Highlander’s filming may have been delayed due to Henry Cavill getting injured during preproduction, but the long-awaited reboot is still making progress forward. The latest update comes in the form of another casting, as Jeremy Irons has joined the new take on the 1986 fantasy cult classic. Not only does the role he’s playing sound fascinating, but this also means we’re getting a DC Extended Universe reunion in Highlander.

Jeremy Irons played Alfred Pennyworth in the defunct superhero franchise, and while he didn’t share any scenes with Henry Cavill’s Superman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, they did briefly cross paths in Justice League (both cuts). For Highlander, THR has shared that like Dave Bautista, Irons is playing one of the movie’s antagonists. While Bautista’s Kurgan has top baddie status, Irons is playing the leader of a group called The Watchers, who are, as described by the publication, “keeping an eye on the immortals and see them as a threat to humanity.”

The Watchers weren’t present in the original Highlander movie, instead being introduced to the mythology in Highlander: The Series. One in particular, Joe Lawson, ended up becoming an integral character in the TV show from Season 2 onwards as he chronicled the life of lead protagonist Connor MacLeod. The Watchers were later featured in the short-lived spinoff Highlander: The Raven, as well the movies Highlander: Endgame and Highlander: The Source, which took place in the same continuity as the first movie and the aforementioned TV shows.

I’m eager to see how the Highlander reboot utilizes Jeremy Irons’ unnamed character and the other Watchers. Judging by that description, it sounds like this version of the Watchers could also take their cue from a splinter group in Highlander: The Series called The Hunters, which believed that the Immortals needed to be exterminated. With Irons being brought aboard to play such a prominent role, it sounds like The Watchers will not only clash with Connor MacLeod in the upcoming movie, but also target other Immortals, like The Kurgan.

I should note that Jeremy Irons isn’t the only DCEU alum appearing alongside Henry Cavill in Highlander. Russell Crowe, who played Jor-El in Man of Steel, will play Ramirez, Connor MacLeod’s mentor. Djimon Hounsou has also been cast as an immortal warrior from Africa. However, Hounsou never shared any screen time with Cavill in the DCEU. He played King Ricou in Aquaman, and The Wizard in both Shazam!movies, none of which Cavill appeared in. Both actors also cameoed separately in Black Adam.

The Highlander cast also includes Marisa Abela, Karen Gillan, Max Zhang and Drew McIntyre. Chad Stahelski is directing the reboot off a script written by Michael Finch. Originally Highlander was a Lionsgate production, but now it’s being handled by Amazon-MGM United Artists banner. It still doesn’t have a release date, but cameras are now set to begin rolling in early 2026.

One of the big things we know about The Flash is that it will spotlight Michael Keaton back as Batman in his first time donning the cape and cowl since 1992’s Batman Returns. But he isn’t the only actor playing the Caped Crusader in this upcoming DC movie, as Ben Affleck’s Batman will also be teaming back up with Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen. Well, when that version of Bruce Wayne returns to the big screen, one of his other key allies will be accompanying him, as a new international trailer for The Flash has revealed that Jeremy Irons is reprising Alfred Pennyworth.

Like Affleck, Irons made his DC Extended Universe debut in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, followed by him participating in both versions of Justice League. Since The Flash is expected to be Affleck’s last time playing Batman (not to mention he has no interest in directing a DC movie), it’s nice that Irons’ Alfred will be accompanying him for this final ride, although since he’s shown in the Batcave, I’m skeptical that Irons and Affleck actually crossed paths again during production. In any case, check out the quick taste we get of Batman’s trusted butler and father figure in The Flash international trailer originally shared by The Flash Film News.

UPDATE: Warner Bros. has officially released this final trailer for The Flash, which you can watch below.

Given that Michael Gough, who played the Alfred Pennyworth to Michael Keaton’s Batman, passed away in 2011, that naturally necessitated his version of the character pass away as well. So when the main version of Barry Allen meets that Bruce Wayne in The Flash, he’ll be living in Wayne Manor all by himself. Ben Affleck’s Batman, on the other hand, still has Jeremy Irons’ Alfred in his life, as we see him coordinating communication between Barry and Bruce, no doubt for the mission we’ll see these two deal with together early on in the movie. Irons is the second actor to currently be playing Alfred in live-action, with Andy Serkis holding down the role in The Batman universe.

The rest of this trailer for The Flash covers beats that have been shown in past previews, namely how Barry goes back in time to save his mother, only to end up in a reality where she’s alive, but there are no meta-humans. When Michael Shannon’s General Zod arrives on Earth to carry out his same objective from Man of Steel, Barry will need to team up with his doppelgänger, Michael Michael Keaton’s Batman and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl to thwart the invading Kryptonians, although that will be complicated by the emergence of another villain who fans believe they’ve already identified.

The events of The Flash will reset the DCEU continuity and usher in the DC Universe era, which will include a new Batman being brought in to lead The Brave and the Bold. Early reception to the Scarlet Speedster’s movie has been largely positive, including author Stephen King saying that he “loved it.” If you’d like to revisit the DCEU as we enter this final stretch of DC movies history, you can do so with a Max subscription.

The Flash speeds into theaters on June 16, and tickets can be purchased now. Once you’ve done that, take a look at the other 2023 new movie releases arriving soon. Jeremy Irons fans should also know the actor will also star in the upcoming action movie The Beekeeper, which stars Jason Statham.

The DC Extended Universe is always expanding, and there are a number of highly anticipated upcoming DC movies coming to theaters over the next few years. This includes Andy Muschietti’s Flash movie, which looks like it’s going to be an adventure across the multiverse. Fans are especially excited to see Ben Affleck back as Batman and Michael Shannon as Zod, but a wild Flash rumor indicates another DCEU is returning to their role.

The Flash will feature two different versions of Batman, with both Ben Affleck and the iconic Michael Keaton suiting back up for the movie. This has the potential to mark Affleck’s final bow as Bruce Wayne, as he’s had plenty of peaks and valleys during his years as the DC hero. And according to a new rumor swirling around Twitter, Alfred actor Jeremy Irons will also have an appearance in Ezra Miller’s long-awaited solo flick.

While still very much unconfirmed by the powers that be at Warner Bros., this rumor about The Flash should be an exciting concept for the hardcore DCEU fans out there. Bruce Wayne is nothing without Alfred, and Jeremy Irons definitely made a strong impression with his performances in both Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. We’ll just have to wait and see if this actually comes to fruition or not.

Information is slowly trickling out about the Flash movie, which wrapped principal photography back in October of 2021. Warner Bros. just debuted exciting new footage from the blockbuster while appearing at CinemaCon, revealing that Michael Keaton is going to be repeating one of his iconic lines from Tim Burton’s Batman. Although the presentation didn’t include any information about whether or not Jeremy Irons might be returning to the role of Alfred in Andy Muschietti’s DCEU debut.

Jeremy Irons is an acclaimed actor who brought his talents to the DCEU by playing Bruce Wayne’s butler and father figure. He got plenty of one-liners throughout his first two appearances, getting involved in the action in surprising ways. And moviegoers would no doubt be thrilled to see him return as Alfred opposite Ben Affleck. After all, the two actors had pretty solid chemistry throughout Zack Snyder’s pair of blockbusters. Fingers crossed this rumor pans out.

The public definitely has concerns over the long-awaited Flash movie, which sat in development hell for a number of years. Most recently fans have worried about the burgeoning franchise thanks to Ezra Miller’s behavior and multiple arrests in Hawaii. While Warner Bros. has denied that any emergency meetings occurred as a result of Miller’s recent legal troubles, more reports about incidents on the island have continued to break the internet.

The Flash is currently expected to arrive in theaters on June 23rd, 2023. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

The DC Extended Universe is always full of surprises, and last year’s release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League was certainly no exception. The filmmaker’s epic four-hour vision was released via streaming after years of fan campaigns, greatly expanding the narrative in the process. But has the great Jeremy Irons seen the Snyder Cut? Here’s what he says about Justice League and the extended cut on HBO Max.

Jeremy Irons made his debut as Alfred Pennyworth in Batman v Superman, before eventually reprising the role in Justice League. The theatrical cut dropped some A+ footage of Irons, including his scene opposite Henry Cavill’s Superman and great chemistry with Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman. The Watchmen actor was recently asked if he’s caught the Snyder Cut, saying:

Well, there you have it. Jeremy Irons definitely didn’t hold back when revealing his relationship to Justice League, and thoughts about the 2017 theatrical cut. While he hasn’t seen the Snyder Cut in all of its glory, he clearly wasn’t a big fan of the version that went to theaters years ago. Shots fired by none other than Bruce Wayne’s trusty manservant.

Jeremy Irons’ comments to Variety are sure to please hardcore fans of the Snyder Cut who were similarly dissatisfied with the first cut of Justice League. While he was still a gentleman and didn’t go into the specifics of that ill-fated blockbuster, it’s clear that even the cast agreed with the public’s response to the theatrical cut. Later in his same interview, he further explained that it was seemingly impossible for the Snyder Cut to be of a lesser quality than the original. As he put it,

Touche. Both DC fans and moviegoers in general failed to respond to Justice League when it hit theaters in 2017, resulting in critical and box office disappointment. Criticism came since the movie looked like a bit of a Frankenstein project, with two different visions competing within the same project. By comparison, the reviews were much kinder to the Snyder Cut when it arrived via streaming last year.

Unfortunately for fans of Jeremy Irons, it’s unclear if/when he’ll ever return to the DCEU to play Alfred again. After Ben Affleck departed the role of Batman, it seemed that Irons’ time in the shared universe was up as well. While Affleck will have his final bow as the Dark Knight in the upcoming Flash movie, Irons isn’t currently attached to the multiversal blockbuster.

The Flash is currently expected to arrive in theaters on November 4th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

It is fitting to see Jeremy Irons in the House of Gucci cast as Rodolfo Gucci, because the biographical drama from director Ridley Scott feels exactly like the kind of tragedy that William Shakespeare would have turned into a literary masterpiece. Indeed, the 73-year-old, Academy Award-winning Englishman not only has the training of a Shakespearean actor, but the playwright’s work has become a recurrence in the actor’s filmography - sometimes just in theme or style, but other times, with direct adaptations. 

Of course, there is plenty more that Jeremy Irons is known for - including superhero movies, even. In fact, for our following list of films and TV shows starring the actor that are available to stream now, that is exactly where we will start.

Jeremy Irons’ DCEU Movies (HBO Max)

While Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) is out cleaning up crime on the streets of Gotham City (or wherever he and his other powerful colleagues are needed), the vigilante can also rely remotely on the help of his most trusted ally: his lifelong in-house servant and father figure, Alfred Pennyworth (Jeremy Irons).

Why they are worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: Jeremy Irons first appeared in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016 and reappeared later in 2021’s Zack Snyder’s Justice League (the cut I personally prefer to acknowledge) as a version of Batman’s butler unlike what we had seen before, distinguished by his active participation in vigilantism and willingness to spar with his friend and employer when he feels necessary.

Stream Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on Amazon.

Stream Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max.

Watchmen (HBO Max)

In a world in which superheroes exist but have been outlawed, a new generation of costumed vigilantes emerge to take matters into their own hands by any means necessary.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: While already a member of the DC Extended Universe, Jeremy Irons ventured to another corner of the DC Multiverse to play an elder version of superhero-turned-supervillain Adrian “Ozymandias” Veidt on HBO’s Watchmen - an acclaimed limited series continuation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ groundbreaking graphic novel, from creator Damon Lindelof.

Stream Watchmen on HBO Max.
Buy Watchmen on Amazon.

Die Hard With A Vengeance (Tubi)

A disgraced John McClane (Bruce Willis) is forced to play a dangerous game of “Simon Says” to stop a mysterious German terrorist from setting off bombs all around New York City, with the reluctant help of a shopkeeper (Samuel L. Jackson) who decided to come to his aid at the wrong time.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: Jeremy Irons is no stranger to villainy and his scenery-chewing performance as the vengeful and terribly clever antagonist, eponymously named “Simon,” in the hit 1995 action sequel Die Hard with a Vengeance is one of the finest examples of such.

Stream Die Hard With A Vengeance on Platform.
Rent/Buy Die Hard With A Vengeance on Amazon.

The Time Machine (Hulu, Paramount+)

A heartbroken inventor (Guy Pearce) creates a device that allows him to alter the events of the past, but an accident causes him to, instead, journey forward thousands of years into a horrifying future.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: Another great example of Jeremy Irons’ ability to be both sinister but intellectually compelling is in The Time Machine - a well-made 2002 adaptation of H.G. Wells’ seminal novel in which he becomes almost entirely unrecognizable as the otherwise intelligent leader of a barbaric race of futuristic mutants.

Stream The Time Machine on Hulu.
Stream The Time Machine on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy The Time Machine on Amazon.

The Lion King (Disney+)

After spending years in exile believing that he caused his father’s death when he was just a cub, a lion (Matthew Broderick) returns to avenge his father (James Earl Jones) and claim his rightful place as the King of the Jungle.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: Perhaps the most iconic example of Jeremy Irons’ mastery of villainous roles (and Shakespearean training) would have to be when he lent his voice to the tyrannical Scar in the original animated The Lion King - a 1994 Disney classic inspired by the biblical stories of Moses and Joseph, as well as William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. 

Stream The Lion King on Disney+.
Buy The Lion King on Amazon.

