street Kings, After the Sunset, Trauma, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, Explicit Ills, Ninja Assassin, August, The Last Five Girlfriends, Our Kind of Traitor, and The First Grader. Also, Harris starred in Black and Blue and she was heard in Netflix's Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle.

Additionally, Naomie Harris' television credits include Runaway Bay, The Tomorrow People, Simon and the Witch, and White Teeth. The actress also appeared in 2009's TV film, Small Island. Most recently, Harris starred in HBO's The Third Day. Next, the Academy Award-nominated actress will be seen in No Time to Die, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and Swan Song.

Janelle Monae (Teresa)

Playing the part of Teresa, Juan's girlfriend and Chiron's caring mother figure, Janelle Monae was a protective supporting character in A24's Moonlight. An eight-time Grammy-nominated musician, Monae is a best-selling artist with three acclaimed albums to her very famous name: 2010's The ArchAndroid, 2013's The Electric Lady, and, most notably, 2018's Dirty Computer, which was nominated for Album of the Year. Also, as an actress, she's known for her work in Hidden Figures, Welcome to Marwen, and Harriet. Additionally, the musician can be heard in Rio 2, UglyDolls, and Disney+'s Lady and the Tramp. Meanwhile, on TV, Monae can be seen in Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams and Sesame Street, and she can be heard in American Dad!

Most recently, Janelle Monae starred in Antebellum and The Glorias. Also, the actress/musician starred in the second season of Amazon Prime's Homecoming.

Patrick Decile (Terrel)

As Terrel, a school bully, Patrick Decile played an antagonistic character in the middle of Moonlight. He also made his acting debut in Barry Jenkins' masterpiece. Following this standout performance, Decile appeared in a number of short films, including 2017's 78 on 79th, 2019's Broken Branches and Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul, and 2019's Not Black Enough, respectively. Next, he'll star in the crime drama, We Were Young, which has been in development since 2018. Outside of acting, Decile is a poet and musician.

Stream Moonlight on Netflix here, Hoopla here, and Kanopy here.

Warner Bros., in 2023, will bring us back to a world of pure imagination with Wonka, a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel exploring the origins of its reclusive chocolate-maker and how he built his vast fortune with his extravagant factory. Directed by Paul King (Paddington 1 and 2) and written by Simon Rich (An American Pickle), the studio is on the lookout for who can play the titular part, made iconic by the late, great Gene Wilder. Any young actor who adopts this role has mighty big shoes to fill, as Johnny Depp will attest, but there are several actors who could shine here.

Currently, Tom Holland and Timothee Chalamet are reportedly being sought. While both are fine picks, there are some other performers who strike my fancy more. Admittedly, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is my favorite film, so I have a lot invested here. With that said, here are some strong contenders for this proposed prequel.

Donald Glover

When this prequel was initially announced, there were three big-name actors reportedly considered: Ryan Gosling, Ezra Miller, and Donald Glover. In my view, all of them were promising prospects, but the one choice that seemed the most exciting was the latter. The Community actor-comedian is one of the most dynamic talents working today, particularly as he continues to thrive as a musician, and a producer-writer-director on Atlanta, to boot. He's capable of being buoyant, but introspective and reserved. His acting depths only continue to grow, and Wonka would prove the vastness of his well-versed talents.

While he keeps a lower profile nowadays, Donald Glover's star power is undeniable, and he can capture Willy Wonka's spunky heart, while also channeling his child-like giddiness and mysterious aura. He'd be my ideal choice.

Adam Driver

While Adam Driver is known for his brooding, turmoil-driven performances in Girls, Marriage Story, The Report, and the new Star Wars trilogy, the high-rising Oscar-nominated actor is capable of delivering a wealth of distinctive, engaging characters — if he's given the chance to cut loose and have fun. Whether it's his scene-stealing supporting turn in What If?, his soulful leading role in Paterson, his kooky character work in Logan Lucky, or even his surprisingly wacky performances on SNL, Driver has proven himself to be a dependably, well, driven performer with a variety of characters in him. If he had the chance to shine inside the lead role of Wonka, we could get a better look at how silly he can be.

Certainly, there's more to Willy Wonka than his dry sense of humor or his sporadic sensibilities. Adam Driver has demonstrated a great flair for playing oddballs who constantly surprise and delight. Certainly, Wonka could be a marvelous showcase for his comedic skills.

Ryan Gosling

Of all the actors originally proposed to play Willy Wonka, Ryan Gosling interests me the least, if only because I prefer his smaller, more intimate performances compared to his studio fare. But, there's something to be admired in how Gosling could bring in the gentle sensitivity of Gene Wilder's original performance, in a way that isn't forced or overbearing. Gosling's facial features can capture a demurred inquisitiveness and casual wonder that would play well into Wonka's wondrous spirit. Ultimately, as one of the oldest actors here, he might not be the right fit anymore. But he could easily capture Wonka's dry wit and unsuspecting heart.

Ezra Miller

Certainly the most intriguing option of the three actors initially listed, Ezra Miller could definitely channel the eccentric wit and rambunctious spirit of Wonka's public persona. Their talent for playing characters both outlandish and introspective would also be vital in capturing the inner life of this hard-to-read factory-owning personality. Miller can play both broad and calculating, which would create the dynamism of this off-beat title character, though their commitments to other WB properties like the DCEU, where they play The Flash, and the Fantastic Beasts franchise may prevent them from committing. Not to mention difficulties in their personal life.

Daniel Radcliffe

As Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe has major clout at Warner Bros. While there are reportedly concentrated efforts to return to the wizarding world of Hogwarts (and possibly reboot the series), it's hard for audiences to see anyone other than Radcliffe in the role. He literally grew up before our eyes with that performance, and nearly all of his recent efforts (many of which are quite good) are deliberate attempts to shake off this image. Perhaps the best way to move past Harry Potter is to let Radcliffe play another iconic character altogether with Wonka.

While Daniel Radcliffe's talents weren't always natural, he has progressed into a very fine young actor, particularly with outstanding performances in Imperium, Miracle Workers (also written by Simon Rich), and, most especially, his transformative turn in Swiss Army Man. Radcliffe has developed a knack for cheeky performances with a wily sense of humor, while also showcasing dependable dramatic chops. This role could suit him well, and allow him to progress beyond his past performances.

Logan Lerman

Logan Lerman is due for his big break. First coming to fame with Percy Jackson, those movies never reached the Harry Potter-level heights they sought. He won a lot of hearts with his sensitive performance in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, but since then, he hasn't had a chance to branch out as far as he should. He did good work in Fury, Noah, Indignation, and, most recently, Shirley, but it'd be nice to see him capture that radiant spark in his earlier work. While he might not be considered for Wonka, his underdog spirit makes him a good fit.

The heartful sincerity he brings to his best performances is a great asset, and his understated talent for dry humor and reflective charm makes him an endearing pick. Aided by his boyish features and good-natured grin, Wonka would be a good way for Logan Lerman to finally make it big.

Dylan O’Brien

Following Teen Wolf, Dylan O'Brien has tried discovering his next step. His lead performances in the underseen The First Time and 2020's Love and Monsters were praised, while he did solid work in wobbly projects like The Maze Runner trilogy, American Assassin, and The Internship. Clearly, the actor has a pleasant, appealing screen presence that shines on screens big and small, but O'Brien hasn't progressed into superstardom. It's clearly within reach, though, and Wonka could showcase his star power.

With his affable charm, flexible talents, and capable screen presence, as well as his unsuspecting ability to surprise, Dylan O'Brien has what it takes to make a good Willy Wonka. His boyish grin and happy-go-lucky on-screen personality would work wonders if it's done right. Also, O'Brien always brings a great deal of heart and sincerity to his performances, which could make the title character's vibrant inner life shine.

Alden Ehrenreich

Admittedly, the last time Alden Ehrenreich starred in a high-profile prequel, it didn't work out — financially, at least. Yes, for many moviegoers, Ehrenreich is best known for Disney's troubled and underperforming Solo: A Star Wars Story, though the movie's faults don't belong to the young talent. The actor had the tough task of honoring Harrison Ford's beloved space-based scoundrel while also finding his own rhythm with the character. Alas, while the balance wasn't perfect, Ehrenreich brought lots of warmth and charisma, and his other performances outside of this notable leading role vividly demonstrate the wealth of his acting prowess.

Notably, Alden Ehrenreich is a standout in Beautiful Creatures, Blue Jasmine, and even the underwhelming Rules Don't Apply, but it's his Oscar-worthy supporting role in the Coen brothers' underrated Hail Caesar! that solidified his up-and-coming talents. Alas, Hollywood hasn't served him well, but this prequel could be the iconic role he needs to excel.

Janelle Monae

When Wonka was first proposed, one name that was thrown around wildly was Janelle Monae. And I admire that choice immensely. Monae's dynamic charisma and strong acting talents make her a performer with a continuously-impressive career. While she focuses primarily on music, Monae's scene-stealing supporting turns in Hidden Figures and Moonlight were promising starts to a thriving acting career.

Alas, while Antebellum didn't showcase her talents, Wonka would be an incredible opportunity for the exceptional musician/rising actress to shine in this star-worthy leading role. She's capable of playing up Wonka's heart, humor, and extravagance, and having a performer as incredible as Janelle Monae involved would really justify this movie's seemingly-needless existence. Will it happen? I dunno, but she should absolutely be considered.

Dev Patel

Over the years, Dev Patel has showcased a flair for playing passionate, good-hearted men going against the odds to make a name for themselves. Whether it's Slumdog Millionaire, Lion, or 2020's The Personal History of David Copperfield, the British actor excels in leading roles that let him play underdogs who discover their passion, dreams, or enthusiasm for life. Certainly, if this prequel studied Willy Wonka's rags-to-riches adversities in the midst of greatness, Patel has proven his capability in that type of role. Additionally, Patel could really sell Wonka's warmth, too.

Notably, Dev Patel's work in David Copperfield is some of his finest yet, nailing the whimsical and lyrical comedic-dramatic tone. While the movie itself isn't without faults, Patel's vibrant, bewitching performance hits with gusto. If he brought that same winning spirit, he could play Wonka's tenacity well.

Who's your pick? Tell us below!

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I tried this before with Silence of the Lambs, and I’m going to try it again. But this time, I’m focusing on the horror masterpiece, The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall.

Now, just like the last time, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining. In fact, I love The Shining! (Even though its author, Stephen King, hates it). But I also think a hypothetical remake of The Shining would be kind of rad. Especially if it had more diversity in it since diversity can make an already great story feel even more unique. And before some of you say, “What if Black Panther was replaced with white actors? Would that be okay?” Well, all I have to say is, sure, why not? That could be your list if you want it to be. (Adrian Brody as T’Challa, perhaps?) But here’s my list of what actors I would want to play in The Shining if I had a diverse cast in mind.

Jack Torrance – John Cho

Jack Torrance, played by the incomparable Jack Nicholson, is an author who just needs to get away from the world. He’s taken on a job as the winter caretaker at the Overlook Hotel with the hopes of getting in some quality writing time. But he soon starts to go nuts (or does he?), as he begins seeing ghosts in the hotel who tell him to murder his family. He also has a love of axes and Johnny Carson, but a distaste for hedge mazes and ice cold climate. I can relate.

Nobody could replace Jack Nicholson, so I wouldn’t even bother to. Instead, I would want a quieter, more introspective Jack Torrance who might be questioning his own sanity before he even got into the hotel. And I think John Cho would be perfect for that role. John Cho can play quiet and reserved, but there can also be a lot of rage bubbling beneath the surface, as seen in the movie Searchingwhich is about a father who won’t give up hope looking for his missing daughter. It would be impossible to forget Jack Nicholson’s insane performance, so why not try a different approach? I would like a Jack who is trying to figure out if he’s going insane or not, only to submit to insanity anyway. Pretty cool.

Wendy Torrance - Janelle Monae

Wendy Torrance, played by Shelly Duvall, is the wife of Jack Torrance and the mother of Danny Torrance. But she doesn’t have much of a role in the movie besides screaming and occasionally swinging a baseball bat at Jack. Oh, and slicing a hand with a knife if she has to. I mean, I know she’s scared, but fight back more, woman. Fight back!

You know who would fight back? Antebellum’s Janelle Monae. Because here’s the thing. If I were to swap roles in a remake of The Shining, I don’t want the same thing as the original but with different actors. I actually want something different as a whole. And Janelle Monae has proven in Antebellum (especially in the third act) that she won’t take crap from anybody. So I think her presence would change the whole movie. She would definitely fight back. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Danny Torrance – Ian Chen

Danny Torrance, played by Danny Lloyd, actually has the shining, which is a telepathic ability to communicate with others. When he’s not “shining” with the Overlook Hotel’s cook, Dick Hallorann, he’s usually seen riding his big wheels around the hotel and running into ghost twins. Oh, and writing Redrum on the mirrors. Because a boy needs his hobbies.

The youngest (and brightest) child of Louis and Jessica Huang on Fresh Off The Boat, Ian Chen, at 14 (now) is a lot older than Danny Lloyd was in The Shining, but that’s okay. Ian Chen played a precocious, somewhat know-it-all character, and I think it would actually be pretty interesting to have a teenage Danny who thinks he might actually know what’s going on, but tries to doubt it, just like his father. Along with a mother who fights back, I think it would create an interesting dynamic of a wise teenager with the shining who doesn’t know what to do with his ability, or who to trust.

Dick Hallorann – Tilda Swinton

Dick Hallorann, played by the late, great Scatman Crothers, is the head cook at the Overlook Hotel, but he also has the shining, just like Danny. Ever since the Torrance family came to the hotel, though, he’s had a sense that the ghosts are becoming more and more powerful, and more and more bold as well. He tries to alert Danny about this, but gets an axe in the back for all his troubles. Aww, shucks.