The Borgias (Netflix, Showtime)

With the help of his many sons, Pope Alexander VI (Jeremy Irons) conspires to spread his power throughout Italy by very ungodly means during the 15th Century.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: Jeremy Irons was nominated for an Golden Globe for his performance as yet another cruel figure of tyranny on Showtime’s The Borgias - a historical series developed by Academy Award winner Neil Jordan which ran for three highly acclaimed seasons from 2011 to 2013.

Stream The Borgias on Netflix.
Stream The Borgias on Showtime.
Buy The Borgias on Amazon.

The Man In The Iron Mask (HBO Max)

As Paris continues to suffer under the cruel and selfish ruling of the young King Louis XIV (Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio), a legendary trio of heroics uncover an opportunity to save France by replacing the king with his unknown identical twin brother, who has been kept locked up and hidden from the public for most of his life.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: In yet another tale of resisting tyranny, Jeremy Irons plays one of the leaders in a conspiracy against in the king in 1998’s The Man in the Iron Mask, which writer and director Randall Wallace based on a continuation of the legend of the Three Musketeers by author Alexandre Dumas.

Stream The Man In The Iron Mask on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy The Man In The Iron Mask on Amazon.

Dead Ringers (IMDb TV, Tubi, Pluto TV)

A gynecologist (Jeremy Irons) and his twin brother (Jeremy Irons), who works in the same profession, work out an agreement that the shier of the two will impersonate his more confident sibling when he grows tired of his current lover, until they both fall deeply in love with the same woman. 

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: In yet another tale of identical siblings with some bad blood between them, Jeremy Irons is impeccable playing two different roles in 1988’s Dead Ringers - an intense, romantic psychological thriller from co-writer and director David Cronenberg, who is usually best known as the master of body horror movies like his remake of The Fly from two years earlier.

Stream Dead Ringers on IMDb TV.
Stream Dead Ringers on Tubi.

Stream Dead Ringers on Peacock.
Stream Dead Ringers on Pluto TV.

Rent/Buy Dead Ringers on Amazon.

Kafka (Amazon Rental)

A mysterious death leads an insurance worker (Jeremy Irons) to uncover a secret, underground organization responsible for orchestrating major events in history to their liking.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: In yet another strange and twisted tale that I am sure David Cronenberg would have been all over had director Steven Soderbergh not gotten ahold of it first, Jeremy Irons plays influential author Franz Kafka in 1991’s Kafka - a highly fictionalized and nightmarish account of his life prior to his notoriety.

Rent/Buy Kafka on Amazon.

High-Rise (Tubi, Pluto TV, Vudu)

In 1975, a young doctor (Tom Hiddleston) experiences a chaotic and surreal class struggle after moving into a seemingly idyllic skyscraper.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: In a strange tale that some might refer to as Kafka-esque, Jeremy Irons plays the architect behind the London apartment complex in which a truly complex set of events take place in 2015’s High Rise - an ambitious sci-fi drama based on the novel by J.G. Ballard and directed by Ben Wheatley.

Stream High-Rise on Tubi.
Stream High-Rise on Pluto TV.
Stream High-Rise on Vudu.

Rent/Buy High-Rise on Amazon.

Kingdom Of Heaven (Starz)

A blacksmith (Orlando Bloom), losing his faith following the tragic loss of his family, becomes a warrior when embroiled in the violent religious conflict taking place between Europe and the East in the 12th Century.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: Before working together for House of Gucci, Ridley Scott directed Jeremy Irons in the role of the Marshall of Jerusalem ,called Tiberias, in 2005’s Kingdom of Heaven - a thrilling historical epic that offers a fictionalized account of the Crusades. 

Stream Kingdom Of Heaven on Starz.
Rent/Buy Kingdom Of Heaven on Amazon.

Reversal Of Fortune (Amazon Rental)

A wealthy socialite (Jeremy Irons) calls upon the aid of a well-known attorney (Ron Silver) to defend him when he becomes accused of attempting to murder his wife (Glenn Close) as she lies in a coma.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Jeremy Irons: We conclude by putting the spotlight on the film that made Jeremy Irons an Academy Award winner: 1990’s Reversal of Fortune, a suspenseful courtroom drama based on a shocking true story.

Rent/Buy Reversal Of Fortune on Amazon.

It's ironic how it was his performance in Reversal of Fortune that earned Jeremy Irons one of the most fortunate honors that any actor could dream of. Who knows? Maybe he could receive such wealth a second time for his role in House of Gucci. 

In my opinion, many of the best Ridley Scott movies are his historical biopics, such as 2007’s Black Hawk Down or American Gangster.  That is only one reason why I have been anticipating House of Gucci - based on the book by Sara Gay Forden about Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) and her conspiratorial crusade to take control of the fashion dynasty from her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver). 

The other main reason why this is one of my most anticipated 2021 movies is the Oscar darlings in the House of Gucci cast (also including Jared Leto), whose greatest accomplishments in the acting world and beyond we will summarize for you below.

Lady Gaga (Patrizia Reggiani)

Playing Patrizia “The Black Widow” Reggiani - whose marriage into the Gucci family would end in blood - in House of Gucci is Lady Gaga, whose talents outside of singing would be revealed only a matter of time after the extremely theatrical pop star broke into the mainstream in the late 2000s. 

After making her feature-film debut in in Robert Rodriguez’s Machete Kills in 2013, the actress (born Stefani Germanotta) reunited with the filmmaker for a small role in 2014’s Sin City: A Dame to Kill For and played herself in Muppets Most Wanted the same year. In 2016, her performance as the vampiric Countess on American Horror Story: Hotel earned her a Golden Globe and, in 2019, she received two Academy Award nominations for A Star is Born, and won for co-writing “Shallow.”

Adam Driver (Maurizio Gucci) 

After The Last Duel, House of Gucci is Ridley Scott’s second fact-based film released in 2021 to star Adam Driver, who plays Maurizio Gucci - who was killed in 1995 by a hitman hired by his ex-wife, Patrizia Reggiani. 

The former Marine and former Girls cast member has worked with many other great filmmakers including Steven Spielberg (Lincoln), Joel and Ethan Coen (Inside Llewyn Davis), and Martin Scorsese (Silence), to name a few. Driver has been nominated for acting Oscars twice (first in 2019 for BlacKkKlansman, and then for Netflix’s Marriage Story the following year), but he is most famous, of course, for playing Kylo Ren in the Star Wars movies. 

Jared Leto (Paolo Gucci)

Also known for making chart-topping hits with his band, 30 Seconds to Mars, and starring in a few blockbusters (notably Suicide Squad as The Joker and the upcoming Morbius in the title role) is Jared Leto, who looks completely unrecognizable as Maurizio Gucci’s cousin, Paolo, in House of Gucci. 

The actor (who has actually done a few Gucci ads) experienced his first breakthrough on the coming-of-age dramedy, My So-Called Life, years before scoring small but memorable parts in movies like Fight Club or American Psycho, leading to roles in surreal favorites like Requiem for a Dream or Mr. Nobody. Arguably, Leto’s best work might be his other stunning supporting performances in Blade Runner 2049 in 2017, and 2013’s Dallas Buyers Club, for which he earned his Academy Award.

Jeremy Irons (Rodolfo Gucci)

Also known for starring in DC movies (as Alfred Pennyworth to Ben Affleck’s Batman) and even DC TV shows (Adrian Veidt in HBO’s Watchmen cast) is fellow Oscar-winner (for Reversal of Fortune) Jeremy Irons, who plays Maurizio’s father, Rodolfo Gucci. 

Arguably, his best work is when he is playing a villain, such as Scar in Disney’s original animated The Lion King in 1994, or as Hans Gruber’s brother, Simon, in Die Hard with a Vengeance the following year. Next on Irons’ agenda is a horror movie called Cello, and another biopic called Frankel about Sir Henry Cecil and his titular horse.

Al Pacino (Aldo Gucci)

Only known for one comic book movie (Dick Tracy), and a favorite at the Oscars despite only one win (for 1992’s Scent of a Woman) is Al Pacino - whose House of Gucci role, Aldo Gucci, was the eldest son of the company’s founder, Guccio Gucci, and its chairman from 1953 to 1986. 

In addition to starring in other films about infamous family dynasties (The Godfather movies) and historical biopics (Martin Scorsese’s Netflix original The Irishman, most recently), the living legend’s filmography is chock full of iconic crime thrillers (such as Michael Mann’s heist classic Heat) and even a few comedies (such as Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood). Pacino will next be seen in another crime drama called Sniff, and is starring in Michael Radford’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear as the title character.

Salma Hayek (Giuseppina Auriemma)

Making her comic book movie debut in 2021 with Eternals was Academy Award nominee Salma Hayek, who is actually married to François-Henri Pinault - the son of the founder of Gucci’s parent company (now called Kering) - and plays Patrizia Reggiani’s alleged co-conspirator, Giuseppina Auriemma, in House of Gucci. 

Like her co-star, Lady Gaga, the Latinx has also worked with Robert Rodriguez several times (such as in From Dusk Till Dawn) and appeared as herself in Muppets Most Wanted, as well as a few biopics (like Frida, for which she earned her Oscar nod), crime thrillers (such as Oliver Stone’s Savages), and comedies (including the animated Sausage Party in 2016). Also in 2021, she reprised her role as Sonia Kincaid in Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, and starred opposite Owen Wilson in the the Amazon Original sci-fi movie Bliss.

Jack Huston (Domenico De Sole)

Before playing former Gucci America president and current Tom Ford International chairman, Domenico De Sole, in House of Gucci, Jack Huston had already starred in a few dramatizations of infamous historical tragedies.  

He played Gerard Malanga (an associate of Andy Warhol) in 2005’s Factory Girl, author Jack Kerouac in 2013’s Kill Your Darlings, and starred as Robert Kennedy (around the time of his assassination) in The Irishman. The former Boardwalk Empire cast member also appeared in American Hustle, played the title hero of the 2016 Ben-Hur remake, and is working on a crime thriller with Robert De Niro called Wash Me in the River. 

Camille Cottin (Paola Franchi)

Former Italian model Paola Franchi - who was dating Maurizio Gucci at the time of his assassination - is played in House of Gucci by Camille Cottin. The French actress and comedian made her English-language debut in 2018 with another historical film called Allied, also starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard, and would later star opposite Matt Damon in Stillwater in 2021. She is currently filming a biopic about “Iron Lady of Israel” Golda Meir with Helen Mirren.

Reeve Carney (Tom Ford)

Playing fashion mogul turned award-winning filmmaker Tom Ford in House of Gucci, we have Reeve Carney, who made his debut on the sitcom Dave's World in 1994, years before appearing in films like The Tempest from director Julie Taymor, whom he also worked with on Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark in the title role.

After playing Dorian Gray on Showtime's Penny Dreadful, Carney played Riff Raff in Fox's remake, The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again in 2016 and acted alongside Zoë Kravitz in Gemini the following year. Next, he will star in the biopic Everybody Here Wants You as late musician Jeff Buckley - a role the Grammy-winning musician and former lead singer of the band Carney is an ideal choice for.

Clearly it would take acting royalty to portray a group of people considered royalty in the fashion industry and it looks like that is exactly what we are in for with the cast of House of Gucci, which hits theaters Wednesday, November 24, 2021.

It’s barely been over a month since director Ridley Scott’s last movie, The Last Duel, premiered in theaters, but now the filmmaker has another cinematic offering to deliver for the Thanksgiving holiday. House of Gucci delves into Patrizia Reggiani’s marriage to Maurizio Gucci and navigating the Gucci fashion empire, with its heavy-hitting cast includes Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Al Pacino and Salma Hayek. We got our first taste of what early viewers thought about Scott’s new movie a couple weeks ago, but now the fully-written reviews are pouring in. So what do critics have to say about House of Gucci?

Starting off, CinemaBlend’s own Sean O’Connell awarded House of Gucci 4 out of 5 stars in his review, describing it as The Godfather for fashion and complimenting both its story and performances. However, Sean acknowledged that the movie is by no means “subtle,” and that people should watch the movie knowing that this will be a larger-than-life affair.

Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly also leaned positively on House of Gucci, stamping it with a B grade. Leah felt that this kind of story might have been better if it “fully committed to the high camp” and ditched some of the more serious moments, but there’s still enough to enjoy in the final product, particularly when it comes to what the actors bring to the table.

But there are also a fair amount of critics who weren’t impressed with House of Gucci. Take Den of Geek’s David Crow. who gave the movie a 2.5 out of 5 score. David felt that while The Last Duel handled its sensitive subject matter “with intelligence and delicacy,” House of Gucci’s exploration of “potentially gaudy material” failed to “shape it into much of anything.” He described the movie as a whole as “bare and distant.”

Tara Bennett from IGN rated House of Gucci a 6 out of 10 in her review, saying how the movie started with “such promise” through the performances, but it becomes problematic when Ridley Scott starts focusing more on the fall of the Gucci company rather than the implosion of Patrizia Reggiani and Maurizio Gucci’s relationship.

Finally, to end on a more positive note, USA Today’s Brian Truitt thought House of Gucci deserved 3 out of 4 stars. Truitt commended Ridley Scott for creating “an extremely stylish world of runways, ostentatious estates and stunning costumes for his various characters,” and was also impressed with the performances, although Lady Gaga was the clear standout in his mind.