Since Dick Hallorann was already played by a person of color in the original, I thought it would be interesting to gender swap the roles this time around. Instead of a black man, I want a white woman. And to fill that role, I would pick none other than Tilda Swinton. Ms. Swinton has already played a man’s role when she portrayed the Ancient One in Doctor Strange, as the character was a man in the comics. But I’m mainly thinking of Tilda Swinton’s performance in Snowpiercer when I envision her for this role. I see her as being somebody who outwardly seems crazy to Danny, but who actually reveals how sagacious and brave she is in the face of all these ghosts. I also don’t think this version would allow herself to be hit in the back with an axe. She’d already see him coming a mile away and could maybe even communicate with the ghosts. Reason with them, perhaps? Who’s to say?

Lloyd – Kunal Nayyar

Lloyd, played by Joe Turkel, was formerly a bartender at the Overlook Hotel, but died and took up residence as a ghost in the same position. He mostly likes to clean glasses and tell people to kill their families, so you know, all in a day’s work.

The Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar might seem like a terrible choice for the creepy Lloyd in the movie, but hear me out with this one. Lloyd’s quiet but firm approach in the original movie fit perfectly with the kind of hotheaded Jack Torrance he was dealing with. But I’m seeing a more cerebral Jack with John Cho, and this Jack would be the kind of person who actually needs to be eased into following his baser instincts, and I think humor would be a great way to ease him into that situation. Enter Kunal Nayyar, who can be hilarious, but also charming in his own way. I’d love to see a ghost who seems like he wants to be your friend, and will be, if you’re just willing to kill your family to become one with the hotel.

And that’s the list. I’m sure there are better choices that I could have made, but those are the ones that I came up with. But what do you think? Sound off in the comments.

She first rose to fame as a Grammy-nominated recording artist, but Janelle Monae is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after acting talents in Hollywood. In fact, at her current rate, she has a closer chance to securing a part in the Marvel movies than ever before, but as whom is the question.

It was actually not until 2020 when the 34-year-old Kansas City, Kansas, native (born Janelle Monáe Robinson) landed her first leading roles on both the small and big screens as the central protagonist for Season 2 of Homecoming on Amazon Prime and in the mind-bending, politically charged thriller Antebellum. This, however, came after several years of experience, such as in her 2014 film debut voicing a veterinarian in Rio 2, 2016’s Academy Award-nominated Hidden Figures and Moonlight (the latter of which won Best Picture), and a supporting role in the 2019 Harriet Tubman biopic opposite fellow musician-turned-actress Cynthia Erivo.

While she was once considered to be a frontrunner for the part of Domino in Deadpool 2 before ultimately going to Zazie Beetz and for Black Canary in Birds of Prey, which went to Jurnee Smollett, Janelle Monae has yet to officially earn the comic book movie glory she is clearly interested in obtaining. On the plus side, that gives us plenty of time speculate which characters in the Marvel Universe she would be a great candidate to bring to life on the big screen. Six notable heroes come to mind, starting with one who has shares similar talents Monae.

Dazzler

The history of this mutant vigilante is an intriguing one, as she was created to double as a regular fictional character in the comics and a pop star portrayed by an actress in real life. While Dazzler’s concert tour never took off in reality, her singing career did become a staple of the Marvel Universe, in addition to fighting alongside the X-Men with her ability to convert light into sonic energy. While Janelle Monae clearly has the pipes to take on the role already, as she was previously rumored to play the traditionally white Black Canary and racially undefined Domino (each cast by black actresses in the end anyway), I do not see why she should not be considered for Dazzler either.

Chat

Another mutant who has been known to sing a tune in the Marvel Universe (specifically in Earth-20051) is Sofia Sanduval, who is best known as the enthusiastic girlfriend of that reality’s version of Peter Parker and for her ability to communicate with animals, earning her the alias Chat when fighting crime. Seeing Sofia in a relationship with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man does not seem likely, especially if played by Janelle Monae (unless an inter-dimensional crossover of different Spidey iterations in the MCU would finally happen). However, this Dr. Dolittle-esque character is so funny and wholesome that at least paying some tribute to her in the MCU would be quite endearing.

Frenzy

It would be ill-fitting to use the word “funny and wholesome” to describe this mutant hero, who was actually an ally to Apocalypse and Magneto before joining the X-Men. Joanna Cargill suffered a rough childhood due to racial oppression and the abuse of her military veteran father, whom she killed in self-defense as a teenager after her superhuman abilities finally kicked-in, which she would then use as an unstoppable freelance mercenary under the name Frenzy. Introducing this warrior woman would not only be another great opportunity for socially conscious commentary in the MCU, but could also redeem Janelle Monae from her previous military-based character, GI Julie in Robert Zemeckis’ critically maligned fact-based dramedy Welcome to Marwen.

Bling!

To continue the inclusion of X-Men characters who have been involved in battles against Apocalypse while also dialing back on characters with a musical background, Roxanne Washington was born from hip-hop power couple Roy "Daddy Libido" Washington and Angel "Sexy Mutha" Depres, but instead of becoming the next big hitmaker, she decided to pursue perfecting her mutant abilities as the Xavier Institute. While “Bling!” does also sound like a great rapper name, it actually refers to Roxanne’s crystalline skin, due to her bone marrow’s ability to produce diamond shards which also grant her superhuman strength and durability. In addition to bearing a striking appearance to previous X-Men movie characters, Bling! would be yet another great vessel for representation as an LBGTQ+ superhero, which the openly pansexual Janelle Monae can also relate to.

Elektra

I imagine Janelle Monae would be especially game to play a character with deadly hand-to-hand combat skills, a fiercely unapologetic attitude, and a costume that gives new meaning to the phrase “if looks could kill.” One Marvelous anti-hero who is defined by all of that is Elektra Natchios, an expert assassin whose romantic attraction to the equally skilled Matt Murdock is often challenged by her willingness to get the job done with murder. As much as I would love to see Élodie Yung, along with Charlie Cox, reprise said roles from Netflix’s Daredevil in a proper MCU movie appearance, I feel the characters are more likely to be recast before that would happen and, if so, Monae gets my vote, particularly for letting out her darker side in more recent roles.

Storm

Despite all of her previous attention for comic book dream casting, the one character whom Janelle Monae has personally expressed the most interest in playing is Ororo Munroe, better known as the thunderous Storm. Reaction to her campaign for the role, previously portrayed by Halle Berry and Alexandra Shipp in live action adaptations, has been widely accepting, such as from one internet artist whose fan art imagines Monae as Storm with Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa in a Black Panther sequel. The recent, untimely death of Boseman may prevent that specific depiction from becoming a reality, but the MCU should have room for the actress to live land her dream role for its long-anticipated reboot of the X-Men.

What do you think? Is Janelle Monae ready to don a cape (or not) and save the world or do you believe she is best when she is onstage or in the recording studio? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for additional information and updates on the singer-songwriter’s skyrocketing acting career, as well as even more hypothetical comic book movie casting calls, here on CinemaBlend.

This isn't exactly news, but the movie business is looking very different from what it once did. It used to be that most movies would get lovely red carpet premiere events at lovely theaters and celebrities would be on hand to talk to the press and wave at fans and perhaps sign a few autographs. Now, that's not really happening. Still, Janelle Monae's new film Antebellum was given a red carpet premiere event, it was just a bit different because everybody was wearing masks, and it took place at a drive-in rather than an ornate movie palace.