These are just some of the House of Gucci reviews that have been published, but overall, it sounds like while this is hardly one of the lesser entries on Ridley Scott’s filmography, it also won’t go down as one of his best. At the very least, those who decided to see House of Gucci are in for some wild work from its actors, although it’s a coin toss whether you’ll appreciate said work.

You can judge House of Gucci for yourself when it arrives on Wednesday, November 24. Don’t forget to look through our 2021 release schedule to plan your trips to the theater for the rest of the year accordingly.

Believe it or not, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul actor Bob Odenkirk got his start as a writer on Saturday Night Live at the side of Conan O’Brien, Mike Myers, Rob Schneider and Adam Sandler. Odenkirk has admitted before that he doesn’t think he was cut out for the job before and hey, nowadays it’s no secret he’s more of an actor than comedy scribe. And apparently what came with the job was getting Justice League’s Jeremy Irons super angry.

A big part of one’s job as a writer on Saturday Night Live is to pen jokes that each week’s host will be telling. While on the Howard Stern Show, Bob Odenkirk reminisced on his time on the show, revealing a funny story about working with Jeremy Irons:

That’s not all. Bob Odenkirk told the radio show that he also recorded the interaction with Jeremy Irons yelling at them and he has shown quite a few friends over the years. It’s almost like an odd proud moment for the former SNL writer, to be yelled at by someone as talented and well-loved as Jeremy Irons.

Jeremy Irons hosted Saturday Night Live once in his illustrious 50-year career and it doesn’t sound like he was impressed with Bob Odenkirk or Rob Schneider. Back in 1991, Irons was up for Best Actor at the Oscars when he delivered his monologue. It’s unclear if Bob Odenkirk and Schneider were asked to change it, but here’s how it turned out:

Hey, people laughed didn’t they? The joke is pretty much just that Jeremy Irons really had an Oscar on his mind, and well… he did end up taking home his Best Actor Oscar for Reversal of Fortune just days after delivering that monologue. All that Oscar talk may have helped him somehow? They can’t all be winners, but I’d imagine if you took a job like that too seriously and agonized over the perfect sketch everytime, SNL wouldn’t be able to air every week.

Bob Odenkirk was in his 20s at the time of his Saturday Night Live run, and has described himself as kind of a “jerk,” especially to Lorne Michaels, who was giving him a major opportunity as a writer on the show. The Better Call Saul star remembers being that guy who would snicker and crack jokes in the back of the room while Michaels was conducting a meeting. Nowadays, he believes he was quite immature at the time.

It’s a funny story and imagining Jeremy Irons blowing up at a not-yet famous Bob Odenkirk is just wonderful. Along with his recurring Better Call Saul role, Odenkirk stars in the new action movie Nobody, which is currently racking up some numbers at the box office. Saturday Night Live will be hosted by Daniel Kaluuya this weekend.

You are not likely to find a comic book adaptation as refreshingly original as HBO’s Watchmen. Instead of recreating the story that already existed, it serves as a continuation to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ groundbreaking graphic novel. Having been one of 2019’s most talked about television events, Damon Lindelof’s nine-part miniseries continues to attract audiences and incite discussion,and not just in relation to its recent inclusion for the launch of HBO Max.

It is actually quite fascinating how the modern day world of Watchmen (still overrun with crime, corruption, and a distorted sense of identity years after the events of the comic) can be so easily compared to the modern day world in reality... with the exception of costumed vigilantes being a pressing issue. Yet, if social commentary is not what keeps your mind on the miniseries, perhaps it is the wonderful cast. The actors brought in to portray familiar faces to the Watchmen universe and new faces alike are one of the reasons why we almost wish the show could continue past its sole season. Fortunately, the performers have plenty more on their respective agendas in the near future. Just see for yourself…

Regina King (Angela Abar/Sister Night)

Even before playing detective/vigilante Angela Abar (who crusades in costume as Sister Night) on Watchmen, 2019 was already a big deal for Regina King. The actress won her first Academy Award earlier that same year for her supporting role in If Beale Street Could Talk. Despite being a familiar face in several classics spanning decades (such as her debut in sitcom 227, stoner favorite Friday, and music biopic Ray), King seems to be taking a break from acting to focus on her feature-length directorial debut, an adaptation of Kemp Powers' Jim Crow-era stage play One Night in Miami.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Cal Abar/Doctor Manhattan)

One of the most surprising twists on Watchmen was the reveal that Angela Abar's husband, Cal Abar (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), was actually Jon Osterman, better known as the omnipotent Dr. Manhattan, in disguise. Abdul-Mateen was in disguise for another iconic comic book role as DC villain Black Manta in 2018, which is as role he is set to reprise in the announced sequel to Aquaman, which is currently dated to come out in 2022. In addition to that, the Black Mirror star plays the protagonist in producer Jordan Peele's Candyman, director Aaron Sorkin's retelling of the Chicago 7 trial, and the highly anticipated fourth installment of the Matrix franchise.

Don Johnson (Judd Crawford)

From playing a slimy murder suspect in Knives Out to racist police chief Judd Crawford on Watchmen in 2019 alone, Golden Globe-winner Don Johnson (otherwise known as Miami Vice's Crocket and Dakota Johnson's dad) seems to be more popular than ever at 70 years old. Currently, the actor is set to appear alongside John Boyega and James Cromwell in Green Room director Jeremy Saulnier's upcoming thriller Rebel Ridge , and will star in and produce a revival of his mid-'90s crime series Nash Bridges.

Jean Smart (Laurie Blake)

Another Watchmen star who rose to prominence in the 1980s is Jean Smart, who plays an older version of Laurie Blake, whom fans of the comic recognize as the second Silk Spectre. The 68-year-old, three-time Emmy-winner starred in another TV revival in 2019 (Mad About You on Spectrum) and will next seen as the President of the United States in the upcoming HBO Max exclusive sci-fi comedy Superintelligence, also starring Melissa McCarthy. She will also appear opposite William Shatner and Chistopher Lloyd in the romantic indie comedy Senior Moment, which is currently in post-production.

Tim Blake Nelson (Wade Tillman/Looking Glass)

The mysterious Looking Glass (whose mirrored mask reflects his origin story of being in a carnival fun house the night of November 2, 1985 when the "inter-dimensional squid" landed) is not Watchmen star Tim Blake Nelson's first role in a comic book adaptation, but, arguably, his best thus far following supporting roles in the mostly forgotten The Incredible Hulk in 2008 and Josh Trank's infamous Fantastic Four reboot. The character actor, better known for frequent collaborations with the Coen brothers, will next star in his second collaboration with director James Franco in The Long Home, and also alongside John Boyega in the legal drama Naked Singularity,

Jeremy Irons (Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias)

One of the more brilliant choices for the Watchmen series was Jeremy Irons as an aged Adrian Veidt, the highly-intelligent billionaire who once moonlighted as superhero Ozymandias before emerging as the graphic novel's true antagonist (well, debatably). The Academy Award-winner, whose first foray into cinematic DC Comics adaptations came from playing Alfred Pennyworth in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and 2017's Justice League, has two films currently in production, including the romantic comedy Love, Weddings & Other Disasters and the sports biopic Frankel, named after the famous race horse, which Irons is also producing.

Louis Gossett Jr. (Old Will Reeves/Hooded Justice)

In a massive, surprising twist, Watchmen reveals the true identity of legendary vigilante Hooded Justice is Will Reeves, played as an old man by Louis Gossett Jr., who was forced to keep his vigilantism a secret due to his ethnicity. At 84, the Oscar-winner is the oldest cast member of the HBO miniseries cast, and also one of the busiest. He has several film projects on the horizon, most notably as a Vietnam vet opposite Dick Van Dyke in the comedy Capture the Flag and Artisans, a mid-90s period piece about two aspiring rappers written directed by his son, Satie Gossett.

Jovan Adepo (Young Will Reeves/Hooded Justice)

Starring as the younger Will Reeves in flashbacks, Jovan Adepo first worked with Watchmen showrunner Damon Lindelof on The Leftovers before later playing son to Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences. In the past year or so, Adepo headed up the World War II-era horror film Overlord, played an adult Antron McCray in Netflix's When They See Us, and had a recurring role on Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan. His next miniseries will also be based on a work of fan-favorite literature: CBS All-Access' reimagining of the Stephen King novel The Stand. The actor will also soon return to the big screen with Karem Sanga's romantic drama The Violent Heart.

Hong Chau (Lady Trieu)

Starring as Adrian Veidt's daughter, the Vietnamese-born Lady Trieu, is actress Hong Chau, who prior to Watchmen was best known for her Golden Globe-nominated performance as a five-inch tall refugee opposite Matt Damon in Alexander Payne's 2017 sci-fi satire Downsizing. Since appearing in the HBO series, she has been in the drama Driveways (alongside the late Brian Dennehy in one of his final roles), continued her stint as a regular on the Amazon original hit Homecoming, and most recently appeared in the film adaptation of the Artemis Fowl novel series, which premiered exclusively on Disney+ in mid-June.

Tom Mison (Mr. Phillips/Game Warden)

Starring as one of Adrian Veidt's servant clones, Mr. Phillips, is Tom Mison, who also serves double duty on Watchmen as the mysterious Game Warden. The theatre-trained actor began his reputation for playing mysterious, British-accented characters on TV by playing an out-of-time version of Ichabod Crane on Fox's modern day Sleepy Hollow series, and then followed that with Hulu's series adaptation of Four Weddings and a Funeral. There is evidently nothing currently on the horizon in the world of acting for Mison, who has also expressed to NME that he would prefer not to return for a second season of the superhero series as he felt it wrapped up perfectly.

Sara Vickers (Ms. Crookshanks)

Adrian Veidt also has a female servant clone named Ms. Crookshanks, played by Sara Vickers, who is also of British origin, but would probably credit Watchmen as her most recognizable endeavor to date.She did land an appearance on the Netflix original historical drama The Crown as Marion Crawford, and starred in an episode of TNT's 19th-century mystery The Alienist.

Cheyenne Jackson (TV's Hooded Justice)

Hooded Justice is one of the more mysterious figures of the Watchmen graphic novel, and that mystery is heavily dramatized on the show within the miniseries titled American Hero Story where he is played by American Horror Story actor Cheyenne Jackson. The film and stage star will soon appear in a small role in another sci-fi miniseries called Stellar People, this one with a more comedic edge, as well as a humorous cinematic adaptation of the medieval horror video game Werewolves Within. He also has a role in the upcoming Fox sitcom Call Me Kat starring Mayim Bialik, who is also executive producing with her former The Big Bang Theory co-star Jim Parsons.

James Wolk (Senator Joseph Keene Jr.)

Set on carrying out the legacy of his father, who authored the act that outlawed costumed vigilantes, is the insidious Senator Joseph Keene Jr., played in Watchmen by James Wolk – whom DC fans might also recognize as the voice of Superman on Kaley Cuoco's animated Harley Quinn series. The Mad Men actor will soon return to reality as part of the cast of Spinning Gold, a biopic chronicling the career of Casablanca Records co-founder Neil Bogart (played by Supergirl star Jeremy Jordan), and will lead upcoming series Ordinary Joe in the title role of a man living in three parallel realities.

Frances Fisher (Jane Crawford)

Starring as Judd Crawford's wife Jane is Frances Fisher, who has been very successful in film and TV alike for decades, having played a vengeful prostitute in Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, Rose's mother in Titanic, and, more recently, James Holden's mother, Elise, in the acclaimed sci-fi drama The Expanse. The English actress will continue her versatile career with many upcoming projects, including war movies, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller called Awake, and the animated coming-of-age story The Potters.

Be sure to check back for more information on HBO’s Watchmen, as well as additional updates on cast members from your favorite movies and TV shows, here on CinemaBlend.

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MAJOR SPOILERS below for anyone who hasn't yet watched the second episode of HBO's Watchmen. You have been warned.

After blowing comic book fans and TV viewers away with the revisionist modernization that was Watchmen's star-studded premiere, HBO and creator Damon Lindelof returned for another Sunday night of shocking reveals, badass action and, of course, more comic book references than you could shake a (flaccid blue) stick at. Episode 2 continued following up on the events that followed Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon's seminal comic series, dropping some huge reveals for Regina King's Angela, Don Johnson's Judd and more characters.

Similar to how I broke down the Watchmen debut episode, the following is a mostly sequential rundown of all the biggest comic references and easter eggs that happened in Episode 2. Feel free to mention anything I missed in the comments, too.

The Importance Of Titles

Though last week's premiere title was about as on the nose as the top of Sister Night's mask, Watchmen's second entry "Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship" was more of a metaphorical nod to its biggest early-season mystery. It comes from the title of George Catlin's 19th century painting of a similar name – Comanche Feats of Horsemanship – and refers to the mighty horse-riding skills the Comanche members built up. In particular, their ability to hang surreptitiously off the side of a horse in mid-gallop, keeping them out of enemies' sight.

When the painting was revealed onscreen above the Crawfords' mantle, clear observations could be made, especially given what was revealed about the late chief just prior. Less obvious to decipher, though, was director Nicole Kassell's thought-provoking close-up on the painted horse's mouth. A reference to the common phrase, or perhaps to Joyce Cary's 1944 novel?

Pipe Smoking

In the world of Watchmen's comic books, tobacco is generally smoked through either hand-rolled cigarettes or through glass-ball pipes used by Laurie and others. For the Watchmen TV series, it hasn't become entirely clear how modern citizens get their nicotine fixes, but Episode 2's 1920s flashback sequence did feature a German military leader smoking a traditional tobacco pipe. A sign of changes to come?