Technically speaking, Antebellum's premiere was a "black carpet" event, as that was the actual color of the carpet that Janelle Monae and others walked down. Beyond that, it perhaps didn't look all that different from a traditional red carpet in many ways. Variety reports that Monae was dressed in a quite lovely gown, though it is perhaps a little telling that her ensemble was completed with heels, a clutch, and custom made N95 face mask. Monae says that while she felt a little overdressed, it was worth it. The situation was unusual but proper safety precautions were rightly taken and she finally got to get out of the house. According to Monae...

It wasn't just the premiere itself that was a little unusual, but the location where it all took place. The Antebellum premiere happened on the top of the parking structure at The Grove in Los Angeles. A drive-in theater was put together along with a concession stand so that people could view the film in the safety of their own cars.

Viewers who want to watch Antebellum won't even need to go to the drive-in. While that's become one of the primary places that movies are still being released theatrically, Antebellum made the decision to go to a VOD model rather than release in theaters. Still, while the movie might not get its normal theatrical release that it was planning on, it's nice to see some sort of premiere event still happen. If nothing else, it's a nice benefit for those who worked on the film to get to celebrate the hard work together, but in safety.

It will be interesting to see how Antebellum does as a home release. While many critics praised the movie's ambition, many seemed to feel that the film came up short in its execution of the ideas it presented. The lukewarm response might actually make more people interested in giving it a try as a home release.

We live in interesting times, which is the understatement of the year to be sure, but it puts us in an interesting place for a unique film. Antebellum is the new horror movie starring Janelle Monae, which deals with the horrors of slavery, and such a film coming out during a period where racial justice is at the forefront of so many people's minds certainly feels prescient. However, while the movie has a strong performance by its lead, and does deal with some compelling issues in interesting ways, most critics seem to be of the opinion that Antebellum comes up short.

One of those critics left underwhelmed was CinemaBlend's own Eric Eisenberg. He gave the movie 2.5 stars out of five and felt that, while the themes of the movie were worthy and powerful, the structure of the story delving into those themes left much to be desired. Eric's review says in part...

Antebellum focuses on Janelle Monae as a slave working in the pre-Civil War American South, thus the title of the film. However, if you've seen the trailers for the movie, you'll know that there is a modern-day element to the film as well. How these two stories fit together is the puzzle the movie wants the viewer to try and solve, and while most critics commend the attempt, they also largely, as with Slashfilm, don't think that the screenplay really works to put the pieces of the puzzle together in a way that works...

Antebellum is a movie that deals with some complex topics in addition to its central mystery storyline. A mystery that keeps you guessing, but ultimately comes together in a way that everything makes sense, can be immensely satisfying, as can a film that makes you think about broader topics after the story is over. However, Nerdist is of the opinion that Antebellum only scratches the surface of any of these things...

The general feeling on Antebellum seems to be one of disappointment, as the film potentially has a lot going for it that it simply fails to execute on well. However, Polygon, has a somewhat different take, finding little redeeming about the film at all and calling it easily the worst film of the year so far...

And likewise, there are the outlier reviews that find Antebellum to be exactly the movie that it was clearly trying to be. Variety is one of those, which states...

So overall, there's a feeling that Antebellum doesn't quite add up, but few seem to find the film with nothing worthwhile, so perhaps it's a movie worth seeing, even if not everybody is going to love it. Originally planned for theaters, Antebellum will arrive on VOD beginning September 18.

Given its subject matter, Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz’s Antebellum is a film that is arriving at the perfect time. A powerful and righteous movement is working to finally have America undergo a reckoning in regards to slavery and how it has evolved into modern systemic racism, and the new thriller is at its core about the Black experience in the United States and how the nation’s original sin continues to resonate and impact the world. There are emotional sequences that hit particularly hard given the heightened atmosphere of the moment, and there is also a catharsis in seeing art and pop culture reflect the very real struggle that we see every day.

The hang-up is that as socially conscience and incredibly relevant as the movie is, it also happens to come up a bit short in terms of capitalizing on its central hook. Without giving too much away (as it’s a film with secrets that absolutely must be protected), Antebellum features a demarcated three-act structure that finds its first two thirds operating in tandem to set up the conclusion, but it winds up being a case of reach exceeding grasp as the climax is constructed to be more emotionally satisfying than logistically satisfying, and you’re left asking a lot of reasonable comprehension questions for which the story provides no concrete answers.

Our protagonist in the movie is Eden (Janelle Monae), a young woman who is trapped working as a slave on a cotton plantation with particularly severe rules and horrible sadists as overseers, led by Captain Jasper (Jack Huston). It is strictly enforced that no slave is allowed to speak unless they are given permission, and the punishment for disobedience is brutal.

Though past attempts at escape have led to horrible consequences, including getting branded on her back, Eden’s resilience is strong, and she continues to work to find a way out – quietly communicating with a friend (Tongayi Chirisa) to pick the right time. Things aren’t quite what they initially seem, however, as the urban-set second act provides new context for everything that precedes it, leaving the third act to arrange the puzzle pieces and explain how it all fits together.

The principal problem with Antebellum is that said puzzle piece arrangement and explanation doesn’t go as smoothly or effectively as one would hope, and while providing a full and detailed critique about why that’s the case would reveal too much that’s not meant to be revealed pre-release, I will do my best to dance around the most sensitive pieces.

Antebellum needs a satisfying ending to match all the set-up, and it’s lacking one.

While there obviously is merit to handling a cinematic mystery with a subtle hand, Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz take that a tad too far with their ending here, as the questions you’re left with aren’t the kind that should be left up to interpretation, but instead address holes in the plot that need filling. Save for one super exposition-heavy monologue late in the movie, there is no real effort to address the important, big picture machinations in the story, and while the filmmakers deserve credit for lacing the background with interesting Easter eggs, they aren’t capable of performing the necessary heavy lifting.

The lacking conclusion takes other forms as well. There are particular moments in the modernity-set half that you expect are going to get some kind of payoff given the significant amount of time dedicated to them, but in the end they get no attention. This leads one to wonder retroactively why the non-setup/setup scenes (particularly those that completely break from the tone of the rest of the film) made it into the cut, and like the aforementioned queries derived directly from the plot, there is no apparent answer.

There are some excellent performances in Antebellum, with Janelle Monae and Kiersey Clemons being particular standouts.

While it may trip itself up at the end, what isn’t taken away from Antebellum is the fact that it is a deeply-felt emotional experience, which is provided in large part by excellent performances from an awesome cast. Janelle Monae, to start, is a force, and on track to become one of the industry’s great multi-hyphenates with her turn as the lead here. There is a remarkable projected strength that Eden possesses that is not only impactful to witness, providing the character great fortitude in even the most painful and fraught moments, but also delivers a powerful sense of hope that penetrates through the darkness. And all of this is accomplished with relatively very little dialogue.

Comparably, Kiersey Clemons also does some tremendous work as Julia, a new arrival at the plantation at the start of the film who acts to a certain degree as the audience surrogate while she is initiated into the operation. It’s a fascinatingly-built character, as she has a firebrand spirit that is paired with an innocence that comes from the fact that she is pregnant, and Clemons is able to squeeze every drop from the role with devastating impact.

Visually, Antebellum shows great promise from two first-time feature filmmakers.

For all of its issues and assets, what’s arguably most exciting about Antebellum is the arrival of Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz on the feature stage – making their debut after establishing themselves over the last decade in the shorts, music video and advertising worlds. Their thoughtfulness and creativity has the potential to get them far as storytellers, and their eye for visuals is demonstrably strong. The movie wastes no time pushing you into the back of your seat as it opens with an incredible unbroken tracking shot, and throughout there a number of striking scenes and impressive moments captured that suggest the filmmakers are capable of great things.

Antebellum is a minor disappointment in the sense that it doesn’t ultimately live up to its full promise, but it’s also a movie that has tremendous merit and important things to say while being released during a time of enhanced strife. It doesn’t fully click as a narrative, but its aspirations and messaging are admirable, and it will hopefully inspire audiences to be excited for what all involved have coming next.

Although Janelle Monae first appeared on the entertainment scene in 2003 with her music, she absolutely shined as an actress more than a decade later with her first starring roles in Hidden Figures and Moonlight. Both of these films tell unusual but vital stories featuring black leads and now Monae has spoken out about why it was important they were her first two big movie roles.

On a Season 3 episode of Close Up With The Hollywood Reporter, Janelle Monae opened up about why it was important for her to choose both Hidden Figures and Moonlight specifically as her first two roles. She mentioned that even as part of her music career, she’s always had a focus on making sure the world knows black people are capable of a multitude of things.

For those who are unfamiliar, the mention of math and orbit references Hidden Figures, a biographical drama that follows three exceptionally smart African American women working at NASA on an astronaut’s launch into space. In it, Janelle Monae plays Mary Jackson, NASA's first black female engineer. Then, Chiron is the main character in the coming-of-age drama Moonlight, which is so good it won Best Picture (following a La La Land flub, of course). The film takes viewers through Chiron's childhood, teenaged, and adult life stages and Monae plays the girlfriend of a drug dealer who becomes a father figure to Chiron.

Janelle Monae also spoke about walking her truth growing up as a queer black woman in America and how that formed a deep responsibility within her to make sure that African Americans are represented in entertainment. Hidden Figures and Moonlight are inspiring stories, both on and off screen, and Monae has become a role model. Her characters allow young girls of color to see themselves in a positive light and gives them something to aspire to. In her own words,

Sounds like art is extending far beyond a career for Janelle Monae and she's taking her ability to represent blacks well in the media very seriously. Through various forms of media, including acting and her music, she has already made a dent and shown no signs of slowing down on that effort. So, what is Janelle Monae hoping for her acting career in the future? She also revealed in the interview:

Whether we want to admit it or not, implicit biases exist, and we all have them. But now that people have opened their eyes to these biases and begun to understand what changes need to take place, the work can really begin. As for Janelle Monae, I have high hopes she will see those scripts. And maybe even that Black Panther role.

If any studio has had a particularly rough 2020, it has to be Lionsgate. With pretty much the entire studio’s 2020 slate pushed into later than intended debuts, movies like Antebellum looked like far off prospects for entertainment and enjoyment. But this post Mulan on VOD world seems to be changing that particular tune, especially when it comes to the new Janelle Monae film, as Antebellum is skipping its U.S. theatrical run and debuting on Premium VOD in the next couple of months.

Through an official announcement through the film’s official Twitter, Antebellum’s “ultimate big screen event” has now been scheduled for a September 18th debut on Premium VOD. With the original debut slated for April 24, 2020; the closing of major theatrical chains due to world events necessitated that the mindbending horror film from writers/directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz be delayed to an August 21, 2020 theatrical debut.

That all changes today, as the story of Janelle Monae’s protagonist being mysteriously pulled from the modern day back into the days of American slavery is now heading to a TV screen near you. Though at this time, there’s no official announcement of a price point for the film, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Premium VOD window sees the movie starting out with a $19.99 rental fee. Which could lead to some other films making very similar decisions in the coming weeks.

If Lionsgate is amenable to releasing Antebellum to Premium VOD, and those results are promising enough, could this mean that we’ll see Spiral: From the Book of Saw making a surprise debut on PVOD at some point? While that particular film was pushed into a May 21, 2021 theatrical slot, a surprise drop at the right time could literally make a killing at the market. Though it seems highly unlikely that such a rogue deployment would happen in October, as another major horror film is poised to battle Antebellum more directly.

As director Nia DeCosta’s Candyman was delayed into an October 16th theatrical debut, and the Universal/AMC agreement looks like it’ll be using the legacyquel at hand to test out that shortened PVOD window, Antebellum’s September 18th release date feels like a direct challenge to that film’s plans. Just when you thought it was safe to write the 2020 release schedule off, something so major has just happened to make it all interesting again.

Whether it’s a response to Disney+’s new strategy pertaining to Mulan, or a challenge to the potential hybrid model that Candyman might be embracing, Antebellum is coming home a lot sooner than we thought. The film make history on PVOD, starting September 18th; with a limited theatrical run in select international markets still planned. So keep an eye on your local listings for further updates.

Now that 20th Century Fox is part of the Disney entertainment empire, that means that the X-Men can finally be incorporated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s hard to say exactly when mutants will start popping up in this franchise, but recently, singer/actress Janelle Monae said it’s her dream to play longtime X-Men heavyweight Storm, possibly in a Black Panther movie.

Should you find yourself intrigued by this casting prospect, one fan artist has taken it upon themselves to envision what Janelle Monae playing Storm would look like opposite Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa in Black Panther 2. Take a look:

That’s quite the good-looking duo. Considering how Janelle Monae has built a solid resume of film and TV work in recent years, from Hidden Figures and the upcoming Antebellum to the Electric Dreams anthology series and Homecoming Season 2, perhaps that means she could be legitimately considered to play Storm in the MCU. If that were to happen for Black Panther 2, Instagram user Yadvender Singh Rana has mocked up Monae’s Storm rocking the character’s iconic mohawk from the comics and standing in front of a dignified, cloak-wearing T’Challa.

Debuting in 1975’s Giant-Size X-Men #1, Storm, born Ororo Munroe, has the ability to manipulate the weather, which has helped her mutant cohorts out of many a jam and resulted in her being worshipped by an African tribe as a goddess before she became a superhero. Halle Berry first played Storm in Fox’s X-Men film series across the first three movies and X-Men: Days of Future Past, while Alexandra Shipp played a younger version of the character in X-Men: Apocalypse, Dark Phoenix and a quick Deadpool 2 cameo.

While Storm is best known for her time among the X-Men, the mid-2000s saw her marrying Black Panther, with a flashback showing how Ororo and T’Challa had become acquainted with one another in their younger years. As a result, Storm served as Queen of Wakanda for a handful of years, although their marriage was annulled during the Avengers vs. X-Men crossover event.

Considering how closely most people associate Storm with the X-Men, introducing her to the MCU through Black Panther 2 could be a cool way to spice things up. Whether Janelle Monae were to play the character or someone else, maybe the MCU’s version of Storm crosses paths with T’Challa before she joins the X-Men. Even if the cinematic versions of the characters don’t become romantically intertwined, her weather powers would certainly come in handy against whoever the adversary for the sequel ends up being.