Doctor Manhattan Tidbits

Before coming slightly more clean with Angela, Will Reeves threw the idea out there that he might actually be Doctor Manhattan, justifying it by referencing the superhuman's ability to make multiple copies of himself, as he did during an awkward bedroom moment with Laura. Will also referenced Doctor Manhattan growing to be 100 feet tall, which was shown during a war scene in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' comic, as well as how he could change his skin color, which Manhattan had done for his TV interview.

Watchmen Spoilers: Series Premiere Director Talks Deadly Twist, Doctor Manhattan's Whereabouts And More

Interestingly, Will also mentions the possibility that Doctor Manhattan could pose on Earth as a normal human, which isn't something the comic book was direct about. (But would strengthen theories that the Manhattan seen via satellite isn't the "real" version. Though it seemed like Will was just distracting Angela when making those claims, it didn't seem very coincidental when Will's egg timer went off just as Angela got her big phone call. Plus, he pulled that egg out of boiling water with his bare hand, so there's certainly something up with him.

Hiroshima Lovers Grafitti

One of the comic book's most frequently used visuals is the shadowy lovers' embrace that is painted on various walls in Watchmen's New York City, which led to a variety of other shadow-related imagery in the text. The doomsaying graffiti references two lovers' final embrace before the atomic bomb dropped in Hiroshima, with only their silhouette left behind.

In the TV show, the Hiroshima shadow is first seen in an alleyway outside of Sister Night's headquarters and bakery. It's an obvious reference to throw into the live-action series, but one wonders what its relevance is in Watchmen's 2019, which is clearly more focused on in-country fighting as opposed to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' increasingly hectic global situation. Does the Kavalry have something atomic up its sleeve with all those watch batteries, or is that more up Adrian Veidt's alley?

The Newsstand Is Back

Following the squid disaster (that was absent from Zack Snyder's extremely faithful adaptation) the Watchmen comic had replaced Bernard's oft-seen newsstand with a New York Gazette vending machine, but Damon Lindelof & Co. thankfully reintroduced the concept in Episode 2. Obviously Bernard and his comic-reading buddy Bernie perished 30+ years earlier, so now we have The Wire and Ballers vet Robert Ray Wisdom as Tulsa's corner vendor hocking copies of the still-around-in-this-world Elle, Essence and Maxim, along with other comic-familiar brands seen below.

Interestingly enough, Robert Ray Wisdom's character is named Seymour. It might have been too much to have another Bernard take over Watchmen's corner newsstand, but comic fans know that Seymour was the name of the New Frontiersman worker who, on the comic's final page, was seen reaching for Rorschach's submitted journal, presumably to publish it. He's likely responsible for the journal getting out there in HBO's Watchmen, too. (Perhaps non-incidentally, DC's official semi-sequel Doomsday Clock revealed that Seymour was beaten to death soon after the journal went public.) Incidental homage or legitimately significant clue?

New Frontiersman And Nova Express

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons set up New Frontiersman as an overtly conservative publication that promoted stereotypically prejudiced views about race, culture, etc, along with generally siding with masked vigilante justice. Rorschach was a regular reader, and its editor in the comic, Hector Godfrey, was revealed to have been something of a KKK apologist, at least on the TV show's Peteypedia website. It's likely that publishing Rorschach's journal boosted the pub's popularity, keeping it alive into the Seventh Kalvary-populated present.

On the flip side of the political spectrum is Nova Express, a liberal-leaning magazine that's much more disapproving about unlawful vigilantes and other social issues. In the HBO episode, a young girl received a stack of publications from Seymour to give to an unnamed recipient. She was told that the Nova Express is late, but that it would be put in the next order. The comics' Nova Express got its money from the ever-present Pyramid Deliveries, which was likely owned by Veidt Enterprises, so it'll be interesting to see if the TV show goes behind the curtain for those details.

Clocks, Of Course

As it went in the premiere, the Watchmen TV show is just as intent on giving viewers clock visuals as the comic book was, and there were two significant Episode 2 references worth mentioning here. First, it was 11:30 a.m. or so on the morning after Judd's body was found, possibly indicating that the modern-day storyline is still fairly far away from reaching absolute chaos.

Conversely, it was revealed that the most recent hyper-tragedy, the heinous White Night massacre, went down in the last minute before midnight, and on Christmas Eve, no less). Expect Sister Night's Watchmen narrative to once again creep closer to the witching hour as its first (and possibly only) season goes on.

Pirate And Owl Costumes

This one is pretty obvious. The kids' Halloween fun included a pirate costume and an owl costumes, both clearly tied to the heights of pirates' pop culture pull in Watchmen and to the existence of owl-related superheroes. (The fact that the "ghost" looked so much like a Klansman shouldn't go ignored, either.)

Hooded Justice & Rolf Müeller

The German origins of the "Watch Over This Boy" pamphlet quickly fueled some post-premiere fan theories about Will Reeves' possible connection to the vigilante Hooded Justice, which Damon Lindelof and Watchmen's writers seemed to anticipate. Episode 2 introduced the Hooded Justice mystery through its American Hero Story show-within-a-show, and went the Before Watchmen route of debunking theories that German strongman Rolf Müeller was his actual alter ego.

With some Zack Snyder-esque slo-mo fight scenes adding to the fun, this Hooded Justice sequence might have appeared to be a one-off easter egg if it wasn't for the episode's very first scene, which introduced Annika Pampel's Fräulein Müller as the original typist for Will Reeves' war pamphlet. Does she have anything to do with Hooded Justice's origins, and how will any of that carry on into the overall narrative? Also, did Will's assumed father frustratedly turn his back on the U.S. during the war to escape racial bigotry?

Alien Invasion Headline And Other Squid Stuff

In the American Hero Story sequence, a newspaper boy promoted a headline about Orson Welles' 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast proven to be a fictional production. The headline used, though, spoke far more directly to the Watchmen comic's climax: "Alien Invasion Is Just A Hoax." It doesn't yet appear that this universe's citizens ever discovered the truth about Adrian Veidt's squid plot, and viewers are still waiting to understand how that global event permanently changed the planet.

That wasn't the only squid-centered reference in Episode 2, of course. One newspaper noted that squids fell on four different cities, and another headline read "Squid Falls Baffle Scientists," further implying that everyone in Watchmen's world is just as clueless as fans are about the various cephalopod incidents. Though viewers have theories about how Veidt may have followed up on his initial squid catastrophe.

The Comedian And Judd Crawford Connections

The Watchmen premiere made it pretty obvious that Don Johnson's Tulsa Police Chief Judd Crawford was going to be an explicit TV stand-in for Edward Blake's Comedian, and the comic comparisons continued in Episode 2. When Angela followed Will's advice about seeking out Judd's secrets, she discovered his bedroom closet contained a secret compartment where a KKK hood and robe were displayed, with a police star brazenly affixed to the front. This reveal no doubt involves the photograph more prominently displayed in Judd's closet.

In Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen, Rorschach looked deeper into Edward Blake's private life after his death, discovering all of Blake's hidden Comedian gear. The comic book placed an impetus on showing how immoral The Comedian could be even while doing "heroic" work for the U.S., so TV audiences can likely expect to learn more about Judd's dark and complicated history in Tulsa, and possibly elsewhere. It appears Watchmen will flesh that story out through flashbacks, similar to how The Comedian's story was developed, so here's hoping Don Johnson continues popping up.

Doctor Manhattan's Blue Dong, And The Rest Of That Play

Jeremy Irons' maybe-Veidt sequence was once again worthy of much contemplation. First, it appears that his Watchmaker's Son play has been performed a variety of times by his assistants, with the portion seen in the episode being Janey and Jon's final Gila Flats exchange before the accident that turned him into Doctor Manhattan. How does maybe-Veidt know about those details, and why does he have such a blatant emotional attachment to seeing it play out? (Unless he is Doctor Manhattan. Might as well officially guess it at this point.)

The play sequence is also the Watchmen TV show's first reference to one of the comic's more X-rated visuals, Doctor Manhattan's penis. The full-frontal blue-dity was on display once Manhattan himself showed up in the play, though it obviously doesn't count as an official Doctor Manhattan dong sighting. However, there's nary a shade of a doubt that Damon Lindelof will deliver legit superhuman genitalia before the season is over, so keep those bingo cards handy.

Gordian Knots

Comic readers' ears likely perked up when Jeremy Irons hollered that Gordian knot line. Historically, the Gordian knot ties back to Alexander the Great's problem-solving skills, with claims that his approach to a supposedly impossible-to-untangle knot was just to cut the knot with his sword. Today, the phrase "cutting the Gordian knot" refers to solving a problem in a way that completely bypasses the perceived obstacles.

In the Watchmen comics, the Gordian Knot Lock Co. is a business that's frequently employed by anyone who gets surprise visits from Rorschach, whose mode of uninvited home entry usually involved kicking front doors in. Instead of picking the locks, Rorschach just destroyed the area surrounding them, which fits with the meaning.

Adrian Veidt's Cloning

I love that Watchmen only took two episodes to set up and reveal that maybe-Veidt's various assistants are all cloned versions of the same male and female played respectively by Sleepy Hollow's Tom Mison and Endeavour's Sara Vickers. It was very curious why "everyone else" remained unseen, or made to wear masks, as it went with the musicians and stagehands during the play performance. The comic's Adrian Veidt hadn't cloned any human beings, at least assumedly, but his iconic pet Bubastis was indeed genetically created. The lynx reappeared in the Doomsday Clock series, despite getting obliterated in the original storyline, implying it was a clone.

This reveal wouldn't be properly Watchmen without a secondary implication, though. Maybe-Veidt advised for the incinerated former Mr. Phillips to be thrown in the basement with all the others, and said that there will be a use for all those burned-up corpses before too long. How will all those scarred bodies play into the presumed villain's next big game-changing scheme? I am oddly attracted to the idea of them being smooshed together to make a new version of the alien squid creature.

Family Heritage Surprises

One of the bigger under-the-radar twists in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen comic was the subdued reveal that, in the years after Edward Blake assaulted Sally Jupiter, the two heroes had more consensual relations. Likely not just once, either, considering Sally's nostalgic longing at the end of the source material. Laurie eventually connected the dots and realized that The Comedian was her real father, which obviously messed with her. The Watchmen TV show website revealed she later took his last name, Blake, and changed her vigilante persona to that of The Comedienne.

What does that say for Regina King's Angela Abar, who learned in the final minutes that Lou Gossett Jr.'s Will Reeves is actually her grandfather? The reveal's implications weren't immediately obvious, since we don't know much about Angela's past yet, such as whether her parents are biological or adopted. Could Angela's role as an adoptive parent be paying it forward from her own childhood? Or was Will's role in the family tree covered up over the years? It should go without saying that I'm also confounded by that flying craft that took off with Will and Angela's car.

Other Connections And Questions

How crazy was it to see Angela's son Topher building a hovering replica of maybe-Veidt's castle using those "Magna-Hattan Blocks?" And how much crazier was it when he demolished it similar to how Doctor Manhattan destroyed his Mars-crafted castle? Are Topher and Doctor Manhattan linked up in some way?

How significant was it that the biological father character portrayed by Jim Beaver showed up at Angela's house, but was happy to accept money rather than seeing his kid? A quality character actor like that definitely wouldn't have been cast just for a one-off appearance.

I came close to making an entry out of Angela's lack of sugar (for Will's coffee) being a reference to the way Rorschach stole Dan's sugar cubes in the comic book, but inevitably felt it was too much of a stretch.

An interesting American Horror Story and American Hero Story connection went down in the episode, with frequent Ryan Murphy collaborator Cheyenne Jackson thanklessly taking on the role of Hooded Justice. I can only hope more AHS stars will be used to fill out the rest of the Minutemen roles.

I couldn't help but take notice that presidential candidate Senator Keene was wearing a pin on his jacket lapel. No blood was spilling down it just yet, but what about in the future?

Who exactly are Will Reeves' "friends in high places" that he spoke of? Other vigilantes? Aliens?

Despite the fact that the Seventh Kavalry uses Rorschach masks as their defining feature, Tim Blake Nelson's Looking Glass feels far more like the true successor to the comic book's morally wavering vigilante. Especially during his conversation with Angela, in which his accusatory nature and his disrupted emotional state are fully visible, despite his "face" being mostly on.

With two episodes down, Watchmen will continue its highly acclaimed Season 1 run every Sunday night on HBO at 8:00 p.m. ET.

One might think there would be a tipping point for superheroes on TV, but we are definitely not there yet. And HBO knows it, with the network going forward with its mega-ensemble adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' seminal graphic novel Watchmen. With the series premiere now here, Damon Lindelof's episodic take on the superhero saga can finally start to show off its stunning cast.

Given HBO's history with original programming, it's no surprise that Watchmen rocks a bunch of talented stars. So let's take a look at all the Watchmen cast members and characters we know so far. It's possible that even more new characters will be revealed as the season goes on, too.

Don Johnson - Chief Judd Crawford

Former Miami Vice frontman Don Johnson has gone through a TV renaissance in recent years, from the short-lived Blood & Oil to the comedy Sick Note to Fox's cancelled LA to Vegas. But while he's always been a badass, he's never been part of the comics, and Watchmen should be a fantastic start. His character Judd Crawford will be Angela's boss and the chief of police in the story.

Regina King - Detective Angela Abar/ Sister Night

From American Crime to The Leftovers to The Boondocks, Regina King knows a little something about making popular and wildly acclaimed TV. Watchmen will hopefully be just as popular and critically adored, and I would bet money on King being a big part of that appeal. Her character Detective Angela Abar fights injustice as a member of the masked police force under her hero pseudonym Sister Night. Details on her character are still pretty sparse, but we've wondered if there's a Silk Spectre connection.

Tim Blake Nelson - Looking Glass

One of cinema's most fantastic character actors, most notably within the Coen brothers' filmography, Tim Blake Nelson has popped up in two comic book movies that weren't the most memorable, but Watchmen should change all that. Empire reported Nelson's been cast as an Oklahoman cop who may be a sociopath named Looking Glass. Looking Glass sports a silver reflective mask that is the perfect accessory to help people remember his name.

Lou Gossett Jr. - Will Reeves

With such classics as Roots, An Officer and a Gentlemen and Iron Eagle in his past, Lou Gossett Jr. has appeared in so many TV shows and movies, it's hard to keep up. Most recently, he could be seen in the now-cancelled Hap and Leonard and in Season 1 of The Good Fight, with many more projects on the horizon. Gossett plays Will Reeves who, according to EW, is a survivor of the Tulsa 1921 race riots.

Adelaide Clemens - ???

Having starred in one of TV's most powerful dramas, Rectify, Adelaide Clemens certainly had work cut out for her in finding an equally noteworthy follow-up show. Clemens was initially reported to play Pirate Jenny in this modern sequel, though that role ended up going to another actress.

Andrew Howard - Red Scare

Having appeared in some of the most popular shows on TV, actor Andrew Howard is no stranger to the world of action and comic book stories. He was part of the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. cast some years back, and has been seen in Limitless, Hell on Wheels, 24: Legacy, The Brave and Bates Motel. He plays Red Scare in Watchmen, and dons a red track suit while working with the police department.

Jeremy Irons - Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias (Probably)

Jeremy Irons has a long history of prestigious and popular projects in showbiz, ranging from playing Alfred in the DC extended universe to Rodrigo Borgia in The Borgias to Scar himself in The Lion King. He even won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1991 for his performance in Reversal of Fortune. Slashfilm has reported that Irons will be playing Adrian Veldt, aka Ozymandias, in what will be an older version of the ego-mad quasi-villain.

Tom Mison - Mr. Phillips

Prior to 2013, Tom Mison was primarily known for projects filmed across the pond. Pride and Prejudice fans will recognize his character's name, Mr. Bingley, from the 2008 miniseries Lost in Austen on ITV, and he was back on the miniseries circuit in 2012 with Parade's End. In 2013, he debuted as Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, which ran for four seasons. His Watchmen character is named Mr. Phillips, a servant to Adrian Veldt.

Frances Fisher - Jane Crawford

Despite a long and prosperous career, Frances Fisher is probably still best known for her role as Rose's mom in Titanic. More recently, she had multi-episode runs on Resurrection, Criminal Minds, Masters of Sex, and Swedish Dicks, as well as a memorable appearance in Fargo. Like Tom Mison, she appeared in a project based on Pride and Prejudice will the Hallmark movie Marrying Mr. Darcy. Fisher will play Jane Crawford, the wife of Don Johnson's Judd Crawford.

Jacob Ming-Trent - Panda

The career of Jacob Ming-Trent kicked off back in 2007 with an appearance on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, but he didn't get a bigger break into the TV biz until almost a decade later with AMC's short-lived Feed the Beast in 2016. He followed that up in 2017 with Showtime's White Famous, although that too was cancelled after one season. His Watchmen character is Panda, and all we know about him so far is he wears a giant plush Panda head.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II - Cal Abar

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II made a name for himself in 2016 with The Get Down, where he played the character Cadillac. He then moved to the big screen for roles in Baywatch and The Greatest Showman. He made a return to streaming television with an episode of The Handmaid's Tale and was featured as the villain Black Manta in Aquaman. In Watchmen, he'll play the husband of Regina King's Angela, Cal Abar.

Sara Vickers - Ms. Crookshanks

Scottish actress Sara Vickers is best-known for her performance as Joan Thursday in Endeavour, which airs on ITV. She's turned in performances in the period pieces The Alienist and The Crown. In 2016, she appeared in the third season of British crime drama Shetland in a stint running six episode. Prior to that, she could be seen in Privates on the BBC. Who does she play in Watchmen? Her character's name is Ms. Crookshanks, but that's about all we know for now.

Jean Smart - Agent Blake/Silk Spectre

Jean Smart has had a couple of memorable gigs on television as of late, but superhero show fans may recognize her as Melanie Bird from FX's recently concluded Legion. Smart will play an FBI agent investigating a murder by the name of Agent Blake. We don't know a ton about Smart's character in the present, though it has been revealed she was formerly the Silk Spectre.

James Wolk - Senator Keane

James Wolk, who was a big part of CBS All Access twisted fairy tale series Tell Me A Story, is apparently playing a sizable role in Watchmen. Wolk will be playing Senator Keane, who as mentioned, will be a big part of Season 1 as it unfolds. We're guessing because of some political policy he'll be in support of, though he could always be a hero or villain in disguise.

Jessica Camacho - ???

From her roles on The Flash, Jessica Camacho is no stranger to superhero shows. Now, she's coming into Watchmen with an unknown role, though some are saying she's playing Pirate Jenny. As mentioned earlier with Adelaide Clemens, there's some discrepancy on who's actually playing that role, but we should know once the season gets rolling.

Hong Chau - Lady Trieu

Hong Chau (Downsizing) will play what is being called a key role in Watchmen. For now, all we know is that Trieu is Vietnamese, which comes from Deadline. The fact that the series is being cagey about her role makes us think there's more to it than is being said, so look for some surprise to come from her character.

Dylan Schombing - ???

He may be one of the younger actors of the lot, but Dylan Schombing has made quite a career for himself in a relatively short time. Schombing appeared in the much-hyped American adaptation of The Slap and had long-running roles on Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce and HBO's Sharp Objects. There are no details or rumors about Schombing's role in Watchmen at this time.

Adelynn Spoon - Emma Abar

Adelynn Spoon is a fresh face to Hollywood with Watchmen being one of her first two roles in Hollywood. Spoon is one of three children involved in the production, and will be playing the child of the Abar family, Emma. Her role is listed as recurring, so it's unknown just how much of an impact her character will have in Season 1.

Lily Rose Smith-???

Lily Rose Smith is another relatively fresh face in Hollywood who has joined the cast of Watchmen, but she has had one sizable role prior to joining. Smith was a part of The Vampire Diaries and played the part of Josie Saltzman from 2015 to 2017. Again, we're not sure how these three children will be incorporated into the show's plot, although we're optimistic Damien Lindelof has something in mind for all of these young talents.

For now, these are all the cast members that Watchmen currently has lined up for its HBO debut. Stay tuned for more announcements, and bookmark our fall and midseason premiere guides for all the new and returning shows hitting primetime soon.

A decade after the film from director Zack Snyder brought the DC/Vertigo source material of Watchmen to the big screen, HBO is set to run a new series that extends this classic universe. Which means that nature only dictates that fans of the original graphic novel that was published between 1986 and 1987 would start to get worried about where showrunner Damon Lindelof, he of Lost fame, will be taking their beloved franchise.

Looking at HBO’s attempt at tackling the material, fear is the last thing that should be on the minds of the folks who devoured all 12 issues of Watchmen’s story. Quite simply, the reason fans shouldn’t be afraid is because this series holds so many exciting cards in its hands, and has limitless potential.

In an effort to get everyone hyped for the series’ premiere this fall, it’s time to take a look at just why HBO’s Watchmen series should be seeing as an opportunity for success, rather than disaster.

It’s An Original Story In The Watchmen Universe

Believe it or not, Damon Lindelof was offered to create this show two times prior to his eventual acceptance. In deciding to undertake an entry in the Watchmen, Lindelof made it important to let the world know that he wasn’t just going to adapt the 12 issues for TV.

Instead, the new HBO series is going to tread new ground, in a more modern era of history. The series will still very much exist in the Watchmen universe, as seen in the inclusion of Ozymandias, played by Jeremy Irons. In addition though, there’s going to be more costumed vigilantes introduced, as well as some new players on the law enforcement side of the equation.

Anyone who’s afraid for the legacy of the original story run for Watchmen can breathe easily. If anything, the HBO project is interested in something else entirely.

HBO’s Watchmen Series Is Kind Of A Sequel

Another fear to dispel is the fact that Watchmen isn’t merely an HBO sequel series that will pick up where Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ landmark comic left off. Rather, this new story will be set presumably in an alternate version of our present day.

The details behind the show’s story are in somewhat short supply, but this new Watchmen story very much feels inspired by how much the world has changed since the milieu of the Moore/Gibbons series. Looking at the trailer HBO released for the series, it definitely looks like a contemporary story, told along the same lines as the original book.

Tie in Ozymandias’ return, as well as a cult of hooded men that look like they’re inspired by the dearly departed Rorschach, and the history of the past definitely comes into play. But the story that follows takes into account the consequences of those past actions.

Jeremy Irons Is The Older Ozymandias

Sometimes, the casting in a project like Watchmen is truly inspired. When the decision to bring back Ozymandias into the fold was made, one could only imagine the next step in the process being to immediately call Jeremy Irons and see if he was free to play the role.

While this isn’t a sequel to the 2009 Zack Snyder film version of Watchmen, Jeremy Irons’ casting as the aged Adrian Veidt is not only fitting of the actor’s talents. As fate would have it, it’s a perfect nod to Snyder’s treatment of the original source.

Ozymandias was memorably brought to life by actor Matthew Goode in that particular project, so between Jeremy Irons’ insanely talented acting chops and his close enough resemblance to what Goode would look like at a later age, this casting is absolutely inspired.

Regina King, Don Johnson, And Others Round Out Watchmen’s Impressive Cast

Jeremy Irons isn’t where the casting skill ends when it comes to Watchmen on HBO, as the extended cast list has a lot of other faces people will be happy to see. Academy Award winner Regina King, legendary TV actor Don Johnson, and recent alum of the FX comic series Legion, Jean Smart, are all on board in still mysterious roles.

It shouldn’t be surprising to anyone that Damon Lindelof’s talent and HBO’s bankroll could attract such an eclectic cast. That in mind, it’s still amazing to see all of those faces, plus the likes of comic movie veteran Tim Blake Nelson and the legendary Louis Gossett Jr., headed towards the small screen.

This Show Is Accessible To Fans Of Both The DC And WB Incarnations

Debates such as whether or not the 2009 film version of Watchmen lives up to the original DC/Vertigo book are bound to still take place from time to time. That’s just the mantle that adapting such a memorable and iconic graphic novel takes on.

That leads to one of the best things about this HBO pseudo-sequel -- the fact that no matter which version you prefer, you can still jump into this series and enjoy it as a follow-up. Even ignoring the fact that Jeremy Irons and Matthew Goode make for a fantastic pair of actors to complement each other’s performances, you can still enjoy Irons’ Ozymandias because he’s just so damned perfect for the role.

No matter which version is your passion, Watchmen feels like it’ll be a valid continuation of the universe built in either the film or graphic novel version of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ story.

Watchmen 2019 Looks Just As Topical As The Original Book

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons ultimately cracked into the zeitgeist of ‘80s pop culture and political dealings when the wrote Watchmen and released it between September 1986 and September 1987.

While we almost had a film version that adapted that story for a more modern political context, the 2009 movie stuck to its guns and provided us with a period appropriate story that worked extremely well for an adaptation. Yet with HBO’s new show, it looks like the property is headed back to modern political commentary.

The imagery used, as well as the themes of law enforcement and vigilante justice, all ring just a little truer now than they did when the film came out about a decade ago. The network has never been shy to attack controversial topics, both in their fiction and their non-fiction programming; and Watchmen looks like it’s going to uphold that reputation without a doubt.

We’ve still got some time before Watchmen graces the screens of HBO subscribers, as the show is set for a vague Fall 2019 premiere. More details will obviously come to light the closer the show comes to launching, and that will change the picture we currently see.

Where the cards lie now is in the favor of Watchmen being one of the best new shows of this year, because of how it honors the past, while also invoking a bold vision for the future.

With Game of Thrones fast approaching its eighth and final season on the air, HBO is no doubt looking for another monster hit. And although Westworld seems to be impressing critics and fans, its slower production schedule is working against it. HBO is working on a few Game of Thrones spinoffs, as well as developing a new series based on the Watchmen comics. The cast has slowly been coming together for the pilot, and now Damon Lindelof has landed an Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe winner. Welcome back to the world of live-action comics, Jeremy Irons.

News has just broke that Jeremy Irons is joining HBO's Watchmen pilot as the protagonist. None of the characters have been revealed to audience, so there will be plenty of time to debate who he might be playing. But after garnering positive attention for his portrayal of Alfred Pennyworth in the DCEU, comic fans are going to be psyched to see Irons joining another superheroic project.

Jeremy Irons' involvement in the Watchmen pilot, which comes to us from Variety, will no doubt begin a myriad of fan theories regarding who the actor might be playing. While the pilot's lead character, it's unlikely that Irons is playing an action-heavy role like Rorschach or Night Owl. Although, Night Owl's similarities to Batman would no doubt be a fun experience for fans. And considering the pilot will be set in present day, perhaps it'll focus on a much older set of heroes.