As things stand now, aside from Chadwick Boseman reprising T’Challa, the only characters who are confirmed to return for Black Panther 2 are Letitia Wright’s Shuri, Danai Guira’s Okoye and Martin Freeman’s Everett Ross. Behind the camera, Ryan Coogler has returned to direct and write the screenplay, but no specific plot details for the sequel have been revealed yet. Rest assured though, we here at CinemaBlend will keep you apprised of any news on the Black Panther 2 front, including if Storm, or any other fan-favorite mutant (like Namor the Sub-Mariner), is added to the lineup.

Black Panther 2 will drop in theaters on May 6, 2022, and learn what other MCU movies are coming up with our handy guide.

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It’s safe to say that superhero fans are anxious to see how Marvel Studios decides to reboot the X-Men franchise. This has been especially evidenced by the fact that may are already fan casting the characters. However, there have also been a number of actors who have expressed a desire to play Marvel’s famous mutants, including Aquaman star Jason Momoa, who wants to play Wolverine. Now, Moonlight’s Janelle Monae has confirmed that she’d love to play fan-favorite Storm in a Black Panther film:

Based on her comments to Empire, it sounds like Janelle Monae would be open to playing Storm in either a Black Panther or X-Men film. The trade also mentions that Monae even pitched the idea of a Black Panther appearance to some of the film’s cast members.

Janelle Monae’s star has been rising over the past several years, and the singer/songwriter has been steadily creating a diverse body of work when it comes to her acting career. She rose to acting prominence with roles in Best Picture winner Moonlight and the acclaimed Hidden Figures, and she’s now diving into other kinds of projects like Amazon thriller Homecoming and upcoming horror film Antebellum. With this, a superhero role may be on the horizon, and Storm could be a prime option for her.

When or how Ororo Munroe will play into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is still a mystery at this point. The X-Men aren’t expected to appear in the massive franchise until at least MCU Phase 5. With this, it could be a little while before Marvel Studios makes any real movement on the project.

Still, Janelle Monae does bring up a great point that Storm could enter the MCU through either the X-Men or Black Panther. In the comics, Monroe is the love of T’Challa’s life and adding her to the franchise would be interesting since the king of Wakanda already has a love in Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia. Regardless, Marvel Studios isn’t opposed to deviating from the comics, so there could be some changes made.

Fans have had somewhat mixed feelings about both Halle Berry and Alexandra Shipp’s performances as Storm. So it would be nice to see Marvel deliver a newer interpretation that’s a bit closer to her comic book counterpart. We’ll see if Janelle Monae’s desire for the role helps her to land it.

Would you like to see Janelle Monae play Storm? Let us know in the comments below?

Westworld will be back. HBO has renewed the series for Season 4 as fans are currently in the midst of its third season, which has already answered a lot of huge questions. On social media, Evan Rachel Wood took to Instagram to celebrate and shared a cute exchange with Janelle Monae in the process.

First some context. Evan Rachel Wood plays android/host Dolores on Westworld, and singer/actress Janelle Monae loves androids. The lead character in Monae’s multi-part concept album series is an android named Cindi. Monae’s debut EP, Monae’s Metropolis: The Chase Suite, kicked things off before The ArchAndroid and The Electric Lady continued the story. Hence, the cuteness of her exchange with Wood regarding Westworld’s Season 4 renewal.

The cuteness began when Evan Rachel Wood took to Instagram to celebrate Westworld getting renewed. In the comment section, Janelle Monae replied with a fun comment. Monae has created many songs from an android's perspective, so it's fitting that she's all about Westworld's Dolores. First, you can check out Wood’s post below:

Evan Rachel Wood's celebratory posted prompted a response from Janelle Monae that should delight fans of Westworld as well as fans of Monae's work. Wood herself had a response for the android lover that made the whole exchange even cuter. Take a look:

As for Westworld, it returned for its third season in March. The premiere was a welcome reprieve for fans who only had the trailer and casting news to scrutinize since the second season, which aired back in 2018. Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul has been one of the new cast members to join Evan Rachel Wood on the sci-fi drama.

Despite Westworld returning, there has been no shortage of questions surrounding the labyrinth of plot points. Between those Game of Thrones cameos and other developments, there has been a lot for Westworld fans to buzz about. Knowing Season 4 is on the horizon should only add to the excitement.

There is nothing like watching the drama of a season unfold and knowing there will be more to come. Unless something happens to Dolores, Janelle Monae’s “fav droid” should be back for more of the action. Speaking of droids, answers on if Ed Harris’ Man in Black is a human or a host are on their way, according to Harris, so stay tuned for that.

A premiere date for Season 4 has not been announced yet. Here is hoping that there is not a two-year break between Season 3 and Season 4 like there was between Westworld’s second season and its current third. Whenever Westworld returns, one should hope that Janelle Monae’s favorite will be back.

You can watch Evan Rachel Wood in new episodes of Westworld Season 3 when they air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. The series’ return marks one this spring’s many premieres.

It’s finally here, folks! The 92nd Academy Awards are underway, and naturally the event kicked off with a special opening to get people even more hyped up for the festivities. This year, we got a musical number carried out by singer and actress Janelle Monae, which honored to the various movies that came out in 2019.

Walking out onto a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood-like stage, Janelle Monae donned the kind of sweater that the eponymous host would wear on the children’s program. She then went into the crowd to serenade those in the front row, while also adjusting the lyrics to reference the 2020 Oscars. It was especially nice to see her specifically spend some time in front of Tom Hanks, who played Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and was competing in the Best Supporting Actor category (Brad Pitt took home that award for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood).

From there, Janelle Monae transitioned into a more upbeat song that included dancers dressed like characters from 2019’s most memorable movies, like Midsommar, Joker, 1917 and Jojo Rabbit. Joined by Pose’s Billy Porter, who wore a flowing gold cape, Monae kept on getting those at the front of the 2020 Oscars audience to chime in, particularly when it came to the ‘la la la's’. Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t seem to into it, but Brie Larson looked jazzed to take part.

Man, when she said they’d be going low, she really meant it! Musical numbers are a tried and true classic when it comes to opening the Academy Awards, and Janelle Monae definitely brought the right kind of energy to this year’s kickoff. During the performance, Monae also said how this year, those in attendance were celebrating “all the women who directed phenomenal films” in 2019, referencing the lack of women in the Best Director category.

While Janelle Monae has been singing for nearly 20 years now and began her rise to worldwide stardom at the beginning of the last decade, she’s also been leaving her mark on the film world. Her notable credits include Rio 2, Moonlight, Hidden Figures, Harriet and Disney+’s Lady and the Tramp. Later this year, she can be seen in The Glorias and Antebellum.

With a resume like that, it’s no wonder Janelle Monae was chosen to kick off the 2020 Oscars, and considering that this year’s Oscars followed in the footsteps of last year’s by not having a host, it was all the more important that the event kicked off with a bang. And who knows, maybe in the years to come, Monae will find herself in the crowd of an Academy Award ceremony as a nominee for one of those gold trophies.