Writer Damon Lindelof has also previously stated that the Watchmen pilot and possible series wouldn't merely focus on the same characters and stories from the comics and Zack Snyder's 2009 blockbuster. Instead, the same universe will be brought into the modern timeline, allowing Lindelof and the writers to craft a story independent of the source material. This will allow HBO's Watchmen to live free from the shadow of the silver screen adaptation, and still delivering for the hardcore fans of the property.

Jeremy Irons is joining an already impressive group of actors that Damon Lindelof has assembled for the Watchmen pilot. He'll be working alongside Lindelof's The Leftovers collaborator Regina King, as well as Timothy Blake Nelson, Don Johnson, and Louis Gossett Jr. If the show is ultimately ordered to series, it would be Irons first series regular TV role since BBC's short lived 2011 show The Borgias.

It should be interesting to see how Damon Lindelof's Watchmen pilot differs from Zack Snyder's big screen version. Lindelof's work on projects like The Leftovers and Lost show his ability to work with nonlinear storytelling and dark concepts, so it seems like a great fit for the world of The Watchmen. We'll just have to wait and see if HBO ultimately picks it up.

CinemaBlend will keep you updated on all things Watchmen. In the meantime, check out our summer premiere list to plan your next binge watch. Plus our Amazon premiere list and superhero premiere list to ensure you don't miss a single episode of your favorite show.

Jeremy Irons has had a rather busy 2016. Over the last 12 months he's popped up in High-Rise, Race, The Man Who Knew Infinity, and he'll round off the year with his performance in Assassin's Creed as the film's enigmatic villain, Alan Rikkin. But most moviegoers will remember 2016 as the year that Jeremy Irons made his debut as loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth to Ben Affleck's Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice. But this is only the beginning for Jeremy Irons in the DC Extended Universe, as he's had the cast iron guarantee from Ben Affleck himself that he's going to be much busier in The Batman.

Jeremy Irons made this revelation to me earlier this week when I sat down to discuss his work on Assassin's Creed. Of course, I couldn't pass up this opportunity without asking the 68-year-old about reprising Alfred Pennyworth and whether he's had a chance to sit down and chat with Ben Affleck about The Batman. This provoked Jeremy Irons to respond with:

What a genuinely superb man Jeremy Irons is. Not just because of his acting talents, which are of the highest order, but also the fact that he's so refreshingly honest about his work. Don't forget that that when Warner Bros. was working overdrive to try and save the reputation of Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice and the DC Extended Universe, Jeremy Irons simply came out and admitted that it deserved the bad reviews.

Jeremy Irons will be getting back to work as Alfred Pennyworth sooner than we thought, too. That's because not only was it confirmed over the last few days that The Batman is still on track to begin production this coming spring, but that its release date is scheduled for some time in 2018. Maybe even as early as July 27, 2018, as that spot was recently freed up when Aquaman was pushed back to October.

Of course, before then Jeremy Irons is going to pop up in Justice League next November. From the sound of things, though, he's not going to have much to do much as Alfred Pennyworth, who might be reduced to simply getting the tea and cleaning up the mess that Batman, Wonder Woman et al make. Which is understandable, because just one look at Justice League's trailer proves how packed it's going to be.

Those of you pining to see more Jeremy Irons can do so next week, as Assassin's Creed will finally be with us on December 21, 2016.

Many people see Batman as a loner, but that simply isn't true. Even if you ignore his numerous sidekicks he's brought into his war against crime, Bruce Wayne almost always has Alfred Pennyworth by his side. The DC Extended Universe was no exception, as Jeremy Irons' Alfred was Batman's most trusted confidant earlier this year in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Alfred will return next year in Justice League, but don't expect him to act differently around the movie's other superheroes. In fact, he's going to keep the same level-headed demeanor he rocks around his cowled boss.

During his interview with ComingSoon.net, Jeremy Irons was asked whether the tonal changes in Justice League means that the actor had to alter how he played Alfred compared to his approach in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This was his response:

While Batman is the only member of the Justice League without special abilities, Alfred is much more an everyman than the Caped Crusader, so it's good to hear that he won't suddenly deal with a personality shift as the other Justice Leaguers come in. He'll still be his cool, collected self, and we wouldn't have it any other way. This kind of approach reminds me of how Alfred interacted with the heroes in the Justice League animated series three-parter "Starcrossed." Even in the presence of these mighty figures, he conducted his butler duties as normal and even counseled Hawkgirl. Maybe we'll see Jeremy Irons' Alfred offer some words of wisdom to Flash, Wonder Woman or one of Batman's other teammates.

Even though Jeremy Irons' iteration of Alfred Pennyworth came only four years after Michael Caine's final performance as the character in The Dark Knight Rises, Irons still left a memorable stamp on the butler, opting for a more sarcastic approach. Still, it was clear that he cares deeply for Bruce Wayne, otherwise he wouldn't have stuck around with him for 20 years in Gotham City to face death and destruction on a regular basis. Still, the world has changed recently, and with "gods" now publicly roaming the Earth, it might take Alfred a while to get used to this new status quo, even if he doesn't show it on the outside.

Justice League hits theaters on November 17, 2017, and following that, Jeremy Irons is expected to reprise Alfred in Ben Affleck's solo Batman movie, which doesn't have a release date assigned yet.

With Disney's live-action remake machine in full swing, it was inevitable that The Lion King was going to be a high priority for the studio to put into production. In fact, it's such a high priority that director Jon Favreau is tackling it before any sort of movement is made on The Jungle Book's sequel. Who could blame him for jumping at the chance to retell this Disney classic, as it's still one of the most popular films from their animated canon, even after 22 years of existence.

Part of that film's success could be chalked up to the stellar cast that was assembled to bring The Lion King to life. Sure you can recite the dialogue by heart and sing the songs at top voice on cue, but can you recall where all of the cast members are today? Whether you can or can't, it seems like a good time to catch up with the cast of The Lion King. Whoever they get to voice these classic characters in the new film, it's going to be tough to beat this roster of talent.

Matthew Broderick

Already a big name for several choice films throughout the 80's, Matthew Broderick began a sort of career renaissance with his role as the adult version of Simba in The Lion King. Despite the tragic backstory, one could definitely see a Ferris Bueller sort of vibe in Simba's character, and it was a role that served as a perfect transition into Broderick's later career in both drama and comedy. As of late, Broderick has become more of a star on the stage, with The Producers and Nice Work If You Can Get It earning him sterling notices, though he was most recently seen in Warren Beatty's Rules Don't Apply.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Who better than then teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas to play the younger version of a character that was being voiced by a very grown up Ferris Bueller? Thomas, or "JTT" as his fans like to call him, was a big name on the ABC hit sitcom Home Improvement, and would eventually make two more live action films at Disney - Man of the House and I'll Be Home For Christmas. By 1998, Jonathan Taylor Thomas left acting to focus on his studies, which included missing out the finale for Home Improvement. But by 2000, he returned to the fold with roles on TV shows like Smallville and, most recently, Last Man Standing.

James Earl Jones

A veteran of stage, screen and franchise acting, James Earl Jones' Mufasa may die in the first act, but his presence was felt throughout the film. With all three original Star Wars under his belt, not to mention scores of other film classics, his presence was one of the most iconic in the entire cast roster. Jones would not only go on to voice Mufasa again in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, he also continues to be the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars universe, with his most recent appearance taking place during Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Jeremy Irons

As another iconic villainous type in The Lion King's cast, Jeremy Irons actually got to play the villain of the piece as well. His rendition of Scar is still ranked as one of the top baddies of Disney history, and it's a credit to a career that saw him play evil in both fictional and non-fictional capacities. Jeremy Irons was most recently seen as Alfred in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, a role he'll continue to play throughout the DC Universe's future films, and can next be seen in this month's Assassin's Creed.

Nathan Lane

Mostly known in the Broadway theater community for his work at the time, Nathan Lane probably had no idea the hit he'd have on his hands as the meerkat Timon. But when The Lion King took off like a rocket, "Hakuna Matata" became a household catchphrase, and Lane a household name. He would parlay this success into other films like The Birdcage, but the stage was still his primary love. Lane would later reteam with Matthew Broderick for both The Producers and The Odd Couple on Broadway, and has more recently been seen in his guest role on ABC's Modern Family.

Ernie Sabella

As if The Lion King didn't have enough theatrical actors to its credit, in came Ernie Sabella, who'd made a name for himself with shows like The Robber Bridegroom and Guys and Dolls. Coincidentally enough, the man who would be Pumbaa had not only co-starred with Nathan Lane in that last show, he also went on to partner with him in the revival of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, as well as with bit parts in films like Mouse Hunt. Out of all of the cast members of The Lion King, Sabella is the only one to currently reprise their role full-time on Disney Junior's animated show, The Lion Guard.

Whoopi Goldberg

A comedic legend by the time The Lion King knocked on her door, Whoopi Goldberg was already an Academy Award winner and a prolific film performer. Yet her performance as the de facto leader of Scar's hyena henchmen, Shenzi, is at times comedic and downright threatening. After her time on The Lion King, Goldberg would reprise two of her most famous roles in Disney related pictures, both as Sister Mary Clarence in Sister Act 2, and Shenzi in The Lion King 1 1/2. She is currently at home on the panel for ABC's The View.

Cheech Marin

Most kids today probably recognize Cheech Marin's voice as Ramon from the Disney/Pixar hit Cars, but before he became a low-rider, he was Tito the chihuahua in Oliver and Company and Banzai the hyena in The Lion King. Mostly known for his career as a comedian, most often paired with partner Tommy Chong, Marin opened up a new avenue of roles for himself with his time at Disney, as he went on to star in future kids films like the Spy Kids franchise and Beverly Hills Chihuahua, as well as became a frequent partner of film-maker Robert Rodriguez. Cheech can next be heard in Cars 3, debuting summer 2017.

Jim Cummings

Winnie The Pooh. Darkwing Duck. Pete from Goof Troop. Chances are, if you're a fan of animated voice acting, you're a fan of Jim Cummings - the legendary voice behind all of those characters, and many more. Ed, the derpiest of all hyenas, was his claim to fame in the world of The Lion King, but his voice has been among many other projects in the decades since his crazy laugh gave Ed his laughable charm, and helped cover the higher notes Jeremy Irons' couldn't hit in Be Prepared, when his voice decided to give out. Cummings most recently provided additional character voices for Illumination's The Secret Life of Pets.

Moira Kelly

Still in the beginning phases of her career, Moira Kelly was the perfect choice for Nala - Simba's betrothed and ultimately the emissary that would retrieve Simba, in order to save Pride Rock from Scar's rule. Before The Lion King, Kelly was mostly known for her roles in The Cutting Edge and Chaplin, but afterwards she would go on to a prodigious career in TV roles, most notably in the role of Mandy Hampton in season 1 of The West Wing. Moira Kelly would reprise her role as Nala, alongside Matthew Broderick as Simba, in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, and was last seen in a guest spot on Drop Dead Diva.

Rowan Atkinson

Parents probably knew Rowan Atkinson as either the eponymous Mr. Bean or the eponymous Black Adder. However, children of the 90's first came to know this British comedic legend through his vocal stylings as Zazu, the stuck up hornbill who served as majordomo to the kings of Pride Rock. Since then, Atkinson made his mark on American audiences with the film versions of Mr. Bean's adventures, as well as the role of a narcoleptic drifter in Rat Race. Most recently, he's branched out to detective dramas, with his lead role in the British crime series, Maigret.

Robert Guillaume

At the time, Robert Guillaume's best known role in his acting career had been that of Benson, the whip smart butler from Soap and his self-titled spin-off. Which was probably a good thing, as his wisdom carried over into the role of The Lion King's Rafiki, the spiritual baboon guide of Pride Rock. If it wasn't for his wisdom, and Nala's love, Simba might never have returned to reclaim the throne. Guillaume would go on land a role in Aaron Sorkin's legendary Sports Night sitcom, as well as reprise his role in The Lion King 1 1/2.

Jeremy Irons didn't really get a chance to flex his muscles as Alfred Pennyworth in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice. While he was far from the worst thing about the superhero hybrid, he failed to make an impact as Bruce Wayne's trusty butler. And from what he had to say about the size of his role in the Justice League it doesn't sound like he'll be getting much more screen time to strut his stuff.

Jeremy Irons made this admission to Variety while chatting about his role in the drama The Man Who Knew Infinity. Obviously the discussion soon turned to his role as Alfred in the DC Extended Universe, and Jeremy Irons was asked if he'll have more to do this around. To which he responded:

As he rightfully points out, it's not that surprising that Jeremy Irons will have a similar amount of time on-screen in Justice League as he did in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, because there's quite a bit more competition for spaces. Earlier this summer he only had to contend with Superman (Henry Cavill) and his posse, which included Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and Perry White (Laurence Fishburne), as well as Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) popping in and out.

In Justice League we are fully introduced to Ezra Miller's The Flash, Jason Momoa's Aquaman, and Ray Fisher's Cyborg, whose combined presence in the DC Extended Universe has so far come to less than a minute, while Superman will return from the dead, and Wonder Woman will undoubtedly be kicking ass, too. Luckily for Jeremy Irons, though, Ben Affleck's Batman appears to be in control of bringing the Justice League together, and Alfred will clearly be assisting him with addresses, telephone numbers, What's App groups, and MySpace profiles in his quest. You can remind yourself of the rather impressive first teaser for the Justice League by watching it again below.