Stick with us at CinemaBlend as we provide more updates on the 2020 Oscars winners. Feel free to also look through our 2020 release schedule to learn what movies are coming out later this year.

Although DC and Warner Bros have yet to officially announce what will follow Wonder Woman 1984 in the DC Extended Universe, so far all signs point to Birds of Prey being the next installment in the superhero franchise. The movie will mark the return of Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn (with the actress also producing) following her appearance in Suicide Squad, and Cathy Yan was hired to direct back in April, working off a script written by Christina Hodson. So far Birds of Prey's heroic lineup reportedly consists of Black Canary, Huntress and GCPD detective Renee Montoya, and now we know who's been looked at recently to fill these roles.

Starting off, let's look at the ladies in consideration for Black Canary. Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jurnee Smollett-Bell are both high up on the list to play the sonic-screaming crimefighter, and while Janelle Monae is also said to be in the running, it's unclear if she's tested for the role. Although Black Canary is white in the comics, THR states that Warner Bros is looking for "diverse talent" for Birds of Prey's version of the character. Mbatha-Raw's notable credits include Beauty and the Beast, The Cloverfield Paradox and A Wrinkle in Time, Smollett-Bell has been a series regular on TV shows like Friday Night Lights, True Blood and Underground, and Janelle Moane, in addition to being a Grammy-nominated singer, has appeared in movies like Moonlight and Hidden Figures.

Next we have Black Canary's frequent partner, Huntress. Margaret Qualley, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Cristin Milloti have all either tested or read for the role, though there's no indication if any of them have an edge over the rest. Margaret Qualley is best known for her role on HBO's The Leftovers, Winstead's resume includes Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, 10 Cloverfield Lane and Fargo (the TV series), and Cristin Milloti has appeared in The Wolf of Wall Street, How I Met Your Mother and Black Mirror, among other things.

Finally for Renee Montoya, Justina Machado from Netflix's One Day at a Time and Roberta Colindrez from Amazon's I Love Dick have both tested for the character. Unlike Black Canary and Huntress, it doesn't sound like Renee will be getting her superhero on during Birds of Prey. However, given that she became the second Question in the comics, perhaps there is a scenario where she turns to vigilantism in the DCEU.

Other actresses are supposedly in consideration for Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya, but evidently Warner Bros is looking to decide on who will lead Birds of Prey within the next two weeks, with production scheduled to begin early next year. We here at CinemaBlend will keep you updated on what's happening with Birds of Prey as more details come in. For now, check out our DC movies guide to lear what else the DCEU has in development.

While we saw a very advanced teaser for Deadpool 2 this past weekend courtesy of Logan, there are still a lot of components that need to be defined before the film can actually exist. Namely, the cast needs to be filled out, and as eager fans will tell you, that is a subject that's far from over and done with. Case in point is the latest rumor we've heard pertaining to the frontrunner for the role of Domino, a character who's not only conflicted and collaborated with Deadpool himself, but also Cable. Move over Kerry Washington, Janelle Monae is the new lead pick for the hotly contested role.

This news comes directly from That Hashtag Show, who previously reported on Ms. Washington's front-runner status for the role. Apparently, that's not the case anymore, and according to the show's hosts, this could be a good thing. With a long term franchise in the offing, and Janelle Monae's star on the rise, Joe from That Hashtag Show isn't wrong to point out that she'd be a great choice for a character who could span through many X-Men related pictures.

Presumably the role of Domino will be at first adversarial against Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool and whomever will be cast in Deadpool 2's other close horse race as Cable, considering that she was first a baddie in the X-Men universe. But seeing as the sequel to last year's surprise Fox/Marvel hit is more than likely the beginnings of yet another franchise the studio can work with, it wouldn't be a stretch to see that adversarial side become the focus of the film at hand, with the character turning to the side of good at the end of Deadpool 2, leaving her to fill out the trio for Deadpool 3: Amigos.

But above all else, Janelle Monae's skill-set as an actor would be perfect for Domino's complex personality. Between performances in both Hidden Figures and Moonlight, Monae has shown she can perform with material that requires levity as well as gravitas. If anything, the major addition that would help her branch out even further in her acting career would be the obvious stunt work that Deadpool 2 would require her to undertake. Something tells us that Monae is more than game for the cause, which only makes us more excited for her prospective casting.

Deadpool 2 has already walked a long, winding road for casting its leads, so any sort of resolution would be welcome for either Domino or Cable's pivotal roles. With the release date of the film being targeted for some time next year, the sooner would probably be the better. So as soon as we hear about any sort of updates, we'll report back as quickly as possible.

Vanity Fair is adding a whole lot of old Hollywood glam to the young starlets that stole our attention on the big screen this year. The magazine's Hollywood issue for 2017 is giving fans a look at the biggest stars of 2016 all dressed up in some serious glitz and glamour!

Shot by the legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz, the Vanity Fair cover dubs the eleven actresses posing in high glamour in a studio back alley Wonder Women. And Leibovitz must have been inspired by La La Land's cheery embrace of the classic, golden age of MGM films for this photoshoot, as the young actresses are all decked out in traditional old Hollywood elegance. Check out the cover spread below.

The cover story reads as an homage to the women that gave us hope throughout a particularly shitty year. Calling upon the timeless wit, fortitude, and grace of Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds, both of whom died at the very end of 2016, the profile praises the roles that these eleven actresses have taken on in the past year, all of which tell the stories of women overcoming adversity, and have all set themselves apart as some of the most lauded actors of 2016 for their performances. These actresses are (from left to right): Emma Stone, Lupita Nyong'o, Amy Adams, Natalie Portman, Ruth Negga, Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Aja Naomi King, Dakota Johnson, Greta Gerwig, and Janelle Monae.

Emma Stone's rise from teen movie queen to critical darling in the past several years has been spectacular, and she cemented her place as one of the most promising young actresses in the business this year in La La Land. Drawing on some of her own experiences as an actor struggling to make it in L.A., Stone sang and danced her way into the hearts of everyone who say the film. She just nabbed a Golden Globe for her performance, and now is up for an Oscar as well.

Next to Stone is everyone's red carpet favorite: the constantly stylish Lupita Nyong'o. Though she only has a few film credits to her name, each of them has made a major impact. She won the Academy Award for her feature length film debut in 12 Years a Slave, and proved her unparalleled dramatic prowess yet again this year in Queen of Katwe and the Broadway play Eclipsed. And she's also getting into the blockbuster franchises, having just appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and taking a part in the upcoming Black Panther.

Amy Adams did dual duty in 2016 by starring in two of the year's buzziest films: Arrival and Nocturnal Animals. Though many people assumed that Adams would be getting an Oscar nod for her alien-language interpretation skills in Arrival, it just wasn't in the cards. Still, the film was one of the more successful of the year in terms of both critical praise and box office draw.

Natalie Portman is positively glowing in the photoshoot, thanks to her growing baby bump. The actress and soon-to-be mommy of two has a lot to be excited about, seeing as she's up for the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Jackie Kennedy in Jackie. If she wins, it would be her second Oscar after taking home the trophy for Black Swan a few years back.