Jeremy Irons is in the DC Extended Universe for the long haul, though. And while his appearance in Justice League is expected to be just as fleeting as it was in Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, we can expect to see him given a meatier role in Ben Affleck's solo Batman film. The big question is, though, whether he'll be able to rival Michael Caine's virtuoso portrayal as Alfred Pennyworth in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight saga, which we can all admit was fully deserving of at least a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.

We have quite a few years to wait and see about that, though, because Ben Affleck is remaining tight-lipped about when we can expect a solo Batman film. At least we know that Justice League will be released on November 17, 2017.

While much of the focus in comic book movies is obviously given to the heroes themselves, there are great supporting roles for characters who are just as famous as the heroes themselves, and sometimes the actors playing them are even more famous. Oscar winner Jeremy Irons portrays Bruce Wayne's Butler Alfred as a man who is capable of catering to his employers' needs, in all aspects of life, even when he needs to be a superhero. He was inspired by servants who could have potentially done the same thing in real life.

Alfred's history is Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is not made clear, but if it turned out he was a member of the British Special Air Service it would not be surprising. Alfred comes across about as badass as his boss, and based on Jeremy Irons comments to Variety, that was the plan. The branch of the British army is responsible for things like covert reconnaissance and counter-terrorism. They're some of the absolute best of the best. As butlers, one must assume they were capable of doing literally anything their employer needed. If their boss needed them to build him a suit of body armor they could probably get it done.

While Alfred has been portrayed in different ways throughout the years the Jeremy Irons version of the character certainly knows what he's doing in the Batcave as much as he does in the kitchen, perhaps more so. Alfred quite often plays the part of Bruce Wayne's conscience, and he does this in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as well, but while Michael Caine's version in the Christopher Nolan series never really approved of Bruce Wayne's decision to be Batman, it's clear that Jeremy Irons portrayal is on board with the whole thing, even if he doesn't necessarily have the same opinions of Superman.

It will be interesting to see where the character of Alfred goes in the DC Universe from here. He'll next be seen in the upcoming Justice League and will surely be part of Ben Affleck's solo Batman movie as well. As the universe grows will Alfred find a place in it that isn't simply at the side of one hero? He could probably be useful for the rest of the team as well if Batman will let him.

Justice League will be in theaters November 17, 2017.

Video games have come a long way when it comes to narrative. With more hours of gameplay than many TV series, never mind movies, this means that there's a lot of story to adapt when the movie studios come looking for new movies to make. Assassin's Creed has been an incredibly popular game series since it debuted in 2007. Now it's being turned into a feature film, with hopes of turning it into a franchise as big as the games themselves.

While the movie looks to be taking the basic premise of the Ubisoft video game's structure, there will be many differences as well. Take a look at the trailer so you can get a taste of what you're in for.

There's a lot we still don't know about the Assassin's Creed movie, but here's a breakdown of the structure of the game, as well as that of the movie.

What Is The Assassin’s Creed Release Date?

Assassin’s Creed is scheduled for a North American Release on Dec 21, 2016. December is usually the home of the award-worthy films, which would put Assassin's Creed in a class by itself. However, with the return of a certain major franchise, the assassins may have their work cut out for them. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is hitting theaters the weekend prior, and if Star Wars: The Force Awakens is any indication, Rogue One could have some serious staying power.

What Is The Assassin’s Creed Rating?

Assassin’s Creed is currently unrated, but we anticipate a PG-13 rating when it is finally released. The film will fall squarely into the modern action genre, and as such, it is likely to have a rating similar to other movies of its type. All of the Assassin's Creed games have received M ratings, which is closer to that of an R for the MPAA, however, the M rating does not restrict game sales the way an R rating can do for movie tickets. It's possible, however, that the film could go for an R rating as other game-to-film series have done (Resident Evil).

What Is Assassin’s Creed About?

While a great deal of Assassin’s Creed is still clouded in mystery, the first trailer gives us the story’s basic premise. Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) is dead. At least, that’s what the rest of the world believes. He recently faced execution, but rather than being killed, his death was faked and he’s now being held by a company called Abstergo. They claim to be working toward the future of mankind, but as their methods are somewhat questionable, their motives are as well. Abstergo has perfected a technology that will allow Callum to experience the memories of one of his own ancestors. Abstergo needs him to do this in order to obtain information that the ancestor had, but has since been lost.

A large portion of Assassin’s Creed will take place during the Spanish Inquisition. Here, Michael Fassbender will portray, Aguilar, a member of an ancient order of assassins involved in a feud with the Knights Templar. Exactly how the Spanish Inquisition will fit into the modern day story is still unclear.

The Game

The film version of Assassin’s Creed is based on a long running video game series of the same name. Begun in 2007, Assassin's Creed is simultaneously a science fiction series and a historical adventure at the same time. The story follows a centuries long battle between two factions, the assassins and the Knights Templar. The sides have been fighting for the fate of humanity for centuries. In the initial games the characters are faced with a world ending event (based on the famous 2012 Mayan calander doomsday conspiracy theory). The Templars believe that if humanity is to to be saved, they, as the best and brightest humanity has to offer, must take control. Assassin’s believe in free will above all else, and that a life lived under somebody’s thumb is no life at all.

In the games, the primary objective of these historical experiments is the recovery of objects called Pieces of Eden, ancient technology with immense power, left behind by a race of beings that predate humanity. Whether this will be the objective of the film as well is not yet clear, though it has been said that the Assassin’s Creed movie is taking place within the same universe as the games, so it’s a safe bet that the goal in the film will, somehow, be related.

The key mechanics of the Assassin’s Creed games are based on free running and other parkour like skills. Assassins can climb the near sheer sides of buildings barehanded, and are most at home running across rooftops, jumping from one building to the next. The trailer shows us a fair amount of this. We can be sure that action will be a key aspect of the film.

How Will Assassin’s Creed Be Different From The Game?

While there are many things that we can assume about the movie, based on the game, it's to be expected that some changes will be made. First and foremost, we know that the movie is not an adaptation of any game in the series, but rather it’s another chapter in the same universe. The primary modern day protagonist of the game series is a man named Desmond Miles, who grew up as an assassin, but rejected the lifestyle and left home, only to be eventually found by the Templar order and kidnapped. What little we know about the character of Callum Lynch appears to suggest that he will not know much, if anything, about his ancestor’s involvement in the assassin order.

The biggest difference that we know of so far, is that while the games spend the vast majority of their time on the historical period, the film will deal much more with the modern day character. It will be interesting to see how this difference impacts the story. In the games, our hero has always been the historical character, Ezio Auditore, in Renaissance Italy or native American Connor during the American Revolution. The modern day character of Desmond Miles was always our conduit to that character, but was never of any particular importance himself. The movie is planning to flip the script and make the modern day Callum Lynch the story’s driving character.

Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender was not familiar with the Assassin’s Creed franchise when he was approached about the role. Since then, he’s become very excited about the film as he has also signed on as a producer. Callum Lynch appears to be a very different character than we’re used to seeing in Assassin's Creed. While killing is, of course, a standard part of assassin life, spilling the blood of innocents is expressly forbidden within the creed. It’s unlikely that Aguilar will be the same sort of character, this has the potential to give Fassbender two very different characters to play.

Supporting Characters

The supporting cast of Assassin's Creed looks to be very strong and contains several stellar actors. Jeremy Irons will play Alan Rikken, the man in charge of the facility where Callum Lynch is being held. His daughter, Dr. Sofia Rikken, played by Marion Cotillard, is actually the one running the experiment on Callum in the Animus. While father and daughter do appear to be working together, there may be some degree of conflict between the two.

During the Spanish Inquisition era scenes we see several people dressed in the traditional assassin robes, most of what we get from them are action shots without much context. We are introduced to a female assassin in the trailer rather prominently, this appears to be Ariane Labed's Maria, a role that was originally planned for Alicia Vikander. She'll be playing the female lead in the historic portion of the movie. The games have been a little light on female assassins, so Maria could end up as the one of the most important women in the entire franchise.

Brendan Gleeson will be playing the father of lead character Callum Lynch in the modern day. We know from an early preview, that we see will see Callum as a young boy along with his younger father (played by Brendan’s son Brian) early in the film. This means that we will meet the father in the modern day story as well, though we don’t know how. Callum’s father Joseph appears to be an active member of the assassin order, though, due to circumstances, he was never able to impart this wisdom to his son.

The Director

Justin Kurzel has never directed a big budget action movie before. He’s better known for smaller productions like his recent adaptation of Macbeth. However, on that project, he worked with both Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, who are back with him for Assassin's Creed. This means both actors are likely confident in his ability to pull all of the vastly different aspects of the movie together.

Abstergo/Templars

Abstergo is the modern focus of the Knights Templar. It's a large corporation, which funds the various templar plans. One of the key Abstergo technologies is the Animus, a machine that is able to recover genetic memory from its subjects. The key conceit of Assassin's Creed is that each of us carries in our cells the memories of our ancestors. By recovering this, the Animus can cause a person to relive the events of somebody who lived hundreds of years in the past. It would seem that Callum Lynch's ancestor during the Spanish Inquisition has some knowledge that the Templars need, and by forcing him to relive these events, they can get it.

One key difference about the movie version of the Animus is that it is a much more massive machine. The Animus of the video game is essentially an examination table that the subject gets strapped into, the action in the past takes place entirely in the mind. Here, the animus appears to be the world's most advanced virtual reality rig, where the subject physically runs around just as he does in the memory. This machine includes a large mechanical arm that keeps the subject from running outside of the machine's range. One, likely unintended, result of this is that Callum Lynch will learn how to fight like an assassin by reliving the experience of one.

Assassins

Opposing the Templars are the assassins. While the Templar order exists in plain sight, as part of Abstergo, the assassins live in the shadows. The implication of the games is that the templars have done a fairly decent job hunting down and exterminating assassins in the modern age. There aren't many left, the hiding is out of necessity, not strategy.

The assassin’s look, of a long robe with a hood is an iconic image which the movie will be continuing. Exactly how the assassins hide in plain sight when nobody else wears outfits like that is not clear, but perhaps the film will help explain that. One line in the trailer tells us that the actual Assassin's Creed, the words that they live by, will be in the film as well.

The assassin’s chief weapon is the hidden blade. We see a pair of these devices attached to Callum Lynch’s arms in the trailer. Each device holds a small knife-like blade that can spring forward, and then retract, so that an assassin may covertly stab a target, without anybody in a crowd even being aware that it has happened.

The Spanish Inquisition

While the Assassin's Creed game series has covered numerous time periods, the movie will delve into an entirely new era. The games have covered the Crusades, the Renaissance, and the French Revolution, but the movie will give us the Spanish Inquisition.

As the Spanish Inquisition was actually the beginning of the Templar order, historically speaking, it makes sense that this would be a chosen time period for the film.

What we don’t know is exactly how the Spanish Inquisition will play into the film’s larger story. We do know that at least one historical figure, Torquemada, will appear as a character in Assassin’s Creed, and it’s common for real historical people to make appearances throughout the game franchise. Since the names we know from history are the people who shaped it, it’s common for them to turn out to be either or Assassins or Templars. Most of America’s founding fathers were associated with the Assassins, while loyalists were Templars. People viewed as historical heroes turn out to support the Assassins. Historical assholes are always Templars.

Franchise Possibilities

Since the Assassin’s Creed video games are almost a yearly franchise, and 2016 will be the first year without a new console game in the series since 2008, it’s a safe bet that the hopes are that the movies will have sequels as well. Rumors have claimed that early work on the sequel has already begun. According to those rumors, Michael Fassbender will reprise his lead role in a follow-up.

If the plan is to follow the game’s structure in some way, this would make sense. The first several games followed the character of Desmond Miles, but involved him experiencing the memories of different ancestors. This would allow the movie to travel to different historical eras as well as different geographical locations. We fully expect that the Assassin's Creed movie will set itself up for sequels, and if the movie is financially successful, we will see them happen.

Whether you like it or hate it, there’s no denying that superhero adaptations have been truly dominating the world of both TV and film. Of course, not all comic book adaptations are created equal, and it’s pretty easy to piss off the droves of fans who have been waiting years to see their favorite hero on the big screen. This seems to be exactly what happened with Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which was met with mixed to negative reviews. While this poor response has spawned the infamous sad Affleck gif, it seems that one actor from the film isn’t the least bit surprised by criticism: Jeremy Irons.

Jeremy Irons, who plays the new badass version of Alfred Pennyworth in the DC Extended Universe recently spoke to The Daily Mail, where he gives his opinion on all the harsh criticism that Batman v Superman has received. 

There you go, people. Even Jeremy Irons knew that Batman v Superman’s script left much to be desired. But, as he points out, it didn’t stop the film from making a ton of cash once it was released. 

Overstuffed seems like the perfect way to describe Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While visually stunning, there were so many stories and plot points happening throughout the film that it seemed a bit exhausting. In addition to the eventual conflict between the two heroes, we had to be introduced to Batman, Alfred, Wonder Woman, and Lex Luthor. Plus there were other characters who we met, liked, and were promptly killed off. And all of this is within the first half of the movie.

Additionally, Batman v Superman’s third act proved to be truly tiring. Batman and Superman’s battle should probably have been the final fight, but Zack Snyder threw Doomsday into the mix, and things got out of hand. This pushed the film over the edge in regards to runtime, as well as how much the audience was supposed to digest at once.

Jeremy Irons’ statement does seem hopeful for Justice League, as well as a future Batman spinoff film. Even though Justice League will have many more characters to play with, its script is apparently easier to follow and smaller in size. Hopefully this doesn’t mean that there is somehow less dialogue than Batman v Superman, where Supes got an almost embarrassingly small amount of lines.

Of course, we’ll just have to wait to see how Justice League Part One ends up when it is released November 17th, 2017. We’ll continue to update you on all things DC as details become public to us.

Hollywood has struggled, over the years, converting popular video games into successful film franchises. That doesn’t stop studios from trying, however. Later this summer, Duncan Jones will unveil Warcraft, while Oscar winner Alicia Vikander just agreed to try on Lara Croft’s cargo shorts for a new big-screen Tomb Raider adventure. Additionally, Assassin’s Creed is making a go at silver-screen fortune, with Michael Fassbender in the lead role. We just got our first look at the new movie, via the full trailer. Give it a look:

Working off of the stories presented in the long-running video game series by Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed casts Michael Fassbender as Callum Lynch, a man whose mysterious heritage traces back through a line of secret killers. Using an incredible new technology, Callum appears to be able to assume the identity of Aguilar, one of his past descendants, and embark on a series of missions to retrieve priceless artifacts. Did we mention that this is all during the Spanish Inquisition? Because the amazing technology that Callum becomes a guinea pig to can send him back through his own familial timeline.

This movie won’t lift its plot directly from one of the games. For one, Callum Lynch isn’t a character in the games. In this movie, he will be a bartender who is abducted by a mysterious corporation, and forced to work in The Animus, the machine that allows him to somehow tap into his ancestors’ memories and conduct the missions – all through his own genetic profile. We know we're giving an extremely basic explanation of this technology, but we'll trust Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons to explain everything much better in the context of the Assassin's Creed adaptation.

As far as looks go, Assassin's Creed definitely captures the high flying stunt work and insane combat that fans of the video games will appreciate. However, the trailer looks better than your average video game adaptation has any right to, and that's thanks in part to the director, Justin Kurzel. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he previously worked with Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender on the most recent adaptation of Macbeth, which also explains the smoky aesthetic to the film's overall look to its Spanish Inquisition storyline. Say what you will about whatever the story's about to do, but at least the film looks like a video game adaptation that remembered to bring a cohesive product to market.

Naturally, seeing as Assassin's Creed drops in theaters on December 21st, we'll bet that a more full trailer will hit later this summer, detailing what the story behind Callum Lynch's new lease on life.

The new version of Batman that we’re going to see in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is expected to be somewhat different than the one that we’ve seen on screen in recent years. One of the ways in which this will be conveyed is in the part of Alfred. Jeremy Irons' version of Bruce Wayne’s faithful butler won’t simply be a man keeping a secret, but a much more involved partner in the endeavor. Now, it turns out one of the reasons that Alfred won’t be a simple butler is that there’s no Wayne Manor for him to work in.

We learned about a year ago that the plans for Wayne Manor in this film were for it to be a condemned wreck, rather than the lavish mansion that it is usually portrayed as. Jeremy Irons has confirmed to Empire Magazine that nobody lives there in the film because the building is burnt out, though the reason that it’s in such a state is conveniently not mentioned. (We have our own theories.) Instead, Alfred’s home in the movie is described as a "sleek lakeside residence." That Wayne money. Houses for days.

It may be nothing, but the Empire story specifically states that Alfred lives in the lakeside residence. It makes no specific reference that Bruce Wayne also lives there. It’s possible that Ben Affleck’s character may live someplace else. As this Bruce Wayne appears to possibly be more obsessive than his predecessors, it’s possible he’s taken up permanent residence in the Batcave. We’re also assuming that the Batcave is still functional underneath the burnt out wreck of Wayne Manor. It’s also possible that it exists elsewhere.

Jeremy Irons also promises to be a more "hands-on" Alfred in this movie, as he intimates in the interview that his character will have some sort of previous special forces training that will make him useful in a fight, even if he doesn’t necessarily agree that the one Batman is picking with Superman is the best call. It looks like the new film may be borrowing a page from the Gotham playbook, as the background for Irons character sounds similar to the version that Sean Pertwee portrays on the television series.

Between the changes to Wayne Manor and Alfred, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is set up to be a unique take on the Caped Crusader. We’re looking forward to getting to know this new Alfred, and hopefully seeing him kick some butt.

While we have seen many different actors take on the role of Batman over the years, we have actually only seen two big screen Alfred Pennyworths. The first was Michael Gough, who played Bruce Wayne's butler in both the Tim Burton movies and the Joel Schumacher entries; and the second was Michael Caine, who played the part throughout Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy. Because of this, Jeremy Irons actually has a surprising amount of freedom with his interpretation of the same part in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - and judging from his recent comments, he's taking full advantage of that fact.

Irons has been up at the Toronto International Film Festival this past week celebrating the world premiere of the new thriller High Rise, and it was while speaking with The Toronto Sun that the actor explained how we can expect his version of Alfred Pennyworth to be different from those we've seen before. He painted the picture of the butler who is much more pro-active than other versions, and can take action when needed. He explained,

To Michael Caine's credit, his version of Alfred did manage to knock out a guard from the League of Shadows, and rescue Bruce Wayne from a fire. That being said, it seems we can now expect to see a version of the character who won't cower away from foes.

"Foes" doesn't necessarily mean "the bad guys" either. As seen in the first full-length Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer, he does a pretty good job pushing the Caped Crusader around:

If all goes according to plan, we should be seeing this brand new incarnation of Alfred Pennyworth for many years. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is just the start of Ben Affleck's reign as the new big screen Dark Knight, and where Batman goes, usually Alfred follows. Provided he makes it out of the Zack Snyder film alive, we full expect him to be in the next solo Batman film (whenever that arrives) and possibly even in the Justice League features that are lined up.

A Batman movie would not be complete without the loyal and tiresome efforts of our favorite Butler, Alfred Pennyworth. Portrayed slightly differently in every film he’s appeared in, Alfred often serves as an important guide and voice of reason to his employer, Bruce Wayne. And the upcoming Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is set to include the character once again, this time in a way we’ve never seen before.

The new Alfred will be played by notable English actor, Jeremy Irons. Though he could not discuss the character in length, in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Irons teased his upcoming role in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice stating:

Irons admitted that his role will be small, so we are left wondering what exactly a "more hands-on" Alfred will entail, especially in relation to the last Alfred we came to know and love, played by Michael Caine. If I had to describe Caine’s portrayal of Alfred, the first phrase that would come to mind is hands-on. In each film of Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight series, Alfred played a pivotal role. In Batman Begins he helped Bruce essentially create Batman, helping him build the batcave, tools in hand. Alfred even saved Bruce while he was trapped in the flaming manor after the League of Shadows attacked. And that's only in the first film of the series.

Unless Irons portrayal of Alfred is going to include him fighting side-by-side with Batman, I’m not too sure what a more hands-on Alfred will look like. Even in the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher Batman series, we played witness to a hands-on Alfred who helped Bruce in more ways than one. He even introduces his niece Barbara, who ends up becoming Batgirl.

The typical Alfred has been known to mind his space from Batman, offer assistance at the manor, thoughtful advice and patch up Bruce when needed. There’s been somewhat of a disconnect between Bruce when masked as Batman and Alfred, in comparison to the Alfred and Bruce relationship. It makes sense, Alfred is there to support his employer, and much more than that, look after him after the death of his parents. He plays a paternal role in Bruce’s life. So distancing himself from the actual fight has always been a key part of Alfred’s survival to maintain that role. He works more as a support-system at home, then out on the field.

So if this Alfred, in Batman V Superman is destined to be more hands-on than the previous Alfred’s we’ve grown accustomed to, we might see the old man using one of Batman’s gadgets on a villain or supplying some necessary backup. Because there are already so many characters lined up for the upcoming film, there won’t be a lot of Alfred on screen. But it’ll be exciting to see what this new and improved, hands-on Alfred has to offer. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is scheduled to hit theaters March 25, 2016.

When it was announced in mid-January that Zack Snyder's upcoming Man of Steel sequel had been pushed back nearly a full year to May 6, 2016, we assumed that the project was undergoing some major changes. Just a few weeks earlier it had been revealed that Academy Award winner Chris Terrio was being brought in to rewrite the script put together by Snyder and David Goyer, and persistent rumors suggested the project was becoming an even bigger blockbuster than originally thought. What is surprising, however, is that nearly two full months have passed since then and apparently the script still isn't finished.

Absolute Radio (via Variety) recently covered the red carpet for The Prince's Trust Celebrate Success Awards 2014 and while speaking with Jeremy Irons - who will soon become the next Alfred Pennyworth - got the scoop that the screenplay for the untitled Batman vs. Superman film is still not ready to go before cameras. "The script isn't entirely finished," the actor said. "So it will be as much a surprise to me as it is to you." He also had nothing but positive things to say about his future co-star Ben Affleck, remarking that he is excited by the casting and that he is looking forward to getting the chance to work with him.

You can watch the full albeit brief interview below:

While it's somewhat strange that the script isn't at a point yet where Irons feels he can start getting into character (unless he was just trying to evade the question), I must say that I'm almost happy that the script isn't considered "done" yet. This movie is going to be such a massive undertaking that the filmmakers really need to make sure that they know what they are making is great. They've already given the production plenty of breathing room thanks to the release date push and that will definitely help when it comes to the post-production process, but before they shoot a single frame they should make sure that the screenplay they're working from is perfect.

The Man of Steel sequel is scheduled to go into production with an awesome ensemble cast that already includes Henry Cavill as Superman, Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Lawrence Fishburne as Perry White and Diane Lane as Martha Kent. The next few months should be filled with a bunch of new updates about the film and new casting additions, so stay tuned!

Casting is always one of the most exciting parts of the production process in comic book movies. Fans spend so much time speculating about who should play their favorite superheroes and villains and building wish lists that when actors are officially announced it always sparks a great deal of debate and sometimes even controversy (I’m looking at you, Ben Affleck). At the same time it’s also fun to finally be able to close your eyes and suddenly get a very clear picture of what an anticipated upcoming movie may look like. Plain and simple, it’s a fun time to express opinion and fanhood, and this past week we got the chance to do a lot of that.

Since last Friday we have heard multiple exciting developments happening with the casts of both new DC Comics and Marvel Studios films. First it was officially announced that Jesse Eisenberg has been hired to play the new Lex Luthor in Zack Snyder’s upcoming Batman vs. Superman movie (becoming the first actor under the age of 45 to portray the character on the big screen), and that news was paired with the reveal that Jeremy Irons will be Batman’s new Alfred Pennyworth (a role made rather iconic by Michael Caine in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy). As though that weren’t enough, it was reported just yesterday that Evangelline Lilly is now in early talks to play the female lead in Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man - though it hasn’t been confirmed exactly who she will be playing.

The announcements all leave a lot to be discussed, and fortunately this week I had someone great to talk about it with. Joining me as my co-host for Hero Blend #3 is IGN Entertainment Editor Roth Cornet, and there’s a lot to talk about, so just hit play!

You can find more episodes of Hero Blend right here.

Showtime’s The Borgias is currently in full swing in its third season, but if you were already getting excited about Season 4, you should probably take a seat right now before you continue reading. The subscription cable network announced on Wednesday that this month’s June 16 finale will actually be the series’ last episode, as well. After 3 seasons, The Borgias is officially getting the axe.

This is actually pretty bizarre news. The Borgias has been averaging 2.4 million viewers an episode on Season 3, which is on par with what the series was doing, ratings-wise, in Season 2. That’s not crushing in the ratings when compared to other subscription cable programs, including the wildly popular Game of Thrones, but Showtime isn’t HBO, either. However, show creator and writer Neil Jordan has a few things to say about the end of the series, and it sheds at least a little light on why the show may not be returning.

If the show doesn’t crush in the ratings and the series got to a natural stopping point, it may explain why Showtime doesn’t want to continue creating new episodes of The Borgias, which stars Jeremy Irons in a drama about the famous Italian family that is the title’s namesake. With Dexter also ending after this summer, the pay cable network has plenty of new projects in the works, including another project with Michael C. Hall, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Pump, and more. It may have just been the right time to let go of the period drama.

You can catch new episodes of The Borgias on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

Everyone is looking fairly serious on the poster for the upcoming film Margin Call, as well they should be. Based on a true story, Margin Call follows a crucial day in the life of an investment bank during the start of the financial crisis back in 2008. That alone sounds interesting, but it’s the cast, which consists of a number of actors who have, quite literally, given me goosebumps in previous performances, that really sell this film. Fortunately, most of the notable names are featured on the poster.

Margin Call‘s excellent cast includes Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell and Demi Moore. The trailer had me at the first sight of Stanley Tucci. I’d watch that man read the back of a shampoo bottle. I could probably say the same for Spacey, Irons, Quinto and just about everyone else shown on the poster. While Mary McDonnell doesn’t appear on this poster, as a Battlestar Galactica fan, I’m happy to see her name on the cast-list nonetheless.

IMDB has a previously released teaser-poster, which features what looks like a line-graph, which likely signifies the falling stock market, or perhaps something a bit more specific to what’s going on in the story. This latest poster not only gives us a look at the stern faces of the cast, but it also bears a cold message.

“Be first. Be Smarter. Or Cheat.” - Words to get rich by.

View the high-res version of the poster and the trailer for Margin Call here.