One of the actresses that casual movie-goers may not so quickly recognize is Ruth Negga, who takes center stage in this photoshoot. Negga made a huge splash this year for her lead role in Loving, the film telling the story of the groundbreaking interracial marriage case, and now she's heading to the Oscars. Avid sci-fi fans might recognize her from her past TV work on shows like Misfits, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Preacher.

Elle and Dakota Fanning make up the sister act that's been conquering Hollywood since they were prepubescent girls. Though it was younger sister Elle who had the breakout year with her role in 20th Century Women and the controversial The Neon Demon, Dakota has never stopped proving her acting chops. The older sister is preparing to star in an adaptation of The Bell Jar this year.

Shondaland fans will quickly recognize Aja Naomi King for her no-nonsense law student character in How to Get Away with Murder, but she proved her big-screen chops this year in the buzzy The Birth of a Nation.

Getting into this old Hollywood-style photoshoot must have been a piece of cake for Dakota Johnson. The actress comes from a long line of Hollywood icons, such as her mother Melanie Griffith and her grandmother Tippi Hedren. But Johnson has made a name for herself by starring in the insanely popular film adaptations of the Fifty Shades of Grey book series.

Always beloved by the indie movie crowd, Greta Gerwig is now making a name for herself in the mainstream by appearing in two critical favorites from 2016: 20th Century Women and Jackie. But don't think she's lost her indie edge. Gerwig also starred in a pair of under-the-radar gems: Weiner-Dog and Maggie's Plan.

And last but certainly not least is Janelle Monae, who before 2016 was better known to her fans as a musician. Monae has been releasing infectious techno-pop hits for years, but this year she proved that she's a force to be reckoned with in the acting world as well as the music world. Signing on to two of the most critically beloved movies of the year --- Moonlight and Hidden Figures --- Monae delivered masterful turns as strong women who refuse to give up.

You can see more of Vanity Fair's stunning photos and the feature they've done on these talented women here.

While Ellen DeGeneres is no stranger to making headlines for her hit morning talk show, now in its 14th season, the stories have almost always been extremely positive and/or amusing in nature. That's not the case when it comes to a controversy surrounding gospel standout Kim Burrell, who is set to appear later this week on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Fans are calling for the show to cancel Burrell's appearance (alongside Pharrell and others) now that some of her highly inflammatory views on homosexuality have gone viral.

Here's the rundown: Kim Burrell is set to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday with Pharrell and Janelle Monae to perform the song "I See a Victory," the single from the highly acclaimed drama Hidden Figures. Recently, a video went viral that was taken at a Houston church while Burrell gave a sermon that implied death would come to those who practiced in homosexual acts, and she repeatedly used the word "perverted" as a descriptor. Viewers subsequently took to the digital streets to protest Burrell's involvement, and you can find random complaints on the show's Twitter page, as well as a Change.org petition that currently has over 3,700 signatures.

As you might imagine, there would seem to be a conflict of interest in Ellen DeGeneres inviting someone onto her show that speaks ill of the LGBTQ community, since the multi-hyphenate host is a card-carrying member. The talk show appears to be keeping mum on the subject for now, but the same can't be said for everyone else set to appear on Thursday's episode. Janelle Monae slayed two birds with one Instagram post sharing both her and Pharrell's views on the matter.

It's hard to tell how this performance would move forward if both Pharrell and Monae are also standing against Kim Burrell's views, as their messages imply. Burrell has been a queen in the gospel world for almost two decades, and she also founded Houston's Love & Liberty Fellowship Pentecostal Overcoming Holy Church some years back, where she has also been active. (Obviously.) Entertainers are seemingly always facing backlashes for comments gone public, and it's never easy to predict just how things will pan out.

This is definitely not the way Ellen normally freaks people out on her show, so one would expect a proper response, but as of this writing, the Ellen show page still lists Kim Burrell as part of Thursday morning's lineup, so we'll see what happens over the next couple of days. In the meantime, head to our midseason premiere schedule to see what will be hitting the small screen in the near future.

Janelle Monae usually goes all out for her music videos with new hairstyles and wild costumes, but she’s really outdid herself with “Dance Apocalyptic,” a brand new video in which the singer rocks out without her signature ‘do but with a huge fur coat and lots of rings on her fingers. There’s no tux to be seen this time either, and while Monae’s never been one to show off her body, getting a bit of a change-up from menswear the singer usually prefers is nice, too.

The video was directed by Wendy Morgan and is supposedly part of a longer film with an actual storyline also called “The Dance Apocalyptic.” Partially through the lively dance track, the video cuts to Monae playing a sensible newscaster who announces that the world is nearing its end, with fires in New York and plagues of locusts and zombies abounding in other areas. This doesn’t seem to bother the dancers, who give it their all as the pop star Monae continues to sing her catchy tune.

Monae’s been busy prepping for her newest album endeavor for a while. Her sophomore endeavor, The Electric Lady, is set to hit stores on September 10. According to the Huffington Post, the 27-year-old has already worked out a deal with Target to help promote the new album and get it from the shelves into homes. Additionally, she’s been a busy bee when it comes to putting together music videos for her singles. Besides “Dance Apocalyptic,” we’ve also gotten a look at “Q.U.E.E.N.”, the sassy first single off of The Electric Lady, featuring Erykah Badu.

The video is a little more graphic and oddball than the one the singer released Tuesday, but there are still plenty of reasons to enjoy “The Dance Apocalyptic.” The lyrics are catchy and vivid, with a throwback chorus employing the use of “bang bang, cha-langa-langa-lang,” making the whole thing seem like a fun afternoon party when the singer is really crooning about the end of the world and how people would react when shit hits the fan.

Overall, it’s a fun little track, one you will be able to hear more of in the coming months, reportedly thanks to another lucrative deal with Cover Girl. Fans can pre-order The Electric Lady over at iTunes.

Janelle Monae is finally putting together the follow-up to her 2010 album, The ArchAndroid. While that album did decently, spawning the single “Tightrope” and earning her a Grammy nomination for best R&B album, Monae’s newest endeavor, The Electric Lady will hopefully earn even more promise, thanks to the success of Monae’s collaboration on Fun.’s “We Are Young.” If you want an idea of the type of fun and sassy music Monae puts together, take a look at her newest video for the song, “Q.U.E.E.N.” featuring Erykah Badu.

In typical bizarre fashion, Monae’s newest video is set in the future at a crazy art exhibit preserving the remains of past visionaries. When a couple of museumgoers put on a vinyl copy of “Q.U.E.E.N,” the long-frozen people in the museum suddenly spur to life. The video was directed by Alan Ferguson and features a stark white setting full costume clad individuals dancing up a storm.

Monae’s fashion is always a little off the hook. In the video, she rocks her signature tux, but also a graphic gown and a few other costume-y pieces. Badu, however, totally takes the cake with a white dress featuring glittery gold shoulder pads. The song is more important for its message of embracing individuality, but I can’t get enough of the wild fashion.

Janelle Monae's Electric Lady is set to drop this fall. In the meantime, you can order "Q.U.E.E.N" over at iTunes